Another Goddamned Podcast #45: February 12, 2009

THIS WEEK - Happy Darwin Day!


Original audio source
Evo and SI open this week's podcast with birthday greetings for Charles Darwin. The herd celebrates this event with a discussion of "Seeing and Believing," Jerry Coyne's review of books by Kenneth Miller and Karl Giberson. The question that Coyne and the herd address is whether science and religion are compatible. Evo thinks the answer to this question may differ for scientists and non-scientists, and Chappy thinks that science should be considered as a method of inquiry, or a way of thinking and learning, rather than a body of knowledge about particular phenomena. (00:00)

SI opens this segment by noting another anniversary that occurred recently, then leads the herd in a discussion of Giberson's "argument from convenience" (many thanks to Jerry Coyne for coining that term) for retaining religious beliefs. After chewing on this idea for awhile, the herd discusses Michael Brooks' proposition that people are born with a predisposition to believe in the supernatural. Evo offers some good reasons for agreeing with the proposition, but OG, ever the skeptic, wants more evidence before she'll accept it. (21:05)

After OG reveals the latest poll results, the herd discusses the Freedom from Religion Foundation's latest billboard campaign. Are the billboards part of an atheist meme? SI wraps up the evening with an interesting observation about President Barack Obama's second swearing-in ceremony. (39:31)

Musical Selections:
Opening Music [00:06]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [19:23]: excerpt from "The Atheists's Hymn"
Bridge Music [38:26]: excerpt from "Swing to the Left"
Closing Music [54:25]: excerpt from "As Jazzy as I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie)

This Week's Goddamned Links
Seeing and Believing by Jerry Coyne
Born believers: How your brain creates God
Intelligent design, revisited
Praise Darwin!
Obama's Oath

Another Goddamned Podcast #44: January 22, 2009

THIS WEEK - REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS*
*some conditions apply



Original audio source
SI and OG introduce tonight's topic, one of the Bush Administration's final gifts to the American public: a new set of U.S. Department of Health and Humans Services regulations addressing issues of freedom of conscience for health care professionals. These regulations, which apply to all American health care facilities that receive federal funds, greatly expand the rights of employees to decline participation in the provision of medical goods and services for reasons of personal conscience. Chappy questions whether some of these provisions will endanger people who may not receive essential, critical care. SI discusses the Church Amendments that pre-existed the current regulations and ponders whether the new rules are necessary, redundant or dangerously expansive. (00:00)

The discussion continues, as OG, SI and Chappy parse the possible meanings of the term "conscience laws." OG and SI also discuss why this issue is about the reproductive rights of all people, not just women. SI grows increasingly irritated throughout the discussion and questions the validity of tying funding for institutions to the ways in which individuals within institutions exercise their legal rights. He calms down later, as he notes why President Bush may not have had the last word on the matter after all. (19:10)

Find out the latest poll results, then listen as OG reveals why she was pissed off all day. Hint: follow the link to Godtube - if you dare. (38:15)

Musical Selections:
Opening Music [00:06]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [17:49]: excerpt from "Interlude 2" by Encephalophone
Bridge Music [37:02]: excerpt from "Interlude 3" by Encephalophone
Closing Music [48:12]: excerpt from "As Jazzy as I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie except as noted)

This Week's Goddamned Links
DHHS Proposed Rule
7 States Sue Government Over U.S. Abortion Rule
Anti-Abortion Nurse Removed IUD Without Permission
Monstrous Women on GodTube

Another Goddamned Podcast #43: January 15, 2009

THIS WEEK -"...so help me god!"



Original audio source
(00:00) In keeping with the Inaugural festivities today, the Herd discusses the recent Complaint for an injunction to prevent the government from requiring president Obama to end his oath of office with words acknowledging the Christian god. Did the Plaintiffs have standing to complain? Is the Inauguration a government function?

(19:22) The Herd continues to discuss the ruling of the Court in the Newdow case, and the ramifications for the inaugural proceedings. SI analogizes the ceremony with that of a wedding. Does that analogy apply? You decide.

(34:45) SI reminds the Herd about, and they marvel at, the recently published report of the House Committee investigating the abuses of the Bush Administration. It's a long report. Philly then vents against Atheism's inability to develop a pleasing persona.

Musical Selections:
Opening Music [00:06]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [18:09]: excerpt from "Child of the 80s"
Bridge Music [33:37]: excerpt from "Crouching Christian Hidden Atheist"
Closing Music [54:30]: excerpt from "As Jazzy as I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie except as noted)

This Week's Goddamned Links
Newdow Injunction Ruling report
Newdow Won't Appeal
Who Pays for the Inauguration?
Inaugural Schedule
House Judiciary Report On The Imperial Presidency
Washington Post Ad
Dawkins Interview

Another Goddamned Podcast #42: December 18, 2008

THIS WEEK -Religion in the Workplace



Original audio source

The latest trend in the corporate work environment seems to be pandering to religion. The Chaplain's not happy about this. In fact, she's downright frosty. Isn't there a better way to foster a nurturing work environment than inserting religion? (00:00)

OG wonders what the ramifications of this new found attraction to workplace religion will have with "family values" being pushed by the usual suspects. Is this just another insidious, back door attempt to discriminate? Will religion ironically destroy diversity in the workplace, in the guise of promoting it? (16:56)

Dear Chappy has a brilliant answer for another unsuspecting casualty in the War on Christmas. Also, poll results of the latest poll, and a little science to astound and amaze you. (32:54)

Opening Music [00:00]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [16:19]: excerpt from "Interlude" by Encephalophone
Bridge and Closing Music [32:35] excerpt from "Arkansas Traveler"
Closing Music [55:38] excerpt from "As Jazzy as I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie except as noted)

This Week's Goddamned Links
Religion at Work at SHRM
The War on Christmas
Awesomely horrible at Pharyngula
Baby Foot!

Another Goddamned Podcast #41: December 4, 2008

THIS WEEK - Good News & More



Original audio source

Philly starts the discussion by pointing out a novel argument for removing the phrase, "under God," from the Pledge of Allegiance. The herd discusses this and some other rationales until OG reminds everyone of the best reason of all for removing the phrase. (00:00)

Segueing smoothly from the Pledge of Allegiance to a discussion of Good News clubs, the herd is frustrated that churches are using elementary schools to advertise their programs. Should non-school groups be allowed to advertise in schools? Moving on to more good news, the herd notes that the state of Kentucky has enlisted God into the Kentucky Dept. of Homeland Security. SI enlightens everyone about some of the legal issues involved in both of these matters. (14:20)

Philly digs down deep into the mailbag and pulls out a Dear Chappy letter that she is uniquely qualified to answer. After that discussion winds down, the herd considers a letter that prompts them to consider what documents, if any, a newly-elected atheist should use to take the oath of office. (39:22)

OG shares the latest poll results, then closes with her thoughts about a judicial decision that the state of Florida got right. That really is good news. (59:49)

Opening Music [00:00]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [12:56]: excerpt from "One of Many"
Bridge and Closing Music [38:18] excerpt from "Jesus Loves Me feat. Satan"
Closing Music [1:09:53] excerpt from "As Jazzy as I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie)

This Week's Goddamned Links
It's Time to Update the Pledge
Evangelical group sues Haverford district over fliers
Anti-terror law requires God be acknowledged
Atheists sue to take God out of Kentucky terrorism law
Kentucky Homeland Security Update at Friendly Atheist
Gay Adoption: The Real Agenda

Another Goddamned Podcast #40 November 20, 2008

THIS WEEK -The Herd Hijacks the Atheist Bus



Original audio source
Ex is pissed off. So is Philly, but for a different reason. Find out what's got their dander up as the herd dissects the American Humanist Association's current bus ad. Is the campaign a stupid idea, a good idea poorly executed, or something else? After chewing on this issue for awhile, the herd considers whether Christmas is a Christian holiday or a secular one, and whether such a distinction matters. (00:00)

The herd introduces a new feature: Dear Chappy. SI and Chappy share some recently received emails and Chappy dispenses wise (or wise ass) words of counsel to desperate correspondents. Not surprisingly, other members of the herd add their advice too. There is plenty of wisdom to go around.

Stick around and find out the results from the last two polls. OG gathers the data and explains what it all means. (47:54)

Opening Music [00:00]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [17:40]: excerpt from "The Atheist's Hymn"
Bridge and Closing Music [44:30] excerpt from "So, Thanks" by Tom Smith
Closing Music [1:10:11] excerpt from "As Jazzy as I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie except as noted)

This Week's Goddamned Links
Atheist Buses
Fox & Friends on the Atheist Bus Ad
Bill Donahue on Fox & Friends

Another Goddamned Podcast #39: November 13, 2008

THIS WEEK - The Herd Shoots the Shit


Original audio source

This week's sitting members of the Herd find themselves on the same side as a cult, in a recent case involving the Summum. (00:30)

Philly feels some cults have a point, at least when they're on the same side as Pastafarians. Chappy explains where all those granite Ten Commandments came from that seem to be prevalent in public parks around the nation. SI gets pissed off about a recent initiative passed by the voters of Arkansas. (20:04)

The conversation drifts to a discussion about a recent teen declared to be the next Buddha. (24:37)

Philly wants to know the test for Buddhahood. SI believes he qualifies for Buddhahood (sorry, no pictures), but thinks something smells. The logical progression of the conversation then naturally turns to guns. Apparently, the recent election has brought out the gun nuts. The herd chews on some nuts, then turns on Sarah Palin, then goes back to the guns. (33:42)

The Herd finishes up with a basic rag session on theists, especially the one's who show up in the blogosphere. (46:04)

Outtakes. (52:08)

Opening Music [00:00]: excerpt from "Another Goddamned Draft"
Bridge Music [24.00]: excerpt from "Middle Earth Shortened"
Bridge and Closing Music [51:35: excerpt from "As Jazzy as I Get"
(All music: copyright 2008 by Rachel Murie)

This Week's Goddamned Links
Pleasant Grove City v. Summum
Wiki article on the Summum case
Wiki article on Ten Commandments monuments
Daily KOS post on Arkansas Initiative
Teen Buddha
Michigan Gun Owners Response to Obama
Gun Nut's Lawn Sign Article