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Friday, September 27, 2013

When he's right, he's right...

And he is quite often.

Quoth Robert Reich

When I worked in Washington for the first time in 1967 as an intern for Senator Robert Kennedy, the leadership of the Republican Party included responsible adults capable of governing the nation. Fast forward 46 years and there's no real Republican leadership (Boehner and McConnell are the opposite of leaders). There's not even a national Republican Party: The GOP is a hollow shell infested with right-wing nihilists like Ted Cruz and Eric Cantor, conservative fanatics like Paul Ryan and Mike Lee, and a Star Wars barroom of cranks and crackpots, mostly bankrolled by a few billionaires and cheer-leaded by wackos on Fox News and yell radio. No responsible adult is in charge, and yet the rest of us are being held hostage to their playground antics.
A little more than a year from now the nation will have an opportunity to vote many of these people out of office. We must do everything in our power to do so.


The bolding is by me for emphasis.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Healthcare hypocrisy

You say it would be socialism, communism and not capitalism to change our healthcare system.  Then why is it that what we have IS socialism and not truly driven by fair market forces?

This clip is so good I had to share it everywhere.  Learn!

Wednesday, September 04, 2013

The blank check

When you join the armed forces (remember, it's a volunteer force.  I'd have some a tiny bit of sympathy if these assholes were drafted) and sign that blank check, you're no longer entitled to a public opinion.

Read this article, the latest regarding active duty troops taking to Twitter and Facebook, hiding their faces and protesting that they didn't join to do whatever.  I didn't join and spend eight years on active duty to have my name sullied by things like the Iran/Contra Affair and $25 toilet seats (and I could go on and on about my 8 years that dovetailed the reign of the sainted Ronald Reagen) but I did what I was told because that is exactly what I swore to do when I joined.  If you disagree, then show your face and get your less-than-honorable discharge, which is the honorable thing to do if your signature on that blank check is worthless.

This guy has it right.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Trying to explain

In trying to explain (to a fellow atheist even) why I defend to some extent the tone used by another atheist in this article.  I explained as follows:  "I agree but on the other hand you could say that nothing we say and no matter how we say it will make us seem any more palatable to them. And though it shouldn't matter, I don't think we started the insults, etc. In large part I operate as you say because it's not my personality to be an asshole about people's beliefs (I try anyway) but I honestly feel like that's not a reciprocal action. They fucking hate us and as a result, it's very hard not to hate some of them in return."

But then I also feel this is even more clear:  On Facebook I have many, many friends and family of the Christian faith.  They do not hesitate or think twice about what their posts in support of their faith (and I'm talking strictly faith here, not politics or moral issues) may mean to those who disagree, whether in some ways it's even insulting to those who don't believe, nor do I frankly think they care.  On the other hand, we as atheists have to be very careful what we say and share, to the point where I very rarely share anything at all because to those who believe OUR VERY EXISTENCE is insulting to them.

Friday, August 16, 2013

Phew, that felt good to get off my chest

Thanks, Garrison Keillor


I think he covered just about everything except for the gun nuts.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Origins of Memorial Day

I honestly did not know about this and since I didn't, I've got to assume some don't know it either.  Why is that?  It's an incredibly moving thought to me what transpired here.  Just a three-minute clip.

Watch Memorial Day on PBS. See more from American Experience.