551. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266396 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 9:21 pm

Cricket's started, root. Aussies against the wall.

552. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266364 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 6:18 pm

Hi Frankus - Ice hockey has always appeared to me to be completely insane, and designed to cause as much grievous bodily harm as possible. I do, however, admire the skill.

I was fielding at short cover (that's about ten metres from the batsman) once. He belted a beautiful cover drive at me, and, when I went down to collect it (ball travelling at something like 150kph), it hit a rough patch in the turf, reared up, and got me right on the point of the chin. Knocked me stupid, and rattled my teeth. For the next week my jaw felt really weird.

553. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266357 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 6:01 pm

OK - I'm a little more enlightened. Does that mean, for instance, that you could send me updates of the Dawkins/Lennox debate as it happens. Would I have to use some sort of specialised application to receive your posts?

554. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266355 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 5:56 pm

Hawt - I'm currently working on a nice little exegesis of Exodus, Isiah, Judges and 1st Kings. Should have it ready for your edification tonight or tomorrow. You just go back to running the country and have a break when the Test starts. (3 p.m. Australian time, which would make it in the U.S., er, fuck it, I can never figure these things out.)

555. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266354 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 5:51 pm

Comment #266351 by decius

Yeah - that REALLY cleared that up! How would that translate into English?

556. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266350 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 5:45 pm

Excuse my ignorance Decius - "twittering"?

557. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266347 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 5:37 pm

Well, the cricket doesn't start for 3 1/2 hours, yet, hawt - so plenty of time to do the washing, bake cookies, vacuum the floors, all that sort of stuff that American hockey moms are supposed to be good at.


*starts running*

558. God is not the enemy of reason

Comment #266346 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 5:34 pm

I agree entirely, Michael. How I long for the killer theist argument. The thing that twerps like this woman don't get is that atheism is, for most of us anyway, an open-minded inquiry. Provide proof, in the form of validated scientific investigation, that God exists, and you've got me, and I daresay, just about everyone else on this board.

Still waiting...

559. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266343 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 5:26 pm

Decius - I would hazard a guess that he has, since the age of about three, done nothing else. Can you imagine the state of his bedroom?

560. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266341 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 5:24 pm

G'day 8, hawt - sorry to trouble you guys, but this has become the "Cricket Jihad" thread - so, no silly talk about American politics, OK? Stay on topic, or face the wrath of the OT (cricket sub-committee) Nazi (me!)

Now, what about Bangladesh v NZ, 8?

561. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266332 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 5:10 pm

Frankus

If anyone is interested in the world's fastest, toughest game requiring a level of skill unmatched by any other sport in the world:

562. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266319 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 4:25 pm

Thread's going strong, Mord. Steve has introduced a beautiful analogy that will give us, oh, at least another twenty pages - what to do with those who, through no fault of their own, have become obsessively devoted to cricket. Is this a contagion? What if it spreads across the Channel? Will the Place de la Concord be bulldozed and turned into a cricket ground? The implications for tradition and culture are staggering!

563. [UPDATED] Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation

Comment #266129 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 2:11 am

No, I'm simply trying to inspire the young feller to get himself an edumakashun, Dr. E.

564. [UPDATED] Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation

Comment #266127 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 2:08 am

Ooh, I knew someone was going to say that, eepeist! Back to your cage, man!

565. [UPDATED] Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation

Comment #266123 by Laurie Fraser on October 18, 2008 at 1:55 am

Good point, Dr. Baylis. Although I agree with Dr Wong that our friend might just be revving everyone up, and that he is, in fact, a gardener's assistant from (where was that, Dr. Eepeist?)

Cordially,
Dr Fraser

566. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266106 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 11:56 pm

Comment #266103 by epeeist

And if it's really good, eepeist, we'll back up for the second test.

Comment #266104 by cerebate

Absolutely! When I was three, my daddy would announce to all and sundry his pride in his "little medium-fast in-swing bowler". Hmmm... sound familiar, Catholic kiddies? Brainwashed, I was! Brainwashed!

567. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266102 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 11:35 pm

Likewise Tour de France aficionados, Steve! - Stone them! Stone them!

Night, root.

568. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266095 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 11:19 pm

Well, I can agree with you on trad jazz, at least, Steve.

569. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266092 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 11:13 pm

Well, this is what I've been trying to tell you for weeks, DP - learn to speak English! :)

570. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266089 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 11:02 pm

DP - We have a stroke in cricket called the "American drive". It's when the batsman, whilst trying to play a cut shot, inadvertently shoves the bat up his arse!

571. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266087 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 10:57 pm

Comment #266083 by Steve Zara

Steve, Steve. You are so disappointing!!!!! I'll be in England next July - I'm going to drag you to a Test match with me!

572. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266082 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 10:53 pm

Yep - ball of the century, for sure, root. Pity Warne's such a drongo.

Edit: "THEN", DP, "THEN"! NOT "THAN".

573. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266076 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 10:41 pm

cerebate, root - Dhoni playing beautifully; 40, with a six and several fours. 384 for six - Australia will have to play well.

574. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266074 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 10:36 pm

There is no way you can compare the tension in cricket to watching a Lance Armstrong uphill sprint to the finish line in the Tour de France. Those cyclists don't stop for tea.

575. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266068 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 10:30 pm

But the guy with the bat has to try and hit the ball and block the ball from knocking out the sticks? And if he does hit it, is he out if someone catches it?

576. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266067 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 10:26 pm

That's a great one, Steve - I can't remember its origin, either.

That compilation, DP, is a good one, but it takes a great deal of watching cricket (and playing it!) before you really understand what a difficult set of skills it displays.

Good ol' Roy, cerebate - what a boofhead!

577. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266056 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 10:19 pm

As I've said before, DP - cricket is the prince of sports. It is very arguably the most skilled of all ball sports, as it is so fast (even though, to the uninitiated, it looks like a bunch of blokes standing around in a paddock doing not much.) It is also the most tension-producing sport. I have witnessed some Test matches that have come down to the wire after five full days of play. It's way too detailed to try to explain briefly - you might like to check out one of the many sites that discuss the rules, play and techniques, etc. Trust me, it's a superb game. It is to bat and ball sports what soccer is to football sports - simply the most complex and intriguing. A great batsman is a joy to watch - it is extremely difficult to face a ball travelling at about 90 mph which swings through the air, bounces and could go in any direction. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cricket

578. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266047 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 10:09 pm

Thanks cerebate - glad you're enjoying them. Yeah, Mord - what cerebate said. Watch out, or I'll jump through your monitor and RIP YER BLOODY ARMS ORF!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnEOr1MgwTM

579. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266044 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 10:02 pm

Thanks, Mord - you're all heart. The funny thing is, when a batsmen gets hit in the nuts, everyone on the field stands around laughing while the batsman rolls around on the ground. But when you get hit in the head, even the bowler comes up to you to determine that you're OK, and assure you that, even though he was trying to take your head clean off, he didn't mean to hurt you. Weird game, cricket!

580. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266041 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 9:55 pm

Yeah - I was captain of one of the lower grade teams in my local club; playing with my son, who has now gone onto higher grades. I've got a little permanent bump, but no lasting harm. Thankfully I didn't cop it fair in the eye - I must have just ducked away slightly at the last moment. Hurt, though.

581. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266038 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 9:49 pm

Hey, 8 - has Religulous opened in NZ?

582. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266036 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 9:47 pm

I got one just like that two years ago, root - attempting to hook off a very quick bouncer. It caught me just under the eye on my cheekbone. Within five seconds my face had blown up like a ballon, and I spent six hours in hospital getting fixed up. No broken bones, fortunately. (Plus I wasn't wearing a helmet - stupid me.)

583. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266023 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Comment #266021 by Mitchell Gilks

Get your hand off it, Mitchell ;)

Edit: Sharma out, caught Katich, bowled Siddle.

584. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266022 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 9:22 pm

Hahaha, Brandy - blokes like root, who is Indian, and me (Australian) are fanatics of cricket. I meant that the Indian batsman, Sharma, who is also a fast bowler, is under attack from an Australian fast bowler, Siddle, who is bouncing the ball and getting it to try to hit Sharma in the head. The irony is that Sharma, who is a superb fast bowler, will probably give Siddle the same treatment when he (Siddle) bats for Australia.

There you go, clear as mud.

Edit: Sharma just belted him through covers for a 4.

585. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266017 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 9:14 pm

Ishant Sharma is getting peppered with bouncers by Siddle. I hope he realises that Shamrma will deal them right back to him when he gets a chance!

(Let's see if Brandy can interpret that one, R2S).

How's things, Brandy?

586. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266013 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 9:04 pm

I think we can safely say, folks, that this thread is well and truly fucked!

587. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #266004 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 7:34 pm

That's what I'm afraid of, root - Ponting at the crease after Tea with Harbajhan weaving a few spells on a turning wicket.

We don't get it here on free to air TV either, as the rancid capitalists who hold the rights to ALL cricket won't allow the public broadcaster to show it. A plague on their houses...

588. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #265991 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 7:29 pm

But Caudi - we can't just keep posting comments like the above, surely?

(Er... or this one, come to think of it.)

589. From Science Fiction to Science Fact

Comment #265990 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 7:27 pm

Pish and tosh, N.E.B.! The orange is the prince of fruits - I can't wait, every year, until I can pull the first navel off our trees - succulent, sweet and nourishing. So there!

Me too - agree with Steve, for what it's worth.

590. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #265983 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 7:13 pm

Today's cricket is going to be very interesting. The Aussies might find themselves opening their innings mid-afternoon, which is, traditionally, when they do poorly.

591. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #265980 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 7:02 pm

Root - have you heard about Palin's new book? It's called "How to Make a Million Bucks With Only One Cunt Workin' For You"

592. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #265979 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 7:00 pm

root - perfect! Where do I register?

(P.S. - the mighty Sachin!)

593. [UPDATED] Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation

Comment #265975 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 6:27 pm

hawt - I thought you'd gone to bed! Are you another netizen who, Zarbi-like, exists on 20 minutes sleep a day?

594. ''Religulous' Is Brilliant, Incendiary

Comment #265952 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Hey 8 - I didn't know it had been released in the LOTLWC. Or are you up to something scurrilous?

595. [UPDATED] Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation

Comment #265946 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Sorry, Mord - Lysergic Acid Diethylamide is isthatclear's filling of choice, quite obviously! (with a light mayonnaise of abject d'elusion).

596. [UPDATED] Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation

Comment #265942 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 3:55 pm

Hi, Decius - he's at it again, yeah? Meanwhile (shameless plug) I've been formulating a new Laurie's Biblical Concordance that even isthatclear might like to have a look at for his own edification:

http://churchofrationalism.blogspot.com/2008/10/for-bible-tells-me-so.html

597. [UPDATED] Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation

Comment #265937 by Laurie Fraser on October 17, 2008 at 3:48 pm

Hey, isthatclear, can you spare me one of those LSD sandwiches?

598. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #264942 by Laurie Fraser on October 15, 2008 at 1:27 pm

I think you've hit the nail on the head, Caudi - DP is actually some kind of bizarre Turing test that the evil professor Dawkins has cooked up in his laboratory, just to keep idiotic cyberspace junkies like us hammering away.

599. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #264930 by Laurie Fraser on October 15, 2008 at 1:13 pm

This is becoming like groundhog day. Alarm goes off, get up, turn on computer, and the DP show goes on, and on, and on. It's probably worth some masochistic soul collecting the entire thread and publishing it as a novel. The best way would be to, William Burroughs like, throw all of the posts into the air and re-assemble them randomly. Worth a Booker prize, IMHO.

600. [UPDATED] Richard Dawkins on Harun Yahya's Atlas of Creation

Comment #264720 by Laurie Fraser on October 15, 2008 at 5:24 am

A great deal of scientific work has been done since Darwin, a capella. (or hadn't you noticed?) Gradually, the increasing evidence from fossil organisms has shed light on evolution. That evidence has, in every case, confirmed Darwin's original idea. As well, evidence from a variety of sciences distinct from biology and paleontology - microbiology, geology, chemistry, etc. - have, at every stage, supported the theory of natural selection. Not a single piece of scientific evidence, across disciplines, has ever offered evidence against the fact of evolution. (You'll notice that I said that evolution is a fact. Well it is - get over it; if you want to argue about something, you might turn your attention to some of the arguments regarding natural selection.)

So, what would you like to talk about now? Please don't bother offering anymore ignorant, quote-mined stupidities; you'll find that most people who visit this site are far too intelligent to tolerate such arrant bullshit. (You might also note that most of us can write grammatically - hmmm... I wonder if there's a correlation?)