Thursday, March 11, 2004
A new record for comments!!
Thanks to gay marriage, I have a record number of comments on the post two previous to this one. Of course those are all me, my wife and my brother arguing the point. But hey it's all fun anyway!
And before you ask, I love my brother very, very much and this type of debate is more a sign of our shared passion and intelligence than anything else.
Please feel free to add you own opinions on the topic...
Thanks to gay marriage, I have a record number of comments on the post two previous to this one. Of course those are all me, my wife and my brother arguing the point. But hey it's all fun anyway!
And before you ask, I love my brother very, very much and this type of debate is more a sign of our shared passion and intelligence than anything else.
Please feel free to add you own opinions on the topic...
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
OK, Kids, it's time for more politics.
Some of you may not want to read on....
If you ask me, the single biggest problem with our current administration is the hemorrhaging of jobs in our economy. But what scares the hell out of me is the fact that even though this is an enormous issue in a campaign year, the President is so beholden to special interests that he still puts forth this Overseas Job Exporting program.
How does that show President Bush and the GOP are beholden to these special interests? Well, lets look at some comparisons of the biggest job exporters and the amount they donated to the GOP:
TOP OUTSOURCER: American Express
Contributions directly to the President Bush: $39,000
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $422,405
TOP OUTSOURCER: Bechtel
Contributions directly to President Bush: $10,300
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $465,150
TOP OUTSOURCER: Dell Computer
Hard Money to Bush: $40,250
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $793,550
TOP OUTSOURCER: Fidelity
Contributions directly to President Bush: $164,908
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $574,270
TOP OUTSOURCER: Ford
Contributions directly to President Bush: $76,200
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $268,257
TOP OUTSOURCER: General Electric
Contributions directly to President Bush: $49,125
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $756,987
Interesting, no? This is from the Daily Misleader, a great service which uses these odd little things called facts to try to counter the propaganda machine in DC.
And the most common types of jobs exported: communications and information technology. You know, the type of jobs that an entire generation learned how to do before the dot com bust.
Just remember, if you are a computer progammer, re-election means you get to move to India to find a job.
And that ain't no dry heat....
Some of you may not want to read on....
If you ask me, the single biggest problem with our current administration is the hemorrhaging of jobs in our economy. But what scares the hell out of me is the fact that even though this is an enormous issue in a campaign year, the President is so beholden to special interests that he still puts forth this Overseas Job Exporting program.
How does that show President Bush and the GOP are beholden to these special interests? Well, lets look at some comparisons of the biggest job exporters and the amount they donated to the GOP:
TOP OUTSOURCER: American Express
Contributions directly to the President Bush: $39,000
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $422,405
TOP OUTSOURCER: Bechtel
Contributions directly to President Bush: $10,300
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $465,150
TOP OUTSOURCER: Dell Computer
Hard Money to Bush: $40,250
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $793,550
TOP OUTSOURCER: Fidelity
Contributions directly to President Bush: $164,908
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $574,270
TOP OUTSOURCER: Ford
Contributions directly to President Bush: $76,200
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $268,257
TOP OUTSOURCER: General Electric
Contributions directly to President Bush: $49,125
Soft Money contributions to the Republican Party: $756,987
Interesting, no? This is from the Daily Misleader, a great service which uses these odd little things called facts to try to counter the propaganda machine in DC.
And the most common types of jobs exported: communications and information technology. You know, the type of jobs that an entire generation learned how to do before the dot com bust.
Just remember, if you are a computer progammer, re-election means you get to move to India to find a job.
And that ain't no dry heat....
Tuesday, March 09, 2004
I love Snopes. Really, this urban legend debunking site has won me more arguments than I can remember.
But this is classic. Be sure to save this for the next argument you get into in regards to homosexuality and the Bible.
The following was originally written in 2000, when Vermont began issuing the first civil unions and radio fascist Dr. Laura (who ain't no damn doctor! Call me Dr. Moto from now on) called homosexuals "biological errors". West Wing viewers will also recognize this as well.
Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.
But this is classic. Be sure to save this for the next argument you get into in regards to homosexuality and the Bible.
The following was originally written in 2000, when Vermont began issuing the first civil unions and radio fascist Dr. Laura (who ain't no damn doctor! Call me Dr. Moto from now on) called homosexuals "biological errors". West Wing viewers will also recognize this as well.
Dear Dr. Laura,
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.
My friend Bina is an actor.
She's on the road right now with a van and truck tour of a children's theatre show. News recently arrived that she had been ill, and I wanted to send her an email.
But because she's on the road, her email account is full. Damn you Hotmail!!
So here is my open letter to Bina, who I hope reads my blog when she gets the chance:
hey there Ms. Bina-
How are ya? We heard you got sick on the road. That really sucks; I can completely sympathize. However, you have passed through the first "on-the-road" rite of passage. You are now on your way to Road Trip master, immune to van diseases, food poisoning and bad tastes in music. Be careful, though, as the next rite of passage involves wahooing beer in a redneck town.
In all seriousness, I hope you are feeling better. It sucks to be sick and far away from home. If we had been with you, we would have brought you tea and cough drops.
Will you make a swing up near here anytime soon? We'd make a weekend out of it! Children's Theatre, hurrah!
We miss you; the family feels incomplete when you're not around. Hang tough. You'll be home before you know it.
She's on the road right now with a van and truck tour of a children's theatre show. News recently arrived that she had been ill, and I wanted to send her an email.
But because she's on the road, her email account is full. Damn you Hotmail!!
So here is my open letter to Bina, who I hope reads my blog when she gets the chance:
hey there Ms. Bina-
How are ya? We heard you got sick on the road. That really sucks; I can completely sympathize. However, you have passed through the first "on-the-road" rite of passage. You are now on your way to Road Trip master, immune to van diseases, food poisoning and bad tastes in music. Be careful, though, as the next rite of passage involves wahooing beer in a redneck town.
In all seriousness, I hope you are feeling better. It sucks to be sick and far away from home. If we had been with you, we would have brought you tea and cough drops.
Will you make a swing up near here anytime soon? We'd make a weekend out of it! Children's Theatre, hurrah!
We miss you; the family feels incomplete when you're not around. Hang tough. You'll be home before you know it.
