(no subject)

Found this on Facebook:

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/losing-my-religion-for-equality-20090714-dk0v.html

Excerpt:

It is simply self-defeating for any community to discriminate against half its population. We need to challenge these self-serving and outdated attitudes and practices - as we are seeing in Iran where women are at the forefront of the battle for democracy and freedom.

I understand, however, why many political leaders can be reluctant about stepping into this minefield. Religion, and tradition, are powerful and sensitive areas to challenge. But my fellow Elders and I, who come from many faiths and backgrounds, no longer need to worry about winning votes or avoiding controversy - and we are deeply committed to challenging injustice wherever we see it.

The Elders are an independent group of eminent global leaders, brought together by former South African president Nelson Mandela, who offer their influence and experience to support peace building, help address major causes of human suffering and promote the shared interests of humanity. We have decided to draw particular attention to the responsibility of religious and traditional leaders in ensuring equality and human rights and have recently published a statement that declares: "The justification of discrimination against women and girls on grounds of religion or tradition, as if it were prescribed by a Higher Authority, is unacceptable."

- This was written by ex-President Jimmy Carter, who explains why he has left the Southern Baptist Coalition.

(no subject)

Caught up with some television series:

1. The season premiere of MAD MEN -- which still seems to be more thematic and style driven than character driven. The characters neither evolve or really change in any real way, to such an extent, that my mother who had skipped a season felt that the story was exactly the same as the last time she watched it.

That said, it is a rather interesting and at times satirical take on societal and cultural changes, and the advertising industry which drive them. If you don't move with the times, you are left behind, an aging relic of the past. Which in truth, is Don Draper, whose charming demeanor has gradually become less and less classy Carey Grant, and more sleazy salesman doing ads on late night tv. He no longer trolls cool divey bars, but late night diners.
( spoilers for last night's episode of Mad Men )

2. The Good Wife - eh, this show is beginning to aggravate me. They need to stop ripping cases from the headlines. Procedurals like to do that - and while it's nice to be topical, it's also somewhat irritating and preachy. Although, Good Wife handles it better than most tv shows do. But it is a personal pet peeve of mine and part of the reason I gave up on Law and Order.

Also, I'm tired of the email hacking case (it was initially funny...now not so much), and the political problems, of which there are far too many and some just keep ricocheting back again and again like bloody boomerangs.

Still an enjoyable show, just uneven this year. Oh, in case you were wondering? It has been renewed for next season according to the forces that be.

But Agent Carter unfortunately did not get good ratings, so most likely won't be renewed. I can see why - it was slow in places, and they were a bit too preachy regarding the sexism - which would turn off a male audience. (Although it didn't appear to turn off people into Mad Men, but then Mad Men is on AMC which has lower expectations.) Superhero series are targeted at the desirable 12-35 year old male demographic. I liked it better than the other ones currently on though, but can't say I loved it. There really isn't anything on tv at the moment that I feel fannish about or would care if it got cancelled. Which is most likely a good thing.

3. Haven't seen Wolf Hall yet. Might watch tonight. Might watch a video instead.
Have Diving Bell and the Butterfly (courtesy of netflix) and Into the Woods (which I bought, because I loved it).

On book front I'm flirting with lighter reads. Also flirting with Kass Morgan's The 100 series, which isn't lighter, and seriously, I need to read another series like I need a hole in the head. They are expensive and require commitment. I really don't book series.
Although I can see the appeal, you don't go through this sort of angsty...between books period or "I've no clue what I want to read dang-it book slump" - which happens when you finish a great book with characters you love.