Deep Something

Michael Phelps and Kellogg's

February 13, 2009 B. John 348 Views 0 Comments Pot, Michael Phelps, Olympics, Kellogg's, Marijuana

I can’t quite grasp the whole idea that people seem to have about the evil weed, marijuana. I think it’s pretty much established it’s less destructive than alcohol, and I suspect, truth be told, there are few middle-aged adults today who haven’t partaken. Now I see you all are supporting this over-reaction by withdrawing your sponsorship of Michael Phelps. The guy may be the greatest athlete ever, and not just in terms of physical accomplishments. He comes across as a gentleman and true sportsman. He certainly made a mistake, but he also represented America brilliantly both in and out of the pool at last year’s Olympics.

Featured Politics Constitution Presidency Society Crime Corruption

Only Looking Forward Is Not An Option

February 6, 2009 B. John 517 Views 0 Comments Crimes Against Humanity, Special Prosecutor, Bush, cheney, torture, History, War crimes, Rumsfeld, Yo

No less than former President Richard Nixon’s White House Counsel says that we must consider investigating (and if appropriate) prosecuting members of the Bush 43 Administration for torture and crimes against humanity. If, as Dick Cheney seems to believe, they have done nothing wrong, and he and George acted legally in all respects, then I would think they would welcome a special prosecutor so as to clear their name for history. However, they don’t seem to be interested in confessing what they have done and what orders they have issued.

Politics Presidency Corruption Business Economy

Hope Daschled?

February 5, 2009September 29, 2018 B. John 384 Views 0 Comments Taxes, Tom Daschle, Department of Health and Human Services, Hilda Solis, Department of Labor, Cabinet

OK, I couldn’t resist that one. But the real question is…does anyone in Washington bother to pay their taxes? Having just filed mine, and seeing just how much I paid, this all sets me back on my heels a bit. Apparently even the guy picked to head the Treasury Dept. (including the IRS) has problems being clear about the tax code.

Religion Society Gay Issues Politics Election

LDS Prophets Experience Sudden Revelations

January 31, 2009 B. John 306 Views 0 Comments California, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, LDS, Proposition 8

Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin seems to have found out why the Proposition 8 people were so hell bent in trying to prohibit the release of the names of donors to their campaign to take away the rights of Gay people in California. It seems the LDS had way more to do with this than they were claiming. (And by the Church, I mean the church corporate…not just “members.”) Burroway reports they had 190,000 reasons to prevent the disclosure. Seems the LDS provided lots of official corporate support and in-kind services.

Politics Presidency Religion Science Right Wingnuts

The Madness of Genuine Respect for all People

January 21, 2009September 29, 2018 B. John 372 Views 0 Comments christian, Barack Obama, Bishop Gene Robinson, Inauguration, Christian Anti-Defamation Commission

The fine christians (Dr. Gary Cass) at the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission have their knickers all twisted because Bishop Gene Robinson had the nerve to pray to God to help us get past mere tolerance and to a place of genuine respect for all people. Obviously, according to these demented idiots, we can have none of that. I mean really, what would Jesus think if we went around actually respecting one another.

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The Inaguration – My Take

January 20, 2009September 29, 2018 B. John 404 Views 0 Comments Bush, john roberts, Barack Obama, Yo Yo Ma, Oath of Office, Inaguration

I took time out, as did a lot of Americans, and watched today’s ceremonies swearing in Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. As you might expect, I have some opinions on the ceremony and some of the participants. I’m a sucker for the ceremonies of state, and today’s was “high church.” Barack and Michele Obama, and his children, were just the height of grace and beauty, and it does give me some hope that maybe a new day has begun.

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News Wrap-up for January 2, 2009

January 2, 2009September 29, 2018 B. John 348 Views 0 Comments Soda, Muslim, AirTran, Paintball, Bank Robbery

We’ll try to get back to finding those fun little over-looked news items you won’t get on the CBS evening news. This is what we found for the week ending on January 2, 2009. Wow, a new year already.

Constitution Election Presidency Religion Science Society Education Gay Issues Right Wingnuts Featured Politics

Rick Warren and The Obama Inauguration

December 29, 2008September 29, 2018 B. John 486 Views 1 Comment bigotry, hate, Obama, Rick Warren, Saddleback Church, Inaugration

For those of you living under a rock, President Elect Obama has invited Rick Warren, from the Saddleback Mega-Church, to deliver the invocation at Obama’s inauguration. Gay rights and other activists groups have strenuously objected, and Obama and his aides have made any number of statements defending the choice with the tired old line of how the Obama campaign has always been about “uniting people” and showing how “we can disagree without being disagreeable.” So let me be clear in my response. In the case of claims by the Warren supporters (including you Obama), they are correct. I am being intolerant and am applying the standard applied by Warren and his supporters to love the sinner and hate the sin. I believe that the sin of hate and bigotry, most especially when used for monetary gain, should never ever be tolerated. I guess that fits the definition of intolerance, so I am guilty as charged.

Religion Society Gay Issues Culture Movies

Doubt – A Movie Review

December 29, 2008 B. John 470 Views 2 Comments Drama, Religion, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, John Patrick Shanley

It’s 1964, St. Nicholas in the Bronx. A vibrant, charismatic priest, Father Flynn, is trying to upend the school’s strict customs, which have long been fiercely guarded by Sister Aloysius Beauvier, the iron-gloved Principal who believes in the power of fear and discipline. The winds of political change are sweeping through the country, and, indeed, the school has just accepted its first black student, Donald Miller. But when Sister James, a hopeful innocent, shares with Sister Aloysius her suspicion that Father Flynn is paying too much personal attention to Donald, Sister Aloysius is galvanized to begin a crusade to both unearth the truth and expunge Flynn from the school. Now, without a shred of proof or evidence except her moral certainty, Sister Aloysius locks into a battle of wills with Father Flynn, a battle that threatens to tear apart the Church and school with devastating consequences. This is an excellent must-see movie.

Society Gay Issues Culture Movies Featured Politics

Milk – A Movie Review

December 27, 2008 B. John 486 Views 2 Comments Harvey Milk, Milk, Gus Van Sant, Biopic, Allison Pill, Emile Hirsch, Drama, James Franco, Sean Penn, Josh Brolin

His life changed history. His courage changed lives. In 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights; he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans. Milk charts the last eight years of Harvey Milk’s life. This is an important story.

Society

A Last Wish

November 24, 2008 B. John 402 Views 0 Comments death, dying, giving, Homeless, Caring

But that we all cared this much about one another.