9/11 Caller - Tower Collapses While on Phone

Kevin Cosgrove is on the phone with 911 operators on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center when it collapses. Do not watch if easily disturbed.

I listened to this a few minutes ago. It reminded me of how I felt after I watched Faces of Death a few years ago; numb, totally numb. Kevin Cosgrove died, and if you listen closely, you will experience a small part of the terror he must have felt. What kind of lunatic would perpetuate such a horrific crime? Cosgrove suffered. It is sometimes easy to forget the hell these people went thought that horrible day. This short video brings it all back home.

I remember watching TV after the first plane hit. I thought it was an accident. I watched for a time and then got ready for work. As I left for work, my wife caught me in the driveway to tell me a second plane had hit the other tower. The world changed then, I know I will remember it the rest of my life. This video helped me remember that I was angry at the time, but that time has pushed my anger aside. Why is that? I still want to be angry.

Technorati Tags: 9/11, terrorism, video,

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Scientists discover evolutionary origin of fins, limbs

This midline -- think of the dorsal, tail and anal fins of a fish - is where the genetic template to produce fins originated, about 100 million years before paired fins evolved and about 200 million years before paired fins evolved into limbs, according to University of Florida genetics researchers.

*** just testing the post function from digg - sorry about the mess ***

Still - it is a great find and another link in the evolutionary chain.

Technorati Tags: evolution, science

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Republican Hypocrisy on Teen Pregnancy

Bob Geiger wrote Republican Hypocrisy on Teen Pregnancy for The Huffington Post. I don’t normally read The Huffington Post, it is a little to far to the left for me to take without a heavy dose of critical thinking. However, anything written that references James Dobson is hitting my news filter these days. Geiger highlights Republican hypocrisy and disregard for the welfare of American teens by passing s.493, a bill that made it a crime to go around parental-notification laws by transporting pregnant minor across state lines for an abortion, without include language that supports education.

"The Secretary of Health and Human Services may make grants to States, local educational agencies, State and local public health agencies, and nonprofit private entities for the purpose of carrying out programs of family life education, including education on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, and education to support healthy adolescent development.'"

This statement was apposed by Republicans who mouthed Dobson’s position that abstinence is the only way to prevent teen pregnancy. To quote Tom Coburn (R-OK) “How many people really think it's in the best interest of young people to be sexually active outside of marriage? Does anything positive ever come from that?"

Abstinence is one technique, and I must admit, it is a good technique. However, it is not the only answer to the problem. It happens to be the Christian answer to the problem, and therein lay the problem. The Dobsonian abstinence position held by the religious right is not supported by science. It is based on a moral postion. No wonder Bush likes it. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) tired to interject evidence to support reduced pregnacy rates tied to education and the use of contraception.

"The U.S. teen pregnancy rate is the highest by far among developed countries, and here is some of the evidence we use to prove this.

"In Germany, the teen pregnancy rate is 16 per 1,000. The U.S. rate is 84 per 1,000. I ask my colleagues to look at this chart which shows several countries teen pregnancy rates compared with the U.S. This is teen pregnancy rate for ages 15 to 19, among developed countries per 1,000 persons. In Sweden, it is 25 young women per 1,000; in France, it is 20 young women per 1,000; in Canada, 46; in Great Britain, 47; and here we are. Are we the winners in this contest? I hardly think so. We have 84 unintended teenage pregnancies per 1,000 persons."

Lautenberg was unsuccessful. The bill passed 65-43 without language supporting funding education. There vote is anther clear example of legislated morality and highlights the current republican disregard for Science and desire to mold America in the Christian image. It is frightening. We must vote these irrational beings out of public office. It is the only solution.


Technorati Tags: Abortion, Politics, Religion, Christianity, Science, Dobson

Evangelical's faulty logic

Have you ever wondered why Evangelical Christians don't support efforts to curb global warming? Read Evangelicals Push Back on Global Warming.:

"Much secular thinking about the environment includes a right to abortion. Why is that?' he asked. 'Well, we want to keep the population down because human beings are nothing but users and polluters."

I am speechless.

Technorati Tags: Global Warming, Religion, Christianity, Evangelicals, Science

Behold - a 21st Century Nutball

Damascus will be destroyed on August 3rd. At least that is the pet bible code lunitic rant at Seculo 21st Century. To quote peterlove144,

There is a very, very high probability that biblical prophecies about the complete destruction of Damascus, the capital city of Syria, will be fulfilled on August 3rd 2006 in consequence of the present war between Israel and hezbollah in Lebanon and northern towns in Israel.

Peterlove144's post is long, complicated, and filled with innumerable bible passages and mysterious references. All proof of only one thing, this guy is a nutball. You see, the kidnapping of Gilead Shalit, the subsequent war in Lebanon, and the price of fish paste at the local 7/11, were all foretold TEN years ago in The Bible Code. All you need to do is see the code man, see the code. Right - I've got some property....

Lebanon is going to be nuked – and the code found in the Peshitta Aramaic New Testament proves it! Is there any wonder why I am an Atheist? Do people of faith actually believe this crap? This theory is absolutely NUTBALL. The Bible Code is complete fiction. Only an idiot would believe this kind of drivel.

Technorati Tags: Nutballs, Religion, Prophesy, Lebanon, War

Presidental Shitspeak

Harry Shearer of The Simpson’s wrote a short post about a comedic impression of President Bush he produced to commemorate Bush’s recent gaff. He aired to short rap song on last Sunday’s Le Show. The song is funny. I listen to it once and had a good laugh at the President. But it is also quite hateful. I would think it is typical of the Left’s view of the President as a bumbling frat boy. On a second and third listen, I started to realize the Shearer was reaching. Like many others on the Left, he is hoping to paint the President’s mistake as proof that Bush is an embarrassing oaf. I will not go into why this is so, there is too much available on the web addressing this subject already. I will say that the Liberal Left can be just as dense as the Christian Right when it comes to irrational positions on important issues.

What did Bush say in his off mike moment? “See, the irony is what they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this shit, and it's over."

The Left is mad because the word “shit” makes the US look bad and makes the office of the President less Presidential. Right – like the whole Monica Lewinsky cigar episode helped our image? Bush said shit, but he also said that the best way to end the war is to get Syria to stop Hezbollah. Which is more important, shit or Hezbollah? (OK – maybe you should not answer that)

If the President drops an S-bomb from time to time, it really does not matter. People cuss all the time, it is a small thing in comparison to some of the other issues of our day. Yet the left, and those who posted comments on Shearer’s blog post, think it is proof of Bush's derangement. I don’t agree with Bush or many of his polices. I don’t like how the war in Iraq is unfolding, nor do I like how the religious right influences Bush’s decisions. In short, I don’t like Bush much. However, Common sense tells me that dropping a S-bomb is not worth press coverage. Yet the Left is acting like he has exposed himself in public. It is nuts.

My favorite comment from the Shearer post:

I lived with an alcoholic crackhead for five years. The woman popped just about every pill imaginable (including stealing my pain medication after I broke my arm), went out of her way to find criminals to hang out with (even brought them home when I was at work), and her parents - who should've known better - enabled her like you wouldn't believe. Now, she's living with a drug dealer.

People like that never change, because they think they don't have to. As long as you can get away with it, that's all that matters.

In the President's case, however, he's just just drunk on alcohol, he's also drunk on Power - the worst addiction there is.

Technorati Tags:
Bush, Hezbollah, politics, humor, nutballs

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Wacky theories about the war

Die Welt.de has a great post on wacky theories about the war. They collected interviews with Israeli-bashing personalities from all over the globe and summarized them with links back to the original content. The article is great read and serves as an eye-opener on those who believe that Israel is the bad actor in this tragedy.

Mohammad Tabaar writing for the BBC

"From Iran's perspective, it is better to confront Israel in the future. Butfrom Israel's point of view, this can be seen as pre-emption."'

Prof. Jorge Hirsch

“As the nuclear holocaust unfolds, some will remember the Lebanon conflict andsubsequent Iran war and blame it on Israel.”

Noam Chomsky

'The arguments, accusations and vows, all serve as a distraction in order to divert world attention from a long-term military, economic and geographic practice whose political aim is nothing less than the liquidation of the Palestinian nation."

Sheikh Muhammad

“As a Muslim ummah we are supposed to condemn and object to all forms of aggression and oppression. As a Muslim, we are not allowed to attack others but at the same time we are not supposed to remain an 'easy target' for others. So what is going on has not been initiated by Muslims because Muslims did not occupy any nation or drive their people away. It is the legitimate right of people under occupation and aggression to resist and defend their own lands and families.”

Hassan Nasrallah speaking for Hezbollah

“The Israeli media is talking about Maroun Al-Ras as if it is 'the conquest of Stalingrad.' What actually happened there, according the number of martyrs and the Israelis killed and wounded, is a reflection of the weakness of the Israeli Army.”

My favorite quote is from the comments:
Eric posted:

MY theory is that every thing is happen because the end of the world is at hand as a christian i believe that this was all writen the bible. ***nutball***

Technorati Tags:
War, Israel, Lebanon, Hezbollah, Nutballs

God is Imaginary - 47 simple proofs

An interesting site that attempts to prove that God is completely imaginary. The good people at God is Imaginary put a lot of effort into the site. They actually have 47 proofs. I've never got past the first proof on my own. You know the one I’m talking about - prove it.

(I actually thought the website was God is Imagery - I was disappointed when there were no pictures)

Technorati Tags: Atheism, Science, God

You are a pirate

You are a pirate - oh, make it stop.

It’s a game stupid

When does doubt start? It is a question I often ask myself. When did I start to lose my faith? I can point back to a time in late 77 or early 78. I was starting to discover the joys of rock music when my youth pastor Walt Pitman went out of his way to show me the hidden satanic messages in some of the most popular music of the day. I remember sitting on the floor of the youth meeting room listening to Led Zeppelin backwards trying to hear the hidden subliminal message in Stairway to Heaven. My friends all claimed they could hear "Oh here's to my sweet Satan". Not me, I heard music played backwards. Pitman went on to interject Christian rock music into my Consciousness – doubt quickly followed. Christian rock music blew. Rock, played by musicians who had a passion for their music talked to me. My youth pastor’s message of evil intent did not ring true.

The second blow came when Dungeons and Dragons was declared verboten. I was an early adopter. By 77, I had already been playing avidly for a few years. D&D was a game, no devil worship, demonic possession, or heavy violence occurred in any game I participated in (and there were hundreds). One geeky kid build a complex puzzle, other geeky kids tore it to pieces. It was glorious and safe fun conducted with coke, potato chips, and pimple cream. Then one day the Youth Pastor declared it evil. They actually asked us to burn our books. My Christian friends stopped playing. Another crack in my faith developed. I knew from experience that D&D was tame – they (they church) were lying to me.

I no longer play D&D – AOE III has replaced that obsession. I would play D&D again if given the opportunity; it is a fun and a harmless waste of a few hours time.

I was researching AOE III when I followed a link to a D&D post that looked odd: Harry Potter and Dungeons & Dragons: Like Peas in a Pod? it is a few years old, but brings back a few of my 1970 era memories. Are D&D and Harry Potter really evil? I don’t think so. Ah - the doubts begin again.

I decided to check with the ultimate moral authority in America today – that un-credentialed religious morality expert Dr. James Dobson.

What is your position on D&D? (He is against it)

"D & D" includes many elements that are occultic in nature. We’ve even been told by some who were formerly heavily involved in the game that it eventually brought them into contact with demonic activity

What is your position on Harry Potter? (He is against it – subtly)

Our advice comes from verses such as Philippians 4:8 which says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

His website then points you to a review of the movie that states:

First, Rowling's stories—unlike Lewis' or Tolkien's—are neither a Christian allegory, nor do they subscribe to a consistent Christian worldview. And second, we live in a culture that glorifies and promotes witchcraft and the occult. No matter what the essence of Harry’s magic, the effect of it is undoubtedly to raise curiosity about magic and wizardry. And any curiosity raised on this front presents a danger that the world will satisfy it with falsehood before the church or the family can satisfy it with truth.

I can translate - if Dobson says its bad, put on your thinking caps and look a little deeper - it is most likely OK.

Got to go - it's time for another thrilling game of AOE III - I think I'll be Spanish today. Dado como un cerdo!

Technorati Tags: Dobson, D&D, Music, Religion, Faith

The lies we tell ourself

According to Nick Jahn of Portage, Christians are suffering a period of religious persecution. You see, last year he put on a “Critical Mass” day full of Christian activies and music at Pauquette Park. The event was a failure. He blames Atheists of course. Ah… whatever.

Looking a little deeper, one can sense that 18-year-old Nick might be blame shifting, and managing the message, in case his second attempt at a day of smoke, drug, and alcohol free musical bliss is a failure. Nick was quoted as saying:

"In general, society looks down on religion, saying don't push your religion on me. But they're pushing their religion on me --the atheist part of society. Atheism is a religion too, that says there is no God. It's a two way street."

OK, he is an 18 year old kid, so I will cut him some slack. First, atheism is not a religion. The 3% of Americans who claim to be atheists simple deny the existence of god. Most of us do not care that much about what Christians do, as long as they are not trying to mold us in their image. There is no two-way street here. It’s an eight lane freeway with a few stranded atheists on the meridian. Your problem is not atheists; it is the great mass of the un-churched. That segment of population who are not practicing Christians and who do not care enough to define themselves as atheist or agnostic. They are the MTV-Sportsline-CSI generation, too caught up in self-interest to attend a Christian music event or to explore their lack of faith beyond reading the Da Vinci Code. They sure as hell don't care what you do.

If people do not attend the festival it is because it was poorly planned, poorly booked, or poorly advertised – or all three. If by some miracle the apathetic un-churched masses show up for your event, the music had better be technically perfect and good, or the fickle public will leave. I suggest a little SRV, played by an all-Christian band of course, followed by a recreation of Jesus’ first miracle. You might succeed in putting on a good show and saving a few souls at the same time.

Of course, if you want to get a few Christians together in a park on a Saturday morning to slap each other on the back and talk about how the Atheists are bringing you down, have at it. However, you are lying to yourself, and that is not exactly honest now is it?

Technorati Tags: Christianity, Atheism, Religion, Music

Hot day

It was 104 at my house in Buena Park Saturday. Of course, we visited my sister in Temecula to celebrate my Niece’s baby shower. It was 112... and humid, and crowded, and really wet because of the rain, and scary because of the thunder and lightning. At least my sister has a nice pool. The kids loved it.

It's about 2:00 AM Sunday morning as I post this. My house is still over 90. I really need to buy air-conditioning. This is miserable.


Technorati Tags: Photography, weather

Counter Strike in China

I was in China on business in early July. Never one to stay at the hotel myself, I ventured out into Suzhou to see what the locals did for fun. A work acquaintance had asked me if I played Counter Strike (CS to those in the know). I was evasive in my response, but learned that it was popular with the locals. They play in Internet Clubs, which turned out to be a Chinese version of The American style Internet Café. I asked the hotel staff for a recommendation, and then set off in a cab for a CS adventure.

I arrived at a small building cramped with computers and all manner of people after a ten-minute cab ride. I asked the attendant if I could rent a computer, he obliged. For 80 RNB I was given access to the internet on a Chinese computer for three hours. I saw that nearly everyone was playing CS, so I looked for the icon. After a short wait, I was allowed into a game. That was when the fun started. A group of young people had noticed my activities. As soon as I logged into CS, they started clapping, screaming and pointing. By the time the first game started, 15 people were leaning over my shoulder while trying to watch my every move. I died at the hands of a sniper after 27 seconds; the room went wild.

I was alternating between team CT and team T (the good guys and the bad guys). Every five minutes a coke would appear in front of me, my picture would be taken, or I would be offered a very nasty Chinese cigarette. I think I was killed by every person in the room at least one time. At one point, I was sure they were saying, “after you, no I insist, after you” to each other, right before a bullet would find me. I play a sniper myself and killed a bunch of these CS nerds during our time together, but the real joy was in seeing the kick they got out of kicking my ass.

After three hours, I quit and headed back to the hotel for a little R&R. Besides, America was waking up, so I had to hit my email.

endnotes:
- My son Mike and I play CS all the time (last night till 1:30 AM). It is our bonding game. I love it.

- Richard (if you read this), I still think you win the Tech Geek of the Month award for July.

Technorati Tags: CS, PRC, China, Travel, Gaming

Cool Link - Names through time

I came across this surfing. It is very cool. The Baby Name Wizard: NameVoyager

Gay marriage and divorce

In May of 2004, I wrote a short post celebrating the marriage of Julie and Hillary Goodridge and their landmark first ever legal same-sex marriage. At the time, I hailed their marriage as a significant step forward for civil rights in the United States. In the back of my mind, I wondered about the new crop of gay marriages. I wondered when we would see the first gay divorce. I guessed maybe five years down the road. I was wrong.

Over half of all marriages end in divorce, why would a gay marriage be any different. I had 50 hits on my origianl post today. When I followed up to see why, I found that gay trailblazers Julie and Hillary Goodridge are separated and heading for a divorce. That’s right, after a little more than two years, the Goodridges are calling it quits.

What does this mean? It means absolutely nothing! In my heart of hearts, I had wished them a happy and healthy marriage. After all, there is a child involved. The fact that they intend to divorce simply cements their normalcy. So many of my acquaintances, though few of my friends, are already on their second and third marriages. Why would we hold gay marriages to a different standard?


Technorati Tags: Goodridge, same sex marriage, gay rights, marriage, divorce,