Sunday, August 31, 2003

The man who made Martin Luther King, Jr. the icon everyone heralds today.

This would make for some great sociological movie-watching. Wish there was a collection of them on DVD or something.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

I apologize. I gave pretty short shrift to my August Issue of the Month-- Separation of Church and State. I got so distracted with all the crazy California recall/etc. electoral happenings. Additionally, the only major issues in the news this month were on the Ten Commandments block in Alabama and, while that is of importance, I firmly believe there are much more deep and stealth issues involving church/state relations that need to be explored and that need to be uncovered. I will come back to this issue soon and give it a better profile. In the meantime, check out my old workplace, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, learn more about the issues, and consider becoming a member.

Saturday, August 30, 2003

I got into an argument with someone today. I never do that. Really, honestly, I just don't usually talk to people who I disagree with. Generally, if someone says something I disagree with I'll either say something like "well, who knows" or "we'll see" or something similarly noncommittal and then walk away or move on. I just don't want or feel interest in arguing with someone, especially when we're bound to not convince each other of anything. Some of you may be surprised by that, knowing what I say on my website, but really my website is my venting service and while I can put my thoughts and frustrations out there, I don't have to argue with anyone I don't want to. Arguing is just not my thing.

All that being said, I got into a bit of one today. I was walking around at a street festival registering voters and walked by a booth by activists against the over-crowded prison system. Sounds cool, right? Well, I ask them if they're registered and they both smile at each other and then nod their heads "no." So I say that I have the forms and they can do it right then. And this hippie, holier-than-thou, all-know-it, liberal-fascist woman starts railing into me about how she is against the whole system and how none of the parties are worth anything and they're all the same and that I'm just a cog in a broken system and that she avoids the whole thing because she's not going to dirty herself with it and she'll never vote. So I brought up "Bush vs. Gore" and whether she thought things wouldn't be better under a Gore administration for the environment, for women's rights, for better judicial appointments who aren't right-wing nuts, and so on. And she said that it wouldn't matter. They're all the same she said. Well, that just angers me to no end. I'd rather deal with people who are completely disengaged than people who willfully disengage for insipid ideological reasons. And she's sitting at a booth trying to get people to sign her petition against the prison system!

So I said to her about her petition that the biggest voice politicians hear is the one at the voting booth and she's all like "I make my voice heard, definitely" and we have a meeting with Senator so-and-so about the prison system and we're making a difference and blah blah blah. And I was talking about how we get politicians who can help us voice our concerns about the prison system and whatnot by voting for politicians with positions that can help and she was just annoying and we were arguing and arguing. Ugh, then I just walked away. And she had the nerve to still want me to sign her petition! No thanks. No thanks at all. Stupidhead! (A few minutes later I called her that, in my mind, after I walked away. Because similar to Marge Simpson I can never think of the right thing to say about meanie-beenies until five minutes later and it usually involves name-calling because I'm mad.) Like I said, I don't like to argue.

There are now more cars on the road than there are drivers in America. Doesn't anyone else find this trend very disturbing? Unless we begin to utilize cars that run on less fuel or have better environmental systems, we are simply going to be forever destroying our world and blindly addicted to oil throughout the world. And what happens when we run out? And what happens when the oil conglomerates dictate our values? And what happens when the then becomes the now?

Finally found someone to see Freaky Friday with me yesterday. Why didn't I talk to Ellen about it weeks ago? You guys, it was oh-so-much fun. I can't wait to watch it again with my niece. She's gonna love it! (That being said, I was a bit bewildered and saddened by the unnecessary "ancient Chinese secret" stereotypes that played out in the movie. What was that about? Did no one making this movie think for a minute about how offensive it might be? What were they thinking? That was a major disappointment.)

And speaking of movies, a coupla days ago I rented Chicago. I had seen it in the theater but missed some parts and really wanted to see it again and see the extras on DVD. After rewatching it I just kept thinking what a great movie. The visuals are just amazing and beautiful and fantastic. I love great visuals. And everyone seemed to be having such a great time making it and there was so much fun in it. Great movie!

Friday, August 29, 2003

Let Minnesota's failed attempt at government-by- action-figure serve as a warning.

I just heard on the radio that today is Michael Jackson's 45th birthday. (Sorry Madonna, I missed yours a few weeks ago; did you know they were born only 12 days apart?) Turn your radios to an R&B station today and hear many a dedicated mix of his hits. To honor Michael, who I've actually been listening to lately-- rather ironic-- I quote the following lyrics for such a misunderstood fellow:

You are not alone
I am here with you
Though we're far apart
You're always in my heart...

Remember the time? Wanna be startin' something? Well, don't stop til you get enough. You are not alone.

NAME YOUR FAVORITE SONG BY HIM. Mine's in the comment section.

Thursday, August 28, 2003

So why did the [Bush's] EPA lie?

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE


Doesn't all of this hoopla seem a bit much? Isn't that why we have separation of church and state anyway? So we don't have constant wars over what religion or religious symbols are better than others?
Mixing his religious beliefs with his myopic interpretation of the law, however, has only served to bring about the type of polarizing confrontations that the founding fathers sought to avoid when they wrote the First Amendment.

Wow. Not sure what to say about this, but it is incredibly interesting--- a porno magazine interview with Arnold from 1977.

Wednesday, August 27, 2003

I'm at a computer station in a dive coffeeshop in the Mission right now. My Spanish class starts up in a few hours and I went ahead and came down to the area to hang around, read, do some errands, and soak up local flavor. This coffeeshop, La Boheme, is a culture clash of white hippies with dreads, Latinos reading english and spanish papers, a guy teaching a kid how to play chess, mix-matched tables and chairs that look like they came from public schools, major left-y political people, mix of languages being spoken, and then, of course, your crazy people strewn about for the usual effect. New areas of San Francisco to explore.

Ah, the Food Section of the paper. Normally, one of my throwaway sections, but today I got pulled in by the history of Ketchup. And who doesn't want to read about that?
Also, there were some lovely letters to the section regarding last week's promotion of Jessie's and my new favorite restaurant in San Francisco-- Original Joe's.

Interesting plan to fix the state budget and modest campaign fundraising to boot: "George Bush charges $200 a plate to have dinner with him and I think I'm a little more exciting than he is. I have bigger boobs."-- gubernatorial candidate Mary Carey

Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Brother bought her better bitter blockers but I bartered to buy her badder batter busters. Bother 'bout her bulkier, blacker, bleaker beeker to boot her biter beta bettor. Basta!

Apparently, for the Bush administration, anecdotes from their friends in the polluting industries account for hard science data now.

A wise person once said that when one has nothing substantial to say in a debate, they go after their opponents physical characteristics. Schwarzenegger took a shot at Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante... [calling him] "Gray Davis with a receding hairline and a mustache...." Pretty pathetic.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

With all the stupidity going on down in Alabama regarding the issue of a having a large stone tablet of the religious Ten Commandments in the state government's judicial courthouse, one may wonder what is the big deal. Many of my readers most likely will already see it as an intrusion of the separation of church and state, but for argument sake, let's say you're wondering about it. Well, here's the best answer to that question: Just which commandments are the 10 Commandments? and the answer to that question depends on your religious beliefs and backgrounds. And that, my friends, is the reason why we have separation of church and state in the first place, because we don't want to cause religious wars among our peoples over religious texts in the state sphere. To single out one version is to make that version and that version's religion higher and more appropriate than other religions and therefore putting the state in the place of choosing sides. Additionally, for those religions that don't have a 10 Commandments or don't believe they are sacred, the whole concept smacks of religious intolerance. Hence, the need for the big tablet to come out of the state hall in Alabama, the need for them not to be displayed in public state buildings, and the need for stronger separation of church and state in the country.

Happy Women's Equality Day! Celebrate the right of Women to vote in America. And make sure you utilize your right to vote. If you couldn't, wouldn't you be fighting for it? Can you imagine? Now, let's all go out there and use our power.

Monday, August 25, 2003

I am NOT happy right at the moment. The last couple of days I haven't been taking the pain medication for my strange "viral" pain that has no name. I haven't been taking them because I've been feeling oh-so-much better. Really, definitely, better. And I had already lowered the dosage over the week before that or so. Anyway, everything has been much better. Until, tonight, when my left foot, ankle, and lower leg began hurting, again, really intensely-- just like before. I thought it could have been related to standing outside and registering people to vote, and that could be part of it, but it's exactly the same kind of intense, terrible pain that I was feeling before. And so I took another pain med tonight. There's still something going on and it has no name, still. Ugh.

I'm having a great time with my new part-time job-- registering people to vote in front of my neighborhood grocery store. Sometimes it goes slow, sometimes it goes really fast and I try to keep up with all the people trying to register. It's also nice to help people who want to register, but haven't had the time or 'gotten around to it' and now they're set. I've registered about 74 people in just a few days. Yay!

On other political news, I had a great time volunteering at a local reception for Senator Barbara Boxer on Saturday at the LGBT Center of San Francisco put on by the two local Gay Democratic clubs (yes, San Francisco has 2 Gay Democratic Clubs). She was, as always, amazing and inspirational, and I just couldn't help being so happy that this strong, dedicated, cool woman is my U.S. Senator. She even mentioned, unrelated to my presence, that she missed having Jean Carnahan (from Missouri) in the Senate with her. How nice and how sad at the same time. I miss having my Missouri Senator be Mrs. Carnahan too. But I'm oh-so-happy to call Boxer my Senator and I'm continuing to do everything I can to help her win re-election next year.

People, it's HOT, Record Hot, here in San Francisco, again. What is up with this insanely hot summer? It's been definitely more than 4 days this year.

Didn't no stuntman do my work.

Sunday, August 24, 2003

Saturday, August 23, 2003

That the White House instructed EPA officials to downplay the health impact of the World Trade Center contaminants due to 'competing considerations' at the expense of the health and lives of New York City residents is an abomination... [It is] understandable that in the midst of a crisis the White House did not want the EPA to sound alarmist, [but if] the public loses faith that things are safe when the government says so, we'll have done more damage than a pointed statement the week after 9/11 would have.

Bush and his people want the governor's seat so badly they're really pushing all of the other Republicans out in order to make room for Arnold. Unbelievable, but not surprising. Whatever, there's good news out there today that this whole thing may be imploding. Stupid waste of time and money.

Friday, August 22, 2003

Thanks to Sparky, I read this post from another blogger who has been suffering from some unknown thing and finally found out a diagnosis. I totally relate to his issues about feeling like no one is paying attention medically and that there's nothing real since there's no diagnosis that conforms to some regular thing out there.

This whole episode in my summer reminds me of a Golden Girls episode. Dorothy has been feeling tired and listless for months and has gone to several doctors who all tell her the same thing: nothing's physically wrong with her, all the tests are fine, and she should just get more rest. She keeps saying over and over that something is wrong with her physically and feels like she's just being placated by the docs. Finally, nearly having given up, she sees one more doctor who confirms her feelings by telling her that she has a newly understood, rare disease. She's elated just to know it is something. Just to know. Just to be acknowledged and understood and it has a name. A name. And she can now begin to piece together, with her doctor, a way to cure/fix the disease. At the end of the episode they all went out to dinner to celebrate having found a name for her issue. It was real and finally acknowledged.

I guess I'm at the place before the last doctor where I just feel like giving up and acquiescing to the statements and tests that say everything is fine and I should just be happy it doesn't have a name. (My rheumotologist said it would be good if it doesn't have a name since a name would mean it was something major...., as if not having a name was nothing.) Fine, I don't have a name, and maybe it's going away, and maybe it'll be over soon, and maybe I should be happy. Well, yeah, I'm happy I'm feeling better and I'm happy that it's not syphyllis, mono, arthritis, spru, collitis, and/or whatnot and whatever. But it stills feels less than thrilling to feel all alone with "something"/ "virus"/ "noname"/ "inmyhead"/ "notreal"/ etc. and nothing but nothing to acknowledge the I'm-not-feeling-well-something's-wrong-not-healthy-it's-not-just-in-my-head-the-pain-is-real situation. And so it goes....

Thanks again Sparky and Brian for your words.

Nothing, still nothing. Again. Just got my latest test results back in the mail this afternoon. Everything is fine. All the tests came back fine. Nothing is wrong. So why do I feel deflated?

It's not that I want to have something. And I'm glad everything comes up negative. And, by the way, I'm feeling MUCH better these days. Definitely, really much better. But there's this part of me that feels like all the pain and suffering and difficulties I've had this summer via this "virus" or whatever is something not real unless it has a name. Almost like I made it up or I've been a hypochondriac. But it was real. The pain was intense and constant. So I know it was real. And the doctors gave me anti-inflammatories and pain medications, so they definitely believed I was suffering. And my hand was swollen. So I wasn't making it all up.

But it just makes me feel stupid for some reason without some named cause for all this. I know, I'm very glad everything has come up fine and all the tests for everything out there were negative. It just feels lonely and dubious and ignorant and indifferent without some kind of substantiated named causation.

"fuzzy math" on steroids

Want your news mixed with the sound of hip rap music? Check it out.

It's amazing how many people who aren't politicians have such a burning need to get into politics.

Senator Dianne Feinstein is getting serious about Arnold being too pro-gun in his movies and his life. Feinstein was asked if Schwarzenegger's action movies glorify powerful weapons, and replied: "Of course, it glorifies those weapons." Good4her!

A summary of an important, detailed analysis, from the former Secretary of State no less, about how Bush has destroyed our presence in world affairs:
Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Bush administration has pressured every country in the world to make a simple choice: Are you with the United States or with the terrorists? But by casting the choice so starkly--and expanding the war on terror to include its campaign in Iraq--Washington has alienated many natural and potential allies and made the fight against al Qaeda more difficult. It didn't have to be this way. The White House has acted as if it doesn't care what others think, and the country is paying the price for its mistake.-- former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Taco Bell is running a mock recall election. Voting is now as easy as your food preference.

Thursday, August 21, 2003

The conservative Republicans are going to keep going and going and going until they have every office they can keep. [and steal and disenfranchise and dictate and lie and...]

Many good ideas...

...in a hostile takeover, you never want to tip your hand too quickly. Rather, you want to quietly put all your pieces into play and then reveal yourself only when the deal is done.

I have a job! Well, no, not a full-time one yet, but several part-time gigs are starting. First, as always, I'm an election official in San Francisco and I'll be working what are now three upcoming fall elections (Oct. 7, Nov. 4, and a most-like-December run-off). It's not much, but it's extra money and I enjoy doing it. And also, starting today, I'll be working independently via the local Democratic party to register people to vote. Yes, I'll be one of those people standing outside of supermarkets and such, but it's something I would do for free anyway. So, for those of you who know San Francisco, come visit me at Cala Foods on California/Hyde starting tomorrow. And register to vote!

"You'll know when it feels right"

I went to my new Spanish class twice this week, as in the exact same first day of the weekly class at two different locations. I did this because I wasn't sure which satellite campus of City College would work best for me and how large the class size would be. So Tuesday I went to my class at the Noe Valley campus, where I've taken classes before, and it was OK, but I didn't feel connected and the class was too large and stuffy and it takes two buses to get there.

Last night I went to the same class with the same teacher, but at the Mission satellite campus, and it was perfect. Great location, only one bus ride away, class size was great, room was comfy, people seemed nice, there was an extremely hot boy to look at, great food and taquerias nearby, and I was participating much more. It was perfect.

Wednesdays at the Mission campus are the better day/location for my weekly class. Definitely.

My poor cat is so freaked these days. Ever since I began rearranging the furniture in the apartment, she's been hiding out in the closet or other places. Now, I'm almost done, but every time I even barely touch something that makes a sound or looks like I'm doing more work, she immediately runs for the closet. And she won't leave the closet for hours, even if I'm not doing anything anymore. Poor Amaya. She's freaked.

Wednesday, August 20, 2003

"The [link] is a letter by Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis written from "exile" in New Mexico. Below the letter is complete background information on the situation."

Do we really have to suffer through another blackout or two before we re-regulate these guys?

As if Ashcroft had any charm to begin with:
"How prudent is it to be spending public money on a Patriot Act charm offensive?"
(Note how the tour goes through the all-important presidential swing states....)

A very detailed analysis of the lies, lies, lies and exaggerations of Bush and his people preparing for the pre-emptive war against Iraq.

Tuesday, August 19, 2003

I did a crazy thing today. I decided to rearrange my apartment. Desks, chairs, computers, cabinets, bicycles, tables, lamps, all got moved around. It's still not settled and I have a ton of crap sitting in the middle of my room waiting to find a new, right place. What a mess. My own personal waterloo, dust, is everywhere. And I didn't see my cat all day as she was hiding from my craziness. Now she's going around sniffing everything and wondering why her items still haven't been re-placed. I'm not sure when this crazy plan of mine will be finished. What was I thinking?

Tired of getting meaningless and confusing pieces of paper in your bills about "support for your privacy" but which really is about using your private information to sell to the highest bidder? Well, we're on the way to real financial privacy. Hoo-ray!

I've seen it and it has given me a reason to live.

Ironic, passionate words from my dear horror-movie-loving friend David after seeing Freddy vs. Jason.

Monday, August 18, 2003

What a superiority complex; i.e. what a loser.
He has tremendous confidence in himself, because he's been so successful in business and acting. In his trailer on movie sets, Schwarzenegger has two chairs, one that says "Winner" and another that says "Loser" for people who play chess with him. He sits in the "Winner" chair.
Can't you just see him sitting there purposefully intimidating his opponents while chomping on a nasty cigar?

As I've mentioned on here before, much of what happened over the last year in Bush's fight with the United Nations over Iraq and such was, I feel, an attempt to discredit and marginalize the United Nations as an entity. The far right of this country has been trying to end the U.N. or end our involvement in it or discredit it for years and years and I think that all of the fights the Bush Administration have been pursuing with it have been part of that underlying concept. And the U.N. does such important and necessary work. But Bush and his people don't care. I think it's time we begin fighting FOR the role and stability of the U.N. more often. And here's a great starting point from former U.N. Representative and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Sunday, August 17, 2003

I'm tired. For a person who never parties anymore, I did three today, all in a row. People, people, people, and suddenly I'm a social butterfly. What happened?

Saturday, August 16, 2003

My niece is so adorable.

Political phrases I NEVER want to hear again (but unfortunately will because they are constantly used by everyone):

10) "toast"
9) "holy grail"
8) "fighting for one's political life"
7) "sky high/freefall poll numbers"
6) "digging into deep pockets"
5) "gravitas"
4) "moderate Republican"
3) "heavy political hitters"
2) "winning/losing a debate"

and the most annoying one of all:
1) "throwing one's hat into the ring"

A MAJOR INCENTIVE to keep Davis as our governor. He's for family values all the way.

Painful memories; I gotta find a way to San Jose.

Hahahaha! I bet the Republicans are freaking out today. And there will be even MORE attempts to get the other Republicans to leave the race so it will just be Arnold. Can't you just hear them screaming today? "But, we bought and paid for this recall so that we could stealthily put a Republican in the seat. Why the hell is another Democrat ahead in the latest poll?" Hahahaha!

The California recall election scheduled for Oct. 7 is portrayed on television as a joke.... Democracy is not a joke, however, and we laugh at this crisis of democracy at our own peril....
We can debate about how much of the current crisis is Davis’ fault and how much blame lies on other doorsteps. (But has anyone been fired from the federal government or spent time in jail after the “energy crisis,” allegedly precipitated by Kenneth Lay and President Bush’s other close friends at Enron?)

Friday, August 15, 2003

"How nice of them to clarify their position and reverse course." [Rep. Ellen] Tauscher, a House Armed Services Committee member, said the pay cut idea typified her frustration with the Pentagon. "This was just the tip of the iceberg," she said. "They won't tell us how much the war in Iraq is costing, for instance."

Rare, rare, rare times when I really wish I had cable. I wish I could see this amazing-sounding piece ("Searching for Debra Winger") on the struggles of women in Hollywood. It sickens me to read what goes on and it saddens me to think that this is how America views and values it's female population. Read this article and then watch the show if you can.

During the making of "An Officer and a Gentleman," producer Don Simpson knocked on her door and handed her a manila envelope. Inside was a diuretic pill. "We watched the dailies," Simpson said in a low, I'm-doing-you-a-favor voice. "You look a little bloated."

In this country, we've seen Republicans try to steal elections. They did it with Clinton, they took it to Florida, they're doing it in Texas and they're doing it here.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

I apologize, I'm been a bit lax on my current Issue of the Month. I plan to write more, I've just been sidetracked with the whole craziness of California politics lately. But here's an article on the continuing stupid activities of Judge Roy Moore in Alabama.

Ok, so let's talk about smoking. I've become so happily accustomed to California's anti-smoking laws that I'm actually wishing they were even stronger. And then I remember that I'm privileged to live here. Anyway, I grew up with smoking all around me. I mean, first of all, this was the 70's and 80's and everybody was still smoking. And then, my father was a big smoker (up until 1995 when he had a major heart-attack from the smoking and effectively quit after then) so there was constant smoking in the house and out in the world. So, it was always around. And then I worked in college at this data entry office which was about 30 people who were chain smokers while they did their data entry and there was little ventilation and no one seemed to be bothered and, frankly, at the time, I wasn't bothered either-- it all seemed normal at the time and I didn't care.

Update to today. I live in California and am thankful everytime I go to a bar or restaurant or coffeeshop and I can breathe without the smoke, and my clothes don't smell, and I'm not worried about health issues. HOWEVER, I love to sit just outside the coffeeshops on the sidewalk and enjoy the San Francisco weather. But then, that's where all the smokers congregate. Ugh. It drives me nuts. And what's even worse is when I'm sitting inside the coffeeshops and the smoke blows inside, right onto me, because the windows are wide open and the people are sitting right next to me except for a small floor wall holding up the open window. So is that outdoor smoking? It's blowing inside onto me. It's basically inside.

I really don't mean to be anti-smoker people, but it's driving me NUTS. What really drives me nuts is when I'm sitting outside and someone asks if they can join me at my outdoor table and I, of course, say sure and then they pull out a cigarette and start smoking and don't even ask me if it's ok. You know, I don't want to smell it or breathe it or be near it. Ugh, it's driving me NUTS!

Thursday, August 14, 2003

Nothing, still nothing. I went to the specialist today, a rheumotologist, and I told him about my pains of the last month or so. He said he thinks it's just a virus too, however, he wanted to check for some other things and blah blah blah and I ended up giving blood again, for the third time, to check out what's wrong with me. Still no ideas. I've now been to the doctors 5 times, given blood three times, hand my hands x-rayed, provided urine samples, taken two different types of drugs, slept more days than I can count, been to the acupuncturist, drunk herbal teas, been unable to walk some nights due to the debilitating pain in my legs, propped my legs up at night on a large pillow, had my hand and wrist swell up several times, prop my arms on a pillow, put ice on various parts of my body several times a week, taken more aspirin than I can count, and no one seems to know anything. Other than I know that I have pain. At least the pain is muted due to the pain meds, but still I can tell it's there. I can feel it aching beneath the surface. Once again, maybe it's just a virus, or maybe it's arthritis or colitis or rheumatism or syphillis or spru or mono or lupus or just a virus or something. It's not just my imagination cuz the doctor's can tell something's wrong with the blood, but they don't know and no one seems to know what the problem is. The latest is that I'm to stay on the pain meds, wait for my latest results in the mail, hope that the rheumotologist does NOT call me cuz that would be a bad sign, and visit him one more time in a month.

Otherwise, I'm fine. How are you?

“My chance of getting cervical cancer is five times that of a white woman,” said [Xuan Cao of the Vietnamese American Public Affairs Committee]. “This is a matter of life or death.”
Vote No on 54.

"You’re a f---ing Korean.” That’s not what you would say to someone who has just saved your life. But those were the first words that that Dr. Jonathan Han’s patient uttered upon opening her eyes after being resuscitated by the second-generation Korean American doctor who grew up in Ohio.
How disturbing.

A new reason to be interested in baseball.

I'm sitting here listening to KOIT today, who knows why exactly, but KOIT is, for those not in the Bay Area, the sappy adult contemporary mix that everyone loves to hate. They keep playing so many of my favorites. Just recently they played two of my all-time favorite songs: At This Moment and Reason to Believe. Funny how they're both about believing in lovers who are obviously jerks. What's that say? Don't answer that.

It's all part of the lie of the Bush administration, that they say they support our troops... It's a slap in the face to those putting their lives on the line to protect this country.

Wednesday, August 13, 2003

However you feel about Gray Davis, this recall has become a shell game, led and paid for by Republicans, that conveniently distracts from the alarming failures and frauds of the White House. That includes the Bush administration's blind eye to the energy sting that robbed the California government of a good chunk of its past budget surplus....
if you think that meaningful representative democracy requires the scrutiny of the serious primary and election process that Davis has twice weathered, then for a small "d" democrat, a "no" vote on the recall is an obligation.

My own personal campaign slogan:

"It's Not About Davis; It's About Democracy"

No on the Recall
For Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante on question 2
No, No, No on Proposition 54

Pass it on...

Tuesday, August 12, 2003

Mike: Hey, I didn't ask for a fork.
Jason: I think they just assumed that none of the white people here know how to eat with chopsticks.
Mike: That ain't right, man.
Ernie: But Mike, you don't know how to eat with chopsticks.
Mike: ...

It's true though, I'm always being given a fork and have to specifically ask for chopsticks. Then they smile and look at me funny.

And speaking of Ernie, this link off his site is probably one of the most hilarious and bizarre things I have seen in a long while.

What disturbs us is a Justice Department acting as if 2.1 million prisoners -- many doing time for nonviolent drug possession -- reflect a too-gentle judiciary. How many more will satisfy Ashcroft?

I got all excited this afternoon about this part-time position working in the Castro and other Gay areas of San Francisco, until I got to qualification #10. I just don't think I could do that. I mean, would you?

Here's a birthday idea for me. September 22nd is my birth date (I'll be the palindromic 33 on my palindromic day). September 22, it turns out, is now the last day to register to vote in California for the insipid recall election. So, for my birthday, register to vote, and if you are already registered, get someone else to register before my birthday. If you don't live in California, register within your state for your next election. Here's a link for every state's information on voting. Do it for me. And tell me about it with that 'happy birthday' wish I know you were gonna send anyway. :-)

Oh, and, No on the Recall, For Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante on question 2, and No, No, No on Proposition 54.

Sounds very anti-environment to me, but que surprise: Leavitt, if confirmed, would get a national platform from which to launch his concept of the "enlibra principles" of environmental management. The program, which Leavitt has championed to Congress and other governors, involves moving power to lower levels, separating policymaking from data gathering, using financial incentives rather than regulations and relying on cost-benefit analysis.
He'll convince people he's middle of the road when in fact his positions are pretty extreme.

Comedians are finally feeling it's ok to criticize Bush. Finally. Plus they're pretty funny.

This post is for my parents: "Administration orders expedited energy project reviews in Rockies"
All Bush cares about is oil for his oil buddies. That's what Iraq was about. That's what Alaska drilling is about. Now this. Nothing is sacred. Enjoy our scenic wonders while they last.

Monday, August 11, 2003

So, 4 days later, the Chronicle finally gets around to writing about the rally against Proposition 54 on Thursday afternoon. So much for importance versus a freak show.

Not exactly selfless acts of 'giving back':
The rich have a long tradition of gracing their gilded resumes with bouts of "public service." But very few of these wealthy stewards are to be found volunteering at local food banks or comforting the terminally ill in local hospices. For the rich and powerful, public service usually means running for politically powerful posts -- mayor, senator, governor or president.

The burden should be on the replacement candidates to show why Californians should abruptly withdraw the four-year commitment they made to Gov. Gray Davis last year. The argument should be unassailable. So far, none of the challengers has brought forth any evidence of malfeasance by Davis.

Californians should seriously consider the precedent of giving an unpopular governor the hook within a year of a regular election. Voters who are angry about Davis' timidity -- as we clearly have been at times -- should ask themselves whether a parliamentary-like system will make governors more or less willing to take on big problems and make tough decisions....

Californians should think seriously about the consequences of moving to democracy by Gong Show.

Security guards and [Katharine] Harris' staff confiscated any written material people tried to bring into the hall.
She took their stuff!
What kind of ethic laws prevent people from having information in front of them so they can ask reasonable questions? I have never heard of such a thing.

I love my landlady. I mean, she's crazy as a loon, but in a good crazy way. She's very New York with a NYC accent and definite Italian upbringing. Anyway, she really looks after me. Almost like my own Mrs. Madrigal from "Tales of the City," except without the pot and I definitely think she's not trangender.

So, today, she and one of the owner's of the building came by to look at my refrigerator cuz it's been leaking. She went on and on to the owner about what a 'great guy' I am and how I'm unemployed and the market is tough and how my rent is too high. "I'd hire him if I had a company; he's a great guy; very smart." On and on (and the rent is too high for him). "We certainly wouldn't want to lose him to another building with cheaper rent." On and on (and the rent is too high and he's a great guy). She winked at me as they left; I closed my door; I could still hear her in the hall going On and On about what a great tenant I am. My own Mrs. Madrigal.

Ugh. Nothing. The doctor told me nothing this morning. He said that the x-rays were fine and the blood was mostly fine, but something's there that he can't name. He's setting up an appointment for me with a rheumotologist for further study. Get this, it may take weeks for that appointment to happen. In the meantime, I'm on the meds and no idea what is wrong with me. This SUCKS!

More and more of the Democratic candidates for president are starting up blogs. It's a whole new world out there. Anyway, Senator Bob Graham of Florida started one too, and has this at the top of his site: This is the weblog of the original blogger, Senator Bob Graham. For over 30 years, Senator Graham has kept a log of all his daily activities. It's true too, he's well known, and often stupidly made fun of, for keeping a million or so tiny notebooks with him and archiving them.
On a similar note, yesterday blogging was the subject of Doonesbury (Doonesbury!). Blogging is taking over the world!

Sunday, August 10, 2003

If you are looking to escape the crowded downtown San Francisco chain stores and you're ready enjoy a warm, friendly neighborhood atmosphere, Polk Street is the place.
I've found two wonderful new San Francisco treats on our lovely Polk Street: 1) Peppermint Park is a fun, happy ice-cream parlor with bright indoor seating or relaxing outdoor sidewalk seating; great place to read for hours; and 2) I found out tonight that Chai Yo, a cute little bifurcated restaurant with one half serving Thai food and the other half serving miniature desserts, ice creams, and tapiocca drinks, is open until MIDNIGHT everynight; great place to read late. Ah, San Francisco.

I love trains. And I'm glad they're popular here in California. I just wish there was any easy way to get between SF and LA. Now, from reading this, I know why. The direct train between the two areas isn't state-sponsored, meaning it's expensive as hell. Too bad. Could be a very popular one too.

A country which is secure in its institutions and confident in its laws should not be ashamed of the concept of mercy.-- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy. More and more and more reasons we're all glad he's not Robert Bork.

Topic. Breast-feeding in public. Discuss.
It just bothers me that you go into the mall and the storefronts display pictures of barely clothed models, and that's OK, but a woman who is doing something very natural in public, that's not OK?

I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, but while reading this article about 'Oaksterdam' it suddenly occured to me that what if I do have arthritis and the best way to ease the pain is daily medicinal marijuana? I know, I'm way ahead of myself here. And then there's stupid federal people like this to contend with, of course. I don't even know I have arthritis, I'm just saying. I find out results tomorrow.

I'm getting so lazy about shaving these days. And no, I don't want to grow a beard again. I'm just lazy. I've always been able to shave every other day anyway. Let me describe in detail: You see, my facial hair is so blonde at first that it's hardly noticeable and I can go without shaving the second day. But by the end of the second day and nearing the third, my reddish hair starts sprouting and coming out to say hello and then it begins to look like I need a shave (call it 72 hour shadow). And these days I don't want to grow a beard again but I'm not in the mood to shave. So every other morning, when I should be shaving, I'm having these internal dialogues with myself about laziness and beards and whatnot. At least I don't have 5'oclock shadow problems.

Saturday, August 09, 2003

Secrets and lies, it's all just secrets and lies.....

I'm naive and gullible. In fact, I've always been so. And I always wanted everything to be good and wonderful and disney-esque. People could fool me all the time because I would always believe people. Why would anyone lie? I'm naive.

I just finished the second book in the "Tales of the City" series. I loved it. But it has me a little down tonight, because the book is really a series of secrets, lies, secrets, mysteries, and more secrets. Everyone is incestuously involved with one another, but they simply don't know it most of the time. Because everyone lives secret lives. We all do. There's so much connectivity and yet there's so much keeping us apart.

I'm probably not making sense. But I guess it's like a internal emotional synapse of mine when it comes to secrets and lies. I always feel like I'm the butt of some joke or to be burned in some way. I always viewed the world so carefree and full of the best of intentions. And then reality hits (guns in your face, extrarelationship-affairs, friends hiding things, lovers keeping secrets, lovers spinning tales, hard dose of realities wounding pride all at once, feeling small and stupid and naive). So many of my early friends hid complete lives from me, as I tried to be as open as possible with them. It hurt me deeply to find out there was a whole world of reality out there. My ex's kept so much from me, only to spin loving tales of crap that now fill my head with faux-historical relevance. And who's to say what I don't know, what any of us don't know, when there's so much out in the real world that's never told and never seen. So much of life is hidden between and among and away from everyone.

I guess it doesn't need to matter. And I'm fine and live my life. But when the secrets and lies and tales and rose-colored lenses break the hearts of the ones we love, who benefits? And when can we begin to trust and believe in anything again...

Break the cycle! Break the cycle! And let truth and openness guide us all.

P.S. And pay no attention to the man behind the curtain and/or my late-night emotional harangues.

These are actual people, including of course the "stars" from Hollywood (Arnold S., Gary Coleman, Gallegher (yes the watermelon smashing guy), Larry Flynt, several porn stars) who took out papers to run for governor of the largest state in the union:

Matthew Korb, who's taking a hard look at running for governor, wants all California voters to see his butt. It's an important part of his campaign, he said, and it's also the highlight of his new TV ad.

Candidate Michael Popkey, a 42-year-old unemployed cabdriver from Santa Cruz, [says]... I don't want [his mother] to find out... She goes on and on and on about things. If I win, then I'll tell her.

Paul Barrier, a self-described "genuine psychic" from Novato, is pondering a bid. He's against carpool lanes.

Nelson Hyde Chick of San Francisco is pondering, too. More precisely, his beagle DJ is pondering it, because DJ would be the candidate.

Lynn Sauer, a woman from San Jose who is pregnant, is building a campaign on what she calls the "buy-one-get-one-free" plan.

Leonard Padilla, a professional bounty hunter, has paid his $3,500 and is running for real. He would bring his six-gun to Sacramento and send illegal immigrants "back to their own countries."


The new road to 15 minutes of fame: the abuse of democracy run amok.

Bush is a threat to science. I'm shocked!

It will be easy during a short, Leno-driven campaign to pretend that the state's problems can be easily solved [but]... no one who cares about American democracy can welcome this spectacle.

Friday, August 08, 2003

Too many of our soldiers are paying the highest price for the strategic miscalculations, serious misjudgments and historic mistakes that have put them and our nation in harm's way.-- [President] Al Gore.

GAY LIFE

Gay men grow up having to suss from an early age who among nongay males is friend and who is foe -- that last way lies danger. Moreover, gay adolescents can spend an inordinate amount of time trying to deduce if a guy is sexually available. Hence "gaydar" (gay radar), an ability that, in theory, all gay men possess to tell the queer from the not. (In practice, not always so.)
Heterosexual males do not experience this combination of fear and desire in the same way gay men do. Oh, a nongay guy may desire a girl (or woman) and fear she'll reject him. But he doesn't often have to wonder whether she's heterosexual, nor does he worry that, if he presumes wrong, he may be beaten.

This is how bad things are right now in California. While everyone is talking about the insanity that is the recall election and making Arnold or Gary Coleman or Larry Flynt jokes or wondering how the ratings for Jay Leno were, a very real threat to our public policy is taking shape in Proposition 54 and no one is talking about it. There was a rally yesterday on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco to kickoff the opposition campaign to 54. I attended the small but active rally but where was the media? It wasn't even mentioned in today's paper-- too much to write about Arnold and such I gather. Nothing. Not a word in the paper today. People, this is serious. The whole recall thing is a terrible stupid joke that isn't funny. But Prop 54 isn't a joke at all and we need to wake people up to it. I'm dedicating this site to bringing people more information on it from now it. Make sure you tell people too. Here's the link to the No on Proposition 54 website. And here's my thoughts on the matter. Spread the word.

Muslim-Americans finding community, solidarity, and friendship in Japantown. So it is heartening that Japanese Americans -- so traumatized by their World War II internment that they spent the next half century relentlessly pursuing the American dream of assimilation -- were among the first to step up and stand behind Muslims and Arabs in the days after Sept. 11.

But remember: there was a gubernatorial election last year.... It was a grueling process, but it was fair and democratic -- and revealing. Voters chose Gray Davis, warts and all. Beware of would-be leaders who are looking for a fast path to the top.

To be a Dixie Chicks fan now requires more than mere affection. It means having your patriotism challenged. It means getting cussed when you call the country radio station to complain about the boycott on Chicks songs.

I'd love to get to know you more. Maybe we can have coffee sometime.
Barking up the wrong tree. A year and a half later I find out that I didn't get anywhere with him because, well, he's straight. Well, um, how was I supposed to know. I should feel better about this news (as in, it wasn't me), but instead I just feel awkward and depressed. Yes, Virginia, there are straight boys in San Francisco.

Thursday, August 07, 2003

California politics has turned into a theater of the absurd, an open stage for players who would never get their 15 minutes of serious attention in a regular election... It seems the $3,500-a-toss recall election has eclipsed the $100,000 bright-yellow Hummer H1 as the ultimate California look-at-me gimmick.

Wednesday, August 06, 2003

David has morphed my head with Gray Davis' body. I am quite scared of that.

It's true, I do need a job, but I think I'd rather not join the freakish herd of 400+ running. I'll do the honorable thing and NOT run.

Is it possible that we are seeing the demise of 30-second, soundbyte, warm-n-fuzzy, commercialized campaigning thanks to the internet? I'm not sure, but I like the thoughts Dick Morris lays out here:

Dean's use of the Internet to raise money, generate support and enthuse the party's activists will long be remembered as a signpost along the transition from the television to the Internet era of American politics.... With Americans mesmerized by television, the media blitz and the glitzy 30-second ad carried the day....

The larger message of the Dean candidacy is that the era of TV-dominated politics is coming to a close after 30 years. With dwindling audiences and an increasingly sophisticated electorate, the 30-second ad and the seven-second soundbite are losing their power to control the political dialogue. Taking their place is grassroots organizing, made possible by the Internet, in which candidates grow from the outside, mobilizing on the hustings, guerrilla style, before they take their act to the center stage of national politics.

But the habits that underlay this media domination of politics has ebbed. The top prime-time TV shows now draw 10-15 million households where once they enthralled more than 30 million at a shot. National television news no longer reaches 60 million homes every night, but has to settle for 20 million instead. The low costs of Internet campaigning, and the viral way in which it spreads by word of mouth and person-to-person contact, is offering an alternative to top-driven, capital-intensive TV campaigning.

In sector after sector of American life, we are throwing off intermediaries. We use the Internet to buy cars, book travel, do banking and sometimes even to kindle romance. We are now throwing off the political intermediaries and using it to pick a president.


So after being awakened by incredible, instense pain in my forearm late in the night, I noticed my hand and wrist were looking swollen. Swollen and in pain. Doesn't look good. Long story short, I went to the doctor, again, and now he's back to thinking it might be some type of arthritis, instead of just a 'virus,' and that's what's been causing all the problems for the last month. He's checking my blood, again, and this time he also X-rayed my hands and wrists. He'll call me in a few days with results and gave me some pain medication to help me cope. The pain is now throughout my left arm and occasionally in other places throughout my body. I certainly hope the pain medication helps. And I certainly hope we can figure out what this is soon and fix it completely. This whole thing is not making me happy.

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
GAY LIFE

Several good commentaries today regarding the linkage between the issues of Gay marriage and the separation of church and state. Obvious to me.

I'm so excited about the new Freaky Friday movie. I know, I'm a freak myself. I wish my niece were here. She and I would have fun seeing it together. Who wants to see it with me?

Tuesday, August 05, 2003

I can barely find the energy to go to the grocery store at the end of the work day, let alone hit the streets looking for my soulmate. I wish there was some easy shortcut to finding a partner, because I sure could use a foot rub about now.

Dance la vida loca with your cat tonight!

I'm am so sick of this stupid virus. You know, the virus I've mentioned before where I keep having pain in my legs or whatever. Well, happily, the pain in my legs is mostly gone. And the cold and exhaustion I had last week seem to be pretty much gone. But I still have something! Because the pain is now in my left wrist and forearm. I've had this incredibly sharp pain there now for two days. Who's heard of a "virus" that causes pain in different parts of your body? What is this? And when will it go away?

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
GAY LIFE

While we respect... Bush's religious views, it is unbecoming of the president of the United States to characterize same-sex couples as 'sinners.'

"I think that the gay and lesbian community [had the right] to celebrate Independence Day in a way we never had to celebrate before," Pizer told Frontiers. "I think the decision marks the close of a very painful chapter in history for gay Americans. The Supreme Court was catching up with where the rest of the country is [on the issue of] adult consensual sex." The decision, however, doesn't mean gay Americans should relax their guard, "There are many people in this country who wish we had no civil rights," Pizer said. "They are very motivated to deny us civil rights, perhaps more so after having lost on this issue. We need to celebrate our success and feel freer to be ourselves, and have a sense of self-worth to do the next chapter in our work."

Don't Worry, Be Happy

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE


I've always considered marriage a church/state issue. Think about it. The marriage tradition is religious. The government secularizing this religious ceremony created the problems inherent in the religious questions over who can get married via the government, who can get divorced via the government, who can marry whom, and so forth. If the government would end its need to stamp its seal of approval on a religious ceremony then issues over religious beliefs within the government's secular activity would be moot.

I've spent enough time on the Web to know that no matter where I go, I'm three clicks away from where I don't want to be.

This mess is no laughing matter for Californians... This is about fairness and democracy. The structure of the recall process is fundamentally flawed... The absurdly low threshold for getting on the ballot -- 65 valid signatures and a $3,500 filing fee -- is an invitation to a freak show. And what a freak show it is. It's a sad but telling commentary on the state of California politics that actor Arnold Schwarzenegger considers the "Tonight Show" an appropriate forum to explain his decision on whether to enter the race.

Monday, August 04, 2003

Always seeing things that are simply not there.

What we would have is not national parks but amusement parks.... This is the first administration in the last century that is clearly, even admittedly, anti- conservation. I never thought I would see this. The national parks are not shopping malls to be privatized.

Sunday, August 03, 2003

Living in fear of the U.S. government.
Just days after the April 25 deadline passed for Egyptian men to voluntarily register, Ali received a congratulatory letter from the State Department. He had been randomly selected in a computer-generated lottery drawing to apply for a diversity visa, which makes permanent residence visas available to 50,000 immigrants each year.....
After hours of interviews, he was asked to return the next day. He was interviewed hours more, then arrested and detained in jail for six days before a friend was able to scrape together the $1,500 needed to post bond.
"I thought I was doing the right thing, and I don't have a criminal record, so I thought I was going to be OK," Ali said one afternoon last month after he was released. "Maybe I made a mistake, because it seems that as long as you stay in the shadows, they will not get you."

I've had the strangest week, in fact in retrospect it was probably a terrible week. This virus, relating to my leg pain, became a very congestive cold along with major exhaustion. I've been sleeping constantly; I can't believe a week has gone by. I blew two interviews because I was simply so tired and "out of it." One job interview was for a great place, but two things weren't right: 1) I had the feeling the whole time that they already had someone else in mind and I simply wasn't connecting with them; 2) I started feeling the cold coming on and I wasn't connecting with anything. The other informational interview was awful in that I was barely alive and upon finishing I went home and slept for 5 hours. Pretty bad.

So the leg pain has been better since I've been on the drugs, but the cold and exhaustion have been terrible. I don't know what is going on with this virus but it sucks. Then, to blow my interviews, to have a new month begin still unemployed and nothing going on, and the weather turning cloudy and gray, well, it hasn't been the best of weeks. But then I've slept most of it, so it kinda flew by.

Two good things happened though: 1) Woodja sent me the movie and soundtrack to "Isle of Lesbos" which has now become the background soundtrack to my life and kept my spirits up; and 2) I borrowed the book "Tales of the City" from the library and started reading it yesterday (I'm reading a book! I never read books, although this book really started out as a newspaper serial, so it works with my quick read mentality. I read 100 pages yesterday at a cafe while nursing a cup of coffee and getting fresh air. And it made me love San Francisco even more. I love this City and I love living here.)

So, anyway, here's hoping this new week brings forth better health, life, job prospects, and such.

UPDATE: It's midnight Sunday night and I've just finished off the first book of the "Tales of the City" series. No, seriously, I finished a book. In just a weekend! I can't ever seem to get myself to read books, let alone so much in one time. I'm so excited about this. I have time and interest in reading books! And I want to read more. Books. I know this may seem silly, but I've never been able to concentrate on a full book long enough. I get distracted. So reading a b-o-o-k, even if it is in serial form of sorts, is so enriching to me right now. Not having a job sucks, but it's doing wonders for my soul and blessing my l-i-f-e!

Friday, August 01, 2003

SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE

New Issue of the Month is up. Check out my thoughts and other details on the subject of the month by clicking here. (Also included is a special "August Action" you can take part in.)
August 2003:
SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE


Thomas Jefferson: "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State."