New Blog added

I've added Self Uncensored to the Bloglist at left. He has posted some wonderful photos of New York City just recently.

Quote of the Day

"The individual human mind (is holy to me). In a child's power to master the multiplication table there is more sanctity than in all your shouted amens and holy-holies and hosannas. An idea is a greater monument than a cathedral and the advance of man's knowledge is a greater miracle than all the sticks turned to snakes and the parting of the waters."

Henry Drummond "Inherit the Wind"

The Anti-Christian Marriage Amendment (Satire)

The shoe's on the other foot! Let's see how they like it...

http://www.deism.org/antichristianmarriageamendment.html

[The appearance of this satire on my blog is not an endorsement of its contents. But it sure is funny!]

Reason: The Only Oracle of Man

Yesterday, I discovered that Ethan Allen's seminal work is now an online book! I long for a hardbound copy of this book, and have for many years.
If any reader's know where I can order/find/buy a copy of the actual book, please write to me at secularfoxhole@Gmail.com

Read. Enjoy.

http://www.deism.org/ethanallen.htm

"Missed It By That Much"

Sad news today as Don Adams passed away. Playing Maxwell Smart in the TV comedy "Get Smart" he was one of my all-time favorites. "Would you believe!", I will miss him.

Least we forget, here's a hat tip to the beautiful Agent 99, Barbara Feldon.

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=1160715

The Epistemological 'Perfect Storm'

Author Dan Simmons, whom I've mentioned favorably on this site before, publishes a monthly letter to fans on his website, that I'm linking to below.
Readers of this blog may know that I've recommended some of his books, especially 'Darwin's Blade' and 'The Crook Factory', along with his sci-fi series 'Hyperion'.
In this month's letter, he talks of his epistemological 'storm' i.e., "one of those rare and serendipitous conjunctions of books randomly read resulting in a quantum leap in conceptual understanding on an important issue or opaque era or human dilemma or complex idea or all four of these catagories and more..."

Mr. Simmons goes on to lambast creationism among other things, but says this interesting quote: "How can I think and write with greater clarity while simultaneously discovering and creating more ambiguity?"

I'm linking to this open letter not as an endorsement of Mr. Simmons own epistemology or of his conclusions, but as an exercise in 'Philosophical Detection' for those who wish to read a stimulating article.

Best premises!

http://www.dansimmons.com/news/message.htm

Bush considering use of military on U.S. soil

Am I growing more paranoid as I get older, or does this sound as ominous to you as it does to me?

"President Bush's push to give the military a bigger role in responding to major disasters like Hurricane Katrina could lead to a loosening of legal limits on the use of federal troops on U.S. soil."

Here's a sentence I just love...

"Bush did not define the wider role he envisions for the military."

That's right! I forgot! We must be flexible in our policy making! No firm principles here!

http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,77271,00.html?ESRC=army-a.nl

Had the National Guard been here to do its job, instead of in Iraq and wherever else he's put them, this discussion wouldn't be necessary now, would it? Perhaps that's why he and his braintrust moved the NG offsite to begin with, to set up this discussion and possible implementation. Again, is this paranoia or just observation of fact?
Readers of this blog should know I have great respect for our military, but that I strongly dislike the way they are being manipulated by this administration.

New Blog Added

I've added Armchair Intellectual to my Blogroll. Click on the link at left to visit and read Gideon's excellent critique of the latest smear job on Miss Rand.

Disturbing Events in Gaza and in Britain

Armchair Intellectual has posted, with links some disturbing news out of Gaza and Britain, via Caroline Glick. Disturbing, but sadly, not surprising in the least.

Once again, Go. Now.

http://armchairintellectual.blogspot.com/2005/09/todays-commentary-part-1-there-seems.html

[Hat tip: Thrutch]

Al Gore: New Darling of the Religious Right

Per The American Thinker, Al Gore officially endorses creationism being taught in public schools.
http://www.americanthinker.com/comments.php?comments_id=3094

Also see Gus van Horn's commentary on the above subject.

http://gusvanhorn.blogspot.com/2005/09/science-at-american-hypocrite.html

Never Forget

Capitalism Magazine has an excellent compendium of articles on September 11. Dr Peikoff leads the list, with his superb 'End States that Sponsor Terrorism'.

Excellent

http://www.capmag.com/shownews.asp#1459

Hat Tip to all Foreign Visitors

Site Meter not only keeps track of all visitors to The Secular Foxhole, it also designates their location by city, state and country.
So I want to tip the hat to all my "friends" from France, Australia, Sweeden, Portugal, and England--as well as all points North America. Thank you for taking the time to peruse my blog. I would love to hear from you, if you choose to write. Just click on 'Email Me!" near the top of my blogroll.

Further Proof that Altruism Destroy's the Good

The author of the article linked below states that we've 'gifted' Iran with the defeat of Hussein in Iraq. I, and many other Objectivist's have seen that the neo-cons rush to invade Iraq was not the correct way to go about defeating terrorism, or Islam, for that matter.
Yes, Saddam was a thug--and wrongly perceived as secular by our genius intellectuals and politico's--but now Iran is doing an end-run to Syria and other Muslim states. They are not going to allow, next-door, a pro-American form of government (weak as that is). That's why they are in hot pursuit of nuclear weapons and deals with other muslim states to spread that 'technology'.

Go. Read. Write to your reps and the President.

Our Gift to Iran
http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=4394

Scarce dollars and a contribution quandary

Obviously, the tragedy in New Orleans and other parts of the hurricane ravaged south are a gut-wrenching sight and my sympathies abound for the honestly struggling people who have lost "everything". Gus van Horn has a very worthy organization that has requested funds to assist in rebuilding it's home for veterans, and I certainly would donate to that cause---however---I recently received a letter from the Anthem Foundation for Objectivist Scholarship requesting a donation, or pledge of a donation, for the work it is doing in spreading the good works of young, talented, Objectivist scholars who are already in academia and the prospects of new programs, especially at an Ivy League school, among others, that the foundation has already received requests to set up as soon as possible. They are soliciting $140,000.00 from ARI donors to assist in this hugely important step to spread Ayn Rand's ideas in five new universities across the country.
Setting aside the fact that millions and billions of dollars are already pouring into New Orleans and other ravaged areas, via many good American's, and all of us via the Federal Government, the sum of $140,000 is not that much to try to obtain from a small group of dedicated people.
Speaking for myself, my dollars will have more positive long-term effect for me, for America and for the American people, going to the Anthem Foundation, than to any relief charity. If I could do both, I would, without hesitation. This month however, my meager/spare dollars are going to plant the seeds for a more positive future. Even if I don't live to see it, I know that my efforts will have made it come into being.

Anthem Foundation for Objectivist Scholarship
900 East Hamiltion Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008

[Update: 9/4/05. The Anthem Foundation is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, so your contributions are tax-deductible. Hey, there's really no 'quandary' at all, is there? ;-) ]