Time For Freedom From Relgion

We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way-- everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want . . . everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear . . . anywhere in the world.--President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Message to Congress, January 6, 1941

So spoke FDR seventy-five years ago. We have accepted these essential freedoms up until recently. Now a fifth freedom has become a popular buzz word in some parts of this country. Apparently the holier than thou citizens of some states  like Mississippi and North Carolina have taken it upon themselves to blatantly discriminate against the LGBT community. Of course they have had a lot of practice in denying civil rights to anyone that is "different".

Before this fifth freedom gains more steam, I propose that we start a movement for the adoption of yet another freedom. It is essential that the freedom from religion be made part of the fabric of The United States of America. One should worship whatever God or idol one pleases but do it in a church, temple or mosque - not in a legislative chamber. The separation of church and state must be preserved if this nation is to reap the benefits of the Bill of Rights.

Dilemmas Galore

I'm caught on the horns of a dilemma! I should be joining in the outcry over gay marriage statements made by the Chick-fil-A Restaurant  President and COO. The politically correct thing to do is to boycott Chick-fil-A but that's where the dilemma horns start jabbing my rear. You see, I've always felt that a Chick-fil-A sandwich is pretty shitty. Obviously such a conclusion reveals that I have partaken in this delicacy. I have - only because the High Primal loves them and many years ago I vowed to go through this marriage for better or for worse. Whether the occasional indulgence in a Chick-fil-A sandwich contributed to my heart by-pass is another matter. The point is , I can't join in the boycott of Chick-fil-A - it would be hypocritical. I'd be making no sacrifice and quite possibly, I would put a strain on my marriage. Wouldn't it suffice to say that I hate Chick-fil-A. I wouldn't feel deprived if I never ate one of their sandwiches again. I think their CEO is an asshole. I will do my best to wean the High Primal from Chick-fil-A sandwiches. Enough said!

 As an aside I read where some former Boy Scouts are returning their Eagle Badges to the Boy Scouts of America in protest over their ban on gays. Another dilemma! I should be packing up my Eagle Badge and return it to whence it came from. Damn it all - as I recall I worked pretty hard for it.  What good did it do John Kerry to return his Silver Star. Cost him the presidency, that's what. I might still make a run for the presidency, so I'll let my heirs worry about disposing of my Eagle Badge.

Gay bashing,WASPS & Headlines

This news is a bit old , but it really raised my hackles when I read about it. That's not unusual since most of the news these days raises my hackles. What in hell am I getting at? The damn Boy Scouts have reaffirmed their stand on gays. No gays allowed! I suspect that any Scout turning in a gay Scout or leader will qualify for a "Gay Basher" merit badge. At least this news has cleared up something I've wondered about since the days I was a Scout. Now I know what the "on my honor I will do my best to keep myself ...... morally straight" in the Boy Scout Oath really meant. Sneaky SOB's, they  should be made aware that gay bashing can be dangerous for your health. It was reported today that the Chick-fil-A spokesman has died . Did it have anything to do with the furor caused by his boss' biblical opposition to gay marriage? I wonder.

Then we have one of Romney's aides letting something out of the bag about his boss. The aide said that  President Obama doesn't understand " the Anglo-Saxon heritage shared by Britain and the United States",  The implication was that his boss does. So be it - another reason to support Obama. It's high time that Anglo-Saxons, aka WASPS, begin to understand that there is more to our heritage than the people who settled our original thirteen states. A look at the people populating the streets of London reveal that Britain and the united States have diversity to celebrate. I doubt that a man like Romney is capable of understanding this phenomenon.

What's worthy of a front page headline? The Olympics - no. A massacre in Syria - no. The sale of a sport's franchise - yes, yes yes! Ohio's largest newspaper carried this front page headline this morning:

BROWNS' NEXT BOSS READY TO TAKE BALL

Oh my God, the Cleveland Browns football team is going to be sold. Great! that will keep all the bad news from around the world off the front page for a few days. Don't worry about the rust belt. As long as sports survive , it will squeak along.

There goes the neigborhood - Apple officials said to consider a stake in Twitter!

Last and least, I survived the Olympic Games opening ceremonies - I didn't watch!

Lines In The Sand

With President Obama's unequivocal  support for gay marriage and Mitt Romney's unequivocal support for marriage only between a man and a woman, the lines have finally been drawn in the sand for this year's presidential election. The choice will clearly be between ( as much as I dislike the terms) the left and the right - the extreme right. I predict that Obama will evolve more and more toward the left as opposed to more moderate positions and that Romney will be be dragged more to the extreme right from the middle where he would rather be. This is not all bad - we will have a clear choice as to what we want this country to be, a democracy or a theocracy.

Proud of My Roots!

I was born, raised, educated and married in New York State. My children were born in New York State. I have never been so proud of my roots than I am right now. New York has truly brought us into the twenty-first century with its historic passage of a law that will give gays and lesbians the right to marry and all the legal protections and benefits that go with marriage. I now live in a state, Ohio, which I doubt will ever have the vision for legislation of that magnitude. This is the state of my grandchildren and great grandchildren. Hopefully they will one day change Ohio's vision. In the meantime, here's to you New York, proud to call you my home state.