PorcFest Update
June 28, 2005
6:59 a.m., MT
Sunni's Mood: disappointed

I guess it's my own damn fault ... I never did learn how to be a pushy broad. After announcing that I'd be speaking at this year's PorcFest, the process of nailing down particulars got sidetracked, derailed, etc. Just yesterday, I finally heard back with a definitive answer ... their schedule's full. No room for a snake speech.

That, combined with a couple of other changes, has led me to decide to cancel the New Hampshire trip altogether. It's a very long way for us to drive (especially with bouncy snolfs on board), and as none of the business we were thinking could happen is no longer possible, it doesn't make sense to invest in the trip.

I'm disappointed, in large part because I'd been looking forward to seeing a few very special friends, and to meeting some interesting individuals. But in all honesty, I'm more disappointed about letting down the individuals who'd expressed interest in hearing me speak and/or talking with me personally. I'm really sorry that it didn't work out for me even to attend. Not much else to say at this point.

Sunni

Replies: 8 people have spoken!

On Tuesday, June 28th, at approximately 8:22 p.m. Mountain time, freeman said:

It looks like they'll be missing out on a good speech.

The other thing that just popped into my mind is that the name of this post has made me hungry for some pork!

On Wednesday, June 29th, at approximately 7:52 a.m. Mountain time, Trevor said:

Well, there is always next year. I too will be missing this year's Porc Fest.

On Wednesday, June 29th, at approximately 8:39 a.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

Thanks for saying so, Freeman. I did have something thought-provoking and (I hoped) motivation in mind ... not sure what to do with those ideas now. We don't eat pork often enough for my taste, either.

Trevor, I just discovered your site. Good stuff there!

For the record, we're looking into other meetup possibilities with freedom-minded people. West is always a strong choice with us; upper midwest is doable too. Anyone interested?

On Wednesday, June 29th, at approximately 9:00 p.m. Mountain time, Col. Hogan said:

Y'might check with Ernie about the Phoenix Freedom Summit in November. I'll be there, and I'd certainly like to meet you and listen to you speak.

On Thursday, June 30th, at approximately 4:44 a.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

Thanks for the idea, Col. Hogan; I've been on Ernie's radio program a couple of times, and have heard good things about the Freedom Summit. I thought their dance card was full already too, though.

On Saturday, July 2nd, at approximately 11:19 p.m. Mountain time, Kirsten said:

Please, please, please do not assume their dance card is full!

When I was at the Freedom Summit last year, there was a big schtick about getting more women there. Personally, I was annoyed with the "women's panel" that they held. I truly do not understand why I am expected to have certain issues in common with other women. I prefer to see women speaking on the same terms as men and not lumped into some bizarre mishmash panel based on their sex. Claire Wolfe and Mary Ruwart both gave talks not as part of a panel, and I found those much more enjoyable. In my opinon, women are people- not an issue.

In March this year I sent an e-mail to Marc Victor with a list of ladies who I thought would have something interesting to say and you were on the list. I really hope you check into this possibility before writing it off. I am definitely going to be there.

On Sunday, July 3rd, at approximately 6:18 a.m. Mountain time, Sunni said:

Kirsten, I remember hearing about that women's panel (maybe even from you), and was skeptical. I've met Marc in person ... perhaps after the holiday weekend I'll pester both of them on the subject. It'd be great to meet you!

On Sunday, July 3rd, at approximately 9:54 a.m. Mountain time, Kirsten said:

I don't know what your PorcFest material centers around, but perhaps that or something about Real ID would be appropriate for a stand-alone talk or an issue-related panel.

I'm not against panels because they are panels. But the "women's panel" was not at all organized. They just had about five women up there, introduced them very curtly by first names only (unlike the nice biographical introductions for the solo speakers), there were no opening statements, and it was just sort of a free-for-all with the audience asking questions about whatever. It ended up with the audience members giving mini-speeches in an impromptu abortion debate instead of asking questions of the panel.

I do give the organizers credit for trying to include women because for whatever reasons I think women get overlooked at these sort of shindigs even though they have great material to present. It just bothers me to see women being pulled in because they are women rather than because they have something important to discuss. That was the impression I got from the panel- totally different from the impression I got from the Wolfe and Ruwart talks.

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