OK, so I don't know about this, but I took the What kind of dog are you test that Emdot linked to on her site, and it turns out that I'm a King Charles Spaniel AKA English Toy. It's certainly not what I'd look like if I got to pick.
Although I shouldn't be so superficial, all I can think about is all that hair. Alck! But they are said to be "bright and interested little dog, affectionate and willing to please." I guess that's not so bad...
Wednesday, December 1, 2004
Friday, November 19, 2004
Letter to Barbara Boxer
Dear Senator Boxer,
I am writing to you today because I need to feel that there is someone at the federal level that actually cares if justice is carried out in this country and in the electoral process at hand. Yes, I am disappointed that the candidate I supported didn't win. And yes, I am upset that as a minority in this country I am reviled and discriminated against. But more than that, I am profoundly wounded by the fact that my one vote, and the votes of my friends and allies, may not be counted in many states in this country.
There is a cherished belief that if the people of this nation can envision a better world and a better country, they can come together and help create it by electing honorable people who serve as their voice at the global table. When votes are thrown away as ‘spoiled’ or intended votes are tampered with, voices are repressed, and it dashes those dreams.
Voter turnout has been steadily declining, which many believe to be in favor of the Republican party. But it is not in the favor of democracy, and it is not in the favor of a just, fair and hopeful society.
I am writing, not just to air my grievances and conspiracy theories, I am writing to urge you to be a voice of the disenfranchised. I feel that your state has been disenfranchised and will continue to be until there is major election reform. We have no right touting our progressive and superior Democracy in the United States when it is in fact no such thing. The Electoral College aside, the fact is the votes of the people are Not Being Counted.
If it comes to it, perhaps all ballots should be hand counted if that's what it takes to achieve a correct and fair outcome. There was, of course, a time before Diebold machines, punch-cards and the like. I'm not really suggesting this, but I am suggesting that our appetite for nice, neat outcomes and immediate results is fatally overshadowing our commitment to democracy.
As a player in Washington, you may have an insight into the machinations of the Republican Party and their ongoing shenanigans to remain in power, as evinced by their actions in Florida in 2000. I hope that there is something that can be done to curb the current trend or the corporations will indeed control our government, and we will be a democracy in name only.
Thank you for your time and your diligent work on our behalf.
I am writing to you today because I need to feel that there is someone at the federal level that actually cares if justice is carried out in this country and in the electoral process at hand. Yes, I am disappointed that the candidate I supported didn't win. And yes, I am upset that as a minority in this country I am reviled and discriminated against. But more than that, I am profoundly wounded by the fact that my one vote, and the votes of my friends and allies, may not be counted in many states in this country.
There is a cherished belief that if the people of this nation can envision a better world and a better country, they can come together and help create it by electing honorable people who serve as their voice at the global table. When votes are thrown away as ‘spoiled’ or intended votes are tampered with, voices are repressed, and it dashes those dreams.
Voter turnout has been steadily declining, which many believe to be in favor of the Republican party. But it is not in the favor of democracy, and it is not in the favor of a just, fair and hopeful society.
I am writing, not just to air my grievances and conspiracy theories, I am writing to urge you to be a voice of the disenfranchised. I feel that your state has been disenfranchised and will continue to be until there is major election reform. We have no right touting our progressive and superior Democracy in the United States when it is in fact no such thing. The Electoral College aside, the fact is the votes of the people are Not Being Counted.
If it comes to it, perhaps all ballots should be hand counted if that's what it takes to achieve a correct and fair outcome. There was, of course, a time before Diebold machines, punch-cards and the like. I'm not really suggesting this, but I am suggesting that our appetite for nice, neat outcomes and immediate results is fatally overshadowing our commitment to democracy.
As a player in Washington, you may have an insight into the machinations of the Republican Party and their ongoing shenanigans to remain in power, as evinced by their actions in Florida in 2000. I hope that there is something that can be done to curb the current trend or the corporations will indeed control our government, and we will be a democracy in name only.
Thank you for your time and your diligent work on our behalf.
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Sorry World
Check out the Sorry Everybody web site. There are soooo many pictures. It's unbelievable.. I really love how quickly people can mobilize through the internet. I really thought that would be an advantage for the dems this time out. I guess the republicans figured out how to turn on the computer. I guess that's how they can plot abortion hospital bombings and white collar investment scams. OK, yes, I'm bitter!
I find that some people are surprised that I haven't moved out of my mourning phase. Forget it. I'm going to be grouching about it for at least the next four years. If I move to another country, I'll still be grouching about it. Maybe that's not the best energy to be putting out there. The pundits have been saying that Demos need to be more Positive. Apparently we have to stop spewing anti-Republican rhetoric and only talk about sun-shiney things.
Well, remember how Kerry decided to take the high road in the Democratic Convention and then the Republicans skewered him at their convention. No, this is just a big set-up to get us off the offensive and then they will really stick it to us.
Oh yeah, I'm officially a big time conspiracy theorist. I have no doubt that the most nefarious deeds are taking place behind closed doors and there is a good chance that the last election was rigged. There I said it.
Monday, November 15, 2004
A Superior Sunset
OK, so I've gotten into Flickr, and I like the community aspect of it. Today I was looking at the sun pictures and happened across a woman's photos that were really beautiful, and she had a link to her blog yadda yadda. Anyway, she has an election day post talking about her election day anxiety. "It felt like a Twilight Zone Christmas because instead of wondering what St. Nicolas brought, you wonder whether it was Santa or Satan who visited your house last night." I can totally sympathize. And then, oh, wasn't she relieved when she learned that Santa had been there! Wow, I had no idea. I should be soooo thankful!
But really, all my warm fuzzy flickr feelings disappeared, and I thought "Wolf in Sheeps clothing!" Who is this imposter. This Judas posing as an Artiste. But then, her pictures were good...so, grumble grumble...
But really, all my warm fuzzy flickr feelings disappeared, and I thought "Wolf in Sheeps clothing!" Who is this imposter. This Judas posing as an Artiste. But then,
US Purple Cartogram
I was so depressed about all the maps that came out after the election, but they were flawed in a few ways, they didn't account for population (which a cartogram does) and even if a state or county was won by bush by a point, it was fire truck red. I like this one the best. But there are lots that put a smile on my face. Check out Robert J. Vanderbei's original site, and the plethora of fun cartograms by the folks at the University of Michigan.
Thursday, November 4, 2004
Prepare for Life in a Police State
OK.
Faced with my future life in a police state, I've decided to take up blogging as therapy (cuz once a week with my paid one isn't going to cut it.) We'll see how long this lasts. emdot told me that I needed to write everyday, and since I got that directive, I haven't put pen to paper or finger to keyboard once.
So, here goes....
I've spent the last two days in the fetal position. When I look at all that red, all I see is intolerance. I see people who are willing to hand over their money, and their freedom to a war-mongering imperialist in exchange for the hope that he will ensure that gay people will not be given governmental benefits granted to married people, and the hope that abortion will be outlawed.
The thing is, the good people of this country, left without health insurance, left with an increasingly illiterate electorate, left with longer working hours for less pay...they can not stop gay people from getting married. That is part of the separation of church and state. Marriage is not up to the government. Marriage is up to the individuals envolved, it is up to the church that they belong to, and the minister, friend, or stranger that marries them. Yes, they may keep them from having custody of their children or stop them from seeing their partner in the hospital if a tragedy should befall them. But they will not be able to irradicate homosexuality or commitment. That is their aim and it will NEVER happen.
And abortion...it's always been around. If they want to keep qualified doctors from performing abortions, they can leave it up to amateur quacks. They can gloat smugly when they read about young girls dying in back alleys. Oh wait, they won't read about that. The media will be solely owned and operated by a covert arm of the government. Alright, I'll stop before I get to 'conspiracy theorist'... I'll save that for another day.
So when I look at the Red Sea, it makes me sad. They are depriving only themselves from a better life. And I'm also sad that, we as a country, are separated that way--blue and red. Only 54% of 'super-liberal' California voted for Kerry. And my home county of San Luis Obispo, CA would have elected Bush. The electoral college is another way of pitting the Heartland against us crazy liberals. I'm so fucking sorry for wanting EVERYONE to be educated and have health care and to be free from persecution for speaking their mind. I want simple things... What is wrong with everyone?
Faced with my future life in a police state, I've decided to take up blogging as therapy (cuz once a week with my paid one isn't going to cut it.) We'll see how long this lasts. emdot told me that I needed to write everyday, and since I got that directive, I haven't put pen to paper or finger to keyboard once.
So, here goes....
I've spent the last two days in the fetal position. When I look at all that red, all I see is intolerance. I see people who are willing to hand over their money, and their freedom to a war-mongering imperialist in exchange for the hope that he will ensure that gay people will not be given governmental benefits granted to married people, and the hope that abortion will be outlawed.
The thing is, the good people of this country, left without health insurance, left with an increasingly illiterate electorate, left with longer working hours for less pay...they can not stop gay people from getting married. That is part of the separation of church and state. Marriage is not up to the government. Marriage is up to the individuals envolved, it is up to the church that they belong to, and the minister, friend, or stranger that marries them. Yes, they may keep them from having custody of their children or stop them from seeing their partner in the hospital if a tragedy should befall them. But they will not be able to irradicate homosexuality or commitment. That is their aim and it will NEVER happen.
And abortion...it's always been around. If they want to keep qualified doctors from performing abortions, they can leave it up to amateur quacks. They can gloat smugly when they read about young girls dying in back alleys. Oh wait, they won't read about that. The media will be solely owned and operated by a covert arm of the government. Alright, I'll stop before I get to 'conspiracy theorist'... I'll save that for another day.
So when I look at the Red Sea, it makes me sad. They are depriving only themselves from a better life. And I'm also sad that, we as a country, are separated that way--blue and red. Only 54% of 'super-liberal' California voted for Kerry. And my home county of San Luis Obispo, CA would have elected Bush. The electoral college is another way of pitting the Heartland against us crazy liberals. I'm so fucking sorry for wanting EVERYONE to be educated and have health care and to be free from persecution for speaking their mind. I want simple things... What is wrong with everyone?
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