31
Today I turned 31. I am officially in my 30s. Weird.
I used to dread turning another year older. At 21 I locked myself in my apartment, eventually coming out after many, many tears. When I woke up on my 25 birthday, I had no idea how to face the day. It grew more difficult every year. My family teased me about the birthday anxiety and today we all joked about how I looked great for 25. However, when I turned 30 things were different. I experienced dramatic anxiety leading up to my birthday last year and then when it came, well, I felt free. I can’t quite put the feeling into words, but I can try. Turning 30, leaving my 20s was one of the most freeing experiences of my life; it was almost surreal. All the stereotypes and ideals that suffocate us in our 20s seem to vanish overnight and for the first time we embrace adulthood—not with childish eyes fresh from our parents’ home, but with experienced eyes. During my 20s I thought I fell in love, I made wonderful friends who are with me today, I moved away from my small town, I married, I finished school and so much more. It was a difficult time, a wonderful time, a confusing time, but most importantly, a time of learning. Looking back on the growth of my 20s made me excited to face my 30s.
Today I am in grad school and working toward a future I know I want. In my 20s I never knew what I wanted. It feels wonderful to be able to know what I want and also how to get there.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
…and the senators respond
From Sen. Corker. Received Sept. 24
Dear Ms. Coward,
Thank you for taking the time to contact my office with your concerns regarding the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Your input is important to me, and I appreciate the time you took to share your thoughts.
As you may know, earlier this year, President Obama stated that he supports repealing the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy which requires that a service member not be asked about or allowed to discuss his or her homosexuality. Subsequently, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced it will conduct a review of this policy in order to decide the best way to move forward. After the review is complete, DoD is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to Congress, which ultimately will have to decide whether the law governing the inclusion of homosexuals in the military should be amended.
Recently both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House of Representatives passed provisions that would repeal the law prior to the completion of the DoD review. I think this action is premature and still believe that the Pentagon should be given the opportunity to complete its review prior to a repeal of this law. We need to give all components of the military the opportunity to express their views prior to making a judgment on changes to the policy.
In closing, I want to thank you for your input. I can assure you, the insight you have given in your letter will certainly help my staff and me to more effectively consider this issue over the next few weeks and months.
Thank you again for your letter. I hope you will continue to share your thoughts with me over the course of my term.
Sincerely,
Bob Corker
United States Senator
From Sen. Alexander. Received Sept. 27 (but it was written Sept. 23 according to date at top)
September 23, 2010
Ms. Stephanie Coward
(deleted my address)
Dear Ms. Coward:
Thanks very much for getting in touch with me and letting me know what’s on your mind regarding the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.
This policy was implemented in 1993 by then-President Bill Clinton as a compromise between the Pentagon’s complete ban on gays in the military and President Clinton’s promise during his 1992 campaign to allow all citizens regardless of sexual orientation to serve openly in the military.
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” does not by itself prevent anyone from serving in our military. Our military leaders have their hands full right now in Iraq and Afghanistan and in defending us from terrorism. The Senate should not vote on such a dramatic change until our military leaders complete a thorough review of the policy, including how any change might affect military readiness and morale.
I’m grateful you took the time to let me know where you stand. I’ll be sure to keep your comments in mind as this issue is debated in Washington and in Tennessee.
Sincerely,
Lamar
I think their responses are hilarious. I mean seriously, first look at Lamar’s he says “thanks” instead of thank you in first graph and signs the email just “Lamar.” Is he trying to seem hip? I mean seriously, he’s 70 for crying out loud. And while I think both of their reasons are bullshit, I will say that Corker sounds a bit saner than “Lamar,” but really, they’re both just propaganda-pushing liars. I could potentially possess at least an ounce of respect for them if either one just came out and admitted their reason for voting against the repeal of DADT was because they’re homophobic republicans who only support the military when it doesn’t entail actually taking a stand. (i.e. whenever a budget increase is on the table).
Homosexuals serving in the armed services will not create more homosexuals.
Homosexuals serving in the armed services will not create sexual exploits that don’t already exist.
Never mind that men and women are serving together in Iraq and Afghanistan right now and guess what…they’re straight (gasp!) and guess what else? They’re having sex with each other. And that’s not even all of it. American soldiers are having sex with the locals as well. It’s a big fucking orgy over there, but no one is paying attention b/c the religious right views hetero-sex as OK, so they ignore the female soldiers getting knocked up by Iraqi translators. They ignore the marriage dissolutions of those soldiers who “”found” one another while deployed and in turn cheated and then divorced their spouses. They ignore the soldiers bringing home their “queens-for-a-year” and marrying them after divorcing spouses that have stuck by their side and kept the home fires burning throughout 4 and 5 deployments. (And before you try to call me out on these accusations, I know people who are part of all of these categories.)
By forbidding homosexuals to openly serve in the military, our government–the great land of the free–has not only expressed its disdain for those who are different, but also stigmatized homosexuals as second-class citizens, which they are not. If a gay man or lesbian wants to serve their country (though I really don’t understand why they would want any part of it), why can’t they? What does someone’s sexual preference have to do with their ability to take a bullet for this nation’s “freedom”? Homosexuals don’t blow up any differently than those who prefer the opposite sex. Who a soldier prefers to have sex with has no bearing on whether or not he or she is capable of protecting the unit, the civilians in the town or the land of the free. And guess what? When they’re lying in a hospital bed at Walter Reed with no legs, screaming in agony because the pain medicine isn’t enough, no one cares about their sexual preference. They’re just a soldier who fought the good fight and is forever changed because of it.
until next time…
Filed under: Gay Rights, Political | Leave a Comment
Tags: afghanistan, Army, Bob Corker, DADT, iraq, Lamar Alexander, Marines, Navy, United States Armed Services, Walter Reed
repeal DADT
Well, the repeal of DADT could be just hours or days away. I sent yet another email to my representatives today. Sen. Lamar Alexander and Sen. Bob Corker–both Republican. (Yikes).
So far the news stories about repealing DADT are filled with rumors of possible filibusters and more. Here’s the thing, the Democrats need to stop acting like scared children hiding in a corner and actually take action. And the republicans need to stop saying “no” to everything and actually consider some of the issues that their constituents care about. Politics as usual can’t continue. America needs to stand up and fight for its communities and against special interests–on both sides of the political spectrum.
Pasted below is the email I sent to my representatives. Feel free to use its basic outline in your own calls and emails.
Senator,
Today has the potential to be an epic day in America’s history, one our children will look back on with pride. Today could potentially be the day we repeal DADT. It could also be a day filled with shame and bigotry, please don’t let that happen.
As someone representing a district so near Fort Campbell, you are no stranger to the plight of those who serve and those who have served. My husband is part of the latter. He gave the Army 11 years of service before a gunshot wound suffered during his first tour in Iraq eventually ended his career. He proudly wore his ACUs, day after day, starching and ironing—always filled with pride. Retired as an E6, my husband and I both wonder why the repeal of DADT is so controversial? “If someone wants to serve and protect this country, they have ever right to,” is what my husband—someone who has seen Iraq combat twice—says about the issue. And that viewpoint seems to make the most sense.
Men and women have been serving side by side in both Iraq and Afghanistan since 2003. And gays have been serving in the military since the dawn of time. To allow something so archaic and hateful as DADT to remain is shameful to say the least. Congressman, I ask you to fight for those men and women who only want to serve and protect this nation. I urge you to take to the floor and vote YES on the repeal of DADT.
Furthermore, I urge anyone reading this to spread the word. Share this link (also pasted below) with everyone in your address book. It takes five minutes to voice your thoughts to your representative–just think of the power we have if everyone used just 5 minutes to make a call or send an email. We have the power to change the world. Our representatives sit in Washington b/c we put them there. They are there to represent our interests, not those of big business or big oil. Make them work for you.
FInd your senator here: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
until next time…
Filed under: Gay Rights, Political | 1 Comment
Tags: DADT, gays in the military, repeal DADT, Sen. Bob Corker, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Senate, US Army
books, books and more books
I love books, bookstores, libraries, online bookstores, coffee and books, books in the shade, books in bed, books on a plane, on the couch but never in a car. At any given moment, I am usually reading at least 3 books. There are just so many I want to read that I feel it’s necessary to read multiple books at once hoping that maybe eventually I will get through them all — I know, I dream big. (And I know I can never read every book, but keeping an open mind expands the possibility.)
I am also a fanatical lover of technology…especially new technology. But there is one thing I cannot get behind: E-readers. I won’t do it. I refuse. I couldn’t imagine trying to curl up in bed with an iPad or Kindle. I need my books. I thrive when surrounded by my books. Some are surprised to learn that I am anti-e-readers. I just tell them I am retro. I love the way a book feels in my hands. I relish exploring the front and back covers of a new book. I love buying a really old used book and imagining where it has been and who has read the words before me. And the almost secure feeling of a book lying on your chest after you slowly drift into a sound sleep–I doubt an iPad or Kindle can garner the same feelings of safety and warmth. They’re cold. And hard. And not at all cuddly.
I have a Mac, an iTouch, an iPhone. (I’m a walking apple cliche.) I watch netflix online and social media encompasses much of my time. But I can’t and I won’t read “a book” online or in any electronic format.
until next time…
Filed under: Deeper thoughts | 1 Comment
Tags: apple, books, ebooks, ipad, kindle, mac
I encourage comments of all form and emotion. I enjoy a lively debate and will always approve comments IF the poster uses his or her name with the comment. I will not approve comments where the person felt it necessary to chose a fictitious handle. I put myself out there with this blog and if you want your thoughts heard, you will use your name and/or website. This isn’t postsecret.com, it’s a blog.
And while we are on the subject, I will not approve comments from people who troll the sites and post the exact same thing on every site regarding a topic he or she has google alerts for. (Yes, I am talking to you Mickey. Stop trolling all the TN sites and posting the same crap about a certain congressman.)
Other than that, let’s do this! Post what you think or feel. React. Discuss. Do it.
until next time…(which will be soon and much more often from here on out.)
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: anonymous posts, identity
a letter to delta….
Just sent this to Delta regarding my horrific experience with their airline July 20. Avoid Delta at all cost.
I flew from Rochester, NY to Atlanta, GA July 20, 2010. Upon landing at 5:30 p.m., I received a call saying that my 7:10 p.m. flight from Atlanta to Chattanooga, TN was delayed until 9:20 p.m.
There was a reason I booked the flight that I did. I had to work at 9:30 p.m. Upon deboarding, I immediately found the customer service. I explained the situation to the woman and she handed me back my boarding pass and rudely stated that I was stuck in Atlanta until then. Even though I had just explained that my husband was going to have to drive to Atlanta to pick me up so I could make it to work. Upon a second explanation of this, she shoved an itinerary into my hand and said that I had a voucher for a flight from Atl to Chattanooga.
I began walking around the airport, waiting for my husband to arrive. I looked at a a departure board and saw that there was an 8:25 p.m. flight to Chattanooga. Why wasn’t I offered this flight? I found another customer service area and asked about this flight. This woman informed me that it would cost $50 if I wanted to opt out of my 9:20 flight and take the earlier one. I asked why it would cost me and again explained the situation. She looked up my information and explained to me that my flight could still leave earlier. Now why wasn’t I told that by the first lady? At this point, my husband was already 50 minutes into his 2 hour drive to pick me up. I walked away from the customer service desk and within two minutes had a phone call alerting me to a change in my flight again. This time it was saying that my flight was leaving at 7:10 — on schedule.
When I tried to explain my situation at the gate worker, as I didn’t know if I was still able to get on the plane b/c of the voucher that was given to me, the woman working, clearly frustrated, sternly remarked that she had no idea as she just arrived and I needed to give her all my paperwork. I did. and she got me on the plane. Conveniently enough the voucher was missing from my stack of paperwork.
I have several problems that I encountered by fliying delta: 1. Why wasn’t I told by the first, and very rude, customer service lady that my flight still had a chance of leaving as scheduled. 2. After hearing my story, why wasn’t I offered a flight on another airline or at least the 8:25 flight? I have been on other flights that were cancelled and other airlines have done all they could to ensure I arrived on time. 3. Why were most of the Delta airlines employees I encountered so rude? They process tickets and get to enjoy many benefits of free air travel, I would expect them to as least have some common decency.
I travel a lot. To FLA, NY and DC. I now plan to avoid Delta airlines at all costs….even if that entails me driving 1.5 hours to the Knoxville airport or two hours to Nashville. I am utterly digusted and will make it a point to share this experience with friends, family and also on my blog. www.stephaniecoward.wordpress.com
Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
Tags: Air travel, Airlines, Atlanta Airport, Delta
remember me?
So it has been months since I posted here. And oddly enough, I have been jonesing to write, but I have allowed life to get in the way. I’m really in a writing mood here lately, but not a write and post on the web kind of mood. It’s been a long few months and I am trying to refocus, which is a difficult thing for me — even in ideal circumstances. Here is my past year as quickly and as cleanly as I can present it.
Quit my job. Moved back to Tennessee — Chattanooga this time. Applied for jobs. Got a job. Quite smoking. Lost a job — writing was “too newsy” for a newspaper. Joined a gym. Basset hound had both her eyes removed. Applied for more jobs. Studied for the GRE. Took the GRE. Did better than before, but not as good as I wanted to on the GRE. Applied to grad school. Anxiously awaited decision from UTC. Got accepted. Began grad school May 4. (UTC, MPA 2012). books. reading. coffee. writing papers. books. red bull. reading. coffee. coffee. research. writing papers. reading. coffee. coffee. red bull. And here we are.
Oh yeah, and I started a blog on tumblr. Not sure how I feel about it. Stop by stephaniecoward.tumblr.com and see a picture of my beautiful, no-eyed basset, Liberty.
until next time…
Filed under: Deeper thoughts | Leave a Comment
sarah palin’s coming to town…
This song, a parody on “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” is just ridiculous enough to fit the lunacy that is the conservative right. Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmanna and Marsha Blackburn should be called out by ALL Americans, not just those of an opposing party. Their hate-filled rhetoric and constant misleading of the American people is beyond wrong. All politicians must be held accountable for their actions and words. As long as people allow the status quo to continue, so will the lies and hate-fill propaganda.
Thankfully there is another option in Tennessee’s District 7. Dr. Greg Rabidoux plans to bring moderate, informed leadership to the people of Tennessee. People are talking here and they’re constantly expressing their disdain for Blackburn and her leadership. Just as the Republicans lost the Oval Office in 2008, I truly believe more will do so this year.
Align yourself with informed leaders who are in it for the good of the people, not those who are only out to cater to big businesses.
Enjoy! http://www.teapartycircus.com/Song.html
until next time…
Filed under: Political | Leave a Comment
Tags: Congress, District 7, Greg Rabidoux, Marsha Blackburn, Michele Bachmann, sarah palin, tea party, teabaggers, Tennessee
“blowin’ in the wind…”
On Memorial Day, a former professor of mine at Austin Peay State University announced his intent to run for Tennessee’s 7th District Congressional seat. Dr. Greg Rabidoux will spend the next year and a half attempting to knock out incumbent, Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
Rabidoux holds a JD and a PhD; Blackburn has a degree in home economics. Rabidoux is a moderate who spends his days educating America’s future, mediating disputing parties and just finished writing a book. Blackburn ran a promotion-event management firm. We will save that one for another day.
I worked with Dr. Rabidoux not just as a student but also as a fellow journalist. Rabidoux wrote a weekly column for The All State during my time there. His columns were not just informative, they reached the student body and taught it something even while making us all chuckle. He has a knack for knowing his audience and people respond to that. People respond to those who want to lead when said would-be leaders know the people. He is in touch with the Clarksville community and I look forward to watching and hearing about him grow more in touch with the entire 7th District in the coming months.
Earlier today I began researching Blackburn’s Congressional voting record. It’s interesting to say the least. I have to do a bit more research, and will write more about her record when I am better prepared.
Until next time…
Filed under: Political | 1 Comment
Tags: 7th District, Austin Peay State University, Congress, Dr. Greg Rabidoux, Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee, The All State
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