I Like A Girl With Spirit!

There’s a story I’ve been hearing for some time now, from Golda Meir’s days in the Israeli cabinet, before she became Prime Minister. I haven’t had much luck tracking it down, but I have found this direct quotation (unfortunately unsourced): Once in the Cabinet we had to deal with the fact that there had been an outbreak of assaults on women at night. One minister (a member of an extreme

I Like A Girl With Spirit!

There’s a story I’ve been hearing for some time now, from Golda Meir’s days in the Israeli cabinet, before she became Prime Minister. I haven’t had much luck tracking it down, but I have found this direct quotation (unfortunately unsourced): Once in the Cabinet we had to deal with the fact that there had been an outbreak of assaults on women at night. One minister (a member of an extreme

Katha Comes A Cropper

Oh, dear. I knew that liberal/progressive Democrats’ heads would explode when Nader declared his candidacy once again. I shouldn’t have been surprised when declared Obama partisan Katha Pollitt splattered her brains all over the page in the latest issue of The Nation, but still, it doesn’t make me feel any better to know that I could have predicted it. Ralph Nader has a perfect right to

Katha Comes A Cropper

Oh, dear. I knew that liberal/progressive Democrats’ heads would explode when Nader declared his candidacy once again. I shouldn’t have been surprised when declared Obama partisan Katha Pollitt splattered her brains all over the page in the latest issue of The Nation, but still, it doesn’t make me feel any better to know that I could have predicted it. Ralph Nader has a perfect right to

Apocalisp Now

Another review for GCN, probably published sometime in 1988. I swiped the title from a panel of Gary Ostrom's chillingly hilarious "Homos at War" comic strip which had appeared in the great Toronto gay magazine The Body Politic a few years earlier. (It doesn't seem to be available online, alas.)What I said about the vision of The Boiled Frog Syndrome turned out to be prescient: now more than

Apocalisp Now

Another review for GCN, probably published sometime in 1988. I swiped the title from a panel of Gary Ostrom's chillingly hilarious "Homos at War" comic strip which had appeared in the great Toronto gay magazine The Body Politic a few years earlier. (It doesn't seem to be available online, alas.)What I said about the vision of The Boiled Frog Syndrome turned out to be prescient: now more than

Politics And Letters

I've begun reading Politics and Letters, a long collection of interviews with the great Welsh Marxist historian and critic Raymond Williams (1921-1988). Williams was born in Wales, but won a scholarship to Cambridge and moved to England at 18. After fighting in World War II he became involved in adult education (there's a fascinating essay on that topic in What I Came to Say), but in 1961 he

Politics And Letters

I've begun reading Politics and Letters, a long collection of interviews with the great Welsh Marxist historian and critic Raymond Williams (1921-1988). Williams was born in Wales, but won a scholarship to Cambridge and moved to England at 18. After fighting in World War II he became involved in adult education (there's a fascinating essay on that topic in What I Came to Say), but in 1961 he

"Many Rioters Here Blame The US For Trying To Spread Democracy In The Region"

I don't usually do two posts in one day, but this was something I just had to share:via John Caruso, who has good commentary, as usual.And while I'm on a roll, there's also this, which probably helps to explain Why They Riot:When asked if he ever witnessed American brutality in Haiti, General Ivan Miller replied that "you have to remember that what we consider brutality among people in the United

"Many Rioters Here Blame The US For Trying To Spread Democracy In The Region"

I don't usually do two posts in one day, but this was something I just had to share:via John Caruso, who has good commentary, as usual.And while I'm on a roll, there's also this, which probably helps to explain Why They Riot:When asked if he ever witnessed American brutality in Haiti, General Ivan Miller replied that "you have to remember that what we consider brutality among people in the United

Nasty, Brutish And Short On Foreplay

(I swiped that title from Barbara Ehrenreich, bless her heart. See "How 'Natural' Is Rape?", Time, January 31, 2000, p. 88.)I’ve been thinking more about Aaron Gillette’s book on the nature-nurture debate, and something occurred to me. Gillette represents the debate as involving two sides, which he calls “evolutionary psychology” (including eugenics, sociobiology, and biological determinism

Nasty, Brutish And Short On Foreplay

(I swiped that title from Barbara Ehrenreich, bless her heart. See "How 'Natural' Is Rape?", Time, January 31, 2000, p. 88.)I’ve been thinking more about Aaron Gillette’s book on the nature-nurture debate, and something occurred to me. Gillette represents the debate as involving two sides, which he calls “evolutionary psychology” (including eugenics, sociobiology, and biological determinism

Lest I Come And Smite The Land With Peace

Especially since the War in Iraq, this quotation has become fairly well-known: Why, of course the people do not want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor for that matter in

Lest I Come And Smite The Land With Peace

Especially since the War in Iraq, this quotation has become fairly well-known: Why, of course the people do not want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor for that matter in

Exactly What Things Were Made For

LADY BRACKNELL: I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing. I just finished reading the new edition of James W. Loewen’s Lies My Teacher Taught Me, and I feel both inspired and infuriated by the experience. Page 327: Most teachers do not like controversy. A study some years ago found that 92 percent of teachers did not initiate discussion of controversial

Exactly What Things Were Made For

LADY BRACKNELL: I dislike arguments of any kind. They are always vulgar, and often convincing. I just finished reading the new edition of James W. Loewen’s Lies My Teacher Taught Me, and I feel both inspired and infuriated by the experience. Page 327: Most teachers do not like controversy. A study some years ago found that 92 percent of teachers did not initiate discussion of controversial

Sunshine Lollipops -- Not

(I may be posting a bit less for the next few days -- I'm having connection problems.)I always vowed never to become the sort of crabby old geezer who’d sit around yammering, “Ah, they don’t make rock’n’roll the way they used to! Why can’t they play something like ‘Heroin’? That was a pretty song, they don’t write songs like that anymore. It’s just a bunch of damn noise, what these kids are

Sunshine Lollipops -- Not

(I may be posting a bit less for the next few days -- I'm having connection problems.)I always vowed never to become the sort of crabby old geezer who’d sit around yammering, “Ah, they don’t make rock’n’roll the way they used to! Why can’t they play something like ‘Heroin’? That was a pretty song, they don’t write songs like that anymore. It’s just a bunch of damn noise, what these kids are

Bosie And The Danger Queen

Jesus, what a foofy outfit!I slowed down drastically in my book reviewing after 1984, but I'm not sure why the next Gay Community News review I can find wasn't published until 1987. (The May 10-16 issue.) I'll have to dig some more. Meanwhile, here's the next one I have. Lord Alfred Douglasby H. Montgomery HydeDodd, Mead and Company, New York, 1985$19.95 cloth, 366 pp.Oscar Wilde: an

Bosie And The Danger Queen

Jesus, what a foofy outfit!I slowed down drastically in my book reviewing after 1984, but I'm not sure why the next Gay Community News review I can find wasn't published until 1987. (The May 10-16 issue.) I'll have to dig some more. Meanwhile, here's the next one I have. Lord Alfred Douglasby H. Montgomery HydeDodd, Mead and Company, New York, 1985$19.95 cloth, 366 pp.Oscar Wilde: an

History's A Punk

Something else I wanted to say about the Times article on Susan Jacoby. She told the reporter that she first decided to write The Age of American Unreason on September 11, 2001, in a New York City bar:As she sipped her bloody mary, she quietly listened to two men, neatly dressed in suits. For a second she thought they were going to compare that day’s horrifying attack to the Japanese bombing in

History's A Punk

Something else I wanted to say about the Times article on Susan Jacoby. She told the reporter that she first decided to write The Age of American Unreason on September 11, 2001, in a New York City bar:As she sipped her bloody mary, she quietly listened to two men, neatly dressed in suits. For a second she thought they were going to compare that day’s horrifying attack to the Japanese bombing in

A Mad As Hell Tea Party

What, another book on the dumbing down of America? Why does no editor ever seem to dismiss a hopeful author of one of these with “It’s been done”? Because, you know, it has been done, and done, and done to death, in an endless session of “Ain’t It Awful?”Even more symptomatic, the author of this admits that it’s been done, but that didn’t stop her from doing it again, because things are like

A Mad As Hell Tea Party

What, another book on the dumbing down of America? Why does no editor ever seem to dismiss a hopeful author of one of these with “It’s been done”? Because, you know, it has been done, and done, and done to death, in an endless session of “Ain’t It Awful?”Even more symptomatic, the author of this admits that it’s been done, but that didn’t stop her from doing it again, because things are like

Nothing New Under The Sun, No. 6,384,202

What must we do? We must complain. Yes, plain, blunt complaint, ceaseless agitation, unfailing exposure of dishonesty and wrong -- this is the ancient, unerring way to liberty, and we must follow it. I know the ears of the American people have become very sensitive to ... complaint of late and profess to dislike whining. Let that worry none. No nation on earth ever complained and whined so

Nothing New Under The Sun, No. 6,384,202

What must we do? We must complain. Yes, plain, blunt complaint, ceaseless agitation, unfailing exposure of dishonesty and wrong -- this is the ancient, unerring way to liberty, and we must follow it. I know the ears of the American people have become very sensitive to ... complaint of late and profess to dislike whining. Let that worry none. No nation on earth ever complained and whined so

Some People Go Mental Over Billboards Signed "God" ...

Some people go mental over billboards with messages signed “God.” This is the sort of thing that gets my goat: In fact, another activist, Anjali Gopalan, points out, that although there are gay men in India as well as something called gay-identity, “identity is sort of a luxury that doesn't extend beyond the educated upper-classes. The majority of men who have sex with men don't see

Some People Go Mental Over Billboards Signed "God" ...

Some people go mental over billboards with messages signed “God.” This is the sort of thing that gets my goat: In fact, another activist, Anjali Gopalan, points out, that although there are gay men in India as well as something called gay-identity, “identity is sort of a luxury that doesn't extend beyond the educated upper-classes. The majority of men who have sex with men don't see

Wicked

Paul Krugman (via) ought to know better! He says that “during those years [1964-1972] America did indeed become the land of slander and scare, of the politics of hatred”, thanks to the wickedness of Richard Nixon and his malevolent campaign tactics. Nixon sowed the wind, and we now reap the whirlwind. “In fact, these days even the Democratic Party seems to be turning into Nixonland.” Krugman

Wicked

Paul Krugman (via) ought to know better! He says that “during those years [1964-1972] America did indeed become the land of slander and scare, of the politics of hatred”, thanks to the wickedness of Richard Nixon and his malevolent campaign tactics. Nixon sowed the wind, and we now reap the whirlwind. “In fact, these days even the Democratic Party seems to be turning into Nixonland.” Krugman

Fortunately, In America At Any Rate, Education Produces No Effect Whatsoever

I’ve been trying for a while now to fit this quotation into a posting, so here it is upfront: Nor does one become illiberal when denying truth to a Puritan. Liberalism, as Gellner ought to know, is a doctrine about institutions and not about individual beliefs. It does not regulate individual beliefs, it says that nothing may be excluded from the debate. A liberal is not a mealymouthed

Fortunately, In America At Any Rate, Education Produces No Effect Whatsoever

I’ve been trying for a while now to fit this quotation into a posting, so here it is upfront: Nor does one become illiberal when denying truth to a Puritan. Liberalism, as Gellner ought to know, is a doctrine about institutions and not about individual beliefs. It does not regulate individual beliefs, it says that nothing may be excluded from the debate. A liberal is not a mealymouthed

What That Word It Means To Me

If you have been privileged to travel the highways of these United States, you’ve probably seen the billboards with cutesy quips from God. (And if you haven’t, read on: I have video!) White text on black background, featuring bon mots like: Don’t make me come down there.-- God. Which is funny, you know, because Christians are supposed to want God to come down here. “Even so, come, lord

What That Word It Means To Me

If you have been privileged to travel the highways of these United States, you’ve probably seen the billboards with cutesy quips from God. (And if you haven’t, read on: I have video!) White text on black background, featuring bon mots like: Don’t make me come down there.-- God. Which is funny, you know, because Christians are supposed to want God to come down here. “Even so, come, lord

The Plan again

After thinking for several times, i decide to get air asia ticket to go to Bali at April 21, 2008, and stay there until April 3o, 2008.I never been to Bali before.At 1998 i did decide to take the invitation from one of Bali University to be their students with scholarship. I won two scholarship, one to Lampung for Communication Science and another one is at Udayana Bali for Tourism.My mom threat

This Post Is Not A Defense Of George W. Bush...

…okay? Every morning after BBC World Service, my community radio station plays a couple minutes of Texas snark by Jim Hightower, who bills himself as America’s #1 Populist! The late Molly Ivins liked him, enough to quote his Wildean epigram “The only thing in the middle of the road is yellow stripes and dead armadillos” every chance she got. Sorry, Molls, wherever you are, but it’ll never

This Post Is Not A Defense Of George W. Bush...

…okay? Every morning after BBC World Service, my community radio station plays a couple minutes of Texas snark by Jim Hightower, who bills himself as America’s #1 Populist! The late Molly Ivins liked him, enough to quote his Wildean epigram “The only thing in the middle of the road is yellow stripes and dead armadillos” every chance she got. Sorry, Molls, wherever you are, but it’ll never

Everybody Is Unique -- Except Me

What keeps me skeptical about “born gay” theories is that I’m not attracted to Men, that is, to males as a sex. I’m attracted to various individuals who happen to be men. I don’t say this to be coy, like the gay writers who claim that they’re not gay writers but writers who happen to be gay, because this is a distinction that makes a difference, namely that I’m not attracted to most men.

Everybody Is Unique -- Except Me

What keeps me skeptical about “born gay” theories is that I’m not attracted to Men, that is, to males as a sex. I’m attracted to various individuals who happen to be men. I don’t say this to be coy, like the gay writers who claim that they’re not gay writers but writers who happen to be gay, because this is a distinction that makes a difference, namely that I’m not attracted to most men.

My Momma Told Me: You Better Shop Around!

Alexander Cockburn has a pretty good analysis of the outcome of Super Tuesday at Counterpunch, certainly an improvement over his remark a couple of weeks ago, that “To ensure her husband's victory in his reelection race in 1996 Hillary insisted Bill chop poor mothers--a good slice of them black--off the welfare rolls.” Cockburn’s said stuff like this before, blaming Hillary for the use of

My Momma Told Me: You Better Shop Around!

Alexander Cockburn has a pretty good analysis of the outcome of Super Tuesday at Counterpunch, certainly an improvement over his remark a couple of weeks ago, that “To ensure her husband's victory in his reelection race in 1996 Hillary insisted Bill chop poor mothers--a good slice of them black--off the welfare rolls.” Cockburn’s said stuff like this before, blaming Hillary for the use of

No new rug hooking to report

I have been away from the frame for too long, but I refuse to file another extension on my income taxes. I've done that for the last few years and this year I will be on time. The last few weeks have been filled with paperwork.As an update to the rug hooking world.... My thoughts and prayers go out to Kim Nixon. As many of you know, her breast cancer has returned after 10 years. It was a

Do You Know How To Pony?

I didn't have time today to write a real post, so here's some more queer music from the 70s, "Land" from Patti Smith's first album, Horses (1975). Aside from her own playing with gender, she was best buds with Robert Mapplethorpe (who took this great photo for the lp cover), hung out with William S. Burroughs, and had a fetishistic fascination with Arthur Rimbaud. I'd already heard of her as

Do You Know How To Pony?

I didn't have time today to write a real post, so here's some more queer music from the 70s, "Land" from Patti Smith's first album, Horses (1975). Aside from her own playing with gender, she was best buds with Robert Mapplethorpe (who took this great photo for the lp cover), hung out with William S. Burroughs, and had a fetishistic fascination with Arthur Rimbaud. I'd already heard of her as

The Game To End All Games

Today is Superbowl Sunday. The Superbowl – also known as the “Heterosexual Oscars” -- is a very holy event in my country. Those seeking a guide to this fascinating primitive tribal rite may look here. … But I’m joking. Lots of gay people are watching the Superbowl right now. Yesterday a fellow in a gay chat room told me that he was getting his house ready for tonight’s Superbowl party;

The Game To End All Games

Today is Superbowl Sunday. The Superbowl – also known as the “Heterosexual Oscars” -- is a very holy event in my country. Those seeking a guide to this fascinating primitive tribal rite may look here. … But I’m joking. Lots of gay people are watching the Superbowl right now. Yesterday a fellow in a gay chat room told me that he was getting his house ready for tonight’s Superbowl party;

Won't Get Fooled Again

I just finished reading Eugenics and the Nature-Nurture debate in the twentieth century, by Aaron Gillette, published last year by Palgrave Macmillan. Gillette, an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Houston-Downtown, has another book awaiting publication, on “the development of a ‘Latin’ variety of eugenics in the early 20th century. Latin eugenics was ultimately used as a tool

Won't Get Fooled Again

I just finished reading Eugenics and the Nature-Nurture debate in the twentieth century, by Aaron Gillette, published last year by Palgrave Macmillan. Gillette, an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Houston-Downtown, has another book awaiting publication, on “the development of a ‘Latin’ variety of eugenics in the early 20th century. Latin eugenics was ultimately used as a tool

Back In The Saddle Again

I hope to start posting regularly again tomorrow, but for now here's something different: an old friend's band was playing a benefit tonight, so I braved the icy streets and tried out my new camera. (No, they're not a gay band - I'm a very tolerant guy.)These files are bigger than I realized. I may have to shrink 'em down and repost them, but for now I'm going to crash. It has been a long week.

Back In The Saddle Again

I hope to start posting regularly again tomorrow, but for now here's something different: an old friend's band was playing a benefit tonight, so I braved the icy streets and tried out my new camera. (No, they're not a gay band - I'm a very tolerant guy.)These files are bigger than I realized. I may have to shrink 'em down and repost them, but for now I'm going to crash. It has been a long week.