Doing my part to cut through the swarm of information. I haven’t had the patience to write something similar myself (appropriately enough), so I’ll just repost this link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/opinion/sunday/the-elusive-big-idea.html?pagewanted=3&ref=general&src=me
Just read this article about Kansas state Rep. Pete DeGraaf arguing that if a raped woman wants an abortion, she should prepare for it ahead of time because, as he says, it’s just like keeping a spare tire in your car. Go ahead, read it: http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2011/05/pete_degraaf_rape_flat_tire.php
The writer of this particular article got brownie point from me for showing some journalistic gusto and sticking DeGraaf’s work and home phone numbers up there, as well as his email address. Here’s what I wrote to the quack…
Really, Mr. DeGraaf? Really?
I just read your comment made during the recent House discussion regarding a woman's need to
prepare for a rape baby as a similar situation as having a spare tire in one's car. Let us disregard for
a moment that it displays utter ignorance on your part as to the milk of human kindness or any
judgment as to the spectrum of human suffering. But on a simple careerist level, weren't you aware
that this is the sort of thing that is like hemlock to a politician? Didn't you consider that some of your
constituents may have very well been raped in their past and may not want to reelect a man who
thinks of their wombs as a busted Michelin?
I do not doubt that you have already justified this for yourself. I do not doubt that you still have
some voters who think that you "tell it like it is". But your argument lacks both logic and compassion.
Based upon your argument, you should already be seeking out extra insurance plans to protect you
against boar attacks, nuclear fallout, and British invasion. Because, hey, those could happen! Better
get some insurance for it, right? Or you could consider the fact that humans can do some ungodly cruel
things to one another, such as rape, and know that these attacks can occur surprisingly and in a manner
that can affect a woman for the rest of her life. You could also probably be a true conservative, petition
for less government involvement in private business, and exemplify this by allowing private insurance
companies to make their own decisions. And as a religious man, you may take some time to meditate
on this since, currently, you have clearly abandoned any sense of love among humankind.
If anyone should happen to come across my blog and wonder why I don’t have anything up, it’s simple. I’m an utter Luddite. I haven’t sent one tweet, nor am I convinced that I can express any thought worthy of global publication within 140 characters or less. I expect that when I do make use of it, it will only be used for shameless self-promotion or the occasional socio-political cause that gets my dander up.
But that’s a micro-blog. This is a blog blog and I get to use many more words! So why nothing so far?
I hated the idea of blogs when they first arose because they started initially as a person’s diary. Except whereas the average diary is something you keep when you’re 13 and you want to hide it from the world, this diary was available to anyone with an internet connection. Stupid idea, in my book. They have deformed the practice of journalism and skewered objective reportage, making the Glenn Becks of the world a much more palatable option for those wanting to learn about world events. Really screwed the pooch on that one, blogs!
But I will admit this, blogs have revived the modern essay and have opened an audience up to reading essays in a manner that had been missing for some time. Me? I like essays. I’m glad to see that they’re hip, in a manner. And I think I’ll finally dip my toe in the self-indulgent water and have a go at it.
Mind you, this blog won’t be daily. I have a really good thought about once or twice a month. The rest of the time I’m trying to earn money, get food, and seek affection like everyone else. But when one of those thoughts do pop up, and I have the wherewithal to compose it in an interesting manner, I’ll let ‘er rip.
For this first exercise, I like a year end wrap up. It’s been 2011 for exactly two hours and twenty-three minutes right now. So for my own personal satisfaction (not yours), I’m going to mark out some of the things I’ve done this year.
- I acted as music director for Forbidden Zone: Live in the 6th Dimension at Sacred Fools Theater. This job had me writing horn charts for the first time, rehearsing two alternating 7-piece bands, teaching and rehearsing vocal harmonies with 13 actors, teaching some to sing for the first time, convincing great musicians to play for little money, learning and transcribing Danny Elfman’s first (sometimes baffling) movie score by ear, dealing with the sound issues of putting a mini rock orchestra into a small theater, and playing keyboards and conducting every night of the show. It may be the most challenging thing I’ve done to date. I lost 15 lbs. because of the stress. BUT it was an enormous success, I made countless new friends, I got to know some stunningly talented musicians, performers, and techs, and I stretched the hell out of what I thought I was capable of. Very fulfilling.
- I continued on with the theater company by writing a score for Watson. It was an all string quartet score. No synths. Real players. Again, I got to step into unknown territory and come out with a relative sheen.
- I scored some online shit for Burger King that they never used. Good practice, though.
- I played banjo, accordion, and stylophone on a Sean Lennon track thanks to the approval of the fine folks at HitRecord.org. So, if nothing else, I and the son of a Beatle are jamming on a recorded something.
- I played at a memorial for a really stand-up guy who I didn’t know long, but found no less inspiring.
- I became an uncle on the same night I saw Pee Wee Herman.
- I saw many, many pictures of this niece shown to me repeatedly by my obsessed fiancee and admit that I enjoyed many of them. I also took that same kid to the zoo, pushed her around in a plastic car, tossed her around to make her laugh, and learned that she cries if I’m unshaven (she’s stylish).
- I spent the whole year being engaged.
- I got three of my songs played on the Dr. Demento Show!
I also went to the gym more than usual and made some money in voice over, but who cares? Things were good and they’re getting better. More, hopefully insightful thoughts, in the future.
