The general election is only a week away, but I couldn't be less enthused. Nevertheless, I strongly believe in the value of voting, and I am starting to make my decisions.
Governor of California: Neither Arnold Schwarzenegger nor Phil Angelides is worthy of my vote, I have decided. Arnold represents everything that's wrong with reactionary immigrants, and how Republicans always win the immigration debate no matter how pro-immigrant or pro-nativist they swing. The Democrats have been complete imbeciles on that front. This, combined with Angelides' complete neglect of campaigning, especially in SoCal suburbs, has led me to decide against voting for Angelides, even though he is the only viable way to drive out Arnold. I will find a worthy third-party candidate, or leave the ballot blank.
Congress: My Repuke Congressman Gary Miller is running unopposed. I will leave blank. Shame on you, Democrats, for failing to field even a cut-rate candidate, and for completely abandoning me.
Propositions: 85 is a rehash of anti-choice 73, and I will ensure a NO vote. 86 through 89 are new taxes, and I will be voting NO on all of them - except for 87, for which I will vote YES. 87 is an oil windfall tax virulently opposed by Chevron, and that is reason enough for voting YES. Unfortunately, the Democrats' complete abandonment of not just auto enthusiasts, but motorists in general, is very evident here, as AAA, backed by Chevron, is recommending a NO vote. How do Dems, by completely abandoning the motorists, expect to survive in a region like SoCal, where EVERYONE is a motorist?
I've been so let down by the ineffectiveness of the Democrats, that I decided that they will have to accomplish their much-hyped takeover of the government without me. They have ceased to represent me and many other everyday people, and when I bring attention, have refused to listen. A party that doesn't serve its rank-and-file and its faithful has no business existing. The same holds true of many of the pro-Democratic organizations, including some that I have belonged to until recently.
31 October 2006
25 October 2006
Democrats and Progressives Let Me Down
And I mean it.
First, despite the so-called "50 state" strategy of Howard Dean, the state-level Democratic Party organizations are brain-dead. They've been brain-dead for decades in places like Ohio - and were responsible for handing over the presidency to W again in 2004. But they are also brain-dead in even "blue" states like California. The California Democratic Party should surely realize that staying in power means wooing new votes in the rapidly growing suburbs of Southern California, but it's not even trying; where I am, the Democratic Party does not exist at all, and is not even running local candidates or sending any mailers, whereas the Republicans are wooing me daily, and reminding me that the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Phil Angelides, will raise taxes by $18 billion. A party that doesn't answer such serious allegations, and offers me no alternative to my current Republican representation in Congress and State Legislature, surely has no business expecting my vote.
Another field where the Democrats - and the progressive community as a whole - need work is the immigrant communities. Conditions are ripe due to Republican demonization of immigrants. But precisely because of that, Democrats and progressives are taking immigrants for granted. Never mind that many of our immigrants come from some of the most backward and repressive countries on Earth, and need to be educated on American ideals and values. It is the immigrant communities, legal and illegal, that lend crucial support to socially conservative legislations, like the gay marriage ban and the abortion ban. (In fact, California has another anti-choice proposition on the ballot next month, which I expect wide support for in the ethnic communities.) After all, my metropolitan area is home to millions of Central Americans, whose home countries encourage murdering LGBTs and enact draconian anti-choice laws, and unless something proactive is done to them, their positions on these issues will not change. But the progressive community is too politically correct to admit this. It is also too politically correct to realize that in many of these home countries, the death penalty is an acceptable, convenient way to dispose of pesky political dissidents. And most importantly, with regards to Asians (especially the Koreas and the various Asian-American communities), they embrace fundamentalist Christianity due to its shared values with their own belief system, Confucianism, something the progressives do NOT understand at all.
But at least there would be hope if the progressives were anywhere near as open-minded as they claim to be, and are open to outside inputs and willing to learn. Sadly, I've found that they are every bit as rigid and orthodox as conservatives. The progressives' first reaction when I feed them first-hand experience and info on homophobic immigrants is to shut me up. In addition, they don't take my concern for the environment seriously, because I happen to be indulgent enough to drive a BMW (which, btw, still gets 30 MPG). Never mind that many of these progressives swear by products from Toyota, the most reactionary car company of all - even more so than Ford or GM. In fact, the progressive community and the Democrats have ZERO interest in wooing votes of auto enthusiasts and sportsmen, two major demographics where I live; they do not listen when I tell them of right-wing misinformation campaigns spreading like wildfire in these communities.
I have many progressive links on my blog, collected over the past year and then some. But the way the progressives are brainlessly self-destructing themselves, many, if not most, of these links will have to go. I will need to do some fall cleaning here, retaining only the links that try to address the real world issues and try to win new demographics. But the way the Dems and the progressives are functioning today, they are asking to lose. They may get lucky this year, because the Republicans are in such a sorry shape, but unless these fundamental problems are resolved, the victory will be short-lived, as once the Dems are in power, they will have to fend themselves against well-organized right-wing media attacks. I don't think they are up to the task.
First, despite the so-called "50 state" strategy of Howard Dean, the state-level Democratic Party organizations are brain-dead. They've been brain-dead for decades in places like Ohio - and were responsible for handing over the presidency to W again in 2004. But they are also brain-dead in even "blue" states like California. The California Democratic Party should surely realize that staying in power means wooing new votes in the rapidly growing suburbs of Southern California, but it's not even trying; where I am, the Democratic Party does not exist at all, and is not even running local candidates or sending any mailers, whereas the Republicans are wooing me daily, and reminding me that the Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Phil Angelides, will raise taxes by $18 billion. A party that doesn't answer such serious allegations, and offers me no alternative to my current Republican representation in Congress and State Legislature, surely has no business expecting my vote.
Another field where the Democrats - and the progressive community as a whole - need work is the immigrant communities. Conditions are ripe due to Republican demonization of immigrants. But precisely because of that, Democrats and progressives are taking immigrants for granted. Never mind that many of our immigrants come from some of the most backward and repressive countries on Earth, and need to be educated on American ideals and values. It is the immigrant communities, legal and illegal, that lend crucial support to socially conservative legislations, like the gay marriage ban and the abortion ban. (In fact, California has another anti-choice proposition on the ballot next month, which I expect wide support for in the ethnic communities.) After all, my metropolitan area is home to millions of Central Americans, whose home countries encourage murdering LGBTs and enact draconian anti-choice laws, and unless something proactive is done to them, their positions on these issues will not change. But the progressive community is too politically correct to admit this. It is also too politically correct to realize that in many of these home countries, the death penalty is an acceptable, convenient way to dispose of pesky political dissidents. And most importantly, with regards to Asians (especially the Koreas and the various Asian-American communities), they embrace fundamentalist Christianity due to its shared values with their own belief system, Confucianism, something the progressives do NOT understand at all.
But at least there would be hope if the progressives were anywhere near as open-minded as they claim to be, and are open to outside inputs and willing to learn. Sadly, I've found that they are every bit as rigid and orthodox as conservatives. The progressives' first reaction when I feed them first-hand experience and info on homophobic immigrants is to shut me up. In addition, they don't take my concern for the environment seriously, because I happen to be indulgent enough to drive a BMW (which, btw, still gets 30 MPG). Never mind that many of these progressives swear by products from Toyota, the most reactionary car company of all - even more so than Ford or GM. In fact, the progressive community and the Democrats have ZERO interest in wooing votes of auto enthusiasts and sportsmen, two major demographics where I live; they do not listen when I tell them of right-wing misinformation campaigns spreading like wildfire in these communities.
I have many progressive links on my blog, collected over the past year and then some. But the way the progressives are brainlessly self-destructing themselves, many, if not most, of these links will have to go. I will need to do some fall cleaning here, retaining only the links that try to address the real world issues and try to win new demographics. But the way the Dems and the progressives are functioning today, they are asking to lose. They may get lucky this year, because the Republicans are in such a sorry shape, but unless these fundamental problems are resolved, the victory will be short-lived, as once the Dems are in power, they will have to fend themselves against well-organized right-wing media attacks. I don't think they are up to the task.
20 October 2006
Nicaragua will ban abortions completely
The Christian community in Nicaragua, already free to go murder LGBTs at will, will enact another draconian law, one that will ban abortions even when the mother's life is at risk.
I see Nicaragua and Nicaraguan-Americans getting handsomely rewarded by the US Republicans over this. Even though they are not as influential in US politics as the Cubans, the Koreans, and the Vietnamese, the Nicaraguans nevertheless have been handsome beneficiaries of back door immigration amnesties, and are helping out with the spread of social conservatism in America.
I will be boycotting all Nicaraguan goods - I've been doing so for years.
BBC
I see Nicaragua and Nicaraguan-Americans getting handsomely rewarded by the US Republicans over this. Even though they are not as influential in US politics as the Cubans, the Koreans, and the Vietnamese, the Nicaraguans nevertheless have been handsome beneficiaries of back door immigration amnesties, and are helping out with the spread of social conservatism in America.
I will be boycotting all Nicaraguan goods - I've been doing so for years.
BBC
Woes of a Ford assembly worker
I just read this from the BBC website.
It is so accurate and to the point - the American middle-class is dying, and the corporations, Ford included, are serving neither their customers nor their workers. And healthcare as a corporate, as opposed to a government, expense makes it very difficult for American companies to compete in the global market.
BBC
It is so accurate and to the point - the American middle-class is dying, and the corporations, Ford included, are serving neither their customers nor their workers. And healthcare as a corporate, as opposed to a government, expense makes it very difficult for American companies to compete in the global market.
BBC
19 October 2006
Xenophobic threats sent by an immigrant
This ridiculous story actually happened in Orange County, where reactionary politics rules - and so do reactionary immigrant groups, especially the Vietnamese.
A Vietnamese-born candidate for Congress, Republican Tan Nguyen, is now accused of sending threatening letters to 14,000 Democratic Latinos, warning them that attempting to vote as an illegal or an immigrant will get them deported.
The problem is that these Latinos are legal and naturalized - and naturalized immigrants can legally vote, like Nguyen himself.
Nguyen is in an uphill battle against incumbent Democrat Loretta Sanchez. Nguyen should have been running under a more "American" name, instead of a Vietnamese name, if he truly wanted to court the xenophobic vote. Or maybe the Orange County conservatives do consider the Vietnamese to be their darlings after all.
I am reminded that reactionary immigrant pockets are a bad thing, even for fellow immigrants who are looking for an honest slice of the American dream.
AP
A Vietnamese-born candidate for Congress, Republican Tan Nguyen, is now accused of sending threatening letters to 14,000 Democratic Latinos, warning them that attempting to vote as an illegal or an immigrant will get them deported.
The problem is that these Latinos are legal and naturalized - and naturalized immigrants can legally vote, like Nguyen himself.
Nguyen is in an uphill battle against incumbent Democrat Loretta Sanchez. Nguyen should have been running under a more "American" name, instead of a Vietnamese name, if he truly wanted to court the xenophobic vote. Or maybe the Orange County conservatives do consider the Vietnamese to be their darlings after all.
I am reminded that reactionary immigrant pockets are a bad thing, even for fellow immigrants who are looking for an honest slice of the American dream.
AP
15 October 2006
A flashback to the past
Under the W regime, America is hardly recognizable as the guardian of democracy and land of promise that it once was. But just six years ago, it was different.
Today in 2000, I was in the midst of my honeymoon with America - a road trip covering 6,000 miles in 11 western states over two weeks. Specifically, I was in South Dakota, visiting Mt. Rushmore, a memorial to four Presidents that symbolize four different aspects of American history and ideals, before moving on to the University of Wyoming to meet a friend. The rest of the trip covered the natural - including such national parks as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon - as well as the man-made, including Seattle and Los Angeles.
Given the blatantness of the reactionary politics today (South Dakota is now known for its draconian abortion ban), I don't think I'll ever bring myself to do another road trip like this, ever again. Maybe the only exception will be the US portions of a long drive to/from/within Canada - even though it will most likely include Alberta, the most reactionary province in Canada. And given that I will continue to be represented by reactionary Republicans at all levels of the government (except the US Senate) - in fact, my Congressman has no opposition from Dems and minor parties alike - I don't feel much hope.
Today in 2000, I was in the midst of my honeymoon with America - a road trip covering 6,000 miles in 11 western states over two weeks. Specifically, I was in South Dakota, visiting Mt. Rushmore, a memorial to four Presidents that symbolize four different aspects of American history and ideals, before moving on to the University of Wyoming to meet a friend. The rest of the trip covered the natural - including such national parks as Yellowstone and Grand Canyon - as well as the man-made, including Seattle and Los Angeles.
Given the blatantness of the reactionary politics today (South Dakota is now known for its draconian abortion ban), I don't think I'll ever bring myself to do another road trip like this, ever again. Maybe the only exception will be the US portions of a long drive to/from/within Canada - even though it will most likely include Alberta, the most reactionary province in Canada. And given that I will continue to be represented by reactionary Republicans at all levels of the government (except the US Senate) - in fact, my Congressman has no opposition from Dems and minor parties alike - I don't feel much hope.
14 October 2006
LGBTs in the reactionary Korean-American community
Thanks to (en)Gender, where I've been hanging out again recently:
Even as South Korea has moved to legally recognize transgenders, the reactionary Korean-American community is in a war against its differents, including LGBTs.
A gay male Korean-American wrote an excellent article on AsianWeek last month.
AsianWeek
He is a member of the Dari Project, a gathering of Korean-American LGBTs.
Even as South Korea has moved to legally recognize transgenders, the reactionary Korean-American community is in a war against its differents, including LGBTs.
A gay male Korean-American wrote an excellent article on AsianWeek last month.
AsianWeek
He is a member of the Dari Project, a gathering of Korean-American LGBTs.
09 October 2006
North Korea tests nukes
It appears that North Korea has gone good on its threats and performed a nuclear test.
I'm picking up reports that this is what some US officials secretly wanted all along, in order to make a stronger argument for a hard-line policy against North Korea, leading up to a new war on the Korean Peninsula. The talking point would be that the "appeasement" policy, pursued by Bill Clinton and South Korea's leftist Kim Dae-Jung and Roh Moo-Hyun regimes, was a failure. This is an argument very popular in Los Angeles's gigantic Korean-American community, which strongly supports W and his hard-line policy.
The truth is not that, however. Clinton, Kim, and Roh had used a good mix of carrot and stick that had kept the Kim Jong-Il regime at bay, successfully suspending the nuclear program and averting a near-war in 1994. It was W, and his rhetoric of "Axis of Evil" linking North Korea with two unrelated rogue states, that started the escalation. The real problem was that while Kim, Roh, and the South Koreans do not vote in US elections, the Korean-Americans do - and they never liked Bill Clinton and his sexual innuendos. So anything that undoes Clinton's initiatives was a good move - to W and his Korean-American puppets. Now, everyone in the two Koreas, and many in the US, are set to pay the price, when the war breaks out in Korea and a few stray nukes find their way to some US city.
The real disaster, in my opinion, is that W's hardline policy and Roh's sunshine policy did not coordinate at all, and Kim Jong-Il decided that he would use Roh's financial aid to arm himself against W. Everyone loses in this deal. It's no secret that South Korea wanted John Kerry to win the 2004 presidential election, so that there would be a better coordination. But again, the Korean-American community not only has helped out with W's re-election, it's also helping right-wing candidates in South Korea's presidential race - ones who will report not to the Korean voters, but to W's imperialist cabal.
Lastly, I am reminded of the ugliness of blind nationalism - here, seen in three distinct flavors. It's the rampant American nationalism that keeps W going. It's the rampant leftist Korean nationalism that makes Kim Jong-Il defy the international community. It's the rampant rightist Korean "nationalism" that keeps South Korea - and the Korean-American community - at the whims of the US Republican Party, just like it had kept the Korean Peninsula under "benevolent" Chinese and Japanese influence for 1,600 years. I hope these ugly nationalisms do not coalesce into an ugly war that kills millions.
Talking Points Memo
I'm picking up reports that this is what some US officials secretly wanted all along, in order to make a stronger argument for a hard-line policy against North Korea, leading up to a new war on the Korean Peninsula. The talking point would be that the "appeasement" policy, pursued by Bill Clinton and South Korea's leftist Kim Dae-Jung and Roh Moo-Hyun regimes, was a failure. This is an argument very popular in Los Angeles's gigantic Korean-American community, which strongly supports W and his hard-line policy.
The truth is not that, however. Clinton, Kim, and Roh had used a good mix of carrot and stick that had kept the Kim Jong-Il regime at bay, successfully suspending the nuclear program and averting a near-war in 1994. It was W, and his rhetoric of "Axis of Evil" linking North Korea with two unrelated rogue states, that started the escalation. The real problem was that while Kim, Roh, and the South Koreans do not vote in US elections, the Korean-Americans do - and they never liked Bill Clinton and his sexual innuendos. So anything that undoes Clinton's initiatives was a good move - to W and his Korean-American puppets. Now, everyone in the two Koreas, and many in the US, are set to pay the price, when the war breaks out in Korea and a few stray nukes find their way to some US city.
The real disaster, in my opinion, is that W's hardline policy and Roh's sunshine policy did not coordinate at all, and Kim Jong-Il decided that he would use Roh's financial aid to arm himself against W. Everyone loses in this deal. It's no secret that South Korea wanted John Kerry to win the 2004 presidential election, so that there would be a better coordination. But again, the Korean-American community not only has helped out with W's re-election, it's also helping right-wing candidates in South Korea's presidential race - ones who will report not to the Korean voters, but to W's imperialist cabal.
Lastly, I am reminded of the ugliness of blind nationalism - here, seen in three distinct flavors. It's the rampant American nationalism that keeps W going. It's the rampant leftist Korean nationalism that makes Kim Jong-Il defy the international community. It's the rampant rightist Korean "nationalism" that keeps South Korea - and the Korean-American community - at the whims of the US Republican Party, just like it had kept the Korean Peninsula under "benevolent" Chinese and Japanese influence for 1,600 years. I hope these ugly nationalisms do not coalesce into an ugly war that kills millions.
Talking Points Memo
04 October 2006
Rampant homosexuality in the Republican Party
The names have been out there for ages, usually older white men - or formerly men. Jim Kolbe. Steve May. Jeff Gannon. Mann Coulter. And these despicable scums are only the tip of the iceberg.
Now, add Congressman Mark Foley of Florida to the list. He was forced to resign and enter rehab, after sending sexually suggestive emails to his male teenage interns. The flak may even hit Dennis Hastert, for his role in covering up the affair.
Foley was a key sponsor of a law that stiffened penalties against pedophiles. Now, it's time for him to face justice, one he himself tried to serve.
And the Republicans have the audacity to call themselves the party of morality and family values, and try to tell me, and other productive citizens, that we cannot marry and cannot serve in the military?
The Republicans must be voted out this November - especially gay ones. The hypocrisy is too much.
BBC
Now, add Congressman Mark Foley of Florida to the list. He was forced to resign and enter rehab, after sending sexually suggestive emails to his male teenage interns. The flak may even hit Dennis Hastert, for his role in covering up the affair.
Foley was a key sponsor of a law that stiffened penalties against pedophiles. Now, it's time for him to face justice, one he himself tried to serve.
And the Republicans have the audacity to call themselves the party of morality and family values, and try to tell me, and other productive citizens, that we cannot marry and cannot serve in the military?
The Republicans must be voted out this November - especially gay ones. The hypocrisy is too much.
BBC
02 October 2006
United We Discriminate
I've been incensed at Southwest Airlines for its mistreatment of anti-W passengers, and JetBlue Airways for its mistreatment of an Iraqi peace activist in my social circles. Now, what until now has been my favorite airline appears to have joined this hall of shame.
CBC News
In a nutshell, a Canadian doctor was saying a routine Muslim prayer, and as a result, was removed from a United flight in Denver, at the complaints of a drunk. Apparently, at United, a drunk is less of a safety hazard than the practitioner of a non-Christian religion (or no religion). Despite the fact that there have been many drunken air rage incidents on board United flights over the years. (So much so, that I'm including one in my novel.)
Sure, it was the Muslims that destroyed United's flights 175 and 93. But those were radical Muslims. There are radical people - Muslims, Christians, and otherwise - who live right in cities served by United's network, and could cause just as much of a carnage. Besides, if a routine prayer scares you, then maybe you should charter a private plane instead of flying a commercial airline.
United's executives are corrupt. However, its rank-and-file employees have kept me coming back - until now. Besides, United had been considered a leader in extending equal treatment for its employees - first blacks, then women (United has more women pilots than anyone else), then gays (another reason why my novel partially takes place at United - with a transgender lesbian flight attendant as the protagonist). I have 120,000 United frequent flier miles at this time, and even during last weekend's Mariah Carey concert, I was reminded that my trips between her and her fans half a world away were made on United flights. For this kind of event to take place there, and for no apology to come out even after acknowledgement of overreaction, is way out of line and unforgivable.
I'm hearing even more unsavory airline stories along these lines. Northwest is accused of racism, and American had a Christian pilot who tried to proselytize to the passengers - and scared them instead. Now, I don't even know which airlines are okay to fly anymore. Maybe I need to drive within the US, and use foreign airlines otherwise. In the meantime, United will definitely hear from me on this issue. I hope my frequent flier miles will give my message much needed weight.
CBC News
In a nutshell, a Canadian doctor was saying a routine Muslim prayer, and as a result, was removed from a United flight in Denver, at the complaints of a drunk. Apparently, at United, a drunk is less of a safety hazard than the practitioner of a non-Christian religion (or no religion). Despite the fact that there have been many drunken air rage incidents on board United flights over the years. (So much so, that I'm including one in my novel.)
Sure, it was the Muslims that destroyed United's flights 175 and 93. But those were radical Muslims. There are radical people - Muslims, Christians, and otherwise - who live right in cities served by United's network, and could cause just as much of a carnage. Besides, if a routine prayer scares you, then maybe you should charter a private plane instead of flying a commercial airline.
United's executives are corrupt. However, its rank-and-file employees have kept me coming back - until now. Besides, United had been considered a leader in extending equal treatment for its employees - first blacks, then women (United has more women pilots than anyone else), then gays (another reason why my novel partially takes place at United - with a transgender lesbian flight attendant as the protagonist). I have 120,000 United frequent flier miles at this time, and even during last weekend's Mariah Carey concert, I was reminded that my trips between her and her fans half a world away were made on United flights. For this kind of event to take place there, and for no apology to come out even after acknowledgement of overreaction, is way out of line and unforgivable.
I'm hearing even more unsavory airline stories along these lines. Northwest is accused of racism, and American had a Christian pilot who tried to proselytize to the passengers - and scared them instead. Now, I don't even know which airlines are okay to fly anymore. Maybe I need to drive within the US, and use foreign airlines otherwise. In the meantime, United will definitely hear from me on this issue. I hope my frequent flier miles will give my message much needed weight.
01 October 2006
Mariah Carey = Lady Luck?
It certainly seemed that way tonight.
Long before I could ever hang out at concerts of my other favorite acts - and in most cases, never even knowing that I missed them until way too late - I've always had very good luck with Mariah. Just about every time I felt like seeing her, I was able to clinch a ticket or two and just have a good night. Back in 1994, I had even managed to meet with her in person to start things off - coming on the tails of a trip that had taken me to many of her overseas fans. Can't get much luckier than that. Tonight was my third Mariah concert, and fourth encounter with her overall.
Another observation: This afternoon, I was playing blackjack at MGM Grand's casino, as I waited for the concert. While Mariah was playing nonstop on the PA system (in anticipation of tonight's concert), I did very well - in fact, I was $150 ahead of the house. But when the PA system switched to its regular mix, I quickly lost money, and ended up only $50 ahead by the time I cashed out. Pretty strange, indeed!
And unlike the last time (the Rainbow Tour in 2000), which was a disaster, tonight was very well done. I will upload a concert review to Epinions.com soon.
Long before I could ever hang out at concerts of my other favorite acts - and in most cases, never even knowing that I missed them until way too late - I've always had very good luck with Mariah. Just about every time I felt like seeing her, I was able to clinch a ticket or two and just have a good night. Back in 1994, I had even managed to meet with her in person to start things off - coming on the tails of a trip that had taken me to many of her overseas fans. Can't get much luckier than that. Tonight was my third Mariah concert, and fourth encounter with her overall.
Another observation: This afternoon, I was playing blackjack at MGM Grand's casino, as I waited for the concert. While Mariah was playing nonstop on the PA system (in anticipation of tonight's concert), I did very well - in fact, I was $150 ahead of the house. But when the PA system switched to its regular mix, I quickly lost money, and ended up only $50 ahead by the time I cashed out. Pretty strange, indeed!
And unlike the last time (the Rainbow Tour in 2000), which was a disaster, tonight was very well done. I will upload a concert review to Epinions.com soon.
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