By
Harry Bathwater
Well there it is.
Samuel Alito has been confirmed to the US Supreme Court.
I told my daughters today that if they have any ideas about getting pregnant and having an abortion then they’d better do it soon!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Why we need wars.
By
Harry Bathwater
It’s a sad fact that we need to have wars. Wars are a necessary part of our existence and I’ll explain why.
Every creature on this planet is subject to the “balance of nature”. There are mechanisms in place that keep their total numbers down to a reasonable level. The world doesn’t get overrun by rabbits for example because there wouldn’t be enough food for them, many would die of disease and other animals would prey upon them and so their numbers would be reduced to a normal level.
Every creature except mankind that is.
We live in strong buildings that shelter us from the weather. We have developed a sophisticated food supply. We have amazing medical techniques that keep us alive long after we would have otherwise died. We have, to a large degree, stepped outside of the balance of nature and so we have had to invent things that would reduce our numbers and primary among them is war.
Imagine ALL the people that have died from anything that could be called a war. Not just in recent times but go all the way back to when cavemen first got angry with each other and mounted raids on other cavemen camps.
There is no way of knowing how many people that number would be but I’ll bet it’s in the Trillions and Trillions!.
Now imagine if there had never been a war and those people had not died but had gone on to have children who also had children and so on.
There would be so many more Trillions of people on this planet that we would be standing shoulder to shoulder in any empty space available.
So wars, just like car crashes, abortion, sky diving accidents etc, are ways that modern mankind has had to keep our population down to a reasonable level.
It’s a terribly sad fact that we die. But we have to in order to make way for the next generation that is coming up behind us on the relentless conveyer belt of life.
So from a global viewpoint we need wars. However, from a local level I still feel that we must do whatever we can to avoid them and we need to critically hold to account those who start wars for unnecessary reasons like the Bush regime has recently.
Britain and America used to be the good guys but we no longer are. Our leaders have dragged us into a vile conflict that we had no business starting.
After the terrorists attacked America on September 11th 2001 we did the right thing by saying to the Taliban in Afghanistan “Hand over those responsible or we are coming in”
We had the moral high ground in that instance George Bush did the correct thing. In fact at that moment I was glad that our president was George Bush and not Al Gore because I thought Bush was doing the right thing and he seemed to be acting like Margaret Thatcher did when the Argentines invaded one of our islands in the South Atlantic in 1980.
I was totally behind him. And it’s not so much that the Taliban didn’t hand over Osama Bin Laden, because we could not have been sure that he was responsible for 9-11. But they didn’t even try to help us.
America was a big friendly guy who has his faults but had been hit in the face, hard for no reason.
The Taliban deserved to get dethroned.
Iraq however is a totally different issue. We had no business at all invading that country. It was very clear to me, an idiot living in Michigan, that Saddam Hussein had no connection to the 9-11 attackers.
We invaded his country because this Bush government is full of nasty, war mongering power lusting people whose only concern is filling their pockets.
The citizens of America and Britain need to rise up and throw these people, not just out, but in jail.
So, as a person who clearly sees why humans need wars I am still very ashamed that my leaders have started one that is immorally wrong.
Oh and by the way.
The war was not started on 9-11. That was a criminal act. Wars are fought against solders of other countries not Terrorists.
This is how you can tell what is a war and what is not.
It’s a war if your opponents are soldiers in uniform.
If they are wearing civilian clothes it’s not a war it’s a police matter.
Those caught wearing regular clothes during the 2nd World War were considered spies and were tried and if convicted that were shot. They were not afforded the treatment that a soldier was given under the Geneva convention because they were not soldiers.
You can’t have a war on terror just as you can’t have a war on drugs.
I’m arguing semantics now because we still need to fight terrorists just like we need to fight drug use but the wording is wrong. These are not wars.
Harry Bathwater
It’s a sad fact that we need to have wars. Wars are a necessary part of our existence and I’ll explain why.
Every creature on this planet is subject to the “balance of nature”. There are mechanisms in place that keep their total numbers down to a reasonable level. The world doesn’t get overrun by rabbits for example because there wouldn’t be enough food for them, many would die of disease and other animals would prey upon them and so their numbers would be reduced to a normal level.
Every creature except mankind that is.
We live in strong buildings that shelter us from the weather. We have developed a sophisticated food supply. We have amazing medical techniques that keep us alive long after we would have otherwise died. We have, to a large degree, stepped outside of the balance of nature and so we have had to invent things that would reduce our numbers and primary among them is war.
Imagine ALL the people that have died from anything that could be called a war. Not just in recent times but go all the way back to when cavemen first got angry with each other and mounted raids on other cavemen camps.
There is no way of knowing how many people that number would be but I’ll bet it’s in the Trillions and Trillions!.
Now imagine if there had never been a war and those people had not died but had gone on to have children who also had children and so on.
There would be so many more Trillions of people on this planet that we would be standing shoulder to shoulder in any empty space available.
So wars, just like car crashes, abortion, sky diving accidents etc, are ways that modern mankind has had to keep our population down to a reasonable level.
It’s a terribly sad fact that we die. But we have to in order to make way for the next generation that is coming up behind us on the relentless conveyer belt of life.
So from a global viewpoint we need wars. However, from a local level I still feel that we must do whatever we can to avoid them and we need to critically hold to account those who start wars for unnecessary reasons like the Bush regime has recently.
Britain and America used to be the good guys but we no longer are. Our leaders have dragged us into a vile conflict that we had no business starting.
After the terrorists attacked America on September 11th 2001 we did the right thing by saying to the Taliban in Afghanistan “Hand over those responsible or we are coming in”
We had the moral high ground in that instance George Bush did the correct thing. In fact at that moment I was glad that our president was George Bush and not Al Gore because I thought Bush was doing the right thing and he seemed to be acting like Margaret Thatcher did when the Argentines invaded one of our islands in the South Atlantic in 1980.
I was totally behind him. And it’s not so much that the Taliban didn’t hand over Osama Bin Laden, because we could not have been sure that he was responsible for 9-11. But they didn’t even try to help us.
America was a big friendly guy who has his faults but had been hit in the face, hard for no reason.
The Taliban deserved to get dethroned.
Iraq however is a totally different issue. We had no business at all invading that country. It was very clear to me, an idiot living in Michigan, that Saddam Hussein had no connection to the 9-11 attackers.
We invaded his country because this Bush government is full of nasty, war mongering power lusting people whose only concern is filling their pockets.
The citizens of America and Britain need to rise up and throw these people, not just out, but in jail.
So, as a person who clearly sees why humans need wars I am still very ashamed that my leaders have started one that is immorally wrong.
Oh and by the way.
The war was not started on 9-11. That was a criminal act. Wars are fought against solders of other countries not Terrorists.
This is how you can tell what is a war and what is not.
It’s a war if your opponents are soldiers in uniform.
If they are wearing civilian clothes it’s not a war it’s a police matter.
Those caught wearing regular clothes during the 2nd World War were considered spies and were tried and if convicted that were shot. They were not afforded the treatment that a soldier was given under the Geneva convention because they were not soldiers.
You can’t have a war on terror just as you can’t have a war on drugs.
I’m arguing semantics now because we still need to fight terrorists just like we need to fight drug use but the wording is wrong. These are not wars.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Leaving New Orleans.
Apparently George Bush thought that “Roe Vs Wade” was the decision people had to make on how to get out of New Orleans.
Monday, January 16, 2006
I love this quote.
"Blind faith in bad leadership is not patriotism."
Perfect for today.
I got it from "Treehugger" at the Liberal Forum.
Perfect for today.
I got it from "Treehugger" at the Liberal Forum.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Take this quiz.
If you are such a Bible scholar take this quiz.
You'll loose!
This is the first question of 50 questions.
1. What is the last of the Ten Commandments?
a. Don't steal.
b. Don't covet your neighbor's wife and property.
c. Don't boil a young goat in the milk of its mother.
d. Love your neighbor as yourself.
answer: c!
This prohibition in Exodus 34:26 is the official tenth commandment, from the only set of stone tablets that were called "the ten commandments."
For the rest of the 50 questions and their COMPLETE answers visit "What Do You Really KnowAbout The Bible?"
You'll loose!
This is the first question of 50 questions.
1. What is the last of the Ten Commandments?
a. Don't steal.
b. Don't covet your neighbor's wife and property.
c. Don't boil a young goat in the milk of its mother.
d. Love your neighbor as yourself.
answer: c!
This prohibition in Exodus 34:26 is the official tenth commandment, from the only set of stone tablets that were called "the ten commandments."
For the rest of the 50 questions and their COMPLETE answers visit "What Do You Really KnowAbout The Bible?"
Friday, January 13, 2006
Politicians who Flip Flop.
By
Harry Bathwater
Our politicians are supposed to “Flip flop”
That is their job!
We, in America, live in a representative democracy.
This means that, because we can’t all fit in congress we select people to represent us there. They are there to do our bidding and vote how we, as their constituents, want. They are not there to “vote their conscience”. Their conscience is irrelevant! We don’t elect people because we think they are swell guys and we want to see them do well in life. We elect them to vote the way we want. The last thing in the world we should want is for our representative to “stick to their guns” and vote in a way that is counter to our wishes.
Quite honestly, politicians SHOULD “hold their finger up in the air and see which way the wind is blowing” because we are the “wind” and they have been elected to carry out OUR wishes, NOT THEIRS!
If we, as a nation, start to feel differently about an issue then our representatives better damn well feel the same way!
Next time you hear someone criticizing a politician for “flip flopping” say to them,
“Bloody good show, we need more people in office like that”
Harry Bathwater
Our politicians are supposed to “Flip flop”
That is their job!
We, in America, live in a representative democracy.
This means that, because we can’t all fit in congress we select people to represent us there. They are there to do our bidding and vote how we, as their constituents, want. They are not there to “vote their conscience”. Their conscience is irrelevant! We don’t elect people because we think they are swell guys and we want to see them do well in life. We elect them to vote the way we want. The last thing in the world we should want is for our representative to “stick to their guns” and vote in a way that is counter to our wishes.
Quite honestly, politicians SHOULD “hold their finger up in the air and see which way the wind is blowing” because we are the “wind” and they have been elected to carry out OUR wishes, NOT THEIRS!
If we, as a nation, start to feel differently about an issue then our representatives better damn well feel the same way!
Next time you hear someone criticizing a politician for “flip flopping” say to them,
“Bloody good show, we need more people in office like that”
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Rush Limbaugh is what we all should fear.
By
Harry Bathwater
There is no doubt that Rush Limbaugh (Americas #1 hatemonger) wields a huge amount of power with his zombie hoards, and because of this I believe him to be the most powerful man in America.
The recent rise of the Republicans and their extreme right wing ideology can be traced back to the rise in popularity of Rush Limbaugh.
He constantly professes to be nothing more than an entertainer but he is far far more than that.
He is what we all should fear.
A charismatic orator with an extreme agenda.
Harry Bathwater
There is no doubt that Rush Limbaugh (Americas #1 hatemonger) wields a huge amount of power with his zombie hoards, and because of this I believe him to be the most powerful man in America.
The recent rise of the Republicans and their extreme right wing ideology can be traced back to the rise in popularity of Rush Limbaugh.
He constantly professes to be nothing more than an entertainer but he is far far more than that.
He is what we all should fear.
A charismatic orator with an extreme agenda.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Atheist: We need a new word.
Due to the clever indoctrination of most Americans by their religious leaders, the word "Atheist" has become a scary word that conjures up an image of devil worshipers, anarchy and other stupid horrors.
Because of the direction I see America heading, I am now firmly of the belief that Atheists need to start speaking up.
We should spread the good news that god is a myth, no one has to be scared that they’ll burn in hell for eternity and that idle hands are not the devils playground.
I therefore propose that we search for a new word or phrase that does not have the negative baggage that Atheist seems to have. Something that would be more marketable. Kind of like the other side has done with “Intelligent Design” as a new way of describing Creation.
I’m sure that a lot of you will howl in protest at this and I don’t blame you. I am very proud to call my self an Atheist.
I do, however, realize that I often say it out loud a dinner parties and such just to see the shocked reaction.
I guess my question becomes this:
1) Do we all want to make others realize that religion is all Gobshite (Mouth shit)
or am I the only one?
2) How serious about changing those peoples minds are we?
Think up something warm and fuzzy that people feel comfortable enough to cuddle next to their dogma soaked minds, not realizing that a new thought is seeping in.
Because I can guarantee that as soon as you say “Atheist” the steel door of mindless resistance to logic and reason slams shut.
Because of the direction I see America heading, I am now firmly of the belief that Atheists need to start speaking up.
We should spread the good news that god is a myth, no one has to be scared that they’ll burn in hell for eternity and that idle hands are not the devils playground.
I therefore propose that we search for a new word or phrase that does not have the negative baggage that Atheist seems to have. Something that would be more marketable. Kind of like the other side has done with “Intelligent Design” as a new way of describing Creation.
I’m sure that a lot of you will howl in protest at this and I don’t blame you. I am very proud to call my self an Atheist.
I do, however, realize that I often say it out loud a dinner parties and such just to see the shocked reaction.
I guess my question becomes this:
1) Do we all want to make others realize that religion is all Gobshite (Mouth shit)
or am I the only one?
2) How serious about changing those peoples minds are we?
Think up something warm and fuzzy that people feel comfortable enough to cuddle next to their dogma soaked minds, not realizing that a new thought is seeping in.
Because I can guarantee that as soon as you say “Atheist” the steel door of mindless resistance to logic and reason slams shut.
Quote: Albert Einstein.
A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
German-born U.S. physicist.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)
German-born U.S. physicist.
Monday, January 02, 2006
The first page of the Bible has finally been translated.
It’s my understanding that they have just finished translating one of the original Dead Sea Scrolls and it is believed to be the very first page of the bible, thought lost for ever.
The translation goes like this:
“All persons, places and events are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental”.
This is my favourite joke from SNL.
The translation goes like this:
“All persons, places and events are fictitious. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental”.
This is my favourite joke from SNL.
Letter to George W. Bush concerning spying.
By
Harry Bathwater
Every American citizen should send this letter to the White House especially if you are part of an organization that this government considers a threat.
Every candidate that ran against this government in the last election should definitely send this letter.
Copy and paste the following letter into your word processing program.
Fill in your details, print it and mail it to both the address below and send a CC to your favorite newspaper.
George W. Bush Esq.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Washington DC 20500
Dear Mr. Bush,
In light of the recent revelations concerning your administration having have spied on US citizens I would suggest that the concern is not whether you spied on suspected terrorists but that, once you stepped outside the constraints of the law, and the correct legal safeguards were no longer in effect, did you spy on anyone else?
Your political opponents, for example.
Now that your government has been caught breaking the law you no longer enjoy the "benefit of the doubt" and have created a new, much lower, threshold of integrity for yourselvs.
Your argued reason for breaking the law is irrelevant. We all want to catch terrorists and we want to catch them quickly, and the current legal requirements of the Foreign Intelligence Surviellance Act allow for that.
I therefore request a signed letter from you stating that my privacy and the privacy of my family was in no way compromised by your activities.
My name /organization is ………………………………………………………..
My address is…………………………………………………………………….
I realize that you will need some time to check the records at the NSA but I do ask that you respond quickly in this important matter.
Yours Sincerely
…………………………………………………….
Harry Bathwater
Every American citizen should send this letter to the White House especially if you are part of an organization that this government considers a threat.
Every candidate that ran against this government in the last election should definitely send this letter.
Copy and paste the following letter into your word processing program.
Fill in your details, print it and mail it to both the address below and send a CC to your favorite newspaper.
George W. Bush Esq.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Washington DC 20500
Dear Mr. Bush,
In light of the recent revelations concerning your administration having have spied on US citizens I would suggest that the concern is not whether you spied on suspected terrorists but that, once you stepped outside the constraints of the law, and the correct legal safeguards were no longer in effect, did you spy on anyone else?
Your political opponents, for example.
Now that your government has been caught breaking the law you no longer enjoy the "benefit of the doubt" and have created a new, much lower, threshold of integrity for yourselvs.
Your argued reason for breaking the law is irrelevant. We all want to catch terrorists and we want to catch them quickly, and the current legal requirements of the Foreign Intelligence Surviellance Act allow for that.
I therefore request a signed letter from you stating that my privacy and the privacy of my family was in no way compromised by your activities.
My name /organization is ………………………………………………………..
My address is…………………………………………………………………….
I realize that you will need some time to check the records at the NSA but I do ask that you respond quickly in this important matter.
Yours Sincerely
…………………………………………………….
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Why there will never be a liberal Rush Limbaugh
By
Harry Bathwater
The reason why there there can never be a liberal version of the popular talk show host and Americas number 1 hatemonger, Rush Limbaugh is simple. Liberals and progressives are generally people who think about issues themselves and come to decisions after much contemplation.
Rush Limbaugh's audience are, for the most part, people who don't want to have to think about issues, they just want Rush to tell them what to think.Liberal and progressive people therefore would never be happy ceding their minds over to a talk show host who merely has a commanding voice and fantastic delivery.
Harry Bathwater
The reason why there there can never be a liberal version of the popular talk show host and Americas number 1 hatemonger, Rush Limbaugh is simple. Liberals and progressives are generally people who think about issues themselves and come to decisions after much contemplation.
Rush Limbaugh's audience are, for the most part, people who don't want to have to think about issues, they just want Rush to tell them what to think.Liberal and progressive people therefore would never be happy ceding their minds over to a talk show host who merely has a commanding voice and fantastic delivery.
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