Random Musing

I was browsing for a birthday card for my husband today, when one in particular caught my eye. On the front was an "old-timey" photo of a man and woman, think: "American Gothic." Above the woman's head was the caption: "Happy birthday to my husband, my lord and master." I smirked, and inhaled as I opened the card waiting for the punchline. And it was...blank. It wasn't a joke. Then I realized...I was in the "religious" section.

No. That is not the card I bought. Happy birthday to my husband, my friend and partner.

The Former Member of the Hitler Youth is at it Again

The Pope has recently condemned new legislation in the U.K. that strengthens the rights of all citizens...including gays. Which, of course, he objects to. Last January, the British Parliament passed a law preventing adoption agencies, including Catholic ones, from discriminating against gay couples.

The article, "Anger after pope condemns gay-friendly laws," is available at http://news.yahoo.com. The url was far too long to type in here, and blogspot does not allow copy and paste.

It seems to me that the Pope, in his infinite and infallible wisdom, would rather see these children age out of the foster care system than be adopted by a loving, supportive gay couple. No! Not the Gays! We can't let them anywhere near God's precious, innocent children! Everyone knows all gay people are child molesters and sexual deviants! If they get too close, we'll - we'll - well...we'll just transfer them to other parishes! Fucking hypocrite.

Oh, and his visit to the U.K. this coming September is estimated to cost the taxpayers 20 million pounds. Uh.....why? The Pope can pay his own way. Great Britain officially parted ways with the Catholic Church centuries ago, and its citizens should not be stuck footing the bill.

Footnote
Regarding this issue in the U.S., see the Feb/March 2010 issue of Free Inquiry for an Op-Ed piece by Tom Flynn: "Pull the Plug - On Catholic Charities". He predicts Catholic Charities will simply close up shop when the U.S. begins to pass in earnest laws allowing/protecting same-sex marriage and adoptions. Pretty please, let this come to pass! In the meantime secular organizations need to begin establishing their own charitable organizations to fill the void when these dinosaurs finally give up the ghost.

Hitchens was right: "Religion Poisons Everything"

I can't even begin to formulate an articulate, balanced response to this. Every time I think about it, I just start seeing red. It is absolutely disgusting, and to think that American missionaries are in part responsible for such an assault on civil rights and freedom of expression is beyond appalling. I guess those rights only belong to (heterosexual) American citizens. What great patriots they are.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091208/ap_on_re_af/af_uganda_gay_death_penalty

NYU Dean shoots University in the foot

Perhaps someone should remind Dean Cooley that NYU is trying to expand its university and build a permanent campus in Abu Dhabi, UAE, a Muslim country, the next time he defends inflammatory, Islamophobic sentiments expressed by a member of the faculty. Well done, Dean. Care to shoot the other foot?

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/politics/2033/muslim_students_shocked_by_professor%E2%80%99s_column/

It's almost enough to make me "Go Muslim."

Wearing out your welcome? Why do you care?

Dear Rep. Kennedy,

I have an elegant solution to your ugly problem with Bishop Tobin and his request that you not take Communion because of your Pro Choice stance.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091122/ap_on_re_us/us_ri_bishop_kennedy

Let him have his way. Don't take Communion. Leave the Church. And take your Kennedy money with you.

The Council of Catholic Bishops has recommended that all members of their church who "knowingly and consistently break with church teachings on moral issues" should be denied Communion. Why not excommunicate those members entirely? Obviously you want them to adhere to your teachings without question. That is, after all, the modus operandi of all religious dogmas. Let's take this all the way back to the Dark Ages and demand that all followers bend to your will unquestioningly or face excommunication. Or, for a more enlightened view, they can leave the Church voluntarily. Please. Pretty please? I really am pulling for this option, because it may just mean the demise of the Catholic Church once and for all. The tighter you clench your fist, the more people will slip through your fingers.

By the way...stay the Hell out of the realm of politics. American politicians are to be answerable to the American people of all races, creeds, and religions or lack-there-of. They are not subjects to a foreign prince.

Oh, and just one other thing of note: The article relies upon a common misunderstanding of the Church's position. A misunderstanding that is apparently also held by a number of its Bishops. According to its own teachings, the Church cannot tell us when, exactly, life begins. They have declared that a mystery best left to science and philosophy (their words, not mine) and have "committed to extremely little in the way of positive definite teaching on the subject."
-- Catholic Encyclopedia, "Life" In other words, Catholics should stay the Hell out of the abortion debate.

O.K....I'm confused. Who is "breaking with Church teachings" here?

Thanks to all Veterans

For the past few years, this day has been particularly sad and poignant for me. No, this will not be an anti-war rant. Not today. Not ever, really. I like to think we learned that lesson in the 70s. No, today is tough because it was on this day that I made a point of calling my favorite veteran to thank him for his courage and his service. More so than his birthday or any holiday, this was the phone call I most enjoyed. My grandfather served in the Japanese theatre of World War II. He flew the P-51 Mustang and achieved the rank of Captain before being honorably discharged to return home to raise a family and proudly run an independent, family-owned dairy farm. But I did not make that call today. I could not. Not on the phone, anyway. You see, my grandfather passed away in August 2004.

My husband, after we started dating and he became aware of my practice, also made it a habit of calling his grandfather who served in Italy and North Africa. Sadly, his grandfather passed away almost a year to the day after my grandfather. I was in Italy at the time, living in a small Tuscan town that had been occupied by the Nazis during the war. The last conversation I had with "Pap" before I left was about Italy. I couldn't wait to come back and share my stories of Italy with him and show him the pictures of the shrapnel pockmarks still visible on the Catholic church, outside the town walls, that survived the war. But my husband and I have his stories. And my grandfather's stories. And my grandmother's wedding gown made of parachute silk. And it is our duty to keep their memories alive by sharing those stories.

The VA estimates that currently 900 World War II veterans are dying every day. Soon they, the members of the Greatest Generation, will all be gone. So if you have a family member or friend who served in World War II, or the Korean War, or Vietnam, or Desert Storm, or Iraq, or Afghanistan - or in any capacity in the armed services - call them today. And every Veterans Day. And Memorial Day, and Independence Day. Listen to their stories and pass them on. And thank them for their service and their sacrifice.

The Last(?) Domino Falls

I've been waiting, hoping, praying (now you KNOW I'm serious) for months now that this would happen. It seems as though the last Right-wing nut is leaving CNN for the redder pastures of Fox News. No official announcement has been made, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least. Bill Hemmer, Greta van Susteren, Glenn Beck - and now Lou Dobbs seems to be heeding the siren call of higher ratings and bigger paydays. Sayonara, and don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091112/ap_en_tv/us_tv_lou_dobbs

But, I am kind of sad. First of all, I used to like Lou Dobbs. I liked that he was centrist, independent, and brooked no rhetoric or spin on his show. Then he went off the deep end and made every show a personal crusade - a self-indulgent, bigoted, xenophobic attack on illegal immigrants. What the hell did they ever do to him? Miss some spots when trimming his lawn?

I am also stridently opposed to blurring the lines between journalism and opinion. That is why I detest Fox; that is why I respect CNN. But more and more lately, CNN seems to be making these awkward attempts to prove it is unbiased and not left-leaning. Unfortunately, that effort has resulted in more over-the-top opining by right-of-center talking heads like Dobbs. Let us all hope (and pray, if that's your thing) this signals a return to the formula that truly made them "the world's news leader." Journalism: responsible, fair and balanced, ethical journalism without passion or prejudice is what we really need now more than ever.

Update on #4: There is still no official result in the civil union referendum in Washington State, but it appears that it will be upheld. Barring any major surprises, supporters have declared victory, and so shall I. Good on ya, Wa. Or, at least Seattle. You people east of the Cascades, well...perhaps you should move to Maine.

Update on #5: Annise Parker and Gene Locke will face each other in a runoff for the Houston mayoral race. I wonder if not being a "family woman" is holding her back? She and her partner of 19 years could head to Vermont to take care of that. Or Massachusetts, or Iowa, or Connecticut. Just don't go to Maine.

Update on #3: Maine has voted down the same-sex marriage law approved by the legislature in May. This could have been the first time legislation, not a court ruling, in favor of gay marriage was upheld, and the people of Maine missed an opportunity to show they were progressive, independent-minded, tolerant - you know - New Englanders. Shame on Maine. I wonder if homosexuality is one of the "disorders" for which you can now legally acquire marijuana...

Update on #2: "Yes" easily wins in the medical marijuana expansion and establishment of state-licensed dispensaries in Maine.

Update on #1: Holy fucking shit, I don't believe it. The Democrat Bill Owens wins the House seat in the 23rd New York Congressional district - the first Democrat to do so in over a century.

I don't know how I missed this one earlier:

Colorado ski town legalizes pot

"DENVER – The Colorado ski town of Breckenridge has voted overwhelmingly to legalize marijuana.
Early returns Tuesday night showed the proposal winning with 72 percent of the vote. The measure would allow adults over 21 to have up to 1 ounce of marijuana.
The measure is largely symbolic because pot possession remains a state crime for people without medical clearance. But supporters said they wanted to send a message to local law enforcement to stop busting small-time pot smokers.
The vote comes as communities nationwide are struggling with how to enforce pot laws at a time when medical marijuana has surged in popularity."

Update on #6: Chris Christie wins in New Jersey, unseating Democratic incumbent Jon Corzine.

Update on #8: Atlanta's mayoral race will go to a run-off between Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed. Please, people...let's not make this one about race. Let's make it about corruption. Chicago has nothing on Atlanta, if you know what I mean.

Update on #7: No surprise here...Bob McDonnell wins the Virginia Gubernatorial race.

Today's Top Eight Voting Decisions

8.) Atlanta could elect its first white mayor in 35 years: City Councilwoman Mary Norwood is the front runner in the polls. Her closest competitors are Lisa Borders and Kasim Reed, both African-American. Outgoing mayor Shirley Franklin (D) has endorsed Lisa Borders in this non-partisan race.

7.) Governor's race in Virginia could be the first warning shot in a referendum against Obama: Obama carried Virginia last year, the first Democrat to do so in over 40 years, and the two previous governors have been Democrats. But Virginia has a long history of voting against the current White House resident's party when it comes to populating its Governor's Mansion. Republican front-runner Bob McDonnell currently has a double-digit lead in the polls.

6.) Governor's race in New Jersey could be a third-party-pooper: Gov. Jon Corzine (D) was behind Chris Christie (R) in the polls over the summer, but the emergence of Chris Daggett (I) now has Corzine and Christie in a dead heat. It appears the Independent is "stealing" votes from the Republican.

5.) Houston could elect its first openly-gay mayor: City Controller Annise Parker, who has been elected to various offices in Houston six times, is currently running even in the polls.

4.) Civil Unions on the ballot in Washington State: Earlier this year, what is called Washington's "everything but marriage" bill was signed into law and gave registered domestic partners additional state-granted rights currently given only to married couples. In a vote similar to Maine's, Washington will decide whether to overturn the legislation.

3.) Same-sex marriage on the ballot in Maine: Maine could be the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage if voters uphold legislation signed earlier this year.

2.) Maine also votes in medical marijuana legislation: I'm "double-dipping" in Maine today. What I wouldn't give to actually be there on the ground. Maine will be voting to expand the list of conditions eligible for medical marijuana and it will also create state-licensed dispensaries.

1.) New York's 23rd Congressional District votes for a Democrat or a Conservative: After running the Republican candidate, DeDe Scozzafava, out of town for being "too liberal" these nearly-Canadians will most likely elect third party candidate Doug Hoffman (C). Scozzafava has since endorsed the Democratic candidate Bill Owens. For the first time since 1872 this district could send someone to the U.S. House who is NOT a Republican. The conservative paradigm shift within the GOP is exemplified in this turf war near the Canadian border, and could either galvanize the party to reorganize and reconcile, or further fracture the party into a moderate base and a far-right fringe. Hopefully, the far-right fringe will slide away to the third party Conservatives and lose the power base (and fund-raising abilities) of the GOP.

I will post the results for these elections/ballot initiatives as they come in. I am not a fan of exit polling, so I will not be posting updates throughout the day. However, for those of you who do want continuous status reports, you can always turn to www.cnn.com/POLITICS for updates and news throughout the day. Or, watch live news on your laptop at www.cnn.com/live. They will have an election special at 7:00 p.m. EST.

Happy (Off-Year) Election Day!

Oh, I just can't wait to see what happens! I will be glued to my t.v. as never before for one of these election days. I don't usually care about relatively minor off-year elections, but there is sooooo much going on today, and even more at stake in our wayward country that has seemingly gone "off message" when it comes to freedom and equality. For your entertainment, we have NY Conservative Party whack-jobs, Tea-Baggers (if you don't know what that means you don't watch Bill Maher), same sex marriage, and several mayoral elections including right here in A-oh, uh...a large city in the Southeast. I will be back later to post election results (and appropriate commentary) as they happen, so stay tuned!

Jesus Goes to the Dark Carnival: Hell House Gets a Makeover?

Hello my dear readers, and happy Halloween! Here's a nice little treat for you. (No trick, I promise!) It's another article from Religion Dispatches. The timely subject is the phasing-out (or is it?) of those "God-awful" Hell Houses the Evangelical churches used to stage during this Satanic holiday. Let us remind the boys and girls YET AGAIN that Samhain predates Christianity by at least a thousand years, and Satan is a Christian invention. So...even though you may wish with all your heart for this to be a Satanic holiday, it does not compute. Sorry. Anyway...went off on a mini-rant there...here's the article:

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/religiousright/1976/jesus_goes_to_the_dark_carnival%3A_hell_house_gets_a_makeover/

Not sure these "Judgement Houses" are any different from the Hell Houses that preceded them. It's my opinion that these new incarnations are even more insidious because the message is more subtle.

Decomposing Humanism: Why Replace Religion?

At first glance, I thought I wasn't going to like this article. "Why Replace Religion?" seemed to beg for the answer, "Religion is great; it doesn't need replacing." I am happy to report I was wrong. Austin Dacey beautifully articulates, and argues against, the tendency among the more ardent atheists and humanists to proselytize to the disillusioned masses, hoping to lure away non-church people to some kind of organized, centralized secular humanist...church. It's like a group of anarchists trying to establish a centralized government. So, stop it already. We left church to get away from dogma. Duh...

http://www.religiondispatches.org/archive/religionandtheology/1963/decomposing_humanism%3A_why_replace_religion/

By the way, be sure to check out the rest of this e-zine, Religion Dispatches. And check back often. Good stuff abounds.