Prayer to the rain god

[Squawk]

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/04/the_republican_solution.php

Oh, my. The situation is dire. Texas is in big trouble.

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

WHEREAS, the state of Texas is in the midst of an exceptional drought, with some parts of the state receiving no significant rainfall for almost three months, matching rainfall deficit records dating back to the 1930s; and

WHEREAS, a combination of higher than normal temperatures, low precipitation and low relative humidity has caused an extreme fire danger over most of the State, sparking more than 8,000 wildfires which have cost several lives, engulfed more than 1.8 million acres of land and destroyed almost 400 homes, causing me to issue an ongoing disaster declaration since December of last year; and

WHEREAS, these dire conditions have caused agricultural crops to fail, lake and reservoir levels to fall and cattle and livestock to struggle under intense stress, imposing a tremendous financial and emotional toll on our land and our people; and

WHEREAS, throughout our history, both as a state and as individuals, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer; it seems right and fitting that the people of Texas should join together in prayer to humbly seek an end to this devastating drought and these dangerous wildfires;

Texans, you have my sympathy. But don't worry! You have a dynamic governor and a responsive legislature that will do everything it can to aid drought-stricken farmers and parched cities. They will provide the Republican solution.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim the three-day period from Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on that day for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal way of life.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my Office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 21st day of April, 2011.

Isn't that helpful?

Outstanding.

 

[Laurens]

I'm gonna pray for sun in Texas, just to be a cunt

 

[CommonEnlightenment]

Could try something like this......

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=cloud-seeding-china-snow

Although I've heard the creationists in Texas have something against science.....

:lol: :lol:

Statistically I wonder if it's more/less no change effective than say praying?

 

[lrkun]

Something bothers me when people ask others to pray. Why is it that no one seems to ask, my public, my people, help me, let's do something to fix this?

 

[Divergedwoods]

how extremely uninteresting of them, maybe instead of boring silent pleading they should try something like an elaborate dance to the god Tlaloc, at least that way the "show" value of it might make it worth your while

 

[kenandkids]

Is it sad that I'm really happy that news from Texas was only this stupidity today? I'm so worn out on all of the bad crap from that state, this was almost a pleasant surprise...

 

[Vanlavak]

At least they're doing something of good intent, even if it doesn't even do anything, you can just look at it as good intent.
so why u guys mad that these people are wanting it to rain and doing the only thing they believe is in their power to do to make it rain.

 

[Squawk]

At least they're doing something of good intent, even if it doesn't even do anything, you can just look at it as good intent.
so why u guys mad that these people are wanting it to rain and doing the only thing they believe is in their power to do to make it rain.

I highlighted it simply for the sheer idiocy of the position being advocated by a person who has a good deal of power over the workings of that state. I find it simply mind blowing.

 

[kenandkids]

At least they're doing something of good intent, even if it doesn't even do anything, you can just look at it as good intent.
so why u guys mad that these people are wanting it to rain and doing the only thing they believe is in their power to do to make it rain.

Because encouraging superstition over conservation is just plain bad all around. Also, he spent government time and money on this proclamation. Why couldn't he, after work, ask people to do this? Instead he felt the need to abuse his authority and waste taxpayer money AND violate the constitution.

 

[Memeticemetic]

At least they're doing something of good intent, even if it doesn't even do anything, you can just look at it as good intent.
so why u guys mad that these people are wanting it to rain and doing the only thing they believe is in their power to do to make it rain.

Perhaps because we, foolishly perhaps, think that elected officials should be in the business of solving problems, not casting spells or paying lip service to those who believe such spells have meaning. There are essentially two types of people for who such an action has merit: Credulous fools who believe that casting spells, chanting incantations, or wishing really really hard has an affect on reality, and cynical bastards who would callously manipulate those idiotic beliefs to solidify their power base while chortling behind their fat hands at the buffoons they have duped.

You see I, and it appears most here, are not cynics. When we laugh at those with foolish beliefs, we do it openly and honestly. We are not trying to use the fears and childish devotions to empty rituals that the simple minded adhere to to lull them into accepting our will. So we call it as we see it. Prayer is not just empty, pointless, and stupid. When used by those in a position of power to score political points it is disgusting.

I invite you to read the posts that you respond to multiple times. It appears that you aren't understanding what people are saying which is made evident by your tendency to ask questions that have already been answered; often at great length. That isn't to say I expect you'll agree with what you read, often you won't, but if you want to understand how people who disagree with you think, that takes effort. Put in the effort, I promise you it will be worth it.

 

[Welshidiot]

I'm gonna pray for sun in Texas, just to be a cunt

That's just soooo Emo.....

 

[Unwardil]

See, this kind of thing is actually a little frightening to me. It's the kind of thing that an opponent in an election should be able to hold up at a debate and say 'THIS is the kind of shit my opponent thinks is a good use of time. Do you REALLY want someone like that hold the reins of anything larger than a county-fair wagon ride?' and be able to win by default.

I don't care that it's probably nothing more than a political wank off, I care that they should be able to get away with it, that people don't laugh them out of office for their fucking stupidity. It makes me despair of democracy, but then, a lot of things do so it's hardly unique there.

As for needing more water, that's a world-wide problem that's only going to get worse over time. How about praying for it to rain more, why not, I dunno, INVEST SOME TIME AND FUCKING MONEY INTO RESEARCHING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM!