Done with political ranting

Y'know what? I'm done. The political craziness has hit fever-pitch. Everywhere you turn political talk is in your face. So I'm putting political talk on hold until Nov. 4th. Then I'll remind you to vote, and may have something to say post-Election Day. But until then, no politics from me.

They said it better

I watched and listened to (and re-watched on Youtube) the final presidential debate last week. I am still furious with McCain about the air quotes he put on a mother's "health" and how dismissive he was of female reproductive health, choice and freedoms. Here's a link to the clip on Youtube - the air quotes are close to the end. Two women explained their frustration with this same issue much more eloquently than I can; see what they said HERE and HERE. I implore you, think about the health and futures of our sisters, daughters, nieces and granddaughters. Then go vote.

Why I don't celebrate Columbus Day

Today, the second Monday in October, is Columbus Day. It's a federal holiday. But I don't celebrate it.

Why, you ask? Because I don't feel that the conquest and exploitation of the native peoples of the Americas should be celebrated. Because I think celebrating the "discovery" (since the people who were already here didn't discover it) of "America" (really an island in the Caribbean) by some guy is really not that monumental. Because it's racist and blatantly assumes European superiority over native Americans.

Educate yourself about Christopher Columbus and the real story of his voyage. Read "American Holocaust" by David E. Stannard. It's a real eye-opener. I have a copy if you'd like to borrow it. Take a look at these editorials from today's NYTimes and USAToday. Read the wiki page on Columbus Day. Then think about this day and what it means to you. Is it important to celebrate the "discovery" of "America" today?

I will take today to mourn the genocide of native peoples in the name of conquest and gold. Maybe someday, if enough people are made aware of the real history of the American conquest, this day will no longer be a celebration of European superiority. Someday, hopefully, it will be a day of reparation.

Simple joy

National Coming Out Day

Saturday, Oct. 11th, 2008 is National Coming Out Day. USU is having Coming Out celebration and activities today on the TSC patio. As an Ally, I encourage everyone who can to go support our GLBTQQI2SA campus community. Want to know how to be supportive of GLBT individuals in everyday life? Check out this list.

Polls

Here's an awesome link for anyone else who's compulsively checking the poll results on the Presidential race: RealClearPolitics. They compile poll results from many different pollsters. Cool stuff.

New favorite thing

Doodle's new favorite thing to do: make scary faces. This is her scary face.


Fierce, eh? She will instruct you how to make a scary face by saying "pink" which means pinkie. You must stick your pinkie fingers in your mouth and grimace right then. Papa follows directions well.


Not only does she have a mean scary face, she's got great fashion sense. Watch for this look on Paris runways in 2010.