Today's Mighty Oak


Alright, let’s see what we have today, first up, the new Google ear buds are going to change the world with live translations.

Stan Lee takes a stand against bigotry.

Fitz and the Tantrums’ new song is my new jam:

A touching tribute to Matthew Shepherd.

And speaking of, the politician who was saved by a married lesbian spoke at a convention dedicated to taking away her rights.

Oh hey, so did the president.  The first to do so.  He spoke at a convention that has discussed ways to pass legislation to put gay men to death.  Let that sink in.

Also in the horror show that is this administration, Jeff Sessions has rescinded protections for trans* people.

The president has also removed all mention of the queer community from the Health and Human Services department, meaning no mention of queer focused health initiatives.

And Jeff Sessions rescinded other protections for all members of the queer community.  These are things that affect people you love.  Be fucking pissed.

Okay, quick pallet cleanser.  The new trailer for Super Mario Odyssey takes the form of a Big Band musical number:

After the horrific shooting in Vegas, just a reminder that your thoughts and prayers do jack shit.  We need comprehensive gun control in this country, including a rescinding of the second amendment.

It boggles my mind that it takes something personally happening to someone for them to take action.  It is not that hard to actually think about other people and try to imagine a better world for them, as well as yourself.  But, predictably, when gun violence is close to a gun fanatic, suddenly, he realizes his mistake.  It infuriates me that it takes a tragedy like this for him to realize how wrong he is, but hey, at least he came around I guess.  I just won’t be patting him on the back for his sudden realization.

A Dutch news program takes on (with dark humor) the insanity that we live with here in the US:

Okay, the graphic designers have gotten a hold of the US map.

Speaking of graphic designers, a great SNL skit about fonts:

And if you can believe it, the man who created Papyrus, responds!

Stranger Things 2 (or the second season, not sure what to call it) looks amazing:

The president rolls back the mandate for birth control under health care, because he wants to drive up abortion rates, the cost of healhtcare and get rid of preventative medicine.  Just kidding, he’s a racist and since it is both something Obama put into place and a GOP wet-dream, it’s gone.

And I’ll just drop this here, the 10 things you need to know about Patriotism:

In good medical news, due to PrEP, there has been a huge drop in new HIV cases in England (where it was studied).

And finally, the amazing trailer for Star Wars: The Last Jedi:



Alright, let’s see what we have today.  Lots of political news, so fair warning.

Oh, the irony of the NRA creating the database they’ve been screaming about for years.  Oh, the irony.

Rick Perry: Vocally hates Obamacare, quietly asks for $100 million benefit from it.  You know, because he hates it.  So much.

I could probably talk about this over at the King of Spades, but as it turns out, schools with anti-homophobia policies are safer…for all their students.  Amazing.

But then again, according to Justice Scalia, we’re an “invented” minority, and thus don’t deserve equal rights..  I wonder when I first came into being?

And here’s the three articles that make me furious.  An Iraq vet was booed at a city council meeting…because he’s gay.

A church in Tennessee kicks out a family…for supporting their daughter, who just happens to be a lesbian.

And lastly, an interracial couple gets assaulted, and has homophobic slurs thrown at them (they had been out with a gay friend), in New York City, which has this rash of homophobic attacks lately.

Well, this has been a depressing post.  In happier news, I’m heading to a reading of “The Birdcage” tomorrow as a fundraiser for the Zoo (the flamingo enclosure, specifically), and this Saturday is the City of Play Festival.  Come downtown to play some new games and run around downtown, it will be fun!  And if the games aren’t fun, we’ll make it fun!



Alright, let’s see what’s been going on.

First up, if you use Chrome, check out this really fun map of the cosmos.

Here’s what I just don’t get about those who stockpile guns.  I can’t imagine living life so scared of the world.  And that’s what the NRA does, convince people to be afraid.  And just a reminder, the NRA represents the gun makers, and works to make them money.  So making the public afraid enough to stockpile guns is their goal.

And of course, death threats will be made, you know, for proposing any kind of gun-control legislation.

And in other far-right news, those who continue to fight, saying climate change is a hoax, are funded by the far right.

The far-right should really consider changing their views, as that holds back their technology.

So, the Pope is retiring:

And the Gutters covers it here.

Yes, I’m excited, considering Benedict continued to hide child molesters and defend them in court (see: Australia, L.A., et. al.).  But I can’t imagine the next pope is suddenly going to drop the homophobic, misogynistic, anti-sex views.  I’m not holding my breath.  Corporate Hallucinations covers it here.

And this happened the day it was announced:

The other big news is Orson Scott Card being tapped to write a new Superman series.  Card, is a very outspoken homophobic bigot (as well as hating the Jews, you know, for being Jews).  He’s entitled to his opinion, and I’m entitled to not buy his comics.  That’s how it works, although you’ll probably notice that the far-right complains and claims they are being harassed and victimized when the center/left does anything they disagree with.  However, when someone like Card, who has been quoted saying that it should be illegal to be gay, gives tons of money to hate groups like the FRC and NOM (and is a member of their board), it’s a bit beyond his opinion and more like a crusade on his part.  So excuse me as I try to protect myself.  Anyway, the Gutters covers it here.

And here’s a quote from Michael Hartney:

If this was a Holocaust denier or a white supremacist, there would be no question. Hiring that writer would be an embarrassment to your company. Well, [Orson Scott] Card is an embarrassment to your company, DC. And of all the characters Card could have been hired to write, you give him Superman? The character that taught me to lead by example? To do the right thing, even when it was hard? To keep going, even when it seemed hopeless? What an insult. Kids are killing themselves. They are killing themselves in a climate of intolerance and homophobia publicly fostered by people like Orson Scott Card. You don’t have to contribute to this. You shouldn’t. You mustn’t.”

Copyranter covers some of the greatest taglines:

And a freelancer goes up against a gym chain after they don’t pay him.  Ballsy and awesome.

The amount of puns (and carbs) in this coming out is jaw-dropping.

In case you missed it, the cool Oscar poster for this year, showing 85 years of Best Picture.

Pretty cool ad campaign, dolphins and machine guns!

In case you missed the story, a group of parents and students in Indiana wanted a “traditional Prom,” because the idea of seeing same-sex couples walk in holding hands is so repulsive to them.  The school has nothing to do with it, although one of the teachers has said on camera that gay kids “serve no purpose.”  The community, a local church and the school are reaching out to all kids, and you can read about the whole ordeal here.

Buffy, well at least SMG, is coming back to TV, and with Robin Williams!

For the first time that I can remember (because I think it’s the first time), a majority of Pennsylvanians think we should have marriage equality.

And as the UK debates equality, take a look at this amazing speech by one of the MPs:

And the last thing to talk about, the AP has decided that same-sex couples don’t get to use the terms husband and wife.  Journalists have called them out on it, and have declared they will ignore the memo.  But Fake AP Stylebook (which you should follow on Twitter), wins the Internet:

Avoid using “husband” or “wife” in reference to same-sex married couples; instead use “roommates” or “confirmed co-bachelors.”

That’s it for today, have a great one!

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