In the News

Here is some stuff in the news today...

[Content Note: War on agency; hostility to consent and agency; misogyny; transphobia; homophobia; self-harm] My friend Katie Klabusich writes a letter to Republican Indiana Governor Mike Pence: "Dear Governor Pence, I'm Revoking Your 'Pro-life' Card." Fuck yes. Co-signed.

[CN: Misogyny] "Five key members of the United States women's national soccer team, the reigning World Cup and Olympic champion, have filed a federal complaint charging U.S. Soccer with wage discrimination. In the filing, the five players contend that the women's team is the driving economic force for U.S. Soccer, the governing body for the sport in America, even as its players are paid far less than their counterparts on the men's national team, said their lawyer, Jeffrey Kessler. The players involved in the complaint are among the most prominent and decorated female athletes in the world: the co-captains Carli Lloyd and Becky Sauerbrunn, forward Alex Morgan, midfielder Megan Rapinoe, and goalkeeper Hope Solo. In their complaint—which was submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency that enforces civil rights laws against workplace discrimination, on Wednesday—the players requested an investigation of U.S. Soccer. But in taking official action, they also thrust their team into a debate roiling in several sports, notably professional tennis, about equal pay for men and women. 'We have been quite patient over the years with the belief that the federation would do the right thing and compensate us fairly,' Lloyd, the most valuable player of last year's Women's World Cup, said in a statement released by the players and Kessler." And then they realized that their patience would continue to be exploited indefinitely by the federation. Good for them.

[CN: Police brutality] Fucking hell: "In Daniel Shaver's final moments, he was heard pleading for his life—sobbing and saying to police officers, 'Please don't shoot me.' Shortly afterward, Shaver was shot and killed by one of them, according to an investigation report from the Mesa Police Department. In January, authorities said former officer Philip 'Mitch' Brailsford fatally shot Shaver after responding to a call about a suspect with a gun. He has been charged with second-degree murder and fired from the force. On Tuesday, according to the Arizona Republic, authorities released a report detailing witness testimony as well as audio and video footage from a body camera that suggests an unarmed and intoxicated Shaver was begging to be spared. The report also indicates Brailsford may have had cause for concern as Shaver made a move toward his waistband while approaching police. Authorities said Brailsford then fired five shots." Five shots. I don't even have words, besides offering my sincerest condolences to Shaver's family, friends, and colleagues.

[CN: Police brutality; racism] Goddammit: "Loreal Juana Barnell-Tsingine, 27, was shot and killed by police on Sunday (March 27). Her family says the Navajo woman, who allegedly threatened an officer with a weapon, was armed only with a pair of scissors. 'There are no words to describe the pain in our hearts,' her family said in a statement to Indian Country Today Media Network (ICTMN). A police officer in Winslow, Arizona, shot Tsingine after being summoned to Circle K for a shoplifting call. Officers found her a few blocks from the store and say that she struggled when they attempted to arrest her. 'While attempting to take the subject into custody, a struggle ensued,' the Winslow Police Department said in a press release. 'At this time, the subject displayed a weapon which presented a substantial threat to the officer. The officer discharged his weapon resulting in the unfortunate death.'" The officer who killed Barnell-Tsingine has been put on administrative leave during the investigation.

Welp: "A Lambda Legal review of all 359 opinions authored or co-authored by Merrick Garland, President Obama's nominee to the U.S. Supreme Court, has concluded the judge does not have enough of a record to suggest how he would approach any LGBT-related issues. Lambda Legal also considered other decisions in which Merrick participated involving LGBT issues, 'employment discrimination, reproductive rights, voting rights, criminal justice, rights of detainees, fair courts, or constitutional rights of equal protection, liberty, free speech, or religious exercise.' The civil rights organization's review did not find any specific reasons why Garland should be disqualified but have urged the U.S. Senate to 'do its job and hold hearings on his nomination.'" Do. Your. Job.

[CN: Misogyny] Page Six has all the important and totally fair and not-sexist campaign coverage: "Hillary Clinton's $600 haircut ties up traffic." Fuck you.

RIP Dame Zaha Hadid, "the world-renowned architect whose designs include the London Olympic aquatic centre, has died aged 65. The British designer, who was born in Iraq, had a heart attack on Thursday while in hospital in Miami, where she was being treated for bronchitis. Hadid's buildings have been commissioned around the world and she was the first woman to receive the Royal Institute of British Architects gold medal."

Chris Hemsworth, feminist: "'Oh yeah, for sure,' nods Chris Hemsworth when asked if he considers himself a feminist. 'My mum's a big feminist. I think that my views on things, as far as respect for women and so on, came from my mum. My dad has a very balanced and respectful view on a lot of things too. They were huge positive influences in my life.'"

[CN: Disablist language] Oh dear, lolsob: "Shoddy infrastructure has become a roadblock to the development of self-driving cars, vexing engineers and adding time and cost. Poor markings and uneven signage on the 3 million miles of paved roads in the United States are forcing automakers to develop more sophisticated sensors and maps to compensate, industry executives say."

And finally! All the blubs foreverrrr: "Rocky, a 17-year-old stray dog, has been in and out in a shelter since 2012. His golden years didn't seem promising until a young couple arrived at his shelter. They went there to donate but then they saw Rocky. The couple adopted him immediately. ...'I knew one day I am going to have to say goodbye to you. But until then you are the best gift I have ever gotten and I'm really sad I couldn't give you the best 17 years you deserved but I promise you'll have a great life from now to the day I have to say goodbye!'" ♥