Wednesday, October 31, 2012


HALLOWED HALLOWEEN

For most of us, Halloween when young is about costumes and candy; hey, we were kids. I enjoy the sidewalks full of laughter and delight, and sometimes squeals and a little fright. There's always a few homeowners that get into the spirit enough to make their yard a nightmarish scene. 
The majority of the country will be dressed as Zombies, and with any luck maybe a few Zomneys. Doesn't matter if you're a theist, princesses and fairies, werewolves and vampires; creatures of man's imagination will be represented with glee. The fee for the entertainment is fairly cheap, just fill up the bags with sweet treats.
But fundamentalists try to ruin the fun, always worried about god getting some. Some perverted love, at least it would seem, is the only way to appease the beast.
If you haven't been introduced to those ruining the day, if this is something you haven't heard or seen, then let me tell you about Jesus Ween.
More horrible than your classic witch, almost as scary as a catholic priest, some of your neighbors have succumbed to unreason destroying this fun holiday season. Instead of candy and popcorn and toys, they've come up with a sneaky new ploy. We can't allow people to not hear about christ, so lets fill up their bags with ignorant tripe. We've got bibles and tracts, verses and jesus, proselytizing always is the only way to please us.
They know that many people have the wrong idea about jesus; when you hear what some people tell it's all about hell. But they have it right, and will educate the tikes, on what they should be doing to make everything right. 
The mission is simple, so we are up to the task; we're talking god here, don't give us any flack. We want to spread the good word around the world, making sure everyone has a drink of our swill. In the good ole USA, Canada too, global is the mission and we're going fishing. 
If you'd like to participate it can't be any easier, just say a prayer first and send us an email. The jesus ween group is calling halloween "World Evangelism Day," so I guess we can say they've declared war on this spooky day.
I'm making light if the organization, but they're actually scarier than my words may seem. This is the thought that goes behind their theme. Halloween is the only day of the year that you can freely solicit, interact and give gifts, without breaking the law. Pretty slick I think, if nothing else theists take advantage of every loophole in law they can find. On a day where the supernatural is on a child's mind, the brainwashing is easier. Their motives are not just or fair; more insidious and foul than a Halloween scare. 
They think they are preparing a child for greatness, when what is really happening is the foulest of things. They give bibles to kids to pass out as they walk, since they will be received well by families who can't turn a child down. There starts the walk into the darkness, they teach the children young to take advantage of some. They readily admit that getting kids to preach, teaches them early it's the right thing to do. It also teaches them to be bold and courageous, since it takes boldness to corner a man  and tell him about jesus.
I think it would be fun to contest their plan, I have many quotes and verses made by man. A little evolution, a little biology, a little science to open their minds. Maybe an experiment to help them in thinking, a toy that would get them tinkering. 
I find this another sleazy idea by the people that brought us jesus. They're losing ground so they take advantage of every situation. I told the tale before about the churches in Lansing, setting up haunted houses that paint a picture, of the horrors that abound created by gays, forcing children on their knees but not to pray. 
So maybe not this year, it is a little late. But now I have time to plan the debate. A little of Dawkins, a smattering of Dennet, a few little dinosaurs, pictures of space, science and technology that will take them to another place. 
Fight back. 

Sunday, October 21, 2012


AMERICAN ANGST

I have told many stories of having casual conversations with republicans; I can do no less since I live in conservative country. Many I get along with fine, since it's not hard to recognize when I'm being baited. That sly little twinkle in their eye as they look forward to trapping the lone liberal, I kind of enjoy their happiness. We dance around the issues, as these conversations are normally accompanied with plenty of libations at hand, and for the most part we get along. Believe it or not, I can agree with many of their ideas; though not in the manner they would like. 
If they want to talk about strong family values, I'm with them and we can talk about the glorious strong ties that develop between family members. When they want to talk about getting ahead in life by hard work, again I can agree that productivity can create a healthy community. I understand the thought of taking responsibility for one's actions. 
But of course the separation begins in these discussions by adding to the conservative mantra a few simple thoughts. Strong families are to be supported even if not formed by the conservative's view of traditional marriage. Committed personal relationships are to be encouraged to enhance the community, not divide it. Those who are able to produce should possibly do so, those who are not able should not be penalized. Taking responsibility for an action is desirable, unless the action is caused by events outside of one's control.
We possibly all agree on the one major problem with today's conservatism, and that is its partnership with fundamentalist religious organizations. If you're an atheist conservative, I would think that would be a problem for you as well. 
The only desired outcome for fundamentalist conservatives derives from the hope of inserting religion into every aspect of the public sphere.
It is becoming easier to insert religion into politics without mentioning religion, and I think that is where conservative politicians are excelling. A recent conversation with the Tea Party's President Janis Lane in Mississippi is a great example. The content of the conversation makes it clear what drives these people.
Here are a few of Janis Lane's thoughts on abortion and women in politics:
Lane: "I do not agree with the federal government supporting killing a preborn human. A child is a child from the moment of conception. The argument is: They've done it before, they'll always do it. That's probably true. My point is a nation should not support or condone the killing of anybody. Then you'll come around with what about capital punishment. Well, you know what, if you're on death row, you're an adult and you made a choice to be there. An innocent child in the womb does not have a right to make a decision because they haven't been born, yet. We're taking that right away from that child."
This is a christian based argument, though never stated as such. Next god starts creeping into the conversation, and of course the thoughts get slightly more unrealistic. Emphasis mine.
Lane: "Our country might have been better off if it was still just men votingThere is nothing worse than a bunch of mean, hateful women. They are diabolical in how than can skewer a person. I do not see that in men. The whole time I worked, I'd much rather have a male boss than a female boss. Double-minded, you never can trust them."
"Because women have the right to vote, I am active, because I want to make sure there is some sanity for women in the political world. It is up to the Christian rednecks and patriots to stand up for our country. Everyone has the right to vote now that's 18 or over (who is) a legal citizen, and every person that's 18 and over and a legal citizen should be active in local politics so they can make a change locally, make a change on the state level and make a change in Washington, D.C."
Because she has a right that she herself says she shouldn't have, she's active in politics, because she has a right she shouldn't have. Hurts, doesn't it?
Coming to the Supreme Court of The United States soon will be whether the Defense of Marriage Act - DOMA - is constitutional. Another religious mandate that is trying hard to become a secular law. In New York, a federal appeals court ruled that the DOMA is unconstitutional. 
Though that is a ruling based in reality, our Supreme Court has been taken over by religious zealots, so who knows what nonsense they may fabricate.
As long as reason is not the law of the land the insanity will continue. Unfortunately, reality keeps ruining the conservative plan aimed at forming a functional theocracy.
latest Gallup poll shows the unemployment rate is continuing to drop; that the September numbers were not wildly understated. What will Mitt do now?
Ask me if I'm better off than four years ago and I would have to respond with a resounding yes. Ask if better job opportunities are available, in my small area of family and friends, again a resounding yes.
Did anyone enjoy the DOW sitting at 7,949 at the end of George W. Bush's reign of terror? I wondered at first where all that money went but as time went on I realized the rich didn't lose a penny and the rest of America was raped. 
As far as I can tell, from the mostly failed attempts at getting rid of poor and minority voters, the mostly failed attempts at restricting poll hours and reducing early voting periods, conservatives know their only chance of winning is to keep people from voting that may not agree with their agenda. 
In Virginia they've found an easy way, just throw out completed voter registrations if you don't want them voting. 
The Green Party Candidate, Jill Stein, was arrested yet again and held for eight hours after she tried to enter the presidential debate site. Though I possibly wouldn't vote for a third party candidate, it is annoying that I'm not allowed to hear them speak. 
For those Independent voters who are still trying to make up their minds, here's Amy Goodman and three third party candidates who were not allowed to participate in the debates. They answer the same questions as Obama and Romney answered In the second debate.
GOD'S GREATEST
The first story is tragic to those of us who don't favor the death penalty, but is also extremely interesting since god once again is the culprit.
In Florida, their Supreme Court has ruled that the state can execute a 64 year old paranoid schizophrenic. This goes against the Supreme Court of the United States. The fascinating part is their reasoning.
John Errol Ferguson, the man to be executed, claims he is the "Prince of God." He has many delusions of grandeur all related to his god fantasy. The reasoning that allows the state to execute him is that he is not delusional since his thoughts are not "significantly different than beliefs other Christians may hold."
I guess by saying the condemned is suffering from a disease, they would be implying that all christians are suffering from the same disease; we can't have that now, can we? 
As far as I can tell, a U.S. district judge has stopped this for the moment.
If he is not executed because he is delusional, then in the minds of the court, are all christians delusional? Well, I would think since they've already decided that he's not much different than other christians, then yes. Would that mean anyone involved in a death penalty crime could claim he was delusional because in his mind god was prompting his actions? Well, if he's not executed, then no more death penalty.
I really don't know what to think about this one.
The Secular Coalition grades the presidential candidates. No big surprises here, Romney get an "F" and Obama barely makes the grade with a "C."
Dinesh D'Souza finds himself in a jam. This is the gentleman who wants to save marriage from gays and lesbians, and made the so-called "documentary" that cast Obama in a very unsavory light, apparently has a mistress.
Oh joy.
The lady in question, Denise Odie Joseph II, shares his views on marriage and divorce. The one thing I enjoy about the holier than thou crowd is that they never fail to get caught. 
The catholic church has decided to enter the politics of the day by donating a million dollars to fight those of us who insist on equal rights under the law. They are spending over a million dollars in three states to stop the legalization of same sex marriage, and in another state that is considering amending their constitution by defining what a marriage is.
The catholic church is now the number one religious institution opposing same sex marriage, even though the majority of catholics are okay with the thought. Kind of like politics, the people don't get to decide.
The Texas cheerleaders seem to have won for now. In an earlier edition of the Planet I brought up a story about how these ladies write biblical verses on banners to encourage their team. At least for the rest of the year they may continue to proselytize like any other Sunday morning quack you'd like to mention.
The judge, Steven Thomas, was appointed by their god loving governor Rick Perry. I'm not surprised.

WICKED WOMEN

Nothing really wicked, only the normal anti-woman campaigns.
In Texas, they've figured out how to get rid of Planned Parenthood. They will be launching a new state-funded Women's Health Program that will ban abortion providing affiliates from getting any funding. The program also has a clause that states if the program is legally challenged, and the Planned Parenthood ban is found against the law, the state will will shut down the Women's Health Program completely. Bye bye health care ladies.
Kind of tired of this news, it's the same every week. Why it does not stop is because the conservatives we've elected to represent us only represent god and corporations, nothing more.
Take for instance one of my favorite nonsensical tea party representatives, the Honorable Joe Walsh from Illinois. Here we go, comments from the fatally ignorant:
"There is no such exception as life of the mother."
His thought there is that modern science and technology, which he derides when it contradicts him, will save the day.
According to him, “With modern technology and science, you can’t find one instance,” of an abortion necessary to save a mothers life. He's barely leading Tammy Duckworth in recent polls for the upcoming election, yet he talks total bull. If he's leading Tammy, that means conservatives are eating what he's defecating, and it's not a very tasty morsel.
Doctors immediately contradicted the man, but the followers will never hear about it.
Another young lady is demonized by the right. During the last Presidential Debate Katherine Fenton asked a question about equal pay. An "anonymous" blog on Free Beacon basically did a Fluke on her. She's a slutty, boozing, whore you know.
Conservatives are basically saying, "Do you ladies not know your place yet? Get back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich!"
FINAL FIX

A slight conundrum; how do I handle a visit from my duly elected representative from Michigan's 3rd district without alienating newly made friends?
In the last few months I've decided to spend some of my spare cash in my local town. I pay to play guitar with an excellent guitarist who owns a quaint little studio where he also gives art lessons. I've become a regular at a small bar/restaurant instead of going to the city for entertainment. I've started eating at the only place in town that has a veggie burger I can knock down, and there lies the problem.
Knowing and friending the small business owners in the local area seemed to be a good way of not only making new friends, but also getting involved in the community. I have an unsubstantiated feeling that those business owners have quite a bit of sway in the town as well, and I have a desire to talk about my concerns to them. 
Regardless, the little coffee shop that has the very important veggie burger, is hosting Justin Amash, said representative from my district, this Tuesday. The lady who owns the business I've had several conversations with, though none concerning politics, and have enjoyed those talks. I like her, yet Amash is a fool in my eyes. I get a little excited at times about my politics. In 2004 I aggressively protested Cheney's visit to a local restaurant, I've never eaten there since; doubt if that guys stench will ever leave the place.
I would rather not be like that this time.
So, do I show up on Tuesday morning armed for battle and show them how much more wittier I am than they? Do I show up and drink coffee, keep quiet and puke later? Or do I stay away from the place altogether? Tuesday is the day I spend in town, drinking coffee and having a meal, then guitar playing with the local master, then drinking and messing with the conservatives.
I've really enjoyed that day, until now.

Monday, October 15, 2012


AMERICAN ANGST
Polls have been bewildering lately, showing one candidate up, then down, then up again in a whirlwind of data. The polls I found most upsetting were the ones showing that women are splitting their vote over the candidates for president.
A reminder is called for.
Republican Representative Paul Broun Jr. of Georgia introduced H.R. 212 in January 2011 called The Sanctity of Human Life Act; "To provide that human life shall be deemed to begin with fertilization."
Republican Representative Ron Paul of Texas introduced H.R. 1096 in March 2011 called the Sanctity of Life Act 2011; "To provide that human life shall be deemed to exist from conception, and for other purposes."
Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi introduced S. 91 in January 2011 called the Life at Conception Act; "A bill to implement equal protection under the 14th article of amendment to the Constitution for the right to life of each born and unborn human person."
Republican Representative Duncan Hunter of California introduced H.R. 374 in January 2011 also called the Life at Conception Act; "To implement equal protection under the 14th article of amendment to the Constitution for the right to life of each born and preborn human person."
Republican Senator Mike Johanns of Nebraska introduced S. 314 in February 2011 called the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act of 2011; "A bill to ensure that women seeking an abortion are fully informed regarding the pain experienced by their unborn child."
Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah introduced S. 2103 in February 2012 called the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act; "A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to protect pain-capable unborn children in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes."
Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio introduced H.R. 3805 in January 2012 called the Ultrasound Informed Consent Act; "To ensure that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and the opportunity to review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an abortion."
Republican Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota introduced H.R. 3130 in October 2011 called the Heartbeat Informed Consent Act; "To ensure that women seeking an abortion receive an ultrasound and an opportunity to review the ultrasound before giving informed consent to receive an abortion."
Republican Representative Jeff Duncan of South Carolina introduced H.R. 3802 in January 2012 called the National Pro-Life Waiting Period Act of 2012; "To require an abortion provider, before performing an abortion, to wait for a period of at least 24 hours."
Republican Senator David Vitter of Louisiana introduced S. 3290 in June 2012 called the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012; "A bill to prohibit discrimination against the unborn on the basis of sex or gender, and for other purposes."
Republican Representative Bill Huizenga of Michigan introduced H.R. 5646 in May 2012 called the Homeland Security Respect for Life Act; "To prohibit funds appropriated for the Department of Homeland Security from being used to pay for an abortion, and for other purposes."
Republican Representative Randy Neugebauer of Texas introduced H.R. 6173 in July 2012 called the Pro-Life Act; "To amend the General Education Provisions Act to prohibit Federal education funding for elementary schools and secondary schools that provide on-campus access to abortion providers."
Republican Representative Christopher Smith of New Jersey introduced H.R. 3 in January 2011 called the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act; "To prohibit taxpayer funded abortions and to provide for conscience protections, and for other purposes."
Apparently fifty percent of women in the country our good with this.
In Arkansas, a gentleman running for the state Representative job thinks children should be put to death for misbehaving. Charlie Fuqua quote:
"The maintenance of civil order in society rests on the foundation of family discipline. Therefore, a child who disrespects his parents must be permanently removed from society in a way that gives an example to all other children of the importance of respect for parents. The death penalty for rebellious children is not something to be taken lightly. The guidelines for administering the death penalty to rebellious children are given in Deut 21:18-21."
"This passage does not give parents blanket authority to kill their children. They must follow the proper procedure in order to have the death penalty executed against their children. I cannot think of one instance in the Scripture where parents had their child put to death. Why is this so? Other than the love Christ has for us, there is no greater love then [sic] that of a parent for their child … Even though this procedure would rarely be used, if it were the law of land, it would give parents authority. Children would know that their parents had authority and it would be a tremendous incentive for children to give proper respect to their parents."
He also thinks liberals and muslims are teaming up because both hate christianity.
GOD'S GREATEST
Reverend Stoney Shaw weighs in on legitimate rape Akin:
"Some of my family was -- my children: Dad, you're not going to support him, are you? Everybody is turning against him. I said, well, there was another guy that everybody turned against, Jesus Christ. But he prevailed."
Akin and Jesus, apparently both incredibly lame.
Terry Jones, the pastor known for his desire to burn as many Korans as it will take to inflame muslims around the world was barred from entering Canada. Though Jones' allies are crying freedom of speech, we all know the real reason. Canada wants nothing to do with his hate speech. Canada is not the only country that wants nothing to do with the hate monger, Germany and the United Kingdom want nothing to do with the gentleman as well. Free speech is something we should protect in this country, but we cannot impose are view on other countries, just as they cannot stop our expressions here.
I'm all for free speech, I'll be in Florida in a couple of months, anyone want to join me in a little bible burning in the pastor's backyard?
As those who have been watching are aware, "religious freedom" is a buzzword being thrown around by those who wish to impose their beliefs on the rest of us. The Affordable Care Act is being attacked by those who think their beliefs are being challenged by the state. So far these attacks have come mostly from the Catholic hierarchy, but now it appears that private enterprise is using the same tactics. O'Brien Industrial Holdings out of Missouri is suing the Feds for the same reason, religious freedom. Even though a private company, and that employees pay for their health insurance, the company doesn't want their female employees to have access to paid birth control. 
National Organization for Marriage religious liaison William Owen's recently stated that not only is Obama not a christian, but the entire democratic party is a demonic entity. I like, keep up the crazy and atheism will be the default status of the country.
Free speech under attack by the usual culprits. In Britain thousands of muslims are protesting Google for allowing The Innocents of Muslims to remain on youtube. They would like to see protests against Google across the world and the organizer actually believes that "this insult to mohammed will not be allowed." Anyone want to volunteer to give him the bad news?
I think the perceived insults should not only remain, but that all religions should be taken to task for the incredulous and harmful claims they make.
EDUCATION ENEMIES
Normally I would point out where religion is trying to insert its ideology into the American secular public school system, but that seems to be minor this week when considering the horror that is the taliban.
Last Tuesday a Pakistani young lady, Malala Yousefzai, was shot while on a school bus that should have taken her home. Malala has been an outspoken advocate of education for girls and was nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize last year.
The taliban decided her work was obscene.
Malala was shot once in the head and once in the body, and is now in Britain for rehabilitation and surgery.
The taliban has been, and still is, a repressive regime when the subject centers on women and education. Arguments are made by muslims that islam promotes education for all as a duty and that the taliban lack of concern for women is not an islamic value.
The usual debate between progressive and conservative theists seems to be the same around the world. 
In 2009 Mala started writing a blog about life under the taliban regime, interesting reading that describes a world that is unfathomable by western standards. I'm surprised that fundamentalists have not been driven from civilization wherever they make home, including the U.S.
Religion is the enemy of education in every country, city and town that this planet nurtures.