Liberals provide hope, not fear

By David W. Shelton | November 19, 2006 |

Thank God for liberals. It’s about time that those of us who are tired of right-wing fear mongering show that our point of view is based in hope more than anything.

Of course, the usual suspects come out of the woodwork to denounce liberal ideology in typical fashion. In contrast, liberals focus on the reality that we can’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. After all, that’s the definition of “insanity.” «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | No Comments

Boycott the Customs House Museum

By Bill Larson | November 17, 2006 |

Until Ned Couch, the executive director of the Customs House Museum resigns, I will not be attending any museum functions, advertising their events, donating any money, or encouraging anyone to patronize their establishment. I strongly encourage my readers to boycott them as well.

It’s the job of the museum to present the arts, not to censor them in the name of community sensibilities. They approved the display, and unless they are totally incompetent, they reviewed each piece before approving the exhibit. Once they gave their approval, they have no right to require suddenly controversial pieces to be removed.

Free speech is an all or nothing proposition. Either all people are equally entitled to free speech or they are not. It’s not something you can pick or choose. People whom you disagree with are just as entitled to protection of their right to free speech as you, or those you agree with, are.

The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly ruled that burning a flag is protected free speech. I am quite sure that printing words on the flag is, most likely deep frying one is as well. While I don’t personally agree with the artist’s actions, I will defend his right to make his statement, using a flag or not. You should as well.

Sections: Issues | 2 Comments

Censorship! When will they learn?

By Bill Larson | November 16, 2006 |

Small-minded people often tout the many blessings of using censorship to protect society, the children. The government tried it with COPA, which was then promptly blocked by the federal courts, due to the likelihood that the plaintiffs would prevail in their lawsuit against the government. The FCC is still doing it to broadcast television, and they want to expand their reach to cable TV, satellite TV, and satellite radio. Guess Howard Stern didn’t run far enough away for them. Some Christians love the idea of burning books and other cultural material that they find ideologically unacceptable. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Issues, Opinion | 4 Comments

Video: The god who wasn’t there

By Bill Larson | November 15, 2006 |

Bowling for Columbine did it to the gun culture.
Super Size Me did it to fast food.
Now The God Who Wasn’t There does it to religion.

Holding modern Christianity up to a bright spotlight, this bold and often hilarious new film asks the questions few dare to ask.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure | 1 Comment »

Conservative terrorists?

By Bill Larson | November 14, 2006 |

We already know the history of the Bush administration for using the threat of Terror attacks to manipulate their approval rating. We have seen Republican political campaigns attempt to terrorize Americans into voting for them. We know how the terrorist attacks on 9/11 were used by political opportunists to begin a wholesale theft of the civil liberties and the constitutional rights that made America the envy of the world.

When their sycophants are given an example of this nature, is it not common sense that they too might begin trying to terrorize those who oppose their political masters?

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments

Post election roundup

By Bill Larson | November 13, 2006 |

I took the weekend off, I hope no one minded too much :)

A couple of election related things to talk about.

Automated phone calls for election purposes, these should be banned. Let living people call as much as they wish, provided they promptly honor requests from the phone customer to be removed from their list.

Deceptive campaign ads. These should never be tolerated. Once it’s proven that a clearly deceptive ad was issued by a candidate, whoever authorized them should be sent to jail. No if’s, but’s, or excuses.

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Politics | No Comments

Video of Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers

By Bill Larson | November 10, 2006 |

This is the new documentary from Robert Greenwald. It’s about the Iraq war, the corporations which profited off of it, the average people who paid the price for their profits, and so much more. If you like the film make sure that you go out and buy a copy it’s only $12.50. I have already purchased mine!

«Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Arts and Leisure, Politics | No Comments

A letter to the Democrats

By Bill Larson | November 9, 2006 |

To the Democrats who were recently elected, you have been given 2 years to prove to America that you can lead this nation, and solve some of the problems we face. We expect intense oversight of the Executive Branch to prevent the abuses that went unchecked with the Republican rubber stamp Congress. «Read the rest of this article»

Sections: Opinion, Politics | 1 Comment »