Jim's Journal

12/08/2007 17:50 #42436

Christianity and Public Discourse
Category: politics

Regarding the more religious Republic presidential candidates, Mitt Romney is saying whatever he needs to in order to get elected, but Mike Huckabee scares the crap out of me. He doesn't believe in biology, thinks the world is only a few years old, and thinks his recent rise in the polls is divinely guided.

I'm sorry but if you think that Jesus could come knocking on your door to ask for help during an ultimate throw down between good and evil, you are seriously disqualified to have nuclear launch codes.

drew - 12/10/07 09:15
yeah. I know it sounds intolerant. And I am pretty cool with Jews and Buddhists and other faiths.

But some people believe things in such a way that, while I respect their freedom to believe such things, does not lead to me trusting them, at least not with anything big, like the government of the US.

I would put Mormonism and Scientology in those categories. They can believe whatever they want, but what you believe says something about you, and the history and theology of the mormon church do not reflect well on a person.

And yes, I understand the same thing could be said about Christianity (or much of it). Frankly, I think it is only because there are a lot of Christians that are able to ignore their faith that so many have been elected. Does anybody really want somebody who practices "love your enemies," and "turn the other cheek" as commander-in-chief?

jenks - 12/09/07 23:27
whoa.... I mean this in the kindest way possible, Drew, and I swear this is not to start a fight and it's not a personal attack- but "but because to believe what mormons believe shows a particular lack of judgement" sounds like a pretty intolerant thing to say... Pretty un-Drewlike. ;)

I mean I think not to support abortion and not to vaccinate your kids shows a lack of judgment- but I know a lot of people disagree with that, and that's their right.

drew - 12/08/07 23:34
I don't think that there should be a religious test for president, but I also think that voters should consider a persons faith and what it says about their character/intelligence.

I would never vote for a Mormon, not because they aren't Christian, but because to believe what mormons believe shows a particular lack of judgement that I would not want in a president. The same could be said for the Christianity practiced by some of the other candidates (but not Barack! He's the man)

paul - 12/08/07 21:49
Amen to that. I am sure end of the worldests would argue that they are actually the best to have the codes because they would only use them as absolutely necessary while someone who doesn't believe in final judgement would have no reason to hold back.

I really don't want a Mormon president.

12/06/2007 18:42 #42416

Rails 2.0
Category: programming

Rails 2.0 just came out today. Long wait! Well I didn't really wait I've been using the dev versions all along, but still.

^_^

12/05/2007 21:36 #42411

Frustrations at Work
Category: work

I hated it today but I took a fall at work. Had to admit defeat and regroup, but I think in the end it will work out. Hurts my pride though. I was sick thinking about it all weekend. Thanks to Del and Paul for being so kind. Sorry. :(

And congrats on your 2 year anniversary at Roswell, Paul!

On other fronts, I spent all summer making sales pitches, and all fall cursing the fact that all the short term contract work resulting from those pitches came in at once, but I'm almost through the stack. After this I think I can limit my involvement in projects to two or three ongoing gigs. Will be a nice change of pace. I am looking forward to taking Sundays off and having some weekday evenings free.

I need to take more photos, go to the Zen thing once a week, and be a more well rounded person. I love what I do, but I can't hardly carry on a conversation lately with my head packed so full of symbols and control flows and class design abstractions. (e:James) is probably sick of it :)

And I'm looking forward to posting some non-computer, non-bitchy (e:strip) journals as my life comes into balance.

Don't forget to come to the holiday dinner! I think I may bring along my kid brother who is in town the next couple weeks.

metalpeter - 12/06/07 18:33
I don't know what happended at work. But sometimes work can suck sometimes. Sometimes it is all our own fault and some times not. If it is our own doing then all we can try to do is try to do better or not make the same mistake again.

On the dinner note I am planning on being there (but I planned on being at the last 2 also). I will bring some kind of cake or pie that I will buy, wish I knew how to make one and that it would be good. To double check it is the 13th but what time should I be to (e:pmt)'s?

jason - 12/06/07 12:36
It is always good to take a breather and clear the head. Sounds like you need it. Here's to a stress free stretch!

james - 12/06/07 11:15
breath deep cub scout

12/03/2007 19:35 #42384

MURDER

OK, I'm doing something for a certain University. They have a deadline for the project of Dec 3rd, which was today. But I didn't get what I needed at the start of November, oh no, I got it on Friday. And final approval today. So now I'm rushing to finish it.

Which is fine.

But, I need to buy a program online to make the right templates, and Adobe's site is not allowing me to purchase it. I was using the 30 day trial version of it, but that expired yesterday. It will let me purchase a 5-seat license for $700. But not a single license for Mac. I could get a single license for Windows, but I need Mac. Vexing.

Yuck.