The good kind of religious folk March 31, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in Blogging, Morality, Religion.2 comments
It’s no secret that this blog’s philosophy is to antagonize organized religion in general, hierarchies of power in particular, and fundamentalism wherever possible. But I do occasionally like to point out that despite my disagreements with much of religion, there are religious/spiritual people out there who, on a moral and rational level, seem to be doing all the right things. Sure, they tend to view it as an expression of their unity with God/the universe/life, and they feel a since of spirituality when it comes to religious matters that I’m happier getting from art, but in the end they’re for equal treatment, basic humanity, love of others and rational thought. And I’m proud to have people like that as friends and allies, even if we disagree on important points.
I mention that largely as a way to thank Irving, one of the most frequent commenters here, and one who has always been supportive despite the fact that we disagree on many issues. By way of saying thank you, and to remind us all of what we do have in common, I suggest you check out this post, which expresses sentiments which I can wholeheartedly endorse.
“Down came the World Trade Centers. That was God speaking.” March 31, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in News and politics, bigotry, wingnuts.2 comments
So says Michael Savage. You know, the third most-listened to voice in talk radio.
Apparently God’s plan is to counter sex-change operations and “lesbian fertility clinics” with “radical Islam.” And so he’s allowing terrorist attacks to punish us.
And when I point out that people like Savage worship a violent, hateful, petty and narcissistic God, I’m the one that is criticized.
Michelle Malkin: “how dare you oppress women and religious minorities” March 31, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in News and politics, bigotry, constiutional issues, wingnuts.add a comment
Malkin’s crazy. We all knew that. And she apparently lives in some kind of alternate reality where the Terrorists have won and she is leading a daring band of rebels against the evil Lord Osama. Only Osama doesn’t have kidney failure and totally kicks ass with a lightsaber.
She’ pushing the “I Am John Doe” club, which spies on swarthy types and tries to keep brown-skinned people from setting off bombs and/or expressing their ideas. But this line in particular has the true ring of Orwell, much more so than this imagined vast network of citizen spies:
I will raise my voice against your subjugation of women and religious minorities.
Yup, because Malkin and the rest of the ultra conservative bunch really care about women and non-Christians, right? While she may be a lying scumbag who attempts to hide her bigotry behind faux-concern for the rights of others, at least she didn’t lobby for the inclusion of “gay people” and “people of color” in the list. Some things not even Malkin can bring herself to lie about, it would seem.
I’m kidding, of course. She’d lie about anything. Those categories don’t make the list because they play even worse with the base than “care” about women and religious minorities.
Say what you will about the tenets of National Socialism… March 30, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in Blogging, Morality.1 comment so far
…at least it’s an ethos.
In related news, and to no one’s surprise:
| You scored as Existentialism. Your life is guided by the concept of Existentialism: You choose the meaning and purpose of your life.
“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.” “It is up to you to give [life] a meaning.” –Jean-Paul Sartre “It is man’s natural sickness to believe that he possesses the Truth.” –Blaise Pascal More info at Arocoun’s Wikipedia User Page…
What philosophy do you follow? (v1.03) |
[h/t to Stranger Fruit for bringing this to my attention, and for generally being awesome.]
Should gay people even want to get married? March 30, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in News and politics, bigotry, constiutional issues.1 comment so far
There’s a thought-provoking post on that subject over at Feministing.
Let me preface the following by saying this: I am a straight, white man, and as such I am not certain that my opinion counts for much on this topic, and if any LGBT folks who read this blog want to deliver the smackdown on me for talking out of turn, I’ll humbly accept that as well deserved.
I don’t necessarily disagree with Pérez. In fact, my issues with the institution of marriage run deep enough that I plan to never marry. I feel that marriage, as it is practiced in our society, is a deeply flawed institution, probably fatally so. So I find nothing objectionable in the idea that we should be looking to change/undermine/subvert marriage.
But, honestly, I find that point to be essentially irrelevant to why I so vocally support gay marriage. (more after the fold) (more…)
One thing to add March 30, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in Blogging, arts and culture, language and lit.add a comment
Amanda reviews Neil Gaiman’s American Gods, and it’s worth a read (though if you haven’t read the book already, save some trouble and just read it right now. Now!). I only have one thing to add to her review. She writes
[American Gods] was certainly out of my usual realm of reading, but it got wildly good reviews, so I thought I’d check it out. Reading fantasy is a little hard on me, because my literary snob knee jerk reaction, which I had a few times during this book—I’m more used to reading stuff where characterization and language are priorities over plot and premise, so shifting gears is a bit hard.
I know that it’s hard for many of us who read to much to escape this particular issue, but I find it suprising here, mainly because Gaiman’s prose is fluid and well-crafted. It’s not particularly daunting, but there’s nothing wrong with that. As for characterization, I’d ask those who have read the book to judge for themselves.
I understand the anti-fantasy bias. Most fantasy lit is crap. Then again, most “literary fiction” is crap too. Most poetry, crap. Most nonfiction, crap. I don’t mean to be a snob, but perhaps I am one. My larger concern, though, is not crap (shocking, I know), but that we can become to enamored of genre.* I’ve never really understood what the dividing lines between genres are, and I’ve spent a great amount of personal and professional energy on just that subject. But in the end, I don’t think the distinctions are helpful. Something is well-written or not, insightful or not, of artistic merit or not. Lines between “literary” and “popular” fiction are useless, as are lines between, say, “porn” and “erotica.”
Which brings me to a larger question: to what extent should we accept work on its own merits, and to what extent can we critique it for failing at a goal that it did not attempt?
But I’ll leave that question for you to consider, at least for the moment. For now, it’s time to get off the soapbox and STFU. You can thank me at your leisure. ;)
* I’m not trying to pick on Amanda, who’s among the best and most thoughtful writers in the blogosphere. I’m guilty of the same biases she’s describing, and I’m only interested in trying to understand them.
Memo to William Donahue March 30, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in Religion, bigotry, constiutional issues, wingnuts.1 comment so far
While you’re unquestionably good at getting people fired because you are an ass, there is still this thing called “free speech,” and in the US it ain’t a crime to make fun of religious people. Nor is it a crime to create art, no matter how much you would like veto power over ideas.
“This is one of the worst assaults on Christian sensibilities ever,” said Bill Donohue, head of the Catholic League, a watchdog group. “It’s not just the ugliness of the portrayal, but the timing — to choose Holy Week is astounding.”
This from a man who said:
Hollywood is controlled by secular Jews who hate Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. It’s not a secret, OK? And I’m not afraid to say it. … Hollywood likes anal sex. They like to see the public square without nativity scenes. I like families. I like children. They like abortions.
Dear Mr Donahue:
Fuck you, you bigotted asshole. If you want to bitch about the oppression of Catholics, then you have to stop trying to oppress everyone else. And if you don’t like free speech because it goes after what you care about, then have the decency to be polite to other people.
Or better yet, follow a simple rule: if you can’t take it, don’t dish it out.
Skeptics’ Circle and open thread March 29, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in Blogging, News and politics, Science, Skepticism.add a comment
The latest Skeptics’ Circle is up at Aardvarchaeology. Get thee to the linkery!
Why is it science denialists are always such pricks? March 29, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in Al Gore, News and politics, Science, wingnuts.add a comment
Case in point, James “Global Warming is the biggest hoax ever perpetuated on the American people” Inhofe. Inhofe has lost the debate, but that won’t stop him from being an insufferable ass.
Big Goddamn Hero still being dishonored by the military March 27, 2007
Posted by Evil Bender in Keith Olbermann, News and politics, Terrorism.1 comment so far
Here’s the story, in case you’ve been living in a cave or, like the President, not reading newspapers:
- After 9/11, a patriotic citizen is among many who volunteer to serve their country in the military.
- Because this particular recruit is a rich, famous athlete, this gets a lot of attention.
- The athlete is killed in action.
- The military says he is killed by bad guys.
- He was actually killed by friendly fire.
- The military continues to lie, change their story, and manipulate the public, all while using the athlete’s death as a recruitment tool, and as a means of selling an unjustified war.
- The hero’s family asks for answers, and is consistently and systematically lied to.
You’re no doubt aware I’m talking about the sad case of Pat Tillman. Tillman was, as the title of this post suggests, a Big Goddamn Hero, as is every man and woman who puts themselves at risk to protect the lives of others. As a soldier, as a man who gave his life fighting for his country, he deserves better than the lies the military has offered. Like all soldiers killed in action, he deserves to be treated with great respect. More than anything, he deserves to have his memory honored, not polluted with lies designed to advance an agenda he did not agree with. Tillman’s mother has repeatedly said that he was opposed to the war in Iraq and thought it illegal.
I’m trying to be calm about this, to be rational. I want to make it clear that Tillman died a hero, just as everyone who fights to protect others. I also know that if the military is lying about his death, they’re no doubt abusing the memory of other soldiers as well. There can still be good from all this: if Pat Tillman’s high profile results in real change in the military, if it will make it impossible for four generals to know about the real reason for a soldier’s death and to cover it up, then that will be a start.
We must honor the memory of those who die to save others. The lying has to stop. It is beyond an injustice, and it makes me sick to my stomach.
I encourage those who blog to reinforce this point with me. It is not a political issue, it is not a partisan issue. This is an issue of respect for those who are KIA, and we must make sure that is echoed loud and long. If you agree with me on this, I’d urge you to mention it on your blog, and/or leave a comment here. We need to create a stir about this the bloggosphere has about so many other important issues.
It’s time for the lies to stop.
