Page C6 of today's Journal Star has an article entitled, Ghosts of Glen Oak. It includes pictures of Glen Oak Park in its prime. Glen Oak Park used to host beautiful, elaborate sunken gardens. Boaters frequented the park's lagoon during warm months. Ice skaters took advantage of the lagoon when it froze over in winter. There were amazing structures, including Palm house, which was "an imposing glassdomed conservatory in which visitors could stroll among exotic plants and secret pools beneath its canopy of palms." The article suggests that Glen Oak Park rivaled New York City's Central Park, and certainly could put any Chicago park to shame.
So what the hell happened?
My guess is that it all went the way of the Palm House, "torn down in 1951, considered too expensive to maintain."
The pictures lead one to believe that Glen Oak Park was nothing short of idyllic. I envy the previous generations that were able to enjoy it, while -if you believe the drawings- swathed in their gorgeous long gowns and enormous hats. Hey. It was the Victorian Age. It could have happened.
If I had grown up in Peoria back then, I too would morn the destruction of Glen Oak Park. The sunken gardens have long since been filled in. Skating on a frozen lagoon in winter? Are you kidding?! Can you spell liability? No matter. If I had grown up playing in what was the very grand Glen Oak Park, expanding the zoo in attempt to generate something as crass as revenue would be the same as blasphemy. Allowing huge portions of the park to be overtaken by the school district for some new fangled and ugly institution... God forbid!
The sad truth: We have a war of generations taking place in Peoria. It isn't so much Caterpillar shoving a new museum, huge civic center, and expanded zoo down the taxpayer's throats, it is haute senior citizens demanding that their idea of culture be heeded. (Oddly, those who don't want the former jewel that once was Glen Oak Park to further dissolve mostly belong to the same generation but not, I would wager, the same tax bracket.)
This technically timid older set refuses to accept the sound superiority of mp3 players, the amazing picture quality of plasma television, and they are horrified that today's pampered youth have little desire to endure freezing cold, whipping wind, and pitted ice of a lagoon. The park district provides indoor ice skating all year. Ever hear of Owen's Center? Any Olympic skaters hail from the lagoon? No? Well Owen's claims Matt Savoy as its own, thank you very much.
Younger generation are more pampered, wealthier, and fatter to be sure. However, younger generation work more hours and have less free time than their parents or grandparents. Women aren't home changing diapers, darning socks and canning tomatoes any more. They work at the office at least a solid forty hours, and come home to prepare meals, wash laundry, and change diapers. When today's working couples get a little free time, they want to make the most of it. Dance under the stars at the park accompanied by the muni band? You got to be kidding. Snoozeville. Give me interactive, 3D, surround sound!
On the other hand, after an exhausting day, snuggling in the media room with the spouse, Chinese take-out, the kids, and a newly released DVD from Blockbuster... a little slice of heaven. Adventure? Education? Exploration? That's why God made vacations and Disney World. Families of modest means find ways to afford air travel, hotels, and theme parks. You can thank another new fangled invention for this- the internet. With Expedia.com and a credit card I can book an elaborate trip to the other side of the country or world in just a few minutes. Travel agent? Huh? Is that some James Bond type character from the olden days?
Perhaps the saddest truth is that even if one could wave a wand, sprinkle magic fairy dust, and wish upon a star to successfully return Glen Oak Park to it's previous glory it would still be under utilized. It would still be too expensive to maintain. It still would not generate revenue.
The school is a good idea. Today's parents want the best schools for their children. Yeah, I know. Glen Oak School was perfect for you. You went to school there, you grew up to pay taxes and you haven't robbed a liquor store. Guess what? We've put people on the moon since you were in school. Expectations and standards have changed. For better or worse, it isn't suitable to send kids to unairconditioned schools filled with abestos. I know, you went to the school of Hard Knocks. Good for you. Forgive the young 'uns. They want better for their kids. They learned that from you.
The Zoo expansion, on the other hand is stupid. Months ago some other blogger (C.J?)called Peoria's Zoo "Craptastic." Absolutely dead on. The AFRICA! Expansion isn't going to change that fact. At best, AFRICA! will be a new (though underfunded) interesting wing of an overall crapstatic zoo. How many times does anyone go to a zoo per year, regardless of how fantastic or crapstatic it is? Once? Twice? The best zoos (St. Louis, Brookfield) are interesting and impressive, but they leave visitors more than just a bit guilt ridden. Animals rarely look to be enjoying themselves. I always leave such places conflicted and more than a bit drained. Yeah the elephants were amazing. Can we really fool ourselves that 3/4 of an acre makes life worth living for these huge creatures more than twice a year? I go to a zoo to entertain kids. No kids? I'm not spending any of my precious free time at a smelly zoo. Or boring museum. Got kids? Twice a year -at best- load up the kids in the minivan, complete with DVD screens, and drive the fam damily to Chicago for some "culture." Read: Shopping, American Girl Store, Navy pier, the theme park disguised as a children's museum, ESPN Restaurant, and if the old ball and chain insists and the kids don't whine, Brookfield Zoo.
Don't sneer. Senior citizens don't know how it is. They don't know what it's like to have a son on a travel soccer team and a daughter in a karate tournament on the same day. They don't understand that the world is full of perverts and today's kids must be driven everywhere. Today's kids are not allowed to walk to school or piano lessons and no responsible parent allows kids to hang out at a park without adult supervision. Nine months out the year it is too cold and too dark by the time the average parent arrives home from work to take Junior to the park. Besides, Junior has a playset in his own backyard and an X-Box in the basement. Junior doesn't want to go to the park.
As an adult and a taxpayer, I should get a choice. The vast majority of Peoria's taxpayers don't really care about a new museum, bigger civic center, or expanded zoo. Frankly, and I disagree with them on this one, they don't want new schools. They certainly don't care enough about these things to be willing to pay for them. A children's museum. You betcha. Folks are willing to voluntarily pay to have it built. It doesn't take Harvard MBA to recognize this as a sign that the Children's Museum will likely generate revenue in the future.
It is ironic that the generation who grew up paying cash, lived within or below their means, and frowned upon debt, now insists that Peoria must have things it doesn't desire, let alone can afford. In a letter to the editor a few weeks back a former mayor of Peoria wrote that attracting young professionals to live and work in Peoria was difficult because, in large part, there was no museum. Bullsh*t.
When planning for Peoria's future, today's City leaders need to accept certain truths. For better or worse, today's young educated professionals -the ones that drive the "knowledge economy" Peoria is desperate to cultivate- care about crime, the cost of living and housing, commute times, and quality public schools for their offspring. As far as recreation, entertainment, and culture are concerned, to be honest, an elaborate shopping mall will suffice.
Monday, September 4
City Outsourcing
Did anyone else see the report last week that Peoria's next budget is over $2 million in the red? Forced by higher government to fund future benefits for employees, Peoria is in trouble come 2007. Might as well put the last nail in the coffin that is Fire Station 11.
One possible solution suggested by Fifth District Councilman Patrick Nichting-outsourcing. No, we most likely won't have to wait for snow plows from India to clear the streets this winter, but look for more private businesses to start taking over what used to be city employee domain.
Private companies are not forced to fund -or even offer- the same benefits local city employees currently enjoy, so they can provide services cheaper than the City can. There are a few departments I would love to see taken over by a private corporation. Namely, code enforcement. The city has apt time to move on slum landlords and homeowners who just don't care that their properties are destroying a neighborhood and inviting crime. I digress.
The outsourcing ploy might work for those city services that depend on braun, but it seems less likely that private enterprise can take over the duties of the City Clerk's Office or the Treasurer's Office for example. Who will be responsible for receiving funds from such revenues as parking tickets, permits, and license requests? Who will keep the minutes of City Council meetings, fill FOA requests, track the budget? Temps from Manpower?
In a capitalist environment, it seems odd that Government would ever pay its employees higher salaries or provide better benefits than private companies. Of course, since City government doesn't provide a profit, it can't work exactly the same way as does private business. Most non-profits pay less and provide far fewer benefits than private businesses. So should the City of Peoria.
Whoever did the original math should be hunted down and shot. Even with a significant tax increase, there is no way the City will be able to provide the benefits it has promised to employees without going broke. Maybe no one saw that health care was going to become so expensive. Maybe the city employees union is too strong. Maybe whoever did the original math on the city employee benefits package was tripping on crack. It really doesn't matter.
I'm not saying that City employees don't work hard. Most of them probably do. I'm not saying they don't deserve healthcare or retirement benefits. They do. Just not better benefits than their bosses (taxpayers) enjoy. Unless you want to give your credit card number to some boiler room operator in India the next time you get a parking ticket downtown, something has got to give.
One possible solution suggested by Fifth District Councilman Patrick Nichting-outsourcing. No, we most likely won't have to wait for snow plows from India to clear the streets this winter, but look for more private businesses to start taking over what used to be city employee domain.
Private companies are not forced to fund -or even offer- the same benefits local city employees currently enjoy, so they can provide services cheaper than the City can. There are a few departments I would love to see taken over by a private corporation. Namely, code enforcement. The city has apt time to move on slum landlords and homeowners who just don't care that their properties are destroying a neighborhood and inviting crime. I digress.
The outsourcing ploy might work for those city services that depend on braun, but it seems less likely that private enterprise can take over the duties of the City Clerk's Office or the Treasurer's Office for example. Who will be responsible for receiving funds from such revenues as parking tickets, permits, and license requests? Who will keep the minutes of City Council meetings, fill FOA requests, track the budget? Temps from Manpower?
In a capitalist environment, it seems odd that Government would ever pay its employees higher salaries or provide better benefits than private companies. Of course, since City government doesn't provide a profit, it can't work exactly the same way as does private business. Most non-profits pay less and provide far fewer benefits than private businesses. So should the City of Peoria.
Whoever did the original math should be hunted down and shot. Even with a significant tax increase, there is no way the City will be able to provide the benefits it has promised to employees without going broke. Maybe no one saw that health care was going to become so expensive. Maybe the city employees union is too strong. Maybe whoever did the original math on the city employee benefits package was tripping on crack. It really doesn't matter.
I'm not saying that City employees don't work hard. Most of them probably do. I'm not saying they don't deserve healthcare or retirement benefits. They do. Just not better benefits than their bosses (taxpayers) enjoy. Unless you want to give your credit card number to some boiler room operator in India the next time you get a parking ticket downtown, something has got to give.
There. Now Quit Yer Bellyachin'
I figured I owed my 12 devoted readers something. Polly promises. You will not find this pic anywhere else on the net. If you do, they stole it from here. I did not realize how difficult it would be to take pictures of one's own foot/leg. I also did not realize how difficult it would be to find a store that sells fishnet stockings in August.
I was told fishnets were a "winter item." Er, they don't seem like they would keep one very warm.
Oh. Then again...
Who Would of Thunk It?
Gasoline prices brought a smile to my face today. A mere $2.74 a gallon. I filled up even though my tank was already half full. Polly typically drives on fumes and prayer. I thought it was nice that gas prices actually fell during a long holiday weekend for a change.
Then it dawned on me.
Greedy oil company bastard scum. Raise gas prices up to well over $3.00 bucks a gallon so the consumer will be delighted to pay a mere $2.74 a gallon. That will end those nasty, time consuming price gouging hearings. Evil geniuses.
Note to self. Buy more Exxon stock when the market opens on Tuesday.
Then it dawned on me.
Greedy oil company bastard scum. Raise gas prices up to well over $3.00 bucks a gallon so the consumer will be delighted to pay a mere $2.74 a gallon. That will end those nasty, time consuming price gouging hearings. Evil geniuses.
Note to self. Buy more Exxon stock when the market opens on Tuesday.
Thursday, August 31
America and the Right to be Stupid
I was listening to NPR in the car Tuesday and one report made me so mad I actually had to pull over, have a talk with myself, and calm down.
Two men in Pakistan. Father and adult son. Both are naturalized U.S. citizens. Both have spent the last four years living in Pakistan. Both are related to a convicted terrorist. Father and son want to come back to America, but find themselves on the "No Fly" list. Which means they will only be allowed to board an airplane headed to the United States after they submit to an interview with the FBI which may or may not include taking a lie detector test.
"No fair!" Father and son whine. "We're American citizens! We should not have to endure such humiliation from our own government. Besides, as Americans, we have the right to be stupid, er, we mean, silent." Being true Americans they file a lawsuit. Said lawsuit has not been dismissed out of hand by a judge, and will likely be heard.
Like there aren't millions of American citizens -who haven't spent the last four years in the Middle East or are related to a convicted terrorist- who also must endure such security screenings? I know a man who jokes that when he wants some action he gets in line at the nearest airport.
Has anyone bothered to inform these Pakistani Americans that "the right to remain silent" is intended to protect those who have been charged with committing a crime? They haven't. Moreover, that they are welcome to keep silent but will simply have to remain in Pakistan?
If this case is actually ever heard in a courtroom, it is ever mounting proof that our country is being run by a very powerful yet pampered, insulated, and naive klan. Not a good combination when attempting to fight a global war on terror. If true, we are so screwed.
Our country has done a lot in an attempt to correct horrid and shameful injustices of the past. Nearly every American first grader has internalized the words, "It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, it only matters who you are on the inside." Our legal system has integrated schools, tried its hand at affirmative action, and generally outted racists for the morons they truly are.
Oddly enough, we now find education and guilt can be a deadly combination. We have concentrated on teaching social justice but have completely neglected teaching street smarts. Perhaps those who run our country from have had no real need for street smarts. They were raised in the safest white bread suburbs. They attended haute schools and colleges where they learned that crime was merely a symptom of society neglecting its own. Huh. I wonder how they processed the criminal convictions of Martha Stewart and Kenneth Lay. Parents probably didn't give them enough hugs. The insulated and privileged did not learn that some people actually choose to be greedy, cruel, and even evil. They admirably learned to respect all religions and accept all nationalities, but did not pick up on the fact that others were being taught to hate and to further their religious agenda by slaughtering innocent people.
Powerful naive intellectuals of this country have had it really good. The world made sense until 9/11. Then, Oh. Crap. The privileged like airplanes. They really enjoy world travel. They are insulated no more. On 9/11 those in first class and corner offices died the same gruesome deaths as those in the cattle car and janitor's closet.
Remarkably, these intellectuals remain painfully slow. How unfortunate that regular folk have to live under the leadership of bright, educated people who can't process the fact that some hate us, want to kill us, simply because we are Americans.
It is a plague. I call it Street Smart Retardation. SSR may be a legitimate addiction, illness, disease, disorder, addiction or whatever. After all, one does not choose raises them. They may have little or no control over the fact that they have been brainwashed out of balance. Have a little sympathy.
It is unfair -but necessary- that blind people not be allowed to drive. It is also unfair -but necessary- that those suffering from SSR not be allowed sit on the bench, make laws, or serve as TSA personnel.
I propose that street smarts be included as a new section on the SATs and graduate school admittance exams. Here is a sample question.
You find yourself walking alone, lost, late at night in an unfamiliar deserted neighborhood. Suddenly you see a very large man coming towards you. You notice that the whites of his eyes are yellow and glassy. He appears not to have bathed for weeks. You notice the handle of a gun sticking out of the waistband of his jeans. This person also happens to be African American. In response:
A. You assume that this guy is dangerous, has hepatitis and a substance abuse problem. You think it is possible that he might rob you or worse. You turn around and run in the opposite direction as fast as you possibly can.
B. You are not sure if this guy is good or bad. Maybe he is just homeless and hungry and intends you no harm. Nonetheless, as he nears you make sure your finger is on the trigger of your mace... just in case.
C. This poor man is one of God's beloved creatures, a member of the human race just like yourself. Maybe he lost his job as a corporate executive at IBM last week in the last round of job cuts. Maybe his job was outsourced to India. Poor thing. He was likely abused and neglected as a little boy. Now the pitiful bloke is downtrodden and homeless. Hey! Maybe he can give you good directions! As he nears closer, you grab your wallet. You want to give him some cash for a hot meal.
Two men in Pakistan. Father and adult son. Both are naturalized U.S. citizens. Both have spent the last four years living in Pakistan. Both are related to a convicted terrorist. Father and son want to come back to America, but find themselves on the "No Fly" list. Which means they will only be allowed to board an airplane headed to the United States after they submit to an interview with the FBI which may or may not include taking a lie detector test.
"No fair!" Father and son whine. "We're American citizens! We should not have to endure such humiliation from our own government. Besides, as Americans, we have the right to be stupid, er, we mean, silent." Being true Americans they file a lawsuit. Said lawsuit has not been dismissed out of hand by a judge, and will likely be heard.
Like there aren't millions of American citizens -who haven't spent the last four years in the Middle East or are related to a convicted terrorist- who also must endure such security screenings? I know a man who jokes that when he wants some action he gets in line at the nearest airport.
Has anyone bothered to inform these Pakistani Americans that "the right to remain silent" is intended to protect those who have been charged with committing a crime? They haven't. Moreover, that they are welcome to keep silent but will simply have to remain in Pakistan?
If this case is actually ever heard in a courtroom, it is ever mounting proof that our country is being run by a very powerful yet pampered, insulated, and naive klan. Not a good combination when attempting to fight a global war on terror. If true, we are so screwed.
Our country has done a lot in an attempt to correct horrid and shameful injustices of the past. Nearly every American first grader has internalized the words, "It doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, it only matters who you are on the inside." Our legal system has integrated schools, tried its hand at affirmative action, and generally outted racists for the morons they truly are.
Oddly enough, we now find education and guilt can be a deadly combination. We have concentrated on teaching social justice but have completely neglected teaching street smarts. Perhaps those who run our country from have had no real need for street smarts. They were raised in the safest white bread suburbs. They attended haute schools and colleges where they learned that crime was merely a symptom of society neglecting its own. Huh. I wonder how they processed the criminal convictions of Martha Stewart and Kenneth Lay. Parents probably didn't give them enough hugs. The insulated and privileged did not learn that some people actually choose to be greedy, cruel, and even evil. They admirably learned to respect all religions and accept all nationalities, but did not pick up on the fact that others were being taught to hate and to further their religious agenda by slaughtering innocent people.
Powerful naive intellectuals of this country have had it really good. The world made sense until 9/11. Then, Oh. Crap. The privileged like airplanes. They really enjoy world travel. They are insulated no more. On 9/11 those in first class and corner offices died the same gruesome deaths as those in the cattle car and janitor's closet.
Remarkably, these intellectuals remain painfully slow. How unfortunate that regular folk have to live under the leadership of bright, educated people who can't process the fact that some hate us, want to kill us, simply because we are Americans.
It is a plague. I call it Street Smart Retardation. SSR may be a legitimate addiction, illness, disease, disorder, addiction or whatever. After all, one does not choose raises them. They may have little or no control over the fact that they have been brainwashed out of balance. Have a little sympathy.
It is unfair -but necessary- that blind people not be allowed to drive. It is also unfair -but necessary- that those suffering from SSR not be allowed sit on the bench, make laws, or serve as TSA personnel.
I propose that street smarts be included as a new section on the SATs and graduate school admittance exams. Here is a sample question.
You find yourself walking alone, lost, late at night in an unfamiliar deserted neighborhood. Suddenly you see a very large man coming towards you. You notice that the whites of his eyes are yellow and glassy. He appears not to have bathed for weeks. You notice the handle of a gun sticking out of the waistband of his jeans. This person also happens to be African American. In response:
A. You assume that this guy is dangerous, has hepatitis and a substance abuse problem. You think it is possible that he might rob you or worse. You turn around and run in the opposite direction as fast as you possibly can.
B. You are not sure if this guy is good or bad. Maybe he is just homeless and hungry and intends you no harm. Nonetheless, as he nears you make sure your finger is on the trigger of your mace... just in case.
C. This poor man is one of God's beloved creatures, a member of the human race just like yourself. Maybe he lost his job as a corporate executive at IBM last week in the last round of job cuts. Maybe his job was outsourced to India. Poor thing. He was likely abused and neglected as a little boy. Now the pitiful bloke is downtrodden and homeless. Hey! Maybe he can give you good directions! As he nears closer, you grab your wallet. You want to give him some cash for a hot meal.
Friday, August 25
Lolly's Got It Right
Someone tell me. If it is okay for insurance companies to profile in order to secure profits, why can't airlines profile in order to save lives? A teenage boy pays more for car insurance than a forty something, married soccer mom. Such rates are based on statistics, not personal habits. Well, until you get into an accident or receive a speeding ticket, that is.
Muslim radicals must be laughing at us. They can count on political correctness and pathetic naive policies to assist them in carrying out their terrorism plots against us. I thought assisted suicide was illegal in this country.
I'm not Muslim or from the Middle East. Nonetheless, if (female) airport security wants to do a body cavity check or even a pelvic exam before my next flight, I will endure it. After all, it would be less invasive than being blown to bits over the Atlantic Ocean.
Instead of calling it "The War on Terror" it should be named "The War to Continue and Embrace American Stupidity."
Someone Check. Are Bill's Eyes Permanently Crossed?
Yup. Billy fell off the wagon and has been playing with his thingy again. I don't think Bill understands why it is so hard for his regular readers to cope with his nasty habit of frequently changing his blog format.
Bill, remember the contrived "New Coke" controversy? Imagine if Nestle announced it would begin adding raisins to all Hershey bars. What if the Wall Street Journal started dotting i's with a big bubbly hearts? What if District 150 announced it was going to take over ancient Glen Oak Park, cover it in asphalt, and place a big, ugly, new fangled institution there? Oh, yeah. That's right...
This is Peoria, Dude. We despise change. Now knock it off before it falls off!
Bill, remember the contrived "New Coke" controversy? Imagine if Nestle announced it would begin adding raisins to all Hershey bars. What if the Wall Street Journal started dotting i's with a big bubbly hearts? What if District 150 announced it was going to take over ancient Glen Oak Park, cover it in asphalt, and place a big, ugly, new fangled institution there? Oh, yeah. That's right...
This is Peoria, Dude. We despise change. Now knock it off before it falls off!
Monday, August 14
Lies, Damned Lies, and Blogging
Polly is in a state of flux. Re-evaluating my place in blog world you might say.
There is a lot going on in the world that I would love to blog on. For starters, Thank God the ACLU doesn't have any pull in Britain. How did British authorities ascertain imminent terrorist attacks via air planes? Wide spread intelligence gathering. Keeping in mind the alleged terrorists were targeting international American flights, I think every U.S. citizen owes a big "Thank you and God Save the Queen" to the diligence and common sense of the British government.
Ah... but I digress. What I wanted to write about was the minor controversy swirling about my blog and the numerous pictures I have posted and the false claims as to my identity. I'm not going to justify anything. Dishonesty and fantasy has been repeatedly implemented on PollyPeoria by its author. My attitude has been, "It's just a blog. It's supposed to be fun. I can post anything that I find amusing and represent myself as anything/one that I believe my twelve devoted readers will find amusing." I really didn't think anyone would take an anonymous blog too seriously. There are upscale, upstanding, responsible, professional blogs out there. This just isn't one of them.
Some of the devoted twelve have e-mailed me to disagree. Since I have come to respect a few of them, I'm reconsidering my attitude, my blogging ethics, and whether or not to remain anonymous. I have to remain anonymous due to work and personal relationships that I hold dear. So the real question is whether or not to remain anonymous or remain at all. Well, whether PollyPeoria should remain at all, that is.
I've underestimated how much I've come to enjoy venting by blog. It has been a healthy experience. I have really come to appreciate what I consider to be blogging's biggest perk: My quirky opinions and my tendency to debate endlessly now only annoy those who choose to read PollyPeoria. Those who choose to be annoyed. I no longer (unknowingly) verbally assault people at bars and cocktail parties. My significant other no longer dreads taking me out in public or to social functions. I have been slow to learn that not everyone enjoys heated political discussions, and some even get their feelings hurt when confronted about their views and beliefs. Imagine that!
I've been a bit surprised as to how strongly some folks feel about the false pics and my fantasy identity. I apologize. I never considered myself a journalist and in my -admittedly- odd world, I didn't think I was being unethical. I figured as long as I wasn't downloading anything artsy, copywrited or trying to make people believe I was seriously Scarlet Johansson, morally I was in the clear. I have attempted to protect my identity, true, but I have also tried to create an identity that makes clear who I am not. Every now and then I will get an e-mail that says something to the effect, "Because of your opinions on ________, everyone at work thinks I'm PollyPeoria and is giving me a hard time. I think PollyPeoria is an idiot and I wish you would post the fact that you- whoever you are, Dumbass- is not _____________." I am sympathetic to those falsely accused of being me. I mean Polly. So, occasionally I have posted a fantasy piece with the purpose of building up my alter identity and also makes it clear that Polly could simply not be George Bush, because George Bush would never mud wrestle. Well, maybe he would, but he would get his ass kicked.
Some folks keep things simple. Back and white. They are who they are and they would never dream of misrepresenting themselves on a blog. Nothing wrong with that, admirable even. I insulted a few of these people by not adhering to the same high standards of transparency. For that, alone, I apologize. Not for being transparent, but because I didn't mean to insult anyone. I simply believe(d?) that it was okay to employ falsehoods on something I never meant to have been taken too seriously.
The problem is that I did have quite a few serious posts that I did want taken seriously. I have blogged on some fairly weighty issues, and certainly didn't want my posts on abortion, gay marriage, or the war in Lebanon to be taken as jokes. I didn't think co-mingling the serious with the silly -meant to misrepresent my identity- as a problem. I thought the divisions between serious and silly were obvious. I have been informed that they weren't.
So Polly is pondering. Even know it all Polly can be wrong. Maybe. I guess. Sorta.
There is a lot going on in the world that I would love to blog on. For starters, Thank God the ACLU doesn't have any pull in Britain. How did British authorities ascertain imminent terrorist attacks via air planes? Wide spread intelligence gathering. Keeping in mind the alleged terrorists were targeting international American flights, I think every U.S. citizen owes a big "Thank you and God Save the Queen" to the diligence and common sense of the British government.
Ah... but I digress. What I wanted to write about was the minor controversy swirling about my blog and the numerous pictures I have posted and the false claims as to my identity. I'm not going to justify anything. Dishonesty and fantasy has been repeatedly implemented on PollyPeoria by its author. My attitude has been, "It's just a blog. It's supposed to be fun. I can post anything that I find amusing and represent myself as anything/one that I believe my twelve devoted readers will find amusing." I really didn't think anyone would take an anonymous blog too seriously. There are upscale, upstanding, responsible, professional blogs out there. This just isn't one of them.
Some of the devoted twelve have e-mailed me to disagree. Since I have come to respect a few of them, I'm reconsidering my attitude, my blogging ethics, and whether or not to remain anonymous. I have to remain anonymous due to work and personal relationships that I hold dear. So the real question is whether or not to remain anonymous or remain at all. Well, whether PollyPeoria should remain at all, that is.
I've underestimated how much I've come to enjoy venting by blog. It has been a healthy experience. I have really come to appreciate what I consider to be blogging's biggest perk: My quirky opinions and my tendency to debate endlessly now only annoy those who choose to read PollyPeoria. Those who choose to be annoyed. I no longer (unknowingly) verbally assault people at bars and cocktail parties. My significant other no longer dreads taking me out in public or to social functions. I have been slow to learn that not everyone enjoys heated political discussions, and some even get their feelings hurt when confronted about their views and beliefs. Imagine that!
I've been a bit surprised as to how strongly some folks feel about the false pics and my fantasy identity. I apologize. I never considered myself a journalist and in my -admittedly- odd world, I didn't think I was being unethical. I figured as long as I wasn't downloading anything artsy, copywrited or trying to make people believe I was seriously Scarlet Johansson, morally I was in the clear. I have attempted to protect my identity, true, but I have also tried to create an identity that makes clear who I am not. Every now and then I will get an e-mail that says something to the effect, "Because of your opinions on ________, everyone at work thinks I'm PollyPeoria and is giving me a hard time. I think PollyPeoria is an idiot and I wish you would post the fact that you- whoever you are, Dumbass- is not _____________." I am sympathetic to those falsely accused of being me. I mean Polly. So, occasionally I have posted a fantasy piece with the purpose of building up my alter identity and also makes it clear that Polly could simply not be George Bush, because George Bush would never mud wrestle. Well, maybe he would, but he would get his ass kicked.
Some folks keep things simple. Back and white. They are who they are and they would never dream of misrepresenting themselves on a blog. Nothing wrong with that, admirable even. I insulted a few of these people by not adhering to the same high standards of transparency. For that, alone, I apologize. Not for being transparent, but because I didn't mean to insult anyone. I simply believe(d?) that it was okay to employ falsehoods on something I never meant to have been taken too seriously.
The problem is that I did have quite a few serious posts that I did want taken seriously. I have blogged on some fairly weighty issues, and certainly didn't want my posts on abortion, gay marriage, or the war in Lebanon to be taken as jokes. I didn't think co-mingling the serious with the silly -meant to misrepresent my identity- as a problem. I thought the divisions between serious and silly were obvious. I have been informed that they weren't.
So Polly is pondering. Even know it all Polly can be wrong. Maybe. I guess. Sorta.
Saturday, August 5
Wednesday, August 2
Passion of the Pathetic
I admit it. I'm a Mel Gibson fan. Not huge or anything. In fact, I've never seen Braveheart or even Mad Max. I did see Passion of the Christ and was impressed that such a solid film was directed by a celeb who starred in all those cop action flicks. I don't think I've seen any of those either. As celebs go, I've always put Gibson in the Good Guy column. He comes off as a nice guy. He's been married to the same woman forever, and has something like a gazillion kids. Plus, he is easy on the eyes. Although Mel's years of smoking have caught up with him. Well, his skin anyway. He's got that turkey neck thing going on. As usual, I digress.
Mel is sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry so sorry for anti Semitic comments he made during his DUI arrest last weekend. He now wants Jewish leaders to meet with him to discuss what is required for Mel to "heal." That's all well and good, I guess, if he is sincere and not just trying to retrieve his career out of the crapper.
What gets me is that Gibson seems to regret his words more than his actions. That is, he is more bothered by his claim, "Jews start all the wars in the world" than he regrets getting behind the wheel of car drunker than a skunk, and driving 80 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. zone. Yes, I know Gibson blames the "disease of alcoholism" and I don't doubt that he qualifies as an alcoholic. I just think Mel and the media should be as concerned that Gibson actually committed an act that could have easily gotten innocent people killed. Maybe if I wrote he committed an act that could have gotten innocent Jewish people killed, my point would be better made. I'm not Jewish, and I freely admit that if Mel had said something rude about women or my religion, I would be pissed- but not as pissed as I would be about the drunk driving.
Gibson's words were both hateful and shameful. However, more fuss is being made over his words (by both the media and Mel) than his CRIME. Like it or not, racist speech is constitutionally protected. This is America. You are free to be an ignorant ass if you want to. Driving in a manner that could have plunged a family off Highway One and into the Pacific Ocean deserves a little jail time. Mel is a repeat offender when it comes to driving drunk. I can buy alcoholism is a disease that is difficult to control. However, I don't buy that one has an addiction to driving while drunk. If Mel could string a bunch of anti Semitic remarks as well as drive a speeding car, I think he was capable of using a phone and a credit card and calling for a taxi.
I really hope Mel gets his meeting and healing with Jewish leaders... while behind bars.
Mel is sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry so sorry for anti Semitic comments he made during his DUI arrest last weekend. He now wants Jewish leaders to meet with him to discuss what is required for Mel to "heal." That's all well and good, I guess, if he is sincere and not just trying to retrieve his career out of the crapper.
What gets me is that Gibson seems to regret his words more than his actions. That is, he is more bothered by his claim, "Jews start all the wars in the world" than he regrets getting behind the wheel of car drunker than a skunk, and driving 80 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. zone. Yes, I know Gibson blames the "disease of alcoholism" and I don't doubt that he qualifies as an alcoholic. I just think Mel and the media should be as concerned that Gibson actually committed an act that could have easily gotten innocent people killed. Maybe if I wrote he committed an act that could have gotten innocent Jewish people killed, my point would be better made. I'm not Jewish, and I freely admit that if Mel had said something rude about women or my religion, I would be pissed- but not as pissed as I would be about the drunk driving.
Gibson's words were both hateful and shameful. However, more fuss is being made over his words (by both the media and Mel) than his CRIME. Like it or not, racist speech is constitutionally protected. This is America. You are free to be an ignorant ass if you want to. Driving in a manner that could have plunged a family off Highway One and into the Pacific Ocean deserves a little jail time. Mel is a repeat offender when it comes to driving drunk. I can buy alcoholism is a disease that is difficult to control. However, I don't buy that one has an addiction to driving while drunk. If Mel could string a bunch of anti Semitic remarks as well as drive a speeding car, I think he was capable of using a phone and a credit card and calling for a taxi.
I really hope Mel gets his meeting and healing with Jewish leaders... while behind bars.
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