Gold Star Awards, September, 2012

Been away a couple weeks.  So much crazy shit going on, don't even know where to start.

So instead, here are some award winner from September.  It's 1979 and we've got one of each...


The WILLIE MAYS Gold Star #55: How Conservatives Drove Me Away

I got turned onto this site through the link on LeftHook.  I like this blog in particular because in addition to the well-reasoned, informative and entertaining posts, it's coming from someone whom I seem to have a lot in common with, politically speaking.  His tag line says it perfectly: I support smaller government, lower taxes, less spending, and more individual freedom, yet I want nothing to do with modern conservatism.  Hey: ME TOO!  Of course, you first have to know what these words ACTUALLY MEAN, and about the only thing the modern Republicans and Conservatives embrace now is fear, ignorance and stupidity. And while I've mentioned it before, newer readers might find it hard to believe that I also once identified as a Conservative. I voted for Bush in '92 and Bob Dole in '96.  But then... then whole movement found religion and got... stupid. And bigoted. And ignorant.  Well... Fair enough it always was, but I started to recognize it and they stopped trying to hide it. And I always like hearing hear from those folks who they LOST in their Rightward march towards insanity. So check him out! Great stuff.


The HACK WILSON Silver Star #54: BUSTYGIRL COMICS

All right... let's get all the joking and snickering out of the way right up front:

BIG BOOBS. 

OK.  Now that's out of the way, let me explain in all seriousness what impresses me most about this web-comic.  Putting aside it's primary subject matter (see above), this strip does a fantastic job dealing with such serious socila issues as self-acceptance, body image, objectification, sexualization, double-standards, sexism, stereotypes, tolerance and discrimination in a manner that is at once ironic, pointed, effective and FUNNY.  Throw in all the practical advice, and the Rampaige's highly enlightened political and social philosophy, and you've got something really great here. (Plus... you know... boobs!)

*ducking the brick*

*a-hem*

...And if I had any lingering doubts about including this here, they were solidly dashed away this morning as I read her latest reply in an ongoing discussion about sexism, as experienced by people of the same gender and by men:

Okay, let me clarify. A sexist comment towards a man is upsetting and hurtful and he has every reason to be upset. But put that comment in context. When men show emotion, they’re told to “stop being so girly” because women are stereotypically “overemotional” (the same is true if he’s not especially strong or is gentle, etc.). Okay, in that instance, the man is being compared to a woman. The only reason why this would be hurtful is if there was something wrong with being a woman, which society insists there is.

So that man experienced an insult and it hurt but he’s also silently buying into the idea that to be a woman is beneath him and insulting at the same time. Yes, it harms him but it’s also harming half of the population as well.

Bravo. Couldn't have said it any better myself. And I really couldn't have, because until reading that, I hadn't really considered it that way!  And after reading it, I will never think of sexism and double-standards the same way again. It's not every day that a single, short post has such a profound influence on my general world-view, and for the better. And for that? I THANK YOU.