Some may have noticed when I posted the original item on the Mosque near Ground Zero, I crossed out "at" in the title... because it really wasn't AT Ground Zero, but 2 blocks from it's nearest corner... and more like 4 blocks from the actual site of the towers and the new 9/11 Memorial.
But taking a closer look myself, I'm now crossing out Mosque in this article. It is in fact an Islamic Community Center. It does have a prayer space on the upper floors which may move it toward a Mosque... as the definition of a Mosque is a Muslin place of worship. But I think of place of worship as a church where services are held... not a simple prayer space.
In fact, if you are upset about having a "prayer space" so close to ground zero, then you obvious don't know that there has been on within 4 blocks of the site since 1970... when the towers were built.
Also, the proposed site of the center is the old Burlington Coat Factory building... where one of the plane's landing gear crashed through the roof and set fire to the structure. It's been vacant (like many other buildings in Lower Manhattan) since the attacks.
Have I reversed my position on the center? Not at all. I still think it advisible to relocate merely because of the sensitivities involved. But should they be FORCED to relocate. No. There are other religious places of worship near Ground Zero... are they going to be force out as well? The Muslin Faith didn't breed these terrorists... just like Christianity didn't breed the Ku Klux Klan.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
The Last of Dr. Laura?
Something tells me we have yet to hear the last from Dr. Laura Schlessinger on the airwaves. Even though she has stated she intends to cancel her radio show to "regain her First Amendment rights".
For those who don't know who she is, Dr. Laura is a conservative radio talk show host that provides relationship advice and self-help tips. She also has to be one of the biggest frauds in the western world. She provides socially conservative commentary through her radio show and as such is one of the most controversial radio personalities around right now... especially after her show on August 10, 2010, where she used the "n-word" 11 times but affirmed it did not constitute racism. ?!?
This isn't her first rodeo with controversy though. Back in 2000 she claimed homosexuality was a "biological errors" on her show... and that "a huge portion of the male homosexual populace is predatory on young boys." She offered no facts to back either of these statements up. Her views cost her dearly when her planned television show went bust literally before it even started. Only a few episodes aired but even those proved she used con-artist tactics... because some of her "audience guests" where actually members of her staff, but this point was never disclosed within the episode itself.
Moreover, her title of "Doctor" is inaccurate as well. She spouts off relationship and self help like a psychologist would... but her doctorate is in Psychiology... the science of the functioning of living systems.. like organs, cells, and molecules. Hardly qualifies her to give psycho-analysis does it. To top it off, she has admitted to having terrible relationships with her mother and father... notably not speaking to her mother for 18-20 prior to her death.
And this is the who some people turn to for relationship advice?
The bad part is it took her racial slurs to finally pressure her off the air. The worse part is it will probably be the reason she gets a new contract to stay on the radio... for even more money than before.
For those who don't know who she is, Dr. Laura is a conservative radio talk show host that provides relationship advice and self-help tips. She also has to be one of the biggest frauds in the western world. She provides socially conservative commentary through her radio show and as such is one of the most controversial radio personalities around right now... especially after her show on August 10, 2010, where she used the "n-word" 11 times but affirmed it did not constitute racism. ?!?
This isn't her first rodeo with controversy though. Back in 2000 she claimed homosexuality was a "biological errors" on her show... and that "a huge portion of the male homosexual populace is predatory on young boys." She offered no facts to back either of these statements up. Her views cost her dearly when her planned television show went bust literally before it even started. Only a few episodes aired but even those proved she used con-artist tactics... because some of her "audience guests" where actually members of her staff, but this point was never disclosed within the episode itself.
Moreover, her title of "Doctor" is inaccurate as well. She spouts off relationship and self help like a psychologist would... but her doctorate is in Psychiology... the science of the functioning of living systems.. like organs, cells, and molecules. Hardly qualifies her to give psycho-analysis does it. To top it off, she has admitted to having terrible relationships with her mother and father... notably not speaking to her mother for 18-20 prior to her death.
And this is the who some people turn to for relationship advice?
The bad part is it took her racial slurs to finally pressure her off the air. The worse part is it will probably be the reason she gets a new contract to stay on the radio... for even more money than before.
The Mosque at Ground Zero
There has been much ado about the proposed community center and mosque to be built in New York City. There have been several arguments, most of them disturbing, as to why it should not be built on the site. But I think what many are ignoring is this Mosque is NOT AT GROUND ZERO. It's actually 2 blocks away from the site. So my question to all those nay sayers is... How far away does it have to be before it becomes ok to build? Where does the Constitution's freedom of religion protection end in New York City? And finally... what happened to not stereotyping all Islamic peoples and Muslims as terrorists?
Back in 2001, the attacks caused much hate in our communities... hate directed toward anyone of the Muslim faith. Attacks on Muslim institutions and mosques were common in several cities. And everyone said, including Bush, that the people of the Muslim faith are not to blame... but the extremists who planned and carried out the attacks.
But apparently that separation is over now.
And now, I'm about to completely reverse what you think my position is.
I stand with the ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) is recommending that an alternate site be found. This is solely because of the sensitivity of the issues involved such as the concerns of the families of the 9/11 victims. This is by no means a bigoted view though. In fact, if given the current cultural environment they still wish to build, I'd say let them. We have a great nation build upon several basic freedoms... and the Freedom of Religion is one of them. If the Muslim community wants to erect a Community Center and Mosque there, there is nothing we should do to block them from doing it. But does that mean we should not recommend a secondary location to them? No. By building the Mosque at it's proposed location, some may see it as a slap in the face or affront... or an attempt to provoking a response.
While reading a message from the National Director of the ADL, I came across this fact...
The lessons of an earlier and different controversy echo in this one. In 1993, Pope John Paul II asked 14 Carmelite Nuns to move their convent from just outside the Auschwitz death camp. The establishment of the convent near Auschwitz had stirred dismay among Jewish groups and survivors who felt that the location was an affront and a terrible disservice to the memory of millions of Jews who died at the hands of the Nazis in the Holocaust.
Just as we thought then that well-meaning efforts by Carmelite nuns to build a Catholic structure were insensitive and counterproductive to reconciliation, so too we believe it will be with building a mosque so close to Ground Zero.
Back in 2001, the attacks caused much hate in our communities... hate directed toward anyone of the Muslim faith. Attacks on Muslim institutions and mosques were common in several cities. And everyone said, including Bush, that the people of the Muslim faith are not to blame... but the extremists who planned and carried out the attacks.
But apparently that separation is over now.
And now, I'm about to completely reverse what you think my position is.
I stand with the ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) is recommending that an alternate site be found. This is solely because of the sensitivity of the issues involved such as the concerns of the families of the 9/11 victims. This is by no means a bigoted view though. In fact, if given the current cultural environment they still wish to build, I'd say let them. We have a great nation build upon several basic freedoms... and the Freedom of Religion is one of them. If the Muslim community wants to erect a Community Center and Mosque there, there is nothing we should do to block them from doing it. But does that mean we should not recommend a secondary location to them? No. By building the Mosque at it's proposed location, some may see it as a slap in the face or affront... or an attempt to provoking a response.
While reading a message from the National Director of the ADL, I came across this fact...
The lessons of an earlier and different controversy echo in this one. In 1993, Pope John Paul II asked 14 Carmelite Nuns to move their convent from just outside the Auschwitz death camp. The establishment of the convent near Auschwitz had stirred dismay among Jewish groups and survivors who felt that the location was an affront and a terrible disservice to the memory of millions of Jews who died at the hands of the Nazis in the Holocaust.
Just as we thought then that well-meaning efforts by Carmelite nuns to build a Catholic structure were insensitive and counterproductive to reconciliation, so too we believe it will be with building a mosque so close to Ground Zero.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Your Husband Might Be Gay If...
I had to post this one... because of the utter stupidity this represents. When I first heard about this article I thought it had to be satire. In fact, it's not really known if the site really IS satire like the Onion, or if it truly is from a religious group. If the former, it's the biggest laugh fest to come online since the Onion. If the latter, humanity is doomed... because the utter ignorance of this group is staggering... But for the sake of this post, let's assume someone actually believes this crap. Because apparently... some do. There's just enough truth to it that makes you question your own judgement of the site!
First off, let's pick apart the site a little... "Christwire.org" is written like it's a religious site that support's Christ's teachings... and then uses the tag line "Conservative Values for an Unsaved World". Last time I checked, all who believed in Christ were saved... so um? Your site's namesake (Jesus Christ) has guaranteed you eternal life through His innocent suffering and death... and you're still not saved? Hmm... just what exactly does your religion believe about Christ then?
Secondly, the site veers off the Politically Correct Choo Choo with articles on how American sports are the only sports God "endorses" or "19th Amendment: Celebrating 90 years of Feminism Destroying America, Vote by Vote". Riiiight. Ok then.
But what brings this ignorant, undefinable, totally psychotic site to my attention is an article entitled "Is my Husband Gay?". The article goes on to list several "signs" that wives need to watch out for... so they know if their husband truly is a closeted homosexual and they should take action to "straighten" him out.
Seriously... you have to read the full article. Because I'm just laughing hysterically that anyone would believe this crap!
First off, let's pick apart the site a little... "Christwire.org" is written like it's a religious site that support's Christ's teachings... and then uses the tag line "Conservative Values for an Unsaved World". Last time I checked, all who believed in Christ were saved... so um? Your site's namesake (Jesus Christ) has guaranteed you eternal life through His innocent suffering and death... and you're still not saved? Hmm... just what exactly does your religion believe about Christ then?
Secondly, the site veers off the Politically Correct Choo Choo with articles on how American sports are the only sports God "endorses" or "19th Amendment: Celebrating 90 years of Feminism Destroying America, Vote by Vote". Riiiight. Ok then.
But what brings this ignorant, undefinable, totally psychotic site to my attention is an article entitled "Is my Husband Gay?". The article goes on to list several "signs" that wives need to watch out for... so they know if their husband truly is a closeted homosexual and they should take action to "straighten" him out.
Seriously... you have to read the full article. Because I'm just laughing hysterically that anyone would believe this crap!
Day Off
Yesterday was the first day in a LONG time that I didn't post on the blog. Nothing exciting really happened so there wasn't much to post! LOL
Today I'm sitting here just surfing and I cam across a couple pretty cool games that I think I might have to pick up in the future... Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Age of Empires Online.
First off, both these titles are from a couple of my favorite game series. They rank right up there with Warcraft and the Sims stuff. Now it looks like they are both releasing new version.
Hot Pursuit looks to return NFS to open world racing, which I just love. Half the fun I have in NFS is just driving around the city, exploring, and taunting the cops. And now it looks like they are making it even better. You'll now be able to PLAY a cop... and have a LOT more interaction with your friends, which is really cool
AoE looks to bring the RTS game to the online world... somehow blending it with a persistent universe. I wonder how they are going to handle things like rebuilding after an attack... especially if you're not on. In any case, I look forward to seeing it. Should be pretty cool. :)
Today I'm sitting here just surfing and I cam across a couple pretty cool games that I think I might have to pick up in the future... Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit and Age of Empires Online.
First off, both these titles are from a couple of my favorite game series. They rank right up there with Warcraft and the Sims stuff. Now it looks like they are both releasing new version.
Hot Pursuit looks to return NFS to open world racing, which I just love. Half the fun I have in NFS is just driving around the city, exploring, and taunting the cops. And now it looks like they are making it even better. You'll now be able to PLAY a cop... and have a LOT more interaction with your friends, which is really cool
AoE looks to bring the RTS game to the online world... somehow blending it with a persistent universe. I wonder how they are going to handle things like rebuilding after an attack... especially if you're not on. In any case, I look forward to seeing it. Should be pretty cool. :)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Outted by Facebook
Well I guess this was inevitable. I mean I did sorta ask for it... just not quite this way. LOL
I switched my Facebook profile a while back to finally be totally 'out' online... indicating that I was interested in men in my profile. The only problem is Facebook's system utilizes these inputs to customize your experience... and basically offers this information to advertisers too! So the ads in the sidebar are more appropriate for the person viewing them
Well that's all fine and dandy... but the instant you switch a profile to be a Man interested in Men, 90% of the ads are suddenly for gay dating services! I mean c'mon! Seriously Facebook? I could understand one or two every now and then... but EVERY FRIGGIN AD went all horny and sex related. "Chat with Local Gay Guys", Ready to Find "Him"?, and "DailyJocks.com" all popped up on the SAME PAGE!
I switched my Facebook profile a while back to finally be totally 'out' online... indicating that I was interested in men in my profile. The only problem is Facebook's system utilizes these inputs to customize your experience... and basically offers this information to advertisers too! So the ads in the sidebar are more appropriate for the person viewing them
Well that's all fine and dandy... but the instant you switch a profile to be a Man interested in Men, 90% of the ads are suddenly for gay dating services! I mean c'mon! Seriously Facebook? I could understand one or two every now and then... but EVERY FRIGGIN AD went all horny and sex related. "Chat with Local Gay Guys", Ready to Find "Him"?, and "DailyJocks.com" all popped up on the SAME PAGE!
Is that all we think about? Find a guy, oogling them, are figure out ways to have sex with them? C'mon Facebook...
Anyways... I had to do research on a company and of course, that involved their Facebook page. Normally, I don't use Facebook as a reference source, but it was their only online presence... and with my boss watching the screen... there came the Gay advertisements plastered all over the right side.
So thanks, Facebook. I guess I asked for this...
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Fried
Well, it finally died. My computer has been acting up for the last month and now it's totally dead. Won't even boot up anymore. So I'm blogging to you from the amazing iPad. Hopefully I'll get some of the money owed to me and can start building a new system soon... Else I'll be stuck using the office computer for everything... And thus spending even more time there.
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