'Tis the season for posts of multiple topics with bold headers.

[pauraque_bk]

HP

-Happy birthday, lolaraincoat! I love you and I love your fic! You are all that and a bag of intertextuality.

-I've already spent so much money this month (fucking property taxes) that I almost hesitate to go out and buy the PoA DVD today. Er, almost.

-By the way, there turned out to be 27 characters who have shed tears in the HP series. annecatherine has very helpfully listed every crying scene in the books. She's also done kissing scenes and hugging scenes. Aw.

-TLC: Percy not in GoF
Lame, man. Lame. I realize it's impossible to include everything in the movies, but Chris Rankin is so great that it's a damn shame to leave him out.


Season

keladryb posted a good list of very worthy charities. I was just saying YES in my mind as I read each of her choices.

Here's another thing. Recently Amnesty International called looking for my mom, who was a member. I had to tell them that she passed away and they should take her off their list, and then I was like -- what the fuck, I'LL join your organization. I'd meant to, but hadn't gotten around to it. The rep and I talked for a little while, and she mentioned that what they're trying to do with their current phone drive is to get people to change the way they give. Usually, they call everyone on the list, and some percentage of the people give a big lump sum. But it's far better for them if they can get people to pledge a smaller amount for each month. It means a steadier income, and more of the money goes directly to helping people, rather than paying for phone drives. That's probably equally true for other charities, so it's something to consider.


Politics

-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Now, Santorum's under fire
A couple of Tuesdays back, I talked about the conservative fight against Arlen Specter becoming Judiciary Committee chairman. The other Senator from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum (an extreme social conservative), is failing to fight against Specter, and some of his conservative backers are mad as hell.

A world where Rick Santorum is not conservative enough. Wow.

-CNN: Bush aids Secret Service agent
In which George takes down some Chilean security guards. I am so not kidding.

-angua9, who often has interesting political posts, has a new political blog: Reluctant Warrior.

Comments

[theatresm.livejournal.com]

A world where Rick Santorum is not conservative enough. Wow.

Yup, the world has become a scary, scary place. (To say I waste no love on Santorum is a massive understatement, but I have to admit I'm impressed that he didn't cave, even if it was probably motivated by political self-preservation. You don't mess with Specter, especially if you're a junior senator from PA.)

[meridym.livejournal.com]

A world where Rick Santorum is not conservative enough. Wow.

Santorum has transcended "conservative" and has veered into "creepy."

[pauraque]

I tried to go to his web site to look something up, and as soon as I entered the URL, my computer violently crashed. I think that says it all.

(Okay, so my computer's really screwed up. I still like my explanation.)

[dphearson.livejournal.com]

1. Chris Rankin is so sweet. Argh.

2. Get PoA. What a treat!

3. It is better to give in small amounts, like $10-$20 a month, than a lump sum. You can still deduct as a charitable contribution. That's what I do with OPB (PBS affilate) here.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_hannelore/]

Reading the Bush article, it almost sounds like people getting rowdy at a mosh pit... or maybe he was just feeling a bit like da_governator?

Thank you for the charities links, too. I do love fandom, but this wish list meme thingy has me a little uneasy, I don't know why.

[bardsmaid.livejournal.com]

I sympathize with you on the property taxes. I just paid mine yesterday, and ouch! With another installment due in April. Whoever decided to have property taxes due in the same month as income taxes was heartless.

And go you for joining Amnesty. I'm a member, too.

[lolaraincoat.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's been a splendid birthday. And I'm so glad you're an Amnesty member too, now. What a fine memorial to your mom and her values.

[k2daisy.livejournal.com]

A world where Rick Santorum is not conservative enough. Wow.

Jebus. I'm still gaping over the idea that Specter is considered a moderate now. The the same jackass from the Anita Hill hearings?

Times, they have a-changed.

[jakobaz.livejournal.com]

*walks in*

w00t! More conservatives!

*runs out, dodges tomatoes and knives*

[chresimos.livejournal.com]

Alas, no Percy! I suppose they can get the Weatherby stuff in through the comments of others, though...

And Bush and the SS guy is o_o

Thanks for the links to the hugging/kissing/crying references, too! :)