Comments by rod-the-farmer

501. Evolution fray attracts top scientist

Comment #162299 by rod-the-farmer on April 16, 2008 at 2:23 pm

Can a Florida resident please post the email & phone number for the Governor, and the head of the state tourism department. I for one will send a note and call asap to say that due to their backwards education moves in recent days, I will no longer be visiting their state for vacations. I will also advise my friends, family and neighbours to do the same.

That should fixem.

502. Teacher Expelled Over Religion

Comment #161674 by rod-the-farmer on April 15, 2008 at 1:50 pm

I note that the person who actually forced Ms. Comer out, has a degree in political science (there's that word again) yet no background in education, and worked for President Bush in Texas. Good thing I am not a Texas resident or I would be all over this like a rash.

http://www.chron.com/apps/comics/showComick.mpl?date=20080410&name=Bizarro

Thanks to Dan Piraro for the above. Somewhat relevant.

503. Teacher Expelled Over Religion

Comment #161642 by rod-the-farmer on April 15, 2008 at 1:18 pm

Yes, is this not old news, with a new YouTube video ? I thought we all got fired up about this back in November 2007, and applied pressure where we thought appropriate. IS there some new news here ?

504. Richard Dawkins' secular army must be stopped. God is behind some of our greatest art

Comment #160413 by rod-the-farmer on April 14, 2008 at 3:56 am

The author of this article describes Dawkins as

the scientist who has declared himself the champion of secularism

???

Perhaps Richard might have agreed if someone suggested he was A champion (one of many), but I will bet serious money he never claimed himself as THE champion. Any takers ?

I am tempted to write an article on a subject I know little about, and send it in. It seems fairly certain the Guardian will print it, possibly for lack of anything else to fill a space. Are there really so few qualified writers in the UK they will accept stuff like this ? Where is the editor who agreed to accept this ? And please tell us Mark Ravenhill was not PAID for such a load of fertiliser....

505. 'Expelled' ripped off Harvard's 'Inner Life of the Cell' animation

Comment #160061 by rod-the-farmer on April 13, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Sunday 13 April at 1835 on The Military Channel, I just saw an TV advert for "Expelled". Ben Stein raises his hand in the back of an "evolution" class, and ask "Where did life originate from ?" Then he is shown outside the principals' office, beside another student, who asks "How come you are here ?" The response "Because I made a movie". "Wow, must be some movie".

Opening soon, at a theatre near you. If they resolve the copyright issue, and if any theatre agrees to host it.

506. The Art of Creating Controversy Where None Existed

Comment #159875 by rod-the-farmer on April 13, 2008 at 10:00 am

I suppose one tactic we rationalists could try is to ask the YEC people for equal time so we could teach the controversy - evolution etc. - in their home turf, the mega or not-so mega churches. While I am personally willing to have a go locally, I am a scientific generalist, NOT a degree holding expert in any one subject. I DO have lots of experience speaking in front of audiences.

It bet a slide & video presentation is either already available that would do what we need, or one could be assembled quickly. Probably various individual chapters, from which one could select those most appropriate for the audience. Suggestions please ? Anyone ? Anyone ? Buehler ? I would be willing to help.

Has any made this challenge to YEC's and others of similar beliefs ? I mean, other than someone at the level of the Four Horsemen ? What was the result ? There are not enough of them to go around, so it will be up to us foot soldiers to do some of the heavy lifting.

507. Ancient serpent shows its leg

Comment #159771 by rod-the-farmer on April 13, 2008 at 5:07 am

Creationist response....

And where are the FOUR-legged snakes ? Bah humbug. We are still missing transitional fossils.

(sarcasm off)

508. Expelled producers accused of copyright infringement

Comment #158849 by rod-the-farmer on April 11, 2008 at 5:48 am

I can imagine several possible legal outcomes.

(1) The movie makers remove the copied section. Problem solved, unless the owners want damages.

(2) The movie makers offer to buy a license so they can continue to use it. XVIVO agrees to a sum. Problem solved.

(3) The movie makers offer to buy a license so they can continue to use it. XVIVO refuses, no matter what fee is offered. Likelihood approaches 100%, IMHO.

(4) The movie makers do not have a license, for whatever reason, and continue to use the copied section. Now XVIVO can sue for financial damages against whatever revenue the film generated.

Disclaimer on: I am not a lawyer, this is just my thinking. disclaimer off.

509. Iowa county board gives initial OK for ghost hunters to investigate asylum

Comment #158512 by rod-the-farmer on April 10, 2008 at 4:27 pm

This just in, permission to hunt for ghosts is withdrawn

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory?id=4624584

510. The simple falsehood at the heart of Expelled

Comment #158313 by rod-the-farmer on April 10, 2008 at 10:21 am

If I might be so bold as to suggest an additional cause of death (besides weather, predators, etc.) that would be stupidity. Uncommon in plants, but more & more common as you move up the intelligence scale.

See the aptly named Darwin Awards

http://www.darwinawards.com/

511. Biologists Take Evolution Beyond Darwin Way Beyond

Comment #158086 by rod-the-farmer on April 10, 2008 at 4:03 am

Oh, here we go !!! A transitional fossil - a snake with legs !!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7339508.stm

Funny enough, found in the area of the world where the bible was written. Poetic justice, I say.

512. Reviews of Expelled

Comment #158054 by rod-the-farmer on April 10, 2008 at 3:08 am

In scrolling through some of the links in this article, I found the following

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=15-answers-to-creationist

on the Scientific American web site. Not bad. Perhaps quite useful as a source most people would recognise as among the most reputable.

513. In search of the God particle

Comment #157533 by rod-the-farmer on April 9, 2008 at 8:34 am

Oh, no......a lawsuit has been filed to prevent the Large Hadron Collider from starting up.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080405/black_hole_080405/20080405?hub=Specials

514. Richard Dawkins on The Big Questions

Comment #157410 by rod-the-farmer on April 9, 2008 at 4:21 am

Richard is Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science , although I think I did read his term has expired. In this role, we need more than one person, I suggest. The comments of some members of the panel & audience reveal a much larger need for basic science knowledge, even in a country with standards of education as high as the UK. Perhaps a campaign among the wealthier members of society, in multiple countries, to fund similar positions. I was struck by the question posed when Paula Kirby interviewed Richard, by the teacher who asked how to promote rational thinking in his class. We need to address this in schools, and I don't have current experience in my local school system to suggest which course should cover this topic. History ? Science ? I think if we can educate students in the habit of rational thinking, to question dogma of any type, and to search out the truth, it will pay huge dividends as these young people become adults.

515. Hitchens vs. Hitchens

Comment #157328 by rod-the-farmer on April 8, 2008 at 11:33 pm

Riveting. I stayed up until 0230 to watch the entire thing. I am certainly glad we have Christopher Hitchens on our side in the debate over atheism. He would be a nasty opponent on the other side.

516. Get out of here, atheists!

Comment #156521 by rod-the-farmer on April 7, 2008 at 6:13 pm

Here is the latest on the issue of a Canadian MP who made anti-gay remarks some 17 years ago, which were taped as part of a celebration of some sort, and the tape came to light in recent days.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/04/07/harper-lukiwski.html

The member in question apologised profusely, and IMO, sincerely. Who among us could stand scrutiny of things we said 17 years ago ?

517. Richard Dawkins: 'Growth in creationist beliefs a problem for schools'

Comment #156259 by rod-the-farmer on April 7, 2008 at 7:46 am

I fear I must take issue with statement in the article that

the belief, which states that the Earth did not evolve following the big bang but was instead created by God

This implies a direct connection between evolution and the big bang. (Plus they left out abiogenesis, AND that it was LIFE that evolved, not the Earth itself.) I don't believe any such connection has been made by biologists OR cosmologists. Conflation of the two makes it easier for the religious nutters to paint all of science as anti-religion. I suggest we need to correct this impression, whenever it surfaces, in either debating partners, or in the media interviews.

Whenever I discuss the big bang theory with anyone, I use the analogy of a few aerial still photos of a crowd leaving a sports stadium. You cannot SEE movement, but by comparing the two photos it certainly looks like most of the individuals are moving away from the building, and fanning out. That is what we see when we look at the universe - everything is moving away from each other, in 3D. The only conclusion we can draw is that at some time long ago, the universe was compressed together and something "blew" it apart.

I also agree with bad wolf that calling us Darwinists is neither good nor true. After all, we don't call ourselves Copernicans. The helio-centric theory has long since been proved. And Darwins' ideas back then have seen some updating in 150 years. More, and better evidence.

518. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #156247 by rod-the-farmer on April 7, 2008 at 7:32 am

Latest news, courtesy of the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC)

The Dutch Court has refused to grant an injunction against the Fitna film

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/04/07/fitna-ban.html

519. Russell T Davies: Return of the (tea) Time Lord

Comment #155963 by rod-the-farmer on April 6, 2008 at 12:36 pm

Satanburiedfossils said in comment 155922

This isn't the first time Richard Dawkins has made a guest appearance in Science Fiction.

You may recall that recently he appeared in the movie "Expelled".

Actually, I think the correct description for that work of art should be NON-science fiction

520. Anti-gay Okla. lawmaker attracts 1,000 backers

Comment #155838 by rod-the-farmer on April 6, 2008 at 3:49 am

This just in.....breaking news.....CBS News has removed all references to Sally Kern from their web site. ABC news still has them. My guess is that someone objected on her behalf, using copyright as the excuse. Anyone here know the true reason ?

521. Upside-down church sculpture on hit list

Comment #155837 by rod-the-farmer on April 6, 2008 at 3:38 am

How about some local "comment" that would not damage the statue, yet express the feelings of some/many. Get one of those very large plastic garbage bins, cut it open vertically, down one side, right to the bottom, and open out the bottom enough that it could be placed around the spire, sitting on the ground. The image is then of a church being tossed into the garbage, spire first. THAT should provoke more controversy. Yet it could be easily removed, no damage is done, and all at a cost well under $100

522. Anti-gay Okla. lawmaker attracts 1,000 backers

Comment #155027 by rod-the-farmer on April 4, 2008 at 4:53 am

Could we have someone from Oklahoma locate the Democratic Party offices, to determine

(a) who will run against Sally Kern in the next election (she was apparently un-opposed last time)

(b) when is the next election OK voters will have a chance to replace her

(c) where we could send donations to her opposition

The best response that could be made to dumb people like Sally is to have her Wikipedia entry show "was trounced when she ran for re-election after the outcry over her anti-gay remarks".

523. Anti-gay Okla. lawmaker attracts 1,000 backers

Comment #154923 by rod-the-farmer on April 4, 2008 at 1:41 am

Here is a very recent story from Canada, about a federal Member of Parliament from Saskatchewan, who was found to have uttered anti-gay comments many years ago. A 17-year old tape surfaced with his words. He was forced to apologise. I don't think it is going to cause him to lose his job, but the next election will be worth watching. I guess being 1400 miles north of Oklahoma makes a difference.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewan/story/2008/04/03/lukiwski-video.html

524. Upside-down church sculpture on hit list

Comment #154677 by rod-the-farmer on April 3, 2008 at 3:02 pm

Hmmm. Titled, A device to root out evil". Hmm. I suppose one could assume that it is the church that is being used to literally root out the evil in the ground. It would be hard to display that thought with the church right side up. Not sure I can reliably claim this is anti-church. Has anyone asked the sculptor what he intended to say here ? Why is it only partially finished ? Why is the steeple the most finished part ? Is THAT some sort of statement as well ? Modern art is always controversial, no matter where it sits on public property.

525. CEAI Action Alert for Science Teachers

Comment #154345 by rod-the-farmer on April 3, 2008 at 5:59 am

Re Steve Zara in comment # 33 Comment #154273,

augergine pesto ?

Is that what one would use with the spiral type of pasta ? Or maybe aubergine ?

526. Scientists reshape Y chromosome haplogroup tree gaining new insights into human ancestry

Comment #154341 by rod-the-farmer on April 3, 2008 at 5:53 am

I would just like to see the kind of data you get back from National Geographic for your $100

527. Darwin told us so: Researcher shows natural selection speeds up speciation

Comment #154277 by rod-the-farmer on April 3, 2008 at 3:10 am

Well, this MAY be an answer to the fundie question "Has anyone ever seen evolution happening ?"

528. Scientists reshape Y chromosome haplogroup tree gaining new insights into human ancestry

Comment #154275 by rod-the-farmer on April 3, 2008 at 3:05 am

Wonder this is just too cool. I would like to participate as well, but my current financial situation is holding me back for the moment. For those of us who are very interested, could I ask that you publish somewhere what your results were ? I would be truly fascinated to see the sort of data that comes back.

529. CEAI Action Alert for Science Teachers

Comment #154272 by rod-the-farmer on April 3, 2008 at 2:53 am

Richard Morgan said of the FSM

Virgin Rosemary myth later on.

Now see, already we have evidence of a schism in FSM followers. The way I read that particular passage was that it was Virgin Olive Oyl.

530. BBC 'too scared to allow jokes about Islam'

Comment #154267 by rod-the-farmer on April 3, 2008 at 2:44 am

To Steve Zara

I wonder how recent that Marcus Brigstocke program is ? And would the beeb re-run it now ? I think we are seeing rapidly shifting attitudes in many countries. What was once acceptable may no longer be, even a few weeks later. The door to humour about islam may have been slammed shut.

531. My quest to get de-baptised

Comment #154156 by rod-the-farmer on April 2, 2008 at 7:08 pm

roakes said of the census

in 2006 there was an unusually large registration of Jedi Knights, and threats from the Bureau of Statistics to expunge returns from people who couldn't take the question seriously.

It made me proud to be Australian.

I am therefore proud to have BEEN to Australia ! G'die, mate.

532. Thy will be done

Comment #154142 by rod-the-farmer on April 2, 2008 at 6:44 pm

I do the same, when someone is saying grace before a meal, or in church, if I have to attend a wedding or something. I do not bow my head, nor do I close my eyes. If someone doesn't like it too effing bad.

But the idea of rotating prayers should therefore include one for the FSM. And what would an atheist prayer look like ? "Please save us from all these deluded people and their lack of reason, make it so."

533. BBC 'too scared to allow jokes about Islam'

Comment #154139 by rod-the-farmer on April 2, 2008 at 6:37 pm

This line needed an additional word in the middle

I think it all starts with people nodding off whenever anyone says, 'As a person of faith ...'

Sorry, I got distracted. Imam jokes are not forbidden ? OK, show us a recent one on the BBC. No ? The prosecution rests.

534. CEAI Action Alert for Science Teachers

Comment #154138 by rod-the-farmer on April 2, 2008 at 6:31 pm

I had to do a bit of searching to figure out what CEAI stands for.

Christian Educators Association International

I guess (hope ?) making that clear up front would sabotage the appeal to the politicians, right away.

Warning, Will Robinson. Christian alert Warning, warning !

535. Sean Carroll on the Today Program

Comment #154134 by rod-the-farmer on April 2, 2008 at 6:26 pm

I love the linkage of DNA in the courtroom, in paternity cases, to DNA in the evolution lab. Why did no one think to voice this before ? Excellent. If you believe the science in one arena, why not in another ?

536. Expelled Overview

Comment #154128 by rod-the-farmer on April 2, 2008 at 6:17 pm

Note Ben Stein has evolved into yet another career, financial analyst....this time on the N. Americna real estate market

http://ctv2.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080402.wreits0402/business/Business/businessBN/ctv-business

537. Supreme Court to consider Ten Commandments vs. 'Seven Aphorisms'

Comment #153837 by rod-the-farmer on April 2, 2008 at 6:30 am

Two points. I agree strongly with those who say this is an opportunity not to be missed. We need to fund the making and erection of a stone monument (as close as possible, identical to the one with the xian 10 commandments), to be placed right beside it. Off-hand I can't remember if there ARE similar points for the FSM, but if not, surely they can be created in a short time. Once installed, the monument will get enormous press, plus draw the obvious comparisons for anyone walking by, who sees both items. Where do we send our donations to this worthy cause ? Let's roll.

Second point. The idea of multiple religious sects each having their own version of the 10 commandments carved on adjacent stone pillars sounds strangely familiar. Wait....wait.... NOW I remember where I saw this before. Stonehenge.

538. Christian Founders 3D Adventure Computer Game

Comment #153085 by rod-the-farmer on April 1, 2008 at 2:42 am

Re JohnnyO and the FSM Game

Amusing. I never got ANYONE, so I assume that is the point. But I did get a score, so maybe it works ?

539. My quest to get de-baptised

Comment #152459 by rod-the-farmer on March 31, 2008 at 5:07 am

This reminds me of the 1858 case of Edgardo Mortara, the jewish boy who was "baptised" by a catholic servant girl, when his parents were away and he took ill. The servant girl was afraid he would die and go to hell, as he had not been baptised. The baptism was reported to the RC authorities, who took the boy away from his parents, as it was illegal in the Papal States for jews to have catholic children, not even their own. We have progressed some in the intervening years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgardo_Mortara

I too did not want our son baptised, and refused to attend, but did not prevent my wife from doing it. Our son is now an atheist.

540. Anti-Quran Film Fitna Pulled From Web Due to 'Threats'

Comment #152305 by rod-the-farmer on March 30, 2008 at 4:38 pm

I watched it before it was taken down, and found it less "offensive" than I anticipated. The idea that muslims would object so strongly to a film critical of the violence in some areas of the muslim faith rather proves his point, I suggest. I wish I had the ability to personally host the movie. I will ask my ISP if they would allow it. If enough of us flood the world with the movie, it may help make his point.

541. Iowa county board gives initial OK for ghost hunters to investigate asylum

Comment #152046 by rod-the-farmer on March 30, 2008 at 3:52 am

Let's see now. People who believe an insane asylum is haunted by ghosts, want to check out if it is haunted, despite no evidence or reports to justify this idea. Let them in, then lock the doors behind them. Problem solved.

542. In His Name We Pray, Ramen

Comment #151934 by rod-the-farmer on March 29, 2008 at 5:17 pm

I think the ball has been dropped on the lawsuit issue. I think we all need to file this same sort of suit in every jurisdiction where ID is being proposed. Multiple lawsuits promoting the FSM. A veritable fusilliade.

543. Iowa county board gives initial OK for ghost hunters to investigate asylum

Comment #151460 by rod-the-farmer on March 28, 2008 at 6:28 pm

I agree with Corylus and mmurray

Brandon Cochran, museum operations assistant for the historical society, said there have never been reports of ghosts or bizarre happenings at the building and bringing in a paranormal team is "kind of taking the pre-emptive approach."

sounds too strange to be true. I get a lot of similar calls at my home, often during supper-time, asking if I would like to have my carpets, or more frequently, my ducts cleaned. (These are the hot air ducts used to pipe warm air from the furnace, if you have one. Apparently these collect dust bunnies over time.) I always say "We don't have any." (True statement, at least about the ducts. The bunnies we deal with ourselves.)

Based on the Iowa precedent, I guess I should NOW say "Sure, come on over !" Just as long as they don't disturb the other inmates at our house. (My wife looks pointedly in my direction.)

544. Expelled from Expelled: PZ story goes global

Comment #150447 by rod-the-farmer on March 26, 2008 at 11:31 pm

dragonfirematrix, I strongly agree with your sentiments, with a small addition

WE ARE A POSITIVE FORCE FOR HUMANITY, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT RELIGIOUS.

545. Police: Girl Dies After Parents Pray for Healing Instead of Seeking Medical Help

Comment #150135 by rod-the-farmer on March 26, 2008 at 1:35 pm

For those asking if charges can be laid, the following is a link to a story about a 19-year old Canadian man in a very religious family, who was tied to a chair for a week, during an attempted exorcism. The youth then died.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/International/2008/03/24/5085321-sun.html

According to a second link

http://www.rickross.com/reference/exorcism/exorcism8.html

the parents pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and the father was sentenced to four years in penitentiary.

546. Saudi Arabia Leader Calls for Interfaith Dialogue

Comment #150054 by rod-the-farmer on March 26, 2008 at 12:20 pm

I hoped my post was clear, that I do understand the penalty proscribed for muslim apostates - death. And that apostasy in other cults, like mormonism, is ostracism. There is, in my experience, even a little of the latter that is residual in certain roman catholics. I have no experience re apostasy with other cults, like the lds, amish, or southern baptists, for example.

Some months ago I sold a car I had owned for years. The person who purchased it, possibly a muslim, came to pick it up and brought several young children. One of them was a girl of perhaps seven. She wore a headscarf. I was uncomfortable seeing her, and only after the deal was done did I consider that I might have refused to sell him the car, based on his treatment of his daughter.

Comments please. I was thinking at the time that I perhaps should have "stood up/come out" and made it clear I thought it was reprehensible to force his child into a faith before she was even mature enough to understand what he had signed her up for.

547. Happy Birthday, Richard Dawkins!

Comment #150020 by rod-the-farmer on March 26, 2008 at 12:02 pm

Ostrich ....in West Lorne ? Hah. We are approaching critical mass in wishing Richard a happy birthday. Rodney, over & out.

548. Gay scientists isolate Christian gene

Comment #149994 by rod-the-farmer on March 26, 2008 at 11:38 am

I LOVE it. Giggled all the way through it.

549. Saudi Arabia Leader Calls for Interfaith Dialogue

Comment #149982 by rod-the-farmer on March 26, 2008 at 11:31 am

The King, who pointedly invited only monotheistic religious representatives, is quoted as

...deploring "the disintegration of the family and the rise of atheism in the world �" a frightening phenomenon that all religions must confront and vanquish."

Ahhh. Atheism goes together with the disintegration of the family. And the proof for this is...? Of course, he MAY be referring to the custom in some religions, of ostracising any family member who leaves the faith. But then, maybe he WAS referring to literal disintegration, like the call to kill a muslim who renounces the faith. What would they do to a muslim who renounced his faith just before being beheaded for a civil crime ? How much further disintegration can they perform ?

I wonder does the King have the moxie to persuade all muslims world-wide that this particular apostasy tenet of islam is deeply offensive to most (all ?) other faiths, let alone to those with no faith. I wonder if he would be so bold as to exclude entry to Saudi Arabia to those who advocate suicide bombing, etc. Those people could pray to Mecca, but just could not visit.

And the Vatican spokesman who wishes to

foster a positive interfaith rapport

funny they never seem to offer an open mind to those with no faith, who just want to be left alone. Each of the Abrahamic religions always want more converts, and actively seek them out. We atheists DON'T have a dogma for others to adopt, unless you count common sense.

And what is the bit about omitting the religions with more than one dog ? Wait, I have it. Five gods, very bad. Three gods, bad. Two gods, not nice. One god, better. No gods, best.

550. How do you explain the lack of transitional forms in nature, the gaps in the fossil record?

Comment #149620 by rod-the-farmer on March 26, 2008 at 2:19 am

Here is yet another news item showing what looks to me like a transitional fossil.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325203453.htm