Doug's Views – Page 38 – Ocassional Thoughts of an Independent Progressive Atheistic Humanist

August 4, 2013April 18, 2020

New Cold War Over Snowden? What About One Over Human Rights?

photo of Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin entry in the ‘Dictators’ of the World Calendar

The corporate media have been obsessed with the adventures of NSA whistle blower Edward Snowden. Not about what he publicized – the overbroad spying on Americans in the name of ‘security’ – but where he is going and where he is located. Now that Snowden has been granted temporary asylum in Russia, the media have been speculating how this will damage US – Russia relations. Of course they have no such concerns over Russia’s suspect human rights record.

July 28, 2013April 18, 2020

The Worse Atheist On Display? The One Who Doesn’t Do Their Homework

This past week a quasi government committee here in Ohio voted to accept the design for a Holocaust memorial that included a large Star of David. A memorial to honor the victims of that horrific event seems appropriate but including a religious symbol as a large focus of the installation seems crossing the line between church and state. However it seems some atheists jumped the gun and likened concern over the religious symbol to being a Holocaust denier. Those atheists should do their homework before being ‘outraged’.

The Star of David, a symbol of the Jewish religion, has a place in the history of the Holocaust because it was used by the Nazis to “mark” Jews before they were shipped off to the death camps during World War II. However the Holocaust didn’t only affect Jewish people.

July 25, 2013April 18, 2020

My New Book: Dancing in the Banana Factory

front cover for my book Dancing in the Banana Factory

I now have a book and it has little to do with the political and social issue essays I write about here on Doug’s Views. It is a collection of short stories that have been taking up space on my computer, and in various notebooks, over the years. Late last year, I decided to finally self-publish the stories and the final product is available for sale.

This debut collection is 18 short stories that were written from the late 1980’s to last year. The average is no more than 10 pages per story but there a couple that go longer. I also included a couple of short-shorts that I wrote for a contest I didn’t win.

July 22, 2013April 18, 2020

Pundit Reaction To Zimmerman Verdict Proves Again White People Hate To Be Called Racists

The reactions to the George Zimmerman murder trial were a bit predictable. African-Americans generally hated the acquittal and whites in general approved of the verdict. The reason is obvious, even in 2013 we have issues with race in this country. We also see that in the rush of some white conservative pundits who say it is racist to complain about racism or they wonder aloud why African-Americans don’t freak out about black on white violence. These pundits hate being called racist and will go to outlandish extremes to keep from having to deal with the real issue of race in this country.

Classic reactions from white conservative pundits came after President Obama made some remarks and offered some personal experiences about being black in America:

July 19, 2013April 18, 2020

Why Are Atheists Always The Ones Asked Not To Be Dicks?

photo of man shouting with word Atheists!

Lindy West, in an article on the Jezebel website, said that she was embarrassed to be an atheist because some atheists are dicks. I get tired of such complaints. I agree that being a dick shouldn’t be our first move, but why should believers get special treatment for their irrational and silly beliefs when they tend to be used to hurt scores of people around the world. Why are atheists always the ones asked to change?