01 November 2019

What I'm thinkin'...

It's very close to Election Day, and for my friends in West Hartford, I'd like to offer my thoughts to you.  First of all, the town council. Over the past two years, the council has offered good, decent stewardship.  I have no complaint about that.  However, a little tinkering is always a good thing.  Shari Cantor has done a great job as mayor.  However, Carol Blanks is the one I am most excited about.  She was a former leader in Local 1199, and despite what you may have heard, money is not all you hear about.  For me, it's all about respect, and wearing what you want to wear.  When I was working, Local 1199 went to bat for me, and I respect that.

When I went to a candidates' meeting I attended a few years ago, I met Leon Davidoff.  Now, please don't get me wrong. Leon is a good guy.  However, when I brought up some of the issues we share, I couldn't help but be nonplussed.  I choose to vote for Janee P. Woods/Weber.  She champions for the whole of West Hartford.

Now to the board of education.  All four candidates talk the talk, but only one - Amanda Aronson - has walked the arts walk.  She is a docent of the New Britain Museum of American Art, small in stature but gigantic what it shows forth.  Ms. Aronson will show forth that leadership when the board of education crafts its curriculum.

But, wherever you are, VOTE!

Donald Trump - The most important number from today's House impeachment vote

Chris Cillizza
CNN



please press:  www.cnn.com 

29 October 2019

lead story - Meghan Murphy: Canadian feminist's transgender talk stirs uproar

Press
BBC News


Toronto, ON


please press:  www.bbc.com

ezs note:  How do we deal with Ms. Murphy?  Well, we can write a letter to the editor.  We can organize a counter-discussion.  If we live in or near Toronto, we can hand out leaflets out to possible patrons which point out respectful but critical points that Murphy might not have thought of.  But, fer gosh's sake, don't try to muzzle Murphy.  For one thing, I believe in free speech.  For another, you're just providing Murphy a megaphone.  I understand it's upsetting, but take the intelligent, thoughtful course.

Donald Trump - The latest on the Trump impeachment inquiry

Meg Wagner, Sheena McKenzie, Veronica Rocha
CNN



US Capitol, interior


please press:  www.cnn.com

ezs note:  As always, this is a fast-moving story.  If you're going to be on for a while, please check back again.  

"LOCK HIM UP!!!" (video)

28 October 2019

California - California poll workers to receive training on how to assist transgender, gender non-conforming voters

Muri Assunção
Daily News


Mission San Diego de Alcala (1848)
San Diego, CA


please press:  www.nydailynews.com


lead story - AHA News: How Does Hormone Therapy Affect Heart Health in Transgender People?

Press
US News & World Report


human heart


please press:  www.usnews.com

Donald Trump - Democrats moving toward next phase of impeachment inquiry with key vote

Jeremy Herb, Lauren Fox, Manu Raju, Kaitlan Collins, Pamela Brown
CNN


ezs note: In case you've been nodding off, this is the second revolution.  There are a few Democrats who are a bit wishy-washy; all of the Democrats and many of the Republicans know Trump is evil incarnate, but that doesn't mean she/he will vote that way.  Put his/her feet to the fire and make them vote their consciences.



please press:  www.cnn.com

25 October 2019

Donald Trump - SPECIAL - Judge says impeachment inquiry is legal and justifies disclosing grand jury material

Tammy Kupperman, Joan Biskupic, Ariane de Vogue, Manu Raju
CNN

  
ezs note:  Uh... remember United States v. Nixon?  (hee, hee!)


please press:  www.cnn.com

lead story - Transgender people treated ‘inhumanely’ online

Ben Hunte
BBC News


London, UK
(Westminster Abbey, Canaletto, 1749)


please press:  www.bbc.com



Donald Trump - Bill Taylor testimony 'reverberating' among House Republicans, GOP sources say

Jamie Gangel, Veronica Stracqualursi
CNN


ezs note:  Testify!


please press:  www.cnn.com

23 October 2019

Nepal - Some basic rights still a struggle for LGBTI in Nepal

civil rights - Summit provides resources, highlights needs of trans people of color

Christopher Brown
WHSV News


ezs note:  Oh, what did I read in here - "...which highlighted the importance of the transgender community to get out the vote and show up at polls."

VOTE.


please press: www.whsv.com

Idaho - Idaho transgender inmate Adree Edmo to receive presurgical procedures after court ruling

Tommy Simmons
KTVB News


Boise, ID


please press:  www.ktvb.com

lead story - Man convicted in videotaped assault of transgender woman who was later found dead

Donald Trump - The latest on the Trump impeachment inquiry

Meg Wagner, Aimee Lewis
CNN


ezs note:  It's nice, but the center should be orange!


please press:  www.cnn.com

note:  As usual, the press is very rapid. so, if you can, please check on this frequently.

22 October 2019

SPECIAL - White Note Pad - (manga)



“(She) was above all things a projector of works in the face of nature, and a modifier of nature itself. A road to be made, a tower to be built, a harbour to be constructed, a river to be trained and guided in its channel – these were the problems with which (her) mind was continually occupied; and for these and similar ends (she)
 travelled the world for more than half a century, like an artist, notebook in hand.” (italics mine) 

Robert Louis Stevenson

From the outset, White Note Pad presents me with a difficulty that challenges the reader.  Or at least those readers of my variety; we all have a stroke to contend with.  But Tomoko Yamashita plumbs the depths most deftly.  

In the beginning, we see Hana, outside, and climbing small snow mountains.  Her face shows forth a bit of a square jawline; at the beginning, I mistake her being a transgender young woman.  Rather, Hana is switched with an older man, a common trope.  When she gets to work, however, she shows a confident demeanor. When a coworker asks what she would like to wear, Hana says black. (1) Kine, on the other hand, is really a mess. His hair is knotted, his body in an overall.   When the switch took place, he spent some time in the hospital.  He lost his job at an auto mechanic's shop. 
When they wake up, however, they both are sweating.  Hana's just better at it - at least at first.

The two meet up at what appears to be a swanky coffeeshop.  As usual, Kine is the odd man out here, hair and clothing unkempt.  Conversely, Hana looks the part, stylish, not a hair out of place in her outfit.  Once again, the two look curious.  After Kine vents out a bit, Hana has a plan:  the magazine works for has a need for some part-timers.  This way, they'll get to see each other, and make plans for the future. It seems like a good plan.  

However, Hana's perfect plans slowly, slowly start to unravel.  It starts with an offhand remark, "I just can't be by myself".  Standing alone,  you might not discern the comment.  But notice the opening scene.  Hana is not walking on the sidewalk, where the snow has been plowed, a sensible path.  Rather, she mounts the small mountains of snow - but not with confidence, rather with abandon.  Kine, on the other hand, walks sensibly.  He has gone through some rough times, and has lived through scars, but muddles through.

I think that you well know by now that I really don't care for giving away all of the secrets, so you'll understand if I don't.  However, I will get through some of the technical work.  Ms. Yamashita happily avoids the busywork on the cover, preferring rather a spare Hana, with warts on parade.  Another scene where Yamashita does her best work is the scene of the angry ocean.  Hana says in these scenes "My mind and body..."  but rather should be saying "My mind or body..."

And the seas roar.    



1- In Japan black can also symbolize experience, as opposed to white, which symbolizes naiveté. The black belt in martial arts symbolizes experience, while a white belt is worn by novices.[59] Japanese men traditionally wear a black kimono with some white decoration on their wedding day.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black

19 October 2019

South Carolina - 50 years after LGBTQ uprising, Charleston faith community hopes for more progress

Rickey Ciapha Dennis Jr.
The Post And Courier


Charleston, SC


please press:  www.postandcourier.com 

lead story -The Supreme Court Doesn’t Understand Transgender People

Michael Chen
Slate


US Supreme Court


please press:  slate.com

Donald Trump - Conservative lawyers call for President Trump’s impeachment

Press
cleveland.com


ezs note
This is not about conservatives.
This is not about liberals.
This is not about Republicans.
This is not about Democrats.
This is not about minor parties, or none at all.
However, it is about children, the disabled, the poor.
And it is about that virus, Donald Trump.

Call your Representative.
Call your Senators.
And if you haven't registered yet, do so now.


please press:  www.cleveland.com



16 October 2019

civil rightsv- Matthew Shepard’s Parents Assail Trump Administration on Gay Rights

Katie Benner
The New York Times


Laramie, WY  (1908)


please press:  www.nytimes.com

Arkansas - ARTBEAT: V.L. Cox's 'Break Glass' exhibit back in Arkansas from U.S. tour

Ellis Widner
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette


Helena, AR


please press:  www.arkansasonline.com


lead story - Federal judge overturns ObamaCare transgender protections

Nathaniel Weixel
The Hill


ezs note:  Here comes the judge...


please press:  thehill.com

Donald Trump - Never-Before-Seen Trump Tax Documents Show Major Inconsistencies

13 October 2019

Connecticut - A gay rights case in D.C., and a conversation in Connecticut

Mark Pazniokas
CT Mirror


site of Hartford Yard Goats
(Hartford, CT)


please press:  ctmirror.org  

lead story - Transphobic flyers highlight fears among transgender community in Des Moines

Andrea May Sahouri
Des Moines Register


Des Moines, IA (1851)


please press:  www.desmoinesregister.com

Donald Trump - James Comey Would Like to Help

Matt Flegenheimer
The New York Times


James Comey


please press:  www.nytimes.com

12 October 2019

civil rights - I listened to the Supreme Court argue about my rights as a trans person. I have never felt more frustrated.

New Jersey - U.S. Supreme Court will decide if someone can be fired for being gay or transgender. This is N.J.’s law.

Brent Johnson
NJ.com


Ringwood, NJ
New Jersey Botanical Garden


please press:  www.nj.com

lead story - Bradford church sets transgender worship and workshop

Press
Kenosha News


Kenosha, WI (Bradford section)


please press:  www.kenoshanews.com



Donald Trump - Trump's losses mount in stunning day of setbacks

Kevin Liptak
CNN


ezs note:  Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahh!!!!!!


please press:  www.cnn.com

11 October 2019

Mexico - In Juárez, A Migrant Shelter Offers Refuge For LGBTQ Asylum Seekers

Mallory Falk
KERA News


Ciudad Juárez, Mexico
painting, 1850s (artist unknown)
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de los Manso

civil rights - ICE says Mexican citizen who confessed to shooting transgender woman in Dallas was deported in 2010

Lauren McGaughy
The Dallas Morning News



Dallas, TX


please press:  www.dallasnews.com

Minnesota - UMN grad student recognized for poem exploring transgender confinement

Farrah Mina
Minnesota Daily


University of Minnesota
Northrop Mall


please press:  www.mndaily.com