Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Talk:Fake science

2009-01-10T21:49:09Z

Reg32Idaho: /* 2nd hand smoke */ new section

== Need a better example ==

I think we need a better example. Given that even Phillip Morris now admits second hand smoke is dangerous, this is not a good example of incorrect science. I propose adding an example about [[http://www.hhp.ufl.edu/faculty/pbird/keepingfit/ARTICLE/eggs.HTM Eggs and Cholesterol]]. When studies had found that Cholesterol clogs arteries in humans and there was Cholesterol in eggs, the government began recommending people not eat eggs. However, what was missing from this science was a causal link. That is, it was not shown that the intake of Cholesterol in diet causes an increase of Cholesterol in blood. We now know that most Cholesterol in blood is made by the body in overweight individuals and individuals with high saturated fat intakes. So eggs are now fine to eat -- as long as they are not combined with high calorie, high fat side dishes.

I will wait a couple days before making the change to see if anyone has any input or better examples. Thanks! --[[User:PhineasBogg|PhineasBogg]] 13:49, 29 December 2007 (EST)

: I went ahead and made this change. --[[User:PhineasBogg|PhineasBogg]] 16:57, 30 December 2007 (EST)

::Now do the same for the "[[ozone hole]]" and [[skin cancer]]; is there a [[ultraviolet]] link, or what? (After that, maybe you can tell us whether air temperature drives [[carbon dioxide]] or is it the other way around?) --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 22:57, 20 August 2008 (EDT)

==Possible Merger With Pseudoscience==
*'''Keep Junk Science'''. We need this. [[User:RobSmith|Rob Smith]] 13:48, 15 October 2007 (EDT)
**The discussion isn't about whether or not the article should be deleted, it's whether or not the article should be merged into the article on [[pseudoscience]]. I think that everybody would agree that we need an article on one or the other, but the debate is on whether or not we need both (as the topics are very similar if not different words for the same). -[[User:Ilikecake|Ilikecake]] 22:57, 25 December 2008 (EST)
*'''Go ahead and merge'''. This article doesn't really say anything that that is specific to "junk science" versus pseudoscience. At best create a new section on the pseudoscience page for "junk science," but really the articles are functionally the same. -[[User:Ilikecake|Ilikecake]] 22:57, 25 December 2008 (EST)

== 2nd hand smoke ==

The claim that liberals say 2nd hand smoke has now been conclusively proven to cause nearly 20% of urban deaths definitely needs ever a supporting source, or removal.

Mental illness

2009-01-10T21:34:45Z

Reg32Idaho: Added some non-religious ideas of cause of illness.

'''Mental illness''' is a broad concept covering all sorts of diseases, disorders, and disturbances in the human mind (see [[psychology]] and [[psychiatry]]).

From the [[Middle Ages]] onward, people have been frightened or dismayed by the "crazy" behavior or speech of others. The idea of locking up mentally disordered people or placing them in [[asylum]]s goes back hundreds of years and has often been mentioned in literature. In Shakespeare's play, [[Hamlet]] appeared to be mentally ill; [[Ophelia]] became mentally ill and killed herself.

Various theories have been put forth to account for mental disorders. <ref>"The English-speaking world has not always used medical language to describe the behavior we now label as symptomatic of mental illness or mental disorder. Descriptions were sometimes framed in quite different terms, such as possession. What we now call mental illness was not always treated as a medical problem." [http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/mental-illness/ Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy], Christian Perring</ref>
Religious ideas about mental illness have included [[demon]]ic possession, to be cured by [[exorcism]]. Psychological ideas of causes of mental illness run a wide gamut, with risk factors including [[Drugs | drug]] use, brain injuries, [[Atheism_and_Mental_and_Physical_Health| atheism]] and exposure to [[Mystery:Do_Liberal_Teachings_Cause_Mental_Illness? | liberal teachings]].

Mental illness is generally considered to have dimensions of severity and impact, as well as legal implications. Some people are considered [[insane]] in some countries, and are excluded from society or given special consideration. A defendant may be judged not guilty by reason of [[temporary insanity]]. A severely mentally unwell individual may be [[psychotic]] or [[schizophrenic]], while milder forms of mental illness are classified as a [[neurosis]] or [[syndrome]] (see [[Eating disorder]] or [[bulimia]] or [[anorexia]]).

==Forms of Mental Disorder==
Psychosis 
Depression 
Anxiety 
Obsessional Compulsive Disorder 
Personality Disorder 

==Types of mental health professionals==

Professionals involved in the care and treatment of people suffering from mental disorder include [[Mental Health Nurse|mental health nurses]], [[social workers]], [[psychiatrists]] and [[occupational therapists]].

==Mental illness and the law==
The mental health community does not recognize or utilise the term "insane" or 'insanity", yet is called upon to give expert opinion as such in capital criminal cases where the life of a defendant is at stake. This is because the terms "insane" and "insanity", whilst written into the law in ''some'' countries, are not defined ''in'' or ''by'' the law. It is for mental health professionals to determine whether an individual is mentally unwell or not; the courts' role is to take the opinions of those professionals into account when deciding on an appropriate disposal for the defendant, which can include prison or detention in hospital under local mental health legislation.

In the UK, a defendant can be placed in a mental health hospital (under the Mental Health Act 2007) if the opinions of mental health professionals agree that the person requires such care and treatment. The most dangerous of defendants who are mentally unwell can be made subject to Part IV of the MHA 2007, which includes provision for detention in hospital without limit of time.

Many courts apply the M'Naghten Rules as to whether the defendant was, at the time of the index offence, capable of knowing that what they were doing was wrong.

[[Liberal]] Senator [[Paul Wellstone]] was long in favor of spending money on mental illness coverage. A bill passed by the [[House of Representatives]] in March 2008, the Paul Wellstone Mental Health and Addiction Equity Act, would force insurers to cover mental illness at the same coverage level as physical ailments. The bill was sponsored in the House by Republican [[Jim Ramstad]], a recovering [[alcoholism|alcoholic]], and Ted Kennedy's son [[Patrick Kennedy]] of [[Rhode Island]]. A similar bill in the [[United States Senate]] was sponsored [[liberal]] Democrat [[Ted Kennedy]], who has been addicted to painkillers; Pete Domenici of New Mexico; and Mike Enzi of Wyoming. <ref>[http://www.startribune.com/politics/16318346.html House approval is historic moment for Wellstone's addiction and treatment crusade]</ref> The [[Family Research Council]] has expressed its concern that this bill would force businesses to provide health care for mental "conditions" like necrophilia, pedophilia, cross-dressing, and gender identity confusion.<ref>[http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU08C03 Family Research Council: March 6, 2008 Update]</ref>

==Mental illness and the brain==

Scientists who adhere to a purely physical model of mental health regard many aspects of mental illness as disorders of the brain. <ref>"Mental health disorders ... such as [[depression]], [[bipolar disorder]], [[schizophrenia]] and even [[borderline personality disorder]] are medical disorders of the brain." [http://www.mental-health-today.com/index.htm Mental Health Today] </ref>

==Notes==
<references/>

==See also==

*[[psychotherapy]]

*[[List of psychologists]]
**[[Alice Miller]]
**[[M. Scott Peck]], author of ''The Road Less Traveled''
**[[Eric Berne]]
**[[Sigmund Freud]]

[[Category:Psychiatry]]
[[Category:Psychology]]
[[Category:Mental health]]

James Joule

2009-01-10T20:52:27Z

Reg32Idaho: New page: '''James Prescott Joule''' (1818 - 1889) was a brewer who, due to his work studying heat<ref>[http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/Joule.html Wolfram.com Joule biography]</...

'''James Prescott Joule''' (1818 - 1889) was a [[Beer | brewer]] who, due to his work studying heat<ref>[http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/biography/Joule.html Wolfram.com Joule biography]</ref>, became one of the founders of the science of [[thermodynamics]]. He is best known for showing that mechanical work and heat are interchangeable, which he did by carefully measuring the tempearature increase in water stirred by paddle wheels.

The SI Unit of energy, the [[Joule]], is named in his honor.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:British People]]
[[Category:Physicists]]

Talk:Essay:Best New Conservative Words

2009-01-10T20:26:08Z

Reg32Idaho:

==Some suggestions==
How about 'responsibility' (1737) and 'self-discipline' (1838)? [[User:MikeSalter|MikeSalter]] 08:58, 10 January 2009 (EST)

: Superb ideas!!! Fantastic. Please add them. I have some that will add also.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 09:19, 10 January 2009 (EST)

The list is good, but it doesn't say why they are ''conservative'' words. Perhaps something could be added related to this? Also, I have a suggestion: 'Rags to Riches'? *Hopeful* [[User:ETrundel|ETrundel]] 11:13, 10 January 2009 (EST)

What are the criteria for "conservative words" (as distinct from "liberal words"?) [[User:Reg32Idaho|Reg32Idaho]] 14:10, 10 January 2009 (EST)

As per "radar", I suggest "sonar" and "laser" (also acronyms, from similar domain), and "radio".

: (edit conflict) Words that express more precisely a conservative concept, or criticize more effectively a liberal characteristic. I'm going to insert Mike Salter's suggestions above, for example, and feel free to add your own.

: The distribution of the words as a function of time (and perhaps what was happening at the time) will become illuminating.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 14:20, 10 January 2009 (EST)

: P.S. I don't see sonar, laser and radio as adding any conservative insight.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 14:20, 10 January 2009 (EST)

:: Understood. But "radar" does? [[User:Reg32Idaho|Reg32Idaho]] 14:27, 10 January 2009 (EST)

::: Yes, because it was the first and it has broader use than your other example.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 14:28, 10 January 2009 (EST)
::: I understand precedence going to the earliest word, but don't see how "radar" expresses more precisely a conservative concept, or criticizes more effectively a liberal characteristic. [[User:Reg32Idaho|Reg32Idaho]] 14:33, 10 January 2009 (EST)

:::: Your point is well-taken, and I agree this is borderline. However, I would still say that "radar" is a conservative concept/insight that is used effectively to convey a powerful conservative idea. Let's see what others think before deleting it.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 14:57, 10 January 2009 (EST)

::::: Well, RADAR was created in Britain just before WW2 - indeed, it was one of the reasons why Britain defeated the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain. So I'm not really sure why it's on a list of American Conservative words when Britain is highly liberal by comparison to America. Also, I added one - 'self-determination'. [[User:ETrundel|ETrundel]] 15:13, 10 January 2009 (EST)

::::: Frankly, I'm confused. I normally think of "radar" (in the non-scientific sense) as meaning perception. "In the public's radar" means "something the public notices." Is there a different conservative conception of the word? [[User:RodWeathers|- Rod Weathers]] 15:14, 10 January 2009 (EST)

Here's two:
*pro-life ([http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=pro-life 1976], though I'd prefer a better citation since the quote they have underneath is very anti-conservative.)
*normalcy (1920 in the Conservative sense, although dated back to 1857 in a mathematical sense. In a rare glimmer of unbiased truth on a political subject, the WP article even states: ''"Furthermore, the concept apparently encapsulated what Americans wanted, since he was elected president over his Democratic opponent James Cox by the greatest margin since the popular vote was introduced."'')
-[[User:Foxtrot|Foxtrot]] 14:40, 10 January 2009 (EST)

: Fantastic suggestions, both of them. Very insightful.--[[User:Aschlafly|Andy Schlafly]] 14:57, 10 January 2009 (EST)

"elitism" (1947) - Seems to be used much more widely with this last election campaign. [[User:Reg32Idaho|Reg32Idaho]] 15:26, 10 January 2009 (EST)

Talk:Essay:Best New Conservative Words

2009-01-10T19:33:54Z

Reg32Idaho:

Talk:Essay:Best New Conservative Words

2009-01-10T19:27:14Z

Reg32Idaho:

Talk:Essay:Best New Conservative Words

2009-01-10T19:15:54Z

Reg32Idaho:

Talk:Essay:Best New Conservative Words

2009-01-10T19:10:13Z

Reg32Idaho:

Essay:Best New Conservative Words

2009-01-10T19:08:09Z

Reg32Idaho:

Each year the English language develops about a thousand new words. Over the course of a century, that amounts to 100,000 new words. Since the [[King James Version]] of the [[Bible]] was published in 1611, perhaps a half a million new English words have been developed.

A small percentage of those new words are tremendously powerful. Here are some examples developed since the King James Version was published:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!New Term
!Origin date
!Comments
|-
|accountability
|1794
|
|-
|American Dream
|1931
|
|-
|bailout
|1951
|
|-
|competitive
|1829
|
|-
|conservative
|1831
|
|-
|deterrence
|1861
|
|-
|dumb down
|1933
|
|-
|efficiency
|1633
|Ultimately from the Latin ''efficientem'', meaning ''"working out, or accomplishing"''<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=efficient Online Etymological Dictionary]</ref>
|-
|filibuster
|1851
|
|-
|free enterprise
|1890
|
|-
|go-getter
|1919
|
|-
|[[homeschool]]
|1980
|
|-
|hysteria
|1801
|From the Latin ''hystericus'', from Greek ''hystera '' meaning ''"womb"''<ref>[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hysteria Meriam Webster Dictionary]</ref> (an old notion that hysteria was caused by the [[womb]]).
|-
|[[meritocracy]]
|1958
|
|-
|me-too
|1926
|
|-
|media
|1923
|
|-
|milquetoast
|1935
|
|-
|phonics
|1684
|
|-
|productive
|1612
|
|-
|radar
|1941
|Acronym of "Radio Detection and Ranging"
|-
|self-defense
|1651
|
|-
|wannabee
|1981
|
|-
|}

== Sources ==

*[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ Merriam-Webster dictionary]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Essays]]

Essay:Best New Conservative Words

2009-01-10T19:00:36Z

Reg32Idaho: Added etymology notes

Each year the English language develops about a thousand new words. Over the course of a century, that amounts to 100,000 new words. Since the [[King James Version]] of the [[Bible]] was published in 1611, perhaps a half a million new English words have been developed.

A small percentage of those new words are tremendously powerful. Here are some examples developed since the King James Version was published:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!New Term
!Origin date
!Comments
|-
|accountability
|1794
|
|-
|American Dream
|1931
|
|-
|bailout
|1951
|
|-
|competitive
|1829
|
|-
|conservative
|1831
|
|-
|deterrence
|1861
|
|-
|dumb down
|1933
|
|-
|efficiency
|1633
|Ultimately from the Latin ''efficientem'', meaning ''"working out, or accomplishing"''<ref>[http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=efficient Online Etymological Dictionary]</ref>
|-
|filibuster
|1851
|
|-
|go-getter
|1919
|
|-
|[[homeschool]]
|1980
|
|-
|hysteria
|1801
|
|-
|[[meritocracy]]
|1958
|
|-
|me-too
|1926
|
|-
|media
|1923
|
|-
|milquetoast
|1935
|
|-
|phonics
|1684
|
|-
|productive
|1612
|
|-
|radar
|1941
|Acronym of "Radio Detection and Ranging"
|-
|self-defense
|1651
|
|-
|wannabee
|1981
|
|-
|}

== Sources ==

*[http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ Merriam-Webster dictionary]

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Essays]]

Talk:Merriam-Webster

2009-01-10T18:37:22Z

Reg32Idaho:

Several of these so-called "errors" are absurd. To wit:

"The date and description of pogrom is not precisely correct. Merriam-Webster provides a date of 1903 and calls it an organized massacre of helpless people. Pogrom is a Yiddish term used in Russian beginning in the late 1800s to describe an organized campaign of violence (not always a "massacre") against Jewish people in Russia."

Question: Of what language is Merriam-Webster a dictionary? I'll answer that for you: English. Dates of word origin in English dictionaries refer to the year the word entered the English language. Thus it is irrelevant that "pogrom" was "used in Russian beginning in the late 1800s."

"The entry for Yiddish is too narrow in describing it as only a language of Jewish residents and descendants of central and eastern Europe. Yiddish is spoken worldwide."

Hogwash. Except for a very small number of scholars and hobbyists, Yiddish is spoken only descendants of Jews from Central and Eastern Europe. It is indeed true that it is spoken worldwide -- by descendants of European Jews, like the dictionary article says. --[[User:Scalito1776|Scalito1776]] 00:55, 17 March 2007 (EDT)

About the "Group Theory" error: Aschlafly on 6 January 2007 added that the M-W definition of "Group Theory" is wrong to use "group" to define itself. Conservapedia's definition of [[group theory]] (written by Aschlafly, 6 January 2007) also uses "group" to define itself. Like Merriam-Webster, Conservapedia then has a separate entry for mathematical [[group]]. [[User:Reg32Idaho|Reg32Idaho]] 13:37, 10 January 2009 (EST)

Liberal bigotry

2009-01-10T00:55:59Z

Reg32Idaho: Added example: Holocaust

'''Bigotry''' is the expression of [[hatred]] or [[aggression]] towards those who are different. Examples of bigotry include [[racism]] and [[religious intolerance]].

Bigotry is a common among [[atheists]], [[elitism|elitists]], [[liberals]], [[Muslims]] and [[homosexuals]] towards critics of their ideologies. Some liberals [[deceit|deceitfully]] claim to uphold equality of all viewpoints and free speech, but are in fact routinely prejudiced against opposing viewpoints. They are particularly bigoted against Christians (and indeed [[faith]] in general) and [[Family Values]]. It is typical to see liberals refer to their opponents as [[racism|racists]], [[fascists]], [[Nazis]], [[redneck|rednecks]], [[fanaticism|fanatics]], or any number of more profane slurs.

== Examples ==
* The infamous [[Hamilton Square Baptist Church Riot]], in which gays maliciously attacked a church.
* Liberal and Pro-Abortion attacks on Pregnancy Centers <ref>http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/458992.aspx</ref>
* Students threaten and verbally abuse a student wearing a McCain T-Shirt <ref>http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-13-nov13,0,2881384.column?page=1</ref>
* [[Gay rights]] supporters protested outside of Los Angeles' largest Mormon temple because members of the Mormon church gave millions of dollars to the campaigning for [[Proposition 8]], which banned homosexual marriage in [[California]]<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/mormon-stars-face-backlash-after-gay-marriage-ban-1003967.html</ref> 
* Gay rights protesters at a pro-Proposition 8 rally tore a cross out of an elderly woman's hands and stomped on it. They then proceeded to verbally accost the woman for at least 10 minutes, some of which was on live TV<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80711</ref>
* An ad for the campaign against Proposition 8 depicts Mormons as a type of religious [[gestapo]]<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80047</ref>
* Radical homosexual anarchists shouted profanities and blasphemies in a Michigan church, before unfurling a banner, throwing glitter and pulling the fire alarm<ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2008/11/12/national-press-ignores-mi-media-whitewash-lansing-church-homosexual-anar</ref>
* Someone hacked the website of the Mormon church and replaced the front page with a video of gay porn <ref>http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081110hate.html</ref>
* [[Bill Maher]]'s movie [[Religulous]] uses lies and distortions to mock most major religions<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=76123</ref>
* The [[ACLU]] attempted to stop a Christian band from playing at a city festival<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80649</ref>
* [[New York Times]] correspondent Dan Mitchell allegedly sent a harassing [[Facebook]] email to a conservative correspondent for [[World Net Daily]]<ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/seton-motley/2008/11/03/ny-times-reporters-iat-again-facebook-miller-says-nb-contributor-vadum</ref> 
* [[Hate speech]] laws might be able to be used to ban the Bible<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78339</ref>
* Colorado law SB200 bans discriminatory references to homosexuals, which might include the Bible <ref>http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=77383</ref>
* Liberal [[Paul Krugman]] calls [[Republican Party]] a haven for racists <ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2008/11/03/krugman-gop-haven-racists-reactionaries</ref>
* Liberal Charles Karel Bouley calls for the death of [[Joe the Plumber]] <ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kerry-picket/2008/11/02/lib-radio-host-karel-calls-joe-wurzelbachers-death-air-obscenity-laced</ref> 
* [[Al Franken]] mocks Christians<ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2008/10/22/media-skipping-over-al-frankens-acidulous-mockery-christians</ref>
* [[Democrat]] [[John Murtha]] called his constituents rednecks.
* [[Barack Obama]] accuses the public of clinging to guns and religion.
* [[Muslims]] in India rioted when an author critcized Islam <ref>http://www.times.com/books/99/04/18/specials/rushdie-riot.html</ref>
* The [[Ku Klux Klan]]'s often violent activities against African Americans, Jews, homosexuals and Catholics.
* The [[Holocaust]]; an attempted extermination of the entire European Jewish population by the [[Nazis]].
==References==
<references/>

{{liberalism}}
[[category:psychology]]

Photo bias

2009-01-10T00:47:32Z

Reg32Idaho: Add cite for Ann Coulter on Time magazine

'''Photo bias''' is a tactic of using an unflattering or menacing photo of a supporter of an opposing position to create a hostile impression in the reader.

Examples include:

*Time magazine's cover photo of [[Ann Coulter]], designed to make her look like a childish fool<ref>[http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43856 World Net Daily April 18, 2005]</ref>.
*The [[New York Times]]'s photo (June 10, 2007) of a man with missing teeth to represent opponents of the pending federal immigration bill
*Photo of [[John Kerry]] doctored to appear that he's shaking hands with [[Anton Lavey]]<ref>[http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/lavey.asp Snopes]</ref>
*On July 2, 2008 the [[Fox News]] program ''Fox & Friends'' aired doctored photos of [[New York Times]] reporter [[Jacques Steinberg]] and editor [[Steven Reddicliffe]] while labeling them as "attack dogs" <ref>[[Media Matters]] Wed, Jul 2, 2008: [http://mediamatters.org/items/200807020002 Fox News airs altered photos of NY Times reporters]</ref>.
*Photo of [[Donald Rumsfeld]] shaking hands with [[Saddam Hussein]] in 1983 while [[Ronald Reagan]]'s special envoy to the Middle East.<ref>http://www.marxist.com/saddam-hussein-execution-iraq050107.htm</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[category:media]]

Liberal bigotry

2009-01-10T00:37:47Z

Reg32Idaho: Added KKK as example

'''Bigotry''' is the expression of [[hatred]] or [[aggression]] towards those who are different. Examples of bigotry include [[racism]] and [[religious intolerance]].

Bigotry is a common among [[atheists]], [[elitism|elitists]], [[liberals]], [[Muslims]] and [[homosexuals]] towards critics of their ideologies. Some liberals [[deceit|deceitfully]] claim to uphold equality of all viewpoints and free speech, but are in fact routinely prejudiced against opposing viewpoints. They are particularly bigoted against Christians (and indeed [[faith]] in general) and [[Family Values]]. It is typical to see liberals refer to their opponents as [[racism|racists]], [[fascists]], [[Nazis]], [[redneck|rednecks]], [[fanaticism|fanatics]], or any number of more profane slurs.

== Examples ==
* The infamous [[Hamilton Square Baptist Church Riot]], in which gays maliciously attacked a church.
* Liberal and Pro-Abortion attacks on Pregnancy Centers <ref>http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/458992.aspx</ref>
* Students threaten and verbally abuse a student wearing a McCain T-Shirt <ref>http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass-13-nov13,0,2881384.column?page=1</ref>
* [[Gay rights]] supporters protested outside of Los Angeles' largest Mormon temple because members of the Mormon church gave millions of dollars to the campaigning for [[Proposition 8]], which banned homosexual marriage in [[California]]<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/mormon-stars-face-backlash-after-gay-marriage-ban-1003967.html</ref> 
* Gay rights protesters at a pro-Proposition 8 rally tore a cross out of an elderly woman's hands and stomped on it. They then proceeded to verbally accost the woman for at least 10 minutes, some of which was on live TV<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80711</ref>
* An ad for the campaign against Proposition 8 depicts Mormons as a type of religious [[gestapo]]<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80047</ref>
* Radical homosexual anarchists shouted profanities and blasphemies in a Michigan church, before unfurling a banner, throwing glitter and pulling the fire alarm<ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tom-blumer/2008/11/12/national-press-ignores-mi-media-whitewash-lansing-church-homosexual-anar</ref>
* Someone hacked the website of the Mormon church and replaced the front page with a video of gay porn <ref>http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081110hate.html</ref>
* [[Bill Maher]]'s movie [[Religulous]] uses lies and distortions to mock most major religions<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=76123</ref>
* The [[ACLU]] attempted to stop a Christian band from playing at a city festival<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=80649</ref>
* [[New York Times]] correspondent Dan Mitchell allegedly sent a harassing [[Facebook]] email to a conservative correspondent for [[World Net Daily]]<ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/seton-motley/2008/11/03/ny-times-reporters-iat-again-facebook-miller-says-nb-contributor-vadum</ref> 
* [[Hate speech]] laws might be able to be used to ban the Bible<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78339</ref>
* Colorado law SB200 bans discriminatory references to homosexuals, which might include the Bible <ref>http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=77383</ref>
* Liberal [[Paul Krugman]] calls [[Republican Party]] a haven for racists <ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2008/11/03/krugman-gop-haven-racists-reactionaries</ref>
* Liberal Charles Karel Bouley calls for the death of [[Joe the Plumber]] <ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kerry-picket/2008/11/02/lib-radio-host-karel-calls-joe-wurzelbachers-death-air-obscenity-laced</ref> 
* [[Al Franken]] mocks Christians<ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/tim-graham/2008/10/22/media-skipping-over-al-frankens-acidulous-mockery-christians</ref>
* [[Democrat]] [[John Murtha]] called his constituents rednecks.
* [[Barack Obama]] accuses the public of clinging to guns and religion.
* [[Muslims]] in India rioted when an author critcized Islam <ref>http://www.times.com/books/99/04/18/specials/rushdie-riot.html</ref>
* The [[Ku Klux Klan]]'s often violent activities against African Americans, Jews, homosexuals and Catholics.
==References==
<references/>

{{liberalism}}
[[category:psychology]]

Cdesign proponentsists

2009-01-08T21:58:08Z

Reg32Idaho: Clarify role of 'Pandas' book in Kitzmiller lawsuit. Was textbook defendants wanted to specifically recommend to students (not "minor piece of the defense").

The term "'''cdesign proponentsists'''" came into vogue use by evolutionists during and after the [[Kitzmiller vs. Dover Area School District]] trial in [[Pennsylvania]] over the legitimacy of intelligent design as a science. The Dover (Pennsylvania) Area School District had intended a statement be read to ninth grade biology students directing them to a book called [[Of Pandas and People]], an [[intelligent design]] textbook for middle and high school children. During the trial, previous drafts of the book were subpoenaed for review. It was discovered that previous versions of the book had the words "creationist," "creationism" and other similar words and phrases in place of every use of the words "intelligent design" and similar words and phrases in later editions. In a single, isolated case, it was shown that the word "creationists" had been partially replaced with "design proponents," strangely resulting in "cdesign proponentsists".

([[John E. Jones III]]'s verdict was that intelligent design was the same as creationism and that Dover School Board's attempt to allow it to be taught in schools violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.<ref>[http://www.pamd.uscourts.gov/kitzmiller/kitzmiller_342.pdf]</ref>)

==References==
{{reflist|1}}

[[category:law]]

Fake science

2009-01-08T20:57:45Z

Reg32Idaho: "Liberals claim 2nd-hand smoke proven to cause nearly 20% of urban deaths" needs supporting citation

{{merge|pseudoscience}}

'''Junk science''' is the promotion of a finding as "scientific" or "unscientific" based mainly upon whether its conclusions support the answers (or views) favored by the promoters; see [[propaganda]].

Junk science consists of giving poorly done scientific work the same authority as work which conforms to the [[scientific method]]. It is akin to [[politicized science]], i.e., the selective use of scientific evidence to reach predetermined conclusions and support extra-scientific political goals.<ref> [http://www.aei.org/publications/filter.all,pubID.25458/pub_detail.asp Burying Evidence: The Union of Concerned Scientists' Unscientific Claims about Air Pollution and Health]</ref>

In some cases, junk science may result from a misinterpretation of previous sound scientific studies. An example of this is the misinterpretation of the research on eggs and cholesterol<ref>http://www.hhp.ufl.edu/faculty/pbird/keepingfit/ARTICLE/eggs.HTM</ref>. Studies had found that eggs contained cholesterol and that cholesterol in blood contributed to heart disease. So as a result of these studies, people were advised against eating eggs. What was missing, however, was a study showing that the cholesterol in blood is a direct result of cholesterol intake in diet. We know now that that is not the case, that saturated fat intake and overall body fat are the primary contributors to cholesterol production in blood.

A more recent example is the hoopla over [[secondhand smoke]], which liberals say has now been conclusively proven to cause nearly 20% of urban deaths{{Fact}}. Anti-smoking activists base this claim on small studies while ignoring larger studies; see [[cherry-picking]]. [http://www.junkscience.com/feb01/perske.htm]

All sides in scientific controversies say that they condemn junk science, so this leaves the lay reader with the task of determining who is telling the truth. The best way is to examine the facts and reasoning in scientific reports.

First, of course, the reader must penetrate the maze of confusing [[disinformation]] surrounding any controversy.

:The three great strategies for obscuring an issue are to introduce irrelevancies, to arouse prejudice, and to excite ridicule.... ---Bergen Evans, The Natural History of Nonsense <ref>[http://skepdic.com/iqrace.html IQ and race]</ref>

==See also==
*[[Politics of science]]

==References==
<references/>

==Further reading==
*Peter W. Huber, ''Galileo's Revenge: Junk Science in the Courtroom'', 1993. ISBN 0-465-02624-9.

==External links==
*[http://www.aei.org/publications/filter.all,pubID.25458/pub_detail.asp Burying Evidence: The Union of Concerned Scientists' Unscientific Claims about Air Pollution and Health] - Joel Schwartz - January 16, 2007

Kiwi

2008-03-27T00:36:12Z

Reg32Idaho: Origin, Flood survival, 'evolution'

'''Kiwi''' are any of the three species of small flightless birds [[endemic]] to [[New Zealand]] of the genus ''Apteryx'' (the only genus in family ''Apterygidae''). At around the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are by far the smallest living [[ratite]]s, although in comparison to their body size their egg (weighing as much as a quarter of the adult bird's weight) is proportionately the largest of all birds. Kiwi are nocturnal and live mainly by foraging with their long beaks for earthworms and other invertebrates in leaf litter, which they find using their sense of smell, which is unusually well-developed for a bird. Unusually for a bird, their nostrls are positioned at the distal end of the beak.

All three kiwi species are much reduced in range and now protected, though the large size of their eggs does offer some protection against the depradations of [[rat]]s, compared to other ground-nesting native birds such as the [[kakapo]] and [[takahe]].

The kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand, and the term is often used to describe a person from New Zealand.

== Origins ==

According to the [[origins theory]] model used by [[creation science | creation scientists]], kiwis, like all flightless non [[aquatic]] birds, originated in the [[Middle East]] and are the descendants of two kiwis that were taken onto [[Noah's Ark]] prior to the [[Great Flood]].
Also according to creation science theories, after the Flood, kiwis bred from the Ark passengers [[migrate]]d to New Zealand. There is some debate whether this migration happened over land<ref name="ag1">[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/migration.asp "How did animals get from the Ark to places such as Australia"], Answers In Genesis</ref> -- while New Zealand was still connected to the Middle East before the supercontinent of [[Pangea]] broke apart<ref>[http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2808 "Pangea and the Flood"], Apologetics Press</ref> -- or if they [[rafting (ecology) | floated there]] on mats of [[plants | vegetation]] torn up by the flood waters.

Biologists maintain that the modern species of kiwi [[Theory of Evolution | evolved]] from a common ancestral species over a period of millions of years<ref name="savekiwi">[http://www.savethekiwi.org.nz/AboutTheBird/TheKiwiFamily/How_Kiwi_Evolved.htm "How Kiwi Evolved"], Kiwi conservation project</ref>

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Birds]]
[[Category:Flightless Birds]]
[[Category:New Zealand]]

Badger

2008-03-27T00:09:06Z

Reg32Idaho: Origins, flood survival and 'evolution'

[[Image:Badger.jpg|right|thumb|300px|American badger.]]

'''Badger'''s are several species of medium sized [[mustelid]] [[carnivore]]s, the Eurasian badger (''Meles meles''), the North American badger, both grey with striped black and white heads, and the Honey badger or [[Ratel]] of Africa. The dire badger is a large savage variety occasionally encountered in [[role-playing game]]s.

Badgers are carnivorous upon various small animals such as [[rodent]]s, [[mole (animal)|mole]]s and [[hedgehog]]s. They live in elaborate underground burrow complexes called setts.

In the [[United Kingdom]] badgers are commonly blamed by farmers for spreading bovine [[tuberculosis]], although the disease is generally spread by uncontrolled livestock movements.

Badger hairs were sought after for making shaving-brushes, a practise that has ceased in many parts of the world due to the dwindling badger population. Badger hair shaving brushes now have something of an [[heirloom]] quality about them as commercially farming and shaving badgers has failed due to the fact that they are not social animals and tend to aggression when in captivity.

== Badgers in the Bible ==

(According to the [[King James Version]]) the [[tabernacle]] in which [[Ark of the Covenant]] was kept included badger skins in its construction:

<blockquote>
''And he made a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering of badgers' skins above that.'' Exodus 36:19, (KJV)
</blockquote>

(Some versions of the Bible (e.g. the NIV) state here that the hides of [[sirenian]]s were used however.)

==Origins==

According to the [[origins theory]] model used by young earth [[creation science | creation scientists]], modern badgers are the descendants of the founding members of the badger [[baramin]] that were taken aboard [[Noah's Ark]] prior to the [[Great Flood]]. After the Flood, badgers bred from these Ark passengers and migrated to their modern habitats.

A majority of biologists regard [[Theory of evolution|evolution]] from earlier badger-like species as the most likely explanation for the various species of badgers.

==Badgers in literature==

*Mr. and Mrs. Badger helped the four children evade capture by the Queen who made it "always winter and never Christmas" in the first [[Narnia]] book.

*Badger is one of the main characters in [[The Wind in the Willows]].

[[Category:Carnivores]]
[[Category:Biblical Animals]]

Rat

2008-03-26T23:42:57Z

Reg32Idaho: over 50 species of rat

A '''rat''' is a small [[rodent]] found on all [[continent]]s except [[Antarctica]]. Rats are often considered to be [[pest]]s. They are also often known to carry disease; notably, the spread of the [[bubonic plague]] is attributed to rats. The [[taxonomy | genus]] ''Rattus'' includes over 50 species.

== Habitat ==
Rats are capable of surviving in a wide range of different environments ranging from grasslands, forests, urban settlements, ships, and the unforgiving [[arctic]]. They tend to thrive around [[human beings]].

== Diet ==
Rats can survive off an extremely diverse diet, including seeds, fruits, small birds and mammals, scraps and even garbage.

== Pets ==
Rats can make good pets. They are usually kept in a [[cage]] or a [[terrarium]], sometimes with other rats or [[mice]].

== See also ==
[[Mouse]]

[[category:Rodents]]

Anteater

2008-03-26T23:31:38Z

Reg32Idaho: Added origins, Flood survival, 'evolution'

'''Anteaters''' are a family of edentate [[mammals]] native to Central and South [[America]], which have a tubular mouth with a small aperture, and a long tongue covered with a viscid secretion, which they thrust into the [[ant-hill|ant-hills]] and then withdraw covered with [[ants]]<ref>{{Nuttall|Anteater}}</ref>. There are four species of anteater: the Giant Anteater, Silky Anteater, the Southern Tamandua and Northern Tamandua. [[aardvark | Aadvarks]] and [[echidna | echidnas]] are sometimes called "anteaters" due to superficial resemblances, but this is not biologically correct.

==Origins==

According to the [[origins theory]] model used by young earth [[creation science | creation scientists]], modern Anteaters are the descendants of the two members of the modern anteater baramin that were taken aboard [[Noah's Ark]] prior to the [[Great Flood]]. It has not yet been determined by [[baraminology | baraminologists]] whether the four anteater species form a [[holobaramin]], or if all they are in fact [[Baraminology|apobaramin]]ic or [[Baraminology|polybaramin]]ic. After the Flood, anteaters which bred from the Ark passengers migrated to America.

In accordance with their worldview, a majority of secular biologists regard [[Theory of evolution|evolution]] from earlier species as the most likely explanation for the origin of the anteaters.

[[Category:Mammals]]

Squirrel

2008-03-26T22:50:08Z

Reg32Idaho:

A '''squirrel''' is a [[rodent]] of the Sciuridae family. Three types of squirrels are ground squirrels, tree squirrels, and flying squirrels. In North America, the two most common species of squirrel are the Eastern Gray Squirrel and the Red Squirrel, both tree squirrels. The [[prairie dog]] and [[chipmunk]] are both types of ground squirrel. Squirrels are "scatter-hoarders", which means they gather and hoard food in caches in multiple locations.

==Squirrels In the Bible==
The [[Holy_Bible | Bible]] does not specifically mention squirrels.

==References==
* [http://www.squirrels.org/textonly.html The Squirrel Place]

[[Category: Mammals]]
[[Category: Rodents]]

Anteater

2008-03-26T22:47:55Z

Reg32Idaho:

'''Anteaters''' are a family of edentate [[mammals]], which have a tubular mouth with a small aperture, and a long tongue covered with a viscid secretion, which they thrust into the [[ant-hill|ant-hills]] and then withdraw covered with [[ants]]<ref>{{Nuttall|Anteater}}</ref>. There are four species of anteater: the Giant Anteater, Silky Anteater, the Southern Tamandua and Northern Tamandua. [[aardvark | Aadvarks]] and [[echidna | echidnas]] are sometimes called "anteaters" due to superficial resemblances, but this is not biologically correct.

[[Category:Mammals]]