the CHRISTmas Strawman.

The vast majority of Americans who are Christians...who have churches on every other corner, and Bible/Christian references everywhere in our culture, are feeling oppressed and persecuted. What??  

We want everyone (people of other religions or beliefs who have other holidays at this time) to feel included in holiday wishes.   So instead of only saying "Merry Christmas" to the general public, some say "Happy Holidays". (to include everyone.)  But no...people who do so are evil Christian-haters who are one step away from destroying Christianity completely tomorrow at noon with their mighty non-Christ wishes.
 
Listen Jesus-people....no one is trying to take Christmas away, no one is trying to take the CHRIST out of CHRISTMAS, no one is telling you to stop enjoying Christmas...so RELAX!  You are building a Strawman argument.   Relax and build a snowman instead...with a cross around his neck if you like.    The whole point is, it's just not nice to say Merry Christmas to a Jewish person.  Many don't care,  or won't get freaked out if you do....but it's just not nice.  Not the end of the world...just not nice.  So why does the non-Christian here have to remind you "filled with Christ's love" people ....how to love people??   

As a non-believer, I have no problem wishing you "Merry Christmas" if you do indeed celebrate Christmas.  But if you don't...then I won't wish you "Merry Christmas".   It's not complicated. 

S.W. 4th and Washington. 1946 and 2010

VOTE!

I was watching Bill Mahar who had a couple of Conservative/Republicans on his panel.  He was trying to point out to them the type of person the Republican/Tea Party attracts. (Crazies)  They got very upset and defensive.  OK, I get it, YOU are not a toothless slack-jawed-snake-handlin'-Jesus-freak...YOU are intelligent ...I get it.  But that wasn't the point.  Of course there are many educated, intelligent people who are Republicans.  But you need to come to terms with the fact that this party attracts ....a certain type of person.  Ok, I can hear it now..."Oh yeah, just like the Democrats/Liberals attract the pot-smoking-dreadlocked-un showered hippy!"   Right right right right...yes, there are crazy people and intelligent people who are Liberals...but do you see what I just did there???  I Don't DENY it!!!    Republicans....Conservatives....Tea Party people...You attract crazy loony kookoo people.  I would consider more of  your candidates if it didn't mean giving power to Glen Beck Parrots who don't know what they are talking about....actual toothless slack-jawed yokels....gun-totin' rednecks who are completely ignorant of diplomacy and just want 'merica to blow everyone up...the EXTREMELY un-educated...and the Ultra-religious person who would vote right now to make the U.S.A. a Christian Theocracy....to start tomorrow.   I'd rather take my chances with the idiot pot-smoking hippies.   I would have more respect for the Republican Party if they didn't put Puppets like Chris Dudley up for election...or a dumb-as-a-bag-of-hammers hottie like Sarah Palin up for VICE FREAKIN' PRESIDENT!?!?!?   You have intelligent people who have experience....use THEM!   I'm stickin' with the tree-huggers.

Arrrgh!

Sorry, just have to vent.  I just saw another Facebook friend who just got good news regarding his son's serious disease.  I'm truly happy for him.  But he thanks Jesus!  And another person says "God is GOOD".  The total lack of logic makes me crazy.  What about the millions of other kids who are dying/have died of a horrible disease with lots of suffering?  And who allowed him to get the disease in the first place?

West Burnside and Broadway, Portland, OR. 1933 and 2010

I took the updated version today.  1933 and 2010.

Christians have wrong point of view

     Ok, this is going to sound anti-Christian, but in fact this should benefit Christians.  No, really....
I hear complaints like "they are taking prayer out of our schools" and the "War on Christmas", etc.  Now I can understand, if one hasn't stopped to think it through, a Christian might see these things as bad for them.  But I'm asking you to think it through.  You have the wrong point of view.  First, as a former Christian, I know that I could pray at any time or any place.  It would actually be impossible to take prayer out of schools or anywhere.  The rule to not have a classroom led prayer is actually beneficial to everyone, Christians included.  You want separation of church and state.  (taliban) You should care enough not to force a Christian prayer on Jews, and followers of other religions.  That is not a good witness.  No one is telling you or your kids that prayer is bad or that you shouldn't pray.  Pray all you want, just don't force it on all of the kids.   I attended a Bible study group in High school...it's all good just as long as it's not endorsed by the school or forced on anyone.
Christmas is coming.  NO ONE IS TRYING TO TAKE CHRISTMAS AWAY!  Read that again please.  The whole point of any attempt to change "Merry Christmas" signs to "Happy Holidays" is to involve EVERYONE, not just YOU!  News flash....not everyone is a Christian.   Put up statues of Jesus, Santa, and all the flashy lights you want, more power to ya...again...NO ONE IS TRYING TO TAKE CHRISTMAS AWAY!   Just don't make our public schools or our government buildings endorse one religion.

Bottom line....you are not being persecuted!  You still have the freedom to practice your religion, no one is trying to take that away.  In fact, many, if not all Atheists, Agnostics and followers of different religions would fight for your right to do so.  That is what we love about the U.S.A.  But don't try to make the government endorse your religion and force it on the rest of us.  If you want to convert everyone to your religion...do it with love.  Why do I need to tell you that???
Amen.

Thompson Elk Fountain

Thompson Elk Fountain.  1901 and 2010

Then and now Portland

S.W.6th and Oak.  1939 and 2010.

Another then and now Portland photo.

I took this one today.  This is the one I missed yesterday because I forgot to put a card in my camera. 

Fire Station number 2 on 3rd ave. 1948 and 2010.

 

Old and new Portland

I found a blog with a bunch of old photos of Portland. I figured I should find some of these spots and re-photograph them in 2010.  So I set out on my first mission today during lunch.  After making a long trek across town, and venturing into a "no trespassing" area I discovered I didn't have a memory card in my camera!  This was after I was halfway back to work.  Fortunately I discovered this in time to get a few other pics.  I was working from memory of some of the old photos I had seen earlier this morning, so hopefully I was standing in the right places.  I have a feeling I'll be going back to some though.  So here is my first one.  A view of Burnside and S.W. 3rd Ave. in 1932 and 2010.  The area around what is now the Paris Theater and Voodoo Donuts is almost the same, and the Heathman?? Hotel in the background is still there.

On debate...and making a point.

(PREFACE...I'm not claiming to be an expert on this...just aware of it.)    Being in the radio biz for 30 years, one of the things I've learned about advertising is, be clear and to the point.  The average person starts hearing "Blah blah blah blah" soon after you cram the third "point" into one sentence or paragraph.  I see many advertising agency people giving direction to voice talent.  "Take a breath between each sentence, over exaggerate the inflections, be excited but not too hard-sell, think happy thoughts...etc etc."  The voice talent will start nodding their head like they get it, but they lost track soon after the "Take a breath between each sentence" part. Many commercials fail at this also, cramming all sorts of deals, info on the company, the janitors nickname, cliche after cliche, etc. into one 30 second commercial.
     Online debates are where you will find many people who don't know how to make a point.  I have a christian Facebook friend who responds every time with at least 5 paragraphs.  I'm sorry, I'm just not going to read all of that....your point has not been made my friend. 
     If you're discussing where the excrement on Noah's ark was kept, and the other person mentions religion being taught in schools...ignore it and just keep talking about Noah's animal poo.   Be clear, and to the point.

Low talking Homeless

Is it just me, or do people asking for money need to SPEAK UP!?!?!?   I know the person sitting on the street in downtown Portland is asking for spare change ....probably...but I'm not always sure.   A guy was walking up and down the isle on the Max train the other day repeating a question to everyone.  No matter how many times he said it, I couldn't figure out what he was saying.  Something like "Hair monkey change"...or something with the word "Change" in it.   This morning a guy on the street asked me to iron his collar....or at least that is what it sounded like.   I know it can be a humiliating experience...but better results would be accomplished with a clearer message.  imho

Radio morning show crews

I used to love to listen to morning shows on radio when there was only one guy...or maybe two people.  Now the trend is to have a "crew" crowding around the console.  Some are better than others, but most of the time you have too many big egos in one small room all needing to justify their paycheck by chiming in as much as possible.  Many times I have tuned into a morning show in the middle of ...something indecipherable.  A jumble of voices laughing, cracking jokes, talking over one another, etc.  It usually takes a minute for my brain to tune into the subject at hand.  I don't know how many times I've been listening to a person telling an interesting anecdote and before the person can finish, he/she is interrupted by a wannabe star/comedian and the story is never finished.  One of the WORST is Howard Stern's crew.  Robin is the worst person in radio ever.  Her voice is shrill, she is NOT funny OR interesting and she interrupts everyone all of the freakin' time.  Also, Howard likes to have funny people or comedians sit in on his show...so they  have to say funny things right?  That's what Howard brought them in for eh?  So they are constantly interrupting people.  These types of shows are very difficult to listen to.  These people are afraid of not getting to say anything at all if they shut up and let another person finish talking....which may be true, but that would be a better show.  Program directors, if you're going to have a morning crew, make them each learn their place.  Or even better, just have one or two people.  Hey, you'll save money on salaries!  Amen.

My Ukulele collection

Performance art at Lovejoy Fountain

Yesterday I posted a picture of a fountain I found hidden away in Portland.  I'm still not sure but I think it is called Lovejoy Fountain.  Today, while walking past the same fountain after work, I noticed a few people acting strangely.  I eventually realized this was some sort of performance art thingy.  A few people were watching and it was difficult to tell who was watching and who was participating.  As far as I could tell, the actors were simply moving, feeling, expressing at will until one woman would blow on a tiny harmonica and they would freeze.  She would blow it again and they would continue.  Interesting.....

Get some holy spirit in ya!

When I was a christian, I went to a "Charismatic" church.  There was speaking in tongues, dancing, prophesy, lots of worship and singing.  I would love the feeling when the Pastor would really get us going.  I was told that feeling was the holy spirit.  If you can relate, you know it's a feeling of euphoria...tingly...warm...emotional...inspiring...somewhat thrilling and fun.  It convinced me that I had found the truth, because this feeling was real.  I never once considered that it might be something else.  That is what I'm telling you now...it's something else.  If it were really "proof" that you had found the truth, then Mormons, Muslims, Hindus, all weird cults, rock concert attendees, potential sellers at Amway conventions, and looting mobs have all found the truth.  The Mormons call it a "burning in the breast" and they call it "proof".  It is not.  Now I'm no biologist, but this feeling is a chemical-based feeling.  It's an emotion that is stirred up when a group of people get together and focus on one thing.   It's also known as "mob mentality" where people will turn over cars and destroy things in a mob, but they would never act that way on their own.  Witches use this to "raise power" in their circle.  If you watch a sitcom on tv...you might laugh out loud only a couple of times, but if you were actually in the audience, you would be laughing out loud to almost every joke.  The Holy spirit, is not real....god is not real...self delusion is real.

Amen.

Fountain hidden in downtown Portland

I found this walking from our old building to our new building today.  I think it's called "Lovejoy Fountain"

With god, all things are possible.,,????

A new Facebook "Like" is popping up.  "With god, all things are possible"....press LIKE!!
Yep, all things are possible with all gods...but a lot of these "things" never happen....amputees cured...cancer cured...the common cold cured....war gone...suffering gone...etc.   If "all things" are indeed possible with this god, he is quite lazy and un-caring eh?

PS....these things don't happen because this god isn't real.

Please pray for me!!!

I have MANY friends on Facebook who believe that this Jesus dude is real.  When they have a relative who dies...who is suffering...etc....I can't comment because that would be mean.   It's frustrating to see my friends asking for prayers because their friend/family member is suffering, when according to their Bible...the entity they are praying to created their suffering, and refuses to stop it.   When I do comment on such things, I get the usual apologetic vague, flowery "explanation" as to why I am wrong...TOTALLY lacking in any form of logic.  Logic they will use when doing their taxes and buying a home, but not used when considering that an entity  has zero-zip-nada proof of existing.
It makes me sad that these people who are suffering are deluding themselves.  Maybe it makes them feel better thinking their child has gone to "be with Jesus", but enabling this kind of thinking affects other decisions.   Decisions that eventually will affect me.  I have a fellow agnostic who scolds me for being so harsh and "intolerant" to others who believe diffferently.  This is a view with blinders.  The BIG picture is that thinking this way affects other decisions that affect me.  Also, these "moderates"...who are many, give support to the radicals.   The radical Muslims who flew planes into the towers were given strength by the millions of moderate muslims.  Crazy christians who protest with signs that say "God hates fags" are supported by the millions of moderates who believe that the basis of  their religion is true.   I'm not being rude or "intolerant" by saying these things.....I'm shining a flashlight on ignorance.

It's starting to look like Fall in Portland today.

Near PSU, Downtown Portland

park blocks

Leaves on a tree near PSU

Drunks annoying us on our vacation in Hawaii

My curious cat, Oona

Does God make you angry?

I see so many Facebook comments thanking and praising god for all he has done for them.  The comments that really make me sad are from people who have had something terrible happen to them.   A child with a horrible life-threatening disease for example.  If the child has a good day at the hospital, they thank god.   Um, why aren't they angry because god allowed this to happen?   Being a former Christian, I know the answers.   It's our own fault because we are sinners and we bring this upon ourselves......god is teaching us a lesson......we can't possibly understand everything about god so what seems terrible to us, is actually a wonderful thing that we just don't comprehend....etc.   First, as a parent, I understand allowing your child to make mistakes to learn, but I would never allow my child to suffer in agony for any reason.   (So I guess i'm more loving than this "god". )  And all the other excuses are just sad attempts to justify something that isn't logical....because people WANT and NEED to believe this is TRUE!     Bottom line, if god knows everything, has always known everything, and is all powerful....then we couldn't have free will, everything that happens, he kneew would happen, so he made us knowing we would suffer, knowing some would choose to not believe in him, knowing babies would die agonizing deaths from aids, etc.  He also created satan, knowing full well what he would end up doing, so god is the creator of evil.   If one stops wanting to believe so much and uses simple logic, one would see that the christian god, along with all other gods, have been created by ignorant men and women.   Stories told around campfires by elders of a tribe.   This way of thinking is a cancer upon humankind.  Not just with religion, but with politics, morals, personal choices, lifestyles etc.   If you think the rugrats cartoon was cute when the baby said "I'm poopy" but would be offended if the baby had said "I'm shitty", then you fall into that catagory, and you should start closely and objectively examining what you believe.   (In case you don't get it, both words mean exactly the same thing.....being offended by one and not the other is not.....logical.)

Teresa singing karaoke on her 40 th birthday.

Views from my new studio

Hallway outside of my door

view from my studio window

Moving day!

For quite a while now, my employer Alpha Broadcasting, has had many Portland stations operating out of 3 different buildings.  Today is my last day in this ancient former bank vault and tomorrow I move in to my brand new studio at the Pac West building.   Here's what it looks like....

Our offices right before the big move

Pac West Building

Weird car I saw in downtown Portland today

My Wife Teresa taunts the cat.  What's wrong with this picture??

Useless info MASTER!!!

I haz blog!

Prepare to be astonished.  ...or not.  I take pictures of stuff.  I like stuff.   You will see stuff from Portland, Hawaii, and other stuff.   Occasional opinions will be expressed.