DNC Day One

So the DNC is just about done for tonight, and I spent the whole day watching the speakers. I am always amazed at how diverse it is compared to its counterpart. Today they spoke about unity and why Democrats are the ones to move us forward with Clinton at the helm. (Bernie just mentioned SCOTUS and who Drumpf would appoint. He needs to keep hitting at stuff like that so his people will stop booing and support Hillary like he has pledged to do.) Sadly, some of the fools still resisting voting blue (as Sarah Silverman said, they are being ridiculous) just don't get it.

I have vowed to stop wading into comment sections until after November because the vitriol and misinformation are too much. They call Clinton and her supporters like myself a variety of terrible names, embrace the conspiracy theory that the DNC colluded with all of the state parties to deny Bernie the nomination, and press that a third party is the real option. If enough people vote, it can happen, they say. Obviously these people either never took a government/political science class in high school or college, they goofed and didn't learn anything, or they forgot.

We have a constitutional. representative democracy. Change happens slowly, for one thing. Revolutions don't occur overnight. Aside from that, the very foundation of how we vote paves the way for only two viable parties. We award seats in a winner-take-all fashion rather than proportionally like they do in parliamentary systems. As such, we fill Congress with people from just two political parties (Bernie being the exception). Even if enough people voted and put in a Libertarian or Green candidate (can't happen anyway since they won't even be appearing on ballots in every state, and write-ins are useless, sorry to break it to you), Congress would still be divided between blue and red. We have three branches, remember? Separation of powers and all that jazz. For a third party president to get anything done on their agenda, they would need to populate Congress with others of the same. At this point in time, that is fundamentally impossible.

(I was thinking about it, and it seems to me that third parties are way more narrow in scope. Simpler minds can't handle a larger platform, I guess. Also, Libertarians are whiny little babies who don't understand how the real world works. We live in a connected society and have formed compacts with each other and our government so that we can all succeed and live together. This has been eroded, obviously, partly by greed and partly by the mentality that I got mine, so fuck you. I experienced that first hand each time our labor union tried to negotiate a fair contract over the ten years I was there.)

If the notion that someone as vile, selfish, and stupid as Drumpf can become president isn't enough to scare people, then I fear they never were going to vote for Hillary anyway. They'll keep grandstanding, stomping their feet that they didn't get their way. It's almost like they don't understand how our democracy functions because they haven't participated before. Hillary has been hammered for over thirty years, and nothing has ever stuck. She spent her whole life doing public service as has her VP pick Tim Kaine. Sadly, that rhetoric has tarnished her, and I feel that her gender doesn't help things (though I've read plenty of women posting awful things about her).

If you want the establishment to burn down, you are selfish and short-sighted. You have no regard for the real people that will be hurt (and there will sadly be far too many). You never subscribed to our compact, and now you want to put the entire world at risk (Drumpf is dangerous, and the fact that Russians were the ones who hacked the DNC emails in a bid to help him should be very concerning). I'm tired of being nice because people like that are not rational. That's why I am staying away from comments sections, even on trusted pages that are pro-Hillary.

We need to vote blue to keep the White House, take back the Senate, and reclaim governorships. Maybe in two years, we can make the House more blue as well. The stakes are too high to protest Hillary and the DNC, and anyone who doesn't see that may just get their wish.

How Many More Times?

So trending on Facebook tonight is the tragic story of an eight year old boy who was playing with a handgun and who shot and killed himself by accident. His brother tried to administer CPR, but he still passed away. How many more stories do we have to read? How many more times does someone have to die a completely preventable death? How many more families have to grieve their children, parents, siblings?

People love to bring up the second amendment when we talk about regulating guns, or 'gun control.' I hate that second phrasing now only because it implies we want to reach further than most sensible people actually want. I want firearms to be regulated, which is exactly what the amendment says.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

First of all, apply some historical context to this. We had just won a bloody war against a country that wanted to keep us as property and not give us equal treatment like other citizens of the empire. Our weapons were muskets, which fired one round at a time and had to be loaded each time with the propellant.  Not exactly the standard in handguns we have now, let alone semi-automatic weapons and extended clips. We wanted to make sure we could protect ourselves from tyranny in the future.

(Side note: The third amendment protects us from housing soldiers in our houses during times of peace. This is ridiculous and would not ever happen now. Still, it exists and would be upheld should the super unlikely ever happen. My point? Our times have changed dramatically since 1789. The constitution was meant to be a living document hence the judicial branch of our government. Moving on.) 

Back to the regulation part. Before I could legally drive, I had to obtain a learner's permit and hold it for six months. I had to take at least three lessons behind the wheel through an approved school. I had to pass a test just to get the permit. Then I had to take a behind-the-wheel exam to get my license. Sure, I could have skipped all of that and drove illegally, but I didn't. I know many people still do it, but we have tried to prevent this with regulatory laws. We have less restrictions on guns in far too many states. 

Yes, people are always going to do things that are against the law. So then why do we have laws at all? Because we are a civilized society (or so I thought) who values the social compact we make with each other. (Same thing goes for vaccination, but that is a whole other ugly monster to tackle later.) 

They wanted to get rid of alcohol in the 1920s via prohibition. That worked out so well that we repealed it thirteen years later. We've done the same to drugs, and that has created a bloated prison population with people in need of treatment rather than punishment. (But there's no money in that, is there, private prison industry?) Same thing goes with abortion, which sadly is more regulated than who can buy a firearm. Outlawing stuff we don't like doesn't make it go away, but regulating things makes sure that, for the most part, it is safer for us as a society. 

So how many more have to die before we let go of our egos that guns make us better, safer, more important than other peoples' right to live? 

How many?

Thoughts on White People and This Election

This morning, Bernie Sanders (finally) endorsed Hillary Clinton for president. He did it with fervor and has made it clear that defeating Donald Trump is his priority. Now that he has gotten concessions on the Democratic Party's platform, this is undoubtedly true. And yet some of his supporters are still clinging to him as the nominee and refusing to vote for her. Most of the comments I have seen have been online so I admit my sample size is limited. What I have noticed about these people, though, is that they are all white. They say they'll vote for some third party person, effectively wasting their votes. In blue and red states, this shouldn't be much of a problem (*rants to self about the electoral college*). In swing states, this could be an issue.

Now why did I mention white people at all? Because we as white folks have no clue the issues minorities face in our country. Trump and his ilk are dangerous. Racist jerks have felt emboldened since 2010, when a red tide of stupidity swept over the nation because the big, scary black man was in office. This is not to say the all Republicans are racist. Indeed, the people I know who are Republicans are mixed in ethnicity themselves. But every racist thing I've seen and heard has been from a Republican. The nominee of their party has stated his plan to build a wall along our border with Mexico (because that fence worked so well). He's also expressed the opinion that Muslims should be banned from coming here (!!). Racial tensions have swelled since Pres. Obama took office but not because he stoked the flames. The politicians, "leaders" of our nation, have done so well enough on their own by what they say. Racists eat that stuff up, and now that a racist, misogynistic narcissist with a bad spray tan is leading the party and garnering over 13 million votes, people feel justified in their hate.

So to all you white people calling her Killary or Shillary, who think she is so damn corrupt despite nothing ever legally sticking, who don't know what she has really done for the most vulnerable of our people: if Trump is elected because of your stupidity and ignorance, then you have each contributed to further acts of hate committed against people of color. Get over yourselves. Unite, vote blue, and campaign to get Democrats elected to congress, where policy change can truly happen.

Blurb

As the 20th anniversary of the first Spice Girls single is upon us (in conjunction with the talk of late about the socially constructed notion of race in relation to how people are perceived and treated) I remembered something.

In my stupid girl clique of 5th grade, we all were labeled a certain Spice Girl. I was Scary Spice. The reason my friends sorted me this way? My fluffy hair (I had super curly locks thanks to my dad getting my curly hair layered against my mom's wishes). And I accepted it no problem, even though Mel B was black, and I very clearly was not. (My high school friends called me transparent because of how white I was compared to them, which I always laughed at.)

My point? That hate is taught. I never saw a difference with Mel B, let alone one existent because of skin. Going deeper, I never saw my friends for their color, just their similar interests and ability to be friends with a lowly dork like me. I made stupid ass race jokes in 9th grade after 9/11 (not my shining moment and a time I acknowledge exists in my evolution as a person).

There are a million things I can say, and I probably will tomorrow. For now, I just want to point out how biases are stupid social constructs that stem from the inability of people to recognize that differences are not scary, are not stereotypes to help us form opinions that allow us to paint a brush over many individuals. And yet they keep resulting in the deaths of human beings labeled quickly as anything but in the minds of the ones pulling the trigger.

Black lives matter. (All lives do, but I understand the frustration that people with dark skin are thrown aside so often, their voices ignored.)

Violence against law enforcement in general is wrong. Those cops in Dallas were doing their jobs.

People who can see both sides, empathize with them, are labeled a threat along with the people so tired of being ignored. People like Joe Walsh (failed one-term congressman from Illinois who lost his seat to real patriot Tammy Duckworth) only stand for hate and ignorance.

I thought this to myself earlier: We're not listening to their voices. Soon, we won't be able to ignore their gunshots. And that is not an acceptable answer for anyone.

Poverty Rant

This is so true. I am part time and am guaranteed only 16 hours per week per my union contract based on my classification. Luckily I have been gifted more hours because of a change in ownership and a rise in sales at my particular store. However, even if I was at my old class, I would still only be guaranteed 24 hours. My wages then would be $10.05, which took me over five years to earn as opposed to $8.30, which I topped out at almost right away. Yeah, I chose to step down for my own reasons, but still. I started my job when I was just out of high school. I kept it through college until now, three years after I graduated with my second degree, making it total of nine-plus years.

My point is, when I started, my job was primarily held by high school and college students. Now, my position and other low-wage, entry level jobs are held by folks who used to have a good career. Now they are left with nothing else but a min wage position (or two or three) because they will do what ever they can to support themselves and their families.

So to sit there and think that all people who are forced to live in poverty somehow asked for it and deserve it is just damn ignorant. I am well-educated with an AA and BS but still keep my barely-above min wage job plus all of my experience in it because I have no other real options (at least none that guarantee a weekly paycheck, which I need to pay the credit bills I racked up supporting me, my mom, and brother while we had only my measly income). This is my first week of vacation since 2011, only because I have a tax return coming and can spend part of it on things that are not bills or food.

I am lucky. I have other family to help with some bills, and I am pursuing my teaching credential to teach life science/biology while I maintain my union yet min wage job. I have an out, which I am working towards. But just because I have hopes and dreams and hopefully reachable goals about my future, I am a minority. And that does not mean anyone else deserves to live in poverty and be shamed for asking for the help that we as a responsible society used to provide no strings attached.

A minimum wage job at full time in this state and this country means the earner is in poverty. Anything less and they are screwed. Most of these people work hard and only want to take care of themselves and their families. They don't want to have to need anyone or thing else. But they do. And there is nothing wrong with that or with wanting to change it so no one has to feel that away.

But tell that to all of us "takers" and moan when we try to make the "makers" abide by the tax code and pay what they owe. When Google pays their income taxes...nevermind. Nothing I or my friends and family can do will ever amount to the fraud they get away with and are often rewarded for. So I guess this is just disjointed and angry and irritated that all most folks want is fairness but are painted as lazy and stupid.

As another image said, even if everyone went to college and earned a degree, someone would still need to make our pizzas, drive our taxis, etc. Stop looking down on them like they deserve to be poor. Because no human being who works or wants to work should, even if they cannot for disability reasons, be made to feel that way ever.

We need to care for each other. I'm an atheist, but didn't Christ basically teach that same ideal?

Being Human

So the other day at work I assisted a handicapped woman out to her truck with her groceries. Not only was it my job but I was happy to do so. My grandfather and father were disabled at the end of their lives, and I just have respect for people in general (until you do something to make me lose it for you as a person, not a group). As I was loading her stuff inside, she told me she appreciated my patience with her. While that made me feel good, I was also a bit sad. Had she faced people before who were jerks about her situation? If so, was it often? And the idea that this one woman, who I didn't know and wasn't sure was a "regular" customer (not that it matters, but they emphasize treating regs well) had faced such jerks made me angry.

People are people. I wish we could stop judging on appearances and brief observances and just be nice to each other. Yes, some people are asshats and douchebags, but aside from them, most folks are cool and sometimes legit need our help. I wish I could see the older lady using a walking chair thing to get home and offer to help her, not fearing some weirdo might appear or be her.

I did help a woman back in 2006 like this. I was going to my car in the next parking lot over from my store when I ran into this woman who had locked her keys in her car. She asked if I could drive her to her house, which was just up the street and near my grandma. Me, being 20 and naive and nice, helped her out and was rewarded with $5 for gas and time, which was not needed but appreciated. I had class coming up but helped anyway because she needed it.

But sadly the world is not so nice and simple and rewarding. I wish to help as many people as I can in my time in what ever way is available to me. I just hope that folks don't have to feel bad or be exposed to more jerks. Usually people who are sick and/or disabled are treated like shit anyway. There is no reason to make it worse.

Just live by the golden rule and don't suck and fail at being a decent human being.

FB Post I Am Reluctant to Actually Post

Okay, folks, normally I don't do this because I respect other people's beliefs whether they are political or religious because everyone has the right to think how they want.

But...

Why is it that every time I visit a page that is primarily fueled by sentiments against the president all I see and read is either racist bulls**t and/or just plain misinformation? I mean, fine, dislike his policies. Goodness knows I didn't agree with much of what Pres. GW Bush did. But I never called him Hitler or said much of the crud that, from what I have observed, mostly white folks say about Pres. Obama.

So fine. If you don't like Obama's policies, cool. I can totally respect that, and we can have an honest and open debate about the future of our country. But if you say dumb s*** that is so thinly veiled as racism or simply plain stupidity just because a black man is in the White House, fuck you. And yes, I didn't censor that on purpose.

Yes, FUCK YOU, you racist assholes hiding behind free speech and dissent who know crap about what the president has actually done and has failed to do because Congress has blocked him at almost everything he has tried. Does he have his own failures? Most definitely. You can call them out all you want, and I won't argue because I am not a blockheaded sheep. I would still rather have Pres. Obama than any of the other massive failures the GOP has put out recently. Considering he won twice and by huge margins each time, I would venture that the majority of America agrees with me. (And don't even get me started on "voter fraud").

Change sure sucks, doesn't it? But guess what? That's exactly the nature of culture. So for all of those sad, sad white people lamenting the loss of the country they never truly owned (after stealing it from the natives and all), too bad, so sad, get over it.

Most of the rest of us have. You stupid assholes.

Why is it so hard??

Writing a resume, I mean. Inspired by a fellow co-worker, also a college graduate like me, getting a job that will be in her interest field and pay the wage she deserves thus allowing her to put in a week's notice, I have started the process of doing the same. At least, I've tried. I made a list of all of the things (or most) that I would like to include on it, but I've never actually written one before. So naturally I go to Google for a little point in the right direction and find...even more confusion.

So many types, fonts, ways to organize, goals to accomplish with different kinds... It seemed daunting before, but now it more so. Even still, I will do it when I can focus better. I was hoping today would be that day, but alas, I messed around on YouTube for too long, browsed Facebook, and have been paying a lot of attention to Mittens' latest mess up, the leaked tape that can he found in the post just before this one.

(Whole other rant right there but I will save that for later. Maybe. All I know is that I resent being basically called a lazy leech who thinks the world or my government owes me a living because I'm voting for President Obama again. Yeah, 'cause that's why I have a job but am looking for another one that will allow to not need as much or any help to get by and that I am actually qualified and prepared for thanks to my wonderful public school education and the grants that allowed me to get two degrees with no student loan debt along with the roads that I took to get there paid for not in my federal or state income taxes because I've always made crap wages working where I do as is the nature of the biz but in the other taxes I do pay like vehicle license fee, sales tax, etc. just like my mom, my dad, my grandparents before they all retired, my uncle, who finally found another job, my cousins who are also getting an education... Okay, that was a long run-on that I made on purpose. Moving on.)

So today is not that day. Sigh. Maybe I'll venture a play through Slender later and feel like I've faux accomplished something I've been meaning to do.

Creepy and scary as hell

Good day, all. For now.

Of booze, cigs, and Happy Meals

Warning: Rant Ahead

Okay, so I want to start with the new way cigarettes are packaged. Recently the FDA ruled to require that the cartons and packs no longer say "light" since that means some people may think it means light in tobacco, not light in flavor. Then just this week Washington state implemented a ban on alcoholic energy drinks (like Tilt, Sparks, and 4 Loko, the intended target). This was due to a college party in October where some no-so-positive things happen. No one died, however, and no one was injured. They just all got really really drunk.

So what is the point about linking these two things? The government is coming in and dictating what people can and cannot do beyond what I think should be their boundary. The argument for the tobacco is dumb because most smokers do realize it means flavor, not content or reduced risk. As for the drinks, they argue that caffeine and alcohol together in one drink makes people drink more. This is probably true, but what else are they going ban? Selling Red Bull and vodka to a person at the same time? Selling soda and alcohol? How about banning both from being sold in the same store altogether? Get real. Yes, I realize that is somewhat of a slippery slope argument, but it's true to a degree. They cannot control people's behavior. They also have to realize that folks have free will and personal responsibility. Hopefully they will not do the same thing again, and if they, who cares? It is their life as long as they don't hurt anyone else. If they die in a car crash, sorry, but that was their choice. They knew they were drinking and should not drive. Like they say, buzzed driving is drunk driving. Of course it is sad when someone young loses their life, but that's the way it goes. The same thing applies to those who banned Happy Meals in San Fransisco. If a parent wants to let their kid eat something that does not go bad or degrade after a few months, it is not your business. People can do what they want. Back off and let them.

Why You Should Capitalize the Names of Pokémon

Pokémon is the term used to describe a type of organism like plant or animal. Following this logic, you would not need to capitalize it when using it in that way. However, the individual names of pokémon should always be capitalized. Why? Because they are all different species of pokémon, and you capitalize species names, scientific or layman's. You would capitalize Growlithe the same way you would German Shepard.

To borrow from Wikipedia: "Proper nouns (also called proper names) are nouns representing unique entities (such as London, Jupiter, or Toyota), as distinguished from common nouns which describe a class of entities (such as city, planet, person or car)." As each species of pokémon is a unique entity belonging to a larger group, it should be capitalized.

In the end, who cares anyway??

Run-around

In light of me disliking most of my classes this semester and the poor prospects for what I wanted to be doing in the meantime after I finished said classes, I decided to drop the one I hate the most. But it wouldn't let me! I had a hold, you see. So I checked the hold section of my account. I owed $3 in materials fees FOR THE CLASS I WANTED TO DROP. So before I could drop it (and tomorrow is the last day to drop without a W), I had to pay the $3. Which I did. And now they owe me $3.

Great system, Chaffey.

Things that annoy me but shouldn't

1. People using the term "theory" when referring to an idea in science. The correct term is hypothesis: hypo=below and thesis=theory. An idea below a theory, folks. This simple mistake is why a lot of people say, "Well, evolution is only a theory." WRONG.

2. When someone says that some biological process or body part has a "purpose." No, it has a function. Totally different.

3. When someone changes lanes and cuts in front of me without signaling.

4. People who merge onto the freeway at 50 mph.

5. People who bitch about being caught for doing something wrong. Don't do it in the first place and avoid the whole deal.

6. People who beg for reviews on a fanfiction or threaten readers with no updates. Total turn off, IMO.

7. People who are too easily offended thus wanting to infringe on other people's free speech just so they feel better.

I could go on and on.