Presbyopic and awesome.

There’s a well in the hole in the bottom of the sea…

There’s some oil in the well in the hole in the bottom of the sea…

There’s a gusher in the oil in the well in the hole in the bottom of the sea…

There’s a pipe in the gusher in the oil in the well in the hole in the bottom of the sea…

There’s a break in the pipe in the gusher in the oil in the well in the hole in the bottom of the sea…

There’s some mud in the break in the pipe in the gusher in the oil in the well in the hole in the bottom of the sea…

There’s some junk in the mud in the break in the pipe in the gusher in the oil in the well in the hole in the bottom of the sea…

Muslims, peaceful and not-so-peaceful: Only when you learn to keep your peace when provoked, instead of feeling that you must vehemently and/or violently defend your Allah and Muhammad, who (if they exist) can defend themselves just fine, then will such provocations become unnecessary, and thence stop. The weakling answers mocking with threats, and only invites more mocking. The strong man has nothing to prove.

I think Comedy Central’s censorship of Episode 201, and now also of the Super Best Friends episode on SouthParkStudios.com is completely over-the-top and unacceptable for a reputable media outlet in the United States. Do you not see the negative societal trend that you are contributing to? If something needs to be sacred in our society, it is satire— and not any particular religion.

Robert McNally

To everyone else: You can still use BitTorrent to download Episode 201 as it aired (with Comedy Central bleeping out even Mohammad’s name and Kyle’s final speech about intimidation that didn’t even mention Muhammad), and the Super Best Friends episode.

Today I’m proud to say that I’ve kept that promise. And I’d like you, my loyal readers, to know that I intend to go on keeping it.

You’re welcome.

My first post here was my small poetic meditation on mindfulness, “Meta.” Here it is again, and here’s to the next five years!

META

Clapping Music

Defenders of Marriage

Click here to view the embedded video.

Creation Science 101

Click here to view the embedded video.

Jerry Fallwell’s God

Click here to view the embedded video.

This is the finest discussion I’ve heard about the marriage equality issue. Moyers takes the devil’s advocate position throughout, posing objection after objection that’s been advanced by the religious right in America. Watch as these two brilliant lawyers deliver absolutely devastating rebuttals. It shows that ultimately, the only “argument” against same-sex marriage is a religious one advanced by those who would, if they could, destroy our democracy and turn it into a theocracy. With them in charge, of course.

Please, listen to this interview and pass it on to your friends. The audio is below, or you can watch the entire show’s video on the PBS web site.

Specifically, I have just concluded my divorce— an emotionally and financially draining process that took the better part of a year. I know what you’re probably thinking, and so I’ll say it for you in the words of a dear friend of mine: “Congratulations, and I’m sorry.”

Fortunately, I have a reasonably cordial relationship with my ex, and our two young boys are dealing well with mostly spending time with mom or dad separately. The one constant in this process has been that we both want what’s best for the children, and they know they have a mom and dad who love them.

While we’ve all been through considerable pain during this time, I now find a sense of relief, renewal, and liberation in finally being able to close that chapter of my life— not unlike the emotional and intellectual epiphanies I experienced when I finally gave up religion almost 15 years ago, near the start of my marriage. My views on family and relationships have evolved significantly over the years, and I plan to write more about those changes in the coming months.

Happy Valentine’s Day, you crazy kids!

1. Homosexuality is not natural, much like eyeglasses, polyester, and birth control.
2. Heterosexual marriages are valid because they produce children. Infertile couples and old people can’t legally get married because the world needs more children.
3. Obviously, gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.
4. Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage is allowed, since Britney Spears’ 55-hour just-for-fun marriage was meaningful.
5. Heterosexual marriage has been around a long time and hasn’t changed at all; women are property, blacks can’t marry whites, and divorce is illegal.
6. Gay marriage should be decided by people, not the courts, because the majority-elected legislatures, not courts, have historically protected the rights of the minorities.
7. Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That’s why we have only one religion in America.
8. Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.
9. Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.
10. Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That’s why single parents are forbidden to raise children.
11. Gay marriage will change the foundation of society. Heterosexual marriage has been around for a long time, and we could never adapt to new social norms because we haven’t adapted to things like cars or longer life-spans.
12. Civil unions, providing most of the same benefits as marriage with a different name are better, because a “separate but equal” institution is always constitutional. Separate schools for African-Americans worked just as well as separate marriages for gays and lesbians will.