I have decided that the only way to make a change in this country is to run for president. Here is a link to my campaign page. Click here! If you think you have a shot against me then go to www.u4prez.com , sign up and post your issues. I have posted mine below in case you don't feel like linking today!
My favorite president: Clinton, Kennedy
My worst president: Bush, G.W. Bush
My number 1 issue: Seperation of religious influence from the government
Candidate Biography
I am a resident of the United States but I am a citizen of the world. I don't believe in the tooth fairy, Santa Claus, God, or any other of those fictional characters. I have used drugs and had illicit sex! I think logically and I like to hear every side of an argument before making my decisions. I love my wife and I would die for her. I am tough on crime but willing to show mercy in the face of true repentance. I do not believe that I am better than you and I do not believe that you are better than me.
I was born in Oregon and raised in California. I was brought up in a Christian home but rejected the silly teachings at around the age of 20. I played guitar in the mildly successful band, DERT, in northern California and the extremely successful band Blackball (who later turned into The SuperUnknown) in Southern California. I received a degree in psychology from Long Beach State and did a couple of years of post grad study. I eventually specialized in computers through a certification program. I moved to Denver to run a restaurant and when that did not work out I attempted unsuccessfully to move to Amsterdam. After Amsterdam I returned to Denver where I miraculously survived an incident with a drunk driver. It was then that I realized my calling to make a change in this senseless world.
My Soundbite
How did we elect Bush twice?
What I would do as president
Here are my issues
Abortion - A woman’s body is sovereign. No one and no government has the right to tell her or anyone what they can and cannot do with their own body. If government were to ever consider getting involved in this choice then they would also be responsible for taking care of all of the babies that the mothers did not want but were forced to have. A large portion of this issue would be resolved instantly by providing sexual education and easy access to contraceptives. On the flip side of this issue, women deciding to keep a child that the father does not want to have, will not be able to collect child support from him. It must be drafted in writing that he is a willing participant to be a father. The woman can of course have the baby and support it on her own, but the father cannot be financially trapped due to his lack of say in the final outcome of the pregnancy.
Gay rights – This should not have to even be said but gay people are just as much people as straight people. A person’s sexual preference and practices in the bedroom are personal and have absolutely nothing to do with everyday life. If gays want to marry, then what is the problem with that? Gay people are allowed to be in love with each other and they should be allowed to express it through the legal binding contract of marriage. They should be allowed to have all of the benefits of marriage. There is no reason that sexual practices should in any way effect legal status of any kind.
Gun Control – If the country had been anti-gun from its inception then it would be understandable to continue to take an anti-gun stance. Since there is already such a massive amount of guns in circulation, making guns illegal will only put good law abiding citizens at risk of physical danger, while passing more power onto criminals who will refuse to turn their guns over. Guns should be regulated but never outlawed.
Health care – If you have not made arrangements to ensure that you have the appropriate health care provided to you in your career or through a private organization then you have to suffer the consequences of your inaction. People should not be going through life expecting everyone else to take care of them. If you want better coverage and benefits then get a better education and a better job. If you believe that Jesus can heal your ailments then you should drop your health coverage and rely solely on him. This would in turn give the industry some breathing room to pass on some affordable rates to those who don’t believe in such nonsense.
Illegal immigration – Why are we keeping people out of our country? If they are willing to work, learn our language, and obey the law, then there is no reason that we should not allow them in.
The deficit- It is important not to be in debt to anyone. America should work towards being self sufficient and relying on our own money and energy sources. This does not mean secluding ourselves from the rest of the world, but rather positioning ourselves to do business with the rest of the world on an even playing field.
Nuclear Weapons – Unfortunately, until we can be sure that there is no one else in the world with Nuclear weapons we can never disarm ours. We should invest money in making sure that our defenses are top notch and that we are ready for attacks from those nations with whom our reputation is unsalvageable.
War on Terrorism – We are not going to stop a war on terror by trying to fight in the middle of a civil war in the middle east. We should take our troop presence and concentrate it on finding and killing known terrorist. We should make it known that if you attack America that your whole organization will be hunted down like wild animals and killed. Fighting in Iraq will not stop a terrorist group based in Afghanistan.
Exit strategy from Iraq – Bring our boys home, we have no business being there!
Domestic spying – The patriot act is anything but patriotic. We have a right to privacy in this country that needs to be protected at all cost. Fear propaganda should not be sufficient enough to give up the privacy that should be allotted for our daily lives.
Separation of Church and State – Religion is the right of the individual. Religious beliefs have no place in politics though. Religious leaders should not be allowed to influence political agenda in anyway. Decisions effecting this great country should be made on reason and logic and not contain the influence of some imaginary figure that is watching us from the clouds. For crying out loud people, this is the 21st century!!!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
A man worthy of being called a hero!
Hugh Hefner on Religion
If a man has a right to find God in his own way, he has a right to go to the devil in his own way also. It sometimes happens that the man most other men would agree is surely going to the devil has instead discovered a new truth that is leading him away from established thought and tradition to a better way. In time these other men will understand and follow. ...
We're applying 16th century religion to a 20th century world; a more sophisticated time requires a more sophisticated faith. There's no logic in the belief that man's body, mind and soul are in conflict rather than in harmony with one another. ...
Religious leaders can attempt to persuade us of the correctness of their beliefs — they have this right, and indeed it is expected of them. They have no right, however, to attempt in any way to force their beliefs on others. And most especially, they have no right to use the power of the government to implement such coercion
Hugh Hefner on Sex
Everybody, if they've got their head on straight, wants to be a sexual object, among other things. They want to be attractive. Otherwise, what a sad and pathetic life. To really live a worthwhile life is to be attracted to and attractive to other people.
Hugh Hefner on the Afterlife
I haven't a clue. I'm always struck by the people who think they do have a clue. It's perfectly clear to me that religion is a myth. It's something we have invented to explain the inexplicable. My religion and the spiritual side of my life come from a sense of connection to the humankind and nature on this planet and in the universe. I am in overwhelming awe of it all: It is so fantastic, so complex, so beyond comprehension. What does it all mean — if it has any meaning at all? But how can it all exist if it doesn't have some kind of meaning? I think anyone who suggests that they have the answer is motivated by the need to invent answers, because we have no such answers.
If a man has a right to find God in his own way, he has a right to go to the devil in his own way also. It sometimes happens that the man most other men would agree is surely going to the devil has instead discovered a new truth that is leading him away from established thought and tradition to a better way. In time these other men will understand and follow. ...
We're applying 16th century religion to a 20th century world; a more sophisticated time requires a more sophisticated faith. There's no logic in the belief that man's body, mind and soul are in conflict rather than in harmony with one another. ...
Religious leaders can attempt to persuade us of the correctness of their beliefs — they have this right, and indeed it is expected of them. They have no right, however, to attempt in any way to force their beliefs on others. And most especially, they have no right to use the power of the government to implement such coercion
Hugh Hefner on Sex
Everybody, if they've got their head on straight, wants to be a sexual object, among other things. They want to be attractive. Otherwise, what a sad and pathetic life. To really live a worthwhile life is to be attracted to and attractive to other people.
Hugh Hefner on the Afterlife
I haven't a clue. I'm always struck by the people who think they do have a clue. It's perfectly clear to me that religion is a myth. It's something we have invented to explain the inexplicable. My religion and the spiritual side of my life come from a sense of connection to the humankind and nature on this planet and in the universe. I am in overwhelming awe of it all: It is so fantastic, so complex, so beyond comprehension. What does it all mean — if it has any meaning at all? But how can it all exist if it doesn't have some kind of meaning? I think anyone who suggests that they have the answer is motivated by the need to invent answers, because we have no such answers.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
God is calling his people to heaven
When I first heard the news that Tammy Faye Bakker only had a few weeks left to live as she battles with inoperable lung cancer I thought that this was a subject that I should leave alone. Besides being in a leadership position with a large fundamentalist movement in the early 80s that was ultimately crushed by scandal she is really a moral, decent and upright person. Tammy Faye, with her incredibly thick make up, was an incredibly accepting person. This included people that did not share her beliefs with her. Her most recent foray into entertainment was an appearance on the surreal life along with some characters like porn star Ron Jeremy, rapper Vanilla Ice, Traci Bingham, Erik Estrada, and Trishelle Cannatella. She was often heard making comments such as “people need to grant themselves permission to cast off the things that are holding them back, to forgive themselves and others, to be happy with themselves whoever they are, to persevere in the face of opposition, and to show each other unconditional love.” So the fact that I do not agree with Tammy Faye’s religious views has absolutely no effect on my feeling that she is generally accepting of varying beliefs and lifestyles and had nothing in mind but to make the world a better place. The only major thing that I can fault her for is having bad taste in men. This of course is a trait that she shares with most women in America, if not the world.
So as I mentioned, my plan was to leave the ironies of religious icons dying of horrific afflictions alone. Then all of the sudden I saw a story on CNN that Jerry Falwell, was sick. I clicked on the headline only to be taken to a story saying that he was dead!!! Jerry Falwell represents the same section of society under the banner of extreme fundamentalist faith that Tammy Faye represented, but with one exception. Jerry Falwell was an evil arrogant, hateful bastard. Falwell certainly left some marks on American society. We could call these marks stains since even after his passing they will be difficult to remove. One of those stains is the formation of an anti-gay group that was bent on “the polarization of the American electorate and the rise of Christian evangelicals as a political force in American politics.”
Falwell is credited with making it comfortable for religious leaders to get into politics. This of course has had some very positive effects on our society from Ted Haggard’s induced gay sex addiction to President Bush having difficulty fielding questions about the apocalpyse in press conferences.
Falwell’s biggest headline grabbers were of course more recently in his career. In 1999 he pointed the “Moral Majority” towards an incredibly important task of destroying the teletubbies. The teletubbies, an awkward children’s show from the 90s had a character that Falwell considered to be “a symbol of gay pride and a poor role model for children.” Falwell also overlooked Al Qaeda’s responsibility for the 2001 September 11th attacks on the World Trade towers. He claimed that there were some other groups that were responsible for the attacks and that these groups had brought the wrath of God. Falwell was quoted saying “I really believe that the pagans and the abortionist and the feminist and the gays and lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American way, all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say, you helped this happen.”
Falwell actively pushed to get religion and politics as intertwined as possible. He often claimed that this country was founded under the principle of “one true God.” Of course in the Treaty of Tripoli, which was drafted under George Washington and signed by John Adams it is stated “As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.” Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Peter Carr wrote “Shake off the fears of servile prejudices under which weak minds are firmly crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because if there be one he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”
The most hilarious part of this story is that just a week before his death Falwell was interviewed and said that he had asked God for another 20 years of life to complete the work that needed to be completed. He quoted the story of Hezekiah, who asked God for the same thing and had it granted. Apparently "god" did not feel that Falwell was as worthy of this request as Hezekiah. Of course the Christian community is just as happy with Falwell’s passing as the non-religious community. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist convention said "A true giant of the faith has gone on to his heavenly reward." Obviously, like most Christians, Land does not comprehend the seriousness or permanence of death.
Falwell was single handedly responsible for a large movement to intertwine politics and religion. This is an idea that our Founding Fathers would have viciously opposed. It is this type of mentality that is holding America back from progress, causing us to wage wars that we have no right to wage, causing us not to accept those that differ from us in religious views or lifestyle choices. One can only hope that the age of close-mindedness, bigotry and hate ended with Falwell’s death, but as we all know, in all likelihood, it more than likely left a vacuum for an even bigger monster to take his place. If people have to believe in the ridiculous notion of a “sky god” let us hope that they at least are led to act more like Tammy and less like Jerry. Someone please save us from ourselves!
So as I mentioned, my plan was to leave the ironies of religious icons dying of horrific afflictions alone. Then all of the sudden I saw a story on CNN that Jerry Falwell, was sick. I clicked on the headline only to be taken to a story saying that he was dead!!! Jerry Falwell represents the same section of society under the banner of extreme fundamentalist faith that Tammy Faye represented, but with one exception. Jerry Falwell was an evil arrogant, hateful bastard. Falwell certainly left some marks on American society. We could call these marks stains since even after his passing they will be difficult to remove. One of those stains is the formation of an anti-gay group that was bent on “the polarization of the American electorate and the rise of Christian evangelicals as a political force in American politics.”
Falwell is credited with making it comfortable for religious leaders to get into politics. This of course has had some very positive effects on our society from Ted Haggard’s induced gay sex addiction to President Bush having difficulty fielding questions about the apocalpyse in press conferences.
Falwell’s biggest headline grabbers were of course more recently in his career. In 1999 he pointed the “Moral Majority” towards an incredibly important task of destroying the teletubbies. The teletubbies, an awkward children’s show from the 90s had a character that Falwell considered to be “a symbol of gay pride and a poor role model for children.” Falwell also overlooked Al Qaeda’s responsibility for the 2001 September 11th attacks on the World Trade towers. He claimed that there were some other groups that were responsible for the attacks and that these groups had brought the wrath of God. Falwell was quoted saying “I really believe that the pagans and the abortionist and the feminist and the gays and lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American way, all of them who have tried to secularize America, I point the finger in their face and say, you helped this happen.”
Falwell actively pushed to get religion and politics as intertwined as possible. He often claimed that this country was founded under the principle of “one true God.” Of course in the Treaty of Tripoli, which was drafted under George Washington and signed by John Adams it is stated “As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquility, of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.” Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Peter Carr wrote “Shake off the fears of servile prejudices under which weak minds are firmly crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because if there be one he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”
The most hilarious part of this story is that just a week before his death Falwell was interviewed and said that he had asked God for another 20 years of life to complete the work that needed to be completed. He quoted the story of Hezekiah, who asked God for the same thing and had it granted. Apparently "god" did not feel that Falwell was as worthy of this request as Hezekiah. Of course the Christian community is just as happy with Falwell’s passing as the non-religious community. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist convention said "A true giant of the faith has gone on to his heavenly reward." Obviously, like most Christians, Land does not comprehend the seriousness or permanence of death.
Falwell was single handedly responsible for a large movement to intertwine politics and religion. This is an idea that our Founding Fathers would have viciously opposed. It is this type of mentality that is holding America back from progress, causing us to wage wars that we have no right to wage, causing us not to accept those that differ from us in religious views or lifestyle choices. One can only hope that the age of close-mindedness, bigotry and hate ended with Falwell’s death, but as we all know, in all likelihood, it more than likely left a vacuum for an even bigger monster to take his place. If people have to believe in the ridiculous notion of a “sky god” let us hope that they at least are led to act more like Tammy and less like Jerry. Someone please save us from ourselves!
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Guess Who's back
Sorry folks, I was advised by my lawyer to make this site private due to a pending trial in a very Christian county. Even though this BLOG has nothing to do with my trial there was concern it would be leaked into the hands of jurors and used against me. Now that the case has been settled out of court, this BLOG can be public again. Thanks to all of my readers for all of your support.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Does God Love Mitt Romney?
BOSTON, Massachusetts (AP) -- The Rev. Al Sharpton, who recently urged that radio host Don Imus be fired for making a racially insensitive remark, said in a debate that "those who really believe in God will defeat" Republican Mitt Romney for the White House.
Those who really believe in God!!! Oh boy, this is going to be good. The battle of the faith’s
But Sharpton denied he was questioning the Mormon's own belief in God.
Just like a Christian, say something, then say that it is not what you meant when people respond poorly. It is the same argument that they use when defending the old testament. The old “out of context” argument.
Rather, the New York Democrat said he was contrasting himself with Christopher Hitchens, the atheist author he was debating at the time.
"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation," Sharpton said Monday during a debate with Hitchens at the New York Public Library's Beaux-Arts headquarters.
Um, doesn’t seem like there are many different ways that you can take that!
The comment was first reported Tuesday in a blog on The New York Times' Web site.
The Romney campaign, which has been wary of campaign trail criticism of Romney's faith, responded aggressively to the Sharpton comment. If elected, Romney would be the first Mormon to serve as president.
I don’t know about Romney’s politics but I have a feeling that Mormonism is a big enough enemy of American Christianity that he will not win. See Romney is in a similar boat with Atheist. If you do not at least claim Christianity in this country you have no shot at gaining high political office. So many feel that this invisible apparition in the sky actually has something to do with one’s ability to run a country. I have no problem with anyone of any faith leading the country if they can make sound decisions and protect the right of all belief systems.
"It is terribly disheartening and disappointing to hear Reverend Sharpton offer such appalling comments about a fellow American's faith," said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden. "America is a nation of many faiths and common values, and bigotry toward anyone because of their beliefs is unacceptable."
Excellent response by the way.
Romney chimed in himself Monday during an appearance on the Fox News program "Hannity and Colmes."
"I think there are differences between different faiths in this country. And there will be battles between different religions," Romney said. "That's a great thing about this country. We don't decide who's going to be in office based on what church they go to."
Sounds to me like Romney is a very smart man. I disagree though that this country doesn’t elect someone based on what church they go to. We most certainly do
In a tape of the debate, Sharpton can be heard defending the role of religion in the civil rights movement and shunning any suggestion that there wasn't a religious underpinning to the efforts of its leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Then Sharpton spoke of Romney, although a tape reviewed by The Associated Press does not reveal why.
Because he is a bigot and a hypocrite, that is why. Christ! It is OK for him to bash people based on anything he feels appropriate but when someone else does it, there is hell to pay!
In a later interview with the AP, Sharpton denied questioning Romney's belief in God and suggested the Romney camp was trying to stir up a controversy because of their political differences.
The master of spin strikes again. Dude you are on tape saying it. The only thing you are doing now is proving to everyone that you are a liar.
"What I said was that we would defeat him, meaning as a Republican," Sharpton said. "A Mormon, by definition, believes in God. They don't believe in God the way I do, but by definition, they believe in God."
He said he was contrasting himself and other believers with Hitchens, who is the author of a new book, "God Is Not Great."
Last month, Sharpton led the calls for Imus' ouster last month after the talk show host referred to members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos."
Of course this will be the end of this story. No one will ask Sharpton to step down over his comments, there will be no firings, no lawsuits, and no public outcry. Why? Two main reasons. Mitt Romney is white, and Mitt Romney is not a Christian. Anyways, I was disgusted enough to point it out, now I am done with it too.
Those who really believe in God!!! Oh boy, this is going to be good. The battle of the faith’s
But Sharpton denied he was questioning the Mormon's own belief in God.
Just like a Christian, say something, then say that it is not what you meant when people respond poorly. It is the same argument that they use when defending the old testament. The old “out of context” argument.
Rather, the New York Democrat said he was contrasting himself with Christopher Hitchens, the atheist author he was debating at the time.
"As for the one Mormon running for office, those who really believe in God will defeat him anyways, so don't worry about that; that's a temporary situation," Sharpton said Monday during a debate with Hitchens at the New York Public Library's Beaux-Arts headquarters.
Um, doesn’t seem like there are many different ways that you can take that!
The comment was first reported Tuesday in a blog on The New York Times' Web site.
The Romney campaign, which has been wary of campaign trail criticism of Romney's faith, responded aggressively to the Sharpton comment. If elected, Romney would be the first Mormon to serve as president.
I don’t know about Romney’s politics but I have a feeling that Mormonism is a big enough enemy of American Christianity that he will not win. See Romney is in a similar boat with Atheist. If you do not at least claim Christianity in this country you have no shot at gaining high political office. So many feel that this invisible apparition in the sky actually has something to do with one’s ability to run a country. I have no problem with anyone of any faith leading the country if they can make sound decisions and protect the right of all belief systems.
"It is terribly disheartening and disappointing to hear Reverend Sharpton offer such appalling comments about a fellow American's faith," said Romney spokesman Kevin Madden. "America is a nation of many faiths and common values, and bigotry toward anyone because of their beliefs is unacceptable."
Excellent response by the way.
Romney chimed in himself Monday during an appearance on the Fox News program "Hannity and Colmes."
"I think there are differences between different faiths in this country. And there will be battles between different religions," Romney said. "That's a great thing about this country. We don't decide who's going to be in office based on what church they go to."
Sounds to me like Romney is a very smart man. I disagree though that this country doesn’t elect someone based on what church they go to. We most certainly do
In a tape of the debate, Sharpton can be heard defending the role of religion in the civil rights movement and shunning any suggestion that there wasn't a religious underpinning to the efforts of its leader, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Then Sharpton spoke of Romney, although a tape reviewed by The Associated Press does not reveal why.
Because he is a bigot and a hypocrite, that is why. Christ! It is OK for him to bash people based on anything he feels appropriate but when someone else does it, there is hell to pay!
In a later interview with the AP, Sharpton denied questioning Romney's belief in God and suggested the Romney camp was trying to stir up a controversy because of their political differences.
The master of spin strikes again. Dude you are on tape saying it. The only thing you are doing now is proving to everyone that you are a liar.
"What I said was that we would defeat him, meaning as a Republican," Sharpton said. "A Mormon, by definition, believes in God. They don't believe in God the way I do, but by definition, they believe in God."
He said he was contrasting himself and other believers with Hitchens, who is the author of a new book, "God Is Not Great."
Last month, Sharpton led the calls for Imus' ouster last month after the talk show host referred to members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team as "nappy-headed hos."
Of course this will be the end of this story. No one will ask Sharpton to step down over his comments, there will be no firings, no lawsuits, and no public outcry. Why? Two main reasons. Mitt Romney is white, and Mitt Romney is not a Christian. Anyways, I was disgusted enough to point it out, now I am done with it too.
