The following commentary appears in the new Advocate:
Bombing the Runway
We're on the verge of World War III and all we gays can talk about is Project Runway? Wake up, people! The war in the Middle East is the same war we're fighting here at home, battling antiquated religious beliefs that are used to justify hatred and murder.
By Karel
It appears I’ve fallen horribly out of the gay loop. While sitting thinking about my next column for Advocate.com I decided to snoop around the Web site to see what’s going on. What I found was that one third of the stories revolved around Project Runway. Now, I’d like to comment on that, but I don’t watch it. I’m not a fashionista, unless you count my seeing The Devil Wears Prada and seeing absolutely nothing wrong with the lead character or the way she behaves.
My mind is elsewhere: in the world, in the Middle East, in New York City. I’d like to be able to write a gay editorial right now about a pressing issue in the gay community, but world events are such that they transcend sexuality. We are poised on the brink of WWIII, for those that are paying attention, and gays will die just as easily as anyone else.
Sanctimonous commentary linky here
The premise here that while we chat about Project Runway we are unable to discuss other topics is horribly insulting and presumptuous. My brother is in Iraq right at this moment. Do I need to post about this, to be reminded daily of this fact as I go about my routine? No, it doesn’t take much to make this evident. A picture, a comment, the word Iraq reminds me that he’s over there.
There is bad news fatigue I’m sure. The news is soul-deadening in its ever increasing violence and war and corruption. I take every opportunity I can to talk to friends and family about the upcoming election and to point out the incompetence of this administration. Don’t lecture me about having some fun with Project Runway Mr. Karel. I give my time and my money to enact change. I pray for brother’s safety every day.
By the way, there’s a nice size Design Star ad right there by your commentary and what’s that a shirtless guy on your cover. Tsk tsk. Perhaps your “news magazine” could use a little talking to before you lecture us.
This post is probably incoherent but it felt good to write.
Carry on!
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6 comments:
Yes, I love Project Runway. My Wednesday nights revolve around it (watching it w/ friends and then posting a recap on my blog).
I think, as you stated, there is bad news fatigue. It's all we hear about when we pick up a paper or watch television. Personally, my blog and Project Runway are my brief escapes from it. I don't think there is anything wrong w/ that.
Also, my thoughts and prayers are w/ your brother and your family...as well as everyone else that is over there.
Also, e-mail me so I can give you the html code for the audio player. It won't let me past it here.
I'm sure it must be very hard, very painful, to have such young relatives in a war zone. To be honest I must also say I'm sorry.
As for Mr. Karel, it's not easy to figure out his goal: to divide the gay community? What for?
All the best for you and your family! :-)
My thoughts are with you on your brother. My Brother-In-Law has served two tours already. I know the strain it puts on the family, every newscast, every phone call, every conversation is a reminder.
I agree that there is no reason we can't dish the tv and have serious conversations. And as for his comments if 1/3 of the posts were about Project Runway what were the other 2/3's? And as far as the advocate being a news magazine, hardly. The only reason I read it is because I can pick it up free at the LGBT center.
I just realized I know who Karel is: a whiny, screechy, controversy-seeking radio host who broadcasts on KGO in San Francisco.
We hate her.
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