I Believe In A Thing Called Love...

Okay, I'm fully aware how cheesy this is all going to sound.  I'm in my twenties, and I'm a hopeless romantic.  I don't think my position on this changed at all, as far as I can remember.  My nougat center has only been reinforced by my current relationship, and that of the people I know and admire.

So here is the confession: I often read the Craigslist "Missed Connections" and the Love/Hate section of the Philly Citypaper.  It's not that I'm waiting for some random moment of serendipity of memories, relationships, or crushes of yesterday. I really just want them to find their people.  Most of the posts are people either too nervous to work up the courage to say how they really feel, and I know that feeling. Some are pining away for someone they can never be with. I know that one too!  A few are even addressed to the ever infamous "one who got away."  I had a few get away, and in my non-expertise, if they got away, it wasn't right. The right person, the right time...reminds me of a song.

Anyhow, sometimes I get so cynical and jaded when it comes to issues, I forget that I'm a hardcore optimist. I'm not delusional: I don't think everyone will live happily ever after in a utopian, equal and fair society.  I just think that they should, and could.

I'm not saying (my) life is or should be like some romantic comedy. It sometimes just amazes me that in a world of billions, and not willing to settle for "happy enough," I managed to find someone to be truly happy with.  I'm not sure how long this "honeymoon" phase will last, or if that's what this is, but I'm in love, and it's pretty fabulous.

If you haven't found someone you're looking for, for whatever you're looking for, keep going. Don't be bitter at others' happiness. When other people are happy, be happy for them, and know that love is a thing.  That's what worked for me.  Plus, bitter people are usually creepy.

Peace, Love, and Rock&Roll,
Shayna

It's Pat!

I never was a fan of televangelists. Here's Pat Robertson's most recent verbal diarrhea insinuating that President Obama is clearly the "match to the kindling" responsible for the "revolt of America."

I know this guy is dangerous. He is full of hatred and intolerance toward 99% of humanity. I know he hates me for a multitude of reasons. Still, I can't really take him seriously because I keep thinking of Steve Martin in Leap of Faith. 

I think the problem I have with all these nonsense TV preacher extremists is that (well aside from being bat-$#!+ crazy) is that they all use intense fear-mongering as a form of income.  Radical evangelists and "faith healers" always seem to be Christians, and I'm not saying that in of itself is the BullSpit, but why then aren't there ever any Jewish exorcisms?  When was the last time you saw a commercial on TV advertising the Torah? When was the last time you saw a radical extremist Jew on TV trying to compel viewers to join what everyone already refers to as "the chosen people?"

Something is clearly rotten, and we're nowhere near Denmark.
-Peace, Love, and Rock&Roll
Shayna

"Why Journalists Should Fact-Check" or "America is Ridiculous: Part 1"

Per always, I would like to begin with a disclaimer. I believe in the ideas of democracy, free speech, and am proud to be a US citizen, generally. I believe in the institution of America, but it's the people in it that make me crazy sometimes. Not all the people. The ones with louder voices seem to do more damage than relatively "normal" sane people.

Let me give you an example that doesn't include Glenn Beck. It is too early for me to rage-out like a Lewis Black rant. 

Last Sunday, Matthew Archibald blogged in outrage over an article he'd read stating Michael Moore had proposed that Jesus was gay.  Okay, let's backtrack.  Mr. Archibald, a contributor to The National Catholic Register (sort of like the Wall Street Journal for Catholics: very focused, biased media spun to appease/entertain their demographic) was outraged over an article he read.  Not only did he feel it was blasphemy, but Moore claims Catholicism as his faith of choice and this article and the other paint Moore as a liberal fanatic and bad example for Catholics everywhere. They're officially still not really "down" with the gays yet.


Here is the NCR article:

National Catholic Review: Mr. Moore Jokes About Jesus Being Gay

He didn't actually hear the words or see Mr. Moore.  What he read was this:

Weekly World News "Michael Moore: Jesus Was Gay!"

Okay, if you have heard of Weekly World News before, you know what I am about to say.

IT'S A MADE UP ARTICLE. Moore didn't say that (that I'm aware, anyway).  What Archibald read was

“You know those 12 men Jesus was always hanging out with?” he said to laughter. “You know what that means.” He went to explain that it wasn’t a joke and that he has done extensive documentary research and talked to people that have examined artifacts that prove Jesus was gay.  Moore even talked about Jesus loving musicals.  “He was a real song-and-dance man,” Moore  said. ... Moore said his “Jesus Was Gay” documentary will be out in time for Christmas this year.  “It’s my gift to Christians.” Moore said."

  I have said this time and time again. When you are someone whose job it is to report factual, credible information, it would behoove you to fact-check.  At least if you're going to complain about an inflammatory blog posting, have the common sense to read one or two of the comments below before writing an ACTUAL article passing off satire as fact.  The jackassery must end soon. The opinion of Moore's credibility/lack of respect/morality is not relevant.  It is just a call to remind that just because you have the power to do something, i.e. publish something, doesn't mean you SHOULD.

I think I will make this a multi-post series, illuminating other idiotic things that unnerve me, a la Mr. Black.



Today, have an extra large double-caff cup of common sense and fresh whipped literacy. On the house.
Peace, love, and rock and roll.