Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Talk:Atheistic tools

2008-11-20T16:42:15Z

MarieB:

Is it only atheists that use these tools or do other people use them as well? [[User:JackFinney|JackFinney]] 10:40, 20 November 2008 (EST)

:A combination of these is how pretty much every religion gets their start. Where would Christianity be without intimidating people (threat of hell), denying Pagan religions, "saving" (killing) the souls of people who wouldn't convert, etc. [[User:Mikek|Mikek]] 10:46, 20 November 2008 (EST)

Oh, hee hee. I thought this was Artistic tools! Oops! [[User:MarieB|MarieB]] 11:42, 20 November 2008 (EST)

Atheistic tools

2008-11-20T16:11:48Z

MarieB:

[[Atheists]] will use the following [[tools]] in arguments or attempts to defend their [[atheism]]:
*[[deceit]]
*[[denial]]
*[[intimidation]]
*[[harassment]]
*[[censorship]]
*[[violence]]
*[[indoctrination]]
*[[logical fallacy]]
*[[brainwashing]]
[[Category:Atheism]]

Spanish Inquisition

2008-07-22T15:20:46Z

MarieB:

[[Image:Inquisition Scene.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Goya's depiction of an Inquisition tribunal]]
The '''Spanish Inquisition''' was founded by King [[Ferdinand II]] and Queen [[Isabella of Castile|Isabella]] of [[Spain]], and authorized by [[Pope]] [[Sixtus IV]] in 1478 to examine the genuineness of recent converts from [[Judaism]] to [[Christianity]]. The majority of its activities were dedicated to the suppression of the Jews, and it was primarily a political tribunal. No one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition.

==Background==
Since the 13th century Spain had been divided into 3 distinct regions:
*the Kingdom of [[Castile]],
*the Kingdom of [[Aragón]], and
*Granada.

An Inquisition had existed in Aragón since 1232, when Pope [[Gregory IX]] had issued the [[Papal Bull]] ''[[Declinante]]'', although Castile had never had an Inquisition and Granada was an independent [[Islam]]ic stronghold. In 1474 Isabella succeeded to the throne of Castile and her husband Ferdinand to that of Aragón in 1479. They made a political decision to force religious conformity across all three regions, and the enforced conversion of the Jewish and Muslim population were crucial to their aim.

Spanish Jews had been persecuted since the 7th century, but the persecution reached new heights in the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1235 Jews were forced to wear a yellow circular patch for easier identification. In 1391 massacres of Jewish communities began, in Majorca, Aragón and Seville (where at least 4000 were killed).<ref>'''Kamen, Henry''', ''The Spanish Inquisition'', New York: New American Library (1965).</ref> Tens of thousands of Jews converted to Christianity to escape death, but the sincerity of these ''conversos'' was questioned. Ferdinand and Isabella, along with the rest of the ruling elite believed that the Jews and the ''conversos'' posed a genuine threat to their power and saw a full Inquisition as a means of reasserting the predominance of the aristocracy. The Jews who did not become conversos, were forced to leave Spain. This expulsion, in the main, took place in 1492, the year that Columbus, financed in part by confiscated Jewish wealth, discovered America. They fled mainly to the countries around the Mediterraenean - North Africa, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, as well as to Holland. From Holland, they went to the Americas. They are called Sephardic Jews, as they continued speaking the language of Spain, Spain being called in the Hebrew language, Sepharad.

==Tomás de Torquemada==
Isabella first established the ''Consejo de la Suprema y general Inquisición'' in 1483, designed primarily to operate within the Kingdom of Castile. It was headed by the newly-appointed Inquisitor-General, Fray [[Tomás de Torquemada]]. Torquemada was a [[Dominican]] Friar and [[confessor]] to Isabella. On 17 October 1483 Sixtus IV appointed Torquemada as Papal Inquisitor-General for Aragón, [[Valencia]] and [[Catalonia]], with permanent standing tribunals in [[Saragoza]], [[Barcelona]] and Valencia. This was the first organization in Spanish history that possessed equal powers throughout the entire country.

==1492==
After 9 years of warfare, Granada finally fell to the Spanish in January 1492. Ferdinand and Isabella set up their royal house in the [[Alhambra]], by joining the palace of Comares (the official throne of the Sultans of Granada) with their own Palace of the Lions. This ended several centuries of Islamic rule in southern and western Spain. Their finances bolstered by the conquest, the King and Queen no longer needed the financial support of the Jewish businesses in Spain, and on 31 March they issued the ''[[Alhambra Decree]]'', ordering the expulsion of all Jews from Spain and its territories and possessions by July 31, 1492, unless they converted to [[Roman Catholicism]]. About 400,000 left before the allotted date, losing their livelihoods and being forced to pay exorbitant taxes as they departed. (This Jewish money helped fund Columbus's voyage to America, which departed on 3 August, 1492.) Around 50,000 Jews chose to convert and remain in Spain.

==The ''Suprema''==
Ferdinand and Isabella had divided the administration of Spain into 5 Councils:
*the Council of State
*the Council of Finance
*the Council of Castile
*the Council of Aragón
*the Council of the Inquisition - more commonly known as the ''Suprema'' <ref>'''Turberville, A.S'''.,''Medieval Heresy and the Inquisition'', London: Crosby, Lockwood and Son (1920).</ref>

The ''Suprema'' was controlled and organized by the Office of the Inquisitor-General, and Torquemada put great efforts into the role. He created the first set of rules, the ''Instrucciónes Antiguas'', in 1484 on the basis of his own experience, with additions in 1485, 1488 and 1498.<ref>'''Turberville''', ''op cit.''; '''Kamen''', ''op cit''.</ref> New tribunals were established - by 1520 there were 22 temporary tribunals, plus twelve permanent tribunals in Castile and four in Aragón. Each had a large staff and two Inquisitors. The Inquisitors were required to be "masters of theology" and at least 40 years of age (although later the age limit was dropped to 30.) Additionally, each tribunal also employed:
*an ''alguazil'' (a "constable" responsible for arrests)
*several ''calificadores'' (assessors of evidence)
*a ''fiscal'' (prosecutor)
*gaolers
*chaplains
*clerks
*notaries
*"familiars"
The tribunals were overseen by ''visitadores'' ("travelling inspectors") who reported to the ''Suprema''. The "familiars" were the spies and informers of the Inquisition. These posts could be bought and sold and were often hereditary. Their number was vast - in the 16th century there were 805 in [[Toledo]], 805 in Granada and 1,009 in [[Santiago]].

==Accusation==
When targeted by the Inquisition, a particular village or locale would receive notice from the familiars of a "period of grace" - heretics were urged to come forward or denounce others known to them. This remained the basic method of locating suspected heretics. Suspects could be denounced for activities as varied as "''smiling at the mention of the Virgin Mary, eating meat on a day of abstinence, or non-heretical offences such as urinating against a church wall or assertions to a man's wife that he did not believe fornication was a sin.''"<ref>'''Kamen''', ''op cit.''</ref> Many people denounced themselves for fear that a friend or neighbour would do so anyway, and such fears, counter-accusations and chain reactions of denounciations within small communities vastly increased the terror of the Inquisition.

==Arrest and imprisonment==
The ''calificadores'' were required to make an assessment of the evidence before a suspect was arrested, although in practice this was only carried out when there were complex theological matters involved. In straight forward cases of Judaism or relapsed Islamic or Jewish converts, this stage was eliminated. Arrest followed swiftly, at any time of day or night, and the ''alguazil'' was accompanied by a notary who made an exhaustive inventory of the belongings of the suspect should the sentence involve confiscation. The suspect was then taken to one of the permanent Inquisition prisons, or ''casa di penitencia'', which propaganda and legend have made seem much worse than they really were. There are many recorded incidents of prisoners who sought transfer ''to'' an Inquisition prison from the ordinary gaols, even going so far as to denounce themselves as heretics. However, the prisons used for suspects during interrogation, the ''cárceles secretas'', were far worse to assist in the psychological break down of suspects.

==Trial==
A clear picture of their activities can be seen in this account:

<div style="width: 70%; margin: 0 15% 1em 15%; text-align: left; background-color: #DEE6ED; padding: 0.5em; border: solid 1px #6699CC;">"The depositions of the witnesses are shown to the defendant, with names of witnesses suppressed. Everything is read distorted and contorted - with so many obscurities and circumlocutions and with the wording so vague, as to seem the language of any creature other than a rational being. In the deposition formulas specially noticeable are the holy wiles: when they say "He heard from a certain person whom he has named," it is to be understood that it is the defendant himself from whom he heard it! When the prisoner has answered as well as he can, his [[advocate]] opportunely appears. In the presence of the Inquisitors he indicates to the prisoner the evidence by which he is hardest pressed, and the one remedy left - a shrewd guess at his assailant, with a view to consideration of possible exceptions against him; he advises him to try, for some days, to recall to memory those with whom he may chance to have had feud - because, if enmity can be established through legitimate investigation, this one exception will repel any man from giving evidence in this tribunal; he warns him that he can deny evidence that is not sufficiently consistent. This is the utmost assistance which a prisoner can expect from his advocate; and thus he is bidden back to his prison. Three or four days later he is called to audience, and is asked if he can remember and explain anything - the advocate inquiring if he has amde any guess at the witnesses. Prisoner brings forward what he can remember - begging them to see whether by chance his delators are among these. If he has not guessed correctly, not only is his reply wasted, but also the three or four days trouble of guessing - and the accusation remains unshaken. But should it chance that he guesses right, the advocate asks him what exceptions he can use against the persons named by him. The exceptions set forth, and the witnesses named by whom defendant will prove them, after prisoner has been allowed to repose for some '''months''' in his prison they summon him again to the contest; and the Inquisitor tells him that the witnesses named by him have been heard - so that he should see whether he has anything to say for himself, or whether he wishes to conclude. Defendant concluding, the Fiscal also concludes; and afterwards the Inquisitors, with the assessors and the consultors, pass sentence - when the theologians, monks and clerks have weighed whatever defendant has said bearing on doctrine and the Faith. The marks of their more than leoine claws are confiscation of property, perpetual or temporary imprisonment, a mud-colored garment commonly called ''sambenito'', perpetual infamy to all posperity."<ref>'''Turberville''', ''op cit.''</ref></div>

The main features of inquisitorial procedure are evident - secrecy of witnesses, the "holy wiles" of the Inquisitors, and the "guessing game" nature of the tribunal's interrogation. The importance of an existing "feud" reinforces the idea advanced by Kieckhefer<ref>'''Kieckhefer, Richard''', ''European Witch Trials: Their Foundation in Popular and Learned Culture, 1300-1500'', London: Routledge and Kegan Paul (1976)</ref> for [[witchcraft]] and Kamen<ref>'''Kamen''', ''op cit.''</ref> for the Spanish Inquisition that spiteful gossip and revenge were the main causes of suffering under the Inquisition. It is evident that anti-Spanish propaganda, both in [[England]] and in [[Rome]] in the late 16th century, gave a much exaggerated picture of the workings of the Spanish inquisition, but although "''in some respects we can modify the picture of a cruel and merciless Inquisition, what cannot be explained away is the atmosphere that prevailed prior to arrest and condemnation.''"<ref>'''Kamen''', ''op cit.''</ref> This atmosphere of secrecy was prolonged throughout the trial and also the process of torture.

An anonymous English writer of the time backs up the above account and demonstrates further how secrecy was used to instill fear:

<div style="width: 70%; margin: 0 15% 1em 15%; text-align: left; background-color: #DEE6ED; padding: 0.5em; border: solid 1px #6699CC;">"But if the accused doe not sufficientlie justifie himself, he is condemned to torture. And with his Curate he is constrained to goe, through a place verie hidious, to a room underground, where he findeth the Judges set. There is ye Executioner, covered with a long black linen robe verie straight like a sacke, having his head and face covered with a blacke hoode having but two holes before his eyes - this done to amaze the Patient, as if a devill came to punish his Misdeeds. If he confesse nothing, they sometimes martyre him more than two houres."<ref>''The Manner of the Spanish Inquisition'', Ms Tanner 99, [[Bodleian Library]]</ref></div>

The interrogation in the tribunal chamber might also be cut abruptly short by the ''fiscal'', saying that, in spite of his continued advice to tell the truth he felt that the prisoner was being reticent and that he would therefore ask that the prisoner be "questioned" - that is, tortured. Llorente describes that prisoners spent the entire trial in anxious expectation of the ''fiscal'' making this request. This further underlines the extent to which secrecy and fear were the main weapons of the Spanish Inquisition, perhaps even more than the torture itself.<ref>'''Llorente, D. Jean-Antoine''', ''Histoire Critique de l'Inquisition d'Espagne''. Paris: Treuttel et Wurtz (1818)</ref>

==[[Torture]]==
[[Image:Garrucha.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Torture by ''garrucha'']]
The modern concept of the inquisition torture-chamber as a place of deviously refined cruelty is "''an error due to sensationalist writers who have exploited credulity.''"<ref>Henry Charles Lea, quoted in '''Kamen''', ''op cit.''</ref> The historian Henry Charles Lea estimated that between 1575 and 1610 only around 32% of those prisoners whose offences made them liable for torture were actually tortured.

The Spanish Inquisition's use of torture was subject to strict rules laid down long before by [[Clement V]] - but these were usually bent. For example, a prisoner could only be tortured once, so the Inquisitor would state clearly at the end of session that torture was being "suspended", not ended, so that the records would show the continuation of a single application of torture rather than a second session.

Torture was applied by a public executioner in the presence of an Inquisitor, a representative of the local bishop, and usually a doctor. Few victims appear to have died under torture, and cases of permanent injury or loss of a limb were, comparatively, rare. The three most common methods were the ''garrucha'', similar to the strappado; the ''toca'', or ordeal of water; and the ''potro'', a form of the rack. The use and number of torture implements was much smaller than is imagined, and usually a free confession in the chamber was sufficient to avoid torture altogether.

While there are examples of prisoners being mutilated, losing toes and fingers and having limbs broken, it appears that merely the sight of the instruments in the chamber were enough to produce confession. Only the most obstinate prisoners received the full application of torture. Torture was also used fully against witnesses who gave contradicting testimony or retracted accusations they had made earlier.

==Sentence and Auto de Fe==
[[Image:Auto de Fe.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Engraving of an ''auto de fe'' in Spain (1559)]]
As the arrest took place after assessment of the evidence, the prisoner was effectively found guilty at the instant of his arrest. Interrogation served not to prove guilt or innocence, merely to obtain a confession, after which penance could be assigned. Kept in ignorance of the precise charge and so unable to formulate a plausible defence, the prisoner was advised "''to search his conscience, confess the truth, and trust to the mercy of the tribunal.''"<ref>'''Kamen''', ''op cit.''</ref> Theoretically this could last for months, even years, before finally the prisoner was informed of the charges. There were defence lawyers available, known as ''abogados de los presos'', but as they were themselves full-time officials of the Inquisition, they were particularly ineffective and distrusted by prisoners.

Eventually, sentence would be pronounced. A jury called the ''consulta de fe'' was convened, consisting of the Inquisitors, a representative of the bishop, and occasionally experts in theology and law. Difficult decisions were made by the ''Suprema'' itself. The condemned heretic would then appear in an ''auto de fe'', to hear sentence. if heard in private, for lighter offences, this was an ''auto particular''; the public form was the ''auto publica''. Punishments included:
*''Sanbenito''
*Confiscation of goods
*Imprisonment
*Exile from the locality
*Scourging
*Galley slavery
*Reprimand
*Acquittal
*Relaxation in person
*Relaxation in effigy

''Sanbenito'' was to wear a yellow-crossed garment as a sign of infamy. Sentencing to the galleys could be for a period up to 10 years or more. Scourging consisted of a public whipping through the streets, either on foot or on a donkey; the usual number was 100 lashes, up to a maximum of 200.

The ultimate penalty was "Relaxation" - a misleading term which actually means "burning at the stake". Heretics who had either died in confinement or escaped justice were "relaxed in effigy", while the less fortunate were handed to the secular authorities for execution. This sentence was reserved for unrepentant or relapsed heretics, and the Inquisitors would attempt until the last moment to get a confession, saving the prisoners life. Even a confession as late as at the ''auto de fe'' would earn the benefit of death by strangulation prior to the stake; those who still did not confess were burned alive.

An eye-witness account of an ''auto de fe'' describes the spectacle:

<div style="width: 70%; margin: 0 15% 1em 15%; text-align: left; background-color: #DEE6ED; padding: 0.5em; border: solid 1px #6699CC;">"In the great square was raised a high scaffold; and thither, from 7 in the morning until the evening, were brought criminals of both sexes, all the Inquisitions in the kingdom sending their prisoners [here]. Twenty men and women out of these prisoners [in this instance, Protestants], with one renegade [Muslim], were ordered to be burned. Fifty Jews and Jewesses, having never before been imprisoned, were sentenced to a long [imprisonment] and to wear a yellow cap; and ten others, indicted for bigamy, witchcraft and other crimes, were sentenced to be whipped and then sent to the galleys... The grand inquisitor's chair was placed in a sort of tribunal far above that of the king. The nobles here acted the part of the sheriff's officers in England, leading such criminals as were to be burned; the rest were conducted by the familiars of the Inquisition.

The stakes... are about [12 feet] high, and each have a small board, whereon the prisoner is sat within a foot of the top. The [condemned] go up a ladder betwixt two priests, who attend them the whole day of execution. When they come even with the aforementioned board, they turn about to the people and the priests spend nearly [15 minutes] in exhorting them to be reconciled to the see of Rome. On their refusing the priests come down, and the executioner ascending, turns the [prisoner] off the ladder on to the seat, chains them to the stake, and leaves them. Then the priests go up a second time to renew their exhortations; and if they find them ineffectual, tell them at their parting that "they leave them to the Devil, who is standing at their elbow ready to receive their souls, and carry them with him into the flames of hell-fire, as soon as they are out of their bodies." A general shout is then raised, and when the priests get off the ladder, the universal cry is:"Let the dog's beards be made!" which means, singe their beards. This is performed by means of flaming furzes, thrust against their faces with long poles. This barbarity is repeated till their faces are burnt. Fire is then set to the furzes, and the criminals are consumed.

The intrepidity of the 21 men and women in suffering the horrid death was truly astonishing; some thrust their hands and feet into the flames with most dauntless fortitude; and all of them yielded to their fate with such resolution that many of the amazed spectators lamented that such heroic souls had not been more enlightened.<ref>The account of William Lithgow, quoted in '''Scott, George Ryley''' ''The History of Torture Throughout the Ages'', London: Torchstream Books (1949)</ref></div>

==References==
<references/>
[[category:Spanish History]]
[[Category:Catholic Church]]
[[Category:Jewish History]]

Talk:Conservapedia challenge

2008-07-03T20:23:29Z

MarieB:

A challenge! Very well, Sir, I accept!

I am not a rich man and would be unable to handle all the data accumulated over twenty years. Neither do I think it acceptable to enjoin a publically funded organization to spend the large sums required to send such a large amount of data without a defined public benefit.

Let us, then, agree a hypothesis that can be tested by ' 'some' ', of Prof. Lenski's unpublished data. I will then procure from said Professor either:
1) That very data, which I will then deliver to you, or
2) An admission from the Professor that he does not have that data

If I succeed you will:
1) procure me one pint of Fuller's "London Pride" at the Nicholson's pub in the Strand, London, and display a picture of me drinking it on the front page of Conservapedia.
2) Publish a statement on the front page of Conservapedia stating that you accept Professor Lenski's honesty and professionalism.

I await:
1) Your hypothesis
2) The data that would test it
3) Your "prize" should I fail

Regards
Tony Lloyd (User:TonyLloyd

: Your "offer" is fascinating but also self-contradictory. On the one hand you imply that there are voluminous data ("spend the large sums required to send such a large amount of data"), but on the other hand you suggest that Lenski may not have any such data! You also seem to misunderstand or ignore the purpose and benefits of public scrutiny, as the data are not merely for me ("your hypothesis" and "data that would test it") but for all the public who paid for the data.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 13:18, 3 July 2008 (EDT)
::As I have asked elsewhere Mr Schlafly I really do think you need to clarify [[Talk:Main_Page#Lenski.27s_data | nature of the data requested and who would examine it]], and explain if you accept the [[Talk:Main_Page#Legal_means_to_get_Lenski.27s_data_2 | data are represented by the organisms]] (and if you think the data are not represented by the organisms explain why not.)--[[User:British_cons|British_cons]] [[User_talk:British_cons|(talk)]] 13:28, 3 July 2008 (EDT)

At least one blogger has already claimed to have won the challenge: [http://nolatitude.blogspot.com/2008/07/conservapedia-stubborn-idiocy-in-action.html No Latitude]. He cites and links to the following data:
http://myxo.css.msu.edu/lenski/pdf/2008,%20PNAS,%20Blount%20et%20al.pdf
http://www.pnas.org/content/103/24/9107.full.pdf+html
http://myxo.css.msu.edu/lenski/pdf/2004,%20Plant%20Breeding%20Reviews,%20Lenski.pdf
http://myxo.css.msu.edu/lenski/pdf/2003,%20JME,%20Lenski%20et%20al.pdf
http://myxo.css.msu.edu/lenski/pdf/2003,%20PNAS,%20Cooper%20et%20al.pdf

Of these, the last is particularly data-rich.

: The missing data are very specific. The above citation list is a common tactic of distraction: try to obscure by burying the reader with volumes of meaningless or less meaningful info. Most of the dates on those cites are years ago, predating when key data could have even occurred.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 14:05, 3 July 2008 (EDT)

::''Most of the dates on those cites are years ago'' But not ALL of them, right? What about those citations which do not predate what you are looking for? Also, the Lenski dialogue now exists on several talk pages besides this one, some of them archived. I'm a busy person and do not have time to go hunting around through dozens if not hundreds of posts. Would it be too much of an imposition to ask you to state here, in a concise manner, what data exactly that would satisfy your request? - I say this in part because many of your interlocutors are trying to make YOU look unreasonable by making it appear as though you want Lenski to ship you on old mustard jar full of e coli (yes, I'm exaggerating)...I think it would do this discussion some good to refocus it on a short list of exactly what it is you're looking for...[[User:AliceBG|AliceBG]] 14:19, 3 July 2008 (EDT)

::The oldest paper there is from generation 20,000.[[User:JPohl|JPohl]] 14:20, 3 July 2008 (EDT)

There is no contradiction in "obtaining or admission of non-existence". If a piece of data is essential for a conclusion and yet does not exist then that non-existence provides bad faith on the part of the person reaching (and publishing) the conclusion.

I do understand about 'public scrutiny'. However this undefined 'public scrutiny' is vacuous testing 'in potentia'. I am suggesting actual public scrutiny. I am suggesting formulation of a hypothesis and a test which that hypothesis may fail. If it escapes refutation it will become corroborated. If it fails then we must accept that failure.

Cheers

Tony (on a windows mobile device and unable to "sign")

: The value in public scrutiny is to allow many to review the data. Your insistence on a single "hypothesis" is contrary to the very benefit of public review. Also, it's obvious to me that [[Lenski]] will not allow public scrutiny of the publicly funded data, and thus proposing a hypothesis would be a fool's errand.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 16:01, 3 July 2008 (EDT)

Has the PNAS been contacted regarding this matter? --[[User:Jareddr|Jareddr]] 16:04, 3 July 2008 (EDT)

: You're welcome to do so. PNAS does not make it easy to contact it, and accountability is far from clear at that publication. If you can post an appropriate contact here, then I'd be happy to follow up with it about its stated policy and what the procedure is for ensuring compliance with it.--[[User:Aschlafly|Aschlafly]] 16:12, 3 July 2008 (EDT)

::pnas@nas.edu • phone: 1-202-334-2679 • fax: 1-202-334-2739

Rush (band)

2008-07-03T18:42:45Z

MarieB:

{{move|Rush (band)}}

'''Rush''' is a Canadian [[progressive rock]] band formed in the summer of 1968 initially comprising lead vocalist and bassist [[Geddy Lee]], rhythm/lead guitarist [[Alex Lifeson]], and drummer [[John Rutsey]]. [[Neil Peart]] replaced Rutsey in July 1974 and this lineup has been unchanged ever since. Early in the band's career, most of their musical output emulated blues-inspired rock bands such as [[Cream (band)|Cream]] and [[Led Zeppelin]] with lyrics that focused on epic fantasy or science fiction stories. Over the years, however, the band shed this emulation with inspiration and subsequent integration of progressive rock, [[pop rock]], [[reggae]], and [[modern rock]] characteristics.

Despite the band eschewing mainstream media exposure, their popularity grew as the years wore on, spawning fan-favorites such as 1980's ''Permanent Waves'' and 1981's quadruple platinum ''Moving Pictures''. The latter is conventionally considered the band's quintessential album and the apex of their commercial success. The band is still highly active with respect to touring and recording. They recently released their latest studio album ''Snakes & Arrows'' May 1, 2007. The band's catalog is vast (composed of 19 studio albums, 7 official live recordings and numerous compilations) since their time together and activity spans over 30 years. This longevity inevitably resulted in obvious musical changes which lead to disagreement among fans regarding the most popular/fan-favorite songs and albums. Some consider songs such as the instrumental "YYZ", the semi-concept album ''2112'', (with sections "Overture and "The Temples of Syrinx"), "Fly By Night", and charting singles "Closer to the Heart", "Freewill", "The Spirit of Radio", "New World Man", "The Big Money", "Distant Early Warning", and "Tom Sawyer" as some of their very best.

Some of Peart's lyrics, however, especially during the late '70s and early '80s (e.g ''[[2112]]''), were inspired by the [[objectivist]] philosophy of novelist [[Ayn Rand]], as well as by psychedelic [[Illegal drugs | drugs]] (e.g. ''[[A Passage to Bangkok]]''). The band have received some criticism for these lyrical themes, especially in the pro-[[collectivist]] British press in the wake of this album in the 70s.

The band is currently on an intercontinental tour in support of their most recent album ''Snakes & Arrows''. A double live album dubbed ''Snakes & Arrows Live'' was released on April 15, 2008 chronicling this tour.

===Band Members===

* [[Geddy Lee]] - Bass guitar, lead vocals, synthesizers (1968 - Present)
* [[Alex Lifeson]] - Guitar, mandolin, mandola, bass pedals, backing vocals (1968 - Present)
* [[Neil Peart]] - Drums, acoustic and electronic percussion (1974 - Present)
* [[John Rutsey]] - Drums and percussion (1968 - 1974)

== Discography ==

=== Studio Albums ===
# [[Rush (album)|''Rush'']] (March 1974)
# ''[[Fly by Night]]'' (February 1975)
# ''[[Caress of Steel]]'' (September 1975)
# [[2112 (album)|''2112'']] (February 1976)
# ''[[A Farewell to Kings]]'' (September 1977)
# [[Hemispheres (1978 album)|''Hemispheres'']] (October 1978)
# ''[[Permanent Waves]]'' (January 1980)
# [[Moving Pictures (album)|''Moving Pictures'']] (February 1981)
# [[Signals (album)|''Signals'']] (September 1982)
# [[Grace Under Pressure (1984 album)|''Grace Under Pressure'']] (April 1984)
# [[Power Windows (album)|''Power Windows'']] (October 1985)
# ''[[Hold Your Fire]]'' (September 1987)
# [[Presto (album)|''Presto'']] (November 1989)
# ''[[Roll the Bones]]'' (September 1991)
# [[Counterparts (album)|''Counterparts'']] (October 1993)
# ''[[Test for Echo]]'' (September 1996)
# ''[[Vapor Trails]]'' (May 2002)
# ''[[Snakes & Arrows]]'' (May 2007)

=== Other Studio Records ===
* [[Not Fade Away (album)|''Not Fade Away'']] (1973 - 7" Single)
* [[Closer to The Heart (album)|''Closer to The Heart'']] (1977 - Single)
* [[Feedback (Rush album)|''Feedback'']] (June 2004 - Cover Album)

=== Live Albums ===
* ''[[All The World's a Stage]]'' (September 1976)
* ''[[Exit...Stage Left]]'' (October 1981)
* ''[[A Show of Hands]]'' (December 1988)
* ''[[Different Stages (1998 album)|Different Stages]]'' (November 1998)
* ''[[Rush in Rio]]'' (October 2003)
* ''[[R30 Live In Frankfurt|R30: Live in Frankfurt]]'' (November 2005)
* ''[[Snakes & Arrows Live]]'' (April 2008)

=== Videos ===
* Through the Camera Eye (VHS, Laserdisc)
* Exit..Stage Left (VHS, Laserdisc)
* Grace Under Pressure Tour (VHS, Laserdisc)
* A Show of Hands (VHS, Laserdisc)
* [[Chronicles (1990 album)| Chronicles]] (VHS, Laserdisc, DVD)
* Rush in Rio (DVD)
* [[R30 Live In Frankfurt|R30: Live in Frankfurt]] (DVD - November 2005)

=== Compilations/Interviews ===
* ''[[Archives (Rush album)|Archives]]'' (April 1978) – Repackage of the first three albums (''[[Rush (album)|Rush]]'', ''[[Fly by Night]]'' and ''[[Caress of Steel]]'')
* ''[[Chronicles (1990 album)|Chronicles]]'' (September 1990) – Essentially a "Greatest Hits" release
* ''[[The Story of Kings - Interview]]'' (1992) – Interview with [[Alex Lifeson]]
* ''[[The Interviews - Vol 2]]'' (October 1995) – Interview with [[Geddy Lee]]
* ''[[Retrospective I]]'' Repackaging of best songs from their first decade.
* ''[[Retrospective II]]'' Repackaging of best songs from their second decade.
* ''[[The Spirit of Radio: Greatest Hits 1974-1987]]'' (February 2003) – Repackaging of [[Mercury/Polygram]]-held songs up to [[Hold Your Fire]]

=== Solo Efforts ===
* ''[[Burning for Buddy, Volume 1]]'' ([[Buddy Rich]] tribute album) – (Solo), Peart, ''et al.'' (1994)
* ''[[Burning for Buddy, Volume 2]]'' ([[Buddy Rich]] tribute album) – (Solo), Peart, ''et al.'' (1994/-5)
* ''[[Victor (album)|Victor]]'' – (Solo), Lifeson, ''et al.'' (1996)
* ''[[My Favorite Headache]]'' – (Solo), Lee, ''et al.'' (November 2000)

== Books ==
* ''Rush: Visions: The Official Biography'' – Banasiewicz, Bill. (1988), Omnibus Press – ISBN 0711911622
* ''Rush Tribute: Merely Players'' – Telleria, Robert (2002) – ISBN 1550822713
* ''Rush: Success Under Pressure'' – Gett, Steve. (1984) – ISBN 0895242303
* ''Rhythm & Light'' – Nuttall, Carrie, (2005), Rounder Books, ISBN 1579400930
* ''Drum Techniques of Rush'' – Peart (1985) – ISBN 0769250556
* ''More Drum Techniques of Rush'' – Peart, Wheeler (1989) – ISBN 0769250513
* ''The Masked Rider: Cycling in West Africa'' – Peart (1999) – ISBN 1895900026
* ''[[Ghost Rider (book)|Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road]]'' – Peart (2002) – ISBN 1550225464 (hardcover), ISBN 1550225480 (paperback)
* ''Traveling Music: Playing Back the Soundtrack to My Life and Times'' – Peart (2004) – ISBN 1550226649
* ''Contents Under Pressure: 30 Years of Rush at Home and Away'' – Popoff, Martin. Publisher: Ecw Press (June 28, 2004) – ISBN 1550226789
* ''Mystic Rhythms: The Philosophical Vision of Rush'' – Price, et al. (1999) – ISBN 1587151022

[[Category:Rock Bands]]

==External links==
*[http://www.adequacy.org/stories/2001.8.22.0219.37804.html Understanding Ayn Rand through the music of Rush]
*[http://www.rush.com Rush Official Website]
*[http://www.neilpeart.net Neil Peart's Official Website]

Company town

2008-07-02T21:53:15Z

MarieB: Undo revision 486032 by Fantasia (Talk)

A '''company town''' is a town where [[economic]] activity (and sometimes social and political activity as well) is dominated by a single [[employer]].

==See Also==
[[Company man]]

[[category:economics]]

Awe

2008-07-02T21:49:58Z

MarieB:

'''Awe''' is the [[emotion|condition of feeling]] overwhelmed by or filled with [[respect]], whether one intends to be or not.

People may feel awe when they encounter [[beauty]], witness acts of great [[hero]]ism or self-sacrifice, or engage in religious contemplation, among others.

Something that causes awe is said to be awesome, which is a term that changed meaning slightly when it made its way into American slang, mostly due to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

{{stub}}

[[category:Psychology]]

Talk:Madness (band)

2008-07-02T21:36:07Z

MarieB:

You have my hand itching (or inching) towards the CD shelf! [[User:Bugler|Bugler]] 17:29, 2 July 2008 (EDT)

:Hah! I actually just ran across it randomly, and figured it should probably be disambiguated, but yeah they're a fun band! [[User:MarieB|MarieB]] 17:36, 2 July 2008 (EDT)

Madness

2008-07-02T21:26:22Z

MarieB: Replacing page with '{{disambig}} Madness (band) Madness (illness) Madness (emotion)'

{{disambig}}

[[Madness (band)]]
[[Madness (illness)]]
[[Madness (emotion)]]

Company town

2008-07-02T21:22:31Z

MarieB:

Fish

2008-07-02T17:41:10Z

MarieB:

[[Image:Fishes.jpg|left]]
'''Fish''' are aquatic cold-blooded [[vertebrates]] with fins and scales. Many species of fish are often kept as pets in containers known as [[aquarium]]s. Fish are generally divided into two groups: [[freshwater]]-dwelling and [[saltwater]]-dwelling, and fish from one group are generally unable to survive in the environment of the other. There are, however, a small number of [[species]] that move between saltwater and freshwater at different stages of their lives.

The largest freshwater fish ever found was a 646 pound giant catfish found in the Mekong River in [[Thailand]] in 2005. [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/06/photogalleries/giantcatfish/]

== Types of fish ==
[[Image:795px-Black-spotted puffer arp.jpg|thumb|Puffer fish]]
*[[Cod]]
*[[Puffer fish]]
*[[Shark]]

== What the Bible says about fish ==

FISH. Creation of, Gen. 1:20-22. Appointed for food, [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%209:2&version=47; Gen. 9:2,3]. Clean and unclean, Lev. 11:9-12; Deut. 14:9,10. Taken with nets, Eccl. 9:12; Hab. 1:14-17; Matt. 4:21; Luke 5:2-6; John 21:6-8; hooks, Isa. 19:8; Amos 4:2; Matt. 17:27; spears, Job 41:7. Ponds for: in Heshbon, Song 7:4; in Egypt, Isa. 19:10. Traffic in, Neh. 13:16; John 21:13. Broiled, [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2021:9-13&version=47; John 21:9-13]; Luke 24:42. Miracles connected with: Jonah swallowed by, Jonah 1:17; 2; Matt. 12:40; of the loaves and fishes, [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2014:19&version=47; Matt. 14:19]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%2015:36&version=47; 15:36]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%205:6&version=47; Luke 5:6]; 9:13-17; coin obtained from mouth of, Matt. 17:27; great draught of, Luke 5:4-7; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2021:6-8&version=47; John 21:6]; furnished to the disciples by Jesus after his resurrection, [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lk%2024:42&version=47; Luke 24:42]; [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn%2021:9-13&version=47; John 21:9-13].

::: "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the [[Holy Spirit]] to those who ask him!" Luke 11:11-13. [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+11:11-13]

[[Image:Cod.jpg|thumb|A Cod]]
== See also ==
*[[Fishing]]
*[[Fish and chips]]
*[[Ship]]

== External links ==
*[http://www.infovisual.info/02/033_en.html Fish Anatomy]

[[Category: Vertebrates]]
[[Category:Marine]]

User:MarieB

2008-07-02T17:12:53Z

MarieB: New page: Hi everyone! I'm looking forward to adding some articles on clothing and its history, as well as some entries on cats, possibly.

Hi everyone! I'm looking forward to adding some articles on clothing and its history, as well as some entries on cats, possibly.