Hymn of the Day

Happy November.

It's a gorgeous day, even if the better part of it was spent raking ALL the leaves ever. "This is boring!" quoth the Deacon.

Have a Hymn.

Ramen, everyone.




(this post brought to you by the night shift)

Sermon: Oklahoma is O.Krazy!

So, in direct violation of HIPAA laws, Oklahoma has introduced legislation that would require abortion providers to make public the following information.

1. Date of abortion
2. County in which abortion performed
3. Age of mother
4. Marital status of mother
(married, divorced, separated, widowed, or never married)
5. Race of mother
6. Years of education of mother
(specify highest year completed)
7. State or foreign country of residence of mother
8. Total number of previous pregnancies of the mother
Live Births
Miscarriages
Induced Abortions.

Now, make any argument for or against abortion that you'd like but releasing that information is a violation of civil liberties and basic human decency. I understand the point of it. Releasing it makes abortion a less attractive option; this is simply a deterrent to prevent abortions.

Now, I think that it should be the aim of all sides of the abortion issue to reduce the number of abortions performed down to 0. The difference is that the radicals of the anti-abortion crowd thinks the best way to do it is by punishing those that get abortion. Not a productive strategy.

So what's the better option? There's always adoption. But Oklahoma doesn't seem to want to promote that option. If they did, they might fight to reduce the cost of adoption, which can range from $5,000 to $50,000. Or perhaps provide better funding to adoptive and foster homes.

We can all agree that the abortion issue is a tough one. But there's no one strategy that is going to make either side happy. Will Oklahoma reduce the number of abortions by following through with this plan? I could see a handful of women opting to go to another state, or possibly choosing adoption to avoid this public shaming, but I sincerely doubt it will have a serious impact on the number of abortions performed in the state. This is not the answer.

Thus ends your sermon for the week.
Please rise for the Hymn.



The Freakin' Deacon

They were threatening castration...

Fucking Nazis.

Poland has approved forcible castrations for pedophiles and other sexual assailants.

Honestly, my initial reaction was "why chemical castration? Lets string them up by their sexual organs (internal or otherwise)." I mean we should take all steps necessary to protect people from being trespassed upon in the most private way possible -- especially those that cannot protect themselves. And that's what the bill is aimed at. And laws like this are concurrent with the American government's view on sexual material containing children: one of the reasons for the zero-tolerance approach to fighting child pornography (other than the obvious need to protect children from becoming victims of such heinous things) is because child-pornography (more than any other type of pornography) encourages sexual crimes. What better way to discourage crime than to simply remove the urge to commit the crime?

Sometimes, I'll get poo-poo'd on when I bring up the purpose of our corrections department. However, the original intent in the United States was to rehabilitate criminals. Now, I'll absolutely concede that we have moved away from that, and we now use it as a tool to defer, and more commonly to punish. But if we take the stated view of prison as the reason for sentencing people (that we are to rehabilitate rather than exploit), this type of legislation would fly in the face of our stated goals.

But that's not why I would oppose such legislation here in America. It may just be my jaded view, but I know that we would castrate the wrong people. In America, children can be charged with statutory rape if there is a greater than 2 year difference between those engaging in sex. While I don't think a 17 year old should be sleeping with a 15 year old, I don't think the term rape should apply. I'd say the same thing about an 18 year old sleeping with a 16 or 17 year old.

Now, there's no indication that Poland tends to use the forced castration in this manner, but you couldn't convince me that the American justice system can be trusted to use this option correctly in all circumstances. We have not shown the greatest restraint or reason with extreme punishments in the past.

This news hits the same week that we've been confronted with Mackenzie Phillips' allegations of incest -- the most egregious form of sexual assault and a violation of trust. As sick as sexual assault in all of its forms is to me, incest is one of two crimes that just makes me hate humanity (the other being child-rape). And being forced to confront these evil things does not make my opposition to the Polish legislation any easier...Hell, one of the most egregious crimes from Poland's recent past was committed by the sick and deranged Josef Fritzl. But no matter how rape and incest make us feel, it is important to note the damage that castration (even of the chemical kind) can do. Although we have learned that we can reverse some of the effects of chemical castration, there is no guarantee that a reversal of the procedure can be achieved -- and more importantly, in some rare cases, it is possible to be more physically aroused after being castrated. Does that really fix the problem?

Are we gonna split hairs here?

The Freakin' Deacon

Please rise for the hymn of the day.

What's Happening Now? Dance Party Edition

Not much needs to be said about this video. Watching people dance just generally makes me incredibly happy. We need more dancing, choreographed or not. Although the idea of "spontaneous" public dancing needs to be done more.



Put on your dancing shoes kiddos.

Refocusing and Re-energizing and hymn of the day

The above phrase is something that has become somewhat of a mantra for me. I think there's certain things that some people need to take the time to learn again. I'm currently learning that this is something I need to do as a father as well as someone looking for a job (cross your fingers for me, would you please?).

I figure this would be a good thing for me to do as a blogger as well. We just haven't been getting the updates as frequently as I'd like. So I'm hoping to blog it out once a week.

So in keeping with the Church theme, I'm going to try and focus on updating on Sundays. It would mean only one update a week, but honestly, that's more than we've been known to update. So now that the blog is over a year old, and we have a small gathering, I'd like to turn things around a little.

As for Science, Ian, and the other contributors, they can update as they wish, but I really hope to build the blog's readership.

I'd also like to take the time to re-post the very first posting we had here. I guess it's the closest thing we have to a mission statement, and it's something that I'm kind of proud of as it really sums up what we're all about. We're not a church that promotes one way of worship, but all ways of worship.

The First Church of Reason:

Welcome to our Church. We are a collection of Agnostics, Atheists, and Theists of all kinds. Our mission is simple: we want to create a new way of worship that exercises reason and praises beauty. We celebrate music, art, literature, film, culture, society, faith, history, honor, friendship, love, family and many other things of this and other worlds. This blog will be used as a place where we can openly and publicly celebrate these ideals, and show when they are being trespassed upon. Thanks for looking, and Welcome to the Church of What's Happening Now.

We're a Winner!

Hymn of the Day

There has been no mention of Iran here. I really didn't know how to communicate my feelings on this. But this is just the most egregious thing I have learned about the post-election demonstrations. Apparently the imperial royal guard has charged the family of a dead protester a bullet fee.

This is a very old practice that has a lot of meaning. I'm not a History professor, so you're gonna have to either trust me, google it, or learn symbolism. But this is something that has only been done by the worst guys (well, maybe not the worst guy).

I'm not going to proselytize, but I would like to offer my thoughts to the Iranian people -- people that are fighting and dying for something many in the United States take for granted, or just ignore.

Thomas Paine would wring Beck's neck!

just...ugh

The two-party problem

Many of my friends and family members know I'm yearning for a Republican candidate I can vote for. The closest I have come to voting for the big R was in 2008 with John McCain, and frankly that wasn't even close. Social conservatives and neo-cons have made the Republican pretty toxic.

It's not that I hate the Democratic party, but I am on the other side of the aisle when it comes to government size and spending. Of course the problem with this line of thinking is that Karl Rove and GWB's vision of a small government isn't much different than Barack Obama and Bill Clinton's vision of a large government; the spending is pretty close to being the same in non-stimulus years (a product of an administration drunk on essence of money-juice). So the proper response to all of those crazy problems we had to deal with in the wake of incredible fiscal irresponsibility (especially in the view of a Democrat) was to spend our way out of it, something I was begrudgingly on board with (given the size and scope of the problem, we had to do something, and damned if I knew what it was). And we're all familiar with the conservative refrain: Obama=Socialist.

Uncle Sam wants you driving one of his cars, writing checks at one of his banks, and using his health insurance. Are we saving the economy or headed toward socialism?

Now that's silly. The government trying to protect American wealth and conserve jobs is not socialism, especially given that these specific reactions were to very unique problems. If anything, this environment is closer to Corporatism than anything resembling socialism. But when I was lurking around the lefty blogs, this was a response offered by Liberal blogger John Amoto of crooksandliars.com (as well as the response given to anything even remotely bad that a democrat has done lately)

I'd like to remind Chris Wallace that Uncle Sam under George Bush gave us terrorist attacks, two wars, torture, illegal wiretapping, a stock market crash and almost destroyed the world's global financial markets and much much more in eight years. I could think of many more, but you get the idea.

Now, I'm certainly no GWB fan, but this cannot be the response to each and every hiccup this administration faces. It makes me angry that people think this is an answer to anything that is happening today. I mean (I know it's a long-shot, but,) what happens if in 2012, we all agree that Barack Obama is the worst president ever? No discussion, we just know, Obama is the worst president ever. What happens then? Is the answer still going to be "well it's GWB's fault!" That's just stupid, and it helps nothing.

EDIT::: To be clear, there are several Republicans I would -- and even a scant few that I have -- voted for, I meant for President. Sorry for the confusion.

Happy Birthday, Freakin' Deacon!!!

For my ever-lovin' husband. I love you more than words can describe. Have a fantastic birthday, baby!

Not dangerous....Not at all.

The Grim Weeper (aka Glenn Beck) is back. I can only hope this is some sort of Andy Kaufman type gimmick. Chances of that are not so good.

Gun sales are going up through the roof.

And let me tell you something, I really truly believe the reason why — a lot of Americans aren’t paying attention to this — is because they…does anybody remember the poem, you know, first they came for the Jews and I didn’t stand up because I wasn’t a Jew? Do you know that — from Germany?

In the end, I think this is the problem. First, they came for the banks. I wasn’t a banker. I didn’t really care. I didn’t stand up and say anything.

Then they came for the AIG executives. Then they came for the car companies — and I didn’t say anything.

Until it gets down to you — most people don’t see they are coming for you at some point. You’re on the list. Everybody’s on the list.

I'm not reading between the lines. He is explicitly telling people to take up arms to stop a phantom facio-Marxist regime from coming after them. I don't know if I should laugh or cry. If you have seen his website or forums, you know he has the fan base that are predisposed to buying into this silliness.

In honor of the NFL Draft weekend...

I love this weekend. It's almost like a fresh start, but it never lives up to what we're told it should be. It's just a lot of fun to have the idea that all of these kids can take your team to the Super Bowl, even though it's about 50/50 that the kids make an impact the year they are drafted.

Given the importance of the weekend, I'd like to do my own little mock draft.

1.) With the first pick of the 2009 COWHN draft, the Church of Scientology takes: The talking Donkey from the book of Numbers. This pick is easy to understand. A talking donkey? What would get the kids involved in the movement of Scientology more than that? But that's beside the point, this Donkey has a higher Thetan level than even John Travolta's boyfriend (allegedly).













2.) With the second overall pick of the 2009 COWHN draft, The Church Of What's Happening Now selects: Job! After hearing about his hardships, the Church of What's Happening Now decided to give this man of God a good home after a rough season. Why is he always picked on? I don't get it. Boils? Really? Boils? Man, that's rough. Besides, his illusions are amazing (tricks are what a whore does for money).







3.) The third pick in the COWHN draft belonged to the Catholics but in a surprise move, they traded down (although terms of the deal are sketchy, apparently the Catholic Church recieved Martin Luther so he could end his career where it started), although they really could have used a good offensive lineman, the Pope made the trade saying "We don't believe in protection." (Waka Waka!!!)











3.) The third pick in the draft goes to the Westboro Baptist Church, and they select: Jesus Christ. But like John Elway and Eli Manning before him, Jesus refuses to join the team. "Apparently these Assholes weren't paying attention to anything I had to say. These guys are fucking nuts!" Jesus told ESPN (through ESP).











There you have it the top 3 picks of the 2009 Church of What's Happening Now draft.

For the real 100th post, I provide you with this gift

I can no longer live the lie. I have seen the light some time ago, and Xenu be damned, I can't keep it to myself anymore. The truth is here!

Now, I'm not suggesting you read the whole thing at once. To do so would leave you a quivering mass in your own filth (THAT DOESN'T EVEN EXIST!!!!), your puny human brain simply could not fathom the great truth revealed within.

Human beings were created (that is, invented) via genetic experiments that were conducted by reptilian aliens. These reptilian aliens, also known
as the "Anunnaki" or the "Reptilians," still rule the Earth to this day...Ironically enough, however--and this is indeed one huge irony--by you worshipping science and thinking that it will lead you to the truth, you are actually preventing the Reptilians from ever being exposed. This is because the Reptilians are the very ones who created science. Therefore, you cannot use science against them in order to expose them; that would be nonsensical. In fact, science already has safeguards against this kind of stuff (i.e., according to science, despite all of the evidence to the contrary, aliens do not exist).

There. Flawless Logic. Space Logic, even; Dawkins eat your heart out.

Not to mention:

It is indeed tragic that men cannot satisfy their sexual needs without also getting trapped in a relationship at the same time (otherwise, they will be accused of rape, since non-relationship consensual sex does not exist on Earth, due to the aforementioned programming of women). Demonic enslavement traps such as this are the standard modus operandi of the Reptilians and Darkness. Now, just imagine if you had to buy an entire pizza restaurant just to order a pizza; an evil absurdity indeed.

Another thing that makes women insufferable is the fact that they are, essentially, babies. That is, they possess the emotional maturity of a 4-year-old boy. Women cry, throw fits, and need men to take care of them. Um, adults shouldn't need someone else to take care of them.

Is this really news to anyone? Honestly!

So you say to yourself, okay, I see the light. No. Wrong. I laugh at how foolishly wrong you are thusly: HA!

For you see, you have yet to discover Time Cube. But I'll save my write-up for that when are ready. Choose your path Neo. Choose your path...

Tumblr

Don't really know much about these tumblr thingies, but I thought I'd give it a shot.

http://inscienceandcatgames.tumblr.com/

Anyone else know much about this? I don't always have my finger on the pulse of the web.

Crushing Your Enemies, Seeing Them Driven Before You, and Hearing the Lamentations of the Executives

So, during my thrice daily online news roundup (Drudge Report, the Huffington Post, International Herald Tribune, BBC, heck sometimes Al Jazera) I came upon an article that piqued my interest.

Much of the these initial stages of the Obama Administration have been spent just cleaning up the mess of the last eight years. That is, getting the government back to work I suppose, not to mention the vast majority of time spent hiring and firing and deliberating on who works for the government, who works for the people, and who had an agenda contrary to democracy. Gotta love those slow creaky gears of the republic eh? You can practically hear Rahm Emanuel spreading grease.

But, many think (myself included at times), that Barack Obama will end up being less of a progressive, than the moderate-if not somewhat comprising, figure...closer to Clinton the triangulator than say FDR or even Eisenhower (come on, he really defended the New Deal from his own Party).

For instance, Obama reduced the real life issue of revisiting the country's Marajuana Laws to a joke, a jest, a media friendly chuckle. In this case the question was worded poorly. It asked, in part, that wouldn't the legalization of marajuana be a an economic boon to the lagging U.S. economy.

First, the step needed to correct the long lost War on Drugs is decriminalization. This question also overlooks the obvious. How much money has been and continues to be wasted on the loosing war? How much is spent criminalizing whole swathes of the American public and incarcerating them? How much money can be spent to protect people from a plant? Whatever, I am getting too far from the article.

So, my concern is that Barack Obama is too much a moderate, unwilling or unable to correct the multitudes of errors made this past century. Daunting task? You betcha. But then i read this article, linked via the Huffington Post.

Ok, so what if Obama doesn't posture like the macho cowboy or bang his fist on the bully pulpit. The real deal of politics is what goes on behind the scenes. If this is
any indication, we have a lot to look forward to.

Hymn of true love

I've been on a huge Magic Numbers kick again.
This is one of those songs that just explains it, there's only so many words that you can throw together and have it make sense, but this is a perfect example of how it can be done. And as far as love songs go, it's up there with "Buckets of Rain" by Bob Dylan.

As well as the faithful readers of this blog, this is dedicated to the love of my life, Science (the person, not the methodological study of the world).

Just doing the Lord's work...

New Chick Tract!!!

So many gems in this Tract:
- Bulimia
- Characature of Pope Ratzi
- Apparently the Catholoc Church is still selling indulgence
- The above attempt at connecting with the hip crowd
- The bashing with a broad stick of all religion
- And keep an eye out for what I think is Stone Cold Steve Austin!

Judge Judy and Executioner

I'm not a big fan of Judge Judy -- of course I'm not a fan of TV judges in general -- But I find Judge Judy in particular to be shrill, annoying, and off-putting. But this piece was brought to my attention by an old friend from high school (thanks Katy). Larry King brings up Prop 8, and Judy Sheindlin offers a brief and stirring call for common sense (and yes, I get it, Judge Judy is not what I would call the summit of rationality, but this was quite a moving message from her). Plus if you don't like Judy or Larry King, you might like Larry King telling Judy that she'll "never make it" to 2013.

On to the vid:

Shep Smith On the Verge of Going Beale

Here's a bit of fun from Shep Smith of Fox News.
Personally I've had less beef with Smith, he seems less of a tool I guess.
I've always wondered whether a FOX News pundit, pinhead, whatever would go ballistic on air. Of course, this isn't him loosing it, but I wonder whether his personal pride had been insulted by the FOX News handjob handed to Glenn Beck and his inane idiocy, his lowest common denominator appeal. Seriously, Glenn Beck is a wackjob who needs to have his comeuppance.




I'm looking forward to Shep Smith cracking (maybe), to let the freaky truth spill from his forked tongue, a la Howard Beale.





Think about it.

Two Buck Chuck

Ah Charles Shaw, better known as Two Buck Chuck-really just Franzia, one of the cheapest wine drunks this side of Carlo Rossi. It's not really a Napa wine, but hey who's really fooled by that anyway.

This is one of the best adds I've seen in a long time.



Enjoy kiddies, enjoy irresponsibly-otherwise buy something better.

Never trust a man named Bobby Jindal

Hate to kick a man when he's down...

What a guy
FD

Poem of the Day

Bridal Shower

by George Bilgere

Perhaps, in a distant café,
four or five people are talking
with the four or five people
who are chatting on their cell phones this morning
in my favorite café.

And perhaps someone there,
someone like me, is watching them as they frown,
or smile, or shrug
at their invisible friends or lovers,
jabbing the air for emphasis.

And, like me, he misses the old days,
when talking to yourself
meant you were crazy,
back when being crazy was a big deal,
not just an acronym
or something you could take a pill for.

I liked it
when people who were talking to themselves
might actually have been talking to God
or an angel.
You respected people like that.

You didn't want to kill them,
as I want to kill the woman at the next table
with the little blue light on her ear
who has been telling the emptiness in front of her
about her daughter's bridal shower
in astonishing detail
for the past thirty minutes.

O person like me,
phoneless in your distant café,
I wish we could meet to discuss this,
and perhaps you would help me
murder this woman on her cell phone,

after which we could have a cup of coffee,
maybe a bagel, and talk to each other,
face to face.

"Bridal Shower" by George Bilgere.

Crazy Eye Beck

I never watch Colbert and The Daily Show anymore. It used to be such a ritual but it's getting to the point where I'm lucky if I see an episode a week...That has to change! Here's why:

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Truth From the Gut

Colbert Report Full Episodes
Political Humor

Joke of the Day
Stand-Up Comedy

For the Cat/Ninja lovers

This is quite entertaining, and also will help my husband get to the ACTUAL 100th post he so desperately wants.

Edit: POSSIBILIANS Unite!

After a week and then some of work-free existence, I was finally able to once again catch an episode of "Talk of the Nation" during my afternoon commute. The Tuesday, February 19, episode featured author David Eagleman discussing and reading excerpts from his new book "Sum: Forty Tales from the Afterlives." He described himself as a "possibilian," aka someone who believes that ANYTHING is possible.

I would kindly suggest that we have another religion to add to our blog poll. I would also highly recommend perusing the excerpts posted on the TOTN page, if not listening to the episode. It was enjoyable and thought-provoking. Also, it was great to hear some creative and unique takes on what the afterlife will consist of. Personally, I'm voting for that mystical moment between wake and sleep, where seconds stretch to infinity. As long as little girls don't creep up next to my bed while I'm there. (I'm looking at you, Madison!!)

Response to the "Off the Hook" GOP "Urban Campaign" or "Last Ditch at Relevance" or "Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures"

I'm out of quotation marks. Words cannot express the hilarity of GOP's...insert word, ah-impotence comes to mind, but really fails to capture the sad humor or the sheer ridiculousness of the whole idea of hip, urban, multi-ethnic?, conservative appeal.

Can the GOP make improvements in the 2010 midterm elections? No. Not at this rate.

Do I look forward to seeing Conservative Republicans working the street angle? Selling their crusty, crotchety agenda as something that is "dope"?

You down with GOP / Happy Birthday Alex

First of all, Happy Birthday Alex! Hope it's a good one! As a gift to you, I offer this excellent news via Central News Network.

"Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele says his party is going to launch an "off the hook" public relations campaign that will update the GOP’s image by translating it to "urban-suburban hip-hop settings."...Asked whether that meant cutting-edge tactics, Steele demurred. “I don't do 'cutting-edge,’" he said. "That's what Democrats are doing. We're going beyond cutting-edge.

Do you know how hard it is to rhyme with Gingrich? Seriously, do they think this is going to work? What will Rush Say? This is the party that many pundits predict can't turn it around before 2012 (for the record I'm not one of them, this party will be here for awhile, but what with Bush the Failure and his neo-con brood, and Palin looking to be the answer to Barack Obama, I can see where there is cause for concern). This is how they are going to reinvent themselves?

Sweet, thanks Mix Master Steele.

MC Rove, please express your agreement with an awkward, urban break dancing move



Get your Popcorn ready. This should be fun.

EDIT: One more reason this is a bad idea...

EDIT: Not the 100th post! Still No content!!!

Yep, this ones for me. If you don't know David, you should!
Here's Christian Bale taking this kid to task...He probably deserved it.

Why we need same-sex marriage

I have homework to do and then it's off to brunch with my children (who got nothing but glowing reviews from their teachers). But I had to take some time to type something up about this.

As her partner of 17 years slipped into a coma, Janice Langbehn pleaded with doctors and anyone who would listen to let her into the woman's hospital room.

Eight anguishing hours passed before Langbehn would be allowed into Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center. By then, she could only say her final farewell as a priest performed the last rites on 39-year-old Lisa Marie Pond.

I think of all the gay couples I know and am saddened that this could happen to any of them because they're not married (and because the Government thinks it knows best when it comes to love). You know, I'm sure the hospital was just following it's rules set in place to protect privacy or some such, but this is ridiculous. I can't help but think it might have been easier for a straight man to get in to see his dying girlfriend of 17 years (although this is just speculation).

Bill O'Reilly vs. Christian Bale: Totally NSFW

Glenn Beck's magical underwear is cutting off his cicrulation

The night after Glenn Beck called Obama a Socialist (I won't embed the video here, because I've gone this far without posting Glenn Beck's face on the blog and I'm not about to start now), he turned his focus to Al Gore. Now if you do not know who Glenn Beck is, he is the poster child for the ideologues of the new conservative party. Every night he turns on his 'gee-shucks' charm and acts like he is a Libertarian pundit (I know Libertarians, he is no Libertarian). He decries liberals as Communists, socialists, (and now a new one) Nazis. Apparently, he isn't familiar with history, or political views, or words. Beck accused Al Gore of creating a Hitler Youth type movement that is taking the form of the Climate Change movement among the young people.

So if you're keeping score at home, Liberals are communists and Nazis.

In 1933, The Gestapo police force went from home to home looking for Jews, gypsies, and homosexuals tearing families apart and killing many, many people. They did this to cleanse society of the slime of society.

Recently Kenneth Starr (yes, THE Ken Starr) filed legal briefing on behalf of the "Yes On 8" folks to invalidate the marriages and forcibly divorce some 18,000 same-sex marriages in the state of California. The leading contributor of the "Yes on 8" campaign was (drumroll)...The Mormon Church!!!! That's right, the Mormon Church that Glenn Beck belongs that funded the "Yes on 8" campaign is looking to tear apart these marriages. So I ask you, who are the Nazis? Those that worry about climate change, or the ones looking to file legal proceedings that would invalidate legal marriages?

I know who I cast my vote for. I for one look forward to a day when two loving people can commit their lives to each other for the betterment of society. I challenge anyone to look at the loving couples in the video below and get me to understand why they shouldn't be allowed to get married.


"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

You! Me! Dancing! @ the Rathskeller.

Tomorrow I will be singing and dancing to pure pop joy. I will drink beer and sing along with any friends that are about, perhaps new ones.

Here's a tune: "Death to Los Campesinos!"

Beers That Are Happening Now

It's that time of year, big black beers for the winter. Beers that warm the cockles of your heart and gullet. Here's some of the Church of What's Happening Now's favorites of late.

Ten Fidy made by Oskar Blues, Lyon Colorado.
This Russian Imperial Stout, in a CAN! is a whopping 10% abv, 98IBUs is one smooth operator. Quite the malt bomb, with malt notes of chocolate, coffee, and some dark fruit. This masks the high level of hops in it, giving it a clean, bitter finish. Your Freakin' Deacon dreams of this beer.


Let's go local.
Lake Louie's Milk Stout, Arena Wisonsn.
Tom Porter brews some of the Church's Favorite beers, may he be blessed by the noodly appendage. This beer is somewhat roasty, befitting a stout, with a creamy smooth lactose sweetness. A wonderful beer for the winter. If you haven't had it on tap you are missing out. A drink of choice for the Church at the High Noon Saloon, most recently during the Ghost Town Council's debut as headliner.


Let's stay local or as Dan Carey would have us do, Drink Indigenous.
New Glarus Coffee Stout, New Glarus Wisconsin.
Much is said about "Drinkability" lately, mostly by the idiots at Budweiser, but New Glarus knows what is all about. This coffee stout uses cold pressed Just Coffee, a local, fair trade coffee roaster, to make this stout. The best part is the abv-at 4.8%, this is a session stout that is somewhat an anomaly, usually reserved for Irish stouts (Guiness). This beer goes down smooth and easy, with notes of roasted coffee, chocolate and cream.


Drink Local.

For my Husband

I love this comic strip. And I think Mason will especially appreciate this entry.

In Honor of Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson's visit to Madison.

As I've said before, I'm a big Neil deGrasse Tyson fan. His visit would be great news for me if it weren't happening the same night my band is playing the High Noon Saloon with The New Mountain Kickers and Shame Train (W00T!!!). I'm not complaining though, and I'd prefer it if you came to see me (nothing personal Dr. Tyson).

Anyways, here's to Dr. Tyson...

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Neil deGrasse Tyson Pt. 1

Daily Show Full Episodes
Funny Political Videos

More Funny Videos
Comedians on Tour

I Like Turtles

Nothing profound here, but the cuteness factor rates pretty high. Plus for all our Portland parishoners, Jenn & Mason, Michelle & Dave, Collin and all the others that I don't know.

Crazy kids in Portland, who knew?

A new day

I refuse to fall into the same mind set of liberal minded folks that believe Obama is the messiah and that he is going to solve all of the world's problems. I do, however, take umbrage with the fierce (and at times froth-mouthed) resentment that Obama has garnered before being sworn in. The weeks following 9/11 Bush's approval were up to around 90%. That means that 90% of this country stopped the petty bickering and rallied behind the leader of this nation. We are at a very important time in America's history, I hope we can see the same kind of unity under an Obama administration. I have my doubts. Rush Limbaugh (and his ilk) calls the whole Obama inauguration the immaculation (a funny choice of words for sure). It's a simple jab at the Obama faithful. But you know, I've never heard Obama say that God hand-picked him for anything. It makes me wonder what Rush thought about Georgie Porgie invoking God (he can't mean literally can he?) for his reasoning to begin an unjust and immoral campaign to kill Iraq dead.

Has the pettiness returned? For sure. But the reasons why are clear. We saw the exit of a President who, while Governor of Texas, Executed developmentally disabled adults, permitted unfettered and unchecked use of wiretaps on a free nation, and showed a callous disregard to threats to American security.

My feelings towards Obama are a little ambiguous. I've read his words, listened to his speeches, and have looked into his voting record, he speaks my language on the political front (mainly that the devisive nature of American discourse slows the political process). However, one clear thing that stands out to me...He's a politician. Whether or not he was the best one for the job at any point in this election cycle, he is still one of the few with power that should not be given to any single person (Berlusconni, I've got my eye on you!!!). All that said, I am glad Obama is #44. There are worse people to have in office than a Constitutional scholar and lawyer. Besides, we should all want the same thing for all presidents: we should hope that they can steer the country in a course that leads us to prosperity, avoid destruction, and create a society that promotes the rights of all, not just the majority.

Thanks for the memories Bush. If nothing else it was terribly, terribly interesting.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year my beloved congregation.