THE COWTOWN HUMANIST
A chapter of the American Humanist Association and
The Alliance of Secular Humanist Societies.
http://www.freeyellow.com/members6/aha-fw/
http://www.webalias.com/humanism
September 2001 Volume 3, No. 6
Next Meeting
This month's meeting will be
7 p.m. Wendesday, Sept. 12, at the Westside UU Church, 6901 McCart. The guest
speaker will be Star-Telegram columnist Jack Z. Smith. See
below for more details.
Last month
In July, we took a giant
leap (okay, maybe just a baby step) forward with the organization. We skipped
our regular format, and met at the coffeeshop for conversation and
fellowship. The turnout was small, but we had a nice time anyway, and
enjoyed some delicious coffee grown impoverished workers in Central America.
Afterward, some of the members who were still thirsty went in search of, shall
we say, alternative refreshments. As you might imagine, it was a fine
time, and we are happy to report that no further coffee growers were
exploited for the remainder of the evening.
Do you know where
we're going to?
Our little group is now 2
1/2 years old. And while we may not be all grown yet, we are certainly getting
more mature. It's time for us to start thinking: What do we want to be when we
grow up?
The Executive Committee has
had some discussions about this, but they are sketchy. We would like to
formulate a specific long-range plan for the organization. To discuss these
issues, we will hold a special meeting-after-the-meeting on
Wednesday. This meeting is open to anyone in the organization who would like to
have a say in the direction we take in the future . . . Do we want to stay
strictly as a social organization -- Or should we look at doing more service
activities? What about doing community outreach and education? That's what
we'll be discussing -- and you're invited to join us. Which reminds me . . .
Welcome to all --
except you guys
You might have seen in the
newspaper about the "Pray-in" held a couple of weeks back.The
event was held at the Birdville ISD stadium, and flyers promoting it were
distributed throughout the schools. And you also might have read that
loyal members Shelly and John Hattan were there to protest the use of a public
facility for a religious event.
But what you probably didn't
read was that people who attended that event weren't too happy to see the
Hattans there . . . their behavior to John and Shelly was, dare I say,
right un-godly.
Well, after that event,
Shelly lodged a complaint with the ACLU, which contacted the Birdville
ISD. The school district's response was that it was okay, because the facility
is open to all organizations. So ACLU rep, Don Jackson (who has spoken to our
group before) suggests we take them up on the offer. He suggests we
schedule an event with other local similar-minded organizations, advertise it
in the schools, and ask to hold it at the stadium.
So should we do it? We will
be discussing this possibility at this month's meeting. Please be sure to bring
your thoughts on the matter . . . but, uh, leave your prayer books
at home.
Guess who's coming
to dinner?
In case you didn't know it,
one of the things we do with your money is spend it on food. Specifically, the
Executive Committee has started a policy of taking our guest speaker out to
dinner before the meeting (since we don't pay them, it seems it's the least we
can do). And your dues are used to pay for the speaker's meal (the officers all
go Dutch).
Anyway, the point --
and I do have one -- is that we have decided that these pre-meeting meals
would be even more fun if we opened them up to the whole membership.
So here is an open invitation to all members to join the executive
committee and our guest speaker for dinner this Wednesday. We will meet at 5:20
at the Chili's on South Hulen Street, just past the mall. If it turns out
to be a big group, we'll just have add on as many tables as we can.
Anyone interested is welcome
to join us -- All we ask is that if you do plan to come, try to be
punctual, out of courtesy to our guest and the wait staff. And of course, last
one done has to pick up the check . . .
E-group dynamics
Just a reminder that the
Humanists of Fort Worth are linked to a "Yahoo Groups." This means
that anyone with internet access can now 'post' a message to everyone in the
organization. All you have to do is send an e-mail to: humanistsFW@yahoogroups.com.
And speaking of messages . . . .
Return to sender . .
. please
Let's take a look at the
letters and postings we've received from the membership the last couple of
months. Oh, how about that -- there aren't any! So here's a reminder: The speakers
we have, the activities we do, the issues we discuss -- the ideas for all of
these things need to come from the membership, not just the officers. We want
your input, so don't be afraid to speak up. After all, "this is NOT your
father's Humanist group -- it's yours."
Is there a member of
the clergy in the house?
As a matter of fact, yes.
Here's a reminder that our own Russell Elleven is an ordained Humanist
Minister. He can perform wedding ceremonies for a variety of services, Humanist
or otherwise. If you're interested, you can contact him at 817-370-2171, or
e-mail him at r.elleven@tcu.edu.
The un-fine print?
For most people, reading the
local newspaper is like being a beaver: It's one dam thing after another.
People complain about the blatant liberal bias, the distortions, the
sensationalism, and the blatant conservative bias. Why can't they ever just
print the news?
If you've ever felt this way
-- or been a beaver -- this month's program is perfect for you. Longtime
Star-Telegram reporter and columnist Jack Z. Smith presents, "Shooting the
Messenger: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Newspaper Business
(But Were Too Angry to Ask.)." Jack will explain his role as a columnist,
some of the workings of the paper, and also field your questions and comments,
both good and bad. This promises to be a fascinating talk, and we hope you will
attend . . . And please note that I have specifically reassured Jack that he
does not need to wear protective headgear.
Just for fun
There once was a man named
Seymour, He was truly a good Christian -- devout, humble, loving and tolerant.
And when he finally passed away, the Lord himself was there to greet him
at the pearly gates of heaven.
"Welcome, Seymour," the Lord said warmly. "Are you
hungry?".
"I could eat," said Seymour.
So the Lord brought out a
bag of pretzels and some warm beer, and they shared it.
While Seymour was eating this humble meal, he looked down into hell. He noticed
that the inhabitants were devouring enormous steaks, poultry, pastries and
liquor. But, being a pious man, Seymour chose not to say anything.
The next day, the Lord again asked Seymour if he was hungry, and Seymour again
accepted. This time, the Lord made some peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. As
they ate, Seymour once again noticed that down in hell, they were having
caviar, champagne, grilled seafood, brandy and chocolates. Still, he ate his
sandwich in silence.
The following day, mealtime arrived again, and this time the Lord had only a
can of tuna for them. Finally, Seymour was compelled to speak up.
"Lord," Seymour
said, "I am very happy to be in heaven. But I have to ask why it is that
all we get is these simple meals, while in that other place, they're eating
like kings. I don't understand."
The Lord sighed. "To be honest, Seymour," he said, taking a bite of
tuna, "it just isn't worth it to cook for only two people."
Hope to see you Wednesday,
Jeff
How to reach us
Jeff Rodriguez, Chairman
817-732-4235
Mike Haney, Vice Chairman
mhaneyinfw@hotmail.com
Bruce Berggren, Treasurer