Kevin's Got it Right

A letter appeared in The Forum this morning that says it like it is. Way to go, Kevin!

Kevin Oak, Detroit Lakes, Minn. letter: Bible-thumping dimwits at it again
The Forum
Published Thursday, May 03, 2007

What’s with these Bible-thumping dimwits and their rant against The Forum’s article about the two young men attending prom together? I thought The Forum did a fine job presenting this issue in the context of what is a very significant event in a teen’s high school tenure.
But then you get these self-righteous nut jobs who read it with minds sealed drum tight, gasp, clutch at their chests, and frantically peruse the good book to find some passage in an attempt to make some obscure point. Then it’s up to the altar they go with a “God loves you but ...” finger-shaking hellfire-and-brimstone tirade.

And they continue to show the depth of their ignorance by expressing sympathy for gays’ family members, or saying something really stupid, like how a gay can change what happened at conception but only with a close, personal relationship with Jesus.

Please, sit down and shut up, already. I’m only here to listen to the choir.

The Jesus I know is about forgiveness, tolerance and acceptance.

He’s also the guy who said, “Let the person who is without sin cast the first stone.” Because if the Bible-thumpers’ God judges all sins on an equal basis, the water they’ll be in on their judgment day is going to be just as hot as anybody’s.

John, Sam and Santa

What do John the Baptist, Uncle Sam and Santa Claus have in common?

Why, John Frum, of course!

The people on the isolated South Pacific island of Tanna, in the country of Vanuatu, have long put their faith in John Frum, a figure they insist is a former American GI during World War II who will someday emerge from the volcano and shower his believers with wealth and knowledge.

Frum has been described as a combination of John the Baptist, Uncle Sam and Santa Claus.

Well, if you are worried about their poor lost souls, fear not, for Christian evangelism has arrived to save the day. Apparently 7000 islanders have given their hearts to Jesus™ after watching a Jesus™ film video that was left behind. I guess if you're gullible enough to be swayed by Santa, Sam and John, then Jesus™ should not be too hard to swallow.

Read the story here.

Littering is against the law in North Dakota

Ok, I'm all for free speech and all that jazz, but I do have a problem with people littering public places with propaganda. I was at NDSU today and had to use the restroom. As I was washing up I noticed some money laying around here and there. On closer inspection, they appeared to be $1,000,000 bills! I picked one up and flipped it over and behold - Once again, someone is trying to save me. What a waste of trees and ink. It's one thing to hand them out to people. That's fine. But it is quite another thing to dirty up our public spaces with all this paper. Frankly the folks who drop these around campus should be cited for littering.

Godless Money Commands a High Price

Say what you want about "In God We Trust" on US currency, but it's clear that people are paying a premium for new dollar coins that are missing this inscription. The US Mint has released some new dollar coins that were improperly struck. Intially coins were fetching upwards of $600. As word spread, more were discovered and the price has settled down to about $50 on ebay.

Read the story here

Minimum Wage is a Republican Ideal?

I think not! Once again, the Republican-controlled ND legislature has shown their true arrogant plagiaristic selfs and held a photo-op touting their "Republican" bill to raise the minimum wage. Funny, they've killed the bill the last 10 times the Democrats have brought it to the table. The real credit should go to Sen. Tim Mathern (D-Fargo) and Rep. Jasper Schneider (D-Fargo).

The Forum has more to say on the issue:

Forum Editorial: Democrats initiated wage bill
The Forum
Published Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Monday’s celebratory photo op for signing a minimum wage bill was among the more bizarre political sideshows to come out of the North Dakota legislative session. Conducted by a Republican governor and Republican lawmakers, the lead participants pretty much soft-pedaled the fact that the original minimum wage bill was a Democrat initiative. Indeed, all the majority Republicans did was amend the bill to say it would not take effect until the federal minimum wage is raised, which Congress is expected to do this year.
The efficacy of government setting wages in a diverse jobs marketplace aside (we think it’s a bad idea for North Dakota), the failure of Republicans to properly acknowledge the primary role of Democratic lawmakers in the wage bill was petty. Oh, a brief mention was made of the Democrats, but it seemed almost an afterthought. And a couple of Democratic legislators and a labor union leader were on hand, but their marginal participation came off as so much window dressing.

The original bill was written by Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, and Rep. Jasper Schneider, D-Fargo. It was given little chance of passing because the Republican majority historically has been against raising the state’s minimum wage. But Congress changed hands after the November election and the new Democratic majority said it would advance a federal minimum wage hike. President Bush went along and said he would sign a wage bill. Apparently when the Republican president said he would support a higher minimum wage, Republicans in the North Dakota Legislature began to dance to his tune.

If a minimum wage hike was anathema to Republican legislators in the past, why would they think it’s a good idea now – even if the president apparently thinks so? Why did they appropriate what clearly was – and has always been – a Democratic initiative? Free-market, conservative Republicans have no business lining up behind a wage philosophy that contradicts everything they say they believe.

And since the minimum wage hike was a Democratic bill from the start (changed minimally to reflect pending federal legislation), why snub Sen. Mathern and Rep. Schneider? That’s rude and a tad dishonest.

Sometimes politics – even in civil North Dakota – just stinks.

Forum editorials represent the opinion of Forum management and the newspaper’s Editorial Board.

Republican Plagiarism in North Dakota

plagiarism |ˈplājəˌrizəm| noun
the practice of taking someone else's work or ideas and passing them off as one's own.

That describes the republican dominated North Dakota legislature. For years they have completely discounted the democratic minority with arrogance and disdain. The idea that ND Democrats should just be happy their ideas are becoming law even if Republicans have stolen those ideas as their own is completely idiotic. This is just plain unethical! Republicans should be ashamed of themselves. If I were to do this in my university, I would be fired for plagiarism. It's a serious ethical offense.

Read more from the Grand Forks Herald:


VIEWPOINT : Yes, the GOP stole our bills in Bismarck
By Arlo Schmidt and Dorvan Solberg,
Published Thursday, March 01, 2007, Grand Forks Herald


BISMARCK - This is a response to the comments made by Republican leadership in a recent Forum Communications Capitol bureau story, “Cross words at crossover” (Page 4B, Feb. 16).
Republicans acted as if they didn't notice that they had stolen ideas from Democrats. However, it is hard to imagine that Republicans didn't realize they were stealing our ideas. For example, we asked a Republican senator and representative to co-sponsor a bill to keep interest rates down for student loans. They told us they would not sponsor that bill, but then introduced a virtual carbon copy of the bill with several other Republican co-sponsors.

House Majority Leader Rick Berg, R-Fargo, insinuated that it was Democrats' fault for not getting the bills passed. He seemed to indicate that no bill will be passed with a Democrat sponsor because Republicans are in control of both the Senate, the House and the governor's office.

Senate Majority Leader Bob Stenehjem, R-Bismarck, implied that this is just part of the legislative process. But Stenehjem needs to know that stealing ideas, hoghousing bills and dominating public policy is not part of the legislative process. It is bad politics, and it is not going unnoticed.

Berg alluded to the idea that Democrats shouldn't be upset that Republicans are stealing our ideas. He says that Democrats should just be happy to see their ideas brought forward and getting passed - as if he is doing us a favor by stealing our ideas.

We would just like to compare the situation to something Herald readers can identify with. Pretend that you came up with a great idea at your place of employment. Pretend that you go to a co-worker and ask for help in presenting this great idea to your boss.

Now, imagine the audacity that co-worker would need in order, first, to tell you to your face that he can't help you; and then second, to go to the boss and present your idea as his own.

We suspect you would not be very impressed with that co-worker. That is exactly what is happening in the state Legislature and why we are calling foul.

In the North Dakota House of Representatives, Schmidt, a Democrat from Maddock, N.D., represents District 7 and Solberg, a Democrat from Ray, N.D., represents District 2.

Ayaan Hirsi Ali is my hero

Here she is on Real Time with Bill Maher. I was shocked to see Bill come full circle and state Islam has been violent from the beginning. This from a man who once said Mohammed was liberal and tolerant. The difference between Islam and many other religions is that in large part, it has not abandoned the violence that most religions gave up since the 14th century.

Take a look at this clip:

Death to women who won't cover their heads

PZ Myers has a lot to say today about the execution of Pakistan's Minister for Social Welfare in Punjab province. Her crime? She did not cover her head.

The shooter had this to say . .

"I have no regrets. I just obeyed Allah's commandment," he said, adding that Islam did not allow women to hold positions of leadership. "I will kill all those women who do not follow the right path, if I am freed again," he said

I particularly like PZ's commentary about this story . .

Face it, everyone. Religion is not a source of moral behavior. It's a source of tribalism and obedience to authority, which sometimes coincides with respectable morality, but isn't necessarily associated with it. We have to find our virtue in one true thing, our common humanity, and these ancient superstitions actually interfere with instruction in how to be good by encrusting it with nonsense.

Read more from PZ here . . .

Speaking of Islamic Rants - they want you dead

Omar Brooks thinks all non-muslims should be slaughtered.

I am ashamed of my party

As a liberal democrat, I abhor intolerance. So when our party's leaders support individuals and groups that are intolerant, I can't understand it. On Feb. 2, Howard Dean stood next to Imam Husham Al-Husany as the Imam feigned a desire for peace and love and called Americans oppressors. Is Howard so shallow that he does not understand that this Imam is only interested in everyone living under shari'a law? His associations with CAIR and his support of terrorist organizations around the world are ample evidence that he is another Islamic leader who thinks that peace, love and unity can only come if we all follow Muhammed.

Although I don't really care for Sean Hannity's tactics, Imam Al-Husany's rants during his interview with Sean demonstrate how out of touch he really is. It's clear that if anyone criticizes Islamic domination, then they encourage the wrath of Muhammed and Jesus. Incredible! Peace and Love and Understanding . . I don't believe that is what the Imam really wants. He wants the whole world to be like him. And Howard embraces characters like this? Take a listen for yourself:



Oh, and after the DNC address, equally ignorant young democrats blindly supported Howard's choice.



One more reason that RELIGION and GOVERNMENT should forever be separated. This Imam is as nuts as the christians Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Fred Phelps!

My party should be better than this.

Pardon me for wondering

Ok, I have to ask. Did anyone else wonder why this story (Russian smuggled nuclear-bomb uranium) that appeared on CNN.com tonight has been kept under wraps since last summer? I usually don't go in for conspiracy theories, but . . is it coincedence that this came out one day after GW's gloom and doom State of the Union address? I mean, the sting happened last summer! The perpetrator has already been arrested, charged and convicted! According to the article:

Details of the investigation, which also involved the FBI and Energy Department, were provided to The Associated Press by U.S. officials and Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili.

That means the US government released the information by choice today.

This is my speculation, but I think this was released today to bolster Bush's pro-war agenda after his speech. This is an important piece of news. If (when) "nucular" material does get into the hands of terrorists, we are all in trouble. Why wasn't this news reported last summer? Using information that is vital to all of our safety for political agendas is disgraceful.

Man, the last few years have really turned me into a pessimist.

Politics: Dare I say the "I" word?

Yes, I'm talking about IMPEACHMENT. Not a word I throw around lightly. One I thought I would never want to use. But I don't know what else to do with the ignorant arrogant self-appointed dictator that is George Bush. To say he, and he alone, knows what's best for America and the rest of us have no say in the matter just goes too far. Whether or not his troop surge is right or wrong is irrelevant in this discussion. What is relevant is his complete and utter disregard for Congress and the American people who have spoken loudly that he needs to do something else. Maybe his way is right, but he hasn't made the case yet and he can't sit on his throne and simply tell us it is. He and Dick are now saying it is their duty to stomp all over our rights. Yes, we 300,000,000 Americans are too stupid to understand how King George and Prince Dick will save the world. Well, it's time to dethrone them. This is the last straw.

Ok, that being said, I want to ask, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THE DEMOCRATS? Where are their plans? We need them to lead, NOW. THIS IS THE TIME! DO IT. George will just keep doing this unless you Dems start doing something smart. Howard went around the country talking about "Tough but Smart". Well, it's January, we have wrestled congress from the clutches of the Republicans. It's time for the Tough and Smart. Please step up to the plate, and do it quick before we're all doomed.

Politics: So Long Gerry

And so an era ends. 93 is a good long time to be on Earth. Rest in peace. I don't know why I have a little soft spot for President Ford. Perhaps because he was from my home state of Michigan. I never cared much for his presidency.

So long James

There will never be another like you. Rest in peace.

Happy Solstice

In the dead of winter here in the north daylight is few and far between. Today is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year. I always find myself contemplating new beginnings and the return of the sun at this time of the year. The solstice brings thoughts of joy and rebirth. I know if I just wait for the sun to make it's slow march back to my part of the world, the miracle that is spring will be back once again. I can understand why so many joyous holidays in human history have appeared around this time of the year.

Here's wishing you all a very Happy Solstice.

Religion: Back to the roots

It would seem that ritualistic human behavior is older than previously thought. Archeologists have found evidence of python worship dating back 70,000 years making the discovery the world's oldest ritual. I always did have a soft spot in my heart for snakes.

".... mankind descended from the python and the ancient, arid streambeds around the hills are said to have been created by the python as it circled the hills in its ceaseless search for water."

Fun: How do you say that?

This is a fun little quiz. It was spot on for me.

What is your American accent?

Politcs: Your Turn

Ok Democrats, you better not f*** it up.

Politics: VOTE TODAY

I did! Your Turn!

Religion: Still a Hypocrite

So, I haven't commented on the whole Ted Haggard thing until now. I'm not sure whether to pity or loathe the man. He has recently all but confessed to his "sins". But Ted still thinks that god can somehow heal him of his 'homodisease'.

"The fact is, I am guilty of sexual immorality, and I take responsibility for the entire problem."

"I am a deceiver and a liar. There is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I've been warring against it all of my adult life."

"Our church's overseers have required me to submit to the oversight of Dr. James Dobson, Pastor Jack Hayford, and Pastor Tommy Barnett. Those men will perform a thorough analysis of my mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical life. They will guide me through a program with the goal of healing and restoration for my life, my marriage, and my family. "

You really should read his letter. I'm sure it was hard for him to write. But, I don't think he can redeem himself simply by asking for prayer and forgiveness.

What I wonder is if he really means the things he preaches. If he truly believes homosexuals are evil and all the bullshit that he says on the pulpit, then I feel very sorry for him. How tortured his life must be. On the other hand, perhaps he simply was corrupted by the power and the money of his position and he really doesn't believe the crap he spouts. In that case, he is a supreme hypocrite preying on his flock.

Either way it's clear. What Ted needs is not prayer and healing from above, he needs a good honest man to make him a man. Too bad he can't admit it.

Interesting that his wife is sticking by his side. He should be honest with her.

Well, why not? Afterall, it's her fault!