May 13
MsBoyer commented on
There Is No Goldy.
All depends on how you define "Spiritual," no? The singer quoted sounds deeply confused about the distinction between "spiritual" and "religious".
Not everyone is religious, and not everyone who is religious subscribes to kindergarten notions like "the epic plan of god." Spirituality is a capacity, a line of (potential) development, like cognition or physicality or communication skills. It has little or nothing to do with particular belief systems.
Apr 30
MsBoyer commented on
One Hundred Percent Men.
The 14th Dalai Lama has said (in more than one interview) that the next incarnation may not be male and may not be born in Tibet. Most likely an "official" Dalai Lama will be selected by the Chinese government, and another will be found by the Tibetan search committee and identified as the real 15th incarnation. (Controversy will ensue.) The strategies that the 14th uses to make an ancient and mystical tradition cohere with modern society and social progress shows a lot of thought and creativity. IMHO, natch.
Mar 12
MsBoyer commented on
Bees Getting Ready.
Dandelion makes nice pollen, too. And Camellias. Both in bloom over here on Vashon and the bees are coming in with the bright yellow stuff.
Feb 19
MsBoyer commented on
A Theory of White Native Americans.
It's true that many white Americans claim Native ancestry -- possibly an attempt to dilute or mitigate white guilt.
Yet many actual descendants of Native Americans don't know the details of their own family or ancestral culture -- because of anti-Native racism, their ancestors passed or disappeared into white culture. To lose one's familial and cultural history happens to many target groups, on account of ethnicity, class, religion, etc. Much loss, silence, and grief accumulates around those missing pieces of our history.
If someone claims Native ancestry but is not clear on the details, that can be a signal that their family members were silent about that part of their history. I don't know the story about the well-known folks mentioned here, but it's respectful to assume that people are telling the truth about their family history as far as they know it.
In American culture, few of us know the details of our family's stories. Much has been lost, concealed, given up. Our ancestors did what they had to do to survive; that's why we are here.
Jan 22
MsBoyer commented on
Report: Pacific NW Coal Terminals Are US's Biggest Threat in Climate Change Battle.
The existing public ports are not able or willing to accept coal -- too much volume, not very profitable compared to other types of freight, liability issues, etc -- so the proposed shipping facilities are private, profit-making ventures. Construction of the Bellingham/Cherry Point facility would involve filling hundreds of acres of wetlands, among other impacts.
Jan 10
MsBoyer commented on
2013 Oscar Nominations: Let Us Discuss.
Her name is Quvenzhané Wallis. I don't know how to pronounce it, but I'm tired of hearing a best actress nominee being referred to as "that little girl" -- KUOW reviewer did the same thing yesterday.
Jan 9
MsBoyer commented on
Confirmed: Seattle Weekly Sold.
Righto; Seattle has a daily newspaper, but lacks an effective one. The Seattle Times has been sadly diminished since it lost its main competitor, and the publisher's decision to use the paper as a vehicle for the McKenna campaign makes it impossible to take seriously as journalism. It's tragic to wreck a once-great daily paper, but that happened. Come to think of it, the Weekly was a good paper too, in 1982.
Jan 9
MsBoyer commented on
Confirmed: Seattle Weekly Sold.
I don't think the characterization of "Sound Publishing's other papers, which are light on coverage and serve overwhelmingly as advertisement vessels," is accurate.
Our local paper on Vashon (the Beachcomber) is a solid source of local news, much more than an advertising vehicle. The fine editor says Sound Publishing supports her in doing real reporting, as long as the paper makes a profit. The Beachcomber is a far better paper than the Seattle Weekly has been in recent years.
This sale could lead to the Weekly getting better, giving the Stranger some competition. That would be a good thing, since Seattle no longer has an effective daily paper. No guarantee, natch: Sound Publishing has a lot of papers and some of then are thin, but with a good editor it could go the other way.
Not everyone is religious, and not everyone who is religious subscribes to kindergarten notions like "the epic plan of god." Spirituality is a capacity, a line of (potential) development, like cognition or physicality or communication skills. It has little or nothing to do with particular belief systems.