Politics
3.22.23 Living in the gray areas, with more questions than answers
On March 10, 2023 I gave a virtual talk before an audience of members of the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society. Here’s a version of that talk, based on my notes (I’m sure I went off script a couple of times, but this is the gist). Greetings, everyone! Thanks to the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society for…
Read More11.4.20 I spent 17 hours in a school gym spent protecting the electoral process on Monday. There were apples.
Yesterday I rose at the crack of OMG to head the short distance to my polling place — where I served as a poll worker, starting at 5 a.m. With the exception of a few bathroom breaks, a lunch hour and a dinner hour, I was in that elementary school gym until about 10 p.m.,…
Read More3.6.20 Elizabeth Warren’s ship was airtight. It sank anyway. Ladies, it’s time to embrace bullshit.
Welcome to Day 1 of Elizabeth Warren Not Becoming President. After running what most have considered an exemplar of a campaign – full of smarts and policy ideas and brio and humor and virtually no stumbles (plus a dog who steals burritos) – Warren proved to voters and women many, many things about what it…
Read More1.21.20 Legislators are coming for your freelance jobs. Time to take action.
If you are a freelancer. If you do piece work. If you in any way have multiple outlets that pay you for the work you do. Time to sit up, and pay attention. State governments, some with good intentions and some without, are coming for your jobs. And that includes mine. Of all the things…
Read More7.12.18 Why billionaires are not your financial angels, or your moral compass
Did you hear the news? Flint, Michigan’s water supply is going to be saved. Elon Musk said so in a tweet. So you know everything’s going to be all right. Cue the Bob Marley music. Now, let’s take a breath and understand why – even if Musk does come through on his internet promise, even…
Read More9.05.17 Warning: It may not be the information you seek
Beware anyone who comes after your right to learn. Your right to hear opposing notions. Your right to be among those who see the world differently than you do.
Read More8.21.17 ‘The extent to which you do not see racism does not negate its existence’
Not that this is the definitive answer to any of what is going on in our country today, but I wanted to preserve and share this particular exchange I had on Facebook recently with someone who’d replied to a post a friend shared. Yes, I succumbed to a bit of “somebody on the internet is…
Read More7.27.17 ‘Eyes forward, and beyond’: How to parse the attack on trans military
The attempt to ban transgender people from the military is not to be ignored. But as with anything this administration does, it’s important to think about the why, the why now, and the underlying motive. As we all know, one key MO for this administration is to obfuscate and throw up shiny objects in the…
Read More05.26.17 Aziz Ansari, burritos, and why everything is no longer all about you
As babies, we are the center of the universe. We have to be, in some aspects: we can’t do a whole lot for ourselves, and thankfully most of us have at least one parent around to assure us that yes, all life revolves around our wants and needs. And then we grow up. I remember…
Read More5.4.17 With questions like that, it’s probably best if you stay behind
During a civilized conversation about the state of the nation recently a friend said to me (paraphrasing): “Yes, but all of these things you’re worried about that 45 is doing or thinking of doing — how are they really going to affect you?” I have health care, through my husband’s work. I don’t have kids.…
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