Let’s get a few things straight. First of all, I’m in the military. Secondly, I support civil rights for all people under most circumstances. Some groups like the KKK, NAMBLA, the Catholic church, and others that use intolerance or abuse as a platform are right out.
My mother once told Jennifer and I that if we were gay, she was 100% OK with that. Jennifer and I both proceeded to laugh ourselves silly. Because I am not a homosexual. If I was, you’d know about it by now. Jennifer on the other hand has Paul, and they seem to be intimate if all the indicators are reading correctly, and so I’m fairly certain she’s also heterosexual.
The story I linked to is about a brave 10 year old boy who refuses to recite the pledge of allegiance. He does it because he has observed the climate in this country regarding the gay community (this is a popular conservative term, because it allows bigots to keep all gay people at arms length and make them seem like a separate culture in America), and noticed that there really isn’t liberty and justice for all.
The school tried to force him, he is being harassed by his classmates… but his parents support him, and I for one smell a lawsuit brewing.
I am an atheist. I am also an anarchist, a nihilist, and if you really want to know, a pretty damn good cook.
As such, I don’t give a rat’s ass in a brick shit house how anyone (this includes you) feels about it. I view all forms of religion and mysticism as superstition. Enough said.
I don’t think that anyone in this country who has a bias or argument that isn’t based on empirical evidence and logic should have any control over the following:
Whether gay couples should have the same rights and and privileges as married straight couples.
Whether children should be taught anything that isn’t based on solid scientific evidence i.e., evolution and the big bang.
Whether anyone in this country should be allowed to have a platform to voice agendas of intolerance and bigotry.
If you should happen to disagree with any of that, or feel insulted by my points of view, I have good news for you. You have the option of never associating with me. Ever. Again. So go ahead and stop reading this, because you probably won’t enjoy the remainder.
I also think gays should be allowed to serve our country as civil servants, political agents and yes (gasp!) even in the military. I also think that men and women should be allowed the same rights, that racial equality is a great idea, and that social security, the fire department, medicare and all other forms of socialism that have been incorporated into our day to day lives (not to mention our mutated “democracy”) should probably not be torn down and replaced with a McHospital.
Transition to a new and different way of life and the fear and stupidity that inevitably follow are not excuses to to lord your own hard fought and well deserved rights and privileges over those that have been suppressed by prejudiced dickheads in the general public and the media.
And one other thing. I never, not once, have ever recited the pledge of allegiance and actually meant what I was reciting. Children should not be forced to stand for meaningless indoctrination. I have pledged allegiance and fealty to the Air Force, my family, my friends, and nothing else. I serve this country because it’s a challenging job, and I have grown as both a human being and non-theist ever since I’ve made that decision. I love my family because my philosophy in life is that it (life that is) is precious and rare in the universe on the whole, and is to be cherished and celebrated. And if you count yourself among the few people that can call themselves my friend, give yourself a pat on the back.
Because I am an outstanding judge of character with a flawless bullshit detector, and you, my friend, are a unique and excellent person.
Freedom is never freely given to the oppressed. History demonstrates that it must be taken by force from the oppressor.
And if you don’t think much about what I’ve extolled here today, consider the following. The universe is roughly thirteen and a half billion years old. The solar system as we know it, including the earth, is roughly 4 billion years old. The sun is estimated to begin it’s death throws in about five billion.
In a billion years, you and I and everyone we know will be gone. The face of the earth will be unrecognizable to us. And life if it still exists will be of a form that we cannot fathom.
People shouldn’t treat each other like things or property. People should just be human.
Cheers–
tb
P.S. Funny and amazing videos that I find will continue after everybody gets a turn to read this.
