It's No Longer Just Politics

This last weekend was. . .interesting, as Spock would say.

Normally, I avoid any political commentary on my blogs. But as the title says, it's no longer just politics.

Not when unidentified men break into homes, seize people and belongings, and disappear. Not when illegal gases are used to subdue peaceful protesters. Not when a single burning car is used over and over as propaganda to justify sending the U.S. military into Los Angeles.

You see, I'm old enough to remember Kent State. Ohio's Governor James Rhodes sent armed National Guardsmen to quell a protest at Kent State University. The soldiers claimed the students threw a rock. One rock.

They retaliated by opening fire on the students. Four unarmed kids died that day. And even though I wasn't even in kindergarten yet, I understood the slogan "Don't trust anyone over 30."

And now, I'm way over 30. I was brought up by people who served the public. People who were local government leaders. People who served at polls. People who fought in foreign countries.

I swore to uphold the U.S. Constitution three times in my life. My son took the same oath when he joined the military.

And now. . .

I see a group of idiots attempting to destroy the country.

And it royally pisses me off. I'll admit the idea that everyone is created equal still needs some work in this country. But to blatantly ignore someone's citizenship or green card and send them to a prison on a different continent?

What the fuck!

To have a military parade to please our leader?

We mocked the U.S.S.R. for doing that shit!

To arrest a member of Congress for attempting to speak with a director of an executive office?

To assassinate a member of a state legislature?

To claim the right to publicly assemble is illegal?

When I traveled down to the Carolinas to visit friends and family in March, someone I've known since the 80s asked me if I thought the U.S. was becoming fascist. I said, "We already are. People just haven't realized it yet."

Now, people are starting to realize it.

But is it too late to change course?

Only you can answer that question. 

The Ecomonic Slowdown

I don't normally talk politics on my blog. Unfortunately, many of my writing colleagues are starting to see the ramifications of the current administration's policies in regards to the economy. Book sales are down. Period.

It's not just us. Everyone's losing business because of the current round of inflation. One of my fantasy cover artists had a full 2025 schedule on January 1st. Now, she's got authors canceling their slots left and right. My romance cover artist closed her website because it had become too expensive and rarely takes new clients for custom covers. My other fantasy cover artist and I had a long e-mail discussion about the change in the industry.

DH's employer had a round of layoffs. If Medicare is trashed, neither of us will be able to retire any time soon.

My friends who've already retired fear losing their Social Security on top of watching their 401Ks in free fall.

And to top things off, the entire world economy is still recovering from the chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments are killing sick chickens in mass in an effort to keep the mutating avian flu from turning into another health disaster.

Which is why a carton of 18 eggs is now more expensive than a pound of ground beef in our town.

How the hell can we expect people to buy our books when they can't afford nutritious food? I say that as someone who has health issues and is making that very same cost/benefit analysis.

And then there are the tariffs against our allies, which is prompting boycotts and other retaliatory measures.

So here's what I'm thinking--

To my fellow Americans, if you like my stories, but can't afford my books or feel in good conscience you can't buy them from a mega corporation, I get it. I'm looking into opening my own store so I can give you discounts, and I'm not getting overcharged by certain companies. Also, contact your local libraries about carrying my books so you can read them for free. If it's a question of your library's budget, I'm more than happy to donate both e-books and print books to your library. Have your librarian contact me.

To my readers outside of the United States, I understand why you might be boycotting any U.S. vendors, including me. I didn't vote for the current administration, but everyone's suffering under his idiotic policies. Frankly, you've got to look out for yourselves. Hopefully, both I and my books will still be around once the current chaos is done.

 Until then, remember this quote from The Last of the Mohicans (1992):

You're strong! You survive! You stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will find you! No matter how long it takes, no matter how far. I will find you!

Why You Don't Mix Business with Politics

I know it's another contentious U.S. presidential election year. But for the love of the frickin' universe, you don't abuse your customer mailing list!

Your customers don't necessarily give a rat's ass about your political leanings. Some may lean in the polar opposite direction. However, it's not generally why they sought out your services in the first place.

On the other hand, if you do abuse you customer list, you'd better be prepared for the fallout.

So, what prompted this little rant?

The day before I caught COVID back in July, i.e. the 15th, I received a bizarre e-mail from Sticker Mule's CEO Anthony Constantino. He wanted people to back a certain presidential candidate by buying a Sticker Mule t-shirt. Here's what I received:

Hi Suzan,

Donald Trump was shot.

I don't care what you're political views are.

People are terrified to support Trump. I've been scared myself.

Americans shouldn't live in fear.

I support Trump. Many at Sticker Mule do.

Many at Sticker Mule also support Biden.

The political hate needs to stop.

Hopefully this email helps.

BTW, this week, get 1 shirt for $4 (normally $19).

I suggest buying one that shows you support Trump.

The more people realize that millions of compassionate, kind-hearted people support Trump, the sooner the hate will end.

Awesome people, all over the world, love Trump. Don't limit your friendships and diminish your happiness by indulging in political hate.

Vocalize your support. Stop the hate.

Anthony Constantino
Cofounder, Sticker Mule

P.S. Discuss this message on X.

In all fairness, I've been a customer of the company for a few years. I've bought mailers with my company logo printed on them, magnets and stickers for Kickstarter campaigns, and most recently dabbled with their temporary tattoos for the 10th Anniversary editions of the Justice series. I even tested a couple of t-shirt designs through Sticker Mule for promoting the Soccer Moms of the Apocalypse.
However, this was two days after the attempted assassination of that certain presidential candidate. Two people died that day. Hawking a t-shirt based on that terrible event was tacky to say the least.
A few customers expressed their displeasure, only to be mocked by Mr. Constantino on X (the social media site formerly known as Twitter).

He double-downed by sending another e-mail two days later.

Hi Suzan,

Crazy week! I gave $2500 bonuses to all 79 people on our support team because they received death threats. That must stop, but, on the bright side, we paid out $195,000 in bonuses.

If people expressing hate towards us want to feel good about something, they can take credit for helping our support team earn sizable bonuses.

Also, we changed the deal to 50 stickers for $9 thru Friday.

I hope my message supporting Donald Trump and encouraging respect for all people becomes a learning moment for everyone.

As much backlash as we received, it’s good for society that people learn that lots of people with BIG HEARTS support Trump.

I want maximum happiness for everyone!

Anthony
Cofounder, Sticker Mule

P.S. In other news, we made a commercial where everyone is naked.

Tying a sale to an attempted assassination once was tacky. I have no words for the second try.

*facepalm*

So what did Anthony do next? He started doxxing customers on X who objected to his emails and his tweets. Not that X's owner would stop him.

Forbes had an interesting take on the subject.

Then came the third e-mail on the same subject on August 14th:

Hi Suzan,

I'm sure you always wanted to sell your own hot sauce. Now you can.

Introducing white label hot sauce by Sticker Mule.

It's my genius idea to make Sticker Mule explode ever since the last CEO f'd things up.

And, I'm giving away $500 to 20 people who repost on X. That's $10,000 total.

Btw, now that I'm in charge, I ordered the last CEO to be left wrapped in bubble wrap in an abandoned warehouse.

That should fix things,

Ricky Berwick
CEO, Sticker Mule

P.S. Find out what happened to our last CEO.

For the record, Ricky Berwick is a comedian/actor. And I really don't get the need to bribe people to spread your message.

Here's the thing. Customers buy your products because those products make your customers feel good in some way. Customers sign up for your e-mails because they want to know about your products. And this is the reason I have two different websites.

Then there's not understanding who your customers are. Most of Sticker Mule's customers are small business owners like me. A lot of them are artists. Artists tend to lean left. So why did Anthony think his blast to his customers was okay?

Was the assassination attempt horrible? Yes, two people died, three others were injured. But I wouldn't send an email to my readers and use this terrible incident or any other to sell my books. My readers would kick me to the curb and rightly so.

For example, I mostly talk about my new books, Kickstarters, swag, etc. on the Suzan Harden website because that's mainly for my readers/customers. Wild, Wicked & Wacky is for my personal likes/dislikes and thoughts on the publishing business. Only a few personal friends follow both blogs.

I'm not saying Anthony Constantino doesn't have a right to his opinions. And he has a First Amendment right to express those opinions. Unfortunately, most people don't understand the right to express your opinions doesn't mean people have to agree with them. Or even listen to them.

So my bit of advice (if you chose to listen to my opinion), don't inflict personal stuff on your customers, like who to vote for. That doesn't build good business relationships.

Politics and the Artist

The Problem We All Live With, (c)1964, Norman Rockwell

A lot of folks are of the mind no artist can be political.

But we all have our own beliefs and ideas. And those beliefs and ideas are all politicized somehow, someway, in an effort to police thought and behavior.

I've had folks complain about my lead character being women. Or Black. Or how dare a paralegal go through a pregnancy by herself after her boyfriend broke up with her.

I don't think too many readers have realized Chief Justice Anthea is three-quarters Navajo. Or that a majority of the people of Issura are a mix of Celtic, Etruscan, and Chumash. Or that Luc is half Native American and half African.

There's a bunch of people who aren't going to like Queer Eye for the Super Guy because LGBT+ characters are going to take over the 888-555-HERO storyline.

Hell, I had people complain about Bloodlines even though all the major characters would be considered white by today's standards. In that series though, religion was the main driving point.

*ALL HAIL SAM, THE GODDESS OF DEATH*

The point I'm trying to make is we use art to express ourselves. In all ways. Whether other people like it or not. If you don't, the smart thing to do is walk away. Because none of you are going to dictate who and what I write about.

If you don't like my stories, write your own. There are people out there who think like you do. Share your stories with them. There's no reason to police the rest of the world's thought processes. And guess what? You won't succeed either.

Coronavirus Pandemic Day 82 - And the U.S. Burns

His name was George Floyd. We watched a police officer grin gleefully while he crushed the neck of Mr. Floyd in the street gutter for no other reason than he could. And snuffing out his life was simply the last straw in a string of incidents over the last few months.

Genius Kid called Saturday night, upset and worried. Have you seen anything like this? What about the spread of COVID among the protestors?

My response--yes, I have, but what's the difference if you're going to suffocate from a police officer kneeling in your neck or suffocate from the effects of the disease?

Maybe that's why I write books with casts of different races, religions, and genders. I have seen this before. Too many times. Some of my earliest memories is of the 1968 riots. Of Dr. King's and Mr. Kennedy's assassinations. I didn't understand why adults kept telling me to share and get along with other kids when they obviously couldn't do it amongst themselves.

For the last sixteen years, other writers have told me not to talk politics. On the other hand, I'm accused of writing political propaganda by simply creating diverse cast of characters in my stories. I think deep down the race issue is why I created Justice Anthea. With her infrared vision, she quite literally cannot see skin color. It's a challenge writing books from her point of view. It also throws off a lot of assumptions and conventions I didn't realize I had until I stepped into her boots.

I want to write stories about people working together. About people getting along for the greater good. About people who stop and listen and don't make assumptions.

And I'm going to continue writing those stories. Maybe someone will listen. I can't stop the country from burning, but if one person realizes they can make a difference, then hopefully, the next one will, too. And the next one. And the next.

Until no one has to worry about going outside to enjoy the glorious summer sunshine because they're not going to die in the gutter.

The Russians Are Coming!

There's going to be people that think this is a political post. Kind of like the Russian 'bots that have weird fixation on my post from SIX FUCKING YEARS AGO title The Times They Are A'Changing.

Go read it. Seriously. I'll wait.

Someone did a shitty job of programming the 'bots. Or the guy(s) who programmed the 'bots have an obsession with Bob Dylan song titles.

Under normal circumstances, I'd laugh.

But they're fucking up my stats when I'm trying to make some decisions concerning my online business presence.

At least the Koreans try to flood my comments with questionable links.

Art and Politics

I haven't posted anything in the last couple of weeks. While I could blame my efforts on getting Zombie Goddess ready for publishing and writing Sacrificed, that's not the entire truth.

I'm sure there are those who will mock me, saying I spent the time crying into my pillow because I'm a woman and the 19th Amendment will be revoked and etc. Those insults aren't the whole truth either.

The reason I didn't post is because I wasn't sure how the election outcome would affect my writing (I haven't been self-censoring, whew!) and my business (ironically it's up).

There's always going to be those who reject my work because my personal beliefs don't match theirs. I hate to inform the most recent haters, but this is nothing new. People I don't know are more vocal about their displeasure with me, but I really doubt you would have read my books before the election results.

If anything, I've seen people twist their hate, the hate deliberately flamed by the politicians this last election cycle, into self-defeating behavior. Even Kris Rusch, the most knowledgeable person blogging about writer business interests today and the most politically neutral of commentators, ran afoul of at least one reader. The topic was how a writer needs to plan for all scenarios, regardless of personal feelings.

That's being responsible on the business side. I've known too many people who've let their personal feelings get in the way of objective business decisions. You can't stop them, and I'm too old to try at this point.

But what about your art?

I hate to say this, but art has always been political. Art comments on the things we often dare not say aloud or even directly. Even something as simple as Star Trek: The Original Series was political. It often addressed the ongoing Vietnam War and the volatile race relations that were happening as it aired. And the other series of the time that played it safe by ignoring those very issues are no longer remembered, or if they are, they are considered relics of an unenlightened era.

Many people would find Alter Ego's books objectionable because they include polyamory and BDSM. Even the books under my own name would be questionable because of interreligious relationships (the Egyptian prince and Jewish-American princess in Blood Magick, which I swear, no one seems to get that's what happened in the damn book!), interracial relationships (fae and human in a future short story), differently-abled relationships (A Question of Balance) or even an older woman/younger man relationship (Blood Sacrifice).

Invariably, there are those people who are just in a pissy mood, and they decided they're going to take it out on everyone. It really doesn't matter what you do.

Over the weekend, the vice-president-elect Mike Pence attended Hamilton: An American Musical. The Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway show, about the U.S.'s first secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton, is sold out three years in advance. (I know for sure because I tried to get tickets for 2019.)

At the close of the show Friday night, cast member Brandon Victor Dixon addressed Pence. Dixon also chided the audience for booing the vice-president elect. Yet, all the major news outlets and president-elect Trump are calling for the Hamilton cast to apologize, and they totally ignore Dixon's call for civility. I strongly suggest you watch video of the incident without the commentary and decide for yourself. The thing I find funny is Dixon plays...


...wait for it...


...VICE-PRESIDENT AARON BURR!


Yes, I have a very perverse sense of humor.

By the way, if you're totally offended by what happened at Friday night's show and you already bought your Hamilton tickets, I'd be more than happy to save your delicate sensibilities by taking them off your hands.

As a commenter on Facebook said, if the cast had said nothing, the Saturday headline would have been "Hamilton Cast Snubs V-P Elect".

For me, I just going to keep writing.

Instead of listening to Lady Gaga's new album ad nauseam for the last two weeks as I'm wont to do when she drops a new one, I've been pulling out a lot of hip-hop and rap I listened to in the '80's and early '90's. They were the protest acts of my generation, just like Bob Dylan was for the previous generation.

So to my fellow artists, keep writing what you're passionate about and kill the naysayers with kindness, the Hamilton way.

And we'll end today's ruminations with Above the Law's "Freedom of Speech":

When Will I Be Good Enough?

A friend commented in an e-mail about how intense my blogs were last week. I had to think about my reactions to the subject matter, and I believe I figured out the commonality.

"You're not good enough."

Even though only one particular incident was aimed directly at me, that was the gist for most of the people I mentioned in last weeks' posts. I've heard this refrain my entire life, and it still pisses me off.

I wasn't good enough for my mother. Why couldn't I be athletic like my sister and brother? Why couldn't I be a pretty cheerleader like my cousin Stephanie? Why couldn't I stop embarrassing my mother by speaking my mind?

It continued through school, but now my peers and teachers piled on. Why was I such a nerd getting straight A's? Why couldn't I get a boyfriend? Why couldn't I dress right?

And it carried through my adult years. I wasn't good enough because I refused to sleep with a boss. I wasn't good enough because I wasn't employed at a big law firm. I wasn't good enough because I wouldn't work for free.

When I started writing, the rejections and the angst only added to the miasma of insecurity. Ironically, what helped, really, really helped, was indie publishing. Trusting my voice. Trusting my talent. Trusting myself.

The put-downs haven't gone away.

I had an indie writer bitch me out for congratulating another writer who was ecstatic about signing with a publisher. It's not my life; it's not my career. If this particular person was happy with her decision, then I would support her.

I also had a trad published writer tell me that since I had made a trad sale last year, then maybe now I could get an agent. There's something wonderful in having a little self-confidence. I simply asked her why I needed one if I could make my own sales.

It took me nearly fifty years to learn not to let people make me feel inferior. Sometimes, I think I would have learned that lesson a lot sooner if  had someone in my life had been willing to stick up for me.

So yes, that's why I get passionate when I see someone bullied or put  down. I know what it feels like, and I want the recipient of such treatment to know they're are not alone.