Category: politics
more about marriage
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on October 20, 2009
Professor Melissa Harris-Lacewell’s article in The Nation is perhaps the most balanced and thoughtful piece on marriage I’ve read, possibly ever, and certainly in a long time. I still think marriage is the wrong goal for a queer movement, but I think she does a really nuanced job of sorting through some tough questions and seeming contradictions. It’s nice to read passages like this from someone who is a self-described “marriage equality advocate”:
Our work must be not just about marriage equality, it should also be about equal marriages, and about equal rights and security for those who opt out of marriage altogether.
and
So what are we to make of marriage? It is both a deeply personal relationship for which people will make almost unthinkable sacrifices, and it is a declining social institution offering little security for most who enter it.
and
As a black, feminist, marriage-equality advocate I reside at an important intersection in this struggle. This movement must acknowledge the unique history of racial oppression, while still revealing the interconnections of all marriage exclusion. This work must reflect the feminist critique of marriage, while still acknowledging the ancient, cross cultural, human attachment to marriage. This work must be staunchly supportive of same-sex marriage, while rejecting a marriage-normative framework that silences the contributions of queer life.
I would still push back that a lot of seems to be not about marriage as a state institution, but rather about committed relationships in a general sense. The two are clearly related, but not synonymous. But ultimately I appreciate her ability to make this conversation an “and” rather than an “or.”
A reminder
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on October 17, 2009
- Categories: events| politics
- No Comments
I just went to the anti-war march and rally at Civic Center. While the event itself was kind of frustrating — small, very sectarian, not the most well-organized — it’s a good reminder that it has been eight years since the US invaded Afghanistan. I was in high school when it started. And when I told my housemate I was going, she stopped herself before asking “what war?” as if there was some new war on the horizon. It feels trite, but I think the reminder that the US is constantly at war is necessary and always timely.
I’m not sure what the best course of action is at the moment — for the US government, or for activists — but it seems that at the very least we need to be pressuring Nobel laureate (!) Obama and our members of Congress for no more troops and a responsible exit strategy. Here’s a round-up of some ideas for taking action.
Also, not completely related (well, mostly because of US aggression in the region), but I attended the Arab Film Festival’s two opening night films on Thursday. If you haven’t checked out the schedule, try to make it to one of the great programs!
treat yourself
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on October 14, 2009
- Categories: politics| wow!
- No Comments
I admit it: I’ve become a bit of a foodie. Or maybe just a Michael Pollan follower. Well, I guess I’ve been a vegetarian for ten years, and I’ve been into organic food since I first learned about the co-op in Albany, NY. So some might say I was country before country was cool. But I have been reading more lately about food production and sustainability, including Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food, and also Marion Nestle’s blog. And I’ve become a pretty devoted farmers’ market shopper.
I just came across Pollan’s little project in the New York Times, where he asked people to share their “Dietary Dos and Don’ts.” I feel like he might say that in some ways it doesn’t really matter what one’s food philosophy is, as long as they have one.
Here’s mine — it’s a little flippant, but probably the most honest for me:
Do look at the ones he’s put together though — I keep trying to pick a favorite one to post, and I really can’t!
The Fire This Time
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on September 30, 2009
- Categories: politics
- No Comments
A friend of a friend is working on a documentary about the NJ4 — a group of black dykes who were harassed and assaulted by a man in NYC and then arrested on bullshit charges of assault and gang violence. This all happened in 2006, and at least one of the women is still locked up. (Sorry, I’m having trouble sorting through all of the updates — if anyone can correct me, please do!)
Here’s the trailer for the film:
If you can, support the filmmaker in finishing the film so the story can reach more people. And click here to learn more about the NJ4 and how to support them!
They’re Just Not That Into Health Care Reform (and maybe I’m not either)
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on August 19, 2009
- Categories: politics
- No Comments
Oh dear. It’s like I’ve been having hot flashes since my last post about health care. Or hot-and-cold flashes.
After reading more, I don’t think I’m ready to concede on Single Payer. I take it back. Do I think it’s realistic in this political moment where Sebelius and Obama have allegedly decided that a national public plan isn’t particularly necessary? Probably not. Do I still think it’s our best bet for ensuring access to quality health care for all. Yes, ma’am.
I just watched this really great video from Rachel Maddow about the current situation we’re in:
Here are the three things I appreciate about this video:
- The fact that she’s talking about Single Payer at all.
- The way she shows the obnoxiousness of the Republicans’ double-speak, and also the Democrats’ lack of ability to organize (or lack of a desire to).
- Her use of the phrase “Dude may say he wants pizza, but he really obviously doesn’t.”
I feel like the only thing she’s really missing is an analysis of the insurance lobby (and other corporate interests) in this conversation.
For those who want a more thorough and articulate explanation of why Single Payer is by far the best way to go, I highly recommend these FAQs put out by Physicians for a National Health Program. Reading it is like reading about a dream world:
Who will run the health care system?
There is a myth that with national health insurance the government will make the medical decisions. But in a publicly financed, universal health care system, medical decisions are left to the patient and doctor, as they should be. This is true even in the countries like the U.K. and Spain (or in U.S. systems like the VA) that have socialized medicine.
In a public system, the public has a say in how it’s run. Cost containment measures are publicly managed at the state level by elected and appointed agencies that represent the public. This agency decides on the benefit package and negotiates doctor fees and hospital budgets. It also is responsible for health planning and the distribution of expensive technology. Thus, the total budget for health care is set through a public, democratic process. But clinical decisions remain a private matter between doctor and patient.
Also, I want to once again plug the organization that my friends are working on: The Young Invincibles. While I’d rather see a strong movement for Single Payer, I actually think we’re sort of in a “both/and” moment now. That is, we’ve really got to hold onto our vision while still pushing back on the attacks against a watered-down version of a national health plan. I think Young Invincibles will do great work of mobilizing people, and even if we aren’t likely to get Single Payer now, it’s still worth keeping the door open.
more about marriage
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on October 20, 2009
Professor Melissa Harris-Lacewell’s article in The Nation is perhaps the most balanced and thoughtful piece on marriage I’ve read, possibly ever, and certainly in a long time. I still think marriage is the wrong goal for a queer movement, but I think she does a really nuanced job of sorting through some tough questions and seeming contradictions. It’s nice to read passages like this from someone who is a self-described “marriage equality advocate”:
Our work must be not just about marriage equality, it should also be about equal marriages, and about equal rights and security for those who opt out of marriage altogether.
and
So what are we to make of marriage? It is both a deeply personal relationship for which people will make almost unthinkable sacrifices, and it is a declining social institution offering little security for most who enter it.
and
As a black, feminist, marriage-equality advocate I reside at an important intersection in this struggle. This movement must acknowledge the unique history of racial oppression, while still revealing the interconnections of all marriage exclusion. This work must reflect the feminist critique of marriage, while still acknowledging the ancient, cross cultural, human attachment to marriage. This work must be staunchly supportive of same-sex marriage, while rejecting a marriage-normative framework that silences the contributions of queer life.
I would still push back that a lot of seems to be not about marriage as a state institution, but rather about committed relationships in a general sense. The two are clearly related, but not synonymous. But ultimately I appreciate her ability to make this conversation an “and” rather than an “or.”
A reminder
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on October 17, 2009
- Categories: events| politics
- No Comments
I just went to the anti-war march and rally at Civic Center. While the event itself was kind of frustrating — small, very sectarian, not the most well-organized — it’s a good reminder that it has been eight years since the US invaded Afghanistan. I was in high school when it started. And when I told my housemate I was going, she stopped herself before asking “what war?” as if there was some new war on the horizon. It feels trite, but I think the reminder that the US is constantly at war is necessary and always timely.
I’m not sure what the best course of action is at the moment — for the US government, or for activists — but it seems that at the very least we need to be pressuring Nobel laureate (!) Obama and our members of Congress for no more troops and a responsible exit strategy. Here’s a round-up of some ideas for taking action.
Also, not completely related (well, mostly because of US aggression in the region), but I attended the Arab Film Festival’s two opening night films on Thursday. If you haven’t checked out the schedule, try to make it to one of the great programs!
treat yourself
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on October 14, 2009
- Categories: politics| wow!
- No Comments
I admit it: I’ve become a bit of a foodie. Or maybe just a Michael Pollan follower. Well, I guess I’ve been a vegetarian for ten years, and I’ve been into organic food since I first learned about the co-op in Albany, NY. So some might say I was country before country was cool. But I have been reading more lately about food production and sustainability, including Pollan’s Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food, and also Marion Nestle’s blog. And I’ve become a pretty devoted farmers’ market shopper.
I just came across Pollan’s little project in the New York Times, where he asked people to share their “Dietary Dos and Don’ts.” I feel like he might say that in some ways it doesn’t really matter what one’s food philosophy is, as long as they have one.
Here’s mine — it’s a little flippant, but probably the most honest for me:
Do look at the ones he’s put together though — I keep trying to pick a favorite one to post, and I really can’t!
The Fire This Time
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on September 30, 2009
- Categories: politics
- No Comments
A friend of a friend is working on a documentary about the NJ4 — a group of black dykes who were harassed and assaulted by a man in NYC and then arrested on bullshit charges of assault and gang violence. This all happened in 2006, and at least one of the women is still locked up. (Sorry, I’m having trouble sorting through all of the updates — if anyone can correct me, please do!)
Here’s the trailer for the film:
If you can, support the filmmaker in finishing the film so the story can reach more people. And click here to learn more about the NJ4 and how to support them!
They’re Just Not That Into Health Care Reform (and maybe I’m not either)
Posted by Lil Miss Hot Mess on August 19, 2009
- Categories: politics
- No Comments
Oh dear. It’s like I’ve been having hot flashes since my last post about health care. Or hot-and-cold flashes.
After reading more, I don’t think I’m ready to concede on Single Payer. I take it back. Do I think it’s realistic in this political moment where Sebelius and Obama have allegedly decided that a national public plan isn’t particularly necessary? Probably not. Do I still think it’s our best bet for ensuring access to quality health care for all. Yes, ma’am.
I just watched this really great video from Rachel Maddow about the current situation we’re in:
Here are the three things I appreciate about this video:
- The fact that she’s talking about Single Payer at all.
- The way she shows the obnoxiousness of the Republicans’ double-speak, and also the Democrats’ lack of ability to organize (or lack of a desire to).
- Her use of the phrase “Dude may say he wants pizza, but he really obviously doesn’t.”
I feel like the only thing she’s really missing is an analysis of the insurance lobby (and other corporate interests) in this conversation.
For those who want a more thorough and articulate explanation of why Single Payer is by far the best way to go, I highly recommend these FAQs put out by Physicians for a National Health Program. Reading it is like reading about a dream world:
Who will run the health care system?
There is a myth that with national health insurance the government will make the medical decisions. But in a publicly financed, universal health care system, medical decisions are left to the patient and doctor, as they should be. This is true even in the countries like the U.K. and Spain (or in U.S. systems like the VA) that have socialized medicine.
In a public system, the public has a say in how it’s run. Cost containment measures are publicly managed at the state level by elected and appointed agencies that represent the public. This agency decides on the benefit package and negotiates doctor fees and hospital budgets. It also is responsible for health planning and the distribution of expensive technology. Thus, the total budget for health care is set through a public, democratic process. But clinical decisions remain a private matter between doctor and patient.
Also, I want to once again plug the organization that my friends are working on: The Young Invincibles. While I’d rather see a strong movement for Single Payer, I actually think we’re sort of in a “both/and” moment now. That is, we’ve really got to hold onto our vision while still pushing back on the attacks against a watered-down version of a national health plan. I think Young Invincibles will do great work of mobilizing people, and even if we aren’t likely to get Single Payer now, it’s still worth keeping the door open.
Honey, if you don't trust me,
then I don't trust your taste.
Be My Friend!
