I wanted to drop a note to Valerie Schultz about her column today, and I discovered that there is no email link with her article.  There also appears to be no way to search for Valerie among the Californian's members in the PEOPLE section.    A little investigation made me realize that Inga Barks likewise has no email link.  Ralph Bailey does, but actually, several of the Californian's writers are seemingly off limits. 

I understand that perhaps they simply do not want to be barraged with mail about the controversial things they print, but that's not fair.  It isn't much of a debate if only one side gets to participate.   Kudos to Ralph for braving the winds of honest debate.

Or, I am willing to entertain the idea that I just missed the link.  Can someone SHOW me how to write to Valerie or Inga?  (In that case, I submit my humble apology.)

Just wondering if any of our stalwart bloggers will be out this weekend for cancer prevention & research.   This is one of the biggest events in kern County every year...will you be going?

It sure seems like today is dragging its feet.  After all these months of watiing for this election, I am a little stir crazy, waiting for results, wondering which candidate will take the presidency, which way prop 8 will go.  Is anyone else feeling a little edgy today?

This letter appeared in today's Opinion Section.  I am a lucky daughter!

I got this via Myspace.  It would be funny if it werren't so hypocritical.  Where's the patriotic spirit of spending millions in China when it could have been spent here, supporting American jobs?

http://www. calitics. com/showDiary. do;jsessionid=11A5C85B3C7A421CCC5A180626FB320D?di aryId=7013

by: Julia Rosen
Tue Sep 23, 2008 at 13:50:27 PM PDT

This past weekend the Yes on 8 campaign had talked up passing out ONE  MILLION lawn signs. It was going to be their big splash event, something big and bold to get a bunch of earned media.

To counter that push, the No on 8, Equality for All campaign organized a bunch of visibility events for the media and to raise the public face/profile of the campaign.
Then shuttled the the volunteers back inside to do the work that will bring this election home: calling undecided voters.

But a funny thing happened.... There were no lawn signs, no big events from the Yes side.

I started hearing rumors that they had trouble with their vendor. It turns out they were stuck in China. Yes, China. Here is an email from a one Gena Downey, producer of the cult hit Mormon film (I'm joking about the cult and hit thing) God's Army.

<<The YES on Prop 8 yard signs have been delayed in route from China.

We expect to distribute them within the next two weeks.
I will email you as soon as they arrive so we can make sure you have one immediately.  In the interim, please continue to take note of any friends or family who would like one as well.>>>

So, the Yes campaign, rather than purchasing some good old fashioned union made in America lawn signs, they went to some cut rate producer ... What, they couldn't afford traditional American signs?

That seems to have worked out well.  Karma does bring justice!

Why does the Yes on 8 campaign hate America?

Love America. Volunteer for the No on Prop 8 campaign.


 

larger view

I was disappointed that Mr. Vegas did not see fit to attend the KHSD candidate forum last night at Temple Beth El.  It was weird for the audience to see his name on a little card sitting at an empty seat.  Apparently he had RSVP'ed that he would come, but then he didn't make it.  I keep wondering: What does that say?

(OK, maybe he had a family emergency; I suppose that's possible.  But apprently he did not phone organizers to tell them what happened, because they didn't seem to know why he wasn't there either.)

Disclaimer: I wasn't there either, due to a previous emngagement.  This info provided by one who attended.

larger view

I am often asked why I stay in Bakersfield.  As a very out lesbian, why not re-locate to the Bay Area or LA where there is a raging, established community? There they have activities 24-7, and so much more diversity within the community itself.  Plus, let's face it, in places like that, they win the political battles more often than they lose.  Wouldn't it be nice to live in a place where having a gay Assemblyperson is not only possible, it's old news? 

There may come a time when I am ready to get out of the trenches here in Bakersfield, when the constant battling for civil rights will have finally ended my joyful pursuit of happiness, but truthfully, I can't imagine that.  I believe I am here for a very long time; if not forever, at least not in the scheduled future.

My roots in Bakersfield run deep, which might seem odd since my parents were transplants from No Cal.  I attended all of my schooling here, learned to drive on the back streets when Ashe Road didn't even have a signal, (that was fun!)   My teaching career has allowed me to touch and be touched by thousands of people who are also from here, and I have developed an abiding appreciation for the diversity of Bakersfield that cannot be defined simply as "redneck."  I'd like to think I have learned a lot about what this city is about, who the people are, and what their real concerns are in day to day life.  Now, I am not running for office, but all of this experience has made me who I am, and that's not a history from which I feel the need to run.  I love living here, and I love these people.

But the bigger question remains, isn't it easier to be gay somewhere else?  More fun?  Perhaps.  But I think that Bakersfield can grow, and much of the ultra-conservative reputation which keeps people in the closet is really an illusion.  Ann Barnett and Chad Vegas don't really speak for that many people; in fact, very few.  Most people here are welcoming, and more interested in what you have to offer as a person than to define you by your sexuality, at least, that's my experience.  Even working with evangelical folks, I have found it fairly easy to be mutually friendly and respectful.  I know there are pockets of people out there who are kneejerk types, who might not be willing to see a whole person in one they label "homosexual," and there may even be some who harbor violence.  It's just that, that is SO not my experience that I refuse to believe that there are large numbers of people like that.  A few, yes; many, no.

And the truth is, Bakersfield will never change unless we stay here and change it.  Yes, that means work.  Very rewarding work, I might add, most of the time.  If everyone who's gay runs off to West Hollywood, this, their hometown, will always be the backward, (dare I say bigoted?) fantasy they imagine it to be.   But if we who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender stay here, working together we can create positive change that will ultimately lead to more acceptance, and the things we long for: a center, restaurants, clubs, social groups, gay elected officials, etc.; these things will come to fruition.  I absolutely believe it will happen, and in my lifetime. 

I am staying here..