On March 17, the United Nations held a discussion with the cast and creators of Battlestar Galactica that dealt with, among other things, human rights, race, and the reconciliation of people of different religions.

Of course, this a very high honor for the series, and for sci-fi nerds everywhere (myself included). But it is more than that.

This event was part of the UN Department of Public Information’s new Creative Community Outreach Initiative (CCOI). The CCOI has also granted access for Law and Order: Special Victims Unit to film at UN Headquarters in New York (this has never happened before, apparently). From the press release

As one of the launch projects of the Creative Community Outreach Initiative, this event will show how skilful storytelling can elevate the profile of critical humanitarian issues,” said Kiyo Akasaka, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information. “Not only does it present an opportunity for creative discussion, but, more importantly, it offers a chance to deliver a message about the many harsh realities that still exist worldwide.

While it may be that the CCOI is little more than a glorified PR campaign, I think there’s some potential for a real exchange of information. The fact that their first two events were so different is a good sign.

The opening of their doors for the creative community, they’ll allow programs and other works of art that seek the knowledge or history of the UN to understand the UN in new way. Their invitation to the creators and stars of Battlestar Gallactica was a humble admission that they do not have the answers, and that the people who use the arts two wrestle with difficult issues have knowledge from which they might benefit.

Yes, this two way street is very promising. But what is not so promising is the dirth of information about this initiative. The pdf I linked to above is really all I was able to find, aside from mentions of the program here and there in press releases about the Battlestar Galactica event.

There are a few video clips from the BSG event, and I’ve heard rumors that the whole event will be available at some point. In the mean time, here’s what the UN released from the event:

What do you think?

I am not sure how I feel about this. I love Guernica, and this summer when I went to Spin, I spent about half an hour just staring at the painting. I then spent more time examining all of his preliminary sketches and plans for the painting.

I never would have imagined that he did so much preparation, and it gave me some comfort to know that even this genius needed some practice with his craft before he created this masterpiece.

I have never felt such hope for my country. I am near tears and likely will be all day, even though I’ll be in class throughout the Inauguration. Today may well be the last day I feel this kind of hope, since this man has a steaming pile of shit to remove before he can really do anything at all.

The fact that Obama was elected gives me great hope. I loved this election, and was so happy for so many reasons. I am proud, for the first time in my life, of this country. When I go abroad, I usually say I’m from New York, because I don’t want to associate myself with this country that has behaved so shamefully. Now, I think I will say that I am from the US. The country that just elected the first black President. The country that embraced and intelligent, non-partisan, idealistic message. The country that found hope in a time of deep despair.

But also, I have to say that I am so filled with something more than relief that the Bush administration is leaving. I can’t describe the hate, the fear, and the pain I think this administration as wrought on this country and the rest of the world.

I don’t want to dwell on this, because I want to be open to the hope that is radiating throughout the country today. I won’t dwell, but I will acknowledge and respect the guilty joy I feel in watching the worst President in the history of the Unites States go back to Texas. I will acknowledge it by saying

Bush, Cheney, et al: Don’t let the door… so on and so forth…

Okay, so Christmas isn’t really Christ’s birthday, it is a pagan solstice festival that was co-opted by Christians so no one would think their religion was lame. The festival was a way for people to make it through the winter when food was scarce and it was freezing.

Then, that makes the true meaning of Christmas, “Let’s stay as warm as we can by drinking and partying. It will cheer us up because it is freaking cold, and its dark for about 16 hours a day. So, in the true spirit of Christmas I give you this Christmas blessing:

MERRY CHRISTMAS
DON’T FREEZE YOUR ASS OFF!

This pup has been our groupie since we got Rock band.

We’ve been trying to rent this thing for a few months now, and every month we find someone (or a few someones) who want it. In some cases, they are very gung-ho, and we think, hey, we’re getting it rented. But they always back out at the last minute.

If I lived in the city, I would take this place in a heartbeat. It is close to the A, has a brand new kitchen, 3 bedrooms, and an almost new bathroom. The woodwork is gorgeous. It’s in a prewar building with a great super.

But, we can’t get it rented out. Why? I have no idea. The price is so good: $2000/ month. Did I mention it is 3 bedrooms? How about the Starbuck’s around the corner… If you are in to that kind of thing. We like the coffee at the Dominican bakery across the street better.

So. This is a plea: somebody rent my apartment! email max.evjen at gmail.com. He’s my husband. He’ll be really, really nice to you, and help you get through the application.

Here’s a link to some more photos.

The lights on our Christmas tree way out of focus.

Today change.gov launched a new feature that allows you to ask the administration questions. The idea is that the people have a direct line to the new administration with out having to go through the press.

I saw this, and, of course, several questions came to mind. How will they sort through the thousands upon thousands of questions they get and decide which ones to answer? How will they answer them? on the site? in a press conference?

You can vote on the importance of others questions, which may be one factor in how they will decide what to answer, and you can do the same in their comments as well as their ’seat at the table’ feature. But I have the same questions about all of these features. Is this just a gimmick, or are our voices being taken seriously. I believe that Obama et al. want to take us seriously, but I want to know how they are going to accomplish taking us seriously.

At any rate, I went back to see if people thought this was an important question. Well, I was told that 54 like this question and 34 don’t. I was impressed that that many people had read my question, so great. Until I noticed something underneath my ratings. Take a look:

Did you see it? My ’submission was removed because people believe it is inappropriate.’
Un-f&cking-real. My question is inappropriate? I don’t even have words for how pissed I am. Unpopular, fine, but inappropriate makes it sound like the question was full of expletives or laced with racial epitaphs or something awful like that.

So now, I want to know just who these people are and why my question is so f&cking inappropriate.

And all I can think to say is that the trouble with participatory democracy is that anyone can participate.

I came across this picture again, and was reminded of why John McCain lost. I was also reminded of the many studies and reports that have come to the conclusions that the press was biased in their reporting of the candidates. I have thought about this, because I want to be the first to admit it if it is true. I hate that people think Fox News is ‘fair and balanced’ so I don’t want to be dismissive of credible evidence that there is a lack of balance in the reporting on these two candidates.

But the answer to the question of whether or not there is any real bias is in this photograph. These two candidates clearly weren’t in the same league. The ‘bias’ people claim to find is the same ‘bias’ with which someone might write an article about global warming without giving the same consideration to those who think it is not happening. It is the same bias given to evolution over intelligent design. Barack Obama did not receive the advantage in the media, the advantage, this time, went to logic and reason. Just as the advantage went to fear four years ago.

Singing Hole gives me an attitude I guess. By the end of the night I was totally channeling Courtney Love. Only I wasn’t drunk, I don’t smoke anymore, I have never been strung out on methamphetamines, and I’m not a total lunatic. Other than that, exactly like her.

UPDATE: this photo was taken by Dima.