The Planet - September 22, 2013

POLITICS

Keeping the insanity "real," the House GOP decided that the honorary position of "science laureate" was just too damn useful for them to support. The initiative was stopped. An unpaid position that's only purpose is to promote science across the country is just way to damn subversive for these cave dwelling tea party members of the house. Their thought is that science is political, which of course it is not; scientists would say the same things no matter who is in charge. An anonymous high ranking house member stated, "fear and ignorance, it's what we're all about." Not really, but someone might as well; the truth is evident.

In Kansas, Governor Brownback had promised on the campaign trail that he would reduce poverty. Besides the amusement that one might get from any conservative saying he cares about the plight of American workers, it was an out and out lie. The state hit a new high in child impoverishment in 2011. Policies that were instituted by the crazy man has had their desired effect, the rich get richer, the poor get poorer.

For better, or worse, atheists are sticking their noses into politics. A political action committee has been created that will spend its money on either atheists, or at a minimum, those candidates who will support the separation of church and state. 

House republicans voted to cut $40 billion from the food stamp program. Only conservatives can hate fellow Americans so openly without retaliation. Republicans think that an average of $138 dollars a month is way to generous to feed the starving. For these bastards and their caviar covered filets, shit on the shingle is way too good for the poor.

FOX helped out by passing around videos on "The Great Food Stamp Binge." Fraud and waste has been proven to be less than 1 percent of the program, but the fiends from FOX perverted that data.

This is where one would normally see a horrible image of a starving child, but apparently no child is starving in the U.S. First I tried searching for "starving children" images on google. I didn't want to put up another photo of an African child starving; we've all seen them. I wanted starving white children. The only ones found are black and white photos from the early 1900s, or maybe even earlier, or old eastern European images. Then I tried American starving children, still very few photos of white children, and again when there were, they were old black and white photos. Then I tried U.S. starving children, same basic results.

Apparently, every white child in this country is fat, dumb and happy. Congratulations America.

EDUCATION

Our friends in North Carolina, those tea party statesmen that have done all they can to restrict voting rights, mandate arms carrying in playgrounds, and all other whacky dumb fuck shit, has decided to ban a literary classic from school libraries. "Invisible Man," a Ralph Ellison classic that won the National Book Award in 1953 about social conditions surrounding blacks, no longer has any "literary value" according to old white conservatives in the State. We'll see about this.

A library aide was fired in upstate New York for having a library reading competition. One child kept winning, because you know, some of us like to read. The Director of the library, who apparently was fired as well, started the controversy because the young one winning the contest every year was involved in "no-good-dirty-rotten-book-stealer." Apparently this dimwit thought the winner should be chosen at random, because you know, that encourages reading.

GUNS

They finally fired that police chief who liked to make videos of himself shooting weapons while talking about "fucking libtards" and anyone else he's hating at the moment. Just think, that guy probably has a legal permit to carry firearms, and he hates everyone who disagrees with his moronic viewpoints. Jump him if you see him and kick his ass before he starts shooting is all I can say. Self-defense for real.

FOX reflects on the real problem of gun violence. Increased institutionalization. They must never listen to the real news.

In my lovely state of Michigan, ten minutes from my home, 2 men got into a crazy road rage battle while driving. They were both legally carrying weapons. They pulled into a car wash parking lot, got out of their cars, and started firing those weapons. Both are dead. That's what everyone is missing when it comes to the gun control battle, normally sane people can get pissed. It used to be you would take a swing at someone, now it's the O.K. Coral in every little town in the country. Rage is never in the equation when discussing the legality of carrying instruments that serve one purpose only, killing.

Guns are not for defense, running and ducking for cover is defense. Again, guns are made for one purpose only, death.

HATE

A very small town in disrepair attracts white supremacists. Leith, North Dakota has been falling apart for years; what better haven for a bunch of knuckle-dragging neanderthals to inhabit. This is America, where we allow freedom of hate. The townspeople aren't that happy about the prospect of a takeover, especially, as you can imagine, there one and only minority citizen. Only 24 people live in the town, I think they're in for a battle.

Then there's the idiocy that follows all things non-white. Our new Miss America had the audacity to be born of Indian descent. Oh no you don't. This is one of the best Bill Maher monologues I've seen, he hits the nail on the head when it comes to American's new pastime, hate. Read it or watch it.

ATHEISM

We all need a chuckle now and then, thanks Snoopy.

The big news this week was made by President Obama. For the first time, an American President has fully endorsed gay marriage. Why is this statement, "It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married," so important? A couple of quick reasons for you. First, it will become part of the democratic party platform. Secondly it makes it easier for some leaders of the world to embrace the thought and pressures others into acceptance. There are many reasons this is important, civil rights for millions is one heck of a progressive accomplishment.

Christian conservative groups are circling the wagons. If there is one word that defines that group it would be "intolerance." Beside pastors getting ready to whine on Sunday, activists across the country intend to use this issue to help get out the vote for Romney. NOM believes this will be the issue that defeats President Obama.

Might have to give a little credit to the VP as well, when the, "blue collar," guy says it's okay, it helps.

Mitt Romney, who now appears to be nothing more than the local bully, burns that image into our minds as he dismisses gay marriage. He's got the one percent look, animal lovers he disgusts and now he would squash civil liberties. Doesn't appear to be a winning plan.

In Wisconsin the democratic challenger to Governor Walker has been chosen. Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will face Governor Walker in a June election. The anti-Walker sentiment in the state could possibly give Barrett the win. 

The Tea Party cretins are at it again. Scot Boston, a Tea Party activist, (think bully), threatens Senator Claire McCaskill. At a recent rally he stated, “She walks around like she’s some sort of Rainbow Brite Care Bear or something but really she’s an evil monster.” Then, “We have to kill the Claire Bear.” That's good for some extra security.

I think most of us understand that the Tea Party is out of control. The bully arm of the conservative party has outlived its usefulness; if they ever really had any.

Take these statements: 

"Here is a gentle reminder and "review" of why we should do everything in our power to stifle the notion that mankind can do anything to control the forces of nature!!!! Give me a break!!! How arrogant is that? If in fact, there is global warming (which hasn't been warming for the past 10 years), it isn't due to our CO2 emissions. On the contrary, it is just a normal cycle of God's naturally occurring events."

The Tea Party is anti-science.

Then there's the protests in front of the Supreme Court while the health care mandate was being debated. Anyone that gives it a moment's thought realizes that all humans will need health care at one time in their life or another.

The Tea Party is anti-humanity.

The party's connection with religion can not be doubted. The strongest predictor that a person would be a member of the Tea Party is directly related to his religiosity. 

The Tea Party promotes delusion.

The group works against so called, "moderate," republicans. It is not good enough to be conservative, you have to be so far to the right that you never consider the oppositions views. 

The Tea Party has no wish to negotiate and that effects us every day.

If you think god controls everything, and you have the backing, you can also introduce bills in state legislatures that destroy the green movement. In AZ, (Always AZ), a tea party backed bill guts sustainable energy programs and advances.

The Tea Party is anti-earth.

There is not enough space or time to highlight all the nonsense that comes from this bought and paid for movement. From the, "Protect Our Borders," and, "If you can't stand behind our troops feel free to stand in front," bumper stickers, to their arrogant views on social issues, there's only one thing that can be said.

Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be tea party losers.

Governing Gays

First off, in a secular country, there should be no difference between governing gays and governing citizens; yet there is. Apparently we have decided to depend on a rule of law that separates the populace into groups; is this not the crux of the problem?

In the dark ages state of North Carolina, they voted on defending marriage from the gay onslaught. The happy voters were driven to the polls in magic pumpkin carriages down torchlit muddy streets to make their mark on one of the great stone tablets in place. They were highly disappointed when god did not make an appearance.

In Richmond, Virginia, you can't be openly gay and be a judge. Tracy Thorne-Begland was tossed out of the navy twenty years ago. He has been nominated to serve as a judge for the city's 13th General District Court. The fine, morally challenged, Family Foundation of Virginia, is having none of this. 

In the fine state of Missouri, a school board member by the name of Hardy Billington makes the false claim that gay people, whatever the gender, lose up to 30 years of lifespan. Being gay is worse than smoking, and being a retard is noble.

The Catholic League is suggesting that maybe Obama's, "evolving," views on marriage will next include polygamy. There's a definite lack of reality by every religion on this subject.

Wicked Women

Oh you ladies. Sitting around all smug and stuff thinking you've joined hands with the other gender in deciding your fate. Not yet.

In the state of Missouri, that I mistakenly called, "fine," earlier, women will no longer be trained to fill government positions. Funding will end for the nonpartisan Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Republicans say it, "churns out liberal female democrats," and we aren't standing for it!

You're not paranoid, the christian right and conservatives are out to get you. 

Preacher Jesse Lee Peterson spent 10 minutes in a March sermon on how women have destroyed America. Says allowing women to vote was, "one of the greatest mistakes that America made." 

I'm not thinking he's on your side.

Conservatives love you and know what is best for you. 

More than half of all reproductive age females now live in states hostile to abortion rights. Life is good only if you're not living in one of these conservative havens.

I missed this story about Melissa Gates. Apparently she is setting herself up to be the newest target of he religious right. Contraceptives and family planning is her newest endeavor. A worthy act and a worthy read. Contraceptive improvements and availability are at a standstill worldwide, she intends to reverse that trend.

Hallowed Hate

In Florida, a White Supremacist leader and his followers were arrested. Militias; in the constitution and as part of the conservative mindset, is bringing hate to a town near you. They are not using the term I'm using, "militia," because of it's honored status. But if you're training members in military operations, you're a damn militia.

Some are thinking that, "stand your ground," laws are for whites only. I tend to agree.

The hate group, "One Million Moms,' is after J.C. Penny again. After the boycott stopped over the hiring of Ellen DeGeneres as a spokesperson, the boycott is in full swing again because of a photo in their magazine showing a happy same sex couple with their children. Not sure why the group feels they must force their insanity on the rest of us, but go ahead and make some noise; because that's all it is, noise.

Fun study from last month; The more Walmarts in the area the more hate groups there are. 

Religious hate groups are the worst. They hate everyone. Louden County Virginia, the richest county in the country, is the host to a newly designated hate group, "Public Advocate of the United States." The groups leader is republican County Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio. The mission? Prayer in schools, anti-abortion, boy scouts and opposing gay marriage. 

Sounds like your average southern conservative to me. 

Final Fixation

Is this really that incomprehensible? If you think conservatives are too lazy to understand you would be wrong. They understand the theory and they understand how it will effect big business. They have chosen, money over life.

Crime vs. Hate

Laws have been written to protect minority lifestyles, or minorities, from being the object of attacks from those with either racist or religious mindsets, by creating harsher penalties. I've heard conservatives argue against hate crimes because they say if a person kills or hurts another, it's probably derived from hate. They miss the entire point.

So, what's the difference?

Bigotry or bias would seem to be the key thoughts. Hate crimes are acts committed against someone because of a characteristic that can not be changed. Either ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age or religion; probably could add more to the list.

So where does an atheist stand? We're not a religion, we're not any of the above. I have never seen anywhere that atheists are recognized as a minority group.

What about crimes committed by a christian? If a priest molests a boy, if he ever gets to sentencing, will it be harsher? Being young is a characteristic that can only be changed with time, but I've never heard it called a hate crime. How about the killing or injuring of someone who works in an abortion clinic? I guess since you could find other work, possibly the case could be made that the job is not an intrinsic characteristic.

If you look at the most recent case, Dr. Tiller's assassination, was the suspect charged with a hate crime? Is a far right religious entity the same as the KKK? I say they are. The prosecution made the case during the trial that the act committed was a hate crime and that the sentence should reflect the act. The sentencing did not.

Just food for thought, does religion, because of the unwarranted respect given, get a free pass?

The most vocal opponents of the Hate Crimes Prevention act of 2009 were the Traditional Values Coalition and the American Family Association. They do not want anyone to muzzle their hatred, even though the bill doesn't strip their freedom of stupid speech. Priests have to talk badly about homosexuality, it's one of their favorite parts of the bible.

Conservative politicians also tried to warp the bill by saying it would effect the religious expression and religious freedom of millions of americans. I guess talking shit is what freedom means to a theist.

I wonder if all the dissent is a smokescreen to protect religiously produced hate.