I'm very, very late to comment on this, I know. Most of what needs to be said about this case has already been said: how the media coverage was incorrectly sympathetic towards the two boys, how discussions on consent should (need to) be in every sex education class, how only "yes" means "yes," and how the rape culture is apparently so pervasive that there are even differing opinions on how this case should be treated. If there is something you don't understand about my opinions, please come talk to me: I promise not to yell at you. I will try to persuade you to think as I do.
The aspect of this case that I've struggled with the most is the level to which the coverage has focused on the fact that the victim was drunk and "put herself in this situation." It was not reported in a way that just added to the facts of the case (ex. saying this occurred in Ohio is not a charged statement), but rather in a way that put blame on someone: the victim for drinking too much, her parents for letting her go to the party, her friends for letting this happen to her, whoever provided alcohol to teenagers. It was implied that since the girl deliberately impaired her reasoning, her rape was at least partially her own fault.
I do not ever drink very much. Several of the medications I take exacerbate the effects of alcohol, and I can't really drink wine without a pretty serious headache in the next couple hours. I'll nurse a beer for about 90 minutes. I've never blacked out. I do these things because I am generally terrified of not being in control of a situation, and the sensation of being even a little tipsy is not fun for me.
That entire last paragraph? Irrelevant to a sexual assault case.
The Steubenville victim, ANY victim, is no more to blame for her rape because she was drunk than a person who wears a Rolex is to blame for being robbed. This is a terrible analogy, but it serves its purpose here: in a trial for theft, no defense is going to use "but the victim was rich and obvious about it so my client just did it!" That's not how this works. It is entirely the fault of the thief, and it is entirely the fault of the rapist.
Drunkenness cannot be used as a reason for this victim's rape, or anyone's rape: if there were no rapists, she could have been as drunk as she wanted and she would still not have been raped. The question that is continually posed is "well, didn't she put herself in this position by drinking too much?" Yes, she did, but only because rapists exist and rape occurs. If this crime didn't exist, her state of inebriation couldn't create it. Alcohol consumption by a victim doesn't somehow create a rape. And in both the courts and in our understanding of sexual assault, this is the only legitimate way to consider it.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Baby's first 10k
Okay, so I think I officially really love this distance. It is long enough to make me feel like a badass, but short enough to make me not die. Will totes still run a half-marathon in June and train for it and learn how to fuel properly but I gotta run more of these.
Chip time was 1:20:19. I was REALLY trying to break 1:20, but this is my first one so regardless of my finishing time, just finishing gave me a PR. And, apologies for the oversharing, but because I needed a bathroom break between miles 2 and 3 (good one, bladder! You're really funny!), I know that I can actually break that time at some point. I walked a little but my mile splits were still under 13 minutes even with my delay and haters gonna hate.
Important things are as follows:
Race people, why why why would you have a course that has a beast hill from mile 5 to 5.5 I hate you just kidding it wasn't that bad but that is where lots of my walking happened. The 50-something woman near me was straight up like "this is bad." I agree! But I did it.
I still cannot pin on my race bibs in a way that does not look like I was heavily intoxicated while it happened. I really like this race bib because it says 10k on it. I am a ROCKSTAR.
This is such a stupid thing to complain about, but I am extra-sensitive about being a "slow runner," so that is why I am mentioning it; I have lots of feelings and I don't even go here. The event today had a 10k, 5k, and 2-mile "fun walk," and they split up the courses pretty well, including a fork in the trail where a lady had the pleasure of air-traffic-controller-ing everybody ("10k!!!!!" *waves to right* "5k!!!!!" *waves to left* *repeat a thousand times*), poor girl. However, I am decidedly a back-of-the-pack kinda person, and that means by the time I got to the last quarter mile, the walkers now dominated the course and I had to leap over some strollers and dogs. I cannot actually get angry about this, because this was a fundraiser for colon cancer research, and what jerk is like "I wish fewer people walked so less money went to cure cancer"? Not me. But, because I am insecure about my running speed, I took the fact that the road was no longer clear for any of us slow'uns SUPER personally for like 20 minutes and was sad.
However, runners are THE BEST (srsly if you don't run do it just so you can have everyone be nice to you always), are super supportive of anyone who laces up some sneaks, and love you if you are just there. (Sometimes I say sneaks so I can pretend I'm the Fresh Prince.) A large part of the course today was out-and-back, and everyone was like "keep going YAYYY" to everyone, regardless if you had turned around already and were doing like a 40 minute race or if you had just finished the first half and were at double that time. IF YOU RUN YOU ARE A RUNNER AND RUNNERS ARE THE BEST.
I got a tech shirt today (this seems to be a thing that happens a lot now? Down with cotton, idk) and it is really green and if I wear it I should probs post a picture.
Chip time was 1:20:19. I was REALLY trying to break 1:20, but this is my first one so regardless of my finishing time, just finishing gave me a PR. And, apologies for the oversharing, but because I needed a bathroom break between miles 2 and 3 (good one, bladder! You're really funny!), I know that I can actually break that time at some point. I walked a little but my mile splits were still under 13 minutes even with my delay and haters gonna hate.
Important things are as follows:
Race people, why why why would you have a course that has a beast hill from mile 5 to 5.5 I hate you just kidding it wasn't that bad but that is where lots of my walking happened. The 50-something woman near me was straight up like "this is bad." I agree! But I did it.
I still cannot pin on my race bibs in a way that does not look like I was heavily intoxicated while it happened. I really like this race bib because it says 10k on it. I am a ROCKSTAR.
This is such a stupid thing to complain about, but I am extra-sensitive about being a "slow runner," so that is why I am mentioning it; I have lots of feelings and I don't even go here. The event today had a 10k, 5k, and 2-mile "fun walk," and they split up the courses pretty well, including a fork in the trail where a lady had the pleasure of air-traffic-controller-ing everybody ("10k!!!!!" *waves to right* "5k!!!!!" *waves to left* *repeat a thousand times*), poor girl. However, I am decidedly a back-of-the-pack kinda person, and that means by the time I got to the last quarter mile, the walkers now dominated the course and I had to leap over some strollers and dogs. I cannot actually get angry about this, because this was a fundraiser for colon cancer research, and what jerk is like "I wish fewer people walked so less money went to cure cancer"? Not me. But, because I am insecure about my running speed, I took the fact that the road was no longer clear for any of us slow'uns SUPER personally for like 20 minutes and was sad.
However, runners are THE BEST (srsly if you don't run do it just so you can have everyone be nice to you always), are super supportive of anyone who laces up some sneaks, and love you if you are just there. (Sometimes I say sneaks so I can pretend I'm the Fresh Prince.) A large part of the course today was out-and-back, and everyone was like "keep going YAYYY" to everyone, regardless if you had turned around already and were doing like a 40 minute race or if you had just finished the first half and were at double that time. IF YOU RUN YOU ARE A RUNNER AND RUNNERS ARE THE BEST.
I got a tech shirt today (this seems to be a thing that happens a lot now? Down with cotton, idk) and it is really green and if I wear it I should probs post a picture.
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
So I finally watched Eclipse and this happened
I'm seriously an obnoxious horrible person because I would not shut up during this movie. And frankly, the second half with the battles and stuff was actually kind of enjoyable. But I will walk you through my thought process for this movie, which (unfortunately for my long-suffering boyfriend) was also my commentary. Again, I am That Guy who offers commentary and unless you're Mike Nelson or his robot friends (or Joel!) that's really not allowed.
1. There's a dude running in the rain. I predict he's gonna die. I'm right. I'm also kinda wondering since when Seattle is this like, High Crime Area with Tough Neighborhoods, but okay?
2. Oh Jesus she's reading poetry in a field of flowers while Edward sits there and strokes her hair and asks her to marry him like a dozen times even though she says no. Dude she just said she has an English final. Whatever, lol, not like school matters.
3. Anna Kendrick did not get paid enough for her role in this movie. She could have made a billion dollars, still not enough.
4. I think like around 25 minutes in is when I started referring to Jacob as Abs McWolfie. I'm a jerk.
5. Bella's dad is my favorite character. At least, I think he is, but it's quite possible his mustache is my favorite character.
6. Bella's mom is concerned for like two hot seconds that her teenage daughter may be irretrievably lost in Edward's bouffant of vampire love, but then she drifts off and talks about how sunny Florida is and how she has a present for her daughter for graduation (which she's apparently not attending) nor does she care that her daughter's beloved legit cannot be in the sun but that doesn't seem to be a concern. What is happeninggggg
7. "Doesn't he own a shirt?" The movie has become SELF AWARE, RUN
7a. Jacob, later in the movie, says "Let's face it; I am hotter than you," and I therefore have to give two grudging points to this movie for those lines. It is still in the negative hundreds but I will award points when needed
8. I do not understand How Vampires Work based on this movie. The sparkling thing has been beaten to death and I've basically accepted it at this point (you win, Stephenie), but like, the vampires shatter when they die? Because of this, I had a glorious few minutes where I imagined the movie acted out entirely by Precious Moments figurines that were then crushed with hammers post-filming. Also baby vampires are extra powerful? We spend the whole series going Vampires >>>>> Humans oh, except when they're still a little bit human. No comprende. Is this standard in vampire lore?
9. Jacob kisses Bella without her permission, and she punches him, and she breaks her hand. This is played somewhat for comedy, but I don't get where the funny went. Abs McWolfie assaulted her and then gets all pissy that Bella won't say "I LOVE YOU AND YOUR ABS FOREVER JACOB" and this is a plot point instead of a quick trip to the police station.
10. They keep referring to the intruder, and thanks to Rifftrax, I watched the scene earlier, and immediately had "hide yo' kids, hide yo' wife!" stuck in my head
11. This movie and The Biggest Loser are currently in competition for Most Overly Dramatic Background Music
12. WHAT IS THE APPEAL OF THE MAIN CHARACTER, FOR SERIOUS. I have decided that it is because all the boys in this series have a flannel fetish and therefore Bella is teh hottiest hottie evar.
13. So she says yes to marrying Edward, then Jacob overhears her talking about hypenating her last name (lololol SURE), then he freaks out because she doesn't want him, then she has to make out with him to keep him from committing suicide by baby vampire fight, then they make out and Edward reads Jacob's mind (awk), then Jacob says "that should have been our first kiss." Oh, my GOD, no. Bro, it could have been your first kiss had you not assaulted her earlier in the movie. I hate you and your stupid abs and everything is the worst.
14. Fight fight fight fight woooo
15. Where is Mustache Dad, I miss him
16. I like that Dakota Fanning's character both has red eyes and moves around like she's on an invisible Segway
17. Hahahaha they decided the best time for Bella to be like "you're chill but I'm totes marrying Edward anyway" to Jacob is when he is sitting in some cabin with half his bones broken
18. There have been like a dozen marriage proposals in this movie already and he's DOING IT AGAIN but this time with some ring that looks like it was purchased at Forever 21. I wish they had transitioned directly into her choosing a wedding dress. Say Yes to the Undead.
I am very excited to watch the other two, but will probably have to do them by myself if I want anyone to like me ever. HOPE I DAZZLED YOU, FOLKS
1. There's a dude running in the rain. I predict he's gonna die. I'm right. I'm also kinda wondering since when Seattle is this like, High Crime Area with Tough Neighborhoods, but okay?
2. Oh Jesus she's reading poetry in a field of flowers while Edward sits there and strokes her hair and asks her to marry him like a dozen times even though she says no. Dude she just said she has an English final. Whatever, lol, not like school matters.
3. Anna Kendrick did not get paid enough for her role in this movie. She could have made a billion dollars, still not enough.
4. I think like around 25 minutes in is when I started referring to Jacob as Abs McWolfie. I'm a jerk.
5. Bella's dad is my favorite character. At least, I think he is, but it's quite possible his mustache is my favorite character.
6. Bella's mom is concerned for like two hot seconds that her teenage daughter may be irretrievably lost in Edward's bouffant of vampire love, but then she drifts off and talks about how sunny Florida is and how she has a present for her daughter for graduation (which she's apparently not attending) nor does she care that her daughter's beloved legit cannot be in the sun but that doesn't seem to be a concern. What is happeninggggg
7. "Doesn't he own a shirt?" The movie has become SELF AWARE, RUN
7a. Jacob, later in the movie, says "Let's face it; I am hotter than you," and I therefore have to give two grudging points to this movie for those lines. It is still in the negative hundreds but I will award points when needed
8. I do not understand How Vampires Work based on this movie. The sparkling thing has been beaten to death and I've basically accepted it at this point (you win, Stephenie), but like, the vampires shatter when they die? Because of this, I had a glorious few minutes where I imagined the movie acted out entirely by Precious Moments figurines that were then crushed with hammers post-filming. Also baby vampires are extra powerful? We spend the whole series going Vampires >>>>> Humans oh, except when they're still a little bit human. No comprende. Is this standard in vampire lore?
9. Jacob kisses Bella without her permission, and she punches him, and she breaks her hand. This is played somewhat for comedy, but I don't get where the funny went. Abs McWolfie assaulted her and then gets all pissy that Bella won't say "I LOVE YOU AND YOUR ABS FOREVER JACOB" and this is a plot point instead of a quick trip to the police station.
10. They keep referring to the intruder, and thanks to Rifftrax, I watched the scene earlier, and immediately had "hide yo' kids, hide yo' wife!" stuck in my head
11. This movie and The Biggest Loser are currently in competition for Most Overly Dramatic Background Music
12. WHAT IS THE APPEAL OF THE MAIN CHARACTER, FOR SERIOUS. I have decided that it is because all the boys in this series have a flannel fetish and therefore Bella is teh hottiest hottie evar.
13. So she says yes to marrying Edward, then Jacob overhears her talking about hypenating her last name (lololol SURE), then he freaks out because she doesn't want him, then she has to make out with him to keep him from committing suicide by baby vampire fight, then they make out and Edward reads Jacob's mind (awk), then Jacob says "that should have been our first kiss." Oh, my GOD, no. Bro, it could have been your first kiss had you not assaulted her earlier in the movie. I hate you and your stupid abs and everything is the worst.
14. Fight fight fight fight woooo
15. Where is Mustache Dad, I miss him
16. I like that Dakota Fanning's character both has red eyes and moves around like she's on an invisible Segway
17. Hahahaha they decided the best time for Bella to be like "you're chill but I'm totes marrying Edward anyway" to Jacob is when he is sitting in some cabin with half his bones broken
18. There have been like a dozen marriage proposals in this movie already and he's DOING IT AGAIN but this time with some ring that looks like it was purchased at Forever 21. I wish they had transitioned directly into her choosing a wedding dress. Say Yes to the Undead.
I am very excited to watch the other two, but will probably have to do them by myself if I want anyone to like me ever. HOPE I DAZZLED YOU, FOLKS
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