News Appetizers: For Pete’s Sake

Oh poodles and kittens. Welcome back, you wacky sadomasochistic kids, you. We reconvene for another roundabout recap of all the news that proves that recreational drinking has been created to dull the pain and that eating your feelings is a pretty good method too.  This week has been a doozy, so strap on your big girl panties and ready your bitch face, ’cause shit ain’t gonna go down easy.

Manila is submerged. The New York Times reports that “More than 50 people have already died in more than a week of intense storms, monsoon rains and flooding, and at least 250,000 have been evacuated in just the past several days, officials said. “. (NY Times)

Jared L. Loughner, the man responsible for a violent shooting rampage in Tuscon, that left six dead and 13 wounded, including Democratic Representative Gabrielle Giffords, has pleaded guilty. Loughner faced 49 criminal charges, including first-degree murder, and is expected to serve life in prison (NY Times)

While the U.S. is still fresh off the already frightening violence at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, a mosque in Joplin, Missouri was burned to the ground for the second time, in what is suspected to be an arson. Our hearts go out to everyone who has been made to feel unsafe and terrorized in their homes and places of worship. (LA Times, Al Jazeera)

While the rest of the U.S. seems to be at least trying to slow the acceptance of the death penalty, Texas seems content on putting in an express lane. The state is set to execute Marvin Wilson, who is considered mentally disabled, for being convicted from fatally shooting a police drug informant nearly 20 years ago. While I’m tempted to say something about Santorum, cheering, and a GOP convention, I’ll just say this. You keep it classy, Texas. (Al Jazeera)

Mars, bitches! (BBC)

Not senseless, not random – why talking about gun violence and race in post 9-11 just ain’t that simple. (Colorlines)

Are you over the manic pixie? Good – me fucking too. Looks like I’m not the only one. (In These Times)

Cat got your tongue? Vodka got your brain? Either way kittens, we made it out alive – so far. These times are scary, these times are tough. And they can be so goddamn sad and depressing. But even in the worst, know that there is potential light. For all the ignorance and the hate, we owe it to ourselves and to others to radiate the good stuff: love, hope, and care. So don’t get cynical on me, precious – ’tis far too easy, even with a sarcastic wench like me. So remember, when the going gets tough, the tough start lovin.

Until next week, poodles”¦