The NFL, Free Speech, and You.

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Ashe

It’s safe to say the entire world of the NFL went nuts with players protesting police violence by taking a knee. It’s also safe to say that the alt-right has used this as an opportunity to turn it into their own political agenda.

It’s safe to say “stick to sports” and I understand as sports is a get away from the real world. The world that does include politics. Fans just want athletes to get on with it and entertain the masses.

The truth is politics is in our sports culture every day.

Jessie Owens used his 4 gold medals to break the myth of German superiority in the face of Hitler.

Babe Didrikson Zaharias was the first break the gender barrier in the PGA and constantly faced misogynistic criticism because it’s not “feminine to play sports” She played on.

Muhammed Ali missed out on boxing for 3 years for being a contentious objector during Vietnam.

“Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on Brown people in Vietnam while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs and denied simple human rights? No, I’m not going 10,000 miles from home to help murder and burn another poor nation simply to continue the domination of white slave masters of the darker people the world over. This is the day when such evils must come to an end. I have been warned that to take such a stand would cost me millions of dollars. But I have said it once and I will say it again. The real enemy of my people is here. I will not disgrace my religion, my people or myself by becoming a tool to enslave those who are fighting for their own justice, freedom, and equality. If I thought the war was going to bring freedom and equality to 22 million of my people they wouldn’t have to draft me, I’d join tomorrow. I have nothing to lose by standing up for my beliefs. So I’ll go to jail, so what? We’ve been in jail for 400 years.”

Jackie Robinson who was a veteran did stand but stood silent and did not salute the flag.

As I write this twenty years later, I cannot stand and sing the anthem. I cannot salute the flag; I know I am a black man in a white world. — Jackie Robinson

Carlos Delgado did not stand for “God Bless America” in protest of the Iraq war.

Need I go on?

“But I’m a fan. Politics and sports don’t affect me.” Think again.

Who builds for a new stadium when a new team comes to town? The debate of taxpayer vs privately funded is political.

We the fans also like to politicise the race, gender, and sexual identity the athlete. The very existence of athletes that are not straight, white, cis, or male is politically debated every day.

“You spit in the face of vets when you kneel”

During world war II our veterans fought against the Fascist states of Germany, Japan, and Italy. In these states, political opposition was silenced. No individual was allowed to protest. The media was silenced through censorship. Information is limited. Most importantly, the people were brainwashed by the government to believe that the state is above all else. Worship and saluting of the state and its symbols was a requirement.

We see this now in our nation with the administration pushing such agenda. Only certain forms of protests that worships the racist heritage of the state are allowed. Where the political opposition is ridiculed and not respected. The media is actively under attack for not agreeing with the administration. And people are morally required to stand for the flag of the United States. It’s quite disturbing how we are embracing the morals of the very countries that threaten our very freedom and our way of life during the 1930s and 40s.

The beauty of the American culture is that it is set up to allow protest in a peaceful manner. From the taxation protests of the Crown, the Civil Rights Movement to The recent Kneeling of NFL players during national anthems. Peaceful protest has been the way forward. The guiding principal founding fathers put to build “A More Perfect Union” It is set forth in our bill of rights as our first amendment.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

The first amendment is in a list of ideals our country set forth to achieve in our constitution. It is broad for a reason. So long as we don’t endanger the safety and security of others we may protest in any way we see fit.

Our founding fathers realized that our allegiance to a man or political party is a dangerous path.Today we see examples of this in dictatorships around the world where freedom is non-existent. That is why our armed forces defend the constitution instead and the principals set forth in it instead.

Free speech also gives the administration the right to have an opinion. For an administration oppress whoever speaks out against them, however, is to become the very thing that our country fought against when our nation was under threat during the revolution and the second world war. To voice the opinion that anyone should be morally oppressed for simply kneeling is to show gross incompetence.

In my opinion, the right wing of America needs to take a knee and have a good long look in the mirror. To get this far where denying peaceful protest is the norm is to take the constitution and rip it up metaphorically. Pride for a nation can be healthy. However, it is our duty to stand up for all of American values including that “All men are created equal”. To stand up takes sometimes it takes a statement of science and keeling. The “this doesn’t pertain to me” attitude needs to stop now because it affects all of us. Let me be clear here, by creating a further divide in our nation, America will turn on itself and quickly become non-existent.

P.S. Those who now have joined the Dallas Cowboys bandwagon have entered into a hell hole of mediocre football. You may support the strongest team in your division but your offense is like Jekel and Hyde and your defense is pedestrian at best. Can’t wait for the playoff choke.

The Rest of The Story

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Ashe

Emmy here.

I didn’t quite tell you the whole story on my last post.

My parents were quite curious about the gender of their child during my pregnancy. The OB/GYN told them to expect a baby boy. The life of being a jock, strong silent type, and a big shot is what my family had planned out for me. While I like things that are stereotypically male like sports, mechanical engineering, and eating like a total animal. Oddly enough I like and do all of these things.

Life never quite worked out being a boy for me. I looked more to the women in my family. When I stood face to face to them, it was like looking in the mirror. Even on TV with female pop stars like The Spice Girls, Britney Spears, and Madonna, I was still looking in the mirror. Every opportunity, I would go shopping with the women in my life. I would gaze in envy at the clothes and makeup in store. Mom even saw the look in my face at a young age and asked if she could buy me makeup on multiple occasions. Every time, I said no everytime out of fear of being seen as a weak effeminate boy. Since then I had to ask the question “Am I just an effeminate boy or a girl?”

Fast forward a few years to when I was 8. I saw this beautiful pair of heels that my mom owned. She saw the look in my face and said to try them on. I did and for some reason, I immediately knew how to walk in them like I have been walking in heels for years. It felt right. I tried on one of her dresses next. Everything felt in place. Mom told me not to do this in front of the rest of the family or dad. I could tell at the time she was a bit scared of what everyone would think of her for letting me do this. I was still scared of what people would think of me personally.

High school came. Once a year “gender bender day” was celebrated for whatever reason. It was a day the girls can pull out their fake mustaches and boys can crossdress without being laughed at. The girls at the school did my makeup and outfit. Looking in the mirror was a moment for me. I strutted my style around the school. I had all the confidence in the world too. When mom picked me up that day, I was very happy.

College came and I started to realize the world is getting more tolerant and accepting. I was still so far back in the closet back then. The world showed me that it was more and more okay to be yourself. I felt like a girl. I told my closest friends about how I felt and identified. They were immediately accepting. I went out and gained the confidence to buy my own makeup and clothes. I practiced and practiced my basic look until I had the confidence to go out on the town. I went out with friends for my first few adventures. Eventually, I went on my own as the confident girl that I am alone. I even took a trip across the country to Michigan and showed off who I was inside to the world. Since then, I have come to the realization that I was a girl the whole time and that I just needed to admit it. It was at that point I told everyone else in my life.

To this day, I’m trying to figure out who I am. Each day I take a small step in self-discovery whether it be through fashion, a new makeup look, talking to friends, learning something new, or enjoying hobbies. Every discovery builds upon the last and makes me a better version of myself. There’s a lot that I have yet to discover about myself. I look forward to what each discovery has in store for me. However, in a world of being uncertain of who I am, there is one thing certain in this world. I am a strong, confident, self-reliant and smart woman. People can try to take away those qualities from me, but I won’t let them.

Now you know the rest of the story.

Hi, My name is Emmy.

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Ashe

It’s totally rude not to introduce and not tell someone about yourself when arriving at an event or function. So, without further delay let me tell you about myself.

The beginning is probably the best place to start. I was born on May 23, 1996, in Evanston, Illinois. For the first 4 years of my life, I called the northern suburbs of Chicago my home. In those early years, I gained an appreciation for great pizza and a love for the green landscape of suburbia. That all changed in August of 2000 when my family and I moved here to Las Vegas in search for a better life. Both my parents got a better paying job. My world was suddenly traded for the pale and lifeless desert and shitty corporate chain food. To this day the weather gets to me and with a few exceptions, the local cuisine bores me to death.

One thing that did change me and made me who I am today was my first flight to Las Vegas. Up until then, I was terrified of aircraft. I did everything I could to not get on the plane sitting at O’Hare. However, I was impressed by my first few minutes of flying. I was fascinated by how something so big can fly. I was in love. I told my mom that I wanted to be a pilot when I grow up. I even signed up for a lottery to be selected into a high school program with the aim of having all selected graduate with their Pilot Certification. I got in and out of everyone accepted only 4 successfully completed the program. I worked hard enough to be one of the lucky few. To this day I stop for any talk about aviation and always look up to the sky. My love for aviation knows no bounds.

During high school, I discovered a game called Ingress. Ingress has sparked my curiosity and love for adventure. I have been to 13 states across the country and have made many great friends because of Ingress. Every adventure has given me countless experiences. If I were to write them now I would make this post way too long. Those stories will have their own posts.

Currently, college is taking up my time and effort. My primary focus of study is education. I got into education because it called out to me. Volunteering with local educational institutions has made me realize that I like to help people. Words can’t describe how much joy you can get from influencing a person’s life for the better. Go try it for yourself.

I’ll be here writing about everything. From my own life experience of being a studette to the occasional impassioned pizza review. I will be open and won’t hold back. I’m excited about this roller coaster ride of self-discovery. I hope you have your seatbelt fastened because it’s going to be a wild ride. I’m excited to share everything with you.

Celeste and Jesse Forever

Posted on August 3, 2012 by BeeStudette

So. In the interest of satisfying my curiosity, please raise your hand if you have had drunken sex with an ex and immediately put on your bra, tank top, and knickers, while (s)he replaces his/her t-shirt and boxers, before falling asleep on the couch under the strangely convenient and pristine white duvet. Or is the pickled ex-sex being had through multiple layers of cotton? Am I in a pervy minority thinking that the only acceptable post-coital attire is a thin layer of rapidly cooling sweat? Hmmmm.
I’d say this doesn’t need to be seen large, and will fit a small screen just as well, if not better.

BeeStudette

PostScript: Except for the absolutely ENRAGING pretext that a successful smart woman who splits with an underachiever will descend into a spiral of alcohol, dirty clothes, and drug abuse, and then slowly come to realize she’s a domineering bitch, completely deserving to be alone and heart broken, this movie is VERY entertaining, fun and silly. There are MANY incidents that will illicit loud outbursts of laughter, and it’s a perfect example of the evolution we’re seeing in rom-com. It’s no Meg Ryan/Kate Hudson special, and is in many ways a more honest examination of modern relationships for all it’s delightful silliness. The character work by the entire cast is rich, and if not for the bloody infuriating and far too easy pretext that a successful smart woman who splits with a chronic underachiever will descend into a spiral of alcohol, dirty clothes, and drug abuse, and then slowly come to realize she’s a domineering bitch, completely deserving to be alone and heart broken, I would have loved this movie.

The Studette Reviews Magic Mike, obviously…

Posted on June 28, 2012 by BeeStudette

Subterranean. Bottommost. Subjacent.

Studettes, I’m afraid I haven’t the language to describe just how low my bar was set for this particular film. I was all primed to catch me some Abe Lincoln when BAM! Into my lap fell advance screening tix. What’s a slut to do? I mean, really.

Needless to say, I grabbed my bar from the dirt pile in which it lay, tossed it down an open man-hole (heh heh), and pranced right in. I left charmed and delighted; NO SHIT, I was “charmed”. Now please don’t get me wrong, brothers and sisters – in all likelihood, it was complete rubbish, but I enjoyed myself and can comfortably employ heinous sex-role stereotyping and call this a Macho Man Romance (MMR). That is to say it’s completely bereft of actual romance, but the predictable construct is too obvious to deny. In fact, you’ll be able to predict the entire plot within the first 15 minutes, but the choreography and superb scenery actually succeed in making up for the pedestrian script and plot. Truly.

Magic Mike lacks the shame-free fun of Boogie Nights and in a perfect story-line, Mike is not punished for his “sinful” lifestyle, and not partnered with the surface prude still searching for her inner Studette. In this one, however, we must be satisfied with Matthew McConaughey playing the disgusting, Crisco-coated, too-fit, porn star in a 10 gallon he always plays and actually may be with zero shame, and with Joseph Manganiello FINALLY delivering the goods he slyly flashes glimpses of in True Blood, and it’s surprisingly easy (two words for you tarts: Alcide Herveaux). Channing Tatum is a dancer and actually worked as a stripper before acting, and it’s easy to be convinced there must have been CGI or a body double; the man can DEFINITELY shake his groove thang. Yes, Stephen Soderbergh has indeed made magic with a pile of dirt, and I’d say it’s worth a view with good friends, male and/or female.

But maybe a bad idea for a first date, hmmm?

Keep studly, my friends.
BeeStudette

Studette Reviews Snow White and the Huntsman

Posted on June 25, 2012 by BeeStudette

First, was there EVER a more studly wikkid step-monster than Charlize Theron as Ravenna? As passionate, as strangely sympathetic, as bat-shit looney? Oh, I think not.
She is voracious in her appetites and exquisite to behold. Ravenna is ambitious, driven and motivated – all the things we Studettes catch flack for (Intimidating? Domineering? Aggressive? Save it Pansy, and grow a pair). Yes, Ravenna delivers the goods all night long; she’s the gift that keeps giving. Which is a good thing since Kirsten Stewart as Snow White cries out for a refund from minute one.

To be fair, her English accent is spot on and deserves kudos, as do her stunning two front teeth, which we see in every single scene. Aside from that, Bella failed to entice. Entice? I was barely kept conscious much less titillated in any way, and sandwiched between Charlize Theron’s non-stop solo lust fest and Chris Hemsworth’s strangely compelling Scot growl, Stewart was ethereal at best. The kind of ethereal that 14 year olds find, like TOTES tragic and stuff, but the kind that made this particular Studette hope her hymen breaks soon so she can become a reasonable hand drawn facsimile of interesting.

The movie is breathtakingly beautiful, the dwarves are outstanding, the Queen is remarkable. The trade-off is a script that couldn’t have taken more than 45 minutes to write (you’ll recognize a scene so clearly swiped from Lord of the Rings, I hope Peter Jackson got a cheque), and the absolute certainty that Kristen Stewart will never not be Bella. A fair trade if someone else is paying! See it big, it will be a complete waste on a small screen.

Keep studly my friends,
BeeStudette

This Is Why We Do It

Posted on June 18, 2012 by The Studette

This needs to stop:

A 20 year old Indian woman got beheaded by her father because he didn’t like her lifestyle choices. He paraded her head through the village before turning himself in to authorities. The AP story points out the clash of rural Indian morals with modern life.

Even though the Studette website description and home page plainly state what our Studette message and intent is, I still get people who think it’s all about sex or how awesome I am. While I agree with the latter, our real intent is to get conversations started to help change the double standard of acceptable behavior of men compared to how a woman is “supposed” to behave. Women shouldn’t be dead because of their lifestyle choices, ever.

It is very sad commentary that it took me two seconds to find a recent story of atrocity against a woman based on her lifestyle choices. My own encounters with the duplicity of men slut shaming women has been confined to name calling and feeling less of a person. I still have my head. It is our intent and purpose in life to make sure all women keep their heads and use them however they see fit without prejudice.

You can help us in this endeavor by talking to your friends, calling out the double standard when you see or hear it and just being real with yourself and others around you on the subject. We will know we’ve made a difference when a woman can fuck or love whoever she pleases (responsibly, of course. Serial heartbreakers are bad, mmkay?) and no one says one thing against her.

Tell us what you think. What will happen first, equal pay or equal sexual treatment? How long do you think it will be before this site is unnecessary? With all the crazy laws trying to regulate women’s reproductive rights in the United States, we think we’re in it for the long haul. Unfortunately.

Meet My Daughter, Vagina

Posted on June 16, 2012 by The Studette

By now most people have heard of the Michigan House Rep who plainly stated that the lawmakers attention to her vagina was flattering but unwelcome. She got banned for that statement apparently specifically because of the use of the word vagina. You know, the scientific term for “down there” and without which there would be no human life on the planet. That vagina.

Dick is a proper name, right? No one gets their feathers ruffled if you say, “Hello, Dick!!” or “Put that right here, Dick!”. Every time I hear the name Dick, I think of a penis. While it might just me that thinks penis every single time I hear the name Dick, I think we can, nay, should make Vagina a proper name, too. It would take some of the unfamiliarity and apparent icky-ness away from it, not like every human wasn’t actually up in it at some point but you know, some people are sensitive about from whence they came.

I pity the child named Vagina, though. Can you imagine? My daughter would have to tell people why her name is Vagina. “My mother named me Vagina so that it would be as acceptable in society as Dick”. That would suck. Don’t make me name my daughter Vagina. Please.

Video of the vagina incident:

Get Real

Posted on June 13, 2012 by The Studette

Love these bumper sticker messages done by 8th graders based on their three years of sex education with Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. Just goes to show what open communication and real sex talk can do to open your heart and mind.

http://getrealeducation.org/node/835

Get Real

Princess Fancy Pants

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Princess Fancy Pants

A few months ago one of my dearest friends came to me quite excited because she had this guy that I just had to meet. “I can just see you two together, I think you’ll really like him!” said my friend, who, for the purpose of this story, let’s just call Claire, also, because that is her name. Claire told me that he did remodeling and had lost his business due to the downed economy but was still doing work for private individuals around the community. Although the “downed economy” bottomed in 2008, some 4 years ago, I have known men that work in that field and it can be quite sustainable. So I agreed. Over the next few months as luck would have it, we kept just missing each other. “Oh,” Claire would say, “You just missed him. Or “He came in right after you left the other day.” Finally one day at a public luncheon, Claire brings this somewhat rugged looking man over and introduces us. He takes a seat next to me and proceeds to say… absolutely nothing. Being the outgoing girl that I am, I strike up conversation in which he reply’s in answers containing only a single word. “Hmmm” I think, “Maybe he’s just a little nervous.” So as I’m preparing to leave I mention that perhaps we should catch a movie or something sometime, to which he elegantly answers “Sure”.
Claire had also arranged a group beach day for us the following day but we were unfortunately rained out. So the following weekend I send an email (by now we are, of course, Facebook friends, being modern people living in modern times) inviting him to join me for a movie later on that day. Show time comes and goes with no response. I enjoy the movie. Afterwards, I call Claire to let her know that I had made a valiant attempt based on her recommendation but to no avail. “Yeah,” said Claire “He came into the store and said he didn’t get the message until later but it’s probably because he doesn’t have a car.”
Now reader, I swear to you, I literally heard brakes squealing. Alarms were going off; horns were blowing lights were flashing red, yellow, orange as if I were flying through a railroad crossing undergoing heavy construction. All this was happening… inside of my head.
“He doesn’t have a car?” I asked in a slow, astonished and deliberate manner, quite similar to the way one might say- “They cut his what off?” “Yeah, he doesn’t have a car, I’m sure I told you that.” “No, no Claire you didn’t tell me that. I would have remembered if you had told me that.” I should mention that I live in a somewhat small town. There are only 2 options for affordable public transportation, and they are Payless and The Footlocker at the mall. “Well,” Claire explained, “He has a car, it’s just broke down.” After taking a deep cleansing breath I asked in the same slow deliberate way, “How long has his car been broken down?” “Oh, I don’t know, a couple months.” Claire says nonchalantly. I took another deep, slow breath “A couple as in 2 or a couple as in 4? You tried to set me up with a guy that doesn’t have a Job OR A CAR?” My voice was now hitting octaves slightly above normal speech. “I told you, he has a car, it’s just not running.” My friend’s response was now laced with a hint of resentment. “Claire, a broken down beater rusting in the back yard DOES NOT constitute transportation!” Claire said “Well, I didn’t realize you were so fancy”
“FANCY?” I cleared another few octaves. “I don’t think expecting a man to have a job and a car makes me fancy. Claire I only have 3 requirements in a man, they must have a job, a car and teeth. I don’t think that makes me fancy, uppity or high falootin.” Claire was now clearly offended. “Fine then, just forget it Princess Fancy Pants.”

Now, the problem with this is that my beautiful friend Claire, is not the first of my friends to do such a thing, making me question, is it me? Do I present myself as someone who has searched the world over passing up doctors, lawyers, and garbage collectors looking for that perfect unemployed, unstructured, uninspired, demotivated couch Adonis? Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not opposed to my friends introducing me to men, as a matter of fact a few have turned out quite nicely. But let’s just use our heads about this, if it’s not someone you would go out with, why in hell would you fix them up with your friend? Don’t you think that I can attract an abundant amount of men just like this one on my own without my friends going out, rounding them up and driving them back to me like some weekend cow poke wrangling at a dude ranch? Is it really such a sad thing to choose to have no man in my life rather than the wrong man in my life? I say; it’s not fancy, it’s having standards, and not very high ones at that. It’s not as if we live in some bygone era where a woman’s survival depends completely on a man. I live in the modern day and I traded my butter churn and weaver’s loom in years ago for a money market account and a 401k. Even if this had occurred at some other point of antiquity, shouldn’t they at least have a chicken or goat to offer my poor father the Miller? Well, I’ll leave it up to you reader, if you feel that expecting a man to have at least one stinking goat is expecting too much, well than I guess I truly am; Princess Fancy Pants

In Claire’s defense, the man did have teeth