gdp's Comments

The New Civil Rights Movement : UPDATE: 11-Year-Old National Anthem Singer Responds To Racist Tweets

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:35:25 +0000

This is a great story. However, I'm bothered by one part of the article: He never called a name. Never used a swear word. Never made a threat. He never even raised his voice. He made those responsible for the Twitter insults seem like the ones who were un-American. Sebastien De La Cruz is a shining example of why this country truly is “the home of the brave.” Okay, I certainly agree that his response was incredible and well-measured. However, if it had not been so well measured and it had instead been heated, so what? The kid was fucking attacked. He would've had every right to not only be angry, but express that anger strongly. Whether it was intentional or not, that paragraph in the article smacks too much of "good little racial minority person for responding the way we think you should" for my taste.

The New Civil Rights Movement : GLAAD Asks 'Where Are So-Called ‘Family’ Organizations On Black Friday?'

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 03:50:48 +0000

As I said, you're talking about organizations who don't use facts and prefer to make their own shit up. There's no reason to believe they will actually do any fact checking to respond to this particular statement. And to be honest, this: the only thing this can accomplish is making...the organizations they're targeting seem more level-headed in comparison. leaves me wondering just how much you know about the groups being targeted. We're talking about groups that parrot and create fake "scientific" research on a daily basis and still try to sell LGBT* people as sexual predators. I doubt anything would make them seem level-headed, let alone something as comparatively innocuous as this one statement by GLAAD. From a completely outside perspective on this issue Just how "outside" is your perspective, then? Is it so far outside that you're trying to speak on organizations you actually know very little about?

The New Civil Rights Movement : NCAA: Penn State Fined $60 Million, All Paterno 1998-2011 Wins Vacated, 4-Year Bowl Game Ban

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 14:53:53 +0000

Here's a crazy idea, why don't you blame the real villains here. If the university staff had done the right thing in the first place and sought to stop Sandusky, help his victims, and prevent him from creating more victims, the NCAA would have had no reason to step in. I'm sorry that many "innocent students" are being penalized by not being allowed to participate in games that they can live without. But I'm far more sorry that several boys were sexually violated and that the powers that be actively sought to further their violation by covering it up. I know where my priorities are. Where are yours?

mister jebs blog : Not exactly an atheist themed post.

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 14:32:16 +0000

Do you know if she plans on having the chemo? If she does, I hope she gets more than one extra year out of it. It's a shame her son-in-law won't let her keep her dog. She needs that companionship now more than ever. Some people can be cruel, in my opinion.

The Wild Hunt : Quick Notes: Harlan Murder Trial, Long Island, and Isaac Bonewits

Thu, 27 May 2010 19:01:50 +0000

Okay, here's a quote from the article about the Harlan murder: He lied to police when he talked to them on Jan. 6 in a desperate attempt to hide the crime, said defense attorney Kathleen Kyle with the Snohomish County Public Defender’s Association. That is not evidence that he planned the slaying, she said. Um, since when has lying to police and hiding a crime ever meant the person didn't plan the crime? I thought criminals planned to cover their tracks as a rule. I've certainly never seen an embezzler come clean the moment the police approach them.

The Wild Hunt : Quick Notes: Harlan Murder Trial, Long Island, and Isaac Bonewits

Thu, 27 May 2010 18:22:38 +0000

Those are good question. Personally, if a mere roommate tried telling me I couldn't talk to other men are snooped through my stuff (checking text messages on someone else's phone?!?!?!), they would not be my roommate for long. Hell, I'm not sure I'd take kindly to those sorts of things even if I was in a relationship with the guy. The fact that Harlan did put up with such stuff makes me wonder if the situation might be even worse that one might first think. But that's just me.

The Wild Hunt : An Ethics Statement: How to Start

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:52:56 +0000

Jason, First let me say that I think this is a good idea and that it's a good thing for Pagan groups to have an official statement denouncing sexual abuse. And where it is feasible (i.e. for those groups that have a structure to do so), enforcement of such a policy and removal of those who abuse it is important. However, I think it's important to note that this is, in my opinion at least, only a partial solution to the problem. This does nothing to police those individuals who work outside of groups capable of creating/signing on to and enforcing such a policy. This is why I think it's equally important to educate the greater Pagan community -- and particularly newcomers -- about their rights and ability towards self-determination in protecting themselves from predators. I think it's important to remind people that even with the best policies, individuals need to be aware of their own situations and take note of situations that they find suspect.

The Wild Hunt : Quick Note: Public Prayers in Brunswick

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 17:44:14 +0000

Yeah, I'll second that "huh"?

The Wild Hunt : Wiccan Arrested on Child Rape Charges

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 16:08:55 +0000

I challenge you all, every Pagan every Wiccan, to be so open that you ignore warning signs and obvious social or mental problems that indicate a problem. Am I correct in assuming that you made a type here, and meant to challenge us not to be so open that we ignore warning signs? Because the way it's currently written, this sentence completely contradicts the rest of your message. A message I totally agree with, by the way.

The Wild Hunt : Wiccan Arrested on Child Rape Charges

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:39:06 +0000

Yes, yes, and YES! One of my biggest concerns about all the talk about the sexual abuse scandals in the RCC is that too many people seem to act like this sort of thing ONLY happens in the RCC and not with religious leaders of other traditions and faiths. It seems to me that some people think that such a thing could never happen within the Pagan communities, a belief that is based in naivety and possibly hubris. And as this story shows, it's a belief that can have disastrous consequences. Leaders of any faith, nay leaders of any kind (not just religious), hold a certain amount of power, and people are inclined to trust them. And eventually, some less scrupulous person is bound to take advantage of and violate that trust and their responsibilities as a leader. It is up to us to be aware of this and make sure that our chosen leaders are and remain deserving of that trust. Kudos to those within the Correllian Tradition who responded promptly and appropriately to these allegations. May we all learn from their example in this situation.

The Wild Hunt : Quick Note: Public Prayers in Brunswick

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:11:06 +0000

You mean the First Amendment. But yes, I'm inclined to agree with you.

The Wild Hunt : Quick Note: Public Prayers in Brunswick

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 17:57:51 +0000

You would think they would have learned their lesson by now....

mister jebs blog : A high school is cancelling it's prom.

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:29:09 +0000

It's ridiculous that this is even an issue in this day and age! On an amusing note, apparently the email accounts for both the superintendent and the principal have been closed. Granted, it's nothing more than speculation to suggest that this is because they got flooded with too many emails from indignant people criticizing them for their actions. But it's fun speculation. :) And I suspect there's a good chance it's even correct speculation. ;)

mister jebs blog : I wonder how many times this is played over and over.

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 19:23:46 +0000

Unfortunately, this sort of thing is all too common. Some parents have this whole "as long as you live under my roof, you'll live by my rules" mentality. I think it's stupid and asinine, not to mention manipulative and controlling. I also tend to agree with Larry below: it's a sure sign that it's time to "quit living under her roof." Unfortunately, this hits close to home for me. I was dating a guy who was still living with his very homophobic parents. He was unwilling to grow up and tell mom and dad to take a flying leap. So when they found out about me and threw a fit, he gave in to them and dumped me. Now he feels awful, but not awful enough to change his choices. His loss, though. I'm starting to get to know someone else, who is both an adult and a wonderful guy. ;)

The Wild Hunt : The Kids Are Alright and other Pagan News of Note

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:44:58 +0000

Oh I agree. Though I'll note that no one actually danced in the aisles in the church I attended. Lots of tongues, though. And yes, a lot would see that as weird, too.

The Wild Hunt : The Kids Are Alright and other Pagan News of Note

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:37:12 +0000

Huh, I hadn't heard the term "renewalist" yet. Back when I was involved with that segment of Christianity, "charismatic" and "full gospel" were the common terms. Of course, I'll note that how "crazy" such churches in are their actual worship varies widely even among those groups.

The Wild Hunt : The Kids Are Alright and other Pagan News of Note

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:51:08 +0000

What can I say? I'm a hopeless optimist in some ways. ;)

The Wild Hunt : The Kids Are Alright and other Pagan News of Note

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:41:10 +0000

I think what gets me about Barr's criticism is that the only apparent basis is that Paganism does things like dance around in stone circles, which he considers weird. But (1) people do all kinds of weird things and (2) "weird" is in the eye of the beholder. Many people find various Christian beliefs and practices equally "weird." Why any of this should effect your trust of a soldier on the battlefield is not clear. Heck, I can't even think of a hazy reason. And to be honest, I think I'd follow a religiously hedonistic person into battle without a second thought. Because a religiously hedonist soldier is probably going to be darn serious about living through the battle so he can get back to his pleasures. I'd much prefer to fight alongside someone who has every reason and desire to live. In many ways, the whole idea reminds me of a scene towards the end of "Serenity." As they prepare to face what they believe to be hopeless odds and certain doom, Simon finally admits to Kayleigh that he loves her and wishes they would've had sex. Kayleigh takes in that revelation and holds her weapon with increased determination while declaring, "Screw this! I wanna live!" That's how I'd picture anyone serious about holding the pleasures of this life sacred would approach battle.

mister jebs blog : Guilty....

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 08:32:07 +0000

The sad thing about Dr. Tiller's death is that while there are plenty of doctors who will perform abortions, he was one of the few doctors in the entire country that was willing to perform late term abortions. He was one of the few doctors a woman could go so if something went terribly, terribly wrong in the later months of pregnancy. I hope another doctor steps forward to fill the man's shoes, but I'm not sure there's any guarantee of that happening. I haven't been following the trial, but I'm glad to hear that the murderer was convicted.

The Wild Hunt : Regulating Native Practices and other Pagan News of Note

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:23:24 +0000

I like the sub-headings. Thanks, Jason. And thanks to Apel for suggesting it!