December 25, 2012

Starting out 2013 with no Creationism in New Orleans schools

I just read this, and it's such good news!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/19/new-orleans-school-bans-creationism-revisionist-history-textbook-texas_n_2330724.html

The Orleans Parish School Board, which controls the curriculum and policies for six schools in New Orleans, voted Tuesday to ban the teaching of creationism as science and a "revisionist" history course touted in Texas.

The newly approved policy bans teachers from including "any aspect of religious faith" in science courses and from using history textbooks adjusted to include Christianity.

The first part regarding textbooks reads: “No history textbook shall be approved which has been adjusted in accordance with the State of Texas revisionist guidelines nor shall any science textbook be approved which presents creationism or intelligent design as science or scientific theories."

December 23, 2012

Face The Nation had Bob Schieffer interviewing NRA President David Keene

I watched it for 1 minute, then had to mentally tune out. Here's my paraphrasing of the bs interview:

Schieffer: But aren't gun dangerous?
Keene: Of course not
Schieffer: But countries where guns are not pervasive are safer.
Keene: Not really
Schieffer: Why should we need to jump through hoops to own a car, but not a gun?
Keene: Because the 2nd Amendment says guns are good

Is there any reason to continue watching Face the Nation? I see none.

December 21, 2012

Your AR-15 ain't gonna stop a drone, but, hey, it'll make for funny video for the soldiers

On Guns, the Crazies Make the Laws

As a nation, when it comes to our safety, we have allowed ourselves to be led by the craziest, most paranoid among us...

... Anyone who thinks that teachers should be allowed to carry concealed weapons is a fucking idiot. Putting aside the inevitable, how much shit is stolen from schools? From teachers? You want to add guns to that mix? How quickly will a school be shot up by a student stealing a handgun from a teacher? Maybe that's the price to pay in blood to make sure a kindergarten teacher is armed and ready...

...Anyone who thinks that they should own assault rifles because the government might need to be confronted is mentally ill and should be treated as such. (Do you know how quickly the military could vaporize you if it really wanted to? Your AR-15 ain't gonna stop a drone, but, hey, it'll make for funny video for the soldiers back at Fort Collins.) Anyone who thinks they should own assault rifles because they're fun to fire and, gosh, it's just a hobby should be ignored because they fetishize the act of shooting like someone who gets off huffing sweaty shoes. In fact, let's just say that anyone who believes individuals should own assault weapons is out of the discussion because there is no rational reason for it....

...But our current policy is made by extremists, voted on by politicians cowed by the NRA and other right-wing groups.

http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/

December 20, 2012

The people with the most negative emotions, and the happiest people on the planet

Here are two Gallup polls which I found very interesting:

Leading as the people with the most negative emotions in the world, are Middle Easterners. Countries such as Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Turkey: http://www.gallup.com/poll/155045/Middle-East-Leads-World-Negative-Emotions.aspx

Leading as the most positive people in the world, are Latin Americans. Countries such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay, El Salvador: http://www.gallup.com/poll/159254/latin-americans-positive-world.aspx

To what do you think the positive outlooks and/or negative emotions are due? Latin countries are among the poorest, and have tremendous political conflicts and upheavals. Wouldn't you think they'd be very negative? Clearly it's not wealth and stability in their countries that makes them positive, since they don't have that.

What about religion? How about family ties? What about neighbors? Where does laughter come into this, and forgiveness? What about rules? Some countries have strict, rigid rules, such as Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, where punishment is carried out routinely for "transgressions."

Do countries have a personality? I think each country does. Some countries are naturally morose and see little humor in anything.

December 17, 2012

But guns help me defend myself against guns! Don't ban guns!

Here's what I keep hearing from gun-fetishists:

1. But guns help me defend myself against guns!

2. If shooters can’t get guns, people will just start building bombs to kill people, so why ban guns?

3. The framers’ intention with the 2nd Amendment was so we could own guns, and no other reasons.

4. Most people who buy guns are collectors, just like people who collect salt and pepper shakers and teddy bears.

5. The shooter at Sandy Hook could’ve killed those 26 people with knives just as easily.

6. Gun owners are very responsible people, so why all the fuss about the shootings in this country?

7. If you encounter a criminal with a gun on the street, you could just then easily pull yours out and kill him.

December 16, 2012

"Majority of men, Republicans, and Southerners report having a gun in their households"

Gallup poll:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/150353/self-reported-gun-ownership-highest-1993.aspx

I get it about Republicans. I also get it about Southerners. That they'd be gun owners doesn't surprise me one bit. Republicans are nutjobs, and Southerners, well, is that any surprise?

However, I'd love to hear an explanation of why MEN tend to be the gun owners, and I'll tell you why I ask this question.

If guns are for PROTECTION, wouldn't women be the more likely ones to carry them?

If guns are for people who are SCARED, wouldn't women be the more likely ones to carry them?

If guns are for people who are less able to protect themselves against aggressors, wouldn't women be the more likely ones to carry them?

Why then, are men generally the gun owners?????

December 16, 2012

I don't want to ever hear another Repuke attack teachers...

I'm so so sick of people bashing teachers. Granted, this is done primarily by right wing nutjobs whose real intent is to destroy ALL unions and the public education system. For too many decades Republicans have made teacher-bashing the fashion, and I am just sick of it. But are libs out there defending teachers against bullshit accusations by the right wing? I'm not so sure.

Teachers work a hugely long day. Teachers don't just go home and watch TV, they prepare lessons, they grade papers, prepare exams, are the psychologist of their classroom, finance a lot of the materials kids in their classroom use, and CARE for the well being children while they are in the classroom.

Connecticut Shooting: Teacher Kaitlin Roig Protected Her Students

Teacher rushed 15 small children into the bathroom as shots rang out.

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/connecticut-shooting-teacher-kaitlin-roig-protected-students-17978970