Results tagged “politics”

I was about a quarter way through my own post about yesterday's court ruling that overturns California's ban on same-sex marriage when I read a piece written far more eloquently than mine.

So I've used the magic delete key and instead want you to go read Dave's Hater post.

I couldn't agree more.

Update: also go read Derek Powazek's I'm Not Pro-Gay Marriage, I'm Pro-Equality post.

I'm not Pro-Gay Marriage, I'm Pro-Equality. I'm not Pro-Gay Rights, I'm Pro-Common Sense. I'm Anti-Discrimination. I'm Anti-Enshrining Your Queasiness About Buttsex In My Constitution. I'm Pro-When The Constitution Says We're All Equal, It Means We're All Equal.

I'm married, and it matters. It changes the way I look at the world, and the way the world looks at me. It comes with state and federal benefits and rights. Withholding those things from same-sex couples is discrimination, pure and simple. If you support withholding rights from people because of who they are, you're a bigot. Period.

Movie Of The Year

We went to see Inception at the weekend. So very very good. I don't remember the last time I had that sitting on the edge of my seat feeling when watching a movie. As it finished everyone around us let out a little sigh, and there was clapping. Been a while since I've been in a cinema when people clapped at the end. I know some people say it wasn't that good. But what do they know? Go watch it forthwith. 10/10

Living In A Flyover State

As tour schedules for bands come out I often get excited especially if it's a band I haven't seen before. Unfortunately because of where I live, just because a band is on tour, doesn't mean I'll get to see them. For Arizona is one of those pesky flyover states that bands like to avoid. If you live in LA or New York you're golden. Arizona is all a bit hit & miss. Take Interpol for example. Their tour schedule came out today. Notice anything missing? Phoenix maybe? Grrr.

Being Brown

Unless otherwise shutdown by federal judge, SB1070 goes into effect at midnight tonight. If it does, it will be a very very sad day for Arizona indeed. Not our finest hour.

Update: parts of SB1070 have indeed been blocked.

As a general rule of thumb, I don't blog about politics anymore. Except for when I do. And this is a little too close to home to not mention it. So here goes.

Recently the Arizona legislature passed an anti-illegal-immigration bill. In a nutshell, SB1070 makes it a misdemeanor to lack proper immigration paperwork in Arizona. It also requires police officers, if they form a "reasonable suspicion" that someone is an illegal immigrant, to determine the person's immigration status.

What I find extremely troubling about this is the question of how "reasonable suspicion" is determined. How exactly are police officers going to decide when to ask for "papers please"? The potential for racial profiling here is mind boggling. Is the fact that someone speaks with an accent or has brown skin going to be the deciding factor?

The reason I care so much is because my girlfriend is of Hispanic descent. Anywhere "papers please" can be demanded just because of the color of her skin is not somewhere I'm going to be happy living. In fact if that happens, I'm going to be very angry indeed. My blood is already boiling just thinking about it.

Now, Americans really don't have "papers" to begin with. I mean, what would she show an officer if he questioned her immigration status? She doesn't have a passport, and are Americans with brown skin really supposed to carry their birth certificate around with them now? That's not racist at all.

The Governor of Arizona has until this weekend to decide what to do with the bill. All odds are that she will let it go through, she is a Republican after all, and Republicans can't appear to be soft on immigration. Sigh. It will certainly mark a sad day for our state if she does.

I can only hope my concerns turn out to be completely unwarranted and we don't end up on the receiving end of a "papers please" demand.

[Moozik: Black Light Burns - Mesopotamia]

Did you watch tonight's press conference at the White House? Wasn't it weird to have an articulate President who actually used full sentences? A press conference that didn't make me want to punch my TV and I didn't cringe with embarrassment once. What a refreshing change.

Best moment for me:

Obama: (referring to the $800 billion) I didn't just pull that number out of..."
(queue dramatic pause)
Me: your arse, say "your arse", "you didn't pull that number out of your arse".
Obama: "...of a hat".
Me: oh but you totally meant "your arse".

[Moozik: Combichrist - Enjoy The Abuse]

Yesterday's inauguration of Barack Obama was the first time I've ever watched from start to finish. In years past I didn't really take an interest in American politics so always caught nothing more than a fleeting glimpse at the tail end of the news.

This year was different though. Firstly I felt compelled to watch for the historic significance. And It was extremely significant from a civil rights perspective. And secondly, even though I don't blog about it much anymore, I do take a far greater interest in American politics than I ever used to. I think this is partly due to me feeling more and more like America is my home now so I need to pay attention to the goings on in government. Maybe it's that whole getting older thing? Who knows?

So much has already been said about his speech, but for me, I was left with a sense that the country is finally going in the right direction. We'll be less insular, pay attention to the planet, and look to science instead of religion. Well at least that's my hope. The new Obama administration has promised much and it will be interesting to see if they can deliver on even half of their stated goals.

Sure change won't happen overnight, and I think we need to be a little patient. But I'm hoping that good things are ahead for this country. Time will tell and at the end of the day it's going to be up to us to measure their performance and ultimately hold them accountable. In 2012 it will certainly be interesting to see what became of his first term in office won't it?

[Moozik: Children On Stun - Cats Or Devils Eyes]

While I was getting ready for work this morning I watched President Bush having shoes thrown at him. You know, like you do. I must say, like him or loathe him, you've got to be at least a little impressed at his reactions. That man can duck.

Of course, being impressed with reaction times is something you can't really say about the Secret Service. Where were they after the bloke threw the first shoe? He was wrestled to the ground by fellow journalists, and only then some guys that looked kind of secrety and a little servicey walked half arsed onto the stage.

[Moozik: Killing Joke - Follow The Leaders]

With the election finally over, I thought a little souvenir was in order.

Kottke mentioned that the New York Times brings out the 96pt font very rarely, so I decided that a brand new copy of the November 5th edition was as good a souvenir as any.

Yeah, I bought one.

$14.95 is certainly cheaper and less hassle than trying to get one from eBay. Getting it brand new from the source means...

Price includes the full newspaper inside resealable plastic envelope. Newspapers are shipped FLAT in corrugated cardboard shippers to protect issue during transit.

I completely forgot that I ordered it until I got the ship confirmation email today. I haven't got any idea what I'm actually going to do with the newspaper once I have it though.

Ok, maybe that's not entirely true. I can always cut out the front page and frame it. I'm thinking I can probably do it somewhat cheaper than the NY Times at least.

[Moozik: Depeche Mode - Lie To Me (Live Hamburg 1984)]

Tomorrow is the day that America likes to say a little thanks. So today I'd just like to thank America for thanking.

A day off work in which your sole goal is to eat as much food as is humanly possible. I so love this country. Thank you America.

In other news, Obama holds his third press conference in as many days to announce members of his economic team to help address the financial crisis. President Bush pardons a Turkey. I think it's becoming clear which adults are running the country.

[Moozik: Lola Angst - Mr TriseX]

Ok, my last post on the election. The Obama camp has put up some election night behind the scenes photos on Flickr. My fave is this one of Obama somberly watching McCain's concession speech.

[Moozik: Something About Vampires And Sluts - Dancing In Graveyards]

If you love photography as much as I do, these photos...

... are really quite good.

[Moozik: The Cure - Plainsong]

You did good today. Please go have a beer now. You deserve it.

[Moozik: Beastie Boys - Sure Shot]

Today of course is election day here in the US. I'm quite excited about it as we could very well be seeing history in the making. I'm reminding everyone I know to go and vote as I think it's extremely important for everyone to go and make that all important choice.

I, unfortunately, won't be one of them.

To be honest, nothing makes me feel like a stranger in a strange land more than elections here in the US. As an alien of the resident variety, I get to take part in all facets of American life. I work. I pay taxes. I own cars, houses, pets. But I can't vote. I live and breathe America 24 hours a day 7 days a week yet I have absolutely no say in the direction the country goes in.

I've lived in the US for over a decade and to be honest probably should have done the citizenship thing a long time ago. I like living here and after all this time does feel like 'home'. Anyone who has ever had to deal with the INS though knows that it's an experience you never want to have to go through again. The paperwork headaches, the being herded around like cattle, the queuing to see someone who doesn't care about your personal predicament. It's ugly. Perhaps after all these years it's gotten better but I certainly don't look forward to it.

Being in America at election time is really an eye opener for me in many ways. Elections here are so polarizing. In some respects it really brings out the crazy in people. Some really quite sane and intelligent individuals suddenly turn into something completely different. People are so set in their beliefs on social, religious, and economic issues and with fear and negativity coming out in some of the campaigns, it's not surprising that some people lose the plot. I for one, will not miss those attack ads on TV.

So America, on your big day, please go out and do the right thing. Regardless of which way your political pendulum swings, the right thing to do is vote. This is important. Elections matter.