Breaking News: Politics induced anxiety?

There is still so much. Every day. Some new horror, travesty, embarrassment, destruction. 

We are not even two months into [45] and the gang's term and the world and especially our country are turning upside down, inside out. Somersaults of terrorism on  its own people and people of other lands.

We believe horrific things which seem like they could be true. Sometimes they are, sometimes it is something being told slant to cause a ripple a wave a tsunami of reaction while something else is being done behind the curtain. 

"Truth is stranger than fiction" is not a cute literary phrase when it's true. We have problems distinguishing truth from fiction and when lives are on the line we start parsing words, semantics, emotions on high. Just because something posted on social media seems too outrageous to be true doesn't mean it's not; doesn't mean it is. It is telling that we can even consider that some of the information being put out as "news" might be true. A year ago some of the truth would be seen as parody and some of the parody would be laughed at outright because there was no way it would ever be true. But, now, when there is such blatant disregard for people and the planet and any living being, the outrageous might actually be the truth. 

Right now I'm going to step away from Facebook and Twitter and the news because. Because right now my anxiety is high and my particular "health anxiety" has been triggered. I am going to step back from the news and politics for awhile. I am keeping an eye on my body and will go for medical help if necessary. But I seem to be in a state of old trauma response patterns so the thing to do is remove the trigger and be vigilant and apply some self-care.

I'm not stepping away from the computer because I  have a piece I need to edit (or write something new) for my writing feedback group. But I'm going off Facebook and the news for a bit.

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Today, this poem

Today I was reading through The Flavor of Unity: Post-Election Poems, by Kim Stafford, again.


This poem, today, yes. The children.




Champion the Enemy's Need
by Kim Stafford

Ask about your enemy’s wounds and scars.
Seek his hidden cause of trouble.
Feed your enemy’s children.
Learn their word for home.
Repair their well.
Learn their sorrow's history.
Trace their lineage of the good.
Ask them for a song.
Make tea. Break bread.

photo from Guifford County Partnership for Children

The Issue of Privilege

... (spawned from a Facebook exchange and the news and.... )














FRIEND:   "One of the great achievements of free society in a stable democracy is that many people, for much of the time, need not think about politics at all. The president of a free country may dominate the news cycle many days — but he is not omnipresent — and because we live under the rule of law, we can afford to turn the news off at times. A free society means being free of those who rule over you — to do the things you care about, your passions, your pastimes, your loves — to exult in that blessed space where politics doesn’t intervene. In that sense, it seems to me, we already live in a country with markedly less freedom than we did a month ago."  [quote from Andrew Sullivan] 


ME:            I love that quote, too... And believe in it; we should take breaks from what is happening, and care for ourselves, our families, our communities, and do what we love and what restores us. And I also agree with something else in his article - "Here is what we are supposed to do: rebut every single lie. Insist moreover that each lie is retracted — and journalists in press conferences should back up their colleagues with repeated follow-ups if Spicer tries to duck the plain truth. Do not allow them to move on to another question. Interviews with the president himself should not leave a lie alone; the interviewer should press and press and press until the lie is conceded. The press must not be afraid of even calling the president a liar to his face if he persists."


ME:               And I also believe a person who assumes they can take just a break at any time has privilege; I'm not calling that wrong, I am saying that we should acknowledge that as a truth. I do not think it is hyperbole to say that some people are unable to take a break because their lives are directly threatened. If we acknowledge that some people have the privilege to be able to step back and take a break, and some others don't, POC for example, then perhaps we can use that knowledge to change the dynamics. If those of us who have the privilege to say I'm going to disconnect from the news and Facebook and anything political for a week would also be willing to help a neighbor or a friend or a local organization who is unable to step back, we can start to change that. Start a dialogue. For example: if a family has immigrant relatives (right now Syrian, Muslim, Hispanic are being targeted, I know you know) then they most likely cannot take a break from what is happening with ICE - that affects every minute of their lives right now. There is another upturn in violence and aggression against POC, many or most of them cannot just take a break from the news, from politics. There have been some recent events related to people with disabilities; those people and their communities are on watch; these times things are moving fast. For those of us in the LGBQTIA community are waiting for the promised destruction of rights we have recently been granted, and aggressions against that community have increased, as well. 

My point is: I believe we should acknowledge there is privilege in being able to just say, "I'm taking a break from anything political." And I believe we should look to our communities and see where there is/might be need of support for those who don't have that privilege, ask what we can do to help give them a breather or a break. I believe there is danger in ignoring that some people do not have the ability to take a break and I believe in the break.

Fatigue and Recovery

I noticed last night that everything I was writing, or starting to write or comment, about things I was seeing on Facebook related to the WH was sarcastic. Not funny, not humor, but pure sarcasm.

I know! Sarcasm can be good, but it isn’t always. What I was noticing was that defeated sarcastic. The what the fuck is the point, what the hell are they doing now, will do next feeling of uselessness and/or ineffectiveness.

So I stopped posting anything. Well, I stopped posting any of the news, and of the crying in my coffee stuff. I did find a few positive articles and stories and shared those. Those are good, too.

But my defeatism still existed.

It was still there when I got up today. So today I vowed to myself to keep (mostly) off of FB and the news for a little while. A few hours or probably until after the show tonight. Because I am feeling a rage exhaustion. We have been promised there is something coming about the Queer community. I want to be able to face that with my full rage, without exhaustion and without defeat. This all affects all of us and the people in our neighborhoods, country, the world, I know. I know. And all of that is personal. And this one will be extra special personal to me (see that note of not-funny sarcasm, still there; damn).

I want to take this one on full face frontal. Like I did when I made my call to Homeland Security today urging them to NOT confirm Bannon, who is not representative of the people and the values of the United States of America (that was probably the most nerve wracking call to a machine I’ve ever made).

But coming for the Queers is coming for me. I am already there for the other people who have been targeted and the outrage and the horrors being caused by the man who claimed the title. And this one is me and my direct community and if it is as bad as some have said, that it is as bad as the possibility of a person being thrown in jail/prison just for beeing queer – I want my full rage and power restored.

So I’m mostly avoiding the news for several hours.

This is where I am……

a stressed, exhausted owl I found online (from weibo.com)

This is where I want to be before I jump back into the circle of action….

Tim Roth as Dr Cal Lightman, in Lie to Me

And I just signed up for the #CorporealWriting offering "Writing About Class in America: A May Day Workshop " in April. Participants raved about the last session of this workshop and I'm glad it's being offered again. One star for me today. See? I am coming out from the funk. A few more hours and I'll be ready to jump back in. 

Thank you for keeping vigil while I regain my breath.

Gut Punch

[This is new and raw.]

Gut Punch
by DS Hearn

The decision now done I wonder what the next blow will be. Not when. Because the when is tomorrow, unless it has already happened today and I haven't seen it. I've been working.

The punch to the gut of the confirmation that this is what will be in the government seats. The punch to the gut that people's rights will be violated; the proof is already in the works, each day more and more. And that They don't care.

That this country will be - or already is from several articles and comics I've seen - not trusted, not respected, mocked.

This is not about losing the vote or that the other dominant group members are in the White House.  It is not about the "R" and the "D" of this country.

This is about: The loss of rights. The loss of dignity. The loss of hope (temporarily). The trickery and lies and manipulations which led to the claim of "the win," many of which have already been proven a sham, a ruse, a mask to gain support then abandoned. The lack of knowledge and experience already witnessed.

This is about
people
land the earth
water air
the meaning of respect
meaning
going backwards
losing ground
slipping into chaos
struggling to breathe

breath
heartbeat
step by step
not giving in not giving up

giving to each other not being divided uniting for the earth for people

dipping into the waves of sorrow and loss
dipping into the waves of strength and resistance
dipping up for air
dipping down for rest and recovery
dipping to rise again buoyant

and saying
No.

NaNoWriMo Day 12 - water words

I came over to the coast with another writer on Wednesday night. This is my annual NaNoWriMo writing retreat and, yes, so far, it has always been at the coast. It will probably continue to be at the coast, since the ocean's movement the smells the fresh wash me clean feel on my skin the stepping into nature of it all is good. Watching water between words, listening to the water rock sand as I sleep.

This was the first year is was hard to leave home to come to the coast. It was hard for me to leave S at home; she was invited, could have come with us, but she has clients to see and art to make and a shift at the gallery. We were both fine with me coming over but given the election results it felt like a time to be together.

On the other side of that feeling was a determination for this to not be a time of collapse. To not be a time where fear or disappointment took away my writing. This writing retreat was planned long before the voting and I wasn't going to let my voice be silenced by the results, wasn't going to let my writing be taken away. And S completed a powerful painting these past couple of days, while I've been here. She sent me a photo of it last night and it has a lot of energy and life and movement, so she obviously had some creative work to do in her studio, which is there and not here at the coast.

My current word count is 25,035. This is the goal for November 15th, the halfway point, I'm there now. I am going to push for at least another 5000 words today, knowing that my writing pace may be slower next week, with many things happening in my schedule. I have written over 5k each day here and it's good.

I have been tweeting my word count updates. While keeping an eye on the protests at home. Protests with other groups joining in and trying or actually derailing them into riots. I know people who are in the protest groups and I would probably be there if I was at home.

I read Facebook status updates and articles about what is happening in the internet via data times I allow myself. I am fortunate to have an extended family's condo to stay at over here and for writing retreats it's good that there is no WiFi, it keeps that writing distraction low. But I do allow myself some time to check in now and then, to read how others are doing. To keep connected in this divisive time.

I will have more to say on this situation, as I have been changed by what happened on Tuesday. Some of that change was already in the works, some of the changes had already happened and I am grateful for having those skills and strengths in place before Tuesday. But right now I am here to write this other story. The other story has wandered and had new beginnings and taken unpredictable turns, and it's all okay. This year NaNoWriMo for me is about exploration and writing every day as much as I can and about letting the words flow where they want to go.

This year I had a basic plan coming in to the writing and it has veered from there. I have started down that path a couple of times this month, so far, and written some good sentences and written many words and the writing has led me to several places. I figure that whatever I write is what I need to get out. What I am probably going to end up with this year is several story starts and a bunch of essays. Or essay foundations for rewriting the story that needs to be told; yes, mostly that.

Now, I'm going to post this writing, turn off my WiFi and get back to the business of NaNoWriting.

NaNoWriMo Day 9 - a red square day

I knew there would be a few red square days on my NaNoWord Count calendar. Today was it. There may be more and there may not.

If I could make the Wednesday square black, I would. That would fit.

It wasn't that I was in mourning that I didn't write - though I was and am angry, frustrated, disappointed, and more. There are moments of overwhelm and sinking, moments of floating through the waves of not understanding how people could be so ______fill-in-the-blank_____.

I had things to do and a writing retreat to get to.

I considered not coming to the writing retreat today because I left my family at home and it feels so much like an important time to hold and love and breathe our people. Leaving her at home I feel a tug, and that's okay, we had some quality time before I left.

And I wasn't going to let this election take away my writing. Not even this one writing retreat. This is mine and it's important.

You may see some of my writing change, be bolder, be louder. I can't really pinpoint what will change but I have been changed through yesterday's results. This is my voice and I will write and I will share.

I'm at the coast, stocked with TJs groceries, a bottle of wine, decaf coffee, tea and the company of a writing friend. I will write. I will not be silent. I will not collapse in the face of what lies ahead.

A day away from writing to get me to here is fine. I'm coming out of the fog and I have things to say - or at least write.

NaNoWriMo Day 8 - writing meet ups work

Despite what is happening right now - or perhaps because of what is happening right now - I am posting that I am still writing. I wrote a pile of words today and they were good words. The word were on track with the story and they flowed.


I was late to the writing session but I got there. I opened the laptop. I had a decaf latte and a Green Goat breakfast bowl and I wrote. I wrote almost the daily average, just a hundred or so words short. And it was good.


My current word count is 11.410. The goal for today was 13,333. Not too far behind. I will have several hours of writing tomorrow. Then Thursday to Saturday are exclusively for writing - I hope to get many words ahead because next week is busy.


So this other thing is happening right now and I am disappointed and pissed off. In a bit of not quite shock but irritation. Oh, and embarrassment.


Yet we will go on. I have been reading posts on breaks. People who are out there in the front lines of my writing circles, for the artists and the misfits and those of us working on our voices and our art, with the people on the ground in the streets and making voices heard.


And fear. There is fear.


I will continue writing. That can't be taken away. As many in my circles are saying, there is work left to do. There would be work to do either way, this is more work.


Part of our work is to not be silenced.


I am writing and will continue to write.

Counterculture?

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This has been on my mind recently: questions about and satire of the Portland OR culture. Questions about "counterculture" as it is here, or if the "counterculture" doesn't really exist in Portland.

As I often do, I started with definitions and then see where things fit or don't; what paths or rabbit holes appear to give me a deeper look at the things I'm researching or writing about. The first thing that came up was from Oxford University Press, so that would seem to be a reputable resource to quote. And here it is:

1. counterculture
   [ ˈkountərˌkəlCHər ] 
   

   NOUN

   a way of life and set of attitudes opposed to or at variance with the prevailing social norm:
   "the idealists of the 60s counterculture"
   Powered by OxfordDictionaries · © Oxford University Press

Oh, let me say right now that if you are hoping I will give you an answer, I won't. I don't know where the counterculture is in Portland OR or if it exists.

I was recently in an online humor writing intensive with Ariel Gore. I wasn't the only one who poked fun at Portland in the course. In the short one week writing experience there were several pieces about different aspects of Portland "weird." I have also been preparing to interpret "The People's Republic of Portland" at Portland Center Stage this week, which is about just this topic. I laugh at some of the jokes along with everyone else - the ones I know are probably coming in Lauren Weedman's show and the improv sections I've never heard before despite having seen the show several times. I nod in recognition of the characters she energetically shows the audience and laugh and the sometimes only mild exaggerations; the show is funny and she is great. And I think, yes, this is Portland and it's not all bad; but is it "counter"? (Side note: the show is worth seeing and it is running right now; if you want to see the interpreted performance it is this Thursday, April 9th, at 7:30 pm. Get your tickets soon as performances are selling out!)

When does "weird" become the norm? What does that look like? What does it take for the self-consciousness of appearing to be "counter-_______" (fill in the blank) to become the standard? Is it counterculture when there is a right and wrong, when there is pressure to conform, when the individual becomes the mass, and when the focus is inward toward individual or group? What is the counterculture countering? Or has it become so commonplace that there is nothing to counter? Has the Portland Weird Culture become so mainstream that we need a counterculture to the counterculture?

Or is the idea of A Counterculture outdated and we should just look at diversity, instead? What is the role of a counterculture? What has the role of the counterculture been historically and is that still true or still needed? If we don't really need a counterculture any longer, what has replaced it in terms of keeping us alert and alive as people? What keeps us from becoming a bland homogeneous unthinking mass which just plugs in to a pod and melds?

I'm not talking about the extremists. I'm not talking about the mentally unstable or sadistic or the outliers.

And here I start going down the rabbit hole of "what am I talking about?" What do I think is wrong? If I think something is wrong then what is missing or what would make it right?

What I do know is that it feels like "Portland Weird" has become just one more thing to conform to or to resist. One more thing to say "yay, I love it," or "boo, I'm better/worse than you." One more thing to make you feel better or worse about who you are.

Do we need a counterculture? Can or does counterculture exist? Or is this one more label to separate the "them" and the "us?"

2011

1960s  

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Challenge : R is for Radical

R is for Radical. 

As in you have the Radical Right to be yourself. You have the Radical Right to write your truth and walk your path.

Radical is not a bad word. Some people treat it as something to avoid, as in being anti- this or that. But we have a Radical left and we have a Radical right in terms of the great political divide. We have Radical religious icons of every flavor and color and model. There are Radical writers - which era, you may ask? And I say, any era. 

There are Radical conservatives and Radical liberals, Radical democrats and Radical republicans.

Radical in and of itself does not denote conservative or moderate or liberal beliefs. It only says that the Radical's beliefs/actions/writings are not of the standard of the group to which they identify belonging. Or the era. Or the .... You get the point?

I wonder : what would it be like if Radical was the norm. What would we call a Radical Radical if that was the status quo? There are certainly some Radicals of the past who would no longer be given that label.

R is for Radical.

Who do you consider Radical Writers? Why?

News, Accolade, and Sound

You've probably already read the announcement : Amazon is buying Goodreads.

Some of you reading this might be saying, "So?" Others might say, "Good - what?" And then there are the opinions of the expanding control of Amazon as a good idea, a bad idea, who cares. I'm not sure what I think yet - my thoughts fall on both sides of the issue right now.

Amazon, who has its own publishing company (which is related to but separate from Amazon.com, I've been told) in addition to the mega online shopping site, which sells millions (probably bazillions) of books. 

I have a Goodreads account, but haven't really gotten into the social networking side of it. As a writer, I've been trying to build my presence there, but didn't feel the need to add one more internet site to my list of places I should be spending time. It's interesting to look up reviews - but the book reviews I really follow are from people I know, and I can just ask them. I don't need another website for social networking.

Amazon already tells me what books (and other products) it thinks I would be interested in based on past purchases (which may or may not have been for me) and on items I've looked at. Amazon also already purchased Audible.com, which is where I get audiobooks. The up-side of Amazon buying Audible has been - well, I'm not really sure. That I now have one login name and password to remember for both websites? 

What will it mean with Goodreads? It's obviously more than just about encouraging people to read, as most of the articles mention. They wouldn't make a big money purchase unless there was the expectation of big money return. 

It's happening. No going back. And here is one article about it, if you haven't seen one yet.

Amazon Buys Book-Recommendation Site Goodreads

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The accolade goes to kd lang, who was recently named the Greatest Canadian Singer by the CBC.

As a longtime fan of kd lang, this makes me happy. Her music has spanned several genres, she has been true to her music and herself, and she is a talented musician. I loved her country and cowgirl songs, swooned with her crooning songs, and have listened to her covers and crossovers. She is also a delight to see live.

Click on here to read the article:

Greatest Canadian Singer Ever

And, of course, I must share a video of her singing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. There are many renditions of this song and hers is right there on top.

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The final find for today is this, the Buddha Machine.

It's an endless loop music device, created back in 2005. There was recently a new edition put out and I discovered it in an article in Shambala Sun about music and Buddhism.

I'm not even going to try to describe it beyond that. Read it for yourself on the webstie. For me, this has great possibility for writing, for walking and working out, for making art; for many things.

Oh, and yes, there is an app for that! See the website or iTunes. Now if they'd just expand the app to Blackberry...

Buddha Machine

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Context: Is is really necessary?

As a writer, language is important.

Duh, Dot. Tell me something I didn't know. Right?

And as a sign language interpreter, language is also important. Not just language, but the context in which the language takes place. Which includes the setting, the purpose of the exchange, the people (of course, another "Duh, Dot"), culture, background, and so on.

So there is a lot in common between the two things I do: writing and interpreting. And theater. Language and context is very important there, too. Theater for me is a crossover activity, involving both my interpreting and my writing, or at least my creative output although I have plans for more theatrical writing in the very near future. But, shhh, on that last part because it's not public yet.

Context. Necessary? Yes. And maybe no.

Not "no" really, but more like: What tools do you have when there is no or less than optimal context?

When we're writing, we have time on our side for the most part. Even if you're doing the 24-hour Short Story Writing contest or NaNoWriMo, you still have time. Even if you're writing quick writes or flash/instant fiction on the fly, you have a little time before it goes public. So you can tinker with the context, show it or exclude it or alter it as needed, depending on your intent.

With interpreting, context is - I was going to say imperative and you can't do your job without it. But that isn't true. Because with video relay interpreting, sometimes we don't get the context and we have to do our job anyway. Interpreting requires context. Really; it is imperative. But with video relay we have instant connections, sometimes we're are dropped into the middle of drama or incidents in process and we don't have any background or context except what we see on the screen with the video caller and what we hear through our headset with the hearing caller. So context is necessary, but we have to have tools to deal with it and maintain the accuracy of the interpretation because, sometimes, it just isn't there.

Context. A tool to help our readers understand our characters. To help move the story forward and keep the energy flowing, interest, and reveal as things unfold.

Context. To give us language clues. Culture clues. Behavioral and emotional clues.

Context helps us to make sense of the what is happening around us.

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Now let me tell you how I got on this topic. Not that I need a reason. Like I said, as a writer and an interpreter, language context is central to everything I do. What any of us do.

But there was a catapult to today's writing. Let me take you on this little journey with me.

It all started with this bumper sticker, on the rear bumper of a vehicle:

??????

The design isn't 100% what I saw; all of the parts are the same and the words are in the same order and the symbols are the same.

So - my first question when I saw this was: what's the driver's point? Some of you may be thinking it's obvious and others may see different persepctives, as I did.

Because "Red" was used years ago as in the "Red Scare" to warn of the threat of communism, that was my first thought.

And let me explain a little more. The vehicle was a large white pick up with an extended cab; probably a 3/4 ton or a little more (I was co-owner of a 3/4 ton truck many years ago, and this was a little bigger than that - but the extended cab may have altered my assessment, as may have the larger than normal tires and jacked up height. I was focused on  deciphering which side of the Green issue this guy was on.

So my first thought was that it was negative - he was against Green. But then I thought that, maybe, he was supporting going Green and saying that people were acting like it was the big bad evil monster but it wasn't. I wasn't sure.

So I started looking at the other stickers plastered on the rear window of the cab, the bumper, the flap. Clues.

Yes, the context. I'm not going to paste or link in any of the other bumper stickers I saw. But the message was clear. I know which side of the Green/Red issue he was on. I'm not saying anything about big truck drivers, really I'm not. Why, some of my friends drive big trucks and I suspect I have some relatives who might drive trucks. It was a nice truck. But some of the other bumper stickers said things like "Does this truck make my ASS look bigger?" with a charicature of Obama (which I also don't understand; I'm missing a connection and that's okay; some things maybe I don't wnat to know); there was one on the rear window of the cab which said "MORON" and the "O"s were the Obama campaign Os; an "Impeach Obama" sticker; gun control, America-love-it-or-leave-it, and so on. So I'm confident which side of the Green/Red issue he sits.

Context.

The words on the bumper sticker alone definitely go either way. The hammer and sickle are clues. The other stickers are clues, definitely.

And when I was poking around online, gathering more information, deciding what way to take this writing, I found even more conflicting sites and viewpoints. The "Green is the New Red" is being used by opposing sides. So I wasn't "off" with my initial reaction. There are "left" groups claiming the phrase, saying that environmentalists and animal rights advocates and such are being targeted. There are "right" and extreme "right" groups claiming that Green is like throwing socialist (which is bad in their view) policies at a bad situation and that Green groups are creating problems. Opponents using the same phrase.

Context.

And for me this all started with a drive to meet with my writing buddy yesterday and a big white pick up.
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Theater & Storytelling as Catalysts for Change

An email from Mike Daisey ....

Hello All,

I can't tell you how excited I am to send this email to you.

First, if you haven't heard, during this break in the run at the Public we spent a month collaborating with Ira Glass and THIS AMERICAN LIFE to adapt THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS for the radio.

It aired the weekend of January 6th in a special episode of THIS AMERICAN LIFE where the only story was our excerpt of the monologue adapted for the radio, followed by a discussion featuring TAL doing extensive fact checking, interviews with Chinese labor activists, and a debate between myself and Nicholas Kristoff.

You can listen to the show here:

http://tinyurl.com/8aypq8a

Apple was asked to be on the show or to respond in any way. They refused.

In its first week the episode was the most downloaded in THIS AMERICAN LIFE's history. The internet exploded, and the story went everywhere—I received over a thousand emails in just a few days; the response was overwhelming.

That same week news broke that hundreds of Foxconn workers had a stand-off that lasted two days, where they were all threatening mass suicide by throwing themselves off the roof of the plant over their working conditions.

http://tinyurl.com/7tbtoo8

This is at Foxconn, a company which Apple's own 2011 Supplier Responsibility Report said was completely up to code, and which Apple applauded for their efforts. This is the company about which Steve Jobs said the employees enjoyed a virtual paradise of movie theaters, swimming pools, and luxury.

A week after our show was broadcast, Apple made an abrupt announcement. After years of stonewalling and silence, they released the full list of their suppliers, and agreed to outside, independent monitoring of working conditions in the factories they use. It is not everything, but it is a small step down the right road.

http://tinyurl.com/6ojorxx

Many news outlets are crediting THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY OF STEVE JOBS for being a large factor in Apple's decision. I've received a number of emails from Apple employees who have told me they believe that hearing this story on THIS AMERICAN LIFE, a program many Apple employees listen to with their families and their children, created "a morale situation" that finally compelled Apple to begin to do the right thing.

I would like to thank everyone who has heard this story and then told it on to the next person. In theater we sometimes doubt that we can effect change—I think we all doubt it, sometimes. The truth is that telling stories, person to person, is the best way we have ever had of connecting to the human—and whatever this show may or may not have achieved, it has come out of the conversations happening night after night after night.

Thank you,

md

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SOPA & PIPA

There is a lot of other information out there on what is happening.

This particular link is Google's petition.

There are others. This is just the one that caught my attention today.

The other tagline I've seen which I like is

Keep the Internet Free

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Wild Fox Zen: Occupy the Self

Wild Fox Zen: Occupy the Self:

Seems like we might be at the edge of something big here - the Occupy Wall Street demonstration is spreading, including to nearby Minneapolis, completely without violence or arrest. ...

The pundits on the tube and in cyber-journalism that I've seen are quite critical of the Occupy movement. "What do you stand for in 5 seconds?" "Got the solution or are you just complaining?"

I like that there's a huge range of big problems that are being raised because that's real. To focus on just one thing is part of the problem. The wars and Wall Street and lack of civil liberties and killing an American citizen without due process and ...

by Dosho Port, co-creator of "Zen Howl" with Natalie Goldberg

does one person make a difference?

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Today I attended a fundraising lunch for Human Solutions - one of the local non-profits working with people who are homeless. Their focus, from what I learned today, seems to be on families - which made up 58% of the homeless population as counted on January 27th, 2010 here in Multnomah County. It looks like a great organization, with wonderful resources, which includes a program for people on the brink of becoming homeless - prevention.

My reason for posting about it here, though, is not necessarily to try to convince everyone to go out and donate to Human Solutions (though wouldn't that be awesome? If everyone who read this donated $25 or $10 or $50?) - and it's not even to spout my strong belief that each one of us who can should find an organization to donate to (though this is something I also believe - find the community service/non-profit agency that fits who you are and works for what you believe in and donate whatever you can, be it money or goods or time).

No, my reason for writing here today is to share a quote. It applies to any social service agency or non-profit or - probably a list of other things set up to help people.

When I can I will find the name of the person who said this - but for now I just remember it was the E.D. (Executive Director) of Human Solutions who said:

The big government grants are the $25,000 car. That's great! But without the smaller $2.99 donations from the community - the "gas" - the car can't run.

Be the "gas" - find an organization that could use time/money/things - and do it.
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Gaby says it doesn't get better

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Thank you, Gaby. Well said.

...it doesn't get better - but we get stronger...

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macromaniac's kitten says...

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...it does get better...

Macromaniac (aka Lois Leveen) wrote an excellent post to go along with her most excellent video. From her poste, and I quote:

... Just for the record, though: the kids out there aren't being bullied because their queer. Or "suspected" of being queer. They're being bullied because we live in a bigoted, cruel culture that likes to pick on anyone who's different. ...

Brilliant. I agree. Thank you. Now watch the video below, and then go read her whole post (or do it in reverse order, it really is up to you). You can read it in its entirety here :  Who You Calling a Pussy--or a Faggot or Dyke? Gather Round for CUTE KITTENS AGAINST QUEER-BASHING!!!!



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politics: the Dream Act

information from Papers, The Movie ...

DEPORTATION OF PORTLAND COLLEGE STUDENT SHOWS NEED FOR DREAM ACT PASSAGE IN SENATE THIS WEEK

Tuesday, Sept 21st at 11:30 am:

Press Conference at PSU College of Urban and Public Affairs

WHAT: Hector Lopez is an exemplary student and one of two million undocumented children living in the U.S. today. His deportation two weeks ago emphasizes the need for passage of the DREAM Act, up for a vote in the Senate on Tuesday the 21st, as an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill. The DREAM Act will provide undocumented youth with a path to citizenship if they attend two years of college or serve two years in the military.

WHO:

Hector Lopez (by phone from Mexico). Deported student. He graduated from Rex Putnam High School in Portland. He was Student Body President of his high school, nominated for the national Alexander Hamilton leadership award, a DECA national delegate, and a participant in the Oregon Leadership Institute. He was a Little League Coach and logged 600 community service hours. He came to the US at one and a half months old. He has no criminal history. As a High School student he took a class at PSU, has spent two years at Clackamas Community College and had planned to transfer to PSU to get a bachelor's in Marketing.

Portland State University President Wim Wiewel. An advocate for in-state-tuition legislation which would allow undocumented youth to pay in-state (rather than out-of-state or foreign student tuition) in the state where they live. President Wiewel also testified at the County Commission for passage of a DREAM Act Resolution in 2009.

Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen. Chair Cogen brought forward a County Resolution in 2009 to support the DREAM Act after seeing the Portland-produced film, "Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth." The resolution passed unanimously and a similar resolution passed in the Portland City Council, urging Oregon's Congressional delegation to support the DREAM Act.

County Commissioner Deborah Kafoury, a supporter and advocate for undocumented students who voted in favor of the Multnomah County Resolution last year in support of the DREAM Act.

Melissa Sarabia. PSU Student working on behalf of her undocumented peers to pass the DREAM Act and MEChA student club leader.

Anne Galisky. Director of Portland-produced feature-length documentary film, "Papers: Stories of Undocumented Youth." The film was released through more than 500 public screenings in 50 states and puts a human face on students like Hector and their advocacy for passage of the DREAM Act. http://www.papersthemovie.com/.

Additional Participants:

Siovhan Sheridan-Ayala. Immigration attorney for undocumented youth, available for questions specific to Hector's case and the legal challenges facing undocumented youth in the U.S.

WHEN and WHERE: Tuesday, Sept 21st at 11:30 am at PSU College of Urban and Public Affairs at the corner of SW 5th and Mill Streets, Room 304

CONTACTS: Rebecca Shine, "Papers" Producer, 971-506-8683, Rebecca@grahamstreetproductions.com. Site Contact: Scott Gallagher, PSU Director of Communications, 503-725-8789, svg@pdx.edu



California's Prop 8 Unconstitutional

From Lorri L Jean at the LA Gay Center:

Today, Justice Vaughn Walker issued a historic decision in the Perry v. Schwarzenegger case challenging Prop. 8. Walker’s ruling striking down Prop. 8 is clearly a milestone victory for all gay, lesbian and bisexual Californians, our families and our friends. But much more than that, it is a resounding affirmation of fundamental American ideals and core principles of the U.S. Constitution.

The LA Gay Center and Basic Rights Oregon (BRO), as well as other progressive and civil rights organizations warn that this is not the end of the dispute. We can't just sit back and assume this decision will stand and that equal rights will reign. However, each decision in favor of equality in the legal institution of marriage, can bring us one step closer to it being a reality. It is unrealistic to expect that the opponents will give up. I know that the issue here in Oregon of equal treatment comes up very often in our initiative system. Each time something is voted down, those teaching/preaching hate against LGBTQ people come back out with a new approach. Or join forces with other groups. Or go national. 


So, this is a victory - yes. And there are already new actions that have been started. This is an important victory, though. And, perhaps, it is one step toward someday being viewed as equal in terms of our commitments and our rights. 


The following is one ad from BRO on the issue. 


Let's celebrate this victory. And not let down our guard. Rest and recover - because we are not done yet.

Celebrate the good news.

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