Tonight, I weep for the women of my state. HB 2, a bill that will severely limit affordable access to places that handle our health issues, has passed, and will, in all likelihood, be quickly signed into law by Rick Perry, one of the worst governors the state has ever seen.
For those of you who are interested in the actual language of the bill, you can check out page 5 of this. And if you want to know who voted which way, and other information, check here.
This is a terrible, terrible bill, one that will shut down the majority of affordable women's health clinics in the state, ones that not only provide abortions, but also provide pap smears, breast cancer checks, birth control, STI testing, and a whole host of other things that are necessary for the health and well-being of anyone with a female reproductive system.
It's also worth noting that the bill states that all clinics providing abortions have to be ambulatory surgical centers, and Rick Perry's sister just so happens to be the head of a company that owns several of that type of clinic, putting her in a perfect place to swoop in and take over in the abortion business, becoming the leading provider, and pricing anyone in a lower income bracket out of being able to easily obtain one when they need it.
I would suggest that, if you are as outraged and saddened by this travesty; and you live in Texas, you register to vote, remember this bill, and those who authored it and voted it in; when the time comes, vote accordingly. It could make all the difference in the world to your fellow Texans.
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Nate Silver is a Witch
Sung to the tune of Kyle's Mom, by Eric Cartman. (Be careful looking that up - it is definitely NSFW.)
Weeelllll~
Nate Silver is a witch!
He's a big bad witch!
He's the biggest witch in the whole wide world!
He's the smartest witch!
If there ever was a witch!
Just look at how his plans unfurled!
On Monday he's a witch,
On Tuesday he's a witch,
On Wednesday thru Saturday he's a witch!
Then on Sunday just to be different,
He's a super king kamehameha wi-atch!
Have you ever met Nate Silver,
He's the biggest witch in the whole wide world!
He's the baddest witch,
And he has big numbers!
He's a witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch
Witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch!
He's the smartest witch! (Woo!)
Nate Silver's a witch
And he's such a nerdy witch! (Hey!)
Weeelllll~
Nate Silver is a witch!
He's a big bad witch!
He's the biggest witch in the whole wide world!
He's the smartest witch!
If there ever was a witch!
Just look at how his plans unfurled!
On Monday he's a witch,
On Tuesday he's a witch,
On Wednesday thru Saturday he's a witch!
Then on Sunday just to be different,
He's a super king kamehameha wi-atch!
Have you ever met Nate Silver,
He's the biggest witch in the whole wide world!
He's the baddest witch,
And he has big numbers!
He's a witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch
Witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch, witch!
He's the smartest witch! (Woo!)
Nate Silver's a witch
And he's such a nerdy witch! (Hey!)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Minorly irritated, fanworks-related rant.
Hey.
Hey you. Yeah, I mean you.
The one who posts AMVs on youtube as companion pieces for their fanfics.
You know who you are.
I've got a hint for you, and a bone to pick with you.
I can't really believe I have to do this, because it really should be common sense...
If you're gonna post a companion video like that where others who have never read your stuff before can find it... LINK BACK TO THE FIC IN QUESTION.
Seriously. Don't expect potential new readers to go diving through search engine archives in hopes of finding the right fic by that name, /especially/ if your nick on whatever site you're hosting said fic on, is not the same as your youtube nick. That is just outright fucking lazy, and ridiculous, given that if you did link back, you could potentially gain tons of new readers from such a simple act. (Especially if your video is as good as some of the ones I've seen.)
This is really a huge pet peeve with me, because I have seen this more times than I care to count, especially in regards to a specific fandom that shall remain nameless. *coughOHSHCcough*
So, in conclusion - when you make an AMV to go with your fic? Link back to the fic.
Thank you, and have a nice day. ^_^
Hey you. Yeah, I mean you.
The one who posts AMVs on youtube as companion pieces for their fanfics.
You know who you are.
I've got a hint for you, and a bone to pick with you.
I can't really believe I have to do this, because it really should be common sense...
If you're gonna post a companion video like that where others who have never read your stuff before can find it... LINK BACK TO THE FIC IN QUESTION.
Seriously. Don't expect potential new readers to go diving through search engine archives in hopes of finding the right fic by that name, /especially/ if your nick on whatever site you're hosting said fic on, is not the same as your youtube nick. That is just outright fucking lazy, and ridiculous, given that if you did link back, you could potentially gain tons of new readers from such a simple act. (Especially if your video is as good as some of the ones I've seen.)
This is really a huge pet peeve with me, because I have seen this more times than I care to count, especially in regards to a specific fandom that shall remain nameless. *coughOHSHCcough*
So, in conclusion - when you make an AMV to go with your fic? Link back to the fic.
Thank you, and have a nice day. ^_^
Thursday, August 16, 2012
What counts as objectification?
I was having this discussion with some of my significant others, and I thought it would be interesting to see what all of you think.
It started with a discussion of the fuckyeahhperfectdolls tumblr, (CAUTION - link is NSFW,) and how most of the people pictured can be, well... rather hard to look at for someone with body image issues.
I commented that I see the pictures on that site more as art than as people, (if you're avoiding clicking through, the majority of it is women posing either nude or scantily clad, mostly to show off their tattoos,) and I started wondering if that counts as objectification.
At least one other person in the discussion seemed to be of the opinion that it is not, because objectification is seen more as being degrading, whereas seeing someone as art, especially when they're sort of deliberately acting as a canvas for artwork to begin with, (eg, posing in such a way to show off your tattoos,) then it's more idealization than objectification. But are those two things really so different?
So, what exactly does count as objectification? I mean, that word gets used a lot, especially in respects to porn, and seeing people as sex objects, but does that mean that anyone who looks at porn is objectifying?
Does imagining yourself in someone else's place, sexually, count as objectification? What about imagining your partner in someone's place, or imagining the person onscreen as being in bed with you?
What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinions on the subject.
It started with a discussion of the fuckyeahhperfectdolls tumblr, (CAUTION - link is NSFW,) and how most of the people pictured can be, well... rather hard to look at for someone with body image issues.
I commented that I see the pictures on that site more as art than as people, (if you're avoiding clicking through, the majority of it is women posing either nude or scantily clad, mostly to show off their tattoos,) and I started wondering if that counts as objectification.
At least one other person in the discussion seemed to be of the opinion that it is not, because objectification is seen more as being degrading, whereas seeing someone as art, especially when they're sort of deliberately acting as a canvas for artwork to begin with, (eg, posing in such a way to show off your tattoos,) then it's more idealization than objectification. But are those two things really so different?
So, what exactly does count as objectification? I mean, that word gets used a lot, especially in respects to porn, and seeing people as sex objects, but does that mean that anyone who looks at porn is objectifying?
Does imagining yourself in someone else's place, sexually, count as objectification? What about imagining your partner in someone's place, or imagining the person onscreen as being in bed with you?
What do you think? I'd love to hear your opinions on the subject.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Let me tell you about George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina
George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina doesn't like the internet anymore. He was caught out publicly spewing vile, hate filled, misogynistic comments to a very lovely and graceful lady; and when a blog post was made about those comments, George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina decided he didn't like all the mean ol' meanies that were talking about him.
So George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina decided to write the owner of the blog's site, throwing a hissy fit, and demanding that the post be taken down, because it used his publicly made comments without permission. Aww... did the poor widdle misogynist get a booboo on his ego? Does he need a cartoon bandaid to make it all better?
In his demands, he claimed that he would be contacting his lawyer if the post, wasn't taken down. The site's owner said she would be more than happy to talk to his lawyer, because she needed to obtain proof that he was indeed who he said he was, before any sort of discourse about the post could go on.
George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina then threw a temper tantrum, (did the poor thing miss his naptime?) replying with:
Oh my. Looks like someone needs a time out, and a lesson in how the internet works.
Or maybe George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina just needs to go back to kindergarten, or better still, preschool, and learn all those nice things about how to treat other people. I'd say maybe his mama didn't raise him right, but honestly, I'm sure she's a wonderful woman, and he was just too much of a brat to listen to her when she tried her hardest to teach him how to behave.
ETA: Looks like there is a meme generator for George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina. Have at 'im, folks!
So George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina decided to write the owner of the blog's site, throwing a hissy fit, and demanding that the post be taken down, because it used his publicly made comments without permission. Aww... did the poor widdle misogynist get a booboo on his ego? Does he need a cartoon bandaid to make it all better?
In his demands, he claimed that he would be contacting his lawyer if the post, wasn't taken down. The site's owner said she would be more than happy to talk to his lawyer, because she needed to obtain proof that he was indeed who he said he was, before any sort of discourse about the post could go on.
George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina then threw a temper tantrum, (did the poor thing miss his naptime?) replying with:
You dont get to make the rules. I am the george tierney that made the comments to sandra fluke, not to you..take it off google. If it goes to a lawyer, it will be settled in court, with me getting paid.
Sincerely,
George Tierney Jr
Oh my. Looks like someone needs a time out, and a lesson in how the internet works.
Or maybe George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina just needs to go back to kindergarten, or better still, preschool, and learn all those nice things about how to treat other people. I'd say maybe his mama didn't raise him right, but honestly, I'm sure she's a wonderful woman, and he was just too much of a brat to listen to her when she tried her hardest to teach him how to behave.
ETA: Looks like there is a meme generator for George Tierney Jr of Greenville South Carolina. Have at 'im, folks!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Black March
Thursday March 1st 2012 to Saturday March 31st 2012
With the continuing campaigns for internet-censoring litigation such as SOPA and PIPA, and the closure of sites like Megaupload under allegations of 'piracy' and 'conspiracy' the time has come to take a stand against music, film, and media companies' lobbyists.
The only way is to hit them where it hurts.
Their profit margins.
March 2012 is the end of the First Quarter in economic reports world wide.
Do not buy a single record. Do not download a single song, legally or illegally. Do not go to see a single film in cinemas, or download a copy. Do not buy a DVD in the stores. Do not buy a videogame. Do not buy a single book or magazine.
Wait the four weeks to buy them in April: see a film later, etc... Holding out for just four weeks, maximum, will leave a gaping hole in media companies profits for the first quarter, an economic hit which will in turn be observed by governments world wide as stocks and shares will blip from a large enough loss of incomes. This action will give a statement of intent:
"We will not tolerate the Media Industries' lobbying for legislation that will censor the internet."
Like this journal. Comment. Share.
SPREAD THE WORD!
EDIT: Wikipedia has a list of companies that support or oppose SOPA and PIPA, if you wanted to be sure you're boycotting the right companies.
With the continuing campaigns for internet-censoring litigation such as SOPA and PIPA, and the closure of sites like Megaupload under allegations of 'piracy' and 'conspiracy' the time has come to take a stand against music, film, and media companies' lobbyists.
The only way is to hit them where it hurts.
Their profit margins.
March 2012 is the end of the First Quarter in economic reports world wide.
Do not buy a single record. Do not download a single song, legally or illegally. Do not go to see a single film in cinemas, or download a copy. Do not buy a DVD in the stores. Do not buy a videogame. Do not buy a single book or magazine.
Wait the four weeks to buy them in April: see a film later, etc... Holding out for just four weeks, maximum, will leave a gaping hole in media companies profits for the first quarter, an economic hit which will in turn be observed by governments world wide as stocks and shares will blip from a large enough loss of incomes. This action will give a statement of intent:
"We will not tolerate the Media Industries' lobbying for legislation that will censor the internet."
Like this journal. Comment. Share.
SPREAD THE WORD!
EDIT: Wikipedia has a list of companies that support or oppose SOPA and PIPA, if you wanted to be sure you're boycotting the right companies.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Do I have the right?
Earlier today, someone I know posed a question, one that is probably asked by more people than they think.
"What gives me the right to say I am _________?" (Insert gay, genderqueer, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, and so on here.)
A very complicated question, but one with a very simple sounding answer.
If you are _____, then you have the right to say you are. If you feel you fall under these labels, and you feel comfortable in using them, then for goodness sake, use them. There is nothing whatsoever wrong in doing so.
It's not as simple an answer as it seems, of course. In order to get to this answer, you have to overcome things. Your own reluctance. Your fear of what family, friends, and loved ones may say. Perhaps even the fact that what you call yourself today is vastly different from what you'd have called yourself just yesterday, or last week.
That last one is a very interesting one, because all through our lives, we are learning new things about ourselves, and about how we respond in regards to others. What we think of ourselves today, may not hold true tomorrow, or next week. That doesn't, however, make the labels we give ourselves today any less true. They are as true as the information we have about ourselves is.
Yesterday, someone may have felt the label bisexual covered them, and then today, they may get new information that makes them decide that they fall better under the pansexual or panromantic label. That doesn't make yesterday's label any less true, because at the time, they were.
The exception to this, of course, is if you genuinely don't fit the label, and you know it, but this misnomer usually occurs when other people label you, rather than when you label yourself.
"What gives me the right to say I am _________?" (Insert gay, genderqueer, bisexual, pansexual, transgender, and so on here.)
A very complicated question, but one with a very simple sounding answer.
If you are _____, then you have the right to say you are. If you feel you fall under these labels, and you feel comfortable in using them, then for goodness sake, use them. There is nothing whatsoever wrong in doing so.
It's not as simple an answer as it seems, of course. In order to get to this answer, you have to overcome things. Your own reluctance. Your fear of what family, friends, and loved ones may say. Perhaps even the fact that what you call yourself today is vastly different from what you'd have called yourself just yesterday, or last week.
That last one is a very interesting one, because all through our lives, we are learning new things about ourselves, and about how we respond in regards to others. What we think of ourselves today, may not hold true tomorrow, or next week. That doesn't, however, make the labels we give ourselves today any less true. They are as true as the information we have about ourselves is.
Yesterday, someone may have felt the label bisexual covered them, and then today, they may get new information that makes them decide that they fall better under the pansexual or panromantic label. That doesn't make yesterday's label any less true, because at the time, they were.
The exception to this, of course, is if you genuinely don't fit the label, and you know it, but this misnomer usually occurs when other people label you, rather than when you label yourself.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
A discussion about the #occupy protests
I had an interesting discussion with some people last night regarding what could ultimately come of the #occupy protests.
One of the questions asked was, what will happen if the protesters finally start to snap due to mistreatment by police? I don't think they'll become violent. But it's pretty damn scary to think what could happen if they did. I mean, we have military folk out there on the protesters' side, both vets and active. Not every protester is a member of the military, but there are quite a few, from what I've heard. This isn't just "a bunch of hippies."
We're talking about people trained for war, most of whom have actually seen action. And they're getting beaten and pepper sprayed, and man, I don't know about you, but I would be getting pretty pissed. It's remarkable they've stuck to the non-violent protest path for the most part as they have. (Yes, I know there have been a few incidents, but those are pretty few and far between at the moment.)
So, y'know what? If I were those cops, I'd be showing a bit more respect, and a lot less willingness to spray people with painful, burning chemicals and beating on them with sticks, and throwing them around, when all they're doing is sitting or standing there, and chanting. Because just sitting or standing there and chanting is a damn site better than the alternative.
One of the questions asked was, what will happen if the protesters finally start to snap due to mistreatment by police? I don't think they'll become violent. But it's pretty damn scary to think what could happen if they did. I mean, we have military folk out there on the protesters' side, both vets and active. Not every protester is a member of the military, but there are quite a few, from what I've heard. This isn't just "a bunch of hippies."
We're talking about people trained for war, most of whom have actually seen action. And they're getting beaten and pepper sprayed, and man, I don't know about you, but I would be getting pretty pissed. It's remarkable they've stuck to the non-violent protest path for the most part as they have. (Yes, I know there have been a few incidents, but those are pretty few and far between at the moment.)
So, y'know what? If I were those cops, I'd be showing a bit more respect, and a lot less willingness to spray people with painful, burning chemicals and beating on them with sticks, and throwing them around, when all they're doing is sitting or standing there, and chanting. Because just sitting or standing there and chanting is a damn site better than the alternative.
Friday, October 21, 2011
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