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Monday, December 31, 2012

Kenya Hospital Imprisons New Mothers With No Money


by Jason Straziuso, Associated Press | December 28, 2012 at 11:24 AM

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The director of the Pumwani Maternity Hospital, located in a hardscrabble neighborhood of downtown Nairobi, freely acknowledges what he’s accused of: detaining mothers who can’t pay their bills. Lazarus Omondi says it’s the only way he can keep his medical center running.

Margaret Anyoso, 35

Two mothers who live in a mud-wall and tin-roof slum a short walk from the maternity hospital, which is affiliated with the Nairobi City Council, told The Associated Press that Pumwani wouldn’t let them leave after delivering their babies. The bills the mothers couldn’t afford were $60 and $160. Guards would beat mothers with sticks who tried to leave without paying, one of the women said.
Now, a New York-based group has filed a lawsuit on the women’s behalf in hopes of forcing Pumwani to stop the practice, a practice Omondi is candid about.
“We hold you and squeeze you until we get what we can get. We must be self-sufficient,” Omondi said in an interview in his hospital office. “The hospital must get money to pay electricity, to pay water. We must pay our doctors and our workers.”
“They stay there until they pay. They must pay,” he said of the 350 mothers who give birth each week on average. “If you don’t pay the hospital will collapse.”
The Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed the suit this month in the High Court of Kenya, says detaining women for not paying is illegal. Pumwani is associated with the Nairobi City Council, one reason it might be able to get away with such practices, and the patients are among Nairobi’s poorest with hardly anyone to stand up for them.
Maimouna Awuor was an impoverished mother of four when she was to give birth to her fifth in October 2010. Like many who live in Nairobi’s slums, Awuor performs odd jobs in the hopes of earning enough money to feed her kids that day. Awuor, who is named in the lawsuit, says she had saved $12 and hoped to go to a lower-cost clinic but was turned away and sent to Pumwani. After giving birth, she couldn’t pay the $60 bill, and was held with what she believes was about 60 other women and their infants.
“We were sleeping three to a bed, sometimes four,” she said. “They abuse you, they call you names,” she said of the hospital staff.
She said saw some women tried to flee but they were beaten by the guards and turned back. While her husband worked at a faraway refugee camp, Awuor’s 9-year-old daughter took care of her siblings. A friend helped feed them, she said, while the children stayed in the family’s 50-square-foot shack, where rent is $18 a month. She says she was released after 20 days after Nairobi’s mayor paid her bill. Politicians in Kenya in general are expected to give out money and get a budget to do so.
A second mother named in the lawsuit, Margaret Anyoso, says she was locked up in Pumwani for six days in 2010 because she could not pay her $160 bill. Her pregnancy was complicated by a punctured bladder and heavy bleeding.
“I did not see my child until the sixth day after the surgery. The hospital staff were keeping her away from me and it was only when I caused a scene that they brought her to me,” said Anyoso, a vegetable seller and a single mother with five children who makes $5 on a good day.
Anyoso said she didn’t have clothes for her child so she wrapped her in a blood-stained blouse. She was released after relatives paid the bill.
One woman says she was detained for nine months and was released only after going on a hunger strike. The Center for Reproductive Rights says other hospitals also detain non-paying patients.
Judy Okal, the acting Africa director for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said her group filed the lawsuit so all Kenyan women, regardless of socio-economic status, are able to receive health care without fear of imprisonment. The hospital, the attorney general, the City Council of Nairobi and two government ministries are named in the suit.


Maybe I'm just too compassionate, because this story has me all kinds of sad. Where do I even start? To beat a woman is awful, but especially a new mother? A woman's body after giving birth is especially vulnerable. And wouldn't it be cheaper to let them go? Holding the  mothers and their babies in the hospital surely adds to the electric, gas, heating, water and food costs, no? Of course I'm sure there are a billion reasons why they don't do this, but how bout either A) billing them afterwards or B) having them pay little by little BEFORE the due date so that when it's babytime, the money (or some of it) has already been collected? However naive my suggestions, there's a better way for this hospital to do business and treat women. This is disgusting. I hope all this new wave of thinking shit everyone's saying 2013 is bringing starts rubbing off soon. Being a woman in this world has become harder than ever, especially if you're poor..

Sunday, December 30, 2012

Friday, December 28, 2012

Halle Boobies..



All I can say when looking at this photo is WERQ!!!!



WHOA!

She is truly elegant and beautiful. Staring at her perfect breasts, I started wondering. I personally know some people who would get mad at this post, like, "Why do you care?"

To that I say I'm allowed my curiosity. I'm not gonna lose any sleep over Halle's tits true, but I'm allowed to ponder certain things. What I wondered was,

Are they real? Is it good genetics and/or good exercise or did Halle Berry purchase some Halle boobies??

If they are real, then I really need the name of her trainer.

If they aren't real, then I really need the name of her doctor.

In any case, I decided to do a a little digging. Of course, I had to begin with 'before and after' photos.




I think I see a difference, but still wasn't really sure. Then I saw this..




And then I figured, well maybe she didn't get implants, maybe she just got a lift? They look a bit saggyish, not big..


Not so perky

So maybe she just got one of these?




Or


Different Types of Breastlifts

But then seeing this..




Really made me wonder. It's a known plastic surgery fact that this scar (or scars like it) are caused by implants inserted through the armpit.



Christina Aguilera has admitted having implants and looky-heh..


The infamous Armpit Scar


Bee never admitted it but scars don't lie..





And sorry Beyonce, but "natural" breasts don't lump up like this..





But I digress, now back to Halle. To go from this..




To this..





And this..







Hrmm??


It's kinda suspect. Seems very similar to this..



So the question remains. Are her boobs a result of this..?




Or this?



What do YOU think?


I suppose if Nahla and Oliver don't care, why should we?





In any case, I love Halle. I was simply curious. Real or fake, she looks amazing.






"She's So Fine" is a song by Hurricane Chris, all about the lovely Ms. Berry. It even has its own dance. Here's Halle doing the 'Halle Berry' on Ellen. Peace y'all.






Thursday, December 27, 2012

Soo Obsessed with Fire..

Not sure what's going on with me as of late, but I've been somewhat obssessed with FIRE. I'm hoping it's because of this definition:

"On the spiritual level, fire symbolizes a new consciousness of spiritual power and transformation."

Whatever the cause, for the past few days I've been fascinated with flames and it's consumption. I'm not talking about people who set themselves on fire in protest or to hurt themselves, but rather, the beauty of the flames, and what they could potentially be burning away and transforming anew.

At least I hope that's why I've been intrigued :/



With that in mind, I found some lovely pictures involving fire and flames. In a strange sort of way, looking at them is kinda soothing.


ps.. I know that I'm weird. It's part of my charm ;)

























My FAV:





I now end this post with one of my favorite love songs of all time.

"FIRE" by the Pointer Sisters.

xoxo


Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Booty Shaped Nail Polish..HOW STUPID..


Um.. kay.






I saw this photo and shook my head. Nail polish and butt cheeks?

It goes on fingers and toes..

Not bootyholes.

So the essence of a woman's shape is now made in China, and found in colors called "Red Riding Rump?"

I would never wear anything called "Red Riding Rump." I'm not 12. And if I WAS 12, I wouldn't have been allowed to wear anything with the word "Bootie" or "Rump" in it. Who is this being marketed to exactly?

And is that camel toe I see?

Let me not say that too loudly. They might use that name as their next color.



Before I googled I already knew it was a man who created this.

And see?

I was right:

CEO, funk musician, and designer Mark O’Hara originally envisioned the concept for the brand 15 years ago, but decided current lacklustre packaging needed a serious lift. Enter, booty shaped bottles.

Susanna from www.vanitycaseblog.com  had this to say:

"Bootie Babe nail polish is sold in a bottle shaped like… a bootie. There are 24 different colours available with funny names like “freaky cheeky” and “buns of steel”. The main point of Bootie Babe nail polish range is the provocative bottle.

I find it a bit funny that a product which is aimed at women tries to stand out from the rest of the similar products by something that usually attracts men. What I mean is that if there was nothing special about the polish itself and I was not that much into booties, why would I choose this bottle over the regular ones?"
My guess Susanna, is that YOU WOULDN'T.

It's just sucky that women, our likeness, and our physiques (both flesh and bottle) are used to sell EVERYTHING. Nothing is off limits when it comes to the exploitation of the female form.
 
What won't companies use the female body to sell?

Wait.

Nevermind.

In my everquest for truth,

Some answers I don't wanna know..

Monday, December 24, 2012

Simultaneous Orgasm

This one is for the fellas. Just thought I'd dispel a lil' somethin for ya so you can start 2013 in the know.

There really is no such thing as a "simultaneous orgasm."

If she comes at the same time you do, most likely,

SHE'S FAKING.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but if you're smart, you'll use this info to become a BETTER lover, not a bitter one.

Peace.

WTS.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Poor Kim..Again.


In keeping up with the "Poor Kim" series, I thought this article was fitting.

SMH.. 



Kim the Housewife

 Rapper Kanye West has survived a number of public relations debacles that might have prematurely ended another artist’s career.

West continued to be a huge concert draw and sell albums after incidents like his interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAs and his “George Bush doesn’t care about black people” remark during a Hurricane Katrina telethon.And yet recently, sources say that West’s popularity is becoming tainted because of his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian.

Some are saying a combination of too many appearances on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, as well as ubiquitous tabloid photos, have had a net negative impact on his image. “His personal life is overpowering his music,” an industry source says. “Every time he plays, people are wondering if Kim is going to be there. It’s not a good thing for him, especially if he wants to be taken seriously.”

West’s finances are also allegedly being affected by Kardashian. West was offered several opportunities to host New Year’s Eve parties in Vegas and Miami, but only contingent upon him bringing his reality TV star girlfriend along. West declined these offers. Kanye was actually offended by the offers,” says the source.

West refused to be a part of Keep Up With the Kardashians initially, but when Kim Kardashian got upset he caved in. West’s upcoming show in Atlantic City at Revel shows that tickets are “not close to being sold out,” says one ticket broker.

Just last week during the Hurricane Sandy benefit concert, 12.12.12, things turned for the worse when audience members went to the bathroom during West’s performance, in which the rapper wore a kilted skirt.

“Literally half the audience got up to go to the bathroom and it was the talk of the men’s room,” one attendee told Confidenti@l’s Marianne Garvey.

West is reportedly not satisfied with the direction his career is going and has contacted top-level executives to get his career back on track.





Friday, December 21, 2012

This Chick Is BAD..



And I don't even like using the word "Bad" to describe women but..


her talent made me say it.


Prepare to be impressed..



Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Poor Kim..



I wonder if Kim Kardashian has become immune to her sextape? Can she ever get to a point where she can watch it and doesn't phase her? It's been a while now and it's release has definitely helped her career, (or helped her HAVE a career) but still. I would feel mighty awkward meeting dignitaries, authors, respected artists, politicians, or really anybody with the outright knowledge that uh..

They've seen me with a dick in my mouth.

I'm wild. I'm raunchy. I'm no holds barred.

But most important:

I'm private.

I may talk about sex, but I don't provide videos, pictures, etc., of what I do in the bedroom.

Vulgar as I can be,

I'm always a lady. *curtseys proudly*


With that being said, this made me laugh out loud..


Poor Kim..


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Do Not Burn The Candle..



Would you be able to burn a candle this beautiful?



I wouldn't..




I might even hump it..



Thursday, December 6, 2012

PENIS TIME!!: Joe Budden

As per another website:
Could Joe Budden have the smallest package ever? Maybe some things should just not be told, but if a hacker gets his/her way, then the world will likely see what Joe Budden is working with in the very near future. Media Take Out has more:



December 06, 2012: Rapper Joe Budden was just signed on to the cast of Love And Hip Hop NY - which is a BIG WIN for the popular rapper. Well some of his HATERS are out to ut him on BLAST. A "hacker" sent us a photo of Joe standing BUTT AZZ NEKKID in front of a mirror. And his PEEN is about the size of a cocktail weenie. The hackers claimed that they STOLE the photo from Joe's phone. And since it's stolen merchandise, we can't post it up online. But we'd bet that ish is gonna appear on Twitter in 10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . . 7 . . . (Media Take Out)


Joe fights back:




Dees looky good..




Let's make it larger, shall we?




GO JOE!

Bite Me..




Thanks to the ever sexy Mina Church for giving me this pic..





Monday, December 3, 2012

Pamela Mary and Sue..

I'ma have to do a post on PMS because this shit is unreal. I'm ready to blow somebody's fucking head off right now.

Angry for no reason.

Usually chocolate makes it better but not today! This PMS is like a fucking super-germ, resistant to what normally cures it.

Why do we go through this again?? What's the biological reason for this?? What evolutionary purpose could there be for me wanting to claw out the eyes of an innocent bystander, for breathing air from my airspace?

I love being a woman but damn. It's like having split personalities one day out of the month. And you can't help it. Women love to make men miserable but not like this. When your emotions are calling the shots, making men miserable is not as much fun. Yeah yeah yeah there are things you can eat, pills you can take blah blah, but this latest episode caught me off guard. Plus, I don't take pills so..

Unless they're for cramps. Cramps I cannot handle. Not to mention not being able to walk upright is counter-productive. PMS is far easier to deal with.

Unfortunately the people around me don't share my sentiment. Well fuck 'em.

Or rather,

FUCK 'EM!! I'm fucking irritable..

That's the PMS talking, not me. I love everybody..


Goddamit.


Ah well, what can I say? I feel like this today..




Fucking sue me..

And in case you were wondering, the number is 6. That's how many times I used "fuck" in this post.

I like even numbers..

Fucking fuck it.