Christian Bale as Moses v. Moses

Christian Bale is an actor.  He plays the Hebrew prophet, Moses, in the new Biblical epic, “Exodus: Gods and Kings."  According to an article on AOL, Bale was unfamiliar with the great prophet before he was cast to play the legendary figure.

So Bale read up on Moses.  I’m not sure what he read, but from this research he claims to have gotten into Moses’ head and has concluded that the old prophet was “likely schizophrenic and […] one of the most barbaric individuals that I ever read about in my life … [he] fought greatly against God, against his calling.  He was a very troubled, tumultuous man and mercurial.”

Oh boy.  Sometimes it might be best to keep one’s mouth shut.  (I still have a problem doing that!).  There are folks out there who dislike what Bale said about Moses.  On the other hand, there are some who agree with him.

I think it’s hilarious.  Moses is a myth!  There was no historical Moses!  There was no great Hebrew tribulation in Egypt and there was no Exodus.  The Biblical stories are ancient legends crafted to give the Hebrew people of the latter part of the first millennium BCE, some historical reference points, and to explain where certain traditions came from and whence they arose.

Biblical archaeologists and historians have found no outside evidence for any of the stories about Moses.  He is not mentioned in the Egyptian records and the Egyptians kept quite good records.  Not one speck of evidence has ever been uncovered in the Sinai desert that would indicate 600,000 Hebrews spent 40 years wandering around in the sandy wastes.  There should be enough bones and pottery shards to fill several oil tankers.  But nothing.  Nada!    

Furthermore, the Egyptians had police stations at various location stretching from Egypt to Canaan, and it’s highly unlikely that such a motley mob of folks as described in the Bible would go by unnoticed!

It's funny and rather pathetic that in this day and age we get a fracas going because an actor belittles the mythical man he portrayed in a movie, which gets people on both sides of the historical/religious fence arguing about whether Bale is right or wrong.

All of which goes to reinforce my belief that it is best if Hollywood leaves the Biblical stories alone.  Who needs such stupid arguments?  Furthermore, if I see one more “parting” of the Red Sea (actually, Sea of Reeds), I’m going to toss my cookies in the Sinai!

Ebola may not be THE problem

This is a guest post by Bob Poris.

When the publicity seeking politicians get out of the way and proper funding, if needed, is sought. Ebola will be fought as best as current medical science dictates. At some point the public will learn when and how the danger can reach them. By then we will have treatment facilities geared to the dangers and personnel will be trained properly. 

The danger from outsiders reaching our shores without proper screening will continue just as smuggling, the sale of illegal arms, and counterfeiting money, etc., has also continued forever. We need to trust those charged with the task of preventing, curing and advising us. Panic does nothing to help. 

In the meantime the flu season is here; so is measles, whooping cough and other deadly diseases that are easily transmitted and cause many deaths all over the USA. Many children and senior citizens are not getting vaccinated. We pay little attention to well known dangers while panicking over a new deadly one that is still not an epidemic in our country.

The public needs to be alerted to the real dangers we face today, many of which can be avoided by practicing healthy habits such as washing one's hands frequently, but especially by safe and effective vaccinations. 

Invasion of the Data Snatchers

I'm a proud member of the ACLU and hope that you will find this video informative as well as entertaining.