101. Richard Dawkins in the Time 100

Comment #37152 by k1mgy on May 3, 2007 at 1:33 pm

>>Concerning the big questions, the Bible advises >>us to be hot or cold but not lukewarm. Whatever >>the merit of his ideas, Richard Dawkins is not
>>lukewarm.

Oh, well then, I feel instructed. Thanks so much for that. All from (pastor) Michael Behe, who has sadly thrown any scientific training he may possess to the wind - irrefutably and totally discredited in the Dover, PA "Intelligent Design" case. I love what the Judge had to say, "We therefore find that Professor Behe's claim for irreducible complexity has been refuted in peer-reviewed research papers and has been rejected by the scientific community at large.".

There are other gems from the case and enough to bury Behe and the rest of his delusional ilk. I'm not sure how much stock I'd place on being awarded a place on the list, considering the "quality" of the presenter. Perhaps it's the magazine's way of saying "and oh, by the way, F you".


Now, a few questions:

What does your "bible" say about blowing up other nations on no provocation and on manufactured evidence?

What does it say about harassing and marginalizing other human beings because of their genetically-driven or personal-choice-based sexual preference?

What does it say about a government that would illegally kidnap and torture innocent people?

What does it say about illegal spying, about graft, theft, and misuse of office?

What does it say about subverting justice for the want of politics?

In every area, the current US mal-administration, allegedly driven by "the bible", has violated not only the clear dictates therein, but the basic stuff that it doesn't take a preacher to figure out.

Behe, ends his introduction to Professor Dawkins with a nice piece of instruction from "the bible" (as if we all know which of the hundreds of them he means) so we can be properly oriented on how Dr. Dawkins should be viewed.

To that I'd say: get your "christian" compatriots to clean up their act, clean up your own, and then you may have some credibility to pontificate.

In the end, perhaps I should have just skipped all the words and said what I really felt: "Behe, blow it out your ass".

102. Believe in God Spray

Comment #36276 by k1mgy on April 30, 2007 at 6:45 pm

You can tell something about a product as to how it is positioned with others. So along with the instant belief in god spray we find...

"Cat Butt Gum": Kiss my ass attitude, kitty-style!

"Totally Wasted Gum" , captioned appropriately, "Oh god, I am so totally wasted"

and

"Lookin' good for Jesus Lip Balm", which is purported to "Returns lips to near virgin quality!"

103. Scene Caused by Christian Group at NYC Stage Show

Comment #36059 by k1mgy on April 30, 2007 at 4:35 am

Liveliest Crib has offered a comment I think we all ought to re-read. What an excellent summation of the problem and, I think, ways of solving it: education, and confrontation.

Puncture the fear like a balloon. Good show.

104. Scene Caused by Christian Group at NYC Stage Show

Comment #35993 by k1mgy on April 29, 2007 at 7:35 pm

Ohnhai suggests, "Don't Hate. Pity" and I find myself agreeing in principle, and I suppose there is a way, perhaps just allowing time to pass and nerve endings to settle, where the instinct to lash out is less immediate because the threat that launched it no longer present.

Or is it no longer present?

What of the next performer, whether atheist or just of another religious stripe, when they, like this one, are assaulted in equal measure or to a greater extent? At what point do we, as members of society concerned with a stable social order, choose to do something? When someone is dead?

Perhaps, this day, my own nerve endings are a bit tattered as on the radio just yesterday I heard stories and testimony of two former prisoners of the current US mal-administration. Both, young men, had been maliciously "sold" as "terrorists" (there are apparently bounties offered in Pakistan, where this occurred). They were taken in the night to a US air base where they were deprived of even the most basic things such as light, sleep, clothing, food, warmth. They were interrogated in ways that caused my stomach to wretch. If even a scintilla of what they say is true, then it's no wonder to me why the current US mal-administration is loathed throughout the world and by many within its own borders; many who love their nation so much as to have their hearts bleed when these stories come to light.

The two were among over 200 of the 350 currently residing in complete legal limbo in the US's Guantanamo torture facility who were recently released simply because, finally, it was admitted that there was absolutely no evidence that they had done anything in the slightest wrong. But, rather than their incarcerators and interrogators standing up like civilized men and women, and admitting their blunder, instead our government's fine fleet of lawyers attempted to force these innocents to sign documents which would absolve the US from its crimes and, most nastily, pledging the victim to not engage in "terrorism" once released. If there might be any more substantiation needed to convince people that this mal-administration has created more "terrorists" than they have possibly, and probably, brought to justice, it is this.

Incidentally, these many innocents have been deported to far away places and are not allowed, despite their innocence, from ever entering the US. Hence, one of the young men, who was a student at an American university and who had a great interest and love of our country, will be put out of the way so that the cameras and news will not, each day, recount their tales for all Americans to read. What a pity.

A reader might think this is all irrelevant, but I relate all of this because, quite frankly, I am convinced that these acts of barbarism on the part of a nation happen for just the same reason that prompted (at least one) religious wacko to attack a courageous and brilliant performer. It's an extreme and narrow world and life view that is fed by religion and, as Richard Dawkins and others warn, it is a growing danger.

What's worse is that it could well happen again. Why? Because we, through inaction, allow it to or pity it away. Not one has stood up and said NO MORE, or at least in sufficient numbers and with an unequivocal message that can not be ignored, and in the case of Guantanamo, and in the far lesser yet equally chilling case of the attack on this artist, someone ought to.

It is pitiful that a deranged individual would do such a thing and there is, I think, a part of everyone's thinking that might want to reach out in helpful compassion. The person may need medical assistance to overcome an organic brain disease, or the help of trained professionals to be extricated from a religion that has them so gripped they do some very foolish things in its name.

But there is still this act, and all the others, that cry out for someone to say: NO MORE, and in my view, no amount of pity can answer this need, nor should it.

105. Scene Caused by Christian Group at NYC Stage Show

Comment #35975 by k1mgy on April 29, 2007 at 4:28 pm

DavyB writes, "It was a choir group from a public school".

If DavyB means "public" in the UK sense, then my ire is not further aroused. However in the US, "public school" means the national (still mostly secular) school system. Here, a "private" school, such as an academy, can be and are operated by all manner of wackos, and there's little the state can do if they meet the basic educational requirements (easy).

If it's a public school, I'd like to know which one has a "choir group", so I may be certain to avoid it.

As for the individual having issues: we ALL have issues. But when they spill over (quite literally) on another, then those issues become worthy of some serious attention.

106. New Noah's Ark ready to sail

Comment #35972 by k1mgy on April 29, 2007 at 3:47 pm

The Dutch were the first foreigners allowed into Japan and this - because they neither attempted to take the place over nor indoctrinate the inhabitants (generally, this would land your noggin in a platter anyway).

Then, in character, came the Admiral with his gunboats - which is how 'Murca does things.

Too bad the Netherlanders are ruining their previously excellent international reputation by this asswad.

107. Scene Caused by Christian Group at NYC Stage Show

Comment #35970 by k1mgy on April 29, 2007 at 3:39 pm

Philos writes, "The audience walked out because of the harsh language and graphic content; that's it."

No, that's not it. And, what graphic content? In your mind, brother.

Did you attend the performance? Did you see the video, or are you just blathering here.

Walking out is perfectly OK. Destroying someone's life's work and putting them in fear is NOT. This is not a matter of belief, or not. It's a matter of human decency and in this case - the law.

So tell us that this is unacceptable to you, or explain why you might think that what they did, over the word Fuck, is A-OK.

108. Scene Caused by Christian Group at NYC Stage Show

Comment #35967 by k1mgy on April 29, 2007 at 3:32 pm

Mike is quite a fellow and the film of this incident left me in tears. Both of rage, and the way that he handled himself. I wrote him the day after this incident was published (by him: the media has ignored this story) suggesting that he should handle the situation aggressively.

The perpetrator was caught on film, as were several others. The fact that it was a group action suggests a conspiracy. The crime is criminal threatening with intent to do bodily harm (the second part of this is shown in court when the victim testifies that they felt their life in danger). Anyone in that audience could have prevented these people from leaving the theatre while awaiting the police. Then it would be time to take names, addresses, and see if any of them crank it up into a nice disorderly conduct charge along with others (the others requiring investigation and indictment), for a swift ride to the Cambridge Police lockup.

He also has a civil case for destruction of his property and the penalties there could be quite severe. As an artist, who had the only copy of his work destroyed, there is present and substantial future value.

In short, Mike could have had several of these creeps in jail and facing criminal charges along with a civil lawsuit. It is still in his power to do so.

Being a performer does not suddenly change the rules. You walk out of the performance. You don't attack the performer or his work. But apparently, being a "Christian" does, at least in the vacuous minds of these faithful.

I still don't know why he appears reluctant to face off with these people. Reading of the perpetrator's response, they seemed clearly, to use the word properly, "un-repentant". A wake-up call is needed. Severe and swift. If these cretins are members of a church, all the better. Drag them in as well to see if they're complicit.
I plead with Mike that if he did not make a stand then this would just embolden more of these alleged "christians" to do likewise, and worse.

Having thought on this, I would even say that, although Mike (and his audience) was a victim, his choice to let this go is a step back.

Of course, had I been in the same situation, there'd be a few of these assholes being bailed out and facing a trial. Plus, I'd own them.

This story has particular import as I live not far away and am very supportive of the arts and for freedom of expression. I attended the Maplethorpe exhibit at the ICA, not because I had a particular interest in his work, but simply to show support and to stand up to assholes.

I think Mike ought to know that there are many who are behind him and, at least in my case, would love to see him take this for what it is: an assault.

If that sounds retributive, so be it. Clearly, this bunch asked for it.

109. Pundit Christopher Hitchens picks a fight in book, 'God is Not Great'

Comment #35857 by k1mgy on April 29, 2007 at 4:43 am

For his unabashed support of the current US mal-administration's oil (and religious) war, I offer Hitchens no quarter, but on this book I'd roll out the red carpet and set out a hearty and good-spirited meal. A true love-hate relationship.

There's some good news in this combination, for Hitchen's book may well have influence: in the rattle heads who march forth in our national politics with a bible. Discrediting this bunch, which at the moment seems to represent the core of the mal-administration's regime, most surely will assist in dissolving it.

So perhaps Hitchens, by serving to spray a little more weed killer into religion, has helped to undermine the same system that is feeding the war. With this thought I cheer, and lift an elbow with a hearty, "here, here!"

110. New Noah's Ark ready to sail

Comment #35770 by k1mgy on April 28, 2007 at 8:03 pm

"Huibers said he hopes the project will renew interest in Christianity in the Netherlands, where churchgoing has fallen dramatically in the past 50 years. He also plans to visit major cities in Belgium and Germany."

Which sparked what I think is a brilliant idea: BIBLICAL THEME SAIL AROUND CAPE HORN

Yes, bring the lame, the halt, and the blind. Lay your hand on the Ark, and sail away from a putrid, debauched godless landscape to the fresh open sea and all the thrills, adventure, and poop scooping that awaits.

Just two thoughts I'd add for for your send-off: First, "don't travel west" and second, "don't come back".

111. Mormonism: A Racket Becomes a Religion

Comment #35599 by k1mgy on April 27, 2007 at 7:26 pm

Here in the US, we might want to take note of the fact that a current (naturally) Republican candidate for president in 2008, Willard Mitt Romney, is a practicing Mormon and apparently a mucky-muck in the religion. It seems so much of a mucky-muck that I am convinced a very large and ugly stone temple was constructed just for him, not all that far from his own residence (the one where - because he's too important to mow his own damn lawn - hired a service to do it for him but, as blunders go, it was revealed that the service hired illegal immigrants to tend to his lawn manicure!).

Built on Belmont Hill, over the objection of actual people who live in the neighborhood and who put up with a much smaller and more compatible building, this monument was constructed as - in my view - an arrogant display of power. It is massive and imposing compared to the small meeting hall that apparently served the faithful just fine, prior. They don't need it, but you can be sure they have plenty of cash and political power to ram it through. Think "tithe".

Topping off this mess is a gabriel character pointing his trumpet directly towards the State House. This steeple was also forced in over objections - the pleading of actual residents who live in the neighborhood. You know, the ones who pay property and other taxes to fund services such as schools, police, fire, ambulance, water. It must have been quite an insult to lose several court fights over the steeple to a bunch that live to suck off the public tit, tax and obligation free.

All this horridness just before Romney was installed (so he could begin campaigning for president). He was, in a phrase, the "absentee governor".

If you don't know already, I am still pissed at the way these charlatans did their deed. I give the building the finger every time I pass it. It's ugly and disgusting, and for the residents, old Gabriel gives the finger back by the nice shadow of steeple, "prophet" and trumpet that makes a swath of shadow across the lawns, and homes in the area.

Romney was (merciful for us) defeated when he ran against Ted Kennedy for Senate some years ago, then went back to Bain Capital to oversee the destruction of the economy and lay off workers (another of his reputations), re-surfacing to be installed as yet one of a long terrible series of Republican (caretaker) governors of Massachusetts. Massachusetts made a huge mistake voting for this bozo and we corrected it in short order.

Willard Mitt is, in these parts, known as the "fraud" governor. Not showing up and basically doing the same croney-based practices of your predecessor; breaking every campaign promise; and basically performing as an incompetent hack might have led to the moniker.

Willard Mitt epitomizes the phrase "flip flop", and has a strong and long reputation to say whatever it is that will please his audience. There is the famous visit to the National Rifle Association recently, where the Fraud Governor claimed he was quite a hunter, owned a gun, and was just one of the boys. Fact is, he wasn't, didn't, and isn't.

Here, he was known for slashing and gutting social programs, not unlike his national equivalent. Just before he left office, it's alleged that he stalled the infamous INS raid on an illegal worker sweat shop so the mess would fall in the new (Democratic) governor's lap. It did, and it was awful. Romney, sport that he is, was the first governor of Massachusetts to refuse to attend the new incoming governor's inauguration. This will be a blotch on our long history of aggressive but in the end decent politics.

I'd say he's a hateful SOB.

Now, he is kissing up to the far-right republican "christian" politicos in the US and this raises deep concerns. He pledged to keep his "faith" out of his governing decisions, yet clearly acted in accord with them when it came to many social issues. It's clear that he will bring his bizarre religion into national office, and this for America will surely spell the completion of the disaster that the current mal-administration has well underway.

If people didn't know that Romney actually believes this crap that Hitchens so well documents, well, now they do. If you didn't know of his reputation here, perhaps this little screed helps.

Like Ashkroft, who was a tongue-talker, and Bush who is clearly deluded, Willard Mitt is yet another horror waiting to happen.

Stay clear.

112. The Video: Bill O'Reilly Interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #34320 by k1mgy on April 23, 2007 at 7:44 pm

I expected the combination of Richard Dawkins and Bill-O (as we refer to this creature here in the US) to be as volatile as rocket fuel. Instead, Bill-O bloviated on as usual while Dr. Dawkins maintained his cool through it all. If it was a struggle for Dr. Dawkins, the most difficult part must have been in remembering to communicate in grade school English, a requirement for Bill-O's dwindling audience. Gutteral and grunting would have been even more effective, but certainly a stretch.

The interview was far too short and too well controlled, but at the very least brought forth a good representation for Atheists everywhere:

Yes, all the good beer-drinkin', chaw-spittin', waddlin', swaggerin', Wal-Mart shoppin', god-lovin' 'Murcan's in trailer parks across this great land (plus the white house) got to see a real live Atheist, and as a bonus viewed the back of his head which surprisingly revealed no horns! By gorry Betty May, he ain't no monster after all!

113. Brian Lehrer interviews Richard Dawkins

Comment #34316 by k1mgy on April 23, 2007 at 7:22 pm

This is worth a listen, particularly for the (clearly religious) caller who made a pathetic attempt at trapping Dr. Dawkins by equating the "big bang" with a creator.

The caller's painful logic went thusly: the big bang was a creation, therefore it must have had a creator.

A suitable trouncing followed.

114. Gay hate church to picket VT gun rampage funerals

Comment #33404 by k1mgy on April 20, 2007 at 3:08 am

The headline should read "Virginia", not "VT" which abbreviates Vermont. Although Vermont has a rather liberal gun law it has not suffered this level of violence.

--

The alleged humans who make up the "Westboro Baptist Church" are semi-corporeal proof of exactly the sorts of dangers which Professor Dawkins points out in his book. Particular mention ought be given the indoctrination of children (the photo above as brilliant illustration) which for this group really goes beyond the almost-innocent "child abuse" that Dawkins refers to, because of the actions it engenders.

Suppressing the hate speech of WBC will of course know no boundary and therefore be quick to shut off even reasoned debate (although if there were ever an argument for a "free speech zone" they are certainly candidates), so I say let these true nut cases continue on. Eventually, over time, they will dwindle and go away, as do other nasty things such as mosquitoes at a picnic.

To me, WBC are analogs to an aggressive male character type - one who puffs themselves up in every quarter simply out of their own inner insecurity. You will find these in every sphere of life, particularly in males who have gained "success" in business and politics. They turn out quite smaller than one might imagine, like the little pipsqueak behind the curtain in The Wizard of Oz. In WBC's case media attention tends to amplify - creating an illusion of power - but may well hasten their end.

These are people who the phrase "get a life" was made for. It's very sad that - because they are in so deep - likely nothing will have the power to pull them back to reality, not even the sorrow and hatred that they generate from the defenseless victims of this horrific tragedy in the US.

115. The Coulter Hoax: How Ann Coulter Exposed the Intelligent Design Movement

Comment #30764 by k1mgy on April 9, 2007 at 5:53 pm

"Ann Coulter's own existence provides infinite plausibility to mutation within natural selection."

Ann Coulter's existence underscores my breeding motto: "only with humans".

116. Even non-believers must recognise the moral necessity of Christianity

Comment #30762 by k1mgy on April 9, 2007 at 5:48 pm

"In one respect, atheists have an easier task than theists. In order to deny the existence of God, it is only necessary to accept one proposition. Believers have to try to understand what they believe. After two Christian millennia and many libraries of theology, that task seems harder than ever. St Paul told his fellow Christians that in this world, they would only see through a glass, darkly. That is becoming increasingly true."

Actually, in not one, but every respect.

The writer, as in all the critics of atheists I've read so far, seem to wrap their argument around a fairy tale. It is all they have.

Translation: It's mind-bending work to find a way that this total fantasy of religion can be made to function, but we must do so because the alternative is too easy.

Well, then onward christian soldier. Onward, over the cliff of ignorance.

Swiftly now. Be gone.

117. Answers To the Atheists

Comment #30336 by k1mgy on April 7, 2007 at 4:36 pm

Dionne is a fairly good fellow - being a harsh critic of the current US mal-administration - and therefore gets my attention and respect, certainly more than an apologist for the US mal-administration would. He's also a leading thinker and proponent of the liberal wing of christianity, as if doing good things and allowing people their own humanity can somehow be drawn from the pile of conflict that is christian dogma.

I see his column as less an attack on "neo" atheists as it is an admission of his own intellectual lack, for he has hung his pursuits on the "challenge" of christianity. Yes, it sure poses some challenges all right, such as a challenge to rationality. Why not pick something that makes sense and isn't based on pure emotion and false hope?

So E. J. will head off to "celebrate" the mythical resurrection of an equally dubious person who made all manner of claims about some guy in the sky.

Enjoy it.

Meanwhile my own challenge will be, should Bush not shut out the lights in the next 24 hours, deciding between strawberries or blueberries on the pancakes.

118. The Most Hated Family in America

Comment #29636 by k1mgy on April 3, 2007 at 6:12 pm

"Who would want to marry us?"

Only with humans.

119. The God Debate

Comment #29226 by k1mgy on April 2, 2007 at 6:38 am

Harris says, " ...I think our situation is that urgent. I am terrified of what seems to me to be a bottleneck that civilization is passing through. On the one hand we have 21st-century disruptive technology proliferating, and on the other we have first-century superstition. A civilization is going to either pass through this bottleneck more or less intact or it won't. And perhaps that fear sounds grandiose, but civilizations end. On any number of occasions, some generation has witnessed the ruination of everything they and their ancestors had built. What especially terrifies me about religious thinking is the expectation on the part of many that civilization is bound to end based on prophecy and its ending is going to be glorious."

I should think this statement alone would leave readers with much to consider.

The collision is one of ever-expanding knowledge over ignorance, which expresses itself in the parallel of scientific truth versus baseless superstition.

The field of battle is everywhere.

If there were ever a call for Rationalists/Humanists/Atheists, here it is.

120. Richard Dawkins: Author of the Year!

Comment #28572 by k1mgy on March 29, 2007 at 9:51 pm

Well done!

Hearing Professor Dawkins interview with Terry Gross of National Public Radio's "Fresh Air" programme left me feeling all the more inspired and hopeful.

It may be his birthday, but it is he who is giving out the gifts.

Thank you!

121. Debate between Alister McGrath and Peter Atkins

Comment #27519 by k1mgy on March 25, 2007 at 6:16 am

Atkins remark on arrogance was downright funny and well put. I shall have many occasions to use it myself.

The sound was not from a camera microphone but appeared to be snagged from a microphone on a stand to the front of Professor McGrath. Might say something as to a possibility of the technician's leaning, or lack of thought. Had it been placed front and centre of the table, we would then have heard both speakers equally poorly.

122. Even Stephven: Islam vs. Christianity

Comment #24641 by k1mgy on March 7, 2007 at 7:54 pm

"Steve, this debate is about religion, so let's discuss it rationally".

That was a show-stopper right there.

123. Senator calls for answer on creation of universe

Comment #23973 by k1mgy on March 3, 2007 at 9:08 pm

Is it that these idiots sit idle for months and then - quite spontaneously - get a grand idea such as this? Or is there a much wider plan with Finney's little idea representing one speck?

Fact is they just don't give up. These buffoons keep trying with new angles to turn our free and secular nation into a religious state.

"Freedom isn't free" is often put against those who would criticize the US's Great Leader and his world domination/destruction plan. It better applies to the work that those of us who love America must continually do to keep it truly free.

Numbskulls like Finney need to be swiftly run out of town, or at a minimum re-educated as to the foundational basics of the nation which he signed on to "preserve and protect".

124. William Crawley meets Richard Dawkins

Comment #23323 by k1mgy on February 27, 2007 at 7:57 pm

"I was a good man.. I was honest.. I was kind. Isn't that more important than belief?"

Professor Dawkins was coupled with a great interviewer who brought out the very best.

I'm glad I was able to see this. Dawkins' final words brought some mist to my eyes.

125. God, sex, drugs and politics

Comment #22776 by k1mgy on February 22, 2007 at 6:42 am

Regarding Steveroot's comment about Hepatitis B.

During my son's first few days of life in hospital I convinced the nurse who offered the shot that he would not be having sex for quite some time, we had no drug addicts in the family, and he would not be shooting any either.

The needle was retracted.

Because of sheer volume, public health medicine is often delivered in somewhat a factory manner. Hence withing 30 minutes after a difficult time getting a heel blood sample from my infant son in hospital (the blood was clotting quite efficiently) the same nurse arrived with a "Vitamin K" injection. "What's that for?", I asked (knowing the answer). "Some children have a low clot factor. This helps to raise it during the first few days of life.".

I lifted my son's heel. The nurse blushed. She must have forgotten.

The injection was withdrawn.

As receivers of medical treatment, we really are entitled to and should avail ourselves of as much information as possible. Decisions need to be made by us not for us. Ultimately we have a right to our own body.

Here's an irony: the "religious" exemption to vaccination, and particularly the Haggardists all in a tizzy over Gardasil, may be the one legal objection that stands to protect those who are not religious in the slightest.

126. God, sex, drugs and politics

Comment #22754 by k1mgy on February 21, 2007 at 8:32 pm

Steveroot: >>Vaccination has, by and large, been a very successful public health measure. <<

If Steveroot means that "vaccines have practically eradicated most of the diseases they targeted", and therefore this is a measure of the success, then I agree. However as a "public health measure" it is a prophylactic that has, in nations like the US, now used more for convenience and a sense of security than being a tool of necessity. It is also one that continues to carry a wide spectrum of risk which has yet to be properly scrutinized.

I think the time for most of the shots has come and gone. Why?

Let's take one disease - poliomyelitis. Polio has been practically eliminated. Last year in the US there were a handful of cases and these were all traced to the administration of the oral form of the vaccine itself. So in this case the cure is causing the disease.

With other maladies that have not been entirely eliminated, such as tetanus, the incidence of these is so low as to be statistically insignificant. Proper wound treatment and the availability of treatment when tetanus is suspected has reduced the incidence of tetanus to an very tiny number across the population.

The one disease of concern that maintains regional prevalence, particularly in close-knit communities who collectively do not vaccinate (the "Jehova's Witnesses" come to mind) is pertussis. Pertussis is a dangerous disease for infants (birth to about 18 months). It is deadly if left untreated for too long yet in the US the mortality and morbidity statistics are still quite low. Successful outcomes take weeks and severe cases require advanced life support, but only when parents wait too long for evaluation and treatment (which is where education kicks in).

The vast majority of cases start when infants are exposed to vaccinated teenagers. This population is clearly strong enough to withstand the disease as is. Being vaccinated doesn't mean you won't get sick. This depends on the strength of the programmed resistance to the particular bug. Generally teens have a weakened form of pertussis resistance. So they acquire the disease and carry it about in attenuated form thinking they have an ordinary chest cold. Parents of infants who risk exposing their children to the general population without basic precautions are also to blame.

The common theme in all diseases that vaccines target is fear. Fear is used to motivate parents of children to be injected with 56 doses of 16 vaccines recommended by the CDC between birth and age 12. When one considers the complexity and wonder of our evolved human body against the still-minuscule knowledge of medical science as to how it all works, how can one hand off their genetic and neurological future to such manipulation? How can this be justified?

Vaccine proponents would argue honestly that the necessity for most of the vaccines used in the US today rest almost entirely on (a) poor public health education and practice in the US and (b) the commensurate need for "herd immunity".

If (a) were dealt with more effectively and the human immune system were not tampered with by the injection of genetically-altered tissue, perhaps the human body would have a chance to do what it does best: fight back with its own immune system.

I believe the best public health measure is education, not injection.

(I realize this discussion may be going off topic a bit. If I need to attenuate, the moderators should scold me.)

127. God, sex, drugs and politics

Comment #22748 by k1mgy on February 21, 2007 at 8:54 pm

>>("Amazing", because it was recently reported that 100% - yes, *100%* - of ALL clinical trials EVER, of ALL drugs, when sponsored by the company manufacturing it, have been resounding successes. Go figure.)<<

Pfaff!!

Dammit. Again I have to clean the coffee off my monitor.

I'd challenge the author of the above statement to back up what they are saying with facts. I believe they'll find that with any clinical (vaccine) trial, and particularly if the Gardasil trial is examined thoroughly, the blanket term "success" should remain within a cautious set of quotes. Stating that 100% of all vaccine trials have been successful because somewhere a magazine or newspaper told you so is unworthy of a community where rational argument is encouraged.

I think it's important to separate - widely - the many objections to this vaccine, and the social policy being tested and developed using it as a catalyst, from any of the problems that the religious find in it. The religious objection alone is, of course, not based on science or rational thought, so approaching the vaccine argument on this basis is worthless. The public should be educated, if there are any neuro-receptors available, to see the religious objection as one of personal preference and nothing more.

I urge caution in this discussion: presence of the religious objection to a certain social policy like this does not therefore make the social policy instantly good. I believe Gardasil is the poster vaccine for this statement and I will be happy to set out the facts as I understand them if anyone here would like this information.

As a catalyst (or adjuvant if you will), the objections I have include (a) the mandating of a medical treatment for any disease, but particularly one of the class that Gardasil targets; (b) flawed testing of Gardasil; (c) questionable efficacy; (d) cost; (e) application of this vaccine to a population where this same group underwent very little testing; (f) lack of testing for undesirable interactions with other vaccines and medications; (g) lack of testing to screen out individuals genetically predisposed to adverse reactions of the vaccine and its various chemical and genetically-altered tissue components; (h) safety (based on current data); (i) lack of long-term study of neurological/genetic effects from this and other vaccines.

Medical treatment, or not, isn't a black and white issue. The rejection of a government-mandated vaccine policy ought not peg one as a candidate for the Darwin Award. Unfortunately on this one, however wacky their argument, the "religious" get to rest their case on the book of basic human rights. If they want the science to help them, it's there, too.


/mark richards

128. Memo: Stop teaching evolution

Comment #22569 by k1mgy on February 19, 2007 at 6:57 pm

>>These people run my country?

It could happen again if the deepening insanity and paranoia gets the best of America.

Willard Mitt (fraud ex-Massachusetts governor) Romney, 19 February, 2007:

[Romney] showed poise when a heckler attacked him for being a Mormon: "You, sir, you are a pretender. You do not know the Lord.'' {translation by Mark Richards, "You, sir, are a fraud."}

The audience booed the heckler.

''One of the great things about this land is that we have people of different faiths and different religions, but we need to have a person of faith lead the country,'' he said, as the audience gave him a standing ovation.


And we all reached for a nearby wastebasket and upchucked.

129. Ancient boy's skeleton sparks evolution debate

Comment #21160 by k1mgy on February 7, 2007 at 8:02 pm

>>He's calling on his flock to boycott the exhibition and has demanded the museum relegate the fossil collection to a back room -- along with some kind of notice saying evolution is not a fact but merely one of a number of theories.<<

Words on a page often evoke instantaneous visual images for me. These brought back the video I saw some years ago of the Taliban in Afghanistan blowing up the giant Buddha sculptures of Bamiyan. The pair were around 1500 years old and were destroyed because they represented "graven images". I am fond of Buddhism and particularly respectful of this more peaceful of all the religions (if it can even be classified as such), so seeing these relics destroyed at the hands of ignorance was overwhelming.

The Taliban had a direct way of wiping out any contrary evidence. Would Bishop Adoyo, if he had his way, do the same to these old bones?

If the evidence is overwhelming, destroy it. If those who argue soundly and rationally are undeniable, attack them personally. These are the tactics of the deluded.

Shoving the evidence into a back room only works for a while. It has a way of coming back.

130. Interview with Alister McGrath, author of 'The Dawkins Delusion?'

Comment #20911 by k1mgy on February 7, 2007 at 2:22 am

>>I would also argue that in terms of its own
place in history the life, death and resurrection of Jesus is extremely well grounded. And above all, it's relevant.<<

Pfafff!! (Sound of coffee splattered upon screen).

>>Dawkins has this idea that faith is simply a refusal to think, a process of non-thinking. But it's obvious that people think a lot about their faith and this is grounds for evidence - but it's not the same as scientific proof. It belongs in a different category.<<

Huh?

Well, there we are. McGrath has set out the difference. From his intellectually-lacking high tower he shouts down all argument with the old excuse that "god" thinking is different than "man" thinking. "god" thinking belongs in a different category and therefore "man" thinking can't reach it. "god" thinking is not, of course, rational.

And you... "professor"? Ah yes, you and your promising mind have been "seduced by theology".

What a sad waste.

131. Blashpemy Challenge Interview

Comment #20176 by k1mgy on January 31, 2007 at 7:25 pm

It seems amazing that a reporter for a major news organization could sit there and resort to an argument claiming the Rational Response Squad is being "disrespectful". Apparently, Joe Reporter had little else to grasp onto.

Apparently it's disrespectful to challenge "beliefs" that billions of people have held for thousands of years.

It's disrespectful to offer reason in the face of insanity.

I should think we might all brace ourselves and prepare for being labeled as such, but be quick to deflect the argument back to the main point. Also disguised as the "civil discourse" entreaty, this "disrespectful" baloney is a very clever trick indeed.

132. Just 'Evolution in Action'

Comment #19950 by k1mgy on January 30, 2007 at 8:32 pm

Greenwald is a great writer and advocate for American civil rights (and human rights). Unfortunately in this piece, he chooses a rather poor analog. By suggesting that resistance against a new HPV vaccine (Merck's Guardasil) is the stuff of idiots, Greenwald overlooks several valid arguments that call the vaccine, and others, into question - arguments that rest in science. Haggardists resist the vaccine because they see it, like condoms and the birth control pill, as providing license for sex and sex, of course, is bad bad bad. The more rational resist vaccines for perhaps three reasons: the long-term genetic, immune, and nervous system effects are unknown; those predisposed to hypersensitivity to the genetically-altered cells, adjuvants and preservatives in vaccines (delivered directly into the bloodstream) are not screened out; and because there are, plainly, very little justification for almost all of the widely-used vaccines, making the risk-benefit analysis quite clear.

Greenwald should, as I argued in comments posted to the original piece, become familiar with the fascist forced-vaccination proponents who are working in the current US government and who have already gained new laws and powers which will permit wholesale violation of informed consent to "medical" treatment.

The right over one's own body is about as sacred as you can get and is above all the other arguments that Greenwald posits.

As I also suggested in my comments - there are plenty of other reasons that make the Haggardists out to be complete idiots. Greenwald has unfortunately picked the wrong analog to pursue an otherwise justifiable claim.

133. CNN Sylvia Browne Fraud

Comment #19593 by k1mgy on January 28, 2007 at 6:33 pm

It's time that these wackos were subject to some type of licensing with an exam, standards, and some level of protection afforded by state oversight.

This -creature- looked into the eyes of a distraught parent (having children I can somewhat connect with the level of pain a parent might carry) and lied. Did she know she was lying, or is this individual so self-possessed that she believes in her own "powers"?

I am sickened on a number of levels, including a disgust with a mass media that would knowingly allow such a horrible display of deception to be put forth.

I would think that Richard Dawkins might compare this incident, too, as less damaging than the slow and steady religious indoctrination of defenseless children. Perhaps, although this case has a very strong sting.

Damage done by frauds like Sylvia Browne are despicable. She should be put out of business and face, at a minimum, civil penalties for her charlatanism.

134. Guest Host Bill Moyers with philosopher Daniel Dennett

Comment #18748 by k1mgy on January 22, 2007 at 6:36 pm

Dennett, although certainly not difficult to hear out, does not strike the same fire that Richard Dawkins lights.

He uses the term "deluded" and even evoked the same experience with young persons as does Dr. Dawkins: "they come up to me and thank me", Dennett says.

Is he riding in the furrows already scribed by the hard-charging RD? Perhaps so.

It would be interesting to pair Dennett up with another Haggardist type and see who leaves the fray at the top of the heap.

135. Skyway to Heaven

Comment #18578 by k1mgy on January 21, 2007 at 6:28 pm

In my neck of the woods, light poles are still adorned with very durable posters proclaiming the "rapture" and a date (my recollection): July 10th, 1987.

I suspect the highway maintenance crews have failed to remove them simply to allow the statement to live on for as long as the glue holds.

136. Zeus devotees worship in Athens

Comment #18577 by k1mgy on January 21, 2007 at 6:19 pm

The Zeus stuff is great, but it's a bit far to travel for some of us.

I say, bring back Baal.

Not far from my home is a site called "Mystery Hill", located in Salem, New Hampshire USA.

The site includes a 12 acre astronomical calendar fashioned 4,000 years ago from stones (all they had to work with at the time). In the center a sacrificial table made of granite adorns the site.

Some fertility rites and sun worshiping ought to be A-OK with the authorities. The human sacrifice stuff will have to be omitted.

I say we crank up some nice baal worship, form a church, and sink our teeth into some of the current bush mal-administration's "Faith-based" funds. Equal treatment and all, baal ought not be left to starve but have his, her, or its piece of the great American Pie.

We can hand out snacks and, while the faithful eat, fill their minds with some baal mythology, then settle down for more of them fertility rites.

Anyone interested?

137. Some stars and planets in scale

Comment #18574 by k1mgy on January 21, 2007 at 6:08 pm

Regarding #5 comment:

Hmmm. One would think, "god" and all, that the shape would be of a crescent moon, a cross, or a sitting buddha.

The intelligent designer missed His chance to send us a big clue.

138. God, Inc

Comment #18572 by k1mgy on January 21, 2007 at 6:03 pm

A friend who is a reformed religionist recently likened "god" to "Mr. Hands", the character that would appear and squash a claymation character "Mr. Bill", both featured in the late night US comedy programme "Saturday Night Live" (when it was good).

Mr. Bill ambles along enjoying life and suddenly Mr. Hand appears on the scene and squashes the poor fellow.

Perhaps Mr. Diety is swinging from the same branches as Mr. Hands, eh?

139. Neither intellect nor faith will save humanity

Comment #18414 by k1mgy on January 20, 2007 at 4:34 pm

>>How can America be described as a "once great country"<< writes Martha.

Given the article was written in 2004, I bet the author was contrasting 4 years prior. Certainly we were greater then that the mess we've become present day.

The author's prediction that America would likely be voting back in the band of thugs that got us into this mess has fallen somewhat flat. What tempers my celebration is just how close we were to going the other way.

In all, a really well done piece. If anyone has a reference to any video or audio of this matchup please post a link here.

140. Sex and the Single-Minded

Comment #18363 by k1mgy on January 20, 2007 at 4:34 am

I am sorry for my home state.

141. Wash. school board restricts Gore's global-warming film

Comment #17738 by k1mgy on January 15, 2007 at 9:24 pm

>>As a data and systems analyst I have to ask that question all the time. Same goes for the carbon 14 factor. Where do the calculations come from that the world is several billions of years old when carbon 14 data is only good for a few thousand years?<<

~~Cringe~~

I think at this point we all owe a debt of thanks to the armies of computer scientists, engineers, and managers who work hard to prevent potentially disastrous miscalculations caused by bogus algorithms from fowling up critical software.

142. Federal Way schools restrict Gore film

Comment #17444 by k1mgy on January 13, 2007 at 7:15 pm

Regarding the Quote from "An Inconvenient Truth" p.160/161 referenced earlier:


"I believe that when God created us (and I do believe evolution was part of the process God used), He shaped us, breathed life and a soul into us, and then set us free within nature, not seperate from it, giving us intimate connections to all aspects of it. The relationship we have to the natural world is not a relationship between "us" and "it." It is us, and we are of it."

Al Gore, 2006



>>Your comments, please.

Al Gore comes from the Bible Belt of America and I am not surprised that he has been influenced by it.

The difference is that he is not attempting to ram his belief down the throat of America.

President Kennedy gave a wonderful speech which set to rest the blather about his catholicism during the presidential election campaign.

It's worth a read and is very applicable in today's Bush "faith-based" climate. I bet that Al Gore would agree with every word:

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/jfkhoustonministers.html

143. Federal Way schools restrict Gore film

Comment #17306 by k1mgy on January 12, 2007 at 8:54 pm

>>Out of all the people in this world that could've made this movie, why did it have to be a politician? :(<<

Al Gore was influenced by science long before he became active in politics (though from a very politically-active family to say the least). He points out in the film that his environmental interest began in his college days.

Those of us in the US who understood his background all trusted that he'd carry his environmental science into his political life and knew that if he became President, we'd see some big environmental initiatives. Unfortunately 'Murca rotated 180 degrees in the other direction, but Gore continues to use his influence and recognition for a very worthwhile fight.

144. You come up here and say that, Dawkins!

Comment #17297 by k1mgy on January 12, 2007 at 6:48 pm

"god" needs a shave.

145. Federal Way schools restrict Gore film

Comment #17295 by k1mgy on January 12, 2007 at 6:44 pm

Dear Seattle Post-Intelligencer:

(Author's note: somehow the newspaper's name and the crux of this story are in severe discord)

I read your story about the Federal Way School District's decision, based on the protests of Frosty Hardison - who "believes" the Earth is 14,000 years old - to restrict the showing of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth". Then I became ill. And then I kept repeating to myself, like Dorothy did in the Wizard of Oz, "there are still a few pockets of sanity and rationality left in America. There just have to be."

Perhaps sanity and rationality existed once in the Federal Way School District, but they're surely a gonner now.

Thanks for writing this story (likely as painful to write as to read) which serves to bring into the nation's conscience yet another pocket of rural idiocy, where one dolt can bring down the curtain for everyone else. Surely this community, and the school district that speaks for it, deserves some standing as a focal point of national laughter, and pity. You've earned Frosty Hardison. Just do the rest of us a favor: don't let him out.

146. Judge: Men can seek damages from church

Comment #17201 by k1mgy on January 11, 2007 at 7:13 pm

>>...the remaining allegations rely on the unproved assumption that U.S. bishops act as agents of the Vatican. He predicted that claim would not be borne out as the case proceeds.<<

Interesting how the "holy see" keeps a tight thumb pressed on their "agents" when proscribing old-world social policies (anti-birth control; anti-abortion; anti-gay, etc). Equally interesting how quickly the thumb releases when these same agents commit child rape and place the "holy see" in the grips of basic justice.

The actions of the religionists in this regard demonstrate the hollow drum of nothing that their "faith" truly is.

147. Open Letter to Rev. John Auer

Comment #16954 by k1mgy on January 9, 2007 at 6:44 pm

The church is such a political institution that, here in Boston, they got away with these same crimes.

Had you or I owned a business whose managers knew that child rape was occurring on our premises and by our employees, and we did nothing to stop it and even attempted to cover it up, we'd have our ass hauled right quick before a judge, answering to criminal charges such as "Conspiracy", "Obstruction of Justice", and "Racketeering".

But because the "holy" church is such a political institution, it survives unscathed from the retributive hand of the state. Prosecutors were apparently as afraid to drag the fat arses of the high preists before Grand juries as many are of criticizing religious "faith" for the sham that it is. In the end (sad pun) only a few individual priests were charged.

Thanks to civil litigation the holy church continues to be thrashed - forced to sell off property to pay out reparations for all the crimes, but the sad part is that because of the free ride they get here in 'Murca (tax-exempt status applies to property tax which can be significant for equivalent buildings and land) the citizens actually help in the pay off.

The forced religious indoctrination of children is a slow crime and therefore goes on virtually unnoticed (except perhaps not so now that courageous thinkers like Professor Dawkins brings this to light). The greater sin is the use of the power and "spirituality" of the holy church to effect child rape. This is deserving of the harshest punishment, both individually and institutionally, but the church as an institution will shake this off, just as they have all other forms of challenge.

Then, they will tell us that "god" forgave them, so why don't we?

148. Questionable Mission

Comment #16638 by k1mgy on January 7, 2007 at 7:18 pm

>>As a uniformed Air Force Maj. Gen. Jack J. Catton Jr. explains, "I found a wonderful opportunity as a director on the joint staff, as I meet the people that come into my directorate, and I tell them right up front who Jack Catton is . . . and my first priority is my faith in God, then my family and then country. I share my faith because it describes who I am."<<

The uniform that Air Force Maj. Gen. Jack J. Catton Jr. is wearing ought to be removed. The Major General's priorities seem inconsistent with it.

"God, then my family and then country", he spouts.

When I arrive at the office in the morning, my first priority is my work. I'm no Major General, nor the equivalent: a CEO. Nor have I a need to boast.

Why should this alleged leader have such confusion over the basics? I would suggest his religion, which is a fraud, has the Major General by the gonads, an unenviable position for any military leader. When trouble comes knocking, who is the Major General going to call? "God"? While waiting for the answer, which will never come, we may all get creamed.

Pity us here in 'Murca. With wackos now entrenched in our military service, finger on the trigger, we're clearly in some very deep doo doo.

149. Ancient religion may face extinction

Comment #16479 by k1mgy on January 6, 2007 at 7:24 pm

From the article that TranshumanAtheist referenced:

"The rise of the conservative religious Right in America is due to natural selection. Liberals have fewer babies than conservatives. Some of the difference is genetic. Some is due to values passed along to children."

Scary.

I should at least feel somewhat vindicated. We have twins and they will continue to be raised without religion, superstition, myth, and all other such foolishness.

150. Ancient religion may face extinction

Comment #16394 by k1mgy on January 6, 2007 at 1:35 pm

>>"Why am I hanging out with these folks?" he asked rhetorically.

"You're nuts", I answered, plainly.