Author Archives: Jeff Porten

Quote from my housekeeper: “You’re sleeping too much. Go play in the casino.” Bally’s, give that woman a raise.

Quote from my housekeeper: “You’re sleeping too much. Go play in the casino.” Bally’s, give that woman a raise.

How rapists became sympathetic

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Excellent story about Steubenville and how the criminals became the victims in the media:

By emphasizing the boys’ good grades and bright futures, as well as by describing the victim as “drunk” without clarifying that the defendants were also drinking, many mainstream media outlets became active participants in furthering victim-blaming rape culture.

I’ll add the obvious point the article misses: the media had to create victimized rapists because the true victim was anonymous, and we don’t sell news stories without a sympathetic hook.

I have big problems with the term “rape culture” because it’s so often applied to situations that aren’t rape; I think it helps to perpetuate the myth of virginal women and rapacious men in these cases. But I have no question that it definitely applies to the twisted ways we think about coerced sex.

Heard from an old friend today that I had a massive positive impact early on after we met, about which I was completely unaware. I think the word “inspirational” might actually have been used. This will have me grinning like a madman for a week solid.

If reincarnation is real and we get another chance, in my next life I want to take a double-major with “Opening Shrinkwrapped Gizmos”.

If reincarnation is real and we get another chance, in my next life I want to take a double-major with “Opening Shrinkwrapped Gizmos”.

  • Kelly Guimont:
    Mr K: I need the sprocket cover. Moi: There is no cover at Sprockets only dancing! (Dieter voice) Mr K: (audible eyeroll)

He will simply have to loosen the bolts with the sheer force of his ennui.

  • Sharon Hill:
    You may laugh but now that my desk faces the stairs, I feel better. Hate the idea of people sneaking up on me.

Now you’re reminding me of the booby-trapped staircase on The Walking Dead.

  • Jacqui Cheng:
    Using an iPhone with shattered front glass is very unpleasant. I don’t know how so many people tolerate this.

It causes me physical pain every time I see one.