12:19 PM yesterday
Functional Atheist commented on Savage Love.
I hope Dan's measured and calm response to WSN is helpful to her, though I'd bias my response a bit more towards the "don't contact him" option.
And I think @13 made a nice summary defense of the 14 year old boy, though the "charmed life" comment regarding WSN might not be accurate.
WSN sounds very sensitive, which suggests to me that she'd never perceive her life as "charmed." Even if her life has indeed been objectively "charmed", WSN sounds so emotionally fragile and anxious that I strongly doubt she's subjectively experienced her life in that way.
And I think @13 made a nice summary defense of the 14 year old boy, though the "charmed life" comment regarding WSN might not be accurate.
WSN sounds very sensitive, which suggests to me that she'd never perceive her life as "charmed." Even if her life has indeed been objectively "charmed", WSN sounds so emotionally fragile and anxious that I strongly doubt she's subjectively experienced her life in that way.
May 21
Functional Atheist commented on SL Letter of the Day: Have You Ever Heard of...?.
I'm a bit surprised Dan hasn't heard of a clapping fetish.
Not that I have heard of it, but as sound-based kinkiness goes, getting of on applause seems almost logical. Especially for a socially awkward, insecure dude like COTC described--he's desperate for positive attention, and if he's also got an exhibitionist streak, applause sounds like a relatively non-insane sort of kink to latch upon.
Not that I have heard of it, but as sound-based kinkiness goes, getting of on applause seems almost logical. Especially for a socially awkward, insecure dude like COTC described--he's desperate for positive attention, and if he's also got an exhibitionist streak, applause sounds like a relatively non-insane sort of kink to latch upon.
May 21
Functional Atheist commented on Senate Democrats Fuck Over Bi-National Gay Couples....
I can understand your frustration, Dan, but Republican threats to torpedo the bill are not a mere empty threat, IMHO.
Many Republican Senators are in safe seats--safe from Democrats--and their job security is based on appeasing their base. And whether because of racism/nativism, paranoia, a punitive law-enforcement focus, or a simple and deep desire to deny Obama any and all legislative victories, a big chunk of the Republican base would vastly prefer that no big immigration bill passes.
Sure, the big-picture Republicans realize they must improve their party's standing with voters who don't happen to be wealthy straight white males, but plenty of Republican Senators looking at their own job security may not give much of a fig about that big-picture perspective.
Many Republican Senators are in safe seats--safe from Democrats--and their job security is based on appeasing their base. And whether because of racism/nativism, paranoia, a punitive law-enforcement focus, or a simple and deep desire to deny Obama any and all legislative victories, a big chunk of the Republican base would vastly prefer that no big immigration bill passes.
Sure, the big-picture Republicans realize they must improve their party's standing with voters who don't happen to be wealthy straight white males, but plenty of Republican Senators looking at their own job security may not give much of a fig about that big-picture perspective.
May 17
Functional Atheist commented on SL Letter of the Day: Gonna Boil My Laptop After Answering This One.
@5: Using a phrase like "Please, God", or "God Bless You" does not (necessarily) represent a corrupt piece of hypocrisy when used by an atheist. They're just vernacular phrases, idioms. Dan's usage in this instance, as a chant, is pretty clearly a joke, but like many jokes there's a serious undercurrent (he sincerely hopes the letter is fake).
And speaking of jokes, Dan @7's explanation is funnier than mine, but that's (part of ) the reason he gets paid for his writing and I don't.
And speaking of jokes, Dan @7's explanation is funnier than mine, but that's (part of ) the reason he gets paid for his writing and I don't.
May 14
Functional Atheist commented on SL Letter of the Day: Insane Demands.
EGGINGMP sounds a bit like someone with borderline personality disorder.
Jodi Arias, the sequel, in a worst case scenario.
Jodi Arias, the sequel, in a worst case scenario.
May 10
Functional Atheist commented on SL Letter of the Day: I'm Out.
Best to avoid the word, but also best to avoid those who make a big deal about its use as a joke at a gathering of friends.
My reasoning is partly based on a sort of low-level Anglophilia that's common in my circle of friends. They have the wit to know that Brits and Aussies use the word more profligately than most Americans (and hey, Brits and Aussies have a bit of cachet among us, what can I say).
My circle also (mostly) had the sense to years ago kill and extract most of the bugs up their asses. Hopefully PRIAPISM's friends will also calm down a bit in coming years.
My reasoning is partly based on a sort of low-level Anglophilia that's common in my circle of friends. They have the wit to know that Brits and Aussies use the word more profligately than most Americans (and hey, Brits and Aussies have a bit of cachet among us, what can I say).
My circle also (mostly) had the sense to years ago kill and extract most of the bugs up their asses. Hopefully PRIAPISM's friends will also calm down a bit in coming years.
May 10
Functional Atheist commented on SL Letter of the Day: Walk The Talk.
So they're together 8 years, and running the same damned sexual scenarios into the ground, and she can't muster the courage to say "Look, I get that you don't wanna talk about this when you aren't horny. But seriously, let's pretend to be grownups for five minutes. What the fuck's the deal? Pure fantasy or something you want to do? And by the way, regardless of your fucking answer, let's mix things up a little bit. Yeesh, yeah, you've trained me to respond to this specific thing, but, pretty please, why don't we vary our dirty talk repertoire at least occasionally?"
May 9
Functional Atheist commented on Your Dog Sucks.
I note, James6, in your posts littered with furious accusations of 'idiot' and 'asshole,' that you don't actually suggest what Dan should have done. Shared the food, and thereby encouraged the poor behavior? Endlessly played the game of shooing the pooch away? Break down in tears of frustration?
The dog was behaving badly. That the owner was at fault for that isn't really relevant, as the dog's owner wasn't present to corral his pet and to receive a tongue-lashing. So what should Dan have done?
The tone of your posts is so overwrought that I think you are the one who is irrational on the subject of dogs. Smacking a persistently rude and aggressive pooch is a variation on the growl/bite (and pin to the ground by the neck if necessary) techniques that are natural in establishing and affirming dominance hierarchies among canines.
Dogs don't discuss things over a cup of tea when a pack member tries to steal food from dogs higher on the dominance hierarchy.
The dog was behaving badly. That the owner was at fault for that isn't really relevant, as the dog's owner wasn't present to corral his pet and to receive a tongue-lashing. So what should Dan have done?
The tone of your posts is so overwrought that I think you are the one who is irrational on the subject of dogs. Smacking a persistently rude and aggressive pooch is a variation on the growl/bite (and pin to the ground by the neck if necessary) techniques that are natural in establishing and affirming dominance hierarchies among canines.
Dogs don't discuss things over a cup of tea when a pack member tries to steal food from dogs higher on the dominance hierarchy.
May 9
Functional Atheist commented on Your Dog Sucks.
As adults, we're obliged to assert ourselves when we're being ill-treated. Who else is going to defend us?
Good on you for letting that dog know that you aren't going to tolerate being bullied or dominated (and going after someone else's food, especially after being told "no," is dominant-aggressive behavior in doggy-world).
Good on you for letting that dog know that you aren't going to tolerate being bullied or dominated (and going after someone else's food, especially after being told "no," is dominant-aggressive behavior in doggy-world).
The Stranger
RSSSeattle Art & Performance Quarterly
A complete guide to Seattle's current art, film, dance, and theater season.
Facebook
Twitter
I'd be willing to give Senator Paul some credit if he publicly announces that guesting on Alex Jones' show represents a tacit endorsement that he will never again bestow.