The Importance of Outreach

Here is a great blog post from The Friendly Atheist talking about coming "out" as an atheist.  There is a stigma associated with being an atheist.  Just the word "atheist" conjures up bad images.  You probably know more atheists/agnostics then you think.  They may the ones who say they are "spiritual" rather then profess to any one particular denomination.  I'd like to know who you are.  If you are Facebook friend of mine, send me a message.  I promise to keep it confidential.  Maybe you have some questions?  Maybe I can point you to some resources or just lend a sympathetic ear (or eyes in the case of email) to your comments and concerns.

Legos Rock

Yes, I am a Legomaniac.  I have somewhere just north of 10,000 pieces, including a 3-foot models of the Imperial Start Destroyer and Millennium Falcon.

 I also have the Imperial Start Destroyer.

Legos are great education tools as shown by this Lego stop-animation video of Great Microbiologists.



But, one of the greatest use of Legos I have seen in a long time and a most fantastic example of Poe's Law is the The Brick Testament.  A fantastic site of Bible stories using nothing but Bible verses for captions.  The story of Er and Onan is high comedy.

I am so happy to see my favorite childhood toy being put to such a lovely and blasphemous use and using only the words of the Bible itself.  Beautiful.

Has the Cat Got Clarence Thomas' Tongue?

Monday was the start of the Supreme Court's new term.  The new Supreme Court Justice, Elena Kagan, has taken her seat with two other women on the Supreme Court.  That is a somewhat historic event, so why is this worthy of a blog post?  Here is a paragraph from the story that I find quite humorous.

In the first hour, though, she was among eight justices who asked questions. The ninth, Justice Clarence Thomas hasn't asked a question in more than four years.

Yes, you read that right.  Clarence Thomas has not asked a single question in FOUR YEARS.  Really?  If he was a mute, or had a speech impairment, or something like that, I could understand not wanting to speak.  Even if that were the case, I would still imagine he could write a question down and have it read/asked by another justice or even an aide.  I'm sure that would be permissible.  But to be fully able bodied and not ask a single question in a Supreme Court case for FOUR YEARS?  Incredible.

Why Republicans Scare the Crap Out of Me - Part III

What is the definition of Conservatism?  One definition is,

a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change.

Apparently, Senator Jim DeMint, prefers the tradition of the late 1940s and 1950s.  At a recent church rally, the following statement was attributed to him,

DeMint said if someone is openly homosexual, they shouldn't be teaching in the classroom and he holds the same position on an unmarried woman who's sleeping with her boyfriend — she shouldn't be in the classroom.

The Republican Party wants to be the party of a smaller, less intrusive government.  Then how is he going to know who is sleeping with who?  He doesn't want government in your business.  Only in your bedroom.

Fantasy Football Update - Week 4

I pulled out an easy win against Desert Hills Eaglemania,  73-39.  Yes he is an Eagles' fan.  Fortunately for me, he replaced his two bye week players (both Cowboys, go figure) with bench warmers.  Neither one saw action this week, so he got two big goose eggs from the Quarterback and Running Back positions.  Looks like I may have to bench Fitz and find myself a Tight End.  I've got Braylon Edwards from the Jets on the bench.  I'm just waiting to see if he gets suspended first.  I move to 3 and 1 on the season, one game back of the division leader.

Why Republicans Scare the Crap Out of Me - Part II

The questionnaire and its results that I will link are not intuitive (not that I would expect them to be since comprehension is not something Republicans want the rank and file to have.)  A group called RNC for Life sent out a questionnaire to Republican Congressional candidates to ask their opinions on various pro-life issues.  The first response in the questionnaire indicates whether the candidate is Pro-life without discrimination.  This means, quite simply, that a woman must proceed with the pregnancy, even if the pregnancy was the result of a rape, incest, or threatens her life.  No Exceptions!  78 candidates indicated that they are pro-life without discrimination.  Sorry ladies.  It must be your fault that you tempted that rapist, couldn't resist an incestuous family member.  Oh, and if you die, then I'm sure that is your fault as well.  Check out the list.  I hope your candidate does not have a star next to their name.  Bastards.

Why Republicans Scare the Crap Out of Me

Paul Broun is a Republican Congressman from Georgia.  He is a medical doctor.  He said the following at a town hall meeting (I wish I had a source for this),

I tell ya, we've got some new problems in Washington. Big problems. Just today, Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta said people in America are not eating enough fruits and vegetables. They want to give all the power to the federal government to force you to eat more fruits and vegetables. This is what the federal, CDC, they gonna be calling you to make sure you eat fruits and vegetables, every day. This is socialism of the highest order!

Are you kidding me?  This is demagogy at its finest, and worst.   He is a doctor.  You know, good nutrition all that stuff.  It's socialism I tell you!  Of the highest order!  Next thing you know, the government is going to push clean water down our throats!  Fucking CDC Nazi's!

Good grief.  I have more guanophrenic Republicans for later.

(From Dispatches from the Culture Wars)