Ever think about the revolutions in your life? The things that change, and change greatly, and then affect everything that comes after?
Boy, I do.
I’ll tell you a little one first, and then a big one, and then a maybe one.
The Little One
The little one – well, it might be a big one to you – is about music. Continue reading “First Person Revolutionary — Part 1”
I’ve thought for many years about why “otherwise intelligent” people can believe or say certain things that are demonstrably false. I mean, there are people who can look and sound as smart as anyone you know, but who don’t “get” certain things. Who WON’T get certain things.
For instance, you can know someone who is a fantastic organizer or salesman, someone who can get rich in running a business, handing every detail easily, but who can’t accept global warming, or evolution … even when you explain it.
This popped into my head this morning: Continue reading “Oh, Shit! — or — Why Things Are Always So Fucked Up”
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”
What better way to brainwash people than to stress them, exhaust them, force them to go without food and sleep? And THEN jump in with your message, the thing you want to force into their unresisting minds, when they’re at their most vulnerable?
I’m describing the brainwashing tactics of Stalin, or Mao Tse Tung, right?
No. I’m talking about U.S. Military chaplains. I’m talking about the brainwashing of U.S. soldiers to become Christians, and Christian evangelists. All of it paid for, by their own proud admission, by our government. Continue reading “Brainwashing, Jesus … and Fascistic Creep”
Okay, here’s where I shock and dismay many of you. The part where you’ll say “I don’t agree! My experience is different! You’re just wrong!”
But I want you to think about this. It’s something that’s bothered me for years and years, something I think matters — a little detail of compassion that few of us ever think about, but that disturbs me greatly. Continue reading “13: Blogathan for Secular Student Alliance!”
The End.
Except it’s not yet 2 p.m. is it? Seems my math, from my original promise to blog from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., was faulty. I figured on 12 posts, but that span of time actually requires 13.
While I’m thinking about that, look at this picture. It was taken right here in Upstate New York, near Schenectady. Click to embiggen. (BTW, there are more Hank Fox photos on my Flickr site.) Continue reading “12: Blogathan for Secular Student Alliance!”
Non-Readers
I have old friends in Texas who have never read a whole book in their entire lives. I’m not kidding. And it sort of horrifies me, you know?
I’m not whacking at them, particularly, but … the type. Continue reading “11: Blogathan for Secular Student Alliance!”
Note to a Young Atheist
If you’re on the journey of freethought and you’re “out” about it, in full view of your religious family and peers, it’s likely you’re going to go through a fairly rough road at some point. Continue reading “10: Blogathan for Secular Student Alliance!”
Bring Out Your Dead!
As you get older, there’s a catalog that starts to form in your head – the roster of your beloved dead.
I have Ranger the Valiant Warrior, Tito the Mighty Hunter, my old cowboy friend Tom and now my Dad, Dan Farris. And man, for me that’s a long list. Even one would be too much. Continue reading “9: Blogathan for Secular Student Alliance!”
Dad and Self Worth
I can definitely say that my dad, Dan Farris, helped teach me that I mattered.
That each of us individuals matter. No matter what other people say, you’re not nothing. Continue reading “8: Blogathan for Secular Student Alliance!”
