Don't Get Me Started with Linda Sharp

It's A Dry Hate

Arizona, after being in the national spotlight for over a week, saw its governor, Jan Brewer, veto SB 1062 which would have allowed for the wholesale discrimination against gays by business owners whose delicate religious sensibilities were offended.

"Ahhhhh, a gay person!  Catch me, Rhett, I have the vapuhs..."

Sadly, Brewer, a fairly predictable Republican, planted her veto stamp not because of the moral implications and the fact that the bill is unconstitutional, but because the business interests of her state were threatened.

And as I pointed out a couple days ago, when it comes to business, the main religion is profit, not prophet.

After receiving thinly veiled promises of con$equence$ from companies like Apple (set to open a factory in AZ), Marriott (one of the world's largest hotel chains), American Airlines, and the Super Bowl Host Committee (the next SB is to be held in AZ - and it has been pulled from Arizona in the past for its blatantly bigoted behavior - they were the last state to observe Martin Luther King Day), Brewer saw the economic light.

Forget that these bullshit bills being introduced in one state after another simply fly in the face of even the loosest interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, they are based on religion, and religion has no business oozing from the alters of its churches into the halls of our nation's governance.

I find it almost laughable that so many conservative Christians are crying about being persecuted, that it is they, not the LGBT community who are being discriminated against.  Catholic League President BIll Donohue wailed on CNN that "we're being beseiged."

Really, Bill?   Victim much?  This from a spokeperson for the largest collection of protected pedophiles in existence?  Get a grip.  Your church has much bigger problems than people wanting to be treated like PEOPLE.

Pay some taxes, and then you can cry me a river.

Christians are completely free to continue to worship - there have been no gestapo tactics unleashed upon them; their church doors have not been chained shut; their leaders not rounded up and locked away.  No, the persecution exists only in their minds where they constantly conflate not getting their way with the strictures of the founding documents of this country denying them the ability to persecute others.

Here's an idea for the business owners of Arizona who were so hot for this bill to be made into law.  Bravely (yes, I realize that will be difficult for you lifelong cowards) have signs printed up declaring your religious beliefs regarding homosexuals and plant them firmly in the front windows and doors of your establishments.  Nothing that denies a LGBT person service, but just a clear and concise statement of your "deeply held religious beliefs."

Then sit back and see what happens.

Your business will suffer.  And I'll tell you why.  While you may experience a brief surge a la Chik-fil-A during their gay hating heyday, that Christian surge will slow down and you will begin to realize what polls, data, FACTS cannot seem to get through the wall of your hatred: YOU. ARE. OUTNUMBERED.

That's right, OUTNUMBERED.  And not by LGBTs, mind you.  But by open minded, open hearted heterosexuals who understand that "all men created equal" means ALL, not some, or just who you think should be equal.

Hatred is not going to win this fight.

Religion will be crammed back into the churches where it belongs.

Bigotry is going to continue to be beat down.

Discrimination is not the flavor of the next generation.  Young people today grow up with openly out friends and realize that they don't have cooties, that they breathe the same way everyone else does, and that they are JUST PEOPLE.  Not monsters, not out to fuck them the second they bend over or go to the bathroom.  Just people.

The hatred on display in Arizona is the same that is on display in every other state desperately trying to pass bills based on religious dogma, on the notion that it is perfectly fine to legalize hate as long as your sky fairy has your back.

At no point is there ever a thought given to how loud they would yell, and how much shit they would deposit in their pants if Muslims managed to get together and put forward a bill legalizing discrimnation against Christians.  Somehow they cannot see that that would be THE EXACT SAME THING.

But hate is funny that way.  It makes it perfectly easy to justify your position because your hate is just, right, sanctioned by the divine.  (Example?  Look at your typical Aryan Nation spokesperson.  White trash of the trashiest.  Stupider than the dirt they are standing on.  Yet they believe themselves to be superior.)

One by one, these ridiculous wastes of time and taxpayer money will be shot down.  Even if one manages to pass a governor's desk, it will immediately be shunted to a courtroom where it receive an Octogon level beat down by the document they all swear they love, but clearly do not understand:  the constitution.

Hate if you want to.  It's your right.  But that's as far as that right goes.

Explain To Me...

Can someone out there explain to me just how your religion makes you better than someone else?

I am not being flip.  I would really like to hear someone lay out how their religious tenets make them secure in the belief that discrimination is right.  Worse, A RIGHT that should be afforded them.

With each passing day, more religion based discrimination bills are being introduced throughout this land where supposedly "all men are created equal."  That we have legislation moving through the systems in Arizona, Virginia, Idaho (among others) that would legalize the blatant dehumanization of American citizens is simply shameful.  That we are literally sliding backwards to the days when there were separate water fountains for black people, separate seating areas for them, is unconscionable.  That so many think it is ok to replace "black" with "homosexual" is stunning. 

It is 2014.  What are we doing?  Allowing to be done?  We truly seem to be living out the maxim that "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

A bill sits waiting for Governor Brewer in Arizona to turn it into a law.  It would allow the outright marginalization of anyone who is LGBT.  Businesses would be allowed to refuse service to those who are homosexual based on their owners' "deeply held religious beliefs."  (Sorry, but most business owners have one deeply held belief:  $$, and if this passes they will soon see there is no profit in bigotry.)

Stop for a moment and think this through.  You and your lovely family go into Applebee's to eat dinner.  The waitress comes up to greet you and asks, "Do you believe in God?"  You say "Yes."  She says, "Get out. We don't serve folk like you."

Hell, make it even simpler.  Your hair is brown.  "Get out."  You wear Nike tennis shoes.  "Get out."  You have a tattoo.  "Get out."  Your eyes are green.  "Get out."  You're fat.  "Get out."  You're thin.  "Get out."

It is not any different than this legislation that picks out one component of a person and legalizes discrimination based on it.

Idaho has legislation so broad that it would allow doctors to refuse to treat homosexuals since it would interfere with them "living out their faith."  Excuse me?  How about living out their Hippocratic Oath?  Perhaps those doctors misunderstood and thought it was the Hypocritic oath.

I need someone to explain to me how this thinking makes us any different than Uganda, which just passed even more rigid antihomosexual legislation on Monday.  The President of that country called homosexuals "disgusting," and trumpeted that being gay is not a right.

How is your religious behavior and imposing of your beliefs on others any different than the Taliban?  What's that?  It just is?  Sorry, but you are wrong.  These bills, this thinking, are EXACTLY THE SAME.  It's the legitimization of Westboro Baptist think.

The common denominator at the base of the Taliban and all of these made-in-the-USA bills and bloviating is religion.

For instance, a bill is moving through the Alabama legislature that would require teachers to spend no more than 15 minutes in the first class of each day leading the class in Christian prayer.

Seriously?  What about the children who are not Christian?  What if the teacher is not?  This kind of thinking, persecution, encroaching upon another's will is why this country got started in the first place.  People left and crossed the sea to establish a land where they were not threatened with how to worship, penalized for lack of worship.

This belief that somehow what you believe is more important, more right than what someone else believes; that what you believe somehow makes you better, annointed, blessed; that you have the right to enter another person's life and legislate how they love, live, worship?

It is sick. 

There is no nicer word to put to it.  It is sick.  And when religion is allowed to get this out of hand, to ooze this deeply into our legislative process, is must be called what it is:  A SICKNESS. 

And like any life threatening sickness, it must be eradicated. 

The vaccination is education.  The shot is openmindedness.  The elixer is kindness.  The cure is, oddly enough, found in that book that is so often hidden behind and warped to inflict as much pain as possible on others. 

That whole "love thy neighbor as thyself" business? 

Explain to me how these bills, this dangerous thinking, this blasphemous move to speak for God follows anything close to those words, the life Jesus lived, the word he preached.  Explain to me how Jesus died so that you could go on living out these monumental sins of hatred, bigotry, separation, exclusion, hubris, and self exultation.

Seriously, if nothing else, explain to me that last one.  Explain to me how you are better.

Anyone?  Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...

Christian The Lion: The Full Documentary

I visit the Christian reunion video at least once a year, typically when I am feeling low and need a lift.  Given the topic of the previous post, my mood has not been the best all afternoon.  Tonight I stumbled upon not just the well watched reunion, but the complete documentary about him.

Enjoy.  Never underestimate the power of love.

When Extermination Is The Only Answer

I am a liberal.  I make no bones about that, or my reasons for how I view the world and my fellow travelers around the sun.

I favor progress, open mindedness, innovation.  I do not fear others because they are a different color, speak another language, or dress differently.  I embrace change.  I believe in civil liberties, equality.

To those who like to casually label me a "libtard" or a "bleeding heart"?  Well, they are typically the ones who are afraid of their own shadows, believe every conspiracy that floats into the ether, throw words like Benghazi around like mental confetti, and scream about staying out of their business all the while they have zero compunction about shoving their religion based brain farts down my throat or crawling up into my uterus and telling me what I can/cannot do with my own body.

So, frankly, I don't pay them much mind.  They are on the losing side of history in all their current pants shitting tantrums, they know it, and the rest of us will move forward into the future, with or without them.

But, I digress.

What always seems to confound the conservatives I know is that I have zero problem with ridding the planet of those who don't play well with others.

Sure, when it comes to the death penalty, and even a shred of uncertainty of someone's guilt, let alone involvement, in a crime, I believe all avenues must be exhausted before following through.  But when a case is open and shut, guilt is 100% proven, and a crime is so heinous?  Extermination is the only answer.

Which brings me to today's two legged cockroach, Elijah Fernandez, 19, of Albuquerque.

Elijah is the boyfriend of a single mom.  Elijah likes drugs.  Elijah is guilty of killing his girlfriend's child.

Sadly, none of that is history making, hell, even headline making these days.  It is an all-too-common tale met with a world weary sigh, closed eyes, and perhaps a silent prayer for the poor child gone too soon.

Small children are victims of abuse every single day.

Small children die from their abuse every single day.

No abuse is forgiveable.  None.  There is never a reason to hit a child for wetting themselves, or crying, or simply being in the room.  Yet defenseless children suffer daily.

But some abuse rises to the top like so much curdled cream in a rancid cup of coffee.

This is Elijah's victim.  She was only 4 months old.  Her name is Izabellah.

He raped her.  She was on life support for two weeks before succumbing to her injuries yesterday.

He. Raped. Her.

Let that sink in. 

He is 19, a full grown male.  She was 4 months old, not even able to sit up unaided yet.  The average weight of a four month old baby girl is between 11 and 15 pounds.  Do the math.

“That baby, because of the trauma to her body was rushed to the hospital right away and a full investigation was launched,” Officer Simon Drobik said. “I literally cannot explain to you what happened because it is so graphic you will not be able to air the charges."

That gives you some idea of what happens when a full grown adult rapes an infant.

This happened two weeks ago when the mother, a stellar piece of parenting, left the baby alone to go out to do the laundry, leaving Izabellah in his "care."

Yes, I am slamming her parenting because she is not blameless, not even remotely.  Twice in the past doctors had referred the infant to Children Youth and Families Department due to suspicious injuries they saw.  TWICE.  They had also referred the mother's two year old for the same reason.

That means shit had been getting REAL for quite a while.  And that this was just a death waiting to happen.  Why the Children Youth and Families Department did not do more, who the hell knows these days.  Children constantly fall through the cracks of a system designed to save them.

The bottom line is, this child's blood is on a lot of hands.

The mother, Angelique Montano, wept "If I just waited to do laundry, stupid laundry, until the next morning none of this would of never [sic] happened, my daughter would've been ok."

Um, no, Angelique.  Your children were in danger all along and you seemingly did not care enough to kick the ass of the shithole to the curb in order to protect them.

I suppose smoking "Spice" (according to police, the favorite activity of Elijah and Angelique) was more important than, oh, I dunno, PARENTING.

As for Elijah, he told police he was "stressed" about unemployment and she was crying.  So he hit her.  He also said she fell off the bed.  Crying.  Ahhh, the defense of every worthless baby abuser.

How dare a baby cry?

This is a case that is open and shut.  No presumption of innocence.  He did it.

And his services on this planet are no longer needed.  He needs exterminated like the vermin that he is.  In fact, I would happily inject the drugs, flip the switch, or pull the trigger to bring it about.  No qualms, no hesitating, no guilt after the fact.

No taxpayer funded vacay in federal for life.  No consoling myself with visions of him being assraped daily by some 300 pound inmate.

You rape a child, you die.  Pretty simple.  My usually liberal nature does not allow for redemption, rehabilitation in these cases.  JUST KILL THEM.

It may take a Costco sized can of Raid, but the extermination needs done.  Now.  To send a message every other two legged roach out there.

LEAVE THE CHILDREN ALONE.

Frozen In Fear

What are you afraid of?

Think about it.

My list includes things like spiders, snakes, the economy, something bad happening to my family, drunk drivers, etc.

Maybe you are afraid of peanuts, heights, the dark, losing your job, never finding a job, being cheated on.

Those are all fine, all based in some sort of emotional reality.  Like peanuts to some, spiders can threaten my ability to continue breathing.  Jobs and the economy are prevalent concerns to everyone these days, because no matter how careful you are, or how well you try to plan, it is the rare person who can weather a true financial storm these days.  It is perfectly normal as a parent to feel your heart held hostage every time you let one of your children out of your sight.  And no one wants to be betrayed by someone who promised you forvever.

Again, all normal fears because they are all things that can actually happen, actually touch your life and change it in dramatic and painful ways.

But what about the things people choose to believe.  The bath of fears in which their brains have been soaked for years?  The dogma, rhetoric, theology that reduce so many to nothing but fear and doomsdayism?  Purveyors of condemnation.  Hypocrites who say they revere, worship, and fear a god, but then deign to speak for him/her/it.

That I just don't get.  I honestly cannot imagine what life is like to live it in a constant swirl of bogeymen, hatred of what you won't don't understand, willfully submitting to intimidation. 

Last night before going to bed I allowed myself to click on a link, and immediately regretted it because it led to the ineviable screaming in my head that did not allow sleep to come easy.

It was a story of Kathryn Skaggs, a Mormon grandmother in Utah, who writes a blog titled, "A Well-Behaved Mormon Woman."

In her latest entry she somehow manages to take her religious beliefs and uses them to find sinister meanings in the Disney movie Frozen.

I know, I know, you thought it was a sweet tale of sisterhood, snowflakes, and a wiseass reindeer.  Cool songs, smiles, a resolution that finally did not rely on a man to save the  day.

I thought that, too.  Having finally seen it while on our Disney cruise - and loving it so much I made Carson get up the next day to see it again at 8am - I apparently missed the entire evil subplot, onorous undertones, and hidden messages.

Thank goodness we have Kathryn to set us all straight.

According to her, she "could blatantly see that the homosexual agenda, to normalize the practice, was not simply an underlying message in the movie "Frozen," but is the actual story.

The process of normalizing homosexual behavior in society is going to require more than the liberal media saying it is so -- which they do all the time -- or activist judges legalizing same-sex marriage in one state after another. It's going to require the indoctrination of our children, in order to lead the their generation to the next, necessary, level of mainstream social acceptance."

I have to admit I missed that part.  Two sisters.  Some magic powers.  A couple dudes.  A goofy snowman who lusts after summer.  And Sven, the reindeer, and conscience of the flick.  Maybe I blinked when Arendelle's gay club flashed by in the background of a scene.  Perhaps my 3D goggles blurred out during the dance scene at the palace and I missed a couple girls flirtin' and twerkin'.

Of course, like every bigot before her, she is careful to tell us she is NOT a bigot.

I have no problem with those who find the homosexual messaging good, or important for society, from their perspective. However, I'm not okay that too many parents, who would not normally support the normalization of homosexual behavior, seem to be completely blind to its advocacy throughout a children's movie, and are in fact gushing over "Frozen."

I just don't believe that with full disclosure they would feel to continue. And yet, I also acknowledge the beauty, used in every facet of the movie, which has captivated, or rather frozen audiences, everywhere.

I read her entire mental shitstorm in which she breaks down exactly how Frozen is not the movie you are actually watching, but instead a thinly veiled piece of propoganda for the gay community.  (Itallicized portions are her assertions)

Everything from Elsa actually being gay - yes, GAY, not born with freezing powers - her same sex attraction is why she stays hidden away in the closet; to Anna being happy about the gates opening because heterosexuals are free to pursue happiness through sexual relationships and gays are not - making them unequal in society; Anna and Hans wanting to marry immediately after meeting represents the message that heterosexuals diminish marriage, freely given to them without judgment of any kind - SSM can't do any more harm. 

When Elsa freaks out after her coronation?  Now, this is a significant turn-around-message, because the gay movement consider themselves victims, enslaved by the judgments of religious pro-heterosexual marriage advocates who keep them from what they want and which they believe demonize the gay lifestyle. So, in essence, they consider themselves "frozen,” not able to live their lives out-loud, and freely, however they choose in mainstream society - no moral absolutes.

When Anna finally finds Elsa on the mountain, her desire to not hurt anyone is not that at all apparently.  More distorted messaging, by making society, or those considered homophobic/bigots the cause of the homosexual's "frozen" state. Because gays have no control over their same-sex preference, to expect moral behavior is unloving, cruel and ignorant, because what you’re asking is impossible. Being the victims of such abuse, they are forced to seek refuge in loneliness, in order to be who they are. It goes further though, in suggesting that society is hurt when homosexuality is not embraced suggesting further that such resistance is an inability, or unwillingness to love others. Bigotry. Conservative society is the block to homosexual freedom within society.

And finally, the ending in which love does provide the answer?  RUN!  HIDE!  PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN!!!

For me, this is probably one of the most disturbing messages of the movie, Frozen, and of course, the bottom line in the twisted marketing to normalize homosexual behavior and legitimize same-sex marriage in society: the opposition to it is the problem - you.
Love, or romance, is at the heart of the quest for the legalization of SSM, as a human-right. Period. The equality argument is that those who oppose SSM are saying that homosexuals can't equally love, as heterosexuals, or that their love is less than what two heterosexuals feel for each other and thus legalize through "marriage.” For society to continue to bar gays from being married is to say that they are not capable of loving another person, in the same way as two heterosexuals. This narrow campaign is intended to completely disregard the exponential effects of children denied their natural birthright to have both a mother and a father. And when questioned about it, retort by claiming it more evidence of said discrimination, a.k.a, bigotry, hate, intolerance, etc.

And let's not forget the award winning song, Let It Go.  The song, "Let It Go" intends to send a strong, liberating gay message, but interestingly, many have dubbed it a theme song for letting general fears go, which keep us from doing good, or overcoming negative aspects in our lives. 

However, in the actual lyrics of the song, that is not what it is saying. The message of "Let it Go" is specifically intended to rebel against moral absolutes, which have governed society for centuries, now being viewed by a progressive agenda as antiquated.

OK, Kathryn, let's just cut the crap.  First of all, you give batshit a bad name.  Second of all:  IT'S. A. MOVIE. 

An animated tale of love, joy, a little danger, and sacrifice.  It is not a pornographic romp of buttfuckery, lesbian lust, or evil subtext set on turning your precious cherubs.  If your future Elder is gay, I have news for you, he is gay NOW.  He was gay when he was born into this world.  He just IS.

(I now reclaim the use of itallicized words as my own.)

But of course, having been steeped in the poisonous brew of religious teabags all her life, this is what she believes, worse, what she does.  She looks for something to fear in everything.  And she brainwashes her children's minds in the unholy waters of the fears in which she has bathed her whole life.

I guess I find it more than funny that someone who belongs to a religion that completely constructed itself to redefine marriage as a man and however many young fillies he could corral (only to then re-redefine marriage in order for Utah to become a state) is throwing stones about other's lifestyles.  Her religion also spent the majority of its existence castigating black people as lesser, dirty, evil.  That is until they faced federal prosecution and then VOILA!, their grand Poobah got a divine Hallmark card from above, and POOF!, black folk were just fine to Mormons.

It's almost as if some people need fear in order to feel alive, worthwhile, good about themselves as they marginalize those they deem lesser.  Scratch that, those they have been taught to view as lesser.   

Then again, I was taught a lot of bullshit as a child raised in religion.  The difference is, I recognized it as bullshit and left it behind as an adult who no longer had to do what her parents wanted her to.

This morning I was sent a Youtube link to the blatherings of Evangelist Anita Fuentes, a woman who has her own channel set up to hold court on the "end days" and find meaning in every cockeyed breath we take.

This particular 36 minute manifesto is called EXPOSING Satanic 2014 Grammy Awards and a STRONG WARNING from the Lord!

Gag.

This is a woman who could find Satan in a baby's dirty diaper.  She describes the goings on at the awards show as satanic, occultic, Luciferian.

She babbles on as clips from the Grammys play.  Beyonce *gasp* singing in a chair!  JayZ *horrors* "pimping out his wife."  She castigates the marrying of 34 couples (THEY WERE NOT ALL GAY, sister, so is it just the gay ones you have a problem with?)  Katy Perry freaked her out by holding a "Salem witch trial"on stage.

Jesus.  (ALL PUN INTENDED.)

It's an awards show.  It is entertainment.  Don't like it?  Don't watch it.  But stop whining about "the children."  If you don't know by now that fabric is scarce and themes are adult at these shows, then you have been living under a rock.  These shows are not made for little kids to watch.  Hell, these songs are not made for little kids.  

What I find sadder than her ramblings (to be fair, I also find them hilarious because she is SOOOOOO into herself as she warms to her theme and plays to her viewers) is that so many people lap this crap up like cats at a cream bowl.  People so in need of their fears being validated, their rightness being reaffirmed, their weak brain's battery being jumped, that they flock to this garbage.

Many of you go to church regularly.  Many of you have gone your whole lives and continue on as adults, bringing your children into "the faith."  That's fine.  Great even.

But ask yourselves.  What am I believing, choosing to believe, choosing to teach my kids?  Does it alienate groups of people?  Does it make me think I have it right and other cathedrals have it all wrong?  Do I willingly live in fear because some preacher tells me I must?  And finally, am I willing to question what I have been taught?  Am I afraid to question what I have been taught?

Because that is the upshot here.  WHAT. YOU. HAVE. BEEN. TAUGHT.

And:  What you choose to continue to believe.

Do I believe in anything I was raised to believe?  Sure.  I think there is enough historical reference that a pretty open minded, big hearted guy named Jesus walked around at one point.  His message was pretty '60s.  Love.  Peace.  Acceptance.   I can get down with that.

As for the rest?  The older I get, the less I buy into all of it.  The more disgusted I get by the behavior of those who clutch their Bibles and pearls, but openly hate because they are taught each Sunday that their hate is somehow special, divine, annointed.

I stay away from churches because they do not bring people together, they separate them into groups.  Churches are the height of group think.  And I don't care if you want to swear to me that YOURS is different ("yours" is always different, always the exception) - the reality is that your church carries a label, a brand, a set of required marching orders, and your church leaders think less of those who do not buy into their party line, their required fears, their reward system.

I walked away from fear a long time ago.  If there is a god, many gods, no god - I am content with my life, my behavior.  I am not beholding to a book written by man and bastardized repeatedly throughout history.  I do not filter every breath I take through the fear of hell, or dangled carrot of heaven.

I am not afraid of the Grammys, of Beyonce, of Miley Cyrus's tongue.  I don't hate or fear anyone who is LGBT.  I don't believe my final reward is linked to who someone else loves or fucks.

I admit I find it harder and harder to think there is a god out there.  Mainly because I'd like to think if there were, there would be a whole lot of smitin' goin' on.  People like Kathryn would have their eyes yanked opened.  Opportunists like Anita would find themselves without a tongue.  Sick lawmakers would be on the receiving end of a Holy footstomping.

And yes, it is fair to rebut that Rudy and I have brainwashed our kids.  But here is the brew in which they have been steeped:  acceptance, compassion, openness, kindness, bravery, equality.  Not fear.  

Well, I take that back.  They do know enough to be afraid of people like Kathryn and Anita and the Westboro crowd and politicians who want to govern their internal organs and sex lives.  They do fear those.  Not because we have taught them to, but because they are smart and have common sense not overridden by dogma.

But back to Frozen.  I wish people would be brave enough to question what they fear, why they fear.  Find the fortitude to step back from it all and really look at what they choose to believe.  Then be brave enough to change what they realize is blatantly wrong, bigoted, hateful.

It's funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all

If there is one message I would like people like Grandma Skaggs and Preacher Fuentes to take from Frozen, it is this.  LET. IT. GO.

Sports Shillustrated

It's back. 

Rearing its glorious ass head like flower that has been trapped beneath the frozen tundra all winter.  Springing forth with all the exuberance of a turgid penis unsheathed from its skidmarked confines baby lamb into the sunshine. 

The Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition.

OY.

I admit I have never understood the issue.  It's not sports.  Unless masturbation is now sanctioned by the IOC.  (I can just see the winners ascending the podium to get their medals.  One arm all big and bulging.  Palms calloused and bloody.  Knees weak, eyes sunken from dehydration.  Uniform a little crusty...)

I'm not a prude, but come on.  Can they at least call it what it is?  Soft core porn.  Playboy light.  The shilling of nudity for profit.  Tits and ass and a little sports reporting between the soon to be stuck together pages.

I usually just roll my eyes as it is rolled out with all its fanfare.  WHO made the cover?  WHERE did they shoot? 

Answers:  Another stunning tropical locale.  Another glorious, long haired lovely that 99.999% of the men in this world would never be able to even approach, much less get.

But it's not about reality - we ladies can tell you this.  No woman, unless they are getting paid a lot, is happy to roll around and get sand up her yutz.  No lady sunbathes with her back arched like a tightly strung bow.  And while that body painting is actually an artform, no one you know is going to show up on the beach or by the neighborhood pool with her breasts Picassoed with your favorite sports team logo.

But dream on.  That's what it is about.  Sneak into the bathroom with the issue.  Give the Victoria's Secret catalog a much earned rest.  No harm, no foul.

Or is there?

Methinks this time there might be.

This is the new cover.

Not one, as usual, but three tight rears, come hither glances, flawless flesh against blue water.  And no tops.  Who needs a top when you've got your two besties to assgrab and smile with?

The problem here is the message.  I can practically guarantee that shot will be replicated endlessly over spring break.  Girls who see it, whose already low self esteem (where they believe their worth is measured by their cup size and ability to wear a thong) will pose just like this, and share it with the world.

Because it must be ok, right?  Right?  Sports Illustrated has it on the cover!  And SI is a legtitimate legitimate magazine. 

Like it or not, there is a current war on women.  Conservative politicians are hellbent on reducing us down to our nasty parts and legislating what we can/cannot do with our own bodies.  We are daily called whores for wanting birth control.  (Seriously, if Rush called Sandra Fluke a whore, what does he make of these models on SI?  Rhetorical question.  I am sure he is fine with them, and will sing their praises with one hand...)  Told we cannot control our libidos.  They write laws requiring transvaginal dildoing and they don't even know what the word transvaginal means.  We are sluts on the prowl to them.  In their minds men are completely acquitted of any behavior because well, you know, women.

So we fight back.  We stand up with intelligence, honor, FACTS.  We try to educate the ignorant old white men who hold court and sign bills they don't understand into laws that don't affect them.

We try to raise our daughters to understand their worth.  That their bodies are THEIRS.  That they are smart, strong, capable. 

I have three daughters.  21, 20, 17.  They are all gorgeous creatures.  That is not a mom's prejudiced opinion.  These girls all turn heads.  They are self assured.  They are confident.  They are smarter than you.

They also don't take half naked selfies and send them to guys or post them online.  They don't Snapchat their boobs.  They don't lead with their looks.  This is precisely why they have dated very little.  They do not reek of desperation and body spray.  They do not dress like pole dancers, although they all have the bodies to take up the profession.  They do not even entertain a conversation with a guy who leers, or attempts some ridiculous pick up line.

Culley and Carson both wore bikinis on our recent cruise. I watched a bunch of older men salivate over Culley at the beach one day. My thought? You couldn't hold your own in one sentence with her.  Another younger guy asked her out for a drink one night.  Um, not even.  She felt him leering from another table every night at dinner.

They did not come out of a box like this.  It has taken years of effort, reinforcement, and them continually disgusted by their peers.  Example:  I took a great picture of Culley and Rudy at dinner on the cruise. She was holding Kendall's laminated head in her lap. Really cute picture, but even Culley said don't post it. Rudy is pointing at Ken's head but it looks like he is pointing at Culley's boob.

They just KNOW what is wrong.  What will be taken wrong.

And yes, I am a huge advocate that it is ultimately a parent's responsibility to teach, guide, and monitor their children as they grow.  If they take a naked selfie, that Smartphone should be turned into a dumb paperweight,  But one cannot deny the influence and daily presence of media in their lives.  And the messaging is everywhere, and it is constant.

And yes, I know some will grouse that I am just a prude or jealous or some other BS, but that's so far from the truth. I look just fine in a bathing suit, thankyouverymuch, even standing beside Culley who is a goddess, and Carson who is nothing but muscles, with everything firm and taut.  Hell, I do so many squats a day that I could replicate that cover with my daughters.  And I think the girls on the cover are beautiful.  I am sure they are thrilled, as models, to have scored the coveted spot.

So, no, it's not jealousy.  It's common sense.  It's dignity.  It's attempting to raise three women in a world where they are not truly valued, where they are called whores by their elected officials, and where they are at risk simply walking down a street.

Sports Illustrated will sell millions of copies.  Their coffers will overflow from shilling tits and ass.  Mission accumplished accomplished.

But honestly, the only thing they have illustrated here is that we still have so very long to go.  And that as parents, our job just keeps getting harder.