15 May 2008

Progress--some people just hate it

Today, California took a big step forward on the road to equality. Their supreme court has overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriages. And, of course, the movement to undo this ruling through a constitution ammendment in California has started.

I don't know. To me, this issue seems so clear cut. No matter what I feel or believe, who the hell am I to tell you what to do? If what you're doing is hurting someone, of course I have the right to try to stop you. But a man marrying a man or a woman marrying a woman does absolutely nothing to me. It does not endanger my heterosexuality, and contrary to Robertson and friends, it's not going to cause any natural disasters or terrorist attacks.

For me to tell you how you must live your life is just plain arrogant. And it's wrong. It says I do not respect you and your right to live your life. It's intervention by paternalistic justification. It says I know better than you how you should live your life.

I have to wonder where this country is going. The evangelical movement continues to grow, and the voice of reason is getting swallowed up. Freedom, fairness, and facts are being made to yield to a book. Words on paper have trumped reality.

06 May 2008

The Large Hadron Collider and the meaning of life

One of the most inspiring videos I have ever seen. Also one of the most lucid descriptions of Quantum Theory.