1. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #195555 by jmrunning3 on June 18, 2008 at 1:06 pm

My two-cents to the Governor:

Governor Jindal,

I have read with alarm that you appear ready to sign SB 733 into law. Sir, you must realize that by signing this legislation you are not only undermining education in your state, but setting a very bad precedent for the nation.

Intelligent Design is not science, no matter how broad the definition, and cannot be considered an 'alterntive' to evolution. Regardless of your beliefs, this blatantly and exclusively Christian version of life has no place in the public school curriculum, and is most likely illegal.

Please see http://lasciencecoalition.org/ for more information.

I seriously urge to reconsider your position and do what is right for your state and our nation.

2. $271 Million for Research on Stem Cells in California

Comment #177583 by jmrunning3 on May 9, 2008 at 10:33 am

This is wonderful news! I'm so glad California has the foresight to self-finance and proceed with this in spite of Bush and Co.'s dogmatic federal disapproval.

I simply cannot fathom the argument about "destroying human embryos". Aren't they frozen in the first place? One would think that to be mightily uncomfortable for those little things. Also, weren't they conceived and kept alive wholly outside the womb? God can't even claim do that, therefore theological arguments shouldn't apply in the first place.

Congratulations, CA!

3. Evolution's Critics Shift Tactics With Schools

Comment #174768 by jmrunning3 on May 3, 2008 at 12:44 pm

"Several states have passed science standards requiring students to think critically about evolution."

Why can't we require (legally or academically) people to think critically about religions and their tenets and teachings as well? Why are we chastised when we do actually criticize and critique religons and their practices?

The unquestioned privilege afforded religion is utterly baffling to me. Religions say they want to have "open dialog" with those that disagree with them, yet they strive to tilt the playing field strictly in their favor. They continue to court (in fact, manufacture) controversy and play the poor-little-me victim to garner support. Lying for Jesus. Indeed.

4. Evolution fray attracts top scientist

Comment #162195 by jmrunning3 on April 16, 2008 at 9:58 am

I keep seeing ID proponents state evolution "has flaws" or that there "are flaws" in evolution. Someone asked this same question on one of the Expelled threads too: Just what are these alleged flaws?

I've searched online and found a (very) few supposed flaws, but they are easily refuted and obviously flawed themselves. Is there even one serious "flaw" that can be exposed or simply not yet explained? I'm not aware of one.

5. Get out of here, atheists!

Comment #156364 by jmrunning3 on April 7, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Wow. I didn't realize I had given up my rights as an American.

Monique Davis seems to be from the same school of thought as Oklahoma's own Sally Kern. Both have lost the right to be called "representative", in my view.

6. Anti-gay Okla. lawmaker attracts 1,000 backers

Comment #154470 by jmrunning3 on April 3, 2008 at 10:27 am

I live in Oklahoma, and have all my life. In many respects, we are a very backward state, and it's very much the fault of backward lawmakers like Sally Kern, Jim Inhofe, Tom Coburn, et al.

We have the highest divorce rate in the country.
We have nearly the worst-paid teachers in the country.
We used to be the meth-producing capital of the country.
We have three of the top ten highest-polluting, coal-fired electricity plants in the nation.
We have the most per-capita fastfood restaurants (or, did at one time).
Teen preganancy, High School dropouts...

You get the idea, and I could go on, and on, and on.

But, on the bright side, we have chuches of every stripe on every goddamn corner of every goddamn town. Many preaching how gays are the ruin of our state and nation. I'd like Sally 'God-loving' Kern to tell me how gays have one tiny bit of responsibility for even one of the problems I've listed above, just one. Nevermind the rest of our nation.

...and she should not apologize for her comments. It would be hollow and insincere and mean nothing. Screw that.

7. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #149970 by jmrunning3 on March 26, 2008 at 11:20 am

Happy Birthday, Professor Dawkins!

I am really looking forward to your book on Darwin!

8. Oklahoma: One Step from Doom

Comment #142843 by jmrunning3 on March 13, 2008 at 6:16 am

Here is a good article on tearing this bill apart.

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008/3/13/04226/8253

I live in OK also, and this is both maddening and frightening. My kids already suffer because we don't 'go to church', and this would open the door to not only make that worse, but marginalize them.

Please, everyone, contact the OK legislators in the link above. Send them your thoughts on this as well as links with logical, rational opposing views...anything. Be firm, but also be cordial in your messages.

Thanks!

9. Oklahoma: One Step from Doom

Comment #142058 by jmrunning3 on March 11, 2008 at 7:45 pm

It's a sad and tough time for us Okies. Our state government just passed a law requiring ultrasounds prior to receiving abortions. We are definitely sliding backward rapidly.

Here is a link to the the Oklahoma Senate website. HB 2211 is due to go to the Senate now that it has passed the house. Use this link to email as many of these senators a possible about the absolute inane nature of this bill. Write the Edmond paper listed above, the Tulsa World, or even your own local paper. We have to challenge this, otherwise it will likely pass just because no one stands up to it.

http://www.oksenate.gov/index.htm

10. Whale Evolution

Comment #130903 by jmrunning3 on February 21, 2008 at 1:25 pm

But...but...but...that guy that debated PZ on that radio show!! He said there was no evidence of whale evolution. How can this be??

*sarcasm*

I find it absolutely fascinating that transitional forms are starting to turn up everywhere! "Your Inner Fish" is a great book and details how they pinpoint where to look for them and what they predict they will find.

11. Happy Birthday Josh Timonen!

Comment #119098 by jmrunning3 on January 31, 2008 at 10:14 am

Hi Josh! I hope you have a very happy birthday! Congratulations and always look forward to each one.

12. The Repeater

Comment #118146 by jmrunning3 on January 30, 2008 at 12:05 pm

"The idea that the same gene could be involved in mediating evolution of the same trait in creatures as distantly related as mammals and fish is exciting." Definitely.

Tiktaalik

If you have not read Neil Shubin's "Your Inner Fish", I highly recommend it.

13. George Scales, War Hero and Generous Friend of RDFRS

Comment #111334 by jmrunning3 on January 14, 2008 at 11:45 am

What a wonderful, wonderful person! Good luck with your operation, and get better...fast!!

14. Stop House Resolution 888

Comment #108561 by jmrunning3 on January 7, 2008 at 8:04 am

Everyone, if you haven't already, please use the link above and go back to the original Daily KOS article. It has been updated with further information, including an extensive debunking of HR888's claims, as well as action items.

This is a HUGE opportunity to become vocal and show people how our country is being undermined by nuttery.

HR888 is a complete waste of time, but it can be used nefariously in the future to continue building a false history.

Act!

15. Abstinence Programs Face Rejection

Comment #100097 by jmrunning3 on December 18, 2007 at 8:35 am

Yes, great news and obviously a growing trend.

What frustrates me so much is that the abstinence supporters, even when faced with overwhelming evidence undermining abstinence-only programs, say "Well, we just need to further increase what we are already doing. That'll prove we're right." ARGH!

Why let evidence get in the way of rational, sound decisions? That's just silly.