Mana's Tumblings

Earthwatch volunteers and big-ass cars

I was tempted by my evil half this morning to think that people who show up at an earthwatch volunteer event solo in an suv or van, should be sent home. Carpool or stay home! At the same time I wonder if such folk volunteer because deep down they feel guilty for driving those gas-hungry engines…

New Scientist Opinion Piece: Scientism vs. Religionism

‘I recall physicist Steven Weinberg saying: ” most scientists don’t think enough about god to be called atheists.” This is why I am less concerned about so-called scientism than about religionism.’ Tinyurl.com/3q2hvh

NYT: Immigration, Outsourced

http://mobile.nytimes.com/article?a=154513&f=28

Teller on Atheism and appreciation of supernatural

“Does your Atheism enhance your appreciation of the supernatural? Teller: absolutely. If you think there really is a possibility that, say, witchcraft is valid, you can’t appreciate it as art—as invention and poetry.” Psychology Today, April 2008

MEN WHO DO HOUSEHOLD WORK MAY GET MORE SEX

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chicagotribune.com%2Ffeatures%2Flifestyle%2Fliving%2Fsns-ap-sharing-chores%2C1%2C2684054.story

CNN || Castro resigns as president

“The United States will help the people of Cuba realize the blessings of liberty,” Bush said upon hearing the news that Castro resigned. When Bush employs his famed narrative of the US as the liberating nation I think of trouble. The fact that the word ‘embargo’ was not mentioned makes me think the US still hasn’t figured that one yet. Next we’ll tell Cuba that keeping the embargo contributes to their liberation. http://m.cnn.com/cnn/ne/world/detail/75793

CNN || Kosovo declares independence from Serbia

http://m.cnn.com/cnn/lt_ne/lt_ne/detail/75124/full