?United? States? : a rant

(Note: this is somewhat in response to a thread on facebook dealing with people referring to healthcare reform as "That nazi policy" and likening Obama to Hitler)

I do think that the US is a great country. One of our defining traits has been the ability to have liberty and diversity at the same time. Our worst moments as a country have been when we have been bitterly divided against each other to the point of no longer seeing what unites us (eg The Civil War). Our best moments have been when we acknowledge that while we may not agree, we are all in this together (eg 9/11). I am not so idealistic as to think that even in our most united moments absolutely everyone agrees about any given idea, policy, or endeavor. But it has been our ability to disagree but still work together that has put us ahead of any other country as a beacon of democracy. My current frustration has been the deepening and ongoing polarization of America. What started as red states vs. blue states has evolved to a point where there seems to be very little middle ground. Whether it is supreme court justice nominees, or plans to improve sectors of our society that really need it, or an effort to shore up an ailing economy- everything is presented in bulleted talking points and gross dichotomies. The population at large seems too lazy to think for themselves and so they let pundits and talking heads form their opinions. The media seems to use this tension to fuel its 24 hour news cycle. After all, it draws more viewers to show a town-hall brawl than to show people working side by side to accomplish something. Why we have allowed it to become about viewership and not about unbiased information is a whole ‘nother rant.
One of my greatest hopes with Obama as president was for some relief from that polarization, and frankly I have been disappointed- especially by the lack of effort put forth by both Democrats and Republicans to work across party lines. It seems like Democrats are playing a game of “tit for tat” payback after 8 years of Republican rule, and Republicans are playing at nursing their “I’m going to take my ball and go home” sore loser status. I want to say to all of them (and us) GROW UP! Put aside the petty partisan politics, and I might add the harmful vituperative rhetoric both sides are using, and GET TO WORK! Nothing is being accomplished and we are squandering both a glorious history and a shining future to stroke our egos. I am aware that I am asking that we stop doing politics as usual- and that may be asking too much. But it sure doesn’t seem like our current method is working.
As far as the Hitler analogies go- you can make those analogies with lots of leaders throughout history- some good and some bad. Most politicians gain favor, get elected or appointed and then use their power for good or ill. To equate anyone with Hitler or the Nazis is to say they are the worst of all people with an agenda of absolute evil. So, while I agree Obama has come into power riding a wave of popularity and has now set out to advance an agenda of egalitarianism- I don’t find the comparison to be equivocal and by using Hitler as the standard, you unnecessarily incite fear-mongering. It tends to shut down the conversation because it elicits so many strong emotions. And as I said earlier- I believe our greatest strength lies in talking, listening and working with each other despite our disagreements, rather than simply dividing into opposing sides and hurling insults at each other. And I remain thankful because we have the privilege to live in a place where we have the liberty to disagree frankly and openly while we still share a common foundation of freedom for all.

Sometimes you just have to say

I heard the news about director John Hughes sudden death yesterday- and I was suddenly transpoted back to watching a spate of movies that defined my micro-generation. I say micro-generation, because as generational theory goes, we are the first wave of the Gen X crowd, but being at the front part of that, we were still heavily under the boomer shadow, and at a loss for our identity. And cue John Hughes. As my cohort reached high school, he began to make films that represented our crew. Instead of watching the Big Chill crowd relive their glory years, we were finally given our own titles- the Breakfast Club, the Neo maxi zoom dweebs, the Duckies, the Brat Pack.

I won't go as far as to call John Hughes some incredible filmaker- some academy award winning postmodern genius- but he was true to life. And while reflecting what was going on in everyday American teenagers lives, or their high schools, or in their fantasies, he was also wickedly funny- both in a over the top Long-Duc-Dong way, and in a subtle, school secretary sniffing white-out kind of way. He also had a knack for exposing the increasing stratification and fracturalization that was going on in high schools everywhere. Whether he pointed out the injustices, like in Weird Science, or celebrated the things that could bridge those cliqueish chasms, like in Breakfast Club- he was acutely aware of how that social catergorization dynamic was the one thing all teenagers were experiencing. Unlike previous generations, where the football captain could also be the valedictorian, and think about a career in the military, while he rebuilds his mustang in the garage- Hughes understood the demands that were being placed on teens to declare an allegiance to one category and how everyone was labeled according to their group. You didn't cross the lines, however invisible and undefined they were. You were either a computer geek, a weirdo, a motorhead, a popular kid, a brain, a sporto, or a blood. (see Eddy McClurgs description to how popular Ferris is to Ed Rooney). And yet, he also gave us hope that we weren't bound forever in those roles.
Thus, he cast Molly Ringwald as the upperclass princess (Breakfast Club), the middle class suburban invisible kid (Sixteen candles) and the blue collar urban punk kid (Pretty in Pink). Anthony Michael Hall was a brainy geek (Breakfast club) a science geek (Weird Science) and an ultimately sucessful king of geeks (Sixteen Candles)- okay, so he's always a geek- oh well. But, he creates situations and scenes where the underlying teenage angst trumps the classifications, and as Suzanne Vega sings in one of the signature tracks on Pretty in Pink "I think that somehow, somewhere inside of us, we must be similar, if not the same". Which brings me to my last eulogy for Hughes- his understanding that music can also speak louder than dialogue. Also, that he would take relative unknown artists and use them to produce a soundtrack that was as reflective and evocative as the film itself.
Just remember if you don't stop and look around sometimes, life will pass you by. Thanks John.

Happy Anniversary with Rhymes With Orange

It's been 16 years ago as of tomorrow that George and I took the plunge and pledged our lives together. So, I thought I'd share two tidbits in the funnies that made us laugh this week- one at my expense and one at his. He is still my best friend and understands my humor better than anyone- and loves me anyway! Here's to many more laughs and years together! (Credit to Rhymes With Orange cartoon strip by Hillary Price)

I am not among my tribe- encore presentation

Just sharing what I thought was an apt post from last summer, as, sigh, it still applies. Maybe I'll get a photo up that shows what I mean soon. Again, sigh. Enjoy!

It happens every summer. First is the excitement that summer is finally here. It's a part of my DNA- the internal alarm clock that says, "it's here! It's here! Summer is finally here!" For many many years, the clanging of that alarm meant one thing for me: Summer camp. A pilgrimage to the holy mountain, where like many a traveler on his way to Jerusalem, I sang the songs of ascent and inwardly squealed (and sometimes outwardly) with excitement over finally climbing the mount and entering my temple of summer. For a few years, it meant the precious few weeks of being a camper- and then for a few more years, the work, joy, exhaustion, exhilaration and fun of being on staff. And then, several years later the amazement of watching a year's worth of planning and paperwork turn itself into a cool camp experience while I served as director.
More than anything though, the one feeling I loved at camp was the feeling that this is where I belonged. I had no yearning for home or my own bed (maybe more sleep, but my bunk was just fine). I had rough times and hard times and yucky times, but even in those times, I felt like I was doing what I was made to do. It was a perfect fit if there could be such a thing. I deeply felt and understood the difference between a job and a calling.

But, now, as summertime crests and breaks into routines of pool time and family cookouts, I feel like the Jews of Psalm 137, who having been exiled to a foreign land, are asked to sing songs from home to entertain their captors. My loose paraphrase goes (with apologies to Don McLean) "By the waters of Babylon Community Pool, we laid out and wept for thee summer camp." I look around and feel like an alien in a strange land, having been banished and sent out to live among a new tribe. I have been exiled to the land of the Suburbanite tribe, with their strange costumes of capris, leather sandals, and highlighted hair, with rituals of swim meets and play-dates. There I sit in my native dress of jean shorts and t-shirts and closed-toe shoes and I feel disconnected. My fallback position isn't shopping at the mall, it's starting a fire in my back yard and roasting marshmallows while my kids catch fireflies. I find myself inviting over friends and making them participate in 'evening programs,' and I start to teach my son how to play guitar even as he starts to pack for his own precious week away at camp.

Somewhere in my innermost self is an awareness of the fact that camp time is slipping away. Even as I look at the weather radar and immediately check camp locations for impending thunderstorms, I know the summer is racing by, and while I am making the most of it, I am still missing camp. My good friend and camp director Leslie recently said of camp, "once it gets in your blood, its always with you." So true. I can't slice a watermelon without thinking of the kid who gets the corner/end piece. I can't pass up a good deal on water balloons at the dollar store. I watch all the summer movies with a thought to how it could be spoofed in a 10 minute skit. I make up my son's loft bed making sure I get all the sheets tucked in underneath so they don't hang down for points off....

So, as I lay out by the waters of Babylon-burbia and sing camp songs in my head, I will remember thee- my Zion of Summer Camp
-and I might just make a lanyard for my key chain.

Burly Girls for Jesus

So, I've been thinking about gender identities lately. No telling what brought it on- could be I'm the only woman in my household, or that I have been doing lots of gardening and outside work with school, church and home- or that its Mother's Day weekend and according to common wisdom I should be picking out jewelry or that I just finished mowing the back yard. I was especially reflecting on how I am uncategorizable. I don't easily fit into a genre of "girl" or "woman" "wife" "mom" or especially "Proverbs 31 Lady."

I was also struck by how my general circles of female friends seem to fall on two ends of a spectrum. They are either the type who love God and know how to accessorize, or they distrust religion, but really get into the outdoors. It seems like the ones I know who are the most interested in the outdoor activities that I am into- they have this healthy skepticism of religion, especially the organized variety, and they are much more likely to incorporate a little buddhism or naturalist/deist type theology, or just generally don't jive with the standard Christian curriculum. Then I have friends who I connect with on the church thing- understand the setup, get into deep Bible study, can throw down on some worship, but they don't particularly do the whole "save the planet" thing and they aren't what I would call "outdoor enthusiasts". As I reflected on this, I again found myself out of category. Of course I realize these are my own creations- and they are broad (forgive the pun) brush strokes of females I know. Noone can be easily sorted if you know them well enough, but I do see trends and tendencies. So, I came up with a sort of contiuum to help me sort this out. On one end, we'll place the church-going but not so outdoorsy type- and their generic label will be "Girly girls". On the other end, let's put those who are the more crunchy granola/outdoor/non-religious type. These I title "Burly girls." Obviously most women will fall somewhere along the spectrum, but I of course, identify strongly with both ends- and I think that makes for some cognitive dissonance for me. I am thankful, though, that cultural norms and acceptance has made this much less of an issue than it was when I was younger or especially for previous generations. Noone really cares as much anymore if you show up to church in your Tevas- but there is still a vestige of "southern lady" imbedded in me to keep me in my sensible flats, and certainly out of white after Labor Day. And lastly, before I lay out my end-pole definitions, let me say that I love finding those who can straddle the poles with me and I gravitate to odd birds like myself- my Burly girls for Jesus.

I could keep going, but you get the idea. I'm not trying to slam either end, as I said before I identify with both. I can't help but make a few pokes at both ends either. And I really want to hear from those of you who know all the references on both lists- for that would make you a member of the BGFJ sisterhood. Rock on.

what is it about spring

It's spring again.
As if there weren't enough poems, sonnets, songs, psalms and reflections on the sides of tea boxes written about it.
But it does stir my feeble word bank-
It is a remarkable thing no matter how often it happens.
The green creeps slowly up the side of my backyard mountain
until it begins to look like a burly farmboy
who rose early and has only one strap of his overalls fastened
as the other dangles behind him
waiting to be employed-
The wisteria and honeysuckle leap from the ground to send explosions of color
like pastel fireworks in a sky of barren branches
the live embers land as daffodils and tulips on the ground.
Once again I realize we won't forever be kept in the cold and dark
like my unused onion bulbs in the back of the refrigerator crisper
if we can make it another few weeks and soak in the drizzle and withstand the cool wind
then we will feel the warmth and the sun, and even start to complain about the humidity.
I can see the chance for renewal and rebirth, even if I can't find those wild asparagus patches-
and I am reminded that God still likes us.

He's only MOSTLY dead

I saw a headline today "Certain health habits can raise your risk of mortality". Hmm. Really. How do you increase the chances that you will die? I mean, as best as I can do the math, the human race has a 100% mortality risk. We all die. It's the only certainty in life behind taxes and the Cubs losing. So, what is it that you can do to increase your mortality risk? Must be some new calculation. Upon checking the link, it was about how eating red meat raised the chances of people dying from cancer and heart attack. So, your heart attack chances and cancer chances have increased- but I would say your mortality risk is probably just about where it was when you started. You will die- when and how are a little more vague, but that you will is certain. One of my friends said she wanted to raise her IMmortality risk. I'm of the mind, that too is pretty yes or no- either you will or you won't- I guess you could argue for a differentiation of immortal life as a ghost, or a cursed pirate, or a zombie, or an angel, or a demon.....wow. That got depressing fast, didn't it? Well, maybe at least the title will make you laugh, as Hollywood obviously ignores the 100% dead rule. I guess I don't feel so bad since I haven't been mostly dead all day. In fact, I've been rather alive, and I like it that way! L'chaim!

Humanity-warning: cyncism ahead

So, I was thinking about some news bits of late- most especially the stem cell legislation by our new president. I was disappointed in that, because they have already figured out how to get skin cells to act like stem cells, so they can get all they need and the necessity of destroying embryos should have been made moot- but for the sake of alacrity and convenience, they want to continue to use embryonic cells, because the process for 'changing' skin cells to stem cells is evidentially more complicated than I know.
And that sort of sums up the American way to me right now- why sacrifice or work harder if you don't have to? Get all the perks and bonuses you can, and why do things differently than we have done in the past 20 years? And, I think connected to that is the concept of immediate gratification and immediate disposal. Our entire ethos and identity can be summed up in the word "consume". Take whatever you can get, pleasure yourself or amass resources for later and continued pleasure, and when you finish with something- simply dispose of it.
As I quoted in my piece from Mr. Mullins, when we see human life as a means to an end, we take all value from it. It is something to be used, consumed, and thrown away when we are finished with it. I guess my cynicism on this has been fed by numerous stories of late- such as the mother who kept her child in a closet for 7 years (story here) or the Texas institute for mentally handicapped folks whose staff set them up in human cockfights (story here) or in the case of the Octo-mom, who needed to have kids to fulfill her own needs (Nadya Suleman was "fixated" on wanting a "huge family" because she wanted "more affection from [her] mother."She volunteered that much of her motivation was about "me projecting my own wants and wishes onto my children."). How about the Austrian father who imprisoned his daughter and repeatedly raped her for 20 plus years? The atrocities of Abu Graib prison in Iraq (and the stories which will come from Guantanamo). The innumerable children enslaved across the world(including the ones in the US sold for drugs) in the sex trade? I could go on and on and on.
I realize there are bright stories of human triumph and caring, of heroics and justice that can counter every headline grabbing negative piece I can come up with. I know that people aren't intrinsically evil, hopelessly selfish and beyond redemption. What my current disappointment rests most in is that I had hoped we would begin to hear from our leadership some appeals to our better angels. One of the most disappointing moments after 9/11 was George Bush telling us to go and shop or the terrorists win. Be a mindless consumer, buy things and live life as normal, or those who oppose us win. With a new administration, two wars and a tough economic time, I really was hoping to hear of some appeals to sacrifice- to give for the common good- some serious butt-kicking and name taking amongst the bloated corporate bonus culture (especially the record breaking profitable Oil industry). I have heard Obama's rhetoric, and it puzzles me why he will not step up on economic and energy issues and push a hard line for reform and sacrifice- giving substance to the claims that Americans are about more than maintaining a cushy, rich, over the top lifestyle. Instead he continues to hold a hard line on those issues which cheapen our value- which say we have as much arrogance as anyone on the planet- and we can decide when life begins, and what is worth keeping and what is not- and for the sake of expediency and simple definition of oneself as everything the past administration was not, will let the ends justify the means- and use federal money to pay for it. And on the money side of things- well, let's stimulate (a very sex-filled term) the economy with bajillions of dollars so things can just keep going as normal- we can keep on our path of selfish pleasure seeking fun. I just want one congressman or senator (or even the president) to say, "Here's half my salary- given the current state of things- I can do without." I mean, seriously, since Obama's meals, housing, transportation, security and all office supplies are paid for, don't you think he could symbolically take a pay cut? Maybe even 10%? But why bring that much change to Washington- wasn't it OK the way it was?

What does it mean to be human?

I have been reminded of this piece several times in the past few weeks (more on that later). Rich Mullins recited this as a quasi-robotic neo-electronic sounding intro to his song about the wisdom of God versus our arrogance of "higher education". It is a profound insight from 1989 that makes me continue to miss Rich Mullins.

“What does it mean to be human? What does it mean to be human? I cannot help but suspect that at one time in the history of thinking that people believed that it meant that we were spiritual and that we could make choices and were capable of aspiring to higher ideals... like maybe loyalty or maybe faith... or maybe even love. But now we are told by people who think they know, that we vary from amoeba only in the complexity of our makeup and not in what we essentially are. They would have us think as Dysart said that we are forever bound up in certain genetic reigns - that we are merely products of the way things are and not free – not free to be the people who make them that way. They would have us see ourselves as products so that we could believe that we were something to be made -something to be used and then something to be disposed of. Used in their wars - used for their gains and then set aside when we get in their way. Well, who are they? They are the few who sit at the top of the heap - dung heap though it is – and who say it is better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven. Well, I do not know that we can have a Heaven here on earth, but I am sure we need not have a Hell either. What does it mean to be human? I cannot help but believe that it means we are spiritual - that we are responsible and that we are free - that we are responsible to be free.”

Fun with geometry

So, I ran across this unique visual humorist (?) for lack of a better title- Jessica Hagy- many may already know her and have seen this, but as we approach Lent, and the Great Litany next week (reminds me way to much of the opening scene of Monty Python's Holy Grail with the monks whacking themselves on the head with boards) I thought a little 7 deadly sins humor was in order- enjoy! (here's the link if you want it). Also, her blogsite- thisisindexed

made me laugh

On Phineas and Ferb:
dad:"Did you hear they found a cure for antidisestablishmentarianism?"
mom:" Oh good, I can finally stop wearing this puce ribbon."

This is followed by the "Squirrels in my Pants" dance by Candace.

Hee, hee.

I hope this doesn't mean he wants to join a cult

So we've all seen, laughed at, heckled and chuckled at the Snuggie- the blanket with sleeves (who evidently is getting some hard competition from the sleeved blanket- or Slanket!). It's not the idea so much- you know- stay warm under the blanket and still have hands free to knit, type, update your blog. As a concerned blanket thermodynamic equilibrium manager myself, I appreciate the idea of not allowing cold air into your cocoon while still being able to interact with the world. No, what moved this product from OK idea into every late night comedian's object of derision was the TV ads which showed people moving the snuggie from its rightful place on the couch to several unsuitable and inappropriate locations such as around the family marshmallow firepit, or in front of a cozy fire with two grown adults playing games, or the favorite: the family of four in matching snuggies at a football game standing and cheering in their ultra-dorky, matching, monastic somewhat cult-like snuggies- and looking happy while they're at it.

Well, advertising is a powerful medium, and my sons have been completely taken in by the snuggie- particularly Josh, who loves pillows, blankets and the whole concept of snuggling. He has been angling for a Snuggie- to which I replied I thought it would be a waste of good Christmas money, for he would have to buy such items on his own, as I would not be taken in. But again, I heard him watching the commercial tonight and lamenting that to buy the Snuggie, and pay shipping and handling would deplete his holiday savings- but maybe he would do it. Inspiration struck. I went into my closet, dug into an old box of clothes and came out with a very large terrycloth thick robe given to my mom on a conference retreat and embroidered with her initials on the sleeve (JBS). I came out and told Josh I had a Snuggie for him- had him stand up and proceeded to put it on him backwards- he was ecstatic! He was amazed! Where had I found that marvelous thing? I must be magic! He wasn't even put off when I explained it was just a robe turned backwards! He immediately settled in on the recliner and proceeded to use his Snuggie in proper lounging fashion. He was even more impressed when I pointed out it had pockets! He modeled it proudly for his big brother when Burke got home-and even remarked, "Now it comes in grey!" Lastly, we have appropriated the intials to stand for "Josh's Best Snuggie". So- for all who want a cheap solution to your snuggie dilemma, please find an old robe and wear it backwards. It won't stimulate the economy- but maybe it will keep you from thinking you can get away with wearing it in public!