tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post1513641534307601744..comments2024-03-28T21:41:52.558-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: A piece of University of Rochester analysis, led by Professor Miron Zuckerman, found “a reliable negative relation between intelligence and religiosity”Deuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-80777701769848875442013-08-13T12:00:23.402-04:002013-08-13T12:00:23.402-04:00Re: the relevance of time
In a universe comprised...Re: the relevance of time<br /><br />In a universe comprised of sub-sub-x-atomic particles having a half-life measured in thousandths of trillionths of seconds, and producing supernovas at not too great a relative distance, the light of which takes 158,000 earth years to be observed by our most sophisticated telescopic arrays, time is relevant only in the poaching of an egg.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605114251615293411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-69448997790495848502013-08-13T11:29:56.403-04:002013-08-13T11:29:56.403-04:00Quirk,
Well said.Quirk,<br /><br />Well said.allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605114251615293411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-91690762170209170252013-08-13T10:38:19.499-04:002013-08-13T10:38:19.499-04:00.
I am always amused at how threatened true belie....<br /><br /><i>I am always amused at how threatened true believers are of skeptics. The reverse is rarely true.</i><br /><br /><br />I would probably argue the point. Atheists have pretty much been out of the norm and ignored until their recent (in historical terms) activism.<br /><br />You have groups like <i>Freedom From Religion Foundation</i> printing adds attacking the Catholic Church in the NYT because it opposes the abortion positions in Obamacare. We have all witnessed the decades long attacks on Christmas trees and nativity scenes.<br /><br />There are atheist activist groups world wide. And one has to ask the same question you asked, 'Why do you care what I think?' In my opinion the aim is to gain relevance, the same as other minorities have. <br /><br />The GLBT community could have gotten all the civil and economic advantages they 'say' they desire through civil litigation and civil unions. But they rejected that and instead demanded 'gay marriage'. Why? Because the main thing they wanted was relevance. They want the gay lifestyle to be not only accepted but 'normalized'.<br /><br />Atheists preach that they are merely trying to protect the secular roots of American society. Bullshit. They are a 'religion' the same as all religions. Theirs merely lacks a supreme being. Everything prior to the Big Bang is theory (as is the Big Bang itself). The accelerating expansion of the universe and the constraints of the speed of light pretty much guarantee it will stay that way for the foreseeable future.<br /><br />You argued the difference between true believers and atheists when in reality you offer us a contradiction in terms. Atheists are true believers and just as the other religious they have no 'proof' to support their beliefs other than speculation about what did or didn't happen just before that first moment in time.<br /><br />If you are interested in the true face of atheism today look at guys like Todd <br />Stiefel. <br /><br /><i>(CNN) – Todd Stiefel is far from a household name, and the odds he gets recognized on a street corner, even in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, are small.<br /><br />For Stiefel, a slim, scruffy ex-Catholic, his public persona is his wallet and activism. Through the Stiefel Freethought Foundation, the 38-year-old has made an indelible impact on the nation’s fastest-growing “religious” group: the nonbelievers. Most of the highest-profile atheists campaigns –- flashy billboards in high-traffic areas, news-making efforts to get atheists to come out of the closet, and boisterous rallies - are funded by his fortune.<br /><br />Stiefel isn’t shy about his far-reaching goals.<br /><br /><b>“What I am trying to accomplish is multifold, he told CNN. “I consider myself working on the next civil equality movement, just like women’s rights, LGBT rights and African-American Civil Rights. We are still in the early stages of eliminating discrimination against atheists and humanists. That is something I really want to accomplish.”</b></i><br /><br />http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/23/the-money-man-behind-atheisms-activism/<br /><br />Cristopher Hitchens was arrogant but correct when he stated, "What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence."<br /><br />The obvious rejoinder to that is it works both ways.<br /><br />He also said, "I learned that very often the most intolerant and narrow-minded people are the ones who congratulate themselves on their tolerance and open-mindedness." This too is probably correct.<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-84936705367774282872013-08-13T10:07:30.987-04:002013-08-13T10:07:30.987-04:00And being the Goyim that I am,
knowing the little ...And being the Goyim that I am,<br />knowing the little I know, through experience. <br />I'll stand with Israel.Dougmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08468871451814828157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-40066337667175783572013-08-13T09:27:53.874-04:002013-08-13T09:27:53.874-04:00Deuce,
I am assuming nothing; rather, I have quot...Deuce,<br /><br />I am assuming nothing; rather, I have quoted from and referenced some of the thoughts of several of the undisputed greatest minds ever to have lived. What I know is pitifully little. Like Socrates, "I know that I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing." In Greek this quote is a pun on the word "know" - absolute, ultimate understanding v. limited knowledge, such as - I have five fingers.<br /><br />As to looking for evidence of previous universes, the logic is the same as looking for evidence of previous geologic ages or previous pre-historic or historic cultures: major events tend to be untidy.<br /><br />allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15605114251615293411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-89813944068314181912013-08-13T09:19:21.319-04:002013-08-13T09:19:21.319-04:00.
Cost of Detroit bankruptcy estimated at $1 bill....<br /><br />Cost of Detroit bankruptcy estimated at $1 billion.<br /><br /><i>Detroit— City Hall’s estimated $1.4 million-a-month restructuring tab includes a consulting company billing $275 an hour for a 22-year-old financial analyst who graduated from college last year, according to records obtained by The Detroit News.<br /><br />Wade P. Johnston got his bachelor’s degree in finance in 2012 from Michigan State University and is part of the team the consultants, Conway MacKenzie, have working to turn around city operations. The Birmingham firm billed the city $288,671 for the work of 11 staffers over two weeks in July, including more than $26,000 for Johnston alone.<br /><br />The records give a rare look at the costs being picked up by the city and state, a breakdown city council members and other critics have argued has been hidden amid Detroit’s historic bankruptcy. Conway MacKenzie’s hourly rates range from $495 for the group’s senior managing director to $275 for Johnston, who started with the company in June as a senior associate, according to records.</i><br /><br /><br /><br />From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130813/METRO01/308130021#ixzz2br3dqUDb<br /><br />.Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-82608721847498685692013-08-13T09:15:53.750-04:002013-08-13T09:15:53.750-04:00Why do you care what I think? Why are you threaten...Why do you care what I think? Why are you threatened when god is on your side? I would think that you would be playing with loaded dice.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-45197522991032375072013-08-13T09:12:27.244-04:002013-08-13T09:12:27.244-04:00What is "Occupation"Tue Aug 13, 08:52:00...<i>What is "Occupation"Tue Aug 13, 08:52:00 AM EDT<br />How many Indians were displaced or murdered to create America?<br /><br />How many Armenians were murdered by Turkey?<br /><br />How many Tibetians were displaced by China?<br /><br />How many in Northern Cyprus are currently displaced by Turkey?<br /><br />How many africans have been displaced by the arabs of sudan?<br /><br />How many Palestinians (or as I like to call them "arab Crips") have been displaced by the syrian war? Or the expulsion from Kuwait?</i><br /><br />Let me ask you a question:<br /><br />Does an evil act, a pogrom, an act of ethnic cleaning, any past human atrocity give cover and justification for a current illegal or evil injustice? If it does, then just wait your turn for paybacks.Deuce ☂https://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-27866865558477931282013-08-13T08:55:55.753-04:002013-08-13T08:55:55.753-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-21730239858923732832013-08-13T08:55:02.897-04:002013-08-13T08:55:02.897-04:00Deuce: The nomadic Bedouin lived for centuries in...Deuce: The nomadic Bedouin lived for centuries in the Negev desert, but Israel’s proposed apartheid bill could force more than 30,000 from their homes.<br /><br /><br />Nomads dont HAVE HOMES. They have tents.<br /><br />Forcing them from one area to another reminds me of America and barb'd wire issues of the 1800's<br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-76686815824530322322013-08-13T08:53:58.184-04:002013-08-13T08:53:58.184-04:00.
You are assuming something had to cause somethi....<br /><br /><i>You are assuming something had to cause something because you are putting it in terms of human experience. You are limiting possibilities to your own experience and understanding.</i><br /><br />As are you.<br /><br />. <br />Quirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00272168240606512672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-69645075306524844222013-08-13T08:52:54.582-04:002013-08-13T08:52:54.582-04:00How many Indians were displaced or murdered to cre...How many Indians were displaced or murdered to create America?<br /><br />How many Armenians were murdered by Turkey?<br /><br />How many Tibetians were displaced by China?<br /><br />How many in Northern Cyprus are currently displaced by Turkey?<br /><br />How many africans have been displaced by the arabs of sudan?<br /><br />How many Palestinians (or as I like to call them "arab Crips") have been displaced by the syrian war? Or the expulsion from Kuwait?<br /><br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-45844014654474669302013-08-13T08:48:59.653-04:002013-08-13T08:48:59.653-04:00Over 850,000 jews were driven from their historic ...Over 850,000 jews were driven from their historic lands that they lived on for over 3000 years, these peace talks will not bring justice to them.<br /><br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-77907500374840689242013-08-13T08:46:51.992-04:002013-08-13T08:46:51.992-04:00How about we profile.
We profile blacks in inner ...How about we profile.<br /><br />We profile blacks in inner cities.<br /><br />We profile moslems at airports.<br /><br />We profile based on the stats that push us to those conclusions.<br /><br />IF a given population, which is a minority, causes the majority of a crime? then target that minority for additional layers of screening.<br /><br />Stop and frisk comes to mind.<br /><br />What is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-24155219357840596782013-08-13T08:38:15.165-04:002013-08-13T08:38:15.165-04:00Probably a Federation of Mediterranean Amphora Wor...Probably a Federation of Mediterranean Amphora Workers deal.<br /><br />Those guys didn't know free labor from Adam.<br /><br />...probly didn't know Adam.Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-88243479730927732662013-08-13T08:36:42.049-04:002013-08-13T08:36:42.049-04:00I stand with IsraelI stand with IsraelWhat is "Occupation"https://www.blogger.com/profile/02054075097495500689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-33510006141108845952013-08-13T08:29:27.470-04:002013-08-13T08:29:27.470-04:00I've been thinking about the "Hyperloop.&...I've been thinking about the "<i>Hyperloop.</i>"<br /><br />I could see the future looking something like that.<br /><br />They said the "Chunnel" was an idiot idea, right?Rufus IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05297231055991566183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-10455530596687541252013-08-13T08:03:09.835-04:002013-08-13T08:03:09.835-04:00I don't know about the sinister part, but it m...I don't know about the <i>sinister</i> part, but it makes for some damned fine "bidness." :)Rufus IIhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05297231055991566183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-12644482100498237392013-08-13T07:34:19.714-04:002013-08-13T07:34:19.714-04:00Why'd they screw around with two handled jugs ...Why'd they screw around with two handled jugs on ships?<br /><br />Wouldn't shrink wrapped cases of pop tops be more secure, transportable, and being disposable, a lot more convenient?Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16770268554450465514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-7507596296325631832013-08-13T07:33:47.163-04:002013-08-13T07:33:47.163-04:00out - back to beddy byeout - back to beddy byeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-84370132693816752652013-08-13T07:33:06.345-04:002013-08-13T07:33:06.345-04:00August 13, 2013
Benghazi and the Banality of Evil
...August 13, 2013<br />Benghazi and the Banality of Evil<br />By Daren Jonescu<br /><br /><br /><br />>>>The question is, will mainstream America ever start to care enough to do something about it? In this regard, Benghazi is a symbol of the current predicament of Western civilization. The fact that Obama was re-elected president of the United States while this story was still fresh, and that Clinton is casually presumed to be the presidential frontrunner for 2016, elevates Hannah Arendt's famous concept, the banality of evil, almost to the point of being definitive of this final stage of modernity's decay. Millions of ordinary people close their eyes and walk "forward" on demand -- without evil intent, perhaps, but without the reason and judgment that men must possess if they are to discern and avoid evil outcomes. <br /><br />In such an era, evil outcomes are guaranteed.<<<<br /><br />http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/08/benghazi_and_the_banality_of_evil.html<br /><br /><br />"this final stage of modernity's decay"<br /><br />?<br /><br />Wow, this guy must think we are going retro/devo!<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-74873909297784064392013-08-13T07:24:48.977-04:002013-08-13T07:24:48.977-04:00I don't think these 'peace talks' are ...I don't think these 'peace talks' are going anywhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-36742362524164467222013-08-13T07:22:10.135-04:002013-08-13T07:22:10.135-04:00You know how I read the Gospels - the monomyth in ...You know how I read the Gospels - the monomyth in Christian dress.<br /><br />I like a good rite though, and the Orthodox provide that. As do the Catholics.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-68126360003163122722013-08-13T07:19:56.467-04:002013-08-13T07:19:56.467-04:00As peace talks resume with Palestinians, the Pales...As peace talks resume with Palestinians, the Palestinians declare their insistence on a State Without Jews.<br /><br />Apartheid WatchAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-78728511969267256772013-08-13T07:18:14.344-04:002013-08-13T07:18:14.344-04:00As peace talks resume with Palestinians, Israel fa...As peace talks resume with Palestinians, Israel faces a group whose primary goal is to drive them into the Mediterranean Sea.<br /><br />Genocide WatchAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com