Today's Mighty Oak


Everytime I watch Jon Stewart interview, I realize how much I miss him.

Yes, there’s of course some editing in this, for the format, and I’m sure for content and framing as well, but very few are as good as Stewart at tearing down the hypocrisy of the right.



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!



Whole bunch of stuff to add in today, still not quite caught up, but it’s a big dent, I hope you enjoy:

It’s no longer illegal to jailbrake your phone!  I could have put this under the Great and Secret Show, but I have some other ideas for that, so I figured I would just link this here.  Hooray!

I have no idea where I found this, but it involves The Muppets and Kick-Ass:

Jane Lynch is going to be hosting SNL!  Be sure to tune in on October 9!

Over the summer we searched for fake merit badges and found this page.  I really like the “Easy Button” on!

How about a lot of Iron Chef America secret ingredients?  Ok:

Amazon is now selling more eBooks than physical books.  Kind of scary, but interesting.  Slate takes a look at it, I can’t remember if it is that article, or another that makes mention of the idea of dynamic eBook covers, which I think is an awesome idea.

Good.  Freaking.  Gravy.  This is why I get fed up with people.

I’ve been reading PostSecret for a while.  Frank’s mail carrier retired, but she put some thoughts up on her own blog.  Check them out here.

And here’s another fun video for you:

And here’s an awesome news story coming from I’m not even sure where.  But I have to say, The strippers sound more level-headed than the pastor:

And I was up at camp when it all went down (and continues to go through the legal system), but here’s some updates on Prop 8 being struck unconstitutional:

Andrew Sullivan pulls out the facts from the Judge’s ruling.  He also links to some other excellent writing.

The lawyers go on both Fox News and CBS, and absolutely destroy their opponents (not legal opponents, in these clips, the talking heads).  Both are amazing to watch.

And strangely enough, Fox News seems to be flipping.  One anchor supports Marriage Equality and Bill O’Reilly tries to make Obama stop enforcing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

And on a related note, a candidate for Governor of Florida (and their current Attorney General) wants to ban same-sex couples from adopting, based on his personal religious views.  Dan Savage takes him down a few pegs:

We’re not allowed to slam McCollom for this because, you know, he’s talking about his personal, religious faith here… a personal, religious faith that McColloum would like to impose on everyone in Florida by force of law. And I think we can all agree that every child deserves a mother and a father—particularly the 20,000 kids that are in foster care in Florida right now because they were failed, neglected, abused, or abandoned by their mothers and fathers.

And finally, AFER (American Foundation for Equal Rights), the lawyers for the plaintiffs in the trial, put together this video about one of the couples they represent (points for including Wii Tennis!):

Paul and Jeff from American Foundation for Equal Ri on Vimeo.

 

That’s it for now, catch everyone later!

Social Links

Archives

How I’m Resisting

What I’m fighting for

What I’m running from

What I’m reading

What I’m drinking

What we’re writing

What I’m running