I’m always afraid of screwing up. Seriously. That's especially true when I'm online, because sometimes online reactions can be extreme. One little mistake, and you’re suddenly The Enemy. I once got on the wrong side of a group of women on a feminist website, and ... damn, it got nasty. Some of the nice ladies actually followed me to the comment sections of other websites to point out what a viciously sexist woman-hater I was. I’ve made disparaging comments about tattooing, and oh boy, … [Read more...]
The Brassican Heresy (repost)
July 12, 2012 By 7 Comments
Warning: The following post is long, and may contain insults to French people. And Christians. And probably frogs. [Repost from Jan 18, 2012] ______________________________ I’d like to propose to you a daring hypothesis. You may be surprised by it. You may be stunned. You might even be shocked. Because this is such a daring idea, some of you reading this right now may actually be horrified. There’s even the possibility – distant, but real, so I have to warn you – that one or more … [Read more...]
Oh, Shit! — or — Why Things Are Always So Fucked Up
July 10, 2012 By 21 Comments
I’ve thought for many years about why “otherwise intelligent” people can believe or say certain things that are demonstrably false. I mean, there are people who can look and sound as smart as anyone you know, but who don’t “get” certain things. Who WON'T get certain things. For instance, you can know someone who is a fantastic organizer or salesman, someone who can get rich in running a business, handing every detail easily, but who can’t accept global warming, or evolution ... … [Read more...]
Sociopaths in Paradise — Part 1
June 29, 2012 By 3 Comments
Back when I was in politics, one of the side effects of running for office was that I had a lot more people in my face. If you’re used to your small private life, especially if you’re an introvert like me, you have no idea how much you treasure your time in your own home pursuits, until that time is threatened, or vanishes. Give you an example: It’s years and years back, and I’m running for town council. This necessitates talking to a lot of people. Not in speeches or TV appearances, … [Read more...]
Because I Am An Atheist
June 23, 2012 By 6 Comments
Ian Cromwell, brilliant fellow FtBer who writes a profound and witty blog under the Crommunist Manifesto banner, asked me to contribute to his "Because I am an atheist" series. He printed my piece a bit less than a week ago, with an intro that referred to me as "the incomparable Hank Fox." (How can you not like a guy who calls you THAT?) I'm echoing the piece here. If you'd like to contribute your own take on the subject, Crommunist is actively soliciting submissions. Click the title link … [Read more...]
The Funny Thing About Sexual Harassment. And Then the Unfunny Thing.
June 22, 2012 By 96 Comments
Tell you a coupla stories: When I was about 16, I worked part-time as a stock boy and gofer at the central office of a chain of health clubs in Houston. One of my not-quite-co-workers was Bobby, a big black guy who was the right-hand man of the distribution director. The performance of our duties would normally almost never put Bobby and I in the same room together, but I saw him everyday anyway. … [Read more...]
If All Your Friends Jumped Off a Bridge …
June 14, 2012 By 8 Comments
A phrase popped into my head yesterday while I was thinking about something completely different, and I’d like to toss it at you: “challenge food.” A challenge food is that stuff you’re expected to eat, not because it’s good, not because it’s something you would normally like, but to prove to your friends that you’re tough. Or daring. Or ... willing to go along with the joke. How many times have you heard people rave about chili hot enough to bring tears to your eyes? Or read … [Read more...]
The 30,000
June 2, 2012 By 11 Comments
[ This is a reprint of an earlier post, to keep new readers happy while I work on some new ideas. ] Say someone gave you $30,000, in cash, and the deal was, you had to live on it as long as you could. You couldn’t do any other income-producing work in that time, you just had to live on the 30 grand. You’d have to pay all your bills on it, provide for all your daily needs. You’d have no additional money coming in, and all your entertainment needs, your health needs, your travel and … [Read more...]
Oh, Jeez. Memorial Day.
May 28, 2012 By 5 Comments
Memorial Day. The Internet is ablaze with it. All the proper things are being said, all the good, right sentiments are being expressed. Yes, we – and I include myself – love our war heroes. My adopted Dad was a medic in the Navy, my two brothers were in Vietnam, and I have plenty of friends whom I truly respect for their service. I see the memorials and the fields of crosses – I made a point of visiting the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC two of the times I was there – and I feel … [Read more...]
Short Stack #12
March 6, 2012 By 24 Comments
If your father has a stick in the closet that he's used in the past to beat you with, you have to wonder at someone who'd tell you "What are you getting all worked up about? He's not beating you with it NOW." Just so with organized religion and what it's done throughout history. As an atheist, I would rather empty out that closet. ____________________________ When a news story says someone "lost" a leg in an accident, I always hold out hope they'll eventually find it again and be better for … [Read more...]
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