Science Denial Continues Unabated

If there’s one trigger that really presses my buttons, it’s science denial. Let’s set a few definitions before we proceed, mostly so when I use a word there is no confusion about what I mean by the word. Science – The process of learning about the universe and its components… Continue reading

One State, Two State, Red State, Blue State

I was looking at a couple of interesting maps over the past few days. First was this fascinating map depicting by color the largest religious group in each county of the united States. I’m not a particularly religious person: you could probably call me a Saganist if you have to… Continue reading

Of Course Police Lives Matter

Of course police lives matter. Let’s be clear about the post I wrote last night. It wasn’t telling people not to support police. It wasn’t about cheering on the Dallas sniper. It wasn’t really all that much about what happened in Dallas at all. When I said I don’t want… Continue reading

I Don’t Want to See Police Lives Matter

I don’t want to see anything that says “Police Lives Matter” in the next 24 hours. Here’s the thing–Cop Lives Matter, or even All Lives Matter is a reaction to Black Lives Matter. Black Lives Matter is different from both because, as one of my friends so pointedly put it,… Continue reading

Thirty Years After Challenger

Where were you thirty years ago today? That’s the day the space shuttle Challenger exploded a minute and 13 seconds into the mission, killing all seven astronauts aboard. The seven were Mission Commander Francis R. Scobee, Pilot Michael J. Smith, Mission Specialist Ellison Onizuka*, Mission Specialist Judith A. Resnik, Mission… Continue reading

The Issue of Self-Righteousness

Once upon a time, I was a young man in college spending summers in Kansas City where my parents moved. During my first summer there, I wandered into a nearby game store and met a guy who became my good friend until he passed away from cancer about a decade… Continue reading

Here we go again, SB1054

SB1054, a bill whose time has long since past. Ultra-conservative Tea Party good-ol-boy-network Republican State Senator John Kavanagh has introduced legislation to make it illegal to record a police officer within 20 feet without express permission. Kiss sousveillance goodbye. Open the door for police abuse of power. I don’t need… Continue reading

Budget Surplus Plan

For state governments, a budget surplus plan usually involves figuring out ways to waste the money. A number of years ago, before the great recession, I remember an Arizona state politician stating publicly that they were “having trouble finding ways to spend all the money.” Now, as offensive as that… Continue reading