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Comments Posted By TakeInAPlay

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The Power and Perils of the Almighty Metaphor

You have tapped into the entire purpose of the book. Markos has been getting flack from those who feel he’s been unfair by painting all religions with the same brush. When in reality, he makes the exact point that you made. It’s not religion that is the threat, it’s extremism in any form that causes the concern. Those who have read the book get that because Markos makes it very clear. Those who read the title and don’t delve deeper are the ones who get smeared with that broad brush. Which is why it’s so frustrating for him to take criticism from ‘friends’ who haven’t done their research.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On October 11, 2010 @ 9:39 pm

I agree that we need to stay and fight. Voting is our best option at this point. And with that thought, I’m off to the campaign office to get Dems elected. I also received my packet in the mail yesterday for the polling place I will be working on election day. As an inspector, I know of at least 1 polling place that will be fair, non-partisan and safe for democracy.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On October 2, 2010 @ 1:39 pm

Wish You Were Here…Again

When I read this post, my first thought was the point of view. The way Questinia tells the story makes it personal because she brings out the emotional aspects of the experience. It wasn’t just watching the events unfold, it was feeling the events that make her post so moving. Given the state of political discourse in the era of the teabaggers, it’s very refreshing to be reminded of the human element. KQ, you are spot on in the idea that there were 300 million individual experiences that are unique and worth telling and re-telling. And let’s not forget, 63 countries lost citizens when the towers fell. When the international newspapers claimed to feel our pain, they did.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On September 10, 2010 @ 4:22 pm

Eventually the flags went away, and so did the good will. The United We Stand bumper stickers turned into ‘united we stand..unless you’re in the lane I want, then I will crush you like a bug’. In other words, things went back to normal. It was the hypocrisy that turned me off, and still does.

If you can find it I recommend a documentary called “9/12: From Chaos to Community” that focuses on other residents who live near the WTC and also came out to assist in anyway they could. These strangers formed a very tight community of volunteers who are still looking out for each other. It’s a great film that brings some kind of sense to a senseless tragedy.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On September 9, 2010 @ 3:15 pm

I’m also new to the planet so this is the first time I’m reading this post. I can’t thank you enough for sharing it. I was in LA on 9/11 and it started as a normal day. I turned on the TV as I was getting ready for work and I saw the image of the first tower burning. I was glued. I couldn’t move. When the first tower fell I couldn’t hold back the tears as I thought of all those lives that had been lost in those few seconds. I couldn’t tear myself away from the TV. I called into work and told them I would be late because I couldn’t stop watching the news. In LA there were rumors that we would be hit next and that our taller buildings were targets. My employers, who were far from kind or thoughtful, actually sent us home so we could be with our families. I listened to KCRW all the way home. Their incredibly in-depth coverage got me through all the hype and hysteria that was flooding the mainstream media.

I live near an airport and I can’t tell you how strange it was not seeing any planes in the air. When the airports were re-opened, every time I saw a plane flying I had an image of it exploding in mid-air. A month later I flew to Sacramento for, of all things, a human rights conference. The airport was being patrolled by National Guard troops with the guns in hand. My good friend Samer was supposed to attend the same conference but being Jordanian, he didn’t feel comfortable with the suspicious stares he was getting from other passengers so he skipped his flight and went home.

In LA it is every man for himself and it was unsettling to see such a wave of American flags on windows, cars, lapels not to mention the ‘united we stand’ mentality. Being naturally cynical I didn’t think it would last long. We’ve seen enough instances in our history where the worst human rights abuses have been committed in the name of patriotism and I was afraid there would be retaliation against those who had nothing to do with the attack. Uncharacteristically, we were kind to each other much longer than I expected.

Your post made me remember this experience all over and reminded me what we are truly capable of in times of great need. Thank you for everything you did that day and for sharing your experience with us.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On September 9, 2010 @ 1:49 pm

A Common Sense Case for Prop 19

I disagree. Here’s a partial list of the CA politicians who have the balls to support Prop 19 because the good it will do for the state outways any potential snickering they will hear from the immature. Notice there’s a Republican on the list.

George Miller, (D)7th congressional district
Barbara Lee, (D)9th congressional district
Pete Stark, (D)13th congressional district
John Dennis, 2010 Republican Congressional candidate for California’s 8th congressional district
Mark Leno, (D)California State Senate
Tom Ammiano, (D)California State Assembly
Tom Bates, current Mayor of Berkeley, California

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 19, 2010 @ 9:54 am

You guys crack me up!

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 19, 2010 @ 9:43 am

You’re right about the perscription issue which extends into other areas of personal freedom. For instance, access to the morning after pill has been difficult and not just because the gov’t can’t decide whether it should be available over the counter, but because too many pharmacists have refused to fill those perscriptions for personal reason and they’ve gotten away with it. I never understood that theory. Does that mean the city bus drivers can refuse to allow people wearing red shirts on the bus because it interferes with the drivers anti-communist fears? Give them an inch….

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 19, 2010 @ 9:42 am

Great comment Choicelady. You are in a difficult position as far as reaching consensus, but you are in an excellent position to steer the conversation in a more progressive direction. I will be very interested in hearing the results of your vote. Even the CA State Democratic Party, even though support for the prop was strong, decided to back off endorsing Prop 19. It’s not an easy position and you probably will get hate mail. But sometimes people with opposing views think that if they scream at you loud enough you’ll be intimitaded and back down. Which means their threats are meaningless and ineffective. I will be with you in spirit and please, let me know what happens.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 19, 2010 @ 9:34 am

Yes, the old “Don’t touch the red button” theory Tell kids not to touch it and that’s all they can think about. Tell them they can sleep with it if they want and they lose interest.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 18, 2010 @ 6:56 pm

Thanks AdLib. I guess every argument against something that is pleasurable and doesn’t hurt anyone must have a racial slant. At least the dated argument that pot is a gateway drug that leads to violent crime has died out. Finally. I’ve never heard of marijuana smokers moving on to heavier drugs unless the tendancy for substance abuse was already present in the user. And when was the last time a stoner robbed a 7-11? They may buy out the supply of twinkies but knocking over a liquor store takes way too much effort for someone under the influence of marijuana. I’m getting tired of the hysteria. (BTW, thanks for the pic. It’s perfect!)

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 18, 2010 @ 5:34 pm

Netroots Nation from Behind the Curtain

That sounds like a plan. I am a sleeve roller and a bit of a control freak. But I’m working on it.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 8, 2010 @ 10:31 am

Believing that corporations are running everything isn’t a conspiracy theory, it’s reality. And I agree that we need to restore the people power in this country, What fuels the right-wing hatred is pure fear. Mostly fear of losing things that don’t even have, like job security or personal freedoms and privacy.

It comes from Bush who told the public that he was fighting the terrorists to protect people’s freedom but at the same time he was pushing the patriot act that allowed the gov’t to look even more closely into our private lives. Bush was smart to create the boogie man that he himself claimed he was protecting us against. He built up such a wave of paranoia that there is no trust between the parties anymore. It’s like the 60’s all over again, (so I’ve been told), when it was common wisdom not to trust anyone over 30, only now it’s don’t trust anyone that isn’t on your side of the aisle. Until we can get over that fear and prove to the entire voting membership that we can work together, we will never achieve the kind of unity we need.

I think your concern is justified but so is your thinking that we really need to work together to dig ourselves out of this hole. And I happen to have a spare shovel for anyone who needs one.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 7, 2010 @ 7:37 pm

A member of my local Dem club told me about it and asked me to start posting here. Then I heard someone at the CA caucus at Netroots Nation mention they posted on this site so I decided to take the plunge and jump in. So far I’m really impressed with the site. I participated in my first Vox Populi last night and had a blast. It seems like and very fun and well informed community and I’m happy to be a part of it.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 7, 2010 @ 7:24 pm

Let me see how many questions I can answer. I became involved because I’m a compusive volunteerer and I kept seeing ads asking for people to volunteer. I have event planning experience so I sent an email offering to help and they took me up on it. Because the convention is organized by people all over the country it takes endless email discussions and conference calls. The speakers are suggested by the online community of bloggers and the staff send invitations to the potential speakers and see who replies. I was very impressed with Ed Schultz, (he opened the door for me), and Al Franken who is very personable.

And I’d say the mood this year by the speakers and attendees was frustration. The politicians are frustrated by being blocked by the Repubs and being criticized for not getting more done by the voters, which means they’re getting it from both sides. The activists are frustrated because they expected more progress by now. Yes, Obama has let us down on some issues, mainly the healthcare sellout and the continued existence of don’t ask don’t tell, but on the other hand, he bit off some huge issues from day one. And, as Van Jones said, Obama agreed to steer the ship after it hit the iceberg. So I think he deserves a little slack.

I could give much longer answers but that’s it in a nutshell. I’m happy to answer any questions you have.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 6, 2010 @ 8:07 pm

I saw your pics and I think we were there at the same time. I thought I saw Justin Krebs in one of the shots. I was in the group at the very last lane by the food. Justin was hanging around us as well.

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 6, 2010 @ 7:35 pm

Excellent analogies!

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 6, 2010 @ 7:33 pm

I do disagree with you for one reason. We can’t expect there to be a difference until we participate in the decision making and demand there be a difference. I am active in the Dem party here in CA so when the party decides what it’s platform will be, I’m there to add my opinion to push the progressive agenda. Participation is the key. If you want one party to follow your standards you have to let the leaders know what your standards are by participating and becoming one of those leaders. Saying they are all crooks is like using the “that’s the way it’s always been” line as an excuse to maintain the status quo. God knows I know how frustrating it can be. I’ve spent many a day banging my head against the wall. But I’ve also celebrated major victories, like the recent ruling on Prop 8. And the victories make it worth the fight.

So hang in there, it works!

» Posted By TakeInAPlay On August 6, 2010 @ 7:27 pm