Why I like Christians
Sometimes, the Evangelical, far-right Christians make a mistake and let the voice of reason through. This inspiring article on thoughts about death are the moral guidance that I am looking for. Interestingly, nothing that Dr. Rudd says is justified by the argument of "it's in the Bible, so it must be true".
03.25.05 @ 04:46 AM CST [link] [No Comments]

Christians: it's my God-given right to discriminate!
The Alpha Iota Omega (AIO) fraternity at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), a Christian fraternity, brought a civil suit so that they can keep non-Christians out of their fraternity (they refused to sign the university's "nondiscrimination" clause, which the school requires before financially subsidising the fraternity and providing additional campus benefits.) A Christian legal fund, the Alliance Defense Fund, took up the cause.

Remember the censoring of the United Church of Christ for showing an ad that showed a church excluding people from coming in? The Christians were offended and said it wasn't true (at least R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Brian did. Apparently, hypococritical Christians abound.
posted on {{weekdayshort}}, 03.08.05 @ 06:55 AM CST [more..] [No Comments]

Republicans for smaller government, except ...
Last night on Hannity & Colmes. they "interviewed" Paul Porter from KISS-FM who was "fired" from his job for refusing to play offensive rap music (KISS is a rap station.) The radio station is owned by media conglomerate Emmis Communications. The gist was, of course, that the "morality" aspect of the Republican party wants the FCC, which I must point out is a government agency solely supported by our tax dollars (a fact apparently lost on the Republicans who drone on and on about how the government is too big and that the free market will solve all of society's problems), to do something about it. The Republicans believe that government intervention is required to prohibit songs with four-letter words from being played on FM radio, but no intervention is required to reduce pollution in our cities, provide adequate health care to employed workers, or to prevent the extinction of the Spotted Owl.
03.08.05 @ 06:37 AM CST [link] [4 Comments]

Republicans & Rich People: lower their taxes!
Texas Republicans introduced a bill to raise sales tax (a regressive tax that hurts poor people) so that property taxes can be lowered. The sales tax in Houston would increase from 8.25% to 9.2% while the property taxes would be cut by 33%. This legislation is supposed to raise additional funds, too. For me (a rich person), the sales tax that I pay will increase about $200/year, while my property taxes will fall about $1500/year. Thanks to all you poor people who will have to make up the extra $1300 a year! (Honestly, this make my stomach turn: but you elected them!)
03.03.05 @ 01:00 PM CST [link] [2 Comments]

Republicans & Bankruptcy: Kick 'em when they're down
Good news for the Republicans: if you're a normal citizen and you ever have a major medical problem or other severe financial problem, your chances of ever getting out of debt are going to be pretty slim. Yes, the "Compassionate" party has introduced legislation so that you have to pay off your credit card debt (amongst other things) when you declare bankruptcy. If anyone would like to explain to me how this helps a normal citizen (as opposed to the obvious benefits to the credit card companies), then feel free to add a comment. Let's not forget that every day you probably receive two or more advertisements to get a new credit card - why not a little "business responsibility" and just let credit card companies stop giving credit to people who may declare bankruptcy? How about if they actually deny charges when you go over your limit (instead of allow it, and then tack on a $39 surcharge)?
posted on {{weekdayshort}}, 03.03.05 @ 12:50 PM CST [more..] [2 Comments]