Just in case anyone forgot, it's Sunday today! And I hope everyone not only has on their Sunday best, but their walking shoes too, cuz we have places to go, blogs to see and .. and... um, I forget the rest.
No matter, here we go!
Olivia has a medley for us! She calls it a stroll through the garden, but we know what it really is! Go look, scroll around and see the pretty flowers and sign the petition for more bugs!
James is going to be out of town, but he's put up some good stuff before he left! With all the other stuff they have to worry about, Iraq's unions are also under fire. Also, a book review type thingy! It looks very interesting, too. And lost more besides so follow the links then start from the top.
Ductape has updated his site! And so quietly, too, I bet few noticed ;). Good comments there, as well.
katiebird is back to discussing the Hacker's Diet! And no, it's not about smokers or unauthorized computer entry or or anything. What IS it about? Well, that's what katie tells you! Also, congrats to her, her last 3D people meeting was a big success, with new people and repeat members. Yay!
[UPDATE!] deano needs some noisemakers! Or has some noisemakers. Or something... whatever you do, don't go to the TheBroth site! Okay, well you can go, but don't say I didn't warn you...
catnip's Sunday Food for Thought might have you seeing stripes! Also, the murders of Abeer and Hadeel and their family may have long shadows. And, bloggity-oh-my-goodness!
Keoni wonders "whose century is the 21st century?" And lots more! Including introducing me to a new term for... borrowing, maybe? Finding out about from? You decide!
[UPDATE AGAIN!] Family Man notices that, indeed, there are not skinny millionaires running around everywhere, and this causes him to question the news. Also, last Sunday he snuck nekkid people in there and somehow we missed it! No bugs tho, oddly.
XicanoPwr has been following the Mexican election closely, but he's got to be away for a bit. Sounds like he's going to need some friendly and comforting words when he comes back, so drop by.
Boran2 has solved a great mystery for me! Namely.... what in the world is a hackyack? His has an extra added attraction tho ;).
[UPDATE THE LAST! maybe] skippy has skippyish stuff! And lefty blog despots that no one's ever heard of (if a despot falls on the net and no one knows who you are, does this mean we get ice cream?)
Also, at my little Stalking Sunlight blog, I am trying not to be a Bad Blogger! So, I am starting a series and if I say it out loud that means I have to actually write it. Right?
[UPDATE THE LAST! (again)] dove is in right under the wire with a wowee kazowee! Alex, looking glasses and acceptable things.
All done! (I think... if I missed anyone, let me know!)
Use this as an Open Thread
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Why now? What is going on?
This is what I and others have been wondering lately. Discussions that even lightly touch on certain subjects, difficult no matter how presented - race, white privilege, American Exceptionalism, war and responsibility, just to name a few - are like dropping a match into a tinderbox when they are initiated by... well, what in my mind I call the Inconvenient or Unacceptable Other. (Not all "Others", born or self-othered, fall into this category). It appears that the tension has racheted up these past few weeks, on these issues, spanning a number of blogs of varying degrees of left ideology and it would be interesting to know why.
In one discussion, on dove's blog (where I tend to yap a lot), I expressed the opinion that, counter-intuitive as it may seem, I think one of the reasons for this is Katrina. I've taken that comment and edited it a bit, in order to explain why I think that, and here it is.
I remember reading an article a couple of weeks or so after 9/11, by a British journalist who was over in the US visiting. He'd been here a few times before - I think had even lived here for a time, had friends in various parts of the country and, in general, thought he was familiar with the US and Americans.
He wrote, in his article, about his New York friends, and how l(understandably)depressed they were, and his desire to get a bit of other perspective on things... so he called friends in California, and they were also depressed. And he thought, surely the entire country couldn't be depressed over what, after all, was one incident on one coast. He then called friends in a small town in some middle state (Wisconsin, I think it was)... and sure enough, they were depressed too. So he came to the conclusion that yes, even in a country the size of the US, everyone can be depressed at the same time, over the same event.
We may be big enough for 10 nations, and have many disparate regions thousands of miles apart that mostly have nothing at all in common with each other, but we do have a national psyche. And Katrina shattered that a bit. That tragedy left people with feelings of shock, shame, horror... and distaste.
This last very carefully manufactured, I think, because people were beginning to look too closely at themselves and at policies, and think too hard about the hidden poor and our responsibilities and privileges. So, instead of victims, the people of Katrina were almost immediately turned into thugs and criminals, the trenchant poor that no one could do anything with, people too poor (or too stupid) to leave, those unable to care for themselves or each other, those unable to keep a packed football stadium clean and fresh smelling and full of light and wonder for days because they preferred to live in filth and were used to it and so on and on and on.
With the aid of a sensation seeking media, and a credulous public, it was possible to almost totally remove their humanity from them... from the disabled that there was no provision made for, from the teachers and business owners that stayed for this or that reason and the many others that were there, including the very poor. This reducing of everyone to the lowest common denominator is why, in my opinion, Bush and company have (in reality) paid very little price for Katrina, and won't in the future either, if it happens again.
It's also why, 10 months later, there is little or no outcry at the fact that many of the affected people are still unable to return home, that many of the properties are still piles of sticks and concrete and that a US city (or at least certain parts of it) is, for all intents and purposes, being erased from our consciences.
This stuff is very worrisome, as is the rhetoric regarding undocumented immigrants... it really, really bothers me, this stuff about "well, if we don't let them in, who will clean your toilet, and who will wash the dishes" and all that. Why don't we, especially on the left, ask... who can we train who will be the next doctor in the poor village they left, or the next teacher that will help the children to thrive, and so on?
Even on the left we are sucked into the language of a sort of servant class type thing, and by using that language we set expectations for both the latino immigrants and the poor black workers - as if there is no place else for either to go.
Hmmm... well I've gone far off from my original point, whatever that was, but it all relates... the language of exclusion and of... "none of this is your fault, it's all their own faults, aren't you tired of being blamed for it?" is very insidious and I think it has a wide ranging and lasting effect.
In one discussion, on dove's blog (where I tend to yap a lot), I expressed the opinion that, counter-intuitive as it may seem, I think one of the reasons for this is Katrina. I've taken that comment and edited it a bit, in order to explain why I think that, and here it is.
I remember reading an article a couple of weeks or so after 9/11, by a British journalist who was over in the US visiting. He'd been here a few times before - I think had even lived here for a time, had friends in various parts of the country and, in general, thought he was familiar with the US and Americans.
He wrote, in his article, about his New York friends, and how l(understandably)depressed they were, and his desire to get a bit of other perspective on things... so he called friends in California, and they were also depressed. And he thought, surely the entire country couldn't be depressed over what, after all, was one incident on one coast. He then called friends in a small town in some middle state (Wisconsin, I think it was)... and sure enough, they were depressed too. So he came to the conclusion that yes, even in a country the size of the US, everyone can be depressed at the same time, over the same event.
We may be big enough for 10 nations, and have many disparate regions thousands of miles apart that mostly have nothing at all in common with each other, but we do have a national psyche. And Katrina shattered that a bit. That tragedy left people with feelings of shock, shame, horror... and distaste.
This last very carefully manufactured, I think, because people were beginning to look too closely at themselves and at policies, and think too hard about the hidden poor and our responsibilities and privileges. So, instead of victims, the people of Katrina were almost immediately turned into thugs and criminals, the trenchant poor that no one could do anything with, people too poor (or too stupid) to leave, those unable to care for themselves or each other, those unable to keep a packed football stadium clean and fresh smelling and full of light and wonder for days because they preferred to live in filth and were used to it and so on and on and on.
With the aid of a sensation seeking media, and a credulous public, it was possible to almost totally remove their humanity from them... from the disabled that there was no provision made for, from the teachers and business owners that stayed for this or that reason and the many others that were there, including the very poor. This reducing of everyone to the lowest common denominator is why, in my opinion, Bush and company have (in reality) paid very little price for Katrina, and won't in the future either, if it happens again.
It's also why, 10 months later, there is little or no outcry at the fact that many of the affected people are still unable to return home, that many of the properties are still piles of sticks and concrete and that a US city (or at least certain parts of it) is, for all intents and purposes, being erased from our consciences.
This stuff is very worrisome, as is the rhetoric regarding undocumented immigrants... it really, really bothers me, this stuff about "well, if we don't let them in, who will clean your toilet, and who will wash the dishes" and all that. Why don't we, especially on the left, ask... who can we train who will be the next doctor in the poor village they left, or the next teacher that will help the children to thrive, and so on?
Even on the left we are sucked into the language of a sort of servant class type thing, and by using that language we set expectations for both the latino immigrants and the poor black workers - as if there is no place else for either to go.
Hmmm... well I've gone far off from my original point, whatever that was, but it all relates... the language of exclusion and of... "none of this is your fault, it's all their own faults, aren't you tired of being blamed for it?" is very insidious and I think it has a wide ranging and lasting effect.
Friday, July 07, 2006
Friday Bud Blogging
featuring....a kangaroo?
no, no. not skippy, the bush kangaroo, even though we visit him regularly for headline-related hilarity. this one:
...at least until we get home and figure out which bud-featured pic to use for this week's post.
apparently he's territorial when it comes to his friday glory time.
no, no. not skippy, the bush kangaroo, even though we visit him regularly for headline-related hilarity. this one:
...at least until we get home and figure out which bud-featured pic to use for this week's post.
apparently he's territorial when it comes to his friday glory time.Another Consequence of Compassionate Conservatism
...The rights of workers and their ability to mobilize and demand safety on the job site.
With all the union-busting over the past few decades, which has been orchestrated by the GOP, it's no wonder that pleas of help are being issued by groups like the United Farmworkers. Pleas that should pull of the heart strings of any person with a conscience.
To assist the UFW in their relentless campaign for human rights and equality, I offer a couple of suggestions:
With all the union-busting over the past few decades, which has been orchestrated by the GOP, it's no wonder that pleas of help are being issued by groups like the United Farmworkers. Pleas that should pull of the heart strings of any person with a conscience.
Imagine being a woman poisoned by pesticides to the point of getting dizzy and weak and even passing out. Then imagine the company doctor telling you and another woman who also became ill from the spraying that what you have is a "personal problem"—a vaginal infection. What if he said that you are free to see your own doctor, but only at your own expense?I haven't eaten a grape since the summer of 1997 when I attended the Cesar Chavez Leadership Institute and viewed the video ¡Uvas No! - No Grapes! which told many tales of the effects of pesticides on the workers in the fields of California. The grape boycotts of the 1960s were successful in making it less palatable to the country for bottom line profits to matter more than the safety of human beings, but that same battle is being waged today.
This is what happened at Giumarra vineyards--America's largest table grape company--when workers were hit by pesticides sprayed from 50 feet away. It is another reason why it is so important for these grape workers to be protected by a United Farm Workers contract.
To assist the UFW in their relentless campaign for human rights and equality, I offer a couple of suggestions:
- join their listserv via the top of their homepage and spread the word of their ongoing campaigns for worker protections and cultural equality
- Donate to their cause
- if you know someone who is working in the agriculture industry, give them information on the UFW if they don't already have it and show them the positive effects of working together with other hard workers to demand humane treatment in the fields across the U.S. that supply our tables with food.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Bursting Bubbles and Moments of Truth
Why is George Bush still in the White House? Electronic voting shenanigans in Ohio and other places in 2000/2004 aside, why was it even a close election?
The easy answer is to say that Karl Rove and the Republican Noise Machine fought dirty, and there wasn't an equally strong hitback from John Kerry and the Democrats; or that the political consultants providing advice to the candidates were/are divorced from reality. But is that really the reason that George Bush was inaugurated twice as a United States President?
I don't think so. My view on the reason can be summed up with one blunt word: Lazy.
Not the type of laziness that describes a populace that spends most of its time in front of a television watching American Idol or America's Next Top Model, because we all know that that type of behavior isn't prevalent, but rather the type of slothful existence that allows propaganda to seep through our pores faster than the monsoon rain in the cracked tierra of the sonoran desert. It is a soundbyte existence that relies on bundles of information packed neatly into 35 minute segments at the end of a long, hard day of work.
It is a laziness that stops the people from calling bullshit on their leaders when it is clearly warranted. When 9/11 happened, the U.S. was faced with a moment of truth that was clearly pivotal to the current situation we're facing now. I recall seeing commercials/propaganda pieces fanning the sentiments of revenge under the guise of patriotism and thinking, "hmmm, that can't possible be leading us to a good situation."
No kidding. As the events since that autumn Tuesday have unfolded over the past five'ish years, I've watched in horror as other moments of truths have been reached and the actions ensuing from them become increasingly appalling.
First the bombs fell in Afghanistan and I lamented the fact that my casual remark to a cousin that George would usher in World War III was being set in motion. Then the bombs fell in Baghdad and I fell ill with unease that the peace movement in the streets of the U.S. and the world protesting that egregious mistake were futile. We were/are not dealing with leadership that is willing to listen to dissent, it would be considered a dictatorship of the majority under any other guise. But wait, there's a new celebrity union on the horizon that requires my undivided attention! Sound familiar? It should, because it is me when I choose to descend into the coma-like state when the outrage meter breaks into the red zone. The problem is that many of my fellow Americans are perpetually in the grasp of the cooing trance of Entertainment Weekly.
But perhaps I've had enough of the newsfluff from the National Enquirer and need something tangible. Gay People! Bah, those evil homosexuals, I need to spend every waking moment of my time gathering petitions to stop them from getting married. I don't want a world where they might make more of them! Oooooh, wait. My aunt is a lesbian. Hmmmm. Illegals! Now that's a group of America-hating infiltrators. Build the walls! Call in the troops! Don't you know they're trying to increase my spanish comprehension?!?! Bah, I say Bah. [this is snark, for the uninformed]
Too many people are distracted by the shiny objects del dia/du jour/of the day that are usually in the form of an Other. Funny how that works in a supposedly tolerant and diverse nation. By remaining silent and apathetic, more lives and livelihood are destroyed.
Hurricane Katrina struck days before I celebrated a quarter century on this earth. At my "party", many of my friends and family could not understand why I was consumed with such forlorn emotions. I explained that I couldn't get the images of death from New Orleans out of my head. "You let too much bother you, you're going to drive yourself crazy" were the type of responses I received. Sure there were a few nods of agreement and expressions of disgust at the incompetence of the disaster response teams and governmental infrastructure, but that was quickly forgotten when the bottle of Sauza Hornitos was passed around to toast my milestone.
America the Beautiful is really America the Disconnected. I would also add a second verse of America the Misguided. There is a poll out that shows that 56% of Americans now support the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. I think those results are great because it will ultimately lead to it happening sooner rather than later, but I will also point out that that number has been reached because things have not gone well in Iraq. Americans don't like to lose. And we're losing. Badly. I believe that is why the numbers are at those levels, not because a slim majority of my countryfolk now grasp the utter stupidity and immorality of invading another sovereign nation.
It is not our place to decide unilaterally, like a dictator, what is best for the world. That viewpoint is not the prevailing wind of the country, people are willing to pull out of Iraq because they're pissed off that BushCo "let us lose", and to think otherwise requires a lot more observation on the streets and diner counters across this country.
The bubble of positive regard for the idealized United States ingrained from childhood burst a long time ago. Too many bombs, tortured prisoners, hungry children, and insurance-less infirm human beings have led to far too many empty streets of protest and razor thin elections between neocon warmongers and liberal human rights activists for me to feel differently.
I wish it were not so, and as the next moment of truth approaches this fall during the coming election season, we will know whether or not the American population is truly disgusted with the direction our country is currently stumbling down. If they are, there will be a landslide of support for a platform of humanity.
Finally, it should be noted that although I may be white-hot appalled and angry, I am not at a point of paralysis; rather there is a growing sense of empowerment that the only way to break the dam is to flood my friends, family and co-workers with the message of peace and human rights that guides my life hoping that it starts to seep in the same way as the latest choice for talking head on Good Morning America (only I'll have much less to say about baby Branjelina, trust me).
It's like lighting a room of candles at a peace protest from a single flame. Rather than the fire being diminished when the wick touches another, the candle remains burning strong and ignites others to do the same with a growing vibrancy. Eventually you are filled with the visage of glowing faces of others who have had enough of death and war, with eyes sparkling of hope, ready to move forward as human beings. Together. A progressive movement. Another name for true liberalism.
Sure there will always be a need and a time for frivolity and escapism, but when that becomes the central theme of our existence instead of the hard work of citizenship engagement, then clearly there is much work to do. That is what the next moment of truth will decide for the United States, and the world by extension. What'll it be, my fellow Americans? What'll it be?
Crossposted from Human Beams
The easy answer is to say that Karl Rove and the Republican Noise Machine fought dirty, and there wasn't an equally strong hitback from John Kerry and the Democrats; or that the political consultants providing advice to the candidates were/are divorced from reality. But is that really the reason that George Bush was inaugurated twice as a United States President?
I don't think so. My view on the reason can be summed up with one blunt word: Lazy.
Not the type of laziness that describes a populace that spends most of its time in front of a television watching American Idol or America's Next Top Model, because we all know that that type of behavior isn't prevalent, but rather the type of slothful existence that allows propaganda to seep through our pores faster than the monsoon rain in the cracked tierra of the sonoran desert. It is a soundbyte existence that relies on bundles of information packed neatly into 35 minute segments at the end of a long, hard day of work.
It is a laziness that stops the people from calling bullshit on their leaders when it is clearly warranted. When 9/11 happened, the U.S. was faced with a moment of truth that was clearly pivotal to the current situation we're facing now. I recall seeing commercials/propaganda pieces fanning the sentiments of revenge under the guise of patriotism and thinking, "hmmm, that can't possible be leading us to a good situation."
No kidding. As the events since that autumn Tuesday have unfolded over the past five'ish years, I've watched in horror as other moments of truths have been reached and the actions ensuing from them become increasingly appalling.
First the bombs fell in Afghanistan and I lamented the fact that my casual remark to a cousin that George would usher in World War III was being set in motion. Then the bombs fell in Baghdad and I fell ill with unease that the peace movement in the streets of the U.S. and the world protesting that egregious mistake were futile. We were/are not dealing with leadership that is willing to listen to dissent, it would be considered a dictatorship of the majority under any other guise. But wait, there's a new celebrity union on the horizon that requires my undivided attention! Sound familiar? It should, because it is me when I choose to descend into the coma-like state when the outrage meter breaks into the red zone. The problem is that many of my fellow Americans are perpetually in the grasp of the cooing trance of Entertainment Weekly.
But perhaps I've had enough of the newsfluff from the National Enquirer and need something tangible. Gay People! Bah, those evil homosexuals, I need to spend every waking moment of my time gathering petitions to stop them from getting married. I don't want a world where they might make more of them! Oooooh, wait. My aunt is a lesbian. Hmmmm. Illegals! Now that's a group of America-hating infiltrators. Build the walls! Call in the troops! Don't you know they're trying to increase my spanish comprehension?!?! Bah, I say Bah. [this is snark, for the uninformed]
Too many people are distracted by the shiny objects del dia/du jour/of the day that are usually in the form of an Other. Funny how that works in a supposedly tolerant and diverse nation. By remaining silent and apathetic, more lives and livelihood are destroyed.
Hurricane Katrina struck days before I celebrated a quarter century on this earth. At my "party", many of my friends and family could not understand why I was consumed with such forlorn emotions. I explained that I couldn't get the images of death from New Orleans out of my head. "You let too much bother you, you're going to drive yourself crazy" were the type of responses I received. Sure there were a few nods of agreement and expressions of disgust at the incompetence of the disaster response teams and governmental infrastructure, but that was quickly forgotten when the bottle of Sauza Hornitos was passed around to toast my milestone.
America the Beautiful is really America the Disconnected. I would also add a second verse of America the Misguided. There is a poll out that shows that 56% of Americans now support the withdrawal of troops from Iraq. I think those results are great because it will ultimately lead to it happening sooner rather than later, but I will also point out that that number has been reached because things have not gone well in Iraq. Americans don't like to lose. And we're losing. Badly. I believe that is why the numbers are at those levels, not because a slim majority of my countryfolk now grasp the utter stupidity and immorality of invading another sovereign nation.
It is not our place to decide unilaterally, like a dictator, what is best for the world. That viewpoint is not the prevailing wind of the country, people are willing to pull out of Iraq because they're pissed off that BushCo "let us lose", and to think otherwise requires a lot more observation on the streets and diner counters across this country.
The bubble of positive regard for the idealized United States ingrained from childhood burst a long time ago. Too many bombs, tortured prisoners, hungry children, and insurance-less infirm human beings have led to far too many empty streets of protest and razor thin elections between neocon warmongers and liberal human rights activists for me to feel differently.
I wish it were not so, and as the next moment of truth approaches this fall during the coming election season, we will know whether or not the American population is truly disgusted with the direction our country is currently stumbling down. If they are, there will be a landslide of support for a platform of humanity.
Finally, it should be noted that although I may be white-hot appalled and angry, I am not at a point of paralysis; rather there is a growing sense of empowerment that the only way to break the dam is to flood my friends, family and co-workers with the message of peace and human rights that guides my life hoping that it starts to seep in the same way as the latest choice for talking head on Good Morning America (only I'll have much less to say about baby Branjelina, trust me).
It's like lighting a room of candles at a peace protest from a single flame. Rather than the fire being diminished when the wick touches another, the candle remains burning strong and ignites others to do the same with a growing vibrancy. Eventually you are filled with the visage of glowing faces of others who have had enough of death and war, with eyes sparkling of hope, ready to move forward as human beings. Together. A progressive movement. Another name for true liberalism.
Sure there will always be a need and a time for frivolity and escapism, but when that becomes the central theme of our existence instead of the hard work of citizenship engagement, then clearly there is much work to do. That is what the next moment of truth will decide for the United States, and the world by extension. What'll it be, my fellow Americans? What'll it be?
Crossposted from Human Beams
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Dunkin' Donuts, Cattle Deterrents and Sham Hearings
Gotta luv the state of political discourse in the United States...
My snarky rants are meaningless though, as long as the Republican-controlled Congress continues its window-dressing of immigration reform negotiations.
[UPDATE]
It doesn't have to be this way, click the link for information on how to get connected to a network of change and progress.
President Bush stopped by a Dunkin' Donuts shop Wednesday to promote a program to help verify that workers are in the country legally. Behind the scenes, he explored a proposal for breaking a congressional gridlock over immigration legislation.Yes, yes. I know he's the Photo-Op pResident, but Dunkin' Donuts? Never thought Junior would use that as a backdrop before he succeeds in completely destroying our government. I wonder if he was picking up a delivery for the Minutemen who already have to repair their "wall" here in Southern Arizona after it was destroyed?
Flanked by the immigrant owners and employees of the suburban Washington shop, Bush said he wants a rational plan that would treat immigrants with dignity. He said he wants to enforce the borders so fewer people sneak across but also provide a way for those already in the United States for some time to become citizens. - linkage
An 800-foot section of the five-strand barbed wire fencing constructed on the ranch owned by Jack Ladd and his son, John, had to be restrung after vandals cut the wire strand-by-strand within about 4 inches of each support post, Hair said.Aside from that bit of irony, I was interested to learn that the rancher who ok'ed the construction on his land was probably used as a propaganda ploy in the vigilantes' press releases.
After construction began on Memorial Day weekend and continued for a few weeks, organizers decided to switch to a contractor to complete the job to maintain quality control and because of a shortage of volunteers. - linkage
The Ladds made it clear before the project started that they wanted a barbed wire fence built to keep Mexican livestock off their pastures, not a stronger, more impregnable fence to keep people off the land, even though they oppose illegal immigration.I bet Chris Simcox would rather the general public not be clued into that piece of information. Then again, the Minutemen are thugs who probably denote equality to the terms "Mexican livestock" and "Mexicans".
My snarky rants are meaningless though, as long as the Republican-controlled Congress continues its window-dressing of immigration reform negotiations.
House GOP leaders called the hearings last month after the Senate in May passed an immigration reform bill, backed by Specter, that includes a guest worker program and a path to citizenship for millions in the country illegally. A separate House-approved bill focuses only on enforcement.So much for a comprehensive approach... looks like a doughy load of mierda to me.
Democrats initially considered boycotting the hearings but decided to treat them as a platform to assail an enforcement-only approach to immigration reform, according to Sherman.
The panel that met in San Diego was set to meet again Friday in Laredo, Texas, another border city. Republicans on the panel include Rep. Tom Tancredo of Colorado, a leading voice for a crackdown on illegal immigration, and Rep. Peter King of New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, who broke with the White House on immigration.
Republican-led House committees will hold hearings outside Washington in mid-July on making English the nation's official language, and how enforcement of immigration laws affects American workers.
A hearing the week of Aug. 14 in Arizona will focus on costs to local and state governments "caused by an unsecured border." - linkage
[UPDATE]
It doesn't have to be this way, click the link for information on how to get connected to a network of change and progress.
Cheesecake/Procrastination Open Thread
Hope you all had a good holiday.
I'm slammed at work and will update later today.
For now, enjoy.
I'm slammed at work and will update later today.
For now, enjoy.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Need a Job? SEIU is Hiring
I'm not looking for a job change at the moment, but this is a great opportunity for budding activists to get build some work calluses on their hands. Major props to the Service Employees International Union for their tireless support of comprehensive immigration reform efforts over the past several months. They were present in force at the marches and rallies and are now continuing the hard work of voter mobilization for the fall election season.
Become an OrganizerTo apply:
This year, Mi Familia Vota, a project of SEIU Arizona, is providing a handful of talented, energetic, hard-working people an opportunity to learn the art and the craft of Organizing while working on the most ambitious organizing campaign of 2006.
You will learn Organizing skills on the job as part of the team that will run the largest Latino Get-Out-The-Vote operation in Arizona. Those who do well may earn regular Organizing positions with SEIU or our partner organizations after November.
This is full-time work, and the hours of an Organizer are long and irregular. Candidates should be positive, energetic, curious, and eager to learn. Smart, expressive people who can also listen will do well.
Ya es la hora. Hágase un organizadorJob Title: Campaign Organizer
Project Dates: July 10, 2006 - November 7, 2006
Rate of Pay: $26,780/yr
Job Locations: Opportunities in Maricopa, Pima, Yuma and Pinal Counties
Requirements: A reliable car, valid driver's license and car insurance; English language proficiency and the ability to communicate in Spanish
Hat tip to Joel of the SEIU for the heads up on this important initiative.Come to the Organizer Recruitment Fair
Thursday, July 6, 2006
10:00 am
3707 N. 7th Street, Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85014
To register, call Flannery Hauck at (602) 279-8016 x 17
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Sunday blogiversary tour!
Okay, so we're a little late, but we get there! It's Sunday and everyone has had plenty of time to get ready, so here we come! Also, at the last update I have a little non-eegeehood treat for you guys... but, you'll have to wait!
First up... it's Manny's blogiversary! (Well, yesterday was, but who says blogiversaries only get to last one day?) That would be this blog, that you are reading now. Congrats to him! And us too! He tells how it all started in the post right below this one.
Also, yesterday being July 1st, it was also the start of Democracy Summer! Duke has all the inside info on that, as well as a possible 14 million new voters. Now that could make a difference.
Have you ever passed by a field and seen those huge rolled up round things of hay and wondered... how did they do that? And why? Well FamilyMan tells us how it worked when he was a kid! Also there is a barn in the story, so it's no use resisting. Plus, he's bravely volunteered to figure out an icecream machine and eat all his mistakes while somehow avoiding traffic jams and kids bursting with... well... ! Poor guy.
catnip has an important Sunday Food for Thought and also she's not feeling so hot, so send her your good thoughts and wishes!
Today was the day of the presidential election in Mexico... and if you want a very well done primer on who the candidates are, what a win for each would mean and so on scoot on over to XicanoPwr's place, cuz he has one! In Spanish and English! It's great when things are all laid out so clearly, especially for those unfamiliar with all the ins and outs.
[UPDATE!] Olivia's got an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow pol - .... okay, no dots. What? Don't blame me, I said nothing at all about beekinis! And there's much more beauty there to be seen... go look!
Boran2 wants to believe (me too!). Also, he highlights some of the "important stuff" the media expends resources on. Sigh.
James is using big words that I don't recognize! But whatever it is, he's got one for us this weekend, and it contains some warnings and some history too! Also, the relationship between military SERE training and torture.
Soaring osprey, a big beautiful river... Sallycat went on vacation and even though she didn't take us, she brought some of it back to show!
[UPDATE AGAIN!] What would we do without visiting family? Have more time, for one thing! katiebird is on her last day of having company, but the visit didn't keep her from being committed daily! Neither rain, nor hail nor 95 degree (in the shade!) temps will either!
And dove addresses Core Warrior Values, in her inimitable way. Also, speaking of family visits, dove (and others!) have been wondering... where's poco? Probably the parental units are still visiting and absorbing lots of time!
Yes, well... don't look at deano's new pic before bed! It's fingerpainting though, which I've always found fun.
Funnily enough, I went from deano's pic to ILJ's pic and thought... hmmm! ILJ discusses the politics of war with ... (sort of in a 'yes, he's dead, but still' kind of way) Tip O'Neill.
Look who's here on the Eegian Neighborhood (y, wectp!) tour! It's skippy! Something I bet you didn't know about skippy... he coined the term blogtopia! You've gotta start at the top and read down, some great (and funny!) stuff there.
[UPDATE THE LAST!] I think I got everybody (who has new stuff up), so this means we can go on to the special, non eegehood treat! I'm sure you'll all be as excited as I am to find... an elephant orchestra (wav file)! Yes, indeed, it's true! And there are more of them too, that play instruments or make artwork. You realize what this means, don't you? Well, since people communicate through music and art, maybe one day....
All done!
First up... it's Manny's blogiversary! (Well, yesterday was, but who says blogiversaries only get to last one day?) That would be this blog, that you are reading now. Congrats to him! And us too! He tells how it all started in the post right below this one.
Also, yesterday being July 1st, it was also the start of Democracy Summer! Duke has all the inside info on that, as well as a possible 14 million new voters. Now that could make a difference.
Have you ever passed by a field and seen those huge rolled up round things of hay and wondered... how did they do that? And why? Well FamilyMan tells us how it worked when he was a kid! Also there is a barn in the story, so it's no use resisting. Plus, he's bravely volunteered to figure out an icecream machine and eat all his mistakes while somehow avoiding traffic jams and kids bursting with... well... ! Poor guy.
catnip has an important Sunday Food for Thought and also she's not feeling so hot, so send her your good thoughts and wishes!
Today was the day of the presidential election in Mexico... and if you want a very well done primer on who the candidates are, what a win for each would mean and so on scoot on over to XicanoPwr's place, cuz he has one! In Spanish and English! It's great when things are all laid out so clearly, especially for those unfamiliar with all the ins and outs.
[UPDATE!] Olivia's got an itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow pol - .... okay, no dots. What? Don't blame me, I said nothing at all about beekinis! And there's much more beauty there to be seen... go look!
Boran2 wants to believe (me too!). Also, he highlights some of the "important stuff" the media expends resources on. Sigh.
James is using big words that I don't recognize! But whatever it is, he's got one for us this weekend, and it contains some warnings and some history too! Also, the relationship between military SERE training and torture.
Soaring osprey, a big beautiful river... Sallycat went on vacation and even though she didn't take us, she brought some of it back to show!
[UPDATE AGAIN!] What would we do without visiting family? Have more time, for one thing! katiebird is on her last day of having company, but the visit didn't keep her from being committed daily! Neither rain, nor hail nor 95 degree (in the shade!) temps will either!
And dove addresses Core Warrior Values, in her inimitable way. Also, speaking of family visits, dove (and others!) have been wondering... where's poco? Probably the parental units are still visiting and absorbing lots of time!
Yes, well... don't look at deano's new pic before bed! It's fingerpainting though, which I've always found fun.
Funnily enough, I went from deano's pic to ILJ's pic and thought... hmmm! ILJ discusses the politics of war with ... (sort of in a 'yes, he's dead, but still' kind of way) Tip O'Neill.
Look who's here on the Eegian Neighborhood (y, wectp!) tour! It's skippy! Something I bet you didn't know about skippy... he coined the term blogtopia! You've gotta start at the top and read down, some great (and funny!) stuff there.
[UPDATE THE LAST!] I think I got everybody (who has new stuff up), so this means we can go on to the special, non eegehood treat! I'm sure you'll all be as excited as I am to find... an elephant orchestra (wav file)! Yes, indeed, it's true! And there are more of them too, that play instruments or make artwork. You realize what this means, don't you? Well, since people communicate through music and art, maybe one day....
All done!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
One Year Blogiversary
On July 1, 2005 I created this humble blog to share stories, write rants, and do the occasional research on topics that affect my world as well as greater humanity. I never expected it to expand as much as it has since I wrote that first post about Tom "Bug Man" DeLay. Thank you all for hanging out here and helping everyone grow with each of your comments and posts.
I took the plunge because of the Center for Constitutional Rights' campaign to shut down Guantanamo Bay. Susanhu was spearheading a cross-blog effort to publicize our opposition to the torture policies of the Bush misAdministration. I had already done a lot of research on that horrific issue and I had to be a part of the coalition to help end the suffering of tortured victims.
Unfortunately Guantanamo Bay remains open, and the torture apologists are still in control of the U.S. Government. As I write from time-to-time: We have much work to do. There are too many people in the shadows of our world who are voiceless against an imperial force that spits in the face of justice and continues to move the world down a dangerous path of unending war. It is a worthy cause to uphold - Peace - and I am committed to the fight, even if the task is not completed when I celebrate future blogiversaries.
Paz, mis amigos. Paz
I took the plunge because of the Center for Constitutional Rights' campaign to shut down Guantanamo Bay. Susanhu was spearheading a cross-blog effort to publicize our opposition to the torture policies of the Bush misAdministration. I had already done a lot of research on that horrific issue and I had to be a part of the coalition to help end the suffering of tortured victims.
Unfortunately Guantanamo Bay remains open, and the torture apologists are still in control of the U.S. Government. As I write from time-to-time: We have much work to do. There are too many people in the shadows of our world who are voiceless against an imperial force that spits in the face of justice and continues to move the world down a dangerous path of unending war. It is a worthy cause to uphold - Peace - and I am committed to the fight, even if the task is not completed when I celebrate future blogiversaries.
Paz, mis amigos. Paz
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)