Blogaround

A sleeping cat. Image source.

1. China Shares Pictures Taken by Rover and Spacecraft on the Far Side of the Moon (posted January 11) China sent a robot to the moon! Cool!

2. Evangelical group wants gays removed from anti-lynching bill (posted January 10)

3. Free Toy Included (posted February 2018) "I mean, I’ve spent a good portion of my life thinking I’d hate having a bird crap on my face, but maybe I haven’t met the right bird. What the hell do I know?"

4. Border Patrol agent accused of killing 4 in South Texas enters not guilty plea (posted January 10) [content note: murder] "In December, Alaniz described Ortiz as a self-proclaimed vigilante who wanted to 'clean up the streets of Laredo by targeting individuals he deemed to be disposable and that no one would care about. People he did not give value to.'" HOLY HELL.

5. After nearly 70 years, Florida Clemency Board pardons Groveland Four (posted January 11) [content note: lynching] "Some call the treatment of the four men one of the worst episodes of racism in American history."

6. What Christians Don’t Want to Admit About Celibacy and Homosexuality (posted 2017) "So I’m just gonna say it: The social landscape of modern America is making celibacy practically impossible."

7. Evangelicals Know Exactly How to Persuade Atheists: A Nice NDE! (posted January 8) "It is downright creepy and weird that Christians fantasize so much and so vividly about the torments that they think would need to happen to reduce atheists to such a shambles that they’d finally believe nonsense for no good reason."

8. You Can’t “Culturally Appropriate” a Weighted Blanket (posted January 10) "It isn’t unusual for a news outlet to run a piece about autism without the voice of a single autistic person, as is the case with Fetters’ essay. Our parents and even grandparents are sufficient proxies. We can’t speak, or what we have to say is too precious and childlike to matter. Perhaps I could do an amusing card-counting trick or play a tune I’ve only heard once by ear."

9. The Problem With Chinese Universities? Not Enough Dropouts (posted January 15) "Beginning as early as elementary school, young Chinese find themselves caught up in a cutthroat competition for a precious spot at one of the country’s top universities. Those that succeed are rewarded with what amounts to a vacation: China’s undergraduate programs are notorious for low standards and easy classes — and once you’re in, you’re practically guaranteed a degree."