I picked up a book a couple of months ago, written by Sam Harris called ‘Letter to a Christian Nation’. The first time I picked it up I never really got past the introduction. Well, I’ve gotten so far as the first chapter or so, and I don’t really think I’ll need to read any more. That’s because from what I’ve skimmed from the rest of chapters, the rest is simply derived from a premise established in the first chapter. That premise is the problem.
Questions of morality are questions about happiness and suffering. That is why you and I do not have moral obligations toward rocks. To the degree that our actions can affect the experience of other creatures positively or negatively, questions of morality apply.
Christianity is not the only religion that would disagree with that very basic premise. At this point, I don’t think I need to crack the cover on his other book to know what direction he takes and what his views are. You could define Sam Harris simply enough by knowing his definition of morality in conjunction with his views on the origins of life. More on morality later.
Wow, it looks like the Russian technical voodoo doll really worked! hmmm… I wonder if it supports Wordpress?
Clueless? Go here.
You know what? Resisting ‘The Man’ is quite fun. I am a shareholder of Conocco Phillips (Oil and Gas) and I was sent a ballot to vote on some proposals. You know what, that CEO makes a LOT of money. DANG. I digress, the proposals. I voted against the recommendation of the board on 4 out of 5. My vote is so insignificant. Still, I’m doing my tiny part.
I particularly liked the proposal that put limitations on eligibility for election to the board of directors. The author included this little tidbit
Whereas Sir J.E.E. Dalberg said, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely”
I can just see the board of directors laughing their ass off at this stuff. I thought it was great too, but for entirely different reasons.
I took my motorcycle out for a spin on Sunday. I am ashamed to say that, for a time, I had forgotten the joy of riding and the open road. Another month will bring usher in the motorcycle riding season, I will need to brush off my plans of epic adventures.
In matters of safety, motorcycle riders must be VERY careful this time of year as there is a lot of gravel remaining on the roads. On the way home after work today, there was what looked like a motorcycle accident where some guy ate it turning onto the freeway.
Is it just me, or does Staind sound better with a beer? Or perhaps its just because I told the man to stick it today. *shrug*
I wrote the dear john letter today. Funny thing is, I wrote it to a guy named John. Hehehe.
I met with the head guy of the Colorado Springs office today. It actually went quite well. He made a comment that he was sorry to see me go because I made the company look really good. In case you missed that, that was a key statement. Managers like it when you make them look good.
Yup … so, why was it again that you can’t make my salary look good too? That issue is why I won’t be back there unless I get desperate. They could pay me more, and there is ample justification, but they won’t.
So, why don’t I just leave when I’ve found another job? It’s a control issue. I’d rather not be controlled by ‘the man.’ It’s also a fear issue. I don’t want my sense of security to be found in my job. It’s a self-respect issue. I place self-respect over something as petty as the accumulation of money. It’s also a hair issue. I’m overcompensating for my lack of long hair. Despite what 99 percent of the population thinks, long hair is VERY manly. Just look at the Lord of the Rings characters/hero’s. Do you see any short hair? NO! Men who kick ass have long hair.
…The ability to resist the powerful and make a stand when common sense says to knuckle under
…The ability to tell BAE Systems to take the job and shove it
…The ability to say F*** Y**
…Oh, so satisfying
After getting a .2 percent raise (inflation adjusted) this year, I have cemented my resolve to leave my company ASAP. Yes, you read that properly, a POINT TWO percent raise. Only working for the government can a company have it’s head so far up its ass and survive.
I keep hearing all this stuff about how I am one of the ‘up and comers’ and how I am doing work above my salary grade. You know what, it’s all true. It’s also true that they don’t think I’m worth more than a .2 percent raise. They can find another up and coming sucker.
Of course, there is another option. I could just decide to be all passive-aggressive and cut my productivity by 2/3. The problem is, if I cut my productivity, I still can’t fill that time with something else. I’d still be stuck in that office.
Noooooooooooooo…….
So, I hired these folks to help me get the heck of the BAE Systems. Yesterday I was supposed to make phone calls to some local executives in her office. Phones scare me enough, and making an important phone call to a complete stranger, while being watched - was enough to shut down my brain and send me in to panic mode.
My brain works when it’s not stressed, so I just need a way to relax. How about 3-4 beers? That should put me into a sufficient state of relaxation so that I could make a call to an exec without panicking.
Exec: This is John Doe
Me: *splutters out hard to pronounce name - made worse by beer*, this is the Dufinator!
Exec: What can I do for you?
Me: *giggles*, my company doesn’t appreciate me. I just want to feel loved, man. I would do anything for you, just love me! *sniffles* Can I have a job?
Phone: —Dial tone —
Me: *still talking* - Did I mention that I’m smart? I will kick the other peoples ass, man! Intellectually, of course.