Anais Nin once said, “I write emotional algebra” and when I read it, I was struck.  Yes, I too write emotional algebra.  In whatever I write, there are unknown factors parsed throughout my expressions.  Sometimes these factors are dependent, and sometimes they are independent variables – but they are crowded inside those parenthetical signs.  Sometimes these factors will contain imaginary factors – those pesky units which must be squared before they enter the realm of the real world.  My emotional algebra will never contain tautologies but will always appear complex.  Read at your own peril.  Read deep or drink not.  Watch for signs and pay special attention to the contrapositives.  And always verify in order to prove your understanding.  QED

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Religious Freedom means Freedom FROM Religion as much as it does Freedom FOR Religions.  With that in mind, I would like to rant about the Catholic Church.  To condemn the Catholic Church is not the same as condemning all religions.  Why?  The Lutherans do not try to impose their beliefs on the actions of society.  Nor do the Episcopalians, nor do the Baptists (usually), nor do the Mormons, nor do the Christian Scientists.  But the Catholic Hierarchy does.

And here, I will make a distinction between the Catholic Hierarchy and the Catholic congregants.  So what is said about the abusive behavior of the Catholic Hierarchy does not necessarily apply to the individuals who are Catholics.  The individuals believe in contraception.  The Hierarchy does not.  The individuals I know do not feel their beliefs should be imposed on all of society.  The Hierarchy does.  Just as the Hierarchy is different from other religions and other denominations, so too is it different from the individuals within the church. 

Freedom of Religion means that one is free to believe whatever they want.  Freedom of religion does not mean they are free to do whatever they want including actions contrary to what is best for society.  We allow people to believe in Voodoo as a religion, but we do not allow them to sacrifice goats and chickens.  We allow Mormons to believe what they want, but we do not allow them to practice polygamy.  We, as a society, will allow the Catholic Hierarchy to believe whatever they want, but we will not allow them to impose their beliefs in such a way that it dictates the actions within our society.  The Catholic Hierarchy does not have the right to tell me what to do or to determine what does or does not happen to me.  Their beliefs cannot be used as a reason for society’s laws or practices.  There may be a correlation between a religion’s beliefs and the laws of society, but there must not be a cause and effect relationship.  A religion may believe in monogamy or not believe in murder which may be in accord with the laws in society.  But the reasons for the laws are not because of the religious beliefs – there is only a correlation and not a cause and effect.

If one takes off their blinders of provincialism and look at other countries and how they are governed, they will see the practice of Secularism.  (Norway,Sweden, even the Catholic countries of France and Austria).  Secularism does not try to do away with religion.  It allows religions to flourish and promotes Freedom OF Religious Beliefs.  However Secularism does not allow the laws and actions of society to be the result of religious beliefs.  No religious belief is used as a reason for a law, nor are exclusions based on religions allowed.  Everyone, regardless of religion, is treated equally.  Good Governance is based on doing what is best for all of society – not what is best for any one religion.

The approach besides Secularism is Pluralism which tries to accommodate to many and all religions.  This is impossible and should not even be considered a rational approach.  Under Pluralism, each religion tries to grasp more power than all the others and chaos reigns.  And this is what happens here in the US with our Pluralistic approach.  And the Catholic Hierarchy are hell-bent to obtain as much power and influence over our society as possible.

The Catholic Hierarchy needs to learn their place.  When John F. Kennedy ran for President and became first Catholic President, he was very careful to explain that he would not be taking orders from the Vatican in his governance.  What happened to that?  Now we expect the Bishops from the Vatican to order our Government around and tell it how it should enact its laws.  (For example, I give you Newt Gingrich.)  The Catholic Hierarchy should butt out of our Government and be happy that they are allowed to believe whatever they want to believe.  I am not a Catholic and I do not appreciate the Catholic Hierarchy trying to tell me what to do, or how to do it, or influence what others can and cannot do for me.  As far as I’m concerned, the Catholic Hierarchy is anything but Christian and should be ashamed of itself for its actions.  It is a shameful institution.

It seems that every time that I reach a point where I think I can tolerate religious fanatics, something comes along to convince me that I don’t want to.  Like the Catholic Bishops insisting on imposing their beliefs on contraception even after they were told that the Catholic institutions wouldn’t be reponsible for the distribution.  They can’t seem to realize that they are free to believe anything they want to believe, but the do not have the right to impose their beliefs on the actions by society. 

And then, just as the smoke begins to clear from that mess, I come across with this idiocy of how these crazies have found the Virgin Mary in the knot of a tree.  How is a rational person supposed to put up with such lunacy?  Below is the link to the article about this “find” and following are several of the comments that people made after reading this.  Their comments are a riot.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/09/virgin-mary-guadalupe-tree-houston-garden-oaks_n_1266811.html?ref=religion

“I believe. I believe. I have seen the tree and I believe.” Oh my god. (Take your pick – Roman, Greek, Norse, Hindu, Christian, Jewish, or Muslim.) Are the high schools of the United States really churning out these nincompoop­s? Don’t we teach kids at least an ounce of critical analysis? And these stupid people are the people who will be voting for the President of the US.  OMG.  It’s enough for someone to disbelieve in Democracy.

 This is one more reason why people cannot take religion seriously.

 He ought to paint a big smiley face on it.

 kinda looks like a vagina to me…. oh wait… that is my religious icon!!!!

 This idiocy is why many people have turned away from religion. They make a mockery of God. Where is truth in seeing images in trees. Why don’t they teach where we are in the stream of time; what worsening world conditions mean? How people can better their lives, etc. But no, let’s look at a tree?????

 I suppose its better this way. Otherwise, you’d have a virgin who looks like a tree. Hey – maybe that’s why she’s still a virgin?

 I’ll see your Virgin Mary tree and raise you one Christophe­r Hitchens driveway stain.

 Folks like these make it so easy to be an atheist. Must every crooked potato chip, rust stain , pizza slice or tree knot be a sign of the divine? Are these people so desperate? Aren’t the plastic/po­ttery depictions of whatever saint happens to be in favor this week — made in China — sufficient­? Don’t drag some poor tree into your madness…­.

 Are these folks Druids?

 It looks more like some Muslim woman in a burka.

 it’s amazing how pagan christians actually are…

 What Wood Mary Do?

A Classic Bull (Political) Fight

 The Bullfighter enters the arena with the objective to kill and destroy his opponent for sport.  But not to kill it forthright.  He challenges it, he baits it, he toys with it.  He follows a proscribed ritual in front of the cheering spectators.

 But he honors his opponent and allows him to charge against a distant cape which hides the real implements of destruction.  The Bullfighter looks at him in the eye and engages him one on one.  He sinks in multiple swords to injure him, but not yet kill him.  After injuring it repeatedly until the once proud beast is now a pitiable creature, the Bullfighter waits for the crowd to scream its pleasures before delivering the coup de grace.

 The killing is a ritualized process to test the strength and bravery of the doomed creature before it is finally vanquished.  The final thrust is given as an act of mercy rather than an act of violence.  The Bullfighter accepts the applause of the crowd as he praises the vanquished bull.  He will even sing songs to honor his opponent after his death.  And then he will eat of his victim in order to gain strength for the next contest.

 So it is in the Bullfighting arena.

 So it is in the political arena.  (Especially during this political election.)

Curiousdwk

Daddy/Daughter Dance

The cologne upon your neck

Could make a small girl dizzy;

But I hung on like heck:

Such waltzing was not easy.

We romped until the pans

Slid from the kitchen shelf;

And Mama’s countenance

Could not unfrown itself.

The hand that held my wrist

Was battered on one knuckle;

And every step that you missed

Caused my ear to scrape your buckle.

You beat the time on my head

With a palm caked hard by dirt,

Then waltzed me off to bed

Still clinging to your shirt.

(Adapted by me, Curiousdwk, from My Papa’s Waltz, By Theodore Roethke)

Blessings.  Blessings used to be a large part of our society.  Wise men would bless newborns, or marriages, or special events for special people.  Many blessings were beautifully crafted after much thought and deliberation.  The economy of the words of a blessing gave it increased power.

Here is my blessing for all of you for this New Year of 2012. 

DESIRADATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann

The Adult Version of ‘The Night Before Christmas’

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and boy was it neat.
The kids were both gone, and my wife was in heat.
The doors were all bolted, the phone off the hook,
It was time for some nooky, by hook or by crook.

Momma in her teddy and I in the nude,
Had just hit the bedroom and reached for the lube.
When out on the lawn there arose such a cry,
That I lost my boner, and momma went dry.

Up to the window I sprang like an elf,
Tore back the shade while she played with herself.
The moon on the crest of the snowman we’d built,
Showed a broom up his ass, clean up to the hilt.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a rusty old sleigh and eight mangy reindeer.
With a fat little driver, half out of the sled,
A sock in his ear and a bra on his head.

Sure as I’m speaking, he was high as a kite,
Whoa Shithead, whoa Asshole, whoa Stupid, whoa Putz,
Either slow down this rig or I’ll cut off your nuts.
Look out for the lamp post, and don’t hit the tree,
Quit shaking the sleigh, ’cause I gotta go pee.

They cleared the old lamp post, the tree got a rub,
Just as Santa leaned out and threw up on my shrub.
And then from the roof we heard such a clatter,
As each little reindeer now emptied his bladder.

I was donning my jockstrap, to cover my ass,
When down the chimney Santa came with a crash.
His suit was all smelly with perfume galore,
He looked like a bum and smelled like a whore.

“That was some brothel,” he said with a smile,
“The reindeer are pooped, so I’ll just stay awhile”
He walked to the kitchen for himself poured a drink,
Then whipped out his pecker and pissed in the sink.

I started to laugh, my wife smiled with glee,
The old boy was hung nearly down to his knee.
Back in the den, Santa reached in his sack,
But his toys were all gone, and some new things were packed.

The first thing he found was a pair of false tits,
The next was a handgun with a penis that spits.
A box filled with condoms was Santa’s next find,
And six pair of panties, the edible kind.

A bra without nipples, a penis extension,
And several more things I shouldn’t even mention.
A fuck ring, a G-string, and all types of oil,
And a dildo so long that it lay in a coil.

“This stuff ain’t for kids, Mrs. Santa will shit,
So I’ll leave ‘em here, and then I’ll just split.”
He filled every stocking and then took his leave,
With one tiny butt plug stuck under his sleeve.

He sprang to his sleigh, but his feet were like lead,
Thus he fell on his ass and broke wind instead.
In time he was seated, took reigns of his hitch,
Saying,”Take me home, Rudolf. This night’s been a bitch!”

The sleigh was near gone when we heard Santa shout,
“The best thing about pussy is you can’t wear it out!!”

    M E R R Y  C H R I S T M A S

Thanksgiving Chaos

“Billy, Susie, Carolyn, you all come in from the cold.”

As six stomping feet shake leaves and dirt from boots.

And see what they have been smelling through closed windows.

Creating chaos regardless of the drill-sergeant’s commands.

At the table, sounds of glasses clinking and forks chunking

And 10 simultaneous conversations from five different people

Creates more chaos than that experienced during preparations.

But at least everyone is laughing – at least on the outside.

After the pies, and the dishes and the football games

The three leave to their schools or their jobs and friends.

And what seemed like children when entering, are now adults.

How did they grow up so fast that now we’re alone in our own chaos?

Curiousdwk

I was just tagged by @hesactonradiction to post 7 things about myself.  I have read so many of these lately that I’m not sure who of my friends have already done this and who hasn’t.  As a result, I am not including “tags” at the end.

1.

Although I am very libertine and progressive in my mind regarding sex, I am so chicken shit that I never dare to even try the minimal amount of physical intimacies – like holding hands.  I find it easy to develop Platonic relationships with women, but not male/female relationships.

2. 

I am probably one of the oldest farts in this group of Xangans (63).  But although I am 63, I am also 55, and also 48, and also 33, and also 26, and also 17, and also 9 years old.  I am a composite of all that I have been.  As a result, I have many inter-generational friends – both younger and older than me. 

3. 

I have done a considerable amount of work with the United Nations – both within the civil sector and the business sector (not the Government sector most people think of including the General Assembly and the Security Council).  I have worked with the UN’s collaborative efforts of working with the over 25,000 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) throughout the world with the UN Agencies like UNICEF, UNESCO, and WHO.  It is in the work of the UN with the business sector and civil sector that the good work is done.  I am certified in the United Nation’s Global Compact – their work with the business sector on promoting Sustainability.  I am also certified in Reconciliation Leadership through the United Nations although my career and jobs were in finance and computers.  (I just got laid off a couple of weeks ago.)

4. 

I am both an introvert and an extrovert.  As an introvert, I like to play the piano, read, write poetry and essays, read, create art pieces, and also read.  (I don’t even own a TV – not because I don’t feel there’s nothing good, but rather I just don’t have the time to make it worth the money.)  As an extrovert, I have hosted a Conversation Café at the local Starbucks, hosted a philosophy discussion group at my house, I sang in a 200 voice community choir (among others), and I am on the Board of Directors of 3 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) or non-profit organizations.  I also like to participate in cabaret open mics, spoken word open mics (poetry and storytelling), and participate in international folk dancing.  I am a member of two Storytelling networks.  I prefer engaging in life rather than just observing it.

5. 

I do not believe in Greek gods, nor Roman gods, nor Norse gods, nor Hindu gods, nor Judeo-Christian gods.  I am a Humanist which means that I believe I have the ability and the responsibility to develop all (or as much as possible) of what it means to be human both in myself and in others.  This includes the rational, the emotional, the cultural, the social, and yes, even the sexual aspects of our humanity.

6. 

I prefer to be considered a Global Citizen rather than a member of any tribe or nation.  That way I am unlimited as I am not limited by being tagged as an American, or a Republican, or a Democrat, or a progressive, or a conservative, or any religious label.  I am in the process of developing a course to teach in Adult Education on “Global Citizenship Without Limits for Local Citizens”.

7. 

My mission in life, which I include in the signature line of all of my personal e-mails, is to teach/learn critical analysis, empathy, ethics/justice, and conflict management.  These areas of life are so important, yet they are not taught in school nor are they taught outside of school unless someone deliberately seeks them out.  But they are necessary for everyone in our society and they are so lacking. 

Money may not talk, but it does surely buy, and it definitely buys a voice.

  Under the new rules for the 2008 election cycle, the DCCC [Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee] asked rank-and-file members to contribute $125,000 in dues and to raise an additional $75,000 for the party. Subcommittee chairpersons must contribute $150,000 in dues and raise an additional $100,000. Members who sit on the most powerful committees … must contribute $200,000 and raise an additional $250,000. Subcommittee chairs on power committees and committee chairs of non-power committees must contribute $250,000 and raise $250,000. The five chairs of the power committees must contribute $500,000 and raise an additional $1 million. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn, and Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel must contribute $800,000 and raise $2.5 million. The four Democrats who serve as part of the extended leadership must contribute $450,000 and raise $500,000, and the nine Chief Deputy Whips must contribute $300,000 and raise $500,000. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi must contribute a staggering $800,000 and raise an additional $25 million

Marian Currinder, Money in the House (2008)

This practice of paying for the positions came about under Gingrich with his “pay to play” scheme and has been continued since.  

When the Founding Fathers, the darlings of the Tea Party, formed our Government, they formed it as a tri-partite organization (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches).  They included checks and balances on all three branches.  At the time, the United States was an agrarian society.  Now that we have passed through the Agrarian Age, and into the Industrial Age, and now into the Information Age (and even, I and others would argue, into the Entertainment Age), we have more than these three power groups in Washington D.C.  Now we have the lobbyists and the influencers dealing with power.  These new “arms of government” have no checks or balances.  Part of what Occupy Wall Street is including in this terrible practice of having only people who can and will pay have a voice in our government.  Our representatives are not representing the 99% of us who would not contribute to their coffers just so they can sit in a favored seat.  Too much control has been granted to the 1% who will give such as the lobbyists and those with independent wealth while we, the 99%, lose our representative voice.  No wonder the Tea Partiers want to return to the days of the Founding Fathers – they’re afraid of these new power groups being controlled.

The system is broken.  It became broken when there arose power brokers with no checks and balances.  I don’t want to sound cynical, but if this system is not repaired by putting in checks and balances on these power groups, we will implode just like the Soviet Union imploded because of poor governance and economic idiocy. (And yes, the USSR imploded because of its financial instability – not the result of wise acts by Reagan.) 

STOP THE INSANITY