"The value of a woman" written by Libertad on estrip.org

08/13/07 04:38 - 80ºF - ID#40517

The value of a woman

I watch television in Spanish whenever I can. They have this commercial on either Telemundo or Univisión for some type of cookware. Anyways, the jingle goes something like "Una mujer que sabe como cocinar vale más que oro." "A woman that knows how to cook has more value than gold." I really can't imagine a commercial such as this being played on the English speaking channels. Maybe in 1950 that message was tolerated but today not a chance. Anyways the commercial to me represents how quickly things can change and also shows the huge gap in the progression of feminism between cultures.

metalpeter writes at 05:52:44 08/14/07 - Comment #22263: "what is so dangerous about making observations on the difference of two cultures? I''m not proposing cultural superiority or suggesting ethnic cleansing here. I'm just noting the disadvantage that latina women face in comparison to other women in our country who are beginning to learn that there are other options for them rather than what is "traditional"." :First of all there is nothing wrong with comparing cultures on there own. However most people my self included mostly then look at ones that are different as being less then there own. I'm not saying that in this case you are doing that. However when saying latina women are at a disadvantage then that is making a Judgement on there culture. One from another culture could say that Americans (what ever that is) where women work and the men cook is awefull. They would have some valid points about the high divorce rate and broken families and how no one sits down to dinner togather and how it is bad for the kids. The point that I was making is that comparing culture is fine. But that it is important to remember to try not to judge one as superior to another or one as repressed to each other. I didn't say that it was possible I just said to try. As an example there are somethings in some cultures that I like and that I can't stand but i try to think that as long as that is someone culture than that is fine as long as it doesn't impede me.

tinypliny writes at 05:09:27 08/14/07 - Comment #22259: I agree with everything you say here and I *really* admire your views. I wish more men were as egalitarian, pro-active and environmentally conscious as you are. :)

I am not very familiar with the structure of hispanic households, and I am also not very familiar with the level of female emancipation in such societies, or the relevance/centrality of gold. If I were to assume that female emancipation is very low in hispanic societies, I could definitely view this tagline as being unfair to the women because it weighs the value of women in comparison to a mere precious metal - not societal/political leverage or economic/intellectual/emotional freedom.

But I think we were on slightly different frequencies before. I come from a matriachal/matrifocal family (and a civilization where gold holds an entirely different meaning!) and to me, calling the shots anywhere in
the household/beyond is a female role. Since my viewpoint is completely and culturally very different, the tagline didn't strike me as being sexist - just cleverly targeted. If a muscled guy sold the cookware and the tagline were - "The man who cooks has more value than gold", where I am from, people would be deeply suspicious - for the very same reason that you mention, its disrespectful to the women who run the households and attempts to devalue women via the suggestion that men who can cook have more political/economical/personal leverage. The ad would be viewed as sexist, lose popularity and might have serious impact on the brand!

So you see, beauty (or in this context, meaning) lies in the eyes (or the culture and background) of the beholder. :)

drew writes at 04:27:39 08/14/07 - Comment #22255: Tinypliny, I like your take.

libertad writes at 03:19:45 08/14/07 - Comment #22245: (e:tinypliny), you wouldn't even be here right now as an unaccompanied woman studying here to do a traditionally "man's job" if it weren't for a feminist victory in this country. Of course women still make less than men for the same work, but progress has been made nonetheless.

My parents are divorced and my father has been single for years. He cooks his own meals and likes to talk about his cookware and even bought me a great piece. I'm not against traditional male/female roles if that is what you want, but I am against suggesting that you are less of a woman if you don't know how to cook. It's sort of like saying that you are not a woman because you are studying to be a scientist which again is traditionally a "male" job.

(e:metalpeter) what is so dangerous about making observations on the difference of two cultures? I''m not proposing cultural superiority or suggesting ethnic cleansing here. I'm just noting the disadvantage that latina women face in comparison to other women in our country who are beginning to learn that there are other options for them rather than what is "traditional".

All of this being said, I do believe that a significant other being able to cook is a definite bonus. Who doesn't want that?

tinypliny writes at 10:04:10 08/13/07 - Comment #22215: And here's something interesting, if I were to translate that line into some other languages, it could mean, "The woman who can cook is more powerful than gold." Imagine the political implications of such a statement if you think about old civilizations whose entire economies ran on gold - there was no other currency, no credit, just gold. Puts a devious spin on the entire thing, doesn't it? :)

tinypliny writes at 09:45:53 08/13/07 - Comment #22212: I think this is overthinking the ad. When I read it first, I thought, "What a poetic line!". The whole idea of it being sexist didn't strike me till I actually read the comments. Food is such a key driving force in our lives that anyone who can cook appeals more to people. Traditionally, in many cultures (and I don't include those fancy French chefs in this generalization), daily cooking is done by moms and wives or the spouse who looks after the children (mostly moms, and maybe dads on holidays!). To me it seems like a beautiful (and very clever) tagline for selling cookware. Honestly now, can you recall your dad ever deciding (and winning the argument about) which particular cookware and kitchen coordinates went into your "mom's kitchen"??

lizabeth writes at 07:49:48 08/13/07 - Comment #22198: I think the whole notion of political correctness hasn't really penetrated Spanish-speaking culture yet, in many ways.

Here's an example for you: we got the circular for a Spanish grocery in the mail a while back, and one of the items advertised on special was a brand of rice. Its packaging featured a caricature of a knock-kneed, slant-eyed, bucktoothed, pigtailed Chinaman as its mascot. Like, whoa! I'm half Chinese, so I found that rather distasteful. But I'm sure most people who shop at that store and buy that rice don't think anything of it.

I think political correctness can be overdone, but a complete lack of it is not okay, either.

metalpeter writes at 07:35:21 08/13/07 - Comment #22194: First of all I think comparing cultures can be very dangerous. The reason being is that often when we do that we assume that people who don't have the same culture as ours are unhappy. I think that as long as a women wants to there is nothing wrong with her doing the cooking. There is this new movement in Feminism where women choose to stay home raise the kids and do all the housework and cooking. This being said that ad wouldn't fly with most Americans. But the thing is it would be true but no one would except it. I know that If was invited to a ladies house to hang or what ever and she took the time to cook me something that I liked just for me I would really be surprised and like it. Hey there is a reason why sometimes those dark skined Italian girls get men to marry them :} and give them huge rings. But seriously the saying of a way through a mans heart is through his stomach get him a nice drink and then watch the game or a movie you both like and you will lock him up for good.

museumchick writes at 06:22:30 08/13/07 - Comment #22178: I hate saying this... but I think that in any culture, there are some men who still think that way.

drew writes at 05:15:53 08/13/07 - Comment #22173: I agree with you. I just like it when women (and men) cook.

libertad writes at 05:05:19 08/13/07 - Comment #22172: exactly drew. I would agree with the statement if were to say "Someone who knows how to cook has more value than gold." That would be a more appropriate slogan if we didn't want to devalue women and say that they are worthless if they don't know how to cook. Obviously women have shown that they are quite capable of contributing to society in many different ways not all necessarily being a servant to her husband.

Some people might label me as too politically correct, but really I'm not. I just think that advertisers have a moral responsibility to not treat woman as if they were subservient.

jason writes at 04:59:25 08/13/07 - Comment #22171: A girl who can cook is aces in my book. One time, a girl cooked tuna casserole, my fave, for me, and I was over the moon. Felt like I was being taken care of. It was really nice.

And, with my ex, one time, she made good chicken parm for me. Again, I was over the moon. I don't think too many things please me more than that. Makes me really happy.

Then again, I understand the nuance here, and I agree it would probably never be acceptable on our English channels for a commercial of this type. Probably not in good taste.

drew writes at 04:54:05 08/13/07 - Comment #22169: but isn't it true? I mean, I guess it depends on other things, like the woman's personality and exactly how much gold we are talking about, but aren't all people worth more than gold? Especially people that cook?

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08/06/07 04:24 - 82ºF - ID#40411

Land for sale--cheap

They are selling more of the Lake Ontario Ordnance Works (LOOW) Site in the towns of Lewiston and Porter. The LOOW, if you do not know, is the land that the government stole from local farmers during WWII. After this beautiful and fertile land was destroyed from the production of TNT, they secretly began storing and dumping radioactive effluent at the site and later began selling the land. Over the years the US government has continued to lie repeatedly about the land and its use. Lewiston/Porter School District is situated on a portion of the LOOW. Besides the polluted soil, imagine what kind of air those kids are breathing right next door to Chemical Waste Management which was also part of the LOOW site. Maybe now that they want to sell more of the land, we can get even more toxic waste trucked up into our area and they can discharge even more treated effluent into the Niagara and Great Lakes. As the article states the government says the land is fine besides some pesky asbestos. Does anyone really believe that? Sadly I think people do. People are so willing to put 100% trust into the government despite years of deception. There are people that live right next door to toxic and radioactive waste but refuse to think they are in harms way. I talked to one woman with kids who lived next door to the LOOW and refused to believe what I was telling her.

I'm glad the article was published, but how could they not even mention this site's dark past that continues to kill people with cancer? The only thing the article mentions about the LOOW is that it once was a military testing area. What about all the radioactive waste they dumped into marsh area?! If you want to see my original journal with pictures click here:

Nike missile launch site up for auction in Niagara County

Town of Porter parcel advertised on Internet
By Sharon Linstedt
Updated: 08/06/07 8:29 AM

Sam Kolich/Buffalo News
The mothballed site covers 98 acres off Balmer and Porter Center roads.

"For Sale: 98 acres of mostly undeveloped, treed property in rural Niagara County. Amenities include six underground missile silos."

That could be the federal government's ad for an unusual piece of property located in the Town of Porter, which it is auctioning off via the Internet. The U.S. General Services Administration opened online bidding July 12 for the long-idle Youngstown Test Annex, ocated at the corner of Balmer and Porter Center roads.

"It's certainly a different kind of property," said GSA spokeswoman Renee Miscione. "But the federal government sells and disposes of a very wide range of properties. It's everything from office buildings and military residences to post offices, lighthouses and missile sites."

The GSA, which disposes of properties for the federal government, offers the lands and buildings to various levels of government before putting them on the auction block.

The Youngstown Test Annex was originally part of the Lake Ontario Ordnance Works, which included about 7,500 acres across Niagara County used for military testing. The Army acquired the Youngstown Test Annex property in 1955, developing it as a Nike missile launch site.

The Cold War-era defense system was designed to protect major urban areas and strategic assets, such as power plants, from air assaults. The Nike missiles were secured in underground silos, at the ready in case of attack. At the height of the initiative, there were more than 200 installations around the country, including nearly a dozen in Western New York.

The Air Force took title to the Town of Porter location in the mid-1960s, converting it to a Tropospheric Scatter Radar communications network site.

The property, which has remained under military control, was mothballed in 1990.

In its description of the site, the GSA notes the property includes about 45 acres of wetlands. In addition to six missile silos (which are empty and have been welded shut), the parcel also comes with a handful of outbuildings in "various stages of deterioration." The GSA warns potential buyers they could face asbestos-removal issues. However, the government indicates that the site does not contain radioactive materials or hazardous chemicals.

To date, no one has stepped up with the required $100,000 minimum bid.

Miscione noted it took 21 days for the first bid to be registered in last summer's online sale of the Thaddeus J. Dulski federal office building in downtown Buffalo. That 15-story, 470,000-square-foot tower saw a brisk bidding war in the final days of its auction, attracting a winning bid of $6.1 million.

Of the eight former Nike sites sprinkled across Niagara and Erie counties, this is the last one to remain under federal government ownership. While a few are now privately owned, most have found new life as town or village-controlled parks, recreation areas, senior housing or local government offices.

slinstedt@buffnews.com

libertad writes at 06:40:19 08/07/07 - Comment #21849: That's it metalpeter, I'm calling homeland security.

metalpeter writes at 05:54:38 08/07/07 - Comment #21848: This is why I don't understand our government. How can you sell land that has missle silo in it. If I was a terrorist I would buy the land and I'm sure even though they are welded shut that could be reused or retro fitted to shot what I want. If I had the money I might buy it just so no one else would and maybe even do some stuff that wouldn't be considered ethical like have people in Protective suits raise animals on the land and see what happens. Or maybe see if there is any way to reuse the silos in some way.

libertad writes at 05:19:04 08/07/07 - Comment #21846: The link that I provided in the first post is now a dead link. The school district has removed the info from their website, however, they do have a link to the NYS sex offender registry. I suppose they think child molesters are a bigger threat to the children than the toxins? I think it is important not to have an over-reliance on science. Commonsense based on one's personal observations using their senses will tell you that it is unhealthy to be close to the LOOW. Science takes too long to produce results and scientific reports, like I have said before, can only be read by other scientists to be understood. I have seen volumes and volumes of scientific data regarding the LOOW but it is all meaningless, at least to me. I believe that the Lewiston-Porter school should be closed asap. This conclusion is based on how I felt while visiting the area, this includes nausea, numbing of the senses and burning eyes and throat. Tomatoes nor children should be cultivated so close to this contamination (or should I say on top of the contamination?).

There are some statistics collected by NYS's cancer registry that are interesting, but of course don't paint a complete picture especially when dealing with sparsely populated areas. :::link:::

There is nothing specific I am looking for, but any news articles or new information you find I would be interested in. I have copies of articles going back to the early 80's, thanks to the Niagara Public Library.

On another note, I have seen pages of research on how government and private industry use public meetings and public knowledge to actually keep citizens from mobilizing. They learned a lot from Love Canal about what motivates people to take action and have continued to study ways to prevent mobilization ever since. It has been very effective.

I agree with you about getting involved. If you would do it with me, I would picket in front of the school urging them to shut it down. We could dress up in those white radioactive contamination suits. Maybe they have them at a costume store? I think the first day of school would be great. That's when the most parents drive their kids in. I'm not as courageous as that guy in Buffalo that always pickets alone. I think I just read somewhere that they want to expand the school? Maybe it was in (e:zobar)'s Artvoice links, I can't remember. I don't think the reaction would be very positive though. People don't like to hear these things.

theecarey writes at 12:00:37 08/07/07 - Comment #21827: not everyone is trusting and sitting back.

:::link:::

Have to dig for certain ones, but here are numerous reports and articles out there-- but not exclusive to the internet. A lot of this ^^ (RRG) information gets circulated to homes throughout Youngstown and Lewiston (and parts of Ransomville, I think). By law we receive the analysis reports (for water anyways). There are the town meetings, district meetings, and somewhere, there are book publications. Its a messy situation with a long history. As with anything, people need to get involved, stay involved, get educated and question everything, even there own conclusions.

which reminds me, I'm about due to renew my RRG membership.

From the link to your older post, did you ever get a chance to read through the health analysis reports?

Is there anything specific you are looking for?

zobar writes at 05:49:07 08/06/07 - Comment #21787: 2007-07-26 :::link:::

2007-08-02 :::link:::

- Z

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08/05/07 10:22 - 74ºF - ID#40395

Self Portraits

Maybe it's weird to take lots of pictures of yourself, but sometimes thats all you have.

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08/04/07 03:30 - 81ºF - ID#40379

Why recycle?

This video is of all these kids telling us why we need to recycle. It is the cutest video ever! There are two people who I think of while watching it. (e:matthew) and (e:mike). Remember when Matthew did the reduce reuse recycle user sound? Of course I think of Matthew when I think of kids but I also think about Mike. He is definitely a kid at heart until he dies. He wants to have kids so much too. I know he will, and they will be the cutest/craziest. He could be my baby's Daddy any day. OOh, my baby's Daddy!

I made an honest mistake in my recycling habits and included dry cleaning bags along with grocery bags for recycling in the "blue bin". Anyways, the recycling people put the entire bag of plastic into the trash bin. The only way I was alerted to this was because I opened the can to see if they had taken it yet. I'm really sad that they would throw it out rather than leave it in the bin so I could see that it isn't recyclable. Wegmans takes back plastic bags so I would have continued to bring it there. Luckily I savaged the bags and will bring them there.

My other problem is that I left a cardboard egg carton to be recycled and they left it in the bin. Buffalorecycles.com which is supported by the Mayor, Byron Brown, clearly states that it accepts them. I assumed that they won't take the styrofoam ones, but was shocked that they won't take a cardboard one. So why does there website say that they will recycle them?

Does anyone else have problems with their recycling? I would like to contact the mayor with as much info as possible. Why does Buffalo make recycling so hard when as Joel Giambra clearly states

"Recycling is a matter of importance, not just in Buffalo, but throughout Erie County. Your efforts reduce our reliance on area landfills, which cuts expenses and creates local jobs, and you'll be helping to preserve our beautiful landscape.

Remember that a commitment to our recycling program is a promise made to this region's future. Recycling-it's easy and it's necessary. Together we can make it work.

Buffalo needs more education on recycling. I would love my full-time job to be on community recycling education.

libertad writes at 03:17:58 08/05/07 - Comment #21737: I found a recycling hot-line number that I am going to call with my questions. Their number is 858-6996 and is good for Erie County. I suggest you call them (e:tinypliny). My good friend next door lives in an apt complex and has the exact same problem. This program needs to be accessible to everyone. In addition, everyone needs to know what is recyclable. I do everything, including separating paper and cardboard in separate bins to have my recyclables included, but somehow I still have a problem. I'll update when I get a response from the recycling hotline.

Did anyone watch the video? It's so cute! I'm glad that (e:leetee) hasn't had any problems, but what about the rest of you? I really am curious about Buffalo's program. It seems like it could be so much more successful if everyone knew the details. So many people just get frustrated and give up.

btw. my mother said she brought reusable bags for grocery shopping. That is great, I haven't even done that yet. As soon as I can, I will.

leetee writes at 11:22:06 08/04/07 - Comment #21686: We don't have problems with our recycling. We separate all the paper type things (newspaper, egg cartons, food boxes, scrap papers and doodles) in a paper bag, and then all the other things loose on the other side. i don't think we have ever had anything left in it or thrown into our trash bin.

tinypliny writes at 06:40:26 08/04/07 - Comment #21678: I have a huge problem. My dear building - the Mayflower, doesn't recycle at all. It has 90 odd households and doesn't have a recycle bin!

They have a grey bin right by the elevator in the basement where people put in their newspapers and things which are supposed to be recycled, but an inside source told me that they just have the things put in this grey bin "taken away". I am not sure having it "taken away" by some random agency is equivalent to recycling.

I have been hoarding my recycling for nearly a month now. Paul and many others suggested that I get a bin from the city office and put down the recycling bin near the trash can, on garbage days.

There are two problems in carrying this out.
1. I work the whole week and the office where I am supposed to get the recycle bins isn't open on weekends.
2. If there is no recycling in my bulding - how can I be sure that the contents of the recycling bin I put out will be taken by the recycling chaps? What if its taken away by the garbage chaps? That will defeat the whole purpose. :/

I am somewhat annoyed by the whole non-recycling mentality of my building. I feel so guilty throwing away recycle-able things in the garbage, so I have been collecting them and the corner of my apartment where its all been piling up, looks awful. :/

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08/02/07 04:56 - 91ºF - ID#40358

I ran

Today after leaving the gym on my bike I got hit In the eye by a huge flying bug. I think it actually was a bumble bee. It really hurt like being punched right in the eyeball. I'm used to those gnat like bugs that get stuck in my eyes, but after all the years of biking I have never hit such a big bug and right in the eye ball.

And I ran, I ran so far away.

I forgot to mention my thoughts on the Bridge collapse. Isn't that just about one of everyone's worst fears? I think about all the times I go over the Peace Bridge which has been exposed to extreme weather conditions and for many years. Anyways, the worst would be going head first into the raging Niagara. During rush hour too. It would just be hell. I'm probably going to freak out the next time I'm on the bridge, even though there is not much of a chance that I would be on the bridge that one moment it just snaps.

james writes at 12:22:51 08/05/07 - Comment #21694: lol, that is the funniest thing ever Tiny. And after I showed you the Daler Mehndi dance I thought we connected on a pan-cultural level ^_^

Don't worry about it. Flock of Seagulls hasn't been popular since the early 80's. Not much of a cultural reference at all.

tinypliny writes at 05:52:27 08/03/07 - Comment #21630: I just wikie'd them and they are indeed a band. And damn, this was a pop-culture reference all along. And to think, I revealed my deepest darkest secret over a misunderstood culture reference...

Welcome to being from the other side of the pond, some mountain ranges and a cold desert away.

tinypliny writes at 03:38:38 08/03/07 - Comment #21620: Oh wait, is "Flock of Seagulls" some sort of band??

tinypliny writes at 03:36:40 08/03/07 - Comment #21619: I am not sure if (e:James) was serious, but I *actually* enjoy watching seagulls and hearing their weird cries. :) I know its probably a commentary on some part of my life, buy hey, I am not going to take that back. So there!

james writes at 12:09:20 08/03/07 - Comment #21599: If it makes you feel better that bridge passed inspections in 2006 and 2005. So, just put your faith in the randomness of existence and you wont have to worry about anything.

And can I say that I love Flock of Seagulls? LOVE them. It is very sad.

ladycroft writes at 06:54:00 08/02/07 - Comment #21582: yep, everytime i got stuck in traffic crossing into Canada i thought, don't let today be the day this bridge decides to buckle. i don't want to experience that sense of helplessness, ever.

metalpeter writes at 06:09:53 08/02/07 - Comment #21580: You ran and got a picture of one of those birds, um wow. So I guess that means besides the pain you are ok. I terms of the bridge I don't know much about that story. I being a rider and walker have a different take on it. Yes there is the entire car falling in water fear that you have to open the windows and hopefully the open all the way if you go under cause if you open the doors to much water gets in and the car takes you deeper (or so I have heard) and pop off the seat belt and all that crazy shit. But for me the big concern is being under a bridge or crossing when it happens. Cars flying by and the overpass shaking is kinda weird but what if it shakes to much and something snaps.

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07/31/07 09:50 - 78ºF - ID#40332

Electric blue wine

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07/30/07 07:15 - 83ºF - ID#40315

Lake Effect Laundry

I hate this laundromat I'm at on Main ST. called Lake effect. Sure it is nice to be able to connect online. They have a wall of 12 television sets which is ok, but the laundry is WAY too expensive. It is actually ridiculous. For example they don't have any of the $1.25 top loaders that I usually use, rather they have the "double load" for $2.25 which actually is not even close to twice a top loader. Other than that they have huge machines for $5.00 or $5.50. To dry they only have an option of 14 min. for .60 which is crap. What if your clothes are almost dry? You still have to add .60 even if you only need 7 min. On top of all this they charge you a $1.00 to buy the money card you need to operate the machines. Total crap.

My favorite laundromat remains the Maytag on Delaware next to Boston Market. It is the cheapest, cleanest, and most operational I have been to in the area. They give you a free wash for every ten $1.25 loads.

Update 7/31/07

Maybe I was a bit harsh. The laundromat performs well. The stainless steel driers are beautiful and you don't have to split up a large load. Its just that normally for a week's laundry I spend $10 or less, but here I spent $15. That is just too much to wash my clothes and sheets for a week. The laundromat on Elmwood and Auburn is also expensive, but at least they offer 5 top-loading machines at $1.50. Their $2.25 "double load" machines are the worst at cleaning. Usually when you open them they smell like sewage. I am going to stay faithful to Delaware's Maytag as long as i have a car and don't have laundry in my building. I really shouldn't give them any advertising as I hate when it is busy, for example, SUper Bowl Sunday.

vycious writes at 05:24:07 10/21/08 - Comment #40657: thank you! i actually did a search on google to find the best one in the area, and figured i would just take the advise of an e-stripper.

libertad writes at 12:02:09 08/01/07 - Comment #21516: I don't think its the water source. My theory is that it smells because all of the water doesn't drain out of them and then it just sits there and gets all stank.

tinypliny writes at 01:04:47 08/01/07 - Comment #21497: I would strongly suspect the water source of any washer which smelled like sewage. Who knows what kind of microbes get transferred to your clothes when you wash them in those washers!

Unfortunately, I can't update my laundry journal and say anything nicer. The blond-hair menace remains rampant.

libertad writes at 10:05:52 07/31/07 - Comment #21470: I made an update on this laundromat journal.

mrmike writes at 10:48:44 07/30/07 - Comment #21426: It's priced about the same as the one on Elmwood at Auburn

fellyconnelly writes at 09:54:45 07/30/07 - Comment #21417: i was wondering about local laundrymats... i have a single washer and dryer in my basement which is only 1.25 each... but i think it is the sole washer for the entire development...

tinypliny writes at 08:15:36 07/30/07 - Comment #21409: I think this is the first time I am hearing about a laundromat which has a net connectivity and TVs! I agree with (e:metalpeter). All those extras are definitely the reason why the cost is hovering among the clouds.

What do you think of the laundromat on Elmwood, between North and Summer?

metalpeter writes at 07:24:24 07/30/07 - Comment #21408: What you described pricing wise sounds like how they pay for those TV's and The fact that you can go online there. It sounds like a lot of people other then just you pay for time they don't need.

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07/29/07 09:23 - 69ºF - ID#40294

Sunset

Had a nice time at the PMT get-together. Thanks guys!

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07/26/07 09:03 - 70ºF - ID#40256

Freakology

I too, am disgusted by Scientology. See (e:paul)'s journal

Honestly, even if I make fun of the Pope and all, I can actually see value in Catholicism. On the other hand, I really get angry when I see the Scientologists. Their behavior is dangerous and they prey upon the weak. They moved in right next door to our Buddhist center. When one of our organization's leaders found out that they were our neighbors, they immediately began looking for a new location. He does not want anyone to associate us with them by mistake. We are moving soon.

My mother's husband personally knows someone who was used and then discarded by this group. Actually, the guy was slightly mentally handicapped and had received a rather large inheritance after someone in his family died. In Scientology, in order to advance you must spend money. While I see the need for money in religion, this is a huge red flag for me. If someone said look, if you want to be enlightened ,you MUST give us $300, I would run as far as I could. So anyways, this guy spends all of his inheritance money to advance through their programs and when it dries up, they help him fill out a credit application. Long story short, he maxes out his credit limit and then is disposed. While he was a Scientologists he was instructed not to talk to his family.

My experience next to these people has been strange. It seems like they all walk around smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee like eternal zombies in their uniforms. Yes, (e:enknot), they are FREAKS! Most of them refuse to look at me in the eye because they know I am Buddhist. One time my friend Gerry was outside and found a young kid stumbling around after getting clipped by a car while he was ridding his scooter. It turns out he was the son of a Scientologist (haha) his mother was inside the Scientology building. Other Scientology members came out (not the mother) and they refused to call an ambulance. Gerry told me that the kid's speech was slurred either indicating he was drunk, or more likely had a concussion. The Scientology people (the mother never came out) wanted to bring the kid inside and "heal" him. Gerry called an ambulance.

Yesterday I saw a young woman with young children get sucked in by their brainwashing. It really made me sad. How much money will she lose in the hopes to make her life better/happier? Her youngest kid was so cute and he kept pointing at me and wanting her to come over to "our" door. Her older kid I saw dash out of the Scientology building without her and then attempted to cross the street. I had to yell at him to watch the car that probably would have hit him if I weren't standing there. Can't say I blame him though, kids are so perceptive.

I seriously had some issues going to see Hairspray because I didn't want John Travolta to have ANY of my money. I even thought of buying a ticket to another movie, but then I thought that wasn't fair to the other actors/actresses that aren't FREAKS. Why did they choose him to play that part? Let me tell you, he isn't any Divine by any means. Divine may be the filthiest (Pink Flamingos), but Travolta is just a FREAK with lots of money. She is probably rolling over in her grave from the insult.