Oy Cretumbro!
Dec. 22nd, 2006 03:32 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rain_gryphonI'm bemused by all the people having a fit because this Moslem congressman wants to be sworn in on the Koran. The reason they have to publicly swear to do an honest job isn't because of "tradition". It's because congressmen are assumed to be congenitally dishonest, and anything the people have to hold over them, whether it's the prospect of prison or the prospect of Hell, is all to the good. You want the guy swearing on whatever he believes in, not what everybody else believes in.
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Many of the articles about Niyazov manage to mention that his people couldn't get a driver's license without passing a test to show that they'd memorized his book of homilies. Admittedly, that's a stupid requirement, but none of the articles really seem to be drawing the obvious parallel with American requirements that teenagers fulfil sundry socially-conscious agendae before getting their licenses. One's no stupider than the other.
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The more I see of it, the more interesting the Wii looks. I like the idea that you can use the controller as a bat, club, etc., to play games. That looks like fun. I may end up getting one of those.
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The old Norelco commercial, where Santa rides in a shaver head. This is the one that always used to play during "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".
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The solar wind leads the sunspot cycle by about six years, and can be used to predict the strength of the next cycle.
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Who among us hasn't reflected on how cool it would be if a Jacob's Ladder could be made to shoot out fireballs?
The Spark Museum. Lots of lovely old electrical stuff.
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You know you must be in Columbus when even local houses of worship lead off their web page with articles about how OSU is going to kick Florida's ass. :P
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Many of the articles about Niyazov manage to mention that his people couldn't get a driver's license without passing a test to show that they'd memorized his book of homilies. Admittedly, that's a stupid requirement, but none of the articles really seem to be drawing the obvious parallel with American requirements that teenagers fulfil sundry socially-conscious agendae before getting their licenses. One's no stupider than the other.
*****
The more I see of it, the more interesting the Wii looks. I like the idea that you can use the controller as a bat, club, etc., to play games. That looks like fun. I may end up getting one of those.
*****
The old Norelco commercial, where Santa rides in a shaver head. This is the one that always used to play during "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".
*****
The solar wind leads the sunspot cycle by about six years, and can be used to predict the strength of the next cycle.
*****
Who among us hasn't reflected on how cool it would be if a Jacob's Ladder could be made to shoot out fireballs?
The Spark Museum. Lots of lovely old electrical stuff.
*****
You know you must be in Columbus when even local houses of worship lead off their web page with articles about how OSU is going to kick Florida's ass. :P
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no subject
Date: 2006-12-22 12:31 pm (UTC)Actually, I have to kinda disagree. I think it's more tradition than anything else. After all, how many congressman who are sworn in on the Bible actually believe what's written inside? I wouldn't be surprised if some of them hadn't even read it.
The thing people should focus in on isn't what object he demands he be sworn in with, but that he refuses to perform his duties in the same manner as generations of congressman before him have, even if it's no more than a ritualistic dog and pony show. That alone should show people exactly what kind of congressman they've elected, and in what manner he's going to serve the people. That being... not at all.
Frankly, and speaking as a Christian myself (albeit a poor one), if they really wanted to be "fair" about the whole thing they should make them swear on a folded American flag. After all, it's technically not God they're held accountable to. It's us Americans.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-22 07:42 pm (UTC)This is my point. These aren't trustworthy people. I'm not saying he's automatically going to do an honest job because he swore on the Koran, any more than I'd trust a regular congressman to do an honest job because he swore on the Bible. Every little bit of possible leverage helps, though. That's why we make them swear.
If it were just symbolic, then I'd agree that the flag and the Constitution would be the things to swear on. Those, however, are oaths that will bind only honest and patriotic men.
no subject
Date: 2006-12-22 01:43 pm (UTC)Get a WIIiiii.....get a wiiiiiiiiii....
no subject
Date: 2006-12-22 07:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-22 02:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-22 07:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-12-22 10:42 pm (UTC)There's a big difference between "[solar activity cycle 24] looks like its going to be one of the most intense cycles since record-keeping began almost 400 years ago", and what they actually said in their paper: "solar activity cycle 24 will be much higher than average – similar in size to cycles 21 and 22" (ie: just as strong as the two cycles before the current one ending). The first gives the impression that this could be a 1 in 400 year event, whereas it'll actually be nothing out of the ordinary for any adults now living.
Thanks for the link, though. I miss the larger numbers of sunspots I used to see in my youth, and am looking forward to seeing them coming back. :-)
no subject
Date: 2006-12-26 07:25 pm (UTC)Let's see, the lottery played the Score, Schembechler died just before the OSU game? (I mean it is a shame that it happened but still). What are the odds of those coincidences PLUS OSU winning again? Ridiculous. God loves the Bucks.
But you just know Bo and Woody were up there smokin cigars and drinkin and watching the game together.