A New Adventure

Hey there folks…
So It’s been a long while since I posted on here. It’s partially because I’ve been lacking inspiration to write, and partially because I’ve been super busy. I know sad excuses…

So I’m embarking on a new adventure soon, May 17th, 6:00pm-8:00pm is a house party to raise money for Geno Zamora.  Genoa is a friend of mine, and great on the issues that I care about. This is a man who understands the combination of treatment and punishment rather than a purely incarceration view of criminal justice.  This candidate will be stellar on GLBT issues, understanding that we not only have to protect our community from discrimination and hate crimes externally, but he also sees that we have to protect ourselves from ourselves within a community.  (This makes little sense, but keep reading it get clearer I promise)  Geno immediately saw the connection between drug/substance abuse, suicide attempts, and internalized homophobia, as well as internalizing harassment that GLBT youth go through.  Imagine, for a second what it’s like to be a queer kid, when all of society and all its norms are telling you that isn’t ok. Couple that with harassment from your peers and the off chance that someone you know offers you a joint, a hit, a drink, and tells you “don’t worry all the worlds problems go away after this.”  Yes this is a real problem as the drug abuse rates among queer teenagers are over ten times that of heterosexual youth. And of course, suicide rates are close to ten times higher among queer youth.  Geno saw these connections and said right away, we need to target education and prevention more, we shouldn’t be making these kids felons for the things they are experimenting with when it’s a coping mechanism. Education, prevention, treatment? What radical notions!!! Seriously!

So this new adventure, it’s a great one! I’m exciting to be raising money for this candidate, and I hope any of you that are able, will come to this fabulous party. Its being held at my friend Consuelo Espinosa’s home (a beautiful home in the north valley) and I have a GREAT host committee.  I hope you’ll all come if you can.  Or give to Geno at Geno2006.com

May 17th 6-8pm  9705 Guadalupe Trail NW
Call me if you want more details. Marshall 363 0152

In other news…
May 1st is a national strike for Immigration Rights. I and many of my friends are not working, shopping, selling, or attending school to demonstrate the need for more Humane and Dignified treatment of Immigrants in this country.

Check out Alisa Valdes Rodriguez ‘s blog about immigration issues, or the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, or watch the Movie “A Day Without A Mexican.”

Check them out! And I’ll be in better touch now, I promise!!!

  

Good Friday, Washing Feet, and The Stations of the Cross

So last night I went to Mass. The Mass of the Last Supper, as Fr Bob called, the Central/Middle/halfway Supper because Jesus ate with his friends and colleagues before and after the "Last Supper." It was and is always a heartening and humbling experience. I chatted with my friend Maggie, a Presbyterian, about washing eachother's feet. She was shocked, they're "Presbyterian, we don't touch eachother, except that handshake at the beginning of church."
Well in my church, the whole community gets together, we stand in line, and we wash he feet of the person in front of us in line, then we sit and have our feet washed by the person behind us in line. "I your master, because your slave. I who made the mood and stars, kneel to wash your feet." This is a commandment for us, and in our church we follow that commandment fully. Its an amazing experience. The little girl who had her insulin attached to her waist, and who could barely kneel without help, knelt anyway, and washed the feet of the woman in our church who I believe has Cerebral Palsy. The woman then got angry at her own body for not being able to kneel and do the same for the person behind her in line. But she stayed and "helped" while the person behind her had her feet washed, because she felt that was what she was called to do.

Fr Bob gave his homily and it was moving, moved me to tears (which is not unusual during Holy Week.)
Fr Bob quoted an article written by a social worker who had done work in Haiti. I'll paraphrase it now.
My God is the god of dirty feet. My god sits with addicts while they go through withdrawals. My God cleans up vomit and urine, My God cleans the elderly who have lost control of their own bowels. My God takes care of children screaming and crying, and My God doesn't turn Her back on anyone.

Then she wrote of having asked a number of beggars in India if they has ever sen an example of human kindness. There were few answers.

I ask you all reading this to comment on my blog, or send me an email. and answer two questions.

Have you ever committed a selfless and un-solicited act of human kindness? (yes or no is all)
and Have you ever experienced un-solicited human kindness?
please let me know.

Azulymarron@gmail.com

Compassion on Maundy Thursday

Today is Maundy Thursday. The feast of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and is the oldest of the observances peculiar to Holy Week. It begins my favorite time of year in the Catholic Church. Yes, most of you know this, but for those who don't I'm Pro-choice, Gay, Liberal, Progressive, and Catholic. Proudly! (well mostly proud of it)

Good Friday is tomorrow, and its my favorite day of the church year. Absolute Favorite! My neighbor asked me this morning why that was, and I was tempted to just blame it on my morbid nature. But I thought about it, and I think of the Ultimate Sacrifice. The first Volunteer effort for the cause, as my neighbor said it. I do fully believe Jesus Christ willingly died, for the sake of the future of the world. For the sake of forgiveness and love and compassion all over. (No I'm not lecturing on faith much longer, this is just a little insight for the upcoming rant of angst)
I believe it is an amazing thing, God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the plan they all had, and put into place for our salvation. This was the ultimate in lesson by example. We ought to all be thinking, at this time, not about ourselves, but about what is best for our community. And because this is Easter, and as a Catholic I think of the whole world as our community we ought to be thinking about the ways we can make the world a better place, and thinking about our own lives and desires secondly, if not lastly.

Which is why this mornings blogs got to me so badly. Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez and her fabulous blog talked a little bit about the way the "illegal" soldiers are being treated while they fight in Iraq "for our freedoms."
I hate this war, and I think that's been made clear. But I'm more horrified with the accusations that are flying around about what is happening to people who are committing their lives to this effort, and this country, and they aren't even citizens. And according to some news reports we're throwing them in plastic bags an burying them in mass graves.

Alisa talks about this in one of her recent posts.

All I can say, is, I beg of people in this time, (not just Catholics) because I think this theme is worldwide and spans all religious/spiritual beliefs. Please, Live with more compassion, and forgiveness and try to understand where others are coming from and the sacrifices they make for us and their lives.

Tuesday morning coming down...

So First of all, I know you are all wondering, yes the Equality Ball was Fabulous!!! I had a great time, taking my ex as my date wasn't a Horrible idea, and the event was successful in the money arena for a first time. People were hot, sexy, cute, glamorous, and gorgeous. I think I even pulled off my goal, everyone saw my outfit, and I looked pretty good!

Brenda, an old friend from high school came up to attend the event with me, and to spend a few days. It was a great time, I miss her already and she probably isn't even at the Socorro mark on the Freeway yet. Brenda was a Republican mostly when we were in high school, and most of the time we've chatted since then we've skirted an issue here and there, but I could never really tell if she was being nice or really became a liberal. She really became a liberal. Thank Goddess!
She is amazing, and we had a great time talking and drinking until 2 or 3 every morning about politics, philosophy, and men. They can all make one's life better or worse, we're at a toss up over which have been doing what for us lately.
Thanks Brenda for a great time!

In other news, I'm mostly getting back to the good work of the LCV. I took some mental vacations, even though my body was in the office, to help set up for the big event. That was only possible thanks to my great friend and boss Maggie.

Also thanks to Maggie and her fabulous blog, I was linked to another blog that I'm now addicted to completely! Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez a local Author and rockstar activist has been taking on the immigration issue head on in the press lately. Maggie first linked this blog but I had to do it also for you all to read, because the facts and statistics are AMAZING!

Maggie called it Ode to Stupid Guy, I think I'll add a little flavor to the mix:
Alisa's post MMMM HMMMM *SNAP* (my own gay infused title) is amazing at laying out the Right wing ignorant arguments about immigration and the facts that prove it wrong.

Yesterday was a great day for the Immigration Community and the Latino Community because I haven't seen Latino people organize and mobilize like this since I can remember...

Immigration rally at Capital High School turns raucous

I can't find the news reports on what happened in Albuquerque, but there were thousands of marchers and ralliers at Civic Plaza yesterday, as well as hundreds of cars and walking people blocking traffic, honking horns, and chanting with their Latin American Flags, all afternoon. I thoroughly enjoyed the day at work, though my friends in their important business offices were upset because the immigration issue was stopping them form accomplishing their work.

*sigh*
we can't win them all.

I'm not sure this particular post was of any real substance except to say what's going on in my life right now. I think however, I'm going to do some real writing tonight. Maybe even recount some of the discussion I had with Brenda, or delve into my own political-emotional resevoir on the Immigration issue. Maybe just maybe, I won't post tomorrow, because this guy I like will ask me to dinner tonight. But that's a hope that I won't hold on to too much.

Dancing, Sexy Suits, and independents...

So I'm sorry for not writing in a while, I've been busy.
For those of you who don't know already Equality New Mexico is having a FABULOUS event this Saturday. Our first annual Equality Ball, It will be wonderful. Tickets for the dinner and program are already done being sold but one can come for the dance at 9:30 for $25. It is going to be a great party and you get to see me in my fabulous new outfit, which I must say, SEXY!!!

Now the reason I had the inspiration to blog tonight...
Jim Spiri
Yes this is in fact a man running for congress, and that is in fact his real website. I went to the Democracy for New Mexico Meeting tonight, to work as an organizer and get postcards sent to Senator Bingaman and Representative Wilson about environmental issues(For the League of Conservation Voters), and I was lucky enough to hear Attorney General Madrid Speak!

This was the first I learned of this man Jim Spiri. As you all already know Patsy Madrid (one of my FAVOURITE elected officials AND favourite WOMEN in New Mexico is challenging the evil horrible disgusting Heather Wilson for the congressional seat here in New Mexico. Its exciting because this is going to be a fierce race, two seasoned politicians, women, passionate and aggressive. My money is on Patsy regardless of who I WANT to win, but that's not really possible, its because I'm DYING to be represented by a REAL Democrat!!! (we'll talk senate another day. *glare*)

So Patsy gives her great stump speech, then allows for questions. Jim Spiri stands up, introduces himself as the independent candidate that was left out of the picture, then asks Patsy about her Iraq stance and her exact plan...
Well Patsy was smart and on it, but this isn't about her anyway. Its about my anger at this mans arrogance and ridiculousness...

After a few other speakers, when Patsy was gone, Mr. Spiri was allowed to stand up and speak a bit. He immediately started assuming that we would all support him being on the ballot because of Math. Then he used his two fingers (I'm not sure how to explain it, but also, I didn't get the illustration either) to explain the race between Patsy and Heather. Then said it only made sense that he would draw from Heather's base, and not Patsy's. So we as Democrats should sign his petition to be on the ballot.

Well I decided to ask a question, and this is where I made my mistake, but it was a TINY one.
I assumed after he talked about being a veteran, having a plan for the war withdrawal, etc.. That he was anti-war. I said "I know you said this is about Math, but also its about Politics. How as an anti-war candidate are you thinking you're going to draw votes from the right not the left?"

His response: "Well you are assuming I'm anti-war I never said I was. Don't assume anything!"
Marshall: "Well then, how sir, can you say you think you will be taking votes from the republicans and not from the democrats? And be as specific as you can. Thank you"

Jim said:
"Number one, who I am. Number two where I'm from. Number three four and five, What I've done. Number six, you get the point. The reality is, republicans will not vote for a Democrat, but they'll vote for an independent."

He kept mentioning that they teach you Math in Las Cruces, no offense to my Baby Sister who is graduating next month from Las Cruces high, or my friends who teach in LC public Schools, but I want more than a math class at a Cruces High School to make my political analysis...

1.) Republicans don't break ranks for ANYTHING. That's the reality, the Christian Right doesn't get everything they want from every Republican (except Rick Santorum) but they back them. They as a party March Lockstep with their party. Even Log Cabin Republicans, the Gay Ones ( I don't get them either...) end up voting for republicans with Anti-Gay records despite the organization not endorsing them. (the Organization never endorses Democrats, and I praise their efforts anyway, they are doing God's work, but only parts of it I think...)

2.) A third party in this race will only detract press attention form Heather's voting record (confirmed by Laura Bush in her visit recently as a consistent reliable conservative, voting 90% of the time with the President!) and Patsy's great progressive record, Endorsed by EMILY'S List, as well as many other organizations. As a Pro-Choice, Pro Gay Rights, Pro Environment, Pro Consumer, Pro healthcare Democrat we need the people to hear about her, not this guys Iraq experience (through Haliburton of all things)

3.) You can't expect people to take you seriously if you chastise and lecture them when they are asking you questions... This is grassroots politics, retail politics as Bill Clinton called it. Talk to people, LISTEN to people, Treat people nicely, and even if they are not supporting you, thank them for their time. Its not rocket science, Maybe he should have taken a class in Manners and Public discourse instead of focusing all his energy on MATH!

4.) You came to a meeting, Sir Spiri, to ask people to support you in getting on the ballot, but brought no clipboards, signature sheets, or information about yourself. You're refusing to take money from anyone (I can't imagine why, I'm sure people are lining up to write you checks, I certainly am...) and you have a lousy website. You're going to run a campaign for congress entirely on your personal cell phone?

A friend of mine always is the voice of caution when the GLBT community leaders are talking about legislative/political strategies. He always says "alright folks if we're going to do this, we have to work our asses off to do it right. This isn't like Hey kids, let's have a show and then we put on a puppet show behind the living room couch..."

HEY Jim if you're going to do this, do it right. Don't put your puppets up behind the couch:
Mr. Math Matters, Mrs. Don't Assume, Mr. Cell Phone... And Let's not forget the very important Sock Puppet:

Bullshit
My vote and support is still behind Patsy and yours should be too!!!

Patricia Madrid for Congress