Ms Pittsfield Profile

Pittsfield, MA

Vote against nudity double standard

On Amending the Definition of Nudity to Reflect Gender Equality in Pittsfield: 2,934 voted yes 6,855 voted no. 2,934 is great number of people who non-bindingly support amending the definition of nudity to reflect gender equality. On November 3, 2010 The Eagle wrote a press release announcing the results of the vote. They included a female City Councilor who said "imagine seeing your 12 year old daughter walking around Pittsfield topless" The title of The Eagles press release was "No on Public Nudity" which misrepresented the purpose of the initiative. They didn't include any persons words who voted in favor. The 2,934 voters who voted in favor of amending the definition of nudity to reflect gender equality give me confidence that this is an important issue that must be heard. Imagine a world where little girls weren’t judged for taking their shirts off or made to feel ashamed of their bodies. Imagine a world where both boys and girls were safe from judgment and violence regardless of what their gender or body type is. Would you rather see your child swimming and playing in the sun topless or or on an mtv music video dancing provocatively in black lingerie with a whip in her hand? It’s ironic to me that we live in world where it’s not ok for 12 year old girls to be seen swimming and playing in the sun without shirts but it’s perfectly legal for them to be seen modeling make-up products dressed in rubber push-up bras and miniskirts which barely cover their behinds. I too want children safe but upholding nudity laws which discriminate based on gender actually perpetuates the sexualization of girls and women. By mystifying the female breast people are conditioned to view the female breast as objects of sexual fantasy and taboo. This only exacerbates the lack of safety that our children face!  (Nov 4, 2010 | post #3)

Pittsfield, MA

Vote against nudity double standard

Pursuant to Massachusetts law, "nudity" , is defined as having "uncovered or less than opaquely covered human genitals, pubic areas, the human female breast below a point immediately above the top of the areola, or the covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state. For purposes of this definition, a female breast is considered uncovered if the nipple or areola only are covered." In other words, men naked from the waist up are considered clothed, women naked from the waist up are considered nude, unclothed and in some peoples minds, immoral, even though when we look at the male and the female chest, we see the same things; nipples, areolas, and skin. We need to stop the double standards. There should be parity and equality in nudity law but there is not. Instead women are penalized, an equal liberty withheld; the freedom to walk, swim and sun without shirts, because of body shape. For a very long time in Massachusetts, there was no protection for moms who nursed their infants away from home. In fact, Massachusetts was one of the last states to afford any protection for breast-feeding mothers. And today, leave the baby off the breast a little too long without immediately covering herself, and the mother faces possible arrest for indecent exposure. Making matters worse, a 1988 amendment to the nudity statute rewrote it so that references to the "post-puberta " breast were deleted. Now, an innocent photo of a pre-pubescent girl without a shirt could result in child pornography charges if a jury is able to be convinced that a simple portrait or family snapshot is really erotic. This double standard is also unfair to teenagers. Right now, if a teen boy receives and shares an e-mail from a girl showing HER OWN breast in a photo, he may be charged with possession of child pornography. But if a teen girl forwards an e-mail of a boy showing his breast, she faces no such consequence. Girls should have the same freedom to remove their shirts for the sun or for the camera, without reproach. Instead, girls are made to feel dirty and immoral to expose the very same part of their bodies which boys do; this is not equal and it is not right. We need to start thinking differently, and thinking equally. Equal treatment means the right to act equally, to play equally, and to dress equally, regardless of body shape. I am advocating a world where men and women are treated as equals, and where women are not made to feel shame, humiliation, and suppression of freedom for a behavior that is perfectly legal of the opposite sex. Women walking publicly without shirts should be as acceptable as men walking this way. It should be as acceptable as women holding positions in all areas of the workplace, including the Military. In a society where men and women do not have all of the same rights, we cannot say that we have reached the highest level of social consciousness. This is a fight for those who wish for equality. It is about fundamentally holding men and women as equals. Equality may be unwanted to some at first. People may react against equality, as did Governor George Wallace in his 1963 “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” to stop racially integrated schools. But today, there is no one who would even remotely be taken seriously who would stand for segregation. On November 2, 2010 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts vote for equality. Vote “to amend the states definition of nudity, so that NO part of the female breast is included, and so that females of any age may be unclothed from the waist up in public, anywhere males may be, including in print and on film”. This is a step, and an important step, in furthering equality between men and women.  (Oct 8, 2010 | post #2)

Pittsfield, MA

Pittsfield petition calls for topless sunbathing

On June 15 when I was before the Parks Commission I met someone who directed me in the direction of applying for a Public Policy Question (PPQ). This person put me in contact with an attorney at the AGs Office and gave me papers to get me started. I began collecting signatures on June 19 using this question: “Shall the state representative from this district be instructed to support legislation which would amend the state’s definition of nudity, so that no part of the female breast is included and so that females of any age may be unclothed from the waist up in public, anywhere males may be(unclothed from the waist up in public), including in print and on film?” I have until July 7 to obtain the required 200 signatures plus 2/5 more. I have the 200, now I am trying for 2/5 more. I am learning a lot being out there asking for signatures. For, I heard : “Fair is fair”, “It’s good to see someone out here standing up for what they believe in”, “I don’t know why we make such a big deal of it here”. Against, I heard: “Oh, no! My breasts are prizes!” , “I have a young daughter I don’t want her seeing THAT!”. Since I can’t argue outside for risk of losing the privilege of asking the Public for signatures, I would like to respond here to some of the against arguments I heard. To the person who said: “My breasts are prizes” I say “No equality in pay then” I don’t think it is possible to reach equality in pay while still holding onto the attitude that one gender is more sacred than the other. It seems as if females use their breasts as bargaining chips. When someone says “My breasts are prizes” it sounds as if they are saying “My chest may be seen if one puts a ring on my finger or buys me a big house.” To the young father who said “I have a young daughter, I don’t want her seeing THAT!” I ask “But it’s ok if she sees yours? Do you want your daughter to believe that having a female chest is bad? Do you want her to be ashamed of her body? Why is it ok for your daughter to touch your chest when you are holding her? Can’t the male chest also be stimulated by touch?” I believe this Law was written for one reason, to deter adultery. By the way, there is also an active Law against adultery providing for a penalty of up to 3 years in prison, 2 years in jail or a fine of up to $500.00. This law is no longer enforced, though it IS still active- General Laws of Massachusetts Chapter 272 Section 14. But the Law preventing females from equal access to sunshine IS STRICTLY ENFORCED. The reason? While it I believe it started innocently enough with the idea that covering the female breast would protect females and deter adultery, in this day and age, with our large Police Force , the main reason it is enforced is to protect the interests of the porn industry. By encouraging society to keep the sight of the female chest under lock and key, pornographers are able to condition the public into viewing the female chest as objects of sexual fantasy and taboo.  (Jul 1, 2010 | post #2890)

Pittsfield, MA

Pittsfield petition calls for topless sunbathing

The Law, as written in The General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 272 Section 31, must be changed to allow the freedom of parents to choose from infancy, to let daughters run top-free anywhere their sons do. A generation of children then will be born, who as adults, show true gender respect, tolerance and equality. That true gender respect, tolerance and equality could be fostered by this superficial display of freedom seems silly..  (Jun 2, 2010 | post #2876)

Pittsfield, MA

Bogus gang e-mail makes rounds, police say

I am tired of 'legal' gangs creating a community of drivers who are incapable of obeying posted speeds. When it comes to crossing the road, pedestrians are between a rock and a hard place: To stand on dangerous street corners, waiting for lights to change colors, where they may be harassed or mugged(by actual robbing or by consenting to unconscious spending) by 'legal' or criminal gang members or to attempt to keep moving, crossing intersections which may or may not employ pedestrian crosswalk signals and whether or not they look for safe crossing(because a car may appear to be at a safe distance but the pedestrian can not take into account the illegal speed at which the driver is accelerating)where they are sure to be harassed, assaulted (by blaring horn) or hit by speeding 'legal' or criminal gang members... I do not believe that 'criminal' gang members should be villified any more than 'legal' gang members: 'Legal' gangs are responsible for as many deaths as criminal gangs; Legal gangs have the money and power to write laws which make whatever vices they want legal, though those vices cause as much community turmoil, they tag the City, claiming their territory with alcohol and tobacco ads... 'Legal' gangs 'sex-in' female members by using tv, radio, billboard and other static ad space to create an unconscious over-sexed community of girls and women who 'consent' to statutory and rape by wannabes, peripheral, regular and hard core 'legal' gang members . The marriage rite can also be looked at as a 'sexing-in' to 'legal' gangs..  (Jun 1, 2010 | post #69)

Berkshire Eagle

Silliness of cyclist noise ordinance

What do you think about my first post on page 1 of this thread. Suzanne Pierce writes: "The Ding Dong ice cream truck is much more intrusive." I agree , the ice cream truck is much more intrusive, but on this one I seem to truly be the only one complaining: The presence of ice cream trucks in communities each Summer, contradicts the warnings from Law Enforcement to keep children away from strangers in vehicles.. Last night I was at Springside Park, I heard the truck coming from the East, it pulled up next to the parking lot doing business right on the breakdown lane of Springside Ave. Doing business on the side of the road sets young people up to believe that it is safe to walk up to strangers in vehicles parked on the side of the road, when it is not.. I saw two little girls running up to it.. When I see little girls (or boys) running up to ice cream trucks, I can see into the future. I can see them as 16-18 year old girls (and boys) running up to strange men(or women) in cars offering beer and cigarrettes and a good time.. You may say "whats wrong with that", "parents will tell them when they get older to stay away from stranger in vehicles", but when carefree, they have spent Summer after Summer running to a truck manned by "nice people", offering them special treats, with exciting music playing loud in the background, running to strangers in vehicles will be second nature, memories of wonderful times will drive them. Their parents advice will be, to them, just another mistake, something to ignore.. In my opinion, the presence of ice cream trucks in communities is one of the leading causes of missing persons. I encourage City Council to ban moving food venders, only venders operating out of fixed locations should be permitted. Sorry this hinders some peoples idea of economic freedom and opportunity, but there is plenty of work to be done which does not involve luring children to strangers in vehicles..  (Aug 8, 2009 | post #70)

Pittsfield, MA

No abortion in health care reform

Don't want to be part of it? Then do something to stop Corporate Stockholders from purposely turning children into sex addicts.. 1. Make The Handbook to Higher Consciousness required reading for students each year from Grades 9-12. 2. Stop the production of Soap Operas glorifying multiple parters and cheating broadcast into the homes of families with young children.. 3. Mandate that romance novels have warning labels and ratings. 4. Stop the use of advertising specifically directed towards the developing minds of children. I think you do want to be part of it. Each life is another opportunity for people in power(Corporate Stockholders) to make money by turning another person into an addict.. So-called 'educated individuals' spend all of their time learning and putting into action methods which will over-power through advertising, the wills of children and families.. then, these same individuals, complain about the bad behavior of their own subjects.. You Corporate Stockholders attending Church every Sunday created the bad behavior.. Stop plastering Budweiser ads all over the sides of 18 wheelers and on billboards located throughout the City, stop this for one year and watch crime rates and unwanted pregnancies go down.. "Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret, everything exposed by the light becomes visible" Ephesians 5:11-13 Cute how the writer used a Biblical Quote to condemn ELECTED officials.. I take the quote to mean that we should expose those calling themselves religious, who hide under the cover of religious groups, churches and hospitals, who in secret, hold stock in commodities like Candy, Soda, Alcohol, Tobacco, Clothing and Advertising, all of which eventually turn children into unconscious addicts..  (Jul 31, 2009 | post #17)

Pittsfield, MA

No joy in seeing enslaved animals

Right, elephants rampaging on humans has nothing to do with them being separated from their parents by humans, kept in cages by humans, and beaten by humans.. How much are you being paid to defend the past and present actions of Circus producers?  (Jun 29, 2009 | post #63)

Berkshire Eagle

Dona t single out elderly drivers

"I have never had an accident and I drive at the speed of traffic." I am tired of Taxpayers (and the elderly)complainin g about where the money goes and how it is wasted.. Taxpayers, who are the majority of drivers on Massachusetts roadways, should NOT "drive at the speed of traffic", they should drive at the posted speed and they should respect the space of the driver in front by NOT following too closely.. Taxpayers are paying for the manufacture of posted speed limit signs and for the unnecessary installation of traffic signals which require drivers to slam and sit at nearly every intersection. Drivers who "drive at the speed of traffic"..in other words, drivers who disregard posted speeds, and drivers who follow too closely, are displaying a lack of concern for their neighbors and for their fellow citizens.. Taxpayers are funding the employment of engineers who decide what the posted speed should be for any given road, street or highway. Citizens also take the time to petition City Council to reduce posted speeds in their neighborhoods because of the unnerving effect of speeding.. Instead of "driving at the speed of traffic", drivers should respect the posted speed, out of respect for others and to create space for drivers entering from side roads, so that timed electric traffic signals will cease to be necessary..  (Jun 22, 2009 | post #2)

Pittsfield, MA

Teenager defends father accused of murder

Thanks to this progressive American Government children do not need a parents permission to talk.. Whether or not sellers of commodities have the parents permission to use children for the purpose of marketing products, in my opinion, it is wrong.. Having the parents permission to use a child for the purpose of marketing products does not make it right. Many times the parent of the child commercial star does not have the best interests of the child in mind when she signs the contract, she has extravagance in mind. Most often the child knows nothing about the product, whether the environment, human or animal life was harmed in the production or manufucture of the product or will be harmed in the consumption of the product... I do not believe The Eagle used the childs eye witness account for the purpose of selling papers, I believe they reported her eye witness account for the purpose of helping the public gain insight into Domestic Violence and to give the child the right to speakThe child was not looking for 15 minutes of fame, or infamy, she was looking to speak out for victims of Domestic Violence, to scream "this is what happened!!! PLEASE don't let this happen to anyone else!!!" I am so PROUD of her for having the courage to speak out, to go to the Media, to tell them what she saw, so that The Eagle could report all of the details she witnessed and warning signs of Domestic Violence to the public.. I am grateful to this progressive American Government that she did not need a parent or guardians permission to speak.. Often times parents will forbid the child from speaking, to spare THEMSELVES the embarrassment.. meanwhile the child dies inside, and learns that it is not ok to speak, it is not ok tell the truth, and that the world is unsafe and uninterested in her well-being... Because she spoke, she has helped many people...  (Jun 21, 2009 | post #59)

Pittsfield, MA

Pittsfield petition calls for topless sunbathing

June 16, 2009, Matt Murphy, Eagle Boston Bureau,Berkshire Eagle "Older drivers targeted" The legislation filed by Brian Joyce, D-Milton, would require anyone age 85 or older to pass a vision and road test in order to renew their license.. "Many other states have similar restictions like this. I don't think it is discrimination. If it prevents serious accidents, it's something all drivers would like to see happen," said Sen. Susan Fargo, D-Lincoln, a co-sponsor of the bill that would require elderly drivers to be road tested. I agree, I don't think it is discrimination, it is a necessary policy which doesn't target anyone on the basis of gender..it targets all people on the basis of age, which can compromise a persons ability to drive safely.. The clause which prevents women and girls from equal access to sunshine, on the other hand is discrimination, and in my opinion , does nothing to prevent serious accidents or crimes against women and children.. Last week I spoke to someone about the Petiton. I was visiting a friend in the Projects, or the Complex , as they like to call it now, and one of the visiting males across the street was outside without his shirt, taking care of his girlfriends young daughter because she was out.. It was a hot, weekend morning , and because I knew him casually from seeing him around the City, I walked over to say hi, (and tell him to put his shirt on.. just kidding;)) I asked if he had heard about my Petiton, and I invited him to read this blog. We debated the issue thouroughly..he claimed that "women and girls must be covered for their protection, because of perverts"... I said that women and girls are being victimized by perverts now, that sex addicts fixate on the legs exposed by miniskirts and bikini bottoms, and on the chests of little boys.. that this discriminatory clause puts women and girls in a position of submission and men in a position of power, and that it does nothing to foster gender respect, tolerance and equality...  (Jun 19, 2009 | post #2763)

Pittsfield, MA

'Huge problem here'

Men, women and children suffering long term in relationships entrenched with violence, verbal and physical, and women(and men) being killed by fatal blows, has to do with women(and men) being "programmed " by parents, who use substances addictively in the home for recreation and pain management, who are neglectful with and distracted by sexually based reading and viewing materials and who are physically, emotionally and sexually abusive or neglectful from early childhood to both boys and girls in the home.. These statistics also have to do with the multitude of media "programming " purposely designed to over-power the wills of men, women and children.. The responsibility for this, for preventing Domestic Violence, lies with society at large and with parents in general, to create a community of citizens who are capable of respecting the personal physical and emotional space of others, who do not use verbal abuse and/or corporal punishment in the raising of children, both boys and girls, and who are not chronicly distracted with and driven by money, sex, and recreational activities.. The first victim this year was Mr. Arthur Martin, he also died after choosing to NOT leave the relationship.. Your post continues to beg that us women take no responsibilty for the trouble we get ourselves into, and that we should continue to project the image that are weak and dependant on men for our own lives..  (Jun 14, 2009 | post #162)

US News

Governor: '12 to 13' killed at immigration center

I think the manufacturing of toy and authentic guns should be ceased, I think video games with R ratings should be denied to family members with children under the age of 18 in the household.. On a slightly different note.. Don't you think it's strange that we(America) goes over and bombs Vietnam, then we (Americans) employ the services of mainly Asian peoples to make-up our(American) women? I believe we've been hit, that Communist Asia has retaliated against the Capitalist West with hair, nails and make-up..though, for it to be believable, it was necessary that it be a Worldwide war, Communists and Capitalists everywhere must be targeted.. I believe that Communists hit Capitalsts with acrylic nails, that acrylic nails are a leading cause of breast cancer, along with Secret, Strong Enough for a Man but Made For a Woman, these products used together and separately trap toxins in the blood stream and lymph nodes..  (Jun 10, 2009 | post #1053)