A few days ago as I was getting ready to go to work, I switched on the tv and surfed for something to stare at while eating breakfast. Hubby and the cats were still sound asleep, so it was just me and the idiot box. I landed in the middle of an episode of an old comedy series, “Good Times”. This series originally aired in the early and mid-1970’s, and for those who don’t remember this show, it was about an African-American blue-collar family living in the projects. It was an interesting mix of stereotypes and social commentary, and for the time in which it originated it was pretty revolutionary and it broke a lot of ground from a sociological and cultural perspective. Bear in mind that segregation had only ended a dozen or so years prior to the beginning of this series.
As I watched this particular episode of “Good Times” I found myself not harmlessly distracted and amused as I had expected, but instead riveted and thoroughly engrossed as I compared the 35-year old story line with our world today. In this particular episode the younger son did a school project which somehow involved Cuba and Castro, and the U.S. government blew it all out of proportion and began investigating the whole family for Communist ties, which caused the father to lose his job.
There was a fair bit of clowning around with the notion that the house may be bugged or the phone tapped, but as I watched these antics I realized that at least back then citizens had some legal protection against warrantless wiretapping – the government had to have probable cause that a crime was being committed before they could tap a phone. Now, well, sometimes I fight the urge to say Hi to the CIA when I pick up the phone or send an e-mail.
Of course this episode turned out to be total fantasy, as proven when the FBI decided that the 12-year old who had obtained Communist propaganda wasn’t really a threat to national security. That simply makes too much sense. These days toddlers wind up on the no-fly list because of an unfortunate coincidence with their names.
The FBI agent was the kindly sort that only existed on tv, and he went beyond the call of duty to help the father get his job back. That would never happen in real life. But to justify doing the investigation in the first place, the agent says “Let’s face it, we’re living in crazy times.” Back then the fear was communism, today it’s terrorism, but it’s really all the same – government-orchestrated fear of a faceless boogeyman.
When the FBI agent tells the father about getting his job back, the father’s response was to say Great, but what about other innocent people who are harmed by this sort of investigation, what about them? This question was greeted with shouts of “Right on!” from the live audience all those years ago. Back then the spirit of protest and change was still alive; it hadn’t been beaten into an unconscious stupor by reality tv, paparazzi, video games, or any of the other bells and whistles that now serve to distract the masses from what’s really going on in our world.
At the end of this episode, the father says something that was surprisingly poignant and touching, especially for a 30-minute situation comedy. He says “Yeah, everything is cleared up and I got my job back, but I still got this feeling that somewhere, someplace, my name is still in somebody’s file.” This last line is spoken directly to the camera, and the effect is chilling because there’s truth and fear there.
I watched this episode with a sense of deja vu. Plus la change, plus la meme chose. The more things change, the more they stay the same. And that's going to continue to be true until we, the silent rabble, unite and exercise our collective power to restore our rights and make our country and our world a better, safer, more peaceful and just place. Until then, we will continue to live in fear of whatever faceless boogeyman our government dreams up next. Doesn't sound like a lot of fun to me.
“The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear.” - Aung San Suu Kyi
Later,
AuntieM
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
And then there were two
News from the political front: John Edwards dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. This isn't really a huge surprise, since he's been trailing Hillary and Obama by a fairly large margin. Personally I'm sad to see him drop out because he's from my home state of North Carolina and I'd sure like to see a home boy in the White House. At the same time I think that dropping out of the race now is the best thing Edwards could have done for the party overall. Edwards bowed out with dignity and class, and said in his speech that he'd been in touch with both Hillary and Obama to make sure that his issue of primary concern (ending poverty) is a priority for whoever wins the nomination. Wonder if he'd be open to a VP spot on either ticket?
Incidentally, the field for the Republican nomination was also whittled down by one; Giuliani also withdrew from the race and gave his delegates to McCain. That move was long overdue, as was Fred Thompson's withdrawal from the race for the nomination a few days ago. Wonder if he can get his part back on Law&Order? I liked the role he played on that series, but I strongly disagreed with his politics.
Hubby said something today that made me think. In a typical Presidential election season, there are more Democratic candidates than you can count and the primary season is pretty chaotic. On the Republican side, the good ol' boys of the GOP meet early on to choose their heir-apparent and then everyone falls into lockstep, so from a very early point in the season there is only one Republican and he is the focus of all the Republican publicity. This election year seems quite different. Hubby asked me today how many candidates there were left on each side. I was able to tell him quickly that on the Democratic side we're now down to Obama and Hillary, but I have no idea how many Republicans are left. There doesn't seem to be an heir-apparent for the GOP, and neither side has a clear front-runner. This election season just keeps getting more and more interesting. Hopefully that will create more discussion, more voter turnout, and more involvement with the political process.
"We in America do not have governnment by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." - Thomas Jefferson
This brings me to one of my big fears for this election season. I am very scared that the conservatives will utilize their networks, particularly through churches that are quite easy to mobilize, to mount voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives in order to sway the election toward a Republican candidate who will work to maintain the status quo (in the name of God, of course). I believe this is a very real threat and one we can't dismiss lightly if we are to stand any chance of achieving the real changes that this country desperately needs.
We've got to seek out untapped resevoirs of support for change, bastions of liberal thought where likely voters may be found. Forty years ago those words described college campuses nationwide, and to some extent that still applies today. However I would also make a point to seek out likely Democratic voters on community college campuses as well. Being a recent CC grad and new university student, my take on the demographics of each campus is that there are more blue-collar students at the CC level, and there is more of a sense of elitism and privilege at the university level. Members of the power elite (or their children) naturally have a vested interest in preserving the status quo. A large number of community college students are there because they face challenges with going to school, and often it's the financial challenge of not being able to affort university tuition. That's why I went to CC, to save money while doing my core classes. Typically the higher socioeconomic status students will desire to preserve the status quo, while lower SES students will desire change. We've got to get in touch with potential voters who are likely to want change, get them registered and make sure they vote!
So how can we achieve this lofty goal? By educating ourselves, by helping to educate others, by starting conversations (in person or electronically), by volunteering, by making damn sure we walk our own talk and get our own asses out there and vote, in both the primaries/caucuses and in the general election, and by helping our family, friends and neighbors do the same. We've got a large job ahead of us but if we all pull together, we can exercise our collective power and change the world for the better.
Later,
AuntieM
Incidentally, the field for the Republican nomination was also whittled down by one; Giuliani also withdrew from the race and gave his delegates to McCain. That move was long overdue, as was Fred Thompson's withdrawal from the race for the nomination a few days ago. Wonder if he can get his part back on Law&Order? I liked the role he played on that series, but I strongly disagreed with his politics.
Hubby said something today that made me think. In a typical Presidential election season, there are more Democratic candidates than you can count and the primary season is pretty chaotic. On the Republican side, the good ol' boys of the GOP meet early on to choose their heir-apparent and then everyone falls into lockstep, so from a very early point in the season there is only one Republican and he is the focus of all the Republican publicity. This election year seems quite different. Hubby asked me today how many candidates there were left on each side. I was able to tell him quickly that on the Democratic side we're now down to Obama and Hillary, but I have no idea how many Republicans are left. There doesn't seem to be an heir-apparent for the GOP, and neither side has a clear front-runner. This election season just keeps getting more and more interesting. Hopefully that will create more discussion, more voter turnout, and more involvement with the political process.
"We in America do not have governnment by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate." - Thomas Jefferson
This brings me to one of my big fears for this election season. I am very scared that the conservatives will utilize their networks, particularly through churches that are quite easy to mobilize, to mount voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives in order to sway the election toward a Republican candidate who will work to maintain the status quo (in the name of God, of course). I believe this is a very real threat and one we can't dismiss lightly if we are to stand any chance of achieving the real changes that this country desperately needs.
We've got to seek out untapped resevoirs of support for change, bastions of liberal thought where likely voters may be found. Forty years ago those words described college campuses nationwide, and to some extent that still applies today. However I would also make a point to seek out likely Democratic voters on community college campuses as well. Being a recent CC grad and new university student, my take on the demographics of each campus is that there are more blue-collar students at the CC level, and there is more of a sense of elitism and privilege at the university level. Members of the power elite (or their children) naturally have a vested interest in preserving the status quo. A large number of community college students are there because they face challenges with going to school, and often it's the financial challenge of not being able to affort university tuition. That's why I went to CC, to save money while doing my core classes. Typically the higher socioeconomic status students will desire to preserve the status quo, while lower SES students will desire change. We've got to get in touch with potential voters who are likely to want change, get them registered and make sure they vote!
So how can we achieve this lofty goal? By educating ourselves, by helping to educate others, by starting conversations (in person or electronically), by volunteering, by making damn sure we walk our own talk and get our own asses out there and vote, in both the primaries/caucuses and in the general election, and by helping our family, friends and neighbors do the same. We've got a large job ahead of us but if we all pull together, we can exercise our collective power and change the world for the better.
Later,
AuntieM
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Random Thoughts for a Tuesday Night
More hate e-mail:
I got another one of those oh-so-charming-and-witty e-mails tonight. This one began as a comparison of photos of women before and after applying their makeup. The final set of photos had a shot of a horse’s behind as the “before” and a shot of Hillary Clinton as the “after”. The anonymous author asked that this message be circulated in order to keep the White House from turning into a stable. It’s just plain sad that the conservatives can’t even respect Hillary enough to attack her on her issues. No, they have to go straight to personal attacks. Part of me wishes there was a repository of Rebublican-bashing cartoons out there to send in response to items like I received tonight. Part of me is glad there isn’t such a library handy because it keeps us from stooping to the conservatives’ level. At least we have the cojones to talk about issues!
Classroom discussions:
I’ve been having lots of fun getting to know my new classmates. I’ve also been unable to resist doing a little rabblerousing in my Philosophy class, but fortunately it seems to be well-received thus far. I try very hard to stay on point in classroom discussions, but sometimes impulse gets the best of me. Once we really get into our class readings I think we’re going to have some extremely lively discussions.
Still loving my job!
I just finished my third week at my new job and it is still quite wonderful. Each day that I walk into that office I feel privileged to be there. I’ve had my fair share of jobs, but I’ve never felt like this about my work before. Finding a job that matches your passion is the best gift in the world! Many people who know me remark on how happy I look now. All I can do is grin and agree, because I am and it feels great.
Something I forgot:
In my post a few days ago about the tax rebates, I forgot something important about the “rebates” we received in 2001: they weren’t really rebates at all. I had completely forgotten about that until I read an article about them in the newspaper. The $300/person checks we got in 2001 were actually advances on our tax refunds. That’s right, nothing extra, we just got a piece of our refunds early. And those who owed taxes? They wound up owing an extra $300 each. I don’t know if they’re going to do these the same way, but I certainly hope not.
Something else on the rebates post:
I had a comment from a reader who said “With reference to the taxpayer rebate part of the economic stimulus package, every person that I have had a conversation with about the money that they would receive plans to use it to pay down credit card debt. How is this going to help?” That’s such a good question, and I wish I had a good answer. I really wish our government had a good answer, but we know those are in extremely short supply where our government is concerned. You nailed the flaw in the plan: using funds from the economic stimulus package to help pay down credit card debt won’t help stimulate the economy; it will only help the banking industry make more money.
Doing good with free money:
I’d like to make a suggestion to each and every person who receives a check from the stimulus package: maybe we should each take a portion of our free money – say 10%- and use it toward creating positive social change. That could be lots of things – make a donation to a homeless shelter; join the ACLU; give to your favorite local nonprofit organization, the United Way or Red Cross; give to a library or animal shelter; perhaps even use it to support your favorite candidate to help bring about positive change on a national level. We can’t miss what we don’t have, and using even just a portion of our free money to help create a better world would be a case of money well spent.
Doing good without money:
Here’s some trivia that may surprise you. Do you know how much volunteer time is worth to many service organizations? More than you’d think. A recent item in the newspaper said that service organizations typically value volunteer labor at $19/hour. That’s right. It’s possible to make a substantial contribution to a nonprofit or community service organization by simply giving a few hours’ effort to a worthy cause. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any service organization turning people away because they have too much help, either – most welcome volunteers of any age or skill level and work hard to find suitable tasks for any volunteer.
Kids and volunteering:
I was bitten by the volunteerism bug when I was in my early teens. For the next five years I spent my summers as a volunteer at two local hospitals in my hometown. I learned early on that it’s important to give something back to the community. Even though I’ve spent most of my adult life in the for-profit sector and only in the last few months have I returned to my principles, those early lessons of community service have stuck with me. I think it is very important for kids to volunteer, to find a way to interact with, and give something back to, their communities. They may or may not make volunteering a part of their adult lives, but it's an experience that can greatly enrich their lives and create fond memories, while helping others at the same time. Volunteering can also be a great way for kids to get exposure to a field of interest (that's why I volunteered at hospitals, at the time I wanted to be a doctor) to see if a potential career path is right for them. It also looks great on a college application!
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be." - Douglas Adams
Later,
AuntieM
I got another one of those oh-so-charming-and-witty e-mails tonight. This one began as a comparison of photos of women before and after applying their makeup. The final set of photos had a shot of a horse’s behind as the “before” and a shot of Hillary Clinton as the “after”. The anonymous author asked that this message be circulated in order to keep the White House from turning into a stable. It’s just plain sad that the conservatives can’t even respect Hillary enough to attack her on her issues. No, they have to go straight to personal attacks. Part of me wishes there was a repository of Rebublican-bashing cartoons out there to send in response to items like I received tonight. Part of me is glad there isn’t such a library handy because it keeps us from stooping to the conservatives’ level. At least we have the cojones to talk about issues!
Classroom discussions:
I’ve been having lots of fun getting to know my new classmates. I’ve also been unable to resist doing a little rabblerousing in my Philosophy class, but fortunately it seems to be well-received thus far. I try very hard to stay on point in classroom discussions, but sometimes impulse gets the best of me. Once we really get into our class readings I think we’re going to have some extremely lively discussions.
Still loving my job!
I just finished my third week at my new job and it is still quite wonderful. Each day that I walk into that office I feel privileged to be there. I’ve had my fair share of jobs, but I’ve never felt like this about my work before. Finding a job that matches your passion is the best gift in the world! Many people who know me remark on how happy I look now. All I can do is grin and agree, because I am and it feels great.
Something I forgot:
In my post a few days ago about the tax rebates, I forgot something important about the “rebates” we received in 2001: they weren’t really rebates at all. I had completely forgotten about that until I read an article about them in the newspaper. The $300/person checks we got in 2001 were actually advances on our tax refunds. That’s right, nothing extra, we just got a piece of our refunds early. And those who owed taxes? They wound up owing an extra $300 each. I don’t know if they’re going to do these the same way, but I certainly hope not.
Something else on the rebates post:
I had a comment from a reader who said “With reference to the taxpayer rebate part of the economic stimulus package, every person that I have had a conversation with about the money that they would receive plans to use it to pay down credit card debt. How is this going to help?” That’s such a good question, and I wish I had a good answer. I really wish our government had a good answer, but we know those are in extremely short supply where our government is concerned. You nailed the flaw in the plan: using funds from the economic stimulus package to help pay down credit card debt won’t help stimulate the economy; it will only help the banking industry make more money.
Doing good with free money:
I’d like to make a suggestion to each and every person who receives a check from the stimulus package: maybe we should each take a portion of our free money – say 10%- and use it toward creating positive social change. That could be lots of things – make a donation to a homeless shelter; join the ACLU; give to your favorite local nonprofit organization, the United Way or Red Cross; give to a library or animal shelter; perhaps even use it to support your favorite candidate to help bring about positive change on a national level. We can’t miss what we don’t have, and using even just a portion of our free money to help create a better world would be a case of money well spent.
Doing good without money:
Here’s some trivia that may surprise you. Do you know how much volunteer time is worth to many service organizations? More than you’d think. A recent item in the newspaper said that service organizations typically value volunteer labor at $19/hour. That’s right. It’s possible to make a substantial contribution to a nonprofit or community service organization by simply giving a few hours’ effort to a worthy cause. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of any service organization turning people away because they have too much help, either – most welcome volunteers of any age or skill level and work hard to find suitable tasks for any volunteer.
Kids and volunteering:
I was bitten by the volunteerism bug when I was in my early teens. For the next five years I spent my summers as a volunteer at two local hospitals in my hometown. I learned early on that it’s important to give something back to the community. Even though I’ve spent most of my adult life in the for-profit sector and only in the last few months have I returned to my principles, those early lessons of community service have stuck with me. I think it is very important for kids to volunteer, to find a way to interact with, and give something back to, their communities. They may or may not make volunteering a part of their adult lives, but it's an experience that can greatly enrich their lives and create fond memories, while helping others at the same time. Volunteering can also be a great way for kids to get exposure to a field of interest (that's why I volunteered at hospitals, at the time I wanted to be a doctor) to see if a potential career path is right for them. It also looks great on a college application!
"I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be." - Douglas Adams
Later,
AuntieM
Monday, January 28, 2008
Ducks in a row?
The only way I was able to survive and maintain my GPA while working and going to school full-time was by being organized. I made a point to keep my ducks in a row. I don’t know what happened over this break but I seem to have lost that skill.
I had a pretty long break between semesters, five weeks, because I transferred schools and their calendars were just a bit out of sync. It’s scary how fast your brain can coast right into neutral and start to rust.
Then this cold hit, which hasn’t helped because all I wanted to do from Thursday till yesterday was sleep. The only way I could remain vertical was to prop myself up chemically with cold medicines. They allowed me to present a reasonable facsimile of functionality, but on the inside all I heard was “bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”. That’s right, cold medicines make me stoned to the point that I try not to drive while taking them. I learned this many years ago; driving home one day I wondered why they would plant grass in the roadbed and install signs. Didn’t they think people would hit them? I realized my error just in time to pull back from the shoulder and into traffic, thankfully not hitting anyone or losing control of my car. Ever since then I don’t take that warning on the side of the box lightly.
Did I mention that classes started this past Tuesday? And did I mention I’m taking 12 hours this semester, my first semester at my new school, and am now tackling my major coursework?
About Saturday I sat straight up and screamed “OH MY GOD I HAVEN’T STUDIED YET!!!” at the top of my lungs. At least that’s what I heard on the inside of my head. On the outside what Hubby heard was, “Sh**, I gotta study.” Calm and cool in a crisis, that’s me.
Ducks in a row? I wish! As of Saturday morning my ducks were on a Mobius strip designed by M.C. Escher. I couldn’t even get them all into the same dimension, let alone a single-file line. Today I am proud to report that my ducks couldn’t be lined up more neatly if they belonged to an OCD sufferer. It took a lot of work but I got everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, caught up. I even started working ahead in one class and did a smidgen of housework in the process. Damn, I’m good.
"A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." - Eleanor Roosevelt
“If it isn’t one thing, it’s two things.” – AuntieM
Later,
AuntieM
I had a pretty long break between semesters, five weeks, because I transferred schools and their calendars were just a bit out of sync. It’s scary how fast your brain can coast right into neutral and start to rust.
Then this cold hit, which hasn’t helped because all I wanted to do from Thursday till yesterday was sleep. The only way I could remain vertical was to prop myself up chemically with cold medicines. They allowed me to present a reasonable facsimile of functionality, but on the inside all I heard was “bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz”. That’s right, cold medicines make me stoned to the point that I try not to drive while taking them. I learned this many years ago; driving home one day I wondered why they would plant grass in the roadbed and install signs. Didn’t they think people would hit them? I realized my error just in time to pull back from the shoulder and into traffic, thankfully not hitting anyone or losing control of my car. Ever since then I don’t take that warning on the side of the box lightly.
Did I mention that classes started this past Tuesday? And did I mention I’m taking 12 hours this semester, my first semester at my new school, and am now tackling my major coursework?
About Saturday I sat straight up and screamed “OH MY GOD I HAVEN’T STUDIED YET!!!” at the top of my lungs. At least that’s what I heard on the inside of my head. On the outside what Hubby heard was, “Sh**, I gotta study.” Calm and cool in a crisis, that’s me.
Ducks in a row? I wish! As of Saturday morning my ducks were on a Mobius strip designed by M.C. Escher. I couldn’t even get them all into the same dimension, let alone a single-file line. Today I am proud to report that my ducks couldn’t be lined up more neatly if they belonged to an OCD sufferer. It took a lot of work but I got everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, caught up. I even started working ahead in one class and did a smidgen of housework in the process. Damn, I’m good.
"A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water." - Eleanor Roosevelt
“If it isn’t one thing, it’s two things.” – AuntieM
Later,
AuntieM
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Decisions, decisions...
I have got to make up my mind in fairly short order, because decision time is drawing near. If you live in one of the 24 states that will hold primaries or caucuses on Super Tuesday, then you do too! It's time for us to cut through the rhetoric and figure out where each candidate stands, so we can use our votes wisely a week from Tuesday.
This is the first time Colorado will make its voice heard on Super Tuesday; in previous years the primary was held so late that it really didn't matter anymore, most of the time it was a mere formality. Also this year Colorado has returned to a caucus system, which will be a first for me. I had to go online and research caucuses to find out what they are and how they work. Now that I know, I am looking forward to seeing this portion of the democratic process in action. For those of you who are unfamilar with caucuses, as I was, a caucus is a political party meeting held in each precinct, usually at a school, community gathering area or private home. Only registered party members are allowed to participate, though I understand that some states allow people to change their party affiliation at the caucus (Colorado is not one of them). At this meeting people mingle and discuss why they support their chosen candidate, and then a vote is taken. If a candidate gets the support of over a certain percentage of people there, it's done and he or she has won that precinct's caucus. If not there is another discussion period and another vote, and it goes on until there is a winner. The results from each precinct are reported to the state party headquarters, which tabulates results from all the precincts and declares a statewide winner.
I am looking forward to meeting some people in my community who may share my political views and are interested in taking part in the democratic process. I think it will be a fun evening! Will be sure to report on how it goes in a post next week.
Another aspect of the political race has been on my mind lately: I have been asked if I am going to declare my support for any particular candidate on this blog. The answer is, not at this point. When all the primaries are done I think it will be obvious who I favor in the presidential race, but at this time, no, I'm not going to state a preference publicly. The reason is because I think we owe it to ourselves, to our pasts and to our futures, to make the best informed decision we can without outside influence. We each must learn all we can about each candidate's strengths and weaknesses, where he or she stands on the issues we believe are most important, and decide who will do the best job of leading our country for the next four years. This is what I plan to do, and this is what I encourage each of you to do as well. Hopefully my chosen candidate will take the nomination, but if not, then I will repeat this process with the remaining candidates to decide who gets my vote in the general elections in November.
If you're too young to vote you can still take part in the political process by volunteering at a campaign office. This is a wonderful way to exercise your voice and make your opinions heard regardless of age or eligibility to vote.
Volunteering isn't only for politically-precocious teens and those who can't vote for whatever reason - if we want change and believe that a particular candidate is capable of creating the changes we seek, then we need to get off our lazy asses and work to help our chosen candidate get elected. There are many ways to do this, and some don't even require leaving your home. In the last presidential election I volunteered on a media communication aspect of the campaign, writing letters to various media outlets in an effort to create coverage and generate buzz about my candidate's views on specific issues. It was an easy, painless and worthwhile way to walk my own talk and get involved, and fit volunteering into my then-crazy schedule.
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." - Plato
Later,
AuntieM
This is the first time Colorado will make its voice heard on Super Tuesday; in previous years the primary was held so late that it really didn't matter anymore, most of the time it was a mere formality. Also this year Colorado has returned to a caucus system, which will be a first for me. I had to go online and research caucuses to find out what they are and how they work. Now that I know, I am looking forward to seeing this portion of the democratic process in action. For those of you who are unfamilar with caucuses, as I was, a caucus is a political party meeting held in each precinct, usually at a school, community gathering area or private home. Only registered party members are allowed to participate, though I understand that some states allow people to change their party affiliation at the caucus (Colorado is not one of them). At this meeting people mingle and discuss why they support their chosen candidate, and then a vote is taken. If a candidate gets the support of over a certain percentage of people there, it's done and he or she has won that precinct's caucus. If not there is another discussion period and another vote, and it goes on until there is a winner. The results from each precinct are reported to the state party headquarters, which tabulates results from all the precincts and declares a statewide winner.
I am looking forward to meeting some people in my community who may share my political views and are interested in taking part in the democratic process. I think it will be a fun evening! Will be sure to report on how it goes in a post next week.
Another aspect of the political race has been on my mind lately: I have been asked if I am going to declare my support for any particular candidate on this blog. The answer is, not at this point. When all the primaries are done I think it will be obvious who I favor in the presidential race, but at this time, no, I'm not going to state a preference publicly. The reason is because I think we owe it to ourselves, to our pasts and to our futures, to make the best informed decision we can without outside influence. We each must learn all we can about each candidate's strengths and weaknesses, where he or she stands on the issues we believe are most important, and decide who will do the best job of leading our country for the next four years. This is what I plan to do, and this is what I encourage each of you to do as well. Hopefully my chosen candidate will take the nomination, but if not, then I will repeat this process with the remaining candidates to decide who gets my vote in the general elections in November.
If you're too young to vote you can still take part in the political process by volunteering at a campaign office. This is a wonderful way to exercise your voice and make your opinions heard regardless of age or eligibility to vote.
Volunteering isn't only for politically-precocious teens and those who can't vote for whatever reason - if we want change and believe that a particular candidate is capable of creating the changes we seek, then we need to get off our lazy asses and work to help our chosen candidate get elected. There are many ways to do this, and some don't even require leaving your home. In the last presidential election I volunteered on a media communication aspect of the campaign, writing letters to various media outlets in an effort to create coverage and generate buzz about my candidate's views on specific issues. It was an easy, painless and worthwhile way to walk my own talk and get involved, and fit volunteering into my then-crazy schedule.
"The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." - Plato
Later,
AuntieM
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Documentaries of note
Lately I've been on a documentary jag - I think I've watched more documentaries in the last six months than I have in the last six years. I don't know if its because I've grown tired of fiction and am ready to deal with facts, or that reality is simply more interesting than fantasy, or perhaps it's simply because I'm having a lot of fun with my still relatively-new Netflix subscription. At any rate I've watched a lot of documentaries lately, and they've opened my eyes in several different ways. They have been a good starting point for me in my quest to learn what's really happening out there in the world.
You've probably noticed that one of my recurring notions is that in order to create positive social change, first you must educate yourself on the world around you. This cannot happen by taking things at face value - you must make an effort to dig deep and discover the facts for yourself, and always take things with a grain of salt until you can verify what you've learned through an independent source. To me this is the litmus test of truth.
To that end, I wish to present a list of documentaries that I've found to be enlightening, informative and entertaining. I'm not suggesting that you believe the information contained herein simply because I'm recommending them; these are simply a few places to start you off in your search for truth. If anyone has any additions, comments or critiques I'm very open to suggestion, and always interested in a new documentary I haven't seen yet!
Here is my list, in no particular order:
An Inconvenient Truth - Okay, I admit that I only got to see this one recently even though it came out in 2006. Nonetheless, the message is still one of vital importance, namely that if we don't drastically change our consumption habits we're going to trash this planet beyond repair within a very short time frame, like 50 years. As I watched this film I reflected on what I learned about global warming in my Astronomy class last semester, and the facts presented were right on target. The way Gore explained how the increase in greenhouse gases leads to more heat retention in the atmosphere was very easy to understand. I was also impressed that he tackled the overall change in reflectivity (how much sunlight is reflected back into space, as opposed to retained as heat in the atmosphere) caused by the loss of polar ice. Ice reflects 90% of sunlight back into space, while water retains 90% of the energy from sunlight as heat, so the loss of even a small quantity of polar ice means a drastic increase in temperatures. I think everyone needs to see this film, because we can't goof around any longer, we need to start changing things NOW. As a result of this film, my husband and I are going to look into installing solar collectors on our roof when we have it redone, to generate our own solar power. That's a pretty radical change, but I think that's the degree of change that's needed. As you watch this film, paraphrase JFK in your mind and think "Ask not what your environment can do for you; ask what you can do for your environment."
Who Killed the Electric Car? - This is one I stumbled upon while channel surfing one day and it sounded too intriguing to pass up. This documentary is about the successful attempts to market electric cars in the early and mid 1990's, and why those cars are no longer on the market. (Hint- they were simply too good.) I was infuriated that vehicles which ran cleanly and did not add pollution to our environment were forcibly taken from their owners at the end of their leases (these vehicles were only leased, not available for purchase) and were destroyed. It's such a waste! The large automakers have the technology to mass-produce vehicles which we can charge in our own garages, no special wiring needed, and drive cleanly up to 100 miles at a time. And yet they went out of their way to destroy the cars they built and suppress this technology. Anyone want to take a guess as to why? O-I-L. Watch this one, and prepare to get pissed off.
Fast Food Nation - Okay, this one really isn't a documentary, it's a docu-drama, but it's still worth your time. I still say that you should read the book in addition to watching the movie, because they were only able to fit so much info into the film. One thing I appreciated greatly about the book is the voluminous end-notes provided which document each and evey claim the author makes. Schlosser (the author) is practically begging us to check his facts, and I find that degree of openness highly appealing, particularly compared to government propaganda which pretty much says "take our word for it, we're the government!"
Supersize Me - It's been a while since I saw this one, but it made a lasting impact on me. It's about a guy who eats nothing but McDonalds food for thirty days. If it's not on the menu he doesn't eat it. He even goes so far as to buy bottled water at McDonalds. Before this experiment began he had a very thorough physical to document his physical condition, and then was monitored weekly to document the changes his body underwent as a result of his McDonalds-only diet. This film is like watching a car crash in extreme slow-motion - you know what's going to happen but you can't stop watching out of morbid fascination. You watch the protagonist's health and appearance deteriorate practically day by day, and wonder "how much longer can he hold out?" His experiment was almost brought to a halt by his doctor, who feared that this guy would do irreversible physical harm to himself if he stuck with it for the last 4 days or so. This film may well cause you to rethink your own fast-food patterns.
The Corporation - this film was required in a Sociology class I took last semester, and it was fascinating. It was all about the inner workings of multi-national corporations and how they can manipulate power, legislation and the public to benefit their bottom lines. The most vivid example that comes to mind from this film was the revelation that IBM did business in Nazi Germany in the late 1930's, and built and operated a computer system to track inmates of concentration camps. That sends a chill down my spine - IBM had records of millions of people tortured and killed in concentration camps, yet their main concern was keeping up their profits in their European division? Brrr... coldness. Also contains interviews with Michael Moore and Noam Chomsky (my hero!) that shouldn't be missed.
Maxed Out - this film explores the ways the financial industry keeps the American people perpetually in debt, and exploits those who prove unable to handle credit. I was horrified to discover just how aggressively credit is marketed to those who enter bankruptcy, and representatives of a financial institution discussed just how valuable those customers are because: 1)they can't say no to impulse buying; 2)they'll never pay off their balances so they represent a never-ending revenue stream. Something else disturbing from this film was the fact that the bankruptcy reform legislation enacted a few years ago was actually crafted by the financial industry. On one hand I'm shocked, and on the other I'm not surprised - letting the fox guard the henhouse has become a trademark of the Bush adminstration, just like when he appointed energy executives to craft energy policy.
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices - This one really made me rethink my Wal-Mart shopping habits, and has greatly reduced what I am willing to buy at Wal-Mart. The last portion of the film is very poignant, in which they interview employees at Chinese manufacturing plants and reveal the impact that Wal-Mart has had on their lives (trust me, not good). Much of what's in this film has already become public knowledge, but this film is still very much worth seeing, because each time we shop we vote with our wallets and voluntarily support various corporations. We need to know exactly what it is that we're supporting.
Jesus Camp - I'm not going to rehash what I wrote previously about this film because I already lambasted it pretty thoroughly. I will say again that using religion to brainwash children to fulfill a political agenda should be considered child abuse!
Those are all the ones that come to mind right now, but I have a long list to watch, so I will undoubtedly be posting on those as I see them. In the meantime,
“What are the facts? Again and again and again - what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what "the stars foretell", avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable "verdict of history" - what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!” - Robert Heinlein
Later,
AuntieM
You've probably noticed that one of my recurring notions is that in order to create positive social change, first you must educate yourself on the world around you. This cannot happen by taking things at face value - you must make an effort to dig deep and discover the facts for yourself, and always take things with a grain of salt until you can verify what you've learned through an independent source. To me this is the litmus test of truth.
To that end, I wish to present a list of documentaries that I've found to be enlightening, informative and entertaining. I'm not suggesting that you believe the information contained herein simply because I'm recommending them; these are simply a few places to start you off in your search for truth. If anyone has any additions, comments or critiques I'm very open to suggestion, and always interested in a new documentary I haven't seen yet!
Here is my list, in no particular order:
An Inconvenient Truth - Okay, I admit that I only got to see this one recently even though it came out in 2006. Nonetheless, the message is still one of vital importance, namely that if we don't drastically change our consumption habits we're going to trash this planet beyond repair within a very short time frame, like 50 years. As I watched this film I reflected on what I learned about global warming in my Astronomy class last semester, and the facts presented were right on target. The way Gore explained how the increase in greenhouse gases leads to more heat retention in the atmosphere was very easy to understand. I was also impressed that he tackled the overall change in reflectivity (how much sunlight is reflected back into space, as opposed to retained as heat in the atmosphere) caused by the loss of polar ice. Ice reflects 90% of sunlight back into space, while water retains 90% of the energy from sunlight as heat, so the loss of even a small quantity of polar ice means a drastic increase in temperatures. I think everyone needs to see this film, because we can't goof around any longer, we need to start changing things NOW. As a result of this film, my husband and I are going to look into installing solar collectors on our roof when we have it redone, to generate our own solar power. That's a pretty radical change, but I think that's the degree of change that's needed. As you watch this film, paraphrase JFK in your mind and think "Ask not what your environment can do for you; ask what you can do for your environment."
Who Killed the Electric Car? - This is one I stumbled upon while channel surfing one day and it sounded too intriguing to pass up. This documentary is about the successful attempts to market electric cars in the early and mid 1990's, and why those cars are no longer on the market. (Hint- they were simply too good.) I was infuriated that vehicles which ran cleanly and did not add pollution to our environment were forcibly taken from their owners at the end of their leases (these vehicles were only leased, not available for purchase) and were destroyed. It's such a waste! The large automakers have the technology to mass-produce vehicles which we can charge in our own garages, no special wiring needed, and drive cleanly up to 100 miles at a time. And yet they went out of their way to destroy the cars they built and suppress this technology. Anyone want to take a guess as to why? O-I-L. Watch this one, and prepare to get pissed off.
Fast Food Nation - Okay, this one really isn't a documentary, it's a docu-drama, but it's still worth your time. I still say that you should read the book in addition to watching the movie, because they were only able to fit so much info into the film. One thing I appreciated greatly about the book is the voluminous end-notes provided which document each and evey claim the author makes. Schlosser (the author) is practically begging us to check his facts, and I find that degree of openness highly appealing, particularly compared to government propaganda which pretty much says "take our word for it, we're the government!"
Supersize Me - It's been a while since I saw this one, but it made a lasting impact on me. It's about a guy who eats nothing but McDonalds food for thirty days. If it's not on the menu he doesn't eat it. He even goes so far as to buy bottled water at McDonalds. Before this experiment began he had a very thorough physical to document his physical condition, and then was monitored weekly to document the changes his body underwent as a result of his McDonalds-only diet. This film is like watching a car crash in extreme slow-motion - you know what's going to happen but you can't stop watching out of morbid fascination. You watch the protagonist's health and appearance deteriorate practically day by day, and wonder "how much longer can he hold out?" His experiment was almost brought to a halt by his doctor, who feared that this guy would do irreversible physical harm to himself if he stuck with it for the last 4 days or so. This film may well cause you to rethink your own fast-food patterns.
The Corporation - this film was required in a Sociology class I took last semester, and it was fascinating. It was all about the inner workings of multi-national corporations and how they can manipulate power, legislation and the public to benefit their bottom lines. The most vivid example that comes to mind from this film was the revelation that IBM did business in Nazi Germany in the late 1930's, and built and operated a computer system to track inmates of concentration camps. That sends a chill down my spine - IBM had records of millions of people tortured and killed in concentration camps, yet their main concern was keeping up their profits in their European division? Brrr... coldness. Also contains interviews with Michael Moore and Noam Chomsky (my hero!) that shouldn't be missed.
Maxed Out - this film explores the ways the financial industry keeps the American people perpetually in debt, and exploits those who prove unable to handle credit. I was horrified to discover just how aggressively credit is marketed to those who enter bankruptcy, and representatives of a financial institution discussed just how valuable those customers are because: 1)they can't say no to impulse buying; 2)they'll never pay off their balances so they represent a never-ending revenue stream. Something else disturbing from this film was the fact that the bankruptcy reform legislation enacted a few years ago was actually crafted by the financial industry. On one hand I'm shocked, and on the other I'm not surprised - letting the fox guard the henhouse has become a trademark of the Bush adminstration, just like when he appointed energy executives to craft energy policy.
Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices - This one really made me rethink my Wal-Mart shopping habits, and has greatly reduced what I am willing to buy at Wal-Mart. The last portion of the film is very poignant, in which they interview employees at Chinese manufacturing plants and reveal the impact that Wal-Mart has had on their lives (trust me, not good). Much of what's in this film has already become public knowledge, but this film is still very much worth seeing, because each time we shop we vote with our wallets and voluntarily support various corporations. We need to know exactly what it is that we're supporting.
Jesus Camp - I'm not going to rehash what I wrote previously about this film because I already lambasted it pretty thoroughly. I will say again that using religion to brainwash children to fulfill a political agenda should be considered child abuse!
Those are all the ones that come to mind right now, but I have a long list to watch, so I will undoubtedly be posting on those as I see them. In the meantime,
“What are the facts? Again and again and again - what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what "the stars foretell", avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable "verdict of history" - what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!” - Robert Heinlein
Later,
AuntieM
Friday, January 25, 2008
Sick, sick, sick...
Sorry for the absence yesterday, I was sick as the proverbial dog with a cold. I tried my best not to be sick by using positive self-talk to convince myself that it was just allergies. It didn't work, and by the end of the day I was walking around the office with my nose buried in a tissue because it wouldn't stop imitating a faucet. So when I got home there were only two things that interested me - dinner and a nap on the couch. Both were wonderful.
You know one of the greatest things about having cats? They seem to think that taking a nap with you is fun, so they're always up for curling up and snoozing. We have two cats, and they're both full of character and have very unique personalities. Our male cat is like the elder statesman (he's 15 years old) who's seen it all, and our female cat (she's 7, can't believe that, seems like just yesterday she was a little kitten) is very loving and snuggly, and is somehow attracted to female-type activities - sewing, makeup, hairstyling - when I do any of these, GirlCat is right there.
BoyCat is diabetic, and that has made life interesting in our household. The most frequently asked question I get is, how did you figure out or find out that your cat is diabetic? Well, diabetes presents the same way in cats as it does in humans. The most noticeable symptoms are extreme thirst, extreme urination, unexplained weight lost, increased appetite. BoyCat lost a lot of weight pretty quickly, seemed to be hungry all the time, drank huge amounts of water, and peed very frequently. We took him to the vet who ran bloodwork to test for several different possibilities, and the tests showed that his blood sugar was much higher than it should have been. All this happened about a year ago. Now BoyCat gets a shot of insulin twice a day, and he has to eat special cat food to help him manage his diabetes. We take him to the vet periodically for a blood test to make sure his insulin dose is still correct. He's doing so much better - he's put some of his weight back on, so he's back to his fighting weight. He does pretty well with his shots, because he's a smart cat and about a week into this whole routine he made the connection that the shots made him feel better, and that was when he stopped resisting the needle. He still grumbles a bit but he holds still while I give him his shot. That's a real blessing, because cat rodeos are no fun.
I am looking forward to feeling better and getting back to the rabblerousing and muckracking that I so enjoy. In the meantime, tea and couch are calling.
Later,
AuntieM
You know one of the greatest things about having cats? They seem to think that taking a nap with you is fun, so they're always up for curling up and snoozing. We have two cats, and they're both full of character and have very unique personalities. Our male cat is like the elder statesman (he's 15 years old) who's seen it all, and our female cat (she's 7, can't believe that, seems like just yesterday she was a little kitten) is very loving and snuggly, and is somehow attracted to female-type activities - sewing, makeup, hairstyling - when I do any of these, GirlCat is right there.
BoyCat is diabetic, and that has made life interesting in our household. The most frequently asked question I get is, how did you figure out or find out that your cat is diabetic? Well, diabetes presents the same way in cats as it does in humans. The most noticeable symptoms are extreme thirst, extreme urination, unexplained weight lost, increased appetite. BoyCat lost a lot of weight pretty quickly, seemed to be hungry all the time, drank huge amounts of water, and peed very frequently. We took him to the vet who ran bloodwork to test for several different possibilities, and the tests showed that his blood sugar was much higher than it should have been. All this happened about a year ago. Now BoyCat gets a shot of insulin twice a day, and he has to eat special cat food to help him manage his diabetes. We take him to the vet periodically for a blood test to make sure his insulin dose is still correct. He's doing so much better - he's put some of his weight back on, so he's back to his fighting weight. He does pretty well with his shots, because he's a smart cat and about a week into this whole routine he made the connection that the shots made him feel better, and that was when he stopped resisting the needle. He still grumbles a bit but he holds still while I give him his shot. That's a real blessing, because cat rodeos are no fun.
I am looking forward to feeling better and getting back to the rabblerousing and muckracking that I so enjoy. In the meantime, tea and couch are calling.
Later,
AuntieM
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
In praise of online education
The semester is now underway, effective yesterday, and I have a stack of books on my coffee table that I must hit in short order. However, this doesn't mean I'll be schlepping across campus with a backpack, or even visiting campus on a regular basis. Yes I go to class all the time, pretty much seven days a week - I just do it online.
When I started back to school in the fall of 2006 I decided to give online education a try. At the time my main reason was the lack of stability in the work schedule of my old job. I didn't think I could count on having the same days off each week for a whole semester. Another reason was the time it takes to drive to and from campus - I realized that if it I didn't have to allow for commuting time, I'd have enough extra study time to take another class.
What I didn't count on was totally loving the online class format.
What's so great about online classes? Well, there's flexibility and convenience, as discussed above. Online classes are also environmentally friendly. Yes, my computer uses electricity but it would be on anyway so that's a wash, and by not commuting to campus I am avoiding adding tons of carbon to the atmosphere. Some online classes don't even have texts - all required readings are posted online, no paper needed. Another reason is simply a personal perk - I love 'going to class' in my sweats and slippers. Also, the student population of online courses is more diverse than traditional classrooms. I have taken classes with working professionals, grandparents, single parents, adult learners, teenagers, even soldiers deployed all around the world. Finally, and perhaps most importantly of all, the level of student participation is much higher in online classes than in traditional classrooms.
Huh? How's that?
It's because in most of the online classes I've taken, participation is required and a large percentage of your course grade depends on taking part in class discussions. These are done via a threaded discussion board on which the instructor poses questions and the students must answer them and then respond to other students' answers. This tends to generate some lively discussions as different perspectives and relevant experiences are shared. Another great thing about online discussions is since they are not limited by available class time, discussions may be allowed to continue until they reach a natural conclusion. How often have you been sitting in a class and just as the discussion gets really interesting, the instructor has to call a halt because time has run out? Not a problem in online classes.
I was a little concerned at first about the quality of education in online classes, but then I read a study done at Harvard that compared online classes to traditional classes and found that overall the quality of education in online classes was equal or superior to that of traditional classes. I felt a lot better about my classes after reading that study.
What about researching papers, you may wonder? Aren't trips to campus to use the library unavoidable? Not anymore. One of the biggest changes during my 20-odd year absence from school is the development of online library databases. All I do is log into the school library system and I can do just about any research I need to right from my own computer. When I find what I need I just e-mail it to myself and then print it if I need hard copy.
So far I have completed my Associate of Arts degree by taking online courses through a local community college. I then transferred those credits to a state-supported four-year university and am now working on my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. I am hoping to find a good online Masters program so I can continue this pattern. The main problem lies in making sure that the school is respectable and accredited. I cringe whenever I hear someone say they are taking classes through a school that advertises on late-night television, because so often these schools are total rip-offs. Fortunately traditional universities are making serious advances in their online programs, so the options and opportunities are improving.
The main traits students need to be successful in online classes are organization, attention to detail, self-discipline, and the ability to motivate oneself and stay on track without continual reminders from an instructor. Again, it's a great fit for adult learners who know the importance of education and appreciate the enormous gift of returning to school.
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” - Alvin Toffler
Later,
AuntieM
When I started back to school in the fall of 2006 I decided to give online education a try. At the time my main reason was the lack of stability in the work schedule of my old job. I didn't think I could count on having the same days off each week for a whole semester. Another reason was the time it takes to drive to and from campus - I realized that if it I didn't have to allow for commuting time, I'd have enough extra study time to take another class.
What I didn't count on was totally loving the online class format.
What's so great about online classes? Well, there's flexibility and convenience, as discussed above. Online classes are also environmentally friendly. Yes, my computer uses electricity but it would be on anyway so that's a wash, and by not commuting to campus I am avoiding adding tons of carbon to the atmosphere. Some online classes don't even have texts - all required readings are posted online, no paper needed. Another reason is simply a personal perk - I love 'going to class' in my sweats and slippers. Also, the student population of online courses is more diverse than traditional classrooms. I have taken classes with working professionals, grandparents, single parents, adult learners, teenagers, even soldiers deployed all around the world. Finally, and perhaps most importantly of all, the level of student participation is much higher in online classes than in traditional classrooms.
Huh? How's that?
It's because in most of the online classes I've taken, participation is required and a large percentage of your course grade depends on taking part in class discussions. These are done via a threaded discussion board on which the instructor poses questions and the students must answer them and then respond to other students' answers. This tends to generate some lively discussions as different perspectives and relevant experiences are shared. Another great thing about online discussions is since they are not limited by available class time, discussions may be allowed to continue until they reach a natural conclusion. How often have you been sitting in a class and just as the discussion gets really interesting, the instructor has to call a halt because time has run out? Not a problem in online classes.
I was a little concerned at first about the quality of education in online classes, but then I read a study done at Harvard that compared online classes to traditional classes and found that overall the quality of education in online classes was equal or superior to that of traditional classes. I felt a lot better about my classes after reading that study.
What about researching papers, you may wonder? Aren't trips to campus to use the library unavoidable? Not anymore. One of the biggest changes during my 20-odd year absence from school is the development of online library databases. All I do is log into the school library system and I can do just about any research I need to right from my own computer. When I find what I need I just e-mail it to myself and then print it if I need hard copy.
So far I have completed my Associate of Arts degree by taking online courses through a local community college. I then transferred those credits to a state-supported four-year university and am now working on my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. I am hoping to find a good online Masters program so I can continue this pattern. The main problem lies in making sure that the school is respectable and accredited. I cringe whenever I hear someone say they are taking classes through a school that advertises on late-night television, because so often these schools are total rip-offs. Fortunately traditional universities are making serious advances in their online programs, so the options and opportunities are improving.
The main traits students need to be successful in online classes are organization, attention to detail, self-discipline, and the ability to motivate oneself and stay on track without continual reminders from an instructor. Again, it's a great fit for adult learners who know the importance of education and appreciate the enormous gift of returning to school.
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” - Alvin Toffler
Later,
AuntieM
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Spreading hate via e-mail, and how we can stop it
I received another forwarded e-mail today that was so full of hate and intolerance that it got all over my very last nerve. The author's name was given at the end of the e-mail but I will not share it out of courtesy, albeit undeserved, because one day she may realize her foolishness. I will also not inadvertently spread this woman's brand of hatred and prejudice by replicating any portion of her words here or elsewhere. However, to summarize: the author of this e-mail attempted to blame all Islamic people for the deaths of 9/11, proclaimed her disregard for human rights by explicitly endorsing the use of torture, equated the photos of naked Iraqi POW's to a fraternity prank, and demanded that all other cultures revere Christianity and the American way of life before she will ever attempt to care about what happens to them. This isn't patriotism, it's prejudice, intolerance and pure unadulterated hatred. This e-mail was so viscious, ugly and vile that I wanted to scrub out my mind with soap to erase the memory of her words. That desire also made me think - how many others have read this toxic e-mail and had their minds infected by this woman's brand of poison? And what is the effect of this e-mail and so many more like it upon our collective culture?
"Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting a particular way... you become just by performing just actions, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave actions." - Aristotle
This means that by pretending conformity we become conformists. By espousing hate we become hateful. By spreading intolerance and prejudice we become intolerant and prejudiced. By allowing or condoning cruelty we become cruel. By supporting war we become war-mongers. By spreading fear and terror we become terrorists.
I believe there is one small act that each and every one of us can do in our daily lives, starting today, to create a more peaceful and tolerant world: stamp out internet hatred whenever we find it. Don't forward these e-mails to others; delete them instead. If enough people begin deleting e-mails that encourage hatred, prejudice, intolerance and violence, we can make a real difference in our world with just a few mouse-clicks. You can also go further and respond to the sender - tell them diplomatically that although you value their friendship and enjoy hearing from them, this sort of e-mail goes against your personal beliefs and you would appreciate not being included in future mailings of this type. Be warned though, sometimes those who have not examined their own views closely become highly defensive when approached by someone who has.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Just because the author of one of these missives tries to play the patriotism card, don't feel that you must forward this drivel in order to be a "good American". Remember in Nazi Germany lots of citizens went against their own principles in order to be "good Germans", and look where that got them.
We also need an Internet movement to counter rampant hatred, prejudice and violence with messages that encourage peace, tolerance and acceptance. Does anyone have any ideas on how positive messages can be widely disseminated, can become just as widespread as the hate-mail now flooding the internet? I'd welcome any ideas or suggestions. Maybe its something we all need to start in our own way - find or write an article, poem, story, whatever, and send it out to everyone you know. Hopefully it will be forwarded on, and will eventually gain a life of its own.
There is one thing I would ask, though - let's agree from the outset that these positive messages should not be religious in nature or advocate any particular religion or set of religious beliefs, because that would be divisive and self-defeating. It is not possible to create a climate of peace, tolerance and acceptance while simultaneously claiming that one's religion is the sole source of salvation.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Later,
AuntieM
"Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting a particular way... you become just by performing just actions, temperate by performing temperate actions, brave by performing brave actions." - Aristotle
This means that by pretending conformity we become conformists. By espousing hate we become hateful. By spreading intolerance and prejudice we become intolerant and prejudiced. By allowing or condoning cruelty we become cruel. By supporting war we become war-mongers. By spreading fear and terror we become terrorists.
I believe there is one small act that each and every one of us can do in our daily lives, starting today, to create a more peaceful and tolerant world: stamp out internet hatred whenever we find it. Don't forward these e-mails to others; delete them instead. If enough people begin deleting e-mails that encourage hatred, prejudice, intolerance and violence, we can make a real difference in our world with just a few mouse-clicks. You can also go further and respond to the sender - tell them diplomatically that although you value their friendship and enjoy hearing from them, this sort of e-mail goes against your personal beliefs and you would appreciate not being included in future mailings of this type. Be warned though, sometimes those who have not examined their own views closely become highly defensive when approached by someone who has.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Just because the author of one of these missives tries to play the patriotism card, don't feel that you must forward this drivel in order to be a "good American". Remember in Nazi Germany lots of citizens went against their own principles in order to be "good Germans", and look where that got them.
We also need an Internet movement to counter rampant hatred, prejudice and violence with messages that encourage peace, tolerance and acceptance. Does anyone have any ideas on how positive messages can be widely disseminated, can become just as widespread as the hate-mail now flooding the internet? I'd welcome any ideas or suggestions. Maybe its something we all need to start in our own way - find or write an article, poem, story, whatever, and send it out to everyone you know. Hopefully it will be forwarded on, and will eventually gain a life of its own.
There is one thing I would ask, though - let's agree from the outset that these positive messages should not be religious in nature or advocate any particular religion or set of religious beliefs, because that would be divisive and self-defeating. It is not possible to create a climate of peace, tolerance and acceptance while simultaneously claiming that one's religion is the sole source of salvation.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." - Mahatma Gandhi
Later,
AuntieM
Monday, January 21, 2008
Honoring Dr. King
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. My original plan for today was to march in the MLK parade with a group from the nonprofit where I work, but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate - it is snowing and the temps are in the teens. So instead of being out there freezing, I am warm and comfy at home with tea, cats and hubby. However this time also gives me the chance to reflect on Dr. King's work and legacy.
I am not going to go into a recitation of Dr. King's accomplishments. If you want a retrospective just catch a news broadcast or pick up a newspaper, I'm sure most media outlets will be doing something in that vein. However, I will provide one small bit of trivia: did you know that one of Dr. King's degrees was in Sociology? This happens to be my my own major, so I feel a small connection with Dr. King in that area. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a student of the human condition, and his work did not focus on one particular aspect of humanity; his work sought to improve the overall human condition, to make the world a better place for everyone. This is why I want to focus on how to honor the legacy Dr. King left behind. I believe the best way to honor Dr. King is to continue the work he began, to find a way to make the world a better, more peaceful, more just place.
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King taught us that we all have a shared destiny, that our fates are forever linked together by our shared membership in the human race. One way to continue Dr. King's work is to work to eradicate racism, prejudice, stereotypes, homophobia, sexism, intolerance and the hostility that stems from religious differences. Eliminating these traits will help bring peace, justice and understanding to our world, a change I believe Dr. King would have approved and heartily cheered.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
We must always speak out and make our voices heard when we encounter things that go against our principles. Material things come and go - we enter and leave this world with nothing - but our well-examined and closely-held beliefs are one of the few things we can retain until our dying day. If we set aside those beliefs we betray ourselves and lose a vital part of ourselves. It is crucial to exercise our principles, otherwise they will atrophy like unused muscle, and one day we will find ourselves adrift, without the strength to resist the propaganda and tide of public opinion which constantly attempt to push us into someone else's chosen direction. Speak out when change is needed, refuse to be silenced until change is achieved, and you will continue Dr. King's work and honor his legacy.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is crucial that we do not accept or tolerate injustice, even though sometimes protesting it may be difficult or even dangerous. A nation, government or world that's "a little bit unjust" is like being "a little bit pregnant" - it's an all-or-nothing proposition. Our own Pledge of Allegiance affirms this - the final line is "with liberty and justice for all." FOR ALL. We all deserve justice, and when justice is denied to anyone, justice is denied to everyone. Identifying and eradicating sources of injustice is a good way to honor Dr. King's legacy and continue his work. The first suggestion that comes to my mind as a way to restore justice for all is to work to repeal the Patriot Act. This vile document revoked vital civil rights in the name of protecting us from terrorists, but now we need protection from our own government.
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Another way to honor Dr. King's legacy is to educate ourselves about our government, our history and our society. Don't just blindly accept the propaganda spread by media outlets - dig in and find truth for yourself. Get the facts. And once you have them, do your best to share what you've learned with others. Help others find their own truths. I believe the biggest threat to the status quo and to our current government is an informed citizenry, and it is our duty to become informed and to use our new knowledge to work for positive social change. It is our responsibility to be the best citizens we can be, and this is done not by flag-waving and mindlessly parroting government rhetoric; it is done by using our collective power to make our country a better, more just and peaceful place. This would be an excellent way to continue Dr. King's work and honor his legacy.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
None of the above will be easy, but then nothing worthwhile and of lasting value ever is. Working to change our society will certainly be inconvenient and arduous, and may be dangerous at times, but when the payoff is something as great as restoring our nation to a place of "liberty and justice for all", the reward is worth the risk. Dr. King knew this.
"The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
In order to honor Dr. King's legacy and continue his work, we must be those "disciplined nonconformists" and exercise our dedication to "justice, peace and brotherhood". The history of our nation is replete with "disciplined nonconformists" - what do you think the founding fathers were? It was "disciplined nonconformists" who shaped this nation, who created the system of checks and balances to keep our government from overreaching its bounds (which has sadly gone awry courtesy of the Patriot Act), who crafted the document which gave us our civil rights (again which have been sorely abridged by the Patriot Act), who worked to expand those civil rights to include all citizens regardless of skin color or gender. We need a new generation of "disciplined nonconformists". However, we cannot ask anyone else to do that which we are unwilling to do, so therefore we need to BE a new generation of "disciplined nonconformists" in order to continue Dr. King's work and honor his legacy of creating positive social change.
"Greatness lies in service." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Working to create positive social change and make the world a more just and peaceful place can take many forms, far more than I can list here. Positive social change can come from service to others, service to the community and to the world at large. Each of us has the responsibility to find the way we can best serve to bring about positive social change, and to fulfill this task with honor and diligence. Individually it may seem that there is little we can do, but together we can change the world. Always keep this in mind, work to create justice and peace, and you will forever honor Dr. King's legacy.
Later,
AuntieM
I am not going to go into a recitation of Dr. King's accomplishments. If you want a retrospective just catch a news broadcast or pick up a newspaper, I'm sure most media outlets will be doing something in that vein. However, I will provide one small bit of trivia: did you know that one of Dr. King's degrees was in Sociology? This happens to be my my own major, so I feel a small connection with Dr. King in that area. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a student of the human condition, and his work did not focus on one particular aspect of humanity; his work sought to improve the overall human condition, to make the world a better place for everyone. This is why I want to focus on how to honor the legacy Dr. King left behind. I believe the best way to honor Dr. King is to continue the work he began, to find a way to make the world a better, more peaceful, more just place.
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish as fools." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King taught us that we all have a shared destiny, that our fates are forever linked together by our shared membership in the human race. One way to continue Dr. King's work is to work to eradicate racism, prejudice, stereotypes, homophobia, sexism, intolerance and the hostility that stems from religious differences. Eliminating these traits will help bring peace, justice and understanding to our world, a change I believe Dr. King would have approved and heartily cheered.
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
We must always speak out and make our voices heard when we encounter things that go against our principles. Material things come and go - we enter and leave this world with nothing - but our well-examined and closely-held beliefs are one of the few things we can retain until our dying day. If we set aside those beliefs we betray ourselves and lose a vital part of ourselves. It is crucial to exercise our principles, otherwise they will atrophy like unused muscle, and one day we will find ourselves adrift, without the strength to resist the propaganda and tide of public opinion which constantly attempt to push us into someone else's chosen direction. Speak out when change is needed, refuse to be silenced until change is achieved, and you will continue Dr. King's work and honor his legacy.
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
It is crucial that we do not accept or tolerate injustice, even though sometimes protesting it may be difficult or even dangerous. A nation, government or world that's "a little bit unjust" is like being "a little bit pregnant" - it's an all-or-nothing proposition. Our own Pledge of Allegiance affirms this - the final line is "with liberty and justice for all." FOR ALL. We all deserve justice, and when justice is denied to anyone, justice is denied to everyone. Identifying and eradicating sources of injustice is a good way to honor Dr. King's legacy and continue his work. The first suggestion that comes to my mind as a way to restore justice for all is to work to repeal the Patriot Act. This vile document revoked vital civil rights in the name of protecting us from terrorists, but now we need protection from our own government.
"Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Another way to honor Dr. King's legacy is to educate ourselves about our government, our history and our society. Don't just blindly accept the propaganda spread by media outlets - dig in and find truth for yourself. Get the facts. And once you have them, do your best to share what you've learned with others. Help others find their own truths. I believe the biggest threat to the status quo and to our current government is an informed citizenry, and it is our duty to become informed and to use our new knowledge to work for positive social change. It is our responsibility to be the best citizens we can be, and this is done not by flag-waving and mindlessly parroting government rhetoric; it is done by using our collective power to make our country a better, more just and peaceful place. This would be an excellent way to continue Dr. King's work and honor his legacy.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
None of the above will be easy, but then nothing worthwhile and of lasting value ever is. Working to change our society will certainly be inconvenient and arduous, and may be dangerous at times, but when the payoff is something as great as restoring our nation to a place of "liberty and justice for all", the reward is worth the risk. Dr. King knew this.
"The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
In order to honor Dr. King's legacy and continue his work, we must be those "disciplined nonconformists" and exercise our dedication to "justice, peace and brotherhood". The history of our nation is replete with "disciplined nonconformists" - what do you think the founding fathers were? It was "disciplined nonconformists" who shaped this nation, who created the system of checks and balances to keep our government from overreaching its bounds (which has sadly gone awry courtesy of the Patriot Act), who crafted the document which gave us our civil rights (again which have been sorely abridged by the Patriot Act), who worked to expand those civil rights to include all citizens regardless of skin color or gender. We need a new generation of "disciplined nonconformists". However, we cannot ask anyone else to do that which we are unwilling to do, so therefore we need to BE a new generation of "disciplined nonconformists" in order to continue Dr. King's work and honor his legacy of creating positive social change.
"Greatness lies in service." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Working to create positive social change and make the world a more just and peaceful place can take many forms, far more than I can list here. Positive social change can come from service to others, service to the community and to the world at large. Each of us has the responsibility to find the way we can best serve to bring about positive social change, and to fulfill this task with honor and diligence. Individually it may seem that there is little we can do, but together we can change the world. Always keep this in mind, work to create justice and peace, and you will forever honor Dr. King's legacy.
Later,
AuntieM
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Odds and ends
Here are a few afterthoughts and reflections on previous posts, and some random ideas that seem like a good idea on a Sunday morning.
Re yesterday's post, specifically the portion of the article which described Bush pretending to drive a tractor: That's actually symbolic of the last seven years, Bush acting like a little boy playing at being President. All the decisions are made by his handlers, so Bush doesn't have to worry about doing anything tough like thinking. Leaves more time for photo ops!
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." - Douglas Adams
If you haven't read "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" series by Douglas Adams, I highly recommend that you do so at your earliest opportunity. I mean like, drop everything and run to the bookstore or library now! One warning though - some (actually, many) portions of this series are so funny that you are likely to make a spectacle of yourself when reading this book while drinking anything. Shooting soda/milk/whatever out of your nose is a distinct possibility.
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." - Bertrand Russell
I had a fascinating conversation with a friend a couple of nights ago, in which we posed a question that neither of us could answer, so I'm opening that question up for discussion. The question was, why are people so reluctant and/or defensive when it comes to discussing religious beliefs, particularly their own? Our society universally acknowledges that there are three topics we shouldn't discuss in public: sex, politics and religion. Why? Yes, I know these are very personal and/or volatile topics, but still, why should they be taboo? My personal speculation is that the vast majority of people haven't really examined their own personal religious beliefs; they simply parrot what they learned in childhood. Therefore, when these beliefs are opened up for questioning, they are caught flat-footed without a good answer. Instead of admitting this, they become defensive. Of course that also begs the question, why haven't they examined their own beliefs? Laziness? Fear? I think fear is the most likely reason, because there are so many applications. Fear of finding out that the beliefs to which you gave lip-service for your whole life don't stand up to examination. The fear that religious institutions instill in us which implies "question us and you're a hellbound heretic". Fear that once you discover your religious beliefs are hollow at best, then you must face the future without the emotional life raft of religion to cling to when times get tough.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates
Some Pope was quoted as saying "Give us a child by age seven and he's ours for life." This sends a chill down my spine. I believe that religious indoctrination at an early age is truly dangerous to the healthy development of children, because children do not have the degree of skepticism needed to withstand the brainwashing performed by organized religions. They aren't able to think abstractly and understand the concepts of sin and damnation, and often become highly fearful that any minor transgression will send them to hell. THIS ISN'T CUTE, IT'S TRAUMATIC! Why should children be terrorized and terrified into behaving appropriately? This sounds way more like child abuse to me.
"Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom." - Bertrand Russell
My classes begin on Tuesday. I am so looking forward to getting back into the routine of studying and to once again enlarging my perspective and opening my mind to other views! I am particularly looking forward to my Philosophy class, which will focus on Racism and Sexism. This should be a fascinating class, although it looks like this one will keep me busy. We are going to read 8 different books for this class, and fortunately one of them is one of my all-time favorites, Robert Heinlein's "Stranger In A Strange Land". Other authors we'll read are Marx, Nietzsche and Sartre. Fun!!!
"Thou art God, and I am God, and all that groks is God." - Robert Heinlein, Stranger In A Strange Land
Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day, so I will devote tomorrow's post to a discussion of Dr. King's work and how his legacy should be honored. Yes, I'm actually planning a blog post, instead of just sitting down and typing whatever occurs to me. What a concept!
Later,
AuntieM
Re yesterday's post, specifically the portion of the article which described Bush pretending to drive a tractor: That's actually symbolic of the last seven years, Bush acting like a little boy playing at being President. All the decisions are made by his handlers, so Bush doesn't have to worry about doing anything tough like thinking. Leaves more time for photo ops!
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." - Douglas Adams
If you haven't read "The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy" series by Douglas Adams, I highly recommend that you do so at your earliest opportunity. I mean like, drop everything and run to the bookstore or library now! One warning though - some (actually, many) portions of this series are so funny that you are likely to make a spectacle of yourself when reading this book while drinking anything. Shooting soda/milk/whatever out of your nose is a distinct possibility.
"In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted." - Bertrand Russell
I had a fascinating conversation with a friend a couple of nights ago, in which we posed a question that neither of us could answer, so I'm opening that question up for discussion. The question was, why are people so reluctant and/or defensive when it comes to discussing religious beliefs, particularly their own? Our society universally acknowledges that there are three topics we shouldn't discuss in public: sex, politics and religion. Why? Yes, I know these are very personal and/or volatile topics, but still, why should they be taboo? My personal speculation is that the vast majority of people haven't really examined their own personal religious beliefs; they simply parrot what they learned in childhood. Therefore, when these beliefs are opened up for questioning, they are caught flat-footed without a good answer. Instead of admitting this, they become defensive. Of course that also begs the question, why haven't they examined their own beliefs? Laziness? Fear? I think fear is the most likely reason, because there are so many applications. Fear of finding out that the beliefs to which you gave lip-service for your whole life don't stand up to examination. The fear that religious institutions instill in us which implies "question us and you're a hellbound heretic". Fear that once you discover your religious beliefs are hollow at best, then you must face the future without the emotional life raft of religion to cling to when times get tough.
"The unexamined life is not worth living." - Socrates
Some Pope was quoted as saying "Give us a child by age seven and he's ours for life." This sends a chill down my spine. I believe that religious indoctrination at an early age is truly dangerous to the healthy development of children, because children do not have the degree of skepticism needed to withstand the brainwashing performed by organized religions. They aren't able to think abstractly and understand the concepts of sin and damnation, and often become highly fearful that any minor transgression will send them to hell. THIS ISN'T CUTE, IT'S TRAUMATIC! Why should children be terrorized and terrified into behaving appropriately? This sounds way more like child abuse to me.
"Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom." - Bertrand Russell
My classes begin on Tuesday. I am so looking forward to getting back into the routine of studying and to once again enlarging my perspective and opening my mind to other views! I am particularly looking forward to my Philosophy class, which will focus on Racism and Sexism. This should be a fascinating class, although it looks like this one will keep me busy. We are going to read 8 different books for this class, and fortunately one of them is one of my all-time favorites, Robert Heinlein's "Stranger In A Strange Land". Other authors we'll read are Marx, Nietzsche and Sartre. Fun!!!
"Thou art God, and I am God, and all that groks is God." - Robert Heinlein, Stranger In A Strange Land
Tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day, so I will devote tomorrow's post to a discussion of Dr. King's work and how his legacy should be honored. Yes, I'm actually planning a blog post, instead of just sitting down and typing whatever occurs to me. What a concept!
Later,
AuntieM
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Bush's economic stimulus package
So Bush has finally realized the economy is in the toilet again on his watch, and this time no amount of anti-terrorist propaganda and flag-waving is going to distract the public from this problem. Bush is asking Congress for $150 Billion in tax relief for individuals and businesses, in an effort to jump-start the economy and prevent or shorten a recession. The following exerpts are from the Rocky Mountain News website, today's edition, shown in this font. My comments are interspersed, because most of you have probably figured out by now that I don't enjoy keeping my thoughts to myself!
Bush's urgent remarks gave fresh impetus to congressional leaders already hard at work on an economic rescue package that would include extra money for food stamps and jobless benefits in addition to tax rebates of hundreds of dollars each for millions of Americans. The hope is that people would immediately spend those rebates and give the economy a badly needed boost.
I'm sure people will indeed rush out to spend those rebates, if they happen. The problem is, in order to stimulate the economy spending needs to occur on consumer goods, not payment of debt. Right now people need help paying paying their mortgages and heating bills, and are not likely to spend their rebate checks on big-screen TV's, computers or new appliances. An economic stimulus works if it creates jobs, and increased spending on consumer goods does just that. But how can you ask people to spend money on luxuries when they are having trouble covering the necessities? You can't, unless you want to look like a jackass. (Nixon did it, nuff said.)
Bush said the rescue effort should be both quick and temporary, a one-time boost for a national economy that is in danger of sliding into the first recession since 2001, if it hasn't already edged across that line. The president's tone was somber in his remarks at the White House, but his mood was upbeat later in the day when he visited a factory to underscore his focus on the economy.
"Crank this sucker up," he exclaimed, an exhortation that could fit his hopes for economic revival, though he was referring specifically to a huge riding mower at Wright Manufacturing. Once the engine was roaring, Bush jumped on and steered the mower playfully.
One-time boost? Later in this same article we are reminded that Bush has tried this before.
Bush has gone down the tax rebate road before. Back in 2001, he added refunds of up to $300 per individual and $600 per household as a recession-fighting element of the tax cut plan that had been the centerpiece of his 2000 campaign.
Perhaps this is my own contribution to our national amnesia, but I had completely forgotten about that refund, though the above jogged my memory. I do recall now we were asked to spend our refunds on consumer goods, to splurge on something rather than pay for necessities (see previous comment on Nixon). My husband and I did use our rebate for a necessity, but at the same time we purchased a pricey consumer good - we put new tires on his vehicle. I guess that worked. I know it worked for us. At the time we were simply glad to be able to pay for what we needed without resorting to credit cards.
Despite darkening economic reports, he said that if Congress passes a quick federal relief package, "We're gonna be just fine." At the White House earlier, Bush avoided the word recession but acknowledged the economy was severely strained by the long housing slump and high oil prices.
"There is a risk of a downturn," Bush said.
"A risk of a downturn?" Talk about understatement! The foreclosure rate has skyrocketed, prices for everything from gas to bread and milk have jumped, the Dow is stuck in a downward spiral, jobs are hard to find, and he says there's "a risk of a downturn"? Wonder what tipped him off? Did his buddies lose too much money in the stock market? I'm pretty sure no one in the Bush family or circle of friends is facing foreclosure or fretting about the cost of groceries. In Real America, where the rest of us live, things are very different. I don't know about any of you but I'm starting to suffer from sticker shock when I go to the grocery store. Everything is so much more expensive, and buying basics like hamburger and orange juice feel like a splurge now. At the same time I feel very fortunate that we didn't buy into the refinancing craze and as a result our mortgage payment is stable. How bad is the overall economy when you reflect and give thanks for still being able to afford your house? It's bad.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said, "We cannot forget that any effective stimulus plan must start and end with America's working families. The people who are struggling every day to pay their bills, heat their homes and pay their mortgages need our help now, and helping them is the best way to be certain that any stimulus goes directly into the economy."
Thank you, Senator Kennedy! You know, I'm tired of Republicans using Teddy Kennedy as the whipping boy whenever they want to bash Democrats. He has tirelessly supported the middle and lower classes and worked to create and protect assistance programs to help them manage, while so many Republicans only work to benefit their cronies in big business. During the times in which Republicans have controlled Congress, it has felt like Kennedy has been one of the few voices with the courage to speak out in defense of the middle and lower classes. Senator Kennedy should be revered, not reviled.
Any member of Congress who speaks out against a measure which will put badly-needed money in the hands of average Americans is committing political suicide, so this measure will likely speed through Congress. I don't know how long it may take before any of us see checks, and so far I haven't seen any information on how these rebates may be distributed. My only concern with this economic stimulus package is, of the $150 billion, wonder how much of that will go to businesses, and how much will go to individuals? The theory is if businesses receive an influx of cash they'll use it to create jobs, which will strengthen the economy. $150 billion is such a large number that it's hard to wrap your mind around it. Yet this represents 1% of the Gross Domestic Product, that's how they arrived at this figure. Their experts said that any stimulus package needed to be at least 1% of the GDP in order to be effective.
The rebate amounts for individuals have not been decided yet, but this article speculated that rebates could be $500-800 for singles and $1000-1600 for married couples. We'll have to wait and see. I doubt there is anyone in this country who would turn down a sudden and unexpected infusion of cash, but no one could be blamed for using that money to bring the mortgage or power bill up to date, to buy new shoes for the kids, or to fill the freezer and fridge. We each know best what we need most.
"The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough to those who have little." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Later,
AuntieM
Bush's urgent remarks gave fresh impetus to congressional leaders already hard at work on an economic rescue package that would include extra money for food stamps and jobless benefits in addition to tax rebates of hundreds of dollars each for millions of Americans. The hope is that people would immediately spend those rebates and give the economy a badly needed boost.
I'm sure people will indeed rush out to spend those rebates, if they happen. The problem is, in order to stimulate the economy spending needs to occur on consumer goods, not payment of debt. Right now people need help paying paying their mortgages and heating bills, and are not likely to spend their rebate checks on big-screen TV's, computers or new appliances. An economic stimulus works if it creates jobs, and increased spending on consumer goods does just that. But how can you ask people to spend money on luxuries when they are having trouble covering the necessities? You can't, unless you want to look like a jackass. (Nixon did it, nuff said.)
Bush said the rescue effort should be both quick and temporary, a one-time boost for a national economy that is in danger of sliding into the first recession since 2001, if it hasn't already edged across that line. The president's tone was somber in his remarks at the White House, but his mood was upbeat later in the day when he visited a factory to underscore his focus on the economy.
"Crank this sucker up," he exclaimed, an exhortation that could fit his hopes for economic revival, though he was referring specifically to a huge riding mower at Wright Manufacturing. Once the engine was roaring, Bush jumped on and steered the mower playfully.
One-time boost? Later in this same article we are reminded that Bush has tried this before.
Bush has gone down the tax rebate road before. Back in 2001, he added refunds of up to $300 per individual and $600 per household as a recession-fighting element of the tax cut plan that had been the centerpiece of his 2000 campaign.
Perhaps this is my own contribution to our national amnesia, but I had completely forgotten about that refund, though the above jogged my memory. I do recall now we were asked to spend our refunds on consumer goods, to splurge on something rather than pay for necessities (see previous comment on Nixon). My husband and I did use our rebate for a necessity, but at the same time we purchased a pricey consumer good - we put new tires on his vehicle. I guess that worked. I know it worked for us. At the time we were simply glad to be able to pay for what we needed without resorting to credit cards.
Despite darkening economic reports, he said that if Congress passes a quick federal relief package, "We're gonna be just fine." At the White House earlier, Bush avoided the word recession but acknowledged the economy was severely strained by the long housing slump and high oil prices.
"There is a risk of a downturn," Bush said.
"A risk of a downturn?" Talk about understatement! The foreclosure rate has skyrocketed, prices for everything from gas to bread and milk have jumped, the Dow is stuck in a downward spiral, jobs are hard to find, and he says there's "a risk of a downturn"? Wonder what tipped him off? Did his buddies lose too much money in the stock market? I'm pretty sure no one in the Bush family or circle of friends is facing foreclosure or fretting about the cost of groceries. In Real America, where the rest of us live, things are very different. I don't know about any of you but I'm starting to suffer from sticker shock when I go to the grocery store. Everything is so much more expensive, and buying basics like hamburger and orange juice feel like a splurge now. At the same time I feel very fortunate that we didn't buy into the refinancing craze and as a result our mortgage payment is stable. How bad is the overall economy when you reflect and give thanks for still being able to afford your house? It's bad.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said, "We cannot forget that any effective stimulus plan must start and end with America's working families. The people who are struggling every day to pay their bills, heat their homes and pay their mortgages need our help now, and helping them is the best way to be certain that any stimulus goes directly into the economy."
Thank you, Senator Kennedy! You know, I'm tired of Republicans using Teddy Kennedy as the whipping boy whenever they want to bash Democrats. He has tirelessly supported the middle and lower classes and worked to create and protect assistance programs to help them manage, while so many Republicans only work to benefit their cronies in big business. During the times in which Republicans have controlled Congress, it has felt like Kennedy has been one of the few voices with the courage to speak out in defense of the middle and lower classes. Senator Kennedy should be revered, not reviled.
Any member of Congress who speaks out against a measure which will put badly-needed money in the hands of average Americans is committing political suicide, so this measure will likely speed through Congress. I don't know how long it may take before any of us see checks, and so far I haven't seen any information on how these rebates may be distributed. My only concern with this economic stimulus package is, of the $150 billion, wonder how much of that will go to businesses, and how much will go to individuals? The theory is if businesses receive an influx of cash they'll use it to create jobs, which will strengthen the economy. $150 billion is such a large number that it's hard to wrap your mind around it. Yet this represents 1% of the Gross Domestic Product, that's how they arrived at this figure. Their experts said that any stimulus package needed to be at least 1% of the GDP in order to be effective.
The rebate amounts for individuals have not been decided yet, but this article speculated that rebates could be $500-800 for singles and $1000-1600 for married couples. We'll have to wait and see. I doubt there is anyone in this country who would turn down a sudden and unexpected infusion of cash, but no one could be blamed for using that money to bring the mortgage or power bill up to date, to buy new shoes for the kids, or to fill the freezer and fridge. We each know best what we need most.
"The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough to those who have little." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Later,
AuntieM
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Nostalgia run amok
I don't know about you but lately I've seen a lot of forwarded e-mails that sing the praises of yesterday and yesteryear, and personally I'm getting a bit tired of it. It's strange how we tend to idealize the past and view it through highly distorted rose-colored lenses, many times forgetting the bad that went along with the good. Often the text of these e-mails laments the passage of years and expresses a desire to return to a "simpler time". I believe that the past wasn't simpler or better, it is merely familiar in contrast to the unknown future. Perhaps some find it preferable to return to a familiar (if not truly ideal) past, instead of finding the courage to face an unknown and uncertain future. It is in this spirit that I present a rebuttal to all the "Norman Rockwell images through rose-colored glasses" pieces currently floating around the 'net.
A clear view at the idealized images of the past reveals that they hide a lot of pain, ugliness, inequality, prejudice, hatred and just plain fear. Instead of glorifying the past we need to celebrate how far we've come.
So kids today swim in pools instead of lakes and streams? While many older people may reminisce fondly about the "old swimming hole" they also shudder in fear at the memory of Polio, which could strike down healthy children literally overnight and was terribly contagious especially in humid environments (like the "old swimming hole"). Parents lived in fear of this crippling or sometimes fatal illness striking their children. This is a fear that today's parents do not know, thanks to the progress medical science has made.
So most families need two incomes to get by and both parents work? Unrealistic tv-generated images of Donna Reed aside, the benefits of this trend far outweigh any harm. First, in the past women were financially dependent on their husbands. They had very little financial power, few had their own financial history and credit history, few owned property. In short, many women were paupers who could be easily controlled and dominated by financial means. Many had to endure loveless or abusive marriages because they literally had nowhere else to go and no way to earn a living. Today most women have marketable skills that give them independence, pride, self-esteem and the ability to support themselves.
Women from way-back-when who didn't have jobs had no savings of their own, no retirement plan, and since they didn't work outside the home, no Social Security. This meant that if their husbands failed to provide adequately for them, these women often entered widowhood destitute and dependent on family or friends for their very survival. Today women have their Social Security, 401K's and IRA's in their own names, plus investment accounts that may rival or exceed those of their husbands, and many women can look forward to a safe and secure retirement thanks to their own efforts and foresight.
Women from way-back-when who didn't work outside the home had no choice but to model this particular gender role to their children, which reinforced the stereotype of "women's work". Often this gender role modeling effectively limited their daughters' ambitions by demonstrating that this was all women were capable of doing and being, that a woman's domain - kirche, kinder und kuchen - was eternally and indelibly predefined. These attitudes prevailed far longer than I care to think of - I'm not that old but when I was young I heard a lot about "jobs that were appropriate for women." According to my Mom I had four paths to choose from - nurse, secretary, teacher or housewife. Today because the vast majority of women maintain paid employment, either in the home as a telecommuter or the owner of a business, or outside the home, little girls grow up in a world of much wider possibilities. Instead of four possible paths they have four million and counting! Our daughters learn that they can do anything they set their minds to, by seeing their mothers do anything they set their minds to!
Lots of those nostalgia-glorifying e-mails mention discipline, and they usually talk about how kids got spanked all the time, both at school and at home, and correllated that with better standards of behavior. The last e-mail of this sort that I received even spoke of how neighbors felt free to administer corporal punishment to other people's children caught misbehaving. I'm sorry but I do not understand advocating the mass physical abuse of children. Violence only creates anger and more violence.
More about education: somehow the nostalgia-mongers always forget that during this "oh-so-wonderful" time there was also segregation. White and black drinking fountains, entrances, restrooms, hospitals and schools. What kind of a wonderful world was it when people were automatically excluded due to the color of their skin? Fortunately by the time I came along all of that nonsense had ended and I was able to grow up racially color-blind. We're still suffering the last vestiges of racism, but it is my fond hope that in another couple of generations when people think of 'race' they'll associate it with 'human', not skin color. BTW, did you know that there is only a 0.12% difference in genes that determine skin color? We are far, far more alike than we are different.
Violence seems to be rampant today, and yesteryear seems almost pastoral in comparison. But is today's society really that much more violent? No. According to data on per-capita crime, the overall crime rate today is actually lower than way back when. So why do we hear about so much of it? The main reason is the twenty-four hour news cycle and the ease with which we receive information today. This may be a mixed blessing, but then we only need remember that we can also turn it off whenever we please; we are not required to drown ourselves in news, but it is there if we want it.
Gas was cheaper way back then, but cars polluted much worse than they do today, and were far less safe (no seatbelts, airbags, etc.).
Food was cheaper but wages were much lower.
Maybe we have more diseases today than way back when, but our life spans are also massively longer today and many of the diseases we hear about today are associated with aging.
Fear and government propaganda are pretty much a wash when comparing then vs. now. Back in the 1950's school children did "Duck and Cover" drills which taught them that hiding under their desks would protect them from nuclear attack. Fear of communist aggression was standard, and encouraged by government propaganda. Today the government encourages fear of terrorism. Different name, same thing: propaganda.
About the only benefit of looking back that I can see is that prior to the Patriot Act, the civil liberties of Americans were guaranteed, while today our rights have been abridged to the point that it makes me wonder just what sort of government has evolved in the land of the formerly free and the home of the formerly brave.
Overall I consider myself fortunate to live in this day and age. I'll take progress over nostalgia anyday. However I would greatly prefer if the freedoms, rights and civil liberties we once took for granted were also included.
Please feel free to copy this post, add your own comments and pass it along. It sure would be nice to get this circulating out on the 'net to provide a dose of reality and help people to realize just how lucky we really are.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
Later,
AuntieM
A clear view at the idealized images of the past reveals that they hide a lot of pain, ugliness, inequality, prejudice, hatred and just plain fear. Instead of glorifying the past we need to celebrate how far we've come.
So kids today swim in pools instead of lakes and streams? While many older people may reminisce fondly about the "old swimming hole" they also shudder in fear at the memory of Polio, which could strike down healthy children literally overnight and was terribly contagious especially in humid environments (like the "old swimming hole"). Parents lived in fear of this crippling or sometimes fatal illness striking their children. This is a fear that today's parents do not know, thanks to the progress medical science has made.
So most families need two incomes to get by and both parents work? Unrealistic tv-generated images of Donna Reed aside, the benefits of this trend far outweigh any harm. First, in the past women were financially dependent on their husbands. They had very little financial power, few had their own financial history and credit history, few owned property. In short, many women were paupers who could be easily controlled and dominated by financial means. Many had to endure loveless or abusive marriages because they literally had nowhere else to go and no way to earn a living. Today most women have marketable skills that give them independence, pride, self-esteem and the ability to support themselves.
Women from way-back-when who didn't have jobs had no savings of their own, no retirement plan, and since they didn't work outside the home, no Social Security. This meant that if their husbands failed to provide adequately for them, these women often entered widowhood destitute and dependent on family or friends for their very survival. Today women have their Social Security, 401K's and IRA's in their own names, plus investment accounts that may rival or exceed those of their husbands, and many women can look forward to a safe and secure retirement thanks to their own efforts and foresight.
Women from way-back-when who didn't work outside the home had no choice but to model this particular gender role to their children, which reinforced the stereotype of "women's work". Often this gender role modeling effectively limited their daughters' ambitions by demonstrating that this was all women were capable of doing and being, that a woman's domain - kirche, kinder und kuchen - was eternally and indelibly predefined. These attitudes prevailed far longer than I care to think of - I'm not that old but when I was young I heard a lot about "jobs that were appropriate for women." According to my Mom I had four paths to choose from - nurse, secretary, teacher or housewife. Today because the vast majority of women maintain paid employment, either in the home as a telecommuter or the owner of a business, or outside the home, little girls grow up in a world of much wider possibilities. Instead of four possible paths they have four million and counting! Our daughters learn that they can do anything they set their minds to, by seeing their mothers do anything they set their minds to!
Lots of those nostalgia-glorifying e-mails mention discipline, and they usually talk about how kids got spanked all the time, both at school and at home, and correllated that with better standards of behavior. The last e-mail of this sort that I received even spoke of how neighbors felt free to administer corporal punishment to other people's children caught misbehaving. I'm sorry but I do not understand advocating the mass physical abuse of children. Violence only creates anger and more violence.
More about education: somehow the nostalgia-mongers always forget that during this "oh-so-wonderful" time there was also segregation. White and black drinking fountains, entrances, restrooms, hospitals and schools. What kind of a wonderful world was it when people were automatically excluded due to the color of their skin? Fortunately by the time I came along all of that nonsense had ended and I was able to grow up racially color-blind. We're still suffering the last vestiges of racism, but it is my fond hope that in another couple of generations when people think of 'race' they'll associate it with 'human', not skin color. BTW, did you know that there is only a 0.12% difference in genes that determine skin color? We are far, far more alike than we are different.
Violence seems to be rampant today, and yesteryear seems almost pastoral in comparison. But is today's society really that much more violent? No. According to data on per-capita crime, the overall crime rate today is actually lower than way back when. So why do we hear about so much of it? The main reason is the twenty-four hour news cycle and the ease with which we receive information today. This may be a mixed blessing, but then we only need remember that we can also turn it off whenever we please; we are not required to drown ourselves in news, but it is there if we want it.
Gas was cheaper way back then, but cars polluted much worse than they do today, and were far less safe (no seatbelts, airbags, etc.).
Food was cheaper but wages were much lower.
Maybe we have more diseases today than way back when, but our life spans are also massively longer today and many of the diseases we hear about today are associated with aging.
Fear and government propaganda are pretty much a wash when comparing then vs. now. Back in the 1950's school children did "Duck and Cover" drills which taught them that hiding under their desks would protect them from nuclear attack. Fear of communist aggression was standard, and encouraged by government propaganda. Today the government encourages fear of terrorism. Different name, same thing: propaganda.
About the only benefit of looking back that I can see is that prior to the Patriot Act, the civil liberties of Americans were guaranteed, while today our rights have been abridged to the point that it makes me wonder just what sort of government has evolved in the land of the formerly free and the home of the formerly brave.
Overall I consider myself fortunate to live in this day and age. I'll take progress over nostalgia anyday. However I would greatly prefer if the freedoms, rights and civil liberties we once took for granted were also included.
Please feel free to copy this post, add your own comments and pass it along. It sure would be nice to get this circulating out on the 'net to provide a dose of reality and help people to realize just how lucky we really are.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
Later,
AuntieM
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Huckabee's Hubris
Did anyone catch what Mike Huckabee, the Republican presidential candidate, said on Monday? He said that he wants to rewrite the Constitution "in God's standards". The full quote reads:
Since when is changing the Constitution even on the table? I thought this was a presidential primary. Did I miss a memo? And what makes Huckabee think that he'll be able to change the Constitution, even if he's elected (which will be a dark day for those of us who like to think and say what we wish.) I think he needs to check on what it actually takes to change the Constitution. Here's a hint, Mike: it takes more than prayer.
How does Huckabee know what God's standards are? Did God call him on the phone, or did they meet at Starbucks for a nice chai latte? Hey Mike, if you've got God's e-mail address how about sharing it with the rest of us? I'm automatically suspicious of anyone who claims to have inside information direct from God, because it's unverifiable. Why would I place my faith (and my vote) with anyone who makes unverifiable claims to win support?
Maybe it's because I'm not Baptist, but I don't understand the phrase "the living God". I thought God was by definition immortal, but specifying "living God" implies that maybe there's a dead God out there, or multiple dead Gods. Is there a system of succession? Does Huckabee think he's in line somewhere?
Here's something I find truly terrifying: the slogan posted on Huckabee's website reads "Faith, Family, Freedom". Notice how freedom ranks dead last? At the same time, religious faith is apparently the most important factor to Huckabee and his ilk. I wonder if his real meaning is actually "If you share my faith and your family goes to my church, then you shall have freedom. Otherwise go to Hell."
I will admit I don't know much about Huckabee, but I recently found out a very important fact which explains a LOT: Huckabee is a Southern Baptist minister. Nuff said. Although I live in the West now, I grew up in the South, in the Bible Belt. That experience left me with the conviction that SOUTHERN BAPTIST MINISTERS ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED! I am sorry to say that I have yet to meet a singe one who didn't seem to be trying to either steal my wallet or cop a feel, all the while spouting pious platitudes about Faith and claiming personal knowledge of God's will.
Although it is far too early to even guess who may win either party's nomination, it's not to early for me to say this: It is imperative that anyone who values thought, free speech, the separation of church and state, the rights of women and minorities, and the contents of the Constitution GET THEIR BUTTS OUT THERE AND VOTE! Not only vote, but encourage their families, friends and neighbors to do the same. You know the conservatives are getting out the vote by mobilizing churches (if you doubt this, watch "Jesus Camp", they explain exactly how that works). We've got to get out the vote as well unless we want a vocal and rabid religious minority to run this country for the next four years. I don't know about you but I don't want to live in a theocracy with a state religion where church attendance and lip-service to the dominant faith is mandatory.
Each presidential election I begin hopeful that one candidate will shine out above all the rest as the person who can lead this nation into a shining new future. Some years those hopes have been borne out, and some years I've gone disillusioned to the voting booth to cast my ballot for the lesser of two evils. I've come to believe that sometimes that's what it's all about, and that's a form of patriotism too - doing your part to protect this nation from a presidential candidate you truly believe is dangerous.
I have been asked if I am going to come out in favor of any particular candidate. My response at the time was "it's too early, I haven't done my homework on each candidate yet." I do believe in being an informed voter (the most dangerous kind in our government's eyes!) and I make a point to learn what I can about each candidate before making up my mind. So it will be a while before I state a preference (though I must make up my mind by Super Tuesday), but for now I can promise you that my choice will NOT be Huckabee!
"One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato
Later,
AuntieM
“I have opponents in this race who do not want to change the Constitution. But I believe it’s a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God. And that’s what we need to do is amend the Constitution so it’s in God’s standards, rather than trying to change God’s standards so it lines up with some contemporary view of how we treat each other and how we treat the family.”
Since when is changing the Constitution even on the table? I thought this was a presidential primary. Did I miss a memo? And what makes Huckabee think that he'll be able to change the Constitution, even if he's elected (which will be a dark day for those of us who like to think and say what we wish.) I think he needs to check on what it actually takes to change the Constitution. Here's a hint, Mike: it takes more than prayer.
How does Huckabee know what God's standards are? Did God call him on the phone, or did they meet at Starbucks for a nice chai latte? Hey Mike, if you've got God's e-mail address how about sharing it with the rest of us? I'm automatically suspicious of anyone who claims to have inside information direct from God, because it's unverifiable. Why would I place my faith (and my vote) with anyone who makes unverifiable claims to win support?
Maybe it's because I'm not Baptist, but I don't understand the phrase "the living God". I thought God was by definition immortal, but specifying "living God" implies that maybe there's a dead God out there, or multiple dead Gods. Is there a system of succession? Does Huckabee think he's in line somewhere?
Here's something I find truly terrifying: the slogan posted on Huckabee's website reads "Faith, Family, Freedom". Notice how freedom ranks dead last? At the same time, religious faith is apparently the most important factor to Huckabee and his ilk. I wonder if his real meaning is actually "If you share my faith and your family goes to my church, then you shall have freedom. Otherwise go to Hell."
I will admit I don't know much about Huckabee, but I recently found out a very important fact which explains a LOT: Huckabee is a Southern Baptist minister. Nuff said. Although I live in the West now, I grew up in the South, in the Bible Belt. That experience left me with the conviction that SOUTHERN BAPTIST MINISTERS ARE NOT TO BE TRUSTED! I am sorry to say that I have yet to meet a singe one who didn't seem to be trying to either steal my wallet or cop a feel, all the while spouting pious platitudes about Faith and claiming personal knowledge of God's will.
Although it is far too early to even guess who may win either party's nomination, it's not to early for me to say this: It is imperative that anyone who values thought, free speech, the separation of church and state, the rights of women and minorities, and the contents of the Constitution GET THEIR BUTTS OUT THERE AND VOTE! Not only vote, but encourage their families, friends and neighbors to do the same. You know the conservatives are getting out the vote by mobilizing churches (if you doubt this, watch "Jesus Camp", they explain exactly how that works). We've got to get out the vote as well unless we want a vocal and rabid religious minority to run this country for the next four years. I don't know about you but I don't want to live in a theocracy with a state religion where church attendance and lip-service to the dominant faith is mandatory.
Each presidential election I begin hopeful that one candidate will shine out above all the rest as the person who can lead this nation into a shining new future. Some years those hopes have been borne out, and some years I've gone disillusioned to the voting booth to cast my ballot for the lesser of two evils. I've come to believe that sometimes that's what it's all about, and that's a form of patriotism too - doing your part to protect this nation from a presidential candidate you truly believe is dangerous.
I have been asked if I am going to come out in favor of any particular candidate. My response at the time was "it's too early, I haven't done my homework on each candidate yet." I do believe in being an informed voter (the most dangerous kind in our government's eyes!) and I make a point to learn what I can about each candidate before making up my mind. So it will be a while before I state a preference (though I must make up my mind by Super Tuesday), but for now I can promise you that my choice will NOT be Huckabee!
"One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." - Plato
Later,
AuntieM
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
HB 1023 and the Terrorist Boogeyman
Today I went to orientation at my new school, the University of Colorado Denver. In between learning where to park and who to see about financial aid issues, we had to do something that was completely new and different - we had to sign affadavits swearing that we are legal residents of the United States. This is in compliance with House Bill 1023, the new immigration law that went into effect in Colorado. I totally don't understand it. The purpose of this law is to deny state-funded services to illegal immigrants, but it sounds like a lot of the cost-savings will be negated by the volume of paperwork needed to verify citizenship, and the new positions needed to enforce this law. And really, didn't I supply enough information during the university application process and the financial aid process for them to determine that I am a citizen? This all seemed unnecessary.
As far as illegal immigration goes, I stand by what I wrote a few days ago. I believe the best way to solve the problem of illegal immigration is to change our immigration policies. Offer amnesty and expedited citizenship to any illegal immigrants who have clean criminal backgrounds and are gainfully employed in a legal occupation. Get them naturalized and paying taxes ASAP! It is becoming clear that our economy would suffer dearly without these people who are willing to do the jobs that few Americans want, and our economy would benefit further by a sudden and massive increase in the taxpayer rolls. In return these people would be able to sleep soundly without fearing that knock on their door and the shout of "Immigration!"
This whole affadavit thing wasn't the school's happy thought - they are now required to do this by the state. I'm sure the school would much rather spend time on things like, I dunno, teaching?
This law is symptomatic of the paranoia which has gripped this country since 9/11, with the generous assistance of our very own government. Why must the propaganda... er, news... insist that we must watch over our shoulders at all times, or the terrorists will win? If that's the kind of world we're trying to preserve, then maybe we need to reconsider this whole thing. At some point (NOW would be a good time) people must take a stand and declare "I will no longer live in fear!" You see, fear has been the current administration's primary method of keeping us in line, of keeping us cowed and cowering in our homes, instead of marching in the streets to demand reasonable and accountable government. If they keep us afraid they can keep us under their thumbs. So I for one resolve not to live in fear. I'm tired of our government threatening me with the Terrorist Boogeyman, and I'm not having any more of it.
Look at it this way: If the terrorists are going to attack us again, no amount of worry or fear on our parts will affect those plans. Fear is a waste of energy and emotion that could be used in many more productive ways, such as to educate oneself about the workings of the government, to talk and think about ways we can change the world, and to make plans and put them into action. Just a thought...
"All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant pressure to make people feel that they are helpless, that the only role they can have is to ratify decisions and to consume." - Noam Chomsky
Later,
AuntieM
As far as illegal immigration goes, I stand by what I wrote a few days ago. I believe the best way to solve the problem of illegal immigration is to change our immigration policies. Offer amnesty and expedited citizenship to any illegal immigrants who have clean criminal backgrounds and are gainfully employed in a legal occupation. Get them naturalized and paying taxes ASAP! It is becoming clear that our economy would suffer dearly without these people who are willing to do the jobs that few Americans want, and our economy would benefit further by a sudden and massive increase in the taxpayer rolls. In return these people would be able to sleep soundly without fearing that knock on their door and the shout of "Immigration!"
This whole affadavit thing wasn't the school's happy thought - they are now required to do this by the state. I'm sure the school would much rather spend time on things like, I dunno, teaching?
This law is symptomatic of the paranoia which has gripped this country since 9/11, with the generous assistance of our very own government. Why must the propaganda... er, news... insist that we must watch over our shoulders at all times, or the terrorists will win? If that's the kind of world we're trying to preserve, then maybe we need to reconsider this whole thing. At some point (NOW would be a good time) people must take a stand and declare "I will no longer live in fear!" You see, fear has been the current administration's primary method of keeping us in line, of keeping us cowed and cowering in our homes, instead of marching in the streets to demand reasonable and accountable government. If they keep us afraid they can keep us under their thumbs. So I for one resolve not to live in fear. I'm tired of our government threatening me with the Terrorist Boogeyman, and I'm not having any more of it.
Look at it this way: If the terrorists are going to attack us again, no amount of worry or fear on our parts will affect those plans. Fear is a waste of energy and emotion that could be used in many more productive ways, such as to educate oneself about the workings of the government, to talk and think about ways we can change the world, and to make plans and put them into action. Just a thought...
"All over the place, from the popular culture to the propaganda system, there is constant pressure to make people feel that they are helpless, that the only role they can have is to ratify decisions and to consume." - Noam Chomsky
Later,
AuntieM
Monday, January 14, 2008
Employment - not just a dream anymore
Today was a big day for me - I am now gainfully employed. In September I left my previous job to do an internship at a non-profit, and today they offered me a staff position. I'm completely over the moon about it! For about 18 months I have been working on a major career change, from the gaming industry (specifically poker dealer in a casino) to something more socially relevant which will allow me to give something back to the community. Now I am officially a paid grant writer instead of an intern/volunteer!
I'm so happy about this new development that I find it hard to rabblerouse and agitate today, so instead I'm going to address some comments and answer questions. One question I've had is "what exactly is a student grant-writer?" There's a comma in there, or there's supposed to be if I typed it correctly in my profile (I'll check that). I'm a full-time college student pursuing my BA in Sociology, and part-time grant-writer - I write grant applications to fund various programs at a non-profit agency. I started there last fall as an intern, stayed on as a volunteer when the semester ended, and today I became a paid employee. It's great because I enjoy writing and this allows me to put my skills to work for a good cause! If you're interested in learning the art of grant-writing you can often find courses offered by community colleges or universities, or you can volunteer for a non-profit and get some hands-on experience.
A reader commented about Gardisil, echoing my sentiments about the health benefits of this vaccine. Good for you for deciding to let your daughter receive this potentially live-saving vaccine! Yes, I've also heard that this shot is very painful, but I'll bet it hurts a whole lot less than surgery and chemo for cervical cancer.
Thanks for the tip about how to change the date on my posts, but I guess I'm stubborn, I want to have an accurate record of when I wrote what just for my own files. Yes, I keep copies of all my posts, whether they're literary gems or absolute drivel. Sometimes I don't know which they are - I call that "flipping the genius/jackass coin".
Finally a reader commented that although he/she lives solely off of fast food (no veg or fruit) he/she feels fine and has had no ill effects. All I can say is, whatever works for you. Personally I feel loads better following a low-fat, high fiber semi-vegitarian diet - it has really improved my energy level and helped me to maintain my weight. But I'll bet different people have different tolerances, and perhaps my tolerance for fast food is low while yours is high. Again, whatever works for you. However it puts me in mind of when we took our cats to the vet a few years ago and the vet recommended we change to a higher-quality brand of cat food. When we protested that the cats seemed happy enough with what they were eating he pointed out that if we fed kids only Oreos and Cheetos they'd be pretty happy too - they wouldn't be hungry but they wouldn't get what they need to be at their best either. We did change cat food brands and the difference in our cats was tremendous. The stuff they get now isn't that much more expensive either.
"Your best shot at happiness, self-worth and personal satisfaction - the things that constitute real success - is not in earning as much as you can but in performing as well as you can something that you consider worthwhile." - William Raspberry
Later,
AuntieM
I'm so happy about this new development that I find it hard to rabblerouse and agitate today, so instead I'm going to address some comments and answer questions. One question I've had is "what exactly is a student grant-writer?" There's a comma in there, or there's supposed to be if I typed it correctly in my profile (I'll check that). I'm a full-time college student pursuing my BA in Sociology, and part-time grant-writer - I write grant applications to fund various programs at a non-profit agency. I started there last fall as an intern, stayed on as a volunteer when the semester ended, and today I became a paid employee. It's great because I enjoy writing and this allows me to put my skills to work for a good cause! If you're interested in learning the art of grant-writing you can often find courses offered by community colleges or universities, or you can volunteer for a non-profit and get some hands-on experience.
A reader commented about Gardisil, echoing my sentiments about the health benefits of this vaccine. Good for you for deciding to let your daughter receive this potentially live-saving vaccine! Yes, I've also heard that this shot is very painful, but I'll bet it hurts a whole lot less than surgery and chemo for cervical cancer.
Thanks for the tip about how to change the date on my posts, but I guess I'm stubborn, I want to have an accurate record of when I wrote what just for my own files. Yes, I keep copies of all my posts, whether they're literary gems or absolute drivel. Sometimes I don't know which they are - I call that "flipping the genius/jackass coin".
Finally a reader commented that although he/she lives solely off of fast food (no veg or fruit) he/she feels fine and has had no ill effects. All I can say is, whatever works for you. Personally I feel loads better following a low-fat, high fiber semi-vegitarian diet - it has really improved my energy level and helped me to maintain my weight. But I'll bet different people have different tolerances, and perhaps my tolerance for fast food is low while yours is high. Again, whatever works for you. However it puts me in mind of when we took our cats to the vet a few years ago and the vet recommended we change to a higher-quality brand of cat food. When we protested that the cats seemed happy enough with what they were eating he pointed out that if we fed kids only Oreos and Cheetos they'd be pretty happy too - they wouldn't be hungry but they wouldn't get what they need to be at their best either. We did change cat food brands and the difference in our cats was tremendous. The stuff they get now isn't that much more expensive either.
"Your best shot at happiness, self-worth and personal satisfaction - the things that constitute real success - is not in earning as much as you can but in performing as well as you can something that you consider worthwhile." - William Raspberry
Later,
AuntieM
Sunday, January 13, 2008
"Fast Food Nation" and "The Jungle"
I watched the film "Fast Food Nation" a few days ago. I wanted to write a post about it but this film has so much to say about our society I had to wait till I got it sorted out in my own mind. First let me say I read the book many years ago when it first came out, and it put me off meat for a year. So I wasn't surprised by the content of the film, but I was curious as to how they were going to integrate the different aspects of this non-fiction book into a coherent story that would make sense on the big screen. I was impressed by the way they accomplished this task.
I would recommend this film to all, with the following caveats: Don't watch this movie over dinner (you'll thank me for that one later). Don't see this movie with a date unless your date is a social activist and really appreciates this sort of thing. And if you tend toward squeamishness you may want to leave the room when they start showing the slaugherhouse procedures at the end of the film. Finally, this film may indeed turn you against meat either temporarily or permanently, but they've really improved soy hamburger replacements, it's hard to tell them from the real thing especially in spaghetti sauce or chili, so you don't have to live off of tofu.
It has been a long time since I read the book but from what I can remember there is a LOT more info that they just couldn't include in the movie, so the book is a very worthwhile read. The book and movie don't focus strictly on fast food - one thing that surprised me when I read the book. However there is enough in there to make anyone reconsider their fast-food habit. Fortunately there are far more healthful alternatives out there. I've become very reluctant to visit any fast food establishments other than Subway, and can't remember the last time I had an actual hamburger.
Another related book that you should read if you haven't already is "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair. It's his expose of the meat-packing industry at the turn of the 20th century. This is another one that can easily turn you off of meat for a while, and it's an incredibly worthwhile read. Sinclair deviates from his intended subject over the course of this book and it becomes an endorsement of socialism and organized labor. I support unions wholeheartedly - the benefits and work-related laws we have today are a direct result of the power of collective bargaining, and this is something that anti-union folks need to remember. If you have benefits and safe working conditions, thank a union member.
As far as socialism, back in my sixth grade social studies class we learned about the different forms of economic structures of governments (capitalism, socialism and communism) and my teacher presented a theory I've never forgotten. She said that the three types of government formed a never-ending cycle that represented the evolution of government. A government may begin as a socialist society but eventually the government gains too much power and it becomes a communist dictatorship. Eventually the people rebel and demand their liberties, and the economic system transitions to a capitalist system. Then after a while too much inequality develops in a capitalist system and the class divide becomes too great - too few haves and far too many have-nots, and the have-nots demand government-sponsored benefits which they need to survive but otherwise cannot afford (sound familiar?) and a socialist structure evolves. I believe that the division between the haves and the have-nots is almost great enough that the wheel of this cycle will soon turn and the United States will develop a more socialist-oriented economic system in order to meet the needs of the masses. If you think I'm speaking treason, do yourself a favor and investigate socialism. Read Karl Marx and The Communist Manifesto - you'll be surprised by how different the reality of this document is from the propaganda we've been fed. Don't continue to blindly accept the propaganda-based lessons on communism we've all had shoved down our throats - open your minds, think, educate yourself and form your own opinions. It's hard work but it's so worth the effort.
"Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they're angry, they bring about change." - Malcolm X
Later,
AuntieM
I would recommend this film to all, with the following caveats: Don't watch this movie over dinner (you'll thank me for that one later). Don't see this movie with a date unless your date is a social activist and really appreciates this sort of thing. And if you tend toward squeamishness you may want to leave the room when they start showing the slaugherhouse procedures at the end of the film. Finally, this film may indeed turn you against meat either temporarily or permanently, but they've really improved soy hamburger replacements, it's hard to tell them from the real thing especially in spaghetti sauce or chili, so you don't have to live off of tofu.
It has been a long time since I read the book but from what I can remember there is a LOT more info that they just couldn't include in the movie, so the book is a very worthwhile read. The book and movie don't focus strictly on fast food - one thing that surprised me when I read the book. However there is enough in there to make anyone reconsider their fast-food habit. Fortunately there are far more healthful alternatives out there. I've become very reluctant to visit any fast food establishments other than Subway, and can't remember the last time I had an actual hamburger.
Another related book that you should read if you haven't already is "The Jungle" by Upton Sinclair. It's his expose of the meat-packing industry at the turn of the 20th century. This is another one that can easily turn you off of meat for a while, and it's an incredibly worthwhile read. Sinclair deviates from his intended subject over the course of this book and it becomes an endorsement of socialism and organized labor. I support unions wholeheartedly - the benefits and work-related laws we have today are a direct result of the power of collective bargaining, and this is something that anti-union folks need to remember. If you have benefits and safe working conditions, thank a union member.
As far as socialism, back in my sixth grade social studies class we learned about the different forms of economic structures of governments (capitalism, socialism and communism) and my teacher presented a theory I've never forgotten. She said that the three types of government formed a never-ending cycle that represented the evolution of government. A government may begin as a socialist society but eventually the government gains too much power and it becomes a communist dictatorship. Eventually the people rebel and demand their liberties, and the economic system transitions to a capitalist system. Then after a while too much inequality develops in a capitalist system and the class divide becomes too great - too few haves and far too many have-nots, and the have-nots demand government-sponsored benefits which they need to survive but otherwise cannot afford (sound familiar?) and a socialist structure evolves. I believe that the division between the haves and the have-nots is almost great enough that the wheel of this cycle will soon turn and the United States will develop a more socialist-oriented economic system in order to meet the needs of the masses. If you think I'm speaking treason, do yourself a favor and investigate socialism. Read Karl Marx and The Communist Manifesto - you'll be surprised by how different the reality of this document is from the propaganda we've been fed. Don't continue to blindly accept the propaganda-based lessons on communism we've all had shoved down our throats - open your minds, think, educate yourself and form your own opinions. It's hard work but it's so worth the effort.
"Usually when people are sad, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they're angry, they bring about change." - Malcolm X
Later,
AuntieM
Friday, January 11, 2008
Real women, real beauty
Tonight I cut out the fabric for a jacket I'm making. I like to sew my own clothes for a number of reasons:
1) I can get the exact style, color, etc., that I want.
2) I hate to shop.
3) The clothes I make are usually a lot better quality than what I find in stores.
4) I hate to shop.
5) I can get a tailor-made fit, instead of having to alter what I buy.
6) I hate to shop.
7) I can make most things for a fraction of their cost in stores.
And did I mention, I hate to shop? I'd rather visit the dentist than the mall. The dentist has better drugs. At the mall I am inundated by clothing that is far too small, too revealing and too young for me. Let me state for the record, I am not obese or even overweight, technically speaking - my Body Mass Index is 25, which is the upper limit of NORMAL. As such I should be able to find clothing in my size in most stores, right? HA! And while I do like a mid-rise jeans style because I am very short-waisted, I don't want to reveal everything when I bend over! And muffin tops - let's not go there, I'd much rather keep my middrift safely covered. All I want is to find clothing that is stylish but age-appropriate for a person who prefers either jeans or classic styles, readily available in my size. I don't think that's too much to ask but apparently retailers disagree. I can't count how many times I've gone into a store and asked for an item in my size, only to have a snooty clerk sneer at me and say "we don't carry THAT size here."
What is it about our society that idealizes unrealistic body types? Why does this happen? The media portrays ultra-thin models as the standard of beauty, and we lap it up because we're trained to take our cues from what the media tells us is good. We've been conditioned by a media that feeds (and feeds off of) women's collective insecurity about appearance, to compare ourselves critically with whatever image is presented as the "ideal", and then to use our resources (dollars) to try to achieve that impossible image. Makeup, hairstyles, hair colors, skin care, weight loss programs, gyms, toning programs, manicures, pedicures, waxing, laser hair removal, and of course shopping because styles change every season and we're expected to keep up! Maintining an appearance condoned by our society could be a full-time job if we let it, if we buy into the hype. My position on this is: DON'T. Don't do it for the sake of keeping up or impressing anyone. Whatever you choose to do, whatever appearance you choose to present, do it for the right reason - because it makes you happy, not because it's expected of you. Be yourself, be proud of who you are and let your individuality shine through. Self-confidence is the best appearance-enhancer of all.
On another topic completely, if you want some really good laughs, have I got a blog for you! I stumbled on this one today while surfing and knew I had to share this. Go to http://www.marmitetoasty.blogspot.com/ and get ready to laugh your ass off at some well-told stories of real life.
"It is foolish to wish for beauty. Sensible people never either desire it for themselves or care about it in others. If the mind be but well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior." - Anne Bronte
Later,
AuntieM
1) I can get the exact style, color, etc., that I want.
2) I hate to shop.
3) The clothes I make are usually a lot better quality than what I find in stores.
4) I hate to shop.
5) I can get a tailor-made fit, instead of having to alter what I buy.
6) I hate to shop.
7) I can make most things for a fraction of their cost in stores.
And did I mention, I hate to shop? I'd rather visit the dentist than the mall. The dentist has better drugs. At the mall I am inundated by clothing that is far too small, too revealing and too young for me. Let me state for the record, I am not obese or even overweight, technically speaking - my Body Mass Index is 25, which is the upper limit of NORMAL. As such I should be able to find clothing in my size in most stores, right? HA! And while I do like a mid-rise jeans style because I am very short-waisted, I don't want to reveal everything when I bend over! And muffin tops - let's not go there, I'd much rather keep my middrift safely covered. All I want is to find clothing that is stylish but age-appropriate for a person who prefers either jeans or classic styles, readily available in my size. I don't think that's too much to ask but apparently retailers disagree. I can't count how many times I've gone into a store and asked for an item in my size, only to have a snooty clerk sneer at me and say "we don't carry THAT size here."
What is it about our society that idealizes unrealistic body types? Why does this happen? The media portrays ultra-thin models as the standard of beauty, and we lap it up because we're trained to take our cues from what the media tells us is good. We've been conditioned by a media that feeds (and feeds off of) women's collective insecurity about appearance, to compare ourselves critically with whatever image is presented as the "ideal", and then to use our resources (dollars) to try to achieve that impossible image. Makeup, hairstyles, hair colors, skin care, weight loss programs, gyms, toning programs, manicures, pedicures, waxing, laser hair removal, and of course shopping because styles change every season and we're expected to keep up! Maintining an appearance condoned by our society could be a full-time job if we let it, if we buy into the hype. My position on this is: DON'T. Don't do it for the sake of keeping up or impressing anyone. Whatever you choose to do, whatever appearance you choose to present, do it for the right reason - because it makes you happy, not because it's expected of you. Be yourself, be proud of who you are and let your individuality shine through. Self-confidence is the best appearance-enhancer of all.
On another topic completely, if you want some really good laughs, have I got a blog for you! I stumbled on this one today while surfing and knew I had to share this. Go to http://www.marmitetoasty.blogspot.com/ and get ready to laugh your ass off at some well-told stories of real life.
"It is foolish to wish for beauty. Sensible people never either desire it for themselves or care about it in others. If the mind be but well cultivated, and the heart well disposed, no one ever cares for the exterior." - Anne Bronte
Later,
AuntieM
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Do you feel the winds of change?
I believe the winds of change are beginning to blow, do you feel something different in the air? A new vibe, a sense of urgency that says "we've got to do something now!" I think we're in for a period of social change that will rival the 1960's. Don't believe me? Consider the following:
In the 1960's the US was involved in an unjust war for the benefit of the military-industrial complex. Today the US is involved in an unjust, imperialistic war for the benefit of the military-industrial complex and the oil companies.
In the 1960's minorities and women protested because they were denied their civil rights. Today every American's civil rights are either gone or in serious jeopardy due to the Patriot Act.
In the 1960's Americans were taught by means of US propaganda to fear Communism and nuclear annihilation. Today Americans are taught by means of US propaganda to fear terrorism, bioweapons and weapons of mass distraction ... oops, mass destruction.
In the 1960's decisions were made to expand the war in Vietnam in order to benefit presidential cronies, regardless of how many lives were lost. Today, well, you get the idea...
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
It appears the United States is suffering from national amnesia, and history is repeating itself. Once again it appears that this nation needs a jolt of protest, of rebellion, of voices speaking in chorus to say they refuse to accept the status quo. I believe that the time for change is almost here, and it is up to every individual who believes that we can make this country a better place to do his or her part to work for change.
What kind of changes do we need? Well, that's a loaded question which I will answer in the form of the following list. Yes, I fully admit that the items below are solely my opinion and others may disagree, but that's the beauty of free speech - we all have the right to speak our minds. (Or at least we did prior to the Patriot Act.)
1) We need to end the trumped-up, imperialistic war in Iraq and bring our troops home.
2) We need to repeal the Patriot Act and restore the freedoms the founding fathers envisioned for us when they wrote the Bill of Rights.
3) We need to develop a national health plan to provide health coverage to all Americans.
4) We need to devote time, money and energy to rebuilding the lower-income areas of New Orleans, which have been pretty much neglected and forgotten by the Bush Administration.
5) We need to develop cleaner sources of energy and make tremendous reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in order to combat global warming.
6) We need to address the problem of illegal immigration by creating an amnesty for illegal immigrants with clean criminal records and gainful employment, and expedite their citizenship process. Let's face it, they're here and they're not going away, so it's best to grant them citizenship and get them on the taxpaying rolls! Besides, immigration is the primary factor which enables the US to keep its birth rate barely above replacement rates, while the birth rates of many Developed Nations have fallen well below replacement levels.
7) Social Security - we've got to figure out a way to insure that money will be available to pay the benefits that working Americans have been promised. Of course, once formerly illegal immigrants become citizens, their taxes will help to support this system.
I'm sure that about five minutes after I post this entry I'll think of more things to go on the list, but that will give me something to write about another day. At least it will be consistent with the purpose of this blog: to create an ongoing discussion on positive social change, what it is, how it can be achieved, and how we as ordinary citizens can work together to create it.
"A generation which ignores history has no past and no future." - Robert Heinlein
Later,
AuntieM
In the 1960's the US was involved in an unjust war for the benefit of the military-industrial complex. Today the US is involved in an unjust, imperialistic war for the benefit of the military-industrial complex and the oil companies.
In the 1960's minorities and women protested because they were denied their civil rights. Today every American's civil rights are either gone or in serious jeopardy due to the Patriot Act.
In the 1960's Americans were taught by means of US propaganda to fear Communism and nuclear annihilation. Today Americans are taught by means of US propaganda to fear terrorism, bioweapons and weapons of mass distraction ... oops, mass destruction.
In the 1960's decisions were made to expand the war in Vietnam in order to benefit presidential cronies, regardless of how many lives were lost. Today, well, you get the idea...
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
It appears the United States is suffering from national amnesia, and history is repeating itself. Once again it appears that this nation needs a jolt of protest, of rebellion, of voices speaking in chorus to say they refuse to accept the status quo. I believe that the time for change is almost here, and it is up to every individual who believes that we can make this country a better place to do his or her part to work for change.
What kind of changes do we need? Well, that's a loaded question which I will answer in the form of the following list. Yes, I fully admit that the items below are solely my opinion and others may disagree, but that's the beauty of free speech - we all have the right to speak our minds. (Or at least we did prior to the Patriot Act.)
1) We need to end the trumped-up, imperialistic war in Iraq and bring our troops home.
2) We need to repeal the Patriot Act and restore the freedoms the founding fathers envisioned for us when they wrote the Bill of Rights.
3) We need to develop a national health plan to provide health coverage to all Americans.
4) We need to devote time, money and energy to rebuilding the lower-income areas of New Orleans, which have been pretty much neglected and forgotten by the Bush Administration.
5) We need to develop cleaner sources of energy and make tremendous reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in order to combat global warming.
6) We need to address the problem of illegal immigration by creating an amnesty for illegal immigrants with clean criminal records and gainful employment, and expedite their citizenship process. Let's face it, they're here and they're not going away, so it's best to grant them citizenship and get them on the taxpaying rolls! Besides, immigration is the primary factor which enables the US to keep its birth rate barely above replacement rates, while the birth rates of many Developed Nations have fallen well below replacement levels.
7) Social Security - we've got to figure out a way to insure that money will be available to pay the benefits that working Americans have been promised. Of course, once formerly illegal immigrants become citizens, their taxes will help to support this system.
I'm sure that about five minutes after I post this entry I'll think of more things to go on the list, but that will give me something to write about another day. At least it will be consistent with the purpose of this blog: to create an ongoing discussion on positive social change, what it is, how it can be achieved, and how we as ordinary citizens can work together to create it.
"A generation which ignores history has no past and no future." - Robert Heinlein
Later,
AuntieM
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Oops, missed a day
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." - Douglas Adams
It was my intention to write on this blog each and every day but yesterday life caught up with me. I thought about this blog last night just before I fell asleep, but seeing as how it was already after midnight and I couldn't get a post dated 1/8/08, I saw no reason to leave a warm bed.
Be warned, life may catch up with me more frequently in a couple of weeks when classes start. I'm carrying four classes (12 hours) this semester, and hope to have a job soon as well, so I plan to be very busy. What a relief! The long holiday break has almost been more leisure than I could stand.
My best friend has had similar problems dealing with leisure time. After many months of working way too many hours, she had time off with her kids over the holidays. We both have had trouble gearing down, as if we've been in overdrive for so long that we've forgotten how to relax. Personally I've found this period of down-time to be as stressful as being overscheduled, because at least when I'm overscheduled I get a whole lot done and have a feeling of accomplishment. (As opposed to one day a couple of weeks ago, when running the vacuum was the major accomplishment of my day.)
This all makes me wonder - are we as a nation addicted to stress to the point that we don't know how to relax? For a very long time I've speculated that more kids are being diagnosed with ADHD because parents keep them busy and stimulated every waking moment and as a result these kids never learn to handle downtime. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it's possible for adults to develop an aqcuired form of ADHD from too much chronic stress and constant activity. I love to read and watch movies, and I have had trouble doing either because I just couldn't sit still and couldn't focus - I had to be doing something all the time. Does that sound like ADHD? Okay, I will admit that part of the problem with watching movies was if I wasn't doing something at the same time (sewing, Sudoku, etc.) I'd fall asleep. That never used to happen either.
When I was in elementary school I remember learning about the Protestant work ethic, which drives a large chunk of American culture. In essense the Protestant work ethic says the harder you work and the more you save, the bigger your place in heaven will be. This is one factor that has driven the US to new heights of productivity and stress-related illnesses. I was floored when I found out how paltry our vacation allotments are here in the US compared with Europe. There is an interesting discussion of time off and other benefits in various European countries included in the Michael Moore film "Sicko". If you haven't seen it then by all means do so at your earliest opportunity. I'm sure other points from the film will work their way into later installments of this blog, but for now I'll just say this film doesn't just provide food for thought, it gives a whole buffet.
Later,
AuntieM
It was my intention to write on this blog each and every day but yesterday life caught up with me. I thought about this blog last night just before I fell asleep, but seeing as how it was already after midnight and I couldn't get a post dated 1/8/08, I saw no reason to leave a warm bed.
Be warned, life may catch up with me more frequently in a couple of weeks when classes start. I'm carrying four classes (12 hours) this semester, and hope to have a job soon as well, so I plan to be very busy. What a relief! The long holiday break has almost been more leisure than I could stand.
My best friend has had similar problems dealing with leisure time. After many months of working way too many hours, she had time off with her kids over the holidays. We both have had trouble gearing down, as if we've been in overdrive for so long that we've forgotten how to relax. Personally I've found this period of down-time to be as stressful as being overscheduled, because at least when I'm overscheduled I get a whole lot done and have a feeling of accomplishment. (As opposed to one day a couple of weeks ago, when running the vacuum was the major accomplishment of my day.)
This all makes me wonder - are we as a nation addicted to stress to the point that we don't know how to relax? For a very long time I've speculated that more kids are being diagnosed with ADHD because parents keep them busy and stimulated every waking moment and as a result these kids never learn to handle downtime. Now I'm beginning to wonder if it's possible for adults to develop an aqcuired form of ADHD from too much chronic stress and constant activity. I love to read and watch movies, and I have had trouble doing either because I just couldn't sit still and couldn't focus - I had to be doing something all the time. Does that sound like ADHD? Okay, I will admit that part of the problem with watching movies was if I wasn't doing something at the same time (sewing, Sudoku, etc.) I'd fall asleep. That never used to happen either.
When I was in elementary school I remember learning about the Protestant work ethic, which drives a large chunk of American culture. In essense the Protestant work ethic says the harder you work and the more you save, the bigger your place in heaven will be. This is one factor that has driven the US to new heights of productivity and stress-related illnesses. I was floored when I found out how paltry our vacation allotments are here in the US compared with Europe. There is an interesting discussion of time off and other benefits in various European countries included in the Michael Moore film "Sicko". If you haven't seen it then by all means do so at your earliest opportunity. I'm sure other points from the film will work their way into later installments of this blog, but for now I'll just say this film doesn't just provide food for thought, it gives a whole buffet.
Later,
AuntieM
Monday, January 7, 2008
Gardisil - a huge step forward for women's health
I hope you all have heard of Gardisil, the vaccine that protects girls from the Human Papiloma Virus. It was introduced last year, and in my opinion the introduction of this vaccine should have been met with widespread celebration to acknowledge the advance they've made in women's health. Scientists and health professionals now know that HPV causes 70% of cervical cancers, and cervical cancer tends to be aggressive, fast-growing and hard to treat unless caught early. The release of Gardisil means it is now possible to give young women protection against this mostly-silent killer of women.
Was there dancing in the streets? No, there was controversy initiated by conservative Christians who were worried that this vaccine might lead to promiscuity and cause girls to have (whispered) S-E-X. Why is it that anything connected with the female reproductive system is automatically equated with promiscuity? It's the old double-standard. I'll bet if they came out with a vaccine that prevented prostate cancer it would be a whole different ball game.
Let's get a few things straight:
1. Gardisil is a vaccine, not birth control.
2. Whether or not a girl is vaccinated against HPV, she's going to have sex when she's ready and not one minute sooner or later, no matter what you say.
3. If she's vaccinated against HPV, she'll be protected against a potentially deadly disease.
4. Think that if she remains a virgin till marriage and then marries a "nice boy" she's safe? Think again. According to my doctor, the percentage of men who are infected with HPV is so high they just assume that ALL MEN HAVE IT!!! That includes "nice boys".
5. Refusing to let your daughter receive the Gardisil vaccine puts her life in jeopardy. Do you refuse to let her wear a seat belt? Same difference, only the threat is less immediate.
Please, please, please get the facts and then make sure your daughters get this livesaving vaccine! I only wish this vaccine had come out when I was young enough to get it. If I had a daughter I would make sure she received the Gardisil vaccine at the earliest opportunity. Personally I think this vaccine should be mandatory for public school attendance, just like mumps and measles vaccines used to be when I was in school. Either you're vaccinated or you can't attend school.
"In America sex is an obsession, in other parts of the world it is a fact." - Marlene Dietrich
Later,
AuntieM
Was there dancing in the streets? No, there was controversy initiated by conservative Christians who were worried that this vaccine might lead to promiscuity and cause girls to have (whispered) S-E-X. Why is it that anything connected with the female reproductive system is automatically equated with promiscuity? It's the old double-standard. I'll bet if they came out with a vaccine that prevented prostate cancer it would be a whole different ball game.
Let's get a few things straight:
1. Gardisil is a vaccine, not birth control.
2. Whether or not a girl is vaccinated against HPV, she's going to have sex when she's ready and not one minute sooner or later, no matter what you say.
3. If she's vaccinated against HPV, she'll be protected against a potentially deadly disease.
4. Think that if she remains a virgin till marriage and then marries a "nice boy" she's safe? Think again. According to my doctor, the percentage of men who are infected with HPV is so high they just assume that ALL MEN HAVE IT!!! That includes "nice boys".
5. Refusing to let your daughter receive the Gardisil vaccine puts her life in jeopardy. Do you refuse to let her wear a seat belt? Same difference, only the threat is less immediate.
Please, please, please get the facts and then make sure your daughters get this livesaving vaccine! I only wish this vaccine had come out when I was young enough to get it. If I had a daughter I would make sure she received the Gardisil vaccine at the earliest opportunity. Personally I think this vaccine should be mandatory for public school attendance, just like mumps and measles vaccines used to be when I was in school. Either you're vaccinated or you can't attend school.
"In America sex is an obsession, in other parts of the world it is a fact." - Marlene Dietrich
Later,
AuntieM
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