Virtual Illusions

You may or may not have heard. The Taliban, rulers of Afghanistan, are taking a lesson from the Nazi. Inflammatory statement? Perhaps, but it isn’t to much of an exaggeration.

The Taliban, an Islamic theocracy, has decreed orders that all non Muslims must wear a yellow piece of cloth attached to their pockets so they can be easily identified (different from Jews in the ’40s in shape only). Their claim is that this is to protect them from harassment from The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (aka religious police (not the inquisition)). Apparently this is supposed to protect them from being arrested for trimming their beards and other such mortal sins and serious crimes.

But if this is the case why have they been given three days to vacate any dwelling they share with a Muslim? To protect them from… owning property… having a place to sleep?

The Taliban is the natural progression of a theocracy. During a humanitarian crisis they closed down an Italian hospital and beat its staff because the men and women ate together. No non-Islamic symbols are allowed to be publicly displayed. They recently destroyed two famous ancient Buddha statues in the name of Islamic purity. They have religious police (Hello!)

Hindus are afraid for their “security” with these new measures and where’s the outrage. India is upset. Surrounding states think they might be on the wrong path. And from the US protectors of freedom?

“We want to make quite clear that forcing social groups to wear distinctive clothing or identifying marks stigmatizes and isolates those groups and can never, never be justified,” spokesman Richard Boucher said in Washington.

That’s it. That is the sum total of official U.S. outrage. It’s not surprising that there isn’t greater outrage, it would be politically questionable for the current administration to bring up the problems inherent in a theocracy. Not as they rush headlong into one. Oh, I know we have miles to go before we’re anywhere close to the Taliban but…

“As night does not come at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains unchanged. And it is in that twilight that we must be most aware of the change in the air, however slight, lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness.”
U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas

I think it is telling that instead of loud cries of outrage The United States last week announced a $43 million emergency aid package.

Philosophy/Religion, Politics

On my way in this morning, my mind wandered over to the concept of marriage. In the recent past certain members of this group (the He/She board) have made claims to the effect of “I’ll never get married [again].” And I just can’t figure out what that means.

Marriage can be seen as a legal, religious and symbolic action. The legal and religious aspects of the institution aren’t truly relevant to my point. Whether there is a filed certificate or a ceremony presided by clergy does not make a marriage.

Marriage is a symbol to the community that (the metaphorical) we are together and are not searching for mates in the sexual or economic sense. With the symbolic definition of marriage, the only way “I’ll never get married” has any meaning is only in the self destructive sense that any long term relationship will be destroyed to prevent the relaying of the symbol of togetherness to the community.

In this day of long courtships and long stable relationships that last longer than marriages the symbol is not just the ring it is a state of being. When a couple who are dating move in together that is part of the symbol of marriage. In the old days of short courtships resulting in marriage at pre-arranged times (graduations, etc.) the ring was powerful because it was more likely to convey availability. Today it’s accuracy suffers. But it is buffered by other mechanisms in certain social groups (think class rings, pledge pins, and other things I’m to obtuse to notice).

My point is that whether there is legal or religious actions there are symbolic actions doing what marriage is traditionally supposed to do, convey a status of taken. Given that, for people who think “I’ll never get married,” do you mean that in the legal, religious, economic, or destructive sense?

http://fireboards.fool.com/Message.asp?mid=15028049

Culture, Philosophy/Religion

I just read an article about researchers in Japan finding a possible cure for Alzheimer’s disease. This is good. This particular cure involves a protein that is naturally produced in just about everyone’s brain. This protein, humanin, stops the brain cells from dying without causing cancer. This, again, is good.

Then you come to the magic phrase… they are applying for a patent for Humanin. How is that not prior art? I invented the stuff sometime just before my birth (late 1970 - early 1971). Considerable effort and expense went into the invention. I use it in my brain just like the suggested usage. Hello, you aren’t inventing something I haven’t already invented, you aren’t producing something I don’t already produce and you aren’t using it in novel way.

You are attempting to use what should be public science knowledge for you own enrichment instead of the good of mankind.

I’m not against making money from your work, but you blew it. I draw the line at considering my brain your work. If anyone invented it, it was my parents and they didn’t apply for a patent.

News, Tech

I haven’t really spent any time to really write anything of significance. Maybe I should start with a thorough self inventory or some such thing.

It all started 30 years ago in a small log cabin… no, not really it more started 30 years ago in St. Louis. In a hospital really but later on I’ll claim it was in a grad students (Dad) efficiency when I become a “Great Man” and they have to make up stories about my youth.

Anyway, soon after my birth was moved to the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC. Except for a brief stint in DC for college I’ve lived there ever since. Just to be clear I’ve left the confines of my parents house, having not returned there after college, but I did return to my old stomping grounds when looking for a place to live.

Life

“So what does it mean when a Jewish politician tells Christian voters that “we” need to reaffirm “our” faith? The message, apparently, is that any faith will do, provided it keeps people out of trouble.

But anyone who values religion because it promotes morality must value morality on nonreligious grounds. Hence this argument does not tell us why we should be religious. It tells us why other people should.”

Thy Neighbor’s Faith By Jacob Sullum
http://www.reason.com/sullum/090500.html

Culture, Philosophy/Religion, Politics

I have a couple of friends and co-workers who’s last days are today and Monday. We like many other companies have gone through tremendous changes involving layoffs and stuff. There are more coming and it is as likely as not that I’ll be part of them. So many people have gone and so many changes have happened.

It’s only time…

Life

When McVeigh’s execution was pushed back because there were thousands of pages of documents not turned over to the defense, I find it instructive that either attorney general Ashcroft or FBI director Freeh (I forget which) did not apologize to the McVeigh or the defense but instead apologized to the families of the victims for the delay. This suggests to me that the man thinks he is charged with vengeance not justice.

Any apology for a delay in a death penalty case for due process is seriously misplaced.

Culture, Justice

Douglas Adams died of a heart attack at age 49 (May, 11 2001)

It’s late but I feel if ever anything belonged in a journal it is thoughts about the death of Douglas Adams. I the 9th grade I did a report on the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and it’s author. I was told it didn’t count as real book because it was science fiction. I did it anyway and was proud to have done the report on something that matters.

I enjoyed HHGG in all its forms (original radio, novels, BBC video). I loved them all and I’d have to say they profoundly affected me. But Adams was a hero to me for more reasons than just his great wit and literary skills. He was my hero because he was one of the few outspoken atheists.

I will miss my hero. I will raise a glass in his honor.

Culture, Media

I decided to start a Live Journal. This is just the beginning we shall see where it leads and whether I am a man worth speaking to or a forgotten annoyance.

I recently attempted to start a journal in my own home machine but I think it lacked accessibly and visibility. I love the concept of it being public even as I understand that no one will actually be reading this.

I’d like to start with a quote. It is from a beer class I’m taking. It is arranged by the Smithsonian and held in the Brickskeller.

“I consider Guinness like chocolate milk. I just love that stuff.”

–John mallett, Saaz Brewing Equip. & Services, 5/14/2001

Beer, Life