jlc

I agree that this is "Islam's Darkest Hour". This is the Islamic equivalent of the Inquisition - a despicable episode in the history of a religion. Y'all know that I disagree with the notion that Islam is per se evil or violent; it was the refuge for civilization and rationality from about the 7th to the 15th centuries.

Now, however, unlike the world of the Inquisition, we live in a world where it is visible to the other countries of the world that the extremist Muslims are behaving like children having tantrums with modern weaponry: "I want it MY WAY! And if I do not get it MY WAY I will blow you up and cut off your head!"

I think that the similarity between the 'quiet condoners' and the German people during WWII is notable. The German people mostly agreed that Jews were evil and that Germany's problems were all their fault...but the typical person was not inclined to do more than snub a Jew on the street. They did not want to kill a Jew; they certainly did not want to defend a Jew.

I think we now have this situation in the ME. I think that the majority of the people probably vaguely agree that 'their' brand of Islam is the right one, and that all of the other religions and sects are causing the problem. But they don't want to go out and cut anyone's head off...they just want to live their traditional lives. This gives the real bad guys a huge basis for their operations, though.

Either we need to kill all of the bad guys (or enough such that the remaining ones are cowering in the corner) or we need to remove their popular base.

Jan

...and 'settled science' is an oxymoron!

Jan

Yes. The arable farm land footprint was actually shrinking (as was the Sahara!) and forests were increasing all over the world...until biofuels caused more land to be put under cultivation (and deprived world populations of maize) and energy restrictions forced people to start cutting down trees for wood to warm their houses.

Jan

They are fools.

Jan

ClubMed used bead money, as I recall. I do not know if you purchased this money with US dollars or if you were 'given' an initial string of beads (and then bought additional beads). ClubMed found that people spent more if they used bead-money than they did when they purchased goods or services in dollars.

I assume that chips in gambling work the same way.

So, the two examples of fiat money I can think of are both due to trying to 'fool' people into behaving less rationally by changing money that they perceive as 'real' into money that they think of as 'Monopoly money'.

This does not speak well for rational behavior if a variety of different coinages were available.

Jan

From the bleachers, it sounds like she was a power-junkie - and that she was the type of person who would have claimed that there was an abortion whether or not there was one. She seems to have been playing every card she could get her slimy hands on to gain dominance over you.

I hope that she is Long Ago and Far Away - preferably in another galaxy.

Jan

If I get any good video clips of my fighting or jousting, I will send them to you or post a link.

Jan

What it comes down to is Power. When you have a power-based advantage, it serves as a touchstone to your character: Do you use that power as a prerogative to protect others or to take advantage of them?

I apologize for my entire gender subset, that you were subject to that despicable behavior by a woman.

Jan

Laugh over morning coffee! Thanks johnpe.

Jan

I have had a good time, standing next to gay guys during long and boring ceremonies, pointing out exceptionally fine bits of eye candy to each other.

Jan

Your mémère had a lot to put up with, Timelord. Take it easy on the lady.

I would encourage you to post that advertisement. The 'right' solution to this mess is for people who personally support alternative forms of marriage to be the ones who delight in conducting them. The ministers who are only comfortable with traditional marriages should be able to continue to conduct those ceremonies and not be forced to conform to standards with which they do not agree.

Jan

Perhaps I explained myself poorly #6. This is what I meant: http://www.amazon.com/Ancestral-Journeys...

There IS such a thing as 'race' genetically, it just does not have much to do with our common use of the word.

Jan, a free woman (I put that tag line on just for you #6)

You are not bad with the metaphorical version thereof. Logic cuts more chains than swords do.

Jan

Agreed. Either is a great 'leveler' for the strength difference.

Jan

Ha! Good.

Jan

The article makes strong but unsupported statements. I prefer MichaelAarethun's version, given on this thread.

I also would like to suggest that we resist the demonization of famous men. It is not accurate to whitewash Lincoln as a saint; it is also not accurate to tear to shreds someone who was both fallible and a politician...but who is a lot better than the politicians we have on top today.

Jan

The article is a bit stream-of-consciousness, but it does review a lot of relevant research. I would say that 'race' exists, but not the way we think of it: it exists on a genetic level.

There are clusters of genes that are identified with one place-of-origin or another. These genes could be labeled Black or Asian if one wanted to trumpet the race linkage. Each of these genes drifts around the world separately. So it is possible that a British man could have 'one gene' that is Black in origin - and that gene could have a medical consequence.

So, while it is technically better to just call the genes by their names, it would be possible for someone to accurately claim that 'these genes are Black' (such as the genes that relate to the unknown hominin). If you have one of those genes, then ultimately it came from a Black ancestor.

Jan

Beautiful phrase. I praise your phrase!

Jan, stealing it now...MWAHAHahahahah!

Down with slavery. All forms of it: Not a consensual relationship, should not happen.

It really tightens my jaw to think of all the women all over the world who are sold into a marriage they despise, and which they cannot legally escape. The freedom to "not" is crucial.

Jan

With a gay or bi JP, the new couple can find someone with a lot of empathy. I am happy you are present in that role to change, "I am required to do this." into "Glad to see y'all."

Jan

Good summation.

Stossel was hot in his hippie days. Those eyes!

Jan, likes eye candy

Bravo. You are well named.

Jan

Absolutely.

I think it is crucial to distinguish between the lack of barrier to marriage and the actions of the 'liberal terrorists' who inflict themselves on the private lives of other people. Perhaps the point needs to be made to them that their right to have their personal life-style decisions indicates that other people require the right to their own decisions as well.

Jan

Yeah...but then you are probably pissed off at some jerk or other most of the time. Justifiably. Shrug and keep on going; it is better for your health. I do not mean to diminish the value of your rightful ire, just commenting on the current bozo ratio in gov.

The right thing to do is to prevent restrictions on freedom and let the rest sort itself out.

Jan

I cannot make the world 'all better', Alas! But I can try to mentally keep the issues straight.

'Gay marriage' now has universal permission to exist in the US. (This is not the end of the world.) 'Permission' does not equal 'requirement'.

If a particular church/pastor refuses to perform gay marriages* then that is their right to do so. If the congregation of that church goes elsewhere over the years, then that is people 'voting with their feet'; likewise if the congregation doubles.

Jan
*or bakeries, gay wedding cakes