-- politics-fandom-fail: WTF PEOPLE ARE UPSET BECAUSE A BLACK CHARACTER IS PLAYED BY A BLACK ACTRESS? Are you kidding me with this shit, Internets? #thehungergames.

-- politics/fail: Of course in a world like this, where you can just shoot people in the street without the expectation that the police will, you know, care, I guess I shouldn't be ( Read more... )

First of all, faris_nallaneen linked me to Ben Franklin's synonyms for drunk. What's your favorite? I'm torn between "It is Star-light with him," and "Seen a Flock of Moons," (how celestial!) and "Been at an Indian Feast" (um, not the ones I've been to...), and... "Sir Richard has taken off his Considering Cap." SO BEEN THERE. Or there is a certain succinct ( Read more... )

CUNY rescinds Tony Kushner's honorary doctorate due to completely imaginary 'disparagement' of the state of Israel.

!!!

Meanwhile, Tony Kushner's response.

Ugh.

You know, a lot of people don't understand why professors should get tenure. But this is why: because without it, there is no academic freedom. Of course, for us grad students, this isn't even an issue. We have no protection; we just get fired. This is one of my classmates! I am so appalled.

We were always taught as children to idolize Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And though a deeply flawed individual in many respects, there is a good deal about him to love -- a great orator, a great organizer, and communicator of a great message. Great people shaped him too, like Bayard Rustin and his wife, Coretta Scott King who was a true ( Read more... )

This is a really nice piece on Gabrielle Giffords.

And this seems to be a fairly up-to-date liveblog on what's going on ( Read more... )

~ I love mlawski over on Overthinking It more than words could possibly convey. Her analysis of Doctor Who S5, for instance, sent me into full on, air punching, something is RIGHT on the internet joy. And this female character flowchart (click to embiggen) is a thing of beauty. Don't just look at it, run any of your favorite (or un-favorite) female ( Read more... )

Well, I managed to turn 30, folks. With only minimal damage to myself and those around me. Actually I had a pretty spectacular birthday, all things considered. First, I got a Kindle! I am thinking of having it surgically attached to my hand, I love it so. (D. is the bestest!) More on the book front further down. I also got some lovely cushions and ( Read more... )

~ OMG it is so hot, I think I might die. Today in my office between classes, I literally had to take off my shirt while at my desk. (No students were harmed in the making of this movie ( Read more... )

~ my aunt is holding her own. We are hopeful. So that's good. (I am still a little dengue fever WTF is this the 19th century??? but that, as they say, is an entirely different matter.)

~ At Elena Kagan's confirmation hearing, Senator Klobuchar asks about the famous case of Edward vs. Jacob or the vampire vs. the werewolf. What is this, I don't ( Read more... )