26th August 2012
“Anyone who believes there is a true separation of Church and State in Italy is not paying attention.”
Gianfranco Rey
“Anyone who believes there is a true separation of Church and State in Italy is not paying attention.”
Gianfranco Rey
August 26th, 2012 at 14:50
Heck they can’t even establish separation of business and state! Seems if you have the money governance is a commodity to be bought and sold.
Where is the line between corporatism and fascism, and why are we so inclined to not call a spade a spade? Are we really so fearful of invoking Nazism by using the word fascist? Have large corporations that much control over the use of a word? Benito would be proud, and he was!
The adage “consumerism consumes everything” applies.
This is the reason taxation should only apply to consumption.
August 26th, 2012 at 15:37
Well, in this country you do not want to hurt the feelings of anyone in the protected status group – as you may lose your job.
I just finished reading “The Death of Free Speech” by John Ziegler – and according to him the word “spade” would get you in big trouble with the “ever looking to be offended” crowd. That of course would drown out any message you had to deliver and it especially is a great counter to the truth.
August 26th, 2012 at 15:54
To Anyone here,
What are you reading now? What would you recommend?
School is starting tomorrow and I have a new pre-schooler son going for the first time and a 10 year old 5th grade daughter. Busy and distracted so I am doing some light reading right now – Elaine Pagels, “Reading Judas” – I picked it up for nothing at a garage sale and wondered what it had to say.
I have a book called, ” Leaving Islam, Apostates Speak Out” edited by Ibn Warraq – I think may be next… unless I see a better suggestion.
August 26th, 2012 at 16:21
Kittie,
Recommend~
The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True [Hardcover]
Richard Dawkins (Author), Dave McKean (Illustrator)
I’ve read this to my ten year old and my thirteen year old read this on her own. It is very refreshing and foundational. The many times I was conflicted by the stigmatizing commentary of the masses of religious dopes, who utter the most senseless and juvenile religious drivel, as a child I can’t estimate.
I struggled with people saying “god says so”, or “the bible tells us so”, the”god’s plan” crap, et cetera.
I wish I’d have had such a wonderful resource on thinking as a young person and I think this should be on the reading list of every child and parent alive.
Your children have no doubt been put upon by the friend who finds it her responsibility to clue your kids into Jesus, told by perhaps well meaning friends, family, teachers, and others, that some all being spook in the sky is watching them constantly, and a whole host of incidences where conflicting information is jammed down their throats: religion is both a pervasive cancer and a ubiquitous evil.
This book provides the rational thought cues for putting nonsense in context. Valuable to adults for sure, but a real stress reliever for young people.
Next read~
The Long Divergence: How Islamic Law Held Back the Middle East [Hardcover]
Timur Kuran (Author)
Just completed~
The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden [Paperback]
Ivette Soler (Author)
August 27th, 2012 at 2:47
Sinjin – thanks for the book suggestions. I have been looking for a good book for my daughter, Jane. Last summer I had her read Miracle in the Andes, by Nando Parado. There was a lot of adult language – nothing she hadn’t heard before here or there. I was pleasantly surprised at the end when the author gently admits that having grown up christian and never questioning his faith, when times were the worst – he was alone – we are alone – there is no big sky daddy to fix anything. The faithful died just as randomly as anyone else… He relied on himself to get out of there alive. It was a good lesson for her, as like Nando growing up – she has everything she needs, and two parents who are active and married to each other – unlike so many of her friends.. and like Nando was – she has no way to appreciate what she has – it is all she knows. I was trying to expose her to the idea that at any moment life could change and you have to adapt. Did you see my invitation from yesterday?