Friday, March 05, 2004

Scanty Evidence

I am not a scientist, a palentologist, an archaeologist, or specialist of any type.  But I can read and reason.  The theory of evolution, which interests me, is one of those subjects that raises the hackles of creationists, evolutionists and intelligent design proponents.  I have stated before that I accept the theory of evolution, as far as it has been developed to date, but I question it, rather than blindly accepting it.

One of the aspects of studying evolution that seems to always trouble me, are the deductions made based upon evidenced gathered to support evolution.  The evidence, in many instances, is scanty, yet broad statements are made from the bits of evidence gathered.  As an example, I quote new information recently released.

"Key clues to its existence are six fossil teeth found in the Ethiopian desert that have forced researchers to reclassify a type of hominid previously regarded as a “subspecies,” they announced in today’s issue of Science. Ardipithecus kadabba is the new species’ name."

and

"In 2001, they reported their find in Nature based on 11 fossil fragments. They named the find Ardipithecus ramidus kadabba on the assumption that it was a subspecies of Ardipithecus ramidus."

Is it naive of me to wonder how so much can be stated from so little evidence?

The remainder of the article from which the two above quotes are drawn from, details the “harsh” conditions under which the scientists worked to gather these six teeth and eleven fossil fragments.  The sacrifices made by the scientists to gather these fragments, such as "We live in tents for two months, cooking our own food." The horror, the horror.

The article is titled “Ancient teeth point to earliest humans Researchers say new species may be oldest ancestor"

Via Google News.

Update: A short piece by Carl Zimmer, published by Corante, titled “Secrets of the Teeth" and a piece from Scientific American titled “Fossil Human Teeth Fan Diversity Debate." Note Scientific American’s misleading title.  They are not human teeth, as is evidenced from the following statement in the linked article.

"In a report detailing the new findings, published today in the journal Science, Yohannes Haile-Selassie of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History and his colleagues assign the ancient teeth to a new hominid species, Ardipithecus kadabba."

Posted by John Venlet on 03/05 at 07:36 AM
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Straight Talk

"The life of the guy who gets up at 5 a.m. to produce, to work, comes first,” he said in a television interview aired on Thursday. “There will be a thousand reasons why people go out and steal, but I don’t excuse them."

An Argentine Mayor encouraging farmers, who are plagued by thieves, to protect their property, with guns.

Via Wolfesblog.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/05 at 07:28 AM
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Let the Market Work

The United States Telecom Association has been granted a ruling in favor of market forces rather than government forces.  It seems the FCC was forcing Baby Bells to share their networks with their competitors at prices set by the government.  Do you understand what that means?  It means a business owner is told, by the government, to do business the way the government says to do business and to hell with your capitalist interests.  That’s socialism folks.

Additional details can be read at Voluntary Trade.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/05 at 07:14 AM
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Are SciFi and Fantasy Genres Stagnating Society?

Sandy Starr, writing for Spiked, seems to think the two above genres, while not the cause of stagnation, play a distinct role.

"As long as science fiction and fantasy fandom remained a fairly marginal subculture, then while certain fans may have pursued their passion to an unhealthy degree, the existence of the subculture was harmless. But when society as a whole starts to become obsessed with the otherworldly, then society as a whole threatens to go hikikomori - to become more interested in whiling away its time dreaming, than in addressing the real problems that confront it."

That’s from Starr’s article in Spike titled “The geek shall inherit the Earth."

Perry de Havilland, at Samizdata, read Starr’s piece and has a few words to say in response.

"Spiked-online is generally an interesting site, with challenging articles which often hit the nail (more or less) on the head. And sometimes not. In The geek shall inherit the Earth, I think that it would be best to say ‘your meta-context is showing’. I have met Sandy Star, and so can attest the author is a bright agreeable person, but I find myself questioning the thrust of this article even though agreeing with many of the specific points."

Posted by John Venlet on 03/05 at 06:51 AM
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"Hi. My name is Joe. I'm a . . . a voter."

Everybody, “Hi Joe.” Tell us your story.

Via Karen DeCosterr.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/05 at 06:41 AM
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[i]The Passion[/i] Review

What follows was written by my step-daughter, Cami.  She viewed Gibson’s film last night with her best friend, who also resides in our home.  I asked her to write up her impressions of the film, sort of an ambush request, shortly after she returned home, red-eyed from her emotional response to the film.  I’ll leave some concluding remarks at the end.

“I don’t know where to start.  Should I critique this movie based on the acting and quality?  Those who have seen The Passion know it was not made to expose hot actors or directors.  This movie told a story which we are all familiar with.  It was a glimpse of the pain and suffering endured by Jesus, and the ignorance of mankind.  I am one of many who have not had a religious upbringing, and I am still discovering my beliefs.  But I have heard the stories of Jesus Christ, and I know the tale, but like many others I didn’t realize the severity of his suffering.  The Passion portrayed his torture in a true and detailed way.  Some may say it was unrealistic, but Jesus was no ordinary man.  Yet he was only a human being, someone that was passionate and intense about his purpose in life, and knowing what he was born to do, would have an unthinkable amount of strength and endurance to fight to the end.

Throughout the movie, you can’t help but ask yourself “Why?” Why did he do this for me?  For humankind?  The acting and tone only solidified this feeling of doubt and confusion.  The movie was an outstanding visual of what actually happened to Jesus.  You can’t leave the theater without feeling convicted.

It was interesting for me to read this short review.  Not a word about sadism, pseudo-fascism or anti-semitism.  Cami did say some of the film was “gruesome,” but “I made myself watch,” she told me.  Which reviewers have taken more baggage to the film before they penned their learned screeds?  Cami is figuring it out for herself.  I love that kid.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/05 at 05:39 AM
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Thursday, March 04, 2004

It's Gotten Worse, Since Then

"And thus having cleared the forum of all their adversaries, they got their bill for the division of lands established and passed into an act; and not only so, but the whole populace, being taken with this bait, became totally at their devotion, inquiring into nothing and without a word giving their suffrages to whatever they propounded."

Plutarch, commenting, sometime between A.D. 66 to A.D. 106, on Pompey and Caesar colluding.

Plutarch, Plutarch’s Lives, The Dryden Translation, Pompey, pg.773

Posted by John Venlet on 03/04 at 07:19 PM
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Rabblerousing the Fire and Brimstone Vote

Gary Bauer was in Grand Rapids yesterday, I read in The Grand Rapids Press. My dead tree copy noted this with a headline that reads "Religious activist: Culture war is on." I guess they printed that to pander to the staunch ultra-conservative Christian base of voters, who he hopes swing with Bush, because the online headline for the story reads “Bauer says Bush also is fighting war on U.S. soil." Marketing, you gotta love it.

Let’s take a look at some of Bauer’s rhetoric, which was delivered at Cornerstone University here in Grand Rapids.

"On one side, Bauer said, are people who think America “is a place where you get to do what you want, different strokes for different folks, if it feels good, do it. Get as much pleasure, make as much money, grab as much power and don’t let anybody judge you."

I guess that would be me he’s talking about.  Well except for grabbing power, since I don’t want that, and, to be honest, I don’t do things just because they feel good, for the most part.  Does that mean I’m the enemy?

Bauer continues.

"On the other side, he said, are those who “believe this country is still about order and liberty under God. The founders of the country believed it when they referred to the shiny city on the hill."

Which are code words for there ought to be a law and if there isn’t, we’re going to make a new one you heathens.

But, never fear, Lord and Commander Bauer is on the job and recruiting.

"Bauer told Cornerstone University students earlier in the day “you need to go to the front lines, and win some purple hearts and bronze stars.""

The most hilarious part of the entire article is the following disclaimer which appears at the very end of the reporters piece.

"He was speaking figuratively about the culture wars."

No shit.  Stuff a sock in it Bauer.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/04 at 05:42 PM
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There's Another Word That Might Apply - Zealots

Micha Ghertner has an excellent post up concerning Objetivists and Libertarians.  Though it is titled “Word Wars," a substitute title could be “Why They Don’t Get Along.” Micha also included some excellent links, such as this one to the Objectivism Resource Center.

A portion of Micha’s post.

"Some students at Georgia Tech created an Objectivist club this semester. Since I am somewhat interested in Objectivism and the work of Ayn Rand, I’ve attended their meetings. They seem like an amicable bunch, and in my capacity as the chairman of the College Libertarians, I’ve expressed a desire for our groups to work together. I’m of the “Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?” variety of libertarianism, and I truly believe that the differences which seperate Objectivists from non-Objectivist libertarians are small enough to warrant mutual acceptance. But being that some brands of Objectivists pride themselves on their “ideological purity” and refuse to associate with any and all kinds of “whim-worshipers,” this can present difficulties. I’m not up to date on the current intra-political climate among the various Objectivist sects, but from the little that I do know, the Ayn Rand Institute, run by Peikoff, is generally recognized as being the most “pure” and least willing to compromise. Unfortunately, the Tech Objectivist club is closely associated with ARI, so I am worried that my dream of peaceful coexistence may not become a reality."

Posted by John Venlet on 03/04 at 05:30 PM
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It Took Naomi Wolf 20 Years

Rape is a despicable crime.  I would have no compunction in regards to terminating a rapist, though I am fairly certain I would think for a long time about the fact that I had to end another individual’s life.

I am thinking about this right at the moment because I just read an article in The Times Herald about an alleged rapist who was acquitted.  The headline for the article is “Former juror: ‘Gay defense’ a non-factor."

Directly below the headline, also in bold, is this, which I am guessing, is a sort of disclaimer for the headline.

"The gay defense played no role in a Montgomery County jury’s decision last December to acquit a former Jenkintown karate instructor of the major charges against him in connection with the alleged sexual assaults of two teenage females, according to one of the jurors."

So, what did play a role in the jury’s decision to acquit.

""It was a question of credibility, whether we could believe the girls, and we did not find them convincing beyond a reasonable doubt,” said the juror, asking that her name not be disclosed.
Of particular concern to the jurors, she said, was the length of time it took for the girls to report their allegations to authorities."

Ah, the length of time.  So, the girls came forward at age 16 and stated that the alleged rapes or assaults took place over a 3 year period.  If my math is serving me correctly, that would mean the girls were first allegedly raped or assaulted at age 13.

Now, I didn’t sit on the jury and the article does not provide all the information I would need to make a sound judgment, but, if Naomi Wolf can be “credible” 20 years later, and she allegedly was a mature college student when her alleged incident occurred, why can’t two young girls testimony be credible after only 3 years?

Article link via The Obscure Store.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/04 at 02:50 PM
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Palate Cleanser

Due to the number of recent posts here exploring various viewpoints of Theism, Atheism, Deism and what have you, along with the comment threads associated with those posts, I thought a palate cleanser would be in order.

"Everybody’s wonderin’ what and where they all came from.
Everybody’s worryin’ ‘bout where they’re gonna go when the whole thing’s done.
But no one knows for certain and so it’s all the same to me.
I think I’ll just let the mystery be.

Some say once you’re gone you’re gone forever, and some say you’re gonna come back.
Some say you rest in the arms of the Saviour if in sinful ways you lack.
Some say that they’re comin’ back in a garden, bunch of carrots and little sweet peas.
I think I’ll just let the mystery be.

Everybody’s wonderin’ what and where they all came from.
Everybody’s worryin’ ‘bout where they’re gonna go when the whole thing’s done.
But no one knows for certain and so it’s all the same to me.
I think I’ll just let the mystery be.

Instrumental break.

Some say they’re goin’ to a place called Glory and I ain’t saying it ain’t a fact.
But I’ve heard that I’m on the road to purgatory and I don’t like the sound of that.
Well, I believe in love and I live my life accordingly.
But I choose to let the mystery be.

Everybody’s wonderin’ what and where they all came from.
Everybody’s worryin’ ‘bout where they’re gonna go when the whole thing’s done.
But no one knows for certain and so it’s all the same to me.
I think I’ll just let the mystery be.
I think I’ll just let the mystery be."

Iris DeMent, Infamous Angel, LET THE MYSTERY BE (Iris DeMent)
(c) 1992 Songs of Iris/Forerunner Music, Inc. ASCAP

A loud hallelujah and Amen to that.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/04 at 12:13 PM
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I Think I Like This Girl

Writing for Liberty for All, an online magazine, Rachel Mills adds to the gay marriage debate.  Her piece is titled “What’s Gov Got to Do With It?" and is worth reading.  The final two paragaphs.

"As far as social acceptance… the law can stop/punish the sticks and stones, and it already does. But the words and the dirty looks you’ll just have to live with. They are part of freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of dirty looks. Unless you want government cameras trained on YOU watching for YOUR dirty looks, let others have theirs. It’s a paltry price to pay.

Get married in the big pouffy dress, throw a big Cinderella ball. Just skip the courthouse. And without that eeevil thing called the “marriage penalty” - you’ll easily be able to afford that attorney."

Note to JTK:  I nominate Ms. Mills for “Your daily pic.”

Posted by John Venlet on 03/04 at 08:30 AM
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I Enjoy My Atheist Friends, Alot

Richard Nikoley waded through the posts below linking to Roderick Long, Bob Murphy, etcetera.  Richard has a post up, if this subject matter interests you, titled “Gee-Zus-Christ.” A short portion of Richard’s post.

"As an atheist, I often find it odd that two of my favorite “affirmations” are “God-dammit” and “Gee-Zus-Christ.” I guess it’s a sign of how deeply rooted and connected are some of our mythology.

I had intended a post on something entirely different, but that will have to wait. I made the mistake of trying to catch up on reading some other blogs that I frequent, and something caught my eye. So, here I go: another post on religion."

Sorry to have led you into the minefield Richard.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/04 at 08:13 AM
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The Two Americas Explained

The two Americas.  I’ll unite them.  Is this to be the presidential campaign slogan of choice?  It’s definitely simple enough for the voters to grasp.  Have a peanut.

Hugh Hewitt took at look at the two Americas and had this to say.

"The dividing line between Americans runs between those who are serious about the world and the nation and those who are silly on these subjects."

Serious and silly.  That’s about right.  The problem is silly usually wins the day.

Read Hewitt’s entire piece here.

Via PrestoPundit.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/04 at 07:58 AM
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Bastards

Do you still have your appendix?  I don’t, and I know the pain associated with appendicitis.  My Dad doesn’t have his appendix either, and I vividly recall my Mum and I picking him up at the Philly airport in 1976 when he was suffering from a ruptured appendix.  I recall it so vividly because when my Dad walked off the plane, he could barely walk and I thought he looked no different than a cadaver in a coffin.  He barely survived.

Claire Wolfe fingers a story about Omar Paisley, a seventeen year old youth who died while in the custody of Miami authorities.  Callous seems too gentle a word to describe the attitude Paisley’s jailers displayed while he suffered.  Unlike my Dad, Paisley didn’t stand a chance while in the hands of the state.

Here’s the story.

Posted by John Venlet on 03/04 at 07:39 AM
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