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Ask a Vet
Author: TriSec
Date: 07/30/2013 10:19:34
Good Morning.
Today is our 4,314th day in Afghanistan.
We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,251
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,099
We find this morning's Cost of War passing through:
$ 1, 460, 063, 100, 000 .00
Once again, we have to start today in Iraq. There has been little traction in the American media; I've been following this via the BBC and some military news sites that I frequent. It seems that what little progress that was made after we left has been sliding back into chaos. July has easily been the worst month for violence in quite some time, and it shows no signs of abating.
Short of us going back in, it seems that Iraq may be headed for a long-overdue civil war. Our presence may have tempered that for a while, but the Sunni/Shia rift is just too vast to bridge without guns.
Of course, Afghanistan is no stranger to such violence...and while the primary players may go under different names, of course it's all in the name of Allah that this is being perpetrated. This is something that mystifies me about religion in general. You and I can read the same text, but come away with completely different interpretations. Westboro Baptist and the Christian Bible being just one example. Of course, the Taleban is fighting over the Q'uran, but I suppose that's a discussion for another day.
And because this is ostensibly a veteran's column, we'll take a look at two soon-to-be veteran's stories today. This actually horrified me, but other than that base emotion, I haven't got much more to say.
It's curious, though. I thought close relatives were banned from serving together, especially in the same unit, after the USS Juneau went down in WWII (The Sullivans), but upon closer examination, it seems to be only a US Navy policy and does not include ground forces.
Good luck to them both.
Today is our 4,314th day in Afghanistan.
We'll start this morning as we always do; with the latest casualty figures from our ongoing war, courtesy of Antiwar.com:
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 2,251
Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan: 1,099
We find this morning's Cost of War passing through:
Once again, we have to start today in Iraq. There has been little traction in the American media; I've been following this via the BBC and some military news sites that I frequent. It seems that what little progress that was made after we left has been sliding back into chaos. July has easily been the worst month for violence in quite some time, and it shows no signs of abating.
CAR bombs mainly targeting Shia-majority areas of Iraq killed at least 48 people yesterday, security and medical officials said, taking the July death toll to more than 780.
More than 3000 people have been killed in violence since the beginning of the year, according to AFP figures based on security and medical sources.
Yesterday, 11 car bombs hit nine areas of Baghdad, seven of them Shia-majority, while another exploded in Mahmudiyah to the south of the capital.
Five more hit three towns south of Baghdad. The attacks wounded at least 226 people.
The violence came a day after attacks killed 14 people, among them nine Kurdish police who died in a suicide bombing in the northern town of Tuz Khurmatu.
Militants have carried out two highly co-ordinated operations in recent days, highlighting both their growing reach and the rapidly declining security situation.
Late on Wednesday, 150 militants attacked the northern town of Sulaiman Bek, drawing security forces away from the main highway in the area. About 40 militants then broke off, set up a checkpoint on the highway and executed 14 Shia truck drivers.
The highway killings were reminiscent of the darkest days of Sunni-Shia sectarian bloodshed in Iraq in 2006-2007, when thousands of people were killed because of their religious affiliation or forced to abandon their homes under threat of death.
Lingering tensions between Sunnis and Shi'ites have been inflamed by persistent violence in Iraq and the civil war in neighbouring Syria, and there are growing fears the country is slipping back towards all-out sectarian conflict.
Iraq's Sunnis accuse the Shia-led government of marginalising and targeting their community, including through unwarranted arrests and terrorism charges.
In addition to security issues, the government is also failing to provide adequate services such as electricity and clean water while corruption is widespread.
Short of us going back in, it seems that Iraq may be headed for a long-overdue civil war. Our presence may have tempered that for a while, but the Sunni/Shia rift is just too vast to bridge without guns.
Of course, Afghanistan is no stranger to such violence...and while the primary players may go under different names, of course it's all in the name of Allah that this is being perpetrated. This is something that mystifies me about religion in general. You and I can read the same text, but come away with completely different interpretations. Westboro Baptist and the Christian Bible being just one example. Of course, the Taleban is fighting over the Q'uran, but I suppose that's a discussion for another day.
Scores were reported dead across Afghanistan Monday amid a pair of bombing attacks in southern Afghanistan and two military operations in the eastern part of the country. As many as 14, most of them civilians, died in separate bombing attacks in Zabul and Kandahar provinces, local officials said. A further 12 were injured in the southern Afghanistan attacks.
In the first incident, a police official, two guards and six pedestrians were killed by a roadside bomb in southern Zabul province, deputy provincial governor Mohammad Jan Rasolyar said. Twelve civilians, mostly children, were wounded in that explosion, which struck in a residential area Sunday evening, he said. But the presidential office put the death toll higher, at 11.
"According to Zabul provincial governor office, 11 of our compatriots were martyred and 12 others injured," President Hamid Karzai's office said in a statement. In adjacent Kandahar province, a mother was killed along with her two daughters when a roadside bomb placed by Taliban insurgents went off Monday, the governor's spokesman said. "The incident took place this morning in Spin Boldak district, in which a woman, with her two ... daughters (aged 14 and 15), were killed," Javed Faisal told dpa.
Karzai's office condemned the attacks, saying culprits of attacks during the holy month of Ramadan will be responsible before God. Meanwhile, 83 Taliban fighters were killed and 18 arrested in two ongoing operations launched by the Afghan national security forces, part of an ongoing Afghan national army and national police operation in Logar and Nangarhar provinces. "These operations are being carried out by the Afghan forces without any assistance from the international troops," Zahir Azimi, spokesman of Defence Ministry was quoted by the statement. He also said three army soldiers were also killed in the operation.
And because this is ostensibly a veteran's column, we'll take a look at two soon-to-be veteran's stories today. This actually horrified me, but other than that base emotion, I haven't got much more to say.
UNITY, Maine —There's no need for a Maine soldier who's deploying to Afghanistan to send letters home to his mother. That's because she's deploying at the same time -- and in the same unit.
Spc. Andrew Parker and his mother, Spc. Holly Parker, expect to deploy soon with the Maine National Guard. Andrew Parker told WABI-TV that it's "comforting" and Holly Parker called it a "source of pride."
The two from Unity are among nearly 200 soldiers from the 133rd Engineering Battalion deploying in August.
Sgt. 1st Class Randal Parker, father and husband, said he's used to being the one leaving for deployment. He said he's happy they'll have each other while on duty in a foreign land.
It's curious, though. I thought close relatives were banned from serving together, especially in the same unit, after the USS Juneau went down in WWII (The Sullivans), but upon closer examination, it seems to be only a US Navy policy and does not include ground forces.
Good luck to them both.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 07/30/2013 13:07:28
Good Morning everyone!
Raine on 07/30/2013 13:07:28
Good Morning everyone!
Comment by 
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 13:10:19
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 13:10:19
Morning 
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 13:14:59
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 13:14:59
Morning all.
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 13:19:46
Wth?
Raine on 07/30/2013 13:19:46
Wth?
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 13:32:23
??
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 13:32:23
Quote by Raine:
??
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 13:36:27
Que?
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 13:36:27
Quote by Raine:
Que?
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 13:36:49
The song parady -- set to Maniac only they sang Weeniac. It was, uhm --
not Audra from Minneapolis' best attempt.
Raine on 07/30/2013 13:36:49
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
??
not Audra from Minneapolis' best attempt.
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 13:39:02
ya, she can do better
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 13:39:02
Quote by Raine:The song parady -- set to Maniac only they sang Weeniac. It was, uhm --Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
??
not Audra from Minneapolis' best attempt.
ya, she can do better
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 13:44:08
I miss listening to Mamma.
Stupid having to earn a living!
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 13:44:08
Quote by Raine:The song parady -- set to Maniac only they sang Weeniac. It was, uhm --Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:
??
not Audra from Minneapolis' best attempt.
I miss listening to Mamma.
Stupid having to earn a living!
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 13:59:38
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 13:59:38
*sigh* back to everyone wanting all their stuff done first - screw the work I actually have to do for my actual boss for a big 7/11 kick off that has to be done for Thursday(that 10-12 pages from scratch). But no, the same crap that we've submitted to Giant for months without them authorizing it has to be done AGAIN! and for Wednesday.
*end rant*
*end rant*
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 14:06:43
Raine on 07/30/2013 14:06:43
I just heard this announced on the newsbreak. I had been following he's poignant beautiful and heartbreaking tweets about his mothers last days.
Scott Simon is an incredible person.
@nprscottsimon The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 14:12:21
He is! He is a very nice man. Mrs Mondo really liked him. Cokie Roberts & Susan Stamberg, not so much. Scott Simon used to have lemon yellow undies. Long story....
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 14:12:21
Quote by Raine:
I just heard this announced on the newsbreak. I had been following he's poignant beautiful and heartbreaking tweets about his mothers last days.Scott Simon is an incredible person.@nprscottsimon The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.
He is! He is a very nice man. Mrs Mondo really liked him. Cokie Roberts & Susan Stamberg, not so much. Scott Simon used to have lemon yellow undies. Long story....
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 14:15:55
His tweets on his mother dying were so amazing. She had emergency surgery a couple of weeks ago, and just -- he went to her ICU and never left.
Have you reached out to him on Twiter, Mondo?
Raine on 07/30/2013 14:15:55
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
I just heard this announced on the newsbreak. I had been following he's poignant beautiful and heartbreaking tweets about his mothers last days.Scott Simon is an incredible person.@nprscottsimon The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.
He is! He is a very nice man. Mrs Mondo really liked him. Cokie Roberts & Susan Stamberg, not so much. Scott Simon used to have lemon yellow undies. Long story....
His tweets on his mother dying were so amazing. She had emergency surgery a couple of weeks ago, and just -- he went to her ICU and never left.
Have you reached out to him on Twiter, Mondo?
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 14:18:25
oh and to put the friggin cherry on the cake - certain people in this office now NO sense of humor and can't determine when someone is trying to be funny and sarcastic
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 14:18:25
Quote by wickedpam:
*sigh* back to everyone wanting all their stuff done first - screw the work I actually have to do for my actual boss for a big 7/11 kick off that has to be done for Thursday(that 10-12 pages from scratch). But no, the same crap that we've submitted to Giant for months without them authorizing it has to be done AGAIN! and for Wednesday.
*end rant*
oh and to put the friggin cherry on the cake - certain people in this office now NO sense of humor and can't determine when someone is trying to be funny and sarcastic
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 14:21:07
That's a sour cherry.
Raine on 07/30/2013 14:21:07
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by wickedpam:
*sigh* back to everyone wanting all their stuff done first - screw the work I actually have to do for my actual boss for a big 7/11 kick off that has to be done for Thursday(that 10-12 pages from scratch). But no, the same crap that we've submitted to Giant for months without them authorizing it has to be done AGAIN! and for Wednesday.
*end rant*
oh and to put the friggin cherry on the cake - certain people in this office now NO sense of humor and can't determine when someone is trying to be funny and sarcastic
That's a sour cherry.
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 14:26:23
Thank you
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 14:26:23
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by wickedpam:
*sigh* back to everyone wanting all their stuff done first - screw the work I actually have to do for my actual boss for a big 7/11 kick off that has to be done for Thursday(that 10-12 pages from scratch). But no, the same crap that we've submitted to Giant for months without them authorizing it has to be done AGAIN! and for Wednesday.
*end rant*
oh and to put the friggin cherry on the cake - certain people in this office now NO sense of humor and can't determine when someone is trying to be funny and sarcastic
That's a sour cherry.
Thank you
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 14:31:31
No I have not. I should. He would remember Mrs Mondo.
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 14:31:31
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
I just heard this announced on the newsbreak. I had been following he's poignant beautiful and heartbreaking tweets about his mothers last days.Scott Simon is an incredible person.@nprscottsimon The heavens over Chicago have opened and Patricia Lyons Simon Newman has stepped onstage.
He is! He is a very nice man. Mrs Mondo really liked him. Cokie Roberts & Susan Stamberg, not so much. Scott Simon used to have lemon yellow undies. Long story....
His tweets on his mother dying were so amazing. She had emergency surgery a couple of weeks ago, and just -- he went to her ICU and never left.
Have you reached out to him on Twiter, Mondo?
No I have not. I should. He would remember Mrs Mondo.
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 14:32:43
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 14:32:43
@nprscottsimon But as my mother said, the nice thing about being a Chicagoan is that she'll continue to be able to vote on Election Day.
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 14:38:36
She had some zingers! I suspect this will be made into a tweet story.
Raine on 07/30/2013 14:38:36
Quote by Mondobubba:
@nprscottsimon But as my mother said, the nice thing about being a Chicagoan is that she'll continue to be able to vote on Election Day.
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 14:39:16
Raine on 07/30/2013 14:39:16
Oh this caller -- she is just not helping her religious cause.
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 14:40:29
Raine on 07/30/2013 14:40:29
Bradley manning verdict at 1 pm today.
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 14:43:02
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 14:43:02
Reached out to Mr Simon. :sniff: Damn dust.
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 14:44:45
I knew you would appreciate reading those. I was weepy myself.
She raised an amazing man.
Raine on 07/30/2013 14:44:45
Quote by Mondobubba:
Reached out to Mr Simon. :sniff: Damn dust.
She raised an amazing man.
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 15:01:55
Raine on 07/30/2013 15:01:55
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:17:00
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:17:00
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-Con
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-Con
Then, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.
As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 15:17:17
Raine on 07/30/2013 15:17:17
Mondo -- what is you twitter name? 
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 15:19:29
I have liked her for a while, I;m not a fan of her movies. I'm really glad you shared this Mala.
Raine on 07/30/2013 15:19:29
Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:22:08
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:22:08
Quote by Raine:I have liked her for a while, I;m not a fan of her movies. I'm really glad you shared this Mala.Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 15:26:03
@ssrdougagain
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 15:26:03
Quote by Raine:
Mondo -- what is you twitter name?
@ssrdougagain
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 15:26:19
I think I'm talking about the Fast and furious movies.
I'm still reading the link -- it's intense.
Raine on 07/30/2013 15:26:19
Quote by wickedpam:
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
I'm still reading the link -- it's intense.
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:31:15
Oh I can't stand them - just plain out stupid.
Yeah, I've been wanting to go to a Con for a while cause I thought it was so open and accepting but apparently not if your female.
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:31:15
Quote by Raine:I think I'm talking about the Fast and furious movies.Quote by wickedpam:
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
I'm still reading the link -- it's intense.
Oh I can't stand them - just plain out stupid.
Yeah, I've been wanting to go to a Con for a while cause I thought it was so open and accepting but apparently not if your female.
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 15:31:18
Sexism in fandom? No way!
Joss Weadon writes fantastic, amazing strong women characters. Lemme see, Buffy, Zoe Washburn, River Tam, Echo. They all kick some serious ass.
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 15:31:18
Quote by Raine:I have liked her for a while, I;m not a fan of her movies. I'm really glad you shared this Mala.Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Sexism in fandom? No way!
Joss Weadon writes fantastic, amazing strong women characters. Lemme see, Buffy, Zoe Washburn, River Tam, Echo. They all kick some serious ass.
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 15:31:41
Yep.
Raine on 07/30/2013 15:31:41
I could have sat there for hours listening to them. And the thing was, it wasn't like they weren't saying anything I hadn't heard before, even from actresses in interviews. But I was part of a captive audience full of guys who were now probably feeling a shred of the same kind of discomfort that women experience every day of their lives. And God, God, it felt good.
Yep.
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 15:34:57
That makes me sad.
What I do appreciate is that the author of the piece is talking about the subtle sexism that industry doesn't address. It's really a great piece of writing.
Raine on 07/30/2013 15:34:57
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:I think I'm talking about the Fast and furious movies.Quote by wickedpam:
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
I'm still reading the link -- it's intense.
Oh I can't stand them - just plain out stupid.
Yeah, I've been wanting to go to a Con for a while cause I thought it was so open and accepting but apparently not if your female.
What I do appreciate is that the author of the piece is talking about the subtle sexism that industry doesn't address. It's really a great piece of writing.
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:35:18
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:35:18
Did ya'll ever read or hear Wil Wheaton Explain to a Newborn girl what is means to be a nerd?
It's Awesome
It's Awesome
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:37:15
exactly.
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:37:15
Quote by Raine:That makes me sad.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:I think I'm talking about the Fast and furious movies.Quote by wickedpam:
Hey, I follow D'va Grrl and The Mary Sue on FB, they bring the awesome Geek Girl word
I'm still reading the link -- it's intense.
Oh I can't stand them - just plain out stupid.
Yeah, I've been wanting to go to a Con for a while cause I thought it was so open and accepting but apparently not if your female.
What I do appreciate is that the author of the piece is talking about the subtle sexism that industry doesn't address. It's really a great piece of writing.
exactly.
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:40:14
I used to want to channel Buffy as my inner ass kicker but I think I've changed that to Zoe - she is completely amazing!
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:40:14
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I have liked her for a while, I;m not a fan of her movies. I'm really glad you shared this Mala.Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Sexism in fandom? No way!
Joss Weadon writes fantastic, amazing strong women characters. Lemme see, Buffy, Zoe Washburn, River Tam, Echo. They all kick some serious ass.
I used to want to channel Buffy as my inner ass kicker but I think I've changed that to Zoe - she is completely amazing!
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:51:47
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 15:51:47
uh oh - geek girls broke the blog
Comment by Raine on 07/30/2013 15:57:30
Not at all -- I'm actually contemplating this. IT sorta reminds me about the very low numbers of women in IT.
Raine on 07/30/2013 15:57:30
Quote by wickedpam:
uh oh - geek girls broke the blog
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 15:59:00
If George Takai is the internet's cool uncle, the Wil Wheaton is the internet's cool cousin.
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 15:59:00
Quote by wickedpam:
Did ya'll ever read or hear Wil Wheaton Explain to a Newborn girl what is means to be a nerd?
It's Awesome
If George Takai is the internet's cool uncle, the Wil Wheaton is the internet's cool cousin.
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:01:07
I totally
Zoe. Inara is pretty bad-ass in her own quiet way as well.
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:01:07
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:I have liked her for a while, I;m not a fan of her movies. I'm really glad you shared this Mala.Quote by wickedpam:
Not usually at Micelle Rodriguez fan but she is indeed a "Woman Who Kicks Ass"
Michelle Rodriguez Made Me Cry at Comic-ConThen, she half-turned to look at them. "What's the most egregious example of sexism you've seen on set?"
"Some actor dude once said chicks couldn't drive cars," Michelle scoffed. "I was like, 'Move over.'"
The audience laughed a little. Sexism! Girls can drive cars. Silly sexist actor boys. No one in the audience was like them.
"One time a crew member started hitting on me when I was tied to a bed for a scene," Tatiana Maslany offered. "I was young. I was just starting out. I couldn't get away."
Less laughter now from the audience.
"Once a guy on set kinda beat the shit out of me during a fight scene," Katee Sackhoff said. "He said he thought I could 'take it.'"
No laughter now. Lots of squirming. The guy beside me was checking Twitter.
"He's lucky I wasn't there," Michelle said. "That kind of thing makes my blood boil."
Silence.As the moderator started wrapping things up, apologizing for having to leave "right as things were getting good," Michelle leaned forward to her mic again.
"We gotta start writing," she said again. She meant women. "Writing, and directing, and producing the kind of content we want to see. Because otherwise, nothing's gonna change."
Sexism in fandom? No way!
Joss Weadon writes fantastic, amazing strong women characters. Lemme see, Buffy, Zoe Washburn, River Tam, Echo. They all kick some serious ass.
I used to want to channel Buffy as my inner ass kicker but I think I've changed that to Zoe - she is completely amazing!
I totally
Zoe. Inara is pretty bad-ass in her own quiet way as well.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 07/30/2013 16:10:57
Scoopster on 07/30/2013 16:10:57
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 16:15:06
girls aren't told they can be in that field. I know my cousin isn't, although she is told she is a good athlete (I don't see it but her parent's do
) Anyway, when she was little she loved CSI and we even got her "foresnic" type CSI toys - she loved them - finger printed everyone and would go find evidence. Now she never talks about anything and I was recently told Facebook is so old, she's only on Instagram. So we've gone from at least kind of connecting at humans to only communicating with pictures and videos.
so my point (after the tangent) as she got older it seems her parents deemed sports more important then science
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 16:15:06
Quote by Raine:Not at all -- I'm actually contemplating this. IT sorta reminds me about the very low numbers of women in IT.Quote by wickedpam:
uh oh - geek girls broke the blog
girls aren't told they can be in that field. I know my cousin isn't, although she is told she is a good athlete (I don't see it but her parent's do
) Anyway, when she was little she loved CSI and we even got her "foresnic" type CSI toys - she loved them - finger printed everyone and would go find evidence. Now she never talks about anything and I was recently told Facebook is so old, she's only on Instagram. So we've gone from at least kind of connecting at humans to only communicating with pictures and videos. so my point (after the tangent) as she got older it seems her parents deemed sports more important then science
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 16:16:19
truth
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 16:16:19
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
Did ya'll ever read or hear Wil Wheaton Explain to a Newborn girl what is means to be a nerd?
It's Awesome
If George Takai is the internet's cool uncle, the Wil Wheaton is the internet's cool cousin.
truth
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:18:54
I hope not! WTG India! I went to SeaWorld once, never again.
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:18:54
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all..
Does this mean corporations are dolphins too?
I hope not! WTG India! I went to SeaWorld once, never again.
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:23:47
When I was trying to do the DBA thing, I would go the MS SQL group here, pretty much a sausage fest with a few exceptions.
I think the perception of nerd girls is they are suppose to be artsy. Making costumes for cosplay, doing fan art and such like stuff. As far as work, if they are in IT, they are in the "soft" side, website design, graphics etc. They aren't viewed as intellectually capable of doing hard stuff like coding. To that I say bollocks!
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:23:47
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Not at all -- I'm actually contemplating this. IT sorta reminds me about the very low numbers of women in IT.Quote by wickedpam:
uh oh - geek girls broke the blog
girls aren't told they can be in that field. I know my cousin isn't, although she is told she is a good athlete (I don't see it but her parent's do
so my point (after the tangent) as she got older it seems her parents deemed sports more important then science
When I was trying to do the DBA thing, I would go the MS SQL group here, pretty much a sausage fest with a few exceptions.
I think the perception of nerd girls is they are suppose to be artsy. Making costumes for cosplay, doing fan art and such like stuff. As far as work, if they are in IT, they are in the "soft" side, website design, graphics etc. They aren't viewed as intellectually capable of doing hard stuff like coding. To that I say bollocks!
Comment by wickedpam on 07/30/2013 16:25:29
wickedpam on 07/30/2013 16:25:29
The Jezebel 
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:30:56
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:30:56
A little some about Scott Simon's tweets.
If you think Mr. Simon's taking to Twitter as an expression of his grief is
You are a dick. You are double dick if you have no experience in the loss of a spouse or parent. Everyone grieves in their own way.
If you think Mr. Simon's taking to Twitter as an expression of his grief is
“the most sordid, opportunistic thing I’ve ever heard.â€
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:32:02
Mondobubba on 07/30/2013 16:32:02