Lunchtime updates-
I'm starting to wonder if perhaps all that's been going on us some sort of strange conspiracy, a twisted version of fate or karma...if only because it's so mind-boggling to think it's just a convenient coincidence, or that we're just noticing these things now, as if for the first time. When trying to pass healthcare reform, several insurance companies suddenly hiked up their rates by up to (and in some cases, over) 50%. We saw recently that companies were dropping women diagnosed with breast cancer. The ban on drilling was lifted, and we talked about the need for alternative energy. Soon after, a mine exploded and killed 26 people. We're in the middle of one of the worst oil spills in history that is damaging protected land and wildlife (after the initial explosion, in which at least 11 people were lost...)
At least the spill seems to be making our president and others rethink drilling and protecting whales and wildlife, even if it's only a temporary freeze. It's sad that it takes disaster to make people think, but at least we can all recognize the need for urgent change and reform!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Freedom is...???
So much has been going on lately, that I simply haven't thought about this much. First things first - Congrats, Storyteller Knight, for being nominated for a writing award for her superhero series Cat's Eye PI! Help us vote her to victory!
In other news, what the hell is going on with Arizona? For the past 5 years, we've seen all sorts of questionable laws and bans come out of that state, from abortion to immigration and gay rights-- and we thought Utah was conservative! What I really don't understand is why certain groups claim to want a "small government" that doesn't infringe on people's rights, yet they support and advocate laws that force women who seek an abortion to have an ultrasound (and not the slimy-stomach type, but by means of a long, thin camera shoved up her crotch... how's that for traumatizing, especially after a possible rape... Though technically, by definition, it would also qualify as being rape...); allow police to stop (and possibly arrest) anyone on the streets and ask for documentation with very loosely defined requirements (no warrant required); tell people who love each other they can't legally get married, or have/adopt kids, or visit each other in the hospital, because some people don't like it or think it's right; deny basic human rights based on skin color or ethnicity (still happens today, though thankfully not as widespread as before. Now it's just more covert... in most cases.). So you want government to control who gets married and who gets to live where, but not to provide basic healthcare for all citizens, keep our borders safe or our beaches, water, and air clean? Not to make sure that everyone has an equal, fair opportunity to get a decent job based on experience and knowledge, and a fair wage? And not to make sure that everyone has a fair chance at the American dream by helping those who have nowhere to go, no education, are cold or sick or dirty or hungry or alone or too old to care for themselves? Do we just let these people die on the streets? I think you'd just complain that the government isn't keeping these people away from your perfect America. Please prove me wrong. My point is that we've seen the world without these things, and we've seen the world with it. We don't want to go back to that world of fear, and pain, and cruelty. We're supposed to be the penultimate country of freedom, the "Land of Opportunity." That title, however, is also based on a history of institutionalized pain, murder, and unnecessary force. In some ways, we have tried to rectify our past mistakes, and in some ways, we have overcome our past. We are a superpower in the world, and have so much potential for good. But we don't know what freedom truly means. So, think about it. What does freedom mean for you? And what does it mean for Americans?
In other news, what the hell is going on with Arizona? For the past 5 years, we've seen all sorts of questionable laws and bans come out of that state, from abortion to immigration and gay rights-- and we thought Utah was conservative! What I really don't understand is why certain groups claim to want a "small government" that doesn't infringe on people's rights, yet they support and advocate laws that force women who seek an abortion to have an ultrasound (and not the slimy-stomach type, but by means of a long, thin camera shoved up her crotch... how's that for traumatizing, especially after a possible rape... Though technically, by definition, it would also qualify as being rape...); allow police to stop (and possibly arrest) anyone on the streets and ask for documentation with very loosely defined requirements (no warrant required); tell people who love each other they can't legally get married, or have/adopt kids, or visit each other in the hospital, because some people don't like it or think it's right; deny basic human rights based on skin color or ethnicity (still happens today, though thankfully not as widespread as before. Now it's just more covert... in most cases.). So you want government to control who gets married and who gets to live where, but not to provide basic healthcare for all citizens, keep our borders safe or our beaches, water, and air clean? Not to make sure that everyone has an equal, fair opportunity to get a decent job based on experience and knowledge, and a fair wage? And not to make sure that everyone has a fair chance at the American dream by helping those who have nowhere to go, no education, are cold or sick or dirty or hungry or alone or too old to care for themselves? Do we just let these people die on the streets? I think you'd just complain that the government isn't keeping these people away from your perfect America. Please prove me wrong. My point is that we've seen the world without these things, and we've seen the world with it. We don't want to go back to that world of fear, and pain, and cruelty. We're supposed to be the penultimate country of freedom, the "Land of Opportunity." That title, however, is also based on a history of institutionalized pain, murder, and unnecessary force. In some ways, we have tried to rectify our past mistakes, and in some ways, we have overcome our past. We are a superpower in the world, and have so much potential for good. But we don't know what freedom truly means. So, think about it. What does freedom mean for you? And what does it mean for Americans?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Disappointments
Ok, was trying to sleep, but one last thing. Again, no politics tonight. Not much, at least.
Today's theme has been disappointment.
Virgo Daily Single's Horoscope -
"You need to cut someone a little slack, even if they just used their last get-out-of-jail-free card. Instead of getting mad about the recent string of slights, it’s time to do something about them."
-_-" Oh alright, fine. Something done. And that something will be nothing but this and all that follows (since I'm assuming it's safe to tell the truth now.) Sometimes it's better to be mean if it means that something good will come of it. I mean, one should never have to be mean, but sometimes it's the only way... And it sucks, and it hurts, and you might not want to do it, but it's for your own good, it's for the good of someone else, and maybe someone will finally learn something out of it, finally hear you. And somehow in the end, even though you win, you'll feel disappointed. And you'll try not to let it get to you, and you'll try not to cry about it. But, as a good friend taught me, you did the right thing.
I know some people better than they realize, and sometimes better than they know themselves-- to the point where it gets frustrating that they can't see what I do... (And I know things about people that would make them cringe...) I don't talk because it's more interesting to listen, and when you're listening closely enough, you can see the things others miss, even about themselves. I know more about myself than I ever wished to know. I love to overanalyze things, tear them apart piece by piece to extract every bit of information that I can (provided I have the time and energy...). I never believed I was smart, growing up. I've always been different, but I don't know that it's intelligence. Even now that I've taken and scored highly on IQ tests I have serious doubts. I like studying and learning is all that is. I love logic and knowledge and discovering things. I was never the pretty, popular girl. I didn't care about things like that. I grew up in a home where great was never good enough. Still isn't. Living the life I want, that which makes me happy, also makes me a disappointment in their eyes, even though I've given up a lot of things to make them happy... It shouldn't matter, but things are so complicated. Many of my friends don't know or understand my home life. They could never. It's safer to be far away...
Why is it that things are finally getting better, but everything else around me is getting so much worse? Why does that always happen? So very weird. Everything is a balancing act, yet somehow for once the scales seem tipped in my favor -- despite having a demanding job (with few benefits...), wanting so badly to move out, & other things that need not be mentioned... On the other hand, just heard that tea partiers somehow spread to England. Why, who knows, but nothing they do or say makes any sense to me or most of my friends anyway, so I don't know that we should care/ get worried yet. I think perhaps Europeans, overall, are probably much smarter than Americans. Things will work out. Arizona - now that's a can of worms on its own. Good news is that some even the most radical conservatives (some with influence or TV connections) think it's over the top too and might lead to profiling. So maybe that's something we can all work on together, instead of dividing the country between conservatives and liberals. (Although I have to admit, sometimes that really sounds like a good option. Because sometimes, breaking up is better for both parties... You get what you want/need, without sacrificing more than you should for each other or killing each other in the process. It seems safer that way... No one gets hurt. Because you're better off without each other. Even if you have to force the separation by any means necessary other than bloodshed, it's probably for your own good, and you'll see that someday. Sort of like saying,"I love you (platonically), but we can't be friends anymore. We had a second chance, and it didn't work. I'm sorry, and it hurts, but it's for the best.") It's tough... We all want similar things (for the most part), we just have very different philosophies on how to get them. Though I find that I have much more respect for the reasonable, practical people than the "wingnuts/moonbats". (Yes, even liberals can also be outrageous! Most of us aren't, but there are some.)
Yet another close friend has joined that group... A "prayer" joke wishing for someone's death... So very disappointed... As I always say, free speech, you have every right, etc etc, but you will be judged... You're still responsible for what you say/do... I am. And tonight I will pay the agreed upon price... for the last time.
goodbye old friend
peace be with you
may it follow wherever
you want it to
if it becomes a burden
and you long for sin
rest assured I'll never
turn you in
Goodbye old friend
peace be with you
--Tom Flannery.
Today's theme has been disappointment.
Virgo Daily Single's Horoscope -
"You need to cut someone a little slack, even if they just used their last get-out-of-jail-free card. Instead of getting mad about the recent string of slights, it’s time to do something about them."
-_-" Oh alright, fine. Something done. And that something will be nothing but this and all that follows (since I'm assuming it's safe to tell the truth now.) Sometimes it's better to be mean if it means that something good will come of it. I mean, one should never have to be mean, but sometimes it's the only way... And it sucks, and it hurts, and you might not want to do it, but it's for your own good, it's for the good of someone else, and maybe someone will finally learn something out of it, finally hear you. And somehow in the end, even though you win, you'll feel disappointed. And you'll try not to let it get to you, and you'll try not to cry about it. But, as a good friend taught me, you did the right thing.
I know some people better than they realize, and sometimes better than they know themselves-- to the point where it gets frustrating that they can't see what I do... (And I know things about people that would make them cringe...) I don't talk because it's more interesting to listen, and when you're listening closely enough, you can see the things others miss, even about themselves. I know more about myself than I ever wished to know. I love to overanalyze things, tear them apart piece by piece to extract every bit of information that I can (provided I have the time and energy...). I never believed I was smart, growing up. I've always been different, but I don't know that it's intelligence. Even now that I've taken and scored highly on IQ tests I have serious doubts. I like studying and learning is all that is. I love logic and knowledge and discovering things. I was never the pretty, popular girl. I didn't care about things like that. I grew up in a home where great was never good enough. Still isn't. Living the life I want, that which makes me happy, also makes me a disappointment in their eyes, even though I've given up a lot of things to make them happy... It shouldn't matter, but things are so complicated. Many of my friends don't know or understand my home life. They could never. It's safer to be far away...
Why is it that things are finally getting better, but everything else around me is getting so much worse? Why does that always happen? So very weird. Everything is a balancing act, yet somehow for once the scales seem tipped in my favor -- despite having a demanding job (with few benefits...), wanting so badly to move out, & other things that need not be mentioned... On the other hand, just heard that tea partiers somehow spread to England. Why, who knows, but nothing they do or say makes any sense to me or most of my friends anyway, so I don't know that we should care/ get worried yet. I think perhaps Europeans, overall, are probably much smarter than Americans. Things will work out. Arizona - now that's a can of worms on its own. Good news is that some even the most radical conservatives (some with influence or TV connections) think it's over the top too and might lead to profiling. So maybe that's something we can all work on together, instead of dividing the country between conservatives and liberals. (Although I have to admit, sometimes that really sounds like a good option. Because sometimes, breaking up is better for both parties... You get what you want/need, without sacrificing more than you should for each other or killing each other in the process. It seems safer that way... No one gets hurt. Because you're better off without each other. Even if you have to force the separation by any means necessary other than bloodshed, it's probably for your own good, and you'll see that someday. Sort of like saying,"I love you (platonically), but we can't be friends anymore. We had a second chance, and it didn't work. I'm sorry, and it hurts, but it's for the best.") It's tough... We all want similar things (for the most part), we just have very different philosophies on how to get them. Though I find that I have much more respect for the reasonable, practical people than the "wingnuts/moonbats". (Yes, even liberals can also be outrageous! Most of us aren't, but there are some.)
Yet another close friend has joined that group... A "prayer" joke wishing for someone's death... So very disappointed... As I always say, free speech, you have every right, etc etc, but you will be judged... You're still responsible for what you say/do... I am. And tonight I will pay the agreed upon price... for the last time.
goodbye old friend
peace be with you
may it follow wherever
you want it to
if it becomes a burden
and you long for sin
rest assured I'll never
turn you in
Goodbye old friend
peace be with you
--Tom Flannery.
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