Essay/Commentary: "Boycott Hobby Lobby"
Before the U.S Supreme Court (SCOTUS) is a case in which the powers that be at the for-profit corporation Hobby Lobby want to impose their religious beliefs on employees who may or may not share such beliefs. THe CEO and management at Hobby Lobby are arguing the falsehood that "corporations are people" [BS] and as such have the right to not have to pay for employees who choose to use their company-provided insurance for the purpose of birth control or contraceptives. In my view it is or should be none of HObby Lobby's or any other corporations Goddamned business to meddle in the family planning or safe sex affairs of their employees. Also, if in the future Hobby Lobby bought out another company would those employees lose their own right of consciousness to have the freedom to choose the legal option of contraception or family planning. Corporations are not people, and management should not have the right to choose on behalf of employees about what coverage they get or don't get. That should be between the doctor and patient, even when the patient is an employee of a theocratic corporation.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Essay/Commentary: Ant-Gay Bill in Arizona Mirrors Jim Crow Past and Apartheid
Essay/Commentary: Anti-Gay Bill in Arizona Mirrors Jim Crow Past and Apartheid
First of all, I myself am not gay. However, in 21st century America a bill put forward by social conservatives purporting to protect the so-called 'rights' of supposedly religious folks to unjustly discriminate against a class of people (homosexuals)they disapprove of is antiquated at best. In many places around the world there are anti-gay laws which can result in jail or even violence or murder against people who either are or are perceived to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered. Even in this country, there are many examples of bullying, violence, homicide, or relentless mistreatment which likely could result in further violence or murder or suicide against the victims of relentless taunts or mistreatment. Mistreatment of others, regardless of motivation is definitely not a legitimate religious quality. Isn't tolerance, coexistence and unconditional love the goal or reason for most religions?In Russia gays can be jailed. In Nigeria gays can become executed or can be beaten with impunity. I think the so-called 'religious freedom' argument is absolute BS. If I understand this law businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and similar places would have the right to deny service to people perceived to be gay if the owner disapproves of the person. For one thing, a business exists to make money, not to deny a customer or patron the privilege to shop there. That is just asking for a boycott or a future bankruptcy. As far as I'm concerned, discriminating against gays or those perceived to be gay is no different from racism or other forms of bigotry. If someone's supposed religious beliefs make him or her a bigot, the allegedly religious person is a hypocrite and should reassess his or her religious teachings. Hatred is not the goal of any legitimate religion as far as I'm concerned. Controversial Arizona governor Jan Brewer was right to veto this bill even if she did so under duress. I heard on the radio that the NFL would have refused to have the next Super Bowl in Arizona, and this would have cost the state millions of dollars. THere would be other ripple effects which would cost the state tourism due to the proposed apartheid against gays.
First of all, I myself am not gay. However, in 21st century America a bill put forward by social conservatives purporting to protect the so-called 'rights' of supposedly religious folks to unjustly discriminate against a class of people (homosexuals)they disapprove of is antiquated at best. In many places around the world there are anti-gay laws which can result in jail or even violence or murder against people who either are or are perceived to be Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgendered. Even in this country, there are many examples of bullying, violence, homicide, or relentless mistreatment which likely could result in further violence or murder or suicide against the victims of relentless taunts or mistreatment. Mistreatment of others, regardless of motivation is definitely not a legitimate religious quality. Isn't tolerance, coexistence and unconditional love the goal or reason for most religions?In Russia gays can be jailed. In Nigeria gays can become executed or can be beaten with impunity. I think the so-called 'religious freedom' argument is absolute BS. If I understand this law businesses, restaurants, grocery stores, and similar places would have the right to deny service to people perceived to be gay if the owner disapproves of the person. For one thing, a business exists to make money, not to deny a customer or patron the privilege to shop there. That is just asking for a boycott or a future bankruptcy. As far as I'm concerned, discriminating against gays or those perceived to be gay is no different from racism or other forms of bigotry. If someone's supposed religious beliefs make him or her a bigot, the allegedly religious person is a hypocrite and should reassess his or her religious teachings. Hatred is not the goal of any legitimate religion as far as I'm concerned. Controversial Arizona governor Jan Brewer was right to veto this bill even if she did so under duress. I heard on the radio that the NFL would have refused to have the next Super Bowl in Arizona, and this would have cost the state millions of dollars. THere would be other ripple effects which would cost the state tourism due to the proposed apartheid against gays.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Essay/Commentary: "Game of Dogs and Other Cruelty to Animals Abroad"
Essay/Commentary: "Game of Dogs and Other Cruelty to Animals Abroad"
In preparation for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, despot Vladimir Putin ordered that any stray dogs in the area be slaughtered. Thousands of canines have been killed to make Sochi look good to the world. I understand that pleas to adopt these dogs were ignored by the Russian tyrant. However, I heard that there was one dog who escaped its demise and was heard barking during the games. Due to the mistreatment of dogs, I will not be watching the Winter Olympics. If I do it will be a minimal amount of time.
Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, Denmark a zookeeper has euthanized the baby giraffe "Marius" because the poor creature was unsuitable for procreation with other giraffes. To make matters worse, I heard that the giraffe was slain while children were present and the remains were fed to lions. What a cruel, callous S.O.B. that zookeeper is! He euthanized the giraffe in spite of pleas to relocate the animal. THe purpose of zoos are to let animals live which might otherwise die in the wild; not to slay an animal for an arbitrary reason.
In preparation for the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, despot Vladimir Putin ordered that any stray dogs in the area be slaughtered. Thousands of canines have been killed to make Sochi look good to the world. I understand that pleas to adopt these dogs were ignored by the Russian tyrant. However, I heard that there was one dog who escaped its demise and was heard barking during the games. Due to the mistreatment of dogs, I will not be watching the Winter Olympics. If I do it will be a minimal amount of time.
Meanwhile, in Copenhagen, Denmark a zookeeper has euthanized the baby giraffe "Marius" because the poor creature was unsuitable for procreation with other giraffes. To make matters worse, I heard that the giraffe was slain while children were present and the remains were fed to lions. What a cruel, callous S.O.B. that zookeeper is! He euthanized the giraffe in spite of pleas to relocate the animal. THe purpose of zoos are to let animals live which might otherwise die in the wild; not to slay an animal for an arbitrary reason.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Essay/Commentary: OXFAM Reports that Richest One Per Cent Own Half of Assets
Essay/Commentary: OXFAM Reports that Richest One Per Cent Own Half of Assets
THe international anti-poverty agency OXFAM recently reported than the richest one percent own 50% of assets. In my view it is a disgrace that certain individuals or families have billions of dollars (more than they could spend in a lifetime), while others have to struggle with little or nothing. It is also disgraceful that in the richest country in the world there are many who struggle to afford to eat on a daily basis. Regardless of how politically unpopular it is, this inequitable distribution of wealth in itself makes the case for wealth redistribution. I don't know if the report cites assets in the U.S. or worldwide, but either way this situation should not be allowed or tolerated to continue.
THe international anti-poverty agency OXFAM recently reported than the richest one percent own 50% of assets. In my view it is a disgrace that certain individuals or families have billions of dollars (more than they could spend in a lifetime), while others have to struggle with little or nothing. It is also disgraceful that in the richest country in the world there are many who struggle to afford to eat on a daily basis. Regardless of how politically unpopular it is, this inequitable distribution of wealth in itself makes the case for wealth redistribution. I don't know if the report cites assets in the U.S. or worldwide, but either way this situation should not be allowed or tolerated to continue.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Essay/Commentary: Backwards Texas Law Keeps Pregnant Brain Dead Woman on Life Support
Essay/Commentary: Backwards Texas Law Keeps Pregnant Brain Dead Woman on Life Support
Only in Texas. A pregnant woman who somehow became brain dead was forced, against her own wishes and her family's wishes, to go on Life Support due to a Texas law. This cruel,misguided law overrules DNR[Do Not Resuscitate] documents, and puts potential life (a fetus) ahead of a woman's comfort in death. The party which supposedly believes in Small Government will always hypocritically abuse their power to enforce their morality or ideology on others, especially others who don't share their flawed value system of the powerful running roughshod over the powerless.
Only in Texas. A pregnant woman who somehow became brain dead was forced, against her own wishes and her family's wishes, to go on Life Support due to a Texas law. This cruel,misguided law overrules DNR[Do Not Resuscitate] documents, and puts potential life (a fetus) ahead of a woman's comfort in death. The party which supposedly believes in Small Government will always hypocritically abuse their power to enforce their morality or ideology on others, especially others who don't share their flawed value system of the powerful running roughshod over the powerless.
Thursday, December 19, 2013
In a New England Suburb, Annual Creche Display Violates Separation of Church and State
In a New England Suburb, Annual Creche Display Violates Separation of Church And State
In Norwood, Massachusetts, Where I reside, the town selectmen and women authorize the set up and display of a creche (Nativity Scene) in a public park around Christmastime. This would be less of an issue if other faiths or philosophies (including atheism, which is my philosophy) were also acknowledged, but this seldom happens. In the past, there have been lawsuits over such displays, but apparently because of the heavy Catholic population in town; the selectmen don't seem to care. In my view, the set up and display of the creche (or any religious symbol) is a slap in the face to every non-Christian is town. It basically says that the powers that be endorse Chrstianity and other religions or philosophies of townspeople don't count or don't matter. As for Christmas trees, wreaths and the like, those are really pagan traditions adopted be early Christians to make a smooth transition for religious conversion.
In Norwood, Massachusetts, Where I reside, the town selectmen and women authorize the set up and display of a creche (Nativity Scene) in a public park around Christmastime. This would be less of an issue if other faiths or philosophies (including atheism, which is my philosophy) were also acknowledged, but this seldom happens. In the past, there have been lawsuits over such displays, but apparently because of the heavy Catholic population in town; the selectmen don't seem to care. In my view, the set up and display of the creche (or any religious symbol) is a slap in the face to every non-Christian is town. It basically says that the powers that be endorse Chrstianity and other religions or philosophies of townspeople don't count or don't matter. As for Christmas trees, wreaths and the like, those are really pagan traditions adopted be early Christians to make a smooth transition for religious conversion.
Canadian Lottery Winner Shows True Holiday Spirit
Canadian Lottery Winner Shows True Holiday Spirit
In a time of materialistic hypocrisy, when too many people tend to prefer to receive than to give, Tom Crist, a well-off businessman who won forty million dollars in the Canadian lottery; anonymously donated the entire jackpot to charity. When too many people show selfishness or indifference toward the pain and misfortune of others, Mr. Crist's philanthropy should be applauded and hopefully will spur those of means to empathize with those who are poor, needy or ill. Mr. Crist is a true Yuletide hero, regardless of his religion or philosophy he may follow, if any.
In a time of materialistic hypocrisy, when too many people tend to prefer to receive than to give, Tom Crist, a well-off businessman who won forty million dollars in the Canadian lottery; anonymously donated the entire jackpot to charity. When too many people show selfishness or indifference toward the pain and misfortune of others, Mr. Crist's philanthropy should be applauded and hopefully will spur those of means to empathize with those who are poor, needy or ill. Mr. Crist is a true Yuletide hero, regardless of his religion or philosophy he may follow, if any.
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