Headline Muse, 3/22

The cops have to pick up the slack
They’re too worried ‘bout media flak
You can’t be a goodie
While wearing a hoodie
So shoot him, for “walking while black”.

Headline: Uproar over Florida teen’s death focuses on race

No, I wouldn’t have chosen that headline for this verse. That headline is what showed up when I clicked a link saying “Neighbors stand by George Zimmerman” on CNN.com’s front page. Were it not for my Grandfather’s years living in Florida, I would not, could not understand how Zimmerman’s neighbors could stand by him in this case.

I am disturbed beyond saying by the Trayvon Martin story. My colleagues here at FtB have written about it, but it has not been, and can never be, enough. I blame Florida, as an entity of government, as much or more than I blame Zimmerman (whom I do not hold blameless).

Damn The Torpedoes!

I’m mapping a strategy; finding a way—
Point B’s where I’m going; I’m starting at A.
I may be traversing some tricky terrain;
Without proper planning, the odds are I may
Start running in circles, or struggling in vain
So I’ll call it a frictionless plane

I know what the point is I’m travelling to;
I know what it is that I’m trying to do.
My willpower’s mighty; my hunger is keen
I’ve plotted a beeline; my compass is true—
I won’t take a chance on some danger unseen
As I travel the path in between

I’ll stick to my principles, taking my stand
My path will not follow the lay of the land!
Let others take routes that are twisted or curled
I’ll march to Point B with my standard in hand,
My banner defiantly, proudly unfurled,
And that’s how I’m changing the world.

Thoughts, after the jump: [Read more…]

Is “The Walking Dead” All A Metaphor?

We struggle in vain to distinguish a Mass
From your typical Zombie behavior
As they guzzle down red by the bottle or glass
And delight in Filet of Our Savior.

Perhaps it’s a matter of what’s on the menu;
Your Catholic is more of a snacker,
But if you feel teeth on your shoulder, why, then you
Know zombies want more than a cracker.

When Jesus said “This is my blood that you drink,
And this is my body you eat”
Did something he knew of their tastes make him think
They were zombies, and lusting for meat?

Did the Catholic Church, from the time of Saint Peter,
Rejoice in the words that he said,
And at least once a week, become Zombie flesh-eater
And feast upon Jesus Undead?

I worry it’s some sort of slippery slope
Where they struggle ‘gainst gravity’s chains
And I wonder if Ratzinger got to be Pope
By eating the Cardinals’ brains.

Fun stuff, after the jump: [Read more…]

Sacrifices Must Be Made

They told me their religion gave “a different way of knowing”,
In addition to experiments, I also learn through prayer;
The precious love of Jesus is what keeps my garden growing—
It’s the fertilizer used, along with water, sun, and air.

While science speaks of Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus,
Religion speaks of Angels that can help my plants to grow;
Like Europe meeting Asia at the strait they call the Bosporus,
Both Science and Religion meet where I have weeds to hoe.

Generations of selection give varieties that thrive—
Horticulture, as a science, helps me constantly, I note;
But Religion also helps me! Why, to keep my plants alive,
I make sure, in planting season, that I sacrifice a goat!

There are artificial pesticides, or totally organic,
And the scientific knowledge can support me either way,
And Religion also tells me I have no real need to panic—
There are prayers and incantations that can keep the bugs away!

When the time has come to harvest, then technology and Science
Have combined to help me multiply the bounty of the fields.
And, of course, the Gods and Angels where I’m placing my reliance
Are (I’m certain) doing something to the quantity of yields.

The power of Religion, as I pray for intervention
While the atheistic farmers on their tractors point and smirk,
Is tremendous and insightful, though I think I ought to mention
I’m beginning to discover… that it really doesn’t work.

What I really want to talk about, after the jump: [Read more…]

What A Profound And Lifelong Friend We Have In Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus,
Almost more than we can bear!
If a couple wants to marry,
Same-sex folks don’t have a prayer!
Oh what rights we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because some magic fairy
Says we haven’t got a prayer.

Have we courts and propositions?
Is there justice anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Though the church is so unfair.
Can they still retain their power
With their bigotry laid bare?
Once we look behind their curtain
Will the church still have a prayer?

Such a history of problems;
Can they ever make amends?
Will there be a single mourner
When the church’s power ends?
Still, I offer them this solace
If it’s as the church contends
All the love they have for Jesus?
Seems they’re really only friends.

Context here, and here (Cuttlecap tip to PZ).