I guess what we need are more guns, not less, we need to ease up on violent video games and take a look at our care of mentally ill citizens. Okay, I can get behind taking a look at our mental health care system in this country and see how it could be improved, because although most people with mental health issues won't get access to guns and go on a shooting spree, they still need help. I am all for that dialogue being started, as long as they don't envision some kind of American Horror Story asylum scenario.
What I wish the NRA would have said, besides things that I know they will never say, is that as long as we live in a country that invades other countries and murders their citizens, that there is no reason to blame video games. Kids in this country get the message that it is okay to kill people and take over their property from an early age. As long as we have a military that murders innocent people, how can we even begin to blame kids for their violent tendencies coming to life? We send them the message that violence is the answer, you don't really need a reason for it, but first you have to put on some camouflage and then it's okay to kill random people. Not random people here, but other places, preferably where the people are darker skinned.
And this whole 2nd Amendment thing...it was designed to help citizens protect themselves from the government, our government, to fight tyranny. Unless I missed something, we aren't at war with the United States, so why does anyone need an assault rifle? I don't understand a lot of things, and this is one of them.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
2012, what a great year!
I really have no words that can describe the grief and shock and anger I am feeling. I don't think it can ever be properly processed because I wasn't personally touched by it, not in a 'real' way, but still. There is pain and confusion.
I am confused by the fact that people keep saying guns don't get people, when clearly they do. A gun didn't levitate and start shooting all by itself, but someone used that gun to murder people, and there you go-guns kill people, with the help of people, I suppose, but yes, it was used in the murder of over 25 people today.
BUT, apparently what we need are more guns! More for everyone! Maybe if the children had guns they could have protected themselves? Is that an NRA argument that will be made soon, that from infancy until the grave you should be packing?
Or maybe the whole argument about guns is wrong. Maybe what we should do is outlaw the production of ammunition. You can have all the guns you want, but nothing will shoot out of them. That's a compromise that I could live with.
Do I think that people shouldn't be allowed to have guns for protection if they want them? Of course not. But if someone could explain to me why a person needs a machine gun, what possible purpose it could serve besides slaughtering people, I would be interested in hearing that. Actually that's not true. I don't care what anyone would have to say in regards to that.
Do I think if there were no guns that violence would end? Of course not. I do know that the amount of people killed would be less, and I think less people being murdered is actually a good thing. But I guess, in the end, the guns will win, people will celebrate that they can own weapons that are only designed to murder as many people as possible and as quickly as possible, and that will be that. It's too bad that all of these little children were shot to death today and so many people are so stupid that they don't think guns had anything to do with it.
I am confused by the fact that people keep saying guns don't get people, when clearly they do. A gun didn't levitate and start shooting all by itself, but someone used that gun to murder people, and there you go-guns kill people, with the help of people, I suppose, but yes, it was used in the murder of over 25 people today.
BUT, apparently what we need are more guns! More for everyone! Maybe if the children had guns they could have protected themselves? Is that an NRA argument that will be made soon, that from infancy until the grave you should be packing?
Or maybe the whole argument about guns is wrong. Maybe what we should do is outlaw the production of ammunition. You can have all the guns you want, but nothing will shoot out of them. That's a compromise that I could live with.
Do I think that people shouldn't be allowed to have guns for protection if they want them? Of course not. But if someone could explain to me why a person needs a machine gun, what possible purpose it could serve besides slaughtering people, I would be interested in hearing that. Actually that's not true. I don't care what anyone would have to say in regards to that.
Do I think if there were no guns that violence would end? Of course not. I do know that the amount of people killed would be less, and I think less people being murdered is actually a good thing. But I guess, in the end, the guns will win, people will celebrate that they can own weapons that are only designed to murder as many people as possible and as quickly as possible, and that will be that. It's too bad that all of these little children were shot to death today and so many people are so stupid that they don't think guns had anything to do with it.
December 14, 2012
Well, it looks like some people believe there is only one week left, and for some people that will be true, and for others there will be less, and for most of us there will be more. I don't buy into the fear when things like this come up, like when we hit the year 2000, or when anniversaries of horrific events happen, but there is always that little piece of me that thinks, "what if?", and I find it entertaining and annoying.
I try to think of the one thing I would like to do, if it was all ending, but I can never come up with anything grand or profound. I generally like the way things are going, I tend to think of ways to enhance my life, not escape it, so I would probably just do what I do, maybe be a little truer, which doesn't necessarily mean nicer, and try to get the point across to the people that I love that I love them and will miss their dumbasses.
I try to think of the one thing I would like to do, if it was all ending, but I can never come up with anything grand or profound. I generally like the way things are going, I tend to think of ways to enhance my life, not escape it, so I would probably just do what I do, maybe be a little truer, which doesn't necessarily mean nicer, and try to get the point across to the people that I love that I love them and will miss their dumbasses.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
Holy Holiday Nightmares!
I can't believe this bizarre year is almost over, and as always, it is ending with the busiest time of the year. And by busy I mean trying to keep people from going crazy about not getting enough for others or getting what they want. It's always things, never time, or anything calm and comforting. But I suppose I could say NO to all of it. But I don't see that happening. I buy into the stress of it all and I am already counting down the days until it's over again for another year. Of course it would be nice to enjoy it and not just wait for it to be over, but I fear I am not that evolved yet.
However, I am enjoying listening to music from 2012, realizing that I liked a lot more of it than I thought it did. And for that, I need to thank VH1. Without that channel I would be totally lost when it comes to top 40 and what person sings which song.
However, I am enjoying listening to music from 2012, realizing that I liked a lot more of it than I thought it did. And for that, I need to thank VH1. Without that channel I would be totally lost when it comes to top 40 and what person sings which song.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Freak Out, Sellwood Style
I should say that this post has nothing to do with politics, for the most part, but it does address a sort of mob mentality/mass hysteria, which I have seen with certain political parties, so it does have that in common.
Almost one year ago a clinic opened in my neighborhood that treats sex offenders. Level One, I believe, and not the level of offenders that would require any kind of notification, since it is a clinic and not a residential facility. Almost one year ago.
At some point in the last couple of weeks, a parent or two decided to find out what this nondescript business was that had been operating for almost one year in their neighborhood. Almost one year.
It started with a rational email, from someone I will call Muffy, and somehow within the course of a few hours Muffy sent out a followup email that included some pretty scary information about her daughter being whistled at, men catcalling, etc, but that information wasn't included in her first email. So I am not sure if she didn't think it was important enough to include the first time, or if she hadn't come up with a lie yet that would rile people up. Once people start to get worked up and hysterical it's hard to know what their real motivations are. But it worked! People got riled up and just knew that this place, that had been open for almost one year, just had to go because obviously it was a threat to the community, considering how many assaults and abductions had happened around it in the last year. Which I believe is ZERO, but that doesn't matter. When people get worked up into a frenzy they can't be bothered by facts.
Like the fact that including the home address of the property owner that rents to this business was included in an email, even though the only reason I can think to include this would be to intimidate, but why let something like intimidation get in your way? Especially when it took ALMOST ONE YEAR for anyone to notice what this business was. Maybe these people are feeling guilty, or like they aren't very bright, since it had been almost one year and no one bothered to learn anything?
This clinic treats sex offenders as well as victims of these crimes. But why should anyone here care about victims getting the help they need? That would be a bothersome fact that they can't handle.
But the thing that is bothering me the most today are their mental high fives, and how they are thanking Muffy for "fighting the good fight". I don't think that term really applies to someone that is fighting against a group of people that no one wants around. If they want to congratulate her for fighting the safe, obvious, easy to win, fight, I think that would be more appropriate.
These people are what is wrong with this world. They don't look at the big picture, focusing instead on their narrow view, and hoping that they "win", even though their win will mean someone else is losing. But that is a fact that is overlooked. Especially when Muffy riles up the townspeople.
I just took a look at their e-petition they are passing around, so they can submit it to Mayor Sam Adams, asking him to help change notification laws in the city of Portland. They are asking Mayor Sam Adams to help them with sex offenders. And it is important to remember that the term sex offender is very broad and includes so many things, even something like having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor, even if it is consensual.
Almost one year ago a clinic opened in my neighborhood that treats sex offenders. Level One, I believe, and not the level of offenders that would require any kind of notification, since it is a clinic and not a residential facility. Almost one year ago.
At some point in the last couple of weeks, a parent or two decided to find out what this nondescript business was that had been operating for almost one year in their neighborhood. Almost one year.
It started with a rational email, from someone I will call Muffy, and somehow within the course of a few hours Muffy sent out a followup email that included some pretty scary information about her daughter being whistled at, men catcalling, etc, but that information wasn't included in her first email. So I am not sure if she didn't think it was important enough to include the first time, or if she hadn't come up with a lie yet that would rile people up. Once people start to get worked up and hysterical it's hard to know what their real motivations are. But it worked! People got riled up and just knew that this place, that had been open for almost one year, just had to go because obviously it was a threat to the community, considering how many assaults and abductions had happened around it in the last year. Which I believe is ZERO, but that doesn't matter. When people get worked up into a frenzy they can't be bothered by facts.
Like the fact that including the home address of the property owner that rents to this business was included in an email, even though the only reason I can think to include this would be to intimidate, but why let something like intimidation get in your way? Especially when it took ALMOST ONE YEAR for anyone to notice what this business was. Maybe these people are feeling guilty, or like they aren't very bright, since it had been almost one year and no one bothered to learn anything?
This clinic treats sex offenders as well as victims of these crimes. But why should anyone here care about victims getting the help they need? That would be a bothersome fact that they can't handle.
But the thing that is bothering me the most today are their mental high fives, and how they are thanking Muffy for "fighting the good fight". I don't think that term really applies to someone that is fighting against a group of people that no one wants around. If they want to congratulate her for fighting the safe, obvious, easy to win, fight, I think that would be more appropriate.
These people are what is wrong with this world. They don't look at the big picture, focusing instead on their narrow view, and hoping that they "win", even though their win will mean someone else is losing. But that is a fact that is overlooked. Especially when Muffy riles up the townspeople.
I just took a look at their e-petition they are passing around, so they can submit it to Mayor Sam Adams, asking him to help change notification laws in the city of Portland. They are asking Mayor Sam Adams to help them with sex offenders. And it is important to remember that the term sex offender is very broad and includes so many things, even something like having inappropriate sexual contact with a minor, even if it is consensual.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Election Night!
I can't believe that the election is finally over! At least this part of it. My candidate won, President Barack Obama, and I am thrilled! I wasn't voting against RoRy, I was voting FOR President Obama, and I am, like I said, thrilled! I know that the next four years could be even worse, politically, than the last, but I hope not. I hope that politicians actually do their job and work together, not just trying to block President Obama at every turn.
I am also thrilled that it seems as if marriage equality has come to three out of four states voting on it, by a vote of the people, for the first time! That is truly encouraging news. Bravo, Maine, Maryland, and my neighbor to the north, Washington. Job well done. Maybe hate and lies are finally fading away, maybe the future will be brighter.
There are so many candidates on the national level to be excited about, but a special shout out must go to Tammy Baldwin, the first out lesbian elected to the US Senate! And she won against a well known candidate in Wisconsin, so, wow. Really.
Local measures are passing that I voted for, the big one ensuring funding for our library system that is, really, one of the best on the planet.
Yes, this is all good news, really, but it seemed so easy now that it is over and that easiness worries me. But I will try to be optimistic and just enjoy what might possibly turn out to be the most exciting and progressive election cycle in my lifetime so far.
I am also thrilled that it seems as if marriage equality has come to three out of four states voting on it, by a vote of the people, for the first time! That is truly encouraging news. Bravo, Maine, Maryland, and my neighbor to the north, Washington. Job well done. Maybe hate and lies are finally fading away, maybe the future will be brighter.
There are so many candidates on the national level to be excited about, but a special shout out must go to Tammy Baldwin, the first out lesbian elected to the US Senate! And she won against a well known candidate in Wisconsin, so, wow. Really.
Local measures are passing that I voted for, the big one ensuring funding for our library system that is, really, one of the best on the planet.
Yes, this is all good news, really, but it seemed so easy now that it is over and that easiness worries me. But I will try to be optimistic and just enjoy what might possibly turn out to be the most exciting and progressive election cycle in my lifetime so far.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Time
My original goal was to post something daily, even if it was a link, a video, whatever, and now I realize that I haven't posted anything in a week. It isn't because I don't have the time, it isn't because I have run out of outrage or opinions, so I think it must be that I am a lazy, lazy person. Too lazy to sit in front of a computer and spend 10, 20 minutes, writing something, and I don't even have to get fully dressed? That is pretty sad.
That being said, it is amazing to me that 24 hours ago there was more wind and rain and destruction beating down on the East Coast than anyone could have imagined, even though it was almost exactly what people thought would happen, and tonight it seems to be the 'calm' after the storm. So many people lost everything, so many people without power, people dead, it just boggles the mind. The coast is being reshaped, land is being lost to the ocean, and it all seems so science fiction that it is hard to grasp.
On the political side of things, we have a republican governor in New Jersey that gave our President the respect and thanks he deserved for making sure that people would get what they need, while at the same time that yahoo Michael Brown, who resigned from his FEMA post following his colossal screwup after Hurricane Katrina, is telling a newspaper that our President is handling everything wrong, as if that a-holes opinion matters. And of course throw in a little dig about Libya at the same time. I am not sure why people listen to lying bastards that whine about other people 'playing politics' while that is exactly what the accusers are doing.
Then of course there is RoRo, working a campaign appearance in Ohio, which apparently must have been hit hard by Sandy since that is where the scum bucket has been spending his time. And while I can't say that trying to get goods and services for people after this event is a bad thing, even if it seems slimy, I can say that planning on sending goods to people in need is stupid. The Red Cross needs money, so they can purchase what people need, and purchase them from businesses in the areas heavily impacted, so the local economy can be stimulated. You would think a mad genius businessman would be able to figure that out, but RoRo is more like a corporate raider than an actual businessman, as in someone that creates businesses, so who knows what he knows. All I know is that if he is elected I might eat that shoe I have been threatening to eat for years.
http://www.redcross.org/
That being said, it is amazing to me that 24 hours ago there was more wind and rain and destruction beating down on the East Coast than anyone could have imagined, even though it was almost exactly what people thought would happen, and tonight it seems to be the 'calm' after the storm. So many people lost everything, so many people without power, people dead, it just boggles the mind. The coast is being reshaped, land is being lost to the ocean, and it all seems so science fiction that it is hard to grasp.
On the political side of things, we have a republican governor in New Jersey that gave our President the respect and thanks he deserved for making sure that people would get what they need, while at the same time that yahoo Michael Brown, who resigned from his FEMA post following his colossal screwup after Hurricane Katrina, is telling a newspaper that our President is handling everything wrong, as if that a-holes opinion matters. And of course throw in a little dig about Libya at the same time. I am not sure why people listen to lying bastards that whine about other people 'playing politics' while that is exactly what the accusers are doing.
Then of course there is RoRo, working a campaign appearance in Ohio, which apparently must have been hit hard by Sandy since that is where the scum bucket has been spending his time. And while I can't say that trying to get goods and services for people after this event is a bad thing, even if it seems slimy, I can say that planning on sending goods to people in need is stupid. The Red Cross needs money, so they can purchase what people need, and purchase them from businesses in the areas heavily impacted, so the local economy can be stimulated. You would think a mad genius businessman would be able to figure that out, but RoRo is more like a corporate raider than an actual businessman, as in someone that creates businesses, so who knows what he knows. All I know is that if he is elected I might eat that shoe I have been threatening to eat for years.
http://www.redcross.org/
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
13 days!
So, DT had an October surprise that should have come as no surprise-he just wanted attention. He truly is a disgusting human being, and I don't know one person that actually listens to that pig in a wig.
Then there is the always lovely and charming SP, tweeting about our President 'shucking and jiving'. And of course there is AC, who called our President a 'retard', and commended MR for taking it easy on him. I am not sure what AC was really trying to say, since she really ended up attacking and demeaning a group of people that as far as I know have never done anything to her. She just made herself look nastier than usual. I know! Who thought that was possible? These three people, as the 'celebrity' faction of the Republican party, should really just, you know, I don't know how else to say it, fuck off.
Then there is the always lovely and charming SP, tweeting about our President 'shucking and jiving'. And of course there is AC, who called our President a 'retard', and commended MR for taking it easy on him. I am not sure what AC was really trying to say, since she really ended up attacking and demeaning a group of people that as far as I know have never done anything to her. She just made herself look nastier than usual. I know! Who thought that was possible? These three people, as the 'celebrity' faction of the Republican party, should really just, you know, I don't know how else to say it, fuck off.
Friday, October 19, 2012
VOTE!
I received my ballot in the mail today, filled it out, and dropped it off at the library while picking up Project Runway seasons 4-6. I am happy with my choices, hoping nothing goes haywire with any
people I selected, and now I can breathe easier.
This link is pretty fantastic, and I can't believe it came from a Utah newspaper, although that probably just shows my bias more than anything else.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/55019844-82/romney-obama-state-president.html.csp
people I selected, and now I can breathe easier.
This link is pretty fantastic, and I can't believe it came from a Utah newspaper, although that probably just shows my bias more than anything else.
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/55019844-82/romney-obama-state-president.html.csp
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Voters' Pamphlet
I remember one year when it came in two parts, so I know it has been bigger, but I think the fact that there are a few tax issues I don't know enough about, and that I actually need to read the thing, somehow made it seem bigger than ever.
I am grateful that it came yesterday as I needed something to read, something that would force my brain to work, or at least attempt to work, and I have to say that it was a success! I know how I am voting on every measure except one, which really isn't too bad considering how many words you have to read through to get to the point. As far as mayor goes...I might just have to write someone in or leave it blank.
So, I have one ballot measure to consider and one office to consider. But whenever I get my ballot I am filling it in and taking it to the Elections Office and that's that-no regrets, no second guessing, it will be too late because it will be out of my house and out of my hands.
I am grateful that it came yesterday as I needed something to read, something that would force my brain to work, or at least attempt to work, and I have to say that it was a success! I know how I am voting on every measure except one, which really isn't too bad considering how many words you have to read through to get to the point. As far as mayor goes...I might just have to write someone in or leave it blank.
So, I have one ballot measure to consider and one office to consider. But whenever I get my ballot I am filling it in and taking it to the Elections Office and that's that-no regrets, no second guessing, it will be too late because it will be out of my house and out of my hands.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Religious Freedom?
It seems to me that the people whining incessantly about losing their religious freedom are the ones that believe they should be able to impose their beliefs on others. Are they upset because they can't force other people to pray that way, or are they upset because they truly believe they are losing their individual right to believe and pray however they want? Or is it just the angry white man syndrome, but in a new religious way, the majority feeling like they are losing their majority so they act out as any toddler would when someone wants to share their toys?
Veep Veep!
I know that many people loved the Biden reactions, the smiles, the almost straight up laughing, and I know that is what people were expecting, a little crazy, a little fast and loose, but I think it just made him seem extra goofy and old. I have nothing against goofy or old people, since I am sure I am one, and will one day be the other, but it didn't do anything for me. It did make RyRy look like a dolt, trying to play catch up mentally and all of that, so it was effective, but it didn't make my heart warm at all for Biden. I think it frustrated me.
He made it seem like Democrats don't take things as seriously as the others do, and that's a problem. Now isn't the time to seem light and breezy about anything. This election is too important to have someone come out and play the part of well informed yet loud mouthed rodeo clown.
He made it seem like Democrats don't take things as seriously as the others do, and that's a problem. Now isn't the time to seem light and breezy about anything. This election is too important to have someone come out and play the part of well informed yet loud mouthed rodeo clown.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Only 31 days away
I am borderline grateful that I don't live in a "battleground state", because we have enough political ads without throwing in Presidential ads. Yes, if we watch a channel that is from another state we might have to sit through a few, but I would go seriously bananas if I lived in Florida. I would probably have already gone bananas from living there, but that's something else entirely.
We have several tax issues on the ballot, and I am not voting for all of them, but at least one is worth voting for. I am not a property owner, but the idea if you own property and already pay property taxes, that you can still have more taxes added on by a vote makes me uncomfortable. And when it comes to schools, I am not sure where all the money goes, or stays, or is wasted. I know it isn't spent on teachers or lowering the number of students in a classroom, and that should be the first priority. How can people complain about teachers not doing their jobs when they are expected to more and more with less and less, and some of them paying for supplies out of their own pockets? I don't want to say that a lot of the issues that could be addressed actually start at home, but there it is.
If you feel like your child is falling behind or not getting everything they need from their overworked teachers, by all means, get to it, start helping your child at home. I know that people complain about the amount of schoolwork kids are bringing home, but what is a teacher supposed to do with all of those students? How can they be expected to instruct AND give each of them one on one attention? It isn't possible. But they can get one on one attention at home. Make the time.
We have several tax issues on the ballot, and I am not voting for all of them, but at least one is worth voting for. I am not a property owner, but the idea if you own property and already pay property taxes, that you can still have more taxes added on by a vote makes me uncomfortable. And when it comes to schools, I am not sure where all the money goes, or stays, or is wasted. I know it isn't spent on teachers or lowering the number of students in a classroom, and that should be the first priority. How can people complain about teachers not doing their jobs when they are expected to more and more with less and less, and some of them paying for supplies out of their own pockets? I don't want to say that a lot of the issues that could be addressed actually start at home, but there it is.
If you feel like your child is falling behind or not getting everything they need from their overworked teachers, by all means, get to it, start helping your child at home. I know that people complain about the amount of schoolwork kids are bringing home, but what is a teacher supposed to do with all of those students? How can they be expected to instruct AND give each of them one on one attention? It isn't possible. But they can get one on one attention at home. Make the time.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Huh?
Many things confuse me, but the thing that is confusing me the most today is people saying that if you don't love this country, you can leave, get out, go live somewhere else. The people that are saying this are the ones that are unhappy with this country, the way it is being run, etc. Doesn't that mean they should leave?
It is national vodka day, and if you can celebrate, I think you should. Everything is upside down.
It is national vodka day, and if you can celebrate, I think you should. Everything is upside down.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Huff and puff
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/02/mitt-romney-republicans_n_1933130.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
Monday, October 1, 2012
Defense
I guess the Romney campaign, or Karl Rove, whichever, maybe both, will soon be putting out ads attacking the President on defense. Of the country, I would guess, and not about his wife defending him against all the meanies out there. Wait. That wasn't Mrs. Obama.
So, they will attack him on what exactly? That we have been safer than ever before, not having a major terrorist attack since our last republican President? Is that something they don't like? Or will they attack him on defense spending? Or are they just trying to think of anything to throw at him at this point? Yes, I know that an American Ambassador was murdered in Libya last month, and that is awful, as any life lost is, but can that be compared to what happened 11 years ago? I know that they are going to try to "Carter" him, but I really believe that most people are concerned with what is going on here, not what hasn't happened, and that they are worried about jobs, taxes, education and social issues coming in last, even though with all the media attention they get you would think that most people only care about social issues.
Romney has less personality than a robot and Ryan has the personality of a demon, minus the charm. Is this why they are attacking in any way they can imagine? You can't get votes from people that are afraid to be around you, and these two people are truly frightening.
So, they will attack him on what exactly? That we have been safer than ever before, not having a major terrorist attack since our last republican President? Is that something they don't like? Or will they attack him on defense spending? Or are they just trying to think of anything to throw at him at this point? Yes, I know that an American Ambassador was murdered in Libya last month, and that is awful, as any life lost is, but can that be compared to what happened 11 years ago? I know that they are going to try to "Carter" him, but I really believe that most people are concerned with what is going on here, not what hasn't happened, and that they are worried about jobs, taxes, education and social issues coming in last, even though with all the media attention they get you would think that most people only care about social issues.
Romney has less personality than a robot and Ryan has the personality of a demon, minus the charm. Is this why they are attacking in any way they can imagine? You can't get votes from people that are afraid to be around you, and these two people are truly frightening.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Is whining a strategy?
Mrs. Romney has told people to, basically, stop being so mean to her husband, that running for President is, like, really really hard, and people need to be nicer to her man. Okay.
Now she is telling people that she is worried about his mental/emotional health if he is elected in November, which doesn't really say a lot about him, other than his wife thinks he won't be able to handle the pressure, which isn't exactly great news.
And today the Romney campaign has put out a memo saying that they expect him to do poorly in the debates because President Obama has more experience. I think MiRo has plenty of experience debating, but the last few people he debated seemed a little like the crazy relatives everyone tolerates but no one is genuinely excited to be around.
Now she is telling people that she is worried about his mental/emotional health if he is elected in November, which doesn't really say a lot about him, other than his wife thinks he won't be able to handle the pressure, which isn't exactly great news.
And today the Romney campaign has put out a memo saying that they expect him to do poorly in the debates because President Obama has more experience. I think MiRo has plenty of experience debating, but the last few people he debated seemed a little like the crazy relatives everyone tolerates but no one is genuinely excited to be around.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Does it matter?
If I didn't know which candidate I was going to vote for in November, I hope that listening
to Eva Longoria or Chuck Norris wouldn't help me to put things into perspective. I admit that
I love it when a celebrity I enjoy comes out in support of something I believe in; it's kind of
funny and a little goofy, but it's true.
However, I don't remember a celebrity ever changing my mind or getting me to really think
about a topic in a way that I hadn't thought about it before. That would be kind of nuts.
That being said, I wish people wouldn't get so upset or overly excited when a celebrity speaks
their mind. They are celebrities, entertainers, whatever, but they are also citizens that should be
able to speak their minds. I don't agree with a lot of them, and I don't really care what
"star power" the conventions pulled out because, really, I would think that having relevant people
would be more important, such as politicians, or people that have done a lot in their communities,
people with a little more substance. But I guess in our society it is more important to know how
ScarJo feels about President Obama than it is to know how average citizens feel about him.
to Eva Longoria or Chuck Norris wouldn't help me to put things into perspective. I admit that
I love it when a celebrity I enjoy comes out in support of something I believe in; it's kind of
funny and a little goofy, but it's true.
However, I don't remember a celebrity ever changing my mind or getting me to really think
about a topic in a way that I hadn't thought about it before. That would be kind of nuts.
That being said, I wish people wouldn't get so upset or overly excited when a celebrity speaks
their mind. They are celebrities, entertainers, whatever, but they are also citizens that should be
able to speak their minds. I don't agree with a lot of them, and I don't really care what
"star power" the conventions pulled out because, really, I would think that having relevant people
would be more important, such as politicians, or people that have done a lot in their communities,
people with a little more substance. But I guess in our society it is more important to know how
ScarJo feels about President Obama than it is to know how average citizens feel about him.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Too much
How do people manage to focus on one thing when there are so many things going on?
There is a spouse going on about how things are so unfair and how people are so mean
to their mate, which is kind of hilarious, really.
But then that mate mentions airplane windows not being able to open and maybe they
should be able to? Airplane windows? Really?
Then there is the attached video that really makes me so happy. MR is so out of touch with
his own history...he is gross.
http://www.upworthy.com/watch-mitt-romneys-own-mother-undermines-his-entire-campaign?c=ufb1
There is a spouse going on about how things are so unfair and how people are so mean
to their mate, which is kind of hilarious, really.
But then that mate mentions airplane windows not being able to open and maybe they
should be able to? Airplane windows? Really?
Then there is the attached video that really makes me so happy. MR is so out of touch with
his own history...he is gross.
http://www.upworthy.com/watch-mitt-romneys-own-mother-undermines-his-entire-campaign?c=ufb1
Saturday, September 22, 2012
What does this mean?
So, a birther believes that President Obama was not born in the United States, but since most people seem to have decided that is just crazy and pathetic, there is a group of people that have moved onto this-that the father of the President wasn't really his father but this man was. The names aren't really important, because it is just another attempt at...what? What is the point of this?
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Is Anita next?
It looks like Kato is maybe perhaps finally telling the truth about what he knew about his good friend murdering two people, and no one seems to care. It would have been nice if he said any of this 20 years ago, maybe saving the families a lot of heartache and the city of Los Angeles a lot of money. I hope someone can make his life even more miserable than it already must be, what with people putting gum in his coffee(!), which is something he actually said has happened to him at least once. Poor him! I mean, having someone spit their gum in your coffee is almost as bad as being butchered in the street.
Then we have Monica Lewinsky thinking about writing a tell all, tell everything, and what is happening? People are still trying to hold her down, whining about how it wouldn't be good for the party, it might hurt any plans that Mrs Clinton might have, politically, or that the pig in chief might have a heart attack if certain things come out. Sorry. She should have her say. He was the leader of the free world, he abused his position grossly, to the extreme grossness, and somehow it's okay, people just say boys will be boys, but what about her? That she is a scorned woman, a vengeful slut, etc etc, and that she should keep her mouth shut. I think she should have her say. Whatever happens to Hill or Bill is on his shoulders. His. Shoulders.
But now I am thinking that the third person to seek understanding, forgiveness, etc, would have to be Clarence Thomas. Was there a third news story in the 1990's that would fit with the other two stories, that held everyone's attention for so long?
Then we have Monica Lewinsky thinking about writing a tell all, tell everything, and what is happening? People are still trying to hold her down, whining about how it wouldn't be good for the party, it might hurt any plans that Mrs Clinton might have, politically, or that the pig in chief might have a heart attack if certain things come out. Sorry. She should have her say. He was the leader of the free world, he abused his position grossly, to the extreme grossness, and somehow it's okay, people just say boys will be boys, but what about her? That she is a scorned woman, a vengeful slut, etc etc, and that she should keep her mouth shut. I think she should have her say. Whatever happens to Hill or Bill is on his shoulders. His. Shoulders.
But now I am thinking that the third person to seek understanding, forgiveness, etc, would have to be Clarence Thomas. Was there a third news story in the 1990's that would fit with the other two stories, that held everyone's attention for so long?
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
47%
Okay, so I have watched the video, I think all of the relevant parts surrounding the 47% comment, and I have to say a big so what? If he thinks that 47% of the population won't vote for him, why should he care how he characterizes them, why should he waste time trying to get their votes? Do I like what he said, no. But as far as I am concerned, that part of his speech is a non fucking factor because it shouldn't come as a surprise that he said any of it, or that he believes it. And when compared to his other comment that seemed to raise less eyebrows, it really seems small.
"If the Hispanic voting bloc becomes as committed to the Democrats as the African-Americans voting bloc has in the past, why, we're in trouble as a party and, I think, as a nation." As. A. Nation. What does that mean, and why aren't people flipping out about that comment as much as the other?
"If the Hispanic voting bloc becomes as committed to the Democrats as the African-Americans voting bloc has in the past, why, we're in trouble as a party and, I think, as a nation." As. A. Nation. What does that mean, and why aren't people flipping out about that comment as much as the other?
Sunday, September 16, 2012
What I wanted to do...
was post something new, at least once a day, but of course I might be having a gout flareup OR tendonitis, unsure which at this point, which means I will have to miss jury duty, which is actually making me very unhappy, and I can't focus on anything. Well, I can't actually think. I can focus on plenty of things, but I can't form many thoughts. So, keeping that in mind, I will direct you to this column that I read this morning.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-why-is-paul-ryan-getting-chummy-with-the-family-research-council/2012/09/14/29cf802e-fe12-11e1-8adc-499661afe377_story.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-why-is-paul-ryan-getting-chummy-with-the-family-research-council/2012/09/14/29cf802e-fe12-11e1-8adc-499661afe377_story.html
Friday, September 14, 2012
Beautiful
There is a woman named Debbie that is the opposite of beautiful. I would call her a hateful cow. If I felt charitable. I don't want to use her last name because I don't want to give her publicity, and any details I give will probably just lead to the Googling of this demented, hateful cow, but there isn't much I can do about that.
She wrote a column in June attacking a member of a boy band, calling him a "Paki Muslim", went on about the cult of Islam and how morning prayers that say their god is the only god are "radical", and implied that this "Paki Muslim" is trying to convert young girls to his faith by discussing his faith, which, to be fair, maybe he is, but what the fuck Debbie, what religious person doesn't do that when they talk about their faith?
I can't really put into words at this moment how much this woman has thrown me off, attacking a boy band? Is that how we know people have reached the end of even trying to have rational discussions?
I want to thank "Totally Biased", a wonderful show on FX, for pointing out this demented, hateful cow to me, and at the same time I want to say I almost wish I hadn't heard of her.
She wrote a column in June attacking a member of a boy band, calling him a "Paki Muslim", went on about the cult of Islam and how morning prayers that say their god is the only god are "radical", and implied that this "Paki Muslim" is trying to convert young girls to his faith by discussing his faith, which, to be fair, maybe he is, but what the fuck Debbie, what religious person doesn't do that when they talk about their faith?
I can't really put into words at this moment how much this woman has thrown me off, attacking a boy band? Is that how we know people have reached the end of even trying to have rational discussions?
I want to thank "Totally Biased", a wonderful show on FX, for pointing out this demented, hateful cow to me, and at the same time I want to say I almost wish I hadn't heard of her.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
TV
When I was a child, I think the only gay people I saw were on game shows, such as Hollywood Squares and Match Game. They were super gay, but not sexual, at least to me, but they were the smartest, the sharpest, and the funniest.
To think that in these last 40 years we have groups on both sides saying there are either too many or too few lgbtq people represented on TV is kind of amazing. Do I enjoy every gay character that is on TV? I do not. I feel that some of them are still too stereotypical, but then I have to remind myself that without those stereotypical gays we wouldn't have ever been on TV in the first place.
I miss Paul Lynde and Charles Nelson Reilly every time I watch a game show, wishing they were still around, or there were new men to take their place that are as wonderful as they were, without trying.
To think that in these last 40 years we have groups on both sides saying there are either too many or too few lgbtq people represented on TV is kind of amazing. Do I enjoy every gay character that is on TV? I do not. I feel that some of them are still too stereotypical, but then I have to remind myself that without those stereotypical gays we wouldn't have ever been on TV in the first place.
I miss Paul Lynde and Charles Nelson Reilly every time I watch a game show, wishing they were still around, or there were new men to take their place that are as wonderful as they were, without trying.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Every 2 weeks
It might not be normal to get excited about garbage collection day, but now that the city of Portland has gone to an every two week schedule for any dwelling with 4 or less apartments, I do get excited. The city people say that the people they have surveyed love it, and I can guarantee you for every survey sent in that expressed love for this crap there were ten that weren't sent in because people know that city hall is just like a nasty honey badger, and doesn't give a shit.
Use the slop buckets, they say, that are picked up every week. That would be gross under normal circumstances, but the fact that we are having so much sewer construction, which drives rats to the surface, well, you can imagine. The rats have so much to eat, easy access, and those nasty things seem to be the size of raccoons. There was a time not that long ago when I couldn't remember how long it had been since I had seen a rat. The last one I saw was Sunday night. Two nights ago. And three days before that. And the Saturday before that. Do other places have it worse? Yes.
But it isn't lost on me that the rats in city hall are nourishing the ones that come up from the sewer.
Use the slop buckets, they say, that are picked up every week. That would be gross under normal circumstances, but the fact that we are having so much sewer construction, which drives rats to the surface, well, you can imagine. The rats have so much to eat, easy access, and those nasty things seem to be the size of raccoons. There was a time not that long ago when I couldn't remember how long it had been since I had seen a rat. The last one I saw was Sunday night. Two nights ago. And three days before that. And the Saturday before that. Do other places have it worse? Yes.
But it isn't lost on me that the rats in city hall are nourishing the ones that come up from the sewer.
Monday, September 10, 2012
I'm sorry, can you repeat that?
Just when the idea of whatever legitimate rape was had started to die down, there is this
statement that is just so stupid and crazy. And what's the point of it? Is it to 'blame' women with differently abled children? Is it to try to explain why some children are born this way? And since science obviously can't seem to explain anything, I guess it would make sense that children with disabilities are given to women as punishment? What is going on? How are these crazy people
being elected? And I am sorry if my use of the word crazy offends anyone, because I know that
these fuckwits give actual crazy people a bad name.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/02/22/83337/disabled-abortion/?fb_action_ids=3923495439917&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582&mobile=nc
statement that is just so stupid and crazy. And what's the point of it? Is it to 'blame' women with differently abled children? Is it to try to explain why some children are born this way? And since science obviously can't seem to explain anything, I guess it would make sense that children with disabilities are given to women as punishment? What is going on? How are these crazy people
being elected? And I am sorry if my use of the word crazy offends anyone, because I know that
these fuckwits give actual crazy people a bad name.
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/02/22/83337/disabled-abortion/?fb_action_ids=3923495439917&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582&mobile=nc
P Robertson
Why do people still listen to this man? Why do they send him money? Do people, specifically women, actually believe that if you don't agree with your husband that you should, at the very least, go to therapy? If I had children I would gladly, proudly, let Snooki babysit them before I let this semi conscious bananas for brains relic get anywhere near them. But I should also add that I think Snooki seems like she'd be a lot of fun. She might party a lot, but at least she isn't a hateful old troll.
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/romney-campaigner-pat-robertson-is-sad-we-dont-condone-wife-beating-these-days/politics/2012/09/10/48723
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/romney-campaigner-pat-robertson-is-sad-we-dont-condone-wife-beating-these-days/politics/2012/09/10/48723
Sunday, September 9, 2012
It's that time of year...
In two days it will be the 11th anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Center buildings, part of the Pentagon, and the slaughter of thousands of Americans. It seems to be the time of year when people are told to reflect on what it means, reflect on what we lost, reflect on what we have gained, reflect reflect reflect.
I remember that day clearly, as most people probably do, because it was one of those days that you can't forget. I live on the opposite side of the country, but I knew a few people that lived there at the time, and that live there still. I remember calling their phone numbers and getting a recording that said something about a tornado hitting the area. They had no automatic recording for what happened that day, and I am not sure if they do now, either. Everyone I knew was fine, far away from the WTC site, but having never been to NYC, I had no idea where anything was.
It seems to me, in my memory, that everyone was in shock, calling all of their friends and family, telling each other what we had heard, most of what we heard being untrue, which was a relief at the time, considering some of the stories. Of course we didn't want to believe that people almost instantly tried to use this to their advantage, or making phone calls, pretending to be trapped in the rubble, just crazy things that still make no sense and show how depraved and disgusting some people truly are.
What did the people need us to do? Did they need water? Blankets? Would NYC be evacuated? Where would everyone go? There were so many questions, the answers were slow to come but when they did they were reassuring but kind of strange, that no one would be evacuated, don't send anything yet, make donations to the Red Cross, stay calm, and, most importantly, don't let the terrorists win. You must not let that happen. You must go shopping. Yes. Shopping.
I think it was a Jimmy Dean sausage commercial that featured the American flag blowing in the wind while you heard the sausage sizzling. Go shopping! Go to the movies! SPEND MONEY!
No, we weren't sure who had done what, and to be fair, we supposedly knew something would happen soon, but what intelligence agency would think about hijacked airplanes, and so we knew a few things, but knew nothing, but then set our sights on Afghanistan and Iraq. If Afghanistan was a stretch, than Iraq was a complete fantasy location to start bombing. They had nothing to do with anything, nothing, and yet our government, republicans AND democrats, wanted blood. And blood we have spilled.
What a waste of life, all the way around. It is sad and tragic every time a soldier comes home in a coffin, or body bag, but they don't belong in Iraq or Afghanistan. Our government, by starting this war against an enemy without a country or face, has killed every single soldier that has come home in a body bag or coffin. We have maimed every soldier that comes home missing...anything. We have killed hundreds of thousands of people that had nothing to do with September 11, 2001. And we don't even pretend to take care of the troops that have fought for 'freedom'.
I don't know what we are supposed to reflect on, I don't know how we can not support a war but at the same time support the troops that fight the war we don't support, I don't know how anyone can think that this is anything other than reactionary and that we have lost so many lives, so many futures, and for what? What was the point? Why couldn't our government wait until they knew what they were doing? What kind of government starts bombing because they think maybe they might know what they are doing?
I don't feel that the world is safer and I don't feel that it is less safe. I guess if we are supposed to reflect on how we feel during this time of year, I would say I feel that most of the dead have been forgotten, our government dug us into a hole that will take too long to crawl out of, and that government officials aren't even talking about this anymore and that we should just get out of Iraq and Afghanistan completely. We should have never been in either place to begin with and we need to leave.
I remember that day clearly, as most people probably do, because it was one of those days that you can't forget. I live on the opposite side of the country, but I knew a few people that lived there at the time, and that live there still. I remember calling their phone numbers and getting a recording that said something about a tornado hitting the area. They had no automatic recording for what happened that day, and I am not sure if they do now, either. Everyone I knew was fine, far away from the WTC site, but having never been to NYC, I had no idea where anything was.
It seems to me, in my memory, that everyone was in shock, calling all of their friends and family, telling each other what we had heard, most of what we heard being untrue, which was a relief at the time, considering some of the stories. Of course we didn't want to believe that people almost instantly tried to use this to their advantage, or making phone calls, pretending to be trapped in the rubble, just crazy things that still make no sense and show how depraved and disgusting some people truly are.
What did the people need us to do? Did they need water? Blankets? Would NYC be evacuated? Where would everyone go? There were so many questions, the answers were slow to come but when they did they were reassuring but kind of strange, that no one would be evacuated, don't send anything yet, make donations to the Red Cross, stay calm, and, most importantly, don't let the terrorists win. You must not let that happen. You must go shopping. Yes. Shopping.
I think it was a Jimmy Dean sausage commercial that featured the American flag blowing in the wind while you heard the sausage sizzling. Go shopping! Go to the movies! SPEND MONEY!
No, we weren't sure who had done what, and to be fair, we supposedly knew something would happen soon, but what intelligence agency would think about hijacked airplanes, and so we knew a few things, but knew nothing, but then set our sights on Afghanistan and Iraq. If Afghanistan was a stretch, than Iraq was a complete fantasy location to start bombing. They had nothing to do with anything, nothing, and yet our government, republicans AND democrats, wanted blood. And blood we have spilled.
What a waste of life, all the way around. It is sad and tragic every time a soldier comes home in a coffin, or body bag, but they don't belong in Iraq or Afghanistan. Our government, by starting this war against an enemy without a country or face, has killed every single soldier that has come home in a body bag or coffin. We have maimed every soldier that comes home missing...anything. We have killed hundreds of thousands of people that had nothing to do with September 11, 2001. And we don't even pretend to take care of the troops that have fought for 'freedom'.
I don't know what we are supposed to reflect on, I don't know how we can not support a war but at the same time support the troops that fight the war we don't support, I don't know how anyone can think that this is anything other than reactionary and that we have lost so many lives, so many futures, and for what? What was the point? Why couldn't our government wait until they knew what they were doing? What kind of government starts bombing because they think maybe they might know what they are doing?
I don't feel that the world is safer and I don't feel that it is less safe. I guess if we are supposed to reflect on how we feel during this time of year, I would say I feel that most of the dead have been forgotten, our government dug us into a hole that will take too long to crawl out of, and that government officials aren't even talking about this anymore and that we should just get out of Iraq and Afghanistan completely. We should have never been in either place to begin with and we need to leave.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Vote baby, vote
Yes, I would prefer everyone voting democratic in this election, OR, if they vote republican, they understand what they are doing and are making an informed decision, not voting republican just because.
I really do believe that everyone I know will suffer if RoRo and RyRy are elected, and I am not talking about abortion or gay rights, I am talking about financially, and people voting for the party that will work even harder to destroy the middle class, which hardly exists anymore, make no sense to me. There really isn't a way to change the minds of most people, but I think that there are two things that will work against RoRo and RyRy that aren't being addressed enough.
RoRo is a mormon. I don't know much about mormonism, but I do know that when it comes time to vote, there are a lot of self identified christians that won't be able to vote for him. I don't think that these people will vote for our current President, but I don't think they will be voting for a mormon, either. Do I think that is the reason to not vote for him? I don't. There are many other reasons that are more related to policy as opposed to religion, but that seems to be a strike against him.
Another strike against him is that he has more in common, as far as lack of personality, with Al Gore. We all know how that turned out. Yes, of course there is the whole "stolen election" and all of that, but let's just say that he wasn't elected fairly. A lot of that would have to be blamed on his wooden exterior. Is there anyone that thought Al kissing that censorship loving nitwit Tipper was hot? It looked straight up gross and nasty. But I am digressing.
Another thing I want to point out that doesn't have much to do with any of this is that the hatred for our President is kind of scary. People have always had issues with elected officials, but the pure hatred they have for this man is beyond my understanding. There are plenty of things to point out about his term that you may not like, but when you get hot and feel a physical reaction to the man, I think you need to consider therapy.
I really do believe that everyone I know will suffer if RoRo and RyRy are elected, and I am not talking about abortion or gay rights, I am talking about financially, and people voting for the party that will work even harder to destroy the middle class, which hardly exists anymore, make no sense to me. There really isn't a way to change the minds of most people, but I think that there are two things that will work against RoRo and RyRy that aren't being addressed enough.
RoRo is a mormon. I don't know much about mormonism, but I do know that when it comes time to vote, there are a lot of self identified christians that won't be able to vote for him. I don't think that these people will vote for our current President, but I don't think they will be voting for a mormon, either. Do I think that is the reason to not vote for him? I don't. There are many other reasons that are more related to policy as opposed to religion, but that seems to be a strike against him.
Another strike against him is that he has more in common, as far as lack of personality, with Al Gore. We all know how that turned out. Yes, of course there is the whole "stolen election" and all of that, but let's just say that he wasn't elected fairly. A lot of that would have to be blamed on his wooden exterior. Is there anyone that thought Al kissing that censorship loving nitwit Tipper was hot? It looked straight up gross and nasty. But I am digressing.
Another thing I want to point out that doesn't have much to do with any of this is that the hatred for our President is kind of scary. People have always had issues with elected officials, but the pure hatred they have for this man is beyond my understanding. There are plenty of things to point out about his term that you may not like, but when you get hot and feel a physical reaction to the man, I think you need to consider therapy.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Headache
My head has been aching all day, but luckily I found something that I feel should be reposted and reposted until every single person has read it. Yes, the people that don't agree with it will be offended by the 'language', and they will feel unfairly attacked, because that is usually how bigots feel, when their societal privilege is threatened in some way. Poor babies!
http://deadspin.com/5941348/they-wont-magically-turn-you-into-a-lustful-cockmonster-chris-kluwe-explains-gay-marriage-to-the-politician-who-is-offended-by-an-nfl-player-supporting-it
http://deadspin.com/5941348/they-wont-magically-turn-you-into-a-lustful-cockmonster-chris-kluwe-explains-gay-marriage-to-the-politician-who-is-offended-by-an-nfl-player-supporting-it
Thursday, September 6, 2012
The end of civilization as we know it
Yes, I am talking about Honey Boo Boo.
People have said that this show doesn't belong on TV. That these people are not worth watching. That these people are pathetic, worthy of mockery, but nothing else. But why?
Is it a problem that they seem to actually love each other? Is it a problem that they seem to have fun as a family, even when that fun involves bobbing for raw pig feet? What is it about Honey Boo Boo and her kinfolk that makes people feel so superior and so nasty?
Now, I don't have a problem with this family. I wouldn't want to live next door to them, or go to auctions to buy Oreo cookies or go dumpster diving with them, but I don't have a strong, hateful, 'better than' reaction to them, either.
They are poor. They struggle, like a lot of people do, they might not eat what you feel they should be eating, but what people ingest really isn't any of your business, and I am sure your pantry isn't full of 100% nutritious food either. They argue, they laugh, some of their habits are so completely foreign to me that I have a hard time even understanding what I am watching, but what I don't see when I watch them is any sort of pretense.
They are real. And they seem to be okay, even happy, with how they are in the world. Is that the problem people have with them? Do you only want to watch poor people on TV that strive for something 'better', that admit to the world what you think they should admit, that their lives couldn't possibly be worth living without 'hope', without reaching for something bigger? Is their happiness a threat to peoples ideas of what the truly poor should be like? Is the fact that they have so little but are content a threat somehow?
There are dozens of shows on the air that are far worse than this one, that teach young women all sorts of 'wonderful' messages, like how to fight with 20 strangers for a rose and to get screwed by some random guy that always ends up seeming like he is one step away from being arrested for domestic violence. Or there is that family that has made a career somehow out of the fact that a daughter made a sex tape that her mother, allegedly, leaked, so her daughter could get on TV. There is the Bravo channel that has half a dozen shows about 'housewives' that feature women getting into physical fights as well as boozing it up and generally acting like assholes.
Those shows don't feature family and love in the way most people think about it, or wish it could be. The Boo Boo Family does show love for their family members in a way that I suspect most people would like to have in their own lives, without judgment or conditions. But people can't get beyond the fact that they are poor. But guess what? There are millions of people this poor all across this country, and I am sorry if you don't want to know about it or believe it, but it's true. And for all of their faults, and they have many, they honestly love each other and they are okay with their lives.
People have said that this show doesn't belong on TV. That these people are not worth watching. That these people are pathetic, worthy of mockery, but nothing else. But why?
Is it a problem that they seem to actually love each other? Is it a problem that they seem to have fun as a family, even when that fun involves bobbing for raw pig feet? What is it about Honey Boo Boo and her kinfolk that makes people feel so superior and so nasty?
Now, I don't have a problem with this family. I wouldn't want to live next door to them, or go to auctions to buy Oreo cookies or go dumpster diving with them, but I don't have a strong, hateful, 'better than' reaction to them, either.
They are poor. They struggle, like a lot of people do, they might not eat what you feel they should be eating, but what people ingest really isn't any of your business, and I am sure your pantry isn't full of 100% nutritious food either. They argue, they laugh, some of their habits are so completely foreign to me that I have a hard time even understanding what I am watching, but what I don't see when I watch them is any sort of pretense.
They are real. And they seem to be okay, even happy, with how they are in the world. Is that the problem people have with them? Do you only want to watch poor people on TV that strive for something 'better', that admit to the world what you think they should admit, that their lives couldn't possibly be worth living without 'hope', without reaching for something bigger? Is their happiness a threat to peoples ideas of what the truly poor should be like? Is the fact that they have so little but are content a threat somehow?
There are dozens of shows on the air that are far worse than this one, that teach young women all sorts of 'wonderful' messages, like how to fight with 20 strangers for a rose and to get screwed by some random guy that always ends up seeming like he is one step away from being arrested for domestic violence. Or there is that family that has made a career somehow out of the fact that a daughter made a sex tape that her mother, allegedly, leaked, so her daughter could get on TV. There is the Bravo channel that has half a dozen shows about 'housewives' that feature women getting into physical fights as well as boozing it up and generally acting like assholes.
Those shows don't feature family and love in the way most people think about it, or wish it could be. The Boo Boo Family does show love for their family members in a way that I suspect most people would like to have in their own lives, without judgment or conditions. But people can't get beyond the fact that they are poor. But guess what? There are millions of people this poor all across this country, and I am sorry if you don't want to know about it or believe it, but it's true. And for all of their faults, and they have many, they honestly love each other and they are okay with their lives.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Pro choice does not mean pro abortion
I know that abortion is an issue that will never be resolved, and I know that most people have strong feelings in one direction or the other, but I don't know anyone that is actually pro abortion, outside clinics, cheering people on, high-fiving, etc. I would say, from personal experience,
that it is the last resort for most, not something done happily on your lunchbreak or done without a second thought.
The handful of times I volunteered in front of a local clinic I never got the feeling from anyone that the situation was anything other than sad and, unfortunately, necessary. The anger and venom directed at these women at perhaps one of the lowest points in their lives seemed grotesque and presumptuous, that somehow these women were blase about their situation and deserved to be made to feel as awful as possible. And on more than one occasion it felt like the protesters would be happy if these women had committed suicide, to somehow atone for their 'sin'. But what if everyone could agree that lowering the rate of abortions is the most important thing, and if people could come together and work on that?
Would people finally come to terms with the fact that people are still having sex? That people need to be educated about contraception, and educated on how to avoid STDs? Would people have to admit that abstinence really is the only method, or non-method, really, that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and vaginal/anal infections? Would people realize that educating people on how to protect themselves is not an endorsement of behavior but an endorsement of health? Will people realize that you can't prevent abortions from happening if you won't help women not get pregnant in the first place?
21 years ago I volunteered on the Oregon AIDS Hotline, maybe for 2 years, and I can say that the information I was given at that time probably saved my life, and it probably saved the lives of people I talked to on the phone, people desperate for information, not knowing where to turn, not knowing if their friends, family, coworkers, etc, would turn their backs on them when they needed them the most. I don't see a huge difference between that and what is going on all over this country, with family planning clinics being shut down, 'victories' for people that are so blinded by their judgmental minds that they can't see that they are actually adding to the problems they say they want to avoid.
Since I will never be pregnant, and will never be a party to a pregnancy, I don't feel that I have a right to tell a woman what she should, or shouldn't do, with her body, or even really be a part of the debate. I know that might sound like taking the easy way out, but I don't see it that way. I see it as being rational. And I know that even though as a man I don't feel that I have the right to be a part of this debate, the truth is that I am. I have to be. Until both sides come together, get real with each other, and work on solutions, we are all part of the debate.
that it is the last resort for most, not something done happily on your lunchbreak or done without a second thought.
The handful of times I volunteered in front of a local clinic I never got the feeling from anyone that the situation was anything other than sad and, unfortunately, necessary. The anger and venom directed at these women at perhaps one of the lowest points in their lives seemed grotesque and presumptuous, that somehow these women were blase about their situation and deserved to be made to feel as awful as possible. And on more than one occasion it felt like the protesters would be happy if these women had committed suicide, to somehow atone for their 'sin'. But what if everyone could agree that lowering the rate of abortions is the most important thing, and if people could come together and work on that?
Would people finally come to terms with the fact that people are still having sex? That people need to be educated about contraception, and educated on how to avoid STDs? Would people have to admit that abstinence really is the only method, or non-method, really, that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and vaginal/anal infections? Would people realize that educating people on how to protect themselves is not an endorsement of behavior but an endorsement of health? Will people realize that you can't prevent abortions from happening if you won't help women not get pregnant in the first place?
21 years ago I volunteered on the Oregon AIDS Hotline, maybe for 2 years, and I can say that the information I was given at that time probably saved my life, and it probably saved the lives of people I talked to on the phone, people desperate for information, not knowing where to turn, not knowing if their friends, family, coworkers, etc, would turn their backs on them when they needed them the most. I don't see a huge difference between that and what is going on all over this country, with family planning clinics being shut down, 'victories' for people that are so blinded by their judgmental minds that they can't see that they are actually adding to the problems they say they want to avoid.
Since I will never be pregnant, and will never be a party to a pregnancy, I don't feel that I have a right to tell a woman what she should, or shouldn't do, with her body, or even really be a part of the debate. I know that might sound like taking the easy way out, but I don't see it that way. I see it as being rational. And I know that even though as a man I don't feel that I have the right to be a part of this debate, the truth is that I am. I have to be. Until both sides come together, get real with each other, and work on solutions, we are all part of the debate.
Crazy old relatives
I wish I could say that most of the people holding onto this lie about our President not being American are old, senile, perhaps still replaying Amos and Andy in their heads, but they are not. Sure, some of them are, but when people pull that lie out of their asses as if they have won an argument, they have actually lost the argument. Yes, our President is not 100% white, and yes, that seems to really freak a lot of people out, and I would say that some of their fear and hatred is so pathological that they aren't even aware of how pathetic and hateful they are, but he was born in the United States. Hawaii was a part of the union when he was born. There. In Hawaii. Maybe they get confused because his father was Kenyan, but following that logic, even though I was born in California, I must have really been born wherever my father was born?
How can I live in a country that is filled with so many people that are full of such hate that they would believe any lie they were told just so they could justify their hatred?
As a white man I will never be able to grasp what any of this means for people on a daily basis, living with the label of 'other' just because of the color of their skin, and, truth be told, just from what I do know, I don't know how people do it, day in and day out.
I am all for disagreeing about policies, disagreeing about how Romneycare was implemented in this country, since, really, 'Obamacare' is Romneycare, disagreeing about deficits and taxes and so many other things, but when hate mongers try to take away the humanity of our President because he isn't 100% white, well, there is nothing to talk about anymore. You can't have a meaningful conversation with people that are so vile.
How can I live in a country that is filled with so many people that are full of such hate that they would believe any lie they were told just so they could justify their hatred?
As a white man I will never be able to grasp what any of this means for people on a daily basis, living with the label of 'other' just because of the color of their skin, and, truth be told, just from what I do know, I don't know how people do it, day in and day out.
I am all for disagreeing about policies, disagreeing about how Romneycare was implemented in this country, since, really, 'Obamacare' is Romneycare, disagreeing about deficits and taxes and so many other things, but when hate mongers try to take away the humanity of our President because he isn't 100% white, well, there is nothing to talk about anymore. You can't have a meaningful conversation with people that are so vile.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Economics
No, this won't be a lesson on economics because that would be boring, and, to be honest, I don't understand all of the ins and outs of surpluses and deficits, Bush era tax cuts for the wealthiest, and taxing the middle class out of existence, etc.
I want to share a brief story of a friend that isn't terribly political, like most people. This year
she and her spouse had to do a short sale of their home, which she explained to me, but it still made little sense. They now rent a home, which is not where they expected to be at this point in their lives.
They have a couple of kids, they have to rely on one vehicle a lot of the time even though they
both work outside of the home due to regular, everyday issues like carburators and tires and brakes and general car stuff that I know nothing about. Zero. I don't know how to drive, so why would I know how to fix a car? That would be bananas.
She works in the retail industry, higher end, but not high end, if that makes sense, and she has noticed that they are doing more business now than they were a year ago. Most of their sales take place over the weekend, so she spends all week getting caught up on paperwork, making sure everything goes smoothly, dealing with all kinds of regulations and time constraints. She doesn't make commission on her work because she isn't technically in sales. She goes to work everyday with a smile on her face and busts her ass and takes pride in what she does.
She doesn't always know how things will get paid for, but they manage with what they have and their children always have what they need, if not always what they want, but a spoiled child usually becomes a rotten adult, so that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
And even though they now rent a home, and even though money is tighter than usual, and even though life surprises keep popping up that might screw up their plans, she believes, from what she has seen, that the economy is improving and people are doing better. The proof is in her job, with people spending thousands of dollars when just a year ago they weren't. The proof is when she knows she has job security. The proof is when she knows everyone is struggling around her but that they are making it through, and they are not just surviving, but finding ways to thrive.
I want to share a brief story of a friend that isn't terribly political, like most people. This year
she and her spouse had to do a short sale of their home, which she explained to me, but it still made little sense. They now rent a home, which is not where they expected to be at this point in their lives.
They have a couple of kids, they have to rely on one vehicle a lot of the time even though they
both work outside of the home due to regular, everyday issues like carburators and tires and brakes and general car stuff that I know nothing about. Zero. I don't know how to drive, so why would I know how to fix a car? That would be bananas.
She works in the retail industry, higher end, but not high end, if that makes sense, and she has noticed that they are doing more business now than they were a year ago. Most of their sales take place over the weekend, so she spends all week getting caught up on paperwork, making sure everything goes smoothly, dealing with all kinds of regulations and time constraints. She doesn't make commission on her work because she isn't technically in sales. She goes to work everyday with a smile on her face and busts her ass and takes pride in what she does.
She doesn't always know how things will get paid for, but they manage with what they have and their children always have what they need, if not always what they want, but a spoiled child usually becomes a rotten adult, so that isn't necessarily a bad thing.
And even though they now rent a home, and even though money is tighter than usual, and even though life surprises keep popping up that might screw up their plans, she believes, from what she has seen, that the economy is improving and people are doing better. The proof is in her job, with people spending thousands of dollars when just a year ago they weren't. The proof is when she knows she has job security. The proof is when she knows everyone is struggling around her but that they are making it through, and they are not just surviving, but finding ways to thrive.
What to do?
I have a few family members, and a few people that I would say I am friendly with, that will be voting for RoRo and RyRy this year, even though they know how those two dimwits feel about the gays, and knowing that every time they say something negative, or endorse something being said that is negative, they are talking about ME.
In the past, I think I would have been able to say, "oh well", it's just a different opinion, etc etc, but I think that as I have aged, reached middle age, in fact (FUCK!), I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer have people like that in my life. Whether the party of equality or the party of doom wins in November, I will cut out everyone that I know that voted for the greedy, hateful, women hating, homophobic, mental dinosaur bastard motherf*ckers. I have to. I have to respect myself, I have to believe that I am better than the lies being told about me, because if I don't stand up for myself and those I love, I might as well vote for RoRo and RyRy.
In the past, I think I would have been able to say, "oh well", it's just a different opinion, etc etc, but I think that as I have aged, reached middle age, in fact (FUCK!), I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer have people like that in my life. Whether the party of equality or the party of doom wins in November, I will cut out everyone that I know that voted for the greedy, hateful, women hating, homophobic, mental dinosaur bastard motherf*ckers. I have to. I have to respect myself, I have to believe that I am better than the lies being told about me, because if I don't stand up for myself and those I love, I might as well vote for RoRo and RyRy.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
The name
I have not named this blog Democraycray because I think that being a Democrat makes you crazy, I named it this because I am a Democrat and this election cycle is driving me crazy. All the lies and partial truths, the desire to destroy equality in this country...it can make a rational person feel like they have entered the Twilight Zone while riding a roller coaster without a seat belt, which I am sure RoRo and RyRy wouldn't mind, since they probably view seat belts on roller coasters as some sort of governmental intrusion.
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