LOGIC: Cult of Dusty / “If I Was President”
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Monthly Archives: July 2012
MARRIAGE EQUALITY: Thomas M. Menino / “Boston Mayor’s Letter to Chick-fil-A”
REASON: “What Being Offended Really Means”
h/t: r/atheism
IN MEMORIAM: Sally Ride / “R.I.P Sally Ride, First [American] Woman (and Lesbian) In Space”
Yesterday America lost one of its most recognizable space pioneers, Dr. Sally Ride, who not only was the first American woman in space, but spent her life advocating for women’s greater involvement in science and engineering.
Here’s her official obituary:
Sally Ride died peacefully on July 23rd, 2012 after a courageous 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, joy, and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless.
Sally was a physicist, the first American woman to fly in space, a science writer, and the president and CEO of Sally Ride Science. She had the rare ability to understand the essence of things and to inspire those around her to join her pursuits.
Sally’s historic flight into space captured the nation’s imagination and made her a household name. She became a symbol of the ability of women to break barriers and a hero to generations of adventurous young girls. After retiring from NASA, Sally used her high profile to champion a cause she believed in passionately—inspiring young people, especially girls, to stick with their interest in science, to become scientifically literate, and to consider pursuing careers in science and engineering.
In addition to Tam O’Shaughnessy, her partner of 27 years, Sally is survived by her mother, Joyce; her sister, Bear; her niece, Caitlin, and nephew, Whitney; her staff of 40 at Sally Ride Science; and many friends and colleagues around the country.
This statement about her partner told the public what they hadn’t known before–Ride was in a same-sex relationship. “I hope it makes it easier for kids growing up gay that they know that another one of their heroes was like them,” her sister Bear Ride told Buzzfeed. We still have a ways to go, though. Because of DOMA, however, her partner will not receive federal benefits.
Related articles
- Sally Ride, first American woman in space, dies of pancreatic cancer; survived by partner of 27 years (miamiherald.typepad.com)
REFLECTION: “Beliefs vs. Behavior”
h/t: r/atheism
MUSIC: Elvis Costello & Bill Frisell / “If I Only Had A Brain”
I could while away the hours, conferrin’ with the flowers
Consultin’ with the rain
And my head I’d be scratchin’ while
my thoughts were busy hatchin’
If I only had a brain
I’d unravel every riddle for every individ’le,
In trouble or in pain
And my thoughts I’ll be thinkin’
I could be another Lincoln
If I only had a brain
Oh, I could tell you why, the ocean’s near the shore
I could think of things I never thunk before
And then I’d sit, and think some more
I would not be just a nothin’ my head all full of stuffin’
My heart all full of pain
I would dance and be merry, life would be a ding-a-derry,
If I only had a brain
Yeah, it’s sad, believe me, missy,
When you’re born to be a sissy
Without vim and verve
But I could show me prowess, be a man not a mou-ess
If I only had the nerve
If I only had the heart
If I only had a brain
GUN VIOLENCE: Bill Moyers / “NRA ‘Enabler Of Death'”
RELIGIOUS PARODY: Neal Starkman / “Devils at the Door”
As soon as I opened the door and saw the two men standing there, each with a backpack, one holding a book and the other a magazine, I knew I should have ignored the knock. But it was a slow afternoon, so I thought I’d play along.
Of course, based on their age, their clothing, and their general demeanor, I could tell immediately who they were. Who else but scientists would be in their 60s, wear lab coats on a beautiful spring day, and crack nary a smile? I slightly raised my eyebrows, letting them know I was open to their pitch but warning them that my patience was limited.
“Good afternoon, sir,” said one of the men, without smiling. “We’d like to talk to you about something that’s important to all of us – especially these days.”
“And what might that be?” I said, not moving from the doorway.
“The value of science, of rationality, and of the pursuit of truth. The absolutely essential quality of asking questions wherever the answers might lead. And the resistance to supernatural dogma.”
“I see,” I said. “And why is this important to me?”
h/t: Planet Atheism
h/t: Mike Daniels
QUOTE: Christopher Hitchens / “On Faith”
SCIENCE: Dawkinsia / “Sri Lankans Name New Type of Fish After Richard Dawkins”
Sri Lankan scientists have identified a new genus of fresh water fish and named it after the evolutionary biologist and renowned atheist Richard Dawkins.
[…]
Pethiyagoda, an ichthyologist and internationally acclaimed conservationist, said extensive studies in India and Sri Lanka showed that the level of diversity among such fish was “much greater than previously suspected”.
This was partly the reason that the study group had chosen to name the new genus after the 71-year-old Dawkins, the British author of the anti-religion polemic, The God Delusion.
“Richard Dawkins has through his writings helped us understand that the universe is far more beautiful and awe-inspiring than any religion has imagined[.]”
Always Question Authority 