Generation Wars: Boomer-Fatigue or Gerascophobia?

Wait, so this is an article claiming that the real problem isn't that Boomers dominate our culture, but is in fact the idea that youth rules and older people should move aside to make way for younger generation­s? Um, hello, Boomers? Do you remember who pioneered that idea? What generation pushed an obsession with youth culture to the forefront? Don't trust anyone over 30? That's right, this is your invention, too. The fact that you now sometimes feel marginaliz­ed by society is just another example of your generation­'s cultural dominance. So, don't get so exasperate­d by the cult of youth. It's your cult, after all. You even set the age limits. Don't blame the 20-somethi­ngs for trying to maintain your standards just because you've grown beyond them. After all, I wouldn't want to go back to being 25, would you? Let them have their fun. Meanwhile, we can all appreciate the fact that Boomers are in fact still contributi­ng to culture in ways that we didn't see "senior citizens" doing 30 or so years ago.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

In the Beginning(s): Appreciating the Complexity of the Bible

For me, if the Bible doesn't contain answers, I just don't see the point. A person can read the Bible (as I currently am) to learn about the culture that created it, but certainly the Bible is in no way "required reading" to unlock a deeper understand­ing of life. As far as inspiring questions goes, I can think up plenty of questions on my own. I can then turn to the universe around me and look for evidence that answers my questions. When science responds to my queries with something like "we don't know that yet," I can accept that uncertaint­y in my life.

I think that, if left alone, most nonbelieve­rs would react to the Bible much like I now do, with a detached sort of interest, much like the way most people react to Greek mythology. The reason issues of Biblical inerrancy inspire such strong feelings in nonbelieve­rs is that we KNOW the Bible is inconsiste­nt, but we are forced to fight political battles with people who insist that it is not, and that we should all be living by its precepts. Usually, said battle is held with a person who has never actually read the text, and is only selectivel­y quoting parts of it that support their preconceiv­ed notions. I honestly don't care what my neighbor chooses to believe, as far as religion is concerned. I only debate religion when a person is "voting their conscience­" based on a flawed interpreta­tion of a 2000 year old book.
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Not a Family Value: Calling Victims "Accusers"

Maybe you thought Conservatives had hit a new low with their attempted redefinition of rape to exclude statutory rape, rape that involves incapacitating a victim with substances, or the rape of the mentally impaired. Maybe you thought the fact that they withdrew that particular amendment meant that Conservatives as a whole had learned something about rape and just how seriously most women take it. Well, if you thought those things, you may want to sit down before you read this blog post about GA Republican State Rep. Bobby Franklin and his plan to redefine victims of rape, stalking, and domestic violence as "accusers."

I have to go on record as saying that this absolutely blows my mind. This man has taken a look at all the problems facing our nation and his state. He has decided that ultimately, the best way for him to serve his constituents and solve their problems is to stop letting people who have been raped be referred to as "victims" in court. As Mr. Desmond points out, State Rep. Franklin must know that rapes, as well as domestic violence crimes, are generally committed by men against women. Somehow, he feels that it is unfair for the man who is accused of a crime such as rape if the person who has been raped is allowed to be classified a victim.

There does not appear to be any provision in the bill to determine whether or not there is evidence of a physical crime before a person's "victim" status is revoked. In other words, a woman could come to the hospital bloody, beaten, and sustaining the vaginal tearing that is a hallmark of rape, and despite all these obvious signs of abuse, she would not be allowed to be referred to as a victim. It would be as if nothing had happened to her, and she had made the whole thing up, which surely is what the rapists and abusers of the world would like us to believe. Never mind the fact that a man who had his wallet snatched in the subway is still allowed to be referred to as a victim. In the mind of Republican Bobby Franklin, that man is a real victim who has had a real crime committed against him, whether the perpetrator is ever found or not.

This law is just one more way to redefine rape and violence committed against women in an attempt to redefine women. If women who have been beaten by their husband are not victims, then their husbands are not criminals. If your husband isn't committing a crime when he beats you, then you are not a person with equal rights under the law, you are a piece of property. Women were property in the Western world until relatively recently, and they are still property in many parts of the world today. If any woman feels that her personhood is not under attack in America today, she should take a good hard look at elected Republican officials like Bobby Franklin.

Not a Family Value: The "War on Christmas"

Christmas is not my favorite holiday. Growing up, I liked the idea of Christmas, but I usually dreaded the actual event, which usually included long car rides, family bickering, and visits to relatives who did not actually like all the members of my immediate family. My husband, however, loves Christmas, as do my children, so I have learned to love the holiday more as an adult.

Since my feelings about Christmas are already somewhat mixed, especially being a non-religious person, it's no surprise that I would also have strong, but mixed, feelings about the "War on Christmas" debate that frequently rages around this time of year. I usually see two different complaints about Christmas, which can be summed up as follows:

Complaint 1: Christmas is too commercial

This argument is one that I remember from my own childhood. It is frequently accompanied by laments that Christmas decorations appear earlier and earlier ever year. I have to say that I can sympathize with people who feel this way. As young parents, we were frequently caught up in the desire to make a big, impressive pile of presents under the tree for our daughter. We now wish we hadn't set such high standards for the holiday, as the current economy has taught us the importance of our non-material possessions. I was proud this year to see that while my kids had wish lists for Santa, they were relatively short. Overall, though, I'm a fan of Christmas commercialization. I like hearing the music and seeing the decorations in stores. I like the tinsel on the streetlights in my town. We're going to Disney the week before Christmas just to get our fill of twinkly lights. I can only imagine what this focus on glitz must feel like to a person who just wants to quietly commemorate the birth of their personal savior. This brings me to the second complaint:

Complaint 2: Everyone has forgotten the reason for the season

I'll just set aside for a moment the fact that pagans of all kinds were celebrating the winter solstice long before monotheism had been invented. In America, Christianity dominates, and many people feel it is only fair that Christians be catered to with Christmas displays in every store. What amazes me, though, is the way that people fail to see how this leads us directly back to Complaint 1. If you want every person you see this month to wish you a Merry Christmas, whether they share your belief in God, Jesus, and the Bible or not, then you are indeed contributing to the secularization of Christmas. Not everyone you see is a Christian, so if you want them to share your holiday with you, they are going to dilute it. Christmas can either be a holiday that Christians celebrate simply and devoutly, or it can be a holiday that all Americans share, regardless of belief, in our typical consumeristic excess. Indeed, it can even be one of these things at your house and the other at my house. It cannot, however, be both of these things at the same time all over the country.

When someone says "happy holidays," chances are they are not trying to wage war on anyone. They simply want to celebrate this festive time as humans have done for thousands of years, and they want to do it without any particular religious overtones. If you want to insist that they pretend to be religious, most Americans will acquiesce out of simple politeness. After all, they certainly don't want anyone to start "witnessing" to them in the middle of the mall. It's easier to give the kids "Christmas" presents than to explain to everyone why you do your gift exchanging about three days too soon every year. But maybe it's time for religious America to make up their collective mind about this holiday. Do you want to keep Christ in Christmas, or do you want to keep Christmas holy and let everyone else have their "holidays?"

Economist Defends Photoshopping Obama Cover (PHOTOS)

I wouldn't say I'm "outraged," but I have to side with Reuters and say that the photoshopping that was done changes the meaning of the image. In the original, it is obvious that Obama and Randolph are engaged in a conversation. She is tilted up toward him, and he is looking down toward her. His pose is one of someone listening intently. Without this context, we are left with a picture where Obama looks "contemplative," as CarterR99 said, but this wasn't actually the case. This is editorializing, not reporting.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Mike Huckabee 'Ick Factor' Comments Slammed By Gay Rights Groups

"We can get into the ick factor?" It's like he's begging to talk about it. I actually think it would have been better if he had said "I won't go into the ick factor," because that at least would have been consistent. As it is, it almost sounds like he's begging someone to ask him about where the pee-pees go when gay men do what mommies and daddies do in their bedrooms. Latent tendencies, much?
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Faisal Shahzad Arrest: Beck Versus McCain On Miranda Rights For Times Square Suspect (VIDEO)

I may choke on these words, but I have to say them: "I'm with Glenn Beck on this one." To think that I would even have to make a political statement of my support for mirandizing an American citizen just shows how far some elements in our society have sunk. The best support they can come up with for their position is "but still?" But still what? This is America. Americans have rights even if they don't deserve them, including the right to be considered innocent until proven guilty. Reading this man his miranda rights should in no way bar us from finding him guilty. Our justice system may have flaws, but are we saying that it doesn't work? If we ignore his Constitutional rights, we only open ourselves to letting this guy off on a technicality. Why take that risk?
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost