Archive for 2007

Revolution?

In 2005, the Dutch voted massively against the European constitution. As one of the biggest financial contributers to the EU, the Netherlands has weakened its own economic, social and cultural position. People were fed up, and right after the French “non” 61.5% of the cast votes spoke out against a fake constitution, consisting of nothing more than a clear division of power and money away from the people, and towards the EU elitists who already, undemocratically, make up most of our laws.
Now, in 2007, our Queen and our government has committed high treason by stating publicly that there will not be a new referendum concerning the “new” constitution, which is just a re-christening of the old one, minus a few small details (the EU flag and the EU anthem is not mentioned, and that’s about it). Our government did not only commit treason towards our country and its citizens, but also drove a spear through the corpse of democracy.
It is time for a revolution: first by vote, and otherwise by force.

The Scarlet Letter of Atheism

Note:
This is a double post from Skeptivism.com.

Recently, Professor Richard Dawkins launched The OUT Campaign, as a call to arms for atheists to “come out of the atheist closet”.As it says on the website:

Atheists are far more numerous than most people realize. COME OUT of the closet! You’ll feel liberated, and your example will encourage others to COME OUT too.

One of the ways you can also speak out is by adding a red scarlet letter of atheism to your website. Unfortunately, the website only provides one big scarlet letter ‘A’ on a white background. Since one choice equals no choice, I have created a different kind of banner.
Continue reading this post»

Ask for a new lung, not a new car!

Every morning of the work week I take a shuttle bus between the uptown and downtown campus, and every morning the driver is listening to this local radio show. The host of the show always has this “inspirational” moment which usually results in inspiring me to get a stroke. Today, the host went on and on about how you should expect God to give what you ask for. “If you ask God for something, be ready to receive! If you ask Him for a new car, be prepared by cleaning out your garage!” Obviously, this tripe made my blood pressure rise to a four digit mmHg, but it also opened my eyes to an age-old question. Why, if God is all-loving, is there suffering and evil in the world? I now know the answer: because God is too busy handing out new cars!

While little Jimmy is asking God for a new lung in the little spare time he has left between coughing fits caused by his Cystic Fibrosis , God is handing out Camaro’s to a bunch of WGOD listeners. While some poor girl in some war zone is asking God to make him prevent the soldiers of abusing and killing her, our Lord is giving away some SUVs in his Summer Prayer Sweepstakes!

And suddenly Christianity all makes sense: God is a material girl in a material world.

Politically Correct Newspeak

These days it is hard not to use Newspeak as a metaphor for the rhetoric the European Union, and some member states, is using in public statements. In Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, the ever-shrinking vocabulary of the English based Newspeak was used to prevent free thought by removing any words, word constructs, and phrases from the language that directly oppose the totalitarian state’s dominance over the hearts and minds of the people. In similar fashion, the EU has drafted a “non-emotive lexicon for discussing radicalization“. Continue reading this post»

Horoscopes: The Gullibility and Stupidity Effect

Although it is likely that I do not know you, seeing how many individuals surf the internet, I do know a great deal about your personality. Let me analyze you:

“You have a need for other people to like and admire you, and yet you tend to be critical of yourself. While you have some personality weaknesses you are generally able to compensate for them. You have considerable unused capacity that you have not turned to your advantage. Disciplined and self-controlled on the outside, you tend to be worrisome and insecure on the inside. At times you have serious doubts as to whether you have made the right decision or done the right thing. You prefer a certain amount of change and variety and become dissatisfied when hemmed in by restrictions and limitations. You also pride yourself as an independent thinker; and do not accept others’ statements without satisfactory proof. But you have found it unwise to be too frank in revealing yourself to others. At times you are extroverted, affable, and sociable, while at other times you are introverted, wary, and reserved. Some of your aspirations tend to be rather unrealistic.”

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Prophecies on the end of the world could very well be self fulfilling.

Sam Harris, Aspen Ideas Festival 2007

The paradox is that the most infallible system of thought is to recognize and acknowledge the fallibility of that system to the fullest extend; it is this “infallible” truth which political ideologies and religions fail to fathom.

Cliff Shot Bloks

No, it’s not a typo. The product is really called Shot Bloks and it is produced by the company who gave the world the delicious Clif Bar. Clif Bar already produced a high performance energy gel — just like the more famous GU Energy Gel — christened Clif Shot.
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Star Wars Robot Chicken!

(e)Music Discoveries and Downloads (February to May 2007)

These are my “newly” (re)discovered albums through eMusic.

The Cinematics: A Strange Education
New Wave 80′s pop rock reminiscent of diverse bands such as Franz Ferdinand, Interpol and the Editors, though it also has a “Breakfast Club” (Simple Minds’ Don’t You Forget About Me) meets David Bowie feel to it. Break and A Strange Education are great tracks for longer (slower) runs.

Every Move A Picture: Heart = Weapon
Another modern edition 80′s re-mash band. Slightly more in the direction of Bloc Party (only so slightly) and the vocalist definitely has this typical 80′s voice. The more rocking guitars compensate the polka-dot bleeps.

Susi Hyldgaard, Blush
Sometimes bluesy, sometimes showy Jazz. Perfect music for just chillin’ on those lazy nights.

Pretty Girls Make Graves: Good Health, The New Romance & Élan Vital
At The Drive-in punk meets the typical Riot Grrl sound, and, in one occasion, French chanson-like harmonica. Loud, uplifting, sometimes eerily chilling and highly accessible alternative “punk-rock” with the cutest female vocals.

Scanners: Violence is Golden
This band has been compared to Bloc Party, though this comparison does not do Scanners any justice. Scanners stands alone. The vocals (and in a way also the music) reminds me of Susie Sioux’ enchantingly rocking voice. Definitely one of my favorite new discoveries!

theSTART: Initiation (Nitro Records)
Don’t confuse this band’s name with the similar name “The Start”. Where the latter plays nauseating teeny-bob pop-punk, the former plays a strong mixture of punk, hardcore, rock and metal. Think Faith No More with gritty female vocals picking up the pace a bit. Think partying all night on stale beer in dark venues. Think muddy fields at “A Camping Flight to Lowlands Paradise”. You’ll get my drift…