Supporting the Separation of Church and State

Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category

Governor Brownback??

Frozen fetuses, oh my!

Brownback arguing against stem cell research

I have the somewhat unfortunate distinction of living in Kansas, the flat rectangular state right in the middle with views wayyyy to the right. This election season finds my state ready to elect a governor. As you might imagine, we are a very RED state; however, we have been governed by a Democrat since 2003. What this has done is to bring some much needed checks and balances against our Republican state congress. This time of some sort of moderation looks as if it will come to an end after the next election. Perhaps the most conservative, fundamental christian man in government today seems poised to take over the helm of Governor of Kansas, Sam Brownback.

Sam Brownback has had a long career in the US Congress which can be summed up in just a few basic beliefs:

  • Abortion is murder and shouldn’t be allowed in ANY circumstance
  • Brown people of any shade are scary and shouldn’t be allowed in ANY circumstance
  • Homosexuality is an abomination and shouldn’t be allowed in ANY circumstance
  • Poor people and the disabled are an annoyance and shouldn’t be allowed in ANY circumstance
  • Science disagrees that we walked with dinosaurs and shouldn’t be allowed in ANY circumstance

His race baiting, hate mongering, juvenile rants on any of the above subjects are enough to make me nauseous. While Kansas and its politicians are often the subject of mockery, with Brownback as our leader, it will get exponentially worse. There is a strong Democratic candidate running, Tom Holland, who is a state Senator; however, in a red state without a lot of name recognition he is fighting an uphill battle.

I think I may be state shopping soon.

President Obama Signs Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Categorized: Politics

President Obama entered office with higher expectations than any president in my lifetime and he continues to amaze everyone by surpassing them.  Today he signed into law the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  Fair pay for women is a cause we have cared about deeply here at WWJV4 and I couldn’t be happier to see this law passed.  For more information I highly recommend checking out the National Womens Law Center’s Fair Pay page.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsl6za1Zspw[/youtube]

This post reminds me that I need to clean up this blog and get back to work.  Even with most of the bums kicked out of Congress and a wonderful president there is so much work to do.

Honor and Dignity

George W. Bush entered office 8 years ago vowing to restore honor and dignity to the White House.  Today, 8 years later, he is finally is.

barackobamaforpresident1

How Hardcore of and Athiest are you?

Categorized: Politics

Now that we have established that I am an Athiest (I’m not but lets just go with it for now) lets see how hardcore I am.  You can play along at home too.  Simply copy the list and bold or highlight (or whatever) the items you have done.

  1. Participated in the Blasphemy Challenge.
  2. Met at least one of the “Four Horsemen” (Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris) in person.
  3. Created an atheist blog.
  4. Used the Flying Spaghetti Monster in a religious debate with someone.
  5. Gotten offended when someone called you an agnostic.
  6. Been unable to watch Growing Pains reruns because of Kirk Cameron.
  7. Own more Bibles than most Christians you know.
  8. Have at least one Bible with your personal annotations regarding contradictions, disturbing parts, etc.
  9. Have come out as an atheist to your family.
  10. Attended a campus or off-campus atheist gathering.
  11. Are a member of an organized atheist/Humanist/etc. organization.
  12. Had a Humanist wedding ceremony.
  13. Donated money to an atheist organization.
  14. Have a bookshelf dedicated solely to Richard Dawkins.
  15. Lost the friendship of someone you know because of your non-theism.
  16. Tried to argue or have a discussion with someone who stopped you on the street to proselytize.
  17. Hid your atheist beliefs on a first date because you didn’t want to scare him/her away.
  18. Own a stockpile of atheist paraphernalia (bumper stickers, buttons, shirts, etc).
  19. Attended a protest that involved religion.
  20. Attended an atheist conference.
  21. Subscribe to Pat Condell’s YouTube channel.
  22. Started an atheist group in your area or school.
  23. Successfully “de-converted” someone to atheism.
  24. Have already made plans to donate your body to science after you die.
  25. Told someone you’re an atheist only because you wanted to see the person’s reaction.
  26. Had to think twice before screaming “Oh God!” during sex. Or you said something else in its place.
  27. Lost a job because of your atheism.
  28. Formed a bond with someone specifically because of your mutual atheism (meeting this person at a local gathering or conference doesn’t count).
  29. Have crossed “In God We Trust” off of — or put a pro-church-state-separation stamp on — dollar bills.
  30. Refused to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
  31. Said “Gesundheit!” (or nothing at all) after someone sneezed because you didn’t want to say “Bless you!”
  32. Have ever chosen not to clasp your hands together out of fear someone might think you’re praying.
  33. Have turned on Christian TV because you need something entertaining to watch.
  34. Are a 2nd or 3rd (or more) generation atheist.
  35. Have “atheism” listed on your Facebook or dating profile — and not a euphemistic variant.
  36. Attended an atheist’s funeral (i.e. a non-religious service).
  37. Subscribe to an freethought magazine (e.g. Free Inquiry, Skeptic)
  38. Have been interviewed by a reporter because of your atheism.
  39. Written a letter-to-the-editor about an issue related to your non-belief in God.
  40. Gave a friend or acquaintance a New Atheist book as a gift.
  41. Wear pro-atheist clothing in public.
  42. Have invited Mormons/Jehovah’s Witnesses into your house specifically because you wanted to argue with them.
  43. Have been physically threatened (or beaten up) because you didn’t believe in God.
  44. Receive Google Alerts on “atheism” (or variants).
  45. Received fewer Christmas presents than expected because people assumed you didn’t celebrate it.
  46. Visited The Creation Museum or saw Ben Stein’s Expelled just so you could keep tabs on the “enemy.”
  47. Refuse to tell anyone what your “sign” is… because it doesn’t matter at all.
  48. Are on a mailing list for a Christian organization just so you can see what they’re up to…
  49. Have kept your eyes open while you watched others around you pray.
  50. Avoid even Unitarian churches because they’re too close to religion for you.

Well I scored 10 out of 50, not very hardcore at all.  I guess thats to be expected as I dont think of myself as atheist.  Maybe Summer will score higher.

h/t Friendly Athiest (seriously just subscribe to his blog its great).

McCain on Roe vs. Wade

Of course feminism and women’s rights are about a lot more than just Roe vs. Wade but its still important to remember why winning this election is important to the fundies.  Its video like this that makes we wonder how any liberal progressive could ever consider switching to McCain.  (h/t Feministing)

[youtube width="500" height="394"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXNSa_xCpzk[/youtube]

Oh yeah, and I’m still alive.  Just taking some time to figure out what I’m going to do when I grow up with graduation a month away.   Scary.

William Ludwig – WWJV4.com