As I stated in my previous blog last night, America has been saved and the future set in a progressive direction. We are a different country this morning, but a rejuvenated, more united country than we were 24-hours ago.
America has condemned and then embraced all foreign incursions -- the irish of the potato famine, the italians and sicilians, Jews, the Germans and Russian Germans of post World War I times, etc. They are now "us" and we are stronger for it. We will also be stronger from the enlarged melting pot of the recent past. My grandson is in a relationship with a beautiful and totally wonderful philipino girl. Instead of denouncing it, I welcome it. This genetic and cultural mixing is a strength, not a weakness. History proves it so.
I could say much more and probably will in the days to come. In the meantime, this article pretty well sums up the situation: http://www.buzzfeed.com/bensmith/welcome-to-liberal-america
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
SWEET VICTORY!
It's over!
Now, I can rest as soon as that big glass of tea I had with dinner, and which I found out was cafeinated, wears off. I avoid cafeine because I developed an alergy to it right after I turned 70. If I drink cafeinated drinks for two or three weeks, I might as well have alzheimers. An occasional cup of coffee or tea only keeps me awake due to not being used to it.
Anyway, I can now stop fearing what might happen to this great republic my ancestors fought and died for. The theocratic right has been soundly trounced and Obama can appoint truly qualified jurists to the Supreme Court with the approval of a senate controlled by sane democrats. The gravy train for the super rich will at least be slowed down a bit. People who are "different," due to being born of a darker race, with a different sexual orientation or a different belief system will be accorded the kind of respect every human being deserves. Women won't be consigned to a second class existence under the dictates of antiquated religion and male bias.
Oh, we haven't "arrived" yet. The struggle against ignorance and superstition will go on. Mindless denunciation of progressive ideas as "socialism" won't end. Hate will not magically disappear.
But, we dodged the bullet. After the coming four years, we should be fully recovered from the "conservative" illness that came close to completely destroying our republic. That should make it easier for Biden or Hillary to win next time
Anyway, I can now stop fearing what might happen to this great republic my ancestors fought and died for. The theocratic right has been soundly trounced and Obama can appoint truly qualified jurists to the Supreme Court with the approval of a senate controlled by sane democrats. The gravy train for the super rich will at least be slowed down a bit. People who are "different," due to being born of a darker race, with a different sexual orientation or a different belief system will be accorded the kind of respect every human being deserves. Women won't be consigned to a second class existence under the dictates of antiquated religion and male bias.
Oh, we haven't "arrived" yet. The struggle against ignorance and superstition will go on. Mindless denunciation of progressive ideas as "socialism" won't end. Hate will not magically disappear.
But, we dodged the bullet. After the coming four years, we should be fully recovered from the "conservative" illness that came close to completely destroying our republic. That should make it easier for Biden or Hillary to win next time
Sunday, November 4, 2012
WHY I SPEAK OUT
Throughout my life, I've become estranged from a lot of people over where I stand on life issues. When I left my WCG allegiances behind, the bulk of my former associates took off for the hills. When I left behind agnosticism and became a devout atheist, even more made themselves scarce.
A great many of those who saw through Herbert W. Armstrong's overall cultism, still hang with his ultra fundamentalist approach in other areas. He, like the Rethugs, hated labor unions, looked down on the average person as inferior and not worthy of a decent lifestyle and had a British-style class outlook.
Some (indeed many) former worldwiders are staunch creationists and rabid pro-life fanatics. One angrily told me that a woman does not have control over her own body and he's absolutely vehement about evolution. Humanism is a dirty word in his dictionary. He buys anything pseudo-scientists put out in their cross-fertilized, literarily-incestuous books, blogs and articles, pooh-poohing what real scientists with real credentials and years of painstaking research publish and state. We no longer communicate by his demand, and his pompous daughter consigned me to hell.
By getting involved in politics and fearlessly stating my flamingly liberal atheist/humanist outlook and opinions, I've lost even more former "friends." Somehow, they can't take that extra logical step and cast aside that ultra conservative mindset we all bought way back there. I'm a heretic in their eyes because I won't goose step to their theocratic fascist outlook.
That's OK. There's too much McCoy in my ancestry for me to compromise with what I see and not speak out. (Yes, my paternal great grandmother was Isabelle McCoy, straight from Virginia, and a more outspoken, activist personality would be hard to find.) I'm deeply grateful to have this blog and other avenues open to say what wells up from deep within and strains to be heard.
Our nation was not founded by shrinking violets who cowered in fear. They were willing to risk everything for the ideals they held dear. I'm at least not risking execution as a traitor to my king like they did. For now, anyway, no one can bring me up on charges for blasphemy or character defamation if I tell the truth as I see it. How long that will continue is something I really worry about if the Rethug cabal manages to pull this coup off.
I must say what I say because it's the reality I see. To do less would be a betrayal to myself and those who come after me.
To those who would angrily tell me to "shut up," I reply, "Never!"
A great many of those who saw through Herbert W. Armstrong's overall cultism, still hang with his ultra fundamentalist approach in other areas. He, like the Rethugs, hated labor unions, looked down on the average person as inferior and not worthy of a decent lifestyle and had a British-style class outlook.
Some (indeed many) former worldwiders are staunch creationists and rabid pro-life fanatics. One angrily told me that a woman does not have control over her own body and he's absolutely vehement about evolution. Humanism is a dirty word in his dictionary. He buys anything pseudo-scientists put out in their cross-fertilized, literarily-incestuous books, blogs and articles, pooh-poohing what real scientists with real credentials and years of painstaking research publish and state. We no longer communicate by his demand, and his pompous daughter consigned me to hell.
By getting involved in politics and fearlessly stating my flamingly liberal atheist/humanist outlook and opinions, I've lost even more former "friends." Somehow, they can't take that extra logical step and cast aside that ultra conservative mindset we all bought way back there. I'm a heretic in their eyes because I won't goose step to their theocratic fascist outlook.
That's OK. There's too much McCoy in my ancestry for me to compromise with what I see and not speak out. (Yes, my paternal great grandmother was Isabelle McCoy, straight from Virginia, and a more outspoken, activist personality would be hard to find.) I'm deeply grateful to have this blog and other avenues open to say what wells up from deep within and strains to be heard.
Our nation was not founded by shrinking violets who cowered in fear. They were willing to risk everything for the ideals they held dear. I'm at least not risking execution as a traitor to my king like they did. For now, anyway, no one can bring me up on charges for blasphemy or character defamation if I tell the truth as I see it. How long that will continue is something I really worry about if the Rethug cabal manages to pull this coup off.
I must say what I say because it's the reality I see. To do less would be a betrayal to myself and those who come after me.
To those who would angrily tell me to "shut up," I reply, "Never!"
CRUNCH TIME
We're two days away from either elation or crushing despair. The future hangs in the balance. We stand on the brink of disaster or the renewal of the promise of America generations have fought for and built.
Joe Biden lays out what is at stake sucinctly and clearly. Take a few minutes to hear what he has to say: http://www.barackobama.com/video/id/oBVyZZvdGso?utm_medium=email&utm_source=obama&utm_content=Please+watch+and+pass+it+on&utm_campaign=em12_20121103_jb_sen&source=em12_20121103_jb_sen
I personally don't believe a word that comes out of Romney's or Ryan's mouths. They will say anything to deceive the public and get their way. Potential dictators always act that way. Lies are their stock in trade and the litany of lies has been pointed out before in this blog and to anyone who pays attention and thinks as they listen.
They have promised that they won't touch the benefits seniors are presently receiving. If you believe that, I have a bridge in New York I'd like to sell you.
Even if that were true, do we not care what awaits every American citizen as they inevitably age? If it were not for the wisdom of past generations, millions of seniors, including Phyllis and I, would be homeless, destitute and probably long dead. I know for sure that Phyllis' heart condition, which is under control due to Medicare and four stents, would have taken her long ago. As it is, we can live, not lavishly, but with a modicum of comfort and dignity. Do we want less for our children and grandchildren?
For millenia, the human race struggled and most died young, many after intense suffering. My great grandfather lived to 69 and died in his sleep of a sudden heart attack. A stroke took my grandfather at 72. He suffered from high blood pressure. My dad lived to 95. Mother to 98. According to my last checkup, I just might exceed that. I couldn't have even had that checkup without Medicare.
I remember how unnecessary and superfluous it looked to pay into Social Security and Medicare back there in my younger years. When we are young, we feel indestructable and chafe about all that money that we could really use right now going into something that will pay off only if we reach that age that seems so far away. I face the same mindset in trying to convince people that the ethereal future benefits of Aflac insurance really are worth the present inconvenience of the small premiums that must be paid.
We're no longer hunter gatherers doomed to following the herds and braving the elements to survive for a few harsh years until our teeth decay and break and our physical prowess declines to the point that we can no longer hack it and we have no choice but to lie down and die miserably and youthfully.
We should be progressing, not turning back the clock. Not returning to the miseries of a few short generations back just so the super rich can lord it over those who are less fortunate and scornfully say, "Let them eat cake" while seated on their posh furniture in their opulent estates.
Joe Biden lays out what is at stake sucinctly and clearly. Take a few minutes to hear what he has to say: http://www.barackobama.com/video/id/oBVyZZvdGso?utm_medium=email&utm_source=obama&utm_content=Please+watch+and+pass+it+on&utm_campaign=em12_20121103_jb_sen&source=em12_20121103_jb_sen
I personally don't believe a word that comes out of Romney's or Ryan's mouths. They will say anything to deceive the public and get their way. Potential dictators always act that way. Lies are their stock in trade and the litany of lies has been pointed out before in this blog and to anyone who pays attention and thinks as they listen.
They have promised that they won't touch the benefits seniors are presently receiving. If you believe that, I have a bridge in New York I'd like to sell you.
Even if that were true, do we not care what awaits every American citizen as they inevitably age? If it were not for the wisdom of past generations, millions of seniors, including Phyllis and I, would be homeless, destitute and probably long dead. I know for sure that Phyllis' heart condition, which is under control due to Medicare and four stents, would have taken her long ago. As it is, we can live, not lavishly, but with a modicum of comfort and dignity. Do we want less for our children and grandchildren?
For millenia, the human race struggled and most died young, many after intense suffering. My great grandfather lived to 69 and died in his sleep of a sudden heart attack. A stroke took my grandfather at 72. He suffered from high blood pressure. My dad lived to 95. Mother to 98. According to my last checkup, I just might exceed that. I couldn't have even had that checkup without Medicare.
I remember how unnecessary and superfluous it looked to pay into Social Security and Medicare back there in my younger years. When we are young, we feel indestructable and chafe about all that money that we could really use right now going into something that will pay off only if we reach that age that seems so far away. I face the same mindset in trying to convince people that the ethereal future benefits of Aflac insurance really are worth the present inconvenience of the small premiums that must be paid.
We're no longer hunter gatherers doomed to following the herds and braving the elements to survive for a few harsh years until our teeth decay and break and our physical prowess declines to the point that we can no longer hack it and we have no choice but to lie down and die miserably and youthfully.
We should be progressing, not turning back the clock. Not returning to the miseries of a few short generations back just so the super rich can lord it over those who are less fortunate and scornfully say, "Let them eat cake" while seated on their posh furniture in their opulent estates.
Saturday, November 3, 2012
BIBLE ABSURDITY ABOUT DOGS
Do you have a dog, or dogs, you love dearly? Have they become to you, as to us, almost like children in your home? Do you cherish their happy and trust-filled smiling faces and revel in giving them special treats, just like you would a child or grandchild? Do they snuggle up to you at night and you find that you cannot get up or go back to bed without giving them a loving pat or pet?
If so, join the other millions who are thankful to have these denizens of the animal kingdom to add another fulfilling dimension to their lives.
Your attitude would be a heresy in the Muslim world. It also flies in the face of the prejudiced attitude toward dogs found in that revered book we've inherited from the Middle East, the Bible.
Cute little toy dogs and the multi-spendored array of breeds existent today just didn't exist in the backward, undeveloped world from which either the Bible or the Koran emerged. In those backward, prejudiced, unscientific tomes, dogs are looked down upon and references to them are used as a slur.
In the Muslim world, to be called a "son-of-a-bitch-dog" is one of the greatest of insults. It's also a quite common derogatory retort that's come down to us in the Western world, but we don't add the "dog" part, in my experience, and most people don't really think about what they're saying or what original attitude it is based on. The same basic attitude and origin applies to the disrespectful labeling of a woman as a "bitch" -- a female dog.
Dogs of two thousand or more years ago were not far removed from the wolves from which they descended. They were useful for some purposes but not highly regarded and seldom treated the way we treat our pets. There was no Humane Society back then.
Proverbs 20:11 sneers at dogs as creatures who will return to and eat their own vomit. Jesus referred to gentiles as "dogs." Several Old Testament scriptures portray dogs as scavengers that will eat human flesh and lick up human blood.
Deuteronomy 23: 18 says, in the King james translation: "You shall not bring the wages of a harlot, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord your God...." Modern translations meet modern sensibilities toward our pets by making the term apply to male prostitutes, but there is considerable evidence that the meaning of the original was actually "dog."
As for us, we love our dogs. They are more loyal and loving than many humans. Dogs are a wonderful, highly intelligent and useful complement to us humans. I seriously doubt that a lion will ever, in any world, lie down with any lamb, no matter what the Bible supposedly foretells. Our dogs lie down with us all the time, and neither they nor we have the slightest fear of each other.
Again, the Bible shows itself as an unreliable source of much of anything. Of any true science it is almost totally lacking and unreliable. Many of its social teachings are archaic and repugnant to a modern, enlightened mind (approval of slavery being just one example).
If so, join the other millions who are thankful to have these denizens of the animal kingdom to add another fulfilling dimension to their lives.
Your attitude would be a heresy in the Muslim world. It also flies in the face of the prejudiced attitude toward dogs found in that revered book we've inherited from the Middle East, the Bible.
Cute little toy dogs and the multi-spendored array of breeds existent today just didn't exist in the backward, undeveloped world from which either the Bible or the Koran emerged. In those backward, prejudiced, unscientific tomes, dogs are looked down upon and references to them are used as a slur.
In the Muslim world, to be called a "son-of-a-bitch-dog" is one of the greatest of insults. It's also a quite common derogatory retort that's come down to us in the Western world, but we don't add the "dog" part, in my experience, and most people don't really think about what they're saying or what original attitude it is based on. The same basic attitude and origin applies to the disrespectful labeling of a woman as a "bitch" -- a female dog.
Dogs of two thousand or more years ago were not far removed from the wolves from which they descended. They were useful for some purposes but not highly regarded and seldom treated the way we treat our pets. There was no Humane Society back then.
Proverbs 20:11 sneers at dogs as creatures who will return to and eat their own vomit. Jesus referred to gentiles as "dogs." Several Old Testament scriptures portray dogs as scavengers that will eat human flesh and lick up human blood.
Deuteronomy 23: 18 says, in the King james translation: "You shall not bring the wages of a harlot, or the price of a dog, into the house of the Lord your God...." Modern translations meet modern sensibilities toward our pets by making the term apply to male prostitutes, but there is considerable evidence that the meaning of the original was actually "dog."
As for us, we love our dogs. They are more loyal and loving than many humans. Dogs are a wonderful, highly intelligent and useful complement to us humans. I seriously doubt that a lion will ever, in any world, lie down with any lamb, no matter what the Bible supposedly foretells. Our dogs lie down with us all the time, and neither they nor we have the slightest fear of each other.
Again, the Bible shows itself as an unreliable source of much of anything. Of any true science it is almost totally lacking and unreliable. Many of its social teachings are archaic and repugnant to a modern, enlightened mind (approval of slavery being just one example).
Thursday, November 1, 2012
SO SOON OLD
I was very young. So young I don't know when it was that I first heard the famous saying attributed to an old German, "So soon old undt so late schmart."
How true that famous saying is!
I turned 78 in the wee morning hours of October 10. It's been a long and stormy journey from that inauspicious beginning in the guest bedroom of my grandparent's home out there on those wide-open North Dakota plains. It's had it's joys and fulfillments and it's pains, turmoil and sorrows.
I've known the bursting energy and forever optimistic soarings and passion of hormone-fired youth. I've also known the insecurity of aged legs that feel insecure on a downhill slope and have wondered, "where did all that testosterone get off to."
I've known the despair of having a career come to a crashing end along with a marriage to which I had given my utmost dedication and faithfulness. I've experienced the overwhelming joys of second and third loves. In addition to divorce, I've known widowerhood after several years of marital separation.
I've experienced soaring joy and devastating depression. I've known lack and the joy of financial prosperity brought about by my own dedicated labor.
I've known so many things, so many emotion-filled tumultuous times.
Mine is a unique story mainly meaningful only to me, but so like what every other human faces and goes through on this journey we call "life." The details of each life are different, but we all travel a similar path.
We start out with a wail as we are suddenly thrust forth into this strange, cold and insecure realm. We travel our path and experience what comes our way and what we bring upon ourselves. And, every day, the end draws more nigh. The days become even more precious, and often we even reflect on what could have been but wasn't.
The "soon old" has arrived.
The "schmart?" I hope so.
How true that famous saying is!
I turned 78 in the wee morning hours of October 10. It's been a long and stormy journey from that inauspicious beginning in the guest bedroom of my grandparent's home out there on those wide-open North Dakota plains. It's had it's joys and fulfillments and it's pains, turmoil and sorrows.
I've known the bursting energy and forever optimistic soarings and passion of hormone-fired youth. I've also known the insecurity of aged legs that feel insecure on a downhill slope and have wondered, "where did all that testosterone get off to."
I've known the despair of having a career come to a crashing end along with a marriage to which I had given my utmost dedication and faithfulness. I've experienced the overwhelming joys of second and third loves. In addition to divorce, I've known widowerhood after several years of marital separation.
I've experienced soaring joy and devastating depression. I've known lack and the joy of financial prosperity brought about by my own dedicated labor.
I've known so many things, so many emotion-filled tumultuous times.
Mine is a unique story mainly meaningful only to me, but so like what every other human faces and goes through on this journey we call "life." The details of each life are different, but we all travel a similar path.
We start out with a wail as we are suddenly thrust forth into this strange, cold and insecure realm. We travel our path and experience what comes our way and what we bring upon ourselves. And, every day, the end draws more nigh. The days become even more precious, and often we even reflect on what could have been but wasn't.
The "soon old" has arrived.
The "schmart?" I hope so.
OBAMA NOT BIG SPENDER
The festival of lies goes on and on. Ad after ad put out by lying Republicans tries to paint Obama as a profligate spender.
'Taint so.
Here are the facts, according to official government statistics:
In the 2009 fiscal year -- the last of George W. Bush's presidency -- federal spending rose by a whopping 17.9 % from $2.96 trillion to $3.52 trillion. You can verify those figures at the Office of Management and Budget.
In fiscal 2010 -- the first budget under Obama -- spending fell 1.8% to $3.46 trillion.
In fiscal 2011, spending rose a modest 4.3% to $3.60 trillion.
In fiscal 2012, spending is set to rise an even more modest 0.7% to $3.63 trillion, according to the Comgressional Budget Office's estimate of the budget that was agreed to last August.
In fiscal 2013 -- the final budge of Obama's current term -- spending is scheduled to fall 1.3% to $3.58 trillion. See the CBO's latest budget outlook.
Over Obama's four budget years, federal spending is on track to rise from $3.52 billion to $3.58 trillion, an annualized increase of just 0.4% -- A far cry from the 17.9% increase during Bush's last year.
This is all in contrast to the lies we hear about Obama's profligate spending. People don't realize that the first year of every presidential term starts off with the budget approved by the previous administration and congress. Obama didn't begin to shape budgets until his second year in office. Developing and steering budgets through congress takes a lot of time and effort, especially with a gridlocked congress that openly proclaims its determination to thwart everything that president tries to do to make certain, if at all possible, that he won't be re-elected.
Obama came into office with a budget already in place which called for spending to increase by hundreds of billions of dollars in response to the worst economic and financial disaster since the Great Depression, directly caused by the profligate practices of that previous administration.
As usual, the facts are ignored and the despicable liars blame Obama.
'Taint so.
Here are the facts, according to official government statistics:
In the 2009 fiscal year -- the last of George W. Bush's presidency -- federal spending rose by a whopping 17.9 % from $2.96 trillion to $3.52 trillion. You can verify those figures at the Office of Management and Budget.
In fiscal 2010 -- the first budget under Obama -- spending fell 1.8% to $3.46 trillion.
In fiscal 2011, spending rose a modest 4.3% to $3.60 trillion.
In fiscal 2012, spending is set to rise an even more modest 0.7% to $3.63 trillion, according to the Comgressional Budget Office's estimate of the budget that was agreed to last August.
In fiscal 2013 -- the final budge of Obama's current term -- spending is scheduled to fall 1.3% to $3.58 trillion. See the CBO's latest budget outlook.
Over Obama's four budget years, federal spending is on track to rise from $3.52 billion to $3.58 trillion, an annualized increase of just 0.4% -- A far cry from the 17.9% increase during Bush's last year.
This is all in contrast to the lies we hear about Obama's profligate spending. People don't realize that the first year of every presidential term starts off with the budget approved by the previous administration and congress. Obama didn't begin to shape budgets until his second year in office. Developing and steering budgets through congress takes a lot of time and effort, especially with a gridlocked congress that openly proclaims its determination to thwart everything that president tries to do to make certain, if at all possible, that he won't be re-elected.
Obama came into office with a budget already in place which called for spending to increase by hundreds of billions of dollars in response to the worst economic and financial disaster since the Great Depression, directly caused by the profligate practices of that previous administration.
As usual, the facts are ignored and the despicable liars blame Obama.
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