I want to know if people worrying about the Dynasty-ism created by Clinton’s wife being elected, were just as vocal when George W. Bush became President soon after his dad?

I don’t. To me this was the entire point of registering Independent. At the time I thought: “Damn, if the Democratic party can’t get a liberal, Jewish, Canadian queer chick like me to register Democrat, they’re in trouble.”But this point, of focussing on our shared problems and doing things to make them better entirely eludes Stanley Fish, who blogged today Against Independent Voters.In his lofty NYT estimation, Independents don’t really want to stand for anything except avoid politics which we hate.  (more…)

This is what my law school mentor Professor Jane Larson once said to me when I was frustrated with the Camille Paglias of the world. (What kind of career would she have had without feminism to critique?)

I forget who she was quoting as she always gave attribution when it was to be given.  So this is how I understand the discussion on Andrew Sullivan’s blog about the Black Establishment’s relationship with Obama.

Doesn’t “establishment” = selling someone out?

To become successful without becoming “establishment,” I think you’d have to remain open to change, the success of others and supporting ideas over ones individual power. The very hope behind the support of an Obama or Huckabee is the voice not just against establishment but for fluidity of *relevance.* Politics is starting to speed up, not quite as fast as web design. But if a relevant focal point than Obama or Huckabee comes along, the non-purchased (eg marketed to) support will shift there. Just cause you can blow up doesn’t mean you stay relevant. just ask  theglobe.com .      

I meant to write this while I was still in the vortex of power and love, but the thing about the vortex of power and love is that it felt so good, I didn’t want to do anything like leave it, and that’s what thinking would do. 

 

Now I am thinking a little.

 

Do you feel any different?

Yes. I feel relentlessly loving toward Stacey. I am not annoyed by anything she does. I have been happy every day. I can now feel the ground beneath my feet. 

 

We were together 5 and a half years and lived together for 3 before marrying. I never did the lesbian UHaul thing because I had thought moving in together would be the only marker of commitment I would have. Years ago, I didn’t think I’d have family support for a marriage and for more years than that I didn’t think I’d find someone to marry. I certainly *never* anticipated the possibility that I could get legally married. Now that it’s all happened I am amazed at how different I feel. 

 

Where are the photos? 

 Our excellent documentary photographer Ian Taylor’s + few from my sister Wendy + Paul Schreiber’s. You are welcome to use Ian’s photos, but you must name the people in the photos, credit him and link to his site: iantaylor.ca 

 

What did it feel like to get married?

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Having had 8 years of pork rind eatin’ masquerading as “real,” seems like some Americans are voting for the next level of real. Now the next step. How much are Obama and Huckabee frontin?

photo: Ian Taylor

Thank you Canada!

In honour of our December 29, 2007 legal wedding 1.0.

1. My mother is obsessed with my wedding. She is obnoxious and annoying. What do I do?
   
   Congratulations. This means you are finally being treated like everyone else.
2. I always learned that the parents of the bride pay for the wedding. But there’s two brides?
   
   Don’t feel guilty. This is the only time the income disparity between gay men and lesbians is reversed.
3. Which one is the man?
   
   If you have to ask, neither.
4. What gift should we buy?
   
   Something expensive. In America, if you buy them enough stuff, the marriage counts.
5. How do we deal with our interfaith marriage ceremony?
   
   Don’t worry about it. You’re already going to hell for being gay.

Last night at JFK:
Me: Here for vacation?

She: Not really. Thanksgiving with my dad.

Me: Knowing look.

She: But we’re staying at a hotel.

Me: Great idea.

She: My dad still thinks the war in Iraq is a good idea.

Me: Is he one of the 20 people in the country who still think George Bush is doing a great job?

She: Yep. He’s super Republican. Was in the CIA.

Me: Look of realization. Oh he’s one of those “my dad beat me for my own good” kind.

She: Look of surprise. How did you know?

Me: It’s how the narrative works. Have you read Alice Miller?

She: No.

Me: It must have been really hard to grow up in that.

She: Sad look. It was.

This is the country’s politics in a nutshell. Did you know it was hard? (sad feelings/independent thought) or was it for your own good? (let’s head into Iran! Giuliani, here we come!)

Heather mixes Lawrence Lessig, comedian Aundre the Wonderwoman, marketer Deb Schultz and the “audience” about Earnestness in Politics. Is it possible? What about earnestness at work, in the corporate environment?

Listen to the full 90 minute show.