I went to Boycott Hollywood today. I do that. My friends ask me "Maria, why do you visit that site when half the time it just makes you mad? Why don't you relax and enjoy yourself?" I say "because I am enjoying myself. This is HOW I enjoy myself, by going to a site which I mostly disagree with, and getting my underpants in a bunch." The thing is that I was banned from that site a while back (as some may remember) for such an incredibly petty reason as saying something like "what crawled up your ass and died?" Somehow that was soooo offensive that it warranted banning me forever. (Please, I would say that to my own mother...it's not that shocking) Meanwhile those who agree with the topics on the site can insult to their little hearts' content without fear of being banned. It's really a wild phenomenon. But I really don't wish to rehash my entire previous entry on the subject of my removal from the site, even though I still think it was very contradictory to the supposed purpose of the site in the first place (which is to criticize others -namely "celebrities"- for "stifling free speech," by virtue of exercising their own, while attempting to stifle free speech themselves by stating that liberals should just shut up and that they have no room to say anything because they are "just actors" and therefore have no brains or right to express their views). If that doesn't make any sense, go fucking figure...
Anyway, today I read this thread that was so inflamed with people spewing their dislike for homosexuals and their belief that homosexuals are an "abomination." (I just love that word) Of course if I was allowed I would have backed up the single homosexual man who was battling all of this judgment and masked homophobia, but alas, the muzzle remains. Thank god for Sandy, who was actually the person who was the recipient of my banworthy comment in the first place, that she made me proud with her comments in defense of homosexuality and shining a light on how self righteous Christians are about it, despite not always being the most "sinfree" people themselves. Hatred is such an ugly thing. Especially the kind that is based purely on the self righteousness of religion. It's not any better than Muslim extremists and their hatred of American life for its excesses. That is the hypocricy that these people fail to see, that their banishment of homosexuals is the same exact phenomenon. Ooooh don't try to tell them that.
It made me sad though, so many of the things that people said on there. I find it difficult to describe the level of frustration I feel as I read some of these comments only to realize that many of these people contradict themselves heavily, especially on this subject, and they're far too self righteous to admit it or perhaps too ignorant to see it themselves. Somehow, to one particular person, defending yourself or stressing your own point is the same as insulting. I notice that when people don't like what they hear they just say "you're insulting me"... as someone on the outside, looking in, it is painful to see the lack of insight in some people. How they can sit there and be angry at the person who is defending himself with thoughtful intelligence, while rooting on those who are grotesquely intolerant, and then accusing that person who is defending himself of being the person who is intolerant, ignorant or otherwise offensive. I find it so hard to witness and at the same time utterly mind boggling. I wish there were a way to remove the blinders from these particular individuals and implore them to view themselves and the statements that they are making objectively so that they can see their hypocricy at work. The singular homosexual said to one person "what if your son turned out to be gay? Wouldn't that be ironic?" The person came back with "why are you wishing that my son will be gay?" (?????) How does one translate into the other, that's what I don't understand. It is simply a lack of intelligence on the part of the other person.
You see, just by my writing this, the person(s) who I am referring to above, would assert that these here are "insults" that I have made, rather than observations. If I assert the person(s) ignorance or lack of profound insight, that also, would be viewed as an insult, rather than a valid conclusion come to by my observations.
How does an ignorant person know that they're ignorant if they're too ignorant to know it? They don't. They are trapped.
Posted by Maria at June 5, 2003 04:50 PM | TrackBackWhoa nelly, did that site ever get heated or what? I was getting so fucking disgusted...I really didn't know that many people still felt this way about homosexuals..what really ticked me is when they all hid behind the Bible...I won't say too much more, I'm half lit as it is..I fucking dyed my hair blonde today and it's not flattering...I have auburn hair naturally...my family is out for the night and me and the blender are becoming great friends..Margaritas anyone? I'm listening to my Sublime cd's..forgot how much I used to like them..any fucking way..there is alcohol to be consumed...:)
Posted by: sandy at June 5, 2003 07:40 PMHoly shit sandy, you just made me laugh out loud. You just gave me a wild hair to go hit the bottle of tequila I've got in the cabinet. Hahaa!
That site did get heated and I agree that it is so prehistoric for people to still behave like that. In fact, I think in prehistoric times they were probably MORE civilized about homosexuality and LESS self righteous and condescending. It's really disappointing to see that level of ignorance. Oh well! The tequila is now calling: Mar-r-r-r-i-a-a!!! Andale! Andale! Arribe! Viva La Tequila!!!
Posted by: Maria at June 5, 2003 07:58 PMP.S. YOu just reminded me how badly I need to listen to sublime...ah...the soundtrack to many a good time...
Posted by: Maria at June 5, 2003 07:59 PMokay...I feel I must explain...I drink when nobody else fucking is...I'll get tipsy on like a Tuesday, never on the weekends..don't ask me why. I used to have a standing poker game every Friday night, all my girlfriends would get shitfaced and I'd be up like 50 bucks..(we're not highrollers) I'd be sitting there drinking coffee, now on Tuesday when everybody else is doing their Beaver Cleaver routine, I'm getting hammered...so here it is, Thursday and I'll have a nice hangover when everyone else is partying TOMORROW...I'm so fucking warped..haha..
Posted by: sandy at June 5, 2003 08:30 PMYou are speaking to someone who totally relates. I usually have drinks during the week and on the weekend I just relax, sleep, watch movies. But during the week is when I have a lot of energy and imbibe after work. I also sometimes drink more when no one else is around because I enjoy getting all tipsy and going about my business. I think that is a sign of alcoholism....but then again, I'm really not in denial...
Posted by: Maria at June 5, 2003 08:51 PMMaria
Not a sign of alcholism...don't say it...haha.
I love being alone. When I was single, I would go out to eat by myself, go to the picture show, you name it..I loved it. I think me drinking alone now is my one last stand at being independent. My weekends now revolve around my daughter and her friends..I need these off nights to myself...must have for me and I love the drink..I'm Irish, so what's new..haha..
These are very scary times. I had never visited the “Boycott Hollywood” site, but after this visit it illustrates how the Right Wing continues to not only grow but are arrogantly beating their chests as their power becomes the “status quo” in our society. Consider what happened at the FCC on Monday—the opportunity to control all the airwaves is now open to those with access to great wealth. Between Clear Channel and Rupert Murdoch, the “message” spin will only become more Right Wing. And I am continuously amazed at those who are zealously embracing the conservative message/agenda. There are too many people who are not questioning what is going on in our society. And it could get worse—Aschcroft was before Congress yesterday introducing “Patriot Act II” which could significantly further jeopardize our civil liberties.
I am eager for a little “common sense” and critical thinking to emerge in our society. The voices are out there, including those in Hollywood. There are others as well challenging the new social status quo. As I continue to remind people, it is not “un-American” to dissent. Indeed, it is what our society was founded on. But our current administration continues to challenge any form of dissent, and this is quickly becoming the “social reality” of the day.
I’m sorry for this rant, but your post hit close to home. Voices of dissent not only must exist, they must be given a forum for an exchange of ideas and viewpoints, without questioning one’s patriotism. Howard Winant and Michael Omi predicted this swing to the right, and all the potential challenges to civil liberties, in their book “Racial Formations in the United States” (1989). How we bring society back to the middle is going to be a challenge. I never “liked” the middle-of-the-road perspective, but I would rather have that than this radical swing to the Right we are experiencing today. I cannot believe the significant changes in our social consciousness in just two years. It is truly a scary time.
Posted by: Banzai at June 6, 2003 12:19 PMPlease do not apologize for voicing your thoughts here. I feel the same way and I actually spend a lot of time looking at things and reading things that spark outrage within. I am a very passionate person and it's so hard to read people's thoughts on some of these blogs and come to terms with the fact that so many people are brimming with nastiness and animosity and intolerance. And they don't even know it. It's almost as if the ability to view themselves or reflect is totally lacking and they pride themselves on being callous and jaded, viciously criticizing those who think, speak and try to act with compassion towards others. In these ultra right wing circles, the word "liberal" is equated with dimwit treehugging hairy pitted bleeding heart bong sucking saddam-hussein-baby-having TRAITOR who wants to TAKE YOUR GUNS AWAY.
I agree with you, it is a truly scary time. The mindset behind it is so unbelievably skewed. George Bush has got to go. Do people honestly think he's doing such a great job and things are BETTER with him as the president? I feel like I'm living in a fucking nightmare.
Posted by: Maria at June 6, 2003 10:10 PMDammit..
My gay balls are so freaking tired of being busted, I need to hang out with some people with the ability to intellectualize thought.
Maria? Thanks.
It's been a rather heavy onslaught. I am reminded that my most recent website company does NOT necessarily represent the greater part of our society. I, as you, have an almost morbid curiousity/inclination to get my "undies in a twist" and be well-informed with respect to what's going on in the enemy camp. Plus they just need a good shot of reality from time to time.
As an aside: That gal to whom I said: "what if your son turns out to be gay. Wouldn't that be the irony of the century?" (the one who ASSUMED I WANTED him to be gay!!!) e-mails me privately. She has sent me photos of her family.
I thought I would send her a photo of me and the fellow I've been with for over 16 years. Oddly, it took FOREVER to get a response. When I finally did.. she said "Oh. All right. Tell him I say hello"!!
Simply unreal.
:)
Posted by: Chosesinconnues at June 15, 2003 05:06 PMChoses:
Excuse me for saying so, but the woman you mentioned above is one of those people who are not downright offensive on their own, but by default, as she emphatically nods her head and agrees with the most egregious and poorly thoughtout of comments and opinions. It appears to me that she doesn't even know what she's agreeing with and she just goes blindly with the views of others, sometimes trying to have her own opinion, but usually ending up in a massive contradiction. Sometimes I feel like that person has her head buried waaaaaay in the sand. Sorry to those who enjoy her commentary on BH. I, for one, do not for the most part because I don't see her as a person who thinks for herself. I'm sure she would emphatically DISagree on that.
As for your balls being busted, Choses, do I know what that's like and I don't even have balls. Many a time on a site that expresses heavy right wing views, I have suddenly felt like a punching bag with no one to come to my aid. It's like a fucking dogpile. There is this one site I visit occasionally and a person who posts on there who is so vile with name calling and ugly narrow minded judgments about people that arguing with him is just asking to be abused. He calls me a "dumb cunt" regularly. I stopped visiting that site. Sometimes you can get just a little bit too much reality.
Posted by: Maria at June 15, 2003 09:04 PMRe your "reality" comment Maria. Here here.
It was a terrific challenge actually. The thoughts I DIDN'T post at BH make me a prime candidate for canonization... wait NO... the Christians don't want me. Ah shit. Time to convert to Buddhism.
There were times when I'd read a posting at some thread at BH and have to literally scrape my jaw off the keyboard from utter disbelief. At least with the now-infamous "Tinselthingy" you knew where the fecker stood! Those like "glad I didn't have to explain that to my kids" are more insidious and represent a more real threat.
When I saw her posting, I countered with; "Too damned bad about you. God forbid you'd have to educate your children in the diversity of humankind and that they may turn out to be well-adjusted accepting adults".
You'd think I'd shot her dog! Half the posters at BH told me I owed her an apology!!!!!
But without question the one that took the fucking cake was "American Girl" (ugh that name), who once said something to the effect, "Yeah my parents liked Jimmy Carter and then after he was elected President they were totally disappointed when they found out what he was truly like" (referring to the Playboy interview where he stated he had "committed adultery in [his] heart many times"!! She said she hadn't even read the thread topic but decided against it because she "knew the type". She's the one that was always saying "great post LisaS" or "I couldn't agree more Reilly". (I'd say to myself... "go ahead babe... try to agree more... I just KNOW you can do it!!") GRRRRRRRRR.
Damn.
Posted by: Chosesinconnues at June 16, 2003 05:17 PMHaaaaa! Choses. You just expressed many a mutual sentiment.
American Girl was THE WORST sometimes. I just wanted to poke her in the eyeball with a sharp stick. (figuratively speaking, of course)
I completely remember the posting you referred to ("...God forbid you'd have to educate your children in the diversity of humankind and that they may turn out to be well-adjusted accepting adults...") I thought you were kicking some serious ass in that thread. APOLOGIZE!?!?! Are they smoking crack over there???
That is what is really aggravating. That big stupid blame game where ordinary opinions, thoughts, feelings get construed into some kind of insult that you are now obligated to apologize for, meanwhile the real insults are flying off their keyboards right and right while you are trying desperately to be understood???
I swear that is just caused by a complete lack of intelligence on their part.
Posted by: Maria at June 16, 2003 06:25 PMp.s. Choses! I was raised tibetan buddhist. (I don't practice) Check out my mom's awesome website: childoffortune.com
Posted by: Maria at June 16, 2003 06:28 PMWeird. That also happens to be the title of one of Norman Spinrad's best novels.
Posted by: evilmike at June 16, 2003 07:23 PMI know. That's what my mother named it after! :)
Posted by: Maria at June 16, 2003 07:53 PM*starts up his 900 psychic service and rolls around in the loot*
Damn, I'm good.
Posted by: evilmike at June 17, 2003 03:17 AMMaria..
I envy you your childhood religious affiliation.
I have long felt a kinship to Buddhism. I'm drawn to it like some kind of osmosis. May I respectfully ask why you choose not to practice as an adult?
I still attend the Episcopal cathedral in this city (was raised in that forum). It's familiar and the ritual is known. Giving credit where credit is due, I must concede that the greater part of the Anglican heirarchy are more tolerant and eccumenical than any other Christian denomination. Our minister/priest is a Lesbian and half the congregation is made up of disillustioned Christians (mainly R.C.) who find communal acceptance in the Episcopal environment.
Christ (literally and figuratively), half the congregation is Gay and they conduct Gay civil marriages (though for the life of my why Gay couples would want to emulate that part of heterosexual tradition is beyond me, at least in a Christian sense) Commitment service yes, traditional wedding, ummmmmmm not. Bleeech!
P.S. Visited your mother's site. Interesting take on things. I particularly like her reading list. Molto grazie!
Posted by: Chosesinconnues at June 17, 2003 08:28 AMOkay Mike...
That last post made me chuckle. You're a clever lad. You have a 'knee-jerk' take that can be very amusing.
You ARE the same "evilmike" of Boycott Hollywood, no? ;-)
My but you're being dreadfully liberal. However... is it just an assimilation thing????
Posted by: Chosesinconnues at June 17, 2003 08:31 AMI chose my targets carefully on BH, Chose.
And kept my mouth shut otherwise. I don't get in fights I can't win.
Besides, 'winning' an argument on the Internet is like 'winning' the Special Olympics. It means NOTHING and the 'winner' is still retarded.
Convinced yet?
Email lee, man, tell him to get over here.
I'm not being 'liberal'....'liberals' are fascists.
I AM , however, what 'liberal' used to mean..which is to say, a moderate.
Posted by: evilmike at June 17, 2003 08:12 PMBut I DO miss heaping abuse upon the Roggidiot....*sniffs*
Posted by: evilmike at June 17, 2003 08:14 PMevilmike
dude..I kinda liked Roggenbuck...really.
Oh and for the record, I wasn't offended that you gave me a "lap dance'...I'll admit my last post was made while I was extremely drunk..I had went out w/my friend came home and had 3 ultra nasty emails waiting on me...I snapped..I thought at the time..you know if someone wants to bust my balls on the site, than fine, but don't fucking invade me privately...I kinda chuckled when I read commonfolk defending me against your lap dance and sorry I didn't respond soon enough to lay that one to rest.
Wheee!
*has all his Hot Young Soldiers give sandy lap dances*
Quit drooling, Chose..:)
It's good to be the platoon sergeant..:)
*revels in his Awesome Power*
Posted by: evilmike at June 17, 2003 08:54 PMI thought the lapdance thing was so nice!
That whole distortion just proved to me that some people can get bent out of shape about just about anything...
They had it ALL twisted.
Posted by: Maria at June 17, 2003 08:55 PMI just fell out of my chair laughing. I'm cut off.
Posted by: Maria at June 17, 2003 08:57 PMevilmike
we were stationed at Patch Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany...an army post and we're Air Force..anyway we befriended the guy upstairs an Army Green Beret..where am I going w/this...oh yes..you can have your whole fucking platoon give me a lap dance..haha. I've fed many a Army guys in my kitchen and washed their clothes. I was honored and given the necklace that all Green Beret wives wear and when I go to Fort Carson I have about 15 boys shout out.."Hey Ms Sandy...we love ya babe"...Army boys have a special spot in my heart:)
I'll mention it to the guys.
I'm over here at Ft.Hood, 1st Cav Division.
Only decent thing is that Austin is only about 70 miles away......great place to party.
Posted by: evilmike at June 17, 2003 09:26 PM