The DISH
Unbossed and
unbought news and information you can use
Vol. 12 Issue 22…Dedicated to the Dialogue on
Race…June 1, 2009
Intuit's Vibe
He's a Metrosexual
By Stuart McArthur
He's a metrosexual, a quasi-intellectual
A lifestyle oh so flexible,
His six-pack is
delectable
He is tanned, he is buffed,
His Clooney hairstyle is coiffed
His dooner and his pillows are exquisitely fluffed
He used to be a big tough man,
But now I find
he's....he's a metrosexual
His behavior is contextual
His pick-up lines effectual
But even when they're successful
He's c -a - r - e - f
- u - l
His phones have ring-tones,
For the news from Dow Jones
He only uses classic European colognes
He used to wear Brut 33,
But now I find
he's...he's a metrosexual
He's so clean
There's no telling where his stubble was
Lean
machine...Carbohydrates have to go.
He's unavoidable, he's everywhere I look!
He likes to hunt and gather AND he likes to cook!
He cries at tender moments BUT he's not a sook
ONCE he used to LIKE MacDonalds,
Now I find
he's...he's a metrosexual
He's pristine
There's no smelling where his garbage goes
Closet queen...Likes
his dinner and his show
His manner is inscrutable
His girlfriend oh so beautiful
They're careful with their "screw control"
He's not unlike a new Ken doll
He imbibes vintage wines - his demeanor's refined
His uptown pad is architecturally designed
He used to drink bourbon and coke,
But now I find
he's...he's a metrosexual
Eats his greens
Keeps a close eye on his body weight
Lean cuisine...It's the only way to go
Wears sun-screens...That no UV rays can infiltrate
Stuff unseen...He wants no one else to know
He's a metrosexual!
The Southern
Founded
on June 30, 1971 as a legal activist center in the fight for justice and
tolerance, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) began by Morris Dees and
Joseph J. Levin, Jr. in
In 1981, the Center began investigating hate activity as groups like the Ku
Klux Klan began to revive. Currently, the Center's Intelligence Project
monitors these groups and tracks extremist activity throughout the U.S. SPLC
provides full updates to law enforcement, the media, and the public through its
quarterly magazine, Intelligence Report. SPLC staff regularly conducts training
sessions for police, schools, civil rights, and community groups, and often
serves as experts at hearings and conferences.
In 1991, the Center established Teaching Tolerance, an educational program to
help K-12 teachers. It provides educators with free materials and a website
(Tolerance.org) to promote respect for differences and appreciation of
diversity in the classroom and beyond. One portion of the project targets
elementary school children, providing informational material on the history of
the civil rights movement and the cultural history of common words; its
interactive program addresses political topics such as school mascots with
Native American names, the Confederate flag, and popular music and
entertainment. Users of the website are encouraged to consider how racial,
gender, and sexual orientation insensitivity might be displayed in such cases.
A similar educational program
aimed at teenagers in middle and high school includes a "Mix it Up"
project urging readers to participate in various school activities that
encourage interaction between different social groups. Other features of the
teen educational project include political activism tips and reports
highlighting examples of student activism. A monthly SPLC publication for teens
promotes a highlighted political movement, normally focusing on minority,
feminist, and LGBT youth organizations. The program also provides publications
to students such as "Ways to fight hate on campus" with ideas for
community activism and diversity education.
Teaching Tolerance also provides advice and materials for parents aimed at
encouraging multiculturalism in the upbringing of their children. A guide
published by the project urges parents to "examine the 'diversity profile'
for your children's friends," move to "integrated and economically
diverse neighborhoods," and discourage children from playing with toys or
adopting heroes that "promote violence." The publication also advises
parents on the use of culturally sensitive language such as promoting
gender-neutral phraseology such as "Someone Special Day" instead of
the traditional Mothers Day or Fathers Day and urges them to ensure
"cultural diversity reflected in your home's artwork, music and
literature."
What started as a small legal
activist center is today an organization internationally known for its
tolerance education programs, its legal victories against white supremacists
and its tracking of hate groups. The Center's legal department fights all forms
of discrimination and works to protect society's most vulnerable members,
handling innovative cases that few lawyers are willing to take. Over three
decades, it has achieved important legal victories, landmark Supreme Court
decisions, and jury verdicts against hate groups. (Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org, www.aaregistry.com and www.splcenter.org)
By John Burl Smith
British beekeepers are pressing
for government action based on mounting evidence that neonicotinoid
insecticides damage neurological and immune systems of honey bees. Also, in
A wide range of chemicals such as
2, 4-D are used in cereal crop production and in household weed killers to
treat everything from pests to mold. Organizations, like the Sierra Club and
the Canadian Cancer Society, support wide bans on so-called cosmetic pesticides
and herbicides. Moreover, in the
The Ontario College of Family
Physicians (OCFP) released (4-23-04) a comprehensive review of research on the
effects of pesticides on human health. The OCFP represents more than 6,700
family physicians that provide care to remote, rural, suburban, urban and
inner-city
Their review showed consistent
links to serious illnesses such as cancer, reproductive problems and
neurological diseases, among others and that children are particularly
vulnerable to pesticides. Many studies reviewed showed positive associations
between solid tumors and pesticide exposure, including brain cancer, prostate
cancer, kidney cancer and pancreatic cancer, among others. Still other studies
found 2,4-D and related pesticides were possibly links to non-Hodgkin's
lymphoma (NHL). It was clear from the review that an association exists between
pesticide exposure and leukemia. The review team consistently found what it believes
to be indications that the nervous system is negatively affected by pesticide
exposures. Also, occupational exposure to agricultural chemicals may impact
reproduction adversely, including birth defects, fetal death and intrauterine
growth retardation.
Following its review, the College
said its key finding was an association between pesticide exposures and cancer
in children. Also an elevated risk of kidney cancer was associated with
paternal pesticide exposure through agriculture, while four other studies found
associations with brain cancer. Several studies implicated pesticides as a
possible causal factor of hematologic tumors in children, including
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukemia. They stated that some children have
overall increased risk of acute leukemia if exposed to pesticides in utero or
during childhood, especially for exposure to insecticides and herbicides used
on lawns, fruit trees and gardens, and for indoor control of insects.
Concerned about "colony collapse," the New Zealand Beekeepers'
Association CEO Jim Edwards said local beekeepers are anxious about the reports
from
Bees seem to be canaries in the
mine around the world; while politicians look the other way to avoid seeing the
danger, the buzzing of bees fall silent. Pesticide, insecticide and herbicide
bans are really the world's only hope; but the debate is reminiscent of the
denial about global warming during the 1980s and '90s. Everyone agrees
something bad is happening to bees, but the deep pockets of agri-businesses and
chemical companies control politicians. This debate is not just about food
production and its cost, pretty green lawns and golf courses or even the pesky
ants and roaches we despise, these chemicals are taking a huge bite out of the
health care apple from the birth canal to the grave. And like global warming,
sooner or later, the cost in lives and dollars will come home like chickens to
their roost. (Sources: www.canada.com, www.cfpc.ca, www.ci.atherton.ca.us,
www.planetark.com, www.bclocalnews.com
and http://tvnz.co.nz)
Man-Made Chemicals Remaking Man
By John Burl Smith
Many man-made chemicals include
pesticides, insecticides and herbicides as well as substances like PCBs -- now
banned but still in widespread use in the environment -- have been identified
as "endocrine disrupters" or "gender-benders" because they
interfere with male hormones' activities. For instance, phthalates are used in
food wrapping, cosmetics and baby powders among other applications, and flame
retardants in furniture and electrical goods. These "gender-bending"
chemicals mimic the female hormone oestrogen and can disrupt the development of
baby boys. A study released in 2005 presented evidence linking certain
chemicals in everyday plastics to effects in humans. The relevance of this line
of inquiry came to a head in
Across the ocean, new American
research showed that baby boys born to women exposed to a wide range of such
chemicals during pregnancy are born with smaller penises and feminized
genitals. According to Gwynne Lyons, a former government adviser on the health
effects of chemicals, author of the report published by the charity CHEMTrust,
"This research shows that the basic male tool kit is under threat."
Wildlife and people have been exposed to more than 100,000 new chemicals in
recent years, and a European Commission admitted that "99 % of them are
not adequately regulated. There is not even proper safety information on 85 %
of them."
Although Lyons' report -- which drew on more than 250 scientific studies from
around the world - concentrated mainly on wildlife, it identified effects in
species ranging from polar bears of the Arctic to the eland of the South
African plains, and from whales in the depths of the oceans to high-flying
falcons and eagles; its ominous implication are dire for humans. The review
concluded that: "Males of species from each of the main classes of
vertebrates (including bony fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals) have
been affected by chemicals in the environment. Feminization of numerous male
vertebrate species is now a widespread occurrence. All vertebrates have similar
sex hormone receptors, which have been conserved in evolution. Analogous to
canaries in a mine, observations in one species may serve to highlight
pollution issues of concern for other vertebrates, including humans."
Among the first to show widespread gender-bending effects, fish are
particularly affected because they are immersed in contaminants -- swiming in
pollutants in water -- taking them in not only in their food but through their
gills and outer covering. Half the male fish in British's lowland rivers are
developing eggs in their testes. Female hormones - largely from contraceptive
pills which pass unaltered through sewage treatment - are partly responsible.
More than three-quarters of sewage works checked discharge demasculinising
man-made chemicals. As a result, feminizing effects have now been discovered
not only in a host of freshwater fish species as far away as Japan and Benin,
in Africa, but in the North Sea, the Mediterranean, Osaka Bay in Japan and
Puget Sound on the US west coast.
At the other end of the world, hermaphrodite polar bears - with penises and
vaginas - have been discovered and gender-bender chemicals have been found to
reduce sperm counts and penis lengths in those that remained male.
Dire for humans, new research at the
These incriminating findings came from a study of 85 baby boys born to women
exposed to everyday levels of phthalates during pregnancy. The study's author
Shanna Swan developed an index of feminization by measuring the
"anogenital distance" (AGD) -- length from the anus to the base of
the penis. She also measured the volume of each boy's penis. Earlier studies
showed that the AGD of boys is two times that in girls, mainly because in boys
the hormone testosterone extends the length of the perineum separating the anus
from the testicles. In animals, AGD is reduced by phthalates, which mimic
oestrogen that keeps testosterone from doing its normal job. Animals develop
more serious abnormalities such as undescended testicles and misplaced openings
to the urethra on the penis at high levels. This group of symptoms is called
"phthalate syndrome" in animals and dysgenesis syndrome in humans.
The discovery of Antiandrogens -- chemicals capable of preventing or inhibiting
the biologic effects of androgens -- a male sex hormone -- on normally
responsive tissues in the body has introduced a new threat. Antiandrogens are
given to transsexual men who want to become women and to sex offenders released
from prison to reduce their sexual libido. These substances have the effect of
counteracting masculinization and effectively diminishing normal male
biological characteristics associated with the release of testosterone.
Antiandrogens are another substance found in the water supply, which is not
removed at water treatment facilities.
Shockingly, 80 % of male fish found in waterways located close to sewage
treatment facilities have female characteristics as a result of such chemicals.
The alarming fact that male sperm counts have dropped by more than a third
since 1989 support fears that pollution of the water supply is also creating
infertility in men. Studies in more than 20 countries showed that sperm counts
dropped from 150 million per millilitre of sperm fluid to 60 million over 50
years. (Sources: www.independent.co.uk, www.newscientist.com, www.telegraph.co.uk, www.dailymail.co.uk, www.prisonplanet.com and http://arstechnica.com)
On Katz's Blending
By Dot
The
Athens Boys Choir, which is really a one-person group headed by Harvey Katz,
recently performed with Gretchen Phillips and Daddy Jane at the Eyedrum Art and
Music Gallery in Atlanta, Georgia as part of MondoHomo 2009. According to www.mondohomo.com, MondoHomo is "the South's
queer art, spoken word, dance party, hip-hop-electro clash, politics, film,
BBQ, circus arts, theater, music, burlesque, social action diversity-lovin'
festival of fun queer space."
A Creative Loafing article by Chris Parker on the solo musician, Harvey Katz
(Gaydar on blast, May 20-26, 2009), highlights cuts from his latest CD, Bar Mitzvah Superhits of the '80s, '90s, and Today.
For the most part, Katz's work deals with the struggles and triumphs of being a
transgender person in today's society. Being Jewish and gay living in the South
no doubt is a challenge, one that Katz has addressed often in his music and at
events organized to discuss lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT)
issues.
Born Beth Katz in
To make identifying himself less tricky, Katz is taking
hormone therapy to appear more masculine. According to Katz, "One of the
reasons I went on testosterone was because, except for my friends, the whole
world saw me as a 14-year-old boy. Living in this constant Peter Pan state, I
was just like, 'I have to grow up.' It worked quick; I aged 10 years in three
years."
Clearly Katz, who is only twenty-five (25), has more growing
up to do. However, he feels less angst today than he used to when people asked,
"How do you know you're this?" According to Katz, "I think most
of it was feeling inadequate because I didn't have a good answer to give
people. And now I just think, well, whatever, I am the way I am; that's how I
know I'm that." Hardly a
satisfactory answer to such a burning question! Katz and others struggling with gender
blending will in all likelihood continue to confront the question of gender
identity.
Gay-Bashing and Bullying?
By Dot
On
April 16, 2009, fifth grader Jaheem Herrera hanged himself at the home he
shared with his mother, Masika Bermudez, who claims her son was the victim of
constant bullying at
On May 20, retired Fulton County
Judge Thelma Moore, who was commissioned by DeKalb School Superintendent
Crawford Lewis to conduct an internal review, announced her findings at a
nearly hour-long press conference. According to Judge Moore, who earned $350
per hour and interviewed more than 50 witnesses, "My conclusion is that
there is no evidence of bullying at Dunaire in respect to this investigation.
There is name-calling, there is teasing, but I will tell you that it is almost
always done outside the presence of adults. There is no report of this to any
adult. There is a code of silence among the students."
Several incidences cited in Judge
Moore's report include a fight in the boys' bathroom in which Jaheem was kicked
in the head and teasing on April 13 in which Jaheem was called "gay"
for bringing a pink book bag to school. The latter incidence occurred three
days before his death.
Judge Moore's findings have drawn strong criticism from parents, students and
activists that claim bullying occurs quite often at this school. Some parents
and students provided testimony that Judge Moore failed to cite in her review.
In addition, the fact that neither Ms. Bermudez, nor her lawyer, Gerald Griggs,
was allowed to attend the press conference has also drawn criticism. Ms.
Bermudez, her attorney and several activists, including Atlanta City Councilman
Derrick Boazman, were denied access to the boardroom, where the press
conference was being conducted. Councilman Boazman and other activists stood
outside chanting "shame, shame, shame." Boazman was arrested by DeKalb School
Police for disorderly conduct.
No copy of the report was made available at the press conference and none has
been posted online. Cross Roads News (www.crossroadsnews.com)
has requested copies of the report under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Ms. Bermudez and her attorney have filed an intent to sue the DeKalb County
School System.
Disgruntled wants to know:
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) has called on physicians
to educate their patients, the medical community, and the public to avoid GM
(genetically modified) foods when possible and provide educational materials
concerning GM foods and health risks. Their warning included a call for a
moratorium on GM foods, long-term independent studies and labeling. AAEM's call
cited several animal studies that indicated serious health risks associated
with GM foods, including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging,
insulin regulation, changes to major organs and the gastrointestinal system.
Given the growing body of research on genetically modified foods and organisms,
one must ask the question, are we being changed by the food we consume? And, if we are being modified, how?
Disgruntled
says: In my humble opinion, at least among those with whom I have become
familiar, people cannot drive and converse on the cell phone safely. It has
become crystal clear that these activities are mutually exclusive. When
performed together, they cause accidents, create rage among drivers that experience
near misses, in term of accidents, and otherwise slow down expressway traffic
and increase the incidences of other no-nos, including illegal lane changes and
improper or no signaling. Even when riding the bus, where the driving is left
to others, folks on cell phones lose all sense of perspective and self-respect.
They seem willing to openly discuss the most intimate subjects. The public is
invariably assaulted as cell phone users air their dirty laundry. There ought
to be some restrictions, either legal, common courtesy or something to scale
back the use of cell phones in the case of non-emergency situations and in
public places. For the sake of public safety, it might not be a bad idea to end
cell phone use and driving altogether.
Disgruntled
feels: Acceptable! The report or statement issued by Judge Moore on
Mailbox: E-Mails, Faxes and
Telephone Calls
Email www.mlive.com/bay-city ...No charges for
police in death of
Email rowan.berkeley@googlemail.com
...I agree with both RamKumar and Zuma about this, but I do not agree with
Peter (and many others) that the 'Trotskyite' use of gays (and feminists) in
politics is 'Leftist' in any sense at all. On the contrary, I consider sexual
politics to be a bourgeois distraction from class struggle, and a reactionary
force, which uses the misleading liberal term 'progressive' to confuse people.
This is a result of the