Today's Mighty Oak


Alright, catching up on a bit of a backlog in addition to some current items, but let’s see what we have today. First up, a favorite web comic/series, Surviving the World is returning with classic reposts! Here’s where he ended it. Class Dismissed.

Science news you can use: don’t drink your whiskey ‘neat’:

The United Methodist Church is splitting over gay issues. As someone who has come out of that on the other side, hey welcome, it’s a bumpy ride. Sorry you have to do this, it’s painful.

This fight (is still going on all across the country) happened in September in Arizona. Their GOP governor said they don’t need to extend non-discrimination protections to gay people, and their supreme court said businesses can deny service to gay people. The fight continues, and is seemingly never ending.

In other disturbing news, the Interior Department cut sexual orientation from their internal discrimination policies as well.

I wrote earlier about my displeasure at Marvel (and Star Wars) for LGBT erasure. The upcoming film, The Eternals, will, for the first time, feature a gay superhero (and kiss). Yes, it’s progress. Should it have taken 11 years? No.

In other movie news, the trailer for the new Wes Anderson film looks amazing:

If you haven’t, check out Eastsiders on Netflix. It was an amazing series, and here’s an interview with the creator.

Stranger Things 4 gives us a present from Russia (with love).

In good news, a New York state park will be named for Marsha P. Johnson!

The Church of England said sex is only for straight, married people. Then they apologized for offending people, not actually changing their minds.

Firefighters who got angry comments when they showed their support for the queer community hit back in an awesome video.

NASA is adding a luxury hotel to the ISS. Spoiler, if you’re reading this, you will not be able to afford visiting.

An awesome video from a favorite creator that I’ve been mulling over: death and minimialism:

The Utah Governor pulled the campaign that put AMAZING art on condoms to prevent STIs. They’re all great, and it’s a shame he pulled them.

Speaking of, the UK has seen a massive decline in HIV infections due to PrEP. No surprise there.

The Catholic bishops in Texas have blasted their governor (who is Catholic)over his rule to not accept refugees. I’m highly, highly critical of the Catholic Church, so I have to give them points when it’s appropriate. Good for them.

Disney is announcing more details of their immersive Star Wars hotel for their resorts, and it looks amazing and I can’t wait to go!

Google pretty much hit it out of the park with their Superbowl ad:

And another great ad, this time from Microsoft:



Alright, let’s see what we have today.  First up, I might have actually linked to this before, but did you know that we have a plan in case we ever find Nessie?  Now you do!

If you haven’t seen it already, stop everything you’re doing and watch the new Randy Rainbow song:

There’s going to be a Baby Groot Chia Pet!

The Downton Abbey movie is finally confirmed and moving forward!

Remember all that money Jill Stein raised for a recount, yeah, she’s spending it on her legal defense for her involvement with Russia.  Raise your hand if you’re surprised.  Nobody?  I didn’t think so.

Gay ‘conversion therapy’ is torture.  Full stop.  And there’s a feature film about it and it looks powerful:

Queen Elizabeth II is a master stateswoman.  She greeted the President last month while wearing a brooch given to her by the Obamas.

Speaking of Britain, an artists has created a portrait of Princess Diana using diamond dust and HIV+ blood:

And in infuriating news, the Health and Human Services have removed all LGBT references from the ObamaCare website.  The erasure continues.

Integrity USA celebrates progress made at the General Convention.

And finally, Stranger Things 3 has a great new promo!



Alright, let’s see what we have today.  First up, Mark Hamill pays tribute to Carrie Fisher in a wonderful way.  Joe Manganiello remembers the time she glitter bombed him.

This optical illusion is blowing my mind!

USA Today did not hold any punches when writing an editorial about Drumpf.

Jessica Jones is coming back, and I”m very excited:

We have a new chapter of Harry Potter!  Kind of.  Not really

DeRay McKesson is suing FOX news after being constantly slandered, good for him.

2 Political Junkies has an amazing icon of Darlene Harris, Defender of Faith and and Small, Noncompliant creches.

Did you know Wikipedia has a list of individual dogs?  They’re all very good boys.

A great take on being gay for the holidays:

In horrifying legal news, SCOTUS has declined to hear a case about employment discrimination, leaving a split in circuit court decisions.  This will be the followup to the Masterpiece Cakeshop case.

Also in bad news for us, gay people are more likely to have trouble sleeping.  But some good news, we tend to have happier relationships.

More scientific evidence about why some people are born gay, and the correlation to having older brothers.

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



Alright, let’s see what we have today.  First up, Sweden’s recycling programs are so good, they’ve run out of trash.

Are you allergic to cats, but your significant other loves them?  Science may be able to save your relationship.

A teaser for the new season of American Horror Story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWer7A7d-NE

I’ve tried to explain it before, but the Good Men Project does a great job talking about the concept of “family of choice.”

I have a different story to link to about Pope Francis’ comments, but a great follow up from the head of the HRC can be found here.

That’s it for now, short update.  Have a great one!



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!



I’m taking a quick break from noveling, so let’s see what we have today:

Dutch scientists have come up with self-healing concrete, pretty awesome!

Puerto Rico voted to become a state!  Sounds good to me, although Congress has to approve it and if that goes through, there is a process to statehood.  I think it would be fascinating to watch that happen, although we then have to reapportion House seats and figure out a new pattern for the flag.  But still, exciting!

So I guess the thing is for Republicans to move to Australia (remember, Canada got the French, Australia got the convicts and America got the Puritans), but as a reminder:

Washington State approved marriage equality, and in a cool move, the money from the new licenses goes to a charity that helps LGBT youth.  Great idea!

There were so many wins in the election for the progressive side (Obama, 3 marriage equality wins, defeating 1 marriage amendment, Grayson winning his seat back, Baldwin, Warren, King, CO and WA approving marijuana, gains in the Senate, gains in the House, I think, Casey, Murdoch losing, Akin losing, and honestly even more).  Check out the Good Men Project’s list.  Michelle Bachmann won, but if that’s the only negative I can find, I’ll take it.

Here’s what I’ve been saying for years.  We need both sides of the political spectrum to find the best solutions to our problems.  We need that dialogue.  And I’m hopeful that this election’s loss will bring the conservative side back towards the middle so we can have that dialogue.  Rachel Maddow sums it up perfectly.  Please watch this clip (the relevant part starts at 14:07, but the whole thing is good).  Memorize it and force our politicians to have that dialogue between the two parties: we want everyone to win.

And another meme from the vote:

BuzzFeed shares idiotic comments from clients to creative professionals.  So sad that people say things like this.

Here is the anti-Starbucks menu:

That’s it for now, I’ll be back again soon, but have a great one!



Quick update today, first up, check out this amazing view of a black hole.

I read through this article about all the deaths in Joss Whedon productions (spoilers, obviously), and I got really nostalgic about all of them.  Also, really sad about quite a few of the deaths.

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this awesome ad (language!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og35U0d6WKY

The Archbishop of Canterbury is stepping down at the end of the year, and he thinks the job is too big for one person.

That’s it for now, have a great one!



Alright, let’s see what we have today.

First up, it’s like the Humble Bundle, but for books!  Pretty cool

For all those children of the 80s, I choose to believe that this did work, even though science says it doesn’t:

Well this is absolutely infuriating.  And so is this.  And this is so scary, and yet another reminder why we need the Affordable Care Act.

But this is awesome, the mayor of Phoenix tries to live on food stamps, to better connect with those in his city.

The Information is Beautiful awards have been announced, check them out here.

Google has unveiled google maps for the coral reefs:

Fox News and the WSJ areboth wrong about climate change.  Raise your hand if you’re surprised.  No one?

And if you haven’t seen it before, the best animal photo bomb ever:

That’s it for now, have a great one!



Real quick update today, first up, Copyranter has some of the best ad installations:

I think I posted about the flea one before, which is amazing.

And really, this guy is running for President?  I don’t think politicians should have Ph.D.s in physics, just some sort of common sense, please:

Update: Romney said it as a joke.  Thank goodness!  I guess the press is still working on understanding Mitt’s own dry sense of humor.  But here’s the big takeaway from the article,  he’s 65?  Really?  I’m a really bad judge of age, but I don’t think he looks 65, he looks much younger!

That’s it for now (see, real short), but I’ll be back soon.  Have a great one!



Let’s see what I have today.  First up, the writers at io9 have to go and spoil science fiction with facts and science.  Sadface.

Nerd nostalgia:

Verizon was fined by the FCC for charging customers who worked around their ridiculous tethering fees.

This is amazing:

I’ve seen these events before, kind of a cool idea to get some closure.  The Brooklyn Cyclones have a “Trash Your Ex” night where you can take reminders of you ext to be destroyed.

The video for the new single from Matchhbox 20:

This has been floating around the Internet, but holy crap.  There are no words to describe the fury (and that some at the church, and even Mississippi’s governor have expressed as well).

Awesome t-shirt:

Thanks for reading, I’ll be back soon!

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