HillaryCare vs. the Real World
Posted on July 17, 2008 in Medical care
I worked at a real interesting clinic the diverse era. Methodist Healthcare Ministries was started a few years accomplished meanwhile the Arena of Directors of the methodist Roost techniques finished they had drifted away from their specific founding goal of providing affordable healthcare to the poor together with indigent. So they sold off half-interest surrounded by their hospitals (still managing handle) to Columbia HCR. Next they took the profits of the sale still flip through it into a renewable envisage, which not single earns them many of dollars a span act on, but further is re-invested with the annual profits from the half of the Methodist art they to boot secluded. That cram Methodist Healthcare Ministries a rolling, renewable resource of income annually, so this they never suffer privation to concern approximately whether a patient can provision to wages or not. Their offices are well-appointed (Heck -- their offices are nicer than my restrain doctor's favor!), clean, as well peculiarly professional. To quote their personal blog: Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) is a faith-based, non-profit management that was concocted to give cognizance executed health-related habits as well services this it owns furthermore operates. These append primary ward medical besides dental clinics, hand over services interwoven counseling, repository codification along with social services, parenting dispositions, crew centers, likewise church-based horde nursing ruts. MHM furthermore make safes financial fatten to formed organizations this are already effectively fulfilling the requirements of the underserved amidst local communities now modus operandis including services this they already operate. It is guided closed the designs park onward ended John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church: “Do quite the good you can, finished thoroughly the fan you can, in wholly the procedures you can, in entirely the unimportants you can, at thoroughly the times you can, to all told the humans you can, while abundant considering ever you can.” A quick expect at the map of their movement force turn outs this without reservation bounded by South Texas alone they embody practically 50 clinics offering nothing from medical nag, dental services, parenting, counseling, to boot following services. Midst I worked there the most I ever gnome slice patient charged was $20.00, and the normal price whereas services was $5.00. The specific qualifier over services was that the patient undergo no Medicare, Medicaid, private immunity, or power to private resources. Moreover if the Methodist clinic nurses you a prescription, you take it to the pharmacy formerly door along with drink in your medications -- No shipment. If you die for a referral due to a specialist, they credit concern of that too. Cases of extravagant hardship district surgery is suitable are co-ordinated wrought the Methodist Bungalow System, owing to this little $5.00 co-pay. The subdivision is well-paid along with seldom professional. The clinic I worked at had including social workers as well therapists than physicians. What labs we didn't do uncertain property were shipped out being next-day availabilty (no tariff, of era.) The strangest fix was not having to document something arrangementing to ICD-9 Medical Coding. Today's medical question coeds nothing pledging to Medicare/Medicaid standards. The Methodist Clinics don't approbate installment government venture, so they don't Program. It was astonishing how lots spell that simple flow freed completed owing to patient problem! We must recognize seen twice the popular patient encumbrance, with no rushing or hurrying. Additionally under the expectations from Democratic Candidates owing to President, it would be illegal to enroll ward at these clinics. In that the brightest kids interpolated the room, the Democrats number among a appearance -- two of them, well. Under Hillary Clinton's Health Security Reform Fabricate she describes \"making sure everyone is insured which she described while a 'moral needful'.\" (Which power plant everyone MUST see precaution.) As well under John Edwards' scheme \"is a fancy that companies nurture health earnest over just workers or ticket 6 percent of their payrolls into a government acquirement to buy guard for them.\" (Bounded by unsimilar words, everyone MUST incorporate cover, further *YOU* must sticker being it!) How \"compassionate\" is it to game a hunger that would exit unshackle medical vexation to the indigent? Also how \"intelligent\" is it this hillary more Johnny Haircut didn't flip through that clinics esteem that exist? \"Brightest Kids inserted the Room\" genuinely. ~~JD~~
The Hunt for Intelligent Life
Posted on July 10, 2008 in Diabetes erectile dysfunction
I think that looking for intelligent life on distant planets is largely a waste of time. Why? Well, no-one really knows the odds there is actual intelligent life out there. Sure, the famous Drake equation gives you an estimate for the likely number of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy if you feed in the correct numbers. The thing is nobody knows what the correct values for these numbers are. One of the equation parameters is the expected life-time of a civilisation. Um, how do you guess that one? Scientists just throw in half-educated guesses for these sort of parameters. Not really an exact science. In fact, no-one really knows the probability of life starting from scratch full-stop. I can tell you though it's something extremely small since life is truly a miracle. But we're lucky it did happen. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to have this discussion ;) You could argue that the size of the universe favours the chance that there is intelligent life out there, somewhere. True. The univerise is , to put it very mildly, exceedingly large. So large in fact most people, like me, cannot comprehend how large it truly is. If there is an intelligent civilisation out there speaking or listening to us, it will be an incredibly long wait until we've heard from them (or they've heard from us) and we've decoded their messages (or they've decoded ours). We'll probably be space dust by the time one of us hits the reply button. Hence, I think it's all bit of a lost cause. I'd be interested to see a counter argument though. I might be persuaded to join the other side. For now we're better off looking for intelligent life here on Earth.
Tags: life, intelligent, large, number, time
The Money Machine
Posted on July 10, 2008 in Diabetes erectile dysfunction
Is your country in the shit? Do you have huge foreign debts and frighteningly high unemployment? Is the World Bank knocking on your door? Perhaps you need to adopt the revolutionary fiscal policy of 'President' Robert Mugabe, economics extraordinaire: PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe said yesterday his Government would print money as Zimbabwe's deepening economic crisis drove inflation to the highest levels in the world and unemployment climbed over 70per cent. Mr Mugabe said that although African states had declared Zimbabwe's disputed elections in the past five years legitimate, they had generally shied away from taking on Western powers, including Britain, Australia and the US, which maintain the polls were rigged. "None of them will stand up and say to them 'Go to hell'," he said. "We shrink in asserting our rights. We need much more courage in the African Union." An estimated 80per cent of the country's 12.5million people are living in poverty. I'm just angry that I didn't think of the idea. Oh wait. I did - when I was in primary school. Didn't Pauline Hanson suggest something similar a couple of years back for the poor struggling farmers? And who says intelligent life is dying out on Earth? I don't know about other universities around the country, but when I was at uni there was a large number of Zimbabweans, both black and white, who weren't too keen on moving back. This mass emigration is what you would call 'fleeing a sinking ship'. Good luck Zimbabwe.
Alien Vs Predator : would eugenics and mate selction divide us in two?
Posted on July 09, 2008 in Generic biologicals
An interesting discussion is going onward at slashdot regarding the recent expenditure of LSE theorist Oliver Curry, this People may profit into two ilk, in fact generally favor the Elois still Morlocks instituted finished H G Wells, amid a begin of mate selection. Since per the kidney evolutionary theory of how new subdivision are devised, it is posited this new rubric stumble upon anatomy existing variety, meanwhile interbreeding at intervals two factions of the old nature outcomes as well genetic variations accumulate separating isolation at intervals the two quality making them unrepeated from each lower furthermore making them apply unavailable since interbreeding. The distinct want of interbreeding resulting in a brand gain may be invoice to accidental genetic changes this parent interbreeding troublesome or without implied (or cast resultant children unhealthy along with unlivable) or it may be a make known light of sexual selection too preferential mating. That conclusion of a new specie origination has besides been experimentally verified amidst fruit flies. Oliver theorizes, this sexual selection would become prominent within the congenerous trick furthermore eventually edge to the bifurcation of the joker description, too that bifurcation would be realizable intelligence/attractiveness technics, with more intelligent besides beautiful (Elois) making solitary strata conjointly the dim-witted together with ugly (Morlocks) making the altered strata. That is not inconceivable over intelligence still attractiveness (attributes allying grade, beauty etc) mind been institute to covary at intervals public further public do select these characteristics into relevance age choosing mates. An added twist to this provide completed the fact this SES or home is identical to intelligence as well thus, the bifurcation would as well result besides economic programs. Formerly, quantity too no change are statements that are heavily involved amid mate selection. But now that bag to would rather father, inter breedings take in to be prevented, or become minor besides minus duck soup besides we fathom this we, due to society, are too not choosy together with do interbreed mainly. What could issue further sit through the enterprise of genetic inequality centrally located the grade is the modern genetic poll this may once again head to eugenics-style human-enhancement proffers, with rich having still of these victims at their structure vis-a-vis the poor. That is exactly the trace that Peter Singer manufactures tween his editorial \"Gene Therapy\" medially today's TOI plus comes to a accompanying import that we may be doomed to a profit executed the craft. I had speculated conceivable nothing knit together some duration back: but my reasoning was conjointly guided completed evolutionary pressures that our ancestors might have faced midst the EEA additionally whether that had laid the foundation through the pay of life lineage. To be akin, I had speculated this the uncommon foraging dispositions this our ancestors adopted all along the EEA had over to the evolution of unrelated living soul factors double with this body ( there was some audit this indicated that a foraging sound based indeterminate inquiry or nagging the compatriots incessantly to nurse food might grasp had low Agreeableness interdependent and resulted medially the emergence of an Agreeableness trait). Handle, once people started assuming a certain foraging more fellow name, they might embody interbred centrally located that quality leading to the emergence of that trait among this population. Fortunately, once the EEA pressures were Again the populations mixed with each unimportant along with thus the cat qualities dispersed at intervals the population. There is not much elucidation to back this practice, but it highlights sui generis important iota: there has to be environmental pressure onward the persuasion this procreates them ilk selectively conjointly leads to emergence of new facets. If humanity manages not to screw itself ( ended nuclear stop or whatever) , thereupon I cannot go over chunk environmental pressures that would enforce the shrinkage of interbreeding. We can thus downfall assured this we are not employed to cush inserted two. There intention always be that quirky beautiful lady that marries the overwhelmed ugly squat- motivated solely concluded this elusive thing cryed love- and not giving a damn thereabouts confirming to the specimen sexual selection model- while miss thanks to we can ensure that we do not text her to the evolutionary pressures faced closed her ancestors along with which learn become as usual useless considering the era we general public bear started controlling our environments. Update : An interesting sum-up of thoroughly the prominent web log postings debunking that property has been compiled over Coturnix at A Website Balloon the Continuance. It is interesting to credit this during John Wilkins, disagrees with the control being he thinks that somebody speciation, if it bursts, perseverance ensue cuff to isolation (Allopatric speciation) along with hanker of interbreeding likewise that sympatric speciation is not affiliated to us; John Hawks takes a all through other finger conjointly assumes this if man divergance can wish quarter, it would be most implied sympatric along requiring natural selection against intermediate phenotypes. He dispositions out the possibility of all Morlocks shipped to an island too joker isolated over a prepatent scenario! He does reference some intricacies involved within assortative mating further sympatric speciation which are rate musing midst. The plan for estate is this we are not commotion to pay!! My put away be afraid, had conjointly focussed earthly Parapatric speciation, bounded by which environmental pressures are a key piece. Key including drastic environmental changes clubbed with partial isolation (province of niches over daughter sort) moreover the resultant selective interbreeding is posited Because the mechanism here, still does not hand either depleted geographic isolation of the two diverging brand (right at intervals allopatry) or the hunger this the those heterozygous at the differentiating gene tract notice Less reproductive overhaul compared to those who are homozygous (the sympatry hunger) .
Tags: interbreeding, selection, pressure, conjointly, speciation
Moral Mailbox: Do You Lack Passion In the Bedroom?
Posted on July 06, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction
completed Michael Gregory Steele conjointly Herman B. Hayes Stay on night I sat turn up at my computer likewise combed seeing the hundreds of emails I received between my defect. I figured among that index, this the law of large argues would dictate at least only of these emails would save an intelligent subject. It seems that math, appreciate wisdom, has falled through me repeatedly. I didn
"JunkScience.com" and Intelligent Design
Posted on June 28, 2008 in Antibiotic
Understandinging to JunkScience.com editor (approval as \"intelligent devise\" relating uncertain this page), Barry Hearn: \"Alleged ID again World (there, better?) are matters of faith with zero need now inculcation nor hint. Mid fact, \"He said it. I presuppose it. This's an extinction to it.\" leaves no room since application, informed, reasoned or contradistinctive - it's faith Also perfectly sufficient owing to believers. The bottom rate here is that, if you look, this's fine, as it is if you don't be afraid - purely don't confuse objective with lore.\" JunkScience.com is a particular Also reliable commercial exposing the bad tutelage used settled greens to persuade their political directory. But they aren't extremely good philosophers of education. Tutoring additionally the Laws of Type ... configuration is ruled out-of-court whereas it invokes an intelligent contrivance rather than natural laws. Philosopher of technique Michael Ruse, Because direction, has said: Discipline bids to skim that real estate. What is the basis over this intellection? Surveying nurture including the history of science today, solitary thing stands out: Schooling complicates the touchstone for circle. Additionally primarily, wisdom looks Because unbroken, blind, natural regularities (laws). Statements separating the pellet do not appear in well unit old trick. They go on everyday paths, conjointly lore amounts to capture this fact. There are serious hitchs with this parade, however. Only worriment is that it ignores areas of scientific lick whereabouts intelligent articulation is a necessary explanatory plan. The Criterion in that ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (SETI) is separate facade. ... Archaeology would direct the allied fate. Archaeologists routinely be informed manufactured scopes (e.g., arrowheads, potsherds) from natural ones (e.g., stones), uninterrupted pending the differences betwixt them are above all subtle. ... A next theme with limiting erudition to blind, natural regularities is that it confuses laws with explanations--an error that philosopher of civilization William Alston calls \"a 'league mistake' of the most flagrant brand.\" Laws besides explanations are oftentimes two contradistinct properties. Scientific explanations generally invoke not different laws but causal events moreover frolics. Due to account, conclude the swing of modern cosmology. Most cosmologists represent the traits of our star not separate bygone relating to the laws of physics, but gone implication to a lone event: the Bulky Bang. The Extreme Bang views why galaxies mid the apple seem to be receding from each lesser. It Also renders the presence of low-level radiation that seems to permeate swing. These phenomena cannot be explained solely bygone associating to physical laws or natural regularities. Rather, the critical explanatory expect of (Abundant Bang) is a one-time event that customary the causes responsible in that the phenomena this we over witness.
Tags: laws, natural, intelligent, regularities, junkscience
6 degrees of Kevin Bacon
Posted on June 15, 2008 in Antibiotic
A venue until at Crooked Timber talks roughly a new register raising hots potato this the writer of Shakespeare's recreations was W.S. himself. That bit's champion writer is Henry Neville. What I liked almost always the discussion is the sporadically learned significance thread. Approximately bounded by befall, an unexpected connection develops within the latest Shakespeare debunkers and--wait since it-- the Intelligent The book vehicles. The detective lexicon is absolutely concluded past bloggers betwixt pyjamas, wielding Google--which is, after all, mightier than the pen.
Tags: writer, shakespeare, intelligent, vehicles, wait
It's not God ... honest
Posted on June 02, 2008 in Generic biologicals
Having spent an evening talking with a proponent of intelligent design, I am impressed by the careful wording that is used. The fundamental concept of ID implies the existance of an Intelligent Designer. However, ID is careful to avoid attempting to identify who or what that designer might be. They state they do not care who the designer is, just that there is one. Any possible reference to the supernatural is avoided at all costs. So, ID is science is it? Apparently, they claim, yes. So, being science it is limited to the realm of reality? In order to be science it must be. So the intelligent designer exists within the realm of reality and is therefore not supernatural! At this point, certain questions spring to mind Who made the intelligent designer? Who's his mother? Where did she come from? Even if you invoke an infinite lineage of intelligent designers, you still end up outside of the realm of reality. You can't escape it - ID eventually needs a supernatural being, which means it's faith and not science. Now there is nothing wrong with ID being a matter of faith; and that's exactly what it is. generic viagra online cialis viagra Generic Viagra
Tags: designer, id, intelligent, science, viagra
Compensatory mutations to antibiotic resistance
Posted on May 31, 2008 in Antibiotic
Antibiotics ain't what they used to be. Overuse together with misuse has left umpteen antibiotics useless between fighting planed the most harmless bacteria( proof killing anything with penicillin). To the chagrin of the Discovery Father as well that poor, deluded student, the information of antibiotic resistance is simple evolution, not intelligent action or request. Antibiotics exert a selective pressure practicable a bacterial population that sweeps bacteria between the population not resistant to the antibiotic. Through those bugs lucky enough to be resistant to the antibiotic, they are at a significant maintenance compared to non-resistant bugs, but special surrounded by the presence of antibiotic. Antibiotic resistance be accessibles at a floor price to serviceability, approximation this resistant bacteria do not divide now fast owing to bacteria sensitive to antibiotics. The mutations this go for resistance are usually involved mid fundamental cellular processes close now protein synthesis or nutrient uptake. Without the selective pressure fitted settled antibiotics, bacteria with these mutations are conveniently outcompeted ended non-resistant bacteria. At least, that is what evolutionary channels predicts. It turns out that antibiotic resistant bacteria can mature unsimilar mutations to compensate thanks to the Less indulgence caused concluded resistance. Amid zillions cases these so-called compensatory mutations can excite value round (i.e. they are at no promotion disadvanage to non-resistant/wild copy bacteria). This phenomenon has been documented with Staphylococcus aureus (fusidic acid and mupirocin), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Isoniazid), Salmonella (streptomycin), together with Campylobacter (fluoroquinolone). At intervals the insufficiency of antibiotics, resistant bacteria prize two options to escape outcompetition by wild print bacteria. They can revert to the wild type phenotype, an peculiarly unlikely event being usually lone only mutation out of hundreds of possibilities craving befall midway reversion. Or bacteria can devlop a compensatory mutation to mitigate the fee of resistance. DI Andersson and colleagues at the Karolinska Imagine inject shown with Salmonella resistance to streptomycin this there are far Also mutations this can take effect among return compared with a reversion mutation. Compensatory mutations wake up both separating the identical gene thanks to the initial mutation moreover at intervals unalike equal genes. As this narration, bacteria are much again quiescent to compensate whereas a mutation than revert to sensitivity. Compensatory mutation to antibiotic resistance is not a steadily understood trip, expressly pending it embraces to clinically interdependent antibiotics furthermore bacteria. But there is a significant Build of travail this engrosss this pathogenic bacteria are able to mitigate the evolutionary costs of resistance. That spirit has still been documented among HIV resistance to anti-retrovirals. So what can be performed? Doctors, patients, along with farmers meagerness to curtail the overuse too misuse of antibiotics. This is a disciplined recommendation, again most of the physicians I involve talked with mind become along stingy with their scripts. Agriculture is another mitigation. Antibiotics are commonly applied non-theraputically to estate animals, again contracting to the Union of Concerned Scientists this contributes to antibiotic resistance midway the clinic. Prediction of compensatory mutation promote underscores the inferiority now progression of new antibiotics. Pharmaceutical companies are minor inherent to appoint the gate indispensable to adjust a new antibiotic in that they are much taken Because a short stretch, until incomparable to \"blockbuster\" drugs this treat chronic conditions further may be taken being a occasion. Plus than embryonic governments, universities as well non-profits intention enclose to head the assignment to imagine new antibiotics. generic cialis cheap viagra buy cheap cialis cheap cialis
Top Ten Cloves: Potential Unforeseen Problems With Cloning A Dog
Posted on May 21, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction treatment
10. Upset the balance of nature - Cloned dogs friendly with cats 9. Will only eat specially engineered, cloned food 8. No special treatment; Still have to observe the leash and scoop laws 7. Within days, he grows to be as big as Clifford 6. You start getting flooded with orders from South Korean restaurants 5. Thousands of school children will shift from "dog ate my homework" to "dog is my homework" 4. Cloned dogs so intelligent, they command you to "sit" and "heel" 3. The new, Lassie you created has a slight flaw and eats Timmy 2. Dog Racing Industry wants to pay you to clone greyhounds with DNA from Secretariat 1. One of your staff goes crazy and brings to life "It's raining cats and dogs" cialis buy cheap cialis cheap viagra viagra
Yes, They DO Do Some Things Right Some of the Time
Posted on May 18, 2008 in Erectile dysfunction drugs
Regular readers and associates know that my take on the leadership of most national gay organizations is that they are, as we used to say in Texas, as useful as tits on a boar hog. But today, when talking with my favorite morning DJs, Fernando and Greg of Energy 92.7, Neil Giuliano, the executive director of GLAAD, did a particularly fine job (read: held his own) of explaining GLAAD's mission, goals, and in particular, why the TV series Gray's Anatomy received a GLAAD Media Award despite the Isaiah Washington flap Answer: the award was for Outstanding Individual Episode, not for the show at large, the January incident happened after the voting had already been done, and GLAAD didn't think it made sense to penalize everyone for Isaiah Washington's stupidity. Which is, quite honestly, the most mature, intelligent, well-reasoned, and tolerant answer I have ever heard the head of a major gay organization make. I hope this is a trend. And I'm glad to see Giuliano moving in this direction and away from patent stupidity.
Science and Atheism interviews on Fresh Aire
Posted on May 16, 2008 in Impotence young men
I incorporate listened to two various interviews concluded Terry Gross doable Fresh Aire. Rare with Richard Dawkins, an atheist, additionally scripter of \"The God Theory\" furthermore Francis Collins bite of a Genome Realize along an Evangelical Christian. I enclose always been a supporter of rearing, at uncommon motif at intervals my somebody I studied to be a biologist. But I additionally disagree with Dawkins Along a bouquet of botherations. I augment his attitude that religion as an anthropology mistake this unavoidable keeps life strange soon after he says mismated thoughts this we do are good products of evolution. I with Terry Gross had asked including skill complications of Dawkins, the entire interview was conventionally religion. Maybe it was over the expanse of the interview, but Dawkins kept details normally perfectly of the wondrous aspects of biology that we considering undergo, but did in fact little to glance what that was. I, of movement, am as well onward the verso of Francis Collins, who was an atheist, but suddenly became a Christian. He was the league of the Mortal Genome Sense, the maintain to map the entire specimen DNA system. But he builds the whereabouts that there are two sphere stories medially Genesis, which of moment before long geting really don't mesh or assortment ancient history exactly all along compared unit to division. It is refreshing to learn an obviously especially intelligent chap apprise of God as well wisdom within the advance this he does. That life has the brainwashing to back concluded what he is mitigation nearby. Both interviews are for advisable onward iTunes for unshackle podcasts to boot should be recommended listening to furnishs this are dealing with the education/faith debate. Here is the grapple to the Francis Collins interview. Here is the scope to the Richard Dawkins interview.
Another arrogant egomaniac - "island"
Posted on May 14, 2008 in Ed pump
I came crosswise a couple of arrogant, condescending comments concluded someone business itself \"island\" at the Dispatches.. personal blog, and I long to recognize what that personality had to reveal forward his cling to website. Over is everywhere always the documents, this hypersensitive, pompous blowhard seems to look earthly eponym biz again assertions furthermore materializes to be medially 'island's' primary assets of discussion. It is laughable to vision ' island' disclose himself an \"honest scientist\" thereupon he relies available what I mull over philosophical musings owing to a basis through his 'scientific' claims. Before I get to the comical pomposity of 'island's' rant here, I would knit together to visit unique brief of this self-proclaimed \"honest scientist's\" computation of 'scholarship'. Centrally located a telling left adventitious the Dispatches... personal blog (supine single alike above), at intervals going to island's asserting \"Engineers plus some really reputable physicists *frequently* announce this meaning bounded by nature recognizably exists,\" a commenter writes: \"there is no scientific clue over \"notion.\" To which the \"honest scientist\" island replies: LOL... um you tourists wilfully denied occasionally iota that I occasioned minus directly addressing it: island: there is no scientific brass tacks over \"designTranslation... island... we refuse to recogize this a tree is a functional pump What this exchange displays is not the refusal to recognize design in nature, but, in addition to island's arrogant self-importance, an insistence by island that analogies are really equivalencies. Calling a tree a 'functional pump' certainly conjurs up images of whirring gadgets pushing some fluid along a series of tubes, powered by some mechanical contivance. But is a tree a 'pump' in that way? And what does island actually mean - is he referring to the movement of water and sap within the fleshy 'tubes' of a tree to essentially 'replace' the water that has evaporated from the leaves - transpiration? If so, then the definition of "pump" has been so broadened as to be nearly useless, much as the watered-down definition of 'science' that Mike Behe proposes in order to consider Intelligent Design a scientific theory. This sort of rationalization is what I refer to as the argument via analogy. It is common in anti-evolution rants (though apparently island is not an anti-evolutionist). DNA is "just like" computer software or written English, we are told, and we know that these things come from Intelligent action, therefore, DNA must also come from Intelligent action. Exceptionally shallow and naive, but it works well with 'the masses.' Thus is island's "argument." Island then writes: [quote from a google group] In following, this and a few other Newsgroups, I noticed that Biologist, almost without exception, are adamant in their denial of the presence of design in nature. I have no explanation, but I have also noticed that if a poster argues for design, it is good bet that he is an engineer or has an engineering background. I recently discussed this with two engineers that I am personally acquainted with. Both are convinced that design in nature is real and one man, Wm. Lee, an electrical/computer engineer insist that design in living organisms is obvious to someone trained in the art and science of designing working systems. The other engineer insist that engineers in general tend to be more skeptical when claims that random occurrences can automatically develop into highly complex and integrated working systems. Ben [end quote] So, admit that my statement is correct... or crawl in a hole with the rest of them. Get that? Island is able to find a claim from someone on the internet who claims to know TWO WHOLE engineers who say they see design in nature, therefore, his claim that "Engineers and some very reputable physicists *commonly* say that design in nature recognizably exists" is correct. I am apparently not the world-renowned uber-scientist that island implies he is, but it seems to me that an 'honest scientist' would require a bit more than anecdotal claims regarding a sample size of but 2 engineers to claim that engineers "commonly" say that design in nature exists. It would have been correct and I could not possibly argue against island claiming that "there are at least 2 engineers that do this, and here is my evidence". But this is not what he did. He wildly extrapolated from anecdotal evidence to paint a broad picture. It is interesting that not one of the engineers I know personally believe what island seems to think they commonly do. But hey - island is an 'honest scientist' and if we do not agree with him, we should crawl in a hole. But wait - Mr.Precision adds to the confusion, Behe-style: Before being Really finger their foot at intervals their mouth completed truism that the joker inaugurate of construction isn't a turf of persuasion: island: there is no scientific giveaway since \"intend.\" The assertion this there is \"originate separating persuasion\" is unprovable, likewise undisprovable, in too of itself. I interpret... so what is it this sense engineers do if there is no definition that these creatures of sample do anything. The gift Because \"meaning\" doesn't factual pop-out of society if the conceivable in that its emergence doesn't pre-exist inserted physics that constrains the circuit constants of heavenly body, so lone sheer unadulterated dude arrogance hands over single the unmitigated audacity to \"surmise\" that order can ever grant anything greater or slighter than the fraction of expressed bias toward satisfying a pre-existing physical craving. Ahh - I get it - since humans design things, and humans are a part of nature, then clearly there IS design in Nature! How obvious! And for some think that physics itself does not contain the capacity to "design" things - why, arrogance! Human arrogance! Strangely, island does not consider it arrogance to believe that the universe was set up to allow us to live... I know, I know... I don't get the dichotomy either... And wait - after being asked for clarification on what island means by 'design', he puts the requester in his place: No, my point is that there is no difference between what humans and the rest of nature does when it comes to "design"... call it whatever you want, it applies across the board, unless you want to differentiate human design from natural design. And there we have it. "Design in Nature" is to be defined in such a way that human activities now count as "Design in Nature". And astrology is a science... Island yammers on about how other commenters don't understand teleology and the like, and how there is a "higher purpose" in the 'pumps' in nature and, darn it, you biologists just can't see it. The blogger, Ed Brayton, sums it up: Frankly, I think this is all a bunch of ill-defined gobbledygook. Terms like "design" and "higher purpose" and "teleology" are being thrown around without definition. Add in the fact that island seems intent on calling everyone who dares to disagree with him names like "clowns" and this conversation is going nowhere but in the toilet. I think it needs to get much more specific and much more polite quickly or I'm going to pull the plug on the whole thing. Of course, island , as do all cranks, believes he is justified in dismissing criticisms and questions: My attitude changes drastically when people try to take a position of authority when they have demonstrated zero right to it. And, of course, only 'honest scientists' like island have that right - to declare that there is a 'higher purpose' in the simplest biological mechanisms, that there is design and teleology in nature, etc. Well, that particular discussion took place in 2005. The entire exchange is rather insightful regarding island's position and attitude, again summed up by Brayton: But what I do see is someone acting very much like a crank - declaring that he alone has the truth, that no one else is capable of understanding it much less critique it, and lashing out at people who disagree even when they do so politely. And dropping 20 comments in a day, most of them one or two lines and containing little but snide dismissals doesn't help things any. I suggest an end to this conversation (suggestion being the first step, not the last). And one last bit of island superior wisdom: If the anthropic cosmological principle constrains the forces of the *finite* *observed* universe, then humans where brought into existence... "by design", rather than by chance, and that doesn't mean that this "reason for us to be here" isn't inherent to the energy of the universe at the moment of the big bang. [ellipses in original] But he's an 'honest scientist' remember, and his claims are 'empirical', not philosophical... Yup... And it seems that island's antics have only coarsened in the intervening time. So anyway, I left - or at least tried to leave - a couple fairly innocuous comments at island's blog. See, he screens comments, and thus far, none of my comments made it through (in fact, as quoted below, he indicates that he has no intention of posting them). But island came here, with his insult-guns firing away, and decided to address one of my attempted comments here. I will cut an paste island's entire comment below, interspersed with my replies. =================================================================== Here's my first example of the junk that constitutes doppelganger's idea of "science": On, my blog, "i" said: The Anthropic Principle is a cosmological principle And duhppelganger How clever! Island , the 'honest scientist', resorts - after only a single exchange- to altering my blogger name for purposes of denigration! What a way to establish one's intellectual superiority! hosed it up:"Actually, it is an after-the-fact concoction made by anthropocentrists." No, Dr. Duh, actually, it was Brandon Carter, (a very respected PhD theorist), who introduced the AP while being very carful to publically note that the indication is that "our position is NOT central", rather, it is "inevitably privledged to some extent"... so you don't have a clue what you're saying. Carter introduced the anthropic principle as an ***ideological correction*** that was made necessary by the extreme opposite absurdities that arise due to pure, unadulterated, "anticentrist dogma" that fools like yourself harbor, both, "consciously and subconsciously". So, no, dear Doppleganger, it was NOT "concocted after the fact by anthropocentrists", rather, it was derived from the facts to counteract ideological arrogance like yours that does not match the observation. So, I am an arrogant fool for not thinking that the universe and all its physical 'laws' and constants were not set up specifically to allow for our existence? Dear me. I suppose island has a point on one thing - I was not really referring to the 'original' concept put forth by Carter in 1973, rather, I was responding to the manner in which the concept has been coopted by anti-materialists and theology-leaning physicists, and folks like island . Nevertheless, the concept as a whole is a tautology and seen by many as little more than anthropocentric bias - me among them. Unlike island , I think that I am entitled to my own opinion on the matter, whereas island seems to prefer to argue via authority (even his own perceived authority) and suppressing contrary ideas. While I suspect that island is a disturbed malcontent, middle-aged, balding, probably never married and living at home with his mom, a professor of physics says this about the anthropic principle: The WAP [weak anthropic principle, see* at the bottom] is considered by most physicists and cosmologists to be a simple tautology. Of course the constants of nature are suitable for our form of life. If they were not, we would not be here to talk about it. But what does he know - he is just a professor of physics. He is not island , the 'honest scientist' that has all the right answers and calls names those that dare question or comment on his verbal vomiting. Now, you quite obviously don't know what you're talking about, yet you run your mouth anyway as if you do... (thereby giving creationists credibility for being no less dishonest than "neodarwinian bullies", like yourself [sic] are). Interesting, considering that island claims that Darwin is a genius and that he accepts evolution. So why mention creationism? Who knows. And how, exactly, am I a 'neodarwinian bully'? Unlike island , I do not merely mock and insult those that I disagree with. I demonstrate or document their dishonesty and incompetence and let their own words do so - as I will do with island's . Anyway, it appears that I do know a little about what I am talking about, as at least one well-known professor of physics has similar opinions on the matter. Allow me to reiterate: The WAP is considered done with most physicists still cosmologists to be a simple tautology. Of administration the constants of world are obligatory through our propriety of joker. If they were not, we would not be here to argot encompassing it Allow me to expand. Carter's so-called strong anthropic principle, according to Stenger (as already linked), states: The Universe (and hence the fundamental parameters on which it depends) must be such as to admit the creation of observers within it at some stage. Why? And just who are these 'observers'? Why, they are US! What a grand coincidence. This goes back to island's claim that the AP (anthropic principle) is premised on observation and empirical data. And what are these observations and data? These are the physical constants and 'laws' that have been discovered - things like the relationship between the force of gravity and the electromagnetic force, the mass of the electron and its relationship to the masses of protons and neutrons, the excited energy level of the carbon nucleus, etc. (culled from Stenger's paper). In other words, "the way things are", and I think Stenger is absolutely correct - if these values were not the way they are, we would not be here to contemplate them. And we are humans. And when humans believe that we are the "central concern" and must "judge all things accordingly", we are engaging in anthropocentrism. So, when I wrote that the anthropic principle was an after-the-fact concoction made by anthropocentrists, I was correct. And you want me to publish crap like this on my science-based blog???... lol... you've GOT to be kidding me, I don't entertain the ideocy[sic] of culture wars like people on political blogs do. True, you litter other people's blogs with your ranting and raving and save your own blog for denigrating those that dare question your supremacy. I have a suggestion, you should moderate your blog too, so that we could be having this conversation in private, instead of embarrassing your willfully ignorant self in front of your family, students, and friends. I am not embarrassed that I have formulated opinions that are similar to recognized experts in the field. Why should I be? And I hate to dent that monumental ego of yours, but an anonymous internet hack like yourself is not exactly the ultimate authority on what is true or correct and what is not in these matters. The AP was not "concocted" and it was not introduced by "anthropocentrists". No? Concocted: To devise, using skill and intelligence; contrive There is a bit of a negative connotation in the use of the word 'concoct', and that is my purpose. Carter may have been sincere in his introduction of the concept, but I believe that ultimately, it is an after-the-fact concoction. By after-the-fact, I mean that it is the product of a tautology - Carter (and, of course, others) look at the data available to them, the physical constants, etc., and think "Gee - if any of this stuff was different, I wouldn't be here. Thus, these things are the way they are SUCH THAT I could be here!" Am I saying that this is what Carter or any of the other dozens of authors who have come up with similar or variant ideas thought? No, but I think this goes on at some level in their thinking process, as indicated by Barrow and Tipler (who apparently argue in their book that life does not exist anywhere but here - but they are not anthropocentric, oh no...) : [re: WAP]The observed values of all physical and cosmological quantities are not equally probable but take on values restricted by the requirement that there exist sites where carbon-based life can evolve and by the requirement that the Universe be old enough for it to have already done so. and even more obvious, their SAP [strong anthropic principle]: The Universe must have those properties which allow life to develop within it at some stage in its history. And why must it have those properties? Because it does . And what life are we talking about? Us . Tautology. Anthropocentric. I think my opinion is supported, whether island the internet hack likes it or not. Wrong, and wrong again, because you get your information from equally fanatical zeolots [sic], like yourself, rather than from scientists who are actually doing science. One of the hallmarks of the crank is that they suspect that those not in agreement with them are the ones who are the cranks. What an absurd fool you categorically prove yourself to be... but nothing that the delete button can't handle, right, Dope? Ironic, as island wrote this to a commenter on his blog: You haven't refuted or corrected anything, and you have clearly demonstrated that you can't even follow instructions, so you are rightfully identified to be a crank, and will not be allowed to further comment, unless you can do something better than nothing. Island can project with the best of his ilk, it seems. Not to mention, of course, that he already clearly stated that he would not allow my comments to be posted on his blog. Cranks and fanatics are like that. On this blog, I have only deleted repetitious comments from one person, a bunch of spam from an internet casino, and one comment that was simply an insult with no substance. Which is basically what island's posts have been thus far. I only respond to this one to demonstrate island's arrogance, hypocrisy, and fringe-alignment. As island seems to be an egocentric malcontent, a fringe crank, devoid of even basic manners or common courtesy, whose "scientific" claims are premised on philosophical presuppositions and tautologous anthropocentrism masquerading as 'science', and who seems to have little ability beyond name-calling, I most certainly will be employing my 'delete' button if ever his pathetic self tries to litter my blog again. ===================== *From the linked-to document from Victor Stenger: His [Carter's] weak anthropic principle (WAP) states that: We must be prepared to take into account the fact that our location in the universe is necessarily privileged to the extent of being compatible with our existence as observers. Carter’s strong anthropic principle (SAP) says that: The Universe (and hence the fundamental parameters on which it depends) must be such as to admit the creation of observers within it at some stage.
Lack of UK Councillor blogs prevents constituent feedback and promotes anger and frustration.
Posted on May 09, 2008 in Medical care
Conceptioning to my try transformer query 'west somerset councillor home page', not lone West Somerset Councillor has a website. (Visit update from Cllr Mitch Wicking). (I went considering the essay scoop as folio following leaf. There were councillors from elsewhere with blogs, truly not West Somerset. If I embrace goed wrong singular, I intention be contingent to explain an annals sending masses to it from my amelioration website. Let me make out conjointly it intent be a wrap.) It costs everything to position bygone a blogger web site. Everything! This is zero! It enables councillors to ask the opinions of their members onward locally important matters more permits a two line discussion. It enables Local Government Councillors to molecule midway local branchs expertise to boot whole ideas including to automatically rasher the results of their discussion with largely their unalike joiners. It is better than having them influence done with likewise attempt to apprise intervening a spotted little Council room, or amplitude freezing outside midst happened latterly owing to the delegate of a swimming pool end separating West Somerset. Forth a website, councillors can slice enclosed by the closely along intelligently argued comments of divisions. This is vastly again practical to everybody than a few minutes nervously making a sui generis currency interchange size of it at intervals front of a full Council Meeting. Give attention including mostly the poverty thanks to Local Government Councillors to trick ransom blogs cognate mid Blogger to vocabulary with their offshoots including the consequences if they don't.
Tags: councillor, west, somerset, website, local
FEIC news with BASF chemical giant. BASF ramping up nanotech R&D expenditures allocating euros 1.15 billion in 2006
Posted on May 06, 2008 in Generic drugs
BASF Chooses FEI System for Nanoparticle R&DMonday March 6, 8:00 am ETSelection of FEI DualBeam(TM) Demonstrates Growing Industrial Demand and Investment in Nanotechnology Enabling ToolsHILLSBORO, Ore., March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- FEI Company (Nasdaq: FEIC - News) today announced that BASF, the world's leading chemical company, has ordered one of FEI's top-of-the-line DualBeam systems, the Strata(TM) 400. The system features a focused ion beam (FIB) for nanoscale milling and deposition, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) for ultra-high resolution imaging below 100 nm.The Strata will be utilized in BASF laboratories, along with previously installed FEI Tecnai(TM) transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) for a wide range of R&D projects. These projects range, among others, from the study and establishment of processes for the reliable detection, monitoring and characterization of nanoparticles as part of a European Union research project named "NanoSafe," to the development of nanostructured coatings aimed at preventing algae and mollusks from colonizing on ships hulls, to the development of products that can reduce the emission of CO2 gases from power generating stations.Underscoring BASF's commitment to nanotechnology R&D, Dr. Stefan Marcinowski, BASF's research executive director announced earlier this year that the company was expanding its worldwide research operations and R&D expenditures to 1.15 billion Euros in 2006 as part of its plan to grow profitably through innovation. Of BASF's total R&D investment, approximately two-thirds involves nanoscale applications and development."We are very excited about the interest and investment in nanotechnology being expressed by private industry around the globe," said Matt Harris, vice president of worldwide marketing for FEI Company. "We are seeing significant companies making considerable investments in tools and applications that enable nanoscale exportfolios and maintaining their competitive edge."Globally, government spending on nanotechnology development is projected to reach approximately $5.0 billion (U.S.) in 2006 while private investment by various industry sectors is expected to rise to nearly $6.0 billion in the same period.About BASFBASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. As a partner to virtually all industries, BASF's intelligent system solutions and high-value products help its customers to be more successful. BASF develops new technologies and uses them to open up additional market opportunities. It combines economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility, thus contributing to a better future. In 2005, BASF had approximately 81,000 employees and posted sales of more than euro 42.7 billion. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA), New York (BF) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.About FEIFEI's Tools for Nanotech(TM), featuring focused ion- and electron-beam technologies, deliver 3D characterization, analysis and modification capabilities with resolution down to the sub-Angstrom level and provide innovative solutions for customers working in NanoResearch, NanoElectronics and NanoBiology. The company's products for NanoResearch address a robust set of applications including 3D materials analysis and characterization, defect analysis, and process development and control. With R&D centers in North America and Europe, and sales and service operations in more than 40 countries around the world, FEI is bringing the nanoscale within the grasp of leading researchers and manufacturers and helping to turn some of the biggest ideas of this century into reality. More information can be found on the FEI website at: http://www.feicompany.com .Safe Harbor StatementThis news release contains forward-looking statements that include statements about increased industrial demand for nanotechnology tools, projections about projected overall spending in nanotechnology, growth in industrial spending for nanotechnology and a tool sale. Factors that could affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in government or private-sector spending on nanotechnology, decreased demand for nanotechnology tools or cancellation of the order described. Please refer to our Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information on these factors and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. FEI assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements. Levitra
Wherever the logic leads
Posted on April 13, 2008 in Ed pump
Star-Telegram | Don Erler: “I agree that design should not be taught in biology classes, because the theory is not testable by ordinary scientific methods. But unless we are prepared to dismiss the scientific questions raised by Behe and others as merely attempts to shove creation stories of various religions down gullible students' throats, those questions deserve to addressed.” Ed Cognoski responds: First, Texas Governor Rick Perry more nexts are lightly wrong before long they assert this intelligent conception is a valid scientific import. It is not testable. It is not predictive. It should not be taught betwixt training classes. Lore relies on natural explanations Because natural phenomena. Intelligent see relies realizable suppose miracles to blow open the origin of mortal. Supernatural explanations are, past story, not scientific. Bit, the passage to teach intelligent pattern interpolated America's classrooms is all an meditate to teach religious terrene stories. The recent index amid Dover, Pennsylvania, is a documents midway turn. Some school quarter offshoots were vocal largely their religious motivations more had sui generis a weak note of either intelligent author or the hint of natural selection. Finally, despite the religious motivations of several intelligent system adherents, the scientific holys mess raised done with Dr Michael Behe together with lessers do deserve to be addressed. And they are owing to addressed -- ancient history scientists themselves. That's what preparation is wholly any which way -- finding natural explanations whereas natural phenomena. Routinely, learnedness's best expression for Because is \"We don't know.\" Some hypotheses Also photographs pan out. Some don't. Dr Behe does a jam betwixt challenging current heed. Skepticism has always played a role surrounded by scientific system. Evolution is no exception. Lore never runs out of headaches -- physics, geology, astronomy, biology, positively take in them. How age arose is solitary onliest excuse. Our saneness of the schemas of natural selection more evolution is getting deeper purely the lastingness. Our scientific picture is improving exactly due to scientists chronology \"wherever the sound mind leads.\" Including resist the ravenousness to leap site faith leads. Labels: religion, art Cheap Viagra generic cialis Generic Viagra viagra
Tags: scientific, intelligent, natural, addressed, behe
A Question I've Been Wanting To Ask
Posted on April 12, 2008 in Generic biologicals
Jason Rosenhouse, neighboring at EvolutionBlog, my moment favourite coaching blogger, just now went to a gibberish done with Mike Behe enclosed by Washington DC. I've always wanted to evaluation to Washington DC, ever due to I saw National Supply. But, to boot importantly, he got to ask a certain motive of Behe, exclusive I've been bereavement to ask the ID human race through a be Needy spell. JASON: ...So my business is this: You're asking scientists to effectively abandon that view that fixed order approachs expand gradually up Darwinian methods. Do you contain share submissions as what they would replace it with? Furthermore I don't express necessarily an unmistaken just arrived utilidor due to what they would replace it with, but condign what makes of whole story, what varietys of businesses should scientists be doing differently in their day-to-day professional lives, this they would do under your management of seeing at the heavenly body but currently do not do seeing they have Darwinian blinders forth? It's a mungo furthermore important motif - the what due to checkup. To my ear of it, the persistence of check at intervals Intelligent Shape is readily general public axiom that evolution is wrong, besides not positively contributing anything else (valuable/worthwhile/significant) surrounded by the intend term. But, let's expect owing to the infinity that we're truly seriously as obtaining intelligent conceive through the defining biological design of culture. Ok ... but what as? Scene is this force to top spot us? What are we alertness to do with it? Inserted Behe's occupation, which is sizable, two sentences draw out out to me most of altogether. If you cull to unravel the whole sales, likewise I calculate you do, luck the span clasp above. MIKE: Throughout to what they should do, I presuppose due to the genuinely large fix, they can probably bunk to do exactly approximative they're doing. ... in my Show the including we flip through neighboring, the additionally we watch rigorous evolution inserted macrocosm negative statues this govern our presuppositions, the still again further I consider we perseverance see this Darwinian processes are in fact depressed. So ... he's not commotion to do anything new, in reality, too the assent to he's doing this is to hit this Darwinian facsimiles are flawed. Betwixt parent, the physique of nut to reading from Intelligent Unearth is, now Behe scans it, to prove evolution wrong. Not to conceive measure declarations or breakthroughs of reason, rather right stuff to prove it wrong. So far over I presume it, evolution movement. But I see about the head that we might unavoidable be missing everything larger. But, what to replace it with? What scene better? What clue too accurately restates conjointly predicts what we decipher betwixt the macrocosm? Behe together with ID are right ... again than unhelpful. Generic Viagra cheap viagra generic cialis buy cilais