Items of interest found recently in my RSS feed. What did I miss? Please share what you've been reading (and writing!) in the comments.

• McSweeney's Internet Tendency: An Open Letter to Anyone Who Has Experienced One of My Son's Meltdowns.

– “Dear [Family Member/Friend/Relative Stranger/Jackass],

I’m sorry my nine-year-old son disrupted your…
a) beach vacation.
b) trip to the grocery store.
c) soccer game.
d) appointment with Doctor Vestergaard.

As you may/may not know, my son has Asperger’s Syndrome. It is a form of autism which impacts…
a) how he communicates.
b) his gross motor skills.
c) his fine motor skills
d) his sense of smell, taste, and hearing.
e) his ability to learn from his mistakes.
f) all of the above.

I’m sure you noticed one or more of these when he started screaming during the…”

• England and Wales Move to Grant Anonymity to Rape Defendants

– “I, for one, am really just incredibly tired of the myth that the anonymity granted to rape survivors is some kind of special privilege. In reality, it’s a “privilege” I’d be more than willing to give up — because a world in which anonymity for rape survivors is not needed is a world that views a rape accusation as serious and credible, and a rape survivor as a victim who bears no blame or public shame and who is worthy of support.”

• Backlash Is Our National Gesture

– “Watson is the only young woman who has been significantly honoured in this nation for anything other than marrying a prince or being fucked on a video in as long as I can remember. That her endurance and not her appearance was the focus of our appreciation was, in short, just a bit of a relief.”

• Thailand: challenging the "heroic revolution" archetype

– A different view on the conflict in Thailand

• You have got to be kidding

– “I know controversy sells but all the same Stephanie Fairyington is being far too generous to this bullshit in “The Parent Trap: Paternal Rights and Abortion”.”

• Muckier and muckier

– “And what really pisses me off about this? That there are issues about the character and behaviour of other members of Parliament, both State and Federal. Issues that go right to the heart of their fitness for any sort of public office. Issues concerning domestic violence, physical abuse, alcoholism, and corruption. The Press Gallery in Canberra knows exactly what I am talking about and exactly who I am talking about. But you sit there and say nothing. Yet again, ladies and gentlemen of the Press, you have failed us.”

• Why Don’t Non-Disabled People Trust People With Disabilities Anyway?

– “Disability simulations and disability awareness days are condescending and patronizing towards people with disabilities. Instead of “raising awareness” about the “struggles” people with disabilities face, they end up raising awareness of how difficult it is to be a first-time wheelchair user, open bottles with socks on your hands, or navigate spaces with your eyes closed. They do not actually teach anyone anything about disability.”

• Here are some things you should know

– great poster

• More evidence you can’t believe a word Nestle says

– Remember the #nestlefamily twitterstorm last year? Nestle seems to be doing a very good job of not changing anything.

Categories: arts & entertainment, linkfest

Tags: blogging, photography, Read-ems