Eve Ensler, the American playwright, performer, feminist and activist best known for "The Vagina Monologues", wrote the following about Sarah Palin.
Drill, Drill, Drill
I am having Sarah Palin nightmares. I dreamt last night that she
was a member of a club where they rode snowmobiles and wore the
claws of drowned and starved polar bears around their necks. I have
a particular thing for Polar Bears. Maybe it's their snowy whiteness
or their bigness or the fact that they live in the arctic or that I
have never seen one in person or touched one. Maybe it is the fact
that they live so comfortably on ice. Whatever it is, I need the
polar bears.
I don't like raging at women. I am a Feminist and have spent my life
trying to build community, help empower women and stop violence
against them. It is hard to write about Sarah Palin. This is why the
Sarah Palin choice was all the more insidious and cynical. The people
who made this choice count on the goodness and solidarity of
Feminists.
But everything Sarah Palin believes in and practices is antithetical
to Feminism which for me is part of one story -- connected to saving
the earth, ending racism, empowering women, giving young girls
options, opening our minds, deepening tolerance, and ending violence
and war.
I believe that the McCain/Palin ticket is one of the most dangerous
choices of my lifetime, and should this country chose those
candidates the fall-out may be so great, the destruction so vast in
so many areas that America may never recover. But what is equally
disturbing is the impact that duo would have on the rest of the
world. Unfortunately, this is not a joke. In my lifetime I have
seen the clownish, the inept, the bizarre be elected to the
presidency with regularity.
Sarah Palin does not believe in evolution. I take this as a metaphor.
In her world and the world of Fundamentalists nothing changes or gets
better or evolves. She does not believe in global warming. The
melting of the arctic, the storms that are destroying our cities, the
pollution and rise of cancers, are all part of God's plan. She is
fighting to take the polar bears off the endangered species list. The
earth, in Palin's view, is here to be taken and plundered. The wolves
and the bears are here to be shot and plundered. The oil is here to
be taken and plundered. Iraq is here to be taken and plundered. As
she said herself of the Iraqi war, "It was a task from God."
Sarah Palin does not believe in abortion. She does not believe women
who are raped and incested and ripped open against their will should
have a right to determine whether they have their rapist's baby or
not.
She obviously does not believe in sex education or birth control. I
imagine her daughter was practicing abstinence and we know how many
babies that makes.
Sarah Palin does not much believe in thinking. From what I gather she
has tried to ban books from the library, has a tendency to dispense
with people who think independently. She cannot tolerate an
environment of ambiguity and difference. This is a woman who could
and might very well be the next president of the United States. She
would govern one of the most diverse populations on the earth.
Sarah believes in guns. She has her own custom Austrian hunting
rifle. She has been known to kill 40 caribou at a clip. She has shot
hundreds of wolves from the air.
Sarah believes in God. That is of course her right, her private
right. But when God and Guns come together in the public sector, when
war is declared in God's name, when the rights of women are denied in
his name, that is the end of separation of church and state and the
undoing of everything America has ever tried to be.
I write to my sisters. I write because I believe we hold this
election in our hands. This vote is a vote that will determine the
future not just of the U.S., but of the planet. It will determine
whether we create policies to save the earth or make it forever
uninhabitable for humans. It will determine whether we move towards
dialogue and diplomacy in the world or whether we escalate violence
through invasion, undermining and attack. It will determine whether
we go for oil, strip mining, coal burning or invest our money in
alternatives that will free us from dependency and destruction. It
will determine if money gets spent on education and healthcare or
whether we build more and more methods of killing. It will determine
whether America is a free open tolerant society or a closed place of
fear, fundamentalism and aggression.
If the Polar Bears don't move you to go and do everything in your
power to get Obama elected then consider the chant that filled the
hall after Palin spoke at the RNC, "Drill Drill Drill." I think of
teeth when I think of drills. I think of rape. I think of
destruction. I think of domination. I think of military exercises
that force mindless repetition, emptying the brain of analysis,
doubt, ambiguity or dissent. I think of pain.
Do we want a future of drilling? More holes in the ozone, in the
floor of the sea, more holes in our thinking, in the trust between
nations and peoples, more holes in the fabric of this precious thing
we call life?
Eve Ensler
September 5, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
the three blind men and the elephant
There were 3 blind men, who had not seen since birth, and were given the gift from a mahut of going to "see" his elephant. But, because the elephant wasn't used to being handled by strangers, each blind man had to go in individually.
So, the first man went in and grabbed the elephant by an ear. "OH, he said, the elephant is powerful! He is like a great leaf of the forest, strong and large and flat! How great is the elephant!" and, after a while, he left.
The next man came it, and happened to grab a tusk. "OH, he said, the elephat is powerful! He is like a staff of great power. He must have the magic of the ages! How wise and wonderful is the elephant!" and, after a while, he left.
The third, and last man, came to see the elephant. He walked straight into the side of the elephant who was now lying down. "OH, like a great wall is the elephant," said the blind man. He must be able to stop any charge, to control any flood, to push any object. His skin is rough and hairy and deeply wrinkled. The elephant is short and round. How like a large stone is the elephant!" He, too, left.
The three blind men met together outside the mahut's elephant enclosure and began to discuss the elephant. Of course, the discussion led to an argument. The argument led to a fight. Each was SURE of what he had "seen", and felt, and heard while he was in with the elephant. After the fight had come to blows, and words had been spoken that could never be taken back, the three old friends parted.
You see, my darling, God is like the elephant and we are like the blind men. Who is to say which of us is wrong, and which is right And, will we not have our eyes cleared by The Lord on the day of reckoning What if one of us has the tusk, and one the tail, and one the ear, and we are fighting over nothing?
Just a thought...
So, the first man went in and grabbed the elephant by an ear. "OH, he said, the elephant is powerful! He is like a great leaf of the forest, strong and large and flat! How great is the elephant!" and, after a while, he left.
The next man came it, and happened to grab a tusk. "OH, he said, the elephat is powerful! He is like a staff of great power. He must have the magic of the ages! How wise and wonderful is the elephant!" and, after a while, he left.
The third, and last man, came to see the elephant. He walked straight into the side of the elephant who was now lying down. "OH, like a great wall is the elephant," said the blind man. He must be able to stop any charge, to control any flood, to push any object. His skin is rough and hairy and deeply wrinkled. The elephant is short and round. How like a large stone is the elephant!" He, too, left.
The three blind men met together outside the mahut's elephant enclosure and began to discuss the elephant. Of course, the discussion led to an argument. The argument led to a fight. Each was SURE of what he had "seen", and felt, and heard while he was in with the elephant. After the fight had come to blows, and words had been spoken that could never be taken back, the three old friends parted.
You see, my darling, God is like the elephant and we are like the blind men. Who is to say which of us is wrong, and which is right And, will we not have our eyes cleared by The Lord on the day of reckoning What if one of us has the tusk, and one the tail, and one the ear, and we are fighting over nothing?
Just a thought...
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Why am I crying
Why am I crying oh well...
coz people get my hopes up people let me down
and still I love them the way they are
coz that's the only way they come
coz I don't always know up from down
but I get it eventually
coz I've come a long way
& still have so much to go.
coz I can never go into the same river twice
but there are so many others to cross.
coz no matter how much I leave behind
I always take my memories along
coz I've found true love...
couple of times
coz sometimes life doesn't happen the way I thought...
but better
coz whatever happens I will be allright
&I will hang in there as everybody does.
coz that's life and i'm brave enough to take it on
-most times.
coz there's such a lot of world to see
&your lips to kiss
coz people get my hopes up people let me down
and still I love them the way they are
coz that's the only way they come
coz I don't always know up from down
but I get it eventually
coz I've come a long way
& still have so much to go.
coz I can never go into the same river twice
but there are so many others to cross.
coz no matter how much I leave behind
I always take my memories along
coz I've found true love...
couple of times
coz sometimes life doesn't happen the way I thought...
but better
coz whatever happens I will be allright
&I will hang in there as everybody does.
coz that's life and i'm brave enough to take it on
-most times.
coz there's such a lot of world to see
&your lips to kiss
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
I want a woman...
who is generous and not afraid to give too much.
a woman who says please, thank you, and knows that the reason for good manners is a pleasant cohabitation.
a woman who is thankful, first and foremost, for her mere existence.
a woman who can appreciate beauty in everything, and learns valuable lessons from difficulties.
who loves to talk, listen and is a very communicative person.
a woman who thinks of love making more like the highlight of her day, rather than a chore, and has a high sex drive. a woman whose kisses increase my heartbeats and who can deliver a bite that leaves me prey to her intentions.
a woman who is well-read and informed, has a critical and open mind and enjoys exchange of ideas -specially ideas if she comes up with herself.
a woman who is interested in and wants to be part of contemporary culture and loves the arts.
a woman who is involved. She has a humanitarian, intellectual or artistic background and is possibly an activist of some sort.
a woman making full use of her immune system, who isn't afraid of dirt, germs and the like but tends to the cleanliness of her own space.
a woman who will take a trail that doesn't exist, and will get up to her knees in icy waters or crawl in mud to get a better view of a waterfall.
a woman who takes risks, but does not put herself in danger.
a woman who takes care of herself and doesn't need mothering, but purrs at her lover's nurturing.
a woman who is not jealous or threatened by the other important people in her partner's life.
a woman who will wonder, doubt, question, argument, agree or disagree respectfully and constructively.
a woman who loves different tastes of food, appreciates and enjoys a meal cooked just for her or other small, loving gestures.
a woman who will jump gladly into a relaxing bath for two, candles and all.
a woman who is not afraid in the dark, because she's holding my hand.
a woman who likes to hold hands.
a woman who might write me a poem or bring me flowers, because it's Tuesday.
a woman who knows who she is, what she wants, or is in a perpetual process of finding out, and is proud but not arrogant.
a woman who is out, most importantly to herself.
a woman who knows how to live and let live and who can, when all else fails, let go and let god.
a woman who is sincere, goal-oriented, disciplined, concentrated and has a common sense.
a woman I can admire and look up to.
a woman who might be into drugs, but not an addict.
a woman who likes and can play with fire, but can take the consequences if she gets burned.
a woman who reflects on her emotions, reactions, needs and wishes.
a woman who loves cats, of any size.
a woman who doesnt have bad-mannered dog(s). a woman who has well-mannered children, if any.
a woman who wants to see the world and is up for an adventure but also has a comfortable, functional, cosy and tastefully decorated home to return to, spend time alone, time for two or entertain friends.
a woman who enjoys a playful exchange of sarcastic niceties.
a woman that will fascinate me and for whom I'll fall deeper over time.
a woman who is confident and reveals her true self from the beginning.
a woman whose smile brightens up my day and whose eyes I gladly and willingly get lost into. a woman whose arms are the safest and most comforting place in the world.
a woman who carries herself in an emancipated, sexy way and is more often than not on the butchy side of the fence -a woman without a possessive, controlling or macho attitude.
a woman I will want to spend a long time with, a woman I would be happy and honoured to make a committment to.
a woman who will not fall low when it's over, someone I will still consider a close friend when the romantic interest fades.
i gave the list to mother to read and she added
MUST be approved by parents in Alaska
a woman who says please, thank you, and knows that the reason for good manners is a pleasant cohabitation.
a woman who is thankful, first and foremost, for her mere existence.
a woman who can appreciate beauty in everything, and learns valuable lessons from difficulties.
who loves to talk, listen and is a very communicative person.
a woman who thinks of love making more like the highlight of her day, rather than a chore, and has a high sex drive. a woman whose kisses increase my heartbeats and who can deliver a bite that leaves me prey to her intentions.
a woman who is well-read and informed, has a critical and open mind and enjoys exchange of ideas -specially ideas if she comes up with herself.
a woman who is interested in and wants to be part of contemporary culture and loves the arts.
a woman who is involved. She has a humanitarian, intellectual or artistic background and is possibly an activist of some sort.
a woman making full use of her immune system, who isn't afraid of dirt, germs and the like but tends to the cleanliness of her own space.
a woman who will take a trail that doesn't exist, and will get up to her knees in icy waters or crawl in mud to get a better view of a waterfall.
a woman who takes risks, but does not put herself in danger.
a woman who takes care of herself and doesn't need mothering, but purrs at her lover's nurturing.
a woman who is not jealous or threatened by the other important people in her partner's life.
a woman who will wonder, doubt, question, argument, agree or disagree respectfully and constructively.
a woman who loves different tastes of food, appreciates and enjoys a meal cooked just for her or other small, loving gestures.
a woman who will jump gladly into a relaxing bath for two, candles and all.
a woman who is not afraid in the dark, because she's holding my hand.
a woman who likes to hold hands.
a woman who might write me a poem or bring me flowers, because it's Tuesday.
a woman who knows who she is, what she wants, or is in a perpetual process of finding out, and is proud but not arrogant.
a woman who is out, most importantly to herself.
a woman who knows how to live and let live and who can, when all else fails, let go and let god.
a woman who is sincere, goal-oriented, disciplined, concentrated and has a common sense.
a woman I can admire and look up to.
a woman who might be into drugs, but not an addict.
a woman who likes and can play with fire, but can take the consequences if she gets burned.
a woman who reflects on her emotions, reactions, needs and wishes.
a woman who loves cats, of any size.
a woman who doesnt have bad-mannered dog(s). a woman who has well-mannered children, if any.
a woman who wants to see the world and is up for an adventure but also has a comfortable, functional, cosy and tastefully decorated home to return to, spend time alone, time for two or entertain friends.
a woman who enjoys a playful exchange of sarcastic niceties.
a woman that will fascinate me and for whom I'll fall deeper over time.
a woman who is confident and reveals her true self from the beginning.
a woman whose smile brightens up my day and whose eyes I gladly and willingly get lost into. a woman whose arms are the safest and most comforting place in the world.
a woman who carries herself in an emancipated, sexy way and is more often than not on the butchy side of the fence -a woman without a possessive, controlling or macho attitude.
a woman I will want to spend a long time with, a woman I would be happy and honoured to make a committment to.
a woman who will not fall low when it's over, someone I will still consider a close friend when the romantic interest fades.
i gave the list to mother to read and she added
MUST be approved by parents in Alaska
Friday, August 15, 2008
still missing you
I count the months. 9. Almost.
I still miss you. It hurts less but you're still missing. Can't delete your numbers. Won't delete your messages. Stopped reading your letters.
I call your number. Maybe I can listen to your answering machine. Number not available. The impulse to call your sister. Almost like talking to you. Same voice. Same sudden pauses to take in a breath.
I lie outside, humming along to music. The second chaise is empty. I miss you occupying it. I lie back with the knees up under the plaid. You sit uptight. I miss you leaning on your elbows over your knees when you relax. Listening to music with me. Saying nothing to each other. Just looking in your eyes glimmering in the dark. Reaching out my hand. Holding you. It's so hard to reach out my hand nowadays. So strange to be touched by someone else. But welcome, as of late. I miss saying nothing with you. And understanding everything in fact.
You haven't come in my dreams for two weeks. I love you, said I. I want you, said you. Going through your work. I love your work. I want to show it.
All that's left.
And why. And fuck.
Wandering the streets.
Leaving a red rose in your mailbox.
Singing at your grave.
And a perfume I want to bathe in.
Up thunder mountain. What a view. You flew over the glacier. I tore my knee.
We travelled to the south. You swam away in the cool aegean waters, under the moonshine. I cried.
I took you to the forest. I needed that last one, you know.
Hey, I think I'm in love. You're not there to listen to my rant. Or are you? Hey did I tell you? I'm getting a tattoo. Was so jealous running my fingers down yours.
So you're gone. Nothing left of you now. An empty matchbox.
But I carry you everywhere I go, my heart.
I still miss you. It hurts less but you're still missing. Can't delete your numbers. Won't delete your messages. Stopped reading your letters.
I call your number. Maybe I can listen to your answering machine. Number not available. The impulse to call your sister. Almost like talking to you. Same voice. Same sudden pauses to take in a breath.
I lie outside, humming along to music. The second chaise is empty. I miss you occupying it. I lie back with the knees up under the plaid. You sit uptight. I miss you leaning on your elbows over your knees when you relax. Listening to music with me. Saying nothing to each other. Just looking in your eyes glimmering in the dark. Reaching out my hand. Holding you. It's so hard to reach out my hand nowadays. So strange to be touched by someone else. But welcome, as of late. I miss saying nothing with you. And understanding everything in fact.
You haven't come in my dreams for two weeks. I love you, said I. I want you, said you. Going through your work. I love your work. I want to show it.
All that's left.
And why. And fuck.
Wandering the streets.
Leaving a red rose in your mailbox.
Singing at your grave.
And a perfume I want to bathe in.
Up thunder mountain. What a view. You flew over the glacier. I tore my knee.
We travelled to the south. You swam away in the cool aegean waters, under the moonshine. I cried.
I took you to the forest. I needed that last one, you know.
Hey, I think I'm in love. You're not there to listen to my rant. Or are you? Hey did I tell you? I'm getting a tattoo. Was so jealous running my fingers down yours.
So you're gone. Nothing left of you now. An empty matchbox.
But I carry you everywhere I go, my heart.
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