Is it absurd to try to weather the storm?

Is it beyond our ken to maintain a noble purpose as we guide our battered ships of state through the dark shadows of this mild squall of an economic crisis? Whom of us will risk life and limb to keep the ships afloat? Who will cast away possessions for the same purpose? [...]

It’s Time to Downsize the US

In difficult circumstances, such as the current economic crisis, it’s normal to work out how one got there as a means to avoid repeating the process. In the current situation, the discussion seems to range between those who feel that the situation is already working itself out, to those who feel that structural dangers [...]

Immigration Reform: An Environmental Perspective

Immigration, as a policy issue, is politically explosive. It is politically explosive because it necessarily involves making choices between bad options, each of which has supporters and detractors with political power.
In advocating for their option, it is not uncommon for some supporters to engage in inaccurate and unjust accusations against their opponents, such as [...]

Afrocity Says…Lets Hang up the Chick Habit and Riot Grrls!!!!

I try not to show it much but being recognized as a PUMA is very important to me.
I imagine myself standing in a room filled with PUMA women of all ages, colors and backgrounds. We are a circle of sisters who will not be treated like shit. A moral and intellectual force and we have [...]

Portraits in Equality: Spain

As our country slouches backwards in terms of equality for women and gays, thanks in large part to our homophobic, misogynistic President, it is very easy to become discouraged.  Barack Obama not only used homophobia and sexism as tools to win his election, he turned around and told women and gays and lesbians to “get [...]

Musings on American Culture, and How to Change it for the Better

This week, I have been thinking about American culture, and shaking my head in disgust. For example, I noticed that Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger is starring in a new movie. When I saw the publicity shots for the film, my jaw dropped, as it was obvious Ms. Zellweger, at the ripe old age of 39, has [...]

By request: Unemployment Chronicles

(Photo source, Darth Dragon on Flickr)
When I wrote that I was laid off for the second time in 3 months here, Laurie recommended the following:
Laurie, on January 24th, 2009 at 4:30 am Said:
SM plz keep us posted. If you can, do an unemployed diary. You know, where you have to go, what forms you have [...]

Winning the Equal Representation Argument

Be forewarned, ladies. If you dare to think you are entitled to equal representation in government, you are doing something called “femi-whining.”
Don Surber says so, and his post made the “best of the blogs” on RealClearPolitics, so he must have a point. Right?
Surber objects to an article by Anne Kornblut of The Washington Post, in [...]

Barack Obama, The Underachiever’s President

Beforehand, my apologies to scrubs57 for breaking my penance!   It’s been all family the past few days.  Grandma PUMA had outpatient surgery yesterday so I wasn’t bombarded all day with President Obama’s Inaugural Bacchanal.  While it is a cause for celebration,  I would have respected Obama 2.0 a lot more if a more austere, [...]

Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Deep in my heart

I remember Martin Luther King Jr.  He was one of my first TV memories, along with The Flintstones and Walter Cronkite.  Everytime he was on TV, you could be sure to find me and my mom watching him.  On one occasion, I can’t remember which, the crowd sang We Shall Overcome for what seemed like [...]