February 20, 2004
flowers for Al and Don
support for the san fransico gay wedding fiesta has spawned some fine examples of the gift economy in action: Flowers from the Heartland started sending bouquets to random gay couples waiting for licenses, and flowers for al and don have aggregated it into a single pay pal collection. photographer Derek Powazek has produced posters from one of his images of the weddings (Justly Married) on cafe press to raise money for DontAmend.com.
meanwhile the mayor of chicago (a committed catholic) has voiced support for issuing licenses in illinois.
February 19, 2004
uk public libraries online
list of uk public libraries with links to online catalogues. this is brighton, its a bit ropey interface-wise but it tells you if the books are in.
February 18, 2004
wedding. wedding. wedding. wedding.
from authenti-city
February 17, 2004
Gavin Newsom. man of the year
the debate on civil partnerships consultation here creeps forward - presumably until it gets to the lords, is kaboshed by thier bigotry and waits till the next parliment to go through the whole thing again, this time with time to use the parliment act. all dependant of course on a labour victory in the next election (while howard has promised a free vote on civil partnerships, i doubt carry the legislation will be part of a tory manifesto). over in san fransico mayor newsom has side stepped the legality debate by issuing marriage licences and battling with the courts later.
there are always some small things that happen at breakneck speed, that can change everything. that you see unfolding through news alerts on bar tv's, on newspapers through news agents windows and hear in fragments on radio stations. that make you catch your breath in amazement and weep with happiness. and this is one of them.
from alternet
"In nearly every alcove around the huge City Hall rotunda over the weekend, a marriage was taking place; in the larger balcony areas, sometimes two or three. Some were officiated by clergy, others by city officials and prominent gay (and straight) politicians. Circling the rotunda, one could attend ceremony after ceremony, each profoundly personal and private, though infused with an awareness of the larger political and social significance of what was occurring.
Among the participants, there was a palpable sense of awe, not just at history being made but of dreams coming true. Many of those involved in the ceremonies would not have dared to dream that such an event could be possible in their lifetimes. The first marriage to take place was between lesbian activists Phyllis Lyon, 79, and Del Martin, 83, who have been together for 51 years."
February 15, 2004
more gunn
British spy op wrecked peace move
the seriousness of the gunn allegations deepens
"The former Mexican ambassador to the UN, Adolfo Aguilar Zinser, told The Observer that US officials intervened last March, just days before the war against Saddam was launched, to halt secret negotiations for a compromise resolution to give weapons inspectors more time to complete their work.
Aguilar Zinser claimed that the intervention could only have come as a result of surveillance of a closed diplomatic meeting where the compromise was being hammered out. He said it was clear the Americans knew about the confidential discussions in advance. 'When they [the US] found out, they said, "You should know that we don't like the idea and we don't like you to promote it."'
light relife from photos of lovely LA when i get back.....
February 11, 2004
jet lag and culture shock
i'm in san diego, which seems to be a city wholly comprised of giant POMO building blocks. skyscrapers (i love the word skyscraper...it comes from the topmost sail you can have on a sailing vessel) with strange greek-esque temples perched on top and best of all the horton plaza shopping centre, a triumph of captialism delivered as 'fun'. mostly however i've been struck by the prevelance of uniforms everywhere; it seems the american citizenry has been sucessfully militarised.
there are flags everywhere - which i know to be more common here that in the UK, but theres a forrest of them on every buildin. every lapel seems to sport one - theres even a synthesis of memorial ribbon with flag i've seen alot. i'm collecting memorabilia. i have freedom lighters and postcards and badges and bags. i'm very free now. even more free now i'm consuming fox news which exerts a grim fascination (again more flags) because of its naked repulican pro-war agenda. its a clever operation though; its orwellian in its genius.
the jet lag is wearing off but the culture lag isn't.