Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

6th millennium BC

2007-03-24T07:43:54Z

Revpfil: Reverted to changes by TempestHead

Many environments shift around the world, triggereing a change in subsistene patterns. Hunter-gatherers in the Middle East begin to shift towards sedentary horticulture and early intensive agriculture.

Archaeopteryx

2007-03-15T04:42:50Z

Revpfil: This article is about a fossil, not evolution. Removed text emphasizing evolution.

[[Image:archaeopteryx.png|right|Archaeopteryx fossil]]

'''Archaeopteryx''' is a fossil form based on fragments. It is often presented as evidence of evolution because the bones have some characteristics reminiscent of [[reptile | reptiles]], making it appear to be a transitional form between reptiles and birds.

The criticism of the Archaeopteryx as a transitional form, has been strengthened by the work of anatomist Dr. David Menton[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/d_menton.asp] suggesting that Archaeopteryx was a true bird with flight feathers, not a transitional form at all.

In 1993, an article was published in Science magazine arguing that the Archaeopteryx had fully formed flying feathers (including asymmetric vanes and ventral, reinforcing furrows as in modern flying birds), the classical elliptical wings of modem woodland birds, and a large wishbone for attachment of muscles responsible for the downstroke of the wings<ref>A. Feduccia, "Evidence from Claw Geometry Indicating Arboreal Habits of Archaeopteryx," Science, 259(5096):790-793, February 5, 1993.</ref>

Subsequently, in 1994, a publication doubting evolution explained that the Archaeopteryx was essentially that of a flying bird, with a large cerebellum and visual cortex. The fact that it had teeth is irrelevant to its alleged transitional status -- a number of extinct birds had teeth, while many reptiles do not. Furthermore, like other birds, both its maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw) moved. In most vertebrates, including reptiles, only the mandible moves.<ref>D. Mentonand C. Wieland, "Bird Evolution Flies out the window," Creation Ex Nihilo, 16(4):16-19, September-November 1994.</ref>

==References==
<references/>

Epicureanism

2007-03-15T04:33:31Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comment.

The belief that great happiness can be achieved through the avoidance of pain and fear.

The Epicureans were founded by [[Epicurus]] (341-270 B.C.) in the late fourth century B.C. and did not believe in any divine power. They did not believe in human ability to know and understand absolute truth, instead teaching that only the senses could be trusted. They sought pleasure and inner peace, and their teachings later led to justification for excess and indulgence in whatever pleasures one desired. The Epicureans believe that there can be no pain in death because their can be no pain in non-existence, so one should not fear death. The Epicureans did not necessarily believe in an afterlife, but they believed that pain was the root of human suffering, thus death should be welcomed as the end of pain and the end of suffering.

[[Category:Philosophy]]

Pierce Butler

2007-03-15T04:29:40Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comments.

Pierce Butler (1866-1939) was a Supreme Court Justice. Appointed by conservative President Warren G. Harding, Butler served on the U.S. Supreme Court from 1923 to 1939. He was a conservative Democrat picked by a Republican, and was opposed by liberals at the time.

Appointed by President Warren Harding, Pierce Butler became one of the so-called "Four Horsemen" who repeatedly invalidated portions of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The unwillingness of Justice Butler and the others to capitulate to the President's desires led Roosevelt in 1937 to propose his ill-fated plan to pack the Court with additional justices sympathetic to his agenda. He never fully recovered from the intensively negative reaction of both parties in rejecting his scheme.

Perhaps intimidated, several of the Four Horsemen soon retired, enabling President Roosevelt to replace them and attain the judicial majority he sought. But Pierce Butler did not give his seat to President Roosevelt voluntarily: Butler served until his death in 1939.

Justice Butler's dissent from the famous wiretapping case of Olmstead v. United States, 277 U.S. 438 (1928) [http://supreme.justia.com/us/277/438/case.html opinion] demonstrated his insight and provides a unique opportunity to compare him with the more liberal Justices Oliver Wendell Holmes with Louis Brandeis.

Olmstead had been convicted of conducting massive bootlegging in Washington State, in violation of Prohibition. His business sold up to 200 cases of liquor a day, garnering more than two million dollars annually, the equivalent of about $22 million today.

Federal agents secretly wiretapped phone lines of his office in addition to several residences, documenting incriminating information to convict him. In so doing, however, federal agents violated a Washington law against secret wiretaps.

Olmstead appealed his conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court, where the presiding Chief Justice was former President William Howard Taft. Chief Justice Taft and three of the Four Horsemen, along with another justice, upheld the conviction. At the time, the court believed a literal reading of the Fourth Amendment, taking into account the framers' intent, required a physical intrusion onto the premises in question and the seizure of material items. A wiretap taking place outside the house, capturing only intangible conversations, could not fit within the literal interpretation of the Fourth Amendment conceived of by the majority.

Justice Pierce Butler dissented, finding that because "[t]he direct operation or literal meaning of the words used do not measure the purpose or scope of its provisions" therefore "the Fourth Amendment safeguards against all evils that are ''like and equivalent'' to those embraced within the ordinary meaning of its words." [emphasis added] And, since telephone communications can contain privileged discussions between "physician and patient, lawyer and client, parent and child, husband and wife" they belong to the participants in the same way that papers (specifically mentioned in the Fourth Amendment) might.

Justice Holmes also dissented, but not because he felt that the Fourth Amendment protected against unlawful wiretaps. Using a principle of judicial economy, Justice Holmes did not reach the constitutional issue. His dissent proposed that evidence obtained unlawfully, should be excluded, a view that was echoed in Mapp v. Ohio. [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=CASE&court=US&vol=367&page=643 opinion]

Justice Brandeis's dissent invoked "man's spiritual nature," but the media prefer to quote his statement that the Constitution confers "the right to be let alone -- the most comprehensive of rights and the right most valued by civilized men." Justice Brandeis provided no authority for his sweeping claim, which seem odd in the context of blatant criminal activity. Do those engaging in crime have a "right to be let alone"? Justice Douglas, in concurring with the pro-abortion decision of Doe v. Bolton, 410 U.S. 179 (1973), relied on Brandeis's sweeping assertion; so did Justice Blackmun in writing that there is a constitutional right to homosexual activity in Bowers v. Hardwick, 478 U.S. 186 (1986).

Pierce Butler, although agreeing in result with Brandeis in Olmstead, did not agree with Brandeis's sweeping claim. Butler also rejected many other mistakes of the Court of his time. Butler was the only dissenter, for example, from Justice Holmes' repugnant upholding of forced sterilization in Buck v. Bell, 274 U.S. 200 (1927). When Justice Holmes declared that "three generations of imbeciles are enough," Butler was the only Justice who objected.

Pierce Butler had been outspoken against liberal professors at the University of Minnesota prior to his nomination. Labor and progressive groups and even his own Senator actively opposed his confirmation. Warren Harding did not seek a stealth nomination, and Butler proved to be perhaps the best Supreme Court Justice ever.

6th millennium BC

2007-03-15T04:23:33Z

Revpfil: Corrected oversite

Talk:Weapons of mass destruction

2007-03-15T04:15:05Z

Revpfil:

== Say What?! ==

"a more stable state that does not threaten international order should be able to use Weapons of Mass Destruction <i>peacefully</i>" Does this suggest that using WMDs on your own population is a peaceful use? Is it possible to have a peaceful use of a weapon of mass destruction? --[[User:Mtur|Mtur]] 17:13, 13 March 2007 (EDT)

:Maybe one could use bombs as bridge abutments? [[User:Cracker|Cracker]]<sup>[[User_Talk:Cracker|talk]]</sup> 17:15, 13 March 2007 (EDT)

:I know Saddam used WMD on his own population. We're talking about stable states here, not Saddam's Iraq. [[User:Affirmlife|Affirmlife]] 03:42, 14 March 2007 (EDT)

== One can argue ... anything ==
"One can argue that the earliest weapon of Mass Destruction was the Israelite Samson, who was the instrument of God in killing a large number of the various Canaanite tribes (Judges)."

And the point of making the aforementioned "argument" would be...? That since (arguably) WMDs are "in the Bible" they're OK by God?[[User:McTavidge|McTavidge]] 06:56, 14 March 2007 (EDT)

:Well, I do think you're missing the point. Deterrence, from peaceful nations having WMDs, is the only reason we have the globalized society we do now. [[User:Affirmlife|Affirmlife]] 12:08, 14 March 2007 (EDT)

::Well, if that's the point, maybe it could be spelled out clearly (instead of merely hinted at) -- and supported by a citation. Sounds like a lot to rest on just one factor.[[User:McTavidge|McTavidge]] 22:13, 14 March 2007 (EDT)

:::If you really want to put the bible into it, remember that God did kill all of humanity, raze several cities, and destroy livestock and firstborn sons. Of course, God is the first and ultimate WMD.

Hypatia of Alexandria

2007-03-15T04:11:41Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comments.

'''Hypatia of Alexandria''' was a philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer living in the city of Alexandria from 370 A.D to 415 A.D. She is credited with the invention of the astrolabe and the hydrometer, as well as with having written several treatises on conic sections and the works of the geometer and astronomer Ptolemy.

During this time in the history of [[Alexandria]], the forces of the Church had entered the city under the command of the Emperor [[Theodosius I]] to destroy all non-christian worship. It was one of these mobs that set upon Hypatia of Alexandria at the behest of Cyril of Alexandria. They stripped the her of her clothing and bludgeoned her with clay pots, and then dragged her through the streets to one of the temples, where they used the shards of the broken pottery to flay her alive. A fire was built and her twitching dismembered limbs were thrown in..

[[John of Nikiu]] related later that "all the people surrounded the patriarch Cyril and named him 'the new Theophilus'; for he had destroyed the last remains of idolatry in the city". It was for this act of purification that Cyril of Alexandria was later appointed to the position of [[Doctor of the Church]] and [[canonized]] as St. Cyril of Alexandria.

[[Category:Biographies]]

Aphrodite

2007-03-15T04:02:25Z

Revpfil: Aphrodity was the Greek goddess of love. She was only as fictional as the Greeks.

'''Aphrodite''' was the [[Greek]] Goddess of Beauty and Love. She was called [[Venus]] by the Romans, after the evening star (which we know today is a [[planet]] called [[Venus]]).

Aphrodite was married to [[Hephaestus]] (Vulcan), the blacksmith god but she was secretly in love with [[Ares]] ([[Mars]]), the god of War.

Lemon test

2007-03-15T04:01:37Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comments.

The Lemon test was set forth in 1971 by the U.S. Supreme Court to enforce the [[Establishment Clause]] of the [[First Amendment]]. ''Lemon v. Kurtzman'', 403 U.S. 602 (1971). The test requires that all federal and state laws (1) have a secular purpose, (2) a primary effect that neither advances nor inhibits religion, and (3) no excessive government entanglement with religion. If any law violates any part of this three-pronged test, then it will be stricken by the courts and declared unconstitutional.

Weapons of mass destruction

2007-03-15T03:54:23Z

Revpfil: God caused the flood before the birth of Sampson

Weapons of Mass Destruction are weapons designed to kill a large number of people.

Overall it is important to remember that Weapons of Mass Destruction if held by appropriate forces such as [[NATO]] can be beneficial to the balance of world order. Whereas with a rogue dictator such as the late [[Saddam Hussein] it would be inappropriate to create and stockpile nuclear weapons, a more stable state that does not threaten international order should be able retain the control of Weapons of Mass Destruction peacefully.

Whale

2007-03-15T03:52:09Z

Revpfil: Animals that live in salt water can drink salt water without ill effect

A whale (cetacean) is a massive mammal that lives in the ocean. It relies on fresh air just like other mammals, and unlike fish. The whale is warm-blooded like animals, and unlike fish. But whales have many extraordinary features that are ''not like'' other mammals, including:

* they decide when to breathe, rather than breathing unconsciously

* they sleep 8 hours a day, yet need to be conscious to breathe

* they can communicate with each other by making remarkably loud noises

* these extraordinary noises can travel for miles under water

* the females nurse their calves while swimming underwater

* the males have a unique cooling system for their internal reproductive organs

* some have two blow-holes, but others only have one

* the blow-holes pass air above water, yet resist intense pressure underwater

* they have massive brains, much larger than the brains of other mammals

Whales were [[creation|created]] about 4000 year ago when [[God]] createed the [[earth]], only 24,999,600 years after creating it's nearest relative [http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml|relative].

The [[Public Broadcasting Service]], known for airing pro-evolution shows, stated, "The evolution of whales has been a mystery...Some details remain fuzzy and under investigation. But we know for certain that this back-to-the-water evolution did occur, thanks to a profusion of intermediate fossils that have been uncovered over the past two decades"<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/03/4/l_034_05.html</ref> This is largely inconclusive however as we do not understand much about whales, especially the giants of the ocean [[Blue Whales]] for which scientists have not yet discovered where they travel to breed.

== References ==
[[http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml]]
<references/>

Whale

2007-03-15T03:48:28Z

Revpfil:

A whale (cetacean) is a massive mammal that lives in the ocean. It relies on fresh air just like other mammals, and unlike fish. The whale is warm-blooded like animals, and unlike fish. But whales have many extraordinary features that are ''not like'' other mammals, including:

* they decide when to breathe, rather than breathing unconsciously

* they sleep 8 hours a day, yet need to be conscious to breathe

* they can communicate with each other by making remarkably loud noises

* these extraordinary noises can travel for miles under water

* the females nurse their calves while swimming underwater

* the nursing calves are somehow able to avoid taking in saltwater while nursing

* the males have a unique cooling system for their internal reproductive organs

* some have two blow-holes, but others only have one

* the blow-holes pass air above water, yet resist intense pressure underwater

* they have massive brains, much larger than the brains of other mammals

Whales were [[creation|created]] about 4000 year ago when [[God]] createed the [[earth]], only 24,999,600 years after creating it's nearest relative [http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml|relative].

The [[Public Broadcasting Service]], known for airing pro-evolution shows, stated, "The evolution of whales has been a mystery...Some details remain fuzzy and under investigation. But we know for certain that this back-to-the-water evolution did occur, thanks to a profusion of intermediate fossils that have been uncovered over the past two decades"<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/03/4/l_034_05.html</ref> This is largely inconclusive however as we do not understand much about whales, especially the giants of the ocean [[Blue Whales]] for which scientists have not yet discovered where they travel to breed.

== References ==
[[http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml]]
<references/>

Whale

2007-03-15T03:48:13Z

Revpfil:

A whale (cetacean) is a massive mammal that lives in the ocean. It relies on fresh air just like other mammals, and unlike fish. The whale is warm-blooded like animals, and unlike fish. But whales have many extraordinary features that are ''not like'' other mammals, including:

* they decide when to breathe, rather than breathing unconsciously

* they sleep 8 hours a day, yet need to be conscious to breathe

* they can communicate with each other by making remarkably loud noises

* these extraordinary noises can travel for miles under water

* the females nurse their calves while swimming underwater

* the nursing calves are somehow able to avoid taking in saltwater while nursing

* the males have a unique cooling system for their internal reproductive organs

* some have two blow-holes, but others only have one

* the blow-holes pass air above water, yet resist intense pressure underwater

* they have massive brains, much larger than the brains of other mammals

Whales were [[creation|created]] about 4000 year ago when [[God]] createed the [[earth]], only 24,999,600 years after creating it's nearest [http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml|relative].

The [[Public Broadcasting Service]], known for airing pro-evolution shows, stated, "The evolution of whales has been a mystery...Some details remain fuzzy and under investigation. But we know for certain that this back-to-the-water evolution did occur, thanks to a profusion of intermediate fossils that have been uncovered over the past two decades"<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/03/4/l_034_05.html</ref> This is largely inconclusive however as we do not understand much about whales, especially the giants of the ocean [[Blue Whales]] for which scientists have not yet discovered where they travel to breed.

== References ==
[[http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml]]
<references/>

Whale

2007-03-15T03:47:51Z

Revpfil:

A whale (cetacean) is a massive mammal that lives in the ocean. It relies on fresh air just like other mammals, and unlike fish. The whale is warm-blooded like animals, and unlike fish. But whales have many extraordinary features that are ''not like'' other mammals, including:

* they decide when to breathe, rather than breathing unconsciously

* they sleep 8 hours a day, yet need to be conscious to breathe

* they can communicate with each other by making remarkably loud noises

* these extraordinary noises can travel for miles under water

* the females nurse their calves while swimming underwater

* the nursing calves are somehow able to avoid taking in saltwater while nursing

* the males have a unique cooling system for their internal reproductive organs

* some have two blow-holes, but others only have one

* the blow-holes pass air above water, yet resist intense pressure underwater

* they have massive brains, much larger than the brains of other mammals

Whales were [[creation|created]] about 4000 year ago when [[God]] createed the [[earth]], only 24,999,600 years after creating it's nearest [[http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml|relative]].

The [[Public Broadcasting Service]], known for airing pro-evolution shows, stated, "The evolution of whales has been a mystery...Some details remain fuzzy and under investigation. But we know for certain that this back-to-the-water evolution did occur, thanks to a profusion of intermediate fossils that have been uncovered over the past two decades"<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/03/4/l_034_05.html</ref> This is largely inconclusive however as we do not understand much about whales, especially the giants of the ocean [[Blue Whales]] for which scientists have not yet discovered where they travel to breed.

== References ==
[[http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml]]
<references/>

Whale

2007-03-15T03:47:34Z

Revpfil:

A whale (cetacean) is a massive mammal that lives in the ocean. It relies on fresh air just like other mammals, and unlike fish. The whale is warm-blooded like animals, and unlike fish. But whales have many extraordinary features that are ''not like'' other mammals, including:

* they decide when to breathe, rather than breathing unconsciously

* they sleep 8 hours a day, yet need to be conscious to breathe

* they can communicate with each other by making remarkably loud noises

* these extraordinary noises can travel for miles under water

* the females nurse their calves while swimming underwater

* the nursing calves are somehow able to avoid taking in saltwater while nursing

* the males have a unique cooling system for their internal reproductive organs

* some have two blow-holes, but others only have one

* the blow-holes pass air above water, yet resist intense pressure underwater

* they have massive brains, much larger than the brains of other mammals

Whales were [[creation|created]] about 4000 year ago when [[God]] createed the [[earth]], only 24,999,600 years after creating it's nearest [[relative|http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml]].

The [[Public Broadcasting Service]], known for airing pro-evolution shows, stated, "The evolution of whales has been a mystery...Some details remain fuzzy and under investigation. But we know for certain that this back-to-the-water evolution did occur, thanks to a profusion of intermediate fossils that have been uncovered over the past two decades"<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/03/4/l_034_05.html</ref> This is largely inconclusive however as we do not understand much about whales, especially the giants of the ocean [[Blue Whales]] for which scientists have not yet discovered where they travel to breed.

== References ==
[[http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml]]
<references/>

Whale

2007-03-15T03:47:14Z

Revpfil: Added references

A whale (cetacean) is a massive mammal that lives in the ocean. It relies on fresh air just like other mammals, and unlike fish. The whale is warm-blooded like animals, and unlike fish. But whales have many extraordinary features that are ''not like'' other mammals, including:

* they decide when to breathe, rather than breathing unconsciously

* they sleep 8 hours a day, yet need to be conscious to breathe

* they can communicate with each other by making remarkably loud noises

* these extraordinary noises can travel for miles under water

* the females nurse their calves while swimming underwater

* the nursing calves are somehow able to avoid taking in saltwater while nursing

* the males have a unique cooling system for their internal reproductive organs

* some have two blow-holes, but others only have one

* the blow-holes pass air above water, yet resist intense pressure underwater

* they have massive brains, much larger than the brains of other mammals

Whales were [[creation|created]] about 4000 year ago when [[God]] createed the [[earth]], only 24,999,600 years after creating it's nearest [[http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml|relative]].

The [[Public Broadcasting Service]], known for airing pro-evolution shows, stated, "The evolution of whales has been a mystery...Some details remain fuzzy and under investigation. But we know for certain that this back-to-the-water evolution did occur, thanks to a profusion of intermediate fossils that have been uncovered over the past two decades"<ref>http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/library/03/4/l_034_05.html</ref> This is largely inconclusive however as we do not understand much about whales, especially the giants of the ocean [[Blue Whales]] for which scientists have not yet discovered where they travel to breed.

== References ==
[[http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evosite/lines/IAtransitional.shtml]]
<references/>

Howard Stern

2007-03-15T03:40:53Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comment.

Howard Stern is an American satellite radio personality, notable for his crude humor. He is often referred to as a "shock jock" due to his use of shocking or unorthodox content as a promotional draw. Stern's show often has such guests as strippers, midgets, Star Trek fans, pornography actors, regular actors, musicians and comedians. Some of the more unorthodox topics of the Stern show include details of homosexual practices, and talking or trying to talk female guests into disrobing, and of course constant flatus jokes.

Stern's shows have also featured political commentary. He has supported both Republicans and Democrats and has strong libertarian tendencies. He has been an ardent defender of the 1st Amendment and a critic of FCC regulation.

Howard Stern divorced his wife Allison in 1998 and recently became engaged to his longtime girlfriend.

Stern is a nonpracticing Jew. Stern and his staff often mock religion and the show is widely considered inappropriate for children, due to inappropriate content (both related to religion and not).

[[Category:Biographies]]

Pax Romana

2007-03-15T03:38:51Z

Revpfil: Corrected oversite

Pax Romana is [[Latin]] for 'Roman Peace'. From 27 to 180 AD, the [[Roman Empire]] enjoyed peace and prosperity, as well as good rulers. The Roman empire was ruled by the [[Five Good Emperors]], who were chosen for talent rather than family connections.

'''During the Pax Romana:'''
* The system of roads greatly improved
* Aqueducts brought water from the mountains to Roman cities
* Christianity was widely persecuted throughout the Roman empire
* The Roman alphabet became the basis for the western world alphabet.

[[Category:History]]

Inalienable rights

2007-03-15T03:37:39Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comment.

Inalienable rights are basic rights that can neither be taken away from someone nor can any person give them away, such as the right to life.

The [[Declaration of Independence]] describes inalienable (misspelled as unalienable) rights as the foundation for society, and if a sovereign (i.e., king) deprives those rights then the people may declare their independence.

Dodo

2007-03-15T03:36:48Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comments.

[[image:Alice-and-dodo.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Tenniel's illustration of Alice and the dodo]]
The '''dodo,''' (''Didus ineptus'' L., now ''Raphus cucullatus'') was a large bird incapable of flying. They weighed an astounding 50 pounds and lived on the islands of Mauritius off the coast of east Africa.

The dodo became extinct in the late 1600s, and environmentalists blame human activity for this extinction. Actually, numerous species have always gone extinct each decade with or without human activity to blame. But the dodo captured people's imagination as one of the first recorded extinctions. The environmentalists' theory is that humans helped drive the dodo to extinction by hunting and by bringing along rats and other animals to the island which damage the dodo habitat and stole dodo eggs.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3281323.stm]. But evidence indicates that a natural disaster had already put the species into decline before the arrival of humans.[http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/ancient/AncientRepublish_1678225.htm]

The dodo has become emblematic for extinction, as in the expression "as dead as the dodo." Humorist [[Will Cuppy]] wrote, jokingly:
:The Dodo never had a chance. He seems to have been invented for the sole purpose of becoming extinct and that was all he was good for.<ref>Cuppy, Will, ''How to Become Extinct''</ref>

A fictional dodo leads the Caucus-Race in [[Lewis Carroll]]'s book, [[Alice's Adventures in Wonderland]].<ref>Chapter III, "A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale</ref>; one of Tenniel's illustrations shows the Dodo presenting Alice with the prize of a thimble—her own thimble, as the Dodo had previously decided that Alice was responsible for providing the prizes.
==References==
<references/>

Inaugural address

2007-03-15T03:32:29Z

Revpfil:

The Inaugural Address is the speech by an elected American President just after he is sworn into office on January 20th by the Chief Justice. The [[Twentieth Amendment]] advanced the date for the new president to take office from March 4th to January 20th, in order to reduce the [[lame duck]] period, and mandated the inclusion of the Christian god.

Here are some quotes from past Inaugural Addresses:

President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] (1945): "Almighty God has blessed our land."

President [[Harry S Truman]] (1949): "We believe that all men are created equal
because they are created in the image of God."

President [[Dwight Eisenhower]] (1953): "This is the work that awaits us all, to be done with bravery, with charity, and with prayer to Almighty God."

President [[John F. Kennedy]] (1961): "The rights of man come not from the
generosity of the state but from the hand of God."

President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] (1965): "The judgment of God is harshest on those who are most favored."

President [[Richard M. Nixon]] (1969): "As all are born equal in dignity before
God, all are born equal in dignity before man."

President [[Gerald Ford]] (1974): "To do what is right as God gives me to see the right."

President [[Jimmy Carter]] (1977): "'What does the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.'"

President [[Ronald Reagan]] (1981): "With God's help, we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us. And after all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans."

President [[George H.W. Bush]] (1989): "I have just repeated word for word the oath taken by George Washington 200 years ago, and the Bible on which I place my hand is the Bible on which he place his."

President [[Bill Clinton]] (1993): "Our Founders boldly declared America's
Independence to the world and our purposes to the Almighty."

President [[George W. Bush]] (2001): "We are guided by a power larger than
ourselves, Who creates us equal in His image."

Epic of Gilgamesh

2007-03-15T03:31:34Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comment.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is a Babylonian tale that was preserved on stone and clay tablets for thousands of years. The text of Gilgamesh's epic is on 12 incomplete Akkadian-language tablets, found at a destroyed library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal in Nineveh. (Reigned 668-627 BC)

Written around 2500 BC..

The poem tells the story of Gilgamesh, the great sixth king of Uruk, a city in Mesopotamia, and his (perhaps fictional) quest for glory and immortal life.

Alien

2007-03-15T03:17:08Z

Revpfil: Deleted unrelated content

An alien is a person who is of another family, race, or nation than the people among whom he or she lives.

Ten Commandments

2007-03-15T03:12:23Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comment.

The '''Ten Commandments,''' or the ''Decalogue,'' is a set of laws which, according to the [[Bible]], Moses said were given to him by God.

There are two versions, generally similar but somewhat different in wording: Exodus 20:3-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. The version in Deuteronomy adds the detail of Moses saying that God "wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me."

The Bible itself refers to there being "''ten'' commandments" in Exodus 34:28 and Deuteronomy 4:13, but it is not clear how to parcel out the fifteen or sixteen verses into ten commandments, and different religious groups have done this in different ways. For example, "You shall have no other gods before me" and "You shall not make for yourself an idol" are sometimes considered to be two different commandments and sometimes as two parts of the same commandment.

[[Protestant]]s assign the Fifth Commandment to "honor your father and mother," but in [[Catholic]] texts this is the Fourth Commandment.<ref>An atheistic website provides an interesting comparison among faiths with respect to the Ten Commandments, and many sources: http://www.positiveatheism.org/crt/whichcom.htm</ref> The Jewish tradition is to call that requirement the Fifth Commandment.

However,in Jewish law, the Old Testament actually contains not ten, but 613 positive and negative commandments. Thus, when Jesus is asked (at Matthew 22:34-36) which is the greatest commandment in the Law (i.e. the first five books of the Bible), he picks two of the other 603: 'You shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength' (Deuteronomy 6:5) and 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself' (Leviticus 19:18).

== New International Version (NIV) ==

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.

3. You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God.

4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet.<ref>http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020:1-17&version=31</ref>

== Differences Between Translations ==

=== King James Version (KJV) ===
The famous King James translation uses the old-fashioned wording "Thou shalt" instead of "You shall," and this wording is often used when quoting or referring to the Ten Commandments.

Some translations, such as the King James Version and the Jerusalem Bible, translate the sixth commandment as "You shall not kill." Other translations, such as the New International Version and the New English Bible, translate the sixth commandment as "You shall not murder." This is an important point to make because some Christians will say that all war is wrong because the Bible says not to "kill." This issue is mainly a matter of conscience among Christians. A dictionary entry of the Hebrew word used in this verse is shown below:

Ratsach
1. to murder, slay, kill
a. (Qal) to murder, slay
1. premeditated
2. accidental
3. as avenger
4. slayer (intentional) (participle)
b. (Niphal) to be slain
c. (Piel)
1. to murder, assassinate
2. murderer, assassin (participle)(subst)
d. (Pual) to be killed

==The movie==
'''The Ten Commandments''' is also the title of a famous 1956 motion picture, produced and directed by [[Cecil B. DeMille]] and starring [[Charlton Heston]] as Moses. It tells the story of Moses essentially as told in the Book of Exodus, with a few changes.

As publicity for the film, and in conjunction with a project of the [[Fraternal Order of Eagles]], Paramount helped finance the ironic erection of hundreds of large stone idols engraved with the Ten Commandments. These were placed at courthouse squares, at city halls and in public parks, and became a center of controversy, particularly in recent years, as to whether they violate the separation of Church and State.<ref>''Ten Commandments Monoliths'', from the March 2002 issue of ''Eagle Magazine''[http://www.foe.com/tencommandments/]mar_2002_ten_commandments.html</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Religion]]

Cynicism

2007-03-15T02:58:40Z

Revpfil:

Cycnicism was founded by a disciple of [[Socrates]], [[Antisthenes]] (444-365 BC). The tenets of this philosophy rejected worldly pleasure in favour of happiness derived from virtue. [[Diogenes]] was the most famous Cynic.

[[http://personal.ecu.edu/mccartyr/ancient/athens/Cynicism.htm]]

Country and Western

2007-03-15T02:52:19Z

Revpfil:

'''Country and Western''' is a genre of musical style that has remained popular in the [[United States of America]] as well as other countries.

Country and Western originated in the [[South]] and remains most popular there today. It is a mix of [[blues]] and [[folk music]]. Some of the most famous country musicians include [[Hank Williams]] and [[Jimmy Rogers]]. Modern country artists today include [[Brad Paysly]] and [[Kris Kristofferson]]. Many [[rock and roll]] musicians overlap into country and western too.

Protestantism

2007-03-15T02:51:40Z

Revpfil: How can protestentism have caused wars before it was conceived?

Protestants are the biggest Christian [[denomination]]s in America. They split off from the Catholic church in Europe in 1514 because of the [[Reformation]] (see [Martin Luther], and 1533 in England, by decree of King [Henry VIII]. The conflict between Protestant and Catholic views of christianity was the subject of several wars, notably the [[30 Years War]].

Some kinds of Protestant are [[Lutheran]], [[Methodist]], [[Baptist]]s, and [[Episcopal]] (known in England as Anglican, or "Church of England").

[[Category:Religion]]
[[Category:History]]

The Laramie Project

2007-03-15T02:35:45Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comments.

'''The Laramie Project''' is a fictional play by Moisés Kaufman and members of the Tectonic Theater Project. The play centers on the controvesy surrounding the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming.

The play first opened at The Ricketson Theatre by the Denver Center Theatre Company in February 2000. The play was also performed in the Union Square Theater in New York City, and again in November 2002 performance in Laramie. HBO subsequently made a movie based on the play. To date, the play has been performed at several hundred High Schools across the United States at the expense of US taxpayers.

Critics of both the play and movie have commented they feel The Laramie Project is a homosexual propaganda movie, particularly in light of the actual facts in the case of Matthew Sheppard which became public following interviews of Matthew Sheppards killers by the 20/20 News Program.

== Matthew Sheppard Hate Crime Hoax ==

Several prominent politicians, including President Bill Clinton used the Matthew Sheppard incident in an attempt to lobby Congress to pass hate crime legislation adding homosexuals as a "protected class". This legislation was defeated, however, it served to open the door to homosexual marriage legislation, which has also been defeated in the majority of States within the US.

During an interview with 20/20 news, several associates of Sheppard provided evidence and statements to the press that McKinney, Sheppard's killer, was also a homosexual. McKinney was interviewed by 20/20 and told reporters that Sheppard's sexual orientation was not a motive for the killing, despite media reports, and distorted reporting and lobbying of the incident by the militant gay rights movement. Both McKinney and Doc O'conner, associates of Sheppard, stated that both Matthew Sheppard and McKinney were homosexuals and were also methampetamine users.

McKinney and Henderson told reporters Matthew Sheppard and McKinney got into an altercation when Sheppard attempted to solicit homosexual contact with McKinney while he was "coming off a meth binge" and that McKinney's rage and drug induced psychosis triggered a violent episode that left Sheppard seriously injured.

Since McKinney, Sheppards attacker, was also a homosexual/bisexual, the incident did not meet the legal definition of an "anti-homosexual hate crime."

Both Critics of The Laramie Project Play and Movie and fundamental Christian Leaders have commented they feel the play distorts the facts of Matthew Sheppard's life. One fundamental Christian group, the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka Kansas, picketed Matthew Sheppard's Funeral, and have made strong public statements about the treatment of the facts of the murder in The Laramie Project. They have publicly stated:

'' "... The Laramie Project has painted Matthew Sheppard, a confirmed methampetamine user, a hero for getting himself killed while trolling for anonymous homosexual sex and meth in a cowboy bar at midnight. This is not the stuff of heroism, it is the stuff of idiocy. ... Matthew Sheppard has become a "Poster Boy" for the militant Gay rights movement and its attempts to recruit impressionable young people into the sinful sodomite lifestyle and into lives of sin, shame, disease, death, and hell." ''

The Westboro Baptist Church and its congregation are depicted in an unfavorable light in both the play and the movie for preaching from the Bible against Homosexuality at Matthew Sheppards funeral.

== Judy Sheppard and the Matthew Sheppard Foundation ==

Judy Sheppard founded The Matthew Sheppard Foundation shortly after her son was killed, then almost immediately began offering her services as a guest speaker on "anti-gay hate crimes" across the United States at events sponsored by the gay rights movement. Mrs. Sheppard charges between $5,000.00 and $10,000.00 per event as a "guest speaker". To date, she has spoken at a large number of such events perpetuating what many critics and fundamental Christian groups refer to as "The Matthew Sheppard Hate Crime Hoax".

In 2003, Judy Sheppard received salaries and bonuses of $82,485.00 from her foundation. By 2002, Judy Sheppard had amassed over $423,894.00 in assets through her foundation promoting Matthew's murder as a "homosexual hate crime". Later in 2003, her foundation reported total assets of $332,731.00.

== References ==

*[http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=277685&page=1 20/20 News Story on Matthew Sheppard]
*[http://www.godhatesfags.com/writings/20051027_laramie-project-lie.pdf The Laramie Project Lie]

Hillsdale College

2007-03-15T02:30:02Z

Revpfil: Deleted opinionated comment.

Hillsdale College is a highly ranked small, private liberal arts college founded in 1844. It is [[conservative]] in philosophy and it publishes a widely read ''Imprimis'' newsletter.

Hillsdale College is one of only two major colleges that has remained completely outside of federal regulations by declining federal funding and federally guaranteed student loans. This gives Hillsdale College the advantage of being able to decide what is best for its programs and students without worrying about complying with non-Christian and non-conservative rules imposed by the federal government. The other major college that is outside of federal regulations is [[Grove City College]].