So it seems that Prop 8, banning gay marriage in California, has passed. Thank you, bigots and homophobes and fear-mongering cowards of all stripes, for fucking up California for everyone who already moved here to GET AWAY FROM YOU.

But the next step is heavy litigation. From the Daily KOS: Since the court ruling that led to this proposition found that marriage was a "fundamental right" under the state constitution, you cannot take that right away by simply amending the constitution; you would need to revise it.

While an amendment only needs a simple majority vote, a revision requires a constitutional convention, which itself requires a two-thirds legislative vote -- something highly unlikely to happen in California. I've seen some suggestions that can also be accomplished with a two-thirds popular vote as well, but I've been unable to determine if that's the case, and doubt they'd ever get that on this issue.

In any case, this might be a temporary setback, but it is NOT permanent defeat.

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It seems Michael Crichton, author of myriad science & thriller novels, has died of cancer. He was 66, so young! How very sad. I've actually never even read a Michael Crichton book, but I've watched "ER" (which he helped create) and seen both "Jurassic Park" and "The Lost World" and I have meant to pick up "The Andromeda Strain" for some time now. Rest in peace, sir.

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And finally (in other, completely unrelated news) do I have any Civil War buffs on my f-list? I'm looking for books that provide a really good overview of not just the battles of the Civil War, but what it was actually like for someone LIVING during that period of time in America—what the economy was like, what they might've had in their house, what the newspapers were like, all the day-to-day stuff. I'm headed to the library today to check out "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara and "The Civil War for Dummies," and I've requested "Battle Cry of Freedom" by James McPherson, but I'd like to hear anyone's recommendations.

As seen in liberalrage: Congressman Dennis Kucinich went on the floor of the House of Representatives today to introduce 35 articles of impeachment against President George W. Bush. In addition to touching on the flouting of the Geneva Convention and the million-plus Iraqi dead in our misled war, he also called the President a liar and a war criminal. (And I would just like to note that Kucinich is FROM OHIO, thank you and GOODNIGHT.)

I. Just. Oh my god. I don't know if anything is ever going to come of it, but it's about fucking time.

The Second Coming ~ W. B. Yeats

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

I was going to spend tonight detailing the events of my trip to Chicago in November to see Heavens, but after reading a few unsettling articles and realizing I don't remember the last time my mother did anything in her free time but play video games, I think I'm going to give the internet the finger and go read a book. Just the fact that the idea of not being connected tonight gives me the equivalent of withdrawal jitters is a pretty fucking clear signal. But before I go, I figured I'd at least share. All stolen shamelessly from zarq's journal — darling, you manage to find the best links and I don't know how you do it, but I appreciate it.

+ What We Don't Know

+The Radical Christian Right Is Built on Suburban Despair This one made me so twitchy it's not even funny. theory_of_chaos, wonderleafy, fangirlsays and kiji_kat, you should especially read this if you haven't yet. I can't promise it will make you happy, though. Probably the opposite.

+65 Percent of Americans Spend More Time With Their Computer Than Their Spouse

+Laugh, Cry, Believe: Spielbergization and Its Discontents

And...well, this isn't world-newsly, but I'm linking anyway.

+Pete Wentz: The Project *smiles*

Night folks!

First: I am pleased to announce that not only is my university in the Top 20 Best Universities for LGBT students according to The Advocate College Guide For LGBT Students (article can be found within this website, go to page 13) BUT the President of our Student Government is openly queer and was elected as such--it was common knowledge during his campaign. AND, (from the same website) OSU is arguably THE most trans-friendly university in the country. From the article:

Not only did the campus add gender identity and expression to its nondiscrimination policy, but it also required that all new and renovated buildings include gender-neutral bathrooms. In addition, the university implemented a policy whereby students can easily change their name and gender on all campus records without medical intervention. Every institutional form was revised to enable transgender to self-identify if they chose to do so. Ohio State plans to create a trans health care team to provide comprehensive health services to transitioning students and investigate options for student health insurance to cover the cost of hormones.

The article on our student body President, Ryan Fournier, is on page 13. I'm so proud, guys, my school ranks with schools like UC of Berkeley, UCLA, NYU and Stanford. *brandishes scarlet and grey*

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(stolen from sick_of_me03 and favorite_son) Am I the only person terribly, terribly amused by Brandon Flowers dissing Green Day AGAIN? Because...wow. That man has some guts, y'know. He and Pete Wentz should date. Wentz has the amazing ability to piss off people BY THE SCORE and the only thing keeping up with him at this point is Brandon Flower's big mouth. They'd be a fabulous couple. Seriously, HOW do you piss off Adam Lazarra, Pete? THAT TAKES TALENT.

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HAPPY FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH! I hope it's all delightfully spooky/creepy/twilight-zone-esque etc. etc. what have you. I'm working on a post for tonight, but it's not ready yet, so apologies if it creeps by the midnight deadline. I'm especially tickled that it's OCTOBER 13th, maybe I'm just a twat, who knows. Anyway, love! ♥