12.03.2004
Unusual
Newtopia magazine offers an interesting interview with Dahr Jamail; you may be familiar with him as one of the few unembedded journalist's reporting from Iraq.
Jamail has joined other independent reporters highlighting the total destruction of Fallujah, as well as reporting on the US use of "unusual" weapons. Allegations of White Phosphourus bombs. Allegations of Poison gas. Hear Jamail interviewed (or read transcript) about this on Democracy Now!.
See more by this independent journalist. DahrJamailIraq.com
Raytheon has developed an apparently non-fatal weapon that involves a beam of energy that penetrates 1/64 of an inch into the skin; intense pain is experienced by the targeted person. The military version is to be mounted on a humvee, smaller less expensive models will be marketed to domestic police forces.
There are no reports of these smallers weapons being tested at the upcoming inaugural.
12/03/2004
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12.02.2004
Love, Acceptance are Christian "Moral Values"; Read the Scriptures
I don't reject your Christ.
I love your Christ.
It's just that so many of you Christians
are so unlike your Christ.
-- Mahatma Ghandi
Take a look at the United Church of Christ's advertisement that you won't be seeing on CBS or NBC(there is a quick flash intro before the page itself links).
The UCC's first 30-second television advertisement - part of the denomination's new, broad identity campaign - began airing nationwide on Dec. 1, stating that - like Jesus - the United Church of Christ seeks to welcome all people, regardless of ability, age, race, economic circumstance or sexual orientation.
What does it say about our media and more importantly, our overculture when an advertisement promoting the Christian value of acceptance is deemed too "controversial" to grace the airwaves?
"It's ironic that after a political season awash in commercials based on fear and deception by both parties seen on all the major networks, an ad with a message of welcome and inclusion would be deemed too controversial," says the Rev. John H. Thomas, the UCC's general minister and president. "What's going on here?"
Reverend Irene Elizabeth (Beth) Stroud, of the United Methodist Church has been convicted of violating church law for openly living with her life partner in a committed relationship. United Methodist Church rules disallow "self-avowed, practicing homosexuals" from ministry. Reverend Stroud was praised for her preaching, teaching and pastoral work.
Interestingly: "At her trial, Stroud's defense was dealt a blow when the presiding judge Joseph Yeakel, the retired bishop of Washington, D.C., excluded expert testimony from six defense witnesses who believe the church's gay clergy ban violates its own legal principles.
The senior pastor of Stroud's church, the Rev. Alfred Day III, attempted to raise a similar issue when he took the stand, saying "I believe that even the testimony of Scripture is far from clear on this subject." "
Yup, Homosexuality- abomination. Eating lobster- abomination. I seem to remember that a woman wearing mens clothing, doing mens jobs- abomination. Over at Cheepooka I saw this (it bears copying in full):
Dear President Bush:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you and understand why you would propose and support a constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage. As you said, "in the eyes of God marriage is based between a man and a woman." I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination... End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.
**************
1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanness - Lev.15: 19-the problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.
4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is, my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?
7. Lev.21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
I notice that really looking at Christian scripture and actually talking about what it says as opposed to what many so called "Christians" pick and choose to support their narrow punitive worldview was swept under the rug. The most effective way, it seems to me, of countering unChristian hate and fear doled out in Christ's name is to hold the "inerrant word" up to light.
Compare the UCC "Church Bouncers" advertisement to this webpage for Force Ministries. I ask you "Which brand of Christianity would the Prince Of Peace feel at home in?"
Just asking.
12/02/2004
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12.01.2004
Some recount links
In New Hampshire, the limited presidential vote recount initiated by Ralph Nader has found that the optical scan machines there were largely accurate; error due to fraud seems to be non-existent in the Granite State.
There will be no recount in Nevada.
The Green and Libertarian party candidates are seeing that there is a recount in New Mexico. David Cobb and Michael Badnarik, the Presidential candidates from the two parties are not challenging Mr Bush's 6000 vote win of New Mexico but seek to gauge the accuracy of the e-vote system there. Oddly enough the state saw in the neighborhood of 20,000 ballots that had NO presidential vote. The two third parties may be called to pick up the tab of the recount.
The Ohio Democratic Party is supporting these same third party candidates in their quest to see a recount in Ohio. Daily Kos offers an in depth article on the number of voting machines in Republican wards versus Democratic leaning wards in Franklin County Ohio- Board of Elections Director Matt Damschroder, it turns out is former Executive Director of the Franklin County Republican Party- he was in charge of machine placement. You'll see that the Columbus area vote was affected by the number of voters per machine; long lines in Democratic wards saw the percentage of voters exercising their franchise drop.
Bev Harris of BlackBoxVoting.org is still advocating for democracy in Florida, serving Theresa Lepore a copy of the lawsuit against her office for witholding public records dealing Palm Beach Counties election results. Ms Harris deserves our support.
Ohio Tally Fit For Ukraine by Juan Gonzalez points out Ohio vote count irregularities.
Actionable Fraud Some good food for thought from Daily Kos.
12/01/2004
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11.30.2004
A Worthy Introduction
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire
I'd like to introduce you to a relatively new and eminently useful web resource, The Orifice of Homelandabsurdity.
This blog offers actionable information concerning a number of topics.
I'll offer one, "Consumer Power". This page gives you resources on boycotts, where to find which companies support the Republican Party- a guideline on consumer activism. Think about it, your dollars are votes of confidence; they say I believe in your product, and by extention the corporate body that produces and/or offers the goods or service. Learn where your money goes, who and what your purchases support. Take responsibility for your actions in the realm of consumerism. This is a capitalst system we are in folks, money is power; we are many.
That is just one topic offered. Explore the site. Share what you learn; more important- Live it.
11/30/2004
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