Culture

Make sure you choose the correct god before one of these things happens to you!

The video says it all. From Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (sallykern@okhouse.gov). People that hold such blatant hatred about fellow human beings shouldn't even be able to have their voices heard, much less hold public office.

Via C & L.

First, it was the news that Mississippi Lawmaker(s?) have proposed a bill that would make it illegal for restaurants to serve obese patrons.

There are so many things wrong with situation, I doubted whether or not I wanted to write about it. Why would anyone discriminate against a group of people (a majority in the US)?
I couldn't wrap my mind around it, not to mention how there is no way it's constitutional. Nevermind, how terribly, horribly, mean that is.

Besides, who would decide what qualifies as obese? What would be the deciding factor? Some people doubt the truthiness or quality of the BMI scale. So, what would you go by? Some hostess in some random restaurant's suggestion or opinion?

Not to mention the douchebag Republican Lawmaker that doesn't even think it will or should pass.

"I do not have any intention of this becoming law," says the Desoto County Republican. "I don't think it has a Chinaman's chance. I'm against intrusive government. I don't think that's what we're here for and what we should be doing."

So why draft such controversial legislation?

"The reason I put the bill in," says Mayhall, "was to call attention to the seriousness of the obesity epidemic in Mississippi."

Oh! So you proposed a bill you don't even agree with or want to pass, because you want to alienate a certain group of people because you disagree with their lifestyle. Ahh, so very Republican of you.

I don't care what your opinion is on the state of the people in your state, lose weight like Mike Huckabee did. Or actually try and think about doing something that might make a difference an encourage people of unhealthy weight to do something about it, instead of estranging those who you're trying to 'help'.

Just because Mississippi has been ranked #1 in amount of obese people in the US for the past 3 years, doesn't justify this kind of unethical behavior. That's simply ridiculous.

Then, a California man is being sued by his city, San Carlos, for canceling his trash pick up, because he was environmentally conscious.

SAN CARLOS (Map, News) - A man who claims to have reduced his waste to nearly nothing out of concern for the environment now faces a lawsuit from San Carlos for canceling his garbage-collection service.

Eddie House, 53, says he was shocked when he was served with a lawsuit Sunday at his Cedar Street home.

The lawsuit, filed by San Carlos Deputy City Attorney Linda Noeske in San Mateo Superior Court on Jan. 22, seeks a permanent injunction forcing House to maintain garbage service. City officials are also seeking to recoup from House the costs of the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims House broke the city’s municipal code requiring all residential, commercial and industrial properties to contract with Allied Waste for pickup at least once a week — a standard requirement in most cities, San Carlos Deputy City Manager Brian Moura said.

I shit you not. A guy recycles and composts all his waste, therefore he doesn't need his trash service. And? He gets sued. SUED.

I can see how the city would be concerned about people having plenty of waste, and not throwing it away or wanting to pay the trash guys, but if he has no trash then what in the hell are they expecting for them to pick up?

It makes no sense. Any rational, logical, or reasonable person would applaud his efforts, and let him be. But apparently we're too concerned with the laws themselves to worry about who we're enforcing them on, or why we're enforcing them.

And it's not like the City just got confused, and they didn't know the whole situation (Which, really, who does before they SUE SOMEONE). But they're trying to recoup their expenses from HIM for the lawsuit.

Sometimes, I seriously wonder if we’re too wrapped up in silly laws that seek to govern our every step. It’s almost as if we live in a country that believes it will behave in exactly the same way 200 years from now. Change and the rights of the individual are covered in layers of codes and red tape. This is a perfect example. And was it truly necessary to sue? Couldn’t there have been some other action taken to resolve any issues between the city and the homeowner? Ridiculous.

I get it, we're a nation of laws. But since when do they dictate everything we do? From being overweight to being environmentally conscious.

I've never met them, so I can't say for sure, but I'm pretty sure The Founding Fathers didn't mean for laws to go this far.

Since when is the legislative process not for actually proposing legislation that might better the state and its people, but is instead meant to get your opinions on the news?

Since when do we care more about going by the books like some kind of mindless robots, than analyzing the situation like real, rational people?

I think we need to reevaluate our situation in this country, and maybe start voting for change.

Our government needs to start answering to us, rather than the other way around. Isn't that what a Democracy is supposed to be anyway?

Source

I guess the Black and White version of Christianity and morality - You know the one, Gays suck. Liberals Suck. Atheists Suck. Clinton Sucks. They are all worthy of our ahem, Excuse us, God's scorn. - that most Conservatives (like Bill Kristol, Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Fox News, George Bush, Dick Cheney. You get the point) are offering up, doesn't sit so well with some people of the Christian Religion.

This guy, apparently, doesn't want to hate everyone that disagrees with him.

My first question when reading this was, What is WRONG with this guy? Didn't he get the memo that says "Treat all those that don't agree with you like scum, and accuse them of worshiping the devil"?
We'll get him an extra copy of the memo, and don't forget to include the memo about the TPS reports!

Whatever, okay. Maybe he doesn't want to hate on everybody, but he's still against gays getting married, and liberals existing, right!?

Christians tired of the "life is perfect" mantra of some churches, revel in his ability to talk unashamedly about smoking pot, living in a hippie commune and the notion that God isn't a Republican.

Supporters say Miller's authentic, graceful approach to God has finally given a voice to their brand of Christianity. The book also debuted at a time when the emerging church movement -- which emphasizes the individual's faith experience and varied worship styles -- is flourishing, signaling a fertile audience for such religious musings among more socially liberal evangelicals.

Watching TBN one night on TV, Miller, 36, realized the conservative religious network was many people's baseline for Christianity. He wanted to change that.

"These people are absurd. I've been a Christian all my life and I don't even know Christians this weird," said the Portland, Oregon-based writer, who is single.

In his book, Miller describes his disdain for the us vs. them mentality between Christians and non-Christians.

"I felt, once again, that there was this underlying hostility for homosexuals and Democrats and, well, hippie types. I cannot tell you how much I did not want liberal or gay people to be my enemies. I liked them," he wrote. "The real issue in the Christian community was that (love) was conditional ... You were loved in word, but there was, without question, a social commodity that was being withheld from you until you shaped up."

Dave Morton was also growing cold on the church when he picked up Miller's book.

"The perspective that was refreshing to me was that your Christian faith doesn't have to look exactly like everybody's else's," said Morton, a 28-year-old ski instructor from Bend, Oregon. "It kind of inspired me to pursue God again with a fresh perspective."

Brad Jones, a 30-year-old youth pastor at a conservative Southern Baptist Church in South Florida, said he felt alone in his desire for more authentic dialogue about God.

"My thoughts on faith aren't really going along with everyone else and then I read this and said, 'That's what I've been thinking the whole time,"' he said.

Miller's book embraces cultural relevance, not cultural dominance, he said.

Wait, did you get that part? FIRST, This douche accuses GOD of NOT BEING A REPUBLICAN, THEN he says he doesn't want gays or liberals to be his enemy?
This guy? HAS GOT to go.

I'm pretty sure it says in the Bible that liberals are agents of the Devil and that gays, even Republican ones, aren't allowed to be happy. Ever. What in the HELL is this guy thinkin'?

" Critics call Miller's works casual and glib and that he strays from biblical truths when he downplays homosexuality and other sins.

One such critic, Shane Walker, says Miller presents Jesus as 'a nice fellow who meets one at the campfire and swaps stories.' He forgets to remind readers that Jesus is also a judge and avenger who wants to save you from his just wrath," according to his review for 'Blue Like Jazz', an organization designed to help local churches re-establish their biblical bearings."

YEAH! DUUUH. Jesus was a vengeful, mean, and jealous person. Oh shit, wait. No...that was the God of the Old Testament. WHATEVER..They're still they same person.
Jesus wasn't a fuckin' hippie that wanted to accept everyone and loved everyone equally, except for the rich that just cared for their money. That was SOO not him.
Shit, Wait! Yes it was. Oh well, we'll just pretend that he said that you should hate Homosexuals and Democrats, for arguments sake. Kay? Kay.

How DARE this guy accuse us of being bigoted, when God was bigoted too! God was sooo bigoted and hateful, that justifies us doing it too, doesn't it!?

Right? Right.

And the worst part about this guy? He's actually getting noticed, people are AGREEING with his message. Gah, we've gotta stop this guy before he stops us!

Time for us to stop pretending that these charades are actual debates about important issues. Cancel them all. What is the point? Why did they even pretend that the substance of the questions was remotely influenced by everyday people? Its absurd.

I have difficulty believing that "How many guns do you own?" or 'What does the "stars and bars' flag represent?" is a more appropriate or more popular question than "Does the President have authority to kidnap people and hold them permanently without trial?" or "Do you support massive domestic warrantless surveillance and data mining?"

Its absurd that NO ONE - not Democrats or Republicans - has been asked anything about fundamental constitutional issues like separation of powers and protection of civil liberties.

Its our fault, I suppose. We aren't doing enough collectively screaming bloody murder and demanding adherence to our traditional democratic principles to force our corrupt, rotten political and media elites to change course.

Here is a list of questions that actually made it through:


Will you make America a 'sanctuary city' country?
Will you pledge to veto amnesty for illegal immigrants?
With immigration reform failing, will I have a job?
Lower college tuition rates - military families or illegals?
Do you believe in a conspiracy to make a new union?
What measures will you take to tackle the national debt?
What are the top three federal programs you would cut?
Do you support a 'Fair Tax'?
Will you pledge never to raise taxes?
Will you eliminate farm subsidies?
How will you keep lead-laced toys out of my home?
What is your opinion on gun control?
Do you believe in a required written exam for gun ownership?
How many guns do you own?
What will you do to reduce crime in the inner cities?
If abortion is illegal, what should the punishment be?
Would you sign a federal abortion ban?
On the Death Penalty, what would Jesus do?
Do you believe every word of The Holy Bible?
How would you repair the image of America?
Is waterboarding torture?
Will you make a permanent commitment to the people of Iraq?
Is your campaign exploiting 9/11?
Should Vice-President Dick Cheney have so much power?
A gay Brigadier General asks a question
Do you accept the support of log cabin republicans?
Will you repay the $2 trillion borrowed from Social Security?
What is your vision for human space exploration?
Why don't many African-Americans vote Republican?
What does the "stars and bars" flag represent?
How can we repair the infrastructure of America
Mr. Paul, are you going to run as an independent?


Is it just me, or is this the first protest by High School students to the pledge of allegiance?

100 students walked out after their first class in order to recite a new form of the Pledge of Allegiance.
The New Pledge:

First off, I have to say: Go Kids! These are truly free-thinkers, and they're in High School. How remarkable is that? But it may have less to do with their uncommon ability to think outside of the box or question the status quo and more to do with the culture that they're taught in.

That, in and of itself, is pretty amazing to me. A principal who not only allows student protests like this, but encourages it. That's pretty freaking unique.
It's definitely encouraging that we have a rather considerable sized group protesting this.
"'We don't object to pledging to our country, but we do object to pledging to a religion,' said Ashley Guesman, 17, a protest organizer."

Seriously, these kids deserve their props, but honestly had any teenager tried this in the Bible Belt? Well, they certainly wouldn't still be around to give interviews. In all honestly, they probably would have been sent to a terrorist detainment camp.

Just when you thought Republican bigotry was at it's best, or worst, they will set out to prove you wrong.

Straight from Crooks and Liars...

See? And I knew it all along, dogmatic hatred really will save this country. You just watch and see, because the founding fathers would tell you if they were still here.
Bigoted assholes raised this country from nothing. They would tell you that they certainly didn't believe in religious freedom, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a Commie terrorist!

Gah, what would we do without Mr. Sali to tell us who to hate, and why?!

And don't you like the semi-threat there at the end? Kind of reminds me of the nice things these nice people would tell you, too.

Man, Isn't the world of conservatism just awesome! Anyone you wanna hate, and they'll give you a reason, and back it up with the bible! Almost breath-taking, huh?

We all know that Atheists are thought of as the "most distrusted" cultural group in America. What sickens me is that most people don't even know who is an atheist and who isn't. I'm sure they'd be VERY surprised to find out some of their respected acquaintances and co-workers are atheist. For instance, most people at work don't know that I'm an atheist. It's not because I am not open about it, it's because no one asked what my religious beliefs are. Should someone ask, I'd be more than happy to say that I have no religious beliefs whatsoever, and I do not believe in a personal god.

I don't, however, tout it around with a 12-inch "I'm an atheist" pendant hanging from a thick gold chain. I don't have an atheist handbook in my cubicle. I don't send anti-religious e-mail forwards. I don't ever "thank evolution" for good things that happen to me. I don't ask people what their personal beliefs are. I don't tell anyone that their personal beliefs are wrong or immoral, even though most of them are. I don't point out the hypocrisy of the Bible. I don't state my anger at the general public's malaise for rational thought and personal responsibility. I don't open my mouth about any of this unless asked.

Tell who you can. Let your neighbors, friends, and enemies know. Because this guy has the biggest balls of anyone. Ever.

Yesterday, Eli Israel refused to be a combatant in Iraq any longer.

Here's what he wrote to one of his friends back home:

He stood up for something he deeply believes (believed?) in. I mean, granted; He's in the army and his life is not his own until he gets out.
But the bravery and awe-inspiring courage he exhibited with this one simple action, with one simple word, "No." No I will not fight this terrible, unjust war for you any longer. Against a mighty oppressor is something truly amazing, and most definitely rare.

There is a movement in the U.K. to classify consensual sex with a drunk woman as rape. If this happened here, every American guy would be a rapist.