Said I would be. Found a better place, I hope. Works better for my other blog anyway (where I post code snippets that are really annoying to format here).
The new location
First post
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Chronic pain
One of the worse things about having some sort of issue like mine, I have a bad back, is not so much the pain. Even though it hurts a lot sometimes.
No, the worse thing about things like that is the embarrassment. Here I am, a big, stocky guy....and I can't even mow my lawn without hurting myself. When stuff needs to be moved around in the house, it's usually my girlfriend, who's not even half my size, who has to do it.
Sometimes people will come over to help move things because I just can't do it.
Yeah, everyone understands, and nobody expects me to be lifting things (in fact they know what's up and want me not to). Nobody's looking at me like I'm weak or incapable, but that's exactly how I feel sometimes. I know that I'm not supposed to be doing certain things but at the same time I can't help considering it lazy and impolite not to help.
It's totally embarrassing and degrading and there's nothing that I, nor anyone else can do about it.
No, the worse thing about things like that is the embarrassment. Here I am, a big, stocky guy....and I can't even mow my lawn without hurting myself. When stuff needs to be moved around in the house, it's usually my girlfriend, who's not even half my size, who has to do it.
Sometimes people will come over to help move things because I just can't do it.
Yeah, everyone understands, and nobody expects me to be lifting things (in fact they know what's up and want me not to). Nobody's looking at me like I'm weak or incapable, but that's exactly how I feel sometimes. I know that I'm not supposed to be doing certain things but at the same time I can't help considering it lazy and impolite not to help.
It's totally embarrassing and degrading and there's nothing that I, nor anyone else can do about it.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Google blocks Eddie
This morning when I tried to access my gmail account and look at my blog site I found them both unavailable. My blog sites had been "removed" and my gmail account was demanding a phone number before I could get back in. Once I caved in and gave google this information I did not want them to have everything turned back on.
Not wishing to be at the mercy of a company that can, and obviously WILL, make me disappear at the first inkling, Eddie will be looking for a different location to do his Internet soapboxing. Will probably simply break down and get a colocated server of my own, with a company I can trust, so I don't have to put up with this crap anymore. Of course, if companies like Google and Verisign get their way you won't be able to access me there either because, "Don't be evil," doesn't mean anything and everyone's a greedy cunt that wants to get into your shit.
Not wishing to be at the mercy of a company that can, and obviously WILL, make me disappear at the first inkling, Eddie will be looking for a different location to do his Internet soapboxing. Will probably simply break down and get a colocated server of my own, with a company I can trust, so I don't have to put up with this crap anymore. Of course, if companies like Google and Verisign get their way you won't be able to access me there either because, "Don't be evil," doesn't mean anything and everyone's a greedy cunt that wants to get into your shit.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Letter to Obama
I just have a question.
The BBC today quoted Obama as saying, "I will do everything I can, as long as I am president of the United States, to remind the American people that we are one nation under God. We may call that god different names but we are one nation."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11265335
I must ask Obama, why have you excluded, like the father of your predecessor, those of us that do not believe in deities and other mythical creatures from the composition of this nation? Why, at a time when Atheists are viewed by the American people as less trust-worthy and the least "American" would you support this modern bigotry and religious intolerance by excluding us...all the while expounding the virtues of tolerance for other religions? Is this tolerance only to extend to those who believe in Gods?
At a time when it is more important than ever to point out and raise on high our *secular* values as a nation and the enlightened and purposeful religion free and neutral philosophy it was founded upon, you chose instead to pay lip service to an intolerant and incorrect view of America and her history. As an atheist I was surprised and hopeful at your mention of non-believers in your inaugural speech. Unfortunately today you've crushed those hopes and once again indicated to the entire world that this country is a country for believers.
Mr. President, America is not a country "under God" any more than any of the other countries on the world and throughout history that have claimed this arrogant title. This is a country built by the *people* and FOR the people and its people are made up of people who believe in various deities and those who do not. We're only as indivisible as our people of ALL beliefs are included. Today you helped split us rather than bind.
It is my hope that you will retract and clarify this statement. We can be a nation indivisible. We need to end the abhorrent and schismatic language in our public dialog than only serves to point out differences than similarities. We are all people and we all want to be free to be and believe what our moral, rational and irrational minds lead us to believe.
Blog note: George Bush Sr. once responded to the question, "Surely you recognize the equal citizenship and patriotism of Americans who are atheists?" by saying, "No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
The BBC today quoted Obama as saying, "I will do everything I can, as long as I am president of the United States, to remind the American people that we are one nation under God. We may call that god different names but we are one nation."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11265335
I must ask Obama, why have you excluded, like the father of your predecessor, those of us that do not believe in deities and other mythical creatures from the composition of this nation? Why, at a time when Atheists are viewed by the American people as less trust-worthy and the least "American" would you support this modern bigotry and religious intolerance by excluding us...all the while expounding the virtues of tolerance for other religions? Is this tolerance only to extend to those who believe in Gods?
At a time when it is more important than ever to point out and raise on high our *secular* values as a nation and the enlightened and purposeful religion free and neutral philosophy it was founded upon, you chose instead to pay lip service to an intolerant and incorrect view of America and her history. As an atheist I was surprised and hopeful at your mention of non-believers in your inaugural speech. Unfortunately today you've crushed those hopes and once again indicated to the entire world that this country is a country for believers.
Mr. President, America is not a country "under God" any more than any of the other countries on the world and throughout history that have claimed this arrogant title. This is a country built by the *people* and FOR the people and its people are made up of people who believe in various deities and those who do not. We're only as indivisible as our people of ALL beliefs are included. Today you helped split us rather than bind.
It is my hope that you will retract and clarify this statement. We can be a nation indivisible. We need to end the abhorrent and schismatic language in our public dialog than only serves to point out differences than similarities. We are all people and we all want to be free to be and believe what our moral, rational and irrational minds lead us to believe.
Blog note: George Bush Sr. once responded to the question, "Surely you recognize the equal citizenship and patriotism of Americans who are atheists?" by saying, "No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Answers to seven questions to ask an atheist
This is in response to Tom Elliff's Seven Questions to ask an Atheist. Of course, it is obvious that he does not intend for anyone to actually answer his questions but I decided to anyway. Thought I'd put them here in addition to the comment I left there.
Are you certain you are an atheist?
Yep. “Hard” atheist actually. I’d explain but you wouldn’t listen and probably wouldn’t understand anyway even if you did. Basically it boils down to the fact that any being even remotely worthy of being called “God” would be offended by the title.
Are you aware that actual evidence for God does exist?
Our definition of “evidence” obviously differs greatly. The Koran says that Muhammad is God’s prophet. Cinderella says that an old woman made a pumpkin turn into a carriage. You have to convince me that the Bible is somehow different than these others and we both know you can’t. I won’t ask you to try because you’ll just end up lying at some point….happens every time.
Do you know why many people choose to be atheists?
Sigh. I suppose it doesn’t really matter to you that what you’re saying is really quite horrible and judgmental, and you’ll just pass the buck to God if pressed to take responsibility for your words, but it really does say quite a lot about you when you call people “corrupt” because they don’t believe what you do. It’s one thing you’ll not likely find an atheist doing. At any rate, I hope it makes you feel better about yourself to piss on a bunch of people you don’t even know.
As to the question, we both know it’s not an honest one and there’s no reason to actually answer it. I know why I’m an atheist and like I said in #1, you wouldn’t listen if I tried to explain it anyway.
How much of the Bible have you actually read?
You know, honestly, not a whole lot. It’s a big, thick book with not a lot to say of value. Has some interesting stories but they’re really poorly written. The only part I could ever actually make it through were the Gospels, which are nice but you’ll find similar and better philosophies elsewhere. As to the rest, I have given it a real try occasionally but I just can’t make it much more than a few chapters before I just lose interest. Frankly, there’s not much point. If it wasn’t for the fact that so many people take it so seriously I’d have no interest in it at all. What I have read has mostly struck me as rather childish or downright offensive. I certainly can’t accept it as a moral guide of any kind since what I have read contains way too many moral abuses and it’s delivered as an absolute rather than opinion.
Better to go read better works by more interesting people. Right now, for instance, I’m spending my time reading the works of Popper and Dawkins (his scientific work, not his atheism books). Have you read these? Have you read the Koran? The holy works of other religions? There’s a lot in the world to read, it’s sad to see people take one particular book as scripture without looking at the rest of what some very wise people, both religious and not, have said. For me, there’s just too much of better value to read to spend all my time on what has simply not been able to impress or hold my interest.
Do you know the word used in the Bible to describe an atheist?
Yes, I know all about that. I also know what Jesus said was going to happen to those that follow suit: they’ll probably all burn in hell. I have to say I understand Jesus’s point quite well and try to take it to heart. When you call someone a “fool” (especially as it means in the Bible) you are throwing them away. You can’t possibly listen to them or love them with that kind of venom in your heart, and this is what Jesus tells us all to do.
I’ve always found it rather funny that the people who believe in Jesus the least often understand and follow his philosophy the most. I can’t really say I’m one of those people, but it’s quite obvious to me that you are not either…though I’m sure you’ll adamantly disagree and hold up your bible as evidence. Again, it just doesn’t impress me as such. You are what you do, not what you claim to be.
Would you allow me to share how you can know God?
I don’t actually want to know your God. The gods are the best wishes and desires of the people who believe in them. They always hold the same opinions and want the same things. What you have said in this blog speaks many volumes about who and what you are…and I don’t want to know you any more than that. Your God is petty and small and wouldn’t know love if it devoured him.
But yes, I’ve entertained many like you before and it’s always been for naught. People like you speak from ignorance. You read one book and think it makes you more wise than the best thinkers mankind has ever born. In fact, you discard that wisdom and seek your own…all the while claiming it to be your god’s. Nothing that has ever been said by a believer, especially one of your ilk, has been able to change my mind. How can one like you teach me more about God than God himself can? Your arrogance blinds you.
Would you allow me to pray for you, either now or at a later date?
It doesn’t really matter to me. For your own sake I hope that you do not for your praying is only a tool by which you further indoctrinate yourself. It’s the hot air you inflate yourself with. When you pray, you pray to make yourself feel better. You must really love me if you’re praying for me, right? Even as you hope that I burn in torment forever because I didn’t listen to you. It’s what allows you to say such horrible things about other people without actually looking inward to see where that’s coming from and why you value it so.
Are you certain you are an atheist?
Yep. “Hard” atheist actually. I’d explain but you wouldn’t listen and probably wouldn’t understand anyway even if you did. Basically it boils down to the fact that any being even remotely worthy of being called “God” would be offended by the title.
Blog note: as I took an objective look at the use of the word "god" in the world I came to realize that the only commonality among gods is that they are worshiped. Worship, in this sense, implies that you are not allowed to disagree with them. Sure, Christians will claim otherwise and say, "Look at Job." However, the end result of any disagreement with their God is one of two possible outcomes: you come to realize you are wrong; or you are deserving of the torment you will receive. There is no such being that is worthy of this kind of moral abdication. In fact, it is my firm belief that it is unethical to worship anything. As such, there can never be any such thing as a God no matter what one decides about the question of a super-agent that can do the various things that various gods are purported to do, the existence of which really becomes a moot point to any question of interest.
Are you aware that actual evidence for God does exist?
Our definition of “evidence” obviously differs greatly. The Koran says that Muhammad is God’s prophet. Cinderella says that an old woman made a pumpkin turn into a carriage. You have to convince me that the Bible is somehow different than these others and we both know you can’t. I won’t ask you to try because you’ll just end up lying at some point….happens every time.
Blog note: this one is of course self evident to anyone that is both intelligent and being honest. It just begs the question to claim the Bible is evidence of the claims in the Bible.
Do you know why many people choose to be atheists?
Sigh. I suppose it doesn’t really matter to you that what you’re saying is really quite horrible and judgmental, and you’ll just pass the buck to God if pressed to take responsibility for your words, but it really does say quite a lot about you when you call people “corrupt” because they don’t believe what you do. It’s one thing you’ll not likely find an atheist doing. At any rate, I hope it makes you feel better about yourself to piss on a bunch of people you don’t even know.
As to the question, we both know it’s not an honest one and there’s no reason to actually answer it. I know why I’m an atheist and like I said in #1, you wouldn’t listen if I tried to explain it anyway.
Blog note: It often comes as a shock to many atheists that believers would think they have chosen to be atheists. It's not a choice in the same way that I chose to write this blog, in that I could have done otherwise. Once the decision to follow a certain criteria of evidence to figure out what is believable and what is not, belief in Gods just goes away. I was no more able to chose this than I am able to choose to not believe in gravity. However, I do believe I understand why believers are able to think we do choose to be atheists; it is because they DID choose to believe when they took their "leap of faith". It's the same reason that Pascal's Wager actually makes sense to them.
How much of the Bible have you actually read?
You know, honestly, not a whole lot. It’s a big, thick book with not a lot to say of value. Has some interesting stories but they’re really poorly written. The only part I could ever actually make it through were the Gospels, which are nice but you’ll find similar and better philosophies elsewhere. As to the rest, I have given it a real try occasionally but I just can’t make it much more than a few chapters before I just lose interest. Frankly, there’s not much point. If it wasn’t for the fact that so many people take it so seriously I’d have no interest in it at all. What I have read has mostly struck me as rather childish or downright offensive. I certainly can’t accept it as a moral guide of any kind since what I have read contains way too many moral abuses and it’s delivered as an absolute rather than opinion.
Better to go read better works by more interesting people. Right now, for instance, I’m spending my time reading the works of Popper and Dawkins (his scientific work, not his atheism books). Have you read these? Have you read the Koran? The holy works of other religions? There’s a lot in the world to read, it’s sad to see people take one particular book as scripture without looking at the rest of what some very wise people, both religious and not, have said. For me, there’s just too much of better value to read to spend all my time on what has simply not been able to impress or hold my interest.
Blog note: I don't have to real the entirety of Mein Kamph to know I generally disagree with the contents. I've read what I wanted to of both books.
Do you know the word used in the Bible to describe an atheist?
Yes, I know all about that. I also know what Jesus said was going to happen to those that follow suit: they’ll probably all burn in hell. I have to say I understand Jesus’s point quite well and try to take it to heart. When you call someone a “fool” (especially as it means in the Bible) you are throwing them away. You can’t possibly listen to them or love them with that kind of venom in your heart, and this is what Jesus tells us all to do.
I’ve always found it rather funny that the people who believe in Jesus the least often understand and follow his philosophy the most. I can’t really say I’m one of those people, but it’s quite obvious to me that you are not either…though I’m sure you’ll adamantly disagree and hold up your bible as evidence. Again, it just doesn’t impress me as such. You are what you do, not what you claim to be.
Blog note: *sigh*.
Would you allow me to share how you can know God?
I don’t actually want to know your God. The gods are the best wishes and desires of the people who believe in them. They always hold the same opinions and want the same things. What you have said in this blog speaks many volumes about who and what you are…and I don’t want to know you any more than that. Your God is petty and small and wouldn’t know love if it devoured him.
But yes, I’ve entertained many like you before and it’s always been for naught. People like you speak from ignorance. You read one book and think it makes you more wise than the best thinkers mankind has ever born. In fact, you discard that wisdom and seek your own…all the while claiming it to be your god’s. Nothing that has ever been said by a believer, especially one of your ilk, has been able to change my mind. How can one like you teach me more about God than God himself can? Your arrogance blinds you.
Blog note: It's funny that believers claim we worship ourselves as Gods when in fact the gods they worship are, in fact, themselves.
Would you allow me to pray for you, either now or at a later date?
It doesn’t really matter to me. For your own sake I hope that you do not for your praying is only a tool by which you further indoctrinate yourself. It’s the hot air you inflate yourself with. When you pray, you pray to make yourself feel better. You must really love me if you’re praying for me, right? Even as you hope that I burn in torment forever because I didn’t listen to you. It’s what allows you to say such horrible things about other people without actually looking inward to see where that’s coming from and why you value it so.
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