The important news: John Galt’s speech is cut down to less than 5 minutes » « Friday Cephalopod: I was making mud pies!

[Lounge #477]

dialog

This is the lounge. You can discuss anything you want, but you will do it kindly.

Status: Heavily Moderated; Previous thread

The important news: John Galt’s speech is cut down to less than 5 minutes » « Friday Cephalopod: I was making mud pies!

Comments

  2. 2kittehs says

    Awk

    I was just adding to the old thread when the PZ lightning bolt struck!

    So … all the hugs and sympathies to ajb47 for the loss of your Lab. I lost a furry overlord to liver cancer. It’s the pits.

    sallystrange, I took a look at your friend’s video. Rack up those views, hopefully.

  7. says

    Hi all.
    I’ll catch up in a bit. Just got off work (it’s nice to be able to say that). It’s funny bc even though I’m back to being “just” a bartender, I find myself still thinking like a manager. I notice it in the little things, like how I talk to guests, or how I talk with employees. It’s not a problem, just a little thing I noticed.

  9. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    Ah, OkCupid, you never disappoint when my faith in humanity has been bad and needs to be punished.

    On that note…is it wrong of me to be extra surprised and disgusted at casual fatphobia from trans people?

  10. says

    So guys. The last month or two has shown me that everything I like in life is filled with women-haters and generally horrible people: Atheism, comics, video games, Star Trek, being an ESL teacher…

    I don’t consider myself a saint by any means. I’ve said all sorts of horrible, purposefully mean, and unfeeling things in the past and I’ve also (like Mr. Dawkins) gone to great lengths to show why all those things I wrote are valid and true. But even in my obstinate moments, having someone I like and respect tell me, “Yo dude. No.” always lead to me thinking deeply about the issues and my positions on them. I like to think that I’ve gotten better about these things over the years but I never get that feeling from the groups I’m part of. If anything, they seem to be getting worse.

    Lurking in the comments, I know there are a number of you who have the view of “Hell no, these guys ain’t chasing me away. I’m chasing *them* out!” but as I get older I find it harder and harder to want to do anything but stare at a blank wall in my free time since it’s a never ending fight. How many times can you say, “No, Sarkeesian isn’t trying to take away your damned video games. Shut it.”? I want to leave these things alone and hope they self-destruct so we can pick up the pieces and start over again.

    Just needed to vent my frustrations. Sorry for that.

  11. Who Cares says

    @Williamgeorge(#10):
    No need to apologize for the need to vent, especially if you need a bit of support in this kind of endless battle.
    Now for the useless advice ;)
    If you feel like that take a break, recharge those emotional batteries by for example looking at how beautiful the universe can be, then come back when you feel invigorated.
    Also it is not the groups that are becoming worse it is that you, as you have indicated yourself, have become more sensitive and thus better at detecting this kind of bullpucky. Oh and the people you are fighting against have become more vocal since they see part of their identity threatened.

  12. says

    williamgeorge @10:
    ::waves at fellow comics fan::

    I understand what you mean. I love comic books, and have for nearly 3/4 of my life. It wasn’t until the last few years, specifically reading this blog and other feminist sites, that I became aware of sexism in the industry I know and love. After I noticed that, I began paying a bit more attention to the sexism in other forms of popular culture. This shit is everywhere.
    And that’s part of the reason these fuckers won’t drive me away. I love comics and I want them to become better. I want to be able to read comics where women aren’t sexually objectified, where artists don’t draw anatomically incorrect images of women with the view focused on women’s butts, where women have agency, and aren’t background characters. I think know comics will be better for this. More people will want to read them. More women will want to read them. I also want greater diversity for LGBT people and People of Color in comics. I want more diversity in body shapes as well (I’m still pissed that DC Comics made Amanda Waller slimmer in the reboot. Pre New 52, she was a big woman, who’s size really played no role in her stories. She may have started out being called ‘The Wall’, but that nickname became synonymous with her personality far more than her physical size. She was ‘The Wall’ because you couldn’t push her around. She was strong. She was tough. And yes, she was a big woman. We don’t have enough representation of people with varying body sizes in comics.)
    All the changes that I want to see in comics are for their betterment, yet I see the same tired misogynists, racists, and other backward thinking, socially regressive fuckwits who want nothing to change. It’s doubly ironic bc I don’t think they’d actually mind the changes. I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think the sexualization and sexual objectification of women in comics is essential to the reading enjoyment of many people (yes, this is speculation). I think it’s just the idea of upsetting the status quo, combined with not catering to the whims of the privileged. They want to maintain their power, and those pesky wimmen folk, and those queers, and those brown people…they’re all threatening to knock the privileged white males off their perch, and bring them down to the level of everyone else. They don’t want that. I think it’s about maintaining their power.

    One of my big reasons for not giving up on comics is because if I do that, then that’s the medium that I love, that I’ll no longer have. What am I to replace it with? Video games? Sure I play them, but I don’t love them. And they have problems with the same shit. I could turn to tv or movies, but they have the same problems. I could simply not enjoy anything pop culture related, but damn, that’s limiting my enjoyment and personal expression because of the fucking bigots. I’d have to give up the hope of enjoying anything.

    And even *then*, even if I stopped finding enjoyment in any pop culture industry, the entire world is suffused with sexism, misogyny, homophobia, ableism, transphobia, racism and more. I could stop doing everything I loved doing, and I still wouldn’t be able to stop seeing and being affected by the shit going on in the world. I’d just have no fun in my life.

    I’m not prepared to give that up. I don’t think I’ll ever be prepared to give that up.

  13. cicely says

    Hi, harle; Welcome In!
    –
    ajb47, I’m sorry to hear about your dog. That sucks, big-time.
    *hugs* & sympathies.
    –
    –
    williamgeorge:

    So guys. The last month or two has shown me that everything I like in life is filled with women-haters and generally horrible people: Atheism, comics, video games, Star Trek, being an ESL teacher…

    1) Apparently, everything has always been this way; so take comfort that now, finally, all the Suck is being kicked out of the baseboards and left to blink its tiny, half-blind eyes in the unaccustomed light. And that, if we can keep relentlessly poking at it, perhaps we can prevent it scurrying for cover.
    2) I had some second point, here, but it has escaped me.
    Perhaps it will call back.
     
    Also, if I haven’t said it before—Welcome In!
    –
    Ah! Here we go!
    2) The reason for the appearance of increased ugliness is precisely because it’s all been forced out into the light, and because we keep poking at it. If it didn’t feel threatened, it would just be humming along contentedly, and not causing all this confrontational, snarling bullshit.
    –

  14. says

    I can’t say for sure, but I don’t think the sexualization and sexual objectification of women in comics is essential to the reading enjoyment of many people (yes, this is speculation).

    I would dispute that. Or rather, I would say a lot of guys who read comics do appreciate looking at the female characters even if they aren’t “essential”.

    Let’s face it, straight men in general like to look at pretty women, and those who are artistically inclined (myself included) like to draw them. The point that male characters don’t receive the same kind of sexualized treatment in comics as female characters is true, but that’s probably symptomatic of most comic book artists and their customers being straight males more than anything else. If more women got into the comic book industry, we’ll probably see more male characters get the sexy treatment along with the females.

    Of course, that leads to the chicken-and-egg question of whether sexualized portrayals of women in comics and other media are what drive away all the female customers and artists.

  15. rq says

    Brandon
    As a woman, I would also enjoy an increased sexualization of men in the comics. Funny how I don’t really see that (more bare chests, please!!). So, if you’re reaching out to a wider audience, either tone up the men, or, even better, tone down the sexualized women.

    that’s probably symptomatic of most comic book artists and their customers being straight males more than anything else

    Let’s have some data, shall we, on the demographics? (I don’t have it, but I want to know why you specifically focus on straight males here – and why it should be accepted as default that they’re presumably a majority, if they deserve such Special Treatment and Extra Sexualization of their chosen gender-of-attraction.) And if they want more sales, wouldn’t they also take gay men, straight women, trans men and women, lesbians, and bisexuals into account, too? And give us something to ogle at?

    If more women got into the comic book industry, we’ll probably see more male characters get the sexy treatment along with the females.

    Never mind the sexist treatment they’ll get, or the absence of opportunities provided, or the harassment they’d have to put up with (and do put up with) at professional conventions and fun ones, too, just, you know, get more involved, women!

    question of whether sexualized portrayals of women in comics and other media are what drive away all the female customers and artists

    I doubt it’s the sexualization per se, but rather the attitude goes with it, and the attitude one receives when asked to, maybe, change something about it.
    Lastly, your very first sentence is just “uggggghhhh”. Let me quote:

    I would say a lot of guys who read comics do appreciate looking at the female characters even if they aren’t “essential”.

    So I ask, what about the wimminz? Why should women have to put up with being eye-candy in comics for everyone (face it, comics aren’t some men-only niche literature – your privilege is showing), when (a) men don’t get the same treatment and (b) women are supposed to be eye-candy all the time anyway? Why should I accept being made to feel unwelcome (and never mind Tony, there, who probably just feels invisible when reading most comics geared towards those straight, white, men) if it’s just a matter of broadening the scope of one’s audience? Why should straight men get special treatment?
    Also, I have a feeling some people may want to take this to the Thunderdome for appropriate takedown.

  17. rq says

    So the boys have decided to name the new cat Raķete, which can variously be translated as ‘rocket’ or ‘racket’. Both, I think, will be appropriate.

  19. 2kittehs says

    Some of those kitties are not jumping, they are flying!

    Apart from the escape artists suffering a temporary embarassment, of course.

  20. azhael says

    To everyone who in the previous thread informed me about how the post management work here. Thank you very much and i’ll definitely won’t bother PZ for something so silly. I was unaware that he was the one doing all that work.

  21. blf says

    Those “jumping” / “flying” cats are just trying to get the attention of the mildly deranged penguin so they can resume their trebuchet launched real flying lessons.

    If’d be more effective if they threatened a wheel of cheese with horses and a pea.

  23. opposablethumbs says

    ajb47, I’m very sorry. I’m glad your lab had such a great home for as long as it did.

  25. says

    @ rq
    I should have added that I actually do think the sexualization of women in comics can reach ridiculous extremes. The whole “Escher Girls” phenomenon is one example of this since it distorts human anatomy in favor of sex appeal.

    As to whether the mainstream comics industry should do more to reach out to women and minorities, I say they should. Not only would that let a greater range of people enjoy comics, but it makes sense from a business vantage too. And if it is the case that sexualized imagery of women is alienating the female readership, then yes, it should be toned down.

    On a semi-related note, I think comics in general would benefit if more people started looking away from the mainstream companies (e.g. Marvel or DC) and made their own comics. Honestly the only reason I can see anyone working in a mainstream comics company is if they really would prefer to draw Batman or Spiderman over creating their own characters. A self-created and -published comic would give you more creative leeway over how you portray certain subjects since it represents your unique artistic vision instead of something designed by higher-ups to appeal to a mass audience. It would be similar to the freedom that novelists and other fiction-writers enjoy right now.

  29. says

    In other news, a “conservative Christian” mother has tried to rewrite Harry Potter for her children:

    Reverend Dumbledore beamed. “Why thank you, little one!” His voice had a distinctive southern twang to it that made Harry feel so safe and welcome. He knew in that moment that the Reverend was a man of God.

    “My father says that dark times are coming,” Hermione spoke worriedly. “There is a man named Voldomort who wants to destroy all that we stand for. He is pushing an agenda in congress which will stop us from practicing our faith freely.”

    “But that is what our founding fathers built this nation for!” Harry cried indignantly. “The freedom of religion!”

    Hagrid beamed widely. He had been praying so hard to save a soul today; and he was so happy to have saved the soul of such a sweet, earnest little one. The poor boy, being raised by two parents who were not Christian; and who both went to work and left him with a babysitter all day long. It was a good thing Hagrid had got here in time. Five years down the road, Harry might have been a fornicating, drug addicted Evolutionist!

    A smug-looking young man about Harry’s age with slicked-back hair even paler blond than Luna’s and wearing a sweater vest and khakis strolled languidly down between the rows of tables.

    “Please, ignore this fool,” Draco drawled smugly. “Luna here thinks she can have a career even though she’s a woman; and women are stupid.”

    Harry gaped at this horrible person. What a mean thing to say!

    “Women shouldn’t not have careers because women are stupid!” Harry shouted indignantly. “Women are not stupid at all! Women should not have careers because women are nurturing and loving and their gifts serve them best in the home!”

    Please tell me this is some kind of parody…

  30. blf says

    Please tell me this is some kind of parody…

    Ok. Harry Potter is a parody. Of what I’m not too sure, but it’s obviously a parody. Or a Poe. Possibly a pea. Probably not, however, a horse.

  34. Pteryxx says

    Signal boosting – (warning for discussion of abusive relationships)

    Vyckie Garrison (founder of No Longer Quivering) gave a talk at American Atheists 2014 where she drew point-by-point parallels between each segment of the Power and Control Wheel used in domestic abuse counseling and Bible-verse justifications for Christian patriarchy. The video with sign language is now up (youtube link) and the core text and really nice slides are up at Alternet and Patheos.

    But also, Vyckie’s co-bloggers have started a fundraiser to keep her and her kids from having their house foreclosed upon due to debts from divorcing her abusive husband. The fundraiser’s here: Giveforward.com

  36. says

    Christian groups who hand out bibles to students in public elementary schools in the USA have a set a precedent, one they did not intend I’m sure:

    Orange County, Florida’s public school district has twice allowed a Christian group to pass out Bibles to its students, prompting a self-identified Satanist group to seek equal treatment. A religious organization called The Satanic Temple announced on Sunday that they will provide “Satanic materials to students during the new school year. Among the materials to be distributed are pamphlets related to the Temple’s tenets, philosophy and practice of Satanism, as well as information about the legal right to practice Satanism in school.”

    The Satanists reportedly intend to distribute a book called The Satanic Children’s BIG BOOK of Activities, which includes several games with Satanic themes geared towards children […]

    Think Progress link.

  37. says

    Hobby Lobby’s CEO is bringing more pro-fundie-Christian and anti-everything-else schlock to Washington D.C.

    Steve Green is standing in the basement of the eight-story Bible museum he’s building in Washington. Plans for the $800 million project are coming together nicely: the ballroom modeled after Versailles, the Disney-quality holograms, the soaring digital entryway with religious images projected on the ceiling, the restaurant serving biblically-themed meals.

    […] “The Mall is where there are a lot of visitors. It’s not as visible to the Mall as we’d like, but it’s close.”

    […] Hobby Lobby became a household name for non-scrapbooking reasons when the company took on the White House in a controversial Supreme Court case over whether employers had to include no-cost coverage of contraception to employees. The Supreme Court ruled in Hobby Lobby’s favor in June, and among religious conservatives, in particular, the Pentecostal Greens were hailed as heroes.

    […] when it opens in 2017, it will be one of the largest museums in the city, about the same size as the nearby Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.

    The Bible museum’s proximity to the seat of U.S. government is no accident.

    “As many people as we can educate about this book, the better,” Green said. “I think seeing the biblical foundations of our nation — for our legislators to see that, that a lot of that was biblically based, that we have religious freedoms today, which are a biblical concept, it can’t hurt being there.” […]

    Washington Post link.

  38. says

    The German Spiegel publishes the truth about history of slavery & bigotry in Ferguson, MO.

    […] Spiegel staff are taken for a ride along by a young African-American male native to Ferguson, Missouri by the name of Jurmael, who in the drive through points to the slave owners’ history in the housing of still segregated Ferguson, Missouri.

    […] the beautiful well manicured lawns and houses in the historically white part of Ferguson. It has an ugly history in its heritage houses of being the homes of Ferguson’s former slave owners, in a clear case where plaques adorning the homes seem to celebrate the homes’ history with the concurrence or acquiescence of its modern day property owners. […]

    […] some of this seen through the perspective of European eyes will be ugly in reviewing the true face of bigotry, racism and the ugly American in the year 2014. […]

  40. says

    […] group calling themselves the “Wisconsin Poll Watcher Militia” […] is threatening armed intimidation of voters who signed the Scott Walker recall in 2012 who also have any outstanding warrants or tax defaults. […] “Our militia will watch polling places and report known felons and other people wanted by law enforcement. The police are looking for you, so are we.”

    Physical intimidation of voters. Yikes. And, of course, this intimidation has a pro-Republican, anti-Democratic slant:

    Wisconsin Poll Watcher Militia is a force that is armed. Do not approach our members by engaging in a physical hostile act because you are going to get put down like a rabid dog.

    We are going to be around neighborhoods that may be crime-filled. These areas are heavy democrat-voting areas because it is a result of a poor education.

    We will be there to get the criminal scum off the streets. [insert photo of a handgun]

    The Scott Walker administration pushed for and got passed a state law that allows election observers to stand as close as three feet away from poll tables.

    This voter-intimidation group is using a database compiled after the Walker recall initiative. Right-wingers took the recall signatures and entered them into the database, and then used publicly-available court databases to match up the names with parking tickets, tax defaults and other infractions.

    I hope the Department of Justice takes these guys down, not like rabid dogs, but according to the law.
    Daily Kos link.

  41. Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says

    Congrats to Kevin and (by the time this is read) SpouseKevin!

  43. says

    Oh, Utah, do you have to remain the center of bigotry and anti-gay discrimination? Well, yes, I guess you think you do. Utahans held a “Utah Celebration of Marriage” on Thursday (September 18).

    […] Supporters of man-woman marriage holding signs declaring “biology is not bigotry” and “two moms don’t equal a dad” cheered long and loud as conservative activist Mary Summerhays projected on a screen images of same-sex couples and their children.

    “This child has a mother,” she said, as an image of Matthew Baraza and Tony Milner filled the screen. In it, the two men were holding their son Jesse. “These are the faces of the children who will pay the price of redefining marriage.”

    Next flashed a photo of Megan Berrett and Candice Green-Berrett with their baby daughter Quinn.

    “I’m sure these girls would make great mothers,” Summerhays said. “But one thing they can never be is a father. One thing they can never make or be is one of each.”

    Summerhays, who leads the organizing group of Thursday’s rally, Utah Celebration of Marriage, said these children were among the chief reasons several hundred people gathered under the painted dome of the Utah State Capitol: to demonstrate to local and national officials, to media and onlookers that there is still support in Utah for so-called “traditional” families, made up of one mother and one father. […]

    The creator of Utah’s embattled Amendment 3, which banned gay and lesbian marriages, Rep. LaVar Christensen also spoke, prompting several legislators in the crowd to stand up and accept applause for their defense of “traditional marriage and Utah families.”

    Central in the speakers’ addresses was the fear that children raised without a mother and a father would fare worse than those in opposite-sex parent homes. […]

    The American Sociological Society has found that children raised in a two-parent home tend to do well — regardless of their parents’ gender. […]

    One 8-year-old put marker to paper to make clear why she supported opposite-sex unions. She wrote “God made two genders for a reason. Adam and Eve, not Eve and Eve or Adam and Adam. Get it right! It’s Adam and Eve.”

    http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/58428978-90/sex-marriage-utah-case.html.csp

    Mary Summerhays is a mormon. She’s listed as an “LDS author” on several mormon websites.
    http://www.ldsmag.com/author/12042

    Rep. LaVar Christensen is also a mormon.

  44. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Well, one way I can tell the Redhead is happy to be home, even if it doesn’t provide the same level of rehab, condensed to one word: sleep. I’ve been trying to feed her breakfast (now brunch) since about 6 am. Keep getting “later”, then Zzzz…..

  45. Morgan!? Militant Pacifist says

    Congratulations to Kevin and Kevin’s Spouse. I hope your wedding is a helluva grand party and your marriage is long and happy.

  48. opposablethumbs says

    Nerd, I’m glad she’s feeling relaxed enough to sleep properly – sounds like being away from home must have been a bit stressful. All the good wishes for ongoing recovery and rehab – and my admiration for your patience.

  49. says

    I sure love HSA’s, PPO’s were just fine without this ridiculous addon (I know some like this addition, but I have no need for it, but it’s required on all PPO’s my employer offers). I have always had a PPO (go to the doctor of my choice without a lot of hassle and used to cover almost all my expenses). I just got a bill for just getting a prescription of anti-biotics for $126, just for the doctor’s visit. Insurance covered $0, what was the point of health insurance again? The hell if I know. And it isn’t a mistake.

    Yeah I get it, better off dead, rather than getting medical care in their eyes.

    Here’s a song that fits it quite well.

  51. rq says

    *confetti* for Kevin and Spouse!!!

    Nerd
    Glad to hear the Redhead is feeling well enough to sleep. And you’re awesome, you know that? ♥

  54. Shelbing says

    Sam Harris is going to be on Air Talk with Larry Mantle on KPCC (http://205.144.168.164/programs/airtalk/) in Southern California on Monday. It’s a call-in show that comes on from 11am – 1pm PDT on public radio. Maybe someone in the area who’s more well-spoken than I would like to call in? The number’s 866-893-5722.

  55. says

    The poor boy, being raised by two parents who were not Christian; and who both went to work and left him with a babysitter all day long. It was a good thing Hagrid had got here in time. Five years down the road, Harry might have been a fornicating, drug addicted Evolutionist!

    :falls over laughing: Oh, the ‘orror!

  56. says

    A couple weeks ago, I bought a pepper plant (Rocket Farms Hot Chili Peppers, it says) for Paul at TJ’s. The peppers are now a beautiful red, so he decided to cook one and test it out – he cut it up and sautéed it with olive oil and some garlic. Just the cooking process made me sneeze and cough, so I guess it must be hot enough for him.

    All right, so I may have whatever respiratory crud Kitty had last week (my throat is raw), but still, that’s some pretty strong fumes. Good thing we can have all the windows open today.

  57. Rowan vet-tech says

    So… Bramble came into work with me today for x-rays. She has an ENORMOUS lateral curvature to her spine, and an area where the discs look compressed, just at the start of the lumbar spine. She’s also got some bone bridges forming between those vertebrae, which is often seen in ancient arthritic animals and is pretty painful. It’s the body’s attempt to stabilize the weak point, but it’s owwie.

    The real concern, as if the above wasn’t bad enough, is that it looks like she may be entirely backed up with regards to poo. Whatever is going wrong with her back and damaged the nerves to her left leg may have damaged the nerves to her colon.

    If she can’t defecate, she’ll have to be euthanised. She’s 11 weeks old now and I’ve had her since she was 4 days old.

  59. Tigger_the_Wing, asking "Where's the justice?" says

    Poor Bramble. :(

    Congratulations to Kevin and your new spouse, may you be happy and contented for ever.

    To everyone else, sorry for the threadruptness, hugs, congratulations and commiserations, please accept whichever is appropriate.

    I’m doing OK, better than I was a couple of months ago because my liver seems to be healing nicely – I’m even getting some appetite back – at the cost of being in a lot of pain. Oh well, can’t have everything.

    *Leaves a pile of cash behind the bar* Beverage of your choice on me.

  63. cicely says

    Congratulations, Kevin!
    Health and happiness to you both!
    –
    *hugs* for Rowan. I’m so sorry for you both.
    Poor Bramble.
    :(
    –

  66. rq says

    So we brought the new kitten home, and she seems to be adjusting well. Very curious and very brave, and dealing well with the children and her new home.
    Cat, well, we’re not sure how Cat feels about this. He’s been awfully affectionate last night and today, and a little bit confused while on the first floor (the second floor is all his until these two felines decide on the state of their relationship). They did spot each other through a window, where Cat put on his WTF IS THIS? face and gave a little teeth-baring hiss, but that’s without an official intro and opportunity to sniff each other. NewCat seems just plain curious and seeking company, having grown up so far around several other cats. (Cat did used to live with another cat, but that was several years ago, so he probably doesn’t remember – but as far as I can recall from those owners, he did just fine and aloof with another cat in the house… we’ll see, though, he’s been alone for a long time!)

    Also, NewCat’s name is now under discussion: Raķete, Fūrija (yes, as in the Furies) or Pūķis (dragon). She’s awful cute, though.

  68. 2kittehs says

    Tony: I wonder what the thou-shalt-squat advocates say to people who can’t squat? Sure, our bodies are better suited to squatting while the knees and hips and you name it are working – but that isn’t always the case. It’s not like humans and our ancestors toppled over dead before stuff like arthritis hit us.

    rq: I bet Pūķis will be her name if she starts hacking up hairballs. ;) Glad things seem to be going smoothly with her and Cat in these early days, at least.

  69. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Some public venues in Europe still have squatter toilets, but we’ve mostly got rid of those, thankfully. (Train station in Trieste, really? I’m sure tourists are as impressed as I was)

    Peeing in a public toilet can be stressful enough, whether because of “performance anxiety” or worries about safety, without needing to avoid results of other people’s bad aim (or bad manners) and feeling pain in your knees.

  71. mildlymagnificent says

    pteryxx. We’ve chipped in a bit for Vyckie.

    Kevin. **Sparklers, ribbons, cake, champagne.** Congratulations! to you and spouse.

    Rowan. Sorry about Bramble.

    rq. Hope the cats get on.
    I should point out that one of our two cats (when I was a kid) was unbelievably unimpressed with everyone when sis brought home a new kitten. He sat under the 1960’s TV-on-legs with his back to us and refused to speak to any of us for weeks and weeks afterwards.

  73. blf says

    He sat under the 1960’s TV-on-legs with his back to us and refused to speak to any of us for weeks and weeks afterwards.

    It does take awhile to get unstuck from a carefully located superglue trap.

    (Or else he saw a pea. But since he hide for only a few weeks that is very very unlikely.)

  74. rq says

    mildlymagnificent
    Ha, your poor cat! I do expect some shunning once they meet and Cat realizes he has to live with the new beast, but for the moment he’s wearing that worried are-you-going-to-kick-me-out-see-how-affectionate-I-am attitude.

    +++

    I hereby abolish all socks as eligible evidence in criminal cases. Especially worn socks. Especially worn, damp socks. Especially worn, damp socks that have been improperly packaged and have been waiting in the evidence room for two months plus. Yes, thanks, I was planning on almost losing my lunch at just that moment anyway, not.
    (At least Considerate Colleague left me a warning note about the smell. Limburger, you ain’t nuthin’.)

  75. says

    Most of you will remember my earlier post about Kansas Secretary of State, Kris Kobach, trying with all his might to get a Republican Senator reelected. The shenanigans in which Kobach engaged should make anyone responsible for overseeing elections ashamed. And Kobach is a star on the far right, setting himself up as an example to all Republicans and Tea Partiers.

    Well, now Kobach has gone one step further. His state’s own court system tried to shut him down, and now he is going to add a disclaimer to federal overseas ballots for Kansas voters abroad. This guy is fucking bonkers.

    It’s a pleasure to see Rachel Maddow take him down.

  76. says

    Rachel Maddow reports on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ambitions to build a separate internet, how sanctions on Russia have upended a major Russian oil deal with Exxon, and U.S. jets sent to intercept six Russian planes near the coast of Alaska.

    Link.

  77. rq says

    six Russian planes near the coast of Alaska

    Pffft, that’s thing, we’ve been having weekly incursions (including today) of nearly-crossing-the-border by Russian military planes. They’ve all been issued with faulty GPS, from what I understand. :P

  79. blf says

    [The out-of-position Russian military aircraft have] all been issued with faulty GPS, from what I understand.

    Taking that at face value — obviously with several ocean-worth’s of salt — one wonders why they are using the USAlienstan GPS rather their own GLONASS system, and why they are using GPS when they claim to “have ‘implemented measures’ to restrict the use of [GPS] satellite bases in its territories” and have “[ruled] out ‘any military use’ of the ground-based stations.”

    (Not using GLONASS is reasonable since it was only restored to full operation in the last three or so years. And the “non-military use” claim is a farce on several levels.)

  80. Rob Grigjanis says

    Beatrice @69:

    Train station in Trieste, really?

    Kaliningrad train station, early nineties; squatting, no doors on cubicles, nowhere to hang coat. And this was after a ride on which I’d already looked at the train’s toilets and thought “I can hold it a bit longer”. Turned out I could hold it even longer. Oh to be young again.

  83. opposablethumbs says

    Went to climate change demo today. Was nowhere near the front, and the line was so long that by the time we got to Parliament the speeches were over! And we weren’t even in sight of the back; there were loads more behind us. Avaaaz estimates 40k plus, though I have no idea how close that was.

  84. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Totally absolutely off topic:
    Hah! I wasn’t the only one thinking of Rickman’s “I’m going to cut your heart out with a spoon” while watching Doctor’s Robin Hood episode. Whovian feminism vindicates me!

  88. says

    Here’s an addition for our religious-rightwingers-say-stupid-things file:

    Televangelist Rodney Howard-Browne — who just two months ago led a Religious Right gathering featuring several GOP congressmen — claimed yesterday that the United States government is currently building concentration camps and gas chambers and preparing to institute martial law.

    Right Wing Watch link.
    Note that GOP Congress critters are happy to be seen with this guy.

  89. says

    More additions for the Rightwingers-say-stupid-stuff file:

    “Trunews” host Rick Wiles can’t seem to decide whether the Ebola virus is a plot by President Obama to ban churches and put people into FEMA camps, or if it is just what the country needs to “solve America’s problems with atheism, homosexuality, sexual promiscuity, pornography and abortion.”

    But yesterday, Wiles read a report about an unnamed person who supposedly spoke to a general who said that the government is readying to use Ebola, or possibly the bubonic plague, “as the cover to round up patriots who resist the takedown of the Republic.”

    Right Wing Watch link.
    Well, it’s interesting to see that are several strands of Ebola Virus conspiracy theories, and that some doofuses are having trouble weaving them all together … though not for lack of trying.

  90. says

    Climate Change marches are making big news today, especially the big rally in NYC. See http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/09/21/3570133/climate-march-photos/

    More than 300,000 people flocked to New York on Sunday to join the People’s Climate March, billed as the largest climate march in history. The rally wove its way through midtown Manhattan as a call to action for leaders to curb carbon emissions and to protest stalled action on a climate treaty. Two days after the march, world leaders will meet at the United Nations in a summit to come up with a global framework for how to combat the climate crisis.

    Leading up to this weekend’s events, some attention to climate change was paid by the Republican-led House of Representatives too. Republicans did their best to derail testimony by White House Science Advisor Dr. John P. Holdren, but he overcame their disruptions and general ignorance.

    Wednesday had to have been a frustrating day for White House Science Advisor Dr. John P. Holdren.
    Holdren, a lauded theoretical physicist, appeared before the Republican-led House Committee on Science, Space and Technology on Wednesday to testify about the Obama administration’s plan to fight climate change. But, as is true for all House Science committee hearings on climate change, much of the questioning focused not the content of the plan itself, but whether global warming is even real.
    Additional lines of questioning included whether carbon dioxide actually harms human health, and whether the climate plan would lower global temperatures on its own — two questions with complicated answers that have been very thoroughly explained since the plan was introduced. One Congressmen accused Holdren of breaking the law by sending work e-mails from his personal account in 2013, while another said climate scientists shouldn’t be trusted because of their dependence on the existence of climate change to make a living.
    Fortunately, Holdren is a confident speaker who was able to succinctly explain the science to his climate denying questioners despite constant interruption.

    See additional text and videos posted at Think Progress for examples of Holdren’s verbal wins.

  93. says

    Republican doofus (otherwise known as Republican Congressman, Larry Bucschon of Indiana) says stupid stuff in public:

    A very interesting exchange kicked off today’s House Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearing on the Obama administration’s plan to fight climate change, between Rep. Larry Bucshon (R-IN) and White House Science Adviser John Holdren. In it, the Congressman not only sealed himself in the books as a climate denier, but also admitted that he doesn’t accept the scientific literature on climate change because the scientists who write it need global warming to exist in order to get paid.

    Bucshon, who is also a physician, began his testimony by questioning the entire premise of the administration’s Climate Action Plan, the centerpiece of which is a proposed regulation to limit carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal-fired power plants. To do this, Bucshon combined two oft-debunked arguments: That the global temperature has not changed in nearly two decades, and that “the climate is always changing.”

    That’s right I’m sure. Those scientists are just in it for the money.

    http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/09/17/3568923/bucshon-climate-scientists-money/

  94. Pteryxx says

    Reposting from Good Morning America because this is actually really simple.

    Solving poverty segregation and stigma within school lunch lines, because many students go hungry rather than take the “walk of shame” for free lunches: Alternet

    “There’s this pervasive attitude across the country that if people get help, they’re lazy, they’re scamming the system,” says Kathleen Gorman, who has managed the state of Rhode Island’s SNAP Outreach Project since 2001. “People have really gotten this idea that just because people don’t have money they’re morally inferior. It’s getting a lot more attention.”

    When this kind of stigma enters schools, it catalyzes in the high-peer-pressure environment and combusts in ways that harm low-income youth. In many cases, the stigma is so bad it becomes a barrier to proper nutrition. Although U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) figures for NSLP participation optimistically indicate majority participation rates, surveys of individual districts show rates below 14 percent in some places. Many students would rather forgo their midday meals than take the walk of shame in the NSLP line. And while legislators, interest groups and administrators know hunger affects classroom performance and continue to focus efforts on improving lunchroom nutrition, the issue of stigma as an underlying cause of hunger remains on the back burner.

    […]

    The federal government maintains strict standards on the nutritional requirements of NSLP meals and doesn’t allow the program to offer noncompliant (i.e., many competitive) foods—thus, the separate tickets and lines. According to Kavanaugh, however, schools’ internal accounting is often not kept separate, exacerbating what she sees as a serious problem: Administrators operate on the belief that competitive foods generate revenues necessary to keep school budgets solvent when, in fact, the opposite is more often the case. Without evidence on the books, however, “They don’t even know they are losing money.”

    She adds that, rather than increasing the cost of competitive food, districts often decrease food costs in the NSLP program to keep their budgets balanced—essentially rerouting money intended for low-income kids’ food to cover the costs of competitive foods they’re not allowed to eat. “I think this whole thing evolved unintentionally with a blindness that people were creating a de facto separate and unequal system,” says Bhatia.

    Bhatia’s response was to conduct a pilot study in three San Francisco schools in 2009 and 2010, integrating the lines by bringing competitive foods into compliance with NSLP nutritional requirements. Uniform electronic debit cards replaced segregated lunch lines and made it impossible to visually distinguish between prepaid cards and NSLP funds. The bookkeeping also changed. Whereas before, NSLP and competitive-food revenues had been lumped together, they would now be tracked independently. Federal legislation to this effect was put in place in 2010.

    The results of this groundbreaking pilot study were dramatic. Participation in the NSLP increased by 58 percent, and school revenue skyrocketed. Lunch lines were similarly integrated in all San Francisco middle and high schools during the 2010–2011 school year. Bhatia calls it “the most effective and quickest advocacy work I’ve ever done.”

  95. cicely says

    ‘mornin’, all!
    –
    rq:

    Especially worn, damp socks that have been improperly packaged and have been waiting in the evidence room for two months plus.

    *expression of Utter Horror*
    And I thought that used gym clothes that had been left in the locker for a week were bad!
    –
    Lynna:

    Well, it’s interesting to see that are several strands of Ebola Virus conspiracy theories, and that some doofuses are having trouble weaving them all together … though not for lack of trying.

    I’m impressed with Obama’s/Their ability to deploy ebola tactically—targetting only the “patriots who resist the takedown of the Republic”. How does the virus tell???
    –

  96. Rowan vet-tech says

    cicely:

    Obama is going to coat guns with ebola, obviously, because the treasonous liberals never touch guns and proper conservative patriots love their guns, and that’s how they’ll get infected.

  97. Rowan vet-tech says

    Rambling Bramble update:

    She hasn’t defecated yet, so she got 5 ccs of lube up the tush to see if it can be helped along. Also got the report back from the radiologist which, when condensed, basically turns into:

    *shrug* Her spine is curved and I don’t know why. *confused face*

    That is, of course, not particularly helpful OR comforting. Bramble is still eating, and still playing, and I discovered today that she reacts to valium just like I do!… That is to say with aggression. She turned into a flaily growling little spit with her dose of ketamine/valium so there was no repeat x-rays to see if the poop is moving along or not.

    So we’re in a holding pattern at the moment. If she hasn’t pooped by tomorrow evening, we’re done. :/ If she *does* poop, then we hold and monitor and see if she progresses. If she progresses, I will hospice her until it is time. Even if she doesn’t progress, if she has mild constipation issued she’s going to be hard to adopt.

    So, it’s starting to look like I might end up officially in crazy cat lady territory and have a 5th cat. At least she’s *nice*.

  99. Rowan vet-tech says

    I throw Bramble pictures at you, because I can. She had a ‘play date’ with my sister-in-law’s foster kittens and she discovered catnip. And she went crazy on the catnip. She has Terminator creepy robot red-eye going on in every photo. I promise she is actually NOT a robot out to destroy all humanity. Really. I swear.

    http://imageshack.com/a/img538/4881/PbwI7N.jpg

    “It’s mine!”
    http://imageshack.com/a/img661/2661/VIE7g1.jpg

    “It’s my own!”
    http://imageshack.com/a/img911/3606/fKEcpT.jpg

    “My prrrecioussssssss….”
    http://imageshack.com/a/img746/8570/kO3slp.jpg

    “Thief! Thief! We hates it FOREVER!”
    http://imageshack.com/a/img673/8771/gaqSB8.jpg

  100. Jack-booted Verbalist says

    I’ve changed my nym, just for Nugent, Coyne, Dawkins & Shermer.
    It’s quicker and cheaper than a T-shirt.
    /re-lurk

  102. 2kittehs says

    Rowan, kittieeees! I just want to gather them all up and have them for mine, mine! (NB I react this way to probably 99% of cats.)

  105. Jack-booted Verbalist says

    Tony! the Queer Shoop:
    Hamilton.
    I rarely comment, but have been following this network since its inception, and PZ from before at scienceblogs. I laugh, I cry, I rail, I spit, have begun to use the Oxford comma, and have learned to try not to react first by jerking
    my knees.
    That takes practice. And I am liking the journey.
    Ophelia, Ed, Pz, Stephanie, Jason, et al., and the writers at Skepchick have embiggened my world. *

    And the commentariat. The comments are where it all gets torn apart and put back together. Messy nom- perfection striving to be better.
    I couldn’t ask for more.

    * an incomplete list to be sure

  107. says

    Jack-booted Verbalist @105:

    I rarely comment, but have been following this network since its inception, and PZ from before at scienceblogs. I laugh, I cry, I rail, I spit, have begun to use the Oxford comma, and have learned to try not to react first by jerking
    my knees.

    Gotcha.
    Nice to have you around, even if it is as a lurker (among the many things this world needs is more people who laugh, rail, and use the Oxford comma).

  109. 2kittehs says

    Tony! @103

    2kittehs @102:

    I just want to gather them all up and have them for mine, mine!

    I never could have guessed that from the nym :P

    I haz teh skillz of subtle. :P

  110. says

    University of Baltimore to offer 2015 course on the Marvel Cinematic Universe:

    A new University of Baltimore course, to be offered in the 2015 spring semester, will scrutinize the intricately plotted world of Marvel films—the Iron Man, Thor and Captain America series, characters from the Avengers, and now the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, which is widely expected to be the highest grossing film of 2014. The course, “Media Genres: Media Marvels,” will examine how Marvel’s series of interconnected films and television shows, plus related media and comic book sources and Joseph Campbell’s monomyth of the “hero’s journey,” offer important insights into modern culture. The course is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.

    Taught by Arnold T. Blumberg, D.C.D. ’04, an adjunct faculty member in UB’s Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences, the class will uncover the unprecedented efforts by Marvel to establish a viable universe of plotlines, characters, and backstories that leave no question unanswered, no story or character abandoned or otherwise unexplained. Blumberg says this critical look will encourage students to better understand the culture’s fixation on superheroes, fictional global threats, and other “widescreen” novelistic tales that have pushed the comic book-to-film ethos into new territory.

    Interesting.
    I’m going to insert a shameless link to a blog post I just wrote about this.

  112. says

    Oh, and 2kittehs, you may have missed my comment in the Dome, but I’d like to let you know that I’m going to have to report you for false advertising. Your nym implies 2 cats, and your gravatar shows only one. Tut tut.

  113. 2kittehs says

    Tony! @112

    Nooooo! Don’t report me to PZ! He might have to use SARCASM!

    In my own defence, I hereby post this proof of having two kittehs (it used to be five in the glory days).

    Maddie and Fribs

  114. rq says

    2kittehs
    It’s obvious that that’s just the same cat photoshopped twice in the same picture. :P
    Have to figure out how to get the new kitty into the internet that’s not FB.

  115. rq says

    Some links:
    What shit sandwich are you willing to eat? It’s a better article than most of those ‘how to find yourself/yourpurposeinlife’ types of articles. The first couple of questions are good, but it pretty much falls back on the old ‘if you’re not succeeding, you’re not trying hard enough’ idea. Still, it was less abrasively positive than others.

    Latvia responds to Dolgov – it’s not quite as rosy as they paint, but they put most of the correct facts in.

    TW for sexual assault
    I suppose, coming to terms with bisexuality, from Charles M. Blow.

  116. says

    Think Progress has an article about how Pot o’ Gold fartingly awesom the next archbishop of Chicago is:

    The Archdiocese of Chicago announced on Saturday that Pope Francis has named Bishop Blase Cupich, a moderate bridge-builder with a history of supporting many progressive-leaning positions, as the next archbishop of Chicago. The Nebraska native will be replacing a highly political — and deeply conservative — bishop, and could potentially usher in a new era of American Catholic leadership that spends less time fighting culture wars and more time echoing the populist leadership of Pope Francis.
    The move might not seem like much to a non-Catholic, but the elevation of Cupich represents a significant change in tone for the Catholic church in America. Politically and theologically speaking, the 65-year-old Cupich, who will be leaving behind his position as Bishop of Spokane, is notably different from his predecessor, Cardinal Francis George, on several counts. George, who is currently fighting cancer, has enjoyed prominence among Catholic conservatives for his hard-line stance against abortion and marriage equality, but has often stoked controversy for how he expresses his views: in 2011, George compared organizers of the Chicago Pride Parade to the Ku Klux Klan, and recently wrote that being a Catholic citizen under a pro-gay, pro-choice government is akin to living under Shariah law.
    Cupich, by contrast, is the very embodiment of a Catholic moderate. When the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) publicly opposed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, he expressed skepticism about their confrontational approach, preferring a deeper dialogue with President Obama’s administration about the issue of Catholic institutions providing contraception to employees. Similarly, when serving as the bishop of Spokane, Washington during the state’s battle over marriage equality, Cupich published a pastoral letter that defended the church’s opposition to same-sex marriage while also condemning anti-gay bullying, saying it was wrong to “incite hostility towards homosexual persons or promote an agenda that is hateful and disrespectful of their human dignity.” He has also frustrated many pro-life activists by reportedly privately asking priests and seminarians in Spokane not to pray in front of Planned Parenthood abortion clinics, arguing that such actions were unnecessarily provocative, according to Crux.

    Oh gee, more bullshit. Notice what’s not said:
    “Cupich supports a woman’s right to choose”
    “Cupich supports marriage equality”
    The writer of this article is trying to paint this new archbishop as if he’s going to turn things around bc he’s progressive. He ain’t no damn progressive. He believes the same malarky that other Catholic officials do. He just dresses it up in Axe-scented shit.
    My comment at Think Progress:

    ” When the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) publicly opposed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, he expressed skepticism about their confrontational approach, preferring a deeper dialogue with President Obama’s administration about the issue of Catholic institutions providing contraception to employees.”

    This is an example of focusing on the tone of a message, rather than the substance. Cupich criticized HOW the USCCB delivered their message, rather than criticizing WHAT the message what. I don’t really give a rat’s left testicle if he’s going to dress up his opposition to the ACA in flowery prose or if he’s going to go full gusto and dog cuss the Obama Administration. I care whether or not he’s going to support the contraception mandate or not.

    “Similarly, when serving as the bishop of Spokane, Washington during the state’s battle over marriage equality, Cupich published a pastoral letter that defended the church’s opposition to same-sex marriage while also condemning anti-gay bullying, saying it was wrong to “incite hostility towards homosexual persons or promote an agenda that is hateful and disrespectful of their human dignity.””.

    Oh gee, let’s jump for joy that Cupich doesn’t support beating people like me or harassing us. Sorry, he doesn’t get a cookie for acting in a way that all humans should act towards one another. In addition, he *still* supports second class citizenship for LGBT people by denying them the right to marriage. This is not something to celebrate.

    “He has also frustrated many pro-life activists by reportedly privately asking priests and seminarians in Spokane not to pray in front of Planned Parenthood abortion clinics, arguing that such actions were unnecessarily provocative, according to Crux.”

    His message-don’t be provocative.
    What I wish he’d say- Support Planned Parenthood and a woman’s right to an abortion. *THAT* would be dramatic change. He’s arguing about the TONE taken, rather than the message.

    This article, like so many others I’ve seen with regard to the Catholic Church’s shift in focus pays heed only to how the message is presented, as if that’s important. When we’re talking about an organization that shelters child rapists, refuses to turn them over to the proper authorities, promotes misinformation and outright lies about contraception use in Africa, opposes the right of all women to have full reproductive freedom, and denies LGBT people the same rights as all other humans- again, I don’t give a rat’s left testicle that they’re doing all that horrible stuff, BUT THEY’RE SAYING IT NICELY.

  117. 2kittehs says

    rq

    It’s obvious that that’s just the same cat photoshopped twice in the same picture. :P

    No no! They are truly two cats! They’re coming with me to climb the twin peaks of Kilimanjaro, too.

  118. opposablethumbs says

    When we’re talking about an organization that shelters child rapists, refuses to turn them over to the proper authorities, promotes misinformation and outright lies about contraception use in Africa, opposes the right of all women to have full reproductive freedom, and denies LGBT people the same rights as all other humans- again, I don’t give a rat’s left testicle that they’re doing all that horrible stuff, BUT THEY’RE SAYING IT NICELY.

    QFFT and well said, Tony!

  119. rq says

    2kittehs
    Next you’ll insist you’re taking them to the Moon with you this weekend. :P
    (They are very pretty, by the way!)

  122. bassmike says

    Kevin Congratulations! I hope everything went well.

    For those of you who are interested: we had a mixed weekend with my daughter. On Saturday she had a few weeing accidents. But she did very well yesterday. Hopefully things will continue to improve.

  123. 2kittehs says

    rq, tell me that HP thing is satire. PLEEEEEASE tell me it’s satire!

    —

    Of course the kitties are coming to the twin moons with me. Who else d’you think’s flying the rocket ship? They’re not just pretty faces.

  126. rq says

    2kittehs
    Apparently it’s not. But I don’t know, I’m scared to check myself.

    bassmike
    Yay for medium success, any progress is good progress. One day it will all be a memory, and everyone will be happy! :)

  127. Scr... Archivist says

    Since this seems to be the place to drop links that are not on-topic elsewhere…

    Laci Green is a YouTube video producer whom I first watched because she was one of those “YouTube atheists”. (Remember them?) These days she produces videos about sex positivity and consent under the title “Sex +”. She is an outspoken feminist, and has recently been giving public talks at colleges around the U.S.

    Most recently, Laci has organized an open letter to another YouTuber, one Sam Pepper, challenging him on his schtick of “prank” videos that harass women. I’ve seen some of his videos, and they really do cross the line. You can see Laci’s incredibly classy letter here: http://lacigreen.tumblr.com/post/98083811325/an-open-letter-to-sam-pepper . She has received co-signatures from numerous other YouTube producers, including some rather famous names.

    I thought you all might want to know about this new challenge to bad behavior in the internet/technical/geek-sphere. And if any of you are YouTube producers, I thought you might like to consider co-signing the letter.

    We now return you to your regularly-scheduled cat appreciation thread.

  128. Rowan vet-tech says

    Bramble made poo overnight! yaaaaaay! But it was really hard poo, the poor thing. I’ve added canned pumpkin to her food, and I’m switching her to wet instead of dry to see if that will help her. But now, at least, euthanasia isn’t an imminent probability.

    Haaaappy daaaaaance!

  129. rq says

    Rowan
    Hooray for poo! Is it ‘just’ constipation? Here’s hoping it’s ‘just’ constipation, and that the pumpkin will help.

  130. bassmike says

    Great news Rowan vet-tech . Sometimes the appearance of a poo can be a wondrous thing!

    Thanks opposablethumbs & rq . I know in a few years it won’t matter and we can change the carpets!

  131. UnknownEric the Apostate says

    Oh, and 2kittehs, you may have missed my comment in the Dome, but I’d like to let you know that I’m going to have to report you for false advertising. Your nym implies 2 cats, and your gravatar shows only one. Tut tut.

    Arthur “Two Kittehs” Jackson.

  132. says

    Huzzah for Bramble poo!
    Huzzah for bassmike’s daughter making potty progress!

    The progress of Aged Mum’s reverse mortgage application has suffered a minor setback. Yesterday, Husband went by her house on his way to his book club to drop off groceries, take decent pictures of her ID cards, and stand over her while she signed the application paperwork. I got a frantic call that she didn’t know what to sign, so she was refusing to sign anything. Apparently there were all these forms marked “Sample”. So I said to just sign everything, bring it back here, and I’d sort it all out.

    I got out the humongous mountain of paperwork this morning, started sorting – and immediately found that she had indeed signed all the sample documents. She had not, however, signed the actual application, which she had managed to bury in a pile of unrelated stuff leftover from her credit counseling session, along with the prepaid return FedEx envelope. So there goes next weekend, because I’ll be up there standing over her while she signs the right damn forms. *headdeskheaddeskheaddesk*

    Oh well. At least I’ll have time to make sure she sent the right required documents, and make copies of them before we head back up there. If I want anything done right, I have to do it myself. As usual.

  134. opposablethumbs says

    Glad to see the good news about Bramble. Hoping she improves, with many virtual e-{{{hugs/skritches delete as appropriate}}} to both Bramble and Rowan (the e-skritches are for Bramble as I’m guessing she may be too small for hugs; the e-hugs are for Rowan).

    If I write this word down, does that make it true? I wish NOT, but hey, living in denial here. Tinnitus. This is the fifth day. Seeing my GP next week – I’m hoping there’s a cause that can actually be remedied, though I know that’s often (usually) not the case. (slight hope, because there’s discomfort with it (the swimming-pool/airplane sensation) and I’ve been under the impression that this is not typical – though I don’t know this for sure).

  135. says

    Thanks, rq. I have a nice cuppa Yorkshire Gold, so I’ve got the tea covered.

    On top of everything else, Husband and I were going to the Japanese market/mall in Costa Mesa next Sunday to have lunch, birthday shop for the girls and maybe buy a few things for ourselves. So that’s off too. Grumble grumble. So help me, if I get through this, I’m buying one of the books on my wish list whether I need it or not.

  138. David Marjanović says

    I like this week so far, because yesterday I got a manuscript to the point I was able to send it to my coauthor for the first time in very long… but today I’m still tired, ultimately because of the weather.

    Arken’s Law: like Godwin’s, only with 1984.

    Anti-war, pro-Ukraine demonstration in Moscow (video with German narration). It’s large, and it compares Putin to Hitler. There’s also a pro-separatist counterdemonstration, which uses a bizarrely Confederate-like flag and compares everyone but Putin to Hitler.

    “Dr. Harris was called into a meeting and presented with screenshots from her private Facebook page. Harris had blocked colleagues from accessing her account and she was told that a doctor who is a partner at the office, and who led the meeting, had a friend spy on her Facebook page.

    The images were captured and sent to the doctor who led the meeting.”

    Dr. Harris is black, everyone else in the dental practice is white and Republican, and she was fired. The images call out the racism that killed Trayvon Martin, “slain teen Michael Brown”, and I actually forgot the names of the other recent cases. – Read the article before I copy & paste the whole thing, it’s short. :-)

    Alabama Gas Corporation sues journalists for doing journalism.

  140. Ogvorbis says

    Slow weekend.

    Nice dinner out with Wife on Friday.

    Made Carbonado Criollo on Saturday. Amazing. But I will modify it the next time I make it.

    Carbonado Criollo:

    One small pumpkin
    salt, pepper, and olive oil.

    Cut off the top of the pumpkin. Scrape out all the yucky innards (separate out and roast the pumpkin seeds if you want — just remember to let it cool where the cat cannot get to it. they like sleeping on warm things.). Peel the pumpkin lid and cut up the flesh into 2cm chunks. Brush the cleaned pumpkin with olive oil and sprinkle in some salt and pepper. Bake on a cookie sheet for 1 hour at 400F.

    2 pounds chuck roast, cut in 2cm cubes
    1 onion, chopped
    2 cloves garlic, crushed
    3 chili peppers, seeded, deveined and chopped
    1/2 pound potatoes, in 2cm dice
    1/2 pound raw sweet potato, in 2cm dice
    1 green sweet pepper, in 2cm dice
    olive oil
    2 ripe peaches, skin on, in 2cm dice
    2 bay leaves
    2 cobs of corn, sliced into 2cm wheels
    red wine
    beef broth

    Heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil in a dutch oven (I use a big Calphalon pot) and heat on high until the edge of the pan is hot. Add 1/3 of the beef. Brown it well. Decant to another dish. Do it with the second third. Then the third third. Don’t do it all at once or it will steam rather than brown. Pour off most of the oil. Add the onion, pepper, garlic and chili pepper. Saute until the onion is translucent. Add the beef. Add the cubed pumpkin and sweet potato. Add bay leaves, red wine and beef broth (1/3 wine to 2/3 beef broth) until everything is covered.

    Simmer for 30 minutes.

    Add the potatoes.

    Simmer for 20 minutes.

    Add peaches and corn.

    Simmer for 10 minutes.

    Cut the pumpkin vertically so there is one slice per person. Leave the skin on. Put it in a big flat bowl. Spoon the stew over the pumpkin. There should be lots of chunks, some juice. It should pile up on the pumpkin.

    Enjoy with red wine and some good crusty bread.

  141. blf says

    I hate this week already

    You need to find the mildly deranged penguin and convince her — a large “bribe” of cheese, plus some moar cheese, might do it… — to complete her Customization Extension to the calendar (CE). It has lots of knobs and levers and dials and switches, and allows you to design and implement a calendar of yer choice.

    What a week consisting of all Mondays? No problem!
    Want to repeat tomorrow, yesterday! Not a problem!
    Want the Moon to orbit the Sun? Just flip a few switches!
    Want every day to be lunchtime? There’s some knobs for that…
    Eliminate the day peas evolved! Adjust the Big Bang to create slightly more all-pink planets!! Grow moar cheese!!! (I reading from some of her early promotional bumpf…)

    As far as I can make out from her notes (fused into the far side of the Moonorbiting cheese vault from an early failure), the main problem seems to be a slight instability in the doubly-quantum magnetic attractor for cheese and MUSHROOMS!, which only goes up to 10.

  144. Pteryxx says

    Ogvorbis – does that recipe mean, bake *the entire hollowed-out pumpkin* for the first hour? Um, could you clarify where the flesh goes? I’m a noob.

  146. says

    Remember that doofus, Kris Kobach, about whom I’ve been posting of late? This Kansas Secretary of State is on the campaign committee for a Republican Senator, and Kobach seems to think that one of his duties is to guarantee his candidate’s win, come hook or crook. Mostly crook in this case.

    The doofus has done so many shameful things that New Republic is calling him the “Worst Republican.”

    Kobach may lose his office over this latest election-rigging circus, but, unfortunately, he may also have succeeded in making sure Pat Roberts is reelected to the Senate, thus making it more likely that Republicans will control not just the House, but also the Senate.

    Many more details about the walking evil that is Kobach are available at the link.

  147. says

    More on Kris Kobach here:
    http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/kobachs-ballot-disclaimer-worsens-kansas-circus

    Excerpt:

    […] Roberts, an unpopular, longtime incumbent, was in good shape to win yet another term when the opposition vote was divided between Taylor (the Democrat) and Orman (the Independent). Taylor’s withdrawal created the GOP’s nightmare scenario: with Senate control on the line, a Republican incumbent suddenly seemed quite vulnerable in one of the nation’s reddest states.

    But panic is one thing; Kobach’s over-the-top antics are another.

    At this point, the far-right Secretary of State has already lost one court fight, but he now seems poised to launch another. Kobach has ordered Kansas Democrats to pick a U.S. Senate candidate to replace Taylor, a demand that Dems have chosen to ignore, citing the pesky detail that Kobach has no authority to order them to do anything. […]

  148. says

    Oh, FFS, the latest outreach by Republicans to women voters is so condescending that it’s painful to watch. They think women voted for Obama because they wanted to date him.

    […] The good news is, Republican money is being spent on this ad that, at best, “isn’t giving any information to voters to move them.” And more likely it’s turning women off, because again, holy crap, could it be any more condescending? The only way this could be more obviously a male fantasy about how women think is if the woman in the ad was wearing a lace nightie and tying cherry stems into knots with her tongue in between sentences.

    Daily Kos link. A partial transcript of the ad and a video of the ad is available at the link.

  150. says

    Alaska, the last frontier … and home to some brave reporters:

    Greene had reported on the Alaska Cannabis Club during Sunday night’s broadcast, without revealing her connection to it. At the end of the report, during a live shot, she announced that she was the club’s owner and would be quitting.

    “Now everything you’ve heard is why I, the actual owner of the Alaska Cannabis Club, will be dedicating all of my energy toward fighting for freedom and fairness, which begins with legalizing marijuana here in Alaska,” she said. “And as for this job, well, not that I have a choice but, fuck it, I quit.”

    Daily Kos link.

  152. says

    More craziness from Utah:

    Most Utahns support guns in classrooms but think parents should be told which teachers are armed, according to a UtahPolicy.com poll released Monday.

    The poll found that 64 percent of likely voters think teachers should “definitely” or “probably” be allowed to carry concealed weapons in the classroom, with 60 percent of voters saying educators who bring guns to school should be required to inform parents and school administrators.

    “Utahns really don’t seem to have a problem with guns in the classroom, at least concealed weapons by the teachers,” said Bryan Schott, managing editor of UtahPolicy.com. […]

    Note that “likely voters” language. In Utah, that means mormon Republicans. There’s a poll at the link. You can vote NO to arming the teachers in Utah schools if you are so inclined.
    http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/58441878-78/poll-teachers-utah-concealed.html.csp

  153. says

    rq @145

    Yeah, I don’ t quite get what that guy was ranting about either. It was like, “Here’s a definition of science, but you’re all doing it wrong.” I can only guess that somebody stepped on one of his bugaboos, saying, “Science!”, and he decided to show everyone he knows better, though his blurb says nothing about him being a scientist.

  154. says

    More on the armed, Republican militia that plans to intimidate Democratic Party voters in Wisconsin:

    An armed militia group in Wisconsin plans to confront people who signed the petition to recall Gov. Scott Walker (R) at the polls on Nov. 4.

    The “Wisconsin Poll Watcher Militia” will check the names of those on the petition and will then seek out the Democrats on that list […]

    […] We prefer our people be armed […]

    The militia members also plan to follow people from polling locations to their homes.

    Please private message us names of people you know are active voters and wanted on warrants. We can get our agents to watch their polling location, identify the individual, and then follow them to their residence. A call the police and they will be picked up for processing […]

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/wisconsin-militia-intimidate-polls

  155. rq says

    ajb47
    Did you read the Tyson links? They were pretty telling, all about how they got Tycho wrong. Except for the last one, the last one is about how Tyson has lied about some GWB quotes. The article just kind of bothers me because my elder brother posted it in FB, and I thought he knew better.

  156. rq says

    Lynna
    Wow. And here I thought elections were supposed to be free and fair where each is able to make their choice without coercion, lies, and deception. Turns out, no, just get some guns and scare everyone into voting your way! Have to try that in October. :P

  157. blf says

    Have an </b>.

    rq@145, It isn’t even a very good rant, other than the guy makes up his own definition(s?) and, possibly, history.

  158. says

    rq @156, “free and fair” until Republicans with guns decide they should not be. Or when the Kansas Secretary of State, Kris Kobach, engages in unconstitutional ploys to ensure the election of a Republican Senator. Imagine the blowback if Democrats tried any of that shit.

    Speaking of Republican myopic vision, religious Republican conservatives have said quite plainly what they want out of Hobby Lobby. More than you think.

    […] a motion filed by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty — the same Becket Fund that represented Hobby Lobby in its successful lawsuit in the Supreme Court — […] “any action ‘specifically intended to prevent procreation’ — including contraception and sterilization — is morally wrong.”

    In its motion, Becket asks a federal court in Florida to grant Ave Maria [a Catholic school] a temporary exemption from the federal rules governing birth control coverage while its litigation against the government proceeds.

    What’s unusual about this motion, however, is that it specifically denies that the Obama Administration’s latest accommodation for religious objectors is sufficient. […] “Form 700″ is the form religious objectors were required to submit under a previous attempt to accommodate their sentiments regarding birth control.

    Under that regime, employers who object to birth control on religious grounds could exempt themselves from providing contraceptive coverage by filling out this short form, which required them to disclose the identity of their insurance administrator. Once the government has this form in hand, they would then contact this insurance company and arrange for it to provide contraceptive coverage to the religious objector’s employees without requiring the objector to provide this coverage itself. Notably, the Supreme Court’s opinion in Hobby Lobby strongly suggests that the just-fill-out-this-form accommodation is sufficient to overcome any legal objections to the overall regime for providing birth control to employees.

    Nevertheless, several religious employers objected to the fill-out-the-form solution, so the Obama Administration granted them a further accommodation — permitting them to exempt themselves from the birth control rules without having to fill out any particular form at all, so long as the government learns who their insurance administrator is. Without this information, the government has no way of knowing which insurance company should provide contraceptive coverage to employees who are denied this coverage by their employer, and thus the entire system breaks down. […]

    Think Progress link.

  159. blf says

    [G]et some guns and scare everyone into voting your way! Have to try that in October.

    Ask that nice Mr Putin just over the border. He seems to have an army sloshing around, and could probably loan you a few divisions until they get lost due to defective GPS receivers.

  161. says

    The Wall Street Journal sandwiched their coverage of the largest climate change march in history between commentaries that cast doubt on global warming and the need for action, fulfilling the newspaper’s trend of pushing harmful rhetoric against international climate negotiations. […]

    Media Matters link.

  162. says

    There are plenty of really conservative individuals in the military forces of the USA. I don’t think it’s a good idea for religious right-wingers to encourage them to remove President Obama from office.

    Larry Klayman is once again calling for the military to remove President Obama from office, telling Tim Wildmon of the American Family Association in an interview today that military leaders should “rise up” and “go to the president and say, ‘Your time’s up,’ just like they did to Mohamed Morsi in Egypt, ‘Take a hike guy, you’re destroying the country.’” […]

    Right Wing Watch link.

  163. says

    rq @ 155

    I did not actually read the Tyson links. Since the first one was under the words “cultural illiterate”, I kind of knew the direction of the link. Then I hovered over it and the others and saw where they really went and decided not to clog up my browser history with them.

    blf @157

    I meant to do that. (in my 153)

  164. rq says

    ajb47
    Good for you, I actually went and read them and knew that I shouldn’t have. :P Anyway, thanks for your input on that. :)

  166. says

    Oh, good, ALEC gets a nice shock where it hurts, in their bank account.

    The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) no doubt found it easier to operate when it was largely unknown, working behind the scenes to advance a far-right agenda. […]

    But as the group made the transition from obscurity to notoriety, suddenly the organization that quietly wrote ready-made legislation for Republican legislators started losing friends who saw associations with ALEC as a public-relations problem.
    Google plans to sever its relationship with the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council following a wave of public scrutiny about the conservative group’s climate-change views.

    Google Chairman Eric Schmidt indicated in an interview Monday with NPR’s Diane Rehm that Google would drop its ALEC membership “in the future,” but did not specify a date.

    A caller asked Schmidt about Google’s ALEC ties, and the chairman responded that Google funded them for an unspecified cause, but added, “I think the consensus within the company was that that was some sort of mistake, and so we’re trying to not do that in the future.”

    In this case, climate change seemed to be the impetus for the disassociation. “Everyone understands climate change is occurring and the people who oppose it are really hurting our children and our grandchildren and making the world a much worse place,” Schmidt said. “And so we should not be aligned with such people — they’re just, they’re just literally lying.” […]

    http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/google-latest-walk-away-alec

  167. says

    Other companies that have severed ties with ALEC (a followup to comment #166):

    Microsoft
    GM
    CVS
    MillerCoors

    Not a complete list, but you get the idea.

  168. Esteleth is Groot says

    ARGH

    Today:

    (1) I failed an exam (I got a 64%, passing was 73%).
    (2) I had to deal with someone who thought LifeSiteNews was a good source for pregnancy information. This went badly.
    (3) I then had to deal with a 2.5 hour long committee meeting that was mostly about pamphlets.

    I need a drink.

  169. says

    Sorry about your day, Esteleth. I am currently serving Michter’s US 1 Straight Rye if you’re interested. I *do* have several other choices if that is preferred.

  170. says

    Lynna @167

    From the list of companies, I have to think that ALEC marketed themselves as mostly interested in business issues and those companies have realized that it has other agendas they don’t agree with.

  171. cicely says

    Kittehs!
    So many kittehs!
    *cuddle-flurry*
    –
    Hurray for Bramble-poo!
    –
    A *hug* for opposablethumbs, with commiserations for the tinnitis.
    –
    *hugs* for Giliell.
    I’m sorry to hear that your week is off to such a tentative start.
    –
    *hugs* for Esteleth, as well.
    –

  174. says

    Hugs for all and sundry, also tea and chocolate and TJ’s trail mix cookies.

    My talk with Aged Mum this afternoon went better than I had feared. She’s going to balk at signing all the places on the application, I know, but Husband and I will both be there to walk her through it, so with any luck I’ll be able to take the packet to FedEx next Monday, only a week later than planned.

  176. says

    ‘rupt, but yay for Bramble, *hugs* for Esteleth

    ajb47

    From the list of companies, I have to think that ALEC marketed themselves as mostly interested in business issues and those companies have realized that it has other agendas they don’t agree with.

    I think you’re giving them way to much credit; I’m betting it’s purely a PR thing; now that ALEC’s getting negative headlines they’re trying to distance themselves from it. Frankly, even if you’re right, it still cuts no ice with me; they a) damn well should have done their due diligence and found out what ALEC was doing before giving them loads of money, and b) as I mentioned in the thread about David Silverman courting ‘economic conservatives’, there’s no practical difference. Even the ‘pro-business’ policies that ALEC pushes are disastrous for the economy as a whole, workers in general, and the public at large. It’s only slightly less damaging to the economic interests of big corporations and the ultrawealthy. The thing is that economic advantage isn’t what they want and never has been. What they want are serfs who they can lord over and abuse at will, and economic devastation is only one way to try to achieve it.

  178. 2kittehs says

    Rowan @128, that is such great news about Bramble!

    ::also does happy dance::

    UnknownEric @131

    Arthur “Two Kittehs” Jackson.

    Sorry, looked him up and I still don’t get the joke! Non-USian here, it went straight through to the keeper.

    Anne     @132, sympathy hugs. My mum’s like that.

    opposablethumbs @134, fingers crossed that it’s not the T word.

    blf     @142, hilarious! I love Non Sequitur.

    pteryxx @143, thanks for that link. Good article.

    Hugs for Giliell and Esteleth.

  179. jste says

    Random question – I’m after some suggestions for reading material that –

    1. Is written by female authors
    2. Is sci fi/fantasy/urban fantasy
    3. Has an audiobook narrated by decent narrators
    4. Ideally is on audible, but any other online distributor who makes their stuff available to Australians or is easy to trick into thinking I’m not australian is good too.

  180. rq says

    Cat keeps looking at me from across the room like I’ve done something wrong. Very accusing, those green eyes. What is it, Cat? Is it those pitiful, plaintive mewling meows from that closed room downstairs? Do you think I’m a monster… for letting another cat into your house?? And the stare does not waver.

  181. 2kittehs says

    rq, of course you’ve done something wrong. Even if you hadn’t introduced another cat into Cat’s house, you’d have done something wrong. That’s Just The Way It Is.

    Mads was doing the same thing to me a minute ago. Staring behind me staring, then when I turned around and said “What?” putting her ears back, squinting and saying “Neh.” Twice.

    No idea what that meant, except something’s doubtless not up to standard.

  182. rq says

    2kittehs
    I wish they’d be clear and just submit the form, but no, it’s this passive-aggressive silent staring.
    And yet we still cater to their every whim. What is this power over us???

  183. birgerjohansson says

    jste @ 179, Kate Griffin has written several VERY good urban fantasy novels.
    I have not researched the audiobook editions.
    Since she lives and works in London there is possibly a bigger audience in the commonwealth than in, for instance, USA, so the books should be available in Australia.

    Ancillary Justice is a good SF novel, I forgot what the authoress is named.

  185. opposablethumbs says

    Thank you, cicely and 2kittehs. Seeing the GP next week, going to ask for hearing tests and anything else xe can think of. On the bright side, it’s not currently audible over a moderately noisy environment (e.g. in the street). Just when I’m in a relatively quiet environment … like at my desk trying to work (or Pharyngulate, like now) or in bed trying to sleep … :-(
    It’s freaking me out partly because my OH has this really badly, and it makes his life hell; I’m scared of it getting to be like his , I suppose :-\

  187. birgerjohansson says

    Extending your life?
    Laron syndrome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laron_syndrome
    bad effects, dwarfism, small penis.
    Advantage: no cancer or diabetes.
    .
    “Some genetic variations have an impact upon intellectual capacity” OK, we should screen against those variations. But as long as you get synthetic IGF-1 before puberty, you can avoid the other bad effects. Then you can eat sugar and high-cholesterol food like crazy without fear.
    “Calorie restriction, intermittent fasting and IGF-1” http://www.nutritionbynature.com.au/blog/calorie-restriction-intermittent-fasting
    “low IGF-1 levels are related to reproductive impairments and increased bone loss.” -So you should remember to drink your milk. Reproductive impairment? Bah! If I can add another year to my life, I will be happy to just clone myself and be done.
    .
    Cryopreservation: “Dance of water molecules turns fire-colored beetles into antifreeze artist”s http://phys.org/news/2013-01-molecules-fire-colored-beetles-antifreeze-artists.html
    “Antifreeze proteins in Antarctic fishes prevent freezing… and melting” http://phys.org/news/2014-09-antifreeze-proteins-antarctic-fishes.html

  188. 2kittehs says

    opposablethumbs, I really hope it isn’t that. Everything I’ve read about the T word scares me – just not being able to block off sound is a frightening prospect (history I won’t bore you with). Fingers and toes crossed for you, here.

  190. 2kittehs says

    ROFL Rob, thank you! I didn’t know that Python sketch (obvs).

    However I don’t think I’d be upset about being asked about the “Two Kittehs”.

    Probably because I’m not a composer.

    Or a trainspotter.

    … Does being a catspotter count?

  192. dianne says

    Laron syndrome http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laron_syndrome
    bad effects, dwarfism, small penis.
    Advantage: no cancer or diabetes.

    Knock the gene out or inhibit the protein after puberty: height and penis size (if relevant) already established, effects on diabetes and cancer risk???? Come on Big Pharma, this one could be a serious money maker.

  193. rq says

    Almost had a crisis of existence: out of black tea. Then I remembered those two fancy tins of looseleaf my brother has sent over from England, but those turned up empty, too (funny, I don’t remember drinking all of that…). :( Luckily, I found a third, barely started, tin behind all the coffee. Yay!

  194. says

    Senator Ted Cruz of Texas has jumped on the conspiracy train that claims ISIS terrorists are crossing the southern border of the USA. ISIS terrorists are crossing the border between Syria and Iraq. There’s also considerable trouble on the border between Syria and Turkey. The USA border with Mexico? Not so much.

    First and foremost, Washington should resolve to make border security a top priority finally, rather than an afterthought, of this plan in light of concerns about potential ISIS activities on our southern border, cited in a Texas Department of Public Safety bulletin reported by Fox News. As long as our border isn’t secure, the government is making it far too easy for terrorists to infiltrate our nation.

    Note Cruz’s sources, a Texas Department known for its lack of logic and, of course, Fox News.
    http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/10/opinion/ted-cruz-how-us-can-stop-isis/

  195. says

    This is a followup to my comments #90, 92 and 93, in which I noted that White House Science Advisor Dr. John P. Holdren did his best to educate addle-brained Republicans on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

    Jon Stewart produced a wonderfully sarcastic segment on that same hearing: “wondering how far back we have to go to catch these dunces up on basic elementary science.”

    http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/09/23/1331763/-The-Daily-Show-Burn-Noticed

    Scroll down at the link for the video.

  196. blf says

    Almost had a crisis of existence: out of black tea.

    Meh. You’ve plenty of potatoes, zombies, moar potatoes, roses, cats, potatoes, and yet moar potatoes — All the ingredients needed to make tea of any colour, most densities, and a wide variety of tastes.

  197. says

    This is a followup to my comments #166 and 167, and to ajb147’s comment #170:

    More companies that have cut ties with ALEC:

    VISA
    Merck and Co.
    Walgreens
    Walmart
    Amazon
    Proctor and Gamble
    McDonalds
    Kraft
    Coca-Cola

    I think the recent Google defection will hurt them the most. Google was a big-money source, and the Google Chairman Eric Schmidt publicly denounced ALEC for “literally lying.”

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/alec-exodus-companies-list

  198. cicely says

    White tears and aggressive Indians: Native activists on the Daily Show
    –
    rq:

    Cannibal horses in the Australian Alps.

    Not watchin’ that.
    No.

    So cicely, beware! They may be evolving to EAT YOU!

    What makes you think that They’re evolving to eat me?
    I prudently stay well out of range of Their Hellish Doom-Chompers.
    You, on the other hand, may well be putting yourself in danger, since you insist—against all advice—on fraternizing with Them.
    –

  199. says

    Not exactly good PR for gun owners, for concealed carry permits, or for the NRA: A passerby shot a family dog while the family’s five-year-old was having a birthday party.

    […] neighbors and guests at the party remember the shooter shouting that he was within his rights. “I have a concealed weapon license,” they recall him saying.

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/great-moments-in-guns–2

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/family-dog-birthday-party-shot

    […] Emily Martinez recalls hearing a gunshot after her dog Clifford jumped a fence during her daughter’s party, The Denver Post reported. The family poured into the street and found a stranger, apparently walking his own dog, standing over the family pet, still brandishing a gun. […]

  200. Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says

    @rq:

    I’d be happy to send you some tea. i drink some of the best. Amazing stuff, really.

    You have my e-mail?

  204. David Marjanović says

    LOL @ Spinosaurus as crocoduck! It may have swum like a duck, though, and it’s more closely related to the ducks than the crocodiles are… Also: the duckcroc.

    […]kirk-camerons-crocoduck-came-back-to-bite-him-in-the-1637687282

    …unusual euphemism!

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/alec-exodus-companies-list

    Interesting, and encouraging. Not amused that they ever were ALEC members in the first place, though.

    White tears and aggressive Indians: Native activists on the Daily Show

    She actually called the police. X-) *facepalm* *headshake*

  205. says

    Here’s the right-winger’s response to the climate marches that took place on Sunday:

    “Litterbug Climate Marchers Leave Behind Piles of Trash” reported Breitbart, over a compilation of pics and tweets documenting the admittedly unsightly piles of bags, cups, cans and signs that marchers left behind on corners and sidewalks and piled around garbage cans. The self-satisfied hosts of Fox News’ “The Five” admonished the marchers to “practice what they preach.” The Independent Journal Review tisked that the trash “distinctly contradicts the purpose of the march in the first place.”

    The New York Post, Gateway Pundit, and the United Kingdom’s Daily Mail also got in on the act, slamming the marchers for hypocritically leaving behind trash, for traveling to the march with carbon-heavy transportation, and for generally unsustainable behaviors. […]

    http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/09/23/3570840/climate-march-trash-news/

  207. says

    David M. @204, the unusual euphemism link led to funny stuff. Making up euphemism’s for sexual activity or for shoving stuff up someone’s arse could be fun.

    Thanks also for the additional information on crocoducks or duckcrocs. Stretching the facts in order to dissuade Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron from promoting their argument that a “transitional fossil” of a “crocoduck” does not exist looks like a waste of time. Those two won’t listen anyway.

  208. cicely says

    David:

    She actually called the police. X-) *facepalm* *headshake*

    Not only that, but quoting from the article (and bolding the bits I’m drawing attention to):

    Two days later, O’Dell said she called D.C. police and tried to submit a police report, but authorities told her no crime had been committed.

    It took her two days to decide that she “felt threatened”, by this non-crime.
    *arm-flail*
    –

  209. says

    More dress code madness from Utah, this time some high school students protested the enforcement of what are essentially mormon dress codes for public school students.

    http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/58442977-78/dress-students-dance-code.html.csp

    Bingham High School senior Cierra Gregersen decided to wear a friend’s dress to the homecoming dance last weekend.

    But the frock that passed the school’s dress code last year was blocked this fall by a newly vigilant administration.

    Gregersen and four of her friends were stopped at the door and told to alter their dresses with sweaters or scraps of fabric. When they refused, they were sent home.

    Monday afternoon, Gregersen organized a walkout from school to protest the inconsistent enforcement. About 80 other students joined her. […]

    All those who walked out of classes Monday were considered truant, the administrator said. […]

    The Bingham High walkout comes on the heels of Wasatch High School’s decision to Photoshop student yearbook photos to add necklines and cap sleeves and remove a collarbone tattoo. In 2012, Stansbury High School sent dozens of students home from the homecoming dance because their attire didn’t meet the school’s dress code. In the end, the school held another dance free of charge two weeks later.

    Gregersen said it is difficult to find a dance dress that complies with the school standards. She and most of the girls who were asked to alter their clothing were told that it was because their dresses were considered backless.

    Some male students also were told to change into dress slacks after arriving in jeans.

    “I’m hoping that they understand why we’re so upset,” Gregersen said. “We’re not just being immature about it. We’re saying that at a certain age, we know how to dress ourselves, and we know what’s appropriate, and they shouldn’t oversexualize our bodies.”[…]

    “We feel like we’ve done a good job of helping them be aware of the dress code because it’s never our intention to trick them; it’s to help them follow directions.” […]

    There was a lot of emphasis from administrators on obedience, though they called it “following directions.” Mormon administrators. The photo of one of the offending “frocks” shows a young woman conservatively and nicely dressed for a school dance.

  210. says

    Rightwing politicians in New Hampshire are doubling down on their culture war against a woman’s right to make her own decisions when it comes to pregnancy. I hope this causes the Republicans to lose big in that state.

    The New Hampshire Republican Party toughened its stance on abortion over the weekend, adding support for fetal “personhood” rights into its official party platform.

    The party adopted new language at its annual convention on Saturday that pledges to “support pre-born child’s fundamental right to life and personhood under the Fourteenth Amendment, and implement all Constitutional and legal protections,” according to the New Hampshire Journal.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/22/new-hampshire-gop-personhood_n_5865316.html

    Personhood measures would ban all abortions, and many forms of hormonal birth control.

  211. rq says

    Conversation with Eldest today:
    (For context, they’ve all been on a resurging dinosaur craze, which means we watch the six episodes of Planet Dinosaur from the BBC over and over and over again, because all other dinosaur shows are, apparently, boring.)
    Eldest: The second episode again? I don’t like the second episode. All he does is talk about trees and those little flying dinosaurs with feathers.
    me: Well, I think it’s kinda cool, because those are the first bird-like dinosaurs, and birds are like modern-day dinosaurs.
    Eldest: [withering glare] I know that. Everyone should know that, in this day and age*.

    * Equivalent colloquialism

  213. says

    As happens most days, I’ve blocked a couple more misogynists on twitter and facebook, since I have no intention of letting their vile stuff pollute my twitter and facebook feed.

    Since this seems to happen all to frequently, especially when one of the big name atheists once again shoots of his mouth (and it is always “his” isn’t it?), I am considering turning it into something more positive.

    I think I will donate a dollar, for each misogynist I block on either facebook or twitter between now and my 40th birthday in February, to a feminist-friendly cause and/or convention. Given the number of misogynists, I think I’ll have to put a cap on the amount – let’s say $500.

    Any suggestions to worthy causes? The Ada Initiative would seem obvious, but are there others?

  214. says

    jste
    I can’t really help on points 3 and 4, but for 1 and 2, off the top of my head I’d recommend N.K. Jemisin, Tanya Huff, Elizabeth Moon, Wen Spencer, Seanan McGuire, Lauren Beukes, and Sharon Lee.

  215. says

    ::falls over laughing at rq’s #201– ‘go ogle’ tee hee::
    ****

    Where the fuck have I been?
    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/09/colorado-students-walk-out-to-protest-conservative-censorship-of-ap-history/

    According to the Denver Post, students and teachers are protesting the removal of all mentions of civil disobedience from texts and classroom materials intended for the teaching of AP U.S. history.

    Tuesday’s protests were an extension of a Monday walkout, in which 250 students at Evergreen High School in Golden walked out of morning classes to protest at Jefferson County School District headquarters.

    “I want honesty in my classroom. Teachers want honesty in the classroom,” said a letter that students presented to school Superintendent Dan McMinimee on Monday.

    On Tuesday, CBS Denver said, “Approximately 500 students walked out at Arvada West High School and 400 at Arvada High School. Approximately 300 students walked out at Golden High School and about 200 students went to the school offices in connection with the protest.”

    Teachers staged their own protest last week, calling in sick and thereby shutting down two area high schools in protest of changes proposed for the history curriculum.

    Tensions have run high in Jefferson County schools since three conservative candidates were elected to the school board. These new board members have suggested an extensive rewrite of the way history is taught to the area’s students to a model they believe is more patriotic.

    The right-leaning board-members said they believe history teachers should teach nationalism, respect for authority and reverence for free markets. They should avoid teaching any historical events or acts that promote “civil disorder, social strife or disregard of the law.”

    Oh my fucking god.

  216. Rowan vet-tech says

    The vets discussed Bramble during their rounds today and they have decided that she is unadoptable. The problems her scoliosis is causing are just going to get worse as she grows and as the bones grow. They didn’t say it outright, but they don’t expect her to make it to adulthood; she’ll lose the ability to defecate before then. Normally this would mean euthanasia immediately, but they agreed that I can hospice her until that time.

    So Bramble, the Curved Kitten, is now pretty much officially mine for as long as she has a good quality of life. I’m both very happy and very very sad.

  217. Rowan vet-tech says

    For books, I also recommend Robin McKinley and Robin Hobb.

    Tony! thank goodness for the ethics of the students and teachers. A giant “GAH!” to the curriculum.

  218. says

    Rowan:
    I’m sorry to hear that Bramble won’t reach adulthood, but at least she will be in a loving home for as long as she may live.

    ****

    Oh, will you look at this:
    Texas author uses Limbaugh’s ‘blood money’ to help poor women get abortions

    Merritt Tierce, who worked waitress at a local steakhouse between 2005 and 2011, said that Limbaugh came to her restaurant twice with NBC sportscaster Al Michaels, and left $2,000 tips on both occasions.

    “That was like blood money to me,” Tierce was quoted as saying.

    Tierce said she donated a substantial portion of the tip money to the Texas Equal Access Fund, a volunteer group that helps low-income North Texas women who cannot afford abortions. Tierce worked as the TEA Fund’s executive director up until recently.

    Whatever shall we do with the tears of Rush that are sure to come?

  220. Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says

    For all USAliens, from Lynna’s #210:

    The party adopted new language at its annual convention on Saturday that pledges to “support pre-born child’s fundamental right to life and personhood under the Fourteenth Amendment,

    Just so it’s absolutely clear if ever you encounter some idiot arguing this with you in real time somewhere, the first words of the 14th…

    All persons born or naturalized in the United States,

    If their particular take on god was the one true religion and abortion really did kill babies against god’s will and it really was a religious duty to stop it in the same sense that we have a duty to stop the killing of people after they are born anywhere in the world – if in no other way, then at least by refraining from purchasing products made with diamonds or coltan or other minerals that fuel deadly conflict, [which boycotting I know that all these religious folks do, religiously] –

    “pre-born children” would still not have any rights under the 14th amendment, and these folk would still be bearing false witness every time they assert that “pre-born children” do.

    My goodness, it’s like their religion demands that they lie or something.

  221. Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says

    @Rowan:

    I was following the Bramble saga. Sad to hear it has turned out that way, but I’m glad that Bramble has you.

  223. PatrickG says

    [threadrupt]
    For those who were interested, I’ve put up a rough transcription of the Oppenheimer interview on the original thread, available here
    [/threadrupt]

  224. Esteleth is Groot says

    Sorry to hear about Bramble, but I’m glad she has a safe and comfortable home to live out her life (however short) in.

  226. 2kittehs says

    Rowan, I’m so sorry Bramble has such a short time to go. I hope it’s a happy life with you. She’ll get lots of love, at any rate.

  228. Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says

    @Tony!, @227:

    I can’t get over the walrus. My fave by far.

  229. says

    More cool images. This time from Beakerhead:

    For five days in mid-September, Beakerhead throws an extraordinary five-day-long smash-up filled with extraordinary art, memorizing street installations, and thought-provoking talks. Events are spread throughout different locations in Calgary, which started this past Wednesday and just finished up yesterday. I had the honor of attending last year’s inaugural event, which featured the former Commander of the International Space Station Chris Hadfield, and I can tell you personally, it was truly spectacular

    I really like the Net Blow-up, the Flying Robotic Jellyfish, LaserCat, and the Periodic Table (not what you think it is).

  230. says

    TMI WARNING FOR DIGESTIVE STUFF
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Is it normal to poop out under-digested food? I ask because I found lettuce shreds in my stool, and I’ve noticed a few other (high-fiber) foods that just kinda pass through nearly untouched.

    Is this something I should be concerned about?

  231. says

    Hi all. I don’t comment here much, but I wanted to amplify something…

    My friend Joey was an incredibly talented jazz pianist and an all round amazing guy to be around. Sadly he took his own life back in 2012. His brother has collected some of his (and other local musicians) work, and put it up for listening and sale online with all proceeds going to support organisations that work on suicide-awareness (The Samaritans, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide and Grassroots Suicide Prevention).

    I am personally still gutted every time I see a picture of him, but I love the thought that his music will endure and help bring some hope to other people who are living on the edge.

    https://joeybethell.bandcamp.com/album/looking-up

  233. bassmike says

    Rowan I know you’ll give Bramble the best possible life for as long as she’s around. It’s great that she has someone able to do that for her. I know everyone else has said it, but I wanted to add my voice to the chorus.

    rq @211: It reminds me of this weekend when my 5 year old niece came over and indignantly stated ” I don’t like being old!” It was only because she couldn’t be thrown around in the same way she used to as she’s too big.

    Tony! the Beakerhead thing looks great fun!How’s the job going?

    BTW potty training is still hit and miss. But hopefully the overall trend is upwards.

  234. rq says

    Some bad moments in children’s books.

    +++

    Rowan
    So sad about Bramble, but echoing the fact that I’m glad she has you. :(

    bassmike
    We had a breakthrough, but now we’re back to before-breakthrough, so… it’s definitely a process. :P Go you and go your daughter (on the potty, of course!)!!

    B Lar
    Thanks for that link, and I’m sorry about Joey – glad that his talent will live on, though, and hopefully do some good!

  235. rq says

    Oh, and a perspective on Emma Watson’s speech: not a bad one, by far.

    Emma Watson didn’t talk about anything I haven’t learnt from the Jessica Valentis, Mia Freedmans, Clementine Fords, or Caitlin Morans of today. She said what most women have been saying, thinking and feeling already.
    […]
    Her words mattered without being new.

    Because the more we use those old words, those familiar convincing phrases, the greater the repetition and the louder the chorus – the stronger the opportunity for meaningful change.

    Watson is someone who young women all over the world look up to and admire. Young men too. Hell, my boyfriend is definitely paying attention. She is reaching a new audience with old words and she is one of the few people in the world who has the giant megaphone to do that.

    And that in itself is worthy of praise.

    Watson’s speech was eloquent and fierce. But let’s not delude ourselves into thinking it was earth-shattering.

  236. says

    rq
    In our home town, you can still mention his name and silence conversation 2 years after the fact.

    Its really hard to make sense of this tragedy, but I have to believe that I can do something for those who are silently hurting like he was. Grieving is hard, but being Joey must have been so much harder.

  237. carlie says

    BTW potty training is still hit and miss. But hopefully the overall trend is upwards.

    That’s probably why they’re missing, then.
    *rimshot*

  241. Ogvorbis says

    This week is bad. And not getting better.

    I lost my smart phone (a cheap LG, but still). I will not be able to transfer the number to an old flip phone until I they mail me a new SIMM chip. So no phone.

    Yesterday I was giving a programme on a train. The engineer bolted the train (slam stopped it). I was facing the back of the train. I fell. I caught myself with the back of a seat. And twisted. Everything. I finished the tour, got off the train, and, as I walked back to my office, my back started to tighten up. To the point that, when I got to my office, all I could do was lean against a counter and cry. A co-worker called an ambulance and I am now on heavy duty pain killers and heavy duty muscle relaxants. No idea for how long.

  242. opposablethumbs says

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29307705 Still no justice for the victims of the Magdalene laundries.

    Ugh, Ogvorbis – any extra help of any kind available for having been injured literally on the [train] job? Wishing you Really Good pain relief and a speedy sim card arrival.

    rq, I suppose the issue has to be approached with suitable gravity.

  243. Pteryxx says

    *extra boxes o’ hugs* for B Lar and Rowan (and Bramble may want just the box)

    —

    WMDKitty – yep, sounds fairly normal to me. Fiber content can also affect, er, transit time (slows when it’s too fast, speeds when it’s too slow) but so can stress or a host of other factors.

    —

    Ogvorbis – *sympathies* and just ignore the rest of this if you don’t want to be advice-dumped upon. Please take care of yourself.

    Having had a similar back injury right down to the ER visit, I’d say give it two or three days if you can and rest absolutely as much as possible during that time. Back muscle spasms are the very dickens for re-occurring because the muscles are so strong, they participate in almost every motion (even leaning or rolling in bed) and they react to pain BY tensing up to protect the vulnerable spine – at least that’s what my physical therapist told me many years ago. The less cause you give them to spasm, the faster they’ll heal. I had to learn to roll out of bed without twisting (use arms and legs together, as if rolling into a canoe after falling out), squat or crouch instead of bending over AT ALL (especially on the toilet), and use makeshift canes such as broom handles to stay completely vertical while moving around the kitchen. Be very careful in the bathroom or shower, because back spasms can throw your balance off in ways you’re not expecting. Also if you’re familiar with any relaxation exercises such as meditation or breath control, *use them*. Many people respond to general life stress with tension in the back and shoulder muscles. Also I advise keeping on the regimen of painkillers and *especially* the muscle relaxants at a steady effective level, almost as if they were antibiotics – NOT tapering off and then taking them only after pain or spasms get worse, because then they’re only mitigating the damage of subsequent spasms instead of preventing it. Stay calm, try not to freak if vicious muscle twinges surprise you out of nowhere, and shamelessly crawl or lay on the floor for a while if that’s what it takes. (I give you permission – there’s not much dignity to be had in sudden back spasms, trust me on this.) ;>

  244. dianne says

    Obvorbis: Sorry about your injury! Feel free to dump this advice in the most appropriate receptical if it doesn’t work for you, but…I’d suggest you get aggressive treatment for the injury up front–pain killers, antispasm medication, physical therapy, whatever makes it feel better (short of surgery–surgery is a last resort). There’s some evidence that quick treatment of traumatic LBP reduces the risk of chronic pain.

  245. dianne says

    @WMDKitty, 230: Yes, it’s normal unless you’re seeing an increased amount or stool that’s black, smelly, foamy, or otherwise disgusting. Unusually disgusting, I mean. Or if you’re losing weight for no good reason. Fiber’s generally not digsestable so don’t worry about a bit of high fiber food showing up apparently undigested.

  246. birgerjohansson says

    Rowan, I am so sorry for Bramble.
    — — — — — — — — — — —
    China Just Got Serious About Global Warming. Now We’re Really Out of Excuses. http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2014/09/china-climate-change-carbon-market
    — — — — — — — — — — —
    I took the day off today to visit an uncle in the Geriatric ward. He is 91 years old and has a broken hip. Even if the surgery goes well, the complications are likely to be severe :-(

  249. says

    Utterly threadrupt, my ‘appy poly jeans. Not doing well. Feeling quite overwhelmed and discouraged and scared and stupid for being scared and angry and a little bit revolutionary.

    Y’all know what the bad things are, always the same: pain, insomnia, depression, stress, and the only one where the problem is a lack rather than a surfeit, money.

    Is there anyone who could help me put together an academic-style CV? Got an opportunity that needs one, and I’m too sore to access local resources, and too paralysed with all the above to find stuff online that I could trust.

    Depression lies, yeah? But how do you tell, when you’re in it, which are the lies?

    Grmf. Sorry to interrupt.

  253. blf says

    What makes you think that They [horses]’re evolving to eat me?

    Taste.
    Possibly also resemblance to Oats.
    Stooopidity(Theirs) and Malevolence(also Theirs).
    They’ve already eaten everything else, and you are the only one left… (cue introduction to The Twilight Zone…)

  255. blf says

    People do the strangest things to their animal companions.

    Yeah, I’ve never understood why people let their puppies overripen before eating them.

  256. says

    Moments of Mormon Madness revealed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list:

    Jason Derek Brown is wanted for murder and armed robbery in Phoenix, Arizona. During November of 2004, Brown allegedly shot and killed an armored car guard outside a movie theater and then fled with the money.

    Brown speaks fluent French and has a Masters Degree in International Business. He is an avid golfer, snowboarder, skier, and dirt biker. Brown enjoys being the center of attention and has been known to frequent nightclubs where he enjoys showing off his high-priced vehicles, boats, and other toys. Brown was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and completed his Mormon mission near Paris, France.

    Brown has ties to California, Arizona, and Utah. In the past, he has traveled to France and Mexico. Additionally, he may be in the possession of a Glock 9mm and a .45 caliber handgun.

    http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten

  257. Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says

    @ogvorbis

    Ugh! The back!

    I’m so sorry. Muscle relaxants can help. Don’t know why things like this happen, but at least this kind of thing can be treated and healed and put behind you…so to speak.

  258. says

    Tony @215, Many thanks for that link. At least someone has noticed that the far-right is pushing an obedience-to-authority-is-good version of history for Advanced Placement history students in the USA.

    Here is the link for coverage on Daily Kos.

    […]They waved signs declaring, “It’s world history, not white history,” and talked about Cesar Chavez and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. […]

    “As we grow up, you always hear that America’s the greatest, the land of the free and the home of the brave,” [Arvada High School senior Leighanne Grey] said. “For all the good things we’ve done, we’ve done some terrible things. It’s important to learn about those things, or we’re doomed to repeat the past.” […]

  259. says

    This is a followup to comments #166, 167, 170, and 176:

    On the heels of Microsoft, and then Google, leaving the American Legislative Exchange Council, a Facebook spokesperson now says that they will leave the corporatist front group in 2015, as well […]

  261. Rowan vet-tech says

    Grrrrrrr…. why is there no information on feline scoliosis? Okay, I know it’s exceedingly rare, but still! And more grrrrrrrrrr is that Bramble’s case doesn’t even appear to be analogous to human scoliosis as I’m not really finding any information on paresis plus we use our spines differently plus her curvature starts far lower than is typical in humans.

    -_- blargh.

  262. cicely says

    Fear As A Way Of Life: Why Women In Comics Don’t ‘Just Report’ Sexual Harassment
    –
    *careful-and-non-ouch-causing hugs* and a huge heap o’ sympathies for Ogvorbis.
    –
    And *hugs* and support for CaitieCat.

    Depression lies, yeah? But how do you tell, when you’re in it, which are the lies?

    That is, indeed, a Perplexity.
    A Conundrum, even.
    –
    me:

    What makes you think that They’re evolving to eat me?

    blf:

    Taste.
    Possibly also resemblance to Oats.
    Stooopidity(Theirs) and Malevolence(also Theirs).
    They’ve already eaten everything else, and you are the only one left… (cue introduction to The Twilight Zone…)

    1) They have no taste…regardless of what they do (or don’t) taste like.
    2) I’m more nearly a cereal killer than a cereal.
    I am, however regrettably, low in gluten.
    3) Goes without saying…and, goes without saying.
    4) Nonsense! I can see a number of Things That Have Not Been Eaten, without even moving from my chair!—which has also Not Been Eaten.
    –

  263. says

    Another WTF moment involving Second Amendment rights:

    A Tennessee man on Wednesday caused panic as he paced back and forth near a high school in a bulletproof vest with a rifle strapped across his back and a GoPro camera, WSMV-TV reported.

    Multiple people called the police when they saw Leonard Embody with a gun near the school, but he was not arrested because he did not walk onto the school grounds. Open carry is legal in Tennessee.

    Embody has been arrested multiple times before for walking around with a gun, but the charges were dropped, according to WSMV.

    According to WSMV, Embody has been demonstrating with his gun throughout Tennessee for the past five years in order to defend his Second Amendment right.

    After complaints from Hillsboro High School parents, Embody didn’t apologize.

    “A school is a prime place to be able to hand out my leaflets and educate children that guns aren’t dangerous as people think they are. Certainly a man carrying a gun doesn’t mean they’re going to get shot,” he told WSMV.[…]

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/open-carry-activist-tennessee-school

    Diagnosis: clueless.

  264. says

    Well, it’s a good thing he wasn’t also wearing a tan suit — the entire USA may have imploded. As it was, President Obama holding a cup of tea or coffee while saluting two marines has the right-wingers in a tizzy.

    President Obama disembarked from Marine One on Tuesday and saluted two Marines with a paper cup in his hand. For conservative talking heads the salute, which was captured in a video that the White House posted to its Instagram account, was proof positive of Obama’s disregard for the military, ignorance of protocol, and general disrespect for the uniform. […]

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/president-obama-drink-salute-marines

  265. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    B Lar,

    Thank you for sharing that and I’m sorry for your loss.

  266. says

    This is a followup to comments #215 and #258: Think Progress has picked up the story of high school students in Colorado protesting text books that serve up a “history” that is decidedly laced with conservatism:

    […] Following a policy trend that’s gaining traction nationwide, the Jefferson County School Board in Colorado plan would restrict history education to subject matter that “promote[s] citizenship, patriotism, essentials and benefits of the free-market system, respect for authority and respect for individual rights.” […]

    Similar rhetoric is used to justify comparable school policies around the U.S. In 2010, Arizona passed a bill that banned ethnic studies and prevented teachers with thick accents from instructing students. More recently, South Carolina conservatives asked the College Board, which is responsible for Advanced Placement curricula, to exclude any material with a perceived ideological bias, such as lessons about evolution. Schools in Texas are trying to incorporate textbooks that distort climate science.

    http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/09/24/3571362/student-protest-denver/

  267. says

    Ah, poor Dinesh D’Souza. He has been so unjustly persecuted for breaking the law. /sarcasm

    Dinesh D’Souza is now basically taking a victory lap around conservative media outlets after having avoided a prison sentence for violating campaign finance laws, appearing on Glenn Beck’s radio show today to assert that he was directly targeted by President Obama because Obama is “a petty, vindictive guy.”

    D’Souza insisted that he was only prosecuted for breaking the law because President Obama lashes out at all of his critics because “he is a very dysfunctional guy with a very dysfunctional family. I mean, he’s got family members who have each other followed, they spread rumors and try to undermine each other, they hire people to look out and so this is a very bizarre situation and Obama is a very petty, vindictive guy.”

    “I don’t have to speculate that he doesn’t like me, I know that,” D’Souza asserted, “and it’s hard for me to believe that [the government was] treating me normally, like any other guy who did this.”

    Glenn Beck agreed, declaring that D’Souza was “the first real political prisoner that I have seen this president make.”

    “This is a political prisoner, make no mistake,” Beck said. “He was only prosecuted, they only found this stuff because they were going through everything to stop him. And it’s sick. It’s really sick”[…]

    Right Wing Watch link.

  268. says

    Here’s an addition to our collection of Republicans-saying-stupid-stuff:

    A GOP House candidate in Nevada has been caught on tape telling a crowd at a fundraiser that Mitt Romney was right to say that 47 percent of the country mooch off the government. Cresent Hardy, the Republican candidate for Nevada’s 4th district, added that since 2012, when Romney made his remarks, the “47 percent” has only grown.[…]

    At last week’s fundraiser, Hardy reportedly blamed the country’s troubles on women, minorities, and young voters, since those groups voted for the president in high numbers. Jon Ralston, a top Nevada political commentator, reported Hardy’s comments on his show last night.

    This is not the first time that Hardy disparaged voters on the campaign trail. A video posted by the Nevada Democratic Party in February shows Hardy claiming that people in “welfare districts” drive Escalades—a callback to the “welfare queens” trope of the 1980s. […]

    Mother Jones link.

  271. Esteleth is Groot says

    Nothing quite like getting to the head of the line and pulling out your wallet to pay for your groceries and discovering that you’ve been robbed.

    Yaaaay

  272. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    Esteleth,
    That sucks. Was it just cash or cards and documents as well?

  273. Esteleth is Groot says

    Just cash is missing, but I don’t see any reason why they couldn’t have written numbers down for online use or something.

  274. Ogvorbis says

    Thanks for the commiseration.

    I am on diazapam )muscle relaxant), ocycodone (pain), and massive doses of ibuprofin (anitinflammatory). Slept from 11am to 4pm. Will be going back to bed after I force myself to eat something.

  275. says

    Talkin’ about names, who the fuck calls their kid “Attila” or Taifun”?
    On a more serious note, I’m doing an internship againand yesterday one of the classeshad a project day about internet safety and cybermobbing, though the discussion drifted a bit in an interesting, but depressing direction.
    The guy who did the project talked about how ISIS uses the internet to recruit fighters, like shooting scenes that are copied from GTA 5, only that they’re killing real people and a discussion came up. Some of the kids were scared that they’d be snatched away from the street, with one kid being from Syria and the parents being very worried, of course.
    They were “lucky” since the lecturer could actually tell them that they did not need to be worried about being kidnapped, but he told them a story about a young man from this very town who’d gone there.
    He’d been dealt a shitty hand in life and then he subsequently fucked that up. He was a loser until he met some Salafists who gave him love and respect and a home until they took him to Afghanistan. There were 11 young people from here who went there (plus the “original” Salafists).
    He alone came back. He realized it was wrong when he was given a belt with explosives and told to blow up a primary school. He said he’d have done it had they told him to blow up a police station, but some small part in him still realized that no noble goal can require the murder of children.
    So there are these young, disenfranchised people here who go to Syria and Afghanistan, and there are the refugees who come here. We export terrorism and then play good Samaritan when we receive some of the refugees.
    I mean, shit that fuck isn’t far away on the news, it’s fucking here.

  280. blf says

    They[horses] have no taste…

    You are confusing taste with style. And probably with fried snot.
    They have no style. You are tasty. Hence, you shall be eaten, possibly before the couch and broken rusty tricycle in the back garden.

  285. jste says

    birgerjohansson, mildlymagnificent, Dalillama, Rowan:

    Thank you for the suggestions! I’ve read a lot of Elizabeth Moon’s and Robin Hobbs’s work, but there plenty of names there I haven’t heard of or have otherwise forgotten or not yet managed to add to my reading list, so thanks!

  286. soogeeoh says

    Giliell, professional cynic -Ilk-@275

    Talkin’ about names, who the fuck calls their kid “Attila” or Taifun”?

    What do you mean?

  287. soogeeoh says

    re: Attila and Taifun

    I feel uncomfortable, because by way of lurking I know some things about you, which you don’t know about me … that you are from Germany too, for example.

    I have some acquaintances who go by those names, they have … migratory backgrounds.

    Do you mean “potatoes” are calling their kids those names?

  288. cicely says

    *hugs* for Esteleth. I trust you’ve taken all prudent precautions where bank cards and such are concerned?
    –
    blf:

    You are confusing taste with style. And probably with fried snot.
    They have no style.

    This is objectively true.

    You are tasty.

    Tasty means having a taste, yes?
    I have never claimed to have taste. Not even one taste.
    I almost certainly has a flavor, but it’s probably nasty, and in any case, They would be put off by all the Horse-bane I’ve been eating for lo, these many years.

    Hence, you shall be eaten, possibly before the couch and broken rusty tricycle in the back garden.

    Ah.
    I see your mistake, now.
    The house with the couch and the rusty tricycle is three streets over.
    Sucks to be the soon-to-be-mauled-and-Horse-nommed people who live there.
    –
    soogeeoh, have I Welcomed you In?
    If not, please do consider yourself Welcomed.
    :)
    You are aware
    of the Questionnaire?
    –

  289. The Mellow Monkey says

    Tony! @ 284

    Emma Watson’s passionate speech before the UN has garnered support from other celebrities such as Tom Hiddleston, Russell Crowe, and Lena Dunham.

    Huh. You know, I hadn’t given much thought to how other actors in Emma Watson’s sphere would respond to her speech and HeForShe. But it makes sense that they would respond to it and it wouldn’t end with Watson and the public’s reaction to Watson. High-profile men like Hiddleston and Crowe supporting it will probably do a lot of good by catching the interest of people who wouldn’t have paid attention otherwise.

  290. says

    Short Tony Tale:
    You probably realized it wouldn’t take long before I started having conversations at work about important social justice related stuff.
    This one is a bit different though. It was revealing for *me*. I had a conversation with a white woman who is a single mother of two interracial children. We got to talking about the racism she’s encountered, and boyohboy, she had stories to tell. From the man who asked her out for dinner, only to find out that she ::gasp:: had sex with a black man and had children with him ::the horrors:: and proceeded to walk out without paying for his portion of the meal to co-workers that she’s flat out told to not talk to her in the past because they couldn’t stop using the N* word around her (bc no white person could possibly dislike that word, huh?) to the fact that she get’s pigeonholed into being that white woman who only likes black men which is shitty bc she likes all kinds of men and some of the men she likes are black. These are things I *knew*, but in more of an academic sense. I’d never spoken to anyone who had to deal with this shit in meatspace, so it was eye opening in a way I’d never experienced.

  291. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    Okay, forget what I said before.

    BFG 9000 Cocktail Gargle Blaster:

    To a pint glass add 1.5oz shots of brandy, gin, tequila, and absinthe (brand suggestions: Korbel, Beefeater, any decent Reposado, Grune Fee). Add 1/2oz each green creme de menthe, Midori. Ignite with torch, drop in 4-7 ice cubes (to taste, or lack thereof), top up with Mountain Dew presumably extinguishing the mixture. Garnish with a Cheeto (optional).

    For BFG 10K version: use 50mL shots instead of 1.5oz, add splash of Green Chartreuse.

    (The name works on several levels: Not only does it invoke this and this, but the drink is Big, Formidable, and Green, and it helps to be a Big Fat Guy/Gal/Goodhominid when attempting to process one. O.o)

  292. Esteleth is Groot says

    I have contacted my banking institution and cancelled my cards.

    *sigh*

    This is just not something I needed, y’know?

  294. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    And yes, in case you’re wondering, it is actually drinabkl…drinkal…..drinabkgl…..BLOODY HELL>

  295. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    ….bad timing. *offers hugs in the cardinal direction of Esteleth*

    Errm…thirsty? x.x

  296. Pteryxx says

    John Oliver’s latest, a takedown of the Miss America pageant-and-scholarship-fund, results in the Society of Women Engineers receiving more donations in two days than they usually get in two months.

    Salon:

    Oliver’s recent segment not only mocked the archaic and sexist tradition of the Miss America pageant, but performed some investigative journalism and revealed that it offers only a fraction of that money it claims to, and those funds go only to one contestant — who might not even use it.

    Despite this, Miss America technically remains the “world’s largest provider of scholarships for women” because other women’s organizations don’t have pockets as deep. This is when Oliver gave a shout-out to the SWE, and called on his audiences to support scholarships that further the advancement of women.

    Directing audiences to websites for the Society of Women Engineers, the Patsy Mink Foundation and the Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund, Oliver issued a call to action: Donate to these organizations “if you want to change the fact that currently the biggest scholarship program exclusively for women in America requires you to be unmarried with a mint-condition uterus and also rewards working knowledge of buttocks-adhesive technology.”

    SWE spokeswoman Kelly Janowski told the Tribune that in just two days, the organization received 15 percent of its expected annual donation amount, $25,000. SWE benefited from increased Web traffic too, more than doubling its page views from last week, and saw an increase in social media activity by nearly 2000 percent. Of course, the money received will go to the group’s scholarship fund.

  297. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    (Also, Tony: do you suppose a half ounce of something like Sour Apple Pucker would improve this – keeping with the Green theme – or are you just kind of backing away slowly from the horror I’ve unleashed?)

  298. says

    WooHoo!
    Comic book publisher Top Shelf has added Strong Female Protagonist to its distribution family. Oh and a 220 page softcover graphic novel is available for ordering right now, with a December shipping date. I can haz Xmas present?
    Speaking of SFP, I haven’t checked out yesterday’s update…

  299. says

    Tony! #282
    It has; the national rate is about 55% percent for AMAB babies nationwide, although it varies widely by region. There’s also still men alive from generations before it became common.

  300. The Mellow Monkey says

    Oooh, that’s great news, Tony!. I’ve been following SFP since the first issue and it’s one I’ll want on my shelf. I didn’t have any money to spare during their Kickstarter so couldn’t support them then, but I’ll totally get Book One as soon as I can afford it.

  301. 2kittehs says

    Tony!, that Dr Who animation was so cute!

    And wow, all the suckage your co-worker* gets from racists. That stinks so much. :(

    *Am I the only person who reads unhyphenated coworker as cow orker and wonders what the hell cow orking is?

  302. rq says

    Tony
    While a lot of (white) men have been supporting Emma Watson’s speech, I’ve also seen criticisms from black women that looks like this and this.

  304. says

    2kittehs @301

    Cow orker is a typo up there with teh. My wife has been a long time member of a mailing list where they have taken to doing it on purpose because it was so well-known.

  307. 2kittehs says

    Oh good, I’m glad I’m not the only one reading cow orker.

    I should probably note at this stage that I’ve never orked a cow in my life.

    *cough*

  308. mildlymagnificent says

    I’d never spoken to anyone who had to deal with this shit in meatspace, so it was eye opening in a way I’d never experienced.

    A friend of ours is married to a fairly dark skinned bloke of Indian extraction – he’s from Fiji. It’s funny when issues about racism come up. He’s quite laid back about it generally. But she gets really, really upset, distressed, enraged about it. She’s the mother of three not-quite-white-enough children. They’re all adults now, but she had to do a fair bit of her fierce mother act, protecting her kids from mostly unspoken, but desperately obvious, discrimination. One example, only two students were not accepted for a German language class in middle school. Her son and a Vietnamese girl. There was a distinct visual difference between the kids who were, and those who weren’t, “good enough” for that teacher. (The thing that most upset her was that it was a religious school of her denomination. She thought they’d be better than that. Hah!)

  310. says

    This is a righteous rant:

    Anonymous said: Don’t confused ‘oppression’ with ‘first world problems’, it’s a rookie error among feminists.
    feministbatwoman:

    Wow, okay buddy, you’re BEGGING for a takedown here.

    First world problems? Not a thing. People who say shit like “first world problems” are massive racist, imperialist, dismissive assholes.

    If you’re ever tempted to say “first world problems,” do me a favor, and pull down a map. Tell me EXACTLY where the “third world” is. Make sure you correctly identify Switzerland as part of the third world, and Turkey as part of the First World. Don’t forget that Djibouti is a part of the first world.

    Literally sit down and learn what “third world” means and why people from nonwestern nations think it’s a total bullshit term.

    Second: you think people in the so-called third world don’t care about shit like makeup, and love, and technology? You think they don’t care about internet harassment? You think women over there don’t care about street harassment? You think they don’t care about fashion and clothes? You think they don’t care about music and video games?

    Because THEY DO.

    Right now, there is a woman in burundi teaching herself how to do a cut-crease eyeshadow look. Guaranteed.

    “Third world” nations have fashion shows and fashion magazines. They care about street harassment. They care about the internet. They play video games. They know more about anime than your sorry ass every will. And the idea of “first world problems,” which makes it sound like all women in “third world” nations are dealing with starvation, rape, war, acid attacks etc.

    Is bullshit.

    Rank.

    Bullshit.

    Women in Iran spend shitloads of money on makeup. Women in the DRC don’t just care about rape. Rape – the ONE THING westerners can be expected to know about women in Congo-Kinshasa – ranks NUMBER FOUR on the list of issues women in Congo want addressed. Political participation is number 1. Economic empowerment is number 2. Women in India are passionate about information technology, and you know what they hate? Coming to the United States, where Indian women in STEM are suddenly considered LESS GOOD than their male colleagues. My friends in Senegal taught ME how to download movies off the internet. Zimbabwe has a fashion week.

    As Teju Coal points out:

    “I don’t like this expression “First World problems.” It is false and it is condescending. Yes, Nigerians struggle with floods or infant mortality. But these same Nigerians also deal with mundane and seemingly luxurious hassles. Connectivity issues on your BlackBerry, cost of car repair, how to sync your iPad, what brand of noodles to buy: Third World problems. All the silly stuff of life doesn’t disappear just because you’re black and live in a poorer country. People in the richer nations need a more robust sense of the lives being lived in the darker nations. Here’s a First World problem: the inability to see that others are as fully complex and as keen on technology and pleasure as you are.

    One event that illustrated the gap between the Africa of conjecture and the real Africa was the BlackBerry outage of a few weeks ago. Who would have thought Research In Motion’s technical issues would cause so much annoyance and inconvenience in a place like Lagos? But of course it did, because people don’t wake up with “poor African” pasted on their foreheads. They live as citizens of the modern world. None of this is to deny the existence of social stratification and elite structures here. There are lifestyles of the rich and famous, sure. But the interesting thing about modern technology is how socially mobile it is—quite literally. Everyone in Lagos has a phone.”

    95% of the people who use bullshit expressions like “First world problems” have NO IDEA what life is like for people in the so-called third world. You just like sitting there derailing.

    And for the record? As a white, western feminist, DAMN RIGHT I concentrate on issues in the United States. Because when white western feminists try to “save” women outside the west? We do a SHIT job of it. We’re the ones who bowl over actual congolese women, and what THEY want, and say that the #1 issue affecting them is rape. We become arms of the imperialist patriarchal complex.

    Classic example: the guy who was ruling Egypt for the British got british feminists to help him in his anti-headscarf campaign in Egypt. Why did he hate headscarves? Because he wanted to *break the spirit* of Egyptians. Not because he gave a shit about women’s rights.
    How do I know that?
    Because he was the head of the anti-women’s-suffrage group in England.

    When women who live outside the west do awesome things, I will signal-boost them, and I will do whatever they think I can do to help. But I follow their lead. Because these are THEIR issues, and THEY know what matters to them. Not me.

    FINALLY: My problems are not trivial. My problems are not bullshit. My problems are not to be dismissed with your racist, imperialist logic. Dress codes and makeup and music and books and video games MATTER. They matter to me. They matter to my life.

    So fuck you.

    And fuck your assumptions.

    And maybe consider that YOUR first world problem?
    Is that you can’t “see that others are as fully complex and as keen on technology and pleasure as you are.”

    via Feminist Batwoman

  311. soogeeoh says

    I wasn’t aware of no Questionnaire.

    I quickly searched embarrassedly.

    Peas, cheese, horses, mayo? I feel a bit nervous … is this a test?

    P: I have no special relationship with peas. Come to think of it, I don’t know when I last ate some and was consciously aware of it.
    My strongest association with “peas” was Chicharito …

    C: I really like cream cheese, but until just now … I never even thought about it as cheese

    H: I think it’s funny that they wear shoes, but … I remember reading about working dogs (unfortunately police dogs IIRC) who have to wear shoes too, because of hazardous working environments with broken glass and such, and now the funniness turns bitter

    M: I’d like to try my hands at making one myself, just to see if I can, but I have no elevated reverence for it

    —
    Sheesh, this is ridiculous, I’ve been sitting (in parallel with some other things to do) at this comment for almost 2 hours, because I can’t commit myself to sending it

  312. bassmike says

    Welcome soogeeoh I think the secret with the test is that there are no right/wrong answers! Shhhh I didn’t tell you that….the MDP is never far away.

    I lot of no so good things in the lounge. Sadly I don’t have the spoons at the moment. So I’m off to rebuild a pillow fort, but I’ll leave a huge pile of *hugs* and a plate of cookies and grog for anyone who wants them.

  314. says

    uhhh, bassmike, I hate to break this to you, but on the question of peas, there is only one right answer: Peas are an abomination unto nuggan, fit only for food fight via slingshot whilst covered in spam juice.
    Any other answer is simply wrong.
    I’m starting to think your assimilation hasn’t fully taken hold yet. Please see rq in the Borg Room.

  315. bassmike says

    Buh buh but I don’t like peas!!! Honest!! Please Tony! don’t let rq take me to the Borg Room. Nooo!!!!

    Exits stage left being dragged away by rq . Leaving a destroyed pillow fort and Tony! with an evil grin on his face.

    (We apologize for the excessive use of exclamation marks in this post – Terry Pratchet was right)

  318. rq says

    Wait, bassmike in the Borg Room?? Heck no! Umm, you liked horses, too, right?
    Portia is the one with the love affair with peas and pea-popsicles.

    Also, soogeeoh, the questionnaire should specifically reference Miracle Whip, not mayo, so I don’t know who’s been mixing those two things up – unless it’s been you, in which case, come see me in the Borg Room!

  319. Portia (aka Smokey the Advocate) says

    I’m 100% rupt, with the exception of noticing that apparently rq lit the Portia-signal.

    Peas Patriots will never be silenced.

  320. rq says

    Sorry to have called you in on something so trivial, Portia, your mighty litigating firefightingness, but I thought it important to present a fair and balanced view of the minority pea approval in here.

  321. bassmike says

    Does this mean I’m free to leave the Borg Room with my brain intact (for certain values of ‘intact’)?

  322. 2kittehs says

    Tony! @310, that is a righteous rant indeed, and an eye-opener I know I needed to read – thank you for posting it.

    also @314, you are correct about peas.

    also also @317, I think kitty (marmie! Squee!) has zir back leg squinched up on the edge of the window – see the way zir back end is tilted up?

    Portia @319

    Peas Patriots will never be silenced.

    I read that as Peas Parrots. Presumably not Norwegian Blues, if they won’t be silenced.

  323. says

    Tony!, it’s an angelic gaze masking True Evil.

    The cat’s fourth limb is either tucked up onto the windowframe, keeping it balanced, or, more likely, still inside the car – it hasn’t quite finished sneaking out between the molecules of the window glass yet.

    I hab a code in by head. I will sit ober here and not coff on anybody.

  324. 2kittehs says

    Anne,

    The cat’s fourth limb is either tucked up onto the windowframe, keeping it balanced, or, more likely, still inside the car – it hasn’t quite finished sneaking out between the molecules of the window glass yet.

    Shhhh, don’t give away the Furrinatis’ secret powers!

  328. rq says

    *checks Borg Room, bassmike already gone; cleans up remaining bits of brain*
    Well, that settles that, then.

  330. rq says

    So, kitty intro update. Everyone’s alive! And while still suspicious, no fur is flying.
    They’ve had a couple of accidental meetings (due to faulty memories as to whether Cat is outside or not, or upstairs or not), which have consisted of one giant mutual hiss each and a quick getaway by Cat the first time, one silent 5-second staring session with both kitties rushing away, and one silent 20 minute staring contest while eating chicken in the kitchen last night. There was some approach on Cat’s part, with no massive angsty tail-waving but a curious sniff (and one small hiss), and lots of hiding behind the random stuff by NewCat, but no overly aggressive moves. In the end, NewCat stayed in hiding and Cat decided it was about time he went back outside, and thus it ended.
    I know we’re not doing it 100% right, but I hope their general anxiety-to-ambivalence towards each other continues. It helps that both have the run of the house while the other isn’t around, so they’re getting used to the idea that they’re not the only one around.

  331. The Mellow Monkey says

    From rq‘s links upthread:

    Why I’m Not Really Here for Emma Watson’s Feminism Speech At the U.N.

    Firstly, because even if that’s true, it does nothing to create solidarity. I have never met a white person who decided to take on anti-racism work because of the negative effects of racism on white people. Literally, never. And I don’t think I’ve ever met a man who genuinely supports feminist ideals because of the ways they benefit men first. If I did know people like this, I wouldn’t like them. I’d question why the often brutal oppression of people of color and women and especially women of color wasn’t enough to get them interested, but having an epiphany about the ways men and/or white people are kinda also hurt by these constructs because “something something society and also men should be able to cry, too” made them jump right on board.

    Secondly, because it ignores just how much men do benefit from gender inequality. (They really do, Emma!)

    A really good point and illustrated well by the bullshit over at Ally Fogg’s blog. Men who are driven to action by “what about the menz” are not allies. They benefit from sexism and that needs to be faced.

    She also points out something that really bothered me while I was listening to the speech but hadn’t seen anyone else remark on yet:

    Ms. Watson also said:

    I want men to take up this mantle. So their daughters, sisters, and mothers can be free from prejudice…

    The underlying message here is that women deserve equity and equality because of our relationships to men. Continuing to re-enforce the idea that men should respect women and fight for women’s equality because mother/sister/daughter/whatever perpetuates the idea that women don’t already deserve those things based solely on our status as human beings. It encourages men to think of women always and only in relation to themselves, as if our pseudo-humanity is only an after-thought of men’s real humanity. The truth is that women are whole, complete people, regardless of our status in the lives of men. This is what men should hear, over and over again. This is what everyone should hear, every day.

    [Emphasis mine.]

    Framing women not as people on their own but as objects in relation to men pisses me off when anyone does it, but especially when it’s put into feminist speech by people who should know better. You should be able to conceive of women as people without having to frame them as yours. Mallory Ortberg’s got me covered here:

    Listen, as a father of daughters, I’m really against this kind of behavior, this kind of treatment of women. The kind where they get hurt or they can’t vote or we don’t give any money to them. You know the kind I’m talking about. The kind I don’t want my daughters to experience, and then I just sort of extrapolate out from there.

    It didn’t always used to be this way. I used to only have sons. Things sure were different then. How merrily I used to drive down country lanes in my old Ford, periodically dodging off-road to mow down female pedestrians (you must remember I had no daughters then). Was what I did wrong? How was I to know? I had no daughters to think of.

    Before I had daughters — Stimothy and Atalanta are truly the apples of my eye — I would follow women into voting booths and knock their hands away from the lever whenever they tried to engage in the democratic process. Who knew having daughters would change all that? Not I.

  332. 2kittehs says

    Anne

    2kittehs @324, don’t worry, the Resident Felines are in total control; I only say what they want me to say. I’m a Human Press Release. Meow.

    Thank Ceiling Cat for that!

    rq, it may not be textbook, but how many cat intros are? It sounds like everything’s going along pretty well. I know our last intro was far less textbook than yours, and Mads and Fribs were both adults, but it worked out fine. These days, frail little Fribs has big robust Maddie’s number and is completely unintimidated, nay, unimpressed, by her occasional attempts to make mischief.

  335. Saad Definite Article Noun, Adverb Gerund Noun says

    So the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office endorses rape culture too now.

    Source: State Attorney General blames victim for rape

    The Pennsylvania attorney general’s office is blaming a former state prison clerk for her own rape, in response to a federal lawsuit the woman filed.

    The 24-year-old typist was working at the state prison at Rockview in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, when she was attacked in 2013. She was choked unconscious and raped for 27 minutes by inmate Omar Best, who had been convicted three times previously of sex-related crimes…

    Even though Best was convicted of the rape in May and a review of the prison found multiple failings and led to the superintendent’s removal, a senior deputy attorney general wrote that the woman “acted in a manner which in whole or in part contributed to the events” in his response to her lawsuit.

    Wednesday, the office released a statement saying that it is required to present all possible defenses and “contributory negligence is one such defense.”

    Ah, the “contributory negligence” defense. Because, men’s erections are like tornadoes. You got in the way, it’s your fault.

  339. The Mellow Monkey says

    I submit that stupid word problems like this make children hate math starting in elementary school:

    Aurora ran 98 miles last year for her marathon training. Her mother Viola was working, so she ran 45 fewer miles than Aurora.

    In a year? That is like the worst marathon training ever.

  340. rq says

    New scholarship contest for youth in grades 5 – 12. 6 judges, one of whom is a woman… in a country where just over 51% of the population are women. I’m wondering how skewed the results will be.

  341. says

    I submit that stupid word problems like this make children hate math starting in elementary school:

    Even sensibly worded maths problems are a two edged sword:
    Pro: they can really make math accessible for many children who need a concrete application (personally, I found math in physics and economy much more accessible than in math, because it made sense).
    Contra: You don’t test math, but you test math and reading comprehension, which means that your results do not truely reflect your students’ math ability. #1’s BFF and bank neighbour still has troubles with reading in second grade, so #1 usually reads her the task and then she can solve the math perfectly.

    ++++
    Talking about schools, this internship shows the horrible injustice of the German school system
    German school systems (because we have a fucking 16 of them) are horribly stratified with the Gymnasium for the “more intelligent”, i.e. wealthy and without a migratory background and Realschule and Hauptschule (often combined in half-arsed comprehensive schools) for the “more practically gifted”.
    Teacher training reflects that stratification with training for Gymnasium requiring higher skills and longer traing and yielding more pay.
    Fuck that shit. The kids at the school where I’m at the moment need the best and best trained teachers. Their teachers deserve better recognition because teaching in a class with 25 well-behaved kids from middle class backgrounds is a walk in the park in contrast to teaching 28 kids of whom 4 don’t speak a word of German, 6 don’t get any breakfast at home, 5 suffer from violence and abuse and another 3 have various kinds of neurological variations or learning disabilities.
    The kids I have now have been mostly taught by teachers who speak English instead of English teachers (and that is a hell lot of difference). The cynic in me says that this might mean good job prospects for me, but fuck that shit, nobody would allow that to happen to the precious flowers in the Gymnasium.

  342. The Mellow Monkey says

    You don’t test math, but you test math and reading comprehension, which means that your results do not truely reflect your students’ math ability.

    Yep. When I’ve been helping various younger family members with their math, I see stuff like this all the time. And I recognize that multiple choice answers make it faster to grade, but the format itself can lead people astray. For example, if the right answer is 342, the possible answers are probably going to be:

    A) 350
    B) 324
    C) 342

    A kid with dyscalculia or one just prone to transposing numbers who got the problem right on their scratch paper is pretty likely to get that wrong when they select the choice. Nothing valuable has been learned, other than “no on cares if you can actually do arithmetic.”

    That stratification is awful and depressing, Giliell.

  343. says

    Saad @336:
    I wrote to the PA Attorney General’s office with a question:

    It has come to my attention that the PA attorney general’s office is blaming a former state prison clerk for her own rape. Is the attorney general’s office aware that rape is a form of sexual assault committed by a rapist and that victims bear no responsibility?

    I’ll be curious to see what the answer is (if indeed they provide one). I wanted to leave a more detailed comment, but they only provide a tiny box for asking a question, so I figured there were a limited number of characters available. If anyone else wants to send a message to them, their contact information is here.

  344. rq says

    Seriously, Tony, please run for President, just so I can be mad for not being American for once.
    I love your level of engagement and willingness to learn and get involved. It’s kind of silly, but I feel really proud of you – and less sillily, I’m really proud to know you.

  345. Pteryxx says

    For example, if the right answer is 342, the possible answers are probably going to be:

    A) 350
    B) 324
    C) 342

    A kid with dyscalculia or one just prone to transposing numbers who got the problem right on their scratch paper is pretty likely to get that wrong when they select the choice.

    TMM, THANK YOU. I had to fight number-transposing all the way through graduate school.

  346. Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says

    Oh, FSM: I’m going to put my foot in it:

    The lawsuit is already taking the blame off the rapist and the rapist’s choices. The plaintiff – the woman who was assaulted and raped – is blaming the government via the corrections department for negligence. She wants someone other than the rapist to be legally responsible because the rapist can’t pay the money that would be reasonably required to return her to health and compensate for lost wages along the way.

    Pennsylvania is countering that she knew the risks and disregarded them, making Pennsylvania not legally responsible.

    Yes, Pennsylvania is arguing the victim’s negligence and not Pennsylvania’s negligence was a legal cause of her rape [they don’t actually care to what degree the rapist is blamed, so long as Pennsylvania isn’t]. But the woman filing the lawsuit is arguing that Pennsylvania’s negligence was a legal cause of her rape, and she doesn’t actually care to what degree the rapist is blamed so long as Pennsylvania is.

    The structure of the law and the lawsuit pretty much requires that both parties blame someone other than the rapist.
    ==============================
    This here is informational only. If we want to discuss it more, I’ll happily take any lumps you want to give me after hearing my actual **opinions** on the matters in TD.

  347. Saad Definite Article Noun, Adverb Gerund Noun says

    Tony, #343,

    Thank you. Perfectly worded too. In the Thunderdome, I asked if we have people from Pennsylvania here, but why should it have to be just them? I’m going to send them an email too.

    The Mellow Monkey, #339,

    The obsession with word problems is actually a big issue with school mathematics and a key reason behind math being such a hated field for people in general.

    Word problems are to mathematics as instruction manuals are to literature, or to borrow an analogy from Edward Frenkel, as painting fences is to the art of painting.

  348. dianne says

    Buh buh but I don’t like peas!!! Honest!! Please Tony! don’t let rq take me to the Borg Room. Nooo!!!!

    I like peas*. (Runs away before Tony and RQ can get the borg room cleaned up again after the Bassmike incident.)

    *For certain values of “like” and “peas”.

  349. dianne says

    Seriously, Tony, please run for President, just so I can be mad for not being American for once.

    Much as I like the idea of President Tony, I fear the crap he’d have to put up with if he undertook the venture would make you once again grateful not to be an American.

  350. rq says

    I like word problems in math. Seriously, I have always loved word problems. I never understood the difficulty with them, though now I have some better idea as to why someone might not be a huge fan of them.
    I also just loved math problems, period. So there’s that.

    Multiple choice in math, though? GHASTLY.

    Go, dianne, go, go with Portia and all your pea-loving ways, see if I care. *sniff* I’m starting to think that you just don’t like the Borg Room.

  351. dianne says

    I live in PA. I’ll send an email, but I hope you’ll excuse me if I deliberately don’t read anything else about bad behavior in PA for now: I’ve just been called for jury duty and am trying to not compromise myself. I’m already out on this gay bashing one, which is too bad because I’d really like to have been on the jury that decided what to do about the dozen people bashing two in “self defense”.

  352. rq says

    dianne @349
    You may be right on that. Actually, you’re probably about 99.999999% right on that. Sadly. :(

  353. dianne says

    I like word problems in math. Seriously, I have always loved word problems.

    Are you young enough to be thinking about your career choices? Because that statement says to me “physics and engineering”. All word problems, all the time.

    Go, dianne, go, go with Portia and all your pea-loving ways, see if I care.

    We’re doing it for your own good, you know. If pea fondness isn’t preserved in the population, who will save you when Monsanto releases genetically altered peas with kudzu genes inserted in them on the world?

  354. Beatrice, an amateur cynic looking for a happy thought says

    May I introduce another Deep Rift, possibly even worse than peas?

    Chocolate. Specifically, milk chocolate. I like it. Some brands I even love. Sometimes I like it better than dark chocolate.

    So there.

  355. says

    I Just randomly wanted to say that I always thought Dalillama’s avatar looked rather like this alien from star wars.

    There’s also someone with a swordfish or something as an avatar, and since I never looked at it closely I always assumed it was a person wearing a broad rimmed hat of some sort…

  356. dianne says

    Chocolate. Specifically, milk chocolate. I like it. Some brands I even love. Sometimes I like it better than dark chocolate.

    Shocked pause.

    BLASPHEMY!

    Actually, I have a fondness for Milka.

  359. Ogvorbis says

    Saw my primary care physician this morning. The good news? No damage to spine or discs. The bad news? Torn muscles in my lower right back. I am out of work at least two more weeks. The good news? Workers comp covers all of it and I remain in pay status.

  361. rq says

    Beatrice
    Please see me in the Borg Room.
    I’ll give you Milka, like dianne… And there’s a couple of local milk chocolates with nuts that aren’t so bad… Okay, fine, you don’t need to see me in the Borg Room anymore, I’ll just hang out on my own.

    dianne
    I’m always young enough to make career choices, but alas, I am already at work in forensic biology. Though applying for university was a special sort of difficulty – I applied to five different universities in five different subjects (chemistry, life sciences, math, engineering, linguistics). In the end I went with the life sciences because it was an entry into forensics and I liked the more practical, non-pure-science aspect.
    I loved first-year calc, but it was the only required math course and I didn’t have time for any more after that, though I had a couple of friends who talked about their logic courses, which sounded fun. Sucked at stats, though.
    I do plan on continuing my education one day in the hopefully not too distant future, so we’ll see where that goes when the time comes.

  364. Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says

    @Og:

    Glad you have coverage, glad your injury is recoverable.

  365. The Mellow Monkey says

    Tony!, the comments were a stretch goal from their Kickstarter campaign! It’s been a couple of weeks since they were put in place. There were a few other nifty stretch goals, but I didn’t pay much attention since I couldn’t spare any money for their campaign.

  366. mildlymagnificent says

    We have a couple of gourmet chocolate places here, and most of their milk chocolate is better than most of the usual dark chocolate you can buy elsewhere. Buuuuut …

    … their dark chocolate is even better.

    So dark wins anyway.

  368. opposablethumbs says

    The very best chocolate is actually dark milk chocolate. It’s milk chocolate but with a much higher proportion of cacao than, well, the usual milk chocolate … so I suppose that means I am just going to have a Deep Rift with the Deep Rifters by not being on one side or t’other … ?

  369. David Marjanović says

    Chocolate. Specifically, milk chocolate. I like it. Some brands I even love. Sometimes I like it better than dark chocolate.

    Oh yes. Most of it contains hazelnuts ( = cheap cocoa substitute), so it scratches in my throat and I avoid it, but without hazelnuts it can be sublime.

    <_<

    >_>

    …Oh look! A link dump!

    Open-access pape! Micromelerpeton was able to regenerate its limbs like a salamander, a tadpole “before metamorphic climax”, or (less well researched) a lungfish; this can be told because something the fingers & toes grew back wrong in the same ways seen in salamanders today. It lived 300 million years ago and was a temnospondyl, which means it may (as the title and abstract say) or may not (as the paper later mentions) have been an amphibian. See the supplementary information for additional photos!

    Modern humans already lived in Austria (Willendorf specifically!) 43,500 years ago, meaning the overlap between us and the Neandertalers lasted longer than used to be thought.

    Why Americans need dashboard cameras – the same reason the Russians already have them. With trigger warning for random violence.

    “Call these proposals what they are: Republican-issued IDs.”

    “Bill O’Reilly’s Plan To Defeat Islamic State: A 25,000-Person Mercenary Force” – “U.S. Naval War College Professor Tells O’Reilly: ‘This Is A Terrible Idea, Not Just As A Practical Matter But As A Moral Matter'”
    *headdesk* *headdesk* *headdesk* He thinks it’s all some kind of videogame. And look, there’s already a volunteer for condottiere.

  372. The Mellow Monkey says

    Tony!, I have no idea what the licensing for the comment system cost them, if anything. The goal for the Kickstarter was to fund printing and distributing their graphic novel (and that’s obviously worked out well for them now); once they reached the minimum amount of money they needed, they tacked on additional stuff to offer. The comments, some sort of roster of the various characters and their powers, etc. It was less about the Kickstarter funding those additional things and more about offering them as gratitude for going beyond their original goal.

  373. dianne says

    Something lighter, from the potato front: WTF, Evolution?

    “Lighter”? Have you considered what might happen when this thing breeds with peas? Or horses? Or someone makes it into miracle whip?

  374. David Marjanović says

    Paper. Not pope or something. This computer has weird issues, I can’t always type in real time in this browser, let alone go back and correct.

    This year’s Alternative Nobel Prizes: Edward Snowden, Alan Rusbridger (editor-in-chief of the Guardian), Asma Jahangir and Basil Fernando (Asian Committee for Human Rights), Bill McKnibben (“US-American environment activist”). This short article in German says the prize comes with 500,000 Swedish crowns (close to 55,000 €); screen in subway sez there’s no money.

    Europol arrests 1,027 suspects in 260 places, confiscates 600 kg of cocaine, 200 kg of heroin, > 1 t of marijuana, luxury cars, and ~ 1 million € in cash; frees 38 boys from Romania out of the hands of traffickers. 20,000 officers from 34 countries were involved, including US, Columbia, Australia (…because Warren Drugs, I’m sure). Article in German quotes German police union as congratulating Europol and saying that the answer to internationally operating crime syndicates isn’t to reintroduce borders, but to cooperate internationally. – The article links to a video (inset in the middle of the text) of a N’Drangheta meeting in Switzerland, published by the Carabinieri (paramilitary police) of Reggio di Calabria in southern mainland Italy. Boss begins: “I’d like to remind you of the rules that have existed since 1830″… goes on: “You can work anywhere; blackmail, cocaine, heroin, there’s everything – 10, 20 kg per day, I’ll give it to you personally, but then I don’t want to hear anything about it anymore.” Also: “I’m not among the first 10 in Calabria, but among the first 15.” Swiss federal attorneys say the group is also involved in weapons smuggling. 16 suspects have been arrested. German authorities think at least 460 mafiosi are living in Germany – or at least were before Europol struck, I guess.

    Nuncio and former archbishop Josef Wesolowski is accused (article in German) of having abused boys in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). He’s under house arrest in the Vatican; extradition to the Dom. Rep. or to Poland is difficult because he’s a Vatican citizen. Prof. of church law expects he’ll be relieved of his post rather than shuffled around, because “such a grave case is rare”. The Vatican’s lawsuit against Wesolowski is only happening because last year the pope made child abuse a punishable offense in the Vatican for the first time; without that, given his diplomatic immunity in the Dom. Rep., Wesolowski might have gotten off without any punishment at all!

    Caricatures! Click on Bildergalerie starten to see them.
    1/56: “I’ve got two wonderful cats in the sack for you.[*] They’ll bring you lots of joy!” – “What are their names?” – “CETA and TTIP!”
    [“To buy the cat in the sack” means to buy a problem unseen; first you buy the sack, then you open it and are stuck with its contents. TTIP is the free-trade treaty that’s being negotiated between the US and the EU behind closed doors; I don’t even know what CETA is.]
    3/56: “Federal press conference”: “The chancellor didn’t go to the climate summit in New York. What else is the federal government planning to do?” – “Mr. de Maizière [minister of the interior] will outlaw climate change, and Ms. von der Leyen [minister of defense] is looking for volunteers for the fight against global warming.”
    4/56: “There’s a little polar bear walking behind you!” “I know. Those are the climate goals. They’re going past my ass right now”, meaning “IDGIAF”.
    5/56: “British humor:” “Do you, Mr Scotland, want to continue the marriage with Ms England, then answer with ‘No’.”
    6/56: “Would you like Scotland, Charles? I’m giving it to you as a gift.” – “You are too gracious, Mother.”
    11/56: “I’m coming, Michael!” – “Apple has not invented the Smartwatch anew…”

  376. cicely says

    2kittehs:

    *Am I the only person who reads unhyphenated coworker as cow orker and wonders what the hell cow orking is?

    Maaaaybe.
    What I always do is essentially double-up on the double-yoo, making it a cow worker.
     
    (Later)

    Presumably not Norwegian Blues, if they won’t be silenced.

    Lovely plumage, though.
    –
    *reading the rant that Tony! linked at 310*
    I am abashed.
    –
    soogeeoh, your Questionnaire answers are Within Acceptable Limits—though it would also have been well to have disavowed having any special relationship with Horses.
    For *napalm!*-targeting avoidance, y’know.
     
    Because They are Eeeeeevil.
    –
    bassmike, would you like some of these *hugs*? Fresh offa the presses! No limit! Low Calorie!
    –
    Tony!:

    I have not mastered this “evil grin”. Thus far in my life the only look I’ve mastered is the angelic gaze of innocence. Why, there is even a halo over my head…

     
     
     
    *blinking, with expression of stunned disbelief*
     
    Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-*gasp, rattle*
     
    Is ded from laffing.
     

    Is it me, or is this cat missing a fourth limb?

    It’s just you.
    The other hind leg is just tucked up to stand on the edge of the window.
    –
    Portia!
    *pouncehug, with disapproval for Blatant Pea Patronage*
    –
    *hazmat-suited hugs* for Anne, but none for the head code.
    –
    341

  378. David Marjanović says

    …er, “IDGAF” of course.

    From what I shall call The Oh, Shit! Files.

    :-o

    WTF, Evolution?

    Now I wonder if that’s a lot more common. BTW, the bird linked to is a lungfish specialist.

  380. rq says

    Yup, we say kaķis maisā, too. Not a very popular phrase, but does get bandied about in political circles.
    On that subject, I’m still not looking forward to the October 4 election. Could any of these parties could be any less progressive re: minority rights, discrimination practices and non-traditional family models?

  381. says

    TMM

    Tony!, I have no idea what the licensing for the comment system cost them, if anything.

    I believe it has more to do with the necessary server space/processor power for the comments engine.

    2kittehs
    Ork Cows are the terrifying battle cattle that the orcish hordes ride to war. Much like the Jaegermonsters, they are created from ordinary bovines by means of a complex alchemical preparation. The specialists who make and administer the substance are known as Cow-Orkers.

  383. rq says

    I dedicate this late-night headphone rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water to all of you, dear Loungers.

  385. Esteleth is Groot says

    Guess what!

    On September 25, 2007, I had the scan done that revealed that my body was cancer-free. Today is my remissionversary!

    *confetti*

  386. says

    http://laist.com/2014/09/21/video_the_san_diego_zoo_safari_park.php

    The San Diego Zoo Safari Park debuted a pair of three-week old cheetah cubs this past week and, oh my goodness, they are about as adorable as you think they’d be.
    The unnamed sisters were born on September 1 to Allie, a cheetah with a poor track record of raising her litters, according to the San Diego Zoo. Because of this, zookeepers made the decision to hand rear them.
    The cubs are being bottle-fed by humans, and already weigh about 3 pounds each. “Every baby’s different, but these cheetahs really seem to be developing quickly in our eye. They are great eaters, they started playing when they were just three or four days old. They could barely walk at that time, so it was pretty interesting seeing them tumbling around with each other,” said Eileen Neff, head keeper of the Safari Park.

    There’s a short video at the link.

  391. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Great news Esteleth!!!
    *watches as the Pullet Patrol does a conga-line around the tavern and their palace*

  393. Crip Dyke, Right Reverend Feminist FuckToy of Death & Her Handmaiden says

    Congratulations, Esteleth. I’m so happy for you.

  394. says

    Very bad news out of Iraq:

    A prominent female Iraqi human rights lawyer and campaigner has been publicly executed days after posting anti-ISIS messages on her Facebook page, the U.N. said Thursday. Samira Salih al-Nuaimi was killed by a masked firing squad in a public square in the city of Mosul, an act described as “horrifying” by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. She was tortured before her death on Monday, the U.N. said. […]

    NBC News link.

  395. says

    Tony @386

    Those cheetah cubs are cute, but I am more struck by the idea of them being given a “domesticated” dog as a BFF because the dog’s body language keeps the cheetahs calmer around people. (I’m also not sure why they specifically call it out as domesticated.)

  396. cactuswren says

    Entertaining, or disturbing, piece at The Guardian about teaching of creationism in UK schools. Did you know that before the Flood, the sky was pink?

    http://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2014/sep/25/pseudoscience-creationist-schools-uk-accelerated-christian-education-ace

    Genesis says that during creation God separated the waters under the heavens from the waters above the heavens. Creationists know there’s no water in space, but they also believe the Bible cannot be wrong about the waters above the heavens. To solve this, some of them postulated that there was a vapour canopy in the sky, which fell as rain during Noah’s Flood. Now, though, even creationists admit to the problems with the vapour canopy, and that’s before we ask how ACE got from water to a pink canopy of metallic hydrogen.

  397. Nerd of Redhead, Dances OM Trolls says

    Now, though, even creationists admit to the problems with the vapour canopy, and that’s before we ask how ACE got from water to a pink canopy of metallic hydrogen.

    Oooh, I think I have that: water is H2O, and instead of Noah’s flud, it is Nooh’s flud…

  398. says

    In a promising incident, I chanced to overhear a couple of dudes having an animated discussion nearby me, about wages being too low, labor issues being the big political issue of the next ten years in the U.S., and repeated mention of the wage gap, with the phrase ‘male privilege’ being used explicitly and repeatedly.

  399. Ogvorbis says

    cicely @:

    Thank you for the child abuse link. That essay hits it right on. Different abuse, different circumstances, but “My life is wonderful now. Bu the child in the dark still feels like I don’t deserve it,” is so right on it is scary.

    Esteleth:

    Congrats. That is fantastic.

  400. says

    Yo! Beer drinkers-

    Germany loves its beer and is famous for it. Ever since a ‘beer purity law’ was established in 1516 to ensure standardized production methods and to protect consumers from contamination, German beer has continued to maintain a high standard in which “the only ingredients used for the brewing of beer must be barley, hops, and water” ( The Guardian).

    The results of a recent study, however, are bound to horrify the Germans, and all devoted beer-drinkers, for that matter.

    Researchers took 24 brands of beer, 10 of which are currently the most popular in Germany, and filtered them in order to detect contaminants. In all cases, they found microplastics, which are defined by the researchers as “fibres, films, fragments or granular particles smaller than 5 mm in size and made of synthetic polymers.” Microplastics in fragment form were the most abundant.

    The researchers also found an almost complete insect, sand grains, and, in three samples, glass shards. While the sand can be due to the use of spring water, which is something that some brewers claim to use, the other contaminants are “considered to be a sign of inadequate product handling and storage” and could be helped by improved hygienic industrial design.

  401. says

    Good news. Oxford and Cambridge will be introducing compulsory sexual consent workshops:

    Starting next month, freshers at 90 per cent of Oxford’s colleges will attend hour-long workshops on sexual consent. Over two-thirds of these will be compulsory. The aim is to start conversations among the student community, and to support and validate the stories of those who have survived sexual violence.

    This includes dispelling the myths around rape, such as it only occurring in dark alleyways. They will also highlight issues of coercion, date rape and assault within relationships, as 90 per cent of rape victims know their attackers.

    Consent workshops have already been taking place in some colleges, but they have always been optional. Their new compulsory status is thanks to the Oxford University Student Union’s Vice-President for Women, Anna Bradshaw. To take full effect, these sessions must be compulsory, otherwise many will see them as pointless.

    Many will claim that they already understand consent and find them patronising – yet many who say this have been shown to admit to rape if the word “rape” isn’t used. Likewise, some will say that they don’t need to learn about boundaries, as they don’t have an active sex life. But consent workshops need to be attended by everyone, regardless of how much or how little sex they are having.

    As an aside, it just dawned on me that the use of the word ‘freshers’ is much more inclusive than ‘freshmen’.

  402. Pteryxx says

    Jezebel: LGBT+ users are leaving Facebook en masse and migrating to a service called Ello.

    Facebook has been the center of controversy many times, but this may be the first time that their changing of the rules may hit them where it hurts. LGBT+ users who are shocked, saddened and offended by Facebook’s new “real name” policy are flocking to a new network: Ello.

    If you haven’t heard of Ello before this week, you’re not alone. Just this morning my Facebook timeline blew up with friends offering invite codes for what I assumed was a new Gilt-like shopping site, and what turned out to be a new and friendlier social network, which would allow anyone who wanted to be a part of it be who they wanted to be, complete with the name they’ve chosen for themselves.

    Daily Dot talking to creator Paul Budnitz:

    It sounds like queer users tired of playing Facebook’s name game or facing harassment on sites with less social accountability might have found the right fit: “You don’t have to use your ‘real name’ to be on Ello. We encourage people to be whoever they want to be,” Budnitz said. “All we ask is that everyone abide by our rules (which are posted on the site) that include standards of behavior that apply to everyone. We have a zero tolerance policy for hate, stalking, trolls, and other negative behavior and we’ll permanently ban and nuke accounts of anyone who does any of this, ever.”

    Budnitz added that the development team behind Ello is able to respond on the fly to the needs of its users, a major plus for communities misunderstood by a social networking giant like Facebook. “One of the great things about developing Ello live is that we’re able to be responsive to special needs of groups of our users. As soon as the LBGTQ community started coming on in large numbers, we decided that we needed to add privacy controls and new ways for users to report abusive behavior by others. Basically, we are protecting everyone on Ello (including LGBTQ users ) from people who may post hateful comments.”

  403. says

    More on Ello:

    I, like a number of my friends, have been itching for some alternative to the mind-altering, all-consuming world of Facebook, now that the company has proven itself to be less than progressive when it comes to ideas about identity. And while it’s hard to imagine an upstart social network being able to achieve the reach, scope, functionality, and unprecedented cultural influence of the Menlo Park-based behemoth, it’s a comforting thought right now that change is in the air, and all such fads (like MySpace and Friendster) must ultimately run their course. Enter Ello.
    Ello is a new, cleanly designed, “ad-free and porn friendly,” still-in-beta social network that caught some grassroots buzz in the last two days just as the controversy over Facebook’s asinine “real-name policy” came to light (a story that first broke on SFist and that the NYT caught onto yesterday, just sayin). The public site was founded in March by Paul Budnitz (billionaire founder of Kidrobot) and a group of “seven well-known artists and programmers” who had originally started as their own private social network. A few of you connected geeks likely received invitations to it over the last few months, but as SFist’s Eve Batey says, as of July, “It seemed to be all Brits on there” and the population was pretty sparse. Enter Rupaul and various others in the LGBTQ community tweeting and Facebooking about it, invitations flew everywhere, and now Budnitz tells BetaBeat that join requests went from 4,000 per hour to 27,000 per hour in the last 24 hours. I was also just informed by the site (see above) that new invitations were temporarily frozen while the team can “make sure that Ello remains stable as the network continues to grow.”
    But we’re talking about a site that has VERY little functionality yet beyond a basic news/friend feed, no mobile version, and no protocols yet for content flagging, user blocking, or, like anything. Even the search function is a little slow at the moment. But you are able to separate people to follow as “friends” or as “noise,” which will separate their posts into different feeds unbeknownst to them. Programmer/designer Todd Berger says, “We spent most of this Monday discussing user blocking, inappropriate content flagging and private accounts. That’s because we want Ello to be a safe place for people to be whoever they want to be. Then on Tuesday Ello just blew up and now we’re all on a wild ride!”
    Safety features and other functionality are in the works, and you can bet now that the site’s rapid explosion has made it on TechCrunch, the Washington Post, Gizmodo, Business Insider, and many other places, they may end up with more staff really soon.
    Currently, Ello remains invitation-only, much like the original Facebook, which is likely adding to its allure. Even if it could be a year or more before it reaches critical mass and usability, it may not matter. The Ello team posted this rainbow GIF of their logo to welcome the LGBTQ population in particular.
    http://sfist.com/2014/09/25/anti-facebook_social_network_ello_s.php

  404. 2kittehs says

    Dalillama

    2kittehs
    Ork Cows are the terrifying battle cattle that the orcish hordes ride to war. Much like the Jaegermonsters, they are created from ordinary bovines by means of a complex alchemical preparation. The specialists who make and administer the substance are known as Cow-Orkers.

    AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

    I suppose those Ork Cows are bred in the Orknies. ::adds entry to “places never to visit” list::

  406. says

    re: Ello, there’s another social networking outfit I got a beta from a year or so back who were based on an open-source, distributed-hosting model. I don’t know what happened to them, though.

    Esteleth
    Yay!

    rq

    … Jaegermonster…?
    O. I suppose that’s related to the Balzambeast.

    Jaegermonsters. Loyal soldiers of the House of Heterodyne who volunteered to be dosed with the Jaegerdraught and be turned into nigh-immortal super soldiers.

    I don’t know what a Balzambeast is, and google is not helping.

  407. Rob Grigjanis says

    Dalillama @406:

    I don’t know what a Balzambeast is

    It’s a reference to a horrible delightful Latvian concoction liqueur called Melnais balzams (Black Balsam).

  408. rq says

    Dalillama
    What Rob said. If one assumes that Jaegermonster is a variation on Jaegermeister, it works. (I made it up.)

  409. toska says

    Tony! @401
    A few years ago, the university I went to started a mandatory sexual assault and harassment workshop that everyone has to take before registering for classes for the first time. However, our version was online. You simply had to read (or click through without paying attention) some information and then regurgitate it with a short multiple choice quiz at the end. It’s treated like a complete joke by the student body, which is really disappointing. I really like the idea of Oxford’s model, where you actually have to participate in a workshop, even for an hour. With a passionate instructor, I think that program can really educate and open minds in a way that I wish my school’s program would.
    *P.S. I like the term “freshers” as well. It’s worth adopting into my vocabulary.

  410. Crudely Wrott says

    If I had been forewarned that fluster clucks were flocking and migratory I’d have move out of their flyway.

    I mean that nearly everything that could go wrong did, everything that could be disruptive was and that any minor detail that could upset careful planning would grow beyond reasonable expectation now looms large. Sheesh. I’m just trying to age gracefully but shit is making a point of happening.

    Short list:
    1) Our internet connection is behaving badly. Very badly. Mike from ATT was here last night for the fourth time and he even went into the crawlspace to inspect the wires that connect us to all of you. He replaced our router (third one this year) and went deep into his bag of tricks to make pages, like, download. The connection is still iffy; sometimes a page will load, sometimes it won’t.
    2) Eldest daughter and SIL haven’t beaten the allure of dumb dope. Opiates. The good news is that they are functional and the household is definitely not going down the tubes. But, shit, I worry so.
    3) Was told yesterday that I have degenerative disk disease (not really a disease but no one knows what else to call it) and some other nasty things going on in my foolishly turned vertical vertebra. Why the hell am I a biped?

    But do not despair! There are other things that are going well. More on that later.

    For now I want to say to you all that I’m sorry for being near terminally ‘rupt. I consider the Horde as friends and I miss catching the daily *whoa! just snatched a skeeter out the air and it was full of blood and I don’t think it’s mine* doings. One thing I can do is wish both Kevin and his spouse an ocean of good fortune and a continent of love.

    I made it a point to sign in just now to provide this link. Click here for a look at rocket scientists and rockin’ women. The picture at the top is worth your time. Do you know that there are now five (count ’em, five) quasi-sentient machines in orbit around Mars? Too cool; way too cool.

    I love you folks. Very tired right now. I’ll stay here for a little while but, friends and neighbors, that bed is looking mighty inviting. Mighty. ;^>

  411. Crudely Wrott says

    Heh. Just had to wait out ATT messages of non-connectivity. Ate six of my precious minutes. GRRRRRR.

    Do you know that a new Pink Floyd album is coming? Yeah, November.

  414. rq says

    … Although right now I am pissed of at this picture, which has been circulating on FB among Latvian friends. [Warning Bit of a rant to follow.]
    Texts are as following, left-to-right, top-to-bottom, starting with:
    “1921: I fought in two wars, lost some fingers on my hand, the land is destroyed, but we have to start somewhere: the wife is expecting our forth, hopefully a son! We have our own country now, lots of work to do!”
    “1950: The Russians came, then the war, the front destroyed our house, now we’re been pushed into kolhoz farms. It’s not easy, but we get by, the wife is nurturing the youngest daughter, the boys get by on their own.”
    “1988: We can already feel it in the air, the whole Soviet thing is wobbly, acquaintances are already saying it won’t last long. The future is unclear, but what to do. The wife is caring for the youngest, the elder brother keeps an eye on the middle child.”
    “2013: If our thieving government will not offer support, then we can’t afford a child, cannot take a yearly vacation to Hurgad like any normal person and pay off our morgage for that new apartment.”

    First of all, can we say patronizing much? Wives are sitting around and taking care of children? Thanks. Never mind that women did their part in the fight for independence, they worked the fields and drove tractors en masse in the kolhoz system, they did a lot of activist shit in the late 80’s/early 90’s, and they work outside of the home even today. So the picture is super-skewed, like the male opinion is the only one that matters (sorry, estrogen vibe, hang on for just one moment).
    Also, I resent the last panel: we are not in a post-war society (kind of pre-war, but that’s a different story). We are not, nationally speaking, in any state of particular emergency or unrest. We have a very corrupt government and upcoming elections – but the situation cannot, in any way, be compared to the destruction that had to be cleared away to rebuild in the 1920s and the 1940s/50s. The late 1980s are a different kind of massive unrest, which still cannot be equated to today.
    Then, I resent the ‘multiple children’ idea, like it’s a duty. I wonder what living conditions were like in the 1920s? I wonder how much opportunity there was for contraception or abortion? I wonder what child mortality was like in any of those periods? (Anecdote: Husband’s grandpa’s sister had, I think, 6 children, two of whom died in agricultural accidents before the age of 5, because there was shit to be done and the kids had to get by with little to no supervision. This was in the 1960s or ’70s, I think, so… not that anciently. Plus, the men all succumbed to alcoholism – to a man – and that image of the hardworking farmer is a little… off.) I wonder, if these people had had a choice back then, what would they have done? And there’s just the fact that this idealized image of a multi-child family living happily off the land and their own labour is exactly that, an idealized, romanticized image of a past that most likely never existed, but gets presented as some mystical golden age of our nation. Backbreaking labour, little to no medical care, and constrained by biology. A true paradise.
    Finally, that last panel is presented like those demands are something unusual: the desire to live like normal people, have time for vacation, have a home, have the assurance that your family will be able to survive and live, not just scrape by… Those are bad things? We can’t demand a better standard of living from our government in 20fucking14? We’re selfish because we don’t want to spend our lives exactly like our ancestors did? It’s so… I resent it, because it means anyone who speaks out against our government’s terrible social policies is being selfish and lazy. And this is far from true, since I speak out (to friends) against those policies, because it really does mean a lot to know that, being off the labour market, you’ll have a chance to keep the family going without needing to go to work. It really is important for people to know they have the security of a home and food before putting children into a possibly-unstable environment. Why can these things not be valued? Why must we look to some weird view of a rosy past to define what is right for us now?
    Anyway. People did amazing things in the past on very little resources, but people still do amazing things now on very few resources – this does not mean that we must demand less or acquiesce to the present or settle for the little we are given. And that’s what bothers me most, the ‘shut up and just accept it’ attitude. Thanks for improving our country. Really, thanks.

    Yes, that was a far cry from ‘that is all’. Sorry. :/ I am now putting away the resentment and getting back into the nurturing estrogen vibe.

  415. opposablethumbs says

    in random order:

    rq, yes. All the points you made. Writing over what women actually did, and romanticising the result of little or no access to the means of family planning. And suggesting that the poorer sections of society are greedy and don’t know they’re born (“you can’t be poor! You have a fridge and a TV!”) makes such a godsdamn great distraction from asking anything about the richer and more powerful sections.
    .
    Dalillama, if I haven’t said this before I should have – I really appreciate your comments about economics and find them very helpful.
    .
    Crudely, good to see you again!
    .
    “freshers” is the standard term here in Brit-land and has been for many decades, which is a tiny nice thing. Great news about the compulsory consent workshops! Now that’s something that should have been around for decades but wasn’t.
    Hilariously funny I don’t think: when I went to uni, the list of names for my class had all the blokes as “Mr.” and oh-so-progressively listed all the women as “Ms” … except for the one student who happened to be married, who was listed as “Mrs.” Way to miss the point, uni.

  416. bassmike says

    …puts the shreds of his brain back together as he emerges from the Borg Room.

    Cicely I’m take your *hugs* thank you!

    2kittehs can I just add that in all seriousness the Orkneys are lovely. I had two great holidays there.

    Definitely Tony! for president! Except that he would have to put up with far too much shit and I would want that inflicted on him.

    rq I understand your anger at that cartoon. Aside from the blatant sexism in every panel, it seems obvious to me that every generation strives to improve things for themselves and the next generation. Whether this is through hard labour and suffering, political activism or campaigning for equality or the environment it’s still the same struggle. It’s ridiculous to criticize the present generation when the previous ones created the world that they live in. Just my quick thoughts on the matter.

    Personal stuff, ignore if you wish:

    I’m still suffering a lack of spoons. My wife’s current prescription causes mood swings so last night everything is fine, then two minutes later somethings wrong and I get silence when I try and help. Also my daughter wouldn’t let me put her to bed last night or get her ready this morning so my wife had to get up early on her day off to help. My wife now seems to think that I must have done something to my daughter to cause the problem, but I can’t think of anything.

    tl;dr – I’m pissed off.

  417. rq says

    bassmike
    I just sent you some spoons on twitter, but you can have *hugs* here, too.
    Don’t over-analyse your own behaviour, kids get the weirdest ideas about who should be dressing them and when. And yes, they usually pick the parent who needs to most rest at that particular point in time. :( I’m sorry your wife is having such mood swings, I hope her body acclimatizes to it soon! And I hope just being there, even in silence, in support for her, doesn’t take too much out of you.

  421. opposablethumbs says

    bassmike, {{{hugs}}} and spoons to you too – sounds like a tough time all round; I’m sorry and I hope it soon gets better!

  423. 2kittehs says

    rq

    Right now, there is a kitten asleep in my lap.
    That is all.

    I haz so much envy

    bassmike

    2kittehs can I just add that in all seriousness the Orkneys are lovely. I had two great holidays there.

    Oooh! Did you get to Skara Brae by any chance?

    It’s ridiculous to criticize the present generation when the previous ones created the world that they live in. Just my quick thoughts on the matter.

    Even more ridiculous is when it’s the parents criticising their grown offspring for having the education they, the parents, didn’t, but worked and pushed for the children to have. My grandmother was a prime example. Sent Mum to boarding school, which Mum did not want – she wanted to go to the high school in the nearby town (they lived in country Victoria) like the rest of her siblings had. But no, it was the convent boarding school for her. And when she came home with different manners (opening doors for people and such radical things) and knowing stuff … well, she was too clever and too good for ordinary people, wasn’t she?

    Spoons and hugs for you from me, too, if they’re welcome.

  425. bassmike says

    2Kittehs Spoons and hugs always welcome! I did get to Skara Brae: very interesting, but the windiest place I’ve ever been!

  426. says

    I just graded a test. That was depressing as fuck. One B, 2 Cs, the rest F.
    Most annoying were those who would have made it to D if they’d bothered to fill in their name (I took 1 point off for that.)
    Yes, I admit that those kids are totally unused to the format of a sensible vocab test. Very popular still: teacher dictates 10 German words, students write the English word. Which is stupid. Communication isn’t a list of words, so I gave them one where you have to fill in the blanks. Because when you talk you don’t say “the book to read”, but “I read a book”. Yeah, they only got a proper English teacher 3 weeks ago. And if somebody taught them who’s 40 now who taught them they way they were taught then they were taught to the standards of 60 years ago…

    +++
    rq
    The mystical housewife past that never existed
    I hate it.

    +++
    Yay Esteleth

    +++

    bassmike
    *big hugs*
    hope things get better soon

    +++
    Crudely
    *gentle* pouncehugs

    +++
    Ogvorbis
    Get well soon

  428. rq says

    Looks like I’ll be out for the weekend again, starting tomorrow morning. Last time was rather nice, since we were the only ones out in the country (besides the grannies). This time, the entire family is going to be there, but at least there’s no birthday or other such celebration going on (no influx of friends). Still.
    I’m mentally preparing myself – no virus or piles of work to excuse me this time.

  431. rq says

    I may have just had a chance to pick up some translation work for the weekend, though. Conditional on internet being there (mobile devices win!).

  432. says

    Hi everyone!
    Sorry I’m threadrupt.
    Hugs and care to all who need some.

    I’m feeling pretty good today, because if I can just buckle down to work , I could conceivably finish my big ol’ project today! OK, that’s not the exciting part. The exciting part is if I finish today, it means phat stacks of cash next week! OK, ok…I gotta go. I really shuld be working right now. :P

  433. rq says

    If he accepts this negotiation, I’m pretty sure both of us will be sitting behind our computers going “Yessss, the silly fool!”

  434. says

    Hi everybody. *coughcoughcoughsneezesniffle*

    I’ll just leave this sterile pile of hugs over here and go back to my pillow fort in the plague corner. You can tell which one is mine; it has a nice yellow quarantine flag. :)

    *grumblegrumblestupidcoldvirusgrowlsnarl*

  435. birgerjohansson says

    I watched a TV documentary about both the caleonian crow and the New Zeeland kea. The owner of the pub The Wobbly Kea noticed something had been eating off the marguerine that was stored inside a box with a sturdy lid. He installed a camera. During the night the cat entered by the catflap but did no damage and left after a brief inspection. Later, a kea strolled nonchalatly into the kitchen, used its powerful beak to pry off the lid and helped itself to a meal.
    —- —– —-
    Some tests in Germany revealed that keas have amazing problem solving skills, better than many primates (I doubt many chimps could repeat those feats).
    Keas are also curious like crazy, practically a kind of flying cats (apart from being flying primates).

  436. birgerjohansson says

    It was a German program, named “Beak and Brain”. I did not find it at IMDB.com. Maybe it will become available as a DVD?

  437. birgerjohansson says

    Britain: “Westminster vows never to allow vote on anything that matters ever again”
    http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/politics/politics-headlines/westminster-vows-never-to-allow-vote-on-anything-that-matters-ever-again-2014091990824
    Following a terrifying surge in political engagement in Scotland, Westminster is determined that all future votes will be the usual choice between three men built by Marks and Spencer.
    House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, said: “An 84 per cent turnout, rallies in the streets, and intelligent, informed debates are all the stuff of nightmares.
    “By some dreadful miscalculation the future of this nation was, for a brief time, in the hands of the people who live in it.
    “Never, ever again.”
    Cross-party talks are already taking place to ensure all further choices offered to the public are so utterly meaningless that voter turnout will nestle comfortably in the low 40s.
    Nick Clegg, the self-styled deputy prime minister, said: “Thank God the Scots are so institutionalised.
    “Well done, my tiny, red-haired friends.”
    .
    Also: “-Parliament puts on Black Sabbath to get everyone in war mood”
    ”-Gerrard blamed for everything”
    STEVEN Gerrard is responsible not only for Liverpool’s poor start to the season but all war, disease and famine, it has been claimed.

  438. birgerjohansson says

    Did the universe originate from a hyper-dimensional black hole? http://phys.org/news/2014-09-universe-hyper-dimensional-black-hole.html The paper is about is higher-dimensional gravitational theory, not about abandoning the Big Bang.
    .
    New evidence of ancient multicellular life sets evolutionary timeline back 60 million years http://phys.org/news/2014-09-evidence-ancient-multicellular-life-evolutionary.html
    (excerpt) “…recovering three-dimensionally preserved multicellular fossils that showed signs of cell-to-cell adhesion, differentiation, and programmed cell death—qualities of complex multicellular eukaryotes such as animals and plants.” (This implies these are not just the simple Ediacaran multicellular organisms of the era)
    .
    Three extinct squirrel-like species discovery supports earlier origin of mammals in late Triassic http://phys.org/news/2014-09-extinct-squirrel-like-species-discovery-earlier.html
    Mammals originated at least 208 million years ago in the late Triassic, much earlier than some previous research suggests.

  439. birgerjohansson says

    Linkgasm: Medical news.
    “Chemists recruit anthrax to deliver cancer drugs http://phys.org/news/2014-09-chemists-anthrax-cancer-drugs.html
    .
    “Simple blood test could be used as tool for early cancer diagnosis” http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-09-simple-blood-tool-early-cancer.html
    (hypercalcaemia)
    .
    “Modified vitamin D shows promise as treatment for pancreatic cancer” http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-09-vitamin-d-treatment-pancreatic-cancer.html

  440. David Marjanović says

    “-Parliament puts on Black Sabbath to get everyone in war mood”

    N00bz. (click on “show more” for complete lyrics… with a few extra letters the “singer” didn’t bother to pronounce)

    Three extinct squirrel-like species discovery supports earlier origin of mammals in late Triassic http://phys.org/news/2014-09-extinct-squirrel-like-species-discovery-earlier.html

    I still haven’t read the paper; I really should…

    Quick link dump, not much time today:

    Can’t watch these now: Weasel and cat are best friends; Komodo dragon being trained in San Diego zoo. No time to explain: article in German about German constitution court to decide whether Snowden can be interviewed in Germany as part of the ongoing parliamentary inquiry, or whether someone has to go to Moscow or use a video conference. Also article in German with all the trigger warnings about the abovementioned ex-archbishop Wesolowski; he says “I can explain all of that”, “that” being more than 100,000 files of child porn. Police suspects there’s organized crime going on.

  444. blf says

    Keas are also curious like crazy, practically a kind of flying cats

    Hum… I have no recollection of the mildly deranged penguin ever mentioning using Keas as trebuchet ammo. She did, however, once mention that Dodos were basically just mortar shells — went almost straight up and came down with a SPLAT! Ten-pin bowling balls and electric kazoos apparently have a better sense of how to fly.

    Shhhh I didn’t tell you that….the MDP is never far away.

    Ah, so you know where she is!
    And — Nobody expects the mildly deranged penguin. (Unless you have some cheese on yer person…)

  446. rq says

    In the Better News Department, I have not been deported to the Land of No Internets and will be hanging out here from home or work for the weekend. Unless I decide to go out tomorrow evening all on my lonesome… nope, just work (though there’s a small potential perk to that, too).

  447. blf says

    Right now, there is a kitten asleep in my lap.

    Asleep, possibly, good trebuchet ammo, not really: More likely an extremely elderly Dodo in disguise and hiding from the mildly deranged penguin’s attempts to teach ’em to fly.

  448. says

    Speaking of cats, rightwing doofuses sent a voter registration form to a cat in North Carolina. That was amusing, but their other voter-restriction activities are not so amusing.

    […]

    Hundreds of North Carolinians — and one cat — have received incorrect voter registration information, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections.

    The information — an “official application form” — was sent by Americans for Prosperity, a national conservative group with a state chapter based in Raleigh.

    […]the Koch brothers’ group has “caused a lot of confusion for people in the state.”

    […] the problem goes much deeper than feline foul-ups. The far-right group also provided voters with contradictory information about the registration schedule, mislabeled envelopes, incorrect contact information for the state Board of Elections, and incorrect information about county-clerk notifications.

    The materials go on to encourage North Carolinians to refer questions to the Secretary of State’s elections division. In North Carolina, the Secretary of State’s office doesn’t have an elections division.

    When the News & Observer asked an AFP spokesperson how many voters were sent these materials — which claim to be “official” forms — he refused to say.[…]

    It’s worth noting that it is a felony in North Carolina to intentionally mislead voters about voter registration, if it suppresses voting.

    […] no one has accused AFP of criminal activity. [Well, they certainly should be charged with a crime.] It has been accused of being painfully incompetent.

    Link to an article by Steve Benen, writer for The Maddow Blog.

    North Carolina News Observer link.

  449. blf says

    The only proper Chocolate is the way the Aztecs apparently served it, chocolatl: Seeds or roasted beans ground up with hot chilies and dissolved in water. Apparently extremely bitter and spicy.

    Europeans ever since have been working overtime to remove all trace of the flavours. Why they desperately want another pea is a mystery.

  451. blf says

    And while [the cats, or possibly, disguised Dodos, are] still suspicious, no fur is flying.

    Of course not!
    The mildly deranged penguin is off on one überbinge-or-something beginning about last New Orbit’s Start. The trebuchet hasn’t had much use for some months now.

  452. Nick Gotts says

    Did you get to Skara Brae by any chance? – 2kittehs

    A wonderful site: you can really see that how people lived 5,000ish years ago had much in common with how they live now, with things like bed platforms and shelves still in place. Anyone who hasn’t been there should if they get the chance – I would think one big storm could wash it away, as that’s how it was initially uncovered.

  453. says

    Republicans are blithely telling lies in order to get elected:

    […] In Arkansas last week, Rep. Tom Cotton (R), his party’s U.S. Senate nominee, was caught in one of the most brazen lies of the 2014 campaign season. The right-wing congressman claimed he voted against this year’s Farm Bill because President Obama “hijacked” it, “turned it into a food-stamp bill,” and added “billions more in spending.”

    As a factual matter, literally none of this is even remotely true, and fact-checkers came down hard on such shameless dishonesty — all of which might matter if Cotton gave a darn. But as Peter Urban reported yesterday, the congressman just doesn’t care about getting caught.

    Rejecting criticism of its latest TV ad, Republican Senate hopeful Tom Cotton plans to keep running the “Farm Bill” message beyond its current ad buy.

    “We’ve gotten such great feedback from farmers, taxpayers, and supporters that we’re actually going to increase the size of the ad buy,” said David Ray, a spokesman for the Cotton campaign.

    In a local interview this week, Cotton said he’s “proud” of his demonstrably dishonest commercial, adding that the fact-checkers didn’t spend time “growing up on a farm,” so he knows “a little bill more about farming than they do.” […]

    Under traditional American norms, politicians could be expected to spin, dodge, and slice the truth awfully thin, but there was an expectation that a candidate who got caught telling a bald-faced lie to the public was likely to end up in real trouble.

    […] Tom Cotton sees American politics in a post-truth era. He can say what he pleases, without regard for honesty, because there won’t be any meaningful consequences for deceiving the public on purpose.

    Is he right? This didn’t work out too well for Romney, but Cotton’s in a much better position to prevail in Arkansas.

    Once the standard is set that lying will be rewarded, what incentive will politicians have to be honest?

    http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/tom-cotton-and-the-era-post-truth-politics

  454. cicely says

    Tony! For President!!!
    –
    dianne:

    Much as I like the idea of President Tony, I fear the crap he’d have to put up with if he undertook the venture would make you once again grateful not to be an American.

    Sadly, I’d have to agree.
     

    If pea fondness isn’t preserved in the population, who what will save you when Monsanto releases genetically altered peas with kudzu genes inserted in them on the world?

    *napalm!*
    Lots and lots of *napalm!*.
     
    (Later)

    Have you considered what might happen when this thing breeds with peas? Or horses? Or someone makes it into miracle whip?

    I suppose that there is some danger that the Horses will, by Their Unholy Arts, breed deadly, creeping, intrusive peatatoes.
    *moar napalm!*
    Still, the Miracle Whip™ should be some help.
     
    (‘Cause it’s Miraculous, that’s why.)
    –
    Beatrice, I also like milk chocolate, in addition to liking dark chocolate.
    Some kinds of milk chocolate.
    Not what The Husband calls “chorclate”, and what I call wax-lips “chocolate”.
    And I will help you defend, if necessary, this side of the Rift.
    –
    Ogvorbis:

    Saw my primary care physician this morning. The good news? No damage to spine or discs.

    Yay!

    The bad news? Torn muscles in my lower right back.

    Boo!

    I am out of work at least two more weeks.

    More boo!

    The good news? Workers comp covers all of it and I remain in pay status.

    More yay!
    –
    opposablethumbs:

    The very best chocolate is actually dark milk chocolate. It’s milk chocolate but with a much higher proportion of cacao than, well, the usual milk chocolate … so I suppose that means I am just going to have a Deep Rift with the Deep Rifters by not being on one side or t’other … ?

    Or, you can build a bridge between the two sides.
    For the purpose of facilitating the movement of chocolate, of course!
    –
    David:

    “Bill O’Reilly’s Plan To Defeat Islamic State: A 25,000-Person Mercenary Force”

    *facepalm-headdesk-bodyfloor*
    Yeah…there’s no way that could possibly go wrong….
     
    (Later?—certainly Elsewhen)

    Paper. Not pope or something.

    I had wondered about that.
    “Hmmmm…”, I thought to myself. “DDMFM does not generally make this kind of mistake! Perhaps he is trying to signal us for rescue, from Horses Bearing Peatatoes, for instance.”
    Good to have this cleared up before I ordered a 25,000-person mercenary force (with *napalm!) from Amazon. The shipping charges….
     
    (I wonder if it’d be better to check out eBay, first? On the other hand, would low-bid mercenaries be worth the fiat currency they’re printed on?)
    –
    Happy Remissionversary, Esteleth!
    *champagne&cake*
    –
    Babby turbo-kittehs!
    *squeee!*
    –

  455. cicely says

    Crudely!
    *pouncehugdump*
    Glad to read you again!
    Commiserations on the Happening of Shit.
    –
    *additional hugs, in rich, sympathy gravy* for bassmike.
    If I had extra spoons, I’d send you some, so you won’t have to miss a single drop!
    :)
    –
    *hugs* for awakeinmo/
    Hurray for phat stacks of cash! May they be yours!
    –
    *hugs* for Azkyroth.
    You okay?
    –
    Off to apply moar paint to The Never-Ending Project.
    Y’all have fun without me.
    *slumping dejectedly*
    –

  457. says

    *extra guaranteed-disease-free hugs for everyone*

    The Daughters, who are both home on Fridays, decided to walk up to the local California Greek place and get takeout lunches. They brought me back avgolemono soup and some nice little warm triangles of pita. They’ve also been keeping the laundry going while I had a liedown. There are advantages to having the college students living at home…

  459. Morgan!? Militant Pacifist says

    Dear blf,

    Please do not speak ill of the dearly departed dodo. They always meant well, you know. If you cannot speak well of the extinct, do not speak at all. (snerk)

    Warm hugs and fuzzies to all who needs/wants ’em.

  460. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    Mmph. Well, on the one hand, I had an amazing time in San Francisco *ahem* last weekend. Good, fun, technically-illegal-but-harmless things happened, intertwined with some interesting new relationship/potential relationship developments. :3

    On the other hand, the firm I’ve formed at since I was 17 is having serious financial problems, and there are several ways this can go, including becoming an autistic person seriously job-hunting for the first time, on relatively short notice and with a pretty steep schedule of financial commitments to keep in the meantime. :(

    The encouraging part is that there are some positions with state agencies open that play heavily to my education and skillset and have pay and benefits at least reasonably comparable to what I’ve had so far. I kinda need to not blow the interviews, though. O.o *whimper*

  461. Pteryxx says

    Check out Libby Anne’s attentive and righteous takedown of a guest blogger at Friendly Atheist:

    When your atheism is really about attacking minorities

    All of this is to say how very disappointed I am in a recent article on the Friendly Atheist. It seems the local Somali community in Minneapolis has organized to create a food pantry dedicated to Halal food and to put Halal food on the shelves of the city’s other food pantries, and Terry Firma, a guest blogger for the Friendly Atheist, is outraged.

    […]

    Now Firma may be unaware of this but the United Nations holds that access to culturally appropriate food is a human right, not “special treatment.” It describes this right as follows:

    The right to have regular, permanent and free access, either directly or by means of financial purchases, to quantitatively and qualitatively adequate and sufficient food corresponding to the cultural traditions of the people to which the consumer belongs, and which ensures a physical and mental, individual and collective, fulfilling and dignified life free of fear.

    […]

    Perhaps by now you understand why I found Firma’s article so troubling. Is this is what organized atheism is about—denouncing underprivileged immigrants’ efforts to obtain access to food that conforms to their cultural traditions? I would rather work against Islamophobia and for justice for the underprivileged, regardless of their religion. Snarking about “pig cooties” and throwing around words like “religionist” won’t make Minneapolis Somalis’ lives any better, but a food pantry that serves Halal food just might.

    (also from Libby Anne: People! I have a comment policy! *ahem* )

  462. says

    Three 16-year-old girls win Google’s global science competition with breakthrough project.

    […] Using naturally occurring Rhizobium strains of the Diazotroph bacteria family, they carried out an extensive study of their impact on the germination rate and subsequent growth of the cereal crops wheat, oats and barley.
    Detailed statistical analysis of their results indicated that these bacterial strains accelerated crop germination by up to 50 per cent and increased barley yields by 74 per cent.

    Such a cereal crop performance improvement could significantly assist combatting the growing global food poverty challenge and benefit the environment by reducing fertilizer use.

    As the Grand Prize winners, Ciara, Émer and Sophie receive a 10-day trip to the Galapagos Islands provided by National Geographic, a $50,000 scholarship from Google, a personalized LEGO prize provided by LEGO Education and the chance to participate in astronaut training at the Virgin Galactic Spaceport in the Mojave desert.

  463. says

    Daily Kos link. You gotta see this. The chart is just astounding. It’s a display of economic trends we already have discussed, but still, the visual presentation has me in in long-term jaw-drop mode. I wish I could paste it in here.

  465. says

    Here’s some Sarah Palin news from the Values Voters Summit that is being held today: <blockquote[…] Sarah Palin was describing how conservatives shouldn't retreat when they're accused of being racist. Palin said "truth is an endangered species" at "1400 Pennsylvania Avenue." The White House is located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

    In the same speech Palin said she, like many people, rarely wear jewelry in Alaska where people are more often "out chopping wood or butchering a moose."
    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/sarah-palin-1400-pennsylvania-avenue

  466. says

    And … other Republicans, not just Sarah Palin, said dumb things at the Values Voter Summit today:

    Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) warned about the dangers of marijuana, arguing that weed is worse than cigarettes and has caused an increase in the number of homeless people moving to Colorado. […]

    Fleming said that the social experiment of Colorado allowing recreational pot sales has not “brought an avalanche of revenue.” Instead, Fleming said, it’s caused an increase in “the number of homeless people” moving to Colorado.

    In the same speech Fleming argued that marijuana is not, in fact, harmless by saying that marijuana contains qualities that are “four times more potent than tobacco, which is known to cause” cancer.

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/john-fleming-marijuana-colorado-cigarettes

  467. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    Aaaaaand I’m now stuck at LAX for the next 5 hours due to a succession of airport and United employees lying to me about which terminal my connecting flight was leaving from until it was too late.

    This little shithole express terminal in the middle of nowhere does have (larcenously priced) Vanilla Coke in the vending machines, at least.

    Though I’d trade it for more than quarter-ass air conditioning.

  468. says

    Republican says stupid stuff, denies saying stupid stuff, and forgets that the stupid stuff he said in on tape. Think Progress link.

    This particular stupid stuff had to do with said Republican thinking it would be fine if employers fired people for being gay.

  469. opposablethumbs says

    Azkyroth, hope you are OK … ???

    rq

    I have not been deported to the Land of No Internets and will be hanging out here from home or work for the weekend.

    sounds good! :-) Hope it’s a good and restful weekend!

    cicely xtra hugs just because of being xtremly good people.

    Hugs in a general Hordely direction.

    If this is a repeat, I apologise. The computer and the pharyngula and the fingers and the internet ands the wine are all to blam,e
    So there.

  470. says

    Oh, dear, kinda tone deaf on the issue of equal pay:

    Evan Thornley, an Australian tech executive and former politician, told a technology startup conference that when he ran a previous company, he was able to get talented women who were “relatively cheap” because of the gender wage gap.

    He started out by saying that the undervaluation of women in technology presented an opportunity for his online advertising company LookSmart. “Call me opportunistic, I just thought I could get better people with less competition because we were willing to understand the skills and capabilities that many of these women had,” he said

    But then he went on to say, “There’s a great arbitrage there, we would give [women] more responsibility and a greater share of the rewards than they were likely to get anywhere else and that was still often relatively cheap to someone less good of a different gender.” He said he didn’t want the gender wage gap to necessarily continue, but that it provides “an opportunity for forward thinking people.” He also drew blowback for including a slide that sarcastically said: “Women: Like men, only cheaper.”

    http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/09/26/3572572/tech-exec-gender-wage-gap/

  471. says

    In addition to not knowing where the White House is, Sarah Palin added to our list of Republicans-saying-stupid-stuff by claiming that far-right conservatives are “the most slandered group in America today.” (Maybe she’s been reading my comments?)

    She also explained that people who think racism exists in America today are the real racists.

    She mentioned Benghazi (of course), and somehow tied that to President Obama playing golf and saluting two marines with a latté in his hand. Oh, yeah, and there was the fact that the President loves Saul Alinsky (WTF?). I’ll just let Sarah speak for herself:

    They distract, bebopin’ from one scandal after another, knowing that there are so many that you can’t keep up with all of ‘em so no one is ever held accountable, from the IRS corruption to you being spied on to Benghazi to bailouts to — Bush’s war was bad, but Barack’s bombs, oh baby those red lines, the strategery there that was thought up on the back nine, Barack’s bombs, oh they’re the bomb.

    That was followed with a latté salute.

  472. says

    The Values Voter Summit is the gift that keeps on giving. Jerry Johnson, president of the National Religious Broadcasters:

    […] closed out the “Marriage in America” panel at the Values Voters Summit today by declaring that if young people are supporting marriage equality because they want to be “on the right side of history,” then anti-gay marriage activists need to explain to them that they have it exactly backwards.

    Johnson went on to say that he thinks President Obama is snubbing straight people.

  473. rq says

    The horror. Just spent two hours trapped under a kitten. *shudder* The little furball even cleaned my nails.

  475. says

    Moments of Mormon Madness, multi-level marketing category. Well, never pass up an opportunity to make some MLM bucks, passing 10% on to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I guess.

    This is a particularly egregious example, with a bunch of not-FDA-approved products being marketed as cures or as vaccines for Ebola. Washington Post link. At the link you can see examples of actual MLM ads that tout cures or prevention of Ebola.

    From ex-mormons talking about doTERRA and Young Life (or Young Living):

    It is Mormon owned. The guy who started it is actually my best friend’s mission president. Both my aunt and grandmother (100% TBM [True Believing Mormon]) are involved in Doterra and have climbed pretty high up the ladder.
    ————-
    […] of the sales reps I am aware of 100% are mormon.
    —————
    The company is based out of Orem, Utah. The founder is Dr. David K. Hill, a chiropractor. […] the company has a number of Mormon executives. Apparently some of them used to be affiliated with Young Life.

    More debunking of the “essential oils” scam here:
    http://skeptoid.com/blog/2013/02/02/essential-oils-a-perfect-example-of-alternative-medicine-exaggeration/

  477. Esteleth is Groot says

    Thanks for linking Libby Anne’s post, Pterryx. There’s some real hateful shit being spewed in the comments there, though. WTF? I’m sorry, but it is not okay to demand that refugees abandon their culture. And yes, food does fall under culture.

    Honestly, if someone is denied familiar food, they often end up not eating enough. If enabling them to get foods that they recognize will stave off malnutrition, then I’m all for it.

  478. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    Honestly, if someone is denied familiar food, they often end up not eating enough. If enabling them to get foods that they recognize will stave off malnutrition, then I’m all for it.

    It can be worse than just choosing not to eat it; I find I have to eat certain (general) kinds of food or I do not cease to feel hungry no matter the nutritional value of what I consume.

  479. Esteleth is Groot says

    Quite so, Azkyroth. I can get 10,000 calories of something and still feel empty.

    The amount of “they came here willingly, they should assimilate!” is disgusting. Especially since most of the Somalis in the Twin Cities are refugees. Saying that they came here willingly is breathtakingly offensive and minimizing of the trauma they fled from.

  481. carlie says

    Azkyroth, be sure to secure personal information from everyone you work with who you might want a recommendation from. Personal email, phone number, address. Do that now, before anything goes belly-up. Esp. if you tend to not come off great in interviews, a good recommendation, especially one that explains “he didn’t come off as friendly in person at first, but I realized he warms up quickly” or something of the like could be what could do the trick. If you haven’t seen her work before, Lynne Soroya writes a LOT about being an adult with autism, and probably has tips somewhere on job hunting and disclosing and such.

    And also as many hugs as you want, or simply sitting next to you in support.

  482. carlie says

    also hugs for Crudely. A close friend of mine is going through her daughter trying to detox again, from going back on again, and I can see how that rips people apart. I’m so sorry for you having to deal with everything.

  483. Morgan!? Militant Pacifist says

    Sorry for the downer friends. The problem with finally getting good therapy after a lifetime of horror is gaining a realistic understanding of who I am and how I got that way. And knowing that my life has been a gargantuan waste, and that it could have been very different, and that it is now too late.

  484. Pteryxx says

    Esteleth #477, thanks, or rather you’re welcome.

    Thanks for linking Libby Anne’s post, Pterryx. There’s some real hateful shit being spewed in the comments there, though. WTF?

    Hence her follow-up reminder of her comment policy – she says she’s had to delay her usual posting just to moderate the garbage in those comments.

    I think part of what’s going on is that Love Joy Feminism’s getting more attention since her critiques of Teh Leader Menz raised her profile. I expect (having barely looked yet) that Friendly Atheist regulars went over there to defend the post, obviously without paying attention to all the points Libby Anne directly addressed in her OP. Because Friendly Atheist regular commenters by and large are not very clueful about social justice – I tried to argue rape culture 101 over there a while back and gave up.

  485. says

    Morgan @483:

    And knowing that my life has been a gargantuan waste, and that it could have been very different, and that it is now too late.

    ::the biggest hugs I have to offer::
    If you need a shoulder to lean on, I’m here.

  486. Pteryxx says

    Morgan #483, for what it’s worth I hear you and you’re not alone. Lots of us have similar stories of how abusers stole or trashed big swathes of our lives. It’s scary work to try and put the pieces back together; but I bet you admire some of us here and find us worthwhile, and so do I find you.

  487. Morgan!? Militant Pacifist says

    Tpny!, Pteryxx, thank you so much. I cry about once every ten years or so, but I’m crying now. I’m afraid of these emotions. They are usually under firm chemical control, but nothing is stopping up the volcano tonight. Fuck. Breathe.

  488. Pteryxx says

    Morgan, if it helps, you have permission to cry. You have every right. (I’m not just saying that; I even have a link for it.) ;>

    When a child is being abused they are obviously not allowed to express themselves or how they feel about it. They cannot simply tell their abuser to stop. The person that is in control of the child’s life, is their abuser. Oftentimes, the abuser tells the child that they cannot cry. The child is also told to keep silent. This means that the child bottles up what they are feeling for many years. It is not uncommon for survivors of child abuse to keep it bottled up well into their adult years. The question then becomes a matter of when it is okay for the survivor to confront the painful emotions; thus, my title.

    It is OK to feel the hurt. It is OK to feel that pain that you were never before allowed to feel. The pain simply does not go away on its own. Each survivor of childhood abuse will have to deal with it at some point in their lives.

  490. carlie says

    Morgan – therapy can easily make things feel worse before it gets better, because all of the gross icky stuff you pushed down and back so long has to come to the surface before you can flush it out. *hugs*

  491. Morgan!? Militant Pacifist says

    All my wise, kind friends. I’m leaning on all of you, I’ve learned so much from you, I wish we could all gather at Tony’s bar. I was considering getting sloshy drunk tonight, but no. I’m going to go wallow in a few hours worth of Leonard Cohen, then try to sleep. I should have know this eruption was coming, my dreams have been horrific and bloody.

    Ain’t life grand…

  494. cicely says

    *wrapping up in opposablethumbshugs*
    –*hugs* and encouragement for Azkyroth.
    –
    Lynna:

    Detailed statistical analysis of their results indicated that these bacterial strains accelerated crop germination by up to 50 per cent and increased barley yields by 74 per cent.

    Awesomeness!
    –
    *hugs* for Morgan!?.
    Cry if you need to.
    Scream, if you need to.
    We understand.
    –

  496. says

    Volcanic eruption in Japan.

    A volcano erupted in central Japan on Saturday, sending a large plume of ash high into the sky and prompting a warning to climbers and others to avoid the area.

    Japanese broadcaster NHK, citing local authorities, said there were reports of injuries, but no word on their severity. It also reported that people had been evacuated from a mountain lodge.

    Mt. Ontake erupted shortly before noon on a bright sunny morning. The 3,067-meter (10,062-foot) peak sits on the border of Nagano and Gifu prefectures on the spine of mountains that runs down Honshu, Japan’s main island.

    In a YouTube video shown on NHK, climbers can be seen moving quickly away from the peak as an expanding plume emerges above them.

    Japan’s meteorological agency raised the alert level for Mt. Ontake to three on a scale of one to five. It warned people to stay away from the mountain, saying debris could fall up to 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) away.

    Woman nearly dies after drinking tea laced with lye

    Authorities have said an employee at Dickey’s Barbecue in South Jordan unintentionally put the heavy-duty cleaner lye in a sugar bag, and another worker on Aug. 10 mistakenly mixed it into an iced-tea dispenser.

    Later that day, Harding took a single sip of the sweetened iced tea while out to eat with her husband, and suffered deep, ulcerated burns to her esophagus. She was hospitalized in critical condition.

    Lye, an odorless chemical that looks like sugar, is used for degreasing deep fryers and is the active ingredient in Drano.

    Harding, 67, spent nearly two weeks in a Salt Lake City hospital. She has been out of the hospital for weeks but still hasn’t regained her sense of taste, her lawyer said.

    She continues to see doctors about the damage to her esophagus. She also still suffers some emotional distress.

    “It’s been challenging for her to go out and eat,” Guymon said. “There’s still some lingering anxiety.”

    Gill said Friday that after an extensive police investigation, prosecutors determined there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

    Trigger Warning: child abuse

    Residential school in Ottawa subjected children to horrible abuse

  497. Azkyroth Drinked the Grammar Too :) says

    Gill said Friday that after an extensive police investigation, prosecutors determined there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

    Incompetence is a premeditated crime, and I’m sorry there’s an even better example of that than the stupid sack of shit at the LAX connecting flight counter for United who I showed the boarding pass for my connecting flight I’d printed at SMF, with “gate not yet assigned” for the flight information, pretended to look up the flight, and then sent me to entirely the wrong terminal, resulting in me missing the flight. >.>

  498. 2kittehs says

    bassmike @425

    2Kittehs Spoons and hugs always welcome! I did get to Skara Brae: very interesting, but the windiest place I’ve ever been!

    ::sends whole cutlery drawer bassmike’s way, wrapped in kitten hugs::

    I’m not surprised to hear how windy it is! Furthest north I’ve been was Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, and the wind there was so strong I didn’t feel safe going up the tower. Out in the open earlier that day, I’d had to lean against the bus to have any chance of taking a photo – there were birds flying backwards. But I bet the treeless shores Orkneys are a hell of a lot windier than any of that!

    I love the built-in shelves and wall bunks at Skara Brae. Futuristic Neolithic, almost.

    pteryxx @461

    ::boggles:: Isn’t it about time the so-called Friendly Atheist changed the name of his blog to The Bog-standard AtheistDude(TM) Who Doesn’t Give A Shit If He Lets Racist, Sexist, Generally BIgoted Shit Get Posted? Clumsy, I know, but hey, truth in advertising. I sure as hell didn’t find him friendly when I tried commenting there years back.

    rq @473

    The horror. Just spent two hours trapped under a kitten. *shudder* The little furball even cleaned my nails.

    I’ll save you! Here, let me ease that ebil kitten away from you …