201. A New Flea in Town!

Comment #91844 by bluebird on November 29, 2007 at 12:52 pm

Kell, Yep, agreed.

202. Megachurches Add Local Economy to Their Mission

Comment #91608 by bluebird on November 28, 2007 at 4:34 pm

Corylus, I shant ignore you :)
I've enjoyed learning new words/phrases from this site; what exactly does 'down the pan' mean?

203. 'Muhammad' teddy teacher arrested

Comment #90818 by bluebird on November 26, 2007 at 12:50 pm

She could've played it safe; the bear already has a name:
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teddy_bear

204. Man-sized sea scorpion claw found

Comment #90340 by bluebird on November 24, 2007 at 11:12 am

The Energist, Thanks for all that info!

We've watched 'Walking w/Dinosaurs' & 'Walking w/Cavemen', but somehow missed w/Monsters. It's now on our Netflix list, and glad it's posted here too.

Over Winter Solstice break we plan to see this:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/seamonsters/index.html

205. Man-sized sea scorpion claw found

Comment #90237 by bluebird on November 23, 2007 at 4:15 pm

Wonder if it would resemble this (yikes):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiranapoleon/2049724610

Andrew Zimmer, grab a time-machine & some Old Bay!

206. Romney's Mormonism is fair game

Comment #90235 by bluebird on November 23, 2007 at 4:05 pm

Probably half of Romney's votes will come from the ever-popular-squeaky-clean Osmond Clan:


http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/14/osmonds-on-fellow-mormon-mitt-romney/

207. Make Richard Dawkins a Knight

Comment #89553 by bluebird on November 21, 2007 at 4:57 am

AntonAAK Interesting!


I think Professor Dawkins should receive a Congressional Gold Medal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Gold_Medal

208. Romney's Mormonism is fair game

Comment #89442 by bluebird on November 20, 2007 at 6:40 pm

Nice to see C.H.'s dogged stoicism vs Fox's blathering.

edit: CruciFiction Interesting, didn't know that.

209. The Scientists Speak

Comment #89367 by bluebird on November 20, 2007 at 12:35 pm

Thanks RDF for posting this update!

There are numerous battles in this "war". Locally, Kansas recently rejected permits for new coal powerplants: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/18/AR2007101802452.html & Missouri groups want to follow suit http://www.moenviron.org/

Our teen-age sons understand how vital this issue is, for their future children and the human race in general. We all have a vested interest.

210. Interview with Christopher Hitchens

Comment #89287 by bluebird on November 20, 2007 at 7:33 am

Interesting..... Notable Interviews is a new site, launched this year:http://www.notableinterviews.com/about

Mr. Jordan looked way more comfortable interviewing the hip-hop artist than C.Hitchens!

EDIT Mr. Jordan, thanks for answering comments #17 & 18 (your post didn't 'take' here, rather I found it in 'other comments by').

211. Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

Comment #88636 by bluebird on November 18, 2007 at 5:25 am

Great program; glad it's posted here :)

Professor Frans de Waal nominates as 2007 Time Magazine 'person/s of the year', "All the brave biology teachers of this nation who teach evolution despite the opposition they encounter...they arm their pupils with the knowledge they need ...".

212. 'Growing Up in the Universe' now available free online

Comment #88632 by bluebird on November 18, 2007 at 5:20 am

For anyone interested, you can donate to the 'send Growing up in the Universe DVD to schools' fund via the donate link.

Our sons enjoyed this program; nice that it's posted here, too.

213. Religious scholars mull Flying Spaghetti Monster

Comment #88622 by bluebird on November 18, 2007 at 4:32 am

Ahh, this takes me back :)

http://www.richarddawkins.net/article,1711,Flying-Spaghetti-Monster,Religious-Group-Turns-Heads-at-MSU,Ozarks-First

214. Sir David Attenborough on God

Comment #87930 by bluebird on November 13, 2007 at 4:54 pm

Someone made the quote "David Attenborough is to nature, what Carl Sagan is to astronomy".

hopeful, yes, 'Planet Earth' is grrrrrrrrrrreat!


jeroen, it was discussed on this thread a while back:
http://richarddawkins.net/article,1628,Censoring-Sir-David,James-Randerson

215. Judgement Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

Comment #87925 by bluebird on November 13, 2007 at 4:41 pm

Thanks RDF for the remind; 'tis almost on :)

216. Georgia plans service to pray for rain

Comment #87880 by bluebird on November 13, 2007 at 1:29 pm

Another page is added to the annals of backwards thinking:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/metro/stories/2007/11/13/rainprayer_1114.html

217. Malaysia firm's 'Muslim car' plan

Comment #87589 by bluebird on November 12, 2007 at 2:42 pm

Interesting; another niche is filled.
*****
Saudi women can sell and own a car, but not drive one.
http://abcnews.go.com/international/wireStory?id=2697181
They recently petitioned the king for 'driving rights'. Perhaps soon they can drive these cars, and not just look at them.

218. Excerpt from 'The Portable Atheist'

Comment #87459 by bluebird on November 12, 2007 at 7:33 am

LoneStarTravis, Yes! I saw a hot off the press stack at Border's Books the other day.

This would be a great Winter Solstice gift.

219. In a consumer society, browsing for belief

Comment #87299 by bluebird on November 11, 2007 at 5:38 pm

The 'International House of Prayer' is a clever marketing ploy, using same initials as 'International House of Pancakes' (better known as IHOP). Some are located in strip malls, and their "hook" is 'open 24/7, 365 days a year'.

If you have a hankering for pancakes, look twice at the sign before entering :/

220. The Cancer From Within

Comment #87161 by bluebird on November 11, 2007 at 11:14 am

The Chapel is an interesting study of contrasts; a modern design structure resplendent with pointed architecture belies the archaic and obtuse thinking it houses.

This article is part of this site, which is also interesting: http://www.jewsonfirst.org/airacademy.html

221. I didn't know the FLEA CIRCUS was back in town!

Comment #85564 by bluebird on November 6, 2007 at 7:38 am

Logicel, your analogy of D.G. with a baba au rhum is delicieux. Gives new meaning to a chef saying "you'll be amazed how much rum the cake can soak in". :)

222. Jesus Camp: A scary movie that should frighten us all

Comment #85364 by bluebird on November 5, 2007 at 3:01 pm

Thankfully there are camps for free-thinking kiddos:

http://www.camp-quest.com

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Quest

223. Gorilla slaughter sparks campaign

Comment #85352 by bluebird on November 5, 2007 at 2:31 pm

Many kudos to Arthur Mugisha; he was featured as a CNN "Hero" this summer and deservedly so. He's the second individual in these photos: http://www.igcp.org/about_igcp/about_who.htm

Hopefully IGCP, gorillafund.org, et.al. can bring resolution to this heartbreaking & tragic situation.

224. I didn't know the FLEA CIRCUS was back in town!

Comment #85129 by bluebird on November 5, 2007 at 4:25 am

"Where the blue of the night, meets the gold of the day..."
MINDVALCRE, Agreed :)

Doc B., Good to have ya back; was thinking about you yesterday while listening to my songbird C.D.

225. I didn't know the FLEA CIRCUS was back in town!

Comment #84960 by bluebird on November 4, 2007 at 10:52 am

Yes, save a tree... recycled B.S. should be printed on recycled paper.

We take umbrage (again) being referred to as "virulent and ignorant secular fanatics".

226. You big, fat pile of bacteria

Comment #84909 by bluebird on November 4, 2007 at 7:08 am

Per staph infections, this has been making U.S. news recently:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/17/us/17school-cnd.html

227. You big, fat pile of bacteria

Comment #84783 by bluebird on November 3, 2007 at 2:49 pm

Durandal, sounds like a dish Andrew Zimmer would relish!

This article is right on; a few years ago Madison Ave. flooded the market with 'antibacterial soap'; now it's replaced with good 'ole regular soap.

Humans are part and parcel of the natural world; it's vital we not live on the periphery of nature.

228. The Year of Living Biblically

Comment #84648 by bluebird on November 3, 2007 at 3:59 am

This, and an earlier book about reading the entire set of Encyclopedia in one year are slated for the big screen:
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.J._Jacobs

Per this book: www.ajjacobs.com/books/yolb.asp

229. The Dawkins Prize for Animal Conservation and Welfare

Comment #84570 by bluebird on November 2, 2007 at 2:33 pm

Congratulations to Dr. Payne.
Wish I could've 'beamed across the pond' to attend the lecture/reception held at Museum of Natural History!!

230. Internet used to target extremism

Comment #84474 by bluebird on November 2, 2007 at 5:58 am

Buddha, your anecdote about the girl and her flower is touching; thank you for sharing. Also, with Veteren's Day around the corner, the link is serendipitous and appreciated.

231. Jury Awards Father $11M in Funeral Case

Comment #84208 by bluebird on November 1, 2007 at 12:24 pm

Per taking the bible literally, a man named aj Jacobs recently wrote a book titled ' A Year of Living Biblically': http://www.ajjacobs.com/books/yolb.asp

232. Huge Black Holes May Hold Keys to Galaxy Formation

Comment #84121 by bluebird on November 1, 2007 at 8:04 am

Wonderful article!!


Neil deGrasse Tyson is considered by some to be a '21st century Carl Sagan'. His new book 'Death by Black Hole' has been mentioned a few times on this site, including a thread:(video is unavailable)
http://richarddawkins.net/article,598,interview-with-Neil-deGrasse-Tyson,The-Daily-Show-with-Jon-Stewart

Also,
http://www.research.amnh.org/~tyson/
This site has a schedule for 2008 Nova series.

233. If you don't accept the supernatural, you obviously think life is depressing, meaningless and cold

Comment #83644 by bluebird on October 30, 2007 at 7:13 pm

religious people would say that's when you turn to God

234. Pope's 'morning after pill' speech criticized

Comment #83641 by bluebird on October 30, 2007 at 6:51 pm

Kudos to Chilean president Michelle Bachelet for her stance on women's reproductive issues:

http://www.wjz.com/homepage/topstories_story_265004724.html

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Bachelet

235. Tests of faith over 'The Golden Compass'

Comment #83297 by bluebird on October 29, 2007 at 2:41 pm

From the snopes.com link:
"Buy a $3 booklet...you'll be armed with ammo to convince family/friends there is nothing innocent about Pullman' agenda...twin goals are to promote atheism and denigrate Christianity to kids".

The steamroller is relentless...'kill,crush,destroy' any idea or action that's not permitted by the church.

As the article intimates, the hub-bub may make Christian kids even more curious to see it. If the movie makes them think outside the box, good!!

236. Evolution to be taught in SA schools

Comment #83139 by bluebird on October 29, 2007 at 3:57 am

Corylus, thanks for that link. Our younger son with the auburn mane will find this interesting (he'll love the term 'firey lockes'!!).
*****

Teaching evolution is made more difficult when people on U.S. TV programs (a few are aired in various countries) proclaim seriously: "I didn't come from no monkey!" It fuels the fire of ignorance.

237. Debate between Christopher Hitchens and Alister McGrath

Comment #83038 by bluebird on October 28, 2007 at 4:36 pm

Doc B, if I'd known you were leaving I'd've baked a blueberry pie ;)

Take care!!!

238. American kids, dumber than dirt: Warning: The next generation might just be the biggest pile of idiots in U.S. history

Comment #83025 by bluebird on October 28, 2007 at 3:38 pm

...their accent

239. FFRF 07 Conference Footage

Comment #82545 by bluebird on October 26, 2007 at 4:52 pm

Riley, thanks for that link.

240. The New Atheists on Organized Freethought

Comment #82020 by bluebird on October 25, 2007 at 2:44 pm

amanda marie, there's an archive article dated 9/15 with opinions about RRS. There are a few who don't care for RRS.

ksskidude I think we live in the same neck of the woods and we "feel your pain".

241. The US is a Christian Nation

Comment #82003 by bluebird on October 25, 2007 at 2:15 pm

We personally don't use the term "founded", Christian or otherwise. There was already a strong population of settled indigenous peoples in North America, as Bonzai mentions.
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_Americans_in_the_United_States

242. American kids, dumber than dirt: Warning: The next generation might just be the biggest pile of idiots in U.S. history

Comment #81768 by bluebird on October 25, 2007 at 6:38 am

This article about U.S. education is interesting, and the author is correct; however, several other factors were not addressed.

Per the overexposure of media to young minds, Richard Louv wrote a book called "Nature Deficit Disorder" http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/298708_nature06.html asserting that getting kids off screens and into the natural world has numerous benefits, including better school performance.

mikeshin Yes, NCLB is seriously flawed and needs revisions, if not put in the circular file.

243. Eugenie Scott on Intelligent Design and Young Earth Creationism

Comment #81383 by bluebird on October 24, 2007 at 4:36 pm

Eugenie Scott is a breath of fresh air after listening to the odiferous balderdash from Ben Stein & Bill O'Reilly last night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yzgBj8deKE

244. Cheney and Obama: It's Not Genetic

Comment #81089 by bluebird on October 24, 2007 at 3:40 am

MIND_REBEL, our oldest son gets to vote for the first time in '08; he's finding it difficult to pick a "favorite" (as are we!).

Also, welcome back :)

245. Prejudicial concerns

Comment #80930 by bluebird on October 23, 2007 at 2:49 pm

This is somewhat similiar to U.S. pharmacists being allowed to refuse dispensing birth control (esp. Plan B) to women (some won't even dispense Viagra to unmarried men). "It goes against my personal convictions".

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

246. Devil of a problem

Comment #80880 by bluebird on October 23, 2007 at 10:03 am

Warner Brother's, creator of Looney Tune's 'Taz', agreed recently to help via profits from sales of plush toys and DVDs:
http://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/media/pr/2007/pr20070704.htm
http://www.tassiedevil.com.au.
****
"Devils to not take kindly to being trapped"; most critters don't :)

247. Egypt's fight against female circumcision clashes with tradition

Comment #80556 by bluebird on October 22, 2007 at 6:46 am

Any female who sees 'this' coming towards her, should head for the hills and never return!!!

http://www.richarddawkins.net/article,1401,Police-plea-on-genital-mutilation,BBC

248. Devil of a problem

Comment #80523 by bluebird on October 22, 2007 at 4:00 am

Great article and photo! (thanks BAEOZ)

T.D.'s "...are not endearing, not everyone's cup of tea, etc...". That's the problem with a lot of endangered species, some people feel compelled to help only if the critter has an "awwwww, how cute" factor.

This website has a 'donate' link, for anyone interested:
http://www.tassiedevil.com.au/help.html

249. Does fundamentalist religion cause the rejection of evolution? or is it the other way around?

Comment #80287 by bluebird on October 21, 2007 at 6:25 am

To paraphrase a line from 'Amadeus', Rob Brown is passionate, but he does not persuade me.

250. A question of belief

Comment #80141 by bluebird on October 20, 2007 at 7:05 am

upsidedawn, that reminds me of the beginning sentence of an opinion letter: "The current interest in Atheism..."

Michael Newdow has challenged the "God" references in the U.S. Currency and Pledge of Allegiance, in the interest of separation of church and state: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Newdow