An atheist friend of mine posted this on Facebook. I thought it was brilliant. The guy has a whole YouTube channel; will be checking it out.

This is not a political slogan, it is a movement to remove one of the most vile, dangerous and sadistic men from power. Joseph Kony is the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Do not let the name fool you - this is not a Christian group. The LRA is a militant group in Africa who is responsible for the abduction of thousands of children and turns them into child soldiers and sex slaves. They are sent back into their communities to kill their families and mutilate faces of anyone who tries to stop them. To put this in perspective, Joseph Kony is listed #1 priority for the International Criminal Court for War Crimes. He was about Muammar Gaddafi. (More on the LRA)

A wonderful organization, Invisible Children, have been helping rebuild communities that have been left destroyed by this war criminal. After nine years of lobbying our government for some sort of assistance in Uganda, in October of last year, President Obama announced he was sending 100 advisers to Uganda to work with their army to help capture Kony. For those of us who have been invested in this emotionally, financially and physically this was amazing news. Of course, there was the Rush Limbaugh controversy, but he’s Rush.

This year has been deemed KONY 2012 by Invisible Children. The motto: Stop at nothing. Their idea is to make him as famous (infamous) as possible to help keep the pressure on our goverment to find him and bring him to justice. They understand the problem is that 99% if the public have neve heard of Joseph Kony and the Invisible Children and when there is no interest from the public, there will be no American support. It is our mission to make sure we stand with the people of Africa and bring this man down. We will be hanging posters, blasting his face on the web, wearing shirts and posting this video everywhere. April 20th is Blanket the Night where we will cover the streets with posters of his face. We will STOP AT NOTHING!

Joseph Kony must be stopped and 2012 must be the year. Do not sit on the sidelines of history, be part of it. Watch the video and get active.

KONY 2012 from INVISIBLE CHILDREN on Vimeo.

Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown student that was not allowed to testify about women’s reproductive health to an all male panel of Congress, is the latest subject of Rush Limbaugh’s ire. Despite being turned away to from Darryl Isa’s committee, Ms. Fluke did speak in front of a mock committee the Dems created and has been a guest on many media outlets. She’s testified that birth control is not only essential to family planning, but it’s also a valuable medication in women’s health in various illnesses, sighting a friend who suffers from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). I too, suffer with PCOS and have been given reprieve from the symptoms from IUD.

Anyway, our dearest Rush decided to take to the air to call Ms. Fluke a “slut” for her comments and say that her parents should be ashamed of her. He also stated that the women of Georgetown should videotape the sexual endeavors and put them online for his viewing pleasure. The rant went on and one, but this is the gist of it. After a huge social media outcry, sponsors have been dropping Rush like yesterday’s garbage and so he issued a rare “apology” saying he should have chosen better words. Um, better words? Meaning you should have called her a hooker instead? A tramp?

What Rush doesn’t get is Sandra Fluke’s personal life should have never came up. She is a private citizen taking part in American democracy. You can argue with her testimony, but to attack her on a personal level is off limits. This apology is a joke and everyone knows it. This is the first time that his sponsors have abandoned him like this and he is protecting his bottom line. Why can he not come out and say, “I should have never mention her personal life; it’s off the table and I was wrong.” Yes, I know it would still be insincere, but at least it would show that he got it.

Of course Republicans are coming out and pointing to instances where someone said something about Ann Coulter or when Bill Maher called Sarah Palin a “cunt”. Why didn’t they get fired? Why didn’t they lose sponsors? Where’s the outrage there?

First, I don’t condone those actions, but here’s the difference. Palin and Coulter are public figures. They are political celebrities and they know when they entered that ring, that this was the risk they took. Just ask Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi? Oh yeah, how many times has Rush lambasted them in personal, demeaning ways and never issued an apology. Hell, this is the man that time and time again has level racist remarks against our President and has never even had his hand slapped. When you attack a private citizen, people get pissed. Ask Don Imus after his “nappy-headed ho’s” comment. It was disgusting and he got what he deserved and so is Limbaugh.

This is a free country and we do celebrate free speech. I can say “Rush Limbaugh is a fat, arrogant, dick with no dick” and I don’t have to worry about prosecution. But, if I were to say that on the job, I would have to worry about losing my job. Freedom of speech guarantees you the right to say what you think without being jailed, not keeping your sponsors or your job.

Governor Christie,It’s been about a week since you’ve vetoed the marriage equality bill that passed through the New Jersey congress. You did as you campaigned you would, and I guess I cannot fault you too much on that. What I can fault you on is that talk of sending it to referendum. Surely any educated individual can see the error in that sort of logic, but perhaps your bigotry is getting in the way of your enlightenment?

This morning I watched you on Morning Joe sparring with Harold Ford Jr. and Jonathan Capehart. You repeatedly said your feet were planted next to President Obama’s on this issue and that you are called a bigot and he is given standing ovations. Wrong; he’s on the wrong side of history too. His “I’m still evolving” answer is weak and pathetic. Where he has been successful is ending DADT and refusing to enforce DOMA. But on the issue of gay marriage, he’s been a coward and if your feet are next to his, that makes you one too. I say you even more so though. Obama has never been given the opportunity to make history with marriage equality; you have and you failed. You were given the chance to show that you can take a courageous stand for the people of your state even if you didn’t agree, but knowing it’s what the people wanted. You failed. You, Governor Christie, are a coward. Coward. Let me say that again. You are a COWARD. You skirted the issue and punting the ball to the people so you don’t have to take a real stand on it. That’s not leadership, that’s hiding behind your constituents.

Look, Governor. I don’t have a dog in this fight. I’m a straight woman who’s been married nearly 14 years. No family members to my knowledge are gay and my son is definitely girl crazy. Sure, I have many friends are gay and lesbian, but for the close to home matters, it doesn’t affect me personally. But it does offend me. I don’t want to have my son growing up in a state or a country where we still believe that separate but equal is equal. We all know that is not true. We should not be treating good, honest, hard-working people like second-class citizens. As Americans we should all be outraged by this.

I’d also like to point out one more thing in this debate. What is it that makes you against marriage equality? Is it your religion? I’m sure it is. Because if it is, this state is not run by a theocracy, it’s a democracy and your religious views should not be guiding your policy. Why should your personal religious views dictate what can and can be legal in this state? That’s definitely infringing on First Amendment rights, is it not? Just something to think about.

Sincerely,

A New Jersey Voter who will never vote for you

I’ll start by saying I’m an atheist. An atheist that embraces other religions and beliefs. While I find many “facts” in the Bible to be laughable, I think there is a place for faith in this world and I respect people’s right to worship how they want. Also I will say that my family does not join me in my beliefs, or lack there of. My mom is a cafeteria Baptist and my Aunt and cousin are born again Evangelical’s. My mom, whom I’ve never been overly close to, is respectful to my views because she knows I’ll give her the same courtesy. My other family, well, not so much.

I won’t get into detail, but there was a huge fight between my cousin and I over Easter because Google didn’t put up an Easter logo. He was pissed and my reply was that they were a global company and most inhabitants of the earth are no Christian; it was a good business decision. If he was really that pissed, use Yahoo! or Bing. I was called every name possible and even my Aunt (his mother) disowned me due to my lack of Christian beliefs. Doesn’t matter that I belong to the Humanitarian movement and spend more time and money with charity organizations than they do; I am evil.

From time to time (okay, nearly daily) I see rants from my cousin on his Facebook about how Atheists are ruining the world. We are taking the ‘Christ’ out of Christmas by saying Happy Holidays. Is this really the bane of the religious right’s existence? Does acknowledging the fact that there is more than one holiday during the winter months mean there is an assault on Christians in the US? I don’t think so.

As an atheist I celebrate Christmas, just purely on a secular level. I don’t think the idea of giving and being kind has to be mutually exclusive to the Christian faith…or any faith for that matter. I may say ‘Happy Holidays’ to people as I greet them, but it’s because I do not know them and I do not know which holidays (if any) they celebrate. I refuse to be so arrogant to think that all inhabitants of this nation have to participate in my holiday of choice. And, isn’t there Thanksgiving and New Years Eve? I mean, we start saying this right after Halloween, so there are multiple holidays celebrate even for those of the Christian faith. How is this being offensive?

If you ask me, the only war being waged on Christmas is by those of the Christian faith. Two reasons: First they are pushing away those who celebrate the same way as them, but do not subscribe to the extreme rhetoric. My friend once told me, “there are two reasons that people are not Christians. Either they’ve never met a Christian, or they’ve met a Christian.” She, a devout member of the church, was able to recognize that sometimes (ok, most of the time) Christians are their own worst enemy.

The second reason is that they are allowing Christmas to be commercialized. This Halloween I was at Target and saw Halloween candy right next to Christmas candy. How is this okay with Christian believers? Do they not see that when a religious holiday is allowed to be so overly commercialized like this, they are allowing that holiday to lose it’s religious meaning and letting it become secular? Even to many Christians, Christmas is not so much about helping the poor and good will toward man, but keeping up with the Jones’. They spend their way into massive debt every year to get the latest and greatest gift the market has to offer and complain when others do not spend as much on them. This is not Christianity.

So, if you see me in the stores and I say “Happy Holidays” to you, don’t take it personal. And if you do, stop and think about how you, yourself, are demeaning your own holiday.

Bare with me…cranky bitch ahead.

A girl from school posted on her Facebook that she took her mom to the hospital and after tests, it was just low potassium and will be well soon. That is great news, but it was the “Praise God!” that followed. Fine, thank your fictional deity, but how about giving some credit to science and doctors? You know those responsible for helping her.

Hank Williams Jr. compared Obama to Hitler and got his opening pulled from Monday Night Football. First, can we stop comparing anyone to Hitler? There is only ONE Hitler, don’t lessen his cruelty and evilness by comparing everyone to him. Anyway, now Good Ol’ Boy Hank says ESPN trampled on his First Amendment rights by firing him. Really? Were you arrested? Charged with treason? Did Feds show up at your door? I didn’t think so. You got fired because you didn’t conform to the image a company wanted to project. They had the right to fire you for “open-mouth-insert-foot disease” and they did. Deal.

It’s the fucking MLB Playoffs…Game 5 Yankees - Detroit and I have to watch Charlie’s Fucking Angel’s. FML.

I’m not sure where to start with my thoughts on the 10-year anniversary; my feelings, like everyone’s, are complicated. I guess I can start with 10 years ago…I was working in a small-town school in Kansas. I’d arrived to work and flipped on the radio. I’d opened my laptop and started working and it took a few minutes for me to realize that there was no music on and instead it was news anchors. Unable to hear what they were saying, I turned up the radio to hear them announce the second plane had hit. I listened carefully for a few more minute believing that it was going to be some sort of ‘War of the Worlds’ prank, but alas, no. Once I’d comprehended that the events were real, I walked out my office door to see if any other teachers were around - no one. I ran into the art room hoping to find a TV. Again, no. Then upstairs to see if the ladies in the office had a TV - not only no, but they were unaware of what was happening. I tried to tell them what was going on, but I guess they thought I was blowing events out of proportion. I gave up and went back to my office to listen and wait.

I don’t know how much time had passed, but my boss who was working in another school called. She was distraught as well and we sat on the phone trying to put together what was going on. Hung up from her and realized I’d not yet talked to my husband. Called him and had him turn on the TV. Eli was just a couple of years old, so thankfully it was nothing we had to explain to him. I think my 10AM (11AM EST), I’d left for lunch because I couldn’t take not watching what was happening. I called out from lunch; I couldn’t leave my son.

The next couple of weeks are a blur. Fear, sadness, anger…it was all there. The nightmare of the images of people jumping haunted me and I wasn’t even a New Yorker.

Now here we are 10 years later and I still don’t like seeing photos or video of that day. While I believe it’s important to remember, I’m not sure about the reliving. When they re-air real time footage of news shows, it makes me sick. It seems like a morbid fascination that I cannot understand. I saw it the day of and that’s enough for me.

But it’s not so much the reliving it that upsets me as it is the convenient emotional displays. We are now in an age of “pay attention to me” media with social networks. Once blogs were the height of narcissism, but Facebook and Twitter have taken it to a whole new level. We MUST share the most boring and unfascinating details of our lives in status updates. And on days like today, we must “keep up with the Joneses” by outdoing our friends with an overly-dramatic “look at me” headline.

I logged into Facebook fully aware of what to expect, but it still bothered me. Everyone had some sort of “repost if you’ll never forget” status. Of course I will never forget, but what about recommitting? You’re 10 years of apathy towards the events of this country cannot be erased by a Twitter post.

How many people who are making these posts are committed to the well-being of this country? How many have sent care packages to the troops that have fought in Afghanistan? How many have donated to the 9-11 Memorial Fund? How many have prompted their representatives to pass the medical funds to help pay for the expenses of 9-11 responders? How many have educated themselves about what is going on in this country and our role globally? Likely very, very few.

I also take issue with Washington. We now have the (racist) tea party. They are anti-taxes and anti-government…I kinda get that. That being said, did they protest the Patriot Act? The Patriot Act is the most invasive reach into our civil liberties this country has ever known! You don’t want to pay taxes? Fine. You don’t get to claim any victories that our military has. Taxes are used to pay these men and women, but you want to cut their funding line…you are such a great patriot!

I guess what I am basically trying to say is this: A status update, a bumper sticker or a flag on the house…they only matter when you are committed to this country and it’s citizens. Instead of asking “where were you” or saying “I’ll never forget”, we should first do something, then share what we’ve done in hopes to inspire others. Isn’t that the best way to honor those who are no longer with us? Isn’t that the best message to send to those who may still want to harm us?

One last thing. I keep hearing the question ‘Are we safer?’. Here are my thoughts. Simply, no. Before 9/11 we were a naive and oblivious country. Despite events like the OKC bombing and the Unabomber, we were relatively protected from grand scale random acts of violence. Countries like Europe and Israel had already had their innocence taken away because of their history and current events. We had been lucky. The truth is, shit happens and you can’t always stop it. I believe we were basically safe on 9/11 - again, shit happens. What has happened since 9/11, in my opinion, has made us less so.

We started a preemptive war with a sovereign nation who’d never harmed the US, basically giving them their version of 9/11 and then we stayed to occupy the nation. We have over-extended our military in ever sense of the word. We’re a bankrupt nation. Bush never budgeted for either war and never ask for this country to give anything to help fund them. We are a tired and bankrupt nation that has pissed off a lot of the world and we are not in a position to respond should tragedy strike again. Where would we get troops to secure a city? The funds?  Just things to think about.

Become Involved:

http://www.911memorial.org
http://www.armedforcesfoundation.org
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org
http://www.fealgoodfoundation.com

Last night marked one of the more important Presidential debates (in my eyes) for the GOP ticket. Gov. Rick Perry took part, so all eyes were on him and he didn’t fail to show what a nut-job he is. Here are some of my random thoughts on it, bloglette style.

• Rick Perry decided to lose his TX swagger/accent for the national spot light. I’m not sure what he sounds like at home, but publicly, he has two different speaking styles. Almost amusing. Here’s Perry doing his best W. impression http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngiJhmoFKkw talking about how great his failing abstinence program is. Now compare that to this video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmkKjQobmJ) where he doesn’t have a conscious about possibly killing innocent people. He sounds like two different men.
• Can Michele Bachmann answer a fucking question. Darling, no one cares about your delusions to make gas $2 a gallon…answer the fucking question.
• Sticking with Bachmann, for someone who hates government handouts, she didn’t have a problem taking $30/day per foster child! Shouldn’t the wealthy be the last in line with their hands out? Oh wait, she’s a Republican - never mind.
• The GOP cannot have their cake and eat it too on welfare reform. You cannot brag about passing it under Clinton and then bitch about it still being around. You take credit for making it go from something that caused people to be co-dependent on the government to giving them jobs. Yet, you bitch that welfare recipients don’t have ’skin in the game’. You got your reform, not lay off the indigent.
• I don’t share the views of Ron Paul, but at least that mofo is honest.
• Herman Cain, the government is not a pizza company! You cannot have everything 9-9-9! That’s a pizza promotion, not a tax system!
• Newt, if you don’t like how the debates are done, quit doing them. See ya, buddy!
• WTF is wrong with the GOP!?!? They have a fantastic candidate in Jon Huntsman and they refuse to look seriously at him because he’s not bat-shit crazy. Man believes in science, doesn’t seem to be a bigot and gets China. Oh shit, he’s a real threat in the general election, but the Tea Party is too right wing to ever vote for him.
• Perry, Bachmann and all of you other anti-green jobs candidates - why don’t you want Americans to work? Green jobs are just that: JOBS! Quit mocking them and put people back to work.
• While I think the only thing Perry did good as a Governor is mandate the HPV vaccine, how can he say he’s against individual mandate of health care. Hypocritical much? You can’t bash Romney for his health care passage in Mass, if you did a smaller scale version in Texas.
• Bachmann, please quit telling me what you will do and what you’ve tried to pass. What have you actually passed? Anything? How’s the schools in your district for saying you’re great at education reform? So bad that you home school your kids.
• Santorum, how have you helped the poor? Hmm? Just asking? I want specifics like I want from Bachmann. Your faith means nothing to me.

Here’s the deal; all of these jackasses preaches smaller government and limited roles. That is, until they need the Feds. Ron Paul is delusional about FEMA and he and Perry are way off with Medicare, but at least Paul will stand by his beliefs. The others complain about the role of government, but who of them would have opposed the Patriot Act (I know Paul did, he’s excluded from this rant)? If a hurricane, quake, etc. hit the others districts or states, they’d be there waiting for the Feds to get involved and screaming when they didn’t.

So let’s push this a bit -

• Perry and Paul, you want states rights. Have it! The border is yours; you fix it!
• Bachmann, it’s all about free enterprise, so no more money for your hubby’s clinic! Sorry his “pray the gay away” isn’t going to pay the bills anymore…no more government payments!
• Cain, back of the bus buddy…and no more voting for you!

• Paul, I know FEMA is new, but it’s just an umbrella for all of the FED jobs that were there prior; it grouped them together. So let’s have Galveston get hit by a hurricane and no one comes to help. Let’s see how the people respond!

Liberals may be upset with Obama, but really…you want to risk one of these guys? Good grief! I’ll be posting soon about how voting for Obama is actually a GOOD thing and it’s not voting for the lesser of two evils.

I love me some Billy Joel! Anyway, ventured in to NYC on Tuesday for the first time. Took the train from Bay Head into Penn Station and caught a cab over to Rockwood Music Hall to see Deep River and Ernie Halter. It was a little surreal seeing Deep River there since they are a VA band that I routinely see members of at Jammin’ Java (one of my fave VA venues); when I walked in and saw Daniel Brindley, it was like I’d walked back into JJ. Met up with a couple of friends from Rock Boat and enjoyed the show. Once that was over, I was back on my way to the train station. Did check out the exterior of MSG and grabbed some local pizza (Yum!), but we were getting the remnants of Tropical Depression Lee and it was raining like crazy. What I got to see of the city was spectacular, so I cannot wait to do a day trip up there and tour it during daylight hours.