http://66.39.102.197/index.php en pjerido@earthlink.net Copyright 2008 2008-10-03T10:13:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/activists/entry/goleft_star_activist_interview_beth_myers/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/goleft_star_activist_interview_beth_myers/#When:08:33:00Z GoLeft’s Star-Activist Interviews GoLeft tracks where pop culture and activism meet (who doesn’t enjoy the escapism of Hollywood and the great shoes?), but the real celebrities of our world are the progressives working every day to fight injustice, improve everyone’s quality of life, and build community. So here’s our version of the celebrity profile: GoLeft’s Star-Activist Interviews, which helps us get to know some amazing people doing fascinating (and important) work. GoLeft has teamed up with STITCH on our Sex and the City action. Read more about what Beth is doing to bring to light the work of women who working in oppressive work conditions around the world. Interview with Beth Myers Beth Myers is the Executive Director of STITCH. 2008-05-26T08:33:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/activists/entry/goleft_star_activist_interview_danielle_bays/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/goleft_star_activist_interview_danielle_bays/#When:15:09:00Z GoLeft’s Star-Activist Interviews GoLeft tracks where pop culture and activism meet (who doesn’t enjoy the escapism of Hollywood and the great shoes?), but the real celebrities of our world are the progressives working every day to fight injustice, improve everyone’s quality of life, and build community. So here’s our version of the celebrity profile: GoLeft’s Star-Activist Interviews, which helps us get to know some amazing people doing fascinating (and important) work. Interview with Danielle Bays Danielle Bays is the Advocacy and Outreach Manager of the animal rights group, Farm Sanctuary. Our GoLeft interview with Danielle revealed a great commitment to building community, balancing one’s activism and personal life and a love of cooking shows. To find out more about the work Danielle is working on, check out http://www.farmsanctuary.org. You can also reach Danielle at activist@farmsanctuary.org. GL: How do you explain your work to people? Danielle: My primary work at Farm Sanctuary is working to find ways to engage and support new and current activists. GL: When did you know you wanted to be an organizer? Danielle: I’ve always loved animals and knew I wanted to do something. I’ve worked on national campaigns, state level campaigns, advocacy and lobbying. And everything I’ve learned made me want to be able to share this work with other people. GL: What is great about being an organizer? Danielle: There are just so many great people out there. As an organizer, I get to build community. And it is one of those things that is lost in society and it is great to be able to build that for activists. It’s a really great feeling. GL: What is the best line you’ve ever used to engage someone in your campaign? Danielle: We’re lucky at Farm Sanctuary because we advocate for animals and they kind of speak for themselves. They are a good opening line and visual. One slogan that we are using now that I get a really good reaction to is “A compassionate world begins with you”. I use that line in all different contexts. GL: What do you love about pop culture? Danielle: Pop culture is a good escape and at times it can be really telling and insightful. I enjoy when I can watch and be entertained and educated at the same time. GL: When was the last time you used a pop cultural reference in your work? Danielle: I love watching Top Chef, it’s a really compelling show that draws you in. But they use a lot of animals in the show and they also use foie gras, which we have a campaign against here at Farm Sanctuary. This is one area where our issue is tied into pop culture. Top Chef’s new season will take place in Chicago, which recently issued a ban on foie gras. Farm Sanctuary contacted the show about ending their use but have not heard back yet. GL:  Which celebrity would you love to come out on your issue and why? Danielle: This is a really hard question for me. Here at Farm Sanctuary we have some really good supporters. I am reluctant to name any “wish celebrity” because for us when we have someone come out who does not really support the cause, who comes out because someone asks them to and they haven’t really committed to make a change in their lives, it ends up hurting us more. I’m thinking of the time some models came out against fur and then ended up wearing fur. That said, I would love to see the contestants on Top Chef refuse to cook meat and push for all vegan meals. GL: What music lyrics do you live by? Danielle: “Meat is Murder” by the Smiths. Listening to that song coincided with my going vegetarian back while I was in high school. I was a big Smith’s fan, but didn’t have a lot of exposure to vegetarians or people who took a stance, changed their lifestyle, because of concern for animals, or really for any belief. It has obviously stuck with me. GL: How do you balance your passion for your activism with your passion for your partner? Danielle: That’s easy for me now because I’m single. I do work from home now so I can have a better relationship with my companion animals. GL: Does your family support the work that you do and is that important to you? Danielle: I do. They are very supportive even without having a full grasp of what I do. I come from a family of teachers not activists. They have been supportive of my choices, working in non-profit and not making lots of money. I would not want to do this work if I were estranged from my family it would also be contrary to our organizing goals of building community. GL:  Is there a relationship depicted in pop culture (fictional or real) that you admire or think is a healthy model? Why? Danielle: I’m living in Boston right now and so I have to relate to crazed Red Sox fans. I went to see the movie “Fever Pitch” with Drew Barrymore. In that movie the guy Drew Barrymore’s character starts dating is a diehard baseball fan and would always have his relationships fail when baseball season began. I saw this movie and thought about the parallel to activism. What I loved seeing in the movie is how they balanced their obsessions/passions. The characters in the movie recognized that they could have their independent time while respecting each other’s obsession and quirks. I found this movie very relevant to us who lack boundaries to our work and personal lives. GL: When solicitors come to your door do you answer or pretend not to be home? Danielle: I usually answer because my dogs will bark and it’s hard to pretend not to be home. I do like to engage them in conversation and share thoughts whether or not I agree with them. I like to support and encourage activists GL: What is your astrological sign and how does that affect your organizing? Danielle: I’m a Sagittarius, which makes me a free spirit and pioneer attitudes moving in new ways. 2008-05-17T15:09:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/activists/entry/caroline_mcandrews/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/caroline_mcandrews/#When:01:29:00Z I live here/I want to live here I live in New York/ I want to live in London (someday!) I am currently reading On Beauty By Zadie Smith My first political action was Clinic defense in Los Angeles My idea of a better world includes Happy, healthy, wanted children and someone to take care of Britney Spears What I love about being an activist There’s constantly more to do and more people to get to know doing it Issues I work on/care about My daily work focuses on changing the systems in this country that reinforce inequality.  I care most passionately about creating a country that values everyone in it. My top 3 movie recommendations for activists 1. This Film is Not Yet Rated 2. Our Brand is Crisis 3. City of God Music lyrics I live by And now we got a revolution Cause I see the face of things to come Yeah, your Constitution Well, my friend, its gonna have to bend I’m here to tell you about destruction Of all the evil that will have to end. (from Nina Simone’s Revolution (part 1)) My favorite featured video on GoLeft is Women Together for Change My Zodiac Sign Pisces (How can I help you?) Ways to reach me 1. Email: carolinebmca@gmail.com 2. Other: check out Building Movement Project at www.buildingmovement.org 2007-03-09T01:29:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/activists/entry/adria/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/adria/#When:20:03:00Z I live here/I want to live here Brooklyn / Brooklyn I am currently reading Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver My first political action was When I was around four years old, my parents took me to a large rally to protest the storage of nuclear warheads on the Brooklyn waterfront. My idea of a better world includes No Texans in the White House, and legalized gay marriage. What I love about being an activist It’s all about the possibility of everything being better than it is now! Issues I work on/care about Feminism; reproductive freedom; sexuality education; youth activism; civic engagement (people need to VOTE!); equal rights; ending the War! My top 3 movie recommendations for activists 1. Bamboozled (dir. Spike Lee) 2. Wag the Dog (dir. Barry Levinson) 3. Southern Comfort (dir. Kate Davis) Music lyrics I live by I live by music in general, but top faves for the activist to groove to are Lila Downs, Meshell Ndegeocello, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Zap Mama, and the Dixie Chicks! Here’s a quote to live by:  “We have to laugh.  Because laughter, we already know, is the first evidence of freedom.” (Rosario Castellanos) My Zodiac Sign Capricorn Ways to reach me Email: basicallylaughing@yahoo.com 2007-02-25T20:03:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/pop_culture/entry/why_were_still_watching_everybody_hates_chris/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/why_were_still_watching_everybody_hates_chris/#When:10:13:00Z Not only do we find ourselves desperately in the need of comedy, this show still remains one of the best examples on television of addressing class and race. Check out the clip below.  2008-10-03T10:13:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/simpsons_take_on_electronic_voting/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/simpsons_take_on_electronic_voting/#When:16:02:00Z Here at GoLeft, we’re loving “The Simpsons” take on the possibility of voting fraud with the use of electronic voting machines. In an episode that is scheduled to run on November 2, Homer goes to the poll to vote for Barack Obama and finds that he can only vote for President McCain. The machine then proceeds to kill him but not before Homer utters our favorite line: “This doesn’t happen in America, maybe Ohio, but not America.” Click here to find out about 2008-10-02T16:02:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/pop_culture/entry/madtv_on_sarah_palin/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/madtv_on_sarah_palin/#When:14:22:00Z Yes, we’ll be watching the vice presidential debates tonight hoping against hope that they’re not as funny as this MadTV skit.  2008-10-02T14:22:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/pop_culture/entry/american_experience_covers_regans_legacy/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/american_experience_covers_regans_legacy/#When:16:47:01Z The Fall season at its best is about great competition for television viewing. And yes, we’ll be mostly watching Heroes tonight - we’re hooked on the new villains - but we’re holding out hope that coverage of Ronald Reagan’s legacy on the American Experience on PBS will remind us of some of the worst abuses of presidential authority (Iran-Contra) and prepare us better as we tune in to Thursday night’s vice-presidential debate. Check out the American Experience clip.  2008-09-29T16:47:01-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/goodbye_mr_newman/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/goodbye_mr_newman/#When:15:36:00Z The fall of 2008 is ranking up there as one of the most depressing periods in recent memory: rising food prices, Palin, a Wall Street bail-out and now the news of the passing of Paul Newman. Paul Newman does leave us a legacy of how you can successfully mix popular culture with progressive politics. And he did give credence that ultimately our side is better looking. Check out the clip below from one of our favorite little guy fights big guy movies: The Verdict.  2008-09-29T15:36:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/clay_aiken_im_gay/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/clay_aiken_im_gay/#When:21:27:00Z American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken has ended speculation around his sexuality by coming out in this week’s People magazine. The singer states that he was inspired by the birth of his son to not live with lies. What is great about Clay’s coming out is his commitment to continue to claim his born-again Christianity which has forced the conversation of whether one can be Christian and gay. A great opportunity for progressives to claim religion for a broader population.  2008-09-24T21:27:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/artists_support_war_child/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/artists_support_war_child/#When:18:53:01Z The Kooks, Duffy and Beck have joined the list of artists who will appear on the new cd release of War Child. The concept of the record involves legendary acts such as David Bowie choosing tracks from their back catalogue for current artists to sing. Among the tracks slated to appear on the album are The Kook’s cover of The Kinks track Victoria, Duffy’s take on Live And Let Die and Beck’s version of Bob Dylan’s Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat. The compilation is due to be released on 24 November. 2008-09-22T18:53:01-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/how_snl_got_it_right/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/how_snl_got_it_right/#When:19:22:01Z How SNL Got it Right Since the nomination of Sarah Palin for the Republican vice presidential ticket my email and brain has been overloaded with all the reasons why this decision was cynical, wrong and scary. I’ve also seen in a very short time the demoralization of many people who just a month ago were preparing for Democratic victory and thought they could finally put their applications for New Zealand citizenship to rest. But once again, the Republicans have shown that they are not ready to concede defeat. Paying attention to the clear calls for change and the celebrity appeal of Barack Obama they took the charge and repackaged the McCain campaign in a way that we’re used to seeing and that benefits them. Our incessant training for looking for the next best thing – who can even remember the winner of 3rd season America’s Next Top Model or last year’s Project Runway winner? - has successfully programmed us to forget about last season and put our attention toward what’s new in front of us so that the introduction of Palin proved a perfect choice for revitalizing interest in the McCain product that previously, very few people were interested in buying. The problem I see with many progressives facing this last stretch of the campaign season is 1) taking what is happening as an indication to dismiss the public that buys the product of McCain/Palin; 2) not infusing vigor behind their product (where is Obama and why isn’t he headlining big events anymore?) and 3) letting the “reality” of polling data determine our course of action. One of the few responsibilities that community organizers actually have include identifying clear attainable goals that can keep us focused especially when the big picture looks bleak. In the time that is left before Nov. 4th there needs to be an increased enthusiasm of events and spectacle that embodies what is at stake and what change may look like. What I find useful out of the SNL skit, [see the clip under Pop Culture] lampooning the ridiculousness of the media-created appeal of Palin is that 1) it made me laugh. There have been many swipes at Palin and the jokes have been funny but have left me with the after taste of ‘man, progressives are really screwed.’ Ideally I would love to see more of this kind of relief that helps to give us insight into the joke so that we can better participate instead of dismissing our fellow Americans for being so stupid as to fall for this. Cynicism has fueled this choice. But conservatives still knew the best course of action was to choose a woman. The language is still a call for change. We own that. To put it in marketing speech - progressives are the Apple of change; conservatives will only deliver a Vista version of what we can deliver. 2) The SNL skit also flips the cynicism on its head. They took the display for what is was – turning the Republicans pick of a Tina Fey looking candidate with Tina Fey. What is fun about this skit should also be fun about the organizing for the last 90 days of the campaign. We need to get in on the joke and not bemoan that the joke exists. Conservatives hate feminists. They hate them so much that they are willing to have a non-feminist woman in power to keep feminists at bay. That’s not rocket science – we’ve known that all along. We need to stop pretending that qualifications are what will make or break this election. That is not to say that we should not continue to push on demanding quality leadership, but the current holder of the presidency did not come in with an impressive resume. And we now know that Reagan held office with Alzheimer’s. The presidency is a machine. The individual sitting in the seat is less relevant. So if qualifications are less important image becomes more so. And what image does a McCain presidency give you? We know from the incessant questions of “why do they hate us” after 9/11 that the need to be liked, respected, valued are still important aspects of American citizenry. Who is more likely to restore those feelings? Lastly, we need the positive spectacle that will keep us going in mile 25. How do we ignore the ‘media-created reality’ and stick to our guns and vision for reaching out and touching more people with the opportunity to correct the backwards slide we’ve been on for the past eight years and in terms of the Supreme Court provide the necessary offensive to secure our traditional values of liberty, justice and the pursuit of happiness. Because right now in this country the majority of us are not happy. Another reason I’m watching SNL. 2008-09-16T19:22:01-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/pop_culture/entry/snl_takes_on_sarah_palin/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/snl_takes_on_sarah_palin/#When:15:30:01Z Because we need a laugh during this political season and the truth in this skit is scary-funny. Our best lines: Sarah Palin/Tina Fey: Global warming “I believe it’s just God hugging us closer.” and Hilary Clinton/Amy Pohler: “I invite the media to grow a pair and if you can’t I will lend you mine.” 2008-09-15T15:30:01-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/lindsay_lohan_anti_palin/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/lindsay_lohan_anti_palin/#When:14:50:00Z We were so glad to see that Lindsay Lohan, like us, is feeling “fear, anxiety, concern, disappointment and stress” about the Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. According to Lindsay, “Is our country so divided that the Republicans best hope is a narrow minded, media obsessed homophobe?” Hopefully, that is not the case, but check out these organizations that are working to make sure we move forward with gay rights: 2008-09-15T14:50:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/hip_hop_draws_light_on_mortgage_woes/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/hip_hop_draws_light_on_mortgage_woes/#When:14:40:00Z While our public dollars are footing the bill to bail out Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac, Russell Simmons, through his Hip-Hop Summit Action Network is launching a “Get Your House Right” campaign to address the foreclosure crisis in minority communities. According to the 2008-09-11T14:40:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/transgendering_media/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/transgendering_media/#When:16:43:00Z From Ugly Betty to Transamerica, transgender people are becoming much more visible within popular culture. As a matter of fact, two reality shows this season have openly trans contestants - Isis is competing in cycle 11 of America’s Next Top Model and Laverne Cox, an activist with the LGBT center in NYC, is one of the contestants on I Want to Work for Diddy. GoLeft applauds the inclusion of trans people into mainstream media as a necessary step in the general public fully realizing the fluidity of gender and sexuality rather than looking at trans people as an oddity or giving shows a way to boost ratings (remember when All my Children introduced a transgender character a couple of years ago?). That’s not to say that we don’t have a LONG way to go – shows are still sensationalizing their trans characters and trans contestants on reality shows are often unfairly scrutinized and publicly humiliated. But thanks to people like Isis and Laverne and organizations like the 2008-09-09T16:43:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/rock_band_heart_finds_republicans_real_barricudas/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/rock_band_heart_finds_republicans_real_barricudas/#When:15:57:01Z After vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin used the track Barracuda at the Republican Party Convention last week, singers Ann and Nancy Wilson sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Republican party asking them not to use the song, which was a hit in the US 1977. Barracuda’s co-writer Roger Fisher, a professed Barack Obama supporter said the money he would receive from use of the song would be going to Obama’s campaign, “With my contribution to Obama’s campaign, the Republicans are now supporting Obama.” 2008-09-08T15:57:01-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/pop_culture/entry/slacker_uprising/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/slacker_uprising/#When:14:58:01Z Michael Moore will allow people to download his latest film, Slacker Uprising for free on September 23rd. The film follows Moore’s 62-city tour during the 2004 to rally young voters. Check out the trailer here. Visit 2008-09-08T14:58:01-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/standing_up_to_pollution_greed_lack_of_environment_oversight_that_cause_can/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/standing_up_to_pollution_greed_lack_of_environment_oversight_that_cause_can/#When:10:06:00Z While increasing scientific research for cancer is a worthy action to take, the big 3 network’s joint fundraiser “Stand Up to Cancer” leaves us here at GoLeft wondering what standing up to cancer looks like besides giving money. And have we given up on cancer prevention? Or accountability for environmental factors that increase and/or cause cancer? We’re keeping some hope that something political would make the air during the commercial free broadcast. Here’s Kyra Sedgwick’s quote on why she’s participating in the event: “Many people I love dearly have been diagnosed with cancer. It is ubiquitous. Any event that contributes to raising money for research that is not funded by the drug companies is something I will support wholeheartedly.” 2008-09-05T10:06:00-05:00 http://goleft.org/index.php/news/entry/lindsay_lohan_safer_sex_advocate/ http://goleft.org/index.php/site/lindsay_lohan_safer_sex_advocate/#When:16:00:00Z This election season has gotten more people involved in the political process, even Lindsay Lohan. The actress blogged recently about Republican vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin and her 17-year old pregnant daughter, Bristol. “I get Sarah Palin’s views against abortion, but i would much prefer to hear more about what she can do for our country rather than how her daughter is going to have a child no matter what. Maybe focus on delivering some words and policy with stronger impact like Joe Biden.” “I think that parents need to recognize how important it is to talk to their children about the things that can result from being sexually active if they aren’t protecting themselves (birth control, condoms, etc.)” Two great places for Lindsay, Bristol and all of us to get sex education are 2008-09-03T16:00:00-05:00