International Carnival of Pozitivities

Welcome back! And welcome to Edition 2.4 of the International Carnival of Pozitivities! "The What," I hear you ask? Well this carnival is

to provide an international forum for interaction among those of us who are living with HIV/AIDS and for their caregivers, family and/or friends or those who are involved in the fight to end this Worldwide pandemic.

In addition, this

is not intended to provide a forum for debate over the current model of HIV as a cause of AIDS. If you wish to pursue this topic, please find another forum of like-minded bloggers.

Instead, this is about those who are living with this disease, no matter why they have it. No, Ogre doesn't have this disease, but he does know someone who does.

I've known Ron via the "blogosphere" for, geez, I guess it's a few years now. We are pretty far apart on many political issues -- but we can talk to one another about them, without attacking one another and calling each other names (even is he is wrong most of the time ). I've never met Ron in person. He lives more than a couple hours from me, but perhaps one day we'll get a chance to meet in person. In the meantime, we've conversed various times via email about different topics.

Last year Ron started this carnival. He's really done a good job, trying to open up dialog and talk about actually living with this disease. He's kept the carnival up and going once a month for over a year. That's pretty good for a carnival. As you can imagine, many of those who host the carnival are already close to someone, or are someone who has this disease. For this month's carnival, Ron asked me if I'd be willing to host it, to try and spread this far and wide. I agreed.

Again, this isn't about why someone has the disease or how they got it. This is about people who are having to live every day, trying to understand what's going on and why their bodies are reacting the way they are. That's what this carnival is about. So thank you, Ron, for asking me to host. I'm honored to do so. Without further ado, I give you this month's carnival:

First up is Ron himself with an introduction to this week's carnival. Go check that out before you read the rest of this, really. It will help you put a lot in perspective.

As I was reading through all these entires, I decided to put them in random groups because I'm a logical person and must label everything First, there's a glossary of terms related to AIDS, in case you want to know what some of those terms and things mean.

Here's a category I named "detection and prevention:"

Next, there's the poems category:

Here's the video category:

There were a few posts about addictions (mostly recovery):

Then there's the open commentary category:

Thank you again, Ron, for inviting me to host this. And thank you one and and all, each who contributed an entry to this carnival. I cannot imagine what it is like to live with this disease. And thank you good readers, each and every one, for reading this far and hopefully exploring at least one of those links. If you did read this, I implore each one of you to follow at least one link and leave a comment on that post to let the people know you've been there and read what they had to say.

Any misspellings or broken links are my own fault, not the carnival participant's. Please do comment and let me know about them so I can fix them if you see any.

Oh, I almost forgot! Last month's edition was posted at Living Mindfully with HIV/AIDS, and next month will appear at Slimconomy!

Posted by: Ogre at 01:02 PM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
Post contains 1492 words, total size 12 kb.

Canival of Homeschooling

I thought carnivals were dying down. Boy was I wrong! Look at all the entries in this week's carnival of Homeschooling!

Wow. Even if you don't homeschool, you ought to wander over there and take a peek. Lots of really interesting and neat stuff there.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:06 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 51 words, total size 1 kb.

Politics and Religion

I was reading a generally libertarian leaning forum the other day when I happened upon a poll. Yes, I understand this is an internet poll and it's mostly libertarians that were responding to the poll -- but still the results seemed rather odd to me. The poll question was:

Are Faith-Based Religions Needed Anymore?

Straightforward question, but without defining "need," you could go lots of ways with this one. The author of the poll did, giving you the following options as answers:

Yes, faith-based religions have uses that are applicable to modern society (and can be mostly helpful to the cause of liberty)

Yes, faith-based religions have uses that are applicable to modern society (but can be mostly destructive to the cause of liberty)

No, faith based religions are outdated and not needed in an age of science and reason (and can be mostly destructive to the cause of liberty)

No, faith based religions are outdated and not needed in an age of science and reason (but can be mostly helpful to the cause of liberty)

Now the answer options themselves seemed to show a very strong bias in the poll-writer's mind. I might note it's the same bias that seems to pervade much of society today, even showing up in things like Sid Meier's Civilization game -- that science is superior to religion.

I certainly know and understand science and their feelings on religion. Many scientists today honestly believe that they are God. They do not believe in anything they cannot see and touch with their own hands. They believe that they can define the entire world around us and that anyone who dares to disagree with them is just a simpleton and a moron. I just don't understand why more people don't simply point out the Flat-Earth scientists to quickly dispel any rumors that science is utterly infallible -- as they seem to think. But that's not my point of this post.

Instead, I looked at the results of the poll. Again, there's only a few people who have answered it, and most self-identify as libertarians, anarchists, or at the least, people who support freedom. The #1 selected answer, with just short of 60% of the people favoring it, was "No, faith based religions are outdated and not needed in an age of science and reason (and can be mostly destructive to the cause of liberty)."

I'm rather surprised. I could understand many of this type of person who selected the last option (that religion was not needed, but can help liberty), but I did not expect that option. I think that viewpoint of many in the libertarian movement is one reason the movement is not making any progress these days. Most libertarians appear to be taking the position that not only is religion nothing but stupid people who are too dumb to comprehend science, but they're also people who don't like freedom! They couldn't be more wrong.

The author of the poll uses rather strange logic to claim that religions aren't needed any more. He basically says that since all religions conflict with one another that they're all wrong. And he makes today's current moral equivalence argument to claim that the teachings of Jesus Christ are identical to legends of the earth being carried on a turtle's back. The author is clearly VERY closed-minded on such things and will not soon be convinced to open his mind to other possibilities.

Next, the author declares that all religion is destructive to freedom because Jewish law is strict and the Catholic church once defended the divine right of kings. Then he really goes off the deep end:

Think about the mindset of religious people. Most Christians and Muslims believe if you don't follow their religion or their morality that you will burn in hell for eternity or a long time. It would be rather selfish to not force your fellow man to follow "God's laws", wouldn't it?

Did anyone else notice that GIANT leap of faith he took there (despite him hating any sort of faith in a previous paragraph)? He went from having the mindset of one religious person following God's commands to that person forcing others to follow God's commands. I don't know a single Christian that wants to force anyone else to follow God's commands. Of course, I cannot say the same for the Muslim religion.

Again, the author makes another huge leap that simply does not make sense:

The whole idea of faith is anti-liberty to begin with. Faith is a very statist concept. Most people have faith in their politicians and look what that has done!

WHAT? Apparently, in this writer's mind, having faith in God and having faith in a lying politician are equal. Well maybe that's why the author of this poll doesn't understand religion and doesn't understand faith. I have faith in God, but I don't trust my elected officials as far as I can throw them!

Next, the author misunderstands history:

The US is a perfect example. This country used to be far closer to libertarianism, minus the racist laws. Now because of religious fundamentalists we have

Yes, we had more freedom in the past. But we have less now because of the removal of religion, rather than because of it. As a long I like once said, "Chewing gum and talking used to be the biggest problems we had in schools. Now that we've taken the Bible out, murder and pregnancy are rampant."

Throughout the thread for the poll, there are various statements, of course, bashing Christianity. Some even call for violence against "this God, if it exists." Certainly there is a great deal of open hostility towards Christianity (though strangely none towards Islam) -- while at the same time, most posts have a general thought of "Well, other people can do what they want, I won't tell them what to believe, but they're all stupid idiot morons that better not tell me what to do or I'll kill them."

But I simply do not understand the mindset that claims that religion is dangerous to liberty -- especially the dominant religion of the US, Christianity. Sure, Islam is dangerous to liberty, because the religion openly wants to destroy freedom. The positions of Islam don't say, "let people alone," it says, "force people to do these things or kill them." But that's not in the Bible.

The Bible gives rules and directions to people -- but it does not say that anyone should force anyone else to do anything. This country really was founded on Christianity, no matter what you've been told in the government-run schools. Look at the darn Declaration of Independence:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

Endowed by their Creator. That's not anti-religion. That's certainly "faith." But this document CLEARLY outlines that people should be FREE. They should have liberty -- BECAUSE of their creator.

Christians still make up a large portion of this country. Libertarians, by alienating them, are making a horrible mistake. Are there Christians who are statists? Most certainly. Is the religion overall destructive to liberty? Not only is it not destructive, it's conducive. The religion of Christianity talks about people being responsible for their own actions -- a thorn in the side to liberals and big-government supporters.

Some will talk about the Jerry Falwell-types who try to get government to pass laws regarding pornography, gambling, abortion, and gay marriage. All of those are issues that can be discussed in different terms. What's the freedom-based position? The position that generates the most freedom -- which is often one that protects some people from others. I'm not going to go into each of the issues above, but in most cases, the religious position is about protecting the innocent, rather than interfering with freedom.

I'm sorry, but those of you who think the spread of Christianity will reduce liberty and freedom simply do not understand much about the religion itself -- and that is hurting the cause of liberty.

Posted by: Ogre at 01:03 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
Post contains 1443 words, total size 9 kb.

Tarheel Tavern #110

The Tarheel Tavern is a carnival round-up of posts from and about North Carolina. This week Scrutiny Hooligans is the host for the 110th edition of the Tarheel Tavern. So head on over if you want to read the latest news and views from a North Carolina point of view!

Posted by: Ogre at 05:07 PM | Comments (141) | Add Comment
Post contains 56 words, total size 1 kb.

Carnival of Homeschooling

Government is incapable of education. The current education system in America is honestly not interested in educating anyone. Instead, the current system is 100% about cash -- getting it and spending it. Anyone who claims different is either uninformed or lying. I seriously believe that the entire government education system should be shut down -- starting with the federal department of education.

However, that would require people to work. That would require people to actually DO things. It would require people to raise their children, instead of handing that task over to the nanny state. So I guess that's not going to happen -- despite the absolutely HUGE economic impact that would happen if all government education shut down today. Instead, for now, I'll have to settle with the next best thing: homeschooling. It works, and it is good. If you want your child to be educated with your values (and you're not a liberal), you have almost no other choice. Sure, private schools are an option, but they can be expensive.

So, in further support of homeschooling, I present this week's Carnival of Homeschooling. Well, actually I'm not presenting it, Principled Discovery is -- I'm just giving you the link so you can go check it out. So what are you waiting for?

Posted by: Ogre at 03:09 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
Post contains 220 words, total size 1 kb.

Tarheel Tavern #100

Welcome to the 100th edition of the Tarheel Tavern!

What a great honor it is to be the host of this, the 100th edition of this carnival. Now I know this isn't one of the biggest or well-known carnivals, but it's one of my personal favorites. Why? Because it's more local. It's more personal. It's posts from people who live in, or blog about North Carolina.

The very first Tarheel Tavern was way back in February of 2005. It was hosted at Science and Politics. Now there's a WIDE range of political views in North Carolina, so to attempt to moderate those strong emotions, the first few carnivals were not allowed to have political posts. Instead, it was to be a focus on how bloggers are people and how the bloggers of North Carolina appreciate North Carolina.

Over the years, that "temporary" theme seemed to continue, for the most part. Sure, people were free to submit political posts, but the majority of submissions seemed to focus more on goodness and happiness in North Carolina. That helped make the carnival more of a nice place to visit and read, rather than a contentious place where NC bloggers fought over political viewpoints.

Now, almost two years later, the carnival continues. It's on it's last legs, as last week had no host. If you're interested, please do volunteer to host this and keep it going. Then again, the internet moves pretty fast -- carnivals may be a thing of the past. Only time will tell. In the meantime, onwards to Carnival #100!

This week the Tavern will be served up as a full 7-course meal. Did you know that you can have up to 21 courses in a formal dinner? I think I might have to try that some time before I die. 21 courses, wow. But we've got seven here today.

1st course - Appetizer:

The Tarheel Banker from ephemera: a tribute to the long history of Banking in Charlotte. Ephemera asks,

Was Charlotte even on the map in 1967?

Now that's a question you don't want to ask today's city leaders, because they're all about making Charlotte known worldwide. What as? Well, that part isn't all that clear, but they certainly feed the need to be popular. And yes, banking has been a huge part of Charlotte for quite a long time.

Next up, according to my official meal guide, is the 2nd course - sit-down, seated Appetizer:

Final notes on the Science Blogging Conference and Anthology over at A Blog Around the Clock. This post is a great description of what they hope will be an annual event: a North Carolina Science Blogging conference. And it wasn't just for bloggers:

to mix science bloggers with others who are interested in science communication - scientists and students, science teachers, librarians, writers and journalists, journal editors and local elected officials, software developers and science museum staff.

I hope that it turned out well this weekend!

Next up, the 3rd course - Gourmet Salad:

Assert A Surge Iraqi submitted by Scrutiny Hooligans.

Now Screwy Hoolie, the author of that post, promises drinking at Asheville Brewing Company, in Asheville, EVERY Thursday. That's about 2 hours from my house, but I might have to make the drive one Thursday, just to hear him recite the poetry like this week's submission. I'm just not sure how I'll make it back for work on Friday after "drinking liberally."

After that is the 4th course - Sorbet, for a palate cleanser:

I Shot The Sheriff But I Didn't Shoot Deputy Dog by the one and only Billy the Blogging Poet.

This entry couldn't fit any better into our seven course meal here, as you might have guessed -- it's a poem by Billy. And it's light and silly, I think. Well, it might be dark and depressing, depending on how you read it. I won't try and explain, just head on over and see what you think about it! And well, if you don't like that poem, check out the rest of his site, I'm sure you'll find something you like there.

Finally we get to the 5th course - The Main Course:

Slowly She Turned provides the main course with Erring on the side of caution -- a post that actually went along with the "suggested topic" of this week's tavern (and yes, it was only a suggestion, so it's fine that other didn't follow the "theme").

This week in North Carolina, some areas saw a bit of nasty weather. No, nothing compared to what the folks in the west were dealing with a few weeks ago, but in North Carolina, we don't have thousands of plows and salt trucks, so it doesn't take much to completely immobilize entire counties.

Slowly She Turned offers a little bit of quite good advice regarding the weather, especially for those of us in North Carolina who don't see hazardous weather very often.

Once you're done digesting that main course, we're proud to deliver the 6th course - Gourmet Dessert:

Now this is no light dessert to laugh and converse over. No, this one is a rather heavy, strong dessert that will stay with you for quite awhile. Colonel Corn's Camera tells up about Raw Emotion -- and it's not a calm, easy emotion. But it might make you think a little more before you complain about sitting in the next traffic jam.

Everyone will have to deal with some strong emotions at some time in their life, usually when they're least prepared for it. But without any emotions, life would be a rather slow and boring existence. Without the lows, there wouldn't be any highs, would there?

Finally, today, as you digest your wonderful meal, we have the 7th course - Lattes:

And while you sip, read about Business Advice for Artists and Sensitive People, presented by Christine Kane.

Just read that title again, and think about how much something like that might be needed. Quite often, those who are gifted in the areas of arts aren't as gifted in the areas of logic and business. So it seems only logical that they're going to need help in areas of business. I know I sure need help in the area of arts!

And as an added bonus, there's already a lot of comments and discussion going on over there on this topic, so grab your drink, sit back, and join in the conversation!

---

Well, that's all for this week's carnival. I hope you enjoyed your stay and had time to wander around and visit all those who were kind enough to add their submissions for this week. Remember, if you're blogging in or about North Carolina, you can submit your own blog posts each and every week. Also, the carnival is in need of future hosts -- if you'd like to host and enjoy the tavern, submit and volunteer to host!

Posted by: Ogre at 10:01 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
Post contains 1157 words, total size 9 kb.

100th Tarheel Tavern

In case you needed reminding, if you're blogging from or about North Carolina, the deadline to submit carnival entries for the 100th edition of the Tarheel Tavern is tonight! It should be posted either Sunday or Monday! Come on North Carolina Bloggers, send in your entries!

Posted by: Ogre at 03:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 52 words, total size 1 kb.

Tarheel Tavern

Wow. For the first time in the long history of the Tarheel Tavern, it was closed this week! Well, all things run their course, so perhaps the Tarheel Tavern is on it's last legs. Especially on the web, things move quickly and change even faster. But despite this last week, it's not over yet!

In fact, this very week The Tarheel Tavern will be hosted right here! The Tavern first appeared way back in February, 2005 and has been going every week since then. The Tavern is a Blog Carnival round-up of blog posts from or about North Carolina. It's a great place to go if you want to read what North Carolina Bloggers are writing about.

Sometimes there's political entries, sometimes there aren't. Some weeks there's a "theme," but most often it's just wide open. This next edition will be number 100! And it's here! Cool, huh?

Well, if you're blogging from North Carolina, or even blogging ABOUT North Carolina, you can submit an entry. My contact email is all the way at the bottom of the main page (I guess I need to add it here on the post pages, too, huh?). And if you're so inclined and need an idea for your writing this week, I'll suggest a theme of "winter."

This theme could be very interesting in North Carolina, as today it was just about 70 degrees and sunny most of the day. Sure, it was 25 degrees a few days ago, and might snow and ice this week, but it's 70 degrees now. So if you're in North Carolina, or even just write about North Carolina this week, please submit your entry to me!

Posted by: Ogre at 06:05 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 283 words, total size 2 kb.

Tarheel Tavern #98

The Tarheel Tavern has continued on without weekly submissions from yours truly (fortunately). In fact, this week marks the 98th edition of the Tarheel Tavern! Now that's impressive that this little carnival has managed to stay around that long. Thanks to everyone who's worked to keep it going.

For those who have no idea about this carnival, the Tarheel Tavern is a carnival from and about North Carolina bloggers and blogging. Sometimes there's a theme to the carnival, more often it's a whole mixed bag of posts. The primary rule is that the blogs who submit must either be blogging in North Carolina or blogging about North Carolina. So if you want to read about what bloggers in North Carolina are writing about; the Tarheel Tavern is the place to be.

This week, 2sides2ron volunteered to be the host for the 98th Tarheel Tavern. So if you need some reading, why not head on over and see what's happening on North Carolina blogs?

Posted by: Ogre at 05:05 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 169 words, total size 1 kb.

Tarheel Tavern

This week's Tarheel Tavern is up at Slowly She Turned! Head on over and see what's new in North Carolina blogging!

Posted by: Ogre at 05:07 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
Post contains 25 words, total size 1 kb.

Tarheel Tavern is up!

This week's Tarheel Tavern (#90, I think) is up at Billy The Blogging Poet. It's another good one from the poet, too.

For those who have never seen it, this carnival is a weekly round-up of blog posts from and about North Carolina. If you want to know what various people in North Carolina are writing about, head on over and check it out!

Posted by: Ogre at 03:05 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 72 words, total size 1 kb.

Tar Heel Tavern & Second Amendment

This week's Tarheel Tavern is up at Terra Sig Illata. Head on over and take a peek.

In case you've never seen it before, the Tarheel Tavern is a weekly carnival of posts from blogs in and about North Carolina. There's some new folks each week, and there's regulars who manage to have a post in there each and every week. So if you're from or interested in North Carolina, have a look.

Also, this week's Second Amendment Carnival is posted as well. Do I even need to suggest you visit that one?

Posted by: Ogre at 07:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 105 words, total size 1 kb.

American Cat

Wandering over at this foreign blog, I stumbled upon a picture captioned american cat:

Somehow, that just seems to fit all too well. Maybe the cat should be a little fatter and lying down more...

Posted by: Ogre at 05:04 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
Post contains 39 words, total size 1 kb.

Carnival of Artic Cats?

Does this count as an entry into the carnival of cats?

Yeah, I'm looking for winter.

Posted by: Ogre at 03:01 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
Post contains 24 words, total size 1 kb.

Tarheel Tavern is up!

This week's Tarheel Tavern is up at Poetic Acceptance! This is a weekly carnival of blog post from and about North Carolina. If you live in NC or want to read more about what people from NC are writing, head on over and take a peek!

Posted by: Ogre at 05:01 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 54 words, total size 1 kb.

Tarheel Tavern

Yes, it's that time once again. This week's Tarheel Tavern has been posted at Poetic Acceptance.

The Tarheel Tavern is a weekly round up of blog posts from and about North Carolina. Good stuff. You can read it now!

Posted by: Ogre at 06:08 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 43 words, total size 1 kb.

Tarheel Tavern

Come along and see this week's Tarheel Tavern! It's up at Mel's kitchen.

In case you've not seen it before, the Tarheel Tavern is a blog carnival of posts from and about North Carolina. Even Harvey joins in the fun this week!

Posted by: Ogre at 06:04 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 46 words, total size 1 kb.

Tarheel Tavern

This week's Tarheel Tavern has been posted! Another excellent job by Billy the Blogging Poet. His are always unique and different.

For those who haven't seen it before, the Tarheel Tavern is a conglomeration of posts from and about North Carolina. Go have a read!

Posted by: Ogre at 06:07 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 49 words, total size 1 kb.

Carnival, carnival!

This week's Tarheel Tavern has been posted at 2 Sides 2 Ron. Head on over and have a read. For those not familiar with this carnival, it's a round up of posts from and about North Carolina and by Bloggers in North Carolina. It's fun! Go read!

Also posted now is this week's Carnival of Liberty. If you only read one carnival a week, this one should be it. This is a bunch of posts with one common theme: liberty and the loss of it. Very good reading each and every week.

Posted by: Ogre at 06:05 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 96 words, total size 1 kb.

Carnival!

This week's Carnival of Liberty has been posted. This is a weekly carnival highlighting freedom and the loss of freedom in the world today.

This week it's at Socratic Rhythm Method, and the format is GREAT! Seriously, I've never seen a carnival done this way -- jeopardy style. You need to go check it out, even if you're not interested in freedom!

Posted by: Ogre at 06:07 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 64 words, total size 1 kb.