I had been thinking about doing this for a couple of days, but since it's out of character for me to get political and share it, I wasn't sure.  Tonight, I saw that someone else put a similar thought out in a bulletin, so it pushed me to also make my voice heard, at least to those who read my blogs.

I have been studying my sample ballot for a little while, trying to educate myself on the lesser-known propositions and office elections.  I want to make sure I give as much attention as I can to these things, outside of fending off smear ads on TV and the radio.  But there are two or three very important points that make this voting day huge for me. 

I'm an Obama fan, if anyone didn't know.  I have to admit that I voted for Hillary in the primaries, but Obama has a smooth delivery and a cool head, as well as great research and resources going into this election.  I agree with his policies, but more than that, I respect his approach.  I can't imagine having McCain in the White House, with his temper and his condescending facial expressions and talk.  And I'm scared to death of the prospect of having Sarah Palin there.  Don't even get me started on her.  This is sure to be a historic election, and I have gotten pretty teary-eyed just thinking about the possibilities.  Man, it's inspiring, if we make the right decision.

I am also pretty serious about voting YES on Proposition 2 in California.  It just seems like common sense to me, and only fair for a creature's short life.

But the California proposition that I am fervent about voting AGAINST is Proposition 8.  I can't imagine depriving another human being of the right to marry someone he/she loves, just because he/she is gay.  How much have we gone through-- women's votes, black votes, interracial marriages...  We can't go backwards in our country's development and allow discrimination to sneak into our laws.  This is not about what we prefer for ourselves.  It's not about any selfish need to make the state of California follow our own personal rules.  This is about human rights.  It's about equality.  And it's about love.  If you don't want your children to learn about love between a man and a man or a woman and a woman, then you are hoping to keep blinders on them about the truth-- something that's very real, and something that's precious.  I am so happy for anyone who has found The One.  Anyone who has the opportunity to spend the rest of her life with the person without whom she cannot breathe, I feel warm inside just knowing that she has this.  I have not found the man for me (and yes, I'm definitely straight), but I would expect that when he finds me, no one will tell me that I cannot marry him, if I so choose.  This is not because I'm straight.  It's because I'm human.

I don't mean to offend anyone by any of the comments I have made in this blog.  But I hope that everyone puts a lot (and I mean a LOT) of thought into their choices when they go to the polls.  This is a very important election, and it's sure to stir emotions for most Americans.  But we can't be selfish when voting about someone's rights.  This is not a vote for Homecoming King and Queen.  This is human rights.  Please choose wisely.

Obama '08

NO on 8

..peace..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kHhc67GopM

I hope everyone watches this whole thing (yes, it's long), and it makes each person think. That's all I hope. I know what I have gleaned from it, and I can only offer it for others to glean what they will. peace

Please show your support for a great local band (one to which I have contributed quite a bit, so I'm biased, of course!) by voting for Society at the SDMA website.  We've been nominated for Best World Music, and I'm optimistic that we can get this one.

www.sandiegomusicawards.com
 
Thanks for your support!  :)
 
shannon

~~www.shannonbatescreates.com~~

Please check out these links.  The first is a review of Society at our May 16th Belly Up show, and the second is a live recording of Society at our May 24th Winston's show.  And please also come see a live show, because there's nothing like the real thing... 

http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=27660791&blogID=397853783

http://www.archive.org/details/society2008-05-24.at831.flac16

Thanks for listening!

Well, I wasn't really part of the interview, and I was on Maui while the photoshoot took place, but I'm pretty damned proud of the article about iSociety! in this month's 944 magazine.

"Rebel Roar," the write-up  on pages 160 and 161 by Derek Shaw (with photos by John Dole) in the October issue of 944 magazine, strokes the egos of the dozen musicians in iSociety!, luring the reader to succumb to the band's on-stage power and come see us live.

Here are some of my favorite highlights of the long, flattering article:

...  Go-go girls on pedestals, a full horn section, papier-mache zebra-headed dancers, three guitarists, face-painted percussionists, tribal backup singers, keyboards and the most solid rhythm section in town.  Ladies and gents, introducing San Diego's own psychedelic circus all-star band (drum roll, please) ... iSociety!  ...

...  Dueling guitarists [Joel] Trout and Isaiah Mitchell have crazy chops and a solid sense of rhythm to emphasize [Joey] Guevara's catchy songwriting.  He exchanges infectious hooks with female vocalists Lia Dearborn and [Molly] Floyd interspersed with head-bobbing jams that can go on for minutes of improvisation.  Guevara calls out the changes, occasionally compelling each gifted member to solo and take the wailing spotlight.  Brian "Nucci" Cantrell beats the bongos, Mark Monteith is on the shakere, and a seasoned horn section adds another unique dimension to an already well-endowed group.  Shannon Bates and Dustin Hengl provide the sultry chops, a powerful combo on alto sax and trumpet.

Driven by the rock-steady pulse of brothers Joshua and Zachary Wheeler, drums and bass respectively, iSociety! moves along like a steaming locomotive and then twists into a seductive river of rapids.  ...

...  It may be true that making people shake on the dance floor is nothing new to members of iSociety!, but this experiment in stage presentation is something truly novel.  Concerts exude so much energy that it's sometimes difficult to focus-- the orgy of sight and sound is almost overwhelming but oh-so-intoxicating.  It will no doubt spawn imitators in its wake, but none shall assemble such a well-oiled machine as this funky goliath.  ...

Go pick up your copy of San Diego's 944 magazine today.  They're free at select locations all over the county.

And come see iSociety! live at an upcoming show.  You won't be disappointed.