It's the final Friday in February, can you believe it?
Anyway, here is a collection of news and other things that I ran across over the course of the week which struck me as worthy of being shared:
I Didn't Kill Benjamin Ng, But Maybe I Should Have. One ex-undercover copy tells about his brush with Seattle's notorious Wah Me Massacre.
August Washington Post Columnist Would Like A Little F*cking Decorum Please.
The War for the Soul of Geek Culture.
“Get Over It!” How not to respond to critics of 50 Shades of Grey. "It doesn’t matter that it’s “just fiction.” Before Jaws hit theaters in 1975, great white sharks weren’t the villains we now believe them to be. But when the movie–which was purely fiction–became a blockbuster, it directly caused humans to seek out and kill sharks, causing widespread population drops in shark species across the board. The influence of that piece of fiction (coincidentally also based on a novel) even coined its own name: The Jaws Effect."
Saying Goodbye to the Baby Years.
How to Write About Characters Who Are Smarter Than You.
The Real Problem With Bread (It's Probably Not Gluten) One wheat scientist has a compelling theory.
ALis Franklin: Fat Chicks in SFF. "I knew, at the tender age of thirteen, that I would never be a hero because I was a girl, and I was fat."
The Epidemic of Facelessness. I have a fundamental disagreement with the article: I don't believe most of those who threaten (as opposed to just say insulting things when they disagree) are genuinely surprised that anyone took them seriously. They are genuinely surprised that it had real world consequences. Two distinctly different situations,
The Last of the Typewriter Men: A dynasty of repairmen is keeping the world’s typewriters from going obsolete.
"Close Encounter!" --The Rogue Star That Passed Through Our Solar System.
Ancient Mural Portrays Ordinary Mayans.
Critically Endangered Plant with Brilliant Purple Flowers Discovered in Hawaii.
The Strange Magnetic Bubbles At The Edge Of The Solar System.
John Legend: more black men are in correctional control now than were enslaved in 1850.
Gay unions getting nod in voting by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Scott Lively Warns That SCOTUS Could Unleash The Antichrist By September 2015.
The Press Is Reporting Embarrassing News About Republicans And It's So Not Fair!
The Rhodes scholarship wasn’t designed for my people — that’s why I had to win.
We must offend religion more: Islam, Christianity and our tolerance for ancient myths, harmful ideas.
I Challenge You to Stop Reading White, Straight, Cis Male Authors for One Year.
The Walking Dead’s Gay Kiss Ignites Controversy Online.
“Giuliani is a Kardashian now”: Martin Short’s blistering “Nightly Show” takedown.
The Murky Gay Politics Surrounding the 'Stay Weird' Oscars Speech.
Just let them kiss already: Why are TV shows so weird about male relationships?
Why Arkansas Needs To Take Graham Moore's Advice and Stay Weird.
Old foe of gay rights rises against 'religious liberty' ploy to legalize gay discrimination.
Twink: The Other T-Slur.
How To Talk To Girls On Twitter Without Coming Off Like A Creepy Rando.
Benjamin Netanyahu Has Been Lying to Americans For 20 Years.
Marco Rubio’s Obamacare Alternative Signs Up 42 Whole People.
Kansas GOP Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook Wants To Criminalize “Harmful” Books.
NORTH CAROLINA SENATE RESPONSE TO GAY MARRIAGE RULINGS IS APPROVED.
There is only one day left to nominate works for the Ursa Major Awards. It just so happens a story of mine published last year qualifies, The Luminous Pearl. You can read it at the link. If you like it, please consider enrolling at the Ursa Major site and nominating it in the short fiction category.
Much more recently I wrote about Literary digressions and how I accidentally wrote a book one night.
I also wrote about Pulling the trigger (warning), things that come
From the roots, and worried about how whether I had Outgrown a favorite author from my childhood.
Could There Be Another Planet Behind the Sun?:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
A homeless dog living in a trash pile gets rescued, and then does something amazing! Please share. (I'm still crying):
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Who Is Fancy: Goodbye:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Friday, February 27, 2015
Friday, February 20, 2015
Friday Links (spinning universe edition)
It's already the third Friday in February!
Anyway, here is a collection of news and other things that I ran across over the course of the week which struck me as worthy of being shared:
A Transgender 9-Year-Old’s Mom Made A Touching Video To Explain His Transition.
A gay dad’s letter to Austin Wallis, and the high school that rejected him.
Sculpting Human Evolution - Elisabeth Daynès.
What ISIS Really Wants: The Islamic State is no mere collection of psychopaths. It is a religious group with carefully considered beliefs, among them that it is a key agent of the coming apocalypse. Here’s what that means for its strategy—and for how to stop it.
Fox News Compares ISIS Extremism To The Confederacy.
When space expanded faster-than-light.
Why Rand Paul's Biology Degree Claim Matters.
You Can’t Take Back What You Already Have.
Why Does Everything In The Universe Spin?.
Human Neural Stem Cells Restore Cognitive Functions Impaired by Chemotherapy.
New Horizons Now Close Enough to See Pluto’s Smaller Moons.
'Glee' Features 200-Person Transgender Choir (VIDEO).
How I Found Myself on Friday Night's Episode of Glee - the Experience.
Aaron Schock's 'Flamboyant,' 'Racy,' 'Ripped Ab Muscles' 'Lifestyle'.
How My Dad Became a Queer Black Feminist.
GOP prez contender see no marriage, hear no marriage.
Lenovo caught installing adware on new computers. It's actually much worse than just adware...
Breaking: Massive Backlash from Parents and Students in Oklahoma After State’s Attempt to Ban AP History.
Seattle Police Union President to Cops: Get With the Times or Get Out of This City.
A More Realistic Version of the Law & Order: SVU Episode “Intimidation Game”.
COPS: MOM PUNCHED SON IN FACE FOR BEING GAY, 'TOO FEMININE'.
One name, two name, real name, true name.
Storytelling should not be preaching.
Heron Surfing Kruger Style - on the back of a Hippo!:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Solomon Georgio Stand-Up 02/10/15 - CONAN on TBS:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Unlock Your Heart - Kenyth Mogan (Official Music Video):
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Nala the 5-year-old Norwegian Forest/Maine Coon cat from Norway loves going outside and playing in snow. She especially loves playing catch with it. Her humans put together this compilation of her snow obsession and included a few clips of her other adorable antics.:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Rachel Maddow: ELVIS ‘Leaves the GOP' in Mississippi! WHY?:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Misconceptions from Television - mental_floss on YouTube (Ep. 14):
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Anyway, here is a collection of news and other things that I ran across over the course of the week which struck me as worthy of being shared:
A Transgender 9-Year-Old’s Mom Made A Touching Video To Explain His Transition.
A gay dad’s letter to Austin Wallis, and the high school that rejected him.
Sculpting Human Evolution - Elisabeth Daynès.
What ISIS Really Wants: The Islamic State is no mere collection of psychopaths. It is a religious group with carefully considered beliefs, among them that it is a key agent of the coming apocalypse. Here’s what that means for its strategy—and for how to stop it.
Fox News Compares ISIS Extremism To The Confederacy.
When space expanded faster-than-light.
Why Rand Paul's Biology Degree Claim Matters.
You Can’t Take Back What You Already Have.
Why Does Everything In The Universe Spin?.
Human Neural Stem Cells Restore Cognitive Functions Impaired by Chemotherapy.
New Horizons Now Close Enough to See Pluto’s Smaller Moons.
'Glee' Features 200-Person Transgender Choir (VIDEO).
How I Found Myself on Friday Night's Episode of Glee - the Experience.
Aaron Schock's 'Flamboyant,' 'Racy,' 'Ripped Ab Muscles' 'Lifestyle'.
How My Dad Became a Queer Black Feminist.
GOP prez contender see no marriage, hear no marriage.
Lenovo caught installing adware on new computers. It's actually much worse than just adware...
Breaking: Massive Backlash from Parents and Students in Oklahoma After State’s Attempt to Ban AP History.
Seattle Police Union President to Cops: Get With the Times or Get Out of This City.
A More Realistic Version of the Law & Order: SVU Episode “Intimidation Game”.
COPS: MOM PUNCHED SON IN FACE FOR BEING GAY, 'TOO FEMININE'.
One name, two name, real name, true name.
Storytelling should not be preaching.
Heron Surfing Kruger Style - on the back of a Hippo!:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Solomon Georgio Stand-Up 02/10/15 - CONAN on TBS:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Unlock Your Heart - Kenyth Mogan (Official Music Video):
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Nala the 5-year-old Norwegian Forest/Maine Coon cat from Norway loves going outside and playing in snow. She especially loves playing catch with it. Her humans put together this compilation of her snow obsession and included a few clips of her other adorable antics.:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Rachel Maddow: ELVIS ‘Leaves the GOP' in Mississippi! WHY?:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Misconceptions from Television - mental_floss on YouTube (Ep. 14):
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Friday, February 13, 2015
Friday Links (Lovers gonna love edition)
It's the second Friday in February, not to mention the day before Valentine's Day as well as the birthday of my good friend, Jared.
Anyway, here is a collection of news and other things that I ran across over the course of the week which struck me as worthy of being shared:
Recovering The Doves Type: In 1916, the Doves Type was seemingly lost forever after it was thrown into the River Thames.
Some more details here: STOP PRESS! ORIGINAL METAL DOVES TYPE SALVAGED FROM THE THAMES, NOVEMBER 2014. READ MORE HERE.
Sea Slug Uses Gene from Algae to Live Like a Plant.
For gifted children, being intelligent can have dark implications.
Samsung Is Doing a Great Job Showing Us How Terrible Smart TVs Can Be.
Study: ‘SO THE OPPOSITE OF ADDICTION IS NOT SOBRIETY. IT IS HUMAN CONNECTION.'
THE RISE—YES, RISE—OF RADIOSHACK.
Typeface Mechanics: 001.
No Big Bang? Quantum equation predicts universe has no beginning.
Just What Are Those White Spots On Ceres?
Forgotten Moon Camera Found Tucked Away in Neil Armstrong’s Closet.
Holy Shit, I Interviewed the President: Bethany Mota, Glozell Green, and I got an opportunity that a lot of people don’t think we deserved. "There is nothing actually legitimate about Fox News (or MSNBC for that matter) and young people know this."
#QuestionsForMen shows guys what sexism is.
Police: Family plots to teach child a lesson with fake kidnapping.
MLK's Mother Was Assassinated, Too: The Forgotten Women Of Black History Month.
Utah Puts Science Standards On Hold, Demands More Local Control Of Reality.
It’s Time To Face The Truth That Republicans Are Traitors.
When America behaved like ISIS: Jesse Washington and the Bible Belt’s dark history of public lynchings.
Same-Sex Marriages Proceed in Parts of Alabama, Amid Judicial Chaos.
ALABAMA MAN EMBROILED IN LAWSUIT AGAINST MOTHER-IN-LAW NOW LISTED AS SPOUSE ON DECEASED HUSBAND'S DEATH CERTIFICATE.
ANTI-GAY BIGOTS SAY FIGHT TO REPEAL LGBT PROTECTIONS IN HOUSTON IS 'DAVID VS. GOLIATH' BATTLE.
A Culture of Violent Entitlement, and the Culture of Silence Surrounding It.
No, Ken Ham, Atheists Are Not Spreading Misinformation About Your Noah’s Ark Theme Park.
“I Don’t Know What You Mean by ‘Healing’ ” A new documentary shows that the loss of Matthew Shepard will be with his family and friends forever.
Alabama Loses Yet Another Fight to Remain in Eighteenth Century.
Why Race Is Dominating Discussion Among LGBT Activists.
.
Homophobic slurs written on woman’s body in Tacoma hate crime attack.
Montana GOP Legislator Wants to Ban Yoga Pants.
The gay version of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue.
Christian schools scapegoat LGBT youth and it’s time it stops.
Significant Ruling Against Conversion Therapy. 'it “is a misrepresentation in violation of [New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act], in advertising or selling conversion therapy services, to describe homosexuality, not as being a normal variation of human sexuality, but as being a mental illness, disease, disorder, or equivalent..."'
Jeffress: Gay Marriage Sign of the Last Days.
Mississippi KKK 'salutes' Alabama chief justice Roy Moore for gay marriage stance.
Federal Judge Orders Mobile County Official To Stop Denying Same-Sex Marriage Licenses.
I wrote about my Four Childhood Crushes.
And I remember… lots of things about my wonderful husband.
Rabbi Responds To Huckabee's Ridiculous 'Bacon Wrapped Shrimp' Comments .
The Daily Show Tackles Gay Rights in Kansas and Alabama: ‘There’s No Place Like Homophobia’.
Sergei Polunin's ("ballet's bad boy") improvised dance to "Take Me To Church" by Hozier:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Hot Chip - Huarache Lights (Official Video):
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Chris Cuomo Battles Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in Epic 25 Minute Interview on Gay Marriage:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Madonna - LFL:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Kiesza - Take Me To Church (Hozier Cover):
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Anyway, here is a collection of news and other things that I ran across over the course of the week which struck me as worthy of being shared:
Recovering The Doves Type: In 1916, the Doves Type was seemingly lost forever after it was thrown into the River Thames.
Some more details here: STOP PRESS! ORIGINAL METAL DOVES TYPE SALVAGED FROM THE THAMES, NOVEMBER 2014. READ MORE HERE.
Sea Slug Uses Gene from Algae to Live Like a Plant.
For gifted children, being intelligent can have dark implications.
Samsung Is Doing a Great Job Showing Us How Terrible Smart TVs Can Be.
Study: ‘SO THE OPPOSITE OF ADDICTION IS NOT SOBRIETY. IT IS HUMAN CONNECTION.'
THE RISE—YES, RISE—OF RADIOSHACK.
Typeface Mechanics: 001.
No Big Bang? Quantum equation predicts universe has no beginning.
Just What Are Those White Spots On Ceres?
Forgotten Moon Camera Found Tucked Away in Neil Armstrong’s Closet.
Holy Shit, I Interviewed the President: Bethany Mota, Glozell Green, and I got an opportunity that a lot of people don’t think we deserved. "There is nothing actually legitimate about Fox News (or MSNBC for that matter) and young people know this."
#QuestionsForMen shows guys what sexism is.
Police: Family plots to teach child a lesson with fake kidnapping.
MLK's Mother Was Assassinated, Too: The Forgotten Women Of Black History Month.
Utah Puts Science Standards On Hold, Demands More Local Control Of Reality.
It’s Time To Face The Truth That Republicans Are Traitors.
When America behaved like ISIS: Jesse Washington and the Bible Belt’s dark history of public lynchings.
Same-Sex Marriages Proceed in Parts of Alabama, Amid Judicial Chaos.
ALABAMA MAN EMBROILED IN LAWSUIT AGAINST MOTHER-IN-LAW NOW LISTED AS SPOUSE ON DECEASED HUSBAND'S DEATH CERTIFICATE.
ANTI-GAY BIGOTS SAY FIGHT TO REPEAL LGBT PROTECTIONS IN HOUSTON IS 'DAVID VS. GOLIATH' BATTLE.
A Culture of Violent Entitlement, and the Culture of Silence Surrounding It.
No, Ken Ham, Atheists Are Not Spreading Misinformation About Your Noah’s Ark Theme Park.
“I Don’t Know What You Mean by ‘Healing’ ” A new documentary shows that the loss of Matthew Shepard will be with his family and friends forever.
Alabama Loses Yet Another Fight to Remain in Eighteenth Century.
Why Race Is Dominating Discussion Among LGBT Activists.
.
Homophobic slurs written on woman’s body in Tacoma hate crime attack.
Montana GOP Legislator Wants to Ban Yoga Pants.
The gay version of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue.
Christian schools scapegoat LGBT youth and it’s time it stops.
Significant Ruling Against Conversion Therapy. 'it “is a misrepresentation in violation of [New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act], in advertising or selling conversion therapy services, to describe homosexuality, not as being a normal variation of human sexuality, but as being a mental illness, disease, disorder, or equivalent..."'
Jeffress: Gay Marriage Sign of the Last Days.
Mississippi KKK 'salutes' Alabama chief justice Roy Moore for gay marriage stance.
Federal Judge Orders Mobile County Official To Stop Denying Same-Sex Marriage Licenses.
I wrote about my Four Childhood Crushes.
And I remember… lots of things about my wonderful husband.
Rabbi Responds To Huckabee's Ridiculous 'Bacon Wrapped Shrimp' Comments .
The Daily Show Tackles Gay Rights in Kansas and Alabama: ‘There’s No Place Like Homophobia’.
Sergei Polunin's ("ballet's bad boy") improvised dance to "Take Me To Church" by Hozier:
Sergei Polunin, "Take Me to Church" by Hozier, Directed by David LaChapelle from David LaChapelle Studio on Vimeo.
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Hot Chip - Huarache Lights (Official Video):
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Chris Cuomo Battles Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore in Epic 25 Minute Interview on Gay Marriage:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Madonna - LFL:
Madonna - LFL from Benjamina Falcon on Vimeo.
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Kiesza - Take Me To Church (Hozier Cover):
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Friday, February 6, 2015
Friday Links (Jonny Quest edition)
January has come and gone. Here we are, at the first Friday in the marvelous month of February. It was a heartbreaking Superbowl, but the possibility of loss it what makes the game exciting. Looking forward to next season!
Anyway, here is a collection of news and other things that I ran across over the course of the week which struck me as worthy of being shared:
Bishop Gene Robinson: Dear Mormons: Thanks But No Thanks.
How the Mormon Church Leaders Punked the Press.
"If you were a kid in 1964 and you had a TV, chances are, you wanted to be Jonny Quest." Over two hours long, but a very well made documentary about how the Jonny Quest series came to be (along the way, explaining how animation, which had been thought to be too expensive for television, was used to make prime time hits). This link is for part 1 of 3.
Jonny Quest Documentary part 2 of 3.
Jonny Quest Documentary part 3 of 3.
How an Internet trolling victim bonded with her worst troll. I love Lindy West...
Mike Huckabee Is Literally a Con Artist.
Have You Ever Tried a $58 Bottle of Beer? We Went to Stout and Did It For You (with Photos).
Harper Lee Promises A New Novel—Or Does She?
Missing transgender teen found; runaway knew about search.
Creationist Ark Museum Suing To Practice Religious Discrimination At Taxpayer Expense.
Civilities: If my husband is pro-LGBT but indulges his Chick-fil-A cravings, is he waffling?
Survivors of 1980s AIDS crisis reveal what happened to them.
The story of the bronze riders that might have been made by Michelangelo.
The Gay Gene Won't Save Us.
Montana pastor to lawmakers: We discriminate against incest, why not gay people?
Holocaust Memorial Day: The Nazi Bid to Exterminate Gay People.
Nancy Reagan Turned Down Rock Hudson’s Plea For Help Nine Weeks Before He Died.
Bully My Son at Your Own Risk.
Beware Of Mormons Bearing Gifts: Why The LDS Gay Rights `Compromise' Isn't Useful.
Mike Huckabee’s Alleged Gay Friend Surfaces On Twitter, Is Hilarious.
HTGAWM star Jack Falahee is over sex and gender binaries thank you very much.
First Stars Younger Than Thought --"May Impact Understanding Dark Components of the Universe".
Rarely Seen Moonfish, Size of Manhole Cover, Caught on Camera.
Conservatives are such crybabies: Whether Fox News or angry police, exaggerated whining is always the first move.
Atheist Nonconformity: Against the Grain.
Twitter CEO: 'We Suck at Dealing With Abuse And It's All My Fault'.
Can a Novel's Plot be Reduced to Data Points?
California moves to end personal belief exemptions for vaccination--at last.
Runaway hits.
What do you mean, “real” father?
Jonny Quest Opening Titles in Stop Motion:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Sam Smith - Lay Me Down:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
6 Sick Myths You Thought Were True - Debunked:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Ian McKellan as Mr. Holmes | In Theaters Summer 2015 | Clip:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Kelly Clarkson - Heartbeat Song:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Stephen Fry on God | The Meaning Of Life:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Anyway, here is a collection of news and other things that I ran across over the course of the week which struck me as worthy of being shared:
Bishop Gene Robinson: Dear Mormons: Thanks But No Thanks.
How the Mormon Church Leaders Punked the Press.
"If you were a kid in 1964 and you had a TV, chances are, you wanted to be Jonny Quest." Over two hours long, but a very well made documentary about how the Jonny Quest series came to be (along the way, explaining how animation, which had been thought to be too expensive for television, was used to make prime time hits). This link is for part 1 of 3.
Jonny Quest Documentary part 2 of 3.
Jonny Quest Documentary part 3 of 3.
How an Internet trolling victim bonded with her worst troll. I love Lindy West...
Mike Huckabee Is Literally a Con Artist.
Have You Ever Tried a $58 Bottle of Beer? We Went to Stout and Did It For You (with Photos).
Harper Lee Promises A New Novel—Or Does She?
Missing transgender teen found; runaway knew about search.
Creationist Ark Museum Suing To Practice Religious Discrimination At Taxpayer Expense.
Civilities: If my husband is pro-LGBT but indulges his Chick-fil-A cravings, is he waffling?
Survivors of 1980s AIDS crisis reveal what happened to them.
The story of the bronze riders that might have been made by Michelangelo.
The Gay Gene Won't Save Us.
Montana pastor to lawmakers: We discriminate against incest, why not gay people?
Holocaust Memorial Day: The Nazi Bid to Exterminate Gay People.
Nancy Reagan Turned Down Rock Hudson’s Plea For Help Nine Weeks Before He Died.
Bully My Son at Your Own Risk.
Beware Of Mormons Bearing Gifts: Why The LDS Gay Rights `Compromise' Isn't Useful.
Mike Huckabee’s Alleged Gay Friend Surfaces On Twitter, Is Hilarious.
HTGAWM star Jack Falahee is over sex and gender binaries thank you very much.
First Stars Younger Than Thought --"May Impact Understanding Dark Components of the Universe".
Rarely Seen Moonfish, Size of Manhole Cover, Caught on Camera.
Conservatives are such crybabies: Whether Fox News or angry police, exaggerated whining is always the first move.
Atheist Nonconformity: Against the Grain.
Twitter CEO: 'We Suck at Dealing With Abuse And It's All My Fault'.
Can a Novel's Plot be Reduced to Data Points?
California moves to end personal belief exemptions for vaccination--at last.
Runaway hits.
What do you mean, “real” father?
Jonny Quest Opening Titles in Stop Motion:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Sam Smith - Lay Me Down:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
6 Sick Myths You Thought Were True - Debunked:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Ian McKellan as Mr. Holmes | In Theaters Summer 2015 | Clip:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Kelly Clarkson - Heartbeat Song:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
Stephen Fry on God | The Meaning Of Life:
(If embedding doesn't work, click here.)
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