KBJ on Same-Sex Marriage

Much confusion about same-sex marriage abounds.  For example, though I believe most religious people oppose the legalization of same-sex marriage, the basis for keeping lawful marriage between one man and one woman isn’t rooted in religious belief necessarily.

If you’re interested in understanding such a thing, then you can do no better than Keith Burgess-Jackson.  Professor Burgess-Jackson specializes in clarity (that’s what philosophers do), and he’s an atheist.  This last point is irrelevant logically.  But it does matter emotionally.  No one can accuse professor Burgess-Jackson of trying to impose his religious beliefs on others.

I give you KBJ on “homosexual” marriage.

Taxation

Linda, a former student, sent me this:

Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL License Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Hunting Licen s e Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Tax
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service charge taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges& nbsp;Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage ChargeTax
Utility Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax

Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago and our nation was the most prosperous in the world.

We had absolutely no national debt…
We had the largest middle class in the world…
and Mom stayed home to raise the kids
What happened?
Can you spell ‘politicians!’

235 years ago Americans threw tea into the sea over taxation.  Today some think we’re not taxed enough.  How times have changed.

What say you?

Update: Philosopher Keith Burgess-Jackson further ponders taxation and the state of the American mind.

Wanderlust

Is this as cool as I think it is? (HT: Daily Headlines)

Women’s Dictionary

Gabby, one of my philosophy students, e-mailed me this list (I thought you might enjoy it. A guide to female language: (1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up. (2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half [...]

What’s in a Name?

Most popular names of ’07, and who I was named after me.

A Moment of Silence Please

The creator of Gold Medal Ribbon has left us. “I just had the crazy idea that somebody ought to open a store that sold . . . nothing but ice cream, and could do it in an outstanding way.” Nothin’ crazy about that.  Mission accomplished.

(Babe) Copa America

For the next few weeks Venezuela is hosting the Copa America.  The Copa America is South America’s most prestiges soccer tournament.  Now, I suspect you find may soccer boring, and therefore, possess little to no interest in the teams and who wins. So, I thought I’d bring to your attention another Copa America: Aida’s Babe [...]

The Best Books Ever

If you’re like me, you don’t have all the answers and you don’t know how to respond in all situations immediately.  However, act you must (in life).  And when you act (and when you answer) from what do you draw? Where has your mind been? Hugh Hewitt (interviewer extraordinaire) questioned two distinguished professors on the importance [...]

Les Bleus

Yesterday Agence France Press published a haughty piece on patriotism and flag waving in America (see here).  From the article: “It’s a little strange, this obsession of the flag,” French author Bernard-Henri Levy wrote after traveling across the country. “Everywhere, in every form, flapping in the wind or on stickers, an epidemic of flags that has spread [...]