Sen. Jim DeMint: Schools Should Teach Creationism Because God Put Christians in Charge of America

The Republican Party’s war on science
Politics • Views: 34,260
Youtube Video

Did you know that South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint is a dyed in the wool religious fanatic who wants schools to teach creationism? It’s true! And he also believes “God Put Christians In Charge of This Vineyard We Call America.”

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267 comments
1 freetoken  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:50:04pm

This complexity argument is of course straight from the IDiots... which in turn is just an update of Paley's argument.

It plays well because it makes the hearer "special", and everyone wants to be special.

2 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:50:16pm

Sen. DeMint hasn't kept up with the talking points. Lately it's not "we're in charge of this vineyard," it's "God will fix it if we break it."

3 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:50:34pm

Um, I seem to have missed the official notification where the Christians got put in charge.

4 researchok  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:51:39pm

I would amend the subtitle to 'The Republican Party’s war on science- and logic and common sense'.

Just a thought.

5 researchok  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:52:05pm

re: #3 Kragar

Check your spam box

6 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:53:01pm

How about schools do what they're supposed to do, teach the best evidenced knowledge currently available?

7 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:53:27pm

re: #6 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

How about schools do what they're supposed to do, teach the best evidenced knowledge currently available?

Commie.

8 labman57  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:54:26pm

Religious faith, creationism, spirituality, and the role of God in people's lives are fine topics for religious and philosophical discussions .... but it's not science and therefore has no place in a science curriculum.

We were never a "Christian" nation. Neither are we a "Caucasian" nation or an "Anglo" nation. Although most of the Founding Fathers considered themselves to be religious (some were Christians, others were deists), they also realized the folly of the government attempting to impose a particular religion and its ideology onto the populace.

Spirituality comes in many forms. Whether or not an individual regards themselves as a Christian says nothing about the person's character or value as a human being, nor does it speak to their loyalty and patriotism toward our nation.

The notion that one group of religions is more righteous or more American than any other is contrary to the tenets established by our founding fathers when they endorsed the "separation of church and state" as a fundamental concept in the US Constitution.

9 aagcobb  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:54:34pm

re: #6 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

How about schools do what they're supposed to do, teach the best evidenced knowledge currently available?

knowledge based on evidence has a well-known liberal bias.

10 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:55:24pm

re: #7 Kragar

Commie.

Excuse me, I have to go grab a doughnut.

11 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:56:26pm

re: #1 freetoken

This complexity argument is of course straight from the IDiots... which in turn is just an update of Paley's argument.

It plays well because it makes the hearer "special", and everyone wants to be special.

Specified Information doesn't turn you on?

12 freetoken  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:56:59pm

Our America comes today from Conroe, Texas:

Creationism has more credence than evolution

I am amazed at how people will twist the truth to try to make a point. Recently, one of your letter writers called evolution a science, and debunked creationism. Evolution has never been declared a science by scientists. It is a theory with so many holes in it, that it should have sunk a long time ago.

If evolution were a fact, why do we not see it in action today? Have you ever seen a part monkey, part man? I agree that some men act like apes, but I have never seen one in the process of evolution. If the monkey had evolved, why are there still monkeys?

[....]

Don Dilmore
Montgomery

Millions of Americans like Mr. Dilmore is why politicians like Jim DeMint get elected, and re-elected.

13 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:57:15pm

Science is in the Constitution, God is NOT.

14 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:58:43pm

I have to be honest. I used to hate the Christian Taliban term but DeMint and others like him make it hard to argue with when they basically argue that this country should be for Christians and by Christians. It is a theocratic mindset, there's no denying that.

15 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 5:59:44pm

I don't want anyone in charge of me. That's the essence of this country. We The People are in charge here. This guy does not get it.

*massive thick lugie*

And I say this as a sincerely religious person.

16 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:02:14pm

re: #12 freetoken

Our America comes today from Conroe, Texas:

Creationism has more credence than evolution

Millions of Americans like Mr. Dilmore is why politicians like Jim DeMint get elected, and re-elected.

Looks like the comments section is dominated by Gary Hurd. Gary shows up everywhere.

17 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:02:18pm

DeMint's most famous gem is you can't be a social liberal and a fiscal conservative which made me laugh my ass off since Jim DeMint really isn't fiscally conservative and one's fiscal conservatism is totally irrelevant to where they stand on social issues. I say that as a bleeding heart liberal.

18 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:02:39pm

re: #14 HappyWarrior

I have to be honest. I used to hate the Christian Taliban term but DeMint and others like him make it hard to argue with when they basically argue that this country should be for Christians and by Christians. It is a theocratic mindset, there's no denying that.

One reason I have adopted the term is that those who are the current crop of Religious Whackos in this country are intolerant of other forms of Christian faith. They have no love of the Catholics or the Mormans or any denomination that isn't theirs. It is comparable to the Taliban and their views of other sects if Islam.

Along with their medieval view of the world . . . .

19 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:04:41pm

re: #18 ggt

One reason I have adopted the term is that those who are the current crop of Religious Whackos in this country are intolerant of other forms of Christian faith. They have no love of the Catholics or the Mormans or any denomination that isn't theirs. It is comparable to the Taliban and their views of other sects if Islam.

Along with their medieval view of the world . . .

Yeah the extreme intolerance I think is why the term was coined. One reads about Christian pastors urging Christians to smash Buddhist statues, Christians taunting Muslims, etc. There really needs to be as religious as this country is more interfaith outreach. I'm not a religious guy myself but interfaith outreach is a good thing. We need to realize we're in this together after all.

20 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:05:10pm

Image for Science is in the Constitution God is Not

Which, BTW, has been placed on hold by cafepress.com. They think it may somehow offend someone or violate some rule.

I just don't see it.

21 PhillyPretzel  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:06:41pm

re: #20 ggt

I clicked it and it is not currently available.

22 freetoken  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:07:12pm

re: #16 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

Looks like the comments section is dominated by Gary Hurd. Gary shows up everywhere.

The reason many news outlets run letter like the one I linked is to try and get more readers, knowing that controversial articles will get links and thus readers and commenters.

Hurd does get around.

23 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:07:28pm

EXPERIMENT REQUEST--go see if you can place a product with that image and the Fox News Barbie Dolls Don't Speak for Me image in a shopping cart. I can't as the shop owner.

Let me know if you have any success --don't buy it--just tell me if they will let you.

Thanks!

24 freetoken  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:07:41pm

re: #21 PhillyPretzel

I clicked it and it is not currently available.

If your eye offends thee, pluck it out.

25 Turkey Jihad  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:08:15pm

re: #12 freetoken

How does the evolutionist explain the woodpecker? His skull structure is different than any other bird, enabling him to drill into a tree without getting a headache or damaging his skull.

Reading that makes me want to go damage my skull. By the way, I went to Conroe High School, Class of 1989.

26 engineer cat  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:09:07pm

Creationism has more credence than

i'll have uh nother vodka and jim de menthe pleeez

27 PhillyPretzel  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:09:16pm

re: #24 freetoken

It does not offend. It just didn't come up.

28 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:09:44pm

re: #25 How Am I Gonna Get My Sixty Goals??!!

Reading that makes me want to go damage my skull. By the way, I went to Conroe High School, Class of 1989.

Ah, I just heard a blurb on that. Seems there are several reasons, they think. One is that the skull bones are spongy and absorb shock and that the lower beak is longer than the upper beak --somehow that changes the impact.

Clearly, has nothing to do with natural selection.

/

29 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:09:45pm

re: #23 ggt

EXPERIMENT REQUEST--go see if you can place a product with that image and the Fox News Barbie Dolls Don't Speak for Me image in a shopping cart. I can't as the shop owner.

Let me know if you have any success --don't buy it--just tell me if they will let you.

Thanks!

I see no image.

30 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:10:33pm

re: #27 PhillyPretzel

It does not offend. It just didn't come up.

Yeah, like there aren't really awful offensive t-shirts on cafepress.com.

I may have to switch everything to zazzle, but that would be work and I don't make any money on this. It's just my outlet.

31 Turkey Jihad  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:10:36pm

If evolution were a fact, why do we not see it in action today? Have you ever seen a part monkey, part man? I agree that some men act like apes, but I have never seen one in the process of evolution. If the monkey had evolved, why are there still monkeys?

Oh. My. Fucking. God.

32 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:11:15pm

re: #29 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

I see no image.

It takes me to the store, I click on the image and the products come up, then I click a product and it takes me back to the main page of images.

33 engineer cat  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:11:23pm

How does the evolutionist explain

but who created god?

nobody created god. he has always been and always will be

well ok then now everything is PERFECTLY CLEAR

34 freetoken  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:11:47pm

Something Jim DeMint's audience would not accept:

Ancient Tartar, Other Dental Clues Reveal Unexpected Diet of Early Human Relative

Last fall, on a reporting trip to Johannesburg for a story on the discovery of fossils representing a previously unknown member of human family called Australopithecus sediba, the researchers I met with were buzzing with excitement about, of all things, tartar. That’s right, the crusty deposits that the dentist scrapes off your teeth when you go for a cleaning. Except in this case, it was the tartar on the teeth of the nearly two-million-year-old A. sediba, which has been held up as a candidate ancestor for our genus, Homo. No one had ever found tartar in an early hominin (a creature on the line leading to humans, after the split from the line leading to chimps) before—the oldest samples came from much younger Neandertals and anatomically modern humans. And in analyzing the ancient tartar, the researchers had recovered evidence of what A. sediba ate. It wasn’t at all what they expected.

[...]

Even more startling, when the researchers examined the tartar, they found traces of plant foods no one thought our ancient kin ate, such as bark. The tartar contained silica crystals called phytoliths that plants make as a means of self-defense, some of which the investigators could attribute to particular kinds of plants on the basis of their distinctive shapes. The phytoliths indicate that in addition to bark, A. sediba also probably ate C3 grasses and sedges, as opposed to the more common C4 varieties. According to the authors, together the three lines of evidence suggest that A. sediba foraged for C3 foods in habitats similar to gallery forests surrounded by C4 grasslands.

[...]

35 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:12:02pm

God can work miracles, except he can't make the world billions of years old and he can't make evolution because our stories don't agree with it.

36 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:12:34pm

I went to the dentist today --no tartar, no cavaties.

What would Jim Demint say?

O, the dentist had chocolate mint flavored polish!

37 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:12:50pm

re: #33 engineer cat

God is the uncaused cause.

38 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:12:59pm

I'm pretty sure persecution doesn't mean what DeMint thinks it means.

39 thatthatisis  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:13:17pm

To quote the New Testament, "Jesus wept".

40 Stanghazi  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:14:59pm

re: #15 Ojoe

I don't want anyone in charge of me. That's the essence of this country. We The People are in charge here. This guy does not get it.

*massive thick lugie*

And I say this as a sincerely religious person.

I'm not religious, but the fallout after reading these fools is I'm ANTI-religious.

41 engineer cat  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:15:01pm

re: #37 Ojoe

God is the uncaused cause.

is that a known unknown or an unknown unknown?

42 Political Atheist  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:15:43pm

This is just embarrassing to a person of faith. Worse than the weird uncle or the imprisoned cousin. Then to see an elected Senator go full fundie all in despite the wise separation of governance and religion leave me almost speechless. I need a better thesaurus or something.

43 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:15:57pm

re: #37 Ojoe

God is the uncaused cause.

Very good!

44 Turkey Jihad  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:16:17pm

re: #17 HappyWarrior

DeMint's most famous gem is you can't be a social liberal and a fiscal conservative which made me laugh my ass off since Jim DeMint really isn't fiscally conservative and one's fiscal conservatism is totally irrelevant to where they stand on social issues. I say that as a bleeding heart liberal.

Exactly. That dumbass quote of his is reason #13,472 on why I left that sinking ship of freaks and zealots and never looked back. The two have nothing whatsoever to do with one another. I happen to be very liberal on social issues and slightly right-of-center on fiscal issues. In DeMint's twisted, fisheye-lens-view-of-the-world, I would clearly not be welcome in his party. Fine. You guys can't party like me anyway.

45 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:16:30pm

re: #32 ggt

It takes me to the store, I click on the image and the products come up, then I click a product and it takes me back to the main page of images.

The first time I clicked I didn't get the store.

The second time it worked.

I tried to add several things to the shopping cart but the Barbie doll/Fox stuff didn't even give me that opportunity.

46 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:16:48pm

I'm agnostic. I don't doubt G-d tho, I doubt religion and other's people's ideas about G-d.

47 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:17:06pm

re: #45 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

The first time I clicked I didn't get the store.

The second time it worked.

I tried to add several things to the shopping cart but the Barbie doll/Fox stuff didn't even give me that opportunity.

thanks!

48 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:17:24pm

re: #32 ggt

It takes me to the store, I click on the image and the products come up, then I click a product and it takes me back to the main page of images.

That's what I got with some of the controversial graphics.

49 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:17:40pm

re: #42 Daniel Ballard

This is just embarrassing to a person of faith. Worse than the weird uncle or the imprisoned cousin. Then to see an elected Senator go full fundie all in despite the wise separation of governance and religion leave me almost speechless. I need a better thesaurus or something.

Same here. I'm running out of adjectives. O_o

50 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:17:41pm

re: #27 PhillyPretzel

It does not offend. It just didn't come up.

thanks for playing!

51 Bubblehead II  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:17:58pm

I think I will go kill some more brain cells in a non painful way with a 12 pack of beer. That last vid killed more cells than the afore mentioned 12 pack will.

It is time to shut these idiots (Organized Religions) down and shut them down hard.

No, I am not advocating violence (unlike them). I mean tax their property and their income. If they wish to be part of the conversation, then they pay, just like every one else has to do. Hell, even Jesus told his followers to pay their taxes. Render unto Caesar and all that.

But I guess they forgot about that bit a scripture.

Night Lizards

52 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:18:05pm

re: #49 CuriousLurker

Same here. I'm running out of adjectives. O_o

WHACKO™

and

UBERWHACKO™

53 Eventual Carrion  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:18:06pm

But god let other peoples do the lawn and stuff before the christians got here.

54 dragonath  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:18:49pm

re: #12 freetoken

If evolution were a fact, why do we not see it in action today? Have you ever seen a part monkey, part man? I agree that some men act like apes...

Is it really any wonder that the most racist parts of the country have the most creationists? These ideas have a common ancestor in this country.

55 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:18:52pm

re: #46 ggt

I'm agnostic. I don't doubt G-d tho, I doubt religion and other's people's ideas about G-d.

I've got no problem with God, but his fan club is a bunch of fucking assholes.

56 Romantic Heretic  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:19:11pm

re: #46 ggt

I'm agnostic. I don't doubt G-d tho, I doubt religion and other's people's ideas about G-d.

That's my take on it.

Anyway God doesn't care what you believe, S/He cares about how you act.

57 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:19:46pm

re: #51 Bubblehead II

I think I will go kill some more brain cells in a non painful way with a 12 pack of beer. That last vid killed more cells than the afore mentioned 12 pack will.

It is time to shut these idiots (Organized Religions) down and shut them down hard.

No, I am not advocating violence (unlike them). I mean tax their property and their income. If they wish to be part of the conversation, then they pay, just like every one else has to do. Hell, even Jesus told his followers to pay their taxes. Render unto Caesar and all that.

But I guess they forgot about that bit a scripture.

Night Lizards

Yeah, I could go for taxing.

58 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:20:04pm

If evolution is real how come you don't see half men, half monkeys? Gosh someone completely missed the point of Darwin's theories. We're NOT descended from chimps. We share a common ancestor with them. Evolutionary theory is about how organisms adapt to their surroundings. The ones with better traits survive and live on while others who don't die out.

59 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:20:47pm

re: #54 Be Zorch, Daddio

Is it really any wonder that the most racist parts of the country have the most creationists? These ideas have a common ancestor in this country.

Yep, the idea of being descended from any part of Afrika is against their core identity.

60 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:20:57pm

re: #46 ggt

I'm agnostic. I don't doubt G-d tho, I doubt religion and other's people's ideas about G-d.

I'm a raving rabid gnu-atheist that has been mellowed by online friends.

61 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:21:12pm

re: #56 Romantic Heretic

That's my take on it.

Anyway God doesn't care what you believe, S/He cares about how you act.

Yep.

My G-d is not an egotist.

62 Stanghazi  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:21:35pm

re: #20 ggt

Image for Science is in the Constitution God is Not

Which, BTW, has been placed on hold by cafepress.com. They think it may somehow offend someone or violate some rule.

I just don't see it.

re: #20 ggt

Image for Science is in the Constitution God is Not

Which, BTW, has been placed on hold by cafepress.com. They think it may somehow offend someone or violate some rule.

I just don't see it.

Have to log on to fb to see. I'm not on fb & I wanna see!

63 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:21:45pm

re: #44 How Am I Gonna Get My Sixty Goals??!!

Exactly. That dumbass quote of his is reason #13,472 on why I left that sinking ship of freaks and zealots and never looked back. The two have nothing whatsoever to do with one another. I happen to be very liberal on social issues and slightly right-of-center on fiscal issues. In DeMint's twisted, fisheye-lens-view-of-the-world, I would clearly not be welcome in his party. Fine. You guys can't party like me anyway.

I'm left of center on both matters but gosh to suggest that being socially liberal and fiscally conservative are somehow incompatible is moronic. DeMint is a raving lunatic for this and other reasons. I believe he also wanted to ban unwed pregnant women from teaching and lesbians too.

64 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:22:12pm

re: #60 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

I'm a raving rabid gnu-atheist that has been mellowed by online friends.

There are plenty I know who do think I"m an athiest. My concept of G-d is not theirs so, in their minds, I don't believe. They also think Buddists and HIndus are athiests.

go figure. . . .

65 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:23:26pm

re: #64 ggt

There are plenty I know who do think I"m an athiest. My concept of G-d is not theirs so, in their minds, I don't believe. They also think Buddists and HIndus are athiests.

go figure. . . .

They think Islam is satanic despite the fact Islam and Christianity have a lot in common. Or the fact that the savior of Christianity, Jesus is regarded as a prophet in Islam.

66 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:23:28pm

re: #23 ggt

EXPERIMENT REQUEST--go see if you can place a product with that image and the Fox News Barbie Dolls Don't Speak for Me image in a shopping cart. I can't as the shop owner.

Let me know if you have any success --don't buy it--just tell me if they will let you.

Thanks!

Do the link on my #23. It will take you to my cafepress store full of t-shirt rants. It's the USA shaped Science is in the Constitution one. . .

67 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:24:23pm

re: #58 HappyWarrior

If evolution is real how come you don't see half men, half monkeys? Gosh someone completely missed the point of Darwin's theories. We're NOT descended from chimps. We share a common ancestor with them. Evolutionary theory is about how organisms adapt to their surroundings. The ones with better traits survive and live on while others who don't die out.

Evolution is about how many successful offspring you have compared to others of the same species.

68 dragonath  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:25:16pm

re: #20 ggt

Wow, and to think, there are probably thousands of people selling "Obummer" shirts on Cafepress.

69 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:26:22pm

Anyone want to see my Photoshop work?????

again, I don't make money, this shop is my creative out. feel free to share any image you like --most have my watermark on them.

70 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:27:59pm

re: #68 Be Zorch, Daddio

Wow, and to think, there are probably thousands of people selling "Obummer" shirts on Cafepress.

I know! I don't even have the energy to email cafepress about it. I don't care. I share on fb and that is the point --to get the rant out.

71 Turkey Jihad  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:28:16pm

Hey, Jim! Jim! Senator DeMint! Up here! Look, the whole "God said 'Let there be light'" thing? It's a metaphor for when I blew a bunch of shit up and set the laws of physics into motion. The dinosaurs? I thought it was a cool experiment but then I got bored and sent a couple of asteroids to wipe them all out. I'm a lot smarter than you, Senator. Stop acting like you speak for Me.

Peace,

God

72 renata39.5  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:30:42pm

re: #58 HappyWarrior

I commented about this on a different post a while back. I spent the greater part of my life believing that evolution did, in fact, teach that humans evolved from apes. I believed that because creationist resources (like Institute for Creation Research) both state and infer that is what evolution teaches. It wasn't until a few years ago (through reading Darwin and Intelligent Design by Fracisco Ayala) that I first realized I was completely misinformed--that, in fact, evolution actually teaches that modern humans and primates shared an ancestor, which is a completely different idea. I suspect that DeMint is similarly mislead and is passing that along. The originators of that misinformation must know the truth, however, and it's quite disingenuous of them to propagate the lie: I'm sure they do so because admitting the truth would take away one of their major talking points--why do lesser primates exist if humans evolved from them?

73 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:30:50pm

re: #65 HappyWarrior

They think Islam is satanic despite the fact Islam and Christianity have a lot in common. Or the fact that the savior of Christianity, Jesus is regarded as a prophet in Islam.

Fundies think anyone who deviates in any way from their world view—including someone of their own faith—is wrong, evil, hellfire bound, etc, Muslim fundies are the same. You're either with us or against us. It's an ultimatum, a zero-sum game...there is no balance, no middle ground.

74 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:31:47pm

re: #72 renata39.5

I commented about this on a different post a while back. I spent the greater part of my life believing that evolution did, in fact, teach that humans evolved from apes. I believed that because creationist resources (like Institute for Creation Research) both state and infer that is what evolution teaches. It wasn't until a few years ago (through reading Darwin and Intelligent Design by Fracisco Ayala) that I first realized I was completely misinformed--that, in fact, evolution actually teaches that modern humans and primates shared an ancestor, which is a completely different idea. I suspect that DeMint is similarly mislead and is passing that along. The originators of that misinformation must know the truth, however, and it's quite disingenuous of them to propagate the lie: I'm sure they do so because admitting the truth would take away one of their major talking points--why do lesser primates exist if humans evolved from them?

Yes, our shared family tree isn't a tree, it's a bush. Or perhaps a series of hedgerows. LOL

75 Stanghazi  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:32:06pm

re: #51 Bubblehead II

I think I will go kill some more brain cells in a non painful way with a 12 pack of beer. That last vid killed more cells than the afore mentioned 12 pack will.

It is time to shut these idiots (Organized Religions) down and shut them down hard.

No, I am not advocating violence (unlike them). I mean tax their property and their income. If they wish to be part of the conversation, then they pay, just like every one else has to do. Hell, even Jesus told his followers to pay their taxes. Render unto Caesar and all that.

But I guess they forgot about that bit a scripture.

Night Lizards

They have blatantly politicized the pulpit. Which if my memory serves, is the line not to cross to keep your tax exemption.

The oval office, especially especially under Pres. O cannot confront this, less the idiotic Mao screechers get their day. But in the end, the churches are ripping off America.

76 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:33:13pm

I have to accomplish a few tasks

later all!

77 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:33:19pm

re: #69 ggt

Anyone want to see my Photoshop work???

again, I don't make money, this shop is my creative out. feel free to share any image you like --most have my watermark on them.

I like the autism ones and dislike the garlic ones. ;P

78 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:34:02pm

re: #77 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

I like the autism ones and dislike the garlic ones. ;P

Hey, I worked really hard on the garlic ones!

79 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:34:11pm

bbl

80 freetoken  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:35:13pm

Creationism flourishes where knowledge of science is missing.

Science literacy... sounds like a good thing, right?

Well, to you and to the CEO of Exxon:

Exxon's CEO: Climate, energy fears overblown

ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson says fears about climate change, drilling, and energy dependence are overblown.

In a speech Wednesday, Tillerson acknowledged that burning of fossil fuels is warming the planet, but said society will be able to adapt. The risks of oil and gas drilling are well understood and can be mitigated, he said. And dependence on other nations for oil is not a concern as long as access to supply is certain, he said.

Tillerson blamed a public that is "illiterate" in science and math, a "lazy" press, and advocacy groups that "manufacture fear" for energy misconceptions in a speech at the Council on Foreign Relations.

[...]

Tillerson then goes on to trumpet supposedly massive oil discoveries, and brags that no one in the past two years have not been able to get oil they need. Therefore there are no problems.

Of course, Tillerson totally ignores the obvious - the past two years have also seen a sustained high oil price.

The economic truth - the more one is willing to pay the more one will have available to them. Tillerson ignores this (on purpose.)

Article goes on:

Tillerson, in a break with predecessor Lee Raymond, has acknowledged that global temperatures are rising. "Clearly there is going to be an impact," he said Wednesday.

But he questioned the ability of climate models to predict the magnitude of the impact. He said that people would be able to adapt to rising sea levels and changing climates that may force agricultural production to shift.

"We have spent our entire existence adapting. We'll adapt," he said. "It's an engineering problem and there will be an engineering solution."

[...]

The major problem here, among others, is that all Tillerson is saying is the biology equivalent of a tautology. Of course we have adapted in the past - otherwise we wouldn't be here. Anybody who survives, and any group of humans that might survive say to the year 4000, will have done so by adapting. This is just a biological truth.

What Tillerson is ignoring here is the exact same thing regarding oil supplies - price. The question is - at what price can Homo sapiens survive in the face of rapidly changing climate?

Tillerson will play well to the same crowd that DeMint plays. Regardless of science "literacy" or not, the key is the deception at work.

81 Stanghazi  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:35:52pm

re: #71 How Am I Gonna Get My Sixty Goals??!!

Every time you post (thank you) I hear that soundbite in my head & laugh.

82 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:36:04pm

So let me get this straight, God put the Christians in charge of America, evolution can't be real, and we need to be careful or the secular commies will institute Sharia law?

83 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:36:46pm

re: #33 engineer cat

How does the evolutionist explain

but who created god?

nobody created god. he has always been and always will be

well ok then now everything is PERFECTLY CLEAR

That's so wrong. God was created by CAT in order to take care of the litter box and open the tuna cans.

84 lawhawk  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:37:13pm

Limbaugh: Hillary's a "member of the secret Muslim Brotherhood" all because Huma Abedin (aka Mrs. Anthony Weiner) is one of her staffers.

Huma Abedin, Mrs. Anthony Weiner, Mrs. Huma Weiner, she is Hillary Clinton's number one aide. And Huma's mother is best friends with the new First Lady of Egypt, the wife of the new Muslim Brotherhood guy, Morsi. That's really all you need to know. But there's much more to know. That's why Hillary is out celebrating the brotherhood. That's why Hillary is joining Obama in telling the military to give it up for the Brotherhood guy. Because Huma's mom, there's actually a group, the Muslim Sisterhood, essentially, that is an offshoot of the Brotherhood. And Huma's mom is best friends with the new so-called First Lady of Egypt, who is also a member of the Sisterhood.

So, to recap, Hillary's staffer Huma's mom is supposedly chummy with Mohamad Morsi's wife (aka first lady of Egypt). That means ... conspiracy.

[facepalm]

85 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:37:17pm

re: #82 Kragar

See, you're doing it without even knowing!

86 Varek Raith  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:37:23pm

re: #83 Feline Emperor of the Conservative Waste

That's so wrong. God was created by CAT in order to take care of the litter box and open the tuna cans.

Who created CAT?

87 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:38:28pm

re: #53 RayFerd

But god let other peoples do the lawn and stuff before the christians got here.

And then he brought in the Feds to deport Manitou and hunt Coyote down.
/

88 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:39:53pm

re: #82 Kragar

So let me get this straight, God put the Christians in charge of America, evolution can't be real, and we need to be careful or the secular commies will institute Sharia law?

Yeah, except I have a sneaking suspicion he's not just talking about America, even though that's what he said. Fundies never limit themselves to one country, they know what's best for the entire world.

89 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:39:56pm

re: #72 renata39.5

I commented about this on a different post a while back. I spent the greater part of my life believing that evolution did, in fact, teach that humans evolved from apes. I believed that because creationist resources (like Institute for Creation Research) both state and infer that is what evolution teaches. It wasn't until a few years ago (through reading Darwin and Intelligent Design by Fracisco Ayala) that I first realized I was completely misinformed--that, in fact, evolution actually teaches that modern humans and primates shared an ancestor, which is a completely different idea. I suspect that DeMint is similarly mislead and is passing that along. The originators of that misinformation must know the truth, however, and it's quite disingenuous of them to propagate the lie: I'm sure they do so because admitting the truth would take away one of their major talking points--why do lesser primates exist if humans evolved from them?

Who says the entire population has to evolve in a specific direction?

What does happen, as happened to our common ancestor with chimps, is a population splits and the sub-populations become isolated from each other. Given punctuated equilibrium it's entirely possible and expected for one sub-population to undergo more evolutionary changes than the other, so the one group could be considered the originator species.

It is possible to have one species evolve from another and still have both exist.

90 Varek Raith  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:41:17pm

re: #80 freetoken

Yeah, we'll adapt.
But will the world be worth living in?
Yeah....They never answer that part do they?

91 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:42:07pm

re: #84 lawhawk

Limbaugh: Hillary's a "member of the secret Muslim Brotherhood" all because Huma Abedin (aka Mrs. Anthony Weiner) is one of her staffers.

So, to recap, Hillary's staffer Huma's mom is supposedly chummy with Mohamad Morsi's wife (aka first lady of Egypt). That means ... conspiracy.

[facepalm]

He got that straight from WND. I got it via Google alert a day or two ago.

92 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:42:10pm

re: #84 lawhawk

Limbaugh: Hillary's a "member of the secret Muslim Brotherhood" all because Huma Abedin (aka Mrs. Anthony Weiner) is one of her staffers.

So, to recap, Hillary's staffer Huma's mom is supposedly chummy with Mohamad Morsi's wife (aka first lady of Egypt). That means ... conspiracy.

[facepalm]

Accusing the Secretary of State of belonging to a terrorist organization? Lovely, I guess he's just "using" satire. Just another example of why it's fucked up that the Republicans treat this clown like he's a legitimate political commenter.

93 engineer cat  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:42:17pm

re: #86 Varek Raith

Who created CAT?

(hands can opener to varek)

94 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:42:35pm

re: #86 Varek Raith

Who created CAT?

Noone created CAT! CAT created itself!
;)

95 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:42:45pm

Is there anyone that's not in the MB? Not counting Spencer, Geller, and Gaffney obviously.

96 dragonath  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:43:52pm

re: #80 freetoken

I think there's a Stanlislaw Lem book where some guy goes ends up in the future and finds the world is at something like 36 Billion people, but all the higher order life forms are dead and the water supply is drugged to keep themselves from contemplating it.

97 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:44:01pm

re: #80 freetoken

Creationism flourishes where knowledge of science is missing.

Science literacy... sounds like a good thing, right?

Well, to you and to the CEO of Exxon:

Exxon's CEO: Climate, energy fears overblown

Tillerson then goes on to trumpet supposedly massive oil discoveries, and brags that no one in the past two years have not been able to get oil they need. Therefore there are no problems.

Of course, Tillerson totally ignores the obvious - the past two years have also seen a sustained high oil price.

The economic truth - the more one is willing to pay the more one will have available to them. Tillerson ignores this (on purpose.)

Article goes on:

The major problem here, among others, is that all Tillerson is saying is the biology equivalent of a tautology. Of course we have adapted in the past - otherwise we wouldn't be here. Anybody who survives, and any group of humans that might survive say to the year 4000, will have done so by adapting. This is just a biological truth.

What Tillerson is ignoring here is the exact same thing regarding oil supplies - price. The question is - at what price can Homo sapiens survive in the face of rapidly changing climate?

Tillerson will play well to the same crowd that DeMint plays. Regardless of science "literacy" or not, the key is the deception at work.

Our ability, and the ability of all other organisms, depends on the speed of change, and the evolvability of the species. The speed will be too high for a great many species with low evolvability.

98 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:44:54pm

Brace yourselves, The partisan outrages about Obama and the wildfires are coming.

99 Varek Raith  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:45:14pm

re: #98 Killgore Trout

Brace yourselves, The partisan outrages about Obama and the wildfires are coming.

Oh?

100 SpaceJesus  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:45:20pm

wow, look at that free market of ideas yield the best results

101 freetoken  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:45:42pm

Well, tomorrow the USSC reveals whether they are part of the socialist plot to overthrow God's America, or whether some remnant of the chosen remain among the court.

Much gnashing of teeth will follow.

102 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:46:34pm

re: #95 HappyWarrior

Is there anyone that's not in the MB? Not counting Spencer, Geller, and Gaffney obviously.

I participated in the Ramadan bake sale fundraiser but failed to pay my annual dues (zakat) so technically I'm out.

103 freetoken  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:46:36pm

re: #98 Killgore Trout

Who gets blamed this time?

Environmentalists for not letting Americans cut down the trees God put there for us?

104 dragonath  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:47:36pm

Republican ideology says we should let the whole forest burn down so they can take responsibility for saving the forest later on.

105 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:47:42pm

re: #101 freetoken

Well, tomorrow the USSC reveals whether they are part of the socialist plot to overthrow God's America, or whether some remnant of the chosen remain among the court.

Much gnashing of teeth will follow.

Seems either way the congressional GOP is proposing repeal even if the mandate is found a ok or if it's not but the rest allowed to stick. I hope the Republicans get a nasty response for the people whose insurance they're threatening to take away all while they keep their own government health care and tell us how bad government health care is.

106 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:47:46pm

re: #91 CuriousLurker

He got that straight from WND. I got it via Google alert a day or two ago.

Cache link to the WND article.

107 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:48:55pm

re: #106 CuriousLurker

Cache link to the WND article.

So what you're saying is Rush isn't even an original jackass. He has to get us talking points from Joe Farah and the gang. Sad even for him. Really where does he get the stones to accuse the secretary of state of belonging to a terrorist organization and then to whine about being characterized as a jerk.

108 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:49:11pm

re: #103 freetoken

Who gets blamed this time?

Environmentalists for not letting Americans cut down the trees God put there for us?

As always, everybody gets blamed. Wingut fundamentalists cut fire department funding and Obama will wear the wrong shoes for his staged photo op with vetted "victims". Pat Robertson will blame homos and secularism. Plenty of derp to go around, just be sure to get your share.

109 Achilles Tang  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:50:08pm

God put "us" in charge...

How easy it is for some people to rationalize that they have authority (in charge) over everyone else, when elections aren't good enough for them.

110 engineer cat  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:50:27pm

roo>

111 dragonath  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:50:59pm
112 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:51:49pm

re: #106 CuriousLurker

I guess they gave up on the 2007 "Huma Abedin is Hillary's lesbian lover" story. Rush may be saving that for tomorrow.

113 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:51:54pm

re: #107 HappyWarrior

So what you're saying is Rush isn't even an original jackass. He has to get us talking points from Joe Farah and the gang.

Exactly.

114 engineer cat  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:52:58pm

First Church Of Cat, Scientist To Sue Over Catmas Creche

holy can opener removed and vandalized

115 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:53:27pm

re: #113 CuriousLurker

Exactly.

Then he's even more pathetic than I thought which I didn't think was possible.

116 freetoken  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:53:30pm

re: #113 CuriousLurker

They all exist to make as much money as possible with the least thought possible. That's why they are front men for various gold traders.

117 JAFO  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:57:16pm

Romney thinks we have too many fire fighters.

118 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:59:17pm

re: #117 Big Joe

Romney thinks we have too many fire fighters.

Damn government workers and their pensions. Don't they know that money should be going to Mitt Romney's car elevator?

119 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:59:42pm

re: #117 Big Joe

Romney thinks we have too many fire fighters.

I thought God thought favorably of Colorado Springs as well according to the screechers in any case.
/

120 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 6:59:56pm
121 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:00:40pm

re: #120 Targetpractice

Well, that didn't take long:

Townhall: Fortune Magazine Tries to Tell The "Truth" About Fast and Furious, Fails Miserably

Because Townhall is such a trusted publication and has no political bias at all whatsoever.//

123 Four More Tears  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:01:47pm

Wow.

A United States Senator.

Wow.

124 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:03:37pm

jamesfirecat just showed up.

I think we should all hide and pretend we're not here.

125 Dancing along the light of day  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:03:57pm
126 Dancing along the light of day  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:04:15pm

re: #124 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

jamesfirecat just showed up.

I think we should all hide and pretend we're not here.

Let's not & say that we did!

127 Four More Tears  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:04:21pm

re: #125 Dancing along the light of day

Ojoe, I have missed your towercams.

Ditto.

128 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:05:16pm

re: #127 It's a cookbook!

Ditto.

Double ditto.

129 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:06:03pm

re: #40 Residence: Hopeandchangeistan 2012

Oh well, there are plenty of fine religious, like John XXIII, and Martin de Porres, the patron saint of racial harmony.

They are not all crazy.

130 Four More Tears  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:07:02pm

So when's the execution of the ACA scheduled? 10 AM?

131 Achilles Tang  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:07:50pm

re: #122 Ojoe

Hi, maybe it's me, but it seems you have been away. Welcome back either way.

132 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:07:56pm

re: #41 engineer cat

I think it is a partially known unknown, here on earth anyway.

133 Vicious Babushka  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:08:09pm

re: #23 ggt

EXPERIMENT REQUEST--go see if you can place a product with that image and the Fox News Barbie Dolls Don't Speak for Me image in a shopping cart. I can't as the shop owner.

Let me know if you have any success --don't buy it--just tell me if they will let you.

Thanks!

I can't get to the "Add to Cart" if I click on that product image it just goes back to the main page.

134 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:09:22pm

re: #131 Achilles Tang

Have a day job driving trucks. Architecture is slow, but maybe picking up.

On a truck day, I'm too tired to post in the evening.

Today was on the drafting boards.

135 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:10:15pm

re: #117 Big Joe

Romney thinks we have too many fire fighters.

MSNBC's Martin Bashir now running exclusive photoshops of Mitt strapping road flares to puppies because "he thought it was funny". Several anonymous sources within the Romney campaign quoted "lol"
.
/developing

136 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:11:30pm

re: #135 Killgore Trout

MSNBC's Martin Bashir now running exclusive photoshops of Mitt strapping road flares to puppies because "he thought it was funny". Several anonymous sources within the Romney campaign quoted "lol"
.
/developing

Dipshit.

137 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:12:20pm

re: #136 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

That will cause a big snit.

138 Dancing along the light of day  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:13:19pm

re: #134 Ojoe

Have a day job driving trucks. Architecture is slow, but maybe picking up.

On a truck day, I'm too tired to post in the evening.

Today was on the drafting boards.

Happy to see you back & hope the drafting picks up.

139 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:13:44pm

In your mind, what are the essential differences between humans and the other animals?

Is it a difference in kind or in degree?

140 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:14:28pm

Romney’s long assault on firefighters

In fact, he has a long, bitter history with them. As governor of Massachusetts, Romney often ended up sparring with firefighters and their unions. He proposed stripping collective bargaining rights for firefighters and police officers in a city that needed a state bailout, and cut funding to a fire station to be built on the site where six firemen died. He also proposed tripling the state police budget to deal with homeland security concerns in the years after 9/11, but didn’t offer a dime for firefighters, angering many at the time.

In 2004, when the city of Springfield was facing bankruptcy, Romney proposed a $52 million bailout package that included suspending collective bargaining and civil service benefits for the city’s unions, including public safety officers. “He hates us,” Robert McCarthy, the president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, told the Associated Press at the time. “Unions are what made this state what it is,” he said, but Romney “won’t even talk to us.” Romney spokesperson Nicole St. Peter defended the suspension of union benefits, telling the AP that the “control board” the governor appointed to oversee the city’s finances “needs maximum flexibility to restore Springfield’s financial footing.” The Democratic-controlled state Legislature eventually overrode Romney and preserved the bargaining rights, though the control board remained controversial in the city.

More examples at the link

141 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:16:32pm

Humans are different because of the fortuitous convergence of upright stance and large brain.

142 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:17:51pm

re: #139 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

In your mind, what are the essential differences between humans and the other animals?

Is it a difference in kind or in degree?

Survival tools.

Most animals adapted physical characteristics to survive in an environment.

Mankind's ancestors adapted mentally, using logic, reasoning and social skills to survive in an environment.

143 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:18:44pm

re: #139 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

I would say degree, after hanging out with some pretty smart dogs, and cats for that matter.

144 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:18:49pm

re: #141 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

Humans are different because of the fortuitous convergence of upright stance and large brain.

So you're totally overlooking love of Jesus as a factor?

Heathen.
/

145 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:18:55pm

re: #141 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

Humans are different because of the fortuitous convergence of upright stance and large brain.

Opposable thumbs and the endless capability to rationalize.

146 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:20:05pm

"A cat is more intelligent than people believe and can be taught any crime."

— Mark Twain.

147 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:20:23pm

re: #142 Kragar

Survival tools.

Most animals adapted physical characteristics to survive in an environment.

Mankind's ancestors adapted mentally, using logic, reasoning and social skills to survive in an environment.

It would have been tougher to use tools had we not started to walk upright, freeing our hands for manipulation.

148 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:21:13pm

John Mica is making a complete fool of himself on CNN.

149 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:21:30pm

re: #143 Ojoe

I would say degree, after hanging out with some pretty smart dogs, and cats for that matter.

The more we study animals the smaller the gap, so I agree with you.

150 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:21:32pm

re: #147 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

It would have been tougher to use tools had we not started to walk upright, freeing our hands for manipulation.

Tentacles would have worked just fine.

151 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:23:14pm

re: #145 Killgore Trout

Opposable thumbs and the endless capability to rationalize.

All of the apes have opposable thumbs, but our ability to think abstractly and to apply it to the real world is something we're the world expert on.

152 moderatelyradicalliberal  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:23:17pm

I just got home and read about Romney trying to get the WP to retract it's Bain expose and being told hell no. I had a hilarious image of the WP telling Romney to go away or they would taunt him a second time in an outrageous French accent. :)

153 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:23:35pm

re: #148 jaunte

John Mica is making a complete fool of himself on CNN.

Who?

154 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:23:44pm

re: #149 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

This shows even more strongly that "we're all one."

Now if we'd only start to really act that way.

155 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:25:20pm

re: #150 Kragar

Tentacles would have worked just fine.

Yah, but we didn't evolve from cephalapods, damn it.

156 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:25:45pm

Missile-throwing chimp plots attacks on tourists

A chimp that deliberately fashions discs of concrete to later hurl at zoo visitors is being hailed as definitive proof that the apes plan for future events.

Although similar claims have previously been made about chimps using tools to collect food, what sets Santino – a 30-year-old chimp from Furuvik zoo in Sweden – apart, is that his behaviour, and therefore his apparent state of mind, when collecting the ammunition seems markedly different from when he launches his attacks.

"The chimp has without exception been calm during gathering or manufacture of the ammunition, in contrast to the typically aroused state [when he throws the rocks]," says Mathias Osvath of the University of Lund, also in Sweden.

Unlike previous claims of pre-planning in apes, Santino's planning doesn't seem to be driven by a current emotional or physical drive like hunger or anger, but in anticipation of an event later in the day.

"Nothing like it has as yet been reported from the wild, nor from any captive chimpanzees," says Thomas Suddendorf of the University of Queensland in Australia. "Controlled experiments are now required to determine the nature of the cognitive processes involved."

157 Shiplord Kirel  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:26:06pm

New in Pages.

In light of this latest abject surrender to superstition, I thought science advocates might need some cheering up.

Lights of the Nile Delta as seen from ISS.

Don't give up, we aren't beaten yet.

158 Four More Tears  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:26:26pm

re: #150 Kragar

Tentacles would have worked just fine.

Don't make excuses for Japanese porn.

159 moderatelyradicalliberal  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:27:05pm

re: #155 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

Yah, but we didn't evolve from cephalapods, damn it.

Well I should hope not. There was a terrible cephalapod in Prometheus. I would rather be a monkey's niece quite frankly.

160 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:27:42pm

re: #156 Kragar

Missile-throwing chimp plots attacks on tourists

He's just manufacturing his own entertainment.

He's the Gallagher of chimps.

161 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:27:53pm

BBL

162 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:28:32pm

re: #153 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

A Congressman from Florida The NRA
[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

[Link: votesmart.org...]

163 Shiplord Kirel  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:28:43pm
“God Put Christians In Charge of This Vineyard We Call America.”

Obviously He put DeMint and friends in charge of the wine cellar.

164 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:29:09pm

re: #159 moderatelyradicalliberal

Well I should hope not. There was a terrible cephalapod in Prometheus. I would rather be a monkey's niece quite frankly.

I liked that cephalapod, and was sad she produced a human/ceph hybrid.

165 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:30:01pm

re: #162 jaunte

A Congressman from Florida The NRA
[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

[Link: votesmart.org...]

Meh.

166 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:30:08pm

re: #163 Shiplord Kirel

Obviously He put DeMint and friends in charge of the wine cellar.

I'm not sure it's the wine cellar since all DeMint seems to be is full of piss and vinegar.

167 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:31:31pm

re: #159 moderatelyradicalliberal

Well I should hope not. There was a terrible cephalapod in Prometheus. I would rather be a monkey's niece quite frankly.

When the biologists get pushed too far their alliance with the cuttlefish will become all too clear, and woe to their enemies on that day!

168 moderatelyradicalliberal  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:31:45pm

re: #164 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

I liked that cephalapod, and was sad she produced a human/ceph hybrid.

I was horrified by that thing and my intelligence was insulted by her being up and running around after being nearly cut in half to get it out. Oh well, two hours looking at Ildris Elba and Michael Fassbender can never be all bad.

169 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:32:10pm

re: #155 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

Yah, but we didn't evolve from cephalapods, damn it.

Or did we...

Cthulhuism is just as valid a theory as creationism, and deserves equal time being taught in our science class rooms.
/

Seriously though, I understand your point, but at some point, humanity hit a point where development of mental processes became the best survival tool, instead of climbing trees, growing longer fur or other physical alterations to our environment, which set us apart from other animals.

170 Varek Raith  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:32:20pm

re: #139 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

In your mind, what are the essential differences between humans and the other animals?

Is it a difference in kind or in degree?

The ability to blow the crap out of things.

171 Dark_Falcon  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:33:05pm

re: #156 Kragar

Missile-throwing chimp plots attacks on tourists

It also confirm that like humans, chimpanzees are capable of simply being assholes.

172 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:33:12pm

re: #165 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

He was on to keep the enthusiasm up on F&F. Soledad O'Brien was trying to get him to agree that maybe making some laws to keep someone from buying 476 guns in 6 months (when they were on welfare, and apparently had no money) was maybe a good idea, but he wouldn't agree that loose gun laws might have contributed to the problem.

173 Varek Raith  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:33:39pm

re: #171 Dark_Falcon

It also confirm that like humans, chimpanzees are capable of simply being assholes.

*Throws disc at DF*

174 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:34:02pm

re: #168 moderatelyradicalliberal

I was horrified by that thing and my intelligence was insulted by her being up and running around after being nearly cut in half to get it out. Oh well, two hours looking at Ildris Elba and Michael Fassbender can never be all bad.

The magic of future medicine.

The show was short on nearly-naked Charlize.

175 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:34:27pm

re: #159 moderatelyradicalliberal

The Prometheus Pre-Prequel

176 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:34:56pm

re: #121 HappyWarrior

Because Townhall is such a trusted publication and has no political bias at all whatsoever.//

Yeah, basically the entire "debunking" consists of noting that gun dealers in the state had fired off emails to Voth about concerns that the guys coming in and plunking down stacks of cash for piles of guns weren't legit. Legally, he couldn't tell them to turn away the buyers, because a Arizona Superior Court had ruled the previous year that so long as the guy buying the guns and the guy supplying the money for the guns were legally able to own guns in the state of Arizona, the purchases were perfectly legal.

The rest is just the usual character assassination, namely "They're liars, they're facing criminal charges, so that's all that matters," finishing off with a quick bit from Issa's committee saying the Fortune article's all lies and a plug for her book.

177 dragonath  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:35:44pm

re: #148 jaunte

John Mica is making a complete fool of himself on CNN.

Does he have rocks in his head?

Or is he just full of Schist?

178 Varek Raith  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:36:07pm

re: #177 Be Zorch, Daddio

Does he have rocks in his head?

Or is he just full of Schist?

Oh geez.
:/

179 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:36:08pm

re: #169 Kragar

Or did we...

Cthulhuism is just as valid a theory as creationism, and deserves equal time being taught in our science class rooms.
/

Seriously though, I understand your point, but at some point, humanity hit a point where development of mental processes became the best survival tool, instead of climbing trees, growing longer fur or other physical alterations to our environment, which set us apart from other animals.

I'm not sure if use of tools pushed the development of a larger brain, or the development of a larger brain pushed the use of tools. Or perhaps it was a feedback loop.

180 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:36:20pm

re: #177 Be Zorch, Daddio

I see hazily though your mineral stratagem.

181 JAFO  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:36:45pm

Animals are smarter than we think they are


We aren't as special as we think we are. Language is our advantage.

182 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:36:56pm

re: #170 Varek Raith

The ability to blow the crap out of things.

Ah, the coming golden age of Mythbusters.

183 Dark_Falcon  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:37:39pm

re: #173 Varek Raith

*Throws disc at DF*

[DF's armor allows him to survive the hit]

(It's not possible to dodge a disc tossed by Varek unless you, too, are a Force user.)

184 JAFO  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:37:42pm

re: #181 Big Joe

Animals are smarter than we think they are

We aren't as special as we think we are. Language is our advantage.

oops

185 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:37:58pm

re: #182 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

Ah, the coming golden age of Mythbusters.

Better living through fish oil.

186 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:38:58pm

re: #179 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

I'm not sure if use of tools pushed the development of a larger brain, or the development of a larger brain pushed the use of tools. Or perhaps it was a feedback loop.

Image: FarsideLookWhatZogDo.jpg

187 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:39:29pm

re: #183 Dark_Falcon

[DF's armor allows him to survive the hit]

(It's not possible to dodge a disc tossed by Varek unless you, too, are a Force user.)

You're a User, aren't you?

//

188 Kragar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:40:07pm

re: #183 Dark_Falcon

[DF's armor allows him to survive the hit]

(It's not possible to dodge a disc tossed by Varek unless you, too, are a Force user.)

Or a member of your retinue has the Pariah gene.

189 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:40:28pm

re: #172 jaunte

He was on to keep the enthusiasm up on F&F. Soledad O'Brien was trying to get him to agree that maybe making some laws to keep someone from buying 476 guns in 6 months (when they were on welfare, and apparently had no money) was maybe a good idea, but he wouldn't agree that loose gun laws might have contributed to the problem.

Sounds like belief perseverance to me.

He needs to come face to face with a massive D'OH!

190 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:41:03pm

re: #172 jaunte

He was on to keep the enthusiasm up on F&F. Soledad O'Brien was trying to get him to agree that maybe making some laws to keep someone from buying 476 guns in 6 months (when they were on welfare, and apparently had no money) was maybe a good idea, but he wouldn't agree that loose gun laws might have contributed to the problem.

Of course not, far easier to blame Obama than realize something like that.

191 Dark_Falcon  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:41:31pm

re: #187 Targetpractice

You're a User, aren't you?

//

Very good mixing of movies there, very good. [tips hat]

192 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:41:56pm

re: #172 jaunte

He was on to keep the enthusiasm up on F&F. Soledad O'Brien was trying to get him to agree that maybe making some laws to keep someone from buying 476 guns in 6 months (when they were on welfare, and apparently had no money) was maybe a good idea, but he wouldn't agree that loose gun laws might have contributed to the problem.

Couldn't agree so long as there's an NRA check with his name on it.

193 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:43:16pm

re: #190 HappyWarrior

re: #192 Targetpractice

He obfuscated doggedly, but it was painfully obvious even to someone unfamiliar with the controversy that he was ignoring a common sense suggestion.

194 Mich-again  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:43:22pm

Nowhere in the Bible does it instruct people to cling to ignorance or strive for political power to coerce non-believers. DeMint is making up his own religion.

195 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:44:58pm

re: #193 jaunte

re: #192 Targetpractice

He obfuscated doggedly, but it was painfully obvious even to someone unfamiliar with the controversy that he was ignoring a common sense suggestion.

And that's what's ultimately going to bite the GOP in the ass about this, that they're trying to roast Holder, and Obama by proxy, for the ATF's failure to do exactly what they don't want them to do, namely confiscate guns.

196 Mich-again  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:45:36pm

re: #172 jaunte

He was on to keep the enthusiasm up on F&F. Soledad O'Brien was trying to get him to agree that maybe making some laws to keep someone from buying 476 guns in 6 months (when they were on welfare, and apparently had no money) was maybe a good idea, but he wouldn't agree that loose gun laws might have contributed to the problem.

I like the tactic of testing the logic with an extreme example. If the logic fails in an extreme example, then why should it be accepted on a smaller scale.

197 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:45:46pm

re: #195 Targetpractice

And that's what's ultimately going to bite the GOP in the ass about this, that they're trying to roast Holder, and Obama by proxy, for the ATF's failure to do exactly what they don't want them to do, namely confiscate guns.

Could that be part of the reason why the leadership wants Issa to back off?

198 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:47:01pm

re: #196 Mich-again

Not just extreme, but real:

Prosecutors repeatedly rebuffed Voth's requests. After examining one suspect's garbage, agents learned he was on food stamps yet had plunked down more than $300,000 for 476 firearms in six months. Voth asked if the ATF could arrest him for fraudulently accepting public assistance when he was spending such huge sums. [Link: features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com...]

199 Dark_Falcon  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:47:29pm

re: #195 Targetpractice

And that's what's ultimately going to bite the GOP in the ass about this, that they're trying to roast Holder, and Obama by proxy, for the ATF's failure to do exactly what they don't want them to do, namely confiscate guns.

You're assuming the Fortune story is accurate. 48 hour rule really should be in effect, since its timing is rather convenient.

200 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:47:41pm

re: #197 HappyWarrior

Could that be part of the reason why the leadership wants Issa to back off?

That's why they wanted him to do it before the contempt vote. Now, the die has been cast. They have to blunder forward with this vote, lest they look like they're letting Holder off, something that the Tea Party would eviscerate them for allowing.

201 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:47:45pm

re: #195 Targetpractice

And that's what's ultimately going to bite the GOP in the ass about this, that they're trying to roast Holder, and Obama by proxy, for the ATF's failure to do exactly what they don't want them to do, namely confiscate guns.

It's a scandal with inherent cognitive dissonance.

202 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:49:02pm

re: #195 Targetpractice

And that's what's ultimately going to bite the GOP in the ass about this, that they're trying to roast Holder, and Obama by proxy, for the ATF's failure to do exactly what they don't want them to do, namely confiscate guns.

I doubt the base will notice the paradox there. Those who look at this logically will note that this is just like the other lies being spread. Those wanting reinforcement of their prejudices will find it here and not bother looking any deeper or trying to verify the accuracy.

It's ultimately just more noise like all the other various pseudo-controversies tossed up every day. This one just happens to be rooted in spending tax dollars due to being centered in a Congressional committee.

203 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:49:04pm

re: #200 Targetpractice

That's why they wanted him to do it before the contempt vote. Now, the die has been cast. They have to blunder forward with this vote, lest they look like they're letting Holder off, something that the Tea Party would eviscerate them for allowing.

Right. Sounds like they shot themselves in the foot in any case.

204 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:49:18pm

re: #199 Dark_Falcon

You're assuming the Fortune story is accurate. 48 hour rule really should be in effect, since its timing is rather convenient.

No Dark, I believed that even before I read the Fortune story. The entire witch hunt has been an effort to portray the ATF as both fiendishly clever and absurdly stupid at the same time, trying to create a crisis when one already existed to profit off it when nobody in a position of power was looking to do so.

205 Mich-again  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:50:08pm

re: #201 jaunte

It's a scandal with inherent cognitive dissonance.

Issa is going to look like "Wile E Coyote, Genius", by the time this is over. Standing on thin air realizing the long trip down is imminent as soon as gravity kicks in.

206 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:50:59pm

I've had a bit of a white fly invasion in the greenhouse and introduced some ladybugs to solve the problem. Zoe the Kitteh's breath now smells like shallots, cilantro with the added savory crunch of ladybugs.

207 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:51:08pm

re: #205 Mich-again

Issa is going to look like "Wile E Coyote, Genius", by the time this is over. Standing on thin air realizing the long trip down is imminent as soon as gravity kicks in.

He's already admitted twice in the last 4 days that he really has no case against either Holder or Obama, with the contempt voting really amounting to nothing more than anger at Holder and the White House not wishing to allow this fishing expedition to go on any longer and impeding ongoing investigations.

208 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:51:20pm

re: #205 Mich-again

It may take some time. He's showing himself to be pretty lightweight.

209 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:51:45pm

re: #204 Targetpractice

No Dark, I believed that even before I read the Fortune story. The entire witch hunt has been an effort to portray the ATF as both fiendishly clever and absurdly stupid at the same time, trying to create a crisis when one already existed to profit off it when nobody in a position of power was looking to do so.

Anybody who denies the Fortune story is on par with birthers and climate change deniers. Read the whole thing. Even Boehner admitted there is no conspiracy in the White House, but he scheduled the contempt vote for tomorrow because he's an orange prick.

210 Dancing along the light of day  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:52:34pm

re: #206 Killgore Trout

Get yourself some Pinguiculas. Sundews, carniverous plants.

211 jaunte  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:52:40pm

re: #209 darthstar

I thought he was burying it under the SCOTUS announcement.

212 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:53:17pm

re: #211 jaunte

I thought he was burying it under the SCOTUS announcement.

Yes, but he's too much of a coward to simply say the vote need not take place at all.

213 makeitstop  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:53:56pm

re: #206 Killgore Trout

I've had a bit of a white fly invasion in the greenhouse and introduced some ladybugs to solve the problem. Zoe the Kitteh's breath now smells like shallots, cilantro with the added savory crunch of ladybugs.

I gotta get a greenhouse, then. All of my cats' breath smell like standard issue cat butt.

214 dragonath  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:54:04pm

Well, DeMint has a lot to live up to, as a senator of South Carolina:

U.S. Senate

(Benjamin "Pitchfork") Tillman was elected to the United States Senate in 1894, succeeding Senator Matthew Butler, who had also been directly involved in the Hamburg Massacre. Tillman would be re-elected three more times, and would hold office from 1895 to his death in 1918. A hotheaded and intemperate debater, Tillman became known as "Pitchfork Ben" after a 1896 Senate speech in which he "won the voters' hearts by announcing his determination to go to Washington and plunge a pitchfork into the rump of President Grover Cleveland."[26]

In 1901, after President Theodore Roosevelt dined in the White house with Booker T. Washington, Senator Tillman said, “The action of President Roosevelt in entertaining that n***** will necessitate our killing a thousand n*****s in the South before they learn their place again.” [27]

During his Senate career, he was censured by the Senate in 1902 after assaulting John L. McLaurin, another Senator and his counterpart from South Carolina.[28] As a result, the Senate added to its rules the provision that "No senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator."[29] He was also barred from the White House.[30]

215 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:54:42pm

re: #211 jaunte

I thought he was burying it under the SCOTUS announcement.

And the NRA is "scoring" the vote so blue dog Dems in tight races will cross party lines out of fear for their political futures, and then the GOP can claim bipartisan support for contempt. Frankly, the blue-dogs should just change parties.

216 Dancing along the light of day  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:54:59pm

re: #213 makeitstop

OK, I have to ask. How do you know what cat butt smells like?

217 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:55:05pm

re: #214 Be Zorch, Daddio

Well, Demint has a lot to live up to, as senator of South Carolina:

With that rhetoric, he'd be right at home with those who propose second amendment solutions.

218 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:55:12pm

re: #210 Dancing along the light of day

Get yourself some Pinguiculas. Sundews, carniverous plants.

I think what I really need is parasitic wasps.

219 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:55:24pm

re: #209 darthstar

Anybody who denies the Fortune story is on par with birthers and climate change deniers. Read the whole thing. Even Boehner admitted there is no conspiracy in the White House, but he scheduled the contempt vote for tomorrow because he's an orange prick.

I'm always of the opinion that there's two sides to every story, and it looks like Fortune's is not so much providing the definitive story of how things worked so much as the side of the story that we've not heard so far, namely that of Voth and those within the ATF who were repeatedly frustrated by lax gun laws and a generally uncaring legal system. The other side is the one that's been concocted by "whistleblowers" like Dodson, who remind me of the various mob bosses who've turned evidence on their former partners or rivals to make their own rap sheet disappear.

220 Dark_Falcon  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:55:30pm

re: #209 darthstar

So one article in one magazine is as reliable as years of accumulated evidence on AGW. Got hyperbole?

221 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:56:01pm

re: #215 darthstar

And the NRA is "scoring" the vote so blue dog Dems in tight races will cross party lines out of fear for their political futures, and then the GOP can claim bipartisan support for contempt. Frankly, the blue-dogs should just change parties.

I saw that. Bunch of pusses. The NRA needs to be called out for caring more about being water carriers for the right wing's agenda than protecting gun rights.

222 Killgore Trout  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:56:51pm

re: #216 Dancing along the light of day

OK, I have to ask. How do you know what cat butt smells like?

Smelling cat butt is not voluntary. It's a requirement when you own the things.

223 makeitstop  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:57:00pm

re: #216 Dancing along the light of day

OK, I have to ask. How do you know what cat butt smells like?

Proximity. One of ours takes fiendish delight in showing off his butt. Nasty little beast, but I love him anyway.

224 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:57:15pm

Dark, are you going to obsessively down-ding me like a jilted teenager forever?

I suppose I have you to thank for this.

Image: 1490585_f520.jpg

225 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:57:59pm

re: #86 Varek Raith

Who created CAT?

CAT has been, is now and ever shall be!

226 Mich-again  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:58:05pm

re: #220 Dark_Falcon

So one article in one magazine is as reliable as years of accumulated evidence on AGW. Got hyperbole?

You lost me there.. How did you manage to connect Fast and Furious with climate change?

227 Targetpractice  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:58:15pm

re: #222 Killgore Trout

Smelling cat butt is not voluntary. It's a requirement when you own the things.

Only other option is to toss them across the room, and you can only do that so many times before they start holding it against you.

228 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:58:16pm

re: #220 Dark_Falcon

So one article in one magazine is as reliable as years of accumulated evidence on AGW. Got hyperbole?

No, but partisan flag waving is partisan flag waving.

229 Dark_Falcon  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:58:24pm

re: #221 HappyWarrior

I saw that. Bunch of pusses. The NRA needs to be called out for caring more about being water carriers for the right wing's agenda than protecting gun rights.

Fast and Furious is a major part of the NRA's theme for this year. You can't expect to simply drop it, not without the Fortune piece demonstrating it has legs. If the Fortune piece fails to quickly gain traction due to the Obamacare ruling, it'll soon be as if it had never come out.

230 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:58:36pm

re: #226 Mich-again

You lost me there.. How did you manage to connect Fast and Furious with climate change?

Darth said that denying the Fortune article was on par with climate change denial.

231 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:58:59pm

re: #226 Mich-again

You lost me there.. How did you manage to connect Fast and Furious with climate change?

My fault. I said that people who dismiss the Fortune article out of hand are like climate change deniers. Dark took that personally, apparently.

232 Dark_Falcon  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:59:20pm

re: #226 Mich-again

You lost me there.. How did you manage to connect Fast and Furious with climate change?

I didn't try to make such a connection, Darthstar did:

re: #209 darthstar

Anybody who denies the Fortune story is on par with birthers and climate change deniers. Read the whole thing. Even Boehner admitted there is no conspiracy in the White House, but he scheduled the contempt vote for tomorrow because he's an orange prick.

233 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:59:32pm

re: #89 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

Who says the entire population has to evolve in a specific direction?

What does happen, as happened to our common ancestor with chimps, is a population splits and the sub-populations become isolated from each other. Given punctuated equilibrium it's entirely possible and expected for one sub-population to undergo more evolutionary changes than the other, so the one group could be considered the originator species.

It is possible to have one species evolve from another and still have both exist.

I am beginning to think the species has already split from itself and there are different versions of homo sapiens all trying to co-exist on this planet. We just don't know it it yet.

1/2 /

234 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 7:59:52pm

re: #232 Dark_Falcon

I didn't try to make such a connection, Darthstar did:

re: #209 darthstar

Eeeyup.

235 Mich-again  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:00:30pm

re: #230 HappyWarrior

Darth said that denying the Fortune article was on par with climate change denial.

aha. allrighty then. The Moynihan rule.. You can have your own opinions but you can't have your own facts..

236 prairiefire  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:00:32pm

No more cats for me! You know they walk around with bits of cat feces on their paws, right? Oh no, I forgot, they're the cleanest animals ever since they lick themselves allllll over.

237 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:00:33pm

re: #229 Dark_Falcon

Fast and Furious is a major part of the NRA's theme for this year. You can't expect to simply drop it, not without the Fortune piece demonstrating it has legs. If the Fortune piece fails to quickly gain traction due to the Obamacare ruling, it'll soon be as if it had never come out.

So the NRA will do what they do best scare gunowners into voting for Republicans despite the fact Obama isn't a guntaker- a fact that LaPierre even admits but says is somehow proof of the conspiracy by the administration. I'm sorry if I'm a wee bit skeptical of a bunch of right wing hacks posing as being primarily concerned with 2nd amendment rights.

238 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:00:42pm

re: #233 ggt

I am beginning to think the species has already split from itself and there are different versions of homo sapiens all trying to co-exist on this planet. We just don't know it it yet.

1/2 /

I'd like to think that, but there's way too much interbreeding.

239 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:01:09pm

re: #234 darthstar

Eeeyup.

Dave, is that you?

240 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:01:28pm

re: #235 Mich-again

aha. allrighty then. The Moynihan rule.. You can have your own opinions but you can't have your own facts..

I really don't care. Just pointing out why DF brought climate change. I trust Fortune on this a heck alot more than I do Townhall which as demonstrated above is trying to discredit the story.

241 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:02:26pm

re: #236 prairiefire

No more cats for me! You know they walk around with bits of cat feces on their paws, right? Oh no, I forgot, their the cleanest animals ever since they lick themselves alll over.

And what can we find on our fingers when we wake up in the morning?

242 Dark_Falcon  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:02:36pm

re: #231 darthstar

My fault. I said that people who dismiss the Fortune article out of hand are like climate change deniers. Dark took that personally, apparently.

No, you said anyone who denies the Fortune story is on par with climate deniers. That is not the same thing as dismissing it out of hand. What you said was written in such a way as to foreclose the possibility that the article could be wrong. That strikes me as unreasonable.

243 prairiefire  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:03:41pm

re: #241 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

And what can we find on our fingers when we wake up in the morning?

Cat spit?

244 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:04:23pm

re: #240 HappyWarrior

I really don't care. Just pointing out why DF brought climate change. I trust Fortune on this a heck alot more than I do Townhall which as demonstrated above is trying to discredit the story.

Townhall tried to turn the killing of bin Laden into a negative for the President, suggesting he was setting up the military to take the blame if the assault failed. Sleazy fuckers.

[Link: townhall.com...]

245 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:06:08pm

NSFW: Um...*blinking*...I was just browsing Google Images for Balinese wood carvings of animals, and I saw a colorful lizard, so I clicked. The title of the blog entry was Bali: Things That Make You Go Hmm…

The fourth photo down was of some very colorful good luck charms that are um...well...er...let's just say prolly not the sort of gift Sen. DeMint would appreciate. Then again, who knows?

Anyway, it was too weird not to share. O_o

246 Political Atheist  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:06:54pm

re: #209 darthstar

Okay 100% no conspiracy. I would just also submit some longer term issues.
For instance this is a pretty strong indictment of the mainstream news sources. Not just Fox, MSNBC, KPFK.
Getting to where straw man buyers can be arrested on prosecuted.
Look at the CBS timeline in my Page vs the report. Hard to reconcile. And CBS is a relatively trusted source.

247 HappyWarrior  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:07:05pm

re: #244 darthstar

Townhall tried to turn the killing of bin Laden into a negative for the President, suggesting he was setting up the military to take the blame if the assault failed. Sleazy fuckers.

[Link: townhall.com...]

I think the term sleazy fuckers is an insult to actual sleazy fuckers here :). Joshing around aside, just goes to show you how big of an agenda the right wingers in the media have about Obama. Every thing he does has to be a negative. They'd find someway to be upset or discredit him if his policies resulted in Al Queda collapsing.

248 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:07:39pm

re: #243 prairiefire

Cat spit?

Yah, that's it...

249 Feline Fearless Leader  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:08:15pm

re: #239 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

Dave, is that you?

Dave's not here man!

250 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:08:43pm

re: #222 Killgore Trout

Smelling cat butt is not voluntary. It's a requirement when you own the things.

Since when?

251 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:09:14pm

re: #245 CuriousLurker

A coworker went to Bali two months ago and brought me back a penis bottle opener. I keep it in the bar at home. Had it by the beer and soda fridge in the garage but my wife said it wasn't appropriate for my nieces and nephews.

252 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:10:06pm

re: #238 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

I'd like to think that, but there's way too much interbreeding.

Well didn't Neanderthals and Homo Erectus (?) interbreed?

253 Dark_Falcon  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:10:32pm

To be clear, my reply to darthstar was not about the accuracy of the Fortune article. It was concerning what I felt was his rendering an hours-old magazine article 'untouchable', on pain of being regarded then same as 'Lord' Mockten. I felt that to be inappropriate to a forum dedicated to honest debate and hyperbolic.

254 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:12:29pm

re: #251 darthstar

Heh, I can see why she might object with kids around. I was SO not expecting to see those. I almost fell out of my chair. Ah well, cultural diversity!

255 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:13:52pm

re: #254 CuriousLurker

Heh, I can see why she might object with kids around. I was SO not expecting to see those. I almost fell out of my chair. Ah well, cultural diversity!

It was an inside joke, as we had this dev manager who was a total dick so I'd interlace my fingers on top of my head and raise my arms to indicate he was being a penis...only my friend and one other manager were in on the joke, and they would be hard pressed not to lose composure in our management meetings.

256 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:14:04pm

re: #245 CuriousLurker

NSFW: Um...*blinking*...I was just browsing Google Images for Balinese wood carvings of animals, and I saw a colorful lizard, so I clicked. The title of the blog entry was Bali: Things That Make You Go Hmm…

The fourth photo down was of some very colorful good luck charms that are um...well...er...let's just say prolly not the sort of gift Sen. DeMint would appreciate. Then again, who knows?

Anyway, it was too weird not to share. O_o

And you won't let me make a penis or a boob joke.

257 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:14:46pm

re: #255 darthstar

LOL, that's a good one!

258 darthstar  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:14:59pm

re: #256 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

And you won't let me make a penis or a boob joke.

I like being able to open bottles with my penis. Makes me feel manly.

259 CuriousLurker  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:15:28pm

re: #256 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

And you won't let me make a penis or a boob joke.

I knew you were gonna go there!

260 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:17:41pm

re: #252 ggt

Well didn't Neanderthals and Homo Erectus (?) interbreed?

Homo neandertalensis and Homo sapiens did, but there are 7 billion of us now and fast long distance transport.

261 Holidays are Family Fun Time  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:24:57pm

re: #260 Surreptitious Stealth Troll

Homo neandertalensis and Homo sapiens did, but there are 7 billion of us now and fast long distance transport.

Let me keep my imaginings. It helps me cope. And doesn't hurt anybody in the process.

262 b_sharp  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 8:25:45pm

re: #261 ggt

Let me keep my imaginings. It helps me cope. And doesn't hurt anybody in the process.

It's good to dream.

263 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 9:31:19pm

re: #214 Be Zorch, Daddio

South Carolina, the state that brought you the Civil War, more or less.

264 Ojoe  Wed, Jun 27, 2012 9:34:32pm

re: #252 ggt

People of European descent have maybe 3 percent Neanderthal genes, scientists now think, IIRC.

265 Usually refered to as anyways  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 12:35:29am

re: #55 Kragar

I've got no problem with God, but his fan club is a bunch of fucking assholes.

Just let me say as a Christian.
Your hatred for all Christians is duly noted.

266 Eventual Carrion  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 3:21:22am

re: #265 ozbloke

Just let me say as a Christian.
Your hatred for all Christians is duly noted.

If many of them would stop acting like one they could lose that tag. As long as they keep pushing the idea that anyone that doesn't think like them are subhuman they will be considered assholes, because that is how an asshole thinks.

267 Usually refered to as anyways  Thu, Jun 28, 2012 3:26:41am

re: #266 RayFerd

If many of them would stop acting like one they could lose that tag. As long as they keep pushing the idea that anyone that doesn't think like them are subhuman they will be considered assholes, because that is how an asshole thinks.

A man commits a crime, so all men are criminals, I get it now, thanks Ray.
Broad brush much?


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