Steely Dan: "Peg"
Be Radical! (And Hope Your Kids Don't Have a Functioning Bullshit Detector)
So, I'm reading this article about a minister, Kenda Creasy Dean, who's worried that "more teens becoming 'fake' Christians." Now, you know how I feel about those sorts of designations no matter who makes them, but I find it particularly amusing when it's a female minister wringing her hands about younger generations falling away from any particular brand of Christianity, because, well, you know.
But I digress.
The thing that really caught my attention was Dean's prescription to parents to discourage their teens from embracing a "mutant" and "imposter" faith and make them passionate about a more "conventional Christianity."
What can a parent do then?I know I'm just an iniquitous heathen doomed to be consigned to eternal hellfire and all, but this advice strikes me as part of the reason so many young people are falling away from USian Christianity: It reeks of privilege and cynicism to suggest that the average Christian can, and should—after spending the first sixteen (or however many) years of your kid's life not living a life that suggests "how Christians live" is by making radical sacrifices—pick up and take off to work for a summer in Bolivia.
Get "radical," Dean says.
She says parents who perform one act of radical faith in front of their children convey more than a multitude of sermons and mission trips.
A parent's radical act of faith could involve something as simple as spending a summer in Bolivia working on an agricultural renewal project or turning down a more lucrative job offer to stay at a struggling church, Dean says.
But it's not enough to be radical -- parents must explain "this is how Christians live," she says.
"If you don't say you're doing it because of your faith, kids are going to say my parents are really nice people," Dean says. "It doesn't register that faith is supposed to make you live differently unless parents help their kids connect the dots."
(And why Bolivia, and not Detroit? I think we all know the answer to that, and it isn't very Christian, ahem.)
The entire concept of doing something "radical" in order to get your kids excited about their faith is so contrived; I've no doubt that seeing one's parents be radically generous because altruism is a centerpiece of their faith can be inspiring to kids being raised in religious households, but not when their parents are putting on a show just to convince their kids to be god-believers.
Call me kooky, but I don't think eternal principles are meant to be conveyed with the same transparent impetuousness as getting dragged to a museum after Mom gets a bug up her ass that we all need more culture in this house, dammit!
That aside, I also think the message that being "a person of faith" and "a nice person" are mutually exclusive—or, if you prefer, doing something "because of your faith" as opposed to doing it "because you're nice"—is alienating to a lot of young people, too, particularly at a time in one's life when one is most disposed toward activism and optimism.
When I was a teenager, recasting any natural outgrowth of philanthropy into something that was obliged by faith/religion actually felt discouraging to me. I didn't give of myself because some absentee heavenly father demanded it in exchange for eternal life; I did it because I cared about the people, animals, spaces, and/or concepts to whom/which I was dedicating my time.
To do things because of religion felt the opposite of altruistic to me; I recoiled from the idea that I would care for something only in exchange for the personal reward of being welcomed inside the Pearly Gates by St. Pete himself one day.
I know not all Christians treat community service as a carrot-and-stick lead straight into Heaven, but I am continually amazed by the number who do. And I can't believe they think doubling-down on that premise is the key to retaining young people in the church.
Good luck with all that.
P.S. The next time you hear someone questioning whether Barack Obama is a Christian, just point hir to this post. He does fake radical to try to inspire faith among the increasingly faithless like nobody's bizness.
Ugh
So, a turn of phrase I really can't stand is when a straight married man's hobby, passion, or vice is referred to as his "mistress."
I was reminded of this antiquated bit of fuckery this morning when I saw the following headline linked from CNN's front page: "Husband Has Skinny, Stinky Mistresses."
It's about a guy who sneaks cigarettes.
Ugh.
Question of the Day
This is primarily a blog about shoes ZOMGSHOEZ, because as we all know, ZOMGSHOEZ are (along with man-hating) the main part of feminism.
Thus, I ask: What shoes do you covet?
Feel free to share ZOMGSHOEZ you particularly want or favorites that you already own. If you're indifferent to shoes, you're more than welcome to describe what you like to wear, too. For Shakers that go barefoot, you can definitely talk about that, provided that you don't go into a rant about how shoes are a tool of double un-secret Muslim socialist oppression. I'm not picky, lol.
Since I evidently deserve two pairs (see Maud in these comments), I'll highlight three pairs I picked out from the bigladyfeet store.
I could probably do better than these heels, but people with bigladyfeet don't wear heels, amirite?
I don't actually need new sneakers, but I do need these sneakers.
And the flats need to be red, but I'm not in charge of ZOMGSHOEZ. Not yet.
From My Backyard
A couple of peafowl strolled through the backyard this past weekend. I guess they were either checking out the neighborhood or giving me a subliminal hint to watch TV.
Blue Dog Dems: Still a Great Idea!
Greg Sargent reports that one of the Blue Dog (i.e. virtually Republican) Democrats has a charming hope for how he can avoid having to support Nancy Pelosi's speakership:
Blue Dog Dem Bobby Bright of Alabama has raised [distancing himself from the Obama/Pelosi agenda] to a new level, joking to constituents that Pelosi might "get sick and die" before he has to support her again for Speaker, a local reporter tells me.Happy Women's Equality Day, everyone!
..."He had been asked a question from the audience about his support for Pelosi," [Montgomery Advertiser reporter Cosby Woodruff] told me. "He said, 'Let's wait until that comes up.' He listed a long list of reasons why Pelosi might not run for Speaker of the House."
"The last one was, 'Heck, she might even get sick and die,'" Woodruff told me.
Today's Edition of "Conniving and Sinister"
See Deeky's archive of all previous Conniving & Sinister strips here.
[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 (Liss) and a biracial queerbait (Deeky) telling it like it actually is from their perspectives. Hilarity ensues.]
Random YouTubery: Catch Me If You Can
Video Description: An adorable Persian kitten tries to capture her own reflection on a reflective floor surface.
President Obama Proclaims August 26 Women's Equality Day
This just landed in my inbox from the Office of the White House Press Secretary:
For Immediate Release
August 26, 2010
WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, 2010
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Ninety years ago, on August 26, 1920, the ratification of the 19th Amendment to our Constitution was completed, guaranteeing women the right to vote, renewing our commitment to equality and justice, and marking a turning point in our Nation's history. As we celebrate this important milestone and the achievements and shattered ceilings of the past, we also recognize the inequalities that remain and our charge to overcome them.
In a letter to John Adams, who was then serving as a delegate to the First Continental Congress, Abigail Adams once implored her husband to "remember the ladies" in the "new code of laws" of our fledgling country. It has taken the collective efforts of daring and tenacious women over many generations to realize the principles and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution. Standing on the shoulders of these trailblazers, we pay tribute to the brave women who dot the pages of our history books, and to those who have quietly broken barriers in our workplaces, communities, and society.
We can see the remarkable fruits of past struggles and victories today. For nearly two centuries, America could only imagine a female justice sitting on the Supreme Court of the United States. Today, for the first time in our Nation's history, three women sit on the bench of the highest court of the land, and I am proud to be the first President to nominate two women to the Court. Women lead in boardrooms and in our Armed Forces, in classrooms and conference rooms, and in every sector of society. Their boundless determination has enabled today's young women to dream bigger as they see themselves reflected at the highest levels of business, communications, and public service -- including in my Administration and Cabinet. If we continue to fight for our hopes and aspirations, there will be no limit to the possibilities for our daughters and granddaughters.I know—believe me, I know—that I am the most ungrateful cunt in all of Cuntistan, and I'm honestly cringing myself that I feel obliged to write this, but this proclamation might mean more if it didn't come on a day in which the administration decided to stand behind a man who engaged in sexist rhetoric and then dismissed concerns raised about that rhetoric as "crap," called feminist activism "babbling into the vapors," and told a female activist to "Call when you get honest work!"
As we celebrate 90 years of progress on Women's Equality Day, we also recognize the realities of the present. Women comprise less than one-fifth of our Congress and account for a mere fraction of the chief executives at the helm of our biggest companies. Women hold only 27 percent of jobs in science and engineering, which are critical to our economic growth in a 21st-century economy. And, almost 50 years after the Equal Pay Act was enacted, American women still only earn 77 cents for every dollar men earn. This gap increases among minority women and those living with disabilities.
These disparities remind us that our work remains unfinished. My Administration remains committed to advancing women's equality in all areas of our society and around the world. I was proud to create the White House Council on Women and Girls to help ensure that American women and girls are treated fairly in all matters of public policy. I also appointed the first White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, whose leadership will guide my Administration in confronting violence and sexual assault against women. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the first bill I signed as President, restored basic protections against pay discrimination for women, and to build upon that law, I support passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act. I have also established the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to ensure equal pay laws are vigorously enforced throughout the country. Workplace flexibility is also important to women and families, and we will continue coordinating with Federal agencies to make quality child care more affordable, promote work policies that improve work-family balance, and advance the economic development and security of all women.
Fifteen years after the world gathered in Beijing for the Fourth World Conference on Women, far too many women around the world still lack access to basic education and economic opportunity, face gender-based violence, and cannot participate fully and equally in their societies. To help address this, I appointed the first-ever Ambassador at Large for Global Women's Issues to elevate the importance of women's empowerment in all aspects of our foreign policy. From Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United States will continue its commitment to the rights of women around the world.
Women's rights are ultimately human rights, and the march for equality will not end until full parity and equal opportunity are attained in every State and workplace across our Nation. It remains our responsibility to ensure that the principles of justice and equality apply to all Americans, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or socioeconomic status. If we stay true to our founding ideals and the example of those who insisted upon nothing less than full equality, we can and will perpetuate the line of progress that runs throughout our Nation's history for generations to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim August 26, 2010, as Women's Equality Day. I call upon the people of the United States to celebrate the achievements of women and recommit themselves to the goal of true gender equality in this country.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
You can't "pay tribute to the brave women who dot the pages of our history books, and to those who have quietly broken barriers in our workplaces, communities, and society" on the same day you stand in solidarity with a member of your administration who demeans the very activism that is the hallmark of the social justice work done by equality advocates.
I mean, you can, but it kinda makes you look like a disingenuous, opportunistic asshole.
And, since I'm also the most disagreeable cunt in all of Hillaryville, let me also take a moment to point out the irony of appropriating Hillary Clinton's famous "women's rights are human rights" line, even referencing the conference at which the speech was delivered, without mentioning Clinton, who is a member of the administration, by name. The appropriation of women's work without attribution has, of course, long been a serious impediment to women's equality, particularly in professional settings.
Was there really no one who read this thing who considered the optics of using Clinton's iconic words without acknowledging their source?
Speaking of important ladies, it would have been nice to see Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the House, who has been an integral part of realizing Obama's legislative agenda, get a mention.
Yes, Obama should get (and take) credit for nominating two women to the Supreme Court, but that would read a lot less like "I do stuff for the ladeez!" if it was counterbalanced by a shout-out to one of the ladeez who's done some serious heavy lifting for him.
I admit I may appear to be the most unappreciative cunt in all Nitpicksburg, but all this little stuff adds up until it renders what should have been an important and meaningful gesture a pathetic bit of poorly-executed pandering.
I'm not pointing this shit out because I want to be disappointed; I so desperately don't. I'm pointing it out because I want the administration to get this stuff right, because I want Women's Equality Day to mean something, not just objectively, but intimately to the people who instituted it.
Because, hello, that's how equality is actually achieved.
A typical miss, Obama administration.
This is so the worst thing you're going to read all day.
"How to Deal With Angry Feminists," courtesy of AskMen.com. I especially like how they got a woman to author the piece, to give it that extra bit of "everyone hates angry feminists."
Bonus points for equating "angry" with "man-hating."
Despite feminists' reputation, and contra my own individual reputation cultivated over five years of public opinion-making, I am not a man-hater. But I am occasionally an angry feminist. And with good reason: There is still an enormous amount of kyriarchal oppression in the world.
Sometimes, I am even angry at a man, or specific men, because they have earned my ire, via some expression of male privilege or display of misogyny, or some other kind of bigotry.
I find those are the men who are most inclined to accuse me of man-hating, because it is easier to believe I have a blanket hatred for all men than a justifiable anger toward them, for which they hold the responsibility, rather than I.
[H/T to Shaker somebodyoranother.]
The Overton Window: Dedication, Acknowledgments, A Note From the Author
I know I said I was going to dive right in to chapter one today, but there's all this preamble stuff in the book I should address before we get started.
Overton is dedicated, in faith, hope and charity, to a minister, a war hero, and a philanthropist. The latter two I'm indifferent to, as dedications, but it's that first one that gets me. "Faith: To David Barton, a man who knows that the answers were left everywhere in plain sight by our Founders."
David Barton is the founder of WallBuilders, an organization whose goal is to "exert a direct and positive influence in government, education, and the family by (1) educating the nation concerning the Godly foundation of our country; (2) providing information to federal, state, and local officials as they develop public policies which reflect Biblical values; and (3) encouraging Christians to be involved in the civic arena."
Oy, a dominionist. Swell. I guess it's good we know exactly where Beck is coming from, right there with the very first line of his book.
Then there are the acknowledgements. Beck thanks his ghostwriter, his editors, all the douchebags at Fox, including Neil Cavuto and Bill O'Reilly, (no mention of Hannity, though. Ouch!) and a slew of other people. But the best part is this:
Special thanks to ... All of the VIEWERS, LISTENERS, AND READERS, including the Glenn Beck INSIDERS. We're not racist and we're not violent ... we're just not silent any more.
Umm... Okay. I've read a fair amount of books in my time, but this is the first time I've ever seen an author go out of his way to let his readers know he's not a racist. If you (and this applies to everyone, really) have to make an effort to point out that you're not a bigot, it is time for you to stop, take a moment, take a thousand moments if necessary, and do a little introspection. What is it about your behaviour, your actions, your words that have the world at large thinking you're a racist? It could be the entire world is wrong, or maybe you've some issues to work out. Saying "I'm not a racist" isn't enough. And as for noting your followers are not violent? More on that below.
(Bolding original)
Moving on... The note from the author. I almost quoted the whole damn thing here, it's just that ridiculous. But let's go back to something I talked about yesterday. This word of his, faction.
I've been a fan of thrillers for many years. While nonfiction books aim to enlighten, the goal of most thrillers is to entertain. But there is a category of novels that do both: "faction"—completely fictional books with plots rooted in fact, and that is the category I strived for with The Overton Window.
I worked in the book business for a long time. There is no category of books called faction. Please, just knock that off. Faction is a real word, sure, but it already has a definition. See.
I know this book will be controversial; anything that causes people to think usually is. In this case, I hope that you are forced not only to think, but also to research, read history, and ask questions outside of your comfort zone. It will ultimately be up to each of us to search out our own truths.
Oh please. "I know this book will be controversial; anything that causes people to think usually is." Who says stuff like that? I mean aside from high school kids writing essays about Marilyn Manson? I've never read an author, especially one of genre fiction, who takes his work and himself so seriously. Dude, it's a thriller. Enough with the pretension. This is NOT some groundbreaking work. Hell, it's not even a new story.
"While this may go without saying even once, I feel the need to say it again" Oh, this is going to be good, isn't it?
This is a work of fiction. As such some of the characters in this book express opinions that I not only disagree with, but vehemently oppose. I included them in the story because these views, like them or not, are part of the current American dialogue. Ignoring them, or pretending that radical ideas don't exist in society, does all of us a great disservice. Silencing voices or opinions only pushes them to the shadows and darkness, where they can fester and grow even stronger.
Oh Christ. More exhortations against violence. Which, again, begs the question. Why is it necessary to state that your intentions, the intentions of your readers, are not violent? Shouldn't that be a given? Unless there's something in your work, your actions, some mound of historical evidence that might give people the notion you're maybe treading a dangerous line there. I don't know. But it seems like if "this may go without saying even once" then you really should have no "need to say it again."
When all is said and done and people look back at this time in the history of our great country, there’s only one thing I hope that everyone, critics and fans alike, call me ...
Newsflash, Beck: Most everyone (at least those with sense) are already saying you're wrong. We have been for years.
Wrong.
Today in Canine Teaspooning
After Dudley found success in his role as greyhound ambassador at the County Fair, I decided to take him last night to an event held by the rescue at a local library, Greyt Readers, where kids (and adults) can meet and interact with the greyhounds, and, if they like, read to them. And he was, as ever, a GOOD BOY!
Image Description: Dudley lies amongst other greyhounds, half of whom are in foster care awaiting adoption from forever families, and beside a teenager, J, who loves animals and also participates in a local horse riding program for special needs children. After this picture, Dudley curled up next to him and let J throw his arm across his shoulders.
Image Description: J reads a book about greyhounds to the greyhounds.
Image Description: Iain met us at the library after work. Dudley was happy to see his pop, and his tail is just a blur of happy wagging.
Image Description: Dudley lies on the floor of the library with rows of books behind him.
Image Description: Dudley greets a little boy with a kiss on the face.
Image Description: Dudley, Patty (a brindle greyhound), and Blackberry (a black greyhound) look at the action in the middle of the space.
Image Description: Patty and Blackberry, who are both being fostered while awaiting permanent homes, cuddle near their foster dad.
Blackberry
Patty
Image Description: Star, who, like Dudley, found his forever home earlier this year, lounges handsomely while receiving attention from the kids.
Dudley became a part of our lives because of people who generously donate their time and personal resources to saving greyhounds, and we can't think of a better way to thank them than to pay that forward, in the hope of helping another family, or another dog.
Find out more about rescuing retired racing greyhounds here.Top Chef Open Thread
[Image from last night's show: "Spill the Beans," from the idiom challenge which, sadly, wasn't even the stupidest quickfire this season.]
Last night's episode will be delicately brunoised, so if you haven't seen it, and don't want any spoilers, pack your knives and go...
Quote of the Day
"We have two competing world views here and there is no way that we can reach across the aisle—one is going to have to win. We are either going to go down the socialist road and become like western Europe and create, I guess, really a godless society, an atheist society. Or we're going to continue down the other pathway where we believe in freedom of speech, individual liberties, and that we remain a Christian nation. So we're going to have to win that battle, we're going to have to solve that argument before we can once again reach across and work together on things."—Rep. John Fleming (R-Idiculous), who made the comment while "appearing before the Republican Women of Bossier with Sen. David Vitter (R-Eallylovesprostitutes).
You know, he's got a point. Everywhere I look there is evidence we are about to become a godless society, like: Our Christian president, our last Christian president, their almost exclusively Christian administrations who relentlessly pander to conservative and/or moderate Christians, the almost totally Christian Supreme Court, an almost entirely Christian Congress who start each session with a prayer, the millions and millions of other American Christians whose day of worship is still respected in various state laws across the country (like in Indiana, where you still can't shop for a car or buy booze on a Sunday), whose views are reflected in various federal laws (like denying same-sex couples the right of marriage in order to protect its "sanctity"), whose holidays are also national holidays, whose holy book must be sworn on in state and federal courts, and whose churches are not required to pay taxes, guaranteed freedom of religion, money that says "In God We Trust," a pledge of allegiance that describes us as "one nation under God," television networks who will accept advertising from conservative religious groups but not liberal political groups, schools who are incorporating a religious belief into science classes, conscience clauses for pharmacists and healthcare providers, religion-based residential communities being built, religious museums and amusement parks springing up all over the country, religious leaders being given diplomatic immunity, faith-based initiatives being federally funded, and our national media being constantly embroiled in a debate about in which god the president believes.
We are on the precipice, people!
*clunk*
Alan Simpson Apologizes
Obama Administration Fiscal Commission co-chair and former Republican Senator Alan Simpson has apologized to OWL Executive Director Ashely Carson for the absurd and dismissive email he sent her, and the FiscalCommission.gov website has posted the apology:
Dear Ms. Carson,Call me cynical, but that sounds like something drafted by some government PR flack for Simpson to sign off on. It's too perfect, too obvious an attempt to acknowledge Carson's work and prominence and make it sound casual.
My wife Ann and I are in Yellowstone National Park for the opening of the new visitor center, so I only just now have had the opportunity to read your response to my recent e-mail. I apologize for what I wrote. I can see that my remarks have caused you anguish, and that was not my intention. I certainly did not intend to diminish your hard work for the Older Women's League. I know you care deeply about strengthening Social Security, and so do I, just as deeply. I remember your testimony at our public hearing in June about the importance of retirement security for women. Over the last 40 years, I have had my size 15 feet in my mouth a time or two. To quote my old friend and colleague, Senator Lloyd Bentsen, when I make a mistake, "It's a doozy!"
Next time I'm in Washington, perhaps we could meet in person, and I could learn further of your sincere concerns.
Most sincerely,
Alan Simpson
And the authorship is important, because, if indeed as I suspect, a spin doctor cooked up this flippant mess, that means the administration has thrown in with Simpson, deciding that engaging in sexist rhetoric, diminishing activists' work and diminishing their concerns in the most condescending manner, and openly expressing hostility toward the nation's social safety net for its citizens is acceptable behavior.
And, irrespective of who actually wrote the thing, it's bullshit: Simpson clearly doesn't believe Carson "care[s] deeply about strengthening Social Security," and he clearly did "intend to diminish your hard work for the Older Women's League." That was, in fact, the overt objective of his patronizing and contemptuous email.
An apology that doesn't own that intent isn't a real apology at all.
UPDATE: The White House "accepts" Simpson's apology.
[A]t the White House, Jennifer Psaki, the deputy communications director, said, "Alan Simpson has apologized and while we regret and do not condone his comments, we accept his apology and he will continue to serve."Setting aside the obvious fuckery of the White House standing behind Simpson, the White House accepting an apology ON BEHALF OF THE PERSON TO WHOM IT WAS DIRECTED is an audacious display of arrogance.
