DeSantis' Drag Show Fiasco, Hate Crimes on Rise, Lauren Boebert Encourages Teen Sex, Idaho Doctors Flee State, James Paterson Banned, Stephen King vs Ted Cruz, Hungry People Don't Exist, MoreMy take on news, pop culture, sports, and whatever else interests me.
Sure, everyone is entitled to any opinion they choose. But when they start trying to impose that opinion as law on everyone around them, that opinion is no longer just a matter of free speech entitlement, but necessitates rigorous proof that it is a worthwhile opinion. They can no longer claim their opinion is “good” just because they have the right to say it, they must now make a case for its superiority over other opinions. Not through popularity or emotion or religion, but with factual evidence. Pretty much the same process those same people would demand if they were on trial. No, we don’t get to “agree to disagree” when the discussions get intense or complicated. We don’t get to walk away in false triumph. We have to use the reason we’re always bragging about that lifts us above other animals and not just raise a leg to piss on what we don’t like. In 1749 Benjamin Franklin first described his idea for the lightning rod. At the time, lightning strikes could not only destroy buildings and start fires in towns, they killed hundreds. Nevertheless, many religious leaders preached against the lightning rod (which Franklin didn’t patent) because it interfered with God’s judgement. This despite the fact that since churches were often the tallest buildings in towns, they were struck most often, killing bell ringers in the process. Eventually, reason and science won out and buildings and lives were saved. But that same self-righteous fuzzy thinking still prevails today under the guise of “saving our children.” The truth is, that is exactly what is harming them. Read on and see what I mean. Politics: Kind of a DragUndercover agents saw nothing ‘lewd’ at Orlando drag show. Florida is going after venue anyway (Miami Herald)
MY TAKE: A quick review of priorities: The GOP rejects President Biden’s national budget which could lead to the U.S. defaulting thereby triggering a catastrophic economic crisis, yet they refuse his requests for a budget proposal of their own to even begin discussions. Instead, Republican states across the country busy themselves by banning stuff: books, art, education, abortion pills, voting access—and, of course, the most deadly of all: drag shows. Males impersonating females have a long tradition in our popular culture (remember from high school, all Shakespeare’s female characters were played by male actors). Milton Berle delighted America in the 1950s with his drag routines on Texaco Star Theater. Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon were comedy hits in the smart and subversive Some Like It Hot. Benny Hill did drag for international audiences. More recently, RuPaul made drag more sophisticated, witty, and accessible. So why are Republicans sharpening their pitchforks now? Because this isn’t about drag shows. No reasonable human being actually thinks that watching a man on a stage dressed as a woman will affect anyone’s orientation who wasn’t already predisposed to be affected. This is about the process of intimidation and suppression. It’s about maximizing publicity because, as every promoter knows, sex sells, and they are selling an entire agenda of restrictive laws based on something that seems inconsequential to mainstream America. Most people don’t attend drag shows so they don’t see it as a great loss if they disappear. That is how it always works: take something small, destroy it with lies and bad logic, then move on to the next, bigger group—absorbing each like a fundamentalist Borg. Look at the facts in this case: 1. Undercover cops saw nothing wrong, yet, DeSantis is still going after their liquor license to destroy their business. Based on what reasoning? That’s more Mafia boss than political leader. 2. The article says, “DeSantis has said he believes ‘sexualized’ drag shows are dangerous for kids.” He has provided no evidence—studies, experts, facts—that concur with this vague belief. Also, he would have to define what he means by “dangerous.” Does he expect mass conversions to cross-dressing? 3. If the intention is to protect minors, why not simply treat it like an R-rated movie and require adult supervision for children under 17? If DeSantis—and other Republican sex gatekeepers—want to be consistent, shouldn’t they be going after movie theaters, streaming services, and movie studios with sexual content? They won’t, not when they can bully the little kid on their way home from school. Our job is to make sure that little kid never walks alone. That’s how you really protect the children. RELATED: US hate crimes continued alarming rise in 2021, FBI data shows (The Guardian)
MY TAKE: I included this as related to the drag show article because this is the practical result of perpetuating bullying based on people’s tastes or cultural fears rather than any real proven threat. In the name of protecting, they actually become the destroyers, the predators. They not only destroy others’ lives, but they undermine a society based on reason. They are like the doctors who performed a lobotomy on JFK’s 23-year-old sister Rosemary to treat mood swings and seizures, only to leave her unable to walk or talk, locked away for the rest of her life. The inability to understand that truth about themselves poses the greatest threat to our society. RELATED: First they came for drag storytime… Then they came for James Patterson? (Lit Hub) If you find this kind of mindless book banning troubling or confusing, send a polite note to Florida’s @GovRonDeSantis here: bit.ly/3JbwtPz
MY TAKE: Again, as history has taught us, once the cultural banning begins, any and every work becomes suspect, especially by those who don’t read them. Banning seems to address the feelings of insecurity by those who don’t read by implying that reading—and therefore knowledge—isn’t that important when anyone can ban anything that makes them feel bad because they don’t understand it. Kareem’s Video BreakAfter seeing all the politicians blathering about protecting children, it’s good to see someone who actually does. Let the expression of pure joy on the little girl’s face stay with you—as it has with me.  It’s that time when you get to choose to help keep my Substack a’going. Choose wisely.Politics: When the Crime Is the PunishmentIdaho hospital will stop delivering babies as doctors flee state due to abortion ban (The Guardian)
MY TAKE: Idaho Republicans’ attempt to force-feed all state residents their interpretation of morality based on nothing more than their personal religious faith now has shown darker consequences. Of course, it’s difficult to get much darker than restricting the reproductive rights of 49.6% of the Idaho’s population and turning them into second-class citizens. But they managed. It’s strange how every one of the GOP culture war laws comes with sledge hammer punishments to prove how tough on crime Republicans are. They are the strict parents who will not spare the rod. However, they cast a wide net who they want to punish. The goal is clearly not just to punish perpetrators, but to isolate them from any friends or supporters. And now medical professionals. Rather than building a community, this type of accusing approach has historically proven to tear down communities by making people trust each other less. I guess you can’t learn from history when you refuse to teach it in your schools. Kareem’s Short TakesRep. Lauren Boebert Reveals She 'Will Be a 36-Year-Old Grandmother' (People)
MY TAKE: One of the challenges Republicans face by making their political agenda mostly modeled on their interpretation of Christian morality is they set themselves up as role models for virtuous behavior. It’s a mistake for opponents to then jump on small slip-ups as proof that the whole agenda is corrupt and hypocritical. People strive to be good and will upon occasion fail. However, when one party chooses to define “good” for everyone else, it falls upon them to (1) prove their definition actually is good for everyone and not just a few, and (2) be consistent in behaving in a way that exemplifies this “good.” Boebert’s “good” here—underage children having babies—meets neither criteria. Her attempt to spin this as an example of love and family values is actually pretty destructive toward children in general—and these two children specifically. Sure, it’s possible this is a love match that will reach in a golden anniversary some day—I hope so—but statistics indicate they may well split within ten years (48% of those who marry under 18 divorce within 10 years; 32% within five years). And what are those ten years like? Boebert promotes carrying guns, but criticizes sex education in schools. Red states in general have less comprehensive sex education for their children, but higher rates of teen birthrates, STDs, out-of-wedlock births, and often less government resources to help. The long-term effects of this kind of twisted priority has forever set two children on a path before they had the opportunity to explore their full options for life. Had her son and his girlfriend been taught at school and at home about condom use, they might have waited until their brains had matured into more adult versions before being forced into using those teen brains to raise a child. This is not to shame the children. Life will be hard enough on them. But we should wonder how life might have been different for them if they had parents who truly protected them with information rather than bluster. This Week in Celebrity Bad LogicIt still astounds me how often politicians and celebrities show such disrespect for their audience and arrogance that no one will care by making false and misleading statements. Yet, here we are: Stephen King Didn’t Waste Fancy Words While Cutting Down Ted Cruz, Who Previously Attempted To Outwit Him (Uproxx)
 It’s been 3 years since a smug and gleeful Anthony Fauci casually called to shut down bars, restaurants, and gyms. It’s abundantly clear: Fauci is the most destructive bureaucrat in American history. #Verdict  @tedcruz A million dead, Dumbo. If America hadn’t listened to Fauci, the number would have been twice or three times that. MY TAKE: A quick breakdown of Cruz’s tweet: 1. “a smug and gleeful” Fauci makes no sense. This attempt to characterize Fauci as a Bond villain cackling in his lair as his dreams of world domination come true is a logical fallacy designed to avoid the issue of whether or not Fauci’s recommendations were judicious and effective. 2. As King points out—and all scientific studies indicate—they were. They likely saved hundreds of thousands of lives, if not more, and kept the economy from further devastation. Despite chest-beaters like Cruz who resort to name-calling over facts (did he offer any links to studies in his tweet?), no one has proven different. GOP Lawmaker Says Hungry People Don’t Exist Because He’s Never Met One (Vice)
MY TAKE: I’ve never met a Komodo dragon, but I’m pretty sure they exist. Why? Articles, photos, research. If I were a legislator trusted with protecting my constituents, I’d do the research before forming an opinion. He had more to say: “The next thing the socialist party will want to provide them is wanting to buy their clothing ... and who knows what next.” As most children studying critical thinking in middle school would have told him, this is both ad hominem and slippery slope logical fallacies. He dismisses an issue through name-calling (“socialist”) then imagines other worse things resulting (though, is giving clothes to those in need really bad?) without any proof. I’ve never met Sen. Steve Drazkowski, but I know he exists. Drazkowski has never met rational thinking, but we know it exists. Kareem’s Jukebox PlaylistBeth Hart: “LA Song” This video of Beth Hart singing her 1999 hit “LA Song” is one of the most dynamic performances I’ve ever seen. Her influences from classical to rock to blues are clear throughout. Her vocal intensity has been rightfully compared to Janis Joplin and Tina Turner. What I am especially impressed by in this video is how intimately the audience relates to her performance. This song clearly means more to them than just entertainment, it gives voice to their emotional experience in a way that is uplifting. That’s what great art does. I appreciate that you made it all the way to the end. Reward yourself with the gift of a subscription so I can keep my computer charged and the snacks flowing.
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Thursday, March 23, 2023
DeSantis' Drag Show Fiasco, Hate Crimes on Rise, Lauren Boebert Encourages Teen Sex, Idaho Doctors Flee State, Jam…
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
The Mandalorian S3E4: The Foundling
The Mandalorian S3E4: The FoundlingThe Foundling reveals Grogu's Order 66 savior at the "Best" time.
In the 20th episode of "The Mandalorian," we finally get to see who it was that saved Grogu from the Jedi Temple during Order 66. I've spent many hours thinking of who it could be and spent equal amounts of time debating my friends on the merits of my theories. And now that we finally get to see who served as Grogu’s savior, they couldn't have made a better choice. "The Foundling," the fourth episode of this season, sees Grogu and Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) easing into their new roles as the episode opens with Mandalorians training with weapons and in hand-to-hand combat. It's an excellent opener that features Grogu's first Mandalorian challenge; Mando (Pedro Pascal) having a proud dad moment and a fellow youngling being stolen away by the raptor. As the Mandalorians pursue the raptor, their jetpacks run out of fuel and we then get a beautiful shot of Bo-Katan's ship, "The Gauntlet," in pursuit riding headlong into the setting sun. Bo-Katan finds the beast's lair and is then chosen to lead the hunting party, along with Paz Vizsla's (Tait Fletcher) Shriek-hawk team, to hunt down the beast and return the foundling who was taken. Grogu is too young to join the hunt and stays behind for a life lesson from The Armorer (Emily Swallow). It's during this time that Grogu begins having flashbacks to Order 66 and we finally get to see who smuggled the young Jedi from the temple during the events of "Revenge of the Sith." The Jedi Temple is in flames, Jedi are doing everything they can to keep Grogu safe as Clone Troopers draw closer and then one of them says, "Get him to Kelleran," and my heart stopped. I listened carefully and there it was again – the name of Jedi Master Kelleran Beq. For the casual fan, the name Kelleran Beq probably means little, but I found my eyes begin to fill with tears at the mention of his name. The Jedi Master was introduced in the Youtube game series "Jedi Temple Challenge" and portrayed by actor Ahmed Best. Best was the man behind Jar Jar Binks in the prequel series and was one of many prequel actors who found themselves receiving backlash that was so hateful. For Best, it caused him to suffer severe mental health issues almost leading the actor to take his own life. Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, who co-wrote the episode, could have easily slid Best in the background of a scene like George Lucas did in "Attack of the Clones," let fans have a geeky moment and move on with the story. But because they understand the universe and that true Star Wars fans take care of each other, they let Best take center stage and become one of the most pivotal players in the story of Grogu and I love them for it. Kelleran is able to get Grogu to safety aboard a Nubian Yacht, which I found an exciting choice and opens up many possibilities. We also get to see some V-Wings in pursuit of the yacht, which is another nice prequel touch. The episode closes with the hunting party finding the foundling and then battling the raptor. The scene is so much fun, with Mandalorians swarming around the beast to save the youngling and Paz Vizsla. There's so much fun action my 8-year-old immediately made me rewind it so we could watch it again. Once back at the camp, The Armorer notices that Bo-Katan has lost a pauldron during battle and offers to replace it. However, instead of replacing it with an image of the Nite Owl, she opts to don two different pauldrons – one with the signet of Nite Owl and the signet of Mythosaur. "The Foundling" yet again proves "The Mandalorian" franchise is in good hands with Favreau and Filoni. They're able to strike a perfect balance of new storytelling while honoring the past that made Star Wars what it is. Carl Weather, who plays Greef Karga in the series, was the episode's director and did a great job. I love the show keeping the storytelling simple and pure. It's not rushed to get you to the next cool action sequence or cameo, it slowly unfolds and I'm so glad Disney doesn't episode dump everything all at once and gives fans a chance to watch, contemplate and look forward to the next week's episode. "The Foundling" is a feel-good episode bookended by two exciting action sequences. It also features the gratifying moment when Grogu’s savior during Order 66 is revealed, which is sure to evoke happiness in the hearts of most Star Wars enthusiasts.
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