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Posts Made By: Mark Norby

December 3, 2009 11:09 PM Forum: Religion

Science and Islam

Posted By Mark Norby
Here's a link to a short clip concerning the "Golden Age of Islam". I understand that some (many?) Muslims may disagree that the Muslim scholar/cleric was a negative influence on science. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIMifWU5ucU&feature=related In the "scribd" link I posted earlier(www.scribd.com) there are papers that discuss the Greek influence on Islamic science. One of Tyson's claims is that Islamic science became one of "revelation", versus "investigation." Refet appears to be in that camp. One can't help but wonder what science would be like today without that shift of philosophy.

December 11, 2009 08:54 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Pressure to sign

Posted By Mark Norby
There have been allegations for some time, now, that skeptics were not allowed to publish, or that they were pressured to find predetermined results, etc. Here's more evidence: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2009/12/09/pressure-defend-climate-gate-scientists/?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a16:g2:r3:c0.162614:b29272544:z10

December 14, 2009 01:41 AM Forum: Politics

Repubs and science funding

Posted By Mark Norby
Tyson in a short clip about funding-who funds more; republicans or democrats. There's an interesting point that he makes at about 3:46-4:00 or so. It has to do with religion in the science classroom. It could also apply to what happened in the Muslim society that lead to the end of the "Golden Age of Islam".

December 14, 2009 07:09 PM Forum: DVDs and Music and Books That You Recommend

Susan Boyle

Posted By Mark Norby
I thoroughly enjoyed her Youtube clips. I think that it's wonderful that an unknown from humble background can get a "break". I purchased her debut CD, and have enjoyed it vry much. It's the first CD I've purchased in a couple of yrs. Now I hope to find a Barbara Padilla CD on the market.

December 17, 2009 07:04 PM Forum: Politics

Hard-ball politics

Posted By Mark Norby
I was channel surfing a bit yesterday, came to Glenn Beck. He prefaced a news story by saying that 3 sources, well placed to know, said essentially the same thing: There was pressure from the Dems for the(Dem?) senator(?) from Nebraska to sign the Health Care bill, or Offut Air base, near Omaha would be put on the "to be closed" list. Even tho the threat could not be carried out because of the procedures for a base to be put on this list, the threat, based on recent events from Dems, seems plausible. I'm referring to the Admin wanting to bar FOX news for not being as favorable to the Admin as other agencies, etc. The tactics were described as "hard ball Chicago" politics.

December 18, 2009 09:07 PM Forum: Politics

Intermission

Posted By Mark Norby
Sometimes this forum, and others, gets heated and nasty. How about taking a deep breath? I offer this for intermission:
Men go thru 4 stages of life.
1. They believe in Santa Claus
2. They don't believe in Santa
3. They become Santa Claus
4. They look like Santa Claus

December 19, 2009 05:09 AM Forum: Politics

"Are you serious?"

Posted By Mark Norby
That was the response from Pelosi, when asked by a reporter "Where in the Constitution does it say that citizens can be required to buy health insurance?" Some time back I asked the forum readers if a citizens in a free country can be forced to enter into a contract. Apparently, some elected officials think that the answer is "yes." Perhaps they believe that the Constitution is a starting point of their power, to be expanded as they deem fit. I believe it is a document to restrict the power of government, to protect the citizenry from tyranny from within as well as from abroad. When I enlisted, I took an oath to protect the Constitution from "enemies foreign or domestic." I believe that is an obligation for as long as I live.

December 19, 2009 05:25 AM Forum: SCI-FI

Avatar

Posted By Mark Norby
Just saw it with my elder son. We both enjoyed it. I think that an XBox game will make millions. The plot is a bit "Dances With Wolves", the native aliens being pre-industry, "at one with nature". So, even tho the story line is familiar, the fantastic visuals-lots of computer generated-will make the movie a hit. The alien world's flora and fauna were great. The humanoids had enough "humanity" that they could be related to, yet still be "exotic". I think that the Native Americans will be heard from, comparing their experience with the aliens in the movie. I predict lots of awards and lots of money will be made.

December 22, 2009 05:26 PM Forum: Global Warming - REAL or NOT

Re: Cure for Global Warming found!

Posted By Mark Norby
One of my favorite "innovative ideas" is putting a bunch of small (ceramic?) discs(?) into an orbit between us and the sun. It's supposed to act like a "cloud" to cool the earth-a little bit. Seems to me that I heard of it on Science Channel/Discovery or similar chennel. This research has government funding written all over it. I couldn't make this stuff up.

December 22, 2009 05:57 PM Forum: Politics

Nebraska Exception

Posted By Mark Norby
I think that the Nebraska Exception is corrupt. To "buy" a vote by giving that state special consideration is not just "pork barrel spending". But at least the Senator agreed to pull that requirement if the governor of Nebraska didn't want it in there.

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