My weird mind has made a connection between Viacom making two conflicting claims, and what some creationists seem to like doing at seminars. I’m not saying this is the case, not yet, but I think it likely that I will find some evidence for this when I eventually continue my series on creationism.

Hat tip to the Bad Astronomer.

ps. And yes, it seems I’ve given up on my blog hiatus, doesn’t it? At least blogging takes much less time than long, drawn-out debates in comments that seem to go nowhere…

Deon Maas wrote a column in the Sunday newspaper, The Rapport, that aimed to point out the differences between people and encourage people to listen to one another. By listening to one another we can understand each other. However, ironically, the exact opposite happened. A mass-hysteria campaign via sms (texts) and email called for a boycott of the newspaper. Most people taking part in the mass-hysteria did not even realise the column was already published, thinking they’re boycotting the paper that will contain the column.

The column pointed out that Satanism is also a religion and has the right to be practised. (Viva “freedom of religion”.) Instead of reading the column, most “Christians” in this country prefer to bury their heads in the sand, rather than listen to someone that thinks differently. That is not what Jesus would do, sorry. Understanding does not mean agreeing. Can’t we aim for greater understanding? Please? Would it help if I point out that most people don’t even know what Satanism is? Probably not, they’re all too scared.

The Rapport believes in press freedom, however, the boycott turned this into an economic issue, rather than a free speech issue.

<sigh>

No, I haven’t thought it out. In fact, most of my beliefs are poorly constructed out of pure whimsy. This one is no exception. The only anomaly I can think of to my “whimsy” rule is this: I believe that the biggest pimp on the block is our government and the ONLY reason marijuana is still illegal is because our government can’t figure out a way to make more money off the profits than they already do by locking up the stoners and charging them huge fines. Yeah, it’s a bad drug. But it’s a kitten compared to alcohol and nicotine. And don’t tell me it’s a gateway drug either. If marijuana is a gateway drug to the hard stuff then a butter knife is a gateway to manslaughter. I’m not going all “Willie Nelson” on you here. I’m just saying that locking up someone because they use marijuana is financially motivated and in the end all it produces is a stoner who has just received a first class education on how to become a criminal. Now that’s a gateway.

I do agree with that. I typically point out that if marijuana is a “gateway drug”, then alcohol is also, and much more so than marijuana. Not that I really know what I’m talking about. (I have a much better idea of the effects and uses of alcohol than of marijuana.)

With regards to economic implications: I have heard that in South Africa keeping it illegal is a good thing: that keeps it in the informal sector, helping boost the economy amongst the poor. Legalising it would bring it into the formal sector, with the “big companies”, the “rich people”, making the profits instead. Thus, it is better for the economy to keep it illegal, but not enforce the laws too harshly? Interesting thought, whether it is true or not?

If you are thinking of price, bear in mind the environmental costs. (Tons of plastic: bad.) If you are lazy, hey, why not give the bottle to someone else to take in for a refund? (Tipping a car guard with bottles might be impractical, but there really isn’t a shortage of people in this country that will appreciate an empty return-for-deposit bottle.)

Now that you’re here, drop a note! What do you buy? (And if you feel inclined to not buy returnable/reusable bottles, try and identify the influences involved?) My reasons have been mentioned… I have shopped for the best price, and I have even at times bought the 2l bottles that “don’t have to be returned” because I didn’t want to have to take it back. Shocking. (I have also at times bought the 500ml plastic bottles with good reason: they are more conveniently reusable at home, light and conveniently sized for taking along up a mountain or to a tennis court – NB: bringing it back down again, of course!)

The resource that is most critical to a typical job, is time. From there, of course, the concept time is money.

Yea, seems I’m branching this blog into economics now. I don’t think I really know that much about economics, but that just might make it so much more fun and interesting! And hopefully someone will correct me when I utter nonsense.