Astrology and the New Planets

This is a continuation from Why astrology is not scientific, while astronomy is.

Using scientific theories to discover unknown planets, reinforced Newton’s theory of universal gravitation and proved its usability. But there is nothing sacred about Newton or his theories. Had astronomers not found the planets as expected, Newton's Theory of Gravitation would have been falsified, and would have to be replaced by a theory that could better explain the discrepancy in the orbit of Uranus.

Meanwhile, astrologers were enthusiastic about these discoveries, which increased the range of heavenly influences they could explain. They were quick to assign power and influence to the three planets, and associate the discovery of each of the planets with events characteristic of these powers. The discovery of Uranus, associated with human rights, rebellion and progress, was related to the American and the French revolutions of 1778 and 1789 respectively. The discovery of Neptune, the planet linked to both cults and the occult, was closely followed by the emergence of a Chinese clerk, Hung Hsiu-Ch'üan, who decided that he was the son of God, and in 1847 attempted to conquer China and establish his own dynasty. It is believed that more then 20 Million people were killed during his Taiping Rebellion. The discovery of Pluto, which rules atomic energy, is associated with Cockcroft and Walton splitting the atom in 1932.

Astrologers forecast; yet there are no known records of astrologers foretelling the discovery of the new planets. No mismatches between astrological observation and earthly events had ever been attributed to unknown heavenly bodies, nor is there any evidence whether adjusting the charts for the new planets has improved the accuracy of astrological predictions. Whatever the reason for the planets’ orbital mismatch might have proved to be, astrology would have remained unchallenged, irrefutable, and therefore, by definition, unscientific.

Social Media and the Dump

Finding value in social media is like going to the dump.

When you speak to a professional scavenger, she will tell you treasures can be found, if only you looked long and hard enough. She is right, there are treasures buried in the dump, yet most people would not spend their lives searching in piles of rubbish.

Social media is the same, but somehow, although the smell is not much better, millions happily assume the role of the professional scavenger, hoping to find the treasure

Attack on Israel and Calls for Peace, are they One and the Same?

The Syrian killing - the biggest civilian massacre in Middle-East's modern history - is of no interest for most peace movements around the world

The Israeli government has approved the construction of 3,000 new homes in the occupied West Bank. A famous Israeli Rabbi has issued new dressing guidelines for religious women, stating that not even girls as young as three should expose any part of their body or wear bright colors. New regulation undermining human-rights and democracy are commonly raised in the Israeli parliament these days. It is as though Israel is playing into the hands of the anti-Israeli campaigners, whoever they might be. And they love it, especially the government sponsored Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

“We told you that Israel is against peace,” reminded us a French NGO, after the announcement of the new construction.

“Israel prefers to keep entrenching its occupation, expanding its illegal settlements, and devouring Palestinian land, rather than pursue a genuine peace with the Palestinians on the basis of UN Resolutions and International Law.” Cries SABEEL – and NGO sponsored by the Swedish and Dutch governments – in their annual Christmas message.

“Bethlehem, a city of peace, has been disfigured by tanks and soldiers on its streets,” reads the back of a Christmas card issued by War on Want, which receives British government funding.

One might be forgiven to believe that it's values like peace, justice, and human rights that motivated these statements.

But if peace is their genuine goal, why don't they mention Hamas leader, Mr. Haniyeh, who reiterated in his speech a few weeks ago that Hamas will keep fighting Israel until it is annihilated. Isn't he an obstacle to the peace process?

If justice is the motivation, shouldn't they mention, at least in a side note, the number of 'City of Peace'-originated suicide bombers responsible for the killing of dozen Israel civilians.

And if human right is what they care about, aren't they missing the largest civilian massacre in the modern history of the middle east. A massacre of 45,000 Syrians that is still taking place at this very moment.

But it's not truth, peace and justice that they care about. Those are merely excuses for the relentless anti-Israeli attacks that have been going on since the inception of Israel, regardless of what the Israel's policy of the time might have been.

But it's high time to call these organizations to reconsider their position. After all, with the worrisome changes undergoing Israel, it's slipping down the slope of becoming less democratic, more politically extreme and more religious – the very values practiced by the countries these NGOs have been embracing when attacking Israel. If Israel became like Syria, for instance, would it free its attackers to focus on where they are needed the most, like Congo, where monthly 40,000 war-related deaths have already consumed more than 6 million lives?

Quotes from the Honest Guru: Religion

Religion is the only known invention that uses love to fuel murder

Can we Change the World?

This is a tile from the 12^th century, found in Toledo (Spain). It says

The rules of society:

1. The poor works
2. The rich exploits him
3. The soldier defends the two
4. The contributor pays for the three
5. The lazy rests for the four
6. The drunk drinks for the five
7. The bankers swindle the six
8. The lawyer deceives the seven
9. The doctor. kills the eight
10. The undertaker buries the nine
11. The politician lives off the ten

Israel, Egypt, War, and the Olympics

A single attack by Gazatians on Egypt, and the Egyptians, in retaliation, have closed the border with Gaza, and the world keeps quiet. When attacks on Israel had came from Gaza and Israel had closed the border, the world went wild. But then, when Israel was attacked,  there were no Olympics games.

And a related issue. The ambassador of Syria in Tehran declared today that his country is in war with Israel which, together with the USA, are responsible for the grave situation in Syria. And this post Olympic games.

I just can't seem to make sense of it all.

Goodbye Arab Spring; Welcome Back Misery

 This is not a Zionist agent

Story 1:

In 2010, before the Arab spring, a serious of shark attacks on swimmers in the water of the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh lead to the Egyptian media blaming Israel for training the sharks to destroy the Egyptian economy.

Story 2:

At the onset of the Libyan revolution, Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan tyrant – for years a supporter of anti-American and anti-Israeli campaign – was blamed by the Arab media for working for the Israeli Mossad.

Story 3:

When his father, Hafez al-Assad died, there was a moment of hope that the UK-educated, self spoken new Syrian leader will enter peace negotiations with Israel. Within months, it became clear that his views about Israel are even more extreme than his father's. This, however, did not stop the Arab media from blaming him to be a Zionist agent, when he launches his massacre rampage against his own people .

And today

A group of Jihadist from Gaza attacked an Egyptian post, killed 16 Egyptian soldiers, stole their armored vehicle and used them to break through the Israel border. Once in Israel they where intercepted and destroyed. But who is there to blame? Israel, of course. The Egyptian government is now claiming that the Mossad was trying to destabilize the newly elected Egyptian government. Naturally, nobody even tries to explain why would Israel want to have an unstable Egypt as it south border.

For the last hundred year, nobody has killed, maimed, terrorized or tortured as many Arabs as the Arabs themselves. But until the Arab people start listening to reason and fact, and unless hey wake to realize that blaming Israel for their own misdoings will not solve their problem, their misery is here to stay – probably forever.