Friday, February 10, 2012
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A whole year of news and I've had nothing to say...
Well, I've had a lot to say but I was also drowning in work. I'm still barely recovered from that but, damn! How about the news lately!?
Shootings, cross-hairs, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, mass animal deaths, offensive Golden Globe speeches, DADT repeal...and EGYPT!!
Shootings, cross-hairs, earthquakes, floods, mudslides, mass animal deaths, offensive Golden Globe speeches, DADT repeal...and EGYPT!!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Why you should not take a literal translation...
...of the bible.
I have always been against taking a literal position on the bible because, well, if you know history you know it's been translated a billion times and with each translation the translator may or may not take some "liberties". Well here is a perfect example of that.
Conservative Bible Project.
Is it really a good idea to cling to the words of humans when your intent is to cling to the words of God? In other words, by committing yourself to God you must also commit yourself to education and interpretation based on what you know, not what others would have you believe. If God is within you, listen to him. Not them.
I have always been against taking a literal position on the bible because, well, if you know history you know it's been translated a billion times and with each translation the translator may or may not take some "liberties". Well here is a perfect example of that.
Conservative Bible Project.
Is it really a good idea to cling to the words of humans when your intent is to cling to the words of God? In other words, by committing yourself to God you must also commit yourself to education and interpretation based on what you know, not what others would have you believe. If God is within you, listen to him. Not them.
Friday, September 18, 2009
After healthcare can we focus on education?
Do I laugh, cry, scream? I'm just not sure what to say...
Here's the thing, these people all seem like nice people. They are confused, they've been loyal to a party that has repeatedly lied to them and taken advantage of that loyalty. They have been tricked into thinking that politics and their religious beliefs go hand in hand. They now have no idea who to trust, they have no idea what is the truth and what is a lie because they've been on a path that requires any truth to be confirmed by the bible and if it can't be they dismiss it. They have so many holes in what would be their logical thought patterns that they just don't know what to think anymore. So they turn to Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin to help them know, to help them understand...and what they hear is SCARY. Death panels, commu-facis-socialism. The horror! They have gotten so caught up that they don't seem to realize they are totally wrong. The look on their faces when they are told the truth about Czars, the complete lack of any sort of follow up thoughts to standard talking points they have been taught to spew, the total lack of understanding or desire to understand what is actually happening in this country. It's frightening and it's sad.
75 Percent of Oklahoma High School Students Can't Name the First President of the U.S.
14% of New Jersey Republicans think Obama is the anti-christ
Here's the thing, these people all seem like nice people. They are confused, they've been loyal to a party that has repeatedly lied to them and taken advantage of that loyalty. They have been tricked into thinking that politics and their religious beliefs go hand in hand. They now have no idea who to trust, they have no idea what is the truth and what is a lie because they've been on a path that requires any truth to be confirmed by the bible and if it can't be they dismiss it. They have so many holes in what would be their logical thought patterns that they just don't know what to think anymore. So they turn to Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin to help them know, to help them understand...and what they hear is SCARY. Death panels, commu-facis-socialism. The horror! They have gotten so caught up that they don't seem to realize they are totally wrong. The look on their faces when they are told the truth about Czars, the complete lack of any sort of follow up thoughts to standard talking points they have been taught to spew, the total lack of understanding or desire to understand what is actually happening in this country. It's frightening and it's sad.
75 Percent of Oklahoma High School Students Can't Name the First President of the U.S.
14% of New Jersey Republicans think Obama is the anti-christ
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Free market vs. free market
The free market is a wonderful thing that has brought prosperity to this nation and it works, most of the time. But sometimes it doesn't. There are some things in life that should not be driven by profit. Education, disaster relief, law enforcement, politics, communication and HEALTHCARE. Now, that's not to say that those involved shouldn't be allowed to profit, and might I say that those involved offer the most value to society and therefore should be heavily rewarded. However, the field itself cannot be driven by profit, it must be driven by it's necessity in an orderly, safe and free society.
That is why capitalism at it's core cannot lead all things. I often argue that the best solution never consists of one thing. Capitalism, education, government, individual responsibility--these are all building blocks to a strong society but none are a single solution. It seems as though an intelligent person should be able to understand and I fully believe that if we can put fear, anger and prejudice aside we can all come to the table and figure this out. Is too idealistic of me?
That is why capitalism at it's core cannot lead all things. I often argue that the best solution never consists of one thing. Capitalism, education, government, individual responsibility--these are all building blocks to a strong society but none are a single solution. It seems as though an intelligent person should be able to understand and I fully believe that if we can put fear, anger and prejudice aside we can all come to the table and figure this out. Is too idealistic of me?
Saturday, August 8, 2009
"Fact Free Politics"
That is basically what the "Obama Death Panel" nonsense is, FACT FREE, FACT FREE, FACT FREE, FACT FREE. It has become unconscionable, unintelligent, unproductive and just plain despicable. The health care debate is a serious debate effecting EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN. This is not a game, this is people's lives and it requires serious debate from all opinions. I am so beyond sick of these idiots shouting "loud noises" simply because they don't like that Obama won the election. Simply because they are no longer in power to tell us how to live our lives, who to love, what God to worship and why immigration is bad. I have tried to listen to their "arguments" but they no longer have arguments, they now only have hateful, fearful, rhetoric designed to scare those that have no interest in learning for themselves. No interest in thinking for themselves. There is only black and white and there is only good and evil. They have constantly been fooled by corrupt politicians, religious leaders and businessmen. They no longer trust anyone. They no longer believe in compassion. They are huddled in their corner, shaking and praying for the apocalypse so all that they do not understand will go away and they can live in their mindless bubble once more.
Well it's not going to happen. We all share this Earth. We are all human beings and MOST OF US just want to live happy, free lives. Yes government is not the answer to all our problems. Neither is the church. Neither is education. Neither is capitalism. BUT ALL THOSE THINGS bring value to society. All those things, if you care to participate, can contribute to bringing about a better life for everyone. We do not live alone here, we share the same air, we drive on the same socialist roads.
"Keep the government out of my Medicare!". Obamas death panel will decide whether or not old people and disabled people are worthy of treatment? Are you fucking kidding me?! Do these people even listen to their own rhetoric? Do they ever evaluate the statements they are making? No. They do not because it's not about the arguments, it's about the fear. The fear of society passing them by because they refuse to change.
I understand not wanting to change a life you are comfortable with but the truth is that other than the new found anger in their lives, nothing has changed. Their churches are still open, their guns are still legal and they are still straight. The United States still exists and the constitution is still intact.
I know part of their anger is fueled by people like me telling them they're stupid so I have tried to avoid that until now but seriously, Obama death panels?
Maddow seems pretty pissed too.
Added: Frank Schaffer is angrey too
And Keith Olbermann:
Well it's not going to happen. We all share this Earth. We are all human beings and MOST OF US just want to live happy, free lives. Yes government is not the answer to all our problems. Neither is the church. Neither is education. Neither is capitalism. BUT ALL THOSE THINGS bring value to society. All those things, if you care to participate, can contribute to bringing about a better life for everyone. We do not live alone here, we share the same air, we drive on the same socialist roads.
"Keep the government out of my Medicare!". Obamas death panel will decide whether or not old people and disabled people are worthy of treatment? Are you fucking kidding me?! Do these people even listen to their own rhetoric? Do they ever evaluate the statements they are making? No. They do not because it's not about the arguments, it's about the fear. The fear of society passing them by because they refuse to change.
I understand not wanting to change a life you are comfortable with but the truth is that other than the new found anger in their lives, nothing has changed. Their churches are still open, their guns are still legal and they are still straight. The United States still exists and the constitution is still intact.
I know part of their anger is fueled by people like me telling them they're stupid so I have tried to avoid that until now but seriously, Obama death panels?
Maddow seems pretty pissed too.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Added: Frank Schaffer is angrey too
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
And Keith Olbermann:
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Monday, August 3, 2009
Healthcare rant...
As much as we want to dismiss Olberman for his overly dramatic soapbox rants, when you listen to what he actually says you just can't. You just can't ignore the facts he presents, even if in a bias manner. It's worth watching.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Friday, July 24, 2009
Where does all that money really go?
One of the best descriptions of Palin's possible intentions I've read. Also a great glimpse of "political action committees" and what they really do.
Sarah Palin, Inc. The Phoenix.
Sarah Palin, Inc. The Phoenix.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
The Scam of the Century!
Summed up beautifully by the MOST TRUSTED JOURNALIST in the country:
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| The Born Identity | ||||
| ||||
Thursday, July 9, 2009
To Summarize...
Friday, July 3, 2009
RIP Sarah Palin
Retire in Peace.
She doesn't want to be lame duck.
She thinks sitting around is for quitters so instead, she will quit.
She thinks there should be more downs syndrome babies in the world and her family was hurt to see Trig's iconic photo desecrated.
She won't be one of those governors that end their term traveling around on expensive trade missions (she just got back from Kosovo and Germany).
She is upset that those damn political operatives have bastardized her ethics reform by using them against her, wasting MILLIONS (or hundreds of thousands) of tax payer dollars (mainly investigating the Troopergate complaint she lodged against herself).
She keeps getting caught lying by those liars in the liberal media.
She can't seem to share those emails people nagging her about (emails she didn't release have shown possible reasons) and hopes for justice against that damn teenager that tried to get them (illegally) for FREE!
Oh and she's running out of people to fire for disagreeing with her.
I have this strange feeling that this is about to get even stranger...
She doesn't want to be lame duck.
She thinks sitting around is for quitters so instead, she will quit.
She thinks there should be more downs syndrome babies in the world and her family was hurt to see Trig's iconic photo desecrated.
She won't be one of those governors that end their term traveling around on expensive trade missions (she just got back from Kosovo and Germany).
She is upset that those damn political operatives have bastardized her ethics reform by using them against her, wasting MILLIONS (or hundreds of thousands) of tax payer dollars (mainly investigating the Troopergate complaint she lodged against herself).
She keeps getting caught lying by those liars in the liberal media.
She can't seem to share those emails people nagging her about (emails she didn't release have shown possible reasons) and hopes for justice against that damn teenager that tried to get them (illegally) for FREE!
Oh and she's running out of people to fire for disagreeing with her.
I have this strange feeling that this is about to get even stranger...
Thursday, June 25, 2009
RIP Captain EO
Not sure why but Michael Jackson's death makes me very, very sad.
May Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon also RIP.
May Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon also RIP.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Is everyone just searching for a reason to be outraged?
I mean seriously I get annoyed all the time but I'm never really outraged by the world...often amused, often confused, often annoyed. But actual outrage? Nah. It just seems these days everyone is pissed about something and if they're not already pissed their poised with the zipper down waiting for something, anything, to help them find that first drop of anger.
Lighten up. Pay attention, watch, discuss, but for crying out loud don't get outraged and start hating things. The world is going bitter.
Lighten up. Pay attention, watch, discuss, but for crying out loud don't get outraged and start hating things. The world is going bitter.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Freedom of speech is essential.
I think it's kind of great that the Sarah Palin/David Letterman feud is going on during the Iranian elections. For one it really puts Sarah Palin and her insignificance and un-seriousness in perspective. But more importantly it has allowed us to see an illustration of just how crucial freedom of speech is from the most meaningful, life changing, speech to the most trivial, most inappropriate or most offensive speech.
Iranian Elections Update:
"And my hope is that the regime responds not with violence, but with a recognition that the universal principles of peaceful expression and democracy are ones that should be affirmed."
- President Obama
"Ahmadinejad called the opposition as a bunch of insignificant dirt who try to make the taste of victory bitter to the nation. He also called the western leaders as a bunch of 'filthy homosexuals'. All these disgusting remarks was today answered by that largest demonstration ever. Older people compared the demonstration of today with the Ashura Demonstration of 1979 which marks the downfall of the Shah regime and even said that it outnumbered that event. The militia burnt a house themselves to find the excuse to commit violence. People neutralized their tactic to a large degree by their solidarity, their wisdom and their denial to enage in any violent act."
-Quoted on Andrew Sullivan's, The Daily Dish
Palin/Letterman Update:
Sarah Palin's acceptance of David Letterman's second apology reads something like this:
"I'd like to thank young women everywhere and our brave troops that make moments like this possible for me. And also, equality, free speech, evolution and respect."
Iranian Elections Update:
"And my hope is that the regime responds not with violence, but with a recognition that the universal principles of peaceful expression and democracy are ones that should be affirmed."
- President Obama
"Ahmadinejad called the opposition as a bunch of insignificant dirt who try to make the taste of victory bitter to the nation. He also called the western leaders as a bunch of 'filthy homosexuals'. All these disgusting remarks was today answered by that largest demonstration ever. Older people compared the demonstration of today with the Ashura Demonstration of 1979 which marks the downfall of the Shah regime and even said that it outnumbered that event. The militia burnt a house themselves to find the excuse to commit violence. People neutralized their tactic to a large degree by their solidarity, their wisdom and their denial to enage in any violent act."
-Quoted on Andrew Sullivan's, The Daily Dish
Palin/Letterman Update:
Sarah Palin's acceptance of David Letterman's second apology reads something like this:
"I'd like to thank young women everywhere and our brave troops that make moments like this possible for me. And also, equality, free speech, evolution and respect."
Friday, June 12, 2009
Tobacco.
Whichever your preferred news resource, you've likely heard of the new bill putting tobacco companies under the control of the FDA. Big deal right?
Initial thoughts and maybe/probably stretching:
-Is this to make way for a precedent when medical marijuana goes federal as well as the move toward general use marijuana (over the counter =) becomes legal? Will it help firm up a strong precedent to control it under the FDA (which I think is better than the DEA for this instance). Is this a total stretch?
-Is this the start of a "slippery slope" towards more regulation on food products? Okay, so other than things we eat it's hard to define "food" in this instance but I think it's safe to say things we consume by putting them into our body and attribute them to our physical health are under this category and now, possibly, open to more regulation. After all if you can prove it is HORRIBLY bad for, do you have a case to regulate it for the "public good"? Perhaps.
Initial thoughts and maybe/probably stretching:
-Is this to make way for a precedent when medical marijuana goes federal as well as the move toward general use marijuana (over the counter =) becomes legal? Will it help firm up a strong precedent to control it under the FDA (which I think is better than the DEA for this instance). Is this a total stretch?
-Is this the start of a "slippery slope" towards more regulation on food products? Okay, so other than things we eat it's hard to define "food" in this instance but I think it's safe to say things we consume by putting them into our body and attribute them to our physical health are under this category and now, possibly, open to more regulation. After all if you can prove it is HORRIBLY bad for, do you have a case to regulate it for the "public good"? Perhaps.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Some things we can all agree on...
Charlie Lynch is being sentanced tomorrow. Charlie Lynch legally sold medical marijuana to valid medical patients with doctor prescriptions. The DEA raided his dispensary, arrested him and did not allow him to mention state laws or medical marijuana in his defense.
WRONG. No matter which side of the isle.
WRONG. No matter which side of the isle.
Who's Debt?
The Daily Dish links to a great New York Times breakout of the current natinal debt and the party responsible. Bush owns most of it, Republicans won't own up to it.
Click through for a great visial:
Click through for a great visial:
Friday, June 5, 2009
Can't help it, Palin is just so...so...
This post offers a great comparison of two recent speeches. One given by Sarah Palin and the other by President Obama.
**UPDATE** Apparently the Palin speech was heavily "borrowed" from an article by Newt Gringrich.
Here's an excerpt:
And this closing message:
Sarah Palin:
President Obama:
**UPDATE** Apparently the Palin speech was heavily "borrowed" from an article by Newt Gringrich.
Here's an excerpt:
And this closing message:
Sarah Palin:
Friends, we need to be aware of the creation of a fearful population, and of fearful lawmakers being led to believe that big government is the answer to bail out the private sector because then goverment gets to get in there and control it and, mark my words, this is going to happen next I fear, bail out next debt-ridden states, then government gets to get in there and control the people, and watch what happens there. Michael, maybe you want to talk about your home state California. We’ll see what happens there but you know it’s…. aaaaa!…. for the love of God you’ve got to ask yourself where we got off track?
President Obama:
It is easier to start wars than to end them. It is easier to blame others than to look inward; to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There is also one rule that lies at the heart of every religion - that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. This truth transcends nations and peoples - a belief that isn't new; that isn't black or white or brown; that isn't Christian, or Muslim or Jew. It's a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the heart of billions. It's a faith in other people, and it's what brought me here today.
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