“New York State Senator Eric Adams and his colleagues honored Trayvon Martin on Monday by wearing hoodies to the March 26, 2012 Senate legislative session in Albany.” via Colorlines

(Source: motherjones, via scaly-panties)

"I’m not saying that we are all criminals for participating in file sharing. It is my hope that content distributors will start to realize why people pirate. That it isn’t just because it is free. It’s also goddamned convenient. They need to accept that times have changed. We don’t want to buy their DVDs. We don’t want overpriced cable bundles with 40 channels we will never watch. Photoshop should not cost 700 goddamn dollars. We want safe, reliable content available for download instantly and priced within reason. By not providing this, distributors are almost begging people to steal their shit."

(via conanofallon)

valcourts:

Conservative Lawmakers No Longer Attempting To Disguise The Fact That They Hate Women

cassket:

Bobby Franklin, a (gasp!) Republican from Georgia, has introduced a bill to change the civil and criminal codes of the state so that victims of stalking, rape, and domestic violence must be called “accusers,” not victims. Oh my fucking god.

The new measure would refer to victims of sexual violence as “accusers” until the accused was convicted of the crime, thus ending the Republican Party’s Lady-Hating-est Month in recent memory.

Now, maybe I’m being unfair in accusing conservative lawmakers of hating women. It must be just a coincidence that this new measure would only apply to crimes that are disproportionately committed against women. Maybe a law requiring people who are mugged on the street be referred to as “mugging accusers” and people who die under suspicious circumstances be referred to as “murder accusers” until someone’s convicted of the crime is in the pipeline. It must be, right? Unless, at the root of most conservative social viewpoints is a fucked up hatred of women and a complete disregard for the interests of anyone except their own.

The Republican platform of 2011 is about cutting taxes, you guys! It’s about reducing spending. It’s not about changing the definition of rape, or removing women’s access to choice by demonizing Planned Parenthood, or revictimizing female crime victims by branding them as “accusers,” as someone to be doubted, as someone to be mistrusted. No, sir. It’s about spending. Not barely-hidden contempt for women. Spending.

To look on the bright side, though, one could argue that restricting the use of the word “victim” is making it even more special for us ladies. It really gives us something to work toward, and once you’re finally bestowed the title of “victim,” no one can take that away from you. You can put it on your business cards after your name, like CPA or CFA or JD. Erin Gloria Ryan, Victim(TM). It’s like being a sex crime Eagle Scout.

If this measure passes, the female population of the state of Georgia a collective victim, in the new legal sense of the word, of Bobby Franklin’s indisputable fuckery.

(via likethewaterfilter)

(via lyrianfleming)

Just got back from voting. I voted for The Greens this time, I was tempted to vote for the sex party (who’s policies I actually like despite their stupid party name) but couldn’t be bothered filling out the 86 box preference form.  I have to say this was by far the worst election that I can recall. 

itsa-mario:

Julia Gillard makes history by becoming Australia’s 27th Prime Minister

prettynothings:

mabelmoments:

Afghan refugee to hang ten with Abbott

Political activism group Get Up is having a laugh at the expense of Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. As part of tonight’s Federal Parliament Midwinter Ball, the major political parties auctioned off for charity a one-on-one experience with their leaders.

Get Up spokesman Paul McKay says his group raised $16,000 to purchase a personal surfing lesson and breakfast with Mr Abbott. But Mr McKay says the group is sending along a former Afghan refugee and asylum seeker.

“Riz will have the opportunity to meet with Mr Abbott, learn a few things about surfing from him, but [also] have the opportunity to teach Mr Abbott a few things about what asylum seekers go through to get into this country,” he said.

“We’ll be interested to see whether or not he found Curtin detention centre a more horrible experience than dealing with Mr Abbott.”

A dinner with the Prime Minister and Treasurer was sold for just over $12,500 and dinner with Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard went for just over $10,000. [ABC News Australia]

Love it.

"Politics is the art of preventing people from sticking their noses in things that are properly their business."

kennedys:

“There have been 17 children besides your own - Bobby’s, Pat’s, Jack’s and mine, for whom you have always been there. Every graduation, every big decision, every trouble, every sad and even every happy day. On you, the carefree youngest brother, fell a burden a hero would beg to be spared. Sick parents, lost children, desolate wives. You are a hero. Everyone is going to make it, because you are always there with your love.”

— Jackie Kennedy, in her thank you note to Teddy after he walked Caroline down the aisle at her wedding

kennedys:

In what once seemed like a premonition, President John F. Kennedy at his inauguration had given his youngest brother, Edward “Teddy” Kennedy a silver cigarette box engraved with the biblical words from Matthew: “And the last shall be first.”

The verse goes as follows:

“So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.”

 http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/02/15/chapter_1_teddy/