Start Giving A Damn About Your Community.

[The blogs listed at the end are listed for informational purposes and are not affiliated with the video - other than this one. Not that I think any of them would mind. I just put them in there because when I'm looking for info, that's where I go!]

Republican Community Outreach; Carbon Copies for All!

In a time where both parties, post presidential election (or birth-certificate-verification-failure, as some describe it), are failing to appeal to the sane among us, the Democrats and Republicans alike should be concentrating on grass roots efforts to get in touch with real people – as opposed to fake people, AKA polls – on an individual basis, and not just so-called “movements” and “collectives.” Both have been trying. Neither have had much success.

Republicans, seeking to combat their lack of relevance on substantive issues, have released a new onslaught of attack ads, boldly calling upon their newest playbook (from 2004) and recruiting the aid of whatever MTV music video director happened upon the unemployment office this month, backed up by the Fox News Christmas Party Band. Huckabee wasn’t invited to play bass this year. Pesky commuted sentences.

At first look, the ad doesn’t serve them well. At second, it becomes a bit laughable. Anything after that requires whiskey consumed from a beer bong. Upside down and preferably in a hot tub. They seem to have shoved their fingers down their ear canals to prevent themselves from being confronted by the truth; that the efficacy of any message is lost when honest appeals to constituents – or even would be constituents – are replaced with carbon copies of retired ideas. How are ditto machine companies doing these days?

Alaska Family Council; the Bully on Campus at UAA

The UA Board of Regents are meeting on the UAA campus this week to discuss budgetary matters with students. In addition, a group of students from Fairbanks plan to attend in support of amending the non-discrimination clause to include sexual orientation. And, so, of course, Jim Minnery of the Alaska Family Council has once again gone into hate-heat like it’s spring in Texas. The irony here is that the board of regents are not comparable to elected officials who tend to squirm when facing reelection in the wake of the Tea Party insurgency. The Board consists of appointments that tend to last as long as the board members wish them to, are not up for a vote, and only result in termination or resignation if the board decides so.

Thus, if hellfire, damnation, and demonic possession through fashion sense are the topics left in the board members’ inboxes, one might suspect that rather than the “quaking in the boots” effect intended, Minnery’s minions might just end up supremely pissing them off. We should all voice our support, but probably not by blunt force stupid to the head, as is usually the case with the Alaska Family Council. We should all let our support be known. Just… Respectuflly, calmly, and in the pursuit of equality.

Here’s the latest from Minnery’s super fun hate camp:

“We have learned that activists in the homosexual movement are attempting to convince the University of Alaska Board of Regents to change the university non-discrimination policy so as to give special recognition to homosexuals. If successful, individuals engaging in homosexual behavior will be afforded the same recognition as members of racial and ethnic minorities.”

Critical Thinking: Words of Wisdom from Boston Legal

Allen Shore: That’s what troubles me; this notion that we have to take sides in this country now. You’re either with us or against us, Republican or Democrat, red state or blue state -

Denny Crane: I can’t believe I live in a blue state.

Allen Shore: No one looks at an issue and struggles over the right position to take anymore. And yet our ability to reason is what makes us human. Lately we seem so willing to forfeit that gift of reason in exchange for the good feeling of belonging to a group. We all just take the position of our team. I’ve certainly done it and hated myself for it.

Denny Crane: I’ve never heard you make so much sense.

Allen Shore: I make sense all the time. You just listen intermittently.

Denny Crane: Could be.

“Moore Up North” Episode 3 Online!

The third episode of Shannyn Moore’s new show, “Moore Up North” is up on youtube to watch in its entirety. This week features Tank Jones, Ethan Berkowitz, Steve Heimel and Rick Steiner.

“Moore Up North” films every week at Bernie’s Bungalow, airs locally on Saturdays at 4pm on KYES Channel 5, and is an absolute blast to attend. For tickets, email mooreupnorth@gmail.com

Alaska Proposes “Fetal Personhood”

If you are a living, breathing person (at least as it is currently defined) who resides in Anchorage, Alaska, you have noticed a tension in the air over the past year. It started with the election, which pit neighbor against neighbor on a more pronounced platform than ever before, with both our own Governor making headlines as she toured the lower 48 on the Straight Talk Express, and Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich taking on Uncle Ted for his Senate seat. Most people had never even known that profound differences in ideology existed from one mailbox down the street to the next. But all of a sudden, things were looking a lot different, and many people did not care for it one bit; shocked at the reality they had unintentionally unearthed. The predisposition that many of us had to stop when someone has a flat tire, or to be ready to break out the jumper cables when you see someone looking distraught, staring at their old car in the Fred Meyer parking lot, seemed to wither away and devolve into public screaming matches over health care, stimulus money, equal rights for our LGBT, growing homelessness, the city budget in Anchorage, among a host of other divisive topics. All of a sudden, the sense of community that we’ve all shared with each other – the neighborly convictions that have defined Alaskan hospitality – have turned into angry sneers seen in the rear view in reaction to whatever bumper stickers are placed on your car and therefor define you. The times are changing, and they are changing quickly. But, for all the tension that already exists, and has been mounting…

You ain’t seen nothin’ yet.

Discrimination is Personal.

Rep. Barney Frank talks on the floor of the House about discrimination against our LGBT community. Politics is supposed to be about policy, and is supposed to be a coat-check platform, where emotion and personal ties are left at the door. But I honestly don’t believe we live in that reality any longer.

He tried, but his true self showed through. And, according to me, good on him.

Fundraising To Elect Alaska’s First LGBT Candidate

I have a friend who needs the community’s support. And we need his leadership.

A few months ago, while waiting for the start of the True Diversity Dinner, collecting myself in preparation for hosting the event, a stranger walked over to where I was sitting and randomly handed me a note card containing the names of every elected official in attendance. I was aware of most of the names, and had already planned on mentioning everyone. But there were a few important people who I had no idea had shown up, and all of a sudden, there they were, neatly compiled on the note card now sitting in front of me. This gentleman knew very well – better than I did – that it’s easier than you might think to blank on names while on stage (or during Katie Couric interviews), and he didn’t want me to leave anyone out; wanted to make sure the event went smoothly. Even after years of experience on stage, I had managed to space on a general rule. That’s how I met Christopher Constant. He had my back even before I knew his name.

Ann Strongheart: Fall Flood = Help needed in Nunam Iqua again this Winter!

[Cross-posted from Anonymous Bloggers]

Ice piled up during the Fall Flood at Nunam Iqua 11/11/09

Happy Thanksgiving from Ugashik!!  Well Thanksgiving is here and I spent last night not only preparing food for Thanksgiving dinner but also calling every household in Nunam Iqua.  I called to not only wish them all a Happy Thanksgiving but also to check on everyone and see how they were faring so far this winter.

Unfortunately I did NOT receive good news.  I was able to reach 23 out of the 36 household and out of those 23 families that I did talk to 22 were already struggling and requested help again with food to make it through the winter.

Critical Thinking: Inga Muscio

This new segment is intended to be used as a way to convey thoughts and quotes that we find thought provoking.  Hopefully you will, too.

From Autobiography of a Blue-Eyed Devil by Inga Muscio; a quote or two….

Autobiography of a Blue-Eyed Devil by Inga Muscio

“As a general rule, and perhaps in unconscious reaction to the fact that this nation is the result of genocide, indigenous people are rarely seen in advertising, unless they are the explicit subject, as seen in college fund advertisements featuring fully assimilated appearing Cherokee attorneys and Seminole Cree doctors trained in Western medicine.  In ads such as these, whites are presented as soulful benefactors, though we are not necessarily present.  We are there in spirit, putting forth the idea that indian really can achieve ’success’ if they try hard enough, and if white people ‘help’ them.

Stripped of white normativity bolstering one’s perceptions, places such as Squaw Valley, team names like the Cleveland Indians, and playground chants like “Eenie Meenie Miney Mo, Catch  a N—– by the Toe,” sound racist, vicious, and mean-spirited.

Look around our world, and see all the smiling white, white-defined, and white-identified faces.

They are selling more than sunglasses, alcohol, movie tickets, and charity.

They are selling whiteness too.”

Inga Muscio is also the author of  Cunt: A Declaration of Independence.  You can find out more about her on her blog.

What do you think?