Bliss and Bigotry

Bob Herbert says it all.

Fetal Rights?

Wow, it has just been a banner day, hasn't it? I found this particularly alarming. The House just passed a bill that would criminalize killing a fetus. That is, if someone, in committing violence against a pregnant woman kills a fetus in the process, that killing of the fetus would be a separate crime. It is no secret that this is just a back door way to attempt to overturn Roe v. Wade. The bill defines a fetus , or rather an "unborn child" as "a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb." Not that you needed another reason, but this just adds to the list of reasons why we should all go to The March for Women's Lives.

Hey, Kerry, you lost my vote!

Well the word is out that Kerry backs state ban on gay marriage. Though he was one of only 14 senators to oppose the Federal Defense of Marriage act, because he thought it was gay bashing, that line of reasoning is apparently out the window. Even an amendment that provides for civil unions would still enshrine discrimination into our state constitution by banning gay marriage. It would be an embarrassment and a smear on Massachusetts's long history of advancing freedom and equality. This is about far more than semantics and far more than "who gets to use the 'm' word." A civil union is likely effective only within this state's borders. It has no portability. It may not provide the many many rights that are federally funded but state administered and it certainly won't allow for a challenge to gain federal rights. I don't know if this is Kerry's true heartfelt belief or that this is political maneuvering. I am sure he's afraid of the label "liberal senator from Massachusetts." Well, he has clearly now proven that that label no longer applies. Shame on you, John.

Not Bush Lite

This is a good response to those Nader supporters and "Deaniacs" who seem convinced that Kerry (and Edwards) are simply Bush Lite. Granted, neither of them are as far left as I'd like them to be...but they are a far far cry from the ultra-right-wing person occupying the Oval office. If you want to criticize the current viable Dems, fine, then do so. Tell them to push their agendas. Tell them what they need to do to get your vote. But to simply call them Bush Lite is cowardly and irresponsible.

Bush's Ban

Bush urges ban on gay marriage

George W. Bush
do not protect my marriage,
try protecting rights.

While you are at it
give thanks for your job to those
activist judges.

The Weather

February rain
in L.A. is the tax paid
on months of sunshine

Commuting

The Silver Line joke:
a silver bus ain't a train
it's a bumpy ride

The City by the Bay

In San Francisco
beautiful weddings of love
and long denied rights.

The Independent

Ralph Nader's ego
has grown too large. But, don't fear.
We'll still evict Bush.

Duh!

I'm so glad someone finally figured this out! Really? The Silver Line is not the be-all and end-all of modern transportation? I'm shocked! First of all, it is not a "line." It is a BUS! The red, orange, blue, even green, lines are lines, they are trains and street cars on dedicated tracks. The Silver Line is not. No wonder it can't measure up.

Apartment Haiku(s)

Gorgeous apartment
two bedrooms, hardwood floors, porch,
Cambridge, Central Square

Vacant April 1st
laundry in building, great street
close to Inman Square

Windows, light, backyard,
one-thousand square feet, any
takers? Contact me.

Liberal Haiku

Dennis Kucinich
I like your politics, too
bad more don't lean left

Haiku of 2 Johns

Kerry with your chin
can you take us to the top?
or will the "shrub" win?

Edwards, your verbal
flair has promise, but can
you get young George out?

Political doubt Haiku

Kerry or Edwards
to be or not to be our
president. Who knows?

Political Haiku

Goodbye Howard Dean
Where'd you spend that forty mil?
Wasted donations.

Food Haiku

Call me Eeyore: thistles,*
also known as artichokes,
are delicious. Yum.

* yes, I know that line has six syllables instead of five. poetic license?

Baseball

So, it seems the evil empire has signed A-Rod. What exactly does this mean? Are they dumping Jeter? And, why didn't these negotiations ever hit the rumor mill? I mean, when the Red Sox were negoitating it was all over the news. And now we don't hear about it until he signs? Well, I for one am happy to cheer on Nomar. Go Red Sox!

Hours of Fun!

This will give you hours of unrestrained hilarity! It's the"Dishonest Dubya Lying Action Figure." Be the first on your block to own one! Be the envy of friends and neighbors! Piss off republicans everywhere you go!

Of Whales, Water and Wine

Whales and Water: Last night, finally, I watched Whale Rider. It was a wonderful, beautiful film on more than one level, which, of course, the best movies are. It was set (and filmed) in a small Maori community in eastern New Zealand on the coast. The scenery was stunning, both land and sea. The story, too, was beautiful and spare and simply told and the acting seemed filled with honesty and integrity. Perhaps this was in part the young girl around whom the movie was centered, one who had not acted before. The emotions her character went through were visible on her face, as was true with the rest of the more veteran actors. And last night I slept soundly and dreamt of the ocean... and of whales, whose surprisingly graceful images were an integral part of the film.


Water and Wine: I have been meaning to write for sometime about Cork Boat, by John Pollack. In his book, John tells the story of a childhood dream fulfilled: to build a boat entirely of wine corks. He tells his story well, and you are compelled to keep reading to find out not only how he accomplished his boat building feat, but also, what came next. It is a book that is filled with humor, good spirit, adventure, ingenuity, tenacity, a hint of politics, memory, poignancy, family and a journey. I highly recommend it.

Mixed bag

So, last night on my way home I stopped at the video store and rented:
-The Avengers, 1967, volume 1
-Midnight Cowboy
-Whale Rider

I then went to the grocery store and bought:
-4 packages of tofu
-an 8 pack of snack size yogurt
-an artichoke
-a pound of red meat

I feel like all these items should be in that scene on Sesame Street in which they would sing "One of these things is not like the other...."

Did you write the book of love?

did you write the patriot act,
and do you have faith in un's pact?
if dick cheney tells you "no."
do you believe in awol bush,
and should we save some arab tush,
and can you teach me how to snub nato?

well i know destruction could be mass
unless we kick iraqi ass,
we bombed them in basra.
i dig that shock and awe!
we left poor mosul in a pinch,
but israel thinks we're a mensch,
while we were saving private lynch
the day the statue died.

i started singing
bye bye you iraqi bad guy
drove my hummer through the summer
but the bummer won't die
and rummy's boys drinkin' whiskey and rye
sayin' this'll be the day saddam dies
this'll be the day saddam dies.

--Weird Al

break over

and it's back to politics. the massachusetts constitutional convention defeated finneran's constitutional ammendment by a hair. they are now debating traviglini's. for updates, go to www.boston.com. and if your senator/representative voted the right way, thank her/him. and if your senator/representative voted the wrong chastise him/her.

Work Haiku

hum from computer
numbing glare of fluorescent
light drains energy

haiku caveat

note: i'm new to the haiku (unless you count my attempts in the fourth grade in Mrs. Campeau's class) so, just playing around here... and taking a break from politics...

Winter Haiku2

buried 'neath blankets
furnace rumbles into night
long for chirping birds

Winter Haiku

melted snow seeps in
warm toes now chilled -- leaky shoes
so tired of puddles

Legal News from MA

Gays Have Full Marriage Rights, Massachusetts Court Says At last the SJC has confirmed that it meant what it said. Hurrah!