Category Archives: In the news

Let the Sun Shine In

I don’t have anything to say right now. Awful is awful, and we’ll have time to dissect which particular flavor of awful this is soon enough. For now, keep the dead and wounded in your thoughts. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. … Continue reading

Posted in In the news, International issues | 10 Comments

The Abuse of the Western Children of Misogynist Attention-Seekers

One of the more bizarre sub-plots from the bizarre story that is the faked balloon voyage of Falcon Heene is the YouTube video in which Falcon and his brothers claimed to be “not pussified.” It’s a lovely video about how … Continue reading

Posted in Anti-feminists and their pals, Feminism, sexism, etc, In the news, Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans and Queer issues | 35 Comments

Shakesville's Melissa on Ted Kennedy

I wanted to point out this excellent remembrance of Ted Kennedy, which is particularly relevant to some of the discussion that’s been going on here at “Alas” recently. Melissa writes: Senator Edward Kennedy was a tough guy. He was smart, … Continue reading

Posted in In the news | 6 Comments

Edward Kennedy, 1932-2009

In many ways, Ted Kennedy was the most consequential of all the Kennedy brothers. His older brother Jack was president, of course, and his older brother Bobby was Attorney General, and perhaps would have been president had he not been … Continue reading

Posted in Elections and politics, In the news | 68 Comments

More Gatesgate links (including Obama's commentary on the arrest)

It’s not even midnight and everyone at my sister’s house (where I’m visiting this week) is asleep. Guess I’ll post some links. Professor Gates’ version of the story. This is a must-read if you’re interested in this story. I guess … Continue reading

Posted in In the news, Race, racism and related issues | Comments Off on More Gatesgate links (including Obama's commentary on the arrest)

Supreme Court Rules That Strip-Search of Teen Was Unconstitutional

From the NYT: In a ruling of interest to educators, parents and students across the country, the Supreme Court ruled, 8 to 1, on Thursday that the strip search of a 13-year-old Arizona girl by school officials who were looking … Continue reading

Posted in In the news, Supreme Court Issues | 24 Comments

NYC Teachers Paid To Do Nothing

The AP has a story about the New York City school system’s “rubber rooms” — the places where hundreds of teachers facing disciplinary hearings wait, doing no work but drawing full salaries. Sometimes this can go on for years. Because … Continue reading

Posted in In the news | 5 Comments

Obama DOJ to same-sex couples: Go fuck yourselves

So the Obama Department of Justice decided to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Stonewall — and the 42nd anniversary of Loving vs. Virginia — by filing a brief in a same-sex marriage case that repeats a slew of anti-gay canards, … Continue reading

Posted in In the news, Same-Sex Marriage | 56 Comments

Ahmadinejad Declared Victor In Iran's Elections…

…but Moussavi is protesting and charging fraud, the NY Times reports. I don’t have much to say about this right now, except the obvious, and that my heart goes out to those, inside Iran and out, who were hoping this … Continue reading

Posted in In the news, Iran | 1 Comment

Great Pictures of the Elections Going on In Iran

Check out this photo essay on The Boston Globe’s website. Great pictures. It’s an exciting time over there, and a tense one. A lot hangs on this election.

Posted in In the news, Iran | 1 Comment