1451. It Doesn't Take an Einstein

Comment #196210 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 1:11 pm

Ah, where's Fanusi when you don't need him?

1452. The Mother, The Child, The School Board And The Psychic

Comment #196185 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 12:22 pm

MBC

It's more likely for the R foot to wash up on these beaches than the L ? I can't get my mind wrapped around the physics of that. Are the L feet washing up on the Kamchatka Pen.? The R foot goes to the R and the L to the L, even when not attached to the body.

1453. The Mother, The Child, The School Board And The Psychic

Comment #196172 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 11:58 am

decius

I don't see where you get the "if music is rock, therefore it's good" from my statements, but ok. The reason I used this site, and not say, Rollingstone, which compiles it's lists based on musicians, not sales, is because I could only find a "500 best songs" list, which included country and the Carpenter's, etc. I was talking about Roundabout being one of the best "Rock" songs, not one of the best songs (probably, where you got my unstated premise). If I said that Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" was one of the best classical pieces would you get the unstated premise that music is classical, therefore it's good? I'll have to go back and re-read my posts.

1454. The Mother, The Child, The School Board And The Psychic

Comment #196136 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 10:42 am

Ok, went to classicrock.about.com top 500 ROCK songs of all time. Roundabout by Yes, comes in at 188 below Van Morrison's "Moondance" and above Thin Lizzy's "The Boy's are Back in Town". Like I tell my kids, you can't judge music by what's popular today, but the affect it had on the genre.
188 out of a million songs, not bad...I think this song would rate this high on anyone's (meaning Rolling Stone, etc., not ind. person) rock song list.

1455. The Mother, The Child, The School Board And The Psychic

Comment #196122 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 10:22 am

MBC

What! The sharks, if they can stand the cold water, don't like feet? Why not hands or something else? Have to get Jon_the_Atheist to do probabilities on 5 out of 6 feet being right ones.

edit: and they're all male feet, this is starting to sound like Dr. Seuess' "Feet, Feet, Feet".

1456. The Mother, The Child, The School Board And The Psychic

Comment #196103 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 9:52 am

Skip (and other Canadians)

What's with all the human feet washing up on shore in the Georgian Straits near Vancouver? Five R feet and one L in the last six months. All with socks and tennis shoes. Are there a lot of people hopping around on one leg up there? Bizarre.

1457. It Doesn't Take an Einstein

Comment #196071 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 9:13 am

"Otherwise I can't see anything 'chosen' about them".

Fiddler on the Roof line (paraphrased): "God, I know we're the chosen people, but could you choose somebody else for a change".

1458. The Mother, The Child, The School Board And The Psychic

Comment #196065 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 9:07 am

Border

Don't even get me on the topic of ways a school can avoid giving services to a child of special needs...

This being said, after "school shopping" for awhile, I found a public school that has done wonders for my child. I just wish I found them earlier. His home district is known for getting rid of special needs kids, the one he's in now goes out of their way to serve them...

If I had to do it all over again, I would show up the first day of school with a lawyer in tow. I'm not joking.

1459. The Mother, The Child, The School Board And The Psychic

Comment #196055 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 8:53 am

The band "Yes".

Their older stuff is great. Last year I saw Jon Anderson do "Roundabout" with the Trans Siberian Orchestra...have to say it was excellent. This song alone had an impact on rock. Once they started doing the disco-esque crap, Jon got mad and quit. Rick Wakeman was already gone, so....

Steve and I are showing our age...

1460. The Mother, The Child, The School Board And The Psychic

Comment #196038 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 8:32 am

Reminds me of the cartoon where the guy pulls a gun on the psychic to rob her and says, "Bet you didn't see this coming".

Being the parent of an Asperger's child with 12 other overlapping diagnoses, I can feel this woman's pain (Clinton voice). Once my son started school, the problems started. He's not the most co-ordinated human being, and crashes and burns alot. In 1st grade for ex., he was running and crashed into a wall, I ran up, iced his nose, cleaned him up, bandaid. Next day the teacher asks him what happened, "Daddy, wall". I get this call from CPS saying that I threw him into a wall.
OK, no prob, they're just doing their job. Unfortunately, being very smart, he eventually learns that he can get a lot of attention and get out of class by making stuff up. It just adds to the enormous stress one has with these kids to begin with. It's always pleasant, when you're having dinner, and the Sheriff knocks on your door because you're son has a mark the size of a pencil eraser on his ear (picked a mosquito bite).

I never got upset though, they're doing what the law requires, better too much than too little. I think I would have blown a gasket, had they based anything on a psychic though.

Oh, and for the record, I've never even spanked this kid in 16 years and that, I honestly must say has taken the patience of a mythical biblical charactor.

Thanks for letting me vent.

1461. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195870 by mordacious1 on June 19, 2008 at 12:11 am

Oystein

See how these posts go downhill fast?

It always seems to happen once DR is mentioned.

1462. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #195864 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 11:55 pm

R Siddall

They'll probably count your email as a "for" the bill.

1463. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #195823 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 9:56 pm

Steveroot

I understand your frustration. I've been working on getting my modum to work all day. It all depends on how heavy the accent is of the Pakistani who's trying to help me, as to how long it will take. I've got so many things that are serviced in Pakistan that it might be worth learning the language to save time. When they had that horrible earthquake in Pakistan a few years ago, I couldn't access my American Express acct. for a month.

1464. Is the Universe Actually Made of Math?

Comment #195816 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 9:39 pm

sent2null

You should post more often, I really enjoy reading your comments, very well written and insightful. The kind of thing this site is meant to have. Thanks.

1465. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #195813 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 9:25 pm

Long_Island_Atheist

Welcome. Enjoyed your letter. I hope that the Gov reads it or at least someone on his staff does.

1466. Darwinists for Jesus

Comment #195812 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 9:18 pm

I'm always divided on this. I prefer people who know evolution is the truth to be atheists. On the other hand, a religious person who accepts evolution, is half way there. I just am annoyed by religious people who co-opt evolution for their own nefarious purposes.

1467. On the Origin of a Theory

Comment #195808 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 9:06 pm

I don't know why I love reading all these articles about Darwin/Wallace. I've heard it all before, but I just enjoy it. There is more to come and I won't get sick of it. As far as Darwin shirts, I just downloaded a picture of him from a Darwin site, printed it on one of those iron-on sheets, and put it on a T-shirt...I'm a cheap bastard, but it came out nice.

1468. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #195695 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 5:19 pm

OK, I sent him an email. I tried to keep it very civil. If he signs the bill, I'll send him one with irate's word or something similar.

1469. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195652 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 4:31 pm

Styrer

Methinks you are the type that watches NasCar just to see the car-wrecks. The blood, the gore, the mangled flesh that was once DR .

1470. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195608 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 3:44 pm

I suppose when they've banned DR in the past, he has said something to his other cretins like "See, they can't take criticism". But it sure gets annoying reading the same drivel over and over, and damn he takes up a lot of space, so can we just get him barred? He tends to misdirect posts into trying to get him to answer direct questions, which he won't do.

1471. Darwinmania!

Comment #195567 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 1:31 pm

My town does the 4th of July up big. Religious celebration, or just a way to remember the Declaration? People dress up as the signers, are they religious icons? Come on.

I hate this: You can't celebrate anything without it being called religious. On my birthday...I AM GOD! What's wrong with that? Bring GOD beer, be quiet, GOD is watching football.

1472. Is the Universe Actually Made of Math?

Comment #195563 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 1:17 pm

The title of this article reminds me when I was teaching math. You always get the "I hate math" comment from someone. And I would reply: "everything is mathematical, if anyone can give me an example that has nothing connected with math...they get 100 pts extra credit". First, the easy stuff, "My book" OK, your book has weight, dimensions, number of pages, and it's a MATH book, next." They would get harder, like music, then I'd have to explain why music is totally mathematical. Besides, look at Billy Joel, he turned his accounting over to his brother-in-law and the guy ripped off millions.

Is the universe actually made of math? Yep.

p.s. No one ever said "god". The answer of course would be 0 plus 0 = 0

1473. Is the Universe Actually Made of Math?

Comment #195552 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 1:01 pm

Steve

I agree, Tegmark is brilliant, I love reading his work...he can really get one thinking about his ideas...

I first ran into his works when I was studying dark matter...great stuff.

1474. We Urgently Need Your Help Now!!

Comment #195548 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 12:55 pm

Well, I hope he vetoes the bill, but I think this is going to end up in Federal Court again ....and again and again and again.

1475. Charles Darwin: 'Is man an ape or an angel?'

Comment #195543 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 12:50 pm

I'm really excited about all the articles, books, films, etc. that will be produced between now and the end of next year celebrating Darwin, the Origin, evolution in general. I'm particularly awaiting Richard's book.

If the religious would only listen, view, or read any of it...

1476. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195223 by mordacious1 on June 18, 2008 at 12:10 am

Oh no, not peak oil! Kill me now!

1477. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195218 by mordacious1 on June 17, 2008 at 11:40 pm

Cartomancer

Busted!

Boy, we sure have been having alot of posts from the authors and subjects of articles. I have to be more judicious in my criticism.

1478. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195216 by mordacious1 on June 17, 2008 at 11:37 pm

Loke

Welcome to the club!

I hope you will consider being a frequent poster. We need more input on the physics articles, especially, but your insight from being a convert would be interesting too.

1479. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195192 by mordacious1 on June 17, 2008 at 9:21 pm

chuck

According to Ir-religion.com, over 70% of Norway is atheist.

edit: according to Wiki, the Church of Norway says only 9% are atheists. They also state that only 3% go to church more than once a month. Doesn't sound like they take the christian stuff that seriously.

1480. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195048 by mordacious1 on June 17, 2008 at 3:36 pm

Thurston

Is your avatar a picture of Barbara Bush punting little Georgie when he was little? It would explain alot.

1481. Oystein Elgaroy - the Christian defender who became an Atheist

Comment #195014 by mordacious1 on June 17, 2008 at 2:26 pm

Boy, finding an emminent scientist who is a christian is hard enough, but when he's from Norway...that is rare.

edit: Re-reading this it sounds like scientists are rare in Norway, what I meant was that christians are rare, especially astrophysicists. I think McGrath reduced that number by 100%.

1482. Kenneth Miller on Colbert Report

Comment #194917 by mordacious1 on June 17, 2008 at 12:01 pm

Yes, Cobert (irish catholic, not french) is all over the maps with his belief system. He states that he was raised in a catholic family that taught him to intellectually question even his religion. I wonder if he has ever got any answers.

1483. Rapture site sends unbelievers their last chance ... via email

Comment #194785 by mordacious1 on June 17, 2008 at 9:14 am

Damn, the rapture happened and I didn't notice, and I forgot to check my inbox. I'm screwed.

1484. Gay brains structured like those of the opposite sex

Comment #194502 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 10:16 pm

BTW

Today is the first day when same sex couples can get married in California. Congrats to those who tied the knot!

Of course, the whackos were outside the weddings protesting. Can't have your special day without it being ruined by these bigots.

1485. George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

Comment #194452 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 8:32 pm

Aqua

Hey, Vielen dank, Ich habe etwas gelernt...müß

1486. Gay brains structured like those of the opposite sex

Comment #194443 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 7:59 pm

Zoron

What's a "normal gay"? What's a normal heterosexual for that matter?

1487. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194440 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 7:47 pm

Goldy

"...a few fine ales brewed in Blighty".

Yes, yum...that's why no cavities...alcohol kills the germs around your teeth.

btw: My kids bought me a bottle of "Arrogant Bastard" ale for Father's Day. I think they're sending me a message. The bottle has a pretty cool demon on the label. Haven't tasted it yet, though.

edit: bottle can be viewed at

http://www.arrogantbastard.com/

the perfect brew for when you have to have xians over at your house.

1488. Astronomers find batch of 'super-Earths'

Comment #194431 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 7:17 pm

bachfiend

OK, I'll be serious if I must.

I'm suprised that this article doesn't mention that this group of scientists anounced the discovery or 45 new planets in total. I think that this is exciting too. I'll have to follow the link and see if it mentions it. I mean...45 new planets, some earth like. WOW

[edit] nope, no mention of the rest, too bad.

1489. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #194424 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 7:03 pm

Al

I think that our Brit friends can take RtG's jokes OK, it's when he is being serious that probably makes them want to vomit huge chunks of steak and kidney pie.

1490. Astronomers find batch of 'super-Earths'

Comment #194373 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 4:57 pm

42 light years away, let's see, if we can get Scotty to maintain warp 10 (She canna do it Cuptun), we should be there in...wait what about the Klingons?

1491. Vatican bans Dan Brown film Angels & Demons from Rome churches

Comment #194369 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 4:46 pm

[edit] deleted because it posted twice, that was weird.

1492. Vatican bans Dan Brown film Angels & Demons from Rome churches

Comment #194367 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 4:40 pm

So when GW becomes a catholic, will he be in Opus Dei, or do they have some sort of IQ test for that?

As far as Dan Brown's writing goes, I'd put it in the 7th to 9th grade category. But alot of that pulp novel crap is in the same place. Sells well in the U.S. though. Hmmmm

1493. George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

Comment #193725 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 12:38 am

esuther

I just finished a book by Johann Voss, about his experiences joining the HJ, and eventually ending up in the 10th Mtn Edelweiss Waffen SS.

It had nothing to do with Hitler or Jews, but he and his friends wanted to protect der Vaterland against the Communists in Russia. I'm not too sure how many really understood Hitler's motivations, although I've listened to some of his speeches and he came down on the Jews pretty hard, even at the beginning.

1494. George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

Comment #193720 by mordacious1 on June 16, 2008 at 12:11 am

esuther

I spelled it "muess" not muss.

edit: thewhitepearl and I were referring to a discussion we were having with Fanusi on another thread. He wants to start a Crusade against islam, it's a long story.

1495. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #193713 by mordacious1 on June 15, 2008 at 11:54 pm

How you guys can argue with these xians for pages is beyond me. They can't see reason, it's not in them. I can see why they do it, they're doing "the lord's work" by trying to convert us godless heathens. What a better way to spend a Sunday for them. Probably they get extra heaven-points or something.

1496. George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

Comment #193678 by mordacious1 on June 15, 2008 at 10:26 pm

I was forced by my parents to go to the catholic church. It didn't make me a catholic, I was an atheist, but I had to go or else. I suppose I'd be upset if someone called me one today.

1497. George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

Comment #193607 by mordacious1 on June 15, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Is ok, just teasing you about correcting my HY to HJ. Yes, I get your point about the generalizations, and I've read what the pope has said about his time in the Hitler Jugend. I think it is just fun for most to give him a hard time about it.

1498. George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

Comment #193586 by mordacious1 on June 15, 2008 at 8:45 pm

Nein, Josh ist ein Mensch, es gibt kein Problem. Aber wenn man muess, muess man.

edit: Ich hab' kein Umlaut.

müß

edit: hey aqua, it worked....would be difficult to write a whole passage doing that though

1499. George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

Comment #193576 by mordacious1 on June 15, 2008 at 8:34 pm

MPhil

Pardon. Soll Ich Deutsch sprechen?

1500. George W Bush meets Pope amid claims he might convert to Catholicism

Comment #193551 by mordacious1 on June 15, 2008 at 8:02 pm

MPhil

Joining the Hitler Youth was a choice was it not? Not every kid in Germany was in the Hitler Youth.

Now he's just been promoted. If he was "indoctrinated" in the HY, maybe he learned alot about indoctrination of the young there. Makes him a good pope, I suppose.