Makes Sense To Me

Sometimes the answer to a cultural problem is as easy as Nancy Reagan's solution was to the drug problem. Mrs. Reagan said to end drug abuse people should "just say no", which makes too much sense for some people. But, if we all say "no" when we are presented with the opportunity to misuse our local pusher's product, drug abuse is over.

Similarly, Morgan Freeman has an equally elegant answer to another social problem, he suggests we just don't talk about it. Simple. Direct. And, completely unlikely to happen because so many people have their entire existence wrapped up in the commerce of perpetuating it. Sort of like that drug dealer who really, really wants you to continue using, these other people need you to talk about it. If you don't talk about it, it fades away. Enough said.

Religious Insensitivity

You may have heard of the debate over allowing a mosque to be built near to the site of the World Trade center property. (If you haven't, then let us know which planet you hail from). My take on the matter; how can the Muslims be so insensitive! Knowing, as we all do, that the Twin Towers were leveled by Muslims in the name of Islam how can a reasonable person be adamant that they must build an Islamic holy place so near to the site of murder. Make the First Amendment argument, I am not swayed by your claim of your rights when it is clear to all that such exercise causes so much pain; it is tantamount to calling out fire in a crowded theater. Nobody involved in the controversy is calling for a prohibition, just that it isn't used as an insult to the memory of those lost. And, let there be no doubt, the continued insensitivity shown by the mosque's proponents in the face of the grief and anxiety expressed by the survivors of those murdered on 9/11/2001 makes it clear that the intent is to be selfish at best and hurtful for certain. Further, it is not beyond belief that locating where they propose is intended to be a beacon for Muslims, and especially Radical Muslims, that the so-called Religion of Peace scored a victory in New York City when it killed the innocent on that sky blue day. And, allowing them, the Radical Islamists, their shrine will only make matters worse; worse for those of us who really do want peace, and freedom.

We can take the Temple on the Mount in Jerusalem as a template for what this shrine will bring to our shores. Muhammad dies in that holy land and now the site where he ceased to breathe is a compound covered by a golden dome and forbidden to all but those who believe in the current translations of his words. We can expect similar intransigence from those who would control the 9/11 mosque. I honestly hope that it is not allowed at that location; if these people really want to live in peace, they need to change their definition of that word, accept that fulminating a perceived insult is the antithesis of furthering the goal of peace.

Now, for an Ayaan Hirsi Ali moment, or 43:29 worth of moments.

Breaking Up Triggers Addiction

romantic break-ups activate parts of the brain that are associated with addiction cravings

Now, here is one I can attest to first hand.

Surely Sherrod Got A Break

Gay Patriot withdraws apology.

VDH links it up from the Rev to the Sherrod.

Jon Stewart: ‘Andrew Breitbart may be the most honest person in this entire story’

Riehl presents her husband, biased too.

Webb on The Dream Come True

Hmmm.

Found via Instapundit via WE and WSJ.

It Must Depend On The Meaning Of Transparency

SEC claims to be outside of Freedom of Information Act.

HaHa

"Full" Version Of Shirley Sherrod's Speech

I put full in quotations because, according to Tammy Bruce there is an edited portion at about the 18:39 mark. (I saw a break in the video around 21:19)

What the NAACP purports to be the entire speech.



Andrew Breitbart responds.

It’s unfortunate that the NAACP’s recent resolution and false accusations have forced us to show you video 1 when video 2 is the bigger problem. That’s not to say video 1 is not a problem, but this country can ill afford, in this time of economic peril, to waste our time poking and prodding at the racial hornet’s nest that was supposed to have been removed with this post-racial presidency. But now President Obama and the modern-day Democrat party reveal they are anything but post-racial.

Yet again, the juxtaposition of the real video evidence shown here versus the mainstream media’s straight faced reportage of the NAACP’s baseless accusations demonstrates that, once again, the American main stream media has asserted itself as the number one enemy of the truth, when the facts don’t fit the left-wing narrative. Like the NAACP, it has become no better than Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson in its willingness to exploit race for political ends and their unflinching support of the Obama’s left-wing agenda.

As with the politics of so many of the current issues, I submit this post with the firm knowledge that no minds will be changed. Such is the way in this "we" and "they" society.

"What If the Beatles Were Irish?"

The Myth of the Monolith- The Disparate Tea Party

Life is a box of chocolates. And the Tea Party members are alive; thus you make a mistake if you lump them all together and expect to get the same experience when you taste them individually.

Tea Party groups at odds, with one another.

I have long been skeptical of joining any group, there is always someone who makes the rest look bad. Like that candy that doesn't suit your palate, you take a bite and don't swallow; and you don't put the uneaten portion back in the box either.

I attended the local Tea Party gathering a few weeks back, and I did not see anything that I didn't like (unless you count the woman who walked around with her parrot trying to draw attention more to herself than to an issue she wanted addressed; ego is everywhere). Mostly, the people who stood holding their signs, and those who passed and honked their car horns in sympathy were there because they seek a better nation and want our government to get out of the way of lives.

I will continue to be skeptical of all groups, but I will give each man/woman a fair chance to impress me.

Journ-O-lusion

Reporting collusion
Image illusion
Public delusion
Historical manipulation

JournOlist, abuse of public trust by the Fourth Estate.

Watching this all at home were members of Journolist, a listserv comprised of several hundred liberal journalists, as well as like-minded professors and activists. The tough questioning from the ABC anchors left many of them outraged. “George [Stephanopoulos],” fumed Richard Kim of the Nation, is “being a disgusting little rat snake.”

Others went further. According to records obtained by The Daily Caller, at several points during the 2008 presidential campaign a group of liberal journalists took radical steps to protect their favored candidate. Employees of news organizations including Time, Politico, the Huffington Post, the Baltimore Sun, the Guardian, Salon and the New Republic participated in outpourings of anger over how Obama had been treated in the media, and in some cases plotted to fix the damage.

In one instance, Spencer Ackerman of the Washington Independent urged his colleagues to deflect attention from Obama’s relationship with Wright by changing the subject. Pick one of Obama’s conservative critics, Ackerman wrote, “Fred Barnes, Karl Rove, who cares — and call them racists.”

Barnes and Rove respond.

Bonnie Koloc

What a voice!

The Sandboni Combs

Five technologies to clean up the oil.

Fun With Your Johnson

Who Will Control These Mad SUVs?

This headline:

Woman charged after SUV plows into Lexington store

The ridiculous nature of that statement was first brought to my attention by Rush Limbaugh who points out how quick to PC crowd is to notice the transport's general category when a vehicular mishap involves an SUV. The inference we are to assume, according to the PCers, is that SUVs are evil. Afterall, they are expensive, use mass quantities of fuel, and are only driven by Republicans. Okay, the last criteria is not true, but you get my point. And, since when did the truth get in the way of a liberal myth.

When is the last time you heard it said, or saw it written, 'that woman/man should be charged with endangerment for carrying live people in her/his Yugo'? When a small car crashes the occupant's chances for survival are diminished when compared to the same collision involving full sized vehicles. But, the green police like Yugos and other tiny tin cans because they create less carbon. And, saving the environment is more important than saving people.

So, the blame always goes upon the SUV, for it was the SUV that plowed, crashed, belched, guzzled........... The human who sat behind the wheel is only guilty of intoxication, recklessness, carelessness, being the SUV's willing accomplice........ After all, it is the SUV which is truly evil, the driver is just so much viable tissue mass.

The Down Side To Being Unassociated With Either Major Party

I have never been a member of either the Democrat nor the Republican Party. I like the independence, I like not having to hang my head when the Party falters, (as they do nearly every day). On the other hand, I never get in on the payoffs that necessarily follow from the Party in power.

I have to hope against hope that the Party in power develops a level playing field for all; I am perpetually screwed!

Florida To Follow Arizona's Immigration Legislation Lead?

A Florida state representative says he is committed to proposing an “Arizona-style” immigration bill during Florida’s upcoming special legislative session that Governor Charlie Crist has called in response to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Despite reluctance from other members of his party, Republican state Rep. Kevin Ambler said Monday that he would propose a tough immigration bill, potentially opening the door to a new summer controversy in the Sunshine State.

Now, don't tease me, I live in Florida and would be proud if we took up such a law.

I often wonder why it is that a policeman has less right to speech than I have, I can go around all day asking people if they are legal, no problem. Of course, I can not demand that they show proof, so there is that difference. But, then, under the Arizona statute the lawman can't demand proof either without reason to believe that the person already in his custody may not be a citizen. At any rate, the Arizona law was designed to not do more than the federal law, and I see no reason that local police should not be allowed to help the feds when they can.

Vger, Still Going 12,000 Days Later

If you watched the Star Trek movies you know that the US spacecraft Voyager I fictionally survived to become an honored relic of a distant civilization. Today, thirty three after its launch it remains our oldest working spacecraft and continues its journey out of our solar system.

Some amazing pictures included there.

"Vger" was the corrupted pronunciation the aliens had come to call her, and, it is how we will forever remember her; fondly. Go Vger, go!

Obama Is Katrina

That is Glenn Reynolds' take after reading Jules Crittendon,s piece, Obama's Katrina.

So when people say “Obama’s Katrina,” it’s a contraction, not a possessive . . . .

- Reynolds

Kilroy

I have a very provocative idea using the "Kilroy Was Here" figure, modified, of course. When I finish the graphics I will post a copy here. It could get me killed, but what the hell, nobody lives forever.

Obama Using NASA To Promote Islam

If a Conservative President instructed to head of NASA to reach out to Christian nations to remind their populations of the all the contributions to math and science their forefathers made, the ACLU would be screaming about separation of church and state. As Obama does the same for his Muslim friends nobody from the ACLU makes a sound!

Where is the Obama administration's outreach to, if not religions besides Islam, secular groups, let's say, Republicans? If we see his motive for the Muslim outreach as a peace offering, where is his same outreach to his fellow countrymen; I mean American citizens? Just once I would like to hear him speak the name Republican with only praise for the good things they have done, and completely devoid of criticism and blame. Just once, for starters.

Anyway, Cal Thomas has a good take on the matter. Here, The right stuff goes wrong.

And, if you must hear it from Charles Bolden's own mouth, here is the video of the NASA Adminstrator's appearance on Al Jazeera. It is around the 1:30 mark ( I can't watch all 21:54 minutes, more power to you if you can. Let me know what I missed.), that he states that Obama has told him our space administration's mission is-

"foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ... and math and engineering,"

Contributions which ended, what, one thousand years ago? Whatever. Whenever those contributions occurred, they did not come about as a result of Islam, and today's contributions must come in spite of the most repressive religion going. So, good luck with your foremost mission NASA; I liked you better when you were focused on amazing us with exploits into space.

Different Players; Same Games

Security Fever- Bureacracy Run Amok?

A Bumper Crop

It is looking like a good year for avocados.

Garage Biology

The tinkerers of the past have started industry from projects made in their garages, Sonia believes bio-technology could be the next do it yourself industry to make a splash.

A Clash Of Indoctrinations

I awoke to a story on the morning news show about a man who erected a billboard reading "One Nation Under God" as his way of countering a nearby billboard, erected on behalf of an anti-religious sect, which had left the reference to a deity out of that section of the Pledge of Allegiance moving on to to the next line of the Pledge, "Indivisible".

In promoting the idea of "One Nation....Indivisible" the contemporary atheists, who fear religion as a knee-jerk reaction, sincerely intend to help society move toward what they see as a more rational worldview.

In conserving the idea that there is a higher power the "Under God" proponent seeks to re-establish the long held view that there is a God and we are beholden to him for our existence.

Both sides are right, according to the lessons they learned in their formative years. We are witnessing a clash of indoctrinations. Each side comes to their position as the result of their experience.

And, both are behind unproven concepts, science is not on either side of this debate. It can not be scientifically proven that their is or isn't a deity. Quantifying that proposition so far is beyond our abilities. But people are stubborn, and I say that in the the best sense of the word, they adhere to what they know first and accept change slowly. This type of stubbornness is not a bad thing, or a good thing, it is the way we are. There are reasons that change takes time, the primary one being that there are no timeouts in life when we can turn off events while we sort out new concepts. We learn early on and live out our lives according to those lessons until, or unless, we have the energy and insight to see a better way.

A religious belief, or disbelief, is an accepted life position. It is not the truth, except in that way that the truth is always that which we believe it to be. And, when one man's truth is contrary to the truth of another man it becomes a clash of indoctrinations. When either side can use the Scientific Method to quantify their position the clash can be resolved in favor of one position or the other. This is a rare happening, even Einstein's theories are only true until someone finds an error in his thinking. And it happens, even to the greatest minds of an age. The truth formulated by the greatest living scientist before Einstein is no longer the holder of that title because Einstein saw something truer. This world is complicated that way, stubbornly adhering to one's indoctrination is a good thing for a being with limited resources and a short amount of time to use them, but that stubbornness is not an intellectual proof.