Dreaming

Last night I had a bizarre dream.
I woke up scared, ready to scream.
The country went crazy
with religionarys
and we ended up refugees.

Science fiction author Robert Heinlein, in some of his works, described what he called the Crazy Years. These years came after Americans elected a virtual theocracy into power, which led to all sorts of problems for people who did not believe exactly as they did. These beliefs were mostly of the evangelical sort, the likes of which are taught in most mega-churches these days.

In my dream, these terrors actually came to pass. It got to the point where I had to take my family to England as political refugees. The set us up with charming accommodations built out of an old dock storage shed.

Luckily, nothing like that would ever happen in real life.

Right?

Changes

I think the right's often deranged
but Portman said something that's strange.
Gay marriage is okay
now that his son is gay.
I doubt, though, that this leads to change.

Rob Portman, the Republican junior Senator from Ohio, has recently come out in support of the legalization of the marriage of homosexuals. This abrupt turnaround on this policy comes after his son announced his own homosexuality.

As much as I wish that he would have supported marriage equality just for the sake of equality, it is a huge step forward for those of us not bigoted. I can almost guarantee, though, that when he comes up for reelection he will face a staunch primary battle because now he is a RINO. The far-right ideologues will not stand for anyone who is even a bit left of them.

In A Nutshell

Now let me be perfectly clear:
When you are in front of your peers
you should be able
to bring to the table
more than "We don't need new ideas."

That quote, from Marco Rubio at the Conservative Political Action Conference, perfectly sums up the GOP. They have pushed aside any who have dared speak to the fact that their platform might, perhaps, be a little 14th century for a supposed 21st century civilization. Chris Christie, for example, was not invited to speak at the conference this year after he was seen to be a little too left of crazy.

If you do not introduce new ideas to your thinking, then the world will move on without you. You will continue to be marginalized and left out of further adult discourse.

The New Boss

One thing that I've often discussed
In life, we all do as we must.
One thing that I mind
is that when you lie
and say that you stand for what's just.

As I was writing yesterday's limerick, news broke that the new Pope has been named. Therefore, I take credit for the conclave so quickly naming a successor to Ratzi the Nazi. Any complaints can be forwarded to the round file.

The new guy, Jorge Bergoglio, has taken the name Francis. He has been lauded because he cares about the poor, and had even given up some of the trappings of being a Cardinal when he was the Archbishop of Beunos Aires. He does, however, support the traditional doctrine against all forms of birth control, which has the express result of causing even more children being born into poverty.

Another thing that the new boss supports is the lack of rights for homosexuals. It has been said that Pope Francis is “a man who calmly stands for what’s right and just." He also believes that adoption by homosexual couples is "a form of discrimination against children." In my mind, a person who stands for justice would support justice for everyone, not just those who think or feel or believe or love the exact same way that they do. Anything less is unequal and unjust.

I know that I have been writing quite a bit about the papacy recently, but that is what has been big in the news. I promise to take a break from the pope until he says something else stupid. So, maybe a couple of days.

Smokin'

Though some might think it's a bad joke
there are those who are nothing but stoked.
The news gets all whirled.
It seems that the world
just waits for a puff of white smoke.

I know it's another limerick about the potential pope problem, but this is what's been dominating the news recently.

The Big Bobrovsky

The Jackets have been on a roll
and each team they play pays the toll.
The year started bleak
now they're on a streak
with the Big Bobrovsky in goal.

After starting the season as the worst team in the NHL, the Blue Jackets have been streaking recently, having won 5 in a row.

We're just past the midway point in the season, so there's still a way to go. There is reason for hope, however. A team with no big stars has played workman's hockey, finding a way to win.

On Topic

Topics can be so hard to find
it can leave you in such a tight bind.
It's so hard to write
stuck in the night
lost in the fog in my mind.

Sunday School

When you choose to give God a treat
make sure that it's something that bleats.
Because, as we've seen
God can get real mean
if you offer him up some wheat.

If you read the Bible, it's plain:
God loved Able more than Cain.
And without deference
God had a preference.
Then Cain chose to rock Able's brain.

One more thing fills me with strife,
and cuts at my brain like a knife:
Shortly after God
banished him to Nod
WHERE THE HELL DID CAIN FIND A WIFE?

So there it is. The single most pressing question in the first 5 chapters of Genesis. There were two people, then four, then a civilization with multiple cities. Modern theology tries to explain this away, but there is no way around the only solution: Incest. All of the begats in chaper 5? Incest. According to the bible, we are all the end results of generations of cousin diddling. Or, perhaps parent-child loving, but we'll have more fun with that when we meet Lot.

Comforting

I'll tell you 'bout this guy named Ray
who keeps critical thinking at bay
He talks about how
we can't make a cow
as he brushes all science away.

Ray Comfort, known as The Banana Man, has been spouting idiocy for a very long time now. Recently, he has been lying for Jesus on Facebook with great frequency. I follow him because I find it amusing not only that someone would spew such vile garbage, but there appear to be a large number of followers who actually believe what he has to say.

Honestly, at this point, I am not sure what to believe about Mr. Comfort. Does he actually believe the things he says, or if he is just using the moronic postings to create controversy to feed his giant ego.

I Call Dibs To Be The Next Pope!

Though he quit, he's still a dope
and soon they will choose a new pope.
I'd love if 'His Grace'
was sent to a place
where he worries 'bout dropping the soap.

Ah, Catholics. You can't be truly religious until you have someone acting as your mouthpiece to and from God. The Conclave of Cardinals convenes (alliteration!) on Tuesday, where they will pick the next person to cover up for the atrocities committed by the Catholic Church.

I know that not every Catholic is a Papist, but if you do not look at the long history of almost outright evil perpetuated by the Church and leave Catholicism then you are as much a part of the problem as the Pope himself. If you donate money to the Catholic Church, then you are enabling them to continue their evil, and cover it up as best they can.

I just want the rockin' hat.

Callooh Callay!

Time, I've been told, often flies.
You blink and it passes you by.
I just meant to take
a very short break
to cleanse my soul and clear my mind.

Limericks are back!

Not So Fresh

This is the story 'bout how
'Zona got flipped upside down.
They started a fight
to erase the rights
of students by forcing a vow.

Republicans in Arizona have submitted a bill that would make the following vow necessary for completion of High School in the state.

I, _________, DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY, WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THESE DUTIES; SO HELP ME GOD.

There's no chance, of course, that this would pass any sort of constitutional muster. that doesn't matter to these people. They are more than willing to either make people lie or withhold their diplomas in order to force their theocratic idiocy onto the population.

I took an oath similar to this when I joined the military. I can understand that type of oath or affirmation when you are signing up to possibly kill or be killed for your country. I cannot, for the life of me, understand why they want to force children to swear this.

Pay To Play

I think that it's quaint to see
people whose eyes are opening
They asked the questions
and then learned a lesson:
Religion has never been free.

A California couple has filed a lawsuit against the Church of Scientology, claiming that the purpose of Scientology is to make money. And also that the Church has perverted the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard, twisting them into a money making scheme.

What they don't understand is that Scientology has always been about making money. It was founded because Hubbard was sick of getting paid a penny a word for his sub-par sci-fi and wanted to turn a better profit. So he turned his crap science-fiction into an even crappier cult, in order to fleece the gullible.

Murder Trainers

Murder by kids is a shame
and we all look for something to blame
Let's not get them help.
We'll just scream and yelp
and then put the fault on the games.

Sick people do sick things. Throughout history, mentally disturbed individuals have inflicted their sickness on innocents, leading to many horrific stories. Shifting the blame is stupid. In the 80's, Dungeons & Dragons was seen as the precipice off of which a child would jump to become a truly evil monster. Today it's Modern Warfare and Grand Theft Auto. The same story is being told, with only a slightly different villain.

Should a 12 year old be playing those types of games? I don't think so, and that's why I don't let my 12 year old play those games. But blaming the games for people acting out on their sickness is just stupid.

Hockey's Back!

The sun is a little more bright
as hope pushes against the night.
Hockey is back and
it's time for the Jackets.
Now let's start the season off right.

At last, our long national nightmare is over.

Sunday School

In the beginning, it's said
God dragged his ass out of bed
made the dark and light,
split the day and night
a week later rested his head.

He made all the beasts, fish, and birds
I guess by just saying the word.
He made trees and plants
and beetles and ants,
although some might call it absurd.

Now, if this book can be believed,
and we are not being deceived
so he wasn't alone
God made Adam a clone.
Before there was Dolly, there was Eve.

Although he is such a good guy
God just came straight out and lied.
He said ,"Do not eat
the fruit of the tree.
For if you do you'll surely die."

Then Eve came and ate of the fruit.
Adam, soon after, followed suit.
And here's where God lied:
Neither of them died!
Though from Eden they both got the boot.

In the beginning was Genesis. God looked upon it and said "What the fuck am I reading?" Chapter 1 is your basic creation myth, with God creating everything in no particular order that would make any sense. Verses 11 and 12 document the creation of trees, grasses, and herbs on the third day. Daylight, which is kind of important to the photosynthesis of said plants, is not created until the fourth day. The first of what I am sure will be many ineffable mysteries of God. Verse 27 is the sixth day, when humanity is created, male and female, in God's image. In verses 28 - 30, man is given dominion over every living and growing thing on the planet. And it was good.

Chapter 2 is also a creation story, albeit a bit different than the first. God created Adam first this time, and then created the Garden of Eden, as well as all the beasts in order for Adam to find a "help-meet". None of the beasts were quite good enough for him, so God cloned Adam from a rib, hence Eve. And they were both naked, and it was good. Verse 17 is God's first lie.

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

In chapter 3 we are introduced to the Serpent, the first honest creature. He mentions to Eve that she won't die, but with the knowledge then humans would become as gods themselves. Thinking this was better than the promised death, she ate the fruit. Seeing this, God gets all mad and and junk, and promptly kicks the two out of the Garden, never to return.

I have a few questions, however.  

Where is the Garden of Eden? We're living in the future. We have detailed high-resolution photographs of the entire planet and not once has anyone seen a cherubim with a flaming sword saying "Keep Out".

Which version of creation is the correct one? Chapter 1 describes plants and beast created before humanity, where chapter 2 clearly describes them being created after Adam.

Why would God lie to them? He states plainly that on the day they ate of the tree then they would surely die. They did not surely die that day. Now I'm supposed to believe everything else this God person says?

Why I Do What I Do

Each of us has a loud voice
that we will use, given the choice.
My chosen schtick?
I write limericks
because it makes all the chicks moist.

O, Whacking Day!

If you think you have what it takes
to help them reclaim all the lakes
Come visit the 'Glades
and offer your aid
and help us to whack all the snakes!

What a snake killing politician might look like.

Link

A Cautionary Tale

In case there was something I missed
if you are involved in a tryst
and you're thinking of
falling deep in love
make sure that she really exists.

One of the main stories making headlines the past few days is that of Manti Te'o, and his non-existent dead girlfriend. According to the stories, Te'o met a girl named Lennay Kekua in Palo Alto, after Notre Dame played Stanford in 2009. They spoke many times over the phone, meeting sometimes (or not, depending on which accounts you read) when Manti would return to Hawaii. After a while, their relationship blossomed to the point where Brian Te'o, Manti's father, even "came to the realization that she could be our daughter-in-law." Unfortunately, Lennay apparently died in September, 2012, either before of after Manti's grandmother passed away. After the passing of his girlfriend, Manti took the story on the awards circuit, using it to cast himself as a player fighting against overwhelming odds to become a champion.

Recently, stories have come to light that Lennay Kekua never actually existed. She was a construct, created by who knows for who knows whatever reasons. Although Te'o admits to having met her multiple times, as well as having phone conversations where he would fall asleep on the phone while she was in the hospital for leukemia, he was apparently unaware of the fact of her non-existence. Notre Dame has come to the defense of their star, saying that an investigation revealed that Manti had been the victim of an elaborate hoax. Te'o has also offered this as the truth.

With so many conflicting accounts coming from bot Te'o and his school, I have come to three possibilities, listed in order from least to most probable:

3: Te'o was, in fact, the victim of an elaborate, multi-year hoax, the aim of which is unknown. The fact that Te'o and friends claimed to have met at least once, and possibly on multiple occasions, is why this is the least probable.

2: Te'o was in on the hoax in order to raise his publicity. There are few better sports story than those about a compelling hero who has overcome the tragic losses of his grandmother and his girlfriend, within 24 hours of each other, and comes back stronger than ever, ready to lead his team the the national championship game.

1: Te'o was involved in the hoax as a means to cover up his homosexuality. Imagine this: A Mormon football star playing at a Catholic university. Although society as a whole has grown more accepting of homosexuality, neither of those groups will accept a gay among them. My hypothesis is that Manti and his friend, Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, are involved romantically and the long distance girlfriend story was a clever ruse in order to attempt to cover for him being gay.

Does any of this truly matter? Of course not. There are worse stories concerning the Notre Dame football program, which involve the suicide of a girl who was raped by a football team member, and the withdrawal of a rape accusation by another girl after she was intimidated by texts from another player.

Why can't I just be a sports fan without this stupidity getting in the way?

Judge Me Not

No matter what's stuck in your craw
or what you think is the last straw
you still took a vow.
So just drop it now.
You still have to follow the law!

As a student of people, I am constantly surprised at how much I can still learn from them. Take these sheriffs, for example.

After having won elections to serve as the highest lawmen for their respective, a few enterprising sheriffs have decided to take it upon themselves to interpret the law, instead of just upholding it. They want us to believe they they are the sole arbiters of what is and is not allowed by the Constitution. Well, at least what their twisted idea of what is in the Constitution, not what the Constitution actually says.

A growing number of law enforcement officers are stating that they will refuse to uphold laws that they deem violate the 2nd Amendment. None of the laws currently on the books or proposed actually do that, but that won't matter in the slightest to these people. The three branch system that comprises our government isn't perfect, but it has served us well as an effective balance of power. The idea that a heavily armed group of people might take it upon themselves to act as all three branches is, to me, more than a little frightening.

Unless, of course, it's all bullshit hyperbole solely for the effect of riling up the masses to garner more votes. Politicians wouldn't do that, would they?

The new uniform for the Sheriff's Office

Touching

If you keep your pearls clutched
and hyperbole is your crutch
you might be surprised
if we call out your lies.
It just shows that you're out of touch.

It's amazing what passes for the middle class. According to the Wall Street Journal, a middle class single mother makes $260,000. A year. Middle class for a married couple with 4 children? $650,000. That's not combined lifetime earnings for a married couple, that's yearly earnings for a middle class family, based on apparently exhaustive research conducted by the WSJ.

They all look so very, very sad.

Thomas Comes To Breakfast

The world might be at an end,
it might be time to make amends.
Kiss loved ones goodbye,
the world's gone awry
when life copies Thomas and Friends.

A train crashed in Sweden.

The reaction of the surprised family.

Link

Political Science

Let's say that you wanted to be
on the right's "science" committee.
The first rule of thumb:
learn how to act dumb
and keep your opinions fact-free.

The Republicans in the House of Representatives have released the list of members who are on the House Science Committee, and the results would be amusing if it weren't so damned scary. Among those announced are two Representatives who have been covered here before, Phil Gingrey and Paul Broun.

These are the people who will be shaping science legislation for the next two years.

Yikes.

God's Will

It don't matter that hotter's the norm,
or we're seeing more powerful storms
when snow starts to fall
it's a message to all:
God says the Earth won't get more warm.

It snowed last week. DURING THE WINTER! I know, I was shocked as well. This snow, however, was a rare snowfall that covered the "holy" lands in the Middle East. Of course this means that God is showing us that Al Gore was wrong and Climate Change is a bunch of bullshit.

History Lessons

You'd think that some people would see
if they've read just a little hist'ry
it's not much to ask
they learn form the past
and stay away from all things Nazi.

Michael Savage is your typical right-wing radio host. He makes his money off of the frothing masses in the Tea Party, riling them to nearly boiling point. He took a dive into the deepest recesses of moronitude recently, when he suggested we should have an American equivalent of National Socialism.

"You have the rudiments of a new party in this country called a tea party. They need to restructure their party. They need a charismatic leader, which they don’t have."

"There are people so frustrated by the democracy that is gone in this country, the structure that has replaced our democracy is what I meant to say, that they would clamor for the new nationalist party."

“Nationalism is the only thing that can save America, and a new nationalist party that has a very strict firewall that does not permit the radical fringe of racism.”

 “Going forward we have to, I think on radio, continue to educate the audiences about nationalism and the importance of our nation and our nation’s sovereignty – borders, language, culture. Borders, language, culture – it defines every nation on the planet, the flag, the language, the borders. And what is it the internationalists do? They want to dissolve the borders, they want to introduce multiculturalism, they want to introduce a Tower of Babel of languages.”

I really do wish I was making this up. That way I wouldn't have to worry about this idiot and his followers.

Another Legitimate Limerick

Even though they've lost the fight
no one e'er said that they're bright.
But still these dumb clowns
are hanging around
and keep saying idiocy's right.

Months after Todd Akin lost his bid for a Senate bid in Missouri after making his "legitimate rape" comment, the stupidity has returned to center stage. Now Phil Gingrey, a Republican from Georgia, has double down on the moronic statements, coming out stating that Akin's statements were "partly right".

"I don’t find anything so horrible about that. But then he went on and said that in a situation of rape, of a legitimate rape, a woman’s body has a way of shutting down so the pregnancy would not occur. He’s partly right on that."

Which part, I wonder, was he right on?