Happy tax day!
Wince.
Shall we?
As some of you know, a debate broke out in the comment section of my Autism Awareness Month post.
I’d like to address a couple of things that need addressing.
#1 – On silencing…
A bitch moderates comments and have done so since picking up a few racist trolls my first year of blogging. Some comments get rejected – if they are off topic, rancidly racist or threaten violence I hit the rejection button without shame. Other comments are published and then responded to. I don’t agree with everyone and everyone doesn’t agree with me, but I don’t reject a comment just because it disagrees with this bitch.
There is a difference between disagreeing and silencing. I speak from personal experience – I’ve been disagreed with and I’ve been silenced.
I’ll continue to have people disagree with me as long as I share my opinions…the two go hand-in-hand.
But I will never be silenced again.
For the record…when a bitch wants someone to shut the fuck up I tell that person to shut the fuck up. When I want someone to get gone I usually say something like “Get thee gone!” If I don’t tell you to shut the fuck up or get gone, then I don’t want you to shut the fuck up or get gone.
#2 – On practicing the fine art of bitchitude and discussing autism…
One key part of practicing the fine art of bitchitude is making sure what you say is what you meant to say.
On the topic of autism, I’d rather say nothing than do damage.
I spent the first half of my life not talking about my brother because a lot of people’s reactions pissed me off or hurt my feelings. My silence was self-imposed and a kind of self-protection…and it resulted in many people not knowing that I had a brother or anything about him. I realized that fact after a chat with a friend who I had known for years who was more than a little hurt that I hadn’t shared about my brother and who accused me of being ashamed of him.
That hurt like hell, but I earned it...and, having earned it, the hurt was all the more painful.
I took that note and painful indictment and did a lot of inner work to get to the point where I feel empowered to openly discuss my life…my sister and brother are a huge part of my life…and I’m pretty sure that everyone knows that now.
Having said that, this bitch ain’t perfect.
Shit, I never claimed to be!
Fantabulous maybe, but not perfect.
And, just as I have called folks out for fucking shit up, I have had folks call me out for fucking shit up on all manner of topics.
Practicing the fine art of bitchitude requires…hell, it demands...having the courage to listen to one’s critics and learn from that which is valid. I’ve done that on a lot of issues…when I look back at some of my early posts on feminism I sometimes want to pull them down, but they reflect my journey and sometimes I need to look back to appreciate where I currently am.
I am absolutely certain that the same can be said of my posts on autism.
So, when critics in my comment section highlight that my using the phrase “live with autism” to describe my life is inaccurate and insults them…I listen.
I’ll confess that the prince to pauper tone of certain comments got my back up…and ‘tis difficult to listen to someone who just pissed you off…but if I only listened to comments that didn’t piss me off I’d only hear praise and that’s not a recipe for growth.
I paused…reflected…considered…and acknowledge that the use of that phrase and other phrases sends a message that I don’t want to and never intended to send.
I won’t use it again.
I won’t edit it out of previously published posts…that’s about the journey and being able to look back and note from whence I have come.
But I won’t use it again.
Thank you to those who commented…in support or in condemnation…and thank you to those of you who sent personal emails.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Pondering the benefit of the doubt...
Shall we?
A bitch used to live in Dallas Texas, where I was in sales. I worked for a firm that sold broadcast radio nationally. It was a high-pressure job and our team often took lunch-based excursions to balance out the stress.
Some background – my boss and I often discussed racism in and outside of the workplace. I worked on a lot of marketing campaigns for urban (translation – black) radio stations, so the topic came up from time to time. My boss, like a lot of people, was one to give folks the benefit of the doubt when it came to covert racism…and this bitch was one to call shit the shit that it is, covert or overt or someplace in the middle.
Anyhoo…
One day we went to Northpark Mall, which houses several high-end stores including Neiman Marcus. We popped from store to store, grabbed a nice lunch (chicken Caesar salads, sweet tea and strawberries with cream…yum!) and then went to Neimans. At the time, Neiman Marcus was the only store in town that sold the makeup I wore and that makeup was really the only thing I could afford at Neiman Marcus. I broke away from our crew to go to the makeup counter, saying that I’d meet up with them in the shoe department after I scored some lipstick.
Needless to say, I was waiting at the makeup counter for sometime…a long time…long enough for my co-workers to go through the shoe department, try on several pairs of shoes, wander through handbags and then wonder what the fuck happened to my ass.
What happened was that the woman working the counter was indulging in a public display of not seeing the black woman who had yet to be waited on.
I made eye contact with her…and watched as she left her station to go to another station to wait on folks there. I continued to observe her as she returned to her station, went to the back storage area and then left again without asking me if I needed help. The place wasn’t exactly busy…but the woman managed to help several people who came over after me.
When my co-workers walked up and asked me what was taking so long I explained the situation calmly…this wasn’t my first time at the dance…and watched the skepticism leap into my bosses eyes. It stayed there until the woman who apparently didn’t see my black ass waiting at the counter for damn near 30 minutes came over and, instead of asking me if I needed help, asked my boss how she could help her.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
And my boss went from skeptical to fired up in the blink of an eye.
She went off.
I stood back in shock, as she demanded to see the manager and scolded the woman for her public display of not seeing the black woman waiting at the counter. Suffice it to say, I got a store credit and apology and everyone was soooo sorry that I had to wait but…wait for it… “She didn’t see you waiting there and you should have said something sooner!!!”
Sigh.
My boss vented and ranted about it on the drive back…at the office throughout the remainder of the day…and during our meeting the next day.
She was shocked.
She was offended.
She couldn’t believe how calm I was.
And, after I explained to her that if I got fired up over every incident I’d cease to function, I then explained that I was going to address it and would have addressed it…but she fired up so fast I never got a chance.
That incident remains one of those moments when I got to see how other people experience the racism visited upon we people of color. There is often denial and skepticism…that shit can open a serious rift, ‘cause nothing pisses a body off more than being told you are over-reacting to something that you know quite well but they know little about. I’ll confess that half the reason I didn’t just walk away from that makeup counter was because I knew that I’d have to explain why I didn’t get the makeup and then my boss would have made some lame ass excuse for why I hadn’t been waited on and then I’d get pissed at her and…well, yeah.
Sigh.
But sometimes…when an incident like that happens…sometimes there is a realization like the one my boss had. A realization that racism does happen and it isn't always blatant and obvious, complete with hoods and Confederate flags.
There is a reason I don’t automatically give folks the benefit of the doubt...
...just as there is a reason why my boss did and probably still does.
Oh, and I moved on to MAC ‘cause they know how to treat a bitch and they have fantabulous lipstick.
Blink.
A bitch used to live in Dallas Texas, where I was in sales. I worked for a firm that sold broadcast radio nationally. It was a high-pressure job and our team often took lunch-based excursions to balance out the stress.
Some background – my boss and I often discussed racism in and outside of the workplace. I worked on a lot of marketing campaigns for urban (translation – black) radio stations, so the topic came up from time to time. My boss, like a lot of people, was one to give folks the benefit of the doubt when it came to covert racism…and this bitch was one to call shit the shit that it is, covert or overt or someplace in the middle.
Anyhoo…
One day we went to Northpark Mall, which houses several high-end stores including Neiman Marcus. We popped from store to store, grabbed a nice lunch (chicken Caesar salads, sweet tea and strawberries with cream…yum!) and then went to Neimans. At the time, Neiman Marcus was the only store in town that sold the makeup I wore and that makeup was really the only thing I could afford at Neiman Marcus. I broke away from our crew to go to the makeup counter, saying that I’d meet up with them in the shoe department after I scored some lipstick.
Needless to say, I was waiting at the makeup counter for sometime…a long time…long enough for my co-workers to go through the shoe department, try on several pairs of shoes, wander through handbags and then wonder what the fuck happened to my ass.
What happened was that the woman working the counter was indulging in a public display of not seeing the black woman who had yet to be waited on.
I made eye contact with her…and watched as she left her station to go to another station to wait on folks there. I continued to observe her as she returned to her station, went to the back storage area and then left again without asking me if I needed help. The place wasn’t exactly busy…but the woman managed to help several people who came over after me.
When my co-workers walked up and asked me what was taking so long I explained the situation calmly…this wasn’t my first time at the dance…and watched the skepticism leap into my bosses eyes. It stayed there until the woman who apparently didn’t see my black ass waiting at the counter for damn near 30 minutes came over and, instead of asking me if I needed help, asked my boss how she could help her.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
And my boss went from skeptical to fired up in the blink of an eye.
She went off.
I stood back in shock, as she demanded to see the manager and scolded the woman for her public display of not seeing the black woman waiting at the counter. Suffice it to say, I got a store credit and apology and everyone was soooo sorry that I had to wait but…wait for it… “She didn’t see you waiting there and you should have said something sooner!!!”
Sigh.
My boss vented and ranted about it on the drive back…at the office throughout the remainder of the day…and during our meeting the next day.
She was shocked.
She was offended.
She couldn’t believe how calm I was.
And, after I explained to her that if I got fired up over every incident I’d cease to function, I then explained that I was going to address it and would have addressed it…but she fired up so fast I never got a chance.
That incident remains one of those moments when I got to see how other people experience the racism visited upon we people of color. There is often denial and skepticism…that shit can open a serious rift, ‘cause nothing pisses a body off more than being told you are over-reacting to something that you know quite well but they know little about. I’ll confess that half the reason I didn’t just walk away from that makeup counter was because I knew that I’d have to explain why I didn’t get the makeup and then my boss would have made some lame ass excuse for why I hadn’t been waited on and then I’d get pissed at her and…well, yeah.
Sigh.
But sometimes…when an incident like that happens…sometimes there is a realization like the one my boss had. A realization that racism does happen and it isn't always blatant and obvious, complete with hoods and Confederate flags.
There is a reason I don’t automatically give folks the benefit of the doubt...
...just as there is a reason why my boss did and probably still does.
Oh, and I moved on to MAC ‘cause they know how to treat a bitch and they have fantabulous lipstick.
Blink.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Daaaamn...
A bitch caught this news bit while cruising through the internets this morning.
Apparently, legislators in Connecticut have a bill that would extend the statute of limitations on child sex abuse cases. The current statute gives victims up to the age of 48 to sue. The proposed legislation would lift that limit and allow people over 48 years old to join lawsuits filed by younger people. My understanding is that the legislation has no impact on the statue of limitation in a criminal investigation, so we’re talking about civil suits.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
The headline of the story caught my attention – “Conn. bishops urge parishes to fight new sex abuse law” – hell, that shit made my Afro hurt.
A bitch’s first reaction after reading the headline followed by the article…
Lawd, have mercy. Somebody ought to be ‘shamed, but that’d be too much like right.
Now I know that you know that I know that you know that Catholic Bishops love politicking and I know that you know that I know that most people know that this latest public display of political organizing by Bishops is about covering ass. A bitch suspects that a lawyer suggested this shit because of pre-existing lawsuits and so forth.
But daaaaaaaaamn.
Religious leaders in Connecticut are urging the faithful to get their activism on against a bill that would allow victims of abuse…not just victims of child sex abuse by priests or Catholics…to seek the only justice still on the table.
Daaaaaaaamn.
A bitch’s second reaction after reading the headline followed by the article…
I mean daaaaaaaamn!
Confessional – a bitch is beyond confused about the laws that govern churches involvement in politics. I used to think that churches risked losing their non-profit status and tax exemptions if they organized politically, lobbied legislators, drafted legislation or openly urged their flock to oppose or support candidates or legislation. But after watching Bishops draft amendments to federal health care reform legislation and then get their lobby on with an expertise one usually only sees from pharmaceutical or oil company lobbyists…and noting that they didn’t seem to fear any ramifications from having publicly done that shit…well, a bitch is confused.
Mayhap the notion that there are laws that prevent churches from getting knee deep in politics up in their congregations is a myth? Could that notion be like chupacabra...more myth than reality but hard to completly discount 'cause so many people talk about it that you have to believe at least part of myth must be real?
Mercy.
A bitch’s final reaction after reading the headline followed by the article and prior to logging on to write this post…
I’ve gotta be honest…this bitch is having the same reaction to news that Connecticut Bishops are asking parishioners to oppose legislation that would allow child sex abuse victims over 48 years old to seek justice in the civil courts against the individuals and/or organization that perpetrated and/or facilitated that abuse that I had while reading articles denouncing investigations of allegations of widespread sex abuse by priests and cover-ups of that shit in multiple countries...
If the church put half as much energy and passion into protecting children and removing predator priests from power as they put into defending the church after children have been abused and avoiding responsibility, odds are Bishops in Connecticut wouldn’t be in a position to fear legislation that would allow victims of child sex abuse over 48 years old to seek the only justice still on the table.
Blink.
Apparently, legislators in Connecticut have a bill that would extend the statute of limitations on child sex abuse cases. The current statute gives victims up to the age of 48 to sue. The proposed legislation would lift that limit and allow people over 48 years old to join lawsuits filed by younger people. My understanding is that the legislation has no impact on the statue of limitation in a criminal investigation, so we’re talking about civil suits.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
The headline of the story caught my attention – “Conn. bishops urge parishes to fight new sex abuse law” – hell, that shit made my Afro hurt.
A bitch’s first reaction after reading the headline followed by the article…
Lawd, have mercy. Somebody ought to be ‘shamed, but that’d be too much like right.
Now I know that you know that I know that you know that Catholic Bishops love politicking and I know that you know that I know that most people know that this latest public display of political organizing by Bishops is about covering ass. A bitch suspects that a lawyer suggested this shit because of pre-existing lawsuits and so forth.
But daaaaaaaaamn.
Religious leaders in Connecticut are urging the faithful to get their activism on against a bill that would allow victims of abuse…not just victims of child sex abuse by priests or Catholics…to seek the only justice still on the table.
Daaaaaaaamn.
A bitch’s second reaction after reading the headline followed by the article…
I mean daaaaaaaamn!
Confessional – a bitch is beyond confused about the laws that govern churches involvement in politics. I used to think that churches risked losing their non-profit status and tax exemptions if they organized politically, lobbied legislators, drafted legislation or openly urged their flock to oppose or support candidates or legislation. But after watching Bishops draft amendments to federal health care reform legislation and then get their lobby on with an expertise one usually only sees from pharmaceutical or oil company lobbyists…and noting that they didn’t seem to fear any ramifications from having publicly done that shit…well, a bitch is confused.
Mayhap the notion that there are laws that prevent churches from getting knee deep in politics up in their congregations is a myth? Could that notion be like chupacabra...more myth than reality but hard to completly discount 'cause so many people talk about it that you have to believe at least part of myth must be real?
Mercy.
A bitch’s final reaction after reading the headline followed by the article and prior to logging on to write this post…
I’ve gotta be honest…this bitch is having the same reaction to news that Connecticut Bishops are asking parishioners to oppose legislation that would allow child sex abuse victims over 48 years old to seek justice in the civil courts against the individuals and/or organization that perpetrated and/or facilitated that abuse that I had while reading articles denouncing investigations of allegations of widespread sex abuse by priests and cover-ups of that shit in multiple countries...
If the church put half as much energy and passion into protecting children and removing predator priests from power as they put into defending the church after children have been abused and avoiding responsibility, odds are Bishops in Connecticut wouldn’t be in a position to fear legislation that would allow victims of child sex abuse over 48 years old to seek the only justice still on the table.
Blink.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Radical my black ass…
Pause.
Stretch.
Give Theo the sorta-beagle a nice belly rub.
Begin.
A bitch is radical...or so I've been told (wink).
Obviously…since I’m an activist…I’d like to see the world reset itself so that my values aren’t so damn radical and my ass doesn’t have to get militant on shit.
But, at present, a bitch is what I am and the world is mostly fubar.
A lot of folks on the right and some Stupakian motherfuckers who have been allowed to pitch tents on the edge of the left (Gawd forbid the move all the way in) have been making noise about how radical President Obama is…how he’s a militant and a Socialist and blah followed by blah followed by another fucking blah.
Radical?
Obama?
Yeah right…I wish!
Sincerely.
I wish Obama had pushed through single payer health care reform.
I wish the masses had demanded that shit instead of embracing fear despite the realities on the ground then bitching about the moderate as hell reforms that Obama managed to push through.
I wish the wars were over and our troops were home. And I sure as hell wish the masses demanded that shit.
I wish the masses would get their rally on to protest religious leaders writing federal legislation, lobbying against birth control and generally working their religious asses off to turn dogma into law.
I wish CNN had the opportunity to show hour after hour of video of anti-poverty marchers descending on D.C. and speaking truth to power.
I wish anchors on CNN called bullshit on homophobic freaks masquerading as experts who preach that gay is a disease and they’ve got the cure rather than provide a platform for that shit.
Shit.
I wish there was a whole lot more radical out there…so much radical that radical was mainstream and this bitch could spend time working to keep shit that way.
But that is not the case anymore than Obama is a radical.
Pause.
Consider.
Give Theo the sorta-beagle another belly rub.
Continue.
Do you know how conservative your ass has to be to even think Obama is radical?
Yeah…uh huh…your ass has to be so far to the right that you can see folks on the left out your damn window!
Blink.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Virginia – it ain’t for lovers anymore…
Let’s jump right on in, shall we?
I am forever amazed that America remains the only nation in the world (I've yet to find another) to allow the flag of an organization that engaged in an armed insurrection against our government to fly over state government property. This is America and individuals have the right to praise and honor anti-government insurgencies, but when government does that shit it’s an entirely different thang. I speak from personal experience, since Missouri had a Governor who pandered to his Confederate adoring base while in office…ignoring the fact that Missouri state spiraled into horrific guerilla warfare during the Civil War and is still dealing with the ramifications of that shit today.
Sigh.
And now Virginia isn’t for lovers anymore.
The Governor of Virginia has proclaimed that April is Confederate History Month.
Let’s call shit shit…Virginia will not be engaging in a comprehensive exploration of it’s history with the Confederacy. Virginia will be honoring the Confederacy while ignoring any and all negatives. Token criticism may occur…but the goal here is to make supporters of the Confederacy happy and they aren’t happy about criticism.
Some will argue that the Governor of Virginia has the right to proclaim April Confederate History Month…and they are probably correct.
But by doing so he has branded Virginia as a pro-Confederacy anti-America rebellion honoring state…a place where folks who support the ideals of the Confederacy are welcome and a place where residents are encouraged to honor the group behind our most tragic rebellion.
The fact that this panderific move will help Virginia’s Governor with his conservative base is also telling. He could have encouraged investment to create more jobs or improve education and opportunities for higher education…but his conservative base wants a month honoring Confederate history.
Illuminating, isn’t it?
Sigh again.
I have no nostalgia for the Civil War.
623,026 American soldiers died…countless others were maimed and injured…society was torn asunder…President Lincoln was assassinated...and many states still nurse the wounds of our nation’s homegrown insurgency.
No, I don’t get nostalgic for that shit.
I believe in exploring history…the good, the bad and the ugly of it.
We can avoid tragedy if we learn from tragedies…
…but we do nothing but encourage tragedy and division when we exalt tragedies.
But here we are…and Virginia is now for lovers of the Confederacy.
Next step in the re-branding of Virginia tourism – how about a Birth of a Nation advertising campaign?
Blink.
I am forever amazed that America remains the only nation in the world (I've yet to find another) to allow the flag of an organization that engaged in an armed insurrection against our government to fly over state government property. This is America and individuals have the right to praise and honor anti-government insurgencies, but when government does that shit it’s an entirely different thang. I speak from personal experience, since Missouri had a Governor who pandered to his Confederate adoring base while in office…ignoring the fact that Missouri state spiraled into horrific guerilla warfare during the Civil War and is still dealing with the ramifications of that shit today.
Sigh.
And now Virginia isn’t for lovers anymore.
The Governor of Virginia has proclaimed that April is Confederate History Month.
Let’s call shit shit…Virginia will not be engaging in a comprehensive exploration of it’s history with the Confederacy. Virginia will be honoring the Confederacy while ignoring any and all negatives. Token criticism may occur…but the goal here is to make supporters of the Confederacy happy and they aren’t happy about criticism.
Some will argue that the Governor of Virginia has the right to proclaim April Confederate History Month…and they are probably correct.
But by doing so he has branded Virginia as a pro-Confederacy anti-America rebellion honoring state…a place where folks who support the ideals of the Confederacy are welcome and a place where residents are encouraged to honor the group behind our most tragic rebellion.
The fact that this panderific move will help Virginia’s Governor with his conservative base is also telling. He could have encouraged investment to create more jobs or improve education and opportunities for higher education…but his conservative base wants a month honoring Confederate history.
Illuminating, isn’t it?
Sigh again.
I have no nostalgia for the Civil War.
623,026 American soldiers died…countless others were maimed and injured…society was torn asunder…President Lincoln was assassinated...and many states still nurse the wounds of our nation’s homegrown insurgency.
No, I don’t get nostalgic for that shit.
I believe in exploring history…the good, the bad and the ugly of it.
We can avoid tragedy if we learn from tragedies…
…but we do nothing but encourage tragedy and division when we exalt tragedies.
But here we are…and Virginia is now for lovers of the Confederacy.
Next step in the re-branding of Virginia tourism – how about a Birth of a Nation advertising campaign?
Blink.
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
On the West Virginia mine explosion…
25 miners have been killed in an explosion at a West Virginia mine.
4 miners are still missing.
I cannot imagine…there are no words.
My deepest sympathy to those touched by this tragedy…
4 miners are still missing.
I cannot imagine…there are no words.
My deepest sympathy to those touched by this tragedy…
Monday, April 05, 2010
Reminder - there’s an election tomorrow…
…for some of y’all!
Tomorrow, April 6th, some of y’all have an election and will need to go get your vote on.
The League of Women Voters of St. Louis, in collaboration with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, has published their Voter’s Guide and it’s online.
So, make sure you take time tomorrow to vote!
Sunday, April 04, 2010
...but simply for the doing and the spirit behind it.
April 4th is the anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis.
I lost my own father in the month of April and I can’t help but think of the King children today…yes, even that tragically hateful homophobic anti-choice niece. I know how hard it is to lose a good parent…not a perfect one, but a parent who loved you and who you know loved you…and I can’t imagine what it was like to lose that kind of person at such a young age.
Today I am remembering King for the work he was doing when he was murdered…for how his activism had matured and led him to the Poor People’s Campaign in 1968, to his support of black sanitary public works employees on strike for higher wages and better treatment…and that led, ultimately, to that balcony at The Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
Toward the end of his life King spoke of a government that demonstrated hostility toward the poor…of an American society that was in need of a radical reconstruction.
I thought I understood what he was talking about…but I realize that I didn’t truly get it until I became an activist and started paying closer attention to government.
There are those in government who think that the wages of poverty are misery, hunger and want. Cynthia Davis may take heat for saying that shit, but a lot of folks in government are right there with her…silently agreeing even as they curse Davis for bringing that shit up after they’ve worked so hard to create Soylent Green-esque rhetoric that has poor people voting for rich people who hate poor people.
I’m remembering the evolution of King as activist...how he connected the dots over time and came to understand how war, oppression, poverty and the condition of workers all tied together to keep The Man in power and the masses spinning in circles pausing only to lash out at each other for fear of losing what little they let us have.
I’m remembering King as an example of what people can do…of what we all could do if we choose to do it.
Not for a perfection of theory or tactic…not even for the outcomes, but simply for the doing and the spirit behind it.
I’m remembering, in that way we who did not live through it remember, the violence that follows…that is stirred up by those who need it to manifest…the violence that has the goal of creating fear, so the people are struck frozen like deer in the headlights or lay cowering like abused beasts in the corner praying the pain will stop even as they know that it will continue.
And I know that it is with courage that activists remember King by getting our action on…keeping our eyes on that prize…walking forward toward that mountain top...
...onward, for the many slain along the way to justice and equality and for those who deserve all that and more because human beings deserve all that and more.
I lost my own father in the month of April and I can’t help but think of the King children today…yes, even that tragically hateful homophobic anti-choice niece. I know how hard it is to lose a good parent…not a perfect one, but a parent who loved you and who you know loved you…and I can’t imagine what it was like to lose that kind of person at such a young age.
Today I am remembering King for the work he was doing when he was murdered…for how his activism had matured and led him to the Poor People’s Campaign in 1968, to his support of black sanitary public works employees on strike for higher wages and better treatment…and that led, ultimately, to that balcony at The Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
Toward the end of his life King spoke of a government that demonstrated hostility toward the poor…of an American society that was in need of a radical reconstruction.
I thought I understood what he was talking about…but I realize that I didn’t truly get it until I became an activist and started paying closer attention to government.
There are those in government who think that the wages of poverty are misery, hunger and want. Cynthia Davis may take heat for saying that shit, but a lot of folks in government are right there with her…silently agreeing even as they curse Davis for bringing that shit up after they’ve worked so hard to create Soylent Green-esque rhetoric that has poor people voting for rich people who hate poor people.
I’m remembering the evolution of King as activist...how he connected the dots over time and came to understand how war, oppression, poverty and the condition of workers all tied together to keep The Man in power and the masses spinning in circles pausing only to lash out at each other for fear of losing what little they let us have.
I’m remembering King as an example of what people can do…of what we all could do if we choose to do it.
Not for a perfection of theory or tactic…not even for the outcomes, but simply for the doing and the spirit behind it.
I’m remembering, in that way we who did not live through it remember, the violence that follows…that is stirred up by those who need it to manifest…the violence that has the goal of creating fear, so the people are struck frozen like deer in the headlights or lay cowering like abused beasts in the corner praying the pain will stop even as they know that it will continue.
And I know that it is with courage that activists remember King by getting our action on…keeping our eyes on that prize…walking forward toward that mountain top...
...onward, for the many slain along the way to justice and equality and for those who deserve all that and more because human beings deserve all that and more.
Friday, April 02, 2010
By request – is a bitch a diva?
Shall we?
A certain Mary from way down under in Sydney (hello Australia!) sent this bitch an email asking me whether I consider myself a diva.
Well, that’s the first time I’ve been asked that question!
A bitch is a bitch, but I don’t want to be a diva nor do I consider myself a diva. We’re not talking about opera divas…like the fantabulous Maria Callas. We’re talking about divas among us…more along the lines of certain celebrities who have a reputation for being difficult in a bad way.
Confession - this bitch is often “difficult” in a good way. When it comes to my activism, I believe in speaking my mind…I have expectations and I hold those in power accountable. As the recent home training fail demonstrated by Missouri legislators in response to an animal rights group’s activism in lobbying against a horse slaughter bill, those in power aren’t used to and don’t appreciate hearing from the masses…thus, they find those of us who do it “difficult”.
But that doesn’t make me a diva.
I’ve been wrong (rarely…very rarely…like Haley’s Comet!) and, thank the gods, I have people in my life that will look me in the eye and tell me my ass is wrong. More importantly, I work hard to be the kind of person who can hear that shit and appreciate the spirit in which it has been given…rather than fluff my Afro and tell folks to kiss my black ass.
Divas, in my opinion, lack self-confidence. Oh, I know that they appear to be confident as a motherfucker…but I find their random tests of adoration rather telling and extremely annoying…like when Madonna demanded a present from Warren Beatty in Truth or Dare then bragged when she got one.
That ain’t me.
But I know that some folks have reclaimed divadom as a positive thang…more of a celebration of self than a manipulation of others. I suppose that’s okay, but since my personal experience with divas has been that they are vain materialistic insecure pains in the ass…well, it’ll take some time for me to transition to that revised definition.
Anyhoo, at present time a bitch does not consider myself a diva.
Hell, I’m still refining my bitchitude...this shit ain't easy!
Wink.
Toodles!
A certain Mary from way down under in Sydney (hello Australia!) sent this bitch an email asking me whether I consider myself a diva.
Well, that’s the first time I’ve been asked that question!
A bitch is a bitch, but I don’t want to be a diva nor do I consider myself a diva. We’re not talking about opera divas…like the fantabulous Maria Callas. We’re talking about divas among us…more along the lines of certain celebrities who have a reputation for being difficult in a bad way.
Confession - this bitch is often “difficult” in a good way. When it comes to my activism, I believe in speaking my mind…I have expectations and I hold those in power accountable. As the recent home training fail demonstrated by Missouri legislators in response to an animal rights group’s activism in lobbying against a horse slaughter bill, those in power aren’t used to and don’t appreciate hearing from the masses…thus, they find those of us who do it “difficult”.
But that doesn’t make me a diva.
I’ve been wrong (rarely…very rarely…like Haley’s Comet!) and, thank the gods, I have people in my life that will look me in the eye and tell me my ass is wrong. More importantly, I work hard to be the kind of person who can hear that shit and appreciate the spirit in which it has been given…rather than fluff my Afro and tell folks to kiss my black ass.
Divas, in my opinion, lack self-confidence. Oh, I know that they appear to be confident as a motherfucker…but I find their random tests of adoration rather telling and extremely annoying…like when Madonna demanded a present from Warren Beatty in Truth or Dare then bragged when she got one.
That ain’t me.
But I know that some folks have reclaimed divadom as a positive thang…more of a celebration of self than a manipulation of others. I suppose that’s okay, but since my personal experience with divas has been that they are vain materialistic insecure pains in the ass…well, it’ll take some time for me to transition to that revised definition.
Anyhoo, at present time a bitch does not consider myself a diva.
Hell, I’m still refining my bitchitude...this shit ain't easy!
Wink.
Toodles!
Thursday, April 01, 2010
On Autism Awareness Month…
My older brother is autistic.
His name is Bill.
He’s aphasic, so he doesn’t speak in sentences or all that often…and he’s a charmer, loves to eat sometimes foods all the time and is a master of the barbeque grill (with supervision…lots and lots of supervision).
Growing up with autism in my world has taught me a lot about communication…about the power of sound, the meaning behind high pitched wails or low rumbling laughter.
Autism has taught me the precious value of a hug or a kiss…of eye contact or a quick glance…of a tickle and the giggles it inspires.
I have lived my entire life with autism.
For me and mine, autism is…it just is. Sometimes it’s a pain in the ass and sometimes it is the most amazing thing, but autism is a constant thing not limited to months or years or days when walks take place.
Autism Awareness Month often brings with it a lot of stories about autistic children. I understand why, because so much rides on early diagnosis and therapies and education. But my brother is 39 years old…he’ll be 40 this July (Lawd, have mercy!)…and not enough attention is given to autism after a child with autism becomes an adult with autism.
So, be aware…that my brother’s life isn’t wretched or sad. My sister and I work very hard to make sure that it isn’t.
Bill is not a cure that didn’t happen or a diagnosis…he’s a human being, who gets up every day and goes about his bitness.
Some days are good.
Some days are not so good.
I could say the same about my life.
Be aware…that autistic children will become autistic adults. A body doesn’t grow out of autism. That is not an argument against advocacy for autistic children…but rather a challenge to advocates to extend our work beyond programs for children.
Be aware…that there is a strain on loved ones and that not all of us are parents. I am my brother’s co-guardian and, as such, I often find myself wading through the world of programs and funding…of Medicaid and the Department of Mental Health…of wants versus needs. My sister and I balance our role as sisters with our role as guardians…and we are not the only ones doing it. Families need to plan for a life, not just a childhood…they need support and education on how the system works once a child becomes an adult.
Be aware…that our lives are a different kind of normal.
I grew up knowing that eventually my sister and I would have to take on a guardianship of some sort. I confess that I used to fret about it…I watched my mother become consumed by advocacy and the search for a cure and I worried that I’d never be able to be a sister for all the demands of being my brother’s advocate.
But be aware that my different kind of normal is a life full of happiness and bitchitude and laughter and tears. We have challenges and set backs and achievements and victories.
More often than not, we share a meal…catch up on what’s new…and communicate with each other in a way I never dreamed was possible until it simply was.
Not a life of regrets and guilt, but a life where sometimes my brother gets on my last nerve…and that’s okay, because all brothers can work a nerve.
Sometimes I worry about my brother’s future and happiness…and that’s okay, because people who love each other want the best for each other and sometimes fret over shit like that.
April is Autism Awareness Month…a month out of a year in the lives of millions.
Be aware.
Organize.
Share.
Love.
Act.
Live.
This I write for my brother Bill, lover of sometimes foods all the time, who I love beyond measure even when he works my last nerve.
His name is Bill.
He’s aphasic, so he doesn’t speak in sentences or all that often…and he’s a charmer, loves to eat sometimes foods all the time and is a master of the barbeque grill (with supervision…lots and lots of supervision).
Growing up with autism in my world has taught me a lot about communication…about the power of sound, the meaning behind high pitched wails or low rumbling laughter.
Autism has taught me the precious value of a hug or a kiss…of eye contact or a quick glance…of a tickle and the giggles it inspires.
I have lived my entire life with autism.
For me and mine, autism is…it just is. Sometimes it’s a pain in the ass and sometimes it is the most amazing thing, but autism is a constant thing not limited to months or years or days when walks take place.
Autism Awareness Month often brings with it a lot of stories about autistic children. I understand why, because so much rides on early diagnosis and therapies and education. But my brother is 39 years old…he’ll be 40 this July (Lawd, have mercy!)…and not enough attention is given to autism after a child with autism becomes an adult with autism.
So, be aware…that my brother’s life isn’t wretched or sad. My sister and I work very hard to make sure that it isn’t.
Bill is not a cure that didn’t happen or a diagnosis…he’s a human being, who gets up every day and goes about his bitness.
Some days are good.
Some days are not so good.
I could say the same about my life.
Be aware…that autistic children will become autistic adults. A body doesn’t grow out of autism. That is not an argument against advocacy for autistic children…but rather a challenge to advocates to extend our work beyond programs for children.
Be aware…that there is a strain on loved ones and that not all of us are parents. I am my brother’s co-guardian and, as such, I often find myself wading through the world of programs and funding…of Medicaid and the Department of Mental Health…of wants versus needs. My sister and I balance our role as sisters with our role as guardians…and we are not the only ones doing it. Families need to plan for a life, not just a childhood…they need support and education on how the system works once a child becomes an adult.
Be aware…that our lives are a different kind of normal.
I grew up knowing that eventually my sister and I would have to take on a guardianship of some sort. I confess that I used to fret about it…I watched my mother become consumed by advocacy and the search for a cure and I worried that I’d never be able to be a sister for all the demands of being my brother’s advocate.
But be aware that my different kind of normal is a life full of happiness and bitchitude and laughter and tears. We have challenges and set backs and achievements and victories.
More often than not, we share a meal…catch up on what’s new…and communicate with each other in a way I never dreamed was possible until it simply was.
Not a life of regrets and guilt, but a life where sometimes my brother gets on my last nerve…and that’s okay, because all brothers can work a nerve.
Sometimes I worry about my brother’s future and happiness…and that’s okay, because people who love each other want the best for each other and sometimes fret over shit like that.
April is Autism Awareness Month…a month out of a year in the lives of millions.
Be aware.
Organize.
Share.
Love.
Act.
Live.
This I write for my brother Bill, lover of sometimes foods all the time, who I love beyond measure even when he works my last nerve.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
A few quick quizzicals…
Jumping in…
Militia groups are like roaches…
Most of the media has responded to the FBI’s raid of a Christian Identity militia group by hyper-focusing on that group. That doesn’t make a hell of a lot of sense since these militia groups are like roaches - if there’s one militia group plotting to kill law enforcement officers in a freakish attempt to realize Charles Manson’s dream of a Helter Skelter destruction of civilization out of which these freaks expect to emerge triumphant and rule the world, you can bet your ass there’s another militia group plotting to kill law enforcement officers in a freakish attempt to realize Charles Manson’s dream of a Helter Skelter destruction of civilization out of which these freaks expect to emerge triumphant and rule the world.
Dear mainstream media people, please reach waaaaay back into your memory banks…to when a lot of you pandered to the right and turned your broadcasts and publications into a platform for the GOP to dismiss a certain Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano’s defense of a report citing that…wait for it!..Federal and local law enforcement needed to be on guard for an increase of anti-government Christian Identity racist militia groups following this nation’s election of our first president of color. You there yet? ‘Cause that’s where you mainstream media people need to start when reporting on this shit…not at the point of the raid, as if there’s one group with one plot out there that caught everyone by surprise.
Mercy.
This is our justice system. This is our justice system on privilege.
A certain James "Vertitas" O’Keefe has cashed in like only a straight white man in service to The Man can…and walked away from his public display of a Watergate fetish with a oh so gentle slap on the wrist.
‘Tis more of a caress on the wrist, really.
Cough.
This has all happened before.
This will all happen again.
The GOP, bondage, why strip clubs receipts don’t post the club’s name and who knew there was a club inspired by the movie Eyes Wide Shut?
It appears that someone either has an unfortunate honesty fetish…or is a complete dumb ass…and submitted an expense report to the GOP for expenses racked up at an adult club that’s been described as being based on the movie Eyes Wide Shut. A bitch can’t decide what’s more ridiculous – that someone submitted that freakishly honest expense report or that the GOP paid it.
Pause…consider…continue.
Or maybe that club is the only strip club in America that actually puts their real club name on their receipts…doesn't matter, that shit is still ridiculous.
Actually, the only thing a bitch is surprised about is that someone was “inspired” by Eyes Wide Shut…
…or is there a director’s cut out there featuring the sexual tension that was MIA from the original film?
Blink.
Militia groups are like roaches…
Most of the media has responded to the FBI’s raid of a Christian Identity militia group by hyper-focusing on that group. That doesn’t make a hell of a lot of sense since these militia groups are like roaches - if there’s one militia group plotting to kill law enforcement officers in a freakish attempt to realize Charles Manson’s dream of a Helter Skelter destruction of civilization out of which these freaks expect to emerge triumphant and rule the world, you can bet your ass there’s another militia group plotting to kill law enforcement officers in a freakish attempt to realize Charles Manson’s dream of a Helter Skelter destruction of civilization out of which these freaks expect to emerge triumphant and rule the world.
Dear mainstream media people, please reach waaaaay back into your memory banks…to when a lot of you pandered to the right and turned your broadcasts and publications into a platform for the GOP to dismiss a certain Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano’s defense of a report citing that…wait for it!..Federal and local law enforcement needed to be on guard for an increase of anti-government Christian Identity racist militia groups following this nation’s election of our first president of color. You there yet? ‘Cause that’s where you mainstream media people need to start when reporting on this shit…not at the point of the raid, as if there’s one group with one plot out there that caught everyone by surprise.
Mercy.
This is our justice system. This is our justice system on privilege.
A certain James "Vertitas" O’Keefe has cashed in like only a straight white man in service to The Man can…and walked away from his public display of a Watergate fetish with a oh so gentle slap on the wrist.
‘Tis more of a caress on the wrist, really.
Cough.
This has all happened before.
This will all happen again.
The GOP, bondage, why strip clubs receipts don’t post the club’s name and who knew there was a club inspired by the movie Eyes Wide Shut?
It appears that someone either has an unfortunate honesty fetish…or is a complete dumb ass…and submitted an expense report to the GOP for expenses racked up at an adult club that’s been described as being based on the movie Eyes Wide Shut. A bitch can’t decide what’s more ridiculous – that someone submitted that freakishly honest expense report or that the GOP paid it.
Pause…consider…continue.
Or maybe that club is the only strip club in America that actually puts their real club name on their receipts…doesn't matter, that shit is still ridiculous.
Actually, the only thing a bitch is surprised about is that someone was “inspired” by Eyes Wide Shut…
…or is there a director’s cut out there featuring the sexual tension that was MIA from the original film?
Blink.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Missourians - Ask Your Representative to help stop discrimination!
This message is for the flock of bitchitude in Missouri...
I need y'all to Take Action Now to move equality forward and get the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act passed!
As many of you know this bitch has worked hard for LGBT equality here in my home state of Missouri.
Let me be clear - in the state of Missouri it is currently legal to fire an employee, deny housing, or deny access to public accommodations based n a person's actual of perceived sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
That has never been, is not now and will never be right.
Now it looks like a piece of legislation that will improve the lives of thousands is on the move.
Finally.
MONA, the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (HB 1850, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Webber), will protect all Missourians by adding sexual orientation and gender identity/expression to the current Missouri Human Rights Statute. The bill will apply to employment, housing, and public accommodations.
MONA is on the legislative move and we need to step up and let our voices be heard by telling Missouri legislators that Missourians want them to pass MONA now!
Click here and Take Action NOW to Move Equality Forward in Missouri!
Tell your Representative to vote in favor of the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act NOW!
Let’s do this.
I need y'all to Take Action Now to move equality forward and get the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act passed!
As many of you know this bitch has worked hard for LGBT equality here in my home state of Missouri.
Let me be clear - in the state of Missouri it is currently legal to fire an employee, deny housing, or deny access to public accommodations based n a person's actual of perceived sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
That has never been, is not now and will never be right.
Now it looks like a piece of legislation that will improve the lives of thousands is on the move.
Finally.
MONA, the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act (HB 1850, sponsored by Rep. Stephen Webber), will protect all Missourians by adding sexual orientation and gender identity/expression to the current Missouri Human Rights Statute. The bill will apply to employment, housing, and public accommodations.
MONA is on the legislative move and we need to step up and let our voices be heard by telling Missouri legislators that Missourians want them to pass MONA now!
Click here and Take Action NOW to Move Equality Forward in Missouri!
Tell your Representative to vote in favor of the Missouri Non-Discrimination Act NOW!
Let’s do this.
Friday, March 26, 2010
200 deaf children in Wisconsin…
I have followed the child sex abuse priest Catholic Church scandal in the press.
It hasn’t been easy to read.
I can’t imagine what it was like to endure.
The case…or rather cases…in Wisconsin hit me hard. As the younger sister of a man who is profoundly autistic and aphasic, I carry the worry that someone would abuse him…it’s just there, under the surface all the time. My brother can communicate and he sure as hell lets folks know when he doesn’t like a person, but the worry and fear of abuse never goes away. So, reading that 200 deaf children were abused by a priest hit me hard as hell.
I’m not Catholic, but I don’t have to be to have an opinion about the international priest sex abuse scandals currently being investigated. I’m human…and, as Jodi Jacobson pointed out an article over at RHRealityCheck, the Catholic Church has involved itself in public policy that impacts all of our lives. But even if the Catholic Church wasn’t involved in writing public policy during the federal health care reform debate, it’s various organizations and programs serve children throughout my community in St. Louis Missouri. So, yeah…all of us should be paying attention to news of rampant abuse, a shameful lack of response and the very real potential that known sexual predators were allowed to continue their “work” as part of a cover-up.
Smears happen. People are often caught up in those smears and Lawd knows that the press adores a scandal and could care less should a person be proven innocent.
But the media isn’t smearing the Catholic Church when it reports on these scandals anymore than it smeared China when it investigated and reported on dangerous problems with imported baby formula.
In fact, the media has fallen short on this story...I’m reminded of the priest abuse scandal a few years back and how the press covered it and then tucked it away with little or no follow-up, as if they feared some sort of Da Vinci Code-esque retribution.
Now, there is news of 200 deaf children abused in Wisconsin…and more cases in Poland and Ireland.
Each case…each life…each survivor indicts the institution that failed to protect them, worked to silence them and now strives to discredit them.
This isn’t about smearing and there is no place for schadenfreude here.
There is just disgust…not even shock, not anymore…and concern over what may be happening now only to be covered up in the future.
It hasn’t been easy to read.
I can’t imagine what it was like to endure.
The case…or rather cases…in Wisconsin hit me hard. As the younger sister of a man who is profoundly autistic and aphasic, I carry the worry that someone would abuse him…it’s just there, under the surface all the time. My brother can communicate and he sure as hell lets folks know when he doesn’t like a person, but the worry and fear of abuse never goes away. So, reading that 200 deaf children were abused by a priest hit me hard as hell.
I’m not Catholic, but I don’t have to be to have an opinion about the international priest sex abuse scandals currently being investigated. I’m human…and, as Jodi Jacobson pointed out an article over at RHRealityCheck, the Catholic Church has involved itself in public policy that impacts all of our lives. But even if the Catholic Church wasn’t involved in writing public policy during the federal health care reform debate, it’s various organizations and programs serve children throughout my community in St. Louis Missouri. So, yeah…all of us should be paying attention to news of rampant abuse, a shameful lack of response and the very real potential that known sexual predators were allowed to continue their “work” as part of a cover-up.
Smears happen. People are often caught up in those smears and Lawd knows that the press adores a scandal and could care less should a person be proven innocent.
But the media isn’t smearing the Catholic Church when it reports on these scandals anymore than it smeared China when it investigated and reported on dangerous problems with imported baby formula.
In fact, the media has fallen short on this story...I’m reminded of the priest abuse scandal a few years back and how the press covered it and then tucked it away with little or no follow-up, as if they feared some sort of Da Vinci Code-esque retribution.
Now, there is news of 200 deaf children abused in Wisconsin…and more cases in Poland and Ireland.
Each case…each life…each survivor indicts the institution that failed to protect them, worked to silence them and now strives to discredit them.
This isn’t about smearing and there is no place for schadenfreude here.
There is just disgust…not even shock, not anymore…and concern over what may be happening now only to be covered up in the future.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Back Up Your Birth Control!
Today is Back Up Your Birth Control Day!
Birth control works, but shit happens and people need to be prepared should that happening of shit happen.
Blink.
The good thing is that people can be prepared thanks to the availability of emergency contraception over the counter!
Pause…consider…continue.
Well, actually…emergency contraception is available over the counter to people 18 years old and older.
Younger people still have to get a prescription for emergency contraception.
And the choir asked… “Why’s that, bitch?”
And a bitch replied… “According to a US District Court ruling on March 23, 2009, the FDA “acted in bad faith and in response to political pressure” in imposing the age restriction. The court urged the FDA to re-review the evidence for over-the-counter access to anyone at risk of unintended pregnancy. The FDA has had a year to remove the restriction but has done nothing.”
Click here and tell the FDA that the buzzer has sounded and time is up...time has been up...shit, they are in default!
Today is Back Up Your Birth Control Day, y’all…take action now and tell the FDA to act now so that all women have access to emergency contraception over the counter.
Thanks!
Birth control works, but shit happens and people need to be prepared should that happening of shit happen.
Blink.
The good thing is that people can be prepared thanks to the availability of emergency contraception over the counter!
Pause…consider…continue.
Well, actually…emergency contraception is available over the counter to people 18 years old and older.
Younger people still have to get a prescription for emergency contraception.
And the choir asked… “Why’s that, bitch?”
And a bitch replied… “According to a US District Court ruling on March 23, 2009, the FDA “acted in bad faith and in response to political pressure” in imposing the age restriction. The court urged the FDA to re-review the evidence for over-the-counter access to anyone at risk of unintended pregnancy. The FDA has had a year to remove the restriction but has done nothing.”
Click here and tell the FDA that the buzzer has sounded and time is up...time has been up...shit, they are in default!
Today is Back Up Your Birth Control Day, y’all…take action now and tell the FDA to act now so that all women have access to emergency contraception over the counter.
Thanks!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The best defense is a “holy shit, where did all these pro-choice voters come from?!?” offense...
Tea Bag Party people and whatever the hell group Sarah Palin represents are up in arms, fired up and planning to get their campaign on.
Why?
Well, if the pundits are to be believed ‘tis because of the passage of health care reform. But a bitch is going to call bullshit on that – these people don’t like ANYTHING generated from the Obama administration and health care reform is just the latest item on that long list.
Catch the knee, I’m not saying that there aren’t valid critiques of the health care reform bill – I’m saying that these motherfuckers aren’t making them.
Unfortunately for Republicans, they will have to campaign with these Tea Bag Party people and whatever the hell group Sarah Palin represents…and one should not underestimate the path to fubar that represents.
The GOP must balance playing up the anger out there…and they usually do a good job when they can campaign against something…but they are going to have to walk a very tin line between anger and spitting on people of color after using racial slurs.
That shit ain’t easy! Hell, a perfectly planned event can turn into a shit storm in seconds when anger is also in attendance. Just imagine it – you’ve got an angry crowd of people who are fully prepared to vote against anything so you don’t even have to stand for something and then some asshole you were assured would give a solid “Let’s meet ‘em at the state line” war of northern aggression speech let’s a macaca slip out and you end up spending a week trying to spin that only a small portion of your supporters are ig’nant bigots. That shit may turn on the base, but it turns off independents who like to think they are color blind and who are desperately trying to convince themselves that their never ending doubt of a black man in power isn’t actually a never ending doubt of a black man in power.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
Anyhoo, this shit is going to be one wild ride…
…and this bitch happens to think pro-choicers shouldn’t spend it on the defensive.
Walk with me a moment.
For every action there needs to be a reaction.
Some people are saying that the reason health care reform was so hard to pass is because Democrats were burdened by their party’s support of reproductive choice.
Those people are wrong.
The reason health care reform was so hard to pass…the reason many progressive policy elements were removed…the reason women were thrown under the bus…the reason is because the Democratic Party is burdened by conservative anti-choice Dems.
I’ll repeat – the Democratic Party is burdened by anti-choice, Blue Dawg, lower case “d”, liberal Republicans in Democratic clothing and they must go.
And I don’t want to hear any shit about how we’re going to have to go out there and defend these assholes that gleefully sold women out for a pat on the head from their Bishop.
Reproductive justice activists have been re-energized by the health care reform fight and we need to take it to another level, put our organizing skills to work and identify real progressives to replace the freaks currently holding office.
The best defense is a “holy shit, where did all these pro-choice voters come from?!?” offense.
So, when the opposition says bring it on…
…we need to bring it, hard.
I suggest that we begin with Michigan’s 1st Congressional District and build from there.
Let’s do work!
Why?
Well, if the pundits are to be believed ‘tis because of the passage of health care reform. But a bitch is going to call bullshit on that – these people don’t like ANYTHING generated from the Obama administration and health care reform is just the latest item on that long list.
Catch the knee, I’m not saying that there aren’t valid critiques of the health care reform bill – I’m saying that these motherfuckers aren’t making them.
Unfortunately for Republicans, they will have to campaign with these Tea Bag Party people and whatever the hell group Sarah Palin represents…and one should not underestimate the path to fubar that represents.
The GOP must balance playing up the anger out there…and they usually do a good job when they can campaign against something…but they are going to have to walk a very tin line between anger and spitting on people of color after using racial slurs.
That shit ain’t easy! Hell, a perfectly planned event can turn into a shit storm in seconds when anger is also in attendance. Just imagine it – you’ve got an angry crowd of people who are fully prepared to vote against anything so you don’t even have to stand for something and then some asshole you were assured would give a solid “Let’s meet ‘em at the state line” war of northern aggression speech let’s a macaca slip out and you end up spending a week trying to spin that only a small portion of your supporters are ig’nant bigots. That shit may turn on the base, but it turns off independents who like to think they are color blind and who are desperately trying to convince themselves that their never ending doubt of a black man in power isn’t actually a never ending doubt of a black man in power.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
Anyhoo, this shit is going to be one wild ride…
…and this bitch happens to think pro-choicers shouldn’t spend it on the defensive.
Walk with me a moment.
For every action there needs to be a reaction.
Some people are saying that the reason health care reform was so hard to pass is because Democrats were burdened by their party’s support of reproductive choice.
Those people are wrong.
The reason health care reform was so hard to pass…the reason many progressive policy elements were removed…the reason women were thrown under the bus…the reason is because the Democratic Party is burdened by conservative anti-choice Dems.
I’ll repeat – the Democratic Party is burdened by anti-choice, Blue Dawg, lower case “d”, liberal Republicans in Democratic clothing and they must go.
And I don’t want to hear any shit about how we’re going to have to go out there and defend these assholes that gleefully sold women out for a pat on the head from their Bishop.
Reproductive justice activists have been re-energized by the health care reform fight and we need to take it to another level, put our organizing skills to work and identify real progressives to replace the freaks currently holding office.
The best defense is a “holy shit, where did all these pro-choice voters come from?!?” offense.
So, when the opposition says bring it on…
…we need to bring it, hard.
I suggest that we begin with Michigan’s 1st Congressional District and build from there.
Let’s do work!
Monday, March 22, 2010
On shock and tolerance...
Shall we?
The House of Representatives has passed a health care reform bill.
Over the weekend, it looked as if that wasn’t going to happen…phones were worked, arms were twisted and the promise of an Executive Order banning federal funding of abortion health care services was made.
In the middle of negotiations, a series of rancid events happened.
Protesters and Tea Bag Party people were gathered throughout D.C., where they got their protest on.
Some of those protesters hurled racial slurs and spit on Representative Emanuel Cleaver.
Representative John Lewis, a hero of the Civil Rights Movement, was called the n-word and assorted other slurs.
Representative Barney Frank, an out gay man, was called the f-word (to borrow from an anchor at CNN, it rhymes with “maggot”) and assorted other slurs.
And, as the House came together to debate, speechify and vote, Representative Bart Stupak was called a “baby killer”. (a bitch’s first note – Stupak’s group had opposed the health care reform bill until President Obama promised to sign that Executive Order banning federal funding of abortion health care services…and he’s the very definition of anti-choice…so, that shout down on the House floor was particularly bizarre)
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
Before this bitch turns my attention to the Senate…and we mustn’t forget that the Senate is the next battlefield for this shit (a bitch’s second note – Tea Bag Party people will have to dig deep into their slur storage when protesting the Senate, ‘cause that ain’t exactly a sea of diversity)…I’d like to quickly address the rancidity prior to the vote in the House.
Cough.
A bitch is not surprised that shit got nasty as the health care reform bill came up for a vote nor am I surprised that assholes hurled those slurs.
I’m not shocked.
This behavior is product of the tolerance movement in America and regular readers know that a bitch isn’t a fan of the school of tolerance.
Tolerance is a shitty contract between the privileged and the oppressed.
The privileged agree to “tolerate” otherness and difference as long as the other doesn’t make demands upon them...like fighting for rights or equal treatment under law.
The other agrees to not challenge privilege in exchange for a false sense of security.
The health care reform debate and vote broke that contract…and beneath all that tolerance is a whole lot of ig’nance and hate, a kind of infection that hasn’t been treated because too many people have learned to tolerate the stench and pain.
The lines are clear here…just look at the swiftness with which the herd turned on their own and re-defined the oh so anti-choice Rep. Stupak.
Folks shouldn’t be shocked.
Shit, the only thing that’s even remotely surprising is that anyone would be shocked.
Blink.
***logs off to analyze what the House passed and how the Senate is likely to respond***
The House of Representatives has passed a health care reform bill.
Over the weekend, it looked as if that wasn’t going to happen…phones were worked, arms were twisted and the promise of an Executive Order banning federal funding of abortion health care services was made.
In the middle of negotiations, a series of rancid events happened.
Protesters and Tea Bag Party people were gathered throughout D.C., where they got their protest on.
Some of those protesters hurled racial slurs and spit on Representative Emanuel Cleaver.
Representative John Lewis, a hero of the Civil Rights Movement, was called the n-word and assorted other slurs.
Representative Barney Frank, an out gay man, was called the f-word (to borrow from an anchor at CNN, it rhymes with “maggot”) and assorted other slurs.
And, as the House came together to debate, speechify and vote, Representative Bart Stupak was called a “baby killer”. (a bitch’s first note – Stupak’s group had opposed the health care reform bill until President Obama promised to sign that Executive Order banning federal funding of abortion health care services…and he’s the very definition of anti-choice…so, that shout down on the House floor was particularly bizarre)
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
Before this bitch turns my attention to the Senate…and we mustn’t forget that the Senate is the next battlefield for this shit (a bitch’s second note – Tea Bag Party people will have to dig deep into their slur storage when protesting the Senate, ‘cause that ain’t exactly a sea of diversity)…I’d like to quickly address the rancidity prior to the vote in the House.
Cough.
A bitch is not surprised that shit got nasty as the health care reform bill came up for a vote nor am I surprised that assholes hurled those slurs.
I’m not shocked.
This behavior is product of the tolerance movement in America and regular readers know that a bitch isn’t a fan of the school of tolerance.
Tolerance is a shitty contract between the privileged and the oppressed.
The privileged agree to “tolerate” otherness and difference as long as the other doesn’t make demands upon them...like fighting for rights or equal treatment under law.
The other agrees to not challenge privilege in exchange for a false sense of security.
The health care reform debate and vote broke that contract…and beneath all that tolerance is a whole lot of ig’nance and hate, a kind of infection that hasn’t been treated because too many people have learned to tolerate the stench and pain.
The lines are clear here…just look at the swiftness with which the herd turned on their own and re-defined the oh so anti-choice Rep. Stupak.
Folks shouldn’t be shocked.
Shit, the only thing that’s even remotely surprising is that anyone would be shocked.
Blink.
***logs off to analyze what the House passed and how the Senate is likely to respond***
Friday, March 19, 2010
A quick autism related dental care update…
A bitch can’t remember if I posted about my concern over my brother’s teeth...
...so I’m posting about my concern over my brother’s teeth and our discovery of a solution.
Shall we?
As most of you know, my older brother is profoundly autistic. He’s rather hyper, so hygiene can be rushed. When it comes to brushing teeth, my brother hasn’t had the best track record...and that resulted in a bad check-up the last time he went to the dentist.
This bitch freaked out and began to have nightmares over the prospect of trying to teach Bill how to put dentures in.
Lawd, have mercy.
Anyhoo, after freaking out I went into problem solve mode…and asked some parents of younger children what they do to try to improve their kid’s brushing.
Behold, pre-brush dental rinses that temporarily stain teeth to show where a body needs to brush better!
I scored some from the Walgreen’s…blue with bubble-gum flavoring…and met with staff at my brother’s residential placement to go over a new brushing protocol.
Fast forward to this week and my brother’s latest dental check-up…and the dentist was thrilled.
Thrilled!
Dentists are hardly ever thrilled.
Our dentist said that this was one of the best check-ups ever and my brother’s teeth look great.
Happy, happy, happy and joy, joy, JOY!
Anyhoo, I just had to share and encourage folks facing similar situations to get your discussion on with colleagues and friends.
Sometimes the solution is as simple as a $4 bubble gum flavored rinse and some one-on-one time while brushing…
Blink.
...so I’m posting about my concern over my brother’s teeth and our discovery of a solution.
Shall we?
As most of you know, my older brother is profoundly autistic. He’s rather hyper, so hygiene can be rushed. When it comes to brushing teeth, my brother hasn’t had the best track record...and that resulted in a bad check-up the last time he went to the dentist.
This bitch freaked out and began to have nightmares over the prospect of trying to teach Bill how to put dentures in.
Lawd, have mercy.
Anyhoo, after freaking out I went into problem solve mode…and asked some parents of younger children what they do to try to improve their kid’s brushing.
Behold, pre-brush dental rinses that temporarily stain teeth to show where a body needs to brush better!
I scored some from the Walgreen’s…blue with bubble-gum flavoring…and met with staff at my brother’s residential placement to go over a new brushing protocol.
Fast forward to this week and my brother’s latest dental check-up…and the dentist was thrilled.
Thrilled!
Dentists are hardly ever thrilled.
Our dentist said that this was one of the best check-ups ever and my brother’s teeth look great.
Happy, happy, happy and joy, joy, JOY!
Anyhoo, I just had to share and encourage folks facing similar situations to get your discussion on with colleagues and friends.
Sometimes the solution is as simple as a $4 bubble gum flavored rinse and some one-on-one time while brushing…
Blink.
An email in my inbox...
The 20th day of March is the seventh anniversary of the beginning of the Iraq War.
Yet, when I checked the CNN homepage I couldn’t find a story…just the word “Iraq” under Hot topics trending at number seven, just below Corey Haim.
Blink.
Well, I’ve got Iraq War related news this anniversary.
A certain AIV (name and rank withheld by request), who served and was wounded in Iraq, sent me an email this morning.
I first heard from AIV years ago when he wrote to me in response to a post…we struck up an e-discussion (actually, ‘twas more like a good argument) that went on until AIV sustained a traumatic brain injury.
A fellow soldier sent word that AIV was injured…and several months later his mother contacted me to say she read my blog to him every day. It’s been a long journey toward recovery and it ain’t over yet, but…
…AIV sent this bitch an email today.
Butt ass early in the morning, too!
And that’s news…big news, damn it.
AIV asked me to post that we must not forget the millions of Iraqis, thousands of Americans and soldiers from allied nations…that we must not forget the dead and wounded and the families who are left behind.
Seven years ago, this nation went to war…with networks fighting to cover every angle and pundits scrambling to get their spin on…with embedded reporters and constant coverage.
Seven years ago, the invasion of Iraq was big news.
Now, though we remain at war, coverage of the Iraq War is for the opinion pages if mentioned at all.
That, too, is news.
Go on with your bad self, AIV.
Keep on keeping on…
Yet, when I checked the CNN homepage I couldn’t find a story…just the word “Iraq” under Hot topics trending at number seven, just below Corey Haim.
Blink.
Well, I’ve got Iraq War related news this anniversary.
A certain AIV (name and rank withheld by request), who served and was wounded in Iraq, sent me an email this morning.
I first heard from AIV years ago when he wrote to me in response to a post…we struck up an e-discussion (actually, ‘twas more like a good argument) that went on until AIV sustained a traumatic brain injury.
A fellow soldier sent word that AIV was injured…and several months later his mother contacted me to say she read my blog to him every day. It’s been a long journey toward recovery and it ain’t over yet, but…
…AIV sent this bitch an email today.
Butt ass early in the morning, too!
And that’s news…big news, damn it.
AIV asked me to post that we must not forget the millions of Iraqis, thousands of Americans and soldiers from allied nations…that we must not forget the dead and wounded and the families who are left behind.
Seven years ago, this nation went to war…with networks fighting to cover every angle and pundits scrambling to get their spin on…with embedded reporters and constant coverage.
Seven years ago, the invasion of Iraq was big news.
Now, though we remain at war, coverage of the Iraq War is for the opinion pages if mentioned at all.
That, too, is news.
Go on with your bad self, AIV.
Keep on keeping on…
Thursday, March 18, 2010
By request – the 2010 Census…
A certain Alissa sent this bitch an email asking for my thoughts on the 2010 Census…specifically, on the inclusion of the word “Negro” on the form.
You asked for it!
I read that the 2010 Census form would include the word “Negro” and I must confess that it made my Afro hurt. When I learned that the Census claims that they added “Negro” in response to people having written that shit in during the last census…well, the pain in my Afro broke records.
Here are my thoughts.
My gut tells me that some folks wrote the word “Negro” in during the last census.
Catch that knee, damn it!
The anthropologist in me understands that there are generational and socio-economic factors that may lead a person of African descent to self-select the word “Negro”.
That doesn’t mean that the United States Census should have added “Negro” in…and it sure as shit doesn’t mean that they should have adde
d it in to a single line option that doesn’t allow people who are offended by the word to select their race separate of that word (note – I’m looking at the form right now and it lists Black, African Am., or Negro).
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
There is an option to print some other race, but since Black, African Am., or Negro is listed on page 1 as question 9 is filling in Black on the “Some other race – Print race” section under question 9 an error? Would such an error cause problems?
Sigh.
Obviously, a bitch is going to have to call these motherfuckers and get clarification…in writing.
Anyhoo, my major issue with the inclusion of the word “Negro” on the single line racial identity option available to people of African descent is that we’ve had over 20 years of government forms and applications without that shit being listed. I don’t care how many people write in a damn word, someone at the Census had to know that shit would piss people off...
…and that leads me to the real problem.
The inclusion of the word “Negro” on the single line racial identity option available to people of African descent is a turn off. People in my own family are talking about skipping the Census...and that’s more than just troubling.
Census data is beyond important. The reason I’m pissed off at the United States Census is because the data they collect is so damn important that it’s too damn important for those assholes to fuck this shit up this way and add a word in that could result in a measurable percent of Americans not filing this fucking form out.
And put a hold on the “not everyone is offended” or “this really isn’t a big deal” comments – I get that shit.
I’ll repeat – my problem is with the inclusion of “Negro” when it holds the potential of turning off a measurable percent of Americans. Those who prefer the word can…and, if the Census is to be believed, did fill that shit in which is an option under question 9.
What isn’t an option is for those who identify as black…like this bitch…to fill in question 9 without also selecting “Negro” because these tired ass motherfuckers put all that shit on one line, saved that doc and sent it in without another fucking thought about that shit.
So now, a bitch has to call these assholes to make sure that writing Black in when Black is listed as an option…because I really don’t feel like identifying as Black, African Am., or Negro…won’t fucked my form up…cough…when clearly they could have left that word off and whoever the hell these people of color who prefer Negro are would have written that shit in again.
But…
…and let me be very clear about this shit…
…a bitch is going to fill out this fucking Census form.
There is too much riding on the results.
Best case – the folks who do the Census are forever getting shit for the options listed and fucked this one up because they had data from those people who wrote “Negro” in.
Worst case – this is part of a master plan to piss black folk off so we don’t fill out the form.
A bitch’s case – I won’t let a fuck up by The Man keep me from filling the census out and I’ll be damned if I reward deliberate manipulation with my lack attention.
This damn census form is gonna get filled out…
…and if AngryBlackBitch is an option listed during the next census y’all will know EXACTLY where that shit came from.
Blink.
You asked for it!
I read that the 2010 Census form would include the word “Negro” and I must confess that it made my Afro hurt. When I learned that the Census claims that they added “Negro” in response to people having written that shit in during the last census…well, the pain in my Afro broke records.
Here are my thoughts.
My gut tells me that some folks wrote the word “Negro” in during the last census.
Catch that knee, damn it!
The anthropologist in me understands that there are generational and socio-economic factors that may lead a person of African descent to self-select the word “Negro”.
That doesn’t mean that the United States Census should have added “Negro” in…and it sure as shit doesn’t mean that they should have adde
d it in to a single line option that doesn’t allow people who are offended by the word to select their race separate of that word (note – I’m looking at the form right now and it lists Black, African Am., or Negro).Pause…sip coffee…continue.
There is an option to print some other race, but since Black, African Am., or Negro is listed on page 1 as question 9 is filling in Black on the “Some other race – Print race” section under question 9 an error? Would such an error cause problems?
Sigh.
Obviously, a bitch is going to have to call these motherfuckers and get clarification…in writing.
Anyhoo, my major issue with the inclusion of the word “Negro” on the single line racial identity option available to people of African descent is that we’ve had over 20 years of government forms and applications without that shit being listed. I don’t care how many people write in a damn word, someone at the Census had to know that shit would piss people off...
…and that leads me to the real problem.
The inclusion of the word “Negro” on the single line racial identity option available to people of African descent is a turn off. People in my own family are talking about skipping the Census...and that’s more than just troubling.
Census data is beyond important. The reason I’m pissed off at the United States Census is because the data they collect is so damn important that it’s too damn important for those assholes to fuck this shit up this way and add a word in that could result in a measurable percent of Americans not filing this fucking form out.
And put a hold on the “not everyone is offended” or “this really isn’t a big deal” comments – I get that shit.
I’ll repeat – my problem is with the inclusion of “Negro” when it holds the potential of turning off a measurable percent of Americans. Those who prefer the word can…and, if the Census is to be believed, did fill that shit in which is an option under question 9.
What isn’t an option is for those who identify as black…like this bitch…to fill in question 9 without also selecting “Negro” because these tired ass motherfuckers put all that shit on one line, saved that doc and sent it in without another fucking thought about that shit.
So now, a bitch has to call these assholes to make sure that writing Black in when Black is listed as an option…because I really don’t feel like identifying as Black, African Am., or Negro…won’t fucked my form up…cough…when clearly they could have left that word off and whoever the hell these people of color who prefer Negro are would have written that shit in again.
But…
…and let me be very clear about this shit…
…a bitch is going to fill out this fucking Census form.
There is too much riding on the results.
Best case – the folks who do the Census are forever getting shit for the options listed and fucked this one up because they had data from those people who wrote “Negro” in.
Worst case – this is part of a master plan to piss black folk off so we don’t fill out the form.
A bitch’s case – I won’t let a fuck up by The Man keep me from filling the census out and I’ll be damned if I reward deliberate manipulation with my lack attention.
This damn census form is gonna get filled out…
…and if AngryBlackBitch is an option listed during the next census y’all will know EXACTLY where that shit came from.
Blink.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
A quick request of those who tan and peel…
Let’s jump right on in, shall we?
A bitch is not a fan of the tan culture.
I don’t understand how the tanned look is considered healthy when skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. Even if folks are able to tan without risking cancer, that shit ages the hell out of a body. I’ve noticed an increase in so-called age defying skin cream commercials that claim to erase lines and I can’t help but wonder why the fuck people don’t just avoid some motherfucking sun and save your damned money?
Shit.
Confession – I don’t tan. I’m naturally brown, but I can achieve that dark chocolate look very easily (yes, black people tan too)…so I avoid the sun as much as possible. No, I’m not color-struck…I’m color sensitive (wink), which means that I don’t like my arms to be a different shade of brown than my legs. Trust a bitch - that shit happens in minutes and then I end up spending the entire summer with multi-colored limbs that never match. Plus, black people can get skin cancer too.
Cough.
My major problem with tanning is the burning and peeling that comes with it. When I was a wee bitch in high school, fellow students would head to Spring Break looking relatively normal and come back red as a hot link. Then the peeling would begin and these people would get all excited as their second-degree burns healed enough for them to get their serpent on and peel skin. Ugh! Eventually, a nice brown body scar that these students called a base tan emerged and all of us were supposed to ooooh and ahh over that shit.
Lawd, have mercy!
Anyhoo, spring is in the air and that that means the tan season is about to kick in. This bitch thinks this is a good time to address that burn and peel mess.
Ahem.
If you tan and burn, please keep the serpentesque shedding stage of the process to your damn self.
Thanks!
A bitch is not a fan of the tan culture.
I don’t understand how the tanned look is considered healthy when skin cancer is the most common cancer in the world. Even if folks are able to tan without risking cancer, that shit ages the hell out of a body. I’ve noticed an increase in so-called age defying skin cream commercials that claim to erase lines and I can’t help but wonder why the fuck people don’t just avoid some motherfucking sun and save your damned money?
Shit.
Confession – I don’t tan. I’m naturally brown, but I can achieve that dark chocolate look very easily (yes, black people tan too)…so I avoid the sun as much as possible. No, I’m not color-struck…I’m color sensitive (wink), which means that I don’t like my arms to be a different shade of brown than my legs. Trust a bitch - that shit happens in minutes and then I end up spending the entire summer with multi-colored limbs that never match. Plus, black people can get skin cancer too.
Cough.
My major problem with tanning is the burning and peeling that comes with it. When I was a wee bitch in high school, fellow students would head to Spring Break looking relatively normal and come back red as a hot link. Then the peeling would begin and these people would get all excited as their second-degree burns healed enough for them to get their serpent on and peel skin. Ugh! Eventually, a nice brown body scar that these students called a base tan emerged and all of us were supposed to ooooh and ahh over that shit.
Lawd, have mercy!
Anyhoo, spring is in the air and that that means the tan season is about to kick in. This bitch thinks this is a good time to address that burn and peel mess.
Ahem.
If you tan and burn, please keep the serpentesque shedding stage of the process to your damn self.
Thanks!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
A bitch is fixin’ to get my lobby on!
Hi all y’all!
This bitch is about to head out on a road trip.
Mmmhmm, I'm going to join fellow pro-choice activists as we meet in Jefferson City to lobby our legislators to put prevention first and support the 2010 Prevention First Act.
Pause…look at clock…continue.
Lawd, it’s early.
Wince.
Anyhoo, bitchitude is on hold until my return to St. Louis…
…unless you follow my ass on Twitter!
Toodles.
This bitch is about to head out on a road trip.
Mmmhmm, I'm going to join fellow pro-choice activists as we meet in Jefferson City to lobby our legislators to put prevention first and support the 2010 Prevention First Act.
Pause…look at clock…continue.
Lawd, it’s early.
Wince.
Anyhoo, bitchitude is on hold until my return to St. Louis…
…unless you follow my ass on Twitter!
Toodles.
Monday, March 15, 2010
St. Louis, Michael Vick and why we are what we celebrate…
A bitch woke up at 3 o’clock in the morning.
Pause…consider…continue.
With daylight savings time, my body thinks it’s 2 o’clock in the morning…so this early wakefulness is even more fucked up that the clock claims it is.
Shit.
Fuck it, let’s be productive…shall we?
Longtime readers know that this bitch isn’t a football fan. The only time I hear about my hometown football team, the Rams, is when I’m forced to sit through football news to get to hockey news. But, to borrow a wee bit of language from Quintin Tarantino, I am aware that there is this sport called football that is played for fun and for profit and that lots and lots of other people enjoy it the way I adore hockey.
I was a little late catching the news that the Rams may or may not be courting a certain Michael Vick. As a matter of fact, I had no clue until St. Louis Alderperson Antonio French took to Twitter last weekend with the following tweet “If the Rams pick up Vick, I'll buy season tickets. (Yeah, I said it.)”
French added... “@kailsburg Good idea. The Rams hire Vick then pay for the new animal shelter as a mea culpa. I like it.”
Blink.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
Now, this bitch isn’t about to indulge in Vick bashing.
Catch your motherfucking knee before you kick something and hurt your own damn self!
This bitch is not a Vick apologist. I’m do, however, hope that his life post incarceration is not another cautionary tale of violence and animal cruelty.
I believe people can change for the better or for the worse…people can change and, in our current prison culture, we’d do well to support programs that help them change for the better.
However…and you just had to know there was a however fixin’ to come…I’m more than a little disturbed by the dismissive attitude some are voicing toward Vick’s crimes and the apparent reason behind that dismissive "fuck it, go Rams!" attitude.
Shit, as much as I adore the St. Louis Blues…and trust a bitch, I LOVE my Blues…I wouldn’t casually dismiss the actions of a confess animal torturer/murderer just ‘cause he had serious game. Sorry, but if former Blue Matt Danton had Ovechkin skills I wouldn't be lobbying for the Blues to bring him back no questions asked. Danton, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, is making his way back onto the ice...slowly and with great care and a lot of eyes watching to see what's what...and this bitch happens to think that's the best thing for him and the game.
If I had a dollar for every time someone has actually verbalized that they don’t give a flying shit what Vick did as long as the Rams start winning, a bitch would be able to pay for that new animal shelter Mr. French tweeted about the Rams building.
‘Tis that kind of thinking that makes me think something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Given what we know about the connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence…animal cruelty, serial killers and violence…and dog fighting in St. Louis city, a bitch would hope that my fellow residents would pause and consider before getting giddy over fielding a motherfucking winning football team.
In the wake of the St. Louis Cardinals defiant and dismissive attitude toward criticism of their hiring Mark McGwire as a hitting coach even though it’s obvious as a motherfucker that McGwire’s hitting skills were enhanced (and a bitch has to wonder what kind of advice he can offer other than to shoot up and then deny, deny, deny while cashing the hell in)…cough…a bitch finds the addition of the “We don’t give a fuck as long as the Rams win” Vick spin disturbing as hell.
We are what we celebrate.
And I’m beginning to see a very fucked up theme here.
The sad as hell thing is, a bitch thinks that there are arguments to be made for Vick…I think he could do good work in a city that could use examples of folks getting out of jail, making a good life for themselves, not downplaying but rather owning their crimes and working within the community to help young people avoid falling into the wretched shit that sent their ass to jail in the first place.
But that’s not what these Rams fans are saying…is it?
And tossing out a suggestion that the Rams build a shelter isn’t clever…’tis so flippant that it is the very definition of insulting.
Sigh.
Yeah, we are what we celebrate…
…and that’s what worries the hell out of me.
Pause…consider…continue.
With daylight savings time, my body thinks it’s 2 o’clock in the morning…so this early wakefulness is even more fucked up that the clock claims it is.
Shit.
Fuck it, let’s be productive…shall we?
Longtime readers know that this bitch isn’t a football fan. The only time I hear about my hometown football team, the Rams, is when I’m forced to sit through football news to get to hockey news. But, to borrow a wee bit of language from Quintin Tarantino, I am aware that there is this sport called football that is played for fun and for profit and that lots and lots of other people enjoy it the way I adore hockey.
I was a little late catching the news that the Rams may or may not be courting a certain Michael Vick. As a matter of fact, I had no clue until St. Louis Alderperson Antonio French took to Twitter last weekend with the following tweet “If the Rams pick up Vick, I'll buy season tickets. (Yeah, I said it.)”
French added... “@kailsburg Good idea. The Rams hire Vick then pay for the new animal shelter as a mea culpa. I like it.”
Blink.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
Now, this bitch isn’t about to indulge in Vick bashing.
Catch your motherfucking knee before you kick something and hurt your own damn self!
This bitch is not a Vick apologist. I’m do, however, hope that his life post incarceration is not another cautionary tale of violence and animal cruelty.
I believe people can change for the better or for the worse…people can change and, in our current prison culture, we’d do well to support programs that help them change for the better.
However…and you just had to know there was a however fixin’ to come…I’m more than a little disturbed by the dismissive attitude some are voicing toward Vick’s crimes and the apparent reason behind that dismissive "fuck it, go Rams!" attitude.
Shit, as much as I adore the St. Louis Blues…and trust a bitch, I LOVE my Blues…I wouldn’t casually dismiss the actions of a confess animal torturer/murderer just ‘cause he had serious game. Sorry, but if former Blue Matt Danton had Ovechkin skills I wouldn't be lobbying for the Blues to bring him back no questions asked. Danton, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, is making his way back onto the ice...slowly and with great care and a lot of eyes watching to see what's what...and this bitch happens to think that's the best thing for him and the game.
If I had a dollar for every time someone has actually verbalized that they don’t give a flying shit what Vick did as long as the Rams start winning, a bitch would be able to pay for that new animal shelter Mr. French tweeted about the Rams building.
‘Tis that kind of thinking that makes me think something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Given what we know about the connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence…animal cruelty, serial killers and violence…and dog fighting in St. Louis city, a bitch would hope that my fellow residents would pause and consider before getting giddy over fielding a motherfucking winning football team.
In the wake of the St. Louis Cardinals defiant and dismissive attitude toward criticism of their hiring Mark McGwire as a hitting coach even though it’s obvious as a motherfucker that McGwire’s hitting skills were enhanced (and a bitch has to wonder what kind of advice he can offer other than to shoot up and then deny, deny, deny while cashing the hell in)…cough…a bitch finds the addition of the “We don’t give a fuck as long as the Rams win” Vick spin disturbing as hell.
We are what we celebrate.
And I’m beginning to see a very fucked up theme here.
The sad as hell thing is, a bitch thinks that there are arguments to be made for Vick…I think he could do good work in a city that could use examples of folks getting out of jail, making a good life for themselves, not downplaying but rather owning their crimes and working within the community to help young people avoid falling into the wretched shit that sent their ass to jail in the first place.
But that’s not what these Rams fans are saying…is it?
And tossing out a suggestion that the Rams build a shelter isn’t clever…’tis so flippant that it is the very definition of insulting.
Sigh.
Yeah, we are what we celebrate…
…and that’s what worries the hell out of me.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Rallyfication...
Let’s jump right on in, shall we?
Yesterday, President Obama came to town to pitch health care reform in St. Charles.
Opponents to reform staged their own rally to rally support for…um, well…to rally support for not doing anything to reform health care.
Basically, the St. Louis metropolitan area was awash in rallyfication.
This bitch caught some of the rally against rallying support for health care reform on the news and I was struck by a certain theme of state sovereignty.
See, Missouri has a 10th Amendment movement afoot that seeks to establish state sovereignty and one of the key issues supporters are using to make their push is health care reform.
Now, now…I know that you know that I know that you know that the 10th Amendment does not grant absolute sovereignty to states in the union. That would make the union part of the Republic a wee bit fucked. Rather, it grants states the right to control shit that the federal government does not control or regulate. Like most of the Constitution, it lacks specificity…that is a good thing, since we the people don’t want to be limited by the specific definitions of 1790’s American society. But ‘tis that lack of specificity that has some Missourians attempting to break from the union without breaking from the union because they profess to love the union they are declaring sovereignty from.
Trust me, you haven’t lived until you’ve witnessed a sovereignty event that puts forth an argument about how Missouri is our own sovereign government/state/area answerable to no one and no government...and that ends with everyone in attendance pledging allegiance to the United States of America.
Blink.
Yep, it’s really something to behold.
Oh, and these sovereignty folks love to issue non-binding resolutions.
Confession - a bitch finds issuing a resolution that holds no legal power to announce that Missouri doesn’t have to do anything the federal government mandates strange as hell if the foundation of the sovereignty argument is that the 10th Amendment grants Missouri the right to not do anything the federal government mandates.
But, what the hell…go forth and resolve without legal ramification to not do anything the federal government mandates.
It’s not as if Missouri state government has anything else to deal with.
Shit.
It’s enough to make a body long to establish sovereignty from other Missourians.
***logs off pondering the establishment of the Kingdom of Bitchitude in South City***
Yesterday, President Obama came to town to pitch health care reform in St. Charles.
Opponents to reform staged their own rally to rally support for…um, well…to rally support for not doing anything to reform health care.
Basically, the St. Louis metropolitan area was awash in rallyfication.
This bitch caught some of the rally against rallying support for health care reform on the news and I was struck by a certain theme of state sovereignty.
See, Missouri has a 10th Amendment movement afoot that seeks to establish state sovereignty and one of the key issues supporters are using to make their push is health care reform.
Now, now…I know that you know that I know that you know that the 10th Amendment does not grant absolute sovereignty to states in the union. That would make the union part of the Republic a wee bit fucked. Rather, it grants states the right to control shit that the federal government does not control or regulate. Like most of the Constitution, it lacks specificity…that is a good thing, since we the people don’t want to be limited by the specific definitions of 1790’s American society. But ‘tis that lack of specificity that has some Missourians attempting to break from the union without breaking from the union because they profess to love the union they are declaring sovereignty from.
Trust me, you haven’t lived until you’ve witnessed a sovereignty event that puts forth an argument about how Missouri is our own sovereign government/state/area answerable to no one and no government...and that ends with everyone in attendance pledging allegiance to the United States of America.
Blink.
Yep, it’s really something to behold.
Oh, and these sovereignty folks love to issue non-binding resolutions.
Confession - a bitch finds issuing a resolution that holds no legal power to announce that Missouri doesn’t have to do anything the federal government mandates strange as hell if the foundation of the sovereignty argument is that the 10th Amendment grants Missouri the right to not do anything the federal government mandates.
But, what the hell…go forth and resolve without legal ramification to not do anything the federal government mandates.
It’s not as if Missouri state government has anything else to deal with.
Shit.
It’s enough to make a body long to establish sovereignty from other Missourians.
***logs off pondering the establishment of the Kingdom of Bitchitude in South City***
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
By request, my thoughts on former Congressman Eric Massa…
Morgan from Vancouver, Chris from Hot-lanta and Jaime from Chi-Town requested a bitch's thoughts on Eric Massa.
You asked for it, so let’s jump right on in.
I didn’t know who the fuck Eric Massa was…or that the House Ethics Committee was investigating him…or what the hell he was being investigated for…merciful heavens…until Eric Massa lost his damn mind and started talking and talking and talking and talking some more.
This is one of those moments when a Congressperson involved in a shit storm within the Beltway fails to understand that his shit storm is contained to the Beltway and, as a result, takes to talking about that shit storm with national media and thus expands said storm of shit all across the nation and beyond.
Sigh.
My understanding is that last week then Congressman Massa was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly groping male staffers and interns. At some point, Massa said he was resigning because of a recurrence of cancer…but that quickly morphed into his admitting that he was resigning because of the allegations of groping…and then it morphed again into Massa claiming that he was set up by the Democratic Party because he planned to oppose the health care reform bill.
Pause…consider…continue.
Somewhere in there Massa also claimed that Rahm Emanuel confronted him while buck naked in a gym shower.
I know, I know…major TMI…but I’m trying to stay on top of this public display of How to Destroy Your Political Career in Less than 10 Steps.
Cough.
Yesterday Mr. Massa…no longer Congressman Massa…went on the Glenn Beck Show to plead his case.
Note to Democrats in the midst of blowing up your political career – going on Beck to claim that you’re a victim of a Democratic conspiracy is like holding a press conference denying infidelity from your mistress's bed.
Anyhoo, that should catch us up as much as we can be caught up with Mr. Massa's addiction to talking and talking and then talking some more.
Whew.
Here are my thoughts on this mess.
#1 – As much as I wish the Democratic Party indulged in strong-arm politics to hold members accountable should they vote against the health care reform bill…
…something tells me that shit just ain’t happening.
Or maybe it’s only happening to those members who expose a major weakness…like a tendency to grope multiple staffers and interns who then report that shit.
But its not as if Massa denied the groping…well, okay he denied it and then “owned” it and then denied it and then attempted to put it into context.
Fuck a duck, this shit is confusing as a motherfucker!
Fuck it - I’ll believe the Democratic Party is playing rough and setting up health care reform defectors when Congressman Stupak is found in bed with two small farm animals and Senator Nelson.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
#2 – This may be a case of “Oh, my gods…look at that...is that a dog riding a skateboard?!?”…
A bitch suspects that Mr. Massa, who used to be Congressman Massa, may be trying a little ignore and redirect.
See, even though Mr. Massa is no longer being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for groping male staffers and interns ‘cause he’s no longer Congressman Massa, he is still subject to the ramifications of groping male staffers and interns.
At least I hope he is.
Come to think of it, is Mr. Massa still facing an investigation...any investigation...into sexually harassing staffers and interns?
***cue crickets***
Mercy.
Well, he should be facing an investigation.
Resigning from Congress shouldn’t close any book but the ethics investigation book on that shit.
We can’t have Congressmen exploiting their position and power by harassing and assaulting staffers and interns then resigning to skip out on punishment.
And the choir said… "Bitch, did you forget about Mark Foley?”
Blink.
You asked for it, so let’s jump right on in.
I didn’t know who the fuck Eric Massa was…or that the House Ethics Committee was investigating him…or what the hell he was being investigated for…merciful heavens…until Eric Massa lost his damn mind and started talking and talking and talking and talking some more.
This is one of those moments when a Congressperson involved in a shit storm within the Beltway fails to understand that his shit storm is contained to the Beltway and, as a result, takes to talking about that shit storm with national media and thus expands said storm of shit all across the nation and beyond.
Sigh.
My understanding is that last week then Congressman Massa was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for allegedly groping male staffers and interns. At some point, Massa said he was resigning because of a recurrence of cancer…but that quickly morphed into his admitting that he was resigning because of the allegations of groping…and then it morphed again into Massa claiming that he was set up by the Democratic Party because he planned to oppose the health care reform bill.
Pause…consider…continue.
Somewhere in there Massa also claimed that Rahm Emanuel confronted him while buck naked in a gym shower.
I know, I know…major TMI…but I’m trying to stay on top of this public display of How to Destroy Your Political Career in Less than 10 Steps.
Cough.
Yesterday Mr. Massa…no longer Congressman Massa…went on the Glenn Beck Show to plead his case.
Note to Democrats in the midst of blowing up your political career – going on Beck to claim that you’re a victim of a Democratic conspiracy is like holding a press conference denying infidelity from your mistress's bed.
Anyhoo, that should catch us up as much as we can be caught up with Mr. Massa's addiction to talking and talking and then talking some more.
Whew.
Here are my thoughts on this mess.
#1 – As much as I wish the Democratic Party indulged in strong-arm politics to hold members accountable should they vote against the health care reform bill…
…something tells me that shit just ain’t happening.
Or maybe it’s only happening to those members who expose a major weakness…like a tendency to grope multiple staffers and interns who then report that shit.
But its not as if Massa denied the groping…well, okay he denied it and then “owned” it and then denied it and then attempted to put it into context.
Fuck a duck, this shit is confusing as a motherfucker!
Fuck it - I’ll believe the Democratic Party is playing rough and setting up health care reform defectors when Congressman Stupak is found in bed with two small farm animals and Senator Nelson.
Pause…sip coffee…continue.
#2 – This may be a case of “Oh, my gods…look at that...is that a dog riding a skateboard?!?”…
A bitch suspects that Mr. Massa, who used to be Congressman Massa, may be trying a little ignore and redirect.
See, even though Mr. Massa is no longer being investigated by the House Ethics Committee for groping male staffers and interns ‘cause he’s no longer Congressman Massa, he is still subject to the ramifications of groping male staffers and interns.
At least I hope he is.
Come to think of it, is Mr. Massa still facing an investigation...any investigation...into sexually harassing staffers and interns?
***cue crickets***
Mercy.
Well, he should be facing an investigation.
Resigning from Congress shouldn’t close any book but the ethics investigation book on that shit.
We can’t have Congressmen exploiting their position and power by harassing and assaulting staffers and interns then resigning to skip out on punishment.
And the choir said… "Bitch, did you forget about Mark Foley?”
Blink.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Driving in cars – one of the little things that aren’t little…
Lawd, that Oscar ceremony was long as hell! But ‘twas fun to watch with C-Money and Brother Rob Thurman after inhaling chilidogs and tater tots…yum!
Anyhoo, congrats to the winners and nominees and everyone who managed to get through the ceremony without falling down those stairs (mercy, all those long dresses coupled with high heels made a bitch nervous as a motherfucker!)
Onward…
As many of you know, my older brother was involved in a car-based accident a while back. He’s fine, thank the gods, but I’ve been too nervous to take him out driving since it happened. Bill, who is profoundly autistic, had launched himself from a van out onto the street in moving traffic…it still gives me the shakes to think of it. He was bruised and scraped up, but nothing was broken or torn. When we left the hospital with him…and I can’t tell you how happy I was to be able to leave the hospital with him after that accident…he was clearly confused about why his body hurt and why he wasn’t allowed in the front seat of a car anymore.
A bitch’s nerves were shot and have remained shot since when pondering driving with my brother.
An aside – we solved the how of that shit but ordering totally affordable seat-belt locks that my brother can’t release. Fantabulous.
Fast-forward to yesterday, when C-Money and this bitch visited with my brother for lunch and some family time. Bill is used to getting to go out driving on Sundays, because he usually spends that day with a family friend running errands and so forth. His pal had to work, so the Sisters Bitch switched days and visited with Bill. After lunch, we suggested a walk…Bill agreed, but when we reached the corner he asked to go back home.
It was clear Bill wanted a drive and when we got home he asked…with that look on his face that makes me feel like an absolute monster for not saying yes.
So, there I was…trapped between my nerves about driving Bill post accident and his love of cruising about in a car with the radio on.
We decided to take him for a short drive.
Get into car.
Pull out of driveway, ease on down the road and…
…everything went fine.
No drama, no launching of bodies out of car doors while the vehicle is traveling at 20 miles per hour…no problems, except Bill being more than a little annoyed that it wasn’t a longer drive.
When we pulled back into the driveway I relaxed a bit…and I realized that I must have been tensed up because my shoulders felt like someone had been at them with a meat tenderizer.
Sigh.
It might not seem like a big deal, but these things…driving around without staff in the car and being able to hang out with my brother and know that he’s safe…yeah, these little things are the very things that make out relationship special.
I didn’t realize how much I missed driving with Bill sans staff until I took that first post-accident drive with him yesterday.
It was way more than a good thing…that drive to score soda pop and a snack was one of the very best things.
One of those precious normal things in our different kind of normal life.
Priceless.
I just though I’d share.
Toodles!
Anyhoo, congrats to the winners and nominees and everyone who managed to get through the ceremony without falling down those stairs (mercy, all those long dresses coupled with high heels made a bitch nervous as a motherfucker!)
Onward…
As many of you know, my older brother was involved in a car-based accident a while back. He’s fine, thank the gods, but I’ve been too nervous to take him out driving since it happened. Bill, who is profoundly autistic, had launched himself from a van out onto the street in moving traffic…it still gives me the shakes to think of it. He was bruised and scraped up, but nothing was broken or torn. When we left the hospital with him…and I can’t tell you how happy I was to be able to leave the hospital with him after that accident…he was clearly confused about why his body hurt and why he wasn’t allowed in the front seat of a car anymore.
A bitch’s nerves were shot and have remained shot since when pondering driving with my brother.
An aside – we solved the how of that shit but ordering totally affordable seat-belt locks that my brother can’t release. Fantabulous.
Fast-forward to yesterday, when C-Money and this bitch visited with my brother for lunch and some family time. Bill is used to getting to go out driving on Sundays, because he usually spends that day with a family friend running errands and so forth. His pal had to work, so the Sisters Bitch switched days and visited with Bill. After lunch, we suggested a walk…Bill agreed, but when we reached the corner he asked to go back home.
It was clear Bill wanted a drive and when we got home he asked…with that look on his face that makes me feel like an absolute monster for not saying yes.
So, there I was…trapped between my nerves about driving Bill post accident and his love of cruising about in a car with the radio on.
We decided to take him for a short drive.
Get into car.
Pull out of driveway, ease on down the road and…
…everything went fine.
No drama, no launching of bodies out of car doors while the vehicle is traveling at 20 miles per hour…no problems, except Bill being more than a little annoyed that it wasn’t a longer drive.
When we pulled back into the driveway I relaxed a bit…and I realized that I must have been tensed up because my shoulders felt like someone had been at them with a meat tenderizer.
Sigh.
It might not seem like a big deal, but these things…driving around without staff in the car and being able to hang out with my brother and know that he’s safe…yeah, these little things are the very things that make out relationship special.
I didn’t realize how much I missed driving with Bill sans staff until I took that first post-accident drive with him yesterday.
It was way more than a good thing…that drive to score soda pop and a snack was one of the very best things.
One of those precious normal things in our different kind of normal life.
Priceless.
I just though I’d share.
Toodles!
Sunday, March 07, 2010
In Harm’s Way: Unsafe Abortion in Kenya
The Center for Reproductive Rights, a global legal organization dedicated to advancing women's reproductive health, self-determination and dignity as basic human rights, has launched a new video and campaign about Kenya’s restrictive abortion law.
Some of the findings from their fact-finding mission –
Unsafe abortion accounts for 35% of Kenya’s maternal deaths
800 abortions, spontaneous and induced, occur every day in Kenya
Over 2,600 Kenyan women die from unsafe abortions each year
Approximately 21,000 women are admitted each year to Kenya’s public hospitals alone for treatment of complications from incomplete and unsafe abortion
At this very moment, the Kenyan government is reviewing proposals to include even more severe abortion restrictions into its constitution. There’s never been a more important moment to get the truth about Kenya’s abortion policies out to the public and to start a conversation.
Find out more about the impact of Kenya's restrictive abortion law here.
View the video – In Harm’s Way: Unsafe Abortion in Kenya – here.
View, discuss and then share.
Thanks.
Some of the findings from their fact-finding mission –
Unsafe abortion accounts for 35% of Kenya’s maternal deaths
800 abortions, spontaneous and induced, occur every day in Kenya
Over 2,600 Kenyan women die from unsafe abortions each year
Approximately 21,000 women are admitted each year to Kenya’s public hospitals alone for treatment of complications from incomplete and unsafe abortion
At this very moment, the Kenyan government is reviewing proposals to include even more severe abortion restrictions into its constitution. There’s never been a more important moment to get the truth about Kenya’s abortion policies out to the public and to start a conversation.
Find out more about the impact of Kenya's restrictive abortion law here.
View the video – In Harm’s Way: Unsafe Abortion in Kenya – here.
View, discuss and then share.
Thanks.
Loretta Ross Unmasks Black Anti-Abortion Message, Media Spin by Cindy Cooper…
Hi all!
As you probably already know, this bitch wrote a piece on the use of the black genocide reproductive choice conspiracy theory for RH Reality Check.
I want to share a related piece with you - Loretta Ross Unmasks Black Anti-Abortion Message, Media Spin by Cindy Cooper at On the Issues Magazine.
Read…discuss…and share.
As you probably already know, this bitch wrote a piece on the use of the black genocide reproductive choice conspiracy theory for RH Reality Check.
I want to share a related piece with you - Loretta Ross Unmasks Black Anti-Abortion Message, Media Spin by Cindy Cooper at On the Issues Magazine.
Read…discuss…and share.
Friday, March 05, 2010
Hold please, a bitch is having tech drama...
Fuck.
Hold on and wait a minute while this bitch reminds Ms. SistahGirl Macbook who the head bitch in charge is!
Hold on and wait a minute while this bitch reminds Ms. SistahGirl Macbook who the head bitch in charge is!
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Welcome RFT readers and a quick crash course in Bitchitude 101…
This bitch was featured among several other St. Louis bloggers in the Riverfront Times!
I’m honored…for real…and thrilled to see that my Afro was looking fierce the day they took my picture (wink).
Anyhoo, I’ve noticed an increase in traffic…and I also noticed that a couple of clueless knaves, who may or may not have come over from the land of RFT (knaves have a way of finding a bitch’s blog without the guide of media attention), have attempted to leave comments that violate a bitch’s lone commandment – thou shalt not be trifling.
So, here’s a quick refresher in bitchitude 101...
#1 - We don’t hate Jewish people here...
Pause…allow time for those who hate Jewish people to move the fuck on…continue.
Sigh.
Yes, I "know" Jewish people...I'm a Brandeis alum, you ass.
Pause...allow time for ass to Google Brandeis University...continue.
Sadly, I’m sure there is a blog out there where you can spew rancidity…but this ain’t a “safe space” for that shit and it never will be.
Next!
#2 – There were people in North America before North America was North America and Mexicans in California before California was California and on and on and on again…
Lawd, give me strength.
If you try to leave a comment blaming Mexicans for [insert social ill challenging just about every state in the union, even those without a large minority population]…cough…that comment will be rejected.
And we can keep doing that dance…cause a bitch’s Reject Asshole Comment Finger is in great shape after five motherfucking years of this shit…or you can shoo and get your ig’nant ass back to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's comment section (yeah, I went there).
#3 – I’m not Catholic…
I’ve never been Catholic.
I was raised Protestant and taught to understand what we were protesting against.
So, save the Our Fathers and Hail Marys for someone who speaks that shit…
…this bitch has a one-on-one relationship with God and she assured me that we’re cool the last time we had a chat.
Wink.
And finally…
#4 – I am black and thus do not require an explanation of what black people do…
Fuck a duck, if a bitch had a dollar for every one of you fucks who overlook the fact that I am black to tell me what black people do, think and want I’d incorporate myself and start making campaign donations.
Christ.
And ‘tis obvious you don’t know any black people…your comments read like speculation from ancient explorers pondering whether sharks have legs or whether the world is round.
Look, I think I’d remember if I’d given birth much less if I’d done so 11 times…and I sure as hell don’t see how I balanced college with the crime spree you seem to associate with me and mine because of the color of my skin…and, although I do adore fried chicken, I’m allergic to watermelon…
...and no, I don’t think I’m better than everyone but I KNOW I’m better than your ass.
Mercy.
In conclusion, all are welcome in the land of bitchitude as long as you avoid being trifling up in my comments. For those who are unsure what trifling is, check out FOX television in Prime Time!
Toodles!
I’m honored…for real…and thrilled to see that my Afro was looking fierce the day they took my picture (wink).
Anyhoo, I’ve noticed an increase in traffic…and I also noticed that a couple of clueless knaves, who may or may not have come over from the land of RFT (knaves have a way of finding a bitch’s blog without the guide of media attention), have attempted to leave comments that violate a bitch’s lone commandment – thou shalt not be trifling.
So, here’s a quick refresher in bitchitude 101...
#1 - We don’t hate Jewish people here...
Pause…allow time for those who hate Jewish people to move the fuck on…continue.
Sigh.
Yes, I "know" Jewish people...I'm a Brandeis alum, you ass.
Pause...allow time for ass to Google Brandeis University...continue.
Sadly, I’m sure there is a blog out there where you can spew rancidity…but this ain’t a “safe space” for that shit and it never will be.
Next!
#2 – There were people in North America before North America was North America and Mexicans in California before California was California and on and on and on again…
Lawd, give me strength.
If you try to leave a comment blaming Mexicans for [insert social ill challenging just about every state in the union, even those without a large minority population]…cough…that comment will be rejected.
And we can keep doing that dance…cause a bitch’s Reject Asshole Comment Finger is in great shape after five motherfucking years of this shit…or you can shoo and get your ig’nant ass back to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's comment section (yeah, I went there).
#3 – I’m not Catholic…
I’ve never been Catholic.
I was raised Protestant and taught to understand what we were protesting against.
So, save the Our Fathers and Hail Marys for someone who speaks that shit…
…this bitch has a one-on-one relationship with God and she assured me that we’re cool the last time we had a chat.
Wink.
And finally…
#4 – I am black and thus do not require an explanation of what black people do…
Fuck a duck, if a bitch had a dollar for every one of you fucks who overlook the fact that I am black to tell me what black people do, think and want I’d incorporate myself and start making campaign donations.
Christ.
And ‘tis obvious you don’t know any black people…your comments read like speculation from ancient explorers pondering whether sharks have legs or whether the world is round.
Look, I think I’d remember if I’d given birth much less if I’d done so 11 times…and I sure as hell don’t see how I balanced college with the crime spree you seem to associate with me and mine because of the color of my skin…and, although I do adore fried chicken, I’m allergic to watermelon…
...and no, I don’t think I’m better than everyone but I KNOW I’m better than your ass.
Mercy.
In conclusion, all are welcome in the land of bitchitude as long as you avoid being trifling up in my comments. For those who are unsure what trifling is, check out FOX television in Prime Time!
Toodles!
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
Congrats D.C. – ‘Tis Your Marriage Equality Day!
Congrats to all y’all in Washington, D.C. on this first day of marriage equality for our nation’s capital!
Happiness and joy to all the couples lining up to get your marriage on.
Several D.C. based couples have already asked this bitch to preside over their marriage ceremony, but…although I am a goddess and the High Priestess of the United Church of Bitchitude and Latter Day Drunks…this bitch isn’t licensed to perform official marriages.
Pause…consider…continue.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that certificate I scored over the internets has expired.
Lawd knows, the last thing y’all want to do is fuck up on the ceremony after working that hard to get marriage equality!
Wink.
I do, however, adore a good marriage ceremony…so I’ll consider those invites and letcha know!
Anyhoo, congrats and may y’all find happiness and joy and legal protection...
... and federal recognition.
Happiness and joy to all the couples lining up to get your marriage on.
Several D.C. based couples have already asked this bitch to preside over their marriage ceremony, but…although I am a goddess and the High Priestess of the United Church of Bitchitude and Latter Day Drunks…this bitch isn’t licensed to perform official marriages.
Pause…consider…continue.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure that certificate I scored over the internets has expired.
Lawd knows, the last thing y’all want to do is fuck up on the ceremony after working that hard to get marriage equality!
Wink.
I do, however, adore a good marriage ceremony…so I’ll consider those invites and letcha know!
Anyhoo, congrats and may y’all find happiness and joy and legal protection...
... and federal recognition.
Monday, March 01, 2010
An outbreak of verbal malfunctions and home training fails…
Let’s jump right on in, shall we?
A bitch has noticed a rise in verbal malfunctions and home training fails from politicians surrounding the issue of children and people with developmental disabilities.
#1 – The “Punishment from God” argument…
I’ll be publishing a more detailed exploration of this one over at Feministing later today, but this bullshit can’t be called out too many times. When my older brother, who is autistic, was born many a preacher told my mother that she was being punished for her sins. Other assholes told her that, if she were a good Christian, God would bless her with a cure for my brother. And to top that off, many medical professionals told my mother that my brother wouldn’t be “like that” if she had hugged him more…talked to him more…loved him the way a “good mother” loves her children.
Let me be clear…I am calling bullshit on any person who latches onto biblical quotes to indict women as deserving punishment for using or having [insert reproductive health care service] and label children and adults with developmental disabilities as cursed or a curse or a punishment from above.
Yeah, that’s bullshit.
My brother isn’t a punishment and my mother didn’t do anything to "deserve" punishment or judgment from God or society or the medical community.
Shame on anyone and everyone who keeps than rancidity alive…
…and a bitch curses all who do that shit to vicious enlightenment.
That’s right, I curse them enlightened and ask the goddess to turn the light on in their vacant heads at a moment in time when they least expect it.
***raises hands to the sky and chants***
May these assholes be flooded with awareness that they are assholes and that they have perpetuated inaccurate hurtful bullshit…and may they spend the rest of their days knowing with a special kind of absolute knowledge that they are indeed rancid assholes of the lowest order and wretched to boot.
Cough.
Next!
#2 – His name is Sen. Chuck Purgason and he is an Autism Insurance Bill obstructionist…
Last week, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that a certain Missouri State Senator (Chuck “Keep Your Change” Purgason…no, I’m not kidding) is blocking a vote on an Autism Insurance Bill.
And the chorus asked… “Why bitch? Is there something wrong with the Autism Insurance Bill?”
And a bitch replied… “No. Senator Purgason is holding it hostage so he can get a vote on a tax credit bill.”
Pause…allow that to marinate…continue.
Yes.
Way!
Feel free to give him a call and tell him to cease!
Sigh.
Someone ought to be ashamed…
…but that’d be too much like right.
Blink.
A bitch has noticed a rise in verbal malfunctions and home training fails from politicians surrounding the issue of children and people with developmental disabilities.
#1 – The “Punishment from God” argument…
I’ll be publishing a more detailed exploration of this one over at Feministing later today, but this bullshit can’t be called out too many times. When my older brother, who is autistic, was born many a preacher told my mother that she was being punished for her sins. Other assholes told her that, if she were a good Christian, God would bless her with a cure for my brother. And to top that off, many medical professionals told my mother that my brother wouldn’t be “like that” if she had hugged him more…talked to him more…loved him the way a “good mother” loves her children.
Let me be clear…I am calling bullshit on any person who latches onto biblical quotes to indict women as deserving punishment for using or having [insert reproductive health care service] and label children and adults with developmental disabilities as cursed or a curse or a punishment from above.
Yeah, that’s bullshit.
My brother isn’t a punishment and my mother didn’t do anything to "deserve" punishment or judgment from God or society or the medical community.
Shame on anyone and everyone who keeps than rancidity alive…
…and a bitch curses all who do that shit to vicious enlightenment.
That’s right, I curse them enlightened and ask the goddess to turn the light on in their vacant heads at a moment in time when they least expect it.
***raises hands to the sky and chants***
May these assholes be flooded with awareness that they are assholes and that they have perpetuated inaccurate hurtful bullshit…and may they spend the rest of their days knowing with a special kind of absolute knowledge that they are indeed rancid assholes of the lowest order and wretched to boot.
Cough.
Next!
#2 – His name is Sen. Chuck Purgason and he is an Autism Insurance Bill obstructionist…
Last week, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that a certain Missouri State Senator (Chuck “Keep Your Change” Purgason…no, I’m not kidding) is blocking a vote on an Autism Insurance Bill.
And the chorus asked… “Why bitch? Is there something wrong with the Autism Insurance Bill?”
And a bitch replied… “No. Senator Purgason is holding it hostage so he can get a vote on a tax credit bill.”
Pause…allow that to marinate…continue.
Yes.
Way!
Feel free to give him a call and tell him to cease!
Sigh.
Someone ought to be ashamed…
…but that’d be too much like right.
Blink.
An earthquake in Chile…
Over the weekend, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile.
I can’t even imagine what that must have felt like…but reports are that an earthquake of that magnitude releases more energy and an atomic bomb.
Even as the world continues to reach out and support Haiti after the horrific destruction from an earthquake there, we now must find the resources to assist Chile and the surrounding region.
Please feel free to post links to organizations and articles in the comments.
My thoughts are with the people of Chile and Haiti…
…there, but for a shift in the New Madrid fault, go I.
I can’t even imagine what that must have felt like…but reports are that an earthquake of that magnitude releases more energy and an atomic bomb.
Even as the world continues to reach out and support Haiti after the horrific destruction from an earthquake there, we now must find the resources to assist Chile and the surrounding region.
Please feel free to post links to organizations and articles in the comments.
My thoughts are with the people of Chile and Haiti…
…there, but for a shift in the New Madrid fault, go I.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Olympic Hockey Heaven – Gold Medal Game Edition…
Canada scores - Sid the Kid wins the Gold for Team Canada!
Congrats to Team Canada on a great game.
And congrats to Team USA - you made us so proud!
Congrats to Team Canada on a great game.
And congrats to Team USA - you made us so proud!
At the end of the 3rd, Team USA scores and ties it up. 2-2 and now we go to overtime.
I.
LOVE.
THIS.
GAME!
Another update, chil'ren!
USA scores! C-Money and this bitch are caught cheering Patrick Kane...freakish...but I'm claiming an Olympic exception.
Canada 2 USA 1...and this is one heck of a game!
Update at 3:12p - Team Canada scores again! 2-0 in the 2nd and the crowd is out of control. Team USA still in this, but we need to play our game.
Update at end of 1st period - still 1 - 0 Canada.
Great 1st period and we are still in this one!
Go Team USA!
Yay hockey!
Update at 2:35p - Canada scores! 1 - 0 in the 1st.
Are you ready to rumble?
Hell YES!
Team USA v Team Canada…the battle begins.
Team USA, with two of my beloved St. Louis Blues hockey players in the line-up, is ready and able.
Go Backes!
Go EJ!
Team Canada, with an impressive all-star line up of hockey gods, has tons of pressure and national pride on the line.
Add all that together with a splash of Don Cherry talking shit and you’ve got absolute hockey bliss!
Sigh.
Let the game begin!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Aw fuck it; let’s talk about Curling instead…
Shall we?
A bitch was going to post about the health care summit and how, although it didn’t move a single person from yes to no or no to yes, it was worthwhile because it clarified a lot of shit that needed to be clarified for the three or five folks left in America who still didn’t have a fucking clue what the hell is going on with health care reform.
But…
Oh, and I was also going to post a quizzical pondering why Anonymouses fail to see the freakishness of leaving comments on a bitch’s blog that attempt to explain blackness to my black ass.
In five years of blogging, those “black people [insert absolute statement stereotype that could, sans ig’nance, apply to any group of people] and that’s why you don’t deserve [insert basic civil right that, sans ig’nance, trolls would realize isn’t special]” comments are the ones that just keep on coming month after month. Anyhoo, I was going to post about the strangeness of having knaves who obviously do not know any black people tell my black ass what they think I’m thinking or doing and getting that shit so wrong that I’m left wondering where the hell they get that shit (there must be an e-newsletter, The Weekly Wrongness).
Cough.
But…
Fuck it.
Its Friday…a bitch is tired…and I’d rather share my new obsession with Curling.
I love Curling!
Seriously - the drama and the gossip-based commentary followed by more drama and stones and houses and...Lawd, have mercy!
Curling coverage is addictive and a bitch is going to have to search for a fix once the Olympics are over.
Who knew watching stones slide toward the house was so much fun?
Blink.
A bitch was going to post about the health care summit and how, although it didn’t move a single person from yes to no or no to yes, it was worthwhile because it clarified a lot of shit that needed to be clarified for the three or five folks left in America who still didn’t have a fucking clue what the hell is going on with health care reform.
But…
Oh, and I was also going to post a quizzical pondering why Anonymouses fail to see the freakishness of leaving comments on a bitch’s blog that attempt to explain blackness to my black ass.
In five years of blogging, those “black people [insert absolute statement stereotype that could, sans ig’nance, apply to any group of people] and that’s why you don’t deserve [insert basic civil right that, sans ig’nance, trolls would realize isn’t special]” comments are the ones that just keep on coming month after month. Anyhoo, I was going to post about the strangeness of having knaves who obviously do not know any black people tell my black ass what they think I’m thinking or doing and getting that shit so wrong that I’m left wondering where the hell they get that shit (there must be an e-newsletter, The Weekly Wrongness).
Cough.
But…
Fuck it.
Its Friday…a bitch is tired…and I’d rather share my new obsession with Curling.
I love Curling!
Seriously - the drama and the gossip-based commentary followed by more drama and stones and houses and...Lawd, have mercy!
Curling coverage is addictive and a bitch is going to have to search for a fix once the Olympics are over.
Who knew watching stones slide toward the house was so much fun?
Blink.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
On an Olympic note, go Team USA Women’s Ice Hockey!
Update - Congrats Team Canada on that gold medal win! And congrats Team USA for staying in that game and winning silver!
A bitch has been in Olympic ice hockey heaven!
Team USA men’s ice hockey survived a tough game against the Swiss yesterday…and then I got to watch Team Canada redeem themselves (sort of, but not really...let's be real) by kicking some serious ass in their game against Russia.
Confession – I had a freakish dream last night that the entire Russian hockey team refused to accept their defeat at the hand of Team Canada awarded themselves platinum medals in a private ceremony and then crowned Ovechkin king of the known universe.
Blink.
What?
I'm blaming that one on vodka.
Cough.
Anyhoo, a bitch wishes the women of Team USA hockey good luck as they take on Team Canada in the gold medal game today.
Many a sport commentator has fussed about the lack of depth on the women’s side…but women’s hockey has come a long way and will continue to grow in depth and skill.
The good thing is that women’s hockey players and fans around the world are about to see the best the game has to offer face off in the Olympics!
Fantabulous.
Three cheers for women’s ice hockey!
A bitch has been in Olympic ice hockey heaven!
Team USA men’s ice hockey survived a tough game against the Swiss yesterday…and then I got to watch Team Canada redeem themselves (sort of, but not really...let's be real) by kicking some serious ass in their game against Russia.
Confession – I had a freakish dream last night that the entire Russian hockey team refused to accept their defeat at the hand of Team Canada awarded themselves platinum medals in a private ceremony and then crowned Ovechkin king of the known universe.
Blink.
What?
I'm blaming that one on vodka.
Cough.
Anyhoo, a bitch wishes the women of Team USA hockey good luck as they take on Team Canada in the gold medal game today.
Many a sport commentator has fussed about the lack of depth on the women’s side…but women’s hockey has come a long way and will continue to grow in depth and skill.
The good thing is that women’s hockey players and fans around the world are about to see the best the game has to offer face off in the Olympics!
Fantabulous.
Three cheers for women’s ice hockey!
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