The Planet - November 4, 2013

RELIGION

When thinking of biblical evil, the omnipresent root of everything bad is the devil. The thought that people are born evil is a purely theistic view of the world and its inhabitants. A view that seventy percent of our population seemingly believes. This allows us to want harsher penalties for crime; screw that rehabilitation nonsense, people are evil and that's all there is to it. The world is a horrible place to live for those who subscribe to biblical evil. Get off the juice theists, we are human, not evil. 

On November 6th, the case of the Town of Greece v. Galloway is set for a debate. The "Separation of Church and State case," involves the predominantly christian prayers before government meetings. I'm sure that in many towns across the states, their city council meetings to state legislature forums are the same; someone talks about god and all the good things we don't get from him. Worth watching because of the implications for atheists around the country, especially for those who may be considering politics as a career.

Finally, christian killers will pay the price for their insanity. In Washington state, christian homeschoolers have been found guilty of beating and starving their adopted daughter to death. The bible doesn't appear to be much of a guide when it comes to raising humans; never has been, never will. 

I've already posted about the South Carolina atheist group that was not allowed to help out at a christian run soup kitchen. Listen to the executive director, Lou Lundrum, tell us the reason why volunteers to help the needy are not wanted:

"This is a ministry to serve God. We stand on the principles of God. Do they (atheists) think that our guests are so ignorant that they don't know what an atheist is? Why are they targeting us? They don't give any money. I wouldn't want their money."

The atheists, being of sound mind and body, reacted to the rejection of their charity by handing out three hundred care packages across the street from the "christian" assholes. Basically the director is saying, "oh no, only christians are capable, and allowed, to perform good deeds. Asshole.

CULTURE

Hope no one had trick-or-treaters in the family in Albuquerque. If you did, they may have come home with a nice anti-choice card with their candy. Images of fetuses adorned with cute little messages like, "I am not a clump of cells," or the ever popular, "I am a human being."

I only mention this because of the fact that the anti-abortion dicks who screwed up Kansas, and as far as I'm concerned helped enable the killing of Dr. Tiller, moved to Albuquerque. Here we go again.

In stupid fucking Texas, student Isaiah Smith was suspended because of screwing with a bible. The bullied, gay student had enough of god's stupid fucking followers and started ripping pages out of the bible. Excuse the language, but freedom of speech is all we have left. When that's gone, democracy is gone.

HEALTH

If you feel the need to remind yourself why chiropractors are not the place to go for medical advice, Preston Long will let you know. He has a nice list of "20 things most chiropractors won't tell you." Here's a few:

1. Chiropractic is not based on science
2. Chiropractors promise too much
3. Their education is vastly inferior to that of medical doctors
4. Their legitimate scope is very narrow
5. Little of what they do has been studied
6. It’s best to get diagnosed elsewhere
7. They offer lots of unnecessary services
8. “Cracking” the back doesn’t mean much
9. If the first few visits don’t help, more treatment probably won’t help
10. They take too many x-rays

And then there's the god news. The six health benefits of drinking beer highlights all the good reasons to enjoy that ale. A reprint from the spring of this year, it still is current for this guy. Here's the first three for you:

Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

All alcohol, whether it is beer, wine, or liquor, is known to help reduce heart disease. According to a 2008 article in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, moderate consumption of alcohol makes blood less sticky, and so it is less likely to clot. Alcohol can also increase good cholesterol and lower the bad, as well as lower your blood pressure. A Harvard study of 70,000 women found that those who consumed beer had a lower blood pressure than those who consumed wine or hard alcohol.

Helps the Kidneys

Alcohol gets a bad wrap for being hard on your kidneys, but beer can actually help in that department. According to the 2011 ADA Times, beer can actually reduce your risk of kidney stones. The hops not only help slow the release of calcium from the bones — too much calcium can cause kidney stones — but beer also has a high water content, which helps clear out those kidneys.

Packed with Nutrition

Beer is a surprising source of many nutrients. One 12-ounce beer has around one gram of fiber. It is also packed with B vitamins like niacin, pantothenic acid, folate, riboflavin, and vitamins B6 and B12. It is also rich in silicon, a nutrient that is said to help strengthen bones.

POLITICS

Governor Rick Perry of Texas signed in law restrictions on reproductive rights. This is going on in most states that our conservative controlled, and in many states it has been the courts who fight back. Well, a federal judge ruled that the law was unconstitutional at the end of October. Unfortunately, it was reinstated after an appeal. This looks to be Supreme Court material.

doone already posted this, but in case you missed it; Tom Delay is back and on "a mission from god." Hey, who else would endorse this crook but the almighty god? God loves him some sinners. Delay's laundering conviction was overturned by a judge, a Texas judge of course. He thinks he had the "joy of jesus in him;" I'm thinking it was the "joy of bubba in him" that kept him going.

And not all idiots come from Texas. In Nevada, Assemblyman Jim Wheeler told members of his party that he'd bring back slavery if that's what his constituents desired. Even his supporters shuddered at that thought. It appears that the party is now run by the Klu Klux Klan.

Of course, moderates are running from the party as fast as they can. The last Planet highlighted a Texas republican judge who finally had enough and switched sides. He's now a democrat. In North Carolina, another conversion has taken place. A conservative congressional candidate by the name of Jason Thigpen just couldn't take it anymore. Please tell us why sir:

I simply cannot stand with a party where its most extreme element promote hate and division amongst people,” Thigpen said in a statement posted to his campaign website Thursday. “Nothing about my platform has, nor will it change. The government shutdown was simply the straw that broke the camels back. I guess being an American just isn’t good enough anymore and I refuse to be part of an extremist movement in the GOP that only appears to thrive on fear and hate mongering of anyone and everyone who doesn’t walk their line.

Maybe there's hope after all.

The Planet - October 28, 2013

RELIGION

Kentucky kind of sucks, for atheists at least. When the state came up with their 2006 homeland security law, it contained the following statement: "The safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God as set forth in the public speeches and proclamations of American Presidents." This law has been overturned then reinstalled upon appeal. Twelve months in jail is a possibility for the reason crowd. American Atheists are once again trying to overturn the crazy.

For some fundamentalists, not kicking their children's ass legally is an abomination. Tea Party crazy Mark Meadows hates contraceptives and he hates protections for children. He introduced a "parental rights amendment" that has 64 supporters in congress.Compulsory education for children? No thanks. UN Convention on rights for those with disabilities? Not any time soon. The stupid hurts. 

Ted Cruz, the evangelist Canadian who was a prime mover in shutting down our government and destroying our economy, appears to be one of god's favorites. According to Ted's father, Ted has been anointed to bring about the "end time transfer of wealth," whatever that means. I don't think this action needs saintly guidance, transferring wealth from the wicked to the righteous believers would seem to be fairly subjective. If we cannot rid society of these parasites, we are doomed.

Sam Apple helps with the bible, revisions are always good. A little bit of humor for the atheist in your life.

ATHEISM

One short sound bite for atheism and morality; no thank you. An atheist group in South Carolina, the "Upstate Atheists," offered to help out at a local soup kitchen. Christians think that charity only comes with religion, and to a certain degree they are right. Preachers rely on charity, which is why they preach it. Con men, nothing more. Basically, you have to have the morals of a stone aged ignorant fuck to be allowed to help the needy. Once again, christians show that morals do not exist in their world.

HEALTH

Hey, you need some supplements to keep that body rolling? For those who eat food, no supplements are normally needed, yet this industry grows because of people's lack of reading skills; it only takes a few minutes to google nutrition. Well, if your one of those who think these natural healthy supplements to eating are good for you, then take your nice contaminated little pills. I guess rice filled, unregulated bullshit makes the delusional happy.

After you get sick from taking supplements that don't help you, you can always turn to alternative medicine. I mean, fighting illness with quackery is on the same level as taking unneeded supplements. Money money money, is there anything more important in life? About the same as twirling around three times while scratching your head and rubbing your belly all at the same time. Cured! Good luck with that.

The Healthy Farmland Diet says grow less corn, grow more diverse crops, help the nation's health and the environment. Just from that statement, this will be a no go. Healthier air, water and soil is not something that Americans want. In the first place, reading is so tedious. I mean really, you want Americans to spend ten minutes a day learning something? Get real fools.

LIFE

This story everyone has heard by now. Three boy scout leaders destroy what nature hasn't been able to do in 170 million years. I only mention this again in case you didn't catch the interview with these assholes. One gentleman said he "was saving lives." Where do we get these people? Keep the immigrants, ship out conservatives.

I stay away from talking about food choices that we make, but still, the facts can not be ignored. We destroy lives, including our own, by consuming more meat than our bodies need. Take a break once in awhile and live longer and healthier. Meatless Mondays is a campaign that is still spreading and hopefully will be good for all populations. Eat meat if you feel the need my friends, but try to get some veggies in you once in a while. Live as long and healthy as you can.

Climate Change is always in the minds of those that, once again, read and think. This article talks about extreme climate change effecting the tropics before the arctic. So long tropical plants and animals, humans have decided you need to die.

POLITICS

Politics is something that we dealt with in the past, now it's just an excuse for culture wars; I am starting to really hate the fools running my country, but, here we go.

There is actually a few good things happening. In Wisconsin, tea party Governor Scott Walker had to endure a recall election. He destroyed unions in the state while funneling money to his big money supporters. Apparently there is aninvestigation dealing with the recall election. Separate investigations convicted six former Walker aides. One county that was under investigation now has spread to five counties and it's all leading up to Walker. That would be nice. 

Continuing in Wisconsin, the Court holds state officials incontempt for enforcing anti-union laws. That's another big one. Wisconsin and many of the Great Lakes and Rust Belt states were once very pro-union. The latest crop of tea party governors have tried to destroy those unions. 

In Texas, a conservative judge switches parties. He finally figured it our, the GOP is the party of racists and homophobes. Thank you for thinking sir.

Back to stupid. U.S. Representative Renee Ellmers, another fine pro gun conservative, has an AR-15 stolen from her home. She's a staunch advocate of gun owners. She thinks that gun owners should be "responsible for the use and care of their weapons." Well, after target practice, a gun was left unsecured and was stolen at her home. Nice.

Conservative leaders needed some "expertise" on the implementation of the ACA, which as everyone knows is having problems. They picked up John McAfee, well known for his anti-virus software. He's also well known as the guy who after selling the software, moved to Belize and kept himself amused with teenage girls. His neighbor complained of the noise, and was subsequently found shot in the head. McAfee fled, was grabbed in Guatemala, then sent back to the states. Conservatives always find the best of the best, eh?

One thought on the ACA website problems. I watched the same thing happen while I was with the feds. When we needed new equipment, the federal government would hire outside help, but they worked under the government's thumb. We had a new system and software worked on for over a half dozen years before it was implemented across the country. Was awesome. Then, they contracted out my whole section, and the new company's equipment and software didn't work worth shit. After four years, it still didn't work. It's what you get with small government my friends.

CULTURE

What better costume for Halloween than maybe a white dude donning some black face? Well, I can tell you. Throw some blood on his shirt then have some other dip shit wear a neighborhood watch shirt and fashion a gun with his fingers and point it at black face's head. Oh yeah, theZimmerman outfit. A lack of scruples, a lack of morality, a lack of decency; yeah, we Americans are exceptional.

When it comes to the bullying debate, Fox news has the answer. Anti-bullying policies limit conservative free speech. The only thing right about this thought is that bullying comes from the conservative parts of the country. I might finally agree with these gentlemen; you guys are right, conservatives are the bullies. Little pussies hiding behind false rage and false morals. Thanks for the heads up Fox, we know how to deal with bullies.

Apparently marijuana will become legal everywhere in the states soon. Almost sixty percent now support legalization. Finally we can get the crime off the streets, regulate who can buy, and grow our economy. I'm tired of the prohibition. Kids can buy a bag a weed on the school ground within minutes, yet can't wash it down with a beer. That's because alcohol is regulated. 

If you want some history with your Halloween, Live Science has you covered. Most of us probably know more than we need to about the pagan origins, but still fun. Apparently pagans have more fun than christians.

Rush Limbaugh, who is always talking about how liberals are making us a country of pussies, has decided to move that attack to the National Football League. Maybe it's because they wouldn't allow the racist to co-own a team, but maybe it's just because Rush doesn't have anything real to talk about. The NFL wearing pink for breast cancer awareness was too much for the old fuck. I think he may have gone too far this time. Maybe he doesn't realize that in real life, not like on his flat screen, these guys are giants. Motor mouth better start running.

In reality, if anyone is stealing our manhood, it is this clown. A bully, nothing more. He encourages people to rant and rave, to hate and deceive; he is the one who is helping the decline of morals in the states.

The Planet - October 20, 2013

A CULTURE OF RARITY

Ali gave me this thought, and it's been wading through the swamp of my brain since. The thought rests on the premise that refugees have been accepted by many in the Middle East because life survives there by helping others. That because of the environment, you need to be generous to survive. If famine effects part of the region, other parts will help; and vice versa.

Such an interesting thought.

I'm sure it's in the quran as it is in the bible, that "help your neighbor" philosophy. We see it in America from all our high profile religious politicians.

Not.

All we have to do is look at the right's desire to defund safety nets, and we understand that their motives are not based on a sound set of morals. The bible contradicts itself with every other passage, so to be religious goes against the evolutionary set of morals that we survive by.

The U.S. spreads a lot of wealth around the world, but do we do so because of a moral view on life? Usually not. We need to build some factories, we need some resources. We need an empire because only with an empire does our type of economy exist. For someone to acquire wealth, somewhere else down the line someone suffers. Biblical morality says that's good, the chosen people are meant to do well.

The bible corrupts.

God's people look forward to a dead world, to a time of revelation, to a time of death and torture for most of humankind. Every decade of every century since christianity has had the upper hand, his people have looked forward to a second coming. Many of us have stated many times that theists live for death; how can these views be seen any other way?

We know that even rats will help their kind by not causing them pain, which is seemingly the bases of evolved morality for life. How can life exist without cooperation, even if only among its own species?

Humans do not sacrifice their children to a jealous god. Humans do not readily kill children in warfare, yet god has not that problem. Humans do not slay the children of those who have led lives that conflict with societal standards, yet again, god will. God will rip open the bellies of women bearing children, god thinks a good old fashioned holocaust is the perfect way of dealing with those that piss him off; god's men lie, cheat, steal and kill to get their way; moral humans would not.

Some have said that religion of some sort has been needed for man to survive. I do not think so. To control, yes, but control is not always altruistic, especially when that control is derived from a holy book. If we used the bible as our only guide to living a moral life, man would, or could, not exist.

AMERICAN ANGST

Candidate Mitt Romney has been having a bad week. Tim Pawlenty, who had a short run in the conservative primary, has left Mitt's campaign to go work as a lobbyist. When your milk toast compatriots start running away, you know there's a problem.

Most of the flack that Romney is the deserved brunt of this week, revolves around the idea that 47% of the U.S. populations are freeloaders who will vote for Obama so they can keep their entitlements. That was the big story, though if you listened to the full video there were many more statements from the gentleman that deserved your scorn.

Romney decided to target immigrants with a few really wild statements. He sarcastically stated that "If you have no skill or experience you are welcome here." If you have a PH.D., he'd like to "Staple a green card on your forehead and welcome you to the country." I may be making those statements difficult to understand, but the gist is that the only immigrants we have are uneducated, unskilled and unwelcomed. He would like to be involved in a hostage situation so he could take advantage of the opportunity. He made false claims about the Federal Reserve buying up three quarters of the American debt and that if he's elected there will be easy dividend gains for the rich. Among other ridiculous claims, he also stated that he was as poor as a church mouse.

The gentleman hasn't a clue.

His seemingly nice wife Anne stated in his defense that "It is hard" to run for president. This statement was directed at conservatives who thought Mitt's 47% remark might damage his chances at being elected. Thanks for the clarification.

This week Romney's tax returns remained a hot topic. He dumped his 2011 return late on Friday, as most politicians do when they have news they'd like to bury. Interesting enough, he paid more than he needed to in 2011. I would think that was a deliberate overpayment to help bump his tax rate up; even though percentage wise it is still less than what the middle class pays.

Ryan helps out by speaking in front of a AARP convention, the boos were apparently music to his ears, why else would he wear that silly grin all the time?

The right is ramping up the crazy. Megyn Kelly, a Fox employee, compared the Obama campaign poster to an image of a blood streaked wall in Libya.

In Texas, a gentleman has lynched an empty chair adorned with an American flag in his front yard. I think it not hard to comprehend what the man has in mind.

Santorum made this incredibly awesome comment in front of a conservative group last Saturday, "We will never have the elite, smart people on our side." Finally a conservative who realizes the truth. Theists have no use for the hard to con group.

My favorite Romney weirdness this week was his appearance on Univision. Apparently Mitt darkened his face to appeal to hispanic voters. Weirdness defined.

This would appear to be a constant conservative error. They make statements that anyone who would wish to do so can fact check; yet they don't care. The lies and deceit flow from their mouths on the American public like Niagra Falls dumps water on sightseers. I can only ponder the incredulous reality that much of the American public either doesn't care, or is so easily duped, that a politician would not think twice about the lies spread. 

I wonder what the makeup would look like if he was addressing the NAACP? Could Mr. Romney then lay claim to becoming our second black president?

Too funny.

CULTURE CLASH

In Michigan, we have passed legislation that will require schools to have an American Flag and to give every student the opportunity to vocalize the Pledge to Allegiance. The bill doesn't require students to take part, but we all know what this is; a bill that will make sure that young women and men feel peer pressure from those whose parents have already warped their minds with theist insensibilities.

Texas Governor and ex-presidential hopeful Rick Perry has stated that the separation of Church and State is the work of Satan. The nonsense could be easily ignored except that he mentions "Christian Warriors," which is pretty creepy. He also states that those who preach tolerance and diversity are actually bullies. Ah, the twisting of reality into a parallel universe continues.

Texans appear to be leading the crazy train this week. High school cheerleaders, who were ordered to stop waving around bible verses at football games, are apparently going to sue for the right to infringe upon everyone else's rights. Nothing gets those athletes more fired up than Sodom and Gomorrah tales. A local judge is allowing the verses to be displayed for at least a couple of more weeks.

The drug wars are still failing. In Mexico, President Calderon's war on the drug cartels has killed 50,000 citizens since he's been in office. Please put down your fatty and come out with your hands up. Disgusting.

GOD'S GREATEST

This is my favorite story of the week. Apparently a new text has been discovered that implies that Jesus was married. Take that all you catholic priests living lonely lives of celibacy, you could of had a wife instead of the boys choir section.

Though pedophilia is not amusing in any way, shape or form, it would be even more of a horror if the sheepherders had deliberately twisted a story that then allowed for the depravity. the long years of child molestation could have been prevented. I would think the Pope dude will say this is not real, how else can one protect the reign of nonsense.

CLIMATE CHAOS

If you haven't joined Michel's group, "Our Climate," you should.

The latest data are showing the summer ice cap is the smallest in recorded history. Scientists are thinking we may be running out of time. Keep yourself up to date on the data being collected; it is the only way to contradict the science deniers. We really can't let them have the last word. 

I watch daily as energy companies advertise the benefits of raping and destroying the planet. As a stopgap measure for rebuilding the economy, there may be a grain's worth of truth in the messaging. The lie is not exhorting the values of renewable energy and the jobs that industry would build with the same vigor.

OCCUPY OASIS

We still hear almost nothing about the OWS movement. It would appear to be nonexistent if you follow the usual media news sources. Yet on the year one anniversary, there were almost 200 arrests made. The article I'm linking states 100 were arrested, others say 180. 

The question this raises is the following; if there was a movement that no longer exists, how is it possible to arrest non-existent protestors? The powers that be do not want you to hear or understand what is still going on.

If nothing else, remember that the movement coined the 99% phrase. If that were to be the movements only moment of shining glory, it is still a powerful one. It could possibly become a message that will resonate with the public for many years to come.

PLANET POLITICS

Libya is not happy with the militias in the country. Whether the latest uprising is secular or not, apparently the citizens have had enough of terror tactics. They are actually supporting the U.S. in protests occurring in the city of Benghazi. They want nothing to do with the militias and al Qaeda. 

If nothing else, these protests show that the Arab Spring still survives and that freedom is still a desired outcome for the people of the region. It appears that the common thread of reasoning by the people is that the country is theirs and not owned by anyone who would claim to rule.

A great message that the citizens of the U.S. could learn from.

FOOD FIGHT

Is Heaven anything more than a way to way of subduing the feeling of regrets that humans embrace when a loved one is lost? If you think about it, what a perfect comfort the thought would be if you had treated your elders badly. Don't feel bad, they're living it up in heaven and you can join them when it's your turn. All regrets need not be heeded. All your non-caring behavior is absolved. All meanness forgotten.

Modern theist thinking is that the western countries are so advanced that we have too much comfort on earth. No dealing with the weather, no dealing with a cruel life of working from sunup to sundown trying to survive. When life sucked, heaven was a place to look forward to. Literal comfort makes us believe that our heaven is now, that life is the best it's going to be right now, and these thoughts are horrendous to those who preach.

Amazing that they can make a good life a bad thing, but if you think about it, a comfortable life does suck for those promoting the game of worship. 

They do not rejoice in the advances man has made to secure that comfort, since it takes away from their dominion. They would rather believe said comforts cheat our minds from the thought that their is a better place for us in our future. 

And that thought would keep them in control.

Even if life is tough, heaven cheats us of the desire to make our lives better; why work for this life when you have one that somebody else built. Why reach for the sky when you can wait for death to take you there. 

Many seem to take comfort in the thought that there is a god and an afterlife, I think it part of human selfishness to absolve themselves of responsibility. It is not comfort, it is the coward's way out.