I haven’t really paid much attention to the whole Kosola mess. I’ve known Kos is an asshole for some time; hearing that he was quite likely an asshole in another vein was no great surprise.
But that didn’t keep me from getting a rather interesting little tip from a very unlikely source.
As my source (I’ll call him “Skippy”) puts it, there’s a rather interesting timeline going on here regarding Mr. Armstrong’s use of astrology and his political fortunes. Mr. Armstrong’s web site, MyDD, has been around for a long time. Kos gives it credit for starting the Daily Kos in May of 2002. Kos first linked to MyDD in June 2002, and the two were hired by the Dean campaign in December of 2002.
But Mr. Armstrong was still a bit, shall we say, “star-struck.” As recently as November, he was still touting his astrological expertise and ability to use the movements of celestial bodies to determine the sway of elections — as noted by Gary Crosse of the San Diego Union-Tribune and preserved by the noted pollsters at Zogby International.
One of the standard attacks the left makes against some of the right is the “religious zealots” charge, and repeated attacks on those who profess their religious faith as key elements of their political beliefs. But (speaking as a professional agnostic) there is a hell of a lot more evidence supporting the validity of Christianity than there is of astrology, and mocking their beliefs (which, they insist, are SCIENCE and not religion), is far more justifiable.
And fun.
Robert Heinlein, the brilliant science fiction writer and source of so, so many great quotes, put it best in “Time Enough For Love:”
“A touchstone to determine the actual worth of an “intellectual”- find out how he feels about astrology.”
(Update: “Skippy” e-mailed me after I put both this story and myself to bed with a slight correction. Apparently Dean hired the Blunder Twins in June of 2003, not December of 2002. Apparently Mr. Trippi made overtures back in December, presumably on behalf of Howlin’ Howard, but they came to naught. However, Old “Screw ‘Em” apparently still had a “Draft Clark” banner on his page right up to within a month of signing on with Dr. Dean.
This should teach me to never put too much faith in an adult named “Skippy” — even if I hang that name on them myself.)
Great quote from Heinlein. Other than erasing as many astrology references as they can, have Kos or Armstrong actually denied that Armstrong is a believer in astrology – still?
I still think Kos looks a like a dike, but I mean that in the best possible way.
Ah, yes. I never thought about the astrology thing. Some defend it as vigorously as any religious zealot defends their beliefs.
Jay,
As I have openly confessed before, I’m a Christian of the born again Bible believing type. Given that, I’m not aware of any “science” that supports the Bible’s claims other than Archeology and logic in general. Maybe there are such cases, I’m just not aware of them.
An example of Archeology would be the discovery of papyri from the second and third centuries that demonstrate the textual accuracy of the Scriptures we have today. There are also a few papyri from the first century, written and in distribution within the lifetimes of some the 12 Apostils. These finds prove the fallacy of many of the 19th century critics who asserted that the accounts found in the New Testament Scriptures were passed on for generations verbally, and thus, embellished before being written down. In addition, books such as Acts contain numerous geographic reference, none of which have been shown to be inaccurate. Even among the learned who still dismiss the miraculous parts, the Bible is recognized as an authentic an accurate document.
Science is based on the philosophy that the universe follows consistent rules and that humans can understand those rules. That of course is a tenet of faith, not a fact. Science also has limitations. For example, if you go to Los Vegas and bet money on the outcome of a coin toss where the toss is not in view of a camera, you wouldn’t be able to scientifically prove what the results of that particular coin toss was. If you disputed that result in a court of law, the outcome would be decided by the testimony of a reliable witness. The Bible is a reliable witness as to the true nature and purpose of the universe.
Given the Kos election track record, I’d say they still buy the astrology thing.
They still base their picks on Uranus rising or place their faith in Taurus (you know… the “bull”).
Somebody call Ms. Cleo.
http://sheep-dog.blogspot.com/2006/06/cnn-breaking-kos-paternity-established.html
He’s not gay…but he sure is funny looking.
But you can always trust a Bush Kangaroo by that name.