Link Me Up, Scotty - Science FTW Edition

Saturday, December 31, 2016

It appears that that an experimental vaccine used at the end of the last Ebola outbreak is 100% effective. It hasn't yet received regulatory approval, but the initial results are so encouraging that an emergency stockpile of 300,000 doses is now in place. The ingenuity of humanity when we face dire straits (and the passion with which it's applied), never fails to humble and awe me.

(NYT: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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A pictorial essay of the "war on drugs" taking place in the Philippines. The title is They are Slaughtering Us Like Animals. This is what normalizing bad behavior in our politicians ultimately looks like. Parental guidance is suggested.

(NYT: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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Uncle George on our places in the upcoming resistance. "Be ready, be strong, and be vigilant." Good advice at any time.

(The Advocate: A left-leaning LGBT magazine with an editorial focus on news, politics, opinion, and arts and entertainment.)
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Uncle George on our places in the upcoming resistance. "Be ready, be strong, and be vigilant." Good advice at any time.

(The Advocate: A left-leaning LGBT magazine with an editorial focus on news, politics, opinion, and arts and entertainment.)
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As we move into 2017 with courage and conviction, it behooves us to examine what good a Trump presidency may do for our country.

(WaPo: Mainstream media source with minimal partisan bias)
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Ah, the Trump/Obama transition. What could possibly go wrong?

H/T Steve

(Politico: A center rated political journal that focuses on United States and international politics and policy.)
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Moyers & Co. on how progressives can manage a Trump presidency over the next four years.

(Moyers & Co.: A reputable left-leaning source of news)
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Secretary of State John Kerry is speaking his mind on the status of peace in the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, and the behavior of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in light of the the recent UN Security Council vote. I'm one of those people who think both sides of that dispute have valid points and that both sides have also behaved very badly, indeed, and I think more and more people are coming to that point of view. I wonder how long it will take the Israeli government to realize this?

(NYT: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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Vera Rubin, the astrophysicist who found evidence of Dark Matter, has passed away at the age of 88. Vera Rubin was a total bad-ass, a woman who was in the forefront of the continuing sea-change regarding women in science. She was also never awarded the Nobel Prize for her amazing discoveries, in spite of being a favorite in the field since the 1980s.

Fair winds and following seas, Vera.

(NPR:  Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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And I thought I was a lover of books. In the 1800s, the European upper classes fell victim to  “bibliomania,” a dark pseudo-psychological illness. Symptoms included a frenzy for culling and hunting down first editions, rare copies, books of certain sizes or printed on specific paper.

H/T Brother Juan

(Atlas Obscura: A collaborative project exposing esoteric and interesting stories from around the world.)

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Sunday, December 25, 2016

My platonic musical boyfriend, Leslie Odom, Jr., singing Winter Song from Simply Christmas.




Whatever you celebrate this holiday season, enjoy the day and count whatever blessings you have in your life.

On the Eleventh Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Saturday, December 24, 2016

Voctave, singing This is my Wish/Let There be Peace on Earth. This group has the best soprano choral singer I've every heard (the shorter blonde). Simply remarkable.


On the Tenth Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Friday, December 23, 2016

Trans-Siberian Orchestra singing This Christmas Day from Christmas Eve and Other Stories. 


Link Me Up, Scotty - Tradition FTW Edition


The U.S. Navy has decided to overturn their September decision to get rid of its 241 year tradition of job ratings (such as "Boatswain's Mate," "Hospital Corpsman," and "Yeoman"). These job titles were supposed to be replaced by a numerical classification system (MOS, for those of you familiar with the Army and the Marine Corps).

The outcry was vociferous enough, and went on long enough, for the CNO to change his mind. This is a good thing, as I'll be a Radioman until the day I die regardless of what the CNO says, and most sailors feel the same way about their own rate.

(Business Insider: Mainstream media source with minimal partisan bias concentrating on business)
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I found this meme about children and consent to be very thought provoking. I made this mistake on a somewhat minimal basis with the twins, and now wish I had not. Children need to understand, early and often, that they have the right to withhold consent for physical affection, regardless of who's asking.
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The 2017 Pirelli calendar features women of all ages, and all of the photographs are untouched. I love that Pirelli is continuing to explore new themes for their iconic calendar other than T&A.
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My favorite Christian Pastor writes an open letter to Hillary Clinton.
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The families of the victims of the Pulse Nightclub shooting have decided to sue Facebook, Twitter, and Google because they provide the medium for perpetrators to coordinate their efforts.

No one has more empathy for these families than me. No one. But it appears this lawsuit has very little legal merit, and the Communications Decency Act has always protected tech companies in the past against actions like this. I can't help wonder if the legal team behind this suit isn't taking advantage of the families, on this, their first holiday season without their loved ones. I know I wasn't thinking very clearly the first year after we lost Moe. I'm just very, very lucky that I had people who loved me and looked out for me when I was most vulnerable.

(WaPo: Mainstream media source with minimal partisan bias)

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Thursday, December 22, 2016

The incomparable Tori Amos singing Jeanette Isabella from Midwinter Graces. 


On the Eigth Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Pentatonix singing Little Drummer Boy. This is probably one of my favorite arrangements from PTX.


Link Me Up, Scotty - Your Health and Mine Edition


For we suicide loss survivors, the holidays can be an especially tough time. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention asked survivors for their best advice to help manage the grief, then published the results, including my own thoughts on the topic.
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According to a Harvard study, it turns out that older patients treated by female doctors have better objective outcomes than those treated by male doctors. I firmly believe that there is a wide range of efficacy in every profession, without regard to gender. I find these results fascinating, however, and would be very interested in the root cause of the disparity.

(NPR: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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Nobel Laureate in economics Dr. Paul Krugman on just how serious America's political situation has become. This isn't the first time I've heard informed writers compare the United States of the last 100 years to the Roman Empire. Trump isn't the cause of this mess - he's the result of it. Normalizing the behavior of the Republican Party will lead to our ruin. 

(NYT: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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Turns out the FAA is helping police suppress reporting from the Dakota Pipeline protests. Tell me again how the current U.S. Government is "for the people, by the people." Money talks, democracy walks.


(ACLU: Non-profit, non-partisan organization working to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.)
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President Obama has added an historic 153 individuals to the list of people granted clemency by his administration. And why the hell not? It's not like the Republicans are going to hate him any more if he changes these people's lives for the better and gives them another chance. And it means everything to these non-violent offenders and their families.

WaPo: Mainstream media source with minimal partisan bias)
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The amazing Misty Copeland was sent by President Obama and the State Department to Havana, Cuba, as part of a sports exchange program aimed at Cuba's youth. The other athlete was Shaquille O'Neal, who taught basketball clinics. She's an amazing person. 
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Video of my Heart: The Secret Life of Muslims tells us what it's like to be a Muslim on the Internet. Hint: NEVER READ THE COMMENTS...especially on this video.


On the Seventh Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Celtic Thunder singing Christmas 1915.


On the Sixth Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Monday, December 19, 2016

The Trans-Siberian Orchestra singing The World That She Sees from The Christmas Attic. This one is especially poignant for me, as my Moe-Moe loved Christmas very much, and also loved TSO.


Link Me Up, Scotty - Be Advised by Experts Edition


Fifteen mistakes to avoid while traveling. None of these were news to me, but they were all hard-learned.
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Most of America's hate groups are rooted in White Supremacy. This should not be news to anyone who doesn't live under a damned rock.

(VOX: Skews left but still a reliable source of in-depth news)
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National Geographic put a transgender girl on the cover of a special edition on gender. People were either very grateful for the exposure or lost their shit, depending on their worldview. So the Editor wrote a letter to explain the choice and the reason for the special edition. Thank you, National Geographic, for exploring the role gender plays in young people's lives.
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How President-Elect Orange is the New Black's Twitter tantrums are actually helping traditional news outlets come back to the forefront of news. I myself subscribe to The Washington Post, and am considering adding The New York Times in addition to my regular donations to NPR and ProPublica.

(NYT: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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My semi-celebrity platonic boyfriend Eric Gardner explores why Putin (the President-Elect's butt-buddy) is so very interested in the outcome of the U.S. election...and what it means to us.
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I stole this from Jim Hines' Twitter feed because it's bloody awesome and everyone needs to know these behaviors, both for their own sake, and the sake of those they love. I have seen these behaviors in action, and believe me - it hardly ever ends well for the person on the receiving end.


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FactCheck gives us the biggest whoppers of 2016. Can you guess who's front and center in their report? I knew you could.

(FactCheck: Non-profit centrist, dedicated to truth in journalism)
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Doonesbury on press coverage of President-Elect Orange-is-the-New-Black. It's going to be a bumpy ride, children.
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Video of my Heart: An advertisement (based on real events) that shows what a small act of kindness can do for others. 

 

H/T the Superlative Carolyn

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Welcome, Christmas sung by the Whos of Whoville in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.


On the Fourth Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Peter Hollens and 300 of his closest friends who also sing a Capella singing Carol of the Bells.

Llink Me Up, Scotty - Nothing Could Go Wrong Edition


The Atlantic's cover story on the Presidency of Barack Obama, written by 2015 MacArthur fellow Ta-Nehisi Coates. Like most of Mr. Coates' writings, this one is long, but so worth the time to read it.

(The Atlantic: Skews left but still a reliable source of in-depth news)
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President Orange is the New Black's pick for Ambassador to Israel is farther right on the topic of Israel/Palestine relations than any Ambassador in history. He considers Jewish Americans who believe in a two-state solution to be worse than kapos (Jews who helped the Nazis run concentration camps in exchange for special privileges).

(VOX: Skews left but still a reliable source of in-depth news)
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An excellent guide on why spammy click-bait on Facebook is bad for you. Actually, it's bad for everyone. Think of the children. 
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Black Lung Disease is surging in Appalachia, which is understandable since the government was under reporting the rate of incidence by over 900%. But we don't need OSHA, or any of those other interfering regulatory bodies to protect our workers. No, Siree. THE FREE MARKET WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING.


This makes my heart ache for those families. What a horrible, painful way to die.

(NPR: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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Do you feel helpless to enact change in light of the completely out of control upcoming White Nationalist Administration? Lots of people do. But here's a helpful guide on how to take action written by people "in the know" - former progressive Congressional staffers. Let us move forward with courage and conviction, my friends.

H/T Eleanor
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Both the FBI and the CIA agree that Russia's interference in our election process was designed to help President Orange is the New Black win the Presidency. This is my shocked face. No, really - totally amazed that this turned out to the be case.

Also NOT SHOCKED that when I wrote my Senator about this issue (Cory Gardner, for those keeping score at home), he referenced a Department of Homeland Security report from mid-October as a justification for doing nothing. Want to guess Senator Gardner's political party? I knew you could.

(NPR: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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An opinion piece from the New York Times by a professor who has been placed on the "Professor Watchlist," an online repository of university teachers who "advance leftist propaganda in the classroom." 

McCarthy would be so proud.  

Fuck "Turning Point USA" and the horse and carriage that brings them to school on their parents' nickel. I would go out of my way to take a course from any professor who makes it on this list, whether I agreed with their specific flavor of politics, or not. Because fuck you and your "Watchlist," you dictatorial pieces of shit. 

(NYT: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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The fascinating story of the etymology of "Xmas." It's not an insult, y'all.

On the Third Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Friday, December 16, 2016

Home Free, who has my second favorite bass in all of music, singing Do You Hear What I Hear. 


Link Me Up, Scotty - Badass Women Edition


Buzzfeed brings us their annual Badass Women You Didn't Know About in 2016 list. All of these women deserve my admiration and respect, but I'm especially impressed by those who would risk their safety in an effort to live in a more egalitarian society.
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I just have to share this, and I'm still trying not to be politically confrontational over on the Book of Face, so you get the benefit of my sarcastic humor here at HCDSM:


This actually made me LOL.
________

The New York Times editorial board publishes an opinion piece on what President Cheeto's cabinet picks have in store for themselves. Even though these people think they're above all the plebeian requirements of being vetted for conflicts of interest and financial shenanigans, they're really, really, not. Because the requirements are different between the President and the Cabinet, and the vetting for Cabinet members is a matter of law rather than one of personal ethics (of which President Cheeto has none).

(NYT: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
________

A report on how Russian hackers compromised America's cybersecurity. We are so fucked.

 (NYT: Mainstream Media source with minimal partisan bias)
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President Cheeto is constantly criticizing how the media covers the things he says.
For the last month I decided not to do interviews, because they give interviews and they chop up your sentences and cut them short. You will have this beautiful flowing sentence where the back of the sentence reverts to the front and they cut the back of the sentence off, and I say I never said that. So, I said, you know what, I am not going to deal with them. They are very dishonest people, I said.
"Beautiful flowing sentences." Sure. Well, Vox decided to explore that claim with some professional linguists to see what was really going on. Their results are far more complex - and more enlightening - than "Trump speaks like a 1st grader with ADHD," which is what I thought.

(VOX: Skews left but still a reliable sources of in-depth news)
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Those ridiculous MRAs (Men's Rights Advocates) have apparently found a new home with the Alt-Right, other wise known as the Misogynist White Nationalist Men for the Regression of Human Rights. Shocked. Shocked I am by this turn of events. Not.

(New Yorker Magazine: Skews left, is considered as biased as the conservative publication The Economist for comparison purposes)
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FactCheck has their annual "FactCheck Awards" where they highlight some TV ads that made them laugh out loud and either shake their heads or scratch them. I love FactCheck.

(FactCheck: Non-profit centrist, dedicated to truth in journalism)
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On the Second Day of Christmas, My True Love Gave to Me...

Thursday, December 15, 2016

One of my favorite a Cappella groups, Pentatonix singing one of my all-time favorite songs, Hallelujah, by Leonard Cohen.


On the First Day of Christmas, my True Love Gave to Me...

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Local a Capella group Face Vocal Band singing one of my favorite Christmas songs, O Holy Night.*





*Yes, I love Christmas Carols. Yes, I'm an Atheist. No, I'm not an asshole about it.

Link Me Up, Scotty - the Keep Your Dirty Hands Off my Spoons Edition


Abi Sutherland over at Making Light on the topic of caring for ourselves and others during times of dread.
...no one is entitled to another person’s energy, attention, or joy3. Not random sea lions on the internet, nor politicians, pundits and priests. My term for people who demand my energy without my consent is spoon bandits; I’m as fond of them as I am of any brigand or pickpocket. There are people whose requests for my attention I will entertain; there are also requests that are entertaining enough that I’ll listen on those merits alone. But my energy is mine.
H/T Brother Steve
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A young college student from Oregon decided to create an art project centering on how our President-Elect views women. These are his own words. They're not taken out of context, they're not "false" or "inaccurate" - he actually said these things, it's a documented fact.

This is one of the reasons I will never, ever understand how a woman - or anyone who ever cared about a woman - could vote for this reprobate. That's our President, ladies and gentlemen. Nice job, America.
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Harry Potter loving scientists discover a new spider species that looks like the Sorting Hat. So they named it Eriovixia gryffindori. Sometimes the world is a pretty neat place.

H/T Brother Nathan
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NPR brings us a "who's who" in the future Trump administration. Jesus wept.
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A thoughtful piece on how to criticize conservative women without being a sexist douchcanoe. Litmus test: If what you're about to say is a misogynist, disgusting, sexually charged comment when it's made against a liberal woman, then guess what? It's STILL a misogynist, disgusting, sexually charged comment when you're talking about KellyAnne Conway, or Melania Trump, or Anne Coulter.

I can't believe I'm sticking up for KellyAnne Conway, Melania Trump and Anne Coulter. Thanks, fellow liberals, for bringing me to the Bizarro World Cliffs of Insanity and leaving me there. Thanks A LOT.
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Zen Pencils on Marie Curie's joy and happiness in pursuing her scientific endeavors with her beloved at her side. A life well-lived.
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Climate scientist working for the Federal government are frantically copying their data, research, and findings from an upcoming hostile Trump administration. The fact that these scientists are so genuinely concerned that they're resorting to "guerrilla archiving" says a little something about how science and facts are viewed in this country these days. Angels and Ministers of Grace, defend us.

Friends, Fact Checks, and the Three Strikes Rule

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

For the most part, I like Facebook. It allows me to keep in touch with people that I don't see very often, and share events from my own life with those I care about. For me, this is the purpose of Facebook.

But that's not everyone's purpose.

Many people in my feed these days are (still) constantly posting political content. I'm okay with that for the most part - people should use Facebook in whatever manner they choose, and I'm not the boss of anyone but me and Miss Jackson Pi. If I find it tedious, I can always hide their source material or if it gets too bad, I can hide their feeds entirely or shunt them out the airlock.

But what makes me grind my teeth is when they share something that is not well-sourced. People share fake news, they share unsubstantiated news, they share crap from citizen "journalists" who really have no idea whatsoever how to research original sources, discern truth from fiction, or even entertain that the facts might be in conflict with their emotionally held beliefs. They share propaganda from organizations who have an axe to grind and so don't care what kind of unsubstantiated bullshit they put out there as long as it gets the emotional reaction they desire. UGH. No, really - UGH.

Because I'm a liberal, I tend to see this nonsense more often from liberals than conservatives in my feed. I rarely see White Nationalist bullshit, because that sort of tripe will get you a trip out the airlock with no possibility of reprieve, but there's still plenty of right-leaning crap that gets shared without any discernment whatsoever. This keeps the left-leaning crap company.

IT'S EVERYWHERE, AND I'M SICK OF IT.

Why is it so very hard to apply basic research skills before you share this stuff? Here's a handy guide:


This is not that hard. No, really, it's not. If you want to double check the accuracy of a report, simply Google the gist of it. Sites will come up who are carrying that "news." If they're reputable (WashPo, WSJ, The Econonist, NPR, ProPublica), then cite the reputable news source and not the third bullshitter from the left. They likely have more detail than the bullshitter.

If the only hits you get are from outlets who clearly value emotional baiting above journalism (WND, Bipartisan Report, etc.) then perhaps the story isn't actually, you know, true, and you should probably do additional research to determine what the facts are.

There are people in this world who make their living doing this work. They're called "journalists," and the best ones are employed by organizations who maintain tried and true standards by which they judge their content - before they put it out into the world. Do they occasionally make mistakes? Of course they do. And when they do, they pay for it with their credibility and their trust. But please do not try to convince me that there are "no" news sources that are worthy of trust, or that "there is no research or reading you can do to know the truth."* 

Spare me such drivel, and do everyone a favor and check and cite your sources before you spread your partisan brand of bullshit into the world. 

In fact, I'm considering a "three strikes and you're out" rule. Spread easily discernible falsehoods on Facebook more than twice, and you get the airlock. Liberal or conservative doesn't matter - but your mental laziness does.

________
*A direct, no shit quote from a "just give him a chance" Trump supporter. My initial response was to think, "Well, there may not be research or reading that YOU can do, but I went to college and have basic research and analytic skills." I did not, however - it was on an acquaintance's wall, and I have better things to do than antagonize perfect strangers.

Link Me Up, Scotty - Ferocious Women Edition

Monday, December 12, 2016

You know, I've always admired Dolly Parton. She's a hell of a musician, and by all accounts a decent human being, as well. And apparently I'm not the only one who thinks so.
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The Atlantic provides some hopeful photographs from 2016. Number 31 makes me ridiculously happy.
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A lovely story about Annie Glenn, wife to amazing person John Glenn, who is quite amazing in her own right. Now I'm crying again. Stupid humans, who continue to be awesome in spite of our crazy world.
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Madonna is my kind of fiery feminist. Talk to me sometime about what it was like to serve as a woman in the pre-Tailhook Navy, and why I admire Assistant Secretary of the Navy Barbara Pope so very much. Nothing changes unless we stand up for ourselves and others.
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Teen Vogue takes on the President-Elect and advises their core audience to"wake up" and show some discernment in the acceptance and dissemination of information:
There are things you can and should be doing to turn your unrest into action, but first let's empower ourselves with information. Insist on fact-checking every Trump statement you read, every headline you share or even relay to a friend over coffee. If you find factual inaccuracies in an article, send an email to the editor, and explain how things should have been clearer. Inform yourself what outlets are trustworthy and which aren’t. If you need extra help, seek out a browser extension that flags misleading sites or print out a list of fake outlets, such as the one by communications professor Melissa Zimdars, and tape it to your laptop. Do a thorough search before believing the agenda Trump distributes on Twitter. Refuse to accept information simply because it is fed to you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. That is now the base level of what is required of all Americans. If facts become a point of debate, the very definition of freedom will be called into question.
Teen girl magazines have come a long way since I was their target audience...which is nothing but good. Be sure to watch the video at the end of the article - these young people are our future, and deserve our respect and admiration.

H/T Brother Steve
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Veteran journalist Dan Rather posted this to his Facebook page, and because some of my readers don't have Facebook accounts, I'm going to copy and paste it here. This election season I have found Mr. Rather's analysis and commentary so spot on, so pertinent to an adult political conversation, that I soundly wish he would choose a venue that didn't require an account/login in order for his work to be shared more widely.
Forget talking about the Trump Administration. The question now is whether this will be a Trump Putin Administration or a Putin Trump Administration.

Trump can publicly diss the findings of the CIA all he wants - itself a worrying development for a President-elect seemingly allergic to intelligence briefings. But the reality is that America's intelligence community has found solid evidence that Russia favored electing a President Trump. Tweeting in a post-fact world doesn't change that.

You may say, didn't we already know this? But assessment is different from conjecture. Republican officials cannot be allowed to duck this issue. Yes some, like Lindsay Graham, are sounding the right notes on the dire need to protect our democratic institutions. We need a full and complete Congressional investigation. Damn partisan politics. Let the facts lead where they may. Let’s get to the truth, or as close to the truth as is humanly possible.

I am struck to the point of extreme disappointment by the complicit silence. Ronald Reagan is rolling over in his grave. This is Russia; a newly aggressive and assertive Russia. Yes, we The People need new thinking and fresh approaches for dealing with the Russia of today. And, yes—as my friend Professor Steve Cohen of New York University (one of the savviest experts on Russia in the English-speaking world) reminds me—demonizing the Russians and Putin can be carried to counter-productive extremes. And, yes, we have and have had all kinds of mutually beneficial dealings with other dictatorial regimes all over the world (leaders of the old Soviet Union, for example; or leaders past and present in China.) But this has to be weighed against the fact that Putin is a former KGB officer and has done things indicative of a demagogic strongman. Throw in the evidence of serious tampering with the recent U.S. Presidential election and what you have is the making of a global strategic showdown over American ideals.

The craven calculus of too many Republicans at this point seems to be that pursuing a reactionary policy portfolio that now includes gutting Medicare and Social Security is more important than the fact that a foreign power has meddled in an election decided in three states by a total vote total that, as somebody I read noted, could fit into a college football stadium.

The news on this front is now compounded by Trump's choice for Secretary of State - Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson - who has close ties to Putin. This is on top of multiple other links to Russia from members of Trump's inner circle.

The Founding Fathers worried about a demagogue rising to power backed by a foreign adversary. That notion seemed to diminish to the point of a quaint anachronism over the centuries as our democracy solidified and our strength as a world power grew. No longer.

Perhaps it is too strong to suggest that to countenance what Putin and Russia did in our presidential election with a shrug or a justification forfeits the right to call yourself a patriot, no matter how many flags lapel pins you own... that may be going too far. But maybe not.
I don't think it's going too far. I think it's not going far enough. The words that come to mind include traitor, and treasonist, and defector. I spent a goodly portion of my adult life as a Cold Warrior with direct responsibility for information and technology that I swore to protect against the Soviet Union and her allies. I take the Russian threat quite seriously - Putin is not fucking around, and neither should we. I've already sent notes to my Senators and Representatives. Have you?
________

The amazing and gifted Toni Morrison wrote a prescient essay in March of 2015 about the correct actions for artists in times of dread. I would submit that all people of conscience have an obligation in this arena, not just artists. "There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear." Indeed not. Let us move forward, with courage and conviction.

H/T Debbie the Librarian
________

The Mayor of Denver orders police to stop confiscating blankets and tents from the homeless population. Wait....what? Why the hell were they doing that in the first fucking place? And why did it take the threat of a Federal lawsuit to get them to stop? What the fuck is wrong with people? No, really - what?

Link Me Up, Scotty - Hope and Dread Edition

Friday, December 9, 2016

My pal Alex addresses their Republican relative on why members of the LGBTQ community are scared to death of our new White Nationalist Administration (WNA). Word.
________

Crooks and Liars describes a plan that would allow Senate Democrats to confirm Merrick Garland as a Justice of the Supreme Court in spite of the upcoming Republican majority. Be bold, Senators. The process described is legal, within Senate rules, and allows the President's choice to be appointed in spite of Republican obstructionism. It's not like the Republicans will be any less smug and obstructionist once they hold the majority, so seize the day.
________

Coal companies are about to deprive 16,000 retired coal workers of their pensions and health benefits. This is basically the same moral issue as the Dakota Access Pipeline. People with the most to lose are first in line to get screwed. Rich, amoral douchecanoes are perfectly willing to take all kinds of risks in their business dealings, providing they're not the ones who have to pay the piper when shit goes South. Pitchforks and torches, y'all - they're coming.
________

NPR's Book Concierge has published their Best Books of 2016 list. So many tasty choices! Except my "to read/listen" list now has over 75 titles on it, and I'm not sure I need to add a bunch more.

H/T Brother Steve
________

From the Apoplectic with Rage Files: The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom is now tracking hate crimes against libraries, books, and patrons because of a sudden uptick in these incidences. I'll give you one guess as to who the target of these crimes are. Hint: It's not Christian White Nationalists.

Libraries are supposed to be safe spaces where people can feed their mind openly and without fear of retribution. There's a reason libraries stood up to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies when they came looking for library records under the Patriot Act. And now these reprobates are pissing on the courage and convictions of librarians because they don't understand the actual purpose of libraries. Grrr. 

H/T Brother Juan
________

Video of my Heart: This Christmas commercial from Poland about the power of connection.

I'm not crying, you're crying.


A Spiteful Bitch

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Today I went to the Rec Center at lunchtime for lap-swim. I haven't used lap-swim as a means of cardio conditioning since my last Navy PRT...which was a very long time ago, indeed. 

Here's what I learned:
  1. If you haven't done lap-swimming as cardio conditioning for a very long time indeed, you should probably not try to match your pace from the dawn of civilization. Hints that your goals are not realistic: Noodly arms, dizziness upon exiting the pool, and finding your head sinking in the water on your last lap. The lifeguard didn't have to fish me out or anything, but I'm glad I stopped when I did - at the 25 minute mark. I lost count of my laps. 
  2. The chlorine in the pool makes my already winter-dry skin feel like poorly cured leather. I may need something stronger than my trusty Aveeno.
  3. I should probably not choose two cardio activities that require serious arm involvement two days in a row, because now my arms want a divorce. 
  4. I love my Speedo tank suit for laps, but I'd forgotten what a pain in the ass it is to get it OFF. At some point, I expect I'm going to injure my back in an effort to do so. 
Middle age, you are a spiteful bitch.

Link Me Up, Scotty - Hope and Outrage Edition

Monday, December 5, 2016

My favorite Christian pastor offers words of hope and encouragement during this dark time in our nation's history. #nevillefightsback
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President Obama and his sacred duty to the wounded at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. While I didn't agree with some of the President's policies, I will miss him terribly once he's gone.
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The Atlantic publishes their 2016 Photographs of the Year.
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Remember when I was bitching about how the DoD was making veterans pay back re-enlistment bonuses due to an error on the part of the government and its representatives? Well, lawmakers have taken action to help relieve those service members of this burden. It's nice to be pleasantly surprised by our ne'er do well legislative branch.
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With the real failure of media coverage on the Standing Rock protests, leave it to Cracked to be the one to actually do some, you know, journalism. So the heinous fuckery up there continued to escalate, until the Army Corps of Engineers put a temporary halt to construction.

Who thinks the pipeline will be rerouted after President Cheeto takes office? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Yeah, I thought not. Money talks, democracy walks, at least in today's America.
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Our White Nationalist President has decided to nominate retired USMC General James N. Mattis for the position of Secretary of Defense. But some feel President Cheeto is getting more than he bargained for.

One can only hope.
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The Atlantic with a series of photographs on "A Hidden American Anger." There's been a renewed interest in poor, white, rural America, and these photographs tell the tale of these forgotten communities.
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An a Capella group re-imagines Hamilton...as the story of Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. You know you need this in your life.

H/T Brother Steve


The Past as Prologue

Sunday, December 4, 2016

Yesterday we watched our five-year-old niece for the day while her parents got their things moved into their new home. Over the course of the day, she reminded me of Moe so many ways.
She provides the soundtrack for her life. In a loud, joyful voice.

She's a crafty little kid. Yesterday our craft was a felt bee sewing kit. And I need to get over to Michael's and restock the craft box.

She can't fathom the idea that when she says "please" she still may not get what she wants, and is in fact shocked that one does not automatically follow the other.

She feels deeply for others. This may or may not grow into an instinct to protect those who cannot defend themselves as it did with Moe, but given her personality, I suspect it will.

Everything is just SO EXCITING. Yesterday, for example, she was going to have a more funnest day than ANYONE.

She's very bright. Extremely bright.
Sometimes these similarities cause a little lurch in my heart, as they remind me of what I've lost. But mostly they make me hopeful and happy. And for that I can be grateful.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 30 - The Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is one of those series whose characters are complex, flawed, and sometimes full of shit.






Harry Dresden is a wizard who lives in Chicago. In many ways, he's kind of a hot mess, and gets himself into far more trouble than is strictly warranted. He's opinionated and willful, powerful and vulnerable, and sometimes a complete dumbass.

But he and his companions try to fight the good fight. Even when they make mistakes - serious mistakes - they do so out of a desire to do good. The problem, of course, is that intention doesn't matter much when you kill someone, or change the course of their life in some fundamental, foundational way. What matters is the deed, and some of the deeds can be horrible, indeed.

The stories are interesting, and his overarching arc is getting more and more dreadful. Each book puts Harry deeper into a corner, until I fear he will run out of options eventually.

I look forward to each one, though, and want to find out what happens to Harry and his friends (and his enemies). And I love Mouse, who is far wiser than his owner, and a complete bad ass in his own right.

Don't annoy the Temple Dog.

Link Me Up, Scotty - Credibility Edition

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Why Sesame Street finally allowed other cast members to "see" Mr. Snuffleupagus, instead of just Big Bird.
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Outside the Beltway points out why losing graciously is such an important part of our political process here in the United States, and why Hillary's decision to do so makes her a more dedicated public servant that Trump could ever be. The money quote:
Clinton’s followers may take consolation that Hillary Clinton was the only major-party candidate in the 2016 election sufficiently devoted to her country to honor the electoral system, win or lose.   She was the only candidate who consistently held to the essential belief that democracy only works when vying candidates hold democratic elections to be more important than their ambition or ideology.   By her words and example in defeat she reaffirmed, and strengthened, the American way.  Let us then be grateful for gracious losers, for our losers no less than our winners carry forward the American experiment in self-rule. 
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Author Barbara Kingsolver on our obligations as citizens and human beings during a Trump presidency. Let us not grow weary, indeed.
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Some suggestions on how to protest the alt right/white nationalists/actual nazis post election season. Stay strong and active, my brothers and sisters.
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Words can be, as my friend Kathy puts it, "bullets for the soul." I wish I had learned this lesson earlier in my life.
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Why do the whackadoos always feel they have the skills and expertise to represent themselves when their heinous acts bring them to trial? I don't approve of the death penalty as a matter of principle, but if the state is going to charge someone with a capital crime, then I don't think self-representation should be an option.
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The doucheweasel who is now Internet Famous for his 45 second President Cheeto rant aboard a Delta flight is now banned from flying Delta for the rest of his life. WTF, Delta? As much as I would like to smack the doucheweasel in the head with the Shovel of Doom™, he didn't do anything illegal, and quieted down once the flight attendant told him to STFU. This is the kind of shit that makes conservatives think liberals are big ole crybabies. He was offensive. So what? Lots of people offend me on airplanes with their shitty behaviors, but I don't think people should be banned for them.
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Video of my Heart: How a Bookmobile saved the life and future of a young migrant worker. For me, this is the primary purpose of a library - to give hope, to inspire, to teach, to encourage people with limited options.


A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 29 - The Secret Life of the Grown Up Brain: The Surprising Talents of the Middle Age Mind, by Barbara Strauch


Are you middle-aged? Is your once agile mind slower to learn new things? Is the mind that was once a steel trap more like a sieve these days?

Yeah, me, too.

Which is why I enjoyed this book so very much. The Secret Life of the Grown Up Brain by Barbara Strauch is one of those books that gives you hope and a sense that even though you might think you're losing your goddamn mind, you're really not. 






Strauch takes the idea that an aging brain is not valuable, not as smart as a younger brain and tips it on its head.

For many years, scientists thought that the human brain simply decayed over time and its dying cells led to memory slips, fuzzy logic, negative thinking, and even depression. But new research from neuroscien­tists and psychologists suggests that, in fact, the brain reorganizes, improves in important functions, and even helps us adopt a more optimistic outlook in middle age. Growth of white matter and brain connectors allow us to recognize patterns faster, make better judgments, and find unique solutions to problems. Scientists call these traits cognitive expertise and they reach their highest levels in middle age.
So even though you can't remember where you left your phone, your keys, or your glasses, there are other things for which your aging brain is just right. Go, brain, go. 

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 28 - Zoo City, by Lauren Beukes

Monday, November 28, 2016

I just loved Lauren Beukes' Zoo City.


Beukes is a South African author, and this fantasy story has interesting elements of her culture and country, which enriches her story. The writing is unique in that I would categorize some concepts in the story as weird fiction, and other supernatural aspects of this world are not explained at all.

In some ways, leaving these elements to the imagination makes me feel itchy and unfinished, but in other ways, it makes the story more compelling.

A great writer, and a great book.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 27 - The Tao of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff

Sunday, November 27, 2016

The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff was published shortly after I graduated from high school and turned eighteen.






This is a book about Taosim and its basic concepts told in the context of Winnie the Pooh and his forest friends. As a youngster, I loved Winnie the Pooh, and as a young adult, I had a lot of interest in Eastern religions. So of course I found this book delightful. 

The author uses the archetypes of Pooh's world to help western readers how to calm you mind, live in peace, and just be. 

I still haven't learned this lesson, of course. My mind is seldom still, I seldom feel peaceful. I don't resemble Pooh very much in this regard. But I can continue to try. 

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 26 - The Chief Inspector Gamache Series, by Louise Penny

Saturday, November 26, 2016

The Chief Inspector Gamache Series by Louise Penny are a fairly recent find for me.


I listened to the first one several years ago, and then immediately recommended them to everyone I knew. Louise Penny has a way of writing that sucks you in, sort of a fireside chat narration where even though the narrative is somewhat low-key, you just can't stop reading.

Her main character, Chief Inspector Gamache, is smart, sneaky, and not to be trifled with. The people around him, both from his department and also in Three Pines (the town where most of the stories occur) are interesting, nuanced, and colorful.

These are not earth-shattering books. No fundamental epiphanies can be found between their pages, and reading them has not made a better, more educated human being.

What they are is a fine example of craft. Louise Penny is an extraordinarily gifted writer, and that's reason enough to read her books.



Random Thoughts and Words to Live By, Part 21

Friday, November 25, 2016

When someone begins their sentence with, "I don't want to sound racist, but..." what follows is almost invariably racist as fuck.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 25 - The Prydain Chronicles, by Lloyd Alexander


The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander were the books that got me hooked on reading. Prior to their introduction in my life, I wasn't really a recreational reader. I would read for school (and mostly enjoyed it), but in my free time I was more of a crafty kind of person.


But the tales of Taran, Eilonwy, Fflewddur Fflam, Doli, Gurgi, Hen Wen, Gwydian, Dallben and Coll are what brought me to the point where I loved reading. After finishing these books, I moved on to other YA fiction, including The Great Brain by John D. Fitzgerald, the Judy Blume books, The Riddle Master Trilogy by Patricia A. McKillip, The Heinlein juveniles, and many, many more.

But it all started with Taran, Assistant Pig Keeper, Hen Wen, the Oracular pig, and their many friends and companions. Mr. Alexander changed my life forever with these books. And for that I'm truly grateful.

Link Me Up, Scotty - Rot and Ruin Edition

Thursday, November 24, 2016

My favorite Christian Pastor on giving thanks for things that appear to be terrible, but can give meaning and purpose to our lives. Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.
________

A fascinating article on the economic and social consequences of electing Trump to the White House. The money quote:
In fact, this alliance was not primarily economic—although painting it so was politically potent—but cultural. Many of its members were affluent, quite a few well off. They had little problem with technology and globalization, much less well-placed lobbying, from which many benefited. Their grievance was that they were being left behind not economically but socially. As Donald Trump astutely pointed out in cultivating them: “This is your last chance.” His brilliant appeal to “make America great again,” was, for most, not a call for economic redistribution or job opportunity but for social relevance. His message was nothing less than to literally Take America Back to an imagined past that was as longed for as it was illusory, a past where their values were ascendant and where the others knew their place.
Make no mistake, this election was not primarily about the economy. For Trump’s adherents, it was about nothing less than saving the soul of the nation. Their quarrel with government was not that they were doing badly but that “the others” were making inroads, catching up, and, if unchecked, they would somehow surpass the Real Americans. The impulses of Trump’s legions were not racial, but tribal. What was “elite” about their foes was not their finances but their fluidity, their openness to change, which conservatives saw as a challenge not to their pocketbooks but a threat to their belief system.
Which is why the passions of this election had the force of a religious war and Donald Trump was seen as a savior. It explains why so many people voted for him, well aware of his deficiencies and how unfit he was for the White House. In religious terms, a tool of divine deliverance may be flawed, but it must still be wielded. Trump was such a scourge. We will see how he does the Lord’s work.
I believe this analysis is spot on. The concept of "whitelash" against a country that is making inroads to a more egalitarian society is right on the money based on my own experiences and the Trump supporters I know. Terrified of giving up (or even acknowledging) their unearned privilege, they completely went off the deep end in effort to retain it.

H/T Brother Eric
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Pfizer sues the State of Texas for having the temerity to share the prices Pfizer charge to Texas Medicaid for their prescription drugs. I find this completely unsurprising, actually. Why are people still so shocked that publicly traded pharmaceutical companies are primarily interested in making money rather than in healing the sick? From their point of view, the former is their job. The latter is just a means to accomplishing their job. These people are not humanitarians.
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It appears Mitt Romney is being seriously considered as the new Secretary of State. While I don't agree with Mitt's politics, at least he appears to be a moderately decent human being, and (more importantly) he's qualified. I'll take it.
________

An open letter from a transwoman to her in-laws. This is one of those things where you're either all-in, or you're not. And if you're not, then don't be surprised when your family member holds it against you.

Most of you know this is a hot-button issue for me. Everyone should have the right to live authentically, and insisting that people hide who they are for the comfort of bigots is never an acceptable alternative.
________

Helen's annual Thanksgiving Family letter. I kind of want to go to Helen's house for the holiday...
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Apparently President-Elect Trump's many, many, conflicts of interest in his new post are not his fault and completely acceptable anyway because...people voted for him? It must be nice to have none of the rules apply to you, ever.

Also: Will someone on his staff who isn't a complete fucking idiot delete his Twitter account already? Geez.
________

A thought-provoking article on what Democrats and liberals should concentrate on for the next four years. The entire thing is worth a read, but here's the money quote:
The focus of left-of-center politics in the dark years to come must be on protecting the groups of people who are targets precisely because of their identities. To sideline their interests is to accede to a backlash that has just begun and will only get worse. If Democrats standing up for diversity makes Trump voters feel disrespected, the best response is a slogan popular among enemies of political correctness at Trump rallies: Fuck your feelings.
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Millions of Muslims march against ISIS in Iraq, and no one notices.  I'm sure it's just an oversight and not because this story contradicts preconceived notions about the Muslim culture. Yeah, that's it.
________

Video of my heart: Vice President Joe Biden on CBS' Note to Self writes a letter to his younger self, explaining the purpose and value of his life to his family and his country. I'll miss you, Uncle Joe.



A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 24 - The Riddle-Master Trilogy, by Patricia A. McKillip


The Riddle-Master Trilogy by Patricia A. McKillip was a series I read again and again in high school.


These stories are the tale of a man named Morgan. He is the land ruler of a small island called Hed, and like other rulers in this world, he has what is called the "land rule." Land rule is a deep connection between the ruler and the land, and serves to provide rulers the knowledge and needs of the land as a means of governing.

But there's more to Morgan's life than Hed, to his great regret. He plays many other roles in this world, none of them easy, and none of them without dire consequences to himself and those around him. As he finds his way to his destiny, he leaves a trail as wide as a house, and coming to terms with all that it entails.

I think the reason I liked these books so much is because all the main characters are just a hot mess. And since I was in high school at the time, I, too, was a hot mess. Reading about the trials and tribulations of these fantasy characters made me feel less like a failure, less like a disappointment to everyone around me, less confused about who I was and what I wanted to do.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 23 - A Wrinkle in Time Quintet, by Madeleine L'Engle

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

These were the books that helped define my childhood.


I don't remember how old I was when I first read the A Wrinkle in Time Quintet, but I just loved the adventures of Meg, Charles Wallace, Calvin, Mr. Jenkins, Dennys and Sandy. I was an awkward youngster (or at least I certainly felt that way), and i identified with Meg while simultaneously wanting to be special like Charles Wallace. I found the uneasy compassion and dedication to duty of Mr. Jenkins to be awkwardly endearing. I loved the point of view of Proginoskes, who first exposed me to the idea that "love" is not a feeling.

I have to admit I preferred the first three books to the last two, but even though Many Waters and An Acceptable Time didn't speak to me the other three did, I still found them enjoyable and well written. I cried when I read that Ms. L'Engle had passed. Once I'm done rereading the Harry Potter books, I may put these in queue, as well.

ALL the Feelings, Revisited

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

It's now been two weeks since the white people in this country elected Trump to the highest office in the land, and I'm starting to get a handle on my feelings. The vitriol is slowly fading. I no longer want to punch Trump supporters in the head (at least not all of them). And I have a better handle on why this election outcome has affected me so negatively.

For me, the bottom line is this. The main reason I am still so personally upset by this election has to do with my understanding of what America is, and the progress we've made toward our ideals.

In my pre-election world, America was a place where character mattered. It was a place where "most" people could understand why a bully, a racist, a bigot, a misogynist, an incompetent, a white nationalist, is simply not the best choice to lead our nation. After President Obama was elected, I thought that while racism was still very much a problem in this country, we had turned a corner in our cultural history. I thought that Trump's honesty in telling America who he was by word and deed was sufficient to deny him the highest office in the land. I thought I lived in a world where America honored their veterans, regardless of race, religion, or the national origin of their families.

The reason I'm so upset is because I was so very, very wrong.

We do not live in that America. We do not live in a country where the self-admitted character flaws of an unqualified candidate is sufficient to keep him out of office. We do not live in an America where the majority would dismiss a white nationalist out of hand because we valued our fellow citizens and neighbors, even though they're not the same color as us, or don't worship like us, or don't talk like us. We do not live in a country who values courage in the face of adversity. We've proven by our actions that we do not value compassion, service, egalitarianism, and competence.

No, we don't live in that America, if we ever did.*

We live in a country where the ethnic majority elected someone who is, without question, a bully, a racist, a bigot, a misogynist, an incompetent, and a white nationalist as the leader we want to represent us to the world.

I just cannot wrap my head around this. How is this okay? Do the majority of white people really think this is the best we have to offer to the world, to ourselves? Does this truly represent the way most white people think about our country? Do they believe these are the values that most closely align with who we are and who we want to be?

This is the reason I'm so upset, so heartbroken, so angry about our election result. Because I thought I lived in one America, and it turns out I don't. I live in an America who has forsaken our ideals. I live in an America who has disrespected my service by betraying our national character. And that makes me sadder than I can say.

________
*I know every single person of color who is reading this is thinking, "No shit, you privileged, oblivious white girl." And they are so, so right. In spite of my efforts, I'm still very much a product of my environment, with much to learn about the experiences of my countrymen and women who are not like me. A work in progress, y'all.

A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 22 - Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, by Lorna Landvik


Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, by Lorna Landvik is one of those books where I was so invested in the characters that I spent my reading time alternating being crying, laughing out loud, shaking my fist at the resident doucheweasel, and smiling like a loon.






This book spans forty years, and describes the deep friendships between five women who are neighbors and members of an unofficial book club. It describes their triumphs, their tragedies, their secrets, and how they support each other in crafting their lives to suit them.

Lorna Landvik has a way of writing her characters that makes it very easy to care about them, and identify with their struggles. I wanted every single one to have a happy ending, but life's not like that, unfortunately.

Link Me Up, Scotty - Less Social Media, More Civility Edition

Monday, November 21, 2016

This article was brought to my attention by Kathy, and it addresses how I'm not the only one who gave Facebook and other social media the straight-arm after the election. People are either quitting altogether or have significantly cut back on the time they spend on social media. I myself am back on social media, but I'm limiting my time and emotional investment, and am seriously considering removing "friends" who post only political content. I can only consider this to be a net good in the world.
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A testimonial to "what kind of people" fall victim to suicide. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. 
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From the there's hope for America yet files, high school girls in Duluth choose to stand with their Muslim classmates in an effort to make them feel safe and welcome. THERE'S SOMETHING IN MY EYE, because this is totally something my Moe-Moe would have done.
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My favorite Christian pastor addresses those who voted for Trump and how he's completely willing to give them the benefit of the doubt - unless they stand in silence when the new administration makes good on their bigoted promises.

Silence is acceptance, and Pastor Pavlovitz points this out with compassion, grace, and forgiveness. I'm working to let go of politics in my personal relationships, and this is a good place to start. I want to give Trump supporters the benefit of the doubt. But their behavior moving forward will determine how I judge them.
________

New York Magazine has decided to publish a weekly inventory of all of Trump's most jaw-dropping, stomach-churning, spine-tingling affronts to liberal democracy. Forewarned is forearmed, y'all.
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Vice-President Elect Pence proves he's not a complete douchecanoe after being booed as a member of the audience during a performance of Hamilton. His response was to compliment the show, and then comment that the boos were "what freedom sounds like." I agree with VP-Elect Pence on basically nothing, but I can appreciate this response...

...unlike his whiny-ass boss, who is apparently as thin-skinned and touchy as ever. Because he "heard" it was "overrated." Probably by other white nationalists, I suspect. ::snort::

Whatevs, Cheeto.
________

Getting your news from Facebook instead of a reputable news source? You might want to reconsider that strategy, especially if you consider yourself a conservative. The truth matters. It really, really matters.
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Still think the hateful rhetoric women endure on-line when they attempt to work in a public space isn't a big deal? Check this out and imagine you saying some of this shit to your mother. 
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The FADA (First Amendment Defense Act) is the most heinous piece of legislative fuckery I've seen in quite some time.  Serious fuckery, y'all. I shall contact my Senators and Representative forthwith.
________ 

Video of the Week: My platonic celebrity boyfriend Leslie Odom, Jr. sings Winter Song from his new Christmas album, Simply Christmas. 


A Month of Literary Gratitude, Day 21 - Final Salute: The Story of Unfinished Lives, by Jim Sheeler


Jim Sheeler won a Pulitzer Prize for the material contained in this book, and he damn well earned it.





Rocky Mountain News reporter Jim Sheeler and photographer Todd Heisler spent a year with the Marines stationed at Aurora's Buckley Air Force Base who have found themselves called upon to notify families of the deaths of their sons in Iraq. In each case in this story, the families agreed to let Sheeler and Heisler chronicle their loss and grief. They wanted people to know their sons, the men and women who brought them home, and the bond of traditions more than 200 years old that unite them.


Final Salute is an amazing book. This narrative is profoundly moving. I have performed aspects of this duty, and yet I still found myself choking up as the author describes the heartache and devastation left by the loss of my brothers-in-arms.

Most people in this country will never know the grief associated with losing a child, spouse or parent in the service of our country. But if you can understand the process, and realize what the families and the service members are going through as a result of this sacrifice, you begin to address the isolation associated with the life of a professional soldier, sailor, airman or Marine. And we could all use a little more of that kind of understanding.


NOTE: You can find the accompanying photographs for this book here.