When we first got Neko and Chiana I was determined to get them spayed. I wasn't, however, prepared for how hideously expensive it was going to be. I was talking to the lady at Critter's Feed and Seed where I buy my cat food and she recommended a group called Minn-Kota PAAWS for low-income assistance with spaying my cats.
They were able to do the spaying for both cats for half of what the vet wanted for one. I really don't know how I would have been able to have been able to afford it otherwise.
And now, PAAWS is in a contest with an incredible opportunity for a million dollar makeover through Zootoo.com.
All they need is for people to sign up (FOR FREE) through them at Zootoo.com and confirm their email address. That is all it takes to give them points towards the contest. Any additional (FOR FREE) participation at Zootoo.com gives them additional points. They are already ranked 14 out of 10,000 shelters.
Please take a moment, click this link, use the zipcode 58103 and select Minn-Kota PAAWS under the AFFILIATE WITH A SHELTER section.
Here is PAWWS' brochure. Please take a moment and join Zootoo.com and help out a few furry friends. :) THANKS!!!! :)
Minn-Kota PAAWS is the only spay/neuter assistance program in the Fargo-Moorhead area. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to helping reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs in our community. We also operate a small shelter that can accommodate about 20 rescued cats.
PAAWS is competing in the Zootoo Shelter makeover II contest, so wthat we might win a prize and be able to expand. Zootoo.com is a fun on-line community for pet owners and anyone who loves animals.
We earn points in the Shelter Makeover contest by gaining members, and by having those members participate in Zootoo. Members can ear points for PAAWS by adding photos, writing journal entries and in many other ways.
New Zootoo members who sign up here will be automatically affiliated with PAAWS. Whenever a new member validates their email address, we earn 100* points!
Questions? Contact PAAWS at 701-356-0523
* There website says 50 points. However many it is, it's a painless way to help a remarkable organization.
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :D
Oh! And remember to validate your email address!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Billy Graham's Prayer for our Nation 1
This prayer, which has since been attributed to Billy Graham and was purportedly (but never actually) featured on Paul Harvey's radio show, burst into the public consciousness back in January of 1996, when the Rev. Joe Wright, senior pastor of the 2,500-member Central Christian Church in Wichita, was invited to deliver the opening prayer at a session of the Kansas House of Representatives. On that occasion he offered the following "Prayer of Repentance" (which was not entirely of his own crafting but rather was a version of a prayer written in 1995 by Bob Russell, who had offered it at the Kentucky Governor's Prayer Breakfast in Frankfort). (snopes.com)
I received it as an email forward from my mother and wish to address several points within it over the course of several blog posts. The opening of the prayer is in italics.
'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness
Picture, if you will, a newborn baby.
Utterly perfect and innocent, knowing nothing of greed or hate, envy or gluttony, spite or bitterness. It is sweet and precious in most every way. Is there anything more heartwarming than the feel of a newborn's fingers tightening upon one of your own? Their hand is so tiny that it takes the whole of their hand just to encircle your index finger.
But a newborn baby's grip is tenacious. And should it wrap around a lock of your hair, you will know the sting of tears brought from the sharp tug of that little fist.
As a parent, the guardian and caretaker of this little bright eyed innocent, do you smack the baby's hand for it's hateful behavior? Do you turn the wee sprite over your knee and thrash him to within an inch of it's life for spitefully yanking your hair and causing you harm?
Of course not. A newborn experiences the world on a very different level from you or I. A newborn baby has no knowledge of good and evil. It has no previous experience to compare things with. No memories to draw upon to determine what is normal, abnormal, silly, harmful, delicious, or dangerous. It knows... nothing.
It is said that god created Adam and Eve (not Adam and Steve) in a pristine world. Perfect and without blemish, he created them. With neither knowledge or awareness of good and evil. Within their midst he placed a tree and upon this tree he placed a terrible burden, that of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve possessed not this knowledge, in fact that knowledge was deliberately forbidden to them. They were blameless in their nakedness and unaware of anything but the perfection of the world around them. And unto them god said, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”(Genesis 2:16-17)
Adam and Eve did not know what death was. They did not know what sin was. They were utterly innocent. God placed the tree within their midst.
No rational person would condemn a newborn for tugging on one's hair. In fact, you would have only yourself to blame for putting it within the newborn's grasp in the first place.
I received it as an email forward from my mother and wish to address several points within it over the course of several blog posts. The opening of the prayer is in italics.
'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness
Picture, if you will, a newborn baby.
Utterly perfect and innocent, knowing nothing of greed or hate, envy or gluttony, spite or bitterness. It is sweet and precious in most every way. Is there anything more heartwarming than the feel of a newborn's fingers tightening upon one of your own? Their hand is so tiny that it takes the whole of their hand just to encircle your index finger. But a newborn baby's grip is tenacious. And should it wrap around a lock of your hair, you will know the sting of tears brought from the sharp tug of that little fist.
As a parent, the guardian and caretaker of this little bright eyed innocent, do you smack the baby's hand for it's hateful behavior? Do you turn the wee sprite over your knee and thrash him to within an inch of it's life for spitefully yanking your hair and causing you harm?
Of course not. A newborn experiences the world on a very different level from you or I. A newborn baby has no knowledge of good and evil. It has no previous experience to compare things with. No memories to draw upon to determine what is normal, abnormal, silly, harmful, delicious, or dangerous. It knows... nothing.
It is said that god created Adam and Eve (not Adam and Steve) in a pristine world. Perfect and without blemish, he created them. With neither knowledge or awareness of good and evil. Within their midst he placed a tree and upon this tree he placed a terrible burden, that of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve possessed not this knowledge, in fact that knowledge was deliberately forbidden to them. They were blameless in their nakedness and unaware of anything but the perfection of the world around them. And unto them god said, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”(Genesis 2:16-17)
Adam and Eve did not know what death was. They did not know what sin was. They were utterly innocent. God placed the tree within their midst.
No rational person would condemn a newborn for tugging on one's hair. In fact, you would have only yourself to blame for putting it within the newborn's grasp in the first place.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Fiery's Top 10
Top 10 Reasons why Bourbon is Better than Jesus
10. No one will kill you for not drinking bourbon.
9. Bourbon doesn't tell you how to have sex. However, if you have too much bourbon, it may prevent you from having sex, enjoying sex, or remembering what the point of sex is*.
8. There has never been a major war over different types of bourbon.
7. They don't force bourbon on minors who can't think for themselves.
6. When you have bourbon, you don't knock on people's doors trying to give it away.
5. No one has ever been burned at the stake, hanged, or tortured over their brand of bourbon.
4. You don't have to wait 2,000+ years for a second bourbon.
3. There are laws saying that bourbon labels can't lie to you.
2. You can prove bourbon exists.
1. If you've devoted your life to bourbon, there are groups to help you stop.
Cheers for this Richard. This one's for you. :)
*Thanks for the additional idea OzAtheist! :)
10. No one will kill you for not drinking bourbon.
9. Bourbon doesn't tell you how to have sex. However, if you have too much bourbon, it may prevent you from having sex, enjoying sex, or remembering what the point of sex is*.
8. There has never been a major war over different types of bourbon.
7. They don't force bourbon on minors who can't think for themselves.
6. When you have bourbon, you don't knock on people's doors trying to give it away.
5. No one has ever been burned at the stake, hanged, or tortured over their brand of bourbon.
4. You don't have to wait 2,000+ years for a second bourbon.
3. There are laws saying that bourbon labels can't lie to you.
2. You can prove bourbon exists.
1. If you've devoted your life to bourbon, there are groups to help you stop.
Cheers for this Richard. This one's for you. :)
*Thanks for the additional idea OzAtheist! :)
Monday, February 23, 2009
Religious idiocy 1
In Orissa's Jajpur district in India, an infant boy (under 2 years old) grew a tooth from his upper gum.
The Munda tribe believe that tooth is a bad omen and will make the child and therefore the tribe prone to wild animal and tiger attacks.
In order to counteract the future horror of wild animals ripping this boy limb from bloody limb, the 150 member tribe were compelled to intervene.
Their solution?
It's so obvious, can't you guess?
They married the young boy, who had to be carried to the ceremony by his mother, to the neighbor's dog.
"We performed the marriage because it will overcome any curse that might fall on the child as well on us," the boy's father, Sanarumala Munda, was quoted as saying by a local newspaper.
They believe that after the marriage, their tribal god will bless the child and ward off evil spirits.
ummmm. Yeah.
The tribe than ate, drank and were merry before setting the groom? or is the dog the bride? free to roam around presumably acting as an anti-tiger device.
Don't worry though, he can still marry a human bride in the future.
The Munda tribe believe that tooth is a bad omen and will make the child and therefore the tribe prone to wild animal and tiger attacks.
In order to counteract the future horror of wild animals ripping this boy limb from bloody limb, the 150 member tribe were compelled to intervene.
Their solution?
It's so obvious, can't you guess?
They married the young boy, who had to be carried to the ceremony by his mother, to the neighbor's dog.
"We performed the marriage because it will overcome any curse that might fall on the child as well on us," the boy's father, Sanarumala Munda, was quoted as saying by a local newspaper.
They believe that after the marriage, their tribal god will bless the child and ward off evil spirits.
ummmm. Yeah.
The tribe than ate, drank and were merry before setting the groom? or is the dog the bride? free to roam around presumably acting as an anti-tiger device.
Don't worry though, he can still marry a human bride in the future.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Headlines
Actual headline seen on My Yahoo.
Sleep with James Bond.
Oh HELL YEAH!
Sign me the FUCK UP!
click Click CLICK!!!!
And then I clicked on the link and it wasn't what I thought.
Dammit.
Stupid top 10 hotels made famous by a movie star staying there. What's next, the top 10 "Sat 'n' Shat" list?
Sleep with James Bond.Oh HELL YEAH!
Sign me the FUCK UP!
click Click CLICK!!!!
And then I clicked on the link and it wasn't what I thought.
Dammit.
Stupid top 10 hotels made famous by a movie star staying there. What's next, the top 10 "Sat 'n' Shat" list?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Islam is Fucked Up Part 11
NEW YORK (CNN) -- Muzzammil Hassan, the founder of an upstate New York TV station, aimed at countering Muslim stereotypes has been arrested on suspicion of killing his wife, who was beheaded, authorities said.
...
His wife filed for divorce February 6, and police had responded to several domestic violence calls at the couple's home, Benz said.
...
Muzzammil Hassan launched Bridges TV, billed as the first English-language cable channel targeting Muslims inside the United States, in 2004. At the time, Hassan said he hoped the network would balance negative portrayals of Muslims following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
...
Wanting to counter Muslim stereotypes
+ killing your wife
= FAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, February 20, 2009
I ain't in Minnesota, I assure you
Had a curious item show up on my feedjit sidebar so I decided to look into it. The Kansas City Free Thought forum has a blog post that consists of a headline saying, "An area atheist homeschooler has some words for Muslims..." and a link to my blog article about how fucked up Islam is #10- the one about the woman who set up 80 women to be raped, ya da ya da you know the one.
The first commenter says, "First, the lady is from Minnesota -- unless you consider the entire upper Midwest of the USA our "area", I don't think your categorization of her location is apt."
The "author" of the post replied, "First, she ain't in Minnesota, of that I assure you!"
BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!!
I wonder where he thinks I'm from???
Because I could swear that I'm sitting on the end of my bed, cross legged, in front of my lap top, in my bedroom, in my house.... in Minnesota.
But maybe I'm delusional.
*shrugs*
If anybody knows where I'm really at, could you please let me know? I only ask because it will change the route I take next time to visit my folks in Montana.
"First, she ain't in Minnesota, of that I assure you!" BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
I wonder where he comes by his information and his absolute certainty... I know. The bible told him. Or maybe the Koran. Who knew the phoenix lived with dinosaurs during the time of jebus and mohammered?
The first commenter says, "First, the lady is from Minnesota -- unless you consider the entire upper Midwest of the USA our "area", I don't think your categorization of her location is apt."
The "author" of the post replied, "First, she ain't in Minnesota, of that I assure you!"
BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!!
I wonder where he thinks I'm from???
Because I could swear that I'm sitting on the end of my bed, cross legged, in front of my lap top, in my bedroom, in my house.... in Minnesota.
But maybe I'm delusional.
*shrugs*
If anybody knows where I'm really at, could you please let me know? I only ask because it will change the route I take next time to visit my folks in Montana.
"First, she ain't in Minnesota, of that I assure you!" BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!
I wonder where he comes by his information and his absolute certainty... I know. The bible told him. Or maybe the Koran. Who knew the phoenix lived with dinosaurs during the time of jebus and mohammered?
How To Tell My Parents 1
The idea of outing myself to my parents is fraught with difficulties. I'd like to be in a more financially and emotionally secure position. But should that day ever come, I think I'd start with this.
Dear Mom and Dad, I'd like you to watch this video and hear what your thoughts are.
I love you,
~Fiery
That wouldn't be the end all be all, but rather the beginning. The beginning of letting my parents know the real me.
This video was put together by TheraminTrees and QualiaSoup.
Dear Mom and Dad, I'd like you to watch this video and hear what your thoughts are.
I love you,
~Fiery
That wouldn't be the end all be all, but rather the beginning. The beginning of letting my parents know the real me.
This video was put together by TheraminTrees and QualiaSoup.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Jesus the Musical
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Bible Is Repulsive and the 10 Commandments Evil
I'm now travelling with a highlighter and an index card with a list of all those bible verses and highlighting them in the bible. The stickers are funny, but since the bible is defaced, I doubt it's shelf life will be much. I'm thinking the highlighter might be more effective. The maid won't notice it and it might give the poor sap picking it up something to think about.
Thanks to Gudless over at the AFA Forum for finding this on YouTube.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What is "fair"?
I saw this post (reprinted in full below this short intro) over at Attila the Mom's blog Cheaper Than Therapy. And it made me .... want to help.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week's Asshat goes to Gilbert Unified School District superintendent Dave Allison.
Kevyn Barton is an 18-year-old student who has disabilities in the Gilbert School District. This May, when his peers walk down in their gowns for commencement, Kevyn won't be with them. Why? Because he's in the transitional program for special-needs kids and will receive services until he's 22.
What a crock of doody.
Here's how it works. Although Little Guy "could" have graduated with his peers, the state offers transitional services until he is 21. With those he is learning life skills such as money management and job training. Although he still goes to the high school, he doesn't participate in regular classes any more except for choir (which entailed some extra finagling on our part).
He goes straight to the transitional room and from there either to his apprenticeship job or to the van that takes him into the city to life classes not offered in our particular district. In the transitions room, he is usually working on things like meal planning, balancing his checkbook, navigating the transit system, etc. He has very little interaction with other high school students at all.
They are not his peers.
At any time, we can accept his diploma. When that happens, we are telling the state that their job is done and that Little Guy no longer needs educational services from them. It will be over. Ta-da.
Even though we refused his diploma, as a senior, Little Guy was allowed to participate fully in graduation with his class. The only difference was that the diploma case he received was empty. He got to walk down the aisle with the students and friends he was raised with---the ones he shared birthday parties, school dances and even chicken pox with.
When his name was called, all of these blessed children gave him a screaming standing ovation, sharing their love and recognition as one of their own.
Tomorrow they are going away to college and jobs and their new lives. Graduation night is their very last chance to celebrate as a class.
Gilbert School Superintendent Dave Allison has the discretion to allow Kevyn to participate in this magical rite of passage. But he has refused.
He is "upholding a board policy that exists for consistency's sake and often is enforced with students who, for example, have failed a final exam or a course."
"It wouldn't be fair to say 'yes' to Kevyn and 'no' to the other kids."
So what? What do you think the term "special" in "special needs" means? It means there are extraordinary circumstances.
And who gives two poops about "fair"? Do you think that it was "fair" for Kevyn to be handed these extra challenges in his life that necessitate his participation in a transitional program?
Kevyn will never have another opportunity to experience this rite of passage with his peers.
And yes I say his peers, because these are the kids he has grown up with----not the kids who will be graduating 3-4 years from now. When he is "allowed" to participate in graduation exercises then, who of them will know him? Who will recognize or care about how hard he has worked to get to that day?
Who will be there to give him his ovation?
That's why you, Mr. Allison, are this week's Asshat.
Anyone want to share their feelings with the Gilbert District, you can do so at PJ_Sessoms@gilbert.k12.az.us
I'm going to go kick something now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So I wrote a letter to Mr. Allison
To: Gilbert Unified School District superintendent Dave Allison
I am writing to you about your decision not to allow Kevyn Barton to graduate with his peers.
Yes, I said his peers. Three to four years from now, when you have decided it will then be permissible to allow Mr. Barton to walk across the stage for his diploma, who in that graduating class will know him? Who will recognize or care about how hard he has worked to get to that day?
The class of 2009, these are the kids he grew up with. The ones he shared birthday parties with, school dances with, and maybe even the chicken pox with. They are the ones who will "Remember the time when Kevyn said ...." or "Remember that time that we decided to..."
I'm asking you to re-think your position and allow Mr. Barton the privilege of walking across that stage to have his achievement recognized by his actual peers, not a group of disinterested strangers. Whether or not he has finished making use of the school's facilities is really not the point.
I understand that you are "upholding a board policy that exists for consistency's sake and often is enforced with students who, for example, have failed a final exam or a course."
"It wouldn't be fair to say 'yes' to Kevyn and 'no' to the other kids."
Do you really put Mr. Barton's challenges on the same level as a student who has failed a final exam or course? Really?
Life isn't fair, and I'm sure Mr. Barton is fully aware of just how unfair life can be.
You have an opportunity to make it just a bit more fair.
Tip the balance in Mr. Barton's favor. Reward his hard work and allow him to celebrate this special day with his peers.
With sincere hope that you will thoughtfully reconsider your decision.
~Fiery
Except that I signed my real name and used my personal email address.
Will it make a difference? I don't know. But not sending it would definitely NOT have made a difference. I'm wondering if you would take a few minutes to drop Mr. Allison a line, if you think Kevyn should have a chance to celebrate his achievements. Copy and paste mine, change it a bit, write your own. Let Mr. Allison know that blanket decisions are not "fair".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This week's Asshat goes to Gilbert Unified School District superintendent Dave Allison.
Kevyn Barton is an 18-year-old student who has disabilities in the Gilbert School District. This May, when his peers walk down in their gowns for commencement, Kevyn won't be with them. Why? Because he's in the transitional program for special-needs kids and will receive services until he's 22.
What a crock of doody.
Here's how it works. Although Little Guy "could" have graduated with his peers, the state offers transitional services until he is 21. With those he is learning life skills such as money management and job training. Although he still goes to the high school, he doesn't participate in regular classes any more except for choir (which entailed some extra finagling on our part).
He goes straight to the transitional room and from there either to his apprenticeship job or to the van that takes him into the city to life classes not offered in our particular district. In the transitions room, he is usually working on things like meal planning, balancing his checkbook, navigating the transit system, etc. He has very little interaction with other high school students at all.
They are not his peers.
At any time, we can accept his diploma. When that happens, we are telling the state that their job is done and that Little Guy no longer needs educational services from them. It will be over. Ta-da.
Even though we refused his diploma, as a senior, Little Guy was allowed to participate fully in graduation with his class. The only difference was that the diploma case he received was empty. He got to walk down the aisle with the students and friends he was raised with---the ones he shared birthday parties, school dances and even chicken pox with.
When his name was called, all of these blessed children gave him a screaming standing ovation, sharing their love and recognition as one of their own.
Tomorrow they are going away to college and jobs and their new lives. Graduation night is their very last chance to celebrate as a class.
Gilbert School Superintendent Dave Allison has the discretion to allow Kevyn to participate in this magical rite of passage. But he has refused.
He is "upholding a board policy that exists for consistency's sake and often is enforced with students who, for example, have failed a final exam or a course."
"It wouldn't be fair to say 'yes' to Kevyn and 'no' to the other kids."
So what? What do you think the term "special" in "special needs" means? It means there are extraordinary circumstances.
And who gives two poops about "fair"? Do you think that it was "fair" for Kevyn to be handed these extra challenges in his life that necessitate his participation in a transitional program?
Kevyn will never have another opportunity to experience this rite of passage with his peers.
And yes I say his peers, because these are the kids he has grown up with----not the kids who will be graduating 3-4 years from now. When he is "allowed" to participate in graduation exercises then, who of them will know him? Who will recognize or care about how hard he has worked to get to that day?
Who will be there to give him his ovation?
That's why you, Mr. Allison, are this week's Asshat.
Anyone want to share their feelings with the Gilbert District, you can do so at PJ_Sessoms@gilbert.k12.az.us
I'm going to go kick something now.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So I wrote a letter to Mr. Allison
To: Gilbert Unified School District superintendent Dave Allison
I am writing to you about your decision not to allow Kevyn Barton to graduate with his peers.
Yes, I said his peers. Three to four years from now, when you have decided it will then be permissible to allow Mr. Barton to walk across the stage for his diploma, who in that graduating class will know him? Who will recognize or care about how hard he has worked to get to that day?
The class of 2009, these are the kids he grew up with. The ones he shared birthday parties with, school dances with, and maybe even the chicken pox with. They are the ones who will "Remember the time when Kevyn said ...." or "Remember that time that we decided to..."
I'm asking you to re-think your position and allow Mr. Barton the privilege of walking across that stage to have his achievement recognized by his actual peers, not a group of disinterested strangers. Whether or not he has finished making use of the school's facilities is really not the point.
I understand that you are "upholding a board policy that exists for consistency's sake and often is enforced with students who, for example, have failed a final exam or a course."
"It wouldn't be fair to say 'yes' to Kevyn and 'no' to the other kids."
Do you really put Mr. Barton's challenges on the same level as a student who has failed a final exam or course? Really?
Life isn't fair, and I'm sure Mr. Barton is fully aware of just how unfair life can be.
You have an opportunity to make it just a bit more fair.
Tip the balance in Mr. Barton's favor. Reward his hard work and allow him to celebrate this special day with his peers.
With sincere hope that you will thoughtfully reconsider your decision.
~Fiery
Except that I signed my real name and used my personal email address.
Will it make a difference? I don't know. But not sending it would definitely NOT have made a difference. I'm wondering if you would take a few minutes to drop Mr. Allison a line, if you think Kevyn should have a chance to celebrate his achievements. Copy and paste mine, change it a bit, write your own. Let Mr. Allison know that blanket decisions are not "fair".
Quick Summay of Christianity
This kills me!
And it'll kill Joe too. ;) *snerk*
He and I were dropped on our heads as kids.
Thanks to Davo over at the AFA Forum. He claims non-ownership as it was just an internet find. But still, hat tip to him for sharing it.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Was Hitler an Atheist
You be the judge.
In the 1920s, Hitler's German Workers' Party (pre Nazi term) adopted a "Programme" with twenty-five points (the Nazi version of a constitution). In point twenty-four, their intent clearly demonstrates, from the very beginning, their stand in favor of a "positive" Christianity:
24. We demand liberty for all religious denominations in the State, so far as they are not a danger to it and do not militate against the morality and moral sense of the German race. The Party, as such, stands for positive Christianity, but does not bind itself in the matter of creed to any particular confession. It combats the Jewish-materialist spirit within and without us, and is convinced that our nation can achieve permanent health from within only on the principle: the common interest before self-interest.
"My feelings as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter. It points me to the man who once in loneliness, surrounded by a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them and who, God's truth! was greatest not as a sufferer but as a fighter. In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and adders.
How terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison. To-day, after two thousand years, with deepest emotion I recognize more profoundly than ever before the fact that it was for this that He had to shed His blood upon the Cross. As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice... And if there is anything which could demonstrate that we are acting rightly it is the distress that daily grows. For as a Christian I have also a duty to my own people.
-Adolf Hitler, in a speech on 12 April 1922 (Norman H. Baynes, ed. The Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922-August 1939, Vol. 1 of 2, pp. 19-20, Oxford University Press, 1942)
I had excellent opportunity to intoxicate myself with the solemn splendor of the brilliant church festivals. As was only natural, the abbot seemed to me, as the village priest had once seemed to my father, the highest and most desirable ideal.
-Adolf Hitler (Mein Kampf)
"Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord."~ Adolf Hitler
Just as the Jew could once incite the mob of Jerusalem against Christ, so today he must succeed in inciting folk who have been duped into madness to attack those who, God's truth! seek to deal with this people in utter honesty and sincerity.
-Adolf Hitler, in Munich, 28 July 1922
People ask: is there someone fit to be our leader? Our task is not to search for that person. Either God will give him to us or he will not come. Our task is to shape the sword that he will need when he comes. Our task it to provide the leader with a nation which is ready for him when he comes! My fellow Germans, awaken! The new day is dawning!
-Adolf Hitler, 04 May 1923
God With Us
It matters not whether these weapons of ours are humane: if they gain us our freedom, they are justified before our conscience and before our God.
-Adolf Hitler, in Munich, 01 Aug. 1923
What say you?
Quotes taken from Hitler's Christianity.
In the 1920s, Hitler's German Workers' Party (pre Nazi term) adopted a "Programme" with twenty-five points (the Nazi version of a constitution). In point twenty-four, their intent clearly demonstrates, from the very beginning, their stand in favor of a "positive" Christianity:
24. We demand liberty for all religious denominations in the State, so far as they are not a danger to it and do not militate against the morality and moral sense of the German race. The Party, as such, stands for positive Christianity, but does not bind itself in the matter of creed to any particular confession. It combats the Jewish-materialist spirit within and without us, and is convinced that our nation can achieve permanent health from within only on the principle: the common interest before self-interest.
"My feelings as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter. It points me to the man who once in loneliness, surrounded by a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them and who, God's truth! was greatest not as a sufferer but as a fighter. In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and adders.
How terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison. To-day, after two thousand years, with deepest emotion I recognize more profoundly than ever before the fact that it was for this that He had to shed His blood upon the Cross. As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice... And if there is anything which could demonstrate that we are acting rightly it is the distress that daily grows. For as a Christian I have also a duty to my own people.
-Adolf Hitler, in a speech on 12 April 1922 (Norman H. Baynes, ed. The Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922-August 1939, Vol. 1 of 2, pp. 19-20, Oxford University Press, 1942)
I had excellent opportunity to intoxicate myself with the solemn splendor of the brilliant church festivals. As was only natural, the abbot seemed to me, as the village priest had once seemed to my father, the highest and most desirable ideal.
-Adolf Hitler (Mein Kampf)
"Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord."~ Adolf Hitler
Just as the Jew could once incite the mob of Jerusalem against Christ, so today he must succeed in inciting folk who have been duped into madness to attack those who, God's truth! seek to deal with this people in utter honesty and sincerity.
-Adolf Hitler, in Munich, 28 July 1922
People ask: is there someone fit to be our leader? Our task is not to search for that person. Either God will give him to us or he will not come. Our task is to shape the sword that he will need when he comes. Our task it to provide the leader with a nation which is ready for him when he comes! My fellow Germans, awaken! The new day is dawning!
-Adolf Hitler, 04 May 1923
It matters not whether these weapons of ours are humane: if they gain us our freedom, they are justified before our conscience and before our God.
-Adolf Hitler, in Munich, 01 Aug. 1923
What say you?
Quotes taken from Hitler's Christianity.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Happy Friday teh 13th
Are you one of the 17 to 21 million people affected by fear of today? Some are so paralysed by fear that they avoid doing business, taking flights, some even refuse to get out of bed.
In the Netherlands, though, people are statistically safer from fire and theft today but more likely to be in traffic accidents. Yay the Dutch!
*snerk*
psst. macbeth
In the Netherlands, though, people are statistically safer from fire and theft today but more likely to be in traffic accidents. Yay the Dutch!
*snerk*
psst. macbeth
Thursday, February 12, 2009
the atheist's nightmare
I've seen several debunking's of Ray Cuntfort's idiocy with the banana, but this video is the absolute crowning glory of pisstakery. Done by a 19 year old Pom- ThetaOmega.
Sleep well fellow atheists.
If you can.
Sleep well fellow atheists.
If you can.
Proof Ben Stein is dumb
I really do want to think the best of people. When I meet someone new I usually think that they are a lot like me, so when they ask questions, I expect that they really want an answer. That they really mean what they say and they really are looking for someone to step up and say, without sarcasm, "Oh, you want to know about that? Well let's look into that together shall we?"
HumbleHumanity said...
When did you determine that Ben Stein was dumb?
And I want so much for him to be genuine. I want him to actually want to know what is wrong with Ben Stein's movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed". I want to say to Humble Humanity in a very sincere voice, "Do you really want to know? Because I've found some great information out there. In fact, learning about what's wrong with that "documentary" has opened my eyes to a HUGE source of incredible information that I had no idea existed so accessibly."
And I would be thinking to myself, "Please oh please mean what you say. Let's learn about this together. It is so exciting. The information is so fascinating and eye opening and interesting and COME ON!!! Let's learn together!!!!!"
So I ask you, Humble Humanity, did you mean the question the way I want you to mean the question? Do you REALLY want to know why I called Ben Stein dumb? Please, oh please make my entire YEAR and say that you do want to learn!!!
I would love for you to click on this playlist and watch the entire thing. Beginning to end. As time allows. But it is a huge time commitment. So I'm starting with some easy alternatives. Hopefully to whet your appetite.
Did you watch that Humble Humanity? The whole thing? With your fingers NOT in your ears? And your mind not closed in terror by eternal hell fire? Did you?
Then you have an inkling of what's wrong with Ben Stein's movie. But let's not watch just take Thunderf00t's word for it.
This movie takes a look at several different points raised in Stein's movie.
You watched it, right?!?
Tell me that these movies raised questions in your mind. That you want to learn more about what they say and why. Please oh please!!!! If so, then give the playlist link a go.
Hope springs eternal.
HumbleHumanity said...
When did you determine that Ben Stein was dumb?
And I want so much for him to be genuine. I want him to actually want to know what is wrong with Ben Stein's movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed". I want to say to Humble Humanity in a very sincere voice, "Do you really want to know? Because I've found some great information out there. In fact, learning about what's wrong with that "documentary" has opened my eyes to a HUGE source of incredible information that I had no idea existed so accessibly."
And I would be thinking to myself, "Please oh please mean what you say. Let's learn about this together. It is so exciting. The information is so fascinating and eye opening and interesting and COME ON!!! Let's learn together!!!!!"
So I ask you, Humble Humanity, did you mean the question the way I want you to mean the question? Do you REALLY want to know why I called Ben Stein dumb? Please, oh please make my entire YEAR and say that you do want to learn!!!
I would love for you to click on this playlist and watch the entire thing. Beginning to end. As time allows. But it is a huge time commitment. So I'm starting with some easy alternatives. Hopefully to whet your appetite.
Did you watch that Humble Humanity? The whole thing? With your fingers NOT in your ears? And your mind not closed in terror by eternal hell fire? Did you?
Then you have an inkling of what's wrong with Ben Stein's movie. But let's not watch just take Thunderf00t's word for it.
This movie takes a look at several different points raised in Stein's movie.
You watched it, right?!?
Tell me that these movies raised questions in your mind. That you want to learn more about what they say and why. Please oh please!!!! If so, then give the playlist link a go.
Hope springs eternal.
Happy Birthday Charles Darwin!!
Therefore Science exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Darwin every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Charles Darwin is Right,
to the glory of mankind and the Universe. 1 Constipations 6:9
Even Ben Stein is struck dumb in Darwin's presence.
Ok. Ok. You're right. Stein was dumb to begin with.
And how will YOU spend Darwin's Birthday? Any special plans to celebrate reason? My family is watching "Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life" hosted by David Attenborough. Fantastic documentary! :)
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Darwin every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Charles Darwin is Right,
to the glory of mankind and the Universe. 1 Constipations 6:9
Even Ben Stein is struck dumb in Darwin's presence.
Ok. Ok. You're right. Stein was dumb to begin with. And how will YOU spend Darwin's Birthday? Any special plans to celebrate reason? My family is watching "Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life" hosted by David Attenborough. Fantastic documentary! :)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Islam is Fucked Up Part 10
Iraqi woman had 80 women raped then recruited as suicide bombers
A WOMAN suspected of recruiting more than 80 female suicide bombers has confessed to organising their rapes so she could later convince them that martyrdom was the only way to escape the shame.
There is no way for Smeera to repay the suffering that she inflicted on those women.
Any Muslim men out there condemning her for what she did? Anybody? Hello?
Religion of peace my flaming arse.
A WOMAN suspected of recruiting more than 80 female suicide bombers has confessed to organising their rapes so she could later convince them that martyrdom was the only way to escape the shame.
There is no way for Smeera to repay the suffering that she inflicted on those women.
Any Muslim men out there condemning her for what she did? Anybody? Hello?
Religion of peace my flaming arse.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Macaroni has left the building
According to Makarios' comment to Richard in this post at 1:07pm Tuesday Feb. 10th, "Look, you can keep on posting here for the benefit of mankind if you wish but I’m not even reading beyond this point."
If you want to see if he does indeed ever read my blog again, keep an eye on the Feedjit widgit in the sidebar. Makarios aka Macaroni lives in Warman, Saskatchewan and even as I am typing this and went to my blog to copy paste his info from the sidebar..... HE SHOWED UP AGAIN!!!!
He couldn't keep his promise to "not read beyond this point" for even 3.5 hours.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Islam is Fucked Up Part 9
The rape of a young Muslim woman is traumatic not only for her, but for her family. There is only one way to resolve the situation
if you are totally FUCKED IN THE HEAD!!!!!
There is no honour in honour killings.
But there is revelation. The revelation of all that your despicable religion truly is. Religion of peace my flaming arse.
Maybe the peace of Islam is the peace of death.
*The use of the picture of Mohammed with a bomb in his turban was used because a blogger friend of mine, Sisyphus Fragment felt uncomfortable using it in his post on Islam because he didn't want it to distract from the topic he presented. For me, the inflammatory (ohhhhh the pun) nature of the picture is perfect. Hat tip to Sisyphus Fragment for reminding me of it. ;)
if you are totally FUCKED IN THE HEAD!!!!!
There is no honour in honour killings.
But there is revelation. The revelation of all that your despicable religion truly is. Religion of peace my flaming arse.
Maybe the peace of Islam is the peace of death.
*The use of the picture of Mohammed with a bomb in his turban was used because a blogger friend of mine, Sisyphus Fragment felt uncomfortable using it in his post on Islam because he didn't want it to distract from the topic he presented. For me, the inflammatory (ohhhhh the pun) nature of the picture is perfect. Hat tip to Sisyphus Fragment for reminding me of it. ;)
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Let's talk about sex, baby
And the potential result of sex... an unwanted pregnancy.
This is the best off-the-cuff post on abortion that I've read in a long time.
It was put up over at the AFA Forum by His Noodly Appendage. The thread has been a fascinating rehash of the same old arguments because the "pro-life" side is actually being presented by an atheist. *mind boggles* The pro-life stance is in italics, His Noodly Appendage's reply in plain font.
~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, my three cents.
On what grounds might we consider abortion to be morally wrong?
It's infanticide - the taking of a new life!
Sperm are alive. Ova are alive. Therefore, life does not start at conception, and abortion is not killing 'new life'. The cells are just the mother's own cells, that started dividing madly after being reprogrammed by a passing sperm.
Can you say HPV?
But if nature is left to take its course, this will result in a new, separate human being!
Leave me in a room with Serena Williams and Parminder Nagra, let nature take its course, and there'll be babies all over the place. Would it be wrong for them to intervene?
(I'd actually be very happy with a 'yes' here )
A percentage of the time, leaving nature to take its course will result only in death of the mother, or in a stillbirth/miscarriage. Net gain: 0. Can someone explain why we have to do this the hard, horrible way, and why the mother gets the short straw?
But the unborn child is innocent! It's not their fault!
Do people have the right to defend themselves from a mentally incompetent attacker? If a severely retarded individual attempted to stab you in the uterus, and you had no recourse but to shoot them, would you be ethically justified in doing so, or would it be wrong because they were 'innocent'?
But the unborn child has so much more life ahead of them, they deserve a chance!
So older people have no right to defend themselves against younger people, now?
But life-threatening cases are rare. Most of the time, both survive.
Okay - do you have the right to defend yourself from rape?
Nine MONTHS of rape?
I can think of few more hideous forms of torture than forced birth.
Especially when that birth (and the pregnancy preceding it) were the result of sexual abuse.
Imagine it. Growing inside you like a fucking tumour. Taking over your body, sucking the very calcium out of your bones, wrecking your menstrual cycle (okay, I can't directly imagine that), doing weird things to your genitals, to your breasts, leaving you nauseous and heaving your guts out day after day, hypersensitive to the slightest odour, suffering horrible sciatica so that every waddling step is pain, swelling and stretching your belly to the point of pain and beyond, reducing your bladder capacity to a thimbleful and squeezing other internal organs out of the way, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, dietary restrictions, bugger-all chance of restoring a normal sex life for the duration, and perhaps the worst, fucking your emotions with a cheesegrater, leaving you crying and buffeted by waves of feelings you can't predict or even understand, forcing you to fall in love with it, though not precluding hate, in a bizarre and hideous form of Stockholm Syndrome.
Part of your rapist living inside you (and indeed, kicking you in the belly), for NINE FUCKING MONTHS, 24/7.
And then there's the birth - hours of indescribable agony, with a likelihood of getting torn halfway from vagina to rectum, urethra damage, spinal damage, torn pelvic ligaments - or having your uterus cut open to preclude these.
And of course, once it's out, a wash of hormones further betraying your emotions into loving that which has abused you so.
You want to know the last word in final soul-destroying humiliation?
For those that want it, the symptoms can be worth the result, and the emotional vortex only reinforces the happiness therefrom.
For those that don't, just as with sex, it's a whole 'nother story.
Even without an initial rape, a truly unwanted pregnancy isn't something I'd wish on my own worst enemy. And if someone were to kill to avoid that, I'd support them every step of the way. Even if I counted a cluster of cells smaller than the amount you scrape off the inside of your cheek when eating a piece of toast as 'human', even if I saw no difference between that and an adult or child, I'd still support it.
But foetuses are people!
You think so? Here's a test:
You're in a fertility clinic that has just caught on fire. The place is really going up. At one end of a long hallway is a rack of petri dishes with newly-fertilised embryos. At the other is a three-year-old child. By the look of things, you'll only be able to save one or the other before the roof caves in.
Which do you leave to burn?
Well. If she didn't want to get pregnant, she shouldn't have had sex.
And if she didn't want to get raped, she shouldn't have worn those clothes, right?
Bugger that. That's just leftover patriarchal crap. As Serenity said, choosing to have sex is choosing to have sex. Choosing to get pregnant is an entirely unrelated decision.
That'll do for now , I think.
Of course, that being said, I probably would have issues with someone choosing to abort (except under truly dire circumstances) at say, 39.5 weeks. If you've kept it that long, you've pretty much taken responsibility for it already - you've accepted the role of parent, and as such, it counts as your child.
Where do I draw the line? I don't, really. It's a smear of cells at the beginning, and a baby at the end. In between, there are only shades of grey.
~~~~~~~~~~
Special thanks to His Noodly Appendage for the thoughtful read!! :D
This is the best off-the-cuff post on abortion that I've read in a long time.
It was put up over at the AFA Forum by His Noodly Appendage. The thread has been a fascinating rehash of the same old arguments because the "pro-life" side is actually being presented by an atheist. *mind boggles* The pro-life stance is in italics, His Noodly Appendage's reply in plain font.
~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, my three cents.
On what grounds might we consider abortion to be morally wrong?
It's infanticide - the taking of a new life!
Sperm are alive. Ova are alive. Therefore, life does not start at conception, and abortion is not killing 'new life'. The cells are just the mother's own cells, that started dividing madly after being reprogrammed by a passing sperm.
Can you say HPV?
But if nature is left to take its course, this will result in a new, separate human being!
Leave me in a room with Serena Williams and Parminder Nagra, let nature take its course, and there'll be babies all over the place. Would it be wrong for them to intervene?
(I'd actually be very happy with a 'yes' here )
A percentage of the time, leaving nature to take its course will result only in death of the mother, or in a stillbirth/miscarriage. Net gain: 0. Can someone explain why we have to do this the hard, horrible way, and why the mother gets the short straw?
But the unborn child is innocent! It's not their fault!
Do people have the right to defend themselves from a mentally incompetent attacker? If a severely retarded individual attempted to stab you in the uterus, and you had no recourse but to shoot them, would you be ethically justified in doing so, or would it be wrong because they were 'innocent'?
But the unborn child has so much more life ahead of them, they deserve a chance!
So older people have no right to defend themselves against younger people, now?
But life-threatening cases are rare. Most of the time, both survive.
Okay - do you have the right to defend yourself from rape?
Nine MONTHS of rape?
I can think of few more hideous forms of torture than forced birth.
Especially when that birth (and the pregnancy preceding it) were the result of sexual abuse.
Imagine it. Growing inside you like a fucking tumour. Taking over your body, sucking the very calcium out of your bones, wrecking your menstrual cycle (okay, I can't directly imagine that), doing weird things to your genitals, to your breasts, leaving you nauseous and heaving your guts out day after day, hypersensitive to the slightest odour, suffering horrible sciatica so that every waddling step is pain, swelling and stretching your belly to the point of pain and beyond, reducing your bladder capacity to a thimbleful and squeezing other internal organs out of the way, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, dietary restrictions, bugger-all chance of restoring a normal sex life for the duration, and perhaps the worst, fucking your emotions with a cheesegrater, leaving you crying and buffeted by waves of feelings you can't predict or even understand, forcing you to fall in love with it, though not precluding hate, in a bizarre and hideous form of Stockholm Syndrome.
Part of your rapist living inside you (and indeed, kicking you in the belly), for NINE FUCKING MONTHS, 24/7.
And then there's the birth - hours of indescribable agony, with a likelihood of getting torn halfway from vagina to rectum, urethra damage, spinal damage, torn pelvic ligaments - or having your uterus cut open to preclude these.
And of course, once it's out, a wash of hormones further betraying your emotions into loving that which has abused you so.
You want to know the last word in final soul-destroying humiliation?
For those that want it, the symptoms can be worth the result, and the emotional vortex only reinforces the happiness therefrom.
For those that don't, just as with sex, it's a whole 'nother story.
Even without an initial rape, a truly unwanted pregnancy isn't something I'd wish on my own worst enemy. And if someone were to kill to avoid that, I'd support them every step of the way. Even if I counted a cluster of cells smaller than the amount you scrape off the inside of your cheek when eating a piece of toast as 'human', even if I saw no difference between that and an adult or child, I'd still support it.
But foetuses are people!
You think so? Here's a test:
You're in a fertility clinic that has just caught on fire. The place is really going up. At one end of a long hallway is a rack of petri dishes with newly-fertilised embryos. At the other is a three-year-old child. By the look of things, you'll only be able to save one or the other before the roof caves in.
Which do you leave to burn?
Well. If she didn't want to get pregnant, she shouldn't have had sex.
And if she didn't want to get raped, she shouldn't have worn those clothes, right?
Bugger that. That's just leftover patriarchal crap. As Serenity said, choosing to have sex is choosing to have sex. Choosing to get pregnant is an entirely unrelated decision.
That'll do for now , I think.
Of course, that being said, I probably would have issues with someone choosing to abort (except under truly dire circumstances) at say, 39.5 weeks. If you've kept it that long, you've pretty much taken responsibility for it already - you've accepted the role of parent, and as such, it counts as your child.
Where do I draw the line? I don't, really. It's a smear of cells at the beginning, and a baby at the end. In between, there are only shades of grey.
~~~~~~~~~~
Special thanks to His Noodly Appendage for the thoughtful read!! :D
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What is a Lutheran?
I always wondered why I couldn't force my square peg in the round hole of religion, particularly the one I group up with- the Lutheran Church.
Here are 3 quotes from the founder of Protestant Christianity, the man who nailed his protestations to the door of the Catholic Church all those years ago.
I give you, Martin Luther...
“Whoever wants to be a Christian should tear the eyes out of his Reason.”
“Faith must trample under foot all reason, sense, and understanding, and whatever it sees it must put out of sight, and wish to know nothing but the word of God.”
“Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but – more frequently than not – struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.”
~Rev. Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Founder of Protestant Christianity
Explains the entire Creationist movement, the inability to discuss things with fundies (i.e. abortion), and why atheists and christians will never truly understand each other.
Found on part two a video by AronRa on youtube one of several incredible youtubers who make educational science videos.
Here are 3 quotes from the founder of Protestant Christianity, the man who nailed his protestations to the door of the Catholic Church all those years ago.
I give you, Martin Luther...
“Whoever wants to be a Christian should tear the eyes out of his Reason.”
“Faith must trample under foot all reason, sense, and understanding, and whatever it sees it must put out of sight, and wish to know nothing but the word of God.”
“Reason is the greatest enemy that faith has; it never comes to the aid of spiritual things, but – more frequently than not – struggles against the divine Word, treating with contempt all that emanates from God.”
~Rev. Martin Luther (1483-1546)
Founder of Protestant Christianity
Explains the entire Creationist movement, the inability to discuss things with fundies (i.e. abortion), and why atheists and christians will never truly understand each other.
Found on part two a video by AronRa on youtube one of several incredible youtubers who make educational science videos.
Monday, February 2, 2009
It's Groundhog Day!
Groundhog Day predicts another 6 weeks of winter for America
Groundhog Day, the world's most eccentric weather forecasting system, has predicted that America is in for another six weeks of winter.
By Tom Leonard in New York
Last Updated: 9:57PM GMT 02 Feb 2009
Following tradition in Punxsutawney, the groundhog communicated his prediction to Bill Cooper, a top-hatted town elder who claims to be the only person in the world to speak 'Groundhogese'Photo: REUTERS
Every February 2 since 1887, the behaviour of a groundhog – a rodent in the marmot family – called Phil has been closely observed as it emerges for the day in Punxsutawney, a small town in western Pennsylvania.
On Monday the current "Phil" emerged from its burrow just after dawn in front of a 13,000-strong crowd on Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill in the town, which is 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
According to German superstition, if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on this day – the Christian festival of Candlemas – winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, according to legend, spring will come early.
On this occasion, the groundhog reportedly saw its shadow. At least that was the case in Punxsutawney, whose annual ceremony was made famous in the 1993 film Groundhog Day, about a reporter – played by Bill Murray – who keeps living the same day over and over again.
At another Groundhog Day ceremony in New York, a rodent called Staten Island Chuck didn't see his shadow but did bite Michael Bloomberg, the city's mayor – an action that groundhog experts were at a loss to explain in meteorological terms.
Following tradition in Punxsutawney, the groundhog communicated his prediction to Bill Cooper, a top-hatted town elder who claims to be the only person in the world to speak "Groundhogese".
Since 1887, Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.
The town, which this year attracted fans of the event from Japan, Iceland and Egypt, claims Phil has always been correct.
However, the US National Climate Prediction Centre said that the animal has only been right 39 per cent of the time.
Sheldon Carr, an engineer from Newburg, Wisconsin, was unable to explain the appeal of Groundhog Day, especially to non-Americans.
"There's no reason," he said. "No one understands the Yanks."
A spokesman for Mr Bloomberg said the Staten Island groundhog bit him on the hand, drawing blood, but there was no risk of rabies as the animal had been raised in captivity.
It's also Protium's birthday. Or would be if he had come to the States for a visit, maybe for his next birthday. How awesome would that be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His birthday was yesterday where he's at. Happy birthday big brother! :D
Groundhog Day, the world's most eccentric weather forecasting system, has predicted that America is in for another six weeks of winter.
By Tom Leonard in New York
Last Updated: 9:57PM GMT 02 Feb 2009
Following tradition in Punxsutawney, the groundhog communicated his prediction to Bill Cooper, a top-hatted town elder who claims to be the only person in the world to speak 'Groundhogese'Photo: REUTERSEvery February 2 since 1887, the behaviour of a groundhog – a rodent in the marmot family – called Phil has been closely observed as it emerges for the day in Punxsutawney, a small town in western Pennsylvania.
On Monday the current "Phil" emerged from its burrow just after dawn in front of a 13,000-strong crowd on Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill in the town, which is 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
According to German superstition, if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on this day – the Christian festival of Candlemas – winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, according to legend, spring will come early.
On this occasion, the groundhog reportedly saw its shadow. At least that was the case in Punxsutawney, whose annual ceremony was made famous in the 1993 film Groundhog Day, about a reporter – played by Bill Murray – who keeps living the same day over and over again.
At another Groundhog Day ceremony in New York, a rodent called Staten Island Chuck didn't see his shadow but did bite Michael Bloomberg, the city's mayor – an action that groundhog experts were at a loss to explain in meteorological terms.
Following tradition in Punxsutawney, the groundhog communicated his prediction to Bill Cooper, a top-hatted town elder who claims to be the only person in the world to speak "Groundhogese".
Since 1887, Phil has seen his shadow 97 times, hasn't seen it 15 times, and there are no records for nine years, according to the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.
The town, which this year attracted fans of the event from Japan, Iceland and Egypt, claims Phil has always been correct.
However, the US National Climate Prediction Centre said that the animal has only been right 39 per cent of the time.
Sheldon Carr, an engineer from Newburg, Wisconsin, was unable to explain the appeal of Groundhog Day, especially to non-Americans.
"There's no reason," he said. "No one understands the Yanks."
A spokesman for Mr Bloomberg said the Staten Island groundhog bit him on the hand, drawing blood, but there was no risk of rabies as the animal had been raised in captivity.
It's also Protium's birthday. Or would be if he had come to the States for a visit, maybe for his next birthday. How awesome would that be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! His birthday was yesterday where he's at. Happy birthday big brother! :D
Sunday, February 1, 2009
back home again
Set the alarm for bright and early this morning, 6:30am, got the car packed and hit the road by 8:00am. Dad was horrified because he thinks once you get up to start a long journey you have to rush Rush RUSH and be out the door ASAP. Me, I just poke along, relaxed, and stress free. And I still forgot my cellphone charger. AARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!
Here is the beautiful sunrise that greeted me in my parents driveway.
Looks blustery, no? It actually wasn't too bad, probably about 17*F/ -8.3*C
Same view just zoomed in a bit to eliminate the sun so you can see
the birth of fog. :D
The blowing snow looked cool as, crawling across the prairie boiling up and over mounds of dirt.
I turned onto the highway after 6 miles of gravel road to see this
The blowing snow would plague me off and on throughout the day, but never bad enough to stop or slow down too much.
All and all a successful trip, now back to the daily routines. I missed you all. :)
Here is the beautiful sunrise that greeted me in my parents driveway.
Looks blustery, no? It actually wasn't too bad, probably about 17*F/ -8.3*CSame view just zoomed in a bit to eliminate the sun so you can see
the birth of fog. :DThe blowing snow looked cool as, crawling across the prairie boiling up and over mounds of dirt.
I turned onto the highway after 6 miles of gravel road to see this
The blowing snow would plague me off and on throughout the day, but never bad enough to stop or slow down too much.All and all a successful trip, now back to the daily routines. I missed you all. :)
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