Thanks at Thankgiving

The American holiday, Thanksgiving, is my favorite holiday. I like turkey, pumpkin pie, family gatherings, football, and multiple helpings of all of these, but personally, it is a time that reminds me to be grateful for everything that I have, no matter who is responsible for my having it. It is also a time for me feel a little sad for billions of people who have little hope of getting even a fraction of the wealth that I (temporarily) possess.
Farmers all over the world, but mostly, here in America, are responsible for raising all of the food I eat. I do not grow any food on my 1/8 of an acre in the Ohio city of Cincinnati. Many of these farmers are growing food and selling it for a profit, but not much of one. Some are subsidized by government programs and some are selling at such a little profit that they will soon have to give up farming because, as a business, it is not sustainable. Still, I am grateful to both groups.
My family and friends, especially my wife, daughter, father and oldest friend, Randy, give my life an immeasurable richness. Some of them come to my old house for Thanksgiving dinner, which I attempt to cook some of, in a tolerably edible way. We talk, laugh, set the table, light candles, watch football, cook, eat, clean, and sit for hours. It is all quite wonderfully exhausting. I am very fortunate and work very hard (along with my wife) for a large, 97 year old burnt orange brick, three story house where we gather for this annual event. It is plenty spacious enough, but were it not, the holiday dinner would still be as nice. For all of this, I am grateful to everyone involved, including myself and the various banks that occasionally loan money to me. That also means I am grateful to all the people who keep their money in those banks.
It is always in the back of my mind that billions of people live very primitive and, to most Americans, poverty stricken lives. They can afford very little, most do not own their houses, if houses they live in, and many do not get enough to eat, ever. This puts me in mind that American people can contribute some of their wealth to those in need. Many do just that. I am thankful to them for this.

Obama at UC Nippert Sunday night

For anyone undecided about which Presidential candidate to vote for, visit the University of Cincinnati, Sunday evening, 9pm to see Barack Obama, in person.

Blogger for Obama

Don't assume Obama will win on Tuesday because he is so far ahead in the polls. Show up and vote for Obama/Biden if you haven't voted, already. Not only does he represent Hope for America, he represents hope for the future. The U.S.A. is headed for continued steep decline if McCain steals the election. Bring back principle and morality to government ( I hope!).

One of the attractions of Italy are the beautiful landscape of Tuscany. This is a view of a place called Pietra Fitta, near San Gimignano.

Piazza San Marco

Millions will see Piazza San Marco in their lifetime. It is the one place you go to in Venice. The pigeons are horrible, the crowds are just as bad, but, as you can see, this is not Vegas, it's the real magilla. Go. You have to see it in person, once.

This I Believe-Draft

I believe it is possible to be a morally responsible, ethical, truthful, contributing member of American society (such as it is), without believing in myths. There is nothing wrong with buying into scientifically verified, evidence based, ideas. One can even raise decent, well-behaved, wonderful children who grown into even better adults. The children can even disagree with their myth-disbelieving parents.

I believe it is possible for the people of the world to get closer to living in peace without believing that myths are reality and expecting their neighbors to believe in the same myth. Living without myth (as much as possible) is the next stage of development for mankind, and the sooner we begin the better off the world will be.

Unless Attacked, Atheists Pose No Danger

More people would come out of the Atheist closet, if they felt more comfortable about being accepted as warm, feeling, understanding, and tolerant human beings (some of us can be), who, by the way, also need to be loved. We're not all going to denounce anti-evolutionists as intellectually childlike, scientifically ignorant simpletons. Some of us can tolerate the superstitious folks who cross themselves when under severe emotional stress. We can have patience for those who ritually waste time by determining which direction Mecca lies, prostrating themselves, then praying to Allah, five times daily. Different sources show different numbers, but for argument's sake (some of us really don't want to argue. . . it's so stressful) let's say only two percent of the English speaking world is Atheist. But it's difficult to pin down the number of Atheists whose friends and family know, without question, that they are confirmed Atheists. Nobody wants to be ostracized for living up to their beliefs, let alone banished, injured, or even killed. Unfortunately, these things are what is required of adherents to Islam, Judaism, or Christianity, if their friends or family members decry their particular holy writings or religious laws. Atheists who are out might adopt the attitude, "Live and let live if you just don't discriminate against me or hurt me."
One could say the Red Army of the former Soviet Union, or the Peoples Republic of China were militant Atheists, but history records that spreading Atheism wasn't the aim of their campaigns. Generally, they had typical military goals like occupation, defense, or simple conquest. Without any exception of which I am aware, individual Atheists are particularly peace loving individuals, if justifiably defensive.
Staying in the Atheist closet is like the ghost orchid hiding deep in the swamp of religious fecundity. It is easy to hide the beauty we all possess inside.

Political One Liners

Romney suspends campaign. McCain pushes on with his campaign of exclusion, hateful rhetoric, and fear mongering.

Michael Moore likes Hillary, but would find it immoral to support her because of her record of voting for the war in Iraq.

All of the candidates still want Mega money (mega profit) insurance companies involved in American healthcare. There is no mention of a single payer system anywhere. Overpriced and exclusionary healthcare will continue indefinitely to all of our detriment.

Law Abiding as a Lifestyle Attitude

A question that begs to be asked every time I hear "W" talk about spreading democracy is, "Why don't people just adopt a democratic system of electing governments on their own?" One answer is that military action is much more expedient. Think Pakistan. Think Turkey. Think Israel. Another way to answer that question is with another question. What societal element is required in order to change an entire government, peacefully, by only holding legitimate elections? The only answer to that question is that the controlling majority of the population must live their lives with the attitude that obeying legal statutes is a real part of their every-day lives. People must be willing to obey the laws that their legislators have agreed upon.

These are not folks who will organize militias when things aren't going their way. Maybe a work stoppage here or protest march there, but only the fringe will take up violence. People who believe in the rule of law will call their congressmen or member of parliment, but they won't start blowing up police cars or shooting at folks in the next neighbor. It isn't civilized. Think about this the next time you watch the network news.