And, for the second time in less than a week–a rarity for me–I’m off to the beach. Hopefully it won’t be too crowded, since it’s a state holiday here; Rhode Island is, for God knows what reason, the only state that still celebrates V-J Day. While they’ve dropped the J (it’s just Victory Day now) and while everyone likes a three-day weekend in the middle of the summer, I’m still not totally comfortable enjoying it.
Anyway, hopefully some sand time will allow me to finish the book I’m reading; I have some catching up to do if I want to make my goal of ten books this summer.
The National Organization for Marriage–you know, those people who forecast using advanced Doppler Crazy-thousand technology–will be holding a celebration of traditional marriage in Warwick, Rhode Island this coming Sunday. The event includes a speech by national NOM president Maggie Gallagher, as well as music and free ice cream. Some friends and I are thinking of going, just to see. Also, you know, free ice cream! And it’s all taking place at the Catholic Diocese-owned mansion that also provided much of the setting for Brad Pitt snoozeathon Meet Joe Black!
Anyway, a flap erupted recently after Wesli at the Providence Daily Dose checked out the sponsor list. Besides the usual suspects–local food distributors, a wedding photographer, and a law firm–one of the event’s sponsors was beloved Canadian donut chain Tim Horton’s. And Since Wesli posted the story’s been picked up by everybody from change.org and gay blogs to art and media outlets.
Tim Horton’s just posted a statement on their website, though, affirming what some already suspected: the sponsorship came from one local franchisee and wasn’t approved by the corporate office. There’s about fifty Tim Horton’s locations in Rhode Island, so I’m not sure which one people’s ire should be directed at, though I’m sure someone will figure that out soon. (Personally, I’ve always liked the chain, as far as things like that go, mainly because they serve their baked goods on real plates and don’t automatically stuff everything into waxy bags with 425 napkins.)
UPDATE: It was apparently the regional office and not any one particular franchise. Although I’m sure you know that already, since everybody and their mother has already reported on it.
[photo via Flickr]
On Tuesday I made a passing mention of Chris Hedges’ piece on gonzo porn, which has been making its way around the internet lately. It’s but a small part of the Pulitzer-winning writer’s new book The Empire Of Illusion, which–at least according to the blurb on Amazon–argues that we’re moving into a post-literate world where spectacle takes precedent over all else. (I haven’t read the book yet, but that argument doesn’t strike me as particularly new. Still, I might read it sooner or later.) As I pointed out the other day, you don’t get the deepest answers from people when they’re working at a trade show. (Renegade Evolution has more on Hedges’ description of performer Arianna Jollee.)
Anyway, someone’s gone and linked Hedges’ argument to prostitution in Rhode Island. (Oh boy!) It’s Judith Reisman over at humanevents.com, whose article “Profs For Prostitution?” brings the condescending use of quotation marks to a new low. “Professors” is in quotes. So is “sensible.” And “indoors.” And “more education.” And “childhood abuse.” All with undisguised disdain. (And I thought Donna Hughes was bad when she referred to sex as “it.”)
The article argues, if I can follow Reisman’s meandering and not-particularly-coherent logic, that education is pointless for female sex workers. Also she’s under the impression that Rhode Island traffics in brothel tourism, which I think would surprise anyone that actually lived here. Oh, and she also makes slave parallels. (Relatedly, one comment on the post refers to “lippy niggers.” That’s her audience, apparently.)
