10 Things to Think About on a Friday

What a week, eh? We see history made by electing the first black President of the US, the new Futurama movie comes out, Domino Night is in full force and Wendi celebrated her birthday. Pretty impressive list of things there. But really, I have to say that Tuesday felt both wonderful and horrendous. On one hand, it was the first time in about 7 years that I've felt hopeful about the direction our government and country is heading in. Watching Obama give his acceptance speech felt historic and monumental, like one of those crucial moments that changes everything. It gave me goosebumps like some of Kennedy's speeches and I couldn't help but feel a sense that things are about to change for the better.

Then, a good portion of all of that was made bittersweet when unintelligent, prejudiced and bigoted voters of California passed Prop. 8. It made me feel like all the steps away from discrimination we had taken with Obama's election were tossed out the window as the latest casualty of the culture wars started by Bush's campaigns to the religious right prior to his elections.

It seems like the more progressive we are in general as a people, the more the religious people of this country, who are given the freedom to practice their religion of choice, are interested in taking away the freedoms and rights and beliefs of people who disagree with their views. The separation between church and state is becoming increasingly blurred as the Mormon church, a non-profit organization, poured buckets of money into the Yes campaign, using their non-profit status and deep coffers to interfere with general public law. More on Prop 8 later, before I get too out of hand here....You didn't come to hear me rant, you came for 10 things to think about before your work week ends. Well, here they are...

1) In a case of the pot calling the kettle and every other black thing in the kitchen black, China has told the rest of the world that it needs to clean up its act in regards to climate change. Wasn't there worry during the Beijing Olympics that the air wouldn't even be clean enough for athletes to compete? Air pollution what?

2) Most people don't like running. But what if, while out jogging, you had to run a mile to your car with a fox gnawing on your arm?

3) I didn't like living in LA, but I sure love visiting there...seeing SC, going to football games, eating Zankou...but I can tell you that I absolutely hate the drive. Luckily for us, California voters approved a high speed train to connect SD to SF.

4) Radiohead, masters of the remix and opponents of Bush, have released a free remix for download of a Thom Yorke song to celebrate Obama's election. Yea, it's tight.

5) We all have the bars and clubs that we prefer to avoid...but what do you think is the bar with the biggest percentage of douchebags?

6) The Italian Prime Minister this week called Obama "tanned." Do you think it's a cute joke, as he says he intended it, or do you find it offensive?

7) I was curious today and thought you all might be interested in where Pumpernickel bread gets its name.

8) As in Prop 8. As in Prop H8. Turns out that a large portion of Prop 8's success was in reaching out to poorer, more uneducated, but more importantly, staunchly religious groups. Turns out that Latino voters, entrenched in the religion that European settlers forced on them hundreds of years ago, are against equal rights for such petty fears as husbands leaving wives to "become gay." Here's a great commentary discussing how Latinos, who are still fighting for civil rights in the face of immigration policy, are foolish for not recognizing the marginalization of another minority group. To be fighting for your rights, and then actively take rights of another minority group is hypocritical and short-sighted. Also, big ups to Jeff Lieber who so adequately states one of my previous points regarding church and state, and examines the absurdity of religions and their attempt to impose their viewpoints on others.

9) Try imagining growing up in the White House...

10) If you could be one author in history, living or dead, who would you want to be and why?

That's it folks, be good to each other!