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What the heck is wrong with people these days? Boortz today basically called Obama a fascist and a socialist. Is he serious? Really Boortz.. A fascist? I wonder if he even knows what that word means?

Boortz did this while correcting a wacky caller who was asserting that Obama was not in fact an american citizen. The thing that really annoys me is that all the ditto heads out there are repeating this bull crap as if it is true. Obama is a capitalist - not a socialist. Yes, he is a liberal and he believes in helping out the little guy - but for crying out loud - that does not make him a socialist.

Again, words matter. Words have specific meanings - that’s why there’s this thing called a dictionary. Either Boortz is stupid and doesn’t know what these words mean, or he’s smart enough and knows what they mean but is just manipulating his listeners. I bet the latter is more likely to be the case. Either he needs to pick up a dictionary (not a newspeak dictionary).

Here’s the webster definitions of socialism and fascism.

Socialism - a system of society or group living in which there is no private property b: a system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state

Fascism - a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition

I understand why these liars keep misusing the english language - many people are stupid enough to think that they (the radio/tv personalities) are actually being honest. It’s sad but true - we are really a bunch of silly sheep if we continue to support these menaces to clear thinking (Boortz, Limbaugh, Hannity, O’Reilly, and the rest).

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Here’s an example of how religion can prevent you from thinking critically. How this mother sleeps at night is beyond me.

Read an update to the story here

From PZ’s site;

The boy with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and whose parents wanted to treat him with herbs, is back in Minnesota, and most importantly, in the hospital. The poor kid now has to face a painful chemotherapy regimen on top of having a lunatic for a mother — it’s good that he’ll get the treatment he needs, but I wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.

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If camels were braniacs like us, would they watch the kind of nonsensical pop and fluff that we watch on TV these days? Would they spend hour upon hour glued to the tube watching horrible renditions of mediocre Jackson Five songs? Would they tune in for the bachelor or the always fascinating America’s Top Model?

In my twisted view… I think camels would probably watch PBS (except for the British comedies) mostly for Nature and Nova and for the occasional Austin City Limits.  What do you think camels would watch if they had big brains like us? Would they watch the remake of 90120? I hope not. How about The Biggest Loser? Nah… loosing weight would mean loosing one’s hump or humps (depending on the variety of camel you happened to be). No, that wouldn’t be cool. Not if you were a camel - a camel with brains that is.

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PZ posted a link to a discussion between an atheist (August Berkshire) and some Christian fundies regarding August’s review of a Chirstian Apologist Robby Z’s lecture on Sunday.

http://www.kkms.com/

http://rapidshare.com/files/202180499/KKMS_2009-02-24_AugustBerkshire.asf

It was a pretty good discussion (I guess you could say that).  They actually let August the Atheist talk quite a bit. Here are some very loosely transcribed bits from the discussion.

Fundies - When you go into something like this… When you go to see Robby speak.   Are you able to go in just to hear the message… or are you busy taking notes.. are you always critically listening to the messages… or are you able to absorb the message?

August - Well in this case since I knew was going on to be on a radio show, I took notes…

Later in the show…

August the atheist- “There are plenty of happy atheists.”

Fundy Talkshow Dudes - On the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. Why has so many people been influenced by Jesus Christ. The apologist argued that the human race has become kinder because of Jesus’ impact on mankind…

August  basically argues that Plato, Budha, and Socrates have probably had the same effect. Their influece has spanned history. 

Fundy Talkshow Dude - Early scientists were Christians… bla bla

August - Yeah… True - but “most modern scientists are atheists.”

August the atheist -”The title of the apologist lecture: Who was Jesus”. August explains that the Apologist made the argument that Jesus was equal to god. August the atheist disagrees with this by quoting John 14:28 - “I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”

 Caller (Mike) - I just want to make a comment. Atheists are pulling scriptures out of context. That’s a huge mistake. Who is this being written to. What is this culture this was being written to. It’s a huge mistake.

August - The bible contradicts itself.

Fundie hosts - The trinity is kookie. But jesus came to submit to father. He was co-equal in my opinion.

August - I do try not to take things out of context. I do my best….

Fundie hosts - discussion about reading the bible word for word vs. reading it in context… they suggest we should read the bible with commentary.

August - this is not a mistranslation.

Caller - (to august) thank you for what you are doing. Pharyngula is mentioned.

August talks about positive atheism. Tells atheists to do your research and stay calm, etc..

Caller - the bible is not difficult. it’s confused.

August - Atheists have already won (the intellectual battle).  I’m here to share the good news.

Fundies play a clip of PZ  calling the fundies - ”sleezebags and liars.”

August - the quote was a misunderstanding. PZ was upset about the way the interview was conducted….

Fundies - PZ is the liar.  bla bla… I’ll show you the emails… bla bla.

During the break - One of the news stories is about Sean Penn and his “shame” speech regarding the lack of equal rights for homosexuals. I don’t understand why the fundies have such a big problem with the idea that gays should have equal rights.

August discusses problems with the apologist arguments.

Fundies - How can you find absolutes in a relative world? bla bla… The problem in the middle east comes down to a lack of forgiveness.

August - If you took away the religion in the middle east, they’d probably get along.

Fundies - If you are going to live forever… to be perfect you have to live without sin. bla bla. Jesus defeated Satan. bla bla..

August - Imperfections make life interesting.

August - the old testament god is an evil god. Dawkins says God is one the most unsavory…

Fundies - I am not going to impugn god because my lack of understanding. If you do research… there is a good reason why god responded to people in that way (translation - why he was such a dick in the old testament)

August - the whole scheme of salvation doesn’t make sense…. the meaning of hell… if I’m not saved I am going to go to hell.

Fundies - Jesus saves us from himself… believe me if I set this up. that wouldn’t make sense to me either. bla bla… If you choose not to love me (god), go ahead - you can reject me. Go ahead - god will…

August - the old testament god doesn’t come across as a petty maniac to you?

Fundies - … this sounds kookie to me… but it doesn’t… look how god set this up…. bla bla

August - either the old testament writers were not talking about Jesus or the new testament writers read the old testament and therefore made the prophecies fit the old testament… There is no proof that Jesus was born in bethlehem. Isnt’ their two birth stories?

Fundies… I don’t..

Caller - Thank you August for being open.  you mentioned that atheism is winning the war intellectually. Are your convictions such that you think this is a war?…

August - war is a metaphor. .. mentions a science mag cover story - “how you brain creates god”. Scientists are looking at out how our brains create god…

Caller - you were using the word (war) casually. Wondering how passionate you were about this?

August - I am passionate about this. I think there are some downsides to Christianity…. The atheists say we all have intrinsic worth….

Fundies - All sinners are in the same boat (gays… etc.)..

August - Gays have it worse than the rest….

August - We are all born neutral. For a Christian, you are always in that state (sinner)….

*Commercial Break*

Fundies - Interesting hour….

Caller (geeny) - It’s wonderful that this radio station is allowing this….

Fundies - yeah… bla bla

Caller (tim) - August, you made the comment that god has nothing to do with justice. Where do you get your definition of justice? I’m an atheist and I think stealing a car is fine…. (reject caller continues with his stupid argument)

August - We evolved as social beings, we evoled to get along with each other….

Fundies - where did these things come from?

August - discussion of gay marriage.

Caller - plenty of people (atheist and non-Christians) that think it’s okay to kill.

August - Christians as well… drops a little history on them…

Fundies - Are the whales that beach themselves trying to evolve back to land animals?

August gives reasonable answer - nature is not perfect.

New Caller - August is talking about science, but I don’t hear you say anything about spirit?

August - there is nothing to talk about.   

Fundies - What is personality? Where does it come from?

August gives the naturalistic answer (chemicals, etc…)

Caller - the natural mind can not understand spiritual things… in order to become a christian … you must submit yourself (translation - turn your brain off). Atheist should ask, seek, and be humble (translation - become like sheep).

August - a lot of atheists have that. They have asked god to come into their heart, but got only silence.

Fundies - God bless you August (why not “god bless all the atheists and sinners doomed for hell” while you are at it)

August plugs  http://www.atheists.org/

>> I can’t believe they actually let him speak that much on a Christian radio show!

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You would think that the global warming debate would be pretty much over at this point, but that is not the case.

Fivethiryeight.com has an interesting piece on this subject.

I have to agree with Nate’s comments - “That so little progress has been made on climate change and sustainable energy in spite of the overwhelming economic, environmental and national security imperatives to do so is perhaps the single greatest indictment of our democracy.”

I don’t understand why so many people have a problem understanding the data that shows the earth is warming.

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