John Adams

A quote from John Adams favoring the separation of church and state.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

"Oh! Lord! Do you think that a Protestant Popedom is annihilated in America? Do you recollect, or have you ever attended to the ecclesiastical Strifes in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and every part of New England? What a mercy it is that these People cannot whip and crop, and pillory and roast, as yet in the U.S.! If they could they would.... There is a germ of religion in human nature so strong that whenever an order of men can persuade the people by flattery or terror that they have salvation at their disposal, there can be no end to fraud, violence, or usurpation."

-- John Adams

(Source: Christopher Hitchens, “Arguably”)

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Pope Retires

ROME — Citing advanced years and infirmity, Pope Benedict XVI stunned the Roman Catholic world on Monday by saying he would resign on Feb. 28 after less than eight years in office, the first pope to do so in six centuries.

-- The New York Times

I was going to say, I didn't know popes resigned. When I first heard the news, I thought this was just a polite cover for a forced removal, in the interest of getting past the sex and pedophilia scandals. There was the happy thought that the Church may be looking to pursue a more liberal road to better preserve a dwindling faith. But I have not heard any support for this theory.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

“In today’s world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of St. Peter and proclaim the gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me. For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom, I declare that I renounce the ministry of bishop of Rome, successor of St. Peter.”

-- Pope Benedict XVI

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Republicans vs. The Reality-Based Community

The truth is that America’s partisan divide runs much deeper than even pessimists are usually willing to admit; the parties aren’t just divided on values and policy views, they’re divided over epistemology. One side believes, at least in principle, in letting its policy views be shaped by facts; the other believes in suppressing the facts if they contradict its fixed beliefs.

-- Paul Krugman at The New York Times

We have known since deep in the Dubya administration, Republicans were bold in their renunciation of facts and reality. Remember, they positively loathed the "reality-based community", and that was the title they themselves used! They are activel opposed to reality.

Krugman cites a number of good examples of this Republican perversity, including this one about my Texas: Last year the Texas G.O.P. explicitly condemned efforts to teach “critical thinking skills,” because, it said, such efforts “have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority.” This is not just a passing thing. We really are in some trouble.

TV Troubles

We have been losing our satellite signal regularly, again. And Pop had another serious sit-down session with them. He decided to have this session in the big room, which, although annoying to me, did give me the opportunity to witness how he handles these confrontations.

One can see the disturbing effects of old age as Pop gets tough with the Dish people. He is no longer the roaring lion, but he is the cratchety old man who will not be turned away, as he sits there with his hand shaking badly with the phone in it.

He says, "I pay a hundred-and-fifty-four dollars a month to watch TV. Do you think it's right that I cannot watch my shows." He then insists on having someone sent to the house today, because he does not want to miss "Dallas" tonight. They get Pop to relent on this point, but he gets a money-credit.

It really is a lot of money to pay for TV. Unless one is in the upper-middle-class or better, I would think there might be a set policy about never paying more than a hundred dollars a month for TV. Indeed, considering that we already pay for the Internet, it might give one the incentive to learn how to stream Internet videos on the television set. Our account at Amazon gives us access to a lot of programs, and a Neflix acccount might satisfy all our needs. However, I don't suppose Pop will ever make this jump, but it is something to keep in mind.

Ted Nugent and the Republicans

Republicans are still showing the love.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Congressman Steve Stockman has given one of his gallery tickets for the State of the Union address to rocker Ted Nugent, a staunch gun rights activist whose remarks at the NRA convention last year — "If Barack Obama becomes the president in November, again, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year" — prompted a Secret Service investigation.

Said Stockman: "I am excited to have a patriot like Ted Nugent joining me in the House Chamber to hear from President Obama. After the address I'm sure Ted will have plenty to say."

Nugent tweeted on Monday afternoon: "well well well, there will be a freedom addicted all American uppity Motown guitarplayer facing the POTUS at the SOTU addresss tomoro-lovely".

-- ONTD

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Will Nugent dare to play the heckler? The possiblilty does add a little drama to what is generally a pretty dry occasion. Tomorrow is the speech.

Daily Fun

Judy Garland, 1940s

( Read more... )