Category Archives: Current Events

Black History Month

Over on my Tumblr I’ve started posting some historic quotes for Black History Month. It can be a divisive topic, especially with the question “Why isn’t every month black history month?” or the issue that we somehow can’t learn our … Continue reading

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Occupy Wall Street or Decolonize Wall Street?

When Occupy Wall Street hit Oakland, one of the first alternate phrasing presented was Decolonize Oakland. I thought this odd, at first. I thought it was just about Native American rights. Occupy Oakland was building around Columbus Day, so that … Continue reading

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The 1%, Friends or Foes?

I’ve heard people say (of Occupy Oakland) that they should protest in Marin County, where the 1% live. I had a friend ask (in jest, but from honest confusion) if he is supposed to hate his parents, because they almost … Continue reading

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An Open Response to the Oakland Police Officers’ Association from an Oakland Citizen

This is a response to An Open Letter to the Citizens of Oakland from the Oakland Police Officers’ Association posted on Nov 1st. I do not speak on behalf of all citizens of Oakland, nor of any Occupy movement. Your … Continue reading

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#OccupyCompassion

I went to the reinvigorated Occupy Oakland assembly tonight. I left when two speakers in a row called the police fascists, and compared them to Neo-Nazis. I can understand the anger and outrage at their behavior, but this is not … Continue reading

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What if the national budget was your family budget?

Philip Greenspun did a great brain exercise to put the budget debate into understandable terms. How can an individual voter make sense of quantities that are ordinarily written in scientific notation? I think the easiest way is to divide everything … Continue reading

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“Geek and Gamer Girls” like to pander?

Here’s what I’m talking about, but I’m only linking to it for context. If you want to avoid the link, it’s a video parody of “California Grrls” called “Geek & Gamer Girls” starring the women from the lightsaber lingerie fight … Continue reading

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What is wrong with fat people?

We have a problem with obesity. But it’s not the problem most people are talking about. How many skinny people are told that they are ugly, unwanted, unhealthy, lazy, disgusting, and have no willpower? How many skinny people are unable … Continue reading

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Oakland Riots After the Mehserle Verdict De-Sensationalized

I’m not here to go over the verdict against Johannes Mehserle regarding the shooting of Oscar Grant was read yesterday. You can get more detailed news on that elsewhere. I live in downtown Oakland, just a couple of blocks from … Continue reading

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