I Respectfully Disagree

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2011-12-10T12:37:00.001-05:00

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What Was Terry Jones Thinking?

2011-04-01T20:08:00.001-04:00

It seems that the religion of brotherly love simply can't help themselves from yet again letting their actions contradict their preaching. While the Afghan Muslims that stormed the United Nations compound are clearly not firing on all jets, the pastor Terry Jones isn't either.

Why would he (Terry) incite anger from the Muslim world with his mock trial? What was the point? To show the Muslims how backward Islam is? This coming from the Christians -- who preach about love, kindness, Godliness, understanding, blah blah -- who've slaughtered millions over the centuries in the name their God.

Religious structures it seems are more and more equally misguided; morally confused and pompous in their belief that they alone have the keys to heaven.

Faith isn't a bad thing; in fact faith can be a great thing. The problem is that most of the faithful simply don't know what to do with it, or how to channel it constructively. Christians, Muslims, Orthodox Jews, they've all gone off the reservation.

Religious leaders should be helping their communities; empowering people to be self-confident, self-reliant, productive, and caring citizens. Instead we watch them perpetuate this childish MINE against YOURS mentality. Grow up!

Lao Tzu said it best when he suggested that one live their faith, rather than trying to get others to follow or convince others that their right.

Sorry Emily Post

2006-11-27T13:09:00.000-05:00

There is something inherently wrong with the idea of bringing family and friends together to celebrate a holiday and then attempting to subtly manipulate them for a desired outcome. No disrespect to Ms. Emily Post, Ms. Cohen or Ms. Dvault, but your're contributing to a problem, not providing a solution.

In the recent article in the New York Times entitled “Pass a drumstick, and an olive branch,” Kim Severson quotes these women's suggestions and “tricks” of how to host a Thanksgiving dinner to “create harmony” and “control” the situation. If the desired goal is to concoct some surreal image from a 1950s television show, why not just hire actors? It would be a lot less work and be just as phony as what these experts suggest.

Families have been gathering together since the dawn of time. They laugh, cry, debate, argue, break bread, kiss and makeup. Religion, politics, relationships, careers, family matters and gossip are all good fodder for the occasion. So why are we as a nation so preoccupied with presenting some preconceived notion of how we want to appear to friends, family, or strangers -- regardless of whether it’s true or not. Ever since the 1950s we seem to be a nation obsessed by what the neighbors think, so busy playing make believe that we miss life.

Pretending breeds deception, and that's not good etiquette, it's bad judgment. Life is short, live it. Laugh, cry, argue, and love. If it’s real, its life, if it’s not it’s just posing for the camera.

Symbol of Satan?

2006-11-27T13:08:00.000-05:00

And we wonder why the world thinks we’re crazy? In a recent article the president of a homeowners association fired all five of its members for refusing to require that a homeowner remove her holiday wreath. The association president said that three or four residents complained, some saying it was an anti-Iraq war protest while others perceived it as a symbol of Satan.

You have to wonder what goes through the minds of people in this country sometimes. I’m not a fan of religion in general, and I certainly understand people’s objections to a single religion being displayed on or in government or public places. But, when a few residents say a wreath with a peace sign is a symbol of Satan, or an anti war protest, and the president of the homeowners association actually listens, you know things have gotten out of hand.

Perhaps they should be looking closer at the complainers and the president as a threat rather than the wreath. Get a grip people!

Restroom Madness

2006-10-26T15:44:00.000-04:00

In a recent article in Newsday, a writer asks for advise on how to deal with a male-to-female transsexual that is in transition at work. The writer, a man, was taken back and uncomfortable when "Karen" exited the men's room.

This is a reverse from the more common complaint of male-to-female transsexuals exiting the ladies room. First of all, it seems to me that this whole thing consumes entirely too much energy from those in the mainstream, the so called "normal" folk. First people complain that the Trans woman can't use the ladies room because she wasn't brn biologically female, and now the men are offended that one is using the men's room. Where should they pee, in the hallway? Come on folks, treat trans people as people, different from you perhaps, but human nonetheless.

Foley and The Priest

2006-10-20T16:43:00.000-04:00

Hiding bad behavior and then pushing the blame when caught for it seems too common these days. Senator Foley didn't pursue a young page because he was molested as a child (as he claims). He should be accountable for his actions, period. And the Rev. Anthony Mercieca, who stated that he had a friendship with the then 12 year old Foley; going skinny dipping and giving the young boy massages when unclothed, was also inappropriate. The reverand said that "Once maybe I touched him. It’s not something you call, I mean, rape or penetration or anything like that, you know. We were just fondling.” He said that once, while on tranquilizers, he might have done something that Mr. Foley found inappropriate but that he could not recall the details.

Guys, wake up and smell your stench! The religious right should stop hawking the GLBT community and clean up their mess before telling others how to live.

Not Now --Not Ever?

2006-08-29T18:40:00.000-04:00

Stephen Laffey, the mayor of Cranston Rhode Island, who is now a candidate for the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Rhode Island, recently stated that he regretted writing homophobic columns for his college newspaper some 20 years ago. He goes on to say that he is sorry he had written the "sophomoric political satire" and that the columns didn't reflect his views "... not now, nor then, or ever."

That is almost as stupid as the famous "yes, but I didn't inhale" comment we heard from our President a few years back. Come on Stephen, be a big boy and face your past. Either that or we are left to beleive that you are a man that makes statements he doesn't mean, which leaves us unable to believe anything you say.

Fear Serves Only Fear

2006-06-05T15:20:00.000-04:00

"Ages of experience have taught us that the commitment of a husband and wife to love and to serve one another promotes the welfare of children and the stability of society," president Bush said in his weekly radio address. "Government," he went on "by recognizing and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all."

Is it just me that sees the absurdity of this statement? How could denying equality to one minority under the law serve the interests of all? What president Bush meant it seems is that denying the right of gays to marry serves the interests of every one that thinks like him, and that's not the same thing as what he said.

Teaching tolerance and appreciating the diversity of all things is what we as a society need more of, not laws to prevent it. Teaching our children that we are all equal regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, and gender expression is what will serve the interests of all and not just the fearful right.

Delete if You Disagree

2006-05-19T14:52:00.000-04:00

I received an email forward the other day on the immigration issue. It went on and on about America; we have our OWN culture we don't need yours, we have our OWN language we don't need yours, etc, etc. Some of it hit on some points I do agree with, such as learning the national language when you live in another country -- as I have.

However, what I found really odd was the last sentence of the email which said "If you agree pass this on, if you don't delete it."

Why are people so quick to stick to one point of view without open and honest dialogue. People on both sides seem to form their opinions based on the media headlines and then search for things to support their view -- like similar minded rah rah cheerleaders -- rather than review all the facts first, discuss it and then form an opinion.

Blinders For Two

2006-05-19T14:50:00.000-04:00

Becasue First Lady Laura Bush doesn't believe the poll numbers doesn't mean that they're not true. But it just shows that the blinders syndrom isn't something her husband alone suffers from.

Politicians Change?

2006-02-01T15:32:00.000-05:00

As the world listened to the President's State of The Union, and will now spend days more trying to analyze his words, manner of tone and vision for the furture, I can't help but wonder, "Do politicians really change?" Especially this politician? For good or bad the President has done one thing consistant since he arrived in Washington: stood his ground. The State of the Union is words, not actions, and what a President says is meaningless. It is what he does that counts. Our President's an idealog; a guy trapped in the belief that he alone is right regardless of other opinions. It is a nice trait for a President to be strong, principled and determined. Yet when you combine those qualities with someone who sees the world as he wants it to be rather than what it really is, that kind of dillusional world view is dangerous. So, regardless of what his team wrote for him to say, this is a man that has shown us that while his words may change, his objectives and course of action won't. 2008 can't arrive soon enough.

Come on Mr. Roberston, are you serious?

2006-01-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

I said before that Mike Savage was the dumbest smart person around, but maybe I was wrong. Step into the circle Pat Robertson, who recently told the world that Prime Minster Ariel Sharon´s stroke may have been God´s wrath for pulling out of the Gaza strip. After all Mr. Robertson said, ¨God considers this land to be his.¨ Are you serious? Do you really believe that land is important to God? Isn´t it possible that God is just a tad bit beyond territorial land disputes that has plagued man throughout history?

There are 15 million aids orphans worldwide and this is all you can talk about Mr. Robertson? Oh, that´s right, aids is God´s wrath too against gays, wasn´t that what you said once before? And Katrina took out New Orleans because is was a city of sin?

It is sad to me that people can go through life as Mr. Robertson does, in such fear that God is always there like a bad Catholic shccol teacher to smack you down. It seems like the only wrath here on Earth are the ones we unleash on each other, and greatest plagues those of intolerance and narrow mindedness.

Savage damn-nation

2005-11-17T16:13:00.000-05:00

Mike Savage is perhaps the smartest dumb person I've heard in a long time. My friend Harriet loves him, though I'm not entirely sure that she understands everything he says. But he says it with such force, and at times a touch of whit, that like many, she goes along.

He can be amusing from time to time, and even rational. Then he goes off on a tangent like -- according to him -- Halloween is destroying America. It is the liberal communities, he says, who supported this pagan worship. Everyone, or most people know the roots of St. Hallows day Mike, you;re not educating anyone. But come on it isn't now what it was then. It has an entirely new meaning and is in good fun. Yes, as you said, kids do dress up as devils, goblins and demons, but they also dress up as fairys, Cinderella, Princesses, presidents, and super heros. Your kids were right, you should lighten up.

But it is more distressing to listen to Mike speak about real issues with dire consequences, like Iraq & Iran. He doesn't understand, he says, why we -- the USA -- don't just blocade and bomb the Iran harbor, shut it down. This, because Iran may be supporting the insurgency in Iraq. The first thing Mr. Savage should understand is that to do so would be not only waging war on Iran, but also Europe's economies. Second, we don't KNOW that they are supporting the Iraq insurgency, just like we didn't KNOW Iraq had WMD's that they were going to use on the USA, and third, what if they are?

I'm not in any way condoning what the insurgents are doing, not at all. I believe that fanatics are fanatics, and they come in all shapes, sizes, colors and religions. The Jihad is just more visable than other rebel forces have been in this past century. But the point I am making is that the USA supported, funded, trained and sheltered rebel fighters all around the world. What separates Iran from the USA? The idea that we are the good guys? We grow up in this country being taught that we are always the good guys. In truth we have as a nation exploited people all over the globe, and as Americans we should be ashamed of what we have allowed our government to do. But that is for another post.

Yes, we have done good, but mostly when it has been in our own best interests to do so.

Mike Savage belongs to a sad and deperate group that see the world through one set of eyes: theirs. Their religion is right, their politics are right, their way is right, and to all the others let them be damned. What is most troubling to me about Mr. Saveage is not his views, but his inability to really engage in discussions or an exchange of ideas, he is too busy mocking his callers: in one instance he mocked a callers speech impediment then hung up on him. No, Mike Savage is not a classy guy. He is self righeous man who dislikes anyone who does not agree with him. The saddest part is that so many American's listen to him, sort of the way couch patatoes stare at a television.

America made history trhough its form of government, laws and way of life. And it is time for Americans to take hold of that and guide the countries future to ensure that stature that we had attained, instead of turning a blind eye to the truth and riding on our past and being led by scarred little rabbits trying to spread their fear and control the masses.

Gays and the Priesthood, Bush etc.

2005-11-13T16:39:00.000-05:00

I read the other day that the pope has decided that men with a tendency towards homosexuality will not be allowed to be admitted as priests. How do you define a "a tendency towards homosexuality" anyway. It just seems to me that the church should spend more time worrying about child abusers and less time about gays.

And while we're on the topic of religion, the US government put out a report condeming various coutnries around the glober for suppressing religious freedom. You know I love being an American, but I have to wonder where we get off, I mean our own president get's his guideance from "his" God everyday, and at the same time reduces gay Americans to less-than-equal citizens by not allowing them the same rights as every other American, because according to the presidents "religious beliefs" marriage is for a man and a woman.

Some of you may fluff it off, oh, Brie is one of those gay supporters. Well, yeah, I am, because equal means equal, or it means nothing. You can't have it both ways. Government has to learn that there are many ways to look at the world, and everyone is right from their own perspective. We have to be a nation of law, equal and fair, otherwise it is all bullshit.

Most people don't know history anyway, and are raised to believe a very distorted view of the truth anyway, I know, I used to be one of them. Seeing the worlkd for what it is and not what you want it to be takes courage, and we don't have enough of it these days.

Protecting the ruling class

2005-10-22T17:51:00.000-04:00

I wonder how it is possible that the general public is not aware of the president's past, in particular, the relationship between his granddad Prescott Bush and Nazi Germany. Any thoughts? Oh, you don't know about Prescott Bush? That's my point, so look it up and post your comments.

Right Over Your Head

2005-10-01T01:28:00.000-04:00

Well, leave it to the WAshington crowd to continue saying stupid things. For those that didn't read about it, William Bennett, a secretary of education in the Reagan administration and drug czar in the first Bush administration, who is now a radio host, recently said, "you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down." He went on to say that would be a "morally reprehensible thing to do."

In his defense in todays New York Times he stated that his opponents make it sound like he supports such a monstrous act, which of course he doesn't. But what Mr. Bennett fails to recognize is that the fact that he doesn'tt "support" such a "monstrous" act isn't the point. The point, which went right over his head, is the racism that was inherent in the statement. It is scary that people like Mr. Bennett have access to the ears of so many Americans. The white house statement of, "it wasn't appropriate," was right up there with "your doing a heck of a job Brownie." The more I read the more frightened I become.

Catostrophic Disaster

2005-10-01T00:41:00.000-04:00

During the almost four hours that I watched the Senate hearings involving Mr. Brown on C-Span, I waited for the senators to ask questions that never seemed to materialize. Time and time again Mr. Brown, the former FEMA director, insisted that we had to remember that, “this was a catastrophic disaster!” as though none of us were aware of that, or as though FEMA was just an accounting firm suddenly thrust into managing an emergency and everyone was being to critical of him. Isn’t emergency management the point of FEMA? Personally, I don’t have experience in emergency management; my point of view comes from my eighteen years owning and operating a small logistics/transportation firm.

Don’t get me wrong; it certainly was something like entertainment to watch Senator Taylor hammer home the point that Mr. Brown did a terrible job, only to then listen to Mr. Brown whine about being berated for not being Rudy. It would have been humorous if it (the hurricane) weren’t so tragic. But I don’t want to know why the buses didn’t arrive on time, but why they were the only option planned for in the first place. After all, it was already known (that the levies couldn’t withstand anything over a cat 3) that the city would be under water? Wouldn’t reasonable planning have recognized a need for a contingency plan?

The senators asked about the contents of trucks and the answer was simply that FEMA didn’t know the contents of many of the trucks, or where the trucks were. My little company in 1995 relocated four warehouses that contained 12,000 different types of items, that were transported within 250 trucks, using nothing more than a simple transport computer program, cell phones, and spotters. How could we have known where every SKU, pallet, trailer, and truck was throughout the 64-hour move within minutes of a request, and FEMA not even know what was in the trucks, let alone where they were? Of course FEMA had to deal with a hurricane, but FEMA’s problems began long before the storm arrived.

Mr. Brown in his lame defense has cowardly blamed the locals because they wouldn’t listen to him, which sounded more like a child whining rather than a leader charged with the responsibility to “manage” an emergency. At every turn Mr. Brown responded to senator’s questions as to why things weren’t done with a thundering, “that’s just what we did!” It was too little too late Mr. Brown. Winners cross the goal line: despite the broken play, missed blocks, or any other unexpected obstructions. But, in your case failure didn’t loose the game it lost lives. For FEMA to have moved the equipment and resources to within striking distance, only to fail at delivering it to where and when it was needed is equivalent to rearranging the deck chairs on a ship that is sinking.

President Bush for his part has again shown his bad sense of judgment in hiring Mr. Brown in the first place. But we’re stuck with this president for a while longer, so he needs to recognize that if FEMA is going to exist at all, it has to be able to coordinate – in a meaningful way – all the resources required to get the job done. I would submit that any small to moderate sized logistics firm could have performed better than FEMA during Katrina -- in both planning and execution -- and FEMA should look into contracting private fleets (that are not cronies of he administration) to provide supply line services in the future. Logistics management is best handled by those who have been in the trenches and can think on their feet; not the intellectuals that merely study logistics theory. If FEMA is at all like many clueless logistics departments of major corporations that I have worked with in the past, they could cut their budget by 10% and increase operational efficiency by utilizing the right contractors.

The loss of life in New Orleans and the Gulf states could have been avoided. We as Americans should expect and demand better. After watching C-span it became apparent to me that Kartrina was a bad hurricane and that is was FEMA that was the catastrophic disaster.