Climategate and the conservative herd mentality

Climategate is a new politically correct term coined by James Inhofe (Rep. Sen. OK) who is leading the conservative herd mentality to investigate climate scientists at the Climatic Research Unit in the University of East Angelia.

Emails illegally obtained by an unknown hacker from a server at CRU indicates a perception that scientists at CRU and associated agencies have been hiding, destroying, and modifying data to fit the model of the global warming theory.

The perception is that scientists lied, global warming is a hoax, and we can all go back to burning fossil fuels. James Inhofe, Glenn Beck, et al have been broadcasting the perception that global warming is a hoax created by a unethical group of scientists and politicians to make money off unsuspecting nations, including the United States of America.

The internet, radio, and television has been bombarded with the perception that scientists lied and cooked the global warming science because of this incriminating emails.

The reality is this the emails create a perception, not a reality. The investigation of the scientists has not legally begun but it has been suggested. Doubts about global warming is now rampant.

Many, if not most, people now believe global warming is a hoax because of a perception of bad science without scientific or legal proof that global warming is a hoax.

Ironically these email were made available on various websites shortly before the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Bad timing? Good timing? Or planned, strategic timing?

The global warming deniers don’t have the science to disprove global warming. They only have emails. And millions of people are willing run like a herd of wild geese because conservatives loudly broadcast the perception of a smoking gun, which proves a global warming hoax.

CNN Ad Hits Back At Fox News: “Fox News: Distorting, Not Reporting” (VIDEO)

The Networks need to hit harder and more often against Fox News. Fox News lies and pretend to be the only network out there doing good journalistic reporting when all they are really doing is pushing their Authoritarian Agenda. Fox News is the Bully on the playground and it’s time to bloody his nose. I speak figuratively.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Snubbed By Obama, Fox News’s Chris Wallace Calls White House “Biggest Bunch Of Crybabies I’ve Ever Seen” (VIDEO)

Fox News, Bill O’Reilly, and Chris Wallace are narcissistic, media bullies, who (figuratively speaking) beat up on President Obama, insult him, degrade him, and then expect him to happily appear on their shows.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Health care issues: US costs vs. other countries

AP Headlines: Health care issues: US costs vs. other countries

I couldn’t say it better myself.

Prayer at Public High School Football Games

Football season has begun. Attending the games of my favorite high school, which also happens to be the school my kids attend, is an enjoyable past-time.

Living in the great red state of Oklahoma, prayer happens. It happens a lot. Despite my Atheistic rants and raves on my twitter account and this blog, I am actually easy to get along with out in public. I do not and I have not made a fuss about people praying. I am the only out and open Atheist in my families: biological and in-laws.

So I usually sit or stand quietly at family gatherings while someone says grace before a meal. I offer no objections. The only incident that has occurred was when some distant relative at a family holiday gathering asked me if wanted to say the prayer since I am the eldest child attending Thanksgiving at my parents’ home.

“If you want to say a prayer, then say it. I’m not participating. I’m just observing,” was my response.

“Well I don’t understand,” said this grand Uncle. “Why wouldn’t you participate?”

“Leroy,” my mother hollered. (Leroy is not his real name. I change the names of real people to protect their privacy.) “Don’t worry about it. Just say the prayer.”

My father who disapproves of my non-belief whispered to Mother, “At least’s he’s not gay.”

The point of this is that I am surrounded by prayer, often. So when I attend football games at a public school, I am not offended by a minister offering a prayer. My reason is that I do understand that people have a superstitious belief in prayer as a supernatural insurance to keep their kids safe during a game.

Football is a dangerous sport. My son, although not playing this year, wants to play football next year. I support and approve of his athletic ambitions. But I worry. I never played football myself but I watched my friends play and a few friends throughout my high school years had received some serious injuries.

Nobody died and no one had damage that caused a permanent handicapped. But there were injuries to knees, bones, heads, etc. that required trips to the hospital. So when my son plays I am hoping he will not receive major injuries.

I am well aware that praying to an imaginary friend in the sky does not prevent injuries. And I am also aware that hoping does not prevent injuries. But I do understand that those who are religious feel an extra comfort when a minister prays before a game, hoping that a message to their imaginary friend will encourage that friend to protect the players.

In conclusion, it does not offend me for a minister to prayer at a high school football game. It does not hurt my feelings and it does not change my Atheistic perspective. Some atheists are against prayer at a public high school game. I do object to teachers or principals coercing children to pray in public schools. Children should not be taking a moment of silence nor saying “under god” in the Pledge of Allegiance.

My only catch is that I as an Atheistic parent also has the right to say a few words or to have an Atheistic representative say a few words for me at a football game. If I am going to support the right of the religious to have prayers, than I damn well expect the favor to be returned.

If the religious don’t like it, they can sit or stand quietly. They are not required to participate. I would most likely offer a quote of comfort by Mark Twain, Charles Darwin, Carl Sagan, or Gene Roddenberry. But the point is that if I want to take a moment to offer some encouraging words before a game then I shall be allowed or no one shall be allowed.

Any thoughts?

Michael Bates is an Informed Republican

Michael Bates is an embarrassment to the Republican party asserts a user identified as DCtransplant on the TulsaNow Forum.

Michael Bates is a news and political journalist for local newspapers in Tulsa, Oklahoma who also owns and operates a blog at BatesLine.com. Michael Bates has also been a news commentator on a local radio station.

I respect Michael Bates because I like to read Conservative as well as Liberal blogs. I admit that I am a Liberal Democrat. Anyone who reviews my blog knows this. Michael Bates has one of the few Conservative Republican blogs that I can read and enjoy because it has substance.

While I disagree with many of his political beliefs, I admire his clear and concise writing, which helps me to understand why he has Conservative beliefs. Most Conservative blogs are full of rants and raves against the people in which they disagree and dislike.

During the recent Mayoral Primaries for the City of Tulsa, Michael Bates wrote some articles regarding disappointments with Republican candidate Dewey Bartlett, Jr. Michael Bates was supporting Republican Chris Medlock. Then the infamous forum post asserting, “Michael Bates is an embarrassment to the Republican party” appeared on September 8, 2009 in the TulsaNow Forum.

I do not know who DCtransplant is but I do know that I appreciate a gentleman like Michael Bates who, although Conservative, does his homework. Michael Bates is like a hound dog that sniffs out every clue needed to make a an informed decision.

If more Republicans were like Michael Bates we would not have the lunacy that we have with Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reilly, Sean Hannity, and others. Interesting that someone went on an attack of Michael Bates because he researched and provided an informed decision, even though that research included reporting some negative issues on a Republican candidate.

How Republican of DCtransplant. Even in the Conservative world Republicans who are open, honest, and intelligent come under attack as if those virtues were vices.

Anna Falling Fails Mayor Election, Thank God

When I first heard that Anna Falling was running for mayor in the city of Tulsa, I almost dropped to my knees to beg the Christian God to not let this happen. I requested of the Christian God to tell me if I was wrong about believing Anna Falling is a Christian Reich nut. The Christian God has not disagreed with me.

I also prayed to Allah, Yahweh, the twinkle little star, and Mickey Mouse just for insurance. I thank all of them for answering my prayer.

Anna Falling, for those of you readers who do not know, wants to erect a creation display at the Tulsa Zoo to honor her Christian God. This is disturbing not because of my Atheism but because of the absolute disregard she has for people of diverse beliefs. Mrs. Falling has every right to erect a creation display on her property or to donate funds to her church to erect a creation display.

The Tulsa Zoo, however, is off limits. It is not a place of worship but a place of education. It is a place for the public, which includes people with diverse religious or secular views. I can guarantee if a Muslim wanted to erect a display honoring Allah, there would be a tremendous uproar from the Christian Reich and from Atheists.

As I researched Anna Falling I became more confident that she would not even get past the primaries. Now that she has not I feel comfortable in writing this post. It is evident to me Anna Falling not only fails to understand her own God, she fails to understand responsibility.

There are pending claims and lawsuits against Anna Falling and her Cornerstone Assistance Network. This alone indicates she does not honor her Christian God nor could she honor the citizens of the City of Tulsa.

Fortunately, the citizens of Tulsa are more concerned with significant issues. Something that cannot be said about Anna Falling who is too self-absorbed with her belief in her God. Although a debate between the intelligent and well-spoken Tom Adelson versus the not so bright Anna Falling would be most entertaining almost like a rerun of Joe Biden debating Sarah Palin, it is great she will not be attending.

Now maybe she will focus on paying off her debts.

It Is Okay to Be A Socialist, But Being A Republican Is Evil

I am angry. I am frustrated. I am pissed.

I refuse to accept the resignation of Van Jones.

I am sick of the right wing bashing machine.

The Fundamentalist Republicans are killing the United States of America. They have no interest in what the majority of Americans want. They have no interest in democracy.

Rush Limbaugh was the most dangerous voice from the Conservative side but now even his lunacy has been overshadowed by the newest member of the Klan: Mr. Glenn Beck.

I am so outraged that I want to do everything within my power to strike back and strike hard; within legal and peaceful means. I assure I have no intentions to advocate or participate in violence, but I have serious thoughts about marches, writing letters, boycotting, and calling elected officials.

The reality is that Glenn Beck and others like him are promoting Hatred, Lies, and Distortions.

Their shenigans are turning brother against brother, sister against sister, etc.

I can no longer talk to my folks about politics because they are brainwashed from watching the Fox News Network and they believe the lies. My folks who elderly and retired actually fear being put on the Obama death panel list. I have told then that was a lie and they can go to Snopes.com to read how that lie got started.

they think that Snopes.com is some Liberal website trying to undermine the Conservative cause.

Folks, believe it or, there is a real danger to our country. It is a real danger to our freedoms. We cannot afford to be nice any longer. Bi-partisan is a pretty word and a nice objective but so is World Peace. Neither one of these objectives will occur within our lifetime or the lifetime of our children.

I plan to start attending local organizations that promote positive changes and improvements to our country. I plan to make a list of positive ways I can battle the Conservative Hate Machine. I realize that the Hate Machine is large, well-financed, and merciless but it has to be fought before things get worse.

Some ideas I have are to start a twitter campaign using the #NMR which stands for #No More Republicans. An idea of promoting that Democrats vote only for Democrats and get Republicans out of office. Interestingly, Republicans are trying to get Democrats out of office.

Can we impeach current Republican Senators and Representatives who participate in the Conservative Hate Movement? Michelle Bachmann, for example, has got to go. Fortunately we can support that effort at http://dumpbachmann.blogspot.com/.

I realize that the Liberal movement and the Democratic party has been the calm and cool voice in politics and while I do not suggest we embark on developing lunacy like the Right, I do suggest we become louder and more vocal. We can no longer afford to be on the defensive. We have got to be offensive.

For example, my common defense against people alleging Obama is a Socialist is to assert that he is not. Now my planned response is to be, “As long as Obama is not a Republican, I don’t care what he is.” Or I could say, “As long as he is not a member of the most evil, American hating party, known as the Republicans, I’m not concerned.”

Whatever I decide to do. I know I will signing up with color Of Change and MoveOn.

A Liberal and Conservative Discuss Socialism

Conservative: Obama is a Socialist.

Liberal: No, he’s not.

Conservative: Prove he ain’t.

Liberal: Prove he is.

Conservative: His pushing Socialized medicine.

Liberal: No, he’s not. His pushing health-care reform, which we really need because insurance companies are screwing us over.

Conservative: He wants to kill the old people.

Liberal: No, he doesn’t.

Conservative: Yes, he does.

Liberal: No, he doesn’t.

Conservative: Prove it.

Liberal: You prove it.

Conservative: Have you ever asked yourself ‘What if Obama is a Socialist?’

Liberal: Have you ever asked yourself ‘What if Santa Claus is a child rapist?’

Conservative: That’s stupid and un-American.

Liberal: My question is just as meaningless as your’s.

Conservative: But your question is offensive.

Liberal: So is your’s. That’s the point.

Conservative: How could you even ask such a horrible thing about a child loving individual?

Liberal: He’s Catholic.

Conservative: Oh, you are going straight to hell!

Liberal: Think about it. The original St. Nick was a Catholic priest who cared for small children. And Catholic priests are most often caught with their pants down in front of small boys, literally.

Conservative: That’s horrible.

Liberal: The point is that just because you can ask a ‘What if’ question does not make it legitimate.

Conservative: I was just asking you to think about what if Obama is a Socialist?

Liberal: And I’m saying that is a meaningless question. And I offer to you another meaningless question: What if Santa Claus is a child rapist?

Conservative: But that is offensive.

Liberal: So is your question. Anytime some uses a ‘what if’ question to indirectly allege somebody is something bad, it is offensive and wrong.

Conservative: I don’t understand. You’re just babbling. My point is that Obama might very well be a Socialist.

Liberal: And Santa Claus might very will be a child molester.

Conservative: Stop, saying that.

Liberal: Stop saying Obama is a Socialist.

Conservative: But what if he is?

Liberal: He could just as easily be a member of the Klu Klux Klan or some Neo-Nazi Party.

Conservative: Could not?

Liberal: Why not?

Conservative: He’s black.

Liberal: So what? He could be the first African American Klansman.

Conservative: That’s just stupid.

Liberal: So is your ‘what if’ question.

Conservative: You’re an idiot, Liberal Moron, Communist sympathizer.

Liberal: And you Conservatives always start the name calling when you lose a debate.

Conservative: Do not.

Liberal: Do so.

Conservative: Not.

Liberal: So.

Conservative: I didn’t lose.

Liberal: Yes you did.

Conservative: Did not.

Liberal: Did so.

Conservative: Not.

Liberal: So.

Conservative: I fucking won because I love America and you hate it.

Liberal: You hate America. You Nazi pig.

Conservative: Fuck you!

Liberal: No, Fuck you!

Conservatives Fail to Properly Research the Life of Van Jones

I admitted on my twitter account that I knew little about Van Jones. Some Conservatives immediately responded and claimed that was the problem with Liberal Morons, they don’t do their research.

My gut reaction is to be offended and rebut with name calling but as I thought about it, I realized that the problem with the current Conservative movement is that They do not do their research. I am constantly bombarded with so much Conservative rants, that I simply do not have the time to do the research.

Yet as I have done in the Van Jones case, and start doing research I find a more comprehensive view of this man, his attitudes, and his accomplishments. I discover that the Conservatives have not and do not provide the whole picture. Based on my research of the Van Jones incident it is a clear cut case of a Conservative attack of a man who stood up to the Fox Propaganda machine.

I wish I had done research on Van Jones before the incident occurred and before he quit. There is nothing I could do about it but offer verbal defense in my conversations with Conservatives.

Briefly this is what I have learned through the research I have done today. First, Van Jones did admit to be a communist according to much of what I have read from both Liberal, Conservative, and Neutral websites.

However, in the context of this man’s life, and his struggles for social justice, his gig as a Communist is neither news worthy nor significant. I admire his honesty for admitting that he tried Communism in the same why other political figures have admitted to their misdeeds. I regret that this admission has caused so much turmoil.

The other thing that frustrates me about Conservatives making a mountain out of this mole hill is their continuous witch hunt for Communists. For one thing, it is not illegal and secondly, it is protected by the United States Constitution for individuals right to liberty.

Does that mean I’m okay with communism? Am I a socialist? No. I disagree with both of those political ideologies.

But this is what I believe and I admit I could be wrong because a working person, I do not have the time to research every single claim the Conservatives are making. Anyway, I believe that the United States of America and the Government has allowed, stood by, and let some bad people screw this country over.

Based on my experiences with the private insurance companies, I am pissed at this people, I am angry with them. I strongly believe that the Health Insurance Companies have raped the American people of their money.
I have been in the workforce for over twenty years now. My monthly insurance payment was $80 a month at my first job. It is now $300 a month. During my time of self-employment it $700 a month.

I am sorry folks but that is ridiculous. If I managed to stay healthy, which currently I am, it is actually cheaper to just pay the doctor visits then it is to pay for the health insurance to cover the cost of the health insurance.

I also witnessed a situation where a friend who needed a recommended twenty-one day treatment was only authorized to attend seven days by the insurance company.

I could go on and on about the horror stories but my point is this: The Health Insurance Companies are evil, and we as a nation need to do everything we can to stop them and punish them for their unethical behavior.

A geek making billion dollars a year selling software is capitalism, which I support. A family that owns a retail store and makes billion of dollars a year is capitalism! A man who makes millions of dollars making a movie about a fairy-tale spoof of Nazi-occupied France, is capitalism!

A man making billions of dollars a year providing insurance and denying coverage in not capitalism. It is wrong! It is an abomination! It is evil! And it is wrong! I think we should prosecute and punish this CEOs at health insurance companies that raped the American people of their money and their health.

Liberals and Conservatives should be united together to fight the Health Insurance companies.

Back to my point: I strongly believe that Conservatives are out to accomplish one thing and one thing only and that is to destroy the Presidency of Barack Hussien Obama. I doubt that they actually believe he is a socialist or Marxist but they are trying their hardest to convince people that he is a socialist and Marxist, because this are bad things.

Once they convince us that Obama believes in bad things then we will think of him as a bad thing. He is not and neither is Van Jones.

I believe that Glenn Beck is a racist who therefore cannot make an objective view of Van Jones or Barack Obama. Glenn Beck accuses these men of being racist towards whites. I disagree. While it is possible that they are blacks who are racist against whites, it is more common for whites to be racists against blacks. Also, whites have had more power to be abusive with their racists attitudes. Van Jones is a human rights advocates who fights against racism, and therefore at times will be in conflict with white people. Read that sentence again and try to follow logic.

White people are more power and effective at being racist does not mean that we are all racist just that some of us are. Van Jones is a black man who fights for human rights. So naturally he will be a black man standing up to white people who are racists. That does not mean he hates white people. I’m white and I stand up against white racist people but I, of course, get called a Liberal instead of racist.

My ranting and raving point is this. A faction of the Consversvatives, like Glenn Beck, are liars, who either do not do their research or they do not provide the whole story. Van Jones has done nothing to harm this country, but has done everything with the resources available to him to make this country better. Also a black man who works to better and improve the black community is not a racist. A man who once signed up with the Communist party as way to find his bearings, but currently regrets having done so, is not a bad person.

Bad is when Conservatives take things out of context and spend hours and hours harping on it.

Okay, my final note: If you are a Conservative and I have offended you, then please for the love of your god, make a comment that has some substance that I can review and investigate for myself! Calling me an “idiot,” “Liberal Moron,” “socialist,” “Marxist,” and my favorite, ‘Nigger loving Jew” does not help your cause. Don’t like what I say then please enlighten me with some your point of view. Demonstrate to me where I fail to see the big picture.

By the way, it is ironic that someone has called me a “Nigger loving Jew” (which was actually on a different blog) because while I was not raised Jewish my grandfather was and although I am a White Boy, I do have a fondness for African American culture.