Yep, it's 10 pm on Saturday night and let me tell you, it's been a crazy one so far. -- Sitting here at my desk, working on a co-worker's project that went to hell (we would all like to thank the "outsourcing" model for this great weekend).
What I really want at the moment is an amazingly pleasant adventure, but I don't think it's going to happen tonight. Maybe tomorrow, if I'm lucky.
Whoo-hoo, good times. Whew, gotta catch my breath.
7.29.2006
7.27.2006
Un-freaking-believable
I don't usually get into ranting about political issues, but today I just HAD to share this.
The former governor of my fair state, Richard Lamm, has written a book and I have to say that I am absolutely astounded at his statements. I'm not sure if the reason that I'm freaked out is because of the incredibly racist attitudes, the gross generalizations about no less than four different kinds of Americans, or the fact that this person was once the head of this state.
I can't even talk about this, I'm that disgusted. But please do read this article, let me know what you think. Because I sure as hell don't know WHAT to think at this point. -- I'm sure I'll write more later, once the sick feeling has left my stomach.
You can read the full story below or use this URL: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4873647,00.html
***********************************
Lamm's words draw fire
Ex-governor sees 'underperformance' by Hispanics, blacks
By Myung Oak Kim, Rocky Mountain News
July 27, 2006
Former Gov. Richard Lamm is under fire for comments in a recent speech and in his new book that Hispanics remain an "underclass" in America because their culture is "not success-producing."
Lamm made the statements during a speech Monday in Vail hosted by the Vail Symposium, a nonprofit group that hosts educational and cultural programs. He addressed about 120 people, only a handful of whom were Hispanic or black, said Vail Symposium Executive Director Fraidy Aber.
At that event, Lamm also sold about 25 copies of his new book, Two Wands, One Nation, Aber said.
In the 80-page paperback published in January, Lamm argues that Hispanics and blacks need to take responsibility for their "underperformance" and should adopt the values of the Japanese and Jews.
"Let me offer you, metaphorically, two magic wands that have sweeping powers to change society. With one wand you could wipe out all racism and discrimination from the hearts and minds of white America. The other wand you could wave across the ghettos and barrios of America and infuse the inhabitants with Japanese or Jewish values, respect for learning and ambition," Lamm wrote.
"I suggest that the best wand for society and for those who live in the ghettos and barrios would be the second wand."
Lamm is a longtime critic of mass immigration and most recently served as a leader of Defend Colorado Now, a group that wants to stop illegal immigrants from receiving government services.
Public concern about illegal immigration - which often focuses on Mexican immigrants - led to a special session of the state legislature earlier this month that included heated debates and accusations of racism. In the end, lawmakers passed a package of bills aimed at curbing illegal immigration that are considered among the toughest in the country.
In his book, excerpts of which the News carried in its Commentary section on Feb. 18, Lamm stresses that Hispanics and blacks blame white racism too much for their problems and that it is time to have an honest discussion about how to help them succeed.
"Racism and discrimination clearly still exist, but it is becoming increasingly apparent that the problem of minority underperformance is much broader and more nuanced than can be explained by the impact of racism alone," he wrote.
"When two-thirds of black births are out-of-wedlock births, it is hard to write a happy or prosperous future for black America. When close to 50 percent of Hispanic students don't graduate from high school, it is hard to see Hispanics following the typical American route to prosperity."
Local Hispanic and black leaders say Lamm's viewpoints fuel stereotypes and extremism instead of helpful dialogue.
"I was quite offended," said state Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, who is black. "I think there's room to have conversations about personal responsibility and we should. But we can have that conversation without demonizing.
"It's sad that someone as intelligent as Governor Lamm can't see how these types of comments really don't do anything to further legitimate debate."
Fidel "Butch" Montoya, former Denver manager of safety and a leader of Confianza, a Hispanic clergy group, said he's "outraged" by Lamm's comments.
"I couldn't believe that in this day and age that someone would be so open with a sense of bigotry and extremism," Montoya said.
Cody Wertz, spokesman for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, said that Lamm is wrong.
"You don't have to go any farther than Senator Salazar's parents, Henry and Emma, and the values they instilled in their eight children to realize how wrong Dick Lamm is," Wertz said. "Henry and Emma instilled an ethic of hard work and love of education in their children so all eight graduated from college and have been great examples for all Coloradans, both Hispanic and non- Hispanic."
Lamm said even if people are offended, the issue of cultural connection to educational and economic success still needs to be discussed.
"I don't think that Jews are smarter. I don't think Hispanics are dumber," he said. "You've got to look at why one group succeeds disproportionately and the other group fails disproportionately."
He said he's not surprised by the anger his remarks have evoked.
"All great truths begin as heresies," he added.
Lamm's book grew out of a 2003 essay he wrote and tried to publish in a newsletter at the University of Denver, where he teaches public policy. For the last three years, Lamm has lambasted the university for not publishing his essay.
In the foreword of his book, Lamm addresses the university: "May you come to understand that on a college campus, 'too controversial' is not the answer to anything, ever."
DU vigorously disputes Lamm's accusations. The school contends it did not publish the essay in 2003 because the newsletter didn't take unsolicited work and had changed its format. Spokesman Jim Berscheidt said the school offered Lamm other ways to publish his essay, which he did not take.
"We never censor free speech," Berscheidt said.
City Councilwoman Rosemary Rodriguez, who is Hispanic, said Lamm's comments are consistent with those made in past years.
"He's worn me down. I just expect this from him," she said.
Bruce DeBoskey, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, agreed that Lamm's book does not present new arguments. But they are still dangerous, he said.
Lamm's comments "can lead to greater prejudice rather than to greater understanding," he said.
Aber, of the Vail Symposium, said Lamm encouraged debate during his 40-minute speech and question- and-answer session. He said the audience didn't express anger.
"He was kind of pushing for people to argue," she said. "Some people were agreeing and some people were disagreeing and . . . that was welcome."
The former governor of my fair state, Richard Lamm, has written a book and I have to say that I am absolutely astounded at his statements. I'm not sure if the reason that I'm freaked out is because of the incredibly racist attitudes, the gross generalizations about no less than four different kinds of Americans, or the fact that this person was once the head of this state.
I can't even talk about this, I'm that disgusted. But please do read this article, let me know what you think. Because I sure as hell don't know WHAT to think at this point. -- I'm sure I'll write more later, once the sick feeling has left my stomach.
You can read the full story below or use this URL: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4873647,00.html
***********************************
Lamm's words draw fire
Ex-governor sees 'underperformance' by Hispanics, blacks
By Myung Oak Kim, Rocky Mountain News
July 27, 2006
Former Gov. Richard Lamm is under fire for comments in a recent speech and in his new book that Hispanics remain an "underclass" in America because their culture is "not success-producing."
Lamm made the statements during a speech Monday in Vail hosted by the Vail Symposium, a nonprofit group that hosts educational and cultural programs. He addressed about 120 people, only a handful of whom were Hispanic or black, said Vail Symposium Executive Director Fraidy Aber.
At that event, Lamm also sold about 25 copies of his new book, Two Wands, One Nation, Aber said.
In the 80-page paperback published in January, Lamm argues that Hispanics and blacks need to take responsibility for their "underperformance" and should adopt the values of the Japanese and Jews.
"Let me offer you, metaphorically, two magic wands that have sweeping powers to change society. With one wand you could wipe out all racism and discrimination from the hearts and minds of white America. The other wand you could wave across the ghettos and barrios of America and infuse the inhabitants with Japanese or Jewish values, respect for learning and ambition," Lamm wrote.
"I suggest that the best wand for society and for those who live in the ghettos and barrios would be the second wand."
Lamm is a longtime critic of mass immigration and most recently served as a leader of Defend Colorado Now, a group that wants to stop illegal immigrants from receiving government services.
Public concern about illegal immigration - which often focuses on Mexican immigrants - led to a special session of the state legislature earlier this month that included heated debates and accusations of racism. In the end, lawmakers passed a package of bills aimed at curbing illegal immigration that are considered among the toughest in the country.
In his book, excerpts of which the News carried in its Commentary section on Feb. 18, Lamm stresses that Hispanics and blacks blame white racism too much for their problems and that it is time to have an honest discussion about how to help them succeed.
"Racism and discrimination clearly still exist, but it is becoming increasingly apparent that the problem of minority underperformance is much broader and more nuanced than can be explained by the impact of racism alone," he wrote.
"When two-thirds of black births are out-of-wedlock births, it is hard to write a happy or prosperous future for black America. When close to 50 percent of Hispanic students don't graduate from high school, it is hard to see Hispanics following the typical American route to prosperity."
Local Hispanic and black leaders say Lamm's viewpoints fuel stereotypes and extremism instead of helpful dialogue.
"I was quite offended," said state Rep. Terrance Carroll, D-Denver, who is black. "I think there's room to have conversations about personal responsibility and we should. But we can have that conversation without demonizing.
"It's sad that someone as intelligent as Governor Lamm can't see how these types of comments really don't do anything to further legitimate debate."
Fidel "Butch" Montoya, former Denver manager of safety and a leader of Confianza, a Hispanic clergy group, said he's "outraged" by Lamm's comments.
"I couldn't believe that in this day and age that someone would be so open with a sense of bigotry and extremism," Montoya said.
Cody Wertz, spokesman for U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, said that Lamm is wrong.
"You don't have to go any farther than Senator Salazar's parents, Henry and Emma, and the values they instilled in their eight children to realize how wrong Dick Lamm is," Wertz said. "Henry and Emma instilled an ethic of hard work and love of education in their children so all eight graduated from college and have been great examples for all Coloradans, both Hispanic and non- Hispanic."
Lamm said even if people are offended, the issue of cultural connection to educational and economic success still needs to be discussed.
"I don't think that Jews are smarter. I don't think Hispanics are dumber," he said. "You've got to look at why one group succeeds disproportionately and the other group fails disproportionately."
He said he's not surprised by the anger his remarks have evoked.
"All great truths begin as heresies," he added.
Lamm's book grew out of a 2003 essay he wrote and tried to publish in a newsletter at the University of Denver, where he teaches public policy. For the last three years, Lamm has lambasted the university for not publishing his essay.
In the foreword of his book, Lamm addresses the university: "May you come to understand that on a college campus, 'too controversial' is not the answer to anything, ever."
DU vigorously disputes Lamm's accusations. The school contends it did not publish the essay in 2003 because the newsletter didn't take unsolicited work and had changed its format. Spokesman Jim Berscheidt said the school offered Lamm other ways to publish his essay, which he did not take.
"We never censor free speech," Berscheidt said.
City Councilwoman Rosemary Rodriguez, who is Hispanic, said Lamm's comments are consistent with those made in past years.
"He's worn me down. I just expect this from him," she said.
Bruce DeBoskey, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, agreed that Lamm's book does not present new arguments. But they are still dangerous, he said.
Lamm's comments "can lead to greater prejudice rather than to greater understanding," he said.
Aber, of the Vail Symposium, said Lamm encouraged debate during his 40-minute speech and question- and-answer session. He said the audience didn't express anger.
"He was kind of pushing for people to argue," she said. "Some people were agreeing and some people were disagreeing and . . . that was welcome."
7.25.2006
Miss Communication
So this weekend when my web connection went down. -- I swear, I was going through DT's or something, it was sort of scary. Luckily, I had The Kidlet there to talk me down so no one got hurt. ("Mama, have a glass of wine, it will be OK" -- man, I love that kid.)
Then on Monday, the email system at my office went down. In fact, it's STILL down (and yes, its Tuesday).
You would think that the world has come to a screeching halt. Actually, here it has. I would bet that about 95%of our business is conducted via email. Contacting clients, vendors, etc. is almost exclusively done that way, so this has thrown quite a wrench into the works.
A girlfriend of mine pointed out that Mercury is now in retrograde. I know what this means because the last time she mentioned this, I looked it up (isn't the internet nifty?). Although I don't put much (if any) stock in horoscopes (unless they say what I want them to, like "stay home today and pamper yourself" or, "you will be worshipped this weekend by a young buck who will indulge in your every whim"), I think there might be something to this. -- Especially since I have missed more phone calls, had emails go into the ether, and plain just "cain't talk right".
On July 4, 2006, Mercury, the cosmic magician, turns retrograde in Leo, the sign of the Lion, sending communications, travel, appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! This awkward period begins a few days before the actual turning point (as Mercury slows) and lasts for three weeks or so, until July 29, when the Winged Messenger reaches his direct station. At this time he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac.
(from here if you are just dying to know more detail)
That sounds about right to me. And since I'm now one to start hedging my bets, I checked to see if this is going to happen again. I read that this happens about 3 times per year, WTF???
Stupid stars...
Then on Monday, the email system at my office went down. In fact, it's STILL down (and yes, its Tuesday).
You would think that the world has come to a screeching halt. Actually, here it has. I would bet that about 95%of our business is conducted via email. Contacting clients, vendors, etc. is almost exclusively done that way, so this has thrown quite a wrench into the works.
A girlfriend of mine pointed out that Mercury is now in retrograde. I know what this means because the last time she mentioned this, I looked it up (isn't the internet nifty?). Although I don't put much (if any) stock in horoscopes (unless they say what I want them to, like "stay home today and pamper yourself" or, "you will be worshipped this weekend by a young buck who will indulge in your every whim"), I think there might be something to this. -- Especially since I have missed more phone calls, had emails go into the ether, and plain just "cain't talk right".
On July 4, 2006, Mercury, the cosmic magician, turns retrograde in Leo, the sign of the Lion, sending communications, travel, appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! This awkward period begins a few days before the actual turning point (as Mercury slows) and lasts for three weeks or so, until July 29, when the Winged Messenger reaches his direct station. At this time he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac.
(from here if you are just dying to know more detail)
That sounds about right to me. And since I'm now one to start hedging my bets, I checked to see if this is going to happen again. I read that this happens about 3 times per year, WTF???
Stupid stars...
7.21.2006
New Adventure For Hella
So this friend of mine has been bugging me for, oh, I don't know, about 6 years now for me to do a photo shoot with him.
Now, let's start this with the fact that I HATE being photographed. Honestly, despite the fact that I have been told otherwise, I think that I'm probably one of the strangest looking people on the planet.
But with life the way that it has been, and me needing some sort of something to make me feel, well, less awful, I finally said yes.
So now I have bangs again, I've had enough make up applied to choke a freaking horse, and I've embarked into the world of "model" even if only for an evening (and for no pay). Very weird.
I meet this one woman and learn that her entire job was to make me look good. Again, very weird. -- I'm sitting in this chair getting my hair and make up done like I'm some sort of celebrity, squirming the whole time.
Next, my dear friend chases me down and snaps some photos with his point and shoot digital, "to get a feel for how I react to the camera" -- I react by wanting to vomit, I could have told him that I would react badly.
After that, really intense lights, good music, and yes, a drink or two so I didn't totally freeze up in front of the camera. -- It was a surreal experience, but I'm glad I did it.
The one thing that bugged me was his desire to get across a "Pin-up, Bettie Page sort of feel" -- I told him I wasn't getting naked or holding a whip. He thought that was funny. But he also knew I was NOT kidding.
When the photos are ready, he promises to send me some, so I will share if they don't suck.
I think that the big thing is that I'm really proud of myself for doing this. One more fear conquered, only 867 to go.
Now, let's start this with the fact that I HATE being photographed. Honestly, despite the fact that I have been told otherwise, I think that I'm probably one of the strangest looking people on the planet.
But with life the way that it has been, and me needing some sort of something to make me feel, well, less awful, I finally said yes.
So now I have bangs again, I've had enough make up applied to choke a freaking horse, and I've embarked into the world of "model" even if only for an evening (and for no pay). Very weird.
I meet this one woman and learn that her entire job was to make me look good. Again, very weird. -- I'm sitting in this chair getting my hair and make up done like I'm some sort of celebrity, squirming the whole time.
Next, my dear friend chases me down and snaps some photos with his point and shoot digital, "to get a feel for how I react to the camera" -- I react by wanting to vomit, I could have told him that I would react badly.
After that, really intense lights, good music, and yes, a drink or two so I didn't totally freeze up in front of the camera. -- It was a surreal experience, but I'm glad I did it.
The one thing that bugged me was his desire to get across a "Pin-up, Bettie Page sort of feel" -- I told him I wasn't getting naked or holding a whip. He thought that was funny. But he also knew I was NOT kidding.
When the photos are ready, he promises to send me some, so I will share if they don't suck.
I think that the big thing is that I'm really proud of myself for doing this. One more fear conquered, only 867 to go.
7.10.2006
I Just Remembered
I've been digging through my CD collection as of late, looking for things that I may not have heard in a while and I found a couple of things that have just knocked my socks off.
First, Bare Jr.'s "Boo-tay" -- one of those albums (yes, they are still albums to me) that is just fun to listen to. Listening to that on the way to work when I'm in a craptastic mood makes the odds of my co-workers surviving the day a little bit better.
Second, the Reverend -- I haven't listened to "Smoke 'Em If You Got "Em" in a long, long time. Can I tell you how incredible that man is on the guitar? Makes me want to give up on my even learning. He just smokes on one of my favorite tracks, "Bullet" -- holy moly!
Finally, Jesus Lizard's "Goat" -- My ears are bleeding from turning that one up to 11 to drown out the sound of, well, everything.
That's all, my inner music geek just had to spew forth, thanks for bearing with me.
First, Bare Jr.'s "Boo-tay" -- one of those albums (yes, they are still albums to me) that is just fun to listen to. Listening to that on the way to work when I'm in a craptastic mood makes the odds of my co-workers surviving the day a little bit better.
Second, the Reverend -- I haven't listened to "Smoke 'Em If You Got "Em" in a long, long time. Can I tell you how incredible that man is on the guitar? Makes me want to give up on my even learning. He just smokes on one of my favorite tracks, "Bullet" -- holy moly!
Finally, Jesus Lizard's "Goat" -- My ears are bleeding from turning that one up to 11 to drown out the sound of, well, everything.
That's all, my inner music geek just had to spew forth, thanks for bearing with me.
7.08.2006
Music for saddle-weary drunkards
This station is one of my favorites when I feel my inner-redneck coming to the surface. I've just heard the Dwight Yoakam & Buck Owens, the Beat Farmers & now it's James Monroe. Life is good.
Check them out and let me know what you think.
http://www.bootliquor.com/
Check them out and let me know what you think.
http://www.bootliquor.com/
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