Here’s what I’m talking about this morning.
1. Privilege: A woman walked into the coffee shop yesterday morning. She had blonde hair, chunky heels, and a large dog with a bedazzled collar. It wasn’t leashed.
The dog walked up to all of the café guests and eventually settled on a salt-and-pepper guy who wanted to pet it. The owner was completely unaware of what her dog was doing.
This happens all of the time. There are even a few dogs in my building that I have never seen on a leash.
The off-leash approach only seems to work for a certain type of person. (Typically, a young blonde woman.) I tried to carry my leashed Chihuahua into Starbucks once when I first moved to Dallas. And I was promptly greeted by a barista screaming about health code.
I see dogs in that Starbucks often now. Maybe you need a certain type of swagger to pull it off?
2. White people: On a semi-related note, I watched a documentary called White People that you should check out.
3. Ghost in the Shell: It’s really happening!
I am not a huge fan of sci-fi movies unless they involve horror. But Ghost in the Shell is a throwback to my childhood. It’s about an android cyber terrorism cop and involves a lot of guns. More here.
And yes, I had the manga.
Unfortunately, the casting of Scarlett Johansson reminds of that time Charlize Theron popped up in the Æon Flux movie. Let’s hope this is better.
4. Trump’s conflicts: Journalists were so preoccupied with Trump’s antics, a nonsensical email scandal, and the Clinton Foundation that we failed to meaningfully explore Trump’s big honking conflicts of interest.
It is absolutely insane that this outline of Trump’s conflicts was published on Dec. 1, 2016 instead of Dec. 1 2015. But this is where we are now.
Also, Commentary Magazine has an interesting look at how Trump distracts journalists with shenanigans.
5. CPS funding: Finally, the state of Texas finally agreed to immediately increase funding for the Child Protective Services / Foster Care programs. This is a direct result of excellent investigative journalism which showed that Texas children are being abused and sometimes killed because those agencies are underfunded.
This caused quite the scandal down in Austin, particularly since GOP lawmakers have been in complete control of the government for 14 years. (e.g. they couldn’t blame democrats for this one.)
The funding increase for CPS won’t complete eliminate child abuse in the state, but it’s a start.
Yesterday’s coffee talk: Dallas’ impending bankruptcy, a bizarre Korean scandal, and fake news.
Upcoming
What’s going on in the gayborhood tonight:
Cruising the Crossroads: A convoluted bar crawl / happy hour featuring $2 well-drinks and domestic beers.
- 9-9:30 p.m. – Jr’s Bar & Grill
- 9:30-10 p.m. – Sue Ellen’s
- 9-11 p.m. – Station 4
- 10:30 – 11 p.m. – TMC
Drag show at Station 4 around 11 p.m.
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