How Do You Achieve Theocracy? In Imperceptible Increments, That's How

[Elspode]

Originally Posted by wolf

I want to see more strict regulations regarding drug use ... mandatory testing, and you get dropped off the rolls if you turn in a hot urine*.

I keep waiting for government to tie drivers licensing to mandatory and random drug testing. You'll have to test to get a license, and you'll have to drop on demand to keep it.

Guilty until proven innocent helps keep our country safe and strong.

[wolf]

Been pulled over at a sobriety checkpoint lately?

Some private behavior has public consequences. DUI is one of those.

[Elspode]

That's a case where such interference can at least be definitively shown to benefit the innocent. Every drunk they pull off of the road won't kill someone else that night.

On the other hand...Belton, the municipality to the immediate South of Grandview, has taken to setting up a checkpoint on 71 Hwy Southbound several times a year. This causes three mile backups (they check *every* vehicle) on a very, very busy highway while they go through the drill.

It is a sight to behold. They have giant area lights with equally giant diffusers to cut down the glare, an ambulance, five or six cop cars, a couple of tow trucks...even a portapotty.

I've decided that, the next time they do this on a night when I'm free, I'm going to drive through it five or six times, slurring my speech and looking bleary, so that when they test me and I blow 0.0, they get pissed and I have fun.

[xoxoxoBruce]

That might be fun, if they couldn't make you blow any number they want.

[Elspode]

Huh?

[xoxoxoBruce]

As with any testing equipment, results will vary, depending on the scruples of the operator.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by Torrere

The three branches of government in a theocracy? Are you talking about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost?

Well, no, but don't let that stop you from quipping! Theocracies aren't required to be trinitarian, after all.

[xoxoxoBruce]

The one under discussion is.

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Er, in the sense of "is required to be trinitarian" or simply "is trinitarian?" We need to know what "is" is. (No Clinton smiley readily clickable, and that's a good thing.)

[xoxoxoBruce]

The one under discussion is trinitarian.

[Elspode]

Wouldn't "triune" be a more applicable term...well, for a little longer, anyway, until a Christianity Amendment gets passed.

[Elspode]

Yup...another small increment is under way.

House committee endorses measure on critical analysis

Published Saturday, March 18, 2006
JEFFERSON CITY (AP) - A House education panel on Thursday endorsed legislation that calls for critical analysis of scientific theories, with the bill’s sponsor saying he doesn’t want students to just accept evolution as scientific fact.

The legislation does not specifically mention evolution or the concept of intelligent design - the idea that creation of the world is so complex that a higher power must be responsible.

Rep. Wayne Cooper, R-Camdenton, said that he’s not asking science teachers to tell students of alternatives to evolution but that he wants the issue studied critically.

"It’s a bill that wants to bring a fuller picture of evolutionary theory," he said. "We don’t want to picture it as just a fact."

Critics, however, see the measure as opening the door to teaching intelligent design in public schools.

"There’s a lack of understanding of the potential harm we could do to quality science education," Missouri National Education Association lobbyist Otto Fajen said.

The group Science Teachers of Missouri also opposes the legislation and worries it could lead to teaching intelligent design.

"This proposed legislation could be interpreted as requiring that equal or greater time be spent on teaching alternative ideas about the origins of life than those accepted by the scientific community," the group said in a position paper opposing the bill. Officials with the science teachers group did not immediately return calls seeking comment Thursday.

The bill requires science courses for sixth through 12th grades to follow "best practices," including pointing out when something is a theory or consensus of the scientific community but is not hard data. It says such material can be critically analyzed, including the teaching of "alternate logical explanations."

Cooper said part of the bill’s intent is to protect teachers who want to engage students in a discussion of the controversy surrounding the concept of evolution.

"All I want is for students to realize it’s just a theory," he said.

Fajen said scientists see evolution as a settled matter.

Cooper said he’s not pushing hard for the bill to pass this year, saying he wants to work with state education officials and teachers groups.

When the hell is someone going to introduce an amendment that requires that Sunday School tells everyone that Genesis is "just a story"?

[xoxoxoBruce]

You really don't think they'll give up, do you?

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by Elspode

Wouldn't "triune" be a more applicable term...well, for a little longer, anyway, until a Christianity Amendment gets passed.

Not as I understand the usages: triune describes the Deity's triangular self, while trinitarian describes the believers in this triangular-shaped conception of Deity. There being no actual gods ruling in theocracies, that leaves just one choice, right?

When the hell is someone going to introduce an amendment that requires that Sunday School tells everyone that Genesis is "just a story"?

Sounds like a good way to set the cat among the pigeons in Grandview, Missouri. Wanna get famous?

[Elspode]

Dude, I'm already the only witch on the block. I'll be lucky if Grandview doesn't stop at my house first when the burning starts.