Monday, April 21, 2008

What's My Name?

Prof. Myers has an interesting post over at Pharyngula, with a great discussion in the comments.

I'll just say that I've been DiscordianStooge since 1997, when I read "Illuminatus!" and got an e-mail address. I posted under my real name for a while in college, but now people online wouldn't know my real name if I told them; they know me as DiscordianStooge (with or without a space, although without is proper), or sometimes DiscoStoo. (I've been called stool by swiftee, but sometimes I'm not sure if he means me or is responding to The Cucking Stool) That last aside is another example. I didn't know Spotty's real name until months after I met him in person.

I have created an online persona in DS. One that is quite similar to my real-life self, except funnier and better looking. Now I have professional concerns, but DiscordianStooge would exist whether or not that were the case.

Another intersting discussion running over here, but only if you know about the text-based computer games of the 80's and/or "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." The comments became an ethical discussion about releasing private e-mails, but I was mostly impressed that so many computer programming folk from 20 years ago were available to comment. Once a compter nerd, etc., I guess. I vaguely remember playing "Zork," as a kid. Well, watching others play it, which, if you've seen a text-based game, says a lot about my personality. The white house in a clearing. Grues. The Flathead Mountains. Ahh, good times. I tried to play the HHGG game a couple of years back, and I earned about 5 points. I was never very good at text-based games, I must say.

I watched the movie "Hot Fuzz" tonight. Top-notch, I must say. Simon Pegg is great, and I'm looking forward to seeing "Run, Fatboy, Run." Also, "Doctor Who" started its new season this weekend, much to my pleasant surprise. Between "MI-5," "Torchwood," "Robin Hood" starting next week and "Doctor Who," my TV viewing is nearly all BBC, all the time.

Your Extraneous "U" leader.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Nothing Lasts Forever, Even Cold November Rain

As I write this, there is ice falling from the sky. Which I believe is a sign of the Apocalypse. But before I repent, I will double check.

Nope, no ice. It's atheism for another night, at least.

I got the stinky meat smell out of my car. It took a lot of Febreze, some Oust and a liberal amount of vinegar. Of course, my jumper cables have gained sentience, but I'm hoping that will pass in a few days.

Wait a minute, talking jumper cables ... nope, no mention in the bible. Still OK.

Our Katie (c. Spotty) is enraged about religion in schools. Shocked? Don't be. It's only because it's an Islamic school.

Of course, I agree with her. The school is obviously supporting religion, and specifically Islam. Since it's a public school, it's wrong. But of course, we dangerous atheist lefties support the Muslim hordes and only hate Christians, so we'll ignore this. Oh, wait.

Well, OK. But where's the ACLU, which goes after every little bit of Christianity? Why isn't the ACLU upset about this religion in public schools? Um, never mind.

I'll spend some more time looking for hypocrisy that proves that Christians are the only group discriminated against in this country. Being on the KAR blogroll brings responsibility, after all.

Anyway, until Katie decides that religion in public schools is wrong, not just the religions she doesn't like, I'll continue to ridicule her. Because she is really worthless. Honestly, Star Tribune, hire Cap'n Fishsticks as a columnist, or maybe Mitch Berg. Someone who can come up with an original idea, not just copy from other right-wingers. Someone who can get off of politics for 5 seconds and write about the community without making it into an anti-left screed. (Not swifteeeeeeee, obviously.)

Here's a Google-bomb for Katherine Kersten. Or maybe swiftee. I haven't decided. Hell, let's do both! (Not safe for work)

Your Lincoln Workout leader.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Go Wild!

Go Wild!

Your State Of Hockey leader.

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Off The Beaten Path I Reign

My car had been smelling funny for the past week. As I was getting my oil changed and a car wash, I thought I'd clean out the inside of my car. And since my trunk was full of worthless junk, I thought I do some spring cleaning and empty that as well.

That's when I found the venison. I had been wondering where the venison my dad gave me at Christmas had gone. Two mysteries solved. I didn't notice anything because it had been cold enough to keep the meat frozen, up until this week.

If you know how to get rotten meat smell out of a car, please contact me.

Michelle Bachman has found a new cause; Compact Flourescent lightbulbs. I must admit, I use CFL in most of my lights. I have since moving in 2005. I haven't changed a CFL bulb in my house since then, so I'd say they have a decent lifespan. Bachman's argument isn't about lifespan, however, it's about danger to your health.

I've heard her talk about these bulbs on the radio, and the way she describes them leaves me thinking that she isn't going far enough. If these bulbs are as dangerous as she claims, she is being lax in not calling for an outright ban on the things. She's made the claim that a hazmat team is needed to clean up after a broken bulb. Of course, her version of the danger is widely exaggerated. It's what we've come to expect from the Representative.

I will add that I don't think incandescent bulbs should be banned. There's no point. Most people will phase out the use of these bulbs as time goes on, and a ban on incandescents will keep the price on CFLs higher. However, I find the Right's sudden evironmental concerns confusing. CFL mercury is bad, but damned if we will try and reduce mercury emissions by reducing coal burning. Let's get on the right page, folks, and not just attack anything that Al Gore happens to support.

Your What's That Smell? leader

Saturday, April 05, 2008

My Chemical Symbol Is FU

This may be the most personal post I've ever made, because I am drunk out of my mind. See, it was The Affiliate's brother's 21st birthday tonight. She managed to down 6 Smirnoff Ices. I had four beers and an unknown amount of Johnny Walker Black. (My guess is 7 shots)

1. I smoked a cigarette last night. Don't tell the Affiliate.

2. If I were single, I would probably hit on her brother's girlfriend.

3. The Affiliate's brother's girlfriend is not hotter than The Affilate.

4. I feel really old amongst 19-22 year-old kids. However, they are interested enough in a cop to not be creeped out by a 28 year old guy.

5. I just might be the luckiest nerd on the face of the Earth.

Danielle, I love you. Thank you for agreeing to marry me

Your Seriously, I Might Pass Out leader.

P.S. This post has been approved by my fat-ass cat, Vladimir. A.K.A. The Hillock

P.P.S. I can't stop hiccuping. Kill me, please.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Science, Y'all!

Not safe for work.

This is funny. A country song about science
.




"I'll put my jism/In your schism/Make another organism." Classic! (update: Embed, YES!)

Check around, they also have a song about Pi.

Nothing more to see here.

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

It's Hard To See, Sittin' In The Nosebleeds

So, a kid in Wisconsin is suing his school because he got an F on an art piece.
A Tomah High School student has filed a federal lawsuit alleging his art teacher censored his drawing because it featured a cross and a biblical reference.

The lawsuit alleges other students were allowed to draw “demonic” images and asks a judge to declare a class policy prohibiting religion in art unconstitutional.

“We hear so much today about tolerance,” said David Cortman, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian legal advocacy group representing the student. “But where is the tolerance for religious beliefs? The whole purpose of art is to reflect your own personal experience.

That's true. Art is personal. Why, then, did he get an F?
His teacher, Julie Millin, asked him to remove the reference to the Bible, saying students were making remarks about it.

He refused, and she gave him a zero on the project.

Millin showed the student a policy for the class that prohibited any violence, blood, sexual connotations or religious beliefs in artwork. The lawsuit claims Millin told the boy he had signed away his constitutional rights when he signed the policy at the beginning of the semester.

So the kid broke a classroom rule, was told by a teacher to change his project, refused, and failed. Sounds about right.

The rule is bullshit. It's an art class. Kids should be allowed to explore their feelings, religion included. I'm not a big art fan, but I know that art often offends. Not that "John 3:16" is offensive in any way. No more offensive than "The 12 Labors of Heracles," anyway. However, it has been well established that, as the quote says, students have no Constitional rights. The kid didn't follow the rule, and deserves the F.

I hope he gets the policy overturned. This isn't just an anti-religious policy, it is anti-free speech. My guess, however, is that he only wants the religious ban overturned, not the sexual imagery or violence bans. Which is too bad.

The story has some other interesting statements.
The lawsuit also alleges school officials allow other religious items and artwork to be displayed on campus.

A Buddha and Hindu figurines are on display in a social studies classroom, the lawsuit claims, adding the teacher passionately teaches Hindu principles to students.

In addition, a replica of Michaelangelo’s “The Creation of Man” is displayed at the school’s entrance, a picture of a six-limbed Hindu goddess is in the school’s hallway and a drawing of a robed sorcerer hangs on a hallway bulletin board.

So the administrator's statement that a piece of art with a bible quote infringes on other students' rights rings false.

But does anyone else have the same question as I do? A robed sorcerer is a religious item? They also mention a Medusa drawing in the list. I guess that fits. If one fairy tale can be a religion, why not all of them?

Your Confusing To Many leader.