Dec 30 2008
While I enjoyed Bill Maher’s mockumentary on religion, I didn’t find that it rocked my world in a significant way. However, there were two statements that Bill made, both near the end of the movie, that did perk up my “thought-inducing” antennae.
Warning: Very mild spoilers below.
Nov 15 2008
I’m having a hard time deciding if this is for real or not. I’m leaning toward “yes,” just because I can’t find any evidence anywhere else on the Web that it’s just a big ol’ joke, and also, the commenters on the article that was just making it so haaaaaaard for me to believe it was for real seem to be taking it seriously. That said–
BWAHAHAHAHAHA!
So anyway, this site is called wikiHow and its stated purpose is “to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. With your edits, we can create a free resource that helps millions of people by offering solutions to the problems of everyday life.” I started scanning today’s “Featured Articles” on the sidebar and found myself being offered instruction on such mundane topics as “Calculate How Much Money You Need To Retire,” “Understand Copyright Basics” and “Assist Children with Cultural Adjustment.” …alongside “Pass Time At An Airport” and “Fold a Dollar Bill To Make a Finger Ring” (is that some kinda fad I missed out on or something?) or “How To Trigger Green Traffic Lights.”
(Since you know you won’t be able to sleep tonight if I don’t share the secret on that last one–)
Attach neodymium magnets to the vehicle. While there is significant debate as to whether a magnet can be strong enough to alter the electromagnetic field which triggers the sensor, you may decide to give it a shot. You can buy a commercial magnet or make your own.*
* If you do make your own magnet trigger, be very careful when handling them as they’re very strong. Wear eye protection when handling them because they’re very brittle, and if they slam together or against any other surface, a piece of magnet can easily get into your eye.
(God knows we wouldn’t want that to happen!)
Excuse me.
(BWAHAHAHAHAHA!)
ANYWAY, the whole reason I stumbled across this website in the first place was a snippet on Pharyngula here. Given that I have occasionally wondered if anybody (aside from Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses) ever does make a concerted effort to convert atheists (as opposed to simply control them via legislation), how could I resist checking out an article so artfully entitled How To Persuade An Athiest to Become Christian?
Let’s find out!
Nov 14 2008
From Ampersand:
Longtime “Alas” community member Jake Squid sent me this. Jake’s workplace recently installed hand scanners, which replace the old punch-card system for workers checking in and out of work. (The advantage for the company is, you can’t ask a friend to scan your hand for you).
The company that manufactures the hand-scanning system gave Jake’s employer this letter, to reproduce and distribute to their employees. This is not a prank; this letter is real.
Words simply fail me.
(Hat tip: Pandagon)
Nov 13 2008
But not a single one of them thought this might be a bad idea..?
(Original here.)
Maybe they’ve forgotten what section 501(c)(3) of US Code Title 26 clearly states about what any applicable organization can and, more pertinently, can’t do and maintain that juicy tax-free legal status? Whoops! (via)
And now the Catholic Church, not to be outdone:
Bishops pledge to fight Obama on abortion
BALTIMORE — The nation’s Catholic bishops are expected to issue a statement Wednesday pledging cooperation with president-elect Barack Obama on numerous social issues but vowing all-out opposition to any law or executive order he may sign advocating abortion rights.
They’re speaking to everyone, [the Church] said, but it is “Catholics who are under our authority — the word that sends everyone up the wall.”
…sigh…”(3) Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious…purposes…no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation…” Seems pretty straightforward to me. The government could use some additional cash right now; I wouldn’t be terribly reliant on their generosity in overlooking such meaty sources of tax revenue. Better watch out!
