The GoP is Gone.

I hear a lot of whining about the Republican Party. What happened? Well the Christian Right happened. Those that prefer economics and other sensibilities sent it bye bye. To recover, the GoP must abandon the Fundamentalists which should join their brethren in the countries in the Mid East where stoning is still in fashion. The GoP had succumbed to a hostile take over by these people and any base of so-called Reagan Democrats soon became history. Yes, we the people, in order to form a more perfect union need a thinking person's leader. We got one. If you we believe we have too much government now, it is because of the last 8 years lacked any meaningful governing. In any sector the government is responsible for, we are worse off. That is not opinion, that is a metric and measurable. Science, space, defense, medical, roads, - need I go on? The required response we need is not less or handing more governing over to Monday morning pray groups in the Oval Office as W had, presumably hoping for some divine intervention, but maybe leadership? You see, conservatism requires less government. A non intrusive government. But what is left must function. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, so whomever we give it too, they need a little oversight. The often touted belief that because there has not been a terrorist attack is evidence of good governance is bogus logical fallacy and invalid because the lack a attack is not an affirmation of good governance. It simply means we have not have been attacked before 2001 as after. The reason is just because.

Having church and state blended into government the way W. afforded access was just terrible. Remember JFK? The fear with JFK was the Pope would have a direct telephone line to the White House giving the Catholic church a little too much access. JFK understood the constitution and his role. He talked about this point and reassured us. Today, we look at this and collectively shrug like it is normal to allow Evangelicals to advise our leaders. So today, any morality speak from the Christian Right and its influence on our government has to be considered suspect. Even if their hearts were pure, the mere ideology of itself is offensive. Consider that someone who believes we should have limits placed on our behavior because they will affect our future in an after life is poor reasoning and a cop out. The reasoning should be because it is the right thing to do. Threats of eternal damnation? That is why I should behave? That seems possibly empty as the threat of Don't make me turn this car around! What if I do not bite off on this gem offered by a minority religion when compared to the rest of the planet? What about the rest of the galaxy? What you think that is a silly thing to speculate on? What did the Pope think about the poor savages in what we now refer to as Florida? Did all those people go straight to hell before being saved? Post mortem baptisms? The Mormon's do this today and one of these clowns ran for Office of the President of the United States.

Does anyone have a right to push this agenda on me? What if I do not want to squander my life as you would your own because I would believe you get only one chance to not screw up? That is, we should do good things because we should. Not because of fear of punishment. But you see, that is the point of most religions. Control of resources and just plain control. Can you have a soul? A spirit? Maybe - but I'll cross that bridge myself because one is about resource management the other one is not. Man made religion. Perhaps a spirit cannot be made nor unmade. Best to leave it alone. Best to quiz our elected leaders on the finer points of law. Those man made laws.

Texas BoE Vote Update- Or Hijackers of the GoP Update

Apparently Dallas, Texas - what one would expect to be the den of the conservative block of Texas - is not so narrow minded after all. Consider the Board of Education vote according to the Dallas Morning News: All three Dallas-area board members – Republicans Geraldine Miller of Dallas and Pat Hardy of Weatherford, and Democrat Mavis Knight of Dallas – opposed the rule that would allow the curriculum a creationism foothold by purporting flaws in evolutionary theory. They cited the recommendations of a science review committee of teachers and academics, who contended that talking about "weaknesses" would undermine the proper teaching of Charles Darwin’s theory of how humans evolved from lower life forms. On the other hand, the central area (Lampasas to Ft Worth area) Texas Board of Education members and The Woodlands (Houston) area, which one would naturally expect to be more, let us say enlightened, seemed to have difficulty distinguishing fact from fantasy. It highly probably these people do not have a grasp of the issues. Perhaps they lack even a basic high school level education level biology accreditation, nor could give you a definition of simple terms like theory, hypothesis, observation, validation, corroboration, geology, or evidence. At least for now – enough outraged people called and said enough is enough. The vote was narrow.

The final vote is in MARCH!!! SO DO NOT GIVE UP!

Do we need to reinforce that our expectation for all subjects be relevant?

1) Math? We teach math? Not 2+2=5? What if there is a miracle? You aint got no time machine to prove otherwise? Maybe 6000 years ago when the Earth was made, the 2+2 did make 5?
2) English? What if my bible says I decide I do not prononce nor spel the sam az yu.
3) Home Schoolin? My youngins got their learnins from their bible. It all good and they aint need no social skills as they get thit from church. I dont want them confused with devil words and trickery.
4) Chemistry? Why not Alchemy? Lead into Gold? It is great in a recession!
5) All theories are incomplete!!! Therefore, all are worthless! Therefore, no Gravity!
6) What is the point of having a standard, a discipline, if it actually means - nothing? It is no longer a science at that point. It is would be like confusing Astrology with Astronomy. Which probably is actually a tad confusing to certain BoE seat warmers!

Maybe we need a new board? At least, we need to thank the ones in Dallas who cared enough to consider the definition of 'science'! For the others? Consider there are places in the world where your 'ah' perspective would be 'tolerated'. Of course, you will be living in the 5th century - but that is what you are after - right? Just do not make me do it. If you want that for your children, send them such a place and pay for it yourself. Let them reap the consequences of non reality.