Doctor Who, Planet of the Dead Recap

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

I have mixed feelings about Lady Christina. The two of them together was a little cliche, and the two of them together got a little Bossy McBossersons. And of course there was a kiss. I would have preferred he kissed Malcolm, all things considered. Malcolm looked like he really, really wanted to. *grins* Ah well. At least she’s not blond. I did approve of the Doctor not taking her up on a more formal companionship.

• LOL at Christina and her shiny new broken getaway bus.
• Awesome Quote: "The worse it gets the more I love it." YES, YES YOU DO. At least you can’t say he’s not self-aware.
• Bonding over stolen stuff. I love that the Doctor stole the TARDIS. Sweet. I’d steal the TARDIS, too, if I knew where to find one. That must have been an awesome heist. You know the Master and Romana were part of that one. Quick. someone fic it!

I’m not sure how I feel about the preview of "The Waters of Mars". Water!People? Shooting water from their hands? Eh? I suppose hope RTD will find a way to make that scarier than it sounds.

Speak. Loudly.

Thursday, April 9th, 2009

The National Organization for Marriage is not amused at the progress that has been made for gay and queer rights in the United States this week.

Always eloquent, bodlon responds in an open letter here that needs to be read by as many people as possible.

Equal rights are not something you can give out based on your own personal comfort bubble. You don’t get to pick and choose. Do not tout the ideals of personal rights and freedoms in the same breath you insist upon their restriction.

From ‘s post:

There is a storm coming, but it isn’t the storm that you think. It is people who are actually decent, freedom-loving (yes, I said that aloud and without irony), and engaged in civil discourse standing up against fabrications and rampant fear-mongering. It is resistance to the idea that your preference for a legal system that mirrors your personal religious beliefs matters more than someone else’s life.

Emphasis mine.

Do not allow what happened in California to happen again. Those rights that were legally given long after they should have been were revoked because they made people uncomfortable. There is nothing about that that isn’t wrong.

Security Theatre: the Incorrect Response to Terrorism

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

Read this.

An important excerpt:

The things we fear most may be least likely to occur, which means the time, trauma and treasure we invest in them is a complete waste.

Security itself is an illusion. It is a perception that exists only between our ears. No army, insurance policy, hazmat team, video surveillance or explosive sniffer can protect us from our own immune system, a well-intentioned but clumsy surgeon, failing to look before crossing the street, an asteroid randomly hurtling through space or someone willing to die in order to do others harm.

In this sense, the only things that can truly make us more “secure” are not things. They are the courage to face whatever comes with dignity and intention, and the strong relationships that assure we will face the future together, and find comfort and meaning in doing so.

Imagine, then, what might happen if we simply quit listening to the scaremongers and those who profit from our paranoia. Imagine what the world could look like if we made a conscious choice to live out whatever time we have with courage, compassion, service and joy.

Terrorism is an act of the weak. But so is walking through the airport in our socks.

We can make better choices.

Emphasis is mine. I have been waiting a long time for someone to write this article and I didn’t even realize it. Terrorists don’t win on their own: we have to let them. I will not sacrifice my freedoms because I am afraid. Not ever.

It’s turning out to be quite the political day on my LJ, isn’t it?

Vermont Jumps On The Same-Sex Marriage Wagon!

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

The Vermont House and Senate have voted to override governor Jim Douglas’ veto of the same-sex marriage bill, legalizing gay marriage in Vermont! Woot! That’s a second big win for same-sex couples this week!

Also, in related news: Washington D.C. Council Votes to Recognize Other States’ Gay Marriages and Fertility Rights for England’s Lesbians.

Same-Sex Marriage in Iowa

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

The Iowa Supreme Court votes unanimously in favour of same-sex marriage! Huzzah and triumph!

Obviously, the conservatives are outraged. This article, while not outwardly against the ruling, almost exclusively quotes only people who are displeased. Go team impartial journalism!

Watch out for sneaky propositions, Iowa!