Disqus - Friends of bobellis

Re: Ready to Rumble

dr. theo — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:43:22 -0000

There is an ideological war coming, such as hasn't been seen since 1860. The chasm between Left and Right on fundamental issues is irreconcilable. The Left has the MSM and the education system as potent allies, but the Right has the Word of God, common sense and the majority of American hearts.

When conservatism was properly articulated, as Reagan did, most Americans followed. The Republican Party has fallen under the control of opportunists and compromisers. I believe that four years of liberalism may be just the bitter tonic that Americans need to cure us from our complacency and apathy. I only hope when can survive the treatment.

Re: Squeamish Newspaper Readers

dr. theo — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:05:43 -0000

Good grief! She is probably a local "cat lady" with several dozens living in filth and squalor while her legs and arms are a mass of festering scratches and bites and scars of
indeterminant age. What's to be squeamish or incensed about? The photo does not depict gratuitous blood and gore. It's a dead mountain lion. So? The hunter obviously got off a clean round aimed at precisely the right place and the big kitty went nighty-night.

I have only one enduring memory of my great-grandmother, a self-sufficient soul made of tougher stuff than this present generation. I was about three and my parents and I went to great-grandmas for a Sunday afternoon visit and dinner. Dinner preparations progressed to the point of needing a couple of hens for frying and great-grandma briskly walked out the back, into the chicken pen and seizing one in each hand gave a twirl and a snap. The birds went tumbling across the ground in mini-tornados of feathers, chickens and dust. Great-grandma stood momentarily holding the heads of the recently clucking poultry in her hands by her sides, then calmly picked up the carcasses and went to work cleaning, scalding and plucking. (I wonder what some of these modern PETA-types and those who claim to be disgusted and offended by reality would think about such a spectacle? Why, I’ll bet they would be outraged! Outraged, I tell you!)

Re: Rick Warren: Bible Doesn’t Justify Divorce for Abuse

dr. theo — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:34:07 -0000

I have much respect for Pastor Warren, but I don't think that he has given this point as much prayer and study as it deserves. The relevant passage is in Matthew 19:9: "And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery."

The phrase "put away" in the KJV is often translated as "divorce." The complete exegesis of the original Hebrew and Greek words translated as "divorce" or "put away" brings up many questions. It is not obvious at all that "put away" and "divorce" mean exactly the same thing in this context. Here is a website that deals with some of the controversy: http://www.bibletruths.net/...

Rather, the Biblical solution to the dillemma of an abusive spouse (and research shows that an equal number of men are abused as are women) is a physical separation during which one prays, seeks counsel from fellow Christians and attempts to reconcile the relationship. During this time extra-marital sex is still prohibited and one who violates this is an adulterer or adulteress.

Christina, I think you have a valid point, but cringe at the phrase that you use: "A betrayal of the intimacy of the couple." This is so subjective and so nebulous that it really has no meaning. Someone could claim a "betrayal of intimacy" for any infraction from sexual infidelity to hogging the covers on a cold night. I think what you mean to say is that betrayal can take other equally serious forms besides only sexual.

Re: Boycott of Pro-Homosexual Pepsi Announced

dr. theo — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 18:33:45 -0000

Response to Cinemaphile85 at 12:52:

Numerous studies have found that the incidence of homosexuality in the general population is just shy of 3%. Yes, this is self-reported. How else would such information be obtained? Should investigators secretly follow people around to see what they do with their time? Or maybe we should ask neighbors and co-workers what they think! Of course, surveys ask participants to state information about themselves. But these are almost all anonymous and impossible to identify respondents and their answers. Such surveys are used all the time for lots of reasons and have been shown to be very accurate.

Night clubs are raided all the time because of suspicions of illegal activities. I don’t know of any cases of “gay” bars being harassed by police simply because of their clientele. Humans are capable of all kinds of evil and violence and sometimes need little provocation for some of them to act out violently. That is true for homosexuals as well as straights. There are many stories, most suppressed by the media, of homosexuals committing unspeakable horrors on others, so let’s agree to accept that in both cases these are freaks that exist at the extreme fringes of society.

Homosexuals have sought to enact numerous laws that infringe upon the rights of others. What used to be considered stupidity or insensitivity will now get a person fired from a government (or even private) job, or even arrested on charges of hate speech. Privately owned companies and even Christian organizations can be sued and harassed for not having homosexuals in their organizations. I think such things represent serious infringement of our constitutional rights.

Re: Boycott of Pro-Homosexual Pepsi Announced

dr. theo — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 19:42:59 -0000

Cinemaphile you are going to have to start doing your own homework.

This is one of the most egregious, but is certainly not an isolated case. From the Washington Times:

"Most of the nation has not heard about two homosexual men who face the death penalty in Arkansas, charged with raping and torturing a 13-year-old boy to death last month.
The brutal crime against Prairie Grove, Ark., seventh-grader Jesse Dirkhising -- who was raped repeatedly and suffocated with his own underwear in the pre-dawn hours of Sept. 26 -- was reported by news organizations in Arkansas and also covered by newspapers in Oklahoma and Tennessee.
But the boy's death did not receive national media attention. Tim Graham, director of media analysis for the Media Research Center, said he is not surprised.
'Nobody wants to say anything negative about homosexuals. Nobody wants to be seen on the wrong side of that issue,' said Mr. Graham, who sees "political correctness" at work."

Re: Boycott of Pro-Homosexual Pepsi Announced

dr. theo — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:00:54 -0000

I don't recall the discussion that you reference here, Cinemaphile. That there are some differences of opinion within the homosexual community does not surprise me at all, so I doubt that I wold have questioned the assertion.

You often emply a technique in these discussions that I find immature. When I stated that there have been cases of homosexuals committing horrendous crimes, did you really think that I was making that up? It is something that can be easily checked, so why challenge me? If a person makes an assertion that goes beyond common experience or appeals to an authority that has not been identified, then, by all means demand an explanation or a citation. But to challenge for the sake of being contentious does not further the discussion. It simply annoys.

Re: Boycott of Pro-Homosexual Pepsi Announced

dr. theo — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:11:50 -0000

Exactly what constitutional rights are being denied by the passage of Prop 8, Jason? And since the discussion is about CONSTITUTIONAL rights I would hope you'd confine your remarks to that point.

Re: Boycott of Pro-Homosexual Pepsi Announced

dr. theo — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:31:32 -0000

I don't mind questions at all, Cinemaphile. But let me illustrate my point by changing to a neutral subject. Suppose someone says that there is a simple and inexpensive modification that will allow any car to run on tap water and the only exhaust is rose-scented pure oxygen. Now I would expect any sensible person to be sceptical and to demand evidence.

On the other hand if someone says that by driving sensibly and keeping your car properly tuned with proper tire inflation, one can expect a significant improvement in mileage, I would not demand references and citations. I might go looking for something more specific or for examples, but that would be up to me.

In the former case there is some doubt about the validity of the statement, but in the second, the proposition sounds reasonable (according to what I know about the subject) and there is no reason to put the burden of proof on the person making the assertion. That is how I see our exchange. I said that both straights and homosexuals have engaged in horrendous crimes. Then you asked me to prove it with an example. I took this to mean that you doubted me and really believed that no homosexuals have ever committed a crime against an innocent person, which is absurd.

I like having discussions with those who disagree with me. But I will not patronize you by treating you with kid gloves. That would be demeaning and disrespectful. I won't do that. I will be direct and honest. I expect he same from you.

Re: The Archaeological Evidence Surrounding Sodom

dr. theo — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:58:01 -0000

Pretty amazing findings. Isn't it interesting that no big universities or foundations have seen fit to investigate these claims? It is a privately funded organization that has done most of this work and produces these videos. You can learn more ar arkdiscovery.com.

Re: The Simple Truth

dr. theo — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:59:52 -0000

For those still vascillating on who are the bad guys and who are the good guys, this little cartoon pretty much says it all.

Re: EPA Nominee Lisa Jackson Grilled on Global Warming

dr. theo — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:16:42 -0000

"Science" used to be the last word on questions about the physical world. It was widely believed, and largely so, that scientists were objective and interested only in truth wherever it led.

Today, science is mostly about getting grant money, most of which is controlled by government agencies. So grant proposals are written so as to maximize the chances of getting some big bucks from the Feds, objective truth is, at best, a secondary consideration.

Re: The Archaeological Evidence Surrounding Sodom

dr. theo — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 11:41:46 -0000

You may be right, Cin, but we spend untold billions trying to prove that life exists apart from earth (and keep coming up empty handed) so as to weaken the Genesis story and strengthen the evolution hypothesis. Don't you think someone would be curious enough about these strange formations to look into them? Perhaps they are afraid of what they might find, especially considering the implications as they might relate to some of our social debates.

Re: Rick Warren Commends Obama Invitation to Homosexual Priest

dr. theo — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:51:13 -0000

I am losing confidence in Pastor Warren as a spokesman for evangelical Christians. As noted, he has stood on the side of God on many occasions, but seems to want to straddle the line when he seeks to promote himself in the eyes of the world. I'll pray for Pastor Warren.

Re: Media Pastoral Double-Standard: Uncontroversial Controversy

dr. theo — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:19:19 -0000

I agree with Mr. Ellis' comments, Cinemaphile, but perhaps I can add a few specifics. Shellfish, or more precisely molluscs, are detritus feeders and accumulate toxins that are in much lower concentrations further up the food chain (the same goes for fish that do not have scales). One condition in particular is toxicity caused by algae blooms called "red tides." The algae, or phytoplancton, produce toxins that are quite harmful if eaten by humans. When present the toxins are relatively dilute in other fish, but are concentrated is detritus feeders.

Pork was banned because of the widespread incidence of trichinosis, a debilitating chronic muscle disease. Hare was forbidden because of tularemia or "Rabbit Fever" produceded by a spirochete and causes disease and death in humans.

I believe all of the dietary laws were enacted for the benefit of the Jews in order to keep the population strong and healthy because God had specific plans for them as a population.

You can read more about "Red Tide" here:
http://environment.about.co...

Re: Rick Warren Commends Obama Invitation to Homosexual Priest

dr. theo — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:51:01 -0000

Weinberg is an accomplished physicist and Nobel Laureate, but hardly an objective source on religious matters. He is one of the darlings of the anti-God movement and has said many things that are more polemic than rational.

The quote above is a case in point; "But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion.” Some recent examples to the contrary include German National Socialism, the Soviet Union, Communist North Korea, Communist China, Castro's Cuba, The Khmer Rouge, Angola, Rwanda, etc. Only by eliminating God could men rise to such levels of murder, torture, cruelty and mayhem. Weinberg knows this, but speaks according to the desires of his Master.

Re: Media Pastoral Double-Standard: Uncontroversial Controversy

dr. theo — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:03:23 -0000

When dealing with a large population of people the most efficient way to get everyone educated about what and what not to eat was by decree, which is what God did. Had He left it to everyone to figure it all out, there would have been a large number of members that succumbed after their first exposure, allowing no time for learning.

So let's sum up the debate: You say God's laws are asinine (because you are too ignorant to understand), Mr. Ellis and I attempt to educate you with some facts, but you ignore our arguments and go right to your next ignorant, sophomoric assertion. Furthermore, we have been through this before. I have to come to the same conclusion as Mr., Ellis; you don't intend to discuss anything. You just want to throw stones wildly hoping for an occasional hit. You are not even interested in sharpening your aim, choosing volume of stones over precision of throw.

No, you have your mind made up, which is sad to see in an adolescent who apparently has had little world experience to inform his opinions. God is going to have to deal with your heart; I have done as much as I can.

Re: Major Natural Gas Find in Israel

dr. theo — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:23:42 -0000

Such a supply of natural gas could change the dynamics of relations between Europe and Israel. Russia holds considerable power over European leaders with threats of shutting off natural gas supplies to the continent., as they have done to former Soviet states. The future of western civilization is inexorably tied to the fate of Israel. If Israel holds the resources that can save Europe from the threat of a stirring Russian bear, Europeans may find it in their interests to support Israel against the threats of Islamists, if only for economic reasons. I haven't read any of Rosenberg's books, but I think I should.

Re: Government Bird Brains

dr. theo — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:27:11 -0000

Not to be confused with Butler Bird Brains.
www.myspace.com/butlerbirdb...

Re: Intolerant Homosexual Activists Protest Rick Warren

dr. theo — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:38:17 -0000

"You don't get to substitute an oak leaf for a $20 bill, and you don't get to substitute a counterfeit for the even more valuable institution of marriage." Well said, Mr. Ellis.

Re: Border Patrol Agents Sentences Communted

dr. theo — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:39:16 -0000

It is a monumental travesty that these men served a day in prison, but I thank God the President finally did the right thing.

Re: An Inconvenient Truth That’s Really True – The Reality of Islam

dr. theo — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:50:29 -0000

I believe that very soon Americans are going to be reminded of just who the enemy are. Even so, I am not confident it will be enough to bring us to our senses.

Re: Animal Rights Radical in the Obama Administration

dr. theo — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:50:18 -0000

Those who think hunting is cruel and unnecessary form their opinions on emotionalism rather than facts and conservationism. Deer, for instance, expand their population based upon the available food supply, which is practically unlimited in farming areas. Obviously, deer eventually die and thus the herd reaches equilibrium. How do deer die when they are not hunted? First, predation. Coyotes, wolves and mountain lions seek out the young, the weak and the old and feed on them. These are the lucky ones that only have to suffer a few hours before death comes. Next, cold and starvation. The food supply of the summer and fall is all gone by the time the snow and ice come and the now-expanded herd hasn't enough food for all. Some will have to starve and freeze to death before being eaten by the scavengers. Next, automobiles. Tens of thousands of deer are struck by cars and trucks each year with many humans killed and deer left on the side of the road to die of exposure, sometimes for days before dying.

Anti-hunters seem to have an image of a scene from Bambi where the old grizzled and wise buck dies quietly with all of his little animal friends nearby to comfort him in his last hours. Yeah, right! That old buck would have been ripped apart by coyotes long before when he had shown the first signs of faltering.

Hunters perform a humane and necessary function in the modern world. Certain animals must be culled to allow a healthy and sustainable population. Having dispatched more than a few deer in my life I can say with some authority that a well-placed bullet saves that and other deer the certain agony of a "natural" death. Besides, it's some good eatin'!

Re: Animal Rights Radical in the Obama Administration

dr. theo — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:03:49 -0000

Sourcewatch is a front group for the Center for Media and Democracy, which ActivistCash.com describes as "a counterculture public relations effort disguised as an independent media organization... it is essentially a two-person operation" run by Sheldon Rampton and John Stauber.

CMD has "progressive" bonafides dating back into the 80s and Rampton has made a career out of demonizing corporations and industries. He decries the PR efforts of industry, but praises the deception and manipulation of the masses by big-government entities that push the "progressive" agenda.

ARPhilo, you have a career waiting for you at CMD! Deception and half-truths will be big for at least the next four years.

Re: Mississippi Eyes Evolution Textbook Disclaimers

dr. theo — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:39:19 -0000

I know of no serious Christian movement that wants Genesis taught in public schools. It would be enough for schools to teach the truth about what is known regarding evolution, origins as such. From the beginning, evolution, or Darwinism, has been infused with fraud and deception, much of which remains textbook orthodoxy in most public school systems.

From speculation about the origins of the earth and cosmos, to the origin of life, the textbook versions are virtually pure fantasies unsupported by any scientific facts. From Darwin’s well-documented plagiarisms, to his mis-interpretation of data, to Haekel’s fictional drawings, to the fake Horse Series, to faked peppered moths, to purported vestigial organs that we know aren’t, to production of amino acids in an atmosphere known to be inaccurate, to the fraudulent movie “Inherit the Wind,” to faked DNA sequences, bacterial resistance to antibiotics (microbiologists have known for years that this is not an example of “evolution”), to Archaeoraptor liaoningensis, to misleading statistical analogies (monkeys typing randomly, indeed), to faked homologies, to simple bullying by authors and teachers, there are many things that could be corrected in science education that would allow students to come to a more informed conclusion on matters of origins and adaptations.

As a little experiment I ask the students in my anatomy and physiology class to name for me some of the “vestigial” structures that they learned about in biology. They are always amazed that I can refute them easily, not only from my own knowledge of the subject, but from references to other accepted sources. They were taught this stuff as if it were gospel and had no idea there was information to the contrary.

If Darwinists are so certain of their beliefs why not teach the facts and let people see evolution for the obvious fact that they think it is? What are they afraid of?

Re: Fresh Inroads for Socialized Medicine

dr. theo — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:51:34 -0000

SCHIP and Medicaid, besides enrolling large swaths of America into government dependency programs and justifying a bloated bureaucracy, have a more insidious purpose that becomes more and more apparent to me as time goes by. The vast majority of children and adolescents being treated for ADD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, etc. are on government programs. I think there are those in power who desire to keep a large segment of the population drugged into submission. They will be easy for the 'leaders' to control when the time comes. Doctors are often complicit in this finding easy money "treating" these phony disorders that usually are temporary behavior problems at worst.