The Pew Research Institute just did a survey on religion and practices and beliefs in the US. It had some interesting results.
They cited a group called Historically Black Churches (HBCs) that consisted of Baptist, Methodist and Pentecostal churches as well as others. Vodou was not included.
"Pagan" groups got lumped into "Other Faiths" with New Age & Unitarians. Dunno if Vodou would be filed under "Other" or "Other World". Total of "Other" and "Other World" was 1.5 %.
"Other Christian" listed metaphysical & spiritualist. I don't think that is what most people mean when they list themselves as "Christian - other" on social networking websites.
Evangelicals are fairly split between desiring big and small governments leaning towards smaller with 48% vs larger 41%.
HBCs are overwhelmingly in favor of big government with 72% in favor of big spending bureaucracies, a sentiment mirrored by Muslims at 70%.
This nugget should please anti-Obamamaniacs of the reasonable and crazy ilk alike.
Muslims (surprise) believe the government should be involved in "protecting morality" by 59%. Mormons, Evangelicals & the HBCs follow at about 50%.
Mormons and Jews are more in favor of more active foreign policies while the HBCs and Jehovah's Witnesses lead the pack in keeping our meddling here at home. FWIW, 55% of people overall want to reign in foreign policies.
People of most faiths want stricter environmental controls. The HBCs & Evangelicals would be the least aggressive but it is still a minority of these groups.
Jehovah's Witnesses are easily the biggest church goers in the country with "Other Faiths" coming last which makes sense as many of them have nowhere to go and many frequently refer to themselves as solitary practitioners.
Jehovah's Witnesses are by far the most assured they practice the one true faith. I guess that is why they are at church so often - to be reassured.
the faiths with the most singular interpretations are Jehovah's Witnesses followed by Mormons, HBCs and Evangelicals. The majority of other faiths overwhelmingly agree there is more than one way to interpret their religions.
Anyway, these are just a few of the findings. It is worth looking at on your own.
http://religions.pewforum.org/
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Everybody's Trying to Be My Baby
ugh
I guess I am just getting old. I set up a MySpace page (for various reasons) and I was instantly peppered with "friend" solicitations from countless young women. Thing is, I am old enough to be their fathers. Sure, they are pretty but what would I have to say to these young women ? For one thing, "When you offer your 'friendship' to someone, sending them a picture of your butt isn't exactly appropriate".
If they were offering to introduce me to their mothers it might be a different story. Instead they tell me they find me "cute", "hot", "sexy", etc. They tell me they want me to fulfill their sexual fantasies. These chicks have some seriously boring fantasies.
I really have nothing in common with any of these girls. Many appear to be avid swimmers (albeit with some really scrawny arms) and, while swimming is a fine sport, I don't enjoy swimming at all.
I just don't understand it.
I guess I am just a grumpy old fart.
ugh
I guess I am just getting old. I set up a MySpace page (for various reasons) and I was instantly peppered with "friend" solicitations from countless young women. Thing is, I am old enough to be their fathers. Sure, they are pretty but what would I have to say to these young women ? For one thing, "When you offer your 'friendship' to someone, sending them a picture of your butt isn't exactly appropriate".
If they were offering to introduce me to their mothers it might be a different story. Instead they tell me they find me "cute", "hot", "sexy", etc. They tell me they want me to fulfill their sexual fantasies. These chicks have some seriously boring fantasies.
I really have nothing in common with any of these girls. Many appear to be avid swimmers (albeit with some really scrawny arms) and, while swimming is a fine sport, I don't enjoy swimming at all.
I just don't understand it.
I guess I am just a grumpy old fart.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
In this article it is stated that David Crowley wants to save energy by replacing the light bulbs in the city council chandelier with fluorescent bulbs. This is, of course, problematic as the bulbs are expensive and their disposal creates a hazard.
A better idea would be to just turn off the room lights altogether and use the desk lamps at people's desks.
You would save energy, cut costs and have a real dramatic visual effect to boot.
Keeping council members awake could be a problem, however.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Red Beans and Quinoa
I like red beans and rice. Being an ignorant cook, I usually just make the Vigo mix with some veggies and some hot smoked sausage.
While reading a book called Collapse, the author discussed the diet of Incans and Azteks and that they ate a grain (a psuedograin ?) called quinoa that was high in protein.
In an effort to be a little more self sufficient, eat more healthy & cut food costs, I attempted red beans and quinoa from scratch. Well, ok, really the only difference besides substituting quinoa for rice was using bagged kidney beans and using the spices in my hellhole -er- around the house.
Fast soaking 1/2 cup of beans involved rinsing a half cup of beans and then bringing them to a boil in 2 cups of water, covering and, after removing from the heat, letting sit for n hour.
This tenderized the beans but they were still pretty chewy.
In another pan, I sauteed a tsp of chopped garlic, a small yellow onion and a green bell pepper (chopped up) in a bit of butter for a few minutes. Then I put in a cup of quinoa. they say to rinse and strain the quinoa but I had nothing to strain the little bastards and upon adding any water, the stuff just clumped up, so I figured, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger & just dumped it into the sauteing vegetables.
Stirred that around for a few & then dumped in 2 cups of water, some black pepper, soy sauce and Tabasco® sauce.
Then I stirred in the beans. brought the mess to a boil and reduced heat and covered for about 10 - 15 min.
Then I stirred in two chopped up celery stalks & let sit uncovered on the stove for about 5 minutes.
The result ? It was ok.
I like red beans and rice. Being an ignorant cook, I usually just make the Vigo mix with some veggies and some hot smoked sausage.
While reading a book called Collapse, the author discussed the diet of Incans and Azteks and that they ate a grain (a psuedograin ?) called quinoa that was high in protein.
In an effort to be a little more self sufficient, eat more healthy & cut food costs, I attempted red beans and quinoa from scratch. Well, ok, really the only difference besides substituting quinoa for rice was using bagged kidney beans and using the spices in my hellhole -er- around the house.
Fast soaking 1/2 cup of beans involved rinsing a half cup of beans and then bringing them to a boil in 2 cups of water, covering and, after removing from the heat, letting sit for n hour.
This tenderized the beans but they were still pretty chewy.
In another pan, I sauteed a tsp of chopped garlic, a small yellow onion and a green bell pepper (chopped up) in a bit of butter for a few minutes. Then I put in a cup of quinoa. they say to rinse and strain the quinoa but I had nothing to strain the little bastards and upon adding any water, the stuff just clumped up, so I figured, what doesn't kill me makes me stronger & just dumped it into the sauteing vegetables.
Stirred that around for a few & then dumped in 2 cups of water, some black pepper, soy sauce and Tabasco® sauce.
Then I stirred in the beans. brought the mess to a boil and reduced heat and covered for about 10 - 15 min.
Then I stirred in two chopped up celery stalks & let sit uncovered on the stove for about 5 minutes.
The result ? It was ok.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
McCain Ditches Berry for Abba and Berry Roots for Obama.
In this article, it states that McCain was using Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode as a theme song, but has now switched to Abba's, Take a Chance on Me.
Someone in McCain's camp needs to be fired. Why is he using a song by a Swedish band that infers that choosing McCain might be risky ?
He would be better off promoting a song by a conservative American artist like Johnny Ramone and his band, The Ramones.
Candidates ?
Too Tough to Die
Highest Trails Above
Cretin Hop
I Don't Care
Commando
I Want You Around
sigh
McCain is gonna get creamed.
In this article, it states that McCain was using Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode as a theme song, but has now switched to Abba's, Take a Chance on Me.
Someone in McCain's camp needs to be fired. Why is he using a song by a Swedish band that infers that choosing McCain might be risky ?
He would be better off promoting a song by a conservative American artist like Johnny Ramone and his band, The Ramones.
Candidates ?
Too Tough to Die
Highest Trails Above
Cretin Hop
I Don't Care
Commando
I Want You Around
sigh
McCain is gonna get creamed.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Westcott House on WPTO 6/7/08 at noon
The Westcott House in Springfield, Ohio was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright about 100 years ago for an automobile manufacturer on Springfield's prestigious East High St.
After years of neglect and downright abuse, the property was restored to it's original condition.
This program chronicles the history of the house.
http://www.thinktv.org/onair/onai_prog_westcott.html
http://www.westcotthouse.org/
The Westcott House in Springfield, Ohio was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright about 100 years ago for an automobile manufacturer on Springfield's prestigious East High St.
After years of neglect and downright abuse, the property was restored to it's original condition.
This program chronicles the history of the house.
http://www.thinktv.org/onair/onai_prog_westcott.html
http://www.westcotthouse.org/
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Springfield Farmers' Market Resumes in Historic Location
Farmers' market to reopen
By Samantha Sommer
Springfield News-Sun Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Springfield, Ohio — Locally grown food can taste better, help the environment and boost the local economy.
Buying that food at a farmer's market also offers a chance to connect to farmers and friends, said Sherry Chen, one of the co-managers of the Springfield Farmers' Market.
"It's all about community," she said.
The Springfield Farmers' Market kicks off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7, on Market Street between the Heritage Center and Elderly United.
It will run every Saturday through Sept. 27 and feature a variety of goods and produce.
Items on sale will range from buffalo meat to cucumbers and berries to fresh flowers.
This year the market will feature only produce grown in Ohio, Chen said.
The fruits and vegetables on sale also will change with what's in season.
That means food is picked when it's ripe, Chen said, and isn't treated with chemicals or waxes for a long, fuel-consuming journey.
Buying local food also keeps money here, Chen said, and offers shoppers a chance to talk to producers about how they grow their food.
"Those are the connections people are looking for now and is another reason to get it from the farmers as opposed to a truck that came from 1,000 miles away," she said.
The market also is working on accepting food stamps.
Live music will be featured every week, and some weeks will include food demonstrations. Educational information about preserving farmland and eating seasonal, local food will be on hand.
The Heritage Center bell will be rung to mark the opening of the market, as it did when it was a market, said Gene Barnett, market co-manager.
"When the market opened 110 years ago, they rang it at 4 a.m.," he said. "We're not going to open that early."
Story here.
Farmers' market to reopen
By Samantha Sommer
Springfield News-Sun Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Springfield, Ohio — Locally grown food can taste better, help the environment and boost the local economy.
Buying that food at a farmer's market also offers a chance to connect to farmers and friends, said Sherry Chen, one of the co-managers of the Springfield Farmers' Market.
"It's all about community," she said.
The Springfield Farmers' Market kicks off from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7, on Market Street between the Heritage Center and Elderly United.
It will run every Saturday through Sept. 27 and feature a variety of goods and produce.
Items on sale will range from buffalo meat to cucumbers and berries to fresh flowers.
This year the market will feature only produce grown in Ohio, Chen said.
The fruits and vegetables on sale also will change with what's in season.
That means food is picked when it's ripe, Chen said, and isn't treated with chemicals or waxes for a long, fuel-consuming journey.
Buying local food also keeps money here, Chen said, and offers shoppers a chance to talk to producers about how they grow their food.
"Those are the connections people are looking for now and is another reason to get it from the farmers as opposed to a truck that came from 1,000 miles away," she said.
The market also is working on accepting food stamps.
Live music will be featured every week, and some weeks will include food demonstrations. Educational information about preserving farmland and eating seasonal, local food will be on hand.
The Heritage Center bell will be rung to mark the opening of the market, as it did when it was a market, said Gene Barnett, market co-manager.
"When the market opened 110 years ago, they rang it at 4 a.m.," he said. "We're not going to open that early."
Story here.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Corn Palace, Mitchell, SD 1921
Obama at the Corn Palace ?
great
Any chance we can just leave him there and let the squirrels eat his scrawny butt ?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Well, I am not happy at all about the Libertarians picking Bob Barr as their presidential candidate. I felt Mary Ruwart would have been much better. At least they did not embrace an entertainer the way they have in the past with the likes of Howard Stern.
In this WSJ opinion piece, Bruce Bartlett suggests that a strong Libertarian candidate could bring out the Republicans who are currently vowing to stay home and not vote as a protest against John McCain.
This could cinch a win for the Democrat presidential candidate but help out Republicans in the congress and senate which would hamper the effectiveness of the Dem president.
Wonder what the Greens are gonna come up with.
In this WSJ opinion piece, Bruce Bartlett suggests that a strong Libertarian candidate could bring out the Republicans who are currently vowing to stay home and not vote as a protest against John McCain.
This could cinch a win for the Democrat presidential candidate but help out Republicans in the congress and senate which would hamper the effectiveness of the Dem president.
Wonder what the Greens are gonna come up with.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
The Libertarian National Convention is ON !
C-Span will be covering it today from 10:30 AM on through the afternoon.
From what I saw last night, Mary Ruwart looks like the best candidate to me.
Bob Barr comes off as the most polished, but his experience in DC gives him the edge on that. Mike Gravel looks old and tired and the rest of the pack come off like late night infomercial hucksters.
While the Democrat convention might actually be interesting this year, the corporate parties' conventions are usually no more than dull coronations. Libertarian conventions are a trip. Things actually happen. Issues and ideas are discussed and real change is always the focus.
Never a dull moment.
C-Span will be covering it today from 10:30 AM on through the afternoon.
From what I saw last night, Mary Ruwart looks like the best candidate to me.
Bob Barr comes off as the most polished, but his experience in DC gives him the edge on that. Mike Gravel looks old and tired and the rest of the pack come off like late night infomercial hucksters.
While the Democrat convention might actually be interesting this year, the corporate parties' conventions are usually no more than dull coronations. Libertarian conventions are a trip. Things actually happen. Issues and ideas are discussed and real change is always the focus.
Never a dull moment.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
G.A.S.P. is a BOONDOGGLE !
HamCo Comm DeWine's idea to create a website that chronicles every penny of county spending is nothing but a boondoggle.
It will make great fodder for bloggers and armchair politicians. It will be the first source of ammo whenever someone wants to slam a government program. It will be the number one bookmark for C.O.A.S.T.ers.
But, without an understanding of what the money bought, it will offer no real information or value.
On top of that, the website won't just appear out of thin air. It will need to be built and databases populated. Then, there are the long term costs as every bit of accounting will have at least one more step as the information will have to be entered onto the site. This will all add up to more and more man hours endlessly accrued and paid for by the residents and workers in Hamilton County who will see no real benefit.
It is merely one of Commissioner DeWine's last bits of feel good legislation - a legacy of a boondoggle that will continue on forever.
HamCo Comm DeWine's idea to create a website that chronicles every penny of county spending is nothing but a boondoggle.
It will make great fodder for bloggers and armchair politicians. It will be the first source of ammo whenever someone wants to slam a government program. It will be the number one bookmark for C.O.A.S.T.ers.
But, without an understanding of what the money bought, it will offer no real information or value.
On top of that, the website won't just appear out of thin air. It will need to be built and databases populated. Then, there are the long term costs as every bit of accounting will have at least one more step as the information will have to be entered onto the site. This will all add up to more and more man hours endlessly accrued and paid for by the residents and workers in Hamilton County who will see no real benefit.
It is merely one of Commissioner DeWine's last bits of feel good legislation - a legacy of a boondoggle that will continue on forever.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
WOOHOO !
Stronger by Carlene Carter
Carlene Carter is seriously old school. She, whaddyacallit ? Tries ?
I saw June's daughter at Kettering's Fraze Pavilion some time ago and she just absolutely rocked. She worked the crowd in a way most younger performers just can't. They probably don't know how. CC learned from some masters.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The Aronoff is a torture chamber.
I finally went to the Aronoff. Most of the events there don't appeal to me, but my sister dragged me to the ballet with her. The ballet looked pretty good to me. I know nothing about good or bad ballet, of course.....
The orchestra was pretty good and the Xavier chorus was good.
The %@*! seats, however were horrible. I felt like I was forced into a near fetal position for 2 hours. The seats are so low, my hips were bent more than 90 degrees. My knees, in such a position would, of course, also be bent more than 90 degrees, but with the short distance to the seat in front of me, I had to tuck my feet back in, making the angle of my knees even more severe.
I am not young but I am not old, either. I am only 6ft 2in - not freakishly tall. But when I rose at the end of the performance, I could barely stand. I barely made it to the end, tho, what with the pain in my knees, butt & lower back.
I guess a key to being a patron of the arts is to be short and skinny. It is a shame that such an expensive new facility was designed so poorly.
I finally went to the Aronoff. Most of the events there don't appeal to me, but my sister dragged me to the ballet with her. The ballet looked pretty good to me. I know nothing about good or bad ballet, of course.....
The orchestra was pretty good and the Xavier chorus was good.
The %@*! seats, however were horrible. I felt like I was forced into a near fetal position for 2 hours. The seats are so low, my hips were bent more than 90 degrees. My knees, in such a position would, of course, also be bent more than 90 degrees, but with the short distance to the seat in front of me, I had to tuck my feet back in, making the angle of my knees even more severe.
I am not young but I am not old, either. I am only 6ft 2in - not freakishly tall. But when I rose at the end of the performance, I could barely stand. I barely made it to the end, tho, what with the pain in my knees, butt & lower back.
I guess a key to being a patron of the arts is to be short and skinny. It is a shame that such an expensive new facility was designed so poorly.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
WOW
Saturday, May 10th is shaping up to be a Northside "Go To" day.
Starting at 9:00 AM a group bicycle ride to Findlay Market will meet at Hoffner Park. The ride is expected to return to the park by noon.
At 11:00 AM Mayor Mallory will dedicate the ArtWorks mural on the wall of 4119 Hamilton Ave (facing Hoffner Park).
Also, from 11:00 AM til 5:00 PM is the Northside Spring Art Fair along the sidewalks on Hamilton Avenue. Shop for locally made fiber arts, jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, greeting cards, hand blown glass works and more !
From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 2 artists on Brookside (E of Hamilton between Chase and Pullan) will be having a "funky huge" yard sale.
Later in the evening, Blues Merchant will be playing at The Comet.
The Delusionals will be playing at The Northside Tavern
The Muttss and Watusi Tribe will be playing at The Gypsy Hut.
Of course, Northside's bevy of eateries, Gajah Wong, Melt, The Hideaway, The Blue Jay, Park Chili, The Comet, Portofino's, Boswell Alley and more will be serving up lots of delicious food and White Castle is open all night !
Saturday, May 10th is shaping up to be a Northside "Go To" day.
Starting at 9:00 AM a group bicycle ride to Findlay Market will meet at Hoffner Park. The ride is expected to return to the park by noon.
At 11:00 AM Mayor Mallory will dedicate the ArtWorks mural on the wall of 4119 Hamilton Ave (facing Hoffner Park).
Also, from 11:00 AM til 5:00 PM is the Northside Spring Art Fair along the sidewalks on Hamilton Avenue. Shop for locally made fiber arts, jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, greeting cards, hand blown glass works and more !
From 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM 2 artists on Brookside (E of Hamilton between Chase and Pullan) will be having a "funky huge" yard sale.
Later in the evening, Blues Merchant will be playing at The Comet.
The Delusionals will be playing at The Northside Tavern
The Muttss and Watusi Tribe will be playing at The Gypsy Hut.
Of course, Northside's bevy of eateries, Gajah Wong, Melt, The Hideaway, The Blue Jay, Park Chili, The Comet, Portofino's, Boswell Alley and more will be serving up lots of delicious food and White Castle is open all night !
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