I have decided to blog about religion and politics separately from my Destined for Banality blog. I'd like to give my readers a choice on whether they want to take the chance of being offended by my sometimes vitriolic rants on these taboo topics.
Here is the heroic Rachel Maddow taking on the slimy Tim Phillips of Americans for Prosperity, a supposedly grass roots organization. This is why the ratings of Meet the Press have been so high the two times Rachel appeared on the panel.
It's refreshing to see a smart person on TV; especially a smart woman, who has the facts on her side, and is not afraid to take down the corporate shills. These are the same con men, who used to be run out of town on a rail. They have been running this country into the ground for years now, and yet they claim to be the true patriots. The real Americans. There is a lot of raping and pillaging in America's history and the Republicans are your poster boys for carrying on that tradition.
At last Hollywood is standing up for a real American value: profit. Why should rich CEOs give up their weekend retreat in the Cayman islands, or hire actual Americans to clean their houses, rather than a slew of illegal immigrants? It's just not fair!
Sometimes it's hard to comment on the insanity of the lunatic fringe. What is even more maddening is the coverage this psychotic minority gets from our mainstream media. Their exposure gives the impression that a.) there are more of them than than us. And b.) that they have legitimate complaints. Is there anyone beside the frothing few that believe that somehow President Obama was intending to indoctrinate schoolchildren by urging them to pay attention and stay in school? And yet the "news" media give the vocal few -- who have an unusual fear of black people, and liberals -- equal time to spew their demented views. Actually, these folks on the lunatic fringe seem to get a larger share of the "news" time. I cannot recall the critics of the Bush regime getting as much airtime. Anti-war protests were consistently ignored by the corporate media, and the attempt to prosecute war crimes (that were without a doubt committed by the previous administration) are labeled as efforts by radical leftists.
And now a post-rant music video. Please enjoy, and remember to tip your waitresses.
I'm excited to announce that I am registered to attend this year's Freedom From Religion convention, which is taking place in Seattle. I started attending two years ago, and vowed that I would make it a yearly ritual. The first convention was in Madison, Wisconsin, where FFRF has their headquarters. Last year it was held in Chicago. Thankfully, due to economics and my personal transitions of late, I'm glad it's being held in my hometown this year. A few of this year's featured speakers include Ron Reagan, a self-described "unabashed atheist" and resident of Seattle; Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of Doubt: A History; and former Los Angeles Times religion reporter William Lobdell, whose new memoir is entitled Losing My Religion. Lobdell will be receiving this year's “Emperor Has No Clothes” Award. Also appearing will be the science fiction and fantasy legend Ursula Le Guin, who will also receive an “Emperor Has No Clothes” Award. I have hardcover copies of the books by Hecht and Lobdell that I plan on getting signed, and I'm hoping that I can get my copy of Le Guin's translation of the Tao te Ching signed.
Religious folks claim to be inspired by the fantasies they are told while in church, but I can state that I have been greatly inspired by being in a crowd of people, who are able to think for themselves and place reason above superstition. We're not a bunch of haters either, because FFRF has honored people of faith who have worked to keep church and state separate. The biggest haters I have witness are those who claim to be children of God (their capitalization), when they urge the stoning of heretics, gays, adulterers, and many others. It's their way or the highway to hell.
All of these loud ignorant buffoons that are out there protesting government takeover of health care are not the majority. They are just the proverbial squeaky wheel. I have a revision to that old saying though: The squeaky wheel should be immediately removed and thrown into the nearest ditch. I saw a group of these pseudo-patriots over the weekend, standing on a corner with their flags waving. I'm assuming that the flags indicate that they believe that they are the real and true Americans. If you believe in a corporate controlled America, and want to do all you can to protect those capitalist pigs, who have been destroying our country, then maybe you can call yourself a true American®. I prefer to think of myself as an individual and a freethinker. Let the masses follow their corporate leaders right into the sea like the lemmings they are. (Of course, this is an insult to actual lemmings.)
Anyone who checks in on this blog may notice that I've been absent for a while. This blog was much busier during the presidential election, but once the smoke had cleared from that event I was a little burnt-out on politics. I still have a lot to say about politics and religion, but since my time is somewhat limited these days (no...I'm not one of those pyjama-clad bloggers, who still lives in his mother's basement.) when I do have a free half-hour or so I tend to update my destined for banality blog. That was my original blog that kind of grew out of my old web site with the same name. I always have good intentions, including posting movie and book reviews, but most of the time I just blog about mundane everyday aspects of my life. If I was blessed with a 48-hour day I would certainly post my rant-like thoughts on subjects like Sarah Palin, John Ensign and his connection with "The Family" Christian fellowship in D.C., Governor Sanford's "hiking the Appalachian Trail" story, and so forth. There is always a abundance of material when it comes to the wacky world of politics and religion, but I have found myself quite busy with my own summer of transitions. I'm not ready to give up on this blog yet though. I'll be back with my venomous rantings at some point in the future.
Oh that YouTube! Look what I found there: Penn & Teller on the "Bible." This video features Michael Shermer of the Skeptic. Would you like some cheese with your sacrilege?
I found this on one of my favorite blogs, Stupid Evil Bastard, and he found it at Friendly Atheist. It has taken me a couple of months to actually complete the list and post it, but here are my results. How serious do you take your atheism? Let’s find out. Copy and paste the list below on your own site, boldfacing the things you’ve done. (Feel free to add your own elaboration and commentary to each item!)
1. Participated in the Blasphemy Challenge. 2. Met at least one of the “Four Horsemen” (Richard Dawkins,Daniel Dennett,Christopher Hitchens,Sam Harris,) in person. - I have met both Daniel Dennett and Christopher Hitchens at the last two FFRF conventions that I attended. 3. Created an atheist blog. - I am going to count my blog taboo-topics as an “atheist blog,” since I created it specifically to rant against religion & politics. 4. Used the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a religious debate with someone. 5. Gotten offended when someone called you an agnostic. - I actually prefer the term agnostic over atheist, but “freethinker” is my favorite term for our ilk. 6. Been unable to watch Growing Pains reruns because of Kirk Cameron. - I never watched Growing Pains, because it just seemed like another ridiculous family sit-com. Even if Kirk Cameron was a Satanist I wouldn’t watch it. 7. Own more Bibles than most Christians you know. - This is true. And I do not know many Christians that actually read the bible either. I think that they prefer to have it interpreted for them. 8. Have at least one Bible with your personal annotations regarding contradictions, disturbing parts, etc. 9. Have come out as an atheist to your family. - I’ve told my parents after attending two Freedom From Religion conventions. If my family actually took the time to read my blog then it would be obvious to them. 10. Attended a campus or off-campus atheist gathering. - I have periodically attended the popular Seattle Atheists Meetup. 11. Are a member of an organized atheist/Humanist/etc. organization. - I am a proud member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. 12. Had a Humanist wedding ceremony. - Our ceremony was performed by a local justice of the peace, and there were no religious elements. It was also attended by my atheist in-laws. 13. Donated money to an atheist organization. - Besides being a member of FFRF I have donated money to their legal efforts. 14. Have a bookshelf dedicated solely to Richard Dawkins. - I cannot say that Dawkins has his own shelf in my library, but I do have a couple of shelves dedicated to his and other atheist writings. 15. Lost the friendship of someone you know because of your non-theism. 16. Tried to argue or have a discussion with someone who stopped you on the street to proselytize. 17. Had to hide your atheist beliefs on a first date because you didn’t want to scare him/her away. - Actually, my first date with my wife was at a religious themed restaurant (I mistakenly thought it was vegetarian), where she proudly announced that she was an atheist (besides being a vegetarian.) At the time I hadn’t quite rid myself of Christian beliefs. 18. Own a stockpile of atheist paraphernalia (bumper stickers, buttons, shirts, etc). - I wouldn’t say that I own a “stockpile,” but I have a few items. 19. Attended a protest that involved religion. 20. Attended an atheist conference. - I have attended the annual FFRF conference for the last two years, and I plan to make it an annual event. This year it will be in Seattle, so I can save on travel costs. 21. Subscribe to Pat Condell’s YouTube channel. - I have heard the name, but have yet to check out his work. 22. Started an atheist group in your area or school. 23. Successfully “de-converted” someone to atheism. 24. Have already made plans to donate your body to science after you die. - I have been entertaining the idea. Recently our county decided to charge an extra fee for folks who choose to be cremated. That’s just wrong. I was planning on giving any surviving family member the pleasure of scattering my ashes illegally in some state park, so I’m still thinking about the “donating the body” idea. 25. Told someone you’re an atheist only because you wanted to see the person’s reaction. 26. Had to think twice before screaming “Oh God!” during sex. Or you said something else in its place. 27. Lost a job because of your atheism. 28. Formed a bond with someone specifically because of your mutual atheism (meeting this person at a local gathering or conference doesn’t count). 29. Have crossed “In God We Trust” off of — or put a pro-church-state-separation stamp on — dollar bills. 30. Refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. 31. Said “Gesundheit!” (or nothing at all) after someone sneezed because you didn’t want to say “Bless you!” 32. Have ever chosen not to clasp your hands together out of fear someone might think you’re praying. 33. Have turned on Christian TV because you needed something entertaining to watch. - I don’t watch Christian TV as much as I used to, but once in a while I still tune it in for the entertainment. I used to love watching Kathryn Kuhlman, while getting “baked” with friends. She seemed to be on heavier drugs than we were. Now that was entertainment! 34. Are a 2nd or 3rd (or more) generation atheist. 35. Have “atheism” listed on your Facebook or dating profile — and not a euphemistic variant. 36. Attended an atheist’s funeral (i.e. a non-religious service). 37. Subscribe to an freethought magazine (e.g. Free Inquiry, Skeptic) - I haven’t subscribed yet, but I buy Free Inquiry, Skeptic, and Skeptical Inquirer Religiously(?!), so I’m going to say yes. 38. Have been interviewed by a reporter because of your atheism. 39. Written a letter-to-the-editor about an issue related to your non-belief in God. 40. Gave a friend or acquaintance a New Atheist book as a gift. 41. Wear pro-atheist clothing in public. - I have an atheist shirt with the logo in the style of the Oakland Athletics, which I wear periodically. But I am conscious of where I will be wearing it on that day. 42. Have invited Mormons/Jehovah’s Witnesses into your house specifically because you wanted to argue with them. - I haven’t wanted to argue, but I’m planning on buying some nontracts from FFRF to give them when they arrive with their brochures. 43. Have been physically threatened (or beaten up) because you didn’t believe in God. 44. Receive Google Alerts on “atheism” (or variants). 45. Received fewer Christmas presents than expected because people assumed you didn’t celebrate it. - My wife and her atheist parents are always very generous at Christmastime. 46. Visited The Creation Museum or saw Ben Stein’s Expelled just so you could keep tabs on the “enemy.” - I would like to visit the Creation Museum just for the laughs, but I don’t think I could stomach watching Expelled. 47. Refuse to tell anyone what your “sign” is… because it doesn’t matter at all. 48. Are on a mailing list for a Christian organization just so you can see what they’re up to… 49. Have kept your eyes open while you watched others around you pray. 50. Avoid even Unitarian churches because they’re too close to religion for you. - I still do not understand attendance of Unitarian churches among freethinkers. I think maybe they miss the rituals and social aspects of churchgoing. To me it is still a church, and I relate churches to religiosity, so I’ll abstain.
I scored 12 out of 50, which I guess means that I am not a "hardcore atheist." I'm okay with that. About the only thing I'm hardcore about these days is parenting. Everything else takes second place.
There were some wonderful moments from our president today, which I just don't have time to write about tonight. But I just had to pass on this video, which I saw on the Political Carnival today. This opinion piece speaks to the recent admission by Michael Phelps that, yes, he had smoked pot last fall at a party.
It is high time (no pun intended) for this country to enact sensible laws when it comes to marijuana usage. The results have long been in that tobacco and alcohol are fast more dangerous to one's personal health, and the public, than marijuana. Prohibition did not work when it came to alcohol, and it has not worked with marijuana usage. Let us end the senseless "drug war" and put those resources towards more important issues.
The drug addled persona known as Rush Limbaugh has gotten a lot of publicity lately, and I'm guessing that is just what his colossal ego craves. I hate to add to that publicity, but I was struck by one of many asinine comments he makes. This one was from his radio show a few years back, and it was brought to my attention today by digby's blog. Here it is:
LIMBAUGH: I mean, if there is a party that's soulless, it's the Democratic Party. If there are people by definition who are soulless, it is liberals -- by definition. You know, souls come from God. You know? No. No. You can't go there.
So Rush says that souls come from God. I do not think he has any idea what he is spewing. Rush dropped out of college. He avoided the draft during the Vietnam war due to an anal cyst. I think I could surmise by his above comments that his anal cyst is alive and well, and does most of his pontificating for him. Rush does not have a degree in Philosophy, so he is in no way an authority on "the soul." Some have said that the soul and the mind are the same thing: the collection of life experiences and memories that make us who we are. Our memories and past deeds comprise our personality. If this is a better definition of soul than I would state without hesitation that Limbaugh's soul is what kept him out of the Vietnam war. Call it an anal cyst, or his soul, it still amounts to a festering pustule. For more evidence that this radio personality has a soul that reeks, here are some links I gleaned from Bob Cesca's blog today:
And he is calling who soulless? But never mind the soul. Its very existence is debatable. What is known to exist in most human beings is a backbone, but that element of the anatomy seems to be in short supply with the Republicans lately when they are taking their marching orders from a drug addled, overweight festering pustule, who still thinks that radio is hip.
If anyone wonders whether President Obama will be pushed around by the cranky repugs, then take a look at this interview from the campaign trail. I love how he says it with a smile.
This is for those who may have been taken aback by quote from Obama the other day when he responded to whiny Republicans with the simple declarative sentence, "I won."
Earlier in the week I was greeting with this headline on the NY Times online edition: More Americans Joining Military as Jobs Dwindle. The second paragraph: The last fiscal year was a banner one for the military, with all active-duty and reserve forces meeting or exceeding their recruitment goals for the first time since 2004, the year that violence in Iraq intensified drastically, Pentagon officials said. BushCo almost couldn't have planned it better. Sink the economy into the toilet and we'll get all the volunteers we need for our War on Terror. I can hear them now: "Draft? We don't need no stinkin' draft!" I was probably one of those lone liberals, who thought a draft was a good idea. I get tired of all these (mainly) right-wing goobers exhorting war from the sidelines, and never having to put their own lives on the line. I joined the US Air Force when I was seventeen, and once in the military system I was able to gain a more educated view on the reality of the chain of command, nuclear weapons and so forth. I realized very quickly that most young people join, because their job, or educational prospects at home are slim to none. Most folks re-enlist, because it means healthcare and housing for their family. I have complete sympathy and support for the men and women of the armed services, because I am a veteran. I can also state unequivocally that there are plenty of liberally minded, sane people in the military, and that they are ecstatic that Barack Obama is now their commander in chief. He has already shown more empathy and support for active duty and military personnel than Bush ever did.
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I guess we are in for at least four years of intense whining from the conservative side of the political map now. A conservative friend of mine stated early in the campaign that he hoped the Democrats would win, so that he would have a chance to complain. But it's not like they ever stop complaining, even when they are in power. They complain about affirmative action, access to healthcare for all, liberal media bias (even though most of the media is owned by a mere few corporations), the threat to gun ownership and on and on. We have drug-addled Rush Limbaugh hoping Obama will fail. We have Sean Hannity blaming the recent encounter between a flock of Canadian Geese and a US Airways flight on Sen. Chuck Schumer. And we have Laura Ingraham stating that we are now less safe than we were on January 19th thanks to Barack Obama's executive orders to close down Guantanamo and to cease all torture tactics. I almost feel a little sympathy for these folks . . . almost. Either they are delusional and believe that the show 24 is a documentary; or they are going to fight to their dying breath to maintain their lavish lifestyles that they have acquired by duping the public for so long, using code words like "small business" and "tax cuts." Every time some Republican hack mentions the need to protect small businesses I actually throw up a little into my mouth. You know those burps that remind you how easy it would be to blow lunch spontaneously? The powerful elite of the right wing had their way for the last eight years and look at the position they have left our country in. Now they are trying to rewrite history, claiming that George W. Bush inherited a recession (a lie), and that no one could have foreseen the attacks of 9/11, or the levee breeches in New Orleans, or the recent economic meltdown on Wall Street. They had control of the wheel, but now they want to claim that they were actually in the back seat sleeping while the world went to shit. One recent whack job on Fox actually claimed that Bush inherited the 9/11 attacks! To call them delusional is being kind.
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Today I was prompted to write a letter to the National Right to Life Committee. I caught part of their news conference at the National Press Club yesterday, on the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. More than a few times members of this committee referred to Barack Obama as "pro abortion." I just had write them a letter and call them out for that lie and insult to our 44th president. Barack Obama has specifically stated during his campaign that he would work to reduce the number of abortions and unwanted pregnancies in our country, so calling him "pro abortion" is just more right-wing nuttery. I do not know of any sane person, who is "pro abortion." But I side with those rational people, who believe that a woman has a right to choose what to do with her own body. Hell, even Sarah Palin believes in the right to choose! Remember during the campaign when she proudly exclaimed how her daughter Bristol chose to keep her baby? How do these right-to-lifers expect to ever have a reasonable dialogue about these important issues when they are too willing to hurl insults and lies? How do they expect us to believe that they value life when they drive an SUV into a women's clinic? If they really value life I want to see them protesting the death penalty, and the attacks on innocent children hiding in UN refuges in Gaza. I want to see them vociferously denounce the US attack on Iraq that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians. If they really believe that abortion is murder than I would like to see them take their god out of the equation. If you can prove to me that the six week old fetus is a sentient being than I will start to listen to your arguments. Otherwise, you just come off as religious nuts trying to push your antiquated beliefs on a sane and rational public.
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And now a few facts about George W. Bush's legacy:
Yes, it's still sinking in. My fellow citizens, nearly 70 million of them, finally voted for an intelligent leader with genuine compassion and concern for his country. I turned on MSNBC this morning just in time to see Barack Obama being sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. It was a beautiful moment. Everything else that followed -- the parade and various balls -- were just icing on the cake. I am so happy that my son with grow up looking to Barack Obama as our country's leader. My son happens to be of mixed race heritage, which makes this momentous occasion that much more special. Our country, after 8 dark years, can once again (or maybe finally) start living up to its values; walking the walk, so to speak.
One of my favorite moments from the election was the announcement on Comedy Central's Indecision 2008, when Stephen Colbert momentarily broke character to wipe the tears of joy from his eyes.
It is heartening to see the pundits and miscellaneous talking heads also being caught up in the joy of this historic moment in our collective history. Even the irascible right-winger Pat Buchanan was quoting Barack Obama's speech at length today and gushing. Another highlight today was Al Roker's reaction when the President and the First Lady walked past him at the head of the inaugural parade. Take a look at this:
I was tearing up again just now, as I watched the ebullient weatherman from NBC as he reacted to Obama's recognition of him during the parade.
Let us carry this joy and sense of purpose forward as we remake America with a sense of justice and true compassion for all, at home and abroad. After having a president rule by spreading fear for the last 8 years, it will be refreshing to have a president who is so adept at inspiring hope, and motivating us to enact true change for the better.
Even mainstream news hacks like Rick Sanchez are tired of the spectacle known as "Joe the Plumber." If you hadn't heard: "Joe" is now a war correspondent covering the Gaza crisis for some web site known as "pajama TV." (My guess would be that the "pajama TV" refers to all those slovenly right wing bloggers living in their parents' basement, who are still in their pajamas.) Here is Rick Sanchez given "Joe" what for, based on Wurzelbacher's recent "reporting" from Israel.
