Court allows mother to collect dead son’s sperm

This story just disturbed me, in a number of ways.

The story in a nutshell: Nik Evans died after a bar fight (he fell and hit his head).  His mother wants to carry out his wish of having children someday (according to her, he wanted three kids).  So before he’s taken off life support, she wanted to collect some of his sperm to carry out this wish.  Judge Guy Herman says yes.

This is a horrible story, and the mother is rightly grieving.  But keeping her son’s sperm so she can “keep a piece of him” isn’t the way to honor him.

There’s a bioethics expert from the University of Texas who says Texas state law gives parents control over a child’s body, but sperm isn’t clearly called out.  The problem here is that Evans wasn’t a child – he was 21, an adult for at least three years.  At want point do a parent’s right to the body of a child end?  Not having read the Texas law, I don’t know, and the article doesn’t mention it.

As an adoptive father and a supporter of zero population growth, I’m really disturbed that there are people out there collecting sperm from dead people to make more human beings.  We have plenty as it is - roughly 6.7 billion right now and counting – and we can’t keep them all fed and housed and clothed.  We don’t need more.

Texas judge allows collection of dead son's sperm

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Reality TV star Jade Goody dies

I didn't know this person, and don't watch even the US version of the show, so I've no real connection to this, but was struck by the comment by PM Gordon Brown.  Yes, the leader of the government of Britain made a comment on the death of a participant of a “reality” TV program.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was "deeply saddened" by the news and described Goody as "a courageous woman both in life and death".

Really, WTF is wrong with Britain?  Can anyone imagine Obama making a public statement if the Flavor of the Week on some US “reality” show died?  Why does Brown think an official public statement is required?  Is the voting public in Britain so out of touch with reality that this is acceptable?  Is the cult of personality and manufactured celebrity so powerful that it's perverting your government as well your society?

On the other hand, maybe this is a good thing - at least your bias for personality against reality is easier to see than it is in the States...

Seriously people, turn off your fucking televisions.

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Reality TV star Jade Goody dies

Anger Over AIG Depletes Obama's Capital - CBS News

This has got me a little bent – populist “mobs” of people are in arms about this, and even Congressional leaders are asking tough questions.

Let’s do the math people – according to the article, AIG has recieved 170 billion (that $175,000,000,000) in government bailout money.

They then paid 165 million (that’s $165,000,000) in bonuses to top performers.

That represents 0.1 percent (or one dollar for every thousand) of government bailout money.  One tenth of one percent is what we’re up in arms about.

It just goes to show how much math education in this country needs to improve.

As for the Representatives and Senators asking where Treasury Secretrary Tim Geithner was when this was happening, I have one thing to say:  I fervently hope he was overseeing the distribution of the other 99.9% of the money, because I’m fairly certain none our legislators were.

Anger Over AIG Depletes Obama's Capital - CBS News

John Yoo Torture Memo | Salon

This is good stuff here.  I’m in the process of reading Yoo’s memos (one from October 23, 2001, and one from 2003), and if what the Salon story reports is true, this man needs to be in front a Congressional investigative panel for his role in the Bush administration’s war against the U.S. Constitution.

I’d say we need to include Bush as well, but I don’t think he’s smart enough to understand the charges and aid in his own defense. (Yes, it’s an ad hominem attack, but it’s funny)

UPDATE: Reading the 2001 memo, he quotes a lot of Alexander Hamilton.  I’ve been reading Hamilton’s Curse by Thomas Dilorenzo, and it seems to me that Hamilton wasn’t a great supporter of American liberty.

He also argues that Article 2 of the Constitution grants the President with the power to deal with national threats and direct the use of Armed Forces against terrorists.  I don’t see that in my copy of the Constitution – the President is the Commander and Chief, sure, but the power to wage war is granted to the the legislature.

More later as I read more…

John Yoo Torture Memo | Salon

Back with some disgust

It’s been a while since I posted, but I felt compelled.

I heard on the radio that Bernie Madoff was planning on pleading guilty to his charges on Thursday, and that he faced 150 years behind bars.

And that disgusted and appalled me.

Why, you ask?  Simple – because cops like Gregg Junnier, Jason Smith, and Arthur Tesler are only facing 21 years.  Combined.

And because people like Ryan Frederick are in jail for ten years for daring to defy other cops.

And because Cory Maye is in jail for life for the same self-defense as Ryan Frederick.

Simply put, I think it’s disgusting that Madoff may get more jail time for stealing money than three cops get for shooting an elderly woman.

Meet the New Face of Militant Fundamentalism

And he's an American Christian who wants you to die to fulfill his death wish.

Pastor John Hagee threw his support behind John McCain, and McCain was "very honored" by the endorsement.

The only problem is that Hagee wants to kill us all to bring about the second coming of his savior.  In 2006, he said:

The United States must join Israel in a pre-emptive military strike against Iran to fulfill God’s plan for both Israel and the West… a biblically prophesied end-time confrontation with Iran, which will lead to the Rapture, Tribulation, and Second Coming of Christ.

Do you understand this - a pre-emptive strike against Iran will destabilize the entire region, prompting all sorts of retaliatory attacks on America, possible nuclear retaliation as well, which will bring the end of civilization as we know it.

In other words, Hagee's wish is a self-fulfilling - the world ends whether he's right or not, meaning he gets to die thinking he's right when he's not.

This is what happens when you mix religion and politics - you get nut-jobs who care not one whit about other human life, as long as their dementia and delusions are given respect in the light of day.

If you're religious, remember this - your God is probably Hagee's God as well.  If you're Christian, remember your Bible is the same one Hagee reads and fabricates his anti-human philosophy from.

There is no such thing as a religious moderate - you're either a rational human being who realizes there is no sky-spirit, or you're an enabler of fundamentalists who want to kill everyone.

del.icio.us Tags: religion,atheism,atheist,politics,liberty

Think Progress » Blog Archive » McCain ‘Very Honored’ By Support Of Pastor Preaching ‘End-Time Confrontation With Iran’

Hillary Clinton thinks you are an idiot

At least, that's what her spokeswoman says she said.

Hillary's been telling the story about an uninsured pregnant woman denied treatment at an Ohio hospital for wont of US$100, who winds up losing her baby and then her life.  The hospital, it seems, took some offense to Hillary saying they denied treatment to the woman, who in fact had insurance, was seen, and if pretty much alive.  Seems Hillary forgot to fact-check the story she was told by Bryan Holman, who was hosting her visit to Pomeroy, Ohio.

But that just points to Hillary's idiocy - the statement at the bottom of the CNN story indicates she thinks Americans are idiots as well - according to Mo Elleithee, Clinton's spokeswoman:

She never mentions the hospital by name and isn't trying to cast blame. She tells this story because it illustrates the point that we have a very serious health care problem in America. That's a point very few people will dispute. [emphasis mine]

In other words, the false story she was telling was being used to bolster her position that there is a health-care crisis that she needs to fix.  She is saying very few people will dispute the crisis, even after finding out the story she was using to make the point was false.

Does she not think Americans can think for themselves?  That we're not capable of rational logical thought?  If you support a claim with false evidence,the claim is false as well, unless you can find true evidence to support it.  To do otherwise isn't "misspeaking" - it's lying.

In a court of law, this case would be on its way to acquittal - instead, we're still trying to figure out which socialist will run as Democrat this fall.

del.icio.us Tags: government,politics,president,election,hillary,democrat

Clinton drops hospital story from stump speech - CNN.com

Good bye, First Amendment...

Don't even think of exercising it if you want to be on a citizen's advisory councils for local Chicago parks.  Apparently, if you want to be part of the council, you'll need to submit to a criminal background check and provide references.  And any money you wind up raising for the new swing set may be used for other things.

Apparently, the park district's director of legislative and community affairs, Tim King, says it's just a "well-intentioned effort" to bring order to the system. 

Almost every evil deed done under the sun was well-intentioned, and the really insidious ones have that lawyerly tone to them that make your butt pucker.  You live there?  Tell King to take a long walk off Navy Pier.

del.icio.us Tags: government,regulation,liberty,economics

Chicago Business News, Analysis & Articles | Got an opinion? Park District has rules | Crain's

Inhaled gas is no laughing matter - Crime & courts- msnbc.com

Glad I don't live in New York.  Not sure about the details here - MSNBC deployed their usual crack staff of reporters to bring you all the details - but apparently it's illegal for a dentist to get smashed on his own stash.  I can only assume it's legal to have and administer nitrous to patients in NY, but illegal to take it yourself if you're the doctor prescribing it.

Of course, nitrous is really REALLY harmless, has effects that last less time than the afterglow of an orgasm, and is freely available to any dental patient with tartar and a bit of panic who need to drive home after their appointments - I'm not sure why the good doctor was arrested.  Like I said, glad I don't live in NY.

del.icio.us Tags: government,drugs,responsibility,liberty

Inhaled gas is no laughing matter - Crime & courts- msnbc.com

Cato-at-liberty » Oy, Hillary

If the notion of President Hillary Clinton doesn't scare you already, I doubt this will cause you to start.  But if, like me, you're completely terrified of a "government junkie" who doesn't believe there's such a thing as "other people's children being President, then this will just push you over the top.

I'd Love to see if this is Hillary's position or just what her Zionist staffer believes...

del.icio.us Tags: government,presidency,liberty,foreign policy,election

Cato-at-liberty » Oy, Hillary

GoDaddy Silences Police-Watchdog Site RateMyCop.com

Interesting - RateMyCop.com, a website to watch the watchers, gets some crap from LEO's, and the hosting company pulls the site quicker than you can say "You have the right to remain silent".

The story is disturbing not only for the reaction of the hosting company (I won't name them - they don't deserve the publicity), but also the reaction of law enforcement officers who are afraid of ... what exactly?  Cyber-bullying?  Some whack job will come hunt them down?  They say the website exposes them, but they're government workers in the public eye 24x7 - aren't they exposed anyway?  Shouldn't they want more exposure?

del.icio.us Tags: government,crime,law enforcement,liberty

GoDaddy Silences Police-Watchdog Site RateMyCop.com -- Update | Threat Level from Wired.com

Is Salvia the Next Marijuana?

If you live in Florida, try not to stand in front of Representative Mary Brandenburg, lest her knee-jerking cause you great bodily injury.

More on this later...

del.icio.us Tags: crime,government,drugs,reponsibility,liberty

Is Salvia the Next Marijuana?

Pennsylvania takes on online auctions

Next time someone asks me why I don't like state licensing of businesses and trades, I'll point to this story.

The hero, one Mary Jo Pletz, was investigated by PA state officials for running an eBay store without a PA state auctioneers license.  The situation was summed up brilliantly by Barry Fallon, who was similarly investigated by PA's bureaucrats:

It's like the buggy-whip manufacturer's deciding whether these newfangled automobile manufacturers can do it without a buggy-whip license.

It's wrong, plain and simple - in this age of easy, instant, and world-wide communications and commerce, PA foisting their licensing scheme on a global business makes no sense.

Remember, you voted for these people - call them and tell them what you think.

del.icio.us Tags: liberty,economics,licensing,government,internet,crime

Pennsylvania takes on online auctions | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/30/2008

Reckless Mortgage Lenders Do Not Deserve to Be Rescued Either

Great article, as is the predecessor article on why irresponsible borrowers don't deserve a bail-out.  And no, I don't want to hear that you're losing you home because of this.  As a responsible homeowner, mortgage holder, and taxpayer, I'm tired of bailing out folks who think they don't need to be responsible.

You bought more house than you can afford - had you done this with any other commodity and a credit card, you wouldn't have a snowball's chance in hell of a bailout.  Why should you get one because there's a house involved?

del.icio.us Tags: government,responsibility,economics,essay

Reckless Mortgage Lenders Do Not Deserve to Be Rescued Either

Huckabee: ‘amend the Constitution’ to ‘God’s standards.’

If this man doesn't scare you, you're not listening.  Even if you're an evangelical Christian, you should be scared, because I can guarantee you one thing: you won't like what your evangelical Christian neighbors want to do with your Constitution.

del.icio.us Tags: religion,politics,government,election

Think Progress » Huckabee: ‘amend the Constitution’ to ‘God’s standards.’

Abusing Children in the Name of God

I'm a libertarian - forcing anyone to do anything is anathema to me.  Telling people how to raise their children is also beyond what I think a civilized society should do.  However, with this libertarian philosophy comes the responsibility to do things correctly and appropriately.  I do not steal, not because the law forbids it, but because it is wrong to do so.  I do not kill, not because the law forbids it, but because it is wrong to so.  I care for my loved ones, not because the law requires it, but because it correct to do so.  I do these things - no one else.  Me.

This is why it baffles me that there are people out there who love and care for their children, but who leave their fates to a phantom spirit with sadistic tendencies.  Faith is not, and has never been, enough to someone to provide for their family.  If it were, they would not have to work to provide for food and shelter and clothing.  Why do they think it is enough when their child sprouts tumors or bleeds incessantly?

People who believe that a mythical spirit in the sky will take care of their children's ills and sicknesses are delusional, suffering from a form of mental illness, and should be treated as such.  Would you let a mentally ill person care for your child?  As much as I hater government involvement and intrusion into the personal lives of American citizens, the greater evil is letting children be raised (or killed) by mentally ill parents.

del.icio.us Tags: religion,government,atheism,responsibility

On Faith: Guest Voices: Abusing Children in the Name of God

Huckabee Would Criminalize Abortion Providers

This is why you don't want to elect anyone with a strong religious background, especially someone who professes his belief as part of his campaign to be President of the U.S.

I wonder how Huckabee feels about capital punishment?  Most evangelicals I know are pro-capital punishment - I thought the god of the Christians was a loving, compassionate, consistent god, not some whack-job who can't tell the difference between killing a human being (abortion) and killing a human being (capital punishment).  Then again, I'm not an evangelical Christian, so the mind of god is closed to me.

del.icio.us Tags: religion,politics,atheism

Huckabee Would Criminalize Abortion Providers | The Trail | washingtonpost.com

Woman Escorted Off Fort Worth Transit Bus For Reading Bible Aloud

A woman on a bus in Fort Worth this past Sunday was asked to leave the bus for reading her Bible out loud to her children.  Apparently, it was bothering the driver, and she was then asked to either stop or leave.  When she wouldn't stop, she was asked to leave.

And shortly thereafter began the "Help!  Help!  I'm being persecuted!" cries that Christians are famous for.

This is the basic problem with all religions: they feel the need to loudly and publicly declare their faith, whether by reading a Bible out loud, wearing burkas or yamulkas or cruciforms, carrying prayer mats, etc., and then - and here's the problematic part - acting offended when other people ask them to be more private with their faith.

If I were a believer in Zeus and decided to publicly sacrifice a goat on an altar in a public park as part of my faith, I would be correctly either arrested for animal cruelty or at least questioned and challenged by not only authorities but passers-by as well.  (actually, I could be an adherent to the Old Testament as well with the same actions).  Why then do we not feel it proper or correct or acceptable to question and challenge Christians or Moslems or Jews on their public displays of faith?

I don't care that the woman reads the Bible - whatever fantasy gets her through the day is fine.  I have a problem with her inculcating this deviant fantasy in her children (yes, I think religious training for kids is a form of child abuse), but until we can have a frank and open and reasoned discussion over matters of faith, it's a moot point.  It's when her expression of faith begins to encroach upon my personal space that it becomes a problem.

If I were a passenger, I'd ask her to stop and if she didn't, I'd get off the bus - my problem, my solution (either that, or start reading aloud from some erotic novel as a counter-point fantasy).  The driver has no such recourse, so getting her off the bus is the only solution.

del.icio.us Tags: religion,atheism,athiest,government,liberty

cbs11tv.com - Woman Escorted Off Fort Worth Transit Bus For Reading Bible Aloud

Anger over Iraq and Bush prompts calls for secession from the US for Vermont

Here's the Vermont meets the League of the South story, this time from the POV of Vermont...

del.icio.us tags: politics, libertarian, secession

Anger over Iraq and Bush prompts calls for secession from the US for Vermont - Independent Online Edition > Americas

Court nixes suit claiming CIA torture - U.S. Security - MSNBC.com

I'd be shocked, but after the Kelo decision, anything the SCUSA says is worth as little as anything coming out of the administration or the legislature.

del.icio.us tags: supreme court, terrorism, liberty

Court nixes suit claiming CIA torture - U.S. Security - MSNBC.com