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Very Superstitious...
Author: BobR
Date: 08/01/2008 12:13:25
Very superstitious, ladders bout to fall,
Thirteen month old baby, broke the lookin glass
Seven years of bad luck, the good things in your past.
When you believe in things that you dont understand,
Then you suffer,
Superstition aint the way
- "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder
Today is going to be a special day in certain parts of the world. The people in Greenland, Siberia, China, and a few other places will be able to witness a total eclipse of the sun. The path can be seen here. This rare event used to cause all sorts of superstitious reactions:
Before there was a scientific explanation for eclipses, myth and mystery was pervasive. Many cultures thought a demon or dragon was devouring the sun.
In ancient China, "any unusual phenomenon involving celestial bodies was noted for potential omens, either good or bad, that might befall the current Emperor," according to Sten Odenwald of the department of physics at Catholic University. An eclipse occurred in 2134 B.C., but was not predicted by Hsi and Ho, who were believed to have been two astrologers who served the Emperor Chung K'ang.
"By some accounts, the two astrologers were negligent in their duties and did not foretell the event for the Emperor," Odenwald writes in a historical article published by NASA. "They were summarily beheaded for their negligence of duty."
The ancient Chinese banged pots and drums to shoo the frightful sun-eating character away, according to the Exploratorium Science Center in San Francisco. In India, people would immerse themselves in water to help the sun fight the dragon.
Even nowadays many myths persist. In Egypt, as one example, children are often kept indoors with windows covered or shades drawn during an eclipse.
Through the centuries, the lack of scientific knowledge has been at the root of superstition. The dictionary defines it as:
- a belief or notion, not based on reason or knowledge, in or of the ominous significance of a particular thing, circumstance, occurrence, proceeding, or the like.
- a system or collection of such beliefs.
- a custom or act based on such a belief.
- irrational fear of what is unknown or mysterious, esp. in connection with religion.
- any blindly accepted belief or notion.
Most ancient religions and customs were based on trying to explain the strange phenomena around them. Many (like Creationism) still persist to this day. What's amazing, however, is when new superstitions are created, or when logical reasoning and evidence is thrown out the window in favor of a belief in something that just doesn't make sense. For instance, here are some of the things you have to believe to be a Republican:
- Saddam was a good guy when Reagan armed him, a bad guy when Bush's daddy made war on him, a good guy when Cheney did business with him and a bad guy when Bush needed a "we can't find Bin Laden" diversion.
- Trade with Cuba is wrong because the country is communist, but trade with China and Vietnam is vital to a spirit of international harmony.
- A woman can't be trusted with decisions about her own body, but multi-national corporations can make decisions affecting all humankind without regulation.
- Jesus loves you, and shares your hatred of homosexuals and Hillary Clinton.
- The best way to improve military morale is to praise the troops in speeches while slashing veterans' benefits and combat pay.
- If condoms are kept out of schools, adolescents won't have sex.
- Providing health care to all Iraqis is sound policy. Providing health care to all Americans is socialism. HMOs and insurance companies have the best interests of the public at heart.
- Global warming and tobacco's link to cancer are junk science, but creationism should be taught in schools.
- A president lying about an extramarital affair is an impeachable offense. A president lying to enlist support for a war in which a thousand die and thousands are maimed for life is solid defense policy.
- The public has a right to know about Hillary's cattle trades, but George Bush's cocaine conviction is none of our business. Being a drug addict is a moral failing and a crime, unless you're a conservative radio host. Then it's an illness, and you need our prayers for your recovery.
- You support states' rights, which means Attorney General John Ashcroft can tell states what local voter initiatives they have the right to adopt.
- What Bill Clinton did in the 1960s is of vital national interest, but what Bush did in the '70s & '80s is irrelevant.
Of course - some of those are a little "dated"; a few other more up-to-date (or timeless) items would include:
- Cutting taxes on the rich will help my financial situation.
- Oil can only be found in environmentally sensitive areas.
- Republican politicians will still tell the truth when they testify if they're not under oath.
- If we give the Bush Administration more powers, they won't abuse them.
- Starting a war in a wildly unstable oil-rich part of the world will make us safer and isn't to blame for higher gas prices.
- Bizarre new weather patterns and melting polar ice are not because of global warming, and even if they are, it's not our fault, and there's nothing we can do about it.
There certainly are more examples. How many can you come up with?
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
BobR on 08/01/2008 12:17:25
BobR on 08/01/2008 12:17:25
OOOh - here's another one:
Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
Government should limit itself to the powers named in the Constitution, which include banning gay marriages and censoring the Internet.
Comment by 
TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:22:30
TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:22:30
It's OK to poison dogs and babies with Chinese products, because forcing the companies to make a safe product might affect their profit margin.
Comment by TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:23:31
TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:23:31
A uniformed pilot with company ID can't carry airline-issued silverware through security, but it's OK for unscreened baggage handlers to work on the tarmac next to the airplane.
Comment by TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:24:46
TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:24:46
It's OK to build a security fence along the US/Mexican border, except through golf courses and conservative college campuses.
Comment by TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:27:40
TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:27:40
Public nudity is promiscuous and immoral, but nudity through the airport X-ray machine helps make us safer.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 12:29:02
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 12:29:02
Morning :hug:
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 12:34:35
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 12:34:35
Damn - Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit!
Comment by 
Random on 08/01/2008 12:34:53
Random on 08/01/2008 12:34:53
Random, with something interesting for once.
Random's father (back in '88) recorded about 5 minutes aday of the presidential campaign (starting with the primaries) And it struckt random how strange, is that it's exactly the same...freakishly so.
Random's father (back in '88) recorded about 5 minutes aday of the presidential campaign (starting with the primaries) And it struckt random how strange, is that it's exactly the same...freakishly so.
Comment by TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:36:28
TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:36:28
Polluting our coastline and despoiling the environment for our grandchildren is perfectly alright, just as long as gasoline is 3 cents cheaper in ten years.
Comment by TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:39:39
TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:39:39
A few thousand former Cubans in Miami know what's best for the rest of the United States concerning Fidel Castro.
Likewise, a few thousand practitioners of the Jewish faith also know what's best for the rest of the United States concerning Israel.
Likewise, a few thousand practitioners of the Jewish faith also know what's best for the rest of the United States concerning Israel.
Comment by TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:40:55
TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:40:55
Texas is the only state in the Union capable of producing a decent leader; you shouldn't trust anyone from East of the Mississippi or North of the Mason-Dixon line.
Comment by TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:41:42
TriSec on 08/01/2008 12:41:42
Politicians in Washington are completely out of touch with the United States, except for our candidates, of course.
Comment by 
Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:02:22
Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:02:22
To Clintster - I did your idea about the CSN&Y - "Teach Your Children" -- I just sent it - don't know if it will be run - but your Ian is featured promenently. Thanks for the idea :D
Comment by 
liam1965 on 08/01/2008 13:05:07
liam1965 on 08/01/2008 13:05:07
Good morning, my last-to-be-drafted buddies. How are you this morning?
Short morning participation, since I woke up quite late and need to get to working straightaway.
Liam, hoping the "last to be drafted" wasn't too obscure...
Short morning participation, since I woke up quite late and need to get to working straightaway.
Liam, hoping the "last to be drafted" wasn't too obscure...
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:07:51
Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:07:51
Morning all. Waiting for the tradespeople. :drumsfingers:
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:10:44
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:10:44
Heyya Shane-O, Liam, Mondo
Comment by Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:15:15
Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:15:15
mornin' wick!
Comment by TriSec on 08/01/2008 13:16:47
TriSec on 08/01/2008 13:16:47
Oh, I saw the Paris Hilton ad this morning. Apparently they're targeting some Southern NH voters (which are all Massachusetts transplants, BTW. )
Anyway, I completely tuned it out, it had the de rigeur scary-sounding voiceover, then there was Sen. Obama's picture and McCain approving the message.
What the hell was that supposed to be about, again?
Anyway, I completely tuned it out, it had the de rigeur scary-sounding voiceover, then there was Sen. Obama's picture and McCain approving the message.
What the hell was that supposed to be about, again?
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:17:06
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:17:06
You know you can call me Mala, Shane-O :)
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:17:50
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:17:50
Pssst - dude - then they aren't really Dems.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:19:31
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:19:31
It's a cute song.
Comment by Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:20:55
yay! -- thanks Mala... :D
Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:20:55
Quote by wickedpam:
You know you can call me Mala, Shane-O :)
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:22:22
Damnit! I missed what the song that is tearing away at the moral fabric of America!
Well so much for the tradesperson, he just called, there is medical emergency he will be coming on Monday. :kick:
Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:22:22
Quote by wickedpam:
It's a cute song.
Damnit! I missed what the song that is tearing away at the moral fabric of America!
Well so much for the tradesperson, he just called, there is medical emergency he will be coming on Monday. :kick:
Comment by 
Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:23:24
Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:23:24
Morning everyone!! :banana:
In Wal*merica, corporate products buy people!
In Wal*merica, corporate products buy people!
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:23:24
Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl"
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:23:24
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
It's a cute song.
Damnit! I missed what the song that is tearing away at the moral fabric of America!
Well so much for the tradesperson, he just called, there is medical emergency he will be coming on Monday. :kick:
Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl"
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:25:54
OH MAH GAWD! A ten year old song is going to turn America gay!
Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:25:54
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
It's a cute song.
Damnit! I missed what the song that is tearing away at the moral fabric of America!
Well so much for the tradesperson, he just called, there is medical emergency he will be coming on Monday. :kick:
Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl"
OH MAH GAWD! A ten year old song is going to turn America gay!
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:30:11
Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:30:11
has anybody else tried "the new Facebook"
Comment by liam1965 on 08/01/2008 13:32:49
liam1965 on 08/01/2008 13:32:49
Mondo, it's not a 10 year old song. That's Jill Sobule's "I Kissed a Girl". Katy Perry's is brand new and a different song.
Comment by Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:34:53
Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:34:53
I'm pretty sure I posted a comment about this a while ago - the Rove tactic of attacking from a weak position. McCain (a la Schmitt) called out Obama as a "flip-flopper" early to cut back on the possible criticism of McCain as being a flip-flopper. The idea being, if you attack first, when you come back and say you are doing the same thing - it comes across as equivocation.
The McCain campaign is NOW doing the same thing on the "race card." Accusing Obama of playing it. Since the McCain people have attacked, again, from the weak position - if the Obama campaign comes back and says that the McCain campaign is playing the race card (which they've likely planned to do all along) - it's another tit-for-tat. Therefore, McCain can go on using that tactic with little repurcussions.
The McCain campaign is NOW doing the same thing on the "race card." Accusing Obama of playing it. Since the McCain people have attacked, again, from the weak position - if the Obama campaign comes back and says that the McCain campaign is playing the race card (which they've likely planned to do all along) - it's another tit-for-tat. Therefore, McCain can go on using that tactic with little repurcussions.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:35:09
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:35:09
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
It's a cute song.
Damnit! I missed what the song that is tearing away at the moral fabric of America!
Well so much for the tradesperson, he just called, there is medical emergency he will be coming on Monday. :kick:
Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl"
OH MAH GAWD! A ten year old song is going to turn America gay!
Comment by TriSec on 08/01/2008 13:35:32
TriSec on 08/01/2008 13:35:32
Say, all these tracking polls showing McCain picking up ground are on the popular vote, right?
Is anyone tracking the electoral delegate vote (other than us)?
Is anyone tracking the electoral delegate vote (other than us)?
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:36:40
Whatever! It still promotes the dreaded homosexual agenda and junk. : The Beaver:
Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:36:40
Quote by liam1965:
Mondo, it's not a 10 year old song. That's Jill Sobule's "I Kissed a Girl". Katy Perry's is brand new and a different song.
Whatever! It still promotes the dreaded homosexual agenda and junk. : The Beaver:
Comment by Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:36:58
Actually I thought it was a really loose rehash..
Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:36:58
Quote by liam1965:
Mondo, it's not a 10 year old song. That's Jill Sobule's "I Kissed a Girl". Katy Perry's is brand new and a different song.
Actually I thought it was a really loose rehash..
Comment by Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:38:21
SM Bump - Steph-i-fied ... not used
Shane-O on 08/01/2008 13:38:21
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
It's a cute song.
Damnit! I missed what the song that is tearing away at the moral fabric of America!
Well so much for the tradesperson, he just called, there is medical emergency he will be coming on Monday. :kick:
Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl"
OH MAH GAWD! A ten year old song is going to turn America gay!
Comment by Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:38:27
:rofl: I'm sorry Mondo.. having 'junk' and 'beaver' in the same sentence as homosexual agenda is for some reason just.. funny!
Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:38:27
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by liam1965:
Mondo, it's not a 10 year old song. That's Jill Sobule's "I Kissed a Girl". Katy Perry's is brand new and a different song.
Whatever! It still promotes the dreaded homosexual agenda and junk. : The Beaver:
:rofl: I'm sorry Mondo.. having 'junk' and 'beaver' in the same sentence as homosexual agenda is for some reason just.. funny!
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:39:56
Zogby
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:39:56
Quote by TriSec:
Say, all these tracking polls showing McCain picking up ground are on the popular vote, right?
Is anyone tracking the electoral delegate vote (other than us)?
Zogby
Comment by Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:41:40
Here's an old favorite from 2004..
Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:41:40
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by TriSec:
Say, all these tracking polls showing McCain picking up ground are on the popular vote, right?
Is anyone tracking the electoral delegate vote (other than us)?
Zogby
Here's an old favorite from 2004..
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:41:44
How do we know if we have the "new" Facebook?
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:41:44
Quote by Mondobubba:
has anybody else tried "the new Facebook"
How do we know if we have the "new" Facebook?
Comment by Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:44:50
'Cause there is banner across the top what says try it.
Mondobubba on 08/01/2008 13:44:50
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
has anybody else tried "the new Facebook"
How do we know if we have the "new" Facebook?
'Cause there is banner across the top what says try it.
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:45:48
I forgot about that one - they still have Butthead & Kerry up
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:45:48
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by TriSec:
Say, all these tracking polls showing McCain picking up ground are on the popular vote, right?
Is anyone tracking the electoral delegate vote (other than us)?
Zogby
Here's an old favorite from 2004..
I forgot about that one - they still have Butthead & Kerry up
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:46:54
I don't have that banner.
Does it make Facebook respond better?
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:46:54
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
has anybody else tried "the new Facebook"
How do we know if we have the "new" Facebook?
'Cause there is banner across the top what says try it.
I don't have that banner.
Does it make Facebook respond better?
Comment by BobR on 08/01/2008 13:50:54
BobR on 08/01/2008 13:50:54
It's "Let me hear your body talk", Momma... :rolleyes:
Comment by BobR on 08/01/2008 13:52:11
In retrospect, I supposed I shouldn't know that... :redface:
BobR on 08/01/2008 13:52:11
Quote by BobR:
It's "Let me hear your body talk", Momma... :rolleyes:
In retrospect, I supposed I shouldn't know that... :redface:
Comment by 
starling310 on 08/01/2008 13:52:29
starling310 on 08/01/2008 13:52:29
Good morning everyone.
Blast from the past last night. . . I watched The Secret of Nimh.
:unsure:
:cry: ------------>
Blast from the past last night. . . I watched The Secret of Nimh.
:unsure:
:cry: ------------>
Quote by TriSec:
It's OK to poison dogs and babies with Chinese products, because forcing the companies to make a safe product might affect their profit margin.
Comment by 
Raine on 08/01/2008 13:52:46
Raine on 08/01/2008 13:52:46
Good morning! 
Comment by wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:54:34
wickedpam on 08/01/2008 13:54:34
Morning Bob, Star, Raine
Comment by 
livingonli on 08/01/2008 13:55:12
livingonli on 08/01/2008 13:55:12
Good morning all. 
Another day for me.
Random, your buddy Donnie is back on the SMS Live Blog if you want to go back and mock him relentlessly.
Another day for me.
Random, your buddy Donnie is back on the SMS Live Blog if you want to go back and mock him relentlessly.
Comment by BobR on 08/01/2008 13:55:36
There's a little link at the top that says "Try the new facebook". Click on that for the new one.
You're facebook might respond better if you don't have a ton of applications loaded up in it...
BobR on 08/01/2008 13:55:36
Quote by wickedpam:
I don't have that banner.
Does it make Facebook respond better?
There's a little link at the top that says "Try the new facebook". Click on that for the new one.
You're facebook might respond better if you don't have a ton of applications loaded up in it...
Comment by starling310 on 08/01/2008 13:55:45
:rofl:
I prefer to sing "I kissed a girl and SHE liked it!"
starling310 on 08/01/2008 13:55:45
Quote by Shane-O:SM Bump - Steph-i-fied ... not usedQuote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by wickedpam:
It's a cute song.
Damnit! I missed what the song that is tearing away at the moral fabric of America!
Well so much for the tradesperson, he just called, there is medical emergency he will be coming on Monday. :kick:
Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl"
OH MAH GAWD! A ten year old song is going to turn America gay!
:rofl:
I prefer to sing "I kissed a girl and SHE liked it!"
Comment by Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:56:31
Scoopster on 08/01/2008 13:56:31
:banana: I just got a raise! :banana: