Comments by Laurie Fraser

401. Children need to be sprinkled with fairy dust

Comment #272083 by Laurie Fraser on October 27, 2008 at 1:30 am

Ap - I was just thinking about you and left a message on your blog - spooky, huh?

402. Children need to be sprinkled with fairy dust

Comment #272082 by Laurie Fraser on October 27, 2008 at 1:28 am

Good post, Richard - it is quite OK (in my opinion) to tell fantasy and fairy stories to children as long as they are grounded in reality in the rest of their lives. Gradually, they begin to discriminate between fact and fantasy, and work out for themselves where the line is drawn. When my son was three, he said to me "Dad, is Santa real or not?" I had to answer truthfully. He said "Good. I thought so." The point is, he was ready for the truth. Just about every child can handle the truth, as long as they are secure in all of the other important areas in life. Why we would foist some evil religious idiocy upon them, to boot, is beyond my ken.

All of that is anecdotal, of course; you are right to suggest that research is needed to ascertain what the reality is.

403. 'People say I'm strident'

Comment #272070 by Laurie Fraser on October 27, 2008 at 12:47 am

WK - spot on!

404. Children need to be sprinkled with fairy dust

Comment #272068 by Laurie Fraser on October 27, 2008 at 12:45 am

This woman is a complete fuckwit. That's all I need to say.

405. May your god go with you

Comment #272066 by Laurie Fraser on October 27, 2008 at 12:40 am

We are omnivorous - we evolved to eat a variety of foodstuffs. That's perfectly OK. The problem is - there's way too damn many of us! So, what do we do as the population approaches 9 - 10 billion before it levels out? Well - lots of things. One of those things is going to have to be reassessing the way we grow food, and what we grow. Calorie efficiencies will dictate that we put more energy into vegetable foodstuffs, and less into the comparatively inefficient animal products. So, out of necessity, we will have to become more vegetarian and less carnivorous.

406. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #272055 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 11:52 pm

Speaking of Venezuela, DP - get the film "The War on Democracy" by John Pilger and have a good look at it. That is, if you can handle the truth about Venezuela, Chile and Bolivia, and what your un-democratic government did in those countries.

407. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #272037 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 11:15 pm

Yet you have a group like Habitat for Humanity who has build more houses in new orleans then the government. Those are people who got together and decided not to wait for government to come and help these people.

That's because, DP, your government is fucked because you, and people like you, shy away from your responsibility to affect that government. In a way, I pity you. You have brought a do-nothing government upon yourself out of a willful irresponsibility. Your government will only become a voice of the people when you, the people, get off your arses and make it that voice.

408. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #272033 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 10:59 pm

DP - Oil should be socialised. The banks should be socialised. Telecommunications should be socialised. Transport infrastructure should be socialised. Health care should be socialised. Nothing wrong with any of that.

409. May your god go with you

Comment #272032 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 10:55 pm

Comment #272020 by Zappi

You equate concern and advocacy with hysteria and religiosity. That's lamentable. Animal rights movements are concerned about human exploitation of animals. What's wrong with that? We who are concerned with AGW are about finding ways to make the planet habitable for all creatures in one or two hundred years. What's wrong with that? Are you seriously suggesting we should ignore AGW? Are you suggesting AGW is a false idea? I hope not - then I'd have to call you out as an idiot.

410. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #272027 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 10:42 pm

Comment #272024 by DarwinsPitbull

Absolute bollocks, DP. This is just a reflection of that asinine codswallop that conservatives and right-wing libertarians serve up all the time, and is completely meaningless. "The more they own you." Bullshit. It is this paranoiac brainlessness that stifles social freedom, always believing that "government" is the enemy. Government is YOU, dopey - if you are strong enough to take an interest in it and become part of democracy. How else do you think we construct society? Oh, sorry, I forgot - let capitalism loose and the "invisible hand" will reach down to pick up all the little people. Yeah, right - just like it helps out all of those who are now homeless and unemployed due to the mega-greed of our corporate masters. Give me a break, DP - grow some intelligence, think about the issues from outside of your cosy two-dimensional world, and get real. Fuck, you are a frustrating, deluded know-nothing.

411. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #272021 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 10:19 pm

Comment #272017 by Mitchell Gilks

Well said, Mitchell.

Steve - not Poe's Law - Stupid's Law.

412. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #271999 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 9:11 pm

Help! Help! I'm being oppressed!

413. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271995 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 9:04 pm

Yeah, Titania, but it takes twice as long when one hand is constantly covering the gonads!

Edit: I can see a blog entry coming up!

414. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #271993 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 9:03 pm

Lee - I think the question mark business is only for people with Windows. I think my Mac's OK?

Ergo - Acolytes of Bill Gates are oppressive. Those of Steve Jobs are enquiring. (Gotta be a paper in this somehow.)

415. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #271989 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 8:59 pm

Comment #271871 by Karen Hill Anton

That is a beautiful, brilliant post, Karen.

Steve - the greater miracle is losing that Catholic guilt! (One might even say it was a blessing.)

416. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271982 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 8:48 pm

Titania - I think you must have misunderstood the "sexual relations" message. It was a threat surgical, rather than recreational!

417. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271974 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 8:35 pm

Comment #271966 by Titania

I'm expanding the library as we speak, T.

Qomak - yeah, I know, but I simply can't stand the bloke's preening and posturing, as if he's some kind of underground rock god, in the same manner as the equally egregious Lou Reed.

418. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271960 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 8:13 pm

Comment #271956 by Titania

Best you get yourself to the Australian Embassy for that emigration visa now, Titania - there'll be a queue if McCain wins.

419. All aboard the atheist bus campaign

Comment #271958 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 8:09 pm

Comment #271952 by isthatclear

MA in English literature and language

Was that from the same university from which Kent Hovind got his Ph.D., dopey?

420. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271951 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 7:58 pm

What, Titania - you're asking the Masters of War for compassion and generosity? Tell that to the half million or so dead and wounded in Iraq. Thankfully, Obama's going to win.

421. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271926 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 6:51 pm

Comment #271914 by qomak

Um - I was joking, qomak. By the way, Nick Cave is fucking awful. Can't stand him.

Bonzai - agreed. Tom Waits' version is excellent. Mind you, for our "alternative" national anthem, it's a really weird song, about a vagrant who commits suicide! (How bizarre is that')

422. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271911 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 6:26 pm

Australia is, far and away, the best country in the world. Why, we have the best examples of everything made for the enjoyment of life:

Cuisine - the meat pie
Music - Kylie Minogue
Fashion - blue singlet, rubber thongs (footwear)
Television - Neighbours
Politics - John Howard

What more could a bloke want'

423. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271853 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 4:22 pm

Got to go to work. See y'all. (Did I get that right, T?)

424. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271848 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 4:17 pm

Comment #271845 by Mitchell Gilks

Hahahaha.....I'm sayin' nuthin'!

425. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271844 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 4:16 pm

Note for republicans: *Joke*

Except they won't get it, anyway, 2.

426. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271840 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 4:12 pm

Comment #271838 by Titania

Sexiness = Intelligence, Titania.

427. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271836 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 4:01 pm

Comment #271831 by Titania

Don't feel saddened by any perceived faults in yourself, Titania - you're still the foxiest fairy queen on this block!

*runs like buggery*

428. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271827 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Comment #271817 by Frankus1122

We haven't got a hope, Frank. MPhil wins it by a lay-down misere, in my opinion. I laughed my head off when I read his comment - and the priceless thing was he was being his usual serious self.

429. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271813 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 3:44 pm

Comment #271811 by Frankus1122

Searing, Frank!

430. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271807 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 3:37 pm

Comment #271801 by root2squared

Intelligent people avoid the tie like the plague, 2. It is a symbol of the decay of civilisation, just as the laurel wreath on Caligula's horse presaged the decline and fall.

431. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271799 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Comment #271796 by Hellene

I often get comments from work colleagues like "You look like you slept in that shirt." Truth is, I DID.

The uniform of the new rationalist age should be jeans and t-shirts. They are all I wear - the western analogue of the Mao jacket.

432. 'People say I'm strident'

Comment #271790 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 3:11 pm

Comment #271786 by epeeist

I think it's going to be out next week.... er, next year.... er, sometime in the future, epeeist.

433. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271788 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 3:09 pm

Comment #271782 by root2squared

Right on, 2. The most "patriotic" are those who are not afraid to level a ruthless criticism at their governments and public institutions. On DP's account, Thomas Paine would be "anti-American".

434. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271784 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 3:05 pm

2, That's true, of course - the Republicans have exploited Palin's image, an all too common practice in politics which undermines the notion of democracy anyway. And that's a legitimate topic for discussion, of course. But conversations about "milfs", etc, don't help, really.

Hellene - good stuff. Let me know.

435. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271773 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 2:55 pm

Comment #271770 by Hellene

Don't do it, Hellene! You'll feel dirty forever.

436. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271769 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 2:53 pm

What has Palin's supposed "sexiness" got to do with her politics?

437. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271755 by Laurie Fraser on October 26, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Not many posts to go until I can forget all about DP.

What about Appeal to Prejudice - DP's most common fallacy?

Edit: Titania - agreed entirely. Can you fellers knock off the sexist remarks, please?

438. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271026 by Laurie Fraser on October 25, 2008 at 7:12 am

Comment #271023 by Mitchell Gilks

Hey - I wasn't *really* complaining....

439. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271019 by Laurie Fraser on October 25, 2008 at 7:02 am

Mitchell - your avatar is making me dizzy (much as I like cartoon pictures of females kissing.)

440. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #271015 by Laurie Fraser on October 25, 2008 at 7:00 am

Hi Titania - we fly out from Australia on May 30th, to Istanbul. We'll be in England on June 20th, so you'll just have to stay in the British Isles for about 3 weeks. I'll personally sponsor the Guinness, if you're able to stay a while. (Glad we've got that sorted :))

441. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271011 by Laurie Fraser on October 25, 2008 at 6:50 am

Mitchell - only one thing to do: start eating wolf.

442. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #271008 by Laurie Fraser on October 25, 2008 at 6:39 am

Just watched that video, Titania. Sick. Have these weirdos not realised, yet, that they are in the wolves' habitat? Shouldn't wolves be more morally justified in bringing down planes full of rednecks?

443. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #271006 by Laurie Fraser on October 25, 2008 at 6:36 am

Thanks, Quetz - I am really looking forward to meeting some of you characters in the flesh - especially Steve; he's so cute! (even with the severely red eyes.)

444. 'Probably' the best atheist bus campaign ever

Comment #271001 by Laurie Fraser on October 25, 2008 at 6:21 am

Just had a look at all the photos. You lucky buggers - all meeting up. Hope you had a great time. I'll be in the U.K. in June-July next year, and expect a similar "meeting of minds"!

445. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270880 by Laurie Fraser on October 24, 2008 at 9:06 pm

Titania - love to stay and chat, but SWMBO has instructed me to construct a shelf in the lounge-room or I "shall never enjoy sexual relations again." Sounds too threatening to argue with!

(I'll just sneakily return every few minutes and see what's happening.)

446. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270874 by Laurie Fraser on October 24, 2008 at 8:59 pm

Comment #270867 by Titania

Excellent idea, oh Fairy Queen!

However, I think MPhil has already won the sub-category "Whimsical Understatement". Check out his post 8357!

447. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270849 by Laurie Fraser on October 24, 2008 at 7:16 pm

Is "trickle-down" just the tears of merchant bankers falling like rain on the homeless?

448. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270837 by Laurie Fraser on October 24, 2008 at 6:48 pm

Brian - all hail Milton Friedman. What a genius. Amazing how the Wall St. luminaries and staunch defenders of capitalism can so quickly become rabid socialists in the hysterical race to get their hands on some government largesse. Next we'll see the masters of the universe standing on street corners handing out copies of Tribune.

449. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270802 by Laurie Fraser on October 24, 2008 at 5:02 pm

Comment #270799 by Sarmatae1

Great, isn't it? If you're earning 50,000 dollars, you get to keep 42,500 of that. If you're earning 10 million, you get to keep 6.5 million of that. So unfair - think of the extra yachts you could have bought with that other 3 million or so.

450. Palin: average isn't good enough

Comment #270800 by Laurie Fraser on October 24, 2008 at 4:57 pm

Comment #270798 by Mark Jones

Mark - what about that much-maligned, but beautiful little machine called the Amiga 500?