Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Republicans are human?!

There is a great article in the Christian Science Monitor ( I know, I feel sick too) about the Republican Party spending large sums of money on hotels, limousines, and almost $2000.00 used at Voyeur, one of LA's great strip clubs.

I personally don't care if they bankrupt themselves buying mayonnaise and condoms. What I care about is the hypocrisy. The party of family values is spending money at a club in which there are live S&M shows? Nice. That actually sounds like a great time. But this is supposed to be America's Party; God's Party! Not to mention that while a vast number of citizens are unemployed and the democrats are continually roasted for spending money to try to help people, the Republicans are gallivanting (awesome southern word) around, spending $17,500 on private jets and $20,000 on a really nice hotel in DC.

Just imagine for one second that the Democrats were the ones doing this. You wouldn't need a radio or TV to hear Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck crying at the top of their lungs. But hey, we can't have unemployed strippers now, can we?

Here is your party, Teabaggers, GOPers, and crazy Christians!

Just Like Clockwork

The insurance companies are fighting with the administration over covering sick children. The insurance companies agree that they have to cover pre-existing conditions, but say they don't actually have to write a policy on the child until 2014.

This all could have been avoided if the bill hadn't been so watered down and had a strong public option in it. It took the insurance companies one week to find a loophole for themselves. I am not sure we can call this a loophole, though. When the bill is centered around not implementing all of its benefits at one time, putting off actually forcing companies to cover children until 2014, what was supposed to happen? Did anyone think this wouldn't happen? This is the problem I had, and still have, with the bill.
“The concept that insurance companies would even seek to deny children coverage exemplifies why we fought for this reform,” said Representative Henry A. Waxman, Democrat of California and chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Are you fucking serious? You fought for reform so that the healthcare companies, whose sole purpose is to make money and now has complete control of the healthcare industry thanks to this bullshit bill, can continue screwing over the public? Anyone who takes Waxman seriously about this is off their rocker. If they were really concerned about making sure the children were going to be covered, they wouldn't have put the date of compliance at 2014.

Now the companies have agreed to comply with the wishes of the White House. Are they not a merciful lot of overlords?

It does not matter whether if the insurance companies try to help the kids or not. This bill should have never been allowed to be crafted by the insurance industry. This is just the beginning. I am going to predict that we are going to see a lot more of bullshit like this. The next stop is going to be massive rate increases to cover all of the sick people that they don't have to cover yet.

The Rapture and the Stupids

People who believe in the Rapture are fucked up. Merry Eastermas.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Ricky Martin: Gay at 38

Ricky Martin was found Gay at 38.

In other news, the sky is blue, ice is cold, and sex is pleasurable.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Ohio, what is wrong with you?

My favorite overgrown Oompah-Loompha John Boehner has played his hand, and is going to end up loosing. The Columbus Dispatch wrote an OK article on how Boehner has become the voice of the Republican Party and is taking them... somewhere. There were a few parts of this article that were laughable.

Former Republican congressman David Hobson of Springfield said the speech helped Boehner "5,000 percent" with House Republicans, adding that "John is a stronger leader in the party today. I think he still has the ability to work with the Democrats. He's not an extremist."

He isn't an extremist, I agree. He is an opportunist. He saw a way to steer the Luddites that compose his party down the road to crazyville. However, I don't think he understood exactly how much of a frenzy that the masses would be worked up to. Regardless, he has done so and is still trying to channel the anger of his party into repealing the health care bill.

This anger is no good. The people are lashing out against everything; breaking windows in congressional offices, screaming racial epithets at members of congress, faking an anthrax letter to Anthony Weiner, and threatening the family members of congressmen. This has got to stop. As long as people like John Boehner are allowed to continue fomenting this anger, there are going to be more acts of violence that are going to escalate until someone ends up dead.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

By any other name, it's still racism

Recently at work, a coworker and I were conversing on some of our customers and how they can't seem to let us know exactly what is wrong with their equipment. He began to tell me a story about how one of his customers had not bothered to go out and check his equipment before he called us for service to verify what was wrong with it. While he was telling me this, he made mention that the person was a "black guy". It got me thinking; what was the purpose in telling me that the guy was black? It had no bearing on the story or why the wrong information was called in. The implication was clear: the black guy was too lazy to go check the equipment himself, QED.

There must have been a point that became unacceptable to be outwardly racist and just disguise it as a descriptor. This is the south where people are generally open about their feelings towards non-whites and non-straights. It seems that now it is OK to tell a story about someone being lazy, then talk about how lazy they are. I guess we are all supposed to have the same preconceived notions about black people being lazy, brown people being thieves, and yellow people being smart. I would prefer someone to just say "he was a lazy negro" than to beat around the bush. At least I would know to give that person a wide birth. Instead, you get trapped in what seems to be pleasant conversation only to be blind-sided with some out-of-the-way unneeded description. Besides, how many situations have you been in that the retelling required a description of what color the person is?

I am sure this is not a new thing. Perhaps I am just beginning to notice. Maybe I am overreacting and looking for something that isn't there. It does matter when you become uncomfortable talking to someone when the conversation seems to be heading down the wrong path. What do you think?

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Right-wing wack-jobs attack Rep. Wiener

These guys keep coming. I sure am glad that Fox News and the GOP don't foment anger with the public, working them into a frenzy so that they will go out and do something irrational when something doesn't go their way. If they did that, then someone might try to send Anthony Wiener a threatening letter with a white-powdery substance in it.

What a joke these "patriots" are.

California, VOTE YES!

In November, California will get the chance to legalize marijuana!!! The arguments against doing so are lame. Even if it does raise the hackles at the White House, at least the question will be out in the public again. If California votes to legalize in their state, they should be left alone. All you states-rights kids out their should be all over this one.

This Is What Happens When You Defy The Republican Party

Ask David Frum (R, Dickhead) what happens when you criticize the Republican Party. He will tell you that you will get shit-canned.

The Republican Party has turned themselves into a group of yes-men. When you get to the point that you are firing your own people because they voice concern about how you are handling things, then the end is nigh. Either that, of your party becomes a group that has been hijacked by crazy people... oh wait.

Man, if these guys can't take David Frum, David Frum!, throwing out a little criticism, then they have seriously become the most brittle object on the face of the planet.

The Pope is a Bastard

The Pope is under fire for ignoring the information that a priest in Wisconsin had molested over 200 deaf boys.

I can't take this guy anymore. Essentially what happened is that while this ghoul was a cardinal, he covered up molestation cases by shifting the child-rapists around to rehabilitate them. Instead of calling in the authorities, the church just moved the priests to a new location so they could, guess what, rape again.

This particular case from Wisconsin is interesting in that there is evidence that Cardinal Ratzinger knew exactly what was going on. He received a copy of a letter sent from Archbishop Weakland to the Vatican. There is a paper trail.

So this fiend, Lawrence Murphy, raped over 200 deaf boys and received nothing more than relocation.

There are other parts of this article that I can't even write about. I am so sick of talking about the Vatican and their child-raping hoards. Suffice it to say that the catholic church is a ghoulish organization that is headed up by one of the worst people in modern times. Why people continue to buy into this shit is beyond me.

At times like this, I almost wish their was a such thing as hell. I am afraid that it wouldn't be a fitting enough punishment for this bastard.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Does God Have A Future?

This was an interesting debate on Nightline. Notice how Deepak Chopra keeps referring to the metaphysical universe. If something can't be directly or indirectly tested, then what good is it? Also, I was offended to hear Mr. Chopra refer to scientists as "Jihadists". I can live with it thought. Shermer and Harris did a bang-up job of completely shredding him. You owe it to yourself to watch this entire video.

Giving Her the Ol' Dick Cheney

This morning, I had a fun facebook interaction with one of my in-laws. Ahh, facebook. Without you, how else would I know these people were crazy?

Monday, March 22, 2010

There is...

no god. Just sayin'.


Sorry all two of you who read this blog. I have been sick lately and will hopefully be back to 100% this week.

Health Insurance Sort-of Reform Has Passed

It has passed without a public option. I am afraid that this is going to be a band-aid to placate the masses. We still have four years for insurance rates to continue their rocket-like trend upwards. We are going to be forced to buy health insurance that we still wont be able to afford. That is as the bill is written now.

I am going to wait to pass final judgment to see what additions get passed to supplement this bill later on. The Democrats could still grow a set of balls and pass a public option. We shall see.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

The True Face of the GOP and the Tea Party



I am afraid I can't comment on this video. The anger that wells up in me can't be formed into words. I will say that this is the true face of this group of "people".

Tea Baggers Use Slurs - Suprised Much?

Saturday, as lawmakers were trying to whip votes for the Health Care bill, Tea Party activists called Rep. John Lewis (D, GA) a "nigger" and Rep. Barney Frank (D, MA) a "faggot". The GOP and the Tea Party are trying to distance themselves from the actions of the activists. Rep. John Boehner (R, OH) called the actions "reprehensible" and said that they don't represent the Tea Party.

I am trying to figure out at what point the Tea Baggers weren't a racist group. Since the Tea Party unveiled themselves last summer during the initial Health Care debate, they have shown nothing but contempt for a black president. It ranges from questioning his birth certificate to questioning his loyalties to the United States. This group, who was obviously the brain-child of man-child Glenn Beck, has fomented fear and hatred since its inception. They have incited people to violence and given voice to what seemed to be a dying group of white nationalist groups. So here is my question to the GOP: Are you surprised?

When you work people up by telling them that Stalin-reincarnate is taking over the government; that said government is going to take all of your money; that said government is going to kill your grandmother; that said government is going to kill you; that said government is going to take away your guns (which should probably happen, looking at this group of fools), what do you think they are going to do? They are going to lash out at whoever is, in their mind, the cause of the problem. Just as Hitler lashed out against the Jews because he didn't get into the art school that he wanted, these Tea Baggers are lashing out ignorantly, and violently, against an enemy who is supposedly looking for reparations.

Rush Limbaugh says almost daily that the health care bill is somehow reparations for slavery to black people. Glenn Beck says it is encroaching communist-socialist-nazist ideals, personified in a black president. Sean Hannity constantly calls the presidents (and all those who aren't republicans for that matter) actions into question as unpatriotic. What are the people that listen to their bile and hatred going to do?

I find Rep. Boehners' statement reprehensible. When you work people into a frenzy because they are stupid and easily controlled, you can't claim to be appalled when things get ugly. Rep. Boehner was one of many who helped make this happen. Now it is time for them to be seen as the racists that they are.

It should be OK though. The Tea Party does have Jesus on their side.

Cell phone etiquette, dental work touched by the Lard, and Healthcare reform

This week, I had my camera at the shop and ranted in my downtime. I talk about cell phones, tell a short story from the good ol' days at MorningStar Ministries, and touch on the healthcare vote which will be happening today. Yes, I have ADHD. No, I will not be uploading a video every day, I promise. As much as I hate humanity, I will not inflict my videos on you poor suckers every single day.

Does anybody watch these? And what would you guys like to see?

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Simple Advice on Dealing With Your Ultra-Religious Family

Hi, I'm Hannah (the Friendly Misanthrope). Will is graciously allowing me to contribute here :) I made this video to introduce myself. I'm going to be telling some stories about my crazy Christian upbringing, trying to give advice (obey at your own risk), possibly interviewing local nutjobs, and things like that. If you guys have any suggestions or ideas for videos, please share!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The Culture Campaign Attacks Lady Gaga



If there is one thing I hate more than the vapid morons at Fox News, it is these fake “family values” groups who seem to have an opinion on just about everything; everything accept their own families. As seen in the video, the Culture Campaign has decided that Lady Gaga’s new video for the song “Telephone” is too much. Who could have seen this coming?

I would like to begin by saying “who cares if she is wearing a bikini?” Since when does something that is worn on a regular basis by just about every woman at the beach constitute a comment from the Fox News “anchor”? I am sure that Megan Kelly has worn a bikini in her time. I am sure it was fantastic also. I digress.

This Sandy Rios creature is unreal. She has to speculate whether Lady Gaga has a cock or not, all because she had a scene in a video of her having a penis and having it cut off. Does this lady think that everything in a music video is a direct translation of real life? If that is the case, sign me up for the Sir Mix-a-lot reality.

She seems to be making the argument that this video, and anything like it, is destroying the fabric of America and the Family. This is the same tired argument that was put forth by Tipper Gore and her ilk. Guess what? We listened to 2 Live Crew and NWA and we are all OK. She has a skewed perspective, obviously from her religious affiliation, of what a great society should be. Please, don’t make me point out all of the sexual tripe from that rag you call the Bible. These people are so insecure with their bodies that it drives me up the wall. Who cares if Lady Gaga shows her ass in a music video? If your child sees someones ass, they will be fine. Their little brains won’t explode.

The thing that upset me the most over the piece of “reporting” was that this Sandy Rios creature was allowed to just say whatever came off the top of her empty head without challenge. She makes up a statistic about “85% of all sexual predators”(you know, the ones that rape and kill little girls) being involved in “some kind of porn”. Where is her source on this? I want to see some kind of proof that this is the case. Since we can just make up statistics, I will say that 103% of people think that Sandy Rios is a lying maniac. Who needs to back up their statistical claims. Hey lady, most men watch porn. Does that mean we are all rapists?

The bottom line is that this lady is just another in a long line of defenders of the wholesome society. We must protect the children, eliminate all art, eliminate all objects of sexuality, dress our women in Hijab, pray 5 times a day, and never think an impure thought. Oh wait, wrong religion. Something tells me the irony of what this lady wants and what Taliban-controlled Afghanistan had will be lost on her.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

The Aftermath of Israel

Well, it was bound to happen. The Palestinians have started rioting over the plans to build a settlement in Jerusalem, the same settlement that was proposed as soon as Joe Biden arrived to hold peace talks between the two sides.

It is a religious battle that we should have no part in. How long until the violence escalates to the point of Israel invading another country? Their invasion trigger finger is itchier than our own.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Israel Punches the US in the Mouth

On a recent trip to Israel, Vice-President Joe Biden and the US was embarrassed when, while talking about peace with the Palestinians, the Israeli Government decided to announce plans to establish a new neighborhood in Jerusalem consisting of 1,600 housing units. The area of Jerusalem that they decided to build in is a disputed Arab area of East Jerusalem.

Now, after Secretary of State Clinton verbally bitch-slapped the Israeli Government over their actions, the Israeli’s are getting a little uncomfortable. They were flummoxed that their greatest ally would dare speak to them in such a way. The Israeli Prime Minister is now telling everyone to calm down and try to work things out.

First off, the conservative government of Israel is out of their minds. They didn’t even try to hide the fact that they were going to build the neighborhood, and waited until the Vice-President was in tow to make the announcement. What does that tell you about what they think of the US? Sure, they will take our aide and support and give us the middle finger in return. What is it with these conservative governments fulfilling their own versions of manifest destiny? It seems that conservatives are the same the world over: jackasses who think the world revolves around their own awesome country.

Secondly, why do we continue to support Israel? I have seen no reason for the continued effort to help bring peace to a country that obviously doesn’t want it. The Israeli’s have treated the Palestinians like crap for a long time. This is not to say that the Palestinians haven’t been complicit in some of the violence in the region, but come on now. There is a such thing as a proportional response. Remember a few years ago when the Lebanese fired a few rockets into Israel? Terrible I know. A lot of people were killed. But what was the response of the Israeli government? Take over the entire country (which they damn near did). This is what you get when you have unlimited support from the Bush Administration.

Finally, I love this quote from Prime Minister Netanyahu:
"Israel and the U.S. have mutual interests," Netanyahu told the Cabinet, then pointedly added, "but we will act according to the vital interests of the state of Israel."


What mutual interests do we share with Israel? They seem hell-bent on creating an environment in the middle-east that is friendly only to themselves and no one else. What mutual interests do we share with a country that is trying to push an entire people into the sea? Well, we definitely share something in common with them. It is reminiscent of how the US has treated, and still treats the Native Americans. So here is what the US should say to the Israeli’s: “Fine, act according to your national interests. You can do it without any of our money or help. As of now, your US aide is cancelled; no US company will be allowed to do business with you; your accounts held in US banks are now frozen. Have a nice day.”

We will see where this all ends up. If history is any indicator, especially with this administration, then it will obviously end with an apology from the US and a blind eye towards the plight of the Palestinians.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Vatican defends child-rapists... again

It looks like the Holy See (all seeing eye sees right through little boys pants) is defending the pope against allegations that he covered up child abuse in Germany and shifted priests around.

Of course, this bag of ass says that he wasn't the one who decided to move the priests around. You know, he was just the guy in charge of the Munich diocese when all of the abuse went down and the rapists got shifted to other churches. Isn't this like Nixon saying he was in charge during Watergate, but didn't tell anyone to do anything wrong? Oh, wait. He did.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Life Outside of Earth

It looks like scientists have found the building blocks of life in the Orion Nebula. Take that, creationists.

Of course, this will not sway the faithful. The vast amount of data that we have already collected that proves we are on an old planet in an even older universe; that we share a common ancestor with every living thing on this planet; and that the elements that produce life are not uncommon wasn't enough to sway them before.

I am sure this will do it for them.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Why I Don't Support This Administration Anymore

I have been challenged by a few people about my feelings on the administration. How could I, after pushing for this administration for so long, turn around and not support them anymore? It is simple, really. I think that everyone has “make or break” issues in their lives. In any given situation, there comes a point that you just have to say “I am done. There is nothing left for me to support.” Healthcare is my “make or break” issue.

I don’t think there is a need to explain why this is the issue on which my support hangs. I think a lot of my feelings go without saying. Suffice it to say, it is my issue. This administration came in to office on a promise that they would at least try to make things better. At every turn, they have proven themselves inept at passing what should have been, and still should be, easy legislation. Instead, they decided to kowtow to the republicans so that they could be seen as friends with the other side. Bipartisanship is not formed with a hand shake; it is formed with a bullwhip. You have to take bipartisanship, not ask for it.

However, democrat is as democrat does. Even with a majority, they have managed to lose sight of what the majority of the population wants. They were so interested in reaching out to republicans and corporations that they willfully forgot about the public. I take that back. I would go as far as to say that they are ambivalent to the public’s needs. That is why they lost in Virginia and Massachusetts, and that is also why they are going to lose a lot more in November.

I think you would have to be crazy to vote for a republican in this climate. So what do you do when the democrats turn out to be as bad as the opposition? I don’t know. I can only tell you what I am going to do. Nothing.

I will vote for progressives where I can, but I can’t vote for this absolutely weak president again. I will abstain from voting for president in 2012, unless there is a challenger to Obama that has a spine. It does not matter to me what legislation is passed after healthcare. It could all be bunnies and roses from now until 2012, but it doesn’t matter. I have principles on which I stand, and I am damn sure not going to move off of those principles for a gutless president and his corporatist colleagues.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Another word about the traveling creation "museum"

For a great write-up of our trip to the traveling creation circus, check out my good friend Jim's blog.

Glenn Beck says "No Justice!"

Glenn Beck, who is better known as America's anus, explained that social justice is a horrible thing; a communistic code word. Or is it a Nazi code word? Take a listen.

How awesome is that? Communists on the left, Nazi's on the right, united by social and economic justice. What he is saying is that the progressives are going to start censoring how people read their bibles, not simpley being content with just taking all of the bibles in America and burning them. The one thing that he never explains is what "social justice" is a code word for. Is it a code word for communism? Well, communism has proven to be anything but socially just. Is it a code word for Nazism? What was socially just about the Nazi's? Just because a group of people say they are socially just, does not mean that they are socially just. Jim Jones said he was god. Does that make it so?

What is this terrible social justice, you may ask? It is the distribution of advantages and disadvantages within a society, as defined by dictionary.com. According to Glenn, when your preacher begins to talk about social justice, you should go to the church authorities and let them know they have a communist-nazi in their midst. As much as I like the idea of people running from church, I think one could find a better reason to run, screaming into the night (like reason) than someone speaking about social justice as a good thing.

I am forced to go to the bible on this one.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ...


Sounds like social justice to me. Also, I laugh at any history that Glenn is going to teach.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Oh Liz, Why must you hurt us?

Liz Cheney thinks that the justice department is full of terrorists. Why? Oh, because some attorneys defended some of the accused terrorists in Gitmo.

Following that line of reasoning, I am going to say that Liz Cheney is a paranoid, murderous, lying lunatic. You know, because of her father.

Science finds a friend in the GOP?

Not really. Obama is going to mothball the Shuttle program and the Constellation program which would have sent people back to the moon. Who is defending the shuttle program? Kay Bailey Hutchison, that's who. What the hell has happened to the nation when the Republicans are defending science?

I find her support disingenuous. She obviously isn't standing up for science, she is trying to keep jobs in her state. I'll take it, though. I don't care if the pope is lobbying for NASA, as long as they get the money to continue their exploration programs.

Wait a minute. Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Senator Hutchison from Texas, the state that continuously equates science with skull-fucking puppies?

Muslims murdering Christians... unsurprising

OK, Christians annoy me and Muslims annoy me. That doesn't mean that I want them to kill one another. I would just assume that they use their brains. Instead, the Muslims of Nigeria decided to commit mass murder. I hear that the religious say that we Atheists are crazy.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Can Someone Sell Louisiana Back to France?

Fear is a great motivator. Just ask the Republican Party. It seems that fear has motivated the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Department to form their own militia in order to keep the peace “in the event of a man-made or natural disaster”, according to the Shreveport Times. What is the name of this exercise in redundant enforcement? Why, it’s “Operation Exodus”, of course.

The Sheriff freely admits that the name has biblical connotations, as if we really needed him to confirm that. Can someone please tell me how the craziest of the crazies seem to make it far enough to be put in charge of anything? The good Sheriff has formed this little operation because if anything happens “nationally or locally, we want to make sure we can take care of the people in Bossier, no matter what.” It sounds like a noble cause.

Here is where it gets scary. The Sheriff rounded up 300 volunteers and chose the top 200 to be part of the force (On an interesting side note, out of the 200 volunteers, 5 are black). The volunteers are being trained on how to defend themselves in case of an attack then they will be given “shotguns, riot shields, batons, and a .50-caliber machine gun mounted on a ‘war wagon’”.

Why all the fear, Sheriff? Islamic terrorists? Of course it’s Islamic terrorists. This parish is home to Barksdale Air Force Base, which is the location that former-President Bush spoke to the nation from in the aftermath of 9/11 and is also the home of the Air Force Strike Command.

So here is the run down: a small time Sheriff gets together a group of hillbillies, arms them, and tells them that they will be the first line of defense in case of a terrorist attack, all under the heading of “Operation Exodus”. It seems more likely that the Sheriff has built his own militia for either the next civil war or for Armageddon.

Just remember, terrorists; don’t worry about the military personnel that are trained to fend off terrorist attacks, or the massive federal operation that would take place if you were to do anything in the vicinity of the Strike Command center. No, worry about the group of aging white men with shotguns and biblically-themed combat operations.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Of Pumpkins and Polar Bears

The traveling creation “museum” paid a visit to Gastonia, NC last night. The anticipation from the atheist group was electric. We had been looking forward to the group outing for the past week and were sure that the experience would be more than we possibly could have expected.

We arrived to the church around 7:15 pm. After paying our $3 to gain admission, we were told to wait in the sanctuary while the group of children was completing their round of indoctrination. I am sure that the “bouncer” was suspect of our group when we all 14 of us sat together and basically bought out their event. After a 20 minute wait, we were invited to come into the room and look around before the lecture started.

As soon as I walked through the door, I knew we were in for a great night. This particular “museum” consisted of about 20 wall panels with various descriptions of how God had created the universe. Of course, the most prominently placed panels were the creation story boards. There was a panel devoted strictly to atheists, progressives, Nazis, communists, and abortionists that made me feel a little ill. I expected to see something of that nature, but was taken aback to see it so shamelessly displayed. I was to come to the conclusion that out of all the words that could use to describe the person putting on this particular show, Mr. Meeks, “shameful” would not be one of them.

“The Bible starts off by saying that God created the heaven and the Earth. If you were to say this is scientific language, this is when God created time, space, energy; the basic structure of all creation – is time, space matter energy. On the second day, the Earth was an 8000 mile diameter mud ball, hanging out there. On the third day, he took the big mud ball and separated it, with the dry land on one part and the water on another.” It had begun, and was going along as expected. This went on for roughly 15 minutes, explaining how the Atlantic Ocean “didn’t even exist before the flood” and how God made plants and such. This is the point where things started to plummet.

Mr. Meeks began to explain how this is when his favorite plant was created, “chocolate.” He went on “chocolate grows on trees, and God made chocolate trees.” He told us that he was going to remove all of our feelings of guilt by telling us that chocolate was and health food and good for us. He made it seem as if there was some wondrous forest that had trees with Hershey bars hanging from them. I am sure there was, but before the flood. We are now 2 minutes in to the lecture.

This is where the “evolutionists” were shown to be the silly, stupid atheist know-it-all’s that we are. “The fourth day is when God created the sun, the moon, the stars, and the planets.” There was no big bang. It was God. I know this because Mr. Meeks told me so. “The big bang was something created by evolutionists about a hundred years ago and all sorts of other silly stories about monkeys turning into people and fish turning into lizards and all kinds of silly stuff. The big bang is the silliest of their silly stories.”

I am fairly sure that this is a good place to cease quoting Mr. Meeks. This man was repeating the same old information that has been refuted time and time again. I am sure that this will come as no surprise to anyone else, especially to those who have experience with this sort of person. The mistake in his format of conduct this lecture came from the interactivity of the whole thing. It was when he brought up the age of the Earth and radiometric dating that the whole lecture turned on its head. A few members of the group challenged Mr. Meeks, and he accepted. He was challenged on radiometric dating, the age of the Earth, and the evolution of life. At this point, the bouncer (who was roughly a 65 year old preacher) came in and announced that this wasn’t a debate, it was a lecture. The questions were meant to come afterwards.

We were good. We were quiet. We listened to his evidence. When the end of the lecture came (which was right after he explained that because the scientists like Newton, etc were Christians, then the universe was created) we offered up our questions. It was like pulling teeth. There was a mention of a cubical Earth and only animals that interacted with people were mentioned in the Bible. It was infinitely interesting and annoying at the same time.

None of this will come as a surprise to most of the people who read this. However, this was the first time that most of the people in our group had been confronted with such blatant refusal to acknowledge the facts. This was coupled with the absolute randomness of the entire lecture. We went from creation, to chocolate, to pyramids, to a story about polar bears loving pumpkins. One member, Mike, made a good point: “If everything was intelligently designed and polar bears love pumpkins, then why didn’t God put polar bears with the pumpkins?”

Another of our members, we’ll call him Bobby, made an excellent observation after the lecture was over. He said that Mr. Meeks entire premise was that if someone didn’t see it happen, then we (evolutionists, I guess) made it up. Since scientists weren’t there in the beginning, they are just making the evidence up. Mr. Meeks is under the impression that scientists “looked at things and made up possibilities of what might be and explanation of that, and went with it because it seemed to make sense.” It truly is a misunderstanding of the fundamentals of science.

The reactions from everyone that attended the lecture were hilarious and upbeat, in spite of the beating our brains had just taken. Another of our members, Ryan, made the correct observation that the room was devoid of logic. Finally, our resident scientist Jim had a few thoughts on the whole ordeal. “He wasn’t trying to prove his [Meeks] points; he was trying to disprove the points of evolution. He fails to realize that even if they do manage to disprove everything in evolution, they still haven’t proven creationism remotely correct.” Jim also had a few words about the characterization of scientist. “I do get tired of people telling me what scientists think and what scientists believe because they are not scientists. They have never been in the scientists’ mindset.”

I know you have all been waiting for my reaction. I didn’t see a person who was interested in listening to any facts. I didn’t see a person who wanted to accept the smallest bit of what scientists had to say or what science was capable of doing… all while he pulled out his cell phone to make a call. I guess you don’t need to believe in science to benefit from their advances.

Here is one of Jim's responses to the creation "museum".

And here is the link to some of the pictures taken during the event.

The Answer

You will all be forced to watch this. You must have the commentary from The Young Turks along with the video. Enjoy!


Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Oklahoma! Where the women are treated like they are mental...

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2010/03/02/oklahoma-house-passes-antichoice-ultrasound

Oklahoma's house of representatives has passed a bill that would require women who chose to have an abortion to fill out a 30 question questionnaire and view an ultrasound of the fetus before the abortion takes place. Why didn't they go ahead and force the woman to watch a live feed of the abortion taking place? This is a perfect example of poor, ignorant women needing old white guys to protect them from themselves.

This could be a great trend, though. Men who receive a vasectomy should be forced to watch other men have their testicles smashed with a hammer. Those who want to eat meat should be forced to watch the slaughter of the animal they are about to eat. Want to buy a car? Enjoy this video of horrible car wrecks.

Here is an idea: how about making women who decide to have children watch a video about the effects of overpopulation. There could be a section that actually shows time-lapsed footage of a child starving to death. Maybe a questionnaire that could see if they are financially stable enough to support a child.

Or, we could accept the fact that it is the choice of the mother. That's just crazy talk, though . After all, they are just women.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A Political Dictionary

Democracy - government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.

Republic - a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them.

Monarchy - supreme power or sovereignty held by a single person.

Socialism - a theory or system of social organization that advocates the vesting of the ownership and control of the means of production and distribution, of capital, land, etc., in the community as a whole.

Communism - a system of social organization in which all economic and social activity is controlled by a totalitarian state dominated by a single and self-perpetuating political party.

Dictatorship - a country, government, or the form of government in which absolute power is exercised by a dictator.

Fascism - a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism.

National Socialism - the principles and practices of the Nazi party in Germany.

Nationalism - the policy or doctrine of asserting the interests of one's own nation, viewed as separate from the interests of other nations or the common interests of all nations.

Marxism - the system of economic and political thought developed by Karl Marx, along with Friedrich Engels, esp. the doctrine that the state throughout history has been a device for the exploitation of the masses by a dominant class, that class struggle has been the main agency of historical change, and that the capitalist system, containing from the first the seeds of its own decay, will inevitably, after the period of the dictatorship of the proletariat, be superseded by a socialist order and a classless society.

Capitalism - an economic system in which investment in and ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations, esp. as contrasted to cooperatively or state-owned means of wealth.
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I have been listening to Glenn Beck too much lately (because I am a masochist). I am sure everyone has noticed the same thing I have noticed: all of the negative political systems are said in one breath to paint the current administration. I am still trying to figure out what a fascist-communist-socialist-king-Marxist looks like. You have to admit, though, it sounds good. That is, unless you have a brain.

I have plenty, plenty, of problems with the current administration. No matter what you hear on Fox News, there is one thing Obama is not, and that is a socialist. He has no intent on letting even the slightest bit of socialized medicine out into the public. He isn't going to nationalize the banking system. He will give the banking system the benefits of nationalization, but none of the hassle of regulation or responsibility. That much is clear.

The meme marches on. "Obama is a socialist-communist." Those are two systems that are incompatible. "Obama is a fascist-communist-king." Hey, Glenn, fascists are far-right wingers. That is something I figured you would be down with. How someone can be a fascist-communist is beyond me. Throw a king in there and you have a good time.

The guys on the right don't care about us. I am convinced that those on the center-right (democrats) don't care about us either. But if anyone thinks Glenn Beck gives a shit about them, then we are in deeper trouble than I thought. So it is OK for Glenn Beck to go on stage and throw around words that he obviously doesn't understand because there will always be a group of people who are terrified that the government is coming to get them... as they collect their welfare checks and go visit the doctor at Medicare's expense. They obviously have as good of an understanding of socialists and communists as Glenn Beck does.

Monday, March 1, 2010

The creationists have mobilized... seriously

*sigh*

The creationists are coming, like a wagon train of lunacy. They are coming to our town this week to pedal their nonsense. The worst part is that the people here in Gastonia are going to eat this stuff up. So we will be there to document the entire train wreck, start to finish.

Here is the link to the local newspaper article.
http://www.gastongazette.com/articles/museum-44180-traveling-creation.html

In the mean time, enjoy the lecture from my good friend Jim about "How to Debate Fundamentalists".
http://www.youtube.com/OldeAtheist

The Southern Experience of a Gentleman Atheist

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Will, and I am the Southern Atheist Gentleman. I will warn you all, though. I am a gentleman in name only. I guess that would make me a GINO... which is unfortunate. I want to explain who I am and why I am writing this blog. I was born and raised in Charlotte, NC by a very religious family. I don't think the last part was necessary, but I threw it in there in case someone didn't know that the south is like Taliban-controlled Afgahnistan, only with more racism.
Speaking of which, I am married to a black woman. And I am white! I know, right? Crazy! I met her while stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA. Oh yeah, I was in the Marine Corps for 6 years. That was an experience that I am sure I will write about one day.
I will put this out front: if you are easily offended, you are in the wrong place. I am a social progressive, an atheist, and I'm bi-sexual. Don't expect me to be nice to conservatives, the religious, or the homophobes. I have enough of those in my own family to be nice to. I will try to post every day, even if no one reads. It will make me feel better.

Until soon,
Will