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

[articulett]

"Bulls*hit" :)

I had newage infection once as well. I'm all healed thanks to getting my chakras aligned.

:p

[amb]

Welcome Laih .Are you sure you want to get to know all of us ? If you do how much do you want to know ?While you are thinking this over have a Graymans oatmeal cookie with a glass of goats milk, then a Mintie to freshen your breath . After we will start with the goat ,yeah thats it the Goat you can get to know the goat first .

Hey! Colonel, take it easy on the Minties. They don't just fall out of the sky you know. I have to buy them, then ship them to the States seeing you don't have them there.
Only one piece to special newbies is allowed. ;)

Only joking. All newbies are more than welcome here, and help yourself to the Minties, cookies and goat milk, as long as you give the goat a pat or Arthwollipot may get offended, seeing it's his goat.
By the way. Have all you newbies returned your library books on time? :p

[amb]

"Bulls*hit" :)

I had newage infection once as well. I'm all healed thanks to getting my chakras aligned.

:p

That's a coincidence, as I had my chakras aligned too, around the time a con-man named Erich Von Daniken released a book titled Chariots Of The Gods.
:p

[inquiringone]

*LOL*

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was infected by newage! I'll post my rant about newage religious abuse later, in another section, when I get more familiar with things.

[Bristow42]

I am from Australia, I am not a practicing christian, but live but christian morals. I hate fanatics, of all religions. They can do what they want, except inflict their believes onto my rights and proven scientific fact. As for Creationist, Professional UFO hunters, Loch Ness monsters, conspircy theory and all the rest of these crackpots, that are out to push or peddle their crap as science or fact. I will take you on, because I like challenge, and it wont be pretty. My answer to them is try harder.

[amb]

Welcome Bristow42. I presume you know the rules? Returned all your overdue library books? Caressed the goat, ate one of Grayman's delicious cookies and have had a shot of anti-newage serum injected?
You are at home here buddy, or seeing you're from my part of the planet. Welcome mate.

[COLONEL]

Welcome Bristow42, AMB is getting cheap lately so have a Mintie on me . I stole them from AMB .:)

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome to all the new members!

I'm Mr. Skinny, your forum god, and I hope you'll find our forum a place to discuss things in a friendly manner (stay out of Politics and 9/11 Conspiracy forums for a while though).

I've been around here longer than the moderators, and can tell you how to play them big time! I've never had a single warning or infraction (they know better). I've been collecting the goods on several of them over the years. No, not Darat, and Tim and Tricky. I wouldn't do that.

OK, I've had a few beers and I fully expect to have a moderator warning in the morning, but what the heck.

Again, welcome all. (and ask me about Skinnematics)

[al_capone_junior]

That's me, al_capone_junior

Some may recognize me from other forums such as bad science and UK skeptics. Maybe the occasional 2+2er as well.

I'm from the USA.

My general thing is lots of fishin' whenever I can. Always fishin' if possible. Plus poker, writing, forum-ing, playing with my dog, building stuff and drinking plenty of beer. Oh yes, and hott chicks. :D

Other hobbies include watching auto-racing, especially NASCAR and F1, plus slackin' off.

Oh yes, and fishin' and beer. Just in case I didn't mention that yet. Because a bad day fishin' is still better than a good day workin', but a good day fishin' is better than just about any other day. :D

Occupations have ranged from metal roofer in texas to R&D scientist, poker related guru and dozens of other jobs, a true jack of all trades.

[amb]

Welcome Bristow42, AMB is getting cheap lately so have a Mintie on me . I stole them from AMB .:)
So you stole my Minties. I have a packet missing, and couldn't work out who pinched them. I blamed my wife, or me sleepwalking to the pantry. :eek:

That's me, al_capone_junior

Some may recognize me from other forums such as bad science and UK skeptics. Maybe the occasional 2+2er as well.

I'm from the USA.

My general thing is lots of fishin' whenever I can. Always fishin' if possible. Plus poker, writing, forum-ing, playing with my dog, building stuff and drinking plenty of beer. Oh yes, and hott chicks. :D

Other hobbies include watching auto-racing, especially NASCAR and F1, plus slackin' off.

Oh yes, and fishin' and beer. Just in case I didn't mention that yet. Because a bad day fishin' is still better than a good day workin', but a good day fishin' is better than just about any other day. :D

Occupations have ranged from metal roofer in texas to R&D scientist, poker related guru and dozens of other jobs, a true jack of all trades.
So, you are the offspring of Don Coglioni? We have two things in common. Chicks and beer. I'm a leg man first followed by mammary glands.
Beer? Budweiser hits the spot. :D

[COLONEL]

So you stole my Minties. I have a packet missing, and couldn't work out who pinched them. I blamed my wife, or me sleepwalking to the pantry. :eek:
Did I say stole them ? I should have said borrowed them . I got some more and told the goat to drop a bag off to you, to replace the ones I stole errrr. I mean borrowed .:D

[al_capone_junior]

So, you are the offspring of Don Coglioni? We have two things in common. Chicks and beer. I'm a leg man first followed by mammary glands.
Beer? Budweiser hits the spot. :D

Not a bud man myself. Prefer microbrews and imports, Germany, England, Belgium being amongst my favorite places to get imported beers from.

Sorry but even after googling, Don Coglioni ... kinda lost on that one.

Hott chicks I'm good with both the legs and the mammalian protruberances equally well. :D

[cambion]

Hey all,

I'm Rob. I'm currently a digital film student in Denver. I've been interested in skepticism and thinking critically ever since I could, uh, think critically. I love feature films, but my real goal is to do documentaries/educational type stuff some day.

Anyway, the JREF and this site are both great! I wish I was in a financial position to contribute here, but due to the cost of school and the recession I already had to cancel my Rational Response Squad membership. :( Being broke sucks!

[Roma]

Hey all,

I'm Rob. I'm currently a digital film student in Denver. I've been interested in skepticism and thinking critically ever since I could, uh, think critically. I love feature films, but my real goal is to do documentaries/educational type stuff some day.

Anyway, the JREF and this site are both great! I wish I was in a financial position to contribute here, but due to the cost of school and the recession I already had to cancel my Rational Response Squad membership. :( Being broke sucks!
Broke? I don't think so, how about:
adopting a minimalistic lifestyle to gain clearer intellectual insight,
taking a monk-like temporary vow of poverty in search of inner spirituality,
becoming an anti-materialist reduced eco footprint role model,
Cambion we're so proud of you! :)

[grayman]

Cambion, check out this group (http://www.meetup.com/DenverSkeptics/).

And welcome to the party.

[amb]

Not a bud man myself. Prefer microbrews and imports, Germany, England, Belgium being amongst my favorite places to get imported beers from.

Sorry but even after googling, Don Coglioni ... kinda lost on that one.

Hott chicks I'm good with both the legs and the mammalian protruberances equally well. :D

Don Coglioni is a word play on the name Don Corleone. Coglioni means testicle in Italian. :D
One out of two in common is good. Only beer connoisseurs like me will criticize most European beers. The only good European beer worth a mention is Becks. :)

[cambion]

Broke? I don't think so, how about:
adopting a minimalistic lifestyle to gain clearer intellectual insight,
taking a monk-like temporary vow of poverty in search of inner spirituality,
becoming an anti-materialist reduced eco footprint role model,
Cambion we're so proud of you! :)

I can't afford to become an anti-materialist with a reduced eco footprint! Whole Foods, Beck albums, and hand-made hemp accessories are expensive! ;)

Cambion, check outthis group.

And welcome to the party.

Thanks for the link, I joined the group. And just in the nick of time too. I didn't know Christopher Hitchens was going to be debating in Boulder today, so now I get to see that. :D

edit: except it's sold out. Lame.

[Tricky]

Splitting discussion of bottled water to this thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=134056).

[normal]

I'm new! I've never read forum rules of any kind on any forum I've ever been on and I've never been warned or banned or suspended or anything of the sort and I write long sentences without commas.

So I hope you'll forgive me for not reading your rules, but I think my common sense and courtesy will carry me through smoothly. (But is admitting to not reading the rules against the rules? Eeeek!)

Anyway. I'm 25 and I created an account here for reasons unknown. I don't think I will be the most active contributor, but if you have a "dirty haiku" thread I might get a few posts in.

My favourite past time is discussing religion and why we should get rid of it.

[amb]

Welcome normal. Go to the humor index and seek out the sex thread.
It sounds like it may be right up your alley. By the way, have you returned you'r overdue books to the library?
A simple rule here is you have to pat the goat. :D

[COLONEL]

Wecome Normal . Let it be known you will be the only Normal one here . There is one more thing you have to do and that is eat one of Graymans oatmeal cookies and wash it down with a glass of goats milk .

[normal]

I'm sorry, but I have not delivered my overdue books to the goat. Maybe one day I will get this joke =)

[Dainn]

Hello!

I'm just dropping in to wave and say hi. The Amazing Randi has been a idol of mine ever since the day he helped Carsen corner that spoon-bending psychic on late night TV.

I'm a hardcore skeptic and agnostic about many things (not just religion). I am active on the Brights forums, which is how I discovered this site (same pseudonym) and can be found around the blogosphere as well.

Anyways, thanks for letting me in. I hope I can contribute!

[COLONEL]

Welcome Dainn, we love people who contribute . Just give your wallet to the Goat . and pat him on the head .

[illumino]

Hi, I'm new to the forums (1st post). I live in the US and am currently a student majoring in medical biology (pre-med). I recently started listening to skeptic podcasts to stay awake on the drive home from work, which led me to the JREF. I generally get along with everyone except idiots who dont vaccinate their children, I find those people too annoying to speak with (even after quoting actual scientific research, most give me the deer-in-the-headlights look and say "but all the scientists say it causes autism" by all the scientists they usually mean Oprah). I am amused by most of the challenge posts, especially the professor one about the devil's rock chair and his team of "professional writers". I got to about the mid 20s page before my eyes started bleeding. Anyway, just wanted to say hi and pat the goat. *pats goat*

[grayman]

Hi, I'm new to the forums (1st post). I live in the US and am currently a student majoring in medical biology (pre-med). I recently started listening to skeptic podcasts to stay awake on the drive home from work, which led me to the JREF. I generally get along with everyone except idiots who dont vaccinate their children, I find those people too annoying to speak with (even after quoting actual scientific research, most give me the deer-in-the-headlights look and say "but all the scientists say it causes autism" by all the scientists they usually mean Oprah). I am amused by most of the challenge posts, especially the professor one about the devil's rock chair and his team of "professional writers". I got to about the mid 20s page before my eyes started bleeding. Anyway, just wanted to say hi and pat the goat. *pats goat*

Welcome. You'll fit in well.

Have an oatmeal cookie. :stone028:

[SkepKat]

Hi Everyone

I'm Kat, live in Queensland Australia (yes lovely, warm, sunny summer here atm... um hang on it's raining out there. aaaarrrrggggg). I've always pretty much been an atheist (aren't we all born atheists?). Probably fairly skeptical too. Never had any belief in ghosts, paranormal, conspiracy theories, astrology. In the past few years I've also started questioning things I hadn't really given much thought to before (didn't "believe in" but basically had no impact on my life) - like homeopathy.

Great site to discover - I've been enjoying reading some of the threads today, but really should do something more productive now.

[amb]

A very warm welcome SkepKat. Interesting name. Have you pa ted the goat in your way in? It gets upset if ignored and refuses to be milked. Have a Grayman's cookie and one only Mintie as they're a little pricey at the moment. Oh, by the way, have you any overdue books that need returning to the local library?

[treadmore]

Hello all skeptics and skepchicks, Treadmore reporting in. I've been around since October, but have just been hanging back until the right time to introduce myself and start posting. I've been a rather confused skeptic most of my life. Being raised without religion, I argued against the existence of god from an early age. I was also an early skeptic of alternative medicine, my family being one that firmly believed in their cod liver oil, echinacea and vitamin c. I was an avid reader, and believed in the existence of ghosts and vampires until about 12 from all the ghost and vampire books I read. When I was a teenager my mom had me visit a 'family therapist' who 'hypnotized' me and took me back to previous lives, and I was a firm believer in that until my introduction to the JREF and frauds like Sylvia Browne in my late teens. My interests are in evolution, and along with that debunking creationism and the like, as well as an extreme distaste for conspiracies theories, the most annoying to me being the JFK ct's, moon landing hoax ct's, and 9/11 ct's. Sorry for the rambling intro, thanks for reading, and I hope to have some lively talks with you all.

[COLONEL]

Welcome to all you Newbies. Pat the goat on the head if you haven't done it already . then have a Grayman cookie and wash it down with a glass of Goats milk ,then you may have a Mintie .

[Duncanthrax]

Hello! Long-time lurker, did have an account with JREF several years ago, let it expire. Love the work that's done here. I'm a small-town attorney with an interest in skepticism, science, and politics.

[Roma]

Hello! Long-time lurker, did have an account with JREF several years ago, let it expire. Love the work that's done here. I'm a small-town attorney with an interest in skepticism, science, and politics.
Did you com;)e back for the minties? I think someone should have those things analyzed.

[IMST]

Hello! Long-time lurker, did have an account with JREF several years ago, let it expire. Love the work that's done here. I'm a small-town attorney with an interest in skepticism, science, and politics.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for finally joining in!

[skepticsfriend]

Howdy folks :) Another newbie here. My interest has been peaked from being around a friend of mine that I believe is psychic. The problem is, that she isn't so convinced LOL..... Thus my username scepticsfriend. Well, enough about her.

Anyways, here I am. Just enjoying the vast amount of free info on the internet. And hoping to make a few new friends along the way.

Drats, I just found out that I can't have an avatar or siggy yet. I feel sooo neeked without them. Any chance you could relax the rules on that one?

__________________________________________

Yesterdays fiction is today's science. Keep an open mind, but be careful not to get your head stuck too deep in the rabbit hole. With a positive attitude you will never want for anything.

[SkepKat]

Have you pa ted the goat in your way in? It gets upset if ignored and refuses to be milked.
Cool, I'll pat the goat... but can I have some of the milk to make some cheese?

[amb]

Only if it's you that milks the darn thing. It's been a little grumpy lately, so take it easy.:D

[treadmore]

I grew up with goats and drinking goat milk. The trick is reverse psychology.

[amb]

It's moments like that, that you need these.

http://www.google.com.au/images?q=tbn:gHf__T2yYYgisM::www.ozemartonline.com/USERIMAGES/ALLENS%252520MINTIES%252520200G(1).JPG

[COLONEL]

Alright AMB, A new bag of MINTIES .

[bronson]

Hello from Australia!

My name is Bronson and I am a PhD student (Psychology) studying in Sydney. My first high school English essay was entitled "Astrology: telling fortunes or telling lies?" So I lets say I was a skeptic fairly early on. I come from a family of fluoride fear, pharmaceutical company conspiracies and vaccination hatred (plus the new one, anti-depressants cause men to kill their families). My mother is a Reiki master which makes me the black sheep. I am also a level one Reiki practitioner, something which came about due to an embarrassing quarter-life crisis. Fortunately the training comprehensively demonstrated to me how completely bogus Reiki is. Does that make me a born again skeptic?
I love the scientific method and hope one day to become a moderately successful cognitive neuroscientist.

[treadmore]

Welcome Bronson. My mom is a "reiki master" as well, but fortunately I only had to be her guinea pig, I never had to practice it myself. Pretty much it was naptime.

[Frying Dutchmen]

I'm sort of new I just haven't gotten around to posting in here :D

[bronson]

Yes, naptime pretty much describes the practice of reiki as well as the receiving of it. :D

[COLONEL]

Ok welcome Bronson, Dutchman ,treadmore Make sure you have turned in any over due library books and then have a seat and wait for Grayman or AMB come along and give you the oatmeal cookies ,goats milk and minties.

[amb]

Yes, a warm welcome to you all. Cookies and Minties with a warm glass or cold if you prefer, goat milk will be along shortly.
Meanwhile have fun and post to your hearts contend.

[Roma]

I'm still suspicious of those "minties", has anyone ever had them tested? :hypnotize

[COLONEL]

I'm still suspicious of those "minties", has anyone ever had them tested? :hypnotize
Trust me they are very good they are like a Mint taffy .

[skepticsfriend]

Hello from Australia!

My name is Bronson and I am a PhD student (Psychology) studying in Sydney. My first high school English essay was entitled "Astrology: telling fortunes or telling lies?" So I lets say I was a skeptic fairly early on. I come from a family of fluoride fear, pharmaceutical company conspiracies and vaccination hatred (plus the new one, anti-depressants cause men to kill their families). My mother is a Reiki master which makes me the black sheep. I am also a level one Reiki practitioner, something which came about due to an embarrassing quarter-life crisis. Fortunately the training comprehensively demonstrated to me how completely bogus Reiki is. Does that make me a born again skeptic?
I love the scientific method and hope one day to become a moderately successful cognitive neuroscientist.

Hi Bronson. I am new here too. You sound like a fortunate person to have such a wonderful education. And to see you in this forum sort of reminded me of this. Mental illness was once blamed on demons etc... Obviously because mental illness wan't understood at the time.

I am sort of a mini skeptic. Since I can't help but wonder if some unexplained things (what is now called the paranormal) do happen. But that they all have a scientific explaination that we have no understanding of yet.

Enough deep though. I need a mintie fix. Here is one for you too. :)

_______________________________________


Yesterdays fiction is today's science. Keep an open mind, but be careful not to get your head stuck too deep in the rabbit hole. With a positive attitude you will never want for anything.

[bronson]

I agree, and I don't think we should ever be too certain about something until an explicit model/ mechanism can be put forward. Thanks to computing, Psychology has such a mechanism for how the mind works which has allowed it to become a fully fledged science, cognitive science. The whole field owes a debt to Alan Turing, clearly the most underrated thinker of the last 100 years.

[bronson]

Cheers for the mintie. I love how they get caught between my teeth.

[Lib1975]

Hi, my name is Bob and I am a JREF-aholic. I was first attracted to this site maybe two weeks ago when I was reading about the various and intricate theories of the 911 truth movement. Since then I have discovered the multitude of topics that are discussed here. Wow. I love it. And by the way, the "Lib" in my name is for Libertarian, not Liberal. (However, I am not a member of the party, just a kindred spirit.) I won't be making 10,000 posts here, probably not even more than a dozen, but I just wanted the opportunity to every once in a while respond to some of the sillier comments that I see posted. See you in the forums.

[Roma]

Hi, my name is Bob ...I just wanted the opportunity to every once in a while respond to some of the sillier comments that I see posted. See you in the forums.

Hi Bob, I look forward to reading a comment from you under my posts. I prefer the term crazy instead of insane, but you decide.

[MattCz]

Hi, I'm new here. This forum seems interesting, and i think that James Randi is a pretty cool guy xD

[chefpeon]

Annie.
I grew up in a strong Christian household as a child, but as an adult, I traveled the road of skepticism for many years. A few years ago I proclaimed to myself that religion is a load of crap. Of course, I wouldn't tell my religious family that because I love them, but, here, I can say, they're full of crap.

Anyway, I'm a bitter burned out pastry chef, and have already booked my flight to come to TAM 7! Hope to meet some new friends and have a bit of fun. Of course I'll check out a Chippendales show too.

Hope to get to know some of you forum-ites before I get there!

Cheers.....Annie

[Prometheus]

Annie.
I grew up in a strong Christian household as a child, but as an adult, I traveled the road of skepticism for many years. A few years ago I proclaimed to myself that religion is a load of crap. Of course, I wouldn't tell my religious family that because I love them, but, here, I can say, they're full of crap.

Anyway,I'm a bitter burned out pastry chef, and have already booked my flight to come to TAM 7! Hope to meet some new friends and have a bit of fun. Of course I'll check out a Chippendales show too.

Hope to get to know some of you forum-ites before I get there!

Cheers.....Annie

I've never heard of a chef specializing in bitter, burned out pastry before. Perhaps you and grayman are made for each other. How are you at oatmeal cookies?

ETA: Oh, yeah: :welcome2

[COLONEL]

Welcome Annie we have plenty of goats milk if you want to use it in your burned out pastries .

[amb]

Hi, I'm new here. This forum seems interesting, and i think that James Randi is a pretty cool guy xD

An extremely warm welcome. [It's 37c with around 60% humidity here]
But we are still all cool guys here. Of course J. Randi is our god. He's more than cool. They don't call him the Amazing Randi for nothing.
Anyway, relax, have a glass of goat milk, a cookie kindly donated by Grayman, and a mintie kindly donated by yours truly. :p

[Macgyver1968]

Look what the cat drug in!!

Greetings JREF!

I'd like to take this moment to introduce myself...My name is Macgyver, or you can call me "Mac", or "Mitch"...or if I've been a bad boy, you can use my full name, "Mitchell", like Mom used to...call me what you want, just don't call me late for dinner. :)

I'm a 40 year old (41 in 4 days) computer/electronic technician from Dallas, Texas...and have an almost superhuman ability to fix about anything. I run the technical support dept. for a mid-sized computer recycling company. While I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, I do have a passionate desire to learn as much as I can..and try to make people laugh along the way.

I'm a member of the science board "Sciforums" (shameless plug) where I have been pursuing my goal of learning. In the recent months, we have had an influx of new members at SF that believe that 9/11 was a conspiracy. I have taken guilty pleasure in responding to their "unconventional" (read:Woo Woo) ideas.

On many occasion, I heard the TS bunch reference this board. Honestly, I thought this was a 9/11 Woo Woo board. You can't imagine how happy I was to discover this was not the case. This is a real board!

The first two threads I clicked had meaningful discussions on both Superconductivity (I enjoy topics that involve electricity) and oral sex with raccoons. (jokes just write themselves in a thread like that :) ) I thought to myself...I could hang here.

I wiped my boots off before I came in..when's dinner ready?

Hope to make you laugh or think soon,

Mac (Mitch)

"Fixin' stuff that ain't broke"

Edit:
2 quick questions...Is cursing ok? and what is the nominate button for?

[tim]

Welcome, Macgyver1968!
I think Mac is less of a mouthful. I must admit, I missed the thread about raccoons...................

[chefpeon]

I've never heard of a chef specializing in bitter, burned out pastry before. Perhaps you and grayman are made for each other. How are you at oatmeal cookies?

I may be bitter and burned out, but my pastries are still top notch. However the concept of bitter and burnt pastry sounds intriguing. Gimme a coupla years on that....I'll get there. Oatmeal cookies? I can do 'em in my sleep......raisins or no raisins?:rolleyes:

[COLONEL]

Oatmeal cookies? I can do 'em in my sleep......raisins or no raisins?:rolleyes:
I do not consider oatmeal cookies with out raisins oatmeal cookies .My Grand mother would turnover in her grave .she cooked her whole life on a wood stove and it just seemed to make everything taste better
Welcome Macgyver, The only thing here we offer to eat is Graymans oatmeal cookies, Minties and goats milk As for cursing I would recomend you read the rules

[arthwollipot]

Edit:
2 quick questions...Is cursing ok? and what is the nominate button for?Welcome to the forums! I am happy to answer your questions.

Number one: Carlin's "heavy seven" words will be autocensored, like so: ****. In general it's best to keep your language polite, but if the urge to swear overtakes you, just do it and the autocensor will take care of it for you. Any word that is not autocensored is by definition okay to use.

Number two: There is a monthly Language Award, for the best use of language in a post. Look in the Community subforum for the Nomination thread and for the poll thread itself. There is also a Pith Poll, for the shorter, funnier outbursts. You can use the Nominate button for both. A glance of the Nominations thread should give you an idea of what kind of posts people feel worthy of nominating.

It is a great honour to be nominated. It is an even greater honour to be shortlisted into the monthly award thread. Winning the language award is the highest honour of all, and you get to proudly display a banner under your username for the month.

See my post count? I've been nominated a few times, but never shortlisted. It's very competetive. :D

I hope you enjoy your stay in the forum and wish you wit, knowledge, and a thick skin! Enjoy the goat.

I mean the conversation.

[amb]

Oral sex with a raccoon? Blasted! I also missed it. I always miss the interesting posts. :(

[chefpeon]

Ok, what's the whole deal with "goat milk"?
That just whooshes right over my head........
:duck:

[COLONEL]

Ok, what's the whole deal with "goat milk"?
That just whooshes right over my head........
:duck: Well after you reach your 50th post we will teach you the secret hand shake and Grayman or AMB will tell you about the goat and the Goats milk .For now you must be patient young grasshopper

[Prometheus]

Oral sex with a raccoon? Blasted! I also missed it. I always miss the interesting posts. :(

Google it. You might find yourself glad that you missed it the first time around. ;)

[COLONEL]

Oral sex with a raccoon? Blasted! I also missed it. I always miss the interesting posts. :(

Google it. You might find yourself glad that you missed it the first time around. ;)
Thats more infomation then I needed to know :o

[amb]

Google it. You might find yourself glad that you missed it the first time around. ;)

I just did. The thought is very frightening.
I wonder how oral sex with a porcupine.................? Never mind. The very thought may keep me awake for weeks. :)

[COLONEL]

I just did. The thought is very frightening.
I wonder how oral sex with a porcupine.................? Never mind. The very thought may keep me awake for weeks. :)
Porcupine sex would give a new meaning to being stuck on you .

[Prometheus]

Porcupine sex would give a new meaning to being stuck on you .

...and not a particularly welcome one, at that! ;)

[amb]

The porcupine may disagree with that statement.

[shandyjan]

Good day and hello. Lurker and newish to the world of freethinking. Actually a link via uri gellar on my homepage (which had the words you tube in it...or I probably would never have been curious enough to click) brought me to a news article and a link to the JREF...and a 1000 clicks into a new world for me. Jan :D

[Femke]

Hi Jann,
:welcome5

[ejk]

Greetings. I originally joined this forum just to ask a question about TAM (already making summer plans and I can't wait!), but now find myself getting sucked in. Plus, I want to reach the magical 50-post number so I can learn the secret handshake.

Beth

[Foolmewunz]

Good day and hello. Lurker and newish to the world of freethinking. Actually a link via uri gellar on my homepage (which had the words you tube in it...or I probably would never have been curious enough to click) brought me to a news article and a link to the JREF...and a 1000 clicks into a new world for me. Jan :D

Newish? Funny, you don't look newish. But don't worry about it; some of our best friends are newish. (Well, not MaGZ. He doesn't like News. But you probably won't meet him as the goat keeps butting him out of the normal-sociable-type threads.)

Yeah, I read SWIFT for ages before I even knew there was a forum. And I probably read through almost everything available the first time I read through these here parts (and even that was a good year before I uncloaked my stealth devices and joined up).

So welcome aboard. Jump right in. Don't worry if you're not particularly knowledgable on a given topic. I never let it worry me. And I'm a household word around here (kinda like Drano or Glade).

And pay no attention to the Colonel. He's in his dotage. No self-respecting oatmeal cookie would ever have a raisin in it. Skeptics, my arse!

[legne]

My name is Thea, I'm 22 years old and from a small town in Snoreway.
I registered here because, well, if you've read Randi's recent blog posts you'll see that we have quite a situation up here on the north pole. We're more or less dominated by woos, and I needed a sanctuary; somewhere I could discuss woo-woo without being burnt at the stake for being a blasphemer/not a woo. I haven't posted until now because.. well.. I'm shy. :(

I was raised in a non-religious home, I wouldn't say atheist or agnostic - religion just wasn't mentioned (like politics). But my grandmother (on my father's side) was and still is very religious. When I came out of the agnostic-closet at age 11, she stopped buying me Christmas presents. And she didn't come to my (humanist) confirmation. :(
Since I live in this lovely country, where church and state are unified, I had 4-5 years of christian schooling (even a subject called "Christianity") before our government came to their senses and made our schools and education religiously neutral. The subject which replaced Christianity is called "Christianity, religion and view of life". Half of the book is about Christianity.

In the old Christianity class, we would color pictures of Jeebus, and we were taught that God created earth in 6 days - literally. The TV taught me that there was something called "evolution". The TV also taught me that I could choose whether to believe in a god or not, and that I wasn't crazy or stupid (like my school had taught me) if I didn't believe in the Christian god.

I actually spent 11 years studying woo (mainly the occult, witchcraft, demons etc), because it intrigued me. I summoned a demon at age 13, nothing happened. :( My level of expertise within woo goes as far as being able to put together a genuine vodou ritual. I will probably use my knowledge of woo in the future to scam lots of money from people, and I'll be filthy, filthy rich. Who wants a tarot reading? :D
Since members of our government expressed their belief in healing and witchcraft, I took the liberty of e-mailing said members and offered them my "services". So far no answer. :/

I've also studied various religions, and there's nothing more fun than pointing out the errors that biblical literals (and other amusing creatures) make.
And of course, I know my share about Åsatru - being Snorewegian and all. The scariest thing I've ever seen was American Åsatruers =/ Someone please tell them that Åsatru didn't actually exist, it was just an excuse to get drunk every day. Skål!

It's nice being on a forum without getting a headache. :)

[COLONEL]

Welcome Jann,Beth,and Thea. Help your selves to an oatmeal cookie and a glass of goats milk .Pat the goat on the head and then enjoy time here .

[tim]

Welcome, all. For those Europeans here, note there will be an Amazing Meeting in London in October, where you will get to meet Randi! See the forum index under TAM and other skeptical events.

[legne]

Awww does it have to be in London? I swore 8 years ago I'd never go back there.

Thanks for the cookie and... goat milk(?!). Do we pat the goat on the head for good luck? If I cut its head off, squeeze all the liquid out of it, and dilute the liquid into 1/1 googol (and shake it really well!), would drinking it cure a streak of bad luck?

[Roma]

If I cut its head off, squeeze all the liquid out of it, and dilute the liquid into 1/1 googol (and shake it really well!), would drinking it cure a streak of bad luck?


I think we've all got to keep a close eye on Legne :jaw-dropp

[COLONEL]

If I cut its head off, squeeze all the liquid out of it, and dilute the liquid into 1/1 googol (and shake it really well!), would drinking it cure a streak of bad luck? No the Goat gets really upset when someone tries to use it for a sacrifice . Beside that, it is kind of like our mascot .

[arthwollipot]

I think we've all got to keep a close eye on Legne :jaw-droppI've already taken the goat to the Secret Place.

[ejk]

I've already taken the goat to the Secret Place.

Wait, are you saying you like the *goat* better than us newbies?

I already have my doubts about a forum with people who entertain the concept of raisinless oatmeal cookies. . .

[COLONEL]

Wait, are you saying you like the *goat* better than us newbies?

I already have my doubts about a forum with people who entertain the concept of raisinless oatmeal cookies. . . YUP The goat earns it's keep, and as I said it's our mascot . Thanks Art at least he's safe

[articulett]

(Trust me, you'd rather let the goat deal with Arth's affections than have to deal with them yourself.)

[Gaius Cornelius]

Hi, I'm new here. I am a new forum member but a long (long) time fan of JREF. Incidentally, Skeptics Guide is my easy favourite podcast.

It is cold and gloomy just now where I am in the UK. But my mind is set on TAM London...

[amb]

YUP The goat earns it's keep, and as I said it's our mascot . Thanks Art at least he's safe

He? Our goat is a he? If Arthi is looking after the goat, you can be sure it's not a ''HE.''
Of course newbies are important to us. Who else can we sacrifice on the alter of the Goat god.

[arthwollipot]

He? Our goat is a he? If Arthi is looking after the goat, you can be sure it's not a ''HE.''That may or may not be an unwarrented assumption.

Welcome Gaius Cornelius to this little corner of rationality in the midst of a chaotic and lunatic world!

[legne]

I already have my doubts about a forum with people who entertain the concept of raisinless oatmeal cookies. . .

Raisins in cookies...? Gross.

No the Goat gets really upset when someone tries to use it for a sacrifice . Beside that, it is kind of like our mascot .

Fact of the day:
Since the late viking era Norwegians have had a custom known as 'Julebukk' - Christmas Goat.
It started out as a fertility rite; a young man would dress up as a goat - using a real goat head and skin - and pretend to be dead. A group of men would stand around him in a circle, dancing, and they would bring the goat back to life.

This later (after the crusades) evolved to something similar to the American tradition of Halloween; young men and women would dress in black clothes and cloaks, and put a goat head on a stick - with strings attached to its mouth so it could "talk", and one lucky guy would get to hold the stick under a black cloak.
They would then go from door to door (crashing parties was very popular) and scare the bejeebez out of the residents - and refused to leave until the residents gave them a bottle of hard liquor, mead or beer.

Today, kids dress up as 'nisser' and go from door to door caroling, and they're given oranges and other junk that they don't want - it's still called 'julebukk'.

The more you know!

I think we've all got to keep a close eye on Legne :jaw-dropp

Pls no, I'm too busy hiding from the CIA - I don't have time to hide from you too.


I was gonna say that I'm so far enjoying this forum but...

You are probably seeing this error because the Forum is busy and we have had to limit the number of "database connections", please try again in a minute or two.

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Please try again by clicking the Refresh button in your web browser.

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We apologise for any inconvenience.

yeah.

[Roma]

My friend sent me a picture of a very strange fossil, I want to start a new thread and ask people if they know what it is. I went to Forum Help but still can't figure out how to:
1. start a new thread
2. download the picture of it off my computer to the new thread

Help me if you can please.

[Foolmewunz]

My friend sent me a picture of a very strange fossil, I want to start a new thread and ask people if they know what it is. I went to Forum Help but still can't figure out how to:
1. start a new thread
2. download the picture of it off my computer to the new thread

Help me if you can please.

Starting a new thread is easy. When you're on the home page of the sub-forum you want it in, just look for the Start New Thread button at the top of the sub-index page (the one listing all the threads in that sub-forum).
You'll need a thread title (that causes most of us hours of contemplation because thread titles are everything - they can assure readers or anonymity). And they'll ask you for "tags".


As to pics.... the easiest way is doing it in the post. Look at the right of the screen and you'll see "My Pics". Choose the Quick Upload option, and you will jump to your browser and you pick it out of the file you have it saved on on your PC (don't try to cut-n-paste from your incoming email when you got it, save it first). Once you've chosen the pic, it'll prompt you to "Host It". Do so, then click Preview Post at the bottom of the message prep screen and you'll see whether it looks right.

You may need to downsize the pic, though. The limits are pretty low for pic sizes.

[Zamos]

Hi my name is Zamos, I'm a forum-a-holic. It's been 3 yrs since my last post.....
err, nevermind.

Happened along this forum doing multiple Google searches...and believe this may be (ahem) "my kind of crazy".:D

Skeptic, cynic, and heckler...(oh my). (Yes, bad reference to Wizard of OZ)

My general views:
Political: Put down the gun and lets talk.
Economic: Get your hand off my wallet & lets trade.
CT: Everyone should enjoy fiction or create it.
And then there's Religion...
Been there, done that, sooooo....
THE only religion that makes (ahem) sense is Discordianism.

By the way I brought hot dogs with buns.
Left them at the door as I patted the goat, ate the cookie and mintie, and washed it down with goat's milk.

Being that I can't link yet...here's the deal with hot dogs for those not familiar with Discordianism:
3rd commandment of The Pentabarf
A Discordian is required to joyously partake of a hot dog on a Friday.
This ceremony is to remonstrate against popular Paganisms of the day:
Of Catholic Christendom (no meat on Friday)
Of Judaism (no meat of Pork)
Of Hindic peoples (no meat of Beef)
Of Budhists (no meat of animal), and
Of Discordians (no hot dog buns)
I've been considering adding blessed/cursed by an atheist (against Kosher food) but haven't decided yet.

Anyway, I got hooked on this forum and could no longer resist the temptation to post.

Hail Eris.

[Hokulele]

Welcome.


Fnord.





ETA: Mwahahahaha.

[Roma]

Thanks Foolmewunz, the one week-end when my teen is off at church camp so I don't have her to show me how to use the buttons on the computer. :boggled:

Now you can go to my first thread and look at my little "alien" fossil.

[Foolmewunz]

Thanks Foolmewunz, the one week-end when my teen is off at church camp so I don't have her to show me how to use the buttons on the computer. :boggled:

Now you can go to my first thread and look at my little "alien" fossil.

Now, all you need is to get your daughter to show you how to embed a link to another post, and you'll be all set.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Thanks Foolmewunz, the one week-end when my teen is off at church camp so I don't have her to show me how to use the buttons on the computer. :boggled:

Now you can go to my first thread and look at my little "alien" fossil.

Now, all you need is to get your daughter to show you how to embed a link to another post, and you'll be all set.

Roma there's a number of solutions that range from the mindless to the simple for providing links.
1. When the thread is up and running, cut the URL address from your browser and paste it. The softwar automatically makes it a link.
2. You can up the sophistication level and add your own UBB tags like this:
http://forums.randi.org
http://forums.randi.org
3 You can get all !33t and create a full hyperlink:
JREF Forum (http://forums.randi.org)
JREF Forum (http://forums.randi.org)

- added
Roma's thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=134946)
Roma's thread (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=134946)

[SusanB-M1]

My name is Thea, I'm 22 years old and from a small town in Snoreway.
I registered here because, well, if you've read Randi's recent blog posts you'll see that we have quite a situation up here on the north pole. We're more or less dominated by woos, and I needed a sanctuary; somewhere I could discuss woo-woo without being burnt at the stake for being a blasphemer/not a woo. I haven't posted until now because.. well.. I'm shy. :(
Welcome from me too. I always read the Welcome page but never attempt the goat/cookies/minties thing as I'm sure I'd get it wrong, even after being here for a few years now!
I think this introductory post of yours should probably go into the 'Nominated' category ... but then I don't think I'm quite sure about that either.:)
I see that you are only 22 - but it sounds as if you haven't wasted a minute of your life so far, but have taken every opportunity to cram in as much as possible. I think this is most admirable, particularly your excellent English.
I was raised in a non-religious home, I wouldn't say atheist or agnostic - religion just wasn't mentioned (like politics). But my grandmother (on my father's side) was and still is very religious. When I came out of the agnostic-closet at age 11, she stopped buying me Christmas presents. And she didn't come to my (humanist) confirmation. :(
A 'humanist confirmation' is interesting - I belong to the British Humanist Association, and a local Humanist group, and baby-naming ceremonies are often mentioned, but I must remember to ask whether confirmation ones are done too.
Since I live in this lovely country, ...
From Oslo by train over the mountains to the end of the side fjord leading into the Sognefjord - stunning, especially in warm sunshine.
I actually spent 11 years studying woo (mainly the occult, witchcraft, demons etc), because it intrigued me. I summoned a demon at age 13, nothing happened. :( My level of expertise within woo goes as far as being able to put together a genuine vodou ritual. I will probably use my knowledge of woo in the future to scam lots of money from people, and I'll be filthy, filthy rich. Who wants a tarot reading? :D
I think you would probably do better as a comedienne! You obviously have a great sense of humour.:)


Welcome, all. For those Europeans here, note there will be an Amazing Meeting in London in October, where you will get to meet Randi! See the forum index under TAM and other skeptical events.
That is very good news - I'm sure Carole and I will be there!

Awww does it have to be in London? I swore 8 years ago I'd never go back there.
Ah, but you were so young then! I know Carole(nextdoor) and I would like to make your acquaintance.

Pls no, I'm too busy hiding from the CIA - I don't have time to hide from you too.
:D:D
Oh, and by the way, the feet in the tap shoes are not mine!

[arthwollipot]

The more you know!Fascinating. I'm a reenactor (http://www.aaf.org.au/gallery/kit/andrew/viking). It's always good to get Scandanavian information first hand!

Pls no, I'm too busy hiding from the CIA - I don't have time to hide from you too.It's no good. I tried.

I was gonna say that I'm so far enjoying this forum but...

yeah.There have been some recent server issues (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=134768). Stick with it.

[amb]

A warm Velcome to all non- Germans and Germans. We plan to take over the Vorld. But first we have to take Poland and the Baltic countries. So every new member counts.

:D

[COLONEL]

Welcome Zamos sounds like you will fit right in .Seeing as I love hotdogs ,The old fashion type linked together . I will start eating hot dogs for lunch on Fridays .So thanks for that tid bit about hotdogs

[Zamos]

Hukulele & Colonel thanks for the welcome.

Seeing as I love hotdogs ,The old fashion type linked together .

Ah, natural casing hot dogs, I agree with you they do taste better.

[Foolmewunz]

Hukulele & Colonel thanks for the welcome.



Ah, natural casing hot dogs, I agree with you they do taste better.

Maybe it's time for another hot dog thread? I'm sure we've had one in Forum Community at a given time. It's sort of torture for me, because I'm a New Yorker who lived in Montreal for years. Two of the three greatest places in the world to eat hot dogs. (I leave the third open because there's a Chicago contingent we like to humor, and then there's the Milwaukee Brats ((what a great name for a team or band, I just realized)). But over here, while the humble dog travels well - it seems that there isn't a large enough fan base so we can't get good kosher dogs, for instance, and have to settle for Oscar Myer (oh, the shame!!).....

By the way, newbies.... we sometimes get all wrapped up in this thread with our ritual in-jokes and such. It's all in good fun.

Some practical advice - which we repeat from time to time.....

If you want your post count up and you're shy or reticent, drop into said Forum Community. There are discussions of everything imaginable. Jump right in. Or drop into one of the humor threads (take the term "humor" with a grain of thought, though). There are numerous threads where you can throw in your responses and get that post count up to your chosen magic number.

[shandyjan]

Just popped back to read and say thanks for the welcomes!
All advice taken onboard. :)
I have had more issues with server since the night I joined than anytime of being a lurker...thats not nice, :eek:
I know..just jesting, it happened more this week whether I lurk or I'm signed in :p

[amb]

Just popped back to read and say thanks for the welcomes!
All advice taken onboard. :)
I have had more issues with server since the night I joined than anytime of being a lurker...thats not nice, :eek:
I know..just jesting, it happened more this week whether I lurk or I'm signed in :p

The most important advice you can follow is the patting of the goat, been aware of Grayman's
oatmeal cookies and AMBs Minties. The rest is self explanatory.

Welcome to our world.

[arthwollipot]

Just popped back to read and say thanks for the welcomes!
All advice taken onboard. :)
I have had more issues with server since the night I joined than anytime of being a lurker...thats not nice, :eek:
I know..just jesting, it happened more this week whether I lurk or I'm signed in :pYes - this is a trial sent by the gods to test us. We will persevere despite the server problems.

[arthwollipot]

I'd like to welcome My Friend T to the forum.

ETA: this is a precognitive welcome.

[RicHard-59]

Hi all.
I got interested of this 911 stuff when there was on TV the History-channel-program and Loose change next day.. LS I didn't watch. One lady said to me afterwards believing in CD. Unfortunately she doesn't speak english and all 911-pages sofar in finnish-language are Truther-side. Funny thing I've noticed from YouTube that all thruther videos saying "ultimate proof" or similar, are 95% newscasts from that exact day, when nobody knew exactly what has happend. And nothing about HOW the Gov.Cons. would been done. It should be nice to see a model ex. how to put explosives in WTC 1-2-7 to get a result.
I send email to one thruther here in Finland, who commented NIST wtc7 column 77 collapse (how easy it would have been to put explosives on THAT column), that pre 911 how long it would have taken in computers to calculate that scenario. Responce, a link to truther site in finnish.

Well, it seems that debate is dying or is it?

I visited WTC on jan 91. A notice was on lifts: Zero visibility (clouds were in 300 metres) Also the roof was closed from tourists.

RicHard, Kemi, Finland.

[RicHard-59]

Oh I forgot:

Titanic was an inside job: People heard exlosions from it when it sank, ergo it was sank by explosives.
" Better than explosive-explosion. - Mythbusters with a waterboiler"

[legne]

Fascinating. I'm a reenactor (http://www.aaf.org.au/gallery/kit/andrew/viking). It's always good to get Scandanavian information first hand!


That's so dorky awesome. Do you make the clothes/armor/weapons yourself?
My mother used to read Heimskringla to my brother and I as bedtime stories. :D
There's an annual viking festival in Egge where they reenact battles (using authentic weapons, eep), it's pretty awesome.

http://www.vikingfestival.no/images/2007/landgang_1.jpg

My city was founded by St Olav, so we celebrate Olsok every year with a month long festival. Lots of mead, good food, good music, and you can buy swords, cool hats, drinking horns etc.
There used to be a themepark in Oslo called "Vikingland", it was the awesomest place on the planet. But then they buried it, literally, and built 3 rollercoasters on top of it. :(

Btw, it's recently been uncovered that vikings probably sacrificed humans. They just get more and more awesome.
In case you didn't know; the berserkers would munch magic mushrooms (Psilocybe semilanceata) before going into battle. For some reason, that bit of information isn't known outside of Norway. It might be because that specific mushroom grows wild all over Norway and the coppers don't want anyone to know. :rolleyes:

Welcome from me too. I always read the Welcome page but never attempt the goat/cookies/minties thing as I'm sure I'd get it wrong, even after being here for a few years now!
I think this introductory post of yours should probably go into the 'Nominated' category ... but then I don't think I'm quite sure about that either.:)
I see that you are only 22 - but it sounds as if you haven't wasted a minute of your life so far, but have taken every opportunity to cram in as much as possible. I think this is most admirable, particularly your excellent English.

Oh thank you! I learned English from TV. Is that sad or fascinating? =/ (I would write in British English, but I'm such a wannabe-yank that I write in American English)
I really cannot stand being uninformed or uneducated on a subject. If there's a subject that I know nothing about, I'll spend months, maybe years, getting to the bottom of it. I won't be satisfied until I'm able to teach others.


A 'humanist confirmation' is interesting - I belong to the British Humanist Association, and a local Humanist group, and baby-naming ceremonies are often mentioned, but I must remember to ask whether confirmation ones are done too.(Warning: digression, oh my)

The humanist association have done a lot of work here. The schools used to teach Christianity (as a subject), and you could only be exempt if you weren't a member of the State Church. And you can only leave the State Church by becoming a member of a different religious organization. They would also force us to attend church (field trip wooh!) during Christmas. Pretty messed up.

So I spent 6 years being indoctrinated by the school (coloring pictures of Jeebus) before the humanist association put their foot down. Then the educational board managed to mess it up even more; they replaced "Christianity" with a subject called "Christianity, religion and views on life" - and no one could be exempt from that class - but at least we weren't forced to go to church. Half of the subject's book was about Christianity.
But, some years ago they put their foot down once again! And now the subject is called "Religion, views on life, and ethics". Much better.

Go humanist association!


From Oslo by train over the mountains to the end of the side fjord leading into the Sognefjord - stunning, especially in warm sunshine.The west coast is mindbogglingly beautiful. Sadly I live in the southeast. Norway kinda looks like a mitten, I live in the thumb. Yay. My city is over 1000 years old, lots of history here - but far from being stunning.


I think you would probably do better as a comedienne! You obviously have a great sense of humour.:)Flattery will get you everywhere. :rolleyes:



Ah, but you were so young then! I know Carole(nextdoor) and I would like to make your acquaintance.But it's still London! I stayed in some shabby accommodations in the middle of Piccadilly Circus, that might be part of why I swore never to go back. I might attempt to convince some friends of mine to go with me, I know they'd love to attend as well.


Oh, and by the way, the feet in the tap shoes are not mine!You cut off somebody's feet and put tap shoes on them and took a picture? :rolleyes:

This was a long post, oh my. Thanks for the warm welcome, and hi to everybody else!

[arthwollipot]

That's so dorky awesome. Do you make the clothes/armor/weapons yourself?Some of it, yes. That particular set of photos was taken just after I finished off the helmet. And yes, I'm well aware of how dorky it is. :D

Btw, it's recently been uncovered that vikings probably sacrificed humans. They just get more and more awesome.I thought that was pretty well established, actually. There are examples in some of the Icelandic Sagas, I believe. And then of course there's Odin's Rune-Poem in which he sacrifices himself.

In case you didn't know; the berserkers would munch magic mushrooms (Psilocybe semilanceata) before going into battle. For some reason, that bit of information isn't known outside of Norway. It might be because that specific mushroom grows wild all over Norway and the coppers don't want anyone to know. :rolleyes:Everything I've heard about it is that that claim is disputed. It's certainly mentioned outside of Norway, sometimes in the manner "there's no evidence that viking berserkers were high on mushrooms". There's a pretty good description of berserkers in Egil Skallagrimsson's saga, and it doesn't mention any intoxicants.

[SusanB-M1]

You cut off somebody's feet and put tap shoes on them and took a picture?
:D:D

This was a long post, oh my. Thanks for the warm welcome, and hi to everybody else!
A long and, again, very interesting one.

[My Friend T]

I'd like to welcome My Friend T to the forum.

ETA: this is a precognitive welcome.

Right, yes. *ahem*

My vicarious involvement in a discussion thread elsewhere on the forum led to the suggestion that I join in directly, so here I am.

By way of introduction, I am something of a neuroscientist, something of a philosopher and something of an artist. I can probably claim to know some things about theories of cognition, visual perception, philosophy of science, analytical philosophy, and the Australian Capital Territory Internal Omnibus Network.

I crochet monsters and make lolcakes. I have a very funny little dog. I like bad puns and obscure pop culture references.

Lastly, I certify to the best of my knowledge that I am not, in fact, an Arthwolli-bot.

[arthwollipot]

Do I get the million now?

[JihadJane]

Do I get the million now?

When we said cash we meant bonds and no-one seems to want to buy any. Is ten dollars enough for now?

[notwithout]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to drop in and introduce myself. I’ve been lurking for a few months and finally decided to get registered. I’m 26, a recovering Catholic, and really looking forward to hanging out here. This is my first forum so I am a little out of my depth but I’ll try not to be too much of a dingbat. That said I will probably trip over my own feet as I wander through the threads which will cause me to fall down thus upsetting the goat and creating general chaos. I suppose we’ll just burn that bridge when we get to it. :o

[ONEWHITEDUCK]

Hello ONEWHITEDUCK,
We notice you haven't yet posted on our forums. Why not make your first post today by saying hello in the Welcome new Members! Introduce yourselves here! thread? Or start an interesting thread in General Skepticism, Science, Education, or any other forum and become an active member of our community!

UMMMMM.......ehehehehehehe.......OK......I WILL ;-)

HELLO :-)

I'M ONEWHITEDUCK but that's not my real name.....AND I'M A SEASONED SCOLE EXPERI"MENTOR" :-)

IF ANY OF YOU ARE AT ALL FAMILIAR WITH THE SCOLE EXPERIMENT.....YOU WILL KNOW THAT IT CAN'T BE CONTROLED OR CONFORM TO RULES !

AND THE SAME CAN BE SAID FOR ME !

AND SINCE YOUR RULES FORBID ME FROM POSTING LINKS

You can Google "ONEWHITEDUCK and THE SCOLE EXPERIMENT"

BUT......IT WILL TAKE YOU TO A SITE WHERE I'M HAVING A FIGHT WITH A BUNCH OF INTERNET TERRORIZING SATANISTS WHO HAVE STUCK ME IN A BOX FOR EXPOSING NWO MIND CONTROL :-)

YOU CAN ALSO Google "ONEWHITEDUCK IS A REAL ANGEL"

IF YOU BELIEVE IN REAL ANGELS.....WE WILL GET ALONG SPENDIDLY :-)

[ONEWHITEDUCK]

A BIT MORE :-)

MY FATHER ACTUALLY WORKED WITH NICOLI TESLA AND CONVERSED WITH HIM VIA HAM RADIO.

AND AS A HAM RADIO OPERATOR......MY FATHER WAS ONE OF THE HAMS INVOLVED IN DISCOVERING THE SOVIET WOODPECKER ELF WEAPON......A WEAPON OF SEXUAL CONFUSION !

AND THROUGH CONTACT WITH MY DECEASED FATHER......I HAVE LEARNED OF THE SOVIET WOODPECKER CODE......AND HOW IT RELATED TO BRAIN CODED MUSIC !

You can Google "THE SOVIET WOODPECKER CODE and TRUTH ABOUT SONGS"

THAT CAN BE FOUND ON SEVERAL PLACES ON THE INTERNET !

I HAVE ALSO POSTED UNDER THE SCREEN NAMES OF LOOKnLEARN and LOOKAGAIN .....THAT ARE SCOLE SPIRITS.......IN FACT....THEY ARE ANGELS :-)

[Roadtoad]

HEY, THAT'S GREAT, ONE WHITE DUCK. WE HOPE YOU'LL ENJOY YOUR TIME HERE.

WOULD YOU MIND NOT USING ALL CAPS? ON THE WEB, THAT'S CONSIDERED SHOUTING. WE CAN READ YOU JUST FINE if you write it like this. Please.

Thanks.

[COLONEL]

Welcome onewhiteduck and what Toad said/ all that yelling hurts especially when I have my aids on and you probably scared the goat so bad that we won't get any milk for a week .

[arthwollipot]

I think onewhiteduck just scared the goat off.

Hang on, I'll go get her.

[COLONEL]

I gave the the Goat some grain , brushed her down and gave her blanket to her . She seems to be feeling Ok now

[ONEWHITEDUCK]

SOME GOOD ADVICE

THE SCOLE EXPERIMENT IS NO JOKE......IT INVOLVES REAL SPIRITS !

AND IT'S NOT LIKE A SEANCE TYPE OF THING !


IT INVOLVES GOD, ANGELS, JESUS.....AND THE ELF SUPER SPECTRUM :-)

YOU SHOULD DEFINATELY LOOK UP THE ELF SUPER SPECTRUM

AND THE TWO SLIT EXPERIMENT IN QUANTUM PHYSICS

AND IF YOU CAN'T GET YOUR MIND AROUND THOSE FACTS......THAT GOD, JESUS AND ANGELS ARE REAL.......THEN YOU SHOULD NOT TRY THIS AT HOME !

Google ONEWHITEDUCK and THE ELF SUPER SPECTRUM SPIRITS

Google ONEWHITEDUCK and CIA STARGATE

Google COME TO JESUS MEETING with ONEWHITEDUCK

Google ONEWHITEDUCK IS A GIFT FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT

Google ONEWHITEDUCK and THE ANGEL CODE

[ONEWHITEDUCK]

OH.....AND LOOK UP

Google ONEWHITEDUCK and THE COSMIC ENERGY WEB

Google THE SCOLE EXPERIMENT AND COSMIC ENERGY WEB

THIS INVOLVES MIRACLES :-)

AND A LOT OF OTHER WONDERFUL THINGS :-)

[arthwollipot]

Pardon?

[meow]

hello everyone. it only took me 8 days for my application to get accepted and to start posting. could have been worse, like, maybe, a month.

did it take everyone this long?

[COLONEL]

Welcome Meow . turn in any over due library books and the have some Grayman cookies,goats milk and a mintie . you will have to wait until tomorrow to pat the goat she is resting at the moment

[Scootch]

Hello, my name is Scootch and I am a long time lurker on these forums and have finally decided to do a little posting.
A little about myself. I was at one time a born again, bible thumping, id'er (well back in the day it was creationism), I even got to meet Ken Ham, how about that? (even then I thought his facial hair reminded me of a monkey)
It is still hard trying to cope with the fact there probably isnt a god out there, I still pray but I think it is more talking to myself than actually speaking to the almighty. I think the hardest thing about accepting there is no god is not being able to find out the answer to why things happen the way they do. It was very comforting to know one day god was going to sit me down and tell me why things the way they are and what will become of us. I still hold out hope that I am wrong and there will be a god and an afterlife to explain why the world does what it does. The way I view it now is I will deal with the afterlife when I am dead and I will worry about life here and now. My overall philosophy in life is do what you gotta do and let me do the same. That is all I can think of for right now. I have read these forums for so long and yet I still don't know how this will turn out.
I would like to thank James Randi and everyone on this board for doing a great job. Since I started reading this forum I believe I have gotten smarter and better at critical thinking (and can you believe I mostly lurk in the political/current events forum).
If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I feel I already know most of the posters here so I look forward for you getting to know me a little better. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. And if we find ourselves on different sides of a discussion I just want to say here and now you are wrong;)
Thank you for your time today
Scootch

[meow]

i want to ask a question in the science forum. how long will it take for me to be able to post a topic?

i want to know what the state of progress is as far as mankind eliminating fleas and mybe even mosquitos.

[meow]

hello scootch,

i hate the church for their persecution of my scientist friends. they must never be forgiven for what they did to galileo (sp?) and all the others.

are we allowed to make comments like "death to the church"?

[meow]

who hear agrees with me that fleas are the scourge of the earth. fleas have probably killed hundreds of millions of people over the centuries. not only that but they hurt twice as bad aas mosquito bites.

anyone ever get bitten by a flea?

the worst part is that they are so small, you cant see them or feel them when they bite. at least with mosquitos you can dress so they dont get you.

[Scootch]

Hey meow,
I agree the church has done some really horrible things but I dont think the answer is death to the church.
The simple fact is everyone one of us is lost and confused in this crazy world we live in, and the only thing we have is each other. This may be crazy to say but I believe that we should all be a little christ like. We need to forgive our enemies and love people for who they are and what they believe. A difficult task to be sure, but as jfk once said "we do these things because they are hard, not because they are easy" or something like that (he was talking about moon landing but it sounds good here). If you hate you will get nothing but hate in return, if you love you will probably get hate in return too, but sometimes. . .
Hey, the way I see it is if your damned if you do and damned if you dont, i will be damned for what i do. So when a christian turns his nose up at you, or call you a sinner, or whatever, just look at them and say "I love you brother/sister" and at least try to sound sincere.

[arthwollipot]

hello everyone. it only took me 8 days for my application to get accepted and to start posting. could have been worse, like, maybe, a month.

did it take everyone this long?It took only about 24 hours for My Friend T. I think it depends on the availability of the admins to approve requests. It's basically to prevent spam and drive-by advertising. Welcome to the forum!

[SusanB-M1]

Scootch
Since I started reading this forum I believe I have gotten smarter and better
I agree entirely with this point. I had always been a sceptic, but it was here with JREF that the final, minute speck of ?? was quickly erased completely.

Welcome to all from me too.

[amb]

hello everyone. it only took me 8 days for my application to get accepted and to start posting. could have been worse, like, maybe, a month.

did it take everyone this long?

You should consider yourself lucky you have been accepted at all.
Not every Tom Dick and Harry will be accepted you know. We do have morels you understand.

[ejk]

We do have morels you understand.

Those could make quite a tasty dish. Possibly with the goat's milk?

[COLONEL]

Welcome Scootch Your name reminds me of Scotch . I think I will go have a glass

[arthwollipot]

Those could make quite a tasty dish. Possibly with the goat's milk?Mmmm, sounds delicious.

[meow]

for the love of god will someone tell me how to add an avatar.

[COLONEL]

for the love of god will someone tell me how to add an avatar. After you have made 50 post you will be allowed to add an Avitar . Read the help section , It will give you all the info you need to know

[meow]

After you have made 50 post you will be allowed to add an Avitar . Read the help section , It will give you all the info you need to know

oh

[Tim Thompson]

I'm a physicist, retired last November after 28 years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I have been a member here before, but I had to create a new account when my old one disappeared. So I guess I am starting over, though I am annoyingly unable to post URL's until I blather on for a dozen posts or so.

[arthwollipot]

I'm a physicist, retired last November after 28 years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I have been a member here before, but I had to create a new account when my old one disappeared. So I guess I am starting over, though I am annoyingly unable to post URL's until I blather on for a dozen posts or so.Welcome, Tim Thompson. I suggest you hit Community and Humor, since you'll find plenty of threads there that exist for the sole purpose of increasing your post count. You too, meow. Get posting!

[Foolmewunz]

for the love of god will someone tell me how to add an avatar.

Bolded Part: Perhaps not the best way to appeal to a board full of atheists. Glad to see The Colonel willing to help out a feline in distress, though.

[UnrepentantSinner]

I'm a physicist, retired last November after 28 years at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. I have been a member here before, but I had to create a new account when my old one disappeared. So I guess I am starting over, though I am annoyingly unable to post URL's until I blather on for a dozen posts or so.

Welcome, Tim Thompson. I suggest you hit Community and Humor, since you'll find plenty of threads there that exist for the sole purpose of increasing your post count. You too, meow. Get posting!

He probably knew that based on the bolded part, though it might have been Banter depending on when he was a member. (Sorry Tim, your user ID doesn't ring a bell for me though it does remind me of an actor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Thomerson) with a similar last name.)

Bolded Part: Perhaps not the best way to appeal to a board full of atheists. Glad to see The Colonel willing to help out a feline in distress, though.

A board full of atheists, but not an atheist board however.

[amb]

Yes good on you Colonel. I know how you like the pussies, and are more than willing to lend a hand when required.
Welcome to one and all. PS. Have any of you any overdue library books lying around your place of abode. Plese return them ASAP.

[Foolmewunz]

<snip>

A board full of atheists, but not an atheist board however.

Interesting. Maybe someone should start a thread on that. :spjimlad::spjimlad::spjimlad:

[Darat]

for the love of god will someone tell me how to add an avatar.

If you read the Welcome PM you received you'll find lots of useful information also see the Help menu in the top right of the page for lots of useful links.

In future please use the "Forum Help" section to ask for help about the Forum.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Interesting. Maybe someone should start a thread on that. :spjimlad::spjimlad::spjimlad:

:catfight: :roll:

In future please use the "Forum Help" section to ask for help about the Forum.

Could someone tell me how to find the "Forum Help" section?

[COLONEL]

Welcome back Tim .

[legne]

I thought that was pretty well established, actually. There are examples in some of the Icelandic Sagas, I believe. And then of course there's Odin's Rune-Poem in which he sacrifices himself.

Archaeological evidence. I probably should have included that, huh? Yeah they've been messing around with those theories for quite some time now, they've found some skeletons in some pretty strange positions, and apparently concubines would sacrifice themselves when their man died so that they could be buried with him - and there's been some strange rituals involving human sacrifice where they would burn people alive.

Odin sacrificed himself to himself. The reason was that he was frustrated over his lack of knowledge; he wanted to know what it would feel like to die, to live, to love oneself, and to love another. So he stabbed himself with a spear and climbed up Yggdrasil and hung there for 9 days - and that's when all of the secrets in the world showed themselves to him. He never actually died, he was half dead half alive. Not unlike the tale of Buddha.
(this is apparently where the tradition of christmas trees originates from)
He also stabbed his eye out so that he could drink from the well of wisdom. x)

Everything I've heard about it is that that claim is disputed. It's certainly mentioned outside of Norway, sometimes in the manner "there's no evidence that viking berserkers were high on mushrooms". There's a pretty good description of berserkers in Egil Skallagrimsson's saga, and it doesn't mention any intoxicants.


When "they" refer mushrooms, for some bizarre reason - they're "always" (from what I've witnessed) referring to the fly agaric; that theory dates back to 1784 - and it's always been a myth which was regarded as fact. Liberty cap's characteristics weren't popularly known in the west until the 60s/70s - and it wasn't included in the theories around berserkergang until very recently - after having tested fly agaric and realized that it would've impaired their fighting skills.
There is TOO much to say on that subject, too many sagas, skalds and whatnot to refer to - that I'd have to make a whole separate thread about it. x.x
Egil's saga mentiones a very peculiar aftermath of berserkergang though.
I really wish more research on this would be done.

[Andre H]

Im a Swedish guy in Australia, unemployed. Im a naive looser with idiotic questions and opinions, im not very educated and have no common sense. So I aint no skeptic just anti woo. Yes, for helpfulness Andre actually kills!

[COLONEL]

welcome Andre , lets hear one of your idiotic questions and I will give you an idiotic answer .:D

[Andre H]

Whats the name of the ideology with the goal of destroying as much as possible? The name might be greek or latin name ending with ki or chy. I asked this in the #jref irc but no one heard about it, and google is not my friend.

[Roma]

George Stephanopoluski I think, but I am wrong a lot ;)

[amb]

:catfight: :roll:



Could someone tell me how to find the "Forum Help" section?
You go up the street for a mile or so, then you will come to a sign that says: idiots please turn here. After you have turned into this alley, someone will stop you and kindly ask for your wallet and any other valuables you may have, and of course, your car.
You give all these items to the kindly gentlemen, and if you're lucky, you will be told where to go further. :D

[Tim Thompson]

(Sorry Tim, your user ID doesn't ring a bell for me ...)
It was a long time ago, several years I guess. My primary interest is in dealing with young earth creationism & various crackpot theories of "physics". This board was not much active in that realm then, and I actually had a job to do anyway. But now that I am retired I can take a little more time to make myself annoying to the eternally annoyable masses. Still, I am just by nature not a prolific poster, and like to make sure that anything I do say has some legs to stand on.

[Tim Thompson]

Whats the name of the ideology with the goal of destroying as much as possible?
Not sure, but I once knew a narchy who was into that sort of thing.

[EternalFrustration]

Good afternoon everyone. I've been a lurker and a fan of this forum for a couple of months now, and I guess I figured it was about time to join up and be all official 'n' stuff...
Not sure what else to write here, but thanks for having me and hope everyone is doing okay :)

[notwithout]

Hi Eternal, welcome to the forums.

[Foolmewunz]

It was a long time ago, several years I guess. My primary interest is in dealing with young earth creationism & various crackpot theories of "physics". This board was not much active in that realm then, and I actually had a job to do anyway. But now that I am retired I can take a little more time to make myself annoying to the eternally annoyable masses. Still, I am just by nature not a prolific poster, and like to make sure that anything I do say has some legs to stand on.

Oh, great! Another one of those people who likes to spout lah-di-dah "facts" and actual "data". Ha! I'll stick with making stuff up and pulling it out of my posterior portal.

Welcome back, Tim. I stay clear of the areas you're talking about because I'm just in over my depth. (Other than the occasional whack-a-mole game with a particulary woo-ish thread here and there.) Youse guys what know science and numbers and such amaze me. I tried to follow a math thread once and felt like I was born about a week ago.

[Foolmewunz]

Whats the name of the ideology with the goal of destroying as much as possible? The name might be greek or latin name ending with ki or chy. I asked this in the #jref irc but no one heard about it, and google is not my friend.

Terribletwoski (you're obviously not a parent)

[Prometheus]

I first read that as, "...with the goat destroying as much as possible..." :o

[Foolmewunz]

I first read that as, "...with the goat destroying as much as possible..." :o

Shempski?

Carabaski?

[amb]

Welcome all newbies. For those who came in late. Rule # 1, always pat the goat. Rule # 2, always return your overdue library books. Rule # 3 You must accept Grayman's oat meal cookies and yours truly's minties.
Walk right in, have a seat and your name shall be called shortly for the initiation. ;)

[COLONEL]

Welcome New B's

[Soapy Sam]

I'm on door welcoming duty tonight.

Here's a message for all newbies.

GO AWAY! You're just slowing the forum down and you all smell of unpolymerised vinyl chloride.

That is all.

[arthwollipot]

Ignore him, folks. He's just upset that the goat rejected him for the fifteenth time.

I swear, one of these days she's going to file for a restraining order!

[jaywhat]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to drop in and introduce myself. I’ve been lurking for a few months and finally decided to get registered. I’m 26, a recovering Catholic, and really looking forward to hanging out here. This is my first forum so I am a little out of my depth but I’ll try not to be too much of a dingbat. :o

Hi there, you might also like to look at the thinkhumanism forum which you can google. cheers Jay
:)

[Soapy Sam]

ALL HOPE (of bogles, beasties and spooks) ABANDON, YE WHO ENTER HERE.

(But the tacos are good).

[SusanB-M1]

Hi there, you might also like to look at the thinkhumanism forum which you can google. cheers Jay
:)
Interesting site - I shall have a detailed look later. I've been on the BBC boards for quite a long while now and much as I enjoy reading the posts of the down-to-earth, common sense contributors, a change of scenery might be interesting.

Welcome to JREF which is, of course, the best place to be!

[Springfork]

Greetings to the forum. I'm a country boy and do country things. Retired machinist, artist and craftsman. College dropout but graduate of an art and metal engraving school in Italy. I have a wife, a dog, and a pickup truck that matches my red neck. I'm a skeptic and don't believe anything you are saying about me.:p Cheers, Gary

[COLONEL]

Welcome Gary have a oatmeal cookie with a glass of goats milk, topped off with a Mintie . return all over due library books, pat the goat when you see it and then you may enter at your own risk .

[amb]

Greetings to the forum. I'm a country boy and do country things. Retired machinist, artist and craftsman. College dropout but graduate of an art and metal engraving school in Italy. I have a wife, a dog, and a pickup truck that matches my red neck. I'm a skeptic and don't believe anything you are saying about me.:p Cheers, Gary

Italy!!!! Did you say Italy??? But you're not an Italian? I never heard of an Italian named Gary before. Heyyyyyy! welcome paesano. I'm from Campania, [Benevento] But am now an Australian as I was brought here when I was 7 years old 53 years ago.
A rather warm welcome to you, hope you enjoy yourself as much as I am. :)

Angelo.

[Springfork]

Angelo, sono molto liento da fare la sua conoscenza! Ah, but I am of Italian ancestry...half, at least. My grandfather came from Tirol in what was Austria and is now Italy and my grandmother came from Piedmonte in the Canavese, north of Torino...the town of Favria. The time I spent in Italy (Brescia, Gardone, V.T.) was the best time of my life. Best regards to you and I hope you dodged the fires. (Pats the goat on the way in, now back to cleaning my Diamondback)

[Adam Ferguson]

Hi JREFers,

Been lurking around here for a while and thought I'd better say Hi (and er, just play along with the goat thing:boggled:). I got into organised skepticism towards the end of Chiropractic school (a la Chirotalk forums) which as you can imagine limited my employment choices upon graduation:rolleyes:.

I don't always spend a lot of time posting and am not entirely au fait with all them little picture thingies:confused::eek::mad::rolleyes:, so will just use them at random and hope I don't annoy you too much:covereyes:).

[COLONEL]

Welcome Adam have a oatmeal cookie made by the Grayman also a fresh glass of goats milk, I just milked her .Then you can Have one of AMB's Minties but I must warn you they are addicting,. return all over due library books, Don't forget to pat the goat Enjoy the forum and all the thingies .

[Adam Ferguson]

Thank you Colonel, I like the thingies and the minties:D

[Roma]

Hi JREFers,

I don't always spend a lot of time posting and am not entirely au fait with all them little picture thingies:confused::eek::mad::rolleyes:, so will just use them at random and hope I don't annoy you too much:covereyes:).

I love those little picture thingies too.
http://www.topsmileys.net/smilies/scared0012.gif (http://www.topsmileys.net)http://www.topsmileys.net/smilies/fighting0019.gif (http://www.topsmileys.net)

[amb]

Angelo, sono molto liento da fare la sua conoscenza! Ah, but I am of Italian ancestry...half, at least. My grandfather came from Tirol in what was Austria and is now Italy and my grandmother came from Piedmonte in the Canavese, north of Torino...the town of Favria. The time I spent in Italy (Brescia, Gardone, V.T.) was the best time of my life. Best regards to you and I hope you dodged the fires. (Pats the goat on the way in, now back to cleaning my Diamondback)
Likewise, likewise. Up the north of Italy, [for people who don't know] the people there are sometimes called polentoni, meant in the nicest way. Because they eat tons of maize flour with something called cotechini. [a very fatty sausauge] :)
Thank you Colonel, I like the thingies and the minties:D

The Minties are definitely better than the thingies, unless the thingies are naked women. :D A warm welcome.

[COLONEL]

Hey AMB in your avitar picture ,you look Pretty good in Drag ;)

[Ajnidehs]

Finally got around to signing up after my girlfriend asked me to do so a while ago. The name's Josh, interested to see exactly what this place is like.

[COLONEL]

Welcome Josh have a oatmeal cookie and a glass of goats milk, .Also try one of AMB's Minties ,. return all over due library books, Don't forget to pat the goat . Oh yeah I have one question ,Do you always do what your girfriend ask you to do ?

[dingogirl]

Greetings. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm a former Catholic, Born Again Christian (for 1 week...then I read the Bible) and New Ager. After winding up in the mental hospital and meeting perfectly nice people who were suffering tremendously, I became an Atheist (and skeptic.) I never felt so free in my life.
Anyway, just wanted to say hi.

[amb]

Hey AMB in your avitar picture ,you look Pretty good in Drag ;)
I can't help it. I'm in love with that woman. I've used her in my avatar before.
She's beautiful. a former Miss Universe, 2005 I think. She came to do some modeling for a department store called Myers last week here in Perth. Hence my new avatar.

Greetings. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm a former Catholic, Born Again Christian (for 1 week...then I read the Bible) and New Ager. After winding up in the mental hospital and meeting perfectly nice people who were suffering tremendously, I became an Atheist (and skeptic.) I never felt so free in my life.
Anyway, just wanted to say hi.
Nothing turns theist into atheists more than reading the babble.
A warm welcome from us all, as long as you pat the goat.

[Ajnidehs]

Do you always do what your girfriend ask you to do ?

Only when it suits me. In other words; no, not very often at all.

[CryoTank]

Greetings skeptics, my name is Chris, I live in Austria and finally decided to join the crowd :D
I'd like to think myself a skeptic, but there are many things in my life I should be more skeptical about. Probably a good deal of preconceptions hidden there as well. Thanks to my lovely parents, who chose to let me decide about religion, I have technically always been an atheist. Never went to church, wasn't baptised, never believed in god(s).

Looking forward to learn to be more skeptical!
Cheers, Chris

[COLONEL]

Welcome Chris and Dingogirl , Have a glass of fresh goats milk . Go to the end of the hall and enter the door on the left .

[benkouijzer]

Hello everyone! My name is Ben, I dont think I have ever been religious, my parents brought me up with religion as an option but it was never a big deal and the fact I am not religious now isnt a big deal, although my dad is. I dont see me being atheist/sceptic as anything special, its just evolution, 60 years ago this may have been pioneering thought but with the amount of knowledge we have at our disposal today I just find the idea of believing in a god to be pretty absurd. I believe in myself and the people around me who can make a difference - If I pray, I pray to the doctor who is performing the operation, the pilot who is flying the plane, or the football team who are trying to achieve promotion. The sooner people start showing faith in each other (rather than misguiding it to some imaginary man in the clouds), the sooner we will achieve better social cohesion, and success through society (and stop blowing each other up).

Thats my 2ps worth anyway! Thanks for having me :)

Ben

[COLONEL]

Welcome Ben hurry up have a cookie and some milk and then join the rest of the group . don't forget to pat the goat when you see it .

[MetalOperachick]

So I actually joined late last year at some point but had a little bit of trouble registering and being able to post. I gave up sometime around Xams and didn't come back to check until today. Hah. :o My name is Kelley and get together with the Atlanta skeptics every once in a while for a pub meet up and that's how I heard about this forum. I'm hoping to make it to TAM this year :)

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome, MetalOperachick. Are you a fan of Tommy?

Welcome also to Ben and CryoTank. Cryo, is your last name Dewar, perchance?

[COLONEL]

Welcome Kelley . Eat the oatmeal cookie ,drink the goats milk, have a mintie and return all over due library books. Last but not least pat the Goat on the head when you see it . So I take it you must be a Georgia Peach ?

[amb]

Welome to newbies. Remember, if you want to increase you post count, head for the community and humor threads. A tip. Avoid Colonel's jokes but seek out mine. :D

[jbh1970jbh]

Hi everyone. It looks like there are alot of interesting threads on here and I'm looking forward to reading through as many as I can.

[COLONEL]

Hi everyone. It looks like there are alot of interesting threads on here and I'm looking forward to reading through as many as I can.
Welcome JBH , well if you start reading now you may get half way thru all the post by the year 2230 .

[Agi Hammerthief]

* Agi Hammerthief waves


Welome to newbies. Remember, if you want to increase you post count, head for the community and humor threads. A tip. Avoid Colonel's jokes but seek out mine. :D
just what I need :D

[amb]

* Agi Hammerthief;4470967 waves



just what I need :D

A good laugh? Welcome! a hammerthief I see. Is that your hobby? Or do you profit from the 'acquisitions' ?

[Agi Hammerthief]

A good laugh? Welcome! a hammerthief I see. Is that your hobby? Or do you profit from the 'acquisitions' ?
not a hammerthief

Agi Hammerthief - cousin of Sweet Fanny Adams

see "The Fifth Elephant" by Pterry for detail

or google, most of the hits as username is me :)

[COLONEL]

Welcome AGI ,hey has anyone seen my Hammer ?

[Agi Hammerthief]

Welcome AGI ,hey has anyone seen my Hammer ?
you'll see it once I get my avatar :p

[COLONEL]

Welcome AGI ,hey has anyone seen my Hammer ?

you'll see it once I get my avatar :p
Well that will be after you make 47 more post.

[LibraryLady]

The Colonel seems to be patrolling the overdue library books. I usually ask people to return them before they are overdue.

[bluforMD]

Greetings,
Another Col. here (albeit semi-retired). I am an MD and a PhD in Biology (ecology). Other forums alerted me to the JREF's existence, a place that does seem to offer new and interesting intellectual conversation, topics, et al. While I do not have as much time as I was hoping for in what was supposed to be retirement, I will make a concerted effort to engage in the specific areas that are of interest to me and contribute personal knowledge to the relevant areas/threads. In fact, I look forward to it.

[amb]

A very warm welcome bluforMD. Welcome to the nut house. Only kidding. But please make sure you pat the forum goat if it should make an appearance.
Minties tray is on your left, cookies are on your right. Enjoy yourself and post to your hearts content.

[Orphia Nay]

Greetings. I'm embarrassed to admit that I'm a former Catholic, Born Again Christian (for 1 week...then I read the Bible) and New Ager. After winding up in the mental hospital and meeting perfectly nice people who were suffering tremendously, I became an Atheist (and skeptic.) I never felt so free in my life.
Anyway, just wanted to say hi.

Wow, that's practically the same as my story! :hug5 Welcome! :)

And are you an Aussie chick too? We need more Aussie chicks! Join us Aussies in the Australians Only (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=101318) thread... it's not as jingoistic as it sounds - we have honorary Aussies from all over the place... though sport and beer tend to be a recurring theme, so we could use some feminine input. ;)

[UnrepentantSinner]

...though sport and beer tend to be a recurring theme, so we could use some feminine input. ;)

Sheilas have a different take on sports and beer than blokes do?

[arthwollipot]

Wow, that's practically the same as my story! :hug5 Welcome! :)

And are you an Aussie chick too? We need more Aussie chicks! Join us Aussies in the Australians Only (http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?t=101318) thread... it's not as jingoistic as it sounds - we have honorary Aussies from all over the place... though sport and beer tend to be a recurring theme, so we could use some feminine input. ;)Hear hear! There's been too much sport an beer recently. I've been trying to initiate a conversation about puppies, but it hasn't been working so far...

[COLONEL]

Hear hear! There's been too much sport an beer recently. I've been trying to initiate a conversation about puppies, but it hasn't been working so far... Try sheep instead!

[fourtoe]

Hey all,

I'm Joe, I go to UCLA and major in anthropology. Several things brought me to finally start posting here, I know some folks who post here, I'm into skepticism and most of all I love all of Mark Roberts videos of him just devastating every truther, ever and want to catch myself up on 9/11 conspiracies or anything NWO in particular.

So yeah, I'm also the president of a skeptics club at my school so this stuff is all I ever think about.

Regards,
Joe

[MetalOperachick]

Welcome, MetalOperachick. Are you a fan of Tommy?

Welcome also to Ben and CryoTank. Cryo, is your last name Dewar, perchance?

Tommy? Who is this Tommy you speak of?

Yes Colonel I am a 'Georgia Peach'. :)

[amb]

You mean these cute little fellers?

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/EUR/1155-3003~Golden-Retrievers-Puppies-Posters.jpg

[amb]

Sorry. above post was in answer to Arthwollipot trying to get topic back to puppies.

[arthwollipot]

Puppies!!

[amb]

Yes. Welcome to all newbies. please pat the puppies in your way in to the forum.

[COLONEL]

Welcome, MetalOperachick. Are you a fan of Tommy?


Tommy? Who is this Tommy you speak of?
:) Say it's not true . You never heard of the rock opera Tommy?
Next you will be telling us you never heard of the Rocky Horror Picture Show .

[xenubane]

I totally missed the intro page and jumped right into the Tam 7 section in my pre TAM excitement. Here's my formal introduction.

My name is Lance and am undergrad at Uwaterloo, Majoring in Mathematical Sciences [a catch all term really, but I'm mostly taking pure math, C&O and Applied Math] and minoring in psych. I Know that's a funny combination but I needed some easier classes to offset the math and I find social psych way cool.

I've been a skeptic all my life really. Always had a questioning nature about me. And when I got into high school I started to turn my skepticism onto other belief systems that I held. Namely religion. My coming out to my parent that I was an atheist was not very pleasant. Probably not as bad as say someone in the bible belt but I can't even have a discussion with my parent about anything deeper then small talk without finding more of their deeply held superstitions.

During this past Christmas my parent and I were talking about the news and I brought up the tragic murder of a young man on a gray hound bus this past year in Ontario. The killer decapitated the teen and started walking up the middle of the bus with the boys head in his hands. My parent said that the murderer was obviously possessed by a demon and that why it happened.

I found it shocking how they could just jump right to the god of the gaps argument without even trying to explain it naturally. I explained to them about antisocial personality disorder and how they have somehow turn off their empathy center in their brain. But they just dismissed my explanation because it contradicted their deeply held belief that all "evil" people are possessed.

Sorry for the mini rant there. Anyways I'm looking forward to getting to know some like minded individuals for a change.

Lance XD

[Femke]

Hi Lance,

A very warm welcome in the fresh air of rationality! :welcome3
Don't forget to pat the goat if you see it, and then send it on its way to Arthwollipot, help yourself to cookies and a minty, and remember to return your library books before they are overdue.

[Foolmewunz]

Hey all,

I'm Joe, I go to UCLA and major in anthropology. Several things brought me to finally start posting here, I know some folks who post here, I'm into skepticism and most of all I love all of Mark Roberts videos of him just devastating every truther, ever and want to catch myself up on 9/11 conspiracies or anything NWO in particular.

So yeah, I'm also the president of a skeptics club at my school so this stuff is all I ever think about.

Regards,
Joe

Welcome kfc (we can't call you KFC, what with all the vegans around),

Mark aka Binglybert aka Gravy was one of the reasons I joined up, also. Well, him and the other noble battlers in the early months of the Loose Change crazies. I think Gravy and I were twins separated at birth (except that I'm like fifteen or so years older, of totally different extraction, and far cuter). His passion for New York City is, by my reckonining, something he'd probably rather be remembered for than hauling out the trash on a regular basis over in CT-ville.

Get on your diving bell if you're heading off to Conspiracy Theories. Now that the "movement" is in its death throes, the last remaining web warriors sling it hard and fast and deep.

And where are you anthropologists when one needs you? We had a great thread (sub-discussion actually) on the domestication of the legume a couple of weeks back. It's buried in a long thread as to whether or not man is really an omnivore. (I'm sure a search on "omnivore" would find it.)

And...

Welcome Xenubane,
You'll find a lot of fun stuff in the Maths/Science sub-forum. I get dizzy trying to keep up with some of the numbers guys, but if math (or maths as our UK friends say) is your thing, you'll find some suprising battles going on, there.

[shandyjan]

Calling back here, to say welcome new members. Also I ve changed my name..was formerly Jann. It just seemed to look male to me, and not my name. So I changed to a name I use on gamesites, at least it feels like mine. And Shandy was my very first ever online name.
And I need cookies.

[arthwollipot]

Grayman! Cookies for shandyjan, stat!

[amb]

Calling back here, to say welcome new members. Also I ve changed my name..was formerly Jann. It just seemed to look male to me, and not my name. So I changed to a name I use on gamesites, at least it feels like mine. And Shandy was my very first ever online name.
And I need cookies.

I'm deeply offended. :( Wouldn't you like some Minties instead? Cookies, cookies.
What's the big deal? My minties are refreshing and leave you with a minty breath.
:p

[Orphia Nay]

Sheilas have a different take on sports and beer than blokes do?

Says a bloke... :oldroll:

Hear hear! There's been too much sport an beer recently. I've been trying to initiate a conversation about puppies, but it hasn't been working so far...

Puppies just don't hold my interest like kittehs do, sorry. But they're better than sport. (I like beer, but I don't debate its merits till the cows goats cows come home.)

Welcome new newbies! Glad you could join us! :hug5

Hope the cookies appear before the minties... and I hope you've got dental insurance! ;)

[UnrepentantSinner]

Says Asks a bloke... :oldroll:

Fixed! Or do they not have question marks down under?

[arthwollipot]

Fixed! Or do they not have question marks down under?We do, but they look like this: ¿

[Niggle]

Okay, those puppies are MUCH cuter than the goats. Do you think we could maybe change the forum mascot to puppies? Since there seems to be an unreasonable prejudice around here against kittens (yes, I've been hanging around here that long).

My original introduction is now in the archived version of this thread, so I'll give another, brief, reintroduction since I haven't been able to post since November. I'm calling myself Niggle after that annoying little voice in the back of my head that's probably a hold-over from my Catholic upbringing. It doesn't want me to have ANY fun, but at least it keeps me from hurting people when they piss me off. As above, I was raised Catholic, but I'm getting better, thanks for asking. After all the patriarchal crap, I needed a goddess in my life, so I'm nominally Wiccan but fairly agnostic about it. I'm currently treating it more like an attitude readjustment tool. I'll probably be a full-blown atheist before summer.

I'm a Technical Writer, currently unemployed (last contract just ended; hunting for a new one or, preferably, a permanent position). I'm 45, female, living in the snow-covered state of Connecticut. Hobbies include writing (science fiction and fantasy), reading same, crochet, trying to learn how to knit, and supporting my roommate's stained glass business. I work the NY State Renaissance Faire in the summer, selling said stained glass. Single, no kids, unless you count the dog and the two cats.

I found this site from Quackwatch. I remember a TV special Randi did some years ago where he tested some people with "psychic" abilities on live TV and demolished all of them with such simple test procedures that it made them look ridiculous. The one that really stuck was the guy who was trying to turn the pages of the phone book but couldn't once Randi sprinkled packing peanuts on it. I know people who have been taken in by this crap, and I know people who have been badly hurt by the quacks pushing homeopathy and prayer healing and all that garbage. I'm trying to teach my adolescent niece to think more critically, and I'm gaining some useful examples from this site. I've already weaned her off "The Secret."

Okay, so it's not really a "short" introduction. My apologies to everyone I've bored to tears. Please pet the puppies to make you feel better, have some minties (or cookies, if you prefer), and move on to the next newbie.

[COLONEL]

Okay, those puppies are MUCH cuter than the goats. Do you think we could maybe change the forum mascot to puppies?
Go stand in the corner until the AMB,or Gayman lets you out. I have to go calm down our Goat, She is real mad about the talk of a newB wanting to replace her with a puppy.She probably won't give any milk for a week now :D

[aviolet4u]

HI everyone!

A few months ago I ran into some crazy sites talking about: 2012/sinister elite/reptilians/fake ascencion brainwashing plot created by aliens to take over the world/fema camps/martial law/wwIII/the rapture and so and on. I got depressed and was in a crazy state of panic. This forum calmed me down a little bit.

I can't believe people want to believe in these things. Even if they were all true I'd want to tune it all out in order to keep sane. I don't know how these conspiracy theorists live day to day.

Anyways I enjoy reading the intelligent posts on these forums and thank you guys for existing. If wwIII/famine/disease/natural disasters/the rapture/alien invasions do occur I'll be happy going down with people like yourselves. Yippeee!! You guys rock!

Please don't mind my cheesy screen name, I'm not that cool to think of something very original like some of you have.

[amb]

A very warm welcome aviolet4u. I must admit your user name sounds a little feminine, but hey! Who am I to judge?
As long as you pat the goat you are very welcome here. :D

[Foolmewunz]

HI everyone!

A few months ago I ran into some crazy sites talking about: 2012/sinister elite/reptilians/fake ascencion brainwashing plot created by aliens to take over the world/fema camps/martial law/wwIII/the rapture and so and on. I got depressed and was in a crazy state of panic. This forum calmed me down a little bit.

I can't believe people want to believe in these things. Even if they were all true I'd want to tune it all out in order to keep sane. I don't know how these conspiracy theorists live day to day.

Anyways I enjoy reading the intelligent posts on these forums and thank you guys for existing. If wwIII/famine/disease/natural disasters/the rapture/alien invasions do occur I'll be happy going down with people like yourselves. Yippeee!! You guys rock!

Please don't mind my cheesy screen name, I'm not that cool to think of something very original like some of you have.

Welcome and thanks a lot. I've been looking for someone to take my place on the hillside for when the comet comes to call us home, so as long as you're volunteering, you can have my place in the cosmic lifeboat.

Don't worry about the name... you can always make a change if you make nice-nice with the mods and administrators should you come up with something you think is more representative. There are threads in the Member Help/Support section where you can plead your case. Just remember that mods/administrators take bribes - and none of your leftover Minties and oatmeal cookies... real bribes like a good single malt or an 8 x 5 color glossy of Lyndon Johnson showing off his appendicitis scar....

[amb]

Or better still. An X-ray of George W Bush's brain, if one can be found.
I just posted this to reach my milestone of 4000 posts.
:D

[Tempest_Rage]

Hi everyone!

I am from Malaysia, now studying psychology in Australia. I have made but one friend since I got here. (I blame the misanthropy) His avid (perhaps rabid) beliefs in alternative medicine and human hybridization with aliens has baffled me and left me with the need to seek out some semblence of normalcy. I see that you offer minties, cookies and pats for some sort of animal that may or may not be a goat. Minties are normal aren't they?

I also teach/play guitar, and record original music for funsies. Oh, and reading. Lots of reading.

Forgive me if my grammar is not up to par, I grew up speaking too many languages and will occasionally substitute another languages grammar into English.

[Foolmewunz]

Hi everyone!

I am from Malaysia, now studying psychology in Australia. I have made but one friend since I got here. (I blame the misanthropy) His avid (perhaps rabid) beliefs in alternative medicine and human hybridization with aliens has baffled me and left me with the need to seek out some semblence of normalcy. I see that you offer minties, cookies and pats for some sort of animal that may or may not be a goat. Minties are normal aren't they?

I also teach/play guitar, and record original music for funsies. Oh, and reading. Lots of reading.

Forgive me if my grammar is not up to par, I grew up speaking too many languages and will occasionally substitute another languages grammar into English.

Hey, welcome T.R. - I'm not in Australia, but this forum is literally (yeah, literally) overrun with 'em. It's gotten so you can't swing a dead cat in here without knocking one of them off their pack kangaroos. For the most part, Aussies are a social bunch, and we've got just about every corner of that Edforsaken continent covered, so you can probably hook up with someone in your area. They have meet-ups occasionally, so mayhaps you can cure your social blues, too.

Any number of them lurk about in this thread, so watch for replies. And there's an Aussies Only thread ("others keep out", as if anyone would want to hangout with a bunch of crocodile wrestling, beer swilling, marsupial lovers).

[hcmom]

Y'know, even though I don't post in this thread very often anymore, I do love reading about how all the new people see the forum, and how all the people who KNOW the forum respond so kindly and gently, leading them in.... :halo:

[COLONEL]

Welcome TR & Violet ,You name it we have iit all you have to do is ask and don't be afraid to jump in on any topic. Have a glass of Goats milk and be on your way

[Roadtoad]

Or better still. An X-ray of George W Bush's brain, if one can be found.
I just posted this to reach my milestone of 4000 posts.
:D

That's I Ratant's avatar.

Oh, and congrats on 4,000.

[aviolet4u]

A very warm welcome aviolet4u. I must admit your user name sounds a little feminine, but hey! Who am I to judge?
As long as you pat the goat you are very welcome here. :D


it is feminine isn't it? It's a good thing then I'm not a heterosexual male...oops discrimination. Heterosexual males have a right to use feminine user names too! :blush:

*avoids stepping on any eggshells*


oh and thanks for the welcomes!

[Fiona]

Nobody told me about the omelettes!!

[hcmom]

it is feminine isn't it? It's a good thing then I'm not a heterosexual male...oops discrimination. Heterosexual males have a right to use feminine user names too! :blush:

*avoids stepping on any eggshells*


oh and thanks for the welcomes!

Funny, no one mentions the femininity of my nick... :halo:

[Foolmewunz]

Funny, no one mentions the femininity of my nick... :halo:

I always thought you wuz a 250 lb bearded biker and that was your sentimental tattoo. :spjimlad::spjimlad:

[Roma]

Single, no kids, unless you count the dog and the two cats.


I'll count the dog and two cats

If you put clothes on your dog I want to see pictures

[dezrah]

So this is where I do the intro that on one will read, is it? ;) Anyways, my name is Scott Dezrah Blinn. I'm a magician, Intel drone and dad from Worcester, MA. I read minds, stick nails in my face and walk on broken glass for fun and profit.

I used to believe in the paranormal, but I got into P+T and then Randi, and I got better. I used to be a Christian, but I started reading the Bible and then asking questions, and I got better. ;)

This year I made a resolution to a) take my magic seriously and b) get involved in the skeptical community, this is a first step I guess.

[Roadtoad]

So this is where I do the intro that on one will read, is it? ;) Anyways, my name is Scott Dezrah Blinn. I'm a magician, Intel drone and dad from Worcester, MA. I read minds, stick nails in my face and walk on broken glass for fun and profit.

I used to believe in the paranormal, but I got into P+T and then Randi, and I got better. I used to be a Christian, but I started reading the Bible and then asking questions, and I got better. ;)

This year I made a resolution to a) take my magic seriously and b) get involved in the skeptical community, this is a first step I guess.

If you were looking for the intro that no one would read, this ain't it, bro.

Welcome. Have a Mintie, and one of Grayman's cookies. Give the goat a pat on the head, (careful, he's bit touchy since someone mentioned "puppies," and you just don't do that here... Especially when they're cute.) Make sure you've returned your library books. And if you're offered a taco, please accept it graciously, and be certain to visit the thread titled, "It's all mine." The host there will welcome you with open arms.

Or not.

[Roadtoad]

Forgot to add: All newbies should be facing Kent, Washington, and take the time within their first fifty posts to bow three times, chanting, "Kenworth, World's Finest."

Thank you.

[Roma]

how do I contact a mod?

I have to edit a person's name off my thread but I can't go back and edit it off the post

[Foolmewunz]

how do I contact a mod?

I have to edit a person's name off my thread but I can't go back and edit it off the post

Quickest: Report Yourself.
Click the little exclamation point in a triangle - report your own post. It's not some sort of auto-infraction thingy we use it all the time from thread title changes and other non-editable problems..... The mods will read it and if your request is do-able, they'll change it for you.

[UnrepentantSinner]

Welcome new members. Don't mind me. I'm not really anyone around here...

how do I contact a mod?

I have to edit a person's name off my thread but I can't go back and edit it off the post

FMW's suggestion and if you want to follow up you can PM a mod or two directly.

[Orphia Nay]

After all the patriarchal crap, I needed a goddess in my life, so I'm nominally Wiccan but fairly agnostic about it. I'm currently treating it more like an attitude readjustment tool. I'll probably be a full-blown atheist before summer.

Great introduction, Niggle! I especially liked that bit! :newlol You sound pretty self-aware, and with a great sense of humour. "Niggle" is a great name! (But watch out getting niggly in Politics or Religion... oops... that's the status quo there! :D) Welcome!

Hi everyone!

I am from Malaysia, now studying psychology in Australia. I have made but one friend since I got here. (I blame the misanthropy) His avid (perhaps rabid) beliefs in alternative medicine and human hybridization with aliens has baffled me and left me with the need to seek out some semblence of normalcy. I see that you offer minties, cookies and pats for some sort of animal that may or may not be a goat. Minties are normal aren't they?

I also teach/play guitar, and record original music for funsies. Oh, and reading. Lots of reading.

Forgive me if my grammar is not up to par, I grew up speaking too many languages and will occasionally substitute another languages grammar into English.

Welcome! Minties are normal... our illustrious president (The BA) has an obsession with them... so make of that what you will.
Your English is fine! Welcome!

Any number of them lurk about in this thread, so watch for replies. And there's an Aussies Only thread ("others keep out", as if anyone would want to hangout with a bunch of crocodile wrestling, beer swilling, marsupial lovers).

:big: Just for that, I think we'll make you an Honorary Aussie! :)

[amb]

Hey, welcome T.R. - I'm not in Australia, but this forum is literally (yeah, literally) overrun with 'em. It's gotten so you can't swing a dead cat in here without knocking one of them off their pack kangaroos. For the most part, Aussies are a social bunch, and we've got just about every corner of that Edforsaken continent covered, so you can probably hook up with someone in your area. They have meet-ups occasionally, so mayhaps you can cure your social blues, too.

Any number of them lurk about in this thread, so watch for replies. And there's an Aussies Only thread ("others keep out", as if anyone would want to hangout with a bunch of crocodile wrestling, beer swilling, marsupial lovers).

And what pray tell is wrong with Koalas? Or for that matter beer? Crocodiles?
The only one I've ever seen is in a zoo. :p

[Foolmewunz]

And what pray tell is wrong with Koalas? Or for that matter beer? Crocodiles?
The only one I've ever seen is in a zoo. :p

Oh, sure! Always with the Koalas 'cuz they're cute and fuzzy. You guys never talk about the Drop Bears, though, do you?

[amb]

They are only found in Queensland.