Oh so many topics these past few days. I just want to jump in on the convos and verbalize my thoughts today. Okay?

Choe:  I know of the morning Joe show but I have not had the opportunity to watch ‘Joe’ nor ‘Mika’. But you have peaked my interest and I will try and check it out. Though, I did google Mika and found a youtube video of her on the show. The headlining topic was about Paris Hilton and she was just adamant about not covering the story….wanting to cover real news. I don’t see her as some ditzy T & A blond…oh no you said, ‘hair and tits’…I don’t know. I can’t give a fair enough opinion without checking her out a bit more. I’ll keep you posted.

Anonymous: You obviously do not like her.

In regards to Sanford…I have enjoyed reading all of the comments that you’ve made. I feel bad for his family…to have his affair be so public. He was obviously thinking with the little head instead of the big head as ‘discretion out of respect’ was not in the forefront of his mind. As I said the other day…”most men cheat”. I actually want to retract that statement. I don’t think most men cheat…but I think ‘many’ do. If one is going to have an affair, at least don’t flaunt it. Ok…Maybe he wasn’t flaunting the affair,  but being a public figure, one has to be more careful than the average Joe. Now look at where his oh-so-intimate e-mails have landed him.

But I agree, the worst part of it, is not only that his family has to live with the embarrassment of the world knowing their personal business, but the fact that he is a benchmark for hypocrisy, alongside many other religious rights. I get so tired of the posturing…in politics and here in the personal. Zip the lip….thou is protesting too much. And I agree, the only reason they are admitting and apologizing is because they got caught. Simple as that. But hey, let’s not leave out some of the liberal lefts either – they are not immune from the temptations in life, they just don’t go around moralizing while surreptitiously sexing it up. And yes, I too want to know if our tax dollars have been funding his little affair.

Oh George: I love when you swear and get all worked up. However, your talkin’ the talk is coming up short lately. Your talk usually makes up for what you lack in the sack, but this time I think you measured up correctly.

So…I went to a white trash party a few weeks ago and thought about you. Here I am sporting my fave white trash slutfit, complete with daisy duke shorts, my trucker hat, stiletto sneakers, and a Marlboro stuck in my mouth – your kind of girl right? – So c’mon…use this piece of meat! – Can you handle this bitch? Imagine these legs wrapped around your waist. Oh that’s right…I forgot…I’m not your type. Too bad, I could use a good spanking.

Ah…now where was I? Oh…

Al: Again, you make me laugh. I am not mad at you- your words do not have that power over me – why would they? Your comments border on  the insane and illogical- now don’t be mad at me :) You are simply entertaining. Friends? It is your choice whether we are friends or not by your flip-the-switch attitude. So…where are we today Al?

Anonymous and proud of it: You have made a very good point. You are correct that I would not want my readers to be curbed.  However, am I quietly laughing? I wouldn’t say that.  Would I rather they comment anonymously than not comment at all? Of course. But would I not allow anonymous comments? Never.  I will however admit that I have to make more of an effort to read them and focus on the subject at hand, and let go of making a connection to the anonymous anonymouses. I like the familiar; what can I say? I like the connection because I like people, but I respect the need to be anonymous, even more. So there you have it – Keep it coming.

As far as gays, lesbians, bisexuals, whatever…I think we all have the ability, tendency to ‘swing and switch’. You can be born knowing that you only desire the opposite or same sex, or you can have a bad experience with the opposite sex and veer toward the same sex….or you can have an incredible experience with the same sex and never want to go opposite again. I agree with anonymous #47….Who cares what the percentages are. Live….let live….and love it…whether you are born desiring the same sex or it is a choice. Either way, we all deserve equal rights. Agree?

Batul:  I think that we all can say the same thing in one way or another. And Madaline’s right….we don’t get another life. Don’t let anyone’s desire for you to not have what you want, interfere with getting what you want.

I’m happy that all of you like the tribute to Michael Jackson. Thank you for your kind words. You all had some very wonderful things to say about him too. I didn’t want to mention the accusations as I wanted to focus on just him as a loving, talented person but I knew my readers would address the subject, and I was hoping that you would.

I was never sure if he was innocent from all that he was accused of, but I felt that his actions were innocent, if that makes sense. I never saw him as more than a child myself so it was difficult for me to fathom any loving contact that he had with children as anything more than just pure love. Even if there was sexual nuances, my mind only viewed them as explorations between two children as I never thought of him as an adult….so whatever contact there was seemed pure and innocent. I know that may sound strange as I do not condone pedophiliac behavior but I just didn’t feel that this was a man making advances at a boy, if in fact he ever did, which I seriously doubt he did.

Michael never had a childhood and only wanted to give what he never got. Unfortunately I believe that his love and kindness was greedily taken advantage of. Now I read that the boy, whose father had accused Michael of sexual contact with his son, and who sued and won millions, has now come clean and confessed that Michael never touched him that way. The guilt this child, now a young man, has had to live with for over 10 years because of his father’s greed. And now, in my mind his actions were no doubt a catalyst for Michael’s death – Michael never got over the accusations…his life was spiraling in a downward turn during and after the trials. Can you imagine having the ability to give what he was able to give to children and have it all backfire? He innocently loved and society could not accept his way of showing his love.  It is just so sad and unfortunate.

Zen Lill: I love watching Michael and the Jackson Five sing ABC. The costumes were outrageous! I remember watching the Jackson Five cartoon too – what a hoot that was.  You also brought up Farrah Fawcett’s death  – thanks for mentioning her. I was going to include her in my write yesterday but it didn’t feel right. But Farrah too was an icon. “Charlie’s Angels” was one of my favorite shows. It was the beginning of ‘women power’…and we must not forget her famous hairstyle, that every young girl and woman at that time had to have. Moi included.

Anonz:  Good to hear from you – It has been awhile. Thanks for taking the time to write in – You are good yes?

Robert: I have seen this video before and yes, I agree,  it is still good. Thanks for posting.

And your article….wow. I  learned so much from that read – Thank you for posting that too.  I think this is very much needed. It needs to be recognized that this time in our history is an atrocity that should never have happened. But it did. It very much did. And the ripples that continue need to come to a halt.

And on that note I am halting my write and starting my day. Although late, and posting has been a bitch today, feel lucky that I am able to post at all these days. I have been trying for hours. I look forward to connecting in any way…

…Peace out….

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

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Ah Penny:  I really didn’t have much time to address your comments yesterday but I really can not let another day go by without saying something. I mean, I have to say….your mormon faith is huge in this country. And the people who practice this faith are very influential. It is scary. And it is women like yourself who are preventing women from being voted into office. Because guess what? You’re obeying your man and voting for whomever he says you should vote for….most likely not women. Although women like Palin is not what we’re after in office either.

Yes, women need to get off of their asses and start supporting women that support women and our rights….our equality. We can not afford complacency, but we also cannot afford women who don’t have a mind of their own, nor ones that do and don’t use it. And when you talk the way you do, I just wonder if you have decided this all on your own (I seriously doubt that) or are you just succumbing to what you have been told God wants of you, by men, and taking your place in line as the secret third. How about a little self respect for number one ?- yourself.

My suggestion, and as much as I wish for it to sink it, I know how strong faith in something can be, is for you to start thinking about what you want. Start using that brain that God gave you.  If you don’t want to get an abortion, fine. But let that be your decision, not just some words stuffed into your head taking up all of the space….not allowing you to think and use your brain. Use it. You might find that you are perfectly capable of making your own decisions…you might find that you have something to add to this society instead of just being brainwashed into conformity and subservience.

Al: Like your sharp words, your apologies are empty…they don’t mean anything to me because the past tells me that it will happen again and again. What I do appreciate is your humor – always have and most likely always will. Keep it coming – you make me laugh.

Marget: I love this blog too and I plan on being around for awhile :) Thanks ZL for the back – up :)

Roy: I do not see how you can say that you are not a bigot or a racist. Have you looked up the definition of those words? If you did you would notice right next to the definitions, George’s picture. And right below that a picture of you.

George: I think you have met your match.

Mekka: Thank you but I have done nothing. I was just following Anna’s lead. You can thank Anna for putting you on the map in Portland. I have just provided a venue for her to do so.

Jane: You are so right on. These repugnicants in congress do claim to be the ‘moral right’ and they do so by joining the ‘Promise club’. You know…the club that says, ‘I promise not to cheat on my wife.’ And then they condemn others who do have affairs, like they are so innocent. Yeah they claim to uphold their promises, until they are caught with their pants down. So much for their morals being intact, not to mention their balls :).

Some men cheat. You might even say that most men do. But don’t go claiming that you are a saint…don’t go joining the ‘promise club’ when you are being just as sneaky as the next guy. So much for practicing what you preach. Why is it that the people who claim to be so moral are the ones that end up with none? I guess they’ve been hangin’ out with the same people who preach that homosexuality is not natural or good, yet they are secretly gay themselves and gettin’ it good.

Drew: Thanks for sharing that example. Yes racism was invited into office by the people’s votes. And Murphy…you are correct about us putting in racist and then pretending that we don’t know that we are. What does that say? I also think you have raised a smart and preceptive son.

Lebon: There is no difference except the Iranians are standing up and doing something about it. We are doing nothing. More people need to recognize these atrocities that otw’s go through on a daily basis and fight for them. It is inhumane and cruel. If you cannot condone the behavior, what will you do that is different from what you usually do? We all need to change and take more action in support.

Anonymous: I am sorry to hear about your sister. Madaline will not go back on her promise. You will get the help that you need. I wish you good luck and success with the regime.

And on that note, I’ve got to go.

Peace out….

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click below:

“A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

I was listening to NPR yesterday and of course the topic was the much talked about, Iran. I didn’t get the chance to listen to much of the interview and honestly I do not know who Terry Gross was interviewing; I just know he was some political analyst. But really, who he is, is not that important for what I want to say.

He did bring up something interesting, and I wanted to share it with you. Maybe you have heard or thought about this before…maybe not.  I know I have been focusing much more on the post election happenings, as before this revolution I had known only very little about Ahmadinejad and even less about Mousavi.  In fact I was more inspired by Mousavi’s wife than Mousavi himself, which is the reason why I know anything about Mousavi, period.

Anyway what this analyst said was that this revolution has given much power to the Iranian people…it has inspired the desire for more change than if Mousavi had won to begin with.  Without this analyst saying that Ahmadinejad stole the election,  his point was basically that Mousavi has more power with the people now, post election, than he did when he was running, pre election.

It wasn’t that the people supported Mousavi as their new president, it was just that they so passionately did not want Ahmadinejad in the presidency anymore. And if Ahmadinejad really stole the election, (which I believe he did), he basically shot himself in the foot because Mousavi has more of the people supporting him than he did previously.  The people are outraged and the horrific violence against them is adding even more fuel to the fire in their bellies.

Do you agree?

As I read about Iran, even the revolutionary image of Iran is much different than 30 years ago. Then,  revolutionary Iran was all about the middle-aged bearded men – that was the image. The revolutionary image today is very different, and Neda is the face that inspires them. I can’t help but think of Neda Soltani, still.  She is the symbol of women in Iran: young, educated and modern.  From the stories that we have read…from the images that we have seen….from the Iranian women who have written in here,  women are playing an incredible role in the streets. And thankfully Madaline has been there to support them in their desire for equality.

So check this out: Sixty percent of university students In Iran are women. It is the women who are leading  the path to change. Since the 1979 revolution, women have really been stripped of their rights, and they have suffered the most.  Women are considered and treated as second class citizens. This we know.  Yet ironically because of the Iran / Iraq war, where many young men spent their lives on the battlefield instead of in school, women became more educated than the men. They are far more advanced because of their schooling. and yet they are considered inferior to men and as we all know, they have less rights than men.

This revolution, in my opinion, is their chance not only use their brains, and it seems their brawn as well is needed to bring about the change that they so desire.  As I write this I am so inspired by their strength and courage. This stealing of the election was probably the best thing that could’ve happened for the Iranian women. If Mousavi had won fair and square, changes may have been made but would women really get the chance to express their real need for change…would their hope for equality be  within reach?

Thoughts? Comments? You know what to do.

~~~~~~~~~~

Peter: Sorry for the late reply. If you want to e-mail it to me, I would be happy to post it for you.

Emma: I’m not sure if some people see my blog differently than others. Obviously you have experienced that. I have been informed that my blog is being messed with, which is why I have to be careful of what I write, or who knows if it will be shut down. I don’t want to lose this connection to and for everyone.  However, I did find two comment that were waiting for moderation, and I was able to post them yesterday ( sorry forgot to mention that)

Readers: Take note:  As I have mentioned before, if you have more than One (1) url attached to your comment it will go into moderation. And if I am at work all day it will not get posted until the evening.

Zen Lill: I agree with you too. I have never had a desire to meet the president. But it would be one of the greatest highlights of my life if I could meet president Barack Obama. I would just love to sit and chat with him about everything and nothing. I love his sense of humor.

Nikki: My pleasure. :)

Anonymous and A:  The Iranian men are going to have to change in order for Madaline to help them. It is plain and simple. Everything that Madaline says makes sense right? Of course men would not feel that death is preferable to the life they have – they have a good life. Now it is time for the women to feel the same way. The fact that they don’t says that they are willing to die than to go back to being second class slaves to the men.

Peace out…..

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click below:

“A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

The Iranian people have such interesting names. In the last few days I have heard from so many of the women that I decided to find out what some of their names meant. I mentioned a few that I discovered yesterday. Then I stumbled upon this article of a young girl named ‘Neda’ meaning ‘voice’.

Neda was brutally killed this past Saturday in her fathers arms; her death, a symbol of rebellion for the Iranian people.

As I began to write my write this morning, I hadn’t even perused my blog since last night and there were only two comments posted. I decided that before I write, I had better see if anyone commented on anything that I might need to include in my write this morning. It was then that I discovered that a commenter had written one sentence: “Neda Soltani was shot in the chest from a rooftop by the Basiji.” I knew that she was the very same young girl that inspired my write today.

So…I’ll take that as a sign to continue….

I watched the video of Neda dying and I could not post it. I have never seen anyone die and I broke out in sobbing tears.  Her eyes in the video looked so innocent….scared…and yet so peaceful as she laid there. I could not take my eyes off of her.  Here is her story:

Her name is Neda, which means “voice” in Farsi, and her death has become the central rallying cry of the Iranian rebellion.

The fresh-faced teenage girl killed by what appears to be a single sniper shot on the streets of Tehran Saturday is now a potent symbol for Iran‘s pro-democracy protesters.

Her shocking and quick death in the arms of her howling father was captured on closeup video, posted to Facebook and came to life on computer screens across the globe.

“RIP Neda, the world cries seeing your last breath,” was one of a flood of messages on Twitter.

“They killed Neda, but not her voice,” read another. “Neda is everyone’s sister, everyone’s daughter, everyone’s voice for freedom,” said a third.]

Within hours of her death, posters of the girl’s face, open-eyed and bloody, were being brandished by demonstrators in Los Angeles and New York City.

The graphic video was originally posted to Facebook by an Iranian expatriate in Holland who said it was sent to him by a friend in Tehran, a doctor who tried to save the girl.

He identified her as Neda Soltani, a 16-year-old philosophy student.

A Facebook group created to mourn her calls her “The Angel of Iran.”

In Tehran on Sunday, the streets were quiet for the first time in a week, but the city was bracing for more unrest today when thousands are expected to mourn the girl’s death.

“To protest against lies and fraud is your right,” opposition candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi told his followers in a statement.

“Be hopeful in exercising your rights and do not allow those who try to instill fear in you to make you angry.”

An ABC reporter in Dubai said she was told the girl was rapidly buried to forestall a funeral rally.

In the holy city of Qom, turmoil was reported among the ruling clerics. There were reports that some dissident clerics were trying to replace the supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The regime is under threat after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad won a suspiciously huge landslide in the June 12 election, sparking accusations of vote rigging and days of mass protests.

Saturday’s brutal crackdown, in which at least a dozen people were killed and hundreds wounded, hardened opposition to the supreme leader as well as Ahmadinejad.

In apparent retaliation, the daughter of powerful former President Hashemi Rafsanjani and four of his other relatives were arrested and held for a day, according to state TV.

State radio said Monday that 457 people were arrested in the clashes.

Rafsanjani’s kin were held for a day for their own protection, but it was seen in most quarters as a clear warning to curb his support for Mousavi.

Rafsanjani, 75, is chairman of the Assembly of Experts that has the power to remove the supreme leader and is Mousavi’s most powerful ally.

Reporters Without Borders said 33 Iranian journalists and bloggers have been arrested even as the foreign press was barred from the streets .

“The regime has been visibly shaken by its own population. That is why the media have become a priority target,” Reporters Without Borders said.

State TV blamed “terrorists” for the street violence.

BBC Persia aired extraordinary video of a crowd of stone-throwing youths on Saturday slowly advancing on a cadre of well-armed police with riot shields, finally forcing the security forces to turn tail and run.

BBC’s lead reporter in Tehran was subsequently told he had 24 hours to leave the country.

A Life.com magazine photographer was missing, and a Newsweek reporter arrested.

Germany called for a revote, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy called the crackdown on peaceful protest “inexcusable.”

As the Neda video ignited fury and tears, several new Twitter accounts were opened dedicated solely to insisting the video was fake. The posters were roundly shouted down as tools of the Iranian regime.

One of the many other videos of the Tehran protests uploaded to YouTube captured the girl in the last moments of her life, standing on a curb with her silver-haired father, watching the protesters go by.

In a country where martyrdom is a matter of great import and mourning marches often mix with protests, the girl’s very public death has the potential to be a galvanizing event.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Thomas: I hear ya. It is okay to  dump billions into the Iraq war to make our country feel safe and protected, but not okay to dump billions into our healthcare system to insure those same people that we are trying to protect, are well taken care of.

Anna:  First, I have to say, excuse for my brain freeze in the past week. I am well aware that you and Peter live in Guam and you were just visiting the mainland. I have got a lot on my  mind these days, but no excuse. Secondly, thank you for the quarters -that was so nice of you to send them to me! I finally went to my PO box and there they were. Thank you…Thank you!

Pan: As much as I’m sorry to hear that racism has been rearing its ugly head where you are too, we don’t need that kind of attitude here either. What can we do to work to eliminate it together?

Iranian Girls and Readers: Just as you have communication problems with the government spying on you, I too have to have some restraints with what I say on my blog, or my blog may not be accessible  anymore. Rest assured, things are going as they should be. My thoughts are with you.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

All content on this site are property of Michelle Moquin © copyright 2009

" Politics, god, Life, News, Music, Family, Personal, Travel, Random, Photography, Religion, Aliens, Art, Entertainment, Food, Books, Thoughts, Media, Culture, Love, Sex, Poetry, Prose, Friends, Technology, Humor, Health, Writing, Events, Movies, Sports, Video, Christianity, Atheist, Blogging, History, Work, Education, Business, Fashion, Barack Obama, People, Internet, Relationships, Faith, Photos, Videos, Hillary Clinton, School, Reviews, God, TV, Philosophy, Fun, Science, Environment, Design, The Page, Rants, Pictures, Church, Blog, Nature, Marketing, Television, Democrats, Parenting, Miscellaneous, Current Events, Film, Spirituality, Obama, Musings, Home, Human Rights, Society, Comedy, Me, Random Thoughts, Research, Government, Election 2008, Baseball, Opinion, Recipes, Children, Iraq, Funny, Women, Economics, America, Misc, Commentary, John McCain, Reflections, All, Celebrities, Inspiration, Lifestyle, Theology, Linux, Kids, Games, World, India, Literature, China, Ramblings, Fitness, Money, Review, War, Articles, Economy, Journal, Quotes, NBA, Crime, Anime, Islam, 2008, Stories, Prayer, Diary, Jesus, Buddha, Muslim, Israel, Europe, Links, Marriage, Fiction, American Idol, Software, Leadership, Pop culture, Rants, Video Games, Republicans, Updates, Political, Football, Healing, Blogs, Shopping, USA, Class, Matrix, Course, Work, Web 2.0, My Life, Psychology, Gay, Happiness, Advertising, Field Hockey, Hip-hop, sex, fucking, ass, Soccer, sox"

Hello…

I love conversing with older people. They speak with such wisdom and knowingness,  and when one gets to a certain age, they either get crotchety and cranky or they let nothing bother them. My grandmother and great aunts were pretty much the latter. And I was blessed to have a few special times when all of them were together and we would just chat it up. I would sit listening intently to all of their stories, of course interjecting with questions as I always wanted to know more.  I could kick myself to this day that I never brought a recorder to one of our coffee clutches.

Now my grandmother, who is in her 90′s just isn’t the chatterbox like she use to be; I miss talking and seeing her eyes light up when she was remembering special times…but thankfully my mother is a chip off the ‘ol block…she loves to talk…and I suppose I do too :)

I went out to lunch with my mother yesterday and as usual we were talking away, switching from subject to subject, much like one flips through the television channels. It is just how my family is and I love it.  If you’re new in the family you either jump into the flow of conversation or you sit there dumbfounded because just when you are ready to say something we are off on another subject. It takes work to keep up with my family, but as I said, I love it. The conversation is alive and passionate, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Anyhow….Somehow we got onto the subjects of sexism and racism…who knows how we got there….probably my own doing as I am so absorbed in those subjects. My mother being part Filipino, personally experienced racism  when she was growing up in North Beach, known as the Italian section of San Francisco.  My mother was very different and exotic looking and no one could quite figure out what she was, so they would stare at her which left her feeling uncomfortable many times. She was beautiful too, but at a young age, sometimes all you want is to blend in and be accepted.

We chitchatted a bit more on the subject. I have heard her talk about growing up many times but  what I learned next she had never mentioned before.  I brought up the fact that racism is a pretty hot topic  on my blog. That is when my mother interrupted me (we do that a lot in our family)  and told me of a time that her and my father had planned a weekend get-a-way with another couple. No big deal right? Wrong. The other couple was black and they had a tough time finding a hotel that would accept black people. This was in 1969.  As much as I know that the Civil Rights movement was in affect, many people still did not want to accept…obviously racism was hanging on then as it still does to this day. As my mother told me this story, I could not help wondering how they felt being turned down and I got a sick feeling in my gut.

So moving on as we do from subject to subject…I learned something else very interesting.

Thirty Five or so years ago my parents were looking to buy some property.  They were both working and they both had good credit so they went to the bank to check some things out. The banker told my mother that although she had good credit and an income, they would only be interested in my father’s income and credit.  “Why?”, I asked, not knowing where she was going with this.  My mother of course asked the same thing 35 years ago and this is what the banker told her. “Mrs Moquin, you are still at a child bearing age, therefore if you decide to have children, you may quit your job and that would be too risky for us so we can only consider your husband for the loan.” (!)  You’ve got to be BS’ing me, I said to my mother.  “No”, she replied, “He said that to me.”

I never got her to tell me how she reacted further or what happened next, as she had already switched to another ‘story’….

When my parents  got divorced around 18 or so years ago,  all of their credit cards were labeled Mr & Mrs RA Moquin.   My mother went to the bank to get her own credit card with just her name on it and they told her “No”. She didn’t understand. She said, “I am Mrs. RA Moquin. My husband and I are getting a divorce and I just want to get a card in my own name. What the bank said to her next just blew me away.  My mother could not get her own credit card with her name on it until she got a ‘note’ from my father saying it was okay!  My mother said, “I am Mrs RA Moquin and I pay all of the bills. I am signing the checks.”  They still refused her. Sorry , you need a ‘note’. She then said, I’m just going to close the account then.” Nope, can’t do that either. “Your husband has to be the one to close the account.”

My mother left livid, and I am sure words came out of her mouth. My mother is not one to be silent. I guess fruit doesn’t fall too far from the tree. :)

The next day the bank did call and apologize, and offered her a credit card. But still…can you imagine them asking my father to get a ‘note’ from my mother so that he could get a credit card?  No, it never would’ve happened in a million years.

This was only 18 years ago. Yes, women have made progress especially in this country, but even here, and without doubt outside of the United States, we have so much further to go.

Readers:  Any family stories you would like to share? Blog me.

************

Zen Lill and Pearle:  Oh…whoever was sending out those racist e-mails are lucky they didn’t send one to me – I would’ve railed on them as I’m sure you did.  Pearle – get on that soapbox and vent if you so desire.

And ZL:  I know that you mentioned that calling it a ‘buy in’ was not the right verbiage.  But your painting, ‘A day in the life of…”, (thanks for the nod:) I can understand why the readers were a bit confused. I have to admit I was a little confused where you were going with it. However, that being said, I know you well enough to speculate your intentions, where others might not.

Anna: Are you still in Guam? I thought you had left already. Anyway, enjoy the food frenzy – it sounds simply fun and delicious! Hafa Adai.

Charles: I think many of us have been guilty of complacency. You have asked the same question that I ask. Now, is time to change and start looking after and standing up for one another.

Hey Peter:  I have no idea. Are there blog sites where people can download a picture? I don’t think I am aware of that.  Clue me in. And thanks for the video. The documentary looks very interesting. Is it only airing in Guam? I couldn’t find if it is being shown here.

Readers: I’m looking forward to your words of wisdom, your vitriolic vent, your soap box sermon…whatever. Blog me.

Gratefully your blog host,

michelle

Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor

For archives dated before January 17, 2008 click on my Blogroll:

or click here: “A Day in the life of…”

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