Ensler Announces 2 Billion Rising And Call to Justice for 2014

Eve Ensler, founder of V-Day, was at the Free Library of Philadelphia on Saturday night to plug her new book, "In The Body of The World". Near the end of her book reading, she announced that One Billion Rising will be expanded  for V-Day 2014.

V-Day, which was founded to draw attention to violence against women, was originally commemorated every Valentine's Day with performances of her play, "The Vagina Monologues". She created One Billion Rising, which mobilized one billion people to dance in the streets to protest violence against women, to mark the 15th anniversary in 2013.

"We are going to have 2 Billion Rising and a Call to Justice for 2014," she said. "We are asking women who have been attacked to file charges." If the statue of limitations has not expired, then we are asking to go to the court and file charges. If they have filed charges, we are asking them to go to find out what is happening. Can you imagine the lines of people that will be forming outside courthouses all over the world?

Call to Justice could produce a seismic change in the way that violence against women is looked at. There is strength in numbers. Women, who had previously kept silent about the attack, might be more willing to come  forward in a group situation. With so few sexual assaults reported, the optics of lines of women waiting to press charges against their attackers might change public sentiment.

Ensler recently was diagnosed with stage 3 uterine cancer. She has surgery and chemotherapy. Nothing keeps this women down.

Pictures from PIFA Street Fair

The PIFA Street Fair was held on Saturday, April 27. The fair strictly adhered to its theme of "If you had a time machine .." It seemed there was something from every time period even ones that have not happened yet.

Gloria Steinem Compares Abortion Lobby to NRA

Feminist and political activist Gloria Steinem spoke to a packed house at a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania on April 16. Steinem, the founder of Ms. Magazine, was heartened at the future of feminism by seeing “so many in the room that were not even born when I first published Ms. Magazine.” She gave all the men in the room a “free pass on the sins that they have committed or might commit in the future.”

Steinem, who recently celebrated her 79^th birthday, shocked the room with this chilling statistic: “More American women have died at the hands of the husbands or boyfriends since September 11, 2001 than the total of Americans that died on 9/11 and in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

She explained why this concerns all of us.

“Studies have shown that societies that mistreat women are more likely to breed terrorism,” she said.

Steinem touched on local concerns by voicing her disappointment with the gender gap in Pennsylvania politics.

“Pennsylvania has very few women in the legislature. We need more women at the table because they concentrate on issues that are of concern to all of us such as health and welfare.”

Pennsylvania ranks 42 nationally for number of women elected to political office in the state.  Although women are a majority of the registered voters in this state, they make up only 17.8% of the General Assembly. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz is the lone woman that represents Pennsylvania in Congress. 

She graciously ceded to former Pennsylvania State Senator Connie Williams, who made an emotional plea for the women in the audience to run for office.

Steinem took aim at the Pennsylvania legislature, which spent 1/3 of their last legislative session debating abortion.  The legislature has passed through committees in both houses bill that would prohibit insurance companies from paying for an abortion except in the case of rape and incest. An abortion, which is needed to save the life of a mother, would have to be paid out of pocket by the woman.

“We have a problem with the Pennsylvania Legislature,” she said. “The abortion lobby is similar to the NRA. Both are controlled by extremists that do not represent the views of the majority of the members.”

Steinem is not surprised that the battle over legalized abortion and birth control continues even though many feminists thought it was settled in the 1970’s.

“It should be a women’s health issue,” she emphatically declared. “Instead it is about a need to control, racism, nationalism, and cheap labor. America did not have a problem with birth control until the Europeans came over with their monotheistic religions. “

Steinem poked holes in the current GOP attack line against abortion, victims of rape can’t get pregnant. She stressed that the promulgation of this falsehood during the 2012 election cycle was not about a lack of anatomy knowledge.

 “This Republican line of attack mystifies feminists the most. It is all about blaming the victim. If the women does get pregnant that means she wasn’t raped.”

Meeting Gloria Steinem in person, you realize why she has stayed relevant for this long. She is humble and modest about her achievements. A greeting of “it’s an honor to meet you” is returned with “It’s an honor to meet you.”

In an interview before the event, Steinem took sides in the feminist debate du jour over Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean in: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.” This is not surprising because Steinem’s brand of feminism, as opposed to Betty Friedan’s, has always been inclusive.

“Former Planned Parenthood CEO and President Gloria Feldt wrote a similar book, “No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power” and was not criticized,” she noted. “Sheryl is being attacked because she is successful. In order to maintain the unequal gender roles, if we are women we have to be persuaded that we will not be loved if we are successful. If we are men, we will not be loved if we are not successful.”

She dismissed criticism that Sandberg’s approach was too elitist by noting “domestics in New York are forming “Lean in” circles. She specifically endorsed her idea of co-parenting.

“Couples should not agree to have children unless the man agrees to parent equally,” she said.

Steinem’s latest project, Women Under Siege Project  hearkens back to her Jewish roots, which may surprise many that do not think of Steinem as a Jewish feminist.

“My father was Jewish,” she said. “When someone says something anti-Semitic, believe me I am Jewish. I have attended a feminist Seder for thirty years. I believe in spirituality not paternalistic hierarchies. I attended a regular Seder once and was shocked at what I was reading.”

We had a good laugh that the 4 sons not sons and daughters ask the questions in the Passover Haggadah.

The Women Under Siege Project is attempting to chronicle the accounts of victims of sexual abuse during war or military conflict starting with the Holocaust and extending to present day conflicts in the Congo, Egypt and Syria.

“Sexual violence is a weapon of war. The judges at Nuremberg would not allow the testimony of women that had been sexually abused by the Nazis in the courtroom. The proceedings were horrific enough. They did not want tears in the courtroom,” said Steinem.

Gloria Steinem Compares Abortion Lobby to NRA

Feminist and political activist Gloria Steinem spoke to a packed house at a fundraiser for Planned Parenthood Southeastern Pennsylvania on April 16. Steinem, the founder of Ms. Magazine, was heartened at the future of feminism by seeing “so many in the room that were not even born when I first published Ms. Magazine.” She gave all the men in the room a “free pass on the sins that they have committed or might commit in the future.”

Steinem, who recently celebrated her 79^th birthday, shocked the room with this chilling statistic: “More American women have died at the hands of the husbands or boyfriends since September 11, 2001 than the total of Americans that died on 9/11 and in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

She explained why this concerns all of us.

“Studies have shown that societies that mistreat women are more likely to breed terrorism,” she said.

Steinem touched on local concerns by voicing her disappointment with the gender gap in Pennsylvania politics.

“Pennsylvania has very few women in the legislature. We need more women at the table because they concentrate on issues that are of concern to all of us such as health and welfare.”

Pennsylvania ranks 42 nationally for number of women elected to political office in the state.  Although women are a majority of the registered voters in this state, they make up only 17.8% of the General Assembly. Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz is the lone woman that represents Pennsylvania in Congress. 

She graciously ceded to former Pennsylvania State Senator Connie Williams, who made an emotional plea for the women in the audience to run for office.

Steinem took aim at the Pennsylvania legislature, which spent 1/3 of their last legislative session debating abortion.  The legislature has passed through committees in both houses bill that would prohibit insurance companies from paying for an abortion except in the case of rape and incest. An abortion, which is needed to save the life of a mother, would have to be paid out of pocket by the woman.

“We have a problem with the Pennsylvania Legislature,” she said. “The abortion lobby is similar to the NRA. Both are controlled by extremists that do not represent the views of the majority of the members.”

Steinem is not surprised that the battle over legalized abortion and birth control continues even though many feminists thought it was settled in the 1970’s.

“It should be a women’s health issue,” she emphatically declared. “Instead it is about a need to control, racism, nationalism, and cheap labor. America did not have a problem with birth control until the Europeans came over with their monotheistic religions. “

Steinem poked holes in the current GOP attack line against abortion, victims of rape can’t get pregnant. She stressed that the promulgation of this falsehood during the 2012 election cycle was not about a lack of anatomy knowledge.

 “This Republican line of attack mystifies feminists the most. It is all about blaming the victim. If the women does get pregnant that means she wasn’t raped.”

Meeting Gloria Steinem in person, you realize why she has stayed relevant for this long. She is humble and modest about her achievements. A greeting of “it’s an honor to meet you” is returned with “It’s an honor to meet you.”

In an interview before the event, Steinem took sides in the feminist debate du jour over Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean in: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead.” This is not surprising because Steinem’s brand of feminism, as opposed to Betty Friedan’s, has always been inclusive.

“Former Planned Parenthood CEO and President Gloria Feldt wrote a similar book, “No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power” and was not criticized,” she noted. “Sheryl is being attacked because she is successful. In order to maintain the unequal gender roles, if we are women we have to be persuaded that we will not be loved if we are successful. If we are men, we will not be loved if we are not successful.”

She dismissed criticism that Sandberg’s approach was too elitist by noting “domestics in New York are forming “Lean in” circles. She specifically endorsed her idea of co-parenting.

“Couples should not agree to have children unless the man agrees to parent equally,” she said.

Steinem’s latest project, Women Under Siege Project  hearkens back to her Jewish roots, which may surprise many that do not think of Steinem as a Jewish feminist.

“My father was Jewish,” she said. “When someone says something anti-Semitic, believe me I am Jewish. I have attended a feminist Seder for thirty years. I believe in spirituality not paternalistic hierarchies. I attended a regular Seder once and was shocked at what I was reading.”

We had a good laugh that the 4 sons not sons and daughters ask the questions in the Passover Haggadah.

The Women Under Siege Project is attempting to chronicle the accounts of victims of sexual abuse during war or military conflict starting with the Holocaust and extending to present day conflicts in the Congo, Egypt and Syria.

“Sexual violence is a weapon of war. The judges at Nuremberg would not allow the testimony of women that had been sexually abused by the Nazis in the courtroom. The proceedings were horrific enough. They did not want tears in the courtroom,” said Steinem.

Toomey Weighing Elimination of Carried Interest

Senator Pat Toomey, Kris Toomey, Sandy Marshall and David Marshall at the  PIFA gala

Senator Pat Toomey and his wife, Kris, were the guests of real estate developer David Marshall and his wife Sandy at the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) gala. Mrs. Marshall was the chairman of last night's gala. Marshall, CEO of Amerimar Realty, is perhaps best known locally for developing the Rittenhouse Hotel.

Toomey said, "When David Marshall invited me, he promised me a spectacular evening. So far, he has delivered."

Not one to shy away from stirring up trouble or forgo an opportunity to score political points, I suggested in the middle of the mayhem of the party to the senator and Marshall that the one tax break for the rich that could be eliminated was carried interest. Carried interest tax benefit allows investment managers to pay the lower capital gains rate on their share of the fund's profits in excess of their personal investment even though they did not have any capital risk for those profits.

To my surprise, Marshall, who manages real estate funds, agreed that this was one tax benefit that should be closed. At the end of the evening, he recounted his conversation with Toomey.

"I told him that I am developer so it would cost me money if it was eliminated. But carried interest does not really incentivize investment," said Marshall, who is a fiscal conservative.

"The senator was surprised at my response," he continued. "He would consider eliminating it, but said that he is concerned that it would be a slippery slope. The Democrats would have to give something in return to get it."

Democrats, if you are listening, there is a chance to end the most desisted tax benefit in the country that benefits the rich. I also wrote this post because it is a fascinating window into how things get done in Washington.

The ninjas that greeted us at the start of the gals

Marshall, who served as chairman of the board of Fox Chase Cancer Center for three and half years, also pushed Toomey on funding for the NIH. It will be interesting to see if deficit hawk Toomey will agree to an increase in NIH funding.

Marshall has long championed NIH funding. He would only agree to hold fundraisers for the late Senator Arlen Specter if he would agree to push Obama on NIH funding.

"After Obama and Specter went to the Super Bowl, Specter called me and said that he did not get the $2 or $3 billion I asked for, but $10 billion," said Marshall.

Marshall is also in favor of means testing for social security. But it would been too much to expect Toomey to talk about two tax increases in one night.

A look inside the PIFA time machine

Mrs. Toomey still lives in Allentown with the couple's three children.

She said, "The oldest is excited about his dad in Washington, but he has only been there a few times. He can only go on the weekends and Pat wants to come home."

Hamels, Howard Preview Phillies Opening Day

The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce sponsored on Friday "Paint the Town Red," a Phillies opening week ritual for 30 years. Phillies Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, and new Phillie Mike Young took questions. Owner Bill Giles, CEO David Montgomery, general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr, manager Charlie Manuel were also on hand.

The Phillie Phanatic is red for Red Week.

Ryan Howard said he is feeling "pretty good." To get ready for the season, he channeled Cal Ripken. He played for two weeks straight during spring training. While he was candid that he is slower, he thinks he has found a way to be more efficient.

A bearded Cole Hamels acknowledged it was a "tremendous honor to be selected opening day pitcher." At spring training, Cole's fastballs were averaging 92 mph. He is hoping with cheering from the fans that it will get up to 93 mph.

Mike Young, who played in two World Series games as a Texas Ranger, made it clear that he wants to finally score a World Series ring. "Losing the World Series is tough," he said.

Hamels, who was first allowed to pitch at the age of 10, said, "There is nothing better than pitching a no hitter at Citizen's Bank Park.

Howard was candid that it is hard to come back after a losing season.

Both Howard and Young had good things to say about Phillies prospect Cody Asche. Hamels thought highly of pitching prospects Adam Morgan and Jonathan Pettibone.

Hamels and Howard's two favorite players were Ken Griffey Jr, and Tony Gwynn. Howards also added Barry Bonds to the list. Young picked Don Mattingly.

Owner Bill Giles, who said that ticket sales are down 10% this year, defended the price of Phillies tickets.
"They are cheaper than Sixers and Flyers tickets. People don't like the price they don't have to come."

Forbes magazine recently named the Phillies Franchise the 5th most valuable franchise in major league Baseball. Giles does not think it is likely that the Phillies will move up higher in the rankings.

"We were sold out three years in a row. But a lot of the value is determined by television rights. We can't compete with New York and Los Angeles," he explained.

Montgomery, who is a part owner, does not care about the rankings at all.

"I care about winning not the value of the franchise," he said,

He explained how they pick between two players with equal stats.

"If two players look the same on paper, then we choose the one with the better character. If they both have the same numbers and character, we go with the younger one. We bet on the future," Montgomery said.

Amaro assured that Delmon Young isn't an anti-Semite.

'He's a good kid from a good family. He was drunk and did something stupid that got a lot of attention because he was a celebrity. He was trying to protect the pickpocket," he said..

Cole Hamels was booed when he said that he had chosen Wichita State in his NCAA bracket.

Rebeck Talks Candidly about "Smash" Firing

“Seminar,” written by the creator of the television show “Smash” Teresa Rebeck, is running at the Philadelphia Theatre Company (PTC) until April 14. This is a return trip to PTC for Pulitzer Prize nominated Rebeck. Twenty years ago, she wrote her play “Spike Heels” as one of the first young playwrights in the PTC Mentorship Program.

“Seminar” is a comedy about 4 aspiring writers that paid $5000 each to take a writing seminar given by a famous author. Each of the writers has different and surprising reactions to the true, but cruel criticism from their tortured teacher. Many of them, in rotating combinations, found comfort in each other’s arms. Several are forced to deal with the truth and find their true writing destiny.

Pulitzer Prize nominated playwright Rebeck considers “Seminar” one of her most “precious” plays because it is about the “desperate courage and hope of all writers.” She denies that the play is autobiographical, but admits to adding bits of her experiences and personality to several of the characters. Leonard, the writing teacher, is partially based on a sadistic Manhattan writing teacher. 

“Everyone thinks that I am Kate, the young feminist writer. I was a feminist, but not that militant. I have been a writing teacher. I was impatient but I just hope that I was not as cruel as Leonard. Like Matt, I was reluctant to show my work,” she said.

Rebeck, who won both a Peabody Award and Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award for her work on NYPD Blue, believes this the golden age of storytelling because advancements in technology have lowered the cost of telling a story.

She said, “You can now edit on your laptop. My friend made a movie for $15000 that was distributed nationwide,”

Rebeck encourages all aspiring writers to “create their own opportunity” by self –producing instead of submitting grant applications and facing possible rejection.

“I am not sure that art and corporate logic fit together,” she said.

Rebeck’s distaste for the studio system may stem from her very public firing as executive producer from “Smash.”  Steven Spielberg recruited her to the show when he fell in love with her play, “The Understudy”.

“The show is good. Angelica Huston (who plays the tenacious producer) told me last week the show is not broken. It was going to hit its stride in the second season like “West Wing.”

She attributed her firing to “panicking by NBC executives” and “gender issues.”

“There were 10 guys and me,” she said.

Rebeck, who is one of the most successful women writers in the country, feels that she has hit the glass ceiling in the television industry . She points out that playwrights get to keep their own copyright while television and film writers get paid  a lot of money but sell their copyright to the corporations. 

"Play writing is a collaborative horizontal process while television writing is a vertical process. Corporations stomp on you and your work and then steal it. Male writers have said to me that they do it to us also. But it is not the same thing. They have had one play on off Broadway while I have long of writing credits."

Her creative differences with NBC resulted from their requests to have the characters on "Smash" do things that they or the actors would not do. 

"They wanted to make "Karen" the main character, mean. I said that she could get drunk or angry but would never be mean. They wanted Angelica Huston's character to do icky things which Angelica would never do. She is a lady."