I Quit! No More News! No More CAM!

Well, folks I've had it. For the past no-telling-how-many years I've lived on the Internet. I've spent my time on CNN, MSNBC, NYT, local paper, and so on. Also, Randi.org, Scienceblog, and am subscribed to several newsletters about bogus and scam medicine. Wow, and where has it gotten me? Nowhere, actually.
I have over 300 videos on YouTube ranting about it all..... The only thing I've accomplished is to piss off a bunch of folks who stumbled by my site. And, that's about it. Well, OK, there've been a couple who may no longer go to chiropractors after seeing my videos. Other than that few...that's been about it.
So, what was the catalyst, if you will, that put me over the edge, what made me vow to try to stay away from the news and such?
Today I read about a Canadian who is about to be executed by Iran. And, what did he do? As I best understand it, he was visiting relatives in Iran and they charged him with designing a program that ended-up being used to load pornography on the Internet. According to CNN he didn't have anything to do with anything, other than he had written the program.
In Nepal, a young lady was burned alive, with her family helping, because two shaman said she was a witch.
Rick Santorum, for the past couple of days has been going on and on about he's the real Christian, not President Obama and that, yes, the President is waging a war on religion (wow, I wish he was). Most of this of course is because of President Obama's stance that insurance companies should provide for women to have birth control pills, if that's what they want.
And, the Catholics just won't stop. Yep, another twenty-one cardinals, just what the world needs. More Catholic cardinals!
I'll tell you, I'll start believing in your God if he will guarantee me he'll send them all to hell....
So, that's the story, such as it is. It is just too fucking depressing to be mired in it all...to read the same religious bullshit day after day...to read of all of the dreadful things happening around the world...our global citizens being murdered by religious zealots. What the fuck have we all come to? This is 2012, we've made no progress.
When it comes to religion, we turn our brains off. When it comes to so-called complimentary and alternative medicine we turn our brains off. Yes, I have a basic understanding how it works, how we shut off all reasoning, but hey, that doesn’t alter the outcome of our actions and beliefs.
Yes, we pray to this bearded guy in the sky. You know the one, the one who is all powerful and loves everyone. Yep, the one who will send you to hell and burn you forever if you don't believe in him and do what he tells you. Yeah, he's all powerful. Look at the world folks.... What kind of person would allow this world to be the way it is if they were all powerful and could do anything they wanted. And, this is who you pray to!
Yeah, I know, he works in mysterious ways...
I know no one is reading this, and that’s fine. However, if one of you religious folks stumbled in here and are still here...here's something to think about.
Yes, you Christian folks are praying to the one true god...right? Your so-called religion is dictated by geography, period. If you had been born in the Middle East, you'd be a Muslim. Yes, it's that simple and you'd now be tracking down and killing Christians or what-have-you...or strapping on a vest with explosives so you could be a martyr and get your 72 virgins. No, I don't want 72 virgins but that sounds a hell of a lot better than being in heaven around your god and fucking praying all day.
OK, another one. Show me just one example of a prayer being answered. No bullshit, a little evidence please. Just one!
Now, if you do come up with one, which you can't...well, for every one you come up with I'll come up with a million where your god either ignored your request or said, Fuck you.
OK. One more. Evidence folks. Just one speck of evidence that your god exists. Just one. Please don't tell me about the complexity of the eye and where the grass came from and beautiful sunsets and all the rest of it. Anyone ever seen this guy?
If you went to your Honda dealer and you were told a certain model got 100 mpg, you'd ask for evidence. Yes, actual evidence. If not proved you'd most likely go home and check Car and Driver, Road and Track, and Consumer Reports. However, if your pastor tells you there's a god floating around in the sky who loves you is all powerful and answers prayers but the world is all fucked up an he ain't doing anything about it, that's evidently fine with you.
If I told you Santa Claus is my god, you'd laugh at me and possibly even ask for evidence. Yes, you a believer of all people asking for evidence. And, I of course show you the same amount of evidence that Santa Claus exists as my god, as you can show me evidence that your god's the real deal.
Hey, another one I like are you folks out there who have a Personal Relationship With God. Yep, you know who you are. Folks, people who talk to people who aren't there are called mentally ill. And, no I'm surely not making fun of the mentally ill, as after all there is a reason that they hear voices and talk to people who aren't there. Actually, where do you cross the line from being religious to being mentally ill. Yes, have said belief in a god is like a virus of some kind. Hmmmm.
I guess I could say that I'll have the last laugh...but, I won't and even if I did it would be a truly hollow victory. What am I talking about? Well folks, you may well live as a so-called Christian but, fortunate for you, you're going to die the death of an atheist. Yep, folks you ain't going nowhere. You're going to be just like me. Yes, we die and we are dead and that's that...and, nope, you'll never know that you pissed your life away believing in your so-called god. Folks, it's going to be just like having an operation that you don't wake up from. Yes, and you ain't gonna know it. Feel fortunate that that's the way it is.
I know if I was god and someone like me was writing this kind of stuff, I'd sure show myself.
Well, do I feel any better? No, of course not. Actually, in some ways, I envy you guys. Yep, no matter what happens you have an answer. Yes, it's god's will. Yes, god has a plan. Yes, god works in mysterious ways. Yes, we don't question god. You'll never have to see things the way they are, and that folks may well be a blessing.


Sorry for the bad words, Mom. I'm just really ticked off....

Yes, Whitney Houston Died

February 15, 2012

Yes, Whitney Houston Died

When I learned that Whitney Houston died I thought about writing an essay. Anyway, I put it off; however, after the governor of New Jersey decided to fly the flags at half-staff, I decided I needed to have my say.
First off, as anyone reading this will know, I know absolutely nothing about Ms. Houston other than what I've read recently; and, frankly, I haven't read that much.
Is her death sad? Sure. Most deaths are sad. Well, you know what I mean. Unless the person is truly evil, I think we all feel a little...sadness, maybe? And, even when an evil person dies we may well think, Gosh, too bad that person was evil and ended up like this. Well, maybe a few of us think that way.
And, I'm surely not suggesting that Houston's fans shouldn't mourn her death. Hey, do whatever you want. This is America and we still have some liberties, though some folks seem to being trying to erode them....
So, what has Houston given to us? Cure for cancer? A new life saving medication? Established a home for wayward children?
OK, OK, yes, I know that she had a bunch of albums. Yep, she had a nice voice. Do I own any of those albums? No. However, I'm sure I've heard some of her songs and enjoyed listening to her. Well, pretty sure.
As I best understand it, the governor of New Jersey has never lowered the flags when one of his citizens has been killed in Iraq or Afghanistan. Though the autopsy results have not yet been released; however, from some of the stuff the press has been writing about, it would seem that there is the possibility that Houston had a problem with alcohol and drugs. Would that make it OK for her to die? No, of course not.
So, where does this bring the essay? I guess I could say that Houston had a ton of money, had the ability to have a great successful career singing. And, what did she do? It would seem she made some really poor choices in her relationships and made poor choices in using alcohol and drugs. Of course, I don't know this to be true, but from the press it would seem that this is the case. Yes, poor choices. And, the governor of New Jersey lowers the flags because of her death, but doesn't lower the flags for his citizens who are killed in a war started by a liar. If you are going to lower the flags governor, wouldn't it seem that you should do it for the young men and women, many of whom, were decent people, who went to war for our country and tried to do the right thing.
Governor Christie, you are a shithead! You pander to the lowest common denominator. Like Houston, you made a really poor decision. You should be ashamed of yourself.