The Movie Golden Compass At Odds With Religion??

Steve's Daemon

I understand this movie, based upon the first book of the trilogy Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (no relation to the Pullman Coach guy), may be banned by the Catholic Church. They believe that the Pullman, an Atheist, is trying to corrupt our youth and turn them into Atheists as well. It’s interesting to note that this trilogy was published in the UK by Scholastic Books For Children and in the US by Random House Books For Children. So who cares more about children or specifically Catholic Children, Pullman or the Church? Here is what Pullman says about religion quoted from his own web site:

“Some of the articles and talks I've written are to do with the subject of religion, which I think is a very interesting one. The religious impulse – which includes the sense of awe and mystery we feel when we look at the universe, the urge to find a meaning and a purpose in our lives, our sense of moral kinship with other human beings – is part of being human, and I value it. I'd be a damn fool not to.

“But organised religion is quite another thing. The trouble is that all too often in human history, churches and priesthoods have set themselves up to rule people's lives in the name of some invisible god (and they're all invisible, because they don't exist) – and done terrible damage. In the name of their god, they have burned, hanged, tortured, maimed, robbed, violated, and enslaved millions of their fellow-creatures, and done so with the happy conviction that they were doing the will of God, and they would go to Heaven for it.

“That is the religion I hate, and I'm happy to be known as its enemy.”

Let's support the 1st Amendment and go see the movie. Read more about Pullman at his web site.

Get your own Daemon at the Golden Compass movie web site.

Free Speech vs Privacy Of Names of Dead Soldiers

There seems to be a controversy between the rights of Vincent Greene's, an Austin artist, and Dan Frazier's, an Arizona T-shirt vendor artistic rights to create and sell -shirts which display the image of President Bush overlaid with the names of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who think it improper to use the names of these dead soldiers without the permission of the families. The t-shirts contain the slogan "He Lied, They Died".

These names, I'm sure, came from publicly available resources with no apparent restrictions. And yes, the intent was to make a public statement about Bush's handling of the war on terror. The real issue here, on the part of those who object, is the fact that these t-shirts are being sold. If the design were simply a poster or silkscreen displayed somewhere there would be no issue.

The First Amendment to the US Constitution states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

And the real issue is the exercise of our First Amendment right to "freedom of speech", which both Greene and Frazier were clearly doing. It is sad that over 3000 soldiers have lost their lives and thousands more have been severely injured and maimed. Let's not forget that those soldiers were not only fighting for the Iraqis freedom they were also fighting for our Constitution, including the right to freedom of speech. I would like to think that every one represented on that t-shirt, if they were alive today, would tell you they were OK with it.

And by the way, I was a US Navy aviator and combat decorated Viet Nam Vet. So no arguments about what I know of combat.

National Healthcare

So you think everyone should have healthcare? Well, yes they should. But be careful about opening Pandora’s box. Be careful about what you might wish for you may get it.

Imagine that your 86 year old mother has a heart attack and must be taken to the emergency room. Then imagine that when you arrive the hospital is waiting to see if you have private insurance or if you will pay all the costs accordingly. What is this you ask?

Well you see, under most national health care systems treatment is rationed. Doesn’t it make more sense to spend the money perform a triple bypass on a young, virile, male of 27 who may live a productive life for many more years that on an old woman who may very well have another attack and die in just a few months?

Do you really think national health care would waste all that money keeping Terri Schiavo alive. The plug would have been pulled as soon as she was declared brain dead, not allowed to live in a vegetative state for 13 years.

And look how well the government manages the veterans’ hospitals. With the government running all the hospitals and looking to minimize costs to what do you think our health care system would degenerate?

Most countries that provide universal health care do so at a high cost which is in fact paid for through high taxes. What, you thought it was free?? What, you thought Michael Moore was telling you the entire truth?