Comments by wednesdayguevara

1. Award-winning comedian George Carlin dies

Comment #198559 by wednesdayguevara on June 24, 2008 at 8:55 am

He was my hero. This is devastating.

Comment #157822 by wednesdayguevara on April 9, 2008 at 3:14 pm

al,

Thinking the claim to be ridiculous on its face, I put no winky after the comment. Completely my fault. Sarcasm is lost the most when people are all wound up.

Again, sorry for the misunderstanding.

3. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #157728 by wednesdayguevara on April 9, 2008 at 1:24 pm

al-rawandi,

Yes! Just kidding! Sorry, I thought it was obvious.

(please don't hurt me)

4. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #157617 by wednesdayguevara on April 9, 2008 at 10:45 am

Oh, please. Holocaust deniers are a Zionist conspiracy to engender sympathy for Israel.

You won't fool me again!

5. Anti-evolution bill clears another hurdle

Comment #157570 by wednesdayguevara on April 9, 2008 at 9:23 am

al-rawandi,

Ha! Good one. I haven't heard that before. One more and then it's back to work.

Where was the toothbrush invented?

Mississippi. If it had been invented anywhere else, it would have been called a teeth brush.

6. Anti-evolution bill clears another hurdle

Comment #157556 by wednesdayguevara on April 9, 2008 at 8:58 am

al-Rawandi,

A favorite redneck pickup line:

Nice tooth! Wanna fuck?

7. Anti-evolution bill clears another hurdle

Comment #157536 by wednesdayguevara on April 9, 2008 at 8:35 am

Far be it from me to deprive any of you the opportunity to display your obvious superiority to those of us living in the southern U.S., but this is actually a reaction by the nutters to a recent tightening of the science curricula in Florida public schools. We're not all goobers with naught but two teeth in our heads down here.

Now I see that Pattern Seeker has made the same point. Thanks, PS!

8. US military accused of harboring fundamentalism

Comment #127421 by wednesdayguevara on February 15, 2008 at 8:59 am

Arcturus,

Nah, they don't believe in the hippy-dippy long-haired Treehugging Jesus. It's the sword-wielding, fig-tree Warrior Jesus they love. Both men are in the Bible, so it's easy to get them confused.

irate_atheist,
Any time!

9. US military accused of harboring fundamentalism

Comment #127408 by wednesdayguevara on February 15, 2008 at 8:51 am

Fucktard?

10. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125946 by wednesdayguevara on February 12, 2008 at 10:01 am

I'm with Ian on this. The paedophiles who don't know what they're doing are so mentally degraded that they need 24-hour supervision.

But the idea that no paedophile is in a position to understand what they're on about is just bullshit. Many know quite well. My sympathy for them ends when they diddle a kid.

There is the option of depro provera (chemical castration), if the paedophile is unable to control his/her compulsions.

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1778

Some convicted paedophiles have specifically asked for this treatment because they want to be productive members of society, and they understand what it is that they have done. I'm looking for a link and will get back to you guys on that as soon as I find one.

11. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #125880 by wednesdayguevara on February 12, 2008 at 8:09 am

Sleep of Reason,

Ha! Your loss is definitely our gain. Though I doubt he'd want anything to do with the PM post. Politicians are obliged to suffer fools not only gladly, but daily. Poor Hitch's head would explode!

12. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125540 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 3:01 pm

al-rawandi, Goldy,

You guys are being silly. Everybody knows that the good Lord gave us menses because Eve was a filthy, scrumping little whore. Winged pads are of the Devil. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to my shed for ritual cleansing.

13. Sharia law in UK is 'unavoidable'

Comment #125505 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 1:32 pm

Hitch of course has something to say about this:

http://www.slate.com/id/2184186/

14. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125467 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 12:08 pm

Hugh,
Cultural diversity is lovely. Treating women (or anyone, for that matter) like second-class citizens has as much to do with diversity as my ass has to do with a stapler.

I did have a look at the link you provided about the London Beth Din. It wasn't as informative as I would have liked it to be, but that's not your fault. As I suspected, menstruation is icky poo, and all the rules are written and interpreted by men. It is an inherently unjust and misogynistic system, no matter how you slice it.

My hope is that the unwise words of the Archbishop of Caterpillars-- er, Canterbury-- will propel the UK to disestablishment, thereby abolishing all religious courts.

15. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125392 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 9:59 am

Hugh,

Thanks for the link. I will research it after lunch.

16. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125378 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 9:42 am

al-Rawandi,

They should be avoided because they do not allow women the right to divorce, not because the judges are men. Women must ask their husband for a divorce. Disgusting.

That's basically what I meant, thanks for clarifying. I wasn't trying to diss you fellows. Just saying that if there is a court that is skewed against women from the get-go (by disallowing women the right to divorce or by disallowing women from holding the bench) then that system is unjust and should be abolished. But you knew that. :)

17. Exorcism undergoes a revival across Europe

Comment #125364 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 9:31 am

Geoff,

That was awesome! I miss the Weekly World News.

18. Why multiculturalism must be abandoned

Comment #125362 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 9:30 am

Are Beth Din courts presided over exclusively by men? If so, they, as Sharia courts, have no place in a liberal democracy.

19. The Passion of 'Anonymous'

Comment #125339 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 8:59 am

DDA,

As for the notion of Anon getting in trouble - how the heck will the church of Scientology sue ALL of them?

They only need to get one or two to have a chilling effect.

I wonder if there were any protests in Clearwater, FL. There was nothing about it in the local news.

20. Exorcism undergoes a revival across Europe

Comment #125330 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 8:43 am

Jankowski cited the case of a woman who asked for a divorce days after renewing her wedding vows as part of a marriage counseling program. What was suspicious, he said, was how the wife suddenly developed a passionate hatred for her husband.

"According to what I could perceive, the devil was present and acting in an obvious way," he said. "How else can you explain how a wife, in the space of a couple of weeks, could come to hate her own husband, a man who is a good person?"

What Mango said. Also, they were in marriage counseling. Perhaps the woman had simply had enough of the marriage and wanted out. That's not even a little bit unusual in this day and age.

As for the afflicted wife? "We're still working with her," he said.

Yeah, I'll just bet you are.

21. What he wishes on us is an abomination

Comment #125260 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 6:35 am

Ian Bamlett,

Perhaps she is a real believer though and feels that's why she has to try and effect change from within. She will fail. The powers pushing her religion in the opposite direction have all the money, all the power and all the appeal.

You might be right. Still, that's no reason she shouldn't do what she can. We're always moaning about how Muslim moderates never speak up, never protest the evil being done in their name. When they do, as Alibhai-Brown has done here, it's in our best interest to support them. Baby steps, my friend.

22. The Passion of 'Anonymous'

Comment #125251 by wednesdayguevara on February 11, 2008 at 6:24 am

gameguy,

Anonymous has stopped doing illegal stuff for a long time now, they did the illegal stuff only for the first week or so. Then they started to reform it and changed plans. Now its to the point that if anyone does anything illegal Anonymous disowns them.

Good! As it should be.

zeocrash,

I fail to see quite what anonymous is doing that is quite so disreputable. Ok the DDOS wasn't the most reputable thing, but no harm done (see above).

I'm worried about Anonymous getting caught and getting into trouble, is all. The Scientologist (oops sorry, $cientologist) doctrine of "Fair Game" is harsh enough without also having to face a prison sentence.

23. Conservative Rabbis to Vote on Resolution Criticizing Pope's Revision of Prayer

Comment #124883 by wednesdayguevara on February 10, 2008 at 11:44 am

Oh, no! Nazi Pope: Crimefighter has insulted the Jews? Say it ain't so!

24. The Passion of 'Anonymous'

Comment #124374 by wednesdayguevara on February 9, 2008 at 9:07 am

I hope they quit with the illegal stuff. Keep your domestic terrorism on the up-and-up, that's what I always say. ;)

The lobbying campaign seems like a good place to dig in.

25. Letters: Theology has no place in a university

Comment #122882 by wednesdayguevara on February 6, 2008 at 8:51 am

Just wanted to give you guys some props for engaging this person (and others of his/her ilk) so doggedly. How do you stand it? How are you not punching walls and bashing your heads bloody against your keyboards? Your intestinal fortitude is admirable.

Sometimes I think these people aren't even real.

26. Admitting that you have no religion is not politically correct

Comment #122387 by wednesdayguevara on February 5, 2008 at 8:17 am

Perhaps the freethought community should push for a science resolution advocating science, rational thinking, and no superstition. Or perhaps a national atheist association could oepn up drug treatment centers so we could help treat drug users, while promote the scientific worldview (much like the religious do promoting god on drug users and prisoners)

Oh, I see what you mean! These are some excellent ideas.

Wrt the drug treatment centers, there's an org called SOS, and another called LifeRing ( http://www.unhooked.com/index.htm ). In Texas, SOS is the secular alternative for drug treatment in the prison system. More could be done to promote organizations like these. Probably one would have to lobby state by state. It would take some real effort, but it would be worth it in the long run.

EDIT: Though it just occurred to me that unless HR 888 passes, maybe the last thing we need to do is clog up the House with more non-binding resolutions.

27. Admitting that you have no religion is not politically correct

Comment #122337 by wednesdayguevara on February 5, 2008 at 7:44 am

The group does stand for, rather than against something: "a good life without superstition." This is a positive position. Fedler, your frustration is understandable, but it's important to remain forthright and honest. The godless are not trusted, at least in America. How would it improve on that perception if we were to engage in sneaky, underhanded marketing tactics?

28. Heath Ledger Death: Baptist Group To Protest At Memorial

Comment #115970 by wednesdayguevara on January 25, 2008 at 6:56 am

al-rawandi,

"Fucktardistan" just made me spew Mountain Dew out of my nostrils. Ouch!

Cartomancer,

This loss is even more profound when put into that perspective. We can moan all day about our weird celebrity-obsessed culture, but sometimes famous people actually do make a substantial difference in the lives of "ordinary" folks. Ledger is one such example.

As a mere "fag-enabler" (and a proud one at that!) I can only imagine what it must be like to hold who you love as a precious secret. Ledger conveyed that terrible pain with nuance and grace. I will miss him something fierce.

29. Heath Ledger Death: Baptist Group To Protest At Memorial

Comment #115629 by wednesdayguevara on January 24, 2008 at 12:33 pm

al-rawandi:

He was known to be a heroin addict.

Source, please? I never heard this until you just said it. Are you sure you're not thinking of Brad Renfro? He died three or four days ago.

30. Huckabee Wants A 'Faith-based' Constitution

Comment #112000 by wednesdayguevara on January 16, 2008 at 7:27 am

"But I believe it's a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living Cthulhu. And thats what we need to do is amend the Constitution so it's in Cthulhu's standards rather than trying to change Cthulhu's standards so it lines up with some contemporary view of how we treat each other and how we treat the family."

Ia! Ia!

31. God rest you merry atheist

Comment #100868 by wednesdayguevara on December 19, 2007 at 1:29 pm

152. Comment #100780 by Diacanu on December 19, 2007 at 10:20 am

I won't second guess a move I make to accommodate these fucking people.

Exactly! You can clutch your pearls the livelong day over what (gasp! Swoon! Vapors!) the fundies will think of you or you can live your life as you please.

Religious fundamentalists will find validation wherever they look. That is part and parcel of the "mind virus." A person shouldn't waste her time worrying about how they'll twist what she does. They'll twist it regardless.

Incidentally, one of the main reasons I never could get into monotheism was the preponderence in that worldview of sanctimonious old stuffed-shirts who, when not extolling their own moral and intellectual superiority, told everybody what they could and could not do. Good thing we have none of those around here, what?

32. God rest you merry atheist

Comment #100857 by wednesdayguevara on December 19, 2007 at 1:04 pm

Thanks Richard Morgan, for condescending to return to us here in the clear-thinking oasis! I am relieved to know that Richard Dawkins may sing "Wade in the Water" in the shower if he wants to, just so long as nobody hears him and gets the wrong idea.

Perhaps you could write that "Atheist morality book" that we- the intellectually inferior who like sometimes to sing songs that reference mythical figures and fictional scenarios- so desperately need. It's obvious a strong hand is needed to guide us plebes towards the light of ideological purity. Why not yours?

33. Abstinence Programs Face Rejection

Comment #100124 by wednesdayguevara on December 18, 2007 at 9:15 am

This is great news!

Has anyone ever seen the Penn & Teller: Bullshit! about abstinence-only education? They ask one lady (she had been called into the health class to do a session on abstinence in some public school) if she had practiced abstinence before marriage herself. The woman hemmed and the woman hawed and then she invoked the old chestnut, "Well, it was the '60's..."

34. What Your Brain Looks Like on Faith

Comment #100122 by wednesdayguevara on December 18, 2007 at 9:09 am

And despite the fact that, as Harris puts it, his current literary mode "is not beach reading," they may find that they are keeping up with his academic writings more avidly — and nervously — than they do his bestsellers.

I would totally read this stuff at the beach.

18. Comment #100021 by steve99 on December 18, 2007 at 5:00 am

Shouldn't we be allowed privacy in our own heads?

Of course we should. Why wouldn't we be?

35. God rest you merry atheist

Comment #100112 by wednesdayguevara on December 18, 2007 at 8:51 am

God rest ye merry Gentlemen, pass on your DNA/ For genes are strong and se-el-fish and will find out a way

Come on, you guys, that's funny!

Does the man who says that religious education is tantamount to "child abuse" feel wholly comfortable crooning Away in a Manger?

On the other hand, this is just a blatant misrepresentation.

Having grown up in a pagan household, Christmas was never about Christ for me. In the school chorus when we had to sing about Jesus (along with Rudolph and Santa and that one about the Mexican reindeer and the dreidel song), it didn't bother me, even though I didn't believe in any of those things. We also used to sing some of the old slave spirituals. These are beautiful and really fun to sing.

Maybe someone should write up a list of songs we're not allowed to sing once we've given up religion. I sure wouldn't want to sing something that isn't heathen-approved. In fact, maybe it would be easier to make a list of songs that the irreligious are allowed to sing.

On second thought, toss it. I'll sing what I like.

36. 'Boycott Worked': Compass Flops - Opening Weekend $26 Million; Narnia $63 Million

Comment #97680 by wednesdayguevara on December 12, 2007 at 2:04 pm

Good stories can totally translate to bad movies, miaka. Look at the work of Philip K Dick. "Imposter", anyone? "Next", anyone? Gorgeous visual effects, but not a bit of the thought that was put into the stories. It's all about looking pretty, not making you think.

"Bonfire of the Vanities," if you want something not sci-fi/fantasy. Excellent book. Maybe Wolfe's best book ever. Spot-on social commentary. Then Brian DePalma got involved, and he cast Bruce Willis, Tom Hanks, and Melanie Griffith in the leads. Ugh, is really all I can say about that one.

Seriously, there's about 100 years of great novels being adapted into terrible movies. Look into it, and it will make you sad.

37. Controversial Anti-Muslim Dutch Film Adds to Already Simmering Tensions

Comment #97658 by wednesdayguevara on December 12, 2007 at 1:40 pm

Wilders makes the point that books like 'Mein Kampf' are banned Holland, except as reference books, so why not the Koran?

Because you don't counter bad ideas by banning them. That's not how it works in a free society, or at least that's not how it should work. In my county (Volusia), "Mein Kampf" is required reading in high school history class, not because the Florida school system wants to create generation after generation of Nazi sympathizers, but because reading "Mein Kampf" is the best way to get into Hitler's head. Banning ideas leads to ignorance. We must understand fully what we are against if we are to fight effectively against it.

38. Bankrolling Ali's Asylum

Comment #97640 by wednesdayguevara on December 12, 2007 at 1:11 pm

103. Comment #91744 by Ian on November 29, 2007 at 6:00 am

We schismed, the full big-ender little-ender spat derided by Swift.

Wow, a schism! How dramatic.

You know, I'm trying to bang a drum. Meanwhile, you are very busy slapping a wrist. You've no evidence that being a negative Nancy motivates atheists who read message boards to give their money to charity. Good on you, though, for testing the hypothesis. Let me know how that works out. Science is groovy.

Maybe you could think about how many atheists there are estimated to be in this world, and then think about how many posted on that one thread on this one message board that you and others cite as evidence for your gloomy gussitude, and then maybe do the math. See if it actually adds up to anything remotely worth paying attention to at this point in time. I just don't see it that way.

In any case, we can surely agree that the matter's irrelevant as long as Ms. Hirsi Ali is protected.

39. Functional Neuroimaging of Belief, Disbelief, and Uncertainty

Comment #97621 by wednesdayguevara on December 12, 2007 at 12:41 pm

Anyone remember this one --%--@ ?

Ahh, a rose for my pretty! ;)

This is what I've been waiting for. More about what makes the brain tick, please, Mr. Harris, and less about what we should call ourselves and who is more charitable than whom.

And YAAAAY science!

40. Monotheism was a con from the beginning

Comment #91552 by wednesdayguevara on November 28, 2007 at 2:33 pm

If anyone is interested in a great book about Pharaoh Akhenaten and his religious revolution, please check out "The Life and Times of Akhnaton, Pharaoh of Egypt" by Arthur Weigall. I think it's the first book written about the subject, but so far it's my favorite. Pithy and informative!

41. Bankrolling Ali's Asylum

Comment #91468 by wednesdayguevara on November 28, 2007 at 11:48 am

I think it being double edged is the kindest we can hope for - and quite rightly.

Rightly, how, exactly? Because a couple of jackasses who happen to be atheists said some nasty things about Ayaan Hirsi Ali? Because a few people on this site had legitimate questions about the fund?

Most of us here gave or intend to give to the fund. Many of us give time and money to other causes. We're good people.

A couple of idiots on a message-board do not represent the entire set of people who don't believe in gods. They do not represent you or me individually. They do not represent anything except a couple of idiots on a message-board. They prove nothing about morality or compassion.

I'm not saying Harris thinks they do, btw. I'm wondering if anyone here thinks they do, because that's the vibe I'm getting. It's disturbing.

If the statement in question was tongue-in-cheek, I took it too sensitively. Already copped to that. Sorry for any trouble.

If it's "double-edged" as Ian says, that was a dick move.

42. Bankrolling Ali's Asylum

Comment #90894 by wednesdayguevara on November 26, 2007 at 3:35 pm

Fanusi,

There were like two people on that thread who were a little nasty. The rest had legitimate questions about the nature of the charity, how the money would be used, and what various parties (AEI, the Dutch gov't, the US gov't, etc.) had to do with it. Most of those people, once their questions were answered, decided to donate to the cause.

I think well-meaning people can be forgiven for asking questions before handing their money out. You suck it up, too, ok?

43. Bankrolling Ali's Asylum

Comment #90880 by wednesdayguevara on November 26, 2007 at 2:51 pm

I took this too sensitively. Having a bad day.

It isn't offense, exactly. That's too strong a word. I just dislike that meme. It's false.

EDIT: However, the vision of Sam Harris in a nun outfit is the best I've had all day, so there is that. Revealed truth is the best!

44. Bankrolling Ali's Asylum

Comment #90833 by wednesdayguevara on November 26, 2007 at 1:28 pm

Jack Rawlinson,

Yes, thanks. You have it exactly. I'm all for the cause, but sick of being insulted and disrespected in a misguided attempt to guilt-trip people who are not all for the cause.

But that's just me. Any masochists in the house today? Maybe an ex-Catholic? How about it, Sam? You can put on a nun outfit, grab a ruler and start smacking wrists like we're all left-handed. Naughty little atheists. Bad!

45. Bankrolling Ali's Asylum

Comment #90809 by wednesdayguevara on November 26, 2007 at 12:19 pm

"Rick," Harris jokes, "may yet convince me that Christians are more moral and socially engaged than atheists."

I know it's supposed to be funny. I know. But every time somebody says this it's like a goddamned arrow through my heart. Why do I even bother being moral and socially engaged and compassionate if, when I do, someone I respect is invariably going to twist the knife in?

Seriously. I'm tired of it. Didn't use to bother me, but it's such a trotted-out meme these days. All right, fine. Christians are superior to everyone ever. Boy, I sure do envy them with their homicidal daddy in the sky and their conditional compassion for others and their authoritarian morality. Why can't I be just like them? Excuse me while I wallow in my godless untermenschness.

In related news, too many people on this site are threatening to leave in a huff! I'm leaving! (In a huff!)

46. Romney's Mormonism is fair game

Comment #89736 by wednesdayguevara on November 21, 2007 at 3:54 pm

38. Comment #89681 by walk on November 21, 2007 at 1:27 pm

How horrible! Please don't let them get their claws into her. Once you're in, they make it very difficult to leave. Does she know the church takes ten percent off the top? No matter what. Probably you have told her this.

Does she know that since you are not a Mormon, she will never enter the highest level of heaven?

Oh! You could send her here:

http://www.exmormon.org/tract2.htm

It's a really good essay for people investigating the LDS faith.

Good luck.

47. Romney's Mormonism is fair game

Comment #89676 by wednesdayguevara on November 21, 2007 at 1:12 pm

33. Comment #89643 by oxytocin on November 21, 2007 at 10:31 am

Yay! The Book of Abraham: In which Joseph Smith lifts pages from the Egyptian Book of the Dead and pretends they are the Word of the Lord. Love it!

One of my dearest friends fell in love with an LDS girl, and promptly got baptized into the church. He had been reading the Book of Mormon, but he hadn't read Abraham yet.

When he did he was-- what's the proper word? Livid? Enraged? Pissed off? He tried gently to explain to his girlfriend that Abraham proves that LDS is a lie, but she refused to accept it.

This tragic tale illustrates the damage indoctrination can do. There is absolutely no doubt in the mind of anyone who is not LDS that the Book of Abraham proves Joseph Smith to be a charlatan. Yet believers keep believing.

48. Man-sized sea scorpion claw found

Comment #89663 by wednesdayguevara on November 21, 2007 at 12:29 pm

This is going to be the best rubber monster movie ever!

49. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89616 by wednesdayguevara on November 21, 2007 at 9:05 am

GSP,

That's groovy. We all make mistakes. Good talking to you.

50. Frequently Asked Questions about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali Security Trust

Comment #89608 by wednesdayguevara on November 21, 2007 at 8:34 am

48. Comment #89596 by GSP on November 21, 2007 at 7:50 am

It's dangerous to assume the AEI does not still play a role in the Middle East.

Agreed. Lucky then that I've made no such assumption. In your post #89580, you said:

I am also forced to reckon with the fact that Ali has played a major role in creating the mess in the Middle East.

So the question becomes, someone whom has taken an active part in creating a more violent world, killing, at least, tens of thousands of people, leading to the mutilations and torture of so many innocents, now wants my money to protect her?

My issue is with your use of the present perfect. Hirsi Ali "has played a major role." She "has taken an active part." You have not demonstrated how Hirsi Ali has done these things. You have only shouted "AEI!! Imperialism!!" at people and expected that to count for something. Please demonstrate exactly how Hirsi Ali's actions since 2003 have "created a more violent world." Thanks for your time.

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