Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

serai: A kiss between Casey Connor and Zeke Tyler (JesusSaysRightOn)
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Here is a great article that I think everyone should read:


A Catholic Nun-Turned-Lesbian Mom Reflects on Seeing Pope Francis at the White House


This lady used to be a nun, but left the order when she fell in love with another woman. Now she writes about being a lesbian mom and watching the Pope at the White House.

A lot of people all over the internet are pissed at Pope Frank for meeting with that ninny in Kentucky. But they're missing the point. He's the Pope. He heads a religious organization that is over 1,500 years old. It's fucking CREAKY. Changing things takes a long time, he has a lot of people who absolutely do not want those things changed, and believe it or not, he does NOT, in fact, have absolute power. He can't just wave a hand and declare that everybody has to do what he says. To think he can is to be in the same uninformed place as those idiots who claim Obama is a "dictator" and forcing everyone to abide by his "socialist" ways. (How a dictator can also be socialist is something you'll have to puzzle out for yourselves; it's too much for me.)

Francis was voted in by bishops who thought he was a right-winger just like them. Fucking SURPRISE! No, he isn't, not by a long way. And as time has gone on, he's gotten more and more liberal, more and more outspoken, more and more compassionate and openly revolutionary. He's playing a long game, and a really astoundingly good one, too. And the people in the Vatican who don't like him are stuck with him, as he slowly dismantles the crusty nastiness caked around the Church. This isn't the 70's anymore - they can't have a Pope bumped off without everyone eventually finding out about it. (The internet is damn good for some things, ain't it?) So they have to put up with his love and compassion and commitment to social change and justice. Poor, poor wingnuts. Hate is going out of style, and they're left with the moral equivalent of a closet full of bell-bottom jeans.

This pope has shown evidence of being the linchpin of a religious revolution. The Church is influential enough that that religious revolution could easily (and will, if I'm correct) change the way things happen in this world. I was terrified of fundamentalism running roughshod in this country and destroying our democracy, but now I'm not so scared. A HUGE figure in the Christian world is now saying HEY CUT IT OUT FUCKERS. (More politely, of course, but he sure as shit said it to Congress. Ouch.) That doesn't sound like much to a lot of people, but it is fucking AMAZING. Francis is a wrench thrown into the works, a completely unexpected wrinkle in world politics, and breath of fresh air.

So how about we not condemn him and dismiss him just because he showed the ability to listen to someone unpopular? Listening is not approval - it's listening. That's how we learn, if for nothing else, in order to understand the arguments of the other side. Because you can't argue your own side effectively if you don't understand the other side.

And it is, after all, the logical outcome of what he's been saying about love and acceptance. You can't go around saying things like that and then say, "Fuck you, I ain't talking to you." THAT would make him a hypocrite, not what he actually did. How do any of us know he didn't talk to her in order to try and persuade her to do her job? He's only said he thinks conscientious objection is a human right - and it is, no matter what the objector believes. What isn't a right is getting to keep your job after you've declared your refusal to do it. For all we know, the Pope may have said, "I understand why you object, but you can't hold your position and refuse to do it. Better to quit and be an example that way." After all, the bible does say that being a government functionary does not mean you are in cahoots with everything the government does, or that you approve of its actions. She's making biblical claims that are flat out untrue. Maybe the Pope gave her something to think about. We don't know.

Babies. Bathwater. Contemplate the old saying. This guy is great, and he's changing things. Let's not throw him out because he isn't doing EVERYTHING OUR WAY THIS INSTANT DAMMIT.

Payback - Z, G

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 03:03 pm
serai: A kiss between Casey Connor and Zeke Tyler (CaseyZeke)
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Payback
by Serai


Mr. Furlong gave a chuckling snort as the class's nervous laughter tittered into silence. He leaned forward and slowly placed his hands wide apart on the desk. With a long, sidling look, he asked, "Why are you still here, Zeke?"

The pen flipping in Zeke's hand stilled instantly... )

Yeah, okay

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015 05:02 pm
serai: A kiss between Casey Connor and Zeke Tyler (JonHappy)
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Trevor Noah really was funny last night. He's got a sharp sense of humor, puckish, I'd say. He definitely hasn't turned me off, so I'm going to continue giving him a chance.

And he's cheerful. I'm sure it's because he's new to the game, but he seems really up for the nonsense. Jon was really squeezed out at the end - who can blame him? - so Trevor is a big contrast. I'm interested and curious to see where he will go with this.


Also, VERY happy with the new Colbert show. Oh, he is having such a good time. It's lovely to see. And gratifying that he's not lost his punch. His guests are varied and interesting, he's a GREAT interviewer, able to draw out anyone. (Except Trump. He still managed to sound like a jackass.) (Not that that wasn't fun.) And he's brought along some of his TDS/TCR schtick, last night instituting a new segment reminiscent of the dearly departed "This Week In God" from TDS, a segment I always looked forward to, as I'm delighted by really well-educated comic commentary on the doings of religion. Stephen is excellent at that.

Plus, watching him dance at the beginning of every show is utterly wonderful. He can make me smile no matter how bad a day I've been having. *sigh*
serai: A kiss between Casey Connor and Zeke Tyler (CaseyZeke)
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Tip: Again, to get the best effect, you have to read it aloud.  Swing into the rhythm.




if up's the word ;and a world grows greener
minute by second and most by more--
if death is the loser and life is the winner
(and beggars are rich but misers are poor)
--let's touch the sky :
                                  with a to and a fro
(and a here there where)and away we go

in even the laziest creature among us
a wisdom no knoledge can kill is astir--
now dull eyes are keen and now keen eyes are keener
(for young is the year,for young is the year)
--let's touch the sky :
                                  with a great(and a gay
and a steep)deep rush through amazing day

it's brains without hearts have set saint against sinner;
put gain over gladness and joy under care--
let's do as an earth which can never do wrong does
(minute by second and most by more)
--let's touch the sky :
                                  with a strange(and a true)
and a climbing fall into far near blue

if beggars are rich(and a robin will sing his
robin a song)but misers are poor--
let's love until noone could quite be(and young is
the year,dear)as living as i'm and as you're
--let's touch the sky :
                                  with a you and a me
and an every(who's any who's some)one who's we

-- e.e. cummings




I just...wow.
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