1. Odontochelys, a transitional turtle

Comment #295103 by ggab7768 on December 1, 2008 at 7:15 pm

The plastron shows that they spent a significant amount of time on the surface of the water.
Death from below and all.

2. Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson Debate

Comment #295098 by ggab7768 on December 1, 2008 at 7:10 pm

I believe in miracles because miracles happened.
I believe the bible because the bible says to.
Nothing new in that little loop.
I can't understand how they can say such things without shame.

3. Christopher Hitchens and Douglas Wilson Debate

Comment #295024 by ggab7768 on December 1, 2008 at 5:10 pm

I agree that there were missed opportunities, but that will always be the case.
There are noticably fewer missed opportunities than similar debates from a few years ago.
Hitch seems to be just warming up.
He loves the debate and i can't wait for the future refinements.

4. Is Obama the Antichrist?

Comment #286754 by ggab7768 on November 19, 2008 at 10:28 am

They're right. That's not nuts, it's batshit, danger to those around you, bar the doors, hide the children crazy.
I'm still working on my plan to burn the stupid as fuel.

5. Uncertain times for US Religious Right

Comment #285043 by ggab7768 on November 16, 2008 at 3:36 pm

68% of republicans want Palin in 2012.
I would hazzard a guess that 100% of democrats want the same.

6. Islamic Theologian's Theory: It's Likely the Prophet Muhammad Never Existed

Comment #285040 by ggab7768 on November 16, 2008 at 3:32 pm

He's certainly got a pair.
I hope his research is as strong as his commitment.
It's got me curious.

7. Hitchens v Albacete - Excerpts

Comment #285036 by ggab7768 on November 16, 2008 at 3:15 pm

I can't help but feel that the V in the heading wasn't really needed.
I'm a little familiar with this particular friar.
He tends to be unusually sensible.
He has some looney moments but is generally likable and borders on reasonable.
You get the impression that he could toss out his faith any day now.

8. Church Preaches The Music Of Beethoven

Comment #284613 by ggab7768 on November 15, 2008 at 1:44 pm

That is a "movement' I could get behind.
Big fan of the B-guy.

9. Prediction: self-promoting hype meets interdisciplinary ignorance

Comment #282797 by ggab7768 on November 12, 2008 at 6:40 pm

Random???
Blind watchmaker???

Oh my. Are they sure these people are scientists and not scientologists?
They seem to be... lacking.

10. ELECTION DAY IN THE USA. GO VOTE.

Comment #278277 by ggab7768 on November 4, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Another Ohio voter for the socialist, muslin terrorist!!
It would be sweet for Obama to take Ohio. I'll be a little less ashamed of my state.
I propose a new system of one vote per tooth.

11. Fred Phelps's son is an atheist: Running from hell

Comment #277329 by ggab7768 on November 3, 2008 at 12:16 pm

Cerad
When my grandfather used to come home from a late night with the boys and a couple bottles of shine, my grandmother would beat him with a butcher knife. Obviously. she turned it sideways, but I still don't know how she did it so often without an accident.
I'm quite sure Mr. Phelps wasn't swinging as hard as he could with the pick handle, and he probably didn't literally hit him 200 times.
By the way, my grandfather stopped drinking for fifty years. Didn't have a drop until my grandmother passed.
That kinda scare sticks with you a while.

12. Fred Phelps's son is an atheist: Running from hell

Comment #277286 by ggab7768 on November 3, 2008 at 10:31 am

I would hope that Nate is aware of this sight.
It seems as though he needs to do things in his own time, but I'm sure it would help him to know that we all wish the best for him.
My upbringing came nowhere near what his was like. I just can't get my brain around that kind of torment.
That Nate is certainly a strong man, to pull himself away from it. Something to admire.

13. All aboard the atheist bus campaign

Comment #270068 by ggab7768 on October 23, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Sure it's a little wishy-washy, but look at the response.
our strength shines through in the donations.
I hate the "probably" but I love the fact that this is happening at all.
Every time I visit the page and see the new total, I start singing John Lennon songs in my head.
I can't help but feel a little proud of us.

14. Convert or we will kill you, Hindu lynch mobs tell fleeing Christians

Comment #266580 by ggab7768 on October 19, 2008 at 11:16 am

aquilacane
I don't think that's really relevant.
Obviously, forcing someone to convert from one religion to another would be far more difficult.
The rituals actually mean something to believers.
Rationally, we could go through whatever conversion ritual they like and it would mean nothing to us. We could simply cruise through and figure out how to attack it after.
Having said that, I would still go out swinging from the start.
I've always had a bit of a temper.

15. From Science Fiction to Science Fact

Comment #266295 by ggab7768 on October 18, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Steve
Now that I've gotten more detail, I think I understand your position quite a bit better.
Not that you've won me over, but I may be able to meet you half way.
Maybe it's the artist in me, or maybe I'm just a stubborn prick.
Probably a little of both.

16. From Science Fiction to Science Fact

Comment #266266 by ggab7768 on October 18, 2008 at 1:50 pm

infuriated
Actually, it wasn't really anyone here that got my panties in a bunch. I came to the site in a bad mood from another site and spouted off in an emotional way.
When I came back to this thread, it seemed to have started what I thought was an interesting conversation, so I decided to wait it out and see what others had to say.
Since the conversation has drifted to King Kong, my fun is over and I can fess up to being a little bitch now.lol
You see, I'm an antikongist so I can't really take any of this seriously.
Sorry if I offended you InfuriatedSciTeacher, I was just venting.
I do, however, stand by my later statements. I still think the imaginative leaps can not only be intriguing, but also essential to discovery.

17. From Science Fiction to Science Fact

Comment #265963 by ggab7768 on October 17, 2008 at 5:23 pm

Nothing more American that APPLE pie!!
...except maybe creationism...okay, bad example.

AHAH!! An apple a day keeps the doctor away!

18. From Science Fiction to Science Fact

Comment #265917 by ggab7768 on October 17, 2008 at 2:13 pm

cerad
"Why would anyone argue this? Oranges are clearly superior."

Do you agree that Arthur C. Clarke helped to make ORANGES interesting and accessible?
I look at it the same way. There is certain poetic licence involved, but it is fascinating and APPLEISH in it's approach.
Great ORANGEists are also great APPLEists in that great ideas begin with what can best be described as APPLEistic leaps in thought. Grand ideas always play a part in grand ORANGES.
If you want dry APPLES, grab a textbook.

Wasn't sure if that would come out as funny as I hoped. I think the "dry apples" part saved it.

19. From Science Fiction to Science Fact

Comment #265908 by ggab7768 on October 17, 2008 at 1:45 pm

P.S.
"I disagree. I think Kaku does harm to popularising science because he doesn't popularise facts, but wild ideas that bear no relation to real science, and the limits of our current understanding."

Maybe it's just my perspective, and I'm not trying to be snippy, but I think Einstein scowl at you for this statement.
Weren't his ideas wild? Didn't they reach beyond the "limits of our current understanding"?
Let me know if you think I'm wrong, but I've always looked at great scientists as taking big artistic leaps. That's what's great about they're ideas.

P.S.S.
150 years later, thanks to genetics, "our current understanding" is catching up with Darwin's leap.

20. From Science Fiction to Science Fact

Comment #265903 by ggab7768 on October 17, 2008 at 1:38 pm

Hi Steve
Do you agree that Arthur C. Clarke helped to make science interesting and accessible?
I look at it the same way. There is certain poetic licence involved, but it is fascinating and artistic in it's approach.
Great scientists are also great artists in that great ideas begin with what can best be described as artistic leaps in thought. Grand ideas always play a part in grand science.
If you want dry facts, grab a textbook. Kaku is spurring the imagination here. How can you think that's bad?

21. From Science Fiction to Science Fact

Comment #265883 by ggab7768 on October 17, 2008 at 1:06 pm

Michio Kaku is a fantastic voice in the cause of popularizing science and making it accessible for the average citizen.
You guys can go on nitpicking how he chooses to state things all you like. He'll continue doing good without you.
This is the kind of pretentious bullshit that has kept me from commenting on these articles lately.
Get over yourselves.

22. Leading geneticist Steve Jones says human evolution is over

Comment #262026 by ggab7768 on October 7, 2008 at 8:34 pm

This is one of those subjects (there are many) that I have to rely on others for.
I'm only really beginning to understand evolution on any real level.
This article is being absolutely shredded on other blogs.
Can't seem to find anyone who has found anything valid in it.
These guys are destroying every point made in the article.

23. Big Bang or Big Bounce?: New Theory on the Universe's Birth

Comment #261762 by ggab7768 on October 7, 2008 at 10:29 am

Dude!!
gurgle...drool...gurgle...
I love this stuff.
The bounce theories have been around for ages in one form or another.
This is some exciting stuff here.
We is learnin'.

24. Dawkins: a theologian's perspective

Comment #261312 by ggab7768 on October 6, 2008 at 4:47 pm

Thanks Mitchell

Immediately subscribed to that guy.
Great stuff!

25. Dawkins: a theologian's perspective

Comment #261123 by ggab7768 on October 6, 2008 at 1:01 pm

OH YOUR GOD!

"However, there remain a number of questions. For example, several philosophers have pointed out that it is hard to imagine human language appearing through a simple process of genetic evolution. Evolutionary process would normally expect a new ability to have appeared one individual first: however, it is impossible for language to be individual - it has to involve at least two people who converse together."

He can't really believe this makes sense can he?
THE STUPID!! IT BURNS!!

Does he think we're saying that a cave man suddenly perked up one day after an entirely silent life and said "Well, that sabretooth cat is certainly giving me a curious look."
What kind of people are convinced by this garbage?

26. Bill Maher's Religulous Opens Today

Comment #260633 by ggab7768 on October 5, 2008 at 7:20 pm

I'm going to re-post the same thing I posted on the Pharyngula forums because some of you guys are just killing me here. I hope it pisses some of you off.



I'm going to see it again tomorrow with friends and I'm buying it on dvd.

Sorry if some of you think it may not be perfect.
Maybe just not as good as your nationally released rational observations on religion huh?
"God" forbid someone with some real fame to draw off of tries to help our cause in such a big way without asking us exactly how he should handle it first.
What a jackass that Bill Maher is.
Maybe we should give our money to the church instead.

I wonder why people think atheists are arrogant and whiney?

27. Bill Maher's Religulous Opens Today

Comment #260200 by ggab7768 on October 4, 2008 at 10:09 pm

That creepy Kirk Cameron film is a little ahead of it though.
Are you guys gonna let Ray Comfort win?
Didn't I hear that Kirk brought in his wife to double for certain scenes so that he wouldn't have to kiss a woman he wasn't married to?
That kind of action should be punished.lol

28. Bill Maher's Religulous Opens Today

Comment #260156 by ggab7768 on October 4, 2008 at 7:10 pm

I'm going back to see it again tomorrow with some friends.

29. Bill Maher's Religulous Opens Today

Comment #260154 by ggab7768 on October 4, 2008 at 7:06 pm

This movie is well worth seeing. I laughed out loud several times.
Get over the catty bullshit and throw a few dollars toward free expression.

I now totally get the "herding cats" thing.
What?... see my cause furthered AND be entertained?
Pfft! I don't think so.

How many of you spent money seeing any of the Matrix flicks and pretended they were culturally relevant?
Maybe you just get off on being demonized and held down.
GET THE HELL OFF THE CROSS AND GO TO THE THEATER!

30. Earliest reference describes Christ as 'magician'

Comment #258077 by ggab7768 on October 1, 2008 at 12:06 pm

All your sins are forgiven.
TA-DA!!!

31. Do We Live in a Giant Cosmic Bubble?

Comment #257987 by ggab7768 on October 1, 2008 at 10:11 am

Ummm....
Me like big words and sciency stuffs.
Some of this is over my head, but I think I'm getting it. I love that you cats are always here to help.
Thanks you big brained bastards (bows and kisses many rings).

32. Respect for religion now makes censorship the norm

Comment #257529 by ggab7768 on September 30, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Pre-order complete.
Scrape together your pennies guys, this cause is bigger than us. Make the bravery of the publishers mean something.
Put your money where your mouth is.
Walk the walk, don't just talk the talk.
Uh.. additional tired phrases. You get the point.

33. Pullman defiant over US protests against Northern Lights

Comment #257413 by ggab7768 on September 30, 2008 at 11:52 am

V'Ger
The third Matrix was my favorite.
I went to the Matrix films looking for fun and flash.
Just couldn't get my brain around the goth kids gathered in discussion groups outside the theater.
My friends and I had several discussions after seeing Jacob's Ladder years ago, but I still feel that was a more deserving film.
Maybe I'm just getting old.
Even if I found the themes of the matrix deep (didn't) or the ideas original (didn't), I still feel it is best to never have a discussion about a movie that stars Keanu Reeves.
You're just begging for lobes to drop off your brain.

34. The God Delusion's cameo in season premiere of 'Family Guy'

Comment #256694 by ggab7768 on September 29, 2008 at 11:16 am

There was an episode a few years back where Peter finds out that he is technically retarded.
If you pay close attention, when the doctor is showing him his test scores on a chart, he scores below the "retarded" line, and above the "creationist" line.
Love that scene.
The episode is called "Petarded" if anyone wants to look it up.

35. Origins - The BIG Questions: 2008 Skeptics Society Conference

Comment #255313 by ggab7768 on September 27, 2008 at 9:40 am

It is a fact that the TF has injected some much needed money into some much needed areas.
You have to understand the good that they have done. The problem is that they have an agenda to advance and that their money is working to that agenda.
Has Shermer been bought? All I can say is that it is my opinion that he has.
It's a pity, but seems true from my perspective.
Purchasing souls from the soulless is one of their goals, and will always be attainable to some degree.
Money makes the world go round.
I think that the tough part is going to be believing Shermer to be an honest "skeptic" after having been so publicly purchased.
Good luck to Michael with his inherited agenda.
I hope he knows what he's doing.

36. Christian review of the Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing

Comment #253574 by ggab7768 on September 24, 2008 at 3:15 pm

I'm thrilled with the article, and the attitude.
I wonder if it will affect those that need it most.

37. Jewish 'ultras' defend morals with menace

Comment #251530 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Pious Riots was one of the best metal bands of the 80's.

38. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251528 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:53 pm

Enlightenment
HA!! It's welcome to stay?
That's fantastic. Spiders are actually great to have around because the sort of take care of other bugs, but I don't know if he/she will do much good left in the fridge.

39. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251526 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:50 pm

I'm sure I've got it around here somewhere.
I have trouble pealing myself away from the 9th.
Don't get me wrong, I listen to rock also, but man that 9th is powerful.

40. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251522 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:42 pm

March of next year for the watchmen film.
I have mixed emotions on the subject.

41. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251521 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Don't know a thing about black metal, but nothing moves my soul like Beethoven's 9th.

42. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251517 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Sargeist
Have you ever read Watchmen?
Probably not as powerful nowadays, but in the eighties it legitimized the industry.
Really fantastic.

43. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251510 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:31 pm

Enlightenment
I say kill it.
It has survived this long by draining your soul.
These demons are sneaky.

PS
What the hell is a readymeal?

44. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251507 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:29 pm

Sargeist
The sandman stuff was pretty great back in the day.
I'm afraid I haven't really kept up with anything over the last 15 or so years, which is odd because I'm doing comic illustration right now.
I should probably know a little about what's happening in the industry.

45. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251499 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Lucas
If you're going to try to get Sargeist into comics you should probably start with something along a different path.
I did some illustration work for the "Jesus Hates Zombies" anthology. SHAMELESS PLUG!!

46. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251488 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Sargeist
I can tell you from my front row seat that there is more to it than that. The drug trade itself, in my neighborhood, is just another biproduct of the failings of the community.
The legalisation point may have some merit, but there is work to do yet in other areas.

47. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251485 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 2:05 pm

Decius
I understand, and I'm sure you'd have some very good points to make on the subject.
I would probably agree with most of them.
I'm just kinda not in the mood y'know.

48. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251478 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 1:56 pm

Decius
You don't think toxicomania is the only thing that is bad about drugs do you.
I'm sorry, but I live in a drug infested area and another child was killed the other day.
Can we not talk about this right now?

49. When Atheists Attack

Comment #251467 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 1:40 pm

Yeah Decius
That list is much longer than the list of people who do bad things on drugs.

Sorry, the joke was too obvious to pass up.

50. Interstellar Space Molecules That Help Form Basic Life Structures Identified

Comment #251427 by ggab7768 on September 21, 2008 at 12:57 pm

Squeeeeeeeee!
I don't know why I'm doing that.
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Hey, my squeeeeeeeeee is bigger than yours.