Comments for Jimboland Jots http://www.jimboland.com The world from a freethinker, gay, green, radical, and American progressive worldview Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:49:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 Comment on Wanda Sykes’s Stirring Call for Equal Civil Rights Across the USA by James http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/17/wanda-sykess-stirring-call-for-equal-civil-rights-across-the-usa/#comment-114 James Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:18:32 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/?p=977#comment-114 It is sad that Hughley thinks this way. People are angry and reactive with each other over this proposition. I see the entire gay community - in all our beautiful diversity - fed up with and protesting against the Christian religion for its apparently unwavering intolerance and recurring attempts to impose religious beliefs over others, all the while exploiting homophobia to gather and maintain political power. Since the Mormons and Catholics were largely responsible for the funding of the Yes on H8 proposition, civil society has the right to rise up and to challenge them in this attempt to write religious ideology into a secular constitution. I don’t think it is one’s ethnic identity that determines how one votes or thinks, but that it is education and social class that largely influence one’s thinking and voting. It is the narrow Christian worldview, lack of education, and lack of a properly funded and executed No on 8 campaign that led to H8’s passage. However, the vote was really close and I think the California Supreme Court will annul the proposition, as it is a constitutional revision, which is not permitted through popular initiatives. As Irene Monroe says over at huffingtonpost.com, “…the blame should rightly be placed on the shoulders of our government. To have framed our civil rights as a ballot question for a popular vote was both wrong-hearted and wrong-headed. If my enslaved ancestors had waited for their slaveholders to free them predicated on a ballot vote we all wouldn’t be living in the America we know today. And Barack Obama would not be our president-elect.” Our anger is just and our right to exist with full equality is our agenda, nothing more and nothing less. Check out the videos in the blog, Jimboland Jots, to see the diversity of the protesters in San Francisco. It is sad that Hughley thinks this way. People are angry and reactive with each other over this proposition. I see the entire gay community - in all our beautiful diversity - fed up with and protesting against the Christian religion for its apparently unwavering intolerance and recurring attempts to impose religious beliefs over others, all the while exploiting homophobia to gather and maintain political power. Since the Mormons and Catholics were largely responsible for the funding of the Yes on H8 proposition, civil society has the right to rise up and to challenge them in this attempt to write religious ideology into a secular constitution.
I don’t think it is one’s ethnic identity that determines how one votes or thinks, but that it is education and social class that largely influence one’s thinking and voting. It is the narrow Christian worldview, lack of education, and lack of a properly funded and executed No on 8 campaign that led to H8’s passage. However, the vote was really close and I think the California Supreme Court will annul the proposition, as it is a constitutional revision, which is not permitted through popular initiatives. As Irene Monroe says over at huffingtonpost.com, “…the blame should rightly be placed on the shoulders of our government. To have framed our civil rights as a ballot question for a popular vote was both wrong-hearted and wrong-headed. If my enslaved ancestors had waited for their slaveholders to free them predicated on a ballot vote we all wouldn’t be living in the America we know today. And Barack Obama would not be our president-elect.”

Our anger is just and our right to exist with full equality is our agenda, nothing more and nothing less. Check out the videos in the blog, Jimboland Jots, to see the diversity of the protesters in San Francisco.

]]> Comment on Wanda Sykes’s Stirring Call for Equal Civil Rights Across the USA by Steve the Witch http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/17/wanda-sykess-stirring-call-for-equal-civil-rights-across-the-usa/#comment-113 Steve the Witch Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:35:05 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/?p=977#comment-113 This seems relevant here. I just read this interview from CNN’s DL Hughley with Dan Savage. What a couple of assholes. Apparently neither of them think we’re fighting hard enough. I posted a response and encourage everyone to do the same anytime you see something worth speaking out against. I, for one, will never watch DL Hughley’s show and I’m sending CNN a note saying so. I’m sending a note to Dan Savage, too. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/17/hughley.savage.prop.8/index.html?eref=rss_topstories Excerpt from the interview that pissed me off: <em>Hughley</em>: Here's what I think. I've seen a lot of people, gay activists, make the comparison of basically equating their struggle with the struggle of black people throughout the civil rights era. And that hits me even me kind of wrong. <em>Savage</em>: And me too. <em>Hughley</em>: Because historically, millions of people died and they were disenfranchised. Some of them couldn't have a name. This is about one segment, like to be married. And I think that that is none of my business. But I also think that what you asked -- I've never met a black atheist. I never have, because we are so rooted in theology, we are so rooted in all these things, that even me, who -- I'm not a regular churchgoer -- had a hard time going, this is -- this goes against what I was taught. <strong>My post: Mr. Hughley, millions of gays and lesbians have died because the government couldn't be bothered to treat and stop the AIDS epidemic in the early 80's. We have been disenfranchised, persecuted, hunted and killed. Do not marginalize our fight for the rights every American is guaranteed in our constitution - equal rights under the law. How dare you imply that we are not worthy or our rights because we have not fought hard enough. Shame on you. </strong> This seems relevant here. I just read this interview from CNN’s DL Hughley with Dan Savage. What a couple of assholes. Apparently neither of them think we’re fighting hard enough. I posted a response and encourage everyone to do the same anytime you see something worth speaking out against. I, for one, will never watch DL Hughley’s show and I’m sending CNN a note saying so. I’m sending a note to Dan Savage, too.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/17/hughley.savage.prop.8/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Excerpt from the interview that pissed me off:

Hughley: Here’s what I think. I’ve seen a lot of people, gay activists, make the comparison of basically equating their struggle with the struggle of black people throughout the civil rights era. And that hits me even me kind of wrong.

Savage: And me too.

Hughley: Because historically, millions of people died and they were disenfranchised. Some of them couldn’t have a name. This is about one segment, like to be married. And I think that that is none of my business. But I also think that what you asked — I’ve never met a black atheist. I never have, because we are so rooted in theology, we are so rooted in all these things, that even me, who — I’m not a regular churchgoer — had a hard time going, this is — this goes against what I was taught.

My post:
Mr. Hughley, millions of gays and lesbians have died because the government couldn’t be bothered to treat and stop the AIDS epidemic in the early 80’s. We have been disenfranchised, persecuted, hunted and killed. Do not marginalize our fight for the rights every American is guaranteed in our constitution - equal rights under the law. How dare you imply that we are not worthy or our rights because we have not fought hard enough. Shame on you.

]]> Comment on An Army of Lovers Cannot Be Defeated - Part 2 by crinthecity http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/15/an-army-of-lovers-cannot-be-defeated-part-2/#comment-112 crinthecity Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:34:50 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/15/an-army-of-lovers-cannot-be-defeated-part-2/#comment-112 James, thanks so much for the videos and amazing blog coverage. It was nice to meet you on Saturday. We spoke briefly outside pasta pomodoro. I was the one in teh really big rainbow dress. Anyway, i subscribed to your blog. May i put a link to your blog on my blog? clayton crinthecity@gmail.com crinthecity.blogspot.com James,

thanks so much for the videos and amazing blog coverage. It was nice to meet you on Saturday. We spoke briefly outside pasta pomodoro. I was the one in teh really big rainbow dress. Anyway, i subscribed to your blog. May i put a link to your blog on my blog?

clayton
crinthecity@gmail.com
crinthecity.blogspot.com

]]> Comment on Gay Marriage Civil Rights Supportive Neighborhoods in San Francisco by James http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/14/gay-marriage-civil-rights-supportive-neighborhoods-in-san-francisco/#comment-111 James Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:33:54 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/14/gay-marriage-supportive-neighborhoods-in-san-francisco/#comment-111 I think all people are responsible for their vote and behavior and on that we agree. It does seem, however, that the real culprit in this huge act of religious bigotry has to be laid at the feet of the Christian religion, which is historically conservative in matters of sex, sexuality, sex education, and gender identity: usually avoiding or minimizing the need for dialogue, education, and inquiry into such matters. This keeps Christians woefully lagging behind in current understanding of the human condition, especially regarding gay people. Given the enormity of this religion's influence, it follows that the African-American community would be a part of the larger homophobia and sex-negativity found in the Christian religion. Having said that, it appears that some African-Americans fail to see the associations between civil rights for all and the historic civil rights movement of the 20th century, feeling that they own the matter; naturally, this is not the case. Civil rights are for everyone and civil rights activism and movements are the property of all human societies. I'm willing to bet that if class and education levels were factored in, African-Americans that are better educated and middle-class probably leaned toward No on Proposition 8. It seems to me that this is really a matter of the failure of the No on 8 campaign to adequately saturate television with gay and lesbian couples' faces and families, as well as that we were trying to elect President-elect Obama, which split our resources. As well, the No on 8 campaign's allying and working with African-American and Latino organizations wasn't adequate. <strong>So, to me, it is the narrow Christian worldview, lack of education, and lack of a properly funded and executed No on 8 campaign that led to H8's passage. However, the vote was really close and I think the California Supreme Court will annul the proposition, as it is a constitutional revision, which is not permitted through popular initiatives.</strong> I think all people are responsible for their vote and behavior and on that we agree. It does seem, however, that the real culprit in this huge act of religious bigotry has to be laid at the feet of the Christian religion, which is historically conservative in matters of sex, sexuality, sex education, and gender identity: usually avoiding or minimizing the need for dialogue, education, and inquiry into such matters. This keeps Christians woefully lagging behind in current understanding of the human condition, especially regarding gay people. Given the enormity of this religion’s influence, it follows that the African-American community would be a part of the larger homophobia and sex-negativity found in the Christian religion. Having said that, it appears that some African-Americans fail to see the associations between civil rights for all and the historic civil rights movement of the 20th century, feeling that they own the matter; naturally, this is not the case. Civil rights are for everyone and civil rights activism and movements are the property of all human societies.

I’m willing to bet that if class and education levels were factored in, African-Americans that are better educated and middle-class probably leaned toward No on Proposition 8. It seems to me that this is really a matter of the failure of the No on 8 campaign to adequately saturate television with gay and lesbian couples’ faces and families, as well as that we were trying to elect President-elect Obama, which split our resources. As well, the No on 8 campaign’s allying and working with African-American and Latino organizations wasn’t adequate.

So, to me, it is the narrow Christian worldview, lack of education, and lack of a properly funded and executed No on 8 campaign that led to H8’s passage. However, the vote was really close and I think the California Supreme Court will annul the proposition, as it is a constitutional revision, which is not permitted through popular initiatives.

]]> Comment on Gay Marriage Civil Rights Supportive Neighborhoods in San Francisco by dooley http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/14/gay-marriage-civil-rights-supportive-neighborhoods-in-san-francisco/#comment-110 dooley Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:05:10 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/14/gay-marriage-supportive-neighborhoods-in-san-francisco/#comment-110 Very interesting map Jim. I'd hate to say but race looks like it played a big part. From what I've been hearing is that about 70 percent of African American's voted for prop 8? I don't think I'd be shopping or moving to any of those blue areas probably mostly in part of the crime rate factor. I don't think I'd be protesting around there either. There are a few pockets out in the Sunset near where I live. Looks like around Noriega. There is a group of stores there on Noriega by the Safeway. About a 3-4 block stretch. I'll stay away. Very interesting map Jim. I’d hate to say but race looks like it played a big part. From what I’ve been hearing is that about 70 percent of African American’s voted for prop 8? I don’t think I’d be shopping or moving to any of those blue areas probably mostly in part of the crime rate factor. I don’t think I’d be protesting around there either. There are a few pockets out in the Sunset near where I live. Looks like around Noriega. There is a group of stores there on Noriega by the Safeway. About a 3-4 block stretch. I’ll stay away.

]]> Comment on An Army of Lovers Cannot Be Defeated - Part 2 by James http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/15/an-army-of-lovers-cannot-be-defeated-part-2/#comment-109 James Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:21:46 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/15/an-army-of-lovers-cannot-be-defeated-part-2/#comment-109 Thanks I am definitely touched! I was just drawn to this sweet little guy and thanks for being so open; I felt such love and family all around us at the protest. I told Eric your story of how he started following us when we left. Give him a big hug. Thanks for persisting with the Comments bug and I'm glad it's fixed. Thanks I am definitely touched! I was just drawn to this sweet little guy and thanks for being so open; I felt such love and family all around us at the protest. I told Eric your story of how he started following us when we left. Give him a big hug. Thanks for persisting with the Comments bug and I’m glad it’s fixed.

]]> Comment on An Army of Lovers Cannot Be Defeated - Part 2 by Cassandra http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/15/an-army-of-lovers-cannot-be-defeated-part-2/#comment-108 Cassandra Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:19:06 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/15/an-army-of-lovers-cannot-be-defeated-part-2/#comment-108 I loved meeting you, eric and phillip on friday! I have to say that the love in that rally was palpable. Those pictures are awesome, and the video is beautiful. I love it when Connor stares at your soul through the camera. He doesn't let just anyone pick him up :) I loved meeting you, eric and phillip on friday! I have to say that the love in that rally was palpable. Those pictures are awesome, and the video is beautiful. I love it when Connor stares at your soul through the camera.
He doesn’t let just anyone pick him up :)

]]> Comment on An Army of Lovers Cannot Be Defeated - Part 2 by Welcome to James's Front Porch - Jimboland Jots | http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/15/an-army-of-lovers-cannot-be-defeated-part-2/#comment-106 Welcome to James's Front Porch - Jimboland Jots | Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:06:35 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/2008/11/15/an-army-of-lovers-cannot-be-defeated-part-2/#comment-106 [...] Jimboland Jots: An Army of Lovers Cannot Be Defeated - Part 2 swfobject.embedSWF("http://www.youtube.com/v/WSyWeFXC0uA&rel=1&fs=1", "vvq492109e7ae081", [...] [...] Jimboland Jots: An Army of Lovers Cannot Be Defeated - Part 2 swfobject.embedSWF(”http://www.youtube.com/v/WSyWeFXC0uA&rel=1&fs=1″, “vvq492109e7ae081″, [...]

]]> Comment on All Our Relations - A Vision for Humanity by alapoet http://www.jimboland.com/2008/07/13/all-our-relations-a-vision-for-humanity/#comment-89 alapoet Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:22:57 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/2008/07/13/184/#comment-89 A beautiful, moving, evocative and poignant expression of truth. A beautiful, moving, evocative and poignant expression of truth.

]]> Comment on The Green Mega City of Our Future is Now by alapoet http://www.jimboland.com/2008/07/12/the-green-mega-city-of-our-future-is-now/#comment-88 alapoet Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:43:40 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/?p=176#comment-88 I love this! It gives me great hope for the future. I love this! It gives me great hope for the future.

]]> Comment on Jesse Helms the bigot bites the dust and good riddance by alapoet http://www.jimboland.com/2008/07/08/jesse-helms-the-bigot-bites-the-dust-and-good-riddance/#comment-87 alapoet Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:37:19 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/?p=169#comment-87 Amen... Helms preached hatred, bigotry and intolerance all his life. So that's the legacy he left behind -- to his eternal shame. Amen… Helms preached hatred, bigotry and intolerance all his life. So that’s the legacy he left behind — to his eternal shame.

]]> Comment on Remake of the classic 30s flick, The Women, in late 2008 by alapoet http://www.jimboland.com/2008/06/07/remake-of-the-classic-30s-flick-the-women-in-late-2008/#comment-77 alapoet Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:27:46 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/?p=146#comment-77 Ohhh, the remake looks SOO good! I can hardly wait to see it! Ohhh, the remake looks SOO good! I can hardly wait to see it!

]]> Comment on Censored Tibetan uprising photos and videos by James http://www.jimboland.com/2008/04/14/120/#comment-45 James Sat, 17 May 2008 17:45:26 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/?p=120#comment-45 As always, Kevin, thanks for your insightful comments. I agree, the torch-bearers should not have been attacked. I do agree that China is in a quandry regarding joining civil society's quest for universal human rights and they are facing a serious crisis in how to do that while maintaining integrity of cultural heritage, as well as to feed, clothe, and house the Chinese people. Having said that, as an American from the traditional school that a popular democracy is the best way to socially organize, the Chinese people have for too long been the victims of a legal, massive conspiracy by their ruling class to believe only what they are told to believe. This is evident when Chinese students at Americans universities accuse speakers and presenters of lying when they are actually telling historical truths from documented situations: i.e.: Tibet's autonomy as a nation and people vs China's repetition that Tibet is a province of China. Which Southeast Asian country will next become a "province" of China, I wonder? As always, Kevin, thanks for your insightful comments. I agree, the torch-bearers should not have been attacked. I do agree that China is in a quandry regarding joining civil society’s quest for universal human rights and they are facing a serious crisis in how to do that while maintaining integrity of cultural heritage, as well as to feed, clothe, and house the Chinese people. Having said that, as an American from the traditional school that a popular democracy is the best way to socially organize, the Chinese people have for too long been the victims of a legal, massive conspiracy by their ruling class to believe only what they are told to believe. This is evident when Chinese students at Americans universities accuse speakers and presenters of lying when they are actually telling historical truths from documented situations: i.e.: Tibet’s autonomy as a nation and people vs China’s repetition that Tibet is a province of China. Which Southeast Asian country will next become a “province” of China, I wonder?

]]> Comment on Censored Tibetan uprising photos and videos by KevinC http://www.jimboland.com/2008/04/14/120/#comment-31 KevinC Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:29:30 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/?p=120#comment-31 After sitting on this subject for the past few months, It's come clear to me that the country of my birth has more problems than I thought. As you can imagine, it's a very sensitive subject in my household and within the recent weeks, I realize just how divided my opinions are with my folks. Growning up as an "american" I've adapted it's lifestyles and ideas while my parents lean more on the old ways. While I support Tibetians for bringing this subject to light, my parents blame the american goverment and media for not showing china's side of the story. It's true that china has a long way to go in terms of human rights (heck, if china was in better shape, my family and I wouldn't be in the U.S!) Now I find myself in a bit of a bind. I support human rights, (hell, who wouldn't??) yet I cannot change who I am and I'm all for the olympics. I hope things change for the better and soon. What I really dont like are how some individuals (like what happened in france's torch run) feel the need to attack the torch runner... I mean COME ON! what ever happened to "don't shoot the messenger"??? One of the reasons for china's human rights laws is very simple, China's population is about 3-4x more than the U.S, with that many people, if they had a goverment system like we do, can you imagine what kind of chaos would erupt amoung it's people? it'll be a total meltdown of their already fragile system. China has a long way to go but i have faith that they'll make changes (hopefully) in my lifetime. After sitting on this subject for the past few months, It’s come clear to me that the country of my birth has more problems than I thought. As you can imagine, it’s a very sensitive subject in my household and within the recent weeks, I realize just how divided my opinions are with my folks. Growning up as an “american” I’ve adapted it’s lifestyles and ideas while my parents lean more on the old ways. While I support Tibetians for bringing this subject to light, my parents blame the american goverment and media for not showing china’s side of the story.
It’s true that china has a long way to go in terms of human rights (heck, if china was in better shape, my family and I wouldn’t be in the U.S!)
Now I find myself in a bit of a bind. I support human rights, (hell, who wouldn’t??) yet I cannot change who I am and I’m all for the olympics. I hope things change for the better and soon. What I really dont like are how some individuals (like what happened in france’s torch run) feel the need to attack the torch runner… I mean COME ON! what ever happened to “don’t shoot the messenger”???

One of the reasons for china’s human rights laws is very simple, China’s population is about 3-4x more than the U.S, with that many people, if they had a goverment system like we do, can you imagine what kind of chaos would erupt amoung it’s people? it’ll be a total meltdown of their already fragile system. China has a long way to go but i have faith that they’ll make changes (hopefully) in my lifetime.

]]> Comment on Earth Hour 2008 in San Francisco by sarosas http://www.jimboland.com/2008/03/29/earth-hour-2008/#comment-25 sarosas Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:06:04 +0000 http://www.jimboland.com/?p=97#comment-25 I loved Earth Hour! That was one of the best hours of my life and I think we need to have an Earth Hour every week. As I scrambled to get prepared it was remarkable the transformation in my home. When all the lights, TV, computers, and unnecessary electronics were turned off and just the candles and hurricane lamp were a glow it was so tranquil and relaxing! It gave me pause to wonder maybe we have too much electronic dependency and have lost our connection to Mother Earth? I loved Earth Hour! That was one of the best hours of my life and I think we need to have an Earth Hour every week. As I scrambled to get prepared it was remarkable the transformation in my home. When all the lights, TV, computers, and unnecessary electronics were turned off and just the candles and hurricane lamp were a glow it was so tranquil and relaxing! It gave me pause to wonder maybe we have too much electronic dependency and have lost our connection to Mother Earth?

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