Crap. Thanks a lot, Eric.

UCF member and platonic boyfriend Eric posted earlier today about the brouhaha in North Carolina surrounding Senator Elizabeth Dole's "Godless" advertisement against her opponent, Kay Hagan. Senator Dole's ad implied that Ms. Hagan was (gasp!) an atheist, so clearly, she must be stoned/drowned/burned/not elected.

Eric, an atheist himself, feels understandably irked by this turn of events in his home state, and expressed his ire most eloquently.

Which got me to thinking - always a dangerous turn of events.

I self-identify as an agnostic. Agnostic in the true sense of the word, the word used by Professor Huxley - meaning that one should not profess to a belief in something that cannot be proven. Please note that this definition also means that I don't disbelieve. In the absence of proof, I simply don't know - which I consider to be the most honest answer available to questions of faith. My moral and ethical code, while based on the Judeo-Christian ethos of my community and culture, is not dependant on religion.

Nothing gets me wrapped around the axle faster than a Fundie who assumes I'm morally bankrupt because I don't follow religious dogma.

But the True Believers typically consider my belief system to be "atheism by any other name," and hold me in the same contempt as they would Richard Dawkins. Which is unfortunate, because while I think Professor Dawkins has some interesting ideas, I think his treatment of persons of faith makes him kind of a dick. I don't necessarily agree with people of faith, but I don't disrespect them strictly on the basis of their faith.

One thing I find interesting is that the marginalization of agnostics and atheists in our society goes completely unnoticed within the mainstream. Want to be a politician? Better not profess agnosticism or atheism. They're the least trusted groups in America, and you have about as much chance of being elected as that proverbial snowball in a mythical hell. During the primaries, it took significant political pressure to convince a Republican vying for the Presidential nomination that the 1st Amendment's establishment clause also guaranteed an individuals right not to believe.

Earlier this year, an executive at my company resigned for reasons of health. While his condition was never made public, those of us who worked for our company assumed he had been diagnosed with some form of cancer. While I have no emotional investment in the man or his family, I wished him well and the best of luck in fighting his condition.

Well. The e:mails from the faithful started, fast and furious, contending the only thing we could do for him now is to "pray." Really? That's the only thing you can think of? How about donating money to cancer research in his name? How about pushing for health care for those who need cancer treatment and cannot afford it (unlike this executive)? How about volunteering in a hospice, or offering to do chores for a friend, relation or acquaintance who is also ill? And these people of faith think we agnostics and atheists lack compassion and moral fiber, and we're the ones coming up with concrete actions?

Being a white woman of Irish ancestry, people usually assume I'm Christian until proven otherwise. I don't consider such a stereotype to be necessarily negative, nor do I think it's intentional in most cases.

Several years ago, a dear friend of ours wanted to know if we would be interested in coming for their Easter celebration. She's a delightful person whom I would consider more "spiritual" than "religious," but she considers herself Christian. We politely declined, but it never even occurred to her that we, as non-Christians, would be singularly uninterested in the celebration of a religious holiday.* About a year later, she and I were discussing how people make "assumptions" about the world-view of those around us. She claimed she didn't do that, until I pointed out her Easter invitation. To her credit, she immediately saw the situation for what it was, and has not made religious assumptions about us since.

Perhaps my sensitivity on this issue is especially raw right now because religious belief has become such a huge issue in politics in my adult lifetime - in my view, inappropriately so.

On the other hand, I am the recipient of a great deal of unearned privilege in my life. If I am marginalized in this area, but receive benefits in many others, is it a wash? Do I have the right to complain about the stereotypes and assumptions people make about me, when an accident of my birth allows me so much?

Yes, I think I do. While my complaint may seem minor compared to the issues of the working poor, it's still an issue of equality. A right guaranteed in our Constitution, whether we're "God-fearing" or not.

_________________

*Our usual Easter tradition consists of eating frozen pizza and watching Dogma. I love that movie...

Who Cares? Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 41

Will Brad and Angelina (fill in whatever inane uninteresting thing the tabloids are blathering about this week)? Who Cares!

Boogie Blogging Friday

The Incomparable Boogie™, enjoying some outside time while the basement gets vacuumed. The softball formerly belonged to a neighbor kid who lost it over our fence and never came to the door to retrieve it, so it's second life became that of "chew toy."

Boogie isn't exactly The Beast, but he can sure do a number on a softball.

Hubble Lives!

Congratulations, NASA and the HST imagaing team, on your "Perfect 10."

Swirl of the Galaxy to my Celebrity Boyfriend, the Bad Astronomer.

Sad News

I have sad news from my Hot Sister, Cindi in CO.

My feline nephew, Scorchie, had to be put to sleep on Monday due to liver disease.

Fair winds and following seas, Scorchie.

And my deepest sympathies to my Hot Sister and Smart Brother-in-Law.

Stay strong.

She's Baaa-aaack!

You all remember how...irked...I was when my college class last semester was rife with whiny, entitled, lazy students.

Well, guess what? One of the worst offenders is back. I noticed she was in the class at the beginning, but up until now, she had remained dormant, like the Ebola virus hiding in the jungle.

But then our professor opened a discussion thread on our bulletin board asking for input on how the class can be better. Please note this is my favorite professor in the program - demanding, articulate, helpful. Her response was the usual whining about how she wasn't sure she was meeting the expectations of the class, etc., etc., and how the discussion boards were not as "in depth" as she expected.

I guess it hadn't occurred to her that her grades are a pretty good indicator of her progress, and she has the power to drive the discussions in the direction she's interested in.

Naturally, the professor asked her for suggestions on how he could address her concerns. Her response? " Apparently, it is just me....I'll try to do better."

Now, if I had seen this response with no past experience with her, I might of thought she was taking some personal responsibility for her own learning. In light of my experience, however, I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I really, really hope I'm wrong.

Wicked Wednesday

I'll actually be leaving the house this afternoon (gasp!), as I have a class to teach. It's a simple class on using an application, but I've found those are sometimes the hardest to teach, since I know so much about the application, and the students know so little. I enjoy teaching in general, though, so it should be fun.

Besides, in today's economy, any action I can take that increases my value to my organization without compromising my self-respect or quality of life is a good one.

Elections 101

The Smart Man decided to sit down and go through the ballot initiatives this evening in preparation for early voting.

He's a conscientious voter, and likes to know what's going on with each amendment and proposition before he votes.

So he grabs the information booklet and starts to look through it. His response:

"Fuck! Why do we have to modify the Colorado Constitution for every little thing! It's supposed to be a broad stroke document, and you make laws to address the little shit!"

::pause, while he goes through the list of amendments::

"FUCK! Why do we need 14 fucking amendments on a single ballot?! The founding fathers had to start from scratch, and they only thought of TEN. Fuck!"

::pause, while I get him a Hefeweizen::

"FUCK! The people aren't even in this book!"

'Tard of the Week - DeAngelo Starnes

Here in Colorado, we have a "right to work" amendment on the ballot. Amendment 47 is designed to prevent the payment of Union dues as a condition of employment for jobs covered under a collective bargaining agreement. One of the Amendment's authors is an Aurora City Councilman named Ryan Frazier.

Needless to say, the local Unions have come out against this measure, as they can anticipate their coffers, influence and effectiveness shrinking as employees choose not to support the Union financially.

Enter DeAngelo Starnes, General Counsel for UFCW Local 7.

Mr. Starnes received an e:mail from Mr. Frazier' mass distribution list, who was promoting a school supply drive. Mr. Frazier received the following commentary from Mr. Starnes:

"You fucking sell-out. Why are you sending this to me? Take me off your e-mail list, House Nigger."

Mr. Frazier responded with:

"Hey, no need for the ignorant language. We will take you off immediately. God bless you."

At which time Mr. Starnes replied:

"Just keep bending over for the white man, alright?"

Charming.

Evidently Mr. Starnes feels that an African American legislator should not have co-authored the Amendment in question, and felt compelled to make his viewpoint clear.

I have to say, Mr. Starnes' language doesn't exactly inspire confidence or lend credibility to the "vote no on 47" position. In fact, it was pretty fucking stupid.

The Local issued a statement that he was no longer performing work for the Union.

What a 'Tard. Good luck finding work now, Mr. Starnes.

What the Fuck is Wrong With These People? - Fuckwit Uncle

On October 18, 2008, the great uncle of an 11 year old girl in Jaipur poured kerosene over her body and set her on fire.

Neighbors came to the girl's rescue, and attempted to put out the flames. The girl was burned over 90% of her body, and the outlook is grim.

The reason for this atrocious act? Well, it depends on who you ask.

If you ask the great uncle, he did it because she was wearing lipstick and was "scantily dressed." He's a conservative Muslim, you see, and evidently felt it was duty.

If you ask the girl's other family members, he did it because he was attempting to molest her, and grew enraged when she objected.

I can't decide which reason is the most fucked up - burning her because she resists being boxed into a narrow box where self-determination is just a pipe dream, or burning her because she had the gall to resist your vile urges.

The good news is that a case of attempted murder has been registered against the great uncle.

What the fuck is wrong with these people?


H/T to SkepChick.

Your Dad Would Be Proud

I was a child who grew up on Sesame Street. It came out in 1969, when I was four, and I never missed it. I loved Oscar the Grouch, Burt and Ernie and Cookie Monster. When The Muppet Show started in 1976, I watched that too, although I was too cool to admit it.

I was saddened by Jim Henson's death in 1990. His vision helped shape my childhood. While my own kids watched Sesame Street, they also watch that insipid, creepy Barney the Dinosaur, and I could feel Mr. Henson rolling over in his grave, that children's television had sunk to such a low level.

I understand the landscape has improved since then, with Dora the Explorer in the forefront, but I have a special fondness for the Jim Henson Company and its creations.

Enter Brian Hanson, the son of Jim, and the co-CEO of the Jim Henson Company. Following in his father's footsteps, he has created a new show called Sid the Science Kid, using innovative new technologies to create animated characters controlled by puppeteers. The show is about a group of kids who explore science through their interactions with the people in their lives. The characters are every kid you've ever known who continued to ask "why?" long after the adults in their lives have grown tired of hearing it. Sort of like my Smart Boy, come to think of it.

Being a fan-girl of science, I am delighted that there's a show for pre-schoolers that emphasizes critical thinking and curiosity about how things work.

Congratulations, Brian Hanson, on your accomplishment. Your Dad would be proud.

Who'd-a-Thunk It

Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz The higher of these two numbers below indicates which side of your brain has dominance in your life. Realising your right brain/left brain tendancy will help you interact with and to understand others. Left Brain Dominance: (11) Right Brain Dominance: (7) Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz

Swirl-o-the-Grey Matter to Nathan.

I'll Take My Sunday with an Extra Helping of Hope, Please

A Lakewood woman burned her pet Yorkshire Terrier on her stove, and Bobo the Dog subsequently died of organ failure.

A Colorado Springs woman is on trial for burning her house down for the insurance money. Her three children were inside at the time, and died in the flames.

A 52 year old Pastor in Colorado Springs has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a 15 year old parishioner. He will serve no more than 60 days in prison.

The worldwide financial implosion will worsen the food crisis. The rate of malnutrition, and presumably death from starvation, will continue to rise in 2008.

I'm writing a paper this weekend on a comparison of the cultural, national and religious differences between life as a woman in the United States and life as a woman in Saudi Arabia for my "Nations, Cultures and Peoples" DU class. Being a Saudi woman sucks. I mean it really, really sucks.

Bleh.

Comment of the Week

This week's Comment of the Week goes to none other than our very own Carol Elaine, the Ordinary Goddess, who graced us with this bit of wisdom:

"Yeah, if Palin shoots you in the face, it's because she aimed for it."

Zing!

Congratulations, Carol Elaine. You win a week's worth of bragging rights, and our eternal admiration.

Boogie Blogging Friday

Boogie is keeping himself amused this morning by playing with his blankie. It's supposed to be in his bed, but he frequently takes it out, growling ferociously, whips it around, and then falls asleep on top of it.

The huge fun comes when one of his human servants wraps him up in it and watches the subsequent hilarity as he tries to extricate himself. When he was a pup, he would sometimes run out of energy and fall asleep in place with the blanket still wrapped around him. Good times.

He has to keep himself busy until my Hot Mom arrives, then he'll do his usual activity while she's here - following her around with an adoring look on his face, and looking longingly at the pantry where his snacks are kept. Because Grandma's soft. Yes, yes she is.

Who Cares? Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 40

Phil Spector's Murder Trial, the Sequel is taking place just doors away from the site of O.J.'s acquittal! Will the jury acquit Phil, too? Will they kill again? Who Cares!

Next Stop: Boulder

Yesterday the Smart Boy and I went to Greeley to check out the University of Northern Colorado as a possible college destination. If he decides to pursue a career in teaching, he'll probably end up there. It's a charming campus, small and well kept. UNC is considered a regionally ranked school, and tends to be the "go-to" place for people who want to be teachers.

Today we'll be heading up to Boulder to visit the University of Colorado. If the Smart Boy chooses to pursue a career in physics, he'll probably end up there. It's a nationally ranked university, with an excellent science program.

Of course, like most 17 year olds, the Smart Boy is having trouble deciding what route he wants to take. That's not a surprise. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

He's going to apply to three schools, and he won't have to make a decision until it comes time to actually accept any acceptances that come his way.

'Tard of the Week - Robin Hayes

Robin Hayes, a Republican Representative from North Carolina who is seeking reelection, is apparently dumber than a box of rocks, and thinks his constituents are, too.

This Saturday, Representative Hayes made the following comment during a speech: "liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God."

Yeah, that's what we do. We hate real Americans. And disrespect work and achievement.

Whatever.

When Representative Hayes was called out for these remarks, he denied them...until an audiotape surfaced of the speech. He then reversed course, saying, "I genuinely did not recall making the statement and, after reading it, there is no doubt that it came out completely the wrong way. I actually was trying to work to keep the crowd as respectful as possible, so this is definitely not what I intended."

Really, Representative Hayes? Really? You really expect us to believe those remarks were intended to keep the crowd in a "respectful" frame of mind?

The ones being disrespected here are the American people, if you expect them to belief that crock of shit.

'Tard.

College Visits

I'm on vacation today and tomorrow, in order to accompany the Smart Boy on his local college visits during his High School's fall break.

He told me that today we would be visiting the University of Northern Colorado, and tomorrow we'd be going to the University of Colorado in Boulder. However, the directions to UNC on his desk are actually directions to CU, so really, I have no idea where we'll be today.

It's a good thing he's so gifted in math and science, because he would suck in a career as a personal or administrative assistant.

So I'll be out and about today, making arrangements to get my kid and my money out of my house, at least on a temporary basis.

Keep the trolls at bay in my absence, won't you?

Hot Yarn-on-Yarn Action

Frequent commenter and UCF member Matt works at a company that uses Nanny-Ware. Nothing unusual about that - most companies try to take measures to ensure their employees aren't surfin' the pr0n on company time.

Matt's Nanny-Ware, however, seems to be taking things a bit far. In the Loot post below, the software determined the photo of the yarn skeins fell into the pr0n bucket, and wouldn't download it.

Yarn pr0n, only on Hot Chicks Dig Smart Men. You saw it here first, folks.

All Hail the Anti-'Tards!

With all the hullabaloo going on within the UCF to debunk Crank-o-the-Week Walter Wagner over at Refugees from the City, The Blog of Siram, Standing on the Shoulders of Giant Midgets, and Stonekettle Station, I've been getting a little stabby lately. I'm sure you understand.

So I'm going to move on and direct your attention to some anti-'tards who are doing their best to bring the real deal to the Internet. The website is called Stop Jenny McCarthy, and it's a thoughtful, considered response to the allegations that vaccines cause autism, and that autism can be "cured."

While my modus operandi tends to be pointing and laughing, these folks instead offer real information and resources pertaining to McCarthy's claims.

So a big "thank you" to Kylie Sturgess and Michael Rosch for their work on this effort. Vaccination is simply one of the biggest achievements in medical science, and the anti-vax crowd needs to be stopped. I suspect web sites like these will go farther in achieving this goal than snark.

A shot in the arm to my celebrity boyfriend The Bad Astronomer.

Loot! Loot! LOOT for ME!

Today brought the first batch of my killer sale yarn from my trip to San Diego to visit the Mechanicky Gal. This box contained six pounds, and there's still ten more coming my way.

I have a box of jam for her and the Mechanicky Guy, but I'm a big slacker and haven't gotten over the Post Office yet.

This came on a good day for me - for some reason I'm feeling a bit stabby today, and this cheered me up.

Thanks, Mechanicky Gal!

Celebrity Boyfriend

Recently I kicked Bill Maher off my celebrity boyfriend list for lowering himself to the level of the Creationists. That got me to thinking - who are my current celebrity boyfriends?

Let's see:

- Neil deGrasse Tyson, because he satisfies my Nerd Love.
- Colin Powell, because he's just a class act.
- Jon Stewart, because he makes me laugh and he's an equal opportunity kind of guy.
- Laurence Fishburne, because he's just too cool for school.
- Phil Plait, because he posed nude. With a telescope. And, oh yeah, he's a fabulous skeptic.

I'm not sure that Phil qualifies, since I've actually met him, and thus putting him on my celebrity boyfriend list might make me a stalker. Which I'm not. (Hi, Phil! Wink, wink!)

Because that's the beauty of a celebrity boyfriend. You can put someone on your list without being a creepy, creepy stalker, since you'll (probably) never meet them, and thus there's no possibility of a romantic entanglement. Sort of like fantasizing about what you'd do with your sixty million dollar PowerBall win, when you never buy a lottery ticket.

Who are your celebrity boyfriends?

September 'Tard of the Month Voting

Just a note on the September 'Tard of the Month voting.

In light of Walter Wagner's simply stunning exhibition over at Refugees, I'd just like to point out that the voting for the September 'Tard of the Month is still open, and Mr. Wagner is on the ballot.

Perhaps this is a credential that Mr. Wagner will actually earn.

Miscellaneous Sunday

Today we have a co-ed baby shower for my good friend Tabby, who is due in December. I, of course, went nuts with my gift bag, hitting the sale rack at Target like my life depended on it. I bought clothes in all sizes, so baby Mekala will have cute new clothes for the next two years, and knitted matching hats for Tabby and Mekala.

What? I don't have any nieces or nephews, so I have to get it out of my system somehow.

Speaking of nephews, my feline nephew Scorch is in the kitty hospital. His liver's not doing what it's supposed to do, but his vet is "pleased" with his progress. Scorchie is not pleased with the feeding tube that's been inserted in his nose, but we all have a cross to bear. Poor Scorchie.

My Hot Sister is worried about him. She recently quit her job at the dealership where she worked, but she's more concerned about the kitty than she is about being unemployed. The evangelical nut job who's the new boss there issued a new "Employee Handbook," and she couldn't stomach it. It included gems such as employees submitting to personal and property searches at the whim of management, and they are to inform management of any violations of said handbook. They are not to associate with "undesirables" in the community, as it would reflect badly on the Dealership.

Um, no. Just no, you draconian ass-candle. Just because your wife allows you control her utterly (including not allowing her to have her own e:mail address) does not mean you can do the same with your employees. Christ on a crutch, you hillbilly motherfucker.

Speaking of ass-candles and motherfuckers, Hot Chicks Dig Smart Men 'Tard of the Week Walter Wagner and his butt-monkey have shown up over at Refugees from the City to debate his credentials and ability to do physics. The logical fallacies and obfuscation are simply stunning, so if you have some time and are amused by the delusional among us, feel free to stop by. I've decided to take Michelle's advice, and stop wrestling with those particular pigs.

Have a nice Sunday, Hot Chicks and Smart Men!

Robo-Calls - Modern Irritant or the End of Civilization as We Know It?

I've been getting robo-calls for weeks, exhorting me to vote for this candidate or that candidate, to vote for this ballot initiative or against that one. Depending on the subject matter, the voice is either that of a man with sonorous undertones, predicting the end of life, the universe and everything if I don't vote for their candidate, or that of a woman sweetly informing me that if I don't vote for Colorado Amendment 48 I'm a baby killer who's going to burn, burn, burn.

Well. Not so much, robo-caller.

In the bad old days, when political activists called you to convince you their candidate or issue was of VITAL IMPORTANCE, it was an actual human being calling, one who cared enough about the issue to give up their own time to canvas on his/her/its behalf. While still irritating, it was at least understandable and somewhat admirable. These folks were committed and involved in our democracy, and I could appreciate their dedication, if not their interruption of my family dinner.

Now, they only have to program a predictive dialer system and play their VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE into the ear of the unsuspecting callee, or into your unsuspecting answering machine or voicemail. Make no mistake - predictive dialer technology is expensive. So I suspect these dialer campaigns are being financed either by the parties or by some sleazy 527 with a ton of money and an axe to grind.

Either way, I'm not interested in their "message." The end of civilization, indeed.

Comment of the Week

Because I like to shamelessly steal ideas from others, I'm stealing the Comment of the Week award from SkepChick, and I will henceforth pass it off as my own.

Yes, yes - I thought of this. The idea is mine.

This week's winner is none other than our very own Steve Buchheit, who responded to the latest McCain campaign idiocy with the following gem:

"Opps. New McCain campaign slogan, 'Once we're in office we'll stop all these screw-ups. No. Seriously. We will stop them.'"

Congratulations, Steve. You win a week's supply of good will, bragging rights and self-aggrandizement.

All hail Steve, inaugural Comment of the Week recipient!

Loot! Loot! LOOT for ME!

Today's mail brought this cool postcard from the lovely and talented Kate, who will soon be a member of the Evil League of Evil. Check out her application video here and tell me she's not evil, evil, evil, and worthy of a place next to Dr. Horrible.

It's from a show called "Le Reve" in Las Vegas.

Thanks, Kate!

Who Cares? Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 39

Joe the Plumber isn't even a plumber! He's a Republican Plant! To counteract the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters endorsement of Obama! Or something! Who Cares!

Boogie Blogging Friday

"Why, yes, I did have a bath and a haircut yesterday. Yes, I am a handsome, handsome boy. Yes, thank you."

Tard of the Week - McCain Strategists

According to Newsweek, some weeks ago McCain strategists had Sarah Palin file an ethics complaint against herself with the State Personnel Board in regards to her behavior in Troopergate. The assumption was that only the Board was capable of a fair, non-partisan inquiry, in spite of the fact that the personnel board answered to Palin.

Well. You never can tell what will happen when you complain about yourself, can you?

The board, understanding the inherent conflict of interest and concerns about impartiality, hired an Anchorage trial lawyer named Timothy Petumenos as an independent counsel in the matter. Turns out Mr. Petumenos is a Democrat. Who supported Palin's opponent in the Governor's race. Who now wants to question the Governor about the matter.

Yeah. Good strategery, McCain advisers. 'Tards.

Palin As President Webstie

You have got to check out this website. Keep clicking the door for full effect.

I laughed my ass off. And will continue to do so, since it will be updated daily until November 4th.


Wink, wink to Matt.

The Debate

You know what? I didn't watch the debate. I didn't. So if you're looking for witty repartee on last night's festivities, please feel free to peruse Helen's thoughts, who apparently has the hots for Bob Schieffer.

In spite of the obvious blog fodder available, I just didn't have the heart to watch, since I've ALREADY VOTED.

That's right, Hot Chicks and Smart Men - I've ALREADY VOTED. That monkey is off my back, and onto yours.

There is really no excuse. None, none, none. VOTE.

Squee!

The Forever War. Being made into a movie. By Ridley Scott.

This is made of Hawesome. With Awesome Sauce. Squee!

Blog Action Day 08 - Poverty

This year, I'm participating in Blog Action Day '08. It's a grass roots effort to bring attention to a specific issue through blogs, websites, and podcasts, resulting in a diversity of viewpoints on the single issue of poverty.

Poverty.

That term means different things to different people. I've been "poor," living paycheck to paycheck, knowing that a single disaster or lost job would result in disaster. But I've never lived in poverty.

I've always had enough to eat, even if it was Top Ramen and frozen pizza.

I've always had adequate medical and dental care.

I've always had a roof over my head.

I've always been warm enough.

I've always had family and friends that, if it came to that, would ensure I never went hungry, had to sleep outdoors, went without medical care.

So no, I don't have first hand knowledge of true poverty. Which makes me fortunate indeed. As they say, "There but for the grace of God go I."

For me, that grace means I have a certain responsibility to those who do have first-hand knowledge.

How do I express my responsibility? By knitting cold weather gear for those who can't afford it on their own. By supporting Kiva, a micro-lending organization, both on my own and with a joint account with The Mechanicky Gal, because this help allows people to pull their entire family out of poverty on a sustainable basis. By supporting Modest Needs, a grant organization that helps the working poor meet unexpected expenses, because a single emergency shouldn't result in becoming homeless. By supporting DonorsChoose, an organization that finances low income school districts with specific school projects, because I believe education leads directly to a higher standard of living. By supporting Heifer International, because their programs help entire communities on a sustainable basis.

Is it enough? Probably not. But it's what I can do.

H/T to Jeri.

Janiece!

On Sunday, The Mechanicky Gal and I were visiting the national cottages at Balboa Park.

One of the cottages was the Chinese cottage. They had a calligrapher there who would write your name in Chinese for a small donation to the non-profit who maintains and runs the cottage. I ponied up and had her do "Janiece."

Of course, for all I know, this could say "Kung Pow Chicken" instead of "Janiece," but it still looks cool.

Exercising My Franchise

My official ballot arrived while I was out visiting the Mechanicky Gal. As soon as I get my work caught up from my mini-vacation, I'll be filling it out.

I decided to vote via mail this election, as I don't want to mess with early voting, and the polls on election day will likely be crowded and polarized. Given that I'm a poll worker again, I'll have enough on my plate without trying to cast my own ballot.

In fact, I have poll worker training again tonight.

While researching the candidates and the issues gives me high blood pressure, the risk of aneurysm is worth it for me to be able to responsibly exercise my franchise.

Go, America.

Heading Home

I'm heading home this morning, and a good time was had by all.

I bought 16 pounds of yarn at a screaming sale yesterday, so that will have to follow me via the USPS, but other than than that, I managed to keep the shopping down to a minimum.

Hmm...yarn!

Balboa Park

We spent the early afternoon in Balboa Park today. I love Balboa Park. It's been around forever (my Hot Mom used to go there when she was a student at the University of California at San Diego), and the city takes really good care of it.

The picture to the left is the Park Organ. No one was playing it while we were there today because of a wedding, but the last time we were there, it was going full blast.

This tree is fenced off in front of the Natural History Museum. I'm not sure what kind it is, but it's very cool.
The Koi Pond is sadly lonely - most of the koi were killed recently during an inadvertent tap water influx - chlorine poisoning. Poor fishies. It's going to cost the city many tens of thousands of dollars to replace them.

Those of you that also read Jim's blog story Deep Thunder may recognize this fountain from the story. No fiery angels this time around, though.

After a short trip through the Hall of Nations and the Natinal cottages, it was off to Target. We're back home now, eating Ho-Ho's and drinking Mike's. Wild and crazy, yes, we are.

2008 Flower Pr0n, Tree Edition II

Fall is in the air, and here are some photos of the trees that are changing color around our neighborhood. No snow yet, but it's only a matter of time. I hate winter.

The Proof is in the Pictures

Here is the photographic evidence of my brown-paper-sack enclosed Corona from the corner store yesterday.

Today was appointments de beautee, followed by dinner at the local Mexican eatery with Amy's new Mechanicky Guy. He'll be treating, as befits a man who is taking two such Hawt women to dinner.

Have a fabu Saturday, Hot Chicks and Smart Men!

Safely Landed

I've safely landed here in San Diego, and Amy and I stopped by the Mexican Taco Chop for combo plates on the way home. We also stopped for Corona, because, really, what's a taco and enchilada combo plate without a 24 oz Corona?

Once safely home, we were eating and chatting, and her work cell rang. Who should it be but the clueless contractor she's working with on her latest job, calling (once again) for last minute asshattery?

Ah, how I miss the forthrightness and plain-speaking of Navy life (Amy is retired, but she still works around Navy ships). As much as I bitch and cry about sales people, it would never occur to me to speak to a sales team the way Amy spoke to that contractor. She ranted. She raved. She dropped the "F" bomb like she was Sarah Palin discussing John McCain's "maverick" qualifications with Joe Biden. She gave him the what-for, and straightened him the hell out.

I, of course, chuckled and tee-hee'd through the entire conversation, resulting in the inadvertent inhalation of hot sauce up my nose.

The next time someone in my civilian job claims I still have a few "rough edges" from my Navy life, I'm referring them to Amy.

Boogie Blogging Friday

The Incomparable Boogie™, enjoying his morning walkies.

Boogie just loves his walkies, and I love my Boogie.

Who Cares? Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 38

Jamie Lynn Spears is pregant again! Did she really think she couldn't get pregnant while breast-feeding? Will she keep the baby? Who Cares!

San Diego, Here I Come!

It's that time of year again.

That's right, folks, it's time for the semi-annual pilgrimage to San Diego to visit The Mechanicky Gal. We'll be engaging in our usual revelry, including drinking too much, eating crap that's bad for us, failing to exercise, eating Mexican food every day, and getting massages and pedicures.

We'll also be discussing possible names for our septuagenarian blog, modeled after the delightful Margaret and Helen. Suggestions from the gallery will be considered.

I don't know that I'll live blog events this time, but we may check in periodically. I'm flying out tomorrow morning, and returning on Monday afternoon.

In my absence, the Smart Man will be leading the swinging bachelor life, including walking the Incomparable Boogie™, playing on-line computer games with his buddies, and eating crap that's bad for him.

We're wild and crazy. Yes, we are.

Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History, Volume XVII

Meet Helen Philpott, co-author of a blog called "Margaret and Helen, Best Friends for 60 Years and Counting..."

She's 82 years old, and her grandson taught her how to blog with her best friend Margaret Schmechtman. Helen and Margaret met almost 60 years ago in college.

Recently, Mrs. Helen has decided to start blogging about our political process with a blog entry called "Sarah Palin is a Bitch...there I said it." She followed it up with an entry called "Yep, I called her a bitch and I'm not taking it back," and "Maverick, my ass."

These entries have gone viral, and while poor Mrs. Margaret is still wondering how all these strange people have found their blog, Mrs. Helen appears to be ramping up for a new career as a political blog writer. I've added her to my RSS feed, and find her writing engaging and her ideas interesting. Her age gives her a different perspective than my own, and I like to make sure I don't get too insular in my reading.

So why is she ill-behaved? Because she's 82, and she's using a new medium to participate in public life in a meaningful way. Whether I agree with her commentary or not, she's making a difference in the world in which she lives. Go, Mrs. Helen!

I only hope that when The Mechanicky Gal and I are in our 80's we're still kicking ass and taking names in this fashion. I wonder what we should call our septuagenarian blog?


Spin o' the Scooter wheel to Hot Chick Tania for the suggestion.

Colorado Amendment 48

I'm all foamy this morning, and here's why:

Colorado Amendment 48 Ballot Title: Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution defining the term "person" to include any human being from the moment of fertilization as "person" is used in those provisions of the Colorado constitution relating to inalienable rights, equality of justice, and due process of law?

Seriously? Seriously?

I don't even know what to say to this. Aside from the obvious goal of making abortion illegal in Colorado, what about other ramifications?

If this passes, does it mean that a woman who has a miscarriage due to an accident can be charged with manslaughter if she could of possibly prevented the accident? The mind boggles. Boggles.

Christ on a crutch, I hope this initiative fails, with a BIG, EPIC FAIL. However, since that ridiculous "marriage is between a man and a woman" amendment passed four years ago, it's possible the good voters of Colorado could go off the deep end once again.

Politics, how I have come to hate you, and the idiocy that is executed in your name.

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Note: Due to the controversial nature of this topic, I invite first time visitors to review my comment policy before you choose to participate in the discussion. For this posting, no warnings will be given - trolls will be summarily smacked with the Shovel of Doom™. However, polite disagreement with supporting arguments are, as always, welcome.

2008 Flower Pr0n

Mums!

'Tard of the Week - Yours Truly

I watched the Presidential Debate last night.

For some reason, I expected the questions, answers and tone of the "town hall meeting" to provide me with some new information, insight, or commentary. The longer the debate went on, the more the candidates kept repeating their same old talking points, the more they kept attacking each others so-called "records," the more they kept ignoring the moderator, the more wrapped around the axle I got. Until my head exploded in a spectacular spray of blood and gray matter, as documented in the photographic evidence to the left.

So I'm the 'Tard this week, for expecting something new from American politics, for expecting something other than "business as usual," for expecting a respectful, informative debate that included information and insight that might help the average American voter make up her mind. What the hell was I thinking? Clearly I wasn't, and I'm a 'Tard.

New Feline Nephew

This is my new feline nephew, Freddy. He lives with my Hot Sister in rural Colorado.

In spite of his good looks, Freddy does not work and play well with others. So he's been named for Freddy Krueger, and my Hot Sister is still trying to get his behavior under control.

Doggies are so much easier...

This is a Bit More Accurate

You are a Social Liberal (70% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (30% permissive) You are best described as a: Democrat Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also : The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Bad Behavior - An Equal Opportunity Choice

First, there's my favorite friend Fred Phelps and his whack-a-loon congregants. Their latest escapade is picketing the funeral of Joe Biden's Mother in Law. From their schedule:

Abington Presbyterian Church - Joe Biden's Mother-in-law 1082 Old York Rd We are going to picket the funeral of a very evil woman named Bonny Jean Jacobs. "Why?" you will ask. Because she is the Mother-in-law of Joseph Biden, Democratic Candidate for Vice President of DOOMED america. That's right, she lived a lot of years with a little influence over that evil bastard, and never by all appearances said one word of correction or warning to him. She is in hell, and Joe will soon follow. However, our words are for the living, not the dead. And here are the words, to wit: Ac 13:50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. They say that behind every "great man" is a "great woman", so there you go. She had the influence over the evil witch married to Joe Biden. The evil witch living with Joe Biden did not do a thing to stop him from passing laws against God's servants, and in fact (like her foremothers before her) probably has egged him on this whole time. She did not stop him from saying blasphemous things about God, time and time again. This woman is responsible for her daughter's conduct. That's all there is to that. Pr 6:24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. Lu 17:32 Remember Lot's wife. AMEN!

I sincerely hope that the Patriot Guard Riders or some other group are out in force for this one, and my sympathy goes out to the Jacobs family. A death in the family is always a tough thing, and having to also deal with these utterly incoherent fuckwads is just too much. Fucking Fred Phelps. If anyone's earned a smack in the face with a shovel, it's him.

Second, I want to point out the bad behavior of Bill Maher and Larry Charles. Yes, I know - it pains me, too. But I do try to be consistent, and since I spanked the dumbasses who produced that utter piece of shit Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, I feel compelled to point out that the producers of Religulous are also on thin ethical ice.

I thought Expelled was wrong on many, many levels, including the idea that Intelligent Design is "Science" and that the poor dears who believe in it are persecuted by the oppressive hand of academia.

::gag::

But one of the things that the producers of this POS did that garnered fierce criticism from the atheist and agnostic community was to lie like dogs in order to garner interviews with prominent skeptics and atheists such as Michael Shermer, PZ Meyers and Eugenie Scott. The interviewees were not informed they were being interviewed for a film supporting Intelligent Design, but were instead "tricked" into giving interviews about "evolution and education."

Well. Guess what Bill and Larry did in order to gain access to religious people for their movie? You guessed it. They lied like dogs.

Now, my own personal viewpoint is more closely aligned to Bill Maher's than it is to Ben Stein's, and when I heard this on NPR, I was disappointed. Even though Bill Maher is a militant atheist I did expect better behavior from him than I did from proponents of Intelligent Design. Alas, it was not to be.

Attention Bill: The point you are trying to make with this project is diluted by your bad behavior. If you can't be honest with the participants in your film, you're little better than a pompous, intellectualized Borat, and you've been struck from my celebrity boyfriend list.

Bad behavior - an equal opportunity choice. I'm going back to bed.

How About Coconuts?

I think coconuts would keep ole T-Rex fuller, longer. Never underestimate the importance of roughage!

All the Cool Kids Are Doing It

Technical Difficulties

My Internet connection has been down today, and since I'm a full-time V.O. worker, this means I've lost over half a day of productivity.

Crap.

Don't expect much out of me today, folks - I've got some catching up to do.

DMNS Dinosaurs!

Yesterday the Smart Man, my Hot Mom and I went to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science to see their new visiting exhibit, Dinosaurs - Ancient Fossils, New Discoveries. We also saw the accompanying IMAX film, Dinosaurs Alive.

My reaction? Meh. I enjoyed the graphics where the creators made guesses about how the dinosaurs looked and moved based on new discoveries and skeletal-muscular engineering, and the exhibits had some interesting information about feathers and dinosaurs. But the marketing for this exhibit was so intense, I think I was disappointed by the real deal.

I'm sure that's also mitigated by the fact that while I think dinosaurs are neat in a generic sense, I'm not as interested in that field of endeavor as I am in, say, space.

On a related note, I also ran into Splendid Elles, who was working the dinosaur exhibit in her capacity as a Museum volunteer. It was completely random (as she also noted), and Nathan, I can now definitely attest to the fact that she is indeed a teen girl, rather than a 40 year old double Ph.D. So a shout-out to her, and a "thank you" for her work in educating the public on science.

Conversations with Karma - OJ Simpson

*ring, ring*

OJ Simpson: Hello?

Karma: Hello, may I speak to OJ Simpson, please? This is Karma.

OJ: This is he. But I don't know any Karma.

K: Oh, I know you don't know Karma. That's been sticking in my craw for a awhile, let me tell you.

OJ: Wha?

K: I'm the eastern idea that you will receive your punishment or reward for your deeds. You know...what comes around goes around, people get what they deserve? Karma.

OJ: Uh, oh. I think I need to call my attorney.

K: Too late, Juice. Johnnie Cochrane is deader than a doornail. In fact, I think he's been reincarnated as a doormouse, so that's no good.

OJ: Crap.

K: Yes. I'm afraid life as you know it is over.

OJ: Crap.

K: You said that already. Listen, I took my first vacation in over 1,000 years during your murder trial. Was that a mistake. So I've had to work overtime since then to make up for mistakes. Sort of self-imposed Karma.

OJ: Is that what happened? I wondered.

K: Yes. And your commentary about finding the real killer really made me ramp up. Is that how you would encourage your team-mates in the NFL? Because it really motivated me to get cracking.

OJ: I was a good football player.

K: Yes, you were. But you're a crappy criminal. Do I need to tell you what's going to happen next?

OJ: No. But there's still a chance the sentencing will go my way!

K: That's true. Free will and all that. But I wouldn't take any bets on it.

*click*

Boogie Blogging Friday

The Incomparable Boogie™, showing why our friend Dale used to sing The Muppet Show theme song every time he saw him as a pup.

"It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights!"

Who Cares? Magazine, Volume 2, Issue 37

Tony Curtis reveals Marilyn Sex Secrets in new memoir! Evidently Marilyn liked it hot! Will the drama never end? Did dressmakers in this era really think the cut of that bodice made her breasts look more attractive? Who Cares!

Vice-Presidential Debate Thoughts - Incomplete and Sometimes Incoherent

- When Joe Biden started quoting the Constitution from memory, I almost wanted to bear his children. Almost.

- Sarah Palin surprised me with her pretty unequivocal support of civil rights for gay couples. That was pretty cool, although as Defective Yeti notes, "if you refer to yourself as "tolerant" of gays, you are probably not."

- Am I the only one who thinks that Joe Biden bears a striking resemblance to the Mouth of Sauron when he smiles?

- Sarah Palin's talking points did not stand her in good stead. When she claimed - for the 7th time - that John McCain was a "Maverick," I nearly cheered when Joe Biden started listing all the ways in which a traditional Republican Senator was not a "Maverick." Cancel that request to Kenny Loggins, McCain campaign. I think the "Maverick" shtick is a dead Indian.

- While I really admire Gwen Ifill, why the hell did she waste a question on what the VP would do if they gained the Big Chair due to the death of their principal? What did she expect them to say? "I can't wait until that pissant kicks the bucket so I can implement my master plan, Bwahahaha?" Seriously, Gwen - you're smarter than that, and that was a complete waste of time.

- Sarah Palin only used word salad once instead of through the entire debate. I guess that's an improvement over her Couric interview.

- Joe Biden is a lot smarter than I thought he was.

- Sarah Palin's attempts to hijack GWB's "I'm just like one of you, yuck, yuck, yuck" persona came across as more than a little insincere. And nauseating.

- Joe Biden's handlers prepared him really, really well. His foot-in-mouth disease appeared to be under control. Additionally, having an encyclopedic knowledge of the issues and the law helps. As Scalzi noted, "he apparently knows things, as opposed to knowing talking points helpfully provided on index cards."

- Sarah Palin's handlers did the best they could with the raw material available. But really, learning every national and international policy issue in the world in a month might be a bit much for even someone of above average intelligence.

Two down, two to go.

Vaccines Do Cause Autism!

From an IM with my Hot Sister this morning:

Cindi: I got my flu shot this morning. I'm a little light headed now, I'm probably developing autism now.

Janiece: Call Jenny McCarthy - STAT!

Cindi: I can't. I forgot how do dial.

Cindi: TO dial.

Janiece: See? More symptoms!

Cindi: I know! I'm probably screwed now.

Janiece: Maybe you'll become an idiot savant.

Cindi: As long as it gets me out of work...

______________

How bad does a job have to be before you wish to be an idiot savant in order to skip work?

VP Candidate Debate and Other Thoughts

Am I the only one who's looking forward to the Vice-Presidential Candidate Debate in the same way you can't look away from a train wreck?

Based on Governor Palin's apparent inability to conduct herself in a professional and informed manner, and Senator Joe Biden's apparent inability to engage his brain before he opens his mouth, the event should be a real Hoot.

As in "Hoot-n-Holler." With married cousins. I don't envy Gwen Ifill - making this event informative and meaningful will take all her skills.

On a similar note, am I the only one who thinks that a Vice-Presidential candidate being creamed in an interview with Katie Couric is just the funniest thing you've heard this week? Apparently not. The only thing missing from Fareed Zakaria's trenchant condemnation of her ability to do the job of Vice-President was the sarcastic utterance of, "Bitch, please."

When Governor Palin was selected by John McCain to be his running mate, my initial response was, "meh." I didn't really have anything against her. I knew that her social conservatism was a poor match for my own values. I knew she was very inexperienced on the national level. I knew my buddy Jim, who lives near Wasilla, AK, thought she was the cat's pyjamas. After the RNC, I knew she was a decent public speaker.

So I was inclined to continue my support for Barack Obama, and write her off as someone with whom I simply did not agree.

Now? Now I think her social conservatism is more than a bit scary. Now I think her inexperience and lack of knowledge in national matters is so profound that to have her in line for the Big Chair would result in supremely negative consequences for our country. Now I think that Jim's analysis of her may be faulty as it applies to the national stage (though perhaps not to Alaska - I don't live there, so I can't say). Now I think that her ability to speak publicly on an extemporaneous basis is so bad that it's made me ask whether it's experience and knowledge that's the problem, or if she's just dumb.

Please note that none of these thoughts have shit to do with her membership in the NRA, her pregnant daughter, her Downs Syndrome son, her enjoyment of outdoor activities or any foamy rumors or innuendo about her book-banning or ruthlessness to the disloyal. Those issues simply don't matter in this context. What matters is her qualifications and ability to execute the office for which she's running.

Go home, Governor Palin. You were evidently a pretty effective Governor for Alaska, but you're embarrassing yourself on the national stage. You think you're qualified to be the Vice President of the United States? Bitch, please.

Please. Just VOTE.

Getting Older = Suckage

I went and got my eyes checked today. Even though my eyesight hasn't changed much in the last 7 years or so, I still go every year for an exam, just to make sure everything's okay.

This year my optometrist diagnosed me with "blepharitis."

Lovely.

Now I have to take flax seed oil orally, and start washing my eyelids every day with medicated wipes.

It's really not that surprising - one of the leading causes of blepharitis is rosacea, which I've been struggling with for a couple years. So I get to add one more item to the list of things that don't work quite right anymore.

Stupid rosacea. Stupid blepharitis. Stupid aging.