Archive for April, 2005

A Libby post

Mon 25.Apr.2005

Thursday was a terribly interesting day, most of it not fit to discuss in a public forum. One thing that was of general interest would be a little presentation given by Libby Post. I apologise for the google link, but I can't seem to find whether she has a site of her own. Ms. Post is a political... well, she's political anyhow. She's a writer and a speaker on a number of political issues, not least of all gay rights. Thursday night she was at the Iroquois Museum, talking about the state of gay rights in the US, what's gone wrong, what's gone right, and what we need to do.

To me, the most interesting part was her discussion of the Democratic and Republican parties. The Republican party, she said, is like a pyramid. The largest group are the financial contributors, who give money to the think tanks. Think tanks determine policy, and perhaps as important, public opinion. These thinkers give the ideas to policy makers, who offer the public view of the party. On top of this stable base, they place any hat they choose. Since 2000 (*sigh*) it has been W, but it doesn't really matter who it is. Anyone would do. A cowboy just happens to fit right now. She compares the Democratic party to an upside-down pyramid. Democrats rely strongly on a charismatic leader, and only after that leader establishes interest does anyone join in the effort. This person has to develop a platform, gauge public opinion, and do it all on his own funding before someone comes along and helps out. That is why there have only been 12 years of Democratic presidency since Nixon left office. Well, that's one view anyhow.

That's a lot of politics. Maybe next time I'll write about puppies or something.

School Daze

Wed 13.Apr.2005

I'm all set up for next semester. 18.5 credits, nothing before 9am, and no Friday classes. For the most part, they're pretty interesting classes too. I think I've done pretty well for myself. I've earned it to. I've had to take the shittiest classes this semester, and lots of them. Next semester I've got 7 credits of behavior classes with Doc and 6 credits of design electives. At the end of my web design class I'll probably take this really basic looking thing and make it neat.

Unfortunately, I still have to finish this semester. Two projects and three finals remain. I may in fact have to work my ass off to finish the semester on a high note. Maybe not though. Genetics and chemistry finals should be easy, and hopefully the feeds and feeding project will be easy too.

UPDATE: I didn't get hired as an RA for next semester (sadface) but that means I'll be rooming with Bubbey next semester (happyface). There is about to be so much craziness going on in Pearson that I don't even know what to do with myself.

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Lizz rocks my socks

Sat 09.Apr.2005

I'm in NYC right now, on a mac that belongs to Steve's lesbian friend Lizz. We just got done having an awesome picnic in Central Park, and now my fingers are really cold. Steve's peeved at me just now, because I should be doing something useful. Oh well. I felt compelled to post from a mac.

Delaying the Inevitable

Fri 01.Apr.2005

365 Gay reports that the NYS Appelate court has refused to hear the same-sex marriage cases until it passes through the lower court system. Apparently they don't think they can forestall the issue enough on their own. In the end it won't end up mattering too terribly much, because one side or another will end up appealing the case all the way up. I wonder why they bother.