Rampant Materialism?

So, the pope has called for the season of Christmas to be separated from 'Rampant Materialism' By that, I assume he means giving gifts to people, frivolous things like prada loafers or expensive robes. Nope, that sort of thing is wrong! Wrong! Wrong! Of course it's understandable why he would think that, considering the leader of the Catholic Church is following the example of Jesus, living in a shack and working in a dingy office with a tiny budget so that the poor can receive all the benefits from contributions to the church.
Another hypocritical religious leader. Do as I say, not as I do.

Merry F***ing Holidays!

So, the most pressing concern for fundamentalist Christians in these United States isn't a war that is immoral, people dislocated by hurricanes, poverty, racism, torture, a government who is more concerned about rich people than poor people or even keeping churches open on holy days.

Nope.

I guess priority one is people who are going around saying 'Happy Holidays' instead of 'Merry Christmas'. Wow. How scary! What a terrible thing to do to our poor children! Who gives a shit if they starve, don't get a decent education or end up as cannon fodder so George can look like a tough guy and enrich his friends in the oil industry? This is CHRISTMAS damn it! This is IMPORTANT! The whole religion of Christianity rides on the number of people who say 'Merry Christmas'. I'm not really sure what the target number is, but apparently we aren't reaching it. Buncha commie, atheist slackers! Dire consequences await! Armageddon! Destruction! Wanton pillaging! Oh, wait, strike that-see the paragraph above about who the government favors. Horrible, evil things will come to pass if we acknowledge the existence of Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, or any other non-majority religion (at least non-majority in THIS country). By gosh it's a veritable attack on right-thinking, God-fearing Christians that people who don't share their faith aren't kicked to the curb in this season of love, tolerance and happiness.
Like many people in this country I went to a Christian church, including Sunday school when I was a kid. I was taught that Jesus taught love and compassion. I'm pretty sure I even read parts of the Bible that reinforced that apparently errant belief. Obviously I was mistaken. The TRUE practitioners of Christianity play by different rules I guess. For some reason I don't picture Jesus and his disciples living in multi-million dollar mansions or advocating the wiping out of people who don't agree with them. I have a hard time picturing Matthew, Mark Luke, John or Peter diverting contributions from good-hearted people that are supposed to go to help the poor into funding a diamond mine and propping up dictators.

I don't recall Jesus saying anything sounding like people who disagreed with you are scum. I was under the distinct impression that this judging thing was best left up to God.

But that's just me.

How macho am I?

Not especially I guess...
Androgynous
You scored 73 masculinity and 63 femininity! You scored high on both masculinity and femininity. You have a strong personality exhibiting characteristics of both traditional sex roles.

My test tracked 2 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 86% on masculinity You scored higher than 64% on femininity

Link: The Bem Sex Role Inventory Test written by weirdscience on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

All you need to know...

About the integrity of our fearless war promoter and current World Bank flunky, via ThinkProgress. There goes another big chunk of the glacier! Who says GOPal warming is a myth?

Why do I picture a glacier?

With huge chunks of ice breaking off.. falling into the sea to melt away? Majestic! Self destruction... things are getting a bit too warm for the Republicans I guess.

Scanner broke...

Not that anyone is reading them or anything, but new cartoons will be available as soon as I can get them up. Happy Birthday to me! Buy me a scanner! Or a graphics tablet (drawing with a mouse is a pain) ! LOL

This'll fly!

David Broder on a Democratic initiative that sounds pretty good! I'm sure the Republicans will see the value of this and vote accordingly. *snort!*

How's that going Bill?

Just wondering what's up with our friendly neighborhood terrorist sympathizer. Oh! the War on Minority Religions, oops! I mean Christmas...

Hey guys! Practice, practice, practice...

And maybe you won't have to settle for cartoon bunnies...

And here I was worried about racoons...

Bear Hibernates Under Porch

Woodward!

Meet the new Bob, not quite the same as the old Bob....

The 'Newstron Bomb'

Cheney Press Conference

Since everyone else is doing it...

These are the top 100 songs from the year I graduated. Eek. 1979 seems like a whole different century already! Anyway, the ones I liked are bold, the ones I really liked are bold AND italicized. Good thing I don't use my real name since I'm being honest about what I liked then!

1. My Sharona, The Knack
2. Bad Girls, Donna Summer
3. Le Freak, Chic
4. Da Ya Think I'm Sexy, Rod Stewart
5. Reunited, Peaches and Herb
6. I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor
7. Hot Stuff, Donna Summer
8. Y.M.C.A., Village People
9. Ring My Bell, Anita Ward
10. Sad Eyes, Robert John
11. Too Much Heaven, Bee Gees
12. MacArthur Park, Donna Summer
13. When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman, Dr. Hook
14. Makin' It, David Naughton
15. Fire, Pointer Sisters
16. Tragedy, Bee Gees
17. A Little More Love, Olivia Newton-John
18. Heart Of Glass, Blondie
19. What A Fool Believes, Doobie Brothers
20. Good Times, Chic
21. You Don't Bring Me Flowers, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond
22. Knock On Wood, Amii Stewart
23. Stumblin' In, Suzi Quatro and Chris Norman
24. Lead Me On, Maxine Nightingale
25. Shake Your Body, Jacksons
26. Don't Cry Out Loud, Melissa Manchester
27. The Logical Song, Supertramp
28. My Life, Billy Joel
29. Just When I Needed You Most, Randy Vanwarmer
30. You Can't Change That, Raydio
31. Shake Your Groove Thing, Peaches and Herb
32. I'll Never Love This Way Again, Dionne Warwick
33. Love You Inside Out, Bee Gees
34. I Want You To Want Me, Cheap Trick
35. The Main Event (Fight), Barbra Streisand
36. Mama Can't Buy You Love, Elton John
37. I Was Made For Dancin', Leif Garrett
38. After The Love Has Gone, Earth, Wind and Fire
39. Heaven Knows, Donna Summer and Brooklyn Dreams
40. The Gambler, Kenny Rogers
41. Lotta Love, Nicolette Larson
42. Lady, Little River Band
43. Heaven Must Have Sent You, Bonnie Pointer
44. Hold The Line, Toto
45. He's The Greatest Dancer, Sister Sledge
46. Sharing The Night Together, Dr. Hook
47. She Believes In Me, Kenny Rogers
48. In The Navy, Village People
49. Music Box Dancer, Frank Mills
50. The Devil Went Down To Georgia, Charlie Daniels Band
51. Gold, John Stewart
52. Goodnight Tonight, Wings
53. We Are Family, Sister Sledge
54. Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy, Bad Company
55. Every 1's A Winner, Hot Chocolate
56. Take Me Home, Cher
57. Boogie Wonderland, Earth, Wind and Fire
58. (Our Love) Don't Throw It All Away, Andy Gibb
59. What You Won't Do For Love, Bobby Caldwell
60. New York Groove, Ace Frehley
61. Sultans Of Swing, Dire Straits
62. I Want Your Love, Chic
63. Chuck E's In Love, Rickie Lee Jones
64. I Love The Night Life, Alicia Bridges
65. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now, McFadden and Whitehead
66. Lonesome Loser, Little River Band
67. Renegade, Styx
68. Love Is The Answer, England Dan and John Ford Coley
69. Got To Be Real, Cheryl Lynn
70. Born To Be Alive, Patrick Hernandez
71. Shine A Little Love, Electric Light Orchestra
72. I Just Fall In Love Again, Anne Murray
73. Shake It, Ian Matthews
74. I Was Made For Lovin' You, Kiss
75. I Just Wanna Stop, Gino Vannelli
76. Disco Nights, G.Q.
77. Ooh Baby Baby, Linda Ronstadt
78. September, Earth, Wind and Fire
79. Time Passages, Al Stewart
80. Rise, Herb Alpert
81. Don't Bring Me Down, Electric Light Orchestra
82. Promises, Eric Clapton
83. Get Used To It, Roger Voudouris
84. How Much I Feel, Ambrosia
85. Suspicions, Eddie Rabbitt
86. You Take My Breath Away, Rex Smith
87. How You Gonna See Me Now, Alice Cooper
88. Double Vision, Foreigner
89. Every Time I Think Of You, Babys
90. I Got My Mind Made Up, Instant Funk
91. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough, Michael Jackson
92. Bad Case Of Lovin' You, Robert Palmer
93. Somewhere In The Night, Barry Manilow
94. We've Got Tonite, Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band
95. Dance The Night Away, Van Halen
96. Dancing Shoes, Nigel Olsson
97. The Boss, Diana Ross
98. Sail On, Commodores
99. I Do Love You, G.Q.
100. Strange Way, Firefall

Just got back..

I know, it's been a while since I blogged. I have an excuse though! I went to Jolly Old England for two weeks and started a new job. England was great, the job is so-so. I'll be back soon.

For everyone who believes Creation is a fantasy...

Check out a short history of humans at Unscrewing the Inscrutable. Lots O' good science there too. Click Here

Arnold the Crime Fighting Pig has passed on...

In honor of his passing I declare a bacon free day, although his owners may be planning a free bacon day. Story here: Bye Arnie.

Beginning Post

Hi everyone... or anyone more likely. Just decided to start a blog. Mainly just random thoughts, whatever happens to strike my fancy on any given day. Hopefully funny, pointing out the inanity of life in these United States, specifically Illinois! Hope you enjoy, if not there are about a billion other blogs to browse! Have a good one.