• There had to be several thousand people in the street where George Zimmerman shot Trayvon Martin. Maybe the figure is closer to several million when you see how everybody’s so sure what happened there as expressed on Facebook.

    The media, using a photograph several years old, have portrayed Martin as an angelic child. There is much information from many sources on the internet indicating that this was not the case.

    George Zimmerman has a past, that is true. Just as Trayvon Martin has a past. Neither can make claim to the title of perfection that the media has built for Martin.

    George Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch captain. Trayvon Martin was in the neighborhood wearing a hood over his head. Suspicion of anyone wearing such apparel is natural. (My son was stopped in my neighborhood by the police and questioned. He too was wearing a hood)

    George Zimmerman had a gun. Why a neighborhood watch member, captain or otherwise, should have a gun is a good question. If he had a permit, then he had the right to carry a gun. 

    Despite the lack of information which can be proven, despite the lack of clarity, there have been many who have made this into a white vs. black racial event. They pound relentlessly presenting the same arguments that have no foundation in an effort to turn this event into hatred. This is also despite that George Zimmerman may be Hispanic.

    These people are doing more to destroy the struggle for racial equality than a million racists could ever do.

  • At the suggestion of my brother, who decided to stay in bed instead, my wife and I went up to Marblehead, Ohio. There we saw the Marblehead lighthouse, the oldest continuously operating lighthouse in existence.

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    From the shores of the Marblehead Lighthouse State Park you can see several well known nearby attractions.

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    Pointing upPictured here is Cedar Point as seen to the south.

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    Pointing upAlthough a nearby outcropping of rock obscures the island itself, Put-In-Bay’s Perry Monument is visible in the distance. Put-In-Bay, named after the bay, is also known as South Bass Island.

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    Pointing upSeen in the distance, behind a couple of sailboats is Kelly’s Island.

    All-in-all it was a great outing. We rode our 2009 SilverWing up to Marblehead. Though I admit the Marblehead Lighthouse was a nice place to see, with a good breeze blowing off the lake, I also admit it was mostly about the ride.

    honda silverwing

    http://youtu.be/imKzQX3CKvM

     

  • technologyTechnology is moving forward at a brisk pace. The integration of the human brain and the computer may be around the corner. While this technology will be too late for the likes of me, I can at least dream of the improvements that may be possible with such an integration.

    Of course there is the possibility of misuse of this technology, just as all technology has that potential. For this post I will ignore those scenarios and concentrate on the pluses such artificial improvements may portend.

    For many years I have fretted over the lack within the human brain of a suitablebrain and computer deletion feature. Over the years there have been many embarrassing incidents (probably no more than any one else) which I would rather dismiss, but instead hang on and rile my brain at the most inconvenient times. Though I would rather retain the learning featured in most of these events the emotional distress could be deleted without any objection by me. This habit of the brain to run these memories over and over complete with irritating embarrassmentembarrassment, though remarkable, does use up an excess of mental resources which could be utilized in a more productive fashion. Yes, a deletion command totally at the discretion of the individual, would be most useful. Memories of incidents that grit one’s teeth and anger the mind could be selectively erased; stress can thus be lowered, and concentration upon more meaningful endeavors focused more precisely. Irrational hatred, envy, and jealousy could be simply dismissed, deleted away. Agreements for peace on the world scene would more easily come about without personal differences and dislikes barring the way.

    There are many other technological breakthroughs that may be less than a hundred years away. Computer and brain enhancements that expand memory and learning will programming brainenable the future science fiction writers envision. Sometimes I experience the feeling of being born too early. Yet, we are all the stuff from which the future is built. If you were not where you are in time, someone else would have had to be there from which the future would be built. Even if we can’t be in the time we would like at least we can still imagine…..

  • The Army Corp of Engineers developed man-made lakes for the purposes of flood control. Due to recent rains the dams on these lakes had to be partially closed to limit the flow of water downstream. Both Mifflin Lake and Pleasant Hill lake were developed for these flood control purposes. Charles Mill Dam was constructed in 1935 and 1936 and is primarily for flood control but also for recreation and fish and wildlife management. Pleasant Hill Lake, situated in Richland and Ashland counties near Loudonville in Mohican Country, is one of central Ohio’s top boating and outdoor attractions. Managed by the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, the lake was constructed in the 1930s for flood reduction and water conservation, but has turned into an outdoor recreational paradise.

    Parking area on Route 430 in Mifflin (3)

    Pointing upThis picture was taken yesterday at a parking area just off Route 430 in Mifflin.

    Parking area on Route 430 in Mifflin (13)

    Pointing upThis shot, taken today shows that the water levels have risen several feet.

    Parking area on Route 430 in Mifflin (17)

    Pointing upThe dock at this location, the parking area off Route 430 in Mifflin, is now about 20 or so feet out in the water. Nevertheless, this boater is determined to enjoy the day.

    River near Pleasant Hill Dam (1)

    Pointing upThis is a picture of a river that flows under a bridge near Pleasant Hill Dam. I took it two days ago.

    River near Pleasant Hill Dam (6)

    Pointing upToday that river has risen over its banks.

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    Pointing upThis picture, taken at Pleasant Hill Dam shows a level of 66 feet. I was told this was 16 feet above the normal level. It was expected to rise another foot. Normally you would be able to see the openings where water would flow in.

    I tried to get into the Park at Pleasant Hill Lake but they were not allowing anyone to enter except for the purposes of removing boats, requiring a pass.

  • Racing forward, pedal to the metal, a Nickle’s Bread Truck surges on.

    bread loafIt doesn’t matter if life and limb is at risk, all that matters is that this juggernaut attain a position at least one car length ahead of where it was.

    Racing up State Route 13 South, towards Mansfield, sitting nearly on the bumper of the car in front, the truck barrels on. The poor guy, seeing the grill of the truck in his mirror, has to get overracing car simply to avoid the urgent delivery of baked goods. Someone, somewhere, needs a sandwich.

    The date is July 5, 2013, and once again I have the feeling of having just barely escaped another tragic mishap. Drivers everywhere seem to have forgotten that the speed limits are meant for them, not just everyone else.

    I will never understand the dire urgency of being one car length beyond where you were. It never fails though, be it bread trucks, SUV, or auto, there is always some jerk who feels they must be at the head of the line even if it costs them or someone else their life.

    Has the expiration date on bread gotten shorter?

  • The ground is saturated and can’t take any more. Even a modest rain generates flooding.

    Route 39 Bridge (1)

    Pointing upThis is a river that flows under a bridge just before you get to Perrysville going south. A field is partially flooded, there will be some ruined corn.

    River near Pleasant Hill Dam (2)

    Pointing upThis bulging river is near the Pleasant Hill Dam, also near Perrysville.

    MT Zion Rd (2)

    Pointing upMount Zion Road between Mansfield, Ohio and Lucas, Ohio. Several cars decided to turn around rather than chance a crossing. A wise move.

    Ball field Mifflin (1)

    Pointing upMifflin, Ohio has a baseball field which they have tried very hard to keep in decent shape, but it never fails to incur deep water at least once a year.

  • Attended a meeting of the Eastern Ohio Freethinkers today. I met new friends, ate good food, and enjoyed some interesting discussions about the topics below.

    Questions 001

    What do you think about these topics?

  • Religous GOP 2Now that the Republican party has established itself as the party of Christianity what freedom loving American can possibly support the GOP? Whether the Republican party is using Christianity or whether Christianity has taken over the Republican party is unimportant. The GOP has become the champion of far-right Christian views.

    As stated in the article, a veteran Republican has witnessed the co-opting of his party by fundamentally Christian political “cranks” starting in the 1970’s and progressing to grow into a major element within the ranks of the GOP. As evidence it was offered that some GOP staffers are now expressing fundamentalist ideas openly, for example, the fundamentalist staffer who said that dinosaur fossils were a hoax, or the staffer who decided to take time off when in Greece for the purposes of converting the local population.

    Despite the fact that the Constitution states there shall be no religious test for public office there is in fact a test conducted. Inevitably candidates for high public office are pressured into sharing their feelings about their faith. Many in the public media have been convinced that a candidate’s religion is a matter for public debate.

    Republican candidates for high public office are severely examined as to their religious views. Mitt Romney was harassed about his views and a preacher from Texas, one Robert Jeffress, even expressed the opinion that it was even doubtful that Romney could be considered a Christian given his Mormonism.

    Wearing the fundamentalist label within the Republican party has become a cloak behind which all manner of indiscretions can be overlooked. As long as the candidate identifies with fundamentalists values his/her personal ‘sins’ are disregarded.

    Not too long ago the group of which I am a member took to discussing how to attract new members. One of the taboos mentioned in the discussion was whether or not members should make disparaging remarks about one or the other major political parties. This particular taboo was mentioned in that some atheists might be Republicans.

    I found this astounding. Upon realizing my atheism and adopting the label proudly I found immediately that I could no longer be a member of the Republican party and abandoned it. How could any self-respecting person believing in freedom of religion and the Separation of Church and State adhere to the Republican party? (The fundamentalist members of the Republican Party do not believe that Federal prohibitions about religion apply to the states, and they do not believe that the Constitution mentions a separation between church and state).

    The Democratic party is the only other party that can successfully oppose the Republican religious machine. If there were a more secular party with the resources to keep the Republicans from making the United States a theocracy I would certainly support them. With all of its flaws, the Democratic party is all we have that is in a position to stop this race towards a religiously fundamentalist state. Even if every atheist supported an independent secular party its numbers would be tiny and ineffectual against the religious political machine of the Republican party and would diminish the strength of the only party capable of challenging it.

  • If there is some atheist or agnostic or even a humanist left in the United States that is not aware of the traitorous actions of the GOP it would have to be because, like fundamentalist Christians, they live their lives with their heads firmly planted in the ground. As the GOP right-wingers work to make this country a plutocracy and a theocracy they exercise patience as small incremental changes are made by legislation and public misinformation.

    The bad news is that America is one election away from being eliminated as the bastion of freedom that it has been for over 200 years. This push towards the elimination of the United States has been ‘in process’ for the past 30 plus years.

    Just what has the GOP done that indicates this project is underway? Opposition of any tax plan that increases taxes on the wealthy. A call for eliminating the minimum wage. Advocating “right-to-work” laws in various states. These right-to-work laws are in reality thinly disguised union busting tools. Demands for cuts in social programs upon which many people depend and would be in poverty without. A push to eliminate any “Separation of Church and State”. Republicans are openly, blatantly, advocating for theocracy and corporatocracy(plutocracy). Why would the rich support a theocracy? What better way to pacify the people than the ‘opiate of the people’.

     http://www.politicususa.com/2013/06/30/america-seige-koch-brothers-replace-constitution.html

  • GodObjectivity is defined as existing independently of perception or an individuals conceptions. It is something which is undistorted by emotion or personal bias. It is of or relating to actual and external phenomena as opposed to thoughts, feelings, etc.

    There are many people who claim to be making an objective observation but upon examination have some bias involved in the interpretation of that observation.

    Subjectivity is defined as belonging to, proceeding from or relating to the mind of the thinking subject and not the nature of the object being considered. It is of, relating to, or emanating from a person’s emotions, prejudices, etc: subjective views.

    People are subjective as they usually have some desire that data be interpreted in a fashion as to validate their preconceived notions. Even when the facts back the interpreted data some subjective analysis is inevitable (Why was the observation or experiment conducted in the first place).

    My investigations of Christianity were initiated by observations of many Christians.Lack_of_respect Their behavior did not correspond with their stated visions of what Christian behavior should be. After investigating the origins of and metamorphosis of Christianity it became clear to me that it was in its entirety a fabrication. As a result I declared my atheism where Christianity and its related forms were concerned. With further reasoning it was clear to me that all of mankind’s multiple forms of religion were likewise constructed from the imagination. All that remained was the possibility of some unknown entity which, as gathered from observation, had no interest or connection with humanity or its origins and for which there was no evidence as well.

    The moment I declared my atheism my attitude towards religions became subjective. I aspired to obtain information supporting my case that the world’s religions were simply fabrications. It was of no matter that the facts backed my analysis, further research alone indicated a bias towards desired results. Although my research in the beginning atheism insidewas possibly objective to some degree, once sufficient evidence presented itself, subjectivity was inevitable. In the pursuit of ‘keeping an open mind’ I maintain, should sufficient evidence present itself, that I would be persuaded into some belief of an entity, that evidence itself would have to be of such a nature that belief would no longer be required as I would know at that point.

    Christians believe in their God without evidence of any kind with the exception of interpretation based on subjective needs. Their desire for the existence of their God is based on fear of death. There is as yet no evidence of any existence after death except as assorted molecules. When Christians do research to attempt to substantiate theirmolecules interpretation of creation they do so subjectively. Data conflicting with their preconceived notions as to the nature of creation are discarded.

    Is objective research and observation possible? In my humble opinion it moleculesis not. Once exposed to whatever research is ongoing and receiving preliminary data, subjective opinion develops.

    Many complain that the news offered by the various media is slanted. Their complaints are valid. A typical news story could read: so and so was shot in the neck and died in whatever city or location. Should the news reporter proceed to remark on why the event took place, what people were affected by it, and the emotional state of those involved, then the report becomes subjective. An appeal to emotion is subjective. Prejudice towards the perpetrator is generated. The story becomes an interpretation. Whether people realize it or not, without subjectivity news stories would be most unentertaining.

    So, don’t make comments and then try to substantiate them by claiming they are objective. I won’t believe it. I don’t think it is possible. The only possibility of objectivity, and it is a remote one, is that someone outside of the event, totally disinterested (if that’s possible), takes a news story or research project and edits out the subjectivity. Chances are that such an editor would become subjective half way through themselves.