Senate Bill 893 — nicknamed, along with its counterpart House Bill 368, "the monkey bill" — is back. In April 2011, its sponsor Bo Watson (R-District 11), assigned the bill to the general subcommittee of the Senate Education Committee, in effect shelving it for the remainder of the year. But on March 7, 2012, it was revived and placed on the committee's calendar; on March 14, 2012, the committee voted 7-1 (with one member abstaining) to pass an amended version of the bill, although the exact wording of the amended version is not yet listed on the legislature's website. The bill now proceeds to the Senate Select [...]

From NCSE - National Center for Science Education
http://ncse.com/news/2012/03/monkey-bill-returns-tennessee-007251
3/16/2012 4:18:32 AM
Search rank: 389

Plain packaging on cigarettes would change how we smoke, and tobacco firms know it even if Tory MP Philip Davies does not

This week our

From Science: Bad science | guardian.co.uk
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/12/ben-goldacre-bad-science-cigarette-packaging
3/12/2011 7:00:00 AM
Search rank: 378

As Skeptical Science readers are well aware, there is a scientific consensus that human greenhouse gas emissions are causing dangerous global warming.  The Australian Climate Commission recently concluded that we need to limit global human CO2 emissions to no more than 1 trillion tons between 2000 and 2050, which requires that we take immediate steps to significantly reduce our emissions.  Scientists generally don't offer advice as to how we should achieve the necessary carbon emissions reductions, but in its recent report, America's Climate Choices, the US National Academy of Sciences concluded that a price on carbon emissions would be the most effective way to achieve significant [...]

From Skeptical Science
http://www.skepticalscience.com/news.php?n=792
6/9/2011 6:43:41 PM
Search rank: 361

Before joining Scienceblogs.com, I blogged independently at "Evolution ... not just a theory anymore." That was a cool name for a blog, but I didn't transfer the name to Scienceblogs because there were already a whole bunch of blogs with "Evolution" in the name. There was a lot of stuff on that blog, mostly not worth saving but a few items of possible interest. Also, I've kept a number of things on that site that don't really fit here at the scienceblogs.com site, such as lots of links to books I like, a few downloadable research papers, and so on.

Over recent months, "Evolution ... not just a theory anymore" has been increasingly vulnerable to nasty attacks from the usual suspects, even though it is just sitting there minding its own business. It turns out that upgrading the very old wordpress installation is tricky, and transferring the database to a new installation is a fool's errand, especially given that half the junk on the old site is junk. More than half. [...]

From Greg Laden's Blog
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GregLadensBlog/~3/4TstqjvBrss/my_new_old_blog.php
8/14/2011 12:35:54 PM
Search rank: 360

Freethinkers FSU

 

We meet every Wednesday, but there is NO MEETing this Wednesday due to ... Spring Break!

If you'll be back in town sometime Sunday, or are chillin' in Tally, come out and relax with us  ...

Railroad Square's 2nd Annual Interfaith Day, with tabling, discussions, and more from the businesses of the Art Park and the Tallahassee community.

Official times:  NOON to 5pm

Inivite anyone and their peeps'.

Some groups there will be:

Freethinkers FSU

Tallahassee Atheists

Buddhist Society of Tallahassee

Intervarsity Christian FSU

Pagan Student Union FSU and Red Hills Pagan Council

And More..

Together with the Tallahassee Atheists, there will be [...]

From Skeptics upcoming events
http://www.meetup.com/FreethinkersFSU/events/16848777/
3/9/2011 8:08:10 AM
Search rank: 353

I’ve been offered a most excellent gig by those lovelypeople at The Skeptic Magazine.
A while ago I cobbled together an Alt-Med flowchart toenable the budding Alt Med junkie to select an appropriate pointless therapy.

Anew and improved version of this diagram now nestles proudly in the centre ofthe latest issue of the Skeptic magazine, where you can rip it out and stick iton your wall, if your so [...]

From Science, Reason and Critical Thinking
http://crispian-jago.blogspot.com/2012/01/i-am-centrefold.html
1/13/2012 5:58:00 AM
Search rank: 348

Flurry is the founder and Pastor General of the Philadelphia Church of God (PCG; (visit the website here), based in Edmond, Oklahoma, and presenter of the television program The Key of David, editor in chief of The Philadelphia Trumpet magazine, and founder and chancellor of Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond, Oklahoma. It is taught within his church that Flurry is That Prophet, a divinely appointed successor to

From Encyclopedia of American Loons
http://americanloons.blogspot.com/2011/01/133-gerald-flurry.html
1/22/2011 5:53:00 AM
Search rank: 342

Opposing privilege is tantamount to oppression?In The Australian today an

From Thinking Doesn't Hurt
http://thinkingdoesnthurt.blogspot.com/2011/05/spiritual-guidance-christian.html
5/26/2011 4:15:00 PM
Search rank: 340

Stan Kurtz is a social commentator, adjunct fellow of the Hudson Institute and Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, with a special interest in America's “culture wars” – and a name that seems to pop up frighteningly often. Kurtz is a staunch enemy of political correctness, which permeates his writings on the family, feminism, child rearing, religion, psychology, homosexuality, [...]

From Encyclopedia of American Loons
http://americanloons.blogspot.com/2011/05/222-stanley-kurtz.html
6/1/2011 5:02:00 AM
Search rank: 339

p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }a:link, span.MsoHyperlink { color: blue; text-decoration: underline; }a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { color: purple; text-decoration: underline; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } J.D. Manning is the chief pastor at the ATLAH World Missionary Church on 123rd Street in New York [...]

From Encyclopedia of American Loons
http://americanloons.blogspot.com/2011/10/250-james-david-manning.html
10/7/2011 7:05:00 PM
Search rank: 339

There's nothing wrong about being pretty, or sexy, or shopping, or being interested in traditionally girly things—but there is a big problem when that's the only option you're given. I know I'd be stressed if I were constantly told I'm less of a man if I'm not playing football or working in a manly occupation that involved large wrenches and heavy industrial tools, so I can sympathize with the limited choices given women: oh, you aren't wearing a bikini on your lithe body with the large breasts? Then you're an ugly dyke. You aren't planning a career as a homemaker and mother? You just want to be a man.

So let's socialize the little girls early, and start them on video games with good role models: slender women obsessed with clothes and boyfriends.

From Pharyngula
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceblogs/pharyngula/~3/0VCadlUXCEE/stuff_that_annoyed_me_this_mor.php
10/14/2011 4:46:21 AM
Search rank: 339

Sacramento Area Skeptics

 

From the event webpage - http://shop.skeptic.c...

DR. MICHAEL SHERMER, James “The Amazing” Randi and special guests: 

Bill Nye the Science Guy® and Mr. Deity (Brian Dalton)

FRIDAY night party (buffet dinner included, cash bar), 6:00pm to 10:00pm at 

From Skeptics upcoming events
http://www.meetup.com/sacskeptics/events/16779410/
3/3/2011 6:19:03 PM
Search rank: 339

As an educator I always had to be on my toes, not only to prevent undesirable behavior, but also to be aware of something much more elusive. Teachers are always on the lookout for something called a "teachable moment". They are tricky because they don't appear in your lesson plans, you have no idea where they will come from or when, and they may not even be [...]

From JREF Swift Blog
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1050-putting-woo-to-a-good-use.html
7/30/2010 12:49:56 AM
Search rank: 335

Every few weeks there is another report of someone being arrested for involvement in the illegal animal trade. For example, in late February, a government official in Indonesia – where around 400 Sumatran tigers live – was busted for possession, among other things. Conservationists were notified that a tiger had been poisoned to death in a wildlife reserve in Riau province, and the suspect’s car was followed back to his house. Chemically preserved parts from various animals were found there, along with the poisoned tiger. Around the same time, Nepal Police arrested two endangered animal traders in the capital, Kathmandu, for possession of 15kg of tiger bones. The criminals were aged 32 and [...]

From JREF Swift Blog
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1286-pseudoscience-brought-to-you-by-extinction.html
4/30/2011 3:00:00 PM
Search rank: 334

This is quite possibly the most awesome biology photo ever taken. It is two blind-folded crayfish battling each other in clouds of fluorescent green urine. It's a good thing it's just a picture, because if it were a video, in 3D, with the Star Trek fight music playing in the background, every science nerd in the world would have to lie down and die in ecstasy. Don't click on the little arrow below it! I won't be responsible for the consequences! (Fortunately, I can't put it into 3D motion, so I won't be slaughtering my readership here.)

From Pharyngula
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceblogs/pharyngula/~3/5i1dCwaw9LY/amok_time_for_crayfish.php
3/31/2010 6:08:25 AM
Search rank: 334

The schedule is packed, and has changed considerably since it's first incarnation. Speakers have been added, including comedian Paul Provenza, skeptic blogger Julia Galef, astronomical podcaster and skeptic Pamela Gay, and many others. We have a total of five panels this year, and Sunday's events have expanded to include more papers, a panel on the skeptical community's responsibility regarding global warming, and an afternoon Million Dollar Challenge presentation. And there are two workshops in the afternoon after the main event: Skepticism and Sexuality and Grassroots Skepticism.

The Committee for Scientific Investigation and the Skeptic Society are co-sponsoring TAM this year, which is an exciting development. They are joining the JREF to put on the Thursday night reception [...]

From JREF Swift Blog
http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/swift-blog/1015-news-on-tam-8-lots-of-changes.html
6/21/2010 10:02:50 PM
Search rank: 332

Thanks to huyzer for the article link.
Thanks to AtheistMediaBlog for the video link.

Original link

Appeal of ruling could delay gay weddings in CA

SAN FRANCISCO – A judge struck down California's same-sex marriage ban as an unconstitutional violation of gay couples' civil rights, but a pending appeal of the landmark ruling could prevent gay weddings from resuming in the state any time [...]

From RichardDawkins.net - All Aggregated News Content
http://richarddawkins.net/videos/496186-california-s-gay-marriage-ban-overturned
8/6/2010 12:31:12 AM
Search rank: 330

Created page with "An Introduction to Trading On Forex The origins of the Forex market that we all know at the moment came about following the transfer away from fastened foreign money exchanges t..."

New page

An Introduction to Trading On Forex

The origins of the Forex market that we all know at the moment came about following the transfer away from fastened foreign money exchanges to new 'floating' foreign money rates within the early 1970's. Since this time the market place has steadily grown, with interest fueled by advances in expertise resembling telephone dealing and of course computers. These have allowed for ever extra individuals to enter the market.

International Exchange shouldn't be one central market. As a substitute it is comprised of a network of a number of thousand trading institutions comprised of Central Government banks, Worldwide banks, private and business firms and devoted brokers. While there isn't [...]

From SkeptiCamp - Recent changes [en]
http://skepticamp.org/w/index.php?title=BriannaBaeza650&diff=3808&oldid=prev
3/3/2012 10:58:30 PM
Search rank: 330

Created page with "An Introduction to Trading On Forex The origins of the Forex market that we all know at the moment came about following the transfer away from fastened foreign money exchanges t..."

New page

An Introduction to Trading On Forex

The origins of the Forex market that we all know at the moment came about following the transfer away from fastened foreign money exchanges to new 'floating' foreign money rates within the early 1970's. Since this time the market place has steadily grown, with interest fueled by advances in expertise resembling telephone dealing and of course computers. These have allowed for ever extra individuals to enter the market.

International Exchange shouldn't be one central market. As a substitute it is comprised of a network of a number of thousand trading institutions comprised of Central Government banks, Worldwide banks, private and business firms and devoted brokers. While there isn't [...]

From SkeptiCamp - Recent changes [en]
http://skepticamp.org/w/index.php?title=User:BriannaBaeza650&diff=3809&oldid=prev
3/3/2012 10:58:35 PM
Search rank: 330

Tokyo Skeptics

Denis Dutton (9 Feb 1944-28 Dec 2010) was a philosopher, teacher, internet media editor and activist, and a driving force behind the New Zealand Skeptics movement. Robert Miller, a Tokyo Skeptics member, will offer some memories of Dutton at his campus, where the professor was an influential figure. We'll also be watching one or two short videos of Dutton's lectures. Please bring drink or food -or- a 300 yen contribution. Location: Keleih & Dob's place, near Ikebukuro Station Directions: Go to the North Exit of Ikebukuro Station (near the Tobu Tojo line and Andersen's bakery). Follow the tracks until you come to a traffic light with a car park on the corner. Cross the street and walk along the car park towards a wide street with a large overhead sign that says [...]

From Events - Tokyo Skeptics
http://www.meetup.com/Tokyo-Skeptics/events/16162591/
1/25/2011 5:44:48 PM
Search rank: 330

Assemblyman Allan Mansoor Despite being a mostly democratic state that is relatively pro-union, I [...]

From No 2 Religion - Just Say No!
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/No2Religion/~3/MhfOTlfphJM/watch-out-california-union-busters-are.html
2/23/2011 5:20:00 PM
Search rank: 329

Here's something for the more creative types out there at The Examining Room of Dr. Charles:

The first annual Charles Prize for Poetry will be awarded to the writer who submits for consideration the most outstanding poem within the context of health and medicine.

Open to everyone (patients, doctors, nurses, students, etc.).

Entries should be related to experiencing, practicing, or reflecting upon a medical, scientific, or health-related matter.

The winner will be selected by a panel of three judges, including me. These other judges may or may not be Nobel Laureates, you never know.

Is such an eponymous contest grandiose? Yes. Does the limited poetry I've written carry the gravitas needed to make me an authority on the subject? No.

But should your poem be selected as the winner, you shall receive an award of $500, along with a cherry tomato from [...]

From Respectful Insolence
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceblogs/insolence/~3/PAjPzsXzQNs/the_charles_prize_for_poetry.php
7/26/2010 3:00:04 PM
Search rank: 328

My personal opinions about the proposed health care reform notwithstanding, it makes me really worried, when I see what we all could be paying for if we have a universal health care system in the US.
I open today's (3/18/2010) St. Petersburg Times, and the front page has an article entitled "Here's what non-politicians think" (pdf). Among the "non-politicians" is a Christian Science practitioner Robert Clark, who believe in healing through prayer, which is basically a form of wishful thinking.
What's even worse, this article is continued inside the paper (sorry, they don't seem to have an on-line version), under a big, bold heading "Pros' take on health care bill"!!!
PROS??? Since when Christian Science (why is it called science anyway?) "practitioners" are called "Pros"? Pros [...]

From Pete's Wicked Blog
http://blog.linuxblast.com/feeds/3135723402085406415/comments/default
3/18/2010 11:46:00 PM
Search rank: 328

My personal opinions about the proposed health care reform notwithstanding, it makes me really worried, when I see what we all could be paying for if we have a universal health care system in the US.
I open today's (3/18/2010) St. Petersburg Times, and the front page has an article entitled "Here's what non-politicians think" (pdf). Among the "non-politicians" is a Christian Science practitioner Robert Clark, who believe in healing through prayer, which is basically a form of wishful thinking.
What's even worse, this article is continued inside the paper (sorry, they don't seem to have an on-line version), under a big, bold heading "Pros' take on health care bill"!!!
PROS??? Since when Christian Science (why is it called science anyway?) "practitioners" are called "Pros"? Pros [...]

From Pete's Wicked Blog
http://blog.linuxblast.com/2010/03/health-care-reform.html
3/18/2010 11:46:00 PM
Search rank: 328

Bill Donohue is a curious case. He is the president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, a job he takes very seriously. Point is, Donohue cannot, as far as I am aware, reasonably be said to be a crackpot – in the sense that he seems relatively pro-science, not a creationist (well, it is a

From Encyclopedia of American Loons
http://americanloons.blogspot.com/2010/11/109-bill-william-donohue.html
11/29/2010 6:05:00 AM
Search rank: 328