George Aar

I've always thought Jim Carrey was the cinematic equivalent of fingernails on a blackboard. Yes, no? I think I'll wait for the video... geo.

Oh, and in case you didn't follow the link, also see: http://www.aps.org/WN/WN02/wn082302.html#3 (item #3) geo.

OhmyGawd, It's a new dawn! Zixar and I are in complete agreement on this one (sorry Zix). Looks like we may actually get some improvement on the snake-oil front. Take a look at this (item #2): http://www.aps.org/WN/WN03/wn062703.html For all the whining and moaning going on in the freeze-dried granola community about the evils of the food supply and the drug companies, we're STILL today living dramatically longer and better than anyone at any time in history. For all the talk about how fat we are (and we most definitely are), how little exercise we get , and how horrible the food is that we eat, our life expectancy rate is STILL increasing and the quality of life is STILL improving well into what used to be our "dead" years. And how much of this improvement is due to the increased consumption of herbal remedies? Damned little I would guess. Just what is it about "herbs" that immediately grabs the attention of some folks? "Well they've been around for years!" "The ancient Chinese used them!" To which I would respond, "So?" What is it about ancient Chinese practices that connotes some sort of impenetrable wisdom? "Well, they're, uh, ... Ancient! and ... Chinese!" I think I need my dose of snake-bite elixir... geo.

Lindy, Yes to all of the above. There were in the corps, have a son (not sure of the name, but Phil sounds right-also have a daughter), and were on staff for several years (Fred worked doing floor covering and whatnot). geo.

Thanks all! Kit, Wow! You saw Mose in the Village? Was it at the Vanguard by any chance? Me and Plotinus spent an evening at the VV a month or so ago. We saw a sort of "poobah" band, but being at the Vanguard was a treat all in itself - yeah, I'm easily amused... thanks for the birthday wishes! geo.

Thanks TimTim, How sad. geo.

The last I heard he and his wife were in Pennsylvania running a twig or a branch or some such. Anybody know if he's still there and, more importantly, still in? Sure would like to talk to the "real" Fred again some day... geo.

Howie is, er, not my favorite person, but having said that, The last I knew he was still working for Boeing and lived either in the Everett, Wa. area or around Yakima. Haven't heard of him in years though, just as well for me (and him!). geo.

Goey said: "Actually George, it is probably worse for someone who has no real interest in the debate to attempt to show both sides in a bad light." Point taken, please proceed. Let me know when you need a Tylenol er two... geo.

O.K. After thirty-some pages of this "stuff", the question must be asked... What's worse, to be mentally unhinged, or to argue with someone who is? Just wondering... geo.

I'd a been into it 35 years ago, anymore I just don't have the interest. I'd rather spend the time tying a few flies and wading around in a nice cold stream somewhere by myself... I will be in Tokyo the first week of November, though, if anyone's gonna be out that way... geo.

Uh, actually it's 6/22. I won't say what year but, obviously, it was waaaaay before me. Happy birthday, you sweet young thing... geo.

50!!! Why I barley even Remember 50!! (but then I don't remember yesterday....) You Sweet Young Thang you. hey what can I say,? 50 happens, to the best of us I might add, and you are one of the best! So Much to Be Thankful for, suz :D--> :D--> geo.

The only hidden teaching of Herr Vierwille's that I'm aware of is the "give me: money, adoration, toys, sex, power, and abject obeisance". THAT teaching was indeed ubiquitous and has already been well-documented. geo.

O.K., I tried to let it go, but I can't. If you're talking about subjective crap like perceiving Jesus' face in a tortilla, or a secret pact God almighty has made with you (over snowy gaspumps), I think maybe there's room for interpretation. But we're not talking about subjective stuff. The types of things you're talking about, childbirths, murders, domestic disturbances, etc. can be AND ARE recorded and analyzed. There have been literally HUNDREDS of studies done on the so-called "lunar effect". They have found NOTHING significant. Claim - more childbirths during a full moon Study result - FALSE, there is no increase in childbirths during a full moon. Claim - more violent crime during a full moon. Study result - FALSE, again, no statistics to back that up Claim - more incidents of domestic violence during a full moon Study result - FALSE, again, no statisticaly validation could be found. I know I'm trying to sweep the sand from the beach when it comes to trying to dispel heartfelt superstitions, but at least you could look at the studies done and maybe try and refute some of the evidence from a logical point of view?... Maybe? geo.

Oh Pat, you've won me over with your impenetrable logic. I will henceforth forgo thinking altogether and rely solely on feelings. After all, how could they possibly be wrong? geo.

And if you didn't like the previous link, how about this one: http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_337.html It's short, concise. geo.

I hate to spoil anyone's party but, Why do you suppose there are no statistics to back up this powerful "moon effect", only feelings (generally preceded by an "I just know")? Really, there have been NUMEROUS studies and nobody could find anything significant (see previous post link). If it's such a potent force, why do we have to take it on faith? geo.

"george, what is your sign ?" It used to be "No Parking - Loading Zone", but lately it's become "Caution - Wide Load"... geo.

Didn't we just do this LAST month? Please see: http://skepdic.com/fullmoon.html Especially note "confirmation bias"... geo.

Dot, Actually it was Sonny Liston NOT Joe Frazier that was knocked out by the "phantom" punch of Cascius Clay (later Mohammed Ali). I guess the idea that Liston took a dive just wasn't spiritual enough to be believed. It HAD to be spiritual didn't it? DIDN'T IT? BTW, the best Jethro Tull album was "Stand Up" - now you know. geo.

How about Stevie Wonder's "Superstitious"? Or maybe Steely Dan's "Rickie Don't Lose that Number" (actually the intro is borrowed from Horace Silver's "Song for my Father"). A little more obscure one: John Baldry's "Don't lay no Boogie Woogie on the King of Rock and Roll". O.K., I'm dried up... geo.

Evan, The "CANADIAN CHRISTIAN PRESS"?(!) Geez Pete, Wierwille was so lame he couldn't even come up with a unique name for his publishing venture? I'm flabberghasted at the magnitude of his ineptness - and at our boundless gullibility. After all this time, it was even worse than I thought. geo.

Gawd, this "us and them" mentality makes me crazy. And, yes, it was prevalent in WayWorld (and to a greater or lessor degree in a multitude of religions/denominations) from the beginning. Could it be anymore childish? Maybe instead of physically avoiding the unwashed heathen, you could just stop your ears and yell "la,la,la,la,.." Makes about as much sense to me. geo.

O.K., I don't know if this is an actual error or just your garden variety B.S., but... remember the ridiculous statement "All walking is just a series of controlled falls"? (I didn't even buy this B.S. as a fawning Wayforite) To which I can only reply - No, it's not. It's ... WALKING! Falling doesn't have anything to do with it. Why, one can even lean waaaay back and still walk (ala the R. Crumb character of "keep on truckin'" fame) What WAS the point of that bit of tripe anyway? geo.