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

[geni]

Originally posted by Tom Morris
and also been quite heavily interested in medical bulls**t: 'alternative', 'holistic' (unworking, crap).


Welcome to the forum. I think you are going to fit right in.

[tim]

Hello Tom, welcome!
As you may have noticed, we're all firm believers in things like homeopathy here.
:dl:

[Tom Morris]

Thanks and thanks!

[Z]

Hi, Tom, we believe in you! You can do it!

Welcome to JREF - watch your logical processes, keep an eye out for puddles of olaf lying around, don't trust a word from Lucianarchy, as they're probably drug-induced anyway, and have a nice time!

[ceptimus]

Hi Tom. Welcome to the club.

[BigShoeStu]

Welcome Tom! It sounds like you found the right place. I'm curious - How did you come across the JREF? I have been following Randi since the mid 80's and have been reading his commentaries for the last several years. But I am still fairly new to the Forum and I LOVE it. Again, welcome.

[MLynn]

Welcome, Tom! You'll have a great time here and have a great deal to think about; I know I do.

[Tom Morris]

Thanks, thanks, thanks and thanks. I found the site from, I dunno. I briefly saw Randi on Penn & Teller's ********! And I read about Randi elsewhere on the 'net when looking for information for Quackblog (my weblog on alternative medicine). I've read through lots of Randi's commentary, and I agree with the aims of the organisation.

[athon]

Originally posted by Tom Morris
I've been an atheist since I knew what one was (Catholic school and reading the Bible helped with that one)

Funny how that happens. I too was helped forward into the lands of 'Atheia' but a healthy dose of Catholic Education.

Welcome aboard.

Athon

[Beancounter]

First post, so where better to put it?

I'm a thirty-something corporate clone bobbing below a glass ceiling in the accountancy profession - hence I have both the time and the inclination to post (occasionally).

I have found myself on a bit of a mission lately against alternative medicine and various links led me to this site where I have been following the homeopathy debates with great interest (and amusement). It's a wonderful feeling knowing that there are likeminded people out there.

All I need to do now is convince my wife, (I have managed to wean her off coral calcium already).

Beyond my "mission" Interests include sport and spending far too much time (and money) in good restaurants.

[Tanja]

Mmmmm...Durban curry....

Hi beancounter and welcome to the forum!

[Beancounter]

Thanks Tanja - and yes, the curries are good, although I still have fond memories of the CTM in my local curry house in Tooting.

I'm an expat of 11 years' standing but the tug of sunny(?) London is still strong.

[Chickensrevenge]

Hello all,

I have been viewing the forum for some 2 odd years now, ever since my older brother turned me on to it. Finally decided that I should do some posting.

I like to think of myself as a critical thinker. I live in Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan, Previously I lived in Ohio USA. I teach english in a few elementary schools here. Nothing has quite opened my eyes than living in another culture. Granted Japan has problems of its own, but looking at america from over here, makes us look like teenagers feeling all weired in our new bodies, and trying to get used to them. I don't wanna make anyone upset. I am not "Un-patriotic". But its kinda like after you have matured in a relationship, and look back and think "boy, we fought with each other for two days over something as stupid as leaving the butter out of the fridge."

Any way, I really like the forums, and am looking forward to slapping my little opinions in where I can.

thank you

-Kevin

[athon]

Originally posted by Chickensrevenge
Hello all,

I have been viewing the forum for some 2 odd years now, ever since my older brother turned me on to it. Finally decided that I should do some posting.

I like to think of myself as a critical thinker. I live in Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan, Previously I lived in Ohio USA. I teach english in a few elementary schools here. Nothing has quite opened my eyes than living in another culture. Granted Japan has problems of its own, but looking at america from over here, makes us look like teenagers feeling all weired in our new bodies, and trying to get used to them. I don't wanna make anyone upset. I am not "Un-patriotic". But its kinda like after you have matured in a relationship, and look back and think "boy, we fought with each other for two days over something as stupid as leaving the butter out of the fridge."

Any way, I really like the forums, and am looking forward to slapping my little opinions in where I can.

thank you

-Kevin

Heya Chickensrevenge (cool handle),

Welcome aboard the HMS JREF! So, spill it -- who here is your brother? A regular poster, or a bit of a lurker?

There is nothing like changing cultures to get a better view of your own. I've only gone a small step (culturally) from Australia to the UK, and it's been an interesting experience. So from the US to Japan...

We look forward to your 'slapping'!:D

Athon

[MLynn]

Originally posted by Beancounter
First post, so where better to put it?

I'm a thirty-something corporate clone bobbing below a glass ceiling in the accountancy profession - hence I have both the time and the inclination to post (occasionally).

I have found myself on a bit of a mission lately against alternative medicine and various links led me to this site where I have been following the homeopathy debates with great interest (and amusement). It's a wonderful feeling knowing that there are likeminded people out there.

All I need to do now is convince my wife, (I have managed to wean her off coral calcium already).

Beyond my "mission" Interests include sport and spending far too much time (and money) in good restaurants.
Welcome, Beancounter! Maybe your wife should be a poster, too. Tell her there are many ladies here and that we have a very active Community. :)

[MLynn]

Originally posted by Chickensrevenge
Nothing has quite opened my eyes than living in another culture. Granted Japan has problems of its own, but looking at america from over here, makes us look like teenagers feeling all weired in our new bodies, and trying to get used to them. I don't wanna make anyone upset. I am not "Un-patriotic". But its kinda like after you have matured in a relationship, and look back and think "boy, we fought with each other for two days over something as stupid as leaving the butter out of the fridge."

Any way, I really like the forums, and am looking forward to slapping my little opinions in where I can.
-Kevin
Welcome, Chickensrevenge - you'll see plenty of exciting posts here. There are battles over stupid stuff here just like in real life - you'll laugh a lot too! :p

[Z]

Welcome, Chicken and Bean!

Hey, Chicken, what part of Ohio? I'm in Cincinnati, have been for two years now... Believe it or not, I love it - but compare it to my previous addresses! (Military towns in the U.S.... ugh)

Have fun!

[BigShoeStu]

Welcome Beancounter and Chickensrevenge. If your future avatars are as cool as your names I look forward to seeing them. Especially Chickensrevenge - Ooooo the imagery. So drop and give me 50 (posts)! 'hup 'hup 'hup!

[rastamonte]

Hello everyone.

My name is Monte. Lurking on this forum is becoming an addiction for me, and if my boss finds out I'll probably be fired.

I first came to the forum when Randi mentioned it in his commentary last month, I read all about Wu et al, and now about the whole forum spitting thing.

I started reading Randi's commentaries after seeing him in a lecture last year. When I read in the paper that he was giving a lecture, I was very excited. I used to be a magician, long ago, and in High School I wrote a paper on Uri Geller which was mostly stuff from Randi's book "The Magic of Uri Geller".

Anyway, it's great to be here. I have read many intelligent posts and I hope to be able to add a little bit here and there. One of my interests in this forum is to see if and how skeptics and believers can get along. My wife is on the opposite end of the spectrum from me in these matters, and I'm hoping to get helpful insights from a few of you in dealing with this. Thanks in advance for any help and/or advice.

[BigShoeStu]

Originally posted by rastamonte
One of my interests in this forum is to see if and how skeptics and believers can get along. My wife is on the opposite end of the spectrum from me in these matters, and I'm hoping to get helpful insights from a few of you in dealing with this. Thanks in advance for any help and/or advice.
Advise: First, don't get married - DOH! Too late. Time to take her to try on some "cement boots", if you know what I mean.

Kidding of course. One of the best things I've discovered in this forum is everybody's tolerance towards others beliefs when they differ (well, most instances anyway). Welcome aboard!

[joudama]

Newbie here!

Although, I don't really feel like a newbie as I've been a lurker here for a couple of months. I'm hopelessly addicted (not that it's a bad thing) and, well... figured I should maybe introduce myself. So, hi!

A little bit about me... I'm a university student (majoring in biology). Attending a secular university, I must say, has been a great help in developing my skepticism; prior to my post-secondary studies, I attended Catholic schools for 13 years, eek.

Let's see, what else? I'm a Canadian girl who's sick and tired of all the snow ;) (Aaah, May in Calgary, how I love thee!) My spare time is generally spent on the computer, or if I'm feeling really inspired, sketching or trying to play my classical guitar.

[ceptimus]

Welcome joudama!

Another skepchick joins the ranks. :)

[BigShoeStu]

Wow, another Skepchick! We boys are getting over-run! Welcome aboard Canadian girl, we look forward to hearing more from you.

So if the Skepchicks have the Pajama Party at TAMIII, what are the guys going to do (besides fantasize crashing it)? Not that I want to hang out with a bunch of Skepsausages in a hotel room, shouldn't we at least plan something just for the guys?

[Felice]

Hi all!

I'm not strictly a newbie as I'd already made a few posts before I found this thread. Just thought I'd drop a few lines to bumb my post count ;)

I am in my mid twenties and currently working in a menial customer service position since dropping out of my Ph.D in maths. Hmm, that doesn't sound all that inspiring now that I've written it down :)

I look forward to jousting and carousing with you all!

[espritch]

Welcome Felice. Bumping up one's post count is, of course, the primary hobby of most JREF members (we really need to get a life. :D).

[Eos of the Eons]

More Skepchicks and another Albertan!!! I'm starting to like Calgary a lot, it was already my favorite city in this province, but now I'm liking the people too :D

Welcome aboard!! Welcome welcome welcome!! Oh, and having more guy skeptics posting is awesome too :) :D

[rastamonte]

Originally posted by BigShoeStu

Welcome aboard!

Thanks for the welcome Stu. Cement boots, hmmmm?

[Chickensrevenge]

Hey thanks for the welcome,

zaayrdragon - I lived in Youngstown, pretty close to Pittsburgh PA.

and Athon - My brother doesn't visit the forums I don't think, but he went to the last TAM. He has been a stage magician for as long as I can remember, and he even does this great farse of a cold reading show.

Thanks again for the welcome all!

P.S. my handle has a long history behind it, but I can spill it if anyone wants it.

[Nigel]

Welcome Beancounter, Chickensrevenge, Felice, Tom Morris, joudama, and any other newbies I might have missed. Can't add much that others haven't, so I'll just repeat the welcome and say hope to see your posts!

[De_Bunk]

All new members...

Nigel likes coherent thread titles...

Be warned...

DB

[MLynn]

Hi, D - I'm glad you're still here for all to see :D

[rastamonte]

Hey guys, I'm getting close to post number 50. Now where did I see those avatar instructions?

[MLynn]

Originally posted by rastamonte
Hey guys, I'm getting close to post number 50. Now where did I see those avatar instructions?
What I did is send a private message to Skeptoid who can host the image you have chosen (100 x 100 pixels max). He's a great guy and loves to help the people here!

[rastamonte]

Thanks MLynn. I figured it out myself. Fun fun.

[Nigel]

Originally posted by De_Bunk
All new members...

Nigel likes coherent thread titles...

Be warned...

DB

I also like barbecued chicken, but I don't necessarily expect it on here. :D

[TAILGUNNER]

Hello I am a newbie but as the section states introduce so be it

tailgunner is my handle and before anybody asks nope i aint ever been here before though i do and have posted on a few other forums before

i'm no skeptic, but i do take a good look at things before i accept them as truth's

so there it is the single most boring introduction ever what do i win

[MLynn]

Hi, Tail Gunner - welcome! I think I've seen a couple of your posts elsewhere in this forum - I hope to see more :D

[TAILGUNNER]

Originally posted by MLynn
Hi, Tail Gunner - welcome! I think I've seen a couple of your posts elsewhere in this forum - I hope to see more :D

i'll give it a good go and thanks for the welcome

[espritch]

so there it is the single most boring introduction ever what do i win

Why, you've won a whole buch of shiney new punctuation marks!
A whole years supply of question marks and periods and colons and even (dare I say it?) commas! Plus I've thrown in a couple of simi-colons even though nobody has any idea what to do with those. Enjoy! :)

.................................................. .............................................
.................................................. .............................................
?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????
?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ?????
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;


P.S. Welcome!

[TAILGUNNER]

thanks!!, i've used a few already

[exarch]

I would give you some CAPS as well, but I see you've already used 'em all for your name :p

[TAILGUNNER]

Originally posted by exarch
I would give you some CAPS as well, but I see you've already used 'em all for your name :p

i could do with a pile of _'s and #'s:D

[Chaos]

_´s and #´s are out.

Want some exclamation marks instead?

...no?

Anyway, you´ll get them.


!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)

[TAILGUNNER]

i only need some vowels and constenants and i could start selling on ebay

thanks chaos i can never have too many !!!!!!!!!!!!!!'s

[tim]

You will need some of these, so you don't break forum rules on swearing.
*************************************************




























On second thoughts, with things as they are at the moment, you may need a few more.

************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** ************************************************** **************************************************
:D

[MLynn]

tim, are you back for a visit? The whippet is ready!

[LostAngeles]

Whoops. Should have posted here first before bouncing about and running at the mouth.

I'm here, as I posted in the "Why are you at JREF?" topic on another forum, because of [short version] Carl Sagan's tale of Randi and "Carlos". Also, I need a refuge amongst smart people who don't believe dumb things.

As far as my user name goes. I've moved to L.A. and all I do is get lost as hell.

[Girl 6]

Hey, hey! Welcome to all of the newcomers! :D I've been quite involved with other threads. Let me take the time to welcome all of you!

Tom Morris: So, you are an atheist? I am too. SOme people think that it is a belief system. They might be right about that. :) There is a lively Politics section here. Check it out!

Beancounter: An accountant! It's always handy to have an accountant around. :)

Chickensrevenge: So, it took you 2 years to de-cloak! Wow... I don't think I lasted even a few days! :) I admire your resolve!

rastamonte: Well, you say you need tips about skeptic/believer relationships. Well, it seems to me that you must be doing well since you are married to a believer. :) I think the secret is having a lot of tolerance and patience.

joudama: Hey! I'm learning how to play classical guitar too! :) Perhaps you will come by one night to the Paltalk room and let us hear your musical talent!

Felice: LOL! You are bumping your post count! :D

TAILGUNNER: I have seen some of your posts around the site already! :)

LostAngeles: Your nick makes me crack up! I am located in the San Francisco Bay Area. You know there is a rivalry between this area and your area! :D

Welcome to all of the newcomers! I hope t see you posting more often soon!

G6

[LostAngeles]

Originally posted by Girl 6
...
LostAngeles: Your nick makes me crack up! I am located in the San Francisco Bay Area. You know there is a rivalry between this area and your area! :D

Welcome to all of the newcomers! I hope t see you posting more often soon!

G6 [/B]

Yep, I know. You folks wouldn't mind heading down and smacking some of the folks about here would you?

Coming from Boston, I'll tell you, it's such a culture shock here. Nothing makes sense.

[MLynn]

Originally posted by LostAngeles
Whoops. Should have posted here first before bouncing about and running at the mouth.

I'm here, as I posted in the "Why are you at JREF?" topic on another forum, because of [short version] Carl Sagan's tale of Randi and "Carlos". Also, I need a refuge amongst smart people who don't believe dumb things.

As far as my user name goes. I've moved to L.A. and all I do is get lost as hell.
Hey LostAngeles, I've lived in LA for a long time, so if you need help let me know. I drive by the Scientology Celeb Centre everyday to get to work. I think it should be turned into a JREF West Coast Center. Anyway, welcome and you can always send me a private message if you need help getting around LA. After all, it's about 20,000 square miles of insanity here! :D

[Polux]

Hi all, this is me. I have posted around already but for some reason hadn't seen this section before...
Nothing much to say. South American skeptic, cartoonist wannabe (poluxweb.com.ar), programmer, book lover. Hard agnostic / soft atheist, if you can figure that out. Ex-believer. Much happier now, thank you!
See you around!

PS: Keep in mind English is not my native language. Me may make misteaks, ok?

[MLynn]

Hi, Polux - welcome! You write English quite well. Do not worry yourself about spelling/grammer mistakes - we all make them.

[LostAngeles]

Originally posted by MLynn

Hey LostAngeles, I've lived in LA for a long time, so if you need help let me know. I drive by the Scientology Celeb Centre everyday to get to work. I think it should be turned into a JREF West Coast Center. Anyway, welcome and you can always send me a private message if you need help getting around LA. After all, it's about 20,000 square miles of insanity here! :D

Or at the risk of being sued, set a JREF center up next door.

Actually, that's a damn good idea.

I appreciate your offer. I've got maps of this place all over and make frequent use of MapQuest and I -still- have trouble navigating. Although, I do know that I live near everything.

[bearcub]

Hey everyone! Welcome aboard............................. wait, that's not my line yet :)

Anyway, It's time I came out and said hi to you all. I've been lurking for a little while (like my moniker suggests) and like what I've seen here. I found you guys through the BABB and hope to have an enjoyable stay.

Not much to say about myself. I'm ## years old (I was born 20 years after FDR signed the GI Bill of Rights) and work to help support my primary habit ......... music. I'm a drummer, not a musician :p (I've heard most of the jokes) I read a lot of SciFi and have recently gotten into astronomy.

I like to think of myself as a skeptic with a little cynicism and sarcasm mixed in.

[rastamonte]

Welcome Cave Dweller! (This is my first welcome post to anyone, I'm a newbie too.) I like your signature line, it made me laugh.

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome, Cave Dweller,

Good to have you aboard. :)

[exarch]

Originally posted by Cave Dweller
I was born 20 years after FDR signed the GI Bill of RightsWelcome Cave Dweller, I was born the year Mr Skinny cut his hair :D

[bearcub]

Thanks for the welcome.

rastamonte, glad you like the sig. I have a few more like it that I'll be rotating through as I post.

Thanks Mr. Skinny!

Exarch, I can't remember whether or not there's a picture of Mr. Skinny in the picture thread, so I don't know if that means you're one of the younger members or an "old" fart like myself. ;)

[Girl 6]

Welcome to Cave Dweller!

I like your sig too! :) I think I will send it out to my entire company over where I am working. They need something humorous right now. :D

G6

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by Cave Dweller
Thanks for the welcome.

rastamonte, glad you like the sig. I have a few more like it that I'll be rotating through as I post.

Thanks Mr. Skinny!

Exarch, I can't remember whether or not there's a picture of Mr. Skinny in the picture thread, so I don't know if that means you're one of the younger members or an "old" fart like myself. ;)
There is a picture of me somewhere in the early pages of this thread (like page 6 or something) but I think Denise posted it for me.

As for me, I'm an "old fart". Exarch is a young whippersnapper!

[UncleSon]

OK, let's just jump in with both feet. This is my first post here, as you no doubt can see, and I'm looking forward to getting to know all of you, and having clever, funny, and provocative dialogues with you. Oh, and maybe learning something, too. I have read far too few of the threads to know much about any of you, but I have discerned that I'm an intellectual lightweight compared to many of you. BUT...... I'm rapidly approaching the half-century mark, and that hasn't stopped me from voicing an opinion yet, so why change now? I never knew what a skeptic was until a few years ago, and when I did, I realized I'd been one my entire life. I found that the more I learned, the dumber I got, and the more questions I had. I always wanted to believe in ghosts and extraterrestrials, and it bugged the hell out of me that all around me, people were seeing them and I couldn't. Well, not "all around me", but I think you get my drift....then 2 or 3 years ago I got a mailing for a magazine that sounded interesting, "Skeptical Inquirer", and I subscribed, and through that, I learned of this site, and because I'm lazy, I took my sweet time getting here, but, I made it;) . Hi y'all.

By the way, my handle is not only an apt description of myself, it's also the title of a song by the Kinks, whose music I like a lot. And the signature is a few lines from that song

[exarch]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny
As for me, I'm an "old fart". Exarch is a young whippersnapper!Whip-her-slap-her? Why Skinny, how'd you know that :D

[rastamonte]

Originally posted by UncleSon
Hi y'all.

By the way, my handle is not only an apt description of myself, it's also the title of a song by the Kinks, whose music I like a lot. And the signature is a few lines from that song

Welcome UncleSon. I like the Kinks too.

"I don't want to live in this world no more.
I don't want to die in a nuclear war.
I want to sail away to a distant shore,
and make like an ape man."

[BigShoeStu]

Originally posted by UncleSon
...and because I'm lazy, I took my sweet time getting here, but, I made it;) . Hi y'all.
A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. -anon.

Uncleson, welcome to your next adventure lovingly refered to as the "JREF Forum". See you around.

[MLynn]

Hello, Cave Dweller and UncleSon! Welcome to this wacky (did I say that?) "family." Please enjoy your posting here. :)

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by exarch
Whip-her-slap-her? Why Skinny, how'd you know that :D
Girl6 talks in her sleep? :D

[Darat]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny

Girl6 talks in her sleep? :D

Well everyone knows that. ;)

[Girl 6]

Welcome UncleSon! I welcomed you in another thread, but I guess this is an even MORE official welcome if that is possible! :D

G6

[asthmatic camel]

Originally posted by Darat


Well everyone knows that. ;)

Yes, but does she drool on the pillow ? For some reason I find drooling women incredibly attractive.

[Darat]

Originally posted by asthmatic camel


Yes, but does she drool on the pillow ? For some reason I find drooling women incredibly attractive.

I've never noticed if she does or doesn't - anyone else?

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by Darat


I've never noticed if she does or doesn't - anyone else?
Usually there is a wet spot on the sheets.

[Darat]

Originally posted by Mr. Skinny

Usually there is a wet spot on the sheets.

But AC was asking about the pillows...

And I think we better leave it there. ;)

[Mr. Skinny]

Originally posted by Darat


But AC was asking about the pillows...

And I think we better leave it there. ;)
You don't use pillow slips?

At least that's what I was refering to

That's the last you'll hear out of me on this issue.:)

[Sloe_Bohemian]

Originally posted by LostAngeles
Whoops. Should have posted here first before bouncing about and running at the mouth.

I'm here, as I posted in the "Why are you at JREF?" topic on another forum, because of [short version]....
Also, I need a refuge amongst smart people who don't believe dumb things.


I too got distracted by the other shiny post "Why are you at JREF?"

I only made it here because I was starting to stretch my "newbie" legs and sought out sections of the JREF with high traffic that I hadn't been reading.

My story is that I've been visiting the site for a long time and had made a link to it from my personal web-page so I could read Randi's stuff regularly and easily. I have never been much into forums or other interactive parts of the web much; so I hadn't made it down into the JREF very often. But I had a friend who read some bunk about Omm Sety and I went looking for sources to help her come to her senses through her own exploration of something fact-based. Well, not finding it on my own I decided to come here and ask for help... and since I had signed up to post a thread... I stayed to see what all was happening.

In the end, there aren't really any sources about Omm Sety except the "believers" and that's OK, my friend's short attention span has moved on... or at least she's keeping hush about such things around me.

and I'd like to echo LostAngeles' comment about this being a refuge amongst smart people... it's very refreshing and re-energizing to be among such fine people... well, except for some Luci and Pete folks... but generally VERY bright people.

[Sloe_Bohemian]

Hey! Look at that!!!

I just changed from New Member to Student!!!

See? I really am new and inexperienced. And sadly find such things to be minor, yet genuine, thrills.

[MLynn]

Welcome, Sloe_Bohemian! I'm glad you like it here - the people here are not only smart, they're funny, too!

[Eos of the Eons]

Originally posted by MLynn
Welcome, Sloe_Bohemian! I'm glad you like it here - the people here are not only smart, they're funny, too!

I'll say! I think I'll be laughing for days at vic's cat thread! http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=41627

Welcome everybody!

[UncleSon]

Thank you, rastamonte, BigShoeStu, MLynn the whippet lady, and Girl6 (nice avatar :p ). I won't be a daily visitor, but i hope to show up at least once a week or so, and I'll try (should I insert "not" here? Nahhh) to wear out my welcome. :D

[Mark]

Originally posted by UncleSon
Thank you, rastamonte, BigShoeStu, MLynn the whippet lady, and Girl6 (nice avatar :p ). I won't be a daily visitor, but i hope to show up at least once a week or so, and I'll try (should I insert "not" here? Nahhh) to wear out my welcome. :D

Hi, Uncle Son,

Just thought I'd mention that the RCA period Kinks were the best...especially live! And, if you haven't heard, Mick Avory, John Dalton, and John Gosling now play in a band called the Kast Off Kinks.

[UncleSon]

Thanks, Mark, I didn't know that, in fact, I only just recently heard of the Kast Off Kinks. I'm old enough to be still awed by the power of the internet, I've liked their music for 30 years, and I feel I've learned as much about them in the past 4 weeks as I knew in the previous 3 decades. I've been online for about 5 years now, but I never bothered to search "the Kinks" until very recently......... lazy, y'know ;-)

[Mark]

Originally posted by UncleSon
Thanks, Mark, I didn't know that, in fact, I only just recently heard of the Kast Off Kinks. I'm old enough to be still awed by the power of the internet, I've liked their music for 30 years, and I feel I've learned as much about them in the past 4 weeks as I knew in the previous 3 decades. I've been online for about 5 years now, but I never bothered to search "the Kinks" until very recently......... lazy, y'know ;-)

Try here...Dalton doesn't update it very often, but...

http://www.john-dalton.com/kok.htm

I think you and I are about the same age...nearly 7 in dog years.

[Ceinwyn]

Originally posted by Cave Dweller
Hey everyone! Welcome aboard............................. wait, that's not my line yet :)

[snipped]......... music. I'm a drummer, not a musician :p (I've heard most of the jokes) Hey Cave Dweller, that reminds me of a joke my musician dad used to tell:

What do you call someone who follows a band around?





A bass player.



Yep, that's what he played. :D

[Odd Little Man]

Hello everyone! I've been reading the forums for a little while now but have just gotten around to joining. I would have earlier but my computer crashed, the dog got sick, my pet turtle got run over (he darted out right in front of the car, the driver said he didn't have a chance of stopping), the roof started leaking, I won the lottery, the FBI searched my house...

Anyway, hope I don’t offend anyone, you seem like the kind of people whose company I could enjoy.

[Blue Monk]

Originally posted by Odd Little Man
Hello everyone! I've been reading the forums for a little while now but have just gotten around to joining. I would have earlier but my computer crashed, the dog got sick, my pet turtle got run over (he darted out right in front of the car, the driver said he didn't have a chance of stopping), the roof started leaking, I won the lottery, the FBI searched my house...

Anyway, hope I don’t offend anyone, you seem like the kind of people whose company I could enjoy.

Welcome to the board fellow Texan :)

We already have odd little men running around here but you are the first to feely admit it, hehe.

If you get a chance tell us about your FBI raid.

I once had the FBI show up at my door and arrest my roomate! Honest, true story. I'll tell you mine if you'll tell me yours, hehe.

Welcome.

[Eos of the Eons]

So, how much did you win in the lottery? That was some exciting....day, week, year?

[Kensington Bailey]

Hello, my name is Bob, which is a palindrome indeed, although not at all impressive, it is known to many.

I got to meet Mr. Randi at a course in philosophy given by Paul Kurtz at SUNY at Buffalo. This was before he won the "genius money," but he was still as smart then as now, I am sure.

Perhaps, for laffs, some of you can guess the relevance of my User Name, Kensington Bailey (there are enough hints here).

I am happily married, two wonderful boys, very awesome. I love music, limericks, humor, Mark Twain, sleep, relaxation. Generally in that order as well.

Generally I am open minded, however, I have no supernatural beliefs. Some may say that it is not natural for the Buffalo Bills to win the Super Bowl, so this may be the only one that poses for me a transcendental temptation (apologies to Mr. Kurtz).

[LostAngeles]

Originally posted by Kensington Bailey
...

Generally I am open minded, however, I have no supernatural beliefs. Some may say that it is not natural for the Buffalo Bills to win the Super Bowl, so this may be the only one that poses for me a transcendental temptation (apologies to Mr. Kurtz).

Bob, suffice to say that so long as you suffer under the primadonna-ism of Drew Bledsoe, the Bills will never win a Super Bowl.

No, you can't have Tom Brady either.

Look, just call up the Jets and see what they can do for you, all right? They helped us out.

(I'm a Boston transplant.)

[stardog]

Hello everyone.

I really enjoy reading the posts. I may not be posting much since I am learning to be skeptical. My posts would not be up to snuff.

I am a recently deconverted Pentecostal Christian. I am married with two beautiful daughters. I live in California.

I must thank James Randi for helping me find my way out of the long dark nightmare that superstitious beliefs were for me.:)

[UncleSon]

Approximately 14 months ago, I predicted with absolute certainty, to anyone who cared to listen, that Phil Mickleson would never, EVER, win a major.

Bottom line, never say never

(But there's a 99.9999% probability he'll never win another)

[tim]

Originally posted by stardog
Hello everyone.

I really enjoy reading the posts. I may not be posting much since I am learning to be skeptical. My posts would not be up to snuff.

I am a recently deconverted Pentecostal Christian. I am married with two beautiful daughters. I live in California.

I must thank James Randi for helping me find my way out of the long dark nightmare that superstitious beliefs were for me.:)

You are very welcome here, Stardog. (Good name, btw).
You don't have to be an athiest to be here - we have quite a few people who have reconciled their belief in their god(s) with a skeptical viewpoint.
We won't bite you (very) hard if you post something that doesn't make a lot of sense. Advice? Check your facts before you post - and be prepared to back off if you're wrong. Apart from that, jump straight in. I think you may enjoy yourself!

[tim]

Originally posted by UncleSon
Approximately 14 months ago, I predicted with absolute certainty, to anyone who cared to listen, that Phil Mickleson would never, EVER, win a major.

Bottom line, never say never

(But there's a 99.9999% probability he'll never win another)

Who's Phil Mickleson? :p ;)

[UncleSon]

A rich little gay boy from California, swings a golf club from the wrong side of his body for a living :D :o

[Kensington Bailey]

Originally posted by UncleSon
Approximately 14 months ago, I predicted with absolute certainty, to anyone who cared to listen, that Phil Mickleson would never, EVER, win a major.

Bottom line, never say never

(But there's a 99.9999% probability he'll never win another)

All "true" Bills fans know that Phil Mickelson is their patron martyr, and now that he has rizzen, the Genny taps are flowing ...

[tim]

Originally posted by Kensington Bailey


All "true" Bills fans know that Phil Mickelson is their patron martyr, and now that he has rizzen, the Genny taps are flowing ...

I have no idea what you are talking about. Is this person a "sports personality" of some sort? Minor stuff, obviously, otherwise we British would have heard of him.
:p ;)

[UncleSon]

Originally posted by tim


I have no idea what you are talking about. Is this person a "sports personality" of some sort? Minor stuff, obviously, otherwise we British would have heard of him.
:p ;)

He's a professional golfer, he won the master's earlier this year, and he almost won the U.S. Open championship last weekend, and he'll be invading your country next month to try and win your Open Championship. He won't:p

[tim]

Strange game, golf. Invented by Scots, played by Americans and Japanese...................
You try to knock a small ball into a small hole that's a long way away by means of a shaped stick. Hmmm.
Why???
:confused: :p

[UncleSon]

try doing it with an unshaped stick, it'll take you 5 times as long. Goodnight.

[Sloe_Bohemian]

Originally posted by stardog
Hello everyone.

I really enjoy reading the posts. I may not be posting much since I am learning to be skeptical. My posts would not be up to snuff.

I am a recently deconverted Pentecostal Christian. I am married with two beautiful daughters. I live in California.

I must thank James Randi for helping me find my way out of the long dark nightmare that superstitious beliefs were for me.:)


Please jump right in. There's plenty of frivolous threads waiting for contributions to get your feet wet.

As a "saved" recovering Pentacostal... do you have any insights, advice or an uplifting story of how you did it? I have a brother who's been afflicted. Although it got him a pretty young wife right out of High School (her, not him).

[kieran]

I figured that since I have just broken my duck (after lurking here for months) I should introduce myself.

I'm Kieran - mechanical engineer, mathematician and software engineer from the UK.

I'm here mainly because of my fiancee. She's a lovely lady - a bit quiet, timid and easily led. Before I met her, she was involved with a bloke that used to beat her up and scammed loads of money from her. Unfortunately she had two kids with him before breaking free of his abuse, and as we (me, her and the kids) live about half a mile from him, we still encounter him quite often.

Why is all that relevant? ... well one of the reasons he would beat her up was he'd read that she'd have a "romantic encounter" in a horoscope. Yep - he'd beat her until she "admitted" it was true ... then he'd beat her for "doing" it.:mad:

What did he spend all her money on? ... twaddle like healing crystals, "universal harmonizers", etc. Also he'd spend it on a professional photograph portfolio so that he could be a model (you'd have to see him to know how much of a joke that is - is it only a sub-set of woo woos that are delusional?), marketing materials so that he could set up a dating agency (never happened), buying old cars that he could renovate and sell at profit (he can't drive and isn't a mechanic - how delusional? - it was another money sink). He also has "healing hands" and used to treat people with cancer ... until he ran out of patients as they died. :con2:

I came here as he kept sending us "information" about woo woo stuff he wanted us to get for the kids ("gentle winding" sessions etc) and my Google searches led me to the JREF. I already laughed at this kind of stuff but it was nice to see other people laughing too. Although I didn't need to resort to the JREF in any arguments with him, my fiancee now sees the "random use of irrelevant jargon", "referencing of bogus academics" and "lists of un-tracable testamonals" for what they are - pure scam.

Current status: "bully boy" doesn't bother us with his hair-brained ideas anymore - he has gone very quiet since I moved in six months ago. However, he is now scamming his mother for a couple of grand to buy a "top-secret machine that will cure his illnesses" (what happened to his "healing hands"?) Mind you, as his mother can also be a nasty piece of work - I am taking great delight in seeing him ripping her off now. :roll:

[Polux]

Originally posted by kieran
Why is all that relevant? ... well one of the reasons he would beat her up was he'd read that she'd have a "romantic encounter" in a horoscope. Yep - he'd beat her until she "admitted" it was true ... then he'd beat her for "doing" it.:mad:


Delusional, yes... but apparently, too dangerous to be on the loose as well :eek:

[Eos of the Eons]

I'm impressed with the new influx of newbies. The stories have my eyes popping out! Good on you all for signing up and adding your interesting perspectives to the mix, welcome!

[Smike]

Originally posted by Sloe_Bohemian
Please jump right in. There's plenty of frivolous threads waiting for contributions to get your feet wet.


Some of us don't go anywhere else.;)

[Meffy]

I predict the very last new poster to post to this thread will be the prophet Zarquon.

"Hello, everyone. Sorry to be so late. Let's see now..."

*FLUSH*

[espritch]

I predict the very last new poster to post to this thread will be the prophet Zarquon.

Umm..shouldn't the prophet Zarquon be the one making the predictions?

For future reference, the prophets make the predictions. The rest of us should be content to just obey the prophets and kill the infidels. ;)

[The Prophet Jihadfrey]

Did someone request a prophet?

[JJM 777]

I'm a new poster -- wasn't that the topic of this thread?

(Uhh... how boring this thread looks. The only reason why I write here is that I want to reach the 50-post mailstone and get a custom-made avatar!)

[JJM 777]

Hmmm... what if I quickly write thirty silly messages right here, in this silly thread?

Will I then get a custom-made avatar, or will I get banned from the forum?

[tim]

Originally posted by JohnJoeMittler
Hmmm... what if I quickly write thirty silly messages right here, in this silly thread?

Will I then get a custom-made avatar, or will I get banned from the forum?

Yes. One or the other.
You can make one post per minute, so if you get a move on you could have your avatar by 4 o'clock. (BST)

[Polux]

Originally posted by JohnJoeMittler

(Uhh... how boring this thread looks. The only reason why I write here is that I want to reach the 50-post mailstone and get a custom-made avatar!)

Ah, that's cheating!
(But I'm posting this for the same reason!)

[tim]

Originally posted by JohnJoeMittler
Hmmm... what if I quickly write thirty silly messages right here, in this silly thread?

Will I then get a custom-made avatar, or will I get banned from the forum?

Ah, I see you made it then!

























p.s. you are now banned for posting insubstantial messages.
:p ;)

[Meffy]

Originally posted by espritch


Umm..shouldn't the prophet Zarquon be the one making the predictions?

He would, but he's a bit late, as it happens. Besides, what kind of Restaurant at the End of the Communiverse has just one prophet? :-)

[anonimouse]

Hi ladies! I'm an Aquarius who likes long walks in the park, woodworking, and is looking for that...

Oh wait, wrong board.

Anyway, I came to randi via ratbags via some not-to-be-named parenting website owned by a large pharmaceutical company. It was at said website in which I saw a inordinate number of people who oppose vaccination. At first I thought they were just random loons, but after spending some time researching the topic, it's apparent that these random loons are getting their information from some well-organized and well-funded sources.

It's one thing to be naive and/or not have the critical thinking skills necessary to realize the arguments presented by anti-vaccination groups are at best distortions of actual facts, and at worst fabrications. (sorry, I won't call them "informed choice", because that implies they present a balanced view of the available information) It's another to reasonably believe that the information you're providing is inaccurate, and provide it anyway - especially if you're doing so for the purposes of financial gain.

So my main focus is the anti-vaccination movement. I think that the internet has given these groups a foothold they normally wouldn't merit. If public disinformation campaigns have managed to reduce vaccination rates in the past without the benefit of the internet, imagine the possibilites now that anyone with dubious credentials can put up a website and claim the AMA and Merck are conspiring to kill your child with harmful neurotoxins.

I don't consider myself a hardcore skeptic in the traditional sense. I am a practicing Catholic who believes in God and in the existence of a higher power that had a role in the creation of the universe we live in, for example. I always struggle with the notion that I'm no better than those who believe in extraterrestrials, etc., because I believe in something for which I lack hard scientific evidence to prove its existence. So I tend to avoid those types of discussions.

But with vaccination, the scientific evidence is profound if not overwhelming. It is hard for any reasonable person to look at the credible information about vaccination and NOT conclude that it has had a dramatic impact on the course of many once-dangerous diseases. And it is equally hard to look at the research into the side effects of vaccines and come to any other conclusion that they are, on the whole, extrordinarily safe when compared to just about any other medical intervention. People that choose to ignore that evidence, whether it be for personal or financial reasons, do so not only to the detriment of their families, but to everyone around them.

Anyway...

On a personal note - I have two kids, a newborn son and a 1 1/2 year old daughter, and a wife who thinks I argue and think too much. I admit to imbibing too much on occasion, playing more poker than my wife would like, and being obsessed with bringing my golf handicap into the single digits. I spent several years working as a reporter for two different daily newspapers in the Midwestern part of the U.S. After a while though, I got burned out, and when my kids came along I switched to a marginally more lucrative career. I now work for an engineering firm, mostly writing training manuals and technical documentation.

That's all I've got for now. I'll hopefully be spending some time in the science and medicine forums.

[Chaos]

sodakboy93
You should have a long talk with Eos of the Eons. I think the two of you are broadcasting on exactly the same wavelength. ;)

By the way, welcome aboard. :)

[rastamonte]

Welcome Sodakboy93!

Eos and others have been trying to help me with the whole vaccination issue. Glad to have another voice join the discussion.

[geni]

Welcome sodakboy93


I've just seen your post in the science forum. I think that counts as a pretty impressive start.

[Eos of the Eons]

Welcome sodakboy9!

It's Canada Day tomorrow, and I actually feel like a party after reading your posts! http://www.members.shaw.ca/eostory/Party2.gif

You were a journalist, and you aren't now? We need more journalists like you with a brain in their head and a nose for the facts along with a healthy dose of critical thinking. If you ever conside taking it up again, I will be your personal cheering section :)

We have lots of skeptics here that are believers, so you really are a well rounded person. Check around for MLynn and Kittynh. Most of us have kids as well. I have 3 ranging from over 1 year to 12 years.

Hydrogen Cyanide is a frustrated parent who is also wading against the anti-vaccine nonsense when looking up information and supports for her special needs child. Reprise is a mom who relies on herd immunity for at least one of the vaccines her child can't get.

You are in a growing number of aware folks who can't believe the following the anti-vaccine/alt med folks are getting. Their information is ranging from outright mistruth to twisted facts.

Check out how my frustration led to my putting up a website of my own that is now incorporated onto an anti-quackery ring. Ratbags is one of my most favorite sites out there!

http://www.members.shaw.ca/eostory/

Welcome to the best forum on the internet! Feel free to keep posting on the vaccine topic and join in on many debates on other topics as well.
and a wife who thinks I argue and think too much.
My husband complains about me the same way your wife comments about you :D We should bring them to TAM3 so they can compare notes and share their woes (poor spouses :D ) LOL!!!

[anonimouse]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Eos of the Eons
Welcome sodakboy9!

You were a journalist, and you aren't now? We need more journalists like you with a brain in their head and a nose for the facts along with a healthy dose of critical thinking. If you ever conside taking it up again, I will be your personal cheering section :)


Thanks. :) But don't be too hard on my fellow journalists. Most of them are honest, intelligent people who in an attempt to be "fair" tend to give too much credence to quackpot ideas. Plus, to be honest, some of these quackpots make great story material.

The fascinating thing about anti-vaxers and the media is their belief that it's the media that is part of the conspiracy to keep them from being heard. In fact, anti-vaccination groups are tremendously media-savvy, even more so than their medical counterparts. One of my big complaints about drug companies and the "medical establishment" is that they tend to dismiss these organizations as inconsequential until it's too late.


Hydrogen Cyanide is a frustrated parent who is also wading against the anti-vaccine nonsense when looking up information and supports for her special needs child. Reprise is a mom who relies on herd immunity for at least one of the vaccines her child can't get.

You are in a growing number of aware folks who can't believe the following the anti-vaccine/alt med folks are getting. Their information is ranging from outright mistruth to twisted facts.

Check out how my frustration led to my putting up a website of my own that is now incorporated onto an anti-quackery ring. Ratbags is one of my most favorite sites out there!


Excellent site, btw.

As per special needs kids - the irony is most parents of autistic children are angry at the anti-vaxers who claim that vaccines caused their children's problems. They realize that all this is doing is taking away resources and time from seeking the real answers.

I've met anti-vax parents with autistic children, and it's sad to see that they can't let go of the notion - even with all the evidence on the table - that vaccines didn't have a part in their child's condition. They'd rather hang on to that belief than accept any other reasonable possibility.


My husband complains about me the same way your wife comments about you :D


My wife is a pretty pragmatic person. Short, direct, to the point. She doesn't need to know the inner details as to why something works, just that it does work. She tends to stay away from heated debate. I think it's the middle manager in her.

We should bring them to TAM3 so they can compare notes and share their woes (poor spouses :D ) LOL!!!

Excuse my ignorance, but what is TAM3? :) Do they serve beer?

[nakedjuggler]

new member - been lurking for a while. must confess to having the Glee/renata chess hoax downloaded onto my PC.
Married with 1 kid aged 12 who is so damned good looking, i suspect the mailman.
In the Computer/TV industry - working indirectly for big Rupert as an Oracle DBA.
Wife used to be a mormon, but I soon cured her of that.
Will contribute more when I'm not at work....

[MLynn]

I haven't welcomed anyone here in about a month - what's wrong with me! A big WELCOME to:

Odd Little Man, Kensington Bailey, Stardog, Kieran (great story!), The Prophet Jihadfrey, sodakboy93, naked juggler

Stardog: Don't worry about posting. I'm still learning a lot about skepticism and critical thinking myself, and look at my post count! Holy cr*p!

Anyway, I hope you all feel great when you come here. There are some very, how shall I say this, feisty, out-spoken, tactless ;) posters. Don't let them intimidate you - I don't - I just let them blather on...heheheheheh

[anonimouse]

Excuse my ignorance, but what is TAM3? :) Do they serve beer?

Ok, now I know what TAM3 is. I will safely assume beer of some kind will be available. :)

[Eos of the Eons]

:D How can you resist a meeting of skeptics? I'm sure beer will be available. Right? I've never been there before, so maybe you can hunt down Girl 6 or Moe or Mercution or Kitty, etc. They've been there, among others.

[anonimouse]

Originally posted by Eos of the Eons
:D How can you resist a meeting of skeptics? I'm sure beer will be available. Right? I've never been there before, so maybe you can hunt down Girl 6 or Moe or Mercution or Kitty, etc. They've been there, among others.

I don't know. Considering the collective intelligence on this board, I feel like an amateur "playing smart" so far. :)

[tim]

Originally posted by sodakboy93


I don't know. Considering the collective intelligence on this board, I feel like an amateur "playing smart" so far. :)

A few weeks ago sceptics living in the UK got together for an evening. There were eleven of us - I don't think any of us had met another JREF member before. There was a wide range of occupations and ages, yet we all had something in common. We were sceptics, and JREF sceptics at that. It was a great evening.
Go to this thread to read all about it!
http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40979&highlight=the+george
The point I'm making is that it doesn't matter if your "smart", or what you do for a living, or how old you are, or what your sexual orientation is or your colour. You just sort of "fit".

[Chaos]

A few weeks ago, the Frankfurt area skeptics also met. Both of them. :D

[tim]

Originally posted by Chaos
A few weeks ago, the Frankfurt area skeptics also met. Both of them. :D

But did you have a good time?
(no innuendo intended! :D :D :D)

[MLynn]

Originally posted by sodakboy93


I don't know. Considering the collective intelligence on this board, I feel like an amateur "playing smart" so far. :)
The fact that you're here and care about critical thinking is more than enough reason to come to The Amazing Meeting if you want to!. The collective would love to see you - resistance is futile! :D

[Cider]

Hi, I've been lurking for a while now and decided that now was a good time to introduce myself.

I wouldn't exactly call myself a sceptic and I certainly don't consider myself a "believer", but I've already learnt an awful lot on here.

Maybe after paddling in the shallows of Banter I might wade into the depths of more "serious" topics, but I can assure you that I shall be avoiding the politics forum like the proverbial plague!
:D

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

Then you are a smart man, Mr. Cider.

~~ Paul

[tim]

Originally posted by Cider
Hi, I've been lurking for a while now and decided that now was a good time to introduce myself.

I wouldn't exactly call myself a sceptic and I certainly don't consider myself a "believer", but I've already learnt an awful lot on here.

Maybe after paddling in the shallows of Banter I might wade into the depths of more "serious" topics, but I can assure you that I shall be avoiding the politics forum like the proverbial plague!
:D

Welcome Cider!
We have a wide variety of opinion and belief on this forum as you will have discovered.
Suggestions when you get into the "serious" topics? Check your facts. Then check them again. Be prepared to be wrong. Don't cling to an argument when it's clearly erronous - you'll only get in too deep to withdraw. Take time out if you get too angry!
And don't underestimate banter - there have been some intense and meaningful discussions there!
Enjoy yourself.

[MLynn]

Welcome, Cider - you are smart to avoid the politics! It's been a friggin' soap opera, but also entertaining. Most, if not all, the people here have a great sense of humor, so it's not all serious. Have a great time here :D

[Fat Bottom Gurl]

Hello - I'm new to this forum too, and while I've already posted a couple of times, I forgot to introduce myself.

I once was quite into "new age" woo woo until I stumbled across skeptic sites and then onto Randi's site. I bought Shermer's book "Why People Believe in Weird Things" and am now looking at things in a very different light. I've dumped my homeopathic remedies and try to get others to think critically.

I live in Canada and spend all my husband's money with my hobby of breeding and showing champion Bernese Mountain Dogs...(breeding dogs is equivalent to a black hole that just sucks money faster than one can generate it). But - hey! It's a fun hobby and I've met so many wonderful people - not to mention getting the bennies of having lots of furkids to snuggle.

I've found this forum to be a wonderful place to learn.

Debaroo

[tim]

Welcome Debaroo!
Dogs are a delight and a pleasure! We've just been to pick a black Labrador puppy who will be joining us in about 6 weeks time.
I'm sure you will find a great deal her to interest you. Have fun!

[MLynn]

Welcome, Debaroo! Great, another dog lover! You are just what we need to give the kitties a run for their money. You might have noticed a lot of cat avatars; not enough dogs - glad you are here!
Oh, yes - the critical thinking is a good reason for you to be here, too ;)

[Fat Bottom Gurl]

Originally posted by MLynn
Welcome, Debaroo! Great, another dog lover! You are just what we need to give the kitties a run for their money. You might have noticed a lot of cat avatars; not enough dogs - glad you are here!
Oh, yes - the critical thinking is a good reason for you to be here, too ;)

Thanks for the warm welcome so far. I'm going to have to post a few more times before I can put up my avatar! Of course it will be a dog!:D

Grins,
Debaroo

[tim]

Originally posted by Debaroo


Thanks for the warm welcome so far. I'm going to have to post a few more times before I can put up my avatar! Of course it will be a dog!:D

Grins,
Debaroo

Lemme guess - Yorkshire Terrier, right?

[Fat Bottom Gurl]

Originally posted by tim


Lemme guess - Yorkshire Terrier, right?

Ha! My dogs would consider them squeaky toys :p

No - I have Bernese Mountain Dogs..and just kidding about the squeaky toys, my dogs are very gentle with small dogs.

Grins,
Debaroo

[Hutch]

Got to admit, they are a handsome breed of dog.

See link here (http://www.berner.org/gal_9_22/berner25.html)

[tim]

Originally posted by Debaroo


Ha! My dogs would consider them squeaky toys :p

No - I have Bernese Mountain Dogs..and just kidding about the squeaky toys, my dogs are very gentle with small dogs.

Grins,
Debaroo

Hmmm.....BIG puppies.
We have one of these coming in a few weeks.....

[asthmatic camel]

Originally posted by tim


Hmmm.....BIG puppies.
We have one of these coming in a few weeks.....

Awww, if only we had the space... :)

[exarch]

Hey, this thread is not a sticky any more?
Oh, sorry, it still is :D

Anyway, welcome to all the new folks ;)

[Dr.Stefano]

Hi,

I am a member of the Round Earth Society (http://www.str.com.br), a bright society in Brazil. I´m also a gastroenterologist / hepatologist and maybe I could help in some threads about my area here.

[tim]

Originally posted by Dr.Stefano
Hi,

I am a member of the Round Earth Society (http://www.str.com.br), a bright society in Brazil. I´m also a gastroenterologist / hepatologist and maybe I could help in some threads about my area here.

Welcome, Dr.Stefano
You are not the only person from Brazil on this board. One of our most respectedmembers lives in Rio. If you don't know her already I'm sure you soon will.
It's always good to have specialists here - you would be amazed at what comes up in discussions!
Enjoy yourself!

[Dr.Stefano]

Originally posted by tim


Welcome, Dr.Stefano
You are not the only person from Brazil on this board. One of our most respectedmembers lives in Rio. If you don't know her already I'm sure you soon will.
It's always good to have specialists here - you would be amazed at what comes up in discussions!
Enjoy yourself!
Thanks !

[exarch]

Originally posted by Dr.Stefano
Hi,

I am a member of the Round Earth Society (http://www.str.com.br), a bright society in Brazil. I´m also a gastroenterologist / hepatologist and maybe I could help in some threads about my area here.Welcome Dr. Stefano.

Visit the science section for some discussions with homeopaths. It seems IBS and the like are common afflictions among some of the homeo-believers. Maybe you could enlighten them :)

But don't be a stranger to other parts of the board, because there's so many interesting debates going on ....

[TragicMonkey]

Whoops. Double post.

[TragicMonkey]

Uh, guess I should introduce myself since I'm posting all over the place. It beats working, for sure. But it LOOKS like I'm working while I'm doing it. Hee hee. My boss should never have let me turn my desk so there's a wall behind me...

I'm a "software engineer" (translation: coding slave). I'm in my late twenties (already old enough to start not being exact about it) and I'm terrrrribly skeptical. My coworkers range from credulous to very credulous. One of them believes in every single thing he's heard on Art Bell's radio show, which he listens to at work. The only things this guy doesn't believe in is the Moon landing, evolution, and modern medicine curing anything. It's pretty much the presence of this guy that drove me to reading skeptical sites and winding up here at JREF. I needed something to counteract the alien energy crystals sending their vibrations through the ether. I wouldn't mind so much, except my coworker explained that the vibrations are actually echoing backwards in time because the aliens of the future are trying to raise Atlantis in the past. I told him I found his statement alarming, which was perfectly true. He didn't get it.

I can't wait til I can have an avatar. I love monkeys. But only platonically.

[rastamonte]

Welcome, TragicMonkey, from another software engineer who looks like he is working.

[exarch]

There's a lot of us around here, isn't it :D

[tim]

Originally posted by TragicMonkey
Uh, guess I should introduce myself since I'm posting all over the place. It beats working, for sure. But it LOOKS like I'm working while I'm doing it. Hee hee. My boss should never have let me turn my desk so there's a wall behind me...

I can't wait til I can have an avatar. I love monkeys. But only platonically.

Well, now you can have an avatar - the qualification is 50 posts! Welcome!

[Eos of the Eons]

Hi Newbies!

TragicMonkey, you have to have visited this site:

http://www.badastronomy.com/

Phil Debunks Art and all the other whackos.

[Dhaos Knight]

WAZZZAP! This is Roadtoad's son Matt! The one hes been writing about! (according to him)

[Zep]

Hey there, Matt! Welcome!

Your dad's a good guy too.

[MLynn]

Welcome, TragicMonkey and Dhaos Knight! Always good to meet new people - I hope you enjoy the various forums here!! :D

Dog avatars, especially whippets, are quite good looking ;)

[Dhaos Knight]

maybe i should make my avatar godzilla so people see my hero! (yes godzilla is my hero and has been since i was little) or maybe i coud use my dragon avatar!

[tim]

Originally posted by Dhaos Knight
maybe i should make my avatar godzilla so people see my hero! (yes godzilla is my hero and has been since i was little) or maybe i coud use my dragon avatar!

Welcome Matt! I have a high respect for your Dad - give him a hello from me.
I think the Godzilla avatar would be best - I mean, you do look like your old man, right?
:p :D :D :D ;)

[Dhaos Knight]

no i dont think i look like my dad. but i do have the same temperment as him, nice when not angered

[tim]

Originally posted by Dhaos Knight
no i dont think i look like my dad. but i do have the same temperment as him, nice when not angered

I hope you took no offence at my gibe - I did use one of these - ;)
You are very welcome here!

[Dhaos Knight]

there was none taken, i can be offended if you want! i do that very well!

[tim]

Originally posted by Dhaos Knight
there was none taken, i can be offended if you want! i do that very well!

Well, before I decide, can you give us a sample? :D :D :D

[Dhaos Knight]

sorry i dont give samples. when im offended i normally just say so. then i ignore you a for a bit then back to normal.

[Gr8wight]

I've made a few posts here and there, and today I stumbled across this thread, so I thought I should provide an intro.
I'm a married 39 year old father of one 10 year old son. My wife believes in ghosts and has visited psychics. :rr: I don't even remember how I stumbled across this website. Someone must have linked to it from another site I frequent. I've known who Randi was for years, having seen him appear on popular talk shows, I think, as far back as the seventies. I live just north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and am presently unemployed. ( I quit my last job because my boss was a twit, and I haven't really seriously started looking for another one yet.) I have no actual scientific training of any kind, short of grade 9 chemistry and physics. Am I a skeptic? I guess you could say so, but unlike some regulars here, I prefer to walk away from an argument with an obvious wacko. Well, there it is, as far as it goes. Don't worry about making a nice post to welcome me, because I'm unlikely to return to this thread to see it.;)

[MLynn]

Welcome, Gr8wight, glad you are here! You seem to be a seeker of knowledge to fight ugga bugga, so even if you aren't quite a skeptic yet, who knows? Lurk, post, learn and have a good time. :)

[SpaceFluffer]

Hi! My name's Mike, and I'm currently finishing up a PhD in experimental particle astrophysics.

Umm...what else to say, 'cept that I'm passionate about effective science education. I grew up in the UK, and now living in the US, I'm amazed at the differences in education between the two.

Anyway, you'll be seeing more of me around here I'm sure :)

[tim]

Originally posted by SpaceFluffer
Hi! My name's Mike, and I'm currently finishing up a PhD in experimental particle astrophysics.

Umm...what else to say, 'cept that I'm passionate about effective science education. I grew up in the UK, and now living in the US, I'm amazed at the differences in education between the two.

Anyway, you'll be seeing more of me around here I'm sure :)

Hi Mike!
You are very welcome here! I notice you have four posts so far, but you've been registered since May. This average of about one post every three weeks is just not good enough! :p ;)
I hope you enjoy the forum!

[Benguin]

I've been around ages, but never bothered to post myself here.

I live in Southampton, UK. I'm an engineer turned database programmer. Ummm, married, interested in all sorts of nonsense, and here's an awful photo.

OK, I'll add the photo later, if anyone really wants to see it! In the mean time, I resemble my avatar.

I can't help smiling whenever I see Tim's posts, I look forward to the day some wombat attacks me.

[exarch]

Originally posted by Benguin
I've been around ages, but never bothered to post myself here.

I live in Southampton, UK. I'm an engineer turned database programmer. Ummm, married, interested in all sorts of nonsense, and here's an awful photo.

OK, I'll add the photo later, if anyone really wants to see it! In the mean time, I resemble my avatar.Hey, no pictures here, there's a thread (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&goto=lastpost&threadid=2765) specifically for that purpose :)

[Benguin]

Originally posted by exarch
Hey, no pictures here, there's a thread (http://www.randi.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&goto=lastpost&threadid=2765) specifically for that purpose :)

Hey, if you don't want to see my ugly mug just say so !!

:p :p :p :p :p

[exarch]

Originally posted by Benguin
Hey, if you don't want to see my ugly mug just say so !!I just want to make sure your ugly mug is posted in the designated place, so it doesn't take anyone by surprise ;)

[tim]

Originally posted by Benguin
I've been around ages, but never bothered to post myself here.

I live in Southampton, UK. I'm an engineer turned database programmer. Ummm, married, interested in all sorts of nonsense, and here's an awful photo.

OK, I'll add the photo later, if anyone really wants to see it! In the mean time, I resemble my avatar.

I can't help smiling whenever I see Tim's posts, I look forward to the day some wombat attacks me.

I am wombat - hear me
ROAR!

[MLynn]

tim, why do you like wombats?

[exarch]

Mik, why do you like whippets? :p

[tim]

Originally posted by MLynn
tim, why do you like wombats?

Mik, to be honest, I don't really know. I've never met one so my research has been carried out on the net.
They're big. They're smart. They're fast. They're dangerous. They are all the things people think they aren't.
Wombats rock!

[Dhaos Knight]

to quote 2 friends of mine one who goes by the nick name of 'Seto' and his wife's name is Mai, this is what they would say,

Seto:"Mai! Tell him what he's won!"
Mai:"A years supply of IceCream!"
Seto:"what flavor is it?"
Mai:"lean your head down from its 6' position to about 4 feet so I show you! BOOT TO THE HEAD!"

They do that to almost every one so i thought it would make sense, they been listening to Tai Quon Leap toooo much for my own sanity

[Eos of the Eons]

Originally posted by zeno
Eos: :w2:


Why are you blue? :confused:

Cheer up! ::big:
http://www.members.shaw.ca/eostory/thup.GIF

Blue is Cool man, Party!!!!

http://www.members.shaw.ca/eostory/Party2.gif

Once in a blue moon my mood will blue too :p

[susheel]

Hi there...

I'm BAAAaaack!!!:) ;) :D

[Ashles]

Hello everyone. I thought I'd just pop in to celebrate my 50th post.

The big five-oh.

Makes you think doesn't it... *settles into leather armchair with slippers and glass of brandy*

[zeno]

Eos: :w2:


Roses are lead,
Violins are blue - - - No, no, no, that doesn't seem quite right. :confused:


Roses are red,
Violets are cool - - - Better, better, but still not quite right either somehow. :con2:


Aw, the heck with it:

Twinkle, twinkle, little bat !
How I wonder what you're at !
Up above the world you fly,
Like a tea - tray in the sky.

Lewis Carroll, you may recall, was a noted Sci Fi writer of yesteryear.

[Eos of the Eons]

I AM NOT A BAT :p

I can't wait to see your avatar zeno :D

[zeno]

EOS: How clumsy of me!
:jaw:

Is an avatar anything like a unicorn or a vorlon? :con2:

[Eos of the Eons]

Well, my avatar is blue, tim's is a wombat, MLynn's is the whippet...
Where is G6? Her avatar is heartstopping.

After 50 posts you can get one too :)

[zeno]

EOS: :w2:

A G6 with only 50 posts? :wow2: Gee, thanx!

In the meantime think short, fat, old, ugly, and awkward

[Eos of the Eons]

Well, you don't have to get an Avatar that is short, fat, old, ugly, and awkward :D

Getting up to 50 posts gives you a lot of time to think of what kind of Avatar you want. I stole mine from another forum. Had to bring with her with me!

[zeno]

EOS: :w2:


I learned how to copy & pasre only last month. Avatars will have to wait awhile. I've had so much fun teasing you, I sorta fergot why I migrated to this website. Yours seems more interesting, but I flunked the app, as usual.

BTW, I did pick up a load of spam while there :crc: , if that is a matter of interest to you.

[Eos of the Eons]

Originally posted by zeno
EOS: :w2:


I learned how to copy & pasre only last month. Avatars will have to wait awhile. I've had so much fun teasing you, I sorta fergot why I migrated to this website. Yours seems more interesting, but I flunked the app, as usual.

BTW, I did pick up a load of spam while there :crc: , if that is a matter of interest to you.

Eh?? What app? Spam? Okay, now you're really teasing the heck outta me!

My site is pretty basic, this forum is far more interesting. I've constantly addressed the subject matter on my website more in depth here. Check out the science/math/tech, etc. threads.

What is your topic of interest? Anything you like to debate?

The wide range of people and information here has kept me in awe. The people here have the wit and intelligence that is simply not found on any other forum on the internet (in my experience, which I have perused a wide variety of forums). Straight Dope doesn't even compare, but I can't put them down, there are a lot of critical thinkers there.

You forgot why you migrated ***jokingly aghast***

Well, double welcome, and have fun!

[zeno]

Eos: :w2:


The science forum is too large here; too many subjects with too many participants. Anything with a zeno anchor attached tends to sink to the bottom as rapidly here as it has elsewhere; maybe moreso. It would suit me better if the forum were broken broken into its constituent parts, as yours is.

It took 3 or 4 trys to pass my 1st class FCC license. When I finally did, I had to go back & correct the application. It has since become something of a tradition.

When I attempted to vacate, I got loaded down with 3 or 4 loads of spam.

Moreover, my code name preference :dio: , might still be available. :clap:

[Eos of the Eons]

When you vacated my forums you got spam? In what form? Pop ups? I do access my main website from work, and don't get that problem. I don't remember that problem when going to the forum, but I'll try again to see.

My forum is hosted for free by ezboard. It's rather a ghost town, and an information dump from my previous forum and some other posts made elsewhere.

Do you mean the application to access ezboards?

What is the FCC?

How did you happen across my web site?

Thank you for letting me know, I'm working to see where the problem is coming from.

Gratefully,

Eos

[zeno]

EOS: :w2:


1) I'm not sure what a Pop -Up is, but that seems about right. Are there any Mom-Ups?

2) Ezboard App: Yes. Since I wasn't applying for a home loan, I thought it a bit intrusive.

3) FCC = Federal Communication Commission (ours, not yours).

4) :nope: I didn't happen across your website. I went there on purpose. Why, are you s :p re?

[Eos of the Eons]

Cool, so we do check out each other's websites here!

I still can't see where the problem is with the ezboard forum myself, but will keep the concerns in mind. Mine is not a busy board, and it is free, so not too much can be done. Once you sign up for one ezboard you can use the same sign in for them all. So it would be ezboard spam, not my board's in particular if you got email after signing up.

I Don't think there are any Mom-Ups :p

[espritch]

I Don't think there are any Mom-Ups

Shhhh! Sure as you start talking about it, someone will probably invent them and they will be even more anoying than the pop ups.

[Eos of the Eons]

Well of course they would be. They would be telling you to eat your vegables and to brush your teeth :D

[Darat]

Originally posted by espritch
Shhhh! Sure as you start talking about it, someone will probably invent them and they will be even more anoying than the pop ups.

Certainly would be more persistent.... ;)

[zeno]

Girl 6: :w2:

Yer setting a bad example. But is a conjunction. Never begin a sentence with a conjunction. And never begin a sentence with and either. And is also a conjunction.


Guest, assuming there is only one. :w2:

What version of Linux are you using?

[zeno]

Soccer_ref: :w2:

Hey, you speak American! Congratulations! Footballs are supposed pointed at both ends, like some of these barbs; otherwise, where's the point?


ArticPenguin: :w2:

Could be. :con2: How far from Jeff City is Indy?

[zeno]

Girl 6: :w2:

Originally posted by Girl 6
Well, Missy, just use the QUOTE and /QUOTE pair tags surrounded by square brackets. Or, the easiest thing you can do is just click on the quote button from the post that you want to quote.

It will take a while, but you will get the hang of it.

G6

Are you half-right or am I a half-wit? I tried doing it the the hard way, since that is the way I normally do things. No dice, so thanx, but no thanx :i: .

:brk:

[zeno]

ArticPenguin: :w2:

Thanx for the useful information. :clap: I'll park it here so I can decode it later.

Originally posted by arcticpenguin
Do you by any chance have cookies turned off in your browser? You can browse the forum without using cookies, but there's a setting for that on the Edit Options page. If your options are set to use cookies but your browser doesn't allow it I think that could cause your symptoms.

I do not use cookies, and I have the following settings:
Automatically login when you return to the site? NO
Browse board with cookies? NO

You might also look around in the Forum Help forum for anything relevant.

Oh, and welcome to the forum.


LeFerve: :w2:

"Grate" in "The grate state of Texas" is misspelled :( . Yer welcome :D .

Girl 6: :w2:

I have yet to find anyone who claims to have an open mind who has an open mind. All that phrase means is that if I agree, I have an open mind; if not, a closed one.

Still, :crc: we're stuck with it, I guess.

Give me a person with an empty mind every time, that I can fill with fudge. :biggrin:

:brk:

[zeno]

Girl 6: :w2:

"Yes, I love Star Trek." - - - G 6.

Data is ok, but I can not abide Number One, who ought to be number 100 in the pecking order at least, if not 100,000. We are are constantly reminded Will Riker is the best 1st Officer in the fleet. The reason we are constantly reminded is in the hope we won't notice he is actually the worst 1st. Anyone that obviously ambitious would have have long since been promoted if not a total failure. The "Peter Principal" is in play here.

In the entire history of fiction has a psuedo hero ever been allowed to "suck up" as much as this guy? Running a starship is a 24/7 enterprise, if you'll pardon the expression. Where is Will Riker during his off hours? In he in "10 Forward," unlaxing? No. Is he experiencing new adventures on the "Holideck," which, unaccountably, never has a waiting line? No. Is he grabbing a little shut-eye in order to be bright-eyed & alert during his own shift? No.

He is instead constantly underfoot on the bridge, brown-nosing Captain Piccard whenever Piccard himself is on duty. Worse, script writers allow him to bark out orders occasionally, making Piccard, the officer in charge, look like a blithering idiot. This, of course, is an attempt to persuade female fans Riker is something other then wallpaper, that he has a real purpose in life. In any self-respecting organization, Riker would have been court-martialled for gross insubordination, if not mutiny, long, long ago.


Ships Counselor Deanna Troi is also an ornament like Riker, with no real function; eye candy only. Interestingly, her real name, Marina Sirtis sounds more like a Betazed, Vulcan, or Klingon name then Deanna or Troi, which almost sound English.

Troy is a real word. Look it up. Maybe her pappy fluncked his Star Fleet application by misspelling his own name. I flunk apps all the time. I do a fair to middlin job of passing tests, only to learn I flunked the app. Deanna, as a given name, may have achieved the respectability of Edith, Margaret, or Elizabeth in the hundreds of years hence all this is supposed to take place, but right now it sounds like a phoney-baloney artificial made-up name of the sort boomers and their brand X brats favor.

I mellowed when I saw Sirtis on a talk show saying, "Lookit Me! Lookit Me! Lookit Me. I'm a sex symbol. Skinny, scrawny, little Marina Sirtis is a sex symbol," or something to that effect. She also told about an episode in which she allowed herself to be "zapped." In order to be a real Hollywood trouper, she injured her back. The harness she & the other three were using laid her out in such a way that she hurt herself. Watch for it next time. It was a long shot. They could have used rag dolls & none of us would have been the wiser.


The worst, of course, is Worf. Ugh! We are supposed to be beyond racial prejudice & all that in the 21st Century, but I can not help myself. I Hate Klingons. These guys have the charm of Genghas Khan, table manners of Attila the Hun, moral authority of Adolph Hitler, and ethical standards of the Republican Party. From what Captain Kirk has said, it is also lucky for us smellivision has not been invented yet.

The Klingon culture inculcates all the worst attributes of The Gestapo & the idiotic Bushido "Way of the warrior." Are we supposed to believe this maniac depressive behavior is an honorable way to act? Klingons bullies are always on the lookout for someone else with a chip on the shoulder. It isn't a matter of honor, either. What they really want is to die, to be killed; and who can blame them?

The inside of a Klingon warship is dim, murkey, cluttered, and awkward. It would be enough to depress the energizer bunny. Who, in their right mind, would want to live like that? Check it out. Klingons on the original series didn't look like that. Those lumps on the head are not hereditary. That couldn't have happened in only a couple of hundred of years. Those lumps are from walking into & falling over things in those flying dungeons they refer to as warships.

[zeno]

EOS: :w2:

Persuent to your earlier instructions :book: , I've been doing the best I can to wear out my welcome. How'm I doin so far? :c2:

[Eos of the Eons]

http://www.members.shaw.ca/eostory/ROTF25.GIF

Well, since nobody ever listens to me, I think, I'm impressed! And I love your use of Smileys. You are still a few posts shy of your avatar though, so keep on it! I was happy to see your posts in a few other threads, other than this one :D

Holy critique on Star Trek http://www.members.shaw.ca/eostory/argh.GIF

I think you'd do great in the "The REAL Spawn of "The Thread That Will Not Die"! " Thread

Give some of the posters there a run for the money! Especially Lux ;)

[espritch]

He is instead constantly underfoot on the bridge, brown-nosing Captain Piccard whenever Piccard himself is on duty.

And just how else would he become known as the best first officer in the fleet? As Dick Chaney demonstrates, you don't have to be good to be the second banana. You just have to make the first banana look good by comparison. ;)

[zeno]

Espritch: :w2:

The Chaney analogy doesn't work for me. :nope: Neither makes the other look better. An analogy with a banana, however, does: :D Chaney is as slippery as snot on a doorknob & King George 2nd has roughly the same IQ.


EOS: :w2:

Spawn seems boring at both ends. :c2: Any better in the middle?

[tim]

"Chaney is as slippery as snot on a doorknob".
Nice thought. How do you know how slippery that is? :eek:
Evidence please.























on second thoughts, perhaps not.

[zeno]

Tim: :w2:

Evidence in the alternative world, where I'm from, is tantamount to proof you are wrong. It has gotten to the point that if I recommend jumping on the Golden Gate Bridge, many (most?) :p would probably jump off.

[Ralph Wiggum]

:w2:

I got caught in a slime warp recently, and, as a consequence, have been excomunicated :crc: & reincarnated in my true form :cs: . Wonder how long I'll be allowed to brownose :rub: this time around.

[tim]

Originally posted by Ralph Wiggum
:w2:

I got caught in a slime warp recently, and, as a consequence, have been excomunicated :crc: & reincarnated in my true form :cs: . Wonder how long I'll be allowed to brownose :rub: this time around.

If the "aka zeno" in your sig means you're a sock puppet, not long.....................

[Ralph Wiggum]

Tim: :w2:

Thanx for the response. It is hard to get off on the right foot, if your foot is in your mouth. Your guess is as good as mine, probably better. I was hoping it had to do with the recent difficulties, so will wish you all a Merry Christmas & a happy & prosperous 2005 while I still have the chance.

[tim]

Originally posted by Ralph Wiggum
Tim: :w2:

Thanx for the response. It is hard to get off on the right foot, if your foot is in your mouth. Your guess is as good as mine, probably better. I was hoping it had to do with the recent difficulties, so will wish you all a Merry Christmas & a happy & prosperous 2005 while I still have the chance.

Many thanks! And may I wish you a Happy Halloween? 2005 is a long way off as yet - I'm off for a short break tomorrow, so I'll transfer your good wishes to that if it's OK.
:D :D :D

[singlemalt]

Okay maybe that "kid" is a bit of a stretch.
Been a Randi fan for more years than I care to own up to.
I was always one of those obnoxious brats that always wanted to know why, you know the rest ...is the sky blue? ...is the earth curved? How does a rocket work (Dad was forced to do some research for that one). Etc.
I currently reside in west Tennessee, not a good place for an infidel....AAAAAH I'm surrounded by churches and believers.
I know George Lucas has given in to the dark side. Any one who would inflict that damned yellow robot and then follow up with that ridiculous sock puppet has GOT to be under some sort of evil influence.
I have enjoyed all the various incarnations of Star Trek, sadly the latest version was not stillborn. Don't watch it any more. But then again I don't watch much tv at all anymore, other than the occasional local weather forecast. Aw darn I just realized I missed the olympics again. 5 in a row I think. Thank you NBC ever since you took over I now spend my olympic watching time on healthy pursuits like drinking cussing smoking and lazing around. Anyone care to return fire on any of the above?

[tim]

Originally posted by singlemalt
Okay maybe that "kid" is a bit of a stretch.
Been a Randi fan for more years than I care to own up to.
I was always one of those obnoxious brats that always wanted to know why, you know the rest ...is the sky blue? ...is the earth curved? How does a rocket work (Dad was forced to do some research for that one). Etc.
I currently reside in west Tennessee, not a good place for an infidel....AAAAAH I'm surrounded by churches and believers.
I know George Lucas has given in to the dark side. Any one who would inflict that damned yellow robot and then follow up with that ridiculous sock puppet has GOT to be under some sort of evil influence.
I have enjoyed all the various incarnations of Star Trek, sadly the latest version was not stillborn. Don't watch it any more. But then again I don't watch much tv at all anymore, other than the occasional local weather forecast. Aw darn I just realized I missed the olympics again. 5 in a row I think. Thank you NBC ever since you took over I now spend my olympic watching time on healthy pursuits like drinking cussing smoking and lazing around. Anyone care to return fire on any of the above?

Hi, and welcome!
You're not the only one here of a mature persuasion!
Give up tv.
Give up drinking.
Give up smoking.
Give up cussing.
Will you live longer? No, but it will seem like it!
You should be watching the paralympics - awesome! I admire the hell out of those people.

[singlemalt]

UUHH can't give up drinking...If I did I would have to find a new handle and I just nailed the spelling on this one.

For those that are curious...I con't recall what led me to this site. I have been known to just type a word or name and .org or .com on the bar and see what pops up. I've only been around a couple weeks, although I have known about Randi for a loooooooong time. Oops, too many o's in that one. My grandmother was Canadian, a skeptic and adored Randi from the early days of his career.

I do enjoy the commentary. Another good thing about Friday.

Thanks for the welcome, I feel I am among allies online at any rate.

About a year and a half ago a tornado ran through Jackson Tennessee, right through town. It totally destroyed a century old church. Act of God the parishoners said. Acts like a two year old if you ask me. I refuse to believe in any entity that is so old and has not matured in that time. Despite appearances and rumors to the contrary I do have standards.

[tim]

Originally posted by singlemalt
UUHH can't give up drinking...If I did I would have to find a new handle and I just nailed the spelling on this one.
rate.

About a year and a half ago a tornado ran through Jackson Tennessee, right through town. It totally destroyed a century old church. Act of God the parishoners said. Acts like a two year old if you ask me. I refuse to believe in any entity that is so old and has not matured in that time. Despite appearances and rumors to the contrary I do have standards.

Oh, a new building then. An old building around here is one that pre-dates the Normans - so, say, a thousand years old.
An "act of god" is just an insurance get out. :mad:
And by "single malt" I trust you mean whisky, not whiskey!:alc:

[singlemalt]

whisky? whiskey? couple shots of either will soothe sore muscles, cure illness, align the spine, allow communications with the "passed over", find gold/jewels.water... hmmm, could I be confusing the powers of the ambreosia emanating from the north end of your island with some other supernatural phenomenon? Oh well, no matter. I do recall viewing several cryptozoological creatures after excessive consumption of these beverages... Personal view; do not attempt a homeopathetic concoction with any single malt. The good stuff doesn't need it and the bad stuff is just a waste of water...

We have housing in this country dating back 1k years. We call them caves. Good places to look for those ducking the JREF challenge. The only rock I have heard of that may be big enough to shelter all those dodging the challenge is in Australia, Big rock, but is it big enough? Mammoth Cave in Kentucky on the other hand has on the order of 500 KM of mapped passages, should be plenty of room in there for the no-shows and still have rooom for the troglodytes. The lower levels are suitably slimy.

Several years ago the plant engineer at my former employer and I were discussing the latest hurricane damage from the southeast coast (Georgia or South Carolina) and he was in awe that a hurricane had flattened a church, but left standing one wall with a picture of Jesus on it. I asked just what good one wall was. No response. I then suggested that if pictures of this fellow conveyed some sort of mystical protection from the elements that mobile home manufacturers should consider printing his picture on their products. (Tornados have been known to veer miles off their course just to flatten an entire mobile home park). He said "It doesn't work that way." I responded that frankly it didn't seem to work at all, like his dowsing skills. A reference to my crew jackhammering out a floor 3m from the drain line he located for us. He ended up not speaking to me for several weeks, no downside to that.

Have to run now. I need to call a friend and wish her a happy birthday, lovely person even though she is a believer in any number of oddball things. Keep in touch.

[asthmatic camel]

Heh, singlemalt, half a mile away from our house we have a church steeple. Not a church, just a steeple. The main body of the church became unstable and had to be demolished (perhaps the builders were inspired by God.)

The holy steeple is now fenced off and surrounded by signs warning everyone that it is unstable. Apparently the steeple is a listed building and cannot, by law, be demolished until it falls down of its own accord. Hopefully, this will occur at around 4 AM and kill a few burglars and car thieves, that's what I'd call an act of God.

:D

[skeptikat]

Hello all.

I've been lurking on the site for the last two months or so catching up on the commentary and reading the forum. Now it's time to take the plunge and put my .02$ in.

I grew up reading Sci-Fi and LOTR was the first book my father read to me before bed time. Like some of the people in the forum I'd love to believe in the paranormal, but something always makes me stop and think before I commit to believing. Maybe it's the schooling. Four years of a catholic high school left it's mark. Now I don't believe in anything with out verifiable proof from three different sources.

Untill someone with real psycic powers comes along to claim the JREF prize I'll just have to amuse my self by reading about those who have already tried.

[tim]

Welcome, skeptikat!
Three different sources? Now that's what I call a skeptic! If you've been lurking for a couple of months you know what it's all about, so have fun.
Any particular fields of interest?

[skeptikat]

I actually came at this website doing some research on frauds and scams for a work project. Unfortunatly it seems that it always boils down to money. Who has it and who is recieving it from whom for what.

[tim]

Originally posted by skeptikat
I actually came at this website doing some research on frauds and scams for a work project. Unfortunatly it seems that it always boils down to money. Who has it and who is recieving it from whom for what.

Wll, maybe not always. But mostly. Sigh.

[El Greco]

I'd say it always boils down to imbecility, which is a power stronger than money.

[Patricio Elicer]

Welcome to the forums, Greco!. Eh?,... 2109 posts already? :D:D

[Nex]

Hi everyone. I just joined and wanted to say hello.

I'm an ex-True Believerâ„¢ in the supernatural and occult. Having played most of those tricks myself (and believing them!) I'm a little on the touchy side concerning such claims. I know that game... not as well as some do, but I'd say I know it well.

But I'm happy to say that through some serious critical thinking and experimentation I saw it for what it was. :D

I'd be happy to believe again, if there were real evidence... ah, well, as long as the search continues...

I'm still an active participant on the online occult forums, only now I'm trying to be beneficial to that virtual community by thoroughly smacking down claims of "magic" healing and whatnot. Alternative medicine scams make me VERY angry, as I'm training to be a registered nurse and take the science of medicine seriously. No one's life is worth money or pride, which is exactly what these scams are about.

So, hello. :)

[Mr. Skinny]

Welcome, Nex.

Always good to have a new critical thinker.

[Ribbitalu]

Hello everyone,

I've been a member for a short time now, but never did officially introduce myself. I'm a university administrator (or as faculty would say, a member of the Dark Side) and have slowly become more of a skeptic over the past few years. I thougt I was a skeptic while in graduate school, but at that time I was still willing to believe in woo woo things, mostly because it felt good to believe in them rather than to think critically. Now, the reverse is true, though I am hard put to say how that came about. Maturity? Got tired of believing without proof? Something in the water? Hmmmm....possibly all three.

Happily married with one elderly dog who is my animal behavior muse. Family is good, but my parents are bewildered by my explanations of why the chiropractor shouldn't be dispensing nutritional advice (had this discussion last night). Every chance I get, I remind them that they paid for my education, so they should benefit from it!

Always been fascinated by magic, not because I believe it's magic, but I'm amazed by the years of practice and dedication that it takes to be able to perform "magic".

Greetings everyone, and in case anyone is wondering....I don't have cancer......

[tim]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by cancerwoman

Hi CW! (easier to type than cancerwoman)
A warm welcome to JREF.
I'm sure you will find much to interest you here. The forum is a great resource on all sorts of subjects, not just the paranormal (cough).
We have people from all over the world and many varied occupations, from physicists to physicians, astronomers to policemen, lawyers, chemists, computer folk, artists, actors, writers, even the odd private investigator or two.
Ask questions about pretty much anything. Ask for advice. Whatever. You may not always like the answers though!
There is much humour here too, so be prepared to laugh a lot!
Welcome!

[Ribbitalu]

Thanks for the warm welcome, Tim.

I do laugh a lot while lurking around the forum, and I am glad for the opportunity to share ideas, questions and engage in the occasional rant with others. Lots of good bonding activity! No, not that kind of bonding.....at least not in this thread.
;)

[Chaos]

Originally posted by tim

We have people from all over the world and many varied occupations, from physicists to physicians, astronomers to policemen, lawyers, chemists, computer folk, artists, actors, writers, even the odd private investigator or two.


*cough* And students! Don´t forget students! We have quite a few of those. *cough* (Myself among them, but I´m far too modest and shy to mention that ;))


And, hi, CW!

[tim]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Chaos
*cough* And students! Don´t forget students! We have quite a few of those. *cough* (Myself among them, but I´m far too modest and shy to mention that ;))

Students? STUDENTS? Don't talk to me about students! A drain on a country's resources if you ask me. Shoot the lot of them. That'll teach them a lesson they won't forget in a hurry!
Students? Pah! :p ;)

[Ribbitalu]

Hey now, students pay part of my salary, so I am more than happy to keep them around! How long until you've earned your degree, Chaos?

[MLynn]

Originally posted by cancerwoman
Thanks for the warm welcome, Tim.

I do laugh a lot while lurking around the forum, and I am glad for the opportunity to share ideas, questions and engage in the occasional rant with others. Lots of good bonding activity! No, not that kind of bonding.....at least not in this thread.
;)
Welcome! I hope you enjoy it here - when you get up to 50 posts, you can load up an avatar.

[Chaos]

Originally posted by cancerwoman
Hey now, students pay part of my salary, so I am more than happy to keep them around! How long until you've earned your degree, Chaos?

Well, I recently bumped the threat about me studying. There you can see I just started this April. I figure it´s going to be about another four years.

[monkboon]

Guess I've been negligent. I've been registered for about a month and never introduced myself formally. I only ran across this thread 10 minutes ago - my apologies.

Monkboon was the nickname of a childhood friend of my father's. My father was a great storyteller, and he always had to laugh when telling us about the exploits of Monkboon Wildcat. I loved hearing my father laugh, so the name Monkboon comes to mind often. I wanted to use the name "PurpleDog," a nod to my wife's expression for my nitpicking obvious fallacies on TV, but I had seen someone else had already used "pupdog" and I felt that was a little too close. Monkboon lends itself to a better avatar, too, so I guess it worked out better that way.

I was at TAM2 and I know I met some of you there. I wasn't following the forum then, so please forgive me if I've forgotten you. I'll be at TAM3 too.

[tim]

Welcome Monkboon!
I'll look forward to meeting you at TAM3!

[Eos of the Eons]

:D Love the avatar monkboon :D

[Beady]

Originally posted by monkboon
Guess I've been negligent. I've been registered for about a month and never introduced myself formally. I only ran across this thread 10 minutes ago - my apologies.

Don't feel bad. I've been registered a lot longer (almost a year), and am just now posting here. Actually, I haven't even been lurking these boards much, although I've been a fairly steady reader of the commentaries (Randi even quoted me, once). I had been a fairly committed Usenet poster for about 10 years (and many Usenet posters *should* be committed), but finally got disgusted and bored enough to delete the newsreader from my computer about a month ago.

Anyway, I think I saw Tim say that there are a couple of private investigators here; I hope to add a profession to the mix, since I'm an Immigration officer. I'm not a field officer; instead, I sit in an office and adjudicate immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions and applications, basing my decisions on supporting documentation furnished by the petitioner. I think the single most interesting thing about where I work is the extremely high percentage of my coworkers who are immigrants or the children of immigrants.

Otherwise, I'm into astronomy, manned and unmanned space exploration, history, and murder mysteries set in ancient Rome. Other, more minor, interests include the old American West, the Civil War, religion and mythology.

I suppose I'm a very bad critical thinker, since I see nothing wrong with a temporary suspension of disbelief, especially at such times as Christmas. Oh, I'm skeptical, but I'm not dogmatic about it.

[tim]

Originally posted by Beady
Don't feel bad. I've been registered a lot longer (almost a year), and am just now posting here. Actually, I haven't even been lurking these boards much, although I've been a fairly steady reader of the commentaries (Randi even quoted me, once). I had been a fairly committed Usenet poster for about 10 years (and many Usenet posters *should* be committed), but finally got disgusted and bored enough to delete the newsreader from my computer about a month ago.

Anyway, I think I saw Tim say that there are a couple of private investigators here; I hope to add a profession to the mix, since I'm an Immigration officer. I'm not a field officer; instead, I sit in an office and adjudicate immigrant and nonimmigrant petitions and applications, basing my decisions on supporting documentation furnished by the petitioner. I think the single most interesting thing about where I work is the extremely high percentage of my coworkers who are immigrants or the children of immigrants.

Otherwise, I'm into astronomy, manned and unmanned space exploration, history, and murder mysteries set in ancient Rome. Other, more minor, interests include the old American West, the Civil War, religion and mythology.

I suppose I'm a very bad critical thinker, since I see nothing wrong with a temporary suspension of disbelief, especially at such times as Christmas. Oh, I'm skeptical, but I'm not dogmatic about it.

Welcome Beady - although we've already met here. A wide range of interests there - would I take it you're a fan of Lindsey Davis, her characters Falco and Petronius? :D
You had a slightly rocky start here thanks to GP, but you'll find we are a friendly and helpful lot, by and large.
If you haven't considered coming to TAM3, please do - it will be great!

[Beady]

Originally posted by tim
Welcome Beady - although we've already met here. A wide range of interests there - would I take it you're a fan of Lindsey Davis, her characters Falco and Petronius? :D

Ayup. Also Steven Saylor's Gordianus, and John Maddox Roberts' Decius Metellus. I also read Bruce Alexander's Sir John Fielding series; I used to be into Lynda S. Robinson's Egyptian series, but haven't seen a new title in three or four years.


If you haven't considered coming to TAM3, please do - it will be great!

I'd love to, but it'll have to wait until TAM4. We've had the summer from hell. It drained both our vacation-time and financial savings. Just to give you a hint: both sons were in Iraq, one for the second time, and my mother-in-law had to be moved out of her house of 60 years.

[Chaos]

Originally posted by Beady
Ayup. Also Steven Saylor's Gordianus, and John Maddox Roberts' Decius Metellus. I also read Bruce Alexander's Sir John Fielding series; I used to be into Lynda S. Robinson's Egyptian series, but haven't seen a new title in three or four years.

You do know that the Decius Metellus novels have historical accuracy holes big enough to march a legion through? ;)
For example in the novel set in Rome during the Saturnalia, Decius is having a talk with Crassus, who, historically, was already dead at that time - the Parthians had killed him in a very imaginative fashion.

I'd love to, but it'll have to wait until TAM4. We've had the summer from hell. It drained both our vacation-time and financial savings. Just to give you a hint: both sons were in Iraq, one for the second time, and my mother-in-law had to be moved out of her house of 60 years.

Yikes! Right, that´s hell. I hope everybody is okay.

[Beady]

You do know that the Decius Metellus novels have historical accuracy holes big enough to march a legion through?

So does 'The Lord of the Rings.' What's your point? ;)

Yikes! Right, that´s hell. I hope everybody is okay.

Yup. I have absolutely no idea how it happened, but everyone survived the summer. Except for one of our cats. :(

[rastamonte]

Originally posted by Beady
Yup. I have absolutely no idea how it happened, but everyone survived the summer. Except for one of our cats. :(

Beady,
Sorry about the cat.
I just wanted to jump in here and say I love your avatar. I have a Marvin the Martian wristwatch that I picked up in a pawnshop. My wife has given up trying to get me to wear a different watch.

[Chaos]

Originally posted by Beady
So does 'The Lord of the Rings.' What's your point? ;)

That, if it´s an accurate representation of that period you´re after, you should stick to Asterix comic books.

Yup. I have absolutely no idea how it happened, but everyone survived the summer. Except for one of our cats. :(

As my maths teacher in high school used to say: "Luck is what happens when chance defeats probability."

[Beady]

Originally posted by rastamonte
Beady,
Sorry about the cat.
I just wanted to jump in here and say I love your avatar. I have a Marvin the Martian wristwatch that I picked up in a pawnshop. My wife has given up trying to get me to wear a different watch.

Thanks, for both the cat and the avatar.

Do Marvin's eyes blink on your computer? They're supposed to, but I've never heard whether it actually works.

I've got a thing for Marvin and most of the Looney Tunes gang. Just picked up the 2nd volume of the Golden Collection on DVD. I used to have a Marvin watch, too, but haven't seen it for three or four years. It's around here, somewhere.

[rastamonte]

Originally posted by Beady
Do Marvin's eyes blink on your computer? They're supposed to, but I've never heard whether it actually works.


Yup. The eyes blink. Pretty cool.

[MetalLibrarian]

I thought I should introduce myself too. I also have been a long time fan of Randi's, and randi.org. I joined jref months ago, but just finally got around to joining the forum. You all certainly have a good time on here!

I am a librarian and metalchick who has been a skeptic for as long as I can remember...

I look forward to meeting all of you at TAM3

[Eos of the Eons]

Yay! Another skepchick! Welcome welcome welcome :)

[tim]

Good to see you, MetalLibrarian, and welcome.
TAM3? Yay! :D :D :D

[MetalLibrarian]

Thanks for the welcome! See you in Vegas!

[aargh57]

Hello everybody,

I hope I don't bore anyone with my story. Hopefully I'll add a new occupation to your list of posters here. I'm a merchant mariner (specifically I'm a Third Mate on a government chartered vessel). I'm a big fan of the website and also of the P&T series that ultimately turned me on to it. My hobbies include rugby, poker, banjo picking, and a bunch of other stuff that's not quite as interesting.
I grew up in with my mom who was Catholic and visited my Dad on weekends/summers who changed over to become a funamentalist christian (pentecostal) after he met my stepmother. I kind of got it from both sides, going to Catholic school during the week then going to a "tounge talkin, holly rollin, washed in the blood, sanctified by the spirit, I believe in holiness and I suggest for you to do the same" sermon on the weekends. Is it any wonder I'm an atheist now? I've read quite a few posts of how people came to the conclusion that there's no god and it seems that most of them came to it through a great deal of soul searching and careful thought. For me it was a little different. When I was a cadet, one of the crew pretty much said something about not believing in God and that made me think about it and I pretty much lost my faith there. I tried to kid myself for quite some time but I think from that point on I really knew that I no longer believed in God.
I'm married to a wonderful woman who doesn't go to Church but believe's that you go "somewhere" when you die. Don't ask, she doesn't know where but she's pretty sure it's not too bad. She's the only one in my family that know's I'm an atheist.
Just a few questions:
1)Any theistic skeptics here? I don't think that's a contradiction. My wife is very skeptical about everything except she just believes in an afterlife.
2)Any protocol for digging up an old post? If I find an old post in a search that I'd like to comment on should I just respond to it or should I just start a new one?

Thanks and sorry about the length of the post.

BTW I love Vegas (even got married there) and wish I could go to TAM3. The Stardust rocks.

[Chaos]

Hi aargh57!

Nice to meet you ;)

To answer your questions:

1.) There are quite a few theists and/or Christians here who are also skeptics. Kittynh and MLynn come to my mind, and sparklecat (although I have not seen her posting recently). I´m pretty sure there are a few more.

2.) Just reply to the thread. That´s also called "bumping", and such replies are often started of with the comment *bump* to tell everybody what has just happened. ;)

And there´s no need to apologize for post size - not for this size, anyway. :)

[tim]

Hi aargh57
Let me echo Chaos' welcome.
You should find this a civilized place to be. If you have any questions, just ask. Most people here are friendly!

[asthmatic camel]

Originally posted by tim
Hi aargh57
Let me echo Chaos' welcome.
You should find this a civilized place to be. If you have any questions, just ask. Most people here are friendly!

Be wary though, nobody expects the Danish Inquisition. :D

[tim]

Originally posted by asthmatic camel
Be wary though, nobody expects the Danish Inquisition. :D

:D :D :D

[Smike]

Welcome, one and all!

I'll be back in about another 1000 posts time.

That's post made in this thread, not posts made by me. I'd have to wait a looong time for that. I guess I just don't have so much spare time as some other people.