It’s Tuesday, and You Know What That Means…
Published December 18th, 2007Some quick hit thoughts and links for a rainy Tuesday here:
Ron Paul (who I am not fond of) invokes on of my favorite Sinclair Lewis quotes (”When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.”) to discuss Mike Huckabee’s latest campaign commercial. The Fox News show host nearly has a conniption.
Atheist bulldog Christopher Hitchens writes a good article in Slate about what are reasonable facts to take into account when voting for someone. He takes the position that it is perfectly reasonable to reject a candidate for his religious views - and he’s absolutely right. It’s also reasonable to reject someone for not having any views at all. That’s a personal choice - Americans can vote for whomever they wish for whatever reasons they wish. However, it is NOT for the government to restrict the rights of a person to run for or hold office based on their religious views (or non-views). And I am very strongly of the opinion that no matter what the candidate’s religious views, they should not use their position as an elected official to institutionalize their particular view into a position that is superior to others. I think that is extremely wrong. How you reach your decisions is one thing - but when you enact those decisions, religion must not come along with it. It hurts, saddens and frustrates me to know that I will probably never hold public office because I don’t have religion. Americans in a great majority consider atheism to be an instant disqualifier. And that’s fine, that’s their choice - I just strongly disagree with it. But I am 10 times more upset when someone tries to legislate it - because that is in direct violation of the Constitution.
If you put up a holiday item in a public place - that’s it, you’ve opened the door to everything. You, as government, do NOT get to decide what is valid and what isn’t - you do NOT get to tell someone their beliefs are a joke. The city government of Green Bay, WI is learning this now. You want a nativity scene? Fine. But now you need to allow the menorah, some Wiccan wreath and yes, even a Festivus pole - or you get to have nothing at all. That’s the way it works. It really is open to all or open to none. As government, you may not show preferential treatment.
Shall we continue with our good friend Mitt Romney? If he gets the R nomination, then they can never complain about flip-flopping again. His justifications and twisted logic is far more bizarre - and ridiculous - than anything John Kerry ever said. Mitt Romney is a hypocritical absurdist. Maybe this is all some sort of fancy performance art that I just don’t “get” - I dunno.
The Diamond Industry, not content with their monopolistic gouging and bloody, unethical business, is still at it. More branding. Yep, now you don’t just need a diamond - you need a Hearts on Fire diamond. Why? Well, it’s specially made to be even MORE brilliant - too bad that’s just patently false. It will cost you about 15%-20% more than a Tiffany diamond. More value to lose once you buy it, I suppose. According to the Fortune piece, 96% of women expect a diamond when they get engaged. I’d like to know what the 4% expect - practicality and less debt? Something of actual, real value? Or perhaps they’re simply secure in knowing their mate loves them and doesn’t need an artificially rare stone from a corrupt industry to prove it. All are fine reasons by me.
No comments yet.