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Comments by steveroot


51. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #188539 by steveroot on June 4, 2008 at 7:32 am

1004. Comment #188534 by Colwyn Abernathy on June 4, 2008 at 7:28 am

Finding oneself pregnant with no rational explanation as to how adds yet another dimension to psychological trauma...not to mention the physical down the line.

Not to mention that you just explained the "virgin birth"!!!!
Ste5e

EDIT: Man, this thread has taken off! All of the last 20 entries are on this one.

52. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #188528 by steveroot on June 4, 2008 at 7:25 am

We interrupt the current descent of the thread into bestiality, coprophagia and other delights to bring some pleasant news:

972. Comment #188499 by epeeist on June 4, 2008 at 6:54 am
Comment #188493 by Steve Zara
Dogs just love to run, however.

Until they can't any more. The treatment of greyhounds after this happens isn't pleasant.

In our area, many of these "past-their-prime" dogs are put up for adoption. Our neighbors across the street have one; it is beautiful, affectionate and smart. See, for instance:
http://www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/
http://www.ngap.org/
http://www.greyhoundpets.org/

NB: Don't let Appleby near one of these!
Ste5e

PS: Steve, good to see you back. I'll have to check the "Cold Fusion" thread to see if you've been there. ;-)

53. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #187829 by steveroot on June 2, 2008 at 7:39 pm

542. Comment #187735 by MagratGarlick on June 2, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Comment #187731 by Appleby

- Well, I'd love to continue this pointless discussion with you blockheads but I'd rather have (vaginal) sex with my girlfriend now. -


Do you want to borrow my footpump? :o)

>momentary loss of sphincter control<
No, seriously folks, she's real.
Her name is Rosy. Rosy Palm. :-)
Ste5e

54. Physicist Claims First Real Demonstration of Cold Fusion

Comment #187816 by steveroot on June 2, 2008 at 6:28 pm

35. Comment #187791 by AfraidToDie on June 2, 2008 at 4:53 pm
To "thewhitepearl", my wife just walked in and saw your avatar, and now don't believe me anymore when I say I'm surfing a "clear thinking oasis". I think she saw your phalanges :-)

Shhhh... don't mention the interphalangeal sulcus.
Ste5e

55. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #187814 by steveroot on June 2, 2008 at 6:25 pm

6676. Comment #187492 by Frankus1122 on June 2, 2008 at 8:35 am

I also like number one; Borges being one of my favourite authors.

When I was in college 35 or so years ago, I dated a girl who eventually did her PhD dissertation on Borges. A few years ago, she suffered a head injury and now is a complete jesus freak; she gave up teaching comparative lit and now ministers to nursing home residents. Sad.
Ste5e

56. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #187369 by steveroot on June 2, 2008 at 4:16 am

304. Comment #187367 by Colwyn Abernathy on June 2, 2008 at 4:11 am

Akshuly, there's no statistical difference between straight infidelity and gay infidelity....unless you count divorce rates. Then the straights are No.1!

"That's not *my* statistics!" :-)
Ste5e

57. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #187282 by steveroot on June 1, 2008 at 7:07 pm

85. Comment #187279 by Donald on June 1, 2008 at 6:36 pm

The laryngeal nerve in mammals runs from the brain down to the heart, then back up to the larynx, a detour of several feet instead of going direct. Why?
Because mammals evolved from fish, and in the original fish layout, the organs were in a straight line. For more on this see:
http://www.amazon.com/Your-Inner-Fish-Journey-3-5-Billion-Year/dp/0375424474


More here:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,2125,Fish-out-of-water-Your-Inner-Fish,Neil-Shubin
Ste5e

58. Lizards make adaptive change

Comment #187275 by steveroot on June 1, 2008 at 6:30 pm

7. Comment #187265 by coodgee on June 1, 2008 at 5:44 pm
quote: This is a very interesting discovery. Now if only religious people could charter a boat to reality. They might find it swarming with evidence!

is this really necessary?

A little "pinchee-winchee" on our toes? ;-)
Ste5e

59. Scientists rally against creationist 'superstition'

Comment #187251 by steveroot on June 1, 2008 at 4:30 pm

30. Comment #186989 by scottishgeologist on June 1, 2008 at 2:55 am

Of course, the faith heads were moaning (just for a change)

http://www.thecourier.co.uk/output/2007/11/24/newsstory10599041t0.asp

To my chagrin, a *dental* student. I would hope she's being taught enough basic science (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry...) to begin to understand how science works. I am not familiar with dental education in Scotland, but I hope they're not cranking out "tooth carpenters".

It *does* sort of lend an air of respectability to the creo mentality to have a "professional student" supporting it ("Wow, she's going to be a *dentist*... she must be right!). A few years ago, I had a grad student who engaged in a significant amount of proselytizing while she was in dental school. When she came into our department as a post-doc, the department head took her aside and basically said "none of that shit in our program"! She was well-behaved; married to a baptist preacher man, too. :-)
Ste5e
EDIT:
81. Comment #187231 by bucketchemist on June 1, 2008 at 2:48 pm

Only one of these is a theory. One of the others is an uninformed guess originally made by Bronze Age shepherds who were scared of the dark. The other is a carefully constructed situationist joke invented by the Merry Pranksters (although they haven't owned up to it yet).

LMAO!

60. Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings

Comment #187225 by steveroot on June 1, 2008 at 2:30 pm

101. Comment #187213 by PJG on June 1, 2008 at 1:48 pm

There are people who are "disabled" by their allergies as their allergy may restrict their lives to a major extent. There are people left permanently brain damaged by them too.

My wife teaches kindergarten. One of the children in her class has a documented allergy to nuts. When my wife buys or prepares a snack for her class (or any of the other parents brings a snack), ALL the products or ingredients *must* be labeled something to the effect that they do not contain nuts. The student is provided with an epinephrine "pen" (actually, the school nurse has it) for use in case of an attack. The child could die of asphyxiation within minutes of being exposed to the right allergen. This is a significant disability. BTW, it is the deprivation of oxygen that causes the brain damage, not the allergen per se.

From my perspective as a dentist, occasionally there will be a patient with a documented allergy to latex (found in gloves, rubber dam, some local anesthetic cartridges, etc.). Special care is required to avoid using any latex-containing products. Epinephrine is standing by. Another significant disability.
Ste5e

61. Random Acts of Evolution

Comment #187170 by steveroot on June 1, 2008 at 11:55 am

5. Comment #187165 by Szymanowski on June 1, 2008 at 11:50 am
Heehee, was that deliberate? The article is totally messed up; some of it has replicated, Ã la junk DNA.

"Tonight, on 'It's the Mind', we examine the phenomenon of deja vu..."
Ste5e

62. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #187156 by steveroot on June 1, 2008 at 11:42 am

It's not my usual policy to feed a troll, but since Appleby is so clearly fixated on coprophagia and doesn't seem opposed to female homosexuality, I thought he might enjoy this in the privacy of his own home on Crunchykleenex Boulevard:
http://www.scatbabes.com/
These folks are animals just like us!
Ste5e

63. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #186919 by steveroot on May 31, 2008 at 7:58 pm

6633. Comment #186859 by alan baylis on May 31, 2008 at 1:14 pm

Could you suggest any mechanisms to show how this came about?

Surely you've heard of "The Fall"?
:-)
Ste5e

64. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #186596 by steveroot on May 30, 2008 at 7:44 pm

50. Comment #186576 by Vinelectric on May 30, 2008 at 5:24 pm
steveroot

Forget about epithelial turnover, ever heard of STDs? I know some parts of Essex where you'd need to get a medical check even if you only had a wet dream. I even know a girl called Chlamydia!!

I just meant, not to be too graphic or anything, that if the guy had a hang-up about putting his dick where someone else's dick had been, he would not need to worry as the working surface is self-renewing. A few days... no worries!

"Chlamydia"... wasn't she the tattooed lady in one of the Marx Brothers' movies?
Ste5e

Hey, just because you're not paranoid doesn't they're not out to get you!

65. Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings

Comment #186412 by steveroot on May 30, 2008 at 9:02 am

45. Comment #186193 by aegis on May 29, 2008 at 10:04 pm

Steve, I believe that Jack MAY have been making a joke about the excremental state of US television programming in general.

In this case, Jack, I offer my most sincere apologies. I was in "serious" mode (not my normal state).

52. Comment #186211 by Bonzai on May 29, 2008 at 11:27 pm

Steveroot
Again, what is your point?

*Sigh* Never mind.

79. Comment #186302 by Dr Benway on May 30, 2008 at 5:25 am

WiFi is radio. Good luck finding a square inch of space in Sante Fe that isn't constantly buzzing with radio waves.

< devilsadvocatemode > WiFi is radio, but it is a certain region of the electromagnetic spectrum. It is just *possible* that radiation in this region could have biological effects. < /devilsadvocatemode >
Fortunately, as has been mentioned by others including Dr. Dawkins, this is easy to test for. It's not as if the question is "does exposure to cell phone radiation cause brain tumors after 30 years?". The issue is "can a person who claims to be sensitive to the particular frequency range of WiFi actually detect it?"

83. Comment #186340 by BeyondBelief on May 30, 2008 at 7:32 am

When farmers first started reporting a "theory" that electrical wires near their farms were affecting milk production, they were laughed off. Years of research did ultimately find a connection, resulting in a modification of dairy barns and electrical poles. Science proved a change in behavior was required.

The frequencies involved, the waveforms and probably the signal strengths are all different. Nevertheless, further investigation is indicated.
Ste5e

66. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #186395 by steveroot on May 30, 2008 at 8:43 am

What is this thing about the woman having to be a virgin? If the man is ignorant and homophobic (certainly religion is irrelevant here, eh?), it could be that he doesn't want to put his jones where someone else's jones has been. This at the very least involves ignorance of epithelial turnover in mucous membranes and female reproductive physiology in general. Irate said it most succinctly, as usual!
Ste5e

67. Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings

Comment #186184 by steveroot on May 29, 2008 at 8:59 pm

15. Comment #186130 by Bonzai on May 29, 2008 at 4:30 pm
steveroot said:

" There is much less (if any) evidence for the problem these folks claim. Let the blind studies commence. Meanwhile, yes, this *is* completely crazy. ;-)"

I don't really see your point. What is it that you try to establish with double blind experiments?

I'm surprised I have to spell it out. Consider the following "pilot study", if you will:
The claimed "sensitives" (after appropriate informed consent) are taken to a series of locations where, they are told, wireless routers may or may not be in operation. They do not know which locations are "EM " (this is the "blind" part"). At each location they are asked to describe their sensations to staff who also do not know where the "EM " locations are (this is the "double" part of the "double -blind"). The results are analysed. Mill's Methods could be used here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mill's_Methods
Hypersensitivity to em radiation may be psychosomatic, but as long as these people are not lying willfully, it is still "real" to them in terms of health impacts.

If the EM radiation actually has physiological effects on these people, then this is *not* psychosomatic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychosomatic
Paging Dr. Benway. STAT.
On the other hand, should the double blind experiments turn out to be positive, it doesn't follow that it is reasonable to ban wi fi in all public buildings just because of a rare affliction.

If evidence indicates these people are being harmed by the EM radiation, steps should be taken to reduce or eliminate it. We would do the same for the Snail Darter.
Whether their "affliction" is "real" in the "objective" sense really has little to do with how one should handle the complaints.

This almost sounds like religion(!). So we should "respect" the "affliction" even if it is not "real" and (unlike "tolerance") significant and inconvenient changes to many others' lives must be made. Do I have that right?


17. Comment #186132 by righton on May 29, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Steveroot said:
"There is much less (if any) evidence for the problem these folks claim."

Maybe because no research has been done on the people who have this problem. I think it is ignorant to completely dismiss something like this. WiFi has not been around for very long, we dont/cant know its possible adverse effects yet.

You may think it is ignorant; however, I did not "dismiss" anything (even partly). I said studies should be done to determine if there is any causal relationship between the EM radiation and the complaints. Evidence is necessary. "What is claimed without evidence may be dismisses without evidence" or words to that effect. Plus, I was speaking a little "tongue-in-cheek" ( ;-) ) when I said that "meanwhile" thing.

18. Comment #186134 by righton on May 29, 2008 at 4:48 pm

Good to know that you have gone through all the physiological processes in the body and determined that this is not possible. Good for you.

I compared the relatively well-understood processes by which chemical "sensitivities" are mediated: for example, inflammation (non-specific) and immunologic (specific). There is less information as far as I know about the effects of EM fields of various frequencies and intensities. These fields are all around us (cell phones, radio, television and microwave communications, for example), yet the incidence of problems seems to be low. Doesn't it seem more likely that these people are a few sandwiches short of a picnic? The issue should still be looked into.


32. Comment #186162 by Jack Rawlinson on May 29, 2008 at 6:54 pm
I believe 'em, and I sympathise. Information-carrying em radiation is highly dangerous. For example, every time I turn a TV on here in the States I get a severe pain behind my eyes after only a minute or so.

Jack, have you had your eyes examined lately? The "information-carrying radiation" (ICR) coming from a TV set would be directed toward the area in front of the set. And this would be ionizing radiation, to the extent that it can escape the shielding- and this only applies to sets with cathode-ray tubes. The ICR is mainly going *into* the set, unless you have cable, and this is all around us. You should get that pain checked out.
Ste5e

68. Group wants Wi-Fi banned from public buildings

Comment #186127 by steveroot on May 29, 2008 at 4:24 pm

11. Comment #186124 by righton on May 29, 2008 at 4:16 pm

I dont think this is completely crazy.
...
I have problems with being around air fresheners and certain laundry detergents/fabric softeners make me sick.

There is are plausible, one might even say "proven" mechanisms for adverse reactions to chemicals as you describe. There is much less (if any) evidence for the problem these folks claim. Let the blind studies commence. Meanwhile, yes, this *is* completely crazy. ;-)
Ste5e

69. Fossil reveals oldest live birth

Comment #186125 by steveroot on May 29, 2008 at 4:19 pm

Wow, then the first abortion must have happened long before it was previously thought possible!

We just haven't yet found the fossilized Fetucide coathangerii. :-)
Ste5e

70. That's it. Texas really is doomed.

Comment #186098 by steveroot on May 29, 2008 at 2:54 pm

191. Comment #186095 by Ian (South Africa) on May 29, 2008 at 2:30 pm

I don't want to belabour the point but there are many countries with excellent doctors that certainly equal and in some specilaities surpass their US counterparts.

This from the New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/12/opinion/12sun1.html

Tempered by:
http://doctoranonymous.blogspot.com/2007/08/usa-worlds-best-medical-care.html
Ste5e

71. Car dealership advert tells atheists to 'shut up'

Comment #186096 by steveroot on May 29, 2008 at 2:30 pm

102. Comment #185924 by Vaal on May 29, 2008 at 5:47 am

Go on God, send them down a nice lightening bolt or a flood, just for a laugh!

As you ask, so it shall be granted...

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MOJAVE CAR DEALER'S SON DIES IN CRASH NEAR TEHACHAPI-a083902220

Sorry. The devil made me.
Ste5e

72. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #185851 by steveroot on May 28, 2008 at 8:37 pm

I feel a little chagrined that I don't have a detailed and well-documented contribution to the discussion on the evolution of the mammalian dentition, but it has been many years since I studied this and there has been considerable progress in its understanding. Specialization has its drawbacks :-(

However, one doesn't need PubMed to find useful information; just try Googling "evolution of mammalian dentition" and there is plenty.

I can also assure txpiper that there are plenty of scientists who would be qualified as "evolutionary mammal dentition specialists". If there are *specific* questions about this subject, I will see if I can find opinion supported by evidence at my dental school.
Ste5e
Steve Weeks, DDS
Practice Limited to Endodontics

73. That's it. Texas really is doomed.

Comment #185791 by steveroot on May 28, 2008 at 2:35 pm

97. Comment #185778 by FightingFalcon on May 28, 2008 at 1:51 pm

What in Jupiter's name are the Jersey Cows lol =)

Er... "Guernsey" cows, perhaps? :-)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernsey_cattle
Ste5e

74. Car dealership advert tells atheists to 'shut up'

Comment #185557 by steveroot on May 28, 2008 at 4:21 am

We used to say "Fucked On Race Day".
But WWJD? (What Would Jesus Drive?)
Maybe "Forgiven On Race Day"? Or not.
Ste5e

75. That's it. Texas really is doomed.

Comment #184864 by steveroot on May 26, 2008 at 9:59 am

10. Comment #184845 by FightingFalcon on May 26, 2008 at 9:37 am

Hey, wasn't GW educated in Texas? 'nuff said

Actually, it was Yale in CT.

True, but he was *reared* in Texas!
:-)
Ste5e

76. Five Things Humans No Longer Need

Comment #184298 by steveroot on May 24, 2008 at 12:00 pm

58. Comment #184295 by drcancerman on May 24, 2008 at 11:07 am
I have no wisdom teeth, they never formed :D

If you've never had a panoramic radiograph, you may be making that statement without adequate evidence. :-) Standard dental radiographs may not suffice. (See post 57)
Ste5e

77. Does Time Run Backward in Other Universes?

Comment #184284 by steveroot on May 24, 2008 at 10:00 am

34. Comment #184280 by riki on May 24, 2008 at 9:41 am
Nah time is an illusion.

Lunchtime doubly so.
-D.A.
Ste5e

78. Five Things Humans No Longer Need

Comment #184257 by steveroot on May 24, 2008 at 8:03 am

48. Comment #184181 by Steven Mading on May 23, 2008 at 8:44 pm
These teeth also were causing my ear canal to be pinched off, causing the other problems.

That would be the "auditory tube", also known as the "Eustachian tube" (depending on whether you like eponyms or not- when I studied gross anatomy, eponyms were "out"). See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eustachian_tube
Disregard what it says about this structure being derived from the first pharyngeal pouch' it's way too complicated for that, so god must have made it. As for the "ear canal", that would be the "external acoustic meatus", and would not be in a position to be affected by 4th molars. See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ear_canal

BTW, anyone who "seems" to not have any 3rd molars should have a "panoramic" radiograph made to exclude the possibility that they are present but beyond the range of "standard" intraoral dental radiographs. Occasionally the 3rds are displaced by tumors or other entities, and early discovery is better. One "pan" is sufficient to rule this out in most cases.
Ste5e

79. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #184179 by steveroot on May 23, 2008 at 8:40 pm

6560. Comment #184163 by Quine on May 23, 2008 at 8:07 pm
I hope those who need to read it, do read it.

Well, you know they won't. Just as well, because most of 'em wouldn't understand it.

Very, VERY nicely done, Calilasseia!
Ste5e

80. Five Things Humans No Longer Need

Comment #184095 by steveroot on May 23, 2008 at 3:23 pm

33. Comment #184067 by Frankus1122 on May 23, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Is it one gene that is responsible for the formation of wisdom teeth? Do other mutations occur that cause other teeth (canine, for example)to not form?
Is there anyone who can seriously answer my question? (Thanks steveroot:)

I'm working on it. There are people here who know a hell of a lot more than I do about the genetic control of tooth development. I can say that there is genetic control and also there are developmental issues involved. Also, since you mention "canine" teeth, these are commonly impacted which prevents their eruption. The teeth are fully-formed, but blocked by other teeth or other pathological entities. They would appear to be missing, but would be seen on radiographs.

Children who suffer dental caries are at increased risk for abscess formation. Sometimes these get out of hand and the child will die. I'm not sure how much actual "selection" is going on in cases like these.

Anyway... off to the homeland. I'll have more info on this next week.
Ste5e

81. Five Things Humans No Longer Need

Comment #184063 by steveroot on May 23, 2008 at 2:03 pm

30. Comment #184053 by moderndaythomas on May 23, 2008 at 1:51 pm

Fire1974: "Does anyone know of a creationist who's gotten through Med-School?"

I know a psychiatrist?

Dr. Benway is *not* a creationist!
;-)
Ste5e

82. Five Things Humans No Longer Need

Comment #184038 by steveroot on May 23, 2008 at 1:21 pm

24. Comment #184031 by Frankus1122 on May 23, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Are homo sapiens with wisdom teeth generally less likely to reproduce because they have wisdom teeth?

Don't we hear that the less-wise have more children? ;-)

19. Comment #184018 by al-rawandi on May 23, 2008 at 12:17 pm
#6 Religion.

Ahem... 9. Comment #184006 by steveroot

14. Comment #184011 by Quetzalcoatl on May 23, 2008 at 11:58 am
Steveroot-
"painless dentistry" is a good oxymoron.

Generally yes, and it makes a good dental joke. However, and excuse the OT, about 1/3 of the root canal treatments I do are without anesthesia and, yes, they *are* painless!
Ste5e

83. Five Things Humans No Longer Need

Comment #184010 by steveroot on May 23, 2008 at 11:54 am

11. Comment #184008 by mordacious1 on May 23, 2008 at 11:51 am

Add the Postal Service to the list too.

One of my favorite oxymormons, like "jumbo shrimp", "military intelligence" and "rap music". ;-)
Ste5e

84. Five Things Humans No Longer Need

Comment #184006 by steveroot on May 23, 2008 at 11:47 am

I expected "Religion" to be on the list. I guess it's not properly considered to be a body part. So there!

A structure that is the object of reduced evolutionary pressure can, within limits, take on different forms. ...
A good example is the human coccyx, a vestige of the mammalian tail, which has taken on a modified function, notably as an anchor point for the muscles that hold the anus in place.

Well, *evolutionary* pressure may be reduced... :-O
Ste5e

85. Texas Megachurch Minister Busted in Internet Sex Sting

Comment #183867 by steveroot on May 23, 2008 at 4:17 am

62. Comment #182487 by arogop on May 20, 2008 at 8:35 am

"Prominent Atheist arrested at airport with salamander in pants."

What does this do for one? Sounds kinky! I have a pet anole at home... would that work?

Don't know; but there's probably an ahole in there!

->Just leaving ;-)
Ste5e

86. Scientists discover 'frogamander' fossil

Comment #183791 by steveroot on May 22, 2008 at 8:28 pm

9. Comment #183544 by irate_atheist on May 22, 2008 at 8:46 am
But where's the crocoduck, eh?

All in due course. It will be learned that it descended from the crockoshit... and another gap will be created when they find the remains of the crockofucktard.
Ste5e

87. In God's Name

Comment #183300 by steveroot on May 21, 2008 at 7:21 pm

115. Comment #183247 by GregPhillips on May 21, 2008 at 3:37 pm

Oh and I seem to have gotten more than my fair share of birdshit on me over the years. I dont know why, they just aim for me, little bastards, then people have the barefaced cheek to smile and say its good fucking luck?Good luck for you for not getting shit on in the first place I say.

In China there is a saying:
"If the Foo shits, wear it."
(apologies to Rev. Spooner)
:-)
Ste5e

88. Lab agrees to test Shroud of Turin for new theory

Comment #183295 by steveroot on May 21, 2008 at 6:53 pm

57. Comment #183202 by Garnok on May 21, 2008 at 2:05 pm
If blood is still fresh enough to flow so freely inside the shroud, surely Jesus' corpse must have taken a Holy Sh!t?

OK, you *really are* going to hell!
Ste5e

89. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #182280 by steveroot on May 19, 2008 at 3:07 pm

6486. Comment #182279 by Goldy on May 19, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Cheers Ste5e! I feel better now! :-D

Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!
Ste5e

90. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #182277 by steveroot on May 19, 2008 at 3:00 pm

Major Hijack (well, it's in progress already...)

A famous motorcyclist was asked how he could get on his machine knowing its danger. He responded by asking the questioner if he expected to die in bed. The answer was in the affirmative, to which the motorcyclist replied, "then how can you go to sleep each night?"

I forget who the cyclist was, but the point (not really addressed though it makes a good story) is that there is risk inherent in any activity (or *inactivity*). During the 10 years I worked in a hospital as a security guard and med tech/phlebotomist I saw a fair amount of morbidity and mortality due to motorcycle accidents. I also saw motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians who died in accidents. The existence of risk is not necessarily best dealt with by the avoidance of all risky activities; with intelligent management, many risks may be minimized.

I rode a motorcycle all over the US and many parts of Canada and never had an accident. I took MSF training, learned off-road techniques and generally rode like a little old lady (sorry, Dr. B!). So did most of the 300 members of the club I belonged to (age range 20s to 80s), and serious injuries were very rare. Most of those gruesome accidents involve riders who are drunk, insane, speeding or on high-powered or unfamiliar cycles. The "normal" riders who get boned (usually at an intersection) are often not paying attention.

Obviously, the object is to completely avoid collisions. With due caution, I believe this is possible. But nobody should get a motorcycle without serious contemplation of the risks.

Al, don't try to gross me out with your images- I've seen them. :-)
Ste5e

Not for the faint of heart:
http://www.snopes.com/photos/accident/tulsacrash.asp

91. Pelosi, Reid shunning Ten Commandments?

Comment #181401 by steveroot on May 17, 2008 at 6:27 am

24. Comment #181312 by RightWingAtheist on May 16, 2008 at 10:21 pm
steveroot said:
"How were these goat milkers supposed to know ..."

This sounds a little tribalistic to me. In the future, please address your comments to ALL makers of dairy products.

How insensitive of me! I'm off to therapy... maybe I can be rehabilitated. O please!
;-)
Ste5e

92. Group finds Starbucks logo too hot to handle

Comment #181389 by steveroot on May 17, 2008 at 5:53 am

88. Comment #181332 by Vadjong on May 17, 2008 at 12:53 am
Has no one noticed the distinct Nazi-ness of the black circle and stripes around the logo itself?

Yes! And the mermaid is clearly trying to bend herself into a swastika!
;-)
Ste5e

93. Group finds Starbucks logo too hot to handle

Comment #181301 by steveroot on May 16, 2008 at 9:31 pm

The Naked and the Nude
Robert Graves

For me, the naked and the nude
(By lexicographers construed
As synonyms that should express
The same deficiency of dress
Or shelter) stand as wide apart
As love from lies, or truth from art.


Continued...
http://www.cs.berkeley.edu/~richie/poetry/html/poem116.html
Ste5e

94. The amazing intelligence of crows

Comment #181277 by steveroot on May 16, 2008 at 8:31 pm

29. Comment #181145 by Quine on May 16, 2008 at 1:20 pm

However, this makes what Betty did in the video even more amazing because nowhere in hundreds of thousands of years of evolution did these birds get the skill to use a wire that, unlike a stick, could be bent into a hook.

Hell, I've got *dental students* who would have a hard time figuring that out!
Ste5e

95. Losing Our Spines to Save Our Necks

Comment #181252 by steveroot on May 16, 2008 at 6:54 pm

309. Comment #180721 by clearmind on May 15, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Today's pop quiz question: What language is this?:

zxcv/nmm,.///yuiopqwert! Thus yhnujm/> bgtrfv%//qazxsw?

Well, a;kdfuo992myo, but generally ,couahthiwy78gowng. So, yes.

avmnr03934g you buddy!

A. Human's language
B. Evolins language

You got it. This is evolins' language.

What About Dawkins? Any memorial thing about him? Sure very soon! We will reveal the language about him.

I'm trying to think of any possible way this drivel contributes to the discussion here.

Nope, can't do it.
Ste5e

96. Pelosi, Reid shunning Ten Commandments?

Comment #181249 by steveroot on May 16, 2008 at 6:39 pm

5. Comment #181246 by Serdan on May 16, 2008 at 6:18 pm

"Both of these [resolutions] would authorize a Ten Commandments weekend in order to recognize the Ten Commandments as the foundation of law in this country,"

The foundation of law?!

Let's have a look at them.
...
...
So two out of ten. And this is supposed to be the foundation of law? Fucking retards.

Don't be so hard on them. How were these goat milkers supposed to know that what someone was told by a *burning bush* would someday be mistaken for the founding principles of what could (under more favorable circumstances) be considered the most powerful nation on earth?
Ste5e

97. 'Spiritual' dentist fined $10,000

Comment #180407 by steveroot on May 14, 2008 at 8:11 pm

28. Comment #180317 by Quetzalcoatl on May 14, 2008 at 2:56 pm

Logicel-

that's probably the worst joke I've ever read.

How 'bout this one:

Q: When is it time to see the dentist?
A: 2:30

Get it? :-)

29. Comment #180324 by LeeLeeOne on May 14, 2008 at 3:19 pm

No dentist will take, in this city, any Medicaid-dependent patient. So many in our area usually do not attend dental care. Most indigent dental care is taken care of by an ER visit turned hospital stay for an abscess or malnutrition.

We try to inculcate in our dental graduates a sense of responsibility to the community for adequate access to care. Of course, at a "state-supported" dental school with annual tuition in excess of $40,000 it's not hard to understand why many of them go for the higher-paying jobs that don't serve the needy.

This is the sort of thing "religion" could be useful for: instead of worrying about avoiding hellfire, it could be promoting healthy habits in the present. All based on good evidence. :-)
Ste5e

98. 'Spiritual' dentist fined $10,000

Comment #180190 by steveroot on May 14, 2008 at 10:59 am

10. Comment #180180 by al-rawandi on May 14, 2008 at 10:43 am

Most dentists don't even come close to raking it in. Most dentists are struggling, some are succeeding, and very few are "raking it in".

Depends how you define "struggling", "succeeding" and "raking it in". This data (for 2005) suggests that most dentists are not "struggling".

The average net income for an independent private practitioner who owned all or part of his or her practice in 2005 was $198,350 for a general practitioner and $304,020 for a specialist.

Source: 2006 Survey of Dental Practiceâ€"Income from the Private Practice of Dentistry
Item code: SDPI-2006/SDPI-2006D.


Of course, those of us who are full-time academics...
Ste5e

99. 'Spiritual' dentist fined $10,000

Comment #180177 by steveroot on May 14, 2008 at 10:39 am

4. Comment #180164 by jiujitstheist on May 14, 2008 at 10:04 am

Pray for me o Saint Molar.

The correct saint to pray to is Apollonia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Apollonia
Seems like she committed suicide rather than speak blasphemy. :-)
Ste5e

100. Americans pray at the pump for cheaper petrol

Comment #179803 by steveroot on May 13, 2008 at 7:41 pm

169. Comment #179726 by Goldy on May 13, 2008 at 3:18 pm
In Alberta, I was the only commuter in Red Deer on a bike, as far as I could tell. Odd because the cycle lanes were fairly extensive (well, going to the city and the parks, not to where I worked).

I think the future of personal transport os a dying concept - unless someone thinks of something else and guarded interests allow it to develop.

The seed of at least a partial solution is contained in your post. Chicago is a pretty bicycle-friendly city, and tolerance for bikes in traffic is generally on the increase. Of course, there are issues, but they seem to be amenable to resolution. I get in to my job from home (about 50 miles) by a combination of folding bicycle and heavy rail. No gas, no traffic or parking headaches, a little cardio twice a day!

180. Comment #179798 by Christopher Davis on May 13, 2008 at 6:53 pm

What needs to happen is for SUV's and other gas guzzlers to become unfashionable...when driving a hybrid is a sign of status, then U.S. consumers will change their ways.

This doesn't help the "working poor", who often can only afford older, fuel-inefficient cars. Of course, you are right about the status-conscious upper crust.
Steve

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