I broke my leg while hiking, and it really, REALLY hurt;
As I waited for assistance, calmly writhing in the dirt,
I was contemplating this and that, anticipating hell,
And I hoped the paramedics fixed my other limbs as well!
Just the one was really broken, and the other three were fine,
But, the thing is, all limbs matter, and of course, these limbs are mine! [Read more…]
A few weeks ago (wow, maybe a couple of months already), I got a call asking for donations for some group supporting our brave, misunderstood, and oft-attacked police officers. Recent news events made it very easy to hang up on them, but as soon as I did, I regretted not having asked the rep what the organization’s official stance was on the Tamir Rice shooting (this gives you several possible time-frames for when I got the call). This time around, it was an email, not a phone call, and I want to take a bit of time to unpack it. [Read more…]
There’s a fellow over yonder,
And he’s clearly rather odd,
Though the only thing I know is,
He does not believe in God. [Read more…]
Decide Right Now
You have 5 seconds to decide each question. [Read more…]
The pen is mightier than the sword,
Or so we’re led to think;
When victims, far too young, may be
Immortalized in ink
Cold comfort for the families
When all is said and done—
“The pen is mightier than the sword”
That’s why they used a gun. [Read more…]
It’s Christmas in the city; they’re about to light the tree
It’s a magical occasion, just as far as we can see;
All the networks have their angles—it’s as festive as can be—
New York City in December, oh, such pride!
Folks are marching, folks are chanting, folks are caught up in the day
But the tree is not the focus—no, as near as I can say,
It’s not ornaments, but prejudice, that’s clearly on display
Damn, I miss the war on Christmas—no one died. [Read more…]
It took me a little while to figure out my own particular problem with what has become known as the #shirtstorm. Oh, believe me, I was and am on the side of those who saw the now-infamous shirt as problematic. And I am on the side of those who currently are insulted by it.
But… see, I used to run a daycare. I see things, as often as not, through the eyes of those who have not yet learned to be as cynical as I am.
It is all too easy to claim “free speech” from the point of view of a comfortable, privileged majority. To say “I have every right to wear this shirt”… which, while showing off an edgy sense of fashion, also happens to show off a message which will tell the next generation who is in charge and who begs for scraps. Anyway…
Twinkle, twinkle, little shirt
How I wonder how you hurt
Who is watching? Who is there?
Who expects that you might care?
Twinkle, twinkle, little shirt,
How I wonder whom you hurt.
Twinkle, twinkle, what you did,
How you change tomorrow’s kid
When she asks what can be done,
Glad you had your day of fun
Twinkle, twinkle, what you did,
How you’ve hurt tomorrow’s kid.
Twinkle, twinkle, no surprise,
Outer space was meant for guys
If she asks if she can play
Yes she can!… some other day…
Twinkle, twinkle, no surprise,
Outer space is filled with guys…
Once upon a time, it seemed,
Pure Christian was the state;
Through all of Western culture—
There is really no debate.
In prayers and invocations,
Hymns and readings by the score
Why, the Western world was Christian—
But it isn’t any more! [Read more…]
I thought I saw an atheist
Obsessed by that one fact
Whose sole defining feature
Was the god-belief he lacked [Read more…]
It’s a metaphor. [Read more…]