Sophs.
Shooting in Ft. Hood Open Thread
[Trigger warning.]
As many as 9 killed in Fort Hood shootings:
Two gunmen in military uniforms shot and killed as many as nine people and wounded as many as 20 at Fort Hood in Texas on Thursday, officials said.You can watch CNN's live coverage here.
One of the shooters has been apprehended, Fort Hood spokesman Sgt. Maj. Jamie Posten told CNN.
"At this point we're looking for the other shooter," Posten said. Asked for a description, he said, "we're trying to develop that information."
The shooters were wearing military uniforms, but it was unclear whether they were soldiers, said U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas.
...Officials at Fort Hood, which is the Army's largest U.S. post, were asking people there to stay away from windows, CNN affiliate KXXV said. The incident took place at the sports dome, now known as the soldier readiness area, the station reported.
On the Fort Hood Web site, the word "closed" is posted with the statement, "Effective immediately, Fort Hood is closed. Organizations/units are instructed to execute a 100 percent accountability of all personnel."
I don't know what to say at the moment, besides offering my condolences to surviving friends and family of the victims, and healing thoughts to the injured.
[Sorry I didn't post this sooner, Shakers; I was out of the house for a couple of hours.]
UPDATE: President Obama is speaking about the incident now.
I Write Letters
[Trigger warning.]
Dear Teabaggers,
I'd like to give you the benefit of the doubt and not think the lot of you are one huge collective of dumbass dipshittery. However, when you walk around DC holding a sign that actually makes a completely asinine comparison of socialized medicine to genocide, I'm left thinking that none of you deserve to live in this country.
You can either secede and see how that works out for you, or feel free to go anywhere else on the planet but here. Of course, the ironic thing about that last suggestion is that you'd probably end up in a country that has some form of socialized medicine or publicly funded health care.
And you would love it.
Because then you can get the quality health care you need without having to take out multiple mortgages on your home. And when you go to a doctor or hospital, you won't be thrown into a gas chamber and then have your corpse thrown onto a pile for display.
You know why?
Because in every industrialized country in the world that offers some form of universal coverage, that shit just doesn't happen.
But hey - you know better than all of us, so why don't you show us some pictures of all the dead corpses in Britain, France, Finland, New Zealand, Austria, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Holland and all the other countries that kill off their citizens to advance their evil socialist health care agenda.
Better yet, just get the fuck out and open up your friggin eyes and ears for a change.
Love,
Space Cowboy
Today's Edition of "Conniving and Sinister"
Strips One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62. In which Liss reimagines the long-running comic "Frank & Ernest," about two old straight white guys "telling it like it is," as a fat feminist white woman and a biracial queerbait telling it like it actually is from their perspectives. Hilarity ensues.
Your Goat Sucks
At 1:23 in this trailer for The Men Who Stare at Goats, there's a clip of the experiment whence the film gets its name: George Clooney stares intently at a goat, which then falls over.
In a YouTube clip, the CGI of the collapsing goat doesn't look too bad, but on a TV screen, it suuuuuuuuuuuucks.
Last night, KennyBlogginz and I were watching Top Chef when we saw this trailer, and I commented on how awful the CGI is.
KBlogz: I know! I think the same thing every time I see the trailer. It's really terrible!
Liss: And how much did that shit cost?!
KBlogz: You know it cost like thousands of dollars.
Liss: However much it was, it was way more than the cost of hiring a fainting goat for the day.
Why Dick Armey is a Perfect Asshole
When Doug Hoffman was thrust onto the northern New York stage to win one for the teabaggers, it was very clear that his complete lack of familiarity with the district would pose some problems. In fact, when he met with the Watertown Daily Times' editorial board to talk about issues, all he could talk about was national issues:
In a nearly hour-long session, Mr. Hoffman was unable to articulate clear positions on a number of matters specific to Northern New Yorkers rather than the national level campaign being waged in a three-way race for the vacant seat of now-Army Secretary John McHugh.And guess who tried to help Hoffman out when it became clear he had no grasp of local issues? Lord of the Teabags, Dick Armey:
Mr. Hoffman spoke only generally about the need to improve the country's economy and to create jobs but provided no details, which were also lacking as well in his broadly stated willingness to help our military personnel. Help in what way he could not say.
Coming to Mr. Hoffman's defense, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, who accompanied the candidate on a campaign swing, dismissed regional concerns as "parochial" issues that would not determine the outcome of the election.So, now that Hoffman has been defeated (how he even got vote 1 is beyond me), take a look at what Armey has to say about the cause of his defeat:
"The fact of the matter is, he didn't pay enough attention to the local concerns, and they were able to tag him as being unaware of the local needs and concerns," Armey said.That's really profound of you to say that, Lord Teabag, considering you didn't give a rat's ass about that district's concerns to begin with.
Then again, Armey has made it clear that he really only gives a rat's ass about doing whatever is necessary to obtain and keep power, at the expense of anyone and everyone. And that, Dick Armey, makes you a perfect asshole.
[H/T to ThinkProgress]
Hey Look—Principles!
No Doubt sues Activision over Band Hero:
Rock band No Doubt has filed a real-world lawsuit over its virtual role in the just-released Band Hero edition of the Guitar Hero video game series, claiming that the game has "transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act," singing dozens of songs the group neither wrote, popularized nor approved for use in the game.It's not unheard of for a band of No Doubt's stature to prioritize message over money, but it is rather extraordinary to see a band, even a female-led group, consider misogyny a message they are unwilling to even obliquely endorse.
...The game, which was released Tuesday, puts the group members' images, collectively and individually, into more than 60 songs, "many of which include lyrics, contained in iconic songs, which are not appropriate for No Doubt and have not been and would not have been chosen by No Doubt for recordings or public performances."
Specifically, the suit notes that through the game's Character Manipulation Feature, Stefani's image can be induced to sing the Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women."
"While No Doubt are avid fans of the Rolling Stones and even have performed in concerts with the Rolling Stones," the complaint states, "the Character Manipulation Feature results in an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes."
..."Activision has deceived and confused the public into believing that No Doubt authorized the use of its name and likeness for the Character Manipulation Feature of Band Hero and that No Doubt approves and endorses the appearance of its members individually performing songs that are wholly inappropriate and out of character for No Doubt," according to the complaint.
It's a pretty grim reality that No Doubt's stance is both impressive and notable.
RIP Claude Lévi-Strauss
Claude Lévi-Strauss, known as the father of modern anthropology, has died. He was 100 years old.
Cultural anthropology was my field of study at university, and Strauss always loomed large as a revolutionary figure to be both admired and challenged. I was deeply affected by his work, including and perhaps especially the parts of his work with which I disagreed. Every time I stumbled across one of his plethoric dichotomous juxtapositions, my intellect would instantly rebel with an expansive notion of spectrum.
It is nonetheless probably not hyperbole to say there would be no Shakesville if there had not been a Strauss.
The New York Times has a great obituary here, although my favorite thing I've read comes from Maurice Bloch's obit for the Guardian here:
Of course, his theories have been much criticised, and few would now subscribe to them in the way that they were originally formulated, but nonetheless many anthropologists, including myself, are continually amazed and awed by the fact that, through the use of a theory that many consider flawed, or at least rather vague, Lévi-Strauss gained the most illuminating and unexpected insights in almost all fields of social and cultural anthropology.Indeed so.
[H/T to Space Cowboy.]
In News from GOP HQ
Energized G.O.P. Looking to Avoid an Intraparty Feud: "Republicans emerged from Tuesday's elections energized by victories in Virginia and New Jersey, but their leaders immediately began maneuvering to avoid a prolonged battle with conservative activists over what the party stands for and how to regain power."
To that end...
Lindsey Graham warns GOP against going too far right: "The morning after Republicans lost an upstate New York House seat, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) warned that conservative activists will bring destruction to the Republican Party if they drive out moderate candidates across the country."
Again I'll note that when Lindsey Graham is your voice of reason, you know your party has gone off the rails.
Speaking of off the rails...
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-LOOKATME!) fancies herself a Fawkes-style insurrectionist:[Bachmann] hopes to lead a small army of right-wing activists around Capitol Hill, in the hopes of derailing health care reform. But let's not lose sight of the context here—Bachmann has already referred to anti-reform activists as "insurgents" and "freedom fighters." Last night, she went a little further, encouraging conservatives to try to "scare" federal lawmakers.
Meanwhile...
...And when has Bachmann scheduled her Capitol Hill soiree? This afternoon—November 5—a date widely known as Guy Fawkes Night. (You know, "Remember, remember, the fifth of November.") In other words, Bachmann wants to rally right-wing activists, label them an "insurgency," and encourage them to roam the halls of Congress deliberately "scaring" members of Congress, on the infamous date that marks an attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
Republican voters currently view Mike Huckabee as their best chance for regaining the White House in 2012, with 71% saying they would "seriously consider" voting for him.
Why do I suspect that if Fox News had given a bag of vintage bologna its own nightly show, 71% of Republican voters would be "seriously considering" going bologna in 2012...?
We're Fancy
RedSonja and I discussing the RSVPs for the upcoming meet-up (sonja1023-at-gmail-dot-com if you want to come!):
Liss: Todd and his boyfriend Ken are definitely coming. KennyBlogginz is definitely coming.
RedSonja: I'm glad to hear Todd and Ken and Kenny are coming. (Is it weird to have a partner with same name as your little brother? I think it would weird me out. But I'm just like that.)
Liss: KennyBlogginz's real name is [TOP SECRET], lol.
RedSonja [mock dramatically]: Are you shitting me????? Now I have to try to remember to call Deeky [NO WAY] and call KennyBlogginz [YEAH RIGHT]???
Liss: And Paul the Spud's real name is Sergeant Wilhelm Paulicus Spuddington III.
RedSonja: Just for that, I'm totes calling you Vivian Smith-Smythe-Smithe for the duration of the meetup.
Liss: The second one is pronounced with a long I. The other two aren't.
RedSonja: Thank you for clearing that up. I'd hate to mispronounce the mocking name I gave you.
Liss: Absolutely. It clearly saves us both a hand-basket of embarrassment.
Top Chef Open Thread
Chef Tom Colicchio will drink. your. milkshake!!!
He will also be happy to give you a taste of his spicy meatballs and famous Italian sausage. If you're hungry.
Question of the Day
What do you see? I see two beasts passing in the night. Liss said she sees rabbits debating.
Photo of the Day
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton poses at the 6th edition of the Forum for the Future in Marrakesh November 3, 2009. Clinton offered aid on Tuesday to boost ties with the Muslim world and urged Israel, the Palestinians and Arab countries to move beyond recrimination in the search for peace. REUTERS/Jean Blondin
Quote of the Day
[Trigger warning.]
"Battered Presidents Syndrome: It's like Battered Wives Syndrome, except President Obama is the bride with the black eye and Ayatollah Khameini is the abusive husband. And Obama keeps coming back for more."—Michael Goldfarb, online editor for the conservative rag The Weekly Standard.
Oh HELL no.
You know, Goldfarb, who served as the deputy communications director for John McCain's 2008 failed presidential bid, once wrote in that role that liberal bloggers were nothing but a "pro-Obama Dungeons & Dragons crowd" who "disparage[d] a fellow countryman's memory of war from the comfort of mom's basement."
Now, I'm actually not a role-playing dork living in my mother's basement—my mother doesn't even have a basement! (and would that she did; it would be a great place to play D&D)—but, if I were, and inexplicably considered that something of which to be ashamed, I'd still be able to say: "At least I'm not a conservative wankstain who thinks discussing foreign policy using domestic violence analogies is appropriate."
Asshole.
Daily Kitteh
Me and Juni, Halloween night.
As Temeraire suggested, if you've an image of yourself all bedecked in a snazzy Halloween costume, you should email it to me at shakerwhatthehell_at_yahoo_dot_com. I'll put them in a special Halloween What the Hell? thread, hopefully at the end of this week. And don't forget to include the name you comment under. Thanks.
A Treat for My Feminist Geeks
[Click to embiggen.]
I actually dreamed this pun, and the associated design, the other night. I woke up laughing, and then I made it so.
Once I'd made it for my own amusement, I wondered if I should post it, knowing that's some pretty esoteric humor, even for me. And then I figured those who get it will really love it. So here it is.
You Go, Grrl: Gabrielle Union
[Trigger warning.]
Actress and anti-rape activist Gabrielle Union, blogging about her reaction to commentary about the Richmond rape case and about her own rape (ellipses original):
I'm sad more than anything. After googling the gang rape story in Richmond and reading comments on blogs, it just leaves me sickened and really sad. The fact that race and socio-economics have been used to explain away a brutal gang rape...just sad...maybe I just have seen every kind of rapist and survivor...every race, color, religion, socio-economic status group...it's all the same...a lack of regard for violence against women. Tolerated, and in this case encouraged by the mob surrounding the perps...laughing, joking and taking pics.Blub.
When I was 19 years old, I was raped. I was working at a shoe store in California, and the store was robbed. The person robbing the store ended up putting a gun to my head and raping me. As he was raping me, I felt as though I was floating over myself, thinking, 'This isn't happening.' I blanked out and had an out-of-body experience, like I was hovering above seeing this horrible thing happen to someone else...not me. I was fortunate enough to go the UCLA rape crisis center after this horrific ordeal. It gave me my life back. My dignity and self-esteem were gone and they helped me find them again.
That's why I now lobby for state legislatures across the country and the federal government to help raise funds and awareness for rape crisis centers, and I speak to all different kinds of people across the country about what happened to me. My goal is to never hear the words 'me too' from someone after I say 'I was raped.'
More on Maine
I've got a new piece up at The Guardian's CifA:
Sometimes the stragglers at the tail end of this slow march of progress need a boot to get them moving forward. When the legislatures haven't provided it, it has been the judiciary's job to deliver it instead, as marginalised groups were never meant to have no recourse against discriminatory practices, even if the will of the majority is to extend the codified biases in perpetuity. Just because something is popular doesn't make it right.Read the whole thing here.
And so came the howling about "activist judges". But in Maine, it was not left to a judge to decide the fate of same-sex marriage, but instead to the state legislature. And then – what a surprise – that wasn't good enough, either. It still had to be brought before Maine's voters, so that every straight person in the state would be allowed to cast their own opinion on whether their gay neighbours should be allowed their rights, which is only fair. On some planet where "fair" means "deferential to the tyranny of the majority so as not to hurt their precious wee feelings".
This country is not, and never has been, well-served by leaving the civil rights of the minority in the hands of the majority. Putting that up to a vote which is subject to deeply held prejudice is ruling not by democracy, but by mob mentality.
