The Michael Canfield Channel

If you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe Shermer

Nah, probably you won't.

Skepticblog » Gay Marriage: Stone Them to Death! : "Mark my words. Here is what is going to happen. Within a decade, maybe two, Christians will come around to treating gays no differently than they now treat members of other groups whom they previously persecuted — women, Jews, blacks — but not because of some new interpretation of a biblical passage, or because of a new revelation from God. These changes will come about the same way that they always do: by the oppressed minority fighting for the right to be treated equally, and by a few enlightened members of the oppressing majority supporting their cause."

-- Michael Shermer

Technorati Tags: civil liberties, Civlib, Democrats, News, politics, Prop 8

Palin press avoidance clock

MoveOn.org Political Action: Democracy in Action

UPDATE:Palin agrees to interview - Mike Allen - Politico.com

Update 2: Countdown hasEnded.

What do Tarzan of the Apes, Twelfth Night, and Death of Salesman have in common?

1. A. They are all known beloved stories stories.
2. B. Among my personal favorites.
3. C. Mayor Sarah Palin tried to ban them from her hometown public library.
4. D. All of the above.

If you said "D." you win a front row seat to the decline and fall. Here is a list: Stop Sarah Palin! The Books She Wanted BANNED! « Mike Cane 2008. These books she wanted banned from the PUBLIC library, not, say, a school library (which would have been bad enough)> Honestly, I've never heard of a public servant trying anything on the level in book banning. I'm sure there are others, but I just haven't heard about them. Palin later tried to fire the librarian.

It's not sexist to bring this stuff up, is it Mr. McCain?

Update: This list has not been validated (or vetted). The article in TIME discusses the allegation that Palin sought to bans books she found objectionable, and also that she tried to fire the city librarian as well as other city officials over "loyalty issues" but so far I can't find any confirmed list of what books, if any, she actually identified for banning.

The Palin Equation (first draft)

Jesus (Thatcher - Foreign Policy Experience - evolution + Succession Party Background+Trooper Gate) / Palin = Armageddon 2013.

Could Palin be the most effective VP pick for McCain?

No they were not going to dump her ala Eagleton no matter how many scandals came out. The Republicans make their own reality. But Palin is clearly energizing the religious base of the party who might have stayed home this time. Add that votes lost to the expertise Republicans have gained over the past decade in vote stealing (Greg Palast » Steal Back Your Vote!) and it might be just enough for McCain to take the Electoral College plurality.

Then an increasingly infirm McCain, embittered and withdrawn after being bogged down with military actions in Iraq and Iran without an end in sight, is convinced to resign three and a half years into his third term. Palin/Huckabee 2012. The religious right can put up with McCain for one term or less. They've waited 2000 years for the Second Coming after all.