An Army of 1 in 10

Yep, it’s true:  atheists in Texas are constitutionally barred from holding public office.

Discuss.

I’ve just finished reading a fascinating article on a possible reason that humans believe in higher powers. The theory is that we believe because we’re hardwired to do so. The article is quite in-depth and mentions the two reasons that we may be hardwired for religion:

1. it’s an accidental byproduct of our evolution
2. God gave us the ability to believe

People on both sides of the debate of whether or not God(s) exist(s) will certainly latch onto this as proof for their belief, but it will by no means settle it. As for me, I believe that option #2 is true — one of the reasons was pointed out in the article: it’s harder to be an atheist than it is to be a believer (and I’ve been both, so I know first-hand).

What about you?

So I’m checking my daily comics this morning using my copy of Comictastic when I reach Mousewax in the list of comics. Comictastic mistakenly grabbed the wrong image from the site, but it really shocked me. It’s a scan of a letter from the editorial page of Brandon Lewis’ (the web comic artist) newspaper:

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The newest trailer for the Simpsons movie is available for download on the iTunes Store; and after watching it, I’m pretty sure that it’s going to be somewhat controversial… at least this scene will be:

This week I searched high, and I searched low, and I finally found a site worthy of being named BotW. Okay so I’m exaggerating a bit, but this week’s BotW is an interesting one with an equally interesting color scheme.

Jeremie Dot US: Unfit to Print is my pick this week. The author is a 19 year student from Colorado who is currently living in Mount Vernon, Washington. Jeremie is an independent thinker who doesn’t buy into the rhetoric on either side of the political aisle and has his own opinions on matters.

Here is an excellent example of what I mean: Will You Please Get A Life?.

I’ve been perusing his blog for the better part of an hour today and it has really impressed me with his method of thinking, which is why I’ve decided to name it as the Blog of the Week today. So I’ll quit with the blabbing already and ask you to go take a look at this fine young man’s blog.

The City of San Francisco’s school board has voted to “phase out” its JROTC over the next two years because of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.

Sandra Schwartz, of the American Friends Service Committee states, “We don’t want the military ruining our civilian institutions.”

Dan Kelly, a member of the school board and who led the charge to kick JROTC out of the city’s high schools, said that the program was about “military branding, military thinking, military recruiting, and that has to stop.”

However, a graduate of the program, Hernadi Budisantoso demurred, “In less than a year, I became a supervisor. I have keys for my job all because of what I learned in this program. Initiative, everything. And they’re just going to take it away like that.”

If anyone needed any further proof of the left’s hatred of the military, one needs only to look toward San Francisco. Who else would take an excellent program away from high school students under the guise of “equality”?

This decision by the school board disgusts and offends me, both as a Soldier and a gay man. To use Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to hurt students and limit their opportunities is deplorable. Dan Kelly even stated on a television interview (I can’t find a link for the exact quote, sorry) that they [the high schools] should not be presenting the military as a career opportunity. That statement alone exposes the school board’s partisan reasons for taking this program away from its students.

I give the SF school board 10 thumbs-down, and two middle fingers up.

I found this image somewhere, and though I’m sure it’s already been seen a million times, I found it amusing enough to share with you guys. Still, it does put the ridiculous arguments against lifting the ban into another perspective.

“I think religion has always tried to turn hatred towards gay people. Religion promotes the hatred and spite against gays. From my point of view, I would ban religion completely.” Read more… (Fox News)

It’s very easy to think of gay people as being on the left side of the political spectrum and supporting the Democrats no matter what promises are made and then broken. This, however, would be a mistake — there are homosexuals on the right side of the aisle. Many (including myself) consider themselves Republican, while others, being disgusted by the actions or inactions of the Republicans, call themselves independents.

This week’s Blog of the Week goes to a great one I’ve been following for a couple of years: Right Side of the Rainbow. It’s run by Paul Simmons, a self-described “right-of-center, gun-owning, gay Texan.” Don’t expect him to be drinking the Republican kool-aid though — he’s very capable of dishing out scathing criticism toward Republicans as well as the Democrats.

If you’re in the market for a different point of view on politics, then you should absolutely take a look at Paul’s blog. Perhaps you’ll even gain a different perspective on the issues which matter to us all.

A few moments ago, I received this email from a student asking for some help with her debate topic:

Hello,
My name is Caitlin and I a high school debater. This year the national topic is “Resolved: The United States Federal Government should establish a policy to substantially incresase the number of persons serving in one or more of the following areas: Americorps, Citizen Corps, Peace Corp, Senior Corp, Learn and Serve America, and the Armed Forces.” My debate partner and I have decided to make a plan that would pass the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, and therefore get rid of the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” Policy and increase the number of persons serving in the Military (a sect of the Armed Forces). During my research process I ran across your web site, and was wondering if you could give us a personal quote or opinion about DADT, the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, or personally how it has affected you having to remain silent about being a homosexual. This would be considered as a primary source, and give us convincing appeal to pathos argument. Anything you sen d would be greatly be appreciated.

Thank you for serving our country-
Caitlin

I’ve already sent her a reply, but if anyone has anything else to add, please post it here so that she can get more information to help her and her partner succeed in the debate.