Turtles can breathe through their butts...
ew.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A couple more quotes...
These two are from blogger posts:
"Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in ALL lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors." ~Abraham Lincoln
(posted by AL on 5.19.08 washingtonpost.com)
"If we continue to accumulate only power and not wisdom, we will surely destroy ourselves." ~Carl Sagan
(posted by LightningMan on Daily Kos)
"Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in ALL lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors." ~Abraham Lincoln
(posted by AL on 5.19.08 washingtonpost.com)
"If we continue to accumulate only power and not wisdom, we will surely destroy ourselves." ~Carl Sagan
(posted by LightningMan on Daily Kos)
ok, now let's try...
sexism.
In an 11th hour "Hail Mary" attempt (ooh, is that sexist?) to rationalize why she isn't winning, Sen. Clinton has finally called the media out for being sexist. In an interview with Lois Romano of The Washington Post, "Clinton criticized the 'vitriol' from 'misogynists' and said that the race factor was often discussed but not gender".
Well, whose fault is that? It seems to me that this campaign that has been going on for about six years now was the perfect time to address this issue. Sen. Obama reluctantly addressed the race issue that was thrown ad nauseum in his face - to try and start a dialogue of healing. Why didn't you do the same?
HRC: "...I really don't stop to worry about it because there's nothing I can do about it."
Really? You've never stopped to worry about your mistreatment by the media? Your husband and numerous surrogates sure have. Didn't they mention it to you? I seem to remember your campaign complaining after a certain debate last fall that you were being "ganged up on" by the boys and that you "always get the first question". Isn't the polite rule "ladies first"?
So, there's nothing you can do about it? Nice attitude for a person seeking the presidency. Don't you think you are THE perfect person to deal with it? You have 24/7 media coverage, a national -- no, international platform with every man and woman on the planet listening to you...don't you think there is something you could do or say to make a difference or at least bring the problem to the forefront of the political conversation in a good way?
For me personally, (ala Jerry McGuire) she lost me at the "as far as I know" comment tacked on to her response that Obama is not a Muslim. [And, by the way, he's not - just so you "hard working, white" Americans in West Virginia and the rest of Appalachia know.] I think her candidacy has done a great service to all women and is historic and broke through many glass ceilings. A woman was seriously considered in the election for the Presidency of the United States. Think about that -- it's huge. But (there's always a big but...damn, is that sexist too?), for you to be here, at this place in history and NOT take the opportunity to start a discussion on the lingering sexism problems we have in this country is unacceptable. And then, at this last hour, complain about it is...I'm not even sure what that is, but I know I don't like it or agree with it.
And can you please get Geraldine Ferraro to shut her immature pie hole? She is doing more to set back the feminist movement every time she opens her mouth lately than anyone else. Can someone explain to me how after HRC tauted her gun-slinging with her grandpa that referring to her as "Annie Oakley" is sexist? It is a blatant call out to her new panerous claim to like to shoot guns. But sexist? I think not. There have been some real dangerous and misogynistic thinks said about her, but this is not one of them. If you truly want to have a debate about gender politics, then come to the table with something of intelligent substance -- not a lame victim card excuse.
This election season we have seen identity politics played to the extreme. Sadly, I fear there is only more to come in the general election with Karl Rove and his ilk having had ample time to sharpen their attack strategy. The bright side? The cancerous hate that still fills our country - whether it be in the form of racism, sexism, anti-semitism, anti-immigrant sentiment, etc. -- has been exposed. And while it makes me truly sad and a little sick to my stomach, that is the only way for us to decide we are better than that and get past it. Dare I say, grow.
In an 11th hour "Hail Mary" attempt (ooh, is that sexist?) to rationalize why she isn't winning, Sen. Clinton has finally called the media out for being sexist. In an interview with Lois Romano of The Washington Post, "Clinton criticized the 'vitriol' from 'misogynists' and said that the race factor was often discussed but not gender".
Well, whose fault is that? It seems to me that this campaign that has been going on for about six years now was the perfect time to address this issue. Sen. Obama reluctantly addressed the race issue that was thrown ad nauseum in his face - to try and start a dialogue of healing. Why didn't you do the same?
HRC: "...I really don't stop to worry about it because there's nothing I can do about it."
Really? You've never stopped to worry about your mistreatment by the media? Your husband and numerous surrogates sure have. Didn't they mention it to you? I seem to remember your campaign complaining after a certain debate last fall that you were being "ganged up on" by the boys and that you "always get the first question". Isn't the polite rule "ladies first"?
So, there's nothing you can do about it? Nice attitude for a person seeking the presidency. Don't you think you are THE perfect person to deal with it? You have 24/7 media coverage, a national -- no, international platform with every man and woman on the planet listening to you...don't you think there is something you could do or say to make a difference or at least bring the problem to the forefront of the political conversation in a good way?
For me personally, (ala Jerry McGuire) she lost me at the "as far as I know" comment tacked on to her response that Obama is not a Muslim. [And, by the way, he's not - just so you "hard working, white" Americans in West Virginia and the rest of Appalachia know.] I think her candidacy has done a great service to all women and is historic and broke through many glass ceilings. A woman was seriously considered in the election for the Presidency of the United States. Think about that -- it's huge. But (there's always a big but...damn, is that sexist too?), for you to be here, at this place in history and NOT take the opportunity to start a discussion on the lingering sexism problems we have in this country is unacceptable. And then, at this last hour, complain about it is...I'm not even sure what that is, but I know I don't like it or agree with it.
And can you please get Geraldine Ferraro to shut her immature pie hole? She is doing more to set back the feminist movement every time she opens her mouth lately than anyone else. Can someone explain to me how after HRC tauted her gun-slinging with her grandpa that referring to her as "Annie Oakley" is sexist? It is a blatant call out to her new panerous claim to like to shoot guns. But sexist? I think not. There have been some real dangerous and misogynistic thinks said about her, but this is not one of them. If you truly want to have a debate about gender politics, then come to the table with something of intelligent substance -- not a lame victim card excuse.
This election season we have seen identity politics played to the extreme. Sadly, I fear there is only more to come in the general election with Karl Rove and his ilk having had ample time to sharpen their attack strategy. The bright side? The cancerous hate that still fills our country - whether it be in the form of racism, sexism, anti-semitism, anti-immigrant sentiment, etc. -- has been exposed. And while it makes me truly sad and a little sick to my stomach, that is the only way for us to decide we are better than that and get past it. Dare I say, grow.
I'm back!
And full of piss and vinegar :) I can't keep my thoughts to myself any longer. And, yes, the majority of them are political.
Expect a number of rant-filled blogs in the days to come. Yee haw!
Expect a number of rant-filled blogs in the days to come. Yee haw!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Not just another cute red head...
Or: Everything I ever needed to know, I learned from Sesame Street.
The idea for this blog started off from reading a clip in Newsweek -- May 12, 2008 issue -- about a newer series and free set of videos via Sesame Street's Elmo (hence the red head comment above). "Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecoming, Changes" has Elmo, along with his Hispanic friend Rosita, discussing the unfortunate issues facing the modern military family. Cool, huh? Way to go SS!
After I read this, I started thinking about what I had learned from watching Sesame Street and how this non-profit has aided in child education over the 39 years it has been on the air. In other words, how it has evolved.
Here are just some of the things I learned when I was a kid (back in the day). I'm sure some of you will remember these...
*The ABC's from Big Bird - (truth be told I still sing that song in the back of my head when I'm filing).
*Counting from Count von Count (or "The Count") - and how to do a fake scary laugh - ah, ah, aaahhhh.
*Depth Perception from Grover - "near...far...", and slapstick which still comes in handy at times.
*How to effectively sneak cookies and reluctantly share from Cookie Monster - and love for the perfect chocolate chip cookie.
*How to get along with an anal-retentive roommate from Ernie - really, I would have smothered Bert in his sleep :)
*Unwavering friendship and true belief in the make believe from Aloysius Snuffleupagus (yes, that is his first name)
*And, the ultimate anticipation of not being able to wait to know how the story ends, again from Grover - "The Monster at the End of This Book" is brilliant.
Now let's take a look at the new world of Sesame Street. First of all, they have an interactive website (http://www.sesameworkshop.org) that incorporates character-driven activities and highlights issues of our time. Many new characters have been introduced including the afore-mentioned Rosita who teaches Spanish words; Zoe, a 3-year-old orange monster that always wears a tutu and is obsessed with ballet; Kami, a 5-year-old South African yellow monster that is HIV-positive and has been orphaned by AIDS; and the newest (I think) Abby Cadabby, a 3-year-old muppet fairy with pink and purple pigtails and a wand. Yes, Sesame Steet has gone global.
The characters have interactive web pages that teach new things: Letter of the Day, Word of the Day, Spanish word of the Day, Number of the Day, Dance Moves, and one even features a dancing, globe-trotting Grover wearing authentic cultural garb. Adding to the collection of classic songs like "C is for Cookie" are the new conscious tunes "A Cookie is a Sometime Food", "I Eat the Colors of the Rainbow" and "Mango Tango".
Seriously, if you're just a big kid like me or have kids of your own, check out the new and evolved Sesame Street website. Better yet, watch it on tv (old school) and never forget that "the most potent muse of all is our own inner child"**.
**quote by Stephen Nachmanovitch
The idea for this blog started off from reading a clip in Newsweek -- May 12, 2008 issue -- about a newer series and free set of videos via Sesame Street's Elmo (hence the red head comment above). "Talk, Listen, Connect: Deployments, Homecoming, Changes" has Elmo, along with his Hispanic friend Rosita, discussing the unfortunate issues facing the modern military family. Cool, huh? Way to go SS!
After I read this, I started thinking about what I had learned from watching Sesame Street and how this non-profit has aided in child education over the 39 years it has been on the air. In other words, how it has evolved.
Here are just some of the things I learned when I was a kid (back in the day). I'm sure some of you will remember these...
*The ABC's from Big Bird - (truth be told I still sing that song in the back of my head when I'm filing).
*Counting from Count von Count (or "The Count") - and how to do a fake scary laugh - ah, ah, aaahhhh.
*Depth Perception from Grover - "near...far...", and slapstick which still comes in handy at times.
*How to effectively sneak cookies and reluctantly share from Cookie Monster - and love for the perfect chocolate chip cookie.
*How to get along with an anal-retentive roommate from Ernie - really, I would have smothered Bert in his sleep :)
*Unwavering friendship and true belief in the make believe from Aloysius Snuffleupagus (yes, that is his first name)
*And, the ultimate anticipation of not being able to wait to know how the story ends, again from Grover - "The Monster at the End of This Book" is brilliant.
Now let's take a look at the new world of Sesame Street. First of all, they have an interactive website (http://www.sesameworkshop.org) that incorporates character-driven activities and highlights issues of our time. Many new characters have been introduced including the afore-mentioned Rosita who teaches Spanish words; Zoe, a 3-year-old orange monster that always wears a tutu and is obsessed with ballet; Kami, a 5-year-old South African yellow monster that is HIV-positive and has been orphaned by AIDS; and the newest (I think) Abby Cadabby, a 3-year-old muppet fairy with pink and purple pigtails and a wand. Yes, Sesame Steet has gone global.
The characters have interactive web pages that teach new things: Letter of the Day, Word of the Day, Spanish word of the Day, Number of the Day, Dance Moves, and one even features a dancing, globe-trotting Grover wearing authentic cultural garb. Adding to the collection of classic songs like "C is for Cookie" are the new conscious tunes "A Cookie is a Sometime Food", "I Eat the Colors of the Rainbow" and "Mango Tango".
Seriously, if you're just a big kid like me or have kids of your own, check out the new and evolved Sesame Street website. Better yet, watch it on tv (old school) and never forget that "the most potent muse of all is our own inner child"**.
**quote by Stephen Nachmanovitch
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Happy Bard Day!
In celebration of Billy's birthday (Shakespeare, of course) - b. April 23, 1564 -- I want to share one of my favorite quotes:
"When you do dance, I wish you
A wave o'the sea, that you might ever do
Nothing but that, move still, still so,
And own no other function."
~The Winter's Tale
Act 4 Scene 4.1
Rest in Peace.
"When you do dance, I wish you
A wave o'the sea, that you might ever do
Nothing but that, move still, still so,
And own no other function."
~The Winter's Tale
Act 4 Scene 4.1
Rest in Peace.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
update
Just a quick note/update for all my fans out there. All four of you (Hi Mom!).
I've been trying to avoid ranting and writing about the never-ending primary...thus, no blogs in almost a month. Today is the big day in PA -- hoping to squeak out a small victory, but not holding my breath.
Good news! My first professional (PAID!) article will come out in a couple of weeks. I got to see the article yesterday. Not exactly what I wrote, but close and I did receive the byline (thank you). Can't say I really like the editing process, but I guess I can see its uses. Now...where's that freelance paycheck?
Welcome to the spring weather. Just having the sun shine on a daily basis really makes a difference with that black cloud that can sometimes hang over my head. Just call me sunshine :)
I've been trying to avoid ranting and writing about the never-ending primary...thus, no blogs in almost a month. Today is the big day in PA -- hoping to squeak out a small victory, but not holding my breath.
Good news! My first professional (PAID!) article will come out in a couple of weeks. I got to see the article yesterday. Not exactly what I wrote, but close and I did receive the byline (thank you). Can't say I really like the editing process, but I guess I can see its uses. Now...where's that freelance paycheck?
Welcome to the spring weather. Just having the sun shine on a daily basis really makes a difference with that black cloud that can sometimes hang over my head. Just call me sunshine :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
