Eric's Thoughts

American Wigeon

2012-01-29T21:44:00.001-05:00

American Wigeon, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

First time I've seen one of these. Taken at Swan Harbor Farm with a Sigma 600mm f/8 mirror lens.

10 reasons the U.S. is no longer the land of the free

2012-01-14T13:35:00.001-05:00

An article by Jonathan Turley, published in the Washington Post, about the loss of our freedoms since 9/11. Free registration required to read the whole article.

How to Form Your Own Cult

2012-01-14T12:06:00.002-05:00

The Kalam Cosmological Argument... Busted

2012-01-13T20:13:00.000-05:00

H/T: Lady Atheist

If You Don't Believe in God…

2012-01-12T00:51:00.002-05:00

Religious bigotry is alive and well in Maryland.

Neil deGrasse Tyson answering 'Why are those who invoke Intelligent Design useless in your lab?'

2012-01-08T22:09:00.001-05:00

Green-winged Teal

2012-01-07T22:42:00.001-05:00

Green-winged Teal, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Taken in Havre de Grace.

An All Too Rare Victory for Civil Rights...

2011-12-06T17:56:00.001-05:00

The United States District Court for the the District of Massachusetts has ruled that video recording police in a public place is a constitutional right for all US citizens.

Obama Tries to Justify Preventitive Detention

2011-12-01T23:45:00.001-05:00

When Obama was elected, I was hopeful that we would start to regain some of the ground we lost under Bush on the civil rights front. Unfortunately, Obama has not only continued the policies of Bush, but expanded them.

Snake

2011-11-28T20:36:00.001-05:00

Snake, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Taken at Harford Glen.

Don’t Watch This If You’re Afraid of Heights

2011-11-28T20:28:00.001-05:00

On top of the Burj Khalifa's spire:

Afghani "Justice"

2011-11-28T00:22:00.001-05:00

An Atheist’s Guide to Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T13:06:00.001-05:00

From the strip, Ape, Not Monkey by Jeffrey Weston:

The Big Bang Explained

2011-11-23T01:20:00.001-05:00

One Charity to Which I Will Not Be Donating...

2011-11-23T00:53:00.001-05:00

Homeopaths Without Borders. It’s rather disconcerting to find out that such an organization exists.Here’s James Randi explaining homeopathy:

We’re Still Here!

2011-10-22T07:00:00.002-05:00

October 21, 2011 has now ended in every time zone around the world, and the world still has not ended. Let the excuses begin!

Midnight, October 22, Jerusalem Time

2011-10-21T17:00:00.003-05:00

It is now midnight, October 22, in Jerusalem and if you’re reading this, the world has not ended. But, it’s still October 21 in some time zones, so let’s give it a few more hours.

Meadow Fritillary

2011-10-13T19:38:00.001-05:00

Meadow Fritillary, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Taken in Eden Mill Park.

Maryland Renaissance Festival 2011

2011-10-01T15:08:00.001-05:00

Maryland Renaissance Festival 2011, a set on Flickr.

I went to the Maryland Renaissance Festival on Sept 25. My photos are here.

Why do I feel like somebody's watching me?

2011-09-23T20:16:00.001-05:00

Why do I feel like somebody's watching me?, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Taken in North Point State Park.

Yawn!

2011-09-23T20:05:00.001-05:00

Yawn!, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Taken in Havre de Grace.

Stuck in the Airport

2011-09-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

Diplomat Eric Colle Am in John F. Kennedy International Airport now call me +229-972-245-75.
Attn: Beneficiary,
I am diplomat Eric Colle; I just to inform you about my successful arrival in John F. Kennedy International Airport about an hour now with your two boxes of consignment worth $1.2 Million U.S Dollars which I have been instructed by ECOWAS COURIER DELIVERY COMPANY to be delivered to you. The Airport authority demanded for all the legal back up papers to prove to them that the fund is no way related with drug nor fraud money, I have presented the papers I handed to them and they are very much pleased with the paper’s I presented but the only thing that is still keeping me here is the airport delivery Tag which is not placed on the boxes, one of the Airport Authority has advise that we get the delivery tag so that I can exit the airport immediately and make my delivery successful. I try to reason with them and they stated the delivery tag will cost us just $95 Dollars only to get the two tag placed on the boxes as that tag will enable me get to your house successfully without any interference, they scanned the boxes and found out that the fund is 100 % spend able and accepted by any bank in the whole world.

Please try and reach me with my international roaming number +229 9722475 as I can not afford to spend more time here due to other delivery I have to take care of in Bangkok, etc. I have my ID CARD as I can accompany you to your bank were you will deposit the fund successfully with these papers. I have one more vital paper with me but I can only present you the hard copy when I reach your house as that it’s the diplomatic rules, such as authorization to deliver.

You can direct the tag fee to our Head Office as they will get it here for you and they are entitled to receive and make any payment to foreign countries authority. GET BACK TO ME IN MY EMAIL NOW; diplomateric1@live.fr
Sender Name:....................
Sender Country:.................
Receiver Name: Johnson Nnoli.
Receiver Country: Cotonou Benin-Republic.
Amount: $55 US Dollars
Text Question: which Year
Text Answer: 2011
MTCN:...........................

Regards,

Diplomat Eric.

So, this guy is carrying $1.2 million for me, but doesn’t know my name, and can’t afford the $95 (or $55) fee for an airport delivery tag to get out of the airport? WTF is an “airport delivery tag” anyway?

Tropical Storm Lee

2011-09-09T23:21:00.001-05:00

Conowingo Dam, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

This was the scene about 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Conowingo Dam had 43 out of 50 flood gates open to handle the flow from Tropical Storm Lee. Maryland Route 222 is closed and Port Deposit is flooded.

Good Luck with That!

2011-09-03T01:39:00.002-05:00

Clergy told to take on the 'new atheists'

E-Mail from My Fan Club

2011-09-01T21:37:00.000-05:00

HELLO
My name is miss Rose i saw your profile today at(------.com) and fund you worthy to be mine as some one whom i can lay on his arms as long as love is concern, caring and teasing you all the nightlong and ,l will also like to know you the more,and l want you to send an email to my email address (rose.realbaby@yahoo.com) so l can give you my picture for you to know whom l am. Here is my email address I believe we can move from here! I waiting for your mail to my email address above. miss Rose(Remember the distance or color does not matter but love matters a lot in life)

I’m so glad I’m funded to be worthy.

The Great Enemy of Truth

2011-08-20T08:22:00.002-05:00

For the great enemy of the truth is very often not the lie--deliberate, contrived, and dishonest, but the myth, persistent, persuasive, and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the cliches of our forebears. We subject all facts to a prefabricated set of interpretations. We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of fact. -- John F. Kennedy, Yale Commencement Address, June 11, 1962

This Looks Like Fun

2011-08-18T19:59:00.000-05:00

Bachmann, Perry, and Dominionism

2011-08-16T23:48:00.003-05:00

Michelle Goldberg has written an article about Michelle Bachmann’s and Rick Perry’s connections to the Christian Dominionist movement.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

2011-08-08T22:23:00.002-05:00

Ruby-throated Hummingbird, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Taken at Marshy Point Park.

Lightning

2011-08-02T16:21:00.002-05:00

Lightning, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

The view out of my front window last night.

Barn Swallows

2011-07-20T23:31:00.002-05:00

Barn Swallows, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

I saw four barn swallow chicks sitting in a tree by the water's edge. Every few minutes, one of the parents would fly in, feed one of the chicks, and then fly back out to catch some more bugs for dinner.

Atala

2011-06-29T23:41:00.002-05:00

Atala, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Taken at Brookside Gardens’ Wings of Fancy exhibit.

Chinese Yellow Swallowtail

2011-06-24T18:30:00.002-05:00

Chinese Yellow Swallowtail, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Taken at Brookside Gardens’ Wings of Fancy exhibit.

Stopped for Taking Photos in Perryville

2011-06-24T17:05:00.007-05:00

I was in Perryville today, taking a few photographs of Rodger’s Tavern (see on Google Maps), when a Maryland State Trooper pulled up and put on his lights. He got out of the car and motioned for me to come over. He asked me what I was doing, and I said, “taking photographs.” “Do you have permission?” “I don’t need permission.” “You don’t?” “It’s public property.” He asked to see my driver’s license, and checked to see if I was wanted for anything. He said, “There are crazy people out there… taking pictures of crap.” I puzzled over this statement for a second before he explained that he meant terrorists taking pictures of bridges and railways. (There was a railway bridge a few hundred feet away. I did not point out that taking pictures of bridges and railways is also perfectly legal.) “People complain,” he said, and then hastily added, “no one complained about you. I just saw you as I was driving by.” He then got back in his car and drove off, leaving me to my own devices.

It was a Spiritual Earthquake

2011-05-23T21:52:00.002-05:00

So now Harold Camping is saying that he was right about the date, that the earthquake was a spiritual earthquake, and that Jesus is judging people invisibly! Oh, and the world will still end in October. The We Can Know website has not been updated.

The anonymous author of The Latter Rain website admitted that he/she was wrong, but still believes that the Bible is the infallible word of God.

Ring-billed Gull

2011-05-22T01:11:00.002-05:00

Ring-billed Gull, a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Taken in Havre de Grace.

Rapture a Bust

2011-05-21T09:00:00.002-05:00

Well, so far it appears Harold Camping’s rapture is a bust. Not that anyone should be surprised. Nothing to do now but wait for the rationalizations to start pouring in.

Red-breasted Merganser (male)

2011-04-01T19:11:00.002-05:00

Red-breasted Merganser (male), a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

This is the first time I've seen mergansers in Havre de Grace. Unfortunately, they never came in close, so this is the best photo I could get.

Snowman

2011-03-20T20:18:00.002-05:00

Snowman a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Saw this along the highway, a few miles from my house.

We Got Fish for Supper!

2011-03-19T22:07:00.002-05:00

We Got Fish for Supper! a photo by Eric E Haas on Flickr.

Last night we had bread and fish
Tonight we got fish and bread
Tomorrow night we're going to change our dish
And have plain fish instead

Taken in Havre de Grace.

Canvasbacks and Lesser Scaup

2011-02-05T14:56:00.002-05:00

Canvasbacks Lesser Scaup
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

My sister and I were in Havre de Grace yesterday, and I managed to photograph two species of birds that I hadn't photographed previously. First were the canvasbacks, which I have not seen there previously, even though they're shown on the signs along the walkway that list the common species in the area. Then there were the lesser scaup, which I have seen in the past, though this is the first time I've seen them close enough to not only positively ID them, but to get a decent photograph as well.

Red-shouldered Hawk (Immature)

2011-01-30T00:35:00.002-05:00

Red-shouldered Hawk (Immature)
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Eastern Neck Island Wildlife Refuge.

Orange Sulphur

2011-01-28T10:43:00.002-05:00

Orange Sulphur
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Harford Glen.

USA Patriot Act Up for Reauthorization

2011-01-22T21:49:00.003-05:00

Certain provisions of the USA Patriot Act expire on the 28th of February of this year. Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan has introduced a bill (H.R. 67) to extend the expiring provisions until the end of February next year. It’s long past time for this monstrosity to die. I’m not a big fan of the Huffington Post, but read what David Segal has to say about the Patriot Act.

Poplar Island

2011-01-17T19:24:00.003-05:00

Last month, I blogged about something strange I found while perusing the Chesapeake Bay in Google Maps. Today’s issue of the Baltimore Sun had an article about it. It turns out that it is a land reclamation project; it’s an attempt to rebuild Poplar Island, and it’s been going on for twelve years.

Update: Commenter ceblakeney has provided a link to more information on the project: Poplar Island

Last Days of May

2011-01-15T21:44:00.002-05:00

Here’s another article about the Christian group that believes Christ is returning on May 21, 2011: End of Days in May?

For some reason, I’m filled with a sudden urge to listen to one of my favorite songs by Blue Öyster Cult.

The Messiah Store

2011-01-15T15:37:00.002-05:00

For all of your messiah needs!

Save the Date

2011-01-14T22:34:00.004-05:00

This billboard was put up along a highway a few miles from my house. The group that put it up believes that Christ will return on May 21, 2011, and that the world will end on October 21, 2011. I guess we can all stop worrying about Mayan predictions that the world will end in December 2012! Apparently, on May 22, 1988, God abandoned the church and let Satan loose upon the world, beginning the first part of the Great Tribulation. I’m sure you’ve all noticed that the world went to hell in a handbasket starting on that date. This first part lasted exactly 2300 days, until September 7, 1994, when the second part of the Great Tribulation began. The Great Tribulation is to last exactly 23 years or 8400 days. (Let’s see, 23*365=8395, plus 5 for leap years, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, gets us to 8400). After the Rapture, the world will continue for five more months, ending on October 21, 2011.

Anyone want to make any predictions about what excuses we’ll hear on October 22?

If you want to see how they arrived at those dates, check out We Can Know! and The Latter Day Rain.

Christmas at Longwood Gardens

2011-01-08T01:32:00.002-05:00

104-022-01
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Click here for more photos from Longwood.

Red-bellied Woodpecker

2011-01-04T19:26:00.002-05:00

Red-bellied Woodpecker
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Mariner Point Park.

Autumn

2010-12-04T23:38:00.002-05:00

Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Mariner Point Park.

Google Maps Weirdness

2010-12-03T12:06:00.003-05:00

I was looking at Maryland in Google Maps, when I found this bit of weirdness where Coaches Island should be:

This island is at 38° 46' N, 76° 23' W. Click on the map button to see what is supposed to be there. Is this some kind of land reclamation project? It’s huge, 4.3km (2.7 mi) from north to south, and 2.4km (1.5 mi) from east to west. Why haven’t I heard about this before? I would have thought a project of this size would make the news. Or is this possibly just a misplaced satellite photo? Anyone know?

Red-shouldered Hawk

2010-11-20T00:19:00.004-05:00

Red-shouldered Hawk
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Havre de Grace. The hawk had just finished eating a rat that it had caught (you can see some blood on its talons and beak), and was sitting in a tree right by the promenade watching squirrels.

Bald Eagle

2010-11-03T23:48:00.003-05:00

Bald Eagle
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Conowingo Fisherman's Park.

Titus Andronicus

2010-10-09T00:09:00.003-05:00

Titus Andronicus
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Friday night, a couple of friends and I went to see a production of Titus Andronicus put on by the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. The play was staged in the ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute. The audience had to follow the actors around, as each act was staged in a different part of the ruins. It was an excellent production, and being outside in the dark really added to the atmosphere. Pictured is Scott Alan Small in the roll of Titus Andronicus. I have more photos of the production on Flickr.

Lawyer Jailed for Failing to Recite the Pledge of Allegiance

2010-10-07T15:45:00.002-05:00

Lawyer Jailed by Chancellor for Failing to Recite Pledge of Allegiance

Pretty sad when even a judge can be that ignorant of the law.

Leopard

2010-10-06T20:22:00.002-05:00

Leopard
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at the Maryland Zoo.

Creationists are Going to Have a Field Day with This One

2010-10-06T09:54:00.001-05:00

History of modern man unravels as German scholar is exposed as fraud

Ring-billed Gull

2010-10-05T23:17:00.002-05:00

Ring-billed Gull
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

I took this in Havre de Grace, back in May.

Cops on Camera

2010-10-01T19:31:00.000-05:00

H/T: Carlos Miller of Photography is Not a Crime

Sunflowers

2010-09-09T18:25:00.002-05:00

Sunflowers
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Saw these sunflowers in Jarrettsville on Monday afternoon.

Buckeye

2010-09-06T00:06:00.002-05:00

Buckeye
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Harford Glen. Underneath the buckeye is an ailanthus webworm.

Spider

2010-08-29T12:19:00.003-05:00

Spider
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Harford Glen. This is a black and yellow garden spider (Argiope aurantia), almost certainly a female, judging by the size.

Black Rat Snake

2010-08-08T23:29:00.002-05:00

Black Rat Snake
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

I saw this in the parking lot tonight, and at first thought it was a length of cable that someone had thrown out. It got fed up with me shining a flashlight at it and slithered up the nearest tree.

Mountains Out of Molehills

2010-07-18T23:30:00.004-05:00

A graph of media scare stories over the last ten years:

H/T: The Rational Optimist

Wood Duck (female)

2010-07-17T09:13:00.002-05:00

Wood Duck (female)
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Not my best photo, but this is the first time I've seen one of these in the area. Taken at Harford Glen.

Murphy Update

2010-07-04T21:35:00.004-05:00

I printed up a bunch of fliers and distributed them around the neighborhood. We’ve received a couple of calls, both from the same general area, which is in the direction I last saw Murphy headed. One person said Murphy was sleeping under her picnic table, and another person said she’d been feeding him for the past couple of nights, and that her daughter had been able to pet him. The second person said she would try and catch him and put him in a cat carrier for us, but she hasn’t called back yet. So, it appears he’s alive and well, and still nearby, but he isn’t home yet. I just hope all the fireworks don’t scare him into running farther away.

Murphy is Missing

2010-07-02T00:41:00.003-05:00

Murphy
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Murphy got out of the house this morning (July 1). I found him around dinner time, hiding under the shed in the backyard. But, he ran out from under the shed and into my neighbor’s yard, and then disappeared. We haven’t seen him since.

Tulips

2010-07-02T00:19:00.003-05:00

DSC07154
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

A Little Mystery

2010-06-27T22:17:00.001-05:00

I had a weird experience this evening. I was in my bedroom, and put my foot up on the bedpost so I could tie my shoe. I heard a car horn repeatedly beeping right out in front of my house. Not loud, more like someone was was tapping the horn button just barely hard enough to make the horn sound. I put my foot down so I could walk over to the window and see what was going on, and the beeping stopped. I put my foot back up on the bedpost and the beeping started again, then I put my foot down and it stopped again. So, now I’m thinking that maybe something in my pocket is pushing one of the buttons on my key fob, causing my car to beep. I took my keys out of my pocket, and press the lock button, and sure enough my car responds. But there is still something wrong. First, the horn sound seemed to be coming from straight out in front of my house, but my car is not parked right in front of the house, it’s actually about 60 feet down the street to the left. Second, when I press the lock or unlock button, my car doesn’t sound its horn, it makes a high-pitched beep that sounds quite different from the horn. And third, my car doesn’t make noise continually even if I hold down a button; it beeps once or twice, and then it’s done. So what was going on?

Bee on a Coneflower

2010-06-19T22:43:00.004-05:00

Bee
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Marshy Point Park.

There is No Creationism Debate, It’s Over!

2010-06-13T22:47:00.002-05:00

Christopher Hitchens debating John Haldane. For some reason, the embed code is not working.

Chesapeake Bay Low on Water?

2010-06-07T22:33:00.003-05:00

100_0495
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

I was taking a walk in Havre de Grace tonight, and apparently the Chesapeake Bay was low on water, and the fire department had to come and fill it up again. And you thought high and low tides were caused by the moon.

Seriously, I'm not really sure what's going on here. There were several trucks taking turns spraying water in to the bay the whole time I was there.

Dragonfly

2010-06-05T22:22:00.004-05:00

Dragonfly
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Marshy Point Park. I'm not sure what species of dragonfly this is. I had been trying to photograph them earlier with a 17-70mm lens, without much luck, and the biting flies were driving me crazy. So, I walked back to a more open area where the breeze kept the flies away, and switched to my 600mm reflex lens to try for some bird shots. I was about to pack up and go home, when this dragonfly landed on a reed only a few feet away.

Update: I’m pretty sure this is a golden-winged skimmer (Libellula auripennis).

Truth in Advertising?

2010-05-27T20:04:00.002-05:00

This ad has been running on Facebook recently.

Great Blue Heron

2010-05-15T11:54:00.003-05:00

Great Blue Heron
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Marshy Point Park.

Canadian Goose

2010-05-12T18:02:00.003-05:00

Canadian Goose
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Harford Glen.

Jerusalem Mill

2010-05-06T06:06:00.003-05:00

Jerusalem Mill
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Gunpowder Falls State Park.

Toad

2010-04-17T22:26:00.009-05:00

Toad
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Harford Glen.

Eastern Bluebird

2010-04-17T22:26:00.008-05:00

Eastern Bluebird
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Harford Glen.

Do SWAT Teams Make Us Safer?

2010-04-17T19:51:00.004-05:00

Radley Balko, writing in the Washington Times, says smaller cities and towns should consider getting rid of their SWAT teams.

SWAT teams today overwhelmingly are used to serve search warrants on suspected drug offenders. Where their purpose once was to defuse an already violent situation, today they break into homes to look for illicit drugs, creating violence and confrontation where there was none before.

Male and Female Northern Cardinals

2010-04-17T12:50:00.003-05:00

Male and Female Northern Cardinals
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Mariner Point Park. I couldn’t get both birds in focus at the same time, so I had to merge two photos together.

Small Worlds

2010-04-15T20:49:00.002-05:00

This is a cool little game.

Sea Dave has made this wonderful, melancholic pixely game about exploring. It really is a thing of great beauty and you should totally play it. It won the cgdc6 competition, which means Sea Dave is the most awesome person on the planet.

Small Worlds

Red-bellied Woodpecker (male)

2010-04-11T06:05:00.003-05:00

Red-bellied Woodpecker (male)
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Mariner Point Park.

Caught Napping

2010-03-22T23:27:00.003-05:00

Caught Napping
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Havre de Grace.

One of These Things Is Not Like the Others

2010-03-22T23:18:00.003-05:00

One of These Things Is Not Like the Others
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

One of these things is not like the others,
One of these things just doesn't belong,
Can you tell which thing is not like the others
By the time I finish my song?

—Joe Raposo and Jon Stone

No Skating at the Skate Shop

2010-03-20T21:55:00.002-05:00

No Skating at the Skate Shop
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Havre de Grace.

Reflection

2010-03-14T19:53:00.003-05:00

Reflection
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Mariner Point Park. This was a reflection in a puddle in the parking lot.

Rebuilding the World Trade Center

2010-03-12T19:59:00.001-05:00

Bald Eagle

2010-03-12T17:57:00.003-05:00

Bald Eagle
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Conowingo Fisherman's Park.
Could be a little sharper, but I love the way the eagle appears to be looking directly at the viewer.

Squirrel

2010-03-07T21:34:00.002-05:00

Squirrel
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Mariner Point Park.

Snow Storm

2010-02-06T22:48:00.003-05:00

Snow Storm
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

This was taken shortly before it finally stopped snowing.

More Snow

2010-02-06T10:30:00.002-05:00

Snow Storm
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

This is the view from my window this morning, and it's still snowing.

Geert Wilders on Trial

2010-02-06T02:12:00.002-05:00

Geert Wilders, a Dutch politician and noted critic of Islam, has been placed on trial in the Netherlands. The charges brought against him are:

group defamation
inciting hatred against people, i.e., Muslims, on account of their religion
Inciting discrimination against people, i.e. Muslims, on account of their religion
Inciting hatred against people, i.e. non-western ethnic minorities and/or Moroccans, on account of their race
Inciting discrimination against people, i.e. non-western ethnic minorities and/or Moroccans, on account of their race

Esentially, he’s being put on trial for criticizing Islam. This trial could have serious implications for freedom of speech in the Netherlands.

Here is a speech given by Wilders at a pre-trial hearing (in Dutch, with English subtitles):

Here is Pat Condell, giving his view on the trial:

And Geert Wilders website is here.

Abandoned House

2010-01-29T17:43:00.003-05:00

Abandoned House
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken in Mariner Point Park.

My sister and I were walking through the park, looking for birds and squirrels to photograph, when we found this gingerbread house sitting on a picnic table. No one else was around, and even the birds and squirrels didn’t seem interested in it.

How to Catch a Fish

2010-01-25T01:21:00.002-05:00

How to Catch a Fish
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Conowingo Fisherman's Park.

Bald Eagle

2010-01-25T00:53:00.002-05:00

Bald Eagle
Originally uploaded by Eric E Haas

Taken at Conowingo Fisherman's Park.

I Can Hardly Wait…

2010-01-01T02:13:00.003-05:00

Another creationist movie is in the works:

It’s supposed to be released this summer.

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T01:19:00.002-05:00

“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.”—Benjamin Franklin

“New Year’s is a harmless annual institution, of no particular use to anybody save as a scapegoat for promiscuous drunks, and friendly calls and humbug resolutions.”—Mark Twain

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”—Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Darwigin of Species

2009-12-29T22:45:00.000-05:00

Darwigin of Species