Don't read this story

Seriously, whatever you do, don't read this story. It could ruin your life.

Time to read Kafka again

About 270 miners were charged Thursday with the murders of 34 striking colleagues who were shot by South African police officers, authorities said, a development that could further infuriate South Africans already shocked and angered by the police action.

Up is down. Black is white. I can't even be shocked by this authoritarian world anymore. It's here, it's there, it's everywhere. Just ask Pussy Riot.

Book progress

I haven't been posting much lately because I'm finishing up my horror novel, Xmas Carol. I'm almost there -- just a few more days. And it sounds terrific. All those edits really did the trick. I can't tell you how happy this makes me. It's like a dream come true.

Blasphemy laws: not a good idea

There's a good op-ed this morning in the NYT about the inadvisability of passing anti-blasphemy laws. As I've said here many times, they are inimical to a free society and, if allowed to proliferate, will bring on the next Dark Ages.

Condi's dingbat remark

After helping her boss upend the entire world, dear, sweet, honest and never duplicitous Condi has something to say:

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the voice of the United States in world affairs "has been muted" under President Barack Obama, creating a chaotic and dangerous security environment.

Can you believe these people? I read that some folks tried to arrest her for war crimes yesterday. I applaud this group of Americans. Condoleezza Rice is disgusting. It surprises me that she can walk down an American street without someone spitting on her.

This is such a dumb move

Cardinal Timothy Dolan says he's now giving the closing prayer at both the Democratic and Republican conventions.

Great. So now Timmy will be able to chide the democrats, live on teevee. He'll tell them they're not being hateful enough to gays and women, etc. This is just what the dems need. What fool approved this? I swear the democratic party is its own worst enemy.

Mexico's religious crazies

Mexican religious loons don't want public education for their kids because that would cause them to encounter, you know, ideas. Can't have that.

According to traditionalists, the government-mandated uniforms, school books and lesson plans, not to mention the computers and televisions now used in many Mexican classrooms, would violate the Virgin Mary's orders, on her own sacred ground.

The faith of the people here is built on messages purportedly passed from the Virgin Mary to a defrocked Catholic priest, an illiterate old woman and a clairvoyant.

Same song, different key and country. Religion poisons minds all over the globe.