The computer thinks I'm Gay and Pregnant

Ray Everett-Church of Fremont, Calif., who is gay, ordered "Queer as Folk" videos from Amazon.com. Understandably, the site began suggesting gay-related calendars and books. Then he bought a baby book for a pregnant friend. So for weeks, the site also recommended parenting books. He says it was as if Amazon.com decided he was "a pregnant gay man."

- Humorous-yet-serious article in the Wall Street Journal talking about how computers (like via Tivo and Amazon.com) profile us

"My, you're looking thin... AND very, uh, happy to see me!"

One candidate that Dr. Cummings described as the "darling" of obesity researchers would be a drug that could stimulate a brain structure called the melanocortin-4 receptor, to decrease appetite and cause weight loss. But side effects always loom, and one drug tested in animals made them lose weight but also caused erections.

"That may sound great, but when the erections are unsolicited and prolonged, that's a bad side effect," Dr. Cummings said.

- From an article on weight loss pharmaceutical research in the New York Times (free registration required)

If this isn't fodder for Jay Leno, I don't know what is. Newly-thin people getting "unsolicited and prolonged" erections, as described by a Dr. Cummings. :D

With friends like this...

"He's not a moron at all. He's my friend."

- Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien's amusing "praise" of our President, as noted in this Salon.com article

Spectacular Stupidity

Apparently -- get this -- something bad is going to happen to us!

No, we don't know when. Maybe soon?
We don't know where.
We don't know how.
We don't know much of anything about it, actually.

Most importantly, we, your clueless ass-covering government folk don't even have any suggestions of what to do.

Er, no, wait. Be careful! Be cautious! Yeah.

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Am I advocating that our government keep warnings from us? Not necessarily. But at least they could give us some guidance and actually encourage us to do something useful for ourselves and our neighbors.

For instance, if they had credible evidence that something was goin' down on the East Coast, perhaps they could encourage people in that area to donate blood or plasma. If there IS a horrible terrorist act, we'll be better prepared to help the injured. If not, I'm sure it all can be put to good use anyway.

Maybe our government could take just a teensy fraction of the ridiculous amounts of cash it spends subsidizing big business and upgrade a few thousand ambulances or create salaries for extra emergency personnel.

Sure, all of this would only help AFTER the fact, but at least that's something.

It's a whole lot more useful than the "Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid" crap that's being spewed by various government officials.

God's speech serves as valuable reminder

When I read about uprisings and massacres in God's name in articles like this, I'm reminded about a blunt and poignant speech made by God, clarifying his already-pretty-damn-clear "Thou Shalt Not Kill" guideline.

Girls are pretty, boys are hardy

My blogger friend Jen just posted an insightful essay about Grrlpower and how women and girls are faced with the frustrating perception that femininity and power are mutually exclusive.

Without meaning to steal the female-thunder on this, I'd like to suggest that men face a similar conundrum.

When push comes to shove, we cannot actually be both Strong and Sensitive at the same time (despite this being an oft-requested combo in personal ads). Strong = masculine and manly and decisive. Sensitive = in touch with the 'feminine' site, thoughtful, collaborative.

Can you think of any CEO's who are respected for their strength and sensitivity? I can't. Er, maybe Meg Whitman (of ebay), but... hmm... any males?

Politicians? Hmm. Too often it seems to be stereotypically delineated by party label. Republicans = Strong (security, defense, upholding of paternalistic morals, etc.), Democrats = Sensitive (caring, community, health, etc.)

Why did Republicans sweep the recent elections? We're Afraid; they're Strong. Why have most Democrats become spineless booted-out-office-wimps? Because they failed to see how being characteristically sensitive (feeling our unemployed pain, for instance) could have been balanced against fears of national (in)security.

One day, we'll note that successful CEO's, effective politicians, wonderful potential boyfriends and great parents CAN have a mixture of Strength and Sensitivity.

Until then, though, girls will be girls and boys will be boys. And we'll keep talking and acting past each other, not with each other.

So what do YOU want to read?

You may have noticed that some of my recent blog entries have been more sarcastic than smiley, more political than personal. Perhaps that suits you fine, and perhaps it doesn't.

But worry not! By selecting links on the righthand side under "Bladam Categories" you can read exactly the entries that interest you, whether that be my musings on Dance, strange and wonderful photos, blatherings on travel, and so on.

Over time, I promise to make finding what you want to read even easier. And in the meantime, I do welcome your frank and constructive comments about what you find particular cool and uncool about my blog... contentwise, structurewise, anythingwise :-)

As always, thanks for reading! I write for myself, but I also write for you.