One of our Dem candidates has been charged with soliciting sex less than a week before the elections. Doesn't sound that bad, does it? If he wants to be with a prostitute, who gives a shit, right?
But it is nastier than that and the whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth. This politician, who was highest ranked politician in the city for 12 years, saw a 20 year old young woman come out of Job and Family services. He offers her a ride home. She was smart and stays on the phone with her friend until they get close to home. Then he asks her if she "plays for money." He tells her he picks up girls all the time and "some girls don't want to do it, but they change their mind." She says "no." When they pull up in front of her apartment he asks if he can have a kiss, and when she says "no" he grabs her arm and tries to kiss her. She jerks away and runs to the bushes. She reports it the police. Oh, and get this - the jerk picks her up in his bright red CAMPAIGN VEHICLE with a huge "-- FOR COUNCIL" on the back. Talk about arrogance!
Now I see that Dems are attempting character assassination on the girl - trying to say that she is scum and the politician is so much better. But of course it is a well known "secret" that this politician is a perverted bastard.
Let me tell you what I think. This man knows that a woman walking out of Job and Family services is poor, desperate and vulnerable. An easy victim, because if she did tell - who would take the word of a jobless welfare woman over the great wonderful politician? Character assassination would be a breeze - especially with plenty of old-school male democrats ready and eager to clean up after him like they always do. Enabling a pervert to prey upon the vulnerable people we pretend to be the champions of. Well people, this is the new millennium. It is time for old bastard politicians to die off or fade to obscurity and if they can't bring themselves to step back it is up to this generation to shame them into it. No more excuses for these fat bastards. No more support for them. Walk away from the "freds" of the party and make them understand that the support (and the buck) stops here.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Volunteering
It is strange the way volunteering works. When you first volunteer for a certain cause, you feel good - like you're doing the right thing even if it is just a couple of hours. People applaud your efforts. Other volunteers are happy to have the new face and new help and express their gratitude and thanks. But as you keep volunteering something changes. The other volunteers get to know you and expect you to do more and more. Pretty soon it is volunteering by guilt - you are expected to volunteer and if you don't people are disappointed in you. There are always the uber-volunteers who feel that if they are giving up their whole life for this there is no excuse for you not to. There stops being thanks.
I feel very much that way about politics now. Where we live is considered a "dead zone" and the party has given up getting votes out here. But we're still expected to do lit drops for areas 35- 45 minutes away on our weekends. And if I tell people "look, the Newark people can do their own lit drops, I'm not wasting the gas on something that is tradition but that I don't believe will affect the election at all." there's usually two or three people who say "well, I don't live in Newark, but I'm doing it." Getting volunteers through guilt-trip - I think the party will learn that that only works for so long, then the volunteers simple drop off the face of the earth, never to return. We also have people in charge of things who believe it should be a grim, work-only environment when people volunteer. They don't want to get food in (though the office is well-supplied with plates and plasticware and many of us would be happy to bring in food), they don't want people to chatter and have fun. Now they're crying because people don't want to come in to the office to volunteer. Did I mention the severe mold problem in the office? Real pleasant environment.
Same thing happened with Board of Elections. Never wanted to be a presiding judge. I let myself be guilted into it. Supposedly we get paid, but it adds up to about $5 an hour when everything is said and done. I realized that I don't believe in the laws I swear to uphold (especially turning people who forgot their IDs away from the polls, did so to a little old man last year, never forgave myself). I asked to be just a poll worker, not the presiding judge. I was feeling uncomfortable with the minimal training, with new laws, with carrying $80,000 worth of equipment in my car, with driving late night when I've been up since 5am. They badgered me like the past few times I tried to go back to just being pollworker. Now I simply check CANNOT WORK THIS ELECION every time they send me a postcard. It isn't worth the fight or my time. Yes, I know those new computers better than 95% of the people working the polls. Yes, they need me. But they also look down on their poll workers, blame them for their own poor training techniques and don't bother to get input from them after elections for what isn't working (perhaps because they"look down on their poll workers").
I guess this is all leading to taking back my life. The excessive demands other people have put on my life this year have lead me to realize that I need to do some demanding of my own. And my demand is "respect my time and my decisions or go fuck yourselves."
I feel very much that way about politics now. Where we live is considered a "dead zone" and the party has given up getting votes out here. But we're still expected to do lit drops for areas 35- 45 minutes away on our weekends. And if I tell people "look, the Newark people can do their own lit drops, I'm not wasting the gas on something that is tradition but that I don't believe will affect the election at all." there's usually two or three people who say "well, I don't live in Newark, but I'm doing it." Getting volunteers through guilt-trip - I think the party will learn that that only works for so long, then the volunteers simple drop off the face of the earth, never to return. We also have people in charge of things who believe it should be a grim, work-only environment when people volunteer. They don't want to get food in (though the office is well-supplied with plates and plasticware and many of us would be happy to bring in food), they don't want people to chatter and have fun. Now they're crying because people don't want to come in to the office to volunteer. Did I mention the severe mold problem in the office? Real pleasant environment.
Same thing happened with Board of Elections. Never wanted to be a presiding judge. I let myself be guilted into it. Supposedly we get paid, but it adds up to about $5 an hour when everything is said and done. I realized that I don't believe in the laws I swear to uphold (especially turning people who forgot their IDs away from the polls, did so to a little old man last year, never forgave myself). I asked to be just a poll worker, not the presiding judge. I was feeling uncomfortable with the minimal training, with new laws, with carrying $80,000 worth of equipment in my car, with driving late night when I've been up since 5am. They badgered me like the past few times I tried to go back to just being pollworker. Now I simply check CANNOT WORK THIS ELECION every time they send me a postcard. It isn't worth the fight or my time. Yes, I know those new computers better than 95% of the people working the polls. Yes, they need me. But they also look down on their poll workers, blame them for their own poor training techniques and don't bother to get input from them after elections for what isn't working (perhaps because they"look down on their poll workers").
I guess this is all leading to taking back my life. The excessive demands other people have put on my life this year have lead me to realize that I need to do some demanding of my own. And my demand is "respect my time and my decisions or go fuck yourselves."
Monday, October 22, 2007
The Bear
Gunthor is back. For those not in the know, Gunthor is kinda an alter-ego of mine, one that becomes apparent during winter depression time. He personifies all the carb-craving, sleep-wanting, grouchy, weight-gaining, primative changes that come over my body and my personality as the days wane and the cold air forces me inside. If you ask me about Gunthor in the summer, I'll just look at you like you've said something odd - my summer happiness makes the possibility of a Gunthor seem impossible. But surely as the days grow shorter and the leaves start to fall, he stirs within me and surfaces with a grumble.
Yesterday was a bad Gunthor day. B and I did a 30 mile bike ride and Gunthor was along for the ride, growling the whole way. When we stopped, he wanted a nap. We decided to get pizza half way, but the shop was closed so we couldn't - which set up a full Gunthor carb-craving that was only satisfied by pizza for dinner (mmm, breadsticks dipped in garlic butter, maybe I'll have the leftovers for breakfast).
Like most Autumns, I am restless. I forget about the sensation until it is here - I am unable to settle on one thing, wandering around the house - I wonder if it is my animal self looking for a perfect den to hibernate in. The food craving spikes and I want to eat everything in sight, especially high carb foods like breads and chips. And I don't want to exercise. I'd gotten into excellent shape, begun enjoying my routine, but now Gunthor wants to gain weight and not exercise and fights me all the way. And sleep, blessed sleep - can't get enough of it.
Yesterday was a bad Gunthor day. B and I did a 30 mile bike ride and Gunthor was along for the ride, growling the whole way. When we stopped, he wanted a nap. We decided to get pizza half way, but the shop was closed so we couldn't - which set up a full Gunthor carb-craving that was only satisfied by pizza for dinner (mmm, breadsticks dipped in garlic butter, maybe I'll have the leftovers for breakfast).
Like most Autumns, I am restless. I forget about the sensation until it is here - I am unable to settle on one thing, wandering around the house - I wonder if it is my animal self looking for a perfect den to hibernate in. The food craving spikes and I want to eat everything in sight, especially high carb foods like breads and chips. And I don't want to exercise. I'd gotten into excellent shape, begun enjoying my routine, but now Gunthor wants to gain weight and not exercise and fights me all the way. And sleep, blessed sleep - can't get enough of it.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Loreena McKennitt- Penelope's Song
This seems to have the same musicians we saw on Saturday. I've never been to a concert that wrung my emotions quite like this one. Even B., the rational, logical creature that he is, was sent into a deeply contemplative mood. Loreena McKennitt is an amazing artist, accomplished musician to bring all those varied instruments together in such an amazing harmony. She switched from harp to piano, to accordian and keyboard all with her classical soprano cutting through the upwelling of sound from the musicians she surrounded herself with. Truly an awe inspiring evening.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Electricity in the air
Panicked candidates. Frantic levy people. Bewildered friends. Gloomy yet unseasonably warm weather. I think I see nasty thunderstorms on the horizon. Batton down the hatches, stay indoors, wear rubber boots - 'cause the decievers and users are going to get fried and you don't want to be standing next to them when it happens.
Writing again
Wrote 16 pages in a new novel that I've been thinking about but not able to write this past week as campaigns and other things hijacked my life. It was lovely. I got into one of those nice trance-like states where I could go on for hours. I put off the library lit. to write and it felt sooo good to capture what has been roaming around in my imagination.
Don't get me wrong, I also love doing graphic design, designing lit. It is just the crazy candidates I can't stand. If I could stay in a glass box and never have to deal with the MPs and IKs of the campaign world, I'd be in heaven. But I can't and I need to realize the good usually outweighs the bad and just try to let it roll off my back. But writing is my first love (sorry Mr. Ipsissimus) and a good day spent at the laptop is worth noting.
Don't get me wrong, I also love doing graphic design, designing lit. It is just the crazy candidates I can't stand. If I could stay in a glass box and never have to deal with the MPs and IKs of the campaign world, I'd be in heaven. But I can't and I need to realize the good usually outweighs the bad and just try to let it roll off my back. But writing is my first love (sorry Mr. Ipsissimus) and a good day spent at the laptop is worth noting.
Monday, October 15, 2007
The joke
Realized that it was a bit of a family joke and catch phrase:
The Lone Ranger and Tonto are surrounded by Indians. There is no escape. The Lone Ranger turns to Tonto and says "Well Tonto, this is it, looks like we are done for."
Tonto looks at him and says "What's this WE white man?"
Which is a great phrase for when people want you to be in concord with them and you aren't letting them pull you into their trouble.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto are surrounded by Indians. There is no escape. The Lone Ranger turns to Tonto and says "Well Tonto, this is it, looks like we are done for."
Tonto looks at him and says "What's this WE white man?"
Which is a great phrase for when people want you to be in concord with them and you aren't letting them pull you into their trouble.
Overdrawn
My emotional accounts are overdrawn. Went from the MIL wanting everything from me, to everyone else using me up. Three candidates, my parents, my parent's old dog, my brother and his wife, the Library. It all feels too much. I had a fantastic inspiration last week on how to make a novel I've written for years work and it is great. But it is fading as everyone else takes my time. The things I love always fall to the wayside for the things everyone else wants me to do. I worked all day on lit for candidates, while preparing the guest room, cooking dinner, cleaning, laundry, getting the house back together from the MIL visit, entertaining and taking care of a decrept dog who spent from 5am to 8am whimpering for no apparent reason other than to drive me to tears and keep me from sleeping.
The candidates don't understand the rule that you can have two of these things, but not three: Something done cheap, something done fast, or something done well. And they give backhanded complements like "you've done a great job of CAPTURING MY CONCEPT AND IDEAS." Nice, huh? No amount self absorption there -would want to give a complement without taking credit for the whole piece because that would not serve herself. Everyone I've let see that email wince and ask me why I would work for people like that. And that candidate also said "we need to start a business" and "we could offer our services next year to some folks but that will remain to be discussed." Oh yes, I'm sure she'd like that - I would do all the work, at the last minute because she can't plan any other way, and she would take all the credit. Like the joke says "What's this WE, white man!"
The candidates don't understand the rule that you can have two of these things, but not three: Something done cheap, something done fast, or something done well. And they give backhanded complements like "you've done a great job of CAPTURING MY CONCEPT AND IDEAS." Nice, huh? No amount self absorption there -would want to give a complement without taking credit for the whole piece because that would not serve herself. Everyone I've let see that email wince and ask me why I would work for people like that. And that candidate also said "we need to start a business" and "we could offer our services next year to some folks but that will remain to be discussed." Oh yes, I'm sure she'd like that - I would do all the work, at the last minute because she can't plan any other way, and she would take all the credit. Like the joke says "What's this WE, white man!"
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Where I come from
My parents came today to help move things back where they were before the MIL came. Other than a "that IS a huge bed" comment there wasn't much fuss. There was a job to be done, and it was done with no complaining and much efficiency. Using common sense, a smidgen of creativity and plenty of combined muscle the job was made easy. Luckily there were no pulled muscles either. Dad also fixed the rototiller and Mom cut a few grapevines in the woods and they were gone before 4pm. That's the people I come from.
They appreciated the mushroom and spinach puff pastries I made, we sat outside and declared it to be a beautiful day. Heck, I couldn't keep them inside, not to eat or drink - they're like me, the outside this time of year is a siren's call. Another month or two and it'll be too cold for the outside, so you'd better get your fill now. Sure, Dad's shoulder ached and Mom's hip was bothering her - but they don't let that stop them from enjoying life and helping out where they can.
That's where I come from. I'm not nearly the neat freak Mom is, and I'll never know as much about fixing things and putting things together as my Dad - but I sure hope I'm as young as they are when I reach 65. None of this going to Florida and saying it is "God's waiting room." Call them blue-collar, call them uneducated because they didn't attend college. But they have more common sense and world-wisdom than all the "educated" people I know put together. Big hearted, tons of common sense, a huge understanding of how things work and how to keep them working. It is such a relief to get back to my roots and be around people I can both understand and respect.
They appreciated the mushroom and spinach puff pastries I made, we sat outside and declared it to be a beautiful day. Heck, I couldn't keep them inside, not to eat or drink - they're like me, the outside this time of year is a siren's call. Another month or two and it'll be too cold for the outside, so you'd better get your fill now. Sure, Dad's shoulder ached and Mom's hip was bothering her - but they don't let that stop them from enjoying life and helping out where they can.
That's where I come from. I'm not nearly the neat freak Mom is, and I'll never know as much about fixing things and putting things together as my Dad - but I sure hope I'm as young as they are when I reach 65. None of this going to Florida and saying it is "God's waiting room." Call them blue-collar, call them uneducated because they didn't attend college. But they have more common sense and world-wisdom than all the "educated" people I know put together. Big hearted, tons of common sense, a huge understanding of how things work and how to keep them working. It is such a relief to get back to my roots and be around people I can both understand and respect.
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