[catch up prompts]

[mal_dasheng]

What do you want for your birthday?Ain't anything in particular I'd be wanting except maybe some gorram peace and quiet on this boat. Maybe some jobs that pay? That would be shiny

Comments

[holden_webster]

So, um...do you believe in a God and just really, really dislike Him? Or do you not believe in the existence of a divine presence?

[wesley_w_price]

Very good questions, Holden. I was wondering the same thing. Anger seems to indicate belief...or at least belief betrayed.

Did you ever watch the West Wing?

[holden_webster]

...Which is probably not something you should be discussing. I mean, to avoid confusion and, uh...stuff.

An episode or two, kind of randomly. Um, why?

[wesley_w_price]

Why shouldn't I be discussing it? Who's confused?

There's an episode where Mrs. Landingham, or whatever her name was, the President's secretary. Anyway. She goes to buy her first new car and on the way back to the office she is struck by a driver running a red light and is killed.

President Bartlett goes to her funeral at the National Cathedral, and when the service is over, he makes everyone leave him alone in there. He procedes to curse out God, in English and Latin, saying many of the same things Mal's said here. Someone points out to him later that you cannot be angry at someone you don't believe exists.