This is the weekly summary of the Humanist Network News (HNN). The Humanist Network News (HNN) is published every Wednesday via e-mail and on the Institute for Humanist Studies (IHS) Web site. This diary is a slightly reformatted copy of the weekly email they send me, which I post here every Thursday.
August 25, 2005
Humanist Network News
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- Coalition Hires First D.C. Lobbyist for Non-religious Americans
- Robertson: Assassinate Venezuelan Pres
- Pentagon reopens probe of Pat Tillman’s death
- Pelletier painting is propaganda, not art
- Locking out our national institutions
- What next for Sweet Reason?
- Film Review: The Aristocrats
- Letters to the Editor
- Media Roundup
- Cathartic Comics
- Humanist Humor
- Poll of the Week
Summaries and links across the jump. As always, if one of these stories captures your interest, feel free to write a more in-depth diary.
1. Coalition Hires First D.C. Lobbyist for Non-religious Americans
A coalition of non-religious organizations has hired the first lobbyist in Washington D.C. to represent the rights of humanists, atheists and other freethinkers. Lori Lipman Brown, a former Nevada State Senator, is the new director/lobbyist of the Secular Coalition for America. MORE| MY TAKE: She seems like a good choice. It is about time there is a secular lobbyist to counteract the lobbying coming from religious groups. I hope it isn’t too late.
2. Robertson: Assassinate Venezuelan Pres
On the Monday broadcast of his “700 Club” show, televangelist Pat Robertson suggested that the United States should assassinate Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. Now Robertson’s lying about it, and the Associated Press isn’t letting him get away with it. MORE
3. Pentagon reopens probe of Pat Tillman’s death
On Tuesday, Aug. 23, the Pentagon announced that it has reopened the investigation into Army Ranger Pat Tillman’s death one year ago. While Tillman’s story of sacrifice and valor made national headlines, it was often overlooked that he was apparently an atheist. MORE
4. Pelletier painting is propaganda, not art
Joel Pelletier’s “American Fundamentalists” painting is currently touring the country and showing at many humanist and freethought organizations. In her commentary, Martha Knox argues that this painting is more propaganda than art. MORE. MY TAKE: And so what if it is? The other side uses propaganda all the time. Everything out of the mouth of Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Rice, or their lapdogs Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Michelle Malkin, and anything on Fox News. But I don’t think this painting is propaganda. It isn’t coming from the dominant group and intended to make people stop thinking. It is coming from a subversive minority and intended to provoke thought. Gimme a break.
5. Locking out our national institutions
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has locked out its employees. Canadian columnist Doug Thomas is perhaps going through a little CBC withdrawal. See for yourself. MORE
6. What next for Sweet Reason?
The results of the “Sweet Reason” reader survey are in. See what’s in store for the future of HNN’s very own humanist advice column. MORE
7. Film Review: The Aristocrats
Film critic Carolyn Braunius writes: “Going to The Aristocrats is like sitting through an 89 minute dirty joke.” MORE
8. Letters to the Editor
This week’s letters discuss Klingons, Astrology, Intelligent Design and much MORE
9. Media Roundup
A roundup of news stories of interest to humanists, atheists and freethinkers. MORE
10. Cathartic Comics
…an assortment of cartoons and comic strips about humanism, atheism, religion, science and freethought. MORE
11. Humanist Humor
Here’s a little joke about Church ethics on cloning. GET THE JOKE. MY TAKE: I hate to admit it, but I am big fan of spoonerisms (flipping the consonants in sequential words or syllables). I often say I am going to “shake a tower” rather than “take a shower” and find it devilishly mischievous to call popcorn “Cop Porn” and then pretend it was a slip of the tongue.
12. Poll of the Week
In her commentary this week, Martha Knox says that Joel Pelletier’s “American Fundamentalists” painting works as propaganda, but not as art. Therefore, she argues that humanist groups should not display the painting. Do you agree with Knox? CAST YOUR VOTE
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About the IHS:
The IHS promotes nonreligious perspectives on social, political, and ethical issues and serves as a resource for and about the humanist community. Questions, comments, concerns, got a better joke or a story? Send a letter to the editor.
If anything here interests you, you may also be interested in my diary on what it is like to be a secular humanist in today’s political climate: I Am The Boogeyman.
CP @ DKos and MLW