There were well over 200 skeptics, and we caused a back-up at the “museum”. Despite the lines, the crowds, and the outright misleading information, people seemed to be having a good time. We were surrounded by people who were of similar ideas and thoughts on science and religion. Ironically, it was here in a place of religion over science that many of us felt as if we belonged. It is no secret that skeptics are a marked minority, for now. Many student and community groups have trouble breaking 50 members, many of whom are never really active. To be immersed in such a large crowd was a shock. Everywhere I looked, I saw the black and white SSA sticker. We didn’t have to make noise or rattle the cage or cause a stink; our mere presence was enough to get the message across loud and clear.

I would like to state that I’m not knocking the work that many like PZ do. Until skeptics are acknowledged as part of society, attention is necessary, even if it’s bad attention. We can’t let people pretend that we aren’t here. This wasn’t the case August 7th. The need to get attention was no longer needed, which left more room to be respectful and polite. I saw many skeptics quiet their snickers and move aside to let the families on vacation look at the exhibits. I know many would say they shouldn’t have to do that. Those people are right. They don’t. But they did. And although that might have meant they missed the chance to try to convert someone, they did something that is by far more important. The skeptics showed respect to the believers. They proved that we aren’t evil, rude, immoral hooligans; they proved that even when we hold the majority we still respect the minority.

PZ Myers is amazing at what he does. He can bring a small news story to the front of the internet is less than a day. Anything posted to his blog is circulated within minutes. His controversies bring attention to the skeptical movement. He even admits he loves causing so much outrage. There is no question that his tactics are needed at this point in time and, unfortunately, for some time to come.

I find it mildly amusing that the “bad cop” of the movement made so many “good cops” simply by visiting some obscure place in Petersburg, Kentucky. Bad attention is better than no attention, and can obviously have positive effects. Just remember that you also need enough good attention to balance it all out.

The influenza viruses are known for their ability to mutate. Any virus is highly capable of doing this at a fast rate, but the flu is infamous for its high rate of mutation, meaning your shot will be pretty much useless ten months from the day you got it. This is due to a virus’ ability to cut, copy, and paste their host’s and their own DNA practically anyway and anywhere they want it. They can swap genes with their host or even other viruses vacationing in the same organism. This means your immunities for last year’s virus is now out of style, and won’t protect you against the new strain.  If you are a rich masochist, this is wonderful news. However, if you are like many others who fear pain and/or needles, getting the flu doesn’t sound like such a bad thing after all.

How is this related to evolution? It is the fundamentals of the process. Evolution occurs when one or more mutations change an organism. Over time, these mutations allow the animal to adapt. Some mutations are useful to finches in gathering certain types of food; other mutations help viruses spread faster. The influenza viruses are constantly evolving. Every year the common strain will mutate, leaving the previous vaccine moot and ineffective. Although it has a mutation that can drastically effect the way it works, it is still an influenza virus. This is known as microevolution. A mutation will change the organism’s appearance or function, but it will still be of the same species. Many skeptics of evolution typically have a hard time believing in giant leaps in the process, also known as macro evolution. What many fail to understand is that macroevolution is simply many micro evolutions over time in a population to evolve into a new species.  In animals, the process of mutation takes much longer than a virus. It can take hundreds or thousands of years before enough micro evolutions occur and separate a group into its own species.

Viruses are constantly mutating and going through tiny microevolutions, but people hardly ever think of it that way. They just think their vaccine wears off and needs renewed. Remember the next time you go to the doctor to get your shot that it’s well worth the old lady musk and “bee sting” injection, because with every new strain your body has a lower chance of keeping the virus from running its full course.

So girls with any intellect have always thought that while the quarterback is drool worthy, the captain of the chess team was by far more date worthy if there was ever any hope for a conversation. Finally, science proves that women really aren’t as shallow as everyone seems to think. Albeit, we still would probably pick Mr. Muscles for a one night stand, but intelligence is definitely making a come back. And why not? Trying to talk to an attractive dim wit gets old after he asks you to explain the meaning of every word over two syllables. Suddenly he loses his appeal, and you want an excuse to run in the opposite direction. Or when they can’t seem to follow you. When you mention the word science or politics and they think of a monkey named George…well they weren’t too far off.

The article is about a research study showing that women are obviously more attracted to men with intelligence than stupidity. Who would have ever thought, huh? I mean, they have to be good for something other than opening pickle jars.Biologically speaking, this is because the intelligent man would have better luck with helping a family survive. Not to mention passing those smart genes down to future offspring.

Personally, I’m drawn to geeks and nerds. When a guy can “use big words” and make a logical point based on facts, my heart melts. Being able to discuss things in science, politics, literature, art, anything that would make my brain work seems to produce more oxytocin than if we had spent the past hour in bed.  This is especially if they can manage to kick my ass on Counter Strike or Halo, or any RPG or RTS for that matter. And being a fan of Star Wars or at least another awsome science fiction show/movie. That’s what this nerd looks for, a fellow nerd who can discuss intellectual topics just as well as he can wield a controler or mouse.

Usually, when I read an article about the Christians attempts to stop the Secular movement, I end up giggling or staring at the screen, blinking, trying desperately to make my little brain follow the author’s argument. However, when I read this article, I felt like a small puppy being kicked in the side, and wishing that my bite was a lot stronger.

Basically, the article is about a soldier, Specialist Hall, who is an active atheist in the U.S. Military. After being constantly harassed for his beliefs, he was eventually sent home early. This man was willing to sacrifice his life in order to protect a freedom that many of us know all too well isn’t anywhere close to being guaranteed. And yet, he was denied that right, on the basis that he wasn’t fighting for God.

Many people look at Atheists as being unpatriotic. I completely understand where they are coming from. I mean the forefathers didn’t really want a democracy. No, no, no. The were actually hinting around about a theocracy, as it should be. Therefore, Atheists are unpatriotic. Yay for kindergarten logic!

Now, perhaps it’s just me, but why would you send a willing soldier home just because he’s fighting for a bigger cause than God, especially when there is already enough publicity on the war being “God’s War?” Wouldn’t you just stop the harassment? I mean, if God really had that big a problem with an Atheist soldier, he could always just smite him…right?

The main thing is that women have to inject hormones for four weeks then have a ten minute surgery where they remove the eggs, around ten sometimes twelve. You get a few stitches and walk out with at least $5,000. There is a small risk that the woman may become infertile, just like there is a rare risk that Advil will make your stomach bleed. If a woman knows the risk, shouldn’t she have the option to sell her eggs, just like we have the option to undergo plastic surgery, a surgery that doesn’t help anyone and carries greater health risks?

Students experience with egg donation

Advil side effects

I am by no means a feminist. I accept that men are better at some things than women, and that women are better at some things than men. That still doesn’t keep me from being a little chagrined at the fact that men can sell their baby making material, with only a few questions asked, and women can’t even donate without having to jump through hoops and watch instructional videos on the rare risks. If you want to sell, then expect to have to jump through hoops lit on fire over a tank of sharks and into a pit of poisonous snakes in any state other than Arizona.

There is no reason that a woman’s half of the zygote material has to be considered more precious than a man’s. It by no means needs to be better protected by an “ethics” that only restrain a woman from using her body the way she decides, especially when it’s to help other women conceive.

Mitsuo Matayoshi
A Japanese politician, Mitsuo Matayoshi promises to bring about judgment day, but only after he is elected Prime Minister of Japan, and then appointed General Secretary of the UN. Then he will be strong enough both politically and religiously to rule the world and be able to do the Last Judgment. After being dead for over 2000 years, the Zombie’s…er…I mean, Jesus’ powers are greatly weakened. It’s his devout followers responsibility to help him achieve his almighty greatness. Oh, and just in case you thought of running against him in elections, he will always try to persuade you to commit suicide.

Jim Jones
A man who started his own branch of Christianity, he had convinced himself and all his followers that he was Jesus. He healed like Jesus, through loyal followers helping him, and even promised an after life on another planet. Of course, he had his moments, like when he moved his congregation of over 900 people to a tiny island off the coast of California, then had an armed guard make sure no one ran away. He also made people prove their loyalty and trust in their Savior, by practicing suicide, something I was unaware you could practice. In the end, they all committed suicide by drinking his favorite flavor of Flavor-Aid: Cyanide! I bet that tasted yummy. Of course that is if you consider being given the option to either poison yourself or be shot suicide. Now that’s a “just” God for you.

David Icke
Now David doesn’t claim to be Jesus, just the Son of God, but he is trying to be our Savior…from the reptiles. Apparently, unbeknown to us, reptilian aliens came and mated with the humans. They are the root of all sin, and the “half breeds” they created are possessed. They can even blend in with us if they drink human blood. Almost every world leader was one, or their slave. These reptilians can also shape shift. His purpose is to inform us of these dangerous beings, and protect us. We thank you, David, we really do. You should run for Jesus Christ. Amen.