“One of the tricky things is that the norms of gendered dress keep shifting. Determining what’s appropriate is always kind of a moving target.” —Richard T. Ford
Trump, Constitution, and Oaths
NBC’s Kristen Welker asked Trump, “don’t you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?” Trump answered, “I don’t know.” What!? At both inaugurations Trump swore an oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.” So legal duty aside, Trump swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. But yes, the U.S. Constitution, Art II §1, requires this oath, and thus the duty:
“Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:– I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Orange Monday
Imposter Patriotism
I discovered this American Flag Utility Kilt online. It is oh so guady and gauche. But there will surely be some ignorant schmuck who thinks it patriotic. Yeah, how very American to fart on the flag. It also violates federal law (4 U.S. Code §§1-10).Show more ›
Fake doctorates (feat. Christopher Hylton)
Christopher Hylton claims to have a “Doctorate of Theology [from] Piedmont Bible College of Theology,” but Piedmont does not confer theology doctorates (Th.D.). Piedmont also does not confer divinity doctorates (D.Div.). Piedmont narrowly offers a “Doctor of Ministry” in “biblical preaching, church revitalization, and ministry.” It is a non-academic, thirty-six credit online program “designed for those who aspire to excel at the highest level in the practice of ministry.” No dissertation is required for Piedmont’s D.Min. Whether a “Piedmont Bible College of Theology” ever existed is doubtful. There was once a Piedmont Bible College that merged with other schools. It now exists as Piedmont Divinity School within Carolina University (a college with a flimsy accreditation claim and a troubling percentage of adjunct faculty). All this reminds me of another blogger’s post on televangelists buying fake doctorates. This shit bothers me.Show more ›
On lost causes
You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves. —Winston Churchill
A simple prayer
I beseech your grace for my failings and your strength for my weaknesses.
Alisha Quiñonez: Bello Jesús
¡Qué desesperación! O que me falte a mi el aire si el aire que respiro no sea el espíritu del Señor.
Natasha St. Pier: Juste un besoin de chaleur
Et cette chanson m’a conduit à celle-ci, qui est la suivante sur l’album de 2004, L’Instant d’Après.
C’est un danseur qui me serre dans ses bras
Et que je suis dans chacun de ses pas
C’est toi qui me console
Tes mains dans les miennes
C’est un ange qui entre en scèneShow more ›
Natasha St. Pier: Qu’y A-T-Il Entre Nous?
Cette chanson a résonné dans ma tête aujourd’hui. Je ne sais pas pourquoi.
À peine touché le ciel
Qu’il faut déjà descendre
Là haut c’était du miel
Et du vent aussi tendre
Mais ce n’était pas l’heure
Ce n’était pas l’endroit
Pour toucher la douceur
Pour partir en éclatsShow more ›
Skirt Blogs
For a time, Travis Martin (2015) and myself (2016) were the only two ‘males’ to blog their skirt awakening. Other than skirt cafe, there was no guidance for newly or would-be enlightened men. That vacuum led me to author some deep-dive posts and to curate media and internet coverage on the subject.
Although the highest read posts on my blog discuss skirts, my blog isn’t exclusively about socioculturally defiant clothing. So it seems appropriate to recognize two sites entirely dedicated to the subject: The Beskirted Man and Everybody Skirts. I have no plans to cease writing, but these cats are actively writing and those who subscribe my blog should probably subscribe theirs as well.
On Human Distinction
To be human is to be curious and inquisitive, to experiment and to solve. This is the foundation of tools and invention. —Vox