Sarah - Likes - FriendFeed

@shey: this is totally the most awesome thing you've ever shared here on FF, ever. it's a significant, seminal moment. let us recognize. - .LAG liked that

LMAO - Shey, Jamaican of FF

Brilliant ... - Patrick Jordan

Sorry, I'd join, but I'm washing my hair tonight. - Steven Perez

Free Rat's Ass with every new membership...(when that new shipment comes in next Wednesday) - ‘-.-’ Tutivillus Grift

We're thrilled to welcome all our new members! ... - Shey, Jamaican of FF

Can I be treasurer? - Mary Carmen

Great. Just what we need, new members. - ha3rvey (sup homepants)

My dad must have been one of the Founding Fathers of that society. - Spidra Webster

How do I not join? - Flavio Santos

Derrick

Song of the South has never been released on home vid. in the US, likely due to the fear it might be seen as racially insensitive to blacks.

November 7 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Anna Haro, Helen Sventitsky, Jandy, ConcertMaven of FF and 29 other people liked this

This reminds me of when Cartoon Network opened their vaults and showed all their controversial and racially insensitive Warner Bros. cartoons in a special, but then never showed them again. I wonder why Disney hasn't done something similar. - cecily from iPhone

76 more comments

Akiva and I were just talking about this a few days ago. Is it available to view anywhere now? - Rochelle from iPhone

There are bootlegs, Rochelle. It was released on laserdisc and in other countries, but not here. The last theatrical release in the U.S. was in 1986. - Derrick

I can see why. But I did love those stories as a kid. - Trish R

I've never seen the film, and I'm keen on reading the original stories by Joel Chandler Harris. I'd like to think that we can get to the point where we can view material that is racially insensitive WITHOUT all of a sudden blaming people. The movie was made in 1946, it's nearly 2010. Am I going to look at my non-black friends and go on an attack? Unlikely, but perhaps I give people too much credit. - Derrick

I agree, Derrick, because the stories are written as being told by Uncle Remus, who spoke that way. - Trish R

Julius Lester has written some interesting pieces about the stories and Harris. He's also re-written some of the stories. I <3 Julius Lester! - Katy S

For those who don't know Julius Lester's work: http://members.authorsguild.net/juliusl... Derrick - did you know that he takes pictures?? - Katy S

I'm not familiar with his work, but will check it out. Thanks. :) - Derrick

He's on a children's literature list serve that I'm on. So are Jane Yolen and Philip Pullman and some other authors. I have to really stifle my fan-girl impulses when they post. - Katy S

Derrick, I'm not so worried about (black?) people blaming anyone for the material. I'm more worried that if this movie becomes available, a million American people will automatically buy it and show it to their young kids, who will absorb the "happy darkies" stuff without realizing what's wrong with it. I'm torn about making complete sets available. There was some kind of WB DVD set... more... - Kamilah Gill

I've seen it, and find it amusing that they built an attraction around it (splash mountain) but bury the movie - RAPatton from iPhone

I've never actually seen the whole thing. I would probably buy it if it were available. - ha3rvey (sup homepants)

Kamilah - I'd be just as worried about adults' reactions to it as kids (for the same reasons) - Katy S

It's funny to me that people are worried about reactions to this movie, when there are other movies out there where so-called "happy darkies" are integral parts of the storyline, but nobody would ever think to ban them. I'm specifically thinking of my (beloved) Gone With The Wind, a movie that's held up as an American classic (and rightly so). How is Song of the South more offensive than GWTW? It makes any protestations and any censorship/suppression moves by the parent companies seem disingenuous. - cecily

And what about Dumbo? Can't you still get Dumbo on DVD? What about the crows in Dumbo? - cecily

I agree, C. I do think Disney is one of those really overly cautious companies. Remember, the created the Touchstone Pictures umbrella to release movies that strayed outside of the cutesy Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Escape from Witch Mountain films, because we would get them so confused. And I love those crows. - Derrick

Cecily - I've never seen Gone With The Wind, but I suspect I'd have a similar reaction. Dumbo just makes me cringe! I wouldn't censor anything, but I still think about how people react to the films. - Katy S

Katy, I had to work hard to reconcile my feelings for GWTW. I love that movie, but it took me a long time to get there. What helped was trying to think of Prissy's inaction and "simplemindedness" as a form of slave resistance. If I'd never spent time reading slave narratives, I'd have never been able to come to that conclusion. </end_hijack> - cecily

I'll tell you what movie really made me choke on my diet coke recently. I was watching Heidi with my niece. Somehow, this story that's suppose to take place in Switzerland, looked like it took place in a home that was on a Southern Plantation, complete with a mammy-character. - Katy S

Dumbo and Lady and the Tramp are both questionable. I just think that Song of the South would get much more exposure, especially to children. It doesn't use animals for all of the racial stereotypes like the others. As for Gone with the Wind, I haven't seen it either, but I'd say it's more clearly aimed toward adults. Though I agree, with you, Katy. The adult exposure to Song of trhe South might be almost as problematic... - Kamilah Gill

My extensive training with literature and critical examination of it helps me get through the parts that make me cringe. That critical distance thing. Having said that, I'd never give a child a copy of Little House on the Prairie. Just not going to happen. - Katy S

I watch alot of old games shows and I gasp at some of the things they use to say.......... - VAL D. Zone

I've still got the (original?) 78-RPM set that belonged to my Mom. We used to listen to the stories and songs as kids. "...it's the truth, it's factual; everything is satisfactual!" - ɐ ɯıʞ sıɹɥɔ from iPhone

I used to have that 78 too, but is long gone now - RAPatton from iPhone

Zip a dee doo dah is a great, fun song, but I think that's about all I'll need from that movie, thanks. - Kamilah Gill

"Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder..." - Katy S

I loved Song of the South as a kid (Br'er Rabbit is a G). I always saw it as a kind of animated Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer. There was a time when I think not having the movie available was more political than anything. Now, I think it's just hard to market (and to what value? There's not a real way to make ancillary money from Consumer Products from the film). - Jason Toney

Dumbo is coming out on Blu-ray in Feb, FWIW. - Alix Whitmire

LOVE Dumbo. I need to pre-order. - Derrick

Animation fans have this discussion all the time. I think WB did a pretty good job handling it in its Golden Collection sets. In the first or second volume, they had an intro you couldn't skip that had Whoopi Goldeberg talking about how some of the cartoons were racist and that although no one was condoning that NOW, they were part of our past and better acknowledged than buried or... more... - Spidra Webster

How odd that you posted this, I just watched this movie last night. lol - aerobroken

It seems to me that any racist ideology in Song of the South would be counteracted for children (like it was with me as a child) by the cultural attitudes of today. It was made in a different time and even kids today look at early WB cartoons and get something completely different from them than kids fro a generation ago did. I hope that someday they release it and let parents decide what is the best course of action for their own children. - Kryptic

Katy, what is wrong with Little House on the Prairie? I don't recall anything bad in it but it's been a long time since I've read it. - Rochelle

Yeah, what is offensive about Little House? - Matthew DeVries

It's incredibly racist - even for its time. The Indians are described as grunting savages. Ma quotes that "the only good Indian is a dead Indian" line multiple times through the story. It's really foul. Unless you are prepared to discuss the racism throughout the book with the child, I'd avoid it. If you haven't read it since you were a child, read it now as an adult and try to put aside your fond memories so that you can view it with some critical distance. - Katy S

Also, LHotP is still a popular read-aloud book in many classrooms. I wish it wasn't, because it is often presented uncritically. Imagine hearing the things in that book if you are an American Indian child. - Katy S

I enjoyed imagining I was one of those savages who put up a charade of attacks to hide the true force that was forthcomming, twas not fun being picked on because of that book when I was younger, then I detailed to my peers the history of the Cherokee and Tsali. On the other hand, I actually like LHotP now and I enjoy SotS as well. - Tsali, The Native of FF

Katy the same thing would apply to half of the John Wayne, Davy Crokett movies/books. America has been really slow at learning about other cultures and presenting them in a decent light. I think most of the stuff that's been written/read/etc needs to be put into context sometimes. I think the best thing to do is just continue to show by words and actions that the past isn't the way to treat or portray people - Sir Shuping

Sir Shuping - I agree. These things should be discussed. The problem is, it rarely is with this particular book. It is taught and read uncritically. I didn't say I'd ban or censor the book, I just said that I wouldn't give it to a kid without discussing these things. Sadly, this isn't done very often. - Katy S

The thing about LHOP is that it's about settlers. It's about people who were "given" land that was taken away from the natives. It's built in to the story. That the characters (somewhat fictionalized versions of real people) called the indigenous people "savages" is only true to what was going on at that time. Teachers, parents, caretakers need to put that stuff in context. http://www.newyorker.com/arts... - Spidra Webster

The success of some children's lit is interesting in that it is often based on what adults remember fondly. Little Black Sambo has never been out of print, despite the racism throughout it. - Katy S

Oh I know you weren't saying ban or censor. But maybe my experiences are prejudiced, but even though I read LHOP, saw movies like Song of the South, Dumbo, etc. I never thought of it as showing me how to treat other people. I learned that from the people around me how others were supposed to be treated. Perhaps because we've lived through all of this turmoil and change in how races/cultures/religions/sexual preferences are treated things stand out a bit more (just my deep thought for the evening :) - Sir Shuping

Spidra - That's true, but again I would say that this should be discussed with readers. My problem with the use of the text is the uncritical way in which it is used and taught, specifically in classrooms. And, most parents don't discuss these books critically with their kids. They just remember how much they loved it and give it to their children for that reason. - Katy S

I think that's a valid criticism, Katy. - Spidra Webster

I think it's easy for white folks to read these books and say that they didn't affect them (but, did they play cowboys and indians?), but that's like saying that the people of a minority group shouldn't be offended by something rather than letting them decide what is or isn't offensive. My point is, that Little House is just as bad as these other texts and images that have been... more... - Katy S

fwiw, I first read the book as an adult (although I was familiar with the tv show). I expected some racism just because of the time it was written and the attitudes at that time. I didn't expect it to be quite as bad as it is. - Katy S

Oh - Louise Erdrich has been writing a really fantastic series of books to counter LHotP. The first book is titled The Birchbark House. Great book, and the writing is much better than Ingalls'. - Katy S

I'm finding myself obsessed with some stuff where I expect there to be some racial attitudes indicative of the time: Uncle Tom's Cabin, Gone With the Wind, The Confessions of Nat Turner, Sapphira and the Slave Girl, etc. I need to give these all a re-read to give me something to chew on. I always find myself in a curious state when seeing non-black people write about black people. - Derrick

So fascinating. For the record, I hate Gone With the Wind but love Dumbo and recall liking Song of the South, although that was (obviously) years and years ago. My mother read me the Laura Ingalls Wilder books without comment, though I've since gone back to them and seen that they have Problems. She did, however, upon giving me the Little Colonel books, say, "Now, there are things that... more... - laura x

I haven't re-visited Song of the South since I was a child. I do remember feeling very comforted by Uncle Remus. There was a gentleness to him that was, frankly, missing in a lot of my surroundings. I didn't know enough to know that his way of speaking and singing would be racist... i may be mis-remembering, but I seem to recall that it was 'fun'... playful language. Older, sadder and wiser, I'd now be prepared to revise my take on Song of the South. - T. Brent, technopeasant

I had a Song of the South album with story/songs from sometime in the 70s, as well as a few other Disney records. Probably acquired at a garage sale. - Eric @ CSTechcast.com

Walt Disney actually campaigned for the lead actor, James Baskett, to be considered for an Oscar. - Melanie Reed

totally with you on the crows in Dumbo. But, um, yes, i love them. for what it's worth, as a child i saw them as funny, weird crows and funny, weird crows only. It was only when i saw Dumbo again as an adult that I noticed that perhaps they weren't just crows. - edythe

Derrick, I'm glad. Especially in the case of GWTW. I often find people most opposed have not read the book. There is a very pivotal scene that defines freedom and the motivations of one of the lead characters that most people miss. - Melanie Reed

I did not remember that Hattie McDaniel who won Best Supporting Actress for GWTW was also in Song of the South - Melanie Reed

Right now I am grading student essays for Othello. They have to create play review forms for each play and aside from some regurgitation of the text and the events, they do have cover motivation and are encouraged to set up arguments based upon the attitudes of the time which are pertinent to the understanding of the play. My point is that this play is going to also be a touchstone. What do we do about portrayals in literature ? - Melanie Reed

Derrick, Also, my other question is about Joel Chandler Harris who collected the Brer Rabbit stories but did not originate the idea. He is considered a folklorist. Should those stories be preserved or should they be forgotten. Is there something to be lost if they are forgotten? What are your feelings about that? - Melanie Reed

The grandmother points out a "pickaninny" in "A Good Man is Hard to Find." While reading this to my ninth grader--mainly second-generation South Americans (this was in 2000, in Miami)--there was a collective gasp when I read that word. I took that as a good sign. I did not use it as a "teaching moment," however. I said, basically, "this story was written in the American South of 1955.... more... - edythe

Otoh, were we reading The Great Gatsby, I'd have a lot more to say about the depiction of Jews and blacks, as it doesn't have much to do with giving you insight about the book's characters. Similarly, If the part in AGMIHtF was written as, "They drove past a pickaninny," I'd feel differently and perhaps would not have read it to them at all. But then Flannery O'Connor would also be a different writer and... well, you get what I'm saying. Well, I hope you do, anyway. - edythe

Wow, I had never heard the term "pickaninny" before this thread. - Alex Scoble

Joey and I had this conversation while waiting in line for Splash Mountain. I would really like to see the movie since I can't remember ever seeing it before (other than the classic zippity-do-dah song). I do think it's kind of funny that people are somewhat against releasing the movie - there are far more offensive things on the interwebs (godhatesfags.com and kkk.com come to mind) - Kyle Johnson

I am, clearly, a white woman and, of course, have always been so. That may may make me ignorant with respect to many things, although I have always tried and continue to try to pay attention and to be as aware and as sensitive as I possibly can. I am good at putting myself in other people's shoes and I do try to do it as much as i can and to listen. What I'm trying to say, really quite awkwardly, is that if my attitude above seems shockingly dismissive of the Flannery O'Connor scene, please tell me so. - edythe

Oh, and, Cecily, I very much like your interpretation of Prissy's simplicity being a form of passive resistance! - edythe

Here's what SOTS says to me: that there is courage in horrible circumstances. That there is joy that survives the deepest pain. That humor is stronger than ignorance. And that if you destroy that you let them beat you. - Melanie Reed

And yes, Cecily, that is exactly what Margaret Mitchell was saying in Prissy. :) Besides, don't you just kinda clap and lol when she shuts the lid of the trunk and breaks all those dishes?! lol - Melanie Reed

I watched the Japanese laserdisc version and I found it to be mostly harmless. I understand why it's a sensitive thing because of how the black people are portrayed, as happy slaves, but you have to take it in the context of the time from which it was made. To censor it, kind of goes against the grain of America, in my opinion. We need to remember our past, not cover it up. - Alex Scoble

Edythe - that makes sense to me. There's a difference in age groups here. Your 9th graders can process what you said about the text more critically than the age group LHotP is written for (approx. 2nd graders). Plus, if you are examining other texts critically - like Gatsby - it's part of the pedagogy, so there is a connection. Actually, I think LHotP would be a great text to use with middle school and/or high school students to discuss these issues. - Katy S

A quote from Flannery O'Connor, paraphrased (i'd love to know your thoughts): "The artist needs to let the devil have play in the art, lest the devil have play in the artist." - T. Brent, technopeasant

There is nothing original about evil. It is a corruption of good which is in itself creative. Observing and accurately reporting that corruption does not necessarily arise from creativity. A confession from C. S. Lewis on writing the Screwtape letters: it was one of the most distasteful voices he had to adopt when writing it.. But he did it for a purpose. You can read about it in his afterword of the book - Melanie Reed

I don't have anything to add (besides that when I bought Peter Pan and we watched it my jaw dropped...I guess growing up in the PNW counterbalanced the depictions of Natives that were in that film, because I completely missed that as a child). I read the Brer Rabbit stories when I was a child and I completely missed the subtext. The 'tar baby'...wow. But at the time I had no idea that... more... - joey

And for someone who doesn't have anything to add, I sure do ramble. - joey

O'Connor's quote is definitely worth remembering, Brent. - Christopher Harley

O'Connor is one of my favourite Southern writers. Of her contemporaries, she's one of the few whose black characters were multifaceted, complex individuals who had active lives outside of and away from whites. Even though the races encountered each other frequently in her work, black folk weren't just window dressing in her stories. In light of her work, I think Brent's quote is illuminating. - cecily

O'Connor is good - ★ Soner Gönül

Cecily, yes,there are a number of southern writers I appreciate that come to mind in particular Eudora Welty who wrote about living in Mississippi and was inclusive of all the lives she observed. Of her's my favorite is "A Worn Path". The concern I have with Ms. O'Conner is while her aim was not ambiguity, her aim was to highlight Grace, it became an issue- most exceptionally in her "A... more... - Melanie Reed

Not true. It was released in the US as a videodisc back in the 1980's. I got a copy ported over to VHS. It's a shame it isn't available in any other format though. It portrays black people as people with dignity and love in my opinion. - Kevin Trotman

I watched this the other night, I can see both sides, but one of the key things I'll always remember is the boy yelling for Uncle Remus while he is in the coma and then Uncle Remus holding his hand and the boy coming to, the love a white boy and a black man can have for one another and the peace they shall build. But that's just me. - Tsali, The Native of FF

Derrick

NOM

November 7 from email - Comment - Like - Share

Anna Haro, Darren Heydon, Mahdi Ebrahimi and 33 other people liked this

let me get a bite - Baroness Von SmashAHomie

16 more comments

How is the catfish? Yesterday, I sat here thinking, "I can make it up there in half and hour, if I leave right now." But I slept. - Admiral Anika

that mac and cheese looks suspicious . . , - Baroness Von SmashAHomie

Everything is hella delish. My first time here. Grabbing a piece of cake to go. - Derrick from iPhone

Whoa—where is that? - Glen Mistletoe

ohhhh - holly

I want everything except them Black Eyed Peas. Boom Boom Pow. - Danny Minick

you tease you - VAL D. Zone

gosh, im so bummed i missed that! - Melissa

Kaia, I was going to say the same thing! </mac'n'cheese snob> - FFing Enigma (aka Tina)

It wasn't the best mac n cheese (needed to be baked), but it wasn't bad. The catfish was the business. Great cornbread too. And I have a piece of Gooey Butter Cake in the kitchen that I'll likely eat with a cup of coffee tomorrow morning. :) - Derrick

We missed you, Melle, but will definitely go back. - Derrick

Hiding this post because it makes me hungry every time I see it and also jealous. - Trish R

oh yum.....love catfish! - Bonnie Foster

Dang. That's some good eats. - Jason Huebel

can i get my catfish between two slices of white bread and with some hot sauce on the side. - Baroness Von SmashAHomie

Where. Is. It. - Glen Mistletoe from iPod

I want the mac and cheese! - Rochelle

Vaughn

The Complete Guide to Google Wave: How to Use Google Wave - http://completewaveguide.com/guide...

November 7 from Bookmarklet - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Steven Perez

Yes. I am watching Congress debate health care and posting semi-naked people to Tumblr. Do I tell you how to spend your Saturday nights?

November 7 - Comment - Like - Share

Derek Coward, mjc, John (a.k.a. dendroica) and 4 other people liked this

They're STILL talking?! - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah

9 more comments

sounds like you know more than me, oh great and powerful bunneh. - teh Dork Knight aka Kenny

Does a bear shit in the woods, Rahsheen? The Republicans are doing everything they can to stall for time. - Steven Perez

Seems fair and balanced. - Sarah

Awesome. - Mark Krynsky

I thought so. Though I may need to add some wine to the mix if Boehner keeps yammering. - Steven Perez from IM

ah, so they've stuck there thumbs in their ears and they're just saying "Nya Na na Na Na"...nice - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah

Very much so, Rah. When they're not screwing women out of their rights over abortion, they wanna do the same to the rest of us so they can save insurance companies a few shillings. Now that I think of it, I think I will have that wine, after all. - Steven Perez from IM

It's all about health and the human body. - Katy S

I am just amazed that they are working - VAL D. Zone

If that's work, then I've been wasting my time. - Steven Perez

Julian

Bootsy Collins. That is all.

November 7 - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah, nakachi, ha3rvey (sup homepants) and 2 other people liked this

cecily

Mekka lekka hai mekka hiney ho!

November 7 from iPhone - Comment - Like - Share

DO ANYBODY NO MONIQUE, Derrick, Amber, Random Time Lord and 5 other people liked this

WHO SUMMONS JAMBI? - Haggis (Sean Loyless)

Rob Sellen :o)

The Simpsons... - http://robsellen.posterous.com/the-sim...

September 13 from Posterous - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah, Shandiz, Scorpio and 5 other people liked this

Posted via web from Rob Sellen's snippets! - Rob Sellen :o) from Posterous

Anna Haro

Mad Dog Palin--The scariest thing about John McCain's running mate isn't how unqualified she is - it's what her candidacy says about America : Rolling Stone - http://www.rollingstone.com/politic...

October 2, 2008 from Bookmarklet - Comment - Like - Share

Live4Emma (L4S), Dputamadre, Adriano and 56 other people liked this

WOW...This is not just another article digging at palin - it is THE article digging at palin and her 'cultural' significance. - Anna Haro from Bookmarklet

31 more comments

A <3 - Bren, Not Grinchy

"The great insight of the Palin VP choice is that huge chunks of American voters no longer even demand that their candidates actually have policy positions; they simply consume them as media entertainment, rooting for or against them according to the reflexive prejudices of their demographic, as they would for reality-show contestants or sitcom characters. Hicks root for hicks, moms for moms, born-agains for born-agains." - Anna Haro

The truly disgusting thing about Sarah Palin isn't that she's totally unqualified, or a religious zealot, or married to a secessionist, or unable to educate her own daughter about sex, or a fake conservative who raised taxes and horked up earmark millions every chance she got. No, the most disgusting thing about her is what she says about us: that you can ram us in the ass for eight... more... - Anna Haro

"Democracy doesn't require a whole lot of work of its citizens, but it requires some: It requires taking a good look outside once in a while, and considering the bad news and what it might mean, and making the occasional tough choice, and soberly taking stock of what your real interests are." - Anna Haro

See, I believe that as a citizen you have the responsibility to pay attention to the people who will represent you and the laws they enact in your name. But with poor reporting and politicians doing so much behind closed doors, there's a dumbing down of American culture that's acceptable. How many people have you talked to who seem to have an opinion they want to spout on politics and in the same breath state proudly, "Politics bores me." or even worse, "All politicians are the same."? - Admiral Anika

"And none of it matters, so long as you remember a few months before Election Day to offer them a two-bit caricature culled from some cutting-room-floor episode of Roseanne as part of your presidential ticket. And if she's a good enough likeness of a loudmouthed Middle American archetype, as Sarah Palin is, John Q. Public will drop his giant-size bag of Doritos in gratitude, wipe the Sizzlin' Picante dust from his lips and rush to the booth to vote for her." - Trish R

And unfortunately, most of it is true (or at least I agree with it). - Trish R

Wow, that's a hell of a picture. After reading the first two paragraphs, all I could think was how badly Matt Taibbi wants to be Hunter S. Thompson. - Carla Thompson

Personally, I like Rolling Stone articles. But a word of caution.. they are always unapologetically extremely left-leaning. - Phil G

hahaha...Carla, I thought the same thing. - Anna Haro

The ironic thing is that the media is the primary cause of all this. Reducing politicians statements to sound bites where a few words from a larger speach can be spun one way or another. Politicians don't have to have grand ideas or positions, they just stick to hot button issues that play well on TV. Couple that with lobbyists and special interest groups to give them butt loads of... more... - Jason Shultz from twhirl

Of course J Phil. It's one perspective, one article, out of MANY. - Anna Haro

I honestly don't know what the terms "left" and "right" mean anymore in American politics. I try to figure out who has the best command of the facts and who is making the most sense. This article makes a great deal of sense. (If I must define myself politically with a label, it would be "progressive libertarian.") - Sean McBride

"Here's what Sarah Palin represents: being a fat fucking pig who pins "Country First" buttons on his man titties and chants "U-S-A! U-S-A!" at the top of his lungs while his kids live off credit cards and Saudis buy up all the mortgages in Kansas." - wow...harsh. - Chris Hollander

Very interesting read, though disturbing. I put my money on McCain/Palin winning the election. - Peter

@Sean McBride... right on. - LogEx

Damn. He really worked up a lather on that one. - Yolanda

hahaha @Yo - Anna Haro

I don't think I'd talk with him too much at a party. ;) - Yolanda

Classic: "After eight years of unprecedented corruption, incompetence, waste and greed, the party of Karl Rove understood that 50 million Americans would not demand solutions to any of these problems so long as they were given a new, new thing to beat their meat over." - Raoul Pop

i agree for the most part - Cee Bee

ps recession - adolfo foronda

Oh wow, a coworker informed me about this article a few days ago!! - Terence

Taibbi *nails it* w/ the consumption of candidates as media entertainment. Infotainment has utterly corrupted news such that they are largely indistinguishable now. A huge disservice to the populace. And, of course, it results in this insane Reality TV show in front of us. - Ayşe E.

wow..such poignant words. The article still resonating even after reading it through. - Alan Le

Why is the entire country not going, "WTF? You can't find a person more qualified in the entire Republican party? REALLY?!?!" Her selection was condescending to our entire citizenry, and everyone seems to be rolling with it. - Robert Fischer

Why aren't more Republican women outraged that the party thinks so little of women that when they feel the need to add a vagina to the ticket, they don't give a damn about whether she's actually qualified? - Trish R

why aren't they more outraged? because they're living vicariously via the pit bull. they see her and say, 'she's just like me'. but prettier and i bet you they aren't willing to admit that. so they over-identify with her and i'm left saying, 'yea, but i wouldn't vote you president of a committee of 2.' - Admiral Anika

Liked only because of the picture, not because I have any interest in US politics. ;-) - Kol Tregaskes

"But watching Palin's speech, I had no doubt that I was witnessing a historic, iconic performance. The candidate sauntered to the lectern with the assurance of a sleepwalker — and immediately launched into a symphony of snorting and sneering remarks, taking time out in between the superior invective to present herself as just a humble gal with a beefcake husband and a brood of healthy,... more... - Roberto Bonini

"The rest of Palin's speech was the same dog-whistle crap Republicans have been railing about for decades. Palin's crack about a mayor being "like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities" testified to the Republicans' apparent belief that they can win elections till the end of time running against the Sixties. (They're probably right.)" - Roberto Bonini

dear god, if you exist and hear prayers, please please, let there be some notion of civility return to this country in my lifetime. a man. - Nathan Eckenrode

Yesenia Sotelo

It's a real pleasure and privilege to review the applications to the YNPN Chicago board. Great candidates.

August 11 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Michael W. May

My ToDo List

August 8 - Comment - Like - Share

Krizzii, Roberto Thiele, Anna Haro and 62 other people liked this

ooo, shiny! - Michael W. May

10 more comments

I notice it's not complete... - Mo Kargas

I meant to post this two or three days ago... This is my brain. This is my brain on nothing. Any questions? - Michael W. May

2. Complete bullet points. - John (a.k.a. dendroica)

3. Check off completed items. - pea

See "recursion" - Brett Kelly from iPhone

I remember being told once that you should always start your lists with the "make a list" item so that you can check something off as soon as the list is made and have that feeling of a good start. - Michael W. May

That doesn't work for me cuz it feels like cheating . :D - pea

It doesn't work for me either, because I cannot seem to finish making a list anymore. - Michael W. May

:-) Same list here. But I didn't make the list yet. You're 1 step ahead. - Ton Zijp

I like to add the stuff I've already done, so I can check them off. - Ken Morley

Recursion WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - Roberto Bonini

Mark Wilson to Mark's feed, Foods

Sicilian-Style Square Pizza Pie | Serious Eats : Recipes - http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes...

August 8 from Bookmarklet - Comment - Like - Share

Gabcsi, ★ Soner Gönül, Live4Emma (L4S) and 6 other people liked this

missing the key ingredient --------> beer - johnpiercy

A glass of red vino with this I thinking . . . - Chris Loft

Vaughn

geekystuff: Cassette sleeve for iPod Nano - http://vrsj.tumblr.com/post...

August 6 from Tumblr - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Oh, too cool! - Sarah

Zee. to Zee.'s feed, TheNextWeb Forum

How Do You End Your Emails? - http://lifehacker.com/5331489...

August 6 from Bookmarklet - Comment - Like - Share

Rob Cairns, LeON, Hisham هشام and 8 other people liked this

liked for that image. ;o) - Rob Sellen :o)

8 more comments

-J- or if it is business-like: Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. or -my full legal name- . - Miss Elle

-c. mostly - cecily

A lot of times I will end with Cheers where you have Thanks - Chris Heath

Regards, Richard Formatting. - Mitch

-- Sent from my Palm Pre - Rodfather

personal to friends, pea or p. personal to folks I don't know, Patricia. professional, depending on level of relationship with person - Thanks or Thank you, Patricia (with full name, company and contact info below) - pea

yeah for professional it's Full Name, Department, Company, Phone # (on separate lines, not separated by commas) - Chris Heath

Same as Chris - Johnny

Usually Thanks Rob with a tag line under with my web sites and a confidentiality statement. - Rob Cairns

Michelle Murrain

Fight back against health insurance lies - http://www.youtube.com/watch...

August 6 from Digg - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Thomas Taylor

Looked up "16 going on 17" on YouTube for my daughter and found this little nugget of awesome with Judy Dench http://www.youtube.com/watch...

Looked up "16 going on 17" on YouTube for my daughter and found this little nugget of awesome with Judy Dench http://is.gd/25EpK

August 6 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Rachel Baker

I'll bet everyone is thankful for FriendFeed today. Gotta get the social fix somewhere

August 6 - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah and cheapsuits liked this

Adrian

My grill, right now. /drool

July 18 - Comment - Like - Share

Zach Landes, Ben Hanten, Darren Heydon and 30 other people liked this

My dinner soon? Asparagus is tasty, btw. - Admiral Anika

9 more comments

It's ready! - Adrian

Yay! - Admiral Anika

Everything is outside, except plates, utensils and napkins. Your Imperial Presence is requested (bring the kids too). - Adrian

Are those stones in the back? - Vaughn from BuddyFeed

They're ceramic briquets. IOW, utter crap. - Admiral Anika

Where do you live? ;-) Got some ribs smoking on hardwood charcoal. - Christopher A Carr

... and I overcooked it. Rats! I usually undercook the tritip, so this time I cooked it longer. The sucky part is that when I undercook it, I just slice it and cook it in some BBQ souce in a pan and presto! Overcooked, it's game over, man. Still fun though. - Adrian

I didn't think it was overcooked. I did think it was salty as hell. TJs must have changed their rub formula. - Admiral Anika

I didn't care for the rub either. - Adrian

And I know the kids didn't care for it either because A) Ilia said that even after drowning it in BBQ sauce it still tasted "spicy" B) Alton ran around in circles like his tongue was on fire C) niether of them ate any more after the first bite /TRITIP FAIL - Adrian

Emma to Emma's feed, Foods

Blackberry Napoleons - http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009...

July 18 from Bookmarklet - Comment - Like - Share

Darren Heydon, Anna Haro, zsafwan  and 28 other people liked this

*smiles* I was just going to post this ;)) - Brandon

2 more comments

LOL ... mmmmm, great torturous minds think alike! ;p - Emma

yummie!!! - Myrna

Is it sad that I read the title and then hit PgDn and was surprised to see food and nothing to do with cell phones or PDAs? - Scott of Two Countries

Mona Nomura

Holy wtf Batman >:( - http://www.diefatty.com/general...

September 15, 2008 from Bookmarklet - Comment - Like - Share

Rick Cogley, bnoise, Tyson Key and 43 other people liked this

via Adam: http://friendfeed.com/e... - Mona Nomura from Bookmarklet

21 more comments

AHahaha haahahahahahahaha damn.... - J. Abdul-Qahhar

Bacon as a strong issue in religion? - Mo Kargas

I think its about time that the Religion vs Bacon argument was brought into our schools. - Slappy Line

I guess that baconists and pastafarians mix well together - Jemm

Yes they do that sect is called the Carbonaraists.(pasta, bacon, sausage, egg, cheese, butter, oh and parsley). - Mark Interrante

Carbonaraist SPLITTERS! Everyone knows that the one true FSM favours the meatball as the only meat to serve with pasta. - Slappy Line

haha my 13 yr old niece calls herself a pastafarian on some of her online profiles. - Laura Norvig

I'd take bacon over heaven any day. Mainly because bacon is heaven, so, you know, two birds. - Rachel

No God of mine would hate bacon. - ωαřмaiden, MFA'd poet

He loves and hates us, you mean? :( - Mona Nomura

via me: http://friendfeed.com/e... :) - ·[▪_▪]·

Wha??? this is weird. The only religious thing with bacon I know about is that orthodox jewish folks do not eat bacon (pork products). That's it... no biggee deal... these signs are weird! - Susan Beebe

@Susan i'm thinking these are shopped. - ·[▪_▪]·

·[•_•] - totally agree! - Susan Beebe

I thought for a second I remembered hearing, "The bacon of Christ" in a liturgy in Catholic school, but surely I remembered incorrectly. - MiniMage TKDteacher of FF

Derrick, your religion thread reminded me of this LOL - Mona Nomura

Mona, I swear, I didn't mean for that thread to venture off the way it did. I pondered something, asked it, and there you go. I'm thinking I'm skipping bacon and going straight to the smoked pork shoulder, though. Send cole slaw. - Derrick

Have you ever received that stale bread they call The Body of Christ during mass? That is nowhere near as tasty as bacon. - Joe Pierce

*without reading thread* BaconFTL! *hides* - Yuvi

So. The wages of sin is bacon? How do I join this religion? - Victor Ganata

Victor: http://friendfeed.com/monasfe... - Mona Nomura

Mona, the website is gone :( There is no God! - Victor Ganata

Derrick

I want YOU to support marriage equality!!

May 26 - Comment - Like - Share

B. Hatin, Marco Ho, KyNam Doan and 104 other people liked this

You know I do, dude! - Alex Scoble

47 more comments

Signed, Haggis - Haggis (Sean Loyless)

I do. - Parth Awasthi

Checks the "Yes" box - Tamara

#fistbump - MASTER OF THE OBVIOUS

I can't get a sticker... will this do? http://friendfeed.com/jworthi... - Johnny Worthington

Equal Rights for Equal People my man! - guruvan (Rob Nelson) from PeopleBrowsr

Well, if you put it that way! I can't say no to that cute face. - joey

I'm still rocking all of my NO ON PROP 8 gear...shirt, signs, buttons, stickers...I'm here for you, man. :) - tinypants - Hagitha of FF

I wanna sticker! - Lindsey is Fierce!

I do! - Penny

SO GAY. <3 <3 - B. Hatin

Lindsey, it's a different one, but: http://act.credoaction.com/sticker... - joey

Thanks joey! - Lindsey is Fierce!

You're welcome! - joey

:D - Rochelle

I DO! I DO! - Sarah

You can also purchase stickers and whatnots here: http://www.supportido.com/ (this is the site that has the sticker Derrick is sportin') I had one of the yard signs in my lawn for about a month before it was demolished. I live in such a tolerant fucking neighborhood...grrrr... - tinypants - Hagitha of FF

Here's the link for No on Prop 8 stuff. http://www.noonprop8store.com/eshop... - tinypants - Hagitha of FF

Thanks Amanda :) - Lindsey is Fierce!

np! Every penny counts to help fund getting an amendment on the ballot for this fall! :D Even if you can only afford to get the free one from credo action, it has the potential to inspire others to donate, purchase, or raise the flag and show their own support! :D - tinypants - Hagitha of FF

OK - but I still can't marry you -[ - Chris Loft

I'm downloading porn as I type this, I mean activist rally videos etc - sofarsoShawn

My name is Harvey Milk and I want to recruit you. - Jon Gosier

I'm in favor of marriage among all people...and while we're at it, do we have to limit marriage to two people? Would love to bring back multiple spouse options too. - Sally: gift wrapper

got my support - (jeff)isageek

Wow, Derrick, this is all so sudden. *blushes and flutters eyelashes* - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah

I got your back. (hmnn that doesn't sound too hetero does it?) :) - Mathew A. Koeneker

I'm by your side. - jcunwired

Count me in - Andy Bold

I 33rd the motion - mikepk

Yes definitely - M F

You got it. - Chieze Okoye

I think you know how I feel about this, Derrick. I am always ready to fight the good fight. - Neal Jansons

10-4 bro! - Brandon

I do - BeeLing

I just generally support people wanting to get together and having miserable lives together. What? - Mike Nayyar

I support it. - Paul from twhirl

Remind me who's this Gay Marriage? - sofarsoShawn

Jokes, that should be your Avatar, or rather all ours - sofarsoShawn

I support marriage equality in that I would prefer that the law recognize no marriages whatsoever. In the past, I've been accused of tacitly supporting the homophobes by promoting such an unrealistic idea, but I stand by my conviction that getting law out of the entire business is the only morally correct thing to do. (I am no hypocrite BTW; I have never been married and have no plans to get married in the foreseeable future, and wouldn't even if I didn't identify as poly.) - Karl Knechtel

yep yep. - Thomas Hawk

Well, my preference would be to go the other way, and scrub the word marriage from all secular law, and make everyone use a robotic legaleaze term that I haven't decided on yet. The laws would simply allow for an ultimate 2-person coupling where tax, custody, property, and fiduciary rules are simplified. But since that ain't going to happen yeah, any adult should be able to name any other single adult to be their one top agent, coparent, tax shelter, and thief of half their stuff should it not work out. - Matthew DeVries

I do Derrick, it is a shame the discrimination. - orionstarr

Doesn't Cali have a higher-than-average population of retirees? If so, then all's ya gotta do is wait for all the old homophobes to die off. Shouldn't be long before there's an entire generation of enlightened pensioners - Slappy Line

One comment I heard on CNN the other day... "If we let same sex marriages happen and if it's for love, then what is to stop people who have multiple lovers all getting married?" wow the ignorance. - orionstarr

I'm all for legalising polygamy, too; I don't see why dictating the number of people in a marriage is any less presumptuous than dictating the gender, race, or other attributes of the people involved. Surely it should be their choice, not ours? - Tristan Seligmann

Tristan: Agreed. As far as the government is concerned, a marriage should be nothing more than a legal partnership, and who people decide to partner with is up to them. - Roger Benningfield

DONE and DONE. - Anna Haro

Jean

It is time to plan another dinner party, isn't it?

May 27 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Jean

@skap5 Oh, we must allow tweeting in restaurants for the foodies to twitpic their meals. :)

May 27 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

E-Advocate Network

Great nonprofit to follow today: @NCLRights for information and positive action moving forward to #rejectprop8 #charitytuesday

May 26 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Chris Baskind

Social Media is not the corporate cookie jar. Stop asking for free SM advice and hire up. Don't expect SM to replace the dept. you laid off.

May 14 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

It seems odd to reject the crowd-sourcing aspect of social media: one of the main benefits to companies for the use of social media is to be able to utilize the wisdom of crowds at next to no cost. - Mark Trapp

Crowds are just slow-motion riots, and crowd-sourcing is a euphemism for outsourcing. The rainbows and butterflies aspect of SM is being abused to turn employees into unpaid consultants. - Chris Baskind

Elissa

"The loss of control you fear is already in the past." - Clay Shirky

May 14 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Meryn Stol, Michael Maranda and Sarah liked this

Elissa

@catibrown yay! it's showing in SF again June 26th as a part of the Frameline Festival. http://www.frameline.org/festiva...

May 14 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Jonathon D. Colman

Happy World Fair Trade Day! http://getinvolved.transfairusa.org/site...

May 9 from Jaiku - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Grace Gumlock

i never tire of tracey thorn!

May 9 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

Sarah liked this

Oh my gosh, me neither. Have you heard her sing in Portuguese? *swoon* - Sarah

Mona Nomura

It baffles me how we (Americans) concentrate on global issues and forget our own people. We too, have starving ppl w/ no clean water.

April 29 from Twitter - Comment - Like - Share

kaiwending, Brent - Loving Life, Robin Barooah and 66 other people liked this

Good point. I sometimes feel the same way, but should we only look inward all the time? - Eric @ CSTechcast.com

111 more comments

No - but our country needs a lot of help. A LOT. - Mona Nomura from IM

True, no argument. So many in need. - Eric @ CSTechcast.com

Alas Mona, I think it is becuase it is easier to throw money at something 'over there' rather than deal with the systemic issues inside our own societies. - Johnny Worthington

Mona, I agree with you 100%. Though, my views may be somewhat stronger: I don't believe in giving money to "help the children in Africa" or "sponsor a kid for a $1 a day". Most of the money doesn't reach the poor kid. I help out at local homeless shelters and donate my family's old blankets to them. We need to look after our own, especially in a recession. - Michael Forian

It's not politically correct to think about ourselves first. - Todd Jordan

And adoptable children. We have many, many, MANY, children that need a home. - Jess

@jess - but it is so much more difficult to adopt a child in the US than it is other places...more expensive, more invasive and a much longer process. A real shame it has to be that way... we have considered adopting... - Lindsay

@lindsay True. Our adoption system is broken. I'm working to fix it ,-) - Jess

Good for you Jess!! - Mona Nomura

Adi - lol. You need to come roll with me for a day. I don't think you get out much. - Mona Nomura

I completely disagree with you Mona. "with great power comes great responsibility" and if we are a world "leader" we have to lead at more than just warming the planet up and completely changing the lives of "poor" people. Some islands (Lohachara) have already disappeared because we would rather drive big cars. Coral reefs are dying, species are dying. hundreds of millions of people are... more... - Tweet Feeds

Our education system is faulty, we are putting ignorant people in power, we are ruining the world as well as helping it. It is not our responsibility to play global police when there are many in our own country that can not or do not attend school (for multiple reasons) Can you imagine how much good we CAN do, if every one of the citizens of this country were to be educated? Big picture! - Mona Nomura

I always criticize American government foreign policies. I think that the US government always try to be the world savior and police but forgets the issues and challenges at home. That is why I was a bit optimistic when Obama took office. Although, making promises during an election is different from establishing policies. Only time will tell, now this young government is running USA. - Vinko

It's always funny to me how little some of us know about how other people live, the choices they have to make, the opportunities they may/may not have... - Rahsheen ™, Coach Rah

That's why I think the Internet is great, because it gives people a chance to see outside of their bubbles. It is so easy to assume certain things when you haven't seen things with your own two eyes. :) - Mona Nomura

To add, I'm not going to lie. A lot of my friends are very *conservative (edited) and can not believe some of the things I have seen, until I tell them about my experiences. Actually, I want to do a documentary or pictorial in the near future. :) - Mona Nomura

I think many people need a tour of Eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. A summer as a missionary in Eastern Kentucky opened my eyes to real poverty in the United States. - Alan Simpson

Even in California - have you guys heard of Chinese Camp? One of the saddest towns in CA I have ever been to. Go to Newark, Baltimore, Camden (!), Trenton (NJ's state capitol), even the outskirts of Chicago, NYC (Brooklyn), etc. And Adi? Poverty is poverty, and in a country as rich as ours, it is unacceptable for people to live below poverty lines, to work two, three jobs and still be... more... - Mona Nomura

Adi - I think it is great you were able to do work for the Gates Foundation (that I am a huge fan of) but are you aware of our educational system? And how corrupt it is? How children get extra credit for bringing school supplies, even toilet paper? Do you realize that things are not equal in this country? And I never mentioned cutting off aid, but I think a lot more Americans would concentrate on domestic issues, if made aware of the current state our nation is in. - Mona Nomura

How about "cutting off aid to developing nations" until there's not a child in America without health care, that goes to sleep hungry, or sleeping in cars and cardboard boxes? If anyone thinks America's "social net" prevents this from being an everyday reality, I'll have to respectfully disagree. - Sharon McPherson

I LIVE below the poverty line. I'm it. Ask me and I can tell you I've NEVER had it as bad as the poor in other nations and I've been as low as you can go here in the US. However, it's not our government's job to feed other nations. It's not even it's job to feed YOU. It's MY job to help you if you need help. Personally to assist you to get where you need to be to be able to feed... more... - Molly

Adi - to be fair, I hate to single you out since you were stating your opinion and sharing your experiences. Just know, there is no one right or wrong answer here. It's about exchanging ideas to learn from each other, so please keep an open mind, as I try to do the same. - Mona Nomura

I feel strongly about giving my money to US-bound efforts. But that's personal. Hopefully, there are enough of us giving that the whole world shares our wealth. But one cool thing to add about the Easter Kentucky/Appalachian efforts (I grew up there) is the amount of scholarships and funds being raised for children (whose family many times CHOOSE that life) in the recent five or so years is amazing! - Jess

What Molly says is true. I've lived for years on very close to nothing. And all throughout that time I've been able to sit and look at my life, and know that even with no house, money, or really anything, there was nothing lacking in my life. I was still probably within the top 10% of the wealthiest people on the planet. We say that we don't look out for our own people, and perhaps our... more... - guruvan (Rob Nelson)

Rob, that was really well and beautifully said! I've been there a few times re: poor in spirit, but I've never been low as long as I see in some nations' people. I can't imagine how awful it is to wake up knowing you don't have enough food to produce milk to feed your own child. To watch them die day by day. Now THAT is true poverty and we as humans need to help those fellow human... more... - Molly

Molly, Rob, thank you so much for sharing your stories. Rob - I too agree with you regarding losing spirit because of deplorable living conditions. There are many cities in the US that are so run down and forgotten, that basically, there is no hope. You can sense it in their energies. A majority of third world countries I have been to, the overall vibe of the cities are happy -- and that is why I want to see some of the attentions shifted domestically. - Mona Nomura

it just shows the typical conspicuous incompetence being skirted by some fancy adamant statements - akin to teaching others how to have a great sex life, when you are terrible in bed yourself... - Anurag Gupta

Mona, but they still have the option to move, even if it's on foot with only the clothes on their backs. I know, I've done it. This country is very generous on a personal basis and I've depended upon the kindness of strangers a few times to feed my children (they're grown now). Other nations' peoples have to deal with corruption, greed and outright threats to their lives much less the... more... - Molly

Molly, there are children in the US with bloated bellies and flies swarming w/o the energy to even them away. How is that acceptable in the US? - Mona Nomura

I know what you mean, and then it seems the rest of the world lectures us and puts us down at times. - orionstarr

Well there are times when we stick our noses into places it doesn't belong. Sometimes, even if our intentions are good, it results to worsening situations. :( - Mona Nomura

Mona, where re: US children w/bloated bellies? Where are their parents? Why aren't they working if they're around? No job? Sell pencils on the street. Sell wildflowers. I've done it. It's actually a good living if you're the only one on the street w/pretty wildflowers bundled w/nice ribbons. Service stations/malls/grocery store parking lots. Bring ice if in a hot climate. Ask the local... more... - Molly

Molly, have you ever been to the ghetto? The real ghetto? Have you seen the slums of Hawaii and or areas with warmer climates? And I hate to use the word "slums" but basically, that is what they are. And there are many that are not aware of those options. Man, I wish everyone can actually see what I have seen. - Mona Nomura

I always think that with economic times like this, we should focus more on improving ourselves. If you're an individual then your skills, and if you're a company then your content/products/services. I guess if you're a country then your people and their livelihoods. - Vinko

Well it is hard times such as these, when great things happen. :) - Mona Nomura

Correction, and even more disgusting - we concentrate on global issues in which we have an economic interest. - jcunwired

Yes, Mona I have. I've lived in 'the ghetto' in downtown Miami ('80's). Drunks on the street, hookers on every corner, etc. etc etc.. I literally walked out, hitched a ride and found someplace where I COULD make a living. Again, we have it so good here in the US compared to the poor in other countries. btw, what is the excuse in this nation of food stamps and the most giving people on... more... - Molly

Molly, yes, there are global issues the must be addressed. Every country has its problems and there is no excuse, not a single one, for the inequalities in our country, our system, of people that bust their ass never rising above "poverty lines", and most of all, our children not being educated. No one is comparing anything. (at least I am not). I am simply stating, we have MANY issues... more... - Mona Nomura

How is it ok that children get extra credit for bringing toilet paper to school? Why is shutting down a library to save on budget costs acceptable? Why are the teachers getting paid so low? In this country, where anyone can be whatever they want to be, why are they not able to reach their full potentials? Can you imagine if every child were to get equal educational opportunities? Think of how many MORE collective minds would be in the workforce, strategizing to make our WORLD a better place? - Mona Nomura

It's easier to manipulate/control uneducated people... Not much incentive for those who could help raise others up to do it. :S - Lindsay

I'm getting angry again thinking about our system lol. - Mona Nomura

Sorry, Mona, but the Constitution doesn't guarantee equal results, just equal opportunity. IMHO education isn't the government's job anyway (except in a limited civics sort of way). I home schooled my kids. - Molly

Molly, if you are an uneducated single parent working three jobs to put food on the table and a roof over your kids' heads, how would you home school? - Mona Nomura

We have individual power that we can bring to bear, here. There are countless opportunities to improve things. We can give food, clothes, money, time, and attention. We can use whatever clout or connections we might have to draw in folks who have even more resources to share than we do. Plus, we can freely share our skills. No point waiting for others to handle it. - Kathy Fitch

And Molly? You said as human beings, we must help those in need of help. You don't think other Americans are warranted help from their own people? And that is what I am saying -- we do NOT have equal opportunity. - Mona Nomura

We're not guaranteed equal opportunity, we're guaranteed the right to PURSUE equal opportunity... There's a difference there (and quite a big one). - Lindsay

Thank you Lindsay - I can not speak rationally when it comes to these topics, since domestic issues angers me SO MUCH. Taking a walk, I'm pissed off again hahaha. - Mona Nomura

I love Mona's passion! My husband and I don't approach this one as an either/or. We strive to find opportunities to reach out to those both far and near--and we could certainly do more on both fronts. Near or far, there's never a shortage of places to begin. Right here at home, I see big schools with big budgets, tons of resources, and far too much uninspired teaching, but also a very... more... - Kathy Fitch

I've never seen an example of someone 'working their ass off and never rising above the poverty line' unless they have more kids than they can support or due to an unforeseen circumstance (accident or illness). The FEW that result from the latter case can and should be taken care of in the local community and barring that, from a broader outreach of regional charities. - Molly

Tad bought us a Powerball ticket yesterday and we sat down and talked about what we'd do with the money if we got it... Besides the obvious of quit our jobs and travel for a while, we both were thinking of ways we would use it to help others... Setting up scholarships and grants, funding some start-up ventures for our friends who are looking for jobs, funding programs in schools to... more... - Lindsay

Mona re: single mother: Where's the father? Where's the grandparents on either side? Aunts, uncles? That's the point. It's not the government's job to care for a single mother's children while she works, it's the relatives' first, then the local community if the family fails. If the local community is overwhelmed, then regionally volunteer charities should step up to the plate. It's US... more... - Molly

Lindsay--that's one of my very favorite fantasies! I used to coordinate a large group of adjunct English professors. A great many of them taught multiple courses at multiple colleges, trying to scrape together a decent living doing the thing they loved. I used to wish that I could magically make the things they needed (groceries, clothes, cars, computers) just appear out of nowhere for... more... - Kathy Fitch

Kathy, thriving is a relative term. I live below the US poverty line, but I'm thriving. I'm poor and unhappy to be that way, but happy in all other ways. - Molly

If your own country won't help you, which will? I believe any country should always place it's citizens first - Keith Barrett

Keith: Let me just say ARGH! It's not our government's JOB to 'help you' if you need it. It's your family's, neighbors', neighborhood's job. - Molly

Ok Molly. I now see your mindset and nevermind, this conversation is not going any where. However, I would like to ask why you chose to ignore my question regarding the school system. - Mona Nomura

Mona, I didn't ignore it, I missed it. Scrolling up. - Molly

Molly--quite right. I was talking economics, but I do of course agree with you that one's overall happiness isn't contingent on wealth. Poverty of spirit can exist anywhere, and we can reach out to help with that, as well. - Kathy Fitch

Oh, here it is: "How is it ok that children get extra credit for bringing toilet paper to school? Why is shutting down a library to save on budget costs acceptable? Why are the teachers getting paid so low? In this country, where anyone can be whatever they want to be, why are they not able to reach their full potentials? Can you imagine if every child were to get equal educational... more... - Mona Nomura

If you want to know why public education (often) often sucks, read http://www.johntaylorgatto.com - Victor Panlilio

Oh, and I do agree with you about the importance of family, neighbors, and neighborhood, Molly. Government tries to be the formalized, organized, centralized expression of that kind of caring, but too often fails quite utterly at it, and is, in any case, no replacement for the human touch. - Kathy Fitch

I agree Kathy. Mona, I didn't miss it. You missed my answer so I'll reword and repeat it. How is bringing TP to school good for a child's academic performance? How can they get a grade or credit for it? Libraries aren't supposed to be government funded, except in a limited fashion concerning civics education. Want a library? Donate your money, not other people's in the form of taxation. - Molly

But WHY should it be up to the community to put supply the public educational system when we are one of the TOP nations in the WORLD when it comes to funds allocated per student? Why is it OK that one of the most important public entities of this amazing country I love so much ignored? And WHY are we paying so much taxes to fund these corrupt officials? It is unacceptable that because... more... - Mona Nomura

Our government wasn't constructed to get people to 'reach their full potential'. It was an alignment of individual nation-states for economic reasons. If your nation-state wants to give all the producers' money to non-producers, have at it. Don't come running to my state when the producers come here to get away from over taxation, though. :-) Again, our government was never intended to... more... - Molly

But don't you see, there are many who are not given that "equal opportunity" because our system is corrupt. - Mona Nomura

I will give you an example: Earlier I was in Bushwick (Brooklyn). Out of the blue, some woman yells at me: "Hey China girl, we speak English here." That is the epitome of failure of our country and system. - Mona Nomura

Mona I didn't understand that last about your mother. Please rephrase? So you want less money to administration and more to students/teachers? We finally agree on something. :-) - Molly

I am not saying pay more taxes, I am talking about full on reform. I am talking about rethinking the entire model of how to allocate OUR tax dollars to properly give every person in this country a chance to educate themselves so in 2009, we do not have people saying, out of the blue, "Hey China girl, we speak English here." - Mona Nomura

Our system is corrupt because we've given it too much power. Take away some of that funding/power and the greedy will leave for greener pastures. Were you speaking Chinese when the woman yelled at you? (Not that excuses rudeness nor applies to any discussion as that's an isolated incident- I'm blonde. Heard any good dumb blonde jokes lately?) btw, I collect blonde jokes. I love letting people think I'm a dumb big boobed blonde then smokin' 'em in a debate. I'm evil, I know........ heh - Molly

I am not Chinese and I was with black people. - Mona Nomura

Mona, why not give you (and everyone else) back your own money and let you educate yourself as you say? Why sift it through layer after layer of bureaucracy, each layer taking a swipe @ the whole until you're left w/cents instead of the original dollars? btw, you're off of academic education and talking social education. Something I whole heartedly oppose. I'm a fundamentalist Christian... more... - Molly

Mona, I agree with you. I've worked with foundations, and I strongly prefer those who fund local nonprofits. I've talked with those who fund over seas at conferences, and its always a hard conversation for me. I understand funding overseas, I just don't understand ignoring our own backyard. I've talked to teenagers who didn't think they would survive to be 20 due to gangs in their lives... more... - Rachel Lea Fox

Molly: I do not understand what you mean -- but for you to ask if I was speaking Chinese in lieu of recognizing the ignorance of "China girl", speaks for itself. :) And Rachel, I try my hardest to do what I can, but knowing what I know and seeing the things I have seen, I can not help but to want to make a bigger impact and give as many as I can hope, not just a handful that I come... more... - Mona Nomura

Rock on - michelle lamar

Mona, now don't start insulting me please. I asked a relevant question considering what you said the woman yelled at you. I've not even looked at your profile so needed context for the woman's declaration. As for being the first in their families to graduate high school, why are you blaming government for not doing what the parents/local charities/neighborhood should be doing? It's not... more... - Molly

And, I'm getting tired of this discussion because it frustrates me to have people act like the government has money of it's own. It don't. Any money the government has it took from someone who earned it's pocket. Look at your paycheck. See those little boxes that diminishes the dollar amount? That's government @ work and most of what they take from you goes into a bureaucrat's pocket, not your favorite charity, local school, etc....Night. (hugs) - Molly

Did I insult you? I just made an observation. If you were insulted, that sounds like a personal problem, frankly. :) But more importantly: why, in 2009, are ignorant statements like taht ok? What do you think makes a person blurt out a statement like that, completely unprovoked? The answers to those questions are the answer to what is wrong with this country. And Molly -- if you saw... more... - Mona Nomura

I would like to point out that not everyone has a large network of family, friends and neighbors for support. Tad and I have been pretty much on our own since we got together and started a family. The first two places we lived (when we were living off about 2x minimum wage) we had no family or friends to help us do anything. It was very tough. We moved to Phoenix after my mom, but she... more... - Lindsay

...i just want to say, of Americans: WE ARE THE WORLD! We are the children. We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start living... - .LAG liked that

"Molly: I do not understand what you mean -- but for you to ask if I was speaking Chinese in lieu of recognizing the ignorance of "China girl", speaks for itself. :)" Speaks how? If it wasn't an insult intending to lob a backhanded 'you're a bigot/racist' at me, what was the statement intended as? I'm calling you on that one. Ignorant statements like that aren't okay and have absolutely... more... - Molly

starving people? here?? ;P - Anthony Citrano

I've seen with my own eyes how the poor live. I live it myself. How many times do I have to say that and in how many ways do I have to remind you I've BEEN there where you're describing? I do believe I mentioned (several times) that if the extended family and/or local community is unable/unwilling to step up to help a family out, there are regional and even national charities available.... more... - Molly

Thank god. - Mona Nomura from IM

I used to be a Libertarian and then I woke up and realized that there are people who just can't take care of themselves and charity just doesn't cut it. How about we take the same amount of money that the government is already taking in and put it toward things that actually make a difference for the people HERE? Instead of asking people to pay more taxes or taxes + donations to... more... - Lindsay

It's not that they can't take care of themselves, they are in environments where they do not know they can. Get up and move? Move where? Armed with what? - Mona Nomura

Agreed - there are a lot of social boundaries that are difficult to cross. Ignorance is a big obstacle to lots of things. People don't know what resources or options are available to them, and they lack the skills (training through education) to be able to seek them out. A lot of them just resign themselves to their situation simply because they don't really know any way out of it or can't do simple things like afford clothes that are nice enough to wear in an office job. - Lindsay

And the greedy myopic decision maker -- from voters to our government (state, local, and federal) is one of the reason why reform is so difficult. NOTHING makes me angrier than education and awareness (men included). :( - Mona Nomura from IM

Education and awareness make you angrier than men do? - Jim Norris

Yes. Men are so simple. - Mona Nomura

Are we now? But what makes you angry about awareness? And why do you think that we owe Americans suffering from lack of clean water more than we owe anyone else in the world who's suffering from just as much deprivation? - Jim Norris

Yes, men are, but that's irrelevant. The topic digressed into education and education reform is a subject that I can not discuss without getting emotional. As for your questions. 1. I do not like discussing topics about awareness, since there are many that for whatever reason, turn a blind eye or refuse to believe certain truths about our country. i.e. living conditions . As for clean... more... - Mona Nomura from IM

Robert, Folks get up in arms about FB changes because they inevitably make things more difficult and less transparent (not to mention less logical, less attractive, etc.). Here, the changes make the thing more nimble--and it was already pretty gosh darned nimble. - Kathy Fitch

Well, there's no hard-and-fast rule that conversation threads need to stay relevant! But I understand that these are very emotionally fraught issues. There are definitely issues with the living conditions of some people in this country. What I'm wondering is how we justify caring more about people living within this nation's borders than we do about those outside of them. The... more... - Jim Norris

And one of the biggest problems is, when uncultured, uninformed people try to help save the world, they at times do more harm than good -- especially since they are so set in their views in lieu of opening their minds to see things from the other side. It's not about "Quick omg we need to help, let's do x and x", it's about long term solutions without disrupting the peace. No one is saying one should care more about the other. It's more about "Hey, let's not forget we have MAJOR domestic issues, too." - Mona Nomura from IM

I don't think that greedy myopia is unique to government though; I think it's a feature of most organizations over a certain size and complexity, when it becomes difficult to evaluate success in the short term and people start to have personal ambitions that are opposed to the goals of the organizations themselves. I see the same thing in businesses too; the public and private sectors just come up with different mechanisms for enforcing some measure of accountability. - Jim Norris

Oh I definitely agree with that -- our economy and a lot of failed corporations are due to greedy individuals. Is it human nature that makes us this way? Or are we products of our (capitalistic) society? - Mona Nomura from IM

Yeah, people seeking shortsighted solutions often end up being less effective than they could be. But there's a legitimate question there, and there are significant and troubling tradeoffs that have to be made: how much effort (in the form of time and money and lives) do we spend defending victims in Darfur versus children in the US who lack health insurance? - Jim Norris

Or education, since we spend significant dollar amounts *on* education. I think it's more of a bigger picture issue. How can we re-think our system to better our country? What do we need to do? How do get the public involved? To actually care? - Mona Nomura from IM

I'm not sure you can blame the state of the economy on greedy individuals, in the sense that there have always been greedy individuals, and there probably always will be, and so as a political society it is not within the realm of possibility to eliminate greed in individuals. Yes, it's their fault, but recognizing that doesn't prevent the problem from occurring. The real question is,... more... - Jim Norris

Education. That's what it's all about. Teaching the public to become critical thinkers, to make informed decisions in any and all situations. - Mona Nomura from IM

We do spend a ton of money on education with rather mediocre results. The first question I'd ask is why are the results in the U.S. anomalously low compared to other similarly developed countries? I don't know much about education policy, so I'm just talking out of my ass at this point, but part of the problem is that the balance of power between federal, state, and local governments... more... - Jim Norris

Mona: "Teaching the public to become critical thinkers" - that's not what public education does. See http://www.johntaylorgatto.com - Victor Panlilio

Jim: See "The Underground History of American Education" at http://www.johntaylorgatto.com - Victor Panlilio

Jim - all of those are extremely valid questions and dependent on the person answering's background, the answers would most likely differ. My number one question lies simply with checks and balances. And Victor - thanks for those links, I'll check them out. I have to sleep now, so good night all. - Mona Nomura from IM

At some point there's a fundamental question of what the purpose of government (generally, and in particular for the U.S.) should be. Is it just a legal agreement that gives up certain limited rights (e.g. to vigilante justice) in order to provide for the common defense and protection of human liberties? Or does it represent a more humanistic view of the U.S. as a society who is... more... - Jim Norris

See, women are simple too... I start talking, and they suddenly have to go to sleep. Maybe it's just me. - Jim Norris

Touché, Jim, but it's actually *really* simple. It's called EST and 3am! I'll answer in the morning. Thanks for your input, your thought provoking comments are always more than welcome. :) - Mona Nomura from IM

Ok, I await your response. I suppose for the good of the Feed I should catch some sleep too. Otherwise you won't get any exciting new features/bugs to waste your time with tomorrow. G'night! - Jim Norris

I"m an American living in Singapore in Southeast Asia. Singapore was a real dump about 51 years ago, but because they focused their economy the place is in better shape than all but maybe Japan now. It's a perfect model of what a country can do when it stops concerning itself with everyone else in the world and starts focusing entirely on itself. Also, Singapore is a nation of just 4.59... more... - Bradley Farless

WTF Jim? You should have just linked to a blog article. Ha ha ha - Bradley Farless

Speaking of links, education, and our current economic situation, see http://tinyurl.com/dhxt7s, a thought-provoking critique of MBA education and the extreme narcissism it creates - Victor Panlilio

Victor, it's probably not only MBA programs themselves that are to blame (although many executive MBA programs, in particular, aren't exactly academically rigorous), but also the general willingness of so many organizations to value that degree over experience. A degree should be one piece of the puzzle when evaluating candidates, but shouldn't be the thing that trumps all other characteristics. - Kathy Fitch

Sarah › Likes