1. Sharia law 'could have UK role'

Comment #204494 by rod-the-farmer on July 5, 2008 at 4:28 am

And I fucking hate lawyers. The fuckers have cost me an arm and a leg over the years.

2. Science is thrilling - except in our schools

Comment #204467 by rod-the-farmer on July 5, 2008 at 3:33 am

Re Comment #203636 by Edouard Pernod

You mention the lectures by Eric Landers. Can you provide a link for us ? Thanks. I very much like the idea of learning HOW and WHY people first discovered what they did, rather than total emphasis on WHAT they discovered.

In one high school year, my science teacher was so dull and boring that, I amused myself in other ways. Sitting in the back of the class, and only when in his class, I calculated the cribbage score of an entire deck of cards. I forget what it was, but in that number of inches (not sure what the unit was) you could go several times around the world at the equator, if I remember correctly. It was many months into the school year before he even noticed me, and had to look up my name on his class chart to find my name. Thank dog I am still interested in science, with teachers like him.

3. Former state science director sues over intelligent design e-mail

Comment #203430 by rod-the-farmer on July 2, 2008 at 11:11 pm

Hooray for her. But winning this case may not be as easy as some her (all ?) hope. In any case, she has my vote. I bet her counsel chooses trial by judge. Sounds like a Texas jury would be opposed to her complaint.

4. Evangelical Christians sign up to a 'Church within a Church'

Comment #203139 by rod-the-farmer on July 2, 2008 at 11:59 am

Never mind Rowan Williamson, what does Rowan Atkinson have to say about this ?

5. Can't Darwin and God get along?

Comment #202804 by rod-the-farmer on July 2, 2008 at 2:46 am

Evolution has so much of its data missing in history

6. Biologist Teaches the Nation's Judges About Genetics

Comment #202792 by rod-the-farmer on July 2, 2008 at 2:04 am

I don't suppose anyone FILMED these sessions, so they could be posted on YouTube or something where we could ALL get the benefit of the additional knowledge ? I for one would spend whatever time was required to watch them all.

7. It can be right to discriminate against the religious

Comment #202791 by rod-the-farmer on July 2, 2008 at 1:57 am

What if a burka-wearing muslim woman applied for a job at a cosmetics counter in a large department store ? Part of the job involves showing off your own makeup skills, I would think. Surely it would be reasonable for the store to refuse her application, based on her CHOICE to hide her face.

I can see it now....all new Help Wanted ads will say "Must bear own face to customers". Good grief. I fall back on my reaction to burkas. I whisper to my companion "I think she has leprosy".

8. CFI-UN Hamid Karzai Letter

Comment #202193 by rod-the-farmer on July 1, 2008 at 2:55 am

When this story first surfaced, I sent letters both to my local Member of Parliament, and the Prime Minister of Canada. I suggested that we withdraw Canadian troops from Afghanistan (which I would normally support strongly) if the belief system of their government is so far from our own. I got no response from one, and a form letter from the other. Last I read, we have lost more than 80 Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

9. Faith schools undermined by 'Government witch hunt'

Comment #202189 by rod-the-farmer on July 1, 2008 at 2:41 am

Two-thirds of the top-rated primaries in recent league tables were Anglican, Roman Catholic and Jewish schools.

10. Unlike Others, U.S. Defends Freedom to Offend in Speech

Comment #201107 by rod-the-farmer on June 29, 2008 at 3:48 am

Latest news from Canada

Rights commission dismisses complaint against Maclean's

11. Dawkins on Darwin

Comment #201098 by rod-the-farmer on June 29, 2008 at 2:51 am

Here is a question I would like to hear answered by others on this site. I am trying to come up with the single most convincing evidence for an old Earth, in the sense that this one piece would have the most effect on YEC types. Something that would show that evolution by natural selection, while quite slow in some areas, has an enormous amount of time in which to operate. What I have come up with is the combination of plate tectonics and the matching coastlines of South America and Africa, particularly if you examine the continental shelf. We can already detect their on-going slow separation, and by extrapolation, they have been moving apart for much longer than 6,000 years or so.

My thinking is that it is probably not hard to convince YEC's that the theory of plate tectonics is real/legitimate. It should be even easier to get them to agree the coastlines certainly appear as if they were once connected. That is just a visual thing anyone can see. The factual data regarding the separation should be demonstrable in a convincing fashion, so that the combination of all three should inevitably lead them to the conclusion that the Earth is many times older than 6,000 years.

Then can posit that Dog created & buried fossils to confuse us, or test our faith, or whatever. Or the speed of light changed over time, or the rate of radioactive decay, or some such fabrication to make their argument for a young earth possible, by countering other scientific proofs. But I personally would find it hard to suggest that Dog made the shorelines of the two continents nearly identical, plus made the various plates move around the surface of the earth, and at varying speeds, just to give scientists something to amuse them.

Any comments, or suggestions for a different "single" argument that would convince them ?

I know, there are a great many scientific proofs that together, make up an enormous body of evidence. I don't think we can get YEC types to listen to them all. I would just like to hit them with one big bang, so to speak.

12. A secular world is a sane world

Comment #200620 by rod-the-farmer on June 28, 2008 at 2:02 am

Re Comment #200596 by mordacious1

When is Josh going to get this site back to automatically posting links? It is annoying.

13. Saudi Marriage Officiant : 'It Is Allowed To Marry A Girl At The Age Of One'.

Comment #200140 by rod-the-farmer on June 27, 2008 at 1:28 am

And in a related story

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=5253239

an 11-year old girl in Romania who was raped, will be allowed to have an abortion, says the government. But pro-life Christian Orthodox groups are challenging the decision.

It would seem there are nuts in more than one branch of religion.

14. Stop distorting young minds!

Comment #199950 by rod-the-farmer on June 26, 2008 at 2:30 pm

I tried to put that first paragraph on Wikipedia as an entry for Anousic, which didn't exist until then. It looks like it will fail to pass some tests. Hee hee

15. Creationist critics get their comeuppance

Comment #199818 by rod-the-farmer on June 26, 2008 at 11:36 am

Creationist critics get their comeuppance

16. God hates Mars

Comment #199701 by rod-the-farmer on June 26, 2008 at 8:05 am

As a small boy I lived in Antwerp (Belgium, for the geographically less inclined) for a year. I distinctly remember a corner store which had chocolate BARS. These were, as best as I can remember, almost 12 by 6 by 2. Inches. I could never afford one as a youth, but I remember them still.

17. God hates Mars

Comment #199699 by rod-the-farmer on June 26, 2008 at 8:01 am

Re #2. Comment #199392 by acs

I regularly debate with a chapter of local baptists.

18. God hates Mars

Comment #199671 by rod-the-farmer on June 26, 2008 at 7:15 am

For you die hard chokkie fans, my sister runs a shop for you. She makes neat things like chocolate flavoured with things like Grand Marnier and Pina Colada. Mmm.

http://www.copperkettlechocolate.ca/store/

But she only ships to Canadian addresses.

19. Fossil of most primitive 4-legged creature found

Comment #199608 by rod-the-farmer on June 26, 2008 at 4:14 am

"It's sort of out of sequence in timing," Shubin said of Ventastega.

20. God hates Mars

Comment #199595 by rod-the-farmer on June 26, 2008 at 3:51 am

Mars is a desert planet and perhaps there is ice and maybe even water there. So what? Who cares? It's water! That doesn't mean a thing. Life originated on Earth when God spoke it into existence and there is no need in wasting billions of dollars of taxpayer money searching for an answer that is based upon faulty evolutionary ideas.

No need...to search for an answer based upon faulty evolutionary ideas.

21. Galaxy map hints at fractal universe

Comment #199298 by rod-the-farmer on June 25, 2008 at 1:08 pm

Way WAY back when I had one of the first 286 computers, there was a fractal program that would chunk along and display random fractal designs. I suppose there are modern ones available these days, that would run much quicker with all the hardware upgrades since then. Mandelbrot was the name I remember.

22. Mormons urged to back ban on same-sex marriage

Comment #199062 by rod-the-farmer on June 25, 2008 at 6:39 am

Religion: definition - an organisation devoted to worship of an imaginary figure, which tries to impose its beliefs on non-members of that religion, indeed members of any or no religion.

23. Saudi Marriage Officiant : 'It Is Allowed To Marry A Girl At The Age Of One'.

Comment #198699 by rod-the-farmer on June 24, 2008 at 11:24 am

Who says all men are ferocious wolves?

24. Should We Rid The Mind of God? A Debate

Comment #198470 by rod-the-farmer on June 24, 2008 at 4:55 am

Codswallop. I actually took the time to listen to it while counting the number of times McGrath says "It seems to me". I found about a dozen of them. This is perhaps just a phrase he is in the habit of using, and no more need be said about it, OR, an indication of how weak his arguments are, that he can only make a point based on his own thinking. Never mind the facts, this is how I think....

25. Should We Rid The Mind of God? A Debate

Comment #198460 by rod-the-farmer on June 24, 2008 at 2:56 am

In the first section where McGrath speaks, he lost my vote. He says he had to "re-orientate" himself. No such word. Re-orient himself, certainly. A professor ? Bah.

26. New discovery proves 'selfish gene' exists

Comment #198226 by rod-the-farmer on June 23, 2008 at 11:57 am

OK, here is the link to the PDF, prior to "real" publication. You have to download it to see the file, it is not viewable in place.

Peter R Oxley, Graham J Thompson, and Benjamin P Oldroyd

Four QTLs that Influence Worker Sterility in the Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera)


http://www.genetics.org/cgi/rapidpdf/genetics.108.087270v1

27. New discovery proves 'selfish gene' exists

Comment #198068 by rod-the-farmer on June 23, 2008 at 6:42 am

UWO has called me back to say they will either send me the PDF, or find a link where the full article is posted. Stay tuned.

28. The Flea Delusion

Comment #197720 by rod-the-farmer on June 22, 2008 at 2:31 pm

One is tempted to do some investigation into just how many copies of these fleas have been sold, world-wide. Not sure if an informal inquiry to their various publishers would produce an accurate answer. I am also not sure it would be wise, as I fear that info about really poor sales by one or more flea authors would somehow cause some random fundie preacher to exhort his sheeple to run out and buy a copy. Or even for the well-endowed to buy boxes of them for handing out to whoever.

Suggestions ? Is there a web site where we could do random checks ?

29. White Patches Found in Mars Trench Are Ice, Scientists Say

Comment #197549 by rod-the-farmer on June 22, 2008 at 10:09 am

Here is the latest weather from Mars

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/marsweather/

30. Where do US lawmakers stand on science?

Comment #197546 by rod-the-farmer on June 22, 2008 at 10:05 am

Here are the seven questions....

1. Innovation. Science and technology have been responsible for half of the growth of the American economy since World War II. But several recent reports question America's continued leadership in these vital areas. What policies would you support to ensure that America remains the world leader in innovation?

2. Climate Change. The Earth's climate is changing and there is concern about the potentially adverse effects of these changes on life on the planet. What is your position on the following measures that have been proposed to address global climate changeâ€"a cap-and-trade system, a carbon tax, increased fuel-economy standards, and research? Are there other policies you would support?

3. Energy. Many scientists and policymakers say energy security and sustainability are major problems facing the United States this century. What policies would you support to meet the demand for energy while ensuring an economically and environmentally sustainable future?

4. Education. A comparison of 15-year-olds in 30 wealthy nations found that average science scores among U.S. students ranked 17th, while average U.S. math scores ranked 24th. What role do you think the federal government should play in preparing K-12 students for the science and technology driven 21st Century?

5. Water. Thirty-nine states expect some level of water shortage over the next decade, and scientific studies suggest that a majority of our water resources are at risk. What policies would you support to meet demand for water resources?

6. Research. For many years, Congress has recognized the importance of science and engineering research to realizing our national goals. Given that the next Congress will likely face spending constraints, what priority would you give to investment in basic research in upcoming budgets?

7. Health. Americans are increasingly concerned with the cost, quality, and availability of health care. How do you see science, research, and technology contributing to improved health and quality of life?

31. What Happens When a School Board of Religious Zealots Will 'Lie for Jesus'?

Comment #197274 by rod-the-farmer on June 21, 2008 at 2:20 pm

Although my driveway is about 1300 feet long (we live on a farm) I am hoping they come by one more time. Last time I said "Boy have YOU come to the wrong place - I'm a militant atheist". They left immediately.

This time I plan to ask them if they know about the prescription against blood transfusions, and if they know transfusions have been done since the early 1900's, and finally if they know when their leadership decided "they" were against it. I think it was 1949. I will ask them to explain why it took so long.

I will make sure there are chairs on my front porch, so we can sit down and have a looooong discussion about their beliefs, and see how many holes I can poke in them before they give up and leave. I figure this is a sort of charitable donation to the community. I figure I am deflecting this sort of nonsense from others who may not have the time or inclination to debate with these guys. I wonder if I can get a tax deduction ?

And epeeist, I like your idea of the age of the earth and the flood as topics worthy of discussion. Myself, I am partial to Noah and his ark. In a farming community there are always people who can tell you off the top of their heads, just how much fodder a cow or horse eats in 40 days. Not many boat-builders around here who can explain why you DON'T load a ship with the cargo while the boat is sitting in drydock, you wait until it is afloat and the entire hull can help bear the weight.

32. New discovery proves 'selfish gene' exists

Comment #197233 by rod-the-farmer on June 21, 2008 at 12:14 pm

I have contacted UWO to ask for more details. Stay tuned. Movie at 11.

33. PZ Myers - Science and Atheism in the Blogosphere

Comment #197179 by rod-the-farmer on June 21, 2008 at 9:43 am

Steve, I was thinking (hoping ?) that there may be room for a NON-scientist, just an ordinary bloke, to participate in one of these debates. Sort of the average man on the street. While we all love to watch Hitchens eviscerate a fundie who simply does not know his stuff, I think there is room for the idea that you DON'T have to be a multiple university degree holder, to be educated enough to see through the bafflegab that is much of religious thought. There are so MANY of them out there, that the Four Horsemen cannot reach them all. Local debates might help get the idea across that "Woo hoo, there are atheists among us, and actually, they are nice people. One of my best friends is an atheist."

I did not complete my university courses, and have no intention of going back now. But I feel rather strongly that I could give as good as I get in a civil debate with someone at my level, even a local preacher who irritates me no end, and prove that ANYONE can be rational. Even a dummy like me.

I am tempted to issue an invitation to a debate with this preacher, to be held in the local community hall. I am afraid it might cause problems within my family, though. Son in high school, and all that.

34. PZ Myers - Science and Atheism in the Blogosphere

Comment #197162 by rod-the-farmer on June 21, 2008 at 9:02 am

The Richard Dawkins Foundation web site has Richard asking for volunteers to pick up some of the invitations he receives for debates. He gets far too many to respond to them all. So, over to you Steve. I would be happy to do some myself, but my scientific background is nowhere near as impressive as yours, or many others. I think I could be described as moderately well-read in a several areas of science, but I might do more harm than good. What I offer is some passion for the subject, extensive experience in public speaking on four continents, plus (brags here) I am one of the minor contributors to the BBC "Have Your Say" program. They have called me four times in the past year and a bit, to appear on their radio show. I am, in their words, 'articulate and thoughtful', and a Canadian. That, and a dollar, will get you a coffee or a tea in the local shops. Could have knocked me over with a feather the first time they called. My sisters' response was "Of COURSE you have an opinion, you're a {insert family name here}."

35. Should Strident British Atheist Richard Dawkins Dictate Education Policy to US States? Barbara Forrest Apparently Thinks So

Comment #197095 by rod-the-farmer on June 21, 2008 at 4:37 am

Has anyone found a way to post a comment on the Discovery Institute site ? They have a lot of articles about this Louisiana thing, but I was not able to find a way to post a question.

My question will be quite simple, so I want to see if they will allow it.

What exactly are the "strengths" of the Darwin theory of evolution that the Discovery Institute would support being taught ?

36. Science teacher dissed evolution

Comment #197084 by rod-the-farmer on June 21, 2008 at 4:14 am

The Columbus Ohio newspaper has a blog where people can submit their feelings on this teacher and his actions. The very first to respond was supportive of him teaching creationism. After that there were a great many who responded to that first post, almost all of them sounding like they would be fans of this site. Ohio MAY be a bit in the bible belt, but there are a lot of rational secularists who took the time to post comments.

http://blog.dispatch.com/edblog/2008/06/science_vs_religion.shtml

37. Science teacher dissed evolution

Comment #196975 by rod-the-farmer on June 20, 2008 at 7:37 pm

I think we should forward this to Ben Stein. Seriously. He can point to it as an example of a teacher who preached against evolution, and in favour of creationism, then was fired. Then we whack the listener with the side comment....."Of course, he was also burning crosses on the arms of students". Should this be added to the web sites that rebut the Expelled movie ? Sort of a pre-emptive strike ?

All together now....We could not make this stuff up.....

38. Science teacher dissed evolution

Comment #196794 by rod-the-farmer on June 20, 2008 at 12:49 pm

Further links on the newspaper web site....You HAVE to read this. I defer to the Irate Atheist for a word to describe this nut.

http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/local_news/stories/2008/06/19/Freshwater.pdf

39. Science teacher dissed evolution

Comment #196781 by rod-the-farmer on June 20, 2008 at 12:35 pm

One the Columbus, Ohio newspaper web site I found this

http://www.dispatch.com/wwwexportcontent/sites/dispatch/local_news/stories/2008/04/22/2006_complaint.pdf

a copy of the letter sent to the teacher in question, back in mid-2006, investigating his use of non-standard material in his classroom. He was cautioned to stick to the official curriculum.

Stick a fork in him, he's done.

40. Science teacher dissed evolution

Comment #196769 by rod-the-farmer on June 20, 2008 at 12:26 pm

I agree with SonOfSLJ

"With the exception of the cross-burning episode. … I believe John Freshwater is teaching the values of the parents in the Mount Vernon school district," he said.

You cannot separate your value system from your teaching.

41. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #196667 by rod-the-farmer on June 20, 2008 at 10:08 am

Re Comment #196548 by Barry Pearson

I watched the 3 part video on YouTube with the interview with the two gentlemen who wrote a book trying to answer points in "The God Delusion". They DO admire his writing style, his language, and his passion for the subject. But consider him perhaps a bit supercilious. Again they raised the use of the word "brights". Hopefully, I thought they would mention/raise a point or two I might find interesting. Nope. The closest they came to something from their book was this business about the statue of the virgin mary waving at Richard. Apparently the idea that the molecules could re-arrange themselves to cause the arm to wave, is so ridiculous that IF the arm waved....wait for it...god must exist. Working through the angel Animatronicus, I suppose. Oh well. That wasted several minutes of my time, but it DID save me the money I would have spent if I had bought their book. Which I wouldn't have, anyway. If you can't list some of the points IN your book, but spend all three videos talking about WHY you wrote it, you may have a weak case. But the two authors did sound a bit panicky at the damage done to the faith of believers, once they had read TGD.

What WOULD they think if they heard Christopher Hitchens !

42. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #196637 by rod-the-farmer on June 20, 2008 at 9:15 am

Re Comment #196521 by Tyler Durden

Comment #196181 by rod-the-farmer

Superb! Kudos.

Note to self: never piss off rod-the-farmer :)

43. Muslim countries win concession regarding religious debates

Comment #196506 by rod-the-farmer on June 20, 2008 at 4:28 am

Response to the comment by Corylus

You can be an Atheist and a religious scholar at the same time.

44. Muslim countries win concession regarding religious debates

Comment #196458 by rod-the-farmer on June 20, 2008 at 2:19 am

I await with bated breath the definition of a "religious scholar". No matter how hard they try to silence us, someone with no fear of religion will stand up (I hope) and challenge these guys on FGM. I suggest that anyone who does not meet the qualifications for such a position should be allowed to vote on what those qualifications are. Now THAT should tie them up in knots for a while.

And if not, then it will open the door to rational people.

45. Is the Universe Actually Made of Math?

Comment #196199 by rod-the-farmer on June 19, 2008 at 12:55 pm

This is what happens when you put physicists and alcohol together.

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/81336

46. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #196181 by rod-the-farmer on June 19, 2008 at 12:12 pm

Here is my letter to Gov. Jindal

Although I am not a resident of your state, I am sorry to read you plan to approve the SB733 bill. I have heard you speak about the need for high quality education for the children of Louisiana. Introducing religion into science classes is the LAST thing you want to do. If you are already seeing a brain-drain of young, highly educated people from the state, this will only accentuate this problem, plus, it will stop people from COMING to LA to be educated. Many families will simply not move there, for lack of the teaching of good science. Bronze age myths have no place in a science classroom. As for "teaching the controversy" ? There is none, except in the minds of religious fringe people who have no education on the subject of evolution in the first place. Almost none of them have even read Darwins book "On the Origin of Species". They have just been told by their preachers that it contradicts Genesis, so it MUST be wrong.

Passing this bill will cause a number of things to happen:

(1) Louisiana will become the laughing stock of the western world. You will be blamed. You may well become a one-term Governor remembered only for this.

(2) The state will be sued by parents, just like the Dover PA School Board was. The Constitution is quite clear on this subject. And once again, the state will lose, with substantial costs awarded to the plaintiffs. Again, you will be blamed. There even may be calls to impeach you for approving a bill that is counter to the U.S. Constitution.

(3) I will personally contact as many of the large corporations as I can find, who have offices in your state. I will advise them in writing that I will not purchase any of their products or services, that I will not travel to LA, nor will I permit my friends & family to go there without a long lecture on traveling back to the middle ages. I will ensure they understand it is solely because of SB733, and that you approved it..

You are supposed to be an educated man. I can't imagine you made it as far as a university degree in biology without seeing the flaws in the arguments against evolution. It is not a theory, it is a fact. Only the religious nuts can't accept this.

Respectfully,

47. Charles Darwin: 'Is man an ape or an angel?'

Comment #195613 by rod-the-farmer on June 18, 2008 at 3:53 pm

Could NOT get this to play more than the first few seconds. Downloaded it eventually, then just LISTENED to it. Video makes it too choppy for me.

48. Darwinmania!

Comment #195337 by rod-the-farmer on June 18, 2008 at 4:40 am

Re 8. Comment #195331 by Animavore

I think the reason some wish to celebrate Darwin is that his work has helped us define what we are. A-theists. Pasteur et al. did not have anywhere NEAR the effect on our view of the world. Pretty much single-handedly Darwin disposed of the need for religion. All the graphs I have seen indicate that loss of faith around the world took a huge jump with the publication of "Origins". It allowed the common man to read for himself how Darwin came to his conclusion of natural selection. In addition to all this is the growth of the right-wing fundie political pressure groups in the U.S. The celebration is in large part a response to this.

A good challenge to evolution deniers is to ask if they have read "Origins".

49. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195296 by rod-the-farmer on June 18, 2008 at 3:05 am

Re Comment #195216 by mordacious1 on June 17, 2008

Loke

Welcome to the club!

I hope you will consider being a frequent poster. We need more input on the physics articles, especially, but your insight from being a convert would be interesting too.

50. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195004 by rod-the-farmer on June 17, 2008 at 2:19 pm

One down, 2 billion to go. And another vote for the sometimes abrasive & arrogant Christopher Hitchens. His way DOES work, sometimes.