My turn of the century computer and I are back. In a way it was nice to have it turned off for a couple of weeks. As useful as computers are, I think we spend too much time sitting in front of these screens. Unless, of course, it is part of your job.

The May General Meeting with American Atheists' President Ellen Johnson was a success. While there was some anxiety over the possibility of a protest by those opposed to the atheists' challenge of the Utah Highway Patrol memorial markers, there were no protests and we had a good crowd. Although I must say I was a bit disappointed that there were more atheists in the crowd than humanists. I guess there are some among us who think some of the atheists strident attitude might rub off on us. It was also disappointing that the media reports had little to do with what Ellen spoke of and instead used her visit as yet another opportunity to wedge the roadside memorial issue in where it didn't belong.

On a related subject, I have decided that I will not favor our chapter becoming affiliated with any other groups. I think it is best we stay as we are, a chapter of the AHA and nothing else. That's not to say we shouldn't ally ourselves with other groups when we agree on an issue. But I see no need to be affiliated in a formal way for that purpose.

At the board meeting, we discussed having a 'video night' where interested parties get together to visit and watch something of general interest. Bob and Julie Mayhew have agreed to host the event until the crowd grows too large. Suggestions on what to view include "Heart of the Beholder," the documentary "Root of All Evil?" by Richard Dawkins, "The Corporation," and "The God Who Wasn't There". On a less serious side, there is "The Gods Must Be Crazy" and "Doctor Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb." Of course, other suggestions are welcome.

We do need to know if there is sufficient interest in this idea to warrant further planning. Please contact me by email, bob@humanistsofutah.org or by phone 801-486-4209, if you are interested.

I'm currently reading a very good book and heartily recommend Freethinkers by Susan Jacoby. While many of you may have already read it, as it was published in 2004, it escaped me until recently. It is well worth reading and Susan is very good at, for one thing, setting the record straight about the mindset of the founding fathers.

I would also recommend the podcast pointofinquiry.org. It has excellent interviews with people like Richard Dawkins, Eugenie Scott, Paul Kurtz, Bill Nye, Sam Harris, Susan Jacoby and more. I think you will enjoy these interviews as much as I have.

That's all for now. Hope to see you soon.

--Robert Lane
President, HoU