We Mustn't Lose the Faith.

Due to the recent decision by current Secretary of State and candidate for governor, Cathy Cox, concerning gay marriage and her support for a special session that would put it on the ballot, again, this November, some of my friends and once fellow supporters of Secretary Cox have decided that it would be in their best interests to not vote at all rather than vote for a candidate who is seemingly against them.

I can't disagree more. Although it is disappointing to hear that someone in whom we had faith and saw hope for a future of equal rights for all, has now, in the name of politics remind you, jumped on the bandwagon of anti-gay sentiment of those who we seek to remove from office, we can't allow this one decision to jeopardize the future betterment of our state.

This is tough, I know, but we have to put aside our hurt and vote for the candidate who has the most to bring to the gubernatorial table in '06. That person, my friends, is Cathy Cox. Cathy may believe that marriage should be for one man and one woman, but she also has a vision that would turn the current state of Georgia in the right direction. We don't have time to allow ourselves to become so offended by the game, that we refuse to play. It is, as we know, only by playing that we have any chance of winning at all.

Below is a copy of the email that I sent to Cathy concerning this situation.

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Dear Cathy,

I am writing to you as an EXTREMELY concerned Georgian and voter. As a result of your decision to support a special session to put the gay marriage amendment back onto the ballot in November, many fervent supporters are now rethinking their choice to vote and support you. Being gay myself, I must admit that it is a disappointing that you have decided to go this route, but I know that it’s politics. I don’t think that you abdicate inequality and the making of second class citizens through constitutional amendments, that’d break my heart. I understand the nature of the beast and that as a politician in Georgia and with the political climate of moral superiority that has and is sweeping our nation currently, that you can not come out “for” gay marriage or “against” an amendment opposing it, but I think that jumping on the bandwagon of those who seek to divide us might not have been in your best interests.

But I don’t come to lecture, I’m sure you’ve had enough of that. I attended the College Democrats conference in Athens earlier this year and had the pleasure of meeting you and hearing your plan for this state in person. I must say that I was very impressed by your candor and passion to make Georgia a better place. That is why I have been one of your strongest promoters here in my small town of Douglas, Ga. That’s not an easy task with Mark Taylor having such a strong base of support since he has ties to neighboring Alma. And now my job has gotten even more difficult. For now, even amongst my friends and once fellow supporters, I find myself having to rebuild faith and rekindle passion. My friends are hurt by your decision and are even talking about not voting. That is extremely disheartening to me because I know that you, despite this situation, are by far the most qualified and viable candidate and I want to keep my friends focused.

You have to understand that as gay men and women, especially being a college student – the future of the gay and lesbian movement of this state – we are always seeking to find that one politician who will unabashedly seek to validate us as people and fight for our rights. So to support a person only to find out that they have in essence “betrayed” us makes us feel like fools. It makes some think that you only care about their vote or their financial contributions and not them as a person, a citizen, a fellow Georgian. I know that’s not the case, but I don’t know how I am to convince others of that at this point.
You’re busy, this I know, but do you have any suggestions? I would greatly appreciate even the smallest response.

Thanks for your time and understanding,
Jake Jewell

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I know that's it stings to feel betrayed, but let's not sacrifice what we know to be best for us all for what we view as a personal vendetta. That's not in keeping with the character of the Democratic Party or that which sets us apart from those we oppose.

Take care.

Contemplative.

Thoughts resulting from seeing Brokeback Mountain
Current mood: contemplative


Ok. so I just saw the movie that your preacher has forbade you to see. The movie about two cowboys...yes, cowBOYS who fall in love while watching some sheep on a mountain together.

It's about more than sheep and mountains and cowboys, it's about pure, passionate, unadulterated, unbridled love. This had to be the most beautiful, moving, gut-wrenching portrayal of love I have yet to see. I was moved me to tears and hyperventilation in the theatre.

It made me think about the type of relationship I am looking for. I now have a clear understanding of the sort of thing I am searching for and am looking to find. I want to find me a man. A MAN. A man who can shoot a wolf, cook some beans, make a fire using only a stick and a piece of pine straw, lasso a cow, ride a bull, pitch a tent and still hold me tenderly underneath the stars. Sleep beside me next to a campfire. Who's warm body next to mine feels handmade and crafted especially for the two of us.

I want love. Not some silly, trite, stupid, childish, pretentious love, but a real love. I want someone to hold me, all of me. I want arms to wrap around me and protect me from the world. I want to give my love to someone. I have so much love to give and I am ready to share that with another special individual. It's time.

I want to go fishing. I want to run up on a bear and fall off of my horse so that my guy can nurse me back to health. I want to be in the presence of a person who loves me and care for me and I feel connected to and who I can love without end.

I hope I find this love someday. Someday soon.

*Sigh

Recaps and Request

Good News.

The South Georgian received 10 awards this past weekend in Macon for the exceptional work done by the staff. It was very exciting. We won 6 first place awards.

- Excellence in Advertising
- Best Review: Kyle Ellis
- Best Campus Community Service - Sports
- Best Campus Community Service - News
- Best Campus Community Service - Editorial
- General Excellence

Isn't that freaking awesome? What does all that mean, you ask? Well, it means that we are the leading school newspaper for the 2-year division in the State of Georgia.
Also, the beautiful and talented, Sam Nhema, received the 2nd place award for Best Review. Congrats to her.

Sorry to break the update, but can I rant for a sec? Well, I'll take the silence as a yes. It makes me really sad to see extremely smart and interesting people succumb to the "age of shallowness" that is ever increasing these days. I hate to see people who are capable of having interesting conversations and contributing to society, throw all that away to instead focus on the more carnal aspects of life. Don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place and a GREAT need for that, but it's all about balance.

Ok, back to what I was saying.

A group of friends and I met with the Student Government Association today concerning the recent cases of discrimination that have occurred here on campus. For instance, one student, Isidro De los Santos, was sitting in a health class when the teacher, after seeing his name on the roll and having trouble pronouncing it, looked up and asked him, "Are you legal?"

Where does a faculty member get off thinking that it is ok to ask that sort of question, as a joke I'm sure, in front of the entire class? Thereby, isolating an individual as the butt of a joke and endorsing discrimination as acceptable behavior. All that does is help to reinforce the perception of ignorance and closed-mindedness that people have about the south and small-town America.

Also, a new student here on campus, Jason, who is living in the dorms, received a warm welcome to SGC. Late one evening he went to his room and heard some of the guys on his floor, the baseball players, call him a faggot. He ignored their comments and went to his room and shut his door, but that didn’t stop them. They proceeded to beat on his door and call him a faggot and tell him to come out. He heard one of them say, “Go do it!” Obviously he was frightened, so much so that he didn’t go to the bathroom, but instead peed in a cup in his room. That’s outrageous!

When he called the RM, Jeff Timothy, who also happens to be the coach of the baseball team, Jeff asked Jason, “What do you want me to do about it?” Can you imagine how it must have felt to turn to someone who is paid to protect you only to have that person ask you what they ought to do? Again, that is a serious problem and reflects horribly on the college and shows the urgent need for sensitivity training.

So we brought these guys to the SGA meeting and had them share their experiences and we proposed a solution. 1) Amend the current student handbook to include discrimination based on sexual orientation, which is does not cover currently, and 2) Create a code of consequences that would apply to faculty, staff, and students and insure that they are enforced consistently. We seemed to convey our point clearly and it seemed to resonate with those in attendance. I think it was a successful start to a process which should result in a positive change.

With all that said. I would like to talk about…I don’t know. I actually thought I had something else that I wanted to say, but I forgot. I guess I’ll say this.

ATTENTION: SAM NHEMA

I suppose I will use this as a way to communicate with you since you read often. How are you? That’s awesome. I would really like to have your email address. I don’t have that anywhere. Also, I had a great idea for an article that I would like for you to write for the South Georgian. Considering the tense situation between the US and Iran and talk of war and all those dreadful things, I thought that it would be very interesting to have an article written from the perspective of someone who has lived there and knows more about the climate of the country than most any one else. I would like to hear about Iran from another perspective than the, “Iran bad. America good.” perspective that most American media seems to convey.

Don’t you agree that it could make for an awesome article? It would be an editorial for our next edition, the March edition. Please, consider my proposal and let me know what you think. I would really appreciate it if you would do this for the paper. *Muah*

Well kittens, I think that is going to do it for now. Feel free to email me at jake@thesouthgeorgian.com concerning whatever. If you all know of anything that might be interesting and relevant for a college newspaper to cover, I’d be very excited to hear from you.

Until next time, much love and infinite peace and joy.

Jake.

Goodness...No One Mourns the Wicked.

So yeah. I was looking around and I found this. OMG! I really want it. Like for real. So I think I am going to start a collection to help in the purchasing of this item. If any of you would like to donate to the "Get the Grimmerie" fund, that would be awesome.

Thanks in Advance.



PLEASE HELP THIS BOOK FIND ME!

REMEMBER...

 


To VOTE for Cathy Cox in July and again in November...if she wins against Mark Taylor in July...which I'm sure she will, since we're all going to VOTE for her. Right. Okay. Take Care. 

D-R-A-M-A

Speaking of...I watched a play this weekend. It was pretty cool. I went to Macon with Drew and Ashley and we saw West Side Story. It was performed at Theatre Macon by the Youth Actors. They were awesome, especially the girl playing Anita. We made eye contact. She winked at me. I blushed. What does that mean?

I had a good time in Macon. Nick is nice. His place is so cool. Ashley thinks it smells nice. I think it smells like my grandmother mixed with death. I suppose that is nice to some people.

I met some cool people. We connected. We talked and laughed and it was fun. YAY! for meeting other people who are into Broadway and reality TV. We discussed important topics such as the Real World, Road Rules, Anna Nicole, Kathy Griffin, Project Runway, and Trading Spaces. We also chatted about the pro's and con's of being gay in a Fraternity, which I am sure will never have relevance to my life. But it was fun!

I took a bath today. I mean I bathe regularly, but I take showers for the most part. Today I took a 2 hour bath. It was awesome. Just me, the tub, and a gallon of apple juice. That's a party just waitin' to happen!

It's sad when people my age loose their parents. I mean even though I loathe my mother to the point of contemplated homicide, if anything were to ever happen to her, I'd be devastated. My father...I'd have to be committed to a home. Honestly. I'm not sure what you say to a person who's just lost a parent. Is there anything to say? I think a hug works best.

I'm really starting to worry about the first edition of the paper. I got to read some of the "completed" articles tonight and OMFG...if they are any sign of what's to come, kill me now! I've tried be the nice, friendly, approachable editor, but I see that it's now time to be a bitch. I can do that. Tuesday will be the start of a whole new strategy: Operation Paper Cut.

I cried a lot tonight. I was freakishly emotional for some reason. It all started with me reminiscing about this program I saw on GPTV about these two old women in a nursing home. It was the saddest thing I have ever watched. Who ever thought of that sad shit should be captured and made to watch it in endless play. Bastard!

Sam replied to my last post. Makes me happy. She didn't have the answer to my question though. Makes me sad.

Am I bi-polar?

I love you all. <--------> Kiss my fucking ass!

Omg...my knees are so freaking hot right now. Just my knees! I don't think this is normal. They are like on fire! Shit! I need to soak them in ice. What the hell?

I'm sure I had something else I wanted to say, but I can't think of it. So, until next time bitches. Pea....goddammit...ce....fucking fiery knees!

Ciao.

P.S. "Fighting for peace is like fucking for virginity."

Pointless

Wow. I am a horrible internet-er! I make all these things and never update them. It's so pointless. I do try. I really do.

I was just visting my friends blogs and journals and when I got to Sam's...Nhema, that is...I realized that she had linked me. ME! I feel honored. I'm a dork, I know, but I felt so damn special to see my name there. Although a name only I would recognize as my own, mine none the less.

I was so honored in fact, that I had to post about it. Sad, isn't it.

It made me realize how horrible I am at keeping in touch with people who matter to me. It's not that I think your umimportant and I haven't forgotten about you. I'm just pathetically procrastinatory - i really enjoy making new words - and never get around to sending a message or commenting. I should really work on that.

I love you Sammykins...I really do. I miss you. Your name comes up a lot in conversation. In fact, just the other day I was talking about how there would never be another you. I was referring to the fact that the campus is now devoid of Migsys of Sammykins and should, at this point, be devoid of any Jazs. The new kids can't compare, nor do I look for them to.

I wish we talked more. I want to know what's going on with you. I should probably be saying this to you, or at the least, putting it on your blog. But since no one reads my blog anyway, I'll use it as a journal and just rant.

I'm recovering. From the total breakdown that I had last semester. My new position as editor of The South Georgian is making things better. I get to channel my energy and creativity and time into a constructive outlet. I get results that way. I should actually be gone already, I know this, but since I'm not I might as well make the best of my time.

I hope I can do as good of a job as those before me, one in particular, and I think that I am doing a decent job. I'm trying, I'm learning, I'm challenging myself. That has to count for something.

Well, I shouldn't ramble, but it's late and I like to ramble at times like this. Too bad I don't really have anything else to say. So, ciao.

New Artist to Look Into

Here are some really cool people that I found tonight...check them out.

Kyle Riabko
Leela James
Mario Frangoulis
Sondre Lerche
ADAM JOSEPH
Nickel Creek...not new but I love them!
Aimee Mann
Amos Lee
Ari Hest...not new to me, but he's freaking awesome...Aberdeen is great!
Jesse Harris

Ok, go and see if you like them...be sure and let me now what you think. Adios.

Shit man...no, that's just kyle.

well, i put this stupid haloscan shit on here and it pisses me off because i can't take it off now...damn spyware...it's probably made by some of bush's people...a new device used by the NSA to track people...well fuck you NSA...Osama called and wanted me to let you know that "Iraq...VERY COLD!" Oh well, I'm sure you'll get'im.

oh, so yeah, I'm back. it's been forever. oh my god. i had to leave...i had to just go away and breathe and regroup and get my shit back together and convince myself that college was important and that GPA's really do matter, regardless of how stupid I think they might be. i took a break...why do i still feel winded? shit!

i've done a lot since I last posted, but there is no way that i am going to tell you all about it...just take my word...it was fun, stupid, crazy, boring, mean, stinky, dull, blue and furry. wow...furry? whatever!

I can give you some highlights...

Christmas...woke up, ate lunch, opened gifts, spent 4 hours cleaning my grandmother's house and spending quality time with her, got to know my uncle more, broke out my mother's car window, ran from the police...well not really, she told me she was going to call them and i got scared and left. EXCITING!

New Year's Eve...spent it in Valdosta with Kayla, Nikki, Justin, Ashley, Drew, Pepijn, and Samantha...Sam turned 21 and we got crunk. it was fun until the alcohol started to wear off. it's never fun being the only sober person in an appartment full of drunk asses. ashley, again...I'm sorry. I love you! Kayla was out of control and sam wasn't helping matters..."Kayla, go in there and get something to drink...here, I'll watch out for you!" lord...that was fun!

Currently...i'm here in Miguel's office in Statesboro, Ga. I came with Kyle to visit Miguel and Laura. It was Laura's birthday...she turned 22. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! we went and ate at applebee's and told them it was her birthday and they brought a cake thing but didn't sing...not to worry, Miguel and I did a FABULOUS job. we hung out at Laura's and played with her cats...those bitches are crazy...you hear me...they give Elisa Johnson's herd a run for their money...although when it comes to size...Elisa's cats would use them as pillows. RIDICULOUS. we came back and watched Garden State...it was good, but I'll need to watch it again. They're asleep and I am not sleepy so I decide to post. great.

I was looking at Miguel's iTunes and he has some really good stuff...he always has this obsure artists that I love...so great...I changed the music on my myspace...i like it. Check it out.

I like cinnapies from Papa John's...too bad we don't have one in Douglas anymore...damn it!

Kyle got me a gift...I can't wait to get home and check it out.

I love my old friends...really...it is so great to be back with familiar company...they make me happy and they don't even know it. why do we have to grow and move and leave and change and progress...i guess it's all for the best.

i have to sign up for classes, like two...Lit and Health...I am going to be the new editor of the paper...i am going to be one strict bitch..we're gonna make something out of that publication...it's going to be awesome...I hope. Wanna write...that would be terrific...come see me in Powell 211...I think...or maybe it's 109...I don't remember.

I'm sleepy...later.

P.S. I better get some freaking comments from you bitches...later.