You Gotta Believe in Something

I was struck by this reader e-mail on Daily Dish concerning the fact the burden of proof is on theists to show that God exists.

It ends with...

"I simply point out that living your life is a specific, positive claim, and thus everyone has to bear the burden of proof equally."

Okay. I'm an atheist and I'm alive. If you want positive proof that I'm alive then I'll give you my address and we can visit in person. I suppose "human secularism" is a good way to describe what I believe. And I would define it as basing decisions on empirical evidence with an eye towards improving the human condition. As opposed to basing decision on God's will with an eye towards pleasing Him. Feel free to poke holes in my belief system. Most importantly if you do find problems with my secular beliefs, I'm willing to change my mind when presented with credible data.

As for the source of meaning in my life, it's my interactions with the natural world and other human beings. Nevermind the fact that the reader is presupposing that life and the universe have meaning. I don't think there is an objective meaning. It just is what it is. I do think there is subjective meaning. And it baffles me why this isn't good enough for some people. Is it a sunset not as beautiful if it's simply the earth turning away from the sun? Is a marriage only meaningful if it's been okayed by some higher authority?

Our brains are meaning machines. We see meaning and purpose in everything because it helps us survive. So naturally, we might see intent that isn't really there. We anthropomorphize the natural world and decide there must be a god of the harvest (Demeter). Or a god of fire (Agni). Or a god of thunder (Thor). Or if it's hard keeping track of all these gods, let's just have one big God for everything. We look at clouds and stars and our minds turn them into people and animals. We are the source of meaning. The stars didn't align themselves to look like crabs and horses for our benefit. It just is how it is. And I can find beauty in that. I don't want to automatically kill myself. I like the universe. I like living in it. And I don't see a point in inventing supernatural reasons why my existence is important and meaningful. It's meaningful to me. That's good enough.

(one orb disappearing behind the horizon of another)

Start by Listening

"And the bottom line in all these talks and all these conversations is, is a child in the Palestinian Territories going to be better off? Do they have a future for themselves? And is the child in Israel going to feel confident about his or her safety and security? And if we can keep our focus on making their lives better and look forward, and not simply think about all the conflicts and tragedies of the past, then I think that we have an opportunity to make real progress."

This is why Obama is the right man for the moment. He doesn't approach these complicated issues looking to map over his preconceived ideology as the solution. As Biden said when I saw them in Springfield, "This guy is a clear-eyed pragmatist who'll get the job done." By putting the focus on improving the lives of individuals, he can hopefully change the conversation from an abstract philosophical argument to a debate on practical policy. This has to be the first step and I expect this strategy to touch the whole of his presidency.

Five Living Presidents

This picture was taken recently. It's the five living US Presidents. It got me wondering how many similar photos have been taken. I found two other examples when this kind of thing has happened. "This kind of thing" meaning the incoming President has a photo-op with his predecessors.

Here we have Bush the Elder with Reagan, Carter, Ford and Nixon.


And a decade earlier, here's Reagan with Carter, Ford and Nixon.


I found a couple more interesting couplings.

Clinton and Ford.


More interesting, Clinton and Reagan.

It's not easy to find pictures of Ronnie after he retired.

And finally, Nixon and Truman.


But, I cheated a bit on this one because Nixon is only Vice President in this photo. Still, they make a handsome couple.

It's somewhat fascinating to see all of these men stand next to each other with big grins on their melting faces. It wasn't all that long ago in human history that the normal practice on seeing your political enemy was to throw a blunt heavy object at their head. In fact, that's still the norm in a lot of country's today. To see Obama and Bush, Reagan and Carter and Nixon, Bush and Clinton put aside their bitter partisan disagreements is to look at a tangible example of our country's founding principles.

In my search, I also came across these drawings of 20th Century Presidents (plus Bush the Younger) kicking back with the founder of their respective parties. Hey man, it's just dude's beeing dudes. Can I bum a smoke, Frankie?

Above: An accurate depiction of what Andrew Jackson would have done with time travel technology.


Both drawings have notable absences. Obviously, the Democrat picture was drawn before 1/20/09. But there's five famous faces missing from the Grand Ole Poker Party. Granted there were more Republican Presidents last century, so it would be harder to fit them all in one frame. But I don't think any Republican would complain about Harding, Coolidge and Hoover not getting standard bearer status. And adding McKinley would just confuse people that John McCain had somehow been sworn in on accident.

Get To Know Them First

This is great ad series that aired in California on inauguration day. It strikes exactly the right tone. It's just honest about how little a person's sexual orientation has to do with his/her lifestyle. Unfortunately one of the ABC affiliates, KABC in Los Angeles, refused to put the ads on air because they were "too controversial" considering that "many families will be watching."

By the way, here's a promo for ABC's sunday night line-up.



Now there's some heartwarming family television advertising. Let that be a lesson, gay-rights advocates. Sex it up a bit! Put a little boobage in there. Use "slumber party" as a euphemism for lesbian sex and KABC is sure to come around. Because let's face it, kids love slumber parties.

President Badass

Finally, a chief executive who is action figure worthy.

Forget W's cowboy image. Obama is a secret fucking agent!



Oh, I think you're gonna want some free health care, when he's through with you!



And you have to admit, Barack Obama does kind of sound like a name George Lucas would make up.