Everybody Loves a Puppy

Truly, you have to be a souless monster to not love a puppy. A friend showed me a new site: http://puppywar.com/ and it's adorable. There is also a kittenwar.com site but, even as a cat person, I think the puppies are cuter.

Now as it happens, my parents have a German Sheppard that has just had puppies. I have posted a picture of one of them to the puppywars site because they're unbelievably cute. Here are a couple more--- for your fluffy personal enjoyment.

Stop jaywalking!

Stop running out into the street! All of you. Just stop it!!

You may have the right of way but that will be small cosulation at your funeral. The car is bigger than you. It will win everytime. I know it's a long way to that cross-walk, and we're all in a hurry. But it'll take a lot longer if you have to detour to the hospital.

So remember what your Mama used to say: look both ways before you cross the street.

Ugly Thoughts

This is not a particularity nice topic, but it is a valid one. I am taking an English class at my chosen higher education institution. I'm very fond of my professor who both makes me think and makes me laugh (apparently that's all I need in a guy- how hard can that be to find??).
Today's topic was that of rape and journalism. You may or may not have noticed but anytime a lady - we'll assume she's a lady - alleges rape, and an article on the topic is published in the local paper, magazine, or well-respected blog, her name is omitted while the name of her accused aggressor is published. The aggressors name may come with the word "alleged" before it, but the name is out there all the same, implicitly implying that one person is the victim, who needs protection, and one is the criminal, who needs if not prosecution, persecution.
Now many women whose names have been mistakenly released to the press in a rape case (Kobe Bryant, Kennedy kid accused of rape in Florida in the 70's) have had a terrible time. There is some stigma attached to rape that you don't have with other violent crimes. You wear your scars in hidden places but when your name is released it can become clear that there is a judgment for sex crimes that doesn't necessarily start with the sympathy that applies to other violent crimes. In some countries, a woman who is raped is expected to kill herself in shame (article).
Some people, women included, say that a rape victim's name should not be withheld. She should choose to have it be released, or the acceptable journalistic mores of hiding the name should be changed. By saying these names, perhaps the stigma of sexual crimes will be reduced. The fairness of unbiased reporting will be restored. And maybe, false rape reports will be reduced when the glare of the media spotlight is pointed on the alleged victim.
All that being considered in trying to come to my own point of view, I think the names should be released. However, as my wise professor pointed out, I wouldn't want that policy to start with me, my mom, my cousins, friends or anyone else I care about.

Oscar Schmoscar

I know I haven't written in awhile and it is a sad statement on my life that something as petty as the Academy Awards has driven me from my slumber, but there it is.

First of all, I thought Jon Stewart did a great job as a host. He did appear to be nervous at the beginning, and who wouldn't be, (have you seen the size of the Kodak theatre?) but he certainly got better as the night went on and I heard plenty of people laughing.
But according to reports, none of those people were the "stars" and therefore, the word out on the street is Jon Stewart was a "failure, on par with David Letterman and Chris Rock". I would point out that you can do worse than to be lumped with David Letterman and Chris Rock.

The problem is that the stars cannot laugh at themselves. It's a sad statement on Hollywood that they can mock, imitate and comment on every other race, culture, creed and nationality out there EXCEPT for those who share their zip code.

Secondly, I for one was very pleased to see that 'Crash' won for best picture. I saw that movie and it was a tough, uncomfortable view of people from different races and walks of life. I thought they did a very good job with the material and was more than a bit surprised at how much it affected me.

But according to the writers of 'Brokeback Mountain' the only reason 'Crash' won is because America can't handle the idea of a gay-themed best pic winner (http://oscars.movies.yahoo.com/news/reuters/20060306/765.html):

The victory for "Crash" suggested Oscar voters were more comfortable with a tale that exploited the seamy underbelly of racial conflict in contemporary Los Angeles than with a heartbreaking tale of love between two married men.

"Perhaps the truth really is, Americans don't want cowboys to be gay," said Larry McMurtry, 69, who shared an Oscar for best adapted screenplay with Diana Ossana for "Brokeback."

This is patently unfair. 'Brokeback' which won plenty of awards, including several best picture awards, was a perfectly fine move. It was well-touted in public, much discussed and rarely lamented. There were some comments/complaints, but you made a groud-breaking movie; you asked for it. Just because the Academy - who I remind you is primarily made up of Hollywood insiders - felt that 'Crash' was the better movie does not mean that America cannot handle homosexuality.

That being said, maybe Americans do have a problem with gay love. But you would think that these people, who should be advocates for gay rights, would focus more on the problem when laws are passed banning gay marriage, than when they are passed over for an award.