Recently, being utterly unable to restrain myself this time of year, I've been taking lots of "Fall color" photos (I'll post some soon) and emailing some of 'em to friends and family in more southerly locales--one of whom is "color blind." I decided to research that to see how he percieves things.
He exhibits the most common type of "color blindness" which means he (more or less) sees only blues, yellows, black and white--red or green go to shades of yellow. Interesting. And...not good for really appreciating said Fall color--which is mostly about the change from green to red or reddish yellow... Two exampes here on the blog: bright red text practically hovers over the dark background to those with normal color perception but, for my cousin it's a lovely dull dark olivey-yellow. Not particularly attention-grabbing. And the header pic above looks like an olive yellow black and white punctuated by the blue of the jeans!
The rainbow above is an approximation of how most see it vs. how those exhibiting said primary kind of "color blindness" see it. Imagine how your skin would appear...
You'll notice red and green come out pretty similar: gives me a new respect for my cousin's ability to know when to stop and go at a traffic light!
FYI: Color Oracle is a good free program to check how any onscreen image would look to those with the three types of "color blindness."
First: the crowd at the rally in Washington looks to have been 100,000-200,000. And, as I said, there were many phenomenal speeches. Particularly notable was the fact that, in the midst of this rally focused on lgbt civil rights, speaker after speaker communicated passionate patriotism, respect and caring for our armed forces, mutli-cultural outreach, proclamations of personal faith, concern with social justice and the well-being of the whole human community, family concerns and--clear and compelling evidence of the moral underpinnings of the above and the specific fight for lgbt equality--by gay, bi, trans and...straight speakers. Frankly, at one point, I found myself thinking the Catholic Church would have fit right in were it not for their misguided homophobia (well, their progressive wing, anyway...). In all, this sharing by those at the podium of who they are and what they believe and care about was a huge reclaiming of territory the forces of homophobia have long proclaimed exclusively theirs.
If this rally is noted for nothing else, it should be remembered as being the moment we reclaimed title to the moral ground on which we have always stood.
And, California's Governator added to the weekend: he signed bills creating Harvey Milk Day--finally recognizing this courageous and important man's contribution to our nation's march toward equality for all it's citizens--and a bill to recognized same-sex marriages performed out of state. Of course, on that one, there's fine print: said marriages performed before the passage of Prop. 8 will be recognized as full marriages, those performed after will apparently be recognized as equivalent to the state's "everything-but-the-name-marriage" domestic partnerships.
If you're not watching CSPAN's live coverage of the National Equality March at the moment, you should be! Scores of passionate and articulate speakers in front of a gratifyingly large crowd--and NO ONE is counselling patience with this administration's "we'll get to it sometime in the next 8 years" timetable. As one pointed out: Stonewall was 40 years ago. As another pointed out, those who are opposed to the actual practice of American values (equal justice, equal treatment..) believe LGBT folk are less than fully human. And as another said: government policy that supports unequal treatment support them in that opinion and in their teaching of those values to the next generation.
As to the President's speech to HRC last night... I'll see it in full later today, but for now I can tell you: many speakers today are taking slaps at it and his vague promises of action within a hypothetical two terms and his utter silence on actions in the states, elections in Washington and Maine...
Time to deliver on the promises Mr. President. Time to deliver, Democrats. Regardless of what you may want to believe, there is no guarantee you will be in the majority after the mid-term elections in 2010, or in the Oval Office after 2012. Time to get stuff done NOW! And...our patience is not never-ending...
Congratulations and thank you to march organizer Cleve Jones, who persevered in the face of great doubt by many.
A couple of speeches to seek out: Urvashi Vaid, ex-head of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and long-time head of the NAACP, Julian Bond.
In case you didn't know, Sunday, Oct. 11th (tomorrow) is the 11th annual National Coming Out Day (click here for the Wikipedia article).
Also on Sunday: the National Equality March (click here for more info, and CSPAN will carry live coverage). Of course, Washington, DC has seen a number of gay rights marches (I had the opportunity to attend in 1987...and unexpectedly embarrass then CA Senator Pete Wilson over his ignorance about his vigourously supported Supreme Court nominee, Robert Bork). But, unfortunately, this event has been controversial within the community: many feel that it will be an effective way to support the pro-equality work nationwide and pressure Obama and Congress to actually deliver on promises, while others feel it's, as Rep. Barney Frank said, "a waste of time, at best."
One thing for sure: if we and our supporters (I'm talking to YOU!) don't follow up with calls, emails and letters to said President and Congress, it will have been in vain. Make some noise, already--it's our country, our rights--ourlives! Ya don't even need to get up off your ass!
And yet more: tonight, President Obama will be addressing the 11th annual fundraising dinner of the largest US gay rights group, the Human Rights Campaign Fund (HRC)--those folks with the little blue and yellow equal sign stickers (live coverage on CSPAN).There will be protesters (duh!) but...it's likely the majority of them will be gay folk rather than the forces of bigotry-as-usual.
Why?
Because Obama's not the first President to address the HRC: Bill Clinton did it in 1997 and we all know how well his lofty promises worked out: we got DOMA, Don't Ask/Don't Tell... And now, Mr. Obama has repeatedly issued similar lofty promises, but rather than showcasing concrete action, he keeps saying, in effect:
"Hey, we're real busy, but trust us, we'll get to you. We're not really backpedalling--it just looks that way. Oh, about that stony silence on all that marriage/civil union/equal protection stuff going on around the country... You weren't supposed to notice that... Just ignore that and trust us! You'll be real happy by the end of my time in office--honest!" (that last is pretty close to a direct quote)
Over at the Huffington Post, they're asking what the President should say tonight. How about:
"This week, I will start campaigning in Maine and Washington to prevent the repeal of recently enacted marriage and domestic partnership rights. I will also have my staff start working with Congress to introduce and pass within the next 6 months a comprehensive bill correcting unequal treatment of our gay citizens in all areas. This bill, entitled: "All Citizens Are Citizens--Meeting our Founders' Promise" will incorporate all the promises I have made to LGBT Americans and will have the full weight of my office and political will behind it. It's intolerable that some Americans continue to suffer second-class treatment for no reason other than their God-given sexual orientation, and you will see me and my office take concrete and meaningful action on this issue starting immediately."
As to the excuse increasingly coming out of Washington--the President has too much on his plate--one of the primary reasons I voted for the man was his ability to multi-task. He wanted the job. He said he was up to it. Time to deliver.
Speaking of good ole Bill Clinton, he had some words to say recently: he now completely supports marriage equality and deeply regrets DOMA and Don't Ask (though still blames us for not supporting him enough...). On that: Uh, Mr. President: we were kinda crucial to your getting elected, twice. And...we're a minority! Your job was to represent the interests of all Americans--even the ones who weren't banging on your door and screaming in your face.
Finally, and definitely not least: this video of a World War II veteran, testifying in support of equal marriage in Maine, movingly explains why we fought at Omaha Beach. Spoiler: it wasn't so his gay son could have fewer rights than his three straight brothers... It's worth noting: all four of them have also served in our nation's military.
Some extras: click here for a little something on mounting evidence that the more sons a woman has, the more likely they are to be gay. And click here for a newly online Time article--from 1969--for some historical perspective on how far we've come. BTW: I'm still waiting for a public apology from CBS's 60 Minutes for their ground-breaking and horribly prejudiced piece on "Homosexuality" (early 1970s)--I've never trusted then to be factually accurate since...
Health insurance companies get a huge windfall. The public gets screwed.
Guess that $700,000/day in corporate lobbying was effective--along with anti-everything-Obama GOP obstructionism. Basically: requiring everyone to purchase insurance (and taxpayer subsidies for those who can't afford it), elimination of pre-existing condition exclusions, no public option to create competition, no price controls means more $$ for the companies, a few previously uninsured folks will be able to get insurance, and a whole bunch more folks--currently struggling to stay insured--will be forced into bankruptcy before they can qualify for the subsidies.
A handful of good stuff wrapped in a package destined to make things worse for almost everyone that isn't a medical insurer or pharmaceutical company.
Why such a poor bill? Why such a botched job by the party with both the Presidency and a clear majority in both houses of Congress?
The stated rationale is: "We need a filibuster-proof 60 vote super-majority to pass this," and, in a quieter voice: "We (Dems) can't control our own members and can't count on the more conservative ones to oppose corporate interests." And in a hushed whisper: "Sshhh...let's not talk about all that industry money..." Nevertheless, it's seems likely Dems can muster a 51 vote majority on the better plans. So why don't they go for it?
I think a GOP filibuster would be a fine idea--call their bluff! How better to demonstrate to the vast majority of Americans who know reform is essential and who even, by 60-70+ percent, support the corporate lobbyists' boogeyman (the "public option") and that the opposition truly doesn't give a damn about ordinary Americans.
Check the video and then click here for an article that examines the seemingly wild claims made in the video.
Ready or not, California may revisit Prop. 8 in 2010.
A group, Love Honor Cherish, has filed petition language with the Secretary of State for a petition to reinstate marriage equality, despite the big, mainstream groups like EQCA having just decided to hold off until 2012. Those groups cite the likely difficulty of raising the necessary funds during these tough financial times, among other concerns. But, then, we know what a bang-up job they did on Prop. 8, don't we... Perhaps the biggest challenge will be getting the approximately 1 million signatures needed. FYI: Here's the submitted language:
This amendment would amend an existing section of the California Constitution. Existing language proposed to be deleted is printed in strikeout type. Language proposed to be added is printed in underlined type.
Section 1. To protect religious freedom, no court shall interpret this measure to require any priest, minister, pastor, rabbi, or other person authorized to perform marriages by any religious denomination, church, or other non-profit religious institution to perform any marriage in violation of his or her religious beliefs. The refusal to perform a marriage under this provision shall not be the basis for lawsuit or liability, and shall not affect the tax-exempt status of any religious denomination, church or other religious institution.
Section 2. To provide for fairness in the government’s issuance of marriage licenses, Section 7.5 of Article I of the California Constitution is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 7.5. Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.Marriage is between only two persons and shall not be restricted on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
Click here for an article at 365gay.com, and click on the LHC link above. It's well worth browsing: they have lots of goodies, including excellent graphics on the state of LGBT equality in the US and worldwide, taken from Wikipedia. Minor quibble with the relationship map: for some reason, Oregon's domestic partnership parameters are always minimized. Here's how Basic Rights Oregon (instrumental in getting it passed!) summarizes it:
Establishing a Domestic Partnership [in Oregon] affords same-sex couples all of the rights and responsibilities that are granted under state law through a marriage contract.
I should point out: despite my criticism of EQCA and associates on their anti-Prop. 8 campaign, nevertheless, I really and truly applaud their efforts, if not their clearly ineffective strategy.
It's just 41 days until Maine voters decide the fate of recently legalized marriage equality for same-sex couples.
Opponents of equality, taking a page from their success (hopefully short-lived) on Prop. 8 in California, are again cynically using lies about kids and schools as a scare tactic--they've even admitted one shouldn't take their ads "literally." (see stories at BoxTurtleBulletin.com)
And just like California, polls indicate they will win, but, again, by a vanishingly small margin.
Do we want their lies to succeed again?
Here's what you can do no matter where you live (click on the links):
Donate--No on 1/Protect Maine Equality needs $18,538 by midnight tonight to respond to the latest attack ad
Take a Volunteer Vacation in Maine--join a team of highly motivated volunteers from around the country to serve as full-time volunteer campaign staff during October
Think TV programming on those old-fashioned broadcast networks is all crap? Think again! We find we're being overwhelmed with remarkably good choices--often competing in the same time-slot, dammit! Not having TiVo, we're already finding the new season a channel-flipping challenge!
Take last night for example: two of our favorite competition shows, Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance (plus the new medical drama, Mercy) competing at 8pm, followed by the hilarious new sitcom, Modern Family, vs. two excellent crime dramas (Criminal Minds and Law & Order SVU), vs. another new and excellent 'musical' comedy, Glee, all on at 9pm... Mercy me! Frazzlement! Vapors even!
ABC's Modern Family is hilarious! We're definitely going to make time for this gem. While I've always enjoyed well-written sitcoms, I rarely find them funny enough to actually generate more than a grin or smile. This show's different: husband and I were howling through the whole premiere episode! And we're not the only ones--reviews have been glowing, often describing it as the best comedy of the season. And like any good family comedy, this one has a warm and fuzzy heart. Briefly: it follows patriarch Ed (Al Bundy) O'Neill's family (new and passionate young Columbian wife and her charmingly oddball kid), his daughter's (cluelessly inept husband and 3 challenging kids--modern overscheduling included) and his gay son's (chubby husband and newly adopted Vietnamese baby), successfully utilizing a semi-documentary format. Writing is sharp, casting is both unexpected and working very well, editing top-notch. Watch it!
Of course, there HAS to be controversy (Horrors! Homosexuals on TV! With kid! Being portrayed as more or less ordinary (as opposed to tragic victims, horrific villains, or absurd clowns!); one of the comments on TV Guide invoked Satan... And, though TVGuide.com covered it pretty well (click here for their five reasons why you should watch it (and said comments), check out the two photos below that TVGuide.com ran and compare to the one above that everyone else ran. Draw your own conclusions...
And, if you didn't catch it, watch the preview here, and you get a second chance at the premiere episode this week: it's being re-run tomorrow, Friday (9 pm here in the west).
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Let's take a break from politics...well, mostly.
When we got down to Salem, Oregon's capital, for the "biggest state fair in the state" recently, we added a brief stop to see our goofy Capitol building in person. I amend my previous opinion previously formed from photos of it: it's actually a surprisingly attractive edifice. I look forward to seeing the interior one day.
Completed in 1938, it's our third capitol building, the only Art Deco one in the nation, and is proudly topped by the "Oregon Pioneer." Click here to visit Wikipedia for more info.
Religious fundamentalists in the Indonesian province of Aceh (population around 4 million) have recently passed new laws requiring draconian punishments for a variety of acts they believe immoral.
Who do they want it done to?
People like Republican "family values" crusaders Governor Mark Sanford (SC), ex-Senator Larry Craig (ID), now ex-state Assemblyman Mike Duvall (Orange County, CA), among many, many others. Their sin: adultery.
And you married heteros better not be holding hands in public, either--gets ya caned.
The Bible calls for execution of adulterers and quite a few others (Know anyone who, oops!, had a little nooky before marriage? You or your kids, perhaps?). Click here and here for a quick review. Also, notice particularly that many of these citations are from...Leviticus!--ya know, the book most folks use to justify opposing letting gays and lesbians go about their lives unmolested.
So, "Christians"--willing to put your money where your mouth is when it might get YOU dead?
Washington's effort to treat gay families fairly, short of actually letting couples get married, is in danger of being derailed: initiative measure R-71 will either block or affirm comprehensive domestic partnerships in the state--and it's on the November ballot.
The deadline for voter registration is: October 5--less than two weeks away!
Click here to register, either online or by mail, or here for other voter info, including about the new vote-by-mail process.
Standard Deadline: Applications or updates must be postmarked or submitted no later than the Monday four weeks before Election Day.
Late Deadline: If you are not registered in Washington, you can register in person at your County Elections Office until the Monday one week before Election Day.
Miss the Deadline: If you are registered to vote but miss the deadline to update your address, you can still vote. Contact your County Elections Office where you are currently registered in order to obtain a ballot.
BE CAREFUL WHEN VOTING--pay attention when reading the ballot:
Voting NO = REPEAL domestic partnerships
Voting YES = KEEP domestic partnerships
Currently, though polls suggest domestic partnerships will win by a very, very small margin, it's heavily dependent on turn-out--which will be low in this off-year election. And, low-turn-out always favors conservatives and their causes, so don't take anything for granted! Talk to people! Badger them to vote! And perhaps:
To help support same-sex (and over-62 year old straight) families, click here to visit Washington Families Standing Together.
Finally, here's an ad you might want to forward to fence-sitters--it's showing success at getting those opposed to fairness to question their position.
Ya know how the homosexuals want "special rights" when insisiting they're Americans and should be treated equally, according to those who's lives seem to be devoted to telling everyone else how they should live or be?
In Washington state, the names of those who sign initiative petitions are, by law, publicly available information. All signers. All inititative petitions. The purpose of these laws is to minimize abuse of the process and help maintain a "clean" and transparent electoral process.
But, those opposed to marriage equality feel they're entitled to an exception to the law--to "special rights" unavailable to everybody else. They sued in California, unsuccessfully, to hide their names on Prop. 8 petitions. They're trying it in Washington state, too--suing to hide the names of those who signed petitions to prevent comprehensive domestic partnerships (now ballot measure R-71).
They say they're frightened of retribution, but haven't been able to show evidence of same, other than boycotts and the minor nuisances easily claimed by the other side, too. So they believe boycotts are unfair, right? Actually, their organizations regularly issue calls to boycott business who treat their gay employees equally (with little effect, thankfully). And apparently, minor incidents (a woman got pushed, a (one) church was splashed with paint) are somehow equivalent to the daily damage done by discriminatory laws to real people's real lives. Odd how they're never around when gay folk are getting fired, harrassed, vandalized, beaten or killed...
Maybe they're secretly ashamed of themselves? Perhaps it's like addiction--they know it's wrong, but they just can't help themselves.
For a look into the minds of regular folks who signed this petition, I strongly suggest reading this interview--click here--with a few of them by the newspaper, the Seattle Stranger.
Really, READ IT!
Then, if you're on the fence, ask yourself: "Am I really that thoughtless, that ignorant, that weak-minded?" and consider that, just maybe, if you're voting on someone's life (is your life a "lifestyle"?)--voting on a gross government intrusion into one's life, liberty and pursuit of happiness...perhaps you should bother to become educated on the facts first.
Or do you already know everything there is to know about everything?
How far are the pro-Prop. 8 voters really willing to go to "protect traditional marriage?" Will folks who insist gay couples should not be allowed to marry, citing imaginary damage to heterosexual marriage (see post below), be willing to take the next logical step? After all, besides death, divorce is what actually ends a marriage (though the people IN it are what destroy it) and...divorce is much more roundly condemned in the Bible than anything to do with homosexuality.
One man in California has decided to find out.
John Marcotte of Sacramento has filed an intiative proposal with the state's Secretary of State to ban divorce. This married father of two, with a history of Catholic education and political activism seems to be using the move as a very serious consciousness-raising exercise--and there's a T-shirt! To raise money for the volunteer qualifying effort, he's selling "Chains of Love" T-shirts which feature a bride and groom chained at the wrist with a caption that reads:
You said, 'Till death do us part. You're not dead yet."
"God hates divorce," Marcotte said.
And, how will those so loudly claiming health insurance reform is a threat to liberty go on this move (which would be a real reduction in personal liberty)? Having listened to a lot of 'em, I'd be willing to bet they'll be gung-ho for it...
Would I sign it if still in California? Good question. On the one hand, I would love to see the anti-equality forces compelled to deal with something that could take away their rights while graphically exposing the casual and thoughtless hypocrisy of many. On the other, I hate the rampant abuse of the intiative process, and bad law... What to do? Make up your own mind--click here to visit Rescue Marriage's website. Click here for a previously posted video on the Biblical definition of marriage.
So it looks like the Catholic and Mormon Churches, the Republican Party, and so called "values voters" are actively working to tear it down...
When Massachussetts became the first state to make marriage equal for same-sex couples, this queer-loving state already had the lowest rate of divorce in the nation. Now, after four years of those marriage-destroying homos coupling up with the benefit of a marriage license, the divorce rate has dropped even further--to pre-WWII levels, in fact! Click here for one article.
So, for all those who believe marriage is worth saving, pull out your wallets yet again and send some money to the folks trying to preserve Maine's new-found equality (click here). Unfortunately, it looks like an exact re-run of California's Prop. 8 fight: anti-equality forces are promulgating the exact same lies that worked so well in CA (they've even hired the same PR firm!), and polls are again showing equality losing (by just a percentage or two, but still losing--just like Prop. 8).
Interestingly, as of 2005, several of the states that have either enacted marriage equality, or are considered likely to soon do so, are also among the lowest of the low divorce rates: Iowa, Connecticut, New York and Washington DC. Click here for a chart.
The GOP is focussing on fear of huge deficits as their pretext for opposing "Obama-care" (otherwise known as a realistic effort to finally and actually address the universally acknowledged and worsening problems of the American health care "system"). Perhaps the GOP might have more credibility on their abruptly new-found concern over the federal deficit (which, btw, this fiscal conservative has always been concerned about) and the spectre of "big government" if:
Every Republican administration since Nixon had not significantly and demonstrably increased the size of the federal government;
Their most conservative administrations had not run the largest deficits since uber-liberal Lyndon Johnson--much, much larger, actually (reference Bush II and Reagan);
The most recent GOP controlled Congress had made any kind of noise at all about the eliminiation of the Clinton surplus and creation of the enormous Bush deficit they handed President Obama as a welcome gift;
They weren't so vigorously complaining about the Obama administration's recent cancellation of a 50 year, many, many billion dollar boondoggle's most recent incarnation ("missile defense shield") in favor of a much cheaper system that actually works and actually addresses a real-world threat (click here for an LA Times editorial);
If, simply put, their actual real-world actions matched their rhetoric.
What I can't figure out is why those most harmed by actual GOP policies--the middle class, particularly the lower and more southern end of it--keep supporting it. Why do they keep voting against their own interests? Don't believe me? Look at just about any set of statistics on the well-being of these folks in "blue" states vs. "red" states. Start with health care stats.
Here's just one example from the real world:
"Meanwhile, in conservative Mississippi, families making $18,000 or less pay 12.1 percent of their total incomes [in taxes] while those making more than $224,000 pay just 5.4 percent. The Legislature this year tried to remedy the situation with a bill including reduced taxes on groceries and more on tobacco, but Republican Gov. Haley Barbour vetoed it."
Definitely click here for the rest of the article by George Rede in the Oregonian.
As Oregon surges ahead, California finally catches up with us: our two states are now matched at 12.2% unemployment. Misery loves company...
Nationwide, the rate is just barely under 10%--I wonder what the rate would be if you figured in all those folks not actively looking for work, but who would really like to be employed. Clearly, though we're told the economy seems to have reached bottom (and I actually do believe 'em--mostly due to the improved housing market), getting people working again is going to take quite some time.
However! If we have indeed reached bottom, that big, scary dip into debt taken by us through our elected government (ie: Obama and Democratic majority Congress), despite being fraught with all kinds of problems, would appear to have been successful. It looks like, rather than a repeat of the Great Depression, which dragged on for years and was only truly resolved by going all-out to a war-time economy, perhaps we've managed to turn this into merely a very big and nasty bump in the road--and given ourselves time to work on correcting the underlying issues.
For those who follow the show on BBC America, this is old news, but for us that have to catch it via Netflix, the new season's out--and it's hot.
We see a show that's continuing to develop and mature and further distinguish itself from its slightly tongue-in-cheek parent, Doctor Who. The big changes (in at least the first three episodes) are the reduction of the primary cast to Jack, Gwen and her husband, and Yanto; it's running sequentially, with the episodes as separate one-day chapters and; one more, literally explosive, that I won't describe.
It's getting more serious and substantial--meatier--including the characters as they continue to flesh out and grow: Gwen's got family issues, Jack and Yanto do too, and are now officially a "couple" (though neither man likes the term), and good and evil, right and wrong are often not easy to define...
If you haven't been following it, but like good television, good scifi, good gay on-screen presences, appealing and increasingly complex characters, check it out.
Pic is from the season 2 Torchwood (BBC America) tragically romantic episode which told the story of Captain Jack's name. Not your father's scifi!
Remember last year's controversial same-sex (though not same sexual-orientation) ballroom tryouts on So You Think You Can Dance? The judges were bizarrely unreceptive and marginally insulting and homophobic--particularly later Twittered comments by Nigel Lythgoe (for which he later apologized).
Fast forward to last night's tryouts in Phoenix. We have another same-sex couple, Willem De Vries and Jacob Jason, both openly gay this time and titleholders in the world of same-sex dance competition (we got our own rodeo circuits, too. Yeehaw!). Giving credit to the producers, they again featured this new couple. But this year's reaction was a polar opposite: the audience of auditioning dancers and their supporters erupted with a wildly enthusiastic burst of applause and, judges Mia Michaels and Mary Murphy were both tearing up. All three judges gave sincere kudos on the performance, while Mia specifically acknowledged their courage. Perhaps even more remarkable was that their performance was unabashedly and passionately romantic and personal (sure looked like they were partners in love as well as dance). They were moved on to "choreography" and according to the Advocate, are "going to Vegas"--the next step in the contest. Though we've clearly had gay men in the competition previously (as in MOST of 'em!) perhaps this year we'll have an openlyacknowledged one in the top twenty for the first time?
Congratulations to SYTYCD for a big step forward in empathetic maturity! Click here for an Advocate article.
Other notable last night: a killer B-boy (purty, too!)--amazing performance of a very disciplined routine. On to Vegas... And, out (and adorable) choreographer/producer Adam Shankman, long a frequent judge on the show, now has his own permanent seat on the panel.
'Course, they just had to schedule America's Got Talent's Finale opposite, but we successfully channel-flipped without missing anything important! Yay! While we quibbled over some of the final vote rankings, we still think this was a truly outstanding final lineup and wish million dollar winner, chicken-catcher/singer Kevin Skinner, all the best (while hoping we see more of many of his final competitors!). An additional tasty treat in a lineup of of solid top-name performers was Britain's Got Talent's runner-up, Susan Boyle, performing a beautiful and unexpected rendition of "Wild Horses."
Glee's looking like a winner. Solid writing, character development, direction and song/dance numbers. Mohawk boy baring his lean & musclular torso didn't hurt, either...
Finally, and importantly: a big plug for Dr. Oz's new daytime show. For anyone struggling with trying to become or stay healthy, or trying to lose 10 or 100 lbs, he and his associated site RealAge.com are a blessing! Basically, he's popularizing solid research-based health practices. He educates in incredibly clear and graphic ways so you understand the links between what you do/how you live and the effects on your body. RealAge and he also provide thoughtfully simple ways to actually do it--not flashy, not trendy, not magical, just solid and simple and scientifically supported.
I've been so impressed, I gave his book 'You, the Owner's Manual,' co-authored with Dr. Michael Roisen, to several of the people I most care for as a Christmas present--I admit, I'm selfish: I want them around for a long time!
It looks like the white elephant in the room that everyone's been at such pains to ignore is finally getting attention: the element of racism driving everything anti-Obama. While you may justifiably claim President Carter's 4 years in office was not among our nation's best (though looking like a slam-dunk after the last 8), you cannot deny that he's smart, compassionate, and the best exemplar--through actual action--of real Christian values that's sat in the Oval Office in a century or more.
And, from a Southerner's perspective, he just said some things about those racist undercurrents. I might add, it's worth doing a simple bit of research on Rep. Joe "You lie!" Wilson's and Sen. Jim "Break Obama!" DeMint's well-documented political stands if you doubt the existence of this quiet driver of their anger.
But, click here for an LA Times editorial that helps put Carter's comments in context.
After what seemed like a real dry-spell due to the dramatic Depression-induced shrinkage in car sales and auto company earnings, suddenly it's Frankfurt--as in their auto show--and it's raining new product and concept!
Two trends are particularly notable. First is the sudden emergence of "plug-in electrics." Unlike hybrids which normally use fossil-fuel and electric motors more or less in tandem, plug-ins are meant to be fully electric during the bulk of their likely mileage and rechargeable at an appropriate "plug." Most also have a fossil-fuel motor, but only as a supplement for longer trips. Seems ever'body's showing them from Fisker with their high-performance supercars down to GM/Segway with their semi-enclosed personal mobility thingy. Notable at Frankfurt is Renault with four, coming in all sizes!
The other trend: providing more products for all those unrepentant super-wealthy who played such a major role in creating the economic melt-down. Gee, surprisingly they still have lots of money (after all, they did such a GOOD job!).... Consequently, the car industry is catering to them like crazy. Rolls Royce has just introduced an "economy" model, Aston Martin's beautiful, and Porsche's not-so beautiful, 4-door sedans are here as is Volkswagen's Bugatti ultra-sedan proposal.
As to us regular folks, we will be seeing lots of new stuff in the next few years on the American market: Chrysler will be integrating Fiat platforms into their product line while replacing many of their poorer products (but Fiat does want Chrysler's rear-drive 300 platform--despite it being 2-generation-old Mercedes tech, it's still a goodie). GM's already expanding their very well regarded mid-size CTS line, while GM as a whole scrambles to re-create themselves in their new much-smaller incarnation. And Ford is finally bringing over some of their very attractive European models, like the larger of their two C-Max MPVs. Keep an eye on the Koreans, too: Kia and Hyundai are both introducing attractive, mature, well-designed models in rapid succession as they continue to challenge, (successfully) the established brands.
Click here to go to World Car Fans news page. Look through their last few pages of "latest news" to check out the go-goodies. Or, for an abbreviated glimpse, click here for an LA Times slideshow.
The videos here show two extremes: the smallest of the Renault electric concepts (it actually seats two in tandem) and the uber exclusive Bugatti Galibier super-sedan.
One arsonist. Two firemen dead. More than $45 million to fight it. Over 160,000 acres burned--a quarter of this popular and heavily used wilderness area--considered a "relief valve" for the millions of Los Angeles and dozens of its associated cities.
Here's a video of just a small bit of the aftermath of the (still-burning) "Stock" fire in the mountains above Los Angeles, taken by Hal and Susan McAlister a couple weeks ago while being escorted to Mt. Wilson--home to the important observatory (which survived, thankfully). For comparison, here's a pic of mine from 2006 of the same area.
I know this area along Angeles Crest Highway intimately--I've hiked a plethora of stunning trails there, now closed indefinitely. It was home to a number of picnic areas and campgrounds, chaparral scrub, pine forests, year-round streams and waterfalls, the headwaters of the San Gabriel River (one source of LA's water supply), and a host of wildlife. While the landscape will eventually recover, the toll on wildlife was huge--the couple noted many burned corpses. And, thanks to the sudden dramatic reduction in range and available prey, plus urban encroachment on all sides, the already struggling large predators (coyotes, cougars and bears) will be very hard hit. Those that survived are destined to become a suburban problem as they start foraging in the neighborhoods nearby...
When they find the culprit, whether pyromaniac or a smoker who willfully ignored the danger of a tossed butt, homicide charges will be filed--potentially murder charges. While I oppose the death penalty, my heart says: "fry the bastard!"
But, California probably couldn't afford the electricity anyway...
Say what?!? I'm going to defend their outrageous behavior?!?! Yup. Sorta.
First though, even if you skip the post, you REALLY want to check out the video clip at the end! I think she deserves a medal!
To review: South Carolina US Representative (R) Joe Wilson committed what is considered an egregious offense to decorum--and just plain good manners--by shouting "You lie!" during the President's recent address to Congress (and was wrong on the facts--see earlier post) and, rapper Kanye West rushed the stage at the MTV Music Video Awards, taking the microphone from young singer Taylor West's hands in the middle of her award acceptance speech to, essentially, complain that she didn't deserve it as much as another artist (Biance).
Thankfully, public opprobrium was loud and swift. I particularly liked one publicized celebrity "tweet" comparing Kanye's act to stepping on a kitten!
So, we were outraged. But...why do we expect any better, really?
After all, many are showering rewards on Rep. Wilson--his fundraising has gone through the roof (thankfully, so has that of his opponent).
We live in the world of Jerry Springer and Maury Povich, shock jocks and Fox News, whose shows milk outrageous personal behavior for dollars and ratings. We live in a society where such behavior is encouraged--financed even--by individuals, companies and political organizations to further their own narrow interests, the rest of us be damned (reference health reform town halls, or click here for another of Tim Rutten's excellent articles)!
A couple more recent examples: here in Oregon, we just had a football player punch out an opposing team member who had taunted him. I might have let that one pass, but he goes on to punch one of his own teammates and a referee. Then there's the recent incredible "bad-loser" behaviors of a couple top-ranked tennis players--matched by the GOP, in spades.
"Overcome by emotion," they all claim. Or do they simply feel entitled, that being disrespectful--even harmful--to others is just plain OK? Certainly that's the message being put out by those above: anything goes. There are no boundaries. Any behavior is acceptable. It's all about ME! and MY ego! Screw everybody else!
Reinforcing this message is that good old advertising stand-by: "you deserve it." Pay attention and you'll be stunned how many ads have this as an overt or subtle text. But...there's never any explanation of WHY you deserve it. Perhaps just because you have a credit card, regardless of whether you can actually afford or manage it? Of course, you got said credit card because..."you deserve it" according to the credit card company so eager to put you in debt to them.
What do we expect when the vocal right-wing arbiters of "Christian" morality so blatantly trample the teachings of their proclaimed savior, and when so many of them are caught with "their pants down." What do we expect when these "good Christians" aggressively oppose efforts to protect children from school bullying, claiming they themselves are the victims instead of the kids with the bruises, injuries and trauma?
We live in a world where financial speculators reap enormous shares of our communal wealth--and produce exactly nothing. Those who "game the system" are the most richly rewarded--and scream most loudly when it's suggested they might be able to live on merely triple or quadruple what most Americans earn.
The new religion is "entitlement." Big chunks of our society preach it. Actually earning something or deserving something is irrelevant. Actually taking responsibility for our actions and their consequences has become a bizarre notion.
But here's where it really gets complicated.
My husband and I benefit from this, as do minorities in general. We feel more entitled to the rights promised to us in our Constitution and to the fundamental respect and empathy at the core of the major religions, summed up by "The Golden Rule." As more is allowed, as the standards of behavior are relaxed, my husband and I feel increasingly comfortable simply going about our lives, perhaps even being less afraid of physical violence when we dare to hold hands or kiss in public. On the other hand, as inhibitions break down even further, said violence will again become OK. Just like the old days.
Like I said, it gets complicated: back in the fantasy days of proper public decorum, folks had no problem lynching a Negro on Saturday and going to church on Sunday. Folks taught their kids to respect others, but overlooked it when they went down to the local gay bar to beat up queers.
More complexity: Jerry Springer and Maury Povich actually contribute something useful--they educate us! They show us some of the reality of our world that we find uncomfortable--but which exists, nevertheless--though unfortunately without context or direction towards something better.
It gets worse: Many opposing healthcare reform call "Big Brother" socialism and elevate personal responsibility: one should take care of themselves. The world is somehow a better place when people are not entitled to (affordable) health care. But... they steadfastly ignore the complexconsequences of that simple position. Communicable diseases don't stop at their door without entering and, effectively denying care to illegals would require "Big Brother" to step in with universal ID--an idea they hate--just two examples. And, back in the days when we didn't have "socialism" like Medicare, granny didn't need a "death panel" to kill her--she just died because she couldn't afford medical care or medications.
And then there's the Christian teachings many of them profess as their faith, a fundamental of which is: caring for the less fortunate...
And this is why so-called conservatives, moral arbiters and the reactionary right are deeply wrong: by rejecting complexity, they reject reality. They create a fantasy of pure black/white, right/wrong by ignoring the contradictions they experience daily in their own lives. Faced with the hugely complicated task of reforming a sixth of the US economy in the face of overwhelming evidence of the need, they close their minds, cover their ears and scream "Nuke it! Kill it all!" "Get government out of everything!" (actual quotes from rallies)
I wish things were simple, too, but they're not. But, ignoring reality inhibits your ability to affect it and...screaming and misbehaving has never made anything better.
Ultimately, I think these folks find the universe frightening, and many have become, simply, bullies. All suffer from a lack of practice of compassion and empathy. It's very hard to behave like this when you put yourself in someone else's shoes--when you "do unto others as you would wish them to do unto you." When you forget that we're all in this together...
Here's one example of someone ignoring that truly simple principle, the rule that I've long considered the fundamental cement of civilization--and his oh-so-deserved comeuppance...
And, it's funny! Turn on your speakers and watch and listen closely to get all the good stuff (thanks to cousin Doug).
One of the things I love about our region of the past three years: free summer concerts.
When summer rolls around up here in the Portland region, you could exhaust yourself if you tried to relax at all of them! And, in our experience, the music's usually great!
Here are a couple pics from our most local, just over in Greenway Park. Excellent trio (Keith Greeninger Trio), face-painting, park and civic info booths, food truck, inflated kids' jumping house plus this cool and unusual wildlife education booth manned by this bright and charming guy and local park rangers: pelts of local wildlife (all present in this combo people park/wildlife refuge) for kids and others to feel and inquire about. Having grown up in coyote country, I still had no idea their fur was so soft! No deer pelts, though I have been seeing tracks by the creek.
BTW: the ranger was very excited about my reports of spotting turtles in said creek, and that it looked like they were our local endangered ones rather than invasive snappers.
Hey, it's better than listening to police choppers and sirens every night in LA!
Ben and Jerry! The Vermont-based ice-cream maker, noted for their creative flavors, is celebrating the start of marriage equality in Vermont by renaming their old stand-by, "Chubby Hubby"--during September, it will be "Hubby Hubby!" Only in Vermont, unfortunately.
Bad Guys:
Too many to count these days, but lets just pick any elected official of the Republican persuasion in South Carolina including:
US Senator Jim "Break Obama" DeMint (you have to listen to his speech made today--who's he kidding?). 'Twas he who "demanded that the GOP "break" Obama by frustrating any reform. "If we're able to stop Obama on this," he said, "it will be his Waterloo." This, of course, is the Limbaugh/Sean Hannity school of thought that holds that good Americans want the president to fail." (Tim Rutten, LA Times);
Governor Mark "I Was Hiking" Sanford (still in office, amazingly!) and, of course;
US Representative Joe "You Lie!" Wilson
On Mr. Wilson: a friend recommended Keith Olberman's commentary on him (click here for the transcript, video is below).
Now, I do love Keith when he's on a roll, but I take him with a grain of salt, too... As 'fact-checkers' have noted, currently, and under any proposed reform, emergency rooms don't ask for citizenship papers when treating folks, and do receive public funds. In other words, Rep. Wilson is only 95% wrong.
Now, to support his desire to deny public funds to illegals, is Rep. Wilson suggesting that every single person who goes to any kind of health care provider/insurer that may be receiving public monies be required to prove their citizenship before care?
And is he suggesting that any and every victim of accident, violence or disease--perhaps communicable or virulent--who cannot prove their citizenship on the spot die on the front steps of emergency rooms? Of course that would include most American citizens as well as those demon illegals--a driver's license is NOT proof of citizenship. Do you carry your original birth certificate with you at all times, or a passport? Or, if you do, perhaps it's illegible (and unacceptable) thanks to being covered in your blood...
That's exactly what the consequences would be in the real-world if simple-minded, British-royalty-title-seeking, "death-panel" flip-flopping people like him get what they want.
Actually, I just discovered he actually has said pretty much exactly that: illegals should be denied emergency room service and, believing in magic like so much of the GOP these days, he ignores consequences--consequences that affect all of us.
Two questions:
Does this paragon of compassion dare describe himself as a "Christian?" My understanding is he's a darling of the "Christian" Right.
And, is Rep. Wilson going to come 'round and dispose of the bodies? Can't spend tax money on that, now can we?
But then, the GOP has been putting it's ugly side out there for everyone to see recently.
In California, long-time right wing, "Christian" "family values," married Orange County Republican Assemblyman Mike Duvall has abruptly resigned his post. This comes just 24 hours after he, during a legislative committee meeting, graphically described his recent sexual hijinks with two women (one a lobbyist with business before his committee, apparently). But don't forget, according to Mr. Duvall, it's the gays who will destroy marriage... Please note: this champion of moral values only resigned when it became public--darn those pesky recording devices that are live when they're not supposed to be!
And in Oregon, former GOP candidate for State Representative, Tony Marino, has just been convicted of incest (downgraded from rape charges). A few details about "Dr." Marino: this "family values" "PhD" founder/publisher of the Christian Times, turns out to have been falsly claiming said doctorate--it was from an unaccredited diploma mill--and by his own admission has been divorced 5, I repeat: five, times, gone bankrupt and was dealing with a federal lien for unpaid taxes. Nevertheless, this champion of morality was the GOP's standard-bearer in the race...
And we're surprised by the national party's embrace of demagoguery, lies and fear-mongering?!?! When your breathtakingingly blatant and pervasive hyppocrisy is exposed over and over, when you have no good or rational ideas, a recent history of outrageous and deadly incompetence, when you get tossed out on your ass, why then, you start screaming and spewing insanity and paranoia!
Loudest wins, right?
If you think there's any hope the Grand Old Party might yet start living up to their "Country First" slogan--working for the good of the nation rather than their own avarice, egos or paranoia--here's a lovely tidbit from the Republican National Committee--certainly the official voice of the party:
A recent fund-raising letter of theirs included a poll. The questions were largely typical of these sorts of letters from either party--biased toward their perceived base. But one question really sticks out:
It clearly suggested that Obama and the Democratic majority, as part of health care reform, fully intended to use voter rolls to deny coverage to Republicans.
Say what?!? Amazingly (?), many in the Republican "base" believe this tripe--along with the host of other blatant lies they're so loudly (and skillfully, I have to say) peddling. We're well beyond the simple willful ignorance I've noted before...
This is what qualifies as working for the good of the country? This is what they bring to the table? This is the quality of GOP ideas and debate?
Flinging corrosive acid at the heart and soul of America in a desperate effort to "stop Obama" on anything and everything and at any cost--including the health and well-being of the nation and its citizens--is the depth to which they've sunk. Desperate for us to forget their 8 years of enthusiastic support for dangerous incompetence and secret machinations against the very Constitution (reference Dick Cheney), they scream out "You lie!" at the President on the floor of the House of Representatives--but are wrong on the facts. And unrepentent. And uncaring. And utterly irrational.
What are they so afraid of?
Why is this extremely vocal right-wing minority so passionately and destructively hostile to our duly elected President? Is that a whiff of racism I smell? Or in the case of some prominent right-wing talking heads and GOP politicians, a powerful aerosol blast in our faces:
Let's all be afraid of the big scary Negro in the White House--he's not even a natural born-American! He's not like us! He's out to get us and exact his revenge on Whitey! He's going to turn us all Socialist! Or Fascist! Or Communist! (They can't seem to make up their minds.) He's a mass murderer just like Hitler or Stalin, and he's gonna start with old people! He's gonna shove gay sex and abortion down our children's throats while addressing America's kids!
Nevermind that he, like so many Americans, is of mixed race or that his birth on American soil is well-documented.... Nevermind his history of religious faith, self-made success and compassionate involvments. Nevermind REALITY.
If you've been reading this blog, you should know this "Goldwater Republican," though forced to support the Democrats for the last 30 years, has always harbored hope for the GOP.
That's over. I find myself utterly disgusted. Though its hysterical thrashing gives the appearance of life, the party of Abraham Lincoln is thoroughly dead--killed by its irrational and paranoid right-wing. Now it's time to bury the stinking, decaying corpse and start over. Unburied dead can still infect and corrupt the living, after all.
In case you missed it this past Wednesday on Fox: So You Think You Can Dance premiered it's 6th season--just weeks after concluding an outstanding 5th. We get two this year!
As a warm-up we got a special episode last week showcasing 15 of their best routines--including of course, the one about breast cancer that left everyone's eyes leaking tears. And, fifteen wasn't enough for us--we noted many performances we felt they missed!
New season looks good. Already we have two outstanding performers who just missed making it into the top twenty last year (both tap dancers!) on their way to the second round. And, in previews of upcoming tryouts, we're told that same-sex ballroom is up for another shot.
That other, very different, dance show, Dancing With the Stars, has announced their competitor lineup for their upcoming season. While we're fans of this show, too, I'm troubled by their inclusion of sleazy, indicted, homophobic right-wing ex-US Representative Tom DeLay--We're considering boycotting the show this season thanks to this offensive choice.
Other TV notes: Glee looks pretty good so far. Supernatural just premiered their new season--looks like Lucifer's in the house! BTW: one America's Got Talent finalist, a singer with a weirdly raw and compelling voice (Drew Stevyns ) looks amazingly like Supernatural cutie Jensen Ackles. He's got his work cut out for him--LOTS of singers in the finals-ALL outstanding, and very different from one another. Excellent lineup overall, particularly including hilarious and naughty 70-something year old comedian Grandma Lee and adorable oddball dancer, Hairo Torres, from Grant's Pass in Oregon. Vampire Diaries premiered last night, too. Can you spell "Twilight"? Per CW Network's usual formula, there are lots of pretty young people wearing lots of lipstick and eyeshadow--easily as much on the boys as on the girls. First episode wasn't bad at all, but then Wolf Lake (remember that one?) started out well, too... Fringe is up soon--let's see how it's holding up--and we've decided we're done with Heroes.
And on SyFy, we're finding their new series, Warehouse 59, middling appealing but: their very good Eureka is ending its season next week! I'm gonna have to count 'em up, but I swear they only do less than 10 per year! Jeez! Guess they have to make room for all those utterly horrible (and not in a good way) movies they produce. We actually watched one the other week--I swear they gave the director maybe $40 at most, judging by the product... On the other hand, we did get a little laugh out of an actor struggling under a massively heavy cannister in some scenes and casually one-handing it in others. The background street traffic in the middle of a supposedly devastated and depopulated area was worth a chuckle, too... Please, please replace this crap with old 'B' movie crap where they were at least trying, like the Giant Gila Monster or the Marching Monoliths!
The start of the fall season's gonna complicate things: I was trying to squeeze in the most recent season of Torchwood (on DVD--we don't get BBC America) before the fall season started (didn't make it). Believe it or not, I really do limit my TV time!
Sorry 'bout that--I've been under the weather recently. But, let's see if we can get back into it! Certainly the hugely important reform of our health care financing deserves a few bytes and pixels, doncha think?
It seemed likely Peter Jackson would be able to do something to impress us, and he delivered. This was unusually intelligent and thoughtful science fiction--simply setting this story of segregation and subjugation of another race (with the best of intentions, of course) in S. Africa takes you a long ways from the usual space opera or horror tale. Presenting much of it as video archival and interview footage also separated it from much of the genre. And...the subject of said footage was NOT the aliens, but the man charged with moving the increasingly disliked alien population from their current--but nearby--slum to a more distant, and concentration camp-like, location. Ultimately, the story is really about this man's transformation(s) and how we deal with "the other," "the different." Best for scifi fans, but worthwhile for those who appreciate a smart film, talented production (on a tight budget, no less!), and nomination-worthy performance.
Inglorious Basterds
Rob: A Brian: A
"Once upon a time" might seem an odd way to begin a film about World War II, but this story does not follow actual historical events. Rather, it shows another possibility--in classic Tarentino style. It's about the intersecting paths of a Jewish refugee hiding in plain sight as the owner/operator of a cinema, the German officer who executed her family, and a group of American Jewish guerillas in France spreading terror through the Nazi ranks. And it's definitely Tarantino: unusually long build-ups (but with great payoffs!), violent (but appropriately in context), funny, and more than willing to play with the forms of the media (a voice-over will occasionally interrupt with a verbal expanatory footnote, and at one point, a face is circled onscreen with a scrawled name pointing to it...). Performances are excellent throughout--and it's an odd, but effective turn for Pitt. Both of us suspect this one will reward repeated viewing.
G.I.Joe
Rob: B Brian: B
What can I say? Lots of explosive, cg-driven fun. Cute leading man. Attractive cast. Never misses a beat. Seqeuel clearly planned, if not already in production. Another well-produced live-action cinematic comic book.
We wanted to go to the beach--without driving to the ocean.
So, continuing to explore, we revisted rural Sauvie Island, bounded by the Willamette and Columbia Rivers (and just opposite N. Portland (the...fifth... "quadrant" of Portland). Pretty handy, but...the beaches are on the opposite side from us, making them around an hour away--the "real" beaches at the ocean are only 1-2 hours themselves. Might seem like a long drive, but most living in S. California will find their beaches just as far away--through urban sprawl and traffic rather than our pastoral experience.
This time, we found real sand beaches--big ones! Reeder Beach (pictures) is formed by sand deposits against the levy protecting the farmlands behind. Lots of action on this perfect mid-70s day: wind-surfing, boating, paddling, sand-digging, sunbathing, wave-chasing (one dog was entertaining himself (and us) by repeatedly chasing the 'break' of a wave down the beach)!
You'll notice a speedboat: given the small boats, swimmers (human and canine), and wind-surfers, we saw sharing the water, it's reeeeeally obvious why they are so harsh on drunk (boat) driving here. Ocean freighters share this channel, too, though we didn't see one today.
We also stopped by Cannon Beach, just a short ways further (you can just see it where the river curves). Beautiful beach, separated from the gravel road by a strip of woods--which is perhaps why this one is designated "clothing optional."
Having grown up by the ocean, one thing seemed odd. Being a fresh water beach, there was none of the salty, sticky air that coats your skin, your sunglasses, your car I always associate with beaches. Definitely didn't miss it.
Apparently 'The Dark Knight' was not Heath Ledger's last film.
We get to see one more new film with this talented star: Terry Gilliam's 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,' likely hitting American theaters at Christmas. I'll confess I'm curious to see how well they dealt with losing him before finishing production. Apparently, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell step in as transformations of the character. But, Gilliam's reason enough to see it all by himself--wonderfully imaginative work throughout his career.
Click here for an article at Vanity Fair on Ledger and the film.
While living in LA, I had always heard it was unusually "park-poor" for a major city. Since moving to the Portland metroplex, the reality of that phrase has become crystal clear.
Portland and its surrounding cities love parks! They're everywhere, and generally incorporate lots of recreational opportunities for both kids and adults. These pics are of one of the best examples: Peninsula Park in NW Portland--a beautiful old park which manages to incorporate the city's second major rose garden, gazebos, playing fields, woods, community center and public pool in just a couple city blocks and, as you can see, has two fountains--one designed expressly for the kids (jets change periodically). While we were there on a Sunday, there were 3 wedding parties, a private birthday party, a group picnic/workshop event (part of Leather Pride Week), lotsa kids, and plenty of people sunbathing or enjoying open swim in a very appealing outdoor pool.
A war which has killed well over 4000 American soldiers, and maimed many, many more, and whose stridently presented rationale has been proven to have been purely a pack of inexplicable and deliberate lies wasn't enough.
Recently another deliberate effort by Mr. Bush's administration (and Mr. Cheney's shadow government) that has resulted in many avoidable deaths has come to light. Specifically: his administration squelched scientific evidence produced by government funded studies that eliminated any last doubt that using cell phones while driving is deadly--as deadly as drunk driving in fact! In the absence of this compelling evidence, the move by states to ban the practice has been easily thwarted or delayed.
More Americans have died easily avoidable deaths.
And, again, it is utterly inexplicable--except possibly that the study was a scientific study--and the Bush/Cheney government was ideologically allergic to science and fact...
But, then we also have to look at the continually emerging revelations about our primary private para-military arm in Iraq: Blackwater. The head of the company is a devout adherent of the same apocalyptic "Christian" right ideology as Mr. Bush and felt he was literally waging holy war in Iraq. And, isn't it nice to know some of the vast quantities of our tax dollars funnelled to this organization were then used by it's CEO, Erik Prince, to fund right-wing "Christian" organizations such as Focus on the Family. They, of course, then used them to demonize and oppose equal treatment of some of their fellow citizens--that Blackwater was supposedly defending...
During the last eight years, I just felt the administration was incompetent and wrong-headed. Now, the more I learn, the more frightening I find it.
While clearing out old email, I ran across a message from a friend who was complaining about her long-time boyfriend's insistence she was always doing things wrong and, if she would just do things right (ie: his way), everything would be just so much better...
Thought I'd share my response:
"And, so, when are you going to learn to do things his way!?!?!?
You know, my friend Matt has the same issue with his husband, and I have the same issue with mine. Personally, I think it's a fundamental part of the relationship equation--the only question is how you manage it and how much importance you place on it.
Ideally, in the face of a significant other's totally idiotic and infuriating inadequacy and incompetence, their willfully stubborn rejection of one's wisdom and guidance, and their obstinate refusal to shape up and fly right, each party simply accepts their partner's wretched behavior as part of their quirky charm and then proceeds to take refuge in drugs, liquor, work, hobbies and chronic masturbation..."
Here's a brief round-up on how justice and equality for gay couples is going at the moment:
Maine: Barely out of the box, newly enacted marriage equality is being threatened by folks threatened by change--they are gathering signatures to place a repeal measure on the ballot.
Washington: Is experiencing the same thing with their new everything-but-the-name domestic partnership ordinance. But, it's anybody's guess if equality opponents got enough signatures to get on the ballot: they turned in just 12-13% more than needed and the percentage of those proving invalid is just about equal to that. It looks to be close either way.
Wisconsin: Though same-sex marriage--or any substantively similar recognition--is specifically outlawed in their constitution, they have recently enacted a weak domestic partner ordinance. Needless to say, the usual agents of intolerance are working to repeal said measure. But of course they offer no alternative (see the article below). However, said constitutional measure is being challenged in the courts and pundits believe it may fall.
And a bit more: it turns out that those who pushed for the passage of said gay marriage ban may have their own words used to "sell" said amendment bite them in the ass as they try to oppose said weak domestic partner ordinance in the courts: they specifically said during the campaign that the marriage ban amendment was in no way intended to interfere with domestic partnerships as long as they weren't substantively similar to marriage. Now, suddenly, the 43 out of over 1100 marriage rights and responsibilities that this dom. partner law confers makes it the same as marriage in their minds.
Again, those 'good' "Christians" LIED.
But, those statements of intent may be introduced into the court case by those defending the law, thus, turning their own words against them. We can only hope.
Washington DC: Now recognizes same-sex marriages performed elsewhere
Portugal: Unfortunately, their high court just upheld a ban on marriage equality.
Hungary: On the other hand, despite a high court rejection of a recent domestic partner ordinance, the government seems determined to revise it sufficiently to pass muster.
The Land of TV: The resurrected "Newlywed Game" is currently advertising for legally married gay couples to appear on the show.
Finally, I'd like to point you to a beautifully written article at the National Journal: A Moral Crossroads for Conservatives. Not only does it bring a little bit of new perspective on the issue of marriage equality, but it certainly resonated with me personally. I remember weeks at a bedside...
Perhaps another time I'll share that time with y'all.
21.6 million--that's how many votes were cast for So You Think You Can Dance's finale! Too bad American's don't vote for our elected representatives in those numbers!
And, the show moved to Hollywood's Kodak Theater (just up the street from our old digs)--flashier and roomier: the live audience was 3500 strong. And. Very. Enthusiastic. But then, what other contest show on TV has its judges perform onstage (as they did last night)?
Last night's results show reprised the judges' favorite numbers from the season, including particularly: SYTYCD 'graduate' Travis Wall's wonderful choreographic debut, Tyce Diorio's moving piece addressing a friend's breast cancer (and in a very emotional moment, we were informed she had just been determined to now be cancer-free), and Mia Michaels very potent piece on addiction. Smokin' hot Argentinian Tango was another, along with the 'top twenty' premiere Bollywood piece...
So, who won? My favorite was Brandon--outstanding throughout the season. He didn't win (came in second, though). Karla was another season-long standout. 4th place. Thankfully, as much as I love Evan, he just wasn't up to the standard of his finale compatriots--dramatically illustrated when he shared the stage Wed. night with Brandon--and he came in third.
We think America got it right: Jeanine took the title! While she wasn't brilliant throughout, she kept getting better and better--the judges felt she peaked right at the finale--and we agree. She ended every bit as good as Brandon and Karla, but she had more work to do to get there--part of what the show's all about.
Great show. Great season.
And, if you agree, or want to check it out for the first time, it looks like Fox has decided it's a cash cow: they're doing a second season this year starting in September! And, another option is seeing the top ten in person if they're performing in your city. Tickets are spendy, though...
Born & raised in S. California, my hubby and I are now growing webbed feet and hugging trees in the Pacific Northwest. A professional fine artist, with a BFA from Otis/Parsons Art Institute, I've been creating original artwork for over 20 years. In my work I seek to create--not straightforward visual depictions--but an emotive distillation of life's, experiences, dreams and imaginings. This goal of distillation and synthesis comes from my belief that in life, the 'ordinary' process and environment of living is anything but, and we exist on a complex of levels simultaneously--personal/social, internal/external, conscious/subconscious, real/virtual... Please contact me for more information or addition to my artist mailing list.
