[via Skepchick]
Boston Skeptics has a great post about the overlap of skepticism, feminism, activism, and the importance of standing up for what is right and what is true -- specifically in regards to the abortion issue. The comments on this post are worth a read too. Check it out.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Want. Now.
Looks like Terry Gilliam is back in prime form with The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. His last two movies left me wanting (Tideland was okay, but I absolutely ABHORED The Brothers Grimm).
It's also Heath Ledger's final film, and Depp/Farrel/Law stepped in to fill his shoes. Also, it's got Tom Waits as the god-damned (literally!) devil, so it must be good.
It's also Heath Ledger's final film, and Depp/Farrel/Law stepped in to fill his shoes. Also, it's got Tom Waits as the god-damned (literally!) devil, so it must be good.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
OMG I hope Rick Santorum runs for president
[via Shakesville]
Word on the street is that Rick "man/goat marriage" Santorum will be throwing his proverbial hat into the proverbial ring for the 2012 GOP Presidential nomination. Please make this happen. Please help push the Republican party further into obsolescence by bringing in a homophobic, anti-progressive religious zealot and bigot of the highest order who will easily get over 15% of the vote and who is so egregious that his name is now synonymous with a byproduct of anal sex.
Of course, my face will be red if he wins.
Word on the street is that Rick "man/goat marriage" Santorum will be throwing his proverbial hat into the proverbial ring for the 2012 GOP Presidential nomination. Please make this happen. Please help push the Republican party further into obsolescence by bringing in a homophobic, anti-progressive religious zealot and bigot of the highest order who will easily get over 15% of the vote and who is so egregious that his name is now synonymous with a byproduct of anal sex.
Of course, my face will be red if he wins.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Irreligiosopy: The Battle for Grating Supremacy
Last week, I wrote a post that included a recommendation to a podcast called Irreligiosophy. I'll second that review now. The topics covered on the show are always great and well-covered, and the occasional interview sections are always insightful... But I also noted that the hosts can sometimes be "grating."
Well, Charlie and Leighton, the hosts of Irrreligiwhatever saw my post and even read my "review" on the latest episode! Now I'm famous among all four-and-a-half of their listeners! (they do refer to me as "she" throughout the segment, but there aren't a lot of explicit references to my gender here, so no biggie.)
What's more, I've been invited to come on the show and settle once-and-for-all the burning question of whether it's Charlie or Leighton that is more grating, and why. Still working out the details, so when/if it happens, I'll let you know!
If you weren't already planning on coming to Drinking Skeptically at Piper Down this Wednesday, you plan on it. There's a chance -- emphasis on the CHANCE -- that the Irreligiosophy crew may be coming along and recording for the show.
Well, Charlie and Leighton, the hosts of Irrreligiwhatever saw my post and even read my "review" on the latest episode! Now I'm famous among all four-and-a-half of their listeners! (they do refer to me as "she" throughout the segment, but there aren't a lot of explicit references to my gender here, so no biggie.)
What's more, I've been invited to come on the show and settle once-and-for-all the burning question of whether it's Charlie or Leighton that is more grating, and why. Still working out the details, so when/if it happens, I'll let you know!
If you weren't already planning on coming to Drinking Skeptically at Piper Down this Wednesday, you plan on it. There's a chance -- emphasis on the CHANCE -- that the Irreligiosophy crew may be coming along and recording for the show.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Take this fun video quiz!
Hehehe... Oh I love Edward Current. Here's his latest, in the form of an awesome video quiz. I scored a zero. See if you can beat my score!
"If you thanked God that hilarious comedian Dane Cook wasn't aborted, you are correct."
Monday, August 3, 2009
Mississippi spends public money on sectarian abstinence-only conference
From Feministing:
Seriously: Ugh. Point the first: Abstinence-only sex education does not work. The ideas behind it -- viz. that if you keep secrets about sex from teens, they won't do it -- do a massive, massive disservice to the next generation. Not does AOSE not have any effect on the rates of teen sex, but it also ensures that, when they do have sex (which, since teens love sex, they will), they will not have the knowledge, forsight, and/or mindset to do so safely, with protection from pregnacy and STIs. Period.
And what's more, this event is Mississippi is clearly sectarian in nature. This is why it is so important that we keep religion out of government and out of civics. If all the churches in Mississippi wanted to get together and hold this pro-ignorance conference, then fine. But don't use public money. And it's nonsense like this that shows why organizations like the ACLU are so important. I heart the ACLU... See the video.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is going up against the Mississippi Department of Health and Human Services for an Abstinence Summit that was held using government funding.Ugh.
Seriously: Ugh. Point the first: Abstinence-only sex education does not work. The ideas behind it -- viz. that if you keep secrets about sex from teens, they won't do it -- do a massive, massive disservice to the next generation. Not does AOSE not have any effect on the rates of teen sex, but it also ensures that, when they do have sex (which, since teens love sex, they will), they will not have the knowledge, forsight, and/or mindset to do so safely, with protection from pregnacy and STIs. Period.
And what's more, this event is Mississippi is clearly sectarian in nature. This is why it is so important that we keep religion out of government and out of civics. If all the churches in Mississippi wanted to get together and hold this pro-ignorance conference, then fine. But don't use public money. And it's nonsense like this that shows why organizations like the ACLU are so important. I heart the ACLU... See the video.
God and Abstinence from Stuart Productions on Vimeo.
Living in Utah
A coupe of links to here and Overheard in SLC from Main Street Plaza, which I just discovered is not in my blogroll... Ahh, there. That's better. I've been enjoying Main Street Plaza (the blog, that is -- I'm less enamored with the actual Main Street Plaza of late) for the last few months. Check it out if you have an interest in the intersection between culture, politics and religion here in Utah...
So, I love Salt Lake City. I really like living here. But it's a misunderstood place. Salt Lake City is one of the most liberal, progressive cities in the nation in a vast sea of red in every direction. Everyone I know who visits here is astounded that the city is so unlike what they expected. I never get tired of exploring new crevices of our (admittedly small) downtown or the gorgeous mountains just to my east. There are layers here. Layers to be pulled back and marveled at. I mean, I live within walking distance of a Sphinx with the head of Joseph Smith and just a quick drive from the haunted dancehall from Carnival of Souls. Can you say that, Bostonians? Chicagoans? I didn't think so. And is Chicagoans a word?
But it's undeniable that living in Utah -- even in the liberal bastion of SLC -- brings with it some challenges, and outsiders may not be familiar with some of the cultural references. Main Street Plaza is a great blog discussing the overlap between the culture, politics and religion here in Utah. Most of the contributors are "post-Mormon" (I like that term. I may appropriate it), but it's not an "anti-Mormon" blog, though it is certainly -- and rightfully -- critical of many of the the LDS church's policies.
Oooh, and another thing: my good friend RebelGrrrl recently introduced me to the Irrligiosophy podcast. It's a pretty decent podcast on atheism and religion, with an emphasis on archaeology, Middle Eastern history and Mormonism (both of the hosts are former Mormons). I'll be honest, sometimes the hosts can be a bit grating, but on the whole it's a very solid podcast with lots of good info. Check it out. :)
So, I love Salt Lake City. I really like living here. But it's a misunderstood place. Salt Lake City is one of the most liberal, progressive cities in the nation in a vast sea of red in every direction. Everyone I know who visits here is astounded that the city is so unlike what they expected. I never get tired of exploring new crevices of our (admittedly small) downtown or the gorgeous mountains just to my east. There are layers here. Layers to be pulled back and marveled at. I mean, I live within walking distance of a Sphinx with the head of Joseph Smith and just a quick drive from the haunted dancehall from Carnival of Souls. Can you say that, Bostonians? Chicagoans? I didn't think so. And is Chicagoans a word?
But it's undeniable that living in Utah -- even in the liberal bastion of SLC -- brings with it some challenges, and outsiders may not be familiar with some of the cultural references. Main Street Plaza is a great blog discussing the overlap between the culture, politics and religion here in Utah. Most of the contributors are "post-Mormon" (I like that term. I may appropriate it), but it's not an "anti-Mormon" blog, though it is certainly -- and rightfully -- critical of many of the the LDS church's policies.
Oooh, and another thing: my good friend RebelGrrrl recently introduced me to the Irrligiosophy podcast. It's a pretty decent podcast on atheism and religion, with an emphasis on archaeology, Middle Eastern history and Mormonism (both of the hosts are former Mormons). I'll be honest, sometimes the hosts can be a bit grating, but on the whole it's a very solid podcast with lots of good info. Check it out. :)
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