On Americans:
"One thing they're not good at is thinking about the future."
Friday, October 30, 2009
If You Thought the Fundies Were Crazy Before...
Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network has sent parents an urgent warning on their children's Halloween candy. As Americans United for the Separation of Church and State reports, CBN columnist Kimberly Daniels has written an online column claiming that Halloween candy may have been contaminated with demons by witches.
My Gut Reaction: As my father puts it, the Taliban has nothing on Pat Robertson, except for the gnarly beards.
Analysis: Pat Robertson has gone on for a while about Halloween, which he sees as having Satanic associations, and even calls a "festival of the devil." (Hmmm...I wonder what he thinks of the so-called hell houses where evangelicals depict the horrors of ungodliness and hell to try to convert people.)
Daniels's column, however, seems to go to far, even for CBN. When I went to their website in order to link to it, I found the article itself had mysteriously vanished. Perhaps it proved too embarrassing even for these fanatics.
Then again, Daniels may be on to something. As one of my friends who has children pointed out, there are at least two demons in every piece of chocolate Halloween candy: corn syrup and caffeine.
My Gut Reaction: As my father puts it, the Taliban has nothing on Pat Robertson, except for the gnarly beards.
Analysis: Pat Robertson has gone on for a while about Halloween, which he sees as having Satanic associations, and even calls a "festival of the devil." (Hmmm...I wonder what he thinks of the so-called hell houses where evangelicals depict the horrors of ungodliness and hell to try to convert people.)
Daniels's column, however, seems to go to far, even for CBN. When I went to their website in order to link to it, I found the article itself had mysteriously vanished. Perhaps it proved too embarrassing even for these fanatics.
Then again, Daniels may be on to something. As one of my friends who has children pointed out, there are at least two demons in every piece of chocolate Halloween candy: corn syrup and caffeine.
Going Broke
Browsing through Amazon.com yesterday, I happened to notice an advertisement for Sarah Palin's new book, Going Rogue. The price has already been cut by twenty dollars.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Randall Terry: God's Gift to the Pro-Choice Movement
Randall Terry, Operation Rescue founder and patron saint of the anti-abortion movement, has done yet another service for us pro-choicers. He is calling for the burning in effigy of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid because he seems to think health care reform is a conspiracy to kill all the babies in America.
The blogger and commenters at the blog linked above are all trying to dissociate themselves and the anti-abortion movement from Terry's actions, but I think he is the movement's perfect mascot. Fanatical, misogynistic, a hypocrite (he promotes family values but is not on speaking terms with many of his children)-he basically sums up all the winning qualities of the anti-abortion movement.
The blogger and commenters at the blog linked above are all trying to dissociate themselves and the anti-abortion movement from Terry's actions, but I think he is the movement's perfect mascot. Fanatical, misogynistic, a hypocrite (he promotes family values but is not on speaking terms with many of his children)-he basically sums up all the winning qualities of the anti-abortion movement.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Coward's Bludgeon
In a comment on the blog Victim's Voice, run by Stephen Flatlow, a commentor calling herself Shana Maydel has accused me of anti-semitism. My post, which criticized the activities of organizations such as the ADL and AIPAC for being uncritically supportive of Israel. To Maydel, this comment was apparently tantamount to alleging that Jews control the government and the media, something which I do not believe.
My Gut Reaction: Shana Maydel (whomever she may be) is a childish coward.
Analysis: Maydel's rather incoherent rant raises several issues. First, her unsubstantiated use of the term anti-semite cheapens the meaning of the term, effectively reducing it to a code word for anyone who disagrees with her in regard to the state of Israel. This dilutes the actual impact of the term, and makes it less likely that actual incidents of anti-semitism will be taken seriously in the future. (Essentially the boy who cried wolf effect.)
Second, Maydel hurls smears at the organization my comment originally defended CAIR, effectively calling it a front for Hamas. However, these charges have been debunked by Michael Rolince, a former FBI agent and counter terrorism expert who concludes there are no hard facts backing the accusations. (Hmmm...perhaps Ms. Maydel's next act should be to expose the FBI as an anti-semetic front group.)
My Gut Reaction: Shana Maydel (whomever she may be) is a childish coward.
Analysis: Maydel's rather incoherent rant raises several issues. First, her unsubstantiated use of the term anti-semite cheapens the meaning of the term, effectively reducing it to a code word for anyone who disagrees with her in regard to the state of Israel. This dilutes the actual impact of the term, and makes it less likely that actual incidents of anti-semitism will be taken seriously in the future. (Essentially the boy who cried wolf effect.)
Second, Maydel hurls smears at the organization my comment originally defended CAIR, effectively calling it a front for Hamas. However, these charges have been debunked by Michael Rolince, a former FBI agent and counter terrorism expert who concludes there are no hard facts backing the accusations. (Hmmm...perhaps Ms. Maydel's next act should be to expose the FBI as an anti-semetic front group.)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Dare We Hope...
According to a news posting on the Carnal Nation website, the fanatical anti-abortion organization Operation Rescue may be on its last legs. The organization sent a message to its supporters recently saying that it is severely lacking in funds. The funding shortage may be partially due to the murder of Dr. George Tiller, in which the organization is indirectly implicated.
My Gut Reaction: If it's true, Hallelujah!
Analysis: The Tiller murder has undoubtedly played a major role in the organization's rapid reversal of fortune. The organization had a long history of harrassing Dr. Tiller and clinic workers. Furthermore, Dr. Tiller's probable assassin, Scott Roeder, had been in contact with Operation Rescue policy adviser Cheryl Sullenger, who herself did two years in prison for trying to bomb an abortion clinic.
However, as Chris Hall points out, this was not the only issue facing Operation Rescue. The organization had lost its tax exempt status due to activities during the 2004 presidential campaign.
My Gut Reaction: If it's true, Hallelujah!
Analysis: The Tiller murder has undoubtedly played a major role in the organization's rapid reversal of fortune. The organization had a long history of harrassing Dr. Tiller and clinic workers. Furthermore, Dr. Tiller's probable assassin, Scott Roeder, had been in contact with Operation Rescue policy adviser Cheryl Sullenger, who herself did two years in prison for trying to bomb an abortion clinic.
However, as Chris Hall points out, this was not the only issue facing Operation Rescue. The organization had lost its tax exempt status due to activities during the 2004 presidential campaign.
Here We Go Again...
The usual one man gang of panic-mongers is at it again. Stephen Flatlow of the Victim's Voice Blog is in his usual state of borderline paranoia at the recent set of terror arrests. He is so worked up that he takes issue with anyone raising questions about what is happening, including a few snipes at the Muslim advocacy group CAIR (Council for American Islamic Relations) for pointing at that this was another group of bumbling idiots who had to be entrapped into doing something. He argues that they will defend anyone just because they are Muslim.
My Gut Reaction: Pot. Kettle. Black. (With apologies to Richard Dawkins.)
Analysis: Although Flatlow attempts to contrast the Muslim advocacy groups with Jewish advocacy groups, it would seem that many of these Jewish advocacy groups are guilty of the very things he accuses CAIR of. Anyone who follows Middle Eastern news regularly cannot help but be aware of the uncritical support given to Israel given by American Jewish advocacy groups such as AIPAC and the Anti-Defamation League. Leaders of these groups such as Abraham Foxman justify virtually any Israeli action, without reflection on its brutality, largely on the basis of shared religion.
My Gut Reaction: Pot. Kettle. Black. (With apologies to Richard Dawkins.)
Analysis: Although Flatlow attempts to contrast the Muslim advocacy groups with Jewish advocacy groups, it would seem that many of these Jewish advocacy groups are guilty of the very things he accuses CAIR of. Anyone who follows Middle Eastern news regularly cannot help but be aware of the uncritical support given to Israel given by American Jewish advocacy groups such as AIPAC and the Anti-Defamation League. Leaders of these groups such as Abraham Foxman justify virtually any Israeli action, without reflection on its brutality, largely on the basis of shared religion.
Friday, September 11, 2009
9 / 11 Reconsidered
Eight years after September 11, 2001, I feel the time has come to reconsider that date's place in history. In our memory, it has gained a significance far beyond what it actually has, out of proportion to the number of people that died and the overall effects on the world.
To many Americans, 9 / 11 has become an epochal moment, a day of terror and atrocity that is beyond anything they have experienced. It is, in effect, the blackest day the world has ever seen. The only problem is, it was not.
Yes, the terrorist attacks that took place that morning were horrific and beyond the pale of experience of most Americans. Yes, the suffering of the victims' families must be awful. But 9 / 11 is not the only tragedy in human history, or in American history.
If we limit our glance merely to the twentieth century, we are faced with the Armenian genocide, the First World War, the Second World War, the Holocaust, the Palestinian Nakba, the Vietnam War, Pol Pot's Kampuchea, and numerous other historical events have killed far more people. What makes 9 / 11 so special is that it happened to us. It was a matter of location, not magnitude.
People said it would change everything. However, for most Americans, life has gone back to normal. Even in New York, the site of the attacks, things have gone back to pretty much the way they were. As an article in today's New York Times illustrates, even though many New Yorkers thought that the city would never recover, the city has suffered only minimal changes. Businesses have remained where they were, the city itself has not degenerated into a security state, and the population has not fled.
One might argue that 9 / 11 has changed everything. He or she might point to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, or the sweeping anti-terror laws that were passed afterwards. However, these changes were not merely results of the attacks themselves. They were outgrowths of our panic, and unwillingness to think before we acted.
To many Americans, 9 / 11 has become an epochal moment, a day of terror and atrocity that is beyond anything they have experienced. It is, in effect, the blackest day the world has ever seen. The only problem is, it was not.
Yes, the terrorist attacks that took place that morning were horrific and beyond the pale of experience of most Americans. Yes, the suffering of the victims' families must be awful. But 9 / 11 is not the only tragedy in human history, or in American history.
If we limit our glance merely to the twentieth century, we are faced with the Armenian genocide, the First World War, the Second World War, the Holocaust, the Palestinian Nakba, the Vietnam War, Pol Pot's Kampuchea, and numerous other historical events have killed far more people. What makes 9 / 11 so special is that it happened to us. It was a matter of location, not magnitude.
People said it would change everything. However, for most Americans, life has gone back to normal. Even in New York, the site of the attacks, things have gone back to pretty much the way they were. As an article in today's New York Times illustrates, even though many New Yorkers thought that the city would never recover, the city has suffered only minimal changes. Businesses have remained where they were, the city itself has not degenerated into a security state, and the population has not fled.
One might argue that 9 / 11 has changed everything. He or she might point to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, or the sweeping anti-terror laws that were passed afterwards. However, these changes were not merely results of the attacks themselves. They were outgrowths of our panic, and unwillingness to think before we acted.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
President Obama's Speech Last Night
The behavior of congressional and Senate Republicans during last night's prime time speech by President Obama was genuinely embarrassing. From the idiot from South Carolina to Republican senators leaving early to "avoid the rush," the Republicans fully humiliated themselves, acting like small children.
My Gut Reaction: President Obama should have laid down the law.
Analysis: President Obama should not have taken that crap lying down. Upon Rep. Wilson's outburst, President Obama should have told the Republicans point blank to "Shut up!" or get out of the hall. He might also have considered personally mocking a few of them on national television. Spare the rod, spoil the ideologues.
My Gut Reaction: President Obama should have laid down the law.
Analysis: President Obama should not have taken that crap lying down. Upon Rep. Wilson's outburst, President Obama should have told the Republicans point blank to "Shut up!" or get out of the hall. He might also have considered personally mocking a few of them on national television. Spare the rod, spoil the ideologues.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Quit Hating on Jimmy
As Ben Smith reports on his Politico blog, some Jewish Democrats, although certainly not all, are taking offense at Jimmy Carter's willingness to make even a mild critique of Israeli policy. Elliot Abrams, an Iran-Contra indictee, and Ira Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council whine about the former President's willingness to point out how big a contribution Israeli settlements have made to continuing the conflict in that region.
My Gut Reaction: Oh, boo-hoo...
Analysis: If one takes even a brief look at their website, it becomes clear what the NJDC is trying to do. As part of their "Stop the Smears" campaign, they are doing their best to present President Obama as Israel's best friend possible. Any comments, however legitimate, that might lead some to doubt the Democratic Party's support for Israel will be condemned, no matter how well-thought out they are.
However, these criticisms ignore the genuine moral claims of Palestinians in the face of Israeli settlers. Furthermore, they ignore the fact that, as a major source of funding for the Israeli government, we have the most control over what they do, and hold responsibility for their actions in the face of the Arab world. If we seek to be taken seriously as peacemakers, we must rein in the Israelis' actions.
My Gut Reaction: Oh, boo-hoo...
Analysis: If one takes even a brief look at their website, it becomes clear what the NJDC is trying to do. As part of their "Stop the Smears" campaign, they are doing their best to present President Obama as Israel's best friend possible. Any comments, however legitimate, that might lead some to doubt the Democratic Party's support for Israel will be condemned, no matter how well-thought out they are.
However, these criticisms ignore the genuine moral claims of Palestinians in the face of Israeli settlers. Furthermore, they ignore the fact that, as a major source of funding for the Israeli government, we have the most control over what they do, and hold responsibility for their actions in the face of the Arab world. If we seek to be taken seriously as peacemakers, we must rein in the Israelis' actions.
Friday, September 04, 2009
How to Offend A Catholic
1. Tell them you used to be a Catholic, but are no longer.
2. Explain to them why you are no longer a Catholic.
3. Explain to them why a full grown woman might have more rights than a zygote.\
4. Discuss why you might be reluctant to send children to schools with track records of protecting pedophiles.
5. Suggest that the Church's limits on debate in Catholic colleges are actually a stifling of intellectual freedom.
6. Point out how idiotic the idea of papal infallibility is.
7. Point out the Church's adaptation of pagan saints and rituals.
8. Discuss the Church's history of violent intolerance.
9. Discuss the Church's collaboration with Fascist leaders such as Mussolini and Francisco Franco.
10. Point out the Church's indirect responsibility for violence and intolerance against homosexuals.
11. Point out various revisions the Church has made to its own doctrine.
12. Note that Catholic charities are not the only way to help the poor.
13. Point out how Catholic schools are in many respects indoctrination centers meant to brainwash children.
14. Discuss how the American Catholic Church is increasingly dependent on immigrants to keep its numbers up.
15. Mention all the former Catholics you keep meeting at Unitarian Churches.
16. Counter their arguments about how the longevity of the Church proves it's right by noting that Buddhism is older.
17. Note how all the best Catholic politicians are not particularly devout Catholics.
18. Discuss how the majority Catholic countries in Europe are largely secular.
19. Mention the Church's genocidal policies on AIDS in Africa.
20. Laugh at them when they post absurdist YouTube videos comparing President Obama to Hitler.
2. Explain to them why you are no longer a Catholic.
3. Explain to them why a full grown woman might have more rights than a zygote.\
4. Discuss why you might be reluctant to send children to schools with track records of protecting pedophiles.
5. Suggest that the Church's limits on debate in Catholic colleges are actually a stifling of intellectual freedom.
6. Point out how idiotic the idea of papal infallibility is.
7. Point out the Church's adaptation of pagan saints and rituals.
8. Discuss the Church's history of violent intolerance.
9. Discuss the Church's collaboration with Fascist leaders such as Mussolini and Francisco Franco.
10. Point out the Church's indirect responsibility for violence and intolerance against homosexuals.
11. Point out various revisions the Church has made to its own doctrine.
12. Note that Catholic charities are not the only way to help the poor.
13. Point out how Catholic schools are in many respects indoctrination centers meant to brainwash children.
14. Discuss how the American Catholic Church is increasingly dependent on immigrants to keep its numbers up.
15. Mention all the former Catholics you keep meeting at Unitarian Churches.
16. Counter their arguments about how the longevity of the Church proves it's right by noting that Buddhism is older.
17. Note how all the best Catholic politicians are not particularly devout Catholics.
18. Discuss how the majority Catholic countries in Europe are largely secular.
19. Mention the Church's genocidal policies on AIDS in Africa.
20. Laugh at them when they post absurdist YouTube videos comparing President Obama to Hitler.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Blessed Are the Intolerant Nitwits
The usual gang of idiots at The Lair of the Catholic Cavement apparently have a beef with surfers or people who like going to the beach. In a screed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, they complain about the diocese's effort to reach out to non-traditional religious communities among the surfer crowd, whom the blogger denounces as pagans and heretics.
This hostility from ultra-orthodox Catholics is apparently somewhat common. Another Catholic blog denounces the diocese for permitting Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, apparently taking issue with her positions on abortion and Obama's health care plan.
My Gut Reaction: This stupidity is what made me leave the Roman Catholic Church.
Analysis: I am no fan of the Catholic Church, but I feel that if members of the Church are willing to reach out to people with other religious and political viewpoints, that should be encouraged. More ecumenism, even from a church I stongly disagree with, is always to be encouraged.
This hostility from ultra-orthodox Catholics is apparently somewhat common. Another Catholic blog denounces the diocese for permitting Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, apparently taking issue with her positions on abortion and Obama's health care plan.
My Gut Reaction: This stupidity is what made me leave the Roman Catholic Church.
Analysis: I am no fan of the Catholic Church, but I feel that if members of the Church are willing to reach out to people with other religious and political viewpoints, that should be encouraged. More ecumenism, even from a church I stongly disagree with, is always to be encouraged.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Iraq: Land of the Death Penalty
According to Amnesty International, there are roughly one thousand people on death row in the country of Iraq. They are currently being held by the Iraqi Ministry of Justice, with some alleging that they were tortured to give false confessions. Iraq's current government has admitted to carrying out executions in secret.
My Gut Reaction: Ah, Iraq, that beacon of freedom in the Middle East.
Analysis: There are a number of human rights issues confronting the Iraqi government which should give observers extreme pause in trusting their use of capital punishment. For example, the Iraqi justice system has been documented to have difficulty dealing efficiently with lesser criminal cases. This is hardly an encouraging prospect for someone facing the death penalty.
I believe the death penalty is barbaric in all cases, no matter how serious the crime. Admittedly, many, although not all, of those facing death in Iraq are terrorists. However, that does not mean we should trust a government to kill them, particularly in a country that was so recently under a dictatorship.
My Gut Reaction: Ah, Iraq, that beacon of freedom in the Middle East.
Analysis: There are a number of human rights issues confronting the Iraqi government which should give observers extreme pause in trusting their use of capital punishment. For example, the Iraqi justice system has been documented to have difficulty dealing efficiently with lesser criminal cases. This is hardly an encouraging prospect for someone facing the death penalty.
I believe the death penalty is barbaric in all cases, no matter how serious the crime. Admittedly, many, although not all, of those facing death in Iraq are terrorists. However, that does not mean we should trust a government to kill them, particularly in a country that was so recently under a dictatorship.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sick, but Funny
OK, folks, the video below is definitely for mature audiences and the not easily offended, but it is hilarious.
Thanks to Pharyngula for posting this.
Thanks to Pharyngula for posting this.
Arrest this Bastard!
Steven L. Anderson (I refuse to call him Reverend) of the Faithful Word Baptist Church seems to be one of the more dangerous rising fanatics in the Republican fold. Not only has he prayed for the death of President Obama, with one of his congregation, Chris Broughton, turning up at an Obama rally with a gun, but he also considers homosexuals to be predators who should be stoned to death, as is documented by the RightWingWatch blog of People for the American Way.
My Gut Reaction: Something tells me the Founding Fathers did not have this nitwit in mind when they wrote the First Amendment.
Analysis: I'm all for free speech, as anyone who reads this blog can attest, but that doesn't mean I think people should be allowed to advocate for the death of the President. There are many public figures whom I dislike, but if I were to go out and advocate for their deaths in the way that Anderson has, I would be imprisoned, and rightly so. I do not see how Anderson's claims to spiritual authority make him immune.
My Gut Reaction: Something tells me the Founding Fathers did not have this nitwit in mind when they wrote the First Amendment.
Analysis: I'm all for free speech, as anyone who reads this blog can attest, but that doesn't mean I think people should be allowed to advocate for the death of the President. There are many public figures whom I dislike, but if I were to go out and advocate for their deaths in the way that Anderson has, I would be imprisoned, and rightly so. I do not see how Anderson's claims to spiritual authority make him immune.
Friday, August 28, 2009
To Hell with the Pope, Long Live Ted Kennedy
An article on Yahoo News documents the conspicuous lack of reaction from Pope Benedict XVI to the death of Senator Ted Kennedy, in spite of receiving a letter from the Senator via President Obama. The article implies this silence is a result of Kennedy's liberal stance on abortion, which one Vatican official commented was in defiance of the Church's Magisterium (teaching authority.)
My Gut Reaction: Senator Ted Kennedy, with all he's done for America and the working class, had more moral authority than the Church's vaunted Magisterium. Even considering Chappaquidick.
Analysis: Senator Ted Kennedy, in spite of scandal and assassinations of two of his brothers, devoted his life to public service. This does not mean he was a perfect man or a saint. However, when one considers the recent history of the Catholic Church (cough-child molestation-ahem)one could argue that Senator Kennedy held the moral high ground.
My Gut Reaction: Senator Ted Kennedy, with all he's done for America and the working class, had more moral authority than the Church's vaunted Magisterium. Even considering Chappaquidick.
Analysis: Senator Ted Kennedy, in spite of scandal and assassinations of two of his brothers, devoted his life to public service. This does not mean he was a perfect man or a saint. However, when one considers the recent history of the Catholic Church (cough-child molestation-ahem)one could argue that Senator Kennedy held the moral high ground.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Flu Panic
The University I am currently attending has announced an aggressive policy aimed at combatting the spread of swine flu. This policy has included altering aspects of freshman orientation to limit the spread of the disease, and placing students who live in dormatories in isolation if they are suspected of having the disease. Essentially, they are treating this as the second coming of the Black Death.
My Gut Reaction: If anyone from Student Health Services attempts to place me in isolation, I will respond with the magic word: lawsuit.
Analysis: Frankly, I believe this to be a complete overreaction generated by media scare tactics. As the CDC admits, most of the infections in the United States have been relatively mild, with only four hundred some dying in a nation of three hundred million people, in which a million had already been infected as of this June. Worldwide, the death toll is estimated to be a little less than 3,000.
Not only is the University's, and the media at large's, response alarmist, but it makes it less likely in the future that people will take real disease threat seriously. They will be perceived as another case of media hysteria.
My Gut Reaction: If anyone from Student Health Services attempts to place me in isolation, I will respond with the magic word: lawsuit.
Analysis: Frankly, I believe this to be a complete overreaction generated by media scare tactics. As the CDC admits, most of the infections in the United States have been relatively mild, with only four hundred some dying in a nation of three hundred million people, in which a million had already been infected as of this June. Worldwide, the death toll is estimated to be a little less than 3,000.
Not only is the University's, and the media at large's, response alarmist, but it makes it less likely in the future that people will take real disease threat seriously. They will be perceived as another case of media hysteria.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Barney Frank Lays on the Smack Down
My Gut Reaction: Right on, Barney
Analysis: The above video is an example of how liberal Democrats and the Administration should deal with the extremist opposition that has arisen to health care reform. There is no point in attempting to debate someone who believes that President Obama is like Hitler, or who argues in spite of all evidence that there will be death panels included in health care reform. The only legitimate response is to point them out for the morons they are.
Like many liberals, I am deeply angry with the reports that the public option may be shelved due to fanatic opposition. This could be a lost opportunity which America may regret for decades in the future. However, I do not blame President Obama for this failure, as the fault lies largely with the American people. If they refuse to engage in critical thinking and stand up to the lies put up by people like Sarah Palin, they have only themselves to blame when they get led down a disastrous path.
We should not let this failure divide our party. Rather, we should see it as a call to strengthen our efforts against a fanatical opposition that will stoop to any depth to thwart us.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Christians Don't Get Much Stupider than This
One Indian, One Normal - Watch more Funny Videos
This has to be one of the most humorously disturbing videos I have ever looked at. I am not totally certain whether it is real or a put on. Long story made short: Two girls invite a new Indian friend to their house, insult her race, then try to convert her to born again Christianity when they find out she's a Hindu.
Thanks to Christian Pwnage for posting this video.
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