Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
A choice in voting.
I was reading this commentary written by Penn Jillette for CNN (via) and was surprised how several people took this comment of his:
So remember, the only way to waste your vote is to vote!
Why are people seeing this as him saying not to vote? When it’s actually the opposite? Just before this comment he points out that he has other candidates he’d rather see in office than Obama or McCain, but knows they don’t have a shot. So, in this comment is a statement that you can vote for what you support, even if you don’t have a shot and are “wasting” your vote, but to do this you have to go out and vote.
On the other side of things I’m tired of people saying that choosing not to vote is unpatriotic. The fact is exercising the choice to vote or not is a freedom we have. If there is no one that I feel I want to support on a ballot, I shouldn’t feel inclined to vote or even choose between which one I despise less and vote for them. Why can’t I withhold my vote in a statement that none of the candidates deserve it? Isn’t this an just as much a statement of my freedom? I want to believe in and support those whom I vote for, I don’t want to be reduced to choosing between the lesser of two evils.
You just have to change one letter.
Free speech is a important part of our society, but that doesn’t mean you should run around writing or speaking every inane thought you have. It seems though that some people are going to say stupid things whether they’ve “thought” long and hard about it or not. Case in point:
No, this isn’t one of those fake sign generators as much as I wish it was. News story with video. (via Friendly Atheist) Of course the first thing I thought of was this Demotivator:
Preserving Fear
Occasionally something is written that is so poignant that requires nothing more to be said. From the Onion:
Today, people are making eye contact with strangers on the street. They are whistling on subway platforms, strolling down sidewalks, and generally behaving as if they do not feel they could be killed at any moment. Children can be seen running playfully in public parks, their parents smiling and watching idly from afar when they should be obsessing over an unseen child abductor who will snatch and rape their babies first chance they get. It breaks my heart to see the land I love fall into such a state of non-panic.
My God, what have we become?
Inspiring quotes from inspiring men.
Those of you that receive email from me or have been to my Facebook profile might have seen these quotes already, but I wanted to put them here, so I offer a bonus quote in the hopes that you might look over them again. Those who haven’t put up with me quoting these before I hope you’re blessed/challenged/encouraged.
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A more statistical look at terrorism.
Bruce Schneier’s blog pointed out a CATO article looking at the risks of terrorism.
http://www.schneier.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/1041
I found the article interesting, but feel that the writer comes down too easy on people’s clinging to fear and the fact that the media and politicians exploit this. I get very upset when people spout nonsense based on fear and don’t think this behavior should be coddled, but reprimanded. Terrorist are those who use fear to force their agendas, so take a closer look at your evening news and the freedom robbing laws passed since 9/11/2001.
