Short ‘n’ Stubby: Ms. Manx pinks up

Happy Anti-Bullying Day! Ms. Manx may not be wearing pink (unless you count the tip of her nose), but that doesn’t mean she ain’t thinking it. So, here are your pink throughts for the day…

First up, an intriguing history of the gendering of pink (and blue). Did you know that pink used to be recommended for boys, and blue for girls? It’s true! So if anyone tells you that dudes don’t wear pink, send them that link.

The American Academy of Pediatrics takes on a bunch of Christ-killing bullies (who push an anti-gay agenda) and whups the bejeezus out of them.

The Pentagon has finally decided to do something about all the white supremacist bullies entering the military in order to gain weapons and tactical training for the mayhem they plan to unleash against their own country. Took ’em long enough; was Tim McVeigh not a big enough wake-up call for them?

Let us also not forget Norma Scarborough, who, along with Dr. Henry Morgentaler, took on the anti-choice bullies (otherwise known as lawmakers) here in Canada, and won.

All the bluffing and bullying the Catholic church hierarchy is doing right now when it comes to sexual abuse is nothing new to us Canucks. We still remember residential schools and the Mount Cashel orphanage. And we are still not impressed with the way those were handled. The church may as well face facts–it is running out of rugs to sweep things under, and those bulges are getting awfully big!

Have I mentioned yet today how much I love Richard Colvin for taking on the bullies on Parliament Hill when it comes to the Afghanistan torture scandal? They’re trying to sweep him under the rug too, but the man refuses to be swept. And when he sees the broom coming at him, he pushes back.

And what is this “enhanced interrogation” shit of which everybody speaks? It smells like bullying to me. Very, very bad bullying. As does the way soldiers are being treated for speaking out against it.

Also, while we’re at it, what’s up with all these armed nutters making threats? That’s bullying right there!

But not all verbal bullying is so obvious. Some of the worst is very subtle indeed. In fact, it’s more about what’s not being said than about what is. One comforting upshot: the more you try to silence them, the more people talk…and push for the truth.

And here’s another comforting story: Orly Taitz’s birther bullying is being rebuffed, well, everywhere.

Finally, here’s a little song from Tom Petty for all you fighters out there. Make it your motto!

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