Arrogant

It would have been awesome to join in on the Reason Rally in Washington D.C.

Taken by Blue Lyon at the Reason Rally in D.C.

I read an advice column on The Friendly Atheist called 'Ask Richard' by Richard Wade.  I find his perspective helpful, understanding, and respectful of all involved.  He attended the Reason Rally and after returning a friend asked if the people were arrogant.  His response:

“Yes. They were arrogant. They were very arrogant. They had the arrogance to not just request, but to demand that they be given the same respectful treatment as civilized people give each other in general. They had the arrogance to not just request, but to demand that they be judged by their behavior rather than by their beliefs. They had the arrogance to not just request, but to demand that religious people who enjoy laws that protect them from discrimination not break those same laws by discriminating against atheists. They had the arrogance to not just request, but to demand that religious people honor the Constitution that guarantees their freedom only because it also guarantees the freedom of those who disagree with their views. They had the arrogance to not just request, but to demand that elected officials diligently represent the interests of all the people, not just those people who share the majority religion. They had the arrogance to not just request, but todemand that laws and public policy be guided by clear, rational thinking, and based on verifiable facts rather than on conveniently ambiguous passages written on animal skins thousands of years ago, and used only to serve the selfish interests of pandering politicians and their financial backers. They had the arrogance to not just request, but to demand that all women enjoy all the same rights and control of their personal lives as do men, in actual practice rather than just in theory, and that children be treated as human beings rather than as nothing more than investments in progeny, or the toys of exploitative clerics. They had the arrogance to not just request, but to demand that adult couples have the right to marry and to be recognized as legitimate families in society regardless of their gender, without any restrictions dictated by ignorant nomadic tribal chiefs long since turned to dust. In short, they had the arrogance to not just request, but to demand that all humans treat all other humans HUMANELY! Yes! they were very arrogant! Unashamedly,unapologetically, wonderfully, inspiringly, COURAGEOUSLY ARROGANT!”

I'm still in the closet, but this statement makes me more courageous.

Sunday Secrets

I haven't done this in a while - here are some comments on PostSecrets that caught my attention this week:

I remember feeling this way when I was younger.  I thought I would be 'called' to Africa and then I would be a bad person because I wouldn't want to go.  I was told by a youth pastor that God wouldn't ask me to do something that I couldn't handle.  I found that comforting at the time.  I think I had a hard time figuring out how to steer my own life because I was raised under the idea that someone else would always be doing it for me.  I like life the way it is now.

This comment made me smile.  I find I don't need to be religious to find beauty and wonder in the world and life.

Sunday Stewie Stroll

Its a sunny, 78F day and we took Stewie for a walk.

He was very happy about the exercise.

And then he promptly flopped on the cool floor. :-D

Bachelor Eating

I've recently moved in with my brother because he has a house in a city near where I work.  The first thing you notice about his house is the motorcycle on the front porch...and then the motorcycle inside the door.  The freezer is full of pizzas, tater tots, and chicken nuggets.  This is a bachelor pad.  I can eat my share of fast food and frozen pizzas, but eventually I want something substantial.

Tonight I made something with vegetables.

And freshly grated parmesan cheese.  My version of the recipe uses much more turkey and ravioli than called for, but I have to give him something that isn't too healthy or soupy - his system might go into shock. :-D

Sashimi love

This past weekend I went to Chicago to visit friends.  While there Cleo took me to this amazing sushi bar Sai Cafe and I fell in love with sashimi.

Seriously - the taste and texture - I had no idea such wonderfulness existed.

We were in a good food mellowed out mood.  It was wonderful and new experience.  Living in/near large cities is really paying off. :)