This is an open post.  Generally, most of my posts are going to be closed, locked, what have you.  If you are someone who would like to be able to read my posts, this is the place to comment.

Edit to note:  This is for anyone new who I met recently, guys, no worries, no one's going anyplace, honest.  Sorry for the confusion and welcome to everyone who's new!

I gave up on birthday wishes a while ago because I got tired of being a day late and a dollar short.

But for this man, I'll make an exception.

Happy birthday, slutdiary! I hope you have many happy, healthy returns of the day yet to come, and may joy follow you around for all those days.

For today's fuckmuppetry, Texas is throwing a great big fit about the fact that they can't accept federal aid without strings attached.

I'm not really able to comment intelligently right now, because the only things I have to say are !!!! and a lot of very nasty comments that come off sounding like I think the entire state is racist.

If you feel like it, please to click the egg. If not, don't. :)

This is a video that got passed along to me, (along with several other people.) It is work safe, as long as you don't mind squealing over the BURNING CUTENESS.
Cute cute cute!

This is a free version from Jonathan Coulton of You Oughta Know by Alanis Morissette.

I really, really loved it, and must pass it along.

Other than that, I have little to report, life goes on apace.

I'm proud and humbled, simultaneously, today.  I've been watching the inauguration.  I've been watching the faces of the people in the crowds, the faces of the former leaders of this country, the way the crowds stretch so far that you know the people in the back can't see anything but people, Aretha Franklin's unfortunate hat and fortunate voice.  I was in love with the quartet that did Simple Gifts, (and I desperately want to get that version.)  And I've been listening and sharing this experience withamezuki  and Abby at home, andmariness  online.

I cried when Joe Biden was sworn in by my personal favorite Associate Justice.  And I cried all the way through Barack Obama's swearing-in, and was stunned and awed by the speech that followed.  I was reminded of the reactions people had to JFK, and I'm delighted and proud that someone of the same generation of me and of my sister could give a speech like that, could call a country to rediscover the truths that we know to be self-evident: that it takes courage and sacrifice and hard work to be great, and that we can't kowtow to the wealthy few, but must enforce the ideals that started this country.  The return to the truth that we can't sacrifice our liberty for safety, and that we have responsibilities in order to realize our ambitions.

Obama is inspiring.  He spoke to the quality of water as well as schools.  He spoke of rebuilding infrastructure, and the people serving the country and the people, not just the government.  He spoke to the principals that those who were once slaves can now take oath to serve and lead this country.  I'm just...this is so amazing.

So, there's a nurse in Albuquerque. She's been pulling out IUD devices without permission, because she thinks they're basically little abortions.

How is this not assault? Where did this woman get the right to decide how other women should manage their bodies? How is this ethical? She needs to lose her license!

Here's the thing: this woman is being unethical, and she's putting women at risk. And she's doing so, because for the last 8 years, we've had an administration telling us that it's ok to legislate religion. It's not ok. A woman has a right to privacy, and that privacy is what allows for abortion. That administration doesn't truly believe that women are people, or that people have a right to decide for themselves, or have privacy, which is absolutely against the tenets of Republicanism. Don't believe me? How many people got their phone records looked at or wiretapped without warrants?

Religion should not be legislated. Period. If it becomes legislated, we are no longer a democratic Republic, we are a theocracy. If you think that your religion gives you the right to tell me what to do with my body, then I recommend you look at the Taliban, and what they do to women. Then remember that their religion told them to do it.

I have another paragraph in me, but as it's mostly profanity, I shall save it for another time.

( This is likely to be offensive, and it is political. You have been warned. )

So, amezuki and I went out last night, (second time in a week for us, it's a new record!) and went to hang with klicrai and wolfieboy. Much fun was had, including some lovely Chinese food and lots of Robo Rally. (I'd forgotten how insanely fun that game is.) Thank you, guys, I look forward to the next time we do that!

Edited because I'm an idiot and looked for the name closest to the name I know the particular person by instead of just using my brain.