"Do you know who doesn’t have to be a renter in their own home? Straight married couples, that’s who. If Brian and I were legally married, crap like this wouldn’t matter. We could visit each other in the hospital without having to spend thousands on legal fees… Legally, we’re strangers. I wish that the people who oppose gay marriage could understand the way I’m feeling right now. It’s a rancid stew of so many negative emotions, of unwantedness and exclusion and passive aggression and not being a fully included or valued member of my society. I’m a renter in my own freaking house. I wonder what Jesus would say about that."
About
Victoria Marinelli • Richmond, VA
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"Kyriarchy - a neologism coined by Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza and derived from the Greek words for “lord” or “master” (kyrios) and “to rule or dominate” (archein) which seeks to redefine the analytic category of patriarchy in terms of multiplicative intersecting structures of domination…Kyriarchy is best theorized as a complex pyramidal system of intersecting multiplicative social structures of superordination and subordination, of ruling and oppression."
— When I first encountered this word, I thought Kyriarchy? Now you’re just making shit up.” But all language is in some sense “made up,” and this conceptualization makes lots more sense than the inflexible dualisms (e.g. “patriarchy”) from which this notion evolved. Word of the Day: Kyriarchy « Feminist Philosophers
--Tagged under: Language--
--Tagged under: Feminism--
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
From our friend Al Simmons’ (see previous post) profile article at SOAW.org:
I’m a 64 year old pre-school teacher who retired last year. I was a teacher and director in pre-school programs in Richmond, VA. I have been married for 23 years to Marcia Dickinson.
We enjoy birding, camping, scrabble, reading, silliness and each other.
I’m a Vietnam Veteran from 1968 and it was then that I realized there had to be a better way. The past forty years I’ve been involved in peace, social and economic justice, gay rights, woman’s rights and death penalty issues.
As I had said often to my four year olds in pre-school “Don’t hurt- use words”. I have been saying that, in various ways, to my government for many years.
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
--Tagged under: Richmond--
When your kids' former preschool teacher will soon be in federal prison (& you support him), some explanations are warranted.
Today, a radio interview with our dear friend Al Simmons - who, in addition to being a member of our Quaker Meeting, was a preschool teacher for both our daughters - is scheduled to air on Richmond’s Independent Radio station, WRIR, at 12:30 PM EST. Via the Richmond Friends Meeting newslist:
Al Simmons was arrested for crossing over at the School of the Americas and will be serving time as a prisoner of conscience. He spoke about his experience and his journey to being a peace maker in an interview that will be broadcast at 12:30 p.m. Monday, February 9 on WRIR 97.3 and on WRIR.ORG. He spoke his peace from his heart with eloquence. He encourages us to visit SOAW.ORG to learn about direct action that can be taken to work toward closing the school. The interview will also be available for download after the initial broadcast…
Provided it’s working (WRIR’s audio stream is undergoing some maintenance), you may be able to tune in here. I’ve known Al now for more than ten years; he’s been a part our family’s life ever since we decided - first, the three of us, and later, the four of us - to become a family. His commitment to peace issues - and specifically, to stopping government practices of torture - is egoless and sincere. He will soon be imprisoned for his nonviolent peace activism. I hope his sacrifice is not in vain.
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
--Tagged under: Richmond--
--Tagged under: Family--
"In other words, ‘Booo! It’s such poor taste to express anything other than a salute for George W. Bush. Your vulgar display of eloquence and popularity failed to take into account the years of comforting platitudes I fed this man every day. I do hope you’ll have the decency to resign in disgrace.’"
— Rachel Maddow, translating longtime George W. Bush confidante Karen Hughes’ entirely pathetic remarks about Obama’s Inaugural Address.
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
(Link recommended by @ThunderDolt, originally via @Maddow.)
One of many article recommendations shouted to me this evening from across the house as my husband’s medication kicked in (it makes him chatty and excitable) while I was attempting to back up my hard drive. (The fact that I am posting this link shall constitute proof that I at least intend to make good on reading this later.)
NOW I’M GOING TO FINISH BACKING UP MY HARD DRIVE NOW, SHEESH.
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
"We, at the more extreme left in Israel, always knew that we are, for some, fair game. That we, as they put it so nicely, “should be killed even before the Hammas”. Violence was always part of the response to our activities, but violence by the fire brigades, with the police refusing to act, is a new escalation."
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
--Tagged under: Comedy--
This video makes me love my country so hard.
--Tagged under: Comedy--
--Tagged under: Queer--
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
![Christmas Colors for the White House: Red, White and Impeach
“Laura Bush asked members of Congress to pick local painters to decorate ornaments for this year’s 20-foot Fraser fir in the Blue Room. The globes (to be unveiled by the first lady tomorrow) are supposed to showcase something special about each congressional district. Washington state’s Rep. Jim McDermott contacted a local arts organization, which asked Lawrence, a collage artist, to create the local entry. “I was at first nauseated, then realized it was an opportunity,” said Lawrence, 55, who frequently combines politics and satire in her work and saw this as the perfect way “to highlight Jim McDermott because he’s a hero of mine.” The nine-inch ball is covered with swirly red and white stripes — and, in tiny glued-on text, salutes the Democratic congressman’s support for a resolution to impeach President Bush.”
[via]](http://22.media.tumblr.com/1gGoOEl2hh0dk37k4QV4shU3o1_250.jpg)
Christmas Colors for the White House: Red, White and Impeach
“Laura Bush asked members of Congress to pick local painters to decorate ornaments for this year’s 20-foot Fraser fir in the Blue Room. The globes (to be unveiled by the first lady tomorrow) are supposed to showcase something special about each congressional district. Washington state’s Rep. Jim McDermott contacted a local arts organization, which asked Lawrence, a collage artist, to create the local entry. “I was at first nauseated, then realized it was an opportunity,” said Lawrence, 55, who frequently combines politics and satire in her work and saw this as the perfect way “to highlight Jim McDermott because he’s a hero of mine.” The nine-inch ball is covered with swirly red and white stripes — and, in tiny glued-on text, salutes the Democratic congressman’s support for a resolution to impeach President Bush.”
[via]
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
"How anyone with even a partially open mind could interpret President-elect Barack Obama’s comment regarding his choice of source and breed for his family’s dog as a thinly veiled reference to how he will be setting up his cabinet is way beyond me…. Instead of spewing vitriol in such a nonsensical shotgun pattern, why don’t you try and get behind our president elect and wish him a job well done, which would benefit us all as a nation. Or at least give your overly active imagination and your keyboard a rest until such a time comes, if it comes, that he really has done something that is worthy of honest, well-thought-out and fact-based criticism. Sheesh. Nuff’ awready."
— Stan Koga of Kapa‘a, HI, in a letter to the editor appearing in The Garden Island. He was replying to a previous letter writer who’d accused Obama of elitism on, of all things, the matter of what breed of dog he would bring to the White House for his girls.
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
--Tagged under: Kauai--
"We have one year of food PLUS, we have our gardens, we have our weapons, our bullets, our network. We are prepared. That being said, I CANNOT WAIT for the suffering to begin. I hope there is starvation, I hope there is rioting, and i hope that there is massive death…"
—
Just when I thought the PUMAbots couldn’t be scarier or more mind-bogglingly bizarre. This post gave me physical shudders. Just, wow.
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
--Tagged under: Dumbasses--
A McCain supporter’s note to those who voted for Obama: “I will proudly salute and support our new Commander in Chief. God bless our beautiful country.” via www.zefrank.com.
Also: “From 52 to 48 with love” project explained.
Also: A healthy satire of same.
--Tagged under: Overtly Political--
