I can not tell you how much I hate the hard plastic packaging that everything comes in these days. I bought a new shower head today that was buried under two layers of this insane material. If you don't cut yourself with the steak knife you need to cut into this crap, you will most likely get cut on the sharp plastic edges while digging out the item inside. That is if you didn't damage the item too.
Who decided this was a good marketing tool? It's frustrating, dangerous and just plain stupid.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Science vs. Religion
As a person of both strong spiritual beliefs and logical thinking, I think my views on this topic are very well expressed in the movie "Contact". If you haven't seen it yet, please do so.
Jodie - you never looked so beautiful. Matthew - you never looked so sexy.
Jodie - you never looked so beautiful. Matthew - you never looked so sexy.
Friday, September 23, 2005
Cause of homosexuality revealed
The religious, scientific and psychiatric communities have long debated over the root cause of Homosexuality. I have their answer:
Unprotected Heterosexual Intercourse.
It is no more a disease, disorder, or chosen "lifestyle" than being born with brown hair or blue eyes. Why this debate continues amazes me - just ask one! I will use myself as an example.
I was born and raised in a very (very) rural part of South Dakota - the 3rd of seven children. We only had one TV for most of our formidable years and only 2 or 3 channels that "almost" came in. We had very little contact with other people as we lived in the country. Our parents didn't allow us to sleep over at other people's homes, we were not involved in after school sports or other activities especially in the younger years. My parents were very strict Catholics and raised us in the faith. My parents were happily married and we were, for all intents and purposes, a "normal" family.
Yet I can remember having a crush on a boy in the first grade. Where would I have learned this behavior? And why only me and not the rest of my siblings? This feeling brought me much grief because it wasn't supposed to be that way. Trust me, if this is something that could be prayed away, I would have been released long ago. "Please God, let me be normal" I prayed daily from that first crush all the way into my college years. Mind you, I didn't have sex with anyone until I was 23 years old. Finally in my late college years I changed my prayer - "If this is your will God, let me accept it". Little did I know that both prayers were answered. This IS normal - and finally I can accept it.
The fact is I didn't learn it - I was born this way. I was created this way and so were millions of others in every place and every race. Why would God create so many homosexuals? I'm afraid I don't have that answer. But I'm pretty sure God does have a reason and I doubt he would be pleased that so many people are calling his creation a mistake.
Unprotected Heterosexual Intercourse.
It is no more a disease, disorder, or chosen "lifestyle" than being born with brown hair or blue eyes. Why this debate continues amazes me - just ask one! I will use myself as an example.
I was born and raised in a very (very) rural part of South Dakota - the 3rd of seven children. We only had one TV for most of our formidable years and only 2 or 3 channels that "almost" came in. We had very little contact with other people as we lived in the country. Our parents didn't allow us to sleep over at other people's homes, we were not involved in after school sports or other activities especially in the younger years. My parents were very strict Catholics and raised us in the faith. My parents were happily married and we were, for all intents and purposes, a "normal" family.
Yet I can remember having a crush on a boy in the first grade. Where would I have learned this behavior? And why only me and not the rest of my siblings? This feeling brought me much grief because it wasn't supposed to be that way. Trust me, if this is something that could be prayed away, I would have been released long ago. "Please God, let me be normal" I prayed daily from that first crush all the way into my college years. Mind you, I didn't have sex with anyone until I was 23 years old. Finally in my late college years I changed my prayer - "If this is your will God, let me accept it". Little did I know that both prayers were answered. This IS normal - and finally I can accept it.
The fact is I didn't learn it - I was born this way. I was created this way and so were millions of others in every place and every race. Why would God create so many homosexuals? I'm afraid I don't have that answer. But I'm pretty sure God does have a reason and I doubt he would be pleased that so many people are calling his creation a mistake.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Tiny Soup
I went food shopping today and I noticed once again that things are being packaged in smaller containers but selling at the same price - or worse higher prices. Do they really think we don't notice? I think I would feel better if they would just raise the price - it seems a more honest thing to do. Having to buy 2 cans of chicken noodle soup instead of one just feels like a trick.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Computer got a cold?
Here is another possibly paranoid thought that is related to the last posting. Why would anyone write a computer virus program? There are several reasons that I can think of - but one seems most logical. To sell anti-virus software! I'm certain a good investigation would find a connection between those that write virus programs and those that sell the anti-virus software. There is tons of money to be made on this software - but they need a good scare once in a while to keep it selling. Again, I hope someone can prove me wrong.
No Money in a Cure
They can send a man to the moon but they can't find a cure for the common cold? That is something my Mom would say. I would ask - They can clone an animal, maybe even a human but they can't cure cancer or AIDS? Why is nothing "cured" anymore? The answer is very simple. Money.
CURE a cold and the pharmaceutical companies will thrive for a year. TREAT a cold and they can thrive forever! I believe there are already cures for most things these days, but just think how much money these drug companies are making treating these conditions rather than releasing a cure. Go down to your nearest pharmacy - it's not far - there is one on every corner these days. Now look at the wall of products used to TREAT colds. Impressive, isn't it. Now look at the prices. Get it? Now factor in the big ticket ailments - AIDS, Diabetes, Cancer etc. And you can easily see why the pharmaceutical companies are thriving these days.
Maybe I'm just being paranoid. I would LOVE to have someone prove me wrong. What we need is an independent investigation of these pharmaceutical companies. But be sure to keep the Government out of the investigation - after all, these companies are big contributors to the current administration. We need to offer large rewards to "whistle blowers" currently working in these companies and give them protection after the fact. Once we can prove this is happening we will be a very healthy society. Until then - gazundheidt.
CURE a cold and the pharmaceutical companies will thrive for a year. TREAT a cold and they can thrive forever! I believe there are already cures for most things these days, but just think how much money these drug companies are making treating these conditions rather than releasing a cure. Go down to your nearest pharmacy - it's not far - there is one on every corner these days. Now look at the wall of products used to TREAT colds. Impressive, isn't it. Now look at the prices. Get it? Now factor in the big ticket ailments - AIDS, Diabetes, Cancer etc. And you can easily see why the pharmaceutical companies are thriving these days.
Maybe I'm just being paranoid. I would LOVE to have someone prove me wrong. What we need is an independent investigation of these pharmaceutical companies. But be sure to keep the Government out of the investigation - after all, these companies are big contributors to the current administration. We need to offer large rewards to "whistle blowers" currently working in these companies and give them protection after the fact. Once we can prove this is happening we will be a very healthy society. Until then - gazundheidt.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
The Blame Game
The Bush Administration likes the phrase "Now is not the time for the blame game". This has been said after every major event from the Abu Gharib prison scandal to the the slow response to Hurricane Katrina. What this phrase translates into is "We haven't made up a good cover story yet".
In fact, the Republican party is very familiar with the "Blame Game" and they are quite good at it. How much of the taxpayers time, money and resources were used in the Clinton years on the blame game for everything they could possibly conjure up. Thankfully none of it stuck, except for that mess on a dress.
But now we are dealing with REAL issues. Issues that deal with people's lives. The Bush Administration has handled them all very badly - from the war in Afghanistan where they let Bin Ladin get away, to the war in Iraq with tons of misinformation and no plan to complete the mission, to hurricane Katrina where help simply wasn't there for our own citizens in a desperate time of need. It's not only time for blame - it's time for action!
We need to stop letting these people get away with murder. Yes, I said murder. When our soldiers and innocent Iraqis are dying every day in a war without a plan - it's murder. When people are dying because of a slow response to a natural disaster - it's murder. When people are still being killed by Al Qaeda because we let the ring leader get away - it's murder.
The Republicans used the blame game to impeach a very successful President for lying about a minor sexual incident that was really only a problem between him and his wife. I think it's more than fair to blame this Administration for the real issues that are affecting not only Americans but people around the world. There should be a lot of blame, a lot of people getting fired and maybe even an impeachment. Come on people- let's get revolting!
In fact, the Republican party is very familiar with the "Blame Game" and they are quite good at it. How much of the taxpayers time, money and resources were used in the Clinton years on the blame game for everything they could possibly conjure up. Thankfully none of it stuck, except for that mess on a dress.
But now we are dealing with REAL issues. Issues that deal with people's lives. The Bush Administration has handled them all very badly - from the war in Afghanistan where they let Bin Ladin get away, to the war in Iraq with tons of misinformation and no plan to complete the mission, to hurricane Katrina where help simply wasn't there for our own citizens in a desperate time of need. It's not only time for blame - it's time for action!
We need to stop letting these people get away with murder. Yes, I said murder. When our soldiers and innocent Iraqis are dying every day in a war without a plan - it's murder. When people are dying because of a slow response to a natural disaster - it's murder. When people are still being killed by Al Qaeda because we let the ring leader get away - it's murder.
The Republicans used the blame game to impeach a very successful President for lying about a minor sexual incident that was really only a problem between him and his wife. I think it's more than fair to blame this Administration for the real issues that are affecting not only Americans but people around the world. There should be a lot of blame, a lot of people getting fired and maybe even an impeachment. Come on people- let's get revolting!
Friday, September 16, 2005
Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Other List
GLBT is the shortest current version of the acronym used to describe what some call our "Alternative Lifestyle" (Alternative? I'll get to that in another posting). For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the acronym, it stands for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgendered. But this acronym is growing out of control. It seems that no matter how hard you try to include an entire group of people into one acronym - someone always feels left out. I recently read an article in Clikque Magazine that said men of color don't think the word "Gay" fits them. They prefer something like "Same Gender Loving". So the acronym now looks like this GLBTSGL. Pretty isn't it?
In the past we have tried to find one word that generally covers this group of people - Gay, Queer, Homosexual etc. No matter what word they come up with - someone doesn't like it. But I think it is a much better approach than trying to fit everyone into and endless list. Unfortunately I don't have a good word that might work. Any suggestions?
Perhaps what we really need is more vowels in our acronym. Maybe that's where words like "Alternative" come in. How about GABLOSGL (Gay, Alternative, Bi-sexual, Lesbian, Otherwise, Same Gender Loving)? Really rolls off the tongue doesn't it?
In the past we have tried to find one word that generally covers this group of people - Gay, Queer, Homosexual etc. No matter what word they come up with - someone doesn't like it. But I think it is a much better approach than trying to fit everyone into and endless list. Unfortunately I don't have a good word that might work. Any suggestions?
Perhaps what we really need is more vowels in our acronym. Maybe that's where words like "Alternative" come in. How about GABLOSGL (Gay, Alternative, Bi-sexual, Lesbian, Otherwise, Same Gender Loving)? Really rolls off the tongue doesn't it?
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
The List
We've all seen it posted on businesses, inside our employee handbooks and many other places:
"We do not discriminate based on Age, Race, Sex, Handicap, etc. etc." and bla bla bla
Each of these groups has fought long and hard to earn a spot on this list - and well they should have. Each is a very important protection. One of the current groups trying to get on this growing list , and one that is certainly close to home for me is "Sexual Orientation". Oh yes, I believe that sexual orientation should be protected because I believe in equal rights for everyone. And that is why I think the list itself presents a problem.
Equal rights for everyone should be a fairly simple concept. Why do we have this list that shows which groups are protected? In my opinion, every person should be protected from discrimination - Period. If you can prove in a court of law that you were discriminated against, you should be protected from this injustice. If I got fired from my long term job because my boss found out I'm gay - and I can prove it, should a Judge refuse this protection because my particular discrimination does not appear on the accepted list? I think not.
In my opinion, the list is not necessary. Furthermore, I believe the list itself creates a type of discrimination. That line in your employee handbook should simply say "We do not discriminate." Lets lose the list.
"We do not discriminate based on Age, Race, Sex, Handicap, etc. etc." and bla bla bla
Each of these groups has fought long and hard to earn a spot on this list - and well they should have. Each is a very important protection. One of the current groups trying to get on this growing list , and one that is certainly close to home for me is "Sexual Orientation". Oh yes, I believe that sexual orientation should be protected because I believe in equal rights for everyone. And that is why I think the list itself presents a problem.
Equal rights for everyone should be a fairly simple concept. Why do we have this list that shows which groups are protected? In my opinion, every person should be protected from discrimination - Period. If you can prove in a court of law that you were discriminated against, you should be protected from this injustice. If I got fired from my long term job because my boss found out I'm gay - and I can prove it, should a Judge refuse this protection because my particular discrimination does not appear on the accepted list? I think not.
In my opinion, the list is not necessary. Furthermore, I believe the list itself creates a type of discrimination. That line in your employee handbook should simply say "We do not discriminate." Lets lose the list.
Not Ugly - Revolting!
The title of this Blog is a joke - but the reason I named it that is not. I believe this country is in a state of change - BIG change. The politics of the Bush Administration have angered a lot of people and this anger is building with each ultra-conservative decision they make. Our rights and freedoms are quickly being eroded away each day - and we are not going to take it any more.
Oh sure, the Republicans didn't like it when the Democrats were in control, but this is different. The Bush Administration is destroying the very foundation that this country was built on - Freedom, Liberty and Justice for ALL. Instead we are becoming a country that is run on religious beliefs instead of fair legal laws. There is a very good reason why there is supposed to be a separation of Church and State. Christian Americans may not agree with Muslim Americans on religious views, but most will agree with laws that protect our people as a whole.
Hopefully my opinions in this Blog will help people understand why this is important and how it is affecting our lives as Americans. I'm not going to sit back and let my freedoms be taken away bit by bit. I'm revolting!
Oh sure, the Republicans didn't like it when the Democrats were in control, but this is different. The Bush Administration is destroying the very foundation that this country was built on - Freedom, Liberty and Justice for ALL. Instead we are becoming a country that is run on religious beliefs instead of fair legal laws. There is a very good reason why there is supposed to be a separation of Church and State. Christian Americans may not agree with Muslim Americans on religious views, but most will agree with laws that protect our people as a whole.
Hopefully my opinions in this Blog will help people understand why this is important and how it is affecting our lives as Americans. I'm not going to sit back and let my freedoms be taken away bit by bit. I'm revolting!
A Dear Friend Passes
I found out on Sunday that a dear friend Martin whom I have known since I moved to Fort Lauderdale passed away last week. He and his partner Jim of 58 years were a fixture at our Church - MCC Fort Lauderdale. I am reminded today because I spoke with Jim briefly this afternoon. He is understandably grief stricken and my heart goes out to him. Martin was a wonderful person and I am blessed to have known him. In the later part of his life he suffered from various health concerns but always kept a smile on his face. He and Jim never missed a Church service if they were able to attend. They are an inspiration to me and many others in their commitment to each other and to their community.
I hope I do honor to these two friends of mine by using this opportunity to voice an outrage in this country. It seems absolutely crazy to me that after all these years together in a committed relationship, these two were still not recognized as a legally married couple. If this is not marriage - I don't know what is. Of course these two men didn't need a legal document to share their life and love together but it really is important. Consider the following:
I hope I do honor to these two friends of mine by using this opportunity to voice an outrage in this country. It seems absolutely crazy to me that after all these years together in a committed relationship, these two were still not recognized as a legally married couple. If this is not marriage - I don't know what is. Of course these two men didn't need a legal document to share their life and love together but it really is important. Consider the following:
- Any hospital could deny them the right to see each other because they are not considered "next of kin"
- They can not claim each other on any tax documents
- Short of a will, neither has any legal claim to their partners property
- A family member of the deceased could legally take away any jointly owned property from the surviving partner.
- The list goes on and on.
These things can, and frequently do happen in long term gay relationships - and it's a shame. As Jim and Martin have shown, Marriage is way more than a legal document - but the document is important none the less. And these rights are "Legal" rights - not "Religious" rights. When it comes to legal rights - every American citizen should have EQUAL rights. That's all we ask.
Rest in peace my good friend Martin. You made a difference in this world - to me and many others.
Something Amazing
President Bush declared yesterday that he takes full blame for the sluggish response to Hurricane Katrina relief. I'm not even going to say anything negative - that is a HUGE step for W.
Monday, September 12, 2005
It starts today
Hello, my name is Dennis and I created this blog because I need a place to vent. But I promise not to be bitter all the time. I consider myself a well rounded person and I hope to cover a variety of subjects that may be of interest to someone. Let me start off with the most pressing thought in my mind at the moment:
President Bush has only one thing to say to the victims of Hurricane Katrina - "I'm sorry it took so long". Anything else is pure BS. Didn't hear that? Didn't think so.
President Bush has only one thing to say to the victims of Hurricane Katrina - "I'm sorry it took so long". Anything else is pure BS. Didn't hear that? Didn't think so.
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