Penn defines atheism and agnosticism

Penn Jillette gives a brief distinction between agnostic and atheist. He asserts that the two terms address different questions. One can be both. But between being a theist or an atheist, you have to be one or the other. You can't pick agnostic and opt out. Intriguing points.

From Crackle: Penn Says- Agnostic vs. Atheist

GO Party!

The Republicans are coming! The Republicans are coming!

In a matter of weeks, the Republican convention will be coming to Minnesota. Republican delegates and candidates will take over our communities. Even worse, the lobbyists and members of the media will descend upon us like a cloud of hungry locusts consuming everything in their path.

The Minneapolis-St. Paul Welcoming Committee is facilitating their stay and doing everything they can to use the convention as an opportunity for the chamber of commerce members to cash in. I can't blame them for that.

In order to welcome visitors and enable them to part with their money, the welcoming committee has established the GOParty Card. The card will give Republican delegates the opportunity to enjoy significant discounts on services and goods at participating businesses. Over 300 businesses have signed up for the privilege of giving the privileged a good deal.

I was very curious who would be flocking to serve the Republicans. Some non-surprises. The Minnesota Orchestra is offering 10% off tickets. The Mill City Museum offers $2 off admission. Restaurants range from Stella's Fish Cafe and Oyster Bar to Sawatdee Thai Restaurant to IHOP. And when you are minutes from the Mall of America, you can't help to go shopping! The GOParty card gets you deals at American Eagle Outfitters, Dressbarn, Express, QVC, Ultra Diamonds, the Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, and the Lake Wobegon USA store at the MOA. Ahhh, Garrison Keillor would be spinning in his grave--wait! He's still alive!

Then there are the surprises:

• Patrick's Cabaret: Let's just say this about Patrick's Cabaret. It's a great performance space for hippy, artistic types and it has the largest pride flag in the city sticking off the top of the building. You can see the flag a mile away. It's a great landmark.
• Manny's Torta's: Shit man. I can't even go to my favorite Mexican sandwich shop without fear of encountering masses of Republicans?
• Northern Sun Merchandising: OK, this is a riot. The tagline for Northern Sun is "Products for progressives since 1979." Have you seen a button, a t-shirt, a canvass bag, a bumper sticker, or a flag recently that has liberally-inclined message? Northern Sun probably sells it. They have a section on their website of gear specifically for the March on the RNC. Perhaps a Republican delegate can stop by and purchase a yard sign to support the troops.

Noise noise noise!

I like living in the city, but one of the downsides is the noise. The first night in our current house we heard drunk people arguing at 3:00 AM in our front yard. There are cars, motorcycles, annoying motorized scooters. Police sirens. Firetrucks. Trains. We hear construction sounds frequently and garbage trucks. And loud stoner parties. Mariachi music blasted from a neighboring garage all day. And airplanes!

I find myself extremely frustrated when one of these sounds, particularly a semi truck or an ice cream truck wakes up my one year old prematurely from a nap. Her room is at the back of the house and the windows are closed. We have what we call the "sound machine" that buffers outside intrusions with the constant melody of waves on a beach. Still, not enough.

When I went to Wisconsin this month I was struck at how quiet real quiet can be. It was initially unnerving, but then was darn relaxing.

It could be worse. I could live in New York. Or Cairo or Mexico City or Bombay, etc, etc.

Here's a short video on the noise of New York City from Salon.com:

Quote: Dobson on the Bible

James Dobson ripped into Barack Obama's version of Christianity with strong words:

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology."

Yeah. Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, is accusing someone else of distorting the bible to conform to their own agenda. This is the organization that somehow finds religious justification for discriminating against gays, opposing same-sex marriage, spanking kids, opposing embryonic step cell research, advocating "reparative therapy” for gays, and allowing coercive prayer in public institutions.

George Carlin

George Carlin died on Sunday. We miss him already.

Good news: Amazon saved

Amazon bookstore (no not Amazon.com) has been saved at the last minute as it prepared to shut its doors permanently. Earlier this spring we learned that the long-standing Minneapolis feminist bookstore was up for sale. The Minneapolis institution has struggled over the past several years. The employee-owners were ready to move on and had begun a search to find a new owner. Several prospective buyers expressed interest, but nothing came through.

I was in the store about two weeks ago. They had a going out of business sale for their entire stock. I asked the manager, Barb, how long they were going to keep their doors open and she told me they'd finish up by the end of the month. She told me she hoped that maybe whoever took over the lease might open a bookstore because it would be great for the neighborhood.

Amy Goetzman at Minn Post tells the story of how a buyer came through at the last minute. The new owner has lots of plans, including the possibility of changing it's name. Those worried that it will lose it's feminist edge may take some comfort that the new owner, Ruta Skujins, owns "two lesbian publishing houses."

So, sometimes good things happen. One suggestion I would have for a new name would be The Phoenix, because it has arisen from its own ashes.

Muppet Moment: Jon Stewart and Miss Piggy

This nine year old interview features a young Jon Stewart and a flirtatious Miss Piggy. The best moment comes at 1:20 when Stewart makes his first crass remark.

Friday the 13th

It's days like this when I don't miss living in Washington, DC:

• Power Outages Reported Throughout Downtown DC

If I was superstitious, I'd point out that it's Friday the 13th. But everyday in DC (and indeed our country) is a bad luck day with the Bush administration still running the show.

Circling the wagons around Al Franken

I know it's ancient news now, but the DFL endorsed Al Franken at last weekend's convention on the first ballot. It was unclear what was going to happen after the week's developments of prominent state Democrats criticizing Franken for past attempts at humor that were regarded by some as being in poor taste.

Doug Grow wrote at Minn Post of Franken's endorsement: "It was so complete that it may have closed the door on any possible primary challenge from former candidate Mike Ciresi, or any other DFLer who might have thought Franken would be beatable."

I think that may be going a little far. Though it is clear that many party delegates are feeling the need to circle their wagons around Franken if they want to beat Norm Coleman. A nasty fight at the convention might not help. They may be right.

Had the convention been unable to endorse, or had endorsed Franken after a drawn out fight, you would have certainly seen several Democrats jump on the primary contest. Franken's unexpectedly quick endorsement means he will not be challenged by many other Democrats. It is still possible that a well-funded candidate could challenge Franken in the primary. Of course, that would mean Mike Ciresi remains a possibility.

I've been pretty critical of how Franken has handled some of his problems this spring. But I'd still need some persuasion on why Ciresi would be a better pick.

I leave you with one apt quote from my own city council member, Gary Schiff: "We have to do a better job of vetting our own candidates. Our candidates should not have been put in a position of being surprised by any of this.''

Welcoming Republicans to Minnesota

I've been checking out the website for the host committee for the Republican National Convention. Mostly, I want to see what businesses will be promoting themselves for special discounts to Republicans with the GOParty card. (Yes, it is called that. No, they haven't released the details yet.)

The website has some Minnesota trivia. I always like trivia, especially history trivia, so the first question caught my attention:

Click on image for larger size.

If you can't see, it says:

"WHO KNEW? The last Republican National convention held in Minnesota was in 1892. President Benjamin Harrison got the nomination. He lost in the general election."

If you are a superstitious Republican, this 116 year old fact isn't encouraging. I just love how this "fun trivia" just gives the bare facts so plainly. The reader can take his or her own meaning from the trivia item. Of course, the raging liberal in me would love to see John McCain's name a century from now as the answer to the question: "Barack Obama was the first African American to win the White House, but who opposed him as the Republican nominee in the lopsided election of 2008?"

In my fantasy, no one gets the answer.

Roger Murdoch?

It is one of my favorite scenes from the classic movie.

More piling on Al Franken

Now, it's Planned Parenthood.

Can we take this as another signal we'll see a high profile candidate jump in the race before the convention?

My guess is no. But I think it is pretty likely we'll see a strong challenge from someone in the DFL primary.

You just know this is going to continue.