Going beyond transition

Tag Archives: election

NaNoWriMo Excerpt: The Audacity of Hope (not just something for a president)

Posted on by Posted in Gratitude, Politics, transgender, transition .

I, too, can dare to hope and dream. It’s not just for the privileged few that make up politics and the like. I wrote a lot of this for the National Novel Writing Month 2008. As it happens, today is the day after the election. I hear the morning birds chirping perhaps with a little more ‘pep’ in their chirp; the buses rumbling along with the sound of kids laughing and teasing; the sky, while grey, is still bright in some way.

Hope.

A powerful thing for a great nation and individual men alike.

I sit, gently puffing on my cigar as I ponder my future and what I’m becoming. The Pending Boi inside me is growing up fast with the realization of becoming a man one day, perhaps not quite what I want but the reality of it all. It’s been over 2 years since I started my transition from woman to butch to genderqueer to transguy. Some may question why I did it and why it took so long to do it. No path for any goal is the same for all people. Mine is my own path and it’s a unique one with terror, fear, love, hate, joy, dreams and even hope. I may one day call myself a guy, dropping the trans along the way when my historical self becomes a footnote to my present self. For now, I’m a transguy and I have hope for who I am, where my future lies and what will become.

Maybe one day transmen and transwomen won’t have to announce their transitions of the true selves they are; maybe they’ll be able to just become who they are supposed to be (much like many of us) and all of us will celebrate that, rather than remember the ones lost along the way for being true to themselves.

The cigars I enjoy today are not little Short Storys but rather ones that could make up novels and epics. They come with intricate details that weave a tale of mystery and temptation. I watch as the gentle smoke from the Gurkha Centurian dances at me, beckoning me to join into the story. It becomes the symbol of being apart and yet, being part of. I still remain somewhat of an outsider to life but less so today. I belong here as the transguy I am and the guy I will become.

Maybe one day, we too can have the audacity of hope and dreams to be seen as people.

Maybe.

Nov 4: Will you remember where you were?

Posted on by Posted in Politics .

Today appears to be a historic day in the US. As I read through blogs, twitter message and the like, there this huge sense of pride and patriotism towards being an American and voting today — more so than any other recent point in history. It’s the first time that, potentially, a POC will be elected as a president of the US. A notable thing in itself. And even more important since it will mean somewhat of a policy shift (US politics, like many other nations, it is the wealthiest that get elected — and primarily their interests — that the political process is all about). If the polls are correct and Obama wins, he will likely be the most criticized and watched president yet. There is a lot about the US culture that has skepticism about a non-white president or other political leader. And it’s a fight against historical stereotypes.

Hopefully, regardless of who’s elected I can only hope that this election generates hope and belief in the future for the US. The past 8 years have been trying for the US and for many the future has seemed rather bleek. Regardless of the stock market, if the citizens have hope for what is to come the future tends to go better. Everything is pointing to Obama winning and if he does, it will represent a bit of a watershed as to where US politics will go. It doesn’t mean that discrimination will end nor does it mean that white privilege has stopped. But it does mean a step forward at potentially eliminating both of those.

For me, I’m hopeful that if Obama gets in, the market will shift towards a more positive outlook, that more options will be opened for those that come here looking for dreams and love, and that transgender/transsexual individuals will have more protections. Either way, this is a historic day and it definitely feels like it. I wonder if the turnout will be a record one, particularly in comparison to Canada’s recent election where only about 60% voted. At some point down the road people will ask: where did you vote in 2008 to elect… ?

US Politics: Say what?!

Posted on by Posted in Politics .

You know, I wonder sometimes when politicians (or their handlers) make claims that they don’t think about. My eyes went wide-eyed as I read the following from CNN:

Pressed to provide an example of what McCain had accomplished on that committee, Holtz-Eakin said the senator did not have jurisdiction over financial markets, then he held up his Blackberry, telling reporters: “He did this.”

“Telecommunications of the United States, the premiere innovation in the past 15 years, comes right through the Commerce Committee. So you’re looking at the miracle that John McCain helped create,” Holtz-Eakin said. “And that’s what he did. He both regulated and deregulated the industry.” — Sourced: CNN.com

Uh-huh.

Say what?! To make it even more incredulous, McCain can barely use a computer. I almost split a gut laughing so hard at how ridiculous all this was. If he was at least some computer geek, it’d make some sense but no, he was chair of Commerce Committee and thus, this apparently is how he created the Blackberry. I wonder if that is also how he figured that giving tax breaks of $5000 would improve health care? So I get to go broke first dealing with health issues and then perhaps, maybe, get a tax break. I probably wouldn’t need it since I’d be on welfare or worse at that point.

Anyways, the last time something like this happened was when Gore claimed he invented the internet. While McCain might have been part of the committee that made it easier for Blackberry to become persuasive in the US, he sure didn’t invent it. It is no wonder that people cannot trust politicians because they don’t seem able to be clear about the message they want to get across to their constituents. I mean, seriously, how hard is it?

As a Canadian I’m particularly irked about this since RIM (Research in Motion) is the company that actually created and invented the Blackberry. To me, this all smacks of the arrogance of McCain et al. Listening to him this morning, saying how taxing those with incomes over $200,000 isn’t necessary and that “40% of Americans aren’t paying taxes”. Really?! Then what’s coming off my paycheck, Mr. McCain??

Further, McCain went on to say that Obama’s plan would result in greater spending given his health plan and others. So, all that military spending isn’t hurting at over a trillion a year?! And this supports the middle-class and low-income workers? Taxing them more by McCain. Yes, Obama would be doing “income redistrubtion” but is that really bad? Why should only the rich have the right to buy food, health care and dream “the American dream”?

To me, McCain sounds no different than Bush. In fact, I had CNN on this morning while in the shower and as I walked out in the living room I thought it was Bush on TV (I couldn’t see who was on at the time). Quite honestly, McCain still seems to be promoting what Bush has been doing thus far and expanding it even further. To me, that will just destroy the lives of the average person and the average family. Blaming Wall Street for the recent stock market activities isn’t the answer. Helping teh average user out of this situation and given them a safety net to bet on that will be there so they won’t have to take risks let “betting” on the stock market, loans, credit cards and gambling at Hold ‘Em Poker Tournaments would be far better.

The best answer would be to remove the lies of who the average American is and who the average American isn’t. Then perhaps both candidates can really present and institute plans that’d work for all.

Now how’s that for a novel concept?

US Politics: Uh.. HUH?!

Posted on by Posted in Politics .

A long time ago, in a life far, far away, I was a conservative. Yes, I bow my head in shame on that now but eh, when your young and exploring life in university for the first time you’re open and vulnerable. In fact, they were the first to treat me as a person rather than a “fat chick”. It was a nice feeling. And granted, there were some things that I had believed in at that point: the reality that the present system just cannot support all the baby boomers about to retire, the independence of the individual and the avoidance of government forcing it’s will on others, the reality that all pay taxes (especially to support the previously mentioned baby boomers) and a few other things. I look back at it now and some things I didn’t have a clear view on. I did figure that being with the party in control would open the door into a life of diplomacy, something I believed in and still believe in. I also believed in Canada’s Peacekeeper role, where troops were often sent in-between two warring states to act as mediator (without guns sometimes) and help the locals with basic necessities.

Then life showed me how naive I really was and how a political life isn’t about making a difference. It’s about image, lies and personal gain, particularly for the status quo (to this day, this remains white males — an ironic fact that isn’t lost on me right now).

As a Canadian living in the US for the first time it’s been interesting watching the political process. I have to say that picking now to move to the US (well, actually last December but close enough) has opened my eyes some what. I’m still trying to understand it all but here’s what I get: each party elects a “leader” who will represent that party as a “presidential candidate”. That person selects their 2nd in command aka the “Veep”. This process takes almost 2 years and costs millions upon millions of dollars. It’s mind-boggling, actually. I rarely see ads here and yet, I remember seeing lots of US political ads when I was home (go figure). So, I get asked what I think about the process.

The one thing that I find fascinating is the lack of info that the average person gets. I mean, unless you actively dig at a politican’s website you won’t find out what they stand for outside of the news bites you get from CNN, Fox, et al. And let’s be real. That isn’t news. It’s just a form of advertising. There is no non-biased news that actually educates us on what the issues are, presenting both sides truly in a balanced method. That hasn’t existed EVER.

But what I found most interesting was the introduction of Sarah Palin as “Veep” for the Republicans and the “swarming” of former Democrat Clinton supports to her side.

Because she’s a woman.

Uh.. say what?! Hey, I don’t deny my past but I got a reality check that caused a major shift in the way I look at things. This isn’t the case. These women are voting for Palin (well, not really. They would be voting for McCain and he’s just bringing Palin along for the ride) because she’s a woman. That’s no better than voting for McCain because he’s a man.

Uh… this is the most important position, apparently, in this country. Shouldn’t you vote for someone who is going to do what they say and because they represent what you believe in??? I suppose it just highlights the white privilege in this nation and the desire to keep the status quo. Looking at the McCain website (or do what I did and visit here to see an abbreviated view of her views) and you can see she is a republican through-and-through: no to abortion (regardless of the reason for the pregnancy); belief in tying of religion and government (so much for separation of state, eh?); believes in Creationism and it should be taught in schools (kids go to school for an education, not religion — that should be a family thing at home); believes that global warming isn’t man-made (uh.. WHAT?! Must be them mooing cows from my last post); thinks polar bears aren’t endangered (right — we’re seeing less because they are on vacation in the Bahamas); supports NRA (just in case those endangered bears threaten, eh?); believes that health care should be market driven (compared to us “commies” up north where we get, at the least, basic health care that can be preventative); and.. well. I think you get the picture.

Add to this that you never really vote for the Veep. Now that is the thing that really gets me. Yes, McCain is old and could kick the bucket soon but I find that those that are cranky tend to have the longest lives because they have the most to bitch about (should mean I have a long life yet ahead of me). So many of Clinton’s supporters who are now switching their votes are doing so because they want to vote for Palin. But, uh, unless I’ve misunderstood something, you don’t really vote for the Veep. You vote for the Prez and they bring their running mate along.

I have no doubts that electing McCain (and thus, by proxy, Palin) would mean that I would be booted out fast (I’d imagine a few citizens would want to join me up in the land of the Snow, Hosers and Beer, eh?) since immigration and tightening of immigration seems on the plate, regardless of what one brings into the nation “founded” on immigation (let’s be real that it was founded on slavery, torture, genocide and other things but that is another blog entry for another day). And, given her views on same-sex partnerships, I have no doubts that my trans status would put me on a list of some sort to be rejected for a visa, although my being white may buy me some “grace period” or “favouritism”. I know that I wouldn’t go over as part of God’s plan (I’ve always wanted to ask someone how they know that this isn’t God’s plan but never got the opportunity).

So at this point, my view is that American politics are weird. You don’t really vote for your president and sure as hell don’t vote for your “Veep”. And it takes about 2+ years to get to here. Compare this to the 30-60 days it takes in Canada (and there you vote for your Member of Parliament, whose party may or may not be the overall winner). It’s a little more direct, IMO, compared to what’s here. At least in Canada, people vote a little more for reasons other than someone’s gender.

It’s definitely interesting to say the least from the view point of this armchair political analyst.

Verrry interesting..