Things I know little about, spoken publicly

Here's my schedule for Windycon. I only have one panel, and frankly I don't know much about the subject.

That has never stopped me before, and gods declare, it's not going to stop me now.

Friday, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., Lilac B:  Living Forever
Individual human cells can long outlive their original body. Dried seeds can sprout after several thousand years. Can humans live forever? Can we develop an anti-aging drug or is freezing our heads the only way to immortality?
J. Nikitow, S. Jackson, T. Akers


Saturday, 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m.:  Reading, Walnut Room

The future of America

Some thoughts on the election last night. Specifically the aftermath.

Once it was called for the president, a lot of the pundits were talking about how the Republican Party needs to rethink its messaging and direction if it wants to continue to be a nationally viable party. Now, I think that's a little premature, but I also think it's inevitable. A lot of the things that resonate with younger voters (and by younger, I mean the 25-45 crowd. People with jobs) are simply more progressive than what the GOP is currently offering. You can disagree with me on that, but the numbers are the numbers.

In response to this discussion, Ari Fleischer said something along the lines of "No, that isn't going to happen. The GOP isn't going to become the party of gay rights and pro-choice. We have a party for that, it's the Democratic party, and that isn't going to change."

Here's what bothers me about that. It's possible to be a conservative, a small government, pro-business, individualism driven conservative without giving an ass about gay marriage and abortion. Trust me on this. I know that the GOP has linked itself to the social conservative movement, and that that has paid dividends in the past, but I think that era is ending.

There was a lot of talk about hope last night, and the future. So let me tell you about my hope for the future. I hope that we can uncouple these outdated social positions from the government. The government shouldn't be trying to impose my religious ideas, or yours, or anyone's, on a population as diverse as we have in the United States.

I want this country to have a conversation about choice and the value of life that isn't chained to misogyny, about immigration without the taint of racism, and about marriage without the stink of homophobia. And I want the government out of that conversation, now and forever.

That's my hope. That's my belief. That's what needs to happen, for America to move forward, and to become the country we have the potential to be.