EXACTLY. When she's already positioned as his counterpart, any response she gave would automatically have the implication that it's just an alternative viewpoint. Having the judge step in was an unequivocal "fuck you, don't do that, that's not acceptable" that she would have been unable to give. Not because she's a…

Also, I think in this context, she's not allowed to react the way the judge did. If she had, she would have been criticized for being a whiny b-word, not able to hold her own, etc. If she had just hit him back with the lyrics, it would have sent the message, as you say, that his words were just word - not a horrific…

But that reinforces the idea that rape threats are within bounds. It's so important that we have male voices backing us up on the notion that it's not okay to exploit women's oppression to win a stupid fucking rap battle, or for any other reason. It is not okay for men to use the fact of female oppression for their…

I'm going to jump in here and comment on this. I'm always fascinated by this type of response to situations like this. It's always "Well, this just what goes on," or "You have to understand, this is what it's like." I don't think there's a question of people not understanding that this is what goes on and this is…

Part of what men who threaten to rape need is to hear other men saying it's not okay. To not be supported by a crowd when they throw something like that out there (I really liked seeing men in the crowd doing the across-the-throat "cut it out" gesture). It's not about protecting the little wimmins, it's about standing…

While I sort of get your sentiment, I appreciate any and all genuine public shows of alliance and outrage, especially from men who aren't misogynists.

OMG THIS. There is so much that I was taught in high school that was meaningless. If someone would have spent even just a semester explaining to me how money works it would have literally paid off 100 fold. I'm (almost...eeeek!) 30 and I'm still like "budget? that's a guideline, right?" and my husband is in a constant…

“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
― Isaac Asimov

We're going to have to let Dorothy Zbornak handle this one...

When you're talking about ultra orthodox Jews, Natalie Portman (who had a child out of wedlock with a non Jew and has posed naked in movies) might as well be Muslim.

As an Israeli Jew from Jerusalem... this is the first I've heard of it.

I'm glad to hear of your good prognosis and that you didn't need the more radical surgeries. I'm glad that you caught it and were able to be proactive.

I'm BRCA1. This is The Scar Project (I guess also NSFW, though I'm loathe to say that), which FB shut down a couple of times and we had to raise a ruckus. There's a pretty intense image gallery here.

Just want to tell you that I think you are awesome. I'm a complete stranger sending you all the positive vibes I can muster. Be well.

I am fighting breast cancer right now. I was lucky to "only" need a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, along with 4 months of chemo and almost two of radiation. I'm sitting here with my bald chemo head and a fresh new collection of surgical scars - none of which are as dramatic as the ones in the picture. But…

Jealousy that even without going through the same physical trauma, they might never look as good as Whaanga does? That perhaps, even worse, they'll never be as thoughtful of a person as she? That person... I've met that type of person far more frequently than I'd care to. I'm betting safely that I'm not alone.

RIGHT?? This woman is AMAZING.

"Friends" bolted after she shared the pictures? Who the fuck does that? The internet blows my mind yet again.

Amazing, isn't it, that boobs can be all over facebook and it's OK as long as the nipple is covered ... even if it is only by a tiny little star. Yet this can be considered offensive, even though the "offensive" part is gone. People fucking suck.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Unfortunately, I cannot be swayed on this matter. I have tried - and repeatedly failed - to overcome the instinctual irritation that JR inspires in my very being.