WATCH: Bill Maher Takes On Bachmann, Palin, Sexism & Jesus

via Comedy on HuffingtonPost.com by Carol Hartsell on 7/17/11

One thing is abundantly clear: Bill Maher is not afraid of offending you.

Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin are an interesting force in American politics. They are the Republicans progressives love to not take seriously at all. They are also the ones that "people who know" say you shouldn't underestimate. But more importantly, perhaps, they afford conservatives the unique opportunity to call liberals sexist.

Case in point: Bill Maher has been called out -- by both the left and the right -- for referring to Sarah Palin with a sexist epithet during one of his comedy shows. That incident has been used by conservative commentators as evidence that liberals real beef with both Palin and Bachmann has to do with their being women, not terrible candidates.

But in true Maher fashion, the "Real Time" host responded to the critiques by taking those sexist claims and raising them an "inbred weirdo" and a shot at Jesus and the entire Christian faith. Because you can't fight fire without gasoline, obviously.

So what do you think? Does Maher have a point here?

WATCH:



Relationship Advice: How To Avoid Fighting Over Salaries

via Ask Dan and Jennifer by Andrew Wang on 7/12/11

Good relationship advice will tell you that money problems are the worst to have – most divorces are caused by them. Stop fighting over this before it starts.

Not a lot of people talk about it, but it can feel pretty bad when your partner makes more than you do. Though stereotypically it’s the man who gets upset to discover his girlfriend out earns him, the envy can go both ways. It’s particularly tough if you’re competitive by nature or happen to work in the same field.

Things can be even worse if you suddenly find yourself unemployed, while your partner continues to succeed in their job. With the way the economy has been going, this problem is more commonplace than ever. So what can you do to get rid of some of the awkwardness and animosity? Whether you’re the one who’s broke or the one who just got the big raise, there is lots of relationship advice to make your wage gap less problematic.

If Your Salary Is Greater

If you’re the one who’s doing well, you need to attempt to be as empathetic as possible. Try not to go on and on if you get a big raise or promotion. You deserve to be happy and you certainly shouldn’t hide it, but one night of celebrating is enough. No need to keep referring to it over and over in front of your S.O. They will still be happy for you, but if they’re having a particularly hard time themselves, they may not fully express it. The truth is that they’re probably feeling not only jealous, but also guilty about that jealousy.

As a result, their congratulations to you may not be as thrilled-sounding as you’d expect. Don’t let this hurt your feelings or diminish your own excitement. Just be aware that the subject is a little touchy. Though you may feel like enjoying some of your hard earned cash by going on more extravagant dates, try not to go overboard. If it’s your turn to treat, you can go somewhere a little pricier than normal, but don’t make a habit of it.

If you typically split the check, be sure to pick a destination with your partner’s budget in mind. It’s likely that you’re partner won’t feel comfortable saying that something is out of their price range, so don’t put them in a position where they have to protest.

If You’re Salary Is Less

On the other end of the equation, if you’re the individual who isn’t making the big bucks, you also need to be able to consider your mate’s feelings. Don’t rain on their parade because you’re feeling bad about yourself. Even if you’ve been out of work for a month, if your sweetie arrives home and informs you he or she was just promoted, let them know how proud you are. Celebrate with them a little. Remind yourself that you want your partner to be happy, and that their successes are your successes as well.

If you really feel like you can’t handle one more minute of hearing them talk about their good fortune, calmly say as much. Simply state that you’ve been feeling down about your own situation. Explain to them that you are happy for them, but you can’t help feeling a little jealous. Then ask them if you can change the topic for awhile, and make sure to do so without any rancor in your voice. As with most relationship issues, honesty is the best policy and good communication is important.

Keep Yourself Grounded

No matter which role you’re currently playing, you need to stay in touch with reality. Remind yourself that you might not always be the one in your current position. If the roles were reversed, how would you want to be treated? Someday they very well may be, and you’ll be counting on your significant other to show you the same respect and love you showed them.

You should also remember that a big salary isn’t everything in life. If you both woke up poor tomorrow, you would still be lucky to have each other. A little career or monetary envy isn’t worth breaking up over. Keep that in mind, and you’ll be able to bridge the gap.

Related articles:

  1. Love, Money, and Sex – Advice for a Lasting Relationship – Dan and Jennifer on Retirement Television (Video)
  2. Relationship Advice: How To Make A Major Decision With Your Partner
  3. Relationship Wisdom From The Most Popular Sex Advice Book
  4. Relationship Problem – Fighting Like Wild Animals?
  5. Relationship Advice: Addressing Your Partner’s Annoying Habits

Top 5 Reasons Not To Cheat

via Ask Dan and Jennifer by He Said/She Said with John & Jenna on 7/13/11

Cheating is almost never a good idea – here are 5 great reasons to avoid cheating on your partner.

What She Said:

  1. I want to honor my vows. “For better or worse” is what I agreed to – and staying faithful means things will stay on “the better” end of the spectrum.
  2. The kids. I don’t have ‘em, but I know a lot of couples that choose to act on the up and up – for themselves as much as an example for their children.
  3. It should be number one, but my favorite reason is simple: love. My husband is my best friend; I’d never do anything to hurt him.
  4. The grass is not always greener! Sure, it’s nice to daydream about that hunk giving you the eye at the grocery store – but he probably isn’t any better than what you have at home. And at least you’ve got that one trained!
  5. Lying corrodes the soul. A good marriage is based on mutual admiration and respect, not deceit.

You don’t have to be married to honor vows. If you’ve agreed, as a couple, to be monogamous that’s enough to remove you from the market.

Monogamy Doesn’t Have To Be Boring

Monogamy doesn’t have to spell monotony. Bet you haven’t heard that one before, but it’s true! Think of ways to keep it hot with the one you’ve already got. Fantasizing is allowed – getting on with Brad Pitt in your mind can be satisfying and save your marriage. A win/win!

Trust & Intimacy Is Rewarding

Building intimacy in the long-term is a great challenge – and a great reward. It takes time to develop. Flirtation is fleeting, but a deep bond can last the rest of your life. Before you think about stepping out of your committed relationship, take a moment to think of the consequences. Trust can be a fragile thing, and once it’s broken it can be difficult to repair. Take stock of what you’ve got.

What He Said:

  1. It’s called technology. It will fuck you, and not in a fun way. Anything you do online is recorded, somewhere. It’s usually not an issue, but when infidelity happens, it’s easier to prove and to nail your ass with.
  2. It’s called the Internet. If you cheat and you piss off your significant other, they can and often will smear your ass all over the Internet. That means any sexy videos or photos you’ve taken, any naughty text messages, anything that can make you look bad to a perspective employer will be put online and will be easily found by perspective employers (who are looking for that kind of thing. Perverts).
  3. The juice is almost always not worth the squeeze. Assuming that you cheat with someone and that sex is the greatest sex ever had in human history, it will still not be worth the hell your fidelity will put all parties through. Your other half is going to rip you a new one, over the course of several years, and then the legal system will reopen those still healing wounds and rip an additional one into the one he/she just ripped into you. It’s not worth it, even if you have some crazy, Justin Timberlake on tour sex.
  4. The Chris Rock rule. Many people violate, what I call “The Chris Rock Rule of Infidelity” which states: the person you cheat on your partner with must be as hot or hotter than your partner. If you bang someone way hotter than your partner, well, at least they can understand on some level. You had a chance with someone way out of your league and you took it. They will be hurt, but they won’t be mad. If you just bang some skank who happens to be willing to do things your partner won’t, well, that’s your ass. She will be way pissed because you banged someone lower on the quality scale than you have waiting for you at home. If you do this, you are an idiot.
  5. Fantasy is not usually the reality. Say you’re a 40 something guy and some hot 19 year old is all up on you and wants it. Bad. Do you really think it will be as good as you imagine? Sure, she’s hot and young, but she’s also young and crazy. She’s going to go apeshit when it’s just sex for you, and even if she doesn’t, it probably won’t live up to your fantasy. How Could it?

Related articles:

  1. Will My Ex-Swinger Husband Cheat On Me? (Video)
  2. Tiger Woods’ Indescretions
  3. Should I Give My Cheating Man Another Chance? (Video)
  4. Q&A: How to Fix A Cheating Partner (Video)
  5. Love, Sex, or Money? The Three Biggest Reasons Couples Fight and How They Can Be Avoided? (Video)

Michele Bachmann Pledges to Ban Porn

via violet blue ® :: open source sex by violet blue on 7/8/11

Michele Bachmann is seen as a strong candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2012 U.S. presidential election. She was the first to sign an ethics pledge for conservative endorsement “The Marriage Vow: A Declaration of Dependence upon MARRIAGE and FAMILY.” Among the vows includes the pledge to ban porn, to operate on the premise that homosexuality is a choice and a public health risk, and with no irony to reject Sharia [Islam] law.

Are these people obsessed with sex or what?

Image of Lily via this gallery.

Sex News: Dan Savage on Colbert, Castration Crime, Dot-XXX, Male Sex Slavery

via violet blue ® :: open source sex by violet blue on 7/14/11

  • Barry Ardolf, 46, repeatedly hacked into his next-door neighbors’ Wi-Fi network in 2009, and used it to try and frame them for child pornography, sexual harassment, various kinds of professional misconduct and to send threatening e-mail to politicians, including Vice President Joe Biden. Wi-Fi–Hacking Neighbor From Hell Sentenced to 18 Years (Wired.com)
  • Sex advice columnist and It Gets Better founder Dan Savage stopped by The Cobert Report to discuss monogamy in marriage. But the best part is when Savage makes Colbert break character at around the 18:20 via a saucy hat tip to three-way sex. Dan Savage Makes Stephen Colbert Break Character (SFist)

  • Have you heard about The Protecting Children from Internet Pornographers Act of 2011? It’s the latest in a l-o-n-g line of just terrible bills proposed to calm (though never quite eliminate) the fears of middle-aged people about what that scary Internet might potentially do to Our Children. Washington Attempts to Make us All Culpable for Online Child Pornography (Reason Magazine)
  • Porn industry leaders held an expert/legal summit with .XXX’s rep as the new TLD readies for launch. The Q&A to form adult’s business plans for .XXX did not go well. The future of vanity TLDs: Porn’s .XXX business plan (Pulp Tech) Manwin, which owns numerous blue-chip online adult franchises, including Brazzers, Twistys, YouPorn and others, said that registration of its domain names without its consent “will constitute a violation of Manwin’s rights.” Manwin Demands ICM Prevent .XXX Exploitation (XBIZ.com)
  • The New York Post’s “scoop” on Dominique Strauss Kahn’s accuser is getting fishier, to the extent that’s possible. The paper appears to have had documentation challenging the reliability of its only source in a story alleging that the accuser had worked as a prostitute. New York Post prostitution story gets shakier (The Washington Post)