Online Dating

Those of us perusing the internet are probably on at least one networking site for social, professional, personal or romantic reasons. I'd bash the internet, but even though I've wasted hours, days, probably weeks of my life perusing the net, it also connected me with several apartments, reignited friendships, helped me get to know acquaintances, and connected me with jobs. Using the internet has even been my job, sending e-newsletters, social media consulting, internet research... the list continues.

Once, my curiosity got the best of me and I joined OkCupid for about a month. It was weird. I didn't like it. I felt like I was walking into a bar in a bathing suit and couldn't shut up the people talking to me. No bouncer to kick them out. Sure, I could delete messages but some of the stuff was really weird. I wish I'd written it all down before deleting the account. Some comments were memorable material. [Just to be clear, I was not wearing a bathing suit in my profile photo.]

For example, the following are paraphrased excerpts of messages I randomly received from strangers:

"You look way too sweet and innocent to be with a guy like me. If you ever decide to man up, give me a call and we can have some fun."

"I like you. It would be great to meet up. I'm a nice guy. Pretty interesting too. As long as you don't mind every inch of me [literally] being covered in tattoos, I think we'd hit it off."

"Hey, I'm going to be in town for a medical conference in a month. I bought concert tickets, made dinner reservations and booked a hotel. I'd love it if you could go with me and show me around town." [Do online dating sites double as escort services?]

"I want to talk to you about everything. I want to get inside your brain. I want to know your thoughts on everything in the world. I want to spend the rest of my life talking to you. "

My curiosity was satiated. I know some people have had good experiences on these things, but seriously, why would anyone want to put up with any of those messages? Spam be gone. Delete.

Another article on contraception

Right on:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/11/opinion/the-freedom-to-choose-birth-control.html?_r=1&ref=sunday

Freedom of Religion

This blog post was inspired by the following New York Times article:

"Boehner Vows to Fight Contraception Rule" By Jennifer Steinhauer

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/09/us/politics/boehner-vows-to-fight-contraception-rule.html?_r=1

Stenhauer quotes the Speaker of the House, John Boehner:

"'In recent days, Americans of every faith and political persuasion have mobilized in objection to a rule put forth by the Obama administration that constitutes an unambiguous attack on religious freedom in our country,' said Mr. Boehner"

Not true. Notice how Boehner says "Americans of every faith and political persuasion have mobilized in objection." How dare Boehner speak for all Americans? Last time I checked, it was still legal not to be religious in the United States. No one's making anyone take contraception. What about the large portion of Americans who believe in freedom of religion, tolerance and who may not be religious themselves?

Freedom of religion includes the right not to be religious. The first amendment guarantees this. The religious right has forgotten this. Boehner, if you and your church are against something, that is fine. That is your right. But do not impose religious restrictions on those of us not of your congregation. We, as US citizens, have the freedom to choose our church or not to choose a church at all. The only laws we all must follow should be those based on the the US Constitution and not your church's mandates. Boehner, you've confused freedom of religion with freedom only to follow your religion. The constitution guarantees the former, not the latter.