Thursday, October 27, 2011

The Exception

My french exam went swimmingly. At least, I think so. We'll see on Monday. I mean, Lundi.

Cardinals won the world series or something! I actually had to have it confirmed that they were a baseball team. I was thinking hockey for some reason. I know nothing of sports. Except yoga. Which, to you non-believers of the power of yoga... you try sitting in lotus for five hours straight. Or the crane, ohhh the crane.

Apart from my lack of passion for baseball, there is something I am passionate for. And that would be the prohibition of Fox news. Okay, that's not completely true. It's nice to have a little self-esteem boost every once in awhile. You know, seeing their ill-conceived "facts" and incredible fallacies. It makes me go "Wow, I'm not dumb at all. If half of the US population watches this shit, I am way intelligent". This boosts my small hopes of getting into Reed or Brown (on only scholarships...). Though the Fox watchers can buy their way in, right? Because, as far as I'm concerned, if you're a rich white man, it's somewhat acceptable (SOMEWHAT) to watch Fox news.

People always tell me I'm an "exception" in regards to my generation. I think I'll just allow my cocky self (I hate that adjective... let's go with self-involved instead) to leave this sentence at that. Muahaha.

I'm sure you've heard about the gay marriage equality in the military scenario. If not, you can read an article from the Washington Post. The thing with gay marriage anything for me, is so, dead. Maybe it's just this skewed view from my gay eyes, but I do not understand AT ALL how the fuck this is still an issue. I mean, I know that there are so many homophobes out there that think AIDS can spread like spores. If a gay man breathes in your general direction, these little hairy things levitate your way and land on your face and you absorb it through your blood stream and BAM. AIDS. I just watched Mary Fisher's speech for the first time the other day in my speech class. It was so moving- I cried. If you haven't seen that speech, you are missing out so hard.

Seriously though. Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or whatever- it's CLEARLY REAL. People clearly are having these emotions, because they are involved sexually. Most people believe in "love" right? Though I can honestly say I haven't had an opportunity to discover this great entity, it's a very universal belief and no one is going to get pissed off at saying "Love is REAL" because whether you are gay or straight or anything else, you do feel it. As far as I know, someone correct me if I'm wrong please.

"God" on the other hand, while I try not to criticize anyone on their religion (unless they're ignorant about it), isn't something that is clear to everyone. Yeah, a lot of religious folks might get mad at that claim, but it's factual. I don't think the existence of "God" is clear. Maybe I'm not enough of a complex thinker, but it just seems to rely so much on... faith. Which to me, faith is kind of a bullshit word. I believe in science, because it CLEARLY heals more than prayer, it CLEARLY shows us processes and outcomes. Right there before your eyes. No, science doesn't prove everything, there is a huge universe out there, there could be anything. Do not tell me however, that you believe there is one mighty man (I might be more accepting if it were a woman) who created us for a purpose. If his purpose was cheap entertainment, then OK. I could see that working. But while so many Christians have the reasoning that the universe is so big there must be something out there, and it must be Him... I say, it's more likely we are living on a speck of dust on a flower in an elephant's hand.

So, religion is unclear to me. It's a foggy way of believing. But back to the same-sex marriage issue (or as it should be "MARRIAGE"... I also hate that we define it as some sub-species thing). It is so clear that it exists. It's right effing there. So why do we even question it? Why do we try to restrict it? It's a natural way of life. If you don't think so, because you don't know a "gay" person.... Hi, I'm Syd. Lesbian as all get-up. Let me change your perspective. Please.

I was going to comment on Rick Perry's stupidity of the day, or hour even, but I'm out of virtual breath and I want to sleep for once in my life.

Hey, there are no graphics in this post... here! To refresh your memory, or to change your life.




Love your neighbors! Unless they're evil.

Hm, how churchy of me.




Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Holy Goddess

I'm having one of those moments, where you get so into a book or a movie or a television show, that you just have to go out and do it yourself. That is me with Veronica Mars right now. I don't even care if suicides don't always add up to a rich movie star sleeping with and murdering his son's girlfriend with an ashtray, or a bus going off a cliff actually being caused by a nerdy little serial killer who was trying to cover up his being raped by the mayor as a child. I'm still going mad with this whole suicide thing a week ago. A women was abused by two previous husbands, suffered traumatically from PTSD, and yet- there's nothing about the situation in the local newspaper. Or the unlicensed therapist attacking specific religious groups telling them they're horrible people. I love it.

I'm just thinking ahead to my career as an Environmental Lawyer. Gotta have some kind of criminal justice experience to back it up, right? Maybe I'll make my dad open up a PI business, and I'll be his witty and all too nosy receptionist. A girl can dream.

You know, I never responded to my Occupy Salem experience. Here's what I thought and think. It's a wonderful movement, I love expression of mass opinions. Even when I don't agree with it, it's exciting. However, there is an exception. When people don't know why they're there at all. The oh-so-famous "Marijuana is non-toxic" sign made me very curious. Because, hm, what does that have to do with fixing our economy? Oh, marijuana isn't going to kill me? I guess that's something. If, however, it were to say something like "Legalize and TAX Marijuana to get our economy going" I'd be way on that band-wagon. Way. But no, it was just some incredibly stoned kid who was just there for the sake of being there. Which, okay, that's good that he wants to be heard too... just know at least a little bit about what you're advertising and what the soul intent of the protests actually are.

There was also at one point a log truck that drove by and honked it's horn... everyone cheered?

I honestly have no idea what is going to happen to the protests at this point. I think we've seen it's ultimate high point a couple weeks ago, and now it's just a waiting game. The lack of attention from the government doesn't seem too promising though. I would love to see this explode even more than it already has. They think we've finally given up then BAM ULTRA MEGA FANTASTIC REVOLUTION! Maybe I need to take the initiative there.

Oh but last night a very violent act sprung a leak in Occupy Oakland. Read this post from NPR. I think it could be the fact that the police don't know how to deal with open-ended protests. But then again, and here is my "you must see both sides" voice, the demonstrators in some ways are being totally cruel and inconsiderate. But maybe that's what it takes? Stooping to the side of the opponent? I actually really admire the police force most of the time. Union, hey. And (at least with my experience... we'll see how this differs if I ever get a ticket) they've been pretty helpful. In the Salem march they were awesome. Though, again I am battling with myself here, the tear gas and mase and smoke grenades and rubber bullets were totally unnecessary.

Obama announced the other day that we are pulling our troops out. Why is this surprising to people? This was part of his initial campaign, remember?

Ironically, I have obtained a job that involves creating a blog. My life is one big internet rotation, I swear.

I know this has been way overstated in my blog, but I hate how true it is. The Republican Congress need to stop being stubborn assholes. I mean, really, cut the Pres. some slack. He needs to have at least some leeway to do what he actually believes is right for the country. And he is being SO, if not TOO nice to the Republicans-he has been this whole time. And they're just walking all over him because he is too nice. His new proposal involves CUTTING from Medicare and Medicaid. That sucks. But he's doing it in hopes of seeing some kind of compromise. At least, I think. His proposal also hold promise for less student debt in my future. Holy goddess, that sounds magnificent.

This is why I love this man:



I've got a French midterm tomorrow. Study time! Stay cool.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Yeah Yeah Yeah, Blah Blah Blah.

Howdy y'all!

Occupy Salem is happening in just a few hours. I have a killer stomach ache /headache combo. I will probably do some coffee drinking and tums eating. Because my hair is too perfect to sleep on. Whoever said I was butch, should really rethink their lesbian category for me. So yeah, my hair is looking good (sportin' the good 'ol rosie headband), and I've got my union colors ON.

And of course, the rain is looking grand. Oh, Oregon.

I'm kind of pissed off that I was born into the wrong year. I should be in my twenties right now. Because, then, I could apply to be an intern for President Obama. I'm bright and motivated! *sobs*

Okay, I kind of admired Romney's response to Cain's Mormon vs. Christian bashing. His response was "Answering that is not going to boost the economy." (*) I... I admire that. But nothing else he has to say is going to boost the economy either, so eff him.


Are we really still "celebrating" Columbus day? God, that's such a G-bush thing to do. I bet he's celebrating the holiday by walking into the White House and declaring it his, while he eats all the Obama family's turkey.

I think this poster sums it all up:
Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas (of course) somehow managed to pass a B.S. bill called the "Drug Trafficking Safe Harbor Elimination Act of 2011". To be completely honest, I think drugs of any kind are stupid and a waste of time (Yes, even marijuana), but the extent these GOP kids are going to is so unnecessary and will just cause more problems and make our country look worse. I mean, there are already strict regulations on the substance when going to different countries, no matter the means of transportation. So why did Lamar think he had to throw this one in? Just a little more security? I bet keeps his bathroom locked when he's not using it. I bet he has a seatbelt for his desk chair. Okay, I'm being critical. But I really don't see this helping anything. Read the full article here.

Here's the latest tear-jerker from It Gets Better:


SEE YOU THIS AFTERNOON. OCCUPYING SALEM. YEAHBOY.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Shut up and get educated!

Occupy Portland is taking my state by storm right now, and I am stuck 50 miles away, gas-less, freezing, and running on a horrible internet connection. Or maybe it's just my horribly slow Powerbook G4. From '02. Oi, I need a new laptop.

LOOK AT THAT! HOW BEAUTIFUL IS THAT?

This blog, wearethe99percent.tumblr.com is so... emotional.

BUT HEY, Occupy Wallstreet is not by any means the only thing going on in this country. My new favorite thing is to wake up and immediately turn on NPR. This morning it was full coverage on the press conference in the east wing of the white house, where President Obama answered questions from the press (because, you know, it was a press conference...).

THERE ARE SOME SERIOUSLY SCARY NOISES HAPPENING IN AND OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

Basically the gist of what I got out of it was a bunch of reporters asking the same questions, and Obama answering the same way "Republicans are not going to let anything I say pass, just because I said it", and so forth. Though, he did use some very nice anecdotes.

I think that passing the American Jobs Act Bill is just as essential as the Occupy Wallstreet movement. Well, I guess if the greatest vision is accomplished by the Wallstreet Occupiers, that won't matter because the whole system will just be overthrown and we won't have to worry about it anymore. I'm kidding of course. I just ended a joke in such a teacher/NPR host fashion.

I'm going to the Occupy Salem event this Monday. Maybe I will add a twist of "pass that bill"!

Today a guy from my American Govt. class asked me my political views (hello, if you are reading this). I told him I was mostly Socialist.

Now, to clear up confusion, here is why I consider myself socialist.

Essentially all of my beliefs line up with those in socialism. It would be SO GREAT to have free health care, schooling, transportation (more so than we do now, anyway). Do I think socialism would work right now in this country, however? No way. There's no possible way it could! The only way socialism would work efficiently, would be if we started over completely from scratch. There's is simply too much opposition to those that compare socialism with extreme leftism (which, the lesser educated ones seem to think is Fascism? No).

The less educated folk might also get the urge to ask, IS DAT Y U LYK OBAMA DERP HERP CUZ HEZ A SOCIALEEST. No. That's... kind of insulting, actually. Don't get me wrong, I love Obama. But the reason I love Obama is because I know that that's about as far-left as we're going to get in this country. Obama is nothing near socialist! At all! So shut up, and get educated. Ooh, new catch phrase?

So there you go. Another blog. I've been doin' well, eh?

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

That's a little cheese ball.

Salut! Today, through MoveOn.org a MASSIVE virtual march is taking place! Have I mentioned that I want to go to Law School on here? Environmental law, oh yeah.

So above is my contribution. Send yours in! Seriously! I didn't make it up to the general assembly last night in Portland, but I am HOPING SO MUCH that I can make it to at least some of the march tomorrow. If not, there's always the one in Salem this Monday. Giant movements make me so excited. I've been staring at pictures of the march today, like this one:


IT'S JUST SO EXCITING.

Many more labor unions are joining in the march, including nurses and transportation workers.


One thing I've noticed that has been made very clear on the Occupy Portland group Facebook page, is that they are lobbying against all of the government, including of course President Obama. But can I just make it clear that one can still be an Obama lover and march? If it wasn't for the congress, I truly think a lot of these Wallstreet protester's demands would be made directly through the Obama Administration. The big thing for me though? Education, and the funding that goes toward it. That's essentially what I think we need to be working on, and what I will be lobbying for at the Occupy Wallstreet marches I attend.

Holy nuts my house is cold. But that's okay. I like having to snuggle up for warmth. Hnnnnng, but it's really cold. But hey, I could be out in the snow marching like a lot of people.

This article about a guy who lives off of $0 a year is really really cool. Suggested read, man. Suggested read.

SUGGESTED WATCH:


The It Gets Better Project is so wonderful. I've probably watched all the videos like five times. They're so nice and comforting and as cheesy as it sounds... bring me back up on low days. Yeah, cheesy. But hey man, that's awesome right? It does get better. It's already getting better. In the words of Michael from Arrested Development, "That's a little cheese ball".

And now, before I go somewhere warmer like my car, this photo made me laugh:

A bientot!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Can't Take Me Away

Hey hey hey everyone.

Welcome to my blog. Introductions are so awkward.

I'm really sad that there are only two more episodes until season 5 of The Guild is over.  And that the last episode is so like... hngnfdnsdf. But that doesn't relate to politics, so, onward!

I read a pretty interesting interview between David Graeber (on of the leaders in Occupy Wallstreet) and Ezra Klein (of the Washington Post). You can read it here, and get a better idea of the roots of the thing, including the reason for a lack of appearing leadership that I kind of mentioned in the last blog post. So yeah, read it.

AND IN REGARDS TO OCCUPYING WALLSTREET...

Tomorrow (Tuesday, October 4th) for those of you Oregonians, there is an Occupy Portland General Assembly at 7 pm, at the Ankeny Plaza in Waterfront Park. I plan on trying to get up there. But if I can't...

Literally three minutes ago, while I was writing this post and watching Veronica Mars, Occupy Salem added me on Facebook. Heeeeey, so October 10 it looks like there will be an Occupy Salem event. Go add'em on Facebook for more information. And I'm sure there is some kind of event being scheduled near you (wherever you are). Well, unless you live in Hong Kong. Then you might be out of luck.

ALSO on Wednesday MoveOn.org is organizing a virtual march. RSVP and learn more here! So there's no reason for being sad that you don't live in the Eastern part of the country. There's lots to do near you to stay involved in this powerful movement!

In other news, Governor Martin O'Malley kicks off Maryland's marriage equality campaign with this video that almost made me cry (but that's not saying much, I watched Bridesmaids the other day, and cried because the cop was just so nice to the main character... I'm going through an emotional age, okay!?).



And speaking of crying...

video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player

Alright, I need to study study study! I just wanted to comment on Occupy Portland and those things. LET'S GO.

Don't forget to like Lame and Forceful on Facebook. L8er G8ers.