The Slippery Slope of Gay Marriage is REAL!

One argument used frequently in the battle against gay marriage is The Slippery Slope. If we allow two adults of the same sex who love each other get married, what might be next? What horrifying reality will be foisted upon us if this twisted perversion occurs?

It's a fair point, really. And history has shown that the Slippery Slope is a very real phenomenon.

In 1776, voting was limited to white, property-owning men who were not Jews, Catholics or Quakers (a few other limitations as well). As non-property-owning-white-men wanted to vote, The Conservatives wondered, "What next - will Catholics and Jews want to vote as well?"

In 1828, Maryland allowed Jews to vote. The Conservatives wondered, "What next - will African-Americans want to be allowed to be free citizens?"

As Emancipation neared in the 1850's and 1860's, African-Americans wanted to be freed from slavery. In opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1866 (granting citizenship to native-born Americans), The Conservatives cried, "If blacks are free, they'll want to vote!"

Fighting the passage of the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, The Conservatives were in a tizzy: "If we allow black men to vote, pretty soon women will want to vote, too!"

As Suffragists worked tirelessly to allow women to vote, The Conservatives were in an uproar, "If they can vote, they might want equal jobs and equal pay!"

With women entering the workplace, a social revolution was underway. Suddenly African-Americans, who were free and had a technical right to vote, actually wanted to utilize that right. As the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's was gaining steam, The Conservatives were concerned, "If African-Americans get full equality, pretty soon they'll want to marry white people!"

In 1967, after the Supreme Court ended all race-based restrictions on marriage, The Conservatives were frightened, "What next, will the gays want to marry?"

Homosexuals do want the right to be married. More than likely, they will get that right, despite the cries of "Slippery Slope!" from The Conservatives. And you know what? Out there in America are more groups of people who feel disenfranchised. They are hoping that gay marriage will pass, that change will come for one group, because they want their chance. Maybe freedom for one can eventually mean freedom for all.

It is a Slippery Slope. Our country has slid form a land where white, land-owning Protestants had full and total control, to a country where nearly all citizens have the right to pursue their happiness. As the horrors of the realized Slippery Slope unfolded, more Americans gained rights and freedoms. The Slippery Slope has created a country with more equality for more people.

Maybe the Slippery Slope isn't such a bad thing, after all.

Mix and Match

SC gov resurfaces after mystery trip to Argentina
AP - 1 hour, 29 minutes ago

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Gov. Mark Sanford told a newspaper he was in Argentina, not hiking the Appalachian Trail as his staff had told the public to explain his sudden absence. He said he "wanted to do something exotic" to unwind after losing a fight over federal stimulus money.

A snippet of conversation

[scene: Milena and Eli are outside, helmets on, scooters in hand.]

Eli: My mom and dad are rich.
Milena: [sadly] My mom and dad are poor.
Eli: [reaches into pocket, pretends to hand Milena money] Here's some money.
Milena: [happily] Thanks!
Eli: Now you are rich!

[Eli and Milena hop on scooters and scoot around the driveway.]

Worst. Billboard. Ever.

I drove by a billboard like this frequently while in Washington (this isn't my picture - I stole it from somebody), and couldn't help thinking that this message is wrong on so many levels.



First of all, how the heck would more babies stimulate the economy? Are we supposed to use them to feed the hungry? Fuel our vehicles? Call me a cynic, but don't unwanted babies frequently end up as a drain on the economy?

It got me to thinking - if God really wanted to stimulate the economy, wouldn't a more effective approach be to randomly kill 50 or 60 million people? Sure, there would be widespread confusion and chaos for a bit, but it would really allow us to streamline businesses and government (shedding dead weight, as the case would be).

And lastly, if this really was God's approach to stimulate the economy, would they really be dropped down from heaven in convenient four-packs? While it is likely more cost-effective, it seems uncomfortable for the babies, and a bit of a burden on whomever gets the delivery. You'd think God would have thought it through better.

Mix and Match

1. Openly gay teen voted prom queen at LA high school AP - Thu May 28, 11:23 PM ETSent 962 times

   LOS ANGELES - An openly gay teen has been voted prom queen at his Los Angeles high school in a campaign that began as a stunt but ended up spurring discussion on the campus about gender roles and popularity.

Nice. Real nice.

I saw this photo on a friend's Facebook page. I almost slammed my head into the monitor.



There are so many reasons to be disgusted by this photo, yet people think it's cool. I had to refrain from calling them all ignorant racists.

Yes, by all means, let's compare the worst aspect of one of the worst natural disasters in our nation's history with the best aspect of a typical (albeit record) flood. Perfectly fair.

Can't people just be proud of the work they did, instead of having to turn it into racist propaganda?

Brilliant

I just finished Nick Harkaway's debut novel, The Gone-Away World. Absolutely, positively loved it. Make a combination of Tom Robbins, Terry Pratchett, and maybe Mad Max ... no that's not quite right. Or maybe it is. Doesn't matter.

It was funny, bizarre, engrossing and highly entertaining. Scooter - put this book on your to-read list and let me know what you think. Larry - stop reading work-related books and try this. You'll probably hate me for recommending it to you, but that's what I'm here for.

This blog isn't dead! Wow!

I can think of no place better to report one of the most significant and important things I've read. Possibly ever. New York Knickerbocker forward Wilson Chandler recorded an NBA first. Yes, he did something spectacular and singular which has never been done before in the long, storied history of the NBA:

Wilson Chandler, who scored 32 points in the Knicks' rout of the Raptors on Friday, was held to two points in 24 minutes in the Raptors' victory on Sunday. It was the first time in NBA history that a player scored as few as two points in 15 minutes or more of playing time in the second game of a home-and-home series after scoring at least 30 points in the previous game.

I had always dreamed that a Timberwolf would set that record. Damnitallanyway.

Mix and Match

Cheney warns of new attacks

Politico - Wed Feb 4, 5:56 AM ET Former Vice President Dick Cheney warned that there is a “high probability” that terrorists will attempt a catastrophic nuclear or biological attack in coming years, and said he fears the Obama administration’s policies will make it more likely the attempt will succeed.

No investigation needed

I think the NTSB can quite easily arrive at the cause of this plane crash, judging by the two news items CNN.com has right next to each other:

• WSB: Small plane crashes in Atlanta front yard
• iReport.com: Many Atlanta gas stations empty

The Question of the Day

Is Sarah Palin a bad VP candidate, or is she the worst VP candidate ever?

Now, I fully admit that I am not the target demographic they were going after with her selection, however, some things strike me as odd:

1. The McCain camp has taken their ability to attack Obama's inexperience off the table. How do you criticize Obama for being under qualified when your Veep has 20 months experience running Alaska, and a frequent qualification given for her leadership skills is that she was point guard on her high school basketball team?
2. If Obama picked a young VP candidate, he could get away with it. But I'm a bit troubled when a 72 year old with cancer in his background selects somebody grossly unqualified to be his running mate.
3. I know that people handle personal issues in different ways, but I can tell you that if I had a four month old with Downs syndrome, and my 17 year old high school senior daughter was pregnant and planning on marrying the baby's father ... well, I imagine that I'd be a little distracted. So are they saying that she doesn't care about her family and it doesn't matter, or that she won't do anything as VP and it doesn't matter?

It just doesn't seem like a good pick to me.

Floral Derangement: A Rock Phillips Adventure

Rock Phillips unlocked the back door of Phillips' Phlowers and stepped into the dimly lit hallway. His graceful movements belied his linebacker physique as he slowly moved towards the office. Turning on lights as he moved through his establishment, Rock noted every detail, preserving them forever with his photographic memory.

Rock advanced to the front of the store and carefully flipped the sign from “Closed” to “Open”. He had gone no more than four steps when suddenly the door opened, accompanied by the jingling of a tiny bell. Rock continued to move away from the door, but his hand went instantly to his back pocket. Without turning, he pulled out an order pad, and spoke to the person walking through the door. “Hello, Vivian. It's been a long time.”

“You haven't lost your touch, Rock,” Vivian DeLaroche purred as she carefully closed the door behind her. She was beautiful, to be sure, but Rock knew from past experiences that her mind was to be admired even more. As Europe's finest nuclear physicist and the world's leading expert on Islamic Fundamentalist terrorist groups, she was sought after by every government.

Rock just wished that he could trust her.

Turning to face her, he examined the woman in his store. Dark hair framed her face, casting shadows on her smooth features. Before he spoke he noticed a slight tightening in her eyes; she was already hiding something from him.

“I never thought I'd see you again, Vivian.”

Rock's eyes found Vivian's, and they faced each other, a thousand unspoken words traveling through their glance. Vivian broke the spell, turning to face out the shop's tinted window. “I need you. I didn't know where else to go.” She sighed, and looked back at him, “I need to get out of the country, without anybody knowing.”

Rock turned and walked behind the counter, straightening his award from the Chamber of Commerce with a deft touch as he passed. “I can't help you, unless you need a floral arrangement. I'm running a special on tulips this week.”

“Please, Rock, I know that this is just a cover. If you don't want to help me because of...” she paused, looking down at her patent leather shoes. Finding some source of resolve, she looked back at Rock with iron in her gaze. “I know that I hurt you in Madrid, but that couldn't be helped. You have to understand that now. The fate of the world was at stake!”

Rock's gaze didn't waver. His eyes remained focused on Vivian's, even as his right hand moved to pick up a pen from the counter. “I just got in a lovely shipment of daisies. They might be just what you need.” His words were even and smooth, and nothing in what he said betrayed the pain in his heart.

“Rock, please. Help me.”

But Rock knew that he couldn't help her. He had quit his post as leader of Team Super Delta, had returned his badge and his gun, and had opened up a flower shop. While some would say that a man with PhD's from Yale, Princeton and Harvard should be doing more with his life, he was happy with flowers.

They never shot back.

Rock pulled out a catalog and carefully flipped to a page. “If you want to tell somebody you're sorry, this bouquet is just the thing. I deliver to local addresses for only $4.99.”

Vivian held his gaze for another moment, searching for some sign that his resolve would weaken, but he was stronger than her. With a soundless shudder she turned back to the door. “Good bye, Rock. I'm sorry that I bothered you.” She exited the store gracefully, followed by the jingling of the door bell.

Rock slowly exhaled, lowering his gaze to the counter top. He allowed his hands to relax, and didn't bother to try and stop their shaking. Letting her go was the hardest thing he had ever done. But it was necessary, if he was going to be able to give up his old life and stay in the flower business. He was done with the past, and would never go back to it.

The ticking bomb in his safe, however, was about to provide a very dramatic counter argument.

Mix and Match

Jolie gives birth to twins, a girl and a boy
AP - Sun Jul 13, 5:18 PM ET

Mix and Match

Ancient feces indicates earlier American origins

By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor Thu Apr 3, 2:08 PM ET

Damn you, Mean Mr. Mustard!

Even though he was not tagged, Mean Mr. Mustard memed. And then he tagged me. So, even though Maya Angelou claims that the meme must not be unbroken, it was. I think.

Anyhoo.

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Pizza Delivery Boy
2. Sandwich Maker
3. Factory Worker
4. Kept Man

B) Four movies I would watch over and over
1. "Lord of the Rings" trilogy
2. Shaun of the Dead
3. Batman Begins
4. Anything with Carrot Top

C) Four places I have lived:
1. North St. Peter, MN
2. South St. Peter, MN
3. On the Hill St. Peter, MN
4. Athens, Greece

Four TV Shows that I watch:
1. American Idol (Tuesday)
2. American Idol (Wednesday)
3. American Idol (Thursday)
4. Saturday Night Live

E) Four places I have been:
1. Rome
2. London
3. Madrid
4. Paris
(I liked MMM's list, so I'm keeping it.)

F) People who email me (somewhat frequently):
1. Scooter
2. Ming
3. Larry (though he's slacking lately) (of course, so am I)
4. Tall Brad (ditto)

G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Stir-fry made by Michelle
2. Pasta made by Michelle
3. Eggs made by Michelle
4. Caramel Corn

H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Four feet to the right.
2. Three feet to the left.
3. Ten feet down.
4. New Zealand

I) Things I am looking forward to this year:
1. Mastering Dance Dance Revolution on my WII
2. Being able to go outside
3. Going to Germany and Italy
4. Michelle making me food

OK, that sucked. Anyway, I'll tag Annie, the Big Tree and Wil Wheaton (since we're really tight).

Yippee!

Good news from Middle Earth.

Noooooooooooo!

Shit.

Good, Clean Fun

Can you guess which person doesn't find this picture hilarious?

(Hint: He only has one hand!)

Three Years Later...

John Kerry finally grows a pair.

Would have been nice to see this side of Kerry when it actually would have mattered.

Not Politics

Just go play at FreeRice.com, expand your vocabulary and help address world hunger.