A couple of weeks ago, in a discussion forum (I don’t remember which, sorry), someone wrote something like this:
“I’m an agnostic; not arrogant enough to be an atheist”
Whatever your beliefs, or lack of them, it’s quite likely that you’ve heard or read similar phrases. But is atheism really “arrogant”? (more…)
Historians seem to think so, according to this Rolling Stone article. Long, but, IMO, a fascinating read.
Among other gems:
According to the Treasury Department, the forty-two presidents who held office between 1789 and 2000 borrowed a combined total of $1.01 trillion from foreign governments and financial institutions. But between 2001 and 2005 alone, the Bush White House borrowed $1.05 trillion, more than all of the previous presidencies combined. Having inherited the largest federal surplus in American history in 2001, he has turned it into the largest deficit ever — with an even higher deficit, $423 billion, forecast for fiscal year 2006.
And, of course:
Armed with legal findings by his attorney general (and personal lawyer) Alberto Gonzales, the Bush White House has declared that the president’s powers as commander in chief in wartime are limitless. No previous wartime president has come close to making so grandiose a claim. More specifically, this administration has asserted that the president is perfectly free to violate federal laws on such matters as domestic surveillance and the torture of detainees.
From this article:
The Emmy-winning scientist angered a few audience members when he criticized literal interpretation of the biblical verse Genesis 1:16, which reads: “God made two great lights — the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.”
He pointed out that the sun, the “greater light,” is but one of countless stars and that the “lesser light” is the moon, which really is not a light at all, rather a reflector of light.
A number of audience members left the room at that point, visibly angered by what some perceived as irreverence.
“We believe in a God!” exclaimed one woman as she left the room with three young children.
As usually, any bothersome fact that contradicts their narrow view of the world is ignored. “La la la, I can’t hear you, you evil secularist enemy of religion…”
I guess that idiotic woman believes the moon is actually a source of light?!
Really, how can people be so stupid?
Definitely, I don’t like workaholics.
I may like people who are workaholics, but it will be despite that, not because of that. It will always be a part of their personality that bothers me.
On top of that, I have had the misfortune of knowing a lot of them!
Many people (even non-workaholics) don’t really understand the concept, and they confuse “workaholic” with “responsible, hard-working person” – which are positive qualities. But they’re wrong. Being a workaholic is something irrational, unhealthy.
Some people also think that it’s just a case of someone loving what he does. But it’s not that – many workaholics spend most of they time depressed, stressed, and with health problems (both physical and mental). It’s a compulsion, an obsession.
What does being a workaholic tell about a person? In my opinion, one or more of the following: (more…)
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