"The sad state of Buffalo and Erie County" written by J3sse on estrip.org

11/11/04 10:43 - ID#23241

The sad state of Buffalo and Erie County

I'm sure we've all now heard that there is a good possibility that Buffalo's public libraries will shut down after January 1, 2005. Just this last Wednesday, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra had mentioned in an interview that he had not heard from residents about his "red" and "green" budget proposals. The "red" budget would be the one that would call for the closing of all libraries. The "green" would keep them open, along with other public services, but would raise the sales tax by another penny.

I used to see libraries as nothing more than large collections of antiquated books; filled with card catalogs and smelling of musty encylopedia volumes.
But since I've moved back to Western New York, the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library has become one of my main haunts.

Our libraries are a wonderful resource. Not only do I have regular acess to books I could otherwise not afford, I also have access to a collection of movies and music that rivals a store like Media Play. And with the convenience of internet access to the library's catalog, I'm able to search for and reserve items only moments after thinking about them.

The library would not only be a pity to lose, but it would put a shame on the people of our county if we were to let them close. Are we at a point where the community cares so little about culture and education? Where are our priorities? What kind of city has NO LIBRARIES?!!

I wonder if there would be more public outcry if the city was losing its beloved Buffalo Bills instead.

If you think we're headed in the wrong direction, I urge you all to contact your representatives

and tell them how much of a mistake you think this is.

As for me, given the choice I would gladly pay the extra penny on the dollar.

Permalink: The_sad_state_of_Buffalo_and_Erie_County.html
Words: 321
Location: Kenmore, NY

11/09/04 06:15 - ID#23240

Right or Rong

I saw a comment left of IMDB from a guy who represents Protest Warrior.com

and decided to look through his site. It was fairly well laid-out and organized and it PISSED THE FUCK OUT OF ME!!

Everything on the site is very far to the right -- the more I read it, the more I had issues. Why can I not just look at material from both sides objectively? I want to be able to have an informed opinion, I want to be able have a discussion with (e:jason) without getting all flustered (not that we've had ANY conversations yet). It's too easy to just stand by your opinion and say, "I'm right in what I say and all who oppose me are wrong" -- much more difficult to listen to the other side to make sure you believe what you believe for a reason.

That being said, I STILL think the Tax Cuts are a load of BOLLOCKS and will give any money that I get to someone who REALLY needs it. "Jump start" the economy, my ass. Trickle down THIS!

ya see, I can't help but rant... i'm what you call a yellow-dog democrat (meaning: i'd vote for a yellow dog if it were to run on the democratic ticket).

perhaps i'm angry because the "Protest Warriors" went to san francisco and essentially mocked the protestors there. ugh.

Permalink: Right_or_Rong.html
Words: 236
Location: Kenmore, NY

11/04/04 12:43 - ID#23239

GOP does not spell God.

(e:kacey),

In regards to your questions about gay rights in the United States, [inlink]kacey,33[/inlink] -- all I can say is that it saddens me that homophobia (or fear of any alternative lifestyle) has become an accepted bigotry.

oh sure, it's fine for people who want to be entertained (I'm guilty of being hooked on "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" myself) -- but for some reason the "moral majority" gets totally threatened when they are confronted with the fact that these are real people with real lives.

Why do these people feel that marriage needs to be defended (an overwhelming amount I might add if you look at the results of all the gay marriage bans that passed*). All that I know is that I'm your typical white-bread hetero married with one kid, one cat and a station wagon -- and gay marriage does not threaten any of who i or my family are. why the hell would it? how COULD it?

The "moral value" argument doesn't cut it -- it makes more sense that many religions originally demonized homsexuality because it wasn't conducive to procreation. this was back when people weren't living much past their 40's. At that time something needed to be done to rebuild the population and religion was the best way to spread that idea. But that just isn't the case any more. Why do people not see that?!! Enough, we have enough people. Gay people are born gay, let them live their lives that way. And yes, they do make DAMN GOOD parents (having known more than my share of gay couples).

I'm very sorry -- but things WILL eventually change and this will be seen in the same light as racial segregation. And I too am nursing the wounds that this country has left by now naming this guy the "Popular President" -- oy!

*it should be noted that many of these gay marriage bans INCLUDED civil unions. Something that isn't as widely known.

Permalink: GOP_does_not_spell_God_.html
Words: 331
Location: Kenmore, NY

11/03/04 01:11 - ID#23238

My final fall ride...

I decided to post these pictures in the midst of a crazy election that is leaving me STRESSED. Not to mention WKBW's Julie Fine's voice is as annoying as a newscaster's voice can get! Try pronouncing words out of something OTHER than your nose there Julie! Seriously, Ack!

And now, my tranquil ride:

self portrait: idiot staring at bails of hay

Blurry Leaves

Newstead/Clarence Bike path

Yeah, I don't know who was steering the bike in this pic. It wasn't me!

Permalink: My_final_fall_ride_.html
Words: 90
Location: Kenmore, NY

10/29/04 11:13 - ID#23237

It would be funny, were it not true...

It seems almost comical (and in any other situation, it might be) that there have been so many blatant attempts to misinform "undesirable voters" (read: anyone who doesn't agree with the religious right) [inlink]ajay,168[/inlink]

What's strange is that someone showed me this from "The Onion" just yesterday

Permalink: It_would_be_funny_were_it_not_true_.html
Words: 57
Location: Kenmore, NY

10/28/04 05:59 - ID#23236

Billionaires for Bush

[inlink]paul,2319[/inlink] -- well, (e:paul), I'm not entirely sure (as I haven't seen any of them around here), but I think that the Billionaires for Bush is part satirical, part performance art, part protest against the fiscally conservative right-wing.

I'd equate their tactics to what the Guerilla Girls

have done in the past -- trying to draw attention to their message by spoofing what they disagree with. Or whatever. That last part I just pulled out of my ass.

Permalink: Billionaires_for_Bush.html
Words: 83
Location: Kenmore, NY

10/27/04 12:59 - ID#23235

Transylvanian Concubine...

Anyone go to the Rasputina show this weekend? I had a chance and wasn't able to go b/c my son was sick as a dog. I've been listening to this group more and more (thanks to the wonders of iTunes network share -- i swear people don't give Apple enough credit) and I think I'm getting to a point where I want to truly immerse myself in their music.

Yeah, I may look like a total white bread on the surface... but truth be told, I identify with the goth side so much more... and nothing says ennui more than a couple cellos and a driving beat.

Permalink: Transylvanian_Concubine_.html
Words: 108
Location: Kenmore, NY

10/25/04 10:48 - ID#23234

Sidekick peer pressure...

oh momma -- between (e:paul) and (e:twisted) mentioning the sidekick (and being that I have T-Mobile), I am tempted... but I'm unsure if I want to pay even more in monthly fees. Is it truly worth it? Could I still buy the phone without the extra service and just walk around looking cool ;) ? Well, if it's good enough for Paris Hilton and Paul...

Also, I want to mention how tickled I am (yes, I said 'tickled') that (e:twisted) has become so entangled in the elmwoodstrip community. Between her bathroom chats with (e:paul) and a possible rendez vous in The Castro

with (e:haikuster)... it's just too cool.

Side note here to (e:twisted) : I can't believe you have yet to go to The Castro for Halloween! I recall at some point they tried to move the celebration down to the Civic Center because there had been some hate crimes committed by people who drove in from places like Livermore, Stockton, and Walnut Creek to "see the queers" -- what-ev-er. I'm glad the civc center thing didn't take hold. Not having Halloween in The Castro is like not having Mardi Gras in New Orleans or not having Dingus Day in Cheekotwaga ;)

Permalink: Sidekick_peer_pressure_.html
Words: 209
Location: Kenmore, NY

10/22/04 03:22 - ID#23233

Tranny Award explained

(e:Metalpeter) - sorry, I shoulda clarified. The tranny award on my co-worker's desk had something to do with a transmission sales quota or something. I work at a Business to Business ad agency, so awards like that are fairly common. Fact of the matter is, I was the only one to think it strange that it said "Tranny Award" on it. Most people here only find humor in fart jokes and videos of men getting hit in the nuts. Not that those can't be funny, but that can't be the entire scope of one's sense of humor.

But, I guess that would explain the popularity of Shrek (sorry all of you Shrek-lovers out there).

Permalink: Tranny_Award_explained.html
Words: 115
Location: Kenmore, NY

10/22/04 01:05 - ID#23232

The Twinkie Defense Explained (abridged)

[inlink]metalpeter,178[/inlink] Well, let's start off by saying that I spelled it incorrectly -- it is not spelled "twinky" -- boy, I'm an idiot for blowing THAT reference to pop culture. This is from an explanation I wrote awhile ago to a few co-workers:

in the late-70's, a former San Francisco city supervisor got away with the assassination of San Francisco mayor George Mascone and city supervisor Harvey Milk and pleaded temporary insanity as he had eaten too many Twinkies and was high on the sugar. As he was primarily a health-nut, the sugar rush supposedly interfered with his ability to make rational decisions about controlling his anger.

The supervisor was convicted on a lesser charge of manslaughter. he was then paroled in the 80's and ended up killing himself a couple years later.

hmm... I guess that was a pretty obscure reference, wasn't it? I should mention that I first heard about it while attending none other than Williamsville South HS, so it can't JUST be a regional expression.

Permalink: The_Twinkie_Defense_Explained_abridged_.html
Words: 170
Location: Kenmore, NY