As Christmas approached, I started to think again and again about what the various religious traditions mean to me, and to society, and how my view of them changed this year. Although I don't claim to be a student of theology, what I've found out and concluded have profoundly changed the way I approach religion, society, and God (or as I shall say, Goddess).
It is part of human nature to want to know why things happen, from simple daily phenomena such as sunset to more complex concepts such as the afterlife. Religions try to explain them, and until the development of modern science, religions were the only way to explain many of the phenomena. (Even now, science can't quite cover the afterlife.)
Early religions tried to explain more basic phenomena such as astronomy, weather and climate, and human physiology such as childbirth. Because women were the ones giving birth, they were seen as the more powerful sex, and as a result, early religions (and human societies) tended to be more matriarchal. Under these belief systems, such events as winter solstice, which just passed a few days ago, held significance. In many of these systems, the Earth itself was the Mother Goddess in many ways, as the nurturer of the human race.
Then the society became more sophisticated, and polytheism started to take over, in the form of Greco-Roman mythology and Hinduism. Men started to take more value, as the more powerful sex better suited for labor. At first, the likes of Greek Goddess Demeter continued to carry the Mother Goddess theme, but eventually, the more powerful gods emerged as male, such as Zeus. Powerful goddesses such as Athena were known for their masculine, belligerent traits as well.
Then the society evolved more, patriarchy took firm control, and monotheism took over, primarily in the form of Judeo-Christian beliefs (and its extension, Islam). Here, God was an all-powerful figure able to create and destroy at will, and most importantly, male. Such stories as the Book of Genesis, where Eve's tempting of Adam established women's wickedness and relegated them to serve their men for life, ensured that the new patriarchal order would hold. (At least holding Adam accountable for eating the Fruit of Knowledge ensured that men were sinners too - and by making everyone sinners, the Church could use guilt trips as a powerful motivator. But the fact remained that women were more evil than men.) With a strict hierarchy between men and women, anything that threatened this hierarchy, such as feminism and homosexuality, became lethal sins. And to ensure that this would continue, the Judeo-Christian (and Muslim) belief system evolved in a way that would reward the spread of the faith, and severely punish nonbelievers. (In fact, Christmas is today, not because Jesus was actually born on December 25th, but because Christians wanted to quash and replace the earlier religions' winter solstice festivities.)
Judaism offered one glimmer of hope in the form of a Messiah who would come to cleanse people of the sin of Adam and Eve. Christianity established that Jesus was that Messiah, but it didn't do away with the gender hierarchy at all, and in fact, the Book of Romans continue to establish strict hierarchy, gender roles, and moral laws. Christianity also kept requiring that its believers do everything to spread the "salvation" of Jesus, and convert as many nonbelievers as possible. Islam's path to salvation also requires conversion of as many nonbelievers as possible, among other things. This requirement to conversion made Christianity and Islam the two largest religions on Earth, and by extension, their hierarchy and sexism have become part of the legal and social infrastructure of the West and the Middle East. The West is only starting to undo the hierarchy now, with the US lagging well behind Europe and Canada thanks to its stronger Christian traditions.
In Asia, Buddhism, and to a lesser extent Confucianism, have become the main forces of belief and morality. Buddhism centered around salvation as well, but did not require its believers to go out and convert nonbelievers. While the main figure is Buddha, there are lots of bodhisattvas to pray to as well. As for Confucianism, it's more of a philosophy than a religion, but it was a powerful philosophy, establishing a strict hierarchy of ageism and sexism in its own way. It is no friend of women either.
I've never been a big follower of organized religions, where heretics could easily be executed, people had to "know their place," and preachers would dictate what I needed to believe and not believe. This, combined with the Christian influence on sexism and homophobia, caused me to leave the Christian belief system. I feel liberated by this, as many say that even Jesus himself would hardly recognize modern-day Christianity, especially the neocon variety in the United States that screws over the weak and the poor. I decided not to tie myself to a particular belief system, such as paganism or Wicca, for now. However, I feel that the earlier religions' Mother Goddess model fits my own set of beliefs the best. At least it keeps me more mindful of the environment around me, unlike neocon Christianity, which tries to destroy the environment to hasten the Rapture. I expect religion to make the world a better place, and by punishing the weak and the environment, neocon Christianity fails that test.
As I spend this Christmas and face the new year, I want to take this spirituality and develop it further, so that my life will be a more enriched one.
25 December 2005
23 December 2005
Guatemalan Police murder transgender women
I just got a disturbing email from Amnesty International, which said that on December 17th, four men, believed to be policemen, shot two transgender women on the streets of Guatemala City, killing one of them. The survivor may be intimidated if she dares to speak out, and authorities are refusing to protect her.
I am truly sickened by the machismo and homophobia that is so rampant in Central and South America. And with so many Guatemalans, Salvadorians, and Mexicans in Southern California, this breed of hate is spreading throughout my area as well, with little or no attention from politically correct white liberals, whose world view does not allow for such hate. While the white liberals shelter themselves in their little West Hollywood bubble, I live these ethnic streets every day and feel the hate right in my face.
I will keep myself updated on the development of this matter. It isn't some random murder in a faraway country; it could happen in Los Angeles tonight too.
Amnesty International
I am truly sickened by the machismo and homophobia that is so rampant in Central and South America. And with so many Guatemalans, Salvadorians, and Mexicans in Southern California, this breed of hate is spreading throughout my area as well, with little or no attention from politically correct white liberals, whose world view does not allow for such hate. While the white liberals shelter themselves in their little West Hollywood bubble, I live these ethnic streets every day and feel the hate right in my face.
I will keep myself updated on the development of this matter. It isn't some random murder in a faraway country; it could happen in Los Angeles tonight too.
Amnesty International
21 December 2005
NYC Transit Strike
Good thing I am no longer in New York City now - the Transit Workers' Union there has gone on strike over pension contributions, stranding commuters in a city that needs its mass transit to function.
The strike couldn't have come at a worse time, considering that last-minute holiday shopping still needs to be done.
The MTA website says the strike is illegal, and it does appear to be, under New York State law for mass transit. The union is being fined $1 million per day. Under these circumstances, only the most extreme and desperate of conditions would lead to a strike, and it appears that this is how the union seems to take it, with pension benefits for workers disappearing in other employers left and right.
I do wish for the strike to end as soon as possible; I just can't picture NYC functioning without its vital subway system. But moreover, I believe that it is worth thinking about the ever-shrinking benefits in corporate America, as well as the government policies that encourage screwing workers over. Without workers, employers from MTA to private enterprise cannot function, and workers are employers' biggest and best asset. They need to be treated accordingly, and be provided fair wage and benefits for fair work; the race to the bottom, and to Third World-dom, that America is currently engaged in, must stop.
It is also worth remembering that greedy insurers have made healthcare and benefits too expensive for employers. Sure, the insurers will blame litigation costs, but insurers are making record profits these days. This needs to change. Some say that this will push Corporate America into favoring a nationalized healthcare system, like the rest of the industrialized world; let's see how that will pan out.
The strike couldn't have come at a worse time, considering that last-minute holiday shopping still needs to be done.
The MTA website says the strike is illegal, and it does appear to be, under New York State law for mass transit. The union is being fined $1 million per day. Under these circumstances, only the most extreme and desperate of conditions would lead to a strike, and it appears that this is how the union seems to take it, with pension benefits for workers disappearing in other employers left and right.
I do wish for the strike to end as soon as possible; I just can't picture NYC functioning without its vital subway system. But moreover, I believe that it is worth thinking about the ever-shrinking benefits in corporate America, as well as the government policies that encourage screwing workers over. Without workers, employers from MTA to private enterprise cannot function, and workers are employers' biggest and best asset. They need to be treated accordingly, and be provided fair wage and benefits for fair work; the race to the bottom, and to Third World-dom, that America is currently engaged in, must stop.
It is also worth remembering that greedy insurers have made healthcare and benefits too expensive for employers. Sure, the insurers will blame litigation costs, but insurers are making record profits these days. This needs to change. Some say that this will push Corporate America into favoring a nationalized healthcare system, like the rest of the industrialized world; let's see how that will pan out.
17 December 2005
"There Ought to Be Limits to Freedom"
W was quoted as saying exactly that in 2000, as he was campaigning for the presidency.
And now, he means it. Today, he admitted to authorizing secret spying within the US, and will continue to do the same thing. He does claim that he is limiting spying activities to foreigners, subject to strict review by the Justice Department.
I don't expect the likes of John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales to stand for individual freedoms. As Christian extremists, they are interested only in fighting the Armageddon and hastening the second coming of Jesus. And a Muslim attack on the United States, in the form of 9/11, was just exactly the trigger they needed.
Sources say that just about every anti-war protester can expect to have been spied by the US government. That would include me and most of my fellow activists.
As time goes on, I am more and more convinced that 9/11 was allowed to unfold, even though the government had ample time and resources to foil it, because it would offer W a good excuse to bring about a police state. And that's the only thing he is interested in now - a theocratic Christian police state. It's almost like Hitler setting fire to the Reichstag in 1932 and blaming it on the Communists, in a successful attempt to establish absolute power in Germany.
This is truly a culture of death, and the rings of "Merry Christmas" sound more deadly than ever, with all this taken into context.
MSNBC article
And now, he means it. Today, he admitted to authorizing secret spying within the US, and will continue to do the same thing. He does claim that he is limiting spying activities to foreigners, subject to strict review by the Justice Department.
I don't expect the likes of John Ashcroft and Alberto Gonzales to stand for individual freedoms. As Christian extremists, they are interested only in fighting the Armageddon and hastening the second coming of Jesus. And a Muslim attack on the United States, in the form of 9/11, was just exactly the trigger they needed.
Sources say that just about every anti-war protester can expect to have been spied by the US government. That would include me and most of my fellow activists.
As time goes on, I am more and more convinced that 9/11 was allowed to unfold, even though the government had ample time and resources to foil it, because it would offer W a good excuse to bring about a police state. And that's the only thing he is interested in now - a theocratic Christian police state. It's almost like Hitler setting fire to the Reichstag in 1932 and blaming it on the Communists, in a successful attempt to establish absolute power in Germany.
This is truly a culture of death, and the rings of "Merry Christmas" sound more deadly than ever, with all this taken into context.
MSNBC article
16 December 2005
Patriot Act will be filibustered
Patriot Act II has been stalled in the Senate. With a vote of 52-47, it can and will be filibustered.
Patriot Act I had been passed so that its provisions would expire at the end of 2005. Many parts of the act - allowing searches of library records with a secret warrant, for example - smacked of a police state, not a democracy. If American troops are dying overseas to "protect and spread" democracy, we cannot afford to have a police state right within US borders.
Patriot Act II is an attempt to make Patriot Act I permanent. W and the Republicans, despite claiming to be "small government" conservatives who cut government to the point of being unable to respond effectively to Katrina, want to enlarge government where it should stay small - messing in private lives of citizens. This bothers even conservatives, such as Republican Senator Larry Craig of Idaho, an NRA conservative, and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
I hope that politicians continue to remember that protecting America means protecting its freedoms, not compromising them in the name of security. It's bad enough that Amtrak is running its trains on a "Papers Please" basis, requiring photo IDs of all passengers - as if the presence of an ID can prevent terrorist attacks (it doesn't).
Bill Clinton was supposed to use the Y2K crisis to usher in a police state and make George Orwell's 1984 a reality. Now, five years later, W is making it happen. He must be stopped.
MSNBC article
Patriot Act I had been passed so that its provisions would expire at the end of 2005. Many parts of the act - allowing searches of library records with a secret warrant, for example - smacked of a police state, not a democracy. If American troops are dying overseas to "protect and spread" democracy, we cannot afford to have a police state right within US borders.
Patriot Act II is an attempt to make Patriot Act I permanent. W and the Republicans, despite claiming to be "small government" conservatives who cut government to the point of being unable to respond effectively to Katrina, want to enlarge government where it should stay small - messing in private lives of citizens. This bothers even conservatives, such as Republican Senator Larry Craig of Idaho, an NRA conservative, and Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
I hope that politicians continue to remember that protecting America means protecting its freedoms, not compromising them in the name of security. It's bad enough that Amtrak is running its trains on a "Papers Please" basis, requiring photo IDs of all passengers - as if the presence of an ID can prevent terrorist attacks (it doesn't).
Bill Clinton was supposed to use the Y2K crisis to usher in a police state and make George Orwell's 1984 a reality. Now, five years later, W is making it happen. He must be stopped.
MSNBC article
14 December 2005
Ford reverses itself
I've just read that Ford will once again advertise in the gay media. And this time, ALL Ford brands - including Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury - will be advertised, not just premium foreign brands.
Washington Post also says Ford's corporate sponsorship of gay organizations will continue.
I'll believe this when I see actual results. I won't be walking back into a Ford showroom anytime soon, but this is a start.
In the meantime, the American Family Association - a fringe group no more family-friendly nor influential than the KKK of the 1960s - has been handed a huge defeat.
Progressive message boards are remarking that Ford would, and should, rather do business with affluent urban gay professionals than with the religious fanatics in the boondocks. This only makes business sense, for a company that needs a serious turnaround very soon.
Washington Post article
Washington Post also says Ford's corporate sponsorship of gay organizations will continue.
I'll believe this when I see actual results. I won't be walking back into a Ford showroom anytime soon, but this is a start.
In the meantime, the American Family Association - a fringe group no more family-friendly nor influential than the KKK of the 1960s - has been handed a huge defeat.
Progressive message boards are remarking that Ford would, and should, rather do business with affluent urban gay professionals than with the religious fanatics in the boondocks. This only makes business sense, for a company that needs a serious turnaround very soon.
Washington Post article
Playing Politics
Since I am running this blog as primarily a political blog, and since I have such a huge interest in the political process, it is only appropriate that I play a game fitting those interests.
I've found such a game at NationStates. The game is based on Max Barry's novel Jennifer Government, which I will need to read down the line. For now though, I created a nation, made some political decisions for it, and am seeing how they play out. I need to make one decision every weekday by default, but I've sped that up to two every calendar day. (I can also go on vacation and stop making decisions for up to 60 days.)
In my nation, aptly named "Saint Ally," the national animal is the dancing baby, and the currency is, of course, the McBeal. Due to my last four decisions, prisoners are forced to donate blood, lack of dams cause floods, abortions are legal and routine, and the society runs as a meritocracy. The average income tax rate soared to 78% due to a flurry of new government programs, but taking a more libertarian/neoliberal approach is bringing it down. Fortunately, those tax revenues have gone to good use, improving education and welfare, and keeping crime down.
This is a very revealing game about political decisions. And I urge everyone to play it.
NationStates / Saint Ally
I've found such a game at NationStates. The game is based on Max Barry's novel Jennifer Government, which I will need to read down the line. For now though, I created a nation, made some political decisions for it, and am seeing how they play out. I need to make one decision every weekday by default, but I've sped that up to two every calendar day. (I can also go on vacation and stop making decisions for up to 60 days.)
In my nation, aptly named "Saint Ally," the national animal is the dancing baby, and the currency is, of course, the McBeal. Due to my last four decisions, prisoners are forced to donate blood, lack of dams cause floods, abortions are legal and routine, and the society runs as a meritocracy. The average income tax rate soared to 78% due to a flurry of new government programs, but taking a more libertarian/neoliberal approach is bringing it down. Fortunately, those tax revenues have gone to good use, improving education and welfare, and keeping crime down.
This is a very revealing game about political decisions. And I urge everyone to play it.
NationStates / Saint Ally
12 December 2005
First Ford, then now Samsung
I've posted quite a bit about Ford lately, much of that a result of my own frustrations with my 1999 Contour. Soon after I started learning about less than savory things about Ford, its lobbyists, and its key customers, my Contour started to fail for no reason.
Now that I learned about Samsung's anti-labor tactics while visiting South Korea last month, my Tijuana-assembled Samsung TV, purchased at the beginning of the year, decided to do the same. Its speakers are failing, an appalling fact considering that my particular model's strength was its speaker system.
I still have warranty remaining on this set, though it only covers parts now. I will see if repairing will be an option. Otherwise, I will need to buy another TV set; this time, it will be an LCD model, and definitely from a company with better labor rights records.
Now that I learned about Samsung's anti-labor tactics while visiting South Korea last month, my Tijuana-assembled Samsung TV, purchased at the beginning of the year, decided to do the same. Its speakers are failing, an appalling fact considering that my particular model's strength was its speaker system.
I still have warranty remaining on this set, though it only covers parts now. I will see if repairing will be an option. Otherwise, I will need to buy another TV set; this time, it will be an LCD model, and definitely from a company with better labor rights records.
Riots in Sydney, Australia
Sydney suburbs are seeing a serious amount of violence, due to alleged assault on beach lifeguards by men believed to be of Middle Eastern descent.
I am reminded that until recently, Australia operated on a "whites only" policy, meaning that nonwhites, virtually all recent arrivals except for the Aborigines, are still not welcome by much of the society. And it does not help that the current Australian politics is treading hard right, with Prime Minister John Howard being little more than W's puppet; his politics (and committing Australian troops to the Iraq war) have caused resentment among Arabs and Muslims, while he encouraged white racism.
It's sad to see Australia degenerate into the same level that much of the United States has already fallen to. And considering that Howard has just been re-elected last year, I don't see much of a hope in the people of Australia either, despite some wonderful people such as Rossiann in Brisbane (whose blog I link to and read).
The Guardian article
I am reminded that until recently, Australia operated on a "whites only" policy, meaning that nonwhites, virtually all recent arrivals except for the Aborigines, are still not welcome by much of the society. And it does not help that the current Australian politics is treading hard right, with Prime Minister John Howard being little more than W's puppet; his politics (and committing Australian troops to the Iraq war) have caused resentment among Arabs and Muslims, while he encouraged white racism.
It's sad to see Australia degenerate into the same level that much of the United States has already fallen to. And considering that Howard has just been re-elected last year, I don't see much of a hope in the people of Australia either, despite some wonderful people such as Rossiann in Brisbane (whose blog I link to and read).
The Guardian article
Political correctness at play again
Former gang leader, Crips founder, and convicted murderer Tookie Williams will most likely be executed tonight. Many death penalty opponents have geared up to try to save his life, citing his work against gang violence and for neighborhood peace that he has done from his jail cell. There is even talk that some of the evidence used to convict Williams may not have been up to par.
I rightfully pointed out, on the lesbian community Fallen Goddess, that the immigrant communities seem to be supporting his execution, and the death penalty in general, given that executions are legal and routine in their Third World homelands. Depending on which political side one is on, executions are even seen as a quick and easy way to get rid of those pesky political dissidents.
But just as the male-to-female transgender community is steeped in male mentalities and reactionary politics, the lesbian community suffers from an overdose of political correctness. My comments are not being received very well by some, even though I made my comments based on my own experience and observations. Well, sorry, but as long as this mentality prevails, the lesbian community will only keep scratching its collective head as the immigrant conservatives continue to ram through hostile legislations - like the gay marriage ban. They are right to point out that the primary problem is the W regime, but the W regime doesn't work in a vacuum; in fact, it's rigging the immigration system in its favor all the time.
Denying rampant hatred and bigotry in the immigrant and minority communities will do no good. A much better solution would be to acknowledge its existence, and find out ways to work with the communities involved - or around them.
UPDATE: The situation has been resolved.
I rightfully pointed out, on the lesbian community Fallen Goddess, that the immigrant communities seem to be supporting his execution, and the death penalty in general, given that executions are legal and routine in their Third World homelands. Depending on which political side one is on, executions are even seen as a quick and easy way to get rid of those pesky political dissidents.
But just as the male-to-female transgender community is steeped in male mentalities and reactionary politics, the lesbian community suffers from an overdose of political correctness. My comments are not being received very well by some, even though I made my comments based on my own experience and observations. Well, sorry, but as long as this mentality prevails, the lesbian community will only keep scratching its collective head as the immigrant conservatives continue to ram through hostile legislations - like the gay marriage ban. They are right to point out that the primary problem is the W regime, but the W regime doesn't work in a vacuum; in fact, it's rigging the immigration system in its favor all the time.
Denying rampant hatred and bigotry in the immigrant and minority communities will do no good. A much better solution would be to acknowledge its existence, and find out ways to work with the communities involved - or around them.
UPDATE: The situation has been resolved.
The increasingly unattainable higher education
MSN Money has an article regarding the crushing debt load of Generation X, thanks to stagnant wages, rising college tuitions, and the resulting heavy student loans and credit card debt.
I've been there, done that. In my case, rampant discrimination also came in, ensuring that I could never hold a steady job, and that I would end up bankrupt.
I'm recovering relatively well from the bankruptcy, but the article hits too close to home. Quality education, increasingly a prerequisite for success, is becoming less and less affordable. It appears that America is headed back to the pre-Civil Rights Movement era, when college education, especially Ivy League education, was reserved strictly for the social elite.
MSN Money
I've been there, done that. In my case, rampant discrimination also came in, ensuring that I could never hold a steady job, and that I would end up bankrupt.
I'm recovering relatively well from the bankruptcy, but the article hits too close to home. Quality education, increasingly a prerequisite for success, is becoming less and less affordable. It appears that America is headed back to the pre-Civil Rights Movement era, when college education, especially Ivy League education, was reserved strictly for the social elite.
MSN Money
08 December 2005
More reasons not to buy a Ford
Sources say that Ford has admitted to caving in to the American Family Association's pressure in halting its sponsorship of gay events.
Progressive media, from the Nation to AmericaBlog, are highlighting Ford's past transgressions, including founder Henry Ford's affinity for the Nazi ideology and support for Adolf Hitler. They are also highlighting the AFA's extremist agenda, showing why it not only hurts gays, but straights too.
Granted, all of Germany's reputable automakers (VW/Audi, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, and Porsche) were part of the Nazi organization as well, but they were thoroughly cleansed by the Allies after Hitler fell. Not Ford. Even today, I occasionally see Jews drive VW Beetles - but never Ford Mustangs.
Maybe I shouldn't even wait the two full years until the next emissions test forces me to junk my Ford; I will make the switch to a different car, as soon as I can afford to. In fact, if it weren't for the concerns of driving an "Old Europe" car into a Navy base and pissing off the neocons there, I would switch to my existing BMW fulltime right away.
AmericaBlog
The Nation
Progressive media, from the Nation to AmericaBlog, are highlighting Ford's past transgressions, including founder Henry Ford's affinity for the Nazi ideology and support for Adolf Hitler. They are also highlighting the AFA's extremist agenda, showing why it not only hurts gays, but straights too.
Granted, all of Germany's reputable automakers (VW/Audi, DaimlerChrysler, BMW, and Porsche) were part of the Nazi organization as well, but they were thoroughly cleansed by the Allies after Hitler fell. Not Ford. Even today, I occasionally see Jews drive VW Beetles - but never Ford Mustangs.
Maybe I shouldn't even wait the two full years until the next emissions test forces me to junk my Ford; I will make the switch to a different car, as soon as I can afford to. In fact, if it weren't for the concerns of driving an "Old Europe" car into a Navy base and pissing off the neocons there, I would switch to my existing BMW fulltime right away.
AmericaBlog
The Nation
07 December 2005
W - worst president ever
Or so says an article posted on Yahoo!. I don't see much of a reason to disagree.
Both the Nite Swimming and the Viscount LaCarte blogs are carrying this article.
Yahoo! article
Both the Nite Swimming and the Viscount LaCarte blogs are carrying this article.
Yahoo! article
Happy Holidays? $#&*@$^*!!!
Or so say the Christian Right's death cultists.
They are fed up because one of their own, W, will not say "Merry Christmas" on the White House holiday cards. They won't stop until W is truly a President for the Christians - and Christians only.
I'm really getting sick of the Christians shoving their faith down everyone's throats in the name of "saving" them. Honestly, the only thing I need to be saved from is these death cultists themselves.
If "Happy Holidays" is offensive, then I think Christian-themed vanity plates, which make up most of the vanity plates in my reactionary California neighborhood, ought to be declared offensive by the DMV, and banned as well. Respect (or disrespect) is a two-way street.
MSNBC again.
They are fed up because one of their own, W, will not say "Merry Christmas" on the White House holiday cards. They won't stop until W is truly a President for the Christians - and Christians only.
I'm really getting sick of the Christians shoving their faith down everyone's throats in the name of "saving" them. Honestly, the only thing I need to be saved from is these death cultists themselves.
If "Happy Holidays" is offensive, then I think Christian-themed vanity plates, which make up most of the vanity plates in my reactionary California neighborhood, ought to be declared offensive by the DMV, and banned as well. Respect (or disrespect) is a two-way street.
MSNBC again.
06 December 2005
To hell with Ford Motor Company
I just spent $600 - more than the car is worth - to get my 1999 Ford to pass California emissions last month. Today, the Check Engine light has come back on, indicating that it's failing again. Now, I have no choice but to junk the car before the next emissions test in late 2007. I've had so many problems with my Contour that I've lost count; this is easily the worst piece of junk that anyone in my social circles has ever owned.
On a Ford-related news, the Advocate reports that under pressure from religious conservatives, Ford will no longer advertise Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles on the gay media, and most likely discontinue its sponsorship of gay organizations. While this is a very negative development, I am not surprised; Ford needs the right-wing bastards to keep the government policies in its favor, and to keep buying the Exploitations, the F-Series, and other gas guzzlers. After all, Ford is a truck company, and couldn't care less about car owners like me.
Many gays seem dismayed and surprised at this development; after all, Ford has sponsored Melissa Etheridge and her fight against breast cancer. But even that, and the Escape Hybrid, cannot completely conceal the fact that Ford is the favorite car company of the neocons. W drives an F-250 crew cab at his ranch. The Contour owner groups on the Internet were full of right-wing ideologues.
As I get rid of my Ford, and return my leased BMW, I will have to be in the market very soon for a new car. Unfortunately, my choices don't seem much better. My favorite make, BMW, is beholden to the primitive Bavarians in Germany, among whom is Pope Benedict. And if I can't afford another BMW, going downmarket will probably mean driving a Hyundai, a make that many have recommended to me as of late, but is beholden to the neocon Korean-American community. Neither company offers domestic partner benefits to US employees, and neither does Nissan, another make I prefer. I may have to settle for an overpriced Honda hybrid; at least, it'll send the right message, even though it's not exactly what I am looking for.
Don't even tell me to get a Toyota. Between its support of John Roberts and Governator Ahnuld, and its quashing of labor regulations in the US, I am in no mood to ever buy a Toyota.
EDIT: Fallen Goddess members are suggesting that I buy a Subaru. In addition, SAAB is also known for its pro-gay advertising. While I am not interested much in SAAB, Subaru sounds like a good idea, even though its cars are overpriced, and the all-wheel-drive is not much of use in Southern California. I do need to look into Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent) and its alleged links to Japan's reactionary Koizumi government. While I am not worried about pissing off a few Korean neocons, I am far more concerned about pissing off the Chinese.
On a Ford-related news, the Advocate reports that under pressure from religious conservatives, Ford will no longer advertise Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles on the gay media, and most likely discontinue its sponsorship of gay organizations. While this is a very negative development, I am not surprised; Ford needs the right-wing bastards to keep the government policies in its favor, and to keep buying the Exploitations, the F-Series, and other gas guzzlers. After all, Ford is a truck company, and couldn't care less about car owners like me.
Many gays seem dismayed and surprised at this development; after all, Ford has sponsored Melissa Etheridge and her fight against breast cancer. But even that, and the Escape Hybrid, cannot completely conceal the fact that Ford is the favorite car company of the neocons. W drives an F-250 crew cab at his ranch. The Contour owner groups on the Internet were full of right-wing ideologues.
As I get rid of my Ford, and return my leased BMW, I will have to be in the market very soon for a new car. Unfortunately, my choices don't seem much better. My favorite make, BMW, is beholden to the primitive Bavarians in Germany, among whom is Pope Benedict. And if I can't afford another BMW, going downmarket will probably mean driving a Hyundai, a make that many have recommended to me as of late, but is beholden to the neocon Korean-American community. Neither company offers domestic partner benefits to US employees, and neither does Nissan, another make I prefer. I may have to settle for an overpriced Honda hybrid; at least, it'll send the right message, even though it's not exactly what I am looking for.
Don't even tell me to get a Toyota. Between its support of John Roberts and Governator Ahnuld, and its quashing of labor regulations in the US, I am in no mood to ever buy a Toyota.
EDIT: Fallen Goddess members are suggesting that I buy a Subaru. In addition, SAAB is also known for its pro-gay advertising. While I am not interested much in SAAB, Subaru sounds like a good idea, even though its cars are overpriced, and the all-wheel-drive is not much of use in Southern California. I do need to look into Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru's parent) and its alleged links to Japan's reactionary Koizumi government. While I am not worried about pissing off a few Korean neocons, I am far more concerned about pissing off the Chinese.
02 December 2005
New TSA Regulations
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a new set of airline safety regulations, now allowing passengers to once again carry scissors and certain tools as carry-on baggage. The rationale is that it is necessary to focus the limited resources on explosive devices instead, and given that the cockpit doors have been reinforced, the pilots will still be able to land a plane safely even with terrorists on board.
I am not liking this. This new policy couldn't care less about the safety of flight attendants and passengers. This certainly favors pilots (high-paid and usually Republican men) over flight attendants (low-paid and usually Democratic women). Moreover, the "limited resources" at the TSA would be less of a problem if the agency were properly staffed and funded; even in these days of heightened security, TSA has seen staff and funding cuts.
W's idea of protecting America from terrorism is making up a phony war in Iraq and squandering the nation's resources there, and giving the ultra-rich a tax cut even when the war eats up more of the nation's treasury than ever. The result is weakened security, as the police, the firefighters, and now TSA screeners are forced to make compromises. W responds with the likes of the Patriot Act, which do nothing to make America safer, but do everything to make it less free.
Osama bin Laden is laughing all the way to the bank.
TSA Press Release
I am not liking this. This new policy couldn't care less about the safety of flight attendants and passengers. This certainly favors pilots (high-paid and usually Republican men) over flight attendants (low-paid and usually Democratic women). Moreover, the "limited resources" at the TSA would be less of a problem if the agency were properly staffed and funded; even in these days of heightened security, TSA has seen staff and funding cuts.
W's idea of protecting America from terrorism is making up a phony war in Iraq and squandering the nation's resources there, and giving the ultra-rich a tax cut even when the war eats up more of the nation's treasury than ever. The result is weakened security, as the police, the firefighters, and now TSA screeners are forced to make compromises. W responds with the likes of the Patriot Act, which do nothing to make America safer, but do everything to make it less free.
Osama bin Laden is laughing all the way to the bank.
TSA Press Release
01 December 2005
World AIDS Day
December 1st of every year has been declared the World AIDS Day. Commemoration events are taking place worldwide.
It hurts to see how the ignorance of the Reagan-era United States government and its policies - which, for a long time, dismissed AIDS as a "gay problem" (never mind that lesbian sex is the safest sex when it comes to AIDS) - has resulted in a disaster for many people of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where there are hardly any twentysomethings and thirtysomethings left. And the face of the average sub-Saharan African AIDS patient is that of a straight woman, with children.
There are promising signs of cure popping up here and there, and I sincerely hope that they become affordable enough for anyone in the world to take advantage of. So many lives have been destroyed by AIDS and the pathetic response by various governments.
It is also time to examine the culture of forced promiscuity and sexuality in sub-Saharan Africa that is contributing to the spread of AIDS, and the resulting mass deaths.
I've seen AIDS patients as a hospital volunteer, and they were an absolutely horrible sight; I will not talk about the weird infections and other horrors I've seen on them. This must be stopped. This is NOT the time to talk about sex and morals; this is time to find a cure, prevent HIV spread, and educate people accurately.
I hope for the best.
It hurts to see how the ignorance of the Reagan-era United States government and its policies - which, for a long time, dismissed AIDS as a "gay problem" (never mind that lesbian sex is the safest sex when it comes to AIDS) - has resulted in a disaster for many people of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where there are hardly any twentysomethings and thirtysomethings left. And the face of the average sub-Saharan African AIDS patient is that of a straight woman, with children.
There are promising signs of cure popping up here and there, and I sincerely hope that they become affordable enough for anyone in the world to take advantage of. So many lives have been destroyed by AIDS and the pathetic response by various governments.
It is also time to examine the culture of forced promiscuity and sexuality in sub-Saharan Africa that is contributing to the spread of AIDS, and the resulting mass deaths.
I've seen AIDS patients as a hospital volunteer, and they were an absolutely horrible sight; I will not talk about the weird infections and other horrors I've seen on them. This must be stopped. This is NOT the time to talk about sex and morals; this is time to find a cure, prevent HIV spread, and educate people accurately.
I hope for the best.
South Africa...
Post-apartheid South Africa is making progress nicely. I just learned that the high court has declared limiting marriage to heterosexuals unconstitutional, and that gay marriage must be legalized within a year.
It won't be a popular decision though; homosexuality remains a taboo in South Africa, and the high incidence of AIDS there doesn't help either.
It's another MSNBC article, because that's what pops up after I check my Hotmail email.
MSNBC Article
It won't be a popular decision though; homosexuality remains a taboo in South Africa, and the high incidence of AIDS there doesn't help either.
It's another MSNBC article, because that's what pops up after I check my Hotmail email.
MSNBC Article
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