Monthly archives: June, 2009

Republicans Can’t Even Build a Web Site

June 8, 2009
Barack ObamaDemocratic NewsRepublicans
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In some of my other endeavors, I really would like to give the Repbulicans a voice.  Really.  But it’s very difficult to find out what the GOP has to say on anything when they can’t even coordinate a web site.

I went to the GOP web site, GOP.COM, in search of this week’s response to the president.  President Obama began giving weekly video addresses, beyond print and beyond the radio.  Obama has the Internet down, and Democrats have responded.

The RNC’s web site is a mess.  There seems to be a project underway to update it, but the last update is almost a month ago.

This is from May 15 (emphasis original to the post):

5/15/09 Update: What you see here is a placeholder between what was and what is to come for GOP.com. Don’t get too used to this page–the complete rebuild is around the corner. Soon we’ll have a new look and a more enjoyable, modern, open and participatory way to share our ideals with the Country.

On Friday of last week, we chose a vendor to rebuild our website and digital presence; the two are not the same and the distinction matters—a lot. It matters especially so for us.

The website you see today is difficult to update, hard to use, and locked in a Web 1.0 environment. It is also stale. It is in need of a massive spring clean. To be fair, my predecessor and good friend, Cyrus Krohn, and his team were on the way to changing all of this. Then, we elected a new Chairman, re-grouped, re-staffed and then, finally, we locked & loaded.

The project is underway.

There appears to be a (presumably) wonderful Web 2.0 design project underway.  But if the GOP builds it, will anyone come?

Another quote from the same post (emphasis original to the post):

Pew recently released a study about politics and technology. I quote (the emphasis is mine): “Despite the Dem’s recent success in using the internet, Republicans as a whole (68%) are actually more likely to be online political users then Dem’s (53%). 84% of Republicans go online and of that group 79% are online political users. Only 40% of Republicans engage in online activism. (Online activism is defined by three components; 1) going online for political news and information 2) communicating with others about politics online and 3) using social media tools (FBOOK, Twitter, Email) to interact with other voters/campaigns.)”

I wouldn’t float those stats too much.  If only 40% of Republicans engage in online activism, then what’s the point?  The fact is, Republicans are following the Dems on this one, and, with the party lacking any clear focus or message at this point, building a Web 2.0 web site seems to be the last thing that should be on the agenda.  Besides, by the time Republicans catch up and begin working the system with Facebook, Twitter, and [gasp] Email, the Dems will have already be riding the next wave.  They already are.

Innovation is on the blue side of the table, both in political thought, critical thinking, and the Internet.  A new web page won’t change that.

Chinese Government Wants to Choose Next Dalai Lama

June 6, 2009
Religion
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The Dalai Lama turns 74 in July.  He’s had recent bouts of ill health.  The Chinese government wants to choose his successor.

And the result might very well be two, competing Dalai Lamas.

From the New York Times:

Both the Chinese and the Tibetan exiles are bracing for an almost inevitable outcome: the emergence into the world of dueling Dalai Lamas — one chosen by the exiles, perhaps by the 14th Dalai Lama himself, and the other by Chinese officials.

“It’s a huge but ultracritical issue, with no clear outcome or solution except one: trouble,” said Robert Barnett, a Tibet scholar at Columbia University. “It is going to end up with two Dalai Lamas and thus with long-running conflict, unless the Chinese agree to a diplomatic solution pretty soon.”

The jockeying has put the Dalai Lama and the Chinese Communist Party in surprising positions. The Dalai Lama said late last month in an interview with The New York Times that all options for choosing his reincarnation were open, including ones that break from tradition. That could mean that the next Dalai Lama would be found outside Tibet, could be a woman or might even be named while the 14th Dalai Lama was still alive, before his soul properly transmigrated. Meanwhile, the party, officially atheist and accused of ravaging Tibetan culture, insists that religious customs must be followed.

A traditional selection process would be easily controlled by the Chinese government, since the process is rooted in the landscape of Tibet, which the Chinese seized in 1951. China has already positioned itself in other ways, including enacting a law in 2007 that says all reincarnations of senior lamas must be approved by the government.

The Communist Party has already tried its hand picking pseudo lamas who will be faithful to the Party and retain legitimacy among the people:

In 1995, when the Dalai Lama confirmed a boy in Tibet as the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama, the second-ranking leader of the Gelugpa sect, the Chinese government whisked away the boy and his parents and installed its own child lama. The Dalai Lama’s choice, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, now 20, is still hidden from public view, while the government’s selection shows up at official events to praise Communist policy — and is seen by many Tibetans as a fraud.

Chinese leaders also tried to groom the Karmapa, the reincarnated head of the Kagyu sect, but he fled to India in 1999, at age 14. He now sits by the Dalai Lama at prayer ceremonies here.

The people see right through this.

Read the entire story at the New York Times.

Homeopathy Kills – Says The Bad Astronomer

June 6, 2009
Anti-Science
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I’m partially borrowning Phil Plait’s title to a recent blog post to highlight a tragedy.  In this case, parents ignored science, and the cost was the life of their child.

From Phil Plait:

The infant girl, Gloria Thomas, died of complications due to eczema. Eczema. This is an easily-treatable skin condition (the treatments don’t cure eczema but do manage it), but that treatment was withheld from the baby girl by her parents, who rejected the advice of doctors and instead used homeopathic treatments. The baby’s condition got worse, with her skin covered in rashes and open cracks. These cracks let in germs which her tiny body had difficulty fighting off. She became undernourished as she used all her nutrients to fight infections instead of for growth and the other normal body functions of an infant. She was constantly sick and in pain, but her parents stuck with homeopathy. When the baby girl developed an eye infection, her parents finally took her to a hospital, but it was far too late: little Gloria Thomas succumbed to septicemia from the infection.

Please read the full post, and think before you ignore your doctor.

David Carradine’s Death Was Accidental

June 4, 2009
General
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According to IMDb, Davad Carradine’s death was accidental, brought about by autoerotic asphyxiation:

He was discovered by a maid, naked and hanged, but the suggestions his death had a sexual twist were strongly disputed by the star’s close friend, attorney Vicki Roberts, and his manager Chuck Binder, who insisted he died of natural causes.

But a statement from Carradine’s representative now indicates the actor died during a sex act.

The spokesperson tells TMZ.com, “We can confirm 100 per cent that he never would have committed suicide. It was an accidental death. Everybody is in shock.”

Rumours Carradine died attempting auto-erotic asphyxiation – where victims achieve heightened sexual pleasure by restricting their air supply – are backed up by a quote a Bangkok police officer gave to British newspaper The Sun.

The cop tells reporters, “A rope was attached to his neck and also to his penis”.

Well, there’s an image to carry with you.

I prefer this one:

David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine in Kung Fu

David Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine

Fare well, David. Rest in peace.

New Hampshire Legislature Approves Gay Marriage

June 3, 2009
GLBTLegal
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Momentum builds for human rights today as the New Hampshire legislature approves gay marriage today.  Not civil unions, but gay marriage.  One of the strongest arguments in favor of gay marriage came from the Republican side of the aisle.

From WTAE:

New Hampshire legislators approved a measure Wednesday that would make the state the sixth to allow gay marriage, and Gov. John Lynch said he would sign it later in the afternoon.

He had promised a veto if the law didn’t clearly spell out that churches and religious groups would not be forced to officiate at gay marriages or provide other services.

The Senate passed the measure Wednesday, and the House — where the outcome was more in doubt — followed later in the day. The House gallery erupted in cheers after the 198-176 vote.

“If you have no choice as to your sex, male or female; if you have no choice as to your color; if you have no choice as to your sexual orientation; then you have to be protected and given the same opportunity for life, liberty and happiness,” Rep. Anthony DiFruscia, R-Windham, said during the hourlong debate.

The qualifying language excluding churches and religious institutions was requested by the governor:

Lynch, a Democrat, personally opposes gay marriage but decided to view the issue “through a broader lens.”

Lynch said he would veto gay marriage if the law didn’t address churches and religious groups.

The revised bill added a sentence specifying that all religious organizations, associations or societies have exclusive control over their religious doctrines, policies, teachings and beliefs on marriage.

It also clarified that church-related organizations that serve charitable or educational purposes are exempt from having to provide insurance and other benefits to same sex spouses of employees. The earlier version said “charitable and educational” instead of “charitable or educational.”

The added language regarding churches is completely unnecessary.  The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution keeps the state out of religion:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The stats cannot compel any church to marry anyone at all.  If the added language makes the churches happier, then all the better.

But legal gay marriage is going to happen.

Live Blogging: Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh

June 2, 2009
Sports
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Refresh this page for updates.

You can’t imagine how emotional for Pittsburgh fans to see Mario Lemieux on the ice for the ceremonial first drop of the puck.

FIRST PERIOD

So far, Pittsburgh is dominating possession.  A couple of shots, last one held by Osgood.

Play stops at 17:02.

Icing against Detroit at 16:14.

Icing again against Detroit. Pittsburgh wins faceoff and keeps it in zone for a while.

PITTSBURGH SCORES!!!!

Malkin to Talbot, flash past Osgood stick-side!!!

DETROIT SCORES.

Game tied at 1-1. Puck flies between Fleury’s legs.

Pittsburgh needs to regain possession and keep it.  Detroit with another steal.

Detroit gets first power play at 10:18.

Pittsburgh gets possession of puck in power play, then off sides.

Pittsburgh clears twice.

DETROIT SCORES ON POWER PLAY.

Pittsburgh gets next power play.

SCORES!!!

Game tied 2-2.

Penalty against Detroit.  Second power play for Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh with a few shots. Detroit clears.

END OF FIRST PERIOD. Game tied: 2-2.

Christian Extremist Kills Abortion Doctor

June 1, 2009
AmericaAnti-ScienceLegalRantReligionSupreme Court
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I want to start by saying that, previously, I had only used the words “Christian terrorist,” in academic settings.  I had naively hoped that I would never have to use those words for real.

But Dr. George Tiller as shot dead in church on Sunday, and everything is different now. We must accept that Dr. Tiller was shot by a Christian extremist.  The suspect, Scott Roeder, was an anti-abortion activist who claimed to be a Christian.

But he was no Christian. This was not the act of a Christian. This was an act of terrorism, pure and simple.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Reporting from Wichita, Kan. – The 51-year-old man held on suspicion of killing prominent abortion provider Dr. George Tiller had attended the physician’s trial earlier this year and was outraged at his speedy acquittal, an anti-abortion activist said Monday.

Scott Roeder attended a demonstration outside a Kansas City clinic two weeks ago and spoke of traveling to Wichita for the trial of Tiller, who was charged with 19 misdemeanors for allegedly failing to comply with Kansas abortion laws, said Eugene Frye, who has helped organize vigils in the area for 25 years. A jury found Tiller not guilty in 45 minutes.

Authorities say Roeder was a member of anti-government militia groups and was a regular at pickets outside clinics. Frye said Roeder was a soft-spoken man who normally spent his time chatting about the federal income tax, which he called illegal, or esoteric interpretations of the Old Testament. But, Frye said, he had noticed a difference this time.

“He said he’d been down to Wichita for George Tiller’s trial and he said it was an absolute sham,” Frye said. “He seemed agitated — but agitation for Scott, for a lot of people would be normal.”

Roeder’s ex-wife described her husband:

Roeder’s ex-wife, Lindsey Roeder, said her husband became obsessed with anti-government theories and abortion in the early 1990s and that it poisoned their marriage.

“The anti-tax stuff came first, and then it grew and grew. He became very anti-abortion,” she told the Associated Press. “That’s all he cared about is anti-abortion. ‘The church is this. God is this. Yada, yada.’ “

Violent words are the seed of violence.  They pave the path to hate.  The overwhelming vast majority of Christians are horrified by this murder.  As a Christian, I am horrified.  And, yet, we must accept that there are those who are pleased.

Rachel Maddow ran a segment tonight called “Incitement to Terrorism.”  She blasts Bill O’Reilly for praising the murder of Dr. Tiller.  O’Reilly says Tiller is responsible for the destruction of “60,000 fetuses.”  Interesting choice of words.

Maddow interviews Frank Schaeffer, who wrote Crazy for God: How I Grew Up as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) of It Back.  Schaeffer apologizes for the death of Dr. Tiller, claiming some responsibility for this act of violence because of his anti-abortion efforts in the past.

The interview is very much worth watching.  I leave you with this segment from the Rachel Maddow show for your reflection:

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