HOT5 Daily 11/3/2009

1. "No Class, No Judgment" That's the Obama administration.

Representative Sample:The endless attempts by the Obama administration to blame everything on their predecessor are getting worn around the edges, and betray a serious lack of class and of executive strength. 

2. "Prayer In Health Care Reform" Attempting to make wishful thinking equal to real medicine.

Representative Sample: Christian Scientists are trying to slip a provision into health care reform that would put prayer on an equal footing with actual medicine

3. "Liberty Vs. Serfdom: A Visual Aid" Notice the difference.

Representative Sample: It's a graphic.

4. "Did Christianity Abolish Slavery?"A useful corrective to a common claim.

Representative Sample: I'll gladly grant that Christians played a major role in the abolitionist movement (as did freethinkers, a point I'll come to shortly). However, there's a gigantic, inconvenient fact that Sarfati strives to ignore: Who were the people who instituted slavery in the Western world in the first place?

5. "Russia Expands Its Chemical Arsenal, Exposing Treaty’s Faults" One of the many examples of why treaties "banning" certain weapons are essentially useless.

Representative Sample:Countries are supposedly prohibited from using these chemical agents as a “method of warfare.” But the term is so vague that it’s essentially meaningless. And the Convention was drafted before some modern chemical agents even existed, making their legal status unclear.

To submit a blog post for HOT5 Daily, please e-mail me at unrright@NOSPAMgmail.com. Put HOT5 in the subject.

Huge Solar Project in Africa

A consortium of twelve European companies announced a major solar energy initiative today. The ambitious $400 billion project aims to supply 15% of European energy needs by 2050, with the first energy flowing to Europe by 2015.  At its start, the project will utilize the abundant sunlight in the Sahara desert.

The first stage will be to build massive solar energy fields across North Africa's Sahara desert, utilising concentrated solar power technology (CPS), which uses parabolic mirrors to focus the Sun's rays on containers of water.

It will be interesting to see how this progresses, and if it can be kept on schedule and within budget.

Good Article on Communism

There's is an excellent short piece in the Washington Post today called, "Murderous idealism." One of the main things the author, Paul Hollander, notes is how communism was and is perceived in the west. During the Cold War, and even today, communism had many sympathizers and apologists on the left, particularly among intellectuals. Those of us on the right called them "useful idiots" for communist propaganda.  In the the late 1980s in graduate school, I myself took a seminar with a professor who was a big admirer of Lenin, and actually an apologist for Stalin. Others were openly sympathetic to Marxist ideals. As Hollander writes,

There is little public awareness of the large-scale atrocities, killings and human rights violations that occurred in communist states, especially compared with awareness of the Holocaust and Nazism (which led to to far fewer deaths)

Those who were aware, such as that particular professor I mentioned, chose to minimize communist atrocities or even justify them. With the fall of the Soviet Union, the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, and the opening of previously secret archives, we found that the horrors of communism were every bit as bad as we thought, if not worse. The admirers, sympathizers, and apologists for the Soviet Union should have been thoroughly discredited. But, as Hollander points out,

In the aftermath of the fall of Soviet communism, many Western intellectuals remain convinced that capitalism is the root of all evil. There has been a long tradition of such animosity among Western intellectuals who gave the benefit of doubt or outright sympathy to political systems that denounced the profit motive and proclaimed their commitment to create a more humane and egalitarian society, and unselfish human beings

Even today, people who would be horrified at anything less than total condemnation of Nazism act as if communism really isn't such a bad thing, and sneer at forthright anti-communist sentiments.

HOT5 Daily 11/2/2009

1. "Pelosi Health-Insurance Bill Summarized"A quick summary of the 2000 page bill.

Representative Sample: Happily, you need not invest the next few weeks of your life reading the 1,990-page House overhaul of the health-insurance -- and by implication, the healthcare -- industry. A convenient summary has been provided, compliments of Pierre-Joseph Proudhon

2. "Abbas’s War Strategy" Yet another example of why the so-called "peace process" isn't.

Representative Sample:  How exactly does Israel talk peace with someone who seeks to cripple Israel’s ability to defend itself even as he endorses anti-Israel terror? That isn’t an act of peace; it’s an act of war.

3. "I Pick Up Scents of Science" Amazing page that allows you to see the relative size of items from a coffee bean to a carbon atom.

Representative Sample: The UN adheres to universal values, such as respect for the rule of law, democracy, human rights, access to food for all. Sadly, many in the UN (and many of its supporters) are blind to the fact that these are liberal and Western values

4. "Let's Get Wind Power Off the Ground" Far beyond windmills.

Representative Sample: Archer estimates energy demand at between 2 trillion and 2.5 trillion watts. About 6 miles up, jet stream winds, even though they don't blow hard all the time even at that height, could generate around 200 trillion watts.aintain its edge in space, and possibly allow travel to the Moon or Mars.

5. "Really unthickening the Canada/US border" Interesting historical article.

Representative Sample:The United States government does have a plan to invade Canada. It's a 94-page document called "Joint Army and Navy Basic War Plan -- Red," with the word SECRET stamped on the cover.

To submit a blog post for HOT5 Daily, please e-mail me at unrright@NOSPAMgmail.com. Put HOT5 in the subject.

Suddenly Guantanamo Is Looking Good

Remember all the whining about how terrible the Guantanamo prison was, and how we needed to close it because it was damaging America's image? Most of the criticism of the facility was just typical anti-American propaganda, facilitated by useful idiots within our own country. Now it turns out that even the prisoners prefer to stay, rather than be transferred to a a U.S. prison. No wonder. This is what it's like at Guantanamo.

The 221 remaining inmates receive between four and 20 hours outdoor recreation in the Caribbean sun and anything from weekly to almost unlimited access to DVDs and receive three newspapers (USA Today, plus one Egyptian and one Saudi Arabian title) twice a week. Every bed has an arrow pointing towards Mecca and every cell a prayer rug.

Apparently these conditions extend even to the worst of the bunch.

"generally speaking the rules are about the same" for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the self-confessed mastermind of the September 11 attacks, and the 15 other "high value detainees", who are held at Camp 7, which is out of bounds to the media.

Isn't it nice that a piece of human garbage like Khalid Sheikh Mohammed -- who should have long since been executed -- is enjoying better conditions than the average U.S. citizen convicted of a non-violent crime like smuggling marijuana?

As the article notes, things are much different in a U.S. supermax facility. It's no surprise that staying at Guantanamo would be preferable.

85 Questions

Luke at Common Sense Atheism has an interesting post up that I linked in the HOT5 for today. It takes a look at questions about the nature of existence. I thought I'd give my own brief answers.

• EXISTENCE
  Why do we exist? We don't know the initial origin of life. Humans exist now because of evolution. 
  What is the best thing about existing? I can't pick just one thing. There are many good and bad things about existing.
  What is our purpose?  Why does there need to be a purpose?
  Is the world a better place for having had humans in it? Yes, from the human perspective. We have no other perspective from which to view that question.
  How can we improve humanity? If anyone in a position of power claims to be able to improve humanity, be afraid.
  What is the best advice or philosophy for living? There is no one-size fits all answer.
• RELIGION
  What is religion? A human creation that attempts to define and give meaning to the universe.
  Why are there multiple religions? Because people differ and have differing ideas.
  Should religions be challenged? Of course.
  Is skepticism a good thing? Yes.
  Why do people get angry when their beliefs are challenged? It appears to be a natural human reaction to get irritated when someone rejects your deeply held beliefs.
  Which One Is Right? Can all religions be correct? None that I've seen. No.
  What does fear have to do with belief? It depends on the belief in question.
  Do we have a need to believe in something? Many people seem to, yes. But not all.
  What is spirituality? A concept that attempts to describe something beyond the mere physical.
• SCIENCE
  Can religion and science coexist? Obviously yes, since they do.
  What’s the difference between religion and science?  Science is falsifiable, and constantly advanced and changed as new data becomes available. Religion is based on  faith and  assertions without evidence.
  Can a religion change with society? Yes.
  Was man created or evolved? Evolved.
• GOD
  Is there a God? The evidence says no.
  What is the definition of God? A mythical supernatural creator of the universe.
  What gives you certainty in your belief? I don't have certainty.  I could be wrong.
  How do you deal with doubt? Embrace it. Doubting strong beliefs is a good thing.
  Who created God? Humans created the myth of God.
  Is God male or female?  It depends on the religion.
  What does God need from us? It depends on the religion.
  Who is/are the Messiah(s)? It depends on the religion.
  Who is the Devil? A mythical incarnation of evil.
• FAITH
  What is faith? Belief based on something other than hard evidence or fact.
  What is a fact?  Observable reality or a claim backed by overwhelming evidence.
  How can we tell which is which? It depends on the situation.
• TRUTH
  What is truth? Reality.
  How do we determine truth? Science, and reason.
  Which truth is right? The question makes no sense.
• SCRIPTURE
  Is the holy-book(s) literally true? There may be certain parts of holy books that are. For example, some holy books contain historical facts. But as a whole, no.
  What is the origin of the holy book(s)?  Human writings that at some point were deemed to comprise all or part of  holy books.
  How do we accept a holy book that positively portrays unacceptable behaviors like slavery, incest, murder, etc.? We accept it as a piece of historical literature and consider it accordingly.
  Can we take what we like about a religion/belief system and make our own version and throw out the rest? People certainly do.
• MORALITY
  What is morality? A human being's internal beliefs regarding right and wrong.
  Is there a moral yardstick that applies to all cultures? No.
  Where does morality, or our “conscience,” comes from? Evolution , culture, upbringing and other factors.
  Is altruism or morality possible without belief in a deity? Yes.
• SIN
  What is sin? A religious definition of something that is offensive /prohibited by God/gods. In other words, it's a made-up concept.
  What is the punishment for sin?  Depends on the religion.
  Is thought the same as deed? Of course not.
  Does God want to test us? Why? Myths don't test us.
• SEX
  Should a person have sex before marriage? Depends on the situation. But there is nothing magical about marriage that suddenly makes sex after it ok,  and sex before it bad.
  Is masturbation a sin?  Of course not. Sin is an artificial concept based on myth.
  What determines sexual orientation? We aren't certain, but probably genetics in the majority of cases.
  Why is God interested in our sexual behavior?  What god?
  Should women be treated differently than men? In what sense, what situation?Question is way too vague.
• FREE WILL 
  Do we have free will? It depends how you define free will.
  Is everything predetermined? Not that I know of.
  What entity predetermines fate or destiny? None that I know of.
• SUFFERING
  Why is there suffering? Because it is part of life.
  What is best path to happiness? Depends on the individual.
  Does God intercede in human tragedies? Myths don't actually do anything, because they aren't real.
• PRAYER
  Does prayer work? Define "work." Does it create psychological effects? Probably.  Does it regrow limbs, cure disease or actually get an answer from  god(s)? No.
  If so, why does God allow holocausts, and disasters? Myths don't do anything.
  If not, why pray? For purposes of self-delusion.
  Does meditation work? Work for what?
  How does meditation work? I don't know.
  
• SOUL
  What is a soul? The concept that there is a mystical spiritual self  comprising a consciousness apart from the physical body.
  Do animals have souls? Evidence is lacking that souls actually exist.
  Does a soul have the same thoughts and feelings when outside the body? Evidence is lacking that souls actually exist.
  If a soul does not carry our memories, then what is a soul since it is our memories that make us up? Evidence is lacking that souls actually exist.
  What purpose does a brain serve if a soul can exist and feel without it?Evidence is lacking that souls actually exist.
• AFTERLIFE
  Is there an Afterlife? No one knows. But I think not.
  Where is it, where do we go after death? Nowhere.
  Why do we need an afterlife? Many people have a strong desire to believe in an afterlife, particularly that they'll be reunited with love ones who have died.
• LIFE
  When does life begin? I'm not sure.
  When should abortion be allowed? At any time before birth. The mother should have total control over her own body, including over another life living inside her.
  Is it ever appropriate to kill another person? Yes, of course.
• SUPERNATURAL
  What are supernatural beliefs? Beliefs about things outside reality.
  Are there extraterrestrials? Who are they? Maybe. We have no idea.
  Do psychics work, and if you are religious, are they allowed? No.
  Where do the voices in our heads come from? Our brains.
• DOOMSDAY
  Will there be a doomsday? Unless we find away to prevent the sun from eventually going nova.
  What is the greatest danger facing man’s existence?  Impossible to say with any certainty.
  How do we stop conflict? We don't. Conflict is part of human nature.
  Should different cultures be preserved, or are our cultural differences the source of strife? It depends on the culture.
  Should political leaders invoke a deity in decisions or policy? No.
  
  

There you have it.  Some of these obviously require longer answers, but that took quite awhile even with short ones.

HOT5 Daily 11/1/2009

1. "Take Me Back to Constantinople" Lessons of Byzantine strategy for the U.S.

Representative Sample: Subversion is the cheapest path to victory. So cheap, in fact, as compared with the costs and risks of battle, that it must always be attempted, even with the most seemingly irreconcilable enemies. Remember: Even religious fanatics can be bribed

2. "ObamaCare: Insurance Premiums Soaring Up, Up, and Away" Some reform, huh?

Representative Sample:  CBO DIRECTOR DOUGLAS ELMENDORF: “Our Judgment Is That That Piece Of The Legislation Would Raise Insurance Premiums.” (Finance Committee, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 9/22/09)

3. "Christian Luke vs. Atheist Luke" 85 questions on the nature of existence answered as a Christian and as an atheist. I'll be posting my own answers in an upcoming post.

Representative Sample: The UN adheres to universal values, such as respect for the rule of law, democracy, human rights, access to food for all. Sadly, many in the UN (and many of its supporters) are blind to the fact that these are liberal and Western values

4. "Mexico’s cartels are corrupting US law enforcement" Disturbing, but not that surprising.

Representative Sample: While it’s difficult to imagine US law enforcement succumbing to an infestation of corruption to the degree that their Mexican counterparts have, the increase in corruption in the last few years is a worrying trend

5. "On the myth of natural-born soldiers"I agree that "natural-born" is a myth. But national and cultural military traditions, "warrior cultures," are not.

Representative Sample:The idea that certain peoples or races are natural soldiers is widespread and longstanding

To submit a blog post for HOT5 Daily, please e-mail me at unrright@NOSPAMgmail.com. Put HOT5 in the subject.