Impeccable Logic. Not.

Sticking with the religious themed posts of late, here's a great story about a group of Christian ministers claiming to be victims of intolerance. The ministers, who promote the use of prayer at a local school board meeting, insist they're being singled out by critics. As the the self-righteous Godly men have never complained about the use of other spiritual practices to open the meeting, they've annointed themselves the epitome of tolerance. Well, it's pretty easy to be tolerant of other spiritual groups WHEN NONE HAVE EVER BEEN ALLOWED TO OPEN A MEETING. That's right, the only group to ever open the Manatee County School Board meetings is this particular group of Christian ministers. To defend their position, they've hired a lawyer who offers the following piece of impeccable logic:

Bill Curphey, a Bradenton lawyer fighting for the Christian-dominated status quo, says he will argue that the prayer practice is constitutional and legal because it fits "community standards." "If a local community should have the right to determine what kind of pornography they have," Curphey has said, "why shouldn't a community be able to decide what kind of invocation they want at a public meeting?"


Nice one, Curphey. Great argument by analogy ::rolls eyes::

Satan Goes Digital

The composer for The Passion of the Christ claims he battled Satan while writing the score.

Are You Kidding Me?

The stories around this film are getting more and more ridiculous. Mel Gibson channeled the Holy Spirit, the composer battled Satan, some viewer was so moved by the movie that she had a heart attack, blah, blah, blah.

This is a freakin' MOVIE people. This is Mel Gibson's interpretation of a biblical story. God did not work through Gibson, this film will not convert millions of non-believers, and critics who pan the film are not being influenced by Satan. In fact, I think I'll skip this film altogether. Why would I expose myself to more Christian propaganda? It's not like I don't hear enough from the President every damn week.

For those who consider themselves Christians: enjoy the film, find solace in your spiritual path, and please don't let my non-believer status keep you up at night. I'll be just fine, thanks.

Slap the Monkey!

Hours of entertainment await:

Slap Away

Jesus Java

Sip your morning coffee out of a mug emblazoned with the suffering Son of God! Mmmmmmm. He died for your dark roast.

Commodifying Christianity

I think I'll stick with my Marvel Comics coffee mugs featuring Captain America, Daredevil, Spiderman, and The Hulk.

Mania!

For the most part, the schedule of an academic is pretty relaxed. Other than the 15 hours a week spent in the classroom and office hours, my schedule is my own to keep. If I want to write or grade papers late at night, that's my perogative. If I want to sleep late on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday* and grade papers in the afternoon, no problem. Still, there are about four times during a semester when things get exceedingly hectic. It doesn't help that I'm an ABD Ph.D. candidate working on a dissertation, trying to get published, and searching for a tenure-track position. This weekend, for example, everything came crashing in at the same time. I graded 100 Communication and Popular Culture papers, compiled a job application for a full-time position (vita, teaching philosophy, research statement, evaluations, sample syllabi, writing sample, transcripts--my app looks like a freakin' book), and finished a journal article (which will be sent out on Friday ::crosses fingers::). Despite the hecticness of it all, I actually feel surprisingly good. My back is killing me, a sure sign that I'm repressing some stress, but I feel great mentally. Today is a day to recuperate a bit. I'm doing some journal reading, catching up on email, and hoping to go for a long run late in the afternoon. After that, Smallvilleand Angel with Kathleen.

Life is good.

*8:30 is late these days. How pathetic is that?

It's Called Civil Rights

Gay marriage is simply the logical and appropriate extension of the idea that in a constitutionally limited democratic republic a vital function of government is to protect the rights of minorities. It's called "civil rights."

Response to Gene's Comment

Looks like comments might be on the blink. I really need to look into a more reliable comment system. If anyone has a suggestion, post a comment. hehehe.

Anyway, here's my response to Gene's response regarding my Husker Du comment.

I was just kidding about Husker Du, Gene. Great piece on Mould's log. The music industry has sold out for the equivalent of the news soundbite. A bit on a commercial or Smallville has become more important than the actual music (& artists). I suppose that's why I spend so much time trying to find relatively unknown artists who are unlikely to "make it big." BTW, I flipped out a couple nights ago when I heard Blondie being used to promote some brand of chips. Aargh!!!

Life On Mars!

Martian Crabs

I knew it!

Star Wars: Elite Forces!

I'm not sure what possessed me to do this, but I looked up an old Star Wars chat-based game I started back in 1996. Would you believe there are still a handful of folks playing?

SWEF

The game has morphed considerably over the years, but you can still see traces of my influence throughout. If I put together a game today, something I've often considered, I'd do it very differently. The Jedi-oriented, Clone Wars campaign would be much more free form (no "positions" and minimal leadership) and would require players to take an active role in the creation of storylines (maybe even a rotating GM type thing). Rather than creating "positions," I'd have players write up detailed character profiles and leave it at that. Any "specializations" (skilled with Jedi Mind Trick, attuned to the living Force, skilled with healing, etc.) would simply be written into the character profile. Having spent several years playing on-line RPGs, this type of game would be oriented toward the more mature members of the gaming audience. Mature in that the players would be interested in rich-storytelling and fun instead of climbing up the "ranks."

There are days when I miss being involved in the on-line gaming community. Correction: about twice a year I miss being involved in the on-line gaming community.

Same-Sex Marriage: Give It the Test

A couple months ago, I suggested a way to determine whether or not a particular practice could be considered discriminatory. Time to the apply the test. Let's start with the facts. Of the 50 U.S. states, 38 prohibit same-sex marriage. Apply the test:

Of the 50 U.S. states, 38 prohibit [interracial] marriage.

Remember, it wasn't all that long ago that people thought interracial marriage was the end of world. Sadly, many people still feel that way. Imagine what people would thing if President Bush made comments like the following about interracial marriage:

"I have watched carefully what's happening in San Francisco, where licenses were being issued, even though the law states otherwise," Bush said. "I have consistently stated that I'll support law to protect marriage between a man and a woman. Obviously these events are influencing my decision."

Applying the test: I have consistently stated that I'll support law to protect marriage between a [white] man and a [white] woman.

Now does that sound silly or what? Am I the only person who sees this? Additionally, why does Bush think marriage between a man and woman needs protecting? Protected from what?! I challenge anyone to show me how same-sex marriage poses ANY threat to a single marriage between a man and woman.

Killing the Music

Don Henly has written an excellent piece on the crisis facing the music industry. According to Don, multinational corporations are much to blame.

artists must regain control, as much as possible, over their music

Preach on, Brother Don.

A Note from Joss Whedon

Some of you may have heard the hilarious news. I thought this would be a good time to weigh in. to answer some obvious questions: No, we had no idea this was coming. Yes, we will finish out the season. No, I don't think the WB is doing the right thing. Yes, I'm grateful they did it early enough for my people to find other jobs.

Yes, my heart is breaking.

When Buffy ended, I was tapped out and ready to send it off. When Firefly got the axe, I went into a state of denial so huge it may very well cause a movie. But Angel... we really were starting to feel like we were on top, hitting our stride -- and then we strode right into the Pit of Snakes 'n' Lava. I'm so into these characters, these actors, the situations we're building... you wanna know how I feel? Watch the first act of "The Body."

As far as TV movies or whatever, I'm not thinking that far ahead. I actually hope my actors and writers are all too busy. We always planned this season finale to be a great capper to the season and the show in general. (And a great platform for a new season, of course.) We'll proceed ahead as planned.

I've never made mainstream TV very well. I like surprises, and TV isn't about surprises, unless the surprise is who gets voted off of something. I've been lucky to sneak this strange, strange show over the airwaves for as long as I have. I don't FEEL lucky, but I understand that I am.

Thanks all for your support, your community, and your perfectly sane devotion. It's meant a lot. I regret nothing (except the string of grisley murders in the 80's -- what was THAT all about?) Remember the words of the poet:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the road less traveled by and they CANCELLED MY FRIKKIN' SHOW. I totally shoulda took the road that had all those people on it. Damn."

See you soon

-j

The message is posted somewhere in this thread.

Angel of Death

I'm not sure what the executives of Warner Bros. Television are thinking, but they've apparently decided to cancel their second highest rated program, Angel.

End of the Buffyverse

IMHO, Angel is one of a handful of decent programs on television. $50 says the WB replaces Angel with another reality television show. Reality television is dirt cheap programming. Unfortunately, you get what you pay for--reality TV is the most vacuous programming in the history of television. Seriously, do we really need more shows that focus on figures like Ron Jeremy, Vanilla Ice, and Tammy Faye? ::wretch::

A Matter Of Faith
by Christopher Brown
http://www.oldways.com

One of the biggest challenges for me as a witch is to live my life by
spiritual guidance rather than physical perception. It's a process
of trusting that the spiritual side of life is as real - or more
real - than the physical obstacles that appear in my path.

Back in my childhood, when I went to church with my parents, we were
admonished to follow the directive the Apostle Paul laid out in 2
Corinthians 5:7 ("We live by faith, not by sight.") It was a
challenge to
us as Christians to follow God's will and to believe that He had a
plan for us and our lives. The question I find myself asking is, as
pagans, should we live by the same principle?

It's an interesting question and one that challenges the very
theology we live by. Like most pagans, my beliefs and personal
pantheon are complex and not easy to define. I believe that all
things - animals, trees, the sky and earth - have a specific,
individual spirit. I believe that there is a higher power, that the
divine is complete enough to embrace both male and female qualities.
I believe that I have lived more than one lifetime and it is possible
that I may be reborn again. I even believe that each of us are
guided and aided by spiritual entities - I call them spirit guides -
that watch over us and help us on our path.

But do I believe that these guides and the spiritual world around me
is more real than the mundane challenges I face? Can I trust that,
should I follow the guidance of the spiritual world, that there will
be positive outcomes in my mundane life?

The first thing to consider is our current incarnation. If we
believe that we only live this one lifetime and there is nothing to
be found beyond the boundaries of death, then we should follow the
mundane. If this life is all we have, then the things we find here -
our challenges, our loved ones, our victories and defeats - should be
held in the highest regard. After all, if this is all we get, then
our life is defined by our accomplishments. Can we truly consider
our existence a success without the perfect spouse, the perfect
family, and the perfect career?

But if there is more to our existence than this single lifetime, we
find that we need to alter our perception. If there is something
beyond this incarnation, then this lifetime is but a single drop of
water in the sea of eternity. We can't carry our career, our car,
our house from one lifetime to the next. The only constant is our
spirit - or, for lack of a better term, our soul.

If our spirit is the constant denominator in all of our lifetimes, if
it is the only portion of us that exists beyond this lifetime, then
our focus should be not on the mundane, but on eternal spiritual
things.

This doesn't mean we should give up our families or our careers and
become hermits meditating in the wilderness. After all, the people
that fill our lives are also spiritual beings. By interacting with
them, we are given the opportunity to honor and respect the spirit
world as it manifests in their lives. This manifestation of spirit
includes the people that enter our lives, the natural world we live
in, and the spirit world that is ever present.

Early in my practice I used to pretend that I was being secretly
evaluated by a teacher from a mystery school, that should I pass the
tests they presented, I would be welcomed into a loving brotherhood
and shown the secrets of life. The tests were the encounters that I
had in daily life - the person who cut me off in traffic, the grouchy
sales person, the annoying co-worker - and my evaluation was based
solely on whether I was capable of loving them and treating them as
if they were spirits that I respected and honored. Instead of
yelling at the driver that cut me off, I would make room for a driver
that needed to get in my lane. Instead of scowling at the grouchy
salesperson, I'd smile and thank them for their help. I found this
approach to be an effective way to cultivate the proper perspective
and attitude in my own life.

But even with this tool there's still a missing component: How do we
honor the spirit world, our spirit guides, and our personal practices?

We listen.

When we are seeking direction in our lives, we typically have a
handful of choices in front of us. Regardless of how confused we may
be, in spite of our second-guessing, there is always an approach that
we know is the correct choice for us to make. We may simply feel
that it's right. It may be the only choice where we feel a small
sense of inner peace. We may find that it's the only approach that
doesn't elicit a nervous internal response.

That sign, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, is the
direction and guidance of the spiritual world. If our spirit is
truly eternal, if it's our soul that is the one part of us that
survives from lifetime to lifetime, then from a broader perspective
it's easy to conclude that the nurturing and education of our spirit
is where our focus should be. In the expanse of eternity, the effort
we expend in purchasing a dream car or a new trinket is lost and
forgotten in the sands of time. However, the energy we invest in
educating and nurturing our soul is carried with us from one life to
the next.

If it is understood that the education of our spirit is an eternal
process, and this world is fleeting, then on some level we must
instinctively understand that this life is essentially a training
ground. In this life, we face challenges. Our responses to those
challenges change who we are - in a sense, they alter our spirit. We
can take comfort in the knowledge that a student isn't given lessons
that they aren't prepared for - it's counter-productive. By the same
reasoning, we should see the challenges and struggles on our path as
opportunities for personal growth and betterment. These lessons are
specific for our lives, for the place we are on our path.

Which means, there must be a bigger plan.

Whether it's the aid of a spirit guide, an instinct that guides us, a
precognitive dream or vision, or feeling of peace about a difficult
decision, we're being given the direction to live our lives by
spiritual guidance rather than mundane perception. Seen through
mundane eye, our life is a chaotic wilderness of challenges and
obstacles, with no clear path to follow. By following the guidance
of spirit, we are shown a path, even if it is only the next step in
front of us.

So why do we struggle to follow the guidance of spirit if it's the
only clear path? Because the steps are challenging. To grow, we
must stretch beyond our comfort zones. If we were trying to develop
our physical bodies, we would continually increase the level of our
workout - our physical challenge - until we reached our goals. Each
workout would be harder than the one before. We'd lift more weight,
do more repetitions, add in exercises, run more distance, run faster,
and push our bodies until we're stiff and sore. Spiritual
development is much the same. Instead of sore muscles, we can find
ourselves with an aching heart. Instead of the challenge of leaving
a warm bed to go on our morning run, we struggle to move beyond our
comfort zone and the familiar limitations of our fears.

But much like physical exercise, spiritual development gets easier.
We find long stretches where everything is wonderful, much like a fit
athlete finds an element of fun in his or her physical endeavors.
Living life spiritually is a challenge, but its a challenge that each
and every one of us is capable of overcoming. All we need to do is
take the steps that spirit shows us.

soi-disant

soi-disant \swah-dee-ZAHN\, adjective:
Self-styled; so-called.

The study exposes most varieties of 'human resource
management' as a complete waste oftimes promoted by
soi-disant gurus and self-serving consultants with an eye
for a quick buck.
--"Support for an old-fashioned view," [1]Independent, May
12, 1994

The troupe, soi-disant egalitarians, mostly turn out to be
royal phonies.
--Craig Offman, "Whiz Kid," [2]Time, February 1, 1999
_________________________________________________________

Soi-disant comes from the French, from soi, "oneself" +
disant, "saying," present participle of dire, "to say."

Day of What?

Day of Purity my ass. If geek poster boys Jason and Josh (see the picture in the article) were ever confronted with possibility of sex with a classmate, they'd jump at the chance. A Day of Condoms would be far more appropriate.

"Your left hand declares your commitment. Your right hand is a declaration of independence."

Independent women of the world, march straight to your nearest jewelry store and pick out a right hand ring. What are you waiting for? This is the next "must have" of every 21st century woman. Forget Peter Jackson's fantasy epic and join the real Fellowship of the Ring.

I guess they have to do something to improve lagging sales.

Science Fiction Fans, Rejoice!

Finally, I'm a happy fanboy:

The Star Wars Trilogy on DVD!

For those who enjoyed the Sci-Fi Channel's take on Battlestar Galactica (I did), there's more to come.

Galactica

We Are Not Alone

Cool reading about the search for alien life:

Alien Search
Very Alien Indeed

"That's Not Natural." Guess Again.

Driving home from school on Thursday, I listened to an AM talk show debating the same sex marriage issue. When one of the two hosts asked callers to identify why they were opposed to same sex marriage, the answer was often the same. Callers usually said something close to the following: "Homosexuality isn't natural. We don't see homosexual behavior in animals. Animals engage in sex is for the purpose of procreation. Oh, and the Bible condemns homosexuality."

Maybe I've been a bit ahead of the curve (I'd like to think so), but I've known for over a decade that animals do engage in homosexual activity. A piece in the New York Times points out the following:

Then in 1999, Bruce Bagemihl published "Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity" (St. Martin's Press), one of the first books of its kind to provide an overview of scholarly studies of same-sex behavior in animals. Mr. Bagemihl said homosexual behavior had been documented in some 450 species. (Homosexuality, he says, refers to any of these behaviors between members of the same sex: long-term bonding, sexual contact, courtship displays or the rearing of young.)

Let me emphasize this again: 450 species. Homosexuality, it appears, is a very natural act.

The debate regarding same sex marriage and homosexuality has frequently been situatuated within a natural vs unnatural context. Using the same logic presented by opponents of same sex marriage, the logical syllogism fleshes out something like this:

A behavior that isn't found in nature is unnatural.
Homosexuality isn't found in nature.
Homosexuaility is unnatural.

However, given the new scientific findings, the syllogism plays out as follows:

A behavior that isn't found in nature is an unnatural act.
Homosexuality is found in nature.
Homosexuality isn't unnatural.

As I've been arguing all along, this entire debate has nothing to do with science or logic. When you get right down to root of this debate, it's all about religion.

Leonard Nimoy: Geek Extraordinaire


Leonard Sings

::dazed:: I can't stop watching.

Larry Williams, Moron

"I went to Hooters for an hour, and six families came in for supper during that time," he said. "This is a chain restaurant with high standards."

As Aaron Sharp, a Hooters manager reminds us, "We give balloons to children; we have a kids' menu." And we give an eyefull to the adults. Balloons for the kids, Daisy Duke shorts for the dads, and a healthy dose of low self-esteem for the moms. Hooters caters to everyone! What a great model for success.


"High standards" and "Hooters" should never be used in the same conversation.

I Have Seen the Light. Repeatedly.

I think my opthamologist may be the most thorough eye care specialist on the planet. Truth be told, his entire office is in on the thoroughness. My hour-long visit consisted of countless bright lights piercing the interior of my eyeball, dozens of lenses ("Which is better, one or two?"), and an array of opthamological apparatuses. After all the testing was said and done, the good doctor thinks he's discovered the root of my vision problem. For the first time in my life, the vision in my left eye has improved. With the improved vision, my current contacts and glasses are too strong for my eye. In essence, my left lenses are over-correcting my vision problem. As a result, my eye is being strained throughout the day. By the time I switch to glasses in the evening, my eye is so taxed that it won't focus properly.

I'm hoping to order new glasses and contacts tomorrow. Within the next week or so, I should know if the doctor's diagnosis is accurate.

Ah, if all problems had this kind of simple solution . . .

Blur

Since 3rd grade, I haven't gone a single day without wearing glasses or contacts. Unlike many of my corrective lens wearing friends, I cannot function without some kind of visual assistance. How bad is my uncorrected vision? Pretty bad. In fact, I can't see the humongous "E" on the vision chart. When the opthamologist dims the lights and puts the illuminated chart on the screen, all I see is a bright blob. If I'm having a good day, I might be able to make out some kind of dark smudge (that would be the "E"). Fortunately, my eyes have always responded well to both contacts and glasses. Until recently.

Sometime last week, during my regular late night routine, I took out my contacts, put on my glasses, and noticed that the vision in my left eye was blurry. I took off my glasses, gave them a good cleaning, and put them back on my head. My vision was still blurry. It didn't take long to figure out I could still see fine with my right eye. I went through this same routine several days in a row.

Since last week, I've noticed a pattern. My vision is perfect early in the morning and gets progressively worse throughout the day. By the time I put on my glasses, I might as well not be wearing any kind of correction in my left eye. I have an appointment with my opthamologist of 23 years later this afternoon. I'm hoping this is nothing more than a form of eye strain, rather than something structural.

Kindness

The basic fact is that humanity survives through kindness, love and compassion. That human beings can develop these qualities is their real blessing.

-His Holiness the Dalai Lama