Antick Musings quotes Bertrand Russel on opinions — And once again, opinions are not freely substitutable for facts. No matter how sincerely held, divinely inspired, or endorsed by Glenn Beck.
Critics Blast Palin's Bible-Based Legal Plan — Sarah Palin: "Go back to what our founders and our founding documents meant. They're quite clear that we would create law based on the God of the Bible and the 10 commandments, it's pretty simple." Welcome to conservative America, where facts are optional, history is fungible and idiots lead.
We are not a Christian nation — He makes the same point I've made repeatedly What strikes me as funny is how the über-religious in the US fight to tear down the wall of separation, not realizing that they are weakening themselves. What stands between their religion being dominant and, say, Muslims? This is one of the many problems with having religion intertwined with government. As long as it’s your religion, hurray. But see those guys over there praying in a place of worship with slightly different architecture from yours? They feel exactly the same way about their religion as you do about yours. The only way to protect your own freedom of religion is to protect your freedom from theirs. You don't even have to step outside the Christian label. Do Southern Baptists really want to live in Catholic nation, under Catholic rules? Do Catholics want to be forced to abide by Mormon ideology and theology? "Christian" is a terrific label that hundreds of sects claim ownership of. Centuries-long bloody warns have been fought over this label. No thanks, Palin. Crack a history book for once in your life and use the mind God so reluctantly gave you. You might learn something. (Via
corwynofamber.)Grand Old Party — For reasons that have always struck me as paradoxical, one place where Republicans totally excel Democrats is in their ability to survive sex scandals. For years I had it pounded into me that people voted Republican because of the "moral compass" that only conservatives seem to possess, given how us liberals are all venal situationalists or something. Glad to see that moral compass continues to be put to good use. I guess the same people who hated Clinton can forgive anything for someone who votes the God, guns and gays line. Ah, principled consistency.
Why not just torture the SOB? — Personally, I think the Anglo-American traditions of liberty are one of the things conservatives ought to be in favor of conserving. You'd think that gang that claim to be strict Constitutionalists would have a wee bit of consistency on this point. Especially since so much terrorism emanates from the American right —
More on the "Dimming of the Age" — Daniel Larison on the coming post-American century that Bush-era policies did so much to pave the way for.
?otD: Which kind of Christian Nation should America be? Maronite? Coptic? Amish? Seventh Day Adventist?
5/8/2010
Writing time yesterday: none (chemo)
Body movement: Brief suburban walk
Hours slept: 9.0 (interrupted)
This morning's weigh-in: n/a (off schedule)
Yesterday's chemo stress index: 8/10 (infusion day)
Currently (re)reading: Soul Music by Terry Pratchett