August 2005 Archives
« July 2005 | Main | September 2005 »
August 31, 2005
Some Loot, Others Find, While Others Think Katrina Can Teach Us About Hilary Clinton
This has been all over the blogosphere, but for those who haven't heard anything about it read these two captions from Yahoo Photos and try to guess which picture is of white folks and which is of black folks. It...Read all of "Some Loot, Others Find, While Others Think Katrina Can Teach Us About Hilary Clinton"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:07 PM
| Read more on Current Events |
| Abnormal Comments (0)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
Gezer Stuff
The Bible and Interpretation has a link to a page with a series of pictures of Gezer, a very brief account of it's geography and history. There are also a few links to other "Gezer" specific site. I don't remember...
Posted by Duane Smith at 11:53 AM
| Read more on Archaeology |
| Abnormal Comments (0)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
August 30, 2005
Chris Mooney and the War on Science
There are nineteen duplicates of complete works in our family library of over 2000 volumes. Of these, six are works by Mark Twain. The others range from the Bible to Great Gatsby to Plato's Republic. I am about to acquire...Read all of "Chris Mooney and the War on Science"
Posted by Duane Smith at 1:26 PM
| Read more on Science - General |
| Abnormal Comments (0)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
August 29, 2005
Two Dead Soldiers, Two Reasons to Bash Gays
Well, here they go again. SMYRNA, Tenn. - Members of a church say God is punishing American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays, and they brought their anti-gay message to the funerals Saturday of two Tennessee soldiers killed...Read all of "Two Dead Soldiers, Two Reasons to Bash Gays"
Posted by Duane Smith at 11:48 AM
| Read more on Current Events |
| Abnormal Comments (0)
| TrackBack (1)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
August 28, 2005
He Doesn't Know the Meaning of the Word Fear
I just finished reading Matthew Cooper's article "Bush's Long Hot Summer" in Time Online Edition and was struck by a quote from Mark McKinnon, Bush's media advisor. One of the things that's real consistent about this President is that he...Read all of "He Doesn't Know the Meaning of the Word Fear"
Posted by Duane Smith at 1:46 PM
| Read more on Odds and Ends |
| Abnormal Comments (0)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
Where is the Content?
A good article on the difference between biological science and Intelligent Design creationism by Philosopher Daniel C. Dennett is in today's New York Times. The punch line: Intelligent design itself does not have any content. And Dennett takes that from...Read all of "Where is the Content?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 11:21 AM
| Read more on Evolution |
| Abnormal Comments (0)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
August 27, 2005
Relativism: for Creationists, Sometimes it's Good and Sometimes it's Bad
The Baptist Press carried an article, "Evolution & Christianity 'incompatible,' Mohler says in NPR forum" in its August 24th online edition. Here is the heart of Mohler's thesis: Moreover, evolutionary theory stands at the base of moral relativism and the...Read all of "Relativism: for Creationists, Sometimes it's Good and Sometimes it's Bad"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:08 PM
| Read more on Religion |
| Abnormal Comments (0)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
August 26, 2005
A Pro-Science Article with a Purpose
I've recently taken a whack at some poor journalism on science. I'd like to point to an op-ed article in today's Los Angeles Times that I think hits at least one of the nails on the head. The opinion piece...Read all of "A Pro-Science Article with a Purpose"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:06 PM
| Read more on Evolution |
| Abnormal Comments (1)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
August 25, 2005
The Discovery Institute's List Grows Shorter
Richard Hoppe on The Panda's Thumb and Ed Brayton on Dispatches from the Culture Wars direct us to an article in the Seattle Times about Bob Davidson, a retired nephrology professor and a devout Christian, who had his name taken...Read all of "The Discovery Institute's List Grows Shorter"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:18 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
Feet Hurt? What Shoes May Have Done to Our Feet Over 26,000 Years Ago
A new study indicates that our species may have put on hard shoes between 40,000 and 26,000 years ago. The study published in Journal of Archaeological Science and reviewed on the BBC website indicates that by wearing shoes the four...Read all of "Feet Hurt? What Shoes May Have Done to Our Feet Over 26,000 Years Ago"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:58 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
Tyler William's Article on the Leviticus Scroll Fragment is Available
You may remember that a few weeks ago I blogged on a new Leviticus Scroll fragment that had turned up. Tyler Williams now has a very interesting article on it. You can read Tyler's article in the August 19th edition...Read all of "Tyler William's Article on the Leviticus Scroll Fragment is Available"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:51 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
William Demdski in the Postmodern Age
Last night on Uncommon Descent William Dembski took issue with my post criticizing Kenneth Chang's piece in the New York Times. I did what might be called a form critical analysis of Chang's article and pointed out that it was...Read all of "William Demdski in the Postmodern Age"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:14 AM
| Read more on Evolution |
| Abnormal Comments (1)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
August 24, 2005
Pat Robertson on Assassinating Hugo Chavez
Pat Robertson needs a rest, a long rest. He said the US should assassinate Hugo Chavez. Then he said he was misquoted "as usual." Then he said he wasn't misquoted and apologized for saying it. Well, that about covers all...Read all of "Pat Robertson on Assassinating Hugo Chavez"
Posted by Duane Smith at 6:56 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
Now John McCain Wants to Teach Creationism
In an article on John McCain's presumed presidential ambitions, the www.arizonastar.com reports the following On Tuesday, though, he sided with the president on two issues that have made headlines recently: teaching intelligent design in schools and Cindy Sheehan, the grieving...Read all of "Now John McCain Wants to Teach Creationism"
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:00 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 23, 2005
Theocracy on the March
If you don't believe there is a real threat of the US becoming a theocracy read Stephanie Simon's article, "Grooming Politicians for Christ", in today's Los Angeles Times. Here is a sample or two: Nearly every Monday for six months,...Read all of "Theocracy on the March"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:37 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 22, 2005
Scientists or Creationists - On the Correct Order of Presentation
Much has already been said about Kenneth Chang's unfortunate article, "In Explaining Life's Complexity, Darwinists and Doubters Clash" in today's New York Times . This free publicity for Intelligent Design creationism makes Jodi Wilgoren's piece in yesterday's Times look like...Read all of "Scientists or Creationists - On the Correct Order of Presentation"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:47 PM
| Read more on Evolution |
| Abnormal Comments (2)
| TrackBack (1)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
Aram of Many Names
The Yahoo Ugaritic News Group is, unfortunately, mostly a spam collection point but back in June someone asked what term was used in the Hebrew Bible for the region we now call Syria. I was reminded of this the other...Read all of "Aram of Many Names"
Posted by Duane Smith at 11:16 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 21, 2005
New Einstein Manuscript Found
A student recently discovered a sixteen-page handwritten manuscript of a paper by Albert Einstein in Leiden University's Lorentz Institute for Theoretical Physics' archives. The manuscript, "Quantum theory of the monatomic ideal gas" dated December 1924, was discovered by Rowdy Boeyink,...Read all of "New Einstein Manuscript Found"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:24 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
The Teach the Controversy Debate from an American Indian Prospective
Indian Country, which bills itself as "the Nation's Leading American Indian News Source" recently, published an editorial that gets to the heart of the debate over what should and shouldn't be taught in our public schools. The level of distortion...Read all of "The Teach the Controversy Debate from an American Indian Prospective"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:16 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 19, 2005
Jews and Muslims and Secularists - Oh My
I'm confused. Aside from rallying the troops at the Catholic Church's World Youth Day, exactly what does Pope Benedict envision for Germany and Europe after he leaves? My confusion was aroused after reading an Associated Press article on his visit...Read all of "Jews and Muslims and Secularists - Oh My"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:00 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
Libraries: They're About Content
I've always liked libraries. I've even written about their plight here on Abnormal Interests. So the article in this morning's Los Angeles Times on the problems that the neighboring San Bernardino County Library system is having caught my interest. "It's...Read all of "Libraries: They're About Content"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:26 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 18, 2005
Why Don't Oil and Conservation Mix?
Tom Huff is manager of the Energy Research Center of the Netherlands and he is worried. "If we run out of fossil fuels -- by the time the oil price hits 100 dollars or plus, people will be screaming for...Read all of "Why Don't Oil and Conservation Mix?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 9:51 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 16, 2005
Saint Catherine's Monastery to be Restored
The Egyptian Minister of Culture made the following announcement, Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni has sanctioned project to develop Saint Catherine Monastery in South Sinai and the nearby area at a total cost of LE 25 Million [~$4.3M] in 24...Read all of "Saint Catherine's Monastery to be Restored"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:24 PM
| Read more on Archaeology |
| Abnormal Comments (2)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
Don't Pee in Your Laptop, At Least not Yet
Yesterday's Register reports on a new technology targeted at biomedical monitoring applications that uses urine to activate a very small thin battery. The battery is composed of paper, soaked in copper chloride, sandwiched between layers of magnesium and copper. The...Read all of "Don't Pee in Your Laptop, At Least not Yet"
Posted by Duane Smith at 6:59 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 15, 2005
The Truth About the Cambrian Explosion
If you're interested in the significance of the Cambrian 'explosion,' PZ Myers at Pharyngula offers a great summary of the current state of the science. My summary of his summary: There are fossils and trace fossils of phosphatized embryos, soft-bodied...Read all of "The Truth About the Cambrian Explosion"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:34 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 14, 2005
CBS in Los Angeles Tells Ghost Stories as News
Last night during the 6:00 local news, CBS2 here in Southern California aired a segment about "paranormal investigators" going through the old KNX radio studio in Columbia Square looking for ghosts from days gone by. And guess what, they found...Read all of "CBS in Los Angeles Tells Ghost Stories as News"
Posted by Duane Smith at 11:33 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 13, 2005
LA County Circumcised for State Fair
Well, perhaps a little more than circumcised! Visitors to the California State Fair may notice something peculiar about the map of Los Angeles County on display: It's no longer anatomically correct. Embarrassed by suggestions that the 3-D map resembles male...Read all of "LA County Circumcised for State Fair"
Posted by Duane Smith at 12:55 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
A Moment of Media Candor
Referring to Thing Progress' comprehensive database cataloguing the connections of 21 Bush administration officials to the outing of an undercover CIA agent, ABC's The Note says, In an age when the general public would be shocked at the degree to...Read all of "A Moment of Media Candor"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:27 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 12, 2005
(ayin Blogging
It's stuff like this that gave me the reputation of having abnormal interests. Unless you, too, have abnormal interests go to the punch line in the last sentence of this post but before the notes. I've been doing some research...Posted by Duane Smith at 4:24 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 11, 2005
Jonathan Witt and Steve Waldman on the Same Day
Normally my email is rather dull: a lot of spam and once in a while one from work, correspondence with a few friends and occasionally one from one of our kids. The usual stuff. But yesterday was different. I got...Read all of "Jonathan Witt and Steve Waldman on the Same Day"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:07 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
Update on King David's Supposed Palace
The other day, I told of the claim that King David's palace had been discovered in Jerusalem. Today the Jerusalem Post has a fairly well balanced article on the discoveries. I will start with a paragraph that quotes my old...Read all of "Update on King David's Supposed Palace"
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:57 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 10, 2005
Kansas Board of Education Tentatively Approves Science "Standard"
Kansas has taken one further step to join Minnesota, Ohio and New Mexico in confusing their children about biology. This just off the press from Reuters : After months of debate over science and religion, the Kansas Board of Education...Read all of "Kansas Board of Education Tentatively Approves Science "Standard""
Posted by Duane Smith at 1:30 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 9, 2005
New Lemurs
Get over to afarensis and see the too cute new genus and species of lemur, Microcebus lehilahytsara, from, you guest it, Madagascar. He is not even a handful but those eyes, oh those eyes! John Wilkins at Evolving Thoughts has...Posted by Duane Smith at 8:31 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
More on "Feet" and Pudenda
Over at Codex, Tyler F. Williams has a great post on going potty in ancient times. Back in May I wrote a little sermon entitled, "A Euphemism for Pudenda" in which I offered a brief discussion of 1 Samuel 24:3...Read all of "More on "Feet" and Pudenda"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:25 PM
| Read more on Odds and Ends |
| Abnormal Comments (2)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
The End of the Philistine City of Gath
Haaretz reports the following: New evidence regarding the bitter end of Gat, the largest and most important Philistine city, was recently unearthed at a dig at Tel Zafit near the Masmia intersection in the Lachish region. According to Kings II...Read all of "The End of the Philistine City of Gath"
Posted by Duane Smith at 8:18 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 8, 2005
Peter Jennings, Smoking and Lung Cancer
Mark Kleiman asks the obvious question, "Why shouldn't we say what killed Peter Jennings?" The vast majority of those who die of lung cancer die as a result of having been cigarette smokers, just as the vast majority of those...Read all of "Peter Jennings, Smoking and Lung Cancer"
Posted by Duane Smith at 7:46 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 7, 2005
More on the Jehucal, son of Shelemiahu Bulla
Jim West via Yitzhak Sapir has provided us with a picture of the bulla (seal) from Jerusalem that was announced the other day. I have tried to improve the contrast in Photoshop to make it a little easier to read....Read all of "More on the Jehucal, son of Shelemiahu Bulla"
Posted by Duane Smith at 10:50 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 6, 2005
Mr. President, Did Anything Happen in Iraq This Last Week?
Read President Bush's Saturday morning radio address and see if you can believe what he didn't mention. I guess I can forgive him for gloating about July job numbers but as Fuzzert reminds us, This week at least 24 US...Read all of "Mr. President, Did Anything Happen in Iraq This Last Week?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:30 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 5, 2005
King David's Palace Uncovered?
Eilat Mazar, an Israeli archaeologist, has uncovered the remnants of a 10th-9th century BCE monumental building that she claims to be the remains of King David's palace. The dating is based on pottery finds. The site is apparently the same...Read all of "King David's Palace Uncovered?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 11:43 AM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 4, 2005
The Devil You Say!
Intelligent design creationists are always cagey when it comes to who or what the intelligent designer might be. They know if they say "God" they have clearly crossed the line between a religious belief and what just might be acceptable...Read all of "The Devil You Say!"
Posted by Duane Smith at 4:24 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
What Did Our Hominin Relatives Eat?
Two recent articles speak to the diets of hominins other than Homo sapiens. A story in today's Nature discusses new techniques of analyzing teeth. The researchers studied three-dimensional microwear surface texture using "scanning confocal microscopy together with scale-sensitive fractal analysis."...Read all of "What Did Our Hominin Relatives Eat?"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:06 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 3, 2005
Update on President Bush and Intelligent Design Creationism
Yesterday Abnormal Interests and well over 150 other blogs (Pharyngula has a list of many of them) condemned the President for his irresponsible remarks advocating the pseudoscience of intelligent design creationism. In addition to PZ Myers response on Pharyngula, four...Read all of "Update on President Bush and Intelligent Design Creationism"
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:24 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
Isaacson's Benjamin Franklin
I just finished reading Walter Isaacson's Benjamin Franklin, An American Life. I take this occasion to provide a few notes on this well-written, engaging book. I have never done this before on Abnormal Interests but will likely do it again...Read all of "Isaacson's Benjamin Franklin"
Posted by Duane Smith at 1:16 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |
August 2, 2005
President Bush Says, "Teach the Controversy"
By now, almost everyone has commented on the President's interview with a group of reporters. I will give a representative, but certainly not exhaustive, set of links at the end of this post. The Knight Ridder News has one of...Read all of "President Bush Says, "Teach the Controversy""
Posted by Duane Smith at 2:08 PM
| Read more on Evolution |
| Abnormal Comments (3)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
August 1, 2005
The Difference Between Being Tolerant of Incompetence and Supporting Free Speech
Brian Leiter of the Leiter Reports has a blog category called "The less they know, the less they know it." I don't want to steal Leiter's category or for that matter PZ Myers whole post on free speech, incompetent teachers...Read all of "The Difference Between Being Tolerant of Incompetence and Supporting Free Speech"
Posted by Duane Smith at 3:09 PM
| Read more on Evolution |
| Abnormal Comments (11)
| TrackBack (0)
| Abnormal Archive Link |
New Pre-exilic Seal Found in Jerusalem
Jim Davila of PaleoJudaica reports on the discovery of a Royal Seal from excavations in Jerusalem. Both the New York Sun and Maariv (in Hebrew, you can find a translation of a lot of it at Biblical Theology) carry the...Read all of "New Pre-exilic Seal Found in Jerusalem"
Posted by Duane Smith at 12:13 PM | TrackBack (0) | Abnormal Archive Link |