Absolut Nonsense

It is known by many names: booze, hootch, grog, spirits and my favorite demon rum. This normal product of decaying natural sugars has both enhanced and plagued the house of man for centuries. The Kid Himself used it as a powerful symbol of the blood He shed for sins while knowing the sins that over-imbibing can cause. The apostle Paul once gave medical advice to his friend Timothy, saying that he should avoid a sour stomach by taking a little wine with his water. And knowing that Evian was centuries away yet, who could blame him?

Americans tried to ban it in the 1920's creating a bigger problem than before, by giving organized crime a sure-sale product to fund their organization. Well, the next battleground for good ol' C₂H₅OH isn't about what passes over man's lips, but what he slathers on his hands. (story here)

Some Muslim healthcare workers in Britain are refusing to use alcohol based hand gels to fight the spread of swine flu, on the basis that it is against their faith to even touch the "hard" stuff. And getting seriously ill from an "unclean" pig disease is a better alternative? Silly humans, it's not like the workers are throwing "keggers" with the stuff.

Muslim leaders actually criticize the legalistic move, but encourage people to "accommodate their beliefs". Pity. As long as they don't realize it isn't what you put in the body, it's what comes out of one's heart that counts. Keeping believers dancing to this tune is how we can make bombing innocent people acceptable, while ditching the Purel.

Giving a VERY warm toast,

- Brackish

"Let's Make a Convert!" with Wink Martindale

In the Enemy's Big Storybook, He compares the "Kingdom of God" as a pearl of great price buried in field. Once found a man sold all he had to purchase the field. Put that man on camera and have him compete with nine other men and you have a game show soon to air in Turkey (story here).

TV station "Kanal T" is planning a show in which four religious guides attempt to covert a group of ten athiests. The "winner" will receive eternal salvation/enlightenment and a trip to the holy site of the respective faith they accept. No word if Richard Dawkins will be competing.

This version of "Spiritual Jeopardy" is to include guides from Christian, Jewish, Buddhist and Islamic faiths. It is not without it's controversy, however. Although Turkey is largely secular the Religious Affairs Directorate feels the show is disrespectful to all religions and is refusing to provide an imam for the show. They fear that the show trivializes spiritual beliefs and cheapens religion. Funny, I thought that was what "The 700 Club" did.

...and now a vision from our sponsors...

- Brackish