25 ’Av 5768: National Dog Day/International Dadaism Month

Greetings.

Worthy cause of the day: “Don’t Let the World’s Leaders Forget Their Promises to Darfur”.

Relevant to Divine Misconceptions:

1. “A Teacher on the Front Line as Faith and Science Clash"”: Long story made short: A biology teacher has to deal with evolution in the midsts of a highly creationist culture. Unfortunately, I do not have the time at the moment to write a long, anti-creationist essay, so instead I will direct you to some potentially useful resources:
   • “Ten Questions to Ask Your Biology Teacher” (refutation by P. Z. Myers; the original ten questions are mentioned in the article)
     
   • Science, Evolution, and Creationism
     
   • “Understanding Evolution”
     
   • National Center for Science Education
     
   • The Clergy Letter Project
     
   • Finding Darwin’s God: A Scientist’s Search for Common Ground Between God and Evolution by Kenneth R. Miller
2. “Judge to review satanic bible in child slaying case”: I have no idea what “satanic bible” is being referred to in this article. The usual book this would refer to, The Satanic Bible by Anton Szandor LaVey, while containing much truly despicable material, does not advocate directly killing anyone. (Cursing people magically with the intention of thereby causing their downfall is a different matter.)
   
3. “CDC measles expert weighs in on vaccinations, so does Amanda Peet”: And I say it again: Failure to take preventative measures in the name of piety is rewarded only with disease. This article gives statistics on deaths due to failure to vaccinate against diseases such as measles. Think about whether you want a dead child on your conscience before not getting your children vaccinated.
   
4. “Making Jewish life easier”

Today’s news and commentary:

• “Russian Capitalism (1998)”
  
• “Canadian TV's Dismal "On Air" Correction”
  
• “Uninsured Americans Spend $30 Billion Yearly On Health Care” (This is disturbing.)
  
• “Why we should listen to scientists”
  
• “Raccoon's courthouse crime spree ends with capture”
  
• “British Submission”
  
• “Biden brings focus on energy policy to Democratic ticket” (Al Gore, please talk some energy sense into Biden and Obama. Solar and wind power for everybody!)
  
• “Multidrug Resistant Tuberculosis In Russia”
  
• This Modern World 2008-08-26
  
• “Just How Harmful Are Bisphenol-A Plastics?”
  
• “Giant Galaxy Cluster Seen in Early Universe ”

Today’s weird thing is Authority For Universe Ownership - For The Ultimate Customized Gift!. (No, I am not making this up.) Enjoy and share the weirdness.

Aaron