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beam me up scottie
beam me up scottie's Journal
beam me up scottie's Journal
November 23, 2015
I am an anti-theist but as the daughter of a refugee I am sickened by people who would turn away those who are desperately fleeing religious persecution.
In 1941 Dr. Seuss sent a message that, sadly, hasn’t lost its meaning.
In 1941 Dr. Seuss sent a message that, sadly, hasnt lost its meaning.
November 19, 2015 by JT Eberhard
Dr. Seuss was actually a political cartoon contributor for New Yorks PM Newspaper for part of his early career. This was his piece on October 1, 1941:
This was in reaction to the fact that most Americans opposed Adolph Hitlers anti-Jew policies while also being opposed to granting safe haven to refugee Jews.
And here we are again today, over 74 years later, where people are being executed by on occupying force and need to get out of the country. Most Americans oppose ISIL in pretty much every way, yet the people who think a freshly fertilized egg is a human being for which anything and everything should be done are willing to turn their back on actual refugee children. If it were their families in Syria theyd be begging for safe haven, but they just cant put themselves in the other peoples shoes. Were safe, and thats all that matters, right?
You want America to be a hero to the world. Well heres the news flash: heroes take risks. They go into burning buildings to pull people out. Bravery isnt the absence of fear, its the courage and the strength to do what is right even though youre afraid. And all the people who want America to be a hero simultaneously want her to cave to fear, fear ISIL purposefully has tried to impose upon us. There are gobs of refugees in so many other countries, countries that arent separated from ISIL by an ocean, countries that dont spend 47% of all the worlds military spending on their own military. And yet, theyre the ones stepping up.
So much flag-waving. So much faux patriotism. You just want America to be viewed as a hero, but you want to make her a coward and its obvious why. Sit down, because this is going to sting: its because you are cowards, racists, or some combination of the two. You demand the worlds respect without wanting to do any of the work, without taking any of the risk that doesnt include bombing places that contain way more innocents than terrorists. Thats nice and 100% safe and the only price we might have to pay are a bunch of dead innocent people and for you thats good enough to be a hero. But it aint, thats just your cowardice coming up with justifications.
Nobodys asking you to run into a burning building, literally or metaphorically. We just want to let people into a country where theyre safe something that once meant a great deal to this nation if the inscription on the Statue of Liberty is any indication. Yeah, a terrorist or two might try to come over and, who knows, they might get through the extremely strict screening process to get into this country. Well cross that bridge when we get to it and deal with it. But this argument rests on the presumption that if a terrorist sneaks through people might die and it ignores the fact that people are already dying and many more are certain to die unless countries help! Other countries are, but your big, tough, macho Republican leaders are cowering like children.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2015/11/in-1941-dr-seuss-sent-a-message-that-sadly-hasnt-lost-its-meaning
November 19, 2015 by JT Eberhard
Dr. Seuss was actually a political cartoon contributor for New Yorks PM Newspaper for part of his early career. This was his piece on October 1, 1941:
This was in reaction to the fact that most Americans opposed Adolph Hitlers anti-Jew policies while also being opposed to granting safe haven to refugee Jews.
And here we are again today, over 74 years later, where people are being executed by on occupying force and need to get out of the country. Most Americans oppose ISIL in pretty much every way, yet the people who think a freshly fertilized egg is a human being for which anything and everything should be done are willing to turn their back on actual refugee children. If it were their families in Syria theyd be begging for safe haven, but they just cant put themselves in the other peoples shoes. Were safe, and thats all that matters, right?
You want America to be a hero to the world. Well heres the news flash: heroes take risks. They go into burning buildings to pull people out. Bravery isnt the absence of fear, its the courage and the strength to do what is right even though youre afraid. And all the people who want America to be a hero simultaneously want her to cave to fear, fear ISIL purposefully has tried to impose upon us. There are gobs of refugees in so many other countries, countries that arent separated from ISIL by an ocean, countries that dont spend 47% of all the worlds military spending on their own military. And yet, theyre the ones stepping up.
So much flag-waving. So much faux patriotism. You just want America to be viewed as a hero, but you want to make her a coward and its obvious why. Sit down, because this is going to sting: its because you are cowards, racists, or some combination of the two. You demand the worlds respect without wanting to do any of the work, without taking any of the risk that doesnt include bombing places that contain way more innocents than terrorists. Thats nice and 100% safe and the only price we might have to pay are a bunch of dead innocent people and for you thats good enough to be a hero. But it aint, thats just your cowardice coming up with justifications.
Nobodys asking you to run into a burning building, literally or metaphorically. We just want to let people into a country where theyre safe something that once meant a great deal to this nation if the inscription on the Statue of Liberty is any indication. Yeah, a terrorist or two might try to come over and, who knows, they might get through the extremely strict screening process to get into this country. Well cross that bridge when we get to it and deal with it. But this argument rests on the presumption that if a terrorist sneaks through people might die and it ignores the fact that people are already dying and many more are certain to die unless countries help! Other countries are, but your big, tough, macho Republican leaders are cowering like children.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/wwjtd/2015/11/in-1941-dr-seuss-sent-a-message-that-sadly-hasnt-lost-its-meaning
I am an anti-theist but as the daughter of a refugee I am sickened by people who would turn away those who are desperately fleeing religious persecution.
September 26, 2015
Can we please stop pretending that accusing Bernie Sanders of dual loyalty isn't anti-Semitic?
Diane Rehm made this mistake when she interviewed Bernie for NPR and later apologized for it.
Abe Foxman of ADL has this to say:
Diane Rehms questions were inappropriate, insensitive questioning without any minimal journalistic checking of claims. Such a statement is not only factually incorrect, but has no place in such an interview.
It is deeply troubling to think that a well-respected media outlet like NPR would apparently rely on unsubstantiated information from the Internet in its preparation for a guest.
Ms. Rehms description and follow-up question about whether other Senators have dual citizenship with Israel play into classic anti-Semitic charges of dual loyalty. Such charges have been leveled for centuries and have been a catalyst for scapegoating and vilifying Jews.
Senator Sanders deserves a public apology, as do NPR listeners.
...
Her mistake was to not research it before she even stated it as fact. She shouldnt have asked the question, period. Had she researched it, she wouldnt have raised it at all. Because her question challenges not only his loyalty, but also Jewish loyalties to this country.
Dog Whistles- an Anti-Semitism Primer (a timely repost)
Dog Whistles- an Anti-Semitism Primer (a timely repost)
There are really four classic anti-Semitic themes that have been for centuries to justify mass murder, mass expulsion, or both. They are that Jews have control the world's media, that Jews have an international conspiracy to control the world's money, that Jews join national governments and undermine them from within for their own purposes, and the "blood libel," a claim that Jews use the blood of Gentiles, usually children, to bake their Passover matzoh. Below I will try to define each of them, discuss their history, and explain why they remain important to this very day.
BLOOD LIBEL
Let me start with the last, the "blood libel." There are a couple of different forms of the blood libel. One is that Jews drink Christian or Muslim blood outright, and the other is that Jews use Christian or Muslim blood in matzoh. This is a slander with a long and inglorious history. The first iteration was the the story of William of Norwich, recorded in the Peterborough Chronicle. This story from 1144 alleged that a boy, William of Norwich, was kidnapped by Jews, tied to a cross, stabbed in the head to stimulate Jesus' crown of thorns, and killed. His blood was drunk and used in matzoh. This story was a rumor and the Jews were vindicated by five different Popes, but the legend lived on. But it was more than a legend. It was an excuse for slaughter and mayhem.
...
Jewish Disloyalty
The most famous example of this theme is the German post-WWI theme of the "stab in the back."
The Stab in the Back myth claimed that the German Army was victorious along the battle lines, but suffered a "stab in the back" from disloyal Jews. I hope I need not go into any detail as to where this led.
At the same time Hitler was exercising his Final Solution, Jews were being sent to Siberia by the Soviets. Jewish disloyalty has been a common theme throughout Russian history, and led to the pogroms of the late 19th century.
...
Jewish Bankers
This one flows from history, and can be seen throughout history. The "Jewish money-lender" is the central figure in The Merchant of Venice, and actually has some historic validity. You see, usury was considered unChristian (remember Jesus and the money-lenders) and was therefore illegal for Christians. That put people trying to pay for wars or put in new crops (which would not generate cash until the harvest was in) in a difficult position, as nobody was willing to lend money without interest. From this came a fairly common theme- Kings and nobles borrowed money from Jews, paid the interest as long as they thought they needed access to more money, then took all the Jews' property, prosecuted them for usery, or expelled them from the country. Another variation was simply declaring the Jews themselves property of the State.
...
Jew control the media
This one seems to come directly from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. It was enhanced and reprinted by Ford in "The International Jew." Father Charles Coughlin used his enormous radio following to perpetrate these lies.
Claims that Jews run the media are common today. That alone might be a generalization based upon ownership and participation at a rate higher than the percentage of Jewish population. But "Jews control the media" is only the first half of the claim. The other half is "... and they use that control for their own evil ends."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/01/01/678869/-Dog-Whistles-an-Anti-Semitism-Primer-a-timely-repost
There are really four classic anti-Semitic themes that have been for centuries to justify mass murder, mass expulsion, or both. They are that Jews have control the world's media, that Jews have an international conspiracy to control the world's money, that Jews join national governments and undermine them from within for their own purposes, and the "blood libel," a claim that Jews use the blood of Gentiles, usually children, to bake their Passover matzoh. Below I will try to define each of them, discuss their history, and explain why they remain important to this very day.
BLOOD LIBEL
Let me start with the last, the "blood libel." There are a couple of different forms of the blood libel. One is that Jews drink Christian or Muslim blood outright, and the other is that Jews use Christian or Muslim blood in matzoh. This is a slander with a long and inglorious history. The first iteration was the the story of William of Norwich, recorded in the Peterborough Chronicle. This story from 1144 alleged that a boy, William of Norwich, was kidnapped by Jews, tied to a cross, stabbed in the head to stimulate Jesus' crown of thorns, and killed. His blood was drunk and used in matzoh. This story was a rumor and the Jews were vindicated by five different Popes, but the legend lived on. But it was more than a legend. It was an excuse for slaughter and mayhem.
...
Jewish Disloyalty
The most famous example of this theme is the German post-WWI theme of the "stab in the back."
The Stab in the Back myth claimed that the German Army was victorious along the battle lines, but suffered a "stab in the back" from disloyal Jews. I hope I need not go into any detail as to where this led.
At the same time Hitler was exercising his Final Solution, Jews were being sent to Siberia by the Soviets. Jewish disloyalty has been a common theme throughout Russian history, and led to the pogroms of the late 19th century.
...
Jewish Bankers
This one flows from history, and can be seen throughout history. The "Jewish money-lender" is the central figure in The Merchant of Venice, and actually has some historic validity. You see, usury was considered unChristian (remember Jesus and the money-lenders) and was therefore illegal for Christians. That put people trying to pay for wars or put in new crops (which would not generate cash until the harvest was in) in a difficult position, as nobody was willing to lend money without interest. From this came a fairly common theme- Kings and nobles borrowed money from Jews, paid the interest as long as they thought they needed access to more money, then took all the Jews' property, prosecuted them for usery, or expelled them from the country. Another variation was simply declaring the Jews themselves property of the State.
...
Jew control the media
This one seems to come directly from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. It was enhanced and reprinted by Ford in "The International Jew." Father Charles Coughlin used his enormous radio following to perpetrate these lies.
Claims that Jews run the media are common today. That alone might be a generalization based upon ownership and participation at a rate higher than the percentage of Jewish population. But "Jews control the media" is only the first half of the claim. The other half is "... and they use that control for their own evil ends."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/01/01/678869/-Dog-Whistles-an-Anti-Semitism-Primer-a-timely-repost
Can we please stop pretending that accusing Bernie Sanders of dual loyalty isn't anti-Semitic?
Diane Rehm made this mistake when she interviewed Bernie for NPR and later apologized for it.
Abe Foxman of ADL has this to say:
Diane Rehms questions were inappropriate, insensitive questioning without any minimal journalistic checking of claims. Such a statement is not only factually incorrect, but has no place in such an interview.
It is deeply troubling to think that a well-respected media outlet like NPR would apparently rely on unsubstantiated information from the Internet in its preparation for a guest.
Ms. Rehms description and follow-up question about whether other Senators have dual citizenship with Israel play into classic anti-Semitic charges of dual loyalty. Such charges have been leveled for centuries and have been a catalyst for scapegoating and vilifying Jews.
Senator Sanders deserves a public apology, as do NPR listeners.
...
Her mistake was to not research it before she even stated it as fact. She shouldnt have asked the question, period. Had she researched it, she wouldnt have raised it at all. Because her question challenges not only his loyalty, but also Jewish loyalties to this country.
September 16, 2015
The counselor is also Catholic extremist who used to be a "parent educator" at Project Defending Life, a radical anti-abortion group.
eta video:
Atheist Mom Forced Into Court-Ordered Christian Counseling
Atheist Mom Forced Into Court-Ordered Christian Counseling
September 15, 2015 by Michael Stone
In a flagrant church-state violation a New Mexico mom loses her children after refusing to attend court mandated Christian counseling sessions.
KRQE reports Holly Salzman was hoping to get some help co-parenting her 11-year-old twin boys with her ex-husband, but instead she says she got 10 court-ordered religious sessions that she did not want.
Salzman said:
Salzman, a single mother of two, said she felt so offended and disgusted that she stopped going to the court-ordered sessions. The result was that the court took her kids away.
...
In one secretly recorded session the counselor told Salzman:
It is hard to imagine something more obnoxious, or more infuriating, than being forced to endure some holier-than-thou Christian counselor explaining that God really was in your life, despite the fact that you dont believe in God.
And it is heartbreaking to note that if a mother does not quietly endure the abuse of the obnoxious Christian counselor, her children will be taken from her by the courts.
Commenting on the story, Peter Simonson, ACLU Executive Director, said:
Problematic is an understatement. This is despicable, and a clear violation of Salzmans civil and constitutional rights.
September 15, 2015 by Michael Stone
In a flagrant church-state violation a New Mexico mom loses her children after refusing to attend court mandated Christian counseling sessions.
KRQE reports Holly Salzman was hoping to get some help co-parenting her 11-year-old twin boys with her ex-husband, but instead she says she got 10 court-ordered religious sessions that she did not want.
Salzman said:
I walked into the session and the very first thing she said to me was, I start my sessions by praying. When I expressed my concerns that I didnt pray she said, well this is what I do and she proceeded to say a prayer out loud.
Salzman, a single mother of two, said she felt so offended and disgusted that she stopped going to the court-ordered sessions. The result was that the court took her kids away.
...
In one secretly recorded session the counselor told Salzman:
The meaning in my life is to know love and serve God. If you want to explore how God was in your past, how God was in your life and not in your life I know you dont believe in God which is fine but I know at some points he was in your life in some way.
It is hard to imagine something more obnoxious, or more infuriating, than being forced to endure some holier-than-thou Christian counselor explaining that God really was in your life, despite the fact that you dont believe in God.
And it is heartbreaking to note that if a mother does not quietly endure the abuse of the obnoxious Christian counselor, her children will be taken from her by the courts.
Commenting on the story, Peter Simonson, ACLU Executive Director, said:
No one should be put in a position where they are forced to accept training or therapy that violates their own religious beliefs and morals.
Weve got protections in our country under the Bill of Rights are intended to try and stop that. On the face of it, it looks pretty problematic.
Problematic is an understatement. This is despicable, and a clear violation of Salzmans civil and constitutional rights.
The counselor is also Catholic extremist who used to be a "parent educator" at Project Defending Life, a radical anti-abortion group.
eta video:
August 28, 2015
As Mock notes, this number already exceeds last year's complete total of documented murders according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence programs. According to an article published by The Guardian on Monday, the total of reported murders is now at 18.
This alarming number recently led transgender actress and activist Laverne Cox to declare a "State of Emergency" in the transgender community, stating that "your life should not be in danger simply for being who you are." And while this disturbing spike in the murder of trans women of color, who are disproportionately affected by violence, has caught the attention of many major news outlets, cable networks have remained remarkably silent.
"These woman are more than just a compilation of names and ages and stories of violence and trauma -- they are people," Mock says at the end of the segment. "People living at a vulnerable intersection of race, gender and class. People existing in a culture where they fell in between the cracks of racial justice, feminist and LGBT movements. People whose names are only spoken by the majority of us when they can no longer respond. Today we learn their stories and say their names, not out of obligation but out of recognition that these 17 women had value, had purpose and were loved. And they will be missed."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/janet-mock-brings-the-name-of-17-trans-women-of-color-killed-in-2015-into-living-rooms-across-america_55dc9b3ce4b08cd3359d67c0
Here Are 17 Of The Trans Women Murdered This Year. Say Their Names.
As Mock notes, this number already exceeds last year's complete total of documented murders according to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence programs. According to an article published by The Guardian on Monday, the total of reported murders is now at 18.
This alarming number recently led transgender actress and activist Laverne Cox to declare a "State of Emergency" in the transgender community, stating that "your life should not be in danger simply for being who you are." And while this disturbing spike in the murder of trans women of color, who are disproportionately affected by violence, has caught the attention of many major news outlets, cable networks have remained remarkably silent.
"These woman are more than just a compilation of names and ages and stories of violence and trauma -- they are people," Mock says at the end of the segment. "People living at a vulnerable intersection of race, gender and class. People existing in a culture where they fell in between the cracks of racial justice, feminist and LGBT movements. People whose names are only spoken by the majority of us when they can no longer respond. Today we learn their stories and say their names, not out of obligation but out of recognition that these 17 women had value, had purpose and were loved. And they will be missed."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/janet-mock-brings-the-name-of-17-trans-women-of-color-killed-in-2015-into-living-rooms-across-america_55dc9b3ce4b08cd3359d67c0
August 10, 2015
Bernie is not a racist, he doesn't use racist language.
The question is why are you? What they hell is wrong with some Hillary supporters?
Is there nothing you won't say or do to smear Bernie?
Jesus Fucking Christ.
Now I've seen everything.
"Schwartza and/or Shvatsa"? Are you actually claiming Bernie is a Jewish racist?
Many Black people are aware of the words Schwartza and/or Shvatsa, and they are aware of what race of people are most likely to use these words.
Bernie is not a racist, he doesn't use racist language.
The question is why are you? What they hell is wrong with some Hillary supporters?
Is there nothing you won't say or do to smear Bernie?
Jesus Fucking Christ.
Now I've seen everything.
June 11, 2015
eta: relevant to current discussion of the Diane Rehm NPR interview with Bernie Sanders: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bernie-sanders-diane-rehm-israel
Dog Whistles- an Anti-Semitism Primer (a timely repost)
Dog Whistles- an Anti-Semitism Primer (a timely repost)
There are really four classic anti-Semitic themes that have been for centuries to justify mass murder, mass expulsion, or both. They are that Jews have control the world's media, that Jews have an international conspiracy to control the world's money, that Jews join national governments and undermine them from within for their own purposes, and the "blood libel," a claim that Jews use the blood of Gentiles, usually children, to bake their Passover matzoh. Below I will try to define each of them, discuss their history, and explain why they remain important to this very day.
BLOOD LIBEL
Let me start with the last, the "blood libel." There are a couple of different forms of the blood libel. One is that Jews drink Christian or Muslim blood outright, and the other is that Jews use Christian or Muslim blood in matzoh. This is a slander with a long and inglorious history. The first iteration was the the story of William of Norwich, recorded in the Peterborough Chronicle. This story from 1144 alleged that a boy, William of Norwich, was kidnapped by Jews, tied to a cross, stabbed in the head to stimulate Jesus' crown of thorns, and killed. His blood was drunk and used in matzoh. This story was a rumor and the Jews were vindicated by five different Popes, but the legend lived on. But it was more than a legend. It was an excuse for slaughter and mayhem.
...
Jewish Disloyalty
The most famous example of this theme is the German post-WWI theme of the "stab in the back."
The Stab in the Back myth claimed that the German Army was victorious along the battle lines, but suffered a "stab in the back" from disloyal Jews. I hope I need not go into any detail as to where this led.
At the same time Hitler was exercising his Final Solution, Jews were being sent to Siberia by the Soviets. Jewish disloyalty has been a common theme throughout Russian history, and led to the pogroms of the late 19th century.
...
Jewish Bankers
This one flows from history, and can be seen throughout history. The "Jewish money-lender" is the central figure in The Merchant of Venice, and actually has some historic validity. You see, usury was considered unChristian (remember Jesus and the money-lenders) and was therefore illegal for Christians. That put people trying to pay for wars or put in new crops (which would not generate cash until the harvest was in) in a difficult position, as nobody was willing to lend money without interest. From this came a fairly common theme- Kings and nobles borrowed money from Jews, paid the interest as long as they thought they needed access to more money, then took all the Jews' property, prosecuted them for usery, or expelled them from the country. Another variation was simply declaring the Jews themselves property of the State.
...
Jew control the media
This one seems to come directly from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. It was enhanced and reprinted by Ford in "The International Jew." Father Charles Coughlin used his enormous radio following to perpetrate these lies.
Claims that Jews run the media are common today. That alone might be a generalization based upon ownership and participation at a rate higher than the percentage of Jewish population. But "Jews control the media" is only the first half of the claim. The other half is "... and they use that control for their own evil ends."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/01/01/678869/-Dog-Whistles-an-Anti-Semitism-Primer-a-timely-repost
There are really four classic anti-Semitic themes that have been for centuries to justify mass murder, mass expulsion, or both. They are that Jews have control the world's media, that Jews have an international conspiracy to control the world's money, that Jews join national governments and undermine them from within for their own purposes, and the "blood libel," a claim that Jews use the blood of Gentiles, usually children, to bake their Passover matzoh. Below I will try to define each of them, discuss their history, and explain why they remain important to this very day.
BLOOD LIBEL
Let me start with the last, the "blood libel." There are a couple of different forms of the blood libel. One is that Jews drink Christian or Muslim blood outright, and the other is that Jews use Christian or Muslim blood in matzoh. This is a slander with a long and inglorious history. The first iteration was the the story of William of Norwich, recorded in the Peterborough Chronicle. This story from 1144 alleged that a boy, William of Norwich, was kidnapped by Jews, tied to a cross, stabbed in the head to stimulate Jesus' crown of thorns, and killed. His blood was drunk and used in matzoh. This story was a rumor and the Jews were vindicated by five different Popes, but the legend lived on. But it was more than a legend. It was an excuse for slaughter and mayhem.
...
Jewish Disloyalty
The most famous example of this theme is the German post-WWI theme of the "stab in the back."
The Stab in the Back myth claimed that the German Army was victorious along the battle lines, but suffered a "stab in the back" from disloyal Jews. I hope I need not go into any detail as to where this led.
At the same time Hitler was exercising his Final Solution, Jews were being sent to Siberia by the Soviets. Jewish disloyalty has been a common theme throughout Russian history, and led to the pogroms of the late 19th century.
...
Jewish Bankers
This one flows from history, and can be seen throughout history. The "Jewish money-lender" is the central figure in The Merchant of Venice, and actually has some historic validity. You see, usury was considered unChristian (remember Jesus and the money-lenders) and was therefore illegal for Christians. That put people trying to pay for wars or put in new crops (which would not generate cash until the harvest was in) in a difficult position, as nobody was willing to lend money without interest. From this came a fairly common theme- Kings and nobles borrowed money from Jews, paid the interest as long as they thought they needed access to more money, then took all the Jews' property, prosecuted them for usery, or expelled them from the country. Another variation was simply declaring the Jews themselves property of the State.
...
Jew control the media
This one seems to come directly from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. It was enhanced and reprinted by Ford in "The International Jew." Father Charles Coughlin used his enormous radio following to perpetrate these lies.
Claims that Jews run the media are common today. That alone might be a generalization based upon ownership and participation at a rate higher than the percentage of Jewish population. But "Jews control the media" is only the first half of the claim. The other half is "... and they use that control for their own evil ends."
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/01/01/678869/-Dog-Whistles-an-Anti-Semitism-Primer-a-timely-repost
eta: relevant to current discussion of the Diane Rehm NPR interview with Bernie Sanders: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bernie-sanders-diane-rehm-israel
June 7, 2015
What I'm seeing is a lot of whining about not being able to use slurs with impunity.
I hear the same arguments from racists who are enraged because they can't use the n-word at work:
But they use it all the time on each other
But they call us ________
But I have a friend who doesn't think it's offensive
But you're being oversensitive, it's just a word
But freedom of speech, this is Amurka!!1!
It's not that difficult folks.
If you know a certain word is used as a slur and is extremely offensive to many of your fellow liberals, why use it?
If you don't use it or want to use it, why complain when someone else does and gets censored?
May 11, 2015
When the Catholic Church owns your doctor: The insidious new threat to affordable birth control
Cross-posting from the other room, trotsky's thread didn't get much love so I'm reposting here.
When the Catholic Church owns your doctor: The insidious new threat to affordable birth control
Eight of the largest health systems in America are now Catholic-owned. More and more won't prescribe conraception
Patricia Miller
Angela Valavanis had already had one bad encounter with the Catholic health care system when St. Francis Hospital, the hospital in Evanston, Ill., where she delivered her second baby, refused to allow her OB/GYN to tie her tubes because of Catholic restrictions on the procedure. When she went to her doctors office for a check-up after the birth and asked about going back on the Pill, since she hadnt gotten the sterilization she wanted, she got another shock: My doctor told me that she couldnt prescribe birth control because she had sold her practice to a Catholic health system, said Angela. My mouth dropped open. I was so confused to hear those words coming out of the mouth of an OB/GYN.
An OB/GYN who cant prescribe birth control? Its not some bad joke. It could be a reality if your doctors practice is purchased by a Catholic health system that then imposes the Ethical & Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, a set of rules created by the U.S. Bishops Conference that prohibits doctors from doing everything from prescribing the Pill to performing sterilizations or abortions.
...
And with Catholic hospital systems accounting for eight of the 10 of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S., these hospitals are poised to become major owners of doctors offices, which could severely impede access to contraceptives if doctors are forced to follow the Directives. The more we see these Catholic systems buying up these practices, the more we are going to see what Angela saw, predicted Lorie Chaiten, director of the Illinois ACLUs Reproductive Rights Project, who notes that such refusals are legal under Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act.
...
But for some women, changing doctors may not be an option. Health insurers are becoming increasingly restrictive about which hospitals and doctors a patient is allowed to use and may charge a steep penalty for going out of the network of preferred providers. Smaller towns and rural areas may not have a large selection of OB/GYNs. The ACLU is backing a measure in the Illinois Legislature that would require health systems to tell patients beforehand what services they dont provide and where they can get them. Chaiten also encourages women who have been denied reproductive health services for religious reason to report it to the ACLU, which is tracking this trend.
Ironically, Angelas experience with her OB/GYN wasnt her last run-in with Catholic health care. After she was refused a tubal ligation and a prescription for birth control, Angelas husband decided to get a vasectomy. His doctor, who was also part of the Catholic system, said his practice couldnt do the procedure or make a referral. The whole situation is so unbelievable to me. I had no idea these limitations occurred, she says. When I tell my friends about it, they say its medieval. We have to worry that if they keep buying up all these practices, it will get harder and harder to find someone who can prescribe birth control.
http://www.salon.com/2015/05/11/when_the_catholic_church_owns_your_doctor_the_insidious_new_threat_to_affordable_birth_control/
Eight of the largest health systems in America are now Catholic-owned. More and more won't prescribe conraception
Patricia Miller
Angela Valavanis had already had one bad encounter with the Catholic health care system when St. Francis Hospital, the hospital in Evanston, Ill., where she delivered her second baby, refused to allow her OB/GYN to tie her tubes because of Catholic restrictions on the procedure. When she went to her doctors office for a check-up after the birth and asked about going back on the Pill, since she hadnt gotten the sterilization she wanted, she got another shock: My doctor told me that she couldnt prescribe birth control because she had sold her practice to a Catholic health system, said Angela. My mouth dropped open. I was so confused to hear those words coming out of the mouth of an OB/GYN.
An OB/GYN who cant prescribe birth control? Its not some bad joke. It could be a reality if your doctors practice is purchased by a Catholic health system that then imposes the Ethical & Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, a set of rules created by the U.S. Bishops Conference that prohibits doctors from doing everything from prescribing the Pill to performing sterilizations or abortions.
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And with Catholic hospital systems accounting for eight of the 10 of the largest nonprofit health systems in the U.S., these hospitals are poised to become major owners of doctors offices, which could severely impede access to contraceptives if doctors are forced to follow the Directives. The more we see these Catholic systems buying up these practices, the more we are going to see what Angela saw, predicted Lorie Chaiten, director of the Illinois ACLUs Reproductive Rights Project, who notes that such refusals are legal under Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act.
...
But for some women, changing doctors may not be an option. Health insurers are becoming increasingly restrictive about which hospitals and doctors a patient is allowed to use and may charge a steep penalty for going out of the network of preferred providers. Smaller towns and rural areas may not have a large selection of OB/GYNs. The ACLU is backing a measure in the Illinois Legislature that would require health systems to tell patients beforehand what services they dont provide and where they can get them. Chaiten also encourages women who have been denied reproductive health services for religious reason to report it to the ACLU, which is tracking this trend.
Ironically, Angelas experience with her OB/GYN wasnt her last run-in with Catholic health care. After she was refused a tubal ligation and a prescription for birth control, Angelas husband decided to get a vasectomy. His doctor, who was also part of the Catholic system, said his practice couldnt do the procedure or make a referral. The whole situation is so unbelievable to me. I had no idea these limitations occurred, she says. When I tell my friends about it, they say its medieval. We have to worry that if they keep buying up all these practices, it will get harder and harder to find someone who can prescribe birth control.
http://www.salon.com/2015/05/11/when_the_catholic_church_owns_your_doctor_the_insidious_new_threat_to_affordable_birth_control/
May 1, 2015
Leave it to an anti-theist to point out the obvious: "when youre trying to engineer an egalitarian society, messing with nonexistent variables doesnt seem all that helpful."
An Anti-Theist’s Interpretation Of The Bible’s Opinion On Same-Sex Marriage
An Anti-Theists Interpretation Of The Bibles Opinion On Same-Sex Marriage
April 29, 2015 by Peter Mosley
Heres my interpretation of the Bibles opinion on Same-Sex marriage:
Anything derogatory it says about same-sex marriage is nothing more than prejudice against gay individuals by primitive tribes.
...
So, what Id like you to do is throw your Bible away. Because, honestly, this is ridiculous. Why the heck would you hang on to that ancient rulebook crafted by bigots? Its time to look past that to people who exist and who love each other.
I guess thats why Im an anti-theist. I see progressives and conservatives and fatheists arguing over what God supposedly REALLY said, and Im standing here like can we move pass this? Can we move past trying to get to the true meaning of texts and start looking at, like, the flesh and blood people right in front of us?
...
I mean, this is absurd. Im tired of being trapped in a stone age when there are people in the current age who want to show their love for each other.
Lets quit making this so damn complicated. Two people love each other. They want to get married. Awesome.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/barrierbreaker/an-anti-theists-interpretation-of-the-bibles-opinion-on-same-sex-marriage/
April 29, 2015 by Peter Mosley
Heres my interpretation of the Bibles opinion on Same-Sex marriage:
Anything derogatory it says about same-sex marriage is nothing more than prejudice against gay individuals by primitive tribes.
...
So, what Id like you to do is throw your Bible away. Because, honestly, this is ridiculous. Why the heck would you hang on to that ancient rulebook crafted by bigots? Its time to look past that to people who exist and who love each other.
I guess thats why Im an anti-theist. I see progressives and conservatives and fatheists arguing over what God supposedly REALLY said, and Im standing here like can we move pass this? Can we move past trying to get to the true meaning of texts and start looking at, like, the flesh and blood people right in front of us?
...
I mean, this is absurd. Im tired of being trapped in a stone age when there are people in the current age who want to show their love for each other.
Lets quit making this so damn complicated. Two people love each other. They want to get married. Awesome.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/barrierbreaker/an-anti-theists-interpretation-of-the-bibles-opinion-on-same-sex-marriage/
Leave it to an anti-theist to point out the obvious: "when youre trying to engineer an egalitarian society, messing with nonexistent variables doesnt seem all that helpful."
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