Here in Chicago, there is a team of us starting a website and quarterly magazine called “Wisecrack: Feminism & Comedy.” Already we’re on the first page of google when you type “feminism & comedy” into the search engine, which shows the kind of void we are filling here.
Our website is currently under construction but should be up by next Wednesday. It is:
A few weeks ago, in an interview with the Washington Times, newly-minted RNC chairman Michael Steele discussed his plans for remaking the Republican Party’s image, particularly in order to appeal to the “youth” vote.
We need messengers to really capture that region – young, Hispanic, black, a cross section … We want to convey that the modern-day GOP looks like the conservative party that stands on principles. But we want to apply them to urban-suburban hip-hop settings.”
Well, dear readers, I am proud to announce the unveiling of the first of (hopefully) many “urban-suburban hip-hop” videos by Steele. Who knew South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford could rap?!
Ok, while the video was clearly a joke, it makes a point that all Republicans should take note of- not all blacks are rap-listening gangstas. Like every minority group, they’re a fairly diverse group (shocker, I know!) and instead of superficial and offensive campaigns, perhaps Steele’s party can actually begin supporting policies that benefit young black people, instead of blaming them for all the miseries befalling them. Steele’s belief that recruiting some rap artists and planning “off the hook” pr campaigns (an actual quote) can miraculously erase the party’s pathetic record on civil rights just shows how out of touch he is with the black community (and reality).
Krohn’s ideological hero, is wait for it…Bill Bennett, who as you may recall had some serious issues with gambling while he was acting as the moral police for the rest of this country.
So, considering that the Republican party usually acts like a petulant bunch of 13 year olds, it is very fitting that they would look upto a 13 year old! And the sad part here is that Republicans thirty years his senior sound exactly like Krohn. What does that tell you?
My column this week is all about the hateful legacy of James Dobson, founder of the equally pernicious Focus on the Family, a far-right Christian organization. Dobson stepped down as the Chairman of the group recently and it remains to be seen what the future of the group will be.
Well, I was able to dig up the video from 2005 and it is posted here for your viewing pleasure. I must warn you though that watching this may result in catching teh gay. A gold star for those who can actually spot SpongeBob.
For the most part I really hate libertarianism and all the self-righteous bullshit that goes along with it. But socially speaking, we feminists do invoke socially-libertarian slogans on occasion, for example when we shout “Keep your laws off my body!” One day I hope to examine the push-pull between the social-do-gooder impulses of some mainstream feminisms (Ban porno!) and the socially-libertarian impulses (Let us do whatever we want with our bodies!) For now, though, I’d say it makes sense to be a leftist with socially-libertarian impulses, like a Chomsky or someone.
I have drifted into Chomsky-land on many occasions, though rarely have I wandered into Reason-Magazine land, as I did today when I saw this headline: “$#$%##! LA County tries for cuss-free week.” For the first time, I think I saw the words “nanny-state” flash through my mind…
WTF, LA County? On the advice of a puritanical 15-year-old, you’re going to ban cussing for a week? Here’s the rationale: “It’s a good reminder for all of us, not just young people but everybody, to be respectful to one another and watch the words we use.”
There is no penalty for cussing in the County during the week. I might have to penalize the county for this nonsense, since the idea in some way impedes my freedom of speech. I would like to express myself in whatever damn way I please.
Some of language’s most exciting variations occur in obscenity! Some of its most passionate moments appear in four-letter words! In short, we would live in a barren, colorless linguistic landscape without bad words!
I know people say there are more creative ways to express disdain other than maliciously spitting a good old “Fuck you,” at someone, but honestly, I think those two words have all the bang for your buck. Nothing gets to the point faster.
I am a little worried about the 15-year-old who started his own no-cuss club. For f*&@’s sake, there are better things to worry about.
I just love it when two of my favorite things come together to create TV gold. Family Guy, which is possibly the best show right now, spoofed the whole Christian Bale movie set freakout a few episodes ago and the end result was fantastic.
And while we’re at it, here are some other funny moments from the show.
Who says there’s never anything good on TV these days?
