In Which I Explain Why I Hate "Twilight"- A "Saga" of Abuse

Someone else's article but my same ideas. It's not that it's bad writing, because if you don't look for high caliber stuff and just want a fun read, that's your choice- but THIS list is what's been bugging me all along.

"Livejournal user kar3ning was reminded of something after going to see New Moon recently:

According to the National Domestic Violence hotline, these are some signs that you may be in an emotionally or physically abusive relationship.

Does your partner:
* Look at you or act in ways that scare you?
Check.

* Control what you do, who you see or talk to or where you go?
"Stay away from the werewolves. I love you."

* Make all of the decisions?
Check.

* Act like the abuse is no big deal, it's your fault, or even deny doing it?
"If I wasn't so attracted to you, I wouldn't have to break up with you."

* Threaten to commit suicide?
"I just can't live without you. In fact, I'll run to Italy and try suicide by vampire if anything happens to you."

* Threaten to kill you?
On their first date.

These are some more signs of an abusive relationship.
Has your partner...
* Tried to isolate you from family or friends.
Bella doesn't have time for anyone else!

* Damaged property when angry (thrown objects, punched walls, kicked doors, etc.).
Check.

* Pushed, slapped, bitten, kicked or choked you.
Does tossing her through a glass table count?

* Abandoned you in a dangerous or unfamiliar place.
"We're breaking up. And I'm leaving you in the forest."

* Scared you by driving recklessly.
Check.

* Forced you to leave your home.
She had to run away with him to flee from the other vampires in the first movie, and she had to drop everything and run to Italy in the second.

* Prevented you from calling police or seeking medical attention.
Check. Even in the hospital, nothing is a big deal.

* Views women as objects and believes in rigid gender roles.
Check.

* Accuses you of cheating or is often jealous of your outside relationships.
Check, wolf-boy.

Now I'm pissed. According to the NDVH, "If you answered ‘yes' to even one of these questions, you may be in an abusive relationship." This list is fifteen. "




Also, this next is from the Wikipedia article on Domestic Violence:

"Cycle of violence and Cycle of abuse
Lenore Walker presented the model of a Cycle of violence which consists of three basic phases:

Honeymoon Phase
Characterized by affection, apology, and apparent end of violence. During this stage the batterer feels overwhelming feelings of remorse and sadness. Some batterers walk away from the situation, while others shower their victims with love and affection.
Tension Building Phase
Characterized by poor communication, tension, fear of causing outbursts. During this stage the victims try to calm the batterer down, to avoid any major violent confrontations.
Acting-out Phase
Characterized by outbursts of violent, abusive incidents. During this stage the batterer attempts to dominate his/her partner(victim), with the use of domestic violence.
Although it is easy to see the outbursts of the Acting-out Phase as abuse, even the more pleasant behaviours of the Honeymoon Phase serve to perpetuate the abuse. See also the cycle of abuse article."

From what I have read of the Twilight series, that's pretty much the pattern of the PLOT.

My summary: Predatory relationship =/= Twu Wuv, no matter how pretty the abuser is, or how convinced and (for some reason) willing the victim.

In Which I Get Domestic- Recipes Forthcoming

 Summer Slush
Use a nice high power Blender for this.

Into your blender pitcher, plop one can of real frozen juice concentrate, and it can be any kind so long as it is made only with juice, no added sugar and NO CORN SYRUP. Orange Mango is my favorite so far. Citrus is full good stuff and covers the mild flavor of the next ingredient really well...

Add three Kale Cubes*.

(* I make Kale Cubes in big batches by blending about two washed organic kale leaves, water and a teaspoon or three of my favorite green supplement: powdered algaes, kelps and other good Green Stuffs available at health food stores. Choose the one that's best for your needs. Blender all that into a liquid and freeze it in an ice tray, then dump those out and store 'em in your freezer in a baggie or little bin. Any time you wanna make healthy smoothies, you just drop a few cubes in. Easy.)

Add about a cup and a half of water.

Add about a cup or two, as you like, of Almond Milk.

Blend!

Yum. Watch out, as this stuff is very tasty and therefore very good at giving me a brainfreeze.
I like to slurp it up through a straw.