Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Someone asked me the other day (ok it was earlier today) why it was that God would give us such a powerful brain but we only use a part of it.
That got me to thinking... If God or evolution designed us to have this specific brain at this specific time is it not possible that science simply does not know how to measure the full functionality of our brains? Currently brain activity is measured in the same way that you measure electricity flowing through your home. You just kind of plug in and look for activity; but what if there is activity in other parts of the brain that simply does not work in a way that appears on these tests? What if the brain has parts that function on a different level or through a different system?
For example, if you turn on a sink in your home and measure for the flow of electricity you will not notice a difference (unless it is the hot water and you have an electric instant hot system). So even though you have a system that is fully functional the test you are using to check for activity in your home does not see it. Why couldn't the same be said about the brain?
It just doesn't make sense that so much was given to us (no matter if it was through evolution or intelligent design) that we don't take advantage of it. Perhaps we are and science simply cannot explain how.
That got me to thinking... If God or evolution designed us to have this specific brain at this specific time is it not possible that science simply does not know how to measure the full functionality of our brains? Currently brain activity is measured in the same way that you measure electricity flowing through your home. You just kind of plug in and look for activity; but what if there is activity in other parts of the brain that simply does not work in a way that appears on these tests? What if the brain has parts that function on a different level or through a different system?
For example, if you turn on a sink in your home and measure for the flow of electricity you will not notice a difference (unless it is the hot water and you have an electric instant hot system). So even though you have a system that is fully functional the test you are using to check for activity in your home does not see it. Why couldn't the same be said about the brain?
It just doesn't make sense that so much was given to us (no matter if it was through evolution or intelligent design) that we don't take advantage of it. Perhaps we are and science simply cannot explain how.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
So Obama has become the next president of the United States; and the question that runs though my head is... Did we vote for the best candidate or did we vote for change? What is more visible as a change from Bush than Obama? First, at the very base level it would be easy to tell them apart. Second, Obama is much more eloquent, along the lines of Clinton!
Unlike Clinton, Obama has a much tougher road to follow, he is inheriting a war in Iraq that he will never be able to fully exit the US from, he is getting an economy that has fallen apart, and he is facing a country where people have lost their jobs, their homes, and all they have is hope in him.
What happens when he fails to come through on his promises? If you go back and listen to his speech he said that the road will be tough, we will not accomplish these things without hard work, it could take years, even beyond his first term (if there is a second). Oh, and Obama even has to deal with the resurgence of the Soviet Union as they start to move nukes into Poland.
So Obama has a lot to face. He is a dynamic leader and has a great ability to inspire people, he might have the strength to help bring the US through these events but he is going to have to be a centrist and restrict the actions of the more liberal members of congress. Don't be surprised if we start drilling for oil in Alaska while passing laws to demand more clean energy. Don't be surprised when there is a hold on changing the tax laws, and eventually the government is going to have to come up with some cash so the taxes will have to increase somewhere.
Healthcare and economy will likely be his first priority while working towards REDUCING the number of troops in Iraq (which was what Bush was doing). We should not forget that we still have troops in Germany... GERMANY!!! There will always be troops in Iraq unless they kick us out.
Don't expect Obama to be the messiah to the left. Remember, a lot of people felt that Bush was appointed by God too. Bush and Obama are both men, they are bound to make mistakes, they have failed, they will fail again. In the end we should hope for an improvement in education, healthcare, and a better focus on the environment. The economy will come around, and the troops will leave Iraq (well, most of them). There will always be someone that hates the US and thus terrorism will continue. Reality is somewhere between the green party and the constitutionalists. Hopefully Obama can find it.
Unlike Clinton, Obama has a much tougher road to follow, he is inheriting a war in Iraq that he will never be able to fully exit the US from, he is getting an economy that has fallen apart, and he is facing a country where people have lost their jobs, their homes, and all they have is hope in him.
What happens when he fails to come through on his promises? If you go back and listen to his speech he said that the road will be tough, we will not accomplish these things without hard work, it could take years, even beyond his first term (if there is a second). Oh, and Obama even has to deal with the resurgence of the Soviet Union as they start to move nukes into Poland.
So Obama has a lot to face. He is a dynamic leader and has a great ability to inspire people, he might have the strength to help bring the US through these events but he is going to have to be a centrist and restrict the actions of the more liberal members of congress. Don't be surprised if we start drilling for oil in Alaska while passing laws to demand more clean energy. Don't be surprised when there is a hold on changing the tax laws, and eventually the government is going to have to come up with some cash so the taxes will have to increase somewhere.
Healthcare and economy will likely be his first priority while working towards REDUCING the number of troops in Iraq (which was what Bush was doing). We should not forget that we still have troops in Germany... GERMANY!!! There will always be troops in Iraq unless they kick us out.
Don't expect Obama to be the messiah to the left. Remember, a lot of people felt that Bush was appointed by God too. Bush and Obama are both men, they are bound to make mistakes, they have failed, they will fail again. In the end we should hope for an improvement in education, healthcare, and a better focus on the environment. The economy will come around, and the troops will leave Iraq (well, most of them). There will always be someone that hates the US and thus terrorism will continue. Reality is somewhere between the green party and the constitutionalists. Hopefully Obama can find it.
California, the same state that brought us "Who Wants to Marry a Millionaire," "... a Multi-Millionaire," "The Bachelor, "The Bachelorette," and so many other fine shows that demonstrate the importance of marriage in our society has passed proposition 8 to ban gay marriage because of the effect it would have on society!
If you visit http://www.protectmarriage.com/ you can view their video where they point out that:
Students in one classroom in one school in Massachusetts were read the story of a prince who marries a prince and the fact that Catholic Charities closed its doors there because they refused to allow same sex couples to adopt babies as their reasons behind the ban.
First, the charity certainly has its right to decide who they want to let adopt children, it should be governed by their rules not by the state's rules. There are plenty of other places where people can adopt it does not have to be a church run group. However, if the church was actually interested in the best care of the child weighing the option of keeping the child in an orphanage or in a same sex couple home... well... I imagine the child would be better off with two parents who wanted to be with him or her, no matter what the sex of the couple. I do, however respect the church's right to their belief.
As for the school, if they cannot teach creationism then I can't really agree with them reading a story supporting another controversial issue. However, if it was a onetime event then I do not see why it is so horrible. Parents can take the responsibility to explain to their children that some people have different ideas and beliefs. Perhaps this could be done during the time that these kids usually spend watching TV... I mean we are the most obese country in the world, perhaps taking the chance to get involved in your child's life and getting them away from the TV is the way to share your values over those that school and California are introducing.
The other day Logan said she was going to vote for McCain in her school's election. I asked "Why do you want to vote for him?" Later she came home and said she had voted for Obama, my wife said "Good." I asked "Why did you vote for Obama?"
Unfortunately she is in first grade and the concept of the election and the ideas behind both men is probably far too complex for her to grasp; but I felt it was important for her to ask "why" and not impress her with my own beliefs. I have not told her who I voted for because I want her to listen to what I say about the world around her and help her form her own ideas and opinions based on what she learns at school, what she learns from friends, and what I teach her. That way she can be more of herself then just a copy of who my wife and I are.
She, of course, will be affected by the actions I take and those of my wife so along the way our beliefs will have become the base for her own. If this election has taught us nothing else, it is that anyone can be president and that was one of the ideas that our founding fathers wanted.
I want my girls to believe that they can do it... whatever it is.
So, on the same base, if we look at the idea that gay marriage will destroy family values (because let’s face it America, we long ago destroyed the sanctity of marriage) I cannot find a way that allowing gay people to get married, teaching about it in school, will affect my children’s values. The only thing it could do is help them to see that people are different and that we need to respect their ideas, their dreams, and their hopes.
The ban on gay marriage simply does not make sense to me, parents should not be afraid of their children learning, they should embrace it and take the time to be involved in their children's lives and help them to understand these things, even if they are not things you agree with.
However, California has spoken and I hope that this change helps them to make their children stronger, more rounded individuals, who are not afraid to express their opinions while valuing the ideas of others.
If you visit http://www.protectmarriage.com/ you can view their video where they point out that:
Students in one classroom in one school in Massachusetts were read the story of a prince who marries a prince and the fact that Catholic Charities closed its doors there because they refused to allow same sex couples to adopt babies as their reasons behind the ban.
First, the charity certainly has its right to decide who they want to let adopt children, it should be governed by their rules not by the state's rules. There are plenty of other places where people can adopt it does not have to be a church run group. However, if the church was actually interested in the best care of the child weighing the option of keeping the child in an orphanage or in a same sex couple home... well... I imagine the child would be better off with two parents who wanted to be with him or her, no matter what the sex of the couple. I do, however respect the church's right to their belief.
As for the school, if they cannot teach creationism then I can't really agree with them reading a story supporting another controversial issue. However, if it was a onetime event then I do not see why it is so horrible. Parents can take the responsibility to explain to their children that some people have different ideas and beliefs. Perhaps this could be done during the time that these kids usually spend watching TV... I mean we are the most obese country in the world, perhaps taking the chance to get involved in your child's life and getting them away from the TV is the way to share your values over those that school and California are introducing.
The other day Logan said she was going to vote for McCain in her school's election. I asked "Why do you want to vote for him?" Later she came home and said she had voted for Obama, my wife said "Good." I asked "Why did you vote for Obama?"
Unfortunately she is in first grade and the concept of the election and the ideas behind both men is probably far too complex for her to grasp; but I felt it was important for her to ask "why" and not impress her with my own beliefs. I have not told her who I voted for because I want her to listen to what I say about the world around her and help her form her own ideas and opinions based on what she learns at school, what she learns from friends, and what I teach her. That way she can be more of herself then just a copy of who my wife and I are.
She, of course, will be affected by the actions I take and those of my wife so along the way our beliefs will have become the base for her own. If this election has taught us nothing else, it is that anyone can be president and that was one of the ideas that our founding fathers wanted.
I want my girls to believe that they can do it... whatever it is.
So, on the same base, if we look at the idea that gay marriage will destroy family values (because let’s face it America, we long ago destroyed the sanctity of marriage) I cannot find a way that allowing gay people to get married, teaching about it in school, will affect my children’s values. The only thing it could do is help them to see that people are different and that we need to respect their ideas, their dreams, and their hopes.
The ban on gay marriage simply does not make sense to me, parents should not be afraid of their children learning, they should embrace it and take the time to be involved in their children's lives and help them to understand these things, even if they are not things you agree with.
However, California has spoken and I hope that this change helps them to make their children stronger, more rounded individuals, who are not afraid to express their opinions while valuing the ideas of others.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Friday, October 03, 2008
The other day I went to the Ani Defranco concernt; where I got to enjoy listening to people cheer for Obama knowing that at least 1/3 of the room would probably not vote for whatever reason. Its funny to think that people can have such a clear cut opinion while the only way to actually get any change is by the people to take action.
It is easy to blame the goverment for the way things have become; but it is not their fault. The people in the goverment are just looking out for their own needs, nothing different than most people would do (don't you want to take care of your family first?). Until the people take action, the goverment will continue to draw power and increase their own wealth. Excpecting them to police themselves is foolish.
However, the best part of the concert was not the concert itself, although Ani can work the stage for sure. The best part occured as I was standing watching the concert. I hear (and feel) a "WHOOMP" and look over to my left. There on the floor is a woman who has fallen on a wet spot on the floor. A few people come over and help her up, then they go back about their business. About 15-20 seconds after she is picked up I hear "WHOOMP" again. The same woman has fallen in the same spot. I look at her; and turn back to watch concert.
Anyone dumb enough to fall in the same spot twice in under 30 seconds should just stay on the ground.
It is easy to blame the goverment for the way things have become; but it is not their fault. The people in the goverment are just looking out for their own needs, nothing different than most people would do (don't you want to take care of your family first?). Until the people take action, the goverment will continue to draw power and increase their own wealth. Excpecting them to police themselves is foolish.
However, the best part of the concert was not the concert itself, although Ani can work the stage for sure. The best part occured as I was standing watching the concert. I hear (and feel) a "WHOOMP" and look over to my left. There on the floor is a woman who has fallen on a wet spot on the floor. A few people come over and help her up, then they go back about their business. About 15-20 seconds after she is picked up I hear "WHOOMP" again. The same woman has fallen in the same spot. I look at her; and turn back to watch concert.
Anyone dumb enough to fall in the same spot twice in under 30 seconds should just stay on the ground.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Well, my calendar says I am suppose to be blogging here today, so I guess I'll toss something up here. Maybe one day someone will read it ;)
We are getting closer and closer to "Election Day 2008!!!" I don't know about you but I'm wondering when exactly we will get some candidates that are actually worth voting for.
This year we have the George W. Bush clone who is presenting his plan for reducing oil usage and making us a greener world. (Imagine that from a Republican). On the other hand we have Obama, who like Nader will probably say "What the hell do I do now?" if he is elected.
When the government stopped being accountable to the people was the day the whole system failed. I don't blame the government; I blame the people. We went to sleep and let the corporate world take over government and encourage the laws to benefit them; not us.
Want to make some major changes, apply the following rules:
1) No member of a US government position will make more than 10 times that which any worker (legal or illegal) has made in the US within the last calendar year.
2) Special Interest groups and lobbyists are no longer allowed.
3) Accepting any form of gift related to the business of managing the nation is against the law. All gifts received must be reported when the value is greater than 500.00 as determined by the IRS. When I say all gifts, I mean ALL gifts including Birthday, Christmas, Valentines, etc. This would include any gifts given to the family. Gifts considered to be in violation of the protection of the rights of the citizens of the US would result in immediate removal from office and loss of future benefits.
4) Health Care: The members of the US government shall be required to procure their own health care. There will be no lifetime benefits such as the current system provides. Their benefits will be equal to those which are the lowest offered to any (legal) American citizen.
5) Members of the US government will be expected to work the standard days that every other US citizen is expected to work. There will no longer be long summer, winter, and whatever other breaks they take. Failure to vote in three consecutive votes will result in removal from office. Vacation requests will be submitted to a poll on their website, the people who live in their area will control the vacation requests by response to the polls. Majority wins, a zero vote results in favor of the member of government.
If you want to see the government committed to real change then they have to be held equal to those that need the change most, they need to be held accountable to the people.
We are getting closer and closer to "Election Day 2008!!!" I don't know about you but I'm wondering when exactly we will get some candidates that are actually worth voting for.
This year we have the George W. Bush clone who is presenting his plan for reducing oil usage and making us a greener world. (Imagine that from a Republican). On the other hand we have Obama, who like Nader will probably say "What the hell do I do now?" if he is elected.
When the government stopped being accountable to the people was the day the whole system failed. I don't blame the government; I blame the people. We went to sleep and let the corporate world take over government and encourage the laws to benefit them; not us.
Want to make some major changes, apply the following rules:
1) No member of a US government position will make more than 10 times that which any worker (legal or illegal) has made in the US within the last calendar year.
2) Special Interest groups and lobbyists are no longer allowed.
3) Accepting any form of gift related to the business of managing the nation is against the law. All gifts received must be reported when the value is greater than 500.00 as determined by the IRS. When I say all gifts, I mean ALL gifts including Birthday, Christmas, Valentines, etc. This would include any gifts given to the family. Gifts considered to be in violation of the protection of the rights of the citizens of the US would result in immediate removal from office and loss of future benefits.
4) Health Care: The members of the US government shall be required to procure their own health care. There will be no lifetime benefits such as the current system provides. Their benefits will be equal to those which are the lowest offered to any (legal) American citizen.
5) Members of the US government will be expected to work the standard days that every other US citizen is expected to work. There will no longer be long summer, winter, and whatever other breaks they take. Failure to vote in three consecutive votes will result in removal from office. Vacation requests will be submitted to a poll on their website, the people who live in their area will control the vacation requests by response to the polls. Majority wins, a zero vote results in favor of the member of government.
If you want to see the government committed to real change then they have to be held equal to those that need the change most, they need to be held accountable to the people.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
I've been pondering a lot of things lately and one topic (as usual) is in the list. Sex... well come, who doesn't like sex (ok ok... I can come up with several). But I found this article: 10 Reasons to have sex and the joke below during my web searching. Enjoy the joke, it has been a favorite of mine for a while!
I have never quite figured out why the sexual urge of men and women differ so much. And I never have figured out the whole Venus and Mars thing. I have never figured out why men think with their head and women with their heart.
FOR EXAMPLE: One evening last week, my girlfriend and I were getting into bed. Well, the passion starts to heat up, and she eventually says "I don't feel like it, I just want you to hold me." I said "WHAT??!! What was that?!" So she says the words that every boyfriend on the planet dreads to hear... "You're just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man." She responded to my puzzled look by saying, "Can't you just love me for who I am and not what I do for you in the bedroom?" Realizing that nothing was going to happen that night, I went to sleep.
The very next day I opted to take the day off of work to spend time with her. We went out to a nice lunch and then went shopping at a big, big unnamed department store. I walked around with her while she tried on several different very expensive outfits. She couldn't decide which one to take so I told her we'd just buy them all. She wanted new shoes to compliment her new clothes, so I said lets get a pair for each outfit. We went onto the jewelry department where she picked out a pair of diamond earrings. Let me tell you...she was so excited. She must have thought I was one wave short of a shipwreck. I started to think she was testing me because she asked for a tennis bracelet when she doesn't even know how to play tennis. I think I threw her for a loop when I said, "That's fine, honey." She was almost nearing sexual satisfaction from all of the excitement. Smiling with excited anticipation she finally said, "I think this is all dear, let's go to the cashier."
I could hardly contain myself when I blurted out, "No honey, I don't feel like it." Her face just went completely blank as her jaw dropped with a baffled WHAT?" I then said "honey! I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while. You're just not in touch with my financial needs as a man enough for me to satisfy your shopping needs as a woman." And just when she had this look like she was going to kill me, I added, "Why can't you just love me for who I am and not for the things I buy you?"
Apparently I'm not having sex tonight either.
I have never quite figured out why the sexual urge of men and women differ so much. And I never have figured out the whole Venus and Mars thing. I have never figured out why men think with their head and women with their heart.
FOR EXAMPLE: One evening last week, my girlfriend and I were getting into bed. Well, the passion starts to heat up, and she eventually says "I don't feel like it, I just want you to hold me." I said "WHAT??!! What was that?!" So she says the words that every boyfriend on the planet dreads to hear... "You're just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man." She responded to my puzzled look by saying, "Can't you just love me for who I am and not what I do for you in the bedroom?" Realizing that nothing was going to happen that night, I went to sleep.
The very next day I opted to take the day off of work to spend time with her. We went out to a nice lunch and then went shopping at a big, big unnamed department store. I walked around with her while she tried on several different very expensive outfits. She couldn't decide which one to take so I told her we'd just buy them all. She wanted new shoes to compliment her new clothes, so I said lets get a pair for each outfit. We went onto the jewelry department where she picked out a pair of diamond earrings. Let me tell you...she was so excited. She must have thought I was one wave short of a shipwreck. I started to think she was testing me because she asked for a tennis bracelet when she doesn't even know how to play tennis. I think I threw her for a loop when I said, "That's fine, honey." She was almost nearing sexual satisfaction from all of the excitement. Smiling with excited anticipation she finally said, "I think this is all dear, let's go to the cashier."
I could hardly contain myself when I blurted out, "No honey, I don't feel like it." Her face just went completely blank as her jaw dropped with a baffled WHAT?" I then said "honey! I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while. You're just not in touch with my financial needs as a man enough for me to satisfy your shopping needs as a woman." And just when she had this look like she was going to kill me, I added, "Why can't you just love me for who I am and not for the things I buy you?"
Apparently I'm not having sex tonight either.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Breast Cancer Awareness Has Gone Too Far!
I went to the store the other day and discovered a pack of "fresh" sugar cokies with pink sugar breast cancer ribbons as topping. If the cookies had been pink or the icing I would understand; but do we need pink ribbon sugar decorations?!?!
I love breasts as much as anyone damd it!
I went to the store the other day and discovered a pack of "fresh" sugar cokies with pink sugar breast cancer ribbons as topping. If the cookies had been pink or the icing I would understand; but do we need pink ribbon sugar decorations?!?!
I love breasts as much as anyone damd it!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Well, my birthday was just about the most rediculous day I've had in a long time, from having to deal with people that do not know how to use Google to going out to eat when I just wanted to go home and having to put up with some crazy additude action... just a super day all around!
On the up side, I didn't get cupcakes, my dentist will be happy!
I did find a way to balance it all out though, this movie:
On the up side, I didn't get cupcakes, my dentist will be happy!
I did find a way to balance it all out though, this movie:
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Friday morning we woke up to a little shaking going on around the St. Louis area. I though the cat had gotten behind the dresser and was stuck, my wife thought it was the dog. Turns out we had a earthquake about 125 miles east of St. Louis or 150 miles east of us, give or take .05 miles or something.
Anyway, I added the following to the map on the Post Dispatch's website:
Anyway, I added the following to the map on the Post Dispatch's website:
There were a lot of "reports" of how scared people were. The truth is the quake was very short and it was over before most people knew what was going on. At least when Janet Jackson's boob popped out on TV we had Tivo to be able to go back and enjoy the nipplage... now we just have the memories of the vibration.
Strangly my wife has asked for a vibrating bed; she had a very happy look for 20 seconds the other morning... who knew.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Tax time, women and black men running for president, kittens calming down... its all just a crazy crazy mixed up world I tell ya!
Check out some more wackiness at: http://www.homestarrunner.com/ Be sure to click on the SB Mail link!
Check out some more wackiness at: http://www.homestarrunner.com/ Be sure to click on the SB Mail link!
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Monday, January 07, 2008
I've heard of eating out your girlfriend but Christopher Lee McCuin may have taken it too far when he decided to kill and boil up some tasty girlfriend snacks.
Everyone knows human tastes better on an open grill then boiled...
CNN story: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/01/06/texas.slaying.ap/index.html
Everyone knows human tastes better on an open grill then boiled...
CNN story: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/01/06/texas.slaying.ap/index.html
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Resolutions for 2008:
1) Laern to speal.
2) Cheat on my taxes.
3) Take a bath with Bubbles; and hope my wife does not find out.
4) Admit to my wife that it was wrong to take a bath with Bubbles, the neighbor's goat.
5) Become a masterbater, I mean debater, er... which one is it where you get to play with yourself?
6) Try out new things, like that hot girl down the street.
7) Convince one person that they can fly.
8) Make sure to get that one person to sign over their life insurance.
9) Dream the impossible dream.
10) Kill everyone that stands in the way of my dream. Move to a non-extradition country.
11) Convince Chavez that he should change his name to "Big Daddy C."
12) Start an international incident.
13) Convince G.W. that underwear should go outside the pants.
14) Start calling everyone "Buddy."
15) Paint all the hamsters at PetCo pink.
16) Have a threesome: Me, a beer, and a pizza.
17) Watch an entire football game
18) Two words "XXXL Thong"
19) Enroll in a hands-on training class, for strippers.
20) Four words "You want happy ending?"
1) Laern to speal.
2) Cheat on my taxes.
3) Take a bath with Bubbles; and hope my wife does not find out.
4) Admit to my wife that it was wrong to take a bath with Bubbles, the neighbor's goat.
5) Become a masterbater, I mean debater, er... which one is it where you get to play with yourself?
6) Try out new things, like that hot girl down the street.
7) Convince one person that they can fly.
8) Make sure to get that one person to sign over their life insurance.
9) Dream the impossible dream.
10) Kill everyone that stands in the way of my dream. Move to a non-extradition country.
11) Convince Chavez that he should change his name to "Big Daddy C."
12) Start an international incident.
13) Convince G.W. that underwear should go outside the pants.
14) Start calling everyone "Buddy."
15) Paint all the hamsters at PetCo pink.
16) Have a threesome: Me, a beer, and a pizza.
17) Watch an entire football game
18) Two words "XXXL Thong"
19) Enroll in a hands-on training class, for strippers.
20) Four words "You want happy ending?"
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