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No Secret Here: I’m Voting for Obama

Facebook friend Dave H. used the acronym “LMO” in a political comment earlier today. After I asked about it, he clarified: LMO stands for “Lord Messiah Obama.”

Ack. My reply went on for a bit as I explored how I felt about Obama, and other things. I’m reprinting it here because … well, I wanted the clarification to get a larger airing:

Re: Lord Messiah Obama

I don’t think Obama sees himself that way. I don’t think thoughtful people see him that way. Continue reading “No Secret Here: I’m Voting for Obama”

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Sociopaths in Paradise — Part 1

Back when I was in politics, one of the side effects of running for office was that I had a lot more people in my face.

If you’re used to your small private life, especially if you’re an introvert like me, you have no idea how much you treasure your time in your own home pursuits, until that time is threatened, or vanishes.

Give you an example: It’s years and years back, and I’m running for town council. This necessitates talking to a lot of people. Not in speeches or TV appearances, but just in everyday life. You’re rolling a grocery cart down the aisle of the supermarket, and people stop you to talk about politics. You’re standing in line at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription, same thing. You’re out on a job site, ditto. You’re riding a horse for recreation along a mountain trail, another rider approaches — bang, politics. Continue reading “Sociopaths in Paradise — Part 1”

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Oh, Jeez. Memorial Day.

Memorial Day. The Internet is ablaze with it. All the proper things are being said, all the good, right sentiments are being expressed.

Yes, we – and I include myself – love our war heroes. My adopted Dad was a medic in the Navy, my two brothers were in Vietnam, and I have plenty of friends whom I truly respect for their service. I see the memorials and the fields of crosses – I made a point of visiting the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC two of the times I was there – and I feel genuinely sad and angry about it all.

But since junior high school, I’ve had this thing for pep rallies. Or against them, I guess I should say. Because it worries me when people are driven together by the spur of strong emotions. It worries me even more when I can’t see who’s wearing the spurs. Continue reading “Oh, Jeez. Memorial Day.”

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Titty Baby: Gratuitously Insulting Political Poster

Forgive me if you don’t agree with the content or tone of the following. It’s in response to some things on Facebook this morning, a cutting reminder that — to me, at least — there’s a bigger picture in this election cycle.

(Of course, as is usual for me, it’s probably too long to be really effective. So if you hate it, content yourself that it will probably make no noticeable splash in the current political pool.)

Click here: TittyBaby

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Coincidence? I think NOT.

After Neil deGrasse Tyson posted a request on Facebook on Monday, asking for things he might say to President Obama on Tuesday …

I hardly ever ask questions on this wall, but I feel compelled: Tuesday I’ll be at the White House. If you had one sentence for the President, what would it be?

… and I replied on Monday with my ABCD by 2023 idea …

Mr. President, let’s amp up U.S. science education by devoting ourselves as a nation to an Apollo-type program in medicine: Launch “ABCD by 2023” to discover even more effective treatments – or cures! – for Alzheimer’s, Birth defects, Cancer, and Diabetes.

(As I explained: “Not only would it save millions of our loved ones, it would give education a shot in the arm. It would provide huge numbers of jobs. It would get America investing in itself again through advanced research. It would underscore the value of attracting and retaining bright young minds from all over the planet. And it would provide the major spin-off of a fantastic body of new knowledge.)

… Today — just one day after Tyson met with the president — the news carries this story:

HHS to Boost Alzheimer’s Research Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Obama administration plans to increase federal funding for Alzheimer’s disease research and caregiver support by more than 25 percent over the next two years, the Department of Health and Human Services announced today.

Man, when you’ve got an electrifying idea, things happen! It’s like President Obama LEAPED to the phone the instant the words were out of Tyson’s mouth.

God, I love making a difference.

And I’m sure the president will get to the BCD parts in the next few days. He’s probably easing his way into it.

And thanks, Neil, for listening.

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Neil deGrasse Tyson! Over Here!

Neil deGrasse Tyson asks for help on Facebook:

I hardly ever ask questions on this wall, but I feel compelled: Tuesday I’ll be at the White House. If you had one sentence for the President, what would it be?

My response was:

Mr. President, let’s amp up U.S. science education by devoting ourselves as a nation to an Apollo-type program in medicine: Launch “ABCD by 2023” to discover even more effective treatments – or cures! – for Alzheimer’s, Birth defects, Cancer, and Diabetes.

Such a visionary national project would appeal, for obvious reasons, to seniors, parents, children, and anybody who has ever lost a loved one, or feared losing a loved one, to any of these killers of body and mind.

Not only would it save millions of our loved ones …

It would give education a shot in the arm. It would provide huge numbers of jobs. It would get America investing in itself again through advanced research. It would underscore the value of attracting and retaining bright young minds from all over the planet. And it would provide the major spin-off of a fantastic body of new knowledge.

So yes, Neil, tell him THIS.

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“They Fucking Hate You”

You REALLY might want to read this: Via Balloon Juice, They Fucking Hate You

They fucking hate you. They want you, and everyone who speaks for you, and every institution that represents your values, whether it be Planned Parenthood or food banks or ACORN – you name it. They want it destroyed.

I just do not understand why more people do not recognize this. The Republicans have declared total war on America, and people are responding like this is politics as usual. It isn’t. It really isn’t. It’s really all or nothing at this point. We put the birchers/tea party/conservatives back in their place and destroy the current GOP, or we deal with this shit for the next forty-sixty years.

Click over and read the whole thing. It’s short, but seriously eye-opening.

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Shameless Attack on the Atheist Food Supply

KeeeRYST, now what?

It’s not enough that they want to keep us out of public office, or force us to touch Bibles in court, now they want to interfere with our tasty atheist snacks.

Oklahoma state senator Ralph Shortey (he of the snappy, cutting-edge web page) seems convinced that some food coming into his state contains portions of human fetuses. And he wants to ban it. He has introduced Senate Bill 1418, “An act relating to food; prohibiting the manufacture or sale of food or products which use aborted human fetuses …” Continue reading “Shameless Attack on the Atheist Food Supply”