I have always hated when people wore their patriotism on their sleeves, but rejected the substance behind that patriotism. It is reassuring to know that I am in good company. Early American artist, John Lewis Krimmel satirized Independence Day celebrations in his famous painting, “Fourth of July Drunk Celebration 1819 – Philadelphia” – Pictured below:
Category Politics
The Supreme Court just ruled that corporations can have religious exemptions from laws. This is ridiculously insane for so many reasons.
So here is the situation. My local representative on the School Board was a Republican and was caught stealing money from a charity. He was kicked off the School Board and so there was a vacancy. The current Board issued a call for people to replace him. There would be an interview with the Board and then the Board would vote. Since my son will be starting public school in this district, I decided to throw my hat in the ring.
The interview was on Monday night. Most of the questions were standard questions asked of all the candidates until the Republican Vice-President asked me about my atheism.
Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy claimed that prayer (even explicitly Christian prayer) is not really religious; it is just ceremonial. It is merely a tradition and has no real religious purpose.
I have a few friends who are Republicans mainly because they perceive the Republican Party as pro-business. I should add that on social issues most of my Republican friends are still pretty liberal and many of them are even atheists. I mention that in defense of Dave Silverman who was absolutely correct in trying to reach out to atheist Republicans at CPAC.
Last night, I attended my county’s Democratic Party nomination convention and unlike the last few years, there was no religious invocation and no one missed it.
In today’s political climate, it is not surprising that politicians only seem to come out of the atheist closet after leaving office. The reason for this is that being an open atheist is toxic to a politician’s political career. Not only that, but associating with atheists is even considered toxic. However there are a few politicians who are willing to risk at least that and they deserve our support.
The State of the Union is tonight and every news agency is asking every American, what we want to hear the President say tonight. That’s the wrong question. It isn’t what I want the President to say; it is what I want the President to do!
The Constitution is supposed to protect us from religious theocracy, but it has failed. West Chester, Pennsylvania is once again using religion and religious values to run and attempt to run atheists out of town. Here I present to you two stories that should frighten and motivate you.
It might not have been as fun as Star Tours, but it was much more educational and could help to save human life on this planet. Last weekend, I went on a Solar Tour of various solar and energy efficient homes in the Maryland area.