Steve Jobs changed the world.
Of the billions of people who have walked the earth, there are very few for whom such an epitaph could be written. For Steve Jobs, it cannot be denied. (more…)
Category: News
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Facebook changes are good – take a deep breath and let me explain
Listening to people talk about the changes to Facebook is a lot like listening to people talk about politics; it’s a lot of angry comments from the clueless.I have been on Facebook for nearly seven years, and about once a year, the site undergoes major changes. The changes are always (and I mean always) met with anger and criticism. The way how some people react, you would think that their lives were going to be irrevocably impacted. If people got as outraged over famine as they do to changes to Facebook, no one in this world would ever starve.
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1 Week later, religion of Norway shooter still debated
Since Norway’s tragic terrorist attack last Saturday, I have seen a perpetual back and forth pertaining to the shooter and his religion. (more…)
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Atheists sue governor over prayer meeting
The Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) is suing Texas governor Rick Perry, and asking courts to keep Perry from attending a prayer event in Houston next month.
Perry has publicly advocated for this event and encouraged people to participate in the event dedicated to prayer and fasting. FFRF argues that the head of a state participating in this event violates the First Amendment clause forbidding an established religion.
In regards to the lawsuit, the FFRF states:
“Perry’s actions as governor give “official recognition” to a devotional event, endorse religion, have no secular rationale, and seek to encourage citizens to pray and non Christians to convert to Christianity.
These actions violate the Establishment Clause by “giving the appearance that the government prefers evangelical Christian religious beliefs over other religious beliefs and non-beliefs, including by aligning and partnering with the American Family Association, a virulent, discriminatory and evangelical Christian organization known for its intolerance.”
I think that FFRF is proverbially grabbing at straws. Yes, Perry is in the government, but he is also a person who has a right to have his own beliefs. The First Amendment does say congress cannot establish a religion, but it also says congress cannot limit an individual’s free speech or right to peaceably assemble.
While the constitution does not allow an establishes religion, the following clause says that they also may not prohibit the free exercise thereof.
Saying a person who happens to be in politics doesn’t have a right to participate in religious activities because of the First Amendment is a contradiction to other rights granted in the same sentence within the First Amendment.
I doubt the FFRF seriously plans on winning the suit. I would assume that this is more about principle and gaining attention, however I believe these tactics could backfire.
It’s interesting to me that this organization considers its members free thinkers but they are trying to have someone forced into not participating in something in accordance with his own values. That is simply tyrannical.
I have several friends who are irreligious, and for the ones value liberty, I think they would agree that Perry should have the right to participate and personally endorse this event.
jrb
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Obama commits major military gaffe
President Obama committed a major gaffe yesterday while speaking to members of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, New York.
Here is the quote:
“First time I saw the 10th Mountain Division, you guys were in southern Iraq, when I went back to visit Afghanistan, you guys were the first ones there.
I had the great honor of seeing some of you because a comrade of yours, Jared Monti, was the first person who I was able to award the Medal of Honor to who actually came back and wasn’t receiving it posthumously.”
There is a problem, however.
Obama didn’t present the Medal of Honor to Monti. Monti died in 2006. Obama posthumously presented the award to Monti’s family in September of 2009.
It was actually the first time he had presented the medal, which is the highest military honor our nation bestows.
The difference between giving it to the person to whom it is being awarded versus giving it to a mourning family is significant.
Obama is the Commander and Chief of our military. I’m not saying he needs to remember every intimate detail of everyone he’s ever met associated with the armed forces, but the Medal of Honor is a big deal. And I feels this shows a general disinterest in our military, because it doesn’t seem like it was an experience that had much of an impact on the president.
I am also amazed by the lack of media attention this story is receiving. If Bush had ever made this mistake, he would have been rightly vilified. People would have said that he was out of touch.
The fact that the PRESIDENT of the United States awards the highest honor which this nation can bestow on our service members and forgets that it was given to this man’s family and not to the man himself is not excusable. Obama dropped the ball. Plain and simple.
He may have confused details with Salvatore Giunta, who was awarded the Medal of Honor last year. Giunta was the first living recipient of the award since Vietnam.
Some people may and try to excuse Obama’s error by citing how busy the president is. I feel that doing this devalues the significance of the award.
jrb
