seriously?
come on. i'm a smart girl, love satire, love making fun of people's dumminess, and - to be completely frank - don't shy away from getting a good laugh at someone else's expense (including an appreciation when the butt of the joke is me). but i cannot, for the life of me, fathom what about your obama cover you found in good humor.
the people in this country are already struggling to be okay voting for the black guy, even if that guy happens to be sounder, smarter, and offering a better future for america. those americans, trying so hard not to fall victim to their own biases and fears, get those viral emails and hear stupid rumors about obama being a muslim, his wife hating america, blah, blah, you get where i'm going. and it's not funny because we, americans, have not come far enough in race relationships and enlightenment, generally. the struggle is a daily one for those of us trying to make a difference and there is nothing funny about your cover, not publicly, not to a stinging, scared america, trying to be okay with a changing world. sure, go behind closed doors and laugh at how stupid people are for believing the things they believe, but be smart enough to realize that these are serious issues faced by the campaign and america.
you're not funny, you're not cute, and you're way way wrong. i will give you props for proving that there really is such a thing as bad press, for what it's worth. it's just not funny. and it's so disappointing that a magazine of your stature could be so insensitive and dumb.
and while i will always be the first to tell you that great reward does not come without great risk, and kudos for taking it, but you chose the wrong risk. and it should cost you your job.
(in case you're wondering, i did send this letter to the editor)
14 July 2008
10 July 2008
my blog today
is simply a reposting of Gail Collins op-ed piece in today's new york times... shockingly, i have little to add, for now...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/opinion/10collins.html?ref=opinion
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/10/opinion/10collins.html?ref=opinion
08 July 2008
missing my bff
okay, so i'm super lucky to have the world's best bff. he lives at the bottom of my steps, works three buildings over (and comes over for malts when i'm craving an afternoon stomach ache), knows absolutely everything about me, doesn't judge me, and knows in his bones that i feel the same way. and even though we think each other are the most amazing and beautiful creatures on earth, it ends there. we look at each other and we're like, "ew, no way".
but we do have an agreement. you know, the one where we'll get together if we reach that magic age and no one else has come or stayed along. when we're 65.
i hope that made you laugh out loud, by the way. it always does in person...
anyway, the point of this is that my bff is off being a good person this week. he's doing his part to make sure america moves in a better direction. he's doing what i did, and having a blast like i did. and like he was when i was away, i'm a wreck without him. i'm not remembering to set alarms, not sleeping, stressing more about things i shouldn't. i'm just a little bit wrecked. and maybe it's because work just got nutso, my personal life got more complicated, obama kicked up a notch, and i'm juggling a thousand balls... but maybe because on top of all that, my sounding board - he who keeps me sane and gives me a judgment free hour to vent and be me every day (sometimes a lot more) - isn't here to soundboard. and maybe without that, i'm just a little more wrecked than usual...
it might be a little bit crazy, but i sorta kinda hope that everyone out there has a bff just like mine...
but we do have an agreement. you know, the one where we'll get together if we reach that magic age and no one else has come or stayed along. when we're 65.
i hope that made you laugh out loud, by the way. it always does in person...
anyway, the point of this is that my bff is off being a good person this week. he's doing his part to make sure america moves in a better direction. he's doing what i did, and having a blast like i did. and like he was when i was away, i'm a wreck without him. i'm not remembering to set alarms, not sleeping, stressing more about things i shouldn't. i'm just a little bit wrecked. and maybe it's because work just got nutso, my personal life got more complicated, obama kicked up a notch, and i'm juggling a thousand balls... but maybe because on top of all that, my sounding board - he who keeps me sane and gives me a judgment free hour to vent and be me every day (sometimes a lot more) - isn't here to soundboard. and maybe without that, i'm just a little more wrecked than usual...
it might be a little bit crazy, but i sorta kinda hope that everyone out there has a bff just like mine...
05 July 2008
obama and religion
okay, this is me coming down hard on the ny times and any and all other facets of the main stream media who want to argue that obama has changed his mind about the place where religion and politics commingle...
obama's early career as a community organizer revolved around religious ties when he discovered how well organized the church communities are. many churches and religious communities are already raising money, awareness, and armies to fight poverty, encourage education, and stifle crime. it would be stupid to ignore the good things churches and the religious are already doing, especially at a time when our government and country has proven, without a doubt, that it is too incompetent to handle all the problems our country faces.
like it or not, politics needs the help of churches and organized religious groups to help us empower the disenfranchised, the bitter, the poor, the uneducated, and those who don't yet know they can make a difference in their own lives and their country.
anyone who knows me knows how i personally feel about religion. i have a very distrusting view of most organized religions, including the sects of christianity that helped shape my parents and the rest of my family. too many times in my study of world history, have i seen terrible things done to masses of people in the name of god. "witches" burned, moors murdered for refusing to convert, the holocaust, 9/11, burning crosses in the south, the daily threat of suicide bombings in cities around the world. terrible things that run in absolute contradiction to the very moral code religions claim to embrace. it makes me angry and disgusts me when the holier-than-thou spew venemous hatred in the name of god.
but i also have been blessed to know many good people who find comfort in religion, who work hard through their churches to better their communities, who stand strong against crime and poverty, and fight for better education. good people who make our country better find ways to be involved through their church when their politics do no present such opportunities.
only a foolish politician would shun the goldmine of resources within the religious communities in this country.
obama's early career as a community organizer revolved around religious ties when he discovered how well organized the church communities are. many churches and religious communities are already raising money, awareness, and armies to fight poverty, encourage education, and stifle crime. it would be stupid to ignore the good things churches and the religious are already doing, especially at a time when our government and country has proven, without a doubt, that it is too incompetent to handle all the problems our country faces.
like it or not, politics needs the help of churches and organized religious groups to help us empower the disenfranchised, the bitter, the poor, the uneducated, and those who don't yet know they can make a difference in their own lives and their country.
anyone who knows me knows how i personally feel about religion. i have a very distrusting view of most organized religions, including the sects of christianity that helped shape my parents and the rest of my family. too many times in my study of world history, have i seen terrible things done to masses of people in the name of god. "witches" burned, moors murdered for refusing to convert, the holocaust, 9/11, burning crosses in the south, the daily threat of suicide bombings in cities around the world. terrible things that run in absolute contradiction to the very moral code religions claim to embrace. it makes me angry and disgusts me when the holier-than-thou spew venemous hatred in the name of god.
but i also have been blessed to know many good people who find comfort in religion, who work hard through their churches to better their communities, who stand strong against crime and poverty, and fight for better education. good people who make our country better find ways to be involved through their church when their politics do no present such opportunities.
only a foolish politician would shun the goldmine of resources within the religious communities in this country.
03 July 2008
his move toward center does weigh heavily
i've struggled this week (and last) with obama's perceived shift toward the center, trying to figure out how to feel about it and how to deal with it, as the media makes it appear as though he is moving further from my own liberal ideals. i mean, no matter what, i'm committed to obama and seeing him elected president. he is a far better choice than mcsame, and this country needs a major overhaul if we're going to make it, and start thriving again. and obama is the right leader for the unenviable task at hand.
but it doesn't mean i don't worry about things...
i disagree with obama's presumed FISA vote, because the slope on which my rights to speak, assemble, and maintain a private life become far too slippery when we give "get out of jail free" cards to leaders who think it below themselves to follow the very laws they made an oath to defend.
that's what george w. bush, king of douchebags, did. i have no idea why he didn't go to congress and ask for an extension of his right to electronically survey those he thought might be terrorists (or, heaven forbid, seek a warrant as the law instructs). maybe the evidence he'd've had to use was too flimsy to get congress to agree so he went and did what he felt was right. and because we know what kind of judgment, forethought, and logical reasoning is employed by our king of douchebags, it is very, very, very dangerous to give up our rights to him (or any leader).
FISA (the "new and improved" version) makes it against the law for the president to do what our dubya did (much like the new law, the old law said he couldn't do what he did) and goes on to say that we can't sue the telecom companies for illegally handing over the requested info (oh yeah, because the telecom companies don't have smart enough lawyers on payroll to know the law required them to say no to an attorney general making demands without a warrant). so basically, the new law says to the president, we've made it clear that you aren't going to get in trouble for breaking the law, so do as you wish.
i don't like that. no matter who our president is. and i fully support senator feingold's filibuster next week. and so should everyone who gives a rat's ass about their constitutional rights...
but it doesn't mean i don't worry about things...
i disagree with obama's presumed FISA vote, because the slope on which my rights to speak, assemble, and maintain a private life become far too slippery when we give "get out of jail free" cards to leaders who think it below themselves to follow the very laws they made an oath to defend.
that's what george w. bush, king of douchebags, did. i have no idea why he didn't go to congress and ask for an extension of his right to electronically survey those he thought might be terrorists (or, heaven forbid, seek a warrant as the law instructs). maybe the evidence he'd've had to use was too flimsy to get congress to agree so he went and did what he felt was right. and because we know what kind of judgment, forethought, and logical reasoning is employed by our king of douchebags, it is very, very, very dangerous to give up our rights to him (or any leader).
FISA (the "new and improved" version) makes it against the law for the president to do what our dubya did (much like the new law, the old law said he couldn't do what he did) and goes on to say that we can't sue the telecom companies for illegally handing over the requested info (oh yeah, because the telecom companies don't have smart enough lawyers on payroll to know the law required them to say no to an attorney general making demands without a warrant). so basically, the new law says to the president, we've made it clear that you aren't going to get in trouble for breaking the law, so do as you wish.
i don't like that. no matter who our president is. and i fully support senator feingold's filibuster next week. and so should everyone who gives a rat's ass about their constitutional rights...
28 June 2008
beautiful lilies on my table...
...and it’s 11:11 everywhere i look. and that’s how i feel right now too. i’ve had a really busy week, haven’t had a moment to myself ‘cept those few moments before going to sleep each night, and my long overdue night to myself is recharging my spirit.
my life has been opened up so much the past few weeks. i’ve been reconnecting with the friends i left when i joined the campaign, as well as integrating all that is new. i’ve re-discovered that the people i call friends are the most extraordinary people i know. how fortunate i am to recruit and retain the world’s best of the best for myself…
and i met a boy, a complicated but beautiful boy who has inspired me to widen my horizons. i’m reading a new novel that’s rocking my world, listening to music that’s finding a match with my soul, and finding an even deeper part of me than i knew existed. and even if it goes nowhere, he has given me hope and faith that beautiful boys, good enough to meet and surpass my standards, are out there, waiting as patiently as me for the real thing. for the right person.
the thing i’ve found that gives me this crazy, good kind of detachment, is, i guess, confidence. knowing everything is okay and will be okay means it is okay. i finally get that the small things don’t matter. that the things that seem like they should be important, aren’t important. that life rewards the hardworking and faithful. that i am and will continue to be rewarded because i like who i am, i’m proud and happy with the woman i’ve become. like not just in words i find when i write, but in conversations i have, exchanges i meet, people i see, life i live, moments that take my breath away. everything seems brighter. the silver lining in the clouds gleams brighter, and the people in my life are enhancing every moment i live. even the ones i know for only a moment each day or a moment in a lifetime…
i no longer worry how i can make a difference, but feel a certain satisfaction in knowing i do make a difference, every single day, if only for a moment, if only because of a smile or a simple recognition of another. and that’s enough. my glass of pink wine is enough. my simple evening at home, alone with laundry drama, the “once” soundtrack, and “the feast of love” is enough. my friends and family are so much more than enough. everything that matters is already the biggest part of my life. anything else is simply good fortune.
my life has been opened up so much the past few weeks. i’ve been reconnecting with the friends i left when i joined the campaign, as well as integrating all that is new. i’ve re-discovered that the people i call friends are the most extraordinary people i know. how fortunate i am to recruit and retain the world’s best of the best for myself…
and i met a boy, a complicated but beautiful boy who has inspired me to widen my horizons. i’m reading a new novel that’s rocking my world, listening to music that’s finding a match with my soul, and finding an even deeper part of me than i knew existed. and even if it goes nowhere, he has given me hope and faith that beautiful boys, good enough to meet and surpass my standards, are out there, waiting as patiently as me for the real thing. for the right person.
the thing i’ve found that gives me this crazy, good kind of detachment, is, i guess, confidence. knowing everything is okay and will be okay means it is okay. i finally get that the small things don’t matter. that the things that seem like they should be important, aren’t important. that life rewards the hardworking and faithful. that i am and will continue to be rewarded because i like who i am, i’m proud and happy with the woman i’ve become. like not just in words i find when i write, but in conversations i have, exchanges i meet, people i see, life i live, moments that take my breath away. everything seems brighter. the silver lining in the clouds gleams brighter, and the people in my life are enhancing every moment i live. even the ones i know for only a moment each day or a moment in a lifetime…
i no longer worry how i can make a difference, but feel a certain satisfaction in knowing i do make a difference, every single day, if only for a moment, if only because of a smile or a simple recognition of another. and that’s enough. my glass of pink wine is enough. my simple evening at home, alone with laundry drama, the “once” soundtrack, and “the feast of love” is enough. my friends and family are so much more than enough. everything that matters is already the biggest part of my life. anything else is simply good fortune.
24 June 2008
i cried over a diamond
i thought it was time. i mean, i'm trying to get my shit together. i'm committing to a budget, i'm committed to saving, and living well within my means. i'm ready to let go of my old life and embrace the one that's more me. but that diamond...
i was meeting a friend in the gem business because i wanted to sell my engagement ring and turn it into something that pays interest or dividends. i took the ring out of its secret spot and put it on. first my ring finger, then my middle finger (which is the only place it fits now), i twisted it around a bit, looked at it on my hand held high by the light, then i took it off, put it into its little red box, and dropped it into my handbag. adios, engagement ring.
by the middle of the afternoon, i was crying with my office door closed. it wasn't a gushing tears kinda thing, but an "i need some time to myself" tear up. because of that ring and all it represents. dude, i couldn't part with the ring. i couldn't do it. i flaked on my friend and went home to put it back where it belongs.
he was totally understanding and even offered alternatives to ditching it. so we're scheduled again for next week. i have six days to keep the ring where it belongs. six days to let go of the last symbol of the life i left behind. six days...
i was meeting a friend in the gem business because i wanted to sell my engagement ring and turn it into something that pays interest or dividends. i took the ring out of its secret spot and put it on. first my ring finger, then my middle finger (which is the only place it fits now), i twisted it around a bit, looked at it on my hand held high by the light, then i took it off, put it into its little red box, and dropped it into my handbag. adios, engagement ring.
by the middle of the afternoon, i was crying with my office door closed. it wasn't a gushing tears kinda thing, but an "i need some time to myself" tear up. because of that ring and all it represents. dude, i couldn't part with the ring. i couldn't do it. i flaked on my friend and went home to put it back where it belongs.
he was totally understanding and even offered alternatives to ditching it. so we're scheduled again for next week. i have six days to keep the ring where it belongs. six days to let go of the last symbol of the life i left behind. six days...
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