Month: December 2004

Welcome to America, where a message of tolerance has corporations shaking in their boots.

All three major networks refused a commercial for the United Church of Christ–one that featured two bouncers refusing admission to (among others) two men who one assumes were supposed to be gay. They weren’t skipping or fondling one another, and one of them wasn’t wearing a wedding dress. And the announcer’s voice said, “No matter who you are or where are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.”

ABC refused it because they don’t air religious ads (although dramas with nudity and profanity, that’s okay.) And CBS and NBC were skittish over the notion of advocating the notion that Jesus might accept gays (which is a hoot coming from the network that airs “Will and Grace.” Apparently it’s okay to laugh at gay men; just not accept them as people in the name of the Christian Messiah.)

This is, unfortunately, one of the results of Conservatism: Fear. Fear of rocking the boat. Fear of reprisal. Fear of gay rights. Fear of change. It’s one of the reasons Bush is successful: In a country still walking on eggshells since 9/11, he speaks fluent fear (indeed, his command of it surpasses his grasp of English.)

You just have to wonder how far this country has fallen when a simple message of tolerance and acceptance inspires fear of reprisal from those who preach intolerance and segregation. And how much further yet we can fall.

PAD

Two years ago today, in the midst of a raging snowstorm, Caroline was born. Kath goes into detail on it over in her blog, so if you want the details of what it was like for her, I suggest you check it out on the sidebar. As for me, watching Caroline be born was almost like time traveling in my own body as I sat there, stunned, feeling exactly the way I had twenty three years ago, and nineteen years ago, and twelve years ago. That bizarre combination of roiling emotion and numbness.

I don’t say the morning Jewish prayers in which men thank God for not making us women. But if I did, it would have nothing to do with any sort of innate feeling of superiority and everything to do with being grateful for–among other biological tortures inflicted on females– never having to push something the size of a cantalope out a hole the size of an orange while my idiot spouse’s major contribution to the proceedings is to say “Breathe!”

I’ll never forget the drive home at night in the snow, skidding four times and nearly colliding with cars twice. And when I got home, the first word’s out of Ariel’s mouth were, “Can we drive back to the hospital to see Kathleen and the baby!” I said, “I really don’t think Kath would want us to die in an auto accident on your baby sister’s birthday.”

So today we had a small gathering with my folks, my sister and her youngest, and some folks from the neighborhood. Of course Caroline didn’t comprehend the whole “birthday” thing, but she knew people were making a fuss about her and giving her presents and cake, so really, what more did she need to understand?

PAD

Weird Scenes Inside The Gold Mind, the weblog of comics editor Mike Gold, formerly of First and DC Comics and now back with the upcoming GrimJack and Jon Sable (link to come when I finish with that web site) revivals for IDW.

I note with unease his unique analysis on the most obsessive compulsive comic book character, Little Dot.

Went into Manhattan to run some errands. Picked up some Muppet figures for Kathleen. Also picked up an antique that Harlan purchased which I’ll be shipping out to him shortly (yes, the dealer could have shipped it, but it’s complicated, so forget it.)

Riding the subway between destinations, I spotted an attractive young woman, preparing to get off the train. As a mental exercise, I tried to figure out what her deal was, particularly since she was a stark contrast to everyone else in the train. Perfect hair, perfect make-up. Black leather boots with stiletto heels, black leather skirt coming down to just above the knee, a pink bustier, a black knit kind of sweater thing with a fake fur collar, and a short black wool coat. And I’m thinking, “Okay…high priced call girl, model, or actress.” Then I spotted her large purse. It was clear plastic, all contents on display. So I figured, okay, this bag cries out “Look at me,” so I settled on either model or actress. Then I spotted a Samuel French play edition in the bag, along with several sheets of white paper tucked in. Actress on her way to…a class? A rehearsal? Way too dressed up for someone who’s already got the job. Plus she also had a pair of sneakers buried in the bag. She was on her way to one place where she was trying to look dressy and then was going to dress down afterward.

Answer seemed obvious.

Basically, all this went through my head in about five seconds. And as the doors opened and she started to walk past me, I said, “Good luck with your audition.” “Thank you!” she replied automatically. And then she did a double take as she stepped off the train, her face a question mark. At which point the doors closed.

I like messing with people. It’s also a good writing exercise. Observing people, seeing how much you can discern from their outward appearance. Helpful for doing character descriptions in your own writing.

Elementary.

PAD

We would be remiss in our duty if we didn’t point out that the holidays are coming up, and that Crusade – The Complete Series will be out on DVD on Tuesday, and that the latest Star Trek: New Frontier book After The Fall is in stores now, and both make excellent holiday presents for loved ones. And if you buy them by clicking on the links given, you give us the wonderful holiday present of extra money.

We’ll now stop the hard sell and let you get back to the comments threads, before people think this is Mark Evanier’s blog…

I was going to write a post about the Alabama legislator proposing a law cutting public funding for any books that “promote homosexuality”, which would include nonfiction books that suggest homosexuality is acceptable and fiction novels with gay characters, and public school textbooks couldn’t present homosexuality as a genetic trait and public libraries couldn’t offer books with gay or bisexual characters… but Neil Gaiman has already done the work. Go.

A major issue. Whad’ja think?

PAD