12.21.12

Open Thread

Located by shanghai soup which consists of dumplings.This week's open threads happen to be introduced for you by dim sum.

John Kerry Nominated as Secretary of State

Leader Obama has formally nominated Senator John Kerry to exchange Hillary Clinton as Secretary of Condition. Okay. I've no particular feelings about this. I am disappointed in the manner it went lower, regarding Susan Grain being chased from the running by a lot of Republican dipshits. But Kerry is going to be fine.Chipsticks in the Obama Diary amusingly observes: "Ain't existence funny? To consider in 2004 an 'unknown' Obama was [then Democratic presidential nominee] John Kerry's keynote convention speaker."

Simple

[Content Note: Guns disablism.]This piece by Adam Gopnik for that New Yorker concerning the simple means to fix preventing gun violence is fairly great (even though it does start adding some disablist language from the "using sane/crazy as synonyms for decent/indecent" sort).I absolutely accept the idea: You will find complex institutional failures contributing someone to get a gun and begin shooting, however the simplest and many sensible factor to repair is use of guns. And That I can make a side observe that, despite Scotland's very tight gun laws and regulations, individuals who need guns (e.g. maqui berry farmers) have them. This narrative in america that there are not a way to balance serious gun reform against involve possessing rifles for maqui berry farmers, subsistence predators, etc. is bullshit. Obviously that's possible.

12.21.12

Top Five

Here's your subject: Top 5 Worst Reasons For This Apocalypse. Y'know: Insufficient zombies, an excessive amount of electricity, that kind of factor. Go!Please feel thanks for visiting share tales about why your Top 5 picks are what they're, though an upright-up list is okay, too. Please avoid adversely auditing other individuals lists, because judgment attempts participation.

Simple

[Content Note: Guns disablism.]This piece by Adam Gopnik for that New Yorker concerning the simple means to fix preventing gun violence is fairly great (even though it does start adding some disablist language from the "using sane/crazy as synonyms for decent/indecent" sort).I absolutely accept the idea: You will find complex institutional failures contributing someone to get a gun and begin shooting, however the simplest and many sensible factor to repair is use of guns. And That I can make a side observe that, despite Scotland's very tight gun laws and regulations, individuals who need guns (e.g. maqui berry farmers) have them. This narrative in america that there are not a way to balance serious gun reform against involve possessing rifles for maqui berry farmers, subsistence predators, etc. is bullshit. Obviously that's possible.

Photo of the Day

[Click to embiggen.]The sun's rays blasts 100s of countless a lot of superheated plasma into space in a speed of just one,400 kilometers per second (900 miles per second) on August. 31, 2012. [NASA/GSFC/SDO]From Phil Plait's "The Very Best Astronomy Images of 2012." [H/T to Jordan.]

Two-Minute Nostalgia Sublime

Def Leppard: "Pour Some Sugar On Me"

Photo of the Day

[Click to embiggen.]The sun's rays blasts 100s of countless a lot of superheated plasma into space in a speed of just one,400 kilometers per second (900 miles per second) on August. 31, 2012. [NASA/GSFC/SDO]From Phil Plait's "The Very Best Astronomy Images of 2012." [H/T to Jordan.]

This is a real thing in the world.

[Content Note: Guns patriarchal violence.]Above: A picture from the "Guy Card" released by Bushmaster, the producer from the semi-automatic assault rifle utilized by Adam Lanza within the Newtown School Shooting, released to clients who develop a manhood quiz featuring questions like: "Would you eat tofu" and "Maybe you have viewed figure skating purposely?"A minimum of, individuals were the questions until Bushmaster drawn lower the page.Which might be since the other questions, per Alex Seitz-Wald at Salon, were absolutely vile:One question provides you with four possible options of methods to reply if your vehicle filled with the rival team's fans cuts you off in order to the championship game. The right answer, it works out, would be to commit arson: "Skip the overall game, discover the other vehicle within the parking area, and render it unrecognizable having a conflagration of shoe polish and empty food containers."And, as though my points in regards to a culture a violent maleness as well as an entrained insufficient empathy must be made anymore clearly:Don't allow individuals feelings show or that glass be filled with not non-light beer, since your pals can "revoke" your Guy Card at any time. Revokable offenses include as being a "crybaby," a "coward," a "cupcake" (we've no clue what which means either), getting a "short leash" (most probably because of a wife or girlfriend), or just being just generally "unmanly" (that one includes a lady icon).' ' '. Adam Lanza wiped out seven women, beginning together with his own mother.You will find individuals who sneered after i observed that Lanza had committed the "ultimate patriarchal act," but here you go, in stark relief, that ladies are anathema to Real Males, based on patriarchs.

Quote of the Day

[Content Note: Gun violence.]"Dogs are nonjudgmental. They're loving. They're open to anybody."—Tim Hetzner, leader from the Lutheran Chapel Non profit organizations, ten of whose K-9 Comfort Dogs were sent in the Chicago and surrounding suburbs to Newtown, Conn., a few days ago, to provide comfort to individuals grieving the shooting.Enhanced comfort-dog initiative began in 2008 at Northern Illinois College following a gunman wiped out five students. Several dog caretakers connected with Lutheran Chapel Non profit organizations traveled to campus hoping supplying a distraction towards the student community.The trip am effective that days later students petitioned college leaders to create comfort dogs to campus, Hetzner stated.The initiative is continuing to grow from a number of dogs in chicago to 60 dogs in six states, he stated. Since that time, the dogs have traveled nationwide to comfort people as a direct consequence of major tragedies like Hurricane Sandy and also the tornado that hit Joplin, Mo.On Monday, the dogs [were] with Sandy Hook students for after-school activities, Hetzner stated."You will find many people which are harming," he stated.Enhanced comfort dogs, all of whom "includes a card using its title, Facebook page, Twitter account and email so individuals who satisfy the canine can keep in contact,Inch function as a bridge between people for individuals who wish to talk but aren't sure how you can achieve out, along with a supply of quiet companionship to individuals who require to sit down quietly within their grief. Lutheran Chapel Non profit organizations staff people (from left to right) Tim Kurth, Dona Martin, Lynn Buhrke, and Tim Hetzner. K-9 Comfort dogs (from left to right) Zippy, Ruthie, Chewie, and Luther before departing for Newtown, Conn. [Photo via.][H/T to Shaker Stephanie.]

In The News

[Content note: Homophobia]Friday News Updates:Illinois Congress intend to push marriage equality legislation prior to the state's current session finishes early the following month. Here is a new Star Wars trailer! Neat!Stephen Hawking along with a lengthy listing of researchers have became a member of the chorus of voices with the official pardon of Enigma codebreaker Alan Turing. The Hubble Space Telescope has selected out what might be probably the most distant universe yet found.Researchers say they've already discovered why homosexuality is available.The Hobbit: An Unpredicted Journey required in $13 million from tests at or right after night time last evening within the U.S. and Canada.The pope states gay marriage "really harms and assistance to destabilize marriage, covering its specific character and it is indispensable role in society."Meanwhile, this gay couple opens their house to special needs children.The piano from Casablanca expires for auction.

Quote of the Day

[Content Note: Rape culture description of sexual violence.]"I am not really a doctor, but I will tell you something: If a person does not wish to have intercourse, your body shuts lower. Your body won't permit that to occur unless of course lots of damage is caused, and that we heard nothing about this within this situation."—California Superior Court Judge Derek Manley, throughout a situation about "a guy who threatened to mutilate the face area and genital area of his ex-girlfriend having a heated screwdriver, beat her having a metal baton making other violent risks before carrying out rape, forced dental copulation, along with other crimes." It had been Judge Johnson's estimation the victim "did not set up a battleInch throughout her assault, because her vagina wasn't "shredded," and that he sentenced the attacker to simply six years, "saying that is what the situation was 'worth.'"In reaction, the California Commission on Judicial Performance chosen 10- yesterday to impose a public admonishment of Manley.He ought to be taken off the bench. For fuck's sake.

Two-Minute Nostalgia Sublime

Bonnie Raitt: "Something To Discuss"

This Is Not Iain

However I would understand should you thought it may be.Video clip Description: A whitened guy rides his unicycle lower a Tigard pavement, outfitted as Gandalf and playing The almighty from the Rings music on bagpipes.

Important End-of-Year Fundraiser

[Click to give.]This really is, for individuals who've asked for it, your bi-monthly indication to give to Shakesville and/in order to make certain to resume monthly subscriptions which have lapsed. It's also the season after i request visitors visiting this space and don't generally make donations (but could manage to) to impress start working to aid Shakesville and also the work we all do here. If you'd prefer the information and/or community within this space, please consider (if you're able to manage to) establishing a regular membership or creating a one-time contribution.Running this strictly-moderated, independent, and freely accessible space on donations instead of corporate advertising or mandatory monthly subscriptions implies that my capability to ensure that it stays going is dependent around the support from the audience. This can be a full-time job and more for me personally, that we do every single day having faith in the community will value my work because they can.The truth is when you are taking Shakesville as a given, it will not survive, because I must make a living doing the work, or I can not get it done. Therefore if Shakesville means something for you, please donate once by clicking the "Create a Donation" button within the righthand sidebar, or generate a monthly subscription while using "Subscribe" button just beneath it, with a dropdown menu of subscription options—or go to the Donation page, for more options.My profound because of individuals who are able to and do financially offer the space.[Please Be Aware: I'm not seeking suggestions regarding how to raise revenue I'm requesting donations in return for the job of supplying valued content in as safe and accessible an area as you possibly can.

Daily Dose of Cute

This iz mah srs face.

Open Thread

Located with a squirrel.

Quote of the Day

[Content Note: Violence victim-accusing.]"Make smarter choices."—Fox News Host and former Rose bush administration Whitened House Press Secretary Dana Perino, offering advice to ladies who are sufferers of violence.At Think Progress, Annie-Rose describes: "Perino made the discuss Fox New's 'The Five,' in the center of attorney at law of Might Chiefs Line Backer Javon Belcher, who killed [Kasandra Perkins, his girlfriend] before killing themself over the past weekend. While her co-hosts were talking about the merits of female gun possession in an effort to avoid violence against women, Perino was quick responsible women themselves to be sufferers."Perino: It skirts the problem that ladies are sufferers of violence all of the time–Co-host: They ought to have guns!Perino: Well, maybe, or make smarter choices.Charming.

In The News

[Content note: homophobia]The Friday News Hole:Bed bugs have found a different way to hitchhike interior and exterior beds: library books. Oh, good the almighty: Ke$' wants to become a gay guy because we're magical people. Like unicorns?Atlas Shrugged Part 2: There and Again has become readily available for pre-order! Related: PBS has launched newer and more effective Downtown Abbey t shirts. Neat!Mitch McConnell filibustered themself yesterday. That's just good governance!This really is nice. I am glad they have their very own space.Freejack is a very great movie! It can make my toes moist!

Question of the Day

What'sOrwas for supper?Tuna fish touches and celery here. Type of a strange one, I suppose, lol.

Seen

Since you may recall, our neighborhood chapel regularly features great chapel signs like "Weed Them and reap!" and "Man's strategy is a hopeless finish. God's strategy is a never-ending hope." and "Existence without God is much like an unsharpened pencil. It's no reason.Inch Ya know, little friendly memory joggers that my existence is useless garbage and I'll be viciously slaughtered by an angry god one day—that kind of factor.Anyway. Iain clicked this photo of the latest endeavor as they was out walking the dogs last evening:You realize town chapel is the greatest neighborhood chapel if this spells Christian improperly.Clearly, I'm a full-tilt typo machine, and so i understand this is an easy mistake to create, but it is been up for a few days now. Apparently no Christains have observed.And, frankly, because of the regular texting about how exactly my imperfect existence is meaningless shit, I do not feel bad about getting a titter. I am already likely to hell, anyhow.So I am told.

What I'm Listening To

Alicia Secrets singing the Gummi Bears Theme on Jimmy FallonI saw this if this first broadcast a week ago (or even the week before, whenever it had been), and that i have took in into it just like a million occasions since, since it is so awesome.

I Like This Idea

I love it A Great Deal:[Actress] Ashley Judd (D) is seriously exploring a 2014 run for that Senate to defend myself against Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Politico reviews."In recent days, Judd has spoken with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) about the potential of a run, has talked about a possible bid having a Democratic pollster and it has started to conduct opposition research on herself to determine where she's most vulnerable within the Bluegrass Condition, sources say.""Whether Judd jumps in to the race remains not even close to certain. She's apparently also weighing whether to hang about until 2016 to rather undertake newcomer Sen. Rand Paul, sources say."Judd is definitely an eloquent feminist, as well as an open survivor, and that i would like to see her in america Senate. And when she could eliminate Mitch McConnell or Rand Paul along the way, even better.It is interesting, is not it, how frequently male stars are employed for political office and just how rarely female stars are. It might be swell if Judd, should she decide running for office is great for her, began a brand new trend.I am talking about, if Arnold Schwarzenegger can run California, that most likely means Rosario Dawson might be leader not a problem.

Number of the Day

$1.75 trillion: US corporate earnings within the third quarter, up 18.6% from last year.Companies are presently generating like a number of the economy compared to what they have since such records were stored. But simultaneously, wages like a number of the economy are in an exciting-time low...Companies designed a record $824 billion in profits this past year too, as the stock exchange has already established certainly one of its best performances since 1900 while Obama continues to be at work.Meanwhile, employees are becoming rapid finish from the stick. As CNN Money described, "another government reading through implies that total wages have finally fallen to some record low of 43.5% of GDP. Until 1975, wages more often than not paid for not less than 1 / 2 of GDP, coupled with been up to 49% as lately as early 2001."I am certain enormous wealth will begin trickling lower any minute now...

Daily Dose of Cute

"So why do we've a lot of remote controls?"

Submitted Without Comment

New research that found a greater prevalence of diabetes in nations with an advanced of fructose corn syrup within their food supplies received attack prior to being even launched Monday, highlighting increasing debate over sweetening and also the role they participate in the nation's health.The research discovered that diabetes type 2 happened 20 % more frequently in nations where high-fructose corn syrup was at common use, in comparison with nations where it had been rarely — or never — put into food.The study's authors arrived at their conclusion by evaluating existing statistics on bmi, diabetes rates and global food consumption. However the correlation elevated after changes were created for country level variations in weight, population and gdp."We are not to imply that top-fructose corn syrup causes diabetes or that it's the only factor or perhaps the only nutritional factor having a regards to diabetes," stated Dr. Michael I. Goran, a professor of preventive medicine in the Keck Med school from the College of Los Angeles as well as an author from the study. "However it does support an increasing body of evidence connecting high-fructose corn syrup and diabetes." [Link]Related Reading through: Well, Well, Well.

Garbage Treasures: Now with extra Chester A. Arthur!

Since you may recall, Deeky collects and saves useless garbage like we are beyond Thunderdome and useless garbage has become a kind of currency and he's a garbageaire. Then, rather than tossing it away, he throws bits of his fancy detritus collection into an envelope and pays money to ship it in my experience, after which I insert them in plastic treasure chests and set them by the curb each week to become collected through the "treasure guy," who buries them in the "treasure dump" for me personally for safe keeping.Although not before you take an image from the bounty to ensure that I'm able to publish it, natch.[Click to embiggen.]Counter-clockwise from top left: An advertisement for $30/month of limitless yoga at Charm City Yoga three b-movie buying and selling cards for Robots on the move, Earthmen Find Mars, and The almighty from the Fleas, clearly a huge magnet of Chester A. Arthur along with a burned DVD copy from the 1986 horror classic Halloween, starring Marc "Skippy Handelman" Cost.There have been several Flula peel off stickers, however i already stuck Them on stuff.