From Obama to Alpha Centauri

Filed Under anecdotes, capitalism, politics, religion, science | 1 Comment

My youngest brother started it. He prompted a conversation between me and the husband about imperialism, liberal interventionism, and the concept of universal human rights. From this, somehow we got to talking about the privileged position of faith and the contradictions that creates, how it’s strange to accept the “miracles” of Jesus based on the word people who didn’t understand much about how the natural world worked, and then magicians …. On to the God of Gaps, and the popular idea that when we die our “energy” lives on as a personal spirit, how long would it take to travel to Alpha Centauri, intelligent life on other planets wouldn’t need to be “humanoid,” and finally, the Prime Directive. Which led us right back to non interventionist vs interventionist politics.

This all began when my brother told me he’d send me his copy of Obama’s Audacity of Hope (he’s read both of Obama’s books), and wanted me to pay special attention to the chapter “Beyond Our Borders” (or something along those lines). “And then tell me if you think Obama is an imperialist.”

Two hours later I was sitting here thinking about the fact that when I look into the Milky Way I’m looking years into the past. Even the sun is always ten minutes old to my eyes. And many “primitive” people saw themselves as “the people” in the same way that some religions advocate humans as special to God. We are thriving and striving in a narrow and delicate slip of our planet. I want the primacy of a ripe orange in my hand and an understanding of magnitude.

Taken one by one, we are minor things repetitively criss-crossing the streets of the towns we live in, but as a whole we’ve constructed elaborate universes of knowledge, some real, some imagined.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Feb

27

Cheering Myself Up

Filed Under from the heart, lil things | 9 Comments

Despite the beautiful (60 degrees and sunny) weather we’ve been experiencing here in my neck of the woods, I’ve been pretty depressed and useless. I’m behind in everything, from laundry to schoolwork. There are at least half a dozen voice mails on my cell phone, and I didn’t collect the mail for a week. I feel worst when I’m dry heaving, and best when I’m snuggled up next to my sweetie watching Rutger Hauer be all awesome in Blade Runner.

Yes, my entity-thinking self is not so bravely “coping,” and eating 6-8 cup sized meals a day. I research Montessori philosophy, which embodies incrementalist thinking. Is there hope for me, as an adult? The little lima bean is now a plum, and I’m determined that by the time it becomes a grapefruit I will have strategized my way out of these doldrums.

In the meantime, this video made me happy. I think the little girl looks so much like Peacebang.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Feb

27

Questions - Mandates & Profit

Filed Under capitalism, politics, questions | 9 Comments

Maybe someone can explain to me how this makes any sense: the government decides something is mandatory, e.g. car insurance, child car-seats, health care insurance - and the only entities that can provide those services are privately owned. Why should that be? If the government is going to require that I buy something, shouldn’t they be running that (or at least a competitive) operation? Why should some suit or investor someplace be getting richer because of Uncle Sam’s mandates? If it’s a government problem, shouldn’t it have a governmental solution?

This is ridiculous. Not only that, but if these corporations weren’t for-profit, the costs to the consumer would undoubtedly be less.
How do they manage to slip these things by us? Why hasn’t there been a class action lawsuit about this?

Popularity: 24% [?]

Feb

22

My Queendom for a Dunkin Donut

Filed Under humor, lil things | 8 Comments

Yesterday afternoon, I abruptly got up from the computer and walked down the stairs. The LH was sitting on the couch, coding; his mother was in the dining room, highlighting a medical textbook. Without a clue as to what I was going to say, I announced: “I need some donuts.” And strangely enough, when I check UUpdates today I find all of these posts about donuts!!!! How did y’all know what was on my mind? Unfortunately, where I live (the Pacific NW of the USA), donut shops are becoming extinct. We have maybe ten shops, including independent ones. But we do have a Vegan Vietnamese restaurant. *sigh* Too bad that’s not what I’m craving.

Incidentally, the meme figured out exactly my favorite type of donut - glazed. I prefer Dunkin Donuts to Krispy Kreme, hands down. What I wouldn’t give for a cakey, glazed donut (or two) right now. I swear there’s a whiff of it coming from somewhere (my imagination?)!!!

You Are a Glazed Donut

Okay, you know that you’re plain - and you’re cool with that.
You prefer not to let anything distract from your sweetness.
Your appeal is understated yet universal. Everyone dig you.
And in a pinch, you’ll probably get eaten.

What Donut Are You?

Popularity: 21% [?]

Feb

13

Alex, I’ll Take “Picking Lettuce” for $50/hr

Filed Under politics | 8 Comments

“Why do Latinos hate Black people? - this is the unspoken question posed by pundits who remark on Clinton’s sway over Latino voters. I liked this reasonable editorial from LA Times writer Gregory Rodriguez - and I’ve decided that the whole thing is ridiculous. The irony is that the LH and I were both sitting here trying to answer that faux question until it dawned on us that we are two Latinos voting for Obama! Wow, that media is tricky! (Unless something truly wild happens to cause Ron Paul to win the Repub. nomination, in which case, only one Latino in this house - me - is surely voting for Obama).

And I’ve decided that if it comes down to Clinton and McCain, I won’t throw a tantrum and vote for McCain. I will vote for Hillary. She is not insane. Being calculating and wanting the Presidency does not make her an evil bitch. I don’t want to reward her for the shenanigans towards Obama, but at the same time, I did some more research on McCain, and he really is too conservative and beloved by big business (for good reason). Also, I don’t know whether it’s singing songs about bombing more countries, or being so out of touch with the working class that he thinks Americans wouldn’t pick lettuce for $50 an hour, but his temper and choice of words suggest he’s missing a few screws.

Popularity: 24% [?]