The WELL: inkwell.vue.114: Susie Bright: How to Read/Write a Dirty Story

#91: Dan Guy (danfowlkes) Fri 14 Sep 01 13:58

Fri, 14 Sep 2001 13:58:00 PDT

Moving words indeed.

I am not so much mad at the "puritanical theologies" as I am those who pervert them for their own capitalist and/or ideological ends. I have no problem with religious zeal so long as it is not wrapped around the club with which someone attacks me.

I still have hope that our government will not attempt to "carpet-bomb an ideology", that the President is merely attempting to appear strong for the people and that our politicians are sincere when they speak of patience and precision. But I am young and idealistic like that. I too fear that, under pressure to show some results, our government might do just that. [Read entire topic]

#90: No "punch the monkey" banner ads. (vard) Fri 14 Sep 01 13:51

Fri, 14 Sep 2001 13:51:00 PDT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28620-2001Sep14.html http://www.pfaw.org/news/press//2001-09-13.320.phtml [Read entire topic]

#89: Bob 'rab' Bickford (rab) Fri 14 Sep 01 13:33

Fri, 14 Sep 2001 13:33:00 PDT

Wow, very well said indeed, Susie. You've nailed the source (religious zealotry especially) of these events..... [Read entire topic]

#88: Linda Castellani (castle) Fri 14 Sep 01 12:54

Fri, 14 Sep 2001 12:54:00 PDT

E-mail from Susie Bright:

In the Wake of Sept. 11...

Dear Friends,

SAFE BUT NOT SOUND

Like everyone else, I'm struggling to make sense of this past week's events. I'm concerned about all my family and friends in NYC, and I want to offer my love to all of you who've been directly affected by this. Let me know if there's anything I can do to support you.

I first became interested in the sexual world because of my political passions, and when something like this happens, I have to turn to that passion and test my resolve.

It's been difficult.

I noted in one news broadcast that The Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles closed its doors after the first air strikes- it seems like an apt metaphor. Tolerance, the simple decency of appreciating people's differences, has gone underground.

Instead, the fundamentalists of every world religion rule the order of the day. Prejudice and social separation are the credos of the new "right livelihood". I never thought I'd see the day when a motto like live and let live became a shocking utterance.

I see the people in my own neighborhood who "hate fags," "hate Mexicans," etc. They don't seem far off from their gun-toting counterparts across the map. This is the era of the suicidal fanatic, the person who's willing to die (and take everyone else down with them) in the name of their cause. It's chic to have your own jihad.

Instead of the grassroots movements I grew up with that changed our world forever, we have suicidal maniacs who make history dance their tune. When MLK was assassinated, when the students at Kent State were shot, they were acts against these individuals' will to live, their desire to connect with humanity. Now, the goal of the uber-revoltionary seems to be total annihilation.

Who do I blame?

I am furious at all the puritanical theologies that indoctrinate soldiers for this unending self-destruction. The words that terrify me most are: "God is on our side." Marx said religion was the opiate of the people, but I'm afraid today it's more like a runaway meth lab.

I also have to point the finger at the people who, while far from being religious purists, have profited while idly watching this situation retch to the boiling point.

The corporate ethos that guides our global economy has sacrificed everything- and everybody- in the name of the bottom line. They didn't spend the money to protect us, they promoted inequities which could not stand, and they didn't spend the time foster one iota of understanding. Their hypocrisy created arrogance beyond compare.

The captains of the ship can't be surprised when the folks who didn't make the gravy train go insane. They can't be surprised at the oxymoron of "airport security" - they're the ones that decided it could be done on the cheap. Capitalism digs division and hands out bandaids as long as its methods delivers a profit- so it's disingenuous to be shocked when a mouse appears with a box knife and cuts our throat.

This morning, President Bush announced: "Now that we have declared war, we will lead the world to victory." My daughter read his speech aloud out loud, and snorted. "Well, hip-hip-hooray," she said. She is very scared, and since she is eleven, she is also exquisitely sarcastic.

I share her sentiments. The sabre-rattlers have confidence that we can carpet-bomb an ideology. I almost envy their smugness, that it could be that easy. But this is a political battle we face, and it takes a visionary resolve far steelier than any military might.

My partner Jon dreamed of Pogo last night: "We have met the enemy, and he is us." So what do we do about us? I want America to fight fanaticism with heart, and to vanquish puritan intolerance with the greatest love and insight- the love we have for our freedom, and the insight that our future lies together on this tiny planet. What is our agenda our children's future is the goal?

At the moment I am safe, if not sound. How are you? I would appreciate hearing from any of you at this time. It's comforting and enlightening to me to hear your thoughts.

Clits Up, and Mighty, Mighty, Peace, Susie

--

!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*! !*!*!*!*!*!*! !*!*!*!*!*!*! SUSIE BRIGHT, P.O. Box 8377 Santa Cruz, CA 95061

http://www.susiebright.com [Read entire topic]

#87: Mark Binder (realfun) Mon 9 Jul 01 10:32

Mon, 09 Jul 2001 10:32:00 PDT

Gives new meaning to the phrase "Script Doctor"... [Read entire topic]

#86: Susie Bright (sueb) Mon 2 Jul 01 10:33

Mon, 02 Jul 2001 10:33:00 PDT

Thanks, melisse, for the interview... and no, I haven't been called in to "Friends," or any other sit com to fire it up. I've only worked in film scripts, never in TV [Read entire topic]

#85: M. J. Rose (anewanais) Sun 1 Jul 01 16:22

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 16:22:00 PDT

It's been wonderful being part of this... see you all around the well in other palces. [Read entire topic]

#84: musing generally (satyr) Sun 1 Jul 01 15:08

Sun, 01 Jul 2001 15:08:00 PDT

Susie, I'm curious, have you ever been called in to add some sexual tension to a TV series that's in a slump? [Read entire topic]

#83: Susie Bright (sueb) Sat 30 Jun 01 09:41

Sat, 30 Jun 2001 09:41:00 PDT

Thank you, Linda, for asking us. I'll keep checking in. [Read entire topic]

#82: Linda Castellani (castle) Fri 29 Jun 01 23:29

Fri, 29 Jun 2001 23:29:00 PDT

Susie and Melisse, it's been a pleasure having you. I just want to acknowledge that our two weeks with you is up and say thanks for being with us.

Things are at an interesting point, so don't feel like you must stop now. You are welcome to continue for as long as you like. [Read entire topic]