Daily Archives: February 11, 2008

Foisting a Cross on Others is a Freedom and a Right in America

… according to some.

The Veteran’s Administration (hospitals) maintains chapels in their facility. In 1953, the VA initiated a policy regarding chapels that states: “Chapels will be appointed and maintained as places for meditation and prayer for members of any faith group or denomination.” Apparently, this policy has been widely ignored, but is now being addresses, to the consternation of some.
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Star Burps

i-d85994cd68f652f39854d3d70f0565b4-venus_halfshell_cover.jpgIn the classic science fiction novel, Venus on the Half Shell by Kilgore Trout, the question of how intelligent life evolved (at many different locations) in The Universe is raised, and pursued by the novel’s protagonist. As the novel ends, it turns out that the origin of intelligent life across the universe is …SPOILER WARNING … END OF THE BOOK IS BELOW THE FOLD


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The Living Bird

i-0f0e92d2f6500daf58a1fae1e62aebfb-living_bird.jpgCornell Lab or Ornithology has always had a lot of good stuff on the web. Now, they have a new site called Living Bird. Go check it out.It’s basically an online journal with a lot of cool articles, including some science, birding advice, etc. … and outstanding bird pictures.Hat tip: Biological Ramblings. And, speaking of Birds in the News, have a look at this particularly interesting Birds in the News post over at Living the Scientific Life. Here.

Richard Dawkins – Break the Science Barrier, Part 1

SCIENCE is useful but that is not all it is. Science can be uplifting, thrilling, life-enhancing. Originally broadcast on Britain’s Channel 4 in 1996, Break the Science Barrier follows the Oxford Biologist Richard Dawkins as he meets with people who have experienced the wonders of science first-hand. We meet the astronomer who first discovered pulsars, the geneticist who invented DNA fingerprinting, a scientist who discovered a protein that causes cancer, and others. Dawkins interviews famous admirers of science such as Douglas Adams and David Attenborough, and asks them why science means so much to them. We also see how dangerous ignorance of science can be in classrooms, courts, and beyond.With so many expressing paranormal beliefs and ignorance of science, Dawkins encourages viewers to contrast these ancient superstitions with the power and beauty of our scientific achievements and understanding.

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