Posterous
Randy is using Posterous to post everything online. Shouldn't you?
Skitchrandy_thumb
 
Randy Thomas - And ya' know ... It all just comes together ...

Praying for the APA, Dr.'s Jones & Yarhouse,On this balcony, At 6:40 am. 3 miracles present in this tweet.

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted August 9, 2009
// 2 Comments

Is Cyber Warfare to Blame for Twitter Meltdown?

Is Cyber Warfare to Blame for Twitter Meltdown?

August 6th, 2009 | by Ben Parr

Twitter Down ImageEverybody’s still regrouping after today’s Denial of Service attacks against Twitter, Facebook (Facebook), LiveJournal, and other social media websites. Now, however, some further details about what happened and who might be behind it are coming to light.

According to Bill Woodcock of Packet Clearing House (a nonprofit organization tracking Internet traffic), the attack wasn’t a traditional DDoS attack using automated bots, but one conducted through a wave of spam email messages that hit Twitter (Twitter), LiveJournal, and other websites. On top of that, it looks like YouTube (YouTube) was targeted.

These are interesting times eh?

Loading mentions Retweet
Filed under  //   Cyber Warfare   Facebook   Social Networking   Twitter  
Posted August 6, 2009
// 0 Comments

Hiroshima, 64 years ago - The Big Picture - Boston.com

Hiroshima, 64 years ago

Tomorrow, August 6th, marks 64 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan by the United States at the end of World War II. Targeted for military reasons and for its terrain (flat for easier assessment of the aftermath), Hiroshima was home to approximately 250,000 people at the time of the bombing.

The photo gallery is breath taking

Loading mentions Retweet
Filed under  //   Hiroshima   WWII  
Posted August 6, 2009
// 0 Comments

Steps 75,922 through 76,108 Toward World Conquest Complete

I did them all in the past day and a half. 

I've been so busy I almost slept through getting my hair cut at lunch time.

busy busy busy.

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted August 6, 2009
// 6 Comments

I Might Have CBS: Compulsive Blogging Syndrome

I am sitting here laughing. I just realized my last three posts are totally posts I would have blogged on the ETC blog before turning it off last night.  Not very micro for this "microblog."  I think I might be misusing the word "microblog" anyway. I have no doubt I will blog some of my more serious opinions on various things here (from time to time... briefly.) That said ... while I didn't add any commentary to the last three posts ... they are examples of what I will be posting to Facebook "links" from now on.

I have to get used to this configuration!

It did make me wonder though, how many people actually are compulsive bloggers?  I am curious if this is a subject that has been explored in any depth yet.  I would think it has been.

Loading mentions Retweet
Posted August 5, 2009
// 2 Comments

CitizenLink: Psychologists Consider Treatment of Homosexuality

Psychologists Consider Treatment of Homosexuality

Professional association's guidelines for homosexual patients dismiss research showing people can change.

New guidelines from the American Psychological Association (APA) attempt to outline therapy practices for counselors who have patients with same-sex attractions.

Dr. Joe Nicolosi, founder and director of the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic, said the organization has overlooked years of clinical research that shows sexual orientation is changeable through therapy.

"The APA is really failing to not only represent science, which is its primary responsibility," he said, "but it's also failing to inform people."

The guidelines do allow for difference in religious beliefs, but Jeff Johnston, gender issues analyst for Focus on the Family, said they don't go far enough.  He said the APA is starting with the false assumption that homosexuality is normal and positive.

"There are a lot of people out there who haven't just changed their sexual identity or behavior, but their attractions have also changed," he explained.  "I'm one of those people."

The document also ignores many pathologies associated with homosexuality, which provide motivation for some to seek change.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Loading mentions Retweet
Filed under  //   APA   Citizenlink   Exodus   Focus On The Family   Homosexuality   Jeff Johnston   Joseph Nicolosi   NARTH   Post-gay  
Posted August 5, 2009
// 4 Comments

Exodus International - APA Releases Report on Sexuality Debate

APA Releases Report on Sexuality Debate

August 5, 2009

Orlando, FL- The American Psychological Association has released a new report today at its annual convention in Toronto acknowledging that an individual's faith is an important variable when it comes to dealing with conflicts between religious beliefs and same-sex attraction. Exodus International, the largest worldwide ministry to those in conflict with their sexuality and faith, says this report acknowledges religious diversity and hopes to see more efforts to ensure this in the future. 

While Exodus does not fully agree with the APA's crticisms of clinical techniques such as reparative therapy and its view of sexual orientation change, the report does recognize that some choose to live their lives in congruence with religious values. The report also encourages therapists to avoid imposing a specific outcome on clients.

The APA's report comes on the heels of a recent study conducted by the Barna Research Group that compared the religious views of heterosexuals and homosexuals. The study, showed that 60% of the adults surveyed who identified themselves as gay described their faith as "very important." 

Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, says that not only is faith is an essential part of life for many gay men and women, it is almost always the motivating factor behind their decision to leave it behind and that many in Exodus have experienced a shift in attractions along the way.  Chambers just released his second book, Leaving Homosexuality, which clarifies realistic expectations involved in this process.

"The role of religion and the importance of faith cannot be understated when it comes to the ongoing dialogue over sexual and gender identity," said Chambers. "It is an essential element of many people's lives and creates great moral conflict and tension for those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction. We are grateful that the APA has acknowledged this and hope to see more done to ensure that religious diversity and personal autonomy are respected in the future."

###

MORE information on Leaving Homosexuality

VIEW the APA's report

 ###

To schedule an interview, please call: (407) 599-6872 or fill out our online media request form.

 

Loading mentions Retweet
Filed under  //   APA   Exodus   Faith   Post-gay   Sexuality  
Posted August 5, 2009
// 0 Comments

The Advocate Questions Obama's Seeming Indifference

Hope and History

As a candidate Obama promised us a lot; as president he’s delivered very little -- and many gay people are getting impatient. Does the outcry unmask this president’s indifference, or reveal our own impotence as a movement?
From The Advocate  September 2009
Hope and History

 

Loading mentions Retweet
Filed under  //   Gay   Obama   Post-gay   Public Policy   The Advocate  
Posted August 5, 2009
// 0 Comments

What Should I Get?

Loading mentions Retweet
Filed under  //   food   lunch  
Posted August 5, 2009
// 2 Comments

Everyday Thoughts Collected - R.I.P.

Hi!  If you are looking for my regular Everyday Thoughts Collected blog ... it is no longer :(.  I have redirected the randythomas.org to this microblogging service for now.  In the future I might create a static site with some of the posts from my main blog as archives but ... that's down the road (if it is to happen.)

I am focusing my online activity strictly to here, Facebook and Twitter (links in the sidebar.) My main activity will be on Facebook and Twitter. 

I needed to do this to better utilize my time and consolidate my online efforts more efficiently.  For the regular readers of my blog, for a vast majority of us, we are all already connected on the other social networks.  There has already been a huge shift of discussion and sharing to those networks instead of the blog (for the most part.)  I love and appreciate you all and it is my prayer that our online community will actually be better served by this move.

It is also my prayer and hope that this will help me to focus more time on longer, more thorough, writing projects.

It's a very weird feeling.  On one hand I am very sad and on the other hand I am very relieved and even a little excited.  Regardless of my feelings, I know this is the right move.  As always I want to know what you think so please feel free to leave a comment here ... or tweet ... or facebook comment/message.

Again, much love to you all.

Loading mentions Retweet
Filed under  //   Blogging   Everyday Thoughts Collected   Randy Thomas  
Posted August 4, 2009
// 3 Comments