Ally Oman Shows It’s Not All That Allied

It appears that Oman, one of our closest allies, has shut down an English-language newspaper because of what was viewed as a sympathetic article on homosexuals in Oman. I also heard that they are prosecuting the author and paper for offending local sensibilities.
   
Let me go out on a sidebar, here, and make all my Facebook friends, family members, acquaintances, and “frenemies” mad.  While I think reasonable minds can hold a difference of opinion regarding reserving something called “marriage” for heterosexuals, I do not think that reasonable minds can argue that interfering with free speech is appropriate.

Some of you will be tempted to argue that Oman, Utah County, and Provo have a right to protect the morality of their communities by taking this action. This is more empty-headed than arguing Assad should be allowed, under the guise of sovereignty, to gas his fellow countrymen to preserve their morality.

The rationale suggests that some people hold a sincere, faith-based belief that homosexuality is criminal behavior. Frankly, some people have a sincere, faith-based belief that killing westerners and mutilating the genitals of their daughters, sisters, and mothers is a moral obligation. Fine. Argue the fine points of your faith-based beliefs in the market place of ideas and see how they stand up to time, reason, and the light of day.

Hmm – come to think of it – I’ll bet many papers in Oman contain all kinds of articles on how killing westerners is justified. Does that make any of you (all of my rational friends) want to go on a murderous rage? No. So, don’t take that rage and use it to jam your ideas down others’ throats by using or suggesting that the weight and rule of law has a place in suffocating free speech – even on morality.

Loren M. Lambert © September 5, 2013

Young Celebrities Go To The Dark Side

First, Miley Cyrus, and now, Zac Efron, both going to the dark side. What's the world coming to? (When it comes right down to it, isn't it really still just all Disney, without the veneer and varnish, anyway?) They're always so cute and wholesome until they outgrow their mouse ears.

Loren M. Lambert © September 4, 2013

Poli-evangelism and Porn – The Marks of Success and Political Pluck

If commercial success is a mark of great wisdom and political pluck, it would be well that we elected one of our most successful pornographers into the White House. It just may be that their contribution to society is as weighty as that of our vitriolic poli-evangelists: Hannity, Rush, Beck, etc.

Loren M. Lambert © September 4, 2013

NPR – Caucasian Radio

I don’t know this for sure, but until recently, haven’t most NPR program radio personalities (i.e., Radio Lab, This American Life, Wiretap, Q, etc.) been all-white males?  Although I personally think I get the most broad view from them than any other programming, am I seeing this as looking like diversity similar to the Republican party?

Loren M. Lambert © September 3, 2013

Boy Rock Bands and Girl Rock Bands

Why don't a majority of guys scream and faint at girl band concerts, as happens with the girls at boy band concerts? The answer screams a lot about male and female sociology and psychology.

Loren M. Lambert © September 1, 2013

Defying Gray Matter Loss – Dementia Here We Come!

Based on commercial ads for Propecia, we know that hair loss is more catastrophic for men, and sometimes women, than gray matter loss.  My understanding of a message from brain researcher, Edward Zamrini, is this: Until we can reinvigorate our aging brains (which steadily, but surely lose gray matter and become debilitated with plaque and tangles) with stems cell plugs taken from those parts of our bodies that we often substitute for our brains anyway (just like we can surgically enhance our head hair from those same regions), research has strongly associated the following actions to stave off the unbecoming living death of Alzheimer's-induced dementia.

To do this, Zamrini urged that we should know about:

1. Genes: Make sure we have the proper genetic heritage. (Yes, a little late to do anything about it, but just stay abreast of the latest time travel and gene insertion research.)

2. Education: Acquire an education and continue to pursue knowledge throughout your entire life. Pursuant to your abilities, avoid overly stressful academia and intellectual pursuits.

3. Employment: Seek out demanding, yet satisfying, employment that engages your spirit. Again, do so pursuant to your abilities. Avoid overly stressful and dangerous employment.

4. Environment: Surround yourself with a rich, healthy, and stimulating environment.

5. Socialization: Embed yourself in rewarding, supportive social networks. (Facebook probably doesn't count.)

6. Nutrition: Eat Well (Unfortunately, studies suggest that this is most important early in life). A Mediterranean diet appears to be best. Your diet should includes nuts, fish, fruit, and vegetables. Avoid over-eating, transfats, and sweets. Empty calories and transfats appear to be deleterious. Also, cheese in moderation may be beneficial.

7. Exercise: Exercise daily for 30-45 minutes up to your capacity, and don't forget that the pharmaceutical companies have yet to come up with an exercise pill and probably won't, so don't sit on your couch waiting for one to be advertised.

8. Spirituality: Discover those elements of a rich spiritual or religious life that bring solace and peace to the mind and body.

9. Sleep: Foster an environment that allows restful and satisfying sleep.

10. Blood Pressure: Monitor your blood pressure and take action when necessary to keep it at a healthy level.

11. Politics: Be politically active to promote a cleaner environment.

Loren M. Lambert © August 18, 2013

Percentages For and Against Military Action in Syria

I need to go on the record saying that I am 33 percent against military action in Syria and I am 30 percent in favor of it. The 29 percent undecided and 8 percent against military action in Syria are the many talk show hosts who feel better about going to war as long as the man beating the war drums is a white conservative.

Loren M. Lambert © August 28, 2013