Todd Akin Breaks His Legendary Silence on What a Heinous Rape-Apologist Shithead He Is

Community Note

Why Isn't There More Media Coverage of the West Explosion?

Discussion Thread: Favorite School Subjects

In The News

Wealth Gap

Tsarnaev Cites War as Motivation for Bombing

Boston Bombing: The Latest

Open Thread

Record player

Quote of the Day

[Content Note: Violence.]"The analysis is proceeding apace. This isn't an NCIS episode. Sometimes you need to make time to correctly place the chain together to recognize the perpetrators. Everyone's dedicated to simply because that will get completed in the proper way.Inch—Homeland Security Secretary Jesse Napolitano, pleading for that public to become patient using the Boston Marathon Bombing analysis earlier today.This isn't an NCIS episode. Truth.

On Brittney Griner and Media Frames

[Content Note: Heterocentrism.]Jess has a set of great posts concerning the WNBA's #1 draft pick, Brittney Griner, the very first on Griner speaking about as being a lesbian in women's sports and also the second around the ensuing media coverage and it is heteronormative frame, which, as I have noted before, can also be connected using the entitlements we're feeling we're owed by public figures—as if a person is not really "out" until they disclose that info on the coverage of the magazine to "us."Anyway. Read them!I really like this: "Okay, Nike. Word is you are wanting to endorse an freely gay athlete. You should get Ms. Griner on the telephone.Inch YES.

The NY Post Is Reprehensible

[Content Note: Racism.]This, the following, is the reason why I'm resolved to rehearse persistence: The absolutely contemptible NY Publish has released a picture of two teenagers (who seem to be males of color) on their own fucking cover using the giant text "BAG Males," confirming they're being searched for regarding the the Boston Marathon Bombing.Except: These aren't the 2 males being searched for through the FBI. They're senior high school runners.You Cannot TAKE THIS BACK, NY Publish. You Cannot Go BACK. IT'S In Your GODDAMN COVER.I fervently expect these youthful men's safety.

Tom Hardy and a Puppy Visit the Taj Mahal

The pup licked its nose and stated, "Tom, I really like you a lot which i would save one biscuit each day in my whole existence to construct a Taj Mahal of dog biscuits. And, you may already know, I'm a puppy, to ensure that is extremely impressive impulse control." And Tom stated, "Stop it, you are making me all clogged up and that i can barely gaze with awe in the Taj Mahal through each one of these unfallen tears within my eyes." And also the puppy stated, "If perhaps I'd opposable thumbs. Well i guess, guess I'll eat individuals biscuits. But I truly do love you plenty.Inch And Tom stated, "I really like you also, puppy."

Quote of the Day

[Content Note: Fight against agency.]"Closing its doorways would—as the condition appears to concede within this argument—force Mississippi women to depart Mississippi to acquire a legal abortion... [This] would create a patchwork system where constitutional privileges can be found in some states although not others."—US District Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, in the opinion after stretching a brief injunction which prevents Mississippi from closing the Jackson Women's Health Organization, the final abortion clinic within the condition, "because it attempts to enter into compliance having a 2012 law needing all doctors who perform abortions in the clinic to possess acknowledging rights at local hospitals. The injunction was extended before the constitutionality from the law can be established inside a current pending suit from the condition. To date, no hospital within 30 miles from the clinic grants acknowledging rights to the doctors."It's a temporary reprieve, but an important ruling.

Daily Dose of Cute

Dudley Q. McEwan: Your dog I really like a lot more than I'm able to possibly describe.April is National Greyhound Adoption Month!On April 28, 2010, Dudley found remain at Shakes Manor. On one side, It's surprising it's recently been almost 3 years since he showed up. Alternatively, I almost cannot remember existence without him, while he is really tightly woven in to the fabric in our lives it seems like he's been here forever, that we have always were built with a giant, two-dimensional dog strutting concerning the place and taking on egregious levels of space around the furniture.Dogs aren't for everybody, and Greyhounds aren't for each dog-lover. If you prefer a high-energy dog who will be your companion in cold-weather sporting and play off-leash, the Greyhound most likely is not your pet. But when you'll need a low-key dog who will be your companion around the couch and it is pleased with a stroll and also the periodic breathtaking burst of speed in the dog park, the Greyhound might be only the dog for you personally.Within the 3 years we have had Dudley, I have had people from time to time express surprise that he's so sweet-natured, so friendly, so ebulliently filled with existence. There's some prejudice about Greyhounds that they're damaged, that they're pitiable animals who require a unique type of owner to like them despite their brokenness.This may not be true. Greyhounds are wacky, gangly packages of indomitable effervescence, whose ability to give love and readiness to get it, regardless of their origins, is remarkable. They're children. And because of the chance, they'll save you back.If you are considering adoption, please think about a upon the market racer. And when you're considering implementing a Greyhound, and also have questions, please feel welcome and asked to message me.Video clip Description: A relevant video I made December 2010 in colaboration with a professional bono project which I had been employed by local greyhound save, which documents the modification adoption makes in dogs' lives. Footage along with a still picture of Dudley as he first found us, then footage but still images of Dudley within the time he's been a part of us. Set to Angelo Badalamenti's "Love Theme" in the score for Cousins.< Dudley, just off the track and after living with us for awhile: This is the difference that rescue makes.

Open Thread

Patti Cruz

Friday Blogaround

This blogaround introduced for you with a sasquatch. Suggested Reading through:Grace's and Jess' Let us Discuss Names series now features its own Tumblr, where all of the previous records are compiles, and new records is going to be added. Yay!And listed here are the most recent for the reason that series: Trudy and Kristin.Another ideas on #femfuture at BitchMedia.Guttmacher: Condition Policy Trends 2013: Abortion Restrictions Proceed to the ForeIgor: Customer Advocates Tears into Federal Government bodies for Shielding Large Banksrboylorn: On Being Known as Out My Title [Content Note: The publish only at that link includes discussion of racism and misogyny and ageism.]Jorge: 'Stop Telling Women to Smile' Exhibit Opens in BrooklynSusie: We Can Not Allow Them To Pull off ThisAngus: Raise Hell Not Tuition: Around the Indiana College StrikeRebecca: Girl Gamer Informs Guy to Shove His 'Fake Geek Girl' Garbage within the Most Epic Way ImaginableLeave your links and proposals in comments...

The Parks and Rec Open Thread

"It's correct I'm enthusiastic about animals—because I'm half wolf."(Spoilers aren't considering just how much it itches herein.)Y'all, I am just gonna come out by using it: I totes blubbed when April saved the say within the most clever way ever, and also at the feel of beaming pride on Leslie's face. This Type Of GREAT MOMENT! Yay! However! OMG! When Leslie handed April her new nameplate, with "Deputy Director" onto it, and April requested how she managed to get so quick, and Leslie states, "I'd it made the first week here. I understood you would be going places, and so i thought about being prepared."—all the blubs forever! THIS SHOW.Dwyer shower! Lower to clown! Hey, wild stallions! Let us scent up! Saw dust ear! Show these garbage people out! Dirt and bloodstream bath! Retro-jammed! Ron eating a blueberry! Are you aware who Bill Gates is? Would you? He resides in Dallas and wears glasses. FYI. Other activities! "OWW! You are fired! You are fired! The entire department is fired! OWW THIS Affects! It was certainly one of my running ft!" "Ron, you have been sweating in here all day long! Are you currently consuming any liquids?" "Yes, plenty." *flows Scotch* "The guy is the owner of a Rolexus. It is a Lexus full of Rolexes." "What's the purpose of that?" "To Be! That they does." "This complete place operates on dibs." "Would you exercise?" "Yes, lovemaking and woodworking." "Have you got any good reputation for mental illness inside your family?" "I've an uncle who yoga." "Allergic reactions?" "Cowardice and weak-willed men—and hazelnuts!" "Sexual history?" "Epic. And.Inch "' ' ' '. Ahhh, he's disgusting, but I wish to take his money and create it for desperate people, so I am just gonna continue smiiiiiliiiiing! Yayyyy!" RESUME: Orin. "I believe you have a number of options. They are all terrible, however, you ask them to.Inch "I believe that guy really wants to search me!" "Donna?!" "Gentlemen." "Have you got any knowledge about creatures?" "A softball bat arrived on my small face once." "Even when I needed the task, I do not wanna perform the stupid confirmation hearing, okay? Stupid councilmen asking me stupid questions regarding my stupid existence. It appears stupid." "No, it is easy! They'll just request a couple of questions! Let us practice: What's your title?" "Batman. See? I unsuccessful." "What's cholesterol?"Discuss!

In The News

[Content note: Homophobia, racism]It's Friday:The atmosphere of the united states reaches a six-year full of optimism. Thanks for visiting Obama's America! So, essentially, everybody in George Zimmerman's household is type of a nightmare.Talking about bad dreams, Phyllis Schlafly and James Dobson "resent the insinuation that they have been unkind to homosexuals."Meanwhile: The GOP is losing its homobigot base. Sad face."Allow them to eat ass!" — Marie Antoinette, most likely: In France They Senate has chosen to consider an invoice for marriage equality. TruFact™: The Legend of Boggy Creek accustomed to scare the fuck from me like a kid.

Evening in America 2.0

Iain Thomson in the Register--ACLU documents shows free use of emails for IRS tax police:Using the US Tax Day under per week away, the ACLU has launched a not-very-comforting Freedom of knowledge Act request return in the Irs (IRS) showing precisely how easy it's for that tax agency to see individuals online communications with no court-released warrant. [...]A 2010 presentation in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel mentioned that "fourth Amendment Doesn't Safeguard Emails Saved on Server" which internet customers must have "No Privacy Expectation." Underneath the current rules, if the email continues to be opened up or maybe it's a lot more than 180 days old, then those who check whether you have been bad or good in your tax statements have no need for a warrant for full access.I am uncomfortable with any one of this, such as the pervasive attitude the only individuals who would not be confident with this must therefore be responsible for something they are attempting to hide.I, like lots of others, use my email in an effort to store considerable amounts of knowledge which i might need to access while abroad. Learning that this post is considered "non-private" basically since it is saved within the cloud is extremely troubling in my experience, and carries lots of problematic implications by using it.

In The News

[Content note: Gun violence, gun culture, homophobia, misogyny, animal mistreatment]All Of The News. Everything!A 4-year-old boy snapped up a loaded gun in a family cookout and accidentally shot and wiped out the wife of the Tennessee sheriff's deputy.A minimum of three everyone was wiped out inside a effective earthquake that struck southern Iran.Annette Funicello died from complications of ms. She was 70.Cory L. Richards, who championed the development of contraception and abortion access, died following a fight with pancreatic cancer. WTF: A Redditor confessed to murder within an image macro. Mitch McConnell: Still a douche.Research finds that heteros will easily notice who's the very best and who's the underside in gay couples. Welp.Steroid-enhanced ferrets are now being offered as poodles. Okay.

Here Comes (My Musing on) Honey Boo Boo

[Content Note: Classism, regionalism, misogyny, body fat prejudice, racism.]Here Comes Honey Boo Boo airs on TLC and it is in the second season. For that absurd sum I purchase cable, I watch roughly 5 channels: Food Network, Cooking Funnel, Analysis Discovery, the The famous host oprah Winfrey Network, and then any random funnel that may possess a reveal that allows me get my crime TV/forensic fix. When these channels concurrently broadcast implies that I've come across or which i can't stand, my existence is tossed into an uproar. I typically throw lower the remote and get a magazine. From time to time, I am going funnel-surfing. Throughout one particular surfing-in-desperation episode, I happened upon the premiere of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo." I saw people on Facebook covering it and also got the gist from the background from the Shannon/Thompson family (if you are new, the show is one of the now-seven-year-old Alana Thompson, who competes in children's beauty pageants and her family, including her mother and father, three older siblings, and newborn niece). I was expecting to become critical from the beauty pageant element, particularly, and just what I figured will be the difficulty from it (I do not like reality TV), generally. I actually do have a great deal to say concerning the children's pageant element, however i discovered that, overall, I loved the household. Among the primary reasons is the fact that, as rural southerners, they're familiar in my experience. I discovered mom, June Shannon, funny, confident, and patient together with her women. I viewed several episode, a real manifestation of my interest. But… inside a couple of episodes, I recognized, towards the producers of the show, my feelings about June and her family must appear an anomaly. For me, whomever is staging this show is out of hir method to get this to family a topic of mockery, ridicule, and disgust. In the opening montage, the crowd will get an idea of the items to expect—the household is first collected, all smiling, as if they're appearing for any portrait. After which, someone passes gas plus they dissolve into quarrelling among themselves. Why, you might question, could they be frequently cast such an unflattering light? In my opinion we're intended to be offended by them due to numerous social qualities from the family people: they're southern, working class, and a number of them are body fat. I am unable to list all of the tropes trotted to experience stereotypes of people that fall within the aforementioned category, but allow me to try. We have seen June, the most heavy family member, eating. No shame for the reason that right? But we have seen her eating with techniques that people look lower upon. We have seen her eating together with her hands. We have seen the show edited (for instance, the Thanksgiving show) to really make it appear that they eats non-stop. We have seen her eating large portions (as on her behalf date together with her partner, Sugar Bear). And we're urged to create choice how she cooks for and feeds her children, a number of whom (including Alana) tend to be heavy. She sprinkles sugar on their own already sweetened cranberry sauce and states it's the way they obtain portions of fruit. She constitutes a dish known as "sketti" which includes spaghetti, ketchup, and butter. She informs us about providing them with food venison culled from deer wiped out in vehicle accidents. As though that doesn't drive the purpose home enough, Alana laments the truth that they haven't had venison shortly, observing that, "It has been some time since i have had road kill within my belly." Largely overlooked is June's comment that they is attempting to give a household of six on $80 per week, departing little room for gourmet fare, which she cooks almost everyday to manage food costs. And, oh, these uncouth southerners! The kids curse. The mother and father curse. They argue and laugh noisally. Your camera ensures to document every time they pass gas or burp or pick their noses. They play in dirt on several episodes (I am talking about, you are aware how we southerners love our dirt—food, toy, flooring—it's multi-purpose!). They're going to "Redneck Games." The editing of 1 episode stresses that gnats fly around them. When Alana meets the present Ms. Georgia, Ms. Georgia notes that they is unclear about what lengths the small girl will use the pageant world due to her insufficient refinement. And tries to train Alana "proper" etiquette appear aggravating for that child and also the instructor, as though the small girl is hopeless! The presented picture of Sugar Bear, too, is frequently unflattering. He's always proven having a pinch of eating tobacco in the mouth, resulting in comments about his breath. He talks softly and appears shy and, quite frequently, moments are edited to stress that June may be the "boss" and also the women pay him little attention. This adds to the look of the household as disordered, given our culture's creation and castigation of "matriarch" figure and customary lamentations about males losing their status in a variety of ways. However I aren't seeing Sugar Bear as weak while he is quiet. Actually, in Sugar Bear, I see my very own father and my personal favorite uncle. My father would be a quiet guy who loved pickups and hunting and fishing and worked with my sister and me lightly. My uncle is exactly the same and, like Sugar Bear and lots of southern males, he's usually eating a pinch of tobacco and clamoring for any "spit cup." I don't find him disgusting. I have not been offended by his breath or his tobacco habit. A basic disposition doesn't indicate deficiencies in engagement or importance inside a family circle. Sugar Bear's passion for June and individuals women is apparent. He works a hardship on his family. So when June's earliest daughter, his step-daughter, includes a baby, his sweet words about how exactly she reminded him of Alana to see him hugging the child strengthened the comparison I made between him and my father. The Shannon/Thompson family members have a powerful feeling of themselves as working class southerners and therefore are even untroubled through the term "redneck"—and why when they are, given "redneck's" origin like a term to explain hard-working maqui berry farmers whose necks were burned red-colored by sun damage? But given all of the negative associations that label has, it appears outdoors the arena of possible ways to the producers from the show that certain could be comfortable as well as happy with a rural southern identity. In comments of posts or articles that discuss the show, you'll generally discover their whereabouts known as "whitened trash," too. Now, I must say, first, that although I realize the sentiments of poor whitened people and students who've attempted to "reclaim" the word "whitened trash," it's a very problematic term, specifically in its implication that "whitened trash" is really an anomaly that people must incorporate a racial marker. Most whitened individuals are not perceived as being trash, thus the label but exactly what does this say we consider people of color? The racialized terms through which we're known happen to be built with techniques that imply a natural subordination, impoverishment, "less-ness" in ways the term "whitened" is not built. Actually, so anomalous is "whitened trash," that scholar Matt Wray investigated the concept that people with all this label are frequently regarded as "less than whitened." For that reasons of the essay, I wish to concentrate on another adverse concept of the labeling from the Shannon/Thompson family as "whitened trash": within the words of Matt Wray and Annalee Newitz, "whitened trash" is frequently the "whitened Other," "the main difference,Inch indeed, the "threat" inside the bounds from the fortunate status of whiteness. There's no clearer evidence in "Honey Boo Boo" the South and, within this situation, whitened southerners are now being othered, described as foreign, unknown, and unknowable, than the truth that the household's speech is captioned, as though our British is anymore highlighted compared to people using their company parts of the U . s . States! But individuals other accents are normative, undetectable, default, and, ultimately, no accent whatsoever, however the way "real" USians talk! I believe everyone is described in ways to create each member an item of ridicule, however i believe our finest disgust should be restricted to June. June appears, in my experience, to possess a great attitude. She finds the humor in lots of situations and she or he is affectionate together with her women. She's confident about her relationship with Sugar Bear and her attractiveness to him. She's a little adventurous and she or he loves to have some fun. June can also be money savvy she endeavors to become an "extreme couponer": "It will save you money for the family—that's the material,Inch she stated [on Due To Jimmy Kimmel Live]. "I might be a multi-millionare but still want for the greatest deal in my family." Furthermore, "she's putting the show's earnings into trust funds on her children," observing that, "I would like my children to appear back and say, 'Mama performed it wise.'" Funny, confident, beautiful, smart… apparently, individuals are things forbidden to body fat southern women. When June decides to possess fun on the water slide, your camera concentrates on the truth that she struggles to climb it (even so, she laughs amiably at herself and it is clearly getting a great time, however the joke should be on her—HaHa! She's too body fat with this!). She notes that beauty is incorporated in the eye from the beholder which she and Sugar Bear both appreciate her beauty (an undeniable fact that he verifies). Yet, she's proven because the complete opposite of all individuals stuff that are built as beautiful in today's world, from her disdain for makeup to her refusal to obsess over her weight. And, in keeping with common portrayal of southerners, you will find lots of "d'oh!" moments if we are because of the impression the family people aren't intelligent. I am unable to, in a single publish, catalogue all of the ways this lady is mocked and cast because the butt of some joke that everybody else is within on. But, what really endears June, and even, her family, in my experience, is always that, when confronted with a nation that derides the majority of things about the subject, they STAY proud and in keeping with who they really are, something which I realize as (and that i deeply, deeply hope is) a refusal to simply accept the mandate they apologize to be themselves, to be working-class and southern. After I see June, I'm reminded of Liss's publish about getting the audacity to become body fat and happy and that i will not help smiling myself. For me personally, the othering from the South and southerners, the career people as inferior to northerners, the continual stream of jokes about our stupidity and "in-breeding," our "strange" food (as well as deadly, until soul food and southern food are correctly gentrified by northern chefs—but that's another publish!) and strange customs, implies that I proclaim my southern-ness frequently and noisally, in the language I personally use on social networking to mentioning to myself like a southern (b)elle to creating an effort to make use of my "real" voice within my classes along with other configurations to ensure that my accent, that we find lovely and luscious, stands out through. Even though a part of which has range from procedure for being comfortable within my own skin, some of it is Certainly a "'! I'm progressive, wise, funny AND southern"-thumbing-of-my-nose at individuals who'd believe this type of person cannot exist. I just read June's actions and attitude for the same reason. I've got a wonderful feeling that i'm right.

Two-Minute Nostalgia Sublime

Colourbox: "Hot Doggy"

Tom Hardy and a Puppy Visit Machu Piccu

The pup states the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is his favorite place they have visited to date.

Tom Hardy and a Puppy Visit Machu Piccu

The pup states the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu is his favorite place they have visited to date.

More

[I initially released this in May 2009, and reposted it once in May 2010. As there exists a large amount of new visitors lately, a number of whom don't feel obliged to concern themselves using the needed reading through, I believed it was time for you to repost it. Also? Since I require it around other people.]This, you might have observed, is a website on teaspoons.It's a blog about batches of measurement so infinitesimally small they weren't given names, about glitches within the Matrix so quick and subtle that they're easier skipped than observed, about tangible contaminants of the factor known as progress not visible towards the human eye alone.It's a blog about hope—not the type that's packed and offered in anti-aging creams, pop cans, or perhaps political campaigns—but the actual factor: A hopefulness that radiates like whoa in the pores of indefatigably positive dreamers, who close their eyes and tilt their faces up toward the sun's rays and picture the next where equality and freedom aren't aspirational concepts, but determining options that come with every human existence.It's a blog about connection, and also the realization that we're all within this factor together, and also the resolve to become all in, because we really make a difference nowadays, permanently or ill, because we all know there's no neutral there's no moral ambiguity in remaining quiet there's only standing and saying no thanks towards the indignities one human visits upon another, or tallying.It's a blog of extremely uncommon anticipation, because uncommon anticipation would be the seed products of progress.Among the finest American advocates for progress, a gentleman you might have heard about named Dr. King, isn't appreciated for giving an address about his resignation to things as they are. He's appreciated while he admonished us to not wallow within the valley of despair and exhorted us to picture large things and told us never to be happy with less. He stated around the world, "I've got a dream," which dream was what lots of people may have contacted it is time (and could call still) an uncommon expectation.Eliminating any type of bigotry is, obviously, an uncommon expectation—because institutional bigotry is deeply established. Prejudice is ancient. Merely a fool would imagine it may be overcome.Except, obviously, that it may be. Piece by piece. Particle by particle. Teaspoon by teaspoon. Person by person. Prejudice is ancient, however it dies using its every company and should be trained again. Also it can be unlearned. Piece by piece. Particle by particle. Teaspoon by teaspoon. Person by person. Persistence, it requires, and determined sanguinity, to produce people full of expansive love and intractable respect for each other inside a culture that casts us as opponents. Also it takes uncommon anticipation, the seed products of progress.Thus, each time someone asks me, greets my bellicose display of uncommon anticipation with, the exceedingly not-progressive question, "Exactly what do you anticipate?Inch I'll answer just like I usually do: I expect more.Obviously the Republican Party is racist. Exactly what do you anticipate?I expect more.Obviously plenty of male writers are misogynists. Exactly what do you anticipate?I expect more.Obviously some tv program is homophobic. Exactly what do you anticipate?I expect more.Obviously some feminists are transphobic. Exactly what do you anticipate?I expect more.Obviously you will find ablest jokes in sitcoms. Exactly what do you anticipate?I expect more.Obviously you will find body fat-disliking jokes in ads. Exactly what do you anticipate?I expect more.You cannot expect individuals to wreck havoc on legendary cultural images simply to provide a jerk to diversity. It'll upset people.The fuck I can not. I expect more.I am not ironically detached, I am not apathetic, I am not resigned, and I am not contemptuous of bleeding hearts. I'm a greedy bitch with voracious anticipation, and that i dream lengthy and lustfully of the better world that's both my muse and objective. I would like it such as the cracked earth from the desert wants rain, and that i will neither apologize for nor amend my desire due to its remove in the present its distance encourages my achieve.Think before asking me things i expect.You know the solution.

Two-Minute Nostalgia Sublime

Technotronic: "Power Up The Jam"

Question of the Day

What's the newest food or beverage you attempted the very first time ever?The newest factor I'm able to remember trying the very first time was Tres Leches Cake, at my pal Ari's house. It had been absurdly scrumptious.

Sunday Shuffle

Colin Meloy, The Crane Wife 1, 2, & 3Those are really two separate (but related!) Decemberists tunes, and that i highly rec also hearing the non-acoustic, full-band versions: The Crane Wife 1 & 2, The Crane Wife 3.What about you?

Open Thread

A wheat ear cent