Hate Congress; Hate Executive Branch More - Vol II

This is a letter I sent to my congressperson. Gah! I be so frustrated with them.

Dear Congressperson,
I am dismayed at the Democratic leadership. It seems strange that I'm using that word so often, but here again I am, dismayed at the Democratic leadership. Caving to the least-liked president in a century (and closing in on the coveted 'worst. president. ever.' award) on illegal spying on Americans? What is going on in your collective mind? America is against this president and against the war; if you're cravenly and crassly working solely for votes, it makes no sense to cave in to this monster of a president. And if you care about the American people and your constituents, then it makes no sense to cave in to this monster of a president. I can't seem to figure out why you would cave and give up the balance of your Constitutionally-appointed duties of oversight of our national security.
Maybe the consultants, the yes men who surround Congress like vultures have befuddled the mind of the Democrats into thinking that caving in on an important security issue makes them look strong. But they do not know the hearts and minds of the American people. They cannot know, because they believe that we do not matter. They believe that the American people should not be listened to by those we have sent to Washington to run our government for our benefit.

We elected a Democratic majority to Congress because we believed that they, not the Republicans, would listen to the American people. I am trying hard to keep believing that. I really am. But by not opposing this president's ruthless dismantling of democracy, the Constitution, and the liberties it protects with every fiber of your being, with every breath you take, you fail again and again to live up to our expectations. I am dismayed at what you and your ilk hath wrought, and if you cannot listen to the American people when they are so fully against your actions, then this Democratic majority does not deserve to stay in office.
Thank you for listening.

Where've I Been?

create your own visited states map

I Are Serious Cat

Your Score: Serious Cat

37% Affectionate, 48% Excitable, 55% Hungry

Hungry for knowledge in any internet forum, you demand decorum. Any off-topic remarks, absurd statements, or tomfoolery on the interweb is deeply frowned upon by you. Truth has no room for drollery.

Link: The Which Lolcat Are You? Test

Libertarianism in a Nutshell

Hunter gets to the heart of it:

If a liberal sees a starving child, they want to give them some food. If a conservative sees a starving child, they want to give them a Bible. And if a libertarian sees a starving child, they want to build a privacy fence so they don't have to look at that shit anymore.

The rest of it is well worth reading, as well.

(Help! Help! How did I get in this nutshell? This is a huge nutshell!)

Spolier Free Review of Deathly Hallows

Wash Dies.


Okay, kidding. It was good.

Short Anwers to Hemant's Questions

From FriendlyAtheist, reposted from my comments there.

Why do you not believe in God?

I see no evidence or need for such a being to exist. Reality is better explained by leaving such a being out.

Where do your morals come from?

Selfishness and empathy - that guy is getting mugged. How would I want others to react if it were me being mugged? Etc.

What is the meaning of life?

I create my own meaning for my own life. I’m personally fond of the goal “have grandchildren” - the idea that I can propagate beings similar to me into the future is cool. But there are other meanings for my life, too.

Should atheists be trying to convince others to stop believing in God?

Yes - religion isn’t the only cause of society’s problems, but it’s one of the major stumbling blocks.

Weren’t some of the worst atrocities in the 20th century committed by atheists?

Sure, but Stalin didn’t commit his deeds for Godlessness.

Why does the universe exist?

Who knows? Certainly not the priests. That it exists at all is good enough for me at this point.

How did life originate?

self-replicating chemicals came to be billions of years ago, and then through descent with modification, became complex organisms.

What’s so bad about religious moderates?

When the chips are down, they side with the fundies every time.

Is there anything redeeming about religion?

The music can be beautiful, and community has its advantages. I’d rather not tie up community with obeisance to fanciful myths, though.

What if you’re wrong about God (and He does exist)?

If the Christian god does exist, I still wouldn’t worship him. He’s a monstrous sociopath. (I pick on Yahweh here because I'm most familiar with him. Don't get the idea that other gods are much better.)

Shouldn’t all religious beliefs be respected?

No. I’ll tolerate you having silly superstitions, but I’m still going to snicker at you for having them. Likewise, you can snicker at me for being a nerd, if you like. Or for not liking sports. Or not believing in gods.

How do you deal with the historical Jesus if you don’t believe in his divinity?

If Jesus was a person and not an amalgamation of wandering messiahs and ancient myths, then he had some good ideas mixed in with some crazy ones.

What happens when we die?

Our bodies decompose, and our loved ones carry their memories of us with them into the future.

Blake's Law

I was there, man, the very day that Blake's Law (or rather, Blake's Corollary to Godwin's Law) was birthed, screaming to wake the dead and desperately clawing to strangle its sire with the umbilical. Alas, it has been irreverently crammed down the tubes into the Pharyngula entry. Too bad, Blake Stacey.

Friday Grog Blogging: Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Yo Ho Ho and a sack of doubloons. Tonight I'm drinking Rogue's Dead Guy Ale. This is my first official foray into Rogue's extensive catalog. Head downstairs for some Roguery.



Dead Guy Ale's a golden, murky amber. Rogue says it's a German-style Maibock, but it's different from other maibock's I've had. A hint of sweet aftertaste. A little hoppy, but good to swish around your mouth.

I'd say it was a Charlie beer, but I've been doing that a lot lately. I have to say it's a Mike.
Five and 7/8 out of eight pints.

Pope Says: Non-Catholic=Non-Christian

This gave me a little chuckle.

A 16-page document, prepared by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which Pope Benedict used to head, described Christian Orthodox churches as true churches, but suffering from a "wound" since they do not recognize the primacy of the Pope.

But the document said the "wound is still more profound" in the Protestant denominations -- a view likely to further complicate relations with Protestants.

"Despite the fact that this teaching has created no little distress ... it is nevertheless difficult to see how the title of 'Church' could possibly be attributed to them,"

Oh, fine, Ratzi. Go ahead and start a few more holy wars. You're already the worst Pope since JPII, behind even The Space Pope, and he's completely fictional.

Jesus in a toaster.

Lupin/RBF: Hungry Like the Wolf

If I had time and the skills, I'd do an AMV of their new song "My Imaginary Friend" with scenes from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. Unfortunately, the CD's not even out yet.

I have it because I saw them in KC on Tuesday.