Feb 2008
Irrelevant
29-Feb-08 12:40 AM Filed in: General Interest|Personal
The word for today is "irrelevant". It's a word that's been on my mind quite a bit in recent days. The potency of it's meaning and the reality of it's truth are hard to ignore. In fact, we all must come to terms with the meaning of it lest we end up as a footnote beneath the definition.
I'm not a psychologist or a behavioral scientist, but I think it is safe to say that at some point in our lives we all come face to face with the prospect of irrelevancy. That is to say, the feeling that somehow our lives no longer connect to the bigger picture and that our existence is really quite meaningless in the larger perspective of life. This can be a sobering reality to try and come to grips with and it can lead to depression. As life progresses and deals to each of us it's random shots of luck and fate, misery and joy, prosperity and despair, we each as human beings have to strive to cope and overcome and in the process maintain some sense of mental stability and self worth through it all. But, is irrelevancy more than just an attitude? What factors come into play and what power do we each really exercise when it comes to the significance our lives play in the world? Do we chose to be irrelevant or can we become irrelevant despite our best efforts to make a difference in the world?
Such are the musings of the mind of a 46 year old who has been thinking a lot lately that self worth and importance cannot be realized only on our own actions. They must be reinforced by a recognition and awareness of those around us - those we come into contact with on a daily basis. Relevancy must ultimately be affirmed through the collective conscience of the community at large in which we exist. If it does not, then we have arrived at a state of irrelevant existence. And to that bit of revelation, all I can muster in response is "well, shit!"
I'm not a psychologist or a behavioral scientist, but I think it is safe to say that at some point in our lives we all come face to face with the prospect of irrelevancy. That is to say, the feeling that somehow our lives no longer connect to the bigger picture and that our existence is really quite meaningless in the larger perspective of life. This can be a sobering reality to try and come to grips with and it can lead to depression. As life progresses and deals to each of us it's random shots of luck and fate, misery and joy, prosperity and despair, we each as human beings have to strive to cope and overcome and in the process maintain some sense of mental stability and self worth through it all. But, is irrelevancy more than just an attitude? What factors come into play and what power do we each really exercise when it comes to the significance our lives play in the world? Do we chose to be irrelevant or can we become irrelevant despite our best efforts to make a difference in the world?
Such are the musings of the mind of a 46 year old who has been thinking a lot lately that self worth and importance cannot be realized only on our own actions. They must be reinforced by a recognition and awareness of those around us - those we come into contact with on a daily basis. Relevancy must ultimately be affirmed through the collective conscience of the community at large in which we exist. If it does not, then we have arrived at a state of irrelevant existence. And to that bit of revelation, all I can muster in response is "well, shit!"
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My Answers To The Questions
Here are my answers to a series of ten questions that were recently compiled by First Freedom First as a discussion starter on the issue of separation of church and state. Of course, these are just my opinions, but the idea is to induce people into thinking about these questions and examining their stance on these very important issues. I welcome any and all comments, especially those who may have a differing view than mine:
1. Leaders on the religious right often say that America is a “Christian Nation.” Do you agree with this statement?
Absolutely not. There are more Christians than any other religion in this nation, but the nation was not founded on a theocracy or on Christian doctrine.
2. Do you think Houses of Worship should be allowed to endorse political candidates and retain their tax exempt status?
No. Tax exempt status is one of the benefits churches enjoy as a result of the wall between government and religion. If a church feels compelled to intermix politics in with it's teachings and openly endorses political candidates from the pulpit, they should lose their tax exempt status and pay taxes.
3. Do you think public schools should sponsor school prayer or, as a parent, should this choice be left to me?
Public schools have no business dealing in the realm of religion. Since their funding comes from taxes and the government, the public school should remain neutral on the subject of religion out of respect for all faiths. Prayer may be practiced at any time by any student, but should never be sponsored as a school program where students are coerced into participating.
4. Would you support a law that mandates teaching creationism in my child’s public school science classes?
No. The only thing that should be taught in science class is science. Creationism and intelligent design are concepts that do not adhere to the scientific method and are untestable - they therefore should not be presented as science.
5. Do you think my pharmacist should be allowed to deny me doctor-prescribed medications based on his or her religious beliefs?
No. The pharmacist has a duty to dispense doctor authorized medications to patients - it has no bearing on his personal opinions, beliefs or convictions. If a pharmacist is not able to morally comply with the requirements of the job he should seek some other form of employment.
6. Will you respect the rights of those in our diverse communities of faith who deem same-gender marriage to be consistent with their religious creed?
Absolutely. I happen to believe that sexual orientation is not a choice anymore than your genetics or your nationality are a choice. To allow people the right and dignity to be who they are without discrimination is the right of all humans.
7. Should “faith-based” charities that receive public funds be allowed to discriminate against employees or applicants based on religious beliefs?
This is why public funds given to faith based charities is a bad idea. Tax money should never be used by a business or entity that discriminates against anyone as the tax money is a collective representation of everyone from the community. Churches are free to discriminate along these lines as their money is all freely donated by people of like convictions. Faith based charities may do what they like unless they take government money, then they may not discriminate for any reason.
8. Do you think one's right to disbelieve in God is protected by the same laws that protect someone else's right to believe?
Absolutely. The first amendment protects all people of all faiths, or people of no faith. No one is compelled to believe anything against their will.
9. Do you think everyone’s religious freedom needs to be protected by what Thomas Jefferson called “a wall of separation” between church and state?
Yes. Without the separation between church and state the two entities become entangled and poison each other. Religion takes on the mantle of state power and can coerce people into matters of faith - and the state can take on the pious nature and deception of divine right and lose sight of secular law by pretending to enforce God's law on narrow and subjective interpretations of doctrine.
10. What should guide our policies on public health and medical research: science or religion?
Public health and medical research should be based purely on science and fact. Ehtical and moral questions can be left up to the individual based on their own unique beliefs and code of moral conduct.
If anyone thinks I'm fit for public office and would like to see "TD3k robot-extraordinaire" run in future elections, please leave your comments or e-mail for instructions on sending cash donations to my presidential campaign. Or, better yet, please make sure you vote for your candidate of choice in the primaries and in the general election this November. Vote your conscience and make a difference.
1. Leaders on the religious right often say that America is a “Christian Nation.” Do you agree with this statement?
Absolutely not. There are more Christians than any other religion in this nation, but the nation was not founded on a theocracy or on Christian doctrine.
2. Do you think Houses of Worship should be allowed to endorse political candidates and retain their tax exempt status?
No. Tax exempt status is one of the benefits churches enjoy as a result of the wall between government and religion. If a church feels compelled to intermix politics in with it's teachings and openly endorses political candidates from the pulpit, they should lose their tax exempt status and pay taxes.
3. Do you think public schools should sponsor school prayer or, as a parent, should this choice be left to me?
Public schools have no business dealing in the realm of religion. Since their funding comes from taxes and the government, the public school should remain neutral on the subject of religion out of respect for all faiths. Prayer may be practiced at any time by any student, but should never be sponsored as a school program where students are coerced into participating.
4. Would you support a law that mandates teaching creationism in my child’s public school science classes?
No. The only thing that should be taught in science class is science. Creationism and intelligent design are concepts that do not adhere to the scientific method and are untestable - they therefore should not be presented as science.
5. Do you think my pharmacist should be allowed to deny me doctor-prescribed medications based on his or her religious beliefs?
No. The pharmacist has a duty to dispense doctor authorized medications to patients - it has no bearing on his personal opinions, beliefs or convictions. If a pharmacist is not able to morally comply with the requirements of the job he should seek some other form of employment.
6. Will you respect the rights of those in our diverse communities of faith who deem same-gender marriage to be consistent with their religious creed?
Absolutely. I happen to believe that sexual orientation is not a choice anymore than your genetics or your nationality are a choice. To allow people the right and dignity to be who they are without discrimination is the right of all humans.
7. Should “faith-based” charities that receive public funds be allowed to discriminate against employees or applicants based on religious beliefs?
This is why public funds given to faith based charities is a bad idea. Tax money should never be used by a business or entity that discriminates against anyone as the tax money is a collective representation of everyone from the community. Churches are free to discriminate along these lines as their money is all freely donated by people of like convictions. Faith based charities may do what they like unless they take government money, then they may not discriminate for any reason.
8. Do you think one's right to disbelieve in God is protected by the same laws that protect someone else's right to believe?
Absolutely. The first amendment protects all people of all faiths, or people of no faith. No one is compelled to believe anything against their will.
9. Do you think everyone’s religious freedom needs to be protected by what Thomas Jefferson called “a wall of separation” between church and state?
Yes. Without the separation between church and state the two entities become entangled and poison each other. Religion takes on the mantle of state power and can coerce people into matters of faith - and the state can take on the pious nature and deception of divine right and lose sight of secular law by pretending to enforce God's law on narrow and subjective interpretations of doctrine.
10. What should guide our policies on public health and medical research: science or religion?
Public health and medical research should be based purely on science and fact. Ehtical and moral questions can be left up to the individual based on their own unique beliefs and code of moral conduct.
If anyone thinks I'm fit for public office and would like to see "TD3k robot-extraordinaire" run in future elections, please leave your comments or e-mail for instructions on sending cash donations to my presidential campaign. Or, better yet, please make sure you vote for your candidate of choice in the primaries and in the general election this November. Vote your conscience and make a difference.
Demotivational Posters
08-Feb-08 12:40 AM Filed in: Humor|General Interest
If you are like me and tend to gravitate toward the cynical and dark edge of comedy, then you will probably find humor and inspiration in the idea of the "Demotivional Poster". An idea whose time has come that can be further explored at a unique web site called Despair, Inc. In their own words, a site that offers "motivational products and posters for pessimists, underachievers, and the chronically unsuccessful."
Not that I consider myself a member of any of the afore-mentioned groups, but I am definitely a cynic - a group that should be added to the list. Their “inspiration” for the website is best summed up, again, in their own words:
"For over two decades, the multi-billion dollar motivation industry has unleashed untold suffering upon the workplaces, schools and civil institutions of the world- in the insidious form of the motivational poster. By the millions they have been sold and displayed- these dark instruments of corporate propaganda. While promising to stimulate "Hope", "Success" and "Teamwork", instead these tools of coercion and intimidation have inspired only grief, anger and nausea."
To that end they offer a really fun D.I.Y. tool that allows you to create your own demotivational posters using your own photos and slogans. I've posted two of my own below just to give a quick idea of the creative fun awaiting your inner-cynic. They also have an on-line store where you can find all kinds of fun and interesting gifts to share with the unmotivated in your life. Hats off to my bro over at Artificially Intelligent for locating the site and drawing my attention to it. Check it out and create some uninspiring posters for your family and friends - or enemies.
Not that I consider myself a member of any of the afore-mentioned groups, but I am definitely a cynic - a group that should be added to the list. Their “inspiration” for the website is best summed up, again, in their own words:
"For over two decades, the multi-billion dollar motivation industry has unleashed untold suffering upon the workplaces, schools and civil institutions of the world- in the insidious form of the motivational poster. By the millions they have been sold and displayed- these dark instruments of corporate propaganda. While promising to stimulate "Hope", "Success" and "Teamwork", instead these tools of coercion and intimidation have inspired only grief, anger and nausea."
To that end they offer a really fun D.I.Y. tool that allows you to create your own demotivational posters using your own photos and slogans. I've posted two of my own below just to give a quick idea of the creative fun awaiting your inner-cynic. They also have an on-line store where you can find all kinds of fun and interesting gifts to share with the unmotivated in your life. Hats off to my bro over at Artificially Intelligent for locating the site and drawing my attention to it. Check it out and create some uninspiring posters for your family and friends - or enemies.
