The things I didn’t know

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howtosurviveaplague_aidsribbonOn Friday, November 30, I attended a special showing of the documentary “How to survive a plague”, shown in Fresno.  Using archival video, the film showcases the efforts of ACT UP and TAG during the early years in the battle against AIDS.

I think what amazes me the most is how much of this battle I was oblivious to, even though I was a young adult at the time.  I recognized some of the media coverage of events from having seen it on television while it was happening, but I was unaware, even as recently as Thursday last, that most of the impetuous that drove research was due to pressure imposed by these groups.

Presented in a chronological progression, the challenges faced by those infected, as the community struggled to deal with this mysterious new killer, are laid out for the viewer.  The continuing dismissal by those in power of the victims of this illness, the slow movement in funding and research as the death toll climbed, and the clear impression given by many that those infected with HIV simply got what they deserved, are all things of which I was aware.

What I didn’t know, and now completely changes my outlook on a history that I lived through, is how the protests and actions of ACT UP and TAG were instrumental in forcing government and the pharmaceutical industry to respond.  It becomes clear that thousands, hundreds of thousands, or perhaps even millions more would have died without the concerted efforts of a relatively few people, many of whom were also suffering from AIDS.

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Eviction process in final stages

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It’s down to the wire on the eviction of the relative who just won’t leave.  I have two more documents to file with the court, the proof of service and a request for a Clerk’s judgement.  I’m not sure what happens on the Court side of things once I file those forms, either I have to wait for them to process a judgement, or the clerk I file them with may be able to approve them on the spot (that’s what I’m hoping).  If that’s the case, then I’ll take the paperwork over to the Sheriff’s Civil Division to be served.  At that point, it’s less than 2 weeks before I have my house back.

He’s been here ten years, put four holes in various walls, broke the lid to the toilet tank (how the hell do you break a toilet tank lid??), probably ruined the carpet in his bedroom, knocked the closet doors off their runners (I’ll probably have to replace the whole closet door assembly), More

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My dear friend Ted is bringing this documentary film to Fresno. Come watch it with us!

Sheer unadulterated bragging

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How’s this for self-importance??  I’m being followed on Twitter by a United States Senator!  I wonder if he can get Boxer and Feinstein to follow me, too??

Someone looking for us?

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Yesterday’s search engine terms that directed someone to my page:

“sherry gomez” visalia  (my sister)

“wanda reeves” visalia (my mother)

who is jim reeves visalia (me)

Can I help you with something?  Send me an email.  The address is right there in the right hand column, in the “about” section.

Cheers.

Hobnobbing with the stars

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This afternoon I attended a gathering at the Tulare County Democratic Party’s office in Visalia.  The event was hosted by Otto Lee, who ran against Devin Nunes for the office of Congressional Representative for the 22nd District of California.  Nunes won, but Otto made a respectable showing, even with Nunes refusing all offers to debate or appear together to discuss issues.

I spent two hours at the event, meeting a few people, talking with Otto and others, and came away hopeful for the future.  In a very red area, there’s real potential for putting a bluer hue on the picture.  The future may surprise Nunes, especially if he continues to discount competition for his seat.  Nothing in politics is guaranteed, and taking your constituents for granted is never wise.  Next election, Nunes will have been in office for 12 years, and his district has next to nothing to show for it.  It’s still one of the poorest in California, with some of the highest unemployment, and that has not changed during his tenure.

I don’t know if Otto Lee will run again in two years, but I hope he does.  This district could use new ideas, and a fresh perspective.  Sometimes, it’s possible to be to close to a problem to see a solution, and having the viewpoint of someone new to the area might just be the fresh air we need.  Regardless of whether the next election sees Otto run again, or some other Democrat steps up, the demographics of the region are rapidly changing, and the GOP has been doing everything in it’s power to run from the very groups that will dominate the future.  If they don’t change, their party faces a future of marginalization and irrelevance.

Otto Lee 2014!  😉

Now I can breathe!

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How do I spell relief? O-B-A-M-A!

Uh…. Twitter? These are not people. Regardless of what Willard says.

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Yes, people run them, but that’s as close as it gets.

Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

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Monday

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It’s Monday.  It’s been raining.  My work week begins anew.  I really don’t want to get up and out of this nice warm waterbed, but the clock on the computer is warning me I’m already running late.

A positive thing for this week, however, is that the ‘idiot cousin’ will be served with a summons telling him I’ve filed court action to evict him.  Then things start moving faster.  He’s been here ten years.  That’s long enough.

Wednesday I’ll be part of a PFLAG panel speaking at the Visalia Unified School District meeting, on issues facing the LGBTQ community.  I’ve never done anything like that before, so it will be interesting, to say the least.  6:30 pm, at their facility on Atwood, just north of Cypress, behind the VUSD office.

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