Scary stuff

The climate in certain areas of this country is down right frightening. As it turns out we are starting to have more in common with our fundamentalist Islamic foes than we thought. Whether the last recognized profit is Jesus or Mohammed are just details. Details, details.

Kansas school board redefines science

Its difficult to believe that an entire state can be so ruled by an irrational fear of their "faith" being eroded. (Not to mention that little ideal called separation of church and state) It just is so upsetting that such ignorance can be allowed to play such a central role in the legislative processes of a large population in this day and age. People who legislate and dictate these policies must have no faith in God themselves. The idea that a book that is likely over 3000 years old, has been rewritten countless times, and was originally written by multiple different people; the thought that it is the infallible literal word of God is such a dangerous and... Sorry if I offend anyone, it is absurd. The Old Testament is a written translation of tales meant to teach morals and lessons to people. Genesis has roots in pre Judaism, pagan nomadic sects and has been adapted multiple times with small changes (reversal of the order of creation of the sexes.. etc.). The New Testament are gospels which all have contradicting details on the story of Christ. The premise that all of the Bible is right and happened as written is none other than impossible. The idea that people are actually worried that historical evidence, be it scientific or archeological will take away from the legitimacy of a higher power, well... quite simply, these people must not believe in God. I really can't figure it out. Why do these people think it all had to have happened exactly as written?! Why can't they understand that the Bible is a book of interpretations written by man? Do these people actually think that scientists spend all their time in labs with the goal of a conspiricy to destroy God? Why do Science and God have to be at war with one another? My God people!! :D

Are there ultimate truths and right and wrong ways of doing things in this world? Well there are a lot of shades of gray, but universally as a people I think certain things are always wrong (killing, other then self defense; rape; stealing for luxuries etc.). We share so much with all of humanity. The idea that our folk lore... and I'm sorry that is what Genesis is, folk lore. The idea that this must be the literal truth seems so... I don't know, Bronze age? It is a wonderful story that teaches people, children especially, about free will, and consequences of our decisions. Native American cultures and Asian cultures alike have similar stories, but as far as I know, only certain denominations of Christianity (not even Judaism so much... and they are the ones who wrote it to begin with!) seem determined to hold onto the idea that their tale of origin is historically accurate.

We know Christ, Mohammed, Abraham, and Moses existed (yes Buddha too :D) and that their stories have a strong foundation. I have total respect for all faiths. I think they are healthy and beneficial practices to most people in this world. I sometimes wish I was more spiritual.. but I do have faith in the golden rule of treating other people as they would have you treat them. That is what matters as far as I'm concerned, a lot of people who consider themselves religious don't even have that faith or decency. You can give your ten percent your whole life but if you continue living your life for only yourself, I really don't think repeatedly asking for forgiveness is really going to mean squat if we are to be judged by a just deity.

Herpes chick and the Manipulative Media

I'm trying to turn a new leaf by getting into work around 8:30 rather than 9:30. No prodding on the employers part or anything, it is all me. I'm finding my days to be a bit meeting heavy lately so it gives me time to make up for it before they begin. In addition, in theory (This hasn't been the case so far) I should be able to leave earlier. This will offer me the chance to go to the gym, or just go home and vegetate a bit earlier. So hopefully it will be a rewarding effort.

I was watching the Patriots game this evening against the Colts but I gave up somewhere around 21 to 7 in the third quarter. Last time they were down and I stopped paying attention they began doing better. We'll see if this strategy works again.

I bought myself a pizza this evening, and as I was waiting in the shop, I was smiling to myself in anticipation. I was staring out gleefully at Main St. Melrose in anticipation of the sauce, the pepperoni, the green peppers. MMMmmmmm Mmmm!!
Low and behold this woman and some guy walk by as I'm looking out the window grinning. Full eye contact was made and I knew some sort of misinterpretation of my contentment was immediately perceived. Suddenly the woman turned into the store leaving her partner in the street. Immediately fearing the worst I adopt a frown and busy myself continuing to look out the window at some unseen specter. Unfortunately this woman approaches me and begins to talk to me.
Seeing her now I can tell that she's probably ummm... not of the highest echelon of society. Lets just say I was scared before I saw her come in and when I confronted her, I would have much preferred to peel my own face off. Her description really isn't too important. I will point out this, she had a charming batch of Herpes pustules (either that or an extraodinarily precise acne crop) adorning the right corner of her mouth. I swear a couple of them were pulsating.

Any way she just bee-lines to me, mind you there are several people in the restaurant.
She asks me "Do you have a car?"
I was about to ask why... and my wheels slowly cranked and I caught myself.
"I'm not giving anyone a ride" I responded without ever answering her question. I was surprisingly indignant. I was a little proud of myself, but really was doing all I could not to run and hide under a Formica table.
"Oh come on, We just need to go three minutes up the road"
Apparently it was completely lost on her that I was waiting for food, and that I might actually have somewhere to be.
"Nope, sorry, can't help you"
After she exited as quickly as she entered the owner and a patron were staring out the window like she and her friend had just robbed the bank or something.
"What did she want?" Asked the tired Pizza cook, as he paused midway through evenly distributing meatball-halves on the patron's yet to be baked pie.
"Asked for a ride, looks like trouble if you ask me." replies the man scratching his forehead and rustling the thick mop of curly gray hair beneath his green trucker's cap.
"If its just three minutes up the road, why doesn't she just walk?" I thought out loud.
The trouble with me is I either look like I want to kill everyone, or I look naive. Tonight I was obviously looking like the latter. Perhaps they truly just wanted a ride. Perhaps she took that "pizza smile" I was wearing for friendliness that wasn't there. If I was predisposed to the "old granny" train of thought, perhaps they would have bonked me on the head, taken my car and wallet and left me in an alley somewhere. Unlikely... although its almost a sure bet they'd ask for money. Funny since if anything, they should pay me for being a voluntary chauffeur.

As for my daily news links, this one was quite interesting. An article by the Associated Press on the different ways men and women interpret jokes. The article claims men are less discriminating on what is or isn't funny. It must be true, because I was actually laughing while reading the article. I'm quite sure it wasn't written with the intent of humor. At least not the type that makes you snort milk out your nose.

Who is more likely to enjoy a good joke?

Interestingly enough I'd also like to point out the differences in what is being covered by CNN compared to Foxnews. Typically I find the CNN web page to be more professional and just easier to navigate so I use it. Fox seems to have a tabloid element to it, if not just in the wording of its headlines, but even in it's advertisement sponsors. Anyway today I find that Foxnews has more relevant articles for a change. CNN is reporting on a couple of domestic murder cases, as well as a crackdown on a terrorist cell in Australia. I'll give them the latter... I don't read the national news to hear about some murder trial. It doesn't affect me.

Fox is continuing coverage on the riots in France which may or may not be spreading to Belgium, and a few copy-cat cases in Berlin as well? I'm a little miffed by the whole thing since the Police seemed to be just doing their job by chasing the delinquent youth. I don't get why they deny it, it just makes them look weak and more pathetic. In addition to this they are posting an Associated Press article on the next "smaller" rotation of troops to Iraq. I would think reducing the amount of American troops by possibly 40,000 people would be big news, apparently not to CNN.

Smaller Iraq Troop Rotation Announced

Out of curiosity I had to check the often forgotten dinosaur NBC, or MsNBC as it is called on the web. NBC actually is covering all of the bases. The riots and the Australian terror plot are both front and center. In addition there is also an article on looted Iraqi relics not to mention the unexpected drop in gasoline prices.
Bravo NBC, on beating out the two media giants, if not in #s, at least in principle.

Random Links and tiddlywinks

Well looks like I survived another week, now it’s on to another!

I arrived at work at 8:15 this morning and left at 7:30. There is nothing like a good old fashion double digit work day to build character (or destroy it). I definitely need to go in early Monday and get caught up.

This article is precious. I really should run for office. We don’t want vandalism, lets punish them by paying them social security and disability for the rest of their lives. BTW, don’t you think cutting off the index finger might make more sense? After all you don’t use your thumb to press down on that spray paint trigger. Just an observation.

Mayor: Cut thumbs off graffiti 'punks'

Oh this is another good one!

I’m mad as HELL am I’m not going to take it ANYMORE!

How about this link? Since I had my own bat experience this summer, I feel it is relevant. Luckily bats in New England just eat insects, however they can crawl in small places which refutes what this article says about the Vampire bats. I still have virtually no clue how that bat got in my room. I know people worry about their pets getting rabies from bats, however, if bats in this part of the world only eat bugs, how exactly do they contract rabies? Perhaps a survived cat/coyote/fox attack? (seems kind of unlikely doesn’t it?)

Behind the Recent Spate of Vampire Bat Attacks

Here is a classic Forward that I received today.


Official Announcement

The government today announced that it is changing its emblem from an Eagle to a CONDOM because it more accurately reflects the government's political stance. A condom allows for inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, protects a bunch of pricks, and gives you a sense of security while you're actually being screwed.

Tomorrow I’ll be doing some wonderful laundry in the AM and picking up the pig sty that my apartment has become. Then later I’m supposed to go out with Kate and her friend Jeff. That should be fun, although I have no idea what the hell we’ll do. I guess we’ll just wing it!

Cheers All! Happy Weekend!