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December 24, 2009
Airing a grievance
33/365: Festivus for the Rest of Us, originally uploaded by bubbly toes.
So, apparently there's a big to do down in Springfield. The Freedom from Religion Foundation, after finding out there was a Christmas tree and nativity scene in the state Capitol, got permission to erect a display of their own. It said:
"At the time of the winter solstice, let reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is just myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds."
Then, a conservative candidate for the State Comptroller job took offense:
William J. Kelly announced Tuesday that he planned to take down the sign put up by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and on Wednesday, he tried to make good on his plan.
But Kelly said when he turned the sign around so it was face down, state Capitol police were quick to escort him away.
...
But Kelly called the sign "hate speech," and said he does not believe it is appropriate for a sign that "mocks" religion to be placed next to a Christmas tree and also near a nativity scene.
All I can say about this is, both sides are acting like idiots. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is delusional if it doesn't think this sign is insulting, and Mr. Kelly is grandstanding. I'm a firmly non-religious person, and it makes me uncomfortable when my fellow agnostics and atheists try to wind up religious folk. At the same time, religious people don't do themselves any favors when they view every slight as an attack on 8 pound, 6 ounce Baby Jesus.
Now here's where I think things get absurd. Check out what else is in the Capitol:
Haupt said in addition to the sign, the Nativity Scene and the Christmas tree, there is also a Soldiers' Angels wreath, and a tabletop display from the American Civil Liberties Union that says the group "defends freedom of religion." A Hanukkah menorah had also been on display until the Jewish Festival of Lights ended on Saturday.
For the second year in a row, the Capitol also has an aluminum Festivus pole commemorating the fictional holiday created in "Seinfeld."
A Festivus pole? Really? Festivus isn't even a religious holiday. It's a "holiday," but I have a hard time saying it's rooted in actual religion. I think it's fairly obvious to me the solution to this. If there's going to be a Christmas display, the Constitution requires other religious displays be allowed. Thus, don't allow any religious displays. So what if Christians are angry? This is clearly more trouble than it is worth.
Posted at 08:41 PM | Comments (0)
December 23, 2009
Blinded with science
I'm happy to say my hearing today ended with a positive outcome, and so afterwards I walked around downtown Toledo, where I happened upon the local science museum. Back in the day, the museum was known as COSI, and there was another COSI in downtown Columbus. That one was right next to the original Wendy's, which finally closed a few years ago. But that's another story.
The COSI in Columbus was a magical place. My family and I would go there all the time, even though they had basically the same exhibits every time. There was a replica Mercury capsule. There was the fake coal mine, like the one at the Museum of Science and Industry here in chicago. There was a giant model of the human heart; a bee colony; a pendulum that knocked down evenly spaced pegs every five minutes; Johnny Five from Short Circuit; and all sorts of other amazing things. There was also the Time Tunnel, which featured scenes from all throughout human history, including the Black Death, the Huns' sacking of Rome, the Civil War and other events. Looking back, it wasn't very positive, which probably explains my twisted worldview nowadays.
About ten or fifteen years ago, someone had the bright idea to move COSI to a bigger and better location. Many of the exhibits that enthralled me did not make the switch. I can't tell you if today's children enjoy the new COSI, but I think it sucks. The old COSI ruled.
Anyway, at the entrance to the original museum there was this Rube Goldbergesque contraption where rubber balls were plucked from a bin, moved along conveyor belts, and through all other kinds of obstacles until eventually rolling to the other end of the exhibit, before finally ending up back into the bin of balls. It was the sort of silly science experiment that fascinated children, including myself.
Wouldn't you know, the museum in Toledo had almost the exact same thing. Their's was more elaborate, but it was the same spirit. The balls started at the top, bounced on platforms, rang bells, and moved along conveyor belts before repeating the process all over again. It was amazing. I must have watched those stupid balls for a good fifteen minutes, figuring out all the ways they were moving in that machine. I didn't much care that I was the only adult, surrounded by children. It was a blast. Who says science isn't fun?
Posted at 01:31 AM | Comments (0)
December 01, 2009
Don't know what to think
Doggone it! Say it ain't so, Joe, originally uploaded by Pink Pearl 2012.
Unless you are completely and utterly isolated, and because you are reading this web site you most likely aren't, you've heard about the Salahis, who showed up at President Obama's recent state dinner without an invitation. Despite their protestations, this is a couple with a long history of sneaking into places and other dubious claims. Knowing that, I don't see how anyone is going to believe their protestations that this is all a big misunderstanding.
Sadly, I am torn about what to think of these two. I have two competing instincts: one is to smack these knuckleheads on the noggin and ask them, WTF are you doing? This is the President of the United States. You can't be sneaking into the god damn White House. That part of me sincerely would revel in them getting thrown in jail or fined.
On the other hand, another part of me snickers at the fun-loving intrigue of it all. Who *wouldn't* want to crash a party at the White House? There's a human urge to bend the rules, to be where one is not supposed to be. For that, I have to admire the Salahis. I once was attending a wedding, and noticed that another reception was down the hall. Some friends and I snuck in, mingled with the guests, and had a few drinks. Then I nailed the maid of honor. Just kidding, I was seeing if you were paying attention. It was the mother of the bride.
Until the Salahis went and posted it all over the internet, they were getting away with it, too. And that's where my instinct to see them get punished kicks in - they're not simply a fun-loving couple. They're trying to get on a reality show. The wife posed as a Redskins cheerleader. The husband is a publicity hound. If these were two people who otherwise had no history of buffoonery, I'd feel much more sympathetic.
I'm just getting worked up about people doing outrageous things to get on a reality show. The Salahis, one would think, should have taken the lesson from Balloon Boy's parents, one of whom is soon to be a convicted felon. Way to go, champ. It'd be cruel-hearted of me to want the Salahis to get thrown out on the street, but I would be most pleased if they suffered the full consequences of their schmuckery.
But they won't. I'm convinced that after this, the Salahis, who are trying to get on the Real Housewives of D.C. show, are now shoe-ins. Bravo would be stupid if they didn't put her on the show - the ratings boost from seeing her will be too hard to resist. Then other people will see the reward in doing something looney to get on TV, and the cycle will go on and on.
Posted at 06:28 PM | Comments (0)