This is not about the fucking pope.

[nolawitch58]

Boring chunk of domestic data: I got my thank-you cards for my wedding presents done today and will mail them tomorrow. A month isn't too horrible. I wrote nice things pertaining to each gift. I went to a wedding in December and still haven't gotten a thank-you card so I consider myself ahead of the game.

This week is shot to hell as far as getting anything done in the house. I'm spending time at mother-in-law's house making sure she takes her medicine after her surgery last week. I've been reading a lot and writing a bit to pass the time. I hate daytime TV so I don't watch anything while I'm there. I'd take the laptop, but all I have is Windblows loaded on that and I'm loathe to get going only to have it BSOD on me. I'm using a pencil and paper. Longhand is not the burden most people think it is. Transcribing my scribble-scratches may not be a picnic, but it's better than nothing.

I got a questionnaire from one of the conservative congresscritters from Louisiana. The questions were so horribly biased I had to write a letter explaining why I couldn't answer just yes or no to them. I mean really! "Do you support voluntary prayer in public schools?" Yes or no. If an individual wants to pray for a good grade (rather than study the way he or she is suppose to), I don't have a problem with it. I think the response they wanted to elicit was regarding group led prayers. Very wrong on so many levels. If you want to pray, you can do it individually or if you need to be in gangs to pray, do it at your church or home. These stupid fuckers never seem to get it.

The phone will shortly ring and I'll have to pick up my friend Nancy from class and take her home since her piece of shit car is continually on the fritz. At least it's a nice evening for a drive. The weather is stunningly beautiful. The air is cool and dry and I can hardly wait to get home and strip naked to enjoy the perfect temperature.

Comments

*sends positive vibes*

[ozdragonlady.livejournal.com]

Well done on the thank yous :)

[celticess.livejournal.com]

Why is prayer in schools still even an issue? Geez up here it's not done and hasn't been done since many many years ago. Only schools that have prayer are private religious schools. If kids want to be religious then can on their own time in their clubs or privately. It's not part of the school based stuff as they have to be religiously neutral(unless a private school). Probably many other countries run the same. Church butts out unless it's their school. *shrug*

It's still an issue because it's still not allowed.

[naruki-oni.livejournal.com]

The Cons will not rest until they have a Theocracy.

A large number of them are actually honest about this goal (look around the web for Dominionists).

A few are dishonest about this goal, pretending to cherish freedom "of" religion (which is supposed to include freedom _from_ religion).

But the vast majority are unwilling to examine too deeply the consequences of their support for the others. They like to believe that their "freedom of religion" is being denied because they can't have school prayers. They think only of the simple goal of being allowed to pray loudly in front of everyone.

They don't want to think about what happens once they've put their religion into every facet of society. They don't realize that freedom of religion will no longer exist.

We used to be the "land of the free". They are actively working against that ideal, all the while blaming everyone else for the decline of America.

Sometimes irony hurts everyone.

Can we bludgeon them with a tire irony?

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

That would be the only thing that would knock some sense into them...or kill them, whichever is most expedient to restoring freedom.

I'd love it if they would put aside their greed...

[naruki-oni.livejournal.com]

apathy, ignorance, hatred, bigotry, intolerance, etc.

But I'm pretty sure if it hasn't happened yet, it's not very likely.

Go ahead and LART them for freedom. ;-)

Re: It's still an issue because it's still not allowed.

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

Actually it is still an issue because it is still allowed in some places. There are public school that I know of in my state that still have prayer before ball games, graduation and awards ceremonies and other assembly type occasion.
Personally as a Christian, spare me the name calling, I think prayer in schools is a big mistake that will smack some self-righteous so called Christians upside the head. Consider, a school district that has become predominately Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan, whatever...doesn't matter, Let us just say non-christian and prayer in schools is the status quo. Who the heck do you think is going to scream bloody hell because "they ain't prayin' right".
So make your generalizations all you want about Christians and Conservatives but bear in mind they are simply not true. Sometimes they make you sound like an extremist.
Oh, yeah I own a gun and I am not a coward. Ask anyone that knows me. That said, sometimes irony does hurt everyone.

Once again reality bites you in the ass.

[thewrongcrowd.livejournal.com]

Here's a quote for you. "Our job is to reclaim America for Christ. Whatever the cost. As the vice regents of God, we are to exercise godly dominion and influence over our neighborhoods, our schools, our government, our literature and our arts, our sports arenas, our entertainment media, our news media, our scientific endeavors--in short over every aspect and institution of human society." -- D. James Kennedy at a February conference of neocons, the purpose of which was to develop a plan for placing extreme conservatives in judicial posts. In attendance? Tom DeLay.

It's about high time you so-called Christians and conservatives clean house, because these uber-conservative Christians are giving you a bad name.

Re: Once again reality bites you in the ass.

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

Reality has never bitten me in the ass. I am well aware of these issues and I do what I can within my scope of influence. Please, do not call me a so-called Christian, I know that youwould be people to be fair minded with you, I would appreciate the same courtesy. Just a request.

You don't like being called a "so-called Christian"?

[naruki-oni.livejournal.com]

Yet you have no problem saying that about others? Seems to me you are being a bit hypocritical there.

Your scope of influence obviously includes your online discussions. How often have you shown your disapproval of "these issues"? I don't recall seeing you speak out against those things, though that could just be my memory. Got linkage?

Re: You don't like being called a "so-called Christian"?

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

I was not calling one person a so-called Christian. That is the difference.

My postings in the last year or so has been sporadic until recently.
I have been having some health problems again and dealing with them takes up allot of my time and energy.

Neither was I.

[thewrongcrowd.livejournal.com]

I was refering to all of the Christians who feel obligated to distance themselves from the uglier members of their group. You are all Christians. Unfortunately for some, the behavior of the others is making it even clearer in the minds of those who aren't, that organized Christianity needs to disappear off the face of the earth.

Re: Neither was I.

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

OK, then I misunderstood. I wouldlike to add though that not only some organized Christianity should disappear but certain folks at the helm should disappear as well

Re: Once again reality bites you in the ass.

[celticess.livejournal.com]

Yes please reform american talk shows! j/k ;)

It's still an issue because it's still not allowed.

[naruki-oni.livejournal.com]

It's _done_ in some backwards places, but it's not allowed. Clearly I was speaking from the Cons' point of view (as I see it) about why it's still an issue. You were speaking from the Libs' point of view (as you see it). Since you are completely changing the POV, your "correction" was invalid.

spare me the name calling

Um, what name calling? I realize you want to start a fight, but you should at least stick to what I actually said if you want to look mature.

You calling other Christians "so called Christians" is verging on name calling, but that was _your_ comment. Not mine.

Which generalizations are "simply not true", and how do you prove that assertion?

Ah, reading your last paragraph I see that you are dragging stuff from one entry into another unrelated one. That's bad form, lab_rat. If you want to comment about the things discussed there, go there to do it. Don't confuse this thread.

Re: It's still an issue because it's still not allowed.

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

It is done, so it is allowed "in fact". That is all I was saying.
So we are both correct. It is still an issue for both of these reasons. You can disagree, that is your right.

I do not want to pick a fight. I just know in the past you have called people names.

My use of so-called Christians was in a broad sense not aimed at any one person.

You do often make generalizations of Christians and Conservatives. I just need to read your past comments to know that.

As far as my last paragraph being "bad form", maybe so.
Is "bad form" in lj really going to upset me? Not at all. I try not to sweat the small stuff.

Spare me your name calling.

[naruki-oni.livejournal.com]

I know in the past you have done so, and since that's all that matters, I have the right to be offended each and every time you speak.

Sounds pretty stupid when someone else says it, right? Don't worry, name calling is just small stuff. Unlike deliberately confusing a discussion by bringing in unrelated comments. That's a serious impediment to having a rational discussion.

So don't sweat it, titmouse.

Re: Spare me your name calling.

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

You are correct, it does sound silly.
Any name calling on my part was indeed wrong and uncalled for. For that, if I offended you I am sorry.

I won't sweat it. I have been called far more nasty and hurtful things.
Let's see, I have been called crip, cripple, spaz, spazoid, gimpy, little crooked girl...and others with words I prefer not to use.
Fire away. You are going to have to do much better than titmouse.

Not interested.

[naruki-oni.livejournal.com]

When you make offensively illogical arguments, I may get excited at the prospect of trying to insult you. I just hope you put more thought into it than wtftard. He's like a little brother that even your parents want you to kill.

Re: Not interested.

[wtfunkymonkey.livejournal.com]

better a 'little brother' than a mindless self hating lesbian like yourself.
seriously, you might just want to get the fuck over yourself.

See, lab_rat?

[naruki-oni.livejournal.com]

This is the kind of retarded logic you'd have to spew to make me want to insult you.

Sadly, wtftard is not even capable of understanding the insults, let alone the fact that he's been insulted. So it's not really worth bothering unless I'm just bored.

Re: See, lab_rat?

[wtfunkymonkey.livejournal.com]

Riiight, you’re so much smarter than I am o stupid comparatively that I am unable to know when I'm being insulted.

Seriously, you are monstrously deluded kiddo.
You happen to be the stupidest person I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. I've met some real hammers too, you just happen to take the cake due to your willful ignorance.

LOL!

[naruki-oni.livejournal.com]

I love the smell of irony in the evening.

Not allowed so much as flaunted.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Not too long ago, a judge told Tangipahoa, or was it St. Tammany, to stop doing the prayers and they have flouted the judicial ruling by continuing to pray anyway. That is not the way America should work. Yet these yahoos not too far from here probably consider themselves good Americans. They are not.

The Founders put a certain structure in place called the Constitution to make this country as egalitarian as possible. I do not mind if people hold their scriptures above the law in their own personal lives, but it's wrong to do so from a Constitutional standpoint and require that everyone else accept their religion in secular settings.

You have made the point of why prayer shouldn't be in school by using the example of a school district that becomes predominantly Muslim, etc. Prayers to Allah would not be respectful of the Christian children in the same way that Christian prayers are not respectful of the Muslim or other religious children. Why don't you get behind what's right here?

Re: Not allowed so much as flaunted.

[celticess.livejournal.com]

Isn't it intresting that america's forefathers were themselves religious but tried to keep their own personal religious views out of their founding papers/views? Interesting how many politicians or whatever don't seem to respect that or the fact the US is a melting pot so therefore it's roots are in a mix of many cultures and beliefs.

That escapes the current crop of hypocrites.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

They obstinately don't get it that if the Founders had wanted religion and government intermingled, they wouldn't have prohibited it in the First Amendment. UnAmerican jerks is what the neocons are. They want the country to recognized the lily white, Christians and fuck everybody else.

Re: That escapes the current crop of hypocrites.

[celticess.livejournal.com]

Hmm you know something though about christianities? I find it puzzling that they are calling themselves in some cases "christian religion" because they seem to follow things that weren't what their leader said. Jesus was a hippie. He preached tolerance and love and hung with prostitutes and downtrodden. Now often those groups are looked down upon. And rules that predated Jesus are sometimes cited for peoples views that way. I'd of thought what he said would of been their docratine and predating stuff wouldn't of had much relevance other than the fact he was a jew. *shrug* I know some very nice christians by the way but I also know some very close minded ones that based on what I've heard on Jesus would of made his jaw drop with their treatment of others.

Re: Not allowed so much as flaunted.

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

Absolutely, I do not know these people in Tangipahoa as I have been out of the political arena for quite some time. But, you are correct they flaunt it.

And yes, you are correct. I should get back into at least letter writing. That I can do.

Re: It's still an issue because it's still not allowed.

[celticess.livejournal.com]

How odd. We don't pray for any of those things at general community gatherings. There are religious festivals and I'm sure people pray at those but they also tend to be cultural festivals so many don't. A recient one was the big Siek festival celebrating one of it's major holidays. They had music(some of it was the modern stuff which is quite good kinda Tavin Singh), dancing, free food, venders, etc. Here at sporting events the only community ritual if you will is that they tend to sing the anthem of the teams involved and that's pretty much it. Oddly when prayer was removed from school nobody made that big of a deal except those that had their children often in private school anyways. Private schools still can also practice some corporal punishment and that was done away with about the time prayer was in school. I have no problems with people wish to pray or not I just don't feel I should have to do it nor others who don't wish to. The kids that wish to do usually at home, at clubs of religious nature, or quietly and privately. If people ask what they are doing it's usually answered matter of factly and not made a big deal of.(just curiousity on one persons part and matter of fact answering on the others)

Not Cons, Neo-Cons.

[bloodyviking.livejournal.com]

I still consider myself a conservative, but as an agnostic and a logical person, I have nothing but contempt for those Neo-Con morons and their theocratic dreams.

Yay!

[thewrongcrowd.livejournal.com]

I think that if all the logical folks, conservative and liberal (to apply poor labels), would get together and form their own party, we might get somewhere. ... Well, we might at least have a good time. :)

Re: It's still an issue because it's still not allowed.

[celticess.livejournal.com]

Hmmm I wonder why they can't accept the other places in the world that have no prayer in school, fine religious freedom and freedom from religion. If they keep pressuring everyone to pray soon it will be everyone must pray their way with their bible. Eventually they could end up as fundamentalist/radical as those they complain about in middle east. :(

Eventually?

[thewrongcrowd.livejournal.com]

The neocon right-wingnuts are already the equivalents of the fundamentalist radicals in the Middle East.

Both believe that their version of a god is the only correct one and that their god has dictated a godly kingdom here on earth. Both will enforce their religious views made law to the point of killing those who don't conform. Both consider women chattel, to be seen and not heard, to work like dogs in the home and provide offspring. The one difference that I can see is that the fundamentalist Christian believes they have a biblical mandate to convert heathens (and anyone who doesn't believe the way they do is a heathen). I'm not aware of a similar evangelical requirement in Islam, and none of the Muslims I've known have ever mentioned it.

The fundamentalist Christian cannot live and let live, because of their view of a wrathful god. They honestly believe that their god will destroy them along with sinners should they not be successful in converting the whole lot of us.

[gillianboardman.livejournal.com]

Thank you for not writing about the pope. I never knew athiests cared so much about an archaic institution's head. yawn.

The weather here has been beautiful also. Makes it hard to go to my classes.

don't get me started

[flat-lander.livejournal.com]

I'll rant about 1st Amendment issues

Re: don't get me started

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Rant away, baby. You have friends in this journal.

Spin doctors in high places

[sparkyr.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, when your reply isn't in the format they send you, they eliminate your input. Makes it easier to skew the results to show what they want that way. Make a questionaire with loaded questions, and you get a loaded answer! Yay! And it's democratic too. **drips sarcasm into keyboard**

[nin-wife.livejournal.com]

Technically, you are allowed up to one year to get all your thank you cards out. After that you are officially considered rude (according to Emily Post).

I suppose some of Jason's kin think we are rude. There were some people that didn't get cards because we were too caught up in packing stuff for our move.

Did you have the gift that was challenging to find something nice to write about? I had at least 2 or 3 that I had to make up some little white lies, and at least one that I wasn't even sure what it was.

Actually, we got cool stuff all around.

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Not a single insincere word was inked regarding the niftiness of the giftiness. Of course, my pals are fully aware of my proclivities and wouldn't be forthcoming with any lamer gifts.

I printed a copy of my mailing list database and made notes next to each name whilst I opened the presents so I wouldn't have to try to remember. The whole wedding cost less than $1,000 inclusive of everything. I think it was $800 and something.

Your "thank you cards"

[lab-rattus.livejournal.com]

My dearly departed Grammy, may she RIP wold have been impressed.
Good job! If I had fresh sugar cookies ou would get a dozen. Then you would have to write me a thank you note.Thank you notes in my family were required. That is OK I still practice that nicety today.

Gotta run to the gym.

The pope fucks?

[breeze-block.livejournal.com]

And there was me thinking you had to stay celibate to get that gig! Ya learn something new every day! ;o)

Well done on the cards. It took us about 6 months to finally remember who brought what and thank them.

Put linux on the laptop! You've done it before and know what to expect. I recommend Ubuntu (or unga-bunga as my youngest daughter calls it). Nice simple and clean install and you end up with a Gnome-based GUI

It makes me angry to read that there have had to have been *laws* passed to prevent indoctrination in schools in the US. The kids over here get a taster into the theology of the "big three" plus some teachings of other religions throughout the world (unless they attend religion-based schools such as RC). When I was at school we used to sing hymns at assembly. That went out of the window with the huge influx of muslims into the area who's parents complained quite rightly that their kids had their own religion thank you very much and having them come home singing "onward christian soldiers" was bang out of order. I believe that faith is such an abstract concept that it should not be taught until a person reaches adulthood and (at least in theory) has a chance to reason it out for themselves. Indoctrinating schoolkids who's minds are still being shaped seems sick.

Stripping naked over here aint such a good idea ATM - it's still too bloody cold! However the warmer months are approaching and I will soon be able to show my arse and scare the neighbours again :o)

Re: The pope fucks?

[nolawitch.livejournal.com]

Actually, I was sick shitless of all the fucking coverage of the fucking pope. Perhaps I should have said the fuckless pope.

If I load Linux on my laptop, it will probably be Mandrake since that's the distro I'm using on all my other machines. I might venture into Ubuntu eventually. For now, I'm really liking Mandrake a lot.

[ozanbaba.livejournal.com]

when are you going to marry ?