40 Years

In those denominations of Christianity that venerate Saints, Feast Days are not placed on the date of a Saint's birth.  Rather, we place them on the day of a Saint's death.  This is not to celebrate their martyrdom per ce, but rather to celebrate their dies natalis into Heaven.  On this day, in the Year of Our Lord 1968, exactly forty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born into Heaven by an assassin's bullet.  

I'm white.  I'm a northerner.  And I'm only twenty.  I can not presume to know what this date means to those who lived through it.  I can't tell you where I was or what I felt when it happened.  It is like telling you where I was when Dietrich Bonhoeffer was martyred, or that I can understand what he and his people were going through.  All I know is what's in the textbooks and what I have read.  Words lack the color that experience holds.  No matter how personal those words may be.

As I'm sure all of the politicians are noting Dr. King's "Dream" is not yet reality.  The most obvious, and recent example being the controversy over Rev. Jeremiah Wright's comments.  Even though it was really a question over patriotism it became an issue of race.  The divide between two cultures that have yet to completely understand each other.  For the most part there is equality under the law, but culture is something that cannot be legislated.  Culture is also more powerful, and more important than the laws of the land.  

There are deeper wounds than I can understand.  Which makes my attempt to heal them futile.  Things like this take time, and I'm proud to live in a country 40 years removed.  Let's hope that in another 40 years we will be make it even further to understand the cultural divide, and unite as one.

To quote the good Doctor:

And when this happens, when we allow freedom ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual:

                Free at last! Free at last!

                Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

CNN: Pirates Seize French Cruise Ship

PARIS, France (AP) -- Pirates seized control of a French cruise ship Friday off the coast of Somalia, France's Foreign Ministry said.

A ministry official said details about the attack were scarce, and it was not clear how many crew members were on board the ship or if there were any passengers.

*Insert generic French joke*

After careful consideration I have decided that this latest pirate attack is probably a response to Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword for the DS by Tecmo.  Can't we just end this needless cycle of violence?

And on a more serious note, let's all pray for the French who were captured.  They may be French but they're still people.  And I'm sure that if my cruise ship was hijacked by pirates, I'd be 1) shocked and 2) wondering how I stumbled into the 1700's.

Pet Peeve of the Day

I was walking to class today and as I was entering the door there were two girls in front of me who felt the need to apologize because they were standing right in front of me.

But I was the one in fault for walking too fast.  If anything I should have been apologizing to them, or they should have asked to be excused.

But if those girls decided they were going to hijack my Facebook and post panda pictures all over it, you know they wouldn't apologize.  As offenses become more extreme the chances for apology decrease exponentially.  Call that Keljeck's Law.  The corollary: The most minute the offense, the greater chance there is for an apology.

Addendum: From a faithful commenter:

When in discussion of any offense, situation, or poor experience, those who are completely unrelated to said offense, situation, or poor experience will say they're sorry. 

I like it.  Let's call it... "ChocoMooseMan's Corollary"

Pregnant Man on Oprah

Really?

Really?

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A transgender man who is six months pregnant said in an interview aired by Oprah Winfrey on Thursday that he always wanted to have a child and considers it a miracle.

"It's not a male or female desire to have a child. It's a human desire," a thinly bearded Thomas Beatie said. "I have a very stable male identity," he added, saying that pregnancy neither defines him nor makes him feel feminine.

Pat Robertson Misses the Second Coming of Elvis

From Reuters:

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - It's "Love me tender" between the United States and France after President George W. Bush compared French President Nicolas Sarkozy with rock'n'roll singer Elvis Presley.

Bush told NATO leaders at a Bucharest summit on Thursday that when Sarkozy visited the United States recently, he was seen as "the latest incarnation of Elvis".

While Mike Gravel loves Elvis as much as the next guy, Mike Gravel feels that such lavish praise should not be thrown out lightly.  Mike Gravel believes that calling Sarko "the latest incarnation of Jim Morrison" or "the latest incarnation of that guy Carly Simon was singing to in You're So Vain" would be more appropriate.  If anyone is the latest incarnation of Elvis, it's Noam Chompsky.

Also, if Mike Gravel is elected president he will to sign into law a bill prohibiting the Press from using excessive puns.

The Second Coming Will Be Televised

In order to prepare for the imminent Second Coming—which Robertson believes will occur on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem according to biblical prophecy—he acquired METV (Middle East Television), a station then based in southern Lebanon that could broadcast into Israel. Straub was given marching orders to be ready to televise Christ’s return. CBN executives drew up a detailed plan to broadcast the event to every nation and in all languages. Straub wrote: “We even discussed how Jesus’ radiance might be too bright for the cameras and how we would have to make adjustments for that problem. Can you imagine telling Jesus, ‘Hey, Lord, please tone down your luminosity; we’re having a problem with contrast. You’re causing the picture to flare.’”

Jesus has already arrived, singing Helter Skelter on youtube.

I don't know what comment to make, other than the above.  So let's have a sarcastic comment competition.  Winner can feel good about themselves.

Join the Mike Gravel Revolution!

Mike Gravel is totally irrelevant.  Which is why if it's okay with everyone here, I would like Coffee Shop Conversations to officially back the candidacy of Mike Gravel.  Why?  Because we are irrelevant as well.  And when enough irrelevant people come together they can occasionally resemble relevance, no matter how comedic.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about.  Mike Gravel has teamed up with some random dork on the youtubes (I wonder how that business meeting occurred) and has been making a series of hilariously pretentious/campy "ads" (this one more pretentious than most).  Either Mike Gravel is incompetent, ignorant, or insane, make your choice.

Either way, this video was posted yesterday and now has 19,579 views.  His last one came out two months ago and has 40,000 views.

We must join the Mike Gravel Revolution!

But as a purely aesthetic point, he did a much better job "singing" in Power to the People/Give Peace a Chance.

Re: D-20 Religion

Rather than responding in a comment, I'm going to respond here, I think this requires more thought.

True, most Buddhists believe in no soul and wish to ultimately, achieve Nirvana. However, there are also different paths that a Buddhist can take in their quest to reach Nirvana. 

The most obvious issue with mentioning Buddhism in a post regarding the many sides of God is that Buddhism, properly conceived, lacks a God belief.  Buddhism is a non-theist religion, with many minor god's added to it.  However these gods are not gods in the sense that Thor, Yahweh, or Allah are gods, rather they are the equivalent of medieval fairies.  The Buddha is revered almost as a god in many cases, but he is not meant to take the place of one.  It makes no sense to include Buddhism into this discussion because of this.

I would also like to make two points before moving on.  First of all a further explanation of Buddhism, to the best of my ability.  Buddhists believe there is no self, this is because all things are in a constant state of flux.  One minute I'm hungry, the next I'm not, one minute I'm comfortable, the next I'm not.  This is why desire causes suffering.  When one tries to grab a hold of things that are not still, they are bound to miss the mark, make mistakes, have only fleeting longings.  This is why the cessation of desire, and thus the self, leads to Nirvana which is not the absence of being, but rather non-being.  I cannot describe Nirvana other than to say it is unchanging.  It would be like a frog explaining dry land to tadpoles, everything is only a negation, but they cannot understand the full picture.  I believe this is why you said they don't believe in the western conception of a soul, and why they want to achieve Nirvana.  But this is important as I continue my argument.

Second of all you speak of multiple paths to "salvation" as a way to say that their God has multiple sides.  All roads lead to Rome in a sense, I'd like to come back to this.

Hinduism: Hinduism holds belief in God. And in Shiva. And in Kali. And in Ganesha. And in Kurma. The list goes on and on. So, how can a Hindu say they believe in God and still worship Shiva, Kali, Ganesha and Kurma? Here's the thing- God has all of those faces; he is all of them at the same time. And they dedicate themselves (generally) to one of these Gods/Goddesses that they feel the most connected with in a way to better communicate with God. Truly, God is more along the lines of a d100 here. 

A d350,000,000 is more like it.  I'd like to note that here you say that God has multiple sides because we all experience God in different ways.  In Hinduism God can be experienced in as many deities as people could conceive.  Paths to Brahmin could be radically different (even through pleasure), though they all had the same goal.  

Paganism: Now, look at what I just talked about with the Hindus. A lot of those same basic ideas can be put into explaining the Pagan ideals. In this case, the "supreme spirit" (for lack of a better name) is split into two separate entities: both male and female. After all, everything on this world has an opposite, why shouldn't the deities? They appear in many forms, from Aradia to Athena to Brighid for the Lady and Dagda to Thor to Mars for the Lord. This does not mean that there are thousands of different Gods and Goddesses running around up in the Summerlands. Rather, they are part of the Goddess or the God themselves, showing different sides of the same person. Think about how people are: they don't just have one face.

When I first read a book on Neo-Paganism (what you describe is a postmodern construct) this concept intrigued me.  Mostly because I was reading Karl Barth at the same time.  Reading about Jesus Christ descending "Perpendicularly from above" and then reading about an "unknown God" most definitely perked my interest as a Christian.  Nevertheless, I suppose my main comment here is twofold.  First, as I stated you are describing Neo-Paganism, not Paleo or Meso.  Secondly I would like a good reason why you seem to claim that the Jewish God Yahweh is a form of Dagda. 

But I'd like to note that once again you state that all gods are manifestations of the Divine, the difference here being is that Neo-Pagans see gods in a duality.

Father. Son. Holy Ghost. Most Christians believe that they are all part of the same entity, known either as God or THE LORD. This also lends credence to the idea that God is like a d20. Christians believe in one God and only one God. "I am THE LORD your God, and you shall have no other gods before me" (Commandment number one). If this is the case, then they couldn't pray to The Father AND the Son AND the Holy Ghost. God's own commandment would prevent that. Hence, the belief that they are all part of the same entity. What a delightful d3.

Trinity, three persons one divine essence.   I would argue that the Trinity is vastly different than, say, the Hindu conception.  By my understanding in Hinduism one is experiencing God in many forms, however in Christianity these are the forms in which God IS.  It has nothing to do with God having to appear as such because we can't comprehend him.  That is what Jesus Christ was for.  It is not that God acts as different persons at different times, that's a heresy in the Christian Church.  Rather the idea is that God exists as three persons, and those three persons are all equally God.  It's a very complex concept that I'm sure I am not expressing well at all.

And there you have it, the d20 Religion theory. When you think about it,it does make sense.

I'm sorry, but I don't follow.  Your argument, as I understand it, is that Buddhism teaches that there are multiple paths to Nirvana, Hinduism teaches there are multiple forms of God, Neo-Paganism teaches that there are multiple forms of God which exist in duality, Christianity has the doctrine of the Trinity, ergo God has multiple sides which are all equally valid.  This is poor reasoning.  For one, you chose two faiths which believe the same thing you do as part of your argument.  You picked Christianity because of its Trinitarian nature, but chose to ignore Judaism and Islam because of their focus on the oneness of the divine.  Seeing as Islam perceives Allah as a d1, what does that have to say to your argument?

You bring up Buddhism, despite its nontheism, because it teaches there are multiple roads leading to Nirvana.  I would wish to hijack this point by saying that if there is one God behind all religion then clearly that single God is trying to bring us to him or her or it.  That single God would supply us with a single goal that it wants us to attain, but when we look at various religions we see very different gods and very different goals.  Take for instance Buddhism, which teaches that life is always changing, is an illusion, and is to be defeated by achieving Nirvana.  However Christianity, for example, teaches something entirely opposite to Buddhist teachings, according to Jesus Christ he is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" we are told that Jesus came to earth so that we "may have life, and life more abundantly."  Christianity says that what is good in this life, will be found in the next.  Buddhism says that this life, while it may have its pleasures, is to be abandoned for something wholly other.  These two things cannot coexist.

Wicca, for instance, teaches we are put on earth to learn a lesson (at least this is my understanding) and we will be reincarnated again and again until we learn that lesson.  While it retains the teaching of reincarnation found in Buddhism, the reasoning is entirely different.  It is different than Christianity, it is different than Islam, it is different than Hinduism.  Salvation in Wicca is to live a good life and learn what you are sent to learn.  Salvation in Islam is submission to Allah.  Salvation in Judaism is God's intervening grace.  Salvation in Hinduism is becoming one with Brahmin. Salvation in Buddhism is Nirvana. Salvation in Christianity is Christ.  These multiple roads cannot coexist, they cannot be compromised.  We are talking about essential tenets.  One of them has to be wrong regarding salvation.  One of them has to turn their devotees away from The Divine. 

I am reminded of an old Jainist parable.  There were a group of blind men that came in contact with an elephant.  One of them felt its tail and said "The elephant is long and twisty!" Another felt its side and said, "No it's large and immobile." Still another felt it's trunk and said, "No it's like a hose!"  That is how we act when coming into contact with God without sufficient revelation.  What is to be remembered when listening to this parable however, is that in order to tell it someone had to see the whole elephant.  And that whole elephant does exist and can be perceived.

The trunk becomes the whole, the side becomes the whole, and the tail becomes the whole.  You can't tell religions "you're all looking at one part!"  For example, if all I knew of the elephant was the tail, then how could I in fact perceive the full elephant?  I would think of it as tail like.  If I only knew of the trunk, I would think of the elephant as trunk like.  So let's say that different religions exaggerate different portions of The Divine, in that case if I only knew you as a hand I couldn't communicate with you.  You couldn't help me much at all, why, you'd have to show me your full self some how.

D-20 religion

Picture a d20 die (or, look to the left, either works). Each side has a different number and means a different thing. Yet, together, they create an entire d20 and something that can be useful.

The idea of the d20 can also apply to religion. A simple sentence to explain: "God is a d20." Now, I don't mean that he/she/it is a piece of formed plastic with numbers on it. Rather, I mean that he/she/it has different sides and faces that a person can pray to depending on what (or even who) they feel comfortable with. I realize at first glance and read, this may seem really out there. But please bear with me for a bit as I explain this whole thing.

First, Buddhism:

True, most Buddhists believe in no soul and wish to ultimately, achieve Nirvana. However, there are also different paths that a Buddhist can take in their quest to reach Nirvana. There's the Theravada, the Mahayana, Zen and Nichiren. Each of these paths are legitimate ways to reach Nirvana. The reasons one Buddhist might choose one over another is personal choice. Or, what feels right. In this case, God (or Nirvana) is like a d4: different paths to the same end, each a part of the other.

Hinduism: Hinduism holds belief in God. And in Shiva. And in Kali. And in Ganesha. And in Kurma. The list goes on and on. So, how can a Hindu say they believe in God and still worship Shiva, Kali, Ganesha and Kurma? Here's the thing- God has all of those faces; he is all of them at the same time. And they dedicate themselves (generally) to one of these Gods/Goddesses that they feel the most connected with in a way to better communicate with God. Truly, God is more along the lines of a d100 here.

Paganism: Now, look at what I just talked about with the Hindus. A lot of those same basic ideas can be put into explaining the Pagan ideals. In this case, the "supreme spirit" (for lack of a better name) is split into two separate entities: both male and female. After all, everything on this world has an opposite, why shouldn't the deities? They appear in many forms, from Aradia to Athena to Brighid for the Lady and Dagda to Thor to Mars for the Lord. This does not mean that there are thousands of different Gods and Goddesses running around up in the Summerlands. Rather, they are part of the Goddess or the God themselves, showing different sides of the same person. Think about how people are: they don't just have one face.

Finally, before people think that I am just choosing religions with different Gods in an attempt to support this, let me move onto my final example-

Christianity:

Father. Son. Holy Ghost. Most Christians believe that they are all part of the same entity, known either as God or THE LORD. This also lends credence to the idea that God is like a d20. Christians believe in one God and only one God. "I am THE LORD your God, and you shall have no other gods before me" (Commandment number one). If this is the case, then they couldn't pray to The Father AND the Son AND the Holy Ghost. God's own commandment would prevent that. Hence, the belief that they are all part of the same entity. What a delightful d3.

And there you have it, the d20 Religion theory. When you think about it,it does make sense.

A/N- I am not a religious scholar and nor do I pretend to be. any mistakes I have made in the above about any fact are my mistakes and mine alone. Please, no flames, but I do take all kinds of critisism along with ideas.

Cliché Invades Real Life

As I'm sure readers already know, New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has resigned over the revelation that he was a member of the "Emperor's Club" in Washington DC.  His favorite "escort" has been "outed" and revealed to be Ashley Alexandra Dupré, an aspiring singer.  Who is... decent.  Her myspace used to have a song by her up, but that has since been taken down.  Anyway, if this doesn't sound like a sappy movie to you, it gets worse:

The prostitute who has been thrust into the center of the nation's latest sex scandal has "a heart of gold," according to a former teacher who spoke with our corporate cousins at the Asbury Park Press.

It's become a cliché.

Now Sinbad's Back, From Outer Space!

I've been waiting years, but Sinbad's BACK BABY!  Now I realize some of the younger readers of this blog (not that I am aware of any, readers that is) may not know who Sinbad is.  If you are one of those people I implore you to pick up a copy of Jingle All The Way or First Kid to get a sense of what you've been missing.  Here's the story:

Sinbad, along with singer Sheryl Crow, was on that 1996 trip to Bosnia that Clinton has described as a harrowing international experience that makes her tested and ready to answer a 3 a.m. phone call at the White House on day one, a claim for which she's taking much grief on the campaign trail.  Harrowing? Not that Sinbad recalls. He just remembers it being a USO tour to buck up the troops amid a much worse situation than he had imagined between the Bosnians and Serbs.

If there's any celebrity I trust on matters of politics, it's Sinbad.  He's never let me down before.

Defending Clinton's characterization of her Bosnia mission, campaign spokesman Phil Singer kindly provided experts from news stories written about the trip at the time, including a Washington Post story from May 26, 1996, that said, "This trip to Bosnia marks the first time since Roosevelt that a first lady has voyaged to a potential combat zone."

Singer also cited a Kansas City Star article from September 2000 that quoted Sinbad as describing the situation in Bosnia as "so tense. It was Crips and Bloods."

Ok, fine.  But at least he's still funny.

In an interview with the Sleuth Monday, he said the "scariest" part of the trip was wondering where he'd eat next. "I think the only 'red-phone' moment was: 'Do we eat here or at the next place.'"

Well screw you Sinbad!

John Denver Karaoke Sparks Thai Killing Spree

From the Telegraph:

A gunman in Thailand shot-dead eight neighbours, including his brother-in-law, after tiring of their karaoke versions of popular songs, including John Denver’s Country Roads.

I for one saw this coming for years.  Even after death John Denver's reign of terror can not be stopped, his thirst for vengeance cannot be quenched.  If you thought Oh God! was bad, that my friends was just the beginning.  Did you know that if you play Take Me Home, Country Roads backwards it says "Do It"?  Sunshine On My Shoulders carries a subliminal message telling kids to sing it.  It's so darn catchy!

No, not until we rid the world of the evil of John Denver's music will we find peace.

That said, what happened in Thailand was horrible, and no matter how evil or poorly sung the music may be, that is no excuse for murder.  I am absolutely amazed I live in a world in which I can read such stories.

Click the title to read the whole story.

Apology Accepted?

I am all of 1/8th of a percent of Native American Indian. Does this make me privy to the way they feel? No. I have never been raised on a reservation nor do I know their pain. However, I do believe that what Annae says is correct. We are, essentially, throwing money at a problem in an attempt to make it go away. While this may be a way to solve problems in some cases, I do not believe that this is one of them. Though some may be able to attend college for free or greatly reduced prices, this is not, I believe, a form of apology. If anything, it is a way to buy silence. I am for making a formal apology to the Native American Indians. Though it was my ancestors who were those who originally did wrong, I still feel as though one is necessary. It may not solve all problems. In fact, I highly doubt that it will. Still, I think it is time for this country to own up to what it has done in the past, much the way Australia recently has with the Aboriginal People. It has not been the choice of the Native American Indian to become they way there are today. Many times, reservations are as bad as some second world countries. There's so much focus put on doing away with poverty in America. Shouldn't it be time that we actually do something about that? Small steps can change the world.

-"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

I abhor ignorance and apathy.

There are some things that make my very essence sizzle (with something akin to disgust) and they crackle under my skin urging for release. I call this "soul vomit." Two of the few (or many, depending on my mood) things that causes this essence upchuck are ignorance and apathy.

Allow me to begin with an anecdote: While sitting in class today, as we were attempting to discuss Montaigne's "Essays," the talk soon turned to the situation of American Indians (or Native Americans, if you prefer). You see, in Montaigne's essay, "On cannibalism," he battles with the concept of a less corporeal cannibalism. To him, those people who began to colonize South America, cannibalized their culture and should realize and stand accountable for their wrongdoing. We began to apply this idea of "cultural cannibalism" to the situation in North America. Personally, I agree with Montaigne. The American Indians suffered horrible tragedies at the hands of the white settlers in a way that exceeded any form of rebellion from any tribe: the settlers destroyed their culture. Now, with no way of being able to define themselves as men in the same manner that their ancestors did, it seems these once proud people have been reduced to mere husks of their former glory. Who is to blame for this?

I think the answer is obvious. Although, one girl in particular, who I shall call Mary-Sue, would not agree with me. According to her, "the Indians brought it upon themselves. They are alcoholics. I mean, if they are so poor why do they spend all of their money on alcohol?" Excuse me!? First thing, buying alcohol does not make someone an alcoholic (in the same way that me buying inordinate amounts of Pocky does not make me Japanese). Ever heard of the phrase, 'correlation does not equal causation?' Who is to say whether all American Indians are alcoholics? Alcoholism is not limited to the American Indian culture. Anyways, does this fact even make the situation unworthy of attention? No.

What really tipped the scales? Mary-Sue claimed that there was no reason to apologize to the Native American Indians because she did not do anything to them (as if she didn't somehow hold some sort of collective responsibility like normal Americans). Of course, in the same breath she stated, "we had slaves" when talking about her ancestors. It seems she wants to have her cake and eat it to. I also hate to point out that the Native Americans are still suffering horrible injustice and I feel that the only way to start making a difference in the situation would be to apologize for the wrongs that have been committed and take on the responsibility of what has happened in the past in order to make progress.

To New Beginnings

I thought that it was only polite that, before beginning this adventure, a sort of... introduction was in order. Perhaps my colleagues will follow suit.

Welcome to this humble (if that) blog.


You might call me Annae. I am a second semester Biology major (minor in Chemistry). I like cats, bugs, and the color green. I'm out.


Ryn here. I'm thinking that I will most likely be doing most of my writing in blue. One, I like blue. two, it's pretty easy to see still. I'm a writer, first and foremost in my life. At least that's what I like to say. In actuality, I'm a college student in my second semester. Still, writing fiction and poems are some of my favorite things to do. One sister, a mother who's survived breast cancer three times and a father who likes riding Harleys--I do too, for that matter. Music is my drug of choice. Don't know what else to add. So, whoever is next is next, I guess.


Kaleb here. I'll be writing in red. You can think of me as the objective person around here or not. My view on things is just there. I am a gamer and a workaholic at heart. Well right, now I'm working my butt off at odd jobs so I can pay for college. I love to write and for those of you who know me I just am who I am. Music would have to be my addiction, out of all the things I like thats the one that keeps me happy. Well there's that and my girlfriend, but who needs to go into my social life. Ooh and I like animals; they're my favorite pastime. That should cover everything.

Keljeck here. As for my name, it means nothing. I'll be writing in the color black, as all of the good colors have been taken. As of this date I am a sophomore in college, working for a Major in Religion. My interests include reading, writing, music, and collecting absolutely useless and boring information into my head so I may dispense it at any time among an unsuspecting populace. As for what else differentiates me from the other bloggers here, we'll just have to find out.