.
This article from racewire.org says a lot, and I recommend it for every reader of this blog. Dr. Regina Benjamin is more than qualified for the job of surgeon general, yet there are people who will find any angle they can to discredit her (or any Obama nominee, naturally).

While I have several bones to pick with Obama about the lack of real change he seems to be bringing with respect to many important issues, it is heartening and refreshing to see Sonia Sotomayor being confirmed today, and the nomination of Ms. Benjamin. There certainly does need to be more representation for people of color in the US halls of power, and the jury is still out (no pun intended), on how quickly our representatives will actually represent constituents of color as well. As an aside, how many senators of color are there presently in the USA, and in its history?

IMO, if the push for universal health care in the US fails, the blame falls not on Obama, but on all those playing for powerful vested interests in keeping the status quo, even if it means the perpetuation of classism, racism, and size-ism. The current state of health care in the US is undeniably detrimental to our economy. Fixing our health care system is one critical element of getting the economy back up and running.

lyrics:
And until the color of a man's* skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes, there's a war.
- War, by Bob Marley

*#inc gender, size, perceived class, sexual orientation, etc


pax hominibus,
agape to all,
joel

Labels: BBWs, economics, oppression, politics, racism, universal health care

Hi All-

My sweetie and I just got done watching Iron Jawed Angels, starring Hilary Swank, Anjelica Huston, and Francis O'Connor. It's a movie about suffragettes during the 1910's who fought tooth and nail for women's rights, and how hard they had to struggle and the jail time they did, just to get the right to vote and to try to get an Equal Rights Amendment for women's equality (still waiting almost 90 years later for that to be ratified by enough states, BTW). See this movie-- it's stunning and inspiring.

Also, while I'm in the mood, here's Girl Genius comics, Big Beautiful Wonder Woman, and Wapsi Square.

lyrics: Something by Velvet Underground.

colors: Pink.

mood: Beat.

chant/prayer/mantra: Make mine Code Pink please.


pax hominibus,
joel

Labels: BBWs, war and peace, Women's Rights

Dang, that last post was really long. It had kind of a slow intro, so if you read this blog at all I hope you made it to the end. Sorry so heavy. Not really "sorry" but more "sorry, ha ha" because "sorry, ha ha" is all about levity.

Anyway, before I sign off for the night, I just want to say that I can't help it. I just love women. All of them. Mind, body, soul. Some I'm quite attracted to, but most I just like to be around.

I'm still working on men but that's a lot more to ask. If pinned down on it, because of the way I feel about women, I'd have to evaluate myself as heterosexual, but every once in a while there's a guy I find atttractive for one reason or another. Almost always, the attractive part is their intelligence, or aura. I don't find men's physiques attractive, even my own, really. As far as thinking about sex with men, for me, ewwww... More power to those who do, I'm in your corner, but I just don't like male genitalia or the wide shoulder narrow hip thing much. "Curves, man, curves." As far as mind and soul, yep most men are close to on-target, but still have room for improvement.

To sum up, perhaps the best way to say it is "I'm with the circus." Not gay, but I fall somewhere on the not quite straight continuum.

I'm sure you all wanted to know that, and tthose who know me already knew. "I'm with the circus" <--> "Friends of those who allow themselves the freedom to choose"

Peace.

I have so much more random stuff to blather on about. I wish I could just keep journalling, but I need to sleep and get up for work tomorrow morning.

Labels: BBWs