"Part of Satan"

Seriously? SERIOUSLY?!

OK, so you aren't bashing. Good for you. Do you want a medal? How about a trophy? No. This isn't bashing. But it is close-minded, belittling, and ignorant. Being gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender is not a disorder or a dysfunction, so STFU Michele Bachmann. Please. For all our sakes.



E

Seriously, people?: "The Muslims Next Door"

Are you kidding me? Seriously?! I am one of the most accepting people out there, and this is just disgusting to read. Victoria Jackson - a former SNL actress - has written an article that just about covers all forms of hate and fear possible.


People like her MAKE me want to be a Democrat.

Check it out, if you can stomach a healthy dose of intolerance, racism, and homophobia: The Muslims next door

"Fear, after all, is our real enemy. Fear is taking over our world. Fear is being used as a tool of manipulation in our society. Itʼs how politicians peddle policy and how Madison Avenue sells us things that we donʼt need. Think about it. Fear that weʼre going to be attacked, fear that there are communists lurking around every corner, fear that some little Caribbean country that doesnʼt believe in our way of life poses a threat to us. Fear that black culture may take over the world. Fear of Elvis Presleyʼs hips. Well, maybe that one is a real fear. Fear that our bad breath might ruin our friendships… Fear of growing old and being alone."
- Christopher Isherwood, A Single Man

-E

Home for the Holidays

Can you have culture shock in your own home town? I've been back in Virginia for 3 days and I am already baffled, startled, and confused by some of the things that I have seen and heard. Does my disagreement make me a "city slicker" or a snob? I don't think so, but I can't help but wonder if other people do.

I don't care what your politics are; I do care when you are racist and intolerant.

-E

Amazon's EBook Publishing Scandal

This has just been a week of discovering publishing mishaps...

Amazon, I support your policy on publishing everyone. As a writer, I really, truly do. I am also all for free speech, really, I am. But a book promoting pedophilia? That is the crime of all crimes and is something that can never be defended. Ever. End of story.

The independently published ebook in question is titled, "The Pedophile's Guide to Love and Pleasure: a Child-lover's Code of Conduct" by Phillip R. Greaves.

Here's a BBC's article... it has more info on the whole deal, all of the drama, the controversy, what have you.

-E

"Wait, you mean there isn't copy-write online?"

As a writer, I find this absolutely ridiculous:

"In 2005 a writer called Monica Gaudio wrote a great article called A Tale Of Two Tarts, which discussed (among other things) apple pie’s Americanism (or not) and its evolution from a sugarless mixture of fruit and spices, cooked in a coffin (no, not THAT sort of coffin: read the article!) to its current sweet pastried form.

Roll on five years. Ms Gaudio had pretty much forgotten about her article until a friend of hers congratulated her on her piece about apple pies which she had just read in Cooks Source Magazine (I’m itching to put an apostrophe in there: anyone else?).  Cooks’ Source (sorry, I couldn’t hold out any longer) isn’t just a website: it is also a money-making print magazine, which has a whole stable of advertisers which contribute to its finances."

Check out the full article here.

-E

OH ... and a link to the "apology" on the homepage ... www.cookssource.com

But here is a snippet incase you don't feel like reading the whole shebang:

"Last month an article, “American as Apple Pie -- Isn’t,” was placed in error in Cooks Source, without the approval of the writer, Monica Gaudio. We sincerely wish to apologize to her for this error, it was an oversight of a small, overworked staff. We have made a donation at her request, to her chosen institution, the Columbia School of Journalism. In addition, a donation to the Western New England Food Bank, is being made in her name. It should be noted that Monica was given a clear credit for using her article within the publication, and has been paid in the way that she has requested to be paid."

An Insult To ... Everything.

The only thing worse than this poster is the actual movie.

I will opening admit that I loved the series. I own the DVDs; I remember watching the series finale when I should have been studying for an exam. I've been rooting for it from the get-go. I even stood by and repeatedly watched the first movie and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it (Charlotte shitting her pants, aside). So, I went with 3 of my girlfriends after work and caught the Court Street 4:20 today, hoping for -- at the very least -- some high fashion.

Unfortunately, I didn't even get that.

First off, let me start by saying that I was offended and embarrassed as a women and as an woman. The constant repitition of "gay wedding" was completely unnecessary, uncalled for, and out of character. Awesome, two men are getting married. This shouldn't be a huge shock for them. The level of offense only continued to rise and then explode throughout the entire UAE section. On the whole, the 4 characters played completely into the trashy American stereotype imaginable, but Samantha was by far the worst. I can usually forgive her character, but this took thinks too far. Her actions were inexcusable under any circumstance. 

Where did the smart writing go? Their once quippy, smart dialog was downgraded to poorly placed puns that happened about once ever 20 frames (Lawrence of my Labia ... seriously, MKP? seriously?). And EVERYTHING was a cliche. I mean everything. The only moment that held any essence of the original series was when Charlotte and Miranda were mulling over the plight of motherhood. Until it was ruined with a line about those poor unfortunate mothers who get by without their, "help." 

These 4 women used to be strong, independent, relatable! And now? Maybe it's just me, but as a struggling student, writer, and New Yorker I couldn't feel anything but abhorrence towards them and their "oh look at me, I'm rich but still have problems," attitudes. Give me a break!

Finally, on a more superficial level, the clothes were either boring or atrocious. I was expecting to be wowed with a moving Vogue ad, but instead I was left with monotonous cliches or blinding gaudiness.

The only 3 things that brought me joy:

1.) The Danish man's body.

2.) Carrie's Butler's personality.

3.) Miranda's happiness.

The top 3 things that brought me pain:

1. The Arab women changing their clothes.

2. Samantha's purse dropping sequence.

3. Carrie leaving her passport (seriously?!).

I'll usually see any movie twice. Sex and the City 2? Not unless forced.

-E