Shirts

"Two Turntables and a Homophone" shirt available at Diesel Sweeties

My computer has been broken for a while now and I've been having to use my mom's ancient beast. So, instead of working on blog posts (or homework) I've been shopping for shirts online. I've also been singing up for bumper stickers. . . just saying that makes me feel really unproductive. Seriously though, how can you resist a free anti-Sarah Palin or anti-Fox News bumper sticker?!

I got some great shirts from Threadless the other day.  Of course, today they are having a sale and all shirts are $9, but I'll learn to forgive them eventually.

Ninja Video Shut Down

A Distorted Reality., originally uploaded by The Vision Beautiful.

"Authorities at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Agency seized the domains of nine websites that had been charged with illegally pirating first-run movies yesterday. But while the domains were taken down as part of ICE’s “Operation In Our Sites,” two of the sites have already reappeared just 24 hours later.

The sites TVShack.net, Movies-Links.TV, FilesPump.com, NinjaVideo.net, NinjaThis.net, Now-Movies.com, PlanetMoviez.com, ThePirateCity.org and ZML.com, had all bought their domains from US-based registrars, which had allowed federal authorities to seize the domains. The ICE replaced those domains with the following image, warning users that it is unlawful to distribute copyrighted information without authorization. . ."

(Read the full article by Ryan Lawler here)

Women in America

058, originally uploaded by Lina Scheynius.

"Americans boast about having the freest country, yet women can’t even go out for a walk at night" 

- Jackson Katz in "It Takes a Man"

Guns

Zombieland, originally uploaded by slurring the rhythms.

I'm generally don't have positive feelings towards guns. I'm just not into killing things or injuring people. Lately though, ever since the health care bill passed, people have been getting crazy on the news. People have been threatening politicians and being violent. I kind of want to buy a gun. Not because I want to join the Tea Baggers, but to protect me from them. I mean, have you ever watched Glenn Beck?! I think I need to protect myself from people like that!

The Economy

souvenir, originally uploaded by BƛƬƲĐΐƧƮƐ.

"Mr. President, talk is cheap. Though due to soaring unemployment, no one can afford it." -Stephen Colbert

Women in Space: A Response

32.365 - The Misarranged Mary Poppins, originally uploaded by nikilynn.

This post is in response to the Popgadget article, "Women had The Right Stuff to be early astronauts, but their timing was lousy."  

How could this be "the women's fault"?

The US military discriminated against women by not allowing them into their pilot training programs and then NASA only recruited military pilots. If you think that this just happens to be a coincidence or was done simply out of convenience you are sadly mistaken. NASA fully understood the implications of what they were doing. This article specifically demonstrates the types of institutionalized discrimination we've grown accustom to in America.

Frankly, I'm surprised that Popgadget (a site geared towards women) would post such an article on their site. Most readers of the original article "Why NASA Barred Women Astronauts" by Henry Spencer, would be aware of the lack of acknowledgment of sexism on decision making and the obvious biases of the author. Below the article are some constructive comments to that effect. I believe that the author of this post should have better evaluated the original article and spent more time researching the topic before propagating this offensive viewpoint.

UPDATE:  Popgadget refused to post my comment on their site.  If you were also offended by their article please write to them at info@popgadget.net.

What type of Feminist are you?

Unless you've been living in the dark ages, like it or not, you are probably a Feminist. This means you too guys! Well, now you can find out exactly what type of Feminist you are by taking this quiz. I didn't make it, but I posted it on the quiz site, so check it out! It turns out I am a Political Feminist! What are you?

Cars Versus People

One Mans Junk Is Another Mans Treasure (Unedited), originally uploaded by [Nocturne].

"With cars, unlike people, there's a government mandate saying you're required to to insure them, because cars are important."
-Jon Stewart, The Daily Show: 8/17/2009

Rant

¡¡¡ Navidaaaaahhhggg !!!, originally uploaded by alfonstr.

I'm so sick of hearing about people's fear of socialism/ the president. Thanks for the mass hysteria, corporate news! Instead of informing people about current events and educating about proposed bills they spread irrational fear.

If you want to learn about the health care reform bill I suggest you stop following Sarah Palin's Facebook and read the real thing here.

Corporate Health Care

Wheel Chair, originally uploaded by NicP.

Everyone's been talking about universal health care lately. Critics claim that we have the finest health care in America. They believe that a universal health plan would be as unpleasant as post office or DMV.

My grandmother is currently in the hospital and I've had some time to reflect about corporate health care. To opponents who claim that the change would make patient care similar to the DMV, I have one question, "Have you ever visited an emergency room?" Our local corporately owned hospital bears a resemblance to Walmart if anything.

My mom and aunt have been staying at my grandmother's hospital room from around 7 am to 7 pm. The room is dirty and the nurses have forgot to give my grandma her medication and twice forgot to feed her. On their records for medication allergies, they had the medication they gave her in the emergency room the day before listed. My grandma broke some of the discs of her spine and is on pain medication that makes her confused and unable to ensure she is properly cared for.

If you think I'm exaggerating about the care at the hospital because this is my relative you are mistaken. My grandmother's roommate who also has a spinal injury only has brief visits from her family. She is left sitting in her bedside chair, with her TV off and out of reach, with a tray of food in front of her. She is left without silverware and is unable to open the food packaging or reach her call button. Luckily, my family is willing to help her also.

If this is the best health care in the world we all should be scared.

Universal Heath Care

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Heal or No Heal
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Jason Jones in Iran

Jon Stewart makes a good point towards the end.

It's Five AM!

Henry Rollins, originally uploaded by Retoucher - Print Ready Design.

I love Henry Rollins! I'm listening to "Provoked" right now. I saw him on his Provoked tour in Chico. He makes me want to read more about politics and existentialism. Rollins is hilarious!

Who is Cornelius Cakely?

Birthday Boy Strikes Again!!, originally uploaded by aknacer.

I haven't written a blog in a while. Instead, I've been watching the local news. They have a segment in which viewers write in about different topics. A person under the pseudonym Cornelius Cakely always writes in and I'm left wondering who he is. His name originally caught my eye because it is so cute. I "googled" his name and all I found were more opinions that he had written. So far, all I know is that he's a Chico resident. Strangely enough, I ended up sending my opinion to the television station and they played it on air.

MOVE OVER CORNELIUS!

Tax Protest?

truth, originally uploaded by Michael Brooking Photography.

On tax day people were protesting all over the country. What were they protesting about? The war. . . no. Human rights atrocities committed by our government. . . no. Taxes. . . yes! They are claiming to be taxed without representation! Does that sound ridiculous to anyone else? A bunch of middle aged people don't like the tax increase! Boohooo! Aren't there more important things to worry about? How greedy can you be?