See the high quality video here…

Post by Jim Newman

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Herman Mehta at Patheos interviews Edwina Rogers who has been hired to replace Sean Faircloth at SCA. BTW, read Faircloth’s book “Attack of the Theocrats.” It’s a great read.

Here are a couple of excerpts:

Why should we trust you now to work for us after a career spent working for people who seem to be actively against us?

I think it’s a misconception that the majority of Republicans are lined up against the secular movement. As someone who has been an insider within the Republican Party, I’m certain it’s not the consensus of the majority of Republicans to have an [overt] influence of religion on our laws. Having said that, no one agrees with everyone they work with on every single issue. In these roles I never worked on anything having to do with issues of religion — I worked primarily on economic issues….

Can Republicans in Congress ever be receptive to our cause? Do you think your own background can help in that matter?

The answers are yes and yes. Last month I participated in SCA’s Lobby Day for Reason and was received very warmly by the offices of several high profile Republican U.S. Representatives. There have been times in my past as a lobbyist, where I was thrown out of politicians’ offices when they didn’t like my message — this wasn’t one of them. There is definitely an opening there, and we are going to work to make our issues known and widely accepted by those on both sides.

My Republican background will help open certain doors. The sky is really the limit. Good work has been done but it’s only a foundation, and now we’re going to build a skyscraper. On the top of my agenda for this year will be meeting with every U.S. House and Senate office, as well as the appropriate committees. We are going to educate them on the downside of allowing laws to be based on religion and faith and not reason and science.

If this works, this will be a blast. I am not sure there will ever be a good bridge between science and religion in the public sphere but it’s worth trying. Thats is, I am not sure moderates, even, can stand atheists but in the long run if issues like abortion, birth control, public displays of the sacred on public property, religious tests for office, and Christian reconstruction can be resolved things could quiet down for awhile.

Jim Newman, bright and well

www.brightpride.com and www.frontiersofreason.com

Post by Phil Ferguson

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NOTE:  This post is part of an ongoing education series.  This information is for educational purposes only.  This information does not constitute investment advice.  No rational person would make investment decisions based on a blog post.  Please consult with your financial advisor before taking any action.  If you wish to have specific advice for your situation please contact Polaris Financial Planning.

via CNN.

As a rule one of the last things to recover after a recession is jobs but, this time it seems to be taking forever.  Below is a chart of the weekly numbers of “First time jobless claims”.  This is the number of people that first applied for unemployment in a given week.  The numbers are very volatile (the graph is not smooth) but is generally heading in the right direction.

Fewer Americans filed for unemployment benefits last week, a welcome sign after claims had previously risen four weeks in a row.

About 365,000 people filed for their first week of jobless benefits, a significant drop from 392,000 claims filed the week before, the Labor Department said.

The big question for me is why is this taking so long?  Part of the reason is the crazy republican idea that we need to cut government now!  Schools, local governments, state governments, and the federal government have all been letting people go.  One could argue that this is a good thing to do.  Just don’t do it in the middle of an economic slow time.

I will let Paul Krugman explain via the video below.  (sorry that the Video box looks wonky CNN HTML code sucks!)

May 1st, 2012

Squash them like a cockroach!

In another video he tried (not really) to apologize.

This guy is sorry – sorry that he got caught.  What a sad and pathetic apology.

“I have never suggested children or those in the LGBT lifestyle should be beaten…”

Yes you just did you lying sack of shit.  This in not an apology this is trying to defend yourself.

What it just me or did he have to force himself to say “LGBT”?  Lifestyle?

“I apologize to anyone I have unintentionally offended.”

What about the people that he intentionally offended?  How about saying that what he did was wrong!  I would place money that this guy is gay and was beat by his father as a child.

Not only is this a not apology he can’t let go and spews more hate….

However, I do not apologize for the manner in which the word of god articulates sexual immorality, including homosexuality and effeminacy, as a behavior that is an abomination to god.

This man should not be allowed to play with others.

For real fun, watch this video from HLN and see what Ted Haggard has to say about people who preach against homosexuality but secretly hold same-sex desires.  My irony meter broke!

via the National Day of Reason.

(Washington, DC – April 27, 2012) – The American Humanist Association and the Secular Coalition for America are pleased that U.S. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) has officially recognized the National Day of Reason by issuing a proclamation in the House of Representatives. The National Day of Reason, to be observed on May 3, is an alternative to the congressionally endorsed National Day of Prayer.

The proclamation states, in part, “Our nation faces many problems—bringing our troops home from Afghanistan, creating jobs, educating our children, and protecting our safety net from irresponsible cuts. We will solve these issues through the application of reason. We must also protect women’s reproductive choices, the integrity of scientific research, and our public education system from those who would hide behind religious dogma to undermine them.” To view the full text of the proclamation, click here.

“Reason should be the guiding force for public policy,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “The National Day of Prayer excludes millions of Americans who choose not to pray or prefer keeping prayer private. Reason is something that everyone can celebrate.”

Lauren Anderson Youngblood, communications manager for the Secular Coalition for America, agreed.

“Our founders recognized that the best guarantee of freedom for all was a separation of religion and government,” Youngblood said. “The National Day of Reason reminds us of the continued importance of our nation’s founding principles and offers an alternative to the government-sponsored theism that the National Day of Prayer represents.”

The event is scheduled on the first Thursday in May each year to coincide with the National Day of Prayer in order to raise awareness of the threat to religious liberty posed by government intrusion into the private sphere of worship. Many local groups affiliated with the American Humanist Association observe the National Day of Reason by participating in blood drives, holding rallies outside state government building or host social gatherings. Some groups also hold rallies outside state government buildings or host social gatherings. The National Day of Reason website, NationalDayofReason.org, was established by the American Humanist Association and the Washington Area Secular Humanists.

The American Humanist Association and the Secular Coalition for America urge all Americans to support the constitutional principal of church-state separation by recognizing the National Day of Reason. Supporters are encouraged to visit the official website, NationalDayOfReason.org, to post an event in their area, sign a petition to be sent to President Obama, and learn how to encourage local governments to issue a National Day of Reason proclamation.

This guy is a history fraud.  Jon Stewart let this guy have too much airtime.  He had a chance to rip him and just let him talk.

The idea that christianity is under attack is so misguided and that it is because of Jefferson is such a joke.

May 1st, 2012

Post By William Brinkman

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Back in the mid-nineties, I was a struggling journalism graduate living in Iowa City, IA. I had one publication go out of business, I’d quit as an editor at the local alternative publication, and freelancing in Iowa just couldn’t cover the bills. I was underemployed and unhappy.

In this state of mind, I was walking by an office I used to temp at. In front of the office there was group of about five to six people chatting. One of them stopped me and said that he remembered working with me. I didn’t remember him, but there was another section of the building that I never went to. So it was possible he’d seen me.

So I started talking with the group, and before long the man mentioned that he was working at an international marketing firm, and wanted to know if I was interested. Now I was thinking that by marketing firm, he meant a firm that made marketing materials, and designed campaigns for global companies. As a struggling journalism graduate, this sounded like a great opportunity. So I said yes.

He gave me an address, and told me there would be a meeting to discuss the business. I thanked him and headed back home.

It seemed too good to be true. A chance meeting that could lead to a meaningful job for me? Was this my ticket out of underemployment, and into a “real job?”

When the day came, I scrounged up enough money for a round trip cab ride. I didn’t have much money to spare, but I figured that it was worth it for what could be a career opportunity.

I arrived at the apartment of the man who invited me. There were also two other prospects, and along with an “employee” of the firm. While we waiting for a presenter to arrive, one of the prospects mentioned that he had connections in South America that could help, but he needed more information. He was assured that the presenter could answer them.

When the presenter finally arrived, he asked us to sit close together. When we sat down, he leaned in close to us and said, “This works, but you have to have an open mind.”

That immediately set off alarms.

What I had a stumbled into was not a marketing firm, but a multi-level marketing company. We were being recruited to sell products, like NFL Bean bags, and give a percentage of our revenue to a person above us. I assumed that person would then give a percentage to the recruiter. It may not have been an illegal pyramid scheme, but definitely wasn’t was described to me.

The first prospect angrily exclaimed that he wasn’t interested, and walked out, showing his disbelief on his face. I probably should have joined him, but I felt obligated to stay out of politeness. Looking back, I’m sure the marketers were looking to take advantage of that.

The presenter went on to describe selling would be easy because we’d be selling to our friends. The thought of pushing products on my friends every month didn’t appeal to me. None of the products seemed like things you would need to buy all the time. I thought that was no way to make a living.

For inspiration, the presenter told us about how Ray Kroc founded McDonald’s and turned it into an international business. In the beginning, the presenter said, he didn’t have much money, so how did he feed his family? He bought food from himself. So all we had to do was sell our products, buy food from ourselves, then profit!

Though I felt uncomfortable, I did have the sense remember that Kroc didn’t found McDonald’s. He took it over from the McDonald brothers. Even so, how can you buy food from yourself? Sure you could eat the food at your restaurant, but you would still have to buy food from suppliers. Would I have to buy food from this company?

The second prospect said he had to leave for work, but he was interested. They told him about a larger meeting where he could learn more about the company, and sign up. As they took his information, I couldn’t believe he fell for it. Looking back, I realize that it could have just said that as a way to get out of the apartment.

Now I was alone. The three of them moved uncomfortably close to me. The presenter continued his pitch. It would have been easy for me to breakdown and say yes. Instead, in the face group pressure, I said I wasn’t interested. They let me go, probably know they could recruit others.

As I walked out the door, the presenter said, “Good luck with life.” Considering where I was at that point in life, the remark stung. Maybe he thought it was his last chance to bring me back. Instead I kept walking. The cab ride was long as I wondered why I thought this would be a good opportunity.

Looking back, after years of reading about skepticism, I understand why I went. They offered something tempting to me, and, like many people, I ignored the early warning signs because it seemed so good.

I am glad that I turned down the company. As I would later learn, in 2009, the median annual income for direct sales is $2,400. Hardly enough to make a living, even if you bought food from yourself.

Still, the experience did teach me why some people go into direct marketing, and why it is very important to be skeptical when it comes to your money and your career.