Why the posts about the Pope?

[Brian]

See the problem with evolution is that it is a complex thing. Do I
believe that evolution exists? Yes. Do I believe man has evolved?
Yes. Do I "accept" evolution as fact? Not in man's current
understanding of it. That is why it is called a theory.

Well, all of science is a collection of theories so that's hardly a
disgrace!

Einstein had theories. Some of those theories were proved wrong.
I accept that man's current understanding of evolution explains a
lot, but I also accept that man's theories are often flawed and are
continually evolving.

What is a theory anyway - nothing more than a self consistent idea
that explains current observations and (ideally) makes predictions
that (ideally) can be experimentally tested. If the theory passes
that test, we can have a little more confidence in it but it will
continue to be tested ever more subtly.

All scientific theories are contunually put to the test and
modified or rejected if they fail the test. This is not an
admission of weakness, it's the fundamemtal strength of the
scientific method and the reason why it is the best thinking
technique we have or are ever likely to have...

It's interesting that a lot of people fail to understand the
process of science - often thinking it is about "proving facts" and
as a result fail to understand what science is, when to appreciate
its success or understand its failures.

That is one of the reasons I would never out right denounce the existence of a supreme being. Man's understanding of the Universe is so limited that I would hate to rule out something that is so little understood.

--
Brian

 

[mamallama]

Here is a true fact:

Cardinal Law who protected sexually abusive priests in Boston was honored by the Vatican to preside over funeral Masses for JP2. So much for coming down harshly.

--mamallama

Get your facts stright. JP2 not only publicly condemned such abuse,
he also came down harshly. Do a Google.

Classic Man

I agree - you should get your facts straight before you condemn
someone else for telling the truth about the Popes behavior. Do
your own google and see what went on here in Boston. Please tell me
how Cardinal Law was punished for his acts here, or more correctly,
how he was rewarded with a vatican job instead of going to prison
where he belongs. perhaps you forgot that part of the pope's
stewardship or your ignorant of the facts. The truth is he did
nothing. He is resposible and you can't change that with wishful
thinking about what a great man he was.

 

[Brian]

How many unnecessary deaths did Clinton's fling cause?

How many times did countries offer to turn Bin Laden over to the U.S. and Clinton did nothing about it. How many lives did that lead to? Had Bin Ladden been captured a long time ago, perhaps 9/11 wouldn't have happened and if 9/11 hadn't happened, Bush would have had a much harder time pushing through with the Iraq deal.

Of course you can come up with all kinds of conspiracy theories to try and blame Bush for 9/11, but I tend to dismiss them pretty quickly. And then

I don't blame Bush or Clinton for the middle East. The Middle East has been a hot spot for war for 4 thousand years. I suspect that won't change any time soon.

---

--------

--
Brian

 

[zackiedawg]

The mobbing behaviour is a built in defensive instinct and Nature
doesn't encourage the profligate waste of energy so if they do this
it's because historically it is a tactic that has proven more
successful than not doing it.

And would the same not be true of the union of smaller and less powerful nations against a larger and stronger one...that it is a more successful strategy? And it would carry with it the intrinsic advantage of allowing those smaller nations to make said attack in order to deflect attention from their own wrongdoings by pointing out the wrongdoings of a larger and more threatening entity in the minds of those other smaller nations. Simply put, France's egregious moral, social, and political atrocities, or the human rights violations routinely committed by most middle eastern nations, can seem less threatening as a global superpower portrayed as a selfish right-wing fanatical nation of bible-toters eager to attack and overthrow the rest of the world with their cultural, moral, religious, and political influences. Despite the fact that the rest of the world voluntarily adopted most of those influences, through the demands of their populace. Ironically, once those most desired and valuable influences have taken hold in other nations, namely the freedom to speak out and the freedom of press, it is used against the very western cultures that fostered the concept.

That Muslim extremists eager to return to a more traditional and extreme translation of islamic law and culture are using capitalistic means to finance their efforts, using media outlets to spread fear, prejudice, and misinformation, and forcing their followers to follow extreme sacrifices that the leaders of those movements have no ontention of following themselves, speaks volumes about the eager and voluntary adaptation of western values and not a forced or invading influence from evil western and right-wing conspiracies.

And that European nations who share the same democratic, social, religious, and economic ambitions, beliefs, and corruptions as the United States and Britian are willing to portray those very traits they exhibit as indicative of the evils of western influence ruining other cultures and consuming resources, while at the same time exhibiting their own greed and cultural invasion through exclusive oil, consumable, building, and engineering contracts with extremists, shows the two-faced irony of the European Union and the UN.

When extremist muslim mullahs and leaders are living in hovels, strapping bombs to their own chests, and blowing themselves up in the name of allah to ascend to the wonderful afterlife they supposedly believe in, instead of living in huge compounds and mansions, with squadrons of armed limos and SUVs, with private chefs and millions in the bank, and sending ignorant followers to their deaths, then they will show their true belief and commitment to a cause which they truly believe to be threatening their existence.

Our difference from the blue jays and crows is our ability to create threat where none exists, or to exxagerate the size or severity of a threat. Where the blue jays have a black-and-white internal definition of a threat, we have many levels of grey...but we have the ability to change or enhance those greys to seem much more black or white in order to deceive our own kind.

--
Justin

 

[mamallama]

How many unnecessary deaths did Clinton's fling cause?

At least the number of people that were killed in the bombing of that pharmaceutical plant during Clinton's "wag the dog" fiasco.

--mamallama

 

[Tony Hall]

--
Photography Blog: http://www.tonyhall.name . Take a look and leave feedback.

Photographers in Southwest Ohio, join our digital photography group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thephotogs/

Tony

 

[Classic Man]

Get your facts stright. JP2 not only publicly condemned such abuse,
he also came down harshly. Do a Google.

Classic Man

I agree - you should get your facts straight before you condemn
someone else for telling the truth about the Popes behavior. Do
your own google and see what went on here in Boston. Please tell me
how Cardinal Law was punished for his acts here, or more correctly,
how he was rewarded with a vatican job instead of going to prison
where he belongs. perhaps you forgot that part of the pope's
stewardship or your ignorant of the facts. The truth is he did
nothing. He is resposible and you can't change that with wishful
thinking about what a great man he was.

You make it seem as if it was the Pope who abused children, or it was he who purportedly did some form of cover up.

Why don't you put the blame where it belongs: on the local Boston authorities, who could & should have pursued the case? (I am assuming there WAS a case).

You know what, Jim? People like you really pi$$ me off, people who couldn't give 2 hoots about the alleged abused kids, & use any unproven claim to attack a public figure you disagree with, or just throw mud at an institution you don't agree with.

Let me repeat it to you, Jimmy:

grow up.

 

[Classic Man]

Here is a true fact:

Cardinal Law who protected sexually abusive priests in Boston was
honored by the Vatican to preside over funeral Masses for JP2. So
much for coming down harshly.

It was an Austrian who presided over the funeral masses for JP2.

My post to Jim applies also to you:

You make it seem as if it was the Pope who abused children, or it was he who purportedly did some form of cover up.

Why don't you put the blame where it belongs: on the local Boston authorities, who could & should have pursued the case? (I am assuming there WAS a case).

You know what, mama? People like you really pi$$ me off, people who couldn't give 2 hoots about the alleged abused kids, & use any unproven claim to attack a public figure you disagree with, or just throw mud at an institution you don't agree with.

Let me repeat it to you as well, lamaguy:

grow up.

 

[Classic Man]

...Or what?

Oh yes, we're on the 'net, where all & sundry share opinions on all subjects, in all types of Forums.

You can't stand the "Pope" topic?

Give it a pass.

 

[brianj]

I saw some of the theatrical events that took place at the Vatican last night. It struck me that it was all just theatre and acting to create a play if you like. Somewhat like Evita or Phantom of the Opera, in an attempt to elevate the importance of the Pope. It was beautifully acted, and should have won an award.

What a load of nonsense it was!

Brian

 

[Classic Man]

This dialogue has proven how people may have differing POV & perceptions of the same persons/events/institutions.

All more reason to be respectful to other people's opinions.

Keep it up, guys!