1. Richard Dawkins Public Lecture - Liverpool 08

Comment #198564 by HughCaldwell on June 24, 2008 at 9:01 am

I get the same error message as tony1865 50. Comment #198508 by RevJimBob on June 24, 2008 at 7:10 am

Other links are provided above.

2. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #191890 by HughCaldwell on June 12, 2008 at 4:11 am

without remembering the item you clicked on
..............................................

Go to the international site of your choice from the AMAZON.COM homepage and conduct your transaction from there, not from the USA site.

3. Discussion between Richard Dawkins and Paula Kirby

Comment #191882 by HughCaldwell on June 12, 2008 at 3:45 am

AMAZON.COM homepage

At the bottom of the page there are links to international sites, including the UK.

4. Richard Dawkins lecture at ASU's Tempe Campus

Comment #184330 by HughCaldwell on May 24, 2008 at 4:08 pm

40. Comment #183817 by Mitchell Gilks on May 22, 2008 at 11:13 pm

"my cat is an atheist."

Did you ask her?

"I've been a live-long atheist, despite being raised in a fundamentalist christian family,"

It's about being labelled by others. You were labelled, I suppose, a Christian child because your parents were Christian.

5. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150736 by HughCaldwell on March 27, 2008 at 10:36 am

What's all this nonsense about birthdays? A terrible nuisance. I'm going to have to mark the birthdate of my grand-niece for the next 99 years. This is an abominable tyranny and should be done away with.

6. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #132331 by HughCaldwell on February 24, 2008 at 3:48 pm

Just to give an idea of the task involved in getting religion out of UK schools, I've dug up some figures ( for 2005, I think). (Yes, I know England isn't the UK).

Of the 7,000 state funded faith schools in England, 6,955 are Christian (mostly Church of England or Catholic), 36 are Jewish, five are Muslim and two are Sikh. The total number of schools in England is 25,300.

7. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #132291 by HughCaldwell on February 24, 2008 at 3:00 pm

"This is not the same as a school controlled by a single faith where the doctrine of that particular faith pervades the school life and, in many cases, provides the means for effective "brainwashing". 334. Comment #131956 by ukvillafan on February 23, 2008 at 5:11 pm"

By 'state school' I meant taxpayer-funded. Church of England and Catholic schools are largely, or entirely, paid for by the taxpayer and form part of the state school system. The point is that you can't get religion out of state schools without root and branch reform.

8. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #131766 by HughCaldwell on February 23, 2008 at 7:46 am

"a secular education system with no "faith" schools 330. Comment #131236 by ukvillafan on February 22, 2008 at 5:16 am "

All state schools in England are required by law to have religious worship and religious education. All schools are, to some extent, faith schools.

9. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #131558 by HughCaldwell on February 22, 2008 at 2:55 pm

"How is it that Hirsi Ali's request for help has caused such a plethora of comment? 182. Comment #131373 by j s bach on February 22, 2008 at 11:04 am"

Her comments on Islam echo the Islamophobes. The important difference is that she regards Muslims as human and open to enlightenment, whereas radical Islamophobes put out their propaganda in the form of an invitation to a hatefest.

10. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #130791 by HughCaldwell on February 21, 2008 at 9:39 am

"And European leaders have also claimed that it is for all intents and purposes the same document:151. Comment #130761 by philmillhaven on February 21, 2008 at 8:43 am "

It looks like the Labour government has reneged on its election promise. A very wise decision. The general public is not competent to vote on the amending treaty, let alone the original.

11. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #130709 by HughCaldwell on February 21, 2008 at 7:22 am

"In case anyone is in any doubt about the integrity of MEPs, the following is in the news today:148. Comment #130599 by philmillhaven on February 21, 2008 at 1:26 am "

It is your responsibilty to call to account your elected representatives and refrain from slandering them on the basis of alleged information in a secret report.

12. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #130704 by HughCaldwell on February 21, 2008 at 7:16 am

"It is amazing that the UK people are being denied their right to vote on the Lisbon Treaty,147. Comment #130595 by philmillhaven on February 21, 2008 at 1:15 am "

There is no 'right' to a referendum. There is a right to vote for your MP and your MEP. The Council of Ministers and the European Parliament are your elected representatives. It is your responsibility to participate in the democratic process and write to your MP and MEP with any concerns that you may have, not to stand on the sidelines and lob insults based on unproven accusations.

13. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #130479 by HughCaldwell on February 20, 2008 at 4:28 pm

"one less atheist, and one less neo-con bigot hate mongerer 141. Comment #130385 by al-rawandi on February 20, 2008 at 12:56 pm"

What inspired your hate speech?

14. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #130369 by HughCaldwell on February 20, 2008 at 12:43 pm

"If anyone is going to protect her it should be the US govt. 139. Comment #130330 by al-rawandi on February 20, 2008 at 10:42 am "

The US is not like Europe. We have socialist tradtions where citizens can look to the government for help. The US is a plutocracy where private wealth is expected to solve problems.

15. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #130172 by HughCaldwell on February 20, 2008 at 6:46 am

"I won't be writing to my MEP 135. Comment #130103 by philmillhaven on February 20, 2008 at 5:02 am "

If you refuse to take part in the democratic process the better to wallow in ignorance and outer darkness from which to lob insults at your elected representatives, in the Parliament and the Council and choose to cover yourself in ignominy, it's your choice if you want to be politically impotent.

16. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #129750 by HughCaldwell on February 19, 2008 at 2:35 pm

"The whole point is that the accounting system is utterly unable to detect irregularities.126. Comment #129597 by philmillhaven on February 19, 2008 at 11:05 am "

You'll have to take that up with your MEP. Parliament takes the decision to approve the accounts.

17. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #129566 by HughCaldwell on February 19, 2008 at 10:10 am

"an argument for surrendering sovereignty to Brussels.122. Comment #129546 by philmillhaven on February 19, 2008 at 9:35 am "

How is is 'surrendering sovereignty to Brussels' to have the elected representatives of the national Parliaments exercise overall control in the Council of Ministers and the elected representatives of the European electorate in the European Parliament receive and review the accounts from the European Court of Auditors?

Stop the waffling about the potential for irregularities and point out any specific instances which Parliament has failed to address and how this is any different from the difficulties which any national government may encounter.

18. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #129480 by HughCaldwell on February 19, 2008 at 7:38 am

"These procedures may satisfy you. And they may satisfy MEPs and bureaucrats on the EU payroll. But they don't satisfy professional auditors even when the ones who don't tow the party line are sacked (e.g. Marta Andreasen). 116. Comment #129363 by philmillhaven on February 19, 2008 at 2:44 am "

The MEPs are our elected representatives. The EU process is more rigorous than than that followed by any member state. The responsibility for spending the budget is largely that of member state governments. Is there any particular point on which you want to accuse the British government, or the recipient of EU funds, of corruption? Do you want to accuse your MEP of being lax in overseeing and approving the EU budget? Please give details instead of spouting ignorant Europhobia inspired by some silly, even corrupt, interest group, sch as the UK Independence Party.

19. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #129051 by HughCaldwell on February 18, 2008 at 3:04 pm

Unless you have the money for a rather large security apparatus, then having a few bodyguards standing around is what you have.110. Comment #129036 by eXcommunicate on February 18, 2008 at 2:23 pm

I'm just as clueless as you. However, security can, obviously, include a lot more than just close protection. They can look at information about threats, check travel arrangements, arrange a secure venue, ensure only invited guests attend, maintain secrecy except on a need to know basis. Lots of things besides being there to intercept the bullet. Government co-operation would be important.

20. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128918 by HughCaldwell on February 18, 2008 at 9:53 am

"The auditors for the EU have refused to sign off the bloc's financial accounts - for the 13th year in a row. 107. Comment #128904 by philmillhaven on February 18, 2008 at 8:48 am "

And for the 13 year in a row Europhobes are jumping up and down in witless glee. It is the responsibility of the European Parliament to review the auditors' report, make recommendations and approve the accounts. If you had read the BBC article, you would see that the UK government was singled out for inadequate handling of regional aid.

In summary, the failings are mainly those of national governments and not the 'EU' and Parliament will, very likely, approve the accounts, as usual, after due consideration.

A fund for Ayaan Hirsi Ali would be subjected to the same rigorous scrutiny and procedures as other EU projects.

21. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128888 by HughCaldwell on February 18, 2008 at 7:09 am

"102. Comment #128875 by philmillhaven on February 18, 2008 at 6:34 am The EU has a well deserved reputation for squandering money, failing to sign off its accounts and sticking its nose in where it's not wanted."

I'll concentrate on this illiterate nonsense 'failing to sign off its accounts'. What are you talking about and what conceivable relevance could it have to a contribution to the protection of Ayaan Hirsi Ali?

22. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #128825 by HughCaldwell on February 18, 2008 at 3:12 am

"You cannot start any process or any action without any plan or design. Tumbling together is way beyond any logical explanation.120. Comment #128818 by wooter on February 18, 2008 at 2:48 am"

Have the Wooters never started anything by tumbling spontaneously together?

23. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #128806 by HughCaldwell on February 18, 2008 at 2:14 am

"The "emotional truth"323. Comment #128772 by David.Verdirame on February 17, 2008 at 11:11 pm"

I wish she'd given some examples of this commodity and explained why atheists didn't know it.

24. Archbishop's 8 March centennial message: Let Sharia Law govern women's lives, Amen!

Comment #128805 by HughCaldwell on February 18, 2008 at 2:06 am

"I think similar arguments apply to Muslim cultures - who defines it?40. Comment #128771 by Steve Zara on February 17, 2008 at 11:11 pm "

Allah has defined it. Praying five times a day, fasting by daylight and feasting by night during the month of Ramadan, wearing fancy dress. That's enough to be going on with.

25. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128780 by HughCaldwell on February 17, 2008 at 11:24 pm

But in regards to having bodyguards, sure, they will be able to prevent a stabbing or maybe even gunfire from close range, but my point in regards to not "knowing what hit them"92. Comment #128766 by eXcommunicate on February 17, 2008 at 10:57 pm

You apppear to be completely clueless about the security business. It involves a lot more than just having bodyguards stand around. It depends how much money you have to spend, of course.

26. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #128486 by HughCaldwell on February 17, 2008 at 6:30 am

"Okay let me parapharase the question again lowering to your intellectual level: Who painted the paintings in the art exhibition center" 111. Comment #128465 by wooter on February 17, 2008 at 4:20 am "

You don't have to be all that clever to recognize our creative power and understand that we created the gods and not vice versa.

If you want to know who painted the painting, you can look at the catalogue. Since I have some slight knowledge of art, I might be able to tell you by recognizing the actual painting or the style.

27. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #128455 by HughCaldwell on February 17, 2008 at 3:37 am

"Then evolution is not another choice for creation, so, who created the whole Universe?105. Comment #128449 by wooter on February 17, 2008 at 3:11 am "

You've prejudicially framed your question. Try something less intellectually fraudulent. "How did the universe come into existence?" or something like that.

There no difficulty in answering a question about the origin of the gods. We created them.

28. Feb 12th: Happy Darwin Day!

Comment #128443 by HughCaldwell on February 17, 2008 at 2:43 am

"I think the bottom line is that some of us choose not to acknowledge the possibility of a transcendent designer, for whatever reason.
102. Comment #128156 by Shmeezers on February 16, 2008 at 11:25 am"

The Creator is us and what we created are the gods and their doings and sayings. The old religions were put together in the distant past and the creative process may not be very clear. However, there are numbers of quite modern religions where the fabrication is transparent. Take Mormonism, for example.

29. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #128424 by HughCaldwell on February 17, 2008 at 1:33 am

"I think this also points up the fallacy of lumping all religions together. No matter what happens to Bunting in her personal life, it's unlikely she'll be driven to fly a jet into a high building. 306. Comment #127832 by Eric Blair on February 15, 2008 at 4:28 pm "

Dropping bombs on people is a political act. A Catholic pilot is just as capable of serving political ends as those of any other faith. Faiths have in common that they involve worship of beings for whose existence, other than imaginary, there is no evidence. This is a pervasive trait which is to be questioned whatever the cultural aspects which clothe it.

30. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128138 by HughCaldwell on February 16, 2008 at 9:53 am

"She is actively combating militant Islam, fundamentalist, woman hating islam.48. Comment #128135 by MaxD on February 16, 2008 at 9:39 am "

United States policy is in favour of supporting regimes, such as Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, our cherished allies in the War on Terror, where Islamic fundamentalism flourishes. Think how upset King Abdullah would be if the US expressed the intention of seeing the views of Ayaan Hirsi Ali implemented in the Kingdom.

31. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128136 by HughCaldwell on February 16, 2008 at 9:46 am

"You can assume neither from my comments. 47. Comment #128133 by Ian Bamlett on February 16, 2008 at 9:30 am "

Ok. Did you contribute? Did you do anything?

32. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128131 by HughCaldwell on February 16, 2008 at 9:29 am

"Instead of handing millions to those Blackwater thugs to guard the corrupt Iraqi politicians, they should fund some security for Ayaan. 45. Comment #128129 by Paine on February 16, 2008 at 9:20 am "

It's preposterous to expect the American government to act against its nature.

33. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128127 by HughCaldwell on February 16, 2008 at 9:11 am

"if some nut wants her dead - she's dead. 41. Comment #128123 by Ian Bamlett on February 16, 2008 at 8:54 am "

If you want a fig-leaf of rationality for being a cheapskate and idle bystander, you'll have show more ingenuity than that. Of those you mention, only Benazhir Bhutto was actually killed and she wasn't following recommended security procedures. It shouldn't take a moments thought to find examples of those wanted dead who have been adequately protected. Salman Rushdie comes immediately to mind.

34. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128119 by HughCaldwell on February 16, 2008 at 8:31 am

"How many people should be protected from Islamic fundamentalists ?
Can we pay several bodyguards for any of their intended victims ? 35. Comment #128112 by Roland_F on February 16, 2008 at 8:03 am "

Which, precisely, of any of those you mention, or didn't mention, is soliciting protection which they are not getting and which a donation from you might provide, apart from Ayaan Hirsi Ali?

35. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128110 by HughCaldwell on February 16, 2008 at 7:56 am

"As I probably will not be donating any money33. Comment #128106 by babrock on February 16, 2008 at 7:37 am "

What's stopping you? Just follow the link. If you've any problems, I'll explain things for you.
http://www.samharris.org/site/security_trust

36. Ayaan Hirsi Ali asks for protection

Comment #128103 by HughCaldwell on February 16, 2008 at 7:23 am

"France, with its huge population of Muslims, has offered protection 29. Comment #128094 by sarah95 on February 16, 2008 at 6:25 am"

That's incorrect. France hasn't offered protection. It's not ironic, but perfectly normal, that the United States should not offer protection to a private citizen and completely absurd to expect they would offer it to somebody who is not even an American citizen.

Put your money where your mouth is and send a donation (assuming you haven't done so already).

37. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #127350 by HughCaldwell on February 15, 2008 at 7:17 am

"230. Comment #127322 by gcdavis on February 15, 2008 at 6:45 am irate_atheist
One doesn't like to be a bad looser "

bad looser ? Being a bad speller is an indication of being some sort of loser. What do you think? Poor old 'Madeline', really Madeleine Bunting, is another loser.

38. Debate between Richard Dawkins and Madeline Bunting

Comment #126991 by HughCaldwell on February 14, 2008 at 3:42 pm

I believe she's called Madeleine Bunting. Clearly no contest in this debate since she is merely an opinion journalist, i.e. wordy waffler with the arrogance to keep on waffling. Since she's making a living at it, I suppose we can't expect her to stop.

39. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126580 by HughCaldwell on February 13, 2008 at 3:32 pm

"147. Comment #126575 by Steve Zara on February 13, 2008 at 3:11 pm"

Mint tea and marmalade. Your palate must be dead. And Yorkshire tea? Get up later, Steve, when you're fully awake. You'll have a better life.

40. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126502 by HughCaldwell on February 13, 2008 at 11:28 am

"Some people don't seem to be all that concerned that one136. Comment #126492 by al-rawandi on February 13, 2008 at 11:06 am "

Torture isn't legal anywhere, as far as I know.

41. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126487 by HughCaldwell on February 13, 2008 at 11:02 am

"the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, or the one".129. Comment #126411 by Radesq on February 13, 2008 at 7:23 am
------------------------------------------------

The law is not made up on a daily basis to suit the requirements of those who find torture entertaining or convenient.

42. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126407 by HughCaldwell on February 13, 2008 at 7:09 am

"To claim that to blow someone's brains out for the cause of national defense is ethically justifiable, but that to pour water over his head for a few minutes is some ghastly moral crime, is absurd.110. Comment #126369 by quill on February 13, 2008 at 4:45 am"

This is known as 'The Israeli Defence'. Set the standard of moral depravity at abysmal depths (the Holocaust for example) and then claim that anything short of it, about the depth which you approve of, is moral, is not an ethical argument but a propaganda ploy.

What instance of American military aggression are you touting as legitimate self-defence and by whose assessment, other than that of the perpetrator?

43. Murder plot against Danish cartoonist

Comment #126363 by HughCaldwell on February 13, 2008 at 4:20 am

"It's just not an effective means of obtaining information. 105. Comment #126361 by quill on February 13, 2008 at 4:09 am "

You're taking a naive view on two counts.Firstly, a torture programme is used in conjunction with other means of intelligence gathering. Hence, any information obtained by torture can be crosschecked and its reliability assessed. Secondly, any assumption that torture is used with the sole purpose of extracting information is mistaken.

44. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #126008 by HughCaldwell on February 12, 2008 at 11:24 am

"Steve's one-liners!233. Comment #126006 by Quetzalcoatl on February 12, 2008 at 11:20 am"

pointless one-liners.

45. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125997 by HughCaldwell on February 12, 2008 at 11:07 am

"I suggest you need to research "Balti". 212. Comment #125980 by Steve Zara on February 12, 2008 at 10:48 am"

I did. I don't think I'd be going anywhere near this kind of downmarket restaurant. You're the one who specializes in pointless one-liners by way of worthwhile contributions to the discussion. Maybe you could explain what it's all about and why it has anything to do with multiculturalism, other than that dodgy restaurants from ethnicities across the globe proliferate from Sydney to Aberdeen.

46. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125972 by HughCaldwell on February 12, 2008 at 10:40 am

"I could not cope without a regular Balti. 172. Comment #125911 by Steve Zara on February 12, 2008 at 8:44 am "

Are they Indian? Hindus? Muslims? Does it matter?

47. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125903 by HughCaldwell on February 12, 2008 at 8:34 am

"Keith,Where did you study Arabic160. Comment #125895 by al-rawandi on February 12, 2008 at 8:28 am "

Feed him some Berber to send him completely down the pan.

48. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125887 by HughCaldwell on February 12, 2008 at 8:21 am

"being robbed by Moroccans was a daily risk 153. Comment #125884 by keith on February 12, 2008 at 8:15 am "

You speak Arabic and can identify an Arab from a Berber Moroccan accent or any of the other accents of the Arab world?

49. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125869 by HughCaldwell on February 12, 2008 at 7:44 am

"I am not after changes to British culture - I am pretty happy with it the way it is 143. Comment #125864 by Steve Zara on February 12, 2008 at 7:35 am "

It is not 'as it is" except very briefly. It's in constant change.

50. Good people doing evil things

Comment #125865 by HughCaldwell on February 12, 2008 at 7:36 am

"It's good to see people taking up these ideas and applying them to their own situations / problems.15. Comment #125800 by Luthien on February 12, 2008 at 4:42 am"

Absolutely. It's good to see the evil done by the very good Israelis raised.