October 31, 2007

E-Ching For the Day

"The only two options are war and peace. But war doesn't have to mean fighting, and peace doesn't have to mean apathy."
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October 30, 2007

If It’s So Moral

If you truly believe that certain political issues are a moral outcry, in particular, the idea that certain people in this country don't have healthcare, then why aren't you currently spending your personal money on helping to alleviate this problem? I'm not saying ALL of your money. My contention is that if you claim it to be a serious moral problem, and that you currently choose to ignore the problem unless everyone else sacrifices with you, then would you admit to being immoral? When you stand on your podium and tell me that I'm greedy, and yet I give ten times the percentage of my income on charitable giving than you do, you lose all credibility with me. And yet, no one else calls you out on this. I don't understand it.
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October 29, 2007

Respect for the Presidency

This is a fully-loaded post title. What does having respect for the position of presidency mean? If you notice, President Bush is extremely careful not to denigrate any former President, and is extremely gracious and complimentary when he meets with President Clinton. This is contrary to the actions of many other former Presidents who are quick to throw these men under the bus in order to rise their historical ranking. Once retired, President Harry S. Truman refused to make money off of his prestigious title. While President Clinton is making millions off book sales and speaking engagements, Truman refused either. President Bush recently stated his inclination to go on a similar speaking tour once he retires; the only problem might be getting the gigs. Or does respect mean being careful not to abuse Presidential power? Well, we haven't had one of those in a while. So, it comes down to which of these characteristics of respect do YOU respect the most?
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October 26, 2007

Stem Cell Sacrifice

Have you ever heard the argument that even if you do consider an unborn child to be human life, that the research done through harvesting these stem cells makes destruction worth it, because of all the diseases that could be cured through this research? So, why aren't these proponents willingly donating their own bodies for this cause as well? Plus, they can offer blood, working organs, etc. Seems to me like a no-brainer by that logic.
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October 25, 2007

Ignorance Beats Foolishness

I think ignorance gets a bad rap. You don't know where Toronto is? You're ignorant. You don't how a carburetor works? You're ignorant. But, we're all ignorant before someone teaches us these things. The idea of "common knowledge" that everyone should know is kind of preposterous. If someone is intelligent and open to learning, I'll take them ignorant over someone who knows what S.A.R.S. stands for and thinks they have everything figured out. Intelligence without wisdom is worthless.
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October 24, 2007

While We’re On Columbus

Many credit Columbus for being the first to discover America (cough, Leif Erikson), and many also credit Columbus for being the first person to think the world was round. But, all of those smart toga guys in Ancient Greece had known the Earth was round for well over 1000 years before him. In fact, they taught it in their schools. So, why wasn't this universal knowledge by 1492? What knowledge might people still ignore 1000 years from now that you can't believe isn't widely understood today?
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October 23, 2007

Columbus Day

This holiday was recently "celebrated" in this country, recognizing the date on which Christopher Columbus discovered "America". Someone in my office brought in cookies that day. And someone else responded with a witty comment of how he didn't believe in eating cookies on "Indigenous People's Day". When I say witty, I mean that one other person encouraged this comment and began ridiculing Columbus, while the rest of us awkwardly managed silence. I don't contend that we should overlook any acts of violence occurred through colonization. But, to be consistent with a Columbus hatred, we must also detest every land discovery ever made and label it as intrusion onto other's property, whether these others include people, animals or wildlife. And I'm ok with that opinion. At least it's consistent.
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October 22, 2007

Losers are Necessary

So, I commission a fantasy football league every year. I've done pretty well in the past, but am experiencing my first year of "horrendousness". And it's fairly discouraging. I feel like it reflects poorly both on my status as a sports fan as well as a man. But, you know how when you're a kid, your mother used to let you win at board/card games so that you'd enjoy it? So, can't I feel good about the fact that my poor performance is making some of my friends feel better about themselves. I mean, I'm arrogant enough where I can take pride in something else pretty easily. So they can have football...this year.
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October 19, 2007

If the Universe was Infinite

If the universe has been ever-expanding since it's conception, then by definition, it must be finite, correct? But, IF the universal was eternal (which modern physics has declared is impossible since they have found a beginning "bang"), then an infinite universe could technically be possible. And IF the universe was infinite, then wouldn't that necessitate, by definition, other human-inhabited planets? People call Earth the "Privileged Planet" because of the specific temperatures, molecular compounds, gravity, pressures, magnetism etc. that with such great fragility makes life possible. But if the universe was truly infinite, even if the odds of an alternative "Earth" were 1-whatever quintillion^quintillion they say it is, infinity would beat those odds out. But since it seems that the universe is still expanding and yet finite, it is quite probable that we are alone...besides from whoever started that bang.
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October 18, 2007

You’re Just Normal Crazy

So, if I claim to communicate with an invisible God, why don't they lock me up? Is it because that's a common form of craziness? Is something only lock-up worthy if they believe in something that no one else believes in? Or does my belief have to physically threaten myself or those around me before they call me crazy?
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