I just had to post this.

It's about time someone wrote this article. I know it's grossly unpopular to not support our troops, even in the peace movement, but I still don't. I don't get weepy and choked up every time I see a yellow ribbon or an American flag. Our soldiers made a conscious decision to join the military - and yes, I'm well aware of the racial and economic bias involved - and they had to know that war is always a possibility. Killing someone so you can get money for college is pretty damn revolting, and I'm not going to let that be an excuse for someone who should be held accountable.

Ha. Ha ha. Hahahahah. Hahahahahahahahahaha.

Two posts in one day - look out!

If you too are a sports nut, it is integral to your dating relationship that she enjoy being a sports spectator as well.


No, it's not. It's never been "integral" in any relationship I've been in to suddenly become a fanatic of whatever hobby my boyfriend had. And maybe the reason women don't get crazy over sports is because we don't really find it interesting to watch men with substandard IQ's scratch their balls and chase each other, unless of course, you're talking about gay male porn.

I gave this man the best years of my life. Evidently it wasn't it vain.

If you start to really look at this war - I mean really contemplate and extrapolate all the consequences of it, you begin to wonder why you were blessed with intelligence and rational thought.

I’ve always had qualms with the military in this country (well, any country, to be specific). As a woman, I've been fascinated with women who have joined our military despite the blatant sexism involved, especially since women typically have the "nurturing" gene to deal with. I would personally go to any front line and bandage the wounded, but I could never pick up a gun and kill someone, no matter how great the cause. That has a lot to do with my politics, but my biology as well.

Women who join the American military already have several strikes against them. They are considered the brains and not the brawn of the situation. They can operate fighter jets, manufacture weapons, devise battle plans (if given the chance), but no military man wants to see a woman with PMS with a gun fighting alongside him.

What's worse (you've got to see this one coming) is that our female soldiers stationed abroad are denied a fundamental right (for the time being) as an American woman: the right to a safe medical abortion in a military hospital. They are left with the choice of carrying the baby and being assigned to a desk job, or to seek inferior medical care. And the government will not pay for abortions that are the result of incest or rape. Seeing as how our military leaders can't seem to cap the sexual assault problem in our military, this is worrisome.

It's bad enough that I'm sure the majority of these assaults aren't reported. If they are, it's extremely rare that the person who perpetrated the assault will be punished. Only one male cadet has been faced with a court marshal, and he was acquitted.

The stunning lack of equality here is sickening. When you control a soldier’s body - with violence or sexist politics - you also control her options. Women are allowed to be grown-ups in their military careers, but aren't to be trusted with the decisions that affect their bodies and the rest of their lives. Women will never be seen as truly equal until they are able to have a life and career that progresses like a man's - without the burden of a child.

Also important to think about: the brutalization of women by our soldiers who are overseas. I know, I know, no one wants to think about Yankee Doodle Dandy sticking it to some 10 year old Iraqi girl, but trust me, it's happening. In addition to the fact that the majority of refugees left by this war will be women and children (eighty five percent, to nail it down), it's estimated that twenty-five percent of them will be pregnant, either from the "coalition" or assaults within their own community.

When considering a relief package to help the Iraqi people, we need to remember what's happened in Afghanistan. After our blessed military whooped up on the area, they hightailed it and now the country is run by thugs who use almost any means necessary to intimidate the Muslim population. One particularly threatening tactic: rape gangs. In addition to pregnancy, these victims have to worry about HIV, and the social humiliation that comes with "adultery" (i.e. being stoned to death).

Reproductive care has to be essential to any relief package that is drawn up by our country, the UN - whoever will take it on. Not only will it save lives, but also it will give a small amount of power back to women who have had everything stripped from them by this war. In a crisis situation, access to health services is limited, and implementation must be immediate. Risking women's health and lives with additional harmful restrictions is unacceptable and inhumane.

Think about it. Support it. The whole world is watching.

It's been a little over a week since the confirmed start of the war, and I'm happy to see that closet liberals (or people with common sense, as I like to call them) are finally getting their act together and doing something. Even locally, two groups have cropped up in support of peace. If you live in the 64468 area and are interested in participating, email me and I'll give you the info.

Susan Sarandon got booted from hosting a luncheon given by the United Way of Tampa Bay (Florida again!?) because of her anti war stance. The chairwoman of the organization said they didn't want to give Sarandon a "platform" for her politics. According to the United Way of America web site, the philanthropic organization helps rally funding for "helping children and youth succeed, strengthening and supporting families, promoting self-sufficiency, building vital and safe neighborhoods and supporting vulnerable and aging populations." Therefore, one would assume that possibly they would extend that mission, if in nothing other than thought, to the rest of the world, resulting in opposing the war. Evidently there were a little over three dozen complaints about Saradon speaking, and this was enough pressure for the board to cave in.

Again, I ask, and whoever can give me reasonable answer gets dinner on me: What is so subversive about promoting peace, diplomacy, justice and deomcracy?

"Speak with your voice of flaming insight, that kept us awake at night, in one bed and apart, my old flame..." - John Vanderslice

You know, if a kid did something like this, we'd accuse them of being childish. Of course, it's also childish to beat up someone for no reason, but let's not get too picky.

Mac has such a great mind and ability to write. Check him out.

I want to write about reproductive freedoms and the war, but I'm having such a good day I don't want to ruin it. Instead, I'll give everyone a dose of hipness!



Music you should be listening to:

Hot Hot Heat: Especially the last two albums. "Touch You Touch You" is my favorite song right now, and my roomates are so sick of hearing it I think they're going to dump me into the 102 River.

John Vanderslice: May 7th is the release date for "Life and Death of a Fourtracker" - so preorder it now on Barsuk.

The Mars Volta: Suspicious links to At the Drive-In.

Nada Surf: Yeah, that's right - the "I'm Popular" band. They're back and kicked everyone's ass at SXSW. Check these cats out. I'm serious.

The Fire Theft: SDRE reprise. I've been waiting for this since I last saw Jeremy.

Afro Cuban All Stars: Can't beat 'em with a stick.

Mirwais: Some of these things belong together, but this isn't one of them. This is Steven's influence on me. Check out "Junkie's Prayer".

The Dismemberment Plan: Despite the fact that Travis is a warmonger and they're essentially breaking up, they will always be one of my top ten bands. Listen to "Emergency and I" and you'll be a fan for life.

"Why are you wired in to the wall? Why are you wired in it at all?" Hot Hot Heat - Touch You Touch You

What a surprise!

Well, Bush has asked Congress today for the Yearly War Bonus - to the tune of $75 billion. Here's the breakdown, at least the one that's being made public:

*$63 billion for the war effort ($53 billion to deployment of troops for five months, $5 billion to restock weapons, and $1.5 billion in payment to Pakistan and "other unclassifed expenses"...CIA?)
*$8 billion for international aid and relief (but only to nations that are in the "coalition", not Iraq)
*$4 billion for my personal favorite, Homeland Security
*$3.5 billion for Iraq ($2.5 billion for the all important oil feild repairs - let's not lose sight of why we're fighting)
*any left over will go to various other countries that kiss Bush's ass

All in all, this could spell a $400 billion deficit for our country - and it's doubtful this war bonus will even cover the majority of the war. And after you do the calculations with this budget, this does not leave much for the rebuilding of a "democratic" Iraq. Is that because that's not a priority for Bush, or because he doesn't plan on following though at all?

Sometimes I really hope that this is some horrible, terrible nightmare I'm having. It's so surreal, at times I think I must be delusional. Is all this really happening? I would like to say truth is stranger than fiction...but to reference Micheal Moore, we are living in ficticious times.

Several good friends attended the international Sigma Tau Delta conference this weekend. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Brian Fish for winning third place in the personal essay category, and Jed Murr for winning first place in the research paper category. Two of my friends - internationally recognized authors! Way to go guys!

Bravo to Micheal Moore for showing some balls last night. I wish that man had more internationally televised platforms to speak through. Gael Garcia Bernal, who needs his own web page, also broke from the script and spoke out on the war. Considering I was already in love with him, I am now convinced he is as near perfect as can be.

It's rather shameful that an industry that prides itself on freedom of expression did it's very best to suppress anything that might cause ratings to drop. While I realize the majority of the "artists" there last night think with their bank accounts rather than their souls, it would have been nice to see people express such subversive ideas as peace and justice. And I think I just hit on something there...why is promoting democracy and dimplomacy so offensive? I consider those particularly mature political ideals. I just wish our government did. Everyone who is opposed to this war has the obligation to make their views known, in any medium they can...and those who did last night reached millions. For us ordinary citizens who would love to have a chance to do that, it's hard to understand why so many were silent. Silence equals complicity.

Yesterday I decided to go hiking to kind of clear my head. I'd been listening to arguments about the war, endless media coverage, and slogans from the previous night's protest were still ringing in my ears. Luckily, I hadn't been in Chicago, where the slogans were "Killers!" countered by "Idiots!"...but I digress.

So I drive on down to Burr Oak Woods and head to the nature center before I start trailing. They had a new display...and it was of...

SOFT SHELL TURTLES!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you who are unaware, I have a strange and unnatural fear of soft shell turtles. I'm not sure where it came from, because I've never actually encountered one in real life or anything, but just the thought of them is enough to make me cringe. I don't know why...I think it's the way they look...their snouts, their feet, eyes...icky ew! Disturbing on so many levels.

So of course, I couldn't tear myself away from the display. There were two of them in the tank. I was actually shocked to find out they live in Missouri (I'm not exactly a wildlife buff, you know), so now I suppose when I'm out walking late at night by myself I'll be terrified a soft shell turtle will attack me out of the dark.

Eventually, I had to be literally drug away from the tank. It's a good thing too, because if not, I'd probably still be there pondering what a trip Mother Nature is.

Recently, a not so serious "love interest" asked if I could love someone, or be in a relationship with someone, if they supported the war.

No.

Why? Well, this war comes down to fundamental issues of peace, death and justice. The convictions I hold that shape my pro-peace stance in this conflict are representative of the way I choose to live my life, and in time, choose to teach to my children. I don't think I could build a life with someone who, in theory, felt it was better to kill than negotiate diplomatically, and thinks the United States has the role of political bully on the international stage.

Is it overly dramatic to say that a person who will jump at the chance of war might also let that attitude slip into their everyday lives? Maybe. It's not just that they're for war, but what that attitude says about their entire system of principles and effectively how they live their lives and treat other people.

Perhaps it isn't just that they support legalized murder - maybe it's that I have a sneaking suspicion that the majority of people who support this war haven't really considered what it means. Blindly following the masses - that's something I cannot abide in. Anyone who reasons this situation is bound to come to the conclusion that peace is preferable. I can't love someone who hates, and furthermore, doesn't think.

To quote a certain filmmaker, war is fun when you know you won't die. It's true. Journalists are ready to piss themselves to give a report wearing a gas mask. Peter Jennings has hit critical exhaustion and is ranting about his patriotism. Average Joe Bob is finding a platform for his unoriginal American pride tirade on talk radio. Kids wearing "Visualize whirrled peas" teeshirts are spewing anti-war rhetoric on the front lawns of schools - but only during lunch hour. Your local neighborhood protest has turned into a mass drug deal and/or meat market.

Is anyone really thinking about this war out there?

Don't give up, and don't stop protesting. Use this link to find demonstrations in your area. Call the president, the senate, your city council - any phone number you can get your hands on. If you were loud before, double it. Show Bush that you still care not because you will win, but because you are right.

I'm sure we could all use some cheering up, and nothing will do that better than an advertisement for a feminine hygiene product put out by LYSOL, for the love of god. That is seriously screwed up. Although I'm sure it doubled well as a spermicide.

I don't really know what to say. I knew this was coming, but had some idealistic hope that the majority of the public opinion of the world might impact the decision more than it has.

I am ashamed to be an American. We are greedy, arrogant and prejudiced. This is an unfair military action disguised as a humanitarian regime change, which disguises the fact that it's motivated by oil, which in turn disguises the fact that it's motivated by the hatred of a culture and a religion. Innocent people have needlessly died. Many more will. And because these people don't reside in Manhatten, much the governement of this country will consider that "collateral damage", if they acknowledge it at all.

Instant karma's gonna get ya.

Sticky note found on desk in Oval Office:

Dear Democracy,

Fuck you.

Sincerely,
George W. Bush

Oh, it's a cruel world.

If you have not seen "Y Tu Mama Tabien" yet, get your lazy caboose out to your neighborhood rental place and rent it! I watched it again last night and was pleasantly surprised by it's beauty.

I'm happy to announce that as a woman of reproductive age, I am one step closer to experiencing a rite of passage - a back alley abortion.

Our esteemed United States Senate has passed the "partial birth" abortion ban.

There is no medical definition for "partial birth abortion", because it was invented as scare terminology by the anti-choice fanatics. Drop that term, along with a terrifying picture of say...the arm of a fetus poking out of a bloody abdominal incision - and viola! Instant mental footnote. Now here's the kicker: the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have balked at these bans, because they fail "to use recognized medical terminology and fail to define explicitly the prohibited medical techniques it criminalizes." The term "partial birth" is so broad, it could be interpreted to mean any point during gestation.

Think I'm overreacting? This has happened before. In May of 1998, a federal judge refused to block a Wisconsin state law banning partial birth abortions. Result? Doctor's were terrified of being prosecuted for providing an abortion in any trimester, and all abortion clinics in the state were closed. Reproductive options were finally restored only when prosecutors promised not to act on first trimester abortions.

The anti-choice clique in the Senate also rejected a prevention package amendment that would have further funded family planning initiatives to lower the rate of unintended pregnancy and increase in availability of pre and post partum care for women and their children. By defeating this amendment, which would have reduced the need for abortion, the Senate has shown not only that they want to dismantle women's reproductive rights, but that they clearly feel that women are not capable of making their own reproductive choices.

Dubya knows exactly what he's doing with this bill. All it will take are the judges and prosecutors appointed by Bush to interpret this legislation to the point where they will render Roe v. Wade extinct. It's the Pro-Life and Republican parties' wet dream.

In the meantime, I try to think that behind every choice is a story. I think about all the women who will be affected if this basic human right is taken from them - by men in government who will never really know what it's like to be faced with an unwanted pregnancy. A pregnancy that could make a family abandon a daughter. A pregnancy that could prompt physical abuse from a partner. A pregnancy that will result in another child addicted to illegal drugs. A pregnancy that will further propel a mother into the welfare system. A pregnancy that could result in the death of the mother. Every child should be a wanted child.

So there's this news story, featured here for your convenience, about a girl that was in a coma for six years, and started moving and talking for the first time since her injury while at a Bryan Adams concert. This phenom raises several different points to ponder:

*What if they had taken her to a really good concert - you know, like Neil Young or something? Would she have gotten up and started dancing? (Incidently, I do think Neil can raise the dead playing "Cowgirl in the Sand" live.)

*Does this mean Bryan Adams has a career in televangalism?

*What song exactly was being performed? If if was "The Summer of 69", that would be cool, but if it was that weepy shit from Robin Hood, I'm surprised it didn't kill her.

*If Bryan Adams worked in this instance, should The Mayo Clinic start using music therapy along the same genre lines - like Richard Marx and Roxette?

*Why is Bryan Adams on tour anyway? Who cares anymore?

********

I know you all are anxiously awaiting my report on the campus demonstration Amnesty led today. I missed half of it, but when I got there around 12:30, there was a pretty good turnout. Of course, the people who actually stopped to read material or discuss were generally on the anti-war side, which is great, but not very stimulating for discussion, which was the whole idea. Evidently there was a small "counter-protest" over by Colden that consisted of 3 aggies scowling at the Bell Tower for about half an hour. Did they actually come up and call us commie pinko homos? No, but that would have been great.

Suprisingly, the most positive feedback we got was from Clarence Green, Director of Campus Safety. I guess he stationed himself there today to keep an eye on things, and he very respectfully read our material and listened to our discussions. When he left, he thanked us and said it gave him an opportunity to think about the situation with Iraq in a different way. I've always thought Clarence was cool, especially for his line of work, but my respect for him has increased ten fold. (He was even ragging on anarchists that get pulled over and say they won't pay the fine because they're not citizens of this country - it was great.)

Are you a manager of a business that just can't seem to retain quality employees? Then read this article, "Building morale during tough times". Armed with this information, you can distract your employees long enough for them to forget they are underpaid, underrepresented and overextended.

Steven speaks the truth.

You have to see "Happiness of the Katakuris". It's directed by Takashi Miike, who directed "Audition", but...get this...it's a musical. It's phenominally silly. I recommend it. Make sure you watch out for the sumo wrestler.

Also, to up your hipster value, check out "Get up Go Insane" by Stretch'n'Vern (I think it's on a Swedish Egil comp). It's a great song.

George and Tony! Like you've never heard them before!

Will you be heading to Austin next week? SXSW strikes again.

That's all for today, folks.

By popular demand:

Today's NWMSUEDWC News
Official Communiqués of NWMSUEDWC Members from 3/3/03:
WC Chief Correspondent, Brian Fish:
"This morning, Chief Writing Center officials reported the
disappearance
of one pair of blue-handled scissors. It is unknown at this point if
the scissors have escaped the Writing Center on their own volition or
with the assistance of a key Writing Center contact, possibly even a
graduate assistant. The Writing Center Department of Office Supply
Security (WCDOSS) has raised the terror alert from "Elevated" to
"Severe" in response to the unexplained disappearance. In the event
that the scissors are used against Writing Center personnel, remember
to
duct tape the door shut, and always duck and cover."
WCTSCCSG, Jed Murr:
"...I do believe we should offer some basic evidence and justification
for
any proposed bombing of the possible scissors terrorists. I would be
willing to draft a NWMSUEDWCTSC (Northwest Missouri State University
English Department Writing Center Temporary Security Council)
resolution
condemning the scissor theft as a crime against humanity as outlined in
the Geneva Conventions and calling on all active members of the
NWMSUEDWCTSC to follow the NWMSUEDWC charter and to take any necessary
steps, within the bounds of said charter, to bring the alleged
perpetrator or perpetrators to justice before a NWMSUEDWCTSC-approved
international tribunal. And besides that I'm really scared. I'll
bring
extra duct tape and tin foil and whatever other
entirely-useless-scare-tactic-household-items I can think of to work
today."
Former Writing Center Employee, Alisha Madison:
(Denying her alleged guilt) "I used them in my 110 group. NO
DISAPPEARANCE."
WC Chief Correspondent, Brian Fish:
(News Update) "For our top story this hour, chief office supply
inspector Hands Quix announced today that he and his team have located
the blue-handled scissors, which were being used in a 110 group, an
application approved by the original NWMSUEDWCTSC resolution. The
mastermind behind the disappearance has been captured and is currently
being tortured--I mean questioned--in the Writing Center Lab for
information on the location of other key office supply materials,
namely
the label maker that allegedly disappeared immediately following the
resignation of the Kaler Administration. Without this label maker,
there can be no certainty in the delivery of messages..."
WCTSCCSG, Jed Murr:
"...I must reiterate that the NWMSUEDWCTSC unequivocally condemns the
use
of torture or other forms of coercion--even in situations as extreme
and
ominous as the missing label maker. In fact, it was the Kaler
Administration's general lack of concern for such basic human rights
standards that led to the increase in acts of vile terrorism against
the
NWMSUEDWC and its partner states. That said, if the perpetrator in
question is named Alisha, the NWMSUEDWCTSC wholly endorses (off the
record) any methods of torture that Mr. Quix's NWMSUEDWCSCOMAT
(NWMSUEDWC Special Commission on Acts of Terrorism) and its partner
organization, NWMSUEDWCOIOSIC (NWMSUEDWC Organized International Office
Supply Investigative Committee), deem appropriate.
WC Secretary General, William Waters:
"I just want to let you know, that faced with this unthinkable
disappearance, and even more questionable reappearance, the leadership
of the Writing Center will remain in tack and ready to bunker down at a
moment's notice.
To alleviate your worries, I have developed a 38 point plan for
gathering my various selves together all in one room just in case more
disappearances like this occur. We will not tolerate other people not
tolerating our scissor rules."
[For official transcripts or more information, contact Chief
Correspondent Fish].

I was driving down Main the other day with Jason. Ahead of us in traffic was this rangy pickup truck, although I must add that this was a different type of rangy from my truck altogether (a different kind of rangy from your truck). On the back window, there was this sticker that had a lip print, with the following words bordering it:

*YOUNG AND/OR SENSITIVE READERS MIGHT WISH TO SKIP TO ANOTHER POST*

"Shut up and swallow"

Consider the following points:

* I think everyone's first assumption is this is about oral sex. Fine. So what this sticker could be saying is women should perform for men when and how they demand it. I doubt owner of this sticker is very concerned with their partner's emotional and physical satisfaction.

* It could be about sex in general. If I had a dollar for every time I had a conversation with a male friend and they said "Yeah, I wanted to get with her, but she just kept blabbing on and on and I just wanted her to shut up," I'd be rich. So this sticker could be saying I want you and your orifices, not your thoughts and ideas.

* Finally, it could be about control, and possibly even sexual assault. "Shut up and swallow" is a pretty strong statement - the image it produces isn't pretty. So...this sticker could be conveying the idea that men should do what they want with women, even if she doesn't want it, and has said so.

I'm not easily offended - I'm not, but this sticker is representative of a whole mindset that is, quite frankly, scary. I'm not naive enough to think that all men are nice, understanding people - I've had enough experience to make me think the opposite, actually. I know the above mentioned attitudes exist, probably with more frequency than I'd like to be privy to, but you'd think men would at least pretend to be functionally emotionally literate. The fact that some men are just out there being unapologetic misogynistic pigs is kind of nauseating. Do they think their "honesty" is going to help them score?

Unfortunately, where some women are concerned, it probably will. And that, folks, is the really disturbing part.

Our Amnesty chapter was considering this, but we decided to go with a benefit concert.

Also, someone needs to tap El Presidente on the shoulder and have him read this article. Or, in all fairness, read it to him.

I have the beginnings of a cold, the entire town is covered in a sheet of ice, and our cable is out because of the storm. I need to go to the grocery store, but some overly concerned male members of my house don't want me driving around in this weather. So I'm at the library.

The dishes need to be done in the worst way. I think we're completely out of forks.

I hung out with Steven today and we listened to "Odelay"in mixed up order while he made up little dances and stories to go with every song. It's good to live with fairly creative people. On any given night, I can be treated to fantastic entertainment from my roommates and various friends. It's cool. I make coffee cake with vanilla hot chocolate for them.

Storm got ya cooped up? This is an informative way to waste time.

They just don't make men like this anymore.

The next time you are at Wal-Mart, look for Cosmic Blaster cookies. I checked for a website, but these are way indie. Anyway, they're like Oreos with pop rocks in the middle. They will make your day. Especially if you're watching Sealab 2021 and listening to Richard Humpty Vision. No one should be allowed to have that much of a good time.

Reading "The Journals of Sylvia Plath"and listening to Faith by The Cure can really get you in one hell of a mood. After a night of this paired with fitful sleep, I had to get out of the house and try to remember that the rest of the world is too indifferent to share my melancholy. I'm going to do some laundry - the laundromat is always a sociological study waiting to happen.

Today when I woke up, I absolutely had to hear The Posies, who I haven't listened to in years. In the process of tearing up my room looking for the cd, I stumbled across a bunch of other cd's I hadn't heard in forever, so I had this oldies orgy. All before three. This is going to be a good day.

I met this great guy last night at the drag show. His name was Burt, and he has been dressing in drag since he was a kid. He lives in Maitland, works at Kawasaki, and has been divorced for three years after being married for fifteen. He didn't perform last night, he was just there to experience. He was completely inspiring (and hey - he liked my lipstick). I can't even imagine how hard it must be to trapped in a body you don't identify with - but to actually do something about it in this kind of environment takes a lot of courage.

My roommate is going to do a photo shoot with him.

Meeting him kind of made me think about all the parts of myself that I never let out, because I'm afraid or shy or whatever. If Burt can live his life in the open, we all should be able to.