Coughlan Comments On Phil Hinkle

I reported on Phil Hinkle, the anti-gay Indiana politician soliciting some hot piece of man-action on Craigslist, a little over a week ago.  One of my YouTube favorites, Dick Coughlan, has some things to say on the subject of bigoted closet queers and straight pride parades:




Plus he's really hot.  That is all.

OneAngryClotheshorse: Wesley Darling is mad at Zara - you should be too.

Hello lovers! Since Ian Awesome is in transition (and no, he's not becoming a woman) I thought I'd bring some serious fashion news to your attention. Spanish fast-fashion* chain Zara, makers of some of the most consistently cute (and relatively inexpensive) clothing known to bargain-hunters anywhere, have broken my heart a little bit.

According to Brazilian newspaper Reoporter Brasil, Zara has recently come under investigation for using a third-party supplier who contracts slave-like child labor to make their garments. Among their findings were reports of children as young as 14 and 15 working in unsanitary conditions for periods of 16 hours at a time, and being paid as little as 274-460 Brazilian Real a year (Between 175 and 285 USD).

This hearkens back to the dark days of the '90s, when everyone from Kathie Lee Gifford to The Gap was under investigation for using child labor. It was THE hot-button topic for some time, and while the media has not focused on this subject recently, clearly it is still a major problem. The rhetoric from retailers has always been "We had no idea our garments were produced this way," but isn't it the brand's responsibility to find out where their clothes are coming from?

The presence of suppliers like the one found in Brazil also bring up a serious question for the consumer - is that $12 top really too good to be true? Maybe doing a bit more research about where your super el-cheapo fashion finds were constructed would be helpful in discouraging further human rights violations. As yours truly puts it, "Perhaps my jeans WERE exorbitantly expensive, but they weren't made in a sweaty windowless box by children."

*Fast-fashion is a generic term for the inexpensively produced, trendy garments that are inspired by the most current runway looks. Usually shopping in these stores requires lots of screaming, grabbing, and occasionally fist-fighting with other savvy fashionistas, in order to secure the perfect outfit.

An Interruption

I'm moving to Seattle this weekend, and for the next week or so, posting might be sporadic to nonexistent.  It's at a most inopportune time, but I will try to drop in on the blog as often as possible to update it.

Love, peace, all that rot.

xoxo

PS: Here's a picture of me with some Vikings.  That is all.

Geek Shit Wednesday Vol. XXI

Star Wars Coins Now Legal Tender In Niue

You've probably never heard of Niue, a small South Pacific island nation, but that don't matter, because they just racked up some serious geek cred.

A new limited series of collectible Star Wars coins is available from the New Zealand Mint, and the tiny nation loves them so much that they are now accepted as legal tender:

The collectible coins — some made of pure silver and packaged in special cases that hold four coins, others made of silver-plated base metal and sold in blister packs — will retail for considerably more than their $2 face value. 

Each of the two cases will house a set of four 1-ounce silver coins and sell for $393. The Darth Vader case will emit the sound of the Sith Lord’s instantly recognizable breathing upon opening. It will hold coins with the images of Emperor Palpatine, the Death Star, a stormtrooper and Vader himself.

Of course, you probably wouldn't want to use them, seeing as how they're extremely expensive, but hey!  Niue!  Uh, how the fuck do you say that, anyway?

Sony Cuts Price Of PS3 By $50

The PlayStation 3 appears to be a juggernaut in the gaming community, edging out aging consoles like the Wii and cheaper consoles like the Xbox 360.  Sony is taking advantage of their lead by slashing the price of the gaming platform by $50 for both its basic version and its doubled-memory unit.

Sony last cut prices on the PlayStation 3 in 2009, when it released a slimmer model. Microsoft has not reduced the Xbox 360's price since 2009, and analysts are split on whether it will do so this year as a response to Sony. The entry-level Xbox 360 costs $200. 

Sony's move is seen by analysts as a usual part of a game system's life cycle. Game console generations typically last four to six years, but some predict that motion-detection peripherals like Microsoft's Kinect for the Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation Move could prolong the current cycle.

This may be a precautionary measure to fend of Nintendo's next advance in gaming, the Wii U, which is a tablet unit based on gamer motion.  Either way, I think someone should buy me a fucking PS3, stat.

Desktop Jellyfish Aquarium Garnering Support For Production

This made me squee with excitement.

I'm a big fan of visiting the local Aquarium, and no matter which one I visit, be it the Oregon Coast or Atlanta, one of my favorite exhibits is always the jellyfish.  Who doesn't love them?  They're freaking hypnotic as hell.

Of course, they're extremely difficult, if not impossible, to keep at home.  Their delicate bodies and lack of strong swimming skills make it very easy for them to be sucked into home aquarium filters, ruling out these lovely creatures as pets.  Until now!

The main reason is that they can’t be kept in a regular aquarium since they’ll get sucked into the water filtration intakes and are liquefied to death. We know it’s sad to think about, but, to solve this problem, Duke University Biology and Environmental Science alumnus Alex Andon developed a tank that was jellyfish-friendly. Andon started a business called Jellyfish Art and retrofitted an existing fish tank to be suitable for a jellyfish. Once he figured out what it takes to make a fish tank jellyfish-safe, he started selling the first edition tanks online, and then decided to sell them on a broader level, taking to Kickstarter for support. 

The Desktop Jellyfish Tank pulls water through a layer of rocks at the bottom of the tank. The water is then pulled up one side of the cylindrical tank to the surface. It then goes back down the other side and is sucked up once again by the rocks. The circular flow also keeps the jellyfish centered in the middle of the tank so that they’re not all huddled into one area. The tank itself is rather large, holding 7 gallons of water. It can house up to five jellyfish, which are lighted by a built-in LED lamp. If you want your jellyfish to look different in various colors of light, the LED lamp can be changed with a provided remote control.

Fuck the PS3!  This is going right on my wedding registry.

NEVER AGAIN HAROLD

Unsure what drink to mix to commemorate Big Boi's arrest for possession of ecstasy and Viagra?  Watch YouDeserveADrink, YouTube show dedicate to getting you drizzunk.



Wesley made me do it.

We Messed Up

One of my big stories from yesterday that outraged my readers was the unfortunate story of Christina Santiago, an lesbian advocate that died in the tragic collapse of a concert stage at the Indiana State Fair.  I initially didn't report on it, as I don't particularly care to politicize tragedy.

However, Bil Browning broke a story claiming that Christina's partner, Alisha Brannon, was being snubbed by the state and that she would not be able to receive her remains due to DOMA.  One of the other publications I write for, Queerty, picked it up as well, so I did.  After all, when Bil Browning and Daniel Villarreal say it's true, it must be, right?

Happily, no.  The state of Indiana isn't refusing to release Christina's remains to her partner, as it turns out.  Several of us were guilty of not fact-checking, and we ran a story that got a lot of people pissed off without any basis in fact whatsoever.  I'm sincerely sorry for the mistake.

The blogosphere can be viewed in two ways that basically equal the same thing: a cooperative group of citizen journalists who promote each other's stories or an incestuous group of sensationalists that will pick up big stories from another.  Either way, we flubbed on that one.  Bil has apologized and I find I must do so myself.  I pride myself on bringing you guys the news, and I'm heartbroken that I ran something that just wasn't true.

That said, I'm happy that the story turned out to be incorrect.  At least in one case, tragedy is not compounded by injustice, and I extend my condolences to Brannon and wish her a full recovery, as she is still in critical condition from injuries from the tragic event.  So, dear readers, put away the anger for now and join me in praying for her swift recovery.

Maine Marriage Equality Part Deux

One of the big shockers of the past decade in the struggle for LGBT equality in America was our defeat in a Maine referendum in 2009.  The Northeastern state had seemingly struck a victory for the good guys with a legislative bill legalizing same-sex marriage until NOM and friends intervened, successfully placing the bill on hold and then passing a voter-approved law banning gay nuptials.

Well, Mainers, get ready, because it's about to get rehashed again.

Today, same-sex marriage advocates in Maine announced that a citizen initiative campaign for a law allowing same-sex couples to marry cleared its first major hurdle with the Secretary of State’s approval of the language of the proposed statute. This allows campaign volunteers and supporters to begin collecting the signatures required to put “An Act to Allow Marriage Licenses for Same-Sex Couples and Protect Religious Freedom” on the November 2012 ballot.

“I’m grateful to Secretary of State Summers for promptly approving the language of the proposed law to let same-sex couples marry in Maine,” said Pastor Michael Gray of Old Orchard Beach United Methodist Church, one of six original signers of the initiative petition. “As campaign volunteers fan out across the state to collect signatures from their fellow Mainers I expect they will encounter thousands of willing signers who have changed their hearts and minds on marriage after getting to know their gay and lesbian neighbors, co-workers and community members – just as I have done.”

The Maine defeat was a crushing blow to equality, and many advocates are excited to see the referendum process start again.  In order to place the bill on the ballot, thousands of petition signatures are needed.  Then begins the grueling campaign to convince voters in 2012 to allow gays to marry.  However, with the passage of marriage equality in New York State, many are hopeful that Maine will signify a new victory in the countrywide fight to defeat bigotry and inequality.

British UFO? Or Just A Pigeon?

I vote for a bird.  Watch the background.

What I'm Listening To Today

One of my favorites from Gus Gus.

Rick Perry Loves Vets! He Just Doesn't Want Them To Vote

Rick Perry is hoping that his military service is one of the many factors you'll vote for him in the Presidential race, banking heavily on his experience as a pilot in the Air Force to give him the kind of "Patriot Cred" necessary to defeat Obama's reputation as un-American.  Unfortunately, Perry has a rather damning albatross around his neck.  You see, one of his recents acts as governor was to sign a voter ID law into effect that is designed to combat Texas' (nonexistent) voter fraud problem.

Why is that counterintuitive to his so-called military chops?  Because it bans the use of military identification as valid voter ID, disenfranchising many veterans who only have a military ID.

From VetVoice, via ThinkProgress:

"Given that Governor Perry is talking up his veteran status in Iowa, and taking constant hits at our Commander in Chief, one would think he has a pretty good record when it comes to those who served," said Allen Vaught, an Iraq War Veteran, who was awarded a Purple Heart. "Iowans, and Americans at large should know, however, that Governor Perry put partisan politics above the rights of veterans by recently signing a Voter ID Law in Texas that prohibits veterans from using their Department of Veterans Affairs ID card to vote." 

Vaught added, "Governor Perry knows full well that a Veterans ID Card is a legitimate, government-issued ID. In some cases, it's the only government ID a veteran has. Veterans fought to protect our democracy. Yet, Governor Perry's ill-conceived voter ID law will ensure that some veterans don't get to participate in the democracy they fought to preserve. That doesn't earn the respect of any man or woman in uniform that I know. I'd urge the press to dig into Rick Perry's record on veterans issues. They'll find his record doesn't stand up to his blustery rhetoric."

Perry is reportedly running to "make sure that every young man and woman who puts on the uniform of this country respects highly the president of the United States."  How, by presidential edict?  Because you sure as hell are not going to garner respect by taking away military personnel's ability to vote.

Texas: I'm Sorry, Y'all.

Yes, Texas, you just might owe us a bit of an apology.  A little bit of awesome from the Texas Democratic Party:

Jesus For President?

Harry Jackson, a professed lover of the Seven Mountains Dominionism philosophy and co-chair of Rick Perry's Christfest, has now come out spouting some bull that Jesus came to Earth to take over the whole show on Trinity Broadcasting Network:

It’s one thing to be in a church preaching all these messages, seeing people shout and whatever it is. But it’s another thing to command the attention of the nation, and then begin to tell these folks, ‘we vote too.’ We don’t just dance and sing, we vote. And some of what you’re doing has to be accountable to us, the people of God. There really is no separation of church and state. In God’s mind, the word of the Lord should impact everything that happens out there in the state. So time and time again we got folks who want us to say our place is just behind these four walls. But Jesus came not to take sides, but to take over.

To which I would like to point out Jesus' own endorsement of the separation of church and state:

“Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s." --Matthew 22:21

Watch his remarks:

Happy Anniversary To Me

I passed the one-year-mark of me spouting my bullshit to you guys on this blog five days ago without even noticing.  My first post of substance?  A rant about how Bono can't save Spider-Man The Musical.  Oh, look how the times have changed.

Since then I've passed many milestones, both personal and professional.  I admitted to my readers (and friends, which really just means all my readers at the time were friends) that I was a crystal meth addict.  I traveled to DC in order to take part in history and handcuff myself to the fence of the White House in protest of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.  I traveled to and attended Netroots Nation, where I learned that the blogging community is a tight-knit (if somewhat dysfunctional) family of misfits and, I must say, insanely intelligent people.

I laid bare my search for my missing friend Adam.  I found him.  Now I get to marry him.  Isn't love grand?

I've bared my soul and my curmudgeonly hatred of idiot politicians to you guys, and it's been a hell of a year.  

I can only hope for as exciting a year going forward, if hopefully one unmarred by personal tragedy.  I'm planning some great things, both in work and life, and can't wait to reveal them to you.  

I feel very blessed to have this outlet for my views and my thoughts, and even more blessed that so many of you read my read it.  Not only have I passed one year of blogging, but yesterday, my last post of the day was the 1,000th entry on this crazy train, and the fact that you guys have read 1,000 pieces of my schlock is touching and gratifying.  

Of course, not all of it is mine.  I have some great people who have guest posted on my site, and I thank them as well.  Your next pieces are due by Friday, or you're all fired.  

Just kidding.  Mostly.

So thank you, friends.  Even if I don't know you, you are all in my heart.  Whether you're a closeted bisexual gal just looking for a connection to the LGBT community or the asshole that made me do it, thank you.  All of you.  You are my extended but oh-so-dear to me family.

And keep reading.  It should be an exciting year.

Jesus, Barron. Really?

GOProud's own personal PR nightmare, President Chris Barron, struck again one Twitter yesterday as he took to the Interwebs to protest Michele Bachmann's linking to the teen suicide epidemic in her district.  Many of those suicides were gay or bullied on the perception of sexual orientation, and that has some concerned that Bachmann and her anti-gay allies in the area are fostering a climate of discrimination.

So the ever-thoughtful Barron made this unfortunate comparison in response, once again linking GOProud's name with the craziest person possible:

First, there's a big difference between gonorrhea and hanging yourself because you don't want to live, Chris.  Second?  Pelosi actually supports safe-sex initiatives.  She even paints it in terms that you might understand, saying that promoting contraception cuts on costs:   

"Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children's health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those - one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government."

Has Bachmann provided any examples of how she is defeating the problem of teen suicide in her district?