That has been me all this time. I think I'm going to throw up now.[T]he Obama Administration seemed to try [] to mobilize by depolarizing... it seemed like an effort to compromise your way to deep reform. I've never seen that that has ever worked in the history of this country, and I doubt anywhere, because it's a contradiction. So, on the one hand, the administration was not being clear, aggressive...as it had been in the campaign...and more culpably, the leadership of the reform movements, the people who were fighting for health care, for labor law reform, for environmental reform, for immigration reform, all bought in to this strategy. They all bought into "let Obama do it. He knows what he's doing."
Friday, March 5, 2010
Former Obama Adviser: Why Is Administration So Unassertive?
Former Obama Adviser: Why Is Administration So Unassertive?
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Stop Monsanto's GMO
Please sign the online petition to block Monsanto's application to produce genetically modified alfalfa:
This conclusion came despite the acknowledgment by USDA researchers that GE alfalfa is virtually certain to "contaminate" normal seeds. Cross-contamination is the number one concern with genetically engineered crops.
Organic contamination is devastating for organic farmers, especially organic dairy farmers, most of whom use organic alfalfa for feed. The presence of even the smallest amount of GE material can cause a farm to lose its organic certification. And court documents indicate that early plantings of GE alfalfa did contaminate conventional alfalfa. Yet the USDA maintains that Monsanto's existing safety protocols are good enough. This is ridiculous!
Coach Payton the prankster
NFL combine, overtime change proposal, Mike McGuire, more - Peter King - SI.com
I smell a nice rivalry cooking.
On Friday night, the Saints' staff at the combine gathered in a private room at St. Elmo Steakhouse, an 108-year-old Indy landmark, for a final celebratory nod to the Super Bowl win over the Colts. This is a group that likes its wine, and likes to have fun.
At the restaurant, word passed that Dallas owner Jerry Jones would have his Dallas group in this exact room Saturday night for a team dinner. Jones had even phoned ahead, according to a waiter, to make sure a magnum of a wine he loved, Caymus Special Selection cabernet sauvignon, was ready to be served at dinner.
Sean Payton told the waiter he'd like to have that wine, too. The waiter told him: Sorry, sir. We have only one bottle left, and it's reserved for Mr. Jones.
Payton said he'd like to have the bottle nonetheless. I assume there was much angst on the part of the wait staff at that point. My God! Who do we piss off? One of the most powerful owners in the NFL, or the coach who's the toast of the NFL, the coach who just won the Super Bowl?
Here came the bottle of Caymus Special Selection, and the Saints' party drained it.
But drinking Jones' wine wasn't enough. Payton gave the waiter some instructions, took out his pen ... and, well, the Cowboys party found at the middle of their table the next evening an empty magnum of Caymus Special Selection cabernet sauvignon, with these words hand-written on the fancy label:
WHO DAT!
World Champions XLIV
Sean Payton
That's the kind of thing Jones will get a big laugh out of. And remember.
President Obama Declares Irish-American Heritage Month
my great, great grandparents, Tobias Mullen and Margaret Kearneyoriginal:
A PROCLAMATION
From long before American independence to today, countless individuals have reached our shores, bringing vibrant cultures and diverse roots, and immeasurably enriching our Nation. This month, we honor the contributions made by the tens of millions of Americans who trace their heritage to the Emerald Isle.
Irish Americans fought for our independence, and their signatures adorn our founding documents. When famine ravaged Ireland in the 1840s and 1850s, many Irish men and women sought a new beginning in the United States. Though they faced poverty and discrimination, these immigrants transformed our cities, served in our Armed Forces, and settled the frontiers of our young Nation. Their children, and succeeding generations of Irish Americans, have preserved their culture's values while becoming leaders in every facet of American life.
During this year's Irish-American Heritage Month, we also celebrate an extraordinary Irishman: Senator Edward M. Kennedy. Throughout his career in public service, Senator Kennedy worked tirelessly to create opportunity for all Americans. His legacy lives on in the legislation he championed, which will bolster and protect the health, education, and civil rights of Americans for generations to come.
Across the Atlantic, the people of Ireland continue to confront their own challenges with resolve and determination. In the face of violence perpetuated by some -- testing a hard-earned peace -- the people of Northern Ireland have responded heroically. Undaunted, they and their leaders persist on the road to peace and prosperity enshrined over a decade ago in the Good Friday Agreement. The United States remains committed to supporting the political process and the work of those who have shown leadership in pursuit of a lasting peace.
Today, the sons and daughters of Erin can look back with pride on their many contributions to the civic and cultural life of America. Like so many of our Nation's ethnic communities, Irish Americans are a people whose hard work and resilience have brought them great opportunity and success, and whose service to our Nation has left it a better place.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States do hereby proclaim March 2010 as Irish-American Heritage Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by celebrating the contributions of Irish American to our Nation with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
my great grandmother, Catherine Caroline Mullen (right)We were always taught to be proud of be Irish. We are French too, but we were taught to be VERY proud of being Irish
the Mullen family tomb in Lafayette #1, where Robert Mullen, first Irishman in my family to arrive here, is buried, as are my great grandparents
Pamphlets Tell Women "Ungodly" Dress Provokes Rape
original story
In Tri-Cities, Washington, religious fundamentalists are handing out pamphlets telling women that their "ungodly" dress provokes rape. What century is this again? I get so confused....
In Tri-Cities, Washington, religious fundamentalists are handing out pamphlets telling women that their "ungodly" dress provokes rape. What century is this again? I get so confused....
A lady sitting in the backseat leaned forward, between the two men in front, and handed her a leaflet: “Women & Girls” it said across the top.more at link
“Even though nothing is showing, you’re being ungodly,” Canter recalled the woman telling her. “You make men want to be sinful.”
Canter was wearing boots pulled up over jeans, a pink zebra-print shirt with a black jacket zipped up over it. She has blond hair, dark eye make-up and a little red lip ring. “I just asked if she needed any salt, pepper or ketchup,” Canter said. “I mean, how do I respond to that?”
Minutes later, Canter’s mother, Pam Yates, who owns the restaurant, returned from the bank. Canter handed her “Women & Girls” and Yates started reading.
“You may have been given this leaflet because of the way you are dressed,” it begins. “Have you thought about standing before the true and living God to be judged?”
It continues with one essential theme: The sins of men are, in part, the fault of women, specifically women in tight-fitting clothing. Yates was annoyed. Then she got to a section on page two:
“Scripture tells us that when a man looks on a woman to lust for her he has already committed adultery in his heart. If you are dressed in a way that tempts a men to do this secret (or not so secret) sin, you are a participant in the sin,” the leaflet states. “By the way, some rape victims would not have been raped if they had dressed properly. So can we really say they were innocent victims?”
The hand-out is signed “anonymous.”
Yates was angry.
“What if my daughter had been a rape victim?” she said. “I hope that they never handed this to anyone, especially a young person, who’s been through that and struggles with that daily. And then they get handed something that says they are at fault. I cannot believe that a Christian, someone who walks in God’s shoes, would have made this.”
Leaflet in hand, Yates locked eyes with the old man driving the old white car, still parked in the lot, and stormed outside. The car quickly drove away.
Sandra G. Rasnake, the sexual assault program director at Bristol’s Crisis Center, had one eyebrow cocked as she read through the leaflet Thursday morning.
She cocked the other as she read aloud: “some rape victims would not have been raped if they had dressed properly.”
“Wow,” she said. “This idea that men don’t have enough self control – and evidently they shouldn’t have to – plays into all the old myths that we’ve tried for years to overcome: Rape happens to 2-year-olds and 92-year-olds, not just attractive young women. How about we hold the person doing the action accountable, whoever it is going against the will and consent of somebody else?”
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
I Wonder How Much Laundry the Average Team USA Dad Will Do?
via sociological images, which I LOOOVE.
Tide laundry detergent company wonders how much laundry the average TEAM USA mom will do. Those of us who are into gender equality think....
I Wonder How Much Laundry the Average Team USA dad Will Do?
Tide laundry detergent company wonders how much laundry the average TEAM USA mom will do. Those of us who are into gender equality think....
I Wonder How Much Laundry the Average Team USA dad Will Do?
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Cupcakes for Men. No, Seriously. Cupcakes for Men.
Cupcakes for Men. No, Seriously. Cupcakes for Men.
Unbelievable. Everything has to be certified masculine (sort of like certified organic) before men can join in.
Unbelievable. Everything has to be certified masculine (sort of like certified organic) before men can join in.
Pam's House Blend:: Federal Appeals Court: Louisiana Must Recognize Out of State Gay Adoption
Pam's House Blend:: Federal Appeals Court: Louisiana Must Recognize Out of State Gay Adoption
Yes, I seem to remember something from my Constitutional Law class about the "full faith and credit" clause.
Yes, I seem to remember something from my Constitutional Law class about the "full faith and credit" clause.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Womanist Musings
Womanist Musings
I (still) hate racist, sexist PETA. Aretha Franklin as "bigfoot?" REALLY? PETA has a LONG history of this kind of stuff. PETA just loooves animals, but apparently they hate women.
I (still) hate racist, sexist PETA. Aretha Franklin as "bigfoot?" REALLY? PETA has a LONG history of this kind of stuff. PETA just loooves animals, but apparently they hate women.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Defying adversity, wherever we are: a guest column by Richard Campanella | Opinions - - NOLA.com
Defying adversity, wherever we are: a guest column by Richard Campanella Opinions - - NOLA.com
Cheering in Paris when the Saints won? Really? My mom told me a few years ago that in Paris, people were, as has often been reported, snobs to those who do not speak French but once Parisians realized she was from New Orleans, their attitude changed to friendly and welcoming. I guess, with our being a former French colony, they still kind of regard us as one of theirs.
Cheering in Paris when the Saints won? Really? My mom told me a few years ago that in Paris, people were, as has often been reported, snobs to those who do not speak French but once Parisians realized she was from New Orleans, their attitude changed to friendly and welcoming. I guess, with our being a former French colony, they still kind of regard us as one of theirs.
Economic Scene - Success of Stimulus Bill Is Noteworthy as Another Is Weighed - NYTimes.com
Finally!
Economic Scene - Success of Stimulus Bill Is Noteworthy as Another Is Weighed - NYTimes.com:
"Imagine if, one year ago, Congress had passed a stimulus bill that really worked.
Let’s say this bill had started spending money within a matter of weeks and had rapidly helped the economy. Let’s also imagine it was large enough to have had a huge impact on jobs — employing something like two million people who would otherwise be unemployed right now.
If that had happened, what would the economy look like today?
Well, it would look almost exactly as it does now. Because those nice descriptions of the stimulus that I just gave aren’t hypothetical. They are descriptions of the actual bill."
Economic Scene - Success of Stimulus Bill Is Noteworthy as Another Is Weighed - NYTimes.com:
"Imagine if, one year ago, Congress had passed a stimulus bill that really worked.
Let’s say this bill had started spending money within a matter of weeks and had rapidly helped the economy. Let’s also imagine it was large enough to have had a huge impact on jobs — employing something like two million people who would otherwise be unemployed right now.
If that had happened, what would the economy look like today?
Well, it would look almost exactly as it does now. Because those nice descriptions of the stimulus that I just gave aren’t hypothetical. They are descriptions of the actual bill."
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
"Shaming and Blaming"
"Shaming and Blaming" via the "this ain't living blog." Really good! My big thing was that we were always told to "sit like a lady." This meant keeping one's knees together, of course, I would like to know why now, today, at a movie theater, my husband spreads his legs wide open and invades my space while I make myself smaller and smaller. I read some analysis that said the whole concept of space - where women are encouraged to take up as little as possible, while men take up as much as they want - is actually all about power.
Monday, February 1, 2010
What Have we Learned Today?
Today, we learned that not everyone is like my fellow sociological bloggers and me. Much-liked old friends from high school may not enjoy a discussion like the ones we have here on their facebook pages. Hmmm - should I put up a new label called "live and learn?"
Saturday, January 16, 2010
And a big fuck you to my depression
This song has always reminded me to enjoy being me - even if I'm not exactly everyone's cup of tea (oh, pardon me, even if I've drunk the Obama Kool-Aid - fucker). Yep, to be ME despite self-doubt, to let my little light shine, no matter what the haters, as my daughter would put it, say or do.
Friday, January 15, 2010
What Tami Said: Lady Antebellum and the glorification of the pre-Civil War South
I (heart) Tami. Just sayin'.
What Tami Said: Lady Antebellum and the glorification of the pre-Civil War South
I could, however, do without some of the generalizations about southern whites that show up in her comments section, but I've run into that A LOT, and that certainly isn't Tami's fault. She ALWAYS manages to make you think and to make a great point, but without stereotyping all whites - Southern or otherwise - either.
What Tami Said: Lady Antebellum and the glorification of the pre-Civil War South
I could, however, do without some of the generalizations about southern whites that show up in her comments section, but I've run into that A LOT, and that certainly isn't Tami's fault. She ALWAYS manages to make you think and to make a great point, but without stereotyping all whites - Southern or otherwise - either.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
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