A Twist of Things to Come

I just posted a response on Facebook that was a masterpiece of saying what I meant without being offensive and hurting people's feelings. A lady I know posted a link to the Catholic Church's position on gay marriage. I knew she was nervous about outing herself as agreeing with it, so I was going to let it go. Then I realized silence implies agreement, and while I like this lady a lot, I do think it is important to speak up when you are as passionate about something as I am for the equal rights of sexual minorities. So this is what I said:

( Song and dance of reconciliation that really was the best I could do. ) I can fight against an idea and a belief without hating people or institutions, even as I struggle against those institutions. Even if I think they are defending ideals that are stupid and irredeemable, they serve their purpose. Change is inevitable. That is very freeing.

Here's an interesting article on how to get a table at exclusive restaurants, relationships with service people and tipping. It's really interesting that his confidence increased as he went along. He paid for better treatment, then came to believe he deserved it, and still got it, even when he didn't pay for it.

Here's a video by George Takei that is awesome just because it's George Takei, who is awesome even when he says the word "douche bag" many times. I think it's The Voice.



Still, in closing, here is a talk called "Don't Be a Dick" to a skeptic society, sponsored by the James Randi Educational Foundation:

Phil Plait - Don't Be A Dick from JREF on Vimeo.