Conceptions of gender, distinct from the concept of biological sex, vary from culture to culture, complicating the relationship between the two.

A good way to think about the distinction is to use the terms femininity and masculinity in reference to gender, but female and male in reference to biological sex.

Gender is much more culturally embedded. It has to do with how society interprets what you’re doing.   more »

In the typical American prison, designed and run to maximize degradation, brutalization, and punishment, overt torture is the norm.

Beatings, electric shock, prolonged exposure to heat and even immersion in scalding water, sodomy with riot batons, nightsticks, flashlights, and broom handles.

Shackled prisoners forced to lie in their own excrement for hours or even days, months of solitary confinement, rape and murder by guards or prisoners instructed by guards--all are everyday occurrences in the American prison system.

The use of sex and sexual humiliation as torture in Abu Ghraib and the other American prisons in Iraq is endemic to the American prison.   more »

McCain's reasoning is very similar to those of most other conservatives.

They believe that "Terrorism" is an extreme interpretation of Islam and committed by people who are inherently "evil" and whose sole purpose is to cause America harm, because we're "the greatest country" on earth.

"They hate us for our freedoms," we're told. And because they are evil, American military action and occupation in the name of annihilating the evil would have the support of the people around the world and cause no anger by indigenous populations.

They attribute all of the violence in Iraq to Al Qaeda, which nicely fits into these conservatives' narrative.

Based on this analysis, McCain would argue that America's staying infinitely in the heart of Arabia would cause no anger or resentment and can lead to the consequent pacification and ultimate neutralization of and domination over the people of Iraq.   more »

If the Democrats manage to take the White House even without appealing to or inspiring true progressives or radicals, but merely counting on that constituency's unwavering hatred for Republicans, they will be that much less beholden to the progressive social movements they ignored while campaigning.

Having placed no demands on the candidates, the most leftists will be able to hope for is that the next president will be somehow better than George W. Bush – not a tall order, and one the Democrats are glad to fill.

But since neither of the Democratic nominees who are still in the running is particularly progressive, why not make some demands on the Democrats now, with an attendant threat to boycott the elections if a more-progressive platform is not adopted.

Sure, maybe the Dems will simply ignore the small portion of their base that is truly on the Left, but maybe making such demands will increase that portion and raise important issues in the meantime?   more »

CONCORD, NH - When local residents first got word that Barack Obama was coming to town, they were jubilant.

Certainly the arrival would be good for the city, but moreover it hinted that the highly reputable Obama franchise saw something in this sleepy New England town that perhaps they hadn't seen themselves.

But now, with an Obamas on nearly every street corner and even more on the way, the mood toward the popular national chain is beginning to sour.

The rapid expansion is spiraling out of control, and it seems that some folks are starting to resent the creeping ubiquity of the Obama brand.   more »