At half-time, the Bruins only had a lead of about 13 over the Cardinal, with the scores hovering in the 30's and 20's, respectively.
But while the major newspapers are touting the 40-14 run by the Bruins, which helped rout the Cardinal, what was more impressive about the game was Howland's vision of his bench and the development of his players.
So with a little more than 9 minutes left in the second half, and UCLA at a comfortable 30-point lead, Howland decided to rotate some of his younger players in. The second team. With James Keefe, who just lately got bumped from his starter position, who along with Michael Roll, were the two veteran players of the second team. Roll for his part continues to solidify his talent for sinking 3's. Then Howland began rotating even greener players like Jerime Anderson, Drew Gordon, Malcolm Lee and J'mison Morgan for significant minutes. To not just give them experience during the height of the season, but to more importantly deepen his bench for the March Madness Run.
There will be talk of the selflessness of passes, rather than driving for a basket, making the pass, but what really struck me watching this game was that for almost ten minutes during the second half, Stanford scored primarily through free throws. And while that can often be the difference between winning and losing, they were technically playing the second and third teams. And against them, the veteran players on Stanford's team should have been able to score more than they did.
Which proves the importance of the mental game. By the time Howland began rotating his bench in, the Stanford team had already begun losing in their minds. Granted, the 30-point lead can weigh heavily on the mind, but they were clearly much more experienced, and bigger, than the Bruins. And yet still, they couldn't seem to score. Again, highlighting the importance of the mental game. For all the fans who left early, you missed some great last minute plays.
Though in fairness, Darren Collison, my favorite, is a really exceptional athlete and I give him a lot of credit for energizing his team, playing solidly throughout the first and second halves until Howland began rotating other players in.
Go Bruins.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Republican Solution to Everything: Cut Taxes
While it has been repeatedly reported that the Republicans are being obfuscatory in their total lack of support to help this sinking recessive economy, the most interesting aspect of their ideological quandary is their lack of any alternative suggestions. Other than cut taxes.
Which is patently unhelpful. Unemployed, homeless people who lost both job and home do not need tax cuts. They need housing. And most importantly, they require jobs. Jobs that will secure a home, any kind of home, rented or bought, for the foreseeable future. That is what is required.
It's unconscionable that the fat cats called Republican congressmen and women, who have no worry about their own livelihoods, are pushing only federal tax cuts as their solution to a problem that is complex and deep. Conservatism is not working. It hasn't since Bush's infamous tax cuts. Numerous tax cuts. That, coupled with intense deregulation, lack of governmental oversight, and the evidently uncontrollable urge towards cronyism, has led to a worldwide recession.
It was unthinkable that anyone could see that reality and not understand that tax cuts would not help. People don't need a one-time five hundred dollar check from their government. What people need when they don't have employment is, guess what? Employment. People need more services until they can afford to buy them through their future employment. People need housing.
And what is even more unconscionable is that Republicans forget those millions of working poor, who make minimum wage and can't feed and house themselves properly, let alone any children or spouses they might have. Don't believe it? Read Nickel and Dimed, written by Barbara Ehrenreich. She has a Ph.D. and she could not make a living earning minimum wage.
One really wonders exactly how privilege has blinded Republicans into thinking that, as long as they stick with their outmoded, privilege only wealthy-white-people policies, they will eventually convince the poor masses Republicans have their best interests at heart. On the other hand, it worked for eight years with Bush.
Which is patently unhelpful. Unemployed, homeless people who lost both job and home do not need tax cuts. They need housing. And most importantly, they require jobs. Jobs that will secure a home, any kind of home, rented or bought, for the foreseeable future. That is what is required.
It's unconscionable that the fat cats called Republican congressmen and women, who have no worry about their own livelihoods, are pushing only federal tax cuts as their solution to a problem that is complex and deep. Conservatism is not working. It hasn't since Bush's infamous tax cuts. Numerous tax cuts. That, coupled with intense deregulation, lack of governmental oversight, and the evidently uncontrollable urge towards cronyism, has led to a worldwide recession.
It was unthinkable that anyone could see that reality and not understand that tax cuts would not help. People don't need a one-time five hundred dollar check from their government. What people need when they don't have employment is, guess what? Employment. People need more services until they can afford to buy them through their future employment. People need housing.
And what is even more unconscionable is that Republicans forget those millions of working poor, who make minimum wage and can't feed and house themselves properly, let alone any children or spouses they might have. Don't believe it? Read Nickel and Dimed, written by Barbara Ehrenreich. She has a Ph.D. and she could not make a living earning minimum wage.
One really wonders exactly how privilege has blinded Republicans into thinking that, as long as they stick with their outmoded, privilege only wealthy-white-people policies, they will eventually convince the poor masses Republicans have their best interests at heart. On the other hand, it worked for eight years with Bush.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Economy Closes More Smalltown Stores: Harari Off and Eastside Book Cafe
Los Angeles and its wealthy playgrounds should be immune from the Recession, one might think. But if the Dow Jones Industrial Average is an accurate measure, the economy continues to reside in the cautious side of pessimistic. A few weeks ago, when it began climbing towards 8900, I thought that finally, people would stop freaking out. And I want to tell all the idiots who keep making it hover around 8100, stop it! Stop freaking out! You're in this for the long haul, that's why you bought stocks in the first place, so stop making it artificially roil! But no, I believe it was Keynes, though it might have been Friedman, who said that while markets act rationally, once they begin to fall freely, they behave irrationally. Or, in other words, instead of anthropomorphizing markets, let's be real. Markets reflect the people who are buying and selling stocks. And they behave rationally as long as things seem to be going well. But once these people get spooked, guess what? So does their behavior in selling and buying stocks. Hence a spooked market.
At any rate, this recession has continued to shutter small businesses that provide goods to locals and tourists alike. The first lament is for the Eastside Book Cafe in Big Bear City, which is different from the more touristy Big Bear Lake. This gem of a bookstore was not simply replete with a great selection of books, but also offered a great little cafe next door, as well as free wifi. And on the weekends, the parking lot provided a venue for locals to sell their wares while they reconnected. The link to the article says that Gail Sefl, the owner, renegotiated her lease to remain open. Unfortunately, that didn't work. As a matter of fact, there was another story published in the Big Bear Grizzly newspaper by Brian Charles, but interestingly, that story can no longer be located on the web. At any rate, this was the only decent bookstore not just in Big Bear but for the surrounding area, including Lake Arrowhead. That bookstore, located at the downtown "mall" was turned into a clothing store because, as the owner confessed, no one was interested in books. Evidently. So no more gems from Ruth Prawer Jhabvala John Berger, or Rex Stout to be bought anywhere in the mountains east of Los Angeles. Evidently, after skiing or shopping at the local antique shops, people just want to watch television.
I hope that the economy improves and that this trend of small stores closing ends. Especially small bookstores. As it is, with Midnight Special closing in Santa Monica four years ago and then Dutton books (though that wasn't nearly as good), there are very few good bookstores in L.A. that aren't overly specialized. I often looked forward to going to the mountains just to visit that bookstore and now it's gone.
A different kind of store in Redondo Beach will also be sorely missed and I'm guessing not just by me. This is the Harari Off outlet store located in the Riviera across from the local Trader Joe's. This has been a mainstay not just for those who live in the South Bay, which included Palos Verdes just up the hill, but for anyone who has appreciated elegant, comfortable and extremely well-made clothing at a good price. Normally Harari designs are sold at a price point that favors their Neiman Marcus clientele. But at the outlet store, these same designs, with printed silks that were not only daring in design, but were also graceful and rendered in tasteful and sometimes bold palettes, could be had at prices ranging from $10 to $100.
Sadly, Harari has decided that they can make a better profit by changing their market strategy. They will be decreasing their patterned designs which were probably expensive to make, in conjunction with using using different manufacturers who emphasize plain fabrics, as well as carrying additional lines. They will also be decreasing their inventory, making less of their own designs with their new contracted manufacturers. That will be in conjunction with carrying other lines they don't have to spend money producing, thus diversifying their smaller inventory. So they will no longer need an outlet store to move sale items since there will be less of it. They can sell what little they have in store, for a larger profit.
Tant pis. I know I won't be going to the Montana, Santa Monica store anytime soon. The staff there are so overly impressed with themselves. Ditto for the store in Beverly Hills. The women at the Redondo Beach outlet store were polite, helpful and nice, all characteristics that are sorely in need in our Post-Bush society.
At any rate, this recession has continued to shutter small businesses that provide goods to locals and tourists alike. The first lament is for the Eastside Book Cafe in Big Bear City, which is different from the more touristy Big Bear Lake. This gem of a bookstore was not simply replete with a great selection of books, but also offered a great little cafe next door, as well as free wifi. And on the weekends, the parking lot provided a venue for locals to sell their wares while they reconnected. The link to the article says that Gail Sefl, the owner, renegotiated her lease to remain open. Unfortunately, that didn't work. As a matter of fact, there was another story published in the Big Bear Grizzly newspaper by Brian Charles, but interestingly, that story can no longer be located on the web. At any rate, this was the only decent bookstore not just in Big Bear but for the surrounding area, including Lake Arrowhead. That bookstore, located at the downtown "mall" was turned into a clothing store because, as the owner confessed, no one was interested in books. Evidently. So no more gems from Ruth Prawer Jhabvala John Berger, or Rex Stout to be bought anywhere in the mountains east of Los Angeles. Evidently, after skiing or shopping at the local antique shops, people just want to watch television.
I hope that the economy improves and that this trend of small stores closing ends. Especially small bookstores. As it is, with Midnight Special closing in Santa Monica four years ago and then Dutton books (though that wasn't nearly as good), there are very few good bookstores in L.A. that aren't overly specialized. I often looked forward to going to the mountains just to visit that bookstore and now it's gone.
A different kind of store in Redondo Beach will also be sorely missed and I'm guessing not just by me. This is the Harari Off outlet store located in the Riviera across from the local Trader Joe's. This has been a mainstay not just for those who live in the South Bay, which included Palos Verdes just up the hill, but for anyone who has appreciated elegant, comfortable and extremely well-made clothing at a good price. Normally Harari designs are sold at a price point that favors their Neiman Marcus clientele. But at the outlet store, these same designs, with printed silks that were not only daring in design, but were also graceful and rendered in tasteful and sometimes bold palettes, could be had at prices ranging from $10 to $100.
Sadly, Harari has decided that they can make a better profit by changing their market strategy. They will be decreasing their patterned designs which were probably expensive to make, in conjunction with using using different manufacturers who emphasize plain fabrics, as well as carrying additional lines. They will also be decreasing their inventory, making less of their own designs with their new contracted manufacturers. That will be in conjunction with carrying other lines they don't have to spend money producing, thus diversifying their smaller inventory. So they will no longer need an outlet store to move sale items since there will be less of it. They can sell what little they have in store, for a larger profit.
Tant pis. I know I won't be going to the Montana, Santa Monica store anytime soon. The staff there are so overly impressed with themselves. Ditto for the store in Beverly Hills. The women at the Redondo Beach outlet store were polite, helpful and nice, all characteristics that are sorely in need in our Post-Bush society.
Organizing for America (OFA) and the Community Action Network (CAN)
There has been a strange phenomenon occurring on the MyBarackObama.com website. The good thing about the website is it has a lot of tools to make organizing events and groups extremely easy. The bad thing is that this has also bred a lot of competition for power within the structure.
The ongoing feud between people who want to join the official Organizing for America or OFA organization, run by the Obama Administration's representatives, or the Community Action Network CAN, run by some very enterprising Obama supporters, is a good example.
Essentially, a tempest in a teapot has begun because the two organizers of the nationwide CAN, which one can join through MyBarackObama.com, Lisa Lindo and Paul Currier, have been, well, organized and enterprising. And lots of people who have worked on the campaign as volunteers, paid or otherwise, are upset.
So, for example, some emails by a woman who worked on the campaign named Laura Velkei, has been protesting vociferously that these people are charlatans, they don't represent the Obama Administration, their agenda should not be heeded, and that, by the way, you can unsubscribe to the CAN emails at the bottom of this email or on the MyBarackObama.com website, seems like professional jealousy. Though the emails were entitled innocuously, "In the spirit of openness" or some such thing, that was clearly disingenuous and what she wanted to do was discredit these people.
There were very restrained responses by Paul Currier and Lisa Lindo, who did say that this was approved by David Plouffe, even if they aren't the official organizing arm of the Administration,
which included that they wanted to organize and help, people are still protesting from all over the country.
It is decidedly strange. After all, if one doesn't want to join, don't. If one does not want to embark upon the campaign suggested by Mr. Currier or Ms. Lindo, don't. Do what Ms. Velkei herself should clearly do: unsubscribe. Do something else constructive with your time.
It is puzzling. The struggle for power and ascendancy, even in this supposedly equalizing forum, is mind-boggling. Actually, it is quite similar to the campaign itself: headed by a person who is clearly passionate about his principles and then supported, especially at the very lowest rungs, by people elbowing each other out of the way as they jockey for power.
The ongoing feud between people who want to join the official Organizing for America or OFA organization, run by the Obama Administration's representatives, or the Community Action Network CAN, run by some very enterprising Obama supporters, is a good example.
Essentially, a tempest in a teapot has begun because the two organizers of the nationwide CAN, which one can join through MyBarackObama.com, Lisa Lindo and Paul Currier, have been, well, organized and enterprising. And lots of people who have worked on the campaign as volunteers, paid or otherwise, are upset.
So, for example, some emails by a woman who worked on the campaign named Laura Velkei, has been protesting vociferously that these people are charlatans, they don't represent the Obama Administration, their agenda should not be heeded, and that, by the way, you can unsubscribe to the CAN emails at the bottom of this email or on the MyBarackObama.com website, seems like professional jealousy. Though the emails were entitled innocuously, "In the spirit of openness" or some such thing, that was clearly disingenuous and what she wanted to do was discredit these people.
There were very restrained responses by Paul Currier and Lisa Lindo, who did say that this was approved by David Plouffe, even if they aren't the official organizing arm of the Administration,
which included that they wanted to organize and help, people are still protesting from all over the country.
It is decidedly strange. After all, if one doesn't want to join, don't. If one does not want to embark upon the campaign suggested by Mr. Currier or Ms. Lindo, don't. Do what Ms. Velkei herself should clearly do: unsubscribe. Do something else constructive with your time.
It is puzzling. The struggle for power and ascendancy, even in this supposedly equalizing forum, is mind-boggling. Actually, it is quite similar to the campaign itself: headed by a person who is clearly passionate about his principles and then supported, especially at the very lowest rungs, by people elbowing each other out of the way as they jockey for power.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Jettison "No Child Left Behind"
The Obama Administration needs to jettison the absurd, pedagogically useless policy of "No Child Left Behind."
Teachers throughout the K-12 system I've spoken too, especially those who teach kindergarten through sixth grade, routinely criticize this system because rather than ensuring that children are performing well, it saddles teachers with constantly prepping their students for exams.
And studies have shown that tests are predictive of very little. They don't predict anything except how well students perform on exams. They don't accurately reflect what kids have learned. They certainly don't predict what they will be capable of learning in the future. And they place an inordinate burden on students.
For example, in one school in Redondo Beach, CA, Kindergarteners are required to produce a book report. Yes, that's right, five year olds. A book report. Teachers recommend that parents keep their children out of kindergarten until age 6 because of this requirement.
How about let's make certain the children actually just learn through activities that have nothing to do with exams? Plenty of smart people in our society achieved many things without being tested or required to do one to two hours of homework a night as a first-grader. But that's what happens in Pacific Palisades' Marquez school, CA, to make sure their students fulfill the NCLB requirements.
These exams are also culturally biased. Pegged for certain ways of approaching problems, like exams. And privileging certain types of thought.
In the Math Ph.D. program at UCLA, all the pure math majors pride themselves on getting perfect scores on their Verbal GRE's, as well as obviously perfect scores on th Math portion and the Subject exam. Why? Because, as I was informed by a friend, those exams privilege a certain type of thinking. So that even if one doesn't know the vocabulary, or the stories to analyze, one knows how to think in order to assess which answer is correct.
This particular friend was embarrassed because he had broken the record by missing three questions.
Jettison NCLB. And let teachers start teaching again, not just being test monitors.
Teachers throughout the K-12 system I've spoken too, especially those who teach kindergarten through sixth grade, routinely criticize this system because rather than ensuring that children are performing well, it saddles teachers with constantly prepping their students for exams.
And studies have shown that tests are predictive of very little. They don't predict anything except how well students perform on exams. They don't accurately reflect what kids have learned. They certainly don't predict what they will be capable of learning in the future. And they place an inordinate burden on students.
For example, in one school in Redondo Beach, CA, Kindergarteners are required to produce a book report. Yes, that's right, five year olds. A book report. Teachers recommend that parents keep their children out of kindergarten until age 6 because of this requirement.
How about let's make certain the children actually just learn through activities that have nothing to do with exams? Plenty of smart people in our society achieved many things without being tested or required to do one to two hours of homework a night as a first-grader. But that's what happens in Pacific Palisades' Marquez school, CA, to make sure their students fulfill the NCLB requirements.
These exams are also culturally biased. Pegged for certain ways of approaching problems, like exams. And privileging certain types of thought.
In the Math Ph.D. program at UCLA, all the pure math majors pride themselves on getting perfect scores on their Verbal GRE's, as well as obviously perfect scores on th Math portion and the Subject exam. Why? Because, as I was informed by a friend, those exams privilege a certain type of thinking. So that even if one doesn't know the vocabulary, or the stories to analyze, one knows how to think in order to assess which answer is correct.
This particular friend was embarrassed because he had broken the record by missing three questions.
Jettison NCLB. And let teachers start teaching again, not just being test monitors.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Faith's Role in Offering Succor
People who are religious will frequently assert that their faith offers succor and solace during difficult times. Death, financial difficulties, work, these are all potential arenas that those who are religious will say that they could not survive if they had not their religion to rely on.
One woman, a Mormon, admitted that during these financially difficult times, she knew that from past experience, she would get through this time, as well. Furthermore, that she knew God would make things alright, though perhaps that result may not come in the form she expects or desires. The past had told her that.
What is really interesting about this is that those who are either agnostic or atheistic, not just towards Christian religions, but towards Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, as well, can experience exactly the same thing.
Therefore, if one experiences tragedy or personal difficulty, unless it results in death, one knows that one will survive. Things will, eventually, be alright. And despite the length of time one was in difficult times, one knows it will pass. Because one knows this from past experience. And one again experiences periods of joy, happiness or contentment.
This is neither an argument for or against religion. It's just an observation that while those who have religious faith think that their faith in the future is exclusive to their belief in a higher being, those without religion experience the same faith that they, too, will be alright. They, however, do not have that higher being in whom they can place that faith/knowledge.
One woman, a Mormon, admitted that during these financially difficult times, she knew that from past experience, she would get through this time, as well. Furthermore, that she knew God would make things alright, though perhaps that result may not come in the form she expects or desires. The past had told her that.
What is really interesting about this is that those who are either agnostic or atheistic, not just towards Christian religions, but towards Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, as well, can experience exactly the same thing.
Therefore, if one experiences tragedy or personal difficulty, unless it results in death, one knows that one will survive. Things will, eventually, be alright. And despite the length of time one was in difficult times, one knows it will pass. Because one knows this from past experience. And one again experiences periods of joy, happiness or contentment.
This is neither an argument for or against religion. It's just an observation that while those who have religious faith think that their faith in the future is exclusive to their belief in a higher being, those without religion experience the same faith that they, too, will be alright. They, however, do not have that higher being in whom they can place that faith/knowledge.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Israeli Shoots and Kills Two Girls, Cripples Third
This story, reported on The World is truly horrifying if it is confirmed. The reporter, Quil Lawrence, did say that on several key points, the stories of the Grandmother, who survived, the father, who carried both his grandmother and one remaining 4-year old daughter a mile to a hospital during the 3 hour "humanitarian" lull, all match. And the 4 year old girl, shot in the spin and crippled, is in Europe so there isn't a lot of opportunity to get her story to "match" her father's and grandmother's story.
Basically, they lived in an area in Gaza under Israeli control, the entire area was leveled. They were told to get out. And so the grandmother, mother and three little girls, 2, 4 and 7 years of age, came out with white flags.
An Israeli soldier purposefully shot them. The 2 and 7 year olds died almost instantly. The mother, father, injured grandmother and daughter hid inside their home for over an hour and a half, waiting for relief or instructions. None came. Israeli soldiers were joking and evidently drinking soda outside.
During the "humanitarian lull"--which is such an offensive term because who gave the Israelis the right to dictate what happens to other people in their own country?--the father took the grandmother not fatally shot, and his one remaining daughter to the hospital and mile and a half away. The daughter was later flown somewhere in Europe for treatment. She will be crippled for life.
Basically, they lived in an area in Gaza under Israeli control, the entire area was leveled. They were told to get out. And so the grandmother, mother and three little girls, 2, 4 and 7 years of age, came out with white flags.
An Israeli soldier purposefully shot them. The 2 and 7 year olds died almost instantly. The mother, father, injured grandmother and daughter hid inside their home for over an hour and a half, waiting for relief or instructions. None came. Israeli soldiers were joking and evidently drinking soda outside.
During the "humanitarian lull"--which is such an offensive term because who gave the Israelis the right to dictate what happens to other people in their own country?--the father took the grandmother not fatally shot, and his one remaining daughter to the hospital and mile and a half away. The daughter was later flown somewhere in Europe for treatment. She will be crippled for life.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
The Obama Effect
I arose early this morning and took my daughter to a public event to watch President Obama take his oath of office and his speech that inspired me.
I have some simple thoughts. I think like many people, I have become renewed and resolved. I am ready to serve in what way I can. I do not think that it will change. I will do what I have done in the past, within my skill sets and in line with my principles. But what has changed is that I feel that my efforts will not be fighting a losing battle. Perhaps, if he can continue to ignite people's inspiration, and I'm not talking about those already involved, but those who were not inclined to donate their time to community service of some sort, if President Obama can do that, we may finally begin a progress towards something that transcends the kind of bigotry, narrow-mindedness and selfishness that has marked so much of the past decade.
I have some simple thoughts. I think like many people, I have become renewed and resolved. I am ready to serve in what way I can. I do not think that it will change. I will do what I have done in the past, within my skill sets and in line with my principles. But what has changed is that I feel that my efforts will not be fighting a losing battle. Perhaps, if he can continue to ignite people's inspiration, and I'm not talking about those already involved, but those who were not inclined to donate their time to community service of some sort, if President Obama can do that, we may finally begin a progress towards something that transcends the kind of bigotry, narrow-mindedness and selfishness that has marked so much of the past decade.
Monday, January 19, 2009
On the Eve of the Inauguration
It is a profound and profoundly moving moment in history. There is simply no other term for it but a moment in history. No one in this world will ever forget where they were and what they were doing on
The nature of President-elect Obama's conduct over the past two months and some days has been extremely moving and personal for innumerable people around this country and indeed, the world. I am no different.
What I find most interesting about this incoming President, and I admit I am more interested in him right now than his administration, is that he has changed the tenor of people's attitudes. Despite the fact that we may be in even more dire circumstances than the Great Depression (after all, this Recession is Global), Mr. Obama has inspired people to change the way they view themselves, their empowerment, and their responsibility to those beyond their own narrow lives.
It is one of the most striking contrasts to the kind of culture and mindset that George W. Bush heralded. With him and his "War on Terror" rather than "Terrorism," Bush instituted a culture of "Me First, in fact, Only Me" wherein the rules of conduct applied to everyone else but oneself. Of course, what that meant was that the rules applied to no one, since everyone occupies the role of "someone else" in relation to other people.
Thus people became rude. They were unrepentantly mean. And racist, "hate" crimes increased dramatically. They could call each other names and then, like Sarah Palin, accuse other people of the very conduct they themselves engaged in by hiding behind the excuse, "Well, you're just being mean." Projection and irresponsibility was the order of the day for eight long years.
If I am any measure, everything has changed. I have gone from being extremely cynical about my agency to feeling that empowerment is less important than the fact that I want to serve my country. I am looking for myriad ways of doing so, despite that I am unemployed and have been for several months. Nevertheless, I am glad I am American. I am actually contemplating wearing an American flag shirt for the celebration in Downtown L.A. though in honesty, I don't have anything like that so I won't. But if I did possess such an item, I certainly would.
I am attending tomorrow morning to watch the Swearing in Ceremony live on enormous screens with thousands of other people. I am taking my daughter to this event, unlike some people I know who are attending the actual inauguration and have left their seven-year old at home. I am going to take photos. Because unlike those other people, I know that though I am not old, this election has not been about me, and this inauguration is likewise, not for just me. It is for and about the younger generation. So while my daughter is not yet two, I intend to take her to this celebration. She will experience what it is like for people to join together in strength, unified in purpose and joined by a vision that can accommodate personal goals in a way that benefits the many. Because even if she does not remember the event when she grows older, I will share that experience with her. With photos and video. And she will know that her life, which began the day before Mr. Obama declared his candidacy, was improved in innumerable, countless ways by this singular event.
I am glad, and proud, to be American. And I will be proud when I go abroad. And people will no longer scorn me when they discover I am American, though I am of color. They will congratulate me. As a representative of something for good.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Service-Oriented Jobs and Living Vicariously
It is interesting that there are certain service sectors, namely ones providing services in the home, that breed a need to live vicariously through their employers. To wit: imagine a full-time housekeeper. S/he works inside someone's home to allow that person or those people to have lives outside that home. In other words, the employers are busy doing things, producing either objects or services, that can be both seen and acknowledged by the outside world.
Now imagine what the person working inside that household does: cleans. Cooks. Shops for those people. Prepares food for them. And then, when they come home, listens to their triumphs. In the outside world.
No wonder people like Kato Kaelin, of Nicole Brown Simpson fame talked the way he did. His words, and his conversation, can be reduced to one word: gossip. That's because he didn't produce anything himself. He lived vicariously through other people's lives. In essence, he did not have his own life. So he garnered vicarious pleasure, pride, and even a sense of achievement, through the lives of those around him who actually did something other than take care of someone else's house.
It is sad. No wonder these people gossip so much. It's what they have. Because their own lives are devoted to making other people's outside lives possible. By taking care of their home lives for them. Cleaning their homes. Cooking for them. And taking care of their children.
Now imagine what the person working inside that household does: cleans. Cooks. Shops for those people. Prepares food for them. And then, when they come home, listens to their triumphs. In the outside world.
No wonder people like Kato Kaelin, of Nicole Brown Simpson fame talked the way he did. His words, and his conversation, can be reduced to one word: gossip. That's because he didn't produce anything himself. He lived vicariously through other people's lives. In essence, he did not have his own life. So he garnered vicarious pleasure, pride, and even a sense of achievement, through the lives of those around him who actually did something other than take care of someone else's house.
It is sad. No wonder these people gossip so much. It's what they have. Because their own lives are devoted to making other people's outside lives possible. By taking care of their home lives for them. Cleaning their homes. Cooking for them. And taking care of their children.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Hangers' On, Wannabe's and Others Invited to Inauguration
It is depressing to hear of people who hated Obama, his wife ("Can you believe what she said about being finally proud of Americans?") and vowed that if he won the presidency, this country would go to the dogs?
Those would be the same die-hard Hillary fans who are now riding to the Inauguration, and they hope, the White House administration, on her coattails. They didn't raise money for him, but for her. They didn't do anything at all for him, as a matter of fact, except spread rumours about how awful he was, etc, etc, but aren't they excited about being able to attend the Inaguration now!
After all, it's an opportunity, and this surely is the land of opportunity! Hey, if Obama can be President, why can't all these insignificant, self-aggrandizing opportunists use this chance to promote themselves? Throw an event or two, pretend you're important, and be certain to tell every person who will listen to you, who has less power than you and is stupider than you, that you are soo important! Guess what, they'll believe you!
This inauguration is not about self-promotion, much as these cynical Clintonites like to think. On this upcoming day of service celebrating Martin Luther King's birthday, it is important for these people to recall that it isn't just "the day before the inauguration when I can possibly hob-knob with the person who stands next to the person who stands next to Obama"--it's about what you can do. Not about hiring celebrities for your function or bragging to every person who will listen what you have done. It's about doing something and not bragging. It's about just doing something to help people who don't have the money you were born into. It's about serving.
Those would be the same die-hard Hillary fans who are now riding to the Inauguration, and they hope, the White House administration, on her coattails. They didn't raise money for him, but for her. They didn't do anything at all for him, as a matter of fact, except spread rumours about how awful he was, etc, etc, but aren't they excited about being able to attend the Inaguration now!
After all, it's an opportunity, and this surely is the land of opportunity! Hey, if Obama can be President, why can't all these insignificant, self-aggrandizing opportunists use this chance to promote themselves? Throw an event or two, pretend you're important, and be certain to tell every person who will listen to you, who has less power than you and is stupider than you, that you are soo important! Guess what, they'll believe you!
This inauguration is not about self-promotion, much as these cynical Clintonites like to think. On this upcoming day of service celebrating Martin Luther King's birthday, it is important for these people to recall that it isn't just "the day before the inauguration when I can possibly hob-knob with the person who stands next to the person who stands next to Obama"--it's about what you can do. Not about hiring celebrities for your function or bragging to every person who will listen what you have done. It's about doing something and not bragging. It's about just doing something to help people who don't have the money you were born into. It's about serving.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Israel Is Wrong
For some reason, we are never allowed to criticize what Israelis do with their neighbors. It's somehow wrong because of the Holocaust.
That is a specious argument. Chinese people suffered horribly at the hands of the Japanese during that same World War: II. And people think it is absolutely fine to criticize China. All the time. They say, but it's different. China violates people's human rights. Look how they treat the ethnic minorities. Look how they treat Tibetans. They took over their land. They have denuded the culture.
So what about what Israel has done to Palestinians? That's not even their land. Their country. And yet the Israelis enforce what goes in and out of Palestine, especially the Gaza strip. Thousands of Israelis think it is their right to live in Gaza and they frankly have never really left. They just moved. And do you know about that huge wall that separates where the Israelis live and the Palestinians? That again limits Palestinians access to basic necessities? Like water? Food?
Have you seen the enormous difference in lifestyle between the Israelis and the Palestinians? Just across this border? And they have absolutely no say in the matter?
It is completely absurd for Israelis to say, "Well, there are militants hiding amongst the civilians so it's okay for us to invade them, bomb them and basically kill anyone in the way. If they want us to stop, make Hamas stop."
Okay, so since when did Israelis listen to their civilians regarding military action? When did civilians have any power in persuading men with guns to change their minds? That's right, never. It's a specious argument that demonstrates the Israeli military/government mindset.
And for Bush to say, Hamas has to stop for the Israelis to stop is again, intentionally obtuse. Rocket fire? Killed three people. Israelis? Killed hundreds. Of civilians. Who again have absolutely no control over the men with guns. It is so clear that Bush believes in personal responsibility, as he has demonstrated over and over again, only on the part of his enemies. He never demands it of his allies. Like Cheney. Rove. Rumsfeld. Or the supporters who have received millions of dollars in military contracts from his Invasion, not War, people, Invasion, of Iraq.
That is a specious argument. Chinese people suffered horribly at the hands of the Japanese during that same World War: II. And people think it is absolutely fine to criticize China. All the time. They say, but it's different. China violates people's human rights. Look how they treat the ethnic minorities. Look how they treat Tibetans. They took over their land. They have denuded the culture.
So what about what Israel has done to Palestinians? That's not even their land. Their country. And yet the Israelis enforce what goes in and out of Palestine, especially the Gaza strip. Thousands of Israelis think it is their right to live in Gaza and they frankly have never really left. They just moved. And do you know about that huge wall that separates where the Israelis live and the Palestinians? That again limits Palestinians access to basic necessities? Like water? Food?
Have you seen the enormous difference in lifestyle between the Israelis and the Palestinians? Just across this border? And they have absolutely no say in the matter?
It is completely absurd for Israelis to say, "Well, there are militants hiding amongst the civilians so it's okay for us to invade them, bomb them and basically kill anyone in the way. If they want us to stop, make Hamas stop."
Okay, so since when did Israelis listen to their civilians regarding military action? When did civilians have any power in persuading men with guns to change their minds? That's right, never. It's a specious argument that demonstrates the Israeli military/government mindset.
And for Bush to say, Hamas has to stop for the Israelis to stop is again, intentionally obtuse. Rocket fire? Killed three people. Israelis? Killed hundreds. Of civilians. Who again have absolutely no control over the men with guns. It is so clear that Bush believes in personal responsibility, as he has demonstrated over and over again, only on the part of his enemies. He never demands it of his allies. Like Cheney. Rove. Rumsfeld. Or the supporters who have received millions of dollars in military contracts from his Invasion, not War, people, Invasion, of Iraq.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Racial Profiling Middle Easterners at Airports
Of course, the family of 9 was Muslim. In the LA Times today was a story about a Muslim family removed from the plane, then AirTran refused to let them back on. All because two white teenagers heard two of the 9 talking about where the safest part of the plane was.
If this seems legitimate to you, let's take this from another stance. Would this have happened to a white family of 9? Would 9 family members from a white family even be traveling together? But if they were, would this have happened to them if, say, two teenagers who were from the Middle East reported them? Doubtful again.
The TSA justified what AirTran officials did because they said that it was according to protocol. Which protocol? The "violate your civil rights" protocol if you're of color or the "safety first" protocol which seems to justify violating civil rights? If, that is, you're colored. Interesting how the issue of civil rights, human rights, gets glossed right over when white people seem concerned about what colored people are doing. But they are sooo concerned about human rights when they talk about China and the Chinese government's treatment of their minorities. No one ever thinks about how the U.S. government treats its minorities.
Who says that racism and racial profiling isn't still institutionalized?
If this seems legitimate to you, let's take this from another stance. Would this have happened to a white family of 9? Would 9 family members from a white family even be traveling together? But if they were, would this have happened to them if, say, two teenagers who were from the Middle East reported them? Doubtful again.
The TSA justified what AirTran officials did because they said that it was according to protocol. Which protocol? The "violate your civil rights" protocol if you're of color or the "safety first" protocol which seems to justify violating civil rights? If, that is, you're colored. Interesting how the issue of civil rights, human rights, gets glossed right over when white people seem concerned about what colored people are doing. But they are sooo concerned about human rights when they talk about China and the Chinese government's treatment of their minorities. No one ever thinks about how the U.S. government treats its minorities.
Who says that racism and racial profiling isn't still institutionalized?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
park
wing #1