September 11, 2001, for people of a certain age, will never be forgotten. It was horrific. Shocking. Devastating, even if you weren't in NY or DC. I still get twitchy if I hear an airplane flying too close overhead, and I was 3,000 miles away from any of the actual physical damage, nor did I lose anyone close to me, or even known to me.
But, I feel like the commemoration of this day has gone too far, off the rails, veering towards comedy at times. A special dedicated to cadaver dogs, and what they may have dealt with during this time? Really?
I also feel that calling people that died that day 'brave' is a ridiculous and unnecessary lie. Most of the people that died that morning were at work. In offices. Does that make them brave? No. It makes them average, relatable. By calling them brave it lifts them up and ends up detaching them from the rest of us, which is wrong. They weren't fighting that day, they weren't at war, they were at work. That is the true tragedy, that they didn't sign up for combat, and by calling them brave they are being stripped of their averageness and turned into soldiers.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Friday, December 21, 2012
Really, NRA? Really?
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.
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 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.
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