Happy Equal Pay Day! Equality for All!

Wait just kidding. Women skill make 77 cents to the dollar that men make. Additionally, women's pay went up from 59 cents in 1970s. Yeah, that's not good. In fact I think we made more in the 80s, but I'm not sure.

But never fear some women are making money, but that is not the rule, but rather the exception.

American women who work full-time, year-round are paid only 77 cents for every dollar paid to their male counterparts. This gap in earnings translates into $10,622 less per year in female median earnings, leaving women and their families shortchanged. The wage gap is even more substantial when race and gender are considered together, with African-American women making only 61 cents, and Latinas only 52 cents, for every dollar earned by white, non-Hispanic men.

And another low light:

Although women and their families are grappling with this tough economy around the country, there is not a single state where women have gained economic equality with men.23 In every state across the U.S., men earn more than women, impacting women across race, class, and occupation. The size of the disparity varies by state: In 2008, Washington, D.C. had the nation’s smallest wage gap, at 88%, well ahead of California, where women earned 84.9% of what men earned. The median of 75.9% is shared by the states of Connecticut, Kentucky, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania. Women fared worst relative to men in Wyoming, where women’s earnings represented only 64.3% of men’s earnings, the widest gap of any state.

Yep, completely equal, I don't see what these crazy broads are going on about. Check out the National Women's Law Center's Fact Sheet on it.

Mayor Gray Arrested in Protest

This photo is from Slate, taken by David Weigel. Mayor Gray was not informed about the riders on the Budget. Some of the riders that are of concern: ban on federal funds for reimbursement on family planning, ban on funds for the needle exchange, and the return on vouchers in the District.

That's Vincent Gray, D.C.'s new mayor -- nationally known, perhaps, as the man who unseated Michelle Rhee's boss -- being handcuffed after protesting the D.C. riders in the budget compromise. Gray stood outside the Hart and Dirksen Senate offices for about an hour, blocking traffic, along with several members of the D.C. city council. The protest began outside Hart because that's where Sen. Harry Reid's office is.

Gray was not informed by Senate Democrats, or by the president, about the policy riders that had remained in the budget as ways to get Republicans on board. Those include, as far as we know, a ban on federal funds being used to reimburse family planning, a ban on funds for the needle exchange program, and the return of the city's school voucher program.

It is kind of exciting that Gray would protest and be handcuffed for it. Once, again let's all agree the Budget sucks.

WTF? A Democratic President Cutting Entitlement Programs?

Sometimes I'm seriously ashamed of us. Obama is looking for money anywhere to get on the offensive with the upcoming epic battle royale over spending with the Republicans. The Obama Administration is promising to go slow and not hack up entitlements (the article uses a bladed weapons metaphor). The highlights are taking on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. However, he may tax the rich, to which all I can say is about damn time.

The Post's article goes on to talk about how Obama has to walk the line between being serious about cutting government debt and spending and convincing liberals that he is concerned about protecting federal programs. Because conservatives are the only people concerned about cutting spending.

The whole approach is being employed to get ahead in this epic death match over federal spending and borrowing:

The new approach is coming as the president seeks a way to defuse a potentially damaging battle over how much the federal government can borrow. The debt limit is set to be reached in mid-May, and the government will be able to meet all of its obligations only through early July at the latest. Many Republicans have said they will not vote to increase the limit without significant cuts in spending.

So one again we're placating Republicans because they're going to vote for him one day if he is a non-threatening liberal/black man. Wait that's not right.

This is just gross. I know we need to bring down the federal debt, but I'm not sure why we're going after entitlements instead of cutting back military spending. There is nothing in our government as out of control as military spending and of course conservatives.

Shut It Down.

Ok, so I live in DC. The government shutdown will seriously affect me and mine. I don't work directly for the government but through government contract, but the government runs just about every thing in the District.

That being said, sarcasm aside, shut it down. I made a Facebook joke yesterday about government shutdown meaning parking liberation in the District. So hailing from Ohio several of my friends (and I use the term loosely) married military and enlisted. So I received one (thankfully) comment about how her husband is a serviceperson and they rely on his paycheck. Legit, sarcasm was never this girl's strong point, and being my main form of discourse we were never close. That being said she isn't wrong.

But, it isn't just the military. And I'm glad Obama is threatening to veto a bill to extend military spending if we can't get a budget together [though this might have changed in the last 24 hours]. We're looking at veteran's services, boarder patrol (maybe this won't come back), and tons of other things. Additionally, Medicare and Medicaid is going to be funded, but are those who mail those checks considered non-essential personnel? I don't know. I imagine anyone who receives direct deposit will get check, but those who do not who knows?

However, let's bring this back to why this is happening. The Republicans (John Boehner) is trying to bully Dems and the Obama Admin into cutting funding. What funding? Planned Parenthood, NPR, assistance for the poor, etc. When Obama caved (like he does) the Republicans demanded more cuts (seriously just watch the West Wing). Now, Obama is holding firm, or at least appears to be. According to the news sites/blogs everything hings on Planned Parenthood funding. This is not about abortion though that is just what the Republicans are saying for fire power; it is about women's health and what should and shouldn't be funded.

Yeah, Republicans don't feel like women should have affordable health services. Poor women shouldn't have access to the pill or gynecological tests. So I say shut it down.

DNC has a New Chair

And she's a woman! And a former H-Rod supporter.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz is the representative from Florida's 20th District. She a win, win, win for the Dems. Wasserman Schultz has power in her swing state of Florida, is a serious fundraiser, and has a decent television presence, which of course is important for the Dems. given their inability to present themselves in public as anything but stupid.

Wasserman Schultz is the third female Chair of the DNC and the first in fifteen years. About damn time, but don't be fooled, having a woman out front doesn't mean their give a damn about women. The Dems. will most likely continue rolling over on women's issues.

I like Wasserman Schults, but it was between her and Strickland, and of course Strickland is from Ohio and amazing.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/52605.html

President Obama announces 2012 Campaign

Ok, so he is the sitting President and is certainly going to receive the Democratic nomination for President. Additionally, he did a few things that I completely agree with [nods to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act].

That being said I demand a Democratic challenger in the primary, yeah I'm looking at you Dennis and Feingold. I'm serious, it is time to bring Obama back to the fold by any means necessary. I'm advocating anything short of force at this point. I'm not advocating a third part candidate yet, but I'm also not ruling it out.

A few reasons we should want a challenger in the primary?

• cutting spending for the poor
• a third war, because two we can't afford just wasn't enough
• caving on health care
• and just about everything else
• extending the Bush tax cuts
• a serious lack of support for labor

The list can go on, but I have class in a few and need to wrap this up. The most important thing is not to give this campaign your money!!! The prediction is that the 2012 Obama campaign will break all kinds of fundraising records, but I refuse to give until we see and hear some of our concerns being brought up. So I am advocating ransom. He has appeased the right every chance he could, and I don't want a moderate President. I want a liberal.

Another Film Fest Comes to a Close

This year Tim and I saw a record breaking 6 movies (yeah, I know, it's not that record breaking for some pass holders, but it definitely is for us) at the Cleveland International Film Fest. Here's the breakdown!

1. Midnight Shorts Vol. 2
There were eight shorts during this installment of the Midnight Shorts, and about five of them were really memorable so I think that's a win. The first two were just okay, and Tim and I were nervous that they would set the scene for the remainder of the movies, but they got increasingly better from that point on. The picture on the left is from a short called "Cold Turkey" about a sound effects engineer trying to find the perfect sound for someone getting punched in the face.

All in all, it was really fun to go out to the movies late at night when I'm usually in bed, ha. 3.5/5 for the group of movies.


2. Rubber: France

This was the story of a rubber tire that learns it can blow things up through telekinesis, so it goes on a killing spree. The plot was really specific and Tim and I were nervous that it may be too constricting, but it was really quite funny.

The movie had a post-modern/self-aware aspect to it that I really liked. There is an audience watching the movie on screen as you are watching in the theater, and the screen audience basically says everything you're thinking. The movie opens with a police officer saying that the movie you're about to watch is a tribute to the "No Reasons" of all other films (ie: the unexplainable from every great movie you've ever seen). Then, he pours out a glass of water, hops into the trunk of a car, and it drives away to prove that point. It was slow at times, but for the most part, just very dryly funny. 3.5/5


3. Bobby Fischer Against the World: USA

This is my absolute favorite movie we saw at the fest this year. This documentary chronicles the rise and fall of chess great Bobby Fischer. I knew a little bit about Fischer's conquests in the chess world, but had no idea what became of him after he won his title. I'm not going to say much about what happened to him because this is a must rent for anyone who likes documentaries, whether you're interested in chess or not. I will say, however, that the pictures of Fischer from the 70s are absolutely incredible. A Life photographer was assigned to Fischer and they showed dozens and dozens of pictures he took over the course of a few years. It made me want to rip the color film out of my camera.

5/5

4. With Love, From the Age of Reason: France

This was just the right amount of French cuteness for me. Margaret (pictured) begins receiving letters from her seven year old self (called Marguerite) reminding her of what she wanted to be when she grew up, who she wanted to marry, and what her childhood was like. Margaret is very shaken when she realizes that she has let herself down and she begins to try and recapture her youth through the letters. The end could have been very obvious, but it was different than I expected and that is what I really liked about this movie. 4/5


5. Black Death: UK

Ok, so, I fell asleep during this one a little bit. It began at 11:50pm, so cut me some slack.

Anyway, it was still really good. The story centers around a town ravaged by the plague. A group of troublesome misfits is attempting to travel to a small town they've heard has not been attacked by the plague. They assume it is because some witchcraft is going on and they plan to kill any pagans they meet. When they get to the town, their thoughts are confirmed as they see a witch bring a girl back from the dead. Then there is a bunch of really realistic medieval torture (two horses tied to the arms and legs of a man running in opposite directions, you know, fun stuff) and a twist (which I love). I am pretty sure I only dozed off for a few minutes, so I have no problem rating it at a 4/5.


6. White on Rice: USA

Cute, cute, cute. This movie was the best way to end our film fest experience. It was funny, quirky, and just all around great. I love being in the theater when the whole place is laughing and smiling.

This is the story of Jimmy (pictured right) who is trying to get back on his feet after his divorce. He is living with his sister and driving her husband nuts, leading to endless giggles. I think I need to see this one again actually.

4.5/5

Book Review: Await Your Reply by Dan Chaon

It seems like a lot of books that I've been reading recently focus on several main characters and then magically the reader learns that they all knew each other all along and all of their lives are entangled in a lovely neat little way.

Await Your Reply starts out like this, but don't be fooled, it is much more sophisticated and you should definitely stick around until the end. I read You Remind Me of Me a few summers ago and generally liked it, but this book totally blows it out of the water. There is suspense, drama, humor, and so many Chubby Checkers (if you've never watched Law & Order with me, that's a twist -- GET IT!?) I didn't know what to do with myself.

At the risk of giving anything away, I'm going to just stop there. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

5/5

Happy Valentine's Day!

So, we're girls so we must be obsessed with Valentine's Day. Naturally, I wanted to stay far away from this subject, but then I logged into Facebook and saw the incredible amount of posts about Valentine's Day.

My favorites include language about being spoiled by your loved one and how this is the one day a year to show how special you think your someone is...because nothing says love like treating someone like a child or the mandatory spending of money to prove it.

I've posted three videos entitled "Advice from Cartoon Princesses." I love these videos; they make me smile each time I watch them. Of course all cartoon princesses are all about the love and marriage so I feel like these fit.

So you know what we need more of? Banned Books, and let's focus on gays

No seriously, did no one watch Buffy? Reading leads to witchcraft and lesbianism. Fact.

So naturally, I'm now against all reading. Except the internet because it doesn't count, yet. I'm watching you intertwebs.

I kid. Because actually I love gays and reading. However, I came across an article on the movement to ban books, and this time they're not just targeting Harry Potter (witchcraft see above), but also teen sexuality, but largely homosexuality. [Will no one protect the children? And protecting them is better than talking to them.]

So this group, Parents Against Bad Books in Schools (PABBIS), is going to save the children by preventing them access to literature that is deemed "bad". Let's pretend "bad" isn't one of the most subjective words in the dictionary and can be measured, but of course not by them, but by "you" whoever you are. So this isn't the protest of one individual, but a large group of individuals who want to protect their kids. So you're asking yourself, what is good/bad? The criteria listed on their site: age appropriateness; good taste; what are the educational goals; is the book relevant to the curriculum; and is this book necessary?

Because as an educator I'd totally assign books because I didn't think the content was relevant. My favorite is the "good taste". According to who? The people managing the site? The parents every year? What about racist parents who don't want their kids exposed to anything, but white people? Which is convenient because most of the canon consists of white men, but still.

People who want to ban books are dangerous. They just are. The books being targeted contain sexual content and homosexual content, which is where I suspect the real problem lies. After all, you want to ban a perverse writer ban Shakespeare [impotent jokes before they were cool] or Chaucer [sorry Santilli, but I think it was the Knight's Tale]. I skimmed the list below and Toni Morrison and Margaret Atwood make the list at least twice, and you know my feelings about Atwood.

A list of the books not to be read by minors [taken from their site] is below:

33 Snowfish - Rapp, Adam

A Seahorse Year - D'Erasmo, Stacey

Alice Alone - Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds

Alice in Rapture, Sort Of - Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds

Alice on Her Way - Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds

Alice on the Outside - Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds

All Over But the Shoutin' - Bragg, Rick

All the Pretty Horses - McCarthy, Cormac

Alt Ed - Atkins, Catherine

Always Outnumbered Always Outgunned - Mosley, Walter

Always Running La Vida Loca: Gang Days In L.A. - Rodriguez, Luis T.

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging - Rennison, Louise

Animal Dreams - Kingsolver, Barbara

Annie On My Mind - Garden, Nancy

Are You in the House Alone? - Peck, Richard

Athletic Shorts - Crutcher, Chris

Baby Be-Bop - Block, Francesca Lia

Bastard Out of Carolina - Alison, Dorothy

Be True to Your School: A Diary of 1964 - Greene, Bob

Beloved - Morrison, Toni

Black Boy - Wright, Richard

Bless Me Ultima - Anaya, Rudolfo A.

Boy's Life - McCammon, Robert

B-More Careful - Holmes, Shannon

Breaking Boxes - Jenkins, A. M.

Chinese Handcuffs - Crutcher, Chris

Chronicle of a Death Foretold - Marquez, Gabriel Garcia

Dance on My Grave - Chambers, Aidan

Deal With It! A whole new approach.. - Drill, Esther & McDonald, Heather & Odes, Rebecca

Desire Lines - Gantos, Jack

Dreamland - Dessen, Sarah

Druids - Llywelyn, Morgan

Eight Seconds - Ferris, Jean

Ellen Foster - Gibbons, Kaye

Empress of the World - Ryan, Sara

Exodus - Uris, Leon

Fade - Cormier, Robert

Fair Game - Tamar, Erika

Fallen Angels - Myers, Walter Dean

Families - Jannes, Aylette

Fat Kid Rules The World - Going, K. L.

Fools Crow - Welch, James

From The Notebooks Of Melanin Sun - Woodson, Jacqueline

Gates of Fire - Pressfield, Steven

Geography Club - Hartinger, Brent

Girl Goddess #9 - Block, Francesca Lia

Go Ask Alice - Anonymous

Going After Cacciato - O'Brien, Tim

Growing Up Chicana/o - Lopez, Tiffany Ana

Happy Endings Are All Alike - Scoppettone, Sandra

Heroes - Cormier, Robert

Holly's Secret - Garden, Nancy

How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents - Alvarez, Julia

I am the Cheese - Cormier, Robert

I Been in Sorrow’s Kitchen and licked out all the Pots - Straight, Susan

I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings - Angelou, Maya

I Was a Teenage Fairy - Block, Francesca Lia

If it doesn’t kill you - Bechard, Margaret

In Cold Blood - Capote, Truman

It's Perfectly Normal - Harris, Robie

Kaffir Boy - Mathabane, Mark

Keesha’s House - Frost, Helen

Kindred - Butler, Octavia B.

King & King - Haan, Linda de and Nijland, Stern

Kissing Tennessee - Appelt, Kathi

Less Than Zero - Ellis, Bret Easton

Like Water for Chocolate - Esquivel, Laura

Living by the Word - Walker, Alice

Looking for Alaska - Green, John

Love & Sex: Ten Stories of Truth - Cart, Michael

Love in the Time of Cholera - Garcia Marquez, Gabriel

Lucky - Sebold, Alice

My Father's Scar - Cart, Michael

My Heartbeat - Garret Freymann-Weyr

My Losing Season - Conroy, Pat

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest - Kesey, Ken

One Hot Second: Stories About Desire - Young, Cathy [editor]

One Hundred Years of Solitude - Garcia Marquez, Gabriel

Outrageously Alice - Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds

Patiently Alice - Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds

Paula - Allende, Isabel

Peter - Walker, Kate

Push - Sapphire

Ragtime - Doctorow, E.L.

Rainbow Boys - Sanchez, Alex

Rape Fantasies from The Norton Anthology - Atwood, Margaret

Rats Saw God - Thomas, Rob

River God - Smith, Wilbur

Running Loose - Crutcher, Chris

Sari Says, The REAL DIRT on Everything from Sex to School

Shattering Glass - Giles, Gail

Shogun - Clavell, James

Silver Pigs - Lindsey, Davis

Simply Alice - Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds

Slaughterhouse Five - Vonnegut, Kurt

Slave Day - Thomas, Rob

Smack - Burgess, Melvin

Snow falling on cedars - Guterson, David

Song of Solomon - Morrison, Toni

Sophie’s World - Gaarder, Jostein

Speak - Anderson, Laurie Halse

Stones from the River - Hegi, Ursula

Stotan - Crutcher, Chris

Stuck Rubber Baby - Cruse, Howard

Tenderness - Cormier, Robert

The Antagonists - Gann, Ernest K.

The Awakening - Chopin, Kate

The Bean Trees - Kingsolver, Barbara

The Bluest Eye - Morrison, Toni

The Book Of Phoebe - Tirone, Mary-Ann

The Catcher in the Rye - Salinger, J.D.

The Chocolate War - Cormier, Robert

The Clan of the Cave Bear - Auel, Jean M.

The Color Purple - Walker, Alice

The Confessions of Nat Turner - Styron, William

The Country Ahead of Us, the Country Behind - Guterson, David

The Dear One - Woodson, Jacqueline

The Family Book - Parr, Todd

The First Man of Rome - McCullough, Colleen

The Giver - Lowry, Lois

The Grooming of Alice - Naylor, Phyllis Reynolds

The Handmaid’s Tale - Atwood, Margaret

The Hot Zone - Preston, Richard

The House of Spirits - Allende, Isabel

The House on Mango Street - Cisneros, Sandra

The Joy Luck Club - Tan, Amy

The King Must Die - Renault, Mary

The Lords of Discipline - Conroy, Pat

The Moves Make the Man - Brooks, Bruce

The Name of the Rose - Eco, Umberto

The Natural - Malamud, Bernard

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Chbosky, Stephen

The Pillars of the Earth - Follet, Ken

The Power of One - Courtenay, Bryce

The Prince of Tides - Conroy, Pat

The Rainbow Kite - Fanta Shyer, Marlene

The Rose and the Beast; Fairy Tales Retold - Block, Francesca, Lia

The sailor who fell from grace with the sea - Mishima, Yukio

The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole - Townsend, Sue

The Sissy Duckling - Fierstein, Harvey

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Brashares, Ann

The Source - Michener, James

The things they carried - O’Brien, Tim

Then Again, Maybe I Won’t - Blume, Judy

Things Fall Apart - Achebe, Chinua

This Boy's Life - Wolff, Tobias

Thousand Pieces of Gold - McCunn, Ruthanne Lum

A Time for Dancing - Hurwin, Davida Wills

True to the Game - Woods, Teri

Twelve Days in August - Ketchum Murrow, Liza

Uncle Vampire - Grant, Cynthia D.

Violet & Claire - Block, Francesca Lia

Weetzie Bat - Block, Francesca Lia

Whale Talk - Crutcher, Chris

What I Know Now - Larson, Roger

When I was Puerto Rican - Santiago, Esmeralda

Where the Kissing Never Stops - Koertge, Ron

Whistle Me Home - Wersba, Barbara

Who's in a Family? - Skutch, Robert

Wide Sargasso Sea - Rhys, Jean

Witch Baby - Block, Francesca Lia

Woman Warrior - Kingston, Maxine

Zack's Story - Greenberg, Keith Elliot

http://www.miller-mccune.com/culture-society/book-banners-finding-power-in-numbers-28097/

http://www.pabbis.org/

PETA Giving Veggie Lovers Everywhere a Bad Name

PETA is so wrong. I can't help it. I pick fights with these people on the Metro every chance I get, which subsequently isn't often enough. Honestly, every time I see an ad by them I want a cheeseburger. Thus supporting both the red-meat industry and the veal industry. Thanks dairy.

So it is that special time of year, when people pay a ridiculous amount for ads on television. I'm into football generally, but given both teams this year have accused rapists on them, I'm going to pass, which means I get to pass on the PETA that will objectify women for the sake of animal rights. I'm still unclear on why this is the tactic employed there, but hey it is. It's the democrat in me instead of converting back to meat; I'm just going to bitch.

I've linked the huffingtonpost's article on it: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/peta-super-bowl-ad_n_816341.html.

Book Review: Stoner by John Williams

First of all, this book is not about what you think it's about based on the title, so don't judge me.

This book is the story of William Stoner, and it is one of the most amazingly quiet novels I've ever read. On the first page of the novel, the reader knows what the main character ends up doing with his life, and for how long, but at no point was I bored with the quest to the end of the book. John Williams can truly turn a phrase and I found myself lingering on his words as I was reading. Each scene of Stoner's life was like a perfect glimpse into someone's existence.

Here is the basic story: Stoner goes to college to learn more about Agriculture to work on his father's farm, but falls in love with Literature while he's there and ends up becoming a professor of English lit (specifically medieval). This book was obviously close to my heart because I'm studying to be an English teacher, but it is not really so much about becoming a teacher as it is becoming a full person.

I'm having a really hard time putting into words what I feel about this book, so I'll just say, gosh was it great!

5/5

Its like they didn't even read the Health Care bill before they repealed it.

Probably not. So the House voted to repeal the Health Care bill, but to pander to their base Republicans are throwing around buzz words like ABORTION [say it out loud in a lower octave]. The No Tax-Payer Funding for Abortion Act, H.R. 3, was introduced today. It is the Hyde amendment banning federal funds for abortion. It was introduced in tandem with the Protect Life Act that would ban any federal funds for abortion under the health reform law.

Boehner says abortion is one of their highest legislative priorities. Can you feel NOW, the Feminist Majority, and Planned Parenthood gearing up for a fight? Most likely this bill is going to die; they usually do, but I think it highlights a few things about what we're dealing with.

To begin with let's look at my favorite Boehner quote, " Our members feel very strongly about the sanctity of human life. We listened to the American people. We made a commitment to the American people under the Pledge to America and we're continuing to fulfill our commitment." Except war, the death penalty, and sick people, then death is ok.

Obviously the Health Care bill doesn't include any coverage for abortion, which Republicans might have known if someone bothered to read what they are complaining about in fact the bill went further to ensure abortion services are entirely paid from the patient premiums by people who have chose a private plan that covers abortion.

Well happy Roe v. Wade this weekend. Nothing says thanks for ensuring my rights like legislation trying to limit them.

House votes to repeal Health Care and ushers in a new era of stupidity

Today the House voted to repeal Health Care. I know you're all as excited about this as I am. 245 to 189, three Democrats jumped in with the Republicans. The House Republicans are doing a victory dance, but Senate Democrats are shelving any repeal of the bill. Additionally, President Obama said he'd veto, and veto he better. Essentially, repealing the bill would increase the cost to the American public and cost millions U.S. citizens health care. Of course this also comes after HHS released a report saying that the repeal would leave 130 million Americans uninsured because of pre-existing conditions...I wonder if being a woman still counts as a pre-existing condition?

Regardless, the opposition to Health Care is ridiculous, and something only people of privilege or seriously misinformed persons would buy into.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/138897-house-votes-to-repeal-healthcare-law

Let's rewrite history.

In my top 50 authors list, I have to be honest, Mark Twain probably doesn't make it. However, there is no reason why anyone should be censoring his work. According to The New York Times, Professor Allan Gribben has decided to change every utterance of "the n-word" in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn to "slave" and "Injun" to "Indian."

As a professor, Gribben should know better. In literary criticism we call this erasure. By removing these words from Twain's work, he is saying that it shouldn't be discussed or learned from, when in fact that is the opposite of what should happen. I remember reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in the seventh grade and not understanding why anyone would use those words, but my teacher explained to us that unfortunately this is the way people spoke in the 1830s and 1840s. We can't rewrite history because it is uncomfortable; that is exactly how we stop learning from our mistakes.

Holiday Discussions

I saw this on a friend's facebook page, and wanted to acknowledge that this is how I spent my holiday.

Movie Review: Bottle Shock

Oh you all know my feelings about Alan Rickman. Bottle Shock is essentially about a wine tasting in France that pitted French wine against California wine in 1976. The California wine won for both wine and red. More interesting to me was the struggle of the main California vineyard to stay alive, the family dynamics of the main characters, and finally the use of immigrant labor.

Perhaps my favorite quote, "If I had your privilege I wouldn't squander it." This is said to Chris Pine's character by a Mexican immigrant who's son has the audacity to make his own wine.

I give it a solid 4/5. It is a feel good happy ending with an epilogue. Steven Spurrier, Rickman, organized a rematch 30 years later, where he believed the French would redeem themselves, but instead California took the prize again. There is a love story of sorts running through it, but I wasn't too concerned by it. Yeah for classic rock music.

Gays! Almost citizens now.

President Obama signed the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell this morning. And all I can say is it is about time. I get that President Obama has to work with Congress, but it was seriously time to show some love to the gay community.

This really is only the beginning and no where near enough. One huge victory for the men and women serving and the gay community, but gays still have limited rights in the U.S. So about Prop 8, when is that case going to show up in the Unites State's Supreme Court? Because that is a civil rights issue (suck it respectable conservative friends). I don't believe in the slightest that the repeal is going to show a shift in the treatment of liberal by this administration, but it is a start.

The bill was signed this morning and brings to an end the 17 year policy...yeah 17 years of institutionalized hate. President Obama is quoted by The Hill to have said, "This law I'm about to sign will strengthen our national security and uphold the ideals our fighting men and women risk their lives to defend."

Gay advocates are encouraging gay soldiers to take it slow and be cautious, which of course makes sense particularly in the areas of the military more reluctant to accept the repeal such as the low level Marines (just to name one, not picking on them).

One campaign promise down...anyone keeping track of how many others we still have to go?

Movie Reviews!

I watched several indie films tonight after a fun filled day of consumerism. Seriously, I'm experimenting with liquid eyeliner...I'm either going to look awesome, like a raccoon, or end up blind. Should we poll?

Careless. So I maybe slightly in love with Colin Hanks. Seriously. Anyway I loved this movie. It is a romantic comedy about a finger, and I'm using the term romantic loosely. This guy, who works at a mystery bookstore because what else can he do with a Literature degree, finds a finger in his kitchen. He proceeds to speculate on how and why it got there focusing particularly on his neighbors who dislike him. The movie is a little bit of a boy becoming a man story, which I think is overdone, but with the mystery theater backdrop I was sold. Hanks' character is awkward and clever and loves books so naturally I'm in love. The awkwardness of his character is brilliant. The film was so well written full of great lines. It ends the way Breakfast at Tiffany's does; the book not the film. If you don't know what this means read the book.

Easy. After the first movie's ending I decided I need a more cheerful comedy. And what is more cheerful than slut shaming and promiscuous sex? Nothing. Except that is not what this film is about at all. Jamie is our heroine, and she keeps getting involved with the worst men possible until she meets to normal guys. Of course there is a series of random events where the guys and she take turns failing one another. I like the sadness of this film and the burden of commitment issues. The concept of sexual prowess is the background for this film but in fact Jamie is celibate for most of the film. The feel good ending brought my rating down a little. Additionally, I don't believe commitment issues can be solved so easily.

The Education of Shelby Knox. Yeah documentaries about kids, sex, and gays. In Texas no less. The film focuses less on Knox's quite to get comprehensive sex education in her high school and more on her coming into her politics and faith. A devote Christian girl comes to term with her pastor, friends, and family while she tries to convince the school board of the merits of sex education. Toward the end of the film she joins forces with the gay rights alliance. Both causes are unsuccessful, but the film isn't bad.

Book Review: Bad Faith by Gillian Philip

Bad Faith by Gillian Philip

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Love it! I read somewhere Philip was asked what this book was about and responded with "what happens when Sarah Palin is elected president." The book is a distopian young adult novel. It centers on a young woman on a journey of self discovery and self revelation. This book depicts three brutal murders and illustrates live with fear. The government is controlled by the elected leader, a conservative religious zealot, and her right hand man, the head of their faith. The Holy Man is missing when the novel begins and through out it the main character and the reader are left trying to figure out what exactly happened to him and to everyone else around him. The religious community has high esteem for a missing serial killer who disappeared years ago, but eventually the reader is let in on this secret as well. I particularly enjoyed the ending because we're left not knowing whether our heroine makes it out safely to her brother and lover. Thumbs up for a quick and easy read about the horrors of conservative Christianity taking over the government.

View all my reviews

Think your job is depressing?

I saw this and had to talk about it. Mostly, because what English major didn't want to be a writer one day. Sometimes I still think about how awesome it would be, and my darling co-blogger is a teacher.

Health.com has a list of the most depressing jobs. They are as follows:

1. Nursing home/child care workers

2. Food service staff

3. Social workers

4. Health-care workers

5. Writers, entertainers, and artists

6. Teachers

7. Administrative staff support

8. Maintenance and grounds workers

9. Financial advisers and accountants

10. Salespeople

Personally, I love when they speculate that creative people just have more mood disorders to begin with. I wouldn't be depressed it I didn't feel compelled to smoke and drink when writing like every other writer ever. Anyway just something to make you smile...doom, doom, doom.

Additionally, I've have had a few of these jobs, and sometimes they just suck.

Filibernie! It just sounds better than filibuster.

Oh Vermont, and your Independent Senator Sanders. Well, I'm impressed on some strange level. On a whole I'm opposed to the filibuster because I think it is abused, but well done Senator Sanders.

Sen. Sanders led an eight and a half hour "kind of" filibuster on the Senate floor to rail against the Obama extension of the Bush tax cuts. My favorite quote from the day was "I'm not here to set any great records or to make a spectacle," Sanders said at the top of his speech. "I am simply here today to take as long as I can to explain to the American people the fact that we have got to do a lot better than this agreement provides."

He had support from Senator Brown (Oh) and Senator Landrieu (La). Shout out to both for sharing their disapproval of the tax deal as well. Sen. Brown was on a few of the cable networks this week, and I love all things Ohio.

In the end it doesn't sound like this accomplished much except maybe showing a few liberals have spinal columns. Maybe, there will be some good news coming out soon about a revised plan. I doubt it though.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/133089-sanders-begins-filibuster-of-tax-deal-

House Dems say no to Extending Bush Tax Cuts

The House Democratic Caucus rejected the tax deal cut between the White House and Republicans yesterday. Now the pressure is on for House Dems have to win changes after they rejected the package presented by the White House in a take it or leave it fashion.

According to Madame Speaker Pelosi, "Democratic priorities remain clear: to provide a tax cut for working families, to create jobs and economic growth, to assist millions of our fellow Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and to do this in a fiscally sound way."

Press secretary Gibbs is unphased claiming that in the end the bill will pass in both the House and the Senate. Gibbs goes on to ask the Dems to come up with a better compromise. House Republicans naturally love the package.

The Whip count:

LAST UPDATED ON DEC. 11 AT 9:46 a.m.

Firm No — Republicans (1)
Rep. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) — Flake told The Daily Caller that he has major concerns about the size of the package.

Firm No — Democrats (62)
Earl Blumenauer (Ore.)
Judy Chu (Calif.)
Yvette Clarke (N.Y.)
James Clyburn (S.C.) — The Majority whip is a firm no.
Steve Cohen (Tenn.)
John Conyers (Mich.) — Judiciary Committee chairman has been outspoken against the deal.
Elijah Cummings (Md.)
Danny Davis (Ill.)
Peter DeFazio (Ore.) — DeFazio is not shy in bucking White House; he opposed the stimulus.
Bill Delahunt (Mass.) — Retiring from Congress.
Donna Edwards (Md.)
Keith Ellison (Minn.)
Anna Eshoo (Calif.) — Close friend of the Speaker.
Sam Farr (Calif.)
Bob Filner (Calif.) — One of several chairmen who will vote no.
Barney Frank (Mass.) — The Massachusetts lawmaker said on MSNBC Dec. 8 he “won’t vote for it,” but believes the deal will pass.
John Garamendi (Calif.)
Alan Grayson (Fla.)
Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.) — Progressive leader in the House.
Luis Gutierrez (Ill.) — This Illinois lawmaker has criticized Obama throughout 111th Congress.
Alcee Hastings (Fla.)
Martin Heinrich (N.M.)
Maurice Hinchey (N.Y.)
Rush Holt (N.J.)
Jay Inslee (Wash.)
Jessie Jackson Jr. (Ill.)
Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas)
Paul Kanjorski (Pa.)
Dennis Kucinich (Ohio) — A darling of the left, Kucinich voted yes on healthcare, but will vote no on taxes.
Barbara Lee (Calif.) — CBC chairwoman a firm no.
John Lewis (Ga.)
Ben Luján (N.M.)
Stephen Lynch (Mass.) — Voted no on healthcare despite intense lobbying from White House.
Doris Matsui (Calif.)
Betty McCollum (Minn.)
Jim McDermott (Wash.)
Jim McGovern (Mass.)
Michael Michaud (Maine) — Has been outspoken against Obama’s efforts on trade.
Jim Moran (Va.)
Jim Oberstar (Minn.) — Another chairman who will vote no.
John Olver (Mass.)
Chellie Pingree (Maine)
Earl Pomeroy (N.D.) — One of the most conservative Dems on this list.
David Price (N.C.)
Tim Ryan (Ohio)
Linda Sanchez (Calif.)
Jan Schakowsky (Ill.)
Kurt Schrader (Ore.)
Carol Shea-Porter (N.H.)
Brad Sherman (Calif.) -- Has floated ideas to leadership on how to change the deal.
Adam Smith (Wash.)
Jackie Speier (Calif.)
Pete Stark (Calif.) — One of many California Dems who will vote no.
Betty Sutton (Ohio)
Bennie Thompson (Miss.) — Thompson chairs the Homeland Security Committee.
Mike Thompson (Calif.)
Paul Tonko (N.Y.)
Anthony Weiner (N.Y.)
Peter Welch (Vt.) — Spearheaded the letter to rally House Dems to vote no.
Lynn Woolsey (Calif.) — Progressive leader in the House.
David Wu (Ore.)
John Yarmuth (Ky.)

Leaning No (6)
G.K. Butterfield (N.C.)
John Larson (Conn.) — Called the proposal “troubling.”
Chris Murphy (Conn.) — Doesn’t favor tax breaks for the wealthy.
Richard Neal (Mass.)
Bill Pascrell (N.J.) — Said this week he's leaning no.
Chris Van Hollen (Md.) Dem leader said on MSNBC that the estate tax provision “makes it very, very difficult for me to support [the deal] in its current form.”

Firm Yes (7)
Shelley Berkley (Nev.)
Dan Boren (Okla.)— One of the most conservative Democrats in the House.
Jim Himes (Conn) — Represents affluent Fairfield County, is a firm yes.
Patrick Kennedy (R.I.)
Gary Peters (Mich.) — White House noted his backing in a press release.
Mike Ross (Ark.) — Frequently disagrees with party leadership. Says he plans to vote for it.
Mark Schauer (Mich.) — White House touted his endorsement of the plan.
Joe Sestak (Pa.) -- Will do so reluctantly.

Leaning Yes (1)
Bill Owens (N.Y.)

In the end what this all comes down to is who the White House wants to work with. I don't have a clue as to the strategy behind this one. This maybe the one time liberal policy has the majority of public opinion support, but we're going with the other guy on this one. Crazy. The support (and I use that work lightly) gained form this package won't come vote for you later, but your base is growing more and more disillusioned by the day. I don't see what is being accomplished here.

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/132885-house-dems-vote-to-reject-tax-cut-deal-

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/132937-whip-count-house-democrats-positions-on-obamas-tax-compromise

Come back to the Fold

Ok, so I've been getting lots of e-mails about why we should support the extension of the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest U.S. citizens and be happy about it because unemployment benefits will be extended. Yeah, we should be happy that once again the wealthiest need to get theirs before they'll agree to help the poor.

Well, I say no. I say if the Republicans threaten to filibuster every Democratic bill let them. They're the ones who will have to field the questions about why unemployment benefits haven't been extended when they are so desperately needed. I also challenge they to try because I feel CSPAN isn't watchable enough, and watching McCain trying to filibuster on Christmas day makes me warm inside. Yeah, war on Christmas bitches. Balls to the wall kids, time to do something or at least try. And by that I don't mean cave. If we've given in to them already what will the next Congressional term be like? I don't want to think about it.

I had my final class of the semester last night. One girl in my class said the federal government is too big and needs to be smaller and stay out of states issues. She went on to say the Chinese don't think critically, which is why U.S. education is better. The wonderful woman who sits across from me and I gasped; she met my eyes and mouthed racism. I'm glad the class is over. Though several of us discussed how bad things are going to get in the next two years...Pretty bleak.

Dear Mr. President:

President Obama and White House Staff:

I am writing to express my concern over bending to the will of the incoming Republican leadership. I worry that extending the Bush tax cuts is only the beginning and that it will only get worse. What happened to the leadership we voted for and more importantly organized for?Do you believe in these tax cuts for the wealthiest 3% of the population? If not, then don't pretend that you do, after all this might be the only time public opinion is on your side. You've let women down, you've let gays down, but are you also going to let down the poor for the promotion of the wealthy? If you believe every Democratic backed bill will be filibustered by the Republicans then let them. Let them hold up unemployment benefits and everything else; they'll look like fools and maybe you'll stop looking weak. I've been a supporter even when the rest of the liberals started getting nervous, but now I'm just disappointed. Politics is politics, but this is not why I vote. I believed that you would do something to change the current state of things, and I had no lofty goals that you would single handedly fix the economy, but I expected some return.

Sincerely,

Kari