Jesse- I am watching Freedom Riders finally, and it is really good. It is a little depressing, because in some ways I feel like they fought so hard, and now everything is sort of the same, it is just underground. In Rochester, no one has to ride in the back of the bus, but very few white people ride the bus. The schools aren't "segregated" but there aren't many white people in the city school districts. The charter schools are sucking the more privileged students out of the schools. At the Uni where I work, the "cleaners" are minorities, and the Facilities folks are white-- most of the "pink collar" jobs are white, most of the cafeteria workers are minority. It is really weird.

Jesse,

I see your point, but don't you think they were treating Bachmann's husband like comedians would instead of like newscasters would? I can totally see, for example, Louie C.K. saying that kind of shit about Mr. Bachmann.

I wouldn't have minded it as a throw-away. Or if they had left it to the audience to make the joke after showing the clips. It was just too much. I'm not opposed to all offensive humor.

And Sophia, ugh. At least it's not the law, at least?

In lighter news, I can not believe how much hair I have brushed off my cat this week. I can see why people want to make crafts out of it.

The Daily Beast has an actually thoughtful article about the implications of the Is He Gay or Not thing.

I think the speculation is useless and only fuels Bachmann's sense of righteousness (and in this case rightful) persecution. I think it's nasty, frankly. As nasty as speculation about someone being a closeted Muslim.

I totally agree on the Bachman thing--unless you have proof he's doing gay things, just talk about the bad clinic and stuff. Otherwise you're being as bad as people making fun of legit gays who lisp or whatever.

Chuck Norris was doing a talk across the hall from Richard Dawkins' talk. WORLDS COLLIDE.

Dan Savage had an opening rant on his podcast that was along the same lines as the Daily Show...although he did talk about the anti-gay therapy. But Dan also put on at the same time a terrible stereotypical lisping gay voice to mimic him. Even though Dan Savage often goes way over the line sometimes, I was still surprised he'd be so on the nose with his stereotypes.

In shallower news- how is this NOT Mariska Hargitay? [link]

Yeah, that collection was really pretty. I was just thinking about getting Dove because I don't have a real grey, but then I saw Tao and I really want that. Which is, I think, my problem. I have silvers. The reason I don't have grey is because I keep buying grey that sparkles. Which is silver.

So maybe I don't need either. In which case I'd buy Marley and Marina!

Anyway, ZOYA50K for a free Remove Big Flipper with any purchase. </enabler>

ION, The 17th-Century Breastoration: A Time Before Bras

Option 1: Consult a Reference Work! You might turn to the Ladies' Dictionary. Published in 1694, here's the entry marked “Breasts”:

how to make them Plump and Round: Breasts that hang loose, and are of an extraordinary largeness, lose their charms, and have their Beauty buried in the grave of uncomeliness, whilst those that are small, plump and round, like two ivory globes, or little worlds of beauty, whereon Love has founded his Empire, command an awful homage from his vassals, captivate the wondering gazer's eyes, and dart warm desires into his Soul, that make him languish and melt before the soft Temptation.

That there's your goal. Now, what to do if you're saddled with large breasts whose beauty is buried in the grave of uncomeliness? The Ladies' Dictionary is here to help.

Therefore to reduce those Breasts that hang flagging out of all comely shape and form, that they may be plump, round and smaller, bind them up close to you with caps or bags that will just fit them, and so let them continue for some nights. Then take carrot-seed, plantain-seeds, aniseeds, fennel-seeds, cumin-seeds, of each two ounces, virgin's honey an ounce, the juice of plantain and vinegar two ounces each. Bruise and mingle them well together. Then, unbinding your breast, spread the composition plaster-wise and lay it on your breasts, binding them up close as before. After two days and two nights, take off the plasters and wash your breasts with white wine and rose-water.