Weird is Relative

The Crime of the Wandering Dog

zarq — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:57:58 GMT

I'm trying to ease back into LJ.... :)

A superbly talented friend is working on a new animated project and is looking for assistance in the form of small (and large!) donations to help him complete. To that end, he's created a pretty awesome newspaper-style page: The Prognosticator.

The link to his Indie GoGo page with donation details is at the bottom, (or you can just click here) but the whole Prognosticator is neat -- with fun news, back-stories and additional links to his other completed and in-progress projects.

Here's the full page on The Crime of the Wandering Dog

Promo Trailer

One other bit that might be of interest: his incredibly detailed, modern re-take of Dante's Inferno -- available through Lulu and Amazon.

Hrm....

zarq — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:44:03 GMT

"There is no conventional or chemical or biological threat out there that we cannot counter with our overwhelming conventional forces." ~ US President Barack Obama

The US 2010 Nuclear Posture Review Report has been posted online. (pdf) For the first time, the United States is explicitly committing not to use nuclear weapons except in "extreme circumstances", pledging not to develop new ones and limiting the use of those in storage -- even for self defense. Nuclear weapons will not be used against non-nuclear states that are in compliance with the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, even in response to a hypothetical biological or chemical weapons attack, or a crippling cyberattack. The new focus is deterrence. Full text of President Obama's statement.

This news comes just a week after the announcement of a new post-cold war strategic arms agreement which will be signed on Thursday (April 8th) between US President Obama and Russian President Medvedev. Both countries have agreed to reduce strategic nuclear weapons by almost one-third and halve the number of delivery vehicles, such as missiles and bombers.

Spencer Ackerman: The Nuclear Posture Review as Assertive Multilateralism

The NPR doesn't quite fulfill Obama's stated goal during his campaign of a nuke-free world. But it's a step in that direction.

Background on the 2010 Nuclear Posture Review

An issue brief via an "In Focus" page from the Nuclear Threat Initiative.

AtlanticWire: Evaluating Obama's Revolutionary Nuke Plan

The announcement is not sitting well with right-wing bloggers.

Robert Culp has passed away

zarq — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:27:09 GMT

"Those of us who are the firstborn always dream of that imaginary brother or sister who will be their protector, the buffer, the one to take the blows. I'm a firstborn, and Bob was the answer to my dreams. He was the big brother that all of us wish for." ~ Bill Cosby on his I-Spy co-star Robert Culp (79), who died of a heart attack yesterday after a fall outside his Hollywood Hills home

During his extensive six-decade television and film career, the versatile, debonair character actor played a number of roles that made him an instantly recognizable figure to audiences, including Hoby Gilman in Trackdown (his breakout role,) FBI Agent Bill Maxwell in The Greatest American Hero and Bob, in the movie "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice." He never won an Emmy.

And to at least one reviewer, he was the finest Columbo villain of all time.

During the 60's, he promoted civil rights causes with Bill Cosby. Most recently, he was an active proponent for animal rights.

Clips: I-Spy (hulu), Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice (Youtube), The Greatest American Hero (hulu -- intro is available on Youtube) Also, the archive of American Television has an interview with him from 11/07 regarding I-Spy.

Something else worth noting:

I-Spy had a tremendous impact, as it was filmed and aired during the height of the Civil Rights movement. TV Tropes has a wonderful summary:

Not only was it the first show to be filmed in exotic locations around the world (and utilized revolutionary filming techniques to do it) but it was also the first to feature a black actor in a co-starring role that was in every way equal to the white lead actor's role. Bill Cosby was also the first black actor to win an Emmy Award because of his wonderful work on this show. It is also worthy of note that before being cast in I Spy he had no acting experience. Although Bill Cosby was second-billed (simply because Culp was the more well-known personality at the time) he was not simply a Token Minority but was to be an integral part of the show since its conception. Also, although both characters were created as equals, Alexander Scott was depicted as having a better education (including being a Rhodes scholar) than his partner Kelly Robinson. A very enjoyable series with some truly wonderful chemistry between its two leads.

From the LA Times obit link above, an awesome quote from Bill Cosby: At Culp's suggestion, he said, "we agreed to make the relationship between the white character, Kelly Robinson, and the black man, Alexander Scott, a beautiful relationship, so that people could see what it would be like if two cats like that could get along."

Mr. Culp was married 5 times. He leaves behind 5 children and 5 grandchildren.

Martin

zarq — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:06:24 GMT

Martin Bosworth, a wonderful friend and absolutely brilliant journalist, passed away suddenly on the 17th. I can't believe it. I have been digging through email and phone messages to catch up from Fashion week and only just heard the news.

I first met him here on Livejournal a number of years ago: boztopia He was one of the finest human beings I've ever had the good fortune to know. A true mensch. So passionate about life, people and making sure we... all of us, were treated with respect.

I can't believe he's gone. :(

Redefining "Surreal"....

zarq — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:33:28 GMT

Lea Salonga (whom you may know from here, here, here and especially here,) appeared at the "Your Songs" concert in Manila on December 12th, (where singers take on a song suggested by the audience.)

They asked her to sing Lady Gaga's Poker Face.

I saw her perform in Les Mis several times, and twice in Miss Saigon -- both on Broadway. Incredible range and a beautiful, passionate voice.

So I ask.... given the opportunity to ask her to sing virtually anything, what would you have chosen? Personally, I'm not sure what I would have proposed, (a Celine Dion cover, maybe) but it sure wouldn't have been Poker Face.... too monotonous.

Added bonus: (not Lea Salonga) A unique cover of the same song by Molly Lewis (via tracy_rowan) :

Cracking the Cancer Code

zarq — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:15:24 GMT

Cracking the Cancer Code: We already know that all cancers are caused by DNA mutations acquired during a person's lifetime. But what mutations actually cause cancer? We may be one step closer to finding out. International research teams led by the Cancer Genome Project at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have now mapped the entire genetic code of two of the most common human cancers: lung and skin (malignant melanoma).

Their findings have the potential to revolutionize preventative and treatment therapies as well as pave the way for new early detection tests. More.

Additional research is now underway to map the mutations of cancerous breast, hepatic, oral, stomach, ovarian, pancreatic and brain cells.

Researchers also gained insights into how more than 60 carcinogens associated with cigarette smoke bind to and chemically modify human DNA, ultimately leading to cancer-causing genetic mutations.

Full text of the journal articles is on Scribd: 1, and 2

Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody

zarq — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:45:00 GMT

This is available in 1080p high definition video.

The Muppets do Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.

:)

zarq — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:17:31 GMT

From tracy_rowan. Thanks. :)

Nothing new, really.

zarq — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:34:13 GMT

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops is meeting this week in Baltimore.

Yesterday, they issued a pastoral letter which contains "detailed guidelines on marriage, reproductive technologies and health care for severely brain-damaged patients.": Marriage - Love and Life in the Divine Plan

What they're for:

Heterosexual Marriage

What they're against:

Gay Marriage / Same Sex Unions
Divorce
Unmarried Couples living together
Euthanasia

"Thank goodness this is out there, clearly stated, with ample documentation and very reasonably put forward," said Archbishop Edwin F. O'Brien of Baltimore, which is hosting the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops this week. "I think it's going to be a very positive document."

They also approved a document on reproductive technology, "Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology"

What they're for:

Universal Healthcare (but it shouldn't include treatment for the stuff they're against, listed below)

What they're against:

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Egg, Sperm and Embryo Donation
Surrogacy
Cloning
Abortion

There's nothing new here, but I suppose it's worth noting. Haven't seen the text of "Life-Giving Love in an Age of Technology" online yet, but I'm curious to see if they take anything other than the expected position against stem-cell research.

The Big Bang Theory: Full Theme Song

zarq — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:40:11 GMT

Irony

zarq — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:48:50 GMT

President Obama spoke at a town hall meeting in Shanghai yesterday about the importance of free speech and his support for uncensored internet access. China's state-owned media censored his remarks for public consumption. The White House live feed was also unavailable in China on Facebook and YouTube.

Here is a video of the entire, uncensored town hall meeting:

The video is also available at the White House's website. So is a full transcript in English. Translation to Chinese (Simplified) here, and to Chinese (Traditional) here.

Pigeon Impossible

zarq — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:52:27 GMT

Official site.

Links

zarq — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:55:20 GMT

Syrian carrying $880,000, Hezbollah ring, 9/11 videos, stopped at Canadian border. He's also a qualified flight instructor.

From kishnevi: Sotheby's is auctioning off a 13th century Spanish Torah.

Nearly 900 9West items are on sale for $14.95 at 6pm.com. (link via FashionHippo and tzikeh) This sale runs 11/15 through 11/22. Shipping is free on orders over $100. You will have to pay shipping for returns.

Also from tzikeh: Frugal - Bon Vivant

Condé Nast Traveler: Etiquette 101: Smart Talk, "First Do No Harm...Every country has its subtle taboos and unspoken codes, but when you get down to it, it's what you say, not how you say it, that really gets you in the door (or kicked out). Our guide to the most dangerous topics around the world rates them according to our own alert system, from highest to lowest risk, followed by a few safe subjects that might put you back on solid ground." Other "Etiquette 101" guides can be found in a sidebar at the link.

Nature: Swine flu: One killer virus, three key questions

From liz_marcs: DeepDiscount DVD is selling the entire series of Farscape for $74.38.

The Watcher checks out Caprica.

The Atlantic: Did Christianity Cause the Crash?

The Block: The complete history of Eldridge Street between Stanton and Rivington, in Manhattan. Clicking on any building will give you more details about its history. From the site designer: "The tenement that sparked this interest, #218, is a good place to start. My great-great-grandfather lived there in 1860. Keep an eye on it in 1922. Enjoy!"

A Survivor's Compass: Rules to keep in mind when dealing with cancer

Alton Brown makes better bacon in a waffle iron (YT video)

The Economist: Lagrangian coherent structures / The skeleton of water

Wired reviews The Prisoner reboot.

Acrophobics beware: On top of the Burj Dubai's spire. (YT Video) The Burj Dubai is the world's tallest skyscraper. Also see: the tower's window cleaners. (YT Video)

Photo Gallery: Victoria's Secret Casting Call

"If you're the type of person who has trouble throwing anything out, then the job of collections reviewer at the University College London's museums might not be for you. The college is embarking upon a purge of its assorted collections, some 250,000 items in total, only 2% of which are currently on display. A gargantuan task, surely, but the college is not doing it on its own — officials have taken the unusual step of opening the process up to the public. They're asking visitors what they should keep, what they should give away to other museums — one institution's trash is another's treasure — or, as a last resort, what they should just throw away."

"One of the best kept literary secrets of the decade was revealed last night when 34-year-old scientist Dr Brooke Magnanti announced she was the writer masquerading as call girl Belle de Jour."

From chiutoy, The Guild's "Do You Want To Date My Avatar" (YT music video)

*snort*

Links

zarq — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:22:01 GMT

The Onion interviews Bronson Pinchot

Horrible Turn is an unauthorized Dr. Horrible prequel. YouTube / Vimeo

Rapists Who Don’t Think They’re Rapists (via rm, here who describes: "A survey on rape shows that if you don't use the R-word, a small percentage (actually 4% is pretty horrifying) of men will admit to rape; a lot of rape. The good news here, of course, is what we hopefully already knew -- that most men aren't rapists. The rest of the news? Rape isn't accidental; it's not a one time thing; it's not about "good guys" going too far -- it's a crime perpetrated by repeat offenders who don't think of themselves as rapists.)

zombie_dog: The Weight Watcher's Guide to Starbucks

txtriffidranch makes me laugh about H1N1.

The Big Picture: World Animal Day 2009

A Japanese firm is designing fun, customized barcodes that can still be scanned at checkout.

After 60 years in a watery Hawaiian grave, two World War II-era Japanese attack submarines have been discovered near Pearl Harbor. Specifically designed for a stealth attack on the U.S. East Coast--perhaps targeting Washington, D.C., and New York City -- the "samurai subs" were fast, far-ranging, and in some cases carried folding-wing aircraft.

Pioneering technique for growing new breasts could be available next year.

Pfizer is leaving New London, CT, eight years after their arrival triggered a landmark land use/eminent domain case.

Rent the Runway Offers Designer Dresses in the Netflix Model

The real reality of raising eight kids

Photo-realistic Art

Raise your hands if you saw this coming....

zarq — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:49:41 GMT

Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum
Same-sex marriage bill, as written, called a threat to social service contracts

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.

Under the bill, headed for a D.C. Council vote next month, religious organizations would not be required to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.

Fearful that they could be forced, among other things, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, church officials said they would have no choice but to abandon their contracts with the city.

"If the city requires this, we can't do it," Susan Gibbs, spokeswoman for the archdiocese, said Wednesday. "The city is saying in order to provide social services, you need to be secular. For us, that's really a problem."

My take on this: Since the Church has taken the stance that helping the needy is less important than discrimination, let them refuse to provide social services. The public funding they receive can then be given to a more charitable group.

Tattooed Jews

zarq — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:54:39 GMT

Some older links and some which are more recent:

"In less time than it has taken Madonna to move from pop-star exhibitionist to tattooed Kabbalist, the 3,000-year-old Jewish taboo against body art has crumbled among some Jewish young adults. Thumb through the portfolio of almost any tattoo artist -- there are now a half-dozen in the city -- and you'll find traditional Jewish symbols of life and luck alongside menorahs and Hebrew blessings."

The Forward: Jews With Tattoos: Pride, Aesthetics and Rebellion Play a Role As Their Popularity Increases. "The idea that tattoos dishonor Holocaust victims tattooed by the Nazis no longer resonates with many."

CNN: The New Jews

My Jewish Learning: Tattooing in Jewish Law

Skin Deep: To Some Jews, It Only Sounds Like 'Taboo'

Jews & Tattoos: What's a Rabbi to Do?

Tattoo Jew: "Tattoo Jew is documentary about Jewish people getting Jewish-themed tattoos as expressions of individuality and pride; people who feel more connected to their roots by displaying a modern Jewish identity permanently etched in ink upon their skin. This project explores the intersection between traditional Jewish culture and the current popularity of tattoos."

In Your Faith: Many Jewish Gen Xers are Embracing Their Religion and Cultural Icons with Defiance and Bold Irony. But are the piercings and tattoos a fad or spiritual expression?

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!

zarq — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:42:32 GMT

An opponent of same-sex marriage, Rhode Island Governor Carcieri has vetoed a bill giving domestic partners the right to claim the bodies of — and make funeral arrangements for — their loved ones.

More.

What a disgusting, heartless, dehumanizing thing to do. :(

You know... Roger Williams founded Rhode Island in 1644 on the principles of freedom of religion, equal treatment of Native Americans, the separation of church and state and the abolition of slavery, after he was kicked out of the Massachusetts Bay Colony for advocating equality.

365 years later and William's legacy is run by a bigot.

Edit:

* The Bill (pdf) (Thank you, gbam)
* The Veto (pdf)

Star Trek Gag Reel

zarq — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:07:31 GMT

The DVD will be released on 11/17, but the gag reel has already been leaked on the 'net.

Veterans Day Links

zarq — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:45:14 GMT

For Veterans Day here in the United States, and in honor of those who served:

Charitable Organizations

Give2TheTroops / How to Donate

Give an Hour: Provides complimentary and confidential mental health counseling to returning troops and their loved ones.

"The Mission Continues was built on the belief that our returning wounded should be recognized not only for the sacrifices they have made, but for everything they have left to give. We award fellowships to empower wounded and disabled veterans to serve in their communities. In doing so, we send the message: "We still need you." America owes these men and women a great deal, but as a nation, we have much left to learn from them. While injury may have changed the nature of their service, their mission continues, and it is as important as ever."

Disabled American Veterans

Paralyzed Veterans of America (your donation will double if you donate today thanks to a challenge from a WWII vet) They also offer a service which allows people to send an ecard to an anonymous veteran.

The Home Sweet Home campaign from oursoldiers.org

The USO

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Swords to Plowshares: "a community-based, not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area."

The Eleven-Eleven Campaign

Videos

Surprise Homecoming. Related article.

Homecomings

Dogs Welcoming Home Soldiers

Awareness

About one-third of all adult homeless men are veterans, and an average night finds an estimated 131,000 of them from five decades bedding down on streets and in charity sanctuaries. About 3 in 100 of them are back from Iraq and Afghanistan. The problem of homelessness for Vietnam veterans is, shamefully, well known. But the men and women in this growing cohort took just 18 months to find rock bottom, compared with the five years-plus of the previous generation’s veterans. Want to help? Support the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans

Five Facts about Veterans and How You Can Help

New Jersey servicemembers from four wars talk about Veterans Day

White House New Initiatives for Veterans

The Big Picture: Afghanistan, October 2009

Veterans for Peace

History of Veterans Day

The VFW, VA and The American Legion

Rudepundit: Veterans Day for the Living of a Previous Failed War

Goodies

35 Veterans Day Discounts and Freebies

The GI Bill and the Yellow Ribbon program

Thank you.

Maclaren Recalls 1 Million Strollers Due To Amputation Risk

zarq — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:04:06 GMT

Maclaren Recalls 1 Million Strollers Due To Amputation Risk

The recall applies to every umbrella stroller Maclaren has distributed in the US since 1999. The specific models are: Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

The CPSC says the strollers' hinge mechanism, "poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller."

More.

Democratic Victor vs. Pagan Lord

zarq — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:51:54 GMT

New York political campaigns are rarely boring, but the race for City Council in my district was unusually contentious this year. Our rep decided not to run, and both parties were vying for his open seat, which had been held by Democrats for the last eight years.

The Challengers:
Democrat Kevin Kim raised $430K.
Republican Dan Halloran raised $46K.

Halloran won.

I live in an area of Queens that has a large Asian population. Kim signs were everywhere -- businesses, stores etc. Volunteers went door to door and urged us to vote for Kim. Through August and part of September, polls seemed to indicate that he'd win by a large margin. Large groups of Asian residents were driven to the polls by volunteers on election day, and it's estimated that 84% of Asian voters went for Kim.

How did he lose?

He went negative. Far more negative than his opponent. Someone forgot the Lazio lesson.

Towards the end of September one of our local weekly papers, the Queens Tribune, ran an article on the race. The cover of the paper read: City Council Race: Democratic Victor vs. Pagan Lord and revealed Dan Halloran as a Théodish pagan to the voting public. The article inside, Pagan 'King' Has Council GOP Nod, seemed somewhat even-handed, although the paper did "enthusiastically" endorse Kevin Kim for the seat in the same issue.

Kevin Kim used to work for our Congressional Representative, Gary Ackerman. Ackerman founded the Queens Tribune in 1970. (Ackerman's denied any wrongdoing, which is most likely true.) The Tribune's investors have close ties to a political consulting company that Kim gave $80,000 to over the course of his campaign. (See the section titled "Walls of Separation" here.) Concerns were raised that the Tribune was biased, and had inappropriately tried to inject a candidate's religious practices into a political debate. The NY Times weighed in. Tribune readers did too. The Village Voice weighed in, and continued to do so into November. Halloran responded to the Tribune with an editorial in a rival paper, the Queens Chronicle.

Bloggers posted editorials about Halloran's religion.

By elevating his religion into a campaign issue, the Trib virtually guaranteed it would overshadow everything else. Most of their defenders said that was bound to happen. After all he's a pagan! (Oh dear. Lock up your daughters....)

The poll gap closed. By late October, the candidates were neck and neck and the mudslinging intensified with cries of racism, campaign sign tampering and fearmongering. Some Whitestone residents even declared Halloran an antisemite. Halloran accused Kim of being a pawn of Asian real estate developers. Way to rise above the fray there, Dan.

Election Day:

Halloran won 52.5% to 47.5% (about 1300 votes). The Queens Chronicle cited voter pushback from Kim's negative campaign as a likely reason. The Village Voice was pretty perturbed.

And our City Council became more diverse, which I'd venture to say is a good thing.

Worth noting: For the first time, Chinatown (different race and district,) will be represented by an Asian American. Nice! :)

Requires No Explanation

zarq — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:53:29 GMT

Big Ben on Twitter.

Greater Transparency with Google Dashboard

zarq — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:02:55 GMT

This morning, Google launched a new feature called "Google Dashboard" that lets users view (and in some cases control,) what data is being stored and analyzed on a range of more than 20 Google services, including Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Web History, Orkut, YouTube, Picasa, Talk, Reader, Alerts, Latitude and others.

Services not currently included -- Analytics, AdWords, AdSense, and Book Search among others -- will be added in later versions.

More:

* Google's Unofficial Blog
* TechCrunch
* New York Times
* CNET

In other Google-related news, the company is celebrating Sesame Street's 40th anniversary with special home page banners this week. See also: their Banner Art Archive

zarq — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:47:31 GMT

French anthropologist Claude Levi-Strauss has died at the age of 100.

101 New Uses for Everyday Things

Newsweek / The Upside of Feeling Down: Depression might be evolution's way of fixing what ails us

Drunk Ewoks Make for Good TV Gets funnier at 3:30 or so.

Democrats' Quiet Changes Pile Up

Fists Fly After Washington Post Editor Tells Writer, “It’s the Second Worst Story I Have Seen in Style in 43 Years.” The Washingtonian is polling its readers to find out what the worst was. Gene Weingarten weighs in, and offers his own suggestion of which was worst.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is the Anti-Obama.

The Chicago Tribune and other Tribune Co. newspapers plan to utilize as little content from the Associated Press as practical during the week of Nov. 8. The goal, as the papers review costs and needs, is to see whether severing ties with the news cooperative next fall is a viable option. The trial is scheduled to be conducted almost 13 months after Tribune Co. gave the AP a required two-year warning that it might drop the news service, effective Oct. 15, 2010.

The St. Petersburg Times extensive multipart exposé on Scientology

Aspergers Syndrome only became an official part of the medical lexicon in 1994, but the experts who are revising psychiatry’s diagnostic manual have proposed to eliminate it as a separate category from the new edition, due out in 2012. It would now fall under the "Autism Spectrum Disorders" umbrella.

The Clock I Can't See (from moosl)

The Mythbusters test golf ball-like dimpling effect on fuel economy

Want 50Mbps internet in your town? Threaten to roll out your own.

Christopher Walken performs Lady Gaga's Poker Face. Here's the original.

United Airlines Exploring Viability Of Stacking Them Like Cordwood

Sex sells. Film at 11.

zarq — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:18:04 GMT

Stargate SGU producer Joseph P. Mallozi has posted a friendly rant on his blog:

"Finally, some words of advice – words of advice not so much for those of you here but those leaving comments on other forums and websites (if you would be kind enough to pass the message along): STOP MAKING IDIOT COMMENTS. Note I didn’t say idiotic comments because that would imply that the lion’s share of the idiocy lies with the comment itself rather than the commentator. No, I mean: STOP MAKING IDIOT COMMENTS.

For example, say you have a problem with the James scene in Darkness in which she threatens Riley and Eli after they try spying on her with the kino. You can go ahead and make an argument for the scene being sexist (although I’d argue that there’s a difference between the scene being sexist and the characters in the scene acting inappropriately, especially given that a clearly disappointed Young admonishes both men), but if, in the body of your comment or any subsequent comment, you refer to the James character as Lieutenant Rack or McBoobs, then you’re a hypocrite who has successfully undermined their argument by demonstrating you can’t be taken seriously. Also, you’re an idiot."
More.

Also, this made me snicker: Unlike the more kid-friendly SG-1 and Atlantis with its wholesale slaughters of enemy combatants, tortures, stabbings, and occasional live burnings, Universe will touch on the heinous topic of physically intimacy. These “sex scenes”, which amounted to approximately 1 whole minute of the 270 minutes aired to date, engendered a fair amount of controversy. And that’s fine. I don’t mind continuing to read and approve your comments on the subject so long as you don’t mind knowing that nothing will change in this respect and that if you were offended by that broom closet scene in Air I, I guarantee you’ll be clawing your eyes out of your skull given what we have in store later this season. Also, while I can understand why some may have had a problem with that broom-closet scene in the premiere given that it did come as a surprise to many, I can’t muster up much empathy or understanding for those complaining about the Scott-Chloe scene in Light. Again, if it’s a matter of not enjoying shows that focus on the occasional romance between characters, then that’s unfortunate – because that’s the type of show you’re watching. If, on the other hand, it’s an innate response to the very notion of intimacy no matter how modest the scene, then I’d suggest a deep-rooted personal issue that would be best dealt with somewhere other than this blog.

Worth noting that the complaints about the broom closet scene were more along the lines of outrage that the show was (gasp!) pandering to the same fan demographic that watched Star Trek Voyager to see Seven of Nine in a skintight catsuit.