GRARGH

I've been trying to do a pretty good job of counting my blessings and being aware and appreciative of things that make me happy on a daily basis. This, in general, is a good thing and it helps keep me balanced.

There are a couple of things, though, that are making me want to build a freeze ray and take over the world. I mean, seriously, why the crap are these things happening?

• A conscience clause that will allow "medical professionals — from ambulance drivers to pharmacists — to refuse to provide care for people who seek services they find religiously objectionable". This proposal would allow anyone in the health care industry to refuse service and be morally and legally exempt from blame.
  
  Why don't more people see a problem with this?! I mean, if you go into the health care industry, you're going to be forced to interact with people of different faiths than you. Be an adult, suck it up, and HELP THOSE WHO ARE COMING TO YOU FOR HELP!! Pray for them on YOUR time, don't try to force them into following YOUR broken moral compass.
  
  
• US Dept of Health is trying to classify contraceptives as abortion and ban them both.
  
  A couple of other women on my flist have had some strong things to say about this. I'm in agreement with them and I have this to add: IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS IDIOTIC PROPOSAL, YOU SUCK.
  
  On a slightly more mature note, go here, fill this out. Also, send letters/faxes/phone calls/emails to this address:
  
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
  Washington, D.C. 20201
  Telephone: 202-619-0257
  Toll Free: 1-877-696-6775
  
  HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt
  Office Phone: 202-690-7000 or 202-205-4708
  Email: mike.leavitt@hhs.gov
  Fax: 202-690-7203
  Correspondence Secretary: 202-690-6392
  
  Faxes and letters have a bigger impact, but anything helps.
  
  
• Did you know that if you're a 14 year old girl and get drunk that you automatically consent to any and all sexual behavior? That's what the courts say.
  
  I can't even come up with something suitably snarky and rage-filled to say about that judge. The guy is, of course, an asshole, but the judge is a new form of filth that I estimate is somewhere around slime mold for clear thinking and morality. Bastard.

in other news

I caved to peer pressure and got both a Facebook account and a Twitter account this afternoon. The Facebook is My Real Name and Twitter is thedreadpiratej.

Why, yes, it was sort of a slow afternoon. How could you tell?

holy mary mother of god

We just got back from seeing The Dark Knight.

It was astounding. If you haven't seen it yet, hie thyself to the theater posthaste.

Christian Bale should be Batman forever. Heath Ledger deserves the Best Supporting Actor Oscar.

I feel squished. I want to laugh and cry and go back and let them tell me the story again. I don't even care that the first part of the pre-trailer commercials had no sound or that the film actually broke halfway through the movie, forcing them to stop and wait for the projector to cool before rethreading it.

I'm not very good at saying exactly why something hit me emotionally. When I like a book or a show, all I'm good at saying is that I love it and I want to share it with you. This movie is like that.

Downwood compared the emotional impact of Dark Knight to that of Gladiator. I don't agree. Both are powerful movies, but there's something extra that Batman brings to the table. Especially this Batman. The movie is dark - incredibly dark in places. There were moments that made me think "Holy crap. They went there."

And they did. This is the side of Batman that the last franchise never let us see. This one gets to make hard choices and then live with them. This one is more. These villains are more. The violence is darker, the cars are cooler (no fins that wiggle in the breeze), and the supporting cast are more than cardboard cutouts there to just frame Bruce Wayne.

No, this movie is more. Go see this movie. I'm going again...probably Sunday. I don't think I can see it tomorrow. I'm still squished.

Why are you still reading this? Go to the theater!!