coconutbun

The election is getting scary

2008-10-12T00:24:12Z

Since the beginning of the general election, McCain has run a more mean-spirited campaign than Obama. We were seeing nasty attack ads on tv that distorted the truth and really attacked Obama's character, while Obama's ads focused more on McCain's policy. Now, I'm sure I'm a bit biased on that one, but overall I think I'm on point. Now that McCain is down in the polls, the vitriol of his supporters is up, and listening to a clip of a McCain rally sounds disturbingly like an angry mob. When McCain makes a statement about Obama hanging around terrorists and insinuates that we don't know who Obama "really" is, he's answered with boos, middle fingers, shouts of "traitor," "terrorist," and "socialist" from the crowd. Contrast that with Obama's speeches, where he starts his sentences with words like "let there be no doubt. The Republican nominee, John McCain, has worn the uniform of our country with bravery and distinction, and for that we owe him our gratitude and our respect." Contrast that with Obama's cool demeanor and reasoned approach to politics.

It's the degree to which McCain, a man running for president, for crying out loud, incites group hatred of a prominent black figure that scares me. A lot.

Although Obama is up in the polls right now, I'm more concerned than ever. The emotions of the crowd have been piqued, which is a dangerous situation in our polarized country. If McCain doesn't change the tone of his campaign, I worry there will be riots no matter what the outcome.

Why Tina Fey will never be my 'baby mama'

2008-04-27T14:49:51Z

I have a soft spot for Tina Fey. She's smart, funny and a female comic in a pretty male-dominated field. And those glasses - whew! So I was excited about her new film 'Baby Mama.' The film stars Fey as Kate, a single woman who hires Angie (Amy Poehler) to carry her child. It promised an interesting storyline, Romany Malco, the super talented guy who plays Conrad on 'Weeds', and, most importantly, Tina Fey. I decided to make it one of the two films per year that I go see in the theater. And although the movie had a few charming moments, some of the jokes were offensive and disappointing.

There was one joke that really got to me. The problem with it was that the writers used a tired comedic trick: laughing at people who aren't "normal." If you've been to a few amateur stand-up shows, you're probably familiar with this technique. The comic starts by making a connection between herself/himself and the audience. Then, the comic draws a big circle around the two of you (figuratively) that cements that connection. Then comes the punchline - laughing together at the people left outside of that circle. Ha ha ha!

Or not. You see, the problem with this type of humor is that it's based on those who are on the outside. The "other" can be anyone, but in the comedy shows I've seen lately it's usually a person of color, a gay person, a Muslim, a sex worker, someone in a wheelchair, etc. These are usually the safest targets.

In 'Baby Mama,' the punchline to one of the running jokes was that Kate/Angie's baby might be born with an intersex condition - that he or she might be a hermaphrodite. According to Kate, the possibility of mothering a "chick with a dick" is enough to give you nightmares for a week. This "horrific" idea comes up early in the film when Kate is doing some reading on her own, and then is reintroduced as a shared fear between Kate and Angie as the two are beginning to bond as friends. Ha, ha -- er. Um. Wait - why is that funny again?

This kind of humor serves to reinforce what's acceptable in our culture. Why would Fey - who has her own TV show and now her own feature film, and therefore has the power to shape cultural discussions - send the signal that ridiculing people who don't have "normal" bodies is OK? Why does she feel the need to define "normal" bodies in this way?

These kinds of jokes are cheap. As was the one where Kate's romantic interest commented that the outfit she was wearing, which was chosen for her by Angie, a working-class woman, made her look like a prostitute. These jokes are not creative. If you really think about them, they will give you a headache - about the messages our entertainment sends about class, about race, about sexuality, about gender, about disabilities...I go to movies to relieve headaches, not to make them!

The ending of the movie, which involved tying up almost every loose end into a safe "normal" family bow was so boring. I expected more, Ms. Fey. Now I have to find a new baby mama.

Message to Larry

2008-02-26T03:06:55Z

You had the strength to wear lipstick, mascara and jewelry to school, despite being assigned to the boy's locker room. That cliché - the world wasn't ready for you - unforgivably, true.

The reverend called you a complex masterpiece, and he was correct. Your pictures tell a story as eloquently as Miles Davis's trumpet. You skate like a princess in the rink's frozen waters; your cool shades have you looking extra hard south of the border. Whose idea was it to cut your long wavy tresses? Did you pick out those 1st-day-of-school hott purple suspenders? I wonder whether you got in fights with your mama over the pink gloves you wore on your trip to DC. You were both handsome and beautiful in your camo shirt (sans your two front teeth!).

I wish there were better words to for me to use, so I didn't have to pick a gender to describe you. Because I would have been happy to know you regardless of your pronoun preference. Boy, girl, both or neither, you deserve to be here right now, sharing your voice's cadence; to realize all your dreams and dazzle us with your brilliance; then to grow old, sit in your rocking chair and tell people what it was like when you danced in your high-heeled boots at EO Green Junior High. We should all have gotten the chance to know you better. We could have learned something.

I hope the child who killed you comes to understand how special you are. I hope he realizes how scared he was of your sacred elegance, and he falls to his knees each night for forgiveness.

http://www.rememberlarry.com/

_____
there's a war
if the guns are just too tall for you
we'll find you're something small to use
- Lupe Fiasco, Little Weapon

republican debate

2008-01-31T02:07:37Z

let me preface this by saying i don't watch republican tv. it's bad for my blood pressure. however, tonight i decided to watch the republican primary debate. with mccain pulling out a win in florida, it seemed like things were getting interesting. and it is - it's fascinating! they're so happy to state how republican they are - pro-life, anti-immigrant, lukewarm towards bush. huckabee praising rush limbaugh - i thought even the wingiest wingnut thought he was off his rocker. even anderson cooper is showing his 'publican cred (scared to even touch the same things reagan has). it's a conservative pissing contest, minus the hobama catfights.

9:06 pm - i take back the catfight comment. ~~mcromney~~ romain are going at it!

how many lives per gallon?

2007-09-16T22:19:04Z

that was my favorite sign from the anti-war march yesterday.

i also liked the chant "bush and cheney, what do you say, how many kids have you killed today?"

it was a gorgeous day -- sunny and breezy, with lots of shade filtering through the leaves and the trees still very green. i listened to some speakers. i marched with the other tightly-packed, irritated protesters who started yelling well before the first step off (they thought the rally took too long, they were tired of standing on the pavement waiting for things to get started, so they began demanding that the organizers hurry up).

here's the thing: i don't mean to downplay the countless hours of work the organizers put in, but it doesn't feel like staged marches change much. they're sterilized -- they happen on weekends when no one is around. some counter protesters show up and both sides scream at each other. some people get arrested. everyone goes home.

there are people there who can't stay on message for the life of them, so they use their time on the mic to spin off into their thoughts on palestine, using catchy rhetoric and getting people to yell it back without clearly outlining their actual politics (it's easier to scream "free palestine" than to think about what that really entails). then you've got everyone selling the commemorative march tshirts, many of whom you see at every protest, no matter what side, just making their money. they don't care who buys them. you've got protesters handing you socialist newspapers, and "9/11 was an inside job" flyers. i know some people in iraq fighting who think the war should end, but they don't think bush and cheney should be impeached. where do their voices fit in?

it was nice to mentally detach myself from the activity around me and walk with my fingers up in the peace sign for blocks, my message to the counter protesters. but when we got to the empty capitol building, devoid of our elected officials with police lining the lawn, i wondered why i was there.

Who cares about the Iraqi people?

2007-09-14T18:57:42Z

According to a poll reported yesterday in the LA Times, an estimated 1.2 million people in Iraq have died since the US invasion began.

The president says we need more time to complete the mission, that we can't let the Iraqi people down at this critical time. The democrats say too many US troops have died and it's time to bring them home. No one is talking about the Iraqi civilians who have died.

I think we should take whatever course of action will limit the number of Iraqi civilian deaths and provide a government that enforces peoples' human rights. It's our obligation, now that we've started this mess. If that means US troops staying in Iraq, then I'd vote for it. Somehow, though, it doesn't seem like our military strategies have had much of a calming effect. Edwards says the civil war in Iraq will not end until we pull out and force the two sides to come to the table. Obama says it's time to pull US forces out and replace them with a UN peacekeeping force. I'm no political science/foreign relations buff, but I don't see how "staying the course" could work.

An outside force invading a country and tearing down a hostile government in order to try to build a new one seems like a terrible idea. When the people of a country want a regime change, then sure, support them. But get your ducks lined up first. Don't just go toppling a government on your own timetable.

network tv says yes to stiffies; condoms, not so much

2007-08-14T02:59:03Z

OK. Here's the new viagra ad:

From what I read, it's running on all the major networks during the evening news. The interesting thing about the commercial is that it doesn't show a devoted couple -- there are no women at all in the commercial. It's about men bonding over boners.

Now, I've heard many critiques of this ad. Some activists are worried that it references "viva las vegas," alludes to the notion of "what happens in vegas stays in vegas" and promotes party drug use. I'm not sure I'd go that far -- the ad doesn't remind me of a circuit party -- but I am completely floored that the networks roll out the red carpet for the viagra ad, but the trojan ad I referenced in an earlier post is being rejected by national and local stations right and left (well, I'm guessing it's mostly the right doling out the rejection). How can you line these two ads up next to each other and decide that the one with the message "don't be a pig, wear a condom" is detrimental to society while "I'm so happy I have a hard on," with no mention of safety, is responsible?

Just as a refresher, here's the trojan ad:

Anyone who wonders about the power of pharmaceutical companies to influence the media, take note. If trojan users needed prescriptions for their prophylactics, chances are a lot higher you'd see their swine representatives during prime time.

coconutbun @ 2007-06-30T11:39:00

2007-06-30T21:44:40Z

today i got to see some dragon and lion dancing. kick. ass.

*if you caught the poems on my lj last night, i can't take credit for them! a computer-sharing LJ error landed them on my page, but they're all bocaj.

Hi...haaaaave you met Elwood?

2007-06-25T23:24:22Z

ap photo

Elwood has the dubious distinction of being recently voted the ugliest dog alive. The story is on the wire -- he's the best news of the day.

Sicko: If you've ever been annoyed about the cost of health insurance, go see this movie. If enough people get behind this film, we might be able to change our health care system. A friend scored me a ticket to the premier (my first red carpet experience). I highly recommend premiers, because not only do you get a free ticket but they also give you all the popcorn and soda you want. I'm a sucker for deals, and this is a great one -- I'm going to have to figure out how to get to more of them. Back to the movie, though. It was engaging and thoughtful, with enough light touches to keep you laughing. A bit long (2 hours), and many portions were oversimplified. But that's a Moore staple, and I'm not mad at him.

Erin McKeown: If you like singer/songwriter/guitarist/piano player/genius types, go see this performer. I got to see her this weekend and she had us singing, humming, whistling, pumping our fists, and yelling about orgasms in the Kennedy center (subtly, sort of). For free. Best metro fare I've ever spent.

when pigs fly

2007-06-19T01:08:49Z

watch the commercial here: trojanevolve.com

then go to planned parenthood and tell Fox and CBS to air the ad.

quote of the day from a NYT article on this ad:

“We always find it funny that you can use sex to sell jewelry and cars, but you can’t use sex to sell condoms,” said Carol Carrozza, vice president of marketing for Ansell Healthcare, which makes LifeStyles condoms.

two words: panda dog

2007-06-18T15:59:35Z

To all Facebook-ers

2007-04-27T14:29:34Z

Facebook is currently under pressure from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other Arab governments to close down the first ever Arab GLBT (Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgendered) Facebook group. Join to show solidarity and your support for free speech for all: http://wustl.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2373716526&ref=mf. Invite friends and spread the word.

This goes out to anyone who's feeling uninhibited today

2007-04-05T12:39:03Z

Props to afterellen.com for posting the video and commentary.

happy april 1

2007-04-01T17:23:16Z

SSRIs don't have anything on this:
http://www.havidol.com/

what i've up to for the past month

2007-02-06T15:29:08Z

i've been working hardcore on this birth control campaign:

...and it's finally launched! check it out at NotMyPill.org.

it's great to be working in public health and to have something concrete to show for it. it's good to pull out my html skills, learn video editing and get to design something.

if you're interested in women's health, please forward this video and link far and wide - blogs, digg, friendster, myspace, wherever you go. if enough people sign on we can force the FDA to ban the kind of birth control that doubles the risk of blood clots...because really, who needs a blood clot? there's no reason for these drugs to be out there when safer alternatives are available.

coconutbun @ 2006-12-21T22:43:00

2006-12-22T02:43:15Z

Tonight I was driving a friend to the airport and came across a real-life big green traffic sign on the highway that said (drum roll, please) George Bush Center for Intelligence

Ha!

coconutbun @ 2006-10-22T18:34:00

2006-10-22T22:52:59Z

one week until the marine corps marathon.

wmd? no....9/11 link? try again...

2006-10-11T12:13:35Z

600,000 civilians dead

even saddam is not being accused of killing that many innocent people.

coconutbun @ 2006-09-19T21:49:00

2006-09-20T02:01:34Z

Dude writes this column in the Denver Post about trans employment discrimination protections.

I write this response (not published).

David Harsanyi's column on September 17, 2006, "Transgender case holds boss hostage," invokes ill-fitting logic that does a disservice to his readers.

Harsanyi contends that firing someone solely based on their transgender status should be completely legal. He sums this up by stating, "Some people will never understand transgender people, and they have no responsibility to do so." What he fails to articulate is why it should be legal to discriminate against transgender people and not other, already protected categories of people. In fact, he distances himself from extending his argument to women by assuring us that the company in question does hire females. By his logic, though, no one should be protected from employment discrimination, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, disability or national origin -- even though these are all protected under federal law.

Danielle Cornwell is only seeking what all Americans are entitled to: a chance to prove herself in business through the strength of her skills and talents. Harsanyi couches his ignorance in "pithy bumper sticker" language, but if his opinion prevails the result will coddle employers and leave competent, hard-working transgender employees out of work.

Dude writes back. It's a libertarian thing. He plans on clarifying his opinion in an upcoming column, but it is true that he opposes employment nondiscrimination laws for everyone, not just trans folks.

indulge me

2006-09-19T00:07:43Z

warm sky.
she showed me her new office
three weeks and it already looks lived in.
we only walked down the sunny parts
of the city where
gardens are manicured to look wild and
couples contemplate replacing their concrete walks
with slate.

we met a man
in a suit-jacket
who gave up crack after 20 years. he
just returned from a job interview but the life
in his eyes was not quite enough and despite the sharp clothes his hair --
unkempt. could we
spare a dollar?

she waited until our glasses were empty and the check was paid
before she told me her secret.
she let me ask a couple of questions then
moved
for her bag.

past the gates with flower vines
we met another long-lost man
with less light behind his smile. he and the first man, they both
walked with canes but
this one needed his more.

after i dropped her off i passed
people walking dogs in expensive collars
talking into earpieces;
people knocking on doors with
cracking paint and plywood over the windows.

when locals ask me where i'm from
i always say dc.

a new era

2006-08-13T02:05:49Z

it's tiring to start a new job. day one and day two down. countless more to go. i spent the first a bit bewildered, the second slightly less so. there's just a lot to learn. had a great day off today. too tired to type now. good night.

coconutbun @ 2006-08-02T08:53:00

2006-08-02T13:00:11Z

it's reached the "too hot to be alive" period of the year, otherwise known as august. i am lucky enough to have a good friend who is going to come to my door in a few minutes, pick me up and drive me the 7 blocks to work...because, really, it's ridiculous when the low temp for the night is above 80 degrees.

last night there was a "queer eye" episode featuring a trans man. i watched it this morning -- yay feel good trans tv. i was totally impressed. it's showing again a few times this week if you're interested.

fun youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtdKFfr6Ilg&search=colbert%20gay%20
Colbert on Oprah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vea13cJ4AGM&search=colbert%20gay%20
Colbert Threatdown: The Homo-Sexy Edition

coconutbun @ 2006-04-23T18:41:00

2006-04-23T22:56:53Z

to marathon or not to marathon?

pros

i'd get to:
--raise money for a good cause
--feel real proud of myself
--learn a new kind of discipline (the athletic kind)
--meet new people
--not have to actually do it for 7 months
--be coached through a training program

cons

i'd have to:
--be disciplined
--ask a whole lot of people for money
--run all summer in the heat and humidity
--deal with sore muscles, ben gay, and exhaustion from now until the end of october
--have more migraines such as the one i am currently experiencing (developed today while jogging)

off to find some motrin...

springtime is good

2006-04-12T23:15:26Z

it should stay 75 degrees forever.

coconutbun @ 2006-01-15T18:09:00

2006-01-15T23:10:00Z

i watch a lot of movies and i read some books. i decided i should try to write something down about most of them.

so far this weekend i've seen brokeback mountain and paperclips.

brokeback mountain:
i liked a lot of things about this movie. i liked that it was complicated. it was a love story, and kind of a "you're the love of my life" one, but there were concurrent sexual relationships going on at the same time that had their own value. no one was saving themselves for anyone else (except for the wives. i'll get to that later). the shame in the film was realistic, palpable and driving. the shame set it apart from some other "forbidden love" narratives. it wasn't just that outsiders didn't approve but the couple knew they were in love, it just had to be secret; ennis's shame permeated the relationship and came between the two men. jack, who i insist on calling lucky for reasons unbeknownst to me, was in love with a man who couldn't be in love back.

i liked the scenery and all of the supporting characters. they all felt very real. ennis's wife, alma, was an especially strong and admirable character. the destruction of families caused by adultery is deep, and if the outside partner is of the same sex it adds another dimension of deceit. i think this is often overlooked in gay stories that minimize both the pain of the heterosexual partner and the validity of the relationship altogether. just because relationships and identities evolve over time does not mean that where a couple started off wasn't mutually promising. in 'brokeback' we didn't get to see a lot alma's pain but it was acknowledged. their relationship was layered; it had tender moments and two children. the reason for their divorce had to do, i'm sure, with the lies ennis told her about his "fishing trips," but was also about his inability to bring enough money to the family for them to live comfortably.

even though jack/lucky was, of the two, more comfortable with his same sex attractions, he was legitimately attracted to his wife and they had a romantic meeting/courtship. over time, their relationship became distant but that was portrayed as a result of a controlling father-in-law. her father had a lot of money and a family business -- and he didn't like his son-in-law with no assets. his constant criticism of jack went unchecked by jack's wife, which would cause either friction or distance in any relationship.

i also liked that the idea that it was not ok to be gay was evident throughout the movie, but the film didn't employ a bunch of evil bible-thumping bigots. they were much more subtle and, for that reason, more effective/real. there were non-gay characters who didn't like it but were discreet about it when they found out. mostly it just wasn't talked about. obviously violence against gays was a reality, but not *all* cowboys wanted to tar and feather anyone perceived to be gay.

what i didn't like: i didn't like the abundance of violence, particularly violent sex. i wished that they showed more loving sex between jack and ennis, particularly as time went on and they became comfortable with their scheduled fishing trips. ennis was rough with jack and rough with his wife in a way that wasn't particularly safe, sane and consensual. however, that was never spoken, which brings me to my next dislike. i also didn't like the lack of words per sentence, and the lack of sentences per scene. i didn't know it was possible to speak so little. this resulted in a lot of very short scenes, that to me seemed choppy. plenty of words, overall, but each sentence was so concise i barely knew it started before it was over. even cowboys must have spoken more than that.

paperclips:
this is a documentary about a school in TN that started a project on the holocaust. it grew and expanded and resulted in a truly amazing result. it was very much an "if you build it, they will send you paperclips" kind of idea, and the process was life changing for the students, teachers, principal, and many of the others around the world who were involved. the doc was very well put together and i would definitely give it 5 stars, even tough i'm *extremely* stingy with that last one in general.