Watch this. It's beautiful. I cried... Yeah, I cried.

It is so well done; touching and classy. I wish I could force every American to watch the whole thing. I want to be a leader like this.

For the Bible Tells Me So

Forthebibletellsmeso.org

I watched this movie in class today. Not only was it one of the most thought-provoking films I have seen, it really called me to question my thoughts on homosexuality and religion. Religion in America and homosexuality are both topics I like learning about. They are equally very controversial to our society.

In the hour and twenty minutes that this movie ran, I managed to scribble down a page of notes I thought to be interesting. Most of my thoughts are not fully investigated, but maybe I can piece them together enough to get you to watch the film.

- Prejudice was born in the church. The church is an institution where people of power (white males) have used the Bible as a source of oppression to "other" groups. Other groups in the past have been African-Americans and women. Now the "other" group is homosexuals.

- Hatred of homosexuals could also stem from the long belief that women are inferior to males. Typically it is generalized that men are more feminine if they are gay and their masculinity is lost. Feminine men are thought of as a bad thing in our culture. Lately this has not been looked upon as so bad, but in the past gay men were stereotyped as acting transsexual.

- The Bible has been taken too literally on its stance on homosexuality. Right-winged Christians claim the Bible addressed the issue of homosexuality 6-7 times. Now, I am not a Bible expert, but from what I have read of these 6-7 passages doesn't blatantly discuss homosexuality at all. Sodom and Gamorrah has so many ambiquities and translations that it would be jumping to conclusions to think it was about punishing homosexuality.

- In the Bible there is a theme of take what you have and give it to the poor. Obviously, people don't take this passage too literally, so why do they exploit the more ambiguous ones to subordinate gays/lesbians/bisexuals/transgendered?


- Bible literalists are typically capitalists who use there conservative believes to make money off the Bible (politicians).

- Humans are not the only species who have homosexuals. Lions, sheep, zebras, among thousands of other animals have same sex relationships.


- The oppression of homosexuals has caused suicide rates to be three to seven times higher than that of heterosexual individuals. This rate continues to climb. Every five hours one homosexual successfully commits suicide.

- Bible literalists claim being a homosexual results in "abomination." Eating shrimp, having two seeds in one hole, working on sabbath, wearing linen and wool simultaineously also causes "abomination." Would people be criticized, terrorized, and feared for doing any of these other acts?

- When people say "This is what the Bible says," respond back, "No, that is what the Bible reads." There is a big difference.

The "Bailout Plan" that will pass Congress!

I read this from another blog. I thought it was really entertaining and should be shared this the minimal people I impact:

Hi Pals,

I'm against the $85,000,000, 000.00 bailout of AIG.
Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000, 000 to America in a 'We Deserve It' Dividend.
To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up…
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000, 000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.


What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads.
Put away money for college - it'll be there.
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car or other product - create jobs.
Invest in the market - capital drives growth.
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves.
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else.

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ('vote buy') economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG - liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can 'never work.'
But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!?
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion 'We Deserve It Dividend' more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.


And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

How is it fair...

For McCain to accuse Obama for being a celebrity when he made his running mate into one?  That's politics.