Not everyone believes in the same God, and by design, they do not have to. The founding fathers made it clear that you can be American and not necessarily be any specific religion. ‘Under God’ should not be necessary when swearing allegiance to America (which is a geo-political entity, not a religious one) if for no other reason then the alienation of those who do not believe in the Judeo-Christian teachings.

On a somewhat related note, of what relevance is the use of the bible for swearing in of people in court if the person does not hold that particular writing sacred? Some people might as well use Moby Dick or the SCDOT Driver’s Manual, that way everyone feels uncomfortable, not the poor atheist/Buddhist/pagan who is called upon to swear xy and z to a deity he or she does not believe in.

Tags: religion, social

I am tonight being treated to not only a deep and insightful analysis of the business of feeding the free word (a loathsome yet popularly supported industry) but also to a taste of some classic Hungarian cuisine. I am not denying the deliciousness of rendered pig fat (for it sure is tasty in a life expectancy reducing kind of way, pictured above), I just find its consumption a bit ironic after an extended criticism of the evils of corn, corn products and its content in our everyday foods. Corn free products are fairly easily accessible (I think they would be found near or around organic products), and their purchase would let the involved parties know that you as a consumer have no desire to purchase whipped cream with corn starch/syrup in it, but, alas, no such products have been actively searched out as a result of the cinematic screening which spurred this insightful, albeit one sided, discussion.

I have no doubt that there is a lot of cruel treatment of animals (however defined), unfair business and political practices, and perhaps even some rough labor issues, but the fact remains that we as consumers don’t want to know this. We’re just stoked that there is enough food (relatively speaking) to support our ever-growing numbers. Most people don’t want to know this because by knowing, they would feel obligated to do something about it, but that would require effort, and perhaps a closer look at us and our society. My wife and I were the laughing-stock of the residence when we gave up meat for a month, but it is reasonable to proclaim a minimized meat intake based on the conditions of the slaughter houses (as portrayed by the most-likely disgruntled farms that were denied the big four [?] contracts) while consuming a meal that involves two meats and two cheeses.

The above dinner conversation and subsequent observation were made possible by a recent viewing of Food, Inc., I guess now I have to watch it. Just as a hypothetical, what if I find the film disturbing in such a way as to boycott non-organic meats: will it be better received then the last time I gave up meat?

Tags: food, Hungary, social