Electric Monk

Thanks for the links ft.niagara, and Drea, if you are serious about the Niburu thing, did you know that you can buy your own solar telescope for less than a grand? Why don't you buy one and take some pics of Planet X for us? Why don't the authors of those websites? There are MANY of those solar telescopes in use among amateur astronomers all over the world, along with filters you can buy for a regular scope.

Adel, if you are really interested in learning about evolution so that you can discuss it, you need to find some sources that will provide you with accurate information. Here are some links to get you started. TalkOrigins FAQ PBS Evolution video series Otherwise you are just fighting strawmen. Cartoon

Why do you think chance is the backbone of Darwinism?

He seems to have been a very learned man, and did considerably more than jot down some offhand ideas on a napkin. That is called abiogenesis and is a separate area of study. It is currently a hypothesis, while evolution is a theory. Proteins are classified as organic compounds, meaning they contain carbon and hydrogen bonds. I don't know enough about chemistry to say anything more, but I'm sure you can find out more if you are interested.

I realize that, I was asking geoffrey. I contend that a weapon can also be a tool, and vice-versa. If that was a joke, I apologize. (Darn smilies are MIA.)

So in a fight between a 300lb Hells Angel and a 105 lb elderly librarian, if the librarian uses a baseball bat it's a weapon, and if the biker uses the same baseball bat it's a tool?

Historically humans have used "poking sticks" as weapons for a long time, developing beyond the sharp wooden stick, to different varieties of stone and metal tips. We eventually developed long-range "poking sticks" called arrows. We even fashioned "poking sticks" completely out of metal and called them swords, some had sharp edges, some merely the sharp point. Today we mostly poke holes in each other using little bits of metal fired at high speed from a gun, trust me, poking is a highly effective way to kill. The OP is Hilarious by the way.

Exactly what I was thinking, I think the problem is that they are rewarded for this behaviour. We need to reform the system so that the only way to "win" is to benefit the largest number of citizens. How we would do that....I don't know.

My PVR is still set to record the show, but may not be for much longer unless they improve.

FWIW, I think the behaviour in the HOC displays a mutual lack of respect among Members, and more importantly a disdain for the electorate. Here's how, when MPs ask disingenuous questions or provide evasive "answers" that answer nothing, then proceed to attack the record of those in the past, it shows that they think we won't notice that nothing has been accomplished in the exchange but elevated blood pressures all around. Is this symptomatic of a system that rewards power-seeking more than beneficial outcomes? The question that remains is, does this useless posturing resonate with us, the electorate? I hope not, there is work to be done. As for how to fix it...I have no ideas yet.

Here's a link to the summary of the report. Link

You missed something, "A second development with the same name was put up in Birmingham, but using different techniques which have proved lasting." So....a prototype using a new type of construction had fatal flaws, that were fixed in the next one? I'm sure that's never happened before.

How is it more desirable to have our parliamentarians lying to us and each other? This is an honest question.

I'd like to see severe penalties for evading questions, is it too much to expect our Members of Parliament to stop grandstanding and actually answer truthfully? If so, what does that say about us as electors that they think they must behave this way to get our approval? I'd like to imagine that the rest of the time they actually accomplish things, and Question Period is just "mugging for the cameras".

Interesting question, in my opinion the rights of the child trump the rights of the parent in this case. (When the child receives those rights is a difficult question, but I think most would agree that birth definitely marks the beginning of the existence of a new human being, with the argument actually being over the 9 months preceding birth.) The children are in danger of harm, and they have the right to medical care to prevent that harm. When they are old enough to decide for themselves if they want to become Mormons, then they can refuse all the medical attention they want. I think it's time we started thinking clearly about matters of religious faith, the parents were clearly harming their children by refusing treatment.

Hi Greg, I'm curious, do you have any political affiliations?

I have a problem with number 1 above, take some time to read the explanation here outlining what a scientific theory is. Number 2 I agree with mostly, but peer review while not perfect, generally weeds out the problems. The only "theory" I can think of right now that comes close to belief or religion is string theory, because we can't test it yet, and may never be able to.

Yes, I think the modern media is far too closely integrated with corporate interests, when it should be serving the public. I don't think that we should try to eradicate this relationship completely, but we need a fully publicly funded, non-affiliated public broadcaster to provide thoughtful educational, and intellectual programming.

Just watched it when I got home from work, I liked it. Production values were a bit low, but I'd rather have intelligent dialogue than expensive sets. Had a couple laugh out loud moments. The idiocy seemed to be fairly balanced, and most characters were "fairly" believable and likeable. I told one of my Muslim co-workers about the show today, and I'm hoping he'll watch it and give me his impression. Seems the sky isn't falling after all.

Don't forget about the increased amount of water vapour that is introduced into the atmosphere due to the increased heat. Thus causing yet more heat to be trapped.

Here's some news, I don't think you're going to like it though. To read the report in pdf format, click the link within the article. An excerpt from the article about the report "ExxonMobil has manufactured uncertainty about the human causes of global warming just as tobacco companies denied their product caused lung cancer," said Alden Meyer, the Union of Concerned Scientists' Director of Strategy & Policy. "A modest but effective investment has allowed the oil giant to fuel doubt about global warming to delay government action just as Big Tobacco did for over 40 years."

Sharkman, that article does not mean what you think it does. Quote "In an interview, Kump noted that although some skeptics have questioned whether carbon dioxide is indeed the major "driver" in any global warming scenario, the evidence is now strong that it is. For the past 400,000 years, he said, atmospheric levels of the gas have ranged naturally from 180 to 280 parts per million, while today's "human perturbed" level has already risen to about 370 parts per million."

Here's some more data from two years ago. It appears that two years ago there was not significant disagreement among climate scientists on the issue of global warming existing, and being caused by humans. I don't have more recent data, as it requires a very expensive subscription. From the article linked above "Many details about climate interactions are not well understood, and there are ample grounds for continued research to provide a better basis for understanding climate dynamics. The question of what to do about climate change is also still open. But there is a scientific consensus on the reality of anthropogenic climate change. Climate scientists have repeatedly tried to make this clear. It is time for the rest of us to listen."

Politicians are like diapers. They should both be changed frequently and for the same reason. --Anonymous There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. --Henry David Thoreau Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes. --Henry David Thoreau Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it --George Bernard Shaw

Surely you realize that to determine whether there is a trend upwards or downwards in temperature for a time period you need to take the average temperature? edit: beaten to it.