tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29257659460426384592024-03-18T02:23:00.490-04:00Disgusted Beyond BeliefA place for me to vent only slightly less pointless than in the comment sections of other blogs.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.comBlogger583125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-9055028959533305732012-05-13T15:18:00.000-04:002012-05-13T15:18:07.505-04:00Facts Don't MatterIn a world where facts don't matter, those of an intellectual bent will be shunned and ignored. Ignorance will rule. Those with the strongest feelings will prevail. And harsh reality, when it rears its ugly head (because reality doesn't care about whether you beleive in facts or not - facts are all that matter in reality) - when that happens - convenient scape goats will be found. <br />
<br />
In the meanwhile, we are all screwed.<br />
<br />
Happy Mother's Day Everyone!DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-23227087004656892882012-01-18T21:18:00.003-05:002012-01-18T21:18:47.093-05:00Happy New YearAs 2012 begins, it is looking about as depressing as 2011. Obama is finally showing a little backbone, but it seems more like election year bullshit than anything real. I guess if he wins, will really see what he wants to do when he no longer has to worry about re-election. <br />
<br />
I still don't feel that motivated to post much. Maybe that will change, maybe it won't. Maybe it won't matter since by now there's no one really checking on this. Number one rule of blogging is that you need to update regularly, really, daily. <br />
<br />
Sleep right now is more precious than anything. I can't function without it and I seldom seem to get enough of it. Here's to trying to get more sleep, starting now...DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-42389117237564593892011-11-15T20:14:00.001-05:002011-11-15T20:16:59.684-05:00Enough with the lie about 47% paying no taxesTo all those out there who keep saying this: Enough with the lie that 47% pay no taxes. EVERYONE pays taxes. Sales taxes, payroll taxes, state income taxes, local income taxes, property taxes. None of those taxes are progressive - they are all regressive. The only progressive tax is the federal income tax. Funny how that's the one that is attacked. What makes your lie especially transparent is the fact that everyone who works pays payroll taxes starting with the first dollar earned. What makes the lie especially evil is that in the same breath that you lie and say that 47% pay no taxes, you complain about medicaid and social security being too expensive, not mentioning that those programs are paid for with payroll taxes, something separately paid for from income taxes. Stop lying. Those who continue to do so are violating a Christian commandment. Not that this matters to me, but it allegedly matters to them.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-67509950377420009452011-10-23T13:28:00.002-04:002011-10-23T13:29:18.965-04:00Pass the lube.After seeing the Daily Show about how previously fully-funded pension funds were looted, then that looting was used as the basis to argue with doing away with pension funds altogether with the false argument that they were underfundede because evil employees through evil unions forced unfunded liabilities on those poor, defenseless companies... well, that was enough to make me want to give up entirely. The 1%, as it were, are screwing everyone else, and they are getting away with it. They got away with it. Nothing will ever change. They want us to believe that, but it is easy enough to do so when it is true. Things have not gotten better - they have stayed the same or gotten worse. The GOP is making sure nothing can ever get better. Only a filibuster proof majority of PROGRESSIVES with a progressive President could ever change that, and such a thing will never happen, because progressives have no voice. <br />
<br />
So pass the lube, because we are good and screwed.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-34951348422742575532011-08-02T06:43:00.002-04:002011-08-03T06:54:17.531-04:00Totally Disgusted Beyond Belief at Debt DealMy blog title pretty much sums up how I feel now that the "debt deal" has passed.<br />
<br />
Truly, if even with a Democratic Senate and President, all we get are, not just Republican policies, but <em>crazy</em> Republican policies, what the fuck is the point of even having a Democratic Party? At least if Michelle Bachman were president, it would all be above board. <br />
<br />
Truly, if this is what we get, I'm going to vote for the craziest Republican mutherfuckers until the Democratic leadership actually acts, you know, progressive. Until they publicly support and fight for what Bernie Sanders says, screw them all. They think they have progressives over a log, I say the progressives should put them over a log. If progressives all refused to vote for them, and instead of voting for mealy-mouthed Democrats, voted for crazy Republicans, they'd have to listen. <br />
<br />
The exception is primaries. I'd vote in primaries for the Sanders of the party (I know, he's independent, but he's progressive). Then if the Sanders actually won the primary, I'd vote for him in the general election. But if it is a mealy-mouthed Democrat who wins, they don't get my vote in the general. I don't want to reward their bad behavior. This isn't about wanting perfect progressive candidates. This is about wanting candidates who are progressive at all. If they aren't at all (which most aren't) then why bother voting for them at all? Voting GOP is more honest - that's the policies we get anyway.<br />
<br />
UPDATE: As I wallow in my disgust, it occurs to me that by this criteria, I cannot vote for Obama again. DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-68737480042104122082011-07-24T14:12:00.003-04:002011-07-24T14:14:02.090-04:00Finding a Babysitter is a Pain in the Ass<div><div><div>The title of this post speaks for itself. My primary babysitter just moved to Utah. Not because she's a mormon, which she is. But the reason really doesn't matter. She was the greatest babysitter ever. And I've had some good ones, don't get me wrong. But she was like a superhero. She cooked, cleaned up, organized, disciplined. And that was without even being asked to. She just felt the need to do those things and so did it. She was seldom idle. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>The displine was big as well. She actually got my daughter to fall in line and do what she was supposed to do. No one could do that before. And she wasn't mean, just firm and consistent. Which is of course what works. She said that my daughter reminded me of her younger sister, who is also a bit difficult to deal with. </div><div></div><div><br />
But now, after two years, she's gone. It is sad, in that I had hoped for at least two more years, while she finished up her university time, but alas, no. Still, I'd have been here eventually, looking again for a regular sitter. Now it is just sooner.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div>It is a pain to find a sitter. Not just because all will be compared to the old one. Frankly, no one could measure up to her. But because the whole process is a pain in the ass. Trying to set up appointments (I have had some success with care.com, where I found "super-sitter"). Then dealing with schedules. And no-shows. And shows who then disappear. Really, the whole process. It is like interviewing someone to be a member of your family. I had one interview today. I have two more. Or maybe just one, if the next one doesn't show up. She was supposed to come now, but isn't here yet and did not call. I always ask them to call an hour in advance to confirm. I've found that tends to clarify who will actually be showing up so I don't end up just waiting and wondering. </div><div></div><div><br />
I can't wait til my son and daughter are old enough not to need sitters or day care. Not just for the money. For the lack of pain. Only seven more years. Then my daughter can watch my son. She's almost six now. He's 2 1/2 years younger. I can't wait. </div></div></div>DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-23415330707836162002011-05-24T21:10:00.004-04:002011-05-24T21:17:07.704-04:00Not dead yetI haven't posted in ages, mostly because there is a cycle of not posting, so no one is reading, so I figure, why post. That and a lack of time or energy. I mean, what really could I say now that isn't already being said by someone else online, only better.<br /><br />My time these days is divided between working, taking care of the kids, gaming (twice a week if I'm lucky, not at all if I'm not), and playing <a href="http://www.eveonline.com/">EveOnline</a> in a few snatches of time here and there. And paying bills. Lots of those. My daughter is just about done with Kindergarten, which is cool. My son is talking and basically potty trained, which is a relief after almost six years of diapers between him and his sister.<br /><br />And one more big milestone: the kids slept in their own bed last night - well, they slept together, and not in my bed, which happens basically never. Maybe they'll do it again tonight. I have my doubts.<br /><br />Finally, I wish I had a new computer. I suppose I don't really need one - my last one I got the week before my son was born, so about 39 months ago, but it'd be so nice to get one. I even cleared some space for it. I could play computer games with my daughter together. Yeah, that's the ticket.<br /><br />In any case, back to oblivion.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-7064420905437209092011-01-17T22:28:00.003-05:002011-01-17T22:32:50.226-05:00Its hard not to be depressed or apathetic about thingsGiven the state of the country and where we appear to be headed, it is hard not to be apathetic about politics. It is like there really is no option for good. It is either evil or less evil. <br /><br />I am reading "All the Devils are Here" - a book about the causes of the financial crisis. What strikes me first and foremost about it is that it is a demonstration of the fact that "the market" does not work - in the sense that it does not regulate itself. And the actors in it are not rational. After all, it was the financial wizards, the absolute best and brightest that capitalism can ever hope to have, that directly caused the financial crisis. These CEOs that are supposedly so irreplaceable and valuable that they have to be paid hundreds of millions of dollars - they lost billions upon billions and had to be bailed out or they would have brought down the entire world economy. <br /><br />This rather shatters the bullshit that they are really worth all that much money. They aren't. Of course, they continue to be paid at that rate and they continue to be in charge and they are making more money now than ever before. They should be in prison. <br /><br />Like I said, it is hard not to be depressed or apathetic. Nothing has changed. Nothing will change.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-76020950712725309982010-12-12T08:17:00.004-05:002010-12-12T08:31:45.415-05:00Julian Assange is NOT GUILTY of RapeAt least under the way our law operates, Julian Assage is not guilty of rape. How can I know this? After all, I wasn't there. I don't know the specific allegations. But here's what I do know.<br /><br />The last time Assange pissed off the powers that be, rape charges were filed against him, then quickly dropped (a warning shot across his bow, perhaps?). Now, many moons later, after he has again seriously pissed off the powers that be, leading to calls of his assassination for the horrible crime of embarrassing those in power, the charges are suddenly reinstated (With the timing clearly indicating that the reinstatement was not based on evidence of the crime, but rather, Assange's wikileaks activity). Further, an international manhunt is called for, putting him on an international most wanted list for crimes that NEVER would have put him on that list.<br /><br />This is all extremely suspicious. Extraordinarily so. Multiple world governments want to destroy him, including ours.<br /><br />Now, under these circumstances, say he was criminal charged of the swedish crimes under our standard, where he has to be proven guilty BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT. Who can honestly say they don't have reasonable doubt about the validity of those charges now based on the circumstances? It is an established fact that there is an international conspiracy to take him down now, and it is clear why. This conspiracy is made up of governments with thousands of spies and trillions of dollars worth of resources - more than capable of manufacuring any charge against him and any evidence against him needed to support that charge.<br /><br />Whether they actually did or not, or even whether he actually did exactly what he is charged with doing is now really irrelevant. The legal standard is reasonable doubt. That is definitively established. So he's not guilty.<br /><br />Now the counter to this might be, well, we haven't seen the evidence against him. But given the circumstances, no matter how convincing that evidence might be, it simply can't be trusted. (Though I suspect it isn't anything particularly strong, because otherwise the governments would have leaked it and we'd see the video or whatever by now). But even if it was strong - the forces arrayed against him have the resources to manufacture it, so it can't be trusted.<br /><br />Now - what if he confesses? Well, anyone will confess if threatened appropriately. Our government tortures people. But even without torture, false confessions are quite common. Again, under the circumstances, even a confession at this point would be suspect. And he hasn't confessed.<br /><br />To be clear - I'm not saying he didn't do what he is charged with. I'm saying that legally, he could only be found not guilty at this point, because the circumstances create strong reasonable doubt.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-58468776058209141732010-11-18T20:59:00.003-05:002010-11-18T21:09:40.929-05:00Even NPR Toes the Wingnut Line - We Are DoomedEven NPR toes the wingnut line, as evidenced by <a href="http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/and-to-think-how-hard-npr-and-pbs-nazis.html">this</a>. If even NPR has surrendered to the Fox News storyline, it is obvious that free journalism in this country is dead and is not coming back. <br /><br />Of course, evidence of this was already apparent years ago, when NPR steadfastly refused to use the word "torture" to describe torture, just because it was our country that did it and the White House played word games. Every time I listened to NPR and a story about the torture that we did (and continue to do) was mentioned as "enhanced interrogation techniques" I screamed at the radio that "no, it is fucking TORTURE you useless pieces of shit." Or something to that effect. They never heard me. <br /><br />I will never ever give money to NPR now because of that gutless surrender to right-wing bullshit. I almost want to get called by someone at NPR asking me to give money, so I can tell them "no" and tell them exactly why I am saying "no." Their ombudsman had some article about this some time back, and it was the usual gutless bullshit that somehow calling it "torture" would be "taking a side" and not being "objective" when exactly the opposite is true. Since it is, in fact, torture, calling it by any other name is taking an ideological side. It is that same "he said, she said" fake balance of journalism. I'm sorry, but when one person says something that is objectively true, and someone else says the opposite, it is not "objective" to just report what each says and leave it at that. The only "objective" reporting would be to say that one person is telling the truth and the other person is not - and further, to investigate and find out if the person who is not is merely ignorant (and whether it is wilfully so) or if they are a lying sack of shit. THAT is objective reporting. Alas, it is gone forever.<br /><br />Sure, there is the internet, but there is a huge portion of the populace that either gets their news from the Villagers on tv, or they read only right-wing blogs, and so our future is dead. The right-wing has already won. It is just a matter of how fast they can turn our society into a serf state (and it is already well on its way). Nothing can change this. There will be no more revolutions. There will be no hope. No one with any power will take the side of the populace. NO ONE. The GOP of course is against the populace, and the Democratic party is the only viable alternative - and they are utterly and completely pathetic and useless, and always will be. <br /><br />We're fucked. Might as well unstrap your seatbelt and open the door and jump into oblivion while the car speeds toward the edge of the cliff.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-14861246845897596912010-10-17T16:23:00.005-04:002010-10-17T16:41:55.995-04:00Time To Change the US Senate to Simple Majority RuleIt is time to end the filibuster. And secret holds. And every other rule of the Senate that allows anything less than 50 Senators block the Senate from acting.<br /><br />I'm not saying this because it is the GOP who is currently in the minority, though it does provide illustration of why this is needed.<br /><br />Were our government not so disfunctional and our political parties not so unevenly matched, it would not be such an issue. I see some value in letting a minority put the brakes on the minority. But we are way beyond any valid use of that power now.<br /><br />The problem is, the minority powers of the Senate ALWAYS favor the GOP and do nothing for the Democrats. Here's why.<br /><br />First, the Senate is already mismatched because of lots of low-population, deep red states that give two guaranteed Senators to the GOP. So the GOP already gets more Senators than its actual population would entitle it to. (They do the same in the House, with gerrymandering - something the GOP is also much better at doing than Dems). <br /><br />Second, while some might be upset about losing this power when the Democrats are in the minority, I'd ask - Why? It is not like they ever really used it. When Bush was president (the moron Bush), the Dems basically caved in to everything he wanted anyway. They filibustered almost nothing. They never put secret holds that stuck. They didn't do diddly. But when the GOP is in the minority, on the other hand, they filibuster every fucking bill there is, whether they actually agree with it or not, just to keep the Democrats from accomplishing anything. They set massive new records for filibustering in just the past two years. So clearly, the filibuster is a power that only benefits the GOP. The Democrats never stick together well enough to ever use it anyway, so getting rid of it will lose them nothing. On the other hand, it will cost the GOP plenty. <br /><br />Third, tied in to the second reason are the reasons behind it - the right-wing leaning media. If Dems try to block anything, Fox Noise is all over it, the rest of the media picks it up, and the Dems predicably fold like a lawnchair. When the GOP wants to block something, Harry Reid finds out about it in advance, and then instead of forcing an actual filibuster or making it a media blitz issue, he just gives up in advance and doesn't even bother to try to bring the bill to a vote. <br /><br />So lets get rid of the minority-rule crap in the Senate. It only helps the GOP and hurts the Democrats. In the long run, it will be better for the Democrats to get rid of it, because at some point they may get a decent majority again, 55+ votes, and then they may actually get something done. Though I wouldn't hold my breath. At least this would remove a few more tools of power from the smug GOP assholes.<br /><br />One last point - if there had been no filibuster, a lot of awfully good people would have been confirmed and in office right now. People like Dawn Johnson, who would have been the head of the Office of Legal Counsel - it is a national tragedy that she did not get confirmed. Of course, Obama could have done a recess appointment, but he's too much of a pussy to do that. Or maybe he never really was behind her anyway. Ugh. Another reason to be depressed.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-81275767271003436062010-09-12T18:49:00.004-04:002010-09-12T18:54:07.386-04:003000 mile oil changes are bullshitPenn and Teller ought to do a show just on this. Ok, maybe not. <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Like-the-55-Chevy-the-nytimes-3825041162.html?x=0&mod=pf-family-home">This article </a>I saw online today was only news to me in the sense that most "news" is news - that it was reported, not that it was known. <br /><br />I have been driving since I was 16 years old (really, a little before that, but only in Driver's Ed). In all that time, I have NEVER gotten an oil change more often than about 7500 miles - and usually less often than that. And I've never had any issues. Now, perhaps this is because of the cars I have driven - all Hondas - but I think it is true of most cars. Getting an oil change more often than that is just a waste of oil and a waste of money. I've known this for over 20 years and I am someone who knows next to nothing about cars. <br /><br />My car's manual (I have a Honda Civic, 1998) indicates regular maintenance every 7500 miles. I figure they are conservative, so I stretch it out to about 8000 miles or so. My car runs great and has never had any problems. I just take it to the dealer every 8000 or so miles and let them do whatever is next on the schedule. That is also the only way I ever get any oil changed. <br /><br />So here's a great money saving tip for anyone who doesn't know - change your oil every 8000 miles or so - really, do what the article says and look up the information for your particular car.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-63815787068777916232010-09-09T07:43:00.004-04:002010-09-09T07:51:22.498-04:00News is DepressingThere are so many things depressing about the news these days, it is even depressing to get the news from the Daily Show. <br /><br />Obama has gotten fewer judges confirmed than pretty much any president. And like a good, wimpy, worthless Democrat, he's done nothing to push the issue and there's nothing in the news about it other than an occasional, isolated article. Of course, all of the Republicans who were panting and screaming about how it is unconstitutional to stop judges from getting up or down votes when Bush was in office are silent and given a free pass from the media, as they always do.<br /><br />The GOP is also given a pass on all of the crazy shit they say - look at the Governor in, what was it, Arkansas? Who blew the debate and said crazy shit about headless bodies in the desert and she feels free to just walk away from reporters and ignore any questions about it - because the crazy-ass GOP voters will vote for her anyway. Hell, they are probably MORE likely to vote for her. <br /><br />Meanwhile, Democrats, afraid of their own shadows, cave in at every turn and even look like they will vote for extending the tax cuts for the rich, cuts we can't afford. Of course, all of the GOP shouts about the deficit leave out the cost of extending those tax cuts for the rich, and again, they get a free pass to say whatever the fuck they want to say, facts be damned. <br /><br />I ought to run for office - as a Republican - just to see how much crazy shit I can say and get away with. The Right-Wing media machine will give me tons of free press. And I won't have to worry about any opposing media machine to counter any crazy shit I say. If a Dem says something even non-crazy and true, it will get distorted and trumped up to the worst thing imaginable by the right-wing noise machine, which is then picked up by all of the MSM. But if you are a Republican, well, say whatever you want. You won't get nary a peep from the media criticising you, and you'll get free interviews on Fox Noise. <br /><br />Someone just shoot me now.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-47851708001926531442010-09-08T18:31:00.004-04:002010-09-08T18:37:16.748-04:00Review of Pathfinder Roleplaying GameOver the past few months I've played in two different Pathfinder games, and I have to say, I'm impressed. I really like the Pathfinder rules and I like what they've done to the base classes, adding interesting little tidbits to them and also taking the tidbits they already had and making them better. <br /><br />It feels like I'm playing a whole new edition, though it is really very close to 3.5 - 3.75 they call it. And it feels like playing Dungeons and Dragons. Which, sad to say, 4E D&D simply did not. <br /><br />At this point, Wizards/Hasbro would have to do quite a number with a 5E to bring me back. Given where they've gone, it seems terribly unlikely. So it looks like, to me, Dungeons and Dragons now is officially a Paizo product. I know, they don't have that name, but they have its spirit. Hasbro foolishly gave it up to make something that simply isn't D&D. <br /><br />In the meanwhile, I can't wait to play more Pathfinder. Right now, I'm playing a fighter in one game and a Paladin in another. It would be interesting to try a spellcaster next, though that may be a while, since these other games are just getting started. I've even been inspired enough to start doing writeups again, though I'll have to see how long that lasts. It does take a long time to do. I'm doing it for the Paladin. I'm having quite a bit of fun with him. Bjorn Skaarsgard the Just. Maybe I'll post a link to my writeups for him here.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-84548241190653878442010-09-06T09:25:00.001-04:002010-09-06T09:25:36.109-04:00Social Security SOLVEDSince cutting taxes apparently increases revenue, according to the GOP, I have the simple solution to our Social Security funding crises - we cut the social security tax. Since cutting increases revenue, we should maximize this by cutting it from what it is now (what, 7.5% or something like that) to 0.1%. That should solve the crises forever - after all, cutting taxes by like 99% we should see revenue collected increase by 99%, right? <br /><br />But we should write into that law a failsafe - that if the revenue actually does not go up, we cover any shortfall with an increase in the capital gains tax sufficient to cover it - no matter how high it may need to be. The GOP should, of course, agree to this immediately, because, after all, if tax cuts increase revenue, this failsafe would never actually need to kick in, right?DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-70398371109363177362010-09-04T13:48:00.004-04:002010-09-04T13:54:23.960-04:00Best Description Ever of Why it is Pointless to Debate Theists about AtheismLarry has outdone himself - after ten years of attempting to debate and really understand and reason with the theists, he has figured out there is no point in doing so because they fundamentally have no interest in facts or reason, nor do they want to admit that this is so. But don't read my paraphrase - <a href="http://barefootbum.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-stupid.html">get it from the source</a>.<br /><br />I'd have to say that the only reason I would try to engage the ridiculous theist arguments now would be to answer questions for my children - to hopefully steer them into rational territory and keep them out of the coral reef full of bullshit that is religious thought.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-31080063063673667242010-08-20T15:20:00.003-04:002010-08-20T15:23:40.566-04:00Sick of the Useless MediaI'm so sick of seeing "Ground Zero Mosque" everywhere - first and foremost because it IS NOT AT GROUND ZERO SO IT IS NOT A GROUND ZERO MOSQUE. But of course, that moniker has stuck because that's the narrative set by the right-wing media, and it just gets worse from there. <br /><br />Anyone with half a brain (or less) knows this whole thing is a bullshit, manufactured "controversy" of the right-wing meant to bash "libruls" and distract the news cycle away from things that actually matter. <br /><br />But my saying anything about it won't change anything. At least I get to rant about it, even though it doesn't matter. Nothing matters. The right wing won, and will always win. They have more money, they have much more disciplined media, and whatever they push out on Drudge will be the story of the day regardless of reality. <br /><br />As for the citizenry too stupid to realize this (or care) or too xenophobic to care? Fuck them all.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-11311385816636539642010-06-24T18:24:00.003-04:002010-06-24T18:27:15.528-04:00Spam RemovalIt seems like all I ever do here is remove spam that seems to pop up in comments every week or so... usually with links to porn or viagra. Mostly porn. <br /><br />I would like to post, but just don't feel like it given the time and energy available. <br /><br />Plus, I've probably lost all my readers by now - heh - or most of them. If one actually cares about such things, the number one comandment is to post something every day, or at least on a regular, semi-weekly basis. <br /><br />Politics is, as always, depressing. Obama is continuing all of the worst Bush policies - well, almost all - and otherwise is useless at advocating for anything I care about. He's a center-right president. Which makes it even more pathetic that the right-wing decries him on a daily basis as a far-left liberal. Which just proves that there is not a single syllable from the mouth of any national GOP figure worth listening to. And the Dems are just stupid. Blech.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-85352624127795099972010-04-25T07:24:00.003-04:002010-04-25T07:31:33.263-04:00Busiest Month EverApril has turned out to be the busiest month ever - as far as my current job is concerned. March was the second busiest. February the third, and so on. It has been a busy year. I have been busier before, I think, when I was in law school and working very long hours, but the difference then was that I had no kids. When two kids are factored in, the exhaustion level is much higher. If I could I'd have a babysitter every night - but as it stands, a few nights is enough to keep me going. <br /><br />I'm so drained and tired it is hard to do much of anything - like write. I am thinking about it, at least. I'm reading Stephen King's "On Writing" for the second time - I just started it, really - I vaguely remember it from the first time I read it ages ago. Maybe I'll write something more substantial than a blog post - like a book. <br /><br />I'm still generally depressed about politics - nothing really good is happening. I'm happy the health care bill passed, but it is so watered down that I'm not all that excited about it. It is most satisfying just to see the GOP crushed. The GOP has lost all seriousness and is now nothing but an empty PR/power machine. They believe in nothing, stand for nothing, and will lie with every word every day. It is disgusting. The Democrats are marginally better, in that they do believe in things, they just are inept at power or don't try very hard. The Media just makes the whole situation worse. Larry thinks the only solution now is revolution - he may be right, but what depresses me about that is that I know if he is right, there will also be no revolution. The only people who ever get mad enough to do such a thing these days are the nutty right wingers who want to "take their country back." <br /><br />At least there is Jon Stwewart to watch for news.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-41679306861620694142010-03-19T08:55:00.003-04:002010-03-19T08:57:18.230-04:00It's just a bookThis is just so awesome - found via <a href="http://www.evolvedrational.com/2010/03/bible-thumper-status-told.html">evovled and rational</a>. <br /><br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GBLyvp0_00w&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GBLyvp0_00w&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-82317408856246326572010-03-17T09:24:00.002-04:002010-03-17T09:28:52.583-04:00Followup on my Heath Care IssueAs <a href="http://disgustedbeyondbelief.blogspot.com/2010/03/broken-health-care-system-and-credit.html">I recently wrote</a>, I had a serious issue with seeing my doctor. I blame the GOP for blocking health care reform for this - but someone took issue with me for that (<a href="http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2010/03/more_gop_hypocrisy_on_health_c.php">see comments here</a>). <br /><br />Not to totally repeat what I said there, but I still blame the GOP - it is true that the Doctor's office was a total asshole to me, but the point is, if we had reform (and say a Britain-like system) the Doctor's office would not have been able to be an asshole to me. One large reason for reform is to stop assholes in the system from preventing people from getting the healthcare they need. Another thing is to stop money (or lack thereof) from preventing people from getting the healthcare they need. Both money and assholishness were at issue in my case. Therefore, the lack of health care reform is front and center. And so the GOP are assholes. QED.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-79221737952769559432010-03-14T12:25:00.004-04:002010-03-14T12:45:58.254-04:00Broken Health Care System and Credit SystemIt is interesting that when health care and the broken financial system are both the hot topics of the day that a situation relating to both in combination happened to me this past week. And no, I was not caught trading credit default swaps in hospital stock. I just got sick. <br /><br />It started with an annoying "business decision" by my HMO, Blue Care Network, to get rid of all of its health facilities, doctors, and nurses. This was terribly annoying because all of our doctors were at a BCN facility, and this facility was right near our house. We'd gone there for years. I don't know why they did this. I'm sure it was probably an attempt to squeeze more money out of us somehow. In any case, the doctors there scattered to the winds. I decided to keep my doctor, for lack of any better option (it is hard to find an available doctor), and so I had my files sent to the new office where he set up shop, Mid Michigan Physicians. This happened last year, though not too long ago. <br /><br />Unfortunately, our pediatrician left the state, so we decided to go with another one from the office - he moved to MSU. So now our doctors were in two different practices. That was only slightly inconvenient, however, compared to what I had to deal with last week. <br /><br />One of the "joys" of having kids in day care is that they often get sick and then bring it home and we all get sick. My daughter generously got a nasty cold that she then shared by coughing all over me and spitting in my face and mouth on a frequent basis. So I had some long nights of misery coughing and otherwise not sleeping well. My eyes also got some sort of infection and I was having trouble seeing in bright light. Now there's not much that can be done for a cold - so I would just have let it run its course, but the eye issue was concerning because it made it difficult to drive when it was sunny with lots of snow on the ground. That concern made me want to set up a doctor's appointment. <br /><br />Now I had not had an appointment with my doctor at his new practice yet. Which was why I was shocked to discover when I did try and get an appointment that they would not schedule one because of a billing issue. I asked them how could I have a billing issue when I've never visited that practice before? They said it was from 2005, with a doctor whose name I'd never heard before. They said they did not know who the doctor was, either. So then I asked, how could there be a billing issue for a doctor who was never at their practice from a time when I had never visited the facility. No answer to that. And they couldn't give more specifics because the bill was so old it was sent to their collections agency. They said they could do nothing about it. For some strange reason the address they had on file for me was one over 10 years old. It was strange because I had never been there before and so the only address they should have had was my current address (one I've had for 10 years). <br /><br />I called back several times, talked to the billing manager. They would do nothing. They told me they couldn't tell me anything more. They told me only the collections company could do anything and I had to figure it out with them. Meanwhile, my primary care physician, the only person who can approve certain treatments, referrals, and everything else was now unavailable to me. <br /><br />The collections company could tell me nothing. The records were so old they were in storage. They had the same old address. They said that they had on file that mail they sent to me was returned. Apparently looking my address up in the phone book was too complicated for them, since I have a listed address that has been publicly available for 10 years (and there are no other names in the phone book like mine). So the best they could do at the collections company was order the records out of storage and send them to me. This could take weeks. In the meanwhile, no doctor appointments for me. <br /><br />Needless to say, I was gloriously pissed off. I'm going to find another doctor. That will take time. In the meanwhile, though I am double insured, I can't get a fucking doctor's appointment. Republicans can all fucking die. They don't want to fix healthcare? They can just fucking die. And fuck the Democrats for not passing a public option. They could do it right now, but they won't. Fuckers.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-82070412026390129152010-02-26T18:10:00.007-05:002010-02-26T18:58:38.416-05:00Raising Atheist Children in a Christian Nation - There are no Sunday Schools for AtheistsOne of my biggest worries with my children is how I can raise them to be properly skeptical (and hopefully atheist) in a Christian Nation. [1] It is funny, now that I think about it - typically you see the Christian parents being the ones so worried their children will be corrupted by a non-Christian education in public schools. I'm not worried about secular schools. I am not worried about the culture at large as much either. I do worry about day care, which is a Christian day care. That I feel stuck with given the limited options (and limited funds). As I've discussed before, <a href="http://disgustedbeyondbelief.blogspot.com/2010/01/close-of-nanny-saga.html">I have no interest in having a nanny again</a>. <br /><br />What has concerned me about day care is what my daughter comes home with. I see little coloring book pages with religious themes. I hear her talk about religious things, though rarely. I guess I'm hoping that when she starts school in six months, this will all become a dim memory. I take some small comfort in the fact that I went to a religious day care as well when I was a child and it didn't stick - perhaps because my parents are not at all religious and we never went to church. Still, I wonder how to deal with the whole religion issue with my children. <br /><br />I don't want to be dogmatic. I want them ultimately to learn to think for themselves. You can't simply teach the "right" things - you need to give a toolkit to kids so they can figure things out for themselves. At the same time, though, kids need to obey and do what they are told, at least when they are very young - for their own safety. Kids also rebel - and go and do the opposite of what their parents want, at least, that's what I've read or heard about. I never really did that, but I understand the concept. So the difficulty is - how do you really go about doing this? <br /><br />One idea I have is social - if my kids hang out with other kids who are also raised to be skeptical, then there's the good peer pressure -or maybe lack of bad peer pressure. Except I don't know anyone else here who is atheist and has kids. Maybe I should try and find a local community of atheists. <br /><br />I've heard of atheist summer camps and such - really skepticism summer camps. I really want to send my kids somewhere like that someday, but that is only a short bit of the year. <br /><br />I worry about what religion could do to my kids. I worry about one or both of them coming home one day and declaring he or she is now a Christian. I'd still love them, but I would feel like I failed somehow. I'd feel like a part of them is dead - or brainwashed. I don't want my kids to grow up to be another of the superstitious idiots that populate our nation and our planet. I want them to question. I want them to be skeptical of what they are told. I want them to be thinkers. <br /><br />It is funny that Christianists call our schools horrible and godless, but they really aren't - most people in public schools are Chrsitans, and much of that seeps into everything. They aren't taught real skepticism. They will probably never hear the word "atheist" spoken. It is a secular education, but not a godless one. I should be the one who is concerned, not the Christian parents. They really are only upset because the schools are not more fully Christian-dominated than they already are. <br /><br />If only there were truly "godless" schools - where real skepticism was taught. Where kids were taught that religion - all of it - is superstition. Where kids are taught that "god" is a purely human creation. Where kids learn to think. Regular schools will never do this. Hell, there isn't even a "sunday school for atheists." There ought to be. Hell, that is a good line to add to the title of this post. (And now I have...) <br /><br />I have resolved to do something about that. I don't have a lot of time, but I'm going to at least get a start on this. I will see if I can find others in my community who feel as I do, and who aren't infected by religion. I'm going to then see if I can get some interest in putting together something like a Sunday School for Atheists. Maybe it is something I can just do for my own kids. They'll probably think I'm nuts. Maybe the better way to do it is more subtle - not any set time or place, but just a planting of the seeds of skepticism wherever I can find it. Maybe the Sunday School for Atheists needs to be more for parents - to teach them to do the same with their own kids. I do this already where I can. With the few times I've heard some talk of Jesus out of my daughter, I've asked her, "how do you know that's true?" I want her to think about that, rather than challenge things directly. Make her defend it with logic and reason - with the idea of showing her that it can't be defended. Thankfully, she really hasn't said much along those lines, and will soon be done with day care, so maybe I should not be so worried.<br /><br />Maybe a first step can be coming up with a curriculum - and posting it online. In fact, I bet someone has already done something along those lines somewhere. I am going to search for it and build on what I find. <br /><br />Now if only every parent would do this, maybe we'd have a better world - where politicians can't so easily prey on the ignorance and superstitions of the public. Ok, now I'm dreaming. <br /><br /><br />[1] Of course, I would dispute the title of "Christian Nation" for the United States. We have a secular Constitution that explicitly separates church and state. So I vehemently contest any attempt to call this nation an officially Chrsitian one. But culturally, there are a lot of Christians to deal with, and they tend to control every elective office at every level. This is the community that my children will be growing up in. So this is what I have to deal with.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-61583864901979369082010-02-15T06:56:00.005-05:002010-02-15T06:59:34.558-05:00Carnival of the Godless on February 28<a href="http://barefootbum.blogspot.com/index.html">Larry</a> has graciously asked me to offer an article for the Carnival of the Godless on February 28, and I'd be happy to do so. This gives me two weeks to think of something... but I have a few ideas in mind. In the meanwhile, anyone who would like to participate - spread the "good word!"DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925765946042638459.post-90609670963137225152010-02-06T07:03:00.004-05:002010-02-06T07:06:58.795-05:00Head In the SandI've tried to have a discussion with some right-wing folks about the health care bill, but as with most things, it has proven to be totally pointless to even try. These people have their head in the sand and refuse to see there is a problem. They deny that anyone is denied healthcare for being poor. They cite laws that require EMREGENCY care and then equate that with saying that everyone gets health care, apparently oblivious to the fact that most health care is not emergency care. They also ignore the fact that even emergency care will saddle you with a huge bill that can bankrupt you and put your family on the street, which is a reason for the poor to avoid going to get even emergency care. <br /><br />I mean really, how can you even have a discussion with someone whose head is six inches under the ground? What can you say to people like that? Health care is doomed. Everything is doomed. People are morons.DBBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17805375811782552873noreply@blogger.com8