1001. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #211705 by mordacious1 on July 16, 2008 at 9:00 am

Tyler

How can you say "Go 49ers" on a site that has Gregg Townsend as a poster. Too "in your face" for me.

1002. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #211693 by mordacious1 on July 16, 2008 at 8:54 am

I see that Hezbollah has traded the remains of the two Israeli soldiers kidnapped in 2006 , for 5 live prisoners. Interesting how this works.

1003. Fury at funeral songs ban

Comment #211348 by mordacious1 on July 15, 2008 at 9:16 pm

And no crunching any frackin' crackers either.

When I go, I want my friends to party...lot's of music, lots of booze...and no religious BS.

1004. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210735 by mordacious1 on July 15, 2008 at 3:11 am

Steve and whoever you're replying to

It's 3 AM here, if you use double negatives, it's harder for me to follow.

1005. Taking a Cue From Ants on Evolution of Humans

Comment #210720 by mordacious1 on July 15, 2008 at 2:42 am

I was hoping someone would post this, read it in the Times today, good article.

1006. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210716 by mordacious1 on July 15, 2008 at 2:35 am

Bonzai

I am assuming that usually the police in Hong Kong do not carry firearms.

I think it is interesting that the police/criminal dynamics are like an arms race. If the criminals started using guns, the cops would. If the cops (or law abiding citizens) started carrying guns, the criminals would.

The problem in the U.S. is that the arms race has already occurred, and we'd have to come up with a way to disarm all sides. This, of course, is harder to do.

1007. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210678 by mordacious1 on July 15, 2008 at 1:13 am

Mitchell

This thread was sidetracked long ago, as most threads on this site are.

1008. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210674 by mordacious1 on July 15, 2008 at 1:05 am

Chris

I can understand your point of view. I spent most of my life either carrying an M-16 or wearing a .45 . In civilian government work, I rarely went anywhere without a concealed firearm, it was part of the job there too. I don't currently own a weapon, at first I felt naked without one, but also felt confident in my ability to defend myself without one.

Currently I won't have a handgun in my house because of my autistic child. It is way to dangerous, but if he wasn't here I'm sure I'd have a weapon of some sort.

My only objection to firearms is the ease at which people can get them. You and I are familiar with their use, safety, and the harm they can do in the wrong hands, most americans are not.

My problem with the NRA, is that they are against almost any restrictions on gun control. There are people out there that have no psychological problems or criminal backgrounds, that shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a firearm. I wish we, as a society, could come up with a way to weed these people out of the gun owner group. Gun IQ test?

On the news tonight, there were 3 gun related deaths within 40 miles of where I live, 2 were accidental. This is the problem.

1009. Periodic Table of Videos

Comment #210577 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 8:36 pm

So many to choose from. I can't make up my mind.

1010. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #210365 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 11:02 am

kkelly

I didn't read it that way. I think the internet is very serious business, for many reasons. If one has a blog and puts up his opinion about some cracker, and loses his job, that is serious.

1011. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #210363 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 10:52 am

kkelly

I think PZ's motivation was to scare off other would be threat makers. Who is to say he didn't report it to the authorities? I would have.

[edit] First you say that the people on his site "take the internet way too seriously", then you state, "the internet is serious business". Seems to be two conflicting statements.

1012. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #210355 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 10:30 am

epeeist

Yes, it is the problem and it won't change anytime soon. I'm just suprised that people are shocked by it. I think that we do get involved without self-interest, but not often enough. Even the Peace Corps had people reporting to the CIA. It is just a sad reality.

1013. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #210353 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 10:21 am

kkelly

I don't remember PZ threatening anyone's life, just a fictional one at best.

PZ has the right, if not duty, to get people fired that make death threats. It is illegal and can be prosecuted. If the guy just gets fired he'll be lucky. Besides that, PZ clearly gave a warning on his website that he would do this to anyone making these kind of threats. So what's the problem?

1014. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #210351 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 10:13 am

One more thing. Excepting the western hemisphere, the UK has been standing next to us in most of our blunders, including Viet Nam where they delivered a lot of the napalm used. Also, many brits fought in NZ and Aussie units that were on the ground. So don't point fingers unless you live in France, then you can say that Iraq was a blunder by the U.S. and the allies that joined it.

1015. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #210345 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 9:55 am

Thanks. Just went, feel much better.

1016. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #210343 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 9:47 am

Crap.

I think this site is great, but I wish it had a "pop-up" that said, "you will be logged off in 10 seconds unless you click now". Just lost a huge rant post.

To sum up: The U.S. tends to look after its own economic interests, duh? We've made some major blunders, yep. I'd like someone like the EU and the democratic Asian nations to spend more on their defense, so we can spend more of our money on ourselves. I spent a large part of my life carrying a rifle in countries I'd rather visit as a tourist. Oh and something about the UN not being able to keep peace in its own men's room.

Basicly, there are people and nations who don't like our way of life, and someone has to step up to the plate. Anyone? Bueller?

1017. [UPDATED] Venomous Snakes, Slippery Eels and Harun Yahya

Comment #210311 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 8:37 am

Laurie

Due to the U.S.'s economic interests, it is actually better to have peace throughout the world. The U.S. and UK have to act as firefighters, if you will. Unfortunately, a lot of people and countries get screwed economicly because of this. The world has always had a "king of the hill" mind-set, right now we're on top, before it was the UK. To call us the "world's greatest terrorist threat" is a bit simplistic if not naive.

1018. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210288 by mordacious1 on July 14, 2008 at 8:04 am

Just to catch up:

8teist

The original article was for real, Landover Baptist is a spoof (although the preacher is one scary SOB).

Gregg

I think Al lives in Oakland, a bit different from SF.

1019. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210083 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 10:19 pm

AFKasP

I personally have nothing against Al firing weapons, or the shotgun he sleeps with. I'm sure I'd sleep with one too if I lived where he does. My late brother-in-law lived in Chicago, and carried a concealed handgun everywhere he went.

I'm not too sure what the answer is. More fines and jail time for allowing minors access to firearms perhaps. Fewer cheap handguns?

1020. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210077 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 9:54 pm

Pastor...

I do not see what your link has to do with atheists or atheism, some of us are gun owners, some aren't. Why mention atheists?

1021. Children Are Naturally Prone To Be Empathic And Moral

Comment #210062 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 8:34 pm

Mitchell

I know, we've talked about your art ambitions before. Doesn't hurt to double-major, you might find some classes that you like.

Do I sound like your high school guidance counselor? Sorry, I used to be in education.

1022. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210048 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 7:48 pm

I need to go, but I just want to say one more thing. There is actually a small percentage of people killed in the U.S. by assault weapons. Most of those tend to be cops. I think the reason for this is the availability of low cost handguns and the relative high cost of, say an AR-15 . The article stated $800 . That's pretty prohibitive for most teenage thugs.

1023. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210037 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 7:35 pm

Oh, one more thing. Whereas a hunting rifle usually has a more powerful punch than most assault style weapons, they are not designed for combat. Most are built to hold only a few rounds in the magazines, don't have pistol grips, etc. When someone enters a building with 60 rounds in the magazine, you know you're in for a bad day.

1024. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210028 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Well, I've never seen anyone turn a Mini into a dragster, but I've seen an AR-15 turned into an M-16 . Like I said, it takes about 30 minutes, probably less if you're an expert.

1025. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210025 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 7:12 pm

Great. What kind of mileage does a Panzer get? I'm getting sick of people not using their blinker.

1026. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210020 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 7:01 pm

BigJohn

You are correct. If using military terminology, then an assault rifle is one that would include a selective firing mechanism to switch to fully automatic.

In the U.S. however, the term has been used, even if improperly, to include those weapons that have a civilian counterpart. The problem with most of these weapons, is they have most, if not all, of the other attributes of their military counterparts, and can usually be changed back to fully auto, if given the correct know-how.

1027. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210016 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 6:48 pm

I think a younger Richard Dreyfuss could play PZ.

1028. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #210010 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 6:32 pm

Enlight...

Ha ha,

Stay out of this, that was, erm, cough, uh, a typo.

[edit] Damn, now I have to go back to proofreading my posts, until this blows over.

1029. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209995 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 5:57 pm

mdt

You can "bare arms" if you choose, but whether to bear arms is a serious question.

1030. PLEASE WRITE IN SUPPORT OF PZ MYERS

Comment #209966 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 4:24 pm

Decius, this says it all:

"what I'd like to know is how did you even get a job at a collage. when you are obviously a moron."

1031. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209933 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 2:53 pm

jdb

His pet squirrel chewed off their nuts.

edit: How many people know what the heck we're talking about?

1032. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209929 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 2:40 pm

Enlight...

Yes, concealed handguns are definitely a major problem. But let's say you're a cop, and you're going up against a 9mm, you've got a vest and at least equal firepower. Now let's say the perp has an AK-47 with a back-taped magazine capable of firing 60 rounds of vest-piercing bullets.

Or, you're in a high school in Colorado and a couple of kids decide to shoot up the place with assault rifles, a lot more damage can be done. I think handguns and hunting rifles will be with us for awhile in the U.S., but let's at least get these weapons of war off the streets. No one needs an assault rifle to protect their home.

[edit] With the exception of Al.
[edited for spelling definitely wrong]

1033. France rejects Muslim woman over radical practice of Islam

Comment #209923 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Skibri

It always cracks me up that your beer coaster (or label) is from a brew pub in Utah. Ha ha ha.

[edit] I'd like to try the polygamy porter...probably comes in at least two glasses.

1034. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209920 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 2:06 pm

I have nothing against most people owning guns, I draw the line at assault weapons though.

1035. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209910 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 1:48 pm

Carto

You can watch the kids blasting away on the news link. Probably training them to join the all-christian military.

1036. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209892 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 1:29 pm

I know Al is going to weigh in on this tomorrow A.M., but I have to say that the AR-15 makes a shitty hunting rifle. Great for killing people though. I knew several GI's that carried one in Viet Nam, because they jammed less, and let's face it, if you're going rock n roll it's because you're scared shitless. By the way, I can turn an AR-15 into fully auto in about 30 minutes. So let's not give them to the kids OK? If the pastor was indeed a Special Forces officer, he should know better.

1037. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209856 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 12:32 pm

Colwyn

He lost me too.

As far a gun legislation goes, how about:

In the U.S., over three thousand children and teens are killed by guns each year. Not exactly a reason to hand out more guns to them, is it? Of course one could argue that my kid needs a gun to protect himself from the kid next door, who just won a gun at church.

1038. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209849 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 12:23 pm

Border

Oklahoma is a little too far west to have been a colony.

1039. Host Desecration is Old Anti-Semitic Nonsense

Comment #209843 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 12:19 pm

Colwyn

Does that mean I get to repeat my "Cracker?"
"I hardly know her!", joke?

1040. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209838 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 12:13 pm

When you click on the video link for the news broadcast, you have to listen to a mastercharge commercial.

Better might have been: "Going to church to learn religious bullshit...free".
"Believing that your soul will spend eternity with god in heaven, while all your neighbors burn in hell...also free".
"Winning an AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle, so you can send your neighbors to hell sooner...PRICELESS".

1041. Lourdes fears priestly scandal will make profits dry up

Comment #209825 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 12:00 pm

Hey, taxi driver, don't compare your made up religious nonsense to the Tour de France.

Damn, my mom told me I should have been a priest. Lots of money and sex, and you only have to read one book.

1042. Man Sues Church Over 'God Injury'

Comment #209819 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 11:55 am

It has always interested me, if a hurricane is "an act of god" and the pope is god's representative on earth, then why can't one sue the pope?

1043. Man Sues Church Over 'God Injury'

Comment #209815 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 11:52 am

I think you could have a case when the "minister" does that walk around and pushes people to the floor.

If this guy just would have gone up to the fromt of the church, he could have been "healed" right then and there. What jesus dishes out, he can fix, unless you're gay, then you're on your own.

1044. Host Desecration is Old Anti-Semitic Nonsense

Comment #209809 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 11:47 am

Aren't we smart? This has all been covered already.

1045. Church Cancels Teen Gun Giveaway

Comment #209808 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 11:45 am

With a muslim under every rock and an atheist around every corner, it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

1046. Children Are Naturally Prone To Be Empathic And Moral

Comment #209778 by mordacious1 on July 13, 2008 at 10:12 am

Mitchell

Would you please get your butt off to university? You have the makings of a fine student...dog knows they need more of those.

Just saying.

1047. Pope confirms sexual abuse apology

Comment #209641 by mordacious1 on July 12, 2008 at 10:37 pm

I don't suppose he's bringing his checkbook.

1048. Forget not to smite

Comment #209620 by mordacious1 on July 12, 2008 at 8:44 pm

Er war gesmoted würden sein.

Damn, can't get my umlaut in the right place.

Oh, worked after the third try.

Damn, it looks fine when I type it, then it shows up ok, when I come back, it's a f'd up again.

1049. Forget not to smite

Comment #209618 by mordacious1 on July 12, 2008 at 8:34 pm

Laurie

I had to look it up last time I used it. The crappy yahoo dictionary I used gave both smote and smitten as acceptable. I thought smitten sounded more like he fell in love with something so I chose smote.

[edit] When my wife asked me what I wanted for my birthday last year, I said, "A complete set of the OED". "What's that?" "Oh, it's a dictionary."
"Oh, OK" Next day, "Your not getting that damn dictionary". I guess the price kind of shocked her, hee hee.

1050. Susskind Quashes Hawking in Quarrel Over Quantum Quandary

Comment #209604 by mordacious1 on July 12, 2008 at 7:07 pm

Quetz

It would be expensive, but well worth the cost. I'm sure RDF would kick in a few bucks, as would Scotland. If we could include Ben Stein, it would be a 2fer.