Atheist Agenda

I don't know for sure that I consider myself to be an atheist... I guess it depends on my mood. I like to consider myself agnostic because that leaves a small window of hope for finding an answer to this mess. But, I do know for a fact that I do not believe in any church, or organized religion, or "holy" text that I have come across thus far. That's OK, there are many left for me to read about and research... Which gives me something to do.
Anyway, I do thoroughly enjoy messing with the screwy ideas that a lot of religious right nuts have. And I certainly appreciate it when some smart ass does something to piss them off.
This group, Atheist Agenda, did just that the other day. These guys set up a booth at the University of Texas, San Antonio where they attend school, and passed out porno for traded in bibles. They called their little booth, Smut for Smut.
You can read an article about it here: Smut for Smut
While I certainly appreciate the stab at the religious right, I don't know if this is the type of tactic that I would use in confronting them... It reduces your argument to their level. (See those nut jobs that stand in front of abortion clinics with pictures of dead babies... {This does not necessarily mean that I am pro-choice, I just don't like that tactic of dealing with the issue of abortion})
It is SOOOO easy to find holes in the ideology that religious folks have that this type of sensationalism isn't really all that necessary. You can look to my old friends Benny Hinn, Pat Robertson, or Jerry Fallwell for ridiculous acts of unchristianity in the name of god. Take a look at people you know who call themselves christian. See how far away they are from the true nature of Christ... (The word Christian itself means to be "Christ like". If you believe in Christ, of course you realize it's impossible to be exactly like him. But your goal is to live as much like him as possible. Most christians miss the mark on this by MILES AND MILES). You can read the bible and find all its flaws and realize that it was, in fact, written by men. You can look to evolution, or more to the point, science for answers to all the questions that you might have about life, the universe, and everything in between. It would seem with all of this material readily available, it would be a piece of cake to debate with a christian without resorting to sensationalist tactics. However, it is hilarious when someone pulls a stunt like this...
So the moral of the story is: Christian people are funny, and it's funny to fuck with them.

Props to Shawn Heinlen for tipping me off to this story. Another research assistant earns his annual bonus!

Exoskeleton

Move over Sigourney Weaver... Forget the Matrix... There's no computer generated graphics here, Mr. Lucas.

I'm not sure why this is so exciting to me... Maybe it's because deep down inside I'm really a techno geek. But seriously, this thing is awesome!!!
The Japanese have invented this exoskeleton suit that can be worn by people who need gait assistance. The Hybrid Assistive Limb, or HAL, can be worn by folks who need a little extra help with walking or lifting heavy objects and it will sense their brain activity to make things like taking a walk, or going to the store a reality for people who may not have been able to do that. The possibilities are astounding.
Remember in Aliens when Sigourney Weaver gets into that lifter thing on the loading docks and gets into a knock-down-drag-out with the Alien??? Well now, if an alien really does attack, we'll be able to do the same thing. I mean, it's sweet that gramma will be able to lift the milk jug on her own, but I want to wield a big ass gun like that dude in the Matrix. I'm stoked about this.

So next time one of you bitches decides that you want to talk shit about your little red buddy over here, just remember, I could show up at your crib packing a 600 pound gun that fires shells as big as your head. Revenga!!!!!!! Thanks exoskeleton!

Big ups to Noodles for locating this article... You are all unwittingly my research team!

Outside the Lines: Race

So, I was watching Outside the Lines on ESPN today and they were doing an episode about black quarterbacks and the struggles they face in the NFL. The piece was primarily focused on Donovan McNabb, who has been catching a lot of heat over the past few weeks.

It was a good show that raised a lot of good points. But, I don't really get the primary issue... What difference does the color of the man's skin make? Isn't the only important thing his performance on the field? And why in the hell did that guy from the NAACP call McNabb an Uncle Tom for trying to develop his passing game???
Perhaps my naivete is showing here... But I just don't get why any of this is being brought up. Perhaps I was lucky in having been raised by parents who emphasized the necessity of judging a person based upon their actions and their character and not their skin, or social class. Perhaps this is not a lucky thing. It seems like I've been doing it wrong.

I had no idea that McNabb, or Culpepper, or Vick were any different than Brady, or Manning, or Favre (that's for you, 8). These 6 QB's all have one thing in common... They are all VERY good at their jobs... What difference does their color make...

Now, understand... My eyes are not closed to the fact that there are many in white trash people in America who probably do not like black athletes in a position of leadership like QB. To them it threatens the idea that white folks are somehow inherently better than everyone else.
And there are many non-white people in this country that look up to these "minority" athletes. And rightly so. It's good that there are role models who look like Brady, and McNabb, and Tony Gonzalez, etc... More of our nations youth have some one to identify with that way.

But really, when it comes right down to it, does McNabb's color make him any more or less of a QB? His game, his record, his skills are what TRULY sets him apart from other players in the NFL... Don't they?
Like him or not, he is a very good QB. That he is black shouldn't make him more or less susceptible to criticism.

A very smart man once said that he had:
"...a dream of a land where men will not argue that the color of a man's skin determines the content of his character; a dream of a nation where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone, but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of the human personality."

If anyone is reading this, I would sure appreciate some insight. Oh yeah... Joey Harrington sucks no matter what color he is...

God Stuff: Sex

This is fantastic...
I love busting out the religious right on stupid ideas that they have (Bert and Ernie are gay, religion as a science, only teaching abstinence in sex ed, Santa doesn't exist)...
Normally, the church takes their most ridiculous stances on all things sexual. I'll be getting more into that on a post in the future. But for now, I came across this website about Sex in Christ.
It seems this site was created by some religious folks who wanted to clear the air about some things that would traditionally be considered sexual deviancy. The creators of this site are apparently a little more liberal than the leaders of the old school in religiondom.
Go here, and make sure you scroll down to the bottom of the page and check out the links to all the topics they address! Marvelous!!!

Christian Naughtiness

This picture has nothing to do with this post, I just thought it was funny...
Dig it!

Outback Bowl!!!

By the way... My Hawkeyes are making a trip to Tampa this year for the Outback Bowl on Jan. 2!!! This is a better bowl than I expected. Somehow the Hawks got picked over Michigan for this bowl. I think that may be a testament to the tradition that Kirk Ferentz is creating for the Hawkeyes. To be selected over Michigan, who has the same record, and beat Iowa this season, is truly amazing! Can't wait to see this game with the Gators!!! This should be an excellent matchup!

Go HAWKS!!!!!!

Hasselhoff II

It was brought to my attention that the picture I posted under the title of Hasselhoff was doctored. Here's the pic I posted there...

Notice the little fella's hands... They're black... And the guys face is white... Something is certainly amiss here... So, I hopped on the old Google and started searching for answers... The results were better than I could have imagined. The rumors were true. This photo is doctored, and the real little fella in the picture is none other than...

That's right!!! Gary Coleman! Good stuff...