Posts
While on self-imposed exile from Words Matter, I'll occasionally rely on some other bloggers and people I respect to at least maintain an occasional presence around here. I hope that I remain a boil on the backside of the naysayers and crowd that would prefer that some of us sit down and shut up! We all know the types--the one's who love to sing their praises to God, guns and the Republican Party, while doing their damnest to shut down our right to express admiration for the things that we value.
From a fellow blogger and a writer I regularly read over at Living on Less, asfo_del.
God? Cannot Find Server
Look, there is no god. It's nothing but a fairy tale. Not that fairy tales don't have their place. Sometimes our illusions are all that stands between feeling like choking to death and getting through another moment of the day. Hell, most of the time. But it's just a story: a story that was invented by humans. Given all the mysteries of the universe which almost certainly are beyond the grasp of us stupid little humans, why should a story that we ourselves made up turn out to be an accurate explanation of all the unknowables that we can't begin to understand?
And if you tell me, well, how can you be sure that there is no god, how could you possibly know one way or the other, then I will say to you: you brought up the story, why don't you have to prove to me that it's true rather than me having to prove to you that it isn't? Your story is irrelevant to me. I could give a fuck-all if it's true or not, and without giving it another thought, I will just say flat out that it's not. If I told you that I sprouted wings today and flew over the Bayonne Bridge, wouldn't you say, well, I really don't believe you, what can you give me in the way of evidence, or even, failing evidence, some plausible explanation that would make your claim seem reasonable? And I would have nothing. I would have to say to you, you have to have faith, man, and you know what, if you don't have faith then shut up, you're an asshole. That's what religious doctrine tells us, essentially.
Some religious people are profoundly kind and compassionate human beings. They chose to accept something implausible, but meaningful to them, on faith. More power to them. But the harm that religious dogma has done over the centuries far outweighs the good, in my opinion, so why insist on looking for shreds of goodness in a shameless and harmful lie?
Staring emptiness in the face is not necessarily healthy for one's mental well being -- what does it leave one with to hang onto? -- but neither is filling one's head with untruths. Especially when those particular untruths are so relentlessly reinforced, everywhere you look, in fact, that they become unshakeable beliefs, stuck inside the skull like a wad of chewing gum. Apologies to those who might be offended.
[On the other hand, I don't think I've ever seen any apology, nor even an acknowledgement that non-believers might take offense, from the pro-god camp for any of their controversial statements.]
Friday, June 10, 2005
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Respite from Words Matter
I’ve decided to take a mini-sabbatical from Words Matter. No, I’m not shutting it down, as I’m sure some would prefer. However, after this AM’s series of troubling emails, impugning my mental health, my motives and my general character, I’d prefer to devote my divided energies to the tasks at hand—my book, my paid writing and my involvement with the Twilight League.
Over the past year, I’ve been able to meet many new folks as a result of my writing and yes, my blogging. While I would concur that blogs are an acquired taste, my choice to reveal parts of myself is my right and prerogative. To some who obviously find what I write disturbing, offensive, or even the musings of a “12-year-old boy”, this is my blog and I write about what I want. Blogging is the technological equivalent of the pamphleteering that took place after Gutenberg’s invention. It lends a voice to those who often are shut out of the “public square” due to class, socio-economic standing, or corporate control of the organs of communication. At the risk of appearing “pre-pubescent” and “consummately immature”, if you don’t like what I write, or the way I treat certain public figures, then turn the channel! I personally am sick and tired of the way some of those I criticize treat the people that I care about! [Note: With email considered admissable as evidence, it would seem to me that mental health professionals should refrain from commenting via this means of communication while engaging in pycho-babble based upon someone's opinions shared in a blog; I would think this might be a violation of some code of ethics. At the least, it certainly shows a lack of professionalism expected of the profession.]
I feel extremely vulnerable and wounded at this time. Despite this, I stand by what I’ve written in the past. I don’t back away from my characterizations of our president, his party, xianity and the corporate agenda that is destroying the middle class way of life that many in America have enjoyed. I’m thankful that the period that I was privileged to grow up in, allowed my mother to stay home, while my father’s income was enough to keep a roof over our heads and our bellies full. That’s not the reality for most any longer.
Let me end on a positive note. Last night I had a very positive meeting with someone who I think will be a key player in the launch of When Towns Had Teams. Our discussion encouraged me in a way I haven’t been encouraged for quite some time. Then this morning, a phone call brought additional optimism, like balm to my battered consitution. Good things are in the works and I refuse to allow others’ impure motives to sidetrack my endeavor, When Towns Had Teams, my paean to the men, their stories, and the teams that will be the bedrock of my book.
You can piss on me, call me what you want, but don’t you dare to tarnish the memories and the character of these great men who have been gracious enough to share their wonderful stories with me.
The Maine represented by When Towns Had Teams was a special place and I’m looking forward to sharing this better time and place with those who appreciate when local baseball “ruled the roost” of rural Maine and other similar places in America.
Over the past year, I’ve been able to meet many new folks as a result of my writing and yes, my blogging. While I would concur that blogs are an acquired taste, my choice to reveal parts of myself is my right and prerogative. To some who obviously find what I write disturbing, offensive, or even the musings of a “12-year-old boy”, this is my blog and I write about what I want. Blogging is the technological equivalent of the pamphleteering that took place after Gutenberg’s invention. It lends a voice to those who often are shut out of the “public square” due to class, socio-economic standing, or corporate control of the organs of communication. At the risk of appearing “pre-pubescent” and “consummately immature”, if you don’t like what I write, or the way I treat certain public figures, then turn the channel! I personally am sick and tired of the way some of those I criticize treat the people that I care about! [Note: With email considered admissable as evidence, it would seem to me that mental health professionals should refrain from commenting via this means of communication while engaging in pycho-babble based upon someone's opinions shared in a blog; I would think this might be a violation of some code of ethics. At the least, it certainly shows a lack of professionalism expected of the profession.]
I feel extremely vulnerable and wounded at this time. Despite this, I stand by what I’ve written in the past. I don’t back away from my characterizations of our president, his party, xianity and the corporate agenda that is destroying the middle class way of life that many in America have enjoyed. I’m thankful that the period that I was privileged to grow up in, allowed my mother to stay home, while my father’s income was enough to keep a roof over our heads and our bellies full. That’s not the reality for most any longer.
Let me end on a positive note. Last night I had a very positive meeting with someone who I think will be a key player in the launch of When Towns Had Teams. Our discussion encouraged me in a way I haven’t been encouraged for quite some time. Then this morning, a phone call brought additional optimism, like balm to my battered consitution. Good things are in the works and I refuse to allow others’ impure motives to sidetrack my endeavor, When Towns Had Teams, my paean to the men, their stories, and the teams that will be the bedrock of my book.
You can piss on me, call me what you want, but don’t you dare to tarnish the memories and the character of these great men who have been gracious enough to share their wonderful stories with me.
The Maine represented by When Towns Had Teams was a special place and I’m looking forward to sharing this better time and place with those who appreciate when local baseball “ruled the roost” of rural Maine and other similar places in America.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Body image and suicide
My local paper had an article culled from the AP wire, linking teen's body image, to increases in suicide attempts. According to the article by Lindsey Tanner, "teenagers who perceived themselves at either weight extreme--very fat or really skinny--were more than twice as likely as normal-weight teenagers to attempt or think about suicide." This article was based on a recent study which appears in the June issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, published Monday.
This is interesting as it is the perception teens have of their body shape that drives this increase. My thought was where did the perception come from? Certainly, our media-obsessed, cult-of-personality pecking order determines whether women (and men) have the body shape deemed acceptable. Whether this caricatured image is realistic and attainable doesn't matter. From Britney Spears to the chemically-enhanced athletes and other models splattered across billboards, in magazine adds and commercials, today's teens are fed a steady stream of obviously harmful and erroneous information about who they are.
From the study, the following stats made me sit up and notice, as I read them; About 19 percent said they had considered suicide in the previous year and about 9 percent said they had attempted it. To break it down, one in five teens have considered suicide and one in 10 have attempted to end their lives. This is not encouraging.
I decided to email a friend and librarian who is very knowledgeable on the subject. I was curious how she viewed these stats. I thought they seemed high. She did not. Here are a few of her thoughts on the subject:
"I am surprised that the stats are not higher; if kids were not afraid to be truthful to others and more importantly to themselves (acknowledging they could use some help) I think we would see higher documented statistics. But now it's getting to the point where these kids have noone to go to. Parents are too busy with their own problems or are in denial or just trying to keep a roof over their families heads and the teachers in school that teens would seek out are not there because they are too afraid of getting in trouble, because perhaps they may be "crossing boudaries" which in the majority of cases, is crap."
My friend is a former educator who left that field because the current climate in public schools prevented her from being who she needed to be as a teacher. I trust her judgement on this matter.
It's terribly depressing and a real indictment on our corporate-culture that our best and brightest are made to feel that a few extra pounds, or not having the ideal weight is reason to end their lives.
This is interesting as it is the perception teens have of their body shape that drives this increase. My thought was where did the perception come from? Certainly, our media-obsessed, cult-of-personality pecking order determines whether women (and men) have the body shape deemed acceptable. Whether this caricatured image is realistic and attainable doesn't matter. From Britney Spears to the chemically-enhanced athletes and other models splattered across billboards, in magazine adds and commercials, today's teens are fed a steady stream of obviously harmful and erroneous information about who they are.
From the study, the following stats made me sit up and notice, as I read them; About 19 percent said they had considered suicide in the previous year and about 9 percent said they had attempted it. To break it down, one in five teens have considered suicide and one in 10 have attempted to end their lives. This is not encouraging.
I decided to email a friend and librarian who is very knowledgeable on the subject. I was curious how she viewed these stats. I thought they seemed high. She did not. Here are a few of her thoughts on the subject:
"I am surprised that the stats are not higher; if kids were not afraid to be truthful to others and more importantly to themselves (acknowledging they could use some help) I think we would see higher documented statistics. But now it's getting to the point where these kids have noone to go to. Parents are too busy with their own problems or are in denial or just trying to keep a roof over their families heads and the teachers in school that teens would seek out are not there because they are too afraid of getting in trouble, because perhaps they may be "crossing boudaries" which in the majority of cases, is crap."
My friend is a former educator who left that field because the current climate in public schools prevented her from being who she needed to be as a teacher. I trust her judgement on this matter.
It's terribly depressing and a real indictment on our corporate-culture that our best and brightest are made to feel that a few extra pounds, or not having the ideal weight is reason to end their lives.
Friday, June 03, 2005
Going the independent route
The most difficult part for most writers contemplating a book is actually persevering and ending up with a working manuscript. If only that was all and you could move on to your next project. Obviously, for better-known writers and those with a manuscript that is geared for mass consumption, I’m sure finding an agent and a publisher is considerably easier than my own experiences have yielded. Write the book, send it off and someone takes care of the rest. In addition, they send you an advance and it’s off to your next best-seller.
Having sent out proposals and queries to agents for When Towns Had Teams, only to be met with responses that ranged from being ignored, to receiving a personal “thanks, but no thanks” letter, I’ve decided to take the bull by the horns and take on the publishing myself. Call me an independent publisher, as that is what I’m morphing into. If you can’t find a small press in Maine, New England, or elsewhere to give your manuscript the time of day, then you come to a crossroads. It becomes a case of fish, or cut bait, to use a favorite New England colloquialism.
I have a considerable investment of time and energy at this point. With most of the past year taken up with planning, research, interviews and writing, my efforts have yielded a product that I’m proud of. Unfortunately, the nature of publishing being what it is, none of the small presses that I’ve made contacts with are willing to take on my project.
Amazingly, well-meaning people, who know little or nothing about publishing, are happy to give you their two cents worth of advice. Things like, “have you contacted Downeast Books?” to “You should contact Stephen King” to asking me, “Do you have a copy with you?” The answers are as follows; “I did and they rejected it (not marketable enough)”; “You don’t contact Stephen King, he contacts you”; and lastly, “No, I don’t have a copy, but if you give me a minute, I’ll run down to my basement and start my printing press and have a copy for you soon.”
Certainly, I don’t mean to be condescending. Hell, I didn’t know anything about publishing when I started. No writer truly knows the maze of publishing when they set out to write the “great American novel”, or in my case, a simple book about baseball, from a time when it represented the communities where it was played, several decades ago.
So, at this point, in addition to all the busy work I’m now facing of formatting my manuscript before sending it off to a professional editor, I’m now forced to come up with a website, handle all the aspects of getting my book ready for publication, as well as finding a way to piece together enough money to avoid debtors prison, via articles I write and a part-time gig or two. Did I mention I would be handling all the marketing?
I’ve always been a big fan of the DIY ethic that permeated punk rock in its earliest days. Much of that ethic is still alive and well in much of the indie rock scene. Some of the independent labels like Matador have done very well from their first foray into the jungle of corporate music. Granted, Matador is an exception, but labels like Merge and Emperor Jones have done well enough to keep at it for a good stretch. And then there are the smaller operations such as Secretly Canadian and Scat, of which I’d say I’d be akin to in what I’d like to accomplish. By embracing the "head down and plow through" mentality of DIY, I’m confident that I can get it done, as overwhelmed as I often feel. At this point, I don’t have any other choice, if I want my efforts and the wonderful stories of these colorful former players to see the light of day.
Addendum: Merge will be the U.S. label for Teenage Fanclub's new disc, available in stores next week. You can preview this wonderful Scottish band's new record, currently streaming on the Merge website.
Having sent out proposals and queries to agents for When Towns Had Teams, only to be met with responses that ranged from being ignored, to receiving a personal “thanks, but no thanks” letter, I’ve decided to take the bull by the horns and take on the publishing myself. Call me an independent publisher, as that is what I’m morphing into. If you can’t find a small press in Maine, New England, or elsewhere to give your manuscript the time of day, then you come to a crossroads. It becomes a case of fish, or cut bait, to use a favorite New England colloquialism.
I have a considerable investment of time and energy at this point. With most of the past year taken up with planning, research, interviews and writing, my efforts have yielded a product that I’m proud of. Unfortunately, the nature of publishing being what it is, none of the small presses that I’ve made contacts with are willing to take on my project.
Amazingly, well-meaning people, who know little or nothing about publishing, are happy to give you their two cents worth of advice. Things like, “have you contacted Downeast Books?” to “You should contact Stephen King” to asking me, “Do you have a copy with you?” The answers are as follows; “I did and they rejected it (not marketable enough)”; “You don’t contact Stephen King, he contacts you”; and lastly, “No, I don’t have a copy, but if you give me a minute, I’ll run down to my basement and start my printing press and have a copy for you soon.”
Certainly, I don’t mean to be condescending. Hell, I didn’t know anything about publishing when I started. No writer truly knows the maze of publishing when they set out to write the “great American novel”, or in my case, a simple book about baseball, from a time when it represented the communities where it was played, several decades ago.
So, at this point, in addition to all the busy work I’m now facing of formatting my manuscript before sending it off to a professional editor, I’m now forced to come up with a website, handle all the aspects of getting my book ready for publication, as well as finding a way to piece together enough money to avoid debtors prison, via articles I write and a part-time gig or two. Did I mention I would be handling all the marketing?
I’ve always been a big fan of the DIY ethic that permeated punk rock in its earliest days. Much of that ethic is still alive and well in much of the indie rock scene. Some of the independent labels like Matador have done very well from their first foray into the jungle of corporate music. Granted, Matador is an exception, but labels like Merge and Emperor Jones have done well enough to keep at it for a good stretch. And then there are the smaller operations such as Secretly Canadian and Scat, of which I’d say I’d be akin to in what I’d like to accomplish. By embracing the "head down and plow through" mentality of DIY, I’m confident that I can get it done, as overwhelmed as I often feel. At this point, I don’t have any other choice, if I want my efforts and the wonderful stories of these colorful former players to see the light of day.
Addendum: Merge will be the U.S. label for Teenage Fanclub's new disc, available in stores next week. You can preview this wonderful Scottish band's new record, currently streaming on the Merge website.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Anti-gay, Texas-style
I like Molly Ivins, or should I say, I have a deep, abiding respect for her. Columnists who manage to strike a nerve, but never lose their ability to laugh and also make us laugh (to keep from crying), are worth their weight in gold.
Some of what Ivins writes about, if it wasn't so damn accurate, would seem like a caricature--like the Texas Legislature.
You can say what you want about Ivins, but you can't say she didn't warn us about George 'Dubya Bush. For more details, see her book, Shrub. Since no one heeded her sage advice, she was forced to write Bushwhacked.
From her column last week for Creators.
MOLLY IVINS TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2005
AUSTIN -- Here in the National Laboratory for Bad Government, it's Duck and Cover time -- the Legislature is in session. The Can't-Shake-Your-Booty bill passed the House, saving us all from the scourge of sexy cheerleaders. But nothing else is getting done. The state is being run by people who do not know how to govern. Keep in mind that based on past form, whatever lunacy is going on in Texas will eventually sweep the country.
Rarely are the words of one state legislator worth national attention, but when Senfronia Thompson, a black representative from Houston, stalks to the back mike with a certain "get-out-of-my-way" look in her eye, it's, Katie, bar the door. Here is Thompson speaking against the Legislature's recent folly of putting a superfluous anti-gay marriage measure into the state constitution:
"I have been a member of this august body for three decades, and today is one of the all-time low points. We are going in the wrong direction, in the direction of hate and fear and discrimination. Members, we all know what this is about; this is the politics of divisiveness at it's worst, a wedge issue that is meant to divide.
"Members, this is a distraction from the real things we need to be working on. At the end of this session, this Legislature, this leadership will not be able to deliver the people of Texas fundamental and fair answers to the pressing issues of our day.
"Let's look at what this amendment does not do: It does not give one Texas citizen meaningful tax relief. It does not reform or fully fund our education system. It does not restore one child to CHIP [Children's Health Insurance Program] who was cut from health insurance last session. It does not put one dime into raising Texas' Third World access to health care. It does not do one thing to care for or protect one elderly person or one child in this state. In fact, it does not even do anything to protect one marriage.
"Members, this bill is about hate and fear and discrimination. . . . When I was a small girl, white folks used to talk about 'protecting the institution of marriage' as well. What they meant was if people of my color tried to marry people of Mr. Chisum's color, you'd often find the people of my color hanging from a tree. . . . Fifty years ago, white folks thought interracial marriages were 'a threat to the institution of marriage.'
"Members, I'm a Christian and a proud Christian. I read the good book and do my best to live by it. I have never read the verse where it says, 'Gay people can't marry.' I have never read the verse where it says, 'Thou shalt discriminate against those not like me.' I have never read the verse where it says, 'Let's base our public policy on hate and fear and discrimination.' Christianity to me is love and hope and faith and forgiveness -- not hate and discrimination.
"I have served in this body a lot of years, and I have seen a lot of promises broken. . . . So . . . now that blacks and women have equal rights, you turn your hatred to homosexuals, and you still use your misguided reading of the Bible to justify your hatred. You want to pass this ridiculous amendment so you can go home and brag -- brag about what? Declare that you saved the people of Texas from what?"
"Persons of the same sex cannot get married in this state now. Texas law does not now recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, religious unions, domestic partnerships, contractual arrangements or Christian blessings entered into in this state -- or anywhere else on this planet Earth.
"If you want to make your hateful political statements then that is one thing -- but the Chisum amendment does real harm. It repeals the contracts that many single people have paid thousands of dollars to purchase to obtain medical powers of attorney, powers of attorney, hospital visitation, joint ownership and support agreements. You have lost your way. This is obscene. . . .
"I thought we would be debating economic development, property tax relief, protecting seniors' pensions and stem cell research to save lives of Texans who are waiting for a more abundant life. Instead we are wasting this body's time with this political stunt that is nothing more than constitutionalizing discrimination. The prejudices exhibited by members of this body disgust me.
"Last week, Republicans used a political wedge issue to pull kids -- sweet little vulnerable kids -- out of the homes of loving parents and put them back in a state orphanage just because those parents are gay. That's disgusting.
"I have listened to the arguments. I have listened to all of the crap. . . . I want you to know that this amendment [is] blowing smoke to fuel the hell-fire flames of bigotry."
Then they passed the amendment.
COPYRIGHT 2005 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
Some of what Ivins writes about, if it wasn't so damn accurate, would seem like a caricature--like the Texas Legislature.
You can say what you want about Ivins, but you can't say she didn't warn us about George 'Dubya Bush. For more details, see her book, Shrub. Since no one heeded her sage advice, she was forced to write Bushwhacked.
From her column last week for Creators.
MOLLY IVINS TUESDAY, MAY 24, 2005
AUSTIN -- Here in the National Laboratory for Bad Government, it's Duck and Cover time -- the Legislature is in session. The Can't-Shake-Your-Booty bill passed the House, saving us all from the scourge of sexy cheerleaders. But nothing else is getting done. The state is being run by people who do not know how to govern. Keep in mind that based on past form, whatever lunacy is going on in Texas will eventually sweep the country.
Rarely are the words of one state legislator worth national attention, but when Senfronia Thompson, a black representative from Houston, stalks to the back mike with a certain "get-out-of-my-way" look in her eye, it's, Katie, bar the door. Here is Thompson speaking against the Legislature's recent folly of putting a superfluous anti-gay marriage measure into the state constitution:
"I have been a member of this august body for three decades, and today is one of the all-time low points. We are going in the wrong direction, in the direction of hate and fear and discrimination. Members, we all know what this is about; this is the politics of divisiveness at it's worst, a wedge issue that is meant to divide.
"Members, this is a distraction from the real things we need to be working on. At the end of this session, this Legislature, this leadership will not be able to deliver the people of Texas fundamental and fair answers to the pressing issues of our day.
"Let's look at what this amendment does not do: It does not give one Texas citizen meaningful tax relief. It does not reform or fully fund our education system. It does not restore one child to CHIP [Children's Health Insurance Program] who was cut from health insurance last session. It does not put one dime into raising Texas' Third World access to health care. It does not do one thing to care for or protect one elderly person or one child in this state. In fact, it does not even do anything to protect one marriage.
"Members, this bill is about hate and fear and discrimination. . . . When I was a small girl, white folks used to talk about 'protecting the institution of marriage' as well. What they meant was if people of my color tried to marry people of Mr. Chisum's color, you'd often find the people of my color hanging from a tree. . . . Fifty years ago, white folks thought interracial marriages were 'a threat to the institution of marriage.'
"Members, I'm a Christian and a proud Christian. I read the good book and do my best to live by it. I have never read the verse where it says, 'Gay people can't marry.' I have never read the verse where it says, 'Thou shalt discriminate against those not like me.' I have never read the verse where it says, 'Let's base our public policy on hate and fear and discrimination.' Christianity to me is love and hope and faith and forgiveness -- not hate and discrimination.
"I have served in this body a lot of years, and I have seen a lot of promises broken. . . . So . . . now that blacks and women have equal rights, you turn your hatred to homosexuals, and you still use your misguided reading of the Bible to justify your hatred. You want to pass this ridiculous amendment so you can go home and brag -- brag about what? Declare that you saved the people of Texas from what?"
"Persons of the same sex cannot get married in this state now. Texas law does not now recognize same-sex marriages, civil unions, religious unions, domestic partnerships, contractual arrangements or Christian blessings entered into in this state -- or anywhere else on this planet Earth.
"If you want to make your hateful political statements then that is one thing -- but the Chisum amendment does real harm. It repeals the contracts that many single people have paid thousands of dollars to purchase to obtain medical powers of attorney, powers of attorney, hospital visitation, joint ownership and support agreements. You have lost your way. This is obscene. . . .
"I thought we would be debating economic development, property tax relief, protecting seniors' pensions and stem cell research to save lives of Texans who are waiting for a more abundant life. Instead we are wasting this body's time with this political stunt that is nothing more than constitutionalizing discrimination. The prejudices exhibited by members of this body disgust me.
"Last week, Republicans used a political wedge issue to pull kids -- sweet little vulnerable kids -- out of the homes of loving parents and put them back in a state orphanage just because those parents are gay. That's disgusting.
"I have listened to the arguments. I have listened to all of the crap. . . . I want you to know that this amendment [is] blowing smoke to fuel the hell-fire flames of bigotry."
Then they passed the amendment.
COPYRIGHT 2005 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)