Believe what you want - to a point

I am one that supposes that every single person on this planet has the right to believe whatever they wish - to a point.  The problem for me comes from those who have a belief in something that has a direct or indirect negative impact on me or my perceived negative impact on others. I am especially concerned when the beliefs of others manifest into "actions" that have a negative impact on me or others.  One of the many things that concerns me regarding belief and the actions associated with those beliefs is the foundation of these beliefs.

Take vaccination for one instance.  The fact is that disease would be rampant all around the world if it were not for vaccines - this fact is result of extensive scientific research and on-going development.  The Anti-Vaxxers would have you believe that vaccines cause health problems and this is why you should not vaccinate your children. There is evidence that shows that vaccination may cause undesirable effects on some individuals, but without vaccination those undesirable effects would pale in comparison to the countless deaths that would occur around the globe without vaccination.  The mere "thought" of people believing that vaccinations should be stopped is concerning to me, but taking "action" and having a mouthpiece go on television and spout their uninformed belief is what really gets my goat.  I would appear that the foundation for the anti-vaccinator is due to misinformation and not an honest application of flimsy research.  I realize that we live in a "free" society, but it shouldn't mean that we are "free" to say and do whatever we want without consequence.

I also hold that religious people have the right to believe what they wish - to a point.  If you don't understand what I'm referring to just read the Old/New Testament or the Quran/Koran.  Jews, Christians and Muslims consider their holy books as the foundation of their belief. The problem I have with people who believe the stories or "wisdom" found in these books is that many followers place their beliefs over the rights and the very lives of others.  Some followers are willing to perpetrate atrocities based on their beliefs - or rather a gross misapplication of those beliefs. Like I have mentioned before - I don't have a problem with what you believe - to a point.  The point I am referring to is:  the point in which one's belief supersedes another persons right to exist or a persons right to live the way they wish - as a responsible law abiding world citizen. In this respect there are far too many so -called religious followers who's beliefs are toxic to the rest of the world's population. I believe that some of the toxicity in these people hiding behind the veil of religion is borne out of the reality altering/mind bending stories coupled with an unceasing bombardment of selected hate passages found in these holy books. It is everyone's job to tackle these, or any, toxic beliefs - no matter where they are found. It is my belief that we all have the the right to life the way we want to live it - to a point.

FMF

The Importance To MAke

I may not be a very good writer, but I feel it is necessary to get things out of my synaptic connections and onto a more physical medium.  It's April 20 2014 and this makes it Easter Sunday or "the solar festival of Oestre" - but who's keeping track.  Well I'm 49 now, still at the Whole Show and still tinkering around with projects.  I'm really fascinated with the Maker movement, I'm periodically spending time doing electronics, I'm working on a new wind generator (new 6' blades as well), and I'm going to try and get a new crop of mushrooms going soon.  The fact that I've been tinkering since I was a small boy has helped me to figure out and understand how things work and how I can make things and get them to work.  I feel that being able to make is so important in this day when everything is available for purchase.  This availability distances ourselves from the raw need to make things for the purposes of utility and enjoyment.  Years ago I read an article talking about kids who had no idea where things came from.  One little boy thought that cookies came from the grocery store and when his mom was told that you can make them at home he didn't believe her.  So many of us have no idea where our things come from and how they are made.  Gardening used to be every persons endeavour many years ago.  They didn't have a grocery store to buy fruits and vegetables.  They had to work the land! So many of us are using our yards to grow grass - how about some vegetables?  There are so many wonderful links on the internet about getting back to basics and I encourage you to find this information.

Live long and prosper & make something - Vulcan Wisdom (sort of)

FMF

The Canadian system can be so lame

You have a guy (dad) who is in an 9 year common law relationship with his female (mom) partner.  They have 2 kids together.  The female partner leaves the relationship (after years of living with a control freak).  The 2 kids stay with dad.  The mom has to pay support to the dad who makes twice the amount of money.  The mom have to work 2 jobs in order to live (and to pay support).  Did I mention that the dad has the house and the truck?  Did I mention that the mom left with a suit case?

The Canadian government assessed her level of support based on earnings before she left.  Why can they not assess her on her current income level?  Incompetent, that's why.

Do you job Canada.

FMF
Peace