November 2007 archive
Nov 24 2007
The TaleMaster 7 …. Preparations
Nov 24 2007
A Willing Ear and an Active Protector
Last night I wrote a diary about Hatred. I mentioned a couple of concepts in that diary that I wish to explore today: Safe Spaces/Zones and Hate Free Zones.
When I came out, it was inevitable that everyone would know about me. That had its downside, which is what I’ve largely written about. But it had an upside as well, an incredibly heartwarming one I was able to become a resource for students who desperately needed one. It took awhile for gay and lesbian students to become comfortable with me, but I immediately was contacted by several students who were gender-variant themselves or had relatives who were. Apparently I was the first person any of them had to talk with about it.
Reposted in part from Teacher’s Lounge
Nov 24 2007
“And A Child Shall Lead Them…”
A famous US patriot once said “These are the times that try men’s souls.” At the time, he spoke of the events and circumstances surrounding the birth of a nation destined to be defined by the rights and freedoms of the people; a nation led by government of the People, by the People and for the People, where leaders could inspire the People to stand united in spite of differing opinions or particular religious influence.
The advent of the twenty-first century has marked the most severe departure from our founding principles than ever before. We stand on the brink of self-immolation, leaderless and adrift, while selfish, arrogant hypocrites steer our ship of state toward the shoals.Should we fail now to grow resolute and united in our determination to right this ship, we fail not only ourselves but our children, and their children’s children. It is time to look to those children for inspiration and a reminder of what we, as adults, are tasked with as parents and guardians: to create and foster an environment where children can grow to adulthood, secure in the knowledge that we have passed along the best models for ethical leadership and responsible stewardship of this nation that we know how.Nov 24 2007
The Few, The Proud, The Mutants
In China, even if you are a one in a million kind of guy…………there are still a thousand of you.
The other day I wrote a piece that talked a little bit about my general disdain for the complex organisms we know as “Human Beings.” I don’t want to leave the wrong impression, there are plenty of humans I do like.I have nothing specifically against the majority of humans, you understand. And of course, I judge each individual on their own merits. It is just that people who are aggressively normal don’t interest me much. But I strive mightily not to discriminate against them, to treat them differently. There is nothing inherently bad about being normal. Some of my best friends are normal.
I just …um…can’t think of their names right now…..
Nov 24 2007
Another US Land-Grab from Indigenous People Happening Right Now!
From the blog Intercontinental Cry, here is a letter from Margo Tamez asking for help for the people of El Calaboz, Texas as the Border Patrol, Army Corp of Engineers, and NSA harrass them to give up their ancestral lands in order for the border fence to be built.
Nov 24 2007
Pony Party: More Whatever
I used to read the comics in the newspaper all the time but now they are all so mind numbingly boring I don’t bother. Does anybody read Dercity? If you don’t check it out he is a gem. I like this one but he is rarely “off.”
I like to read Cary Tennis over atsalon because sometimes the problems people write in about make me realize that I am not nearly as screwed up and shallow as I thought I was. This one tells the sad tale of a 43 year old woman who is beautiful but terrified she is aging. I wasn’t that cute when I was young, so now that I am 43, the whole losing my beauty thing doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. My grandmother, who is 86, says the being old part doesn’t concern her much it is the whole her body is falling apart and she worries she won’t be able to live independently for much longer thing that irks her.
Cartoon fun… I relate to this cartoon, I could see me having a bad day like this… and I love his crappy attitude…
Nov 24 2007
Would It Be Worthwhile For Bill Clinton To Discuss Hillary’s Role in His Administration?
For better or worse, Hillary Clinton's political image is largely dominated by her tenure as First Lady. It seems fairly clear that Hillary was a key, if not the key, advisor to President Clinton on many many issues. And while Tim Russert's questions on documents from the period is not really an attempt to shed light on this, it is rather more of the same gotcha nonsense, it does inadvertently get to a lot of questions about Hillary.
In today's WaPo, Michael Kinsley writes:
[First ladies] must have a better understanding of how the presidency works than all but half a dozen people in the world. One of those half a dozen is Hillary Clinton, who saw it all — well, she apparently missed one key moment — and shared in all the big decisions. Every first lady is promoted as her husband's key adviser, closest confidant, blah, blah, blah, but in the case of the Clintons, it seems to be true.
That seems true to me. But here's the thing – my recollection of the Clinton years had Hillary supposedly playing the liberal in the lion's den of Centrists role in the Clinton Administration. I'll never forget the reaction of Peter and Marian Wright Edelman to welfare reform. Peter resigned his post and Marian Wright Edelman made sure everyone understood how she felt personally betrayed by HILLARY, not Bill. Hillary was to be the liberal conscience of the Clinton Administration. How time changes images. Now Hillary's supposed liberal past is long forgotten. For those who favor DLCism, this is a sign of Hillary's good sense. For those who disfavor it, it proves hillary is a corporatist sellout DLCer. This is a central question about Hillary Clinton. Who could best answer this question? I believe Bill Clinton would be that person. I think it would help us all, and probably mostly Hillary Clinton, if he and Hillary were to discuss her role and views on the Clinton Administration and the issues faced at the time. Release of documents to add to this telling would be even better. I think it is time to tell the story – not of the personal lives of the clintons – but the public policy lives of the the Clintons. Tell us what Hillary did, said, advised and thought. To me it is the most interesting and relevant question of the entire campaign.
Nov 24 2007
Pony Party: Whatever Edition
I am thematically challenged today. Those who know me well would say that is nothing new. Sometimes I turn floundering into an art form.
I have to thank Ek for putting excerpts of Cyrano in Hollow Stars Gazette. It has reminded that it is time to re-read Anna Karenina. Every few years I crack it open and the interesting part is that at different points in my life I have either identified or embraced certain characters in the book. After that I will crack open the Brothers Karamazov. I seriously regret not taking a Russian lit course in college.
Nov 24 2007
Docudharma Times Saturday Nov.24
This is an Open Thread: All thoughts are welcome
PM Howard concedes Australia poll
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has admitted defeat in the country’s general election, and looks set to lose his parliamentary seat.Mr Howard said he had telephoned Labor leader Kevin Rudd “to congratulate him on an emphatic victory”.
USA
New York loses mean streets image as murder rate plunges
The city of New York, once widely feared for its mean streets scarred by random violence, is on course for its lowest murder rate in four decades with this year’s total expected to be below 500.Aided by burgeoning affluence and a decade of “zero-tolerance” policing, a steady decline in the Big Apple’s violent crime rate has left the city basking in a new-found glow of safety. Criminologists suggest that killings by strangers have become so rare that the police cannot reasonably be expected to stamp out the problem any further.
Nov 24 2007
Music and Pathos
Before Jane’s Addiction and Cake there was Alice Donut
I think I saw them play with the Butthole Surfers…I know the Butthole Surfers guy was in my kitchen sweating and screaming for a while. It was all a blur.
MADONNA’S BOMBING SARAJEVO
much much more below
Nov 24 2007
Random Japanese Stuff
People are constantly effusive about the Japanese education system. What’s so great about it? That students are not encouraged to be curious beyond what is being taught them: Japanese classrooms are case study for controlled chaos. A majority of the students just ignore the teacher. Bullying is a constant. Its not only done by the students the teachers also actively participate. I’m sure you want your child going to school six or seven days a week.
Japan has been ruled by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) since 1954. As with any single conservative party rule they strive to be the first ones to create a future to past type nation. They dnai any complicity for example of Japanese Imperial Army human rights violations during the Second World War
Japan is so modern that there was a crisis over the secession of who was to become the next emperor. Why was there a crisis? Because in a modern country one cannot allow a female to assented the imperial throne that would smack of being open minded and modern when it comes to women’s rights.
Nov 24 2007
Funkalicious Friday!
Howdy folks! Just got back on line and this is late and thrown together quick….but there is a secret hidden theme in tonight’s Funkalicious Friday! See if you can figure it out and here is a hint: The first video has nothing to do with the secret theme! (hmmmmm, except maybe the year?) I just think it’s cool!
Who ever guesses what the prize for guessing right is gets a prize too!
via videosift.com