Jamie Tyroler
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Have any movies influenced your view of the world?
There are a few movies that have had an impact on how I view various issues, such as Jean Renoir's "La Grande Illusion", which, among many things, shows that national identity can be determined by an imaginary line between two nations, and Gillo Pontecorvo's "La Battaglia di Algeri", which, to me, shows how people can react to a occupying force. Although this movie is about Algeria's fight for independence from France, it's also a good analogy of US forces in Iraq. Read More
January 29, 2008
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We are a species that can be incredibly vicious, short sighted, and self-centered. We are also a species that can be incredibly empathetic, caring, and courageous. We have the ability to destroy much of this planet, but also the ability to save our species, other species, and this planet. We have to make the right choices as humans. Read More
January 28, 2008
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Re: What are the top 10 greatest rock and roll bands of all time?
Buddy Holly & The Crickets, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground, David Bowie, The Ramones, The Clash, Elvis Costello, U2, The Cure Read More
January 26, 2008
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I'm agnostic, so whether there is a God, no God, or multiple Gods is unanswerable. Read More
January 26, 2008
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Many transgender people have to deal with a dual identity, having the body of one gender and an internal gender identity of another. Traditionally, in Western cultures, we only allow for either "male" or "female". However, gender identity is a fluid construct - things that at one time where considered masculine are no longer thought to be masculine (i.e., wearing frilly shirts and powdered wigs in the 18th century). Some transgender people manage to keep both identities pretty much separate, others become extremely stressed and make changes to their apparent gender identity, and stil… Read More
January 26, 2008
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Re: Policy & Politics: Whom should we interview?
Howard Zinn ("A People's History of the United States"Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine, Audioslave)John Major, former Prime Minister of the United KingdomGloria SteinemRachel Maddow (Air America, MSNBC) Read More
January 25, 2008
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American History/Civics are classes that are not that popular largely because there usually isn't any discussion of causes, effects, and future consequences. Much of American History is taught from a Euro-Centric view, which often leaves out people of color. Usually the earliest African-American named in US History is Crispus Attucks who is basically known for being killed at the Boston Massacre. African slaves were brought to the Americas fairly early during the time of European Colonialism on the East Coast. Basically, about 250 years pass before 1 African-American is named. One … Read More
January 25, 2008
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I am agnostic. I do believe that we can either solve or at least make a difference in many of the major issues: poverty, injustice, impact the environment for the better, and just about anything other issue. One of the major obstacles to making this kind of change, people need to reign in their greed or desire to have control over others. I believe that we need to be willing to help those who have less. Read More
January 22, 2008
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Re: Is the media responsible for the war in Iraq?
In some aspects, yes, most of the media weren't giving the opposition to the war any credence. The McClatchy Newspaper Group did have reports that contrasted the official line about Iraq being linked with al-Qaeda, but that get a lot of attention. Many people in the news media were basically cheerleaders - we'd been attacked and Saddam Hussein was a bad man who hated America. Since these are two different and unrelated statements, the Bush Administration did much to connect the two. Much of the media paid little attention to the people protesting our going into Iraq prior to the war… Read More
January 22, 2008
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Is a unified Iraq still possible?
Although the sectarian violence appears to have decreased, although some people believe that the different factions are waiting for US troops to leave, is it possible for Iraq to still be a single, sovereign nation? Read More
January 22, 2008
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Re: What will be the legacy of George W. Bush and his Administration?
There are several things that George W. Bush will be remembered. The so-called "No Child Left Behind" policy. A few elementary and high school teachers that I know have thought this as being more the "Every Child Left Behind" policy. He will also be remembered for the abstinence-only policy for teaching "sex". Lesbian and Gay children are told that, since they can't get married, they should refrain from sexual intercourse. In the meantime, students aren't taught how to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and, unfortunately, there have been reports of teenage girls … Read More
January 22, 2008
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Race does matter, but we have to realize that race isn't (cliche) a black or white issue. Most People of Color earn less than whites for similar jobs. In the United States, there seems to be several barriers for People of Color in the workplace. But, there is a growing number of interracial people in this world. Unfortunately for some people who are multi-racial, they don't fit in with our traditional concepts of race and are often excluded. Hopefully, there will be fewer barriers as time goes on. Read More
January 22, 2008
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I have the belief that we have the responsibility to try to improve the world - at least some small part of it. Read More
January 19, 2008
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Re: Re: Should we just leave Africa alone?
We should not give up on Africa. We can assist people by micro-lending. We can also help Africans by not turning a blind eye to repressive regimes. We should also deal fairly with Africa when it comes to using their natural resources. Read More
January 19, 2008
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Re: Re: How do you contribute?
I try to expand peoples' view of themselves and the world. Read More
January 19, 2008
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I occasionally write articles, often about gender issues, occasionally opinion pieces. I have led discussion groups to discuss issues regarding gender identity and how we all have components of being both male and female and how the concept of gender identity is not as clear cut of a concept that most people believe. Read More
January 19, 2008
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a human being who deserves the same rights as any other human. I am an American and deserve the same rights and responsibilities as any other American. I am a transgender person - who should still have the rights and responsibilities as any other American, including the rights to have autonomy over my body, the right to be in love with another person without persecution, and access to fair and equal employment. I am Jamie Tyroler. Read More
January 17, 2008
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Several nations have started to recognize "same-sex" marriage, others, such as the United States are trying to ban them. The reason "same-sex" is in parentheses is this assumes that there are only 2 genders - even though, in reality, there is a very large diversity of physical and emotional genders. Should marriages be considered a legal contract with certain legal rights and benefits be between any two consenting adults? Read More
January 16, 2008
I am a disabled transgender activist and writer living in Kansas City, MO. I was born in Sedalia, MO, the home of the Missouri State Fair and "Goober Burgers" in 1959. I graduated from the University of Kansas in 1982 with a B.A. in Psychology. I occasionally write for a Kansas City area LGBT paper CAMP (www.campkc.com). Other than taking a lot of medications and hoping for universal health care in the US, I generally sit a lot and occasionally send emails on behalf of various human rights organizations.
