I really enjoyed Jeff Shaara's novel of the early Civil War "Gods and Generals." It is wonderfully written and contains the same depth and character insight that his father's novel "The Killer Angels" employed so well.
In this novel, Shaara primarily follows the lives of four men through the turbulent years preceding the Civil War to the aftermath of the battle of Chancellorsville in 1863, setting up the Battle of Gettysburg. These four men are Generals Lee and Jackson for the Confederates and General Hancock and Colonel Chamberlain for the union, though a good portion of the novel is told from Lee or Jackson's POV.
Like his father, Shaara's descriptions of the actual battles are first rate, and easy to read and comprehend even for someone who isn't up on Civil War Military tactics. The latter half of the book dealing with Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville is particularly engrossing. I've also already mentioned that for me anyway, his insight into the depth of these historical figures as characters in a novel is utterly brilliant.
I only have one complaint really, and that's that it seemed to me that the novel tried to do too much, tried to cover too large of a swath of time. I think Shaara excelled at what he did here, but I could certainly be enveloped by novels about the Battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville in and of themselves. Maybe that's a bit selfish of me, but the writing is top notch and I'd love to see the author treat these other battles more in depth as well. It just seemed to me that the book covered SO MUCH that some things got short changed, that's all.
All in all a great read and a must for anyone who enjoys reading about the Civil War or historical fiction. I look forward to reading "The Last Full Measure."
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The loss of dignity in America.
My father told me once: You alone define who you are, not your job, not your education, not your family.
I pair this often with a thought placed in the mouth of Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in the novel "The Killer Angels." In the novel, Colonel Chamberlain remarks that part of the central idea of America is that each one of us has value. Nobody has to bow to anyone else, nobody is born to royalty, in a sense, we are all on somewhat equal footing.
Is that really the case today? I think not, unfortunately. I can cite many examples.
Let's take the example of a young African American born to a poor family in inner-city Chicago. Sure we like to point to our current president and say he escaped this exact scenario. He is the exception rather than the unfortunate rule. Statistics will show that these children will be far more likely to be swallowed up in the rising tide of poor educational opportunities and gang violence. Certainly, there are choices to be made for these individuals. You can choose to make the best of your inner city education, but what kind of education do you get from an overcrowded high school and a bunch of teachers who are only there because the state will forgive their student loans if they put in their time at the failing schools. Even in the state of Utah, newly minted teachers, white and delightsome and freshly out of college swamp the rural and suburban school districts looking for jobs, while more than one person I know has said they would never work in the inner-city districts of Ogden and Salt Lake City. I'll tell you folks, inner city Ogden, though a little scary, is nothing like inner city LA, St. Louis, or Memphis.
We used to have Affirmative Action to try and get kids from these schools into college. There's some evidence that it worked, yet this has become something of yesteryear. We would much rather turn our heads and say these people don't exist.
What about the white guy with a Master's Degree that can't find a job anywhere but Wal Mart. He didn't bank on not being able to find a job when he graduated. Maybe his wife is pregnant. What does he do? He's done everything right, made all the right choices according to our societal model, and he's stuck. He has a master's degree, something less than one percent of the world population has, and he's stuck being a cashier at a retail joint. People yell at him because their loaf of bread didn't ring up at the price they thought it would.
If you are either of the people listed above, where do you draw your dignity from? Do you have any? More and more in our country, the richest country ever to grace the earth, people lose their dignity. It's hard when you're working a job that you're overqualified for just to get by. It's hard when you're trying to make the most of a horrible environment around you. Some manage to find that dignity and self-worth, some don't.
Some of us go to work everyday at a job we hate just to get by, while others of us sit at desk, paid by the government to do little more than read novels. Some of us won't go to the doctor unless death is knocking at the door because we have no health insurance. Others of us will go to the doctor every time we get a little sniffle just so he can prescribe some drug that we think will make us feel better. The overuse of medication in America has given rise to threat of super bacteria that is immune to antibiotics through evolutionary principles.
Perhaps the biggest indignity in recent years took place in New Orleans in 2005. Literally hundreds of thousands of people could not flee the path of Hurricane Katrina because they had no transportation. That's right, hundreds of thousands of citizens in the greatest country in the world were trapped in the middle of a predicted and forseen natural disaster simply because they had no car. We all watched the aftermath on television as FEMA and the Bush administration bungled the relief effort day after day while the President cowered first at his ranch in Texas and then later behind the backs of bureaucrats he would use as scapegoats. This led to hundreds of uncovered, dead, bloated and rotting corpses being beamed into the houses of millions of Americans at the dinner table, yet still we moan and grumble when the government wants to spend money on disaster preparedness and health care.
We won't let the government be the equalizer, because maybe we really don't want to be equal.
I don't believe that about most Americans though. While Bush bungled the Katrina response, many Americans gave of their money and time to help in charitable relief efforts, and that's great. That's what we should be doing.
However, millions of Americans walk around in our towns and cities everyday without their dignity. This holiday season, please help to restore some dignity to your fellow Americans. Give a little bit bigger tip at the restaurant, smile at the cashier when you go shopping. Tip your hat to the stranger on the street. Donate a few dollars to your favorite charity or drop some coins in the Salvation Army bucket. If we all work hard, we can go a long way to bringing out that inherent value and dignity in each of us.
I pair this often with a thought placed in the mouth of Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain in the novel "The Killer Angels." In the novel, Colonel Chamberlain remarks that part of the central idea of America is that each one of us has value. Nobody has to bow to anyone else, nobody is born to royalty, in a sense, we are all on somewhat equal footing.
Is that really the case today? I think not, unfortunately. I can cite many examples.
Let's take the example of a young African American born to a poor family in inner-city Chicago. Sure we like to point to our current president and say he escaped this exact scenario. He is the exception rather than the unfortunate rule. Statistics will show that these children will be far more likely to be swallowed up in the rising tide of poor educational opportunities and gang violence. Certainly, there are choices to be made for these individuals. You can choose to make the best of your inner city education, but what kind of education do you get from an overcrowded high school and a bunch of teachers who are only there because the state will forgive their student loans if they put in their time at the failing schools. Even in the state of Utah, newly minted teachers, white and delightsome and freshly out of college swamp the rural and suburban school districts looking for jobs, while more than one person I know has said they would never work in the inner-city districts of Ogden and Salt Lake City. I'll tell you folks, inner city Ogden, though a little scary, is nothing like inner city LA, St. Louis, or Memphis.
We used to have Affirmative Action to try and get kids from these schools into college. There's some evidence that it worked, yet this has become something of yesteryear. We would much rather turn our heads and say these people don't exist.
What about the white guy with a Master's Degree that can't find a job anywhere but Wal Mart. He didn't bank on not being able to find a job when he graduated. Maybe his wife is pregnant. What does he do? He's done everything right, made all the right choices according to our societal model, and he's stuck. He has a master's degree, something less than one percent of the world population has, and he's stuck being a cashier at a retail joint. People yell at him because their loaf of bread didn't ring up at the price they thought it would.
If you are either of the people listed above, where do you draw your dignity from? Do you have any? More and more in our country, the richest country ever to grace the earth, people lose their dignity. It's hard when you're working a job that you're overqualified for just to get by. It's hard when you're trying to make the most of a horrible environment around you. Some manage to find that dignity and self-worth, some don't.
Some of us go to work everyday at a job we hate just to get by, while others of us sit at desk, paid by the government to do little more than read novels. Some of us won't go to the doctor unless death is knocking at the door because we have no health insurance. Others of us will go to the doctor every time we get a little sniffle just so he can prescribe some drug that we think will make us feel better. The overuse of medication in America has given rise to threat of super bacteria that is immune to antibiotics through evolutionary principles.
Perhaps the biggest indignity in recent years took place in New Orleans in 2005. Literally hundreds of thousands of people could not flee the path of Hurricane Katrina because they had no transportation. That's right, hundreds of thousands of citizens in the greatest country in the world were trapped in the middle of a predicted and forseen natural disaster simply because they had no car. We all watched the aftermath on television as FEMA and the Bush administration bungled the relief effort day after day while the President cowered first at his ranch in Texas and then later behind the backs of bureaucrats he would use as scapegoats. This led to hundreds of uncovered, dead, bloated and rotting corpses being beamed into the houses of millions of Americans at the dinner table, yet still we moan and grumble when the government wants to spend money on disaster preparedness and health care.
We won't let the government be the equalizer, because maybe we really don't want to be equal.
I don't believe that about most Americans though. While Bush bungled the Katrina response, many Americans gave of their money and time to help in charitable relief efforts, and that's great. That's what we should be doing.
However, millions of Americans walk around in our towns and cities everyday without their dignity. This holiday season, please help to restore some dignity to your fellow Americans. Give a little bit bigger tip at the restaurant, smile at the cashier when you go shopping. Tip your hat to the stranger on the street. Donate a few dollars to your favorite charity or drop some coins in the Salvation Army bucket. If we all work hard, we can go a long way to bringing out that inherent value and dignity in each of us.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Book Thoughts: "Misery" by Stephen King
Genuine psychological horror from the master, with all the macabre you could ask for in a book of this type. What's a pure bonus is the commentary produced throughout the book on the writing process, the relationship between writer and reader, and how some authors just might feel about those best-sellers we all love so much.
No supernatural thrills here, but all the suspense and terror you could take in real life. A classic in my opinion.
No supernatural thrills here, but all the suspense and terror you could take in real life. A classic in my opinion.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Book Thoughts: Early John Grisham.
Recently I undertook a reading project. Being that John Grisham is my favorite author, and it had been a long time since I've read many of his books, I decided to reread all of his legal thrillers. I've now finished the first five: "A Time to Kill," "The Firm," "The Pelican Brief," "The Client," and "The Chamber." I classify these as "Early Grisham." Now, I'm sure I'll never be fortunate enough to teach a class on this great man's work, but that's how I divide it. I don't know if Mr. Grisham would agree, but no offense intended.
I would classify these five novels into two types: The Thriller and the Issue Focused novel.
Thrillers
The Firm
The Pelican Brief
The Client
Issue Focused Novels
A Time To Kill
The Chamber
Now of course all 5 carry some parts from both of these categories. A Time to Kill has some Thriller like action while the The Pelican Brief tackles earth based green issues. However, I think the books are different enough that the categorization holds. I'll give my thoughts on the thrillers first.
The Firm--Grisham's second novel really shot him on to the national stage. Mitch Mcdeere, bright young attorney, takes a dream job at a firm in Memphis only to discover that his new employers are really paid by the mob to help them launder money, among other things. Mitch is forced to become an informant for the FBI and deliver his bosses and coworkers into the hands of justice. The book has a ton of action and a lot of suspense, and while I like The Client a little better as a thriller, this one is still top notch. It reads a lot like a spy novel at times. Grisham is often knocked for not writing the best characters, but Mitch is an exception. While not necessarily feeling sorry for him, after all he IS rich, you really appreciate the predicament he finds himself in and you wonder if you could make the same choice. The bad guys are bad, but kind of just shadowy, and I thought Mitch's wife's character could have been fleshed out better, but alas, I have to be picky even to say that. 4 stars out of 5.
The Pelican Brief--Probably my least favorite of the 5 books. A young law student happens to solve the mystery of the murder of two Supreme Court Justices, and tries to live to tell the tale. This one, while trying to tackle green issues, is almost pure thriller and reads more like a spy novel than even The Firm. Honestly, it gets a little tedious following Darby from hovel to hovel as she hides, and I just wanted to get on with it at a certain point. Plus, I think trying to put Darby in a possible romantic situation is just too forced, and kind of turned me off a bit, especially the second time around. Still, the action is good and it's well written, just not my favorite. 3 stars out of 5.
The Client--A Young Boy witnesses the suicide of a mob lawyer, who tells him a secret that the mob will kill for. The action and characters in this book are both superb. It's a great ride to watch Mark try to escape both the mob, but the FBI as well! The character of Reggie is superbly written to fit with her young client and be perhaps the first good adult influence he has. 5 stars out of 5 and one of my favorite books ever.
The Issue focused Novels--
A Time to Kill--This book is so great, I don't know why it didn't win acclaim until after the publication of The Firm. In this one, a black father murders the two white men who raped his young daughter. Everyone knows he's guilty but the whole town struggles with issues of race and the fact that they didn't really blame the guy for doing what he did. The book comes to a very satisfying conclusion and takes an unflinching look at race issues in the modern south. The spirit of the old south hasn't gone away. 4 Stars out of 5.
The Chamber--Grisham takes another unflinching look at a controversial subject, the death penalty. From the get go, the reader can tell that Grisham has issues with the death penalty in the USA, and that's exactly how he wants it. Sam is guilty as sin, and Grisham lets the reader know right away, that allows him to totally focus the book on the issue of capital punishment in and of itself. The results are emotional in many ways. The last 20 or 30 pages are some of Grisham's best work ever, extremely poignant. I'd be hard pressed to say you could honestly read this novel and at least reevaluate your position on the death penalty. I know I did. 5 stars out of 5.
Throughout all of these books, you get the sense that Grisham is writing about the culture and literature of the south almost as much as he is writing about the law. It's a particular facet of these novels that I really enjoy and it gives them color. Some of the middle novels get away from that a bit, but some of the newer ones, particularly "Ford County" really got back to capturing it. I hope Grisham continues to do this.
All in all, these 5 novels were as good as the first time I read them. If you're one of the few who hasn't given Grisham a try, please do so. It's a treat.
I would classify these five novels into two types: The Thriller and the Issue Focused novel.
Thrillers
The Firm
The Pelican Brief
The Client
Issue Focused Novels
A Time To Kill
The Chamber
Now of course all 5 carry some parts from both of these categories. A Time to Kill has some Thriller like action while the The Pelican Brief tackles earth based green issues. However, I think the books are different enough that the categorization holds. I'll give my thoughts on the thrillers first.
The Firm--Grisham's second novel really shot him on to the national stage. Mitch Mcdeere, bright young attorney, takes a dream job at a firm in Memphis only to discover that his new employers are really paid by the mob to help them launder money, among other things. Mitch is forced to become an informant for the FBI and deliver his bosses and coworkers into the hands of justice. The book has a ton of action and a lot of suspense, and while I like The Client a little better as a thriller, this one is still top notch. It reads a lot like a spy novel at times. Grisham is often knocked for not writing the best characters, but Mitch is an exception. While not necessarily feeling sorry for him, after all he IS rich, you really appreciate the predicament he finds himself in and you wonder if you could make the same choice. The bad guys are bad, but kind of just shadowy, and I thought Mitch's wife's character could have been fleshed out better, but alas, I have to be picky even to say that. 4 stars out of 5.
The Pelican Brief--Probably my least favorite of the 5 books. A young law student happens to solve the mystery of the murder of two Supreme Court Justices, and tries to live to tell the tale. This one, while trying to tackle green issues, is almost pure thriller and reads more like a spy novel than even The Firm. Honestly, it gets a little tedious following Darby from hovel to hovel as she hides, and I just wanted to get on with it at a certain point. Plus, I think trying to put Darby in a possible romantic situation is just too forced, and kind of turned me off a bit, especially the second time around. Still, the action is good and it's well written, just not my favorite. 3 stars out of 5.
The Client--A Young Boy witnesses the suicide of a mob lawyer, who tells him a secret that the mob will kill for. The action and characters in this book are both superb. It's a great ride to watch Mark try to escape both the mob, but the FBI as well! The character of Reggie is superbly written to fit with her young client and be perhaps the first good adult influence he has. 5 stars out of 5 and one of my favorite books ever.
The Issue focused Novels--
A Time to Kill--This book is so great, I don't know why it didn't win acclaim until after the publication of The Firm. In this one, a black father murders the two white men who raped his young daughter. Everyone knows he's guilty but the whole town struggles with issues of race and the fact that they didn't really blame the guy for doing what he did. The book comes to a very satisfying conclusion and takes an unflinching look at race issues in the modern south. The spirit of the old south hasn't gone away. 4 Stars out of 5.
The Chamber--Grisham takes another unflinching look at a controversial subject, the death penalty. From the get go, the reader can tell that Grisham has issues with the death penalty in the USA, and that's exactly how he wants it. Sam is guilty as sin, and Grisham lets the reader know right away, that allows him to totally focus the book on the issue of capital punishment in and of itself. The results are emotional in many ways. The last 20 or 30 pages are some of Grisham's best work ever, extremely poignant. I'd be hard pressed to say you could honestly read this novel and at least reevaluate your position on the death penalty. I know I did. 5 stars out of 5.
Throughout all of these books, you get the sense that Grisham is writing about the culture and literature of the south almost as much as he is writing about the law. It's a particular facet of these novels that I really enjoy and it gives them color. Some of the middle novels get away from that a bit, but some of the newer ones, particularly "Ford County" really got back to capturing it. I hope Grisham continues to do this.
All in all, these 5 novels were as good as the first time I read them. If you're one of the few who hasn't given Grisham a try, please do so. It's a treat.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Historic Health Care Vote
Last night the House of Representatives took a major step forward in bringing much needed health care reform to the USA. I would like to offer my congratulations to President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, The AARP. the AMA, and all of the everyday Americans that have been flooding Congress with calls to let them know they support real health care reform.
The final vote was 220-215 in favor of the bill, a pretty small margin. From all appearances, this was made possible by a compromise forged late Friday night between Pro-Choice and Anti-choice Democrats. This resulted in the passage of what is referred to as the Stupack amendment, this will pretty much guarantee that no insurance plan made available within the Federal exchange will be able to provide coverage for elective abortions. That's right, yet another issue has boiled down to abortion.
While I don't agree with the amendment, if that's what it took to get this bill pushed through at this point, so be it. I applaud Democratic leadership for seeing this through.
Hopefully this will make some people sit up and take notice. Despite the best efforts of Tea Baggers and the fear mongering of the GOP, we've stuck to our guns and taken the first step on what will hopefully be a historic process that will bring health care to millions of Americans. Speak truth and light to idiocy and fear.
Hopefully this will get done, and Nancy Pelosi can go down in history as an American Hero. Thank you very much Madam Speaker.
The final vote was 220-215 in favor of the bill, a pretty small margin. From all appearances, this was made possible by a compromise forged late Friday night between Pro-Choice and Anti-choice Democrats. This resulted in the passage of what is referred to as the Stupack amendment, this will pretty much guarantee that no insurance plan made available within the Federal exchange will be able to provide coverage for elective abortions. That's right, yet another issue has boiled down to abortion.
While I don't agree with the amendment, if that's what it took to get this bill pushed through at this point, so be it. I applaud Democratic leadership for seeing this through.
Hopefully this will make some people sit up and take notice. Despite the best efforts of Tea Baggers and the fear mongering of the GOP, we've stuck to our guns and taken the first step on what will hopefully be a historic process that will bring health care to millions of Americans. Speak truth and light to idiocy and fear.
Hopefully this will get done, and Nancy Pelosi can go down in history as an American Hero. Thank you very much Madam Speaker.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Election Night 2009 Final.
Well I was right about Virginia, Maine, California, and Washington. I got New Jersey and New York wrong. I wish I had been wrong on Maine.
The pundits will be crowing a big win for the Republicans tomorrow, but not so fast my friend. Though the Republican did pick up both Governorships, the big races were split 3-3, more importantly the democrats actually PICK UP A FORMER REPUBLICAN SEAT IN THE HOUSE. This will give them another vote to deploy for health care. Let's just put it this way, a democrat had not one in NY-23 since the Civil War. Tonight, thanks to Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, that's all changed. Beck and Palin thought they could ride into town in NY and tell the folks to rebel against Obama and elect a tea-bagger. Oops. Palin wakes up tomorrow with egg on her face over this. If this really is a preview of 2010, bring it on, because if the nut jobs like Palin and Beck have their way, the GOP is headed for a blood-bath of a civil war that will be splitting votes all over the country.
Though I called the loss in Maine, it makes me sad. It makes me sad that anyone's rights could be taken away by a vote.
However, but wins for Democrats in California and Washington. Plus, an anti-tax tea-bagger ballot measure was soundly defeated in Maine.
What do we take away from this?
1. Many, many Americans are still afraid of Gay Marriage. This issue will likely become a third rail in politics now, and candidates will be very loathe to come out in favor of Gay Marriage. That's why Obama isn't touching it, he wants to get reelected.
2. The votes in NJ and VA were on the poor economy and general malaise at incumbent parties. 60 percent of voters in those states said Obama was NOT a factor in their choice. This was NOT a referendum on Obama.
3. The tea-baggers have even less clout than they thought they did. Palin's outside influence did NOTHING in NY 23 except hand the seat to the democrats. Keep it up Sarah. Go rogue a little more.
The pundits will be crowing a big win for the Republicans tomorrow, but not so fast my friend. Though the Republican did pick up both Governorships, the big races were split 3-3, more importantly the democrats actually PICK UP A FORMER REPUBLICAN SEAT IN THE HOUSE. This will give them another vote to deploy for health care. Let's just put it this way, a democrat had not one in NY-23 since the Civil War. Tonight, thanks to Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, that's all changed. Beck and Palin thought they could ride into town in NY and tell the folks to rebel against Obama and elect a tea-bagger. Oops. Palin wakes up tomorrow with egg on her face over this. If this really is a preview of 2010, bring it on, because if the nut jobs like Palin and Beck have their way, the GOP is headed for a blood-bath of a civil war that will be splitting votes all over the country.
Though I called the loss in Maine, it makes me sad. It makes me sad that anyone's rights could be taken away by a vote.
However, but wins for Democrats in California and Washington. Plus, an anti-tax tea-bagger ballot measure was soundly defeated in Maine.
What do we take away from this?
1. Many, many Americans are still afraid of Gay Marriage. This issue will likely become a third rail in politics now, and candidates will be very loathe to come out in favor of Gay Marriage. That's why Obama isn't touching it, he wants to get reelected.
2. The votes in NJ and VA were on the poor economy and general malaise at incumbent parties. 60 percent of voters in those states said Obama was NOT a factor in their choice. This was NOT a referendum on Obama.
3. The tea-baggers have even less clout than they thought they did. Palin's outside influence did NOTHING in NY 23 except hand the seat to the democrats. Keep it up Sarah. Go rogue a little more.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Election Night 2009, Part 2.
Republicans win in Virginia, as expected.
The New Jersey race is tight as drum. Also expected.
Early results from Maine look good for Gay Marriage. The conservatives will be in trouble if they lose that one.
Still a long night to go.
Perhaps the most important race tonight for progressives is in Maine, where a Conservative ballot measure is seeking to overturn that state's Gay Marriage Law. No state has ever voted for Gay Marriage. Hopefully tonight, the great state of Maine, home of Gen. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, will be the first. Track the results here.
The New Jersey race is tight as drum. Also expected.
Early results from Maine look good for Gay Marriage. The conservatives will be in trouble if they lose that one.
Still a long night to go.
Perhaps the most important race tonight for progressives is in Maine, where a Conservative ballot measure is seeking to overturn that state's Gay Marriage Law. No state has ever voted for Gay Marriage. Hopefully tonight, the great state of Maine, home of Gen. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, will be the first. Track the results here.
Election Night 2009, Part 1. Predictions & General Thoughts
It's an off year for elections, but with the turbulent times today, there are 6 races people around the country are watching tonight. Republicans are hoping that wins in all or most of these races will be taken as a trend in the United States away from Barack Obama and his policies. Democrats really don't see that trend happening at any rate, but are anxious to avoid the appearance of it by picking off at least couple of these.
The races are:
US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NY-23--A heavily Republican district that hasn't been won by a democrat in more than 100 years. Recently, a radical right wing candidate entered the race and threatened to split the Republican vote, virtually handing this race to the democrat. However, as of last week, the actual Republican has dropped out of the race, and though she actually endorsed the democrat, it's expected that with the Republican vote no longer split, the Conservative candidate will hold on to this seat rather easily. My prediction is just that. Republicans will keep this seat by at least 4-6 points.
CA-10. A current democrat district that Republicans were looking to pick up in the wake of the tea-bagger movement and anti state government sentiment in California. Unfortunately for them, the only Californians that care about tea-bagging live in San Francisco and have been doing it for years. However, this district was in Republican hands as recently as 1996, and is considered to be kind of a Blue Dog district, while the dem candidate here is an unabashed liberal. A win here shows a real left move for this district. My prediction is that the Dems hold this seat by 7-9 points.
Governorships
Virginia-- The democrat candidate has been badly beaten up in this race and I expect the Republican to win by at least 10 points.
New Jersey--A couple of months back this looked like a slam dunk for The Republicans. However, corruption and campaign problems have held their candidate down in recent weeks, many polls now show the democrat incumbent once again in the lead. I'll this one for the democrats, but it won't be called tonight and it will probably go into absentee ballots and become very messy.
State Ballot Measures
Maine--Question 1. If question 1 passes in Maine, it will strike down a law made earlier this year by the Maine legislature legalizing gay marriage. So in this case, a YES vote is AGAINST gay marriage. I predict this will pass closely and outlaw Gay Marriage in Maine. Nate Silver at 538.com feels differently about this and I hope he's right.
Washington--Referendum 71. If this passes, it will extend "domestic partnerships" to Gay couples, it just doesn't call it "marriage." This is widely expected to pass and I think it will.
So best case/worst case. For the Republicans, they could feasibly win 4 out of these 6 races--NY23, VA-GOV, NJ-GOV, and Maine Question 1. This would be a bit embarrassing for the democrats, but none of these are national races and after a week of press, it'll be back to business as usual. The worst case for the Republicans is more dire. They could feasibly lose 5 out of 6 as well, only taking home VA-GOV. This would be a major setback for them as they try to claim some sort of momentum into the 2010 midterms. It would also be a serious setback for the anti-gay folks to lose both of the ballot measures.
For the Democrats, the best case I think is also 4 out of 6: CA-10, NJ-GOV, Maine Q1, and WA R71. This would alleviate the fear of major Republican momentum. However, don't think they'll get Maine Q1, leaving them with 3 out of 6. The worst case here for dems is losing 4 of 6, while winning CA-10 and WA R71. This would mean Glenn Beck and a lot of moron pundits spouting off on Obama for the next week, but outside of political thought circles, this sentiment would dissipate rather quickly.
It should be an interesting night. More updates to come.
The races are:
US HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NY-23--A heavily Republican district that hasn't been won by a democrat in more than 100 years. Recently, a radical right wing candidate entered the race and threatened to split the Republican vote, virtually handing this race to the democrat. However, as of last week, the actual Republican has dropped out of the race, and though she actually endorsed the democrat, it's expected that with the Republican vote no longer split, the Conservative candidate will hold on to this seat rather easily. My prediction is just that. Republicans will keep this seat by at least 4-6 points.
CA-10. A current democrat district that Republicans were looking to pick up in the wake of the tea-bagger movement and anti state government sentiment in California. Unfortunately for them, the only Californians that care about tea-bagging live in San Francisco and have been doing it for years. However, this district was in Republican hands as recently as 1996, and is considered to be kind of a Blue Dog district, while the dem candidate here is an unabashed liberal. A win here shows a real left move for this district. My prediction is that the Dems hold this seat by 7-9 points.
Governorships
Virginia-- The democrat candidate has been badly beaten up in this race and I expect the Republican to win by at least 10 points.
New Jersey--A couple of months back this looked like a slam dunk for The Republicans. However, corruption and campaign problems have held their candidate down in recent weeks, many polls now show the democrat incumbent once again in the lead. I'll this one for the democrats, but it won't be called tonight and it will probably go into absentee ballots and become very messy.
State Ballot Measures
Maine--Question 1. If question 1 passes in Maine, it will strike down a law made earlier this year by the Maine legislature legalizing gay marriage. So in this case, a YES vote is AGAINST gay marriage. I predict this will pass closely and outlaw Gay Marriage in Maine. Nate Silver at 538.com feels differently about this and I hope he's right.
Washington--Referendum 71. If this passes, it will extend "domestic partnerships" to Gay couples, it just doesn't call it "marriage." This is widely expected to pass and I think it will.
So best case/worst case. For the Republicans, they could feasibly win 4 out of these 6 races--NY23, VA-GOV, NJ-GOV, and Maine Question 1. This would be a bit embarrassing for the democrats, but none of these are national races and after a week of press, it'll be back to business as usual. The worst case for the Republicans is more dire. They could feasibly lose 5 out of 6 as well, only taking home VA-GOV. This would be a major setback for them as they try to claim some sort of momentum into the 2010 midterms. It would also be a serious setback for the anti-gay folks to lose both of the ballot measures.
For the Democrats, the best case I think is also 4 out of 6: CA-10, NJ-GOV, Maine Q1, and WA R71. This would alleviate the fear of major Republican momentum. However, don't think they'll get Maine Q1, leaving them with 3 out of 6. The worst case here for dems is losing 4 of 6, while winning CA-10 and WA R71. This would mean Glenn Beck and a lot of moron pundits spouting off on Obama for the next week, but outside of political thought circles, this sentiment would dissipate rather quickly.
It should be an interesting night. More updates to come.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The way we think: religion and atheism.
This week, ads that say "1 Million New Yorkers Are Good Without God" are going up throughout the New York City metro system.
The ads just went up Monday, and religious folks are already having a fit.
A couple of quotes from the article linked above:
"I teach my children to believe in God and lead a life faithful to Him," said Aime Roberts, 37, of the Bronx, when told of the campaign. "If my children see these ads that say there is no God, they’ll think their mother is lying."
"These aren’t good, you need to believe in God," said Rafael Rodriguez, 20, of the Bronx.
Charlene McNair-Lawery, 19, of Brooklyn, said she was dismayed by a trend toward taking religion out of the public sphere, mentioning efforts to remove the word God from the Pledge of Allegiance. "The MTA can just do whatever it wants and get away with it," she said.
I'll deal with these three quotes then move on to the real problem here.
First off, to the lady worried about her kids thinking she's lying to them, do you have a guilty conscience? What is wrong with children questioning the beliefs of their parents? Supposedly, we would think it was bad for parents to tell their children that it's a legitimate belief that people of other races are inferior to them. However, if you convince your kids that they're consuming the body and blood of a 2000 year old deity, or if you convince them that a man convicted of fraud "found" a new holy book and was a modern day "prophet," that's ok. Children shouldn't be allowed to question those things, right?
If my wife and I ever have kids, I intend to foster a spirit of reason and inquiry in them. My wife feels the same way. If my kids learn to question things at an early age, it will help their critical thinking skills later in life and hopefully they won't end up as one of Barnum's famous "suckers." Reason and inquiry are beautiful things. I would marvel at the mind of a child trying to wrap itself around why the sky is blue or what makes flowers bloom in pretty colors. I would equally marvel at them trying to comprehend the mysteries of the universe, with our without the aid of a creator or god. Ultimately, Children grow up to have their own lives and make their own choices, I intend to give them the skills to do so.
Onto the guy who says I have to believe in god. No sir, I don't. That attitude is exactly what is wrong with religion in a nutshell. I don't have to believe in your deity, and you don't need to believe in anyone else's deity. Anyone who thinks that you must have religion as a prerequisite to being a fine, moral person is extremely shallow and needs a history lesson. There have been some very benevolent atheists and many religious people are responsible for some of the worst wars the planet has seen. No sir, I don't have to believe in your god, in fact many people don't. Less and less believe every day.
To the woman concerned about removing god from the public sphere: these ads don't seek to remove god from anything. It's just other people claiming their beliefs. Second of all, the designers of USA never wanted god to be in the public sphere in the first place. The Constitution doesn't mention god ONCE. NOT ONCE. We derive our law from that document and the enlightenment. Not the ten commandments, not the Bible, The Koran, The Book Of Mormon, or any other "holy" fiction work. Thankfully, I wouldn't have wanted to be stoned when I back talked my parents as a child!
So why are religious people so up in arms about this? Well I honestly think a lot of it is that they just can't fathom anyone disagreeing with them and their god. We seem to have that disease particularly in America, which sad because our country was founded to include all ideas.
Isn't this kind of weird? No matter what religion you are: Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Mormon, or anything else, you're supposed to be able to firmly hold the belief that your god and your religion is right and everybody else is wrong. If I challenge you on that belief, and tell you that have absolutely zero evidence to prove your point of view, you get angry with me because I offend your religion.
An atheist merely points out that they, and many others don't believe in God at all, and you freak out. They're not going as far as you. They're not saying you can't believe in God, they're just saying that they don't. From the collective scream arising from religion, you'd think all civilization is coming to an end. Just today, "No God" was the number one trending topic on twitter, and Christians came out of the woodwork to scream about it and tell others that they're wrong. Yet you politely try to point out that they might be wrong, and it's a major federal offense.
I run into it in Utah almost every day. First comes the absolute shock that I'm not a Mormon, then If I dare go further and say I question the existence of God at all, the people are ready to call for the doctors and straight jackets. They've been taught to think that way, and never bothered to question it.
I submit to you today that if we all sat around and questioned a bit more, and took more on reason than revelation, that the world would be a better place indeed. Just think...no more suicide bombings, no more planes flying into buildings, no more Christian pastors pouring acid down a child's throat for an exorcism. No more Catholic priests molesting children, no more of religious people hating gays and preaching intolerance from the pulpit. No more "latter day prophets" putting printing presses to the flame, no more men out west marrying 14 year old girls, no more Mormons seminary teachers having affairs with their students, and hey kids could actually stay in school the whole day instead of getting a period off to go outside and study mythology!
A nice world indeed.
What purpose does religion serve again?
Question EVERYTHING.
The ads just went up Monday, and religious folks are already having a fit.
A couple of quotes from the article linked above:
"I teach my children to believe in God and lead a life faithful to Him," said Aime Roberts, 37, of the Bronx, when told of the campaign. "If my children see these ads that say there is no God, they’ll think their mother is lying."
"These aren’t good, you need to believe in God," said Rafael Rodriguez, 20, of the Bronx.
Charlene McNair-Lawery, 19, of Brooklyn, said she was dismayed by a trend toward taking religion out of the public sphere, mentioning efforts to remove the word God from the Pledge of Allegiance. "The MTA can just do whatever it wants and get away with it," she said.
I'll deal with these three quotes then move on to the real problem here.
First off, to the lady worried about her kids thinking she's lying to them, do you have a guilty conscience? What is wrong with children questioning the beliefs of their parents? Supposedly, we would think it was bad for parents to tell their children that it's a legitimate belief that people of other races are inferior to them. However, if you convince your kids that they're consuming the body and blood of a 2000 year old deity, or if you convince them that a man convicted of fraud "found" a new holy book and was a modern day "prophet," that's ok. Children shouldn't be allowed to question those things, right?
If my wife and I ever have kids, I intend to foster a spirit of reason and inquiry in them. My wife feels the same way. If my kids learn to question things at an early age, it will help their critical thinking skills later in life and hopefully they won't end up as one of Barnum's famous "suckers." Reason and inquiry are beautiful things. I would marvel at the mind of a child trying to wrap itself around why the sky is blue or what makes flowers bloom in pretty colors. I would equally marvel at them trying to comprehend the mysteries of the universe, with our without the aid of a creator or god. Ultimately, Children grow up to have their own lives and make their own choices, I intend to give them the skills to do so.
Onto the guy who says I have to believe in god. No sir, I don't. That attitude is exactly what is wrong with religion in a nutshell. I don't have to believe in your deity, and you don't need to believe in anyone else's deity. Anyone who thinks that you must have religion as a prerequisite to being a fine, moral person is extremely shallow and needs a history lesson. There have been some very benevolent atheists and many religious people are responsible for some of the worst wars the planet has seen. No sir, I don't have to believe in your god, in fact many people don't. Less and less believe every day.
To the woman concerned about removing god from the public sphere: these ads don't seek to remove god from anything. It's just other people claiming their beliefs. Second of all, the designers of USA never wanted god to be in the public sphere in the first place. The Constitution doesn't mention god ONCE. NOT ONCE. We derive our law from that document and the enlightenment. Not the ten commandments, not the Bible, The Koran, The Book Of Mormon, or any other "holy" fiction work. Thankfully, I wouldn't have wanted to be stoned when I back talked my parents as a child!
So why are religious people so up in arms about this? Well I honestly think a lot of it is that they just can't fathom anyone disagreeing with them and their god. We seem to have that disease particularly in America, which sad because our country was founded to include all ideas.
Isn't this kind of weird? No matter what religion you are: Protestant, Catholic, Muslim, Mormon, or anything else, you're supposed to be able to firmly hold the belief that your god and your religion is right and everybody else is wrong. If I challenge you on that belief, and tell you that have absolutely zero evidence to prove your point of view, you get angry with me because I offend your religion.
An atheist merely points out that they, and many others don't believe in God at all, and you freak out. They're not going as far as you. They're not saying you can't believe in God, they're just saying that they don't. From the collective scream arising from religion, you'd think all civilization is coming to an end. Just today, "No God" was the number one trending topic on twitter, and Christians came out of the woodwork to scream about it and tell others that they're wrong. Yet you politely try to point out that they might be wrong, and it's a major federal offense.
I run into it in Utah almost every day. First comes the absolute shock that I'm not a Mormon, then If I dare go further and say I question the existence of God at all, the people are ready to call for the doctors and straight jackets. They've been taught to think that way, and never bothered to question it.
I submit to you today that if we all sat around and questioned a bit more, and took more on reason than revelation, that the world would be a better place indeed. Just think...no more suicide bombings, no more planes flying into buildings, no more Christian pastors pouring acid down a child's throat for an exorcism. No more Catholic priests molesting children, no more of religious people hating gays and preaching intolerance from the pulpit. No more "latter day prophets" putting printing presses to the flame, no more men out west marrying 14 year old girls, no more Mormons seminary teachers having affairs with their students, and hey kids could actually stay in school the whole day instead of getting a period off to go outside and study mythology!
A nice world indeed.
What purpose does religion serve again?
Question EVERYTHING.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Book Thoughts: "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins
It has been with great interest that I've delved into the last two books I've read, "God is Not Great" by Christopher Hitchens and "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins.
If you know me very well at all, you know that I was born into religion, raised in religion, and steeped myself in religion so much during my late teen years and into my early 20s that I actually planned on going to seminary to become a pastor. This desire of mine overcame, for a period of a few years at any rate, my fantastic desire to learn about and know about science, ethics, and natural law.
It was on a night spent on my own in a monastic cell in 2001, that I started to think about what was going on in my life and life as a whole. That evening I began an argument with "God" that has in one form or another until the present day. Part of this was in respect to a conversation had with my pastor earlier in the day in which he told me that he didn't believe everything in the Bible was true. As an honest and semi-intellectual individual, I really didn't believe that the Bible was true either, but to be confronted with the fact by the man who had been responsible for my religious upbringing and education was absolutely startling. If the Bible indeed wasn't true, why was I continuing to go around espousing the faith that is based on it? Why was I spending every Sunday morning in church when I could have been sleeping in, watching football, or reading a book?
I began a journey on that day in July 2001, and that journey continues today. That journey has taken me to depths of depression and into the heights of human inquiry. The reading of these books and exploring these issues is just another step on that journey.
Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist, professor at Oxford, and one of the world's most prominent and out-spoken atheists. In this book, he sets out to prove that either God does not exist, period, or that the likelihood of his existence is extremely improbable. He accomplishes his task very well, at least for anyone who comes to the book with an open mind.
Where Hitchens primarily makes his case on Philosophy and logic, Dawkins uses these as well as the hammer of science to make his. To Dawkins, there is no question that science can't answer. There may be questions science hasn't answered yet, but it has the capacity to answer them in the future. Religion, he argues, is a closed system of belief that has no new answers for us on anything. Each new religion claims to be god's final word. Yet somehow, they keep springing up. The Christians thought themselves to be the completion of the Jewish traditions, and the Muslims prefer to think that a new revelation to their prophet finally got it all right. Even now in the modern age new religions keep springing up, many from the burnt over district of New York State in the 1800's. Despite the fact that any objective look at these modern faiths shows that they have been totally fabricated and don't stand up to scrutiny any better than the great monotheistic religions of our past, they still find a way to entrap people in their web.
Dawkins not only makes a convincing argument about the error of religion in all things worldly, but he also makes a compelling case for erecting science, using Darwinian natural selection as an example, as the foundation for our beliefs, then pursuing new knowledge strictly through scientific inquiry.
Other topics covered:
The evolution of Religion
The roots of morality
The Bible and morality
What is so wrong with religion anyway?
Religion and Child Abuse
How to view a world through science and not religion.
All in all. this one of the most enjoyable non-fiction books I've ever read. While I wouldn't stop and go all out and say I'm an atheist at this point, I'm certainly trying on the glasses. I would love to sit down with Dawkins and have dinner. An outstanding book from an obviously outstanding intellect. It's not over done either. Though there is a lot of science in the book, a high school understanding of biology and physics should allow the reader to go through the book with very little problem.
Give it a try with an opn mind and see where it takes you.
If you know me very well at all, you know that I was born into religion, raised in religion, and steeped myself in religion so much during my late teen years and into my early 20s that I actually planned on going to seminary to become a pastor. This desire of mine overcame, for a period of a few years at any rate, my fantastic desire to learn about and know about science, ethics, and natural law.
It was on a night spent on my own in a monastic cell in 2001, that I started to think about what was going on in my life and life as a whole. That evening I began an argument with "God" that has in one form or another until the present day. Part of this was in respect to a conversation had with my pastor earlier in the day in which he told me that he didn't believe everything in the Bible was true. As an honest and semi-intellectual individual, I really didn't believe that the Bible was true either, but to be confronted with the fact by the man who had been responsible for my religious upbringing and education was absolutely startling. If the Bible indeed wasn't true, why was I continuing to go around espousing the faith that is based on it? Why was I spending every Sunday morning in church when I could have been sleeping in, watching football, or reading a book?
I began a journey on that day in July 2001, and that journey continues today. That journey has taken me to depths of depression and into the heights of human inquiry. The reading of these books and exploring these issues is just another step on that journey.
Richard Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist, professor at Oxford, and one of the world's most prominent and out-spoken atheists. In this book, he sets out to prove that either God does not exist, period, or that the likelihood of his existence is extremely improbable. He accomplishes his task very well, at least for anyone who comes to the book with an open mind.
Where Hitchens primarily makes his case on Philosophy and logic, Dawkins uses these as well as the hammer of science to make his. To Dawkins, there is no question that science can't answer. There may be questions science hasn't answered yet, but it has the capacity to answer them in the future. Religion, he argues, is a closed system of belief that has no new answers for us on anything. Each new religion claims to be god's final word. Yet somehow, they keep springing up. The Christians thought themselves to be the completion of the Jewish traditions, and the Muslims prefer to think that a new revelation to their prophet finally got it all right. Even now in the modern age new religions keep springing up, many from the burnt over district of New York State in the 1800's. Despite the fact that any objective look at these modern faiths shows that they have been totally fabricated and don't stand up to scrutiny any better than the great monotheistic religions of our past, they still find a way to entrap people in their web.
Dawkins not only makes a convincing argument about the error of religion in all things worldly, but he also makes a compelling case for erecting science, using Darwinian natural selection as an example, as the foundation for our beliefs, then pursuing new knowledge strictly through scientific inquiry.
Other topics covered:
The evolution of Religion
The roots of morality
The Bible and morality
What is so wrong with religion anyway?
Religion and Child Abuse
How to view a world through science and not religion.
All in all. this one of the most enjoyable non-fiction books I've ever read. While I wouldn't stop and go all out and say I'm an atheist at this point, I'm certainly trying on the glasses. I would love to sit down with Dawkins and have dinner. An outstanding book from an obviously outstanding intellect. It's not over done either. Though there is a lot of science in the book, a high school understanding of biology and physics should allow the reader to go through the book with very little problem.
Give it a try with an opn mind and see where it takes you.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Book Thoughts: "God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything." by Christopher Hitchens
A really fascinating book. I wouldn't say I'm totally ready to throw my hat in with the atheists, but Hitchens gave me a lot to think about. I suppose maybe at this point in my life, I probably would be considered more of an agnostic or deist, but Hitchens makes the case, fairly convincingly I might add, that even those beliefs are too out there.
He seeks to lay waste to religion, and does a frighteningly good job. I think it would be pretty much impossible to read this book with an open mind and NOT come away questioning religion. I know we're not generally supposed to do this, but an inquisitive life is an informed one and we need to take Hitchens and others like Richard Dawkins seriously. Their case is a good one. Not only is religion wrong, but it's harmful.
Hitchens doesn't spare anyone's faith from his razor sharp wit and well constructed, logical narrative. He lays waste to Judaism and Christianity, basically by arguing that the Talmud and The Bible are completely man made and are not inspired in the slightest. The LDS religion? Forget it. According to Hitchens, it's nothing more than the latest and greatest fiction of a convicted confidence man and fraud artist who fancied himself a Muhammad to a new generation. Islam, a racist plagiarism of Christianity. He doesn't spare Wicca or the Eastern "spiritualism" either.
In the end, his argument is that we would all be better off as a people if we could usher in an age of new enlightenment based on scientific evidence and our own sense of reason. Of course, this would largely mean setting aside the religious framework in which so many of us live our lives, but perhaps Hitchens is right. He certainly makes a stunning and provocative case.
Please don't be afraid to give this book a shot.
He seeks to lay waste to religion, and does a frighteningly good job. I think it would be pretty much impossible to read this book with an open mind and NOT come away questioning religion. I know we're not generally supposed to do this, but an inquisitive life is an informed one and we need to take Hitchens and others like Richard Dawkins seriously. Their case is a good one. Not only is religion wrong, but it's harmful.
Hitchens doesn't spare anyone's faith from his razor sharp wit and well constructed, logical narrative. He lays waste to Judaism and Christianity, basically by arguing that the Talmud and The Bible are completely man made and are not inspired in the slightest. The LDS religion? Forget it. According to Hitchens, it's nothing more than the latest and greatest fiction of a convicted confidence man and fraud artist who fancied himself a Muhammad to a new generation. Islam, a racist plagiarism of Christianity. He doesn't spare Wicca or the Eastern "spiritualism" either.
In the end, his argument is that we would all be better off as a people if we could usher in an age of new enlightenment based on scientific evidence and our own sense of reason. Of course, this would largely mean setting aside the religious framework in which so many of us live our lives, but perhaps Hitchens is right. He certainly makes a stunning and provocative case.
Please don't be afraid to give this book a shot.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
College Football Week4, more teams go down.
Well since I had to work a day shift today, I didn't get to watch any games. Boo. Well, after perusing the news, here's my thoughts.
Florida takes down Kentucky, but Tebow goes out with a concussion. Let's hope he's ok, cause the Gators would have a tough rode without him. As more and more teams get saddled with a loss early on, the Gators can really put themselves in the cat bird seat if they can stay undefeated. They have a bye next week, then a BIG game at LSU on 10/10.
Nice to see both BYU and Utah bounce back from last week. Although, after seeing that Oregon TROUNCE Cal, one might look back at the U's loss against the Ducks and think maybe that wasn't such a bad one. The Utes took down a Big Est foe, Louisville today. Of course the Big East had no business being in the BCS, but every win against a BCS school counts.
BYU bounces back by opening conference play with a convincing win against CSU. Of course the fact that Florida State lost to USF this week makes you scratch your head some more about last week. Oh well, BYU should move back up at least a couple of spots in the polls.
Anyway, both Utah and Florida have byes next week, but BYU will host Utah State. The Aggies played fairly well at Texas A&M last week and took their first win of the season this week against SUU. Still, I look for the Cougars to tune up things against Aggies next week, unless they overlook them like they did FSU. Of course the Aggies are no Florida State, but they're definitely an improved team. They also appear to have a competent coaching staff for the first time since who, John L Smith? If BYU takes USU lightly, you might see the Ags hang close. With so many of my teams out of action next week, that'll be the one I really watch.
Florida takes down Kentucky, but Tebow goes out with a concussion. Let's hope he's ok, cause the Gators would have a tough rode without him. As more and more teams get saddled with a loss early on, the Gators can really put themselves in the cat bird seat if they can stay undefeated. They have a bye next week, then a BIG game at LSU on 10/10.
Nice to see both BYU and Utah bounce back from last week. Although, after seeing that Oregon TROUNCE Cal, one might look back at the U's loss against the Ducks and think maybe that wasn't such a bad one. The Utes took down a Big Est foe, Louisville today. Of course the Big East had no business being in the BCS, but every win against a BCS school counts.
BYU bounces back by opening conference play with a convincing win against CSU. Of course the fact that Florida State lost to USF this week makes you scratch your head some more about last week. Oh well, BYU should move back up at least a couple of spots in the polls.
Anyway, both Utah and Florida have byes next week, but BYU will host Utah State. The Aggies played fairly well at Texas A&M last week and took their first win of the season this week against SUU. Still, I look for the Cougars to tune up things against Aggies next week, unless they overlook them like they did FSU. Of course the Aggies are no Florida State, but they're definitely an improved team. They also appear to have a competent coaching staff for the first time since who, John L Smith? If BYU takes USU lightly, you might see the Ags hang close. With so many of my teams out of action next week, that'll be the one I really watch.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Book Thoughts: "Gettysburg: A Testing of Courage" By Noah Trudeau
One of the best historical books I've ever read. I was a little worried at first because I haven't read a lot of Military History, and I'm not totally up to snuff with with a lot of the terms and tactics. Trudeau addresses this right off the bat with a little primer section on military terms and tactics from the era. It helped me a lot, but the reader would still do well to have something of a working knowledge of this area before reading the book.
Still, the military writing didn't dominate the flow of the work at all. This Gettysburg volume does so much more than just go through the "This regiment was at point A and executed action B." It gives the human stories of the young men who were mowed down in battle and really puts a human face on it.
This book also gives a much more comprehensive picture of the first day's fighting than I had read before. Much of the common knowledge of Gettysburg in this day and age centers around the Little Round Top/Devil's Den area on day 2 and Pickett's charge against Cemetery Ridge on Day 3. To be sure, both of these areas are covered and covered exhaustively, but Trudeau's writing helped me get a much better understanding of the first day's fight than I had before. So for that reason alone this volume is worth it.
Trudeau also gives poignant and relevant analysis of the battle, and I really enjoyed the commentary. The other big plus for me was the inclusion of the rest of Lee's campaign that led up to the battle.
If you want pictures of dead bodies and portraitesque pictures of the landscape today, this isn't your book, it doesn't contain a single picture except for many very good maps, and that's more than ok because Trudeau more than accomplishes the most vivid imagery with his words alone. An excellent volume.
Still, the military writing didn't dominate the flow of the work at all. This Gettysburg volume does so much more than just go through the "This regiment was at point A and executed action B." It gives the human stories of the young men who were mowed down in battle and really puts a human face on it.
This book also gives a much more comprehensive picture of the first day's fighting than I had read before. Much of the common knowledge of Gettysburg in this day and age centers around the Little Round Top/Devil's Den area on day 2 and Pickett's charge against Cemetery Ridge on Day 3. To be sure, both of these areas are covered and covered exhaustively, but Trudeau's writing helped me get a much better understanding of the first day's fight than I had before. So for that reason alone this volume is worth it.
Trudeau also gives poignant and relevant analysis of the battle, and I really enjoyed the commentary. The other big plus for me was the inclusion of the rest of Lee's campaign that led up to the battle.
If you want pictures of dead bodies and portraitesque pictures of the landscape today, this isn't your book, it doesn't contain a single picture except for many very good maps, and that's more than ok because Trudeau more than accomplishes the most vivid imagery with his words alone. An excellent volume.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Faux Christianity or Lies My Pastor Told Me.
First off, let me just say I don't think my pastor was a liar. I grew up in a fairly normal church, where neither politics nor whackoism were ever preached from the pulpit. I also highly doubt he would agree with a lot of the Christian whackos out in full force today. Of course, I haven't asked him, so I don't know for sure, but whatever.....
Now I consider myself a Christian. It's been awhile since Mariel and I have been to Mass, but that's mainly because the last time we went, the deacon told us to vote for John McCain because he was pro-life. As if being in favor of bombing poor middle eastern countries back to the stone age is somehow "pro-life." No, we Americans are only "pro-life" when it comes to white, middle to upper-class babies who haven't even been born yet and wouldn't survive a day without the assistance of their mothers. But I digress.......
Anyhoodles, Kirk Cameron and some bonehead named Ray Comfort are planning on celebrating the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's "Origin of the Species" by going around to colleges and universities and giving out free, brand spanking new editions of the book.
No, that doesn't sound quite right does it? Kirk Cameron has evolved from a mere bad actor to a bad actor who is also now a religious nutjob. Fireproof, Kirk? How about Idiotproof?
So Kirk and Ray are giving out these books, but here's the catch, Ray has written a new 50 page intro to the book. In the new intro Ray is going draw the obvious connection between the theory of evolution and Hitler. He's also going to call Darwin and his theory racist and sexist. He's also going to assert that no fossil evidence has ever been found to establish transitional forms. He's going to say DNA proves God exists and Intelligent design is true. Finally he's going to state that the Theory of Evolution espouses the thought that everything that now exists was created from nothing, and that's not scientifically valid.
So where do we start? First off, sure Hitler and the Nazis used Natural Selection to further their views of a genetically superior race. And that's Darwin's fault how? Oh yeah, you know what else Hitler and his cronies used? The Bible and Christianity, firing up German Christians by telling them that the Jews had killed Jesus and were the natural enemy of an Aryan, Christian society. But that's not God's fault now is it...Kirk? What is it with these conservative retards that have to compare everyone that doesn't agree with them to Hitler? It doesn't help your argument.
Darwin and his theory are racist and sexist? Sure Kirk, whatever you say. In all my science classes (and I've had quite a few) I've never heard anything about this. You know where I have heard about racism and sexism though? THE BIBLE. Oh yeah, go back to the Old Testament and watch the Nation of Israel wipe out entire villages and cities who were different than them because "They were God's chosen people." Huh. My God is better than your God so I'm going to kill you and stomp out your civilization. What a great thought. Then of course the racism hammer got turned against the Jews when the Christian Church took power and accused them of killing THE JESUS and started openly persecuting Jewish people.
Sexism? The Bible is one of the most sexist, anti-female books ever to come into existence. Some quotes:
1 Corinthians 11: 8 - 9:
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1 Corinthians 14: 34 - 35:
34. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Timothy 2:11
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
So don't talk to me about sexism from a Christian perspective.
Hmm...let's see, Kirk suggests that no fossil evidence of transitional forms has been found. Oh really? Well in the largest sense, every fossil is transitional, showing a creature that has since changed to something else, but if you really want a few specifics here are a few that are transitional fossils between fish and amphibians. That same site lists many other transitional forms as well, so sorry, Kirk.
DNA is proof that Kirk is right and Darwin is wrong? Not hardly? If this is the case, how come our DNA is so close to that of almost every other primate? How do you explain junk-DNA codons? Oh, you don't. Genetic mutations in and of themselves speak for the process of Natural Selection. Does Kirk know anything about DNA except what he saw on CSI?
Finally, Kirk is going to tell you that Evolution supposes that everything in universe was created from nothing, and that can't be scientifically valid. Well first off, Kirk, Evolution is a biological theory pertaining to life on earth, not the origin of the universe. You're looking for Hawking, not Darwin. Oh yeah, and it's you guys that say that God spouted a few magic words and created everything in the Universe from nothing. So what in the hell are you talking about?
Kirk and Ray are retards. Lying retards. In his video promoting his little project Kirk tells more lies like:
Kids in the USA are not allowed to pray in Public
Kids in the USA are not allowed to open a Bible in a public school
The Gideons are not allowed to distribute Bibles at school
Atheist Darwinist educators are turning our Kids into Athiest Darwinists.
The Ten Commandments can't be displayed in public.
Oh really? Look Kirk, IM'MA LET YOU FINISH BUT.......
I see kids praying in public all time. I personally prayed a ton in school, especially pertaining to passing chemistry tests and hoping God would spare me being humiliated in Gym class.
I see kids open Bibles and Even Book of Mormons in school all the time. I personally carried a small Bible and a Heidelberg Catechism around with me in High School and a Catholic Catechism in college. I was never arrested by the thought police.
I received three Gideon Bibles at school. One in Jr High, one in High School, and one in College. I knew a guy who was in the Gideons. He gave out Bibles at schools all the time. Still I wonder if Kirk would be ok with giving out the Koran at school? I think not.
Oh my, Professors are actually teaching critical thinking that doesn't quite jive with authoritarian religious teaching? THANK GOD. If the Christians don't want an education, stay home. That way I'll have a better chance at a good job.
The Ten Commandments can't be displayed in Public? Whaa..... Maybe not on Government buildings, but you see them all over the place on private property. Besides the ten commandments are NOT the foundation for our legal system. The ancient Roman and Old English legal systems are. Sorry to burst your bubble. While watching a video in response to Kirk, I was introduced to The Wiccan Rede. A very beautiful description of the beliefs of Wicca. Not an offensive thing in there. I bet Kirk wouldn't want it posted on Government buildings or in schools though.
The United States and it's government isn't about Christianity. Period. Founding Fathers=Deists. It's about being able to believe what you want, even if it isn't Christianity and leveling the playing field for those aren't Christian. Our government was NEVER intended to push Christianity. Period.
Besides, if you like the Bible, God wasn't very fond of liars.
If the views of Christianity today are all about pushing a conservative agenda, lying about good science, walking on the backs of poor people, and flat out raping the compassionate teachings of Jesus Christ, I want no part of it. I'd rather be Wiccan, at least they care about others, something Jesus told us to do if you remember correctly.
Father, can you hear me?
How have I let you down?
I curse the day that I was born,
And all the sorrow in the world...
Let me take you to the herding ground,
Where all good men are trampled down,
Just to settle a bet that could not be won,
Between a prideful father and his son.
Well you guard me now for I cant see,
A reason for this suffering and this long misery.
What if every living soul could be upright and strong?
Well, then I do imagine there will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
When all soldiers lay their weapons down,
Or when all kings and all queens relinquish their crown,
Or when the only true messiah rescues us from ourselves...
Its easy to imagine there will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
There will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
Now I consider myself a Christian. It's been awhile since Mariel and I have been to Mass, but that's mainly because the last time we went, the deacon told us to vote for John McCain because he was pro-life. As if being in favor of bombing poor middle eastern countries back to the stone age is somehow "pro-life." No, we Americans are only "pro-life" when it comes to white, middle to upper-class babies who haven't even been born yet and wouldn't survive a day without the assistance of their mothers. But I digress.......
Anyhoodles, Kirk Cameron and some bonehead named Ray Comfort are planning on celebrating the 150th anniversary of the publication of Darwin's "Origin of the Species" by going around to colleges and universities and giving out free, brand spanking new editions of the book.
No, that doesn't sound quite right does it? Kirk Cameron has evolved from a mere bad actor to a bad actor who is also now a religious nutjob. Fireproof, Kirk? How about Idiotproof?
So Kirk and Ray are giving out these books, but here's the catch, Ray has written a new 50 page intro to the book. In the new intro Ray is going draw the obvious connection between the theory of evolution and Hitler. He's also going to call Darwin and his theory racist and sexist. He's also going to assert that no fossil evidence has ever been found to establish transitional forms. He's going to say DNA proves God exists and Intelligent design is true. Finally he's going to state that the Theory of Evolution espouses the thought that everything that now exists was created from nothing, and that's not scientifically valid.
So where do we start? First off, sure Hitler and the Nazis used Natural Selection to further their views of a genetically superior race. And that's Darwin's fault how? Oh yeah, you know what else Hitler and his cronies used? The Bible and Christianity, firing up German Christians by telling them that the Jews had killed Jesus and were the natural enemy of an Aryan, Christian society. But that's not God's fault now is it...Kirk? What is it with these conservative retards that have to compare everyone that doesn't agree with them to Hitler? It doesn't help your argument.
Darwin and his theory are racist and sexist? Sure Kirk, whatever you say. In all my science classes (and I've had quite a few) I've never heard anything about this. You know where I have heard about racism and sexism though? THE BIBLE. Oh yeah, go back to the Old Testament and watch the Nation of Israel wipe out entire villages and cities who were different than them because "They were God's chosen people." Huh. My God is better than your God so I'm going to kill you and stomp out your civilization. What a great thought. Then of course the racism hammer got turned against the Jews when the Christian Church took power and accused them of killing THE JESUS and started openly persecuting Jewish people.
Sexism? The Bible is one of the most sexist, anti-female books ever to come into existence. Some quotes:
1 Corinthians 11: 8 - 9:
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
1 Corinthians 14: 34 - 35:
34. Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but [they are commanded] to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Timothy 2:11
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
So don't talk to me about sexism from a Christian perspective.
Hmm...let's see, Kirk suggests that no fossil evidence of transitional forms has been found. Oh really? Well in the largest sense, every fossil is transitional, showing a creature that has since changed to something else, but if you really want a few specifics here are a few that are transitional fossils between fish and amphibians. That same site lists many other transitional forms as well, so sorry, Kirk.
DNA is proof that Kirk is right and Darwin is wrong? Not hardly? If this is the case, how come our DNA is so close to that of almost every other primate? How do you explain junk-DNA codons? Oh, you don't. Genetic mutations in and of themselves speak for the process of Natural Selection. Does Kirk know anything about DNA except what he saw on CSI?
Finally, Kirk is going to tell you that Evolution supposes that everything in universe was created from nothing, and that can't be scientifically valid. Well first off, Kirk, Evolution is a biological theory pertaining to life on earth, not the origin of the universe. You're looking for Hawking, not Darwin. Oh yeah, and it's you guys that say that God spouted a few magic words and created everything in the Universe from nothing. So what in the hell are you talking about?
Kirk and Ray are retards. Lying retards. In his video promoting his little project Kirk tells more lies like:
Kids in the USA are not allowed to pray in Public
Kids in the USA are not allowed to open a Bible in a public school
The Gideons are not allowed to distribute Bibles at school
Atheist Darwinist educators are turning our Kids into Athiest Darwinists.
The Ten Commandments can't be displayed in public.
Oh really? Look Kirk, IM'MA LET YOU FINISH BUT.......
I see kids praying in public all time. I personally prayed a ton in school, especially pertaining to passing chemistry tests and hoping God would spare me being humiliated in Gym class.
I see kids open Bibles and Even Book of Mormons in school all the time. I personally carried a small Bible and a Heidelberg Catechism around with me in High School and a Catholic Catechism in college. I was never arrested by the thought police.
I received three Gideon Bibles at school. One in Jr High, one in High School, and one in College. I knew a guy who was in the Gideons. He gave out Bibles at schools all the time. Still I wonder if Kirk would be ok with giving out the Koran at school? I think not.
Oh my, Professors are actually teaching critical thinking that doesn't quite jive with authoritarian religious teaching? THANK GOD. If the Christians don't want an education, stay home. That way I'll have a better chance at a good job.
The Ten Commandments can't be displayed in Public? Whaa..... Maybe not on Government buildings, but you see them all over the place on private property. Besides the ten commandments are NOT the foundation for our legal system. The ancient Roman and Old English legal systems are. Sorry to burst your bubble. While watching a video in response to Kirk, I was introduced to The Wiccan Rede. A very beautiful description of the beliefs of Wicca. Not an offensive thing in there. I bet Kirk wouldn't want it posted on Government buildings or in schools though.
The United States and it's government isn't about Christianity. Period. Founding Fathers=Deists. It's about being able to believe what you want, even if it isn't Christianity and leveling the playing field for those aren't Christian. Our government was NEVER intended to push Christianity. Period.
Besides, if you like the Bible, God wasn't very fond of liars.
If the views of Christianity today are all about pushing a conservative agenda, lying about good science, walking on the backs of poor people, and flat out raping the compassionate teachings of Jesus Christ, I want no part of it. I'd rather be Wiccan, at least they care about others, something Jesus told us to do if you remember correctly.
Father, can you hear me?
How have I let you down?
I curse the day that I was born,
And all the sorrow in the world...
Let me take you to the herding ground,
Where all good men are trampled down,
Just to settle a bet that could not be won,
Between a prideful father and his son.
Well you guard me now for I cant see,
A reason for this suffering and this long misery.
What if every living soul could be upright and strong?
Well, then I do imagine there will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
When all soldiers lay their weapons down,
Or when all kings and all queens relinquish their crown,
Or when the only true messiah rescues us from ourselves...
Its easy to imagine there will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
There will be
Sorrow.
Yeah there will be
Sorrow .
And there will be
Sorrow, no more.
Music: Pearl Jam--Backspacer
As you know, Pearl Jam is my favorite band and seriously the best band ever. I have been very, very excited for the new album, Backspacer, and I was not disappointed in the slightest.
My Thoughts:
1. Gonna See My Friend. 4/5. Great Rocker to start off the album. Maybe not the most wonderful lyrics or hard hitting song writing, but a good rocker that I wish Pearl Jam would do more of.
2. Got Some. 4/5. Much the same thought as the first track, only a better song for me. They performed this one on The Tonight Show and I loved it. Love the studio version even better. It continues to up the energy on the first part of the album. Lovin' it.
3. The Fixer. 4/5. I actually upped this from 3 stars to 4 after hearing it in place on the album. It fits really well coming after GSMF and Got Some, bringing yet MORE energy and upping the ante on the album as a whole. I didn't like it as well as a single. Some of the lyrics seem just plain dumb, but as I listened to some of what I think Eddie was trying to say, it really started to grow on me.
4. Johnny Guitar. 3/5. The RM board was having a collective orgasm over this song when it went down, but to me, after the energy of the opening three tracks this Matt Cameron song falls a little flat and was the first bummer song for me. Not that it's bad, and certainly it's pretty good compared to say Evacuation, but it just doesn't do much for me and hasn't grown on me.
5. Just Breathe. 5/5. I don't generally give 5 stars to a song, but this is the first of three 5 star songs in a row on this album for me. This is just gorgeous. Would have fit right in on the Into the Wild soundtrack, and I was glad to see some of that side of Ed show up on Backspacer. Very beautiful, moving, simple song.
6. Amongst the Waves. 5/5. This one is my favorite track off the album. Really reminds me of Given to Fly and just takes me to another realm altogether when I hear it. Just....wow. Eddie, get out of my head!
7. Unthought Known. 5/5. I haven't fully digested this wonderful bit of music yet, I just know I love it. Period.
8. Supersonic. 3/5. The comes the let down. To me this is the Big Wave of this album. Usually I like these little rockers but it just doesn't cut it after the last three songs. My least favorite.
9. Speed of Sound. 3/5. No it's not a Coldplay cover. I really looked forward to this one after hearing the stripped down version that was out there. It could have been another Into the Wild type moment, and I just really don't care for the direction the album version takes it. I do like the lyrics though.
10. Force of Nature. 5/5. At first I only gave this one four stars, then I listened to it some more. This baby builds like a category 4 Hurricane and just fucking UNLEASHES itself on the listener on the chorus. Very Anthem like. Play it loud, play it proud.
11. The End. 4/5. Not a perfect song but a perfect fitting end to this wonderful album. It hits you like a velvet hammer and the pregnant pause at the actual end...just leaves you in space going, wow, what an experience.
So where do I put this in the PJ catalog? Well, best album since Yield, hands down. Yield is pretty much my favorite album, always will be. As of right now I'd probably rank them like this:
Yield
Vitalogy
Vs.
Backspacer
Ten
No Code
Avocado
Riot Act
Binaural
It may end up taking 3rd place as well.
As far as the band's later work (Post Yield) this is clearly the best for me anyway. Binaural had the dark feel and just never caught on for me save a few songs. Riot Act started out well but didn't age all that well (though LBC remains one of my favorite songs). I did like Avocado more than a lot of fans seemed to, particularly the rockers like WWS and Life Wasted (both of which rock live). This album has the balance that those three previous albums lacked. Perhaps because in the post Bush era, Eddie seems to be somewhat unencumbered by politics. We liberals all love the protest songs, but they get old, and when the protest ends and some change has come, they seem dated and perhaps overbearing, even though they were relevant for the time and place they were written in.
When all is said and done, this is a gigantic return to form in my eyes,and I believe it will be for other fans as well. If you want another Ten, it's not for you, but if you want something that seems to be a plausible evolution of the Yield sound, check it out....2010 watch it go to the fire!
My Thoughts:
1. Gonna See My Friend. 4/5. Great Rocker to start off the album. Maybe not the most wonderful lyrics or hard hitting song writing, but a good rocker that I wish Pearl Jam would do more of.
2. Got Some. 4/5. Much the same thought as the first track, only a better song for me. They performed this one on The Tonight Show and I loved it. Love the studio version even better. It continues to up the energy on the first part of the album. Lovin' it.
3. The Fixer. 4/5. I actually upped this from 3 stars to 4 after hearing it in place on the album. It fits really well coming after GSMF and Got Some, bringing yet MORE energy and upping the ante on the album as a whole. I didn't like it as well as a single. Some of the lyrics seem just plain dumb, but as I listened to some of what I think Eddie was trying to say, it really started to grow on me.
4. Johnny Guitar. 3/5. The RM board was having a collective orgasm over this song when it went down, but to me, after the energy of the opening three tracks this Matt Cameron song falls a little flat and was the first bummer song for me. Not that it's bad, and certainly it's pretty good compared to say Evacuation, but it just doesn't do much for me and hasn't grown on me.
5. Just Breathe. 5/5. I don't generally give 5 stars to a song, but this is the first of three 5 star songs in a row on this album for me. This is just gorgeous. Would have fit right in on the Into the Wild soundtrack, and I was glad to see some of that side of Ed show up on Backspacer. Very beautiful, moving, simple song.
6. Amongst the Waves. 5/5. This one is my favorite track off the album. Really reminds me of Given to Fly and just takes me to another realm altogether when I hear it. Just....wow. Eddie, get out of my head!
7. Unthought Known. 5/5. I haven't fully digested this wonderful bit of music yet, I just know I love it. Period.
8. Supersonic. 3/5. The comes the let down. To me this is the Big Wave of this album. Usually I like these little rockers but it just doesn't cut it after the last three songs. My least favorite.
9. Speed of Sound. 3/5. No it's not a Coldplay cover. I really looked forward to this one after hearing the stripped down version that was out there. It could have been another Into the Wild type moment, and I just really don't care for the direction the album version takes it. I do like the lyrics though.
10. Force of Nature. 5/5. At first I only gave this one four stars, then I listened to it some more. This baby builds like a category 4 Hurricane and just fucking UNLEASHES itself on the listener on the chorus. Very Anthem like. Play it loud, play it proud.
11. The End. 4/5. Not a perfect song but a perfect fitting end to this wonderful album. It hits you like a velvet hammer and the pregnant pause at the actual end...just leaves you in space going, wow, what an experience.
So where do I put this in the PJ catalog? Well, best album since Yield, hands down. Yield is pretty much my favorite album, always will be. As of right now I'd probably rank them like this:
Yield
Vitalogy
Vs.
Backspacer
Ten
No Code
Avocado
Riot Act
Binaural
It may end up taking 3rd place as well.
As far as the band's later work (Post Yield) this is clearly the best for me anyway. Binaural had the dark feel and just never caught on for me save a few songs. Riot Act started out well but didn't age all that well (though LBC remains one of my favorite songs). I did like Avocado more than a lot of fans seemed to, particularly the rockers like WWS and Life Wasted (both of which rock live). This album has the balance that those three previous albums lacked. Perhaps because in the post Bush era, Eddie seems to be somewhat unencumbered by politics. We liberals all love the protest songs, but they get old, and when the protest ends and some change has come, they seem dated and perhaps overbearing, even though they were relevant for the time and place they were written in.
When all is said and done, this is a gigantic return to form in my eyes,and I believe it will be for other fans as well. If you want another Ten, it's not for you, but if you want something that seems to be a plausible evolution of the Yield sound, check it out....2010 watch it go to the fire!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
College Football Week 3:The Mountain West falls on it's sword.
So....bad, bad news for the Mountain West this week. More on that in a minute.
First off, Go Gators! They took care of business 23-13 against Tennessee. They probably should have won by more than that, but it's an SEC conference game, so yeah. Still, on roll the Gators. Next week: at Kentucky.
Great job by Weber State taking down Idaho State. I think they can make some noise in the FCS this season.
Now, to the Mountain West.
Utah loses at Oregon 31-24. All in all, maybe not that bad. Oregon got ahead and the Utes bravely fought back, but once again turnovers kill the Utes, including two interceptions in the final few minutes while the Utes were trying to get an equalizing score. Oregon is a tough place to play, and it was raining, but if the Utes want to be the power house everyone thinks they are, they've got to be able to beat an unranked Pac 10 team when they're number 18 in the country, You just have to win that game. Oh well, BCS out the window, I forsee further losses for Utah possibly the next two weeks against Louisville and Colorado State, and even more likely against BYU and TCU later in the season. No secret, this is a rebuilding year, but BCS schools don't usually take a break.
BYU was worse. Getting the doors blown off their own dump by an unranked Florida State squad. I think FSU took BYU seriously, I don't think BYU took the Seminoles seriously, and the 'Noles left Provo with Max Hall's scalp. Three interceptions, all at crucial times. Captain Choke indeed. There's not much to say, except that BYU got blasted, which was too bad. It would have been a good thing for college football to have a formidable contingent from the Mountain West.
But that's not to be. Count out the BCS busting hopes of Utah and BYU, even if they both were to win out, which they won't. I don't see either of them beating TCU. Howver, even TCU struggled at times against Texas State, of all schools. Sure they blew them out at the end, but it was closer than it should have been for awhile.
However, the other two MWC flagship programs took a big hit today, and the damage is bad. All that good will? Gone. Erased by a particularly bad loss on BYU's part which will just bring out the chants of "overrated." The pollsters will think twice about putting them that high again. Seems the victory over OU was a fluke, and Max Hall still can't win the big game. The rest of the college football world will regard the Mountain West as not making it's case. These are games you have to win to get into the BCS, period. So, Ute and Cougar fans, shelve it for this year, you're done.
As for other games of note, way to go Washington taking down USC! I also watched a great game featuring Cal and Minnesota this morning, where Jahvid Best scored 5 touchdowns. Look for Cal to move up with ranked teams ahead of them taking tough losses.
Utah will almost certainly drop out of the Top 25, and I suspect BYU to fall in between 21-25, if not out all together.
Next up--
Utah vs. Lousiville
BYU vs. Colorado State
Florida at Kentucky
I was 3-1 in my picks posted on Facebook today. Not bad.
First off, Go Gators! They took care of business 23-13 against Tennessee. They probably should have won by more than that, but it's an SEC conference game, so yeah. Still, on roll the Gators. Next week: at Kentucky.
Great job by Weber State taking down Idaho State. I think they can make some noise in the FCS this season.
Now, to the Mountain West.
Utah loses at Oregon 31-24. All in all, maybe not that bad. Oregon got ahead and the Utes bravely fought back, but once again turnovers kill the Utes, including two interceptions in the final few minutes while the Utes were trying to get an equalizing score. Oregon is a tough place to play, and it was raining, but if the Utes want to be the power house everyone thinks they are, they've got to be able to beat an unranked Pac 10 team when they're number 18 in the country, You just have to win that game. Oh well, BCS out the window, I forsee further losses for Utah possibly the next two weeks against Louisville and Colorado State, and even more likely against BYU and TCU later in the season. No secret, this is a rebuilding year, but BCS schools don't usually take a break.
BYU was worse. Getting the doors blown off their own dump by an unranked Florida State squad. I think FSU took BYU seriously, I don't think BYU took the Seminoles seriously, and the 'Noles left Provo with Max Hall's scalp. Three interceptions, all at crucial times. Captain Choke indeed. There's not much to say, except that BYU got blasted, which was too bad. It would have been a good thing for college football to have a formidable contingent from the Mountain West.
But that's not to be. Count out the BCS busting hopes of Utah and BYU, even if they both were to win out, which they won't. I don't see either of them beating TCU. Howver, even TCU struggled at times against Texas State, of all schools. Sure they blew them out at the end, but it was closer than it should have been for awhile.
However, the other two MWC flagship programs took a big hit today, and the damage is bad. All that good will? Gone. Erased by a particularly bad loss on BYU's part which will just bring out the chants of "overrated." The pollsters will think twice about putting them that high again. Seems the victory over OU was a fluke, and Max Hall still can't win the big game. The rest of the college football world will regard the Mountain West as not making it's case. These are games you have to win to get into the BCS, period. So, Ute and Cougar fans, shelve it for this year, you're done.
As for other games of note, way to go Washington taking down USC! I also watched a great game featuring Cal and Minnesota this morning, where Jahvid Best scored 5 touchdowns. Look for Cal to move up with ranked teams ahead of them taking tough losses.
Utah will almost certainly drop out of the Top 25, and I suspect BYU to fall in between 21-25, if not out all together.
Next up--
Utah vs. Lousiville
BYU vs. Colorado State
Florida at Kentucky
I was 3-1 in my picks posted on Facebook today. Not bad.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
College Football Week 2
So I don't just talk about serious stuff like politics. I'm really trying to get back into the swing of things in football this year, both college and the NFL.
After spending time in Florida, I was impressed with the Gator nation, so I now pull for them as my top team. I also keep tabs on BYU and Utah, the local favorites. So most of my comments will be confined to those teams.
Well, what can you say about Florida? They destroyed Troy 56-6. No biggie. Just a tune up for Tebow and Co.
I was really impressed with BYU again, I saw most of this game. BYU moved the ball pretty much at will, though Tulane managed to keep them out of the endzone for a lot of the first half. The Cougars righted the ship in the second half. Good game. An inferior opponent for sure, but still a non-conference win on the road.
Utah did NOT take care of business against San Jose State. Sure, SJSU is probably better than people give them credit for, and it was a road game, but two costly turnovers and what, two missed field goals? Last year the kicking game won close games for the Utes. This year, it might cost them a close game if t hey don't remedy it. I think Utes fans have a reason to wonder if they can beat TCU or BYU at this point.
On a side note, how did Weber screw themselves out of the biggest win in school history? Grr....
Also Mike, Clint, and I caught the end of the Notre Dame/Michigan game at work. What a finish! I hate Notre Dame.
I also took in quite a bit of Central Michigan/Michigan State. Good game, good finish, and a minor upset, though I do think Central is a good team. When does Michigan State do ANYTHING except underachieve?
Next up for Utah is Oregon. BSU took care of them last week, but they hung on to take out a Big Ten team in Purdue this week, so the Utes will have to play better than they did this week.
BYU gets Florida State at home next week, The Seminoles tuned up a bit this week against Jville State. They're an athletic team thatshould give BYU a nice test.
Next up for the Gators is an SEC clash with Tennessee, who lost to UCLA this week. A better test for Florida than Troy, but a game the Gators should win at home in the swamp.
Tomorrow starts the NFL!
After spending time in Florida, I was impressed with the Gator nation, so I now pull for them as my top team. I also keep tabs on BYU and Utah, the local favorites. So most of my comments will be confined to those teams.
Well, what can you say about Florida? They destroyed Troy 56-6. No biggie. Just a tune up for Tebow and Co.
I was really impressed with BYU again, I saw most of this game. BYU moved the ball pretty much at will, though Tulane managed to keep them out of the endzone for a lot of the first half. The Cougars righted the ship in the second half. Good game. An inferior opponent for sure, but still a non-conference win on the road.
Utah did NOT take care of business against San Jose State. Sure, SJSU is probably better than people give them credit for, and it was a road game, but two costly turnovers and what, two missed field goals? Last year the kicking game won close games for the Utes. This year, it might cost them a close game if t hey don't remedy it. I think Utes fans have a reason to wonder if they can beat TCU or BYU at this point.
On a side note, how did Weber screw themselves out of the biggest win in school history? Grr....
Also Mike, Clint, and I caught the end of the Notre Dame/Michigan game at work. What a finish! I hate Notre Dame.
I also took in quite a bit of Central Michigan/Michigan State. Good game, good finish, and a minor upset, though I do think Central is a good team. When does Michigan State do ANYTHING except underachieve?
Next up for Utah is Oregon. BSU took care of them last week, but they hung on to take out a Big Ten team in Purdue this week, so the Utes will have to play better than they did this week.
BYU gets Florida State at home next week, The Seminoles tuned up a bit this week against Jville State. They're an athletic team thatshould give BYU a nice test.
Next up for the Gators is an SEC clash with Tennessee, who lost to UCLA this week. A better test for Florida than Troy, but a game the Gators should win at home in the swamp.
Tomorrow starts the NFL!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Are we done with 9-11?
I realize I may get flamed into the pit of hell for even bothering to posit this, but I'm interested in what people think.
Are we done with 9-11?
I'm not being crass, I'm just observing. For the first few years after 9-11-01, the anniversary remembrances were always quite poignant, and always televised, usually taking up the entire morning block on most TV channels.
Now, not so much. It seems as a nation we've moved on a bit. I saw a couple of little blurbs on TV and the net today, but honestly, had I not looked at the calendar I probably wouldn't have known it was 9-11.
Now of course, the previous administration barely let a day go by without a mention of 9-11, Code Orange, or "The war on terror." Honestly when I think back on that era, it creeps me out a bit. It's a little weird to remember my heart going into my throat just a little bit the first time they raised the threat level to Code Orange. I even remember finding an abandoned backpack at work and everybody freaking out because they were convinced it was dirty bomb.
It's obvious that the most positive days of the Bush years will be remembered as those weeks and months immediately after 9-11 when he stood on the rubble of the twin towers with his bullhorn and championed the American resolve from the halls of Congress. These are moments that, love Bush or hate him, will be forever etched in American History, up there with Pearl Harbor, JFK in Dallas, Gettysburg, and Yorktown.
But what about now? We remember in passing, most of us. I saw a few mentions on Facebook today, but obviously we're not in the same wrist-slashing sorrowful mood we were in 5 or 6 years back.
So what should we do with this day, September 11? Should we make it a Federal Holiday like Memorial Day? Or does that trivialize it, just giving people across the country one more excuse to have a late summer BBQ? Should we just let it ebb throughout the coming years?
Personally, I think we have to move on. The best way to show American resolve is keep up our day to day lives. Let people remember 9-11 in their own way, let people go out and do service projects, let them go on Youtube and find the original news footage. Don't make it a holiday though. Don't let these people's deaths become another excuse for the kids to be out of school. Don't let the sacredness of that original memory become an excuse for moving the observance to the closest Friday or Monday so that Federal workers get a 3 day weekend. To me, that's not proper.
I'll never forget, most people won't, but let's not let those poignant memories keep us from dealing with the present and looking to the future.
Are we done with 9-11?
I'm not being crass, I'm just observing. For the first few years after 9-11-01, the anniversary remembrances were always quite poignant, and always televised, usually taking up the entire morning block on most TV channels.
Now, not so much. It seems as a nation we've moved on a bit. I saw a couple of little blurbs on TV and the net today, but honestly, had I not looked at the calendar I probably wouldn't have known it was 9-11.
Now of course, the previous administration barely let a day go by without a mention of 9-11, Code Orange, or "The war on terror." Honestly when I think back on that era, it creeps me out a bit. It's a little weird to remember my heart going into my throat just a little bit the first time they raised the threat level to Code Orange. I even remember finding an abandoned backpack at work and everybody freaking out because they were convinced it was dirty bomb.
It's obvious that the most positive days of the Bush years will be remembered as those weeks and months immediately after 9-11 when he stood on the rubble of the twin towers with his bullhorn and championed the American resolve from the halls of Congress. These are moments that, love Bush or hate him, will be forever etched in American History, up there with Pearl Harbor, JFK in Dallas, Gettysburg, and Yorktown.
But what about now? We remember in passing, most of us. I saw a few mentions on Facebook today, but obviously we're not in the same wrist-slashing sorrowful mood we were in 5 or 6 years back.
So what should we do with this day, September 11? Should we make it a Federal Holiday like Memorial Day? Or does that trivialize it, just giving people across the country one more excuse to have a late summer BBQ? Should we just let it ebb throughout the coming years?
Personally, I think we have to move on. The best way to show American resolve is keep up our day to day lives. Let people remember 9-11 in their own way, let people go out and do service projects, let them go on Youtube and find the original news footage. Don't make it a holiday though. Don't let these people's deaths become another excuse for the kids to be out of school. Don't let the sacredness of that original memory become an excuse for moving the observance to the closest Friday or Monday so that Federal workers get a 3 day weekend. To me, that's not proper.
I'll never forget, most people won't, but let's not let those poignant memories keep us from dealing with the present and looking to the future.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Some thoughts on politics, troops, and school.
If you read my facebook or my wife's for that matter, you'll see that we're both pretty hardcore liberals. We don't try to hide it. Lately, we've both posted some articles critical of the radical right wing of the Republican party wanting to keep children home from school on Tuesday so that they aren't "indoctrinated" into evil liberal socialism by Barack Obama.
Honestly, I think that idea is just plain idiotic, but more on that in a minute.
My wife received a message in response to one of her posts critical of people who would keep their kids home for this reason. The basic thrust of the response was "Isn't it great that in America, we have troops that go out and fight so you can belittle people just because they don't agree with you?"
Yes, quite frankly, that is the great thing about America.
I'm not advocating that we should be hurling personal insults at each other from across the political aisle. That's not productive. However, we're all human and in the heat of a passionate debate we all slip sometimes. I'm guilty of it, and I know plenty of people, both democrats and republicans who are guilty of it as well.
But in point of fact, yes, we have had members of the armed forces die for my right to think certain people are just plain stupid. You know what? Not all soldiers are conservative. My grandfather fought in World War II. He was a medic and was in Europe when the Nazi death caps were opened and tons of people needing medical attention flooded out. He saw all the horrors first hand. He saw the emaciated Jews. He watched as army surgeons used meatball surgery to try to put people back together. You know something else he saw, something that bothered him until the day he died? As his unit advanced further into Nazi territory, he saw a group of American soldiers gang rape a German girl because "The Nazi bitch had it coming." What a wonderfully American sentiment! At any rate, he was a lifelong liberal that despised pretty much anything that ever came out of the mouth of a Republican and he was fond of saying that he was a veteran so nobody could tell him to think otherwise.
So don't pull out the "Troops are out their fighting for you card." The "troops" are just as likely to be liberals as they are conservatives. Oh, and they're not wonderful angels who would never do anything wrong either. Sorry.
And don't tell me you're right because God says so. My God is different than yours, I'm pretty positive. So if I don't believe in your God, why should I follow what he or she says? Bringing God in to defend your argument is a non-starter, period.
At any rate, yes, keeping your kids home from school so they don't have to hear Obama's speech is stupid. When I was in school, I had to listen to speeches from both Ronald Reagan and George Bush the First. Nobody ever complained. So why is it ok for a Republican to talk directly to school kids and not a democrat? Because you see a chance to play politics, that's why. If a Republican president were giving a speech to students, I'd make sure my kid was there for no other reason than to show him that people have different opinions and that people think differently. Trust me folks, it's not a bad thing to have different opinions.
It's just a bad thing to tell me I'm not entitled to mine because of "god" or "the troops." It's a pity we can't clean up the discourse a little bit in America.
Honestly, I think that idea is just plain idiotic, but more on that in a minute.
My wife received a message in response to one of her posts critical of people who would keep their kids home for this reason. The basic thrust of the response was "Isn't it great that in America, we have troops that go out and fight so you can belittle people just because they don't agree with you?"
Yes, quite frankly, that is the great thing about America.
I'm not advocating that we should be hurling personal insults at each other from across the political aisle. That's not productive. However, we're all human and in the heat of a passionate debate we all slip sometimes. I'm guilty of it, and I know plenty of people, both democrats and republicans who are guilty of it as well.
But in point of fact, yes, we have had members of the armed forces die for my right to think certain people are just plain stupid. You know what? Not all soldiers are conservative. My grandfather fought in World War II. He was a medic and was in Europe when the Nazi death caps were opened and tons of people needing medical attention flooded out. He saw all the horrors first hand. He saw the emaciated Jews. He watched as army surgeons used meatball surgery to try to put people back together. You know something else he saw, something that bothered him until the day he died? As his unit advanced further into Nazi territory, he saw a group of American soldiers gang rape a German girl because "The Nazi bitch had it coming." What a wonderfully American sentiment! At any rate, he was a lifelong liberal that despised pretty much anything that ever came out of the mouth of a Republican and he was fond of saying that he was a veteran so nobody could tell him to think otherwise.
So don't pull out the "Troops are out their fighting for you card." The "troops" are just as likely to be liberals as they are conservatives. Oh, and they're not wonderful angels who would never do anything wrong either. Sorry.
And don't tell me you're right because God says so. My God is different than yours, I'm pretty positive. So if I don't believe in your God, why should I follow what he or she says? Bringing God in to defend your argument is a non-starter, period.
At any rate, yes, keeping your kids home from school so they don't have to hear Obama's speech is stupid. When I was in school, I had to listen to speeches from both Ronald Reagan and George Bush the First. Nobody ever complained. So why is it ok for a Republican to talk directly to school kids and not a democrat? Because you see a chance to play politics, that's why. If a Republican president were giving a speech to students, I'd make sure my kid was there for no other reason than to show him that people have different opinions and that people think differently. Trust me folks, it's not a bad thing to have different opinions.
It's just a bad thing to tell me I'm not entitled to mine because of "god" or "the troops." It's a pity we can't clean up the discourse a little bit in America.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Active Tropics Once Again.
So, in the time since my last blog Bill and Danny have come and gone in the Atlantic. Danny pretty much petered out, but Bill brought some strong waves to the east coast and actually claimed two lives. Now we have Invest 94 L in the Atlantic which could get a name in the next couple of days.
But the big story in tropical weather right now is Hurricane Jimena which is expected to impact some of Western Mexico's resort areas sometime tomorrow night as a major hurricane. Let's hope everybody, local and tourist, down there gets out of the way, cause it looks like this one's going to pack a punch!
But the big story in tropical weather right now is Hurricane Jimena which is expected to impact some of Western Mexico's resort areas sometime tomorrow night as a major hurricane. Let's hope everybody, local and tourist, down there gets out of the way, cause it looks like this one's going to pack a punch!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Book Thoughts: "The Conscience of a Liberal" by Paul Krugman
Really enjoyed Krugman's book. Of course, he was preaching to the choir with me too I guess. Anyway, Krugman, a Nobel Prize winning economist, takes us on en economic tour of America from Post-Reconstruction until today's times. He offers explanations of our high and low points. Now I don't know a ton about economics, but it made sense to me, even though some of his conclusions ran a little counter to what I always learned in some of my history classes.
Finally. Krugman calls for a "new New Deal," echoing FDR's successful campaigns to establish a social safety net in the 1930's, particularly Social Security. Krugmans New Deal would have true National Health Care as it's centerpiece, he argues that it can be done and become an accepted American institution, just like Social Security and Medicare.
A very timely book to read right now and I agree with him pretty much all the way.
Finally. Krugman calls for a "new New Deal," echoing FDR's successful campaigns to establish a social safety net in the 1930's, particularly Social Security. Krugmans New Deal would have true National Health Care as it's centerpiece, he argues that it can be done and become an accepted American institution, just like Social Security and Medicare.
A very timely book to read right now and I agree with him pretty much all the way.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Welcome to the new Dark Ages........
The Public Policy Polling agency released it's newest poll today. The result: 39% of Americans think the US Government should stay out of Medicare. That's right folks, 39% of your fellow Americans don't realize what Medicare even is. Medicare is health coverage run by the United States Government. Totally by the government that is. The Government should stay out of Medicare? The Government IS MEDICARE.
That's right, 39% of Americans are total idiots. In this same poll, 38% weren't sure if President Obama was born in the United States. 6% weren't even sure if Hawaii was a state!
In other recent polls: 24% of Americans can't name the country America fought in the Revolutionary War. A majority of Americans can't name a single branch of Government or explain what the Bill of Rights is. A Gallup poll found that 18% of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth.
What conclusion do we draw from this? We are a nation full of idiots.
Even James Madison wrote that pure democracy won't work because there is nothing to check an obnoxious individual.
Allow me to quote Bill Maher:
These are the idiots we want to weigh in on the minutia of health care policy? Please, this country is like a college chick after two Long Island Iced Teas: we can be talked into anything, like wars, and we can be talked out of anything, like health care. We should forget town halls, and replace them with study halls. There's a lot of populist anger directed towards Washington, but you know who concerned citizens should be most angry at? Their fellow citizens. "Inside the beltway" thinking may be wrong, but at least it's thinking, which is more than you can say for what's going on outside the beltway.
That's right folks, only in America can poor people be talked into being against and protesting something that will actually HELP THEM. Idiots.
How have we come to this? I think there are two reasons, both dating back into the 1970s, both reasons have reduced us to a society of dolts that can't institute a Public Health policy that was instituted by almost everybody else in the industrialized world years ago. The rest of the world sits back and laughs at the American Idiots.
The first reason is the Anti-Intellectualism driven by the Radical right wing. Don't let your kids go to public school. Don't let them learn about Evolution. Certainly don't let them attend a college or university. These places are just dens of liberals! We have been made to be afraid of intellect and brains over the last 20 years. Where did this get us? It got us possibly the most idiotic president the country has seen, Mr. Bush the second, who sat at his ranch in Texas and wet his pants while Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. We have to be afraid of smart people because smart people might ask to change something. We can't have that either. No change. Further more, why would we want to be intellectual and think if we can go our leaders and have them do the thinking for us? They tell us Obama is going to kill our grandma, and we swallow it hook, line, and sinker. Just like the fish who was too dumb to leave the worm alone. Natural Selection. Oh wait, we don't believe in that.
That brings me to the second reason, which is somewhat coupled with the first. We in America depend WAY TOO MUCH on religion to define our moral code and our beliefs. This is crazy. Not everything in the Bible is true. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out. If you honestly believe that everything in the Bible is literal truth, you're an idiot and you need to have your head examined. Bible literalists have recognized that the Biblical account of creation doesn't jive with the scientific evidence, so they concoct a new story that the Earth is only 6000 years old. Folks, the earth is millions of years old if it's a day. Even the astronomers at the Vatican Observatory believe this. If you don't believe this, go back to school and surrender your voter registration card at the door.
The Bible says we can rape our wives, sell them into slavery. We should execute homosexuals and kids who backtalk their parents. Is this really the book we want guiding our society and our Government? The founders separated Church and state for a reason, and it wasn't to protect the church from the state.
I believe religion has a place. I believe that we can use the model of Christ's life to be compassionate to others, to love one another. I don't believe that the modern purpose for faith should be to abide by the endless list of dos and don'ts listed in the Bible. Sorry folks, most of it is myth, and don't even get me started on the Book of Mormon, a complete fabrication.
Yet a large number of people abide solely by religion. They sit in the pew and listen to and do exactly what the clergyman tells them to do. Take it from me folks. I was going to be a clergyman. They don't know anymore about anything than you do. In fact, if you paid attention in your gen ed classes in college, you probably know more than they do.
Anyway, I'm tired of the idiots. I want someone, President Obama, someone to stand up, call a spade a spade and tell these idiots that they're being lied to. No more compromise, no more negotiating with idiots and morons. Let's do Public health because it's the right thing to do, regardless of religious and right wing hate and lies. Just once I want to see liberals grow a spine and get something done! If we don't, we might find ourselves on the losing end of natural selection. Look it up.
When the future's architectured by a carnival of idiots, you better lie low....
That's right, 39% of Americans are total idiots. In this same poll, 38% weren't sure if President Obama was born in the United States. 6% weren't even sure if Hawaii was a state!
In other recent polls: 24% of Americans can't name the country America fought in the Revolutionary War. A majority of Americans can't name a single branch of Government or explain what the Bill of Rights is. A Gallup poll found that 18% of Americans think the sun revolves around the earth.
What conclusion do we draw from this? We are a nation full of idiots.
Even James Madison wrote that pure democracy won't work because there is nothing to check an obnoxious individual.
Allow me to quote Bill Maher:
These are the idiots we want to weigh in on the minutia of health care policy? Please, this country is like a college chick after two Long Island Iced Teas: we can be talked into anything, like wars, and we can be talked out of anything, like health care. We should forget town halls, and replace them with study halls. There's a lot of populist anger directed towards Washington, but you know who concerned citizens should be most angry at? Their fellow citizens. "Inside the beltway" thinking may be wrong, but at least it's thinking, which is more than you can say for what's going on outside the beltway.
That's right folks, only in America can poor people be talked into being against and protesting something that will actually HELP THEM. Idiots.
How have we come to this? I think there are two reasons, both dating back into the 1970s, both reasons have reduced us to a society of dolts that can't institute a Public Health policy that was instituted by almost everybody else in the industrialized world years ago. The rest of the world sits back and laughs at the American Idiots.
The first reason is the Anti-Intellectualism driven by the Radical right wing. Don't let your kids go to public school. Don't let them learn about Evolution. Certainly don't let them attend a college or university. These places are just dens of liberals! We have been made to be afraid of intellect and brains over the last 20 years. Where did this get us? It got us possibly the most idiotic president the country has seen, Mr. Bush the second, who sat at his ranch in Texas and wet his pants while Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. We have to be afraid of smart people because smart people might ask to change something. We can't have that either. No change. Further more, why would we want to be intellectual and think if we can go our leaders and have them do the thinking for us? They tell us Obama is going to kill our grandma, and we swallow it hook, line, and sinker. Just like the fish who was too dumb to leave the worm alone. Natural Selection. Oh wait, we don't believe in that.
That brings me to the second reason, which is somewhat coupled with the first. We in America depend WAY TOO MUCH on religion to define our moral code and our beliefs. This is crazy. Not everything in the Bible is true. It doesn't take a genius to figure this out. If you honestly believe that everything in the Bible is literal truth, you're an idiot and you need to have your head examined. Bible literalists have recognized that the Biblical account of creation doesn't jive with the scientific evidence, so they concoct a new story that the Earth is only 6000 years old. Folks, the earth is millions of years old if it's a day. Even the astronomers at the Vatican Observatory believe this. If you don't believe this, go back to school and surrender your voter registration card at the door.
The Bible says we can rape our wives, sell them into slavery. We should execute homosexuals and kids who backtalk their parents. Is this really the book we want guiding our society and our Government? The founders separated Church and state for a reason, and it wasn't to protect the church from the state.
I believe religion has a place. I believe that we can use the model of Christ's life to be compassionate to others, to love one another. I don't believe that the modern purpose for faith should be to abide by the endless list of dos and don'ts listed in the Bible. Sorry folks, most of it is myth, and don't even get me started on the Book of Mormon, a complete fabrication.
Yet a large number of people abide solely by religion. They sit in the pew and listen to and do exactly what the clergyman tells them to do. Take it from me folks. I was going to be a clergyman. They don't know anymore about anything than you do. In fact, if you paid attention in your gen ed classes in college, you probably know more than they do.
Anyway, I'm tired of the idiots. I want someone, President Obama, someone to stand up, call a spade a spade and tell these idiots that they're being lied to. No more compromise, no more negotiating with idiots and morons. Let's do Public health because it's the right thing to do, regardless of religious and right wing hate and lies. Just once I want to see liberals grow a spine and get something done! If we don't, we might find ourselves on the losing end of natural selection. Look it up.
When the future's architectured by a carnival of idiots, you better lie low....
Book Thoughts: "Eyewitness to the Civil War: Gettysburg."
If one is seriously interested in studying a great event in history, it's always a good idea to read contemporary and first hand accounts when available. This book is primarily that, two first hand accounts of the Battle of Gettysburg. One is written by Col. William Oates, CSA, who later become governor of Alabama. The other is written from the Union perspective by Lt. Frank Haskell. He was later killed at Cold Harbor.
Contemporary pieces can often be a bit sluggish, since a lot of the language is somewhat different and perhaps more formal than we use today. However, I really didn't find that to be the case with these two accounts. Both were pretty easy to read. Of course, I have a great interest in the subject, which always helps.
Oates' account focuses primarily on his regiment's action attacking the Union left on Day 2. However, he also gives a great account of Pickett's charge. At the end, he goes into trying to reason out the Confederate loss. While placing some blame on Lee, he seems to place the heaviest responsibility on Longstreet, who he claims only slowly and half-heartedly carried out Lee's orders. This seems to have been a popular sentiment in the post war society of former Confederate soldiers. Today however, maybe we see Longstreet's view a little more and place a little more responsibility with Lee.
I didn't enjoy Haskell's account as much. He spent more time going through and saying what unit was exactly where than anything else. I believe it would be a great companion for a battlefield visit. However, his account of the fight against Pickett's troops at the angle is wonderful, and the type of account most historians really love to sink their teeth into, even if Haskell may have overplayed his own importance a bit. However, even General Hancock noted his action and bravery, so it wasn't overstated all that much.
In the final analysis, this is a great collection of two very different, yet very coherent views of Gettysburg and I believe it's something every serious student of the battle should read.
Contemporary pieces can often be a bit sluggish, since a lot of the language is somewhat different and perhaps more formal than we use today. However, I really didn't find that to be the case with these two accounts. Both were pretty easy to read. Of course, I have a great interest in the subject, which always helps.
Oates' account focuses primarily on his regiment's action attacking the Union left on Day 2. However, he also gives a great account of Pickett's charge. At the end, he goes into trying to reason out the Confederate loss. While placing some blame on Lee, he seems to place the heaviest responsibility on Longstreet, who he claims only slowly and half-heartedly carried out Lee's orders. This seems to have been a popular sentiment in the post war society of former Confederate soldiers. Today however, maybe we see Longstreet's view a little more and place a little more responsibility with Lee.
I didn't enjoy Haskell's account as much. He spent more time going through and saying what unit was exactly where than anything else. I believe it would be a great companion for a battlefield visit. However, his account of the fight against Pickett's troops at the angle is wonderful, and the type of account most historians really love to sink their teeth into, even if Haskell may have overplayed his own importance a bit. However, even General Hancock noted his action and bravery, so it wasn't overstated all that much.
In the final analysis, this is a great collection of two very different, yet very coherent views of Gettysburg and I believe it's something every serious student of the battle should read.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tropical Update, Aug 18.
Well it looks like Ana petered out on us, and it looks like we might also be spared the wrath of Hurricane Bill, which was upgraded to a major hurricane today, the first major Hurricane in the Atlantic this year.
According to the NHC forecast, Bill should be headed northward through a break in a subtropical ridge. Hopefully at that point it will be scooped up in a trough exiting the Eastern USA and pushed northeast out to see. That would be good news indeed.
According to the NHC forecast, Bill should be headed northward through a break in a subtropical ridge. Hopefully at that point it will be scooped up in a trough exiting the Eastern USA and pushed northeast out to see. That would be good news indeed.
Monday, August 17, 2009
My thoughts on the public option....
Much has been made over several remarks made by prominent folks on Sunday political talk shows in regards to the Public Option's place in the Health Care Reform bill. Many regular news sites as well as blogs from both sides of aisle have announced the death of the public option. Even Nate Silver at 538, who is usually pretty on the money with his analysis, is beating the "Public Option is probably dead" drum.
Meanwhile, several prominent folks in the democratic community are decrying this. Gov. Howard Dean, a doctor, says you really can't reform Health Care without the public option. Paul Krugman, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics, says all that stands in the way of Universal Health Care is greed. Well, that's a mighty tough thing to overcome.
When I decided to support Barack Obama early on in the primary process, it was largely because of his strong support for Public Health Coverage. I supported Howard Dean in 2004 for the same reason. This is a priority issue for me. People in the United States are dying needlessly because they don't have health coverage. People in the United States are going bankrupt over medical costs. These things don't happen in other countries. Why not? Because they have Single payer health care. They treat health care as a basic human right, not a for profit, billion dollar industry. Candidate Obama said he agreed Health Care was a right when he debated John McCain. I want to see him back it up as President.
Now, Obama hasn't said he's given up on the public option. Let me say this though, if he does, I will not vote for him again. We're falling back into the same old trap where the money and the corporations run America. Though Obama said it would be different under his leadership, I'm starting to have my doubts.
If Obama gives up on the Public option, two things are going to happen. One, the Republican Party will be energized like it hasn't been since 1994. Two, many of the Progressives and liberals that helped elect Obama will again abandon the democratic party. I don't care if the Republicans are worse. I'm tired of voting for people who say they share my views then don't back it up. Maybe I'll vote for the socialist candidate next time around.
Anyway, I think Obama still has time to get this thing right. Daily Kos has floated the prospect that the administration was just sending up a trial balloon to see what would happen if they did drop the public option. I hope they are sufficiently scared with the reaction. We need to get this done for the people, they deserve it. Let's do something for the folks instead of the corporations for once.
Update, 3:00 PM: CNN reporting President Obama is NOT abandoning the Public Option.
Update, 3:21 PM: Speaker Pelosi hinting that she will throw the whole weight of House Dems behind the Public Option.
Meanwhile, several prominent folks in the democratic community are decrying this. Gov. Howard Dean, a doctor, says you really can't reform Health Care without the public option. Paul Krugman, winner of the Nobel Prize in economics, says all that stands in the way of Universal Health Care is greed. Well, that's a mighty tough thing to overcome.
When I decided to support Barack Obama early on in the primary process, it was largely because of his strong support for Public Health Coverage. I supported Howard Dean in 2004 for the same reason. This is a priority issue for me. People in the United States are dying needlessly because they don't have health coverage. People in the United States are going bankrupt over medical costs. These things don't happen in other countries. Why not? Because they have Single payer health care. They treat health care as a basic human right, not a for profit, billion dollar industry. Candidate Obama said he agreed Health Care was a right when he debated John McCain. I want to see him back it up as President.
Now, Obama hasn't said he's given up on the public option. Let me say this though, if he does, I will not vote for him again. We're falling back into the same old trap where the money and the corporations run America. Though Obama said it would be different under his leadership, I'm starting to have my doubts.
If Obama gives up on the Public option, two things are going to happen. One, the Republican Party will be energized like it hasn't been since 1994. Two, many of the Progressives and liberals that helped elect Obama will again abandon the democratic party. I don't care if the Republicans are worse. I'm tired of voting for people who say they share my views then don't back it up. Maybe I'll vote for the socialist candidate next time around.
Anyway, I think Obama still has time to get this thing right. Daily Kos has floated the prospect that the administration was just sending up a trial balloon to see what would happen if they did drop the public option. I hope they are sufficiently scared with the reaction. We need to get this done for the people, they deserve it. Let's do something for the folks instead of the corporations for once.
Update, 3:00 PM: CNN reporting President Obama is NOT abandoning the Public Option.
Update, 3:21 PM: Speaker Pelosi hinting that she will throw the whole weight of House Dems behind the Public Option.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Tropical Storm Claudette landfall
According to NHC, Tropical Storm Claudette made landfall in the Florida panhandle at 1:12 AM Eastern this morning. It should be downgraded to a depression by Monday evening over the southern USA.
This looks to be mainly a rain event, a short article on the landfall from CNN can be found here. Officials in the area are asking people to stay off of the roads for the remainder of the evening.
This looks to be mainly a rain event, a short article on the landfall from CNN can be found here. Officials in the area are asking people to stay off of the roads for the remainder of the evening.
Ana, Bill, and Claudette
Well, looks like we know have 3 systems out there with the potential to have some effect on the US.
Ana has been downgraded to a depression as of this afternoon, but the forecast track brings it into the gulf where it may restrengthen.
Tropical Storm Bill will perhaps become a hurricane tonight. However, the forecast right now indicates a more northern direction so the chance for a recurve to the Atlantic is greater:
Still way to early to say for sure though.
In addition, we had Claudette pop up off the gulf Coast of Florida today. This should make a landfall this evening as a Tropical Storm in the Florida panhandle.
Barometer Bob will have a Hurricane Hollow show at 6 PM Eastern this evening to cover all 3 of these storms. Listen at WRBN.net and keep an eye on local weather info outlets and the NHC.
Ana has been downgraded to a depression as of this afternoon, but the forecast track brings it into the gulf where it may restrengthen.
Tropical Storm Bill will perhaps become a hurricane tonight. However, the forecast right now indicates a more northern direction so the chance for a recurve to the Atlantic is greater:
Still way to early to say for sure though.
In addition, we had Claudette pop up off the gulf Coast of Florida today. This should make a landfall this evening as a Tropical Storm in the Florida panhandle.
Barometer Bob will have a Hurricane Hollow show at 6 PM Eastern this evening to cover all 3 of these storms. Listen at WRBN.net and keep an eye on local weather info outlets and the NHC.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Tropical Storm Ana 1
Well, TD 2 died, then became Tropical Storm Ana, which just goes to show you can't let your guard down. As of the Saturday morning advisories, it's a minimal storm, but is perhaps forecast to strike the US and the Caribbean.
Latest NHC Advisory on Ana.
This one isn't going to get as much press as TD 3 is going to get once it gets a name, but this could bring some rains and gusty winds to the Caribbean and Florida, and if it gets into the Gulf, hey, who knows? Still it is a potential land-falling system so it bears watching.
Keep in Touch with your local weather outlets and sites like Hurricane Hollow for the latest on this system. I'll also be posting updates through the week.
Latest NHC Advisory on Ana.
This one isn't going to get as much press as TD 3 is going to get once it gets a name, but this could bring some rains and gusty winds to the Caribbean and Florida, and if it gets into the Gulf, hey, who knows? Still it is a potential land-falling system so it bears watching.
Keep in Touch with your local weather outlets and sites like Hurricane Hollow for the latest on this system. I'll also be posting updates through the week.
The tropics wake up.
So if you know me, you know one of my interests is weather, specifically severe weather and tropical weather. Well basically I don't have any more than a layman's understanding of it, but it does fascinate me and I enjoy learning about it.
Obviously, Mariel and I have a vested interest in Florida, with her family being there, and hell, a lot of our stuff is still there. We'll probably end up back there too someday, so I really keep an eye on it.
Well, June and July of this year have passed with nothing in the Atlantic. Well, the dead time is over folks. Right now we have two systems in the tropical Atlantic that will have the potential to threaten the USA in the next 10 days or so, and the Caribbean even sooner than that.
First off, Tropical Storm Ana is the first named storm of the season. As of the Saturday morning advisories, it's a minimal storm and really isn't expected to gain hurricane strength. The 5 day track from NHC takes it either into South Florida or the Gulf by Wednesday night or Thursday.
Secondly. Tropical Depression 3 is churning off the coast of Africa. This is expected to progress to PERHAPS major hurricane strength, but it's still too far off to really track. Look for this to perhaps become a named storm tonight or tomorrow.
If you live on the East Coast or the Gulf Coast, this is always a concern this time of year. Here are some links that either you, or even just a casual tropical observer like myself can use.
National Hurricane Center
Hamweather Tropics page
Hurricane Hollow Weather and Barometer Bob
Barometer Bob's Blog
Storm Carib--The Caribbean Hurricane Network
Check these links out for great info on the tropics, Barometer Bob's sites and Storm Carib are particularly good reads.
Obviously, Mariel and I have a vested interest in Florida, with her family being there, and hell, a lot of our stuff is still there. We'll probably end up back there too someday, so I really keep an eye on it.
Well, June and July of this year have passed with nothing in the Atlantic. Well, the dead time is over folks. Right now we have two systems in the tropical Atlantic that will have the potential to threaten the USA in the next 10 days or so, and the Caribbean even sooner than that.
First off, Tropical Storm Ana is the first named storm of the season. As of the Saturday morning advisories, it's a minimal storm and really isn't expected to gain hurricane strength. The 5 day track from NHC takes it either into South Florida or the Gulf by Wednesday night or Thursday.
Secondly. Tropical Depression 3 is churning off the coast of Africa. This is expected to progress to PERHAPS major hurricane strength, but it's still too far off to really track. Look for this to perhaps become a named storm tonight or tomorrow.
If you live on the East Coast or the Gulf Coast, this is always a concern this time of year. Here are some links that either you, or even just a casual tropical observer like myself can use.
National Hurricane Center
Hamweather Tropics page
Hurricane Hollow Weather and Barometer Bob
Barometer Bob's Blog
Storm Carib--The Caribbean Hurricane Network
Check these links out for great info on the tropics, Barometer Bob's sites and Storm Carib are particularly good reads.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Book Thoughts: "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America" by Chris Hedges
Normally I just post what I write on my Shelfari page for these little entries about books, but I decided to go into more depth for this one.
"American Fascists" is a compelling read. At first off, someone from the Christian world might try to dismiss it by saying the author is some sort of liberal quack that really doesn't know what he's taking about. Well, that's entirely incorrect. Chris Hedges has graduated from Harvard Divinity school and was raised in the house of a Presbyterian Minister. Speaking as someone who grew up in the midst of a lot of the right wing speak, I can vouch that Hedges knows what he's talking about.
The main premise of the book is that a small, but radical element within Evangelical Christianity has largely hijacked modern Christianity, gained political influence, and is in the process of attempting to turn America into a quasi-militant Christian state, where strict Biblical moral codes will be enforced and those who disagree will be either banished or eliminated in the name of Christ.
Sound a bit alarmist? Well it did to me at first too. Even me, a fairly rabid liberal was a little hesitant to buy in at first, but Hedges makes his case strongly. When I add his writings to what I experienced growing up in a mainstream Protestant church, it's a little scary.
First off, Hedges talks about the retooling of the Christian faith to meet the radical right wing agenda. Those in control of this movement cherry pick the Bible to form what they believe is a scripture supported belief system of dos and don'ts. They then use a fine brush to paint everything in black and white, saying if you're not for God you're against him and they're going to wipe you out.
According to Hedges, this approach plays really well in a new American age where economic prosperity has turned to ruin and in despair, people look for someone or something to blame. Those to blame are the opponents of the stringent moral philosophy: liberals, gays, unions, organized women's groups, non-hard line Protestants, and left wing Catholics. Ultra right wing Protestants, together with some elements of the LDS faith and Right-Wing leaning Catholics will continue to push their ideals until a "Christian" United States is established.
This new State will subjugate women, persecute and drive out homosexuals, and stamp out any dissent. They will play all of this as being anti-God, and Anti-Christ. Racist trappings will seep in as many of these elements in the hard core right have close ties to Racist organizations such as the Aryan Nations Movement, Christian Identity, and even the Ku Klux Klan.
After the creation of the Christian United States is established, the movement will seek what they believe is a God-given dominion over all the earth, waging wars to do away with the enemies if Christ and seeking to bring about the Apocalyptic violence in the last days as recorded in the Book of Revelation and popularized in the mind-numbingly idiotic "Left Behind" series. Basically they will seek to bring about the end of Days and the return and 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on Earth.
Sound scary? You betcha. Possible? Yep.
However, even Hedges doesn't believe that this is inevitable at this point. The 2006 and 2008 elections have dealt a heavy blow this movement, a sign that they have overplayed their hand. However, the movement has suffered body blows before and according to Hedges it is the responsibility of more tolerant minded and liberal Christians to stand up, call a spade a spade, and repudiate this horrific perversion of a faith that was supposed to be all about love and compassion.
I would highly recommend this book, it may open your eyes and help you see the radical right wing in a new light. It might even prompt you to take action.
"American Fascists" is a compelling read. At first off, someone from the Christian world might try to dismiss it by saying the author is some sort of liberal quack that really doesn't know what he's taking about. Well, that's entirely incorrect. Chris Hedges has graduated from Harvard Divinity school and was raised in the house of a Presbyterian Minister. Speaking as someone who grew up in the midst of a lot of the right wing speak, I can vouch that Hedges knows what he's talking about.
The main premise of the book is that a small, but radical element within Evangelical Christianity has largely hijacked modern Christianity, gained political influence, and is in the process of attempting to turn America into a quasi-militant Christian state, where strict Biblical moral codes will be enforced and those who disagree will be either banished or eliminated in the name of Christ.
Sound a bit alarmist? Well it did to me at first too. Even me, a fairly rabid liberal was a little hesitant to buy in at first, but Hedges makes his case strongly. When I add his writings to what I experienced growing up in a mainstream Protestant church, it's a little scary.
First off, Hedges talks about the retooling of the Christian faith to meet the radical right wing agenda. Those in control of this movement cherry pick the Bible to form what they believe is a scripture supported belief system of dos and don'ts. They then use a fine brush to paint everything in black and white, saying if you're not for God you're against him and they're going to wipe you out.
According to Hedges, this approach plays really well in a new American age where economic prosperity has turned to ruin and in despair, people look for someone or something to blame. Those to blame are the opponents of the stringent moral philosophy: liberals, gays, unions, organized women's groups, non-hard line Protestants, and left wing Catholics. Ultra right wing Protestants, together with some elements of the LDS faith and Right-Wing leaning Catholics will continue to push their ideals until a "Christian" United States is established.
This new State will subjugate women, persecute and drive out homosexuals, and stamp out any dissent. They will play all of this as being anti-God, and Anti-Christ. Racist trappings will seep in as many of these elements in the hard core right have close ties to Racist organizations such as the Aryan Nations Movement, Christian Identity, and even the Ku Klux Klan.
After the creation of the Christian United States is established, the movement will seek what they believe is a God-given dominion over all the earth, waging wars to do away with the enemies if Christ and seeking to bring about the Apocalyptic violence in the last days as recorded in the Book of Revelation and popularized in the mind-numbingly idiotic "Left Behind" series. Basically they will seek to bring about the end of Days and the return and 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on Earth.
Sound scary? You betcha. Possible? Yep.
However, even Hedges doesn't believe that this is inevitable at this point. The 2006 and 2008 elections have dealt a heavy blow this movement, a sign that they have overplayed their hand. However, the movement has suffered body blows before and according to Hedges it is the responsibility of more tolerant minded and liberal Christians to stand up, call a spade a spade, and repudiate this horrific perversion of a faith that was supposed to be all about love and compassion.
I would highly recommend this book, it may open your eyes and help you see the radical right wing in a new light. It might even prompt you to take action.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Book Thoughts "The Associate" by John Grisham
For me this one was just ok. Grisham was obviously going for the same feel as he had in "The Firm," one of my favorite books ever, but he just didn't pull it off this time. Even the jacket makes the connection.
There were some good moments, and some good tension throughout. However, I just didn't like the ending much at all. It was like, "You spent the entire book building all this tension and that's IT?" I was looking to see if I bought a bad copy that was missing the last several chapters. I read another review that said it was like he got tired of writing and just wrapped it up as fast as possible. I can really see that.
Not a bad book, and you can't win them all. Still I expect better from Grisham, especially when it comes to the payoff. The is probably my least favorite of his.
There were some good moments, and some good tension throughout. However, I just didn't like the ending much at all. It was like, "You spent the entire book building all this tension and that's IT?" I was looking to see if I bought a bad copy that was missing the last several chapters. I read another review that said it was like he got tired of writing and just wrapped it up as fast as possible. I can really see that.
Not a bad book, and you can't win them all. Still I expect better from Grisham, especially when it comes to the payoff. The is probably my least favorite of his.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Movie: "Mama Mia"
Well my wife and I bought a couple of DVDs this week, since we don't splurge on ourselves too much. One of them was "Mama Mia." That's right, the musical.
Normally I like musicals. I was prepared to hate this though, primarily because of all the hype it got from women and people my parents age. Not to mention, I'm not a huge ABBA fan.
I was pretty impressed though. It was fun. Pierce Brosnan can't carry a tune in 3 buckets, and he pretty much butchered the only ABBA song I really like, "SOS." All the other songs were pretty decent though.
It's a cool concept, taking a band's music, putting a storyline to it, and making a musical. For the most part, I thought it worked pretty well. There were a few songs where it seemed it was a bit of a stretch to put them at that point in the story, but they were few and far between. For the most part it was just a fun movie.
I'd probably give it three stars, and I'm sure we'll be watching it again over the years.
Normally I like musicals. I was prepared to hate this though, primarily because of all the hype it got from women and people my parents age. Not to mention, I'm not a huge ABBA fan.
I was pretty impressed though. It was fun. Pierce Brosnan can't carry a tune in 3 buckets, and he pretty much butchered the only ABBA song I really like, "SOS." All the other songs were pretty decent though.
It's a cool concept, taking a band's music, putting a storyline to it, and making a musical. For the most part, I thought it worked pretty well. There were a few songs where it seemed it was a bit of a stretch to put them at that point in the story, but they were few and far between. For the most part it was just a fun movie.
I'd probably give it three stars, and I'm sure we'll be watching it again over the years.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Birther of a Nation
"In America, there is no idea so patently absurd that it can't catch on."
--Bill Maher
"Now everybody do the propaganda, and sing along to the age of paranoia."
--Green Day
In the year 1915, The film "Birth of a Nation" was released. Widely recognized as the first ever "Blockbuster" movie, the film was innovative in many ways especially the use of new camera angles and narrative technique. It even earned a place in The American Film Institute's "100 years...100 movies list" coming in at number 44.
However, the film has been widely controversial over the years for it's racial themes and positive portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan. This is one of the film's narrative slides, quoting President Woodrow Wilson:
"The White Men were roused by a mere instinct of self preservation...."
Does this sound like anything that's going on right now? Sure it does, it sounds like the radical birther movement.
If you've been living under a rock and don't know what the birthers are, well they're a bunch of total idiots who espouse a conspiracy theory that President Obama was born in Kenya, not Hawaii, and is therefore not eligible to be president.
The radical right wing has latched onto this and will not let go, even though the mainstream conservatives even disagree with them. Hell even Glenn Beck thinks this is crazy, and when Glenn Beck thinks you're crazy, well, you get my drift.
Well, the birthers have been gaining some steam over the last few months, and just last week they finally thought they had their hands on the smoking gun. Queen Birther Orly Taitz (Lawyer/Dentist/Real Estate agent) got her hands on AN ACTUAL KENYAN BIRTH CERTIFICATE WITH BARACK OBAMA'S NAME ON IT.
The whackos blew their collective loads over this. This was it! They had him! Even the right wing weirdo site World Net Daily (Ground Zero for the birthers) put it up on their website. You can see it here
Looks pretty good, yeah? Even looks like it's been printed on...acid...free...computer..paper?? Man I'm impressed with Kenya. I didn't know they had such things in the 1960s.
Well, the whole thing fell apart rather quickly. I'm not going into all the things wrong with it, but here's a link to a few. Now we've also found out that the source of the fake was an actual Australian birth certificate. You can see both of them here and see for yourself.
Folks, Super Dental Lawyer Orly Taitz actually presented this in court against the President. That is how absolutely stupid these people are. Normally I don't believe in name calling, but that's only thing to call this: stupid.
Want to see Obama's real birth certificate? Ok here ya go. Need some more verification? Here.
So now that we have all that out of the way, let's press on to more important questions. Why do the birthers do this? What is the driving force behind the movement? Do people really believe this?
Yes, people really buy into this, and they continue to believe it despite the fact that there is indisputable evidence to the contrary. I'm sorry, if you're one of these people, you are a grade A idiot. This is about on par with believing the world is flat or that Bush orchestrated the 9/11 attacks.
However, I suspect that most of the people actually pushing this don't really buy it either, Ultra Legal Dental Girl Orly excepted of course. They see it as a way to distract from the real problems facing our country. I don't think that it's a coincidence that this really started to ratchet up at the same time as the health care debate. If these GOPers can drum up enough hatred with the rank and file Idiot Tools of the right, they might get enough misguided outrage to derail Health Care now and the rest of the President's agenda later.
Most disturbing to me though is that so many everyday people seem to be buying it. Everyday white people. There is a strong under current of racial fear here, and the hardcore right is channeling it, telling these people that their way of life is being destroyed by a Negro from Kenya. Yes people buy into that. Sounds the like the Wilson quote in "Birth of a Nation." We saw the racial violence explode from Reconstruction on to the present day. Can it explode again? I bet it can. The idiots who believe this own a lot of guns, and that's scary. This is dangerous. I wonder if the Republicans realize that?
Well at any rate, you all keep looking for a Kenyan birth certificate and we'll keep making laws and fixing the country. You're welcome.
--Bill Maher
"Now everybody do the propaganda, and sing along to the age of paranoia."
--Green Day
In the year 1915, The film "Birth of a Nation" was released. Widely recognized as the first ever "Blockbuster" movie, the film was innovative in many ways especially the use of new camera angles and narrative technique. It even earned a place in The American Film Institute's "100 years...100 movies list" coming in at number 44.
However, the film has been widely controversial over the years for it's racial themes and positive portrayal of the Ku Klux Klan. This is one of the film's narrative slides, quoting President Woodrow Wilson:
"The White Men were roused by a mere instinct of self preservation...."
Does this sound like anything that's going on right now? Sure it does, it sounds like the radical birther movement.
If you've been living under a rock and don't know what the birthers are, well they're a bunch of total idiots who espouse a conspiracy theory that President Obama was born in Kenya, not Hawaii, and is therefore not eligible to be president.
The radical right wing has latched onto this and will not let go, even though the mainstream conservatives even disagree with them. Hell even Glenn Beck thinks this is crazy, and when Glenn Beck thinks you're crazy, well, you get my drift.
Well, the birthers have been gaining some steam over the last few months, and just last week they finally thought they had their hands on the smoking gun. Queen Birther Orly Taitz (Lawyer/Dentist/Real Estate agent) got her hands on AN ACTUAL KENYAN BIRTH CERTIFICATE WITH BARACK OBAMA'S NAME ON IT.
The whackos blew their collective loads over this. This was it! They had him! Even the right wing weirdo site World Net Daily (Ground Zero for the birthers) put it up on their website. You can see it here
Looks pretty good, yeah? Even looks like it's been printed on...acid...free...computer..paper?? Man I'm impressed with Kenya. I didn't know they had such things in the 1960s.
Well, the whole thing fell apart rather quickly. I'm not going into all the things wrong with it, but here's a link to a few. Now we've also found out that the source of the fake was an actual Australian birth certificate. You can see both of them here and see for yourself.
Folks, Super Dental Lawyer Orly Taitz actually presented this in court against the President. That is how absolutely stupid these people are. Normally I don't believe in name calling, but that's only thing to call this: stupid.
Want to see Obama's real birth certificate? Ok here ya go. Need some more verification? Here.
So now that we have all that out of the way, let's press on to more important questions. Why do the birthers do this? What is the driving force behind the movement? Do people really believe this?
Yes, people really buy into this, and they continue to believe it despite the fact that there is indisputable evidence to the contrary. I'm sorry, if you're one of these people, you are a grade A idiot. This is about on par with believing the world is flat or that Bush orchestrated the 9/11 attacks.
However, I suspect that most of the people actually pushing this don't really buy it either, Ultra Legal Dental Girl Orly excepted of course. They see it as a way to distract from the real problems facing our country. I don't think that it's a coincidence that this really started to ratchet up at the same time as the health care debate. If these GOPers can drum up enough hatred with the rank and file Idiot Tools of the right, they might get enough misguided outrage to derail Health Care now and the rest of the President's agenda later.
Most disturbing to me though is that so many everyday people seem to be buying it. Everyday white people. There is a strong under current of racial fear here, and the hardcore right is channeling it, telling these people that their way of life is being destroyed by a Negro from Kenya. Yes people buy into that. Sounds the like the Wilson quote in "Birth of a Nation." We saw the racial violence explode from Reconstruction on to the present day. Can it explode again? I bet it can. The idiots who believe this own a lot of guns, and that's scary. This is dangerous. I wonder if the Republicans realize that?
Well at any rate, you all keep looking for a Kenyan birth certificate and we'll keep making laws and fixing the country. You're welcome.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Book Thoughts: "Cat & Mouse" by James Patterson
James Patterson really delivers a great read with "Cat & Mouse." At first I wasn't really thrilled at the prospect of rehashing Gary Soneji, but it was really well done and executed flawlessly. I was really kept on the edge of my seat wondering what Soneji would do next, and how Cross would counter him.
I did start to wonder how the Mr. Smith storyline was going to be dovetailed into the Cross/Soneji story. However when it finally happened, Patterson did it expertly and I was in no way disappointed, A real, genuine plot twist that I actually didn't see coming.
The body count is high, and the gore factor is ratcheted up a few times, but it's all done very tastefully, as is one of Patterson's trademarks. Also, please note: No character in this book is safe. I got the creepy feeling up my spine the entire time. The pacing was fantastic as well. All in all a top rate mystery/thriller. Highly recommended.
I did start to wonder how the Mr. Smith storyline was going to be dovetailed into the Cross/Soneji story. However when it finally happened, Patterson did it expertly and I was in no way disappointed, A real, genuine plot twist that I actually didn't see coming.
The body count is high, and the gore factor is ratcheted up a few times, but it's all done very tastefully, as is one of Patterson's trademarks. Also, please note: No character in this book is safe. I got the creepy feeling up my spine the entire time. The pacing was fantastic as well. All in all a top rate mystery/thriller. Highly recommended.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
And now for something a little less serious.........
Have you ever had a real emotional connection with a song? Like you just hear the right song at the right time, in the right setting?
It's only happened to me a handful of times, and I listen to a lot of music. In recent times I can only think of two songs that I've had that happen with: "Gone" by Pearl Jam and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day.
Well it happened again tonight.
I was driving home from work, late, after a particularly frustrating evening and frustrating week. Driving down Main Street in Clearfield and Layton the in dark, with the neon signs of run down buildings slipping into my vision like Ghosts from a past that isn't all mine, but is part mine as well, as in "This place is a part of you whether you like it or not." Most of the time I don't like it. I don't like the culture, I don't like the fact that there's nothing to do. It's just not me, but in fact part of it is. I've been up and down these streets for what will be the better part of 31 years next week.
Anyway, as this is all going on in my brain, "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger hits the radio. Now usually I listen to the alternative station, but Mariel had been driving the car yesterday so the radio was on the Classic Rock station.
Now not being a Rock star I'm not gonna pretend that this song is in anyway about me. But the music has always struck a bit of a vibe and then these lyrics hit me tonight:
Well you walk into a restaurant, strung out from the road,
You can feel the eyes upon you as your shaking off the cold
You pretend it doesn't bother you, but you just want to explode.
Most times you cant hear em talk, other times you can.
Oh the same old cliche, as that woman on her a man........
There I go, turn the page.
Everywhere I go I feel the eyes of people on me thinking I'm a bit of a never was, a person who hasn't lived up to potential. It pisses me off. A lot of it's probably in my head, but not all of it, and I have a hard time escaping it. I really want to turn the page, have a life that is new and unique to me and my family (My wonderful wife and puppy at the moment.)
I'd love to turn the page.
Anyway, the song really struck me and connected with me tonight, and as I felt the warm evening air blow the ghosts of the old streets and the old life past my car into the distance, Bob Seger helped me escape it all for five minutes, to turn the page, to be lost in the music.
It's only happened to me a handful of times, and I listen to a lot of music. In recent times I can only think of two songs that I've had that happen with: "Gone" by Pearl Jam and "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day.
Well it happened again tonight.
I was driving home from work, late, after a particularly frustrating evening and frustrating week. Driving down Main Street in Clearfield and Layton the in dark, with the neon signs of run down buildings slipping into my vision like Ghosts from a past that isn't all mine, but is part mine as well, as in "This place is a part of you whether you like it or not." Most of the time I don't like it. I don't like the culture, I don't like the fact that there's nothing to do. It's just not me, but in fact part of it is. I've been up and down these streets for what will be the better part of 31 years next week.
Anyway, as this is all going on in my brain, "Turn the Page" by Bob Seger hits the radio. Now usually I listen to the alternative station, but Mariel had been driving the car yesterday so the radio was on the Classic Rock station.
Now not being a Rock star I'm not gonna pretend that this song is in anyway about me. But the music has always struck a bit of a vibe and then these lyrics hit me tonight:
Well you walk into a restaurant, strung out from the road,
You can feel the eyes upon you as your shaking off the cold
You pretend it doesn't bother you, but you just want to explode.
Most times you cant hear em talk, other times you can.
Oh the same old cliche, as that woman on her a man........
There I go, turn the page.
Everywhere I go I feel the eyes of people on me thinking I'm a bit of a never was, a person who hasn't lived up to potential. It pisses me off. A lot of it's probably in my head, but not all of it, and I have a hard time escaping it. I really want to turn the page, have a life that is new and unique to me and my family (My wonderful wife and puppy at the moment.)
I'd love to turn the page.
Anyway, the song really struck me and connected with me tonight, and as I felt the warm evening air blow the ghosts of the old streets and the old life past my car into the distance, Bob Seger helped me escape it all for five minutes, to turn the page, to be lost in the music.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Frustration sets in.....
You know the only thing worse than going through college, getting a degree, and then not being able to find a job? Doing the whole thing over! Going back, getting another degree (one that is supposedly better) and still not being able to find any kind of a decent job.
So here I sit. A year after signing up for a crap job to help my wife and I scrape by. I start to wonder how much longer I can put up with it. Hell I could probably make more money off of unemployment benefits than I make at this job, but I wasn't raised to take hand out when there was another option.
All the same though, having two college degrees but still having to schlep crappy products to dumb red necks and cheap skates makes me want to put a bullet in my head. Every day I get to go to work and wonder if I'm gonna get yelled at by an idiot because we don't have the life vest he wants in stock. I'm fucking tired of it.
I'm sick of this. "This is America, all you have do is work hard and you can live good life." Yeah well, if that's your position, I'd like to kindly encourage you to bend over and kiss my ass. My wife and I both have college degrees and we both have jobs, yet we can't go to the doctor without draining our savings. As much as we both look for jobs, they're not there, and that's coming from a place where the economy isn't as bad as it is in some other areas.
So many of the the types who sit on their duffs behind a desk all day for some business or for the government have no clue about what the rest of us go through. "Yeah I got job on base because my mom knows people, and I just pretty much sit and read novels." Meanwhile that person has no clue how the people that run the register at the store she shops at struggle. She doesn't know that the people flipping her burgers or serving her table at the cafe can't go to the doctor for something as simple as a mild cough.
Therein lies the problem with America. A fundamental error. When the hurricane hits, we all run to throw money at the affected areas and then pat ourselves on the back and tell ourselves how wonderfully generous we are, yet we ignore the plight of thousands of people we come into actual contact with every week. We tell ourselves that if these people work hard and have faith, they'll be ok.
So don't tell me I'm fortunate to have a job. Trust me, I know I am. I couldn't imagine being totally unemployed right now. I know there are always people worse off than I am, but that doesn't mean I don't have the right to be frustrated with my situation either.
I'm gonna be ok, we'll be ok, my wife and I. I still do have enough faith that we're gonna catch a break at some point, and I'm trying to make that break happen as best I can. Still though, the longer it takes, the more that faith decreases. and the temptation to give up becomes ever stronger.
Underneath this smile Lies everything
All my hopes, anger, pride and shame
Make myself a pact, not to shut doors on the past
Just for today,... I am free
I will not lose my faith
It's an inside job today
I know this one thing well...
So here I sit. A year after signing up for a crap job to help my wife and I scrape by. I start to wonder how much longer I can put up with it. Hell I could probably make more money off of unemployment benefits than I make at this job, but I wasn't raised to take hand out when there was another option.
All the same though, having two college degrees but still having to schlep crappy products to dumb red necks and cheap skates makes me want to put a bullet in my head. Every day I get to go to work and wonder if I'm gonna get yelled at by an idiot because we don't have the life vest he wants in stock. I'm fucking tired of it.
I'm sick of this. "This is America, all you have do is work hard and you can live good life." Yeah well, if that's your position, I'd like to kindly encourage you to bend over and kiss my ass. My wife and I both have college degrees and we both have jobs, yet we can't go to the doctor without draining our savings. As much as we both look for jobs, they're not there, and that's coming from a place where the economy isn't as bad as it is in some other areas.
So many of the the types who sit on their duffs behind a desk all day for some business or for the government have no clue about what the rest of us go through. "Yeah I got job on base because my mom knows people, and I just pretty much sit and read novels." Meanwhile that person has no clue how the people that run the register at the store she shops at struggle. She doesn't know that the people flipping her burgers or serving her table at the cafe can't go to the doctor for something as simple as a mild cough.
Therein lies the problem with America. A fundamental error. When the hurricane hits, we all run to throw money at the affected areas and then pat ourselves on the back and tell ourselves how wonderfully generous we are, yet we ignore the plight of thousands of people we come into actual contact with every week. We tell ourselves that if these people work hard and have faith, they'll be ok.
So don't tell me I'm fortunate to have a job. Trust me, I know I am. I couldn't imagine being totally unemployed right now. I know there are always people worse off than I am, but that doesn't mean I don't have the right to be frustrated with my situation either.
I'm gonna be ok, we'll be ok, my wife and I. I still do have enough faith that we're gonna catch a break at some point, and I'm trying to make that break happen as best I can. Still though, the longer it takes, the more that faith decreases. and the temptation to give up becomes ever stronger.
Underneath this smile Lies everything
All my hopes, anger, pride and shame
Make myself a pact, not to shut doors on the past
Just for today,... I am free
I will not lose my faith
It's an inside job today
I know this one thing well...
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