| A quick word about Scientology. |
[Jan. 29th, 2008|10:20 am] |
There has been a lot of criticism lobbed at the Scientologists lately. The criticism seems to fall into 2 categories:
1. Concerns regarding dangerous cult aspects
2. Ridicule of beliefs
I like many others laughed my ass off at the South Park Scientology episode and am genuinely disturbed by the Scientology orientation video.
However, I have a bit of trouble with the sources of some of the criticism aimed at Scientology. If you are a believing member of any religion other than Scientology it would be wise to keep your criticism in the first category.
There is no more credible evidence for (insert your favorite religion's creation story here) than for (insert your favorite crazy scientology belief here).
To paraphrase an old quote:
Everyone knows what it's like to be agnostic in regards to the existence of Xenu.
....and for a less sensationalistic look at Scientology check out this page:
http://bernie.cncfamily.com/ars.htm |
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| New Posts. New direction. |
[Jan. 19th, 2008|09:35 am] |
Over the past year or so I've become increasingly interested in improving my logical argumentation and critical thinking skills. So instead of pissing off my loved ones with long winded tirades, I've decided to subject the internet at large to my venting.
So without further ado here is my first attempt.
A friend and coworker asked me awhile back to engage in a debate. He wanted me to answer the question "Why not be a conservative?" I decided the best way to accomplish this would be to specifically critique a particular conservative policy that I strongly disagree with. I am a supporter of the right of all people to marry regardless of their sexual orientation. With this in mind I chose the President's 2004 statement regarding the need for a constitutional amendment that defines marriage effectively as "for heteros only" as a good example of the conservative position on this issue.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/02/24/elec04.prez.bush.transcript/index.html
I do this so as to avoid presenting straw man arguments of my own devising. I'm sure some people would take issue with my selection in this case as they may not regard the President's oratorical skills as particularly "strong". If any one should be able to articulate conservatism's best argument it should be that recognized conservative who holds the highest elected office.
Regardless of the legal arguments put forth in this speech there is one basic question that must be answered, the real core of the debate. Why is a marriage between two adults of the same sex wrong? Here is Mr. Bush's reasoning:
"The union of a man and woman is the most enduring human institution, honored and encouraged in all cultures and by every religious faith. Ages of experience have taught humanity that the commitment of a husband and wife to love and to serve one another promotes the welfare of children and the stability of society.
Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society"
To which I reply: prove it. The only actual argument here commits a glaringly obvious logical fallacy, an appeal to tradition. End of story.
His argument against gay marriage has to prove one thing. Extending the same rights granted to every heterosexual couple in America to citizens in same-sex relationships is demonstrably harmful. Mr Bush offers absolutely no proof in this regard. Zero. None. Nada.
I sincerely appreciate any comments. |
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| Snow Day! |
[Nov. 28th, 2006|08:48 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  amused | ] |
No work for me! My studio is closed due to the weather and I can hang around and do nothing today! |
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| My Strange little dreams |
[Feb. 5th, 2006|06:03 am] |
First I was living in New York getting lost on the subway and spending all my time at galleries. Then I was back in Seattle fighting with a neighbor. Then I was running through a back alley in my underwear getting chased by this wierd lady from my work while I tried to scare her away with my broken key-chain flashlight.
I blame the evening's food combinations and early bedtime:
1 Glass Chocolate Milk
16 Sweet Mole Corn Chips w/black bean dip and sour cream
1 Glass Orange Juice
1 Glass Chocolate Milk
1 Bowl Orange Chicken w/ jasmine rice
1 Glass Orange Juice
Asleep by 11 O'clock. Up again at 5.
The last time I had wierd dreams it was due to eating rice crispies w/milk, chicken gyoza w/hot dumpling sauce, peanut butter pretzels, and caramel corn. |
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| Satire is dead |
[Oct. 27th, 2005|09:55 am] |
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At least for me. I've been pulling myself out of a pit of influenza for the past two weeks. I'm finally back at work. Just in time for Halloween! My favorite holiday! And because of my cold I already look like a Zombie! Although I think Easter could just as easily be a zombie themed holiday. Cmon'! People in caves rising from the dead? Think about it, ZOMBIES! |
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| bloop de doopdee doo |
[Dec. 4th, 2004|06:49 pm] |
Well, I'm officially hired on at Griptonite Games now. Full salary and benefits. I'm pretty psyched to have the stability that a job provides. Its nice to know that I'll still have an income come January 1st. It does mean that I can't just up and move anywhere I want anytime I want to now.
I got to think about my own mortality as I filled out insurance forms. Candice is gonna be RICH if I die an accidental death.
Jaffa Cake update:
Ryan and I found some "Pim's" cakes that look like a fancy version of what we are looking for. From what I hear though nothing compares to the actual McVities brand. The Pim's were quite tasty though! Now I just want the real thing even more.
I also found that the New Belgian Brewing Co. has an Abbey Ale out now that is pretty good. I don't think its as good as the Corsendonks but it does have that rich porty flavor that I miss. I still have yet to find any Left Hand Milk Stout. Widmer Bros. make a seasonal milk stout called Snow Plowed thats mighty tasty. It'll be gone come spring though =(.
If only I could find the perfect pairing of snack food and beer. I'm sick of Mexican beers, so nachos and Corona is out. If anybody has any suggestions I'm all ears. |
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| Spaced |
[Nov. 27th, 2004|01:16 pm] |
by the way......
If you haven't checked out this(fixed the link.... thanks del) loverly english TV show you need to. Or at least go see "Shawn of the Dead" the movie written by and starring Simon Pegg.
cheers!
(notice my pitiful attempt at appearing cultured by saying "cheers" instead of something lame and american like "goodbye") |
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| clawing my way to pop culture icon status |
[Nov. 27th, 2004|12:18 pm] |
I'm on my way to pop culture icon status! I will buy properties with NO MONEY DOWN to finance my empire of tasteless and obnoxious pop music.
So far all I've done is drink beer. I'm not sure how this fits in the plan but I'm sure its important. If it's not, then why would I be so drawn to it? Perhaps its the allure of a pudgy beer belly or maybe the dark black gaping gaps in my memory. Where was I last night? Where did these bruises come from? Where does all my money go?
These are the types of questions that man must ask in oder to find his place in the universe. I use snack foods as a reference point. I along with my lifelong love toy and our new best friend Ryan spent hours yesterday scouring downtown Seattle in search of Jaffa Cakes. No luck but it was still a good way to spend Black Friday.
The hordes of consumer zombies were kept at bay with healthy doses of elitist banter and scowling cyncism. These are the only weapons available to a small group of dreamers faced with the deluge of commercial diarrhea, that is the Christmas season.
I find now that I along with increased disdain for popular america I'm becoming hardened to the plight of the homeless. NO YOU CANT HAVE MY FUCKING LEFTOVERS I AM GOING TO EAT THEM LATER! ITS MY GODDAMN MEATLOAF! I NEED MY QUARTERS FOR THE BUS! Yes, I understand that you are unable to hold down a job because your old boss was a zorbonian double agent and your tinfoil helmet was not enough to protect you from his government sponsored mind control rays, but that doesn't mean I am responsible for providing you with mental health subsidies in the form of MY FUCKING DINNER!
Its not that I dislike the homeless. Its just that the constant reminder of the pain and heartbreak of being human pokes me in a soft place. Then my defenses kick in and lash out in anger against that which pokes. I want people to be warm and fed but I have not yet reached that level of buddha consciousness that allows me to have endless compassion.
I also find that I have simply run out of outrage. I read the newspaper now and instead of going on an hour long rant about fascism and willful ignorance, I just stumble my way to the couch and envelope my self in a protective shell of hipster comedy streamed from my hard drive. How can I be angry about politics when Master shake has lost his PDA in the Adirondacks? |
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