Nova is doing a special on the ID Dover trial.
You gotta love this quote of a quote by Judge Jones:
“It was a science class that everybody wished they’d been able to take when they were in school.”
Which is why ID lost.
7.12.2007
Ms. Fred Is A Whore
While I was vacationing last week at the GateTree/Tobermory abode, I got to see, for the second time, Ms. Fred bear the shameful fruit of her wicked turtle passions (Merkavah told me she was asking for it).
Other events of interest:
- I bought old copies of Larrouse's Gastronomique and The Joy of Cooking (1953 no less, back when the recipes included some "unique" culinary suggestions).
- We watched one of the funniest movies ever, Idiocracy. My new nickname is Formica.
- I reconsidered my position on The Prestige. I must have been grumpy when I watched it first, because the second time convinced me that it is a totally underrated movie. And it has David Bowie.
- I drank a lot (surprise).
- GateTree grilled some amazing ribs on Independence Day, while we watched The Revolution on the History Channel.
- I read Under the Banner of Heaven. Frightening.
- We pontificated on everything and nothing (again, surprise). The cats and dogs agreed with us. The turtles were--as always--obstinate. Especially that whore...
Gods Bless America? Hell No!
Ed Brayton has a fantastically hilarious post covering the uproar over a Hindu's prayer that opened a recent session of Congress. What did Jefferson say about the number of gods his neighbor worshiped as it related to his finances and femurs? Aren't these people always getting their chastity panties in a wad over "religious freedom in America?"
I want to see an atheist give a short speech (in lieu of a prayer) at the beginning of Congress. It can extol the virtues of the Enlightenment and thank the United States for upholding them, however poorly, for over 200 years. Much better than asking false deities for protection and guidance.
I want to see an atheist give a short speech (in lieu of a prayer) at the beginning of Congress. It can extol the virtues of the Enlightenment and thank the United States for upholding them, however poorly, for over 200 years. Much better than asking false deities for protection and guidance.
7.10.2007
They Will Pay For Their Lack Of Vision
Rumor has it that Walt Disney World, in response to Universal's announced Harry Potter Land, will be turning a large chunk of it's unimpressive Florida studio theme park into a Lucas Films area (another large chunk will become Pixar-Land). It already has a rather boring Indiana Jones stunt show and a dated, but fucking fun, Star Wars simulator ride. Apparently, the Star Wars ride is getting a major overhaul (simulator meets 3-D and IMAX), and more is to come...by 2009.
Let's see if Lucas-Disney can fuck this one up. I'm betting yes, since both Disney and Lucas are involved. I doubt either is willing to expend the fiscal and imaginative resources to make a true Indiana Jones/ Star Wars theme work.
Let's see if Lucas-Disney can fuck this one up. I'm betting yes, since both Disney and Lucas are involved. I doubt either is willing to expend the fiscal and imaginative resources to make a true Indiana Jones/ Star Wars theme work.
7.08.2007
Clyde, you been 'xperimenting again?
Octosquid Discovered, a Cross Between an Octopus and a Squid
A strange cephalopod has been found near Keahole Point on the big island of Hawaii. It appears to be a cross between an octopus and a squid.
Hmmm...
7.06.2007
I've been predicting this for years
The Microsoft exodus has begun - eventually they will move to a man-made island in the North Pacific in international waters to get away from our government all together. I love evil geniuses.
"Microsoft Corp. plans to set up house in the Vancouver area this fall with a new software development centre that would attract talent without encountering U.S. immigration issues." (link)
Okay, so it doesn't completely follow, but it will happen, damn it.
7.05.2007
From Dhimmi Watch
San Diego: Debate over Muslim prayer in public school
"One would think the ACLU would be all over this, after aggressively going after the minutest manifestation of Christian prayer in public schools for decades. Think again.
"Muslim prayers in school debated: S.D. elementary at center of dispute," by Helen Gao in the San Diego Union-Tribune (thanks to all who sent this in):
A San Diego public school has become part of a national debate over religion in schools ever since a substitute teacher publicly condemned an Arabic language program that gives Muslim students time for prayer during school hours.
Carver Elementary in Oak Park added Arabic to its curriculum in September when it suddenly absorbed more than 100 students from a defunct charter school that had served mostly Somali Muslims.
After subbing at Carver, the teacher claimed that religious indoctrination was taking place and said that a school aide had led Muslim students in prayer.
An investigation by the San Diego Unified School District failed to substantiate the allegations. But critics continue to assail Carver for providing a 15-minute break in the classroom each afternoon to accommodate Muslim students who wish to pray. (Those who don't pray can read or write during that non-instructional time.)
Some say the arrangement at Carver constitutes special treatment for a specific religion that is not extended to other faiths. Others believe it crosses the line into endorsement of religion.
Yep."
Make sure to read the San Diego Union-Tribune article for some more eyebrow-raisers about this story.
"One would think the ACLU would be all over this, after aggressively going after the minutest manifestation of Christian prayer in public schools for decades. Think again.
"Muslim prayers in school debated: S.D. elementary at center of dispute," by Helen Gao in the San Diego Union-Tribune (thanks to all who sent this in):
A San Diego public school has become part of a national debate over religion in schools ever since a substitute teacher publicly condemned an Arabic language program that gives Muslim students time for prayer during school hours.
Carver Elementary in Oak Park added Arabic to its curriculum in September when it suddenly absorbed more than 100 students from a defunct charter school that had served mostly Somali Muslims.
After subbing at Carver, the teacher claimed that religious indoctrination was taking place and said that a school aide had led Muslim students in prayer.
An investigation by the San Diego Unified School District failed to substantiate the allegations. But critics continue to assail Carver for providing a 15-minute break in the classroom each afternoon to accommodate Muslim students who wish to pray. (Those who don't pray can read or write during that non-instructional time.)
Some say the arrangement at Carver constitutes special treatment for a specific religion that is not extended to other faiths. Others believe it crosses the line into endorsement of religion.
Yep."
Make sure to read the San Diego Union-Tribune article for some more eyebrow-raisers about this story.
7.04.2007
"UK Terror Plot Investigation - News Roundup - July 3"
July 3 news roundup of UK terror plot investigation activities:
-- Terror Attacks: 'All Key Suspects Held'. Sky News reports "Police investigating the failed terror attacks on London and Glasgow believe they now have their key suspects in custody. But they stress their inquiries are far from over and say Britain is likely to remain on a critical level of terror alert for some time."
-- 'Same Men Behind Attacks'. Sky News is reporting that sources say the same men were behind both the London and Glasgow attacks. In addition, Sky News is reporting the name of the second Jihadist arrested in Glasgow as "Dr Khalid Ahmed". Sky News is also stating now that that destination of the Australian doctor fleeing Australia when he was arrested - was headed to Pakistan.
-- Two Additional Arrests in Blackburn (northwest UK). Sky News reports that "Two men have been arrested on suspicion of terror offences after they apparently tried to collect a delivery of large gas canisters at an industrial estate in Blackburn."
-- CBS News reports this morning that "Intelligence sources tell CBS News that the people behind the attempts were directly recruited by Abu Hamza al-Muhajir," the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq. See Evan Kohlmann's May 1 post on al-Muhajir and see other CT Blog posts on him.
-- Seven Doctors Held in UK Terror Plot. The Daily Telegraph is reporting that, of the total of 8 suspects currently arrested, "Seven doctors held over al-Qa'eda bomb plot" and that "five of the seven suspects held by British police are young Middle Eastern men employed at British hospitals". This includes a Dr. Mohammed Asha from Jordan, and Dr. Bilal Abdulla from Iraq. The Daily Mail is also reporting that two of the doctors are Saudi. An increasing focus is on suspects employed at the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Paisley, Renfrewshire. Sky News has provided a brief summary of the 8 suspects arrested thus far. Daily Telegraph has provided a high level timeline of the Jihadist car bomb efforts.
Read it all at Counterterrorism Blog.
From Jihad Watch
"July 4: What are we fighting for
1. Equality of rights before the law:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." — Declaration of Independence
"Thus if [a] Muslim commits adultery his punishment is 100 lashes, the shaving of his head, and one year of banishment. But if the man is not a Muslim and commits adultery with a Muslim woman his penalty is execution...Similarly if a Muslim deliberately murders another Muslim he falls under the law of retaliation and must by law be put to death by the next of kin. But if a non-Muslim who dies at the hand of a Muslim has by lifelong habit been a non-Muslim, the penalty of death is not valid. Instead the Muslim murderer must pay a fine and be punished with the lash....Since Islam regards non-Muslims as on a lower level of belief and conviction, if a Muslim kills a non-Muslim…then his punishment must not be the retaliatory death, since the faith and conviction he possesses is loftier than that of the man slain...Again, the penalties of a non-Muslim guilty of fornication with a Muslim woman are augmented because, in addition to the crime against morality, social duty and religion, he has committed sacrilege, in that he has disgraced a Muslim and thereby cast scorn upon the Muslims in general, and so must be executed....Islam and its peoples must be above the infidels, and never permit non-Muslims to acquire lordship over them." — Sultanhussein Tabandeh, A Muslim Commentary on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, F. J. Goulding, translator, London, 1970.
2. Governments deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed:
"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..." — Declaration of Independence
Non-Muslims have "absolutely no right to seize the reins of power in any part of God’s earth nor to direct the collective affairs of human beings according to their own misconceived doctrines." If they do, "the believers would be under an obligation to do their utmost to dislodge them from political power and to make them live in subservience to the Islamic way of life." — Syed Abul Ala Maududi, founder of the Pakistani political party Jamaat-e-Islami."
1. Equality of rights before the law:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." — Declaration of Independence
"Thus if [a] Muslim commits adultery his punishment is 100 lashes, the shaving of his head, and one year of banishment. But if the man is not a Muslim and commits adultery with a Muslim woman his penalty is execution...Similarly if a Muslim deliberately murders another Muslim he falls under the law of retaliation and must by law be put to death by the next of kin. But if a non-Muslim who dies at the hand of a Muslim has by lifelong habit been a non-Muslim, the penalty of death is not valid. Instead the Muslim murderer must pay a fine and be punished with the lash....Since Islam regards non-Muslims as on a lower level of belief and conviction, if a Muslim kills a non-Muslim…then his punishment must not be the retaliatory death, since the faith and conviction he possesses is loftier than that of the man slain...Again, the penalties of a non-Muslim guilty of fornication with a Muslim woman are augmented because, in addition to the crime against morality, social duty and religion, he has committed sacrilege, in that he has disgraced a Muslim and thereby cast scorn upon the Muslims in general, and so must be executed....Islam and its peoples must be above the infidels, and never permit non-Muslims to acquire lordship over them." — Sultanhussein Tabandeh, A Muslim Commentary on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, F. J. Goulding, translator, London, 1970.
2. Governments deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed:
"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..." — Declaration of Independence
Non-Muslims have "absolutely no right to seize the reins of power in any part of God’s earth nor to direct the collective affairs of human beings according to their own misconceived doctrines." If they do, "the believers would be under an obligation to do their utmost to dislodge them from political power and to make them live in subservience to the Islamic way of life." — Syed Abul Ala Maududi, founder of the Pakistani political party Jamaat-e-Islami."
7.03.2007
Neville Brown
Brown: Don't say terrorists are Muslims
"They are Muslims, of course, and they use core Islamic texts and teachings to justify their actions, but never mind that. We wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Let's just pretend that isn't happening, and maybe it will go away. The "war on terror" is over too. We're just dealing with a few bad apples, that's all. Nothing to be concerned about.
Gordon Brown's tenure as British Prime Minister is certainly off to an auspicious beginning. His people will remember him in the same breath with...no, not that Churchill fellow with his awful cigars. But certainly with Churchill's illustrious predecessor, who brought Peace In Our Time.
By Macer Hall for the Daily Express (thanks to Twostellas):
Gordon Brown has banned ministers from using the word “Muslim” in connection with the terrorism crisis.
The Prime Minister has also instructed his team – including new Home Secretary Jacqui Smith – that the phrase “war on terror” is to be dropped.
The shake-up is part of a fresh attempt to improve community relations and avoid offending Muslims, adopting a more “consensual” tone than existed under Tony Blair....
Mr Brown’s spokesman acknowledged yesterday that ministers had been given specific guidelines to avoid inflammatory language."
Read it all at Dhimmi Watch.
"They are Muslims, of course, and they use core Islamic texts and teachings to justify their actions, but never mind that. We wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Let's just pretend that isn't happening, and maybe it will go away. The "war on terror" is over too. We're just dealing with a few bad apples, that's all. Nothing to be concerned about.
Gordon Brown's tenure as British Prime Minister is certainly off to an auspicious beginning. His people will remember him in the same breath with...no, not that Churchill fellow with his awful cigars. But certainly with Churchill's illustrious predecessor, who brought Peace In Our Time.
By Macer Hall for the Daily Express (thanks to Twostellas):
Gordon Brown has banned ministers from using the word “Muslim” in connection with the terrorism crisis.
The Prime Minister has also instructed his team – including new Home Secretary Jacqui Smith – that the phrase “war on terror” is to be dropped.
The shake-up is part of a fresh attempt to improve community relations and avoid offending Muslims, adopting a more “consensual” tone than existed under Tony Blair....
Mr Brown’s spokesman acknowledged yesterday that ministers had been given specific guidelines to avoid inflammatory language."
Read it all at Dhimmi Watch.
7.02.2007
Summer means geeky Xmas ornaments
Hallmark 2007
R2-D2 and Jawa: $15.00
Tusken Raider in limited quantities: July 14-15, 2007: $15.00
A Jedi Legacy Revealed: $28.00
30th anniversary Millennium Falcon: $32.00
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