tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post7699859975044271264..comments2024-03-20T08:32:25.794-04:00Comments on Dept. of Nance: In Which We Discuss All Manners Of Distress And Patrick HenryNancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-45770166731104780372017-01-19T15:41:26.540-05:002017-01-19T15:41:26.540-05:00Hi, Mary G--Just now seeing this comment. Dumb mo...Hi, Mary G--Just now seeing this comment. Dumb move by the city council, of course, unless the business was a sex shop using it for a <i>double entendre</i> or something. I agree that, in many cases, Political Correctness can be (and has been) taken too far, and this may be one of them.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-37723676708831129402017-01-18T12:13:29.175-05:002017-01-18T12:13:29.175-05:00I can't remember where I saw this, but just la...I can't remember where I saw this, but just lately a city (?) council banned someone from using 'Moby Dick" as the name of their business because Dick is such a nasty word. I wonder how all of the men named Dick or using the word as a short form of Richard feel about this.<br />Talk about illiteracy!MARY Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178370815712313585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-60741028900678958922017-01-15T21:26:34.397-05:002017-01-15T21:26:34.397-05:00Oh the RAIN! We have been loving it. I definitel...Oh the RAIN! We have been loving it. I definitely feel for the people who are affected by flooding, or trees falling on their cars or houses (one woman in our little town was killed when a tree fell on her, and it wasn't even raining that day!), but generally I am really relieved that we've gotten so much rain recently.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653383372182667361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-83087049086446464092017-01-15T17:41:22.565-05:002017-01-15T17:41:22.565-05:00J@jj.cm--Thank you for Marching (there, I've c...J@jj.cm--Thank you for Marching (there, I've capitalized it, too!), and I'm happy to know you'll have a built-in support team of other strong women with you. I also hope it won't be raining. I've been watching the rain in Cali with great interest and hope. One map I saw showed drought conditions completely eased in large swathes of the state. It's upsetting that the rains caused terrible problems for some areas, of course; I hope things get straightened out. <br /><br />Yes, the Internet can cause lots of confusion and rash actions. It's one of the reasons I work so hard on each and every one of my posts. I want to be sure it says exactly what I mean to say, and this one does that. Thanks for adding your thoughts, and thanks again for Marching (in upper case because it IS that important).Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-30183368899006685812017-01-14T23:54:23.758-05:002017-01-14T23:54:23.758-05:00I'm going to a women's March here, (my stu...I'm going to a women's March here, (my stupid tablet won't let me keep the M lower case. I've tried 4 times.) with my daughter and Ted's mom. It may rain, but we will not be wearing cute hats, no matter the name. And I do not like the name. Nor do I understand the commenters who thought you were attacking your blog friend, but sometimes the Internet can be a tricky place of misunderstandings.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653383372182667361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-45218016234727131902017-01-14T16:29:23.589-05:002017-01-14T16:29:23.589-05:00Nance --- Agree with you 100%. Regarding words su...Nance --- Agree with you 100%. Regarding words such as 'bitch' and 'dick' being used in common parlance in recent years/months... I am equally astonished. Especially the word ‘dick’--- it is easier, somehow, for me to accept ‘bitch’ (whether as a noun or verb, albeit demeaning). The other--- not so much. Maybe my reluctance is stronger when the words are related to private parts, haha!<br /><br />From the perspective of someone who teaches Spanish and is surrounded by 'heritage speaker' Spanish vocabulary ... I suffer in 2 languages. But as my boss is fond of saying: the common man (and woman!) rule. What is non-U today will end up in the dictionary tomorrow. (Which is why, of course, Latin is no longer a spoken language, lol.) That said, I respectfully point out these nuances to my students:<br /><br />— “Truck” is not “troca.” The standard term is “camión.” Likewise, “lunch” is not “lonche” ... and so on.<br /><br />There are actually textbooks for heritage speakers, due to the overwhelming need in states like Texas, which address their special needs in learning Spanish: they understand spoken Spanish and speak it fairly well, but are basicaly illiterate in terms of reading and writing. Message behind the Mission and Meaning: Loud and Clear!Ortizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03709991994425909880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-51210756795072378782017-01-14T15:59:39.686-05:002017-01-14T15:59:39.686-05:00I wonder if the women who wear these hats see the ...I wonder if the women who wear these hats see the hat's cartoonishness as a positive. There's a lot of video games and anime that involve strong heroines who look rather silly and cutesy to me. However, to those women who follow these characters, they see strength. I dunno. Just a thought.Ally Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17017098395188176477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-82695683789800721482017-01-14T11:42:08.356-05:002017-01-14T11:42:08.356-05:00Ortizzle--I've done a ton of posts here regard...Ortizzle--I've done a ton of posts here regarding my own swearing. I have, in the past and many, many times, tried with varying degrees of success, to stop swearing and to stop using The Eff Word. Like you, I swear, even though I have an impressive vocabulary and use it unsparingly. And, like you, when I do use The Eff Word, it isn't as a verb. I use it in anger or frustration, mostly, as an expletive or as a modifier (i.e., "That f*ing idiot let his dog shit in my herb garden!" or "F*ck! That really hurts!").<br /><br />I remember being astonished when "bitch" became okay on prime-time, network television a couple years ago. This year, I noticed it's the word "dick," as in "Stop being such a dick." <br /><br />As a writer, devotee of The Language, former English and writing teacher, and all around Word Person, I know language changes and forms to its culture and speakers and era. In most cases, I remain fascinated and awed by the changes and accept them in all good nature. It's not My Language, per se. <br /><br />But, as so many women here have said, Language is a Powerful Tool. And so are (that buzzword) Optics and the interpretation of both. I want the Message Behind The Mission and Meaning to be clear. Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-60881965457573738632017-01-14T11:27:24.859-05:002017-01-14T11:27:24.859-05:00Nance--- Gutiérrez is indeed awesome. The fact tha...Nance--- Gutiérrez is indeed awesome. The fact that he is Hispanic makes it even sweeter, I think (NO "PUSSIES" and "NO RAPISTS"...!) <br /><br />I was just reading a comment further down about how being offended by the word "pussy" is a generational thing. Could be. For me, it is not the use of strong language per se, but rather the individual word itself. I use strong language all the time... hardly a day goes by that I do not use the F word. That said, literal vs. figurative also plays into the equation. I only use the F word to express anger. Never in the literal sense. I remember being shocked when I first came back to the States and would hear women casually comment, for example, (in a group of only women) "He's really hot. I would totally f*ck him." My jaw dropped. And still does when I hear anyone use it in the literal sense. We are not talking about sleazy ghetto girls--- these were college-educated, middle class women and the same age group as me!! Of course, during the quarter of a century I was not living here, quite a lot went mainstream: butt, for example. Never said that word as a kid. Suddenly, it was totally cool to say that, even on T.V.! And the Smothers Brothers got their show cancelled all those years ago for saying (I think) "hell." Also... “that sucks.” I use that expression quite a lot now, but it was a shocker the first time high school girls (my students) used it in my presence. Definitely a case of getting over the literal meaning, lol!Ortizzlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03709991994425909880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-63715599669110839482017-01-14T10:38:01.471-05:002017-01-14T10:38:01.471-05:00Ally Bean--Oh, I think age has a lot to do with .....Ally Bean--Oh, I think age has a lot to do with ... a lot! Using that term for the female genitalia is not mainstream or positive in my/our generation, nor is it used to refer to women in general, at least not in my experience/social circles. It has always been a pejorative, coarse term used by, well, coarse and low-class men.<br /><br />I do agree with you on another point, that the hats are cute. That is another problem for me. We want to be taken seriously, as I said, since the issues for which we fight are serious ones. Wearing cute pink hats conflicts with that message, in my mind. Mixed messaging, so to speak.<br /><br />I also agree that empowering women to fight a vulgar, sexist creep like him is Important--vitally so. I remain dismayed by the strong women in this fight wearing cutesy pink kitty cat hats as their armor.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-73138415441304048682017-01-14T10:14:09.567-05:002017-01-14T10:14:09.567-05:00I have to wonder if age is the dividing line when ...I have to wonder if age is the dividing line when it comes to using the term pussy. in my observation, younger women, say those 35 and under, have no problem self-identifying as a pussy. While the older crowd finds it more offensive, having come from a more proper time. As for the hats... well, in and of themselves they're cute, and if wearing one empowers a woman to fight a vulgar sexist creep like The Donald, then I'm onboard with them. Not going to make one or search one out, but you know... whatever works, works. Ally Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17017098395188176477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-70715014659107491352017-01-13T17:33:35.313-05:002017-01-13T17:33:35.313-05:00Hi, Meredith--The pattern(s) and project are indee...Hi, Meredith--The pattern(s) and project are indeed everywhere! I was just reading about a pink yarn shortage from Dallas to Michigan and beyond. There has been plenty of publicity regarding the PhP, so I think the name will be/has been pretty widely known by now, if not certainly by the date of the March.<br /><br />I've just heard from a Marcher who is also a subscriber to my blog. She is generously going to write a guest post here detailing her experiences. Incidentally, she is wearing a pussyhat of her own design. I also got an email from a gentleman in Gettysburg, PA, also a subscriber, who told me that there are over 200 Marchers leaving from there. It's so exciting and gratifying!<br /><br />None of us should ever underestimate our value and worth as a strong woman when we advocate for not only our family but for other women. We may live it, write it, or find other outlets, may they be public or private.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts here as well. Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-76854362819305683372017-01-13T16:02:29.810-05:002017-01-13T16:02:29.810-05:00Nance,
I appreciate your conversation about the p...Nance,<br /><br />I appreciate your conversation about the project. Keep in mind it is a word I detest. A word I do not use but understand why it was chosen. I would wear the hat proudly and would not be embarrassed or feel silly. In a protest people often wear things to prove a point. And I feel very strongly that those wearing the hat will be the pretty much the only ones who know the name. A sea of pink hats, no matter the name or the pattern is a strong visual for others. The pattern and project are everywhere, even on NPR last night. I applaud the creators for doing something, something they felt would have an impact no matter the name of the project. It is more than I did.<br /><br />Hugs to you,<br />MeredithMereknitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-52434538243859548032017-01-13T14:28:54.983-05:002017-01-13T14:28:54.983-05:00Ortizzle--I did some research, and your congressma...Ortizzle--I did some research, and your congressman made my point so very, very well in an interview just two days ago when he said this (and I am quoting from transcript found <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2017/1/11/rep_luis_gutierrez_on_why_he" rel="nofollow">here</a>):<br /><br /><b>"...one of the primary reasons is, that I will not go to this inauguration—and let’s—I want to be clear: I went to George Bush’s inauguration, I’ve been here for 25 years, this is my 25th year in Congress, so I’ve been to quite a few, Republican and Democrat, inaugurations—was exactly that statement. I cannot unhear it. My mind doesn’t work so that I can eliminate those expressions of the president-elect, Donald Trump. And what did he say? They tried to normalize it during the campaign by saying that it was simply the talk of people in a gym. Right? Well, it’s not. And if anyone were to say that in a locker room—and I go to—I’ve been to a locker room here in Congress, right here in the Rayburn Building; thousands of days I spent in that locker room over the last 24 years. And I’ll tell you, I’ve never heard such an expression. And if I did hear such an expression, it would not go unchallenged by me. And I don’t believe that it is normal. It is abnormal for me to hear those kinds of expressions. And for me to have to stand by and normalize those kinds of expressions at an inauguration is something I cannot do that. I cannot look at my wife and my daughters and my grandson in the face if I were to stand at that inauguration."</b>Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-30830008997385911042017-01-13T13:46:05.535-05:002017-01-13T13:46:05.535-05:00Debbie Rinke--Hi there, and welcome to the Dept.
...Debbie Rinke--Hi there, and welcome to the Dept.<br /><br />It <i>is</i> a bit disturbing, which is why I chose to use it. I was writing about Cat-Related Things Which Are Disturbing To Me. I would never have used it, however, if the cat pictured (named Bella) was harmed in any way. I made sure to read the accompanying story, which I provided a link to in the first sentence of the post (<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/cat-caught-garage-door-saved-deputy/story?id=44684899" rel="nofollow">but here it is again</a>) to allay any fears or concerns. And as my friend from gfe, Shirley, in the comment above pointed out, I also made sure to attest to the cat's safety in the caption, too.<br /><br />And so you know that I'm Really Sincere, I want you to be aware that I am the proud owner of two rescue cats, who succeeded two previous rescue cats. My sons also owned two rescue cats (although they now own a rescue dog, pictured in my sidebar).<br /><br />Please let me know if you need anyone to vouch for my Coolness. I have about four hundred former Highschool students loaded up and ready to go.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-9322171587293476322017-01-13T12:11:54.167-05:002017-01-13T12:11:54.167-05:00The cat that got itself in this predicament is per...The cat that got itself in this predicament is perfectly fine. Nance already shared that in the caption.gfe--gluten free easilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08182613995248482102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-18922421357043825252017-01-13T12:10:05.137-05:002017-01-13T12:10:05.137-05:00Anybody but me having a hard time focusing on the ...Anybody but me having a hard time focusing on the message of this post because the picture is so disturbing?<br />Not cool! Debbie Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00585505678752696285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-936516465945127782017-01-13T09:11:07.924-05:002017-01-13T09:11:07.924-05:00Mary G--Thank you. As to "the most oblivious...Mary G--Thank you. As to "the most oblivious", that is who will be sitting in The Big Chair. I know what you mean about Marches, but look at the Civil Rights Movement in America. It took quite a few, but it was the Marches that got things rolling.<br /><br />Oh, Canada! Just when I think I could not love you more! XXOONancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-79986427939177016742017-01-13T09:08:40.567-05:002017-01-13T09:08:40.567-05:00Ortizzle--I had not heard about Congressman Gutier...Ortizzle--I had not heard about Congressman Gutierrez's stand. Bravo! I'm off to Google the info. <br /><br />You know, in this digital age, the optics are really what matters. Pink kittycat ears on women...the message is flawed and juvenile on the face of it. And when you add in the pejorative term, no amount of 'taking the word back' or any of that (and I don't want that icky term to begin with!) legitimizes it for me.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-38391999356384811402017-01-13T09:05:02.388-05:002017-01-13T09:05:02.388-05:00Teresa Kasner--Hello, and welcome to the Dept. Th...Teresa Kasner--Hello, and welcome to the Dept. Thanks for commenting.<br /><br />I'm a little confused. I went back to Meredith's blog, which I've been a follower of/commenter on for a while now, and checked to see if she had been inundated with nasty or negative comments since my post went up. There have been absolutely zero. My own comment on the post, which was similar to the content of my post here, ended with this quote,<br /><i>"I don't doubt for one solitary moment your seriousness, your commitment, or your deep passion for our cause as Women. It is the same as my own, and I thank you."</i><br />So, again, I am at a loss. <br />Honestly, I'm really confused.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-66594931097947294342017-01-13T08:53:16.013-05:002017-01-13T08:53:16.013-05:00Gina--I know that some other major metropolitan ar...Gina--I know that some other major metropolitan areas are organizing local Marches. Even so, a huge gathering like that is not for everyone. But each Woman can Resist in her own way every single day and make sure that she is active in her community, local, and state government, and be aware of what is happening on the federal level with Women's Issues.<br /><br />As far as the people here from Meredith's blog, which I mentioned as the source of the PhP, it's okay. She has a fiercely loyal following, and they're here to defend her. I'm just not sure from what. Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-18198429881639667642017-01-13T08:45:35.364-05:002017-01-13T08:45:35.364-05:00Claudia--Hi, and welcome to the Dept. As a retire...Claudia--Hi, and welcome to the Dept. As a retired English and writing teacher of thirty-plus years, I agree that words are powerful tools. I like to think of them as my Superpower. It's one of the many reasons I took up writing here at this space 11 years ago.<br /><br />Thanks for adding your opinion to the mix here. I asked for what people think, and I didn't do so in order to hear only those who agree with me. I think the echo chamber effect is a big reason why the country remains so divided and why even the most outrageous manufactured stories get legitimized as "news."<br /><br />As a friend of mine above who IS attending the March said, it's vitally important that we focus most on the March itself and its goals. And we can always agree to respectfully disagree.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-23191930552421141632017-01-13T08:31:21.373-05:002017-01-13T08:31:21.373-05:00I have no problem with it. It's taking a word ...I have no problem with it. It's taking a word that objectifies women when used in the context that we're obviously referring to, and using it to empower women. Words are powerful tools to educate and inform and co-opting that word to make a statement against the abuse and objectification of women is brilliant. <br /><br />If I could be at the March, I would proudly wear one of the hats.Claudiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16691249261693845371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-63548118379227277892017-01-12T23:04:12.179-05:002017-01-12T23:04:12.179-05:00I'm not for it either. I get it, it's sub...I'm not for it either. I get it, it's subversive and shocking, but I guess I am a prude and I don't like the slang term. I think all white would be a better visual.<br /><br />I wish I wasn't all the way across the country, I would so love to march! I will be there in spirit.<br /><br />And, I just adore random members of the Thought Police. Not.Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11604097511444010759noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-21746583823873812812017-01-12T22:59:43.855-05:002017-01-12T22:59:43.855-05:00I am sure that Nance can defend herself, but why d...I am sure that Nance can defend herself, but why do you think it was not nice of her to mention the place where she found out about the hats? She is not denigrating Meredith, she is stating why she doesn't agree with the idea. It's her blog, and I personally think it's not "nice" of you to come over here and tell Nance what she should and shouldn't do. Just sayin'.Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11604097511444010759noreply@blogger.com