Thursday, January 3, 2013
2012 clip of the year
I missed this when it happened, but an informal poll of a bunch of lefties voted this clip from Rachel Maddow as the "Best Video Clip of 2012." It gave me goosebumps.
Christian crime spree
Now, why would so many "good" Christians go about stealing and defacing banners and billboards paid for by various atheist groups?
Are they so insecure in their own faith that they have to try to quash anyone with a different viewpoint? Are they just carrying on the age-old tradition of trying to crush the "heretics"?
And have you seen the profanity-laced, misspelled tirades that many of these "good" Christians go on when writing to atheist groups like the Freedom from Religion Foundation?
Yeah, yeah, I know, not EVERY Christian acts this way, but FAR TOO MANY of them do. It would seem like they don't even believe in the teachings of their savior, Jesus Christ, much less practice them. And they call atheists immoral! Atheists are scorned on a level with pedophiles, and that has to stop. This is what we get for actually USING OUR MINDS!?!
America's shameful Christian crime spree
By: William Hamby
There's a rampant crime spree going on in America. You won't hear about it through most media sources, and you aren't likely to hear anyone calling it what it really is: a Christian crime spree. But that's a very accurate description.
Over the last few years, various atheist and skeptic groups have started posting billboards, banners, and other advertisements all over the country. In response, many Christians are taking it upon themselves to steal or deface them. The most recent incident was in Virginia, where a Freedom from Religion Foundation banner was stolen. The press release title is telling: "Another FFRF solstice banner disappears." All told, FFRF placed 12 banners in December 2012. Five of them were stolen or vandalized. (That's 42%.)
Another atheist group in Roanoke, Va, placed four signs. Two of them were vandalized. In May of last year, an American Atheists billboard made it one day before it was vandalized. A Fresno, CA atheist billboard lasted all of three days. This kind of thing has happened in North Carolina, New Jersey and Portland, to name a few.
Of course, the public is outraged, right? Freedom of speech is sacred, right? Well, maybe not so much. In fact, if the media and blogosphere are to be believed, it's the atheists' fault for speaking something so unspeakable. The idea that there are atheists out there who would dare to mention their beliefs? Intolerable. Said one blogger,
Here's something else to put in the open. We have every reason to believe these are all (or mostly) Christians perpetrating these crimes. In the previous example, it's obvious, but in other cases, we have to ask, "Who else would it be?" Who else has a reasonable motive to attack atheists in particular? Christianity is, after all, the overwhelming majority religion in America, and no other religious group has been as openly hostile to atheists.
In response to this observation, there will inevitably be cries of injustice from "moderate" Christians. (Think about that for a second. Christians will be upset at atheists for pointing out that Christians are committing crimes against us.) These protests are red herrings, as usual. It is patently obvious that all Christians are not committing crimes against atheists. In the first place, there aren't enough billboards to go around. In the second, nearly all of us atheists know and are friends with Christians who accept our views. We know it's not all Christians. But it is some Christians.
Finally, let's admit that regardless of legal hair-splitting, these are hate crimes. They are crimes committed by people who hate our views and even hate us so much that they take it upon themselves to prevent other people from hearing our voices. The existence of Christian hate for atheists is so well documented at this point that there ought to be no need for justification. Nevertheless, we would be remiss if we didn't remind readers of the inexcusable treatment of Jessica Ahlquist. Or the litany of abuses hurled at atheists during the 9/11 Memorial lawsuit. There are a lot of Christians who hate atheists. It is surely these Christians who have also resorted to crime in the name of Jesus.
Fortunately, there is a bright silver lining to this crime wave. In a nutshell, the Christians are proving us right. Every time an atheist billboard is defaced or stolen, a Christian is proving not only that (s)he is hatefully intolerant of atheists, but that (s)he is willing to commit crimes in the name of Jesus. In the days before the internet, Christians -- especially in rural areas -- could oppress and discriminate with near impunity, and no one would be the wiser. Today, we are watching and taking notes.
Each act of vandalism also gives us atheists the chance to take the moral high ground. There are countless Christian billboards, posters, marquis, and other displays all over the country, and today as always, they are virtually unmolested. If atheists were in the business of perpetrating hate crimes against Christians, it would be noticed. Do we really believe that Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity would pass up the opportunity to publicize an "atheist crime wave?" Given their penchant for exaggeration and even fabrication, it's even more telling that no such accusations are brought forth. There simply isn't enough actual atheist vs. Christian crime to make even a flimsy case.
Of course, there are occasional exceptions to this rule. Atheist vandalism does happen from time to time, and when it does, the atheist community soundly condemns the vandals, and raises funds to repair the damaged property. As of this writing, a thorough Google search could find no similar Christian fund to repair atheist billboards. One is forced to wonder if this is the reason no Christian pundits are rushing to allege an atheist crime wave. Perhaps they know that in doing so, they would expose their own crime wave as well as "moderate" Christians' unwillingness to condemn the acts or offer reparations.
This is a win-win situation for atheists. A billboard that escapes assault conveys our message to the public. A vandalized billboard is also money well spent. It is a dramatic demonstration of just how marginalized we are, and just how intolerant many Christians are towards us. We can (and do) generate our own publicity through social media and blogs. We energize our philosophical brothers and sisters to continue the work of social change. We become more convinced that our work is necessary.
The time has passed when Christians could bully us with impunity. No longer will we sulk silently into a corner for fear of further reprisal. We are a powerful community, and we are gaining strength. It is this power that frightens many Christians, and some are resorting to crime in the name of their god. This is a victory for us, for only the powerless resort to such base acts. These vandals are aware that they can no longer expect our silent complicity in their religious culture, and all they can manage to do is pester us with petty theft and spray cans. We will continue to display our billboards, and whether they let them stand or tear them down, it is we who are winning this culture war.
Amen!
Original.
There's a rampant crime spree going on in America. You won't hear about it through most media sources, and you aren't likely to hear anyone calling it what it really is: a Christian crime spree. But that's a very accurate description.
Over the last few years, various atheist and skeptic groups have started posting billboards, banners, and other advertisements all over the country. In response, many Christians are taking it upon themselves to steal or deface them. The most recent incident was in Virginia, where a Freedom from Religion Foundation banner was stolen. The press release title is telling: "Another FFRF solstice banner disappears." All told, FFRF placed 12 banners in December 2012. Five of them were stolen or vandalized. (That's 42%.)
Another atheist group in Roanoke, Va, placed four signs. Two of them were vandalized. In May of last year, an American Atheists billboard made it one day before it was vandalized. A Fresno, CA atheist billboard lasted all of three days. This kind of thing has happened in North Carolina, New Jersey and Portland, to name a few.
Of course, the public is outraged, right? Freedom of speech is sacred, right? Well, maybe not so much. In fact, if the media and blogosphere are to be believed, it's the atheists' fault for speaking something so unspeakable. The idea that there are atheists out there who would dare to mention their beliefs? Intolerable. Said one blogger,
Never would I encourage vandalism, but in this case I think I’ll let it slide. Atheists have been vandalizing my beliefs for years, so it’s about time the shoe was on the other foot...
The best part of this whole situation, though, is that these secular billboards were part of a Fourth of July project that placed similar ads in Greensboro, Raleigh and a handful of other cities – and it totally backfired. They underestimated their demographic, and because the vandalism occurred days before the Fourth, no one could service the billboard until after the holiday. It’s the small victories in life that make it all worthwhile.Let's get a few things on the table from the start. Vandalism is a crime. Theft is a crime. In fact, theft is specifically prohibited by the Ten Commandments. Nevertheless, when it's atheists who are the victims of these crimes, there is little or no sympathy, and sometimes the criminals even get TV time. After vandalizing a sign in Pennsylvania in front of news cameras, a young man had this to say:
“I just think in the light of the elementary school massacre in Connecticut, that we shouldn’t be divided as a country over petty stuff like is there a God or isn’t there a God,” McDonald reportedly said. “If they wanted to put the sign down here with us, that’s fine because we’re united. But to put it above everybody? No, it’s symbolic."Three days after this criminal act, the authorities had made no efforts to bring the criminal to justice. It appears that as of this writing, no charges have been filed and there has been no arrest despite concrete evidence of both the crime and the perpetrator.
Here's something else to put in the open. We have every reason to believe these are all (or mostly) Christians perpetrating these crimes. In the previous example, it's obvious, but in other cases, we have to ask, "Who else would it be?" Who else has a reasonable motive to attack atheists in particular? Christianity is, after all, the overwhelming majority religion in America, and no other religious group has been as openly hostile to atheists.
In response to this observation, there will inevitably be cries of injustice from "moderate" Christians. (Think about that for a second. Christians will be upset at atheists for pointing out that Christians are committing crimes against us.) These protests are red herrings, as usual. It is patently obvious that all Christians are not committing crimes against atheists. In the first place, there aren't enough billboards to go around. In the second, nearly all of us atheists know and are friends with Christians who accept our views. We know it's not all Christians. But it is some Christians.
Finally, let's admit that regardless of legal hair-splitting, these are hate crimes. They are crimes committed by people who hate our views and even hate us so much that they take it upon themselves to prevent other people from hearing our voices. The existence of Christian hate for atheists is so well documented at this point that there ought to be no need for justification. Nevertheless, we would be remiss if we didn't remind readers of the inexcusable treatment of Jessica Ahlquist. Or the litany of abuses hurled at atheists during the 9/11 Memorial lawsuit. There are a lot of Christians who hate atheists. It is surely these Christians who have also resorted to crime in the name of Jesus.
Fortunately, there is a bright silver lining to this crime wave. In a nutshell, the Christians are proving us right. Every time an atheist billboard is defaced or stolen, a Christian is proving not only that (s)he is hatefully intolerant of atheists, but that (s)he is willing to commit crimes in the name of Jesus. In the days before the internet, Christians -- especially in rural areas -- could oppress and discriminate with near impunity, and no one would be the wiser. Today, we are watching and taking notes.
Each act of vandalism also gives us atheists the chance to take the moral high ground. There are countless Christian billboards, posters, marquis, and other displays all over the country, and today as always, they are virtually unmolested. If atheists were in the business of perpetrating hate crimes against Christians, it would be noticed. Do we really believe that Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity would pass up the opportunity to publicize an "atheist crime wave?" Given their penchant for exaggeration and even fabrication, it's even more telling that no such accusations are brought forth. There simply isn't enough actual atheist vs. Christian crime to make even a flimsy case.
Of course, there are occasional exceptions to this rule. Atheist vandalism does happen from time to time, and when it does, the atheist community soundly condemns the vandals, and raises funds to repair the damaged property. As of this writing, a thorough Google search could find no similar Christian fund to repair atheist billboards. One is forced to wonder if this is the reason no Christian pundits are rushing to allege an atheist crime wave. Perhaps they know that in doing so, they would expose their own crime wave as well as "moderate" Christians' unwillingness to condemn the acts or offer reparations.
This is a win-win situation for atheists. A billboard that escapes assault conveys our message to the public. A vandalized billboard is also money well spent. It is a dramatic demonstration of just how marginalized we are, and just how intolerant many Christians are towards us. We can (and do) generate our own publicity through social media and blogs. We energize our philosophical brothers and sisters to continue the work of social change. We become more convinced that our work is necessary.
The time has passed when Christians could bully us with impunity. No longer will we sulk silently into a corner for fear of further reprisal. We are a powerful community, and we are gaining strength. It is this power that frightens many Christians, and some are resorting to crime in the name of their god. This is a victory for us, for only the powerless resort to such base acts. These vandals are aware that they can no longer expect our silent complicity in their religious culture, and all they can manage to do is pester us with petty theft and spray cans. We will continue to display our billboards, and whether they let them stand or tear them down, it is we who are winning this culture war.
Amen!
Original.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Sierra Club
Still lots of problems on the horizon, but 2012 was a pretty good year in many respects.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
January Stargazing
It won't be cloudy forever. This new year feels remarkably like last year.
Sky Tips: January 2013
Stargazing Summary
Venus, Jupiter, Mars, and Saturn are all in view as the year starts, with Jupiter dominating the sky for much of the night. Mars drops from view in early evening, with Saturn and Venus in view only in the early morning hours. January's skies offer some of the most spectacular stellar cartography of all, with brilliant Orion, Taurus, Canis Major, and others sparkling through much of the night. Fomalhaut, the lonely "autumn star," disappears in the southwest around month's end.
Radio Program Highlights
Support StarDate: Help us keep our date with the stars by making a tax-deductible donation to StarDate.
December 31, 2012-January 6, 2013 - Ice balls: The sky objects that have inspired the most fear over the ages are also some of the most beautiful: comets. And they leave beautiful reminders after they've gone. Join us for tales of these astronomical ice balls.
January 7-13: Diamonds: The Moon has a bright companion this week that dazzles like a cosmic jewel, and we’ll have details. And we’ll also talk about real diamonds among the stars, and the cosmic origin of the diamonds here on Earth. Join us for this and more.
January 14-20: The twins: Gemini is in view all night long at this time of year, and we’ll have details on the celestial twins, including the constellation’s brightest stars and a crowded stellar family. Join us for Gemini and more.
January 21-27: Zapped!: An exploding star zapped our young solar system more than four-and-a-half billion years ago, and we’ll have details. We’ll also talk about stars that zap any nearby planets, and space rocks that zap planets and moons.
January 28-31: Distant darkness: The Andromeda galaxy is in the west on winter evenings. We’ll talk about the giant galaxy and the giant black hole in its heart, along with smaller black holes that shine brightly.
January program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
December 31, 2012-January 6, 2013 - Ice balls: The sky objects that have inspired the most fear over the ages are also some of the most beautiful: comets. And they leave beautiful reminders after they've gone. Join us for tales of these astronomical ice balls.
January 7-13: Diamonds: The Moon has a bright companion this week that dazzles like a cosmic jewel, and we’ll have details. And we’ll also talk about real diamonds among the stars, and the cosmic origin of the diamonds here on Earth. Join us for this and more.
January 14-20: The twins: Gemini is in view all night long at this time of year, and we’ll have details on the celestial twins, including the constellation’s brightest stars and a crowded stellar family. Join us for Gemini and more.
January 21-27: Zapped!: An exploding star zapped our young solar system more than four-and-a-half billion years ago, and we’ll have details. We’ll also talk about stars that zap any nearby planets, and space rocks that zap planets and moons.
January 28-31: Distant darkness: The Andromeda galaxy is in the west on winter evenings. We’ll talk about the giant galaxy and the giant black hole in its heart, along with smaller black holes that shine brightly.
January program schedule »
Hear StarDate every day on more than 300 radio stations nationwide. Find an affiliate »
This Month in StarDate Magazine
Our January/February issue brings you our Sky Almanac 2013. Month by month, the almanac provides skywatching tips, information on star parties and other events nationwide, and highlight the year's anniversaries in the history of astronomy and spaceflight. Don't miss it!
Subscribe today »
Subscribe today »
News from the Observatory
Neal Evans Named AAAS FellowSeven faculty members at The University of Texas at Austin, including Dr. Neal Evans II of the Astronomy Department, have been elected fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Fellows are chosen annually by their peers to recognize their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.
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The twin spacecraft that compiled this map of the Moon's gravitational field ended their mission last month by crashing into a lunar mountain. The GRAIL mission plotted tiny differences in the Moon's gravitational pull by precisely measuring the distance between the two craft as they were pulled by different parts of the lunar surface.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Beyond Outrage
Robert has been sounding alarms for several years now, most of them seeming to fall on deaf ears. He carefully spells out how things have gone awry economically in this country, which no one can really doubt, except perhaps the 1% and above. They are doing better than ever, which is a large part of the problem. The 1% and above are doing fabulously well while the rest of us are mired in stagnating or dropping incomes, while costs continue to rise.
Robert demonstrates how the "regressives" (read: GOP) want to turn back the clock to the 1920's, and how the Democrats have failed miserably to counter their push.
There is one common refrain in Robert's book that you have no doubt heard elsewhere, if you pay even a little attention to politics, and that is: you (and I) have to get involved and stay involved if things are to improve. FDR said it; Teddy Roosevelt said it; Barack Obama has said it.
You want the President to do the "right thing?" "You have to make me."
Many Americans feel that they don't have the time to "make" their elected reps do the right thing. Or they are just not willing to become seriously and consistently involved. I am sympathetic to both of those camps.
To recap a few things from Robert's book:
"Leaders get people to actively work on what needs to be done. To do this, leaders need to help people overcome the four "work-avoidance mechanisms: that most of the rest of us carry around in our heads.
Those mechanisms are denial that a problem exists, the desire to escape responsibility even when we recognize the problem, the tendency to scapegoat others for causing it, and - worst of all - cynicism about the possibility of ever remedying the problem.
In addition to listing the things that have gone wrong over the last 30 years to get us to where we are today, Robert does list things that should be done to turn the ship around. In brief, they are:
"Raise the tax rate on the rich to what it was before 1981.
Put a 2 percent surtax on the wealth of the richest one-half of 1 percent.
Put a one-half of 1 percent tax on all financial transactions.
Cut the military budget more than scheduled.
Use Medicare to control soaring health-care costs.
Fight for Medicare-for-all.
Use these added revenues and budget savings to invest in public goods - especially education and infrastructure.
Resurrect the Glass-Steagall Act.
Cap the size of Wall Street's biggest banks.
Require big banks to modify underwater mortgages.
Get big money out of politics."
Piece of cake, huh? That's quite a list. I agree with every single one of them. Now, to fight or not to fight. That is the question.
Highly recommended: Beyond Outrage (2012) by Robert B. Reich
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remember
deja vu
indeed
Delete Fox "News"
Probably
