To prep for my flight on Thursday, I've shaved all hair from my body, plucked the strays and have been doing 1000 ab-crunches a day just in case the FAA makes me strip naked to pass through the metal detector. Oh, and since I recently lost 25 pounds, I'm not too worried.
I've packed all liquid in double ziploc bags in my suitcase and thrown out the citrus fertilizer I was going to bring to my mom for her mini-lemon tree. Not quite sure how I'm going to explain the Macayo's Enchilada Sauce and the Ranch Beans that I've carefully packed between skivvies and my interview suit. Hopefully they won't mistake the Rabbit Pearl as a detonator. I'm carrying my ID and a boarding pass to get on the flight. Should I even bother to wear shoes?
By the way, while we are consumed with this mock terror, there are more terrible things happening in the world. If we only focus on the shiny objects in the media, perhaps we can forget the information below:
Thought of the day:
We are spending $8 billion a month in Iraq. That's $2 billion each week, $267 million each day, or $11 million each hour. For what we spend in three weeks, we could make needed improvements in order to properly secure our public transportation systems. For what we spend in five days, we could put radiation detectors in all of our ports. And for two days in Iraq, we could screen all air cargo."
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
The Devil is in the Details
Recently, the Phoenix Business Journal used this title in an article about ASU moving into their new downtown space. I think it is more apropos to use it to address some of the details of our current administration and what I’ve been hearing in the news over the past week.
One thing every journalist knows is details make for a better story. The story of a meth-lab bust in the West Valley is always more interesting when details are given about affected children, the quiet neighborhood streets, the seemingly normal drug dealers. Details make us empathize and when pieced together, show us the big picture.
If this is the case, however, why is it that our government has only been focusing on the details of "terror" instead of society's big picture? The war in Iraq has diverted attention from protecting America from terrorism. This past week 9/11 commissioners said Iraq is distracting from security at home.
This past week, we've learned more about a large-scale terrorist plot to attack the United States. And what is the response from our administration? Political attacks against Democrats - against Americans in our own country.
A prime example is Dick Cheney's response to Ned Lamont's victory in Connecticut. To say that Connecticut voters were supporting Al Qaeda by voting for Lamont is something I expect a terrorist to say - not the Vice President of the United States. Since when is voting for someone who believes differently an act of terrorism?
In the same speech that President Bush said, "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists" he also said we have "...our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other."
And so it goes. We gather around exploited details and blanket statements so often that we lose sight of the big picture.
Five years after 9/11, the Bush administration has failed to keep us safe. The Republican Congress hasn't followed through on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The war in Iraq has inflamed the whole Middle East and is helping Al Qaeda attract new recruits. Osama bin Laden is still on the loose.
The big picture shows us that we are not safe - that we probably never will be again. But we must stop reacting to the little details and focus on the big picture. Given our current administration over the past few years, I think the big picture should involve less blaming of Democrats and more working together toward the common goal of security and freedom.
We should all take responsibility for finding out all the information we can - to process the details as part of the big picture. To not resort to partisanship and political jabs. To assess people on track record and a strong vision for the future.
That is how I intend to make my decisions when I vote this fall. By looking at the details and how they influence our society as a whole. Not by listening to the blatant politicized terror threats I've been hearing throughout the past week.
Does that make me a terrorist too?
One thing every journalist knows is details make for a better story. The story of a meth-lab bust in the West Valley is always more interesting when details are given about affected children, the quiet neighborhood streets, the seemingly normal drug dealers. Details make us empathize and when pieced together, show us the big picture.
If this is the case, however, why is it that our government has only been focusing on the details of "terror" instead of society's big picture? The war in Iraq has diverted attention from protecting America from terrorism. This past week 9/11 commissioners said Iraq is distracting from security at home.
This past week, we've learned more about a large-scale terrorist plot to attack the United States. And what is the response from our administration? Political attacks against Democrats - against Americans in our own country.
A prime example is Dick Cheney's response to Ned Lamont's victory in Connecticut. To say that Connecticut voters were supporting Al Qaeda by voting for Lamont is something I expect a terrorist to say - not the Vice President of the United States. Since when is voting for someone who believes differently an act of terrorism?
In the same speech that President Bush said, "Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists" he also said we have "...our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other."
And so it goes. We gather around exploited details and blanket statements so often that we lose sight of the big picture.
Five years after 9/11, the Bush administration has failed to keep us safe. The Republican Congress hasn't followed through on the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. The war in Iraq has inflamed the whole Middle East and is helping Al Qaeda attract new recruits. Osama bin Laden is still on the loose.
The big picture shows us that we are not safe - that we probably never will be again. But we must stop reacting to the little details and focus on the big picture. Given our current administration over the past few years, I think the big picture should involve less blaming of Democrats and more working together toward the common goal of security and freedom.
We should all take responsibility for finding out all the information we can - to process the details as part of the big picture. To not resort to partisanship and political jabs. To assess people on track record and a strong vision for the future.
That is how I intend to make my decisions when I vote this fall. By looking at the details and how they influence our society as a whole. Not by listening to the blatant politicized terror threats I've been hearing throughout the past week.
Does that make me a terrorist too?
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
fear, terror, evil-doers, freedom, blah, blah, blah, and other such words in our great Wag The Dog marketing campaign
finally, someone points out that our obsession with the little things takes away focus from the big things. which, in my opinion, is what is wrong with most people today. if we weren't blowing the small stuff out of proportion, the big picture could be addressed.
read this great article.
a snippet:
"US NOW: BE AFRAID!! Oh God, the Brown Bad people could strike any moment! They could strike ... NOW!! AHHHH. Okay, how about .. NOW!! AAGAGAHAHAHHAG! Quick, do whatever we tell you, and believe whatever we tell you, or YOU WILL BE KILLED BY BROWN PEOPLE!! PUT DOWN THAT SIPPY CUP!!"
read this great article.
a snippet:
"US NOW: BE AFRAID!! Oh God, the Brown Bad people could strike any moment! They could strike ... NOW!! AHHHH. Okay, how about .. NOW!! AAGAGAHAHAHHAG! Quick, do whatever we tell you, and believe whatever we tell you, or YOU WILL BE KILLED BY BROWN PEOPLE!! PUT DOWN THAT SIPPY CUP!!"
Monday, August 14, 2006
For them, it's us
On my way to work this morning, NPR was covering the UN cease-fire plan and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from south Lebanon. I started thinking about Hezbollah.
How are these people acceptable in society? I thought to myself. I felt myself getting angry, turning nationalist. Why are they allowed to do this? Why doesn't someone do something?
And the voices grew louder in my head.
Someone should round them up and kill them.
This thought - this toxic thought - swirled in my brain drowning the soft, internal voice that asked why should any kind of killing be sanctioned? and failed to remind me that I don't believe in killing or war as an answer to a problem.
And I thought of the innocents that are affected by this fighting until everything in me was screaming KILL THE BAD MEN!
And I paused as the realization washed over me...
This is what the innocent Iraqis think about the American soldiers who are abusing their positions. This is what the Muslims in this nation are experiencing when other Americans are attacking them for their beliefs.
This is how Americans are seen throughout the world.
And, sadly, with good reason.
How are these people acceptable in society? I thought to myself. I felt myself getting angry, turning nationalist. Why are they allowed to do this? Why doesn't someone do something?
And the voices grew louder in my head.
Someone should round them up and kill them.
This thought - this toxic thought - swirled in my brain drowning the soft, internal voice that asked why should any kind of killing be sanctioned? and failed to remind me that I don't believe in killing or war as an answer to a problem.
And I thought of the innocents that are affected by this fighting until everything in me was screaming KILL THE BAD MEN!
And I paused as the realization washed over me...
This is what the innocent Iraqis think about the American soldiers who are abusing their positions. This is what the Muslims in this nation are experiencing when other Americans are attacking them for their beliefs.
This is how Americans are seen throughout the world.
And, sadly, with good reason.
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Friday, August 11, 2006
Who's the F-in Fascist?
From this article on the BBC: "US President George W Bush said the alleged plot was a 'stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom'."
The only part of that quote that doesn't apply to GW is the word "Islamic."
Blogger Roxy Clafoutie said that GW’s quote is a “stark reminder that this nation is governed by a group of mostly white male fascists who will use any means necessary to destroy those who elected them into office and any semblance of freedom left in this country.”
What is the word for lying to the public, allowing 9/11, passing the Patriot Act, saying that those who believe in freedom are "siding with terrorists" when we really only want to be free and not in a war over OIL, not about terrorism at all?
Fascism:
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator (take power away), stringent socioeconomic controls (oil? gas? travel? investments overseas? privacy? wiretapping?) , suppression of the opposition (people who opposed the Patriot Act are "terrorists") through terror (fear, fear, fear) and censorship (if you think you really know what is happening in our government and what really happened on 9/11, you don't know what has been censored), and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism ("you're either with us, or you're with the terrorists")and racism (must I find examples?).
Read the definition people and tell me you don’t see it.
The only part of that quote that doesn't apply to GW is the word "Islamic."
Blogger Roxy Clafoutie said that GW’s quote is a “stark reminder that this nation is governed by a group of mostly white male fascists who will use any means necessary to destroy those who elected them into office and any semblance of freedom left in this country.”
What is the word for lying to the public, allowing 9/11, passing the Patriot Act, saying that those who believe in freedom are "siding with terrorists" when we really only want to be free and not in a war over OIL, not about terrorism at all?
Fascism:
A system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator (take power away), stringent socioeconomic controls (oil? gas? travel? investments overseas? privacy? wiretapping?) , suppression of the opposition (people who opposed the Patriot Act are "terrorists") through terror (fear, fear, fear) and censorship (if you think you really know what is happening in our government and what really happened on 9/11, you don't know what has been censored), and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism ("you're either with us, or you're with the terrorists")and racism (must I find examples?).
Read the definition people and tell me you don’t see it.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
really, slumbering is the last thing i think about
When I think slumber party, sleep never enters into my mind. I hear music, see big bowls of puffed popcorn and smell chocolate chip cookies baking. And since my teen years (and maybe a bit before) I think boys and booze.
Slumber parties are essential to the girl growing up experience. My 9th birthday - it must have been because it was 1984 - was my first official slumber party. We swam, watched MTV, and launched ourselves off my parent's coffee table while listening to Van Halen's "Jump" over and over again.
At my 13th we watched scary movies, played "light as a feather, stiff as a board" and "bloody mary," and fried the ends of cheetos with the fire flickering from the candles we lit (it doesn't improve the taste). The following year - my freshman year of high school - a group of neighborhood boys found out about the party and spied on us and launched stink bombs to get us to run out of the house in our PJ's. Instead - they got my mom. A subsequent slumber party culminated in making burnt chocolate cinnamon ice cream (don't ask how we burned it) on the kitchen floor (with my little brother staying up with us) and laughing so hard my mom came flying out of her bedroom and yelled at us to be quiet.
Tomorrow night, we are having a slumber party. Sixteen Candles, Brat Pack movies, beer, boys, making postcards, giggling, karaoke, games, and maybe even some tarot cards or seances. Who knows?
Women will be girls. And I know someone is going to get her bra frozen.
Slumber parties are essential to the girl growing up experience. My 9th birthday - it must have been because it was 1984 - was my first official slumber party. We swam, watched MTV, and launched ourselves off my parent's coffee table while listening to Van Halen's "Jump" over and over again.
At my 13th we watched scary movies, played "light as a feather, stiff as a board" and "bloody mary," and fried the ends of cheetos with the fire flickering from the candles we lit (it doesn't improve the taste). The following year - my freshman year of high school - a group of neighborhood boys found out about the party and spied on us and launched stink bombs to get us to run out of the house in our PJ's. Instead - they got my mom. A subsequent slumber party culminated in making burnt chocolate cinnamon ice cream (don't ask how we burned it) on the kitchen floor (with my little brother staying up with us) and laughing so hard my mom came flying out of her bedroom and yelled at us to be quiet.
Tomorrow night, we are having a slumber party. Sixteen Candles, Brat Pack movies, beer, boys, making postcards, giggling, karaoke, games, and maybe even some tarot cards or seances. Who knows?
Women will be girls. And I know someone is going to get her bra frozen.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
don't even think about telling me what constitutes family...
As you may know, the so-called "Protect Marriage Amendment", has been designated with the proposition number 107. Arizona Together and Planned Parenthood have joined forced to stop this amendment.
This proposition is not only a crass attempt to influence this election to hurt progressive causes, but it will also hurt families who depend on benefits from their employers.
We are building up our force to fight back, and we need your help.
Planned Parenthood is committed to helping Arizona Together build up a strong volunteer core. We will work to increase the dedicated volunteers from 2,000 to 5,000 by the day the first ballot is cast! We will identify who wants to help, in what ways, and when. Come join your friends and family as we keep building to defeat this initiative.
The FIRST Wednesday of every month is PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOLUNTEER NIGHT for the Arizona Together campaign.
The campaign will make calls from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 319 E. McDowell Road every night with times available for daytime volunteering. Planned Parenthood supporters are encouraged to join us the FIRST Wednesday, but will be welcome ANYTIME! Training for new callers will be provided.
RSVP for Planned Parenthood Volunteer Night Here!
There will be food, fun and victory at the polls!
This proposition is not only a crass attempt to influence this election to hurt progressive causes, but it will also hurt families who depend on benefits from their employers.
We are building up our force to fight back, and we need your help.
Planned Parenthood is committed to helping Arizona Together build up a strong volunteer core. We will work to increase the dedicated volunteers from 2,000 to 5,000 by the day the first ballot is cast! We will identify who wants to help, in what ways, and when. Come join your friends and family as we keep building to defeat this initiative.
The FIRST Wednesday of every month is PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOLUNTEER NIGHT for the Arizona Together campaign.
The campaign will make calls from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 319 E. McDowell Road every night with times available for daytime volunteering. Planned Parenthood supporters are encouraged to join us the FIRST Wednesday, but will be welcome ANYTIME! Training for new callers will be provided.
RSVP for Planned Parenthood Volunteer Night Here!
There will be food, fun and victory at the polls!
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