“10 Misconceptions About Celibate Partnerships”: A Queer Calling

Last updated on: June 4, 2014 at 5:15 pm By Eve Tushnet

Even as we thought about naming our blog before we began writing, we knew there would always be people who misunderstand our way of life. There are many misconceptions about celibacy in general, and it’s understandable that there are even more about celibate partnerships like ours. Seeing as we already spent some time clarifying the nature of our relationship last week, we thought that it might be a good time to expound upon some misconceptions we’ve encountered about celibate partnerships since... Read more

“10 Photography Projects on Prisons… Recently Added to the Web”

Last updated on: May 31, 2014 at 4:33 pm By Eve Tushnet

Via PrisonCulture: …Mae Ryan‘s series on the Community Prisoner Mother Program in Pomona, California was one of the last assignment’s she made before moving from KPCC to The Guardian. And it is stand out. Pregnant in Prison offers a look at a select group of minimum security prisoners who may live with their young children until the child turns seven years old. Mothers live with their children in rooms shared with other prisoners. During the day, children are enrolled in the on-site preschool and Kindergarten... Read more

My Vampire Spring Continues With 1987’s “Near Dark”

Last updated on: May 31, 2014 at 2:06 pm By Eve Tushnet

HOW HAVE I NEVER SEEN THIS MASTERPIECE BEFORE? It is just so successful at doing what it promises. Kathryn Bigelow’s horror classic is dusty, full of gorgeous sunsets and terrific use of light, breathtakingly sleazy, and emotionally effective. You get dirtbag biker-type vampires (“How old are you?” “Let’s just say, I fought for the South”) and a vampire child who’s ridiculously fun, then actually scary, and then immensely sad. My jaw dropped at the brutal fights. I liked the moral... Read more

“Morality as Worship”: Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry

Last updated on: May 31, 2014 at 1:50 pm By Eve Tushnet

Why should Christians act morally? Because if they do they will go to Heaven and if they don’t they will go to Hell? Surely that can’t be the answer. For as the New Atheists rightly point out, a morality based on self-interest is no morality at all. It seems to me that the Biblical answer is that God demands worship and that acting morally is a form of worship. lots of good stuff here! Read more

From “Going to the Dogs”

Last updated on: May 31, 2014 at 1:27 pm By Eve Tushnet

“That happens to many women. We young men have cares of our own, and they leave us sufficient time for pleasure, but not enough for love. The family is disintegrating. After all, there are only two possible ways in which we can shoulder responsibility. Either a man accepts the responsibility for a woman’s future, and then, if he loses his job the week after, he realizes how irresponsibly he has acted. Or his sense of responsibility forbids him to make... Read more

“The Criminalization of Poverty”: Radley Balko

Last updated on: May 30, 2014 at 4:27 pm By Eve Tushnet

writes: …NPR found that in the vast majority of America, defendants can be charged for a public defender, for their own parole and probation, the cost of a jury trial, and their stay in a jail cell. Some jurisdictions have even found ways to charge people “booking fees” after an arrest, even if the arrest never results in a criminal charge, a policy recently upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. My favorite example of this... Read more

Who Are You and What Do You Want?: I watch a play

Last updated on: May 30, 2014 at 4:15 pm By Eve Tushnet

at the Studio Theater, Cock, playing through June 22. It’s by Mike Bartlett, the guy who did Contractions, and like Contractions it’s a high-concept play with few characters and a lot of emotional intensity. The high concept is that John, having broken up with his long-term boyfriend for no real reason except his own itchy ambivalence, meets a woman and falls for her hard. But then the boyfriend takes him back, and suddenly he has to choose–and he can’t, for... Read more

“Way Too Early to Declare Victory in War Against Mass Incarceration”

Last updated on: May 30, 2014 at 3:47 pm By Eve Tushnet

from the Brennan Center, possibly via Radley Balko or PrisonCulture: It is far too early, as a matter of law, of policy, and of fact, to be talking about a “plummeting” prison rate in the United States or to be declaring that the end is in sight in the war to change the nation’s disastrous incarceration policies. There is still far too much to do, far too many onerous laws and policies to change, too many hearts and minds to... Read more

Sister and Stranger: “Ida,” A Jewish Nun in a Haunted Poland

Last updated on: May 30, 2014 at 3:27 pm By Eve Tushnet

Ida, a contemporary black-and-white movie now playing at the E St Cinema & Bethesda Row Cinema, begins as the title character (Agata Trzebuchowska) is about to meet her only known relative. Ida doesn’t want to meet Aunt Wanda (Agata Kulesza), about whom she knows nothing except that Wanda refused to take her in when she was orphaned, so she was raised in a convent. She’s about to take her own vows, though, and so she musters up all her obedience... Read more

People of Portland (OR)! Watch a Great Catholic Movie

Last updated on: May 30, 2014 at 12:46 pm By Eve Tushnet

and meet my friend Matt! This Saturday at 7 pm, Level Ground is screening Desire of the Everlasting Hills, which I gave a glowing review here. They’re also showing Fried Green Tomatoes tonight if you’re feeling nostalgic, and on Sunday, Kidnapped for Christ, which I missed at the main Level Ground festival because it was sold out. Don’t make my mistake! Seriously, check this stuff out, you won’t regret it. Matthew Franklin Jones will be on a panel after Desire. Read more