1. British Airways takes beef off the menu to avoid offending Hindus

Comment #178060 by FightingFalcon on May 10, 2008 at 11:23 am

It is economically inefficient to have lots of different menus for different flights. It is much cheaper to stick to a set few foodstuffs to buy and get delivered.

Yes, I suppose that's true. I've never heard of this newspaper so I suppose that it could simply be bias.

This did scare many away from British beef and like autism in the MMR vaccine it is completely illogical and unscientifically based because there is no human form of mod cow or foot and mouth disease nor is there even close to being a human form so please stop worrying.

I'll take your word for it, mate! Looks like I'm getting minced meat pie at the pub tonight :D

2. British Airways takes beef off the menu to avoid offending Hindus

Comment #178057 by FightingFalcon on May 10, 2008 at 11:12 am

This is simply a business decision because Hindus choose personally not to eat beef. That is perfectly fine on both the Hindus' and BA's part - because a large amount of customers would never buy it, beef was less profitable than other options.

Right....but India only represents a minority of BA's customers. Like I said earlier, why remove it on ALL flights. I can definitely understand why they would remove it on flights to/from India but not all.


"Our beef is also much in demand overseas. It is predominately grass fed and highly praised for its flavour."

I'm kind of surprised to hear that. I've lived here for a year and never once have I touched the beef. Call me crazy but mad cow/hoof-and-mouth outbreaks here have kinda driven me away from British beef...

3. Citing Faith, Bush Defends War Actions

Comment #178054 by FightingFalcon on May 10, 2008 at 11:06 am

^^ With all due respect, WTF are you talking about? Since when did America start aiding the governments in Myanmar and Zimbabwe?

Some proof would be nice.

edit: PS - homeless people tend to wear a lot of army fatigues as well. Guess the government is supplying them too...

4. British Airways takes beef off the menu to avoid offending Hindus

Comment #178052 by FightingFalcon on May 10, 2008 at 11:03 am

What about offending beef eaters??!!

When I fly BA back to the States next month I'm gonna demand beef on religious grounds. Surely the FSM mandates the consumption of beef!!!

On a serious note...I can understand this move for flights going to/from India. Why ruin the fun for the rest of us going to America?

edit: O yea, if BA stops its free alcohol policy, I will never fly them again. Putting up with the headache known as Heathrow is only worth it if I can drink for free on the flight home.

5. Scientists Know Better Than You--Even When They're Wrong

Comment #178031 by FightingFalcon on May 10, 2008 at 10:04 am

Podaar - I apologize, you were right. The Kitzmiller case was at the federal level and not the level of the SCOTUS.

That being said, I find it hard to imagine the SCOTUS overturning the decision of the federal court on this one. I have enough faith in our Supreme Court to hope that they would see right through the facade of ID, as Judge Jones did in the Kitzmiller case almost immediately.

6. Scientists Know Better Than You--Even When They're Wrong

Comment #178021 by FightingFalcon on May 10, 2008 at 9:09 am

^^^ These IDiots can cry/whine all they want but the Supreme Court already ruled on this. ID is religion and cannot be taught in government schools. Period.

7. Scientists Know Better Than You--Even When They're Wrong

Comment #178017 by FightingFalcon on May 10, 2008 at 9:00 am

...so we leave the tumor... it will just grow more and more. It freaks me out to think that in less than half a century europe will be more islamic than secular. I'm bored of people who are cowards, who preach hate and then say they can do it becose it's religious freedom. But if you accuse them, you're being offensive, and sometimes you even get punished! I guess I could go to the pub, pretending these clowns didn't exist, but I don't want to pretend the're not there, I want them to get the hell out of here, or stop annoying the rest of us with their pathetic lies. Instead I believe we should change things, I think they should stop brain washing children, or baptizing people without their consent. We need to change so many things, why should we believe we should go to the pub insead? What if Dawkins went to the pub instead of writing books and trying to change how people think and act? Yes, he could say: fuck off all of you I'm off for a pint. We should be the first ones to stop this crap.

Do you think Richard Dawkins spends every waking moment thinking up arguments against religion? You don't think he kicks back and relaxes sometimes? Man, I sure hope he does....

By all means, do what you can to oppose the idiocy of religion but don't let it take over your life. Don't let your hatred for religion match their own zealotry or you'll just become the thing that you hate.

Or to quote Elbert Hubbard - don't take life so seriously. You'll never get out alive.

8. Scientists Know Better Than You--Even When They're Wrong

Comment #178004 by FightingFalcon on May 10, 2008 at 8:18 am

I have a big big problem: I'm bored to death of religion. Can anyone of you please switch it off... Why can't we focus on how to live this life, instead on how to prepare for the next one... it-is-so-bo-ri-ng-!!

Just do what I do and learn to forget about it. When religion starts to really bug me, I just concentrate on doing things that I really enjoy. No purpose going through our one and only life constantly pissed off about something that you can't change all that much.

Now time for some Nintendo Wii action before heading to the pub! =)

9. Scientists Know Better Than You--Even When They're Wrong

Comment #177994 by FightingFalcon on May 10, 2008 at 7:21 am

I didn't think the article was that bad... I don't know why some have found it necessary to jump on every criticism as if they MUST be unfounded...

They're criticisms and they may be justified or not, but they ought to be dealt with rationally and calmly, or else you end up looking crazy.

... The knee-jerk defensiveness of some people on this site confuses and saddens me.

I've discovered the very same thing myself. Should an article dare question Richard Dawkins, certain posters will jump all over it and refuse to even acknowledge its points.

Just look at how many threads are dictated by the first few posts. And Jupiter forbid if Dawkins himself posts in a thread...

I feel like a lot of the posters here are no different than the Theists they condemn in terms of needing the answers from a higher power instead of thinking for themselves.

10. Citing Faith, Bush Defends War Actions

Comment #177030 by FightingFalcon on May 8, 2008 at 1:37 pm

John McCain promised to appoint Supreme Court Justices in the mold of Scalia. Enough said.

His comment on conservative judges was such obvious vote pandering that I can't believe you are taking it seriously.

Does anyone honestly think politicians will keep their election promises?

11. Citing Faith, Bush Defends War Actions

Comment #176961 by FightingFalcon on May 8, 2008 at 11:51 am

He went on to praise the broadcasters for "standing up for our values, including the right to life," and pledged to veto any legislation that would reinstitute the so-called "fairness doctrine," which required broadcasters to give air time to opposing views.

I love the bias of the NY Times.

For non-Americans: the "fairness doctrine" was a piece of shit legislation that would allow the FCC to FORCE private broadcasting companies to air opposing viewpoints. It would effectively put an end to any sort of partisan/independent radio stations and pave the way for centrally dominated and federally controlled airwaves.

His answer was rather surprising...He said.."That how religious the United States is becoming...This I do not understand." Then he briefly continued about how irrational this is. The room was silent.

Non-Americans simply do not understand America. It's not like Americans woke up one day and all-of-a-sudden decided to become religious. We've always had Christian evangelical groups in our country, even during the hey-day of the Clinton administration and earlier. The difference is that we currently have a president who provides a very strong patronage to them and basically owes them his presidency.

Just as I guaranteed this board that Mike Huckabee would not win a single state outside of the Bible Belt, I can guarantee you that America will return to "normal" once the patronage of the White House ceases. All three presidential candidates are much more secular than the current one. Obama might even be a closet Agnostic while Clinton/McCain simply pander for votes. None of them have anywhere near the faith that our current president does.

12. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174682 by FightingFalcon on May 3, 2008 at 8:30 am

Just one question does Ayn Rand play any part in the development of your thinking?

The ad hominem attacks against Ayn Rand are absolutely incredible. It's as if the mere mention of her name negates an argument or that her ideas aren't worthy of debate. Ironically, she pointed out all of this in an essay in one her of non-fiction works where the weaker party argues "Certainly you don't believe in so-and-so!" as if the argument had been over before it begun.

Perhaps you're just upset that there are still people in this world who oppose laziness and government hand-outs.

13. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174513 by FightingFalcon on May 2, 2008 at 2:26 pm

I am all for bouncing gold from fort knox. It is left over from the gold standard, another failed ideology.

I wouldn't consider commodity-based currencies to be a failed ideology, especially since they've driven human society for thousands of years. Purely fiat currencies are an extremely new experiment - really from just 1971 until the present day.

I also wasn't aware that a decision had been reached on the idea of returning to the gold standard. You had better inform the Cato Institute - among others - that the fight is hopeless.

I've agreed with 99% of your postings here so far Al but I simply had to take exception with that comment.

14. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174326 by FightingFalcon on May 2, 2008 at 6:33 am

Well if I can't look forward to kicking back with a cold Guiness and watching the Georgia Bulldogs win a national title this year, then communism certainly isn't for me...no matter how many boobies they have.

At least you can root for a school that has college football. My college hasn't had a football team since the 1910s....

As for the comment about the government telling you what job to do and when to do it...aren't you in the military?

I voluntarily chose the military and I have every intention of getting out eventually and beginning my second career. That's much different than the government telling me what I will and will not do. My decision to join the military was completely my own.

15. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174312 by FightingFalcon on May 2, 2008 at 5:42 am

College Football, Guiness beer, and boobies!

Oh, and the attempt to become a better human being through the relentless quest for knowledge?

In a Communist state, none of these would be allowed. Well, boobs would :-)

Communist states are the most repressive regimes in the world - I don't know of too many scholars who come from a Communist country. Typically if you become too smart the government will just arrest/kill you.

As much fun as watching football and drinking beer is (Leffe being my beer of choice), that couldn't be my sole reason for existence. If the possibility of social mobility didn't exist and the government told me exactly what job I would be doing and when, I'd rather not be alive.

It must be like George Costanza having sex and eating a sandwich at the same time.

Don't forget watching TV as well =)

I don't know about anyone else, but I certainly got a laugh from Teratornis using Wikipedia to defend the idea of Communism. If he can't appreciate the difference between doing something you enjoy (e.g. Wikipedia) and having the government deny you your freedoms, then he has serious issues.

But hey, anyone who can talk about peak oil and Wikipedia in the same post deserves some credit, I guess.

16. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174154 by FightingFalcon on May 1, 2008 at 6:57 pm

Again, maybe too narrow a view; if you are thinking of the US I would agree with you. There is a problem over there (from what I can see and people who are more informed in detail tell me) that has been going on for two generations and I see no end to it. But look at Europe; still high standards and continuing to creep upwards. Even better, look to the east. India, southeast Asia and especially China. As a species the level of educational attainment-torch has passed to these areas.

*Sigh* Unfortunately I think you are right. I love my Republic with all my heart but I don't know what the future holds for us. We've gotten so complacent with being #1 that we've forgotten what real struggle is. We used to far surpass the world in scientific research (especially space) but now we are allowing other countries to catch up to us. We have to deal with these IDiots who want to teach Creationism in schools and otherwise destroy science education in America. On the other hand, we have to deal with morons who know more about pop culture than they do about the rest of the world. I am a rarity in my country because I have lived overseas, traveled to many countries and have a love of experiencing foreign cultures. It's unfortunate that so many of my countrymen are so incredibly xenophobic.

Hehe. Yep, 'Election Idol' seems to be about the level of it. Not that much better over here TBH.

We're supposed to be the leaders of the free world yet our presidential candidates are bowling and taking shots of Crown Royal for votes. God, I hate my representatives so much sometimes.

Saw it; quite funny. But I disagree; from what I can see only the US is headed in that direction; most of the rest of us are not. Sorry to say that but it seems obvious to me.

No need to apologize. I live in a country where "intellectual" is treated as a dirty word. I sincerely hope we can turn this around one of these days.

I see no inherent lack in their ability to do this, just a difference in the circumstances of their existence.

Surely we are luckier than most people in the world. But I think we are going to a place that I do not want to go. We are moving toward a society where all human beings must believe in the obligation to take care of others. Where all of your actions must be justified based on the good of the whole. When human beings start to think like that, situations like 1984 become all too real.

Well, what's the alternative?
What's my motive to get up in the morning?
"Look out for number one, fuck everyone else"?
I'm not a sociopath, I can't go there.

I am certainly not a sociopath. I wake up every morning believing in the defense of the Constitution so that future generations may return true freedom to the world. I am not a Nihilist by any stretch of the imagination. Hopefully you've gotten that by my posts here.

What's a society but a group of individuals?

I'm honestly surprised to hear you say that. Not too many people believe in sentiments like that anymore. Westerners especially have begun to forget what individual rights truly means. It's all about the good of society now.

Not in China...or Cuba :-) It is in the west, I think. This "War on Terror" is the biggest load of personal restrictive hogwash I have come across. But I have to say, what my Chinese in-laws are getitng now is great. Even the BBC is unblocked (English language only). Of course, there is a bit of a cultural divide to cross - our truth is different from their truth, we were taugh one thing, they were taught something else but the two shall meet one day :-)

Yea, I wouldn't characterize Cuba or China as being even remotely free. They are moving in the direction of being a free country but only because they are starting at rock bottom.

17. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174094 by FightingFalcon on May 1, 2008 at 3:43 pm

Well, I kind of have to believe on progress, because, as with you and communism, I'd rather be dead than face the alternative.
I need a goal to look foreward to, and that's the only one that cuts it for me.
What else am I supposed to work towards?
Fucking gold rims?
Worthless trash.
If that's the American dream, fuck it.

Unfortunately for civil libertarians, the world is not a very good place right now and seems to be getting only worse. Individual freedom is being rolled back in almost every country in the world - sometimes in the name of the state, other times in the name of the "public good". I cannot possibly believe in progress when I see Europe voluntarily revert to Socialism and watch as America - the only remotely Capitalist country left - promotes two candidates that believe in failed policies of protectionism and isolationism. It seems as though Capitalism has failed to integrate itself with human society, which is becoming increasingly lazy and expectant of hand-outs. Worldwide, the government is seen as a necessary provider of social welfare, rather than the annoying (yet necessary) and intrusive body that it is.

Seeing where the world is going, I don't think I can believe in human progress as a whole. It doesn't cause me too much despair, however, because I'm a strong believer in the power of the individual to influence his or her world. It's never too late to convince humans of the benefits of true freedom. Unfortunately, too many humans think that true freedom consists of the government telling you what you can and cannot do in the name of the good of the many. I didn't realize that freedom was subjected to a vote.

18. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #174087 by FightingFalcon on May 1, 2008 at 3:11 pm

Keynesianism arose because of the inherit instability of the market economy, which brought on the Great Depression. Keynes then developed a kinder, gentler form of capitalism which would reign in some of the excesses of raw Capitalism and save it from destroying itself. The Marxists think that it is a sell out, which prolongs the life of a system which needs to die with a "big bang" (in the sense of Richard Morgan?)

I don't know why this myth continues to exist. The free market did not bring about the Great Depression. Liberal lending policies thanks to the Federal Reserve and then government intervention to try and stave off disaster led to the Great Depression. Not to mention the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. Completely free markets do not experience the boom-and-bust cycles of manipulated markets because there is a finite amount of currency available in the market. The housing crisis was caused by liberal Fed lending policies from 2001-2003 and I guarantee you that several years down the road America will experience another economic downturn thanks to artificial 2% interest rates.

You look at the masses as asses, you're not gonna give a flip about their education, so they're going to stay stupid, and this is to the elete's advantage, so they're not going to rock the boat, and then you're stuck with the very government you're cynical about.

I'm not saying that education should only be available to the elite. The masses have every right to pay for an education (personally I'm against government-provided education) but I don't think Americans will ever reach a point where all citizens can participate in government. Our Founding Fathers hated the idea as well and thankfully instituted controls to ensure that most "real" power was invested in the hands of a powerful few.

Enlightenment is not a minority privelege.
Not anymore.

Obviously not. But what does it say about a country if an ignorant brute who can't even point to America on a map has the same right to participate in government as a Professor, Scientist, Doctor, etc? No matter how hard we try, there will always be people who drop out of school and live completely worthless lives. This idea of universal suffrage is a rather new one and I'm not sure how long it will last. There were plenty of Enlightenment thinkers who did not seek to go so far as universal suffrage. Many of them continued to believe in the necessity of owning property before you could vote.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as a true Communist country, not even Cuba.

This argument again. I'm not saying you are defending Communism but I simply cannot understand why anyone would. When all property is owned by the State, what incentive is there to even live? No social mobility, no chance for a better life, no money, nothing. What a worthless existence. I'd rather be dead.

We have these things now because nobler people than I will ever be fought for these basics for all people. I'm very, very grateful for that and want to continue that trend of progress for the vast majority of humankind. I'd like to think that the potential in me (that has been realised only as a result of the advantages I've received by being born in a country like mine in this time) is present in all people. I'm nothing special but have been able to do things, think thoughts and affect the lives of others in a positive way as a result of these benefits. I think that others can too if we give them the same start in life.

I know that Atheists by nature believe in the progression of mankind but I'm not sure if I can share that sentiment. True, we've come a long way and will continue to progress as a species but I don't know what the future holds for the educational levels of our people. Maybe I've seen too many "Man on the Street" shows where people make absolutely retarded comments about current events. All I know is that it pisses me off how our officials pander to the ignorant sphere of society more than they do to the educated and successful. The American election has become a god damned popularity contest and it pisses me off.

edit: If you want a good satirical movie, watch Idiocracy. That movie accurately portrays where I think the human race is going.

19. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #173965 by FightingFalcon on May 1, 2008 at 11:54 am

You say communist like its a dirty word, thats very.. um.. american of you.

Show either myself or Al a successful Communist country and both of us will eat our hats.

Communism might actually have Theism beat for being the world's most destructive, evil and deadly "ism" in history. 20 million dead in the Soviet Union, anywhere from 30-60 million in China and millions of others throughout South-East Asia.

Yet people continue to defend it. Simply mind boggling.

20. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #173929 by FightingFalcon on May 1, 2008 at 11:24 am

AllanW

FightingFalcon
I understand your impulse to look at other forms of government, my friend; it's natural when you see the mess most democratic contries make of its operation. But don't you think that democracy would work well enough if the vast majority (you'll always have a small percentage of the population that cannot fully participate in the process) of people had better basic education? Most of your, quite accurate, observations would be obviated if this were made a priority.

I know, call me a dreamer.

Far be it from me to criticize a fellow Idealist (since my postings are filled with Idealsm) but I think what you look forward to can never happen. I don't think the uneducated masses will ever have a handle on current events to give them a significant enough voice in the government. I think America in the original sense (e.g. a Republic) works very well but we are quickly becoming a direct democracy, which is - in my opinion - one of the worst forms of government in the world. Everyone points to Ancient Athens and/or Sparta as a successful use of direct democracy but they forget about the thousands of slaves that drove their societies. Slaves/helots took care of the day-to-day work and allowed the citizens to concern themselves with matters of State. Plus, those citizens were expected to be knowledgeable about current events and to participate in government. Our word for idiot comes from the Greek word Idiotes, which means someone who doesn't participate in government.

Meanwhile, our society is filled with people who know more about American Idol than they do about government. Ask an average citizen to define the difference between Shia and Sunni Muslims and you'll get blank stares. Better yet, just ask them if Al Qaeda is Sunni or Shia. Our god damned representatives can't even get that one right. But ask the average citizen who won American Idol or what's the latest with Britney Spears and you'll get a full report.

The running of the country should be left to qualified professionals who are experts in their fields. This is why Republics work - you elect people who you think will do a good job. Not someone who will pander to selfish or local interests. Not someone that you can "have a beer with". Or someone who does Crown Royal shots at a local bar. I'm so sick and tired of this "elitist" crap being thrown around at the candidates. You know what? I hope my damn president is elitist! He or she better be smarter than me in every way!

Sorry, getting off on a tangent there. What I mean to say is that important decisions shouldn't be left up to the people. Public opinion polls are quite possibly the worst thing to ever happen to the American Republic. We elect people who are *supposed* to spend their days researching important issues and making informed decisions that will help protect the Constitution. What we get instead are elected officials who begin their re-election campaign the second they win their election. They pander to the ignorant masses in the hopes to get votes. They try to act like "one of the people" until that's what we end up with. A nation run by ignorant morons who are fun to have beers with but have no knowledge about the world or how to properly defend the Constitution.

Yes, I am incredibly cynical toward our government. I don't think that any effort to increase the educational levels of Americans will help. Nor should it. The people vote representatives who are charged with the defense of the Constitution. The country should not be run by the masses.

21. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #173617 by FightingFalcon on May 1, 2008 at 12:38 am

The problem of democracy in general, sadly.
Everyone is in principle asked to judge which position and/or course of action is best for all - or even just best for himself... how should a completely uneducated moron know what position on economics would benefit the community, or even just himself. Politicians can dumb this down, but only to a certain degree - and always with loss of accuracy. Not to mention that democracy invites populism - dumbing down, making bold claims and promises, pandering to ideologies, whether national or religious etc.

Recently I've given some serious consideration to Oligarchies or Meritocracies. I have honestly begun to think that something along the lines of Ancient Rome or the Serene Republic of Venice works better than democracy. Democracy could turn out to be one of the worst forms of government that we've ever seen. What kind of country gives an equal voice to its intellectual leaders as it does to vagabonds on the street?

All of the current candidates for the American president are pandering to the masses, despite what is best for the country. They do what is necessary for votes, not what is necessary to defend our Republic and the Constitution. All of this is incredibly ironic considering that all elected representatives take an Oath to defend the Constitution and not the people. On paper America is a representative Republic but we are becoming a Mobocracy more each day. Soon we will be taking votes on whether to go to war or not...

22. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #173251 by FightingFalcon on April 30, 2008 at 2:42 pm

Government of the people. If government is inefficient and people are so worried about it, how come (in the US anyway) people can't even name their local politicians? Why are voter turn out statistics so low? Americans love to bitch but never want to do anything about it.[/rant]

Let's see - I can vote for Douche Bag #1 who will steal my money behind my back or Douche Bag #2 who will steal it in front of my face. Either way, no matter who wins, I'm getting a more intrusive and large government that will tell me what I can and can't do. I can name on one hand (maybe one finger) representatives who are truly concerned with upholding the Constitution rather than their political careers.

Our representatives in Washington do only what's necessary to get elected - that's it. There are extremely few principled individuals who will stand for what is right, no matter the cost. Barely any of them would go against popular opinion, even if it was in the best interests of the country. And none of them will ever go against what their financial backers want them to do. Disgusting - all of them.

Edit: O yea, I forgot that I should be happy because I have the right to vote. Great, my vote counts as much as a moron who can't even name the Vice President. I'm so glad I spend hours a day reading the news to try to be informed about the world. In the end it doesn't matter because I will be silenced by the ignorant mob.

23. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #173205 by FightingFalcon on April 30, 2008 at 2:03 pm

I've only been here two months and I'd consider blowing myself up for a couple of strippers and a 12 pack of Guiness...cans or bottles.

Chris Davis

If there's anything you need/want over there, just let me know. Seriously - I've organized a ton of care packages for my friends over in the sandbox and I'd be happy to do it for you too.

About the drinking rule - I thought you could have 1/2 beers at Camp Phoenix? I think in other countries (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar et al) you could have a few beers as well. I guess it depends on country/installation.

24. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #173200 by FightingFalcon on April 30, 2008 at 1:54 pm

My dear wife is a career administrator (PhD in public administration) and holds a high position in county government. This distain for public employees is nearly universal and quite depressing to me. Every day she fights the good fight for efficiency and responsibility to public recourses. Rarely is she appreciated for it.

Your wife sounds like one of the very rare "good ones". Unfortunately, working for the government has only made me more cynical toward it, which I did not think possible. People look at me like I'm crazy when I suggest spending less money and giving it back to the taxpayers. They honestly want to know why.

25. Anti-Evolution Film Misappropriates the Holocaust

Comment #172549 by FightingFalcon on April 29, 2008 at 5:56 pm

Using the Holocaust in order to tarnish those who promote the theory of evolution is outrageous and trivializes the complex factors that led to the mass extermination of European Jewry.

Funny - I find the ADL's efforts to monopolize the suffering of the Holocaust to be trivializing.

But hey, who honestly cares about Romas, homosexuals, Russians, non-Russian Slavs, political dissidents, the handicapped, Communists, POWs, the entire town of Lidice, etc. anyway? Right?

26. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #172337 by FightingFalcon on April 29, 2008 at 1:43 pm

Only Teratornis could turn this thread into yet another reason why America's dependency on oil (to say nothing of the rest of the world) is the biggest evil in the world.

Do you ever get tired of the same old arguments?

27. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #172201 by FightingFalcon on April 29, 2008 at 10:37 am

I think it would be quite effective to harp on the fact that Hitler was also a vegetarian (an "a-carnivore" if you like) and a painter, but no one claims vegetarianism or painting leads to atrocities. I've seen this point casually brought up, but I think it should be used much more often.

Many of Hitler's close associates (although not himself) were also homosexual.

Bah - I won't go there.

28. How to reconcile Richard Dawkins?

Comment #172179 by FightingFalcon on April 29, 2008 at 10:09 am

Two things:

1) No semi-intelligent Atheist would ever argue that a world without religion would lead to an end in violence. I'm sorry but there is absolutely no reason to believe that. What Professor Dawkins has argued (if I can be arrogant enough to argue for him) is that religion leads to an amplification of warfare that few other philosophies can do. The best manifestation of this is suicide bombing but it isn't the only one. Religious warfare is marked by a horror and level of violence that is rarely matched by wars over greed, land, etc. An exception to this is World War II, whose unspeakable atrocities on the Eastern Front were committed out of racial hatred rather than any religious differences.

2) Everyone keeps forgetting the fact that just because religion makes you feel good, it doesn't make it correct. No matter how much good religion brings to the world, that shouldn't stop us from examining if it's actually true or not. If we admit that religion is wrong but necessary to keep the people content, then how is that any different from brain-washing?

I never allow myself to be taken in by the morality arguments. If someone starts arguing about the morality of a Theist vs. an Atheist, I simply ask them for proof of their deity. When they fail to deliver, the argument is over.

29. Girl, 17, killed in Iraq for loving a British soldier

Comment #171813 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 9:11 pm

I'm with Bonzai who made this comment:

I don't know if this is a typical honour killing case though, Iraq is under occupation.Depending on religion and tribes, the British might be seen as the enemy. Imagine a French woman who had an affair with a German soldier during WWII.

Based on the very little information we have, there is nothing in that story to suggest that the girl was killed for dating a Christian. Rather, it only specifically mentions the fact that the soldier was British. We are all assuming that this father acted out of religious hatred rather than against what he probably views as an oppressing military force.

Yet again, for a bunch of free thinkers, this board quickly turns to generalizations and ignorant statements. The amount of times that "savages" has been mentioned is truly disturbing.

Honor killings can be found in any major city in the civilized world in the form of gang violence. I guess that makes us all savages? Humans will always have a very strong desire for groups - we are incredibly social creatures, after all. If it wasn't differences in religion, it would be differences in ethnicity, nationality, gender, etc.

30. Religion a figment of human imagination

Comment #171623 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 4:17 pm

If only the imaginary friends of Theists didn't kill people. At least mine don't...

31. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171396 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 1:21 pm

FightingFalcon, with all due respect, you are right and I should've joined but my family's been serving since WWI, and I do feel bad that I've missed the opportunity to serve. What I gave was not excuse X, and I'd rather not argue with someone who's served. I do however serve the country in a different way, however it's not as satisfying. So please refrain from the generalizations.

You don't have to apologize to me. Apologize to the millions of Americans that you discriminate against and seek to oppress. If you truly cared about the Republic, you would defend all of its citizens. Not just those whose lifestyles you support.

The irony of telling me to avoid generalizations is hilarious. This coming from a guy who bashes all homosexuals...

32. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171376 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 1:11 pm

Parades do fuck up traffic, they are so damned long and they close off roads. I don't care if I get chewed out. This is just a fact, I used to live in NY and they do hold up traffic and there's nothing fun to see other than a bunch of half-naked guys prancing around. Hey it is how it is, if you don't like the facts can't help you.

Dammit....guess I'm not going to the St. Paddys Day Parade or Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC anymore.

I always enjoyed those two. Guess not anymore...

33. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171361 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 1:01 pm

Finally a sane person here. I was getting worried that it was Bill O'Reilly versus the Nihilists. Can't people be respectful of each other? Apparently not.

For the record, Bill O'Reilly is the ultimate "patriot" that I was talking about before. He commercializes the flag and then bashes other people for not being as patriotic as him. He is #1 on my list of fake patriots.

Since when does one have to join a branch of the military to value their country and be patriotic?

That's not what I meant. He was saying that Atheists know nothing of sacrifice and war (ironic to me personally) but he also defended his own position of not serving in the military by claiming some sort of condition that forbid him from serving. I'm raising the BS flag on that one. There are simply too many options for getting in the military today for someone to say the "I wanted to but couldn't" garbage. But then again, from his posts, he may have been denied based on psychological reasons.

34. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171355 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:57 pm

I just cannot get my head around your stronger personal stance about it.

I've been drawn to symbols for most of my life. I especially have a fascination with pagan and occult symbols. I'm not sure why exactly but maybe after studying military history for so long I've developed a strong devotion to symbols and the power they have. There's probably a reason why I'm so in love with Ancient Rome and its heavy use of symbolism. It's a fairly common thing for people to tell me that I belonged in that society rather than my own.

Nothing personal mind you, and clearly you respect everyone's right to free speech and expression. The points of contention here are that not every one behaves the same way toward a symbol, or feels that the symbol is necessarily the best representation of what the republic is.

I understand that but I feel like people disrepect the flag simply to get a rise out of those of us who treat it with respect. People who burn the flag, for example, don't truly appreciate what our Republic stands for. Why protest the actions of the government by disrespecting a symbol that is so much more important than our government?

Just as you can't understand my devotion to a symbol, I can't understand why anyone would deface a symbol that stands for Freedom, Justice, Equality, etc. For the life of me I can't get it.

35. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171341 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:49 pm

Why not read his posts over the last few pages and see the context in which the avatar change was made? I would be very interested in hearing your view, as a serving member of the American military, about this man's comments concerning his military background.

Just read the last few pages. There is a reason why I don't talk to people like DickDawkins and I'm honestly confused as to why anyone is.

I always enjoy comments like his though. He isn't serving but a family member of his is therefore he has the right to criticize anyone. Inevitably you always hear the "I would have joined but for Reason X" excuse as well. The Army is currently taking convicted ex-felons who don't even have a high school diploma. I'd love to hear why anyone can't join these days.

I saw the picture too...it's a rather old internet meme.

36. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171328 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:37 pm

Come on. This isn't even serious. The flag code has nothing to do with patriotism.

Sorry, but I don't feel that way. Honestly, it takes probably 10 minutes to read.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=browse_usc&docid=Cite: 4USC8

There's a section of the code, that tells you basic rules about it. Tell me how long it takes you to read.

Have you read the entire constitution, cover to cover.

Umm...is this a serious question? Yes, I have read it many times. I have my own pocket Constitution that I carry around with me. I wouldn't pledge my life to something that I've never read...

If the symbol is important to you, then great! Keep doing what you want to show your appreciation. What I object to though is the assumption that others should follow your irrational practices too, even others who do not have the same respect for your traditions.

So
can I assume that you are a Brit, then? Well as an American living in the UK, let me say that I would never do anything to insult your flag either. Call me crazy, but I have a great respect for what our flags represent.

Falcon,
Aren't you more concerned with the thing thing the flag represents?
I've suggested this to DickDawkins here, that it isn't the flag anyone is swearing to defend. Its the constitution.

The flag is immaterial, and quite honestly all this fetishism concerning it distracting. Imagine what you think that flag symbolizes has become something for which you rather don't care. I mean maybe you think the american enterprise is debauched say, or maybe you think it is something gloriously reborn (accepting of homosexuality say) what better way to symbolize your message in as few words as possible by coming up with a powerful image using the symbol?

Of course I am and I fight very strongly to ensure the preservation of liberty in America and the defense (or restoration) of our Republic. However, I do not think you honor the Republic by dishonoring it's greatest symbol.

Why not read his posts over the last few pages and see the context in which the avatar change was made? I would be very interested in hearing your view, as a serving member of the American military, about this man's comments concerning his military background.

I'll go back and look at it. This thread moves way too fast though...

37. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171309 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:24 pm

Might I suggest that at this point, you are allowing your emotions to play too great a part in this discussion?

Maybe - but that's the risk I take when discussing a subject very dear to my heart.

It isn't fair to call someone's patriotism or bravery into question simply because they don't serve in the military. If everyone joined the military our society would fail.

I didn't mean for it to sound like that. I call into question a person's patriotism when they can't take 10 minutes to read the US Flag Code. That goes doubly for the people who have the American flag ribbons on their car, despite the fact that the flag can never be used for any commercial purposes. That one sets me off more than most because those people then go around acting like patriots when they are very far from it.

Political affiliation, sexual orientation, race, gender, etc. do not matter to me. If you can't take the 10 minutes necessary to know the do's and don'ts of the flag, then perhaps you shouldn't consider yourself a patriot. I mean, I wouldn't want to really burden someone by forcing them to take 10 minutes out of their busy schedule...

38. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171302 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:20 pm

whoa, calm down dude. I've been using this avatar for quite a while, I'm not your enemy.

Like I said - I'd never do anything to stop someone from breaking the Flag Code but I wish my fellow citizens had the common decency to voluntarily follow it.

That goes for all Americans and not just you.

39. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171298 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:19 pm

Cartomancer is just trying to get your goat. Once he said "precious republic", which can only be interpreted sarcastically, I realized this is about him. I understand his feelings about the discrimination homosexuals have been subjected to, even under the banner of that very flag.

The ultimate irony of course being that the flag stands for the very freedom and equality that homosexuals demand in America.

Why people cannot separate the ideals of the flag from the actions of the government I have no idea. The Republic is so much more than just the incompetent representatives running it.

40. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171295 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:16 pm

shit, this must be offensive too.

My favorite part about all of this is that you're probably also one of those people who complains/whines like a little bitch when someone calls into questions your patriotism after posting a stupid picture like that.

It's not my fault if you've never loved something so much that you've been willing to put your life on the line for it. What a sad life you must live.

41. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171289 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:11 pm

Please see where I defended you earlier. I understand very well what this means to you.

Thank you for your support.

I've been on both sides of the flag folding process. I have both received a folded American flag for my grandfather and I have physically folded American flags for others as a part of the Honor Guard. I take my commitment to our flag extremely serious and do my best to ensure that it gets the honor that it deserves.

We go to extremely great lengths to ensure that the dignity of the flag is preserved. To then see it treated with such little respect by my fellow citizens simply reminds me why, at times, I hate the civilian world.

42. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171283 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:07 pm

You simply cannot impose an arbitrary code of semiotics on people without their say so.

Your skull is even thicker than I imagined. I never said anything about imposing a code on anyone. The Flag Code is VOLUNTARY in nature and no one can be arrested for breaking it. The Supreme Court has said this many times.

I simply ask my fellow Americans to treat a symbol that MOST citizens hold in very high regard with the respect that it deserves. If that's too much for you, than fine. But don't whine when people question your loyalty to our Republic.

Honouring symbols is superstition.

No, it isn't. There's nothing superstitious or supernatural about it. It's not my fault if you can't appreciate what the American Flag stands for.

43. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171275 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Then you need to serious consider your priorities, I would suggest.

As someone who is a very vocal advocate of gay rights, I don't think I need to. Especially since the flag stands for the very freedom and equality that homosexuals rightly demand in America. The flag is more important than any one group's demand for civil liberties - it represents the freedom of all individuals. Not just one group.

44. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171271 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 12:00 pm

It may be disrespectful to you, but it is constitutionally protected disrespect. No matter what anyone says it is legal, and should be legal.

Did I say it wasn't constitutionally protected? Did I say that I would use force to stop him? The Flag Code is something that I wish all Americans had the honor and dignity to voluntarily follow. I forgot that some of our citizens are such ass holes though.

But why not? Why not? What is so special about a bit of old cloth? That phrase sounds suspiciously like talismanic magic to me - i.e. pointless irrational superstition...

It's what the flag stands for - it's the fact that guys have given their lives defending it, some in a very literal sense. I would never do anything to forcefully stop someone from breaking the Flag Code but rather hope that we would treat the symbol of our wonderful Republic with the Honor that it deserves. I guess that's too much to ask of people.

45. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #171262 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 11:54 am

It don't think it's disrespectful at all. I would be proud to have such a fine specimen of masculinity reclining on my country's dear union flag. He's american, he's beautiful, he's gay. Perfectly simple. Where's the disrespect?

The flag should never touch the ground and/or be used as an article of clothing.

I have nothing against homosexuality but that picture enrages me.

46. Soldier Sues Army, Saying His Atheism Led to Threats

Comment #170846 by FightingFalcon on April 28, 2008 at 5:09 am

eck EVERYTHING in Basic Training was mandatory, even when you got to take a d--p. As far as having to go to Church, I would have liked to go to ALL the services to get out of the Barracks.. Nobody sat next to me in Church and monitored whether I actually prayed.

Haha exactly - I went to Church as well during boot camp. At least they can't yell at you there! Although I did have a Capt yell at me for talking and said I was there to "pray and not talk so shut up".

The premise to this site (if I'm not mistaken) is to converge on the growing epidemic of religious ignorance.
To which I'm willing to safely bet exists within the ranks of the US millitary (sacred or no) irregardless of the official word on the matter.
Are you certain that this is just one man?
If so we can all just go home.

I'm willing to bet that it doesn't exist in the military, at least officially. Yea, my friends give me crap for being an Atheist but it's all in good fun. At the same time, I keep my Atheism secret from my superiors. In such a highly religious organization, there's no need to create friction between myself and my commanders. Officially they couldn't do anything to me but unofficially there are a ton of things that commanders can do. I don't see this as discriminatory though - I have to accept the fact that I'm an extreme minority.

I'd love to hear from anyone here who may have Air Force experience. Also, if anyone has seen A Guy Named Joe with Spencer Tracy... heh. Heaven is the Air Force. God is a general. The pilots are angels.

2Lt in the USAF...as I said earlier, never faced any discrimination. Being an ROTC graduate myself, I hold some pretty negative feelings toward the Academy and the guys that come from there. It seems like every day they have a scandal and there definitely is pressure to be religious at the Academy. I've heard way too many stories about Atheists being pressured into religion from guys who went to the Academy. Thankfully that stuff doesn't fly on Active Duty.

The only thing remotely religious I've ever had to participate in was a prayer before some official gatherings. I just stand there - head raised - and wait for it to be over. My friends suggested that I lead the invocation at a ceremony that we're having next week. I'm seriously considering it =)

47. Soldier Sues Army, Saying His Atheism Led to Threats

Comment #170197 by FightingFalcon on April 27, 2008 at 1:24 pm

JayLee

As a Vietnam veteran U. S. Marine (and an atheist from day one) I never experienced any of this pressure to be religious. Most of the comments here seem to be from people who imagine the worst and have little direct experience and knowledge. The dogmatic tone of this blog is just as bad as the silly religious stuff people don't like.

Most of the posts here read like, "I had a friend who knew a dude..." The US military is full of all kinds just like anywhere else. Paint with a broad brush and you're often wrong.

I couldn't agree more with this. After doing four years of ROTC and currently one year active duty as a 2Lt in the USAF, I've never come across any sort of religious discrimination. I have a very religious commander right now but have never had a problem with him.

Religion is a much more personal issue in the military than most of the posters here imagine. I guess they think that we have giant rallies for Jesus on base or something. But when all of their information is coming from friends of friends rather than actual first-hand experience, I guess all you can expect are ignorant statements.

48. Soldier Sues Army, Saying His Atheism Led to Threats

Comment #170171 by FightingFalcon on April 27, 2008 at 1:05 pm

The comments on this board are absolutely priceless. For a bunch of supposed free thinkers, a lot of people on this board have judged an entire organization based on the actions of one man, who unfortunately is an Officer.

Religious discrimination is not tolerated in the US military and I can guarantee you that this Major will be rebuked. He absolutely cannot stop someone's option of reenlistment over their Theism or Atheism. Atheists certainly face non-official discrimination in such a heavily religious group but any official discrimination is forbidden.

There are times that I get completely disgusted with this board and this is one of them. I can't understand why anyone with absolutely no experiences with the US military would criticize the entire organization because of the actions of one man. Disgusted is the only word that can describe how I feel toward such people.

49. Resentment Over Darwin Evolves Into a Documentary

Comment #165787 by FightingFalcon on April 22, 2008 at 10:24 am

As for the Atlantic Alliance; that may have some worth once the Western side of the alliance recognise that reciprocity is an essential requirement of mutual trust and respect that can work together to produce a desirable outcome.

I highly doubt any successful alliances have been built upon insinuations of ignorance as you displayed in your post. Unlike yourself, I won't judge your entire country based on the actions of the few that I've come across, just as I'm fairly certain that you've only met a significant minority of Americans.

I have to say that I find Nationalism tedious and dangerous and I hope that you wont mind me pointing out to you that substituting patriotism for religion is not less objectionable to the rational mind.

Forgive me for taking pride in my country, which I consider the greatest in the history of man. There are those of us who still think that individual freedom and liberty are worth fighting for. How foolish of us.

Perhaps when your country becomes the leader in scientific advancement, medical research, economic growth and military power (among others) you will find a cause for pride in your nation.

I have noticed that your posts tend to focus on your nationality and your patriotism and to me at least stick in the throat.

Clearly you haven't read them close enough - they focus on my love for individual freedom and the US Constitution. I've stated many times that I have no loyalty to America per se, but rather our Republic. I certainly have no loyalty to our society.

50. Resentment Over Darwin Evolves Into a Documentary

Comment #165708 by FightingFalcon on April 22, 2008 at 4:30 am

Teratornis and Ian:

And people wonder why the Atlantic Alliance is dying.

I won't resort to typical American responses to such European arrogance because I know that not every European is as big an asshole as you two are. Or, South African in Ian's case.