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Friday, April 16, 2010
CBS Rumor: Candidate for Supreme Court Justice is Gay?
Obama White House rips CBS News for rumor that Justice Candidate is Lesbian
CBS News was taken to task on Thursday by the Obama White House for publishing an online column by a blogger who posted about Solicitor General Elena Kagan, widely viewed as a leading candidate for the Supreme Court. In the blog post, it was asserted that Kagan was a lesbian, and "openly gay".
Ben Domenech, a former Bush administration aide and Republican Senate staffer, wrote that President Obama would "please" much of his base by picking the "first openly gay justice." An administration official, who asked not to be identified discussing personal matters, said Kagan is not a lesbian.
CBS initially refused to pull the posting, prompting Anita Dunn, a former White House communications director who is working with the administration on the high court vacancy, to say that CBS was enabling a plagarist and that their journalistic standards were dropping. She also state that the lesbian rumor fed on old stereotypes about career women who remain single.
The network deleted the posting Thursday night after Domenech, the blogger, admitted to them that he was merely repeating a rumor.
The incendiary nature of how a Supreme Court nominee can feed the rumor mill was aptly illustrated by the incident. Policies against "outing" gays or reporting on the sex lives of public officials unless related to their public duties are adhered to by most major news venues.
This year, a flurry arose over the outing of Supreme Court Justice Vaughn Walker, raising questions about his impartiality as he presided over the Proposition 8 trial in San Francisco's high court. Any nominee for supreme court justice, or even a potential nominee, has the power to start the rumor mill turning.
"Still Closeted"
Domenech later added an update to the post: "I have to correct my text here to say that Kagan is apparently still closeted -- odd, because her female partner is rather well known in Harvard circles."
Dan Farber, editor in chief of CBSNews.com, said that initially that the blog piece should stand, as it was an opinion piece.
He changed his mind about deleting the blog post after receiving an e-mail from Domenech, which the blogger also sent to The Washington Post admitting the assertion was speculation and apologized to Ms. Kagan.
Domenech said that the naming of an openly gay justice would be an important cultural moment and would necessarily open the door to political discussion.
Domenech is editor of the Web site , New Ledger, from which the CBS column was reprinted and acts as editor of the City, a religion-oriented publication of Houston Baptist University, as well.
Domenech was hired by the Post as a conservative blogger in 2006. He resigned three days after due to plagiarism allegations that made by liberal Web sites. The sites found signs of plagiarism in a review written by Domenech for National Review Online and in early writings for the College of William & Mary's student newspaper.
Marc Ambinder who writes for The Atlantic wrote Monday "a baffling whisper campaign" about Kagan "among both gay rights activists and social conservatives. . . .", adding that the rumors are so "pervasive" that many believed they must contain some truth.
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Thursday, April 15, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Eternal Recurrence
Image via Wikipedia
P.D. Ouspensky wrote a curious novel about recurrence. It was called The Strange Life of Ivan Osokin. A rather conceited young Russian visits a magician and requests that he may live his life over again, in order to avoid his original mistakes. Given the chance, Osokin throws it away, repeating each mishap and indiscretion to the letter. Eventually he finds himself back in the room with the magician. The old man solemnly lectures him, telling him that, if he wishes to obtain proper knowledge, he must pay the price:
"A man can only be given what he can use; and he can only use that for which he has sacrificed something. This is the law of human nature. So if a man wants to get help to acquire important knowledge or new powers, he must sacrifice other important things to him at the moment... If you could change something in yourself, you would be able to use this knowledge for your own advantage."
The magician knew that the power to live one’s life again would be meaningless if one did not honestly get to grips with the laws and limitations of the universe. Given the opportunity, all Osokin did was drift into his former pattern, ploughing an identical furrow of indulgence and futility.
TOWARDS THE OVERMAN
How does one avoid the trap of Osokin? How does one take anything forward? Ouspensky thought it possible to step out of present time - or being locked in states (sorrow, joy, suspicion, etc.) of mind - into eternal time, in which one realises, imaginatively, all the potentials of any one given moment. "Our mind," he wrote, "follows the development of possibilities in one direction only. But in fact every moment contains a very large number of possibilities. And all of them are actualised, only we do not see it and do not know it. We always see only one of the actualisations, and in this lie the poverty and limitation of the human mind. But it we try to imagine the actualisation of all the possibilities of the present moment, then of the next, and so on...[we] shall understand the infinite richness of time..."
All our possible lives are being lived out somewhere! What evidence has Ouspensky to support this? We might categorise him as an early advocate of the parallel universe - or parallel universes - theory, but Ouspensky, together with his one-time teacher, Gurdjieff, was basically an evolutionist, with a vision of how man might take things forward by expanding consciousness. From watering the inner time-seeds and perceiving the myriad levels of the universe, Ouspenksy had the idea of growing a Superman or ‘super-conscious individual’.
From what experience did Ouspenksy derive these special insights? In some ways, he was ahead of his time, anticipating the many-stranded, perspectivial universe that quantum physics presents us with today. Perhaps such things are grasped through a kind of ‘systematic derangement of the senses’, to borrow Rimbaud’s phrase. Like other writers and thinkers of his time, Ouspensky had experimented with nitrous oxide or ‘laughing gas’, using it as a trigger to explore ‘oceanic’ modes of being, and quite a number of spiritual insights and perceptual travelogues were induced by gulping down this anaesthetic together with deep draughts of air.
Earlier, Nietzsche had also forged a vision of his own time-emancipated ‘overman’ or Superman who, having freed himself from shackles and constraints, accepted life and its pains. Open towards the world, prepared to trust in chance and frankly pursue his ends, Nietzsche’s Superman represents the opposite of the Christian idea. He is not meek, does not passively accept his lot or glory in poverty or humility. In him the vices of lust and egotism are raised and concentrated to the level of sacrament. "Based on the premise of a God-less world," wrote J.P. Stern, "the Superman embodies the enhancement of man’s untrammelled will to power under the quasi-religious dispensation of ‘eternal recurrence’ of the same."
Certain sustained rhapsodic passages in Nietzsche’s writing, revering and idealising this figure, struck a chord in the heart of Nazi propagandists. Adolf Hitler was seen to have placed himself beyond conventional morality and considered he had a special dispensation to act with summary ruthlessness: hence the ‘Superman’ notion is the part of Nietzsche’s philosophy that has been more thoroughly attacked, discredited and misunderstood than any other.
Nietzsche maintained that Supermen had surfaced throughout history, stretching back into the infinity of the past, stretching forward into the infinity of the future. The real test of the Superman, he maintained, was his ability to exult in the process of eternal recurrence - of being able to love this life, this earth, this body, and see it as sufficient end in itself. One might call this doctrine ‘spiritual materialism’http://abrax7.stormloader.com/VisionsNE.htm
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Gurdjieff, Ouspensky, and Eternal Return
THE THEORY OF ETERNAL RETURNhttp://erg.ucd.ie/arupa/ouspensky.html
A central belief of Ouspensky is the doctrine known variously as eternal return or recurrence. Surprisingly, in spite of the relative obscurity of this idea the theory has nevertheless had adherents throughout the ages and influenced many notable thinkers. The most recent well-known champion of the theory was James Joyce whose novel, Finnegans Wake, is based wholly on the idea. As a philosophical tenant we generally associate the name of Nietzsche with this view, and in spite of the relatively lesser impact this idea has had upon many of his academic commentators, within the corpus of Nietzsche's writings it has been recognized as central by certain influential reviewers.12 In Western thought the doctrine is associated by reference to Pythagorus through the commentaries of Eudemus of Rhodes, by Archytas of Tarentum, perhaps Plotinus, and the sixth-centurian Neoplatonist, Simplicius. With its emphasis on eschatology modern Christianity never supported the doctrine, although Ouspensky cites several passages within the Gospels which, in his opinion, indicate that Christ himself was conversant with the notion of repetition, and he offers a passage in Origen's On First Principles as an indication of early Christianity's attempt to discredit the idea.13 Recurrence as a cosmogonical hypothesis was never considered tenable, although as a moral foundation it possesses a certain appeal. That is, if all actions repeat eternally the imperative to maximize one's condition might be heightened. Still, with few exceptions this too was found lacking as suitable ground for any deontic theory and today the average man would be surprised to encounter the idea. Of course for Ouspensky recurrence was neither a physical nor a moral theory but was, instead, a metaphysical ground flowing from his metageometrical conception of the form of the world.
Looking back on our speculative discussion regarding the four dimensional representation of our life we recall that any four dimensional figure necessarily encompasses the entire life of a thing and is not just a series of discrete moments hung together by memory. To understand the relation of the theory of recurrence to Ouspensky's so called "new model" let us imagine a specific geometrical form in its relation to our life. We start with the line making up the life of a man. One point, birth, begins in the year 1900 while the line ends with the death of the subject in, say, 1970. The entire figure of the complete life of the man constitutes a four dimensional form. Now, let us curve the line into an angle of 360 degrees. Here, the end of the line connects to the beginning. Death ends in birth. A man is born in 1900, lives his life, dies in 1970 and is reborn again in 1900 encountering the exact circumstances of his previous existence. Consciousness limited to the three dimensional phenomenal form does not recognize an endlessness to the loop of existence, but only the static moment. A man understands his birth but never comprehends what could come "before" nor, with any real knowledge, does he understand what awaits "after" death even though, depending upon his life circumstances, there exist numerous "religious" expositions regarding the supposed afterlife which he might embrace with varying degrees of confidence.
Embracing the fixity of recurrence would seemingly negate any possibility of real change or evolution in the state of an individual man for if one is destined to relive one's life over in all aspects can anyone hope to escape the hand he or she is dealt? This is an open question but one Ouspensky attempts to address with the doctrine of possibilities. That is, at every moment in time various possibilities of action present themselves, at least potentially. As we move through time a set course unfolds consisting in the actualization of certain possibilities. Certainly, as long as we remain unconscious to the several possibilities inherent within each moment we are unwittingly carried along within our particular time. If alternate life circumstances are even possible it can only occur after the attainment of a level of consciousness which allows an individual to recognize the potential for change inherent within each moment of one's life. For Ouspensky, man tied to a particular line has absolutely no possibility of determining his condition, however it is the purpose of the esoteric idea to show a way out of our current unproductive cycle of recurrence.14
Thursday, April 8, 2010
GOP District Attorney warns teachers of felony charges if contraceptive use taught
GOP Prosecutor Warns School Districts teaching contraception under new law passed March 11 could be criminal act on minors ; Wants law repealed
A Republican Wisconsin prosecutor, District Attorney Scott Southworth, is warning sex education teachers they could face felony charges if they follow a new state law that allows them to instruct students about proper contraceptive use.
Southworth has sent a letter to five school districts in Juneau County, Wisconsin stating that instruction about proper use of contraceptives could amount to contributing to the delinquency of minors, as they are not allowed to have sex under state law. The districts are being cautioned to drop sex ed classes, and the law is pending repeal.
Southworth also argued that teaching contraceptive use encourages sexual behavior among children, which equates to sexual assault because minors can't legally have sex in Wisconsin."Depending on the specific facts of a case ... this encouragement and advocacy could lead to criminal charges," Southworth, a Republican, wrote to districts in his county.
Wisconsin State Legislature acted irresponsibly: Abstinence Only versus Contraceptives and Scare Tactics
State Rep.Tamara Grigsby (Milwaukee-D), who is the chief author of the law which allows contraceptive teachings, dismissed the March 24 letter as a scare tactic, saying she believes the DA is being "ridiculous" and irresponsible.
Southworth, however, told Associated Press he believes his is a valid legal opinion, and that the legislature acted irresponsibly to allow the law to pass. He is awaiting its repeal.
Some have pointed out the very legitimate purposes of teaching contraceptive use so that STDs and unwanted pregnancies may be reduced, avoiding the "Bristol Palin Abstinence Dilemma".
Wisconsin state law does not require the teaching of sex education. But the new law, which took effect March 11, lays out requirements for those that do, including teaching the benefits of abstinence, criminal penalties for having underage sex and the benefits and proper use of contraceptives.
Supporters of the new law believe it will reduce teen pregnancies; those supporting include groups representing nurses, health departments and the state teacher's union. Conservative opponents counter schools should focus on abstinence.
The DA views the new law as opening the door to sexualization of minors and a radical program that may increase sex abuse of underage students.
"Shopping Around" for Family Members who approve of early sex?
He also criticized a provision requiring teachers to stress the importance of talking about sex with family members, saying it encourages kids to "shop around" for anyone in the family who supports sex.Southworth complained that language prohibiting biased instruction makes it impossible to teach that sexual promiscuity is wrong. He also said a clause allowing volunteer health care providers to teach sex education could open the door to Planned Parenthood employees marketing sexually oriented products to students.
A spokesperson for Planned Parenthood said that their organization does not intrude unless asked, and that contraceptive education helps reduce sexually transmitted diseases. The prosecution of teachers is now an added concern, and a moral dilemma.
The anti-abortion advocacy group Pro-Life Wisconsin has joined the lobby for repeal.
New Lisbon Superintendent Tom Andres said his district, which was among those that received Southworth's letter, is seeking legal advice about the law.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
VA Governor and Old Confederacy Nostalgia
Virginia Governor Robert F Mc Donnell has angered civil rights leaders with his revival of Confederate History Month
Conflict follows on Gay workers' protection controversy
GOP Gov. Robert F. McDonnell of Virginia has declared that April will be Confederate History Month in his state. By doing so, he has revived an eight year old conflict and angered civil rights leaders.
Honoring those who fought for the South in the Civil War, the month proclamation is said to be mainly symbolic. Two previous Democratic governors had refused in their terms to acknowledge the month.
Reviving a Tradition of Controversy
McDonnell has revived a tradition begun by Republican Governor George Allen in 1997. McDonnell, though, has gone a step further than his predecessor, leaving out anti-slavery language that Allen's successor, James S. Gilmore III (R), had asked be included in his proclamation.
McDonnell said Tuesday that the move was designed to promote tourism in the state, which next year will mark the 150th anniversary of the start of the war. McDonnell said he did not include a reference to slavery because "there were any number of aspects to that conflict between the states. Obviously, it involved slavery. It involved other issues. But I focused on the ones I thought were most significant for Virginia."
Sovereign States Rights
Within the 7 pages of the Declaration, Virginians are asked to understand the sacrifices of confederate leaders and soldiers during the Civil War crisis.
April also honors child abuse prevention, organ donations, financial literacy and crime victims in the state. McDonnell had the proclamation posted on his Governor's website last week, when it became noticed by media today.
McDonnell and State Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli were embroiled last month in a controversywhen they attempted to remove special gay rights protections for state workers in public colleges and universities.
The proclamation could change that view among Republicans who believe appropriate respect for the state's Confederate past has been erased by an over-allegiance to political correctness, observers said.
Some academics and political conservatives have applauded McDonnell for his action, and say that it supports the fight for states rights and energizes his conservative base.
The NAACP of VA along with Virginia's legislative black caucus called the proclamation an insult to a large segment of the state's population, especially with the tacit approval of slavery.
"Governor McDonnell's proclamation was offensive and offered a disturbing revision of the Civil War and the brutal era that followed," said Del. Kenneth Cooper Alexander (D-Norfolk), chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. "Virginia has worked hard to move beyond the very things for which Governor McDonnell seems nostalgic."
Richmond served as the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War and many of its statesmen were slave holders. Since the Reconstruction period's beginning, the state in 1989 made L Douglas Wilder the first African American governor.
McDonnell's is eager to attract companies to Virginia in order to re-energize the state's economy. Some say that corporations might begin to perceive McDonnell's proclamation -- preceded by Cuccinelli's decision to sue the federal government over health-care reform legislation and his advice to state colleges and universities that they remove sexual-orientation language from their anti-discrimination policies -- as behaviors that may become liabilities for them and their employees.
McDonnell's proclamation comes just before the April 17, 1861, anniversary of the day Virginia seceded from the union.
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Monday, April 5, 2010
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Friday, April 2, 2010
Shannon. The face of Autism. | NowPublic Photo Archives
International Autism Awareness Day: 2010
Shannon Rebecca Cripps, the face of Autism (and what a beautiful and profoundly endearing face it is!!)
Shannon. The face of Autism. | NowPublic Photo Archives
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Shannon Rebecca Cripps, the face of Autism (and what a beautiful and profoundly endearing face it is!!)
Shannon. The face of Autism. | NowPublic Photo Archives
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Fiance of Missing Washington Woman Plans April Memorial Service: Robb Simmons and Shantina Smiley
Image via WikipediaWhile still holding out slim hope that themissing Silverdale , WA mother is still alive, Shantina Smiley's fiance Robb Simmons is planning a memorial service with friends and relatives this month to honor her memory.
Smiley's eight year old son Azriel Carver's remains were found on Fox Island in March.
The service will take place this April 17 in Brinnon, he has told area press.
Law Enforcement officials in Thurston County say they have no further leads in the case.
They are open to possibilities, but are working on the assumption that Smiley and her child were parked in the van at low tide along the shore, fell asleep, and were later surprised and swept away in the high tide while attempting to exit the vehicle.
This was confirmed by Lt. Chris Mealy, spokesman for the investigation headed by Thurston County's Sheriff's Office.
No leads, but questions remain for family
Smiley, 29, went missing on March 13, along with her eight year old son , Azriel Carver, when the two embarked on a road trip to visit family for an overnight stay in the Castlerock area.
Smiley became lost in the Olympia area, between her Silverdale home and Castlerock.
County officials had called the disappearance of the pair "highly suspicious".
Her partly submerged minivan was found on the shore of Olympia in Puget Sound on March 14, and the child's remains were found washed ashore on March 18 on Fox Island, some 16 nautical miles from the site where the van was found.
An autopsy ruled that the boy had died of accidental drowning. The 29 year old mother's body never surfaced, and she remains missing, though presumed deceased.
“At this point I still have all the hope in the world that she will turn up alive, I cannot do anything else,” Smiley’s fiance Robb Simmons, wrote in an e-mail to the Kitsap Sun.
But he said it was also appropriate to hold a service.“The 17th will have been over 30 days, and if she has passed on, then that just seems that it would be the right thing to do,” Simmons wrote.
The disappearance of Smiley and Carver had captured national media attention, especially when reports surfaced that she was a relapsed alcoholic, and surveillance footage showed her buying a 1.5 L bottle of wine.
The bottle, half-empty, later washed ashore, along with the child's ball and asthma inhaler, and some mismatched shoes.
Reports surfaced that Child Protective Services had investigated Smiley and a live in boyfriend in past incidents.
Smiley's family said she had returned to college, obtained honors and medical coding work, and was preparing to be a Cub Scout leader and wife. They have no idea why her movements became erratic and confused on the road trip.
Anyone with information can call the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office at (360) 786-5530
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