NEW HEALTH CARE POLL
A new poll shows that a vital US demographic is opposed to health care reform.
(ONION)
Monday, July 20, 2009
Shouts & Murmurs: Britney’s Conversion Diary : The New Yorker
NO GRANDEE, SHE
Now, if E! was this funny I would watch it all of the time. This piece by Andy Borowitz, ostensibly about Britney Spears considering converting to Judaism, is hilarious. The singer has supposedly been spotted wearing a necklace with the Star of David symbol on during her world tour. She has even recruited a rabbi to help her study the faith.
(BOROWITZ REPORT)
Now, if E! was this funny I would watch it all of the time. This piece by Andy Borowitz, ostensibly about Britney Spears considering converting to Judaism, is hilarious. The singer has supposedly been spotted wearing a necklace with the Star of David symbol on during her world tour. She has even recruited a rabbi to help her study the faith.
(BOROWITZ REPORT)
Listen Up Punk! Is This the New Gay Anthem? | CarnalNation
GAY PUNK?
Kent James, also known as Nick Name is the usually shirtless, confrontational, and sexy singer who has been dubbed "the gay Henry Rollins" and "the most masculine man in gay culture." In this new video for his 2001 song, the singer is unapologetic and angry.
(CARNAL NATION)
Kent James, also known as Nick Name is the usually shirtless, confrontational, and sexy singer who has been dubbed "the gay Henry Rollins" and "the most masculine man in gay culture." In this new video for his 2001 song, the singer is unapologetic and angry.
(CARNAL NATION)
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Sotomayor Surprises Sessions - Washington Wire - WSJ
OH NO, SHE DIDN'T?
When Jeff Sessions contrasted her views with that of another judge, Sotomayor invited him to ask her as she was in the audience as part of her coterie. "My friend Judge (Miriam) Cedarbaum is here," she riposted, to Sessions’ apparent surprise. "We are good friends, and I believe that we both approach judging in the same way, which is looking at the facts of each individual case and applying the law to those facts," something to which Cedarbaum would later accede.
(WALL STREET JOURNAL, suggested by LYDIA GRANELL)
When Jeff Sessions contrasted her views with that of another judge, Sotomayor invited him to ask her as she was in the audience as part of her coterie. "My friend Judge (Miriam) Cedarbaum is here," she riposted, to Sessions’ apparent surprise. "We are good friends, and I believe that we both approach judging in the same way, which is looking at the facts of each individual case and applying the law to those facts," something to which Cedarbaum would later accede.
(WALL STREET JOURNAL, suggested by LYDIA GRANELL)
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
THE DONKEYS AND THE ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM
In an earlier post I noted that the Sotomayor hearings were going as expected, that is, along party lines and that, surprisingly, Lindsey Graham had been the most "real", and the most gracious. As this article notes there is another "real" donkey in the room that only the GOPers are (legitimately) talking about:
In an earlier post I noted that the Sotomayor hearings were going as expected, that is, along party lines and that, surprisingly, Lindsey Graham had been the most "real", and the most gracious. As this article notes there is another "real" donkey in the room that only the GOPers are (legitimately) talking about:
"The hardest question in the confirmation hearings for Sonia Sotomayor is one the nominee can’t answer. Not because she doesn’t know the law or can’t offer a satisfactory explanation for a phrase in a speech. Rather, it’s because this question doesn’t really involve her, although it has everything to do with the number of votes she will get.
(Now, as far as being "real" from my perspective, the Democrats - most ably Diane Feinstein - seemed to structure their commentary about who the real "activists" are.)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
DEMOGRAFICA LATINA
There are now more Puerto Ricans living in the 50 United States than on the island itself. Puerto Ricans are the second-largest population of Hispanic origin residing in the United States, accounting for 9.1% of the U.S. Hispanic population in 2007. Mexicans constituted 29.2 million, or 64.3%, of the Hispanic population.
(PEW RESEARCH, suggested by LA TIMES)
There are now more Puerto Ricans living in the 50 United States than on the island itself. Puerto Ricans are the second-largest population of Hispanic origin residing in the United States, accounting for 9.1% of the U.S. Hispanic population in 2007. Mexicans constituted 29.2 million, or 64.3%, of the Hispanic population.
(PEW RESEARCH, suggested by LA TIMES)
Health Care for America NOW! | Senator Grassley: Why can't we have health care as good as you?
GET A JOB
Chuck Grassley, the Republican taking the lead for his party on health care in the U.S. Senate, was asked by a constituent at a town hall meeting in Iowa why everyone can't have health care benefits as good as Grassley gets. His answer? Get a job like his.
Chuck Grassley, the Republican taking the lead for his party on health care in the U.S. Senate, was asked by a constituent at a town hall meeting in Iowa why everyone can't have health care benefits as good as Grassley gets. His answer? Get a job like his.
SEE THE VIDEO
(HEALTH CARE FOR AMERICA NOW)
Saturday, July 11, 2009
‘Religion’ billboard brings debate | TuscaloosaNews.com | The Tuscaloosa News | Tuscaloosa, AL
1ST AMENDMENT NOT A TWO-WAY STREET
A billboard that was put up by the Alabama Freethought Association is causing debate, with some saying the sign reading "Imagine No Religion" is offensive and should be removed. The billboard along Interstate 20 near Pell City was placed there by the association as part of a national campaign by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The background of the sign is of a stained glass window with the words by John Lennon from the song "Imagine" on top.
(TUSCALOOSA NEWS)
A billboard that was put up by the Alabama Freethought Association is causing debate, with some saying the sign reading "Imagine No Religion" is offensive and should be removed. The billboard along Interstate 20 near Pell City was placed there by the association as part of a national campaign by the Freedom From Religion Foundation. The background of the sign is of a stained glass window with the words by John Lennon from the song "Imagine" on top.
(TUSCALOOSA NEWS)
Friday, July 10, 2009
New York Movies - Sacha Baron Cohen in Queerface for Brüno, Mumblecore Boys in Bed for Humpday - page 1
HE'S HERE, HE'S QUEER - OR IS IT ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE?
As the primitive Asiatic "other" Borat (at once crypto Jew and rabid anti-Semite), Baron Cohen articulated a violent antipathy, inciting the unwary to agree with him. As the sophisticated, though stupid, European "other" Brüno (at once narcissistic celeb and frantic wannabe), Baron Cohen courts that antipathy himself. In both cases, he confounds his audience, creating a persona we hate to love. Is Brüno a minstrel show? Co-opting gay culture? Evidence of new tolerance or ineradicable prejudice? Or is it just using queer-ness to talk about something else?
(VILLAGE VOICE)
As the primitive Asiatic "other" Borat (at once crypto Jew and rabid anti-Semite), Baron Cohen articulated a violent antipathy, inciting the unwary to agree with him. As the sophisticated, though stupid, European "other" Brüno (at once narcissistic celeb and frantic wannabe), Baron Cohen courts that antipathy himself. In both cases, he confounds his audience, creating a persona we hate to love. Is Brüno a minstrel show? Co-opting gay culture? Evidence of new tolerance or ineradicable prejudice? Or is it just using queer-ness to talk about something else?
(VILLAGE VOICE)
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA (NOT MISSISSIPPI)
More than 60 young black children from Philadelphia were turned away from a private swim club where their organization had paid to swim as part of summer camp. The explanation they got was either dishearteningly honest or poorly worded: "There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club," John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club said in a statement.
(NBC)
More than 60 young black children from Philadelphia were turned away from a private swim club where their organization had paid to swim as part of summer camp. The explanation they got was either dishearteningly honest or poorly worded: "There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club," John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club said in a statement.
(NBC)
The Patriot's Guide to Legalization | Mother Jones
THE "SKINNY" ON MARY JANE
Marijuana will probably not become legal. The United States, along with virtually every other country in the world, is a signatory to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (and its 1988 successor), which flatly prohibits its legalization. Add to that the fact that there's virtually no political appetite for legalizing cannabis even though public opinion has made steady strides. The real action in cannabis legalization is at the state level. More than a dozen states now have effective medical marijuana laws, most notably California. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT ALL OF THE SIDEBARS IN THIS Patriot's Guide To Legalization SECTION IN MOTHER JONES
(MOTHER JONES)
Marijuana will probably not become legal. The United States, along with virtually every other country in the world, is a signatory to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (and its 1988 successor), which flatly prohibits its legalization. Add to that the fact that there's virtually no political appetite for legalizing cannabis even though public opinion has made steady strides. The real action in cannabis legalization is at the state level. More than a dozen states now have effective medical marijuana laws, most notably California. MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT ALL OF THE SIDEBARS IN THIS Patriot's Guide To Legalization SECTION IN MOTHER JONES
(MOTHER JONES)
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
IN THEIR BOOTS
We've come a long way in our attitudes in this country and the military is changing right along with us, albeit a little more haltingly. When I was in the service the military had a lot of prohibitions that were justified with old saws, things like long hair or women in combat zones. We'd point to the Israelis or the Dutch, but no matter, they were in charge and that was how it was. This is a post from Veterans For America, which means that not only is the military changing, maybe even the vet organizations are too.
There's a lot that people don't talk about regarding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": If a gay servicemember is killed in action, his/her partner won't be notified; Partners of gays serving in the military have to be careful about writing "I Love You" on letters or cards sent to their partners; and can't say it on the phone. This episode of In Their Boots brings it all to light.
(BRAVE NEW FILMS, suggested by VETERANS FOR AMERICA)
We've come a long way in our attitudes in this country and the military is changing right along with us, albeit a little more haltingly. When I was in the service the military had a lot of prohibitions that were justified with old saws, things like long hair or women in combat zones. We'd point to the Israelis or the Dutch, but no matter, they were in charge and that was how it was. This is a post from Veterans For America, which means that not only is the military changing, maybe even the vet organizations are too.
There's a lot that people don't talk about regarding "Don't Ask, Don't Tell": If a gay servicemember is killed in action, his/her partner won't be notified; Partners of gays serving in the military have to be careful about writing "I Love You" on letters or cards sent to their partners; and can't say it on the phone. This episode of In Their Boots brings it all to light.
(BRAVE NEW FILMS, suggested by VETERANS FOR AMERICA)
Friday, July 03, 2009
Reagan Was Wrong | Newsweek Politics | Newsweek.com
REAGAN AND FAUX CONSERVATISM
Tax-cutting regulation-haters weren't the only false conservatives in the Reagan coalition, Fairlie argued: the bedroom-snooping, morality--legislating social conservatives were just as misguided. He was no libertarian, but he thought that much of the social agenda of the American political right (then and now) consisted of things that were nobody's business: "Let one homosexual, coke-snorting student bum get hold of two food stamps, and the whole apparatus of government is brought into play," he wrote.
(NEWSWEEK)
Tax-cutting regulation-haters weren't the only false conservatives in the Reagan coalition, Fairlie argued: the bedroom-snooping, morality--legislating social conservatives were just as misguided. He was no libertarian, but he thought that much of the social agenda of the American political right (then and now) consisted of things that were nobody's business: "Let one homosexual, coke-snorting student bum get hold of two food stamps, and the whole apparatus of government is brought into play," he wrote.
(NEWSWEEK)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Use your Twitter to confuse Iranian censors
SEEDING THE FALSE DATA CLOUD
Prior to the recent Iranian elections, facebook and other social networks were being used as an organizing tool. Censors quickly jumped on this trend and blocked Facebook’s site from the entire country. The election protests were organized and publicized on Twitter, which the bureaucracy failed to block in time. Iranian censors are now combing the twitter network for dissidents in a Savak-like fashion. But folks around the world are trying to help the Iranian Resistance. This may or may not help, but it's worth a try.
(Suggested by ELIJAH EL BEZE)
Prior to the recent Iranian elections, facebook and other social networks were being used as an organizing tool. Censors quickly jumped on this trend and blocked Facebook’s site from the entire country. The election protests were organized and publicized on Twitter, which the bureaucracy failed to block in time. Iranian censors are now combing the twitter network for dissidents in a Savak-like fashion. But folks around the world are trying to help the Iranian Resistance. This may or may not help, but it's worth a try.
(Suggested by ELIJAH EL BEZE)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)