The historic and original "Welcome new posters! Introduce yourselves here!" thread

[Diarmuid]

Have you checked under the bed?

After the tribe of little people took up residence I haven't had the courage (they jab me in the eye if I try)

Could be ynder the pile of dirty underwear in the corner, don't have courage for that either.

(Did you change your photo because of me, I'm sorry, sorry, sorry, nasty comments about pets are way under the belt)

@Donnyboybelfast: congratulations

[HawaiiBigSis]

http://z.about.com/d/politicalhumor/1/0/f/D/bush_baby.gif

MMMM

Paul

:) :) :)

I do not make this one
That's not a REAL baby! It's a horrible, nasty, troll...

[Paulhoff]

That's not a REAL baby! It's a horrible, nasty, troll...
Sorry, but it is, not all babies are cute.

Paul

:) :) :)

[dbalsdon]

HI. I've been lurking for a while now but finally decided to register.

My key aim right now on this forum, will probably be trying to find way's of dealing with really stubborn twoofers. There's something about them that seems to make my blood boil.

Anyways, that's all for now. Cya.

[HawaiiBigSis]

Sorry, but it is, not all babies are cute.

Paul

:) :) :)
And, as much as I hate to admit it, I'd probably have thought he was a cute baby in his time too...

(And that's the last I'm going to say on that subject, lest we get called out for derailing the thread!)

[MuddyPhuddy]

Alright I've been a lurker here for years and it is, of course, long past the right time for me to start to contribute. I hope my efforts are at least as welcome as they are tardy.

For what it is worth, I have an undergraduate degree in Bioscience and Biotechnology with a minor in Neuropsychology. My graduate studies were in Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics (MEMS), BMI-Neuroengineering, and Medicine and Neuroscience with a specialization in electrophysiology and spinal cord injury.

[Paulhoff]

Welcome all you newbie's, hope you have lots to share, and hope you learn too.

Paul

:) :) :)

But bring woo-woo, look out, this is not the place.

[YoSoyJu]

Hello all. I'm a skeptic from Indiana. I don't really remember if I found Randi independantly or in his interview with P&T on BS season 1, but have loved the JREF organization and read the SWiFTs weekly.

[mark4mark]

Greetings and salutations. Glad to be here and I'm looking forward to some good ole' discourse.


Ciao~

[PetersCreek]

Howdy from Peters Creek, Alaska. I've poked my head in these forums every once in a while for quite some time but never joined until now. I rediscovered this place by way of a link from the Bad Astronomy/Universe Today forums, where I've been a member for some years. Over the years, I've also spent time at ApolloHoax.net, TalkOrigins, and other fertile grounds for critical thinkers and fans of science.

My experiences and interests are pretty varied. I'm a retired verteran of the U.S. Air Force and during much of my career, I maintained tactical avionic sensor systems...laser target designators, infrared imagers, and the like. I currently work as a minor administrative functionary for the FAA.

I'm also a photographer, former professional magician, flyfisher & flytyer, shooting enthusiast, chef wannabe, and chief bottle washer, among other things. I enjoy discussions about evolution v. creationism/ID, Apollo hoax claims, UFOs, cryptozoology, and who-knows-what-else-I'll-fancy...from either a sceptic's or a debunker's viewpoint as is appropriate.

I hope to make at least minor and fleeting contributions here.

[unrealsnow]

i've been a long time reader of this site and especially the challenge forum. i've also been a big fan of randi's for much longer. i'm excited to chat about skepticism!

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome, Yo, mark, Peters, snow....

Sometimes the forum is kinda dead on the weekends, which is when they send me in here to mop the floors and clean the drinking fountains.

[hcmom]

Sometimes the forum is kinda dead on the weekends, which is when they send me in here to mop the floors and clean the drinking fountains.

Being the forum Deity is tough, but someone has to do it.

[LibraryLady]

Welcome to all. Please do not insult budgies or desecrate library books. And above all, beware the

BUDGIE OF DOOM

[proluna8]

Hello everybody, I have found this site while looking for some books I'd love to get. I read many interesting opinions here so I decided to become a member. Now, I really hope I can keep the pace since English is not my native language and I am aware sometimes communication is more difficult when idiomatic expresions are misused. I hope you are patient enough!!!

I am from Uruguay, a little tiny country in South America, our mother tongue is Spanish and we prepare excellent barbecues and pizzas, hahaha (I am a little hungry right now, sorry)

I have been studying judiciary astrology for five years already and I am really into the subject. I know this is a sensible issue around here but hope we can discuss about that or any other topic without becoming eternal enemies. That would be too heavy a load on my soul, hahahahaha

All the best, Adriana

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome to all. Please do not insult budgies or desecrate library books. And above all, beware the

BUDGIE OF DOOM
For a librarian, you're rather forward.

[leanne]

hello all, im a
newbie to this site , but came here many times due to the topics and the reasonably intelligent people who post, no @@##$$ etc, im no one special, with no special credentials, just a person who wants to hear all sides of a subject and discuss, first post .....:boxedin:anelie

[Procida]

procida is my username, because it was my father's favourite city. I came here, as there is an interesting mix, and its fascinating to see how people's brains tick.

[Vim Razz]

Welcome aboard, proluna8, leanne, and Procida!

Feel free to settle in and help yourselves to the coffee and donuts. Hope you enjoy the forum!

[LibraryLady]

For a librarian, you're rather forward.

Don't know many librarians, do you? :lol2:

[Mr. Skinny]

Don't know many librarians, do you? :lol2:
Actually, I worked at the Dayton Public Library for a little over two years in High School and knew quite a few librarians. Maybe they were just more, how shall I say it, er..reserved, yeah, reserved, back in the late '60's.

[zizzybaluba]

I'm not new, but I've been away for a while, so I figured I'd swing by here on my way in.

I needed some time away from the computer, but I'm feeling much better now.

The other day, I spotted an ad for that new show with Uri Geller :jaw-dropp on the TV, and after I picked my jaw up off the floor, I felt a need to commune with some sane^H^H^H^H like minded compadres.

--ziz.

[LibraryLady]

Actually, I worked at the Dayton Public Library for a little over two years in High School and knew quite a few librarians. Maybe they were just more, how shall I say it, er..reserved, yeah, reserved, back in the late '60's.

Well, Dayton.

[Mr. Skinny]

Well, Dayton.
True. I have to admit that Dayton isn't exactly the hotbed of radical librarianism that Baltimore has become know for. :D

[Febble]

Hi.

I've been a fan of Randi's since I saw him on the TV program "After Dark". I've lurked a bit, and post on IIDB. Thought it was time I looked in.

Cheers

Lizzie

[proluna8]

Hello VIM RAZZ, thank you very much for your welcoming words though I would have loved that the coffee and donuts were not so virtual!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks anyway, Adriana.

[hcmom]

Hello VIM RAZZ, thank you very much for your welcoming words though I would have loved that the coffee and donuts were not so virtual!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks anyway, Adriana.

The pie and cookies are quite real however.



Unless the nuns and goats have eaten them.

[orphia nay]

Hi.

I've been a fan of Randi's since I saw him on the TV program "After Dark". I've lurked a bit, and post on IIDB. Thought it was time I looked in.

Cheers

Lizzie

:jrefwelcome

Welcome, Febble. :) Hope you enjoy our Religion and Philosophy forum, and also the wide range of other forums.

You seem like a nice addition to this place, so you may not incur the wrath of THE BUDGIE OF DOOM (who is nakey at the moment :covereyes). But it's best to fear her all the same.

I might add that it's best to keep my Spods happy too. You don't want to know what happens if they have to take action.

Sorry, I don't mean to scare you. Jump into some discussions and have fun. :)

[LibraryLady]

:jrefwelcome


You seem like a nice addition to this place, so you may not incur the wrath of THE BUDGIE OF DOOM (who is nakey at the moment :covereyes). But it's best to fear her all the same.

I might add that it's best to keep my Spods happy too. You don't want to know what happens if they have to take action.

Sorry, I don't mean to scare you. Jump into some discussions and have fun. :)

Like your winking chest won't scare her?

[TEABERRYEAGLE]

Hi Folks,
Just came aboard and would like to say, you have a very interesting site. I still haven't seen my firt 'foot, but do have some insights I will share. But, I'm afraid I'm not a skeptic...they're out there and have been from time beginning. And, I don't want to see one!! If you haven't seen one's face yet, get ready for a great surprise when you do. I will be the first to tell you how you can view one very quickly. Guess I'm the only one that can give more facts about them at this time. Discovered a whole lot of things about a whole lot of things during the last several months. Just waiting 'til I can figure how and whether I should tell the world. I will tell you at this point, most of the videos and photos are geuine, in one form or another, Ie; Bigfoot, Yeti, Sasqatch, etc. I've developed a way to test them that is very unique. I'll also tell you what's important when you're observing a footprint or track to tell if it's genuine. And, at this point, I will tell you that they're not animal in the genaral sense and that hunter's shouldn't go for them. I'll prove this a little later. Didn't know if I was supposed to write this much or not.......if it's not believed, I will delete it, but I have plenty evidence to satisfy me.

[hcmom]

TEABERRYEAGLE, do you have any evidence at all to satisfy any of us? If you do, please share the actual evidence, not just claim to have it, because some of us would have no problem believing something we knew was true.

[Darat]

But please do so in a new thread in the "General Skepticism and Paranormal" section...

[hcmom]

* hcmom is appropriately chastised...

[LibraryLady]

* hcmom;3098831 is appropriately chastised...

I'm actually surprised to find out you're chaste. I would have.....


Oh, chastised. Sorry. ;)

[jazzmojo]

Hullo~!!

I've descended to the JREF from many different loci. The first was probably over a year ago to read refutations to the 9/11 Denial Movement. In the year since, I've returned to read defense of the Dawkins/Hitchens/Harris perspective and, of course, Penn and Teller and Skeptic Magazine push here as well.

I bring a BA in Mathematics (my senior thesis was: Predicting Urban Migration Patterns Through the Lotka-Volterra Models of Predation) and in Economics (senior thesis was: A Critical Analysis of Federal Reserve Policy Under Paul Volcker). I also picked up a minor in Philosophy with major attention paid to Religious Philosophy, the perfect storm for the atheist mind.

I have an MBA in Corporate Finance (no thesis, but capstone project was a detailed valuation of Dave and Buster's Inc., which was a hoot. Lots of “on location” observation was required…much beer was used to sketch our plan). What else? I made it through 90% of a Master's in Taxation then stopped once I had all the required hours to sit for the CPA exam, which I'll get to someday. I am an Enrolled Agent, one short exam from being able to argue cases in tax court and I normally earn my keep as a corporate tax sharpshooter....

except, I took a short 3 month break to try to become a published author. So far, nothing has sold. It's the little things....

[Coffee]

Greetings,

I have read many of the posts from various areas of the forum and I have decided to join. I am certain this is a fine place to for me to learn from other skeptics and free thinkers.

-+Coffee

[orphia nay]

Welcome, jazzmojo. Impressive CV! :)

Welcome, Coffee. Mmmm, coffee. :)


Like your winking chest won't scare her?

Hehehe. Well, that's what you get for staring at my eye-boobs.

[grayman]

http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/924646cc64910162e.jpg (http://forums.randi.org/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=7875)

Welcome!

[Aardvark422]

Hello all,
I wandered onto the JREF site through an internet search of Uri Geller, I couldn't figure out why he sounded familiar on all those TV ads. And then I saw the CT threads and my little heart SANG!! My dear father, who I love completely, is a die-hard CT-ist. HAARP, chemtrails, 9/11 Truth, Waco, you name, he believes it (hey, if Art Bell says it's true...). It's gotten to the point where my sister and I semi-kiddingly joke about the amounts of tinfoil we have to use just to have a phone conversation with the man. Hopefully I can find some good stuff to use next time he brings up the NWO and Bohemian Grove.

I am a 28 year old housewife to an active duty Marine, so I don't bring much to the educated discussions I have seen so far. But I look forward to some heavy lurking.

Aardvark

[Procida]

Question to any recent Members who have come here via recommendations - did you enter the Member as "referrer" who recommended this place in your registration?
No. I'd hate for them to get harrassed. :D

[Procida]

Coffee is God

Only when its Santa's White Christmas :p

[COLONEL]

Greetings,

I have read many of the posts from various areas of the forum and I have decided to join. I am certain this is a fine place to for me to learn from other skeptics and free thinkers.

-+Coffee Free thinkers ? Kindly please deposit one quarter before you think here . Thank you .
Oh and welcome . Want some pea soup ?

[COLONEL]

Hey Grayman I know it's halloween, But why cousin it ? I would think you would have come up with something really interesting .In your twisted sort of way

[grayman]

Someone chose Lily Minster for Halloween, which got me thinking of the Addams Family. So I selected Cousin Itt.

Besides, how can you get any more twisted than my normal avatar of Simon? :stone028:

[Buffalodavid]

Well, after more than a year I finally get around to posting. I live in Utah, USA. For those who don't know, thats Mormon (LDS) country. I am one of the two percent non mormons living in the the town of Tropic. I run a bed and breakfast (and I wont spam here) and we are about to close for the winter.

Randi has been one of my heroes since the "Popoff" thing. I still remember him appearing on KPFK's "Hour 25" radio show with Harlan Ellison.

I've been looking forward to attending Amazing Meeting 6, but unfortunately, I cant because of the change to June, that being a busy time for people in tourism. Maybe I can make 5.5.

Talk to you all later.

In reason,

Buffalodavid, AKA David Roberts

[Foolinator]

Hello,

I wandered on to the site whilst trying to find information on the so-called "haunted" swings of Fitmar, Argentina which are propelled by a spirit from the nether regions (according to The Sun - font of all wisdom and factual accuracy in the UK).

What i have found is, I hope, an oasis of reason!:)
A little about me: 36 yr old librarian (male, a rarity in the profession) living near Cardiff (Wales). Always admired James Randi and his no ******** direct approach to these frauds, Susan Blackmore did attempt to fly the skeptical flag in the UK for some years but not with the same panache, technique or longevity (imho).

I look forward to finding out some of the answers to the great mysteries like, why do so-called mediums need to ask the person in the audience the name of the person they supposedly have a direct link to in the "spirit world?". Any statistics on budgie and caravan ownership would be interesting too.

[tkingdoll]

Hello,

I wandered on to the site whilst trying to find information on the so-called "haunted" swings of Fitmar, Argentina which are propelled by a spirit from the nether regions (according to The Sun - font of all wisdom and factual accuracy in the UK).

What i have found is, I hope, an oasis of reason!:)
A little about me: 36 yr old librarian (male, a rarity in the profession) living near Cardiff (Wales). Always admired James Randi and his no ******** direct approach to these frauds, Susan Blackmore did attempt to fly the skeptical flag in the UK for some years but not with the same panache, technique or longevity (imho).

I look forward to finding out some of the answers to the great mysteries like, why do so-called mediums need to ask the person in the audience the name of the person they supposedly have a direct link to in the "spirit world?". Any statistics on budgie and caravan ownership would be interesting too.

Welcome! If you have a Welsh accent I will be your friend forever, I can't resist 'em. There's a fair few Brits here, if you're ever in London I recommend Skeptics in the Pub as a non-internet event.

[Foolinator]

Welcome! If you have a Welsh accent I will be your friend forever, I can't resist 'em. There's a fair few Brits here, if you're ever in London I recommend Skeptics in the Pub as a non-internet event.
Cheers Tkingdoll, sorry to disappoint on the accent though, I'm Irish with an english accent currently residing in Wales.:D

[LibraryLady]

I am a 28 year old housewife to an active duty Marine, so I don't bring much to the educated discussions I have seen so far. But I look forward to some heavy lurking.

Aardvark


A little common sense is sometimes worth more than all the Ph.D's in the world. Welcome! Is your husband overseas?

[Aardvark422]

Welcome! Is your husband overseas?

Not at the moment, though he has been deployed several times in the last few years. Hopefully he won't deploy again before he gets out next summer. (though I do like to use his being away at war as a good excuse to go shoe shopping without permission :) )

Thanks for the welcome, but I think I burned my brain a little reading through the Stundie Nomination threads. I never thought that reading something would actually physically hurt, but I stand painfully corrected.

[Buffalodavid]

Hey, my mother lived in Whales during the war. Does that count for anything?:p:

[LibraryLady]

Not at the moment, though he has been deployed several times in the last few years. Hopefully he won't deploy again before he gets out next summer. (though I do like to use his being away at war as a good excuse to go shoe shopping without permission :) )

Thanks for the welcome, but I think I burned my brain a little reading through the Stundie Nomination threads. I never thought that reading something would actually physically hurt, but I stand painfully corrected.

I recommend sitting.
:)

[eoinc]

Hi, I have just joined recently, although I've been coming to this website for some time, and have for a long time read Randi's books (The Faith Healers and Flim-Flam being my favourites) and watched clips of him on YouTube.

I don't have the resources to test psychics and other charlatans, but I make tests of paranormal powers with my friends when the opportunity arises. One example: after a friend had referred to "that feeling you get when you know you're being watched", I decided to test if such a thing could be reliably demonstrated. We sat in an otherwise empty library, he with his back turned to me. We each had a sheet of paper, with lines marked 1 to 10. Every thirty seconds, I flipped a coin. If it landed on heads, I stared at him as hard and as menacingly as I could. If tails, I gazed absently at one of the shelves beside me and tried to ignore him entirely. In either case, I marked on my sheet what the coin had landed on. He, for his part, paid close attention to his feelings and marked his sheet with a tick (if he felt he was being watched) or an X (if he felt he wasn't). When we compared sheets afterwards, he had scored four out of ten correctly, which I told him was no better than chance.

Anyway, I am now a member. Hello, all. I also have one question to begin with: I've been reading through the threads on the "Challenge Applications" forum, and it's so frustrating to read them that I can only imagine what it's like to be a part of them. There are so many endless delays, disagreements, constant rewritings of The Procedure, and squabbles over petty details. The replies from the JREF become increasingly terse, until they eventually reach the point of "No, [applicant], you must follow our rules. We're not interested in your theories or your vanity. Send a procedure or we're closing your file." And then nothing more is ever heard.

So, is there anywhere that I can read about tests which actually took place? Or do they not happen very often?

[MikefromCarp]

I'm Mike and I run the Brights Meetup group in Ottawa (Canada). The group has become quite popular. We're looking at forming a Skeptics group in the next couple of weeks as well. I know there are a few lurkers from Ottawa here on JREF.

I've pain my intro fee and I'm in!

Mike

[LibraryLady]

I don't have the resources to test psychics and other charlatans, but I make tests of paranormal powers with my friends when the opportunity arises. One example: after a friend had referred to "that feeling you get when you know you're being watched", I decided to test if such a thing could be reliably demonstrated. We sat in an otherwise empty library, he with his back turned to me. We each had a sheet of paper, with lines marked 1 to 10. Every thirty seconds, I flipped a coin. If it landed on heads, I stared at him as hard and as menacingly as I could. If tails, I gazed absently at one of the shelves beside me and tried to ignore him entirely. In either case, I marked on my sheet what the coin had landed on. He, for his part, paid close attention to his feelings and marked his sheet with a tick (if he felt he was being watched) or an X (if he felt he wasn't). When we compared sheets afterwards, he had scored four out of ten correctly, which I told him was no better than chance.

Good job! And I approve thoroughly of using a library for this experiment. We get stared at a lot. :boxedin:

I'm Mike and I run the Brights Meetup group in Ottawa (Canada). The group has become quite popular. We're looking at forming a Skeptics group in the next couple of weeks as well. I know there are a few lurkers from Ottawa here on JREF.

I've pain my intro fee and I'm in!

Mike


We usually don't require pain....

[1star1]

Hello All i am very new to this ,a little while ago alot has happened and now changed my life.i have a very strong remote viewing psychic ability,a very strong ability precognition.a strong retrocognition ability,a moderately strong clairvoyance ability,a very strong telepathy ability,along with the rare davinci personality and temperament,a rare combination balanced brain,along with since i was born no one has understood my vibes have produced communicative magnetism fluid. i am female from the united kingdom i am 35 years of age ,i am/english/irish/welsh,white,i am about 5ft 2,brown short hair,hazel eyes,and slim build....

[Spidey13]

Huh?

[alltruenews]

Hi everyone, I'm new blood and a long time (self-taught) skeptic. Like many, I had no idea that the community was this large or this vibrant. My skeptical journey began at about 8-years of age when I noticed inconsistencies within organized religion and the real-world claims made there. It's not a long walk from doubting religion to trusting in science and evidence. Unlike 1star1, I make no paranormal claims, only semi-normal ones.

My creative background is stand-up comedy and comedy writing. No paranormal comedy however as that cab be painful. I currently pay the bills by doing IT work (also self-taught.)

I look forward to great conversation and perhaps honing my skeptical chops within these hallowed halls.

[alltruenews]

Okay, I'm testing my little photos and profile now...

[Coffee]

Free thinkers ? Kindly please deposit one quarter before you think here . Thank you .
Oh and welcome . Want some pea soup ?

A quarter? I must decline. I will not be a two-bit thinker. :)

I only like pea soup if it's thick, chunky and served by Linda Blair.

[doctoraudit]

Hello. Long time lurker here. I just wanted to say hi to all the rational people on the board. I someday will have something more interesting to say but dont hold your breath waiting. NOt a doctor or possess any real knowledge about anything scientific but just am here.

[Spidey13]

Welcome doctoraudit who is not a doctor! Don't tell anyone, but I'm not really a spider.

[Jaana]

Aloha everyone!

A quick intro of myself: My name is Jaana, I live on the island of Kauai (21-yr resident), and have recently broken free from the spiritualists and am allowing myself to come out into the open and confess that I have -for all my years of living here- struggled very hard to TRY and believe all the religious or spiritual cr*p i'm surrounded by.

It has been quite an alienating experience when one is unable to "feel" these supposed "energies" and "out-of-body" yadedas, while everyone else around me seems to have no problems in doing so.

I decided at that perhaps everyone else around here is simply mad/crazy, and I am the last living sane person on this island - OR, (having an "open mind"), i considered that perhaps there may be something wrong with *me*.

There is nothing wrong with me. I'm grateful to people like James Randi for exposing these frauds and giving reasonable explanations for these "phenomenons". I only wish that I did not have to feel so alone in a community so inundated by all these New Age quacks....

I've got many incredibly hilarious stories to share of my experiences here on this island. (I've always said they truly aught to make a sit-com of this island.)

I'm also very fortunate enough to have been raised in a non-religious family (although my Father believed in Buddhism, which is quite rare for one who is born & raised in Finland, I do not consider it as a "religion" -but more as a philosophy.)

My "journey" of seeking out "truth" by exploring so many different religious and spiritual belief systems has been a long road, and it has led me here. I have never felt so liberated.

Well, thank you all (and the JREF) for allowing me to join this group, and I look forward to learning a great deal and possibly making some new friends!

**I am just about to finish reading "The God Delusion" - what a fantastic book! And hopefully soon I will also receive Randi's book "Faith Healers" in the mail. (I am currently writing an Argumentative Essay for my English class on the subject of Faith Healers - and alternative "medicine".)

Hoping you all have a FUNtastic day!

AlooooooHa!
Jaana

"It is easier to stay out, than get out" - Mark Twain

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome, Jaana. We have a few folks from Hawaii here already, and they mostly seem sane (well, except for Hokulele).

[Evil Roy Slade]

Hi All,

For 50 years I have walked this little planet of ours, the last 25 working
as an Engineer in the electronics and software fields. While doing some
research 3 months ago I somehow landed here at JRef at about midnight.
Before I realised it the sun was peeking at me! JRef is simply engrossing.

This place truly is a clear thinking oasis that attracts a rainbow of views
from all sorts of standpoints.

Having learnt more about Mr James Randi I now understand why this man is an icon of truth, understanding and so many other positive qualities.

I look forward to learning a great deal, laughing a bit and even an occasional booooo!

[Foolmewunz]

Hello,

I wandered on to the site whilst trying to find information on the so-called "haunted" swings of Fitmar, Argentina which are propelled by a spirit from the nether regions (according to The Sun - font of all wisdom and factual accuracy in the UK).

What i have found is, I hope, an oasis of reason!:)
A little about me: 36 yr old librarian (male, a rarity in the profession) living near Cardiff (Wales). Always admired James Randi and his no ******** direct approach to these frauds, Susan Blackmore did attempt to fly the skeptical flag in the UK for some years but not with the same panache, technique or longevity (imho).

I look forward to finding out some of the answers to the great mysteries like, why do so-called mediums need to ask the person in the audience the name of the person they supposedly have a direct link to in the "spirit world?". Any statistics on budgie and caravan ownership would be interesting too.

(Bolding Mine)

Can't believe Nick and LL missed this.

librarian

Is this some sort of cabal? Is this place going to be over-run by librarians, now?

Well, a hesitant but hearty "Welcome!" (insert sarcastic smiley of your choice)

And all seriousness aside - do enjoy the place - there's a little of something for every taste, here. I'd normally say, "Jump right in...", but I see from your post count that you're already settling down.

[arthwollipot]

I have been studying judiciary astrology for five years already and I am really into the subject.

I've never heard of judiciary astrology. I'm looking forward to learning more about it in future threads.

I will be the first to tell you how you can view one very quickly. Guess I'm the only one that can give more facts about them at this time.

Well, there's this poster, name of historian, who's already given us plenty of information. Unfortunately, not a skerrick can be independently verified. Don't expect a skeptic's forum to trust your say-so. You'll need to provide some evidence. Just a friendly warning... :)

Again, I'm looking forward to your information.

Hello All i am very new to this ,a little while ago alot has happened and now changed my life.i have a very strong remote viewing psychic ability,a very strong ability precognition.a strong retrocognition ability,a moderately strong clairvoyance ability,a very strong telepathy ability,along with the rare davinci personality and temperament,a rare combination balanced brain,along with since i was born no one has understood my vibes have produced communicative magnetism fluid. i am female from the united kingdom i am 35 years of age ,i am/english/irish/welsh,white,i am about 5ft 2,brown short hair,hazel eyes,and slim build....

So you'd be willing to demonstrate your abilities under controlled observing conditions then?

Welcome all!

[leanne]

THANKS FOR THE WELCOME! FOUND THIS SITE LOOKING FOR A SKEPTICS REPSONSE TO 911, JUMPED TOO SOON INTO A FORUM AND GOT MY BUTT KICKED, NEEDED IT , SHOULD HAVE LURKED LONGER, ( AT THE RISK OF GETTING MY BUTT KICKED AGAIN) I HAVE A QUESTION ...... IS IT POSSIBLE TO BE A WOO AND A SKEPTIC?:o:o

[Hokulele]

Welcome, Jaana. We have a few folks from Hawaii here already, and they mostly seem sane (well, except for Hokulele).


Hey! Aren't you supposed to be off smiting someone or something?

And Jaana, we do have at least one other person on the forum from Kauai. He posts in the Community forum quite a bit. (I'm a Maui girl myself.)

[zee]

Hi Everyone -

I have just recently discovered this whole world of skepticism and am deeply interested. I have been reading your posts whenever I get a chance for several days now and have been learning an incredible amount from what are obviously some very well informed and intelligent people. Thank you.

I did not grow up with any kind of religious background but was very involved in learning about astrology, psychics, esp, etc... during middle and high school. That interest matured into a kind of passive indifference in my adult life. On some level I knew I could not reconcile these beliefs with rational thinking, so I just kind of ignored the whole question. I guess was in the, "well.. who knows.. surely all these believers can't be totally wrong" camp (fallacious thinking, but I wasn't really thinking). I have been to see "psychics" or tarot card readers occasionally - mainly for the fun-factor but still with disappointing results. I think I wanted to believe, though I can't remember why....

A few months ago I stumbled upon stopsylviabrowne.com and found the site very compelling. I think it is absolutely outrageous that this woman is preying on families and individuals virtually unchecked. Since that time, I have been exploring other sites and happened across this one. Looking forward to learning more and contributing what I can.

[Praktik]

Hey everyone!

Well I'm really glad to be here. I have always been a skeptic - but its only over the past few years that I've learned to love arguing on the internet..;)

I really enjoy all kinds of electronic music, and especially when it comes to the "psychedelic" variety (my electronic sensibilities these days are obsessed with German techno/electro/house, but psychedelic music of 1999-2000 is what really pulled me into the scene), there's a whole mish-mash of new age stuff ("power of crystals", "alternative healing" etc etc) thats been intertwined with the scene from the start. On one of the message boards I frequent, I've got into some pretty serious debates with a few die hard conspiracists regarding 9/11, Alex Jones, Tax Protest Movement and so on. One of these "die hards" is actually a close personal friend, and I found these debates sparking a real interest in finding out more about what Barkun called "The Culture of Conspiracy". So I found myself on this forum more than a few times to get ammunition..;)

Beyond that, my post-secondary is almost complete (VERY LATE!) in political science. The whole "North American Union" conspiracy ideas are thus things I'm pretty well primed to debate - and I've joined a group on facebook where I often tangle with conspiracists there as well.

I used to even post at Tom Delay's blog on the regular, and found a lot of similarities in the replies I would receive there, to the ones I would receive on other, non-hardcoreconservative sites from lefties under the thrall of Jones/Icke/etc. On Tom Delay's blog, a lot of times responses would ask me "where I got my marching orders from" or dismiss things I said out of hand as "liberal brainwashing". I couldn't have been arguing from an honest disagreement of interpretation - I was either a malicious agent of the enemy, or duped by the enemy.

The same pattern revealed itself on facebook with strangers, and on the hippe-board I post on as well: I needed to "open my eyes" to the brainwashing of the NWO, on the facebook group, I was even accused of being a "disinfo" agent!

I find myself fascinated by this whole phenomenon and just finished reading Richard Hofstadter's "The Paranoid Style in American Politics" and Michael Barkun's "A Culture of Conspiracy".

I joined this site to participate in the debates - but also I hope - to find more interesting books to read on the heritage of the conspiratorial sociological phenomenae that seem so pervasive these days.

I look forward to posting and hearing from others - it seems on some boards I'm kind of a "lone gun" - here it looks as though there's many more people who think alons similar lines to me....:)

[LibraryLady]

Hello,

*snip*
What i have found is, I hope, an oasis of reason!:)
A little about me: 36 yr old librarian (male, a rarity in the profession) living near Cardiff (Wales). Always admired James Randi and his no ******** direct approach to these frauds, Susan Blackmore did attempt to fly the skeptical flag in the UK for some years but not with the same panache, technique or longevity (imho).

*snip*


(Bolding Mine)

Can't believe Nick and LL missed this.

librarian

We didn't.

Is this some sort of cabal?

Yes.

Is this place going to be over-run by librarians, now?

Yes. You gotta problem with that?

Oh, and welcome Foolinator. We will discuss our evil, cabalistic plans later....

[DPMorris]

Hello 1 and all. Been a shadow for some time here, but decided to say hi, and thank all the people that make this site possible......Randi too.

Zel

[Praktik]

I'm Mike and I run the Brights Meetup group in Ottawa (Canada). The group has become quite popular. We're looking at forming a Skeptics group in the next couple of weeks as well. I know there are a few lurkers from Ottawa here on JREF.

I've pain my intro fee and I'm in!

Mike


I'm an Ottawa boy born and raised - but now I be reppin' da Tee Dot yo!

[Jaana]

Hey! Aren't you supposed to be off smiting someone or something?

And Jaana, we do have at least one other person on the forum from Kauai. He posts in the Community forum quite a bit. (I'm a Maui girl myself.)

Haha! Well, Maui is a different story. I have been there a few times and notice that you do not seem to have the outwardly nutty looking people over there as we do here. (As a tourist once wrote in a guest book: "Don't miss the 'Jesus Look-alike Contest in Hanalei!" -Haha!!!)(Referring to the many Hippies...)

Is the other Hawaii member on the Big Island? If so, perhaps it is the same one from the Skeptic Forum - and if that is the case, we might be a very small minority. :p

Mahalo to both of you for the welcome and I look forward to reading more!

Aloha,
Jaana

[Agnostic]

This is a wonderful forum to join. It is a great pity that I do not have enough time to post here more often. I was sort of instrumental in getting Pravda to open a forum to discuss Religion and for awhile only us doubters posted there. Nowadays, it is a kind of jihad versus crusade out there and everybody (or most people at least) say something nasty about Jews.

[hcmom]

Haha! Well, Maui is a different story. I have been there a few times and notice that you do not seem to have the outwardly nutty looking people over there as we do here. (As a tourist once wrote in a guest book: "Don't miss the 'Jesus Look-alike Contest in Hanalei!" -Haha!!!)(Referring to the many Hippies...)

Is the other Hawaii member on the Big Island? If so, perhaps it is the same one from the Skeptic Forum - and if that is the case, we might be a very small minority. :p

Mahalo to both of you for the welcome and I look forward to reading more!

Aloha,
Jaana

HawaiiBigSis is also on Maui. I feel like someone else is too, but I don't remember for sure.

[stevenwarran]

Dear Sirs & Madams--

During a recent 48-hour period I was banned from both the RigorousIntuition and Signs of the Times forums for rude behavior. I blog on matters pertaining to the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, relevant to September 11th, 2001, over at stevenwarran.blogspot.com

I am a close personal fan of Dr. Judith Wood , but I love to tussle with Craig Ranke at the slightest opportunity. I hope to both acquire and disseminate greater approximations of the truth of the matter at hand in the brisk and invigorating waters of the JREF forum, while at the same time practicing my civil discourse skills.

Anyone want to place any bets on my likely chances for success or failure?

[hcmom]

Success or failure at which?

[Mr. Skinny]

Dear Sirs & Madams--

During a recent 48-hour period I was banned from both the RigorousIntuition and Signs of the Times forums for rude behavior. I blog on matters pertaining to the Pentagon in Arlington Virginia, relevant to September 11th, 2001, over at stevenwarran.blogspot.com

I am a close personal fan of Dr. Judith Wood , but I love to tussle with Craig Ranke at the slightest opportunity. I hope to both acquire and disseminate greater approximations of the truth of the matter at hand in the brisk and invigorating waters of the JREF forum, while at the same time practicing my civil discourse skills.

Anyone want to place any bets on my likely chances for success or failure?
Welcome.

Is this your writing? http://stevenwarran.blogspot.com/

[zeno2712]

Hello to everyone here!

There is sooo much good stuff to read through here and it looks just about impossible to keep up with everything! However, I'll see what I can do and drop in from time to time.

This is my second post here - my first was on a thread about squatting toilets - I can only go up from there! :D

[Mr. Skinny]

Hello to everyone here!

There is sooo much good stuff to read through here and it looks just about impossible to keep up with everything! However, I'll see what I can do and drop in from time to time.

This is my second post here - my first was on a thread about squatting toilets - I can only go up from there! :D
Welcome, zeno.

You'll have to remember that factoid so that years from now, when someone starts a thread entitled "What was your first thread (or post)?", you'll remember, and be one of the first to respond. :)

[hcmom]

You the same Zeno that's in the IRC channel? Welcome to the stodgy stuff...

[nonsuch]

hello everyone.

I'll give you the short and skinny. My name is Aaron and I am a recent convert (if you will) to atheism. I spent most of life as a christian, namely a nazarene. Now I am a student of science studying biotechnology. I thouroughly enjoy this site and james randi's work. I hope to learn a lot from the people here. I am not very good at debate so I won't be jumpimg in a whole lot but I will from time to time. I generally do not like join clubs, groups, or forums. This one looked like a good one though. With that good night all.

[stevenwarran]

Dear Mr. Skinny-- Yes, that is my writing. Also, Nonesuch is my favorite lost palace. Henry VIII built it contemporaneous with France's Charles 1's Chambourd, and it introduced the Renaissance style into England. A descendant, (grandson?) was trying to pension off an old lover--the Duchess of Cleves, or some such--and in her dotage she began selling off the stones for local building projects. This should give pause to anyone considering building a palace. Or taking a lover.

[stevenwarran]

Dear Mr. Skinny-- Thank you. Yes, that is my writing.

[nonsuch]

yeah, my wireless keyboar has crappy range, does anyone know a way ti fix my usernme?

[nonsuch]

see by my last post. argh!

[Showmeproof]

Hello. Craig from NYC!

[Doczaius]

A warm and hearty hello to all. :) Please allow me to introduce myself:
Looking back on my life I find I have been a longtime nerd for information on the weird, wacky, and woo - I loved to try and debunk their claims in favor of my ingrained Christian beliefs. Over the last several years (and with much inner fear and trembling) I came to the realization that i am a full-blown skeptic and a just plain bad Christian (it just aint easy being a good one when you realize you may not even believe it all anymore).

My recent apostasy has driven me headlong into the arms of the greater online skeptical community... but alas, I have far fewer outlets to talk with those around me about these endlessly fun topics than I'd like and the words on websites and recorded voices on podcasts only afford one with a modicum of interaction. So I joined this forum to get in on the conversaton and hopefully to meet some real, live people who share my outlook... maybe even some from my area.

As my participatory time here waxes - and assuming I actually post occasionally - you will undoubtedly notice that I am a frequent abuser of ellipses, parentheses, and hyphens... my apologies in advance.

I look forward to the discourse.

[amishmime]

Howdy folks. New member here. Name is Joel but you can call me Mime or Amish or Amishmime or not call me anything.
I think Mr. Randi rocks--but then again I also like grits with grape jelly. Although I am too a skeptic, I have to make a confession. As Thor is my witness, I have seen a ghost. If anyone would like to hear the details just shoot me a message.
I live in Maine, fairly close to the horror master Stephen King. (yeah, I'm a name-dropper) I was born and raised in the Miami area, near Don Shula (see, I warned you). I plan on being famous one day, then you all can drop my name.
Some consider me eccentric, some think I'm crazy. But everyone agrees, I are smart.

[HawaiiBigSis]

yeah, my wireless keyboar has crappy range, does anyone know a way ti fix my usernme?
I don't believe you can fix it; I think one of the administrators need to do it, but I'm not sure... Try sending a PM to Darat, Lisa_Simpson, or Terry.

[bbarnold123]

After reading Randi's commentaries for years, I'm delighted to finally become a member of the forum. I'm a lawyer living in Los Angeles, but please don't hold either of these facts against me.

As a child, I actually dreamed (for a very short while) about becoming a parapsychologist. Why? Because I wanted truth. To my young junior high mind, it seemed to me that there were so much unexplained phenomena and so much untapped power in the brain that needed to be explored.

There were only two problems with my plans. First, as I grew older, I realized there was simply no real evidence to support any of the other-worldly powers I wanted so desperately to be true. Second, although I love science, follow developments in a variety of fields, and read science fiction, I realized early on that I lacked any actual scientific ability. Oh, I can read articles and make some sense of the theories, but have difficulty retaining the information or understanding the implications of what I read.

And that's where I'm hoping this forum can help. I have not given up the search for truth, but I just wish I had better tools! Other than proclaiming in a loud voice, "That's baloney," I find it very difficult to explain to ordinary people (much less myself) why a particular claim should be disregarded. Over the last ten years, I've been increasingly concerned with rise in the belief of psychics, fundamentalism, the homeopathic movement, and other woo-hoo belief systems. Like many of you, I’m just disgusted when I see people being taken advantage of by those with supernatural claims. I’m looking forward to learning from forum members (and perhaps sharing some of my own modest ideas) the best ways to “fight the good fight” and, hopefully, raise the level rational thinking in the world.

[ViniL]

Hello, I’ve been a lurker for a while, and finally decided it was time to be more active in this community.

A quick introduction would go along the lines of: I’m a 22 year old Brazilian starting to work as a computer programmer.

By the way, I’m not from one of those sunny places in Brazil, living closer to Argentina in a state called Rio Grande do Sul, weather tends to be a bit chaotic, but almost never too hot, nor sunny.

[Jaana]

Ahhhh! Now that I am not the freshest blood on the plate of newcomers, do I get to trade in my "New Blood" badge for the higher esteemed "Critical Thinker" badge?

Or do I still have some critical thinking to demonstrate in order to earn that badge? :wink8:

Welcome to all of you newer-newcomers!

AloooooooooHa!

:fin:

[hcmom]

Jaana, you have to petition the title fairies and pixies...

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3114658#post3114658

(You might want to try offering pie...)

[Jaana]

Done!

Thank you hcmom!

AlooooooHa!

[Akhenaten]

Greetings.

Formerly King of the Upper and Lower Lands, and beloved of the Aten, I have been reincarnated by extra-terrestrials using Awsome Homeopathic Crystal Technology™

I have been thus chosen to reveal the *true* message encoded in the bible, and that message is, of course, that Bigfoot is real.

Sadly, the process seems to have gone awry, and here sits, in place of mighty Pharaoh, a 53-year-old layabout with nothing better to do than wade through a miasma of woo thinking and try to learn from experts how best to deal with it.

Curses! I feel I might have blown my cover story by mentioning that. Oh wells.

Seriously, I have a couple of reasons for signing up here. The first is to thank those posters who have demonstrated time and again a measure of patience and forbearance that I can only aspire to. I'm a happy, lifelong sceptic, but I've always been far too short with people when faced with some of their more outlandish beliefs. See! I'm doing it now, using words like *outlandish* to describe how other folks think. Meh. The point is, I've learned a lot here about logic and debating that I should have availed myself of years ago, so again, thank you.

Second reason is pretty much a follow-on from the first - it's time to unlurk so we can see if I've actually learned anything. This is a rare place on the Web where a dill like me can make a complete mess of an argument and not be torn to shreds. I don't think I have any beliefs to speak of, and I stand ready and willling to have my current meagre knowledge expanded and updated by folks who quite obviously know more than me. Thanks in advance for that.


ETA:

My real name is Dave, by the way. Common as mud and totally appropriate.

Many will say I spelled sceptic wrong, but just to demonstrate my willingness to be korrected on things, I'll be more than happy to khange it. Also I've just recalled that I lied about not having any beliefs, because I think cat people are much more sensible than dog people, and that chocolate is universally good. I'm probably wrong about at least one of these, so I might start right away on a new thread to see if I can find the *real* answers to these vital issues. I'll bet it's all not a conspiracy.

There, I've introduced myself as a complete ratbag, but at least I'm a sceptical one. And skeptical.

[StoneRook]

My name is Bob, (Hi! Bob), and I am 42 year old recovering ex-Navy sailor.

I currently work as a CIO for a company, travelling between the plants in the USA and Mexico.

I have alot of interests, and I am religious in reading the JREF forums...

Lurker that I am though.

Hope to contribute some good stuff here.


that is all....

[jrp1965]

HI, I am Rodney and into bigfooting. Yes, they are out there.

[Elphaba]

Hi, I’m Julie… “Elphaba” is a nod to my favorite musical, and I kind of feel like I am an “Elphaba” at times thanks to my animal crusading and feeling the need to find the truth and exposing the fallacies that plague our world. Aside from being an “Elphaba”, I’m an astronomer/published photographer/very curious geek-skeptic-maternal 30’something nerd living in the Maryland ‘burbs of Washington, DC. (ie: a mom with loads of book knowledge, cameras and telescopes, that asks a lot of questions. :D )

I have to thank Kelly for indirectly leading me here… I know of her through Websleuths, and her links to a skeptic forum about a certain dream “psychic” saw me going there and then finding my way here. I respect what Kelly does and I think she is an awesome lady… I just have to say that. Once I made my way here, I realized that I already knew who James Randi was, thanks to him sticking out in my mind on a certain blurb of my past… I just never knew there was a sanctioned forum under his name.

Why James Randi sticks out in my mind: I remember when he exposed James Hydrick. I was young, but I remember… and it served me well: somewhere within the mid 80’s range when Hydrick was between incarceration stints and using the nickname of “Rambo”, I had an encounter with him at a family friend’s house, down in SC. As much as he was convincing other people at the house that he had special powers, I knew better… I remember Randi exposing him. I have a whole story on this encounter, as well as how he tried to resurrect his cult status in our little corner of South Carolina, back then. I’ll share one day, if anyone is interested in hearing about it…

Anyhow, the reason I became a member: my curious nature pushes me to seek out answers… to keep asking the questions and searching for some light of truth in this crazy world. I like what I found here… I feel that I can learn much… and maybe even add my own insights, when I get my courage up. Thanks for allowing me in…

[1star1]

oh yes i have plenty of evidence concerning my abilitys and test reports ,and i honestly dont care what other people think also to the one who gave there opinion about it.as its not believing about it ,its what has happened,and is now going on with me.

[hcmom]

uh huh

[Spidey13]

yep

[grayman]

Sigh...

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Welcome new members!!!

Cheers:

http://www.jeremylatham.com/images/cold-beer.jpg

[ZenFountain]

Hello!

I have been lurking here awhile and just started posting. All my other favorite net hangouts (usenet, news sites and blogs mainly) have fallen prey to incessant 9/11 truther and Ron Paul spammers, so here I am, bitter and tired.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Hello!

I have been lurking here awhile and just started posting. All my other favorite net hangouts (usenet, news sites and blogs mainly) have fallen prey to incessant 9/11 truther and Ron Paul spammers, so here I am, bitter and tired.

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=90304&page=16
;)

[Foolmewunz]

oh yes i have plenty of evidence concerning my abilitys and test reports ,and i honestly dont care what other people think also to the one who gave there opinion about it.as its not believing about it ,its what has happened,and is now going on with me.

I was going to post the "Uh huh", dammit.
So I thought I'd just agree with HCMOM, but Spidey13 beat me to it. Doubledammit.
So then I was going to "sigh"... doubledammitwithfrostingontop!

Can I just have those two beers that Jerome posted, instead of making a sensible greeting?

[OneShotKi11]

Well basically im new here and from what i have been informed you guys are the devil, but since ive come to the realization that most 9/11 truthers are morons i have no chaice but to give the darkside a visit and a fair shot at winning me over in these stupid debates.

As of right now i have almost no stance on the subject and just wish to browse for more sensible information about it as well as join in debates with topics other the 9/11 truth.
Basically im just here to be more informed and meet like minded people

[Paulhoff]

HI, I am Rodney and into bigfooting. Yes, they are out there.
NO

Paul

:) :) :)

[Paulhoff]

Hello All i am very new to this ,a little while ago alot has happened and now changed my life.i have a very strong remote viewing psychic ability,a very strong ability precognition.a strong retrocognition ability,a moderately strong clairvoyance ability,a very strong telepathy ability,along with the rare davinci personality and temperament,a rare combination balanced brain,along with since i was born no one has understood my vibes have produced communicative magnetism fluid. i am female from the united kingdom i am 35 years of age ,i am/english/irish/welsh,white,i am about 5ft 2,brown short hair,hazel eyes,and slim build....
NO

Paul

:) :) :)

[Foolmewunz]

You have that saved as a macro, Paulhoff?

Gotta admit, it saves time.:spjimlad::spjimlad:

[Rotceh]

Hi everyone. I am your "mathematician-skeptic-believer". he he he.
One of my hobbies is to play the skeptic among the believers and the believer among the skeptics. That would make me a kind of "man of faith" in this forum.
But everything for the sake of "understanding"(As if were possible to communicate something with words) and happiness. In that order.

May your faith make you happy ;)

+ + ++ +++ +++++ ++++++++ +++++++++++++
Neo: "... but love is a human emotion."
Rama: "No! Love is a word; what matters is the connection that word implies."

[Mr. Skinny]

1star1[/B] http://forums.randi.org/helloworld2/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=3106758#post3106758) ]
Hello All i am very new to this ,a little while ago alot has happened and now changed my life.i have a very strong remote viewing psychic ability,a very strong ability precognition.a strong retrocognition ability,a moderately strong clairvoyance ability,a very strong telepathy ability,along with the rare davinci personality and temperament,a rare combination balanced brain,along with since i was born no one has understood my vibes have produced communicative magnetism fluid. i am female from the united kingdom i am 35 years of age ,i am/english/irish/welsh,white,i am about 5ft 2,brown short hair,hazel eyes,and slim build....

Can't wait to find out what a vibe-produced communicative magnetism fluid is.

They never taught us about that in engineering school.

[Jaana]

1Star1: Please tell me what I have to the right of me, and what I am thinking 10 minutes after I post this message to the board.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

1Star1: Please tell me what I have to the right of me, and what I am thinking 10 minutes after I post this message to the board.

You have a pineapple next to you, and you are thinking about eating it.

:D

[Jaana]

Hello!

I have been lurking here awhile and just started posting. All my other favorite net hangouts (usenet, news sites and blogs mainly) have fallen prey to incessant 9/11 truther and Ron Paul spammers, so here I am, bitter and tired.

I am glad you brought this up. I am curious: What is all this Ron Paul spam about? Friends who have always been die-hard Liberals are now "converting" and frantically trying to "convert" everyone else around them. It seems almost like a cult. What has me intrigued is simply the volume of Ron Paul spam I am receiving.

Disclaimer: I realize I should do my own research, and confess it is due to sheer laziness that I do not. (I don't follow politics as much as I perhaps should). ;-)

[Jaana]

You have a pineapple next to you, and you are thinking about eating it.

:D

Ah... You nearly had it.

To my right was actually a 6 year old vacuum cleaner, and I was thinking about what I was going to wear to work.

Close! I'd almost guess you had a supernatural gift. *wink*

[Molechaser]

Hi, everyone!

I came over to bid on some items in the TAM Scholarship Auction, but I've decided to stick around as well. (I'm also donating some observatory photos for the auction.)

[grayman]

HI, I am Rodney and into bigfooting. Yes, they are out there.

Evidence?

oh yes i have plenty of evidence concerning my abilitys and test reports ,and i honestly dont care what other people think also to the one who gave there opinion about it.as its not believing about it ,its what has happened,and is now going on with me.

Prove it then.

[Paulhoff]

You have that saved as a macro, Paulhoff?

Gotta admit, it saves time.:spjimlad::spjimlad:
If I could say less and get the point across I would.

Paul

:) :) :)

Simple thoughts for simple minds.

[Whysely]

Hi everyone,
I thought I should register after some months being just a lurker.
I'm a trained software engineer from Germany and interested in computer programming for most of my life, i.e. for about 14 years of my almost 26 years in this universe.
I never thought of myself as explicitly being a skeptic until lately, but I also never thought any woo-woo to be real, except for some christmas stuff, the easter bunny and such when I was really young.

The first time I heard about James Randi was when I saw a video by Banachek where he mentioned Project Alpha and I also wasn't aware of Randi's connection to Penn & Teller before. Further research brought me here a while ago. So my way to "conscious skepticism" was through my interest in magic and the methods behind it. I'm not the kind of guy who tells anyone any magic method, but I like to know the tricks. I for myself enjoy magic shows a lot more with knowing the methods behind and seeing them applied in a good performance.

Well, enough for the moment. I don't know yet whether I'll be posting a lot, but I definitely will once in a while when I have anything interesting to say :)

Whysely

[truthsearcher]

Hi, I'm truthsearcher. I've come here to find out more about new theories in physics. The reason I've come here for that is because this place looks legitimate and full of intelligent people. Please, if you have the same interest I do, reply! (or something)

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Hi everyone,
I thought I should register after some months being just a lurker.
I'm a trained software engineer from Germany and interested in computer programming for most of my life, i.e. for about 14 years of my almost 26 years in this universe.

Can you get free porn?

[hcmom]

Can you get free porn?

Perv. Er... wait......

Never mind.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Perv. Er... wait......

Never mind.


That question was for informational purposes only.

:boxedin:

[Jaana]

Perv. Er... wait......

Never mind.


I will keep my mouth closed on this one or i would be sure to make many enemies.

[T.A.M.]

well, it only took me nearly a year and a half to realize this welcome thread exists...lol

All newbies:

Welcome to the forum...

Stevenwarran:

I briefly viewed some of your blog...while I disagree with much of your opinion and interpretation, I have to admit you have collected a lot of data, and a lot of photos, some of which I had not seen before. I applaud the effort.

Drop over to the CT subforum, where all things 9/11 are discussed...

I would wager (since you asked) a large sum of money that you will fail to convince any of the local debunkers over at the CT subforum, of the validity of your interpretations, from what I have read.

PS. try not to be rude, as it might end up in another banning (mods discretion of course).

TAM:)

Edit:

Well the thread hasnt been here that long, so I guess I wasnt as ignorant to it as I thought...lol

[Foolmewunz]

<snip>

Edit:

Well the thread hasnt been here that long, so I guess I wasnt as ignorant to it as I thought...lol

Actually, this is the spinoff - the original is on the same page and dates back to 2003. http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=4665

You gotta get out more*, Doc. (My layman's prescription.)

*Out of the CT miasma, at least.


Truthsearcher.... Welcome - not sure if you're aware of the connotations in the a.m. CT sub-forum of any name with "Truth" in it. It's not fair, but the Conspiradroids have co-opted the word "Truth" and refer to themselves various as The Truth Movement. We, of course, just call 'em "Truthers" or "Troofers" or any number of less kind terms.

[Whysely]

Can you get free porn?
Of course I could, but I don't use my magical computer powers to satisfy such a filthy request. :D
Or do you consider this to be so hard, that if performed under controlled conditions could qualify for the JREF million? I guess I could do it under that circumstance if you don't peek while I do. :covereyes

Whysely

[SusanB-M1]

elphaba
Anyhow, the reason I became a member: my curious nature pushes me to seek out answers… to keep asking the questions and searching for some light of truth in this crazy world. I like what I found here… I feel that I can learn much… and maybe even add my own insights, when I get my courage up. Thanks for allowing me in…
I agree. I found this site by googling 'message boards' and going through the names on the table they put up. This was by far the most clear and positive one and has tied up a great many loose ends for me.
BTW Could you please tell me more about your user name? Thanks.

Mr Skinny
Can't wait to find out what a vibe-produced communicative magnetism fluid is.

They never taught us about that in engineering school.
I've just finished listening to the last Harry Potter book (read superbly by Stephen Fry) and the 'fluid' sounds rather like Snape's 'thought' stuff that HP collected in a jar - provided by Hermione!

Jana
I am glad you brought this up. I am curious: What is all this Ron Paul spam about? Friends who have always been die-hard Liberals are now "converting" and frantically trying to "convert" everyone else around them. It seems almost like a cult. What has me intrigued is simply the volume of Ron Paul spam I am receiving.
I too am glad you asked this question! I shall watch with interest for the answer.
I always read the 'Welcome' pages. It is so interesting to read about all the people who join this site, in such a constant stream.

[stevenwarran]

Dear Mr. or Ms. T.A.M. (http://forums.randi.org/member.php?u=10761) , the Philosopher--

Thank you! What a very nice way to express yourself! 9-11 couldn't be a more difficult topic to discuss, and with the "official" conspiracy theory looking more tenuous over time, "holding" onto that paradigm will become more painful while the inevitable suffering we as individuals have to go through to get to the new paradigm lessens by comparison. It's a lot like torture that way and the results are probably as reliable.

I don't think I'm ready for the real Randi CT forums! Your reputation precedes you guys and I am scraping the bottom of the interactive-9-11 barrel here, remember. (Oops! There I go again!) Maybe one of the old-timers could ease me in gently by starting a "Be Nice to StevenWarRan" -type thread in keeping with your kind introductory message.

It's not that I think I am so especially special, but I do believe whole-heartedly and sincerely in my efforts and they are rather riling.

(P.S. The latest word on my SOTT banning has me displaying a depressive "right-man" personality disorder, sure to effect an energy drain on any discussion. I was a member from Oct 5-Oct. 30 and made three contributions to a single thread, being banned within seconds of the last.)

[Foolmewunz]

Dear Mr. or Ms. T.A.M. (http://forums.randi.org/member.php?u=10761) , the Philosopher--

Thank you! What a very nice way to express yourself! 9-11 couldn't be a more difficult topic to discuss, and with the "official" conspiracy theory looking more tenuous over time, "holding" onto that paradigm will become more painful while the inevitable suffering we as individuals have to go through to get to the new paradigm lessens by comparison. It's a lot like torture that way and the results are probably as reliable.

I don't think I'm ready for the real Randi CT forums! Your reputation precedes you guys and I am scraping the bottom of the interactive-9-11 barrel here, remember. (Oops! There I go again!) Maybe one of the old-timers could ease me in gently by starting a "Be Nice to StevenWarRan" -type thread in keeping with your kind introductory message.

It's not that I think I am so especially special, but I do believe whole-heartedly and sincerely in my efforts and they are rather riling.

(P.S. The latest word on my SOTT banning has me displaying a depressive "right-man" personality disorder, sure to effect an energy drain on any discussion. I was a member from Oct 5-Oct. 30 and made three contributions to a single thread, being banned within seconds of the last.)

Just to clarify, that'd be Dr. T.A.M.
He's one of the most civil posters in the CT sub-forum. We have had a number of CTists(ers)* on the boards who've managed to introduce themselves and maintain any number of threads without starting WWIII.

If you state your position, what it is about 911 that you find puzzling, wrong, deceitful, criminal, or whatever, you will get responses. The persons who get the "pile-on" treatment are the ones who present themselves as something other than what they are, the ones who arrogantly assume they have all the answers, the ones who come with no facts - just opinions, and the ones who think there's a JREF groupthink going on. That last one being the most popular in recent weeks.

Bring facts. Bring evidence. But don't count on everyone being T.A.M. There are as many different types of personality in the CT area as you'll find in life.

[stevenwarran]

Thank you Mr., Mrs., Miss., Ms., or Dr. Foolmewunz! I shan't be disrespectful of Dr. T.A.M. again!

By the way, are you related to the Philadelphia Wunz's?

[Elphaba]

BTW Could you please tell me more about your user name? Thanks.

Hi Susan, thank you for asking: Elphaba is the name that Gregory Maguire gave to The Wicked Witch of the West when he wrote the dark novel "The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West"... it's a kind of back-story about the witches of Oz. The name is fashioned after L. Frank Baum's initials (LFB). The novel reveals that the WWoW wasn't so wicked and evil, after all... the biggest part of her story is that she was hell-bent on exposing the truth about the charlatan and cruel political manipulator that the Wizard was...

[LibraryLady]

.

Many will say I spelled sceptic wrong, but just to demonstrate my willingness to be korrected on things, I'll be more than happy to khange it. Also I've just recalled that I lied about not having any beliefs, because I think cat people are much more sensible than dog people, and that chocolate is universally good. I'm probably wrong about at least one of these, so I might start right away on a new thread to see if I can find the *real* answers to these vital issues. I'll bet it's all not a conspiracy.

There, I've introduced myself as a complete ratbag, but at least I'm a sceptical one. And skeptical.

Yes, but how do you feel about budgie people? And have you returned your library books?

[SusanB-M1]

#523 Elphaba

Thank you. Yet another piece of interesting info I've never heard of!

[jazzmojo]

Hi Susan, thank you for asking: Elphaba is the name that Gregory Maguire gave to The Wicked Witch of the West when he wrote the dark novel "The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West"... it's a kind of back-story about the witches of Oz. The name is fashioned after L. Frank Baum's initials (LFB). The novel reveals that the WWoW wasn't so wicked and evil, after all... the biggest part of her story is that she was hell-bent on exposing the truth about the charlatan and cruel political manipulator that the Wizard was...
"Wicked" is a great book. There were parts that were WAAAAY to long and dull (I think the same thing about The Lord of the Rings books, I'm just silly) but the message of the book is genius. There is nothing quite like the rush of reading about a human-munchkin-Tiger three-way, semi-public sex orgy, is there?

It's funny, much like the video game for Blade Runner, where the story you are in is running parallel to a much better known piece of fiction, you can't help trying to second guess the coming events since you know the story that your own is running next to. When I got past Shizz and into the Emerald City parts, where she is more or less a terrorist at that point, I got this eerie feeling that if the book went all the to the Dorothy Gale water scene, that I know what was going to happen. It certainly forces a MUCH different idea on who was and who was not so wicked. Dull parts aside, great book.

Now, as for the MUSICAL Wicked, I am one of the biggest fans of Broadway musicals in the straight man coven. I love the music, the voices, the imagery and I am impressed that they managed to sooth out the more boring pieces of the book. I loved every minute of that show...except the last. Without any close 2nd place, that was the worst ending of any show of any type ever conceived. I was driven to tears...BAD Schwartz...BAD BAD Schwartz

[jazzmojo]

I am glad you brought this up. I am curious: What is all this Ron Paul spam about? Friends who have always been die-hard Liberals are now "converting" and frantically trying to "convert" everyone else around them. It seems almost like a cult. What has me intrigued is simply the volume of Ron Paul spam I am receiving.

Disclaimer: I realize I should do my own research, and confess it is due to sheer laziness that I do not. (I don't follow politics as much as I perhaps should). ;-)
I spend most of my Internet life on a fairly left wing message board. Best I can figure, the far left likes Ron Paul becuase of his overt opposition to the Iraq / Afghanistan military actions. He wants to pull the US soldiers out of the middle east immediately and for most of the people who identify with the far-left anti-war movement, that is all they care about. Since he is the only Republican (that I know of) that is against the war, he is their "least worst option". That's just how I see it though.

As for the high spam, I think there was a news story a week or two ago about Paul supports using some kind of off-shore spam bots to flood users between messages of free porn, Viagra and how to cure baldness emails.

[jazzmojo]

It's not fair, but the Conspiradroids have co-opted the word "Truth" and refer to themselves various as The Truth Movement. We, of course, just call 'em "Truthers" or "Troofers" or any number of less kind terms.

I've taken with just calling it the 9/11 Denial Movement since the only concern most of them have is denying the official story, not in what is "truth" or not. I've seen far to many who have made it clear that they will call for a "new" investigation until they find one that agrees with them. That kind of "skepticism" was beaten out of my head during my days at Catholic school every time I wanted to kick a data point that was clearly an outlier WITHOUT going to the 2SD calculations. Never, never, NEVER ignore any data just because it is inconvenient to you hypothesis. Amen Father Charles, you are the best Ivy-league graduate Benedictine monk who ever tried to teach any class I have ever taken....Bar none.

It's funny, there is a guy (can't remember his name) that created a website that "conclusively" proves that George Bush was responsible for the sinking of the Titanic (his LISOP/MISOP theory - Let It Sink On Purpose/Made It Sink On Purpose) and his "proof" centered around the fact that George Bush denies being responsible for sinking the Titanic. Clearly a cover-up. His last line was something like: "It's time to get mad!!!! To take Action!!!! We need to rescue our country from this administration who has illegally been convicted of NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY for sinking that ship!

and if you STILL don't believe me, I am going to stay here in my parents basement and keep photoshopping these pictures until you DO believe me.


As far as biting satire is concerned, one of the best examples I've seen in a long, long time...

[mark4mark]

I have seen your despicable accusations against 9/11 victims and witnesses. Don't expect to be treated with kid gloves by the decent, intelligent people here.

Could someone direct me to said "despicable accusations?"

What exactly are this person's contentions?

[Darat]

Folks - this is the Welcome thread - discussions outside of announcing yourself and welcoming others should be taken elsewhere.

[Mister Earl]

Hey folks. New guy here. Long time lurker, short time poster. Might as well get involved directly. Nothing better than a good, technical debate. Already did a threat on "Hey, I'm new!" so I'll truncate this one. Hi, everyone!

[LazyPint]

Hi there. Found this great site via south park on wikipedia, to John Edwards on wikipedia, to the Million Dollar Challenge.

I read every single applicant log and was impressed with the JREF's tolerance of many different claims. I wish I could say I can levitate or predict lottery numbers but alas, no such abilities here!

I read a few other topics today and was, again, impressed by the forum members' respectful attitude to claimants. I should point out that I am also a disbeliever, but I would love to see a verified paranormal ability, as I'm sure most of the crowd would too.

Anyway, enough waffling from me! I hope to see some of you around.

[Foolmewunz]

Folks - this is the Welcome thread - discussions outside of announcing yourself and welcoming others should be taken elsewhere.

Welcome, Darat!

Enjoy your stay. I'm sure you'll find some interesting people and topics in here.:D

[Foolmewunz]

Hey folks. New guy here. Long time lurker, short time poster. Might as well get involved directly. Nothing better than a good, technical debate. Already did a threat on "Hey, I'm new!" so I'll truncate this one. Hi, everyone!

Welcome, Mister Earl! I hope that was a "thread" and not a "threat"! We don't take kindly to threats 'round these here parts, fella! ;):p


(I'm not normally a grammar nazi - see my honorary self-selected Custom Title - but that particular typo was too good to pass on.)

ETA: Hey, what happened to my custom smilies... Off to AdminLand to complain again!

[Foolmewunz]

Hi there. Found this great site via south park on wikipedia, to John Edwards on wikipedia, to the Million Dollar Challenge.

I read every single applicant log and was impressed with the JREF's tolerance of many different claims. I wish I could say I can levitate or predict lottery numbers but alas, no such abilities here!

I read a few other topics today and was, again, impressed by the forum members' respectful attitude to claimants. I should point out that I am also a disbeliever, but I would love to see a verified paranormal ability, as I'm sure most of the crowd would too.

Anyway, enough waffling from me! I hope to see some of you around.

Welcome, also, to LazyPint..... I think you'll find a lot of folks who agree with you that'd be cool to find someone who could actually do any of the things they've been claiming.... but who don't believe it'll ever happen.

Drop in on the Forum Community, Sports, or Humor sections and feel your way around.... Get comfy, and wade into your pet interests sections once you've got your bearings.

Enjoy. Did you bring pie?

[breathe]

hi there

well i am an idealist of my own kind - which gets me into a lot of conflict, nevertheless i am open minded and hoping to be able to engage in some active intellectual dialogue here, anything i have read so far has had heaps of information that is really useful, so i hope to be able to contribute and of course learn in the process........ :eye-poppi

[LazyPint]

Welcome, also, to LazyPint..... I think you'll find a lot of folks who agree with you that'd be cool to find someone who could actually do any of the things they've been claiming.... but who don't believe it'll ever happen.

Drop in on the Forum Community, Sports, or Humor sections and feel your way around.... Get comfy, and wade into your pet interests sections once you've got your bearings.

Enjoy. Did you bring pie?

Knew there was something I forgot! Off to the shops for me...

Thanks for the welcome!

[grayman]

(I'm not normally a grammar nazi - see my honorary self-selected Custom Title...)

Wouldn't "Grammar Resistance Leadest" be more appropriate?

[LogicallyInsane]

Greetings brief mortals :)

Long time fan of Randi's, wasn't untill I was watching Penn and Teller on YouTube with Randi in the video that I finally put 2+2 together and realised Randi's Foundation would have a forum. :jaw-dropp

That momumental failure to relate a man who prides rationality and information with the greatest source of information in the world aside..

I'm Stu, I live in England. I greet people as brief mortals just to remind them that they're going to die and should hand me of all their stuff.
I greatly value honesty and the skeptical veiwpoint.

My Biological father is a self proclaimed "Spritual Medium", My general skepticism started when I saw him drunk and discussing to his other 'psychic' friends about techniques to make it a more believable trick.

From then on all facets of logic appealed to me.
Great fan of Randi (obviously) Penn and Teller, Richard Dawkins, ExtantDodo and others :)

[EmperorPenguin]

Hello, I'm new here. Fan of Randi's but just came upon the site. kthxbye

[limo]

Hello I am limo

[arthwollipot]

Hello limo.

[Felidae]

Hello everyone :)

I've been visiting this site for a couple of months now and finally decided to join.

I think I've always been a sceptic, just didn't know it. My eyes opened one day when I went to the library and found a soundtrack of a movie called Nostradamus. The name sounded familiar but I just couldn't remember who he was. So, when I got home, I searched the Internet and found a site called astonishing world which was full of information on interesting things :p And from there I found the Finnish association of skeptics and realised this is exactly how I see the world. And the rest is history.

Nowadays I study astronomy (2nd year). I know how little I know about the world, science and pseudoscience and life in general, so I believe I'll be mostly reading other people's posts and maybe occasionally asking questions. I'm here to learn.

See you!

[lionking]

Hi Felidae,

How refreshing to see someone admit to knowing little about the world. This is the true essence of skepticism. I think you will feel at home here. Welcome from the other side of the world.

Lionking

[Foolmewunz]

Welcome Felidae!

Another Finn and Another Astronomer. You'll find we have a few of each.

Enjoy yourself. Drop in to the TAM6 Auctions thread. Check out the great photo that's being auctioned - taken from the Hubble. (For astonomy fans it's pretty awesome. I'm considering bidding, but waiting to let the competition show its hand.)

ETA: Link to thread:

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=97971

[H-o-l-l-y]

Hey everyone!
I'm H-o-l-l-y :)
I find this place really interesting, and I've learnt alot here from my lurking :)
I don't usually use good grammer online, but I'm really going to try on here as I see most of you would prefer that...which is a given I guess!
:)

[arthwollipot]

The main reason I like to see good spelling and grammar is that I don't need to expend any additional effort to interpret it. If someone posts carelessly I have to read it twice or three times before I can understand what he or she is saying. If you want to express yourself clearly, express yourself using good grammar.

Welcome, H-o-l-l-y!

[H-o-l-l-y]

Exactly!
It's just a personal challenge :)
Thanks for the welcome

[arthwollipot]

Gosh, and an Aussie too! Double welcome!

[lionking]

Hi H-o-l-l-y. I must admit I'm a bit pedantic about grammer as you can really be misunderstood if you so much as get a comma in the wrong place. But I think most are quite tolerant about grammer unless the post involves ridiculous or insulting-to-the-intelligence ideas. That's when others may respond with "you can't even get grammer right". Hope you enjoy the forum.

[Jaana]

Hello Hello Hello to everyone who has arrived after me!

I love this site, and am sure you all will too.
I am still a "newbie" here, but felt I should join the welcoming committee. :-)

So, Welcome everyone!

:champers:

AloooooHa!

[lionking]

Gosh, and an Aussie too! Double welcome!
Gee I didn't know she was a Sydneysider. I take back my welcome. Only joking.:D

[arthwollipot]

Hi H-o-l-l-y. I must admit I'm a bit pedantic about grammer as you can really be misunderstood if you so much as get a comma in the wrong place. But I think most are quite tolerant about grammer unless the post involves ridiculous or insulting-to-the-intelligence ideas. That's when others may respond with "you can't even get grammer right". Hope you enjoy the forum.

And some of us know how to spell grammar...
:cool:

[lionking]

And some of us know how to spell grammar...
:cool:
Ouch!:p I will have to use spell checker. But watch out for any slip ups by you!

[H-o-l-l-y]

Since you all seem to be fantastic at grammar I'd appreciate if you could answer a probably simple question...is the correct way of writing it havn't or haven't?
(Sorry if this is in the wrong part of the forum!)

[Foolmewunz]

Since you all seem to be fantastic at grammar I'd appreciate if you could answer a probably simple question...is the correct way of writing it havn't or haven't?
(Sorry if this is in the wrong part of the forum!)

Well, before those prissy old mods get here and tell us to "stay on topic", I'll answer.... (Besides, who'd start a whole thread for questions like this?)

Haven't.

Perhaps you're confusing it (or the physical appearance of the word) with hadn't?

Just Answering Questions (our implicit motto over on the CT boards).

And I bid you Welcome, Holly.... Pardon if I don't spell your name with all the dashes (those little thingies [ - ] that are also called hyphens), but that'll get real annoying to type often.

[H-o-l-l-y]

Thanks alot! :)

Thanks for the welcome, Holly is great I actually prefer it, obviousaly my name isn't H-o-l-l-y anyway!

[abenja1]

Hello fellow JREF members. Glad to have been accepted and joined this fine institution of logic and rational thinking.

[JMarshall]

Hello all, my name is Joshua Marshall, hence the screen name JMarshall. I am twenty seven years old, have spent six years of my young life in the US Army, three active duty as a Combat Engineer, and three as an Infantryman. Other than military experience, I have always had a huge yearning to learn, be it of life and love, or religion, and the world around us. After graduating from high school, I made it a point to start to study as many different religions as I could, call it a quest to find a religion I could fit into, or what have you, I finally found that all the religions that I studied were preaching the same things in different context. I personally don't claim to know everything about any one thing, but have a good working understanding of many different things. Let me rephrase that last statement of mine, I would claim to know much more than most about the workings and employment of explosives and demolitions, as the military has taught me, which while I was a combat engineer earned me the nick-name of Technical, since I could repeat technical data from memory of different explosives and land mines. Other than that though, I am merely here to learn, and hopefully contribute positively to the conversations.

[arthwollipot]

Since you all seem to be fantastic at grammar I'd appreciate if you could answer a probably simple question...is the correct way of writing it havn't or haven't?
(Sorry if this is in the wrong part of the forum!)
Agreed with Foolmewunz. The apostrophe (') represents a missing letter or letters. In this case, the missing letter is the o from have not. If you want to miss the e as well, you need to spell it hav'n't.

[Foolmewunz]

Agreed with Foolmewunz. The apostrophe (') represents a missing letter or letters. In this case, the missing letter is the o from have not. If you want to miss the e as well, you need to spell it hav'n't.

As in,.... a'in't. :spjimlad::spjimlad::spjimlad:

[arthwollipot]

Ain't isn't a real word. You can tell because "Ai not" does not make sense.

[grayman]

And it ain't not right no how.

[Hokulele]

People, less pedantry, more welcoming.

Welcome abenja1 and JMarshall! Don't let all these stuffy old men scare you off the site.

[arthwollipot]

I'm thirty seven!

[JEROME DA GNOME]

I'm thirty seven!

Inches?

:eek:

[arthwollipot]

Inches?

:eek:

Feet!
:rolleyes:

[JMarshall]

Takes more than stuffy old men to scare me off. Thank you all. As I stated before I hope to learn and contribute positively to the conversations/debates.

[hcmom]

I'm thirty seven!

Inches?

:eek:

Feet!
:rolleyes:


*hcmom welcomes arthwollipot

And yes, I know you aren't new, but obviously you left something out of your introduction when you got here.... :halo:

[Foolmewunz]

People, less pedantry, more welcoming.

Welcome abenja1 and JMarshall! Don't let all these stuffy old men scare you off the site.

Hey, I represent that remark.*




*Yeah, I know Norm Crosby's line was "I resemble....", but my version is better.

And to all the noobs I've missed.... a hail and hearty Welcome. Dive in... the usual advice is pretty good: Go hang out in Forum Community or Humor... You'll meet some of the lunatics from Politics or Religion or General Skepticism in their more benevolent demeanor.... (try not to notice that they're in their boxer shorts and rumpled nighties). Thar be some fearsome righteous skeptics (and sceptics) around here, but they're also some of the most decent and caring people I've come across.

[pinoythinker]

Hello,

I did not become aware of James Randi until recently. The topics of paranormal, ufos and such have interersted me in that i wondered if people could really prove they existed with good evidence. After finding out about what James Rhandi did he did open my eyes that alot of this stuff is just made up and stuff nobody really questions till he and other brave people did. So his ability to question is what i find fascinating and it throws alot of those "experts" of their rocker.

I have read some of the post and their is a wide range of opinions here plus some good info on some topics that have interested me. I guess if there is anything i can really say is now i dont take alot of things as it is cause it is easy to be fooled.

Thanks
Tyrrel

[BrooklynAndy]

Hey everyone!

Long time Skeptic (started with "The Journal of Irreproducible Results"), but in the shadows.

Unlike many here, I'm not a scientist, but rather a theater, event and TV production person.

Recent Daniel Loxton Op-Ed on Skepticality has pushed me to "get in the game". So, I'm starting here.

Been lurking on the 9/11 and other threads and wanted to give a plug for Mark's film, "The Ground Zeros" (i'd give the link, but my newbie status won't allow - its on google video). Very Funny.

I look forward to being in the Fourm.

[T.A.M.]

I think the only thing to do here is every now and then just say...

"Welcome to all the newcomers since my last welcome."

as it seems they are joining at a very rapid rate...lol

So WELCOME!!!

TAM:)

[grayman]

Welcome to all the new folks.

If you'll follow me, I have oatmeal cookies to share. Just walk this way toward the shadowy area of the forum. The goat? He's just a...friend. Do you like ice cream? Wanna see something really scary...? :stone028:

[LibraryLady]

Welcome to all the new folks.

If you'll follow me, I have oatmeal cookies to share. Just walk this way toward the shadowy area of the forum. The goat? He's just a...friend. Do you like ice cream? Wanna see something really scary...? :stone028:

*Takes Grayman by the hand, and leads him back to the rubber room*

[wahrheit]

Inches?

:eek:

Feet!
:rolleyes:

Guys, metric please! Else I might fail to get the joke. :eusa_snooty:

[Xetrov]

Hello all,

Im obviously new, so I'll introduce myself a bit. My name is Robert, 28. I studied some astronomy (not finished, too hard for me), and Anthropology (got my master's degree there). Since my studies my main interest lies with philosophy though (especially of consciousness). I believe I tend to be an open minded-thinker, but also critical. For me, analysis using logic and facts, combined with drawing from experience, are inportant tools. As far as religion, I am atheistic in nature, not believeing in any "Guy out there" who created us all. However, I do have a more or less agnostic point of view towards the universe as a whole and "existance" in particular, because I feel that "more between heaven and earth" than what merely science can currently explain should not be ruled out. But that said, I am generally not a "floating" type of person, I like explanations logically and down to earth.

So that's a bit of random info about me. Seems a nice forum, and i intend to post some philosophical rantings on consciousness here soon. See you around there, I hope :).

Oh, and a ps: edit: I think what Randi does is cool, exposing these people that claim to be paranormal and stuff, just saw some videos on that on Youtube, they rock. Geller is so fake (lol).

[zenotter]

Hello. 34-yr young female newbie here, short-time lurker, joined because I LOVED reading the discussions about the cable challenge, the underwhelming Phenomenon, and lots more.

I'd have to describe myself as a spiritual humanist. Not that I'm all into the woo factor, but I do feel that whole "we're all connected through energy/The Force somehow, even if the science of it is still being researched"... I do prefer spiritual beliefs to be backed with scientific fact, hence my intrigue with this group.

Plus, I love Criss Angel's hair. :blush:

[Foolmewunz]

Hello,

I did not become aware of James Randi until recently. The topics of paranormal, ufos and such have interersted me in that i wondered if people could really prove they existed with good evidence. After finding out about what James Rhandi did he did open my eyes that alot of this stuff is just made up and stuff nobody really questions till he and other brave people did. So his ability to question is what i find fascinating and it throws alot of those "experts" of their rocker.

I have read some of the post and their is a wide range of opinions here plus some good info on some topics that have interested me. I guess if there is anything i can really say is now i dont take alot of things as it is cause it is easy to be fooled.

Thanks
Tyrrel

Welcome, Tyrrell! Are you from the Philippines?* (or American-Pinoy or Canadian-Pinoy) Between the catholics, the fundies, and the primitive variations, there's a lot of woo in the islands. It takes a very independent mindset to be a skeptic coming from that environment.

Make yourself at home, and settle in. Post if you feel like it, just read if that's your preference.

By the way, we have a regular here from the Philippines.... YRREG. (Although there are some who would dispute that and think he's from another galaxy.)


*ETA: My interest is more than idle curiosity. I have been all over the Philippines - quite a few trips... and I was engaged to a Filippina for a while. Still have quite a few acquaintances from various parts of the country.

[Foolmewunz]

And Welcome to everyone else! Sorry - I didn't mean to ignore you guys.

As I've said before, whether you wade right into your favorite topics or just lurk a while, it's a great place. Just prepare yourself with facts and/or evidence - regardless of the side of the argument you fall on.

Fools (and Foolmewunzes) are not suffered gladly, here. There's a tolerance for ignorance (not knowing something... YET) but not for stupidity.

SUGGESTION BOX FOR NEWBIES:
Although we're all supposed to be sentient beings, a little bit of trivial background would help.... i.e. ...
where you're from.
what you do for a living.
whether you're a cat person or a dog person.
how many dead bodies are there in your root cellar.
your opinions on budgies.
your preference in pies (peach, of course).
whether you have yet fallen under the spell of TEEK, Rebecca, FSM, Mr. Skinny, Belz, or any of the other interlopers.
what you think of Buddhism?
what is your favorite breed of goat?
do you like my snappy fedora?
are you now or have you ever been a member of an organized skeptical movement?
why do you hate America?
when was the last argument you had with The Atheist?
how 'bout that Ron Paul, eh?

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Guys, metric please! Else I might fail to get the joke. :eusa_snooty:

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/length_conversion.php

:)

[hcmom]

And Welcome to everyone else! Sorry - I didn't mean to ignore you guys.

As I've said before, whether you wade right into your favorite topics or just lurk a while, it's a great place. Just prepare yourself with facts and/or evidence - regardless of the side of the argument you fall on.

Fools (and Foolmewunzes) are not suffered gladly, here. There's a tolerance for ignorance (not knowing something... YET) but not for stupidity.

SUGGESTION BOX FOR NEWBIES:
Although we're all supposed to be sentient beings, a little bit of trivial background would help.... i.e. ...
where you're from.
what you do for a living.
whether you're a cat person or a dog person.
how many dead bodies are there in your root cellar.
your opinions on budgies.
your preference in pies (peach, of course).
whether you have yet fallen under the spell of TEEK, Rebecca, FSM, Mr. Skinny, Belz, or any of the other interlopers.
what you think of Buddhism?
what is your favorite breed of goat?
do you like my snappy fedora?
are you now or have you ever been a member of an organized skeptical movement?
why do you hate America?
when was the last argument you had with The Atheist?
how 'bout that Ron Paul, eh?

You left out if they had overdue library books, do they know any nuns (in both the biblical and casual meaning of the word "know"), and is their spellchecker in good working order.

[arthwollipot]

Come on guys! You're going to scare them off. What would you think if you joined up some group and the first thing they did was hand you a big questionnaire? I mean come on. We really only need to know one thing, don't we?

[H-o-l-l-y]

Come on guys! You're going to scare them off. What would you think if you joined up some group and the first thing they did was hand you a big questionnaire? I mean come on. We really only need to know one thing, don't we?

Which is?...

[BrooklynAndy]

SUGGESTION BOX FOR NEWBIES:
Although we're all supposed to be sentient beings, a little bit of trivial background would help.... i.e. ...
where you're from. Wisconsin, but live in Brooklyn
what you do for a living. Produce Events, Theater and TV
whether you're a cat person or a dog person. both - more dog
how many dead bodies are there in your root cellar. Don't have a root cellar, not telling where or how many bodies are
your opinions on budgies. say what?
your preference in pies (peach, of course). Apple, and I prefer tarts
whether you have yet fallen under the spell of TEEK, Rebecca, FSM, Mr. Skinny, Belz, or any of the other interlopers. Say what?
what you think of Buddhism? Fascinating... year in Thailand gave me more fondness for the bright orange saffron over the more blood red saffron robes of Burma/Nepal/etc
what is your favorite breed of goat? Don't like goats.
do you like my snappy fedora? No... prefer white hats
are you now or have you ever been a member of an organized skeptical movement? Nope
why do you hate America? You just like being argumentative don't ya? I'm a big fan of America - much better than living in N.Korea for example
when was the last argument you had with The Atheist? Think I'm starting one now
how 'bout that Ron Paul, eh? Nice that he's injecting some ideas into the campaign... but he's no Mike Huckabee

Anything else that would be helpful for you to know?

[Mr. Skinny]

whether you have yet fallen under the spell of TEEK, Rebecca, FSM, Mr. Skinny, Belz, or any of the other interlopers. Say what?

Welcome, BrooklynAndy and everyone else.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm you friendly forum god and general all-around nice guy. well, unless you tick me off, that is

[Hokulele]

Welcome, BrooklynAndy and everyone else.

For those of you who don't know me, I'm you friendly forum god and general all-around nice guy. well, unless you tick me off, that is


Ha!

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=3109078#post3109078

[Mr. Skinny]

Ha!

http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?postid=3109078#post3109078
Well, I was teasing you in a very friendly way. In doing so, I paid attention to you in a non-smiteful way.

What more could a forum member ask from me? Don't answer that.

[Hokulele]

Well, I was teasing you in a very friendly way. In doing so, I paid attention to you in a non-smiteful way.


Hmm, I'll be keeping an eye on you.

What more could a forum member ask from me?


Cookies? Maybe some milk to go with them?

Don't answer that.


Too late.

[real american]

Hello all. I am new to the board. My name is Real American or RA for short. Here is are some facts about me;
1. I am a republican
2. I am a follower of the Catholic faith
3. I am 14 years old
5. I am VERY patriotic
6. I believe people like Sylvia Browne are nothing more but vulters

I hope to become good friends with you all and hope my religiouse beliefs will not come in the way of it.

[grayman]

Cookies? Maybe some milk to go with them?


Pssst...over here in the rubber room...I have oatmeal cookies.

Just unlock the door...hey, wanna see something really scary? :stone028:

[zenotter]

- where you're from: respective glints in the eyes of my parental units
- what you do for a living: disaster preparedness (believe me, not as glamorous as it sounds)
- whether you're a cat person or a dog person: I'm more of an otter person. Dragons and chinchillas are also spiffy.
- how many dead bodies are there in your root cellar: 5
- your opinions on budgies: is that like a furry?
- your preference in pies: pecan
- whether you have yet fallen under the spell of TEEK, Rebecca, FSM, Mr. Skinny, Belz, or any of the other interlopers: not spellbound but I am a Pastafarian
- what you think of Buddhism?: I'm a zen otter. What do you think I think? :p
- what is your favorite breed of goat?: Australian Miniature
- do you like my snappy fedora?: it rocks!
- are you now or have you ever been a member of an organized skeptical movement?: aside from being here, no
- why do you hate America?: I love this country but oy with the political smearing. :eek:
- when was the last argument you had with The Atheist?: none (yet?)
- how 'bout that Ron Paul, eh?: I'm more of a Kucinich girl according to all the tests I take
- any overdue library books: nope
- know any nuns: not biblically but I did work with a few while employed at a major diocese; my fave nun told the filthiest jokes! (Yes, really.)
- spellchecker in good working order: I don't need to spellchecker to know how to rock!

Cookies please. *romps over to rubber room*

[zenotter]

Hello all. I am new to the board. My name is Real American or RA for short. Here is are some facts about me;
1. I am a republican
2. I am a follower of the Catholic faith
3. I am 14 years old
5. I am VERY patriotic
6. I believe people like Sylvia Browne are nothing more but vulters

I hope to become good friends with you all and hope my religiouse beliefs will not come in the way of it.
I don't think religious beliefs would come in the way of anything I've seen here, unless a person is very closed-minded. As a former Catholic liturgist (and oh what fun I had when all the bishops came to Dallas in 2002 to meet about a few pesky problem priests), I love the ritual and feeling of belonging offered by Catholicism but also believe there's more to a person's spiritual education past Confirmation classes.

Of course, each person has to learn at his/her own pace, with his/her own interests and faith or non-faith... my husband is an atheist/agnostic/humanist/buddhist/insert-label-of-the-day-here, and that's fine with me. (Wasn't exactly fine with Holy Mother Church, who I think wore curlers and had severe PMDD before we were convalidated, but never mind that.) We have great fun trying to prove/disprove the existence of God or what can be viewed as a source of divinity. Some days I think I'm more of a pantheist than a spiritual humanist, but I still love me some good Catholic liturgy. :)

[Paulhoff]

Hello all. I am new to the board. My name is Real American or RA for short. Here is are some facts about me;
1. I am a republican
2. I am a follower of the Catholic faith
3. I am 14 years old
5. I am VERY patriotic
6. I believe people like Sylvia Browne are nothing more but vulters

I hope to become good friends with you all and hope my religiouse beliefs will not come in the way of it.
Real American, yes I believe so, you can't count. :D

Paul

:) :) :)

1. To bad
2. To bad again
3. I quess that is right
4. ??????????????
5. Going to do some service time, that's good.
6. Is correct.

[real american]

Real American, yes I believe so, you can't count. :D

Paul

:) :) :)

1. To bad
2. To bad again
3. I quess that is right
4. ??????????????
5. Going to do some service time, that's good.
6. Is correct.

I forgot number four here it is ;

4. I am a big country music fan and listen to Charlie Daniels all the time

[Paulhoff]

I forgot number four here it is ;

4. I am a big country music fan and listen to Charlie Daniels all the time
Now the problem here is, that you used the word "country" and the word "music" together and in the same sentence.

Paul

:) :) :)

And this Charlie Daniels is a person, right. ;)

[hcmom]

Hello all. I am new to the board. My name is Real American or RA for short. Here is are some facts about me;
1. I am a republican

3. I am 14 years old

At 14, you should still be keeping an open brain about politics. You have a couple years before you vote, and it would be wise to learn as much as you can about ALL the options.


5. I am VERY patriotic

That's cool, but keep in mind many of the members here aren't American, so if they disagree with you, it isn't that they aren't patriotic, they just have a different perspective.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

Anything else that would be helpful for you to know?

Pee: sitting or standing preferred?

[JEROME DA GNOME]

It seems many are having a problem with this one: A budgie is a parakeet.


http://cache.eb.com/eb/image?id=3380&rendTypeId=4

[zenotter]

Ah. Budgies are cute!

[real american]

[QUOTE=hcmom;3140272]At 14, you should still be keeping an open brain about politics. You have a couple years before you vote, and it would be wise to learn as much as you can about ALL the options.

I do keep a open mind on thing seeing i live in a liberal state, Iactually sometimes consider myself a democratic-republican.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

[QUOTE=hcmom;3140272]At 14, you should still be keeping an open brain about politics. You have a couple years before you vote, and it would be wise to learn as much as you can about ALL the options.

I do keep a open mind on thing seeing i live in a liberal state, Iactually sometimes consider myself a democratic-republican.

The party of Jefferson. This is the party that eventually became the current Democratic party.

[BrooklynAndy]

Pee: sitting or standing preferred?

Standing... except when going in an open field... then one knee (helps allow someone to look away if they don't want to see what's up), sitting for number 2


It seems many are having a problem with this one: A budgie is a parakeet.

Clearly... I'm not a bird person

[grayman]

The party of Jefferson. This is the party that eventually became the current Democratic party.

Do we have any members of the Whig (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whig_Party_(United_States)) party out there?

Hal, maybe?

[pinoythinker]

Welcome, Tyrrell! Are you from the Philippines?* (or American-Pinoy or Canadian-Pinoy) Between the catholics, the fundies, and the primitive variations, there's a lot of woo in the islands. It takes a very independent mindset to be a skeptic coming from that environment.

Make yourself at home, and settle in. Post if you feel like it, just read if that's your preference.

By the way, we have a regular here from the Philippines.... YRREG. (Although there are some who would dispute that and think he's from another galaxy.)


*ETA: My interest is more than idle curiosity. I have been all over the Philippines - quite a few trips... and I was engaged to a Filippina for a while. Still have quite a few acquaintances from various parts of the country.

Hello,

I was born here in the U.S. Yes, there is wide range of beliefs in the philippines and and just like anywhere else it has it hocus pocus stuff as well. Probably being born in the U.S. plus growing up in a think for yourself, investigate mindset helps one develop a independant mindset.

Hopefully some day i would like to see the homeland. One has to be careful though since we live in post 9/11 world with militia and such groups that do exist in the philippines.

[zenotter]

Do we have any members of the Whig (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whig_Party_(United_States)) party out there?

Hal, maybe?
Not a whig but I do have a hard copy of The Jefferson Bible (http://www.angelfire.com/co/JeffersonBible/) at home. Very smart, that fellow.

[hcmom]

Pee: sitting or standing preferred?

I much prefer sitting...

[Olowkow]

I'm Olowkow (pronounced "oh-woof-koof") Longtime fan of Randi and this blogsite. I hope to be able to add something to the forums from time to time as a skeptic and non theist.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

I'm Olowkow (pronounced "oh-woof-koof") Longtime fan of Randi and this blogsite. I hope to be able to add something to the forums from time to time as a skeptic and non theist.

Welcome.

What is the derivative of the pronunciation of your name?

[Olowkow]

Welcome.

What is the derivative of the pronunciation of your name?

It is the Polish word for "pencils" when there are 5 or more. They have another plural ending for 4, 3, or 2. I just like the sound of it.

[grayman]

I'm grayman (pronounced "pen-cils). :stone028:

Welcome to the forum Olowkow.

[JEROME DA GNOME]

It is the Polish word for "pencils" when there are 5 or more. They have another plural ending for 4, 3, or 2. I just like the sound of it.

Interesting. Thank you!

[hcmom]

Isn't it great when the James Randi Educational Foundation actually provides education...

[arthwollipot]

Polish is a remarkably strange language, when compared to English. You don't mind if I completely forget how to pronounce it properly, do you Olowkow?

ETA: My name's easy to pronounce. It's arth-WOLLI-pot.

[Syntheto]

Hi, everyone. The whole political circus in America is beginning to set up it's tents, and the clowns are out in full force. Finding this site was the odd result of my perusing some of the more extreme websites representing the Right and Left views. There are those who go with this whole Red State/Blue State business, and so-called Progressive or NeoConservative viewpoints. Anyway, safely anonymous on these 'blogs', people say the most outrageous things, and engage in some of the most personal attacks. One meme that keeps coming up is that there has never been such a clearcut dichotomy in the American political scene, and there just isn't any possibility of compromise. Yeah, well, at one time, and from the inception of the country, there was this little thing called Slavery, and it stood in direct opposition to Free Labor. By the time of the 1860 election, all the compromises had been used up, and armed conflict resolved the dispute for good. I won't bore you all anymore, (although I am certainly capable of it!) but when I started searching for the answer to the compound question: If the Revolutionary War had never happened when it did, would it have happened when the British banned the importation of slaves in 1807, or would it have happened in 1833 when the Crown abolished slavery althogether? Further, would there have been an effort to make an exception in the case of the American South, due to all the money involved, or even the threat of war? Well, believe it or not, a poster here, Kaylee, had asked pretty much the same question in 2005 here, and that came up on Google. One last note for your consideration: Can you imagine a flaming blog war between say, John Brown and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson? Cheers.

[Paulhoff]

Polish is a remarkably strange language, when compared to English. You don't mind if I completely forget how to pronounce it properly, do you Olowkow?

ETA: My name's easy to pronounce. It's arth-WOLLI-pot.
I guess, when 99% of Polish words only deal with Polish sausage. :D

Paul

:) :) :)

[LibraryLady]

If you look to left you'll see the queen of the budgies, Nick. Occasionally, and only when needed she morphs into

THE BUDGIE OF DOOM

but normally she's just a cute little feathery thing.

And you haven't answered the main question: Have you returned your library books?

[COLONEL]

Welcome Olowkow If you don't like Grayman's cookies I have blue berry muffins .

[Janot]

Hello everybody, my first post on this forum. I've been a sceptic for the past 60 years, worn down by being surrounded by nice by to my mind deluded people who seem intent on believing all kinds of -ologies with no scientific basis. After graduating in physics, I almost got a post in a university psychology dept. studying the paranormal. This failure has haunted me :D all my life, and hopefully this forum will remedy this omission. Perhaps I might even contribute something positive at some stage. :)

[grayman]

Hello Syntheto. You may find this thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=98373)amusing.

Welcome to the forum Janot. What is your opinion on budgies, over-due library books, ice cream, pie, goats, and oatmeal cookies?

Olowkow, be careful of those muffins. They're not blueberry, the are blue berry muffins.

[Bedford]

I am a photographic artist and hope:) folks here will check out my web-forum
<timespacecontinuum.com > when it gets going next year.

[Janot]

Welcome to the forum Janot. What is your opinion on budgies, over-due library books, ice cream, pie, goats, and oatmeal cookies?

.
That's me stumped already. But I'll give them all some thought.

[SusanB-M1]

Polish is a remarkably strange language, when compared to English. You don't mind if I completely forget how to pronounce it properly, do you Olowkow?

ETA: My name's easy to pronounce. It's arth-WOLLI-pot.
Unfortunately, I cannot make my computer voice say it properly, but I'll think of it like that now. The voice says: arthwol-I-pot! and actually the 'thw' sounds more like 'qu' - no idea why.

[arthwollipot]

Unfortunately, I cannot make my computer voice say it properly, but I'll think of it like that now. The voice says: arthwol-I-pot! and actually the 'thw' sounds more like 'qu' - no idea why.

Call me Wolli for short if you like.

[lionking]

Hello Syntheto. You may find this thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=98373)amusing.

Welcome to the forum Janot. What is your opinion on budgies, over-due library books, ice cream, pie, goats, and oatmeal cookies?

Olowkow, be careful of those muffins. They're not blueberry, the are blue berry muffins.
Welcome also Syntheto and Janot. Shemp seems to be the expert on goats.

[Weltregierung]

Hi everyone,

I'm 24 years old and from Bonn, Germany. I've been a 9/11-denier for a little while until I stumbled over Mark Iradian's "Screw Loose Change - Not Freakin' Again edition" one year ago. I began to check out more and more debunking-websites and came to the conclusion that 9/11 conspiracy theories are nothing more than bullcrap.

I registered to the JREF Forum, although my English is terrible, because it seems to be a place where I can find some like-minded people.

[kosai]

Welcome Welt! Nice to see the other side is being heard.

[grayman]

Welcome to the forum Weltregierung. Your knowledge of English is far better than any foreign language I speak. :o

[wahrheit]

Just dropping in and saying a warm welcome to everybody. :)

I hope that grayman's avatar does not scare the pith out of you and drive you away immediately.

[Judge Bean]

I had heard that this forum existed, you hear stories about it now and then, and a few witnesses-- hard proof was lacking.

Even now, I'm not so sure this is real. I can't find any references to it in any of the books I've read, or old predictions that it would be here, so.

I wish that an authority figure would appear and assure me that I am actually a member and actually here. Thank you. I remain uncertain.

I was a member of another forum once, and was banned for life for telling off "Holocaust Deniers." I think that this qualifies me to pontificate here now, but I just wanted to be clear about this: history seems really to have happened, no matter what you'd prefer.

Thanks again.

[ruckenheim]

Hi,

I'm Sebastian Larsen, 31, from Copenhagen, Denmark.

You can thank Penn & Teller for my being here. Actually Penn himself. I was having a very boring job designing catalogs for an IT firm and to make my time pass faster, I was listening to Penn Radio on iTunes.

I've always been an atheist but do admit to have had 'religious' experiences. Listening to Penn made me draw some lines between some dots and get more into some of the questions behind religion and its impact on society and politics.

I'm trying to broaden my arsenal for discussions with religious people and naive moderates as well.

Now, I'd like to help where I can, so if anybody knows of someone who could use a graphic/web designer, I will offer myself pro bono for the right project. Or very, very cheap for the not-so-right :)

Anyhow, it's good to be here. Too bad it's a bit budget heavy for me to come to the amazing meetings.

[wahrheit]

Oh noes, another Dane!

Just kidding, welcome ruckenheim! :)

[ruckenheim]

heh, thanks a bunch.

A lot of Danes round these parts?

[wahrheit]

heh, thanks a bunch.

A lot of Danes round these parts?

"Are there any women here today (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_hlMK7tCks)?" — "No, no, no..."

You know that the Scandinavians are very active on the intertubes, so of course we gladly do have some of them here, too.

(And I know that some Danes like to discuss the issue of including them within "Scandinavia", but we will leave it up to them to fight this out with the Swedes and Norsemen. :) )

[tkingdoll]

Welcome to the forum Weltregierung. Your knowledge of English is far better than any foreign language I speak. :o

Well, to be fair, you don't post on German forums :D

Welcome, new people, one and all!

[kosai]

Hey ruckenheim and welcome! I was a Penn Radio fan as well... work in IT too. Man I miss that show.

[badnewsBH]

Since I've uncloaked once or twice, just popping in to say hello. I doubt I'll be posting much (though I've enjoyed reading the verbal smackdown I've seen being put to Kleinman :D) because I...

1) have none of the knowledge or aptitude required to participate on the weightier forums
2) am way too lazy to spend time cultivating either of the above, and
3) merely have to wait for a few minutes/days, and I see all my opinions stated in far more eloquent terms than I would have used anyway.

Cheers.