The Cranky Atheist

I'm an Atheist

2012-02-11T12:22:00.000-08:00

For those who enjoy listening: I'm an Atheist.mp3

I'm a lover not a hater

I'm a savior that's not a faker

I'm a pusher

for the future

and yes

I'm an atheist

I'm an anvil for morals

just begging for a hammering

I'm a creator

not a destroyer

you know

I'm an atheist

I'm a feeler for all creatures

a champion for my cousins

a blasphemer

and an instigator

and damn right

I'm an atheist

I'm a shiver in your river

a wake in your lake

a caretaker

of the earth

and proudly

I'm an atheist

I'm a singer, I'm a writer

I'm a poet on a pulpit

a wordsmith

lacking myth

talented and

Yes, I'm an atheist

I'm words without censors

I'm a changer getting bolder

I'm the asker

and the answer

and yes

I am an atheist

I'm like mace in the face

to the theist and his priest

no trouble

popping that bubble

because

I'm an atheist

I'm a blight on their fight

a drought on their thoughts

a brawler

and a fighter

and damn right

I'm an atheist

Another Fish Tail

2012-02-08T09:54:00.000-08:00

I am a fish, a very dry one. I hang out on the deck, flipping my fins uselessly. The air doesn't seem to care. I watch the water, wanting to flip in, but it is filled with non-swimming humans.

Now, I know that humans swim, at least when they are young. But here is water filled with humans who have lived a long life, but apparently nowhere near water. All I need is some space; a path to make it from one side to the other of this body of water. But groups of humans are hanging out everywhere. No one moving. A few water wings and floating devices are glimpsed every so often, but not a splash anywhere.

Looking at the obstacle course, I think I will turn into fish jerky by the time I can get my scales a dunking. Will they ever leave? Squatting in my pond, hats on their heads, glasses on; what the hell? You can't swim like that! Chatting and laughing, so I guess it must be fun, but can't they do this on the deck? Not much difference that I can tell.

Then a few start to move towards the steps, hurray! Maybe soon will be able to get wet and a little exercise. I watch a few humans slowly move out with glee. Then I notice their bottoms are very large, better not be a depends day or some old fuck is getting their ass kicked. Jo informs me that it is probably real body features, since she says there are slimmer garments for people in pools. Doesn't make me much happier, but have to go with the flow.

Slowly they depart and I think, "I'll let the chemicals swirl around for awhile before I jump in." Yeah, that's the ticket. Sterilize the crap. Then I notice a new group starting to get in. Damn. The pool is heated, yet they go in one step at a time, getting used to the water slowly. "Get your asses in there bitches!" Though I want to yell that I refrain and watch. Slowly my scales turn to parchment as I watch more bobbing; great.

Now I'm thinking I will never get in, might as well give up. Then a slow exodus happens once again. Woohoo! This time I'm going to get in. Down to about three people and they're all in the shallow end. Oh yeah. I flip up to the edge of the deep end and notice the large signs saying no diving. Really? Hell, from what I've seen they should have signs that say, "no swimming," or maybe, "no splashing."

There hasn't been a single splash of water since I've been laying here.

The "no diving" signs are accompanied by the warning, "shallow water." I guess that's the reason for no diving, but the depth marker on the side of the pool says, "six feet." Damn, give me three feet and I can dive in safely.

Okay, so no diving. I jump, (it's not diving), into the deep end of the pool and plunge to the bottom. Finally relief. Hang out on the bottom for awhile, hoping not to see anything that looks like a baby ruth, then pop out like a cork on a shaken bottle of Dom Perignon. I look around and see the startled faces of the crowd. Their faces saying "what the hell is going on here?" Screw them.

Only three left, so I slowly start swimming the deep end. As I grab a breath I notice the last three looking at me. They move to the steps needing to escape I guess. Well, now the water is mine. I swim a few laps, do a couple laps under water; you know, having fun.

No one joins me.

After a half hour I decide to let them have the pool back. I get out, feeling the angry stares of my peers. I almost feel like I've ruined their day. I'm trying to figure out what is up here. I can't ever see being in a pool and not moving. Is this going to happen to me? Does aging limit the body so much that floating around a pool all on your own is too difficult. I've heard them conversing with each other about church and religion. Hell, they're all part of the blessed group, what are they afraid of? Come on, say a few "Hail Mary's" and go for it. Get under the damn water. Pretend you're being reborn or something. Show me some, (not literally), balls. You people don't look that frail.

I wonder if I should ask them if they've ever been swimmers. I feel the need for the answer. I want to know if this is the destination I'm speeding towards. If it is, I'm not liking.

Today I will return. It is sunny and beautiful. Hopefully when they see me they'll just get the fuck out of my way.

No One Cares

2012-02-07T07:10:00.000-08:00

What a grand day it will be when no one cares. A day I hope to live to see. Right now every jackass pastor, or priest, or whatever name some simpleton wants to call himself, has a say in American life.

Besides the crackheads who come out before every election yammering about whatever current conspiracy bullshit they are embracing, we have a group of prominent nut fucks influencing society. Thanks to Rick Warren, David Barton, James Dobson, Joyce Meyer and a slew of other bumbling bimbos, we as a country are unable to engage in discussions about real problems.

Take one of Warren's quotes, “Trusting God completely means having faith that He knows what is best for your life. You expect Him to keep His promises, help you with problems, and do the impossible when necessary.” What a horrific statement to make. Hey, you broke ass slob, relax, this is god's plan for you. Accept your plight, behave, it's all taken care of.

How easy it is to control the sheep. Obey motherfuckers and you will be rewarded with an eternal life of sucking ass.

Barton is revising American history as quickly as he can. His statements, though proven false over and over, make for disturbing reading, especially when so many believe his falsehoods. Yeah buddy, we know, Jesus talked about the minimum wage and capital gains taxes. Fuck, these guys will say anything to make a buck. I mean, this is what religion is all about, show me the money.

Morality from the rich perverted pukes is about you suffering, and them partying.

Dobson is a totally insane perverted soul. If you see him near your children, strike first. This guy thinks that "Pain is a marvelous purifier. . . It is not necessary to beat the child into submission; a little bit of pain goes a long way for a young child. However, the spanking should be of sufficient magnitude to cause the child to cry genuinely." He continues with "Some strong-willed children absolutely demand to be spanked, and their wishes should be granted. . . Two or three stinging strokes on the legs or buttocks with a switch are usually sufficient to emphasize the point, 'You must obey me.'"

How about I get a club and you obey me bitch, okay? Kick his ass immediately if you see him around children.

Every one of the top religious figures in the U.S. is bat shit crazy. Every one of them controls the lives of literally thousands, destroying the country with lies. Even women, who you'd think that by now would understand that religion is the shackles that holds them in bondage, are on the bandwagon. Joyce Meyer teaches her flock how to get better every day; just fucking say it and believe it. The exact quote, "The healing power of God is working in me right now. Every day I get better and better in every way.” No. If your sitting around with your thumb up your ass every day, it's not gettting better. You will only get better by learning something, by attempting a task, by being creative. Affirmations are useless, unless lying to yourself feels good and you have no goal in life but mental masturbation.

So many dumb fuckers wandering around telling people things that in no way help that person or the country.

What I'd like to see before I die are people ignoring the religious right. That when they come out and make some immoral foolish remark, nobody cares. Never again to be taken seriously by the vast majority of the country. That for once and for all they become the laughing stock of the world at large and are left behind with the rest of man's delusion of spiritual grandeur.

You Know It

2012-02-03T08:05:00.000-08:00

Listening is fun: You Know It.mp3

You say its class warfare
no
if you share with the country
no
profits made by all our work
ours
this is not fair
criminal
You buy the government
money
you lobby for death
thanks
all in the name of profits
greed
that is stolen from the people
robbery

You know it
You know it

You make war on the world
kill
citing your fears
fraud
killing children
horrible
the poor starve
immoral
your money is stolen
thieves
and you move it out of the country
theft
profits from sweat houses
ugly
profits from child labor
brutes

You know it
You know it

We let you have control
why
you fuck it up
why
we let you run our lives
why
you destroy them
why
you run the world
badly
you make the decisions
poorly
your name is death
yes
soon the world will die
bitches

You know it
You know it

It's about selfishness
and you
it's about greed
and you
it's about gluttony
and you
it's about you
you
time for you to be stripped
drawn
of control since you destroy
quartered
the earth that we need
tarred
the air water and food
feathered

You know it
You know it

The time is coming
quickly
you see the uprisings
everywhere
your time will soon be up
definitely
the people are speaking
finally
your rule is done
finally
you've destroyed the country
bastards
a society in servitude
slaves

You don't care
we know it
and you just suck
we know it

Time for you fucks to go

Republiscumism

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

Listen: Republiscumism.mp3

Leading us to doom
keeping us in a dark room
dumbing down the schoolroom
and looking in your bedroom
next it'll be the the courtroom
hey that's not your womb
and we can't have two grooms
or two brides you fools

Do you think there's a plan
are you a big fan
are you a pitchman
another adman
or are you the madman
a false he-man
a pseudo lawman
that becomes their hangman

Well give me a pipe,
give me a pint
give me a pill
only way to ignore the shills

Give me a pipe,
give me a pint
give me a pill
I've really had my fill

Give me a pipe,
give me a pint
give me a pill
So much for freewill

Give me a pipe,
give me a pint
give me a pill
you know we're paying the bill

Don't give them any sass
for they think that's crass
you have a lot of brass
not giving them a pass
and if you trespass
or harass
or smoke a little grass
enjoy prison clenching your ass

well clean that slate
clean that slate

erase the hate
erase the hate

clean that slate
clean that slate

erase that hate
erase that hate

Well give me a pipe,
give me a pint
give me a pill
only way to ignore the shills

Give me a pipe,
give me a pint
give me a pill
I've really had my fill

Give me a pipe,
give me a pint
give me a pill
So much for freewill

Give me a pipe,
give me a pint
give me a pill
you know we're paying the bill

Eternity

2012-01-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

Listening is more fun. Eternity.mp3

If life is just a blip instead of a guzzle only a sip
meaning slides away becoming only wordplay
for our life is not long and death is where we belong
to start the part of forever that is the song of the tricksters

If life is just a blip instead of a guzzle only a sip
then lets do whatever with all of our vigor
smash and trash the earth waiting for our rebirth
life is not the reality and to our death go boldly

Eternity, why waste our time
life starts at the end of the line
everything will be just fine
for your life is divine

If life is just a blip, instead of a guzzle only a sip
why play the game when living is so lame
your not doing any good just eating all my food
grab yourself a razor and head for the hereafter

If life is just a blip, instead of a guzzle only a sip
why are you here drinking all of my beer
get your ass off the planet use a knife or a hatchet
don't think I'm nasty I'm just upping the ante

Eternity, why waste our time
life starts at the end of the line
everything will be just fine
for your life is divine

Life is not a blip, it is a guzzle not a sip
meaning and love does not come from above
this is the season to grab on to reason
and enjoy the daily taste of life that's not a waste

Life is not a blip, it is a guzzle not a sip
enjoy the grand beauty of nature's massive army
look at the stars and play your guitar
life is a joyride that can't be denied

Visions of Reality

2012-01-25T03:58:00.000-08:00

This year, as in every year, I try to pickup something new. Something that will grab my attention and time. Something that will give me an appreciation for those who are already involved in what I have decided to play with. Some years I succeed, some years I fail, but it is always fun.

This year I'm an artist.

Well, I'm not an artist, but I am learning. I read and look at techniques and try them out to see what works for me. First thing I look for is pretty basic; how do I hold a pencil or brush correctly? I know from playing and teaching guitar that embracing bad techniques from the beginning makes it very hard to change as the difficulty increase. From my research, I find that different people use different techniques so am trying to find what works best for me.

The most fun so far though has been seeing. Sounds like something we all do everyday, but it is different when you look at something you intend to draw. Shapes and textures, shading and perspective, all add to the world.

And the details, man. I have either enhanced my viewing pleasure or have totally screwed my world. A tree is no longer a tree. It is not a composite of a trunk, branches and leaves. Oh no, it is detail upon detail. It is about the sun and location, about wind and water; it represents its life.

Hell, the world is becoming almost unbearably complex.

I can almost envision painters living in a younger earth, where miracles seem to be the norm, where gods are the truth. Would that complexity help someone's religious stance on the world?

The rich during the Renaissance in Europe hired painters to create religious themed artwork so I would think that regardless of the faith of a painter, his pockets were filled with coin to keep the wealthy happy. Maybe it wasn't their vision, but their production of religious paintings that helped make religion palatable. Some of the religious paintings I have seen capture strong emotions and put stories into a more understandable form for the world.

Whatever the link between art and religion in the past, it would seem to me that understanding complexity in nature would eventually effect science. Observation is a key part of developing theories, perhaps artists also were enhancing reality.

When the rich retained another artist to produce some religious foolishness, maybe they unintentionally were promoting science and the slow death of delusion. Possibly they were hoping to find the door to heaven when actually they were opening our eyes to visions of reality.

Marijuana Mania

2012-01-21T08:20:00.000-08:00

Through the years our government, whether local or federal, has painted drugs as a whole and marijuana in particular, as a killer of success. The last few years of commercials that focus only on marijuana are not only misleading, but possibly devastating to the public as a whole.

What is the character of a pot smoker displayed on television? The last commercial blitz I remember was the "Above the Influence," campaign where animations designed to be hip enough to grab a young one's attention were broadcast constantly. One had a guy lighting up and his girlfriend saying, "oh no, not that again." Then a spaceship lands and an alien walks up. The guy offers him his joint, the alien declines, the girl runs off with the alien. Another has a guy smoking while his dog looks on. The guy says "stop looking at me, I can quit any time I want." The dog replies, "how about now?" The guy states, "next week would be better." Dog replies, "you disappoint me."

For the record, I have never been high and heard any animal speak.

I guess it is better than the commercials showing people killing other people because of smoking, everyone figured out that was a lie. So they go subtle. Lose a girlfriend and deny addiction. From Reefer Madness, (a favorite that everyone should watch), through the seventies until today, every commercial on marijuana shows the user being a loser. What a great way to raise our young.

Think about it. Does not raising children include building self-esteem? We have millions of teens smoking pot, and the message we give them is that they are losers. They will never grow up to be anything. They will never accomplish anything. They are criminals and will more than likely end up in jail.

What a great way to lose citizens.

Instead of giving up this crazy endeavor and begin educating our children on the facts of marijuana use, (pros and cons), and embracing that sector into the public, we lose possibly talented individuals. Right now, only as an artist of some sort, is it acceptable to indulge in drugs. In fact, that almost seems a requirement. But for those kids without that type of talent, where do they go?

I would like to blame this on religion, but I would be wrong. We might as well face the facts, there are two main reasons that this harmless drug is still illegal.

First off, it is legal racism. If you want to keep minorities from having any influence, lock them all up. Beats developing fair immigration laws. There is no denying the facts that most of those rotting in jail from a drug bust are not white. In numbers, as many whites partake, but they get a pass for the most part. Equal rights is a myth when it comes to nonviolent drug offenders.

Secondly, it generates revenue for the government and with the privatization of our prison system, free market revenue is also on the rise. Judges, attorneys and prison guards are the simplest examples of how crime creates jobs. The last time that California tried to change the laws on marijuana, (they wanted to educate instead of imprisoning), the prison guard unions spent millions to defeat the plan. I know that they are trying to protect jobs, but maybe this is an area where we do not need to be hiring.

I would venture a third reason, it allows the police state to grow. An unending war that only escalates every year gives every big city their own private army. There was a post on AU that showed New York City as having the seventh largest armed force in the world. Great.

I think that if marijuana is ever to be legal, the statement that proponents should make is showing that pot smokers can be successful people. Education is a must. Priorities can be discussed. Get up in the morning, do the work you need to do, take care of family and friends, then get stoned if that's how you want to relax. You can instill good work and life ethics by embracing those who smoke instead of making them criminals.

In Texas, the NORML group was being lead by an ex-NFL player. He didn't smoke during games or practice, or even during the season. On his own time off season he did. Give us some commercials showing people who are successful, and who smoke, then you may change the laws. I know people who run their own successful businesses that have smoked pot since they were teenagers.

These are the commercials needed. If we stop hiding who we are, it would become apparent that a smoker can be successful, moral and rational.

Fish

2012-01-14T05:25:00.000-08:00

I finally had a chance to swim today and it was awesome. Usually when I open the gate and walk onto the deck, the pool is full of people treading water. Well, some bounce up and down in the shallow end, exercise of some sort I'm sure. Never very inviting to me; I'm a fish

Well, maybe I'm a grizzly. I stalk the deck growling at the water's inhabitants. Every so often take a swipe at them with my long arms. No reaction. Bastards. I head back home where I feed on fermented fruits and work on my temper. They'll be sorry.

I was born in California and the earliest pictures of me are running around on the beach. Growing up in the Chicago area, on every sunny day of every summer I was hanging out at the community's pool. I was in the water always; swam in school and was a fairly good diver.

Of course when young I was involved in many sports. Participated in track as well where I ran and ran; racing around the track. Leaping hurdles with abandon, I was an antelope as well.

So not being able to swim a few laps, which my out of shape body needs, has been driving me crazy. I try different times of the day, always seems crowded when I show up. Last year while visiting, I only got in one swim the entire time I was here and that was in the unheated pool. Jo tossed a frisbee and I couldn't help but chase it down, even as it plunged into the water. Apparently on many days I'm a dog. In fact I remember being called a dog by many women, so must be true.

Always had pools in the family after growing up and moving out of Illinois. The first home I bought in Michigan had an in ground pool in the backyard. Great selling point for me. Had a young stepdaughter and her and her friends had great times there. Hell, I had great times as well. Great diving board, not some crappy springboard, but one where you could actually get altitude. I scared the hell out of my second wife and friends many a time. I flip around in a pike position over and over because of course, I'm also a dolphin.

I've thought about the fun I've had in all the pools, lakes and oceans in my life. Great times all. I think, how do I get the people lazily hanging around in my habitat to move. I mean, it is my habitat, because I'm a fish. I dream about creating a large whirlpool that sucks them all into the vortex and down into the depths of the world leaving me my private water, but though the dream is fun the reality is they're still there.

Then finally, I show up and no one is in the pool. Oh yeah, my personal playground. I hiccup a few times to get the gills a moving and jump in. I read an article about humans and fish sharing that gene but I really don't know much about science or mathematics or anything else; hey, today I'm a fish.

But finally, a long glorious swim. Backstroke, sidestroke, breaststroke and all the damn strokes; yeah baby. Damn signs said no diving, but hell, a couple of quick back dives from the side of the pool were in order and how can anyone not do a can opener or some such dive that throws water all over the place? I leap in the air, spread my legs and grab my balls; The Preacher is what we called that when I was young. Seemed appropriate at the time.

Apparently, though I am human first, I am everything.

Jail

2012-01-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

I look at the gulf through the bars of the tall fence-like structure that protects the condo inhabitants from falling off; guess old people aren't very bright. The image of a jail comes to mind. Not sure for the moment if it is me that is imprisoned, or the warm waters of the gulf. I would think that even though I can go touch the waters, the resources are not for me, they are for the rich.

For many people in the world are imprisoned; at least they are prevented from using the resources that are available. Whether it is from empire building, where we take or buy the resources in their natural form and make crap out of it to sell back to those who owned the resources in the first place, or chance put them in a land without resources; regardless, they are in jail. Then there are areas where resources are being held by private companies that hold, or try to hold, countries hostage.

On a personal level, we are all in a jail that's getting larger. Big business is doing its best to ruin the gulf, its been over fished so slowly dying, and there is not a damn thing anyone can do about it. We can protest, sign petitions, talk to our elected officials; yet big business will keep on killing. In MI, they want to drill for oil off the lakeshore. Instead of wind power, lets kill another environment. My drinking water is effected by the factory farm down the road, my food sources isolated as Monsanto winnows the food supply.

I've been reading about Blue Lake in Alaska. The last I heard a portion of the water had been bought and was going to be sent to India. India, which will probably be the first country to use up that life giving resource. We sell pristine water that is this countries natural resource; are you receiving money for the loss? The resources of this country belong to its citizens, not the few who inhabit wealthy world. This is not a humanitarian endeavor only basic capitalism.

Every part of life costs. An easily foreseeable future is watching people die because the resources they once had are used up, or have been sold to the highest bidder.

I am in jail, fed with what someone wants to feed me, watered with whatever fluid some company claims is healthy for me. From the time I'm born until the time I'm dead I'm a slave. My time is not mine, my life is not mine. As resources become the property of individuals or big business, we work so we're allowed to consume the resources that we need to live.

Working together to solve problems that dwindling resources will create would be the preferable solution. One that will not happen because money runs the world.

Joy

2012-01-11T05:01:00.000-08:00

A couple of days ago Jo and I watched a man and his dog on the beach. Possibly a mixed breed but mostly resembled an irish setter. Jo is not a dog person since she was ferociously attacked while young by a chihuahua, (a story she doesn't tell often; I laugh so hard), so I was describing the mood of the dog by his actions. He was attentively eyeing the human, and doing those leaps and bounds that say only one thing, let's play!

Dog owners know what the look is like. The dog leaps but stays fairly stationary. Not running away but energetic. Tail wagging and the playfulness cannot be denied by any objective observer. Alert. The dog's interest is up. Hey, sandy beach and water breaking on the it, what fun. I watched him dance for awhile and tried to get Jo to see what I was seeing.

Joy, happiness; however you would like to describe the emotion.

The next day another perfect example of joy comes by. A couple and their very young daughter are strolling the beach. All of a sudden the young one takes off, little legs pumping like the sand pipers that are their company. The father runs with her, not racing but playing. The young one turns and Mom slowly trots in the opposite direction and there she goes, chasing her mother. Then off on her own towards the condos, then spinning around and back to her parents.

The resemblance of happiness between the two species is remarkable, if not almost identical.

I'm pointing this out to Jo, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking about how easily observable the link between life is. Even though emotion as an attribute in animals is still disputed, anyone that has enjoyed the company of another species almost instinctively understands what their pet is feeling. Whether emotion is stimulus-response behavior or not, what difference does it make? Would it not be the same for humans? Would a dog's joy because of stimulus be different that our stimulated joy?

Sometimes I wonder if animal emotion is debated only because of our relationship with food. Maybe we really don't want to know how close to us other species are. Sure, we'll look at it genetically. We'll look at it in regards to evolution. But very few seem to really want to know the answers. As long as we use our cousins as a food source, we really can't humanize them without being aware of our own possible intent to keep them as our slaves.

I observe the emotions that effect animals. Is it that hard to see or am I easily deceived?

My Friend Walt

2012-01-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

My friend Walter, (he disliked Walt), passed away a few days ago. Still fairly young at 57; cancer had his number.

Walter was a very intelligent man. His mind contained more knowledge about aviation than almost anyone I've ever known; a shame that he lost his mind as the disease spread. By the time it was his time, he barely knew where or who he was. He was a pilot as well as a controller, so knew both sides of the coin when it came to his profession. He worked day shifts, came in early; always grumpy. Made us laugh. Usually we'd leave him alone until he woke up, but every so often would have to tease. He also was extremely detailed in all that he did. If you asked Walter for instructions on how to get somewhere, you should take a seat. Every street and every landmark would be given; it would be a long discussion.

My friend Walter never talked about religion, but some time after the onset of his disease, especially into retirement, he started attending church regularly. Maybe he always attended church and never mentioned it? He knew I was an atheist, so maybe that's why he never brought up his faith. In fact, it was others who told me he went to church every morning.

I hope it brought him some comfort.

Whatever I think of religion as a whole, I've always tried to maintain the thought that it is not the person, but the institution that I have a problem with. Yes, those who preach also come under the gun as they should, but those who hold onto a private belief do not earn my dismay. As far as I'm aware, he had a catholic upbringing, so the institution is the reason for his thoughts.

I'm not positive on this point, but if memory serves me right, his wife friended me on FB. I do not hide what I am; an atheist. I was leery about friending her, since I knew Walter was going to church everyday, but I wanted to be kept in the loop so I accepted. A few weeks or a month later, I looked at my list and noticed she was no longer there. I decided she didn't like my status and I let it go.

Not going to rub salt into an open wound.

One thought to keep in mind is that religion's greatest assets can be our friends and family. That is how the institution stays alive. It is not the anti-science group, or the silly religious arm of conservative groups. It is the liberal theists who maintain a relationship with those who are firmly planted in reality. It is those we care about that keeps religion alive in the world, because we are normally too caring to hurt them.

Religion tears family and friends apart in many subtle ways.

We never regularly hung out, but when you work with someone for a couple of decades plus, they become family. I hadn't seen Walter for a year and a half or so, always thinking we'd get together one more time.

Never will happen now. I will miss him.

Litter

2012-01-09T09:31:00.000-08:00

I was walking the beach today and came across an ugly example of human idiocy. Empty containers from a fast food joint that at one time contained burgers, fries and cokes. Well, maybe tacos, nachos and a root beer; who knows, didn't examine too closely.

I've read here and there others who have had a distaste for people who seem to enjoy leaving their garbage for others to clean up. It's an odd habit, one I don't understand. Even though I don't have the immaculate home that others have, I don't walk out into the world throwing my shit around.

Do people that have clean homes throw their garbage in the street?

It is not a problem in most places I'm at. Sometimes high traffic areas get messy, but if it's high traffic someone is probably going to get paid to clean it up. I guess the mess hits harder when it is an isolated incident. Those that inhabit the beach usually like it clean themselves.

Doesn't matter I guess, probably upbringing.

What came to mind while walking, walking, walking; was that religion is a special kind of litter itself. As life comes into the world minds are pristine. Perfect creatures to be imprinted with the best that mankind can offer. Instead, at an early age, the waste starts building up.

Religion litters the thought process. Where reason is fairly straight forward and shows almost immediate results, religion wanders around the synapses fucking up all our thoughts. Instead of a child studying a blade of grass and wondering, "how does it grow," he walks on it not caring. If he sees a bird flying through the clouds, he can easily accept that birds fly, and that clouds form, without needing to understand why.

God crushes the desire to know. The answer is already there; magic.

As children go through school, some will want to know why things happen as they do, others will not because they believe they already have the answer. Those that grow up wondering "why" invent and explain what information our senses gather. Those that grow up content in the knowledge that there is no other solution to the world than god, do not. Though good schools, whether religious or not, do turn out thinkers; what a challenge to overcome. What if a child never had the litter of religion to clean up before they could move into the realm of reality? How much greater would the world's knowledge be?

Religion turns the minds of our children into a wasteland.

A Walk on the Beach

2012-01-07T07:05:00.000-08:00

For those who would like to listen, A Walk on the Beach.mp3

Sunday morning knees missing the sea paying the fee for sins and mercy
while heathens feel no need to kneel since what is real is immune to the faithful
a walk on the beach puts ideas in reach that teach not preach
a run in the surf's bubbling mirth as you swerve from life unearthed

We persevere making it clear life we revere shouldn't be feared
if there's a plan it was made by man life takes a stand against the scam
priest is a middleman a businessman that really began as the bogeyman
the fools with their rules make children tools in their schools
We need a purge to emerge and converge on a surge
that limits and inhibits the thickets of bishops
we exist to assist those who resist fantasies twist
on what is real this is the ordeal to reveal and not conceal

For man is the buzz he's a whiz at the quiz
priestly assassins in their mansions filled with contradictions and immoral passions
from the womb leading us to doom as they presume in their costumes
to pretend they transcend those who are condemned and resent
the attack on humanity with a tenacity that lavishly destroys reality

Misogyny and Violent love are Acts of Unreason

2012-01-06T06:23:00.000-08:00

Since at least the time of the greek gods and philosophers, women have taken a back seat to man. Most religions that developed from the mists of times have in one way or another dismissed woman's worth. Creating barbaric laws that were only meant to keep one gender in line.

Throughout the centuries one religion after another maintained a patriarchal leadership that concentrated on one recurring theme. Yes, theft, killing and numerous crimes were examined and punishments thought appropriate were given, but controlling women, keeping them in their place, was always on the minds of our leaders.

Aristotle found woman to be less than the perfection of man. Christianity in its earliest form, and in some sects still to this day, maintains that women are to be seen, not heard. Woman should not be teachers, in fact, they shouldn't speak anywhere besides in the home.

Religious texts were not even as horrible as what man defined them to be. Wiki's statement on Islam:

"Thanks to the subjective interpretations of the Quran (almost exclusively by men), the preponderance of the misogynic mullahs and the regressive Shariah law in most “Muslim” countries, Islam is synonymously known as a promoter of misogyny in its worst form. Although there is no way of defending the so-called “great” traditions of Islam as libertarian and egalitarian with regard to women, we may draw a line between the Quranic texts and the corpus of avowedly misogynic writing and spoken words by the mullah having very little or no relevance to the Quran."

Apparently even ancient books of supposed religious truths are not as bad as what man interprets them to be. Man has thoughtfully, and with known lies and malice, enslaved half of the human population on the planet. I'm not giving the bible, quran or any other text a break here, they are all misogynist reads, but man had the gall to expound on and make worse the conditions that woman would live in for the greater part of their existence on the planet.

Even the newest religions promote the same nonsense. Scientology states that, "A society in which women are taught anything but the management of a family, the care of men, and the creation of the future generation is a society which is on its way out," and continues with, "The historian can peg the point where a society begins its sharpest decline at the instant when women begin to take part, on an equal footing with men, in political and business affairs, since this means that the men are decadent and the women are no longer women. This is not a sermon on the role or position of women; it is a statement of bald and basic fact."

From ancient to new writings on religion, one truth binds; women are lesser creatures. This is the only societal reason we treat our partners in life with such contempt. It is an ugly thought that should not be part of atheism. Though there are a few who would like to make atheism misogynist; if this happens it would destroy atheism. It goes against what atheism promotes so cannot exist in the community except as human aberration.

Acts that damage or maim a woman's body, or even kill, that are based solely on a human's normal social behavior, is the most atrocious behavior that a man can partake in. Ignorance is no excuse.

Though religion and man appear to be the creator of this hatred, we know it is not the only abomination that exists because of primitive thoughts. We see children dying from being beat in supposed enlightened countries because of religious texts. We see children in the same countries dying from curable diseases. We see rapes and killings in other countries under the christian cross.

As an atheist thought, violent and love are two words that should never belong in the same sentence.

Religion is the most violent form of love that exists on the planet. If atheism is allowed to be permeated with the same senseless and brutal thoughts, it would then be no different that what we oppose.

We will have become the enemy.

The GOP is the Greatest Threat to Humanity.

2011-12-28T08:51:00.000-08:00

I read an article recently that stated a similar thought about the Republican Party except for one exception. They used the word “may.” That term has been gnawing at my thoughts since I read the article. Why do liberals, when stating a fact, hide their real thoughts? There is no “may” in this thought. Here we are, getting closer and closer to a very important election, and many liberal columnists are still beating around the bush.

Strong language is called for when exposing the conservative party for what it really is, a bane on American society and the world at large.

Issues need to be framed in reality. When you hear about conservative elected officials going after abortion, do not think this is about a pro-life position; it is about imposing the Christian version of Sharia law in this country. They would like nothing better than to perch the Ten Commandments in every fucking federal building in the country. This is a theocracy in the making; have to keep all the sheep happy and content. Control is the desire. Don’t worry about eating dirt for dinner, in the afterlife you’ll be changing baby Jesus’ diapers. Ah, the glory of god is all you need worry about, your suffering here is only a grain of sand on the beach of forever.

When you hear the term, “job creators,” don’t you notice the term? Doesn’t anyone flinch at the term creator? What a sly way of influencing the idiots that have figured out how to vote, but not what they’re voting for. Priests are illegally influencing their flocks to vote for the anointed ones, protecting their thievery from prying eyes. And in reality, the conservative movement is only a way of preserving power. It is not a democratic force; it is a force for greed. The poor and middle class pay for the rich to live lives of biblical immorality, yet somehow that remains noble to the theist mentality.

A good theocracy needs bad science as well. If god is in control, he will repair the world’s ills with a wave of his bigoted hand. No regulation needed no worries about the environment, no cares about the extinction of a planet. Waste every resource, pollute the planet, god will take care of it. The use of god in elections by conservatives is meant to instill a thought that anti-life actions, like making the earth uninhabitable by destroying its resources, are okay. The problem, if there is a problem, will be rectified by god when the time comes.

Bad science is easily propagated. Climate change is not science, it’s a liberal conspiracy. Evolution is a fallacy; we know god did all the work. By negating reality, we keep the delusion alive. Though happily there are scientists trying to spread the good word, the anti-science trend will not stop until you and I start talking about it. Talk to everyone you know. Laugh at the stupidity of those who promote irrational thoughts. Plant a fucking seed in the minds of the believers.

As the 2012 elections near, I’m sure I will be boring everyone on this site, and aggravating every damn lazy thinker I encounter. Every conservative or anti-science pinhead you meet should be a debate. A debate where no prisoners are taken. For those who think that calmness is the only way to succeed, how do you explain conservative success? Get over your niceness and become a fighter.

A recent survey asked what celebrity you would most like as a neighbor. Did you think they'd pick Dennet, Dawkins or any other thinker? Not. The number one answer is theist Tim Tebow. Think hard about that.

They want god.

They will want god until it is shown that not having god is in their own best interest.

The Trouble with Theists

2011-12-18T06:00:00.000-08:00

The holiday season can be a trying time for atheists. Jesus is in your face constantly. Even in my little town the one and only billboard proudly displays the message that we should, “Keep Christ in Christmas.” That nonsense is paid for by our local catholic church and partners.

Some of the local businesses proudly display on their signs, “God Bless,” like the thought is in some way comforting. Going inside the local merchants’ place of business can exhaust one’s patience with all the references to the ugly dreams of men. I’m sure most of us have wondered how such good cheer can come from such badly written horror stories.

But we go our ways, smiling. It is the season. It is hard to ignore the goodwill that is expressed during this time of year, especially if you close your eyes to the commercial aspects of the holiday. As long as you can ignore that part of the holiday, and stay out of stores where patrons are pepper spraying each other, (in a loving Christian way), the goodwill of the season is hard to ignore.

Year after year though, I join the throngs of humanity that smile; socializing and eating our way through the end of the year. The visits with family and friends where that frozen smile is the only usable armor against the foolishness. It does get rather tedious. I, like probably many atheists, get so sick of the hypocrisy that I yearn to become the local hermit.

Then it happens. A phone call from young acquaintance who says she’s coming over. She knows that Jo and I are getting ready to entertain and wants to come over and help. Doesn’t take no for an answer and in minutes she shows up with another of our newly made friends from our small town. Now in all honesty, they had been indulging in a little holiday cheer, so were slightly happy. We all live within walking distance of each other so not much of a threat to the streets. So now I have two energetic cute young ladies in my house cleaning; cool.

One of the young ones is a smoker. She goes out for one, and I keep her company on the porch. She’s talking about how she has been resisting her urges to misbehave for the last couple of weeks and says “amen.” Not once but several times while urging me to join her. She is aware that I’m not religious in any manner, and I gently remind her again. But she is so happy to have been behaving that she keeps it up. Her loveliness even gets an “A” out of me before I catch myself. It does make me chuckle.

The evening goes along, we clean and decorate and they leave without any more talk that stinks of religion, so I can’t really complain that much. It was fun.

The next day is the party, one of three that I’m having in my home this year. This one is with the neighbors. It is a fun event, everyone behaving. After dinner, and after the empty wine bottles start piling up, the conversation turns to what some of my neighbors still have to accomplish before the holiday. One starts talking about a toy that she had picked up for her granddaughter. She talks about how hard it was to find, but thank god that she did finally get her hands on the Chinese made crap she wanted and thank god it was the right color; on and on. I can feel my eyes glaze over and my friendly wine buzz turning into more of a roadhouse ass kicking emotion, when the nice lady gives me three packages of goodies for the road when I head south. Damn her.

That is the trouble with theists. Most of them are nice people, making their way through life as best they can. It is how religion is still able to maintain a grip on the world. The people that have been brainwashed are in so many ways just plain good. That goodness does not come from the religion; it comes from humans being human.

So, for a few weeks, I will try to remember that theists are not the problem as much as the institution is the problem. That I need to stay focused on those whose goal is to spread the disease so they can retain or gain power. Weeks of not berating the foolish for being foolish.

Well, at least for a short time, then all bets are off.

Dreams of War

2011-10-03T21:19:00.001-07:00

Stop, look, listen; or read on. Video here.

"The broke can choke on garbage and swill

whatever is discarded when the rich have their fill

tea party says don't feed them or even cure them

a new game in town from conservative clowns

if hungry or sick let them die, die, die

if black or brown let them fry, fry, fry

the wealthy are hiding secure on their thrones

if I could get near them maybe they'd throw me a bone

I doubt it

It's called class warfare by the rich and their whores

it is class warfare if you're generationally poor

it is class warfare if wages disappear

show them the door show them the door

Conservatives cheer about killing our people

pricks don't care enough about the sick

they deserve the time a free life on your dime

the rest have no worth get them off of this earth

if you like the smell of rot in the air

if you like poison in your beer

if you have no compassion for your peers

you're definitely a tea party volunteer

you know it

oh yeah

you know it

It's called class warfare by the rich and their whores

it is class warfare if you're generationally poor

it is class warfare when wages disappear

show them the door show them the door

The middle is a riddle unions or work

not much of a choice people think they're jerks

wouldn't count on their charity or any help

barely living with the cards that have been dealt

If your out of a job republicans will help you

by cutting off aid aid aid that would feed you

and keeping health care that'd cure you

for the few who think we're nothing but fools

we are

It's called class warfare by the rich and their whores

it is class warfare if you're generationally poor

it is class warfare when wages disappear

show them the door show them the door

It's called class warfare by the rich and their whores

it is class warfare if you're generationally poor

it is class warfare when wages disappear

show them the door show them the door"

Also posted at Atheist Universe.

The Unbearable Cuteness of Atheists

2011-09-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

All across the planet, there is nothing cuter than an atheist. We are the most adorable creatures that walk, crawl, slither, fly or swim on this earth. Loving, curious and playful, there is nothing that compares.

Think of all our distant and close relatives wandering the world; all atheists from the time they are born until the time they are dead. Living in a world of reality. Interacting with all life, they never consider heaven or earth.

Too smart for the fantasy, they know better than us.

Walt Whitman said it best:

"I think I could turn and live with the animals, they're so placid and self contained, I stand and look at them and long. They do not sweat and whine about their condition. They do not lie awake in the dark and weep for their sins. They do not make me sick discussing their duty to god, not one is dissatisfied, not one is demented with the mania of owning things, not one kneels to another, nor to his kind that lived thousands of years ago, not one is respectable or unhappy over the earth."

Whether tamed or wild, atheists rock. For your perusal, the unarguable and unbearable cuteness of atheists.

Cool little guys that will probably kick your ass when they get older, but not because they disagree with your religion, or lack of it. They will not premeditate messing with you, but if you get in their way; deal with it. Actually they are understandable, and the more knowledge you collect on habits and dangers, the safer you are.

We have billions of atheists on this planet. More numbers than any religion can claim.

Just think about the unwolfable cuteness of wolf pups, or the unrabbitable cuteness of bunnies, or all the other bad word games that I could play. I'll stop, but still, atheists will give you a cuteness overload.

Yeah, bunnies and ducklings, do they look dangerous? For being atheists they should be out raping and killing, but of course in their world, their actions are normal. It is not a sin for them to live, only for theists. As far as I can tell, atheism is the world.

Only a very small percentage of life reveres fairy tales from antiquity. No matter how well the story is told, in the end it is just a story. Real life embraces reality. Possibly triteness incarnate, but it is a fact.

Atheist cats and dogs, birds and fish, snakes and all manner of reptiles. Crawling beetles, marching ants; yep, all atheists.

I like being part of this family. It is the world in its innate form.

What could be better than this? Instead of wasting time with wishful thinking about everlasting life, we have our senses and evolutionary motivations to live. Life is eternal, what else can one know?

Instead of worrying about offending invisible asshats, we revel in the workings of nature. We explore and discover. We give love to beings that deserve it, and those beings are part of our world. And even though we can love life that doesn't love back, we love that reality. Why waste emotional feelings on nothing?

We are, as the rest of nature is, reasonable in our atheism. We are beautiful and we are kind, we are ugly and we are cruel; and we are real.

Perfect.

Don't Say a Word

2011-09-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

Religion always refrains from calling freedom of speech a liberty that should be enjoyed by all. Religion says, "say this, ignore this, toe the line buddy or rot in hell." Good for them, making up arbitrary rules of behavior is where it's at. I can't blame them for the thought, if I were to make up some bullshit claptrap for fools to follow, then I should get to make the rules; simple as that.

Normally I am irritated by religion itself. The monstrous institution that lays down nonsensical laws from the main man is always at the top of the list of things I heartily disdain. Religion permeates and entrenches itself into every aspect of society. Given a chance, it will steal the minds of every culture. That is the main reason I despise those whose quest for power centers on belief instead of reason.

It is much easier to gain renown by making shit up than by examining the truth of the world that surrounds you.

At times though I do get pissed at the followers as well. The thought that any person I come into contact with can be so easily led is disturbing. They look like me on the outside. They usually talk like me. They usually love their family, hang on to friends, work and play; all just like me.

I mean really, forget about free speech itself. If your mind is imprisoned, how can freedom exist?

It's a thought that would appear to be true, how else could a reasonable society embrace creationism? How else could you dislike, or possibly even hate, your neighbor if your mind was free to explore a different possibility? Only the mandate of religion would make a seemingly nice person frown upon his nice gay neighbor, or nice atheist neighbor, or even another nice person that believes in his own god nonsense.

John Calvin stated, "that no idolatry, no blasphemy against the name of God, no calumnies against his truth, nor other offences to religion, break out and be disseminated among the people. . . . [Government must] prevent the true religion, which is contained in the law of God, from being with impunity openly violated and polluted by public blasphemy." He rants on, "Those who would spare heretics and blasphemers are themselves blasphemers. Here we follow not the authority of men but we hear God speaking as in no obscure terms He commands His church forever. Not in vain does He extinguish all those affections by which our hearts are softened: the love of parents, brothers, neighbors and friends. He calls the wedded from their marriage bed and practically denudes men of their nature lest any obstacle impede their holy zeal. Why is such implacable severity demanded unless . . . devotion to God’s honor should be preferred to all human concerns and as often as His glory is at stake we should expunge from memory our mutual humanity."

Calvin was a monstrosity, but only because he followed biblical law. So to some extent, followers do moderate some of the worst of the bible. Yet when I hear about anti-blasphemy laws trying to become man's law, not god's law, I think maybe religious culture is not becoming any more tolerant than in his day.

Is it only fear that keeps a rational mind from expressing his doubts? Or is it culture and a society that respects and engages in religion that denies freedom to criticize. Blasphemy laws would allow religion to run rampant, unchecked in it's ability to confuse and demean humanity.

A few states still have old blasphemy laws on the books. Even in Michigan it exists. In 2007 at a city council meeting in Montrose, a gentleman said "god damn" and was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and obscenity. Didn't hold up, but still they try.

The UN has tested the waters entertaining the thought of a world ban on defaming religion; good luck with that one.

Also posted at The Cranky Atheist.

Something Wrong

2011-09-11T09:52:00.000-07:00

Audio here.

I remember as a child watching old black and white sitcom reruns with my family. The shows adults in my family grew up with. No matter what the genre, if it included a family, there was always one common denominator; only one person, normally the male, worked. One working person in a household was able to support a family, have a decent home, a decent car and a decent life.

As I grew older those shows changed. As trickle down economics made its way into the conscious of the American public all of a sudden all these shows had two income earners. At the time, I didn't think anything of it, just how life was. Didn't effect me, I was on my own making a dollar the best I could. Not living the good life, but definitely living.

When I was first married, the one income family example was no longer seen as an American ideal, or even a possibility. There were some successes still. Blue collar workers were making decent money in factories and construction, but that disappeared as my life progressed. By my second marriage, it took two of us earning wages to have the things we wanted. A decent home, decent vehicles, decent clothes; all the trappings that go along with the image that many of us wanted to cultivate. Third marriage, (and no comments are necessary), we both worked, and our surroundings got better. We were at the top of our respective fields. We had health benefits, a retirement plan and savings.

A lot of life spent acquiring things and making sure there was life after work.

Now I look around and see children living with their parents. Everyone working to make that American dream happen. No benefits or retirement make it almost impossible, unless you work from morning to night seven days a week. A horrid thought that is coming back thanks to the dismantling of the only protection workers had; the unions. I think these circumstances have been deliberately imposed upon americans by politicians and the wealthy. What will it take in another generation to live the life that so many Americans enjoyed in the past? Will extended family all be living in one home to be able to afford the trappings of success?

The wealthy control the politicians, and the politicians control the country. Do we notice anyone making an effort to create good paying jobs? I've watched the democrats make an effort every so often, but except for a few, it doesn't seem like they really have their hearts in it. Right now we have another jobs bill going to congress, hopefully that will go through. I watched the republican debate to see what they offer as a new direction. They don't have one. It is the same vision that has turn single earner families into multi earner families. Nothing I see changes the downward direction of the middle class; we've been raped by the rich and conservatives wish to continue the plundering of the country.

With jobs and a bleak economical future being forecast, what are the talking points of conservatives that ring true to their base? Is there something that we need from conservatives these days? Apparently there is something that excites their base. By now most of you have seen the video showing the conservative audience at the debate loudly applauding the death penalty.

Something wrong, or is it just me?

Also posted at Atheist Universe.

Say Your Prayers

2011-09-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

A little ballad, a bit of southern rock. Listen here.

The land is scorched by a climate torch

loosed upon the land by unlearned hands

the future is unclear for everything you hold dear

because those who were created are never sated

Get on your knees that's all it takes

Say your prayers with the rest of the fakes

Get on your feet get out on the street

this is the season for people of reason

While the earth burns and the oceans churn

the land is poisoned by the unreasoned

the air is fouled and the wealthy chuckle

animals slide into extinction because of our dysfunction

Get on your knees that's all it takes

Say your prayers with the rest of the fakes

Get on your feet get out on the street

this is the season for people of reason

Earth's resources dwindle as we use as kindle

to feed the gluttony of those whose destiny

is eternal life with what they think is no strife

those who worry need to be warriors

Get on your knees that's all it takes

Say your prayers with the rest of the fakes

Get on your feet get out on the street

this is the season for people of reason

Will we wait too long to write the song

will we be gone before the dawn

can those waiting for a savior ever change their behavior

I do not fear but think our doom is near

Get on your knees that's all it takes

Say your prayers with the rest of the fakes

Get on your feet get out on the street

this is the season for people of reason

Get on your knees that's all it takes

Say your prayers with the rest of the fakes

Get on your feet get out on the street

this is the season for people of reason

Get on your knees that's all it takes

Say your prayers with the rest of the fakes

Get on your feet get out on the street

this is the season for people of reason

Also posted on Atheist Universe.

In Your Head

2011-09-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Conservatives continue to frame talking points out of, well, nothing.

I was in a quick weird conversation where I have family members all yelling that forty some percent of the U.S. populace doesn't pay taxes. Okay, and?

And nothing. Nothing at all. I think it's one of those things that you just shout out, and that's it. Is it supposed to be a bad thing? Is there a breakdown of those who don't pay? Are you saying revenue could be raised by taxing the unknown?

Why the fuck can't conservatives say something that means something. Why do they yell inanities and then shut up when someone questions meaning?

So there I am, surrounded by conservatives, looking up this crap for the lazy bastards. Walking purveyors of nonsensical points. I know that labeling a thought as meaningless is a logical fallacy, there is meaning in words, but I can't figure it out. If I press the issue with questions, usually the final response is a loud, "I don't know."

I don't know? Then why are you talking? If you don't know, please shut the fuck up and stop confusing everyone.

A quick glance shows that the majority of those who pay no taxes are those who make less than twenty thousand a year. When I make this comment, I get deaf ears and blank looks. That's why conversing with minds lacking the will to follow a thought through is so frustrating.

So I say, "then you think we should tax the poor?" What response do I get? A loud, "I don't know!

Then why are you speaking? Fucking crazy land.

If I give percentages of income levels and those in the income groups that pay no taxes, do they have a response. No!

How can you speak if you have not put any effort into explaining your thought? How can you converse with someone who doesn't understand what they are saying, that only parrot what they hear?

I think every problem conservatives have with everything they hate is all in their big empty heads. They only look at the surface of a thought, no time or inclination to actually delve into it. Oh no, just scream and yell you're hatred bigots, it's all you have, and just so you know, that sucks.

Also posted on "Atheist Universe."

Dreams of Liars

2011-08-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

I have wondered what it is that religious leaders get out of the nonsense they spout. Is there a prize for the idiot that comes up with the most outlandish story? It is hard for me to think that every priest, pastor or whatever, believes in the nonsense he spouts. Churches should be labeled as social networking groups and capitalists and not be classified as anything else.

It is only big business, and the only ones who might really believe are those easily duped. If it was labeled a capitalistic adventure, like psychic hotlines and other nonsense should be, I could almost understand. But seemingly, even the psychics don't have to label themselves truthfully. There are those who believe in psychics, so I would think you would have to put them in the same exact category as religion. I don't want to see a psychic hotline saying that their service is for entertainment, I want them to man up and label themselves fiction.

They are no worse or better than religion.

Maybe conspiracists are hoping to be founders of a money making venture? It has already worked for politicians, think of the birthers and the right wing funded organizations who use outright lies to raise funds. Smearing the president with false accusations then raising money to continue the lies. Swift boat a candidate and make money doing so. That would also seem to fit in with the rest; and should be labeled as the rest. It is not politics, it is the representation of falsehoods as fact. I don't want conspiracy theorists given any degree of substantiation in the public discourse, I want it plainly labeled, "we're a bunch of fucking liars that want your money."

Again, they are no better or worse than religion.

All the above examples, and more, should be categorized as dreams and lies; fiction if you like.

It would seem that all the dreams of liars are only useful in the business of making money. Possibly with some, controlling certain sections of the populace is also a goal, but that translates easily into cash as well.

It would be fun if the churches were more like corporations. Sure, I'll buy a thousand shares of catholicism today, maybe a thousand shares of scientology tomorrow, a little evangelical stock the day after. Then grab some Koch brothers supported crap to keep a balanced portfolio.

All things human are not even close to being good for all humans.

Also posted on Atheist Universe.

Dreams of Liars

2011-08-29T06:48:00.000-07:00

They are no worse or better than religion.

Again, they are no better or worse than religion.

All the above examples, and more, should be categorized as dreams and lies; fiction if you like.

All things human are not even close to being good for all humans.

Brittle

2011-08-27T10:09:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm singing again, audio is located here.

Since the beginning they've been singing
praises and prayers ignoring all failures
faces adorned with smiles formed
mindless actions bringing satisfaction

Hiding in a box talking to the fox
who takes and takes whatever you make
and will use the cash in a flash
for a shiny new car that will take him far

rings and things and stealth wealth
buying conniving fake feats for treats
castles for rascals huts not for bandits
cars and lairs for riding and hiding

brittle is the concept that describes false precepts
brittle is the creed on which fakers feed
brittle is the good book and it's dismal outlook
brittle describes the end of those who pretend

the sin and the skin they chase with haste
knowing and gloating lying about dying
saving and paving cold streets of gold
dancing and prancing greed is their creed

Liar is the word for phonies and their cronies
who've thundered and stuttered and stammered
the ideas we've suffered from words that are uttered
the agile babble from christian brothels

An abomination rules the earth
making slaves that have no worth
out of men and women who want the dreams
of a world that is exactly as it seems

brittle is the concept that describes false precepts
brittle is the creed on which fakers feed
brittle is the good book and it's dismal outlook
brittle describes the end of those who pretend

Also posted on Atheist Universe.

Brittle

2011-08-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm singing again, audio is located here.

brittle is the concept that describes false precepts
brittle is the creed on which fakers feed
brittle is the good book and it's dismal outlook
brittle describes the end of those who pretend

Also posted on Atheist Universe.

Take My Hand

2011-08-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

I've recently been entrenched in a discussion about unions and how horrible they are for society. A debate that is unmoderated, a debate where all the worst logical fallacies are employed. Well, I guess not all, but to give you the flavor of the idiocy; yes, Hitler has come up.

I guess it's not that bad, ad homs are the worst of the discussion. I lost my temper once, apologized and stayed away for a few days, but kept following. The ad homs continued from the conservatives, (they really have no debating skills), and whether the authors of the slams thought they were so subtle that no one would notice I do not know, but I do know that I have no respect for the ideas being promulgated. And I really have great distaste for people who think they're subtle and intelligent when in reality their slams are not very subtle, and their minds are incapable of holding a reasonable discussion.

But then again, being cranky and aggressive, I must say it has given me great pleasure recently to wade back in and tell them what I thought of all their jackass conservative ideas. I went as far as to say I'd love to see the conservatives in this country become extinct. Even as far as subliminally forwarding the thought that I'd be happy to help that happen in any way possible.

Sometimes telling someone they're a jackass, or to fuck off, does blow off a little steam without physically hurting someone.

And I really shouldn't put all conservatives in the same boat, though I think they all have that selfish thought pattern that makes me want to grab a pitchfork and a couple of torches. I know that there might be a conservative or two who may actually want to discuss a thought in an intelligent manner, they're just few and far between. This cast of jokers also cling to 9/11 conspiracies and other looney tunes.

I know that someone will say, why bother? It is fairly useless to converse with those that cannot comprehend reality. But, these are atheists. Besides all the debaters being atheists, the majority are liberal, which seems to be the norm for groups of atheists; most lean to the left. Most are a bit more compassionate than these yahoos.

I only waded back in because of the seeming weak responses by my progressive friends. They were intelligent responses, they were fact filled, they were thoughtful; and they were losing the debate because the screaming monkeys of the right brought out the guns and shut up the liberal dissenters.

The comment that drew me back into the conversation was a right leaning bastard who wrote, "those who have been taken over by ideology can no longer see the truth."

Okay, gloves coming off now, I hate that tactic. The ones entrenched in their ideology are always the first to claim someone else is having a problem.

My angry and not very intelligent response:

"I haven't seen the rich idolized this much in years. Unions compared with hitler, what the fuck? You guys are cracking me up. Why don't you go hang out with your idols? Kiss their ass, maybe they'll give you a crumb.

History shows you have lost this debate. Scream and yell, get your panties in a bind, don't care. Since Reagan we've seen wages drop, benefits drop; basically the Ayn Rand creed has fucked the nation. The Amercan dream no more. And look at the jackass teapartiers now in congress, hey where's the jobs bitches? You keep giving tax break after tax break to the rich and the middle class dwindles. Go ahead and talk about Marxism, I'll talk about what's happening here, which is easy to see for those of us not captured by dogma or ideology. For thirty years this anti-worker creed has been pushed on the american people. It's failed bitches, open up your eyes. You may be a lazy dick licking bitch, but mine work for a living, and we will get paid for it. You're offspring can live in the fucking garbage dumps, not mine.

Those promoting this free market crap just can't see what's happening. they deny the losses of jobs. They say Americans aren't worth what they are paid. 40 hour work weeks, no thanks. Minimum wage, no thanks. No union protection, kiss my ass."

I ranted for a while. Probably not constructive, but I was looking for the same enjoyment these people were having, and you know, it felt pretty good.

Every so often I think we need to rant at the ignorance that has been allowed to creep into our society. Every so often we need to show the muckrakers, these liars and thieves, that we will fight back.

Though I have blogged similar thoughts in the past, I still think it needs to be said over and over, fight back. I received thanks from the more progressive individuals in the dialogue and that was nice, but I'd like to see them rant once in a while themselves. There comes a time when it is right to pick a fight.

It is hard for me to believe sometimes that there are people who hate their fellow man so much they'd shoot themselves in the foot to make sure you don't succeed. What is it driving this insanity, the dusty dregs of religion?

Take my hand, lets make a stand.

Enter Night

2011-08-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

For those who enjoy the audio listen here.

In another world's tale
in a land that's for sale
where religion does prevail
and logic is assailed
where reason is derailed
and science is impaled
on a bronze rusted nail
a theocracy is unveiled
the sound of man's wail
but to no avail
we cannot help but fail
when religion prevails

Curiosity's appetite
vanishes like candlelight
remember you thought it was alright
to enter this long night

Conservatives had a plot
using god as a prop
scientists become laughingstock
no need for an astronaut
creationism came as a shock
to those who mock
evolution was forgot
hardly an afterthought
climate change will make it hot
you'll die in the weather's onslaught
you're own neck you garrote
you know not what you have wrought

Curiosity's appetite
vanishes like candlelight
remember you thought it was alright
to enter this long night

Where magic rules what happens
where priests are our captains
and the thoughts you imagine
are left in shambles
for your mind is in shackles
and evolution is a scandal
where questioning is an infraction
against the rich in their mansions
a place where your grandsons
will deal with the phantoms
of science and atoms
and the reality of dragons

Curiosity's appetite
vanishes like candlelight
remember you thought it was alright
to enter this long night

The anointed ones will rule
using the bible as fuel
showing disdain and ridicule
for the thought of a molecule
acting neutral
while leaders are untruthful
you've given them approval
by your steadfast refusal
to elect leaders with scruples
during a time that is crucial
now resistance is futile
you're a fool fool fool

Curiosity's appetite
vanishes like candlelight
remember you thought it was alright
to enter this long night

Also posted at Atheist Universe.

Never Never Land

2011-08-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

I've always enjoyed fantasy, light reading for a summer day. And yes, I enjoy creating my own world from the words of skilled authors. From those who can capture my imagination from those who have a vision, an idea that they pursue. During my life, Piers Anthony, Stephen Donaldson, Anne McCaffrey, David Eddings, Roger Zelazny, Ursula K Le Guin and so many more it would be nearly impossible to list; all were friends at one time in my life.

Even with it's religious theme, I've still managed to read Tolkien's Lord of the Rings a few dozen times over the decades. Sometimes it is nice to immerse yourself in the fantastic.

Greek and Norse mythology, fascinating. I ate that up during my school years. Even going back to, what I believe is the first story in print, Gilgamesh, all were great examples of imagination and of story telling. Reading The Odyssey captured my thoughts. Kick ass. Give me some more Beowulf please.

I doubt if I'm the only atheist with a passion for good story telling.

Then think about science fiction. The worlds and life that was created, the thoughts of a future that could be heading our way. Utopias and horrors, all there, some attainable, some not wanted; a blueprint of the future to realize the dreams of man. I read every science fiction book I could find growing up, thoughts of what knowledge may be attained always grabbed my attention. It is a fact that If a teacher needed to beat on me for missing their class they knew where to find me; in the library.

I guess I never learned how to cut a class or school properly.

But no, we pick the most boring fantasy of all time and try to live our lives by it. A book that will make sure that a productive life for all is impossible. A book that paints all others as evil. A book that makes you hate yourself because of unattainable goals presented. God and the devil are one trick ponies, think of the fun we could of had with almost any other fantasy out there.

How did this happen? Why the story that subjugates instead of frees, was it the easiest way to control the masses? Old greek stories had conflicting morals thoughts, since the gods fight amongst themselves.

I always thought monotheism was just a way of saying there is only one way to live a life. But then again, there is the devil, so how much did that accomplish?

Throughout much of my life, I've always wondered why we picked the worst writing of all time to honor. I mean hell, Thor was way more fun, and just as easy to relate to than jesus. Out of all the stories we could have picked to live our lives by, how the hell did we settle on the most despicable tale of all?

Also posted at Atheist Universe.

Bliss

2011-08-17T10:23:00.000-07:00

Audio video by Michel here.

Giving us the hard sell describing life in hell

pastors love brimstone fire they think life is dire

their need to plant the seed to the losers who heed

the voice of fantasy object apostasy

outweighs all the comfort of the blind that report

the pain and torture and suffering that religion's leaders keep ignoring

A long and useless life that is filled with much strife

is the curse of the church that needs no rebirth

there will be no relief from the constant belief

that haunts society destroys commonality

humans that inhabit the planet like rabbits

religion causes the social rift lies about death that pretend to uplift

Small towns and big cities infested with abbeys

the stench of foolish lies attract plentiful flies

that perch on dirty mounds on the stories unbound

devised by the unlearned who were never concerned

with your prosperity only their charity

that they think that only they deserve while feeling this pain you can only sneer

At the words that they say at the start of the day

that are meant to ensnare but their lies you will bare

to lift all of mankind from the priests dark design

while theists in waiting continue the hating

we continue the fight debating what is right

lifting the people into the light and removing them from religion's sight

masses in misery religious sovereignty

take the easy way out dismissing all your doubt

masses who are unlearned are easy to govern

with sour beliefs and tales that are doomed to fail

when used as instruction priests have no compunction

the masses living in ignorance gives religions delight and great bliss

Vertigo

2011-08-06T07:39:00.000-07:00

Funky audio version here.

Flashing lights are way too bright

close my eyes and listen to the cries

close my ears to the sunset fears

of christian bigotry for it's time to flee

Pastors cry out jesus will save you

but there's no doubt he'll do it to you

send you to hell screaming in agony

this we can tell it'll be real sunny

Balance lost at great cost

Spinning world spin and twirl

feeling dizzy staggering dizzy

wherever I go it's vertigo

Life is long for those who think

yeah god's wrong you'll be judged in a blink

an eye for an eye with a crime for a crime

just wave bye bye but keep that stolen dime

Punishment awaits that's all our fate

something to relish better to be a fish

for they won't be accused of not paying their dues

no passing plates for creatures of no faith

Balance lost at great cost

Spinning world spin and twirl

feeling dizzy staggering dizzy at 35 is a keeper

wherever I go it's vertigo

On the corner sits an evil place

where lies exist for the human race

a book of terror commands the stage

where a priest can hardly hold his rage

Pastors are men with no regrets or shame

men of sin they are looking for fame

little bastards will rip out your chest

with words from their lips they take our best

Balance lost at great cost

Spinning world spin and twirl

feeling dizzy staggering dizzy

wherever I go it's vertigo

They'll tell you it's love with a straight face

words from above that you must embrace

they'll tell you about mercy and then about hell

jesus's anniversary begins the hard sell

Man is born evil and slavery will serve

else you're the devil getting what you deserve

get on your knees and ask for forgiveness

unless you can see through the guise of big business

Balance lost at great cost

Spinning world spin and twirl

feeling dizzy staggering dizzy ?

wherever I go it's vertigo

What is the cost of a world that is lost

only battles and wars command our ears

losing direction thinking about creation

wandering like a river will we ever deliver

minds to reality or at least compromise

ideas in equality just open your eyes

there's nothing magic except imagination

that isn't tragic but reason is rationed

Balance lost at great cost

Spinning world spin and twirl

feeling dizzy staggering dizzy

wherever I go it's vertigo

Balance lost at great cost

Spinning world spin and twirl

feeling dizzy a staggering flow

of unreason creating vertigo

The Selfish American

2011-08-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

I think that besides the religious leanings of the conservative right, another driving force is greed. The easiest example is the conservative mantra that the rich must be made richer. No revenues from them, only low income and retired folks should bear that burden.

That is just a general observation of a large movement, so it is easy for someone to say that it is not true of all that share that ideology, but I disagree. Day to day life gives me example after example of how warped minds really are that subscribe to that ideology.

These are recent examples of the thought processes of your average conservative nutcase.

I'm having a conversation with a family member and he starts talking the usual bullshit about frivolous lawsuits. I'm not much in the mood for the discussion, I know he's been brainwashed by his buddies on Fox, so why bother? I just agree that possibly torte reform would be a good thing. Possibly a cap on lawsuits would help drive insurance costs down and that could be passed to the consumer. How much does a normal person need to live? Do I need a billion dollars because I spilled hot coffee on my balls? Probably not.

Well, that was my way of agreeing partially with his thought; trying to be a nicer and gentler Neal this trip. Ten minutes later though, he tells me he wishes he was a lawyer so he could sue a medical facility for not providing medication that his daughter needs. She didn't bother showing up to an appointment she had, so they cut off her medication until she made another appointment.

Better examples coming, but this is where it starts. Only they personally are worth being helped, others are not. Other people shouldn't be allowed to frivolously sue, just him.

Next is social security and medicare/medicaid. No discussion with my right wing friends on this one, their actions show how they think. They vote for tea party conservatives that are hell bent on destroying safety nets, yet they use all of those nets. Somehow they are convinced that it won't effect them, just those lazy bastards out there

They are worth it, you are not.

But this is the example that shows plainly how fucked up their thought processes really are. I have a conservative neighbor who has a tree they want removed from their yard. They go through the association to get it approved, saying that they will cover the cost of the new bush they put in.

Now these are people that don't want a dime of association monies being spent on anything. They turned off the sprinkling system last summer to save dollars, while ruining my lawn, (that only happened once, after Jo and I were done with them, they know never to touch anything like that again). But this is a common occurrence, we want something done to improve the community, they want to fight about the money being spent. Very cheap.

So here's the deal. When they say they will pay for the bush to replace the tree, that is all they intend to pay. Most of the cost is labor removing the old tree and planting the new one. That cost they want the association to pay.

Because they are worth any cost, but the rest of are not.

I think this is the general attitude of conservatives. Not just by what you see in national news, but in their daily lives. Individually they are as morally bankrupt as their party, which makes them a danger to society. They do not want safety nets, except for themselves, they do not want prosperity for all, just for themselves. They do not want legal protection, except for themselves.

All the poor, not worth anything. All the sick, not worth anything. All the non-working, not worth it.

Soon everyone will have to face the fact that none of these people have society's best interest at heart.

Fight back dammit.

The Selfish American

2011-08-05T08:50:00.000-07:00

These are recent examples of the thought processes of your average conservative nutcase.

Better examples coming, but this is where it starts. Only they personally are worth being helped, others are not. Other people shouldn't be allowed to frivolously sue, just him.

They are worth it, you are not.

Now these are people that don't want a dime of association monies being spent on anything. They turned off the sprinkling system last summer to save dollars, while ruining my lawn, (that only happened once, after Jo and I got done with them, they know never to touch anything like that again). But this is a common occurrence, we want something done to improve the community, they want to fight about the money being spent. Very cheap.

Because they are worth any cost, but the rest of are not.

All the poor, not worth anything. All the sick, not worth anything. All the non-working, not worth it.

Soon everyone will have to face the fact that none of these people have society's best interest at heart.

Fight back dammit.

Stars

2011-08-04T03:45:00.001-07:00

Audio - latin loops and vocals here.

Living as we are in a universe of stars

of bright lights and pretty sights

of webs and lace that our minds embrace

nebula's cool rivers that make us shiver

a tiny speck a little fleck

we are in the ocean of a galaxy's slow motion

With a slight ability to understand reality

we would rather drift in tales that uplift

life is infinite with stories that rivet

but none equal the wonder of reason that we ponder

explaining and teaching our minds always reaching

Some would ignore and deny the core

why others reveal that which has been sealed

of revealed truths like trees bearing fruit

instead of heeding some our leading

ignoring our will creating cults that kill

Some would claim that science's fame

is a fleeting moment and god will not remain dormant

refusing to acknowledge and driving a wedge

between friends and family that should live in harmony

is our best hope a pope on a rope

Not talking about hanging or drawing and quartering

just kind of a blast washing your face and your ass

with a hunk of soap that looks like the big dope

the king of homophobes looks nice in his robes

while young boys kneel commanded to feel

Back to the stars where cruelty is barred

back to the facts that others lack

back to the dance we take our stance

knowing what is right we continue the fight

to promote a society that relies on reality

Living as we are in a universe of stars

of bright lights and pretty sights

of webs and lace that our minds embrace

nebula's cool rivers that make us shiver

a tiny speck a little fleck

we are in the ocean of a galaxy's slow motion

Stars

2011-08-04T03:44:00.002-07:00

Audio - latin loops and vocals here.

Living as we are in a universe of stars

of bright lights and pretty sights

of webs and lace that our minds embrace

nebula's cool rivers that make us shiver

a tiny speck a little fleck

we are in the ocean of a galaxy's slow motion

With a slight ability to understand reality

we would rather drift in tales that uplift

life is infinite with stories that rivet

but none equal the wonder of reason that we ponder

explaining and teaching our minds always reaching

Some would ignore and deny the core

why others reveal that which has been sealed

of revealed truths like trees bearing fruit

instead of heeding some our leading

ignoring our will creating cults that kill

Some would claim that science's fame

is a fleeting moment and god will not remain dormant

refusing to acknowledge and driving a wedge

between friends and family that should live in harmony

is our best hope a pope on a rope

Not talking about hanging or drawing and quartering

just kind of a blast washing your face and your ass

with a hunk of soap that looks like the big dope

the king of homophobes looks nice in his robes

while young boys kneel commanded to feel

Back to the stars where cruelty is barred

back to the facts that others lack

back to the dance we take our stance

knowing what is right we continue the fight

to promote a society that relies on reality

Living as we are in a universe of stars

of bright lights and pretty sights

of webs and lace that our minds embrace

nebula's cool rivers that make us shiver

a tiny speck a little fleck

we are in the ocean of a galaxy's slow motion