Biblical Evolution (comic)

Well, this is certainly something to think about... The Non Sequitur strip was originally posted to gocomics.com on March 28, 2007. Items at gocomics.com are available to the general public only for a limited time, so I have archived this important piece of comic commentary right here on my blog.

Aussie serial hugger wins YouTube award

ABC News Online 27/03/2007 A Sydney man on a goodwill mission to hug strangers has picked up an inaugural YouTube Video Award. Juan Mann's Free Hugs, in which he sets out to brighten strangers' lives on Sydney's streets by hugging them, has nabbed the prize for most inspirational video. The clip is the 13th-most watched YouTube video of all time. It has been watched more than 12 million times after it was uploaded six months ago. Mr Mann's video is among the winners of seven YouTube awards, the nominees for which the site put forward a week ago. Users could rank the 10 nominees for each award in order of their preference. [Read More]

Friday Pet Blogging | Neighborhood Watch

Yeah, yeah ... I know. I missed posting a pet blogging entry last week. Sorry! I couldn't find my camera, and I had not downloaded the newest photos. No content = no post. Anyway... This week we see Milo (left) and Otis performing their Neighborhood Watch duties. We all rest secure in the knowledge that these guys will spring into action at the sight of any questionable activity.

"Hey ... did that look suspicious to you?"

Of course, they'll also spring into action upon sighting a bird ... or a rodent ... or maybe even another cat ... who knows for certain.

And one by one, the pet blogging posts steal my sanity ...

More Pet Blogging See the Friday Ark, featuring a compilation of today's pet blogging posts, over at The Modulator. Check the M&O Archives for some previous Milo & Otis appearances. Carnival of the Cats, coming at you every Sunday. And one of the funniest/cutest/obsessivest (OK, I know that's not a word!) sites for cat photos, StuffOnMyCat.com is a must see. Take it from them: Stuff + Cats = Awesome!

Here's a new excuse: "The Unicorn Was Driving!"

via Yahoo! Canada News... A man accused of drunk-driving and crashing his truck into a lamp post told police that a unicorn had been at the wheel when it careered off the road. The crash was witnessed by two police officers, but the man insists a unicorn was driving. Question: Just how much booze is required to make up a story like that and stick with it?

Serial Theater Lackey | Updates

Hey, I've updated the look of my theater blog, Confessions of a Serial Theater Lackey. Here are some of the recent posts over there:

• A Pat on My Back
• Students Suspended Over Vagina Monologues
• John Inman: You Will Be Missed
• Creating the Audience

And there's a new link to the Theater Lackey Swag Shop.

Attorney General Gonzales Says He Will Not Resign

NY1.com Top Stories: Attorney General Gonzales Says He Will Not Resign In other news, Gonzales won't grow any taller or make any new friends, either.

Iran Condemns Hollywood War Epic

BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Iran condemns Hollywood war epic BBC News reports that Javad Shamqadri, a cultural advisor to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, has condemmed the film 300 as "plundering Iran's historic past and insulting this civilization". He further explains his position in the article by saying:

"Following the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Hollywood and cultural authorities in the US initiated studies to figure out how to attack Iranian culture. "Certainly, the recent movie is a product of such studies."

Keep in mind that the movie is based on the work of Frank Miller (writer) and Lynn Varley (artist), who told the story in a five-issue miniseries that was later collected as a hardcover graphic novel. And I'm pretty sure these guys weren't participating in any government studies regarding Iran or the nation's culture.

Pagans push peace, not politics

Daily Free Press: Pagans push peace, not politics - News

Don't Ask, Don't Yell

Well, the Bush Administration has one more side issue to deal with in the press this week. There's bound to be all sorts of hoopla over the fact that a Top general calls homosexuality 'immoral' [Chicago Tribune | Free Registration Required]. Here is the money quote at the center of this story:

"I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts," Pace said in a wide-ranging discussion with Tribune editors and reporters in Chicago. "I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is OK to be immoral in any way. "As an individual, I would not want [acceptance of gay behavior] to be our policy, just like I would not want it to be our policy that if we were to find out that so-and-so was sleeping with somebody else's wife, that we would just look the other way, which we do not. We prosecute that kind of immoral behavior," Pace said.

For those of you who don't want to -- or don't have time to -- register for an account with the Tribune, here is the full text of the story (but you should know that there is video footage over at the Tribune as well):

Top General Calls Homosexuality 'Immoral' By Aamer Madhani Tribune national correspondent Published March 12, 2007, 10:47 PM CDT Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Monday that he supports the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving in the military because homosexual acts "are immoral," akin to a member of the armed forces conducting an adulterous affair with the spouse of another service member. Responding to a question about a Clinton-era policy that is coming under renewed scrutiny amid fears of future U.S. troop shortages, Pace said the Pentagon should not "condone" immoral behavior by allowing gay soldiers to serve openly. He said his views were based on his personal "upbringing," in which he was taught that certain types of conduct are immoral. "I believe homosexual acts between two individuals are immoral and that we should not condone immoral acts," Pace said in a wide-ranging discussion with Tribune editors and reporters in Chicago. "I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is OK to be immoral in any way. "As an individual, I would not want [acceptance of gay behavior] to be our policy, just like I would not want it to be our policy that if we were to find out that so-and-so was sleeping with somebody else's wife, that we would just look the other way, which we do not. We prosecute that kind of immoral behavior," Pace said. The "don't ask, don't tell" policy caused an uproar in the military when signed into law by President Clinton in 1993. At the time, supporters of the policy inside and outside the military argued that it was essential for the cohesion of combat units, not a question of morality. Under the policy, gays and lesbians may serve only if they keep their sexual orientation private and do not engage in homosexual acts. Their commanders may not ask about their orientation. Charles Moskos, a military sociologist at Northwestern University who was instrumental in helping the Pentagon craft the "don't ask, don't tell" law, said it is unusual for a top commander to use morality as a justification for the policy. But he said he has repeatedly heard enlisted members use that reasoning when opposing gays in the military. "With the enlisted, it's a question of cohesion, but morality is something they always bring up," said Moskos, who declined to comment specifically on Pace's remarks... [ Continued in the COMMENTS ]

How will this play out in the media this week? Will the General's attitude lead to difficulties in recruitment? Is this a matter of free speach? Your Prophet and Madman is monitoring the situation...

Truffle$

Also at Wegman's today...

How can something that looks like litter box fodder be so expensive??

Yummies?

Your mystery question for the weekend... What is on the store shelf under this sign? It was seen at Wegman's, a large grocery store.

Friday Pet Blogging | Radiant

The boys love their radiators in these cold, cold months.

Milo lounges while Otis preps to pounce.

Milo: warm paws ... or heart?

Otis dozes. (And drools on the pillow).

And one by one, the pet blogging posts steal my sanity ...

More Pet Blogging See the Friday Ark, featuring a compilation of today's pet blogging posts, over at The Modulator. Check the M&O Archives for some previous Milo & Otis appearances. Carnival of the Cats, coming at you every Sunday. And one of the funniest/cutest/obsessivest (OK, I know that's not a word!) sites for cat photos, StuffOnMyCat.com is a must see. Take it from them: Stuff + Cats = Awesome!

Pagans Stake Claim to Sacred Site

I caught this story via the Sydney Morning Herald. The accompanying photo is just fantastic.

PAGANS STAKE CLAIM TO SACRED SITE Linda Morris Religious Affairs Writer March 10, 2007 Moonstruck … as a thunderstorm rages, a Sydney pagan lights lanterns at the 10th anniversary of the ritual, Full Moon on the Hill. Photo: Steven Siewert ON A darkened hilltop, against a rolling backdrop of electric storms, a group of Sydney pagans gather to celebrate the full moon. Dressed mainly in black, some in hooded cloaks, one in top hat and suit, these adherents of one of Australia's fastest growing religions, stake out their church by placing candles at four compass points, and invoke the four elements of earth, water, fire and air... Full moon holds special reverence, signifying divine feminine influence or heralding a time of enchantment when the universe can allegedly refuse no mortal requests. Sydney's pagans have been meeting at Rotaract Hill near Seven Hills railway station for 10 years and want to formalise their attachment by establishing it as a sacred site. The Pagan Awareness Network wants to apply for a grant to erect four stones representing the four points of the compass at the hill's pinnacle. If approved, the stone circle would become the first official place of pagan worship in Sydney.... [ Full Story ]

Headline: "Battle of the Baby Gurus"

Battle of the Baby Gurus is an actual headline I saw on CNN this morning. Now, the story is actually about some barbs exchanged between two authors of new childcare books. For some background, I found this article online:

Modern mothers are being made to feel bad about their parenting skills by " harsh disciplinarian" books that treat their babies as "the enemy" , complains Sheila Kitzinger, one of Britain's leading experts on childbirth. Her ire is directed at Gina Ford, the childless former nurse whose best-selling strictures for dealing with newborn babies so deeply divide parents. Both women's books will be high on the list of presents for prospective parents this Christmas.

Ms Ford's bible for new mothers, the New Contented Little Baby Book, has sold 700,000 copes in Britain alone. But Mrs Kitzinger, who has five children and three grandchildren and whose own new book, Understanding Your Crying Baby, was published last month, is icily dismissive of its prescriptiveness, saying she would only give Ms Ford's book to one of her daughters as "a joke". She remarks: "It is based on rules and timetables. It might work for dogs." [The Independent Online]

But a fight between rival childcare experts was the furthest thing from my thoughts when I saw the headline accompanying pictures of infants. I immediately thought of two, beatific babies battling each other for supremacy and followers. You know, maybe one is the reincarnation of Mithras while the other is the reincarnation of Krishnamurti. Or perhaps Siddhartha Gautama vs Zoroaster. Hey, it made me giggle on the way to my office.

Thus Spake Zarathustra

5000 year-old religion still under represented in the states, but less so now.

New Priest for Old Faith By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News March 5, 2007 Zoroastrians now have Littleton man to lead their worship What do you do when your young people want to marry and your old people come to die, but the nearest priest available to mark such milestones lives thousands of miles away? For Coloradans who practice Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest and most fragile religions, the question has been a vexing one - until Sunday. Rumi Engineer, an immigration lawyer from Littleton, was admitted into the priesthood of his 5,000- year-old faith, making him one of only about 100 priests in North America, and the first in Denver. "Besides my Creator, I've had many mentors and practically all of them are here today," said Engineer before about 40 well-wishers gathered at the Church of Religious Science, 1420 Ogden St. The two faiths share worship space and a similar philosophy of the importance of the mind in defining human existence... [ Full Story ]

Zoroastrianism has had a hard time surviving until the modern age, what with persecution in its native Persia some 1,200 years ago and the fact that it is not a proseletyzing religion. So it's good to see a story like this.

Swedish Heathen Group Recognized by Government

This was posted on an Asatru mailing list...

Swedish Heathen Group Recognized by Government In January, the Swedish Heathen group Sveriges Asatrosamfundet became a registered faith-based organization with the Swedish government. At the moment this confers legal recognition, and is being celebrated as a huge milestone. An organization must reach the 3,000-member mark to receive government support or have weddings recognized. See http://www.asatrosa mfundet.se/index.html for the orginal announcement by the organization (in Swedish). English language translation of the announcement follows below. __________________________ "Sveriges Asatrosamfund has finally become a registered religious body. Of course, we have been a religious body all along. According to Swedish law, a religious body is a fellowship for religious activity, which includes organizing services. Ever since the foundation of SAs, we have been this type of religious fellowship, organizing ceremonies and blots (which qualifies under the legal definition of "services"). In other words, SAs has always been a proper religious body according to the law, but has not been registered as such in a legal sense. Now we are. This emphasizes and makes it clear that we are a serious spiritual alternative, not merely a non-profit organization. " "Unfortunately, this does not confer the right to perform marriages or other advantages to the association. The association is required to have at least 3,000 members in order to receive these rights, as well as government financial assistance for services, spiritual counseling, instruction, etc. We're not there today. But that day is coming. Rest assured." - Chairman, Henrik Hallgren

Lutheranism is deeply engrained in Sweden, so much so that the Church of Sweden -- the former state church -- boasted 78.3% of the Swedish population as members (circa 2004, per Wikipedia). Granted, that same article indicates that only 2% of those members attend regular Sunday services. So I would imagine that many Swedes are looking elsewhere for spiritual fulfillment. And why not in their ancestral faith? This announcement is a huge win for the Swedish people. Here's hoping that Sveriges Asatrosamfund continues to grow and that they gain the other rights in due time.

And if you, dear reader, happen to know who provided the translation of the announcement, please let me know. I would like to give credit where it's due.

Bob and Cate

As seen on a mailing list...

Pavement, The Hold Steady and Calexico have all been enlisted to contribute to the soundtrack of the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic. The movie, I'm Not There, features several different actors (Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Cate Blanchett) portraying the singer/songwriter at different points in his life ...

The Internet Movie Database (imdb.com) confirms this casting, but I just have to ask: At what point in Dylan's life did he look anything like Cate Blanchett??

Friday Pet Blogging Bonus | Danger Bird!

A bonus pet blogging post this week! But not more kittie pics. I went to a local supermarket this afternoon to grab some lunch. While in the parking lot, I spied a little birdie living somewhat dangerously:

Bird on a Tire asks: "Four-Wheel Drive is safe, right?"

Friday Pet Blogging | Balance

Here is Otis as he precariously balances on his favorite box:

Otis ponders the fine line between balancing on the ledge, and falling into the box.

Of course, the fun part of falling into the box ... is popping right back out of it!

Speaking of balance, how much dexterity does it take to sit on a step and watch the goings on in the dining room? Milo knows:

It's harder than it looks, y'know. At least, the feigning interest is kinda hard.

But lest you think ill of Milo, he does have mad balancing skillz. As this photo with him sitting atop one of those kitty-scratch-post-and-tunnel things clearly illustrates:

"Say hello to my little (yellow) friend."

And one by one, the pet blogging posts steal my sanity ...

More Pet Blogging See the Friday Ark, featuring a compilation of today's pet blogging posts, over at The Modulator. Check the M&O Archives for some previous Milo & Otis appearances. Carnival of the Cats, coming at you every Sunday. And one of the funniest/cutest/obsessivest (OK, I know that's not a word!) sites for cat photos, StuffOnMyCat.com is a must see. Take it from them: Stuff + Cats = Awesome!