Finally, I Have A Label

Since I decided that thinking for oneself was the best way forward, I have never subscribed to a particular faith or religion; I adhere to the notion that man created God and support the theories of evolutionists over creationists. However, I have never felt entirely comfortable describing myself as an atheist or agnostic. The former defines me for what I accept to be false, but says nothing of what I believe to be true. It is also synonymous with infidel; a derogatory title I have no desire to hold. The latter I consider to be a rather ambiguous label, attracting those that are indecisive and/or afraid to get it wrong and wind up in the naughty queue come judgement day. A 'get out of jail free' card, if you like. A cop-out, if you prefer.

So, I have been lacking a category in which to slide. Until today:

Earlier, I was reading one of the many tributes to the late, great Peter Ustinov and, after a little link hopping, found myself here. I'd heard of humanism before but confess to being ignorant as to it's foundations or philosophy. Intrigued by the taster, I was compelled to find out more:

Humanism

"Humanism encompasses atheists and agnostics, but it is an active philosophy far greater than these passive responses to one particular idea. With an approach to life based on humanity and reason, humanists recognise that moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone. We value the truth, and consider facts as well as feelings in reaching a judgement. Humanists reject the idea of any supernatural agency intervening to help or hinder us. Evidence shows that we have only one life, and humanists grasp the opportunity to live it to the full.

Humanists retain faith in the idea that people can and will continue to solve problems, and that quality of life can be improved and made more equitable. Humanists are positive, gaining inspiration from a rich natural world, our lives and culture.

Humanist thought found particular expression during the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, and in the scientific, social and political revolutions of the modern age. Many people are tacit humanists, reaching similar conclusions without meeting like-minded people or reading particular texts, because these ideas are founded on knowledge, not beliefs.

Humanists think that:

• this world and this life are all we have;
  
• we should try to live full and happy lives ourselves and, as part of this, make it easier for other people to do the same;
  
• all situations and people deserve to be judged on their merits by standards of reason and humanity;
  
• individuality and social cooperation are equally important."

The more I read the more I agree with the refreshingly logical and rational philosophy.

At last, I have a pigeon hole in which to roost.

Hallelujah! I am a humanist.

Mad Dog & An Englishman

...Osama, there's hope for you yet!

My flabber was well and truly gasted by Tony Blair's statement of praise regarding Libya's, Muammar 'Mad Dog' Gaddafi. To cite him as a man of courage for abandoning his WMD project was, in the least, an insensitive and heinous insult to the relatives of his multiple murder victims.

Naturally, the stunt will be paraded as a token payoff in the war on terror and a point on the board for democracy in the Middle East. However, whilst I'm as pleased as the next man to see the globe's stockpile of WMD slightly reduced, I do not see it as a reason to disregard Gaddafi's barbaric past: The senseless, cowardly assassination of Yvonne Fletcher, the bloodbath caused aboard Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie and the supply of aid and weapons to the Provisional IRA. Have these atrocities now paled into insignificance just because, on the surface, the mad dog appears to be chillin' in his old age? Perhaps Osama bin Laden will mellow as he enters his senior years, recognise the error of his ways and be welcomed back in to the diplomatic fold. It would appear that anything is possible.

The reality of it is, Gadaffi still has no respect for human rights. Only this month Amnesty International have identified areas of serious concern in Libya. Claudio Cordone, the leader of the AI investigation said:

"We have people imprisoned solely for the peaceful expression of their views. We have a wide practice of holding people for years without being given access to their families and lawyers, with facilities of torture used often. We have the death penalty for a variety of offenses."

My opinion is that Gadaffi is just playing a calculated game of chess. His WMD stockpile amounted to a couple of grains in the rice bowl of global weaponry and would have been little use against the might of the West; as he would have witnessed during the 'shock and awe' tactics of the Iraq conflict. By giving them up, he's opened the doors of trade with the West, been promoted from pariah to 'good egg' overnight and secured himself financial investment, arms supplies and military training from the UK.

Of course, Tony Blair can see this as plainly as the nose on his face but his incentive to indulge the eccentric dictator is driven by the economic benefits that will exist for UK business in Libya. Major fuel companies have been labeling Libya as prime hunting ground for the last few years and are already clamouring to get their tenders in, now the bar has been lifted.

So, that's alright then, isn't it? After all, several hundred murders, decades of brutal dictatorshipship and the blatant disregard for human rights can easily be overlooked, so long as the figures stack up!

Maggot Masters

The artistic talents of the common or garden maggot have finally been recognised...

"Maggot Art is a fantastic new teaching tool for use in the elementary school setting. Children get hands-on experience with insects that most people find truly disgusting -- maggots -- while creating a beautiful piece of artwork to share with others."

Apparently, you dip the maggot in paint and let it squirm it's way to a work of art. It's as simple as that.

I'm doing the living room up soon. Perhaps it would be trendy to dip the parrot and cat in contrasting shades of Dulux, let-off a Chinese fire-cracker and watch a masterpiece unfold before my very eyes?

...I'll give it serious thought.

What tickled me most was the scientific way in which the art evolved.

"A fellow lab mate and I were hanging around after many, many hours of rearing maggots and we said, 'Hey, what would happen if we dipped them in paint?'"

...I think they need to get out more.

Further down the second article, the maggots welfare, inevitably, comes into question:

"'The process is harmless for the maggots', Bullard said, noting she has received numerous e-mails voicing concern for the maggots' well-being."

And, to support this, the faq's clearly state:

Q: "Will the maggots be harmed in the making of Maggot Art?"

A: "We use only non-toxic water-based paints to make Maggot Art. The maggots are not harmed by this paint, and they are released as adults after they have completed their development."

Blimey! Fair play to them. We're still arguing the toss over whether it's right for a fox to be ripped apart by a pack of dogs!

The founders of the project are:

"Rebecca Bullard, a graduate student in entomology, and Brandi Schmitt and Charlotte Wacker from the School of Medicine's Donated Body Program"

The mind boggles!

Apparently,..

"Bullard met Schmitt after moving to UC Davis last year to continue her graduate studies. 'We just kind of clicked and became friends,' Schmitt said. 'For me it's dead bodies and for her it's maggots. We both study things most people consider gross.'"

I bet their dinner parties are a barrel of laughs!

Who's Gonna Get Ya?

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Have you ever wondered:

Who's got all the nukes, how many they have and how far they can fly?

Well, now you know. (Requires Flash)

Constitutional Cop Out

I have been amazed by the US legal sytem ever since O J Simpson bought his innocence during the soap opera, that was his trial, back in '95.

Here's the latest ruling in the 'All people are equal, but some are more equal than others' fiasco.

"The Supreme Court ruled Monday that while people pleading guilty to crimes are entitled to an attorney, judges don't have to warn them of the disadvantages of not seeing a lawyer."

"The high court overturned an Iowa Supreme Court decision that said judges must tell defendants of the disadvantages of pleading guilty without consulting a lawyer."

Full Story

No matter how I rack my brains, I cannot think of a single, fair reason to deprive a defendant of that knowledge. Of course, middle class America will be unaffected; the gargantuous insurance industry will see to that. It will, once again, be the lowest common denominator that gets to grasp the sticky end. Y'know, the ones that aren't likely to have the 'golfing buddy-cum-lawyer' round to dinner, or the means to access us.legal.self-represent. Basically, it will be those that would benefit from the information the most, that will end up tumbling through the hole in the judicial safety net. What a surprise.

I suppose it will help the system to chug along a bit quicker. After all, if a case has no public-defender, there won't be any tedious mitigating circumstances to consider, or suggestions that the confused defendant, pleading guilty to murder, was actually acting in self-defence. (An extreme example, but it illustrates my point)

Here in the UK, we haven't got the perfect legal system by any stretch of the imagination. However, if I ever found myself in a spot of bother, I know where I'd sooner be tried.

Roll Up Roll Up... Get Your Purity Here!

Isn't the web a wonderful tool for learning?

Visit 'Setting Captives Free' and, in just 60 days, you can learn to rid yourself of all your vices; over-eating, smoking, drinking and drugging (Don't miss the groovy flash movie).

If you so wish, you can even learn to deny your sexuality! How soul satisfying that must be?

Of course, if you think you're up to it, you can roll the modules into one big ball of purity and learn how to enjoy the Lord as your total satisfaction.

Remember, all this can be yours in just 60 days!

Aah! Isn't that reassuring?

Personally... Well, I think I'll opt to learn Elvish instead.

WANTED - Information on Iraqi Terrorists!

...But please, keep it brief!

The CIA have thoughtfully launched a 'Name & Claim' reward scheme to assist them in locating Ba'thist officials, terrorists and weapons of mass disappearance.

For some reason, they've placed a 25Kb limit on the response form.

How peculiar?

Given the current state of affairs, would it not be prudent to encourage as much dirt dishing as possible?

They must be worried about bandwidth costs. After all, if it's as successful as previous campaigns, there's gonna be an avalanche of replies!