Comments by severalspeciesof

Comment #286123 by severalspeciesof on November 18, 2008 at 7:53 am

203. Comment #285955 by MPhil & 209. Comment #285969 by MPhil

MPhil,

For what it's worth (and my apologies for horning in on your conversation with Steve Z.)...

From what you are saying about emergent characteristics, would this analogy be sufficient?--

Let’s consider the evolution of the brain as a lever. The environment it’s fulcrum. Change the position of the fulcrum (different inputs) and you get different outputs. The material hasn’t changed, in other words, evolution remains economical, but the results can change drastically…

252. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #286104 by severalspeciesof on November 18, 2008 at 7:17 am

Oh dear,

DP,

I seem to be receiving a mixed message about your school taxation proposal...

One the one hand you stated:

...Yes we should get taxed to have public schools...

then later it was followed up with this odd comment:

Well its also me being realistic because there is no way we would get rid of public education in this country...

as though you don't want public education but are resigned to the fact of it's existence...

Am I misreading you?

And regarding your stance about paying less taxes if you don't have children, Roger Stanyard put it quite nicely with this:

Why? I benefited from state education, why shouldn't I pay regardless of whether or not I have children. Business benefits from state education. Why shouldn't it carry part of the costs?

253. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285808 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 4:33 pm

Just a drive by here...

DP:

2) Schools is another one. Yes we should get taxed to have public schools but we should be allowed to send our children where we please. The child should have a check with him and schools should have to fight for them to attended their school. I also believe if you have no children then you should have to pay less in school taxes.

In the interest of civility, kudos to you DP...

I actually agree with you here except the paying of less taxes from people with no children...

I think I felt an earthquake... ;-)

254. Atheism, a positive pillar

Comment #285598 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 11:07 am

Steve Zara,

I am now even against the term "atheist". It makes as much sense to me to be "anti-santa-clauseist". I am simply not deluded.

So you're an adeludedist? ;-)

Say that 10 times fast...

255. Atheism, a positive pillar

Comment #285584 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 10:47 am

Though I understand the gist of the article, I'm at odds with the labels being used:
Positive atheist...
Like positive Santa deniers?
or positive anti-astrologers?
or positive 'non-collecting stamps is a hobby' people?

At least the term fundamentalist atheist wasn't used here...

256. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285570 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 10:36 am

Sciros:

BTW, I'm back from vacation. hehe. And I see this thread broke 10000 and Obama pwned McCain while I was away.

Welcome back...

As for breaking 10,000, I think it was a typo, we're going for 100,000...

Obama pwning McCain....
Priceless...

257. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285558 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 10:21 am

just wondering...

Is Microsoft to computer software as General Motors was to the auto industry?

[Edit: I mixed tense on purpose]

258. Educated Catholics have sown dissent and confusion in the Church, claims bishop

Comment #285533 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 9:38 am

You just can't get around that concupiscence for knowledge.

Do you mean...

For
Understanding
Carnal
Knowledge? ;-)

259. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285531 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 9:33 am

*purrrring*

260. Hitchens v Albacete - Excerpts

Comment #285507 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 9:06 am

NMcC,

“The criticism of religion as the illusionary happiness of man is, at the same time, a criticism of the conditions that need illusions.”

Little wonder he leaves it out, for Hitchens, of course, is now one of the most vociferous defenders of that society that ‘requires illusions’.

Interesting take, yet I feel that Hitchens actually does address that part of Marx's quote by commenting on the conditions of life of early man, and our evolutionary conditioning towards seeking patterns.

As far as defending society that 'requires illusions', I don't think any society exists without some 'illusions'. To have a society without illusions would require a global/universal society that everyone agrees to. And even then there could be self imposed 'illusions'.

261. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285480 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 8:23 am

Results of total free market capitalism, or anything total:
CLICK HERE

enjoy...

262. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285466 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 7:48 am

Quetz,

It's what my kind does... ;-)

(You got your powers, Skylark has his.)

Together we could wreak havoc on this world...

*Purrring*

263. Educated Catholics have sown dissent and confusion in the Church, claims bishop

Comment #285461 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 7:43 am

"Taken together, these intellectual trends have resulted in a fragmented society that marginalizes God, with many people mistakenly thinking they can live happy and productive lives without him...

Damned, and I thought I was so happy...

... the shadows cast by the distortion of education, and corresponding societal changes, have also touched members of the Church. As Pope Benedict XVI puts it, even in the Church we find hedonism, selfishness and egocentric behavior."

to think that's never happened before (NOT!)...

264. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285448 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 7:27 am

Quetz,

*Skylark scampers off to another thread* ;-)

265. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285437 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 7:16 am

Quetz:

I save the full force of my atheistic callousness for the women I go out with.

266. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285422 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 6:50 am

decius,

the A word is...

dare I say it...

is...

Ayers

*eyes dart about looking for DP*

Quetz,

You have crushed me...

I can't seem to stop blubbering now...

it's difficult to see through these tear stained eyes...

but that may be a good thing...

won't see DP coming...

267. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #285415 by severalspeciesof on November 17, 2008 at 6:36 am

*taps microphone*

*blows into microphone*

ahem...

To everyone here...
mea culpa on bringing up the A word last Friday...

maybe that has put the knife into the heart of this thread... :-)

R.I.P.

268. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #284163 by severalspeciesof on November 14, 2008 at 1:59 pm

Well by going back and reading all your comments, I think that you are implying rather loudly that you want all republicans dead. You want to bring about death on a large scale. (I can also play that game.)

Please explain...

And answering your question about McCain and associating with abortionists, if the parameters are the same as with Obama/Ayers, no I would not let that bother me. I'll explain further, but now I really do have to go...

Al

Why does your cat's eyes glow... does this have something to do with his divinity(qm)

Yes, his divinity just oozes out of him...

Also, it's a cat thing...

Seriously, light from any source can be reflected back out of a cats' eyes and many other animal eyes...

That's why many animal eyes can 'glow' in the dark... cool eh)

269. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #284153 by severalspeciesof on November 14, 2008 at 1:11 pm

Damn...

Being timed out here at the library...

Continuing...

A point by point analysis of your first reply (10540. Comment #284121 by DarwinsPitbull)to me:

1) You actually brought back up Ayers.

D minus,
Yes Ayer was brought up, but to set the record straight, not to further the Obama=terrorism (that you're not saying by exact words, but implying rather loudly...)

2)No one ever blamed Obama for what Ayers did, what I wondered is why he would associate with him. Its guilt of association, not guilt by association.

C minus
Incomplete answer...

Guilt of association doesn't tell us anything more, pretty much meaningless unless one can provide causation- which it then becomes guilt by association (You've actually admitted in that very statement that there is no causation)...

3) No its not a hard concept to understand what they were about 40 years ago. I think thats the problem most people here have is that they don't understand. They think they were just a bunch of hippies spreading peace and love.

No grade...
You do assume a lot, don't you...

270. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #284144 by severalspeciesof on November 14, 2008 at 12:58 pm

10545. Comment #284133 by DarwinsPitbull

What is wrong with you people' DO you have selective reading syndrome' I, or Mccain, or Palin, ever said Obama was a terrorist. What your doing is making up what you wish I said and then arguing against that.

Being pendantic are we'

(yes I know I said I'd be gone for the weekend, but as luck would have it I had to go to the public library with my son, so here I am, you lucky readers...;-))

Your constant association of Obama/Ayers without critical analysis screams: watchout for Obama...He might be a terrorist (think Ayers), or have terrorist leanings (think Ayers)...

There's no need for saying exactly "Obama was a terrorist" when you do those things...

271. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #284110 by severalspeciesof on November 14, 2008 at 11:21 am

I don't think anyone here doesn't understand what the weather underground was about, but that has nothing to do with Obama 40 years later...

To equate the two (Obama and the weather underground) is absurd, which is apparently what you're trying to do, or is there a different reason for bringing this up?

I look forward to your reply, but for now, I've got to go for the weekend...

You certainly are the pitbull clamping down on thin air...

272. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #284088 by severalspeciesof on November 14, 2008 at 10:15 am

Sort of back on Topic:

Ayers clears the air:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Politics/story?id=6251086&page=1

273. Proposition 8 made me quit the Mormon church

Comment #284034 by severalspeciesof on November 14, 2008 at 6:45 am

Comment #283949 by Corylus

"Atheism is a religion as commando is a form of underwear."

LOL!!!

274. Proposition 8 made me quit the Mormon church

Comment #284031 by severalspeciesof on November 14, 2008 at 6:43 am

41. Comment #283955 by Wosret

I'm in agreement with you 'cept the eye rolling part...

I think what Olbermann was doing is exactly the same thing the 'other' side does... play with your emotions with the use or abuse of language...

I thought he did it quite well...

as far as you being a nasty prick... ;-)

275. Richard Dawkins: An Exclusive Profile

Comment #283276 by severalspeciesof on November 13, 2008 at 11:06 am

Dr Doctor

Preferably on a blank cheque.

You're not trying to rouse the spirit of D. Robertson, are you? ;-)

(shudders to think...)

276. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #283258 by severalspeciesof on November 13, 2008 at 10:29 am

Hawt4dawk

As I said, "Darwin's Barnacle". :-D

What I admire is not that he maintains what I think are mistaken ideas, despite all evidence and arguments, but rather that he stays in the discussion and doesn't seem to become discouraged.

I missed the "Darwin's Barnacle" comment, good one...

Though Darwinspitbull is also apropos. Pitbulls, from what I understand, do not let go once they've got their teeth firmly clamped down on something...

problem here is that this pitbull seems to come up short on many of his bites...

Hmmm...

Maybe he's a cross between a mouse and a pitbull...

Still thinking on that...

277. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #283181 by severalspeciesof on November 13, 2008 at 8:43 am

Whatever species I am, you better keep your cat away from me or ill give it rabbies and tear it up.

Almost funny...

But you do know that rabies affects the mind...

I still like you though...

you do have a tenacity that I admire...

278. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #282642 by severalspeciesof on November 12, 2008 at 1:34 pm

Titania,

I've thought it over...

DP's a brand new species of rodent...

haven't named it yet...

279. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #282632 by severalspeciesof on November 12, 2008 at 1:21 pm

10387. Comment #282616 by Titania

10384. Comment #282612 by Goldy

OOOOOOO Goldy, we were having such a good time...

Goldy does have that look about him...

280. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #282611 by severalspeciesof on November 12, 2008 at 12:55 pm

Titania,

Sorry for the confusion, but in my eyes DP's more like a rabbit, a slow rabbit...

Now there was a poster on another thread (I forget which) going by the moniker 'Garp'...

now THAT was a true mouse...

wouldn't answer most of the questions we put to him/her, only respond with yet more inanity...

but with DP...

he does answer...

oh wait...

now I'm confused...

but there is a difference...

I'll have to think it over... ;-)

281. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #282594 by severalspeciesof on November 12, 2008 at 12:40 pm

Interesting. Perhaps DP is actually Sooty with Wooter's hand up the glove manipulating him.

I could have Skylark change DP into a mouse and we could all bat him around...

Naw...

I like DP...

sticks to his sights...

riles a few people...

and yet is still an atheist...

he's good (as you Brits might say) wanking material...

well...

not really... ;-)

282. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #282479 by severalspeciesof on November 12, 2008 at 9:15 am

Irate:

Wooter is to thought what fart is to thunderstorm.

You're being too generous to wooter...

283. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #282035 by severalspeciesof on November 11, 2008 at 1:05 pm

10291. Comment #281985 by Titania

According to that link it means that the U.S. was a Marxist state when first formed...

You know, using civilians in a war...

284. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #282010 by severalspeciesof on November 11, 2008 at 11:29 am

Oh... what the hell...

Adding another post...

*rolls eyes*

Ahh yes, the good ole' days...

285. Islamic radicals make mockery of hate laws

Comment #281539 by severalspeciesof on November 10, 2008 at 2:59 pm

Since this all seems to be wrapped up in religion, it's slimeyness will be hard to pin down...

286. 'Child-witches' of Nigeria seek refuge

Comment #281528 by severalspeciesof on November 10, 2008 at 2:33 pm

This is sickening...

religion always seems to come at a price, both figuratively and literally...

and here the price is too high...

and so goes the chant...
*...but it's not MY religion...*

287. The 'Great Debate' in Texas

Comment #281526 by severalspeciesof on November 10, 2008 at 2:25 pm

Hawt4dawk,

Excellent link. People just don't have any notion of marriage throughout history. Hell, if memory serves me right (lately not so!) marriage in early christianity and before, was basically reserved for those wanting transfer of wealth, in which the church got to get part of it. Most people were married by common law, in other words, they lived together long enough to get some type of recognition that they were 'married'. It wasn't a church sacrament until many centuries after the birth of christianity.

Hope your time away was well spent...

288. The 'Great Debate' in Texas

Comment #281427 by severalspeciesof on November 10, 2008 at 10:10 am

re. comment #281416 by root2squared,

Interesting question...

My take* on that is 'Robin Hood' is wrong in doing so. Money only goes so far, but words and ideas go a lot farther and can have much more of an effect. Think of the 'run on a bank' scenario. The bank can have a very stable and large cash flow, but if the idea that it's in a precarious position gains any momentum, that idea alone can ruin it.

*I know... I'm not Richard... ;-)

289. Gay Marriage Outlawed in California

Comment #280184 by severalspeciesof on November 7, 2008 at 6:01 am

Comment #280162 by Quetzalcoatl

How do you deal with the situation when you shed that reptilian skin? ;-)

290. Religion: A Tool to Keep the Parasites Away?

Comment #279846 by severalspeciesof on November 6, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Late to this discussion, but I'll add my two cents worth...

Regarding MPhil's wonderful take on religion and Steve's pointed question regarding adolescence. We're assuming, regarding adolescence, that the same life stages were then also around during the formation of religion. Our life spans were so much shorter, and the environment so much different that it's difficult to see that human life went through the same stages as today's human life. Adolescence may not have existed then in the same way as it does now.

Okay, done now...

Carry on...

291. Gay Marriage Outlawed in California

Comment #279721 by severalspeciesof on November 6, 2008 at 10:11 am

Carto,

My heart goes out to you, but you're not entirely irrational, only human...

and recognizing the irrational puts you light years ahead of many in regards to the ability to deal with it...

Imagine if you were stuck in the religious mindmeld with those very thoughts... (YUCK!!)

good luck...

and Skylark also wishes you well...

292. Gay Marriage Outlawed in California

Comment #279515 by severalspeciesof on November 6, 2008 at 6:30 am

I've never understood how one can get this idea that allowing same sex marriage is somehow tantamount to being against 'traditional' marriage. Yet they hammer it into peoples head as thought that's the truth...

and unfortunately people don't think things through...

which is why we have religion controlling our lives instead of the other way around...

Well, now that I think about it, I do understand why...

Those that say allowing same sex marriage is the same as being against 'traditional' marriage actually HATE homosexuality...

and that's sad...

293. President Obama: Bad News For the New Atheists and Other Fundamentalists

Comment #279152 by severalspeciesof on November 5, 2008 at 3:43 pm

Once I got to this part:

There is no way to understand President elect Obama's victory as anything less than the start of not just a monumental political change but a spiritual revolution as well.

I knew it would be all dribble after...

Frank Schaeffer needs a bib...

294. Paddy Power offers odds of 4-1 that God exists

Comment #278861 by severalspeciesof on November 5, 2008 at 10:43 am

Which god?

My Skylark exists...

He thinks he's a feline god...

295. ELECTION DAY IN THE USA. GO VOTE.

Comment #278854 by severalspeciesof on November 5, 2008 at 10:25 am

I'm going to wait to do any serious evaluating on what this could mean for America until I see who Obama actually chooses for his cabinet...

296. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #278751 by severalspeciesof on November 5, 2008 at 6:05 am

I celebrated by playing SuperMario64...

the 'Boo' section in particular...

figured now that all the 'evil spirits' have been released for the end times, it would be apropos...

Skylark even 'helped' (by getting in the way!!)...

297. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #278134 by severalspeciesof on November 4, 2008 at 12:24 pm

I must scamper off again, tonight is awaiting...

298. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #278118 by severalspeciesof on November 4, 2008 at 12:17 pm

re: 566. Comment #278008 by Quetzalcoatl

Quetz,

Do you think he'll even respond?...

I swiped him earlier...

Maybe too hard...

Poor little mouse...

299. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #278112 by severalspeciesof on November 4, 2008 at 12:14 pm

Finally had the chance to read one of the links Richard provided about false info on the election day...

I have this to say...

ONLY A CLASS 1 MISDEMEANOR?

Sheez...

300. For many evangelicals, it will be the end of the world if Obama wins

Comment #278078 by severalspeciesof on November 4, 2008 at 11:50 am

re:560. Comment #277992 by Richard Dawkins

Thanks Richard!!!