Don't Stop Bitching: It is Good for You.

A couple I know have set up an interesting rule: Bitching only between 4:30 and 5:00, with steep fines for violations. Hmm. This is an intriguing situation. A lot of people I know, myself included, spend a lot of time and energy bitching about the world and its problems.
With the state of affairs as it is today there is no lack of things to analyze and worry about: Religion, politics, climate change, weather, food quantity and quantity, wars, drugs. The list goes on and on. And people that think about these things usually have strong opinions about them. I do and so do my friends and most of my acquaintances. Conversations often begin with something like “I heard on NPR this morning” or “T read on the NY Times page this morning”. What follows is usually a dissection with opinions, which can be thought of as bitching in some sense or another.
So when this couple, the wife in fact, got tired of the more or less constant stream of “analysis” the rule got discussed and implemented. My wife heard about it and passed it on. A hint? My initial reaction was positive: “Good idea. Wanna try it?” My next reaction was not so positive: “Wait a minute. If I can’t “analyze” I’ll be mute.”
I have been thinking about this for a few days and realize I really would be mute if I confined my conversation to non-controversial things and left out my opinions and ideas. My world these days revolves around the greater community of the world itself, which I see as going in spectacularly wrong directions. I see it being driven to the brink or indeed possibly over the brink, of disaster in almost every instance.
I rail about the lack of intelligence of many people that are easily led to feed the selfish desires of despotic creeps. The overreliance of many on the “deus ex machina” of religion to solve or remove problems of nearly or very possibly completely, insurmountable problems. Or just the ignorant ignoring (same root?) of the facts. The truth.
I decided that I couldn’t in good conscience keep silent. So I rant and rave and point out problems and worry about everything, and by doing this keep somewhat sane.
Hell, even this is a rant of some kind. See, just can’t keep quiet.

Image: www. cheezburger.com

Define Your Way Out of Crisis

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said Social Security is not in crisis.
"It is a long-term issue," Baucus said. "It is an issue that should be addressed sooner, rather than later, to give workers time to plan for any changes. But the current situation does not necessitate rushed or severe action."
Not in Crisis. Huh? What planet is this guy from? The SS trust fund has been systematically looted for decades by every conceivable party and has been in crisis for at least 2 decades.
Ah. I get it. You have to re-define the term “Crisis” to get to his point. Here we turn for help to an unusual source. There is a small university in Alabama that has an interesting School. It is called the School of Scientific Interpretation. This School specializes in uncovering the real meaning of words, phrases and symbols on request. They defined crisis in the following way:

Cr – element number 24 is known for an unusual property called Passivation. This term derives from the Latin ‘passivus’ and relates to suffering. Since chromium resists “suffering” in that it doesn’t oxidize more than a few atoms deep, the term is being used in the negative. In this case SSI interprets it to mean the exact opposite: ‘not suffering’ or resisting oxidation

Isis – Egyptian goddess known specifically for nature and magic.

Putting the two roots of ‘crisis’ together the SSI concluded that the word actually means “as a result of magic, no suffering is or will occur” and therefore concludes that when some says something is “not in crisis” what they actually mean is that it is. Crisis by the SSI definition means no suffering, so “not no suffering” means suffering. See? To cover his butt, Baucus is saying ‘no crisis’ but can later argue that he actually meant it was in crisis by the conventional definition. Typical political BS.

This resource of alternative definitions is widely used by politicians and administrators of all kinds to clarify and support unpopular positions. No, Baucus. We are only in crap up to our chins, not our noses, so no need to pump out the old tank, is there?

Image: www.comomango.blogspot.com

Take a GLBT to lunch!

I just got an email from JS, a participant on a GLBTetc listserv I belong to. The links she sent talk about Rick Welts, President and CEO of the Phoenix Suns, coming out, and two straight athletes, Hudson Taylor and Ben Cohen standing up for GLBT rights.

The universe I inhabit is what could be called a “GLBT-rich environment”. From early days, I mean really early days, I have been involved one way or another with the GLBT community. Included in my circle are friends, co-workers, students, bosses and relatives. My early life, high school for example, had some homophobic moments. We joked in those days, calling each other and kids we didn’t know very well “queers” or “fags” or some other names. I knew some gay people then, but they were “OK” because I knew them. I was a stupid young jerk in many ways but for the most part left my stupidity behind.

As I grew up and moved on I got more and more exposed to GLBT people and early on came to realize that this community was one I liked but could never really be a part of. Just like “Gay” isn’t a choice, neither is “Straight”. So I let friendships form without prejudice and moved through life as a sometimes participant in the gay community but more often as an advocate.

Here is the crux of this little essay: If I could do it, so can you. I grew up in times and in a family that lived prejudice. I overcame that, and so can you. But you have to do more than overcome prejudice. You have to get out there and openly decry the kinds of prejudice still flourishing around all of us. Get a gay pride bumper sticker, or go to a gay pride march, or argue with someone when they start to spout homophobic or racist or anti-feminist crap. Don’t let it rest. What is the worst thing that can happen to you? You might find you have some GLBT friends, or maybe you might make a new friend from that community. You could get the crap beaten out of you too. Or killed. Or damned to hell.

Do it anyway. Do it because it is right, and makes you feel good. Just do it.

Image: http://webs.anokaramsey.edu/glbt/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/16/sports/basketball/nba-executive-says-he-is-gay.html?_r=1&hp

http://www.outsports.com/os/index.php/component/content/article/24-people/300-wrestler-hudson-taylor-a-champion-for-gay-rights

http://ben-cohen.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=57

Personhood for Sperm?

There is an interesting debate simmering in the neighborhood of personhood for embryos, which are fertilized eggs. A sperm penetrates an egg and the result is an embryo. Unquestionably the embryo has 100% of the genetics to become the person present in the genes. The debate here is does this potential to be an actual person constitute personhood? Don’t know and don’t care right now.

I am here interested in the side debate over the issue of the unfertilized egg being granted personhood because it is genetically 100% specified. In some species a single egg can grow into an adult representative of that species. Parthenogenesis. And in some cases a single sperm can develop into an adult of the species. (1)

Think of the consequences for men if eggs ever got defined as “persons”. By logical extension each sperm would then have to be granted personhood status, since each is a100% complete genetic package, and might in some species be coaxed into becoming an adult. Think of the consequences of masturbation! Mass murder on a biblical scale!! Even using a rubber or spermicide would break the law. Dooming each wiggly to a certain death. And if you think the sperms are not alive and kicking, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kM_kRPrcrk .

I shudder to think of the billions and billions of sperm cells that go down the drain each day. And what about cannibalism? Ever think of that? Well, think again.

So we must fight the trend to provide personhood to gametes. Just too damn dangerous.

Image: www.sodahead.com

1. http://www.bookrags.com/research/parthenogenesis-wog/

http://www.opb.org/thinkoutloud/blog/can-you-sell-human-egg/

http://www.helium.com/items/746962-should-a-human-ovum-be-granted-legal-personhood

More Republican Crap

It is fair to say that Tennessee is a Republican state. Both Senators, the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives, big majorities in both the State Senate and House, the Governor and the Lt. Governor are all Republicans.
The ran on and promised to get “big government” out of the peoples way so they could have more privacy, create more jobs and buy whatever damn health insurance they want. To which I say “bullshit”. Just words to get elected.
Now comes the Mississippi and the floods. Thousands of homes damaged or destroyed. Thousands of people without savings or insurance to rebuild. Thousands. So today Governor Haslam called for a speedup of the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT to get disaster relief checks, vouchers, houses and all the things people need to get by delivered to the “people”. That’s right. The same people that WANT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OUT OF THEIR FACES!!! Well, I’m damned if I can see what the hell they really want. Obviously not to buy insurance, or to save in case of a disaster, or to pay their damn taxes. But they do want the feds to come in with buckets of money, MY MONEY, and hand it out like candy. Tough.
The people of Tennessee voted for Republicans who espouse getting the Government OUT, so let the GOVERNMENT OF TENNESSEE pick up the cost of the disaster by taxing the PEOPLE OF TENNESSEE.
God, I sound like Ron Paul. Sorry. Just take all my savings, all the insurance I have paid on all my houses for my whole life, beggar me and give it all too some sorry ass flood victim.
Really? No not really, but Jesus, this kind of twofaced Republican crap really ticks me off.

Image: www. shop.cafepress.com
http://news.tn.gov/node/7135
http://elections.mytimetovote.com/elected_officials/tennessee.html

Excellent Racism.

Making the (following) case for a massive elections overhaul, Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, expressed the privilege of voting and how it needs to be protected.

"Do you read the stories about the people in Africa?" he said on the Senate floor. "The people in the desert, who literally walk two and three hundred miles so they can have the opportunity to do what we do, and we want to make it more convenient? How much more convenient do you want to make it? Do we want to go to their house? Take the polling booth with us?" (1)

PolitiFact researched this and found a group of African election officials at UF for a seminar series on American elections. To quote PolitiFact “None of the African elections officials we spoke with heard of any case of someone walking 200 to 300 miles to vote. In fact, they wanted to know where Bennett got his information from. We would, too. We searched news accounts of the recent elections in Chad, Uganda, Nigeria and elsewhere and found no instance of people walking hundreds of miles in order to vote.
No doubt about it: This claim is Pants on Fire!”

So Bennett LIED in order to get people riled up to vote to restrict voting opportunities for Floridians. But which Floridians do you think? The affluent white citizens? Not bloody likely. More likely the less affleuent black citizens who have been systematically shut out of elections for decades. Democrats have passed many election reforms and Republicans have voted against them. Now in power, they seek to restore the “good old days” when poor people had a very hard time voting. This isn’t an example of good government. This is an example of excellent racism.

Image: www. poplicks.com

1. http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/category/buzz-tags/elections

2. http://politifact.com/florida/statements/2011/may/06/mike-bennett/think-we-have-it-tough-africa-people-walk-300-mile/

THIS IS A "MUST NOT MISS" MOMENT

Yesterday I thought “I wonder if “Classical Gas” is around with the original slide show? Today I looked over the YouTube content and didn’t find it. But boy is there ever some great versions. The first link below is illustrated with mostly desert photos, and while not having the original furor, is non-the-less worth a look. I thought of a biologist friend that lives out west and thought she would enjoy the photos, and maybe the music. She is a youngster (old ager pejorative for anyone under 30, said with affection) and maybe doesn’t even know who Mason Williams is.
So I copied the URL and went back to YouTube for a second dip. Well, partner, after about 6 or 7 dips I decided the world should see this stuff. The second is illustrated with lightening and if you like lightening, take a peek.
The third is a history lesson and I remember almost every slide in this slide show. It is for me a real journey.
BUT, the fourth is the real reason for the posting. My toes are still tingling from this new, high energy and very powerful interpretation. And the group is having fun!!! This left me breathless and tear-streaked.
If you don’t ever watch another YouTube video, watch number one and number four.
Let me know what you think.
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3wDfXqZ4vs
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6sOVXMmtsM&feature=related
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tt9sYUmJNkU&feature=related
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCA84PTYmg8&feature=related
Image: www. hotflick.net

Even MLK Jr. Thinks it is Funny.

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than a sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” MLK, Jr.

“Taking the Lord’s name in vain does not go over well in some households, particularly in the South”

Ok, call me sensitive. Or, call me an iconoclast. Or, call me an atheist. And you would be wrong on all calls. What I am, though, is very tired of every media outlet in the free world using a capital “L” in lord when they refer to god, as in the NPR headline above. There may or may not be a Lord out there somewhere, but whatever it is one thing is certain. It’s not MY lord. No capital for me. And by using the capital “L” I think the writers, editors and publishers are actively or tacitly agreeing that there is a “Lord” and it is the Christian one. Nonsense as far as I can see. If there really were just one lord, we would all know it by now.

So please, keep your capital “L” lord out of my face and I’ll keep my capital “C” cthulhu out of yours.

Image: www.zendirtzendust.com

Image: www.moralheroes.org

Much Too Do and Much has been Done

What a couple of weeks! Billions of dollars of damage and hundreds of lives lost in the South from nasty weather; major floods in the central part of the country; a Royal wedding; bin Laden killed; POTUS is revealed to be an American, and Trump is revealed to be a jerkoff.

No wonder I feel a bit overloaded. Oh, and snakes in my ponds. Lots of them. And I haven’t been able to identify them yet. Possible s few Queen Snakes, maybe a banded water snake and possible an exotic of some kind. All very wary. My snake grabber arrives today and then the fight is really on. Get in the small pond and drain it, then take down the rock walls the snakes are using for a home, catch the snakes, then redo the bottom and sides, replace the rocks and voila! a new and snake-free pond.

Then get the snakes out of the big pond. Ditto procedure except no rock wall. Just a mass of roots and crap to sort through. It needs to be cleaned out anyway, but the addition of a couple of unknown reptiles adds a bit of spice to the mix.

And yesterday I finished getting the riding mower going, not so easy a project BTW. New battery and starter, some tune-up adjustments and off she went. Today the new battery is DEAD and the rear tire is so flat I call it Twiggy. Must be a trickle leak in the electrical system somewhere. Crap.

But, the orchids are blooming their little buds off, and the spring is glorious. Sigh.

Image: http://www.freesnake.com/queensnake5.html

Osama gets a Sausage (but it's a virgin!)

Now it starts. Osama the martyr. Osama the aggrieved because he was killed at home; Osama the martyr because he died on land and was buried at sea; Osama isn’t really dead just hiding, captured, wounded, Who The F (bomb) Knows?

Ok, there are some hokey things and maybe my friend Z can illuminate one of them; How could they confirm his DNA in 8 hours? I don’t say they can’t, I just don’t know.

On the martyr issue I have real problems. This guy was clearly a very bad guy from the view of the free world. He is by his own words responsible for the death of thousands of innocent people including thousands of Muslims. Why the hell should he get to heaven and sleep on a Brocade Couch, be served (if you know what I mean) by as many celestial virgins as he wants and eat perfect fruit from Mohammed’s own orchards. Bullcrap to that. I hope they stuffed a nice fresh pork sausage down his miserable throat before they buried him at sea. That might keep his unclean terrorist corpse out of heaven.

Image: www.richie-loves-the-pork.com