The Freedom Of Choice

Why do I even workout. Nicky "Flabman" Sarkozy and his smoking hot wife...currently in the Woody Allen movie, "Midnight In Paris", Carla "Hello, did I mention my name is Kriss, helllllooooo" Bruni.

Oh yes they did. After much controversy, and hopefully no retaliation, the French government has officially banned the full faced Islamic face veil (and don't ask me the differences between all of them, there are hella). Not only that, but peeps have been arrested already. The most vogue of modern prejudices, Islamophobia, has brought us a Qu'ran burning (w/lame fakey fake trial. audacious "g"), sessions in congress here and an international debate on freedom of speech and expression. Throw in politics at it's best/worst and then we have ourselves a genuine controversy.

The mock debate in France last week was as credible as (insert something not credible here ). The real reason for the debate was that "Nic", the French Prez, is running for reelection next year and his main opponent, The Blond, is kicking his butt on getting all of the weirdo, stupid head prejudiced, bigot voters, who just like us, they call The Right (imagine that sh*t).

Not all Muslims are terrorists. Islamophobia is xenophobia. The powers that be want us to fear what it is we do not know (or is at least foreign to us). Islamophobia is an umbrella term for immigration, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of religion, cultural identity. Why does an atheist even care, because their freedoms is my freedom, our freedom. It is the extremist positions that the world has to worry about, even extreme politics. If Pastor Terry "Stupid Head " Jones can have the freedom to burn the Qu'ran, then I/we can have the freedom to not believe. It's a two way street, for everyone.

The choice of no choice is no offer that is worthy of secular society. I do not agree with the full face veil, but if those women choose (and that is debatable) to wear it, then let them wear it. No one is saying that women must get abortions, but the freedom to choose (if needed) needs to be protected. If one groups freedom is compromised, then everyone's freedom is (potentially) compromised.

To me the current Islamophobia is reminiscent of Japanophobia of WWII. Their foreign culture inspired a national fear with the same ingredients: immigration, cultural identity, spies/terrorism, Americanization/global identity etc...So our government put them in pens and took their property. We are all in this together, whether you agree with the face veil or not.

* OK a little on freedom and religion. When the slaves were freed, there was credit given to Christianity for the salvation and eventual emancipation of the black peeps. God was given credit for prayers answered, which is ridiculous because it was God that put them in that position in the first place (once again god needs credit for doing good-that's not powerful). Women that wear the face veil and say it's choice...well, it makes you wonder. If they were born in a different region with a different religion, if they were not indoctrinated at a young age...then would they have made the same choice, would they give credit to the very thingy that oppresses them. I don't think so.

* Usa Today vid

* Al Jazeera Face Veil Ban

* Muslim Feminist, really. It is a counter intuitive term like Feminist GOP'er. conservative feminist.

* Last years post on the proposal to ban the veil.

* Also from last year, the same thingy, but in Belgium.

Stupid Brand Loyalty

It's just a freekin' game. Sure I have written about the important life lessons that sports can teach you, and I'm an advocate for playing team sports, but extremist brand loyalty like this...it is everything that is bad with society.  Last week on opening day for baseball, a cherished day among fans, a spectacular day for family and friends (the memories created on opening day is the kind of stuffs you tell your grand children about-that good), some idiot fans at Dodger Stadium stalked and beat up a rival San Francisco Giants fan putting him in the hospital.

Bryan "seems like a cool and normal guy" Stow was wearing giants gear at the opening day game between the storied rivals and some idiots beat him up, put him in the hospital, in a coma, and last I heard, there is possible brain damage. All accounts claim that 3-4 individuals stalked Stow and his posse after the game and basically jumped them. Stow's posse members were lucky enuff to get away, but the paramedic, father of two, from super mellow and awesome Santa Cruz, was not as lucky.

I've mentioned my allusion with sports a couple a few times here, before, esp. in the last couple of years. Sports is the girlfriend that I can not quit and the g-friend that doesn't make me happy anymore. I'm clinging on, refusing to quit, because of history. We have had such a great history (oh, the memories). But the relationship has become abusive, and I find myself continually enabling sports, making up excuses for it's behavior-or more specifically, the behavior of the fans and the jerk millionaire athletes.

The most recent jerk millionaire athlete to let the fans down is none other than Manny "Man Ram" Ramirez. I'am guilty, myself, of saying, "Oh, that is just Manny being Manny," as if that phrase justifies bad behavior. Dude just got busted for the second time for the 'roids.' I have no excuse for him now. Damm, I forgot the dudes name, but about a month ago a baseball player was arrested for (allegedly) DUI'ing, drinking straight from a bottle of whiskey while the officer questioned him, then he got out of the vehicle and yelled, "Do you know who I am," over and over. Then there are the ones that can't feed their families (Latrel Sprewell) because 17 mill. a year is not enuff, or they will just straight up go on strike (NFL) because, as one ball player put it, "The NFL is slavery (really, slaves earned millions of dollars and acted like sexist jerks-sounds like pseudo-history)."

Fan is from fanatical. It is an extreme position, I'll dare say irrational. Why do I heart my Phoney Niner's so much. It doesn't makes sense...and it doesn't have too; that is until peeps get hurt. Word on the street is that Dodger Staduim has been like this for years. Up here in Nor-Cal we have the Raiders and talk about an irrational bunch (Raiders fans can start and end an argument...with their fists. Passionate or stupid). One time at a Niner's game, there were these disgusting fellow Forty Niner's fans behind me and they were yelling at a Tom Brady fan in front of us. They said things like "b*tch, whore, you suck this or that, etc..." I was ashamed...and a little bit scared. They had genuine hate on their faces, they, and I really believe this, wanted to kick some white, blond arse (the ladies looked Samoan to me).

What has happened. Has it always been like this, this fierce brand loyalty. It is reminiscent of gang philosophy. Wrongly, they believe that they own parts of the city, blocks of the city. They believe that being born into a neighborhood gives them some kind of right, some kind of privilege, some kind of "something something" to use harassment and violence to protect their brand, their tribe. They have their colors, and their gear that represents something to them (to me it represents stupidity). At one time in the evolution of humans, that may have been the sh*t, but now, it's just sh*t.

"It was going to be one of the greatest weeks of our lives," says John Stow, a cousin (link)." I used to feel that way also. The anticipation of a good, no a great game, the match ups, the thrill and the drama....yea, I used to feel that for sports. Now I just feel jilted...like a lover.

* Good luck to the Stow family. Giants stadium and fellow paramedics are raising money for dude. there are many ways to help. Thank  you.

Dammmmmmm China

You know that old Cheech and Chong joke that goes, "Mannnnn," and the way you say the word 'man' can  mean a variety of things: man-short and questioning, man-perky and happy to see you, or mannnnn, you f*cked up." Hey China, it's me Kriss, "Mannnnn."

"The United States and the United Nations have expressed serious concerns in the past week at a growing crackdown across China in which artists, lawyers, writers, activists and intellectuals have been detained (Al Jazeera)." I think the rest of the world is also watching and worrying.

It's round up them crazy xtians in China right now. Why. It's crack down time, which is really weird, you know, because that is a bad and stupid thing-the cracking down.

"The Beijing authorities have again demonstrated their total disregard of their citizens' constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right to religious freedom," China Aid founder and president Bob Fu said in the statement."

What the Chinese Christians were doing was praying on the street (I assume in front of their church(?) yes, no, I don't know), unregistered (whatever that is), then the po po rounded up "dozens" while some peeps are under house arrest. Aprox 200 are detained in a local school.


Those old school Chinese Communist Government employees (and when I say old school, I mean human rights abuses) are all communist-y which mean controlling. Only state approved churches are allowed to happen. Of the registered schools there are 20 mill. practitioners, but for the unregistered churches, there are 60 mill..

Last week internationally known and super awesome human rights activist and artist, Ai Weiwei was detained as he tried to board a plane. Weiwei, as far as I know right now, has not been seen or heard from since. His associates and wife were questioned and released and hella stuff from his studio was confiscated.

Obviously the Chinese government is up to something-cracking down. They have been pretty chill the last couple of years, with the Olympics and all happening there, and even I was into their national pride (I recall watching the games and thinking "yea, that is cool, they all love their country-faults and all). But look at them now, what are they trying to do...catch up; catch up on all those human rights abuses that they missed out on during the Olympics.

In the good 'ol theist v nontheist debate(s) Hitler, the Crusades, Pol Pot, the Inquisition etc...are always brought up as examples of "atheists did this..." or "Christians did this..." The Chinese Communist government is atheist. So I guess atheists are losers in the race to be awesome at human rights (that is not abusing them). Right. Wrong....wrong.

The difference is the intent and the declaration. Hitler didn't say, "In the name of atheism, I'm a gonna (he did say 'gonna') f*ck sh*t up." He did it because he is a crazy person, and a bad person at that. On the other hand, let's say The Crusades...that was in the name of God. How about the current war(s)? Bush Jr. straight up said it is a crusade. Generals and other military brass have used the word 'crusade'. While the crack down in China is super bad, it really is, it certainly is not done in the name of atheism.

Outspoken lawyers, artist and activist have been rustled up the past few weeks. If it hasn't already happened, I bet theyz are a gonna git them some...bloggers next, but not in the name of atheism.

Serpico Lives On

Awh, it's so sad when people die. The director Sidney Lumet, the super awesome dude that brought us the very great films Serpico, Murder on the Orient Express and the super devastating A Dog Day Afternoon, has passed away at age 86. I'm going to date myself right now by saying the kind of statement that makes me shake my head when I hear it..."They don't make movies like that anymore." As I look back through the decades, esp. the 70's, it seems that films and even TV dealt with social issues, with the condition of the peeps and the signs of the times. Remember the TV shows Chico and the Man and Sanford and Son, or MASH or Archie Bunker. Those shows dealt with racism, poverty and even the current oil dealeo. What do we have rigth now, #tigerblood and #adonisdna. Films, like the films of Lumet, was more than entertainment, it was thought provoking , but on a much larger scale.

Serpico was probably the first whistle blower film that I had ever seen. I was too young to see it in the theaters and, if memory severs correct, I believe I saw it on TV as a little Filipino-ninja kid when we lived on the top of the hill on 9th avenue, SF. If it were not for whistle blowers then we would never of had Watergate, or a reconstruction of the LA police force after Rodney King, or Micheal Bachnann's BathroomGate (which is really funny sh*t). There is that Erin Brockovich lady, who very recently is on the bandwagon again; and who knows what true stories will come out of the Ivory Coast, Libya, or Japan (really, when this all gets better, hopefully soon, I can only imagine what kind of "truths" will come out of Japan.). I actually trust the government, but I do acknowledge that because of the hugeness of the government, one hand my not know what the other is doing-corruption. And let's not forget patriot Bradly Manning being held in military prison, humiliated daily as he awaits trial. This is why it is important to watch the watchers, and even, if we are lucky, watch and report on those who watch (does that even make sense?).

The movie Serpico exposed corruption in the NY City Police Department and initiated positive change. That is what whistle blowers do when they are effective and at their best. What is the truth of last years BP oil spill in the gulf, the spill that did not effect the bonuses of the companies top CEO's. What about that epic battle in South America of the Rainforest v. the Oil companies. Are we really to believe that the oil companies do clean up all their waste and that the habitat is not poisoned. I don't.

I know Serpico is just a film,but at the same time it is not just a film. It is art and like I said the other day...art is what makes us human. Art is what differentiates us from the animals, and even the savages posing as humans. Film can inspire the viewer, it can fill their heart with the courage to be the next Erin Brockovic or the Serpico. 

RIP Mr Lumet your work lives on in the prusuit of justice.

* My favorite part in Serpico is when they were having their morning meeting and there was some weed dealers that need to get busted. So the Sarg. passed around a joint, so the boys could familiarize themselves with the product, I guess so when they came across it in the street, they would know what it was...and they lit it up and smoked it. So awesome.

To Know Them Is To Debate Them

This was the Superbowl of debates a couple of years ago.

Quite frequently I talk about the 'conversation', or the 'terms of the debate.' During my daily travels when a believer, with frustration in their heart, says "I can't believe you don't believe in (my particular) God." I would say every single time that is the end of that rant. Once in a while there is a bible passage, but I'd say most of the time that is it; nothing more (like something to discuss) and nothing less (and it would be really hard to say less). I believe that it is entirely OK for a learned atheist, someone that has struggled in their journey to become and atheist (that means studying a lot), to...I'll just say it, look down upon a lay believer with no debate game, with no philosophical reasoning to defend their (often times) childlike faith. Learn the terms of the debate, have something reasonable to say about your faith, or STFU and get out. Well guess what kiddies....atheists need to be learned also. We cannot point the finger at someone (believers), but not point it at ourselves-that would be hypocritical and unfair, that would make us no better than anyone else.

There are some great debates out there to check out and very recently, there are two brand spanking new ones. We live in a fantastic time, ya know, with our crazy Youtubes and podcasts. If you don't want to check out these vids., then seek some out and find what it is that you would like to learn from. I have my favorites (Hitch) and I really encourage you to find yer own. Check it out, yo....

* This is a totally new one with some old and familiar names. Recently at Notre Dame the atheist slayer, William Lane Craig debated Sam "you have never been my favorite, but I still heart you" Harris. Both have PHD's, both have a huge following. Harris just came out with The Moral Landscape where he ponders...can science determine morals, values. This is audio only and I'm checking it out right now (and unfortunately, his jokes are not good).

* This is the other new one that is making the rounds. Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss v.guess who, Dr. William "Give him credit, he is a quite accomplished debater" Craig. Team A lost, again. I haven't checked this one out, yet, but I have read some of the reviews. PZ has some thoughts on it and if you scroll down, Krauss gives us some bullet points on his experience (must read, part of it was quote of the day the other day). This is typical in that the facts and reason lost to superstition and the suspension of all laws of physics. It really shows how much debating is a game. If a speaker is eloquent enuff, that person can confidentially debate the "pants off their opponent." This is the next one I'm a gonna check out. This one has a good topic. Is there evidence for the existence of God. It's not is there a God, but is there evidence for the existence of God. Awesomeness.

Just a few years ago it was the Superbowl of theist nontheist debates. Our Champion, soon to be doctor (back then), Richard Carrier v The Atheist Slayer on the historicy of Jesus Christ. In the weeks and days leading up to this one was like waiting for your favorite team to play in the Stupidbowl. The Atheist Blogosphere was alive with the kind of bravado, the straight up sh*t talking, the confidence of our champ going in there and, while being gracious, kicking some arse. He lost.

This is a quick hitter, just, like 7 minutes long. It's Carrier again with Craig. The moderator, Lee Strobel fancies himself a Christian apologist and like the saying goes, "If you have to say it...(then's you'z full o' sh*t)." If you have to ask someone, the police, "Do you know who I'am," then you are no one. If you have to tell us you are a leading Christian apologist, then guess what....(and your book sucks). The average Christian lay person has a childlike faith that is unexamined and defenseless (some peeps). There are people that can defend their faith with passion and intellect; I just don't think Lee is one of those peeps.

Oh my gosh, I think I'm bro-blushing right now. It's so embarrassing. Anyways, it's OK, I'm alright...Christopher "Our Hero" Hitchens debates the man, W.L.Craig. Honestly, I haven't seen this one in a while. I'll dare say Craig won this, but I can't remember. I'll have to do a rewind on this one...and this time I'll watch with my pants on and the sound on.

Hey, here's an idea. why don't we go right to Craig's website and watch all the video's and read all the articles. Afterall, to know them is to debate them. Look at it like sports...If you can 'scout' the teams practice leading up to the match/game, (possibly) you will know what plays they will run. It's called recon (reconnaissance). Likewise, you also want to go over game tape after a loss. Take notes learn from the mistakes, reinforce what went right and next time, you go out there and get them again.

Even tho debating is a game, I think it's an important game (right now in the Harris/Craig audio I'm listening to right now, Craig is going off on Harriss' "drops." He will propose hella stuff to respond to, then when you don't respond on all of it-because there is not enuff time and it's not practical-then he will rub it in your face, making sure the judges/audience know that he made a 'drop.' Freekin' masterful, really.) Anyways...There must be an evolutionary trait or a gene that drives peeps to want We may not use algebra everyday in our lives in a practical fashion, but to be able to have the problem solving skills that it takes-that is priceless. Debating is the same.

I'd really like to see Team A winning more of these debates (and there are many that 'we' have won, perhaps next post) and even more people with the drive to seek out this kind of endeavor. And, and...and when we start winning these debates, do what coach said.

"Be gracious when you win, and be gracious when you lose."

If Gawd Likes To Watch Sex So Much, He Should Get A Laptop

 Sex will be the undoing of religion. I hope that within this decade there will be no more prejudice for my homies that heart same sex peeps and that women, that wonderful 51% of the population, will have control of their bodies and will have the ability to do with their bodies, what they will. How do we get there? Part of it is exposing biblical literacy for the cherry picking unfairness that it is. The bible is the original poll. Right now if there is a debate, then one side will take a poll to prove their side; but the other side will and can do the same. Nothing gained. The bible can be interpreted to say anything. There are peeps that use the bible to say that same sex...errr, sex is wrong; and yet there are GLBT homies that can use the bible to say that Gawd wants same sex couples, with immaculate homes, really nice furniture and great decor. So WTF.

Deuteronommy 22:20-21 Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

That is not the kind of stoning that I like. When I get stoned, no one gets killed. Back in the day, ya know when everyone was illiterate and just believed what they were told, there was no such thing as feminism; which is a total shame. In fact back in the day, the daughter belonged to her father the same way a car belongs to an owner today. If your lovely daughter has some mileage on her, then when you trade her in for lets' say a new goat, or to pay a debt, or a couple of chickens or something, and she has done the bibliclal nasty, then she is not as worth as much as she could be-hich would be a shame 'cause the father raised her like his best cattle or camel. He feed her and fattened her up for dowry-day, the day he gets the return on his investment, errrr, his daughter. Shame on her for thinking for herself and acknowledging her very human desires and passions and feeling.  What about the father?

Luke (if that is your real name) 16:18 Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

Well, why doesn't someone tell The Newt about this one. Divorce is a biblical crime, it is a no no. Because the divorce rate is highter among the religious and the republican, you can't really blame them for not mentioning this one. Afterall, the punnishment for this sin is an eternity in hell (and last I heard, Satan didn't pay his electricity bill so no air conditioning for the hell bound. economy is tough all over). 

I guess that is the beauty of cherry picking from the bible. You can promote one (God hates fags) or you can poo poo another (all Gawds creatures are created equal). Those of us on the correct side of history, the ones that chose reason over stupidstition, choose to highlight this passage because it makes the side of unreason seem all hypocritic-y. Jesus shunned material wealthy, but the Catholic is a s rich as a small nation. All gawds creatures are created equal...except women, animals, minorities and competing religions, nothing hypocritical about that, right.


What believers want Team A to believe is that the bible is the word of Gawd and it is the truth. While completely moral, competed and reasonable peeps have created laws of the land, believers want us to believe that there is a higher law, a divine law. Unfortunately for them, that law is filled with contradictions, it is dated (stoning for picking up sticks on Sunday, no), and in today's modern society, a society with reason, critical thinking skills and the scientific method, the divine law is just not that at all.


...and besides that, why does Gawd watch us have sex and with who, and how and with what frequency. Perv.

* The Skeptics Annotated Bible 

* 20 bible Passages to Use Against Team Fundie.

Beer and Water. That Is All.

Stories like this just show me how much we are the same; theist nontheist that is. Dude, J. Wilson (right), even without meeting him, is my bro; specifically, my beer bro. Bro-dude Wilson is a pastor at a nondenominational church and for Lent, which is right now, he is giving up solid food and, get this, only consuming water and beer. Maybe there is a heaven.

Because dude is all christian-y and he really wanted an awesome Lent, he decided to do what monks back in the day did, which was only pound hella beers everyday during Lent. Check out his delicious selection. My lucky xtian beer-bro drinks what is called Illuminator Doppelbock for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is a pretty substantial 6.7%, which if you ask me, is quite heavenly. If you don't know what 'bock' is, just know that it means awesome. OK, this is where my atheist kindness ends. Let's get down to it.

Let's see, who was it that said something to the extent...(in his quaint English accent)...show me something that a believer can do, that a nonbeliever cannot...was it Christopher "Our Hero" Hitchens. If you watch his super epic debates (not like the Krauss v Craig debate, I mean awesome) you will also know what he thinks of nondenominational believers, aka cafeteria Christians (his words not mine).

I was, for 17 years, a good, devout,  God fearing, practicing Catholic. When I went all Lent-y, I did it knowing that God was watching. I didn't cheat (because I was scared he would catch me) and, really, I was into it. I think it's OK to make sacrifices, or acknowledge and curb your appetites once in a while. Those crazy Moo-slims (Pastor Terry Jone's pronunciation) do it during Ramadomalongdingdong, as well as all God fearing cafeteria xtians. But to say that only the devout can make sacrifices, to say that only believers can curb their appetites, is just totally wrong. The difference is that one group does it for a celestial dictator (Hitch) and the other group does it for earthly reasons (diet, health, speedo season).

Howz 'bout s'more Hitch. He pretty much doesn't like the cafeteria believers. I really think that he has more respect for a traditional religion (Catholic, Jewish, etc) than any of the new fangeled, made up, pick and choose religions. He says, of the new religions, that it is like going down the line in a cafeteria, and you can pick and choose what it is that you like from the smorgasbord of beliefs. It really is cherry picking at it's worst, or finest. I agree. To pick only the good parts of a religion and totally deny the bad parts and not even acknowledge that there are bad parts, well, it is rather childish-dontcha think.

You know what is not childish...drinking hella beer. Like I always say, if we can agree to disagree, then that is all anyone can ask. The God question (existence) will never be solved. The militant atheist will never wipe religion off the face of the earth and religion, hello it's me Kriss, very soon you will be on the shelf right next to Greek mythology, fairy tales and folklore. Until then, let's agree to disagree...and have a beer.

Soooooo awesome.

* Beer bro xtian dude has a blog. Of course, right.

* Article CNN

* 20 bible passages to use against fundies. Number five is the most delicious, and cute.