The latest shitstain

In today's episode, Newt Gingrich doesn't know what fascism is.

I suppose he's concerned about the sanctity of all three of his marriages, or perhaps the effect of these radicals on a country he worked so hard to keep honorable and moral. The man racked up eighty-four ethics violations. That's how much he loves America.

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

-R

At War With The Internet

So during my vacation, I visited my paternal grandparents. Lovely people - progressive far beyond the median of their generation, generous and humorous and fun to hang out with. They're strict Catholics, but they've never tried to force their beliefs on me - out of respect for my own decision-making as much as my parents, I hope. I'm always grateful for the time I get to spend with them.

Every so often, though, I'm reminded of the very small but very deep gulfs between our points of view - generational and philosophical, but primarily the latter. Very specifically, this time they both stated that they'd voted for Prop 8, in accordance with Catholic stances on marriage and homosexuality. I can't say I'm surprised, but it was kind of a kick in the gut regardless to see them on the other side of what may be the defining civil rights issue of my generation. (Kudos to Ben in SF for sparking my realization of that one.)

I didn't want to argue it with them - not after the fact, and not when I only really get to see them two days a year at best. But it got me to thinking - my grandparents are certainly not the only generally fair-minded, liberal and generous people who supported that awful legislation for reasons of their own. And I imagine a lot of those people are younger, less set in their ways, and may well be convinced to change their minds before the next time this thing comes up to public vote, as it inevitably will. I don't live in California anymore, and I'm woefully inadequate at public activism, but goddamnit, I can argue. Words are my friends.

So, I've been making it my mission to delve through the dark corners of the Intertubes, seeking out Pro-8 voters willing to discuss their motivations, and holding them up to a microscope. I'm doing my best to be respectful of their personal views - even the ones I find personally noxious and hateful - and debate it on their own territory. I guess in a way I'm arguing with my grandfather (one of the smartest and most logically consistent people I've ever known) by proxy; maybe if he's still around the next time this comes up, I'll be ready to try it.

I don't know if I'm going to change any minds with this, but it's worth trying. November 4th was a victory overall, but it was pocked with loss here and there, and this one was a real tragedy. It's very much the least I can do.

-R

It lives, kind of

(Cross-posted from my FASEBUKLAWL. Perhaps I shall write an actual blog entry tomorrow, with some trenchant thoughts on the election results that aren't just juvenile stone-flinging in the general direction of John McCain.)

I've been back in SF for a week now and jesus christ do I love this city.

It's kind of horrific how much of a difference being 21 makes - so much more to do, so many more options. Not just the drinking age, of course, but being more or less self-sufficient, with the resources and wherewithal to enjoy the City to its full potential, or at least as much as I can with a couple hundred bucks in one week (which, it turns out, is a whole fucking lot.) I feel like I understand San Francisco's status as a destination better than I did when I lived here - how it earned that capital C, so to speak.

Of course, a lot of it is just being on vacation, having no cares or responsibilities for a week, and having a bunch of friends all likewise suffused with a cheery reminiscent glow - this is a good place for that sort of thing. But even taking this into account, San Francisco still feels like the place where I want to end up. Like home.

This means, of course, that I'm going to need to make a fuckton of money, which means that I'm going to need to get my ass in gear what with doing important life/work/school-related things. Grrnnnssshhggh. I'll really need to practice that self-motivation thing, and so on. I like to think that with the election over (and HOW) I'll have more time to do things because I won't be constantly F5ing Google News; the fact is, though, I am stellar at self-distraction and always have been. So that's not likely to change all at once.

Clearly, I need to acquire a girlfriend to cajole me into doing something with my life. How does one go about doing that again? It's been a while. Fucking humans. This is, perhaps, not the best plan.

In any case, my stream of consciousness is rapidly petering out. Maybe I can at least make myself blog/note/what have you more often, and get back into the habit of writing daily. And maybe, just maybe, I can continue on with my various time-consuming hobbies while simultaneously getting my life a bit more on track, and still be a reasonably pleasant and sane human being. It's thoroughly possible.

I mean, who needs sleep anyway? The City beckons, bitches!