I'm in jail
Sooo hot
very woman will find it hard to let you go if you...
Look at her butt
Disco party next Friday
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A Poem assembled from Spam Subject Lines
Monday, October 26, 2009
Irony courtesy of Sparrowhawk
Yup, pro-lifers are rallying for the release of a convicted murderer who pretty much has said he'll gladly do more murders. Fun times.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Amazing Believer's Response
As kind of expected Amazing Believer's response to my question is underwhelming and actually doesn't address any of the points I raised.
I sent a reply asking him to address the actual points, but I'm not optimistic. I don't hate most Christians and am not all whoohoo anti-religion, but someone degrading and defaming EVERYONE, someone telling you that your loved ones are in hell and it's a good thing is not an opinion to respect. I think everyone should be atheistic when it comes to this disgusting gnostic mysticism cult brand of Christianity. It's anti-Good, Anti-love, anti-compassion, and of course...Anti-Life.
I really wished he would have addressed the point I raised that if he's wrong he wasted a lot of oppertunites after a nebulus promise and false hope AND encouraged others to do so. Convincing others to throw away their only life to me would be morally indefensible, but he seems to have no problem with it because if he's wrong no one will punish him. Selfish. Basically it's coming down to "I hope I'm right and If I'm wrong it doesn't matter who I wind up hurting". I got mine, screw you. I shouldn't be surprised considering he is fine and dandy with his god torturing people for not knowing or not sucking up.If I'm wrong, I lose nothing. I will have lived a good and moral life. I will die and there will not be a thought running through my head. I won't have all eternity to think "Oh I was wrong." I'll be dead. However, it is a lot worse for the other side if I am right. It means eternity in H
I sent a reply asking him to address the actual points, but I'm not optimistic. I don't hate most Christians and am not all whoohoo anti-religion, but someone degrading and defaming EVERYONE, someone telling you that your loved ones are in hell and it's a good thing is not an opinion to respect. I think everyone should be atheistic when it comes to this disgusting gnostic mysticism cult brand of Christianity. It's anti-Good, Anti-love, anti-compassion, and of course...Anti-Life.
Rhetorical strategies
Hummm....we've discussed the Aforementioned Video of Stupidity before, but I want to take a look at rhetorical strategies. For instance the entry a little bit down with the spoiler space - some of that really should go behind a cut, honey, please? Or be "euphemized"?
But I see your point, and I also see that (gah) some if not most of that is *not* outside of the realm of things that have/are happening. Sadly. Terrifyingly. But can we lighten that passage a little? I'll tell you why - and it's not just me being prim.
As history shows us, hell has been described in terms like that before. It's not outside the scope of *some* "people of God" to write or say things that would have made Sade blush. At that point, the layering of imagined depravity (to say nothing of the enacted depravities, then and now) becomes one long scream of insanity, a meta-tactic that overshadows any hope of rational thought or questioning. Erases any possibility of alternative, stifles any other approach that could theoretically lead someone to A) that religion or B) a moral life, god-optional.
The only problem is that by using the layered-depravity, image after horrible image, to show this problem, to disagree, kind of takes us down to the level of using that tactic to "recruit". And I am perenially concerned with the morality involved in torture-talk (from things like texts to movies to museum exhibits) because so much of that stuff, even stuff with a whiff of it has been used for so many horrible things.
When I went to England years ago, we visited a castle, and started out in the dungeon, cynically laughing, "ooh, devices!" mad scientist-kinda thing. Now, I bet those were reproductions (I'd hope, for the wear the visitors put them thru!) but the oubilettes, the barred windows - even the forms of the reproduced racks and chains - in all the joke-S&M, joke-evil fluff, these were places and forms actual evil had touched. People were stuffed into things *just like that* and horrors were done to their bodies and minds.
Was it right of us to gawk? You know my love for the morbid and strange. I have no problem with the crypt ot the ruin, but I wonder if the dungeon is the right place to go. I'm not advocating silence for places, or texts, or refrences to depravity, but more mindfulness of them, since it's so easy to feel comfortable in the distance of time, or words, *even* for a good idea, like railing against that damaging and sadistic view of the salvation/damnation cycle that guy espouses.
That being said, I'm gonna run, and go about my day ;) Just giving you something to consider.
But I see your point, and I also see that (gah) some if not most of that is *not* outside of the realm of things that have/are happening. Sadly. Terrifyingly. But can we lighten that passage a little? I'll tell you why - and it's not just me being prim.
As history shows us, hell has been described in terms like that before. It's not outside the scope of *some* "people of God" to write or say things that would have made Sade blush. At that point, the layering of imagined depravity (to say nothing of the enacted depravities, then and now) becomes one long scream of insanity, a meta-tactic that overshadows any hope of rational thought or questioning. Erases any possibility of alternative, stifles any other approach that could theoretically lead someone to A) that religion or B) a moral life, god-optional.
The only problem is that by using the layered-depravity, image after horrible image, to show this problem, to disagree, kind of takes us down to the level of using that tactic to "recruit". And I am perenially concerned with the morality involved in torture-talk (from things like texts to movies to museum exhibits) because so much of that stuff, even stuff with a whiff of it has been used for so many horrible things.
When I went to England years ago, we visited a castle, and started out in the dungeon, cynically laughing, "ooh, devices!" mad scientist-kinda thing. Now, I bet those were reproductions (I'd hope, for the wear the visitors put them thru!) but the oubilettes, the barred windows - even the forms of the reproduced racks and chains - in all the joke-S&M, joke-evil fluff, these were places and forms actual evil had touched. People were stuffed into things *just like that* and horrors were done to their bodies and minds.
Was it right of us to gawk? You know my love for the morbid and strange. I have no problem with the crypt ot the ruin, but I wonder if the dungeon is the right place to go. I'm not advocating silence for places, or texts, or refrences to depravity, but more mindfulness of them, since it's so easy to feel comfortable in the distance of time, or words, *even* for a good idea, like railing against that damaging and sadistic view of the salvation/damnation cycle that guy espouses.
That being said, I'm gonna run, and go about my day ;) Just giving you something to consider.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
An Open Leter to Born Again Christians and The Amazing Believer.
This is a copy of the letter I sent the Amazing Believer(tm) who made the video that got my thong in such a twist bellow. I am curious to see his reponse
Here's a question for you; What if you're wrong?
What if there is no god, no Jesus as the bible says? Or at very least you're idea of god doesn't reflect the reality of the real god? What then? You'll have not only wasted a large portion of your life believing a lie, a false hood, but you'd have spent a lot of time trying to convince others of the wrong idea! You will have threatened, insulted and degraded people calling them worthless hell worthy wretches for no good reason. What if you're wrong? What if this is all we have? Can you really take that risk and try to frighten and demoralize other people, getting them to throw away the only life they have? Can you justify the pain and sorrow you'd cause anyone who would believe you're "You are a lying, blasphemous, raping, theif" argument? Could you justify one tear shed by one little girl? Could you justify telling people their grandparents are in hell...forever, and deserve it by bully!. What if you're wrong? Can you justify not using your time to go out and instead of preaching and threatening your fellows helping them? Can you justify all the opportunities missed? All the lives you did not touch because you were too focused on touching souls? What if you're wrong?
Faustian Bargain: More on Youtube God
Yay trolling on youtube gets much fertalizer for my garden of bloggyness.
The biggest problem seems to be that people do not understand terms like "all powerful" or "all knowing"
It's a lack of imagination. Think you're process through to the end damn it!. If god is all knowing and all powerful then nothing can not happen that he did not intend. If your god didn't foresee it or couldn't stop it than he's not all powerful...and then all the more reason to oppose such a being. It can be over thrown. God makes people who will fall short of his standards and glory and then holds them accountable for that unless they say the MAGIC WORDS. This branch of Christianity isn't any happy good news philosophy, it's occultism. Gnosticism. Extortion. JOIN US OR PERISH!!!
I plan to publish more on the nature of this whole messiah bit later, but suffice to say. I honestly can't tell the difference between this guy's god and the typical Hollywood devil. Both demand your soul in exchange for rewards. God lets you get away with any sin as long as you give him your soul. That is damn close to offering earthly rewards for the deal in blood. Faust seemingly could have easily have made his deal with Yahway! instead of Mepheseto. In exchange for immortal life you have to trade your soul, and forsake your loved ones who don't go in with the bargain to eternal rape camp (why does that sound like a Asylum movie title?). You trade your will, your mind, and your heart to a god who torments the souls of the dead because he 'can't tolerate sin'. Of course he made the idea of sin, again...omnipotent remember...so he's really set up a system that he knows will send good people to hell. And why? not because of sin, but because they won't accept his sacrifice. Yeah, the sacrifice he necessitated with the rules he wrote....the sacrifice to himself. What? I will not forsake the memory of my loved ones or hell the rest of the world for such a god. Oblivion would be far preferable than to be the lacky of such a cosmic horror.
Like the song bellow says, he makes the game. He makes the rules, they are unfair, they are unjust and they are his fault.
Thank goodness it's all a hebbyjebby halfassed mess of mythology. Such a reality would be the WORST thing imaginable. It's often asked how people who don't believe in god have any hope? I say it should be the opposite, how do people who believe there's such a malevolent god have any hope? If I believed it I would wake up screaming every night.
The biggest problem seems to be that people do not understand terms like "all powerful" or "all knowing"
No....God did not make Hell for man...he never intended on us going there. He made if for the Devil ....
I did not agree with us not being immoral mnonsters...I agreed that you didn't do anything to deserve Hell..which is true, its not about what you do.
There is only one way to God and thats through Christ, being good has nothing to do with it. I never said anythine like that! "There is none that doeth good, no, not one." "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
It's a lack of imagination. Think you're process through to the end damn it!. If god is all knowing and all powerful then nothing can not happen that he did not intend. If your god didn't foresee it or couldn't stop it than he's not all powerful...and then all the more reason to oppose such a being. It can be over thrown. God makes people who will fall short of his standards and glory and then holds them accountable for that unless they say the MAGIC WORDS. This branch of Christianity isn't any happy good news philosophy, it's occultism. Gnosticism. Extortion. JOIN US OR PERISH!!!
By this argument you're master has sent many of our loved ones to hell...and we're supposed to want to join him? I don't see too many Jews getting themselves sized for jack boots. If someone comes into your house shoots your parents, dog and lover; you really don't want to side with them on principle.
I plan to publish more on the nature of this whole messiah bit later, but suffice to say. I honestly can't tell the difference between this guy's god and the typical Hollywood devil. Both demand your soul in exchange for rewards. God lets you get away with any sin as long as you give him your soul. That is damn close to offering earthly rewards for the deal in blood. Faust seemingly could have easily have made his deal with Yahway! instead of Mepheseto. In exchange for immortal life you have to trade your soul, and forsake your loved ones who don't go in with the bargain to eternal rape camp (why does that sound like a Asylum movie title?). You trade your will, your mind, and your heart to a god who torments the souls of the dead because he 'can't tolerate sin'. Of course he made the idea of sin, again...omnipotent remember...so he's really set up a system that he knows will send good people to hell. And why? not because of sin, but because they won't accept his sacrifice. Yeah, the sacrifice he necessitated with the rules he wrote....the sacrifice to himself. What? I will not forsake the memory of my loved ones or hell the rest of the world for such a god. Oblivion would be far preferable than to be the lacky of such a cosmic horror.
Like the song bellow says, he makes the game. He makes the rules, they are unfair, they are unjust and they are his fault.
Thank goodness it's all a hebbyjebby halfassed mess of mythology. Such a reality would be the WORST thing imaginable. It's often asked how people who don't believe in god have any hope? I say it should be the opposite, how do people who believe there's such a malevolent god have any hope? If I believed it I would wake up screaming every night.
I don't deserve hell but justice insists I be sent there anyway!
Here's a warning...I will be getting into very obscene language and imagery here. If you're sensitive I actually encourage you to read it because the feelings it hopefully evokes is needed to make my point. I don't condone or like any that I describe...which is the point really. This is why this topic makes me so mad.
A response to my rant in the previous post from an appologist almost made my head asplode.
Heres my answer to all of what you said just now.
Your right...100 percent right. You didn't do anything to go to Hell and burn forever. Not one thing derseves such punishment. The thing is its not about what you do...Men who kill and steal, they will be in Heaven, Good men and Saints, they will be there to. The point is, we are apart from God, the only to him is go across a bridge which is Jesus Christ. How you choose to get over to him is what sends you to Hell. With or with out the bridge?
Yeah that's justice. Good people are sent to hell even if they don't deserve it because they didn't suck up and play to a tyrant's vanity? Bullocks.
He admits that I'm right and it isn't just, If your god is such an immoral monster I think good thought should be put into overthrowing him. By all accounts as an executive officer he has failed his social contractual obligation. He fails to meet Hobb's standards of protection and he fails Locke's of civil rights. If he existed he is an ass. Heyzues forget Sadam, Forget even Hitler. This is a guy who not only is indifferent to his own people, whom by nature of creating them he should have MORE responsability for than your average Junta strong man, he sends innocent people to be tortured forever.
Picture The worst torture you can imagine. Ok, now make it worse. Would you do that to anyone forever and say it's a just and reasonable thing? God, I hope you wouldn't. Hell, by definition is infinity WORSE than that. By supporting this god you are supporting all of the above and far worse.
The bridge he talks is not built on sacrifice and love...but torture and the backs of others. What you have to give for this salvation is not love or an acceptance of a gift as is said, in order to receive heaven you have to condone and give your stamp of approval on the worst rape concentration camp imaginable. You have to say, "yes good people will go to hell, but that's good because some of us chosen will get to heaven". You're crushing others beneath your feet to rise yourself up. You trade your humanity to become complacent in slavery, torture and a form of rape more worthy of the term than any attack or violence on earth.
How dare you support this idea.
How dare ANYONE say that is acceptable much less justice.
How DARE you try to make others feel like shit for not accepting it. How dare you tear down others for having humanity and compassion
.
At long last sirs, have you no shame, no sense of decency. Might does not make right
For such a cause I will gladly protest by going into that rape camp, and my last action of free will would be to give you and your Strong Man a one fingered salute.
EDIT: His response
You missed the point...Its not about what you do....Nothing you do will send you to Hell...Your going there good or not. The point is is that God doesn't want you to go there...your already going and its not cause God sends us, its because man has become cursed, we've doomed ourselves. God just wants to save us..."God is not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance."
"For God so loved the world..."
He doesn't want to see you hurt!
"Immoral monster" We are the immoral monser!
God loves us so much he made hell to send good people if they don't kiss his ass and that is a good thing.
You're wrong you agreed that we are NOT immoral monsters. God cannot be good and send people to hell who don't deserve it. That's not a good thing. You should be ashamed of yourself to tell people that. Ashamed.
You're wrong you agreed that we are NOT immoral monsters. God cannot be good and send people to hell who don't deserve it. That's not a good thing. You should be ashamed of yourself to tell people that. Ashamed.
You know what, let's get back to topic and have my friends Allen Moore and Codename V respond.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Are you a Good Person? I respond to a YoutTube
I saw this you tube video and felt the muse...This arguement is popular in certain circles and frankly it sickens me. I needed to write some response.
Doesn't it bother you that you're religion has to convince people they are bad people, indeed worthy of eternal torture sanctioned by an infallibly just judicator, for relatively minor or non existent crimes?
I remember being a child and sitting in church, unable to grasp how I could have done anything that would constitute a sin. I was a kid, I had hurt no one, stolen nothing, by all accounts innocent as one could possibly be...and yet here were adults trying to convince me I was a disgusting wretched peice of shit. That unless I invoked the mercy of the Creator, worshiped him and played upon his vanity so that he would stay his hand, the supernatural force that loved me and made me who I was would be so repulsed by my deformity he would have no choice but to send me into a Tartarus filled with abominations and demons. Unless I gave into the church I was as bad as Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, and the Child Rapist who lived at the end of the next block. How could anyone look at another person, yet alone a child and say that for telling a lie, for saying "no mommy we havn't gotten your birthday present yet" death is too good for them.
How?
One agreeing commentator on the video wrote
I am going to answer; No.
I have made mistakes, but I have not done something deserving of a hell.
I treat others fairly.
I am faithful, honest
I try to bring happiness to others
I try not to take more than my share
I believe in supporting my community
I believe in beauty and art.
I respect life, liberty, rights and on the whole, the feelings of others.
and yet...
I would lie to save a refuge
I would steal to feed an orphan.
Using god's name in vain originally refereed to oaths, I would break an oath or an unjust law to help others. I would reneg on a responsibility if doing so would bring more bad than good. I would not 'just follow orders'.
I would swear, which is what you're talking about to make a point. I don't believe in magic words. I would tell a hate filled man, like the judge who recently turned down an interracial couple from wedding that he's a "Goddamn fuck" because he warrents such language.
I lust and am unrepentantly sexual...as if my girlfriend, we are happy together. I would lust to make her happy.
Is it just for your God to condemn me and my ilk for this? Would he save a selfish monster who repented? A believing racist? A murderous inquisitor? A lecherous witch burner? If he gathers real sinners as saints and casts good men into the pit he is a sorry judge indeed.
Doesn't it bother you that you're religion has to convince people they are bad people, indeed worthy of eternal torture sanctioned by an infallibly just judicator, for relatively minor or non existent crimes?
I remember being a child and sitting in church, unable to grasp how I could have done anything that would constitute a sin. I was a kid, I had hurt no one, stolen nothing, by all accounts innocent as one could possibly be...and yet here were adults trying to convince me I was a disgusting wretched peice of shit. That unless I invoked the mercy of the Creator, worshiped him and played upon his vanity so that he would stay his hand, the supernatural force that loved me and made me who I was would be so repulsed by my deformity he would have no choice but to send me into a Tartarus filled with abominations and demons. Unless I gave into the church I was as bad as Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, and the Child Rapist who lived at the end of the next block. How could anyone look at another person, yet alone a child and say that for telling a lie, for saying "no mommy we havn't gotten your birthday present yet" death is too good for them.
How?
One agreeing commentator on the video wrote
Question...Have you done something bad? Don't answer cause I know you have.
Truth hurts, that doesn't mean you should turn a blind eye to it.
Guys like Believer and I, we are NOT sorry for hurting your feelings with it. We all have done something bad, we "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" - Romans 3:23
How is our good news really good news unless there is a bad news. The bad news your a sinner and there is a hell. Good news, God loves us and wants to save us.\
I am going to answer; No.
I have made mistakes, but I have not done something deserving of a hell.
I treat others fairly.
I am faithful, honest
I try to bring happiness to others
I try not to take more than my share
I believe in supporting my community
I believe in beauty and art.
I respect life, liberty, rights and on the whole, the feelings of others.
and yet...
I would lie to save a refuge
I would steal to feed an orphan.
Using god's name in vain originally refereed to oaths, I would break an oath or an unjust law to help others. I would reneg on a responsibility if doing so would bring more bad than good. I would not 'just follow orders'.
I would swear, which is what you're talking about to make a point. I don't believe in magic words. I would tell a hate filled man, like the judge who recently turned down an interracial couple from wedding that he's a "Goddamn fuck" because he warrents such language.
I lust and am unrepentantly sexual...as if my girlfriend, we are happy together. I would lust to make her happy.
I would break every one of your commandments to help someone, and I can think of cases where almost everyone would be just and necessary.
In order to be saved must I let the predator pray on victim? The hungry starve? Be a eunuch? Make others unhappy? Not use all the power I have to fulfill responsibilities to my fellows? Such a creature would not only be inhuman but would be inhumane.
Is it just for your God to condemn me and my ilk for this? Would he save a selfish monster who repented? A believing racist? A murderous inquisitor? A lecherous witch burner? If he gathers real sinners as saints and casts good men into the pit he is a sorry judge indeed.
I will not repent for being who I am. I will not repent for caring, for thinking, for loving. If You're right then, Yes, I will be tortured forever, and you will be saved. Not because you are better or nicer, but because you agreed to play ball.
If you're wrong...then you'll have sacrificed your freewill, your mind, your empathy and your humanity for a dream, a ghost of a promise.
Either way; As long as I live these knees will not bow to an ogre as cruel as thy god.
If that is not to the maker's criteria than I will suffer righteously in hell. Take what comfort from that that you will.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Rush Limbaugh Can't Understand Why People Give a Damn
There's this little thing in psychology called projection. basically it's when you 'project' your own personality on others; a sort of egoism if you will where you can't imagine that other people do not think and act like you. Thieves tend to be untrusting for example in popular media. Keeping that in mind, what does this comment from Limbaugh say about him?
On August 21, 2007, Limbaugh claimed that Democrats "want to get us out of Iraq, but they can't wait to get us into Darfur." He continued: "There are two reasons. What color is the skin of the people in Darfur? It's black. And who do the Democrats really need to keep voting for them? If they lose a significant percentage of this voting bloc, they're in trouble." A caller responded, "The black population," to which Limbaugh said, "Right."Ignoring the racism, the fact that the right (and yes let's face it Limbaugh has the creds and physique to weigh in for the entire political right) claims that the only reason democrats (ie Liberal commie scum) would want to aid in Darfur is due to some sort of selfish gain. That...is baffling to me. i'm not part of the Democratic party but I have done some work for the folks in Darfur around the campus...not once did it ever occur to me that doing so was winning anyone any favors. I was more concerned...you know...with people being hacked apart like hamsters in a blender. or cats in a meat grinder....damn I'm hungry. Back on topic, yeah. What the hell Right? I mean, we all on the left suspect and exaggerate saying you're heartless but really? Is the Right really like this? I don't want to give into a prejudice, but is that really the issue? Is the Right simply unable to empathize and think of anyone else? Is the extend of their sympathy to their own demographic/nation/tea party? That's...both telling and sad if it is the case.
Monday, October 12, 2009
One Nation Under the Elder God
Thanks to scriber, Sparrowhawk for bringing up this take on the amazing One Nation Under God painting.
I am so hoping to take both to Kinkos and make a table art piece. A folding frame with one print on the left and the other on the right. I don't know what's better...the Deep One soldier or the Zombie Abe Lincoln.
I am so hoping to take both to Kinkos and make a table art piece. A folding frame with one print on the left and the other on the right. I don't know what's better...the Deep One soldier or the Zombie Abe Lincoln.
Friday, October 9, 2009
This...is...awesome
I... Love this picture to much.
Seriously click his site and spend some time looking into all the symbolism. Everything there has a reason that he goes into.
I can't get over how much I love this.... It is so bad. I mean yes the art technique is right...but the whole substance is sososososooso SOOOOOOOOO campy...so GOEY...and so fractally wrong. It is awesome. Seriously, the whole thing including "LIBERAL PROFESSOR WHO THINKS HE KNOWS THINGS IS EVIL" and having some HILARIOUSLY anti-religious anti-right wing presidents behind Jesus. Seriously, Jefferson and Franklin are behind him. FRANKLIN! The original man-whore himself...the guy basically used most of the ten commandments as toilet paper all while being a jolly lovable asshole. Jefferson quickly took over Franklin's duties of whoring and smoosing officials as French Ambassador. THE SEQUOYA ARE THERE. I really doubt ANY of the Indians are too happy with the white man's god who supposedly gave decrees for them to have their land stolen and/or their children taken away and baptized.
Seriously, it reads like a parody of what the right winggers believer. But it's real. My God...it's like finding a doodle in a desk in Limbaughs hand writing about how much he hates black people!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
At the risk of raising your blood pressure....
Prayer Effort Seeks 'Right Thinking' From Liberals from Barbara Hagerty, npr.org
It's got some great quips from Barney Frank, who is now in my awesome pantheon for public use of wit - that near archaic weapon that needs a renaissance.
As much as I may diagree with religion, blind faith, etc. I appreciate the "warm fuzzies" that come from someone genuinely concerned with your welfare, so I'm fine with being prayed for (eg my Gramma, cute little Catholic). So if this Liberty Counsel wanted to just spread some good will, regardless of who's what politically, I'd be all for it, but because they're using something sacred (to many, which I can respect even if I don't buy into it) as a passive agressive weapon against those big skawwy liberals - I'm annoyed.
Of course this is a Christian catfight - why can't "we" get past that Paul-esque bitchiness? I say we get some liberal-leaning Christians of all stripes to weigh in. Maybe start their own prayer circle, since lorf knows we need more saving from conservative rhetoric (obsessed as it is with abortion, homosexuality, and healthcare) these days.*
*if they broadened their whine base, i'd listen more, but when you worry that much about the "gay agenda", it tells more on your psychological fixations than your political concerns.
It's got some great quips from Barney Frank, who is now in my awesome pantheon for public use of wit - that near archaic weapon that needs a renaissance.
As much as I may diagree with religion, blind faith, etc. I appreciate the "warm fuzzies" that come from someone genuinely concerned with your welfare, so I'm fine with being prayed for (eg my Gramma, cute little Catholic). So if this Liberty Counsel wanted to just spread some good will, regardless of who's what politically, I'd be all for it, but because they're using something sacred (to many, which I can respect even if I don't buy into it) as a passive agressive weapon against those big skawwy liberals - I'm annoyed.
Of course this is a Christian catfight - why can't "we" get past that Paul-esque bitchiness? I say we get some liberal-leaning Christians of all stripes to weigh in. Maybe start their own prayer circle, since lorf knows we need more saving from conservative rhetoric (obsessed as it is with abortion, homosexuality, and healthcare) these days.*
*if they broadened their whine base, i'd listen more, but when you worry that much about the "gay agenda", it tells more on your psychological fixations than your political concerns.
Only my Girlfriend will find this funny
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Roman Polanski: SLURP SLURP SLURP SLURP!
I take it that most people by now have been informed that directo Roman Polanski has been arrested for his decades old crime of drugging and rapeing a 13 year old girl.
Polanski has made some of the most well regarded movies in his generation and definitly has achieved some great things artistically.
Because of this many are calling for lienancy or clemancy with this case. Some are saying the whole thing should have been dropped because the victim has forgiven him.
Since the whole media and film and text things are as close as a religion as I get I feel the need to weigh in.
No, not literally, but yeah...he should totally go down.
Special privileges to "special" people is the first step to fascism.
Sorry to invoke Godwin's but it needs to be said.
Should we give say, Mike Viedt a break since he's a good football player? Or OJ?
What about Preacher Edgar Ray Killen? He lynched a civil rights activists. He got away with the crime for some 40 years (specifically because the jury could "never convict a preacher") , everyone was over it, no evidence he killed anyone else after that, he was even 80 an old man so he could never fulfill his prison sentence. he was also a preacher so he was a 'special' person.
To quote the judge in that case, " each life lost was valuable and he strongly asserted that the law made no distinction of age for the crime"
Considering our law system won't give even the most law abiding, struggling, poor citizen a break even on something minor like a traffic ticket, giving a break to the prosperous and affluent for a serious crime is a double standard that is inexcusable.
To put it in in-context perspective, the idea that people are judged based on their contributions to the arts and society is roughtly the moral system Hannibal Lecter uses. True, Hannibal is typcially tough on child related offenses
But he might go easy on Polanski for his great contributions to the arts. Now while I'd probably agree with Hannibal in some cases (mainly the necessity to execute Paulie Shore for Crimes Against Humanity) it's clear he's not the best freaking moral role model.
Let's keep that in mind, respect Polanski's work on their own merits, and respect the work many others gave to those projects, and still hope that justice is served....
Polanski has made some of the most well regarded movies in his generation and definitly has achieved some great things artistically.
Because of this many are calling for lienancy or clemancy with this case. Some are saying the whole thing should have been dropped because the victim has forgiven him.
Since the whole media and film and text things are as close as a religion as I get I feel the need to weigh in.
fry em
No, not literally, but yeah...he should totally go down.
Special privileges to "special" people is the first step to fascism.
Sorry to invoke Godwin's but it needs to be said.
Should we give say, Mike Viedt a break since he's a good football player? Or OJ?
What about Preacher Edgar Ray Killen? He lynched a civil rights activists. He got away with the crime for some 40 years (specifically because the jury could "never convict a preacher") , everyone was over it, no evidence he killed anyone else after that, he was even 80 an old man so he could never fulfill his prison sentence. he was also a preacher so he was a 'special' person.
To quote the judge in that case, " each life lost was valuable and he strongly asserted that the law made no distinction of age for the crime"
Considering our law system won't give even the most law abiding, struggling, poor citizen a break even on something minor like a traffic ticket, giving a break to the prosperous and affluent for a serious crime is a double standard that is inexcusable.
To put it in in-context perspective, the idea that people are judged based on their contributions to the arts and society is roughtly the moral system Hannibal Lecter uses. True, Hannibal is typcially tough on child related offenses
Above: Understatement
But he might go easy on Polanski for his great contributions to the arts. Now while I'd probably agree with Hannibal in some cases (mainly the necessity to execute Paulie Shore for Crimes Against Humanity) it's clear he's not the best freaking moral role model.
Let's keep that in mind, respect Polanski's work on their own merits, and respect the work many others gave to those projects, and still hope that justice is served....
...with fava beans and chiante!
Friday, October 2, 2009
Real life Steampunk
Hey who doesn't love some steampunk?
This is EATR
This is EATR
Say hi, EATR!
EATR is a a harvesting military robot. In dangerous settings like toxic waste contamination or battle fields he has the ability and programing to power himself by scavanging biomas (twigs, moss etc) and 'eating' it. Inside a combustion engine uses high tech steam engineering to power him. Awesome or what!?
Hilariously Fox News originally reported him as a "Corpse eating robot" which kind of shows how horribly they mangle news.
Again on 9
To answer my Gal Pal's address, I think one problem I had with 9 (and this is problem only in i'm intentionally being critical) is the lack of motivation and back story given to the villian, Machine.
Are we to imply that Machine is evil because he is pure intellect? That seems...odd. If it's not anti-intellectual (literally) than that would mean the Machine simply is full filling it's goal. This is a common reason for AI revolts in sci-fi...
some side stories imply Skynet is villianous due to a vague objective it was given.
HAL in 2001 had conflicting objectives
Sentinals in X-men eventually went on a "destroy all life spree" because they were programed to kill mutants and their AI eventually discovered that all life diversity is due to mutation.
Furthermore, Machine seems to show some emotion, given his spark fits when a creation is destroyed. Is it a slave rebellion? I really want to know more about the origin damn it!
I also don't get WHY Machine sucked up poppit souls. Does that mean he himself DOES have a soul (part of the Professors?) which would make him...what? #0?...#10? He had a slot for the soul storage...thingy. Why would that be there if he wasn't intended to use it?
Really the sci-fi now is raising more questions that it answered about it's setting...and a cardnal sin about any sci-fi/fantasy setting is to violate your own rules. I liked the movie, I just kind of hoped the big secret they were carrying was something more unique than just 'soul'. That's kind of an easy guess...why not something else that would be a way to preserve man kind. There's no unique or innovative gear punk way to have something like that?
Rage Against him!
Are we to imply that Machine is evil because he is pure intellect? That seems...odd. If it's not anti-intellectual (literally) than that would mean the Machine simply is full filling it's goal. This is a common reason for AI revolts in sci-fi...
some side stories imply Skynet is villianous due to a vague objective it was given.
HAL in 2001 had conflicting objectives
Sentinals in X-men eventually went on a "destroy all life spree" because they were programed to kill mutants and their AI eventually discovered that all life diversity is due to mutation.
...or they could just be drunks.
I also don't get WHY Machine sucked up poppit souls. Does that mean he himself DOES have a soul (part of the Professors?) which would make him...what? #0?...#10? He had a slot for the soul storage...thingy. Why would that be there if he wasn't intended to use it?
Not THAT kind of soul!
Metapost Format Laoyout
As you can tell I've tinkered around with the layout. If anyone who has done some net writing knows any HTML and can see where the flip the "undefined" artifacts would be comming from, please give a shout as I've scoured over the template codeing and can't find it.
Invasion of the girlfriend!!
Hey you! I was wondering if you'd come accross any media dealing with the intersections of fantasy and science....like, maybe a scientist talking about the arts, or an artist inspired by science...
One of the blogs I semi-follow is The Flying Trilobite, "art in awe of science". While Glendon doesn't seem to deal with the fantastic in the literary or lore sense, his idea of "increas[ing] our metaphorical vocabulary using the discoveries of science" seems to echo a bit of our 9 discussions.
What do various lores and metaphorical, mystical things do for us? Reality is awesome enough - why do we decorate it? Case in point - my desk. I have a framed tarot card and a retablo of San Pablo, as well as my Mother's irish hex sign and her saint medals. None of these objects have a damn thing to do with my life, yet I feel enriched having them around, especially where I do my work. Is this just me playing games with myself or am I fillign a psychological need?
To take this sort of back to 9 if i can - and I can't recall all the character names, so I'll improvise. The elder-poppet had a distrust of experimentation and innovation. Understandably, given the things he witnessed in the past. But that was precisely what saved the (notably hetero nuclear) family clat the end. Elder (#1) clung to religious-looking accessories: he lived in the cathedral, wore a miter-lookign hat, and carried a staff. He clung to the accessories that for a viewer would represent a "benighted" religious view - but he *did* save quite a few of the other poppets whilst clinging....more than 9 did, actually.
Another complication/tangent is the female poppet (7)- She. She's fighting prowess and cool skull mask may overshadow the fact that She's the one that dragged all their dolly butts to the library (4 and 5) to find out what to do. Thinking of this now, I may have to alter my original opinion of the slight bias in the movie - She does use rational thought to advance the poppets' cause.
edit: added in tags and names of characters.
One of the blogs I semi-follow is The Flying Trilobite, "art in awe of science". While Glendon doesn't seem to deal with the fantastic in the literary or lore sense, his idea of "increas[ing] our metaphorical vocabulary using the discoveries of science" seems to echo a bit of our 9 discussions.
What do various lores and metaphorical, mystical things do for us? Reality is awesome enough - why do we decorate it? Case in point - my desk. I have a framed tarot card and a retablo of San Pablo, as well as my Mother's irish hex sign and her saint medals. None of these objects have a damn thing to do with my life, yet I feel enriched having them around, especially where I do my work. Is this just me playing games with myself or am I fillign a psychological need?
To take this sort of back to 9 if i can - and I can't recall all the character names, so I'll improvise. The elder-poppet had a distrust of experimentation and innovation. Understandably, given the things he witnessed in the past. But that was precisely what saved the (notably hetero nuclear) family clat the end. Elder (#1) clung to religious-looking accessories: he lived in the cathedral, wore a miter-lookign hat, and carried a staff. He clung to the accessories that for a viewer would represent a "benighted" religious view - but he *did* save quite a few of the other poppets whilst clinging....more than 9 did, actually.
Another complication/tangent is the female poppet (7)- She. She's fighting prowess and cool skull mask may overshadow the fact that She's the one that dragged all their dolly butts to the library (4 and 5) to find out what to do. Thinking of this now, I may have to alter my original opinion of the slight bias in the movie - She does use rational thought to advance the poppets' cause.
"What's your JStor login?"
"Science" as an institution comes out poorly, a victim in the face of "Government", which comes out very badly (go with that where you will), yet historical study and alchemical gadgets save the day? As a humanities person, I'm rather jolly about this! ;)
All in all I think it's a gorgeous visual, and a good way to start certain dialogues with the kiddies - or just leave them to enjoy it, as we sometimes have to. I'm counting it as a win, and an interesting node in my meditations on science and mysticism. (See also medieval art, architecture, relic culture, and so forth!)
Gonna go shop now ^_^
edit: added in tags and names of characters.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
ENZYME MAN!!!
Holy crap....I can die happy.
That is the most awesome crack induced thing I have ever seen.....Hey girlfriend woman? If you want a hint on what I might like for x-mas >->
Really that right there sums up everything I want my blog to be about.
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