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

[Nanny Ogg]

Hello to all you good members of JREF. I have been lurking here for a while, and I find this website both informative and fun.

I was raised as a very strict Catholic, and taught never to challenge or confront anything. While it kept me out of trouble, it also kept me mentally stunted. Fortunately I ended up with several very good professors at University who pushed me towards critical thinking.

I hope to have some good discussions here and to learn from all of you.
Cheers!--Nanny Ogg

[COLONEL]

Hello to all you good members of JREF. I have been lurking here for a while, and I find this website both informative and fun.

I was raised as a very strict Catholic, and taught never to challenge or confront anything. While it kept me out of trouble, it also kept me mentally stunted. Fortunately I ended up with several very good professors at University who pushed me towards critical thinking.

I hope to have some good discussions here and to learn from all of you.
Cheers!--Nanny Ogg Frank Zappa had a song about you Catholic girls :D so are you sure you were never in trouble ;)

Any ways Welcome Nanny Ogg, here is your official ,unofficial welcome

Have a glass or two of Goats milk ,a famouse Grayman oatmeal cookie, and MINTIE when you see the Goat pat it on the head ,return any and all over due library books ,face toward Kent and bow to the Kenworth plant. last of all, do you want your hamster BBQ or Roasted ?

[quadraginta]

Frank Zappa had a song about you Catholic girls :D so are you sure you were never in trouble ;)

<snip>

Billie Joel, too.

Seems to be a trend of some sort.

;)

[Staropeace]

I am kinda partial to the horsie....he looks kinda homely but sorta endearing as well.

I think he has great fashion sense. I have seen worse things strut down the catwalk.

[Foolmewunz]

I am kinda partial to the horsie....he looks kinda homely but sorta endearing as well.

I think he has great fashion sense. I have seen worse things strut down the catwalk.

I trot him out (pun intended) when arguments get too silly to take seriously. I particularly love the look in his eye... sort of the pony version of how the cat looks at you when you just bought her a hundred dollar sooper dooper scratching apparatus - and you just know she's going to shred the drapes or sofa the minute you turn your back on her.

[Staropeace]

Sorta suffering fools not gladly....but with just a smidgeon of distain...........I like that in a horse.

[PhiloKGB]

Recently orphaned from Richard Dawkins Forums on account of the admins employing the nuclear option. I used to lurk here, back when IIDB still existed. This is the only one of the 'big three' remaining.

Male, mid 30s, atheist, working on a masters in micro/molecular biology.

[lionking]

Welcome. You really KBG???????

[Hawk one]

Be careful, Lionking. I think this one is also very rational, and may therefore tend to ruin your jokes as well.

[/inside joke]

[Foolmewunz]

Recently orphaned from Richard Dawkins Forums on account of the admins employing the nuclear option. I used to lurk here, back when IIDB still existed. This is the only one of the 'big three' remaining.

Male, mid 30s, atheist, working on a masters in micro/molecular biology.

Ah, the first lifeboat has arrived. Quick, someone get him some of Darat's tea!

Welcome, Philo. I'm your counterfoil. I joined here but used to lurk at the other two. There's a semi-unpleasant thread around here somewhere on the demise of the RDF (I expected more rational commentary but it sort of devolved into a "hey, it's not a democracy so tough luck, you wimp" thread and I lost interest).

Did you spot any other boats on the way over? I have a feeling we're going to need a lot more tea in the coming week. Someone tell Tricky to get some warm blankets, too. It's damned cold in the North Atlantic this time of year.

[Hokulele]

You really expect Tricky to stop drooling long enough to remember blankets?

And welcome to all the recently registered!

[embie]

Heya! How're you doing? Whereabouts are you from? Hope you're not another Sandgroper. If you're anywhere near Canberra, we're getting PZ Myers to our next Skeptics in the Pub... :)

Alright, now I'm jealous. Our local skeptical meetup group only just started so we're a bit of a ways to getting some cool people in to chat with us. Tonight is the second official meeting of our group, that's how new we are.

I'm a Brisbanite, by the way (well, sort of. I'm stuck somewhere between Brissie and the Gold Coast, out in the middle of nowhereland. But we get to keep alpacas, so I have a never ending supply of llama jokes as compensation :D)

[lionking]

Hey welcome embie. I'll be in the Logan/Ipswich region next week, so probably close to you. Enjoy the forum.

[amb]

Recently orphaned from Richard Dawkins Forums on account of the admins employing the nuclear option. I used to lurk here, back when IIDB still existed. This is the only one of the 'big three' remaining.

Male, mid 30s, atheist, working on a masters in micro/molecular biology.

Welcome to the best of the best forums PhiloKGB. What's happening over at RDF forum? I haven't been able to log on for two days now.
Having said that. How would you like your hamster cooked? Have a beer on me, or if you prefer, a glass of fresh goats milk and a mintie. :p

[leftysergeant]

Hi all - JREF newbie, but old-school anti-crank, anti-conspiracy-theoricism, anti-ripoff-artist here. Looking forward to reading and posting.If you are who I think you are, life may have just gotten really interesting for a few folks around here.

Welcome aboard.

[PhiloKGB]

It was a sudden turn of events at RDF, for me anyway. I don't involve myself in forum politics, so literally one evening I am posting, and the next morning the forum is read-only and the doomsday message is up. Supposedly there is going to be a new iteration, one wherein new topics must be admin-approved. That place always had heavy-handed moderation, but I don't think I want any part of RDF 2 - Electric Boogaloo.

[COLONEL]

Sorta suffering fools not gladly....but with just a smidgeon of distain...........I like that in a horse. Gee I'm begining to wonder if you have a fetish about horses ? If you do , you might want to go to one of the sex sites and talk with Shemp ,he is into animals also :D

[Staropeace]

Yuck....not I.

You have me mistaken for Catherine the Great,mayhaps.

[Hawk one]

Let's just say, Staropeace, that the amount of weird inside jokes in this place - especially the Community subforum - could make even Bill Hicks feel right at home.

[amb]

I hope that with the demise of the RDF we will be kept as busy as a one armed bricklayer in welcoming new members. :)

[Kwalish Kid]

Hey y'all. I've been pointed over here from the Bautforums. I'm trying to get a little more general science and anti-woo stuff into my brain. Nice to met you.

[amb]

You are more than welcome. Now, how would you like your hamster done? See, each and every new member is given a welcoming dinner of hamster cooked to your specifications, a glass of goats milk, a hand full of Grayman's organic oatmeal cookies and a Mintie as a mouth refresher after dinner mint.

[Dandyone]

I have been reading the 'conspiracy' threads here on jref for a couple of days and there doesn't seem to be many "conspiracy theorists" posting. I wonder why? Also, what exactly is 'woo'? Seems to be a common term used here. I am what would be considered a conspiracy theorist in that I believe that there are problems with several official historical accounts of events. JFK, RFK, 9-11, Federal Reserve System etc. Am I unwelcome here? Seems to be a pretty hostile environment. At any rate, I look forward to some debate and possibly give the bulk of the members someone to shoot at. Cheers.

[Mr. Skinny]

I have been reading the 'conspiracy' threads here on jref for a couple of days and there doesn't seem to be many "conspiracy theorists" posting. I wonder why? Also, what exactly is 'woo'? Seems to be a common term used here. I am what would be considered a conspiracy theorist in that I believe that there are problems with several official historical accounts of events. JFK, RFK, 9-11, Federal Reserve System etc. Am I unwelcome here? Seems to be a pretty hostile environment. At any rate, I look forward to some debate and possibly give the bulk of the members someone to shoot at. Cheers.
Welcome to the JREF forum.

I think there aren't too many conspiracy theorists because they get driven off by requests from forum members for evidence from that they can't produce. (and that is probably the worst sentence I've written in a while :))

No one is unwelcome here unless you just come to troll. Yes, it can appear hostile, but if you can back up your claims, you shouldn't have a problem.

I haven't seen much in the way of RFK controversy to be honest.

Skinny

[Foolmewunz]

Yuck....not I.

You have me mistaken for Catherine the Great,mayhaps.

Insert obligatory skeptic debunk of the UL of The Demise of Catherine the Great, here.

[Foolmewunz]

I have been reading the 'conspiracy' threads here on jref for a couple of days and there doesn't seem to be many "conspiracy theorists" posting. I wonder why? Also, what exactly is 'woo'? Seems to be a common term used here. I am what would be considered a conspiracy theorist in that I believe that there are problems with several official historical accounts of events. JFK, RFK, 9-11, Federal Reserve System etc. Am I unwelcome here? Seems to be a pretty hostile environment. At any rate, I look forward to some debate and possibly give the bulk of the members someone to shoot at. Cheers.


Well, like Mr. Skinny, I'm going to say you're certainly welcome here. I cannot promise that you won't get a somewhat hostile reception in the CT sub-forums, though. We're a scrappy lot over there.

But I will disagree that we don't have any Conspiracists. (I won't flatter them by calling their mishmash of arguments from personal incredulity, gossip, innuendo, quote mining, and outright lies to be "theories".) You'll find a number of them who've been around for a while. You'll also find that there are a number of posters who regularly inhabit other sub-forums (like Politics, or General Skepticism or even Science/Medicine) who have one or another of their own pet conspiracies that they support.
(Go into politics, start a thread entitled "Why Vince Foster's Suicide Was Simply That, A SUICIDE",... go ahead, I dare ya!)

But you do understand that you're at a skeptics' site, right? Conspiracy fans use that term to generally mean "never trust what the big ebil gubmint tells you". We, if we're popping on all cylinders that day, use it to mean, "never trust what anyone simply TELLS you - check the facts and the evidence". Many of us are former or reformed Conspiracists. Many of us have actual questions that we would still like to see answered irrevocably and with documentary proof on various topics, e.g. The Maine, Pearl Harbor, JFK, and Who Shot JR.

If you have actual hard evidence to support any of your personal pet favorites (let's just say I'd be surprised if you've got anything, say, on JFK that we haven't heard before), by all means, please present it. If you present your information in an organized fashion and are prepared to back it up with actual cites, you will have at least a few people who will welcome the discussion. But you'll need to be thick-skinned. I said "at least a few people".... not "everyone". And - If you leap in and start calling folks "sheeple" or "bushies" or make any general assumptions, we'll probably just do a little soft-shoe on your windpipe - figuratively, of course. (insert smiley of your choice - just kidding, here)

[arthwollipot]

Also, what exactly is 'woo'? Seems to be a common term used here."Woo" is everything that skeptics are skeptical of.

The paranormal, the supernatural, the ghosts, the UFOs, the telepathy and the psychokinesis. The remote viewing, the Intelligent Design. The NWO and the Illuminati - but only that Illuminati that doesn't actually exist. The Bigfoot, the Atlantis, the spoon-bending, the ear candling, the acupuncture and the homeopathy. The spirits, the souls, the Holy Spirit and the Chi. All are woo in someone's eyes. Telling the woo from the non-woo...

That's what we're all about.

[The Man]

I have been reading the 'conspiracy' threads here on jref for a couple of days and there doesn't seem to be many "conspiracy theorists" posting. I wonder why?

Must be a conspiracy among the conspiracy theorists not to post here.



Also, what exactly is 'woo'? Seems to be a common term used here.

Derived from “woo woo” a phrase often used by Randi to refer to credulous beliefs.



I am what would be considered a conspiracy theorist in that I believe that there are problems with several official historical accounts of events. JFK, RFK, 9-11, Federal Reserve System etc. Am I unwelcome here?

Of course, have a cookie, some Minties and some goat’s milk. How about a fried hamster or two?



Seems to be a pretty hostile environment. At any rate, I look forward to some debate and possibly give the bulk of the members someone to shoot at. Cheers.

One of the reasons you will not likely find me on the CT threads (or R&P for the most part), everybody seems to get pretty nasty very quickly. Good luck to you and welcome again. Oh, I think they like moving targets (not moving goal posts) the best, so try to stay mobile and watch out for the guy in the grassy knoll.


Also welcome to everyone else, particularly the refugees from the RD forum (I think we are going to need some more hamsters)

[LibraryLady]

:welcome3


Abandon all woo, ye who enter here.

And remember to return your library books.

[graceland_homegrown]

I have been a regular visitor to the JREF website for several years, but it was this week I took a deeper dive into the forum for the first time. Stumbled over a great audio-scam-related thread that I enjoyed very much.

Anyway, to introduce myself: I think I can call myself a long time skeptic, since the days when I refused to accept the religious beliefs of my (catholic) parents when I was a young child. To submit my thinking to any religion or similar superstitious ideas always gave me the shivers.

Over the school years I developed interest for both history and science and became more and more fascinated how many people believe in the countless kinds of bizarre BS our world has to offer.

Since I am always prepared to argue against religion, esoteric rubbish, health fraud, psychotic CTs or even silly "sound improvement" products some audio companies offer it is great to find so many straight thinking people round here. A friendly hello to all of you!

[Fletcher20]

Thanks for the welcome.

[amb]

I have been a regular visitor to the JREF website for several years, but it was this week I took a deeper dive into the forum for the first time. Stumbled over a great audio-scam-related thread that I enjoyed very much.

Anyway, to introduce myself: I think I can call myself a long time skeptic, since the days when I refused to accept the religious beliefs of my (catholic) parents when I was a young child. To submit my thinking to any religion or similar superstitious ideas always gave me the shivers.

Over the school years I developed interest for both history and science and became more and more fascinated how many people believe in the countless kinds of bizarre BS our world has to offer.

Since I am always prepared to argue against religion, esoteric rubbish, health fraud, psychotic CTs or even silly "sound improvement" products some audio companies offer it is great to find so many straight thinking people round here. A friendly hello to all of you!

Welcome. Please note post no. 1063. above.
Now, how would you like your hamster done? Medium rare?

[Snoogens]

Howdy all,

I've been lurking for a while, and finally decided to make use of my registration :)

[Femke]

Howdy all,

I've been lurking for a while, and finally decided to make use of my registration :)

Ah thanks, now I know why I felt watched all the time.
:welcome2
And now we've been properly introduced, can I get you something? Some goats milk, a cookie, Minties, we've got quite a buffet going. There seems to be hamster-in-the-hole, would you like some?

Femke

ETA: oh, and of course what LibraryLady said. Never forget to return your books.

[Snoogens]

Mutilated monkey meat? French fried parakeet? :D

[graceland_homegrown]

Welcome. Please note post no. 1063. above.
Now, how would you like your hamster done? Medium rare?

All woo abandoned, sir. Forever. Instead of hamster, could it be guinea pig for me? Possibly stuffed with walnuts, parsley, oregano and onions. And ice cold beer would be fine, too!

[hud]

Hello folks,

I have been lurking here for a while and thought I would register on the off chance that I would have something to offer to one of the many discussions.

Boring personal info: 42, married, 3 kids, 1 dog, skeptic by birth.

Boring historical/literary note: There's an old Asimov short story in a book that I own featuring a character named "The Amazing Larry" or something like that. Magician, debunker, and all around interesting character. I've always assumed it was based on Randi, which eventually led me here.

hud

[LibraryLady]

Mutilated monkey meat? French fried parakeet? :D

Well, haven't you just cooked your goose.

* LibraryLady lays her plans for revenge.

[COLONEL]

All woo abandoned, sir. Forever. Instead of hamster, could it be guinea pig for me? Possibly stuffed with walnuts, parsley, oregano and onions. And ice cold beer would be fine, too! Hey this ain't Buger King ,you take what we offer Goats milk ,cookies ,MINTIES and Hamsters or go with out .
Thats the official welcome lunch . Now how do you want that hamster cooked ? OH and Welcome to the site

[quadraginta]

All woo abandoned, sir. Forever. Instead of hamster, could it be guinea pig for me? Possibly stuffed with walnuts, parsley, oregano and onions. And ice cold beer would be fine, too!

Hey this ain't Buger King ,you take what we offer Goats milk ,cookies ,MINTIES and Hamsters or go with out .
Thats the official welcome lunch . Now how do you want that hamster cooked ? OH and Welcome to the site


Not only that, it seems like a waste feeding good beer to guinea pigs.

[graceland_homegrown]

Hey this ain't Buger King ,you take what we offer Goats milk ,cookies ,MINTIES and Hamsters or go with out .
Thats the official welcome lunch . Now how do you want that hamster cooked ? OH and Welcome to the site

All right, I see, the menu has its limtations here.

Please tell the cook that I insist on this procedure:

1. Rinse the freshly killed hamster in water, ensuring it is entirely saturated. Leave the hamster in the water long enough to soak to the skin; this will keep the hair together and make it easier to skin.

2. Take out the entrails using a sharp knife. Cut on the belly from just under the ribs, through the abdomen and toward the hindquarters. Remove the bladder first, being careful not to spill any urine on the meat. Open the pelvis and take out the remaining organs.

3. Skin the hamster by slicing just under the skin from the hind end and over the belly to the hamster's flanks. Take the tail and pull toward the forelegs, removing the hide.

4. Cut off the hamster´s feet and head. Pull the remaining skin from the legs. Remove the innards as soon as possible. Meat that marinates in the innards will taste gamy.

5. Cut the hamster into pieces and dredge in flour and seasonings. Fry in oil until browned and simmer for 30 minutes.

That will taste great with the minties and the goats milk.

If the hamster was raised with ice cold beer, it would definitely be good; please note that this isn´t considered a must. A nice, fresh beer served right after the goats milk would do fine either.

[amb]

All right, I see, the menu has its limtations here.

Please tell the cook that I insist on this procedure:

1. Rinse the freshly killed hamster in water, ensuring it is entirely saturated. Leave the hamster in the water long enough to soak to the skin; this will keep the hair together and make it easier to skin.

2. Take out the entrails using a sharp knife. Cut on the belly from just under the ribs, through the abdomen and toward the hindquarters. Remove the bladder first, being careful not to spill any urine on the meat. Open the pelvis and take out the remaining organs.

3. Skin the hamster by slicing just under the skin from the hind end and over the belly to the hamster's flanks. Take the tail and pull toward the forelegs, removing the hide.

4. Cut off the hamster´s feet and head. Pull the remaining skin from the legs. Remove the innards as soon as possible. Meat that marinates in the innards will taste gamy.

5. Cut the hamster into pieces and dredge in flour and seasonings. Fry in oil until browned and simmer for 30 minutes.

That will taste great with the minties and the goats milk.

If the hamster was raised with ice cold beer, it would definitely be good; please note that this isn´t considered a must. A nice, fresh beer served right after the goats milk would do fine either.

Would you also like some smoked salmon perhaps? How about some Russian Beluga caviar? Joking. Welcome to the forum. :p

[COLONEL]

I just don't know about some of these NewB's AMB

[amb]

Yes Colonel. With some, you give an inch, but they demand a mile. :)

[Soapy Sam]

Right! All you RDF new bugs! Don't stand in the door. You'll be trampled. Move along.
Pick up your hamster, your instruction leaflets and your copy of THE VIDEO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Amy0ScBtQ
And STOP SNIVELLING! You're not in bloody Oxford any more, Toto.
See matron about some dry trousers.
You boy! What are you chewing? Spit him out at once and move along!

Good grief. It's like being back at St.Custards...

[BrewnSki]

I have been lurking here since about 2002 when Randi gave a talk at my College, and finally decided it's time to stop creepily reading over everyones shoulder and join the forum.

Sorry no witty banter for my first post.

[Mr. Skinny]

Sorry no witty banter for my first post.
Away with you then !!!!:)



Welcome to the forum. Glad you quit your disgusting, creepy behavior.

[LibraryLady]

I have been lurking here since about 2002 when Randi gave a talk at my College, and finally decided it's time to stop creepily reading over everyones shoulder and join the forum.

Sorry no witty banter for my first post.

That was you?

[COLONEL]

I have been lurking here since about 2002 when Randi gave a talk at my College, and finally decided it's time to stop creepily reading over everyones shoulder and join the forum.

Sorry no witty banter for my first post. So you're the one . Welcome to the forum and I will let AMB give you the milk and cookies

[amb]

No, no. Grayman has the cookies. I have the minties. Please pay attention Colonel.

Whatever happened to the goat? Shemp hasn't been seen around here has he?

[quadraginta]

Whatever happened to the goat? Shemp hasn't been seen around here has he?


Shemp was last seen soliciting barbecue recipes at the Spanish Market.







(Well ... he was soliciting something. :boggled:)

[B1 Bummer]

Hello. This is very interesting forum, so I thought I might like to post something now and then. I hope not to offend, for a gentleman never offends anyone unintentionally.

[COLONEL]

Hello. This is very interesting forum, so I thought I might like to post something now and then. I hope not to offend, for a gentleman never offends anyone unintentionally.
Welcome as long as you don't harras the goat I will not be offended

[Femke]

Hello. This is very interesting forum, so I thought I might like to post something now and then. I hope not to offend, for a gentleman never offends anyone unintentionally.

:welcome2, by all means, Sir. So, you are a gentleman? Evidence? :D

Would you be so kind as to take off your hat, and park your umbrella in the stand, before you unintentionally hurt anyone with it?
Can I offer some refreshments? The goats milk should be fresh, there are always cookies and Minties, and please take a hamster, fresh from the grill.

And after that, the goat might be along shortly to take you to a thread of your choosing. If not, just jump right in, and enjoy!

Welcome,
Femke

[Staropeace]

But watch out for the Lamb of God....he will offer to ride you in his car and then put you out on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

[amb]

But watch out for the Lamb of God....he will offer to ride you in his car and then put you out on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

Of course you'd have a nice recipe for that Lamb Of God? :p

[Helen]

Hi, I'm Helen (no surprises there...). I thought at first that I would make up a really witty, erudite and interesting user name, but somehow that didn't happen. And then I realised that by using my own name I might plant the idea in your minds that I am gorgeously beautiful, and constantly battled over by powerful men.

Not that I'm not, you understand. But my face has probably never launched any ships. My father did build us a few boats when I was a child, and we sort of launched them by dragging them across lots of sand and into the sea. but as far as I remember my face was never involved in any meaningful way.

But I digress. Yes, I know that's obvious, but I mean that is what I do. We have a saying in my family "Från Karl XII till plättar", Swedish for from Charles XII to pancakes. Although not quite pancakes, since plättar are smaller, and made in a special skillet. it's really the same thing though, they are made from the same batter. But plättar still taste a bit different. Size does matter, apparently.

What with the Charles XII and pancakes thing, dinner conversations in my house can be very confusing. My partner used to say about me that I had a loose mind (I think that is what he used to say, at least.) He loved that about me. Some of the time...

What was I saying?

Oh yes. I'm 50 and then some, Swedish, I spent my university years pottering about with languages and litterature, and my working life in much the same way. I pretend that I am self employed these days, but the emphasis seems to be more on the self, than the employed. Which is fine with me. My fingers are far faster than my mind, and I am a horrible proof reader. Sorry about that.

I really like this place, and have found huge amounts of useful information, as well as much entertainment, here. it is a bit intimidating, however, to unlurk, among people who are so clever and well informed. When I feel that way I throw myself into some of the longer threads of the "why we know the New testament writers wrote the truth"-variety. They make me feel better about my own intellect...

After lurking here for ages, I feel I know some of you quite well, and that was beginning to feel a bit creepy. Finally introducing myself, if that is in fact what I have done here, makes med feel better about that.

There! Done! Hi!

[amb]

among people who are so clever and well informed.

Where are they? Are you talking about us? :D

[Femke]

Hi, I'm Helen (no surprises there...). I thought at first that I would make up a really witty, erudite and interesting user name, but somehow that didn't happen. And then I realised that by using my own name I might plant the idea in your minds that I am gorgeously beautiful, and constantly battled over by powerful men.
<respectful snip>

:D I know the feeling. I could not come up with a witty user name either. Let's start a group with real name users.
BTW I like the idea you planted in my mind. We really like fine faces around here. The more goddesses the better. :welcome2

But I digress.
<respectful snip>
What was I saying?

No, please, keep on digressing, we do it all the time.
I forgot to offer you a hamster, didn't I? Shame on me. How would hamster plättar taste?

<snip> When I feel that way I throw myself into some of the longer threads of the "why we know the New testament writers wrote the truth"-variety. They make me feel better about my own intellect...

I'm quite fond of the old Challenge threads myself. Especially the guys who are convinced nobody will call them on their bovine excrement, and go all huffy when we do.

After lurking here for ages, I feel I know some of you quite well, and that was beginning to feel a bit creepy. Finally introducing myself, if that is in fact what I have done here, makes med feel better about that.

There! Done! Hi!

Well done. You seem to know your way around already, so I won't need to tell the goat to take you anywhere.

There must be an unlurking virus around, with so many lurkers delurking now.

[Helen]

Thank you for the hamster offer, Femke, always very acceptable of course! And why not with plättar? If not hamsters, perhaps goat's cheese? But I feel it may be best to stear clear of the goats, at least to begin with, I'm afraid a goat might lead me to places I dare not go. Such as the politics forum.

Amb, I could swear I have seen some! If you let me think about it for a while I might remember where.

[COLONEL]

Thank you for the hamster offer, Femke, always very acceptable of course! And why not with plättar? If not hamsters, perhaps goat's cheese? But I feel it may be best to stear clear of the goats, at least to begin with, I'm afraid a goat might lead me to places I dare not go. Such as the politics forum.

Amb, I could swear I have seen some! If you let me think about it for a while I might remember where. Trust me the Goat will never take you any place you do not wish to go , As far as Goat cheese goes I only make it on special occasions ,but seeing as you are new I will put some out today, to go with the Goats milk ,Grayman oatmeal cookies ,the BBQ Hamsters that are being served today and the minties . Welcome as you probably have read before ,make sure you return all over due librarybooks and bow towards Kenworth factory in Kent Wa.

[Roadtoad]

Hi, I'm Helen (no surprises there...). I thought at first that I would make up a really witty, erudite and interesting user name, but somehow that didn't happen. And then I realised that by using my own name I might plant the idea in your minds that I am gorgeously beautiful, and constantly battled over by powerful men.

Not that I'm not, you understand. But my face has probably never launched any ships. My father did build us a few boats when I was a child, and we sort of launched them by dragging them across lots of sand and into the sea. but as far as I remember my face was never involved in any meaningful way.

But I digress. Yes, I know that's obvious, but I mean that is what I do. We have a saying in my family "Från Karl XII till plättar", Swedish for from Charles XII to pancakes. Although not quite pancakes, since plättar are smaller, and made in a special skillet. it's really the same thing though, they are made from the same batter. But plättar still taste a bit different. Size does matter, apparently.

What with the Charles XII and pancakes thing, dinner conversations in my house can be very confusing. My partner used to say about me that I had a loose mind (I think that is what he used to say, at least.) He loved that about me. Some of the time...

What was I saying?

Oh yes. I'm 50 and then some, Swedish, I spent my university years pottering about with languages and litterature, and my working life in much the same way. I pretend that I am self employed these days, but the emphasis seems to be more on the self, than the employed. Which is fine with me. My fingers are far faster than my mind, and I am a horrible proof reader. Sorry about that.

I really like this place, and have found huge amounts of useful information, as well as much entertainment, here. it is a bit intimidating, however, to unlurk, among people who are so clever and well informed. When I feel that way I throw myself into some of the longer threads of the "why we know the New testament writers wrote the truth"-variety. They make me feel better about my own intellect...

After lurking here for ages, I feel I know some of you quite well, and that was beginning to feel a bit creepy. Finally introducing myself, if that is in fact what I have done here, makes med feel better about that.

There! Done! Hi!

Welcome, Helen. Do take the time to bow three times in the direction of Kent, Washington, (which also produces components for the superb DAF trucks of Europe), and have a mintie and some goat's milk, along with a cookie or two.

Just a head's up: You might want to watch out for Shemp and the Marquis. (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink...)

[Staropeace]

We have an orb watching contest every saturday night....the winner who films the most gets a free rose crystal or a frontal lobotomy....your choice. It cant get any better than that.

[B1 Bummer]

African or European hamster?

[Roadtoad]

African or European hamster?

African, of course. Those Euro hamsters tend to get stuck in the damnedest places.

[Chris Hegarty]

Hello, everyone! My name is Chris, and I'd like to amaze you all with witticisms, but unfortunately I possess knowledge of relatively few. I'm an undergrad in the Krannert School of Management at Purdue University studying economics. I've lurked here for quite a while; it's a lovely community centered around the idea of free thought, which is rather refreshing. I was raised Catholic, de-converted a few years ago, and I am now a rather abrasive atheist. I run a blog at hegartyblog.wordpress.com that's mostly about economics, science, and atheism; it's been a bit of a pet project of mine lately. I spent my high school years reading nerdy science books instead of doing sports, and hopefully here I can find some other hopeless nerds. :p I'm openly gay, I've been dating the same guy for three years, which is a phenomenon not as uncommon as the Religious Reich would have ya'll believe. So, that's Chris 101. I'm glad to meet you all in advance!

[Femke]

Hi Chris,

Welcome, it sounds like you'll fit right in, this must be quite a forum for real nerds (I outnerded my computer fixer just the other week by proposing he call my new silvercoloured laptop 1701-D. He was surprised that a blonde female knew which starship this was referring to!).
Or were you lured in by the thread Is JREF A Gay Organisation? As far as we know it is all of the above and more.
All instructions by Roadtoad and Colonel apply to you too, of course, I don't need to reiterate them, do I?

[amb]

A hearty welcome to all newbies. Please come in out of the cold. Make yourselves at home.
COLONEL will be along in a minute with the menu. Meanwhile, have a Mintie and a glass of freshly milked goats milk.

[COLONEL]

Todays NewB's have the choice of Goats milk batter Fried ,baked or Charcoal roasted Hamsters, Also we have fresh Fetta Goat cheese,It will be served for today only and only while it last

[Normal Dude]

All right, I see, the menu has its limtations here.

Please tell the cook that I insist on this procedure:

1. Rinse the freshly killed hamster in water, ensuring it is entirely saturated. Leave the hamster in the water long enough to soak to the skin; this will keep the hair together and make it easier to skin.

2. Take out the entrails using a sharp knife. Cut on the belly from just under the ribs, through the abdomen and toward the hindquarters. Remove the bladder first, being careful not to spill any urine on the meat. Open the pelvis and take out the remaining organs.

3. Skin the hamster by slicing just under the skin from the hind end and over the belly to the hamster's flanks. Take the tail and pull toward the forelegs, removing the hide.

4. Cut off the hamster´s feet and head. Pull the remaining skin from the legs. Remove the innards as soon as possible. Meat that marinates in the innards will taste gamy.

5. Cut the hamster into pieces and dredge in flour and seasonings. Fry in oil until browned and simmer for 30 minutes.

That will taste great with the minties and the goats milk.

If the hamster was raised with ice cold beer, it would definitely be good; please note that this isn´t considered a must. A nice, fresh beer served right after the goats milk would do fine either.

I can see you will get along just fine in the Community forum.

[LibraryLady]

Hi, I'm Helen (no surprises there...). I thought at first that I would make up a really witty, erudite and interesting user name, but somehow that didn't happen. And then I realised that by using my own name I might plant the idea in your minds that I am gorgeously beautiful, and constantly battled over by powerful men.

Not that I'm not, you understand. But my face has probably never launched any ships. My father did build us a few boats when I was a child, and we sort of launched them by dragging them across lots of sand and into the sea. but as far as I remember my face was never involved in any meaningful way.

But I digress. Yes, I know that's obvious, but I mean that is what I do. We have a saying in my family "Från Karl XII till plättar", Swedish for from Charles XII to pancakes. Although not quite pancakes, since plättar are smaller, and made in a special skillet. it's really the same thing though, they are made from the same batter. But plättar still taste a bit different. Size does matter, apparently.

What with the Charles XII and pancakes thing, dinner conversations in my house can be very confusing. My partner used to say about me that I had a loose mind (I think that is what he used to say, at least.) He loved that about me. Some of the time...

What was I saying?

Oh yes. I'm 50 and then some, Swedish, I spent my university years pottering about with languages and litterature, and my working life in much the same way. I pretend that I am self employed these days, but the emphasis seems to be more on the self, than the employed. Which is fine with me. My fingers are far faster than my mind, and I am a horrible proof reader. Sorry about that.

I really like this place, and have found huge amounts of useful information, as well as much entertainment, here. it is a bit intimidating, however, to unlurk, among people who are so clever and well informed. When I feel that way I throw myself into some of the longer threads of the "why we know the New testament writers wrote the truth"-variety. They make me feel better about my own intellect...

After lurking here for ages, I feel I know some of you quite well, and that was beginning to feel a bit creepy. Finally introducing myself, if that is in fact what I have done here, makes med feel better about that.

There! Done! Hi!


Wonderful! Another 50 something woman to join me in my campaign!

But.....your library books? Have they been returned?

[Helen]

But.....your library books? Have they been returned?
Dear Library Lady, library books are a sacred trust, and I ALWAYS return them. On occasion, I have even returned more books than I borrowed, as an hommage to the unsung heroes of the known universe; the librarians.

And no matter what campaign you are embarked on, I will join you!

As long as it doesn't keep me up too late at night:blush:

[amb]

A lady with a great sense of humor. What a delightful addition to this great forum.
Now, I have to go pick an appropriate thread to post my 10.000 post. Wish me luck. :)

[COLONEL]

A lady with a great sense of humor. What a delightful addition to this great forum.
Now, I have to go pick an appropriate thread to post my 10.000 post. Wish me luck. :)
:jaw-dropp LUCK :D All I need is 7,354 and I will catch you

[cienaños]

Hello.

[amb]

Hello.

Hello. Welcome to the forum. Would you like a hamster or some oatmeal cookies with your glass of fresh goats milk? :)

[lionking]

Hello.
Weird? Stay away from the Conspiracy Theory thread then. :D Welcome.

[cienaños]

Hello. Welcome to the forum. Would you like a hamster or some oatmeal cookies with your glass of fresh goats milk? :)

Is it a male oatmeal cookie?

[cienaños]

Weird? Stay away from the Conspiracy Theory thread then. :D Welcome.

Conspiracy Theory is like a glazed hamster dipped in warm goat's milk. I have someone getting some for me. Care for a halved half? I'm quite hungry.

[arthwollipot]

I think you'll fit in here quite well.

[cienaños]

I think you'll fit in here quite well.

They kicked me off this other Writer's Block Forum. They were mad that I wasn't posting anything.

[Chris Hegarty]

Hi Chris,

Welcome, it sounds like you'll fit right in, this must be quite a forum for real nerds (I outnerded my computer fixer just the other week by proposing he call my new silvercoloured laptop 1701-D. He was surprised that a blonde female knew which starship this was referring to!).
Or were you lured in by the thread Is JREF A Gay Organisation? As far as we know it is all of the above and more.

It might be equally sad that I know exactly what you're talking about. D is my favorite, even if E looks much more badass.

I wasn't lured in particularly by any thread; I haven't even seen that particular thread yet! I mostly lurked on the business/finance forum.:boxedin:

[Aquila]

Could someone please tell me why my new forum avatar is not displaying?
I deleted my old one earlier today and replaced it with a new picture, but the old one still shows up.

[COLONEL]

Could someone please tell me why my new forum avatar is not displaying?
I deleted my old one earlier today and replaced it with a new picture, but the old one still shows up.
Could be your new one was to big . try it again and see what it tells you after you hit save

[Hokulele]

Could someone please tell me why my new forum avatar is not displaying?
I deleted my old one earlier today and replaced it with a new picture, but the old one still shows up.


Did you change your avatar or your profile picture? There are two options that sound very similar and people get them confused all the time.

[Aquila]

Did you change your avatar or your profile picture? There are two options that sound very similar and people get them confused all the time.

Thank you Holulele! :jaw-dropp
I had changed my profile picture thinking that it was my avatar.

COLONEL: Thanks for your suggestion. I had changed the wrong picture. My new avatar is only 22KB out of an allowed 45.

[Hokulele]

Thank you Holulele! :jaw-dropp
I had changed my profile picture thinking that it was my avatar.


I'm glad that helped. :)

It really does happen to people all the time, I think I got bit by that one when I first tried to change avatars.

[Femke]

It might be equally sad that I know exactly what you're talking about. D is my favorite, even if E looks much more badass.
:D I'm old enough to be a TNG'er. But agree with you on the E. (I had to look it up in the ST Encyclopedia...)

I wasn't lured in particularly by any thread; I haven't even seen that particular thread yet! I mostly lurked on the business/finance forum.:boxedin:
It is in the next forum (JREF), triggered by the preferences of our new president, or so I'm told. Where I come from, that does not raise any eyebrows, so I skipped it.

[Corky]

Hello, "new blood" Corky here. Nice forum but big. I hope I can find my way around in here.

[Foolmewunz]

I'm glad that helped. :)

It really does happen to people all the time, I think I got bit by that one when I first tried to change avatars.

You still think it was "that one" that bit you? Damn, that Tricky sure is tricky.

[Foolmewunz]

Hello, "new blood" Corky here. Nice forum but big. I hope I can find my way around in here.

Hey, and welcome Corky. It's not that big, really. We have a terrific interior decorator who does tricks with the lighting and has mirrors in the smaller rooms so they look bigger. You'll realize some of the size limitations if you get stuck waiting for the loo at the Friday night goat milk kegger.

Folks who are awed by the options are sometimes best off heading into a more innocuous area like Sports or Humor or Forum Community, and doing a little dog-paddling before diving into the deep end. It allows you to meet, in a casual setting, some of the folks you may be doing battle discussing issues with at a later date. Plus, it allows you to jack up your post count so you can get linking privileges, nifty avatars, and discount vacations at the Marquis de Carabas Luxury Resort.

[amb]

Hello, "new blood" Corky here. Nice forum but big. I hope I can find my way around in here.

Hi Corky. You are not the corky from the Rationalscepticism forum are you?

I'm also from there having jumped overboard from RDF.

No matter, a very warm welcome to this, probably the best forum around.

Now, with that out of the way, how do you want your hamster cooked? Have you any overdue library books laying around, you should return them asap.
:)

[cienaños]

Hello, "new blood" Corky here. Nice forum but big. I hope I can find my way around in here.

Do you know where I can get some oatmeal cookies around here?

[cienaños]

Hi Corky. You are not the corky from the Rationalscepticism forum are you?

I'm also from there having jumped overboard from RDF.

No matter, a very warm welcome to this, probably the best forum around.

Now, with that out of the way, how do you want your hamster cooked? Have you any overdue library books laying around, you should return them asap.
:)

I'll take the glazed hamster please. I ordered it like a day ago.

[COLONEL]

I'll take the glazed hamster please. I ordered it like a day ago.
Patients young Grass hopper it takes time to make the special Glaze sauce . they should have told you that when you ordered it . Now go stand in the corner until AMB tells you your hamster is ready.

Get a hold of the Grayman he is the maker of the oatmeal cookies . he will be so happy that some one is requesting oatmael cookies.


Welcome to the site.

[cienaños]

Patients young Grass hopper it takes time to make the special Glaze sauce . they should have told you that when you ordered it . Now go stand in the corner until AMB tells you your hamster is ready.


I've paid my shunts. By God I've paid them.

[Mirrorglass]

Hello everybody.

Some time ago, I was given a chick tract, and, not content to simply bask in it's wisdom, I researched the subject on the web, quickly finding my self here. I was soon attracted to the combination of intelligent discussion and humour, and, after a few weeks spent lurking, decided to make my debut as a contributing member.

I'm a student living in Finland, in my early twenties, and ideologically rather close to a skeptic. I intend to hang out at the general forums, throwing in my opinions and undoubtedly embarrassing myself several times. I hope that you all will forgive whatever newcomer mistakes I make, and that we may have many entertaining discussions together.

With best regards,
Mirrorglass (not my real name, in case you're wondering)

[COLONEL]

Welcome Mirrorglass I will call you MG ,As you have been lurking you probably know the rules . Any ways as I tell all or most NewB's Have a glass of Goats milk ,to wash down the Grayman oat meal cookie . then you may take a MINTIE. Tell the cook how you would like your Hamster cooked , Return all overdue library books or you will suffer at the hands of the Library lady, Bow toward Kent , last but not least pat the Goat on the head when you see it .

[Roadtoad]

...last but not least pat the Goat on the head when you see it .

With your hand, that is. :D

[Mirrorglass]

Yay, milk and cooties! And the tie will go great with my MAXCUFFLINKS. As for my order, please use lots of smoke but hold back on the ster. As for the books, I'm sorry to say they had an encounter with the roast beef sandwich in my bag, with rather unfortunate results to both. But I'll be happy to provide an insightful synopsis on the parts I read, as a replacement. If Kent really wants my old BOWTIE, I'll be happy to part with it.

With your hand, that is. :D

Aw, you're no fun anymore.

[Rigel2112]

Hello all I am new around. Just discovered the JREF last year when I happened across a live feed from TAM and I have been reading and watching about the great stuff James Randi had done over the years since.

I will share with you one of my favorite James Randi moments. This is the video when on the Carson show he busts Popoff and states that he is not aware of the video until that very moment.

I think if p0wned ever made it to a dictionary this would be the description.

[amb]

Welcome Rigel2112. If Randi is your idol, I'm not to sure if it's still available. But you should try and get hold of his old book: A Dictionary Of The Paranormal. Brilliant stuff, debunking the paranormal alphabetically.

[sPyan-ras-gzigs dban]

Good morning everyone, I hope to be helpful in discussions, short poster you something very interesting ...!

[Lothian]

Good morning everyone, I hope to be helpful in discussions, short poster you something very interesting ...!Wow what a name, Do you mind if I call you sPyan-ras-gzigs for short?

[sPyan-ras-gzigs dban]

Wow what a name, Do you mind if I call you sPyan-ras-gzigs for short?

:) Ok ... !!!

[cienaños]

:) Ok ... !!!

Nice to meet you sPyan-ras-gzigs dban for short.

[amb]

Welcome zigs. You're not Polish are you? I mean, with a name that long. I'd hate to be next in line behind you at a social security Que.

[sPyan-ras-gzigs dban]

Welcome zigs. You're not Polish are you? I mean, with a name that long. I'd hate to be next in line behind you at a social security Que.

I am Italian, and I write from Rome :)

[sPyan-ras-gzigs dban]

Nice to meet you sPyan-ras-gzigs dban for short.

Delighted :) full name is: sPyan-ras-gzigs dbang-phyug which is the name of Avalokitesvara in Tibetan.

:)

[Foolmewunz]

Delighted :) full name is: sPyan-ras-gzigs dbang-phyug which is the name of Avalokitesvara in Tibetan.

:)

Well, welcome regardless of the impossible name. We're kind of a friendly bunch over here and like to address people by name (sometimes it's easier and preferrable to quoting whole gobs of text with the Reply With Quote function). I think the novelty will wear off, so we'll wind up looking for a shorter version, so you really might as well choose it yourself. (Personally, I'd recommend appealing to a certain DARAT and picking another name, but I've got a hangover and I'm ill-tempered when I'm hung over so pay me no mind.)

Or, you could just go back to calling yourself Prince.

[sPyan-ras-gzigs dban]

:)Well, welcome regardless of the impossible name. We're kind of a friendly bunch over here and like to address people by name (sometimes it's easier and preferrable to quoting whole gobs of text with the Reply With Quote function). I think the novelty will wear off, so we'll wind up looking for a shorter version, so you really might as well choose it yourself. (Personally, I'd recommend appealing to a certain DARAT and picking another name, but I've got a hangover and I'm ill-tempered when I'm hung over so pay me no mind.)

Or, you could just go back to calling yourself Prince.

Nice to meet you :)

[Foolmewunz]

I was getting ready to answer your question but you deleted that part... I guess you found it - you can get an avatar at 50 posts. A custom signature, too.

[LibraryLady]

Hi Corky. You are not the corky from the Rationalscepticism forum are you?

I'm also from there having jumped overboard from RDF.

No matter, a very warm welcome to this, probably the best forum around.

Now, with that out of the way, how do you want your hamster cooked? Have you any overdue library books laying around, you should return them asap.
:)

Okay, the next person who beats me to the overdue library books line is in big trouble.

* LibraryLady glares around the room.

[sPyan-ras-gzigs dban]

I was getting ready to answer your question but you deleted that part... I guess you found it - you can get an avatar at 50 posts. A custom signature, too.

Thanks Foolmewunz, that's it!

[COLONEL]

Okay, the next person who beats me to the overdue library books line is in big trouble.


Well you have to stop partying all night with the goat so that you can get out of bed early , and beat everyone here .

[Foolmewunz]

Well you have to stop partying all night with the goat so that you can get out of bed early , and beat everyone here .
I believe you're confusing the LL moderators.
I think LashL is in charge of the beatings, not Library Lady.

Yep, I checked the schedule. Library Lady has the Aerobics Class and Shuffle Board on the Lido deck at 0800, then Budgie Grooming 201 at 1030. LashL has Remedial Conspiracy Theory Discipline at 0800, and Washing Ducky's Mouth Out With Soap at 0930. :spjimlad::spjimlad:

[amb]

I am Italian, and I write from Rome :)

Well, if you need some assistance, I'm here to help. I'm Italian and can speak it quite fluently. [The southern Italian anyway] I'm a Napolitano born Australian.

[sPyan-ras-gzigs dban]

Well, if you need some assistance, I'm here to help. I'm Italian and can speak it quite fluently. [The southern Italian anyway] I'm a Napolitano born Australian.

You are very kind, very happy if I need :)

[QuestioningAnswers]

Hello everyone, I just signed up yesterday. My name is Adam and I would like to believe I have a scientific mind. If I said that I did certainly have a scientific mind I would no longer be scientific, but dogmatic.

According to various tests including one from Mensa; my IQ resides within the 99% percentile, but I don't take too much stock in those anyway. I know some do though; so I'm just throwing it out there. My spelling and grammar are pretty bad though, so bear with me. :)

Over half a decade ago I thought that with zero scientific proof of ESP, it was just a figment of a not-so-intelligent person's imagination. One day, by chance, I ran across someone claiming to be from a western intelligence agency which used something called remote viewing. They were offering a course in how to remote view. According to this person if the course did not work they would send 100% of your money back.

As a (supposed) man of science and a bit of a I jumped at the idea and ordered the course. I thought that I really had nothing to lose, but a lot to gain if it was true. After all, being open to new possibilities is the foundation of discovery.

To make a long story short, I did not return the course. It was not because I was lazy or that I did not care about the money; it was because I was getting results.

I trained at least twice a day for about 3 months and the results were nothing less than astounding to me. At the time I played a lot of texas holdem poker online. Now this was not 100% accurate, but after a quarter of a year's time with the course I was slowly training myself to know if I would win a hand or not. As time progressed, I was also starting to become better at telling where I would win the hand (on the flop, turn, or river).

The formula was simple. If I was going to win a hand, I (usually) a had what I can only describe as an odd feeling in my chest. If I was not going to win, I wouldn't feel anything. Now this wasn't as clear cut as some may like it to be because I was constantly second guessing myself. When I started to throw logic into the equation; I could not get accurate results. It was a matter of feeling and not logic.

This then progressed into knowing the outcomes of some NFL games. I could feel the winner of random games and the games of my favorite team. Now I did make a little money off of this, but I am so heavy into dealing with who should win statistically, that I often overrode those original feelings with who should be the logical winner. For some reason there seemed to be a link between logic and money with me; probably because money also deals with numbers.

There was a pretty big downside to this as well. I am a big Green Bay Packers fan, but this ability made watching games no fun. Even though I would second guess myself while watching a game, I somehow internally knew who would win the game. When you can feel who the winner of the game is going to be, what's the point in watching games at all? It takes all the fun out of watching the game. I still get these feelings at random times.

Anyway, after a little over 3 months of practicing the course twice every day I started feeling what I can only describe as "connected" to something. It was a feeling originating in my chest that....I just can't describe it as anything other than feeling connected to something. I really don't have anything to compare the feeling to to so I'm sorry if it does not make sense to you. I guess you could say that it's roughly the opposite of the sinking feeling that I know some people get when they hear about a family member's death. It's not a sinking bad feeling, but a good, peaceful feeling.

Along with this came an ultra sensitivity to other people's emotions around me. If there was only a minor squabble it would hurt me deeply in my chest; so much so that I could not breathe at times. I recall one instance when I just happened to be in the same room as my brother and mother when they started to have a disagreement. Now to most people this would be just a minor disagreement, but it hurt be very badly in my chest and all I could do was try to gasp for breath. It just wouldn't stop and I couldn't breathe so I started banging on a metal railing so they would stop. After they snapped out of their disagreement, I was fine and could breathe again.

After that incident, I was scared to continue the course any further. I had no idea what was going on with me. A little while after I stopped practicing the course; those feelings in my chest slowly faded, along with most of my other abilities. I emailed the creator of the course about what the hell was going on; why I couldn't breathe when people would have just minor disagreements. I didn't ever get an answer. I pretty much quit the course entirely and only practiced it once in a blue moon afterwords.

Most of the abilities and feelings I had while doing the course faded to a great extent, though at random times they reemerge. Apparently at times I can even call on myself to do these things, but the accuracy just isn't anywhere near it was when I was practicing the course twice daily.

Regardless, I would like to show you guys an example of one of these readings years after I had quit the course. As a little background, I at the time did not know who Steve Fossett was, nor had I heard about him going missing.

I thought that the person in the forum was asking to locate someone who was flying around the world so that we could remote view his location at any given time. It wasn't until after my preliminary reading that later that I googled the name Steve Fossett and found that this guy was actually missing. It was speculated at the time that he was lost in the desert and that's where they were searching for him. I got a different impression. Here is the forum post, my screen name JWoostyle1.

(after trying to submit this post, it wouldn't let me do so because I needed 15 posts to post a link; hopefully putting a space behind each "/" and period will work this time)
http: / / grillflame . net/ forums/ viewtopic . php?f=5&t=11241&view=next

I believe it was fairly accurate considering I had not been practicing the course for years. I believe there may be another couple examples on the forum, but nothing as detailed as this one.


Now I'm sure some may be asking if I would be willing to take the million dollar challenge. I really don't know that much about it, but I don't even think I could pass it at the moment (if at all). Possibly if I restarted the course to the extent I had before, maybe I could give it a try, but it seems like it would be very stressful. Maybe that's a mental link I have with the course because I couldn't breathe the last time I practiced it; I don't know.

When you do this, you don't even know what kind of information you are getting in the first place (at least in my experience). You don't know what significance the information you receive has to the target at all. You'll notice in that link that I was often questioning the information I was getting. This was the result of that unknown significance.

It's also not as if it is some clear, concise revelation of knowledge where you know everything; it's a soft feeling or image that you can just as easily ignore and replace with logic (again, at least in my experience).

You can believe what you would like. Make of it what you will. That's entirely up for you to decide. I'm sure it would be easy for many of you to find a reason as to why something like this does not exist and that's just fine. Nobody has to believe it. I just thought that I would present my experience for you guys.

[Femke]

Hi QuestioningAnswers,

Wow, that is quite an introduction. You might want to present this idea in the General forum to see what reactions you get. And in the meantime, would you like to settle in with a glass of fresh goats milk and some cookies, just to get a feel of the place? How would you like your hamster cooked? And don't forget to... <sees LibraryLady menacingly close all of a sudden> erm, take a Mintie to freshen your breath.
In any case: :welcome2

[grayman]

They kicked me off this other Writer's Block Forum. They were mad that I wasn't posting anything.
I got kicked off the Procrastinators Forum when I did post.

I said to them, "Oh yeah? Just you wait..."

[heykid]

well i suppose we were all new at one point in time...
hello all. After finding Randi,I found this place...figured why not?At least worth some laughs an quirked brows...

[SusanB-M1]

Questioning Answers

Interesting post. May I add a welcome, and suggest that you read up what Jon Ronson has to say about remote viewing? Also, I'm fairly sure there was a thread about this subject recently. I first read about it in a book called 'The Field' by Lynn McTaggart ... then I started looking for the truth!:) JREF is certainly the place where you will find it.

[mattyk]

Hi folks.

I am student studying to be a Primary School teacher at Southern Cross University (It won a bent spoon award from the Australian Skeptics) in the Northern Rivers of NSW (Home of Meryl Dorey and the Australian Vaccination Network).
Which is part of the reason I found this place.

I've basically come looking for help for in responding to a letter in the local paper about fluoridation it is in the "Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology" thread under "Help responding to a letter in the local paper" So if you can let me know. Since I have only two posts I can't post any links yet."

[Corky]

Hey, thanks for the welcome. Been doing a little reading here and there. So far no problems.

[Corky]

Hi Corky. You are not the corky from the Rationalscepticism forum are you?

I'm also from there having jumped overboard from RDF.

No matter, a very warm welcome to this, probably the best forum around.

Now, with that out of the way, how do you want your hamster cooked? Have you any overdue library books laying around, you should return them asap.
:)

Yes, I am from the rationalscepticism forum and the RDF forum and a few other forums besides. Thanks for the welcome.

[amb]

Yes, I am from the rationalscepticism forum and the RDF forum and a few other forums besides. Thanks for the welcome.

Ah, yes. I'm Angelo there. Good to see you. :) As you can see by my post count, I really live here. I also at this stage have no intention of returning to RDF.

Welcome to other newbies. Your hamsters will be served soon. :) :p

[lionking]

Hi folks.

I am student studying to be a Primary School teacher at Southern Cross University (It won a bent spoon award from the Australian Skeptics) in the Northern Rivers of NSW (Home of Meryl Dorey and the Australian Vaccination Network).
Which is part of the reason I found this place.

I've basically come looking for help for in responding to a letter in the local paper about fluoridation it is in the "Science, Mathematics, Medicine, and Technology" thread under "Help responding to a letter in the local paper" So if you can let me know. Since I have only two posts I can't post any links yet."
Welcome mattyk. I know Southern Cross University fairly well (my company has an office in your area) and my daughter is a Primary School teacher (and I always look at the aussie skeptics site), so we have a few things in common already. Hang around, and make sure you check out the Community, Humor and Sports sections.

[COLONEL]

Gee I take off for a few days and we get a bunch of NewB's and no one offers them any Goats milk or cookies? If it were not for AMB offering them Hamsters they would have starved.Good job Amb thank you.
Welcome all NewB'S

[Poison Oak]

Howdy all. Just letting you know there is another NewB looking over your shoulder. I stumbled across this site recently (don't remember now what I was searching for), and while viewing some of the threads my wife came in from a different room to find out what I was laughing about. Some of youse guys are crazy.

This is a huge site and I want to poke around a bit, and I joined so's I can do searches and other things guests can't do. Any questions I have about this site have probably been answered time and time again. It might take months to get through all of the older threads, but I'm having a ball going through them.

I have no overdue library books and want the hamster medium rare. Is there anything other than goat's milk for liquid refreshment?

How did I not find this forum before??????

[Femke]

Hi Poison Oak,

Welcome to our little boat of logic in a sea of irrationality. You sound like you will fit in quite nicely. Do you mind if I hand you the hamster on a pole? Nothing personal, but I was told to stay away from poison oak, and better safe than sorry, I guess.
Have some cookies, they go well with the goats milk. We are not allowed to serve anything else, I'm afraid. The beer that was flowing freely at the hamster barbecue was a nice diversion, but the crate lasted only a few posts, once news got around. And news gets around quickly in this forum!
:welcome2

[Corky]

Ah, yes. I'm Angelo there. Good to see you. :) As you can see by my post count, I really live here. I also at this stage have no intention of returning to RDF.

Yes, I see that you keep the keyboard hot :) It's nice to have a "home". RDF was too big, for me anyway, and RS is just about the same. I like Atheist Forums.com but too much profanity going on there.

My old hangouts on Delphi Forums have just about faded into nothing with hardly any posters anymore, so I guess I'll hang around with you all and see how it goes.

[DrJen]

Hi all...just finished the Amazing Adventure 5 today, so I thought I'd see what the forums are all about.:)

[Roadtoad]

Hi, Jen. Goat's milk? Cookie? Perhaps a Mintie? How do you want your hamster cooked? Have you returned all your library books and bowed three times in the direction of Kent, WA?

(And, please, be careful around the Marquis. We've been trying to discourage certain...)

YO! MARQUIS! COVER THAT UP! NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THAT!!!

[DrJen]

Hi, Jen. Goat's milk? Cookie? Perhaps a Mintie? How do you want your hamster cooked? Have you returned all your library books and bowed three times in the direction of Kent, WA?

(And, please, be careful around the Marquis. We've been trying to discourage certain...)

YO! MARQUIS! COVER THAT UP! NO ONE WANTS TO SEE THAT!!!
Hmmm. We met a very nice goat in St Thomas. I should have asked her for some milk...I would have gotten enough for everyone. Thanks for the hospitality.

[quadraginta]

Hmmm. We met a very nice goat in St Thomas. I should have asked her for some milk...I would have gotten enough for everyone. Thanks for the hospitality.


Did you try any of the traditional Jamaica Curry Goat (http://recipes.caribseek.com/Jamaica/curry-goat.shtml). The Scotch Bonnet peppers are a nice touch.

We're always interested in new goat recipes here.

[COLONEL]

Hmmm. We met a very nice goat in St Thomas. I should have asked her for some milk...I would have gotten enough for everyone. Thanks for the hospitality.
That could of been our Goat, it never tells us where it goes when it has it's days off, or when it takes a vacation :D

[COLONEL]

Did you try any of the traditional Jamaica Curry Goat (http://recipes.caribseek.com/Jamaica/curry-goat.shtml). The Scotch Bonnet peppers are a nice touch.

We're always interested in new goat recipes here. I have warned you before ,Stop talking about goat recipes ,it makes our Goat nervous and it stops giving us our much needed milk . It is the Goats milk that counteracts the effects of the Graymans cookies.

[quadraginta]

I have warned you before ,Stop talking about goat recipes ,it makes our Goat nervous and it stops giving us our much needed milk . It is the Goats milk that counteracts the effects of the Graymans cookies.


I told you guys to switch to Tollhouse (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tollhouse_cookies), but nooo, you wouldn't listen.

Countless digestive tracts ruined by your obstinacy. Have you no shame?


(ETA: More nervous than Shemp makes it?)

[nectar]

Hi! Im newblood :o...A+
Live in Australia and the thing is; I dont know what to believe sometimes.

Im hopeful of some enlightment.

[Foolmewunz]

Hi! Im newblood :o...A+
Live in Australia and the thing is; I dont know what to believe sometimes.

Im hopeful of some enlightment.

Hey, Nectar and welcome aboard. You've certainly come to the right place. A couple of us will insist that we're not going to tell you what to believe, but hopefully help out in getting you to hone your own critical thinking skills and let you figure that out on your own. You know, that pesky "free will" and all that.

On the other hand - naaaah! What do you want to know about believing in? Head on over to General Skepticism and the Paranormal or Politics or Conspiracy Theories.... Someone will be sure to tell you where you're going wrong. We're a sanctimonious lot, as a whole.

Oh, and do drop in to the Humor sub-forum - most of your Antipodean mates are hanging out in the Aussies Only thread, there. They say it's funny, but I wouldn't know - I'm not allowed in there according to the thread title.

Alternately, there are a couple of good threads on sports that Aussies seem to think they're good at(absent any actual evidence, though) - Cricket and Rugby.

[amb]

Great to have all you newbies aboard. A very warm welcome to one and all. I won't mention anything about library books except that I hope you have all returned them on time. COLONEL will be along in a minute with the menu. Cookies are the special of the day.
Happy hunting.

[lionking]

Hi! Im newblood :o...A+
Live in Australia and the thing is; I dont know what to believe sometimes.

Im hopeful of some enlightment.
Which part of Australia nectar? We already have some infection from the western states, so need to be a bit careful who we allow here. :D

[amb]

:D:p

[cienaños]

Great to have all you newbies aboard. A very warm welcome to one and all. I won't mention anything about library books except that I hope you have all returned them on time. COLONEL will be along in a minute with the menu. Cookies are the special of the day.
Happy hunting.

I'm having trouble returning Thievery by Ule Steele. Any tips?

[amb]

The library should be a little more careful in who they lend that particular book to.

Only people with an honest face as I have should be lent it. :D:boxedin:

[cienaños]

Should have gone with "by Claire Ptomaniac".


Those frakkin "darn i should'ves"....

[Foolmewunz]

I'm having trouble returning Thievery by Ule Steele. Any tips?

Imagine the fun we had managing a bookstore a 8th St. and Broadway (on the cusp between Greenwich Village and The East Village) when Abbie Hoffman put out Steal This Book.

[cienaños]

Did you spread them out like Easter Eggs but with arrows on the covers so that you just had a bunch of HoffmanHeads going around in circles in your bookstore?

[Foolmewunz]

Did you spread them out like Easter Eggs but with arrows on the covers so that you just had a bunch of HoffmanHeads going around in circles in your bookstore?

Actually, they'll probably take away my pookah shells and petuli oil, but I can't remember the cover of the book. (I'd love to say, "because they stole them all", but I just can't recall.)

My peevishness from the era comes from Jerry Rubin going corporate on me. I have an autographed copy of one of his books from that same era. It's worth about thirty cents more than I paid for it, and I got an employee discount!

[cienaños]

Actually, they'll probably take away my pookah shells and petuli oil, but I can't remember the cover of the book. (I'd love to say, "because they stole them all", but I just can't recall.)

My peevishness from the era comes from Jerry Rubin going corporate on me. I have an autographed copy of one of his books from that same era. It's worth about thirty cents more than I paid for it, and I got an employee discount!

In keeping with the namedrop tone, what is it that Hunter Thompson said?

"If you're going to be crazy, you have to get paid for it or else you're going to be locked up."

[Nutmeg]

Hi all! I was referred here by a colleague in another forum, who directed me to read a thread on AGW. I thought the fora look interesting, and I like the dynamics here, so I decided to join, though I'll confess no previous knowledge of James Randi.

Cheers.

[LibraryLady]

Welcome Nutmeg. Pull up a chair and join in.

And please, return the library books already. Jeez.

[COLONEL]

Welcome All you NewB's Today you are entitled to 1 Hamster cooked anyway you would like it,FreshGoats milk,Grayman oatmeal cookies, 1 MINTIE from the MINTIE bowl and a special treat a fresh slice of Fetta cheese made from our Goats milk to go on the fresh Greek salad being offered for this week only
If you see our resident Goat be sure to pat it on the head .
Again Welcome and enjoy your stay here.

[cienaños]

Welcome All you NewB's Today you are entitled to 1 Hamster cooked anyway you would like it,FreshGoats milk,Grayman oatmeal cookies, 1 MINTIE from the MINTIE bowl and a special treat a fresh slice of Fetta cheese made from our Goats milk to go on the fresh Greek salad being offered for this week only
If you see our resident Goat be sure to pat it on the head .
Again Welcome and enjoy your stay here.

is the greek salad what you used to type your welcome note? the text is green and lettucey how are we supposed to eat that now? right, rinse it off with goat's milk and glazed hamster.

that's great boss, fehkin great. thanks.

[Nutmeg]

Question: what's the "nominate" button all about?

[BlackLotus]

Hello all, another new bod here.

Actually I made a post already , and was most impressed with the speed and quality of the answers. And then I found there was an introduction forum (Doh!)

Hope to bump into you, in a virtual way, some time soon.

[COLONEL]

is the greek salad what you used to type your welcome note? the text is green and lettucey how are we supposed to eat that now? right, rinse it off with goat's milk and glazed hamster.

that's great boss, fehkin great. thanks. NO, But I always text in green.

[COLONEL]

Hello all, another new bod here.

Actually I made a post already , and was most impressed with the speed and quality of the answers. And then I found there was an introduction forum (Doh!)

Hope to bump into you, in a virtual way, some time soon. That was an accident we normally make NewB's wait at least a week, before we answer them. :D

Welcome and read my earlier post on what this weeks Menue is

[lionking]

Question: what's the "nominate" button all about?
In the Community section these's a sticky about the language awards, which are made every month. If you think a post is either strikingly well-written, or pithy (there are two awards), you can nominate it with that button. You can start your practicing by nominating any of mine. ;)

[COLONEL]

In the Community section these's a sticky about the language awards, which are made every month. If you think a post is either strikingly well-written, or pithy (there are two awards), you can nominate it with that button. You can start your practicing by nominating any of mine. ;) Well I can be bought , hint hint What would you like nominated?

[DrJen]

Welcome All you NewB's Today you are entitled to 1 Hamster cooked anyway you would like it,FreshGoats milk,Grayman oatmeal cookies, 1 MINTIE from the MINTIE bowl and a special treat a fresh slice of Fetta cheese made from our Goats milk to go on the fresh Greek salad being offered for this week only
If you see our resident Goat be sure to pat it on the head .
Again Welcome and enjoy your stay here.
Hi...excuse me...I don't mean to complain, but, um, the candy I got out of the candy bowl? It was pink and smelled of shaving cream. Can I replace it with a mintie? It has to be better than this.

[COLONEL]

Hi...excuse me...I don't mean to complain, but, um, the candy I got out of the candy bowl? It was pink and smelled of shaving cream. Can I replace it with a mintie? It has to be better than this.
Yes you may . Only MINTIES are supposed to be in that dish I apologise and will inform AMB and I am sure he will find out who is messing with his MINTIE bowl.:cool:

[DrJen]

Yes you may . Only MINTIES are supposed to be in that dish I apologise and will inform AMB and I am sure he will find out who is messing with his MINTIE bowl.:cool:
I appreciate that...all I know is that a tall, red-haired pirate from Australia handed me the bowl. He was kind enough to offer Tim Tams afterwards, though.

[amb]

I appreciate that...all I know is that a tall, red-haired pirate from Australia handed me the bowl. He was kind enough to offer Tim Tams afterwards, though.

The COLONEL got carried away a little there with that menu. Please delete the goats feta. :p

[COLONEL]

Good morning and Welcome to all you NewB's

To all you Irish folks like my self, HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY

[eudaimanic]

Hello everyone. I've been meaning to get involved here for a while and the fantastic bunch on the JREF cruise last week finally convinced me to join.

My name is Thomas Donnelly and I am produce the For Good Reason podcast and also did the first 200 some episodes of Point of Inquiry. I'm currently attending law school in St. Louis, where I live with my partner D.J. Grothe.

Looking forward to some great conversations!

[Femke]

Hi eudaimanic,

:welcome2
It is great to have you on board. Did you know your husband shares his name with our new president? :D
Only kidding, pull up a chair, and help yourself to some goat milk and cookies. Don't accept the feta, we don't really know what's in it.
How do you like your hamster done?

After this round of refreshments, the goat will be along to show you to a thread of your choice.

Femke

[COLONEL]

Femke I resent that remark about the Feta, I stayed up with the Goat all night making it and testing it to make sure it was of the highest quality Come on try a bite :)

[amb]

COLONEL, it's too expensive. I sell the stuff at $30 KG AU. What if we substitute cows feta? Just until the economy picks up a little more. :D

[COLONEL]

COLONEL, it's too expensive. I sell the stuff at $30 KG AU. What if we substitute cows feta? Just until the economy picks up a little more. :D OK I will keep the goat feta for our use as I,m hooked on it:D

[Femke]

Femke I resent that remark about the Feta, I stayed up with the Goat all night making it and testing it to make sure it was of the highest quality Come on try a bite :)

It must be an acquired taste, I am used to cows and sheeps feta only. My bad, I'm sure. :D
However, some chèvre would not go amiss. Do you do hard goats cheeses? I'd certainly be interested in a bite then.

[COLONEL]

It must be an acquired taste, I am used to cows and sheeps feta only. My bad, I'm sure. :D
However, some chèvre would not go amiss. Do you do hard goats cheeses? I'd certainly be interested in a bite then.
No on the hard stuff , I have a friend that raises sheep and goats and makes Feta and other cheeses the Feta they make is mild not to dry and not to moist

[Phaethon]

Hi everyone! I registered on this site a few years back, but I don't think I ever ended up posting anything :( I came across this site whilst doing some Google searching and decided to stop by! I have recently become a full fledged atheist/general skeptic and I imagine this might be a good site to post on. Don't be surprised if I stick around because this site seems pretty neat with a lot of intelligent members to boot!

With my free time I browse the internet fairly regularly and play video games (mostly Xbox 360), and with my not-free time I am a college student (undergrad) and my major is physics.

Cheers!

[COLONEL]

Welcome Phaethon, You will have to wait to eat as the kitchen is closed and you will have to sleep in the lobby until we can get you a room . We kind of run on a skeleton crew here on the week ends, Oh wait here is a glass of Goats milk and a Grayman Oatmeal cookie, and take a Mintie from the bowl Come back here on Monday and our chef will cook your hamster any way you like it. If the Goat should come along pat it on the head and it will lead you to a room

[NateHevens]

I have been trying to decide which of the two welcome threads to post on...

That hamster dinner sounds absolutely delicious, however...

Hi... name's Nathan. I'm a Blues (and sometimes Psychedelic Rock) singer/songwriter/guitarist (very new to the scene, however... I have a home demo of Syd Barrett's "Dark Globe" on my MySpace, but that's it right now... I've had no time to record... :(). Led Zeppelin is my all-time favorite band (and yes, I am very much aware of their roots, having created "The Complete Roots of Led Zeppelin" box set for myself... no, it's not for sale :p... I will admit to being an LZ Apologist and Zephead Fundamentalist, however... they are my gods :D).

I am a skeptic and an atheist. I hate radicalism/fundamentalism, but I'm neutral about faith itself, being a mostly live and let live kinda guy. I feel, if you do it in private, and you don't hurt or remove choice from anybody else (including your children), then have fun. My views on faith are helped by the fact that I grew up in a very liberally religious family. Although my mom's dad is an RC Deacon and my dad is a Conservative Hazzan (search it up on Wikipedia), faith was never a huge part of life for me. So losing it was rather easy, and actually I kind of felt relieved when I lost it (an I can partially thank Richard Dawkins's "The God Delusion", among other factors, for helping me losing my faith).

And yes, I have at least two songs decrying religion (as well as a very anti-Conservative, kinda anti-USA song... I'm not a patriot)...

I love science, especially Astronomy and Cosmology since the Universe is amazing to me (made only moreso by 'shrooms... just kidding... maybe... :D). I have also recently gained a huge interest in Evolutionary Biology. Two others I have come to seriously enjoy are Physics and Quantum Physics... granted, my math skills are worse then a ten-year-old's, but still... :o

And I best stop here before I go overboard... I'm wordy... :(

One thing... I have this smiley I wanted to use that's not offered by the forum, but I can't use it because I'm not allowed to post links until I've made 15 posts... :( How long do I have the option to edit my posts? Because when I've finally made 15 posts, I wanna put that smiley in here...

[amb]

Welcome NateHevens, welcome to the forum. You have around 5 minutes or so to edit any posts. Other members may differ on that, but it's about right I think.

There are other books apart from TGD to consider. Victor Stengers work God, The Failed Hypothesis is a very good book where science is used to dis-prove god.

[COLONEL]

Welcome Natehevens, after reading the saying on your Avitar I have something to say . This is the USA and you have the right to leave if you don't like it here,so what is keeping you here. If it's money, I'm sure that something can be arranged. I would suggest the military they will send you where ever like and pay you too . Also I am fairlly good in math but I suck at english writing

Now you may take the Goats milk, Cookies and a Mintie , tell the chef how you would like your hamster cooked

[Roadtoad]

I have been trying to decide which of the two welcome threads to post on...

That hamster dinner sounds absolutely delicious, however...

Hi... name's Nathan. I'm a Blues (and sometimes Psychedelic Rock) singer/songwriter/guitarist (very new to the scene, however... I have a home demo of Syd Barrett's "Dark Globe" on my MySpace, but that's it right now... I've had no time to record... :(). Led Zeppelin is my all-time favorite band (and yes, I am very much aware of their roots, having created "The Complete Roots of Led Zeppelin" box set for myself... no, it's not for sale :p... I will admit to being an LZ Apologist and Zephead Fundamentalist, however... they are my gods :D).

I am a skeptic and an atheist. I hate radicalism/fundamentalism, but I'm neutral about faith itself, being a mostly live and let live kinda guy. I feel, if you do it in private, and you don't hurt or remove choice from anybody else (including your children), then have fun. My views on faith are helped by the fact that I grew up in a very liberally religious family. Although my mom's dad is an RC Deacon and my dad is a Conservative Hazzan (search it up on Wikipedia), faith was never a huge part of life for me. So losing it was rather easy, and actually I kind of felt relieved when I lost it (an I can partially thank Richard Dawkins's "The God Delusion", among other factors, for helping me losing my faith).

And yes, I have at least two songs decrying religion (as well as a very anti-Conservative, kinda anti-USA song... I'm not a patriot)...

I love science, especially Astronomy and Cosmology since the Universe is amazing to me (made only moreso by 'shrooms... just kidding... maybe... :D). I have also recently gained a huge interest in Evolutionary Biology. Two others I have come to seriously enjoy are Physics and Quantum Physics... granted, my math skills are worse then a ten-year-old's, but still... :o

And I best stop here before I go overboard... I'm wordy... :(

One thing... I have this smiley I wanted to use that's not offered by the forum, but I can't use it because I'm not allowed to post links until I've made 15 posts... :( How long do I have the option to edit my posts? Because when I've finally made 15 posts, I wanna put that smiley in here...

Nothing wrong with being wordy, Nate. Welcome.

As to your lack of "patriotism," Lincoln is supposed to have said: He has a right to criticize who has a heart to help.

Probably not the place for it, and if so, perhaps the mods could provide the appropriate split, but I'm curious, Sir, what your actions have been over time in this regard? The first question is an obvious one: Do you vote?

The second is tougher, and many of us fail here, but what do you do in regards to the injustice you see? If you have a conscience, you can't help but see our society's failures and faults. The fact that you're here places you in a position to confront those, and not merely because of whatever warm feeling you might get from doing so, but because as a human being, you have an obligation to society at large to confront such failures.

I have a difficult fight in my profession, given the rampant homophobia/racism/sexism that exists within, and particularly that I'm an Atheist, and more than a little socially liberal. (This in a profession where it's not uncommon to see Trucker's Chapels in travel centers around the country.) That does not absolve me of my responsibility to confront the evils I see.

It's a funny thing: The more I do that, the more I recognize that there's a lot to love about this place. And, to cop a line from Jim Butcher, besides that, all my stuff is here. I say this because I felt the same way you do, and it's through the confrontation of the evils and injustice we see that we gain a greater appreciation for what we have in this nation. You might find you have more allies than you ever realized among the very countrymen you find yourself confronting.

This is a good starting point.

Welcome.

[NateHevens]

Welcome NateHevens, welcome to the forum. You have around 5 minutes or so to edit any posts. Other members may differ on that, but it's about right I think.

Oh. Okay. I guess I lost that shot, then. I'll find somewhere else to use the smiley, then, when I can...

There are other books apart from TGD to consider. Victor Stengers work God, The Failed Hypothesis is a very good book where science is used to dis-prove god.

I'll be starting that one after I finish Jerry Coyne's "Why Evolution is True".

Welcome Natehevens, after reading the saying on your Avitar I have something to say . This is the USA and you have the right to leave if you don't like it here,so what is keeping you here. If it's money, I'm sure that something can be arranged. I would suggest the military they will send you where ever like and pay you too .

Money and what I want to do. I'm a musician and I want to own a record label. I want my degrees in Music Business, Production, and Recording. I haven't found any oversees colleges offering such, but there are a few here in the southeast US (I live in Georgia but am moving to Florida within the next week).

Also I am fairlly good in math but I suck at english writing

You're English seems pretty good to me.

Now you may take the Goats milk, Cookies and a Mintie , tell the chef how you would like your hamster cooked

I'm not picky. Let the cook make it his favorite way. Chef's choice... :D

Nothing wrong with being wordy, Nate. Welcome.

As to your lack of "patriotism," Lincoln is supposed to have said: He has a right to criticize who has a heart to help.

Probably not the place for it, and if so, perhaps the mods could provide the appropriate split, but I'm curious, Sir, what your actions have been over time in this regard? The first question is an obvious one: Do you vote?

My first true election was the Congress election before the 2008 Presidential election. I was a republican then, but I voted Democrat in the 2008 Presidential Election for Obama. I was never a Republican as far as what we think of today, but more "right of center". Then I started drifting more and more left and now I find my very left.

The second is tougher, and many of us fail here, but what do you do in regards to the injustice you see? If you have a conscience, you can't help but see our society's failures and faults. The fact that you're here places you in a position to confront those, and not merely because of whatever warm feeling you might get from doing so, but because as a human being, you have an obligation to society at large to confront such failures.

I've lost hope if you want the truth. I took part in the campaigns for the Public Option, I voted Democrat in minor election since '08 in the hope that there would truly be some Progressivism, but I fear that there's not currently such a thing.

There is no Public Option, no attempt to balance the budget... those Dems we voted in are proving to be more right-wing then I, at least, originally thought.

I'm honestly starting to wonder what can be done.

It doesn't help that I live in Georgia, which is a traditionally Conservative state, and although I live in the good section of Marietta, I'm surrounded by Christian Conservatives.

I have a difficult fight in my profession, given the rampant homophobia/racism/sexism that exists within, and particularly that I'm an Atheist, and more than a little socially liberal. (This in a profession where it's not uncommon to see Trucker's Chapels in travel centers around the country.) That does not absolve me of my responsibility to confront the evils I see.

What do you do, if I may ask?

It's a funny thing: The more I do that, the more I recognize that there's a lot to love about this place. And, to cop a line from Jim Butcher, besides that, all my stuff is here. I say this because I felt the same way you do, and it's through the confrontation of the evils and injustice we see that we gain a greater appreciation for what we have in this nation. You might find you have more allies than you ever realized among the very countrymen you find yourself confronting.

Oh there is a lot of love I have for this place... I'm just saddened by the society.

This is a good starting point.

Welcome.

Thanks. :)

[Roadtoad]

What do you do, if I may ask?

Trucker.

[NateHevens]

Trucker.

Wow... I should have guessed that from your post. I'm tired. Sorry... :o

[COLONEL]

Trucker.

Wow... I should have guessed that from your post. I'm tired. Sorry... :o
Yeah but ask him if he is a good buddy :D and see what road toad gives for an answer :)

[eriqk]

Hi all,

I realized I never properly introduced myself.
I'm Erik, I'm typing this on a computer located in the Netherlands. I'm a skeptic (at least, that's what I like to think), an atheist, bit of a space-nut and I love CTs because of their... oddness. That said, after lurking here for a while I discovered that anything I concocted when I was stupider younger is no match for what's Out There.

[GenghisKhan]

Hullo,

I've been lurking and occasionally posting lately so I thought I might introduce myself.

My name is Kelly, and I am a double major in physics and education, hoping to become a high school physics teacher in the near future.

I used to be religious (Episcopalian) , and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent with my Sunday School (about 10 years of it) and ironically it was the time I spent in Sunday School and on mission trips that led me to decide that I am an atheist. My church fully endorsed critical thinking and discussion, which might be the reason why I am softer on religious folk than some other atheists.

I am a skeptic who binges on fantasy. I would be ECSTATIC if dragons and unicorns and magic were real. I like to keep a place in my mind to think that they COULD be real, if only to keep myself content and allow myself to fantasize about a magical world.

That being said, I still leap into bed for fear of some monster living under there. I KNOW there isn't anything there, but the fear won't go away! (Especially after reading a Stephen King book). This intrigues me. I have a very real fear of things I know do not exist. It baffles me and I would like to know how this disconnect between logical understanding and emotional reaction comes about. Maybe I should start a thread about it?

I am not a fan of fundamentalists/extremists in any field of thought. I believe everybody deserves respect, and I cannot tolerate it when people resort to name-calling and bashing.

Physics and reading are my two passions. I believe that quantum mechanics verifies the claim that truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

I have a serious milk addiction. It is one of my (hopefully few) vices.

Anyway, I am very happy to have found this forum, it has been an endless source of knowledge and inspiration for me!

-Kelly

[amb]

Welcome to you both. Watch out for the vampires. They sometimes swoop on ''new blood.''

[MattTheTubaGuy]

Hi, i found this forum searching for 911 resources, because my big brother is a bit wacko. (he also believes that NASA never landed man on the moon)

This is also a generally interesting forum, so I decided to join.

I play the tuba (obviously), and I am currently in my second year of a science degree majoring in physics and astronomy.
I live in Christchurch, New Zealand, and am studying at the University of Canterbury.:)

[Foolmewunz]

Hi, i found this forum searching for 911 resources, because my big brother is a bit wacko. (he also believes that NASA never landed man on the moon)

This is also a generally interesting forum, so I decided to join.

I play the tuba (obviously), and I am currently in my second year of a science degree majoring in physics and astronomy.
I live in Christchurch, New Zealand, and am studying at the University of Canterbury.:)

Welcome... look around for poster, UPCHURCH, also a Tuba Guy. I periodically post the awesome Fnugg Blue tuba solo. I'm at work so can't view it, but I think this is the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHMyrhilkdo

Slow start but it gets pretty amazing. The guy has chops and the band/group is pretty tight.

ETA: If you want to see our best Kiwis In Action thread, look for the Sensing Murder NZ thread. Great skeptic/sceptic work!
We also have a running thread on Rugby, a game I hear that some of you are familiar with in your little island country. (Bwahaha! I'm off the the Hong Kong 7s this weekend - got tickets for myself for the first time since I arrived here.)

[lionking]

Hi, i found this forum searching for 911 resources, because my big brother is a bit wacko. (he also believes that NASA never landed man on the moon)

This is also a generally interesting forum, so I decided to join.

I play the tuba (obviously), and I am currently in my second year of a science degree majoring in physics and astronomy.
I live in Christchurch, New Zealand, and am studying at the University of Canterbury.:)
Bloody hell, not another Kiwi.....

Seriously, welcome, and don't ignore the Community, Humor and Sports sections. The forum's best work is done there. :D

[David Henson]

Hello everyone, I'm Dave (or David. It doesn't matter) and I am a Bible Student! Ta-da!

I was born and raised, not so much as an atheist at least by title but irreligious. We didn't believe in God or religion, we thought religious people were nuts. I had been an avid reader my entire life, I taught myself to read before school and when I was in my mid 20's I realized that I had one book that I had never read and that was the Bible. I loathed religion and so I decided it was time to debunk the Bible for myself and what I discovered was that the Bible was a remarkable book which had been misrepresented by apostate Christianity.

The Bible doesn't teach that the soul is immortal, that actually comes from Socrates. The trinity from Plato, hell from Dante and Milton, the Cross from Constantine, Easter from Astarte the pagan goddess of fertility, Christmas from the winter solstice and the Rapture from John Darby.

Of course most of these teachings are older than those who introduced them to Christianity but it was through the later thinking of these persons or events themselves that were adopted by apostate Christianity.

The Bible doesn't teach that the heavens and eart were created in 6 literal days. There are many misconceptions of the Bible and I enjoy discussing and debating them with atheists more so than Christians because Christians are usually indoctrinated into those teachings.

Anyway . . . hey!

[CelticRose]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHMyrhilkdo

Slow start but it gets pretty amazing. The guy has chops and the band/group is pretty tight.
Pretty amazing? That was awesome! Never thought I'd be rocking out to a tuba solo. :g1:

[amb]

Hello everyone, I'm Dave (or David. It doesn't matter) and I am a Bible Student! Ta-da!

I was born and raised, not so much as an atheist at least by title but irreligious. We didn't believe in God or religion, we thought religious people were nuts. I had been an avid reader my entire life, I taught myself to read before school and when I was in my mid 20's I realized that I had one book that I had never read and that was the Bible. I loathed religion and so I decided it was time to debunk the Bible for myself and what I discovered was that the Bible was a remarkable book which had been misrepresented by apostate Christianity.

The Bible doesn't teach that the soul is immortal, that actually comes from Socrates. The trinity from Plato, hell from Dante and Milton, the Cross from Constantine, Easter from Astarte the pagan goddess of fertility, Christmas from the winter solstice and the Rapture from John Darby.

Of course most of these teachings are older than those who introduced them to Christianity but it was through the later thinking of these persons or events themselves that were adopted by apostate Christianity.

The Bible doesn't teach that the heavens and eart were created in 6 literal days. There are many misconceptions of the Bible and I enjoy discussing and debating them with atheists more so than Christians because Christians are usually indoctrinated into those teachings.

Anyway . . . hey!

Welcome to the forum. Hope your stay is a fruitful one. Now, how would you like your hamster cooked? Have you returned all your overdue library books?
If yes, you qualify for a bowl of Grayman's oatmeal cookies and a handful of Minties, you'll need them to take away the taste of the cookies.
Would I be correct in guessing you have read some of John Shelby Spongs many books?
Anyway, see you around the forum. :)

[Femke]

Hi all,

I realized I never properly introduced myself.
I'm Erik, I'm typing this on a computer located in the Netherlands. I'm a skeptic (at least, that's what I like to think), an atheist, bit of a space-nut and I love CTs because of their... oddness. That said, after lurking here for a while I discovered that anything I concocted when I was stupider younger is no match for what's Out There.

Hi, :welcome2
Your post got overlooked, somehow. Before I make the same mistake with a British gentleman posting from the Netherlands, are you Dutch?
Whatever, it is good to have you here. Have some cookies and some goats milk, and see the Minties bowl if there are any left, we are handing them out left and right at the moment. If you see the goat, pat it on the head and it may show you to your room.
Did anyone offer you a hamster?

Femke

[COLONEL]

For the this weekend only ,Starting at 5 pm est. Friday until 6am est. Monday All NewB's that sign up not only get a glass of Goats milk,a Grayman Oatmeal cookie and a MINTIE . You will also recieve 3 hamsters, cooked anyway you would like them. so hurry up as this is a limited time offer

[cStyle]

For the this weekend only ,Starting at 5 pm est. Friday until 6am est. Monday All NewB's that sign up not only get a glass of Goats milk,a Grayman Oatmeal cookie and a MINTIE . You will also recieve 3 hamsters, cooked anyway you would like them. so hurry up as this is a limited time offer

I have less then 15 posts (but not for long :)) Im i close enough to get 1/2 a cookie?

[COLONEL]

I have less then 15 posts (but not for long :)) Im i close enough to get 1/2 a cookie? Sure you can have two Grayman oatmeal cookies :D and another glass of Goats milk to wash them down .

[JihadJane]

COLONEL, I thought you said you were going away for the weekend.

[Sackage]

Greetings!

I've lurked off and on for a few years. More off than on, honestly. I'm not sure I have a ton to contribute here, but what the heck.

I live in the NJ suburbs of Philadelphia. I'm a guy, and I'm 37. Atheist, skeptic, all that jazz.

Politically I am...well, I used to be a conservative (more on fiscal matters than social ones), but now I'm not quite sure. I don't know if the scales are lifting from my eyes or I'm just experiencing a moment of confusion. Whatever the case, that's probably why I've been drawn to lurking in the political forum a bit more than usual lately.

*waves*

[Femke]

Hi Sackage,

Welcome aboard, you and your jazz might spice things up nicely. Did you see Colonel for your 3 hamsters? We are getting very savvy with preparing them. Try our Hamster Surprise Deluxe, you'll never be the same.
And then off you go, to any thread of your liking. Enjoy!

[Staropeace]

Please do not change the feta cheese ingredients.
A goat is bad enough. I shudder at the thought of a cow running amok in the forum.

[Roadtoad]

Please do not change the feta cheese ingredients.
A goat is bad enough. I shudder at the thought of a cow running amok in the forum.

Clearly you have yet to meet Kurious Kathy.

[COLONEL]

Please do not change the feta cheese ingredients.
A goat is bad enough. I shudder at the thought of a cow running amok in the forum. Sorry there are no cows here .We import the cow feta to give to all you NewB's as it is cheaper then giving out the feta we make with our goats milk for our private stock

COLONEL, I thought you said you were going away for the weekend.

I did but, I had my laptop with me and I had a few minutes to kill.

[amb]

Clearly you have yet to meet Kurious Kathy.

That reminds me. Whatever happened to her?

[lionking]

Greetings!

I've lurked off and on for a few years. More off than on, honestly. I'm not sure I have a ton to contribute here, but what the heck.

I live in the NJ suburbs of Philadelphia. I'm a guy, and I'm 37. Atheist, skeptic, all that jazz.

Politically I am...well, I used to be a conservative (more on fiscal matters than social ones), but now I'm not quite sure. I don't know if the scales are lifting from my eyes or I'm just experiencing a moment of confusion. Whatever the case, that's probably why I've been drawn to lurking in the political forum a bit more than usual lately.

*waves*
Welcome Sackage. Heh, if you don't think you have that much to offer, welcome to the club. I stay around regardless. ;)

[COLONEL]

Monday morning and only one NewB took atvantage of joining up ? Welcome Sackage The Goat will be along to show you around, be sure to pat it on the head . I'm going back to bed I hate rainy days

[Roadtoad]

That reminds me. Whatever happened to her?

Give it a few. I'm sure she's just building up steam.

[911thology]

Hi to everyone. I found this Forum because of my search for a place where ideas about the 9/11 could be exchanged. I registered here sometime ago, but was an 'inactive' member ever since. This one is my first post. About myself - I am a serious 9/11 researcher because of 2 different reasons. Firstly, I am a former commissioned officer of the Soviet nuclear intelligence, so I understand quite well about nuclear explosions, their properties, effects, and I know very well about their actual relevance to the WTC -1, -2, and -7 demolitions. Secondly, because I was somehow acquainted with certain real 9/11 planners, which even resulted in the American FBI's attempt to arrest me and to obtain my extradition to the United States in 2003. Recently I have published my video documentary on YouTube where I explained a lot of details about the WTC Twins and the WTC-7 so far unexplainable pulverizations and about many other aspects of the 9/11, the Pentagon's missile name, the Doomsday plane's mystery and the Sears Tower's evacuation inclusive. So far most of visitors found this extremely interesting. Anyone is welcome to watch the documentary and to ask me questions, if any. I will be pleased to answer them. Because as a new user I have no right to post links here, I can’t give any direct links to YouTube. However, all 26 parts of my documentary could be easily found by searching for '911thology' keyword on YouTube search or on Google search. Thanks.

[lionking]

Don't expect members to check you out on youtube. It's all been seen before. Enjoy the CT section.

[911thology]

I don't actually 'expect' anything. Just introduced myself and explained what I do. Besides, I don't think it was seen before, becuase it was recently published - last parts were published only about a week ago, and first parts - 2 weeks ago. What is that the section you proposed?

[lionking]

Conspiracy Theory.

[kaleidome]

Bloody hell, not another Kiwi.....

YaY! It's yet ANOTHER kiwi!

As way of introduction, my name is Leigh, (female spelling, not male) and I'm a psychology student living in New Zealand who's recently become aware of skepticism and all it entails. I now find myself binging on books by Steven Pinker, Carl Sagan, Gerald Posner and Robert Baker.
I'm a member of the New Zealand skeptical society and have just subscribed to the Skeptical Inquirer.

It's kind of like I was walking through a dark alley of ignorance, then science jumped out of nowhere to bite me in the ass. (And it was a most pleasurable bite at that.)

So cheers and hello people. It's nice to be here ;)

[The Stranger]

Hello everyone.

I love debunking bullcrap and and interacting with smart people. This seemed like a good place for both.

Good to be here.

[COLONEL]

Hello everyone.

I love debunking bullcrap and and interacting with smart people. This seemed like a good place for both.

Good to be here. How about Goats ? We have a real smart Goat here.

[The Stranger]

How about Goats ? We have a real smart Goat here.

I enjoy smart beings of other kinds even more!

[Foolmewunz]

Hi to everyone. I found this Forum because of my search for a place where ideas about the 9/11 could be exchanged. I registered here sometime ago, but was an 'inactive' member ever since. This one is my first post. About myself - I am a serious 9/11 researcher because of 2 different reasons. Firstly, I am a former commissioned officer of the Soviet nuclear intelligence, so I understand quite well about nuclear explosions, their properties, effects, and I know very well about their actual relevance to the WTC -1, -2, and -7 demolitions. Secondly, because I was somehow acquainted with certain real 9/11 planners, which even resulted in the American FBI's attempt to arrest me and to obtain my extradition to the United States in 2003. Recently I have published my video documentary on YouTube where I explained a lot of details about the WTC Twins and the WTC-7 so far unexplainable pulverizations and about many other aspects of the 9/11, the Pentagon's missile name, the Doomsday plane's mystery and the Sears Tower's evacuation inclusive. So far most of visitors found this extremely interesting. Anyone is welcome to watch the documentary and to ask me questions, if any. I will be pleased to answer them. Because as a new user I have no right to post links here, I can’t give any direct links to YouTube. However, all 26 parts of my documentary could be easily found by searching for '911thology' keyword on YouTube search or on Google search. Thanks.

Well, welcome, I suppose.
We don't really have a creative writing course, but on the whole, I'd say you should at least use a few paragraph breaks to separate one lie from another. It makes it easier for us to read (through the laughter). I've highlighted, by bolding, the areas where you're just plain gonna cause me to bust a gut laughing.
Just what we needed, another YouTube Researcher!

But do drop on over to the Conspiracy Theories sub-forum. Someone there is bound to be willing to watch your earth-shattering evidence in your 26 part docu-novel.

(Darn - and here I was all excited to see someone from my mate's home country on the forum! Somehow I think your views on Thailand might be just as valid as your other fantasies, though.)

I think I'll just move your intro post over to CT and start you a thread. Anticipate a variety of responses, please. I doubt that most will fit into the Visitors Found Them Most Interesting category, though.

[Foolmewunz]

Hello everyone.

I love debunking bullcrap and and interacting with smart people. This seemed like a good place for both.

Good to be here.

Well,... Howdy, Stranger!

(How long have I wanted to be able to post that!)

Welcome aboard. Wander around a while. You'll find all sorts of interesting topics off on scenic side roads, so do feel free to meander. We even have little Rest Areas where you can pull off for a breather. Check out the Forum Community section. (Or sports. Or humor.)

Enjoy yourself. See you around.

[Mr. Shanna]

Er, is this how you post? The "Reply" in "Quick Reply" suggests that this is where I post , although the "Quick" is making me doubtful; perhaps the forum's posting mechanism is somewhere far off, and by posting using "Quick Reply" this message will make an unsightly post in the middle of the page, or heaven forbid, it will create a thread in some random corner of the forum. Is "Quick Reply" reserved for people posting on cell-phones? I'd get the "quick" part then. I'm quite perplexed and I'm shaking right now; the possibility of embarrassing myself could be the reason behind my shaking, or it could be the lack of heat in my home. I've lurked for a year now and you'd think that I'd know how to post, right? Did you ever see the episode of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" where the bright eyed college student gets the first question wrong? This is like that. Kind of.

Do you folks mind minors? Oh look at that, alliteration. The sultry and sinister Sally of Sandwich's sullen slums sells slim and slimy sea shells by the Sultan Saladin's Syrian sea shores. I made that up during a rainy day. Oh, where was I?

My age, I believe, was going to be the next subject. Is it considered taboo for a minor to post here? You all seem to be interested in goats. Goats. Minors. PotAto. PotAHto. Does my inability to pay taxes offend you all? Would I be counted among the Anarchists and Libertarians that see taxes as an example of unjust force and what-not? Is it even possible for someone like me to be a Libertarian? Taxes don't sound THAT bad. I think of myself as Liberal at the moment, but again; I don't pay taxes. Didn't Churchill say something about being Liberal as a kid and Conservative as an adult? Doesn't matter.

Am I typing too much? I hope I'm not making a bad impression. I have to say that after a year of lurking, all of you JREF-ers sound like Ayn Rand heroes; not that I like Ayn Rand. Anthem and Atlas Shrugged were too similar; manly man and Mary-Sue live in a collectivist society, manly man discovers something new, collectivists despise him, manly man and Mary-Sue run away and have sex etc., they discover individualism's last hope somewhere in the wilderness, manly man wants more manly men to come to individualism's last hope, then gives a speech that's going to be quoted in all Objectivist MySpace pages. Huh, the spell check doesn't understand "Objectivist". Odd.

Um, ignore my ramblings. Just know that you all sound SMART. Except maybe the guy who introduced himself earlier, talking about revealing the truths about 9/11. Jeez, this must be a wall of text by now. It's almost midnight where I live; I won't get to read a response to this until tomorrow morning, unless either there's a member of the welcome wagon living in Europe or some creepy American that lurks the forum until the goats come home. Look! I referenced a goat. Does that mean that I can fit in?

tl;dr New guy wants to say "hi", is nervous as hell.

[Foolmewunz]

Hi to everyone. I found this Forum because of my search for a place where ideas about the 9/11 could be exchanged. I registered here sometime ago, but was an 'inactive' member ever since. This one is my first post. About myself - I am a serious 9/11 researcher because of 2 different reasons. Firstly, I am a former commissioned officer of the Soviet nuclear intelligence, so I understand quite well about nuclear explosions, their properties, effects, and I know very well about their actual relevance to the WTC -1, -2, and -7 demolitions. Secondly, because I was somehow acquainted with certain real 9/11 planners, which even resulted in the American FBI's attempt to arrest me and to obtain my extradition to the United States in 2003. Recently I have published my video documentary on YouTube where I explained a lot of details about the WTC Twins and the WTC-7 so far unexplainable pulverizations and about many other aspects of the 9/11, the Pentagon's missile name, the Doomsday plane's mystery and the Sears Tower's evacuation inclusive. So far most of visitors found this extremely interesting. Anyone is welcome to watch the documentary and to ask me questions, if any. I will be pleased to answer them. Because as a new user I have no right to post links here, I can’t give any direct links to YouTube. However, all 26 parts of my documentary could be easily found by searching for '911thology' keyword on YouTube search or on Google search. Thanks.

I don't actually 'expect' anything. Just introduced myself and explained what I do. Besides, I don't think it was seen before, becuase it was recently published - last parts were published only about a week ago, and first parts - 2 weeks ago. What is that the section you proposed?

Here ya go, Comrade. I started a whole thread for you in the 911 Conspiracy Theories sub-forum. (It's not April Fool's yet, is it?)



http://forums.randi.org/showthread.php?p=5773382#post5773382

[Foolmewunz]

Er, is this how you post? The "Reply" in "Quick Reply" suggests that this is where I post , although the "Quick" is making me doubtful; perhaps the forum's posting mechanism is somewhere far off, and by posting using "Quick Reply" this message will make an unsightly post in the middle of the page, or heaven forbid, it will create a thread in some random corner of the forum. Is "Quick Reply" reserved for people posting on cell-phones? I'd get the "quick" part then. I'm quite perplexed and I'm shaking right now; the possibility of embarrassing myself could be the reason behind my shaking, or it could be the lack of heat in my home. I've lurked for a year now and you'd think that I'd know how to post, right? Did you ever see the episode of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" where the bright eyed college student gets the first question wrong? This is like that. Kind of.

Do you folks mind minors? Oh look at that, alliteration. The sultry and sinister Sally of Sandwich's sullen slums sells slim and slimy sea shells by the Sultan Saladin's Syrian sea shores. I made that up during a rainy day. Oh, where was I?

My age, I believe, was going to be the next subject. Is it considered taboo for a minor to post here? You all seem to be interested in goats. Goats. Minors. PotAto. PotAHto. Does my inability to pay taxes offend you all? Would I be counted among the Anarchists and Libertarians that see taxes as an example of unjust force and what-not? Is it even possible for someone like me to be a Libertarian? Taxes don't sound THAT bad. I think of myself as Liberal at the moment, but again; I don't pay taxes. Didn't Churchill say something about being Liberal as a kid and Conservative as an adult? Doesn't matter.

Am I typing too much? I hope I'm not making a bad impression. I have to say that after a year of lurking, all of you JREF-ers sound like Ayn Rand heroes; not that I like Ayn Rand. Anthem and Atlas Shrugged were too similar; manly man and Mary-Sue live in a collectivist society, manly man discovers something new, collectivists despise him, manly man and Mary-Sue run away and have sex etc., they discover individualism's last hope somewhere in the wilderness, manly man wants more manly men to come to individualism's last hope, then gives a speech that's going to be quoted in all Objectivist MySpace pages. Huh, the spell check doesn't understand "Objectivist". Odd.

Um, ignore my ramblings. Just know that you all sound SMART. Except maybe the guy who introduced himself earlier, talking about revealing the truths about 9/11. Jeez, this must be a wall of text by now. It's almost midnight where I live; I won't get to read a response to this until tomorrow morning, unless either there's a member of the welcome wagon living in Europe or some creepy American that lurks the forum until the goats come home. Look! I referenced a goat. Does that mean that I can fit in?

tl;dr New guy wants to say "hi", is nervous as hell.

Oooh, I didn't know William S. Burroughs had any offspring.

Welcome, kid!

I call you kid because I kid you because you made such a deal about being a minor, er uhhh a "kid" as it were, that I sorta couldn't resist and besides, I'm an old codger and we call everyone "kid", or at least we're supposed to according to some book someone gave me. (Or was that a Clint Eastwood movie?)

How's that? Feel more at home? Feel free to ramble, throw in parenthetical expressions (whether appropriate or not), change subjects in mid-senten... Oooh, did I tell you about my lunch date, today? And, of course, make your stuff as idiosyncratic as you wish.

Welcome aboard. Stroll around the grounds; make yourself at home. The traditional greeters will be along in a while. Don't believe a word they say. They have no Minties. They're hoarding them. And Mayday's Ball Python ate all the hamsters last week, so don't eat whatever rodent-on-a-stick they hand you. (And the goat doesn't give milk - HIS name is Ed, for Ed's sake - but don't tell that to AMB and The Colonel - they have the job of "milking" the goat, and it sure does make ol' Ed happy, lemme tell ya.)

[amb]

All these new bloods and so little Minties and oatmeal cookies left. Hey Grayman, how about a new batch?
Luckily we have a few hamsters left. Please specify to the COLONEL [ he will be around shortly] how you want them cooked.
Hey 911 whatever. The madmen who conspired 9/11 were muslim fundamentalists, nothing more.
I suppose the Royal family had Diana killed as well?

[Femke]

Hi Kaleidome,

:welcome2
Your quiet introduction managed to get overlooked completely in the fuss about minors and CT surrounding it. Please, make yourself at home. Grayman will be along with a fresh batch of oatmeal cookies in a minute, and do not listen to the rumours, have some goats milk and a Mintie. And no matter what they tell you, there are still hamsters aplenty. How do you like them, Colonel makes them to wish.
Enjoy!

[COLONEL]

Welcome NewB's , How would you like some,FreshGoats milk,Grayman oatmeal cookies, and a MINTIE from the MINTIE bowl ? We also have live hamsters that will be butchered and cook to your liking. Just tell the cook which one you want. We just got a new batch .
If you see the Goat be sure to pat it on the head .
Please return all over due Library books as you do not want the Libray lady coming after you.

[Roadtoad]

You know, this is getting frustrating.

Newbies: We love you. Fresh meat is always welcome here, (especially if you're into Conspiracy Theories). However, you must all remember: You are to bow three times in the direction of Kent, WA.

Why, you ask? Simple. It is the home of the greatest TRUCKS ever built, the KENWORTH! You shall always remember during your time here that if you bought it, a truck brought it, and if it was worth buying in the first place, it was brought on a trailer pulled by a KENWORTH tractor. NOTHING else compares to magnificence of a W900 with 625 horsepower mated to a RoadRanger 18 speed and a 2.74 final gear ratio differential running at 1500 RPM.

Yes, dear friends! You shall all bow in the direction of the birthplace of these Grand Masters of the Highway, and show them the honor they are due! Make sure you appreciate the fact that your Minties, your goats milk, your cookies, have at some point been touched by Delightfully Deterministic Deified DIESELS!

And, please remember: Do take a few moments to clean the crumbs from your cookies from the buddy seat. It's an absolute bitch getting oatmeal cookie stains out of the upholstery.

We now return you to your local groveling.

[cienaños]

Er, is this how you post? The "Reply" in "Quick Reply" suggests that this is where I post , although the "Quick" is making me doubtful; perhaps the forum's posting mechanism is somewhere far off, and by posting using "Quick Reply" this message will make an unsightly post in the middle of the page, or heaven forbid, it will create a thread in some random corner of the forum. Is "Quick Reply" reserved for people posting on cell-phones? I'd get the "quick" part then. I'm quite perplexed and I'm shaking right now; the possibility of embarrassing myself could be the reason behind my shaking, or it could be the lack of heat in my home. I've lurked for a year now and you'd think that I'd know how to post, right? Did you ever see the episode of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" where the bright eyed college student gets the first question wrong? This is like that. Kind of.

Do you folks mind minors? Oh look at that, alliteration. The sultry and sinister Sally of Sandwich's sullen slums sells slim and slimy sea shells by the Sultan Saladin's Syrian sea shores. I made that up during a rainy day. Oh, where was I?

My age, I believe, was going to be the next subject. Is it considered taboo for a minor to post here? You all seem to be interested in goats. Goats. Minors. PotAto. PotAHto. Does my inability to pay taxes offend you all? Would I be counted among the Anarchists and Libertarians that see taxes as an example of unjust force and what-not? Is it even possible for someone like me to be a Libertarian? Taxes don't sound THAT bad. I think of myself as Liberal at the moment, but again; I don't pay taxes. Didn't Churchill say something about being Liberal as a kid and Conservative as an adult? Doesn't matter.

Am I typing too much? I hope I'm not making a bad impression. I have to say that after a year of lurking, all of you JREF-ers sound like Ayn Rand heroes; not that I like Ayn Rand. Anthem and Atlas Shrugged were too similar; manly man and Mary-Sue live in a collectivist society, manly man discovers something new, collectivists despise him, manly man and Mary-Sue run away and have sex etc., they discover individualism's last hope somewhere in the wilderness, manly man wants more manly men to come to individualism's last hope, then gives a speech that's going to be quoted in all Objectivist MySpace pages. Huh, the spell check doesn't understand "Objectivist". Odd.

Um, ignore my ramblings. Just know that you all sound SMART. Except maybe the guy who introduced himself earlier, talking about revealing the truths about 9/11. Jeez, this must be a wall of text by now. It's almost midnight where I live; I won't get to read a response to this until tomorrow morning, unless either there's a member of the welcome wagon living in Europe or some creepy American that lurks the forum until the goats come home. Look! I referenced a goat. Does that mean that I can fit in?

tl;dr New guy wants to say "hi", is nervous as hell.

Frakkin' frak! Mr Shanna! If you want to be taken seriously around here, you gotta use more than a mere 800,000 words per post.

We are long thinkers darn it! This isn't Twitter for Horus' sake!

Seriously, how old are you? I'm not a Catholic Bishop or anything, just askin'.

Welcome. Beware you will be fed a menagerie of goat cheese, minties, and I believe they still do the dollar hamster tuesdays, so, you know. Take advantage. See you around. Peace Love.

[cienaños]

posted by (the glorious) amb #180
Hey 911 whatever. The madmen who conspired 9/11 were muslim fundamentalists, nothing more.

Classic amb.

How can I be you, amb?

seriously laughed out loud. is there a way to shorten that statement? "laugh out loud?"

[COLONEL]

Er, is this how you post? The "Reply" in "Quick Reply" suggests that this is where I post , although the "Quick" is making me doubtful; perhaps the forum's posting mechanism is somewhere far off, and by posting using "Quick Reply" this message will make an unsightly post in the middle of the page, or heaven forbid, it will create a thread in some random corner of the forum. Is "Quick Reply" reserved for people posting on cell-phones? I'd get the "quick" part then. I'm quite perplexed and I'm shaking right now; the possibility of embarrassing myself could be the reason behind my shaking, or it could be the lack of heat in my home. I've lurked for a year now and you'd think that I'd know how to post, right? Did you ever see the episode of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" where the bright eyed college student gets the first question wrong? This is like that. Kind of.

Do you folks mind minors? Oh look at that, alliteration. The sultry and sinister Sally of Sandwich's sullen slums sells slim and slimy sea shells by the Sultan Saladin's Syrian sea shores. I made that up during a rainy day. Oh, where was I?

My age, I believe, was going to be the next subject. Is it considered taboo for a minor to post here? You all seem to be interested in goats. Goats. Minors. PotAto. PotAHto. Does my inability to pay taxes offend you all? Would I be counted among the Anarchists and Libertarians that see taxes as an example of unjust force and what-not? Is it even possible for someone like me to be a Libertarian? Taxes don't sound THAT bad. I think of myself as Liberal at the moment, but again; I don't pay taxes. Didn't Churchill say something about being Liberal as a kid and Conservative as an adult? Doesn't matter.

Am I typing too much? I hope I'm not making a bad impression. I have to say that after a year of lurking, all of you JREF-ers sound like Ayn Rand heroes; not that I like Ayn Rand. Anthem and Atlas Shrugged were too similar; manly man and Mary-Sue live in a collectivist society, manly man discovers something new, collectivists despise him, manly man and Mary-Sue run away and have sex etc., they discover individualism's last hope somewhere in the wilderness, manly man wants more manly men to come to individualism's last hope, then gives a speech that's going to be quoted in all Objectivist MySpace pages. Huh, the spell check doesn't understand "Objectivist". Odd.

Um, ignore my ramblings. Just know that you all sound SMART. Except maybe the guy who introduced himself earlier, talking about revealing the truths about 9/11. Jeez, this must be a wall of text by now. It's almost midnight where I live; I won't get to read a response to this until tomorrow morning, unless either there's a member of the welcome wagon living in Europe or some creepy American that lurks the forum until the goats come home. Look! I referenced a goat. Does that mean that I can fit in?

tl;dr New guy wants to say "hi", is nervous as hell. Are you always this long winded?

[Richie Rich]

Hello everybody, Richie Rich here. I'm not actually the son of a trillionaire. In real life I'm semi-retired and therefore quite poor. I also used to be a socialist, but a love of bright shiny objects cured me of that.

I've been lurking for awhile, mostly in the general paranormal and religious forums. Had a look in the 911 one, but found it nasty and confusing - abit like an outback pub on a Saturday night.

I have an interest in both the paranormal and acquiring critical thinking skills. The JREF forums have so far provided both. When I first came here, I still had quite a few wooish beliefs. These have mostly been transferred from my 'maybe' pile, to the 'definitely not' one. Nobodies taking away aliens though!

No food or beverages thanks. I'm already sugared up on easter eggs. Also if I see any goats I'll try not to kick it. Got attacked by one as a child. That and the "Nancy don't nibble your nails" skit from Sesame Street have left me very wary of goats.

Anyhow see you all on the forums!

[Hokulele]

Welcome Richie Rich!

GSP, R&P, and CT? That means you must be ready for Politics, US or otherwise. :D

[amb]

Hello everybody, Richie Rich here. I'm not actually the son of a trillionaire. In real life I'm semi-retired and therefore quite poor. I also used to be a socialist, but a love of bright shiny objects cured me of that.

I've been lurking for awhile, mostly in the general paranormal and religious forums. Had a look in the 911 one, but found it nasty and confusing - abit like an outback pub on a Saturday night.

I have an interest in both the paranormal and acquiring critical thinking skills. The JREF forums have so far provided both. When I first came here, I still had quite a few wooish beliefs. These have mostly been transferred from my 'maybe' pile, to the 'definitely not' one. Nobodies taking away aliens though!

No food or beverages thanks. I'm already sugared up on easter eggs. Also if I see any goats I'll try not to kick it. Got attacked by one as a child. That and the "Nancy don't nibble your nails" skit from Sesame Street have left me very wary of goats.

Anyhow see you all on the forums!

OK. Fine. No hamsters or cookies will be offered. But have you returned all overdue library books? There's a lady here who will frown upon unreturned books. Welcome to the forum. :)

[Richie Rich]

Thanks for the welcome guys/gals. About the library books ... I kinda sorta forgot to actually check them out when I took them home. I promise I'll return them though. Highlighter free and all.

[Foolmewunz]

Nobodies taking away aliens though!

Whoa! Dude! That's the crux of the problem. They did take them, man! The man has got them in cold storage in bunkers in like Area 51 an' stuff, and they like probe their brains and come up with like all the cool stuff The Man later sells us. I mean, look at the multi-track razor. Sure, someone came up with the Twin Trak. And even triple blade. But, like multi-track? That's like four or a whole bunch. No one comes up with this stuff by themselfs. They get help frum teh aleins.


Anyhow see you all on the forums!

Not if you keep blabbing about taking away aliens. They're gonna bag you and disappear you, fer shure.




Huh? Oh, my thorazine just kicked in. Yeah, so welcome aboard Richie Rich. Do we assume from your reference to outback pubs that you're from Australia? Or did you just mean pubs "out in the back" of someplace or another? We have a pen for our Aussies over in the humor section. We find it better for everyone, that way.

[COLONEL]

Welcome Richie Rich Here is a nice freh glass of Goats milk ,a oven fresh Grayman oatmeal cookie aand a MINTIE from AMBs MINTIE bowl . Take a Hamster out of the cage and give it to the cook and tell him how you would like it cooked. To the rest of the NewB's that show up may have the same .It's the week end enjoy it

[Markus]

Hello everybody, it's good to be here. I'm new to this whole skeptic thing, so I thought this would be a good place to begin. You'll probably see me ask some stupid questions from time to time, so please be patient with me. Anyways, thanks for your patience and I hope that I can contribute positively to at least some of the discussions on here.

[Roadtoad]

Hello everybody, it's good to be here. I'm new to this whole skeptic thing, so I thought this would be a good place to begin. You'll probably see me ask some stupid questions from time to time, so please be patient with me. Anyways, thanks for your patience and I hope that I can contribute positively to at least some of the discussions on here.

Welcome, Markus. Have a cookie.

[COLONEL]

Hello everybody, it's good to be here. I'm new to this whole skeptic thing, so I thought this would be a good place to begin. You'll probably see me ask some stupid questions from time to time, so please be patient with me. Anyways, thanks for your patience and I hope that I can contribute positively to at least some of the discussions on here.
Welcome Markus , remember there is no such thing as a stupid question ,but some of the answers you may get might be another story.

[yellowfoliage]

Hi everybody, I'm new here. My name is Arthur and I hail from the great state of Colorado. Feel free to ask me about whatever, I look forward to being a member of the community here.

[Foolmewunz]

Hi everybody, I'm new here. My name is Arthur and I hail from the great state of Colorado. Feel free to ask me about whatever, I look forward to being a member of the community here.

Should I wear my jeans today or the Dockers?

[amb]

Hi everybody, I'm new here. My name is Arthur and I hail from the great state of Colorado. Feel free to ask me about whatever, I look forward to being a member of the community here.

OK! How would you like your hamster cooked, would you prefer goats milk or cows milk feta? The cookies, would you like them with oat-bran or just plain flour? Are Minties OK, or would you like something a little more exotic, like Turkish delight? :p :)

[arthwollipot]

Hello everybody, it's good to be here. I'm new to this whole skeptic thing, so I thought this would be a good place to begin. You'll probably see me ask some stupid questions from time to time, so please be patient with me. Anyways, thanks for your patience and I hope that I can contribute positively to at least some of the discussions on here.The only stupid questions are the ones that you don't ask.

[quadraginta]

The only stupid questions are the ones that you don't ask.


How about the questions someone asks with every intention of ridiculing and ignoring any answer they don't like?

[arthwollipot]

How about the questions someone asks with every intention of ridiculing and ignoring any answer they don't like?Okay, I guess they're pretty stupid too.

[Foolmewunz]

Should I wear my jeans today or the Dockers?

Hey, Arthur....... Oh, Arthur....

Jeez! Guy said we could ask him anything, but I guess he didn't give any guarantees on the promptness of the reply.

[COLONEL]

Welcome Arthur, You can come out now, we are not going to go looking for you

[djlunacee]

I guess I should have started here, but oh well. Hello everyone, I found this forum after seeing it mentioned quite a few times in researching various conspiracy theories regarding 9/11. A hunger for knowledge regarding the events of that day, and a need for personal understanding are being satisfied as I read through those threads; I must say it is an honor to be here. Hope you don't mind if I stick around awhile, and if I step out of line, feel free to rough me up, I welcome the learning experience.

[The Man]

Whoa! Dude! That's the crux of the problem. They did take them, man! The man has got them in cold storage in bunkers in like Area 51 an' stuff, and they like probe their brains and come up with like all the cool stuff The Man later sells us. I mean, look at the multi-track razor. Sure, someone came up with the Twin Trak. And even triple blade. But, like multi-track? That's like four or a whole bunch. No one comes up with this stuff by themselfs. They get help frum teh aleins.

Well I could show you, but I lost the key to the freezer in the garage last week (somewhere between area 63 and 66, I think). Actually what they had on board the ship was a multidimensional razor. Just one quantum blade taking several paths at the same time that made it seem like each whisker had its own blade cutting it. Their toiletry technology is so advanced that we have as yet to figure out if they actually even had a toilet.


Welcome Richie Rich and all new members.

[COLONEL]

Well I could show you, but I lost the key to the freezer in the garage last week (somewhere between area 63 and 66, I think). Actually what they had on board the ship was a multidimensional razor. Just one quantum blade taking several paths at the same time that made it seem like each whisker had its own blade cutting it. Their toiletry technology is so advanced that we have as yet to figure out if they actually even had a toilet.


Welcome Richie Rich and all new members. Hey Man I found a key with a keychain that had a long hair troll on it, is that the one you lost ? if it is see the Goat, I gave it to it.

[The Man]

Hey Man I found a key with a keychain that had a long hair troll on it, is that the one you lost ? if it is see the Goat, I gave it to it.

Not again!!!

I told my girlfriend to stop putting those dang trolls on the key chains. There seems to be nothing the JREF goat enjoys more than chowing down on then pooping out some troll.

Anyone got some Ex-Lax and a baggie?

[COLONEL]

Not again!!!

I told my girlfriend to stop putting those dang trolls on the key chains. There seems to be nothing the JREF goat enjoys more than chowing down on then pooping out some troll.

Anyone got some Ex-Lax and a baggie?I have a baggie, just let me put my stash in somthing else. :)

[Foolmewunz]

Well I could show you, but I lost the key to the freezer in the garage last week (somewhere between area 63 and 66, I think). Actually what they had on board the ship was a multidimensional razor. Just one quantum blade taking several paths at the same time that made it seem like each whisker had its own blade cutting it. Their toiletry technology is so advanced that we have as yet to figure out if they actually even had a toilet.


Welcome Richie Rich and all new members.

Ix-nay! I thought The Committee agreed that you should change your name to Throckmorton P. Scribblemonger when posting for newbs? When they find out that The Man actually posts over here, the ATS Forums are going to go crazy.

(Great pickup, The Man!!)

ETA: No thanks to Mayday's ignoble thread - I'm at 11,000..... again! Whoot!

[The Man]

I have a baggie, just let me put my stash in somthing else. :)

Not to worry COLONEL, I imagine it will all be in you eventually. If you need any help getting rid of it just let me know.


Ix-nay! I thought The Committee agreed that you should change your name to Throckmorton P. Scribblemonger when posting for newbs? When they find out that The Man actually posts over here, the ATS Forums are going to go crazy.

Well they are still debating if what I post would count as disinformation or datinfomation.



(Great pickup, The Man!!)

ETA: No thanks to Mayday's ignoble thread - I'm at 11,000..... again! Whoot!

Congradulations on your milestone Foolmewunz.