Saintless

Alt: Real programmers set the universal constants at the start such that the universe evolves to contain the disk with the data they want.

Does that mean God is a real programmer?

On a side note, I was pleasantly surprised, and a bit shocked, to see this “blag post” from Randall Munroe, the author of the xkcd comic:

Okay, politics time.

I’m a political junkie, but I’ve largely kept that out of xkcd (other than occasional cracks about science and net-related issues). So this will be a one-time thing — after this post, you’ll hear no more political advocacy on this site for the rest of the election. But I think we’re at a balance point, where a few words between friends who are generally in agreement might make a difference, so here goes.

Please support Barack Obama.

He goes on to elaborate quite eloquently about why he thinks this. And honestly, out of all of the “endorsements” I’ve read, this is the most down-to-earth one. And go figure – he’s not a politician.

I knew there was a reason I liked this guy. Besides that he has a great comic and is apparently a Super-Geek. He’s also smart.

Of All the People in All the World

I’m actually very sad that I did not have the opportunity to see this in person. I wish there were a photo gallery and/or a list of all of the statistics presented.

This is a really dumb idea. The House has approved a bill to repeal Utah’s Driver Privilege Card law.

Who in their right mind thinks that illegal immigrants are going to come here so that they’ll break fewer laws (i.e. they get a driver privilege card)?

How many murderers, terrorists, gang members and sex offenders come from the immigrant population? Seriously! And if these horrible members of society are going to break every other law, why would they go through the trouble of coming here just so they “can get the card and use it for illegal activity”?

It would be much better to have all these people driving around (which they will do anyway) without insurance? Nice. Really nice. I’m glad we have such intelligent people running things.

Idiots.

Tags: immigration, Utah Legislature

This is my favorite disclaimer, ever! On the Utilikilt site, there is an entry form to win a Utilikilt.

The idea is that you copy the following text from the text box and fill it out, then email it to them.

1. Your Name:
2. Your Age:
3. Location:
4. E-mail Address:
5. Where were you born?:
6. What is your occupation?:
7. Which Utilikilt(s) do you own and why?:
8. Tell us about the exotic or mundane places you have traveled in your Utilikilt:
9. Which of the photos you submitted is your favorite and why?:
10. Was there a book that changed your life?
11. Tell us about it!:
12. What is your favorite place to be?:
13. What is your heart’s desire?:
14. How do you travel?:
15. THE QUESTION – What’s under your kilt?:
16. Who would you like to see in a Utilikilt?:
17. If we came to visit you, where would you take us?:
18. What kind of beer are you buying for the first round?: 

Disclaimer and Release: By sending this email to the Utilikilts Company LLC, I grant the Utilikilts Company LLC full rights to use the entire contents of this email for any purpose whatsoever, until the end of the universe. I understand that the Utilikilts Company LLC might use the text and images enclosed in this email on their web site, in printed or online marketing materials, or as a target on the dartboard in the executive bathroom, and I am fine with that. I mean it. I am flattered that my image or words might be used by the company in any way, shape or form.

I’m wondering if people are going to get creative, and alter the disclaimer when they enter. It almost makes me want to buy one for Dax so he can enter.

Tags: Amusement

Dr. Susan E. Rice, who was the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs under President Clinton, and who is now a Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to Senator Obama, will be speaking this Friday at the Hinckley Caucus Room in Orson Spencer Hall at the University of Utah on Friday at 11:50am-12:45

Make sure to RSVP!

Tags: Uncategorized

Blogging is great, but when Bush acts on his self-given dictatorship, what are you going to do?

The Salt Lake City Weekly has an blog of interest to those of you concerned with such a scenario:

According to provisions of Madsen’s S.B 157, every man, woman and child will be able to carry a gun on the streets during a “declared state of emergency.” No policeman, mayor, or city council could confiscate a gun, or, in fact, do anything to stop gun owners from “the lawful possession, transfer, sale, transport, storage, display or use of a firearm or ammunition.” Utah’s governor would be specifically barred from interfering with guns. And anyone who had their weapon confiscated could sue.

Ok, they had me until that last sentence. Seriously, if someone takes away your gun during a state of emergency, you get the right to sue? I’m for something a little more meaningful, like the right to shoot them as they try to take it away.

But, still – although the description given makes me wary (kids? really?), one of my main reasons for being against most gun restrictions is that if it ever comes down to it, it’s downright American to take up arms in defense of yourself and your country. Even if it’s your president, or in the case of our ancestors, your royalty, that you are defending yourself against.

Cold. Dead. Fingers.

Tags: Gun rights

moar funny pictures

(We should all stop being so cool, and take to the streets with pots and pans)

Tags: GOP

Watch for this on the news tonight! (I wonder if this is “the big endorsement”, or if we have something still in the works?)

11 Utah lawmakers Endorse Barack Obama

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Today 11 Utah lawmakers endorsed Senator Barack Obama, citing his ability to unite the country and his judgment to lead the country forward.

“Barack Obama is the one candidate with the unique ability to unite people from different political backgrounds around a common purpose for change,” said Rep. Brad King. “For those who want a change in direction, we believe Barack is the best person– the most electable person– to get us there.”

“Obama, the one candidate who can unite America, will bring about real, meaningful change on the issues important to the people of Utah,” added Rep. Carol Spackman Moss. “For those who want someone who will unite American again, I urge all Utahns to vote for Barack next Tuesday in the Democratic primary.”

“We’re yearning for a leader who is not driven by polls, but by principle; a leader who will fight for us not just when it’s easy, but when it’s hard; a leader who can actually work with the other party to make progress,” said Senator Gene Davis. “That leader who can bring us together again is Barack Obama.”

These endorsements, including five from Utah legislators in House and Senate leadership positions, come on the heels of Obama’s historic win in South Carolina.

“To have the support of these community leaders is invaluable to our grassroots organization,” said Senator Obama. “This grassroots movement in Utah will help us succeed on Tuesday, February 5 and will help bring about change we can believe in.”

The following Utah leaders announced their support for Senator Obama today:

Senator Gene Davis– Senate Minority Whip

Senator Scott McCoy

Representative Lynn Hemingway

Representative Christine Johnson

Representative Brad King– House Minority Leader

Representative David Litvack– House Minority Whip

Representative Phil Riesen– Minority Caucus Manager & Utah State Rep. for Obama for America

Representative Jen Seelig

Representative Carol Spackman Moss– Minority Assistant Whip

Representative Mark Wheatley

Representative Larry Wiley

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Contact:

Erin Fitzgerald/ Andrew Savage: 312-505-4893

Shannon Gilson: 702-539-0796 (c)

Anne Filipic, the Utah State Director for the Obama campaign, added this in her email announcement:

Just wanted to make sure everyone saw this! The Obama campaign is honored to have the support of these 11 impressive members of the Utah Legislature, including leadership in the House and Senate. (Note that every member of the House Leadership team endorsed Senator Obama!)

We had a great press conference at the Capitol this afternoon. Check out the evening news for some press coverage!

[Update]Shortly after the above press release came this one:

Former utah Congressman BILL Orton Endorses Obama

DNC committeeman says Barack channels energy of jfk

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Former Congressman Bill Orton (D-UT), who served Utah in the United States Congress from 1991 to 1997, endorsed Senator Barack Obama today in his campaign for the Democratic nomination for president.

“Barack Obama channels an energy of hope and inspiration I haven’t seen since President Kennedy,” said Orton. “He knows what this country needs and has the unique ability to unify our country to take us there. He will be a leader we can believe in again.”

Orton represented the Third Congressional District of Utah for six years and currently serves as a Utah Democratic National Committeeman.

Congressman Orton’s endorsement comes on the same day as 11 Utah lawmakers endorsed Senator Barack Obama at the Utah State Capitol.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

ThinkProgress is reporting that John Edwards is dropping out of the race. I will update this with more information as it becomes available.

[Update 1]
The AP reports:

Democrat John Edwards is exiting the presidential race Wednesday, ending a scrappy underdog bid in which he steered his rivals toward progressive ideals while grappling with family hardship that roused voters’ sympathies but never diverted his campaign, The Associated Press has learned.

The two-time White House candidate notified a close circle of senior advisers that he planned to make the announcement at a 1 p.m. EST event in New Orleans that had been billed as a speech on poverty, according to two of his advisers. The decision came after Edwards lost the four states to hold nominating contests so far to rivals who stole the spotlight from the beginning – Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

Apparently, he doesn’t plan to immediately endorse anyone. But, I would think that if he does endorse anyone it would be Barack. Of course, if he’s the VP, then of course he’ll endorse Barack. We’ll see.

Fitting….

Edwards planned to announce his campaign was ending with his wife and three children at his side. Then he planned to work with Habitat for Humanity at the volunteer-fueled rebuilding project Musicians’ Village, the adviser said.

With that, Edwards’ campaign will end the way it began 13 months ago – with the candidate pitching in to rebuild lives in a city still ravaged by Hurricane Katrina. Edwards embraced New Orleans as a glaring symbol of what he described as a Washington that didn’t hear the cries of the downtrodden.

I’ve been trying to find out for a while…does Edwards have control of what happens with his delegates now? I’m assuming he still gets to “accept or decline” the delegates, to get people who will vote however he wants, but what are the rules? Anyone know?

[Update 2]
Ok, this isn’t really an update, and it’s not really true, but it’s definitely amusing (if you get and like LOLCats humor):

[Update 3]
Here is Barack Obama’s statement on John Edwards:

John Edwards has spent a lifetime fighting to give voice to the voiceless and hope to the struggling, even when it wasn’t popular to do or covered in the news. At a time when our politics is too focused on who’s up and who’s down, he made a nation focus again on who matters – the New Orleans child without a home, the West Virginia miner without a job, the families who live in that other America that is not seen or heard or talked about by our leaders in Washington. John and Elizabeth Edwards have always believed deeply that we can change this – that two Americans can become one, and that our country can rally around this common purpose. So while his campaign may end today, the cause of their lives endures for all of us who still believe that we can achieve that dream of one America.

Anyone know where I can find Hillary’s statement? I heard there is one, but I didn’t find it on her blog or newsroom.

[Update 4] The 2008 Democratic Convention Watch site has some answers on what happens to Edwards’ delegates. I don’t consider it an authoritative source, and it doesn’t have any citations, but I’ll accept this as the most likely answers, until I get citations or authoritative sources.

According to them, the 12 delegates from New Hampshire and South Carolina will attend the August convention as “uncommitted”. His Iowa delegates will be replaced with Clinton or Obama delegates, depending on how the state level delegates decide to vote.

[Update 5] This is probably my last update for this post. Here is video of Edwards’ speech.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdnLlIIWvk8&rel=1&border=1]

Tags: John Edwards

The idea of empowering women and what it means to be a feminist has been on my mind a lot, lately. This is for a few reasons.

First, I was asked to start a Women for Obama group here in Utah. I had kind of avoided the “Women for Obama” movement because I had a lot on my plate being involved with the all-inclusive Utah for Obama group, and because I felt like maybe “Women for Obama” was too narrow of a view about why I support Senator Obama.

Secondly, Hillary Clinton recently attacked Barack Obama’s record on women’s issues.

Lorna Brett Howard, the former Director of the Chicago chapter of NOW (Nation Organization of Women), who had been a Hillary supporter, was so offended by this attack that she not only turned around and endorsed Obama, but put out a video defending his record with the facts.

Then when Senator Ted Kennedy endorsed Barack, the NY State Chapter of NOW got more than a bit upset and called him a traitor.

Actions such as this are why I’ve never considered myself a feminist.

So, what does it mean to empower women, and to be a feminist?

Does it mean that no matter what other issues there are, supporting a woman should take priority? Does it mean that because I am female, I am better than men? Does it mean that women have some kind of inherent rights that trump a man’s inherent rights?

I get the impression that there are women in America today who believe that the answers to those questions are yes, and that for any woman, or women’s rights activist, to support anyone but the female candidate, they are betraying women everywhere.

And I have to call bullshit.

That would be like saying that a black man who supported John Edwards was betraying the black cause, and that he should support Obama regardless of whether he believes Obama is the best choice, or not.

And I’m saying that to support a man because he’s black, and only because he’s black, is the same thing as ostracizing a man because he’s black.

I’m saying that to vote for a woman because she’s a woman, and only because she’s a woman, is the same thing as not voting for a woman because she’s a woman.

I will admit that if all things were equal, I’d love to vote for the woman candidate. But, I don’t believe she’s the best choice. And because of that, I’m supporting another candidate. I’m not betraying women’s causes in doing so.

In fact, I believe that voting for a woman only because she’s a woman is actually doing a lot of damage to women’s causes.

Back to my original question – what does it mean to empower women and to be a feminist?

I may not have all of the answers, but I have a feeling that there are some good ones in this book, Good As Lily.

I hadn’t heard of it before seeing the review on Boing Boing.

It tells the story of Grace Kwon, a young Korean-American girl who, on her 18th birthday, finds herself in the company of her six-year-old self, her 29-year-old self and her 70-year-old self, three women who become a part of her life as she finishes out her last semester of high school before going off to her freshman year at Stanford.

Grace is a perfect young adult protagonist, likable and flawed, insecure and brave, driven and oblivious all at once. She’s in love with her drama teacher (and bent on rescuing the school play from budget cuts), surrounded by great (and flawed) friends, and embroiled in high-school dominance struggles that are savage as only school fights can be.

The review really makes it sound like the ultimate book on what woman power really is, and if I’m ever lucky enough to have a daughter, I hope I remember this book. It might not hurt my sons to read, either.

I decided to go forward with Women for Obama because I feel like it embodies what the feminist movement should, even if the feminist movement gets it wrong sometimes.

Tags: feminist, Hillary Clinton