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:: 11.21.2006 ::
Atheism is to blame for mass murders?
Read this - Dinesh D'Souza's response to claims that organized religion is "the most potent source of human conflict, past and present." His central thesis:Whatever the motives for atheist bloodthirstiness, the indisputable fact is that all the religions of the world put together have in 2,000 years not managed to kill as many people as have been killed in the name of atheism in the past few decades.
Consider one question: could the atheist mass-murderers of the last century have inflicted as much damage had they lived in the Middle Ages? Technology seems, to me, to be the key to rebutting D'Spuza's argument, which is that since Stalin and Hitler killed many more people than died in the Crusades, or the Inquisition, atheism is therefore much more deadly than the Church. I reply, sir, with a sentence from your own column: Using the latest techniques of science and technology, man seeks to displace God and create a secular utopia here on earth. Imagine, if you will, Crusaders with machine guns and explosives, or Inquisitors with access to Hitler's ovens. How you possibly compare today's apples with the oranges of 500 years ago?
I don't know about you, but I can certainly name, off the top of my head, a lot more instances of violence done in the name of religion, than I can violence done by atheists. D'Souza himself only names 3 "killer" atheists.
No one would contend that religion is the sole cause of violence; but it has been involved in an awful lot of it, throughout human history.
What's so great about a moral code you read in a book, and in many cases feel free to interpret or ignore? How is that better than one you develop from your own life experience, learning from your friends and family, and larger community?
I have an idea. Let's all adhere to the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jesus said that, right D'Souza? There's nothing in there about God, but I think you would agree that it is a moral code worth following. Imagine: no genocide, no racism, no spousal abuse, no priests sexually molesting altar boys. And I know a lot of atheists - gasp! - actually believe quite strongly in the rule of reciprocity. I happen to be one of them.
:: Deb 7:03 PM :: permalink ::
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:: 11.07.2006 ::
Election Day!
No exit poll data yet? Here's why.
Also, thanks to Rich for sending this out!
And, if you need some reasons to get out and vote:
Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, unprecedented presidential powers, unmatched incompetence, unparalleled corruption, unwarranted eavesdropping, Katrina, Enron, Halliburton, global warming, Cheney’s secret energy task force, record oil company profits, $3 gasoline, FEMA, the Supreme Court, Diebold, Florida in 2000, Ohio in 2004, Terri Schiavo, stem cell research, golden parachutes, shrunken pensions, unavailable and expensive health care, habeas corpus, no weapons of mass destruction, sacrificed soldiers and Iraqi civilians, wasted billions, Taliban resurgence, expiration of the assault weapons ban, North Korea, Iran, intelligent design, swift boat hit squads, and on and on. From Molly Ivins, via Tom Tomorrow.
:: Deb 2:43 PM :: permalink ::
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:: 11.04.2006 ::
DHS proposes vetting all passengers prior to departure
This? Scary scary scary. Accordingly, with this proposed rule, CBP is proposing two transmission options for air carriers to select from at their discretion: (i) the submission of complete manifests no later than 60 minutes prior to departure or (ii) transmitting passenger data as individual, real-time transactions, i.e., as each passenger checks in, up to but no later than 15 minutes prior to departure. Under both options, the carrier will not permit the boarding of a passenger unless the passenger has been cleared by CBP. This is worse than the "watch lists", because it completely does away with the presumption of innocence. Meaning, unless Homeland Security clears you (under a completely opaque process, and you know how well the watch lists have been working for everyone) before your plane or boat or train or whatever is scheduled to depart, you could be stuck in NYC, or Alaska, or Bagdad - indefinitely.
You can read The Identity Project's comments on the proposed rule here.
:: Deb 6:59 PM :: permalink ::
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Time for Rumsfeld to go
From an editorial that is scheduled to appear on Monday in Army Times, Air Force Times, Navy Times and Marine Corps Times: Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised. And although the blame for our failures in Iraq rests with the secretary, it will be the troops who bear its brunt. How about it, Mr Bush? Had enough?
Farked.
:: Deb 6:39 PM :: permalink ::
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:: 11.03.2006 ::
How to steal votes on a Diebold machine
Watch this video of a test conducted by Princeton.
:: Deb 6:31 PM :: permalink ::
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