When the tables are turned on "religious freedom"...

Let's make no mistake about it, the "religious freedom" laws being passed in this country are the 21st century's version of Jim Crow laws. While everyone is free to believe as they so choose in their private time, laws have been continually enforced in order to prevent one's personal beliefs from impeding on others' rights when in the workplace. "Religious freedom" laws, like Jim Crow laws, are allowing people's personal beliefs and biases to be carried over into the workplace, preventing certain demographics from being treated as equals in the process. For those who are supporting such legislation, claiming that these laws aren't discriminatory and are just about protecting religious freedom, allow me to run through a pair of scenarios for you...

Scenario #1

Chip Beelzebub: "Hi, and welcome to The Sweetest of Cakes Atheist Bakery. How are you doing this fine day?"

Mary Virgin: "Good, thanks"

Chip: "What can I do for you?"

Mary: "I'd like to buy a cake."

Chip: "Ah, for any special reason?"

Mary: "A wedding"

Chip: "Well, congratulations!"

Mary: "Thanks!"

Chip: "Mind me asking if you're a Christian?"

Mary: "Yes, why?"

Chip: "Well, I'm sorry, but I can't provide you with any of our products or services."

Mary: "Why not?"

Chip: "It's company policy to not serve Christians. We here at SOCAB strongly disagree with their beliefs, and due to the religious freedom bill, it's legal for us to deny these customers service."

Mary: "Oh, okay, well, that makes sense. Have a nice day!"

Chip: "You too, and once again, congratulations!"

Yeah, like that would ever happen...

Scenario #2

Chip Beelzebub: "Hi, and welcome to The Sweetest of Cakes Atheist Bakery. How are you doing this fine day?"

Mary Virgin: "Good, thanks"

Chip: "What can I do for you?"

Mary: "I'd like to buy a cake."

Chip: "Ah, for any special reason?"

Mary: "A wedding"

Chip: "Well, congratulations!"

Mary: "Thanks!"

Chip: "Mind me asking if you're a Christian?"

Mary: "Yes, why?"

Chip: "Well, I'm sorry, but I can't provide you with any of our products or services."

Mary: "Why not?"

Chip: "It's company policy to not serve Christians. We here at SOCAB strongly disagree with their beliefs, and due to the religious freedom bill, it's legal for us to deny these customers service."

Mary: "What?!? You can't do that! That's discrimination!"

Chip: "No it's not; it's religious freedom."

Mary: "Discrimination!"

Chip: "Religious freedom."

Mary: "Discrimination! Why don't you force us to go in separate restrooms and drink from separate water fountains while you're at it, like they did with blacks back in the day?!?"

Chip: "That's completely different. Blacks were deprived of services due to their race, meanwhile you're being denied services because of your creed. Like I said, completely different."

"Religious freedom," the law which uses religion to deny others freedom.

Another look at "The Nightly Show" with Larry Wilmore

After its first week, I gave The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore a B+ grade. While I didn't think the show appeared to be perfect by any stretch of the imagination, I also liked the Daily Show meets Politically Incorrect vibe I got from it, and thought, with the proper adjustments, the show would indeed provide a great fill-in for The Colbert Report . In the show's succeeding weeks, however, I've been less impressed by it and think that if it doesn't make certain adjustments, it could be in jeopardy of losing many long-time viewers of the show's time slot. One major issue I think the show's had to this point is a lack of direction. It's been unable to decide whether it wants to be a comedy show with serious conversation sprinkled in or a serious show with comedy sprinkled in. It's almost as if the show's writers want to give The Nightly Show a Real Time with Bill Maher feel. The problem with that idea or format is the fact Real Time is an hour lon...

My first book review of "Penetrating the Heart of Life: Ambiguous In Thought, Ambivalent In Feeling"

Well, I received my first book review on this poetry-compilation book I completed and published late last year, but have finally gotten around to marketing now. The reviewer gave it 5 out of 5 stars and said: "I enjoyed the poetic journey the writer has taken me on. From darkest days and hopeful optimism to the conclusion of hope realized. The visual images that the poem titled "Room Temperature" elicits, made me think of the song, "Horse With No Name" sung by the band America. In a similar manner, another poem – "Deafening Sigh-lence" reminded me a great deal of Simon & Garfunkel’s song, "The Sound of Silence". There are so many poems in this book that I related to, that I felt a connection to the author and felt that we were traveling on this journey together." http://www.lulu.com/shop/craig-rozniecki/penetrating-the-heart-of-life-ambiguous-in-thought-ambivalent-in-feeling/paperback/product-18677501.html

A closer look at the Scramble With Friends power-ups

I am unashamed to admit that I'm a nerd. My idea of a good time is playing a word game like Boggle or Scrabble. Thankfully, I (and many others) can play such games via Facebook and/or my (our) cell phone(s). While it seems that cheating has become more commonplace in these games (Words With Friends in particular) than San Diego has had nice weather, I've yet to give in to that craze. One element present with the game Scramble With Friends (Boggle) not present in Words With Friends (Scrabble) are legal boosts called "power-ups," which cost a number of tokens from the 15 available. I've now tried all five power-ups, including the latest one which costs money. So, in case anyone's curious about playing the game or giving these power-ups a gander, here's a rundown of them all: Freeze - I think this is probably my favorite of all the power-ups. With the freeze, time stands still for a matter of seconds, which allows you more time to find words and improve...

The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

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