Right Wing War on Sex

It's become common to hear politicians talk about the GOP "War on Women" and though it makes for a great sound bite, the truth is much deeper.

In our country there is actually a war of sex.  Since the 1920s women have asserted their rights to choose who they have sex with and when they have it.  It started with the "free love" movement and really came into blossom after oral contraceptives became readily and legally available in the 1960s. When the Supreme Cort ruled in Griswold v. Connecticut that citizens had a right to privacy and essentially removed any barrier to obtaining contraceptives.

Everyone knows about the 1960s, when the sexual revolution really began.  Not only were women exercising their new found freedom, but LGBT people stood up and proudly proclaimed they were going to take the fight for sexual freedom to the streets.

The problem is the whole idea that sex could be something more than an act for procreation angered and scared a lot of people, mostly men.  If women could control their own bodies, that meant men could not control women.  Moreover it meant that women could enjoy and explore their own sexuality with or without men.  Scary stuff for some people!

This battle against sex has deep roots and it is driven by the insecurity and immaturity of a lot of men and some women.  Until we begin realizing what the real motive is from the right wing, to "stop sex for any other reason than procreation", we will be tilting at windmills.

The fundamentalists, the right wing politicians and the like are threatened by your sexual freedom, and they want to gain control over it once again.  They see your sexual freedom as a vital link towards gaining more power and power is an amazing aphrodisiac for them.  Think about it.

If you want more information about your sexual freedoms and the continuing fight go to Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance and get much more information.

Ex-Gay Group Slinks Back from Reparative Therapy

It seems that Exodus International, the Christian extremist group that is best known for their "pray away the gay" ideals, is distancing itself from the idea that individuals can change their sexual orientation.   Seems strange for an "ex-gay ministry" but apparently reality has caught up with them.

Alan Chambers, president of the group, told The Associated Press on Tuesday, "I do not believe that cure is a word that is applicable to really any struggle, homosexuality included." 

He continued with this significant line, "For someone to put out a shingle and say, `I can cure homosexuality', that to me is as bizarre as someone saying they can cure any other common temptation or struggle that anyone faces on Planet Earth."

Wow!  I feel the ground shifting and have to wonder if the next step in the Exodus saga is their final acceptance of being gay as a God-given gift, just like heterosexuality.  The jury is still out on that one.

Cities Sell Out To Corporations

As someone who works in marketing and advertising I am not usually surprised when I see a new way to promote a product, but this one takes the cake. 

Seems Brazil, Indiana was out of money and couldn't afford to keep up parts of its infrastructure, so they turned to the private sector and the result was sponsored fire plugs with KFC buckets on top of them.

Now though it might be seen as an innovative way to support the fire department, I find it pretty sad.  At this rate every single inch of space in public parks, buildings and infrastructure will be plastered with advertising. If the quality of our lives any better because of this?  Personally, I think it's just sad.  The result of outsourced jobs and industries, refusal to raise taxes and overall economic malaise has led to the sell out of America. 

Happy 160th Birthday Antoni Gaudi

As a teenager I was fascinated with architecture, especially modern architecture.  I read everything I could about Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mies Van De Rhoe, but the man who intrigued me was one of the forerunners of these men.  Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi was a product of the 19th century, but his work still inspires today.

His style had elements of the Art Nouveau school while maintaining his own quirky and richly organic style.  His crowning masterpiece, a structure still being completed was the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia.  It soars like a cathedral, but seems to have grown from the earth like some kind of living organism.  Words fail to describe it.

The website for the building is here.  It's in Spanish, but the images are universal.  Enjoy!