Ugh. So, while scrolling through headlines today I came across "Internet Takes Umbrage at Buchanan Calling Obama 'Boy.'" Ding, ding, ding ... peaked my interest. While not surprised, I was still appalled at the racial, demeaning slur.
However, don't judge a book by its cover or a news story by its racially charged spin (ratings, ratings, ratings! The media doesn't work for you, the media works for the almighty dollar).
Upon further investigation (as in, I read the article) my disgust shifted from Buchanan to Sharpton, the media and people across the country who wait at the ready to jump like rats and smear anything remotely involving Blacks and race. Smear it all across our faces like black shoe polish on a vaudeville performer.
Basically, Buchanan remarked "your boy" in the White House caved to Republicans during debt ceiling negotiations and was likely to do so again. Your boy, a slang term for someone in your favor, someone you give fanfare. Perhaps a slam at Sharpton for his own use of slang and being a Black man but not used as in the term "boy," which was a popular racial and demeaning nickname for Blacks.
Of course Sharpton says, "My what? My president Barack Obama? What did you say? He's nobody's boy. He's your president, he's my president, and that's what you have to get through your head." Although I agree not many people respect the role of president anymore, whether you are for them or against them, Sharpton (yet again!) is spinning a comment, changing the context and getting his blind followers heated over nonsense, absolute nonsense. I use the term "your boy" all the time, as do thousands of people, sarcastically and seriously. I.e. heard about your boy Albert Haynesworth passing the conditioning test. This has nothing to do with Albert being Black but with the person I am speaking with being a fan or a hater. Holla at your boy ...
Duh.
This is despicable. For all the people who are upset with Buchanan, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Is there racial discrimination in the United States? Yes and it's also despicable. However, this was not an example of racial discrimination, it was simply a comment smeared and spun so Sharpton can continue his evil empire of promoting his agenda and spreading hate by taking advantage of a taboo. Is it a coincidence Sharpton is close to securing his own show on MSNBC? I think not!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
When you've had enough of Blah Land, Depression Street ... What to do when the happiness is gone
What do you do when you've had enough? You know ... when you can't even pay attention to reruns of your favorite TV show, well ... at least the one you thought was your favorite. You don't feel like reading the News Feed on Facebook, you've lost your get-up-and-go in regards to everyday activities from cooking to shopping and traveling to work and spending time with friends ...
So and so checked in at Pickles Pub with three other people, so and so uploaded vacation pictures from a cruise, so and so humorously commented on the annoyingly hot weather ...
You sigh and realize you don't care enough to scroll down the page, you don't even care enough to log into Facebook.
Or maybe you're used to the routine and log into Facebook on autopilot or push play on a recorded episode of your favorite show, and then, a few minutes in, your apathy rears its ugly head. You're not paying attention. The humor is there, perhaps in a comment from an actor or typed by a friend on Facebook, but you don't laugh.
You don't want to turn on music, don't feel like reading ... the trailers for new movies, from the exciting "Conan the Barbarian" to the funny "Our Idiot Brother" to the frightening "Fright Night," who cares? You become Debbie Downer and think how expensive going to the movies has gotten, what a hassle it is to drive to the nicer theater a few towns over ... wah wah ...
First thought: you're depressed. Get yourself a quack asap. However, what if you're overloaded with life? Your cup has runneth over, you got too many toppings on your baked potato ...
Life is overwhelming. There are so many choices, so many people crammed on this Lonely Planet, so much b.s. filling your day. The economy is in the crapper for America as well as your wallet, politicians can't and won't compromise (which isn't shocking but still ridiculous), your job sucks but it's not like there are many jobs available (and it's not like you will ever do what you love or even know what that job would entail), gas prices are up again, it's hotter than Salma Hayek dancing on a waffle iron outside, and a robot that uses its own reasoning when presented with a task was recently unveiled which scares the crap out of me. Oh, yeah, and Bachelorette Ashely picked JP over Ben ... oh wait, who the f- cares? If that last bit of news causes you extreme emotional turmoil than I don't know how you can be helped. However, for the other bits of news, even if you're not thinking about these things it doesn't matter, they are lurking in the back of your mind.
Does anyone ever stop and think about why ... why you are mad or sad, happy or scared? You can let situations rule your roost or you can take the reins of your thoughts! Talk back to the sadness, to the anger, to the hurt and tell those thoughts to shut up (well, maybe don't do this in public). Talk yourself down when you get overwhelmed or distraught. When you are in bed worried you are embarking on another sleepless night tell the anxious thoughts there is nothing that can be solved right now, nothing that can be done. Tomorrow you will do what you can but right now it's pointless. You can wish upon a magic star to change things but it's better to work to get over the things you can't change since you could be wishing for the rest of your life.
Isn't it interesting how emotional turmoil can be more exhausting than physical turmoil? Well ... it's definitely a different kind of exhaustion and hard to compare because physical exercise can be good for you, it's a stress reliever that can help shed pounds, improve your mood, boost your energy, help you sleep and also help you be a better lover! Yeah, it sucks for the most part but the benefits are vast! Think of a workout as your antidepressant pill! Think of your sweat session as Prozac.
Although you should exercise your brain and some stress can be helpful, too much emotional turmoil can drain your body, especially with situations out of your control and situations you ignore and repress.
You need down time ... you reached overload capacity ... the "warning warning" part was days ago ... you are in Blah Land, Numb-ville, Sarcasm Way, Cynical Boulevard ...
What do you do? Do you have a go to? A good nights sleep? Maybe you're tired, overworked ... cause doesn't matter. Maybe you stay away from the people and places who cause you emotional distress. What I'm interested in is what you do.
Perhaps it's time to switch up your routine ... watch a different TV show, take a hiatus from Facebook, aka the look-at-me empire, and do something different. Do something that will elicit the opposite response of how you are feeling, i.e. if you are sad and blue, watch something hilarious, something to make you laugh.
Or perhaps it's the turmoil that makes us stronger, makes us change. It's the difficult times in our lives, the hurt, the sadness, the anger that fill us up until we almost burst, that makes us get fed up and tired of these negative emotions and want to change. Or maybe it's trying and failing to change time and time again until we finally realize we are never going to be happy all the time, never going to be totally happily-ever-after but that's OK. Stay strong!
Or maybe you never feel this way and are absolutely fabulous morning, noon and night. If that's the case, eat me.
So and so checked in at Pickles Pub with three other people, so and so uploaded vacation pictures from a cruise, so and so humorously commented on the annoyingly hot weather ...
You sigh and realize you don't care enough to scroll down the page, you don't even care enough to log into Facebook.
Or maybe you're used to the routine and log into Facebook on autopilot or push play on a recorded episode of your favorite show, and then, a few minutes in, your apathy rears its ugly head. You're not paying attention. The humor is there, perhaps in a comment from an actor or typed by a friend on Facebook, but you don't laugh.
You don't want to turn on music, don't feel like reading ... the trailers for new movies, from the exciting "Conan the Barbarian" to the funny "Our Idiot Brother" to the frightening "Fright Night," who cares? You become Debbie Downer and think how expensive going to the movies has gotten, what a hassle it is to drive to the nicer theater a few towns over ... wah wah ...
First thought: you're depressed. Get yourself a quack asap. However, what if you're overloaded with life? Your cup has runneth over, you got too many toppings on your baked potato ...
Life is overwhelming. There are so many choices, so many people crammed on this Lonely Planet, so much b.s. filling your day. The economy is in the crapper for America as well as your wallet, politicians can't and won't compromise (which isn't shocking but still ridiculous), your job sucks but it's not like there are many jobs available (and it's not like you will ever do what you love or even know what that job would entail), gas prices are up again, it's hotter than Salma Hayek dancing on a waffle iron outside, and a robot that uses its own reasoning when presented with a task was recently unveiled which scares the crap out of me. Oh, yeah, and Bachelorette Ashely picked JP over Ben ... oh wait, who the f- cares? If that last bit of news causes you extreme emotional turmoil than I don't know how you can be helped. However, for the other bits of news, even if you're not thinking about these things it doesn't matter, they are lurking in the back of your mind.
Does anyone ever stop and think about why ... why you are mad or sad, happy or scared? You can let situations rule your roost or you can take the reins of your thoughts! Talk back to the sadness, to the anger, to the hurt and tell those thoughts to shut up (well, maybe don't do this in public). Talk yourself down when you get overwhelmed or distraught. When you are in bed worried you are embarking on another sleepless night tell the anxious thoughts there is nothing that can be solved right now, nothing that can be done. Tomorrow you will do what you can but right now it's pointless. You can wish upon a magic star to change things but it's better to work to get over the things you can't change since you could be wishing for the rest of your life.
Isn't it interesting how emotional turmoil can be more exhausting than physical turmoil? Well ... it's definitely a different kind of exhaustion and hard to compare because physical exercise can be good for you, it's a stress reliever that can help shed pounds, improve your mood, boost your energy, help you sleep and also help you be a better lover! Yeah, it sucks for the most part but the benefits are vast! Think of a workout as your antidepressant pill! Think of your sweat session as Prozac.
Although you should exercise your brain and some stress can be helpful, too much emotional turmoil can drain your body, especially with situations out of your control and situations you ignore and repress.
You need down time ... you reached overload capacity ... the "warning warning" part was days ago ... you are in Blah Land, Numb-ville, Sarcasm Way, Cynical Boulevard ...
What do you do? Do you have a go to? A good nights sleep? Maybe you're tired, overworked ... cause doesn't matter. Maybe you stay away from the people and places who cause you emotional distress. What I'm interested in is what you do.
Perhaps it's time to switch up your routine ... watch a different TV show, take a hiatus from Facebook, aka the look-at-me empire, and do something different. Do something that will elicit the opposite response of how you are feeling, i.e. if you are sad and blue, watch something hilarious, something to make you laugh.
Or perhaps it's the turmoil that makes us stronger, makes us change. It's the difficult times in our lives, the hurt, the sadness, the anger that fill us up until we almost burst, that makes us get fed up and tired of these negative emotions and want to change. Or maybe it's trying and failing to change time and time again until we finally realize we are never going to be happy all the time, never going to be totally happily-ever-after but that's OK. Stay strong!
Or maybe you never feel this way and are absolutely fabulous morning, noon and night. If that's the case, eat me.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Heat wave hysteria: Yes it's hot outside but don't act so damn shocked ... stay hydrated and shut your mouth
News organizations across the U.S. can't stop reporting about the heat wave. It's heat wave hysteria!
Where I live, it's summertime and, although the living is supposed to be easy, people can't stop yapping about the unbearable heat, how uncomfortable they are, how they yearn for cooler temperatures ...
I don't have a crystal ball and I can't accurately predict the future but I can tell you this ... next summer will bring hot temperatures ... and the summer after that ... and after that and so on ... and, shocker, winter will be cold ... Can't I get a duh? Duh! Praise Mother Nature! Hallelujah!
However, every summer, when it starts to get hot day after day, on a consistent basis, people act so shocked, so caught off guard, so appalled. How dare it be hot outside! Yet, it happens every year. Why so shocked? The heat-related deaths across the U.S. are tragic but people must be proactive. Look after the elderly, the children and others who shouldn't be outside. Stay hydrated and don't overexert yourself in the heat! And, for goodness sake, be careful with God's little creatures and don't leave your pets outside, especially in hot, poorly ventilated vehicles. Use your head people!
Every summer people wish upon a star that it was winter time ... then when winter rolls around and there's a foot of snow on the ground people wish it was summer. People are never happy! Why can't we be happy and thankful the sun is shining and hasn't released a gamma ray burst to kill us all? Be thankful the flowers are growing, everything is green, fresh and so alive! The birds are singing and we are alive too!
For the people who are never happy, who think this or that will make them happy ... you will never be happy. Nothing is going to make you happy. No one is going to make you happy. The only thing/person who can make you happy is yourself! Start on the inside and work your way out!
And as for the heat ... I ain't got air conditioning in my car but it's all good. I wind my windows down, dress accordingly, drink plenty of water and deal with it because -- shocking! -- for centuries humans survived without central air! We survived without window units in our homes and Max AC blasting in our vehicles. Heck, we even survived without vehicles! Say what???
Where I live, it's summertime and, although the living is supposed to be easy, people can't stop yapping about the unbearable heat, how uncomfortable they are, how they yearn for cooler temperatures ...
I don't have a crystal ball and I can't accurately predict the future but I can tell you this ... next summer will bring hot temperatures ... and the summer after that ... and after that and so on ... and, shocker, winter will be cold ... Can't I get a duh? Duh! Praise Mother Nature! Hallelujah!
However, every summer, when it starts to get hot day after day, on a consistent basis, people act so shocked, so caught off guard, so appalled. How dare it be hot outside! Yet, it happens every year. Why so shocked? The heat-related deaths across the U.S. are tragic but people must be proactive. Look after the elderly, the children and others who shouldn't be outside. Stay hydrated and don't overexert yourself in the heat! And, for goodness sake, be careful with God's little creatures and don't leave your pets outside, especially in hot, poorly ventilated vehicles. Use your head people!
Every summer people wish upon a star that it was winter time ... then when winter rolls around and there's a foot of snow on the ground people wish it was summer. People are never happy! Why can't we be happy and thankful the sun is shining and hasn't released a gamma ray burst to kill us all? Be thankful the flowers are growing, everything is green, fresh and so alive! The birds are singing and we are alive too!
For the people who are never happy, who think this or that will make them happy ... you will never be happy. Nothing is going to make you happy. No one is going to make you happy. The only thing/person who can make you happy is yourself! Start on the inside and work your way out!
And as for the heat ... I ain't got air conditioning in my car but it's all good. I wind my windows down, dress accordingly, drink plenty of water and deal with it because -- shocking! -- for centuries humans survived without central air! We survived without window units in our homes and Max AC blasting in our vehicles. Heck, we even survived without vehicles! Say what???
Monday, July 18, 2011
The Family Leader's 14-point pledge, gay marriage, GOP presidential candidates and people who are different
So ... I read an article recently in a newspaper (yes, those still exist) that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney -- ole Mitty -- will not sign a conservative Iowa Christian group's pledge opposing gay marriage as well as many other things. This refusal makes him the first Republican presidential candidate to do so -- Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum signed The Family Leader's 14-point pledge.
The only part of the pledge the group went back on was the introduction, which stated African American children were more likely to be raised in two-parent households when they were born into slavery than they are today. After black ministers complained, the group apologized and edited out this part.
How nice of them.
A spokeswoman for Mitty released a written statement that he "strongly supports traditional marriage" but the pledge "contained references and provisions that were undignified and inappropriate for a presidential campaign." Hmm ...
Other GOP hopefuls, including former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich will not sign the pledge.
The Associated Press reporter, as well as various media outlets, believe the signing of this pledge is in hopes of votes from influential social conservatives in Iowa ...
Shocking a politician won't stand for views they believe in, views they hold true, but instead try to woo influential groups and play by their rules. Not shocking but disgusting all the same.
After reading more about the pledge, I learned it asks candidates to pledge such things as:
* Personal fidelity to his or her spouse ... OK, that would be a nice change for politicians. Keep it in your pants except for your spouse, who has access to said pants.
* Remove female soldiers from combat ... umm ... why?
* Recognize that robust childbearing and reproduction maintains America's health and security ... OK, so those female soldiers should be at home getting knocked up by the husbands they don't cheat on ... this will give America children with parents who don't want them because they didn't want children in the first place or at least weren't ready for children, as well as an even larger world population which is not a good direction for Mother Nature. If a woman wants to give up her freedom in order to protect America's freedom, more power to her. That's something Americans should support and praise instead of denounce.
* Children raised by a mother and father experience better learning, less addiction, less legal trouble and less extramarital pregnancy ... OK this is true if the parents are perfect but how can politicians support this? Create a sci-fi nightmarish society where humans must apply to have a child and show documentation of a spouse? Have helicopters fly around the U.S. peeking in windows to make sure unmarried people aren't doing the big nasty? Sometimes marriages fall apart, spouses grow apart instead of grow together and although it's hard for the child to have one parent sometimes it's better than being the child of parents in a loveless marriage, parents who fight, bicker and all around hate each other. The pledge supports fidelity to spouse but what if you hate your spouse? People fall in and out of love all the time. That's life! Also, just because someone is married doesn't mean they will make a good parent. Shitty people get married all the time.
* Fight prostitution ... I can't imagine there are many prostitutes who enjoy their profession and wouldn't mind getting out of it if they had the chance. Although, when thinking of prostitutes the first thing that comes to mind is politicians. She's not a prostitute, she's an escort.
* Fight pornography ... the only problem I have with pornography is people doing it against their will. Otherwise, this is going to be difficult to accomplish since a huge bulk of Americans enjoy a healthy dose of porn daily. Good luck with that one.
* Fight the Sharia Law ... difficult to comment on since there are many different interpretations (cough cough Christianity cough cough). Basically Muslims scholars and jurists determine God's will and moral guidance as they apply to every aspect of a Muslim's life. For Americans, Sharia Law is the new terrorism, the new Communist, the new term for political fear mongering campaigns to scare idiots into submission ... will radical Muslims infiltrate the U.S. government and establish Taliban law for America? Not so much. Don't let Muslims in the government because they will slowly brainwash us into following their strict rules! You come to America, you play by our rules. End of story.
As for this pledge: Yuck. A group created a list of everything they don't understand, i.e. everything making them uncomfortable and everything they don't care to understand. They want to use this as a weapon. Sign this and you will get votes. The group feels like a big tough guy, the bully on the playground of American politics, because they are telling everybody how it is, how they feel and what needs to be done. There's a reason people keep prejudices and biases to themselves. It's because they are stupid.
Yeah, I was raised in small town USA and didn't meet any homosexuals growing up. Later on in life I found out they were there but afraid to come out of the closet ... the closet where the prejudiced town, including their families, kept them. I didn't meet any Muslims, Jews and few Spanish/Mexican/South American/Central American, Asians, etc. In my town, it wasn't total back-country we-hate-everybody-who-is-different-and-will-commit-brutal-hate-crimes but there definitely wasn't an Equals Rights For All parade every week. It was more we-will-gossip-about-you-and-a-few-bold-people-will-say-things kind of town. A we-are-yellow-wimps-who-will-hate-you-from-afar-and-make-your-life-suck. There was enough prejudice to make people feel uncomfortable, unwanted and unwelcome, which is bad enough because emotional trauma is often worse than physical.
I get uneasy when I see two men kissing. I'll admit it. Am I proud of this? No. However, I am smart enough to know what I think and feel doesn't make it the Ultimate Truth of the Universe. Should men not be able to kiss because it makes me uncomfortable? Hell no!
The United States, as a whole, doesn't fit my small town experience. There are black and white couples, homosexuals, transgendered, Muslims and Jews, Mexicans and Asians ... isn't that what America was supposed to be about? We all came here from somewhere else in the world. We all started as immigrants unless you are Native American and I'm pretty sure I don't have a large Native American audience. Anyway, America is moving towards a future many people want to ignore. Children of mixed races are becoming the norm.
When you consider people across the world, America is the place where all sorts of folks flock. We are supposed to be this great, big melting pot of individuals with different races, religions and ideals, all coming together to live as one. What you see on the outside is not what you get on the inside. America is one big liar.
For the people who are uncomfortable with others who are different -- whether it be because they interpreted the Bible a certain way or their daddy raised them to hate -- Get. Over. It. These people aren't going away and you don't want them to because forcing someone to be a certain way is a form of torment, a torment that ends badly. You can try to pray the gay away all you want but people who are homosexual are born that way. For whatever reason, they are attracted to the same sex and that's how it is.
I've learned the hard way that when dealing with people you don't like -- whether it be family members who are jerks or people of different sexual orientations or race or religion -- you can't change them. They don't understand you as much as you don't understand them even if you preach to them until you are blue in the face. Their way of life is just as complex as your prejudice, spanning years of experiences and mental growth. So, instead of fighting a fight you will never win, get over yourself and learn to deal. I'm not saying you need to hug it out and be their new best friend ... I'm saying you need to get with the program and understand people are different and will always be different. You don't have to like it but you have to accept it and focus on living your life because there is not going to be one right answer for a country filled with millions of people of varying races, religion, sex, etc.
If two people of the same sex want to have a civil union, if they love each other and want to spend their lives together ... what's wrong with that? There is a separation between church and state and since they aren't getting married in your church, than what is the problem, besides your prejudice, besides your ignorance?
It reminds me of abortion. If I became pregnant and wasn't ready for a child (i.e. right now) I would not have an abortion because it's murder. It's killing a life, a precious human life and it's a miracle my body is able to grow a child. A miracle! However, who am I to tell someone what to do with her body? It's her choice, not mine.
The only part of the pledge the group went back on was the introduction, which stated African American children were more likely to be raised in two-parent households when they were born into slavery than they are today. After black ministers complained, the group apologized and edited out this part.
How nice of them.
A spokeswoman for Mitty released a written statement that he "strongly supports traditional marriage" but the pledge "contained references and provisions that were undignified and inappropriate for a presidential campaign." Hmm ...
Other GOP hopefuls, including former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich will not sign the pledge.
The Associated Press reporter, as well as various media outlets, believe the signing of this pledge is in hopes of votes from influential social conservatives in Iowa ...
Shocking a politician won't stand for views they believe in, views they hold true, but instead try to woo influential groups and play by their rules. Not shocking but disgusting all the same.
After reading more about the pledge, I learned it asks candidates to pledge such things as:
* Personal fidelity to his or her spouse ... OK, that would be a nice change for politicians. Keep it in your pants except for your spouse, who has access to said pants.
* Remove female soldiers from combat ... umm ... why?
* Recognize that robust childbearing and reproduction maintains America's health and security ... OK, so those female soldiers should be at home getting knocked up by the husbands they don't cheat on ... this will give America children with parents who don't want them because they didn't want children in the first place or at least weren't ready for children, as well as an even larger world population which is not a good direction for Mother Nature. If a woman wants to give up her freedom in order to protect America's freedom, more power to her. That's something Americans should support and praise instead of denounce.
* Children raised by a mother and father experience better learning, less addiction, less legal trouble and less extramarital pregnancy ... OK this is true if the parents are perfect but how can politicians support this? Create a sci-fi nightmarish society where humans must apply to have a child and show documentation of a spouse? Have helicopters fly around the U.S. peeking in windows to make sure unmarried people aren't doing the big nasty? Sometimes marriages fall apart, spouses grow apart instead of grow together and although it's hard for the child to have one parent sometimes it's better than being the child of parents in a loveless marriage, parents who fight, bicker and all around hate each other. The pledge supports fidelity to spouse but what if you hate your spouse? People fall in and out of love all the time. That's life! Also, just because someone is married doesn't mean they will make a good parent. Shitty people get married all the time.
* Fight prostitution ... I can't imagine there are many prostitutes who enjoy their profession and wouldn't mind getting out of it if they had the chance. Although, when thinking of prostitutes the first thing that comes to mind is politicians. She's not a prostitute, she's an escort.
* Fight pornography ... the only problem I have with pornography is people doing it against their will. Otherwise, this is going to be difficult to accomplish since a huge bulk of Americans enjoy a healthy dose of porn daily. Good luck with that one.
* Fight the Sharia Law ... difficult to comment on since there are many different interpretations (cough cough Christianity cough cough). Basically Muslims scholars and jurists determine God's will and moral guidance as they apply to every aspect of a Muslim's life. For Americans, Sharia Law is the new terrorism, the new Communist, the new term for political fear mongering campaigns to scare idiots into submission ... will radical Muslims infiltrate the U.S. government and establish Taliban law for America? Not so much. Don't let Muslims in the government because they will slowly brainwash us into following their strict rules! You come to America, you play by our rules. End of story.
As for this pledge: Yuck. A group created a list of everything they don't understand, i.e. everything making them uncomfortable and everything they don't care to understand. They want to use this as a weapon. Sign this and you will get votes. The group feels like a big tough guy, the bully on the playground of American politics, because they are telling everybody how it is, how they feel and what needs to be done. There's a reason people keep prejudices and biases to themselves. It's because they are stupid.
Yeah, I was raised in small town USA and didn't meet any homosexuals growing up. Later on in life I found out they were there but afraid to come out of the closet ... the closet where the prejudiced town, including their families, kept them. I didn't meet any Muslims, Jews and few Spanish/Mexican/South American/Central American, Asians, etc. In my town, it wasn't total back-country we-hate-everybody-who-is-different-and-will-commit-brutal-hate-crimes but there definitely wasn't an Equals Rights For All parade every week. It was more we-will-gossip-about-you-and-a-few-bold-people-will-say-things kind of town. A we-are-yellow-wimps-who-will-hate-you-from-afar-and-make-your-life-suck. There was enough prejudice to make people feel uncomfortable, unwanted and unwelcome, which is bad enough because emotional trauma is often worse than physical.
I get uneasy when I see two men kissing. I'll admit it. Am I proud of this? No. However, I am smart enough to know what I think and feel doesn't make it the Ultimate Truth of the Universe. Should men not be able to kiss because it makes me uncomfortable? Hell no!
The United States, as a whole, doesn't fit my small town experience. There are black and white couples, homosexuals, transgendered, Muslims and Jews, Mexicans and Asians ... isn't that what America was supposed to be about? We all came here from somewhere else in the world. We all started as immigrants unless you are Native American and I'm pretty sure I don't have a large Native American audience. Anyway, America is moving towards a future many people want to ignore. Children of mixed races are becoming the norm.
When you consider people across the world, America is the place where all sorts of folks flock. We are supposed to be this great, big melting pot of individuals with different races, religions and ideals, all coming together to live as one. What you see on the outside is not what you get on the inside. America is one big liar.
For the people who are uncomfortable with others who are different -- whether it be because they interpreted the Bible a certain way or their daddy raised them to hate -- Get. Over. It. These people aren't going away and you don't want them to because forcing someone to be a certain way is a form of torment, a torment that ends badly. You can try to pray the gay away all you want but people who are homosexual are born that way. For whatever reason, they are attracted to the same sex and that's how it is.
I've learned the hard way that when dealing with people you don't like -- whether it be family members who are jerks or people of different sexual orientations or race or religion -- you can't change them. They don't understand you as much as you don't understand them even if you preach to them until you are blue in the face. Their way of life is just as complex as your prejudice, spanning years of experiences and mental growth. So, instead of fighting a fight you will never win, get over yourself and learn to deal. I'm not saying you need to hug it out and be their new best friend ... I'm saying you need to get with the program and understand people are different and will always be different. You don't have to like it but you have to accept it and focus on living your life because there is not going to be one right answer for a country filled with millions of people of varying races, religion, sex, etc.
If two people of the same sex want to have a civil union, if they love each other and want to spend their lives together ... what's wrong with that? There is a separation between church and state and since they aren't getting married in your church, than what is the problem, besides your prejudice, besides your ignorance?
It reminds me of abortion. If I became pregnant and wasn't ready for a child (i.e. right now) I would not have an abortion because it's murder. It's killing a life, a precious human life and it's a miracle my body is able to grow a child. A miracle! However, who am I to tell someone what to do with her body? It's her choice, not mine.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Michele Bachmann, gay therapy, and judging ... pray away the gay
I don't feel sorry for Rep. Michele Bachmann -- aka Minnesota's Palin -- specifically the scrutiny she is undergoing because that's what happens to major presidential candidates. Better get those skeletons out of your closet and find a better hiding spot because the media and your enemies will pick, prod, examine and research to their hateful hearts content to try to find anything remotely questionable. Maybe you should call up Arnold Schwarzenegger cuz he sure was good at hiding them -- especially young boys!
Luckily with Michele it's been easy to find fault. When her foot's not stuck in her mouth, and even when it is, people are learning how to "pray away the gay" through her family business.
Yep, that's right. Pray. Away. The. Gay. Michele and her husband, Dr. Marcus Bachmann, run a Christian counseling center in Lake Elmo, Minn. where it has been suggested counseling prayer can help switch a person's sexual orientation ... i.e. Dear God, make me straight and forgive me for my earlier gayness. Thanks. Excuse me while I suppress my sexuality ... it's gotta be healthy, right?
This was recently reported by ABC News as a followup to a similar story in The Nation. John Becker of Truth Wins Out (a gay rights group) went undercover to the clinic.
Based on my experiences at Bachmann & Associates, there can no longer be any doubt that Marcus Bachmann’s state- and federally-funded clinic endorses and practices reparative therapy aimed at changing a gay person’s sexual orientation, despite the fact that such "therapy" is widely discredited by the scientific and medical communities.
Further allegations come from Andrew Ramirez, who, at age 17, was sent to the clinic by his parents. He was told by a counselor to "pray the gay away" and that if he read the Bible he would "no longer be gay."
Of course Dr. Marcus (aka Dr. Nick Riviera -- Hi everybody! Hi Dr. Nick!) denied these allegations when previously asked ... however, he has remarked gay people are "barbarians" who need education and discipline. Hmm ... barbarians, huh? I don't think that word means what you think it means Marcus.
Michele is refusing to comment, except for by stating how proud she is of the clinic because of her, and her husbands, ability to "create jobs." Hmm ... separation of church and state comes to mind ...
Too bad that's not all she's had to say on the issue in the past. According to the Miami Herald:
She and her staff over the years have requested police protection or investigations when her house was egged; when protesters threw glitter on her or held up critical signs; when her campaign yard signs were stolen; when a man wrote an e-mail perceived as a threat; and when she screamed that two women were holding her hostage "against my will" in a city hall restroom.
So you bitch and moan about harassment but won't comment on the reason behind the harassment? Hmm ...
In 2009, the American Psychological Association denounced the sort of pray-away-the-gay therapy as ineffective and potentially harmful to patients. But, the Bachmann's will take state and federal funding and do as they please ... am I right or am I right?
So many things to be angry about but I will stick with the biggest one for me. This is another example for the religious right winged nuts to further love and support Bachmann and for the religious fence-sitters all the way down to atheists to further hate religion. Bachmann and her hubby skimmed the Bible, reading only the parts they wanted to read, reading only the parts that back up their ridiculous thinking, because it states the greatest commandments are to love God and love thy neighbor, there are no other commandments greater than these. Forcing someone who is gay to become straight doesn't resemble love. Being anti-gay doesn't resemble love.
Also, there's a part, a heavily quoted part, in the Bible stating judge not lest ye be judged. So, with that in mind, since Michele is doing a heck of a lot of judging and wants to get all religious all over America's face, why doesn't the world follow suit and judge her! And just so you know ... Dr. Marcus describes himself as Michele's "strategist." Lovely.
Luckily with Michele it's been easy to find fault. When her foot's not stuck in her mouth, and even when it is, people are learning how to "pray away the gay" through her family business.
Yep, that's right. Pray. Away. The. Gay. Michele and her husband, Dr. Marcus Bachmann, run a Christian counseling center in Lake Elmo, Minn. where it has been suggested counseling prayer can help switch a person's sexual orientation ... i.e. Dear God, make me straight and forgive me for my earlier gayness. Thanks. Excuse me while I suppress my sexuality ... it's gotta be healthy, right?
This was recently reported by ABC News as a followup to a similar story in The Nation. John Becker of Truth Wins Out (a gay rights group) went undercover to the clinic.
Based on my experiences at Bachmann & Associates, there can no longer be any doubt that Marcus Bachmann’s state- and federally-funded clinic endorses and practices reparative therapy aimed at changing a gay person’s sexual orientation, despite the fact that such "therapy" is widely discredited by the scientific and medical communities.
Further allegations come from Andrew Ramirez, who, at age 17, was sent to the clinic by his parents. He was told by a counselor to "pray the gay away" and that if he read the Bible he would "no longer be gay."
Of course Dr. Marcus (aka Dr. Nick Riviera -- Hi everybody! Hi Dr. Nick!) denied these allegations when previously asked ... however, he has remarked gay people are "barbarians" who need education and discipline. Hmm ... barbarians, huh? I don't think that word means what you think it means Marcus.
Michele is refusing to comment, except for by stating how proud she is of the clinic because of her, and her husbands, ability to "create jobs." Hmm ... separation of church and state comes to mind ...
Too bad that's not all she's had to say on the issue in the past. According to the Miami Herald:
She and her staff over the years have requested police protection or investigations when her house was egged; when protesters threw glitter on her or held up critical signs; when her campaign yard signs were stolen; when a man wrote an e-mail perceived as a threat; and when she screamed that two women were holding her hostage "against my will" in a city hall restroom.
So you bitch and moan about harassment but won't comment on the reason behind the harassment? Hmm ...
In 2009, the American Psychological Association denounced the sort of pray-away-the-gay therapy as ineffective and potentially harmful to patients. But, the Bachmann's will take state and federal funding and do as they please ... am I right or am I right?
So many things to be angry about but I will stick with the biggest one for me. This is another example for the religious right winged nuts to further love and support Bachmann and for the religious fence-sitters all the way down to atheists to further hate religion. Bachmann and her hubby skimmed the Bible, reading only the parts they wanted to read, reading only the parts that back up their ridiculous thinking, because it states the greatest commandments are to love God and love thy neighbor, there are no other commandments greater than these. Forcing someone who is gay to become straight doesn't resemble love. Being anti-gay doesn't resemble love.
Also, there's a part, a heavily quoted part, in the Bible stating judge not lest ye be judged. So, with that in mind, since Michele is doing a heck of a lot of judging and wants to get all religious all over America's face, why doesn't the world follow suit and judge her! And just so you know ... Dr. Marcus describes himself as Michele's "strategist." Lovely.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Hines Ward, Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin and not admitting you were wrong
We all make mistakes. Big and small. No one is perfect.
You gotta fall down on your face and get embarrassed so you can get up, dust yourself off and grow. Mature. Become a better person ... hopefully.
So ... what's the deal with people not admitting when they're wrong?
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. told Fox News, on the eve of her official presidential campaign announcement, she has the spirit of John Wayne.
Well, what I want them to know is just like John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa. That's the kind of spirit that I have, too.
In an edition of Newsmax magazine, Bachmann said:
We're seeing the nation move into decline. I'm not willing to do that. I'm not satisfied. I grew up with John Wayne’s America. I was proud that you grew up in John Wayne’s America: Proud to be an American, thrilled to be a patriot.
Oops! The John Wayne from Waterloo, Iowa ain't the masculine American icon you wish you were close to emulating ... the one associated with Waterloo is John Wayne Gacy, a serial killer who was executed by lethal injection in 1994 after being convicted of 33 murders. Aka The Killer Clown.
So, she screwed up. Admit it and move on. Instead of this, Bachmann's people tried to fix it by doing some digging and finding out the parents of John Wayne (the actor -- aka not the killer clown) lived in Waterloo for a little while.
However, this ain't Bachmann's first trip to the rodeo of lies.
ABC's George Stephanopoulos recently called her out for her comment that the Founding Fathers who wrote the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence worked tirelessly to end slavery -- which, as Georgie Boy pointed out, just ain't true. Instead of admitting she misspoke, Bachmann (surprise surprise) danced around her comment and bullshitted.
Fact-checking website PolitiFact analyzed 23 of Bachmann's biggest statements and found just one to be "completely true." But, of course, when asked about this Bachmann states she "hasn't misled people at all."
Smells like Sarah Palin and Paul Revere doesn't it?
Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward (also known for his successful stint as Happy Feet on "Dancing With The Stars") was recently arrested and charged with driving under the influence after the Superbowl MVP was booked in a DeKalb County Jail in Decatur, La. at 3:41 a.m.
Nothing good happens after midnight, as my mother says.
Atlanta lawyer Andrew Ree issued a statement saying that Ward cooperated fully with police and truthfully answered their questions.
OK ... well that's good, right? Too bad that's not all Ree said ...
From our preliminary investigation we can tell you that we are confident that the facts will show that Hines was not impaired by alcohol while driving. However, Hines is deeply saddened by this incident and apologizes to his fans and the Steelers organization for this distraction.
So, the DeKalb County police department can't do their jobs? Why was he charged if he wasn't impaired? Why can't people just admit when they fucked up?
Take former Rep. Anthony Weiner. If he only would have admitted, in the beginning, yeah, I fucked up. I'm into pervy weird shit. I'm sorry. OK, I would be OK with that but it's the people like Weiner, like Bachmann, Palin, Ward, who feel we are so stupid that they can lie and get away with it ... the truth always comes out so just be a man (or woman) and admit you messed up. Admit you were wrong.
The moral of the story is overall we are a forgiving society. Yes, we love scandal and to judge but, generally, we forgive people who do stupid and bad things. We have short memories ... we laugh at you for maybe a week and then move on to someone else. If you lie ... we dig, we snoop, Leno makes tasteless jokes and we judge and obsess and your story grows like Weiner's schlong. Your dog and pony show makes your mistake even bigger and you look even stupider.
Don't insult my intelligence when you are the one who did/said something stupid.
You gotta fall down on your face and get embarrassed so you can get up, dust yourself off and grow. Mature. Become a better person ... hopefully.
So ... what's the deal with people not admitting when they're wrong?
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. told Fox News, on the eve of her official presidential campaign announcement, she has the spirit of John Wayne.
Well, what I want them to know is just like John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa. That's the kind of spirit that I have, too.
In an edition of Newsmax magazine, Bachmann said:
We're seeing the nation move into decline. I'm not willing to do that. I'm not satisfied. I grew up with John Wayne’s America. I was proud that you grew up in John Wayne’s America: Proud to be an American, thrilled to be a patriot.
Oops! The John Wayne from Waterloo, Iowa ain't the masculine American icon you wish you were close to emulating ... the one associated with Waterloo is John Wayne Gacy, a serial killer who was executed by lethal injection in 1994 after being convicted of 33 murders. Aka The Killer Clown.
So, she screwed up. Admit it and move on. Instead of this, Bachmann's people tried to fix it by doing some digging and finding out the parents of John Wayne (the actor -- aka not the killer clown) lived in Waterloo for a little while.
However, this ain't Bachmann's first trip to the rodeo of lies.
ABC's George Stephanopoulos recently called her out for her comment that the Founding Fathers who wrote the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence worked tirelessly to end slavery -- which, as Georgie Boy pointed out, just ain't true. Instead of admitting she misspoke, Bachmann (surprise surprise) danced around her comment and bullshitted.
Fact-checking website PolitiFact analyzed 23 of Bachmann's biggest statements and found just one to be "completely true." But, of course, when asked about this Bachmann states she "hasn't misled people at all."
Smells like Sarah Palin and Paul Revere doesn't it?
Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward (also known for his successful stint as Happy Feet on "Dancing With The Stars") was recently arrested and charged with driving under the influence after the Superbowl MVP was booked in a DeKalb County Jail in Decatur, La. at 3:41 a.m.
Nothing good happens after midnight, as my mother says.
Atlanta lawyer Andrew Ree issued a statement saying that Ward cooperated fully with police and truthfully answered their questions.
OK ... well that's good, right? Too bad that's not all Ree said ...
From our preliminary investigation we can tell you that we are confident that the facts will show that Hines was not impaired by alcohol while driving. However, Hines is deeply saddened by this incident and apologizes to his fans and the Steelers organization for this distraction.
So, the DeKalb County police department can't do their jobs? Why was he charged if he wasn't impaired? Why can't people just admit when they fucked up?
Take former Rep. Anthony Weiner. If he only would have admitted, in the beginning, yeah, I fucked up. I'm into pervy weird shit. I'm sorry. OK, I would be OK with that but it's the people like Weiner, like Bachmann, Palin, Ward, who feel we are so stupid that they can lie and get away with it ... the truth always comes out so just be a man (or woman) and admit you messed up. Admit you were wrong.
The moral of the story is overall we are a forgiving society. Yes, we love scandal and to judge but, generally, we forgive people who do stupid and bad things. We have short memories ... we laugh at you for maybe a week and then move on to someone else. If you lie ... we dig, we snoop, Leno makes tasteless jokes and we judge and obsess and your story grows like Weiner's schlong. Your dog and pony show makes your mistake even bigger and you look even stupider.
Don't insult my intelligence when you are the one who did/said something stupid.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Harry Potter, Deathly Hallows, JK Rowling, Excessive Ram-Down-Your-Throat Overkill
So ... I have acquaintances who are self-proclaimed Harry Potter fans, as in they read the books, watched the movies, loved everything -- from the obsessed to the everyday run-of-the-mill fan. With the upcoming July 15, 2011 release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2," I got to thinking ... what's my problem?
I hear the books are great. Better than great! I hear I'd enjoy them. I hear the movies are great, especially for someone who typically doesn't enjoy film adaptations of books. Nonetheless, I hear I'd enjoy them.
However, it's the overkill. The mass hysteria. The "it's the best-book-you-will-ever-read-and-it-changed-my-life" bullshit that turns me off. It's not you Harry Potter, it's me.
It's happened before and it will happen again. American Idol, Glee, One Tree Hill, Oprah Book Club, The Bachelor, True Blood, Weeds, Twilight, Kindle, iPad, SmartPhone, ... the Trending Now on Yahoo.com. Harry Potter! Yeah, you can tell me I would like it, you can explain in detail why I would enjoy the movie, book or whatever but this, along with encouragement from others and the media, is a turn-off.
Yeah, I started watching True Blood and Weeds and am in love. They are good shows I enjoy. Yeah, I read Twilight and am a big fan. If you took it away from me ... said I could never watch or read these things again ... I'd be sad but would know I am gonna live another day. Keep on keepin' on and I will survive!
I don't know what it is but when stuff is shoved down my throat -- whether it be on TV, the Internet or by word-of-mouth -- I am turned off. It doesn't make me want to run out and read it or watch it or whatever.
Is it because it belies expectations? You rant and rave how amazing something is and I think, wow ... this can't be as great as you say it will be. Nothing is amazing (maybe because I'm so cynical!) Everyone is different and could enjoy something exactly the same -- i.e. True Blood -- but for entirely different reasons because of life experiences, etc.
Or is it because people are stupid and typically enjoy mindless entertainment? Run with the masses and enjoy what they want you to enjoy you little rats, you little rats in cages.
I hear the books are great. Better than great! I hear I'd enjoy them. I hear the movies are great, especially for someone who typically doesn't enjoy film adaptations of books. Nonetheless, I hear I'd enjoy them.
However, it's the overkill. The mass hysteria. The "it's the best-book-you-will-ever-read-and-it-changed-my-life" bullshit that turns me off. It's not you Harry Potter, it's me.
It's happened before and it will happen again. American Idol, Glee, One Tree Hill, Oprah Book Club, The Bachelor, True Blood, Weeds, Twilight, Kindle, iPad, SmartPhone, ... the Trending Now on Yahoo.com. Harry Potter! Yeah, you can tell me I would like it, you can explain in detail why I would enjoy the movie, book or whatever but this, along with encouragement from others and the media, is a turn-off.
Yeah, I started watching True Blood and Weeds and am in love. They are good shows I enjoy. Yeah, I read Twilight and am a big fan. If you took it away from me ... said I could never watch or read these things again ... I'd be sad but would know I am gonna live another day. Keep on keepin' on and I will survive!
I don't know what it is but when stuff is shoved down my throat -- whether it be on TV, the Internet or by word-of-mouth -- I am turned off. It doesn't make me want to run out and read it or watch it or whatever.
Is it because it belies expectations? You rant and rave how amazing something is and I think, wow ... this can't be as great as you say it will be. Nothing is amazing (maybe because I'm so cynical!) Everyone is different and could enjoy something exactly the same -- i.e. True Blood -- but for entirely different reasons because of life experiences, etc.
Or is it because people are stupid and typically enjoy mindless entertainment? Run with the masses and enjoy what they want you to enjoy you little rats, you little rats in cages.
Monday, July 4, 2011
What does the Fourth of July mean to you? More than fireworks and barbecues? Is Independence Day more than a day of independence from work and an excuse to party??
For all Americans out in the great wide yonder, when it comes to the Fourth of July -- Independence Day -- what comes to mind? This isn't a quiz, your answers won't be shared on news stations or in the newspaper. They won't even be shared with your friends, loved ones or coworkers. It's you and me baby so drop the act. What does July 4 honestly mean to you.
Not as in ... lemme have a minute to gather my thoughts and prepare an answer. I mean how do you celebrate, what thoughts go through your mind during the weekend festivities.
The 1996 hit movie starring Will Smith and lovely one-liners by Randy Quaid like "All right, you alien assholes! In the words of my generation -- up yours!" Fireworks. Parties and barbecues. Beer, booze and baseball. Family reunions. Swimming pools, parades and carnivals. At least one day off from work and the chance to get off from more work than that anyway since a holiday slows down work productivity a few days in advance. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest -- the record is 68. Overeating, how American. Barf-o-rama.
Slowly a sound started to build in Lardass' stomach. A strange and scary sound, like a log truck coming at you at a 100 miles-an-hour. Suddenly, Lardass opened his mouth, and before Bill Travis knew it ...
Maybe throw in an American flag and some patriotic music. Politicians will show the voting public just how American they are by hosting speeches or, as with President Barack Obama, hosting members of the military and their families at the White House.
With common knowledge of history, you know Independence Day in the United States celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 (well ... let's hope you know this). Americans celebrate independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
In a letter to his wife, John Adams wrote:
"I am apt to believe that (Independence Day) will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
Although we still do most of these things, it's become more about the celebration and less about the reason for celebration -- also see Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day. We are the home of the free because of the brave but to celebrate the birth of America, and those who give (and have given) up so much to protect us, we become single-minded. We become jaded. We are detached. How can we understand what it is to be American when there are so many different types of Americans, such a melting pot? America is the dumping ground of the world. America is the worlds leftovers.
It's not as simple as trying to remember why we are celebrating, it's not as simple as that because, yeah, you could spend the entire day watching the History Channel and shows such as "How the States Got Their Shapes" or TCM's lineup of "1776" and "America, America," but it's hard to empathize. We are so far removed from the American Revolution, from the days of "Don't Tread on Me." We have wars going on but don't know what's happening, don't know what we are fighting for because we are fighting the wars of others.
It's hard to understand how free we are in the United States in comparison to other countries because we don't live there, we don't know what it's like to be without freedom. We are too busy being annoyed, being outraged with raising gas and food prices, red and blue politics, and other bullshit.
So, instead, be grateful you are alive. Be grateful for what you have, even if you don't think you are happy, even if you don't think it's good enough. Even if you want to be somewhere else or with someone else. Be grateful to just be, whatever that means.
Not as in ... lemme have a minute to gather my thoughts and prepare an answer. I mean how do you celebrate, what thoughts go through your mind during the weekend festivities.
The 1996 hit movie starring Will Smith and lovely one-liners by Randy Quaid like "All right, you alien assholes! In the words of my generation -- up yours!" Fireworks. Parties and barbecues. Beer, booze and baseball. Family reunions. Swimming pools, parades and carnivals. At least one day off from work and the chance to get off from more work than that anyway since a holiday slows down work productivity a few days in advance. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest -- the record is 68. Overeating, how American. Barf-o-rama.
Slowly a sound started to build in Lardass' stomach. A strange and scary sound, like a log truck coming at you at a 100 miles-an-hour. Suddenly, Lardass opened his mouth, and before Bill Travis knew it ...
Maybe throw in an American flag and some patriotic music. Politicians will show the voting public just how American they are by hosting speeches or, as with President Barack Obama, hosting members of the military and their families at the White House.
With common knowledge of history, you know Independence Day in the United States celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 (well ... let's hope you know this). Americans celebrate independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
In a letter to his wife, John Adams wrote:
"I am apt to believe that (Independence Day) will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."
Although we still do most of these things, it's become more about the celebration and less about the reason for celebration -- also see Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day. We are the home of the free because of the brave but to celebrate the birth of America, and those who give (and have given) up so much to protect us, we become single-minded. We become jaded. We are detached. How can we understand what it is to be American when there are so many different types of Americans, such a melting pot? America is the dumping ground of the world. America is the worlds leftovers.
It's not as simple as trying to remember why we are celebrating, it's not as simple as that because, yeah, you could spend the entire day watching the History Channel and shows such as "How the States Got Their Shapes" or TCM's lineup of "1776" and "America, America," but it's hard to empathize. We are so far removed from the American Revolution, from the days of "Don't Tread on Me." We have wars going on but don't know what's happening, don't know what we are fighting for because we are fighting the wars of others.
It's hard to understand how free we are in the United States in comparison to other countries because we don't live there, we don't know what it's like to be without freedom. We are too busy being annoyed, being outraged with raising gas and food prices, red and blue politics, and other bullshit.
So, instead, be grateful you are alive. Be grateful for what you have, even if you don't think you are happy, even if you don't think it's good enough. Even if you want to be somewhere else or with someone else. Be grateful to just be, whatever that means.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Ubiquitous Casey Anthony trial ... everywhere but why? What is the fascination with Casey Anthony, Caylee, chloroform, Cindy Anthony ... and why do we care?
I don't watch much TV other than a few recorded shows so I can be distracted and live vicariously through Ziva David in "NCIS" and Alicia Florrick in "The Good Wife." With my shows -- as I refer to them -- I fast-forward through commercials to get to the good stuff.
I occasionally dine at Google News, where I am fed excerpts of the important drama of the day in helpings of U.S., World, Health, Entertainment, Sports and the stuff I could care less about, i.e. Business and Sci/Tech. I am purposely asleep at the media wheel because it's all too much for me to take and feels like my brain is near explosion.
Danger Will Robinson, danger!
However, over the past week or so I noticed while surfing Google News the overabundance of articles referring to Casey Anthony. I understand her murder trial was underway but I don't click to read more because I don't care to know until the end, when the verdict is given. It's a lot of he said, she said baloney and, although I am saddened by the death of sweet little innocent Caylee, I don't need to read daily about the trial. It's not like there's anything I can do to change the outcome (smells like Amanda Knox, doesn't it?).
But the media swarms and panders to the stupid and tells us who to care about. Casey Anthony is everywhere and will never go away considering the recent news of a not guilty verdict. Can you say tell-all-book-and-reality-TV-show?
At the gym working out on a treadmill, I glanced up from my book and noticed on each TV screen, with a news station tuned in, there Casey was in court. Ah, lovely, the trial was live on TV. A newscaster discusses her day in court, followed by another show being advertised for later that night to discuss what's going on behind the scenes. Did her mother's testimony harm her? Why did the court recess today? What's the deal pickles, is everything Kosher?
The public had access to live updates, live video from the trial ... we could discuss our take in chatrooms online, blah blah blah ... Talk amongst yourselves.
Do people have such shitty lives that they need Casey's Circus as a distraction or is the media creating its own monster. Giving us story after story online and on TV so we become addicted, obsessed. Mastering headlines with bombshells and surprise witnesses so we become interested and then, hook line and sinker, we are a fish dinner fresh from the ocean for the powers that be. What's trending now? Oh, it's Casey Anthony ... well then let's feed the masses! Tempting us so we can be fed more later with an autobiography telling Casey's side of the story, a television series showing us what Casey will do now with her life -- The Next Chapter: Casey Anthony Starts Over.
Oh yeah little baby,
She want more,
More, more, more, more, more!
Or, perhaps, with all the bummer news dude -- i.e. the debt crisis, problems in Libya and Syria, the fire in New Mexico skirting around a nuclear lab, etc. -- people want to read something meaningless, something they can grasp. I don't have any answers on how to fix the economy or world affairs because it's over my head, and honestly it's all very frightening to ponder, so I will play the role of Jane Doe Americana and pretend this doesn't matter (la, la, la, la, I can't hear you!) and instead focus my attention and judgement on Casey Anthony, Lindsay Lohan, Snooki and whether Jennifer Aniston will ever find a man. Will she ever find love? Easy topics I can comment on and discuss.
Did you see the people protesting outside the courthouse? Each day of the trial there were 50 tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for anyone wanting a sneak peak. Dozens of people from across the country (possibly world) lined up daily for this ... Step right up! Get your Casey Anthony tickets!
Sorry boss, can't come to work today, gonna protest the Casey Anthony trial. Oh wait ... these people probably don't have jobs. They are contributing by doing their American duty by protesting this filth.
After the not guilty verdict, the protestors went mad, chanting and yelling about no justice for Caylee, about Casey being a monster (while the TV cameras were rolling .... hmm 15 minutes anyone?) all while Nancy Grace went on national television and did what she does best, self-righteously bitch and moan about Casey, about the legal system, and about how she's "standing up for what she believes in" by being so involved in this case.
Excuse me while I lose myself in another episode of "The View" and important topics such as sex, trust in marriage and menopause.
Is all this Casey Anthony mania because of Florida's Sunshine Law, which provides the media and public with access to Anthony's letters from jail as well as video footage, evidence, depositions and interviews?
Reports allege that Anthony wrote this in a letter from jail:
"I've told you about all the mail I've gotten. I'm up to the thousands with positive letters and cards. Low 20's for the negative. Good stuff. Well...there are a couple of fellas who have either become infatuated with the celebrity or with the fair damesll ... in distress. One is more hooked than the other...Is this what "celebrities" have to deal with? Yikes! It is sweet in a strange sort of way..."
Cult celebrity status.
I understand she's a good looking (well besides her Michael Phelps ears and mousey face) white chick with a dysfunctional family who is known for partying (at least that's what the media fed us with picture after picture of her cheaply clad out at da club). She allegedly murdered her daughter and dumped her body. She pleaded not guilty but offered up a melting pot of lies since her daughter's body was found in 2008, including being molested by her father and brother.
Did she do it? Did she smother her child with duct tape and possibly use chloroform? Did Caylee drown in a pool? Even though Casey was found not guilty, it's not like anybody will want to be her friend again or date her (well, except for the odd folks mentioned in her letter). Who wants to date the white O.J. Simpson? Nobody! Oh wait, speaking of O.J. ... since I'm white and she's the white O.J., should I drop what I'm doing, run out into the streets and scream? Maybe shoot off a few rounds into the clear blue sky? Another point for the white folk!
Since she's not guilty, then who the hell killed that poor girl? Will we ever know?
Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
Casey stole the cookie from the cookie jar!
Who, me?
Yes you!
Couldn't be!
Then who?
People want to know who dun it but to this extent of obsession? And if you are obsessed ... why? What aspect of your life are you trying to ignore? Or is it because the media told you who to be obsessed about?
The story will die down and move on with Casey's second chance at life instead of Caylee and finding her killer. You want to know who dun it when it's spread across the media and you have somewhere to point your finger. Even though a jury of her peers found her not guilty, Casey Anthony was found guilty months and months ago by the jury of her peers that is the world stage. How disgusting.
Want more justice America? Well you are in luck! The media is already moving on to accused serial killer Anthony Sowell and will provide up-to-the-minute coverage of his trial. Just what America needs!
How are we going to raise children in this environment of instant access gratification? The unfettered access to information. How are we going to raise children in an environment where we are obsessed with people like Casey Anthony instead of what really matters and is important in the world?
I occasionally dine at Google News, where I am fed excerpts of the important drama of the day in helpings of U.S., World, Health, Entertainment, Sports and the stuff I could care less about, i.e. Business and Sci/Tech. I am purposely asleep at the media wheel because it's all too much for me to take and feels like my brain is near explosion.
Danger Will Robinson, danger!
However, over the past week or so I noticed while surfing Google News the overabundance of articles referring to Casey Anthony. I understand her murder trial was underway but I don't click to read more because I don't care to know until the end, when the verdict is given. It's a lot of he said, she said baloney and, although I am saddened by the death of sweet little innocent Caylee, I don't need to read daily about the trial. It's not like there's anything I can do to change the outcome (smells like Amanda Knox, doesn't it?).
But the media swarms and panders to the stupid and tells us who to care about. Casey Anthony is everywhere and will never go away considering the recent news of a not guilty verdict. Can you say tell-all-book-and-reality-TV-show?
At the gym working out on a treadmill, I glanced up from my book and noticed on each TV screen, with a news station tuned in, there Casey was in court. Ah, lovely, the trial was live on TV. A newscaster discusses her day in court, followed by another show being advertised for later that night to discuss what's going on behind the scenes. Did her mother's testimony harm her? Why did the court recess today? What's the deal pickles, is everything Kosher?
The public had access to live updates, live video from the trial ... we could discuss our take in chatrooms online, blah blah blah ... Talk amongst yourselves.
Do people have such shitty lives that they need Casey's Circus as a distraction or is the media creating its own monster. Giving us story after story online and on TV so we become addicted, obsessed. Mastering headlines with bombshells and surprise witnesses so we become interested and then, hook line and sinker, we are a fish dinner fresh from the ocean for the powers that be. What's trending now? Oh, it's Casey Anthony ... well then let's feed the masses! Tempting us so we can be fed more later with an autobiography telling Casey's side of the story, a television series showing us what Casey will do now with her life -- The Next Chapter: Casey Anthony Starts Over.
Oh yeah little baby,
She want more,
More, more, more, more, more!
Or, perhaps, with all the bummer news dude -- i.e. the debt crisis, problems in Libya and Syria, the fire in New Mexico skirting around a nuclear lab, etc. -- people want to read something meaningless, something they can grasp. I don't have any answers on how to fix the economy or world affairs because it's over my head, and honestly it's all very frightening to ponder, so I will play the role of Jane Doe Americana and pretend this doesn't matter (la, la, la, la, I can't hear you!) and instead focus my attention and judgement on Casey Anthony, Lindsay Lohan, Snooki and whether Jennifer Aniston will ever find a man. Will she ever find love? Easy topics I can comment on and discuss.
Did you see the people protesting outside the courthouse? Each day of the trial there were 50 tickets distributed on a first-come, first-served basis for anyone wanting a sneak peak. Dozens of people from across the country (possibly world) lined up daily for this ... Step right up! Get your Casey Anthony tickets!
Sorry boss, can't come to work today, gonna protest the Casey Anthony trial. Oh wait ... these people probably don't have jobs. They are contributing by doing their American duty by protesting this filth.
After the not guilty verdict, the protestors went mad, chanting and yelling about no justice for Caylee, about Casey being a monster (while the TV cameras were rolling .... hmm 15 minutes anyone?) all while Nancy Grace went on national television and did what she does best, self-righteously bitch and moan about Casey, about the legal system, and about how she's "standing up for what she believes in" by being so involved in this case.
Excuse me while I lose myself in another episode of "The View" and important topics such as sex, trust in marriage and menopause.
Is all this Casey Anthony mania because of Florida's Sunshine Law, which provides the media and public with access to Anthony's letters from jail as well as video footage, evidence, depositions and interviews?
Reports allege that Anthony wrote this in a letter from jail:
"I've told you about all the mail I've gotten. I'm up to the thousands with positive letters and cards. Low 20's for the negative. Good stuff. Well...there are a couple of fellas who have either become infatuated with the celebrity or with the fair damesll ... in distress. One is more hooked than the other...Is this what "celebrities" have to deal with? Yikes! It is sweet in a strange sort of way..."
Cult celebrity status.
I understand she's a good looking (well besides her Michael Phelps ears and mousey face) white chick with a dysfunctional family who is known for partying (at least that's what the media fed us with picture after picture of her cheaply clad out at da club). She allegedly murdered her daughter and dumped her body. She pleaded not guilty but offered up a melting pot of lies since her daughter's body was found in 2008, including being molested by her father and brother.
Did she do it? Did she smother her child with duct tape and possibly use chloroform? Did Caylee drown in a pool? Even though Casey was found not guilty, it's not like anybody will want to be her friend again or date her (well, except for the odd folks mentioned in her letter). Who wants to date the white O.J. Simpson? Nobody! Oh wait, speaking of O.J. ... since I'm white and she's the white O.J., should I drop what I'm doing, run out into the streets and scream? Maybe shoot off a few rounds into the clear blue sky? Another point for the white folk!
Since she's not guilty, then who the hell killed that poor girl? Will we ever know?
Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?
Casey stole the cookie from the cookie jar!
Who, me?
Yes you!
Couldn't be!
Then who?
People want to know who dun it but to this extent of obsession? And if you are obsessed ... why? What aspect of your life are you trying to ignore? Or is it because the media told you who to be obsessed about?
The story will die down and move on with Casey's second chance at life instead of Caylee and finding her killer. You want to know who dun it when it's spread across the media and you have somewhere to point your finger. Even though a jury of her peers found her not guilty, Casey Anthony was found guilty months and months ago by the jury of her peers that is the world stage. How disgusting.
Want more justice America? Well you are in luck! The media is already moving on to accused serial killer Anthony Sowell and will provide up-to-the-minute coverage of his trial. Just what America needs!
How are we going to raise children in this environment of instant access gratification? The unfettered access to information. How are we going to raise children in an environment where we are obsessed with people like Casey Anthony instead of what really matters and is important in the world?
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sarah Palin followers attempt to rewrite history - Be afraid, be very afraid for the future and truth
This story was shared with me last night and, although it's appalling, I am not surprised. However, I am fearful. Sarah "Barracuda" Palin and her cronies are not only ridiculous (which I attributed to stupidity) but also manipulative and crazy.
Ancient news I know but bear with me.
Let me set the scene ... we've all heard or read about Sarah Palin's confusion over Paul Revere and whose side he was on: The British or America.
"He who warned uh, the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms, uh by ringing those bells, and um, makin' sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed."
Ancient news I know but bear with me.
Let me set the scene ... we've all heard or read about Sarah Palin's confusion over Paul Revere and whose side he was on: The British or America.
"He who warned uh, the British that they weren't gonna be takin' away our arms, uh by ringing those bells, and um, makin' sure as he's riding his horse through town to send those warning shots and bells that we were going to be sure and we were going to be free, and we were going to be armed."
Way to get in your pro-gun support but, honey, Paul Revere warned Americans the British were coming (although, not by shouting but reporting secretly). However, for Americans "The British Are Coming" is the most common knowledge of Revere. The American Revolution wasn't about gun rights but freedom and there weren't any ringing of bells.
I thought Palin, aka the Drilla' From Wasilla, was all about taking America back but since she doesn't know where America has been I think America is OK where it is, thanks. I don't want to go back in time a la Marty McFly and end up in some other dimension, where Revere rang bells and warned the British about the heat he was packing and Russia is so close to North America it can be seen out a window!
I thought Palin, aka the Drilla' From Wasilla, was all about taking America back but since she doesn't know where America has been I think America is OK where it is, thanks. I don't want to go back in time a la Marty McFly and end up in some other dimension, where Revere rang bells and warned the British about the heat he was packing and Russia is so close to North America it can be seen out a window!
After being ridiculed -- which is obviously going to happen and will continue to happen since she's known for saying stupid and strange things like hockey moms being pit bulls with lipstick (Michael Vick's wet dream) -- Palin's response was her Paul Revere comment was the result of a "gotcha question" from "the media."
"Part of his ride was to warn the British that were already there that 'hey, you're not going to take American arms, you are not going to beat our own well-armed persons individual private militia that we have.'"
"Part of his ride was to warn the British that were already there that 'hey, you're not going to take American arms, you are not going to beat our own well-armed persons individual private militia that we have.'"
Sigh. Exactly what I want in a president, someone who doesn't know American history (or at least doesn't have enough common sense to study up on historical figures associated with the places they will visit on a campaign bus tour) and who can't admit when they are wrong. Luckily for her there are thousands out there dumb enough (or lazy) to believe her.
But wait, there's more.
Palin supporters attempted to revise Paul Revere's Wikipedia page (been dead since 1818 but I'm sure he would be thrilled to know he has his very own page ... maybe someone should hold a seance and let him know). Anyway, the anonymous editor(s) attempted to post the change in bold: "Revere did not shout the phrase later attributed to him ("The British are coming!"), largely because the mission depended on secrecy and the countryside was filled with British army patrols; also, most colonial residents at the time considered themselves British as they were all legally British subjects."
Thankfully this attempt was denied.
I know this is old news, ancient in media terms, but I don't care because I'm scared.
Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia written collaboratively by the people who use the website. Although there are many editors working behind the scenes to make sure additions and edits are improvements, as well as verifiable, there is much mis-truth (also known as lies). I understand the appeal of up-to-date information but what about the other side of the coin ... bias, opinions, Palinites. Luckily they were stopped but Wikipedia is filled with content needing people to "help improve" this or help "re-write" that due to problems.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the world visit Wikipedia everyday and use the information for anything and everything from schoolwork (which is a big no-no since it's not 100% accurate) to winning bets (what is Lady Gaga's real name?) to forming opinions (red, blue, tea, anarchy?). Yeah there's a lot of questionable stuff on the Internet, from hardcore porn to step-by-step plans for making a bomb to how to grow marijuana in your house, but I'm more frightened about the lies out there and all the people willing to read something, on whatever website, and take it as truth. It's not just Wikipedia, there are thousands upon thousands of websites out there with biased information only a click away.
People don't often stop and think about why they feel a certain way or think a certain way. You just do and you are who you are. End of story. Let's move on.
Also, people want information fast ... we want it on Smartphones, on laptops, we want it at our fingertips. We don't want to form opinions and, even if we did, there is so much information out there filled with biases and lies that it's hard to know what's true and what isn't anymore.
Ask a liberal why they are liberal. Then go beyond that, questioning every answer until you get to the bottom of it but, then again, you may not get the truth because people lie all the time, believe what they want about themselves and bathe in their own lies daily. Also, people don't often know why they think a certain way because they've never stopped to think, to dig and discover themselves.
What is truth anymore? How can you trust anything you read or see or hear, especially on the Internet or some website, reputable or not, or on the boob tube? The only person you can trust is yourself if you happen to know yourself at all.
Wikipedia is a free encyclopedia written collaboratively by the people who use the website. Although there are many editors working behind the scenes to make sure additions and edits are improvements, as well as verifiable, there is much mis-truth (also known as lies). I understand the appeal of up-to-date information but what about the other side of the coin ... bias, opinions, Palinites. Luckily they were stopped but Wikipedia is filled with content needing people to "help improve" this or help "re-write" that due to problems.
Hundreds of thousands of people across the world visit Wikipedia everyday and use the information for anything and everything from schoolwork (which is a big no-no since it's not 100% accurate) to winning bets (what is Lady Gaga's real name?) to forming opinions (red, blue, tea, anarchy?). Yeah there's a lot of questionable stuff on the Internet, from hardcore porn to step-by-step plans for making a bomb to how to grow marijuana in your house, but I'm more frightened about the lies out there and all the people willing to read something, on whatever website, and take it as truth. It's not just Wikipedia, there are thousands upon thousands of websites out there with biased information only a click away.
People don't often stop and think about why they feel a certain way or think a certain way. You just do and you are who you are. End of story. Let's move on.
Also, people want information fast ... we want it on Smartphones, on laptops, we want it at our fingertips. We don't want to form opinions and, even if we did, there is so much information out there filled with biases and lies that it's hard to know what's true and what isn't anymore.
Ask a liberal why they are liberal. Then go beyond that, questioning every answer until you get to the bottom of it but, then again, you may not get the truth because people lie all the time, believe what they want about themselves and bathe in their own lies daily. Also, people don't often know why they think a certain way because they've never stopped to think, to dig and discover themselves.
What is truth anymore? How can you trust anything you read or see or hear, especially on the Internet or some website, reputable or not, or on the boob tube? The only person you can trust is yourself if you happen to know yourself at all.
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