21 Nov 2004
Conservatives Urge Closer Look at Marriage (AP)

Watch out, America! Banning gay marriage is just the start of the "reform" these guys have in mind, according to Bryce Christensen, a Southern Utah University professor who writes frequently about family issues.:

"If those [gay marriage] initiatives are part of a broader effort to reaffirm lifetime fidelity in marriage, they're worthwhile," he said. "If they're isolated — if we don't address cohabitation and casual divorce and deliberate childlessness — then I think they're futile and will be brushed aside."

So "deliberate childlessness" is now destroying the institution of marriage? And the government is going to begin to dictate who can live with whom? Hold on to your hats - the conservative agenda has yet to reach full flower!

AP - "Protection of marriage" is now the watchword for many activists fighting to prevent gays and lesbians from marrying. Some conservatives, however, say marriage in America began unraveling long before the latest gay-rights push and are pleading for a fresh, soul-searching look at the institution.

(link) [Yahoo! News: Top Stories]

00:00 /Politics | 0 comments | permanent link

SPAM Gets Religion

I've gotten one or two pieces of this tripe, but it's not become a torrent, like Viagra or Rogaine ads. I think I'm seeing more and more of the surreal SPAM's, though. It's hard to tell: my message filters work so well for the commercial pitches, that maybe I'm just noticing the really "off the wall" ones more. They usually get through.

And I was apparently right on my characterization of those Dadaist rants as "legal", too. It's not illegal if you're not pitching a product or service. "Salvation" doesn't count, and neither does "Joe Blow For Senate". According to MessageLabs:

The antispam company has intercepted a large number of spiritual e-mails in the last month. The company says the e-mails are legal because they don't plug products, just religious ideals.

Great! This oughta open the flood gates all over again.

E-mail recipients are increasingly being offered religious salvation through bulk, unsolicited e-mail.

(link) [CNET News.com]

00:00 /Technology | 0 comments | permanent link