Discussion
  • Read More
    IronMaidenForm now with electrolytesErin Gloria Ryan
    4/02/14 7:13pm

    Despite the somewhat persistent idea that Midwesterners are all good ol' boy assbackward rednecks and we have cattle in our streets, it's long been the home of a lot of good, progressive people (which state had equal marriage first, Iowa or California? Hint: not California). It also has its share of morons (see: most of Kansas).

    Despite the fucknuttery, my take-aways are: this kid won with this material and the TV station stood up for him to read what he damn well wanted ... and the chucklenuts lost.

    The weather in the Midwest does suck, though. That's why I moved.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      the_cranksterIronMaidenForm now with electrolytes
      4/02/14 7:52pm

      Kansan who moved to Nebraska here to say ... most does not equal all. Preach.

      It'll likely be the weather that finally kicks me out, too.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      teaforthreeIronMaidenForm now with electrolytes
      4/02/14 9:41pm

      Wait. I of course know that there are progressives in the Midwest...but do you actually have cattle in the streets? Not all the time but occasionally? Because I would love to see that.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    WittynameErin Gloria Ryan
    4/02/14 6:47pm

    If I were going to start my own country I would make an addition to the constitution that would prohibit the government from restricting speech based on content. In fact I think that's so important if make it like the number one addition.

    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      OedipusWrecksWittyname
      4/02/14 7:53pm

      I know you're being ironic, but it looks like the NSAA is a private organization. It's a "non-profit organization of public and private state high schools," so it's not subject to the First Amendment.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      WittynameOedipusWrecks
      4/02/14 7:55pm

      True but the article says it was an agreement the NSAA came to with the students high school. Public high school.

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    Avada Yo MamaErin Gloria Ryan
    4/02/14 6:33pm
    It's a speech contest...but they don't write their own speeches? Is this common?
    Reply
    <
    • Read More
      lucy pevensieAvada Yo Mama
      4/02/14 6:44pm

      My understanding is that high school forensics competitions involve different categories, some of which involve presenting your own original speech and others that involve interpreting a pre-existing one.

      Reply
      <
    • Read More
      rockoutwithyourbockoutAvada Yo Mama
      4/02/14 7:32pm

      Poetry and/or "drama" events are common in forensics competitions. My sister was a multiple time national finalist in Congress (the most recognized event, perhaps) but she also was a top competitor at the state level in "drama".

      Reply
      <
  • Read More
    versusunicornErin Gloria Ryan
    4/02/14 11:29pm

    No one was giving a fuck about Macklemore. In fact, there was no report in our state about that. Just the Andrea Gibson piece.

    Reply
    <