Emily's place

2002-12-09T17:45:00.000-05:00

Ah, good intentions. You really know you are fundamentally screwed when you have good intentions. Last week, therre was a fairly major snowstorm that hit the east coast of the US, and as a result, I got trapped at work, while I was feeling sick, for 21 straight hours. It took another 36 hours for the zombielike feeling of sleep deprivation to leave me, and until today for the illness that I had gone to work with to pretty much depart. A very slight cough remains, but not bad at all (by comparison). And that, friends, is what happened to the good intentions that I had to post more regularly to this site. My apologies.

One thing that I had given some thought to was the .kids domain that the Bush administration had been talking about. Given some of the nasty things that had taken place lately...including here in Connecticut, where a fourteen year girl was killed when she met someone she had met online- the instinct to protect is admirable and quite understandable. What I am concerned about, however, is that the "information superhighway" remain a source of information, regardless of what the judges of appropriateness decide, is, indeed appropriate.

Some examples:

Blocking software, which to date has been the main protective device, frequently refuses access to information on Wicca, even though this religion is gaining wider recognition, even among those who disagree with its tenets. The military even has a section on Wicca in it's chaplain's handbook.

Let's say that little Suzie's uncle Ernie is a gay man who comes out of the closet. Mommy and Daddy refer to Uncle Ernie as "sick" and declare that he is "going to hell". While Suzie may not need to know what Uncle Ernie does with his friend Fred when they are behind closed doors, she has every right to know that mainstrem doctors do not think Ernie is "sick" at all, and that there are respected ministers such as Walter Wink who certainly disagree with the assertion that Ernie is "going to hell". Will .kids sites block the flow of factual information? I certainly hope not.

Will there be access to alternative views of history, such as those of Howard Zinn? Access to feminist and radical thought? Access to the more controversial writings of Thomas Paine? Infomation that there are more views within Christianity and Judaism than its most orthodox forms?

To the extent that the .kids domain protects children from predatory behavior, I offer my applause. But to whatever extent that it "protects" them from information (NOT pornography), I offer my strong disapproval. Parents may have the right to raise their kids how they please, but they do not have the right to restrict access to contradictory information.

2002-12-02T22:19:00.000-05:00

In any life, there need to be touchstones for some sanity in the midst of a fundamentally crazymaking world. For me that touchstone is my sister. We got together, went to a bookstore for awhile, then went to the mall where we did some window shopping for some clothes that we each knew that there was no way we could afford. Fun nevertheless. She went for the black silk skirt and top, very simple, me, the more femmy of the pair found a nice preppy pink sweater and a fivehundreddollar white dress with crystal sewn into it. We then went out for coffee, complained about everything in the world, and then called it a day.

Thanks, Patty. You make this town, state, and state of being bearable. You're the best.

2002-12-01T13:31:00.000-05:00

One thing that I've decided to do is to is add a feature which will be the transgender story of the week.The article for this week is from the Advocate, regartding prejudice among gays toward transgendered people.

2002-12-01T12:24:00.000-05:00

Yikes.

After a recent trip to Springfield, MA, I realize that my postings have been spotty at the very best. Not that there hasn't been a lot on my mind to write about, but simultaneously there have been a lot of other things going on that, for whatever reason, have kept me away from making some updates. Therefore I will do a bit of catching up, throw out a few thoughts that have been rambling about my brain in abbreviated form.

It's time to abandon the movie rating system, once and for all. The three most recent films that I have seen have convinced me of this. "Bowling for Columbine" is a movie that just about everyone should see. So some kid wears a hat that says "Fuck Everything"...this is a reason for an R rating? There isn't a five year old who hasn't heard the word, and it's been that way for some time. The MPAA needs to pull its head out of the forty year old sand. The newest Harry Potter movie received a PG, when a PG-13 would have been far more appropriate. This is a good film, but violent. And "Far From Heaven" which contains no sex, no violence gets a PG-13 I would guess because there is a scene with two men kissing. . . not humping, kissing. It's not a film many kids would want to see...like "The Winslow Boy" which got a G rating, it is a movie for adults. But a serious-minded child who has a level of maturity should have no problem with this film.
My solution? Dump the ratings, don't make ticket sellers into cops, and let parents take responsibility for what their kids see. Ratings. like record warning labels and efforts to remove books from curricula and library shelves, are just means to allow parents to shift responsibility to self appointed censors. If you are unwilling to do the work, tie tubes, get vasectomies.

Now that Thanksgiving is past, tis time to work seriously on losing weight. I know, Christmas is coming...but it is not as serious an eating holiday for me as Thanksgiving. Any of you who wish to offer a word of encouragement, the link to my e-mail is on the left side of the screen.

Henry Kissinger? John Poindexter? All the proof that is necessary is now in. The alleged President is insane.

I like John Kerry well enough...but as President? I don't know...maybe it's just a fond wish that it were the other Senator from Massachusetts who was running.

Last week on the same night there were two NHL games played. One was in Toronto, who played the Washington Capitals. These are two mediocre teams, both at the time with losing records. They not only played to a full Air Canada, standing room tickets were sold. In Boston, a team in first place in their division, the conference and second in the whole league also played...with over 5000 empty seats in the building. The NHL had the gall to say Hartford no longer deserved an NHL team...when it averaged 95% attendance in it's last year? Please. Boston hockey fans should be ashamed.

OK...that's all for now, but I may catch up further later in the day

2002-11-13T11:11:00.000-05:00

I am not a sheep. I do not bleat.

One would think that this would be a self-evident statement that any human being worthy of that description would be able to make. Sadly, there are those who will listen to the incoherent ramblings of Bishop Wilton D. Gregory who spoke at a conference on sexual abuse by priests. Here is an excerpt:

"Sadly, even among the baptized, there are those at extremes within the churchwho have chosen to exploit the vulnerability of the bishops in this moment to advance theit own agendas. One cannot fail to hear in the distance - and sometimes very nearby - the call of the false prophet 'let us strike the shepherd and scatter the flock'. We bishops need to recognize this call and to name it clearly for what it is."

George Will has the perfect response to this type of hyperbole. Well.

Leaving aside the fact that the "shepherds" have seemed to have shown more concern and care for the wolves, the need for a hierarchy in spirituality is highly questionable. We hear much about a culture of disbelief, but there is a bigger phantom stalking churches, synagogues, temples and the like. It is tha fact that many Americans have discovered the fact that they can do spirituality for themselves, or in small, egalitarian groups. Considering Christianity alone, the idea that, on the one hand, it started with a wandering bunch of what would be referred to by the snide as "losers", but is now led by an elite group of cassocked and collared "princes", the question is begged: how did we get here from there?

Whether we regard the spirit as something substantial, or as the most thoughtful among us - Lisa Simpson - put it, a symbol of what is noble in us, its care is something that can be tended to ourselves, with the assistance of trusted family and friends. Hierarchical structures are as necessary to this as an appendix or a third nipple are to a nomally functioning human body.

2002-11-11T23:37:00.000-05:00

OK...as mentioned yesterday, here's my early odds for the Demcratic nomination in 2004. These odds are for the nomination, not the general election. They are also who I think would be nomonated, not who should be. I will save commentary for the end.

John Kerry
11-1

Russ Feingold
13-1

Hillary Rodham Clinton
14-1

John Edwards
14-1

Robert Reich
14-1

Chris Dodd
14-1

Al Gore
14-1

Tom Daschle
16-1

Howard Dean
16-1

Dennis Kucinich
16-1

Joseph Lieberman
16-1

Bill Bradley
16-1

Dianne Feinstein
19-1

Bob Kerrey
19-1

Wesley Clark
19-1

Marcy Kaptur
19-1

Richard Gephardt
19-1

Joe Biden
23-1

Tom Vilsack
28-1

Jesse Jackson Jr.
28-1

Al Sharpton
113-1

The names above are those listed on politics1.com as having some interest in running for the presidency. The odds are assuming all will run; but such is certainly not going to be the case; to cite just one example, Joe Lieberman has said he will not seek the nomination if Al Gore does. If Lieberman is being honest, it is an either/or proposition.

2002-11-10T19:20:00.000-05:00

Hello, again, everyone...I just got back from an annual weekend away that a friend and I take every year where we go to a sci-fi convention in Springfield, MA, which is about 40 miles north of where we live. Had a great time there, wish I has not left, as Connecticut gets harder and harder to return to every time I leave.

There are a few projects I am currently working on which I will be finishung up over the next week or so. The first is kind of a fun bit of oddsmaking on the chances of the various Democratic hopefuls of getting the nomination in 2004. The second is a more serious project, determining the level of alternative culture around the country, using the magazine "Zine Guide" as an indicator. The reason this is more serious is that I am using it as something of a guide of where I may wind up when I leave Connecticut. While important in intent, I also am having a great time doing it.

That's all for now. maybe more later, if not, tomorrow

2002-11-06T10:19:00.000-05:00

Well, it's the day after election day, and I meet it with mixed emotion. I am saddened by the loss of Bill Curry, the best, most thoughtful Democrat to run for governor since I've been voting. I'm pleased that the state house and senate candidates I voted for won resoundingly, which will hopefully put a little sugar in Rowland's gas tank. And the US senate...arrgh...

I guess the best thing that can be said about this from my perspective is that elections are like a wave. Their complete effect are not felt until about 15-20 years down the road. The one area in which Democrats did well was in governors races, and considering that four of the last five presidents have been governors, this bodes well for the long term future.

The results I predicted in my previous post all came to pass, so things are not terrible for my own personal political world. But on the national level, the evil empire has attained full power. All that is left to do is resist, protest, campaign and teach until the next election. The battle goes on...

,

2002-11-04T12:19:00.000-05:00

One day till election day. Last night I did a little bit of calculation, and, if the election comes in as the polls are indicating, and the safe seats are held by those I anticipate, about 63% of the candidates I vote for tomorrow will be elected. If I figure it out on a weighted basis (statewide offices getting the most weight, state rep the least) I will be getting about 56% of the government I want.

For all the carping people do about their vote not making a difference, I find that this is not a terrible percentage. Of course, I could automatically increase the percentage to 100% by voting for the favorite, but this is not what democracy is all about. It is about determining the winner, it is not a horse racing ticket where you choose who you think will win. Therefore, the best strategy is to vote for the person whose values most closely reflect your own, in order to maximize your overall effectiveness in getting your ideas put into action. And this is really the point. Democracy begins on election day. It does not end there. Once you vote, you need to let the persons elected that you intend to hold them to what they said they would do that convinced you to vote for them. If you voted for their opponent, let them know that and tell them that you oppose their ideas. Let them know that if they follow through on their plans, a big contribution will be made to their next opponent. (I don't care if you don't have a dime to your name, say it anyway)

Whatever you do, take the first step tomorrow. Vote. It will help your allies and piss off...and maybe defeat....your adversaries.

2002-11-01T18:08:00.000-05:00

In my previous commentary, I mentioned two online comics which I hope you have had time to visit. As I have said, both of these comics are ones that I enjoy. The fact that there are good comics that deal with transgendered people is a joy to see. There are similarites in each that I like, but also can be problematic. Both deal very sketchily with the past of their characters. Zoe has just moved, and Yun is just there. As said previously, Yun's parents seem to come to terms with her sexuality too easily. In Venus Envy, Erin Lindsey goes into greater detail about her character's background, but the events which led to Zoe's departure from her previous high school are glossed over.

As one who loves the comic art form, I appreciate the artistry that has been brought to the form, both in daily strips such as Zippy The Pinhead , Doonesbury, R. Crumb, and The Acme Novelty Catalog. This is one area in which both Lean on Me and Venus Envy could use some improvement. In some of the early LOM strips, the characters don't stay that true to model and cannot be easily distinguished from one another. Jade Gordon has improved greatly in the later strips. Lindsey handles the Venus Envy characters better, but seems to have occasional problems with drawing in perspective. She just moved to attend art school, and this is likely to improve the quality over time.

2002-11-01T15:11:00.000-05:00

As I said in a previous post, there will be a once a month(only) time when I ask you to consider making a donation via paypal. If you wish to do so. please click on the link above. When December rolls around, I might think of a special offer for those who donate at a certain amount (gee, totebags seem to work for public TV!) Hey, if you like the site, think about it. Help me escape Connecticut.

2002-10-31T10:34:00.000-05:00

OK, today I wanted to discuss my two favorite online comics. Both of them are set in high school. Both of them have main characters who are transgendered girls. However, after that the similarities end. Lean on Me involves Yun, a long legged, pretty girl who pretty much stays to herself until she meets Lisa, who immediately takes to Yun, and a friendship, which obviously must blossom into a relationship ensues. Underlying the sweet romance style are several questions about sexuality which are never answered in any complete way. Is Lisa a lesbian, or a girl who enjoys the company of very feminine men? Is Yun transgendered to the point where she will ultimately have surgery? Is she "straight" in the sense that she likes guys, and Lisa is an aberration? The questions are left hanging. And that is not bad. As in the movie "Chasing Amy" the point is the meeting of the person who "gets you".

There are a few things about "Lean On Me" that are frustrating...as I wrote in an e-mail to the artist, the struggle that Yun's parents have with her sexuality is glossed over too quickly. The other problem is that the story comes out very irregularly. Especially in the second story (which focuses more on another character) there have been breaks of weeks at a time between strips, leaving the reader to wonder what comes next.

The other, Venus Envy is much less romantic, definitely a few shades darker in tone. and far more willing to adress the family issues that go along with all this gender stuff. Zoe has recently moved to a new town with her brother and parents. Her brother is resentful for having to move for the needs of her "faggy brother", she has a talent in soccer...for getting hit in the head at the moment her team needs that to happen, has developed two enemies without trying that hard. Other than that things are wonderful. The other nice thing is that the author, Erin Lindsey, is much more diligent about putting out her work. She has her strips prepared in advance, when she has some time off, she invites friends to act as guest artists, and never thakes a break so long that the reader loses interest in the story.

2002-10-28T23:52:00.000-05:00

Since I live alone anyhow, I have often considered the personal benefits of a kind of secular lay monasticism. I know these ideas seem, if not outrightly contradictory, at least somewhat at odds. What i am thinking of however, is a kind of measuring of the hours of life in study, meditation, thought and creativity that is self-imposed, with a rule that is not imposed by an order, but by a conscious reflection on the benefits that this kind of life might bring. I do from time to time think of meeting someone, perhaps marrying, enjoying the companionship that such a relationship might bring, but I am also someone who is keenly aware of her own idiosyncracies. I was watching a documentary by Ken Burns about Thomas Jefferson, and during the portion of it when Jefferson was in Paris, he had met a married woman with whom he had a brief (seemingly chaste) relationship. During that time, he wrote a dialogue between head and heart with which I can fully commiserate. The difference between Jefferson and myself is that he seemed to have that Clintonian ability to "compartmentalize" the life of the head from the life of the heart, whereas in me thay are more closely intertwined.

I do not like living alone. I don't think it is good for me in any way. However, the only thing that would be worse is to share my life with someone who does not "get me" Therefore I consider the life of reading, reflection, meditation and study, forming the core of a life around which orbits the subsidiary matters of my existence. Unlike Jefferson, head and heart remain in me a thing intertwined. I do not surrender the hope of sharing a love with another. Until that day, art, beauty, thought, and contemplation remain my constant companions.

2002-10-28T00:24:00.000-05:00

In a previous post I had said that a good companion to National Coming Out Day would be National Reconciliation Day. On that day, GLBT folks who have broken relationships because of issues of sex/gender might want to try to mend fences. It does not matter "who started it". Whether mother, father, sister, brother, friend, what have you, I think we need to build bridges of understanding. Help the other person get beyond their anger by reaching out. Get beyond our own anger by offering understanding of pain, if not forgiveness. Offer apologies for our own insensitivity, if that is an issue.

When i came out to some members of my family, I handled it in a bad way. I don't feel badly for coming out in the least, but I do know I messed up in the manner in which I did it.

Perhaps it is the thought of impending war, but there is just too large a stock of bitterness in the world. It needs to be decreased in individual lives before it can happen in a planetary way.

I don't know who gets to declare days. So I will. I, Emily, hereby declare Sunday, November 24, 2002, to be National Reconciliation Day. Make peace in your world so that there may be peace in the world.

2002-10-27T14:15:00.000-05:00

argh....one of my posts from earlier was deleted...ah, the magic of the internet...

Yesterday I posted a brief memorial to Senator Paul Wellstone who was killed in a plane crash this past Friday. I have a few more thoughts on this not at all lengthy, but ones I hope you will consider

1-Vote. If you were on planning on blowing off your trip to the voting booth a week from Tuesday, I hope you will reconsider. There may be a budding Paul Wellstone running in your district who may be your vote away fdrom winning.

2-Donate. There may be a week to go, but if you get a donation out NOW, especially if you use the Internet, it may be enough to make a difference to a candidate who is fighting the good fight.

3-Run. Are you are an idealist like Wellstone? You are needed. There is one less in public life today, and he needs to be replaced... well, no one can really replace him, but someone needs to pick up the banner and carry it forward.

Forget the flowers. This is the only fitting tribute to an activist. Resting in peace is Paul's privilege now. It is not yours.

2002-10-26T23:53:00.000-04:00

In memoriam
Paul Wellstone
United States Senator
From your service, may we learn to serve

2002-10-20T19:10:00.000-04:00

Well. the Hartford Courant predictably made its endorsement for governor today. Well, the joys of self-publishing include the right to make your own endorsements...so here goes.

Governor: Bill Curry(D) (running against incumbent John Rowland(R)) On the issue of public transportation alone, which I strongly favor improving, Curry would be the choice. But Curry also favors overhauling an antiquated property tax system. He would work on making state universities more affordable, rather than just putting up building after building with bonded money, buildings which may be abandoned if tuition rises further and further out of reach of the middle income student. Curry also seems to be amenable to take bolder action in many areas than just about any Democrat since...uh...since...well, I'll think of someone.

Attorney General: Richard Blumenthal(D-incumbent) (running against Martha Dean(R)) Blumenthal is not beyond criticism...the suit against Microsoft is just plain silly. But most of what this attorney general has done has made life better for people in ths state, even if it is in behind the scenes ways that most people don't appreciate.

Secretary of the State: Ron SanAngelo (R-challenger) (running against Susan Bysiewicz(D-incumbent) I don't usually vote a straight ticket, and in this case Bysiewicz is the odd Democrat out. She has ambitions for higher office, and she is the one Democrat I do NOT want to see rise any further. In her first campaign she lied about her primary opponent's record saying that Ellen Scalletar opposed Connecticut's version of Megan's law (a law which makes sex offenders register and have their names publicized) Scalletar had concerns as to whether the law was constitutional...she did not oppose the basic idea of the law, but the bill as it was written. As it turns out, one portion of the law has been declared unconstitutional, thus bearing out Scalletar's objections. Second...what on earth does Megan's law have to do with being Secretary of the State anyhow? Nothing.
Ron SanAngelo would not have challenged a judge's decision in August opening up the primary process to anyone, which, despite dire predictions to the contrary. did not lead to long lines at Trinity street consisting of every nutball candidate in existence. SanAngelo stood up for democracy in this case, which is the one function of this office that separates it from being a glorified file clerk.Susan Bysiewicz did not.

Briefly:
Nancy Wyman(D) for comptroller, and Denise Nappier(D) for treasurer. Wyman keeps the governor honest. Nappier restored the office after the last guy wound up getting sent to prison.

Jim Maloney (D) for Congress. Two mediocre candidates. Maloney voted against the war, Johnson voted for it. That's about it. They are both hacks, and this is the endosement I am least enthusiastic about.

Elizabeth Boukus (D) for state representative. A decent, reliable representative. One complaint:not active enough...someone needs to light a fire under her.

Tom Colapietro (D) for state senate. Another hack...the only reason I'm voting for him is to keep Rowland at bay.

(the probate judge, Heidi Famigletti, is running unopposed)

2002-10-20T17:12:00.000-04:00

ok, on a once a month basis only, I'm gonna do a shameless plug. I'm looking to leave my "beloved" (ACK!!!!) state of Connecticut, pay off some outstanding medical bills, and complete a paralegal course which will allow me to make more money so I will have a more secure future in my new location.

I simply ask you to consider making a donation. If you go down to Borders or Barnes and Noble and drop five bucks down for a magazine, just think about doing the same here. I will continue offering you the best content I can. If you can't swing donating anything right now, but you have your own personal website, please at least consider putting up a link. That would be a wonderful way to show your appreciation.

As I said, this will be a once a month thing only. I will be doing it on or about the first of the month only from this time forward. The link to Paypal is below. Thanks.

2002-10-20T16:56:00.000-04:00

2002-10-20T16:48:00.000-04:00

2002-10-20T16:13:00.000-04:00

Which Rainbow Brite kid are you? By Growing.

2002-10-19T09:33:00.000-04:00

OK, by necessity this one has to be a quickie, as I must be on my way to work soon. (perhaps the one thing I won't miss about human services when I become a paralegal...the obnoxious, irregular hours...it will be nice to share a common weekend with the rest of humanity) Yesterday afternoon I hung out with my sister, talked about her frustrations with a guy she had been seeing, and now wants back into her life. It was a good afternoon, just enjoying conversation, visiting an art store...

I am itching to spend some time, if only an afternoon, outside of Connecticut. Something about crossing a border puts me in an entirely different frame of mind.

17 more days to election day...more thoughts on that to come.

2002-10-18T13:55:00.000-04:00

Last night as I was driving home from work I was listening to Bruce Williams and he was discussing voters who don't know... well... anything. He suggested that there be at least some basic awareness test for people to be eligible to vote. Normally I only only listen to Williams to amuse myself, as I agree with him on nothing, but, as they say, a stopped clock is right twice a day, and this was his moment. Let me tell you why I agree with him.

Several years ago I was involved in a campaign for governor, and I was doing some last minute campaigning outside one of the polling places on election day. As I was standing there a man came up, looking confused. He asked me why he didn't see Barbara Kenelly on the ballot. (At that time, Kenelly had been in a mini-scandal involving taking some trips at lobbyist's expense)
Me:Barbara Kenelly is not your congresswoman. Nancy Johnson is.
Him: But I wanted to vote against her...how do I do that?
Me: If you live in this town, you can't. This is the sixth district.
(pause)
Him: But she's the representative from Connecticut, isn't she?
Me: (amazed by this time) There are six different districts in Connecticut. Each has their own representative.
You have to live in Barbara Kenelly's district to vote for or against her.
Him:(still confused) Uh...ok...(walks away)

This man had no idea who his member of Congress had been...FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS!!!! And he had just been allowed into a voting booth.

I'll go Bruce Williams one better. I think there should be a test at the end of high school. In this test (which is NOT multiple choice) you identify your state representative, state senator, member of the house of representatives, both US senators, the president, and one right citizens have under the constitution. If you get a 100, you graduate. If not, you, don't.

Call me an elitist. I KNOW I'm right.

2002-10-16T11:41:00.000-04:00

yeeek...did not get to post yesterday, just too much to do. It's a chilly, cold rainy day today, the kind of day which screams "Stop! pull up the covers and snuggle!"

2002-10-14T22:59:00.000-04:00

I finally received my first e-mail from someone responding to my weblog from a very friendly and intelligent man named Robert. I am not going to make him the e-mail of the week as of yet, as I wish to have more than one to choose from. That is where you come in. Please click on the link at the left side of the screen, or type in the following adress: thoreaugreen@hipplanet.com Thanks.

When i was visiting Thich Nhat Hahn's Plum Village site yesterday, I found out that he has a retreat center near White River Junction, Vermont, and this is not a terribly long drive for me. I still have some more work to be done on my car before I would feel comfortable driving that distance, but once I do, I plan on making a visit there for one of the "mindfulness days" he has there.

Once more, please respond. I'd love to hear from you.