Politics...public...scary.

I still can't formulate a reasonable response to this. It just doesn't make sense and I don't get it. Category romance = porn. HOW?!?!?

However, I'm not a happy! My new motto: I'm a Texan and I vote

 

Thanks for the link to the Democratic Party. I'm headed there now!

 

PERMISSION TO FORWARD GRANTED

I wanted to let you know about an issue in Texas that affects all
romance writers and readers.

The Democratic candidate for Texas State Comptroller, Fred Head, is
waging a negative campaign against his opponent, who wrote one
romance novel in 1990. He's calling her novel and pretty much all
romance novels pornography.

You can check out his website at http://www.votefred head.com/ and
see the specific allegations against romance at http://www.votefred
head.com/ susan.html He's also posted the "pornographic" pages there.

My local chapters have contacted National to ask for a response and
we are trying to rally romance writers in Texas to speak out. It's
not a political issue. It's someone trying to further his career by
denigrating romance novels and making insulting ignorant claims about
them. I've contacted Fred Head, his opponent, the DNC, and RWA
National, and I'm waiting for responses from all but Head's opponent.
She was supportive of the genre. If you know anyone in Texas, please
encourage them to write to Head and demand an apology. Or if you want
to write to Fred Head and let him know that he's offended you, his
email is fredhead @ goquest.com (no spaces).

Shane Bolks/Shana Galen

 

Some people are such eejits. And he thinks the good people of Texas should actually VOTE for him?? *snort*

 

My DH has actually said that he HATES what I write with an emphatic HATE. He says it embarrasses him, and that he believes I write porn.

However, he's told me that it's one of the only things in my life that makes me really happy and that I should continue to do it.

What the hell kind of mixed message is that?? I don't even write the super duper hot stuff. So I have to struggle with this at home as well. DH and I never talk about my books, how they're doing, royalties or anything like that.

But he can kiss my butt if he thinks I'm going to give up writing, DH or no. That fact that I love romance has no bearing on our love/sex life, since I've loved romance since I was a 12 y/o girl. So DH can just get over himself. LOL

~~Becka

 

For anyone who wishes to email Mr Fred Head... um... sounds vaguely like a porn star doesn't he... and express their displeasure over calling a KISMET romance pornographic. ...(KISMET? !! That's about as tame as you can get!) his email is:

fredhead@goquest.com

Be polite, respectful and to the point. Explain that Kismet was never pornographic. Good grief.

Saffire

 

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

 

reposting with links :)
~~~~~~~~
Debate? Okay.


I don't think stressing abstinence to children and writing books with sex marketed for consenting adults is hypocritical. If she wrote the book and then handed it to minors, then you'd have a case. But the plain fact is, Romance novels are not for children. She was an adult writing for other adults. To assume all romance writers are hypocrites if they want their children to abstain is ridiculous. What about people who read romances, should they stop if they have kids so that they may teach their kids to abstain? If you say yes, I expect those same people to stop watching sex, violence, murder, drugs, anything risqué on TV including the news. I expect them to never read ANY literature that may contain such items,including the paper, let alone write it. I expect them to never swear, drink, smoke, VOTE or do anything not appropriate for a child. And, then we'll have nothing but a bunch of kids running around.

I'm not a Texan. I'm not in the vote. The people of Texas can decide how they wish. I say don't vote for either of them. I don't know Susan. I'm not taking up her cause. I don't know Fred. He may be the better qualified---I really don't care who wins. BUT I resent the ignorant position Mr. Head has taken. IMO, almost anyone taking a political stand will highly exaggerate the facts to benefit them, as was in this case. Romance novels do NOT equal pornography. Sure, there are certain genres of this business that are more risqué than others--but the focus is romance, happily ever afters and falling in love. And they are FOR ADULTS. If they were for kids, they'd be next to Winnie the Pooh.

I'm not starting a letter writing campaign. I leave that decision up to the individual person. Everyone has to take the position that's right to them.

And before you use the romance readers are *insert choice derogatory word here* debate, let me state some the facts according to RWA (which is in TX, BTW)

From the RWA Website:
Marital Status of Romance Readers --- 50% Married, 37% Single, 8% Widowed, 4% divorced, 1% separated
Education Level of Romance Readers --- 42% Bachelor's degree or higher, 27% have college degrees, 15% have post-graduate work or degrees, 7% have associate degrees, 17% have attended some college or trade school, 23% have HS diplomas.

And that's the end of my debate.

 

BTW, someone tracked where the comments were coming from, lol.

This is a weak, see through attempt at political campaigning--notice where all the links go to. They really should hit facts, not candidate election websites.

 

Hooray on your post! WTG, Michelle! "Concerned citizen" certainly made the blog rounds.

I posted my answer to his "debate" here at my rant on the subject: http://romanceunleashed.com/blog/?p=471#comments

All the best,
Jessica Trapp

 

Thanks everyone for your wonderful comments. :)

Michelle

 

If you're curious, I've been told Susan Combs won -- may she serve the people of Texas well.