elfs | Nooze, almost all bad...

I think the hardest thing to believe is that Jesus Castillo was found guilty of selling an adult comic, from the adult section of the store, to an adult police officer, and convicted because the DA convinced the jury that all comics are really intended for children. I can't imagine a world in which the same argument would have worked for books or for films. -- Neil Gaiman.

The Supreme Court today decided not to hear the appeal of Jesus Castillo, a man who, as Neil Gaiman expressed above, was convicted of obscenity for selling a comic to an adult. Here's the DA's closing argument:

This medium, the medium that this obscenity is placed in is done so in an appealing manner to children. Comic books, and I don't care what type of evidence or what type of testimony is out there, use your rationality, use your common sense. Comic books, traditionally what we think of, are for kids.

Disgusted yet?

If you haven't chosen to vote for anybody but Bush yet, start choosing now. While I'm not at all happy with the implications of a leftist government in the White House, I much prefer that to the complete and utter swing to the beyond-right that has happened now. The Cwistians are so happy right now with the backlash against gays and lesbians following the ruling in Lawrence v. Texas that they're hoping now is the time to push forward a Constitutional amendment to secure special rights for heterosexuals.

Jordan's parliament has rejected a bill that would outlaw "honor killings" and punish men who kill women relatives who are suspected of bringing shame on the family. Charges have frequently been dropped against husbands, brothers, and fathers who killed their wives, sisters, and daughters for having sex (or being believed to have sex) outside of marriage. One father killed his daughter after she was raped, claiming that her lack of virginity was shame enough to justify his actions.

Take a look at this:

It's the front of the new $20 bill. I don't know about you, but the way the eagle on the left is positioned, facing right, holding the arrows close and the olive branch as far away as anatomically possible, is rather disturbing. And, if I recall correctly, in heraldry an animal facing right is considered aggressive and warlike.

Hail Caesar!

In its latest bizarre legal tactic, the American Family Association has claimed that the presence of a Gay/Straight Alliance Club, with its pink "this is a safe zone for gays and lesbians" stickers, may be discriminating against those children who want to make no place safe for gays and lesbians. Since that's a religious tenant, the GSA's existence may infringe on the civil rights of religious bigots.

The rules are different for Dean. Okay, I'm going to come out of the closet and say that, barring the miraculous appearance of an viable, economically responsible candidate, I'm going to be putting a clothespin on my nose and vote, perhaps even actively campaign, for the socially responsible candidate Howard Dean, in the hopes that he unseats Bush. But Ruth Coniff points out how the "liberal" media is mistreating Dean while pussyfooting Bush.

Word of the day: Are you a member of the reset generation? Did you grow up with video games and simply choose to "reset" your "play" buttons by changing jobs, partners or friends, instead of trying to cope with and learn from your difficulties?