I have long thought that any law passed that cannot be enforced makes a mockery of the Justice system.
Further, laws that make normally good standing people criminals does exactly the same.
I have heard it said that we are all criminals in the eyes of the law. I guess we are all innocent as well with jurisprudence in the USA.
December 31, 2007
December 27, 2007
Seperation of Church and State
Our government is of the people and a church is a community of people. So you have the curch and state as the same subset of people. There is going to be overlap. So seperation is nigh impossible as a concept.
Thomas Jefferson made clear that the purpose of the First Amendment was to establish a "wall of separation" between Church and State in order to protect individuals' right of conscience. So it was to protect the religion from government.
It is important as a society to have limits on behavior. It is important that a State has limits on behavior as well. When it comes to religion the limits are set up (usually) by preternatural authority. Example being the 10 commandments. or the 613 Mitzva of the Torah. or the 1500+ Fatwa of Islam. So Divinely inspired and humanly inforced by people whom are both participants in religion and state.
So what happens when a limit on behavior by the state is in direct conflict with a limit on behavior in a religion? Anything from debate to war will occur.
Thomas Jefferson made clear that the purpose of the First Amendment was to establish a "wall of separation" between Church and State in order to protect individuals' right of conscience. So it was to protect the religion from government.
It is important as a society to have limits on behavior. It is important that a State has limits on behavior as well. When it comes to religion the limits are set up (usually) by preternatural authority. Example being the 10 commandments. or the 613 Mitzva of the Torah. or the 1500+ Fatwa of Islam. So Divinely inspired and humanly inforced by people whom are both participants in religion and state.
So what happens when a limit on behavior by the state is in direct conflict with a limit on behavior in a religion? Anything from debate to war will occur.
December 26, 2007
Fairly Awesome Chirstmas 'prank'
Here is the link to story:
ASHLAND, Ore. — Even in death, Chet Fitch is a card.
Fitch, known for his sense of humor, died in October at age 88 but gave his friends and family a laugh recently: Christmas cards, 34 of them, began arriving — written in his hand with a return address of "Heaven."
The greeting read: "I asked Big Guy if I could sneak back and send some cards. At first he said no; but at my insistence he finally said, 'Oh well, what the heaven, go ahead but don't (tarry) there.' Wish I could tell you about things here but words cannot explain.
"Better get back as Big Guy said he stretched a point to let me in the first time, so I had better not press my luck. I'll probably be seeing you (some sooner than you think). Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Chet Fitch"
A friend for nearly 25 years, Debbie Hansen Bernard said, "All I could think was, 'You little stinker."'
"It was amazing," she said. "Just so Chet, always wanting to get the last laugh."
The mailing was a joke Fitch worked on for two decades with his barber, Patty Dean, 57. She told the Ashland Daily Tidings this week that he kept updating the mailing list and giving her extra money when postal rates went up. This fall, she said, Fitch looked up to her from the chair.
/**/
"You must be getting tired of waiting to mail those cards," he told her. "I think you'll probably be able to mail them this year."
He died a week later.
ASHLAND, Ore. — Even in death, Chet Fitch is a card.
Fitch, known for his sense of humor, died in October at age 88 but gave his friends and family a laugh recently: Christmas cards, 34 of them, began arriving — written in his hand with a return address of "Heaven."
The greeting read: "I asked Big Guy if I could sneak back and send some cards. At first he said no; but at my insistence he finally said, 'Oh well, what the heaven, go ahead but don't (tarry) there.' Wish I could tell you about things here but words cannot explain.
"Better get back as Big Guy said he stretched a point to let me in the first time, so I had better not press my luck. I'll probably be seeing you (some sooner than you think). Wishing you a very Merry Christmas. Chet Fitch"
A friend for nearly 25 years, Debbie Hansen Bernard said, "All I could think was, 'You little stinker."'
"It was amazing," she said. "Just so Chet, always wanting to get the last laugh."
The mailing was a joke Fitch worked on for two decades with his barber, Patty Dean, 57. She told the Ashland Daily Tidings this week that he kept updating the mailing list and giving her extra money when postal rates went up. This fall, she said, Fitch looked up to her from the chair.
/**/
"You must be getting tired of waiting to mail those cards," he told her. "I think you'll probably be able to mail them this year."
He died a week later.
December 24, 2007
Merry Christmas
So I wish for a safe and merry Chirstmas to everyone. And a Happy holiday as well.
As a Catholic the Christmas season is celebrated from first Advent to the Epiphany.
December 20, 2007
Holiday Blues?
Ever feel like your just off balance in the spiritual sense?
For the last few weeks I have this feeling I am disassociated with life in general. My new job has something to do with this. As I went from a "show-up-do-the-job-leave" to a "Your-responsible-for-190-employee workstations" situation.
Things are becomming more stable here, so less time spent in work. Still I am pulling about 50 hours this week.
I think its more then the job though. As I often find myself, after work, stitting wondering what to do.
Ah well, maybe more vitamin D (thats the lack of sun one?)
For the last few weeks I have this feeling I am disassociated with life in general. My new job has something to do with this. As I went from a "show-up-do-the-job-leave" to a "Your-responsible-for-190-employee workstations" situation.
Things are becomming more stable here, so less time spent in work. Still I am pulling about 50 hours this week.
I think its more then the job though. As I often find myself, after work, stitting wondering what to do.
Ah well, maybe more vitamin D (thats the lack of sun one?)
December 18, 2007
I am a Paladin
Hi, my name is Willy Toledo...
and I am a Paladin. I am a combination of a spell caster and a specialist in melee combat...
up-close and personal, clearly what I like most.
But this is serious, I´m a protector of the Holy Light.
I am Willy Toledo, and I'm a Paladin. And you? What's your game?
Je suis un mage
"My name is Jean-Claude Van Damme... and I am a mage."
"Hand-to-hand combat for me: it's over!"
"Now I can cast powerful spells!"
"Just try messing with me... I'll turn you into a sheep."
"A sheep!"
"...Because we all are a bit like sheep, you know..."
"I am Jean-Claude Van Damme, I am a mage."
"And you?" "What's your game?"
December 17, 2007
December 15, 2007
Evolution
The Pope recently acknowledged the validity of the theory of evolution. Which is fine with me. Faith and Science are not meant to be in lock step. Science is rife with models that work well within certain confinements and badly when you expand the scope. Physics for instance.
So whenever anyone outside of possibly a mathematician tells you something is fact, you have to wonder.
My main problem with Evolution is the very beginning of life on Earth. The various papers and text books always say something like. The conditions were just right to produce life.
Which is not unlike spontaneous generation right? Then you go back further, the universe has limitations in what can and cannot be done, commonly referred to laws. How are these in place? or more simply why does the universe behave the way it does?
Around this point science and belief systems are in a murky area. You either say God or shrug depending upon the person.
In trying to wrap your mind around this various analogies can arrive. The closest one I can think of is computer programming.
A programmer is limited by two major obstacles, The sheer power of the computer system and imagination. So you put in place a computer with infinite power and a programmer with omniscience. (No Shoo I am NOT referring to you in any way). That programmer now has to set in parameters to allow the rest of his creation to work.
"God does not play dice with the universe. " -- Albert Einstein
Apparantly, God GM's world of warcraft...
So whenever anyone outside of possibly a mathematician tells you something is fact, you have to wonder.
My main problem with Evolution is the very beginning of life on Earth. The various papers and text books always say something like. The conditions were just right to produce life.
Which is not unlike spontaneous generation right? Then you go back further, the universe has limitations in what can and cannot be done, commonly referred to laws. How are these in place? or more simply why does the universe behave the way it does?
Around this point science and belief systems are in a murky area. You either say God or shrug depending upon the person.
In trying to wrap your mind around this various analogies can arrive. The closest one I can think of is computer programming.
A programmer is limited by two major obstacles, The sheer power of the computer system and imagination. So you put in place a computer with infinite power and a programmer with omniscience. (No Shoo I am NOT referring to you in any way). That programmer now has to set in parameters to allow the rest of his creation to work.
"God does not play dice with the universe. " -- Albert Einstein
Apparantly, God GM's world of warcraft...
December 12, 2007
Merriam-Webster's newest word. W00T!
Now its okay to use on an English majors term paper?
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Expect cheers among hardcore online game enthusiasts when they learn Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year. Or, more accurately, expect them to "w00t."
"W00t," a hybrid of letters and numbers used by gamers as an exclamation of happiness, topped all other terms in the Springfield dictionary publisher's online poll for the word that best sums up 2007.
Merriam-Webster's president, John Morse, said "w00t" was an ideal choice because it blends whimsy and new technology.
"It shows a really interesting thing that's going on in language. It's a term that's arrived only because we're now communicating electronically with each other," Morse said.
Gamers commonly substitute numbers and symbols for the letters they resemble, Morse says, creating what they call "l33t speak" — that's "leet" when spoken, short for "elite" to the rest of the world.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Expect cheers among hardcore online game enthusiasts when they learn Merriam-Webster's Word of the Year. Or, more accurately, expect them to "w00t."
"W00t," a hybrid of letters and numbers used by gamers as an exclamation of happiness, topped all other terms in the Springfield dictionary publisher's online poll for the word that best sums up 2007.
Merriam-Webster's president, John Morse, said "w00t" was an ideal choice because it blends whimsy and new technology.
"It shows a really interesting thing that's going on in language. It's a term that's arrived only because we're now communicating electronically with each other," Morse said.
Gamers commonly substitute numbers and symbols for the letters they resemble, Morse says, creating what they call "l33t speak" — that's "leet" when spoken, short for "elite" to the rest of the world.
December 09, 2007
December 07, 2007
Circle Time
Connor, as stated many times, is Autistic and you never quite know whats going on in that wonderful mind of his.
Recently we met for our family Christmas Tree hunt. Connor loves the outdoors and snow especially. We gather at a particular parking spot in a sleeply little town in the mountains.
At this point in time we were standing around saying our 'hellos' and catching up with people we havent seen for awhile.
Connor noticed we had spread out in a vague circle, which needed his attention. So he started requesting people hold hands and make a circle.
Because language is a challange he formulates what words he knows to get the achieved results.
My Brother-in-law Doug, understood this and waited until Connor addressed him directly, this made Connor think and use the needed words (always a good exercise for him).
Doug, with the hands to Jim (paraphrased). After we were all in a ring Connors face was very lit up with a smile and I asked him now what?
So we naturally had to start walking around in a big ring. All of my extended family members gleefully complied.
After that Connor informed us it was time to go into the trucks.
It was just one of those great moments in life that makes for good memories.
Recently we met for our family Christmas Tree hunt. Connor loves the outdoors and snow especially. We gather at a particular parking spot in a sleeply little town in the mountains.
At this point in time we were standing around saying our 'hellos' and catching up with people we havent seen for awhile.
Connor noticed we had spread out in a vague circle, which needed his attention. So he started requesting people hold hands and make a circle.
Because language is a challange he formulates what words he knows to get the achieved results.
My Brother-in-law Doug, understood this and waited until Connor addressed him directly, this made Connor think and use the needed words (always a good exercise for him).
Doug, with the hands to Jim (paraphrased). After we were all in a ring Connors face was very lit up with a smile and I asked him now what?
So we naturally had to start walking around in a big ring. All of my extended family members gleefully complied.
After that Connor informed us it was time to go into the trucks.
It was just one of those great moments in life that makes for good memories.
December 05, 2007
In case you or your kids are playing World of Warcraft
In warcraft you can join the Alliance or the Horde. At first glance this can be deceptive. After you start to really delve into it you realize that Blizzard has thrown a twist and the Alliance is Evil and the Horde is good. Which seems counter intuative.
Humans - Generally racist, imperialistic, egotistical, salvers, and can be megalomaniacs. When Stormwind was rebuilt, they hired masons to rebuild the city, then banish them instead of paying. Oh, and remember Alterac! (too long to get into here)
Dwarves - The "Exploration Guild" is nothing more than strip miners digging up large areas of land. The King of the dwarves own daughter ran off to be away from him.
Night Elves - Narcissistic. They created a new World Tree (Teldrassil) defying the guardians of such things, the Dragon Aspects. As such, Teldrassil is rotted from the inside out.
Gnomes - Dangerous and Short sighted. Foolishly nuked their whole city. Tend to be materialistic.
Draenei - Fallen demons who are now 'pure of heart'. Zealot race that can take things too far. 'Kill em all let god sort them out'
Further. The vast majority of the bad guys in game are alliance. And the best way to look at any group is by the leaders.
Thrall - Enigmatic leader who escaped his slave beginnings to unite the Horde for the good of Azeroth. He even forged a pact with the Humans, Who promptly ignored and attacked.
Cairne Bloodhoof - Wise leader of the Tauren, his people are nomadic and very respectful of nature. This guy is easily the greatest leader in game
Vol'jin - the Darkspear Troll leader. Has taken on the responsibility of eliminating bad VooDoo and stopping the evil troll tribes.
Sylvanas Windrunner- Once near mindless followers of lich king, Sylvanas Windrunner has broken the ultimate shakles and forged a community and alliance with the Horde against the human oppressors.
Kael'thas Sunstrider - Betrayed by the alliance they have forged a pact with the Forsaken and obliquely with the Horde. If you could judge any of the horde races on being less then good it would be the Blood Elves, I think its because of thier past relationships with the Alliance.
Humans - Generally racist, imperialistic, egotistical, salvers, and can be megalomaniacs. When Stormwind was rebuilt, they hired masons to rebuild the city, then banish them instead of paying. Oh, and remember Alterac! (too long to get into here)
Dwarves - The "Exploration Guild" is nothing more than strip miners digging up large areas of land. The King of the dwarves own daughter ran off to be away from him.
Night Elves - Narcissistic. They created a new World Tree (Teldrassil) defying the guardians of such things, the Dragon Aspects. As such, Teldrassil is rotted from the inside out.
Gnomes - Dangerous and Short sighted. Foolishly nuked their whole city. Tend to be materialistic.
Draenei - Fallen demons who are now 'pure of heart'. Zealot race that can take things too far. 'Kill em all let god sort them out'
Further. The vast majority of the bad guys in game are alliance. And the best way to look at any group is by the leaders.
Thrall - Enigmatic leader who escaped his slave beginnings to unite the Horde for the good of Azeroth. He even forged a pact with the Humans, Who promptly ignored and attacked.
Cairne Bloodhoof - Wise leader of the Tauren, his people are nomadic and very respectful of nature. This guy is easily the greatest leader in game
Vol'jin - the Darkspear Troll leader. Has taken on the responsibility of eliminating bad VooDoo and stopping the evil troll tribes.
Sylvanas Windrunner- Once near mindless followers of lich king, Sylvanas Windrunner has broken the ultimate shakles and forged a community and alliance with the Horde against the human oppressors.
Kael'thas Sunstrider - Betrayed by the alliance they have forged a pact with the Forsaken and obliquely with the Horde. If you could judge any of the horde races on being less then good it would be the Blood Elves, I think its because of thier past relationships with the Alliance.
December 04, 2007
Another GREAT way to save the planet. One Candle at a time!!
Exactly how insane is this Man Made Global warming myth going to become?
Check out this 'idea' Let's light one less candle this Hanukkia. Um to stop global warming...
Excuse me. Laughing... to hard to type....
Check out this 'idea' Let's light one less candle this Hanukkia. Um to stop global warming...
Excuse me. Laughing... to hard to type....
December 03, 2007
If you get a divorce your KILLING THE PLANET!!
If you got a divorce you delt a near killing blow to the planet with your own personal increase in man made global warming!
How Dare you put your own needs, wants, personal safety, assets and childrens safety above that of the planet! You unthinkable Cad!
Go out there right now and lower your carbon footprint! its the LEAST you could do.
Bastage!!
Divorce creates global warming newspaper story
How Dare you put your own needs, wants, personal safety, assets and childrens safety above that of the planet! You unthinkable Cad!
Go out there right now and lower your carbon footprint! its the LEAST you could do.
Bastage!!
Divorce creates global warming newspaper story
December 01, 2007
Wag the Finger
Your sitting at work in the lunchroom. You have a bag from Burger King. Out of seemingly no place someone impales you with advice on how much fat or how bad fast food something, something, blah blah blah....etc.
Probably based on an article in a magazine or on their AOL homepage or worse from second hand information. Or even based on some scientific study that is now in doubt.
What causes people to proffer unsolicited advice? Some people do feel better when they belittle others. Maybe its some form of Tourette's. Could be society is loosing the concept of respecting a personal space. Could be all those I guess.
Seems like we keep getting these learnered people spouting off about health as if everyone is exactly the same. Yet we are unique at the nano-level right? My DNA is mine and mine alone. A brother can be type 1 diabetic and his sister not. A lifetime smoker can be healthy while a wholistic practitioner of yoga and squeeky clean living can be taken down that long road of Cancer treatment.
We have been told to take wheat germ, lower salt, eliminate fat, elminate caffine, take vitamins, get calcium, take omega-3 fatty acids, drink more water, eliminate sugar, eat oat bran, stop having x-rays, eat like this, dont eat like that, something, something, blah blah blah....etc.
To me it looks like the scientific community knows less and less every year about how the body functions.
Probably based on an article in a magazine or on their AOL homepage or worse from second hand information. Or even based on some scientific study that is now in doubt.
What causes people to proffer unsolicited advice? Some people do feel better when they belittle others. Maybe its some form of Tourette's. Could be society is loosing the concept of respecting a personal space. Could be all those I guess.
Seems like we keep getting these learnered people spouting off about health as if everyone is exactly the same. Yet we are unique at the nano-level right? My DNA is mine and mine alone. A brother can be type 1 diabetic and his sister not. A lifetime smoker can be healthy while a wholistic practitioner of yoga and squeeky clean living can be taken down that long road of Cancer treatment.
We have been told to take wheat germ, lower salt, eliminate fat, elminate caffine, take vitamins, get calcium, take omega-3 fatty acids, drink more water, eliminate sugar, eat oat bran, stop having x-rays, eat like this, dont eat like that, something, something, blah blah blah....etc.
To me it looks like the scientific community knows less and less every year about how the body functions.
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