OT but I am flattering myself in thinking that what I am going to post is worthwhile. I wrote this letter in response to a questionnaire sent out to members of Skeptic.com:

Skeptic Magazine
Reader Survey

To whom it may concern:

I found your survey somewhat disconcerting as it seeks to pigeonhole my views, whereas being a good skeptic, I am singularly undogmatic.

On the religious question, just to reiterate: I do not believe in anything supernatural but have very strong values and beliefs nonetheless and some of them come from religious traditions, values and thoughts. So, does that make me religious?. How do you define it?

On the fiscal/economics question, I am a very strong believer in free enterprise, individual initiative and personal responsibility. But at the same time, I believe that capitalism must be regulated to a certain extent (for example – regarding making additions to food, like adding clay to bread to make it heavier or inspecting restaurants for good hygiene or ensuring companies cannot pollute at will and so on). As well, I believe that taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society and do not mind paying them. But at the same time, I want my taxes to be spent prudently, responsibly and in a fully accountable and transparent manner because governments can be just as irresponsible as businesses can be – because they are all run by human beings who are less than perfect. (Of course, I’m perfect but that’s another story)

Furthermore, I believe that to live in a civilized society (i.e. one not constantly on the verge of destruction through death, war, famine, plague, etc.) public goods such as education, healthcare, water and sewage treatment, roads, police forces, etc. must be provided and paid for by us all. To not do so, risks the destruction of our civilization. Yet at the same time, I want the money that is spent on those public goods to be spent prudently.

As well, I believe that the poor must be given an equal opportunity to better their lot. You will notice I did not say that all people must be put on an equal footing (because it is axiomatic that not all people are equal in ability or character or values – cultural differences account for most of the differences in social status in this life). I said that they must be given an equal opportunity to achieve whatever they can. Sometimes, especially as concerns education, having access to student loans, for instance, can allow someone to be all that they can be.

Finally, as regards fiscal/economic matters, rich people do not spend money (relative to the amount that they have). They are rich because they save it and grow it. Consequently, if government did not intervene to redistribute a certain amount of this wealth to buy public goods, ensure that people are not starving in the streets, etc., soon the economic system would resemble a situation like putting a bunch of spiders in a jar – you come back after a while and sitting in the middle of the jar is one, big fat spider. Also, the economic system would also collapse because, and it seems so trite to say so, but you cannot have an economic system based on consumption wherein the majority of citizens cannot afford to consume anything.

So, where does the above still, very simplistic discussion of my views put me on the Fiscal/economic spectrum? You decide for me.

On the Social/Political side, I am strong believer in freedom of conscience and freedom of speech. I agree with Voltaire in his statement, “I may disagree with what you say but I would defend to the death your right to say it.”

I also believe very strongly in a separation of church and state.

I don’t have a problem with same sex marriage but I have a problem with polygamy and bestiality.

I don’t have a problem with pornography involving consenting adults but I have a problem with child pornography.

I don’t think drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, etc. should be legalized but I don’t think tobacco, alcohol or caffeine should be prohibited.

I think legalized gambling (especially when run by governments) is a tax on the stupid and it should be carefully regulated but I don’t think it should be banned.

I think handguns and long guns should be registered and you should have to get a licence to obtain them just like a driver’s licence (i.e. pass a test on proper use, be of sound mind and body, etc.) but I think anyone who is willing to follow the proper legal procedures should have access to those weapons just like anyone who is willing to follow the proper legal procedures can own and drive a vehicle (which is just as dangerous as a handgun or a rifle in the hands of the wrong person).

I think abortion should be legal but I don’t think it should be allowed once the fetus is capable of surviving on its own (which is getting younger and younger with advances in technology). I also don’t think that human life begins at conception. If that were the case, then every single cell that we shed each day should be protected as the DNA inside each one is capable of creating a human being (or if not now, it will be).

At the same time, I do not think abortion should be illegal, I am aware that in Western civilization today, one of the major drawbacks of our secular societies is that people no longer want to have children which are a lot of work and bother. And if there is no social stigma attached to not having children, and if you only have one life to live and that means living in the moment for the moment, why would you want to have to do all that extra work? But because of the nature of humanity, in that beliefs and belief systems are passed on by parents and that most people receive their belief systems from their parents and never really come up with them independently, that means that people whose belief systems promote having children (i.e. generally speaking, religious people) will eventually predominate. As Daniel Pipes pointed out recently, Orthodox Jews will soon account for the majority of Jews as secular Jews do not have children or have very few or marry outside their faith. Similarly, Muslims will soon dominate whatever secular, western society they land in because they have more children than other people for religious reasons. So that means, Western civilization could soon die out because the people who believe in Western values are not having children and not passing those values on to those children. So, I think that, instead of relying on immigration to deal with our declining birth rates, because soon we will be swamped by people who do not believe in Western values, governments should forcefully promote (i.e. make propaganda for the value of having children) and provide large incentives to people to have children and also make our societies more family friendly. Otherwise, the only people that will be left on the planet will be the extremely religious.

The bottom line is that I am issue by issue kind of guy. Tell me the issue and I will have to think about it.

Irrationalism is on the rise everywhere today. Part of the reason that it is rising everywhere is because political correctness is making it impossible to discuss peoples’ irrational beliefs in public. You cannot publicly discuss religion anymore, especially with Muslims. And so, because irrational beliefs cannot be discussed in public, they are cosseted and protected. The only reason people can continue to believe in weird things is because no one comes up to them and says to them, “You know, I think what you believe is kind of strange.” Instead, they are surrounded by a community of like-minded believers who all tell each other, “Yes, the things we believe are true and good and the things that other people believe are untrue and not good.” So you have this mutually reinforcing irrationality.

I will leave you with the words of John Stuart Mill:

“But the peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.” (p. 12, J.S. Mill, “On Liberty”)

Keep up the good work.

Posted by: Admiral Don Juan at January 28, 2005 11:39 AM

Sorry Mr.Spencer
But this e-mail just makes me sick??

I see these people as?? They are not in Iraq being Shot at or living in FEAR and whine about a drive??

No I have no sorrys for these cowards??

Part of the American Tribe
Squirrel Hunter
Spider Killer
God Bless the USA and her Fighting Forces and ALL who Fight with her give them Strength, Wisdom, Sight, and Courage to stay the course to Victory to Destroy ALL islamic Terrorist and ALL who SUPPORT them Open the Worlds Eyes to their Threat give the World Courage to Stand and Fight this Evil Amen

We have Librated their Country what do they want us to do whip their asses?? WELL I THINK NOT!!!

Posted by: Catherine at January 28, 2005 11:47 AM

Mr. Spencer~ have their been any email from other Iraqi groups in the US? I am curious about the demographics. I am noticing that every city mentioned is democrat-controlled, and it would be interesting to know if Republican-run cities are being just as hard on them. Or not.

Posted by: Gary at January 28, 2005 12:03 PM

Perhaps the media in the Detroit and San Diego areas could put out the word that Iraqis desiring to vote need transportation to the distant polls and arranging volunteer drivers.

Anyone know any Iraqi churches that could contact the local media outlets to help "get out the vote"? Anyone know the media outlets in those areas? Anyone know of any Mega-churches in those areas that would, perhaps, be willing to bus the ChaldoAssyrian Christians to the polling places?

BTW, the largest percentage of Middle Easterners in the US are Christians...many who have fled the persecution in their ancient homelands.

Posted by: eve_anne_gelical at January 28, 2005 12:04 PM

I was driving home from work yesterday and NPR had a segment about the political parties competing for the upcoming Iraqi election. They said that the communist party was very active in trying to get the vote.

With bull horns and slogans, the party was marching down the streets of Baghdad stirring things up like the communists like to do.

Would it not be ironic after the USA spends $300 billion on the Iraq war/reconstruction that a
communist regime was legally elected to power?

After sixty years of the US trying to eradicate this ideaology and a Middle East version being
installed would put Bush in the history books as the greatest buffoon president.

I know that it won't happen, but the thought titillated the dark side of my personality.

The communists would certainly take on the Islamic fanatics.

Posted by: Moe's Foe at January 28, 2005 12:05 PM

GIVE ME A BREAK AT LEAST WE ARE NOT PACKING THE UP AND SENDING THEM TO VOTE IN IRAQ??

THIS IS A LAME EXCUSE FOR NOT VOTING THEY WANT TO STAY IN THE USA AND THIS IS JUST SMOKE AND COVER ????

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145676,00.html
Alvarez to Be Arraigned for L.A. Train Crash
Friday, January 28, 2005

Separately, a suicidal man who parked his SUV on railroad tracks in Orange County was arrested early Thursday, said Irvine police Cmdr. Dave Freedland, declining to say if it was a copycat situation. The man drove off when police spotted him and, after a chase, a dispatcher talked him out of suicide during a cell phone call.
FOX News' Jane Roh and The Associated Press contributed to this report

Feedland think I have heard that name connected with mulsums??

SEAMS THAT SAUDIS HAVE BEEN DOING A NO NO SOME HATE PAPERS HAVE TURNED UP IN MOSQUE IN THE USA FUNDED BY SAUDIS??

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145165,00.html
Wisconsin Bar Owner in Billboard Brouhaha
Saturday, January 22, 2005

FOND DU LAC, Wis. — The Wisconsin Department of Transportation () wants a restaurateur to give his billboard-covered barn a new coat of paint.
Chuck Boyd () uses his eye-catching roadside barn as a billboard to promote the two eateries he owns. But state officials said the ads have to go because he doesn't have a permit for the signage and it's too late to get one.
But Boyd said he went through the proper channels before he covered the barn in images. "We didn't try and hide it. We didn't throw a canvas over it at night or anything. I mean, we light the thing up — we're proud of it," Boyd said.
However, Wisconsin officials say it's time for the billboards to come down. "Just because it's up there for 10 years doesn't make it right," said Les Fafard of the state transportation department.
The department overlooked Boyd's barn because its code enforcement department wasn't fully staffed, officials said. But now the state is going after Boyd because states not enforcing billboard laws run the risk of losing millions of dollars in federal highway funding.
Boyd is gathering signatures to save his billboard and said the state should be concerned about more important issues. But transportation department officials said they cannot make exceptions — even for a visually appealing billboard.

I WOULD SAY THIS IS A MULSUM ATTACK ON FREE SPEECH YOU KNOW HOW THEY HATE BARS??

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,145662,00.html
Mistake Means 18-Cent Gas in Omaha
Friday, January 28, 2005

OMAHA, Neb. — A misplaced decimal point gave drivers a surprisingly good deal on gas, and even inspired some threats of violence at a west Omaha filling station Wednesday night.
Carolyn Folsom (), who occasionally helps her brother and father run the self-service, attendant-less Shell () station, said she goofed Wednesday afternoon when entering prices into the computer that runs the fuel tanks.
A gallon of regular, unleaded gasoline was supposed to cost $1.89 but ended up costing only 18 cents.
"I don't know if my finger missed the nine or what," Folsom said. "The whole family is laughing about this. I will never live this down."
Folsom said about 500 gallons of gas were sold during the several hours the price was down, costing the business about $1,000. The station does not have an attendant and the only way to pay is at the pump, so the mistake went unnoticed for hours.
A fuel truck driver who came to deliver gas discovered the problem and tried to block the entrance of the station with his truck, Folsom said.
But by then word was out and the rush for cheap fuel was on.
Folsom said one person threatened to hit the fuel truck driver with a hammer if he didn't stop blocking the entrance.
"That's the thing that upsets me," Folsom said. "I mean, grow up."
Folsom said her father fixed the price about 7:15 p.m. And he's forgiven her for the mistake, she said

WHO SAYS AMERICANS WONT FIGHT FOR CHEEP GAS??

Part of the American Tribe
Squirrel Hunter
Spider Killer
God Bless the USA and her Fighting Forces and ALL who Fight with her give them Strength, Wisdom, Sight, and Courage to stay the course to Victory to Defeat ALL islamic Terrorist and ALL who Support them Open the Worlds Eyes to their Threat Amen

Posted by: Catherine at January 28, 2005 12:42 PM

I used to live in the Detroit area. This complaint about traveling from Sterling Heights to Southgate rings rather hollow. It is pretty much a straight shot down I-75, one of the major expressways in the area. Mapquest pegs it at 35 miles in 44 minutes. Like many other people in that area I had a daily commute of similar distance for several years. Of course unlike Michigan drivers, mapquest pays attention to the speed limit so unless they are making the trip during rush hour they are not going to be terribly inconvenienced.

I stood in line for hours to vote here in NC so I certainly hope they can spare the time to drive that half hour or 45 minutes to take part in such an important event. If all the enthusiasm they can muster for this vote isn't enough to propel them that short distance...

Posted by: niallr at January 28, 2005 1:27 PM

I stood in line for hours to vote here in NC so I certainly hope they can spare the time to drive that half hour or 45 minutes to take part in such an important event. If all the enthusiasm they can muster for this vote isn't enough to propel them that short distance...

Posted by: niallr at January 28, 2005 01:27 PM

THIS MAKES ME SICK OVER 1300 AMERICANS DIED AND HOW MANY INJURJED SO THESE PEOPEL COULD VOTE AND THEY CAN'T GET OFF THEIR LAZY ASSES TO DRIVE A FEW MILES??

NO I AM BEGINGING TO THINK WE SHOULD SEND EVERY ONE OF THEM BACK AND TO THINK THEY ARE COMPLAINING JUST?????

Part of the American Tribe
Squirrel Hunter
Spider Killer
GOD BLESS THE USA AND HER FIGHTING FORCES AND ALL WHO FIGHT WITH HER GIVE THEM STRENGTH, WISDOM, SIGHT. AND COURAGE TO STAY THE COURSE TO DESTROY ALL ISLAMIC TERRORIST AND ALL WHO SUPPORT THEM

PS
REMEMBER WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING EVIL PREVAIL AND WE SEE THE IRAQIS IN THE USA ARE DOING NOTHING??

PSS
Just shows the Cowards they are and when the fighting starts here who will they side with no can't count on them??

Posted by: Catherine at January 28, 2005 2:23 PM

An interesting article on the Iraqi vote:

http://www.nationalreview.com/murdock/murdock200501280951.asp

And apologies to everyone for my reaction to kj earlier. I was under the thumb of one very much like him for the first half of my life: her paranoid mantra was demean, denigrate, demonize, destroy. Free and far away from her now, but still getting it out of my system apparently. However living under such a constant storm of hatred taught me a fair bit, I'll give her that. So I shall leave kj to lie about myself and anyone else here, as he wishes. I know he can't help it.

Posted by: Gary at January 28, 2005 2:41 PM

This is very sad, without christians, the iraqui democracy is a bad joke, we want christians and we don´t want a islamic republic.

Posted by: Franze at January 28, 2005 2:55 PM

You probably don't know this, but the muslims that are running the Iraq elections have offically stole it from us Christians.

First with San Diego, with about 70,000 Chaldeans/Assyrians there, they have forced them to go to LA to vote. Hmmm. Do you think they will drive all the way there twice? (Once for registration, once for voting.)

According to this article, the expatriate voting was organized by the International Organization for Migration, not 'the Muslims'. Someone wanna explain how 'the Muslims' influenced the IOM to marginalize the Christian vote?

And I second Niallr's comments. The drive is pretty much a straight shot. That shouldn't be an excuse.

Posted by: Rupert at January 28, 2005 3:16 PM

Admiral Don Juan, it is so comforting to know that I am not alone in the universe, your letter, though off topic, mirrors my sentiments and opinions almost exactly.

Catherine, poor dear you need some mental health time. Not only are your posts almost always off topic, long and rambling, but in this case you actually attacked and insulted people who fled Iraq to escape oppression and murder.

Thanks for the Article Robert I posted the Center for Religious Freedom article and source elsewheres.

I would have reposted yours, but the message would have countered with the usual ad hominems (probably still will), as people who can't answer the question
or deal with the facts will inevitably change the subject by launching an ad hominem against the source of their pain.

Posted by: Giaour at January 28, 2005 5:14 PM

These damn arab Shi'ite's owe the West and the USA in particular enormously. The US and coalition soldiers have been taking fire from the minority Sunni's so that these stinky Shi'ite's can rise to power.This is because the Shi'ite's represent 60% of the population in Iraq. Which means they are going to win the election.The Shi'ite's better take heed and not bite the hand that fed them because those who give can take away.

It's interesting to note that the majority of Iran is also Shi'ite, Persian but Shi'ite. I wonder if this played a roll in the adminstration's thinking at the beginning of this war knowing that the Shi'ite's would be in power. It's not hard to imagine that Iraq is just another phase or installment of a global strategy. As long as we don't attack Iran (other than some nuclear takeouts or a few covert ops)the ME should remain somewhat stable for a while allowing for continued democratizing and eventual demise of Shia law in Iran.

PS: Do people really need detail instructions on how to wipe their butts and wash their hands after using the bathroom, etc etc etc etc etc etc?

http://www.world-federation.org/IEB/IslamicResources/ShiaLaw/slindex.htm

Posted by: cross at January 28, 2005 5:28 PM

WHO SAYS AMERICANS WONT FIGHT FOR CHEEP GAS??

Reeward yerselfa gold one C

Posted by: cross at January 28, 2005 5:53 PM

This site and the people here are just as whacked as the Islamic fundies! I give the States another 20 years tops b4 its bye bye!

Posted by: knowalot at January 28, 2005 8:12 PM

knowalot,

I hope you got things covered. What about the children you demand to save?

Will they be safe?

Posted by: Moe's Foe at January 28, 2005 10:14 PM

I apologize to all for a faux pas I committed on dhimmiwatch.

BJ - forgive my transgression. All other JWers, please forgive me. Thanks.

Posted by: Moe's Foe at January 28, 2005 10:18 PM

Hi everyone!

The new action/information site is done now.

We're opening it up to the members first for a first look.

The idea behind this site is to work hand in hand with Jihad Watch.

From the news we get there and other sources, we can then go to

Co-Jet, get background information, ready made forms/letters/briefs

to hand out or mass mail.

This was phase 1.
Getting the format together
Providing background/history
Providing useful links

Some of the articles can be downloaded directly from the site and used as flyers.
Go through each section, open all the articles. There are links within links.

Phase 2.

We have a basic committee set in place. What we now need are sub-committees. Everyone has a subject that means more to them than others. What we would like to do is match people together to work on a particular topic. You will now become the reasearchers/reporters.

From each group, we would like one person to head it. All information gathered by the group will go to the head of that group, they will filter what has been sent in and then pass it forward.

We need those people that are particularly good at writing briefs/letters to form one group. As, issues come up, we would need this group to get the documents together to send out.

For our members overseas, again, I would like to form groups that will divide the research/writing.

Look the site over, give us your feedback, think about how each of you would like to participate and let us know through the contact link on the site.

Phase 3.

Rabbit and I put up the initial funds to buy the proxy server and get the site started. In order to upgrade and include a comments section with typekey registration, we do need donations.

The goal is for this to become the one site where people can get information and to educate the public. To take action. To distribute literature, petition our representives/office of the President on issues of vital importance to our security, to stop the spread of Islam in our schools and to keep our rights.

We also want to make this truly a group effort and seek to include everyone, in any form you care to contribute, be it, with research, distrubution of information, letter writing, going into other web/blog sites and posting information about the site/donations.

So, after all that, please go to www.co-jet.org and let's get started on making some changes!

Susanb and Rabbit

P.S. Just found out that we had 257 hits YESTERDAY! Before the site was officially opened!

Posted by: susan_b at January 29, 2005 12:14 AM

Susan, I have bookmarked the site and plan to pass it around in my next emailing. Thanks!

Posted by: Gary at January 29, 2005 7:06 AM

Catherine, poor dear you need some mental health time. Not only are your posts almost always off topic, long and rambling, but in this case you actually attacked and insulted people who fled Iraq to escape oppression and murder.

Posted by: Giaour at January 28, 2005 05:14 PM

And your point!! I call a Spade a Spade and a leapord doES not hide his spots??

I think the Iraqis in this country and other western countrys who cry we want to be free and who run like cowards and will not even drive a few miles to vote for their FREEDOM are worthless and should all have to go back to Iraq!!!

Giaour you are no better thEm nasseem you both have the same program yours is commy hers is islam??

I SEE THEM AS THE SAME!!!

THINK OF PEOPLE WHO DRIVE FROM NY TO CALF?? JUST FOR FUN??

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO CALF. SAN DIEGO IS NOT THAT FAR FROM L.A. JUST 3 HOURS??

USE TO DRIVE THAT JUST TO GO SHOPPING??

Part of the American Tribe
Squirrel Hunter
Spider Killer
God Bless the USA and her Fighting Forces and ALL who Fight with her give them Strength, Wisdom, Sight, and Courage to Stay the course to FREEDOM to Destroy ALL Islamic TERRORIST and ALL who SUPPORT them Amen

PS
sympathy?
Keep in mind that word sympathy is in the dictionary between the words SH_T and SYPHILIS!!!
LOOK IT UP!!

Posted by: Catherine at January 29, 2005 12:31 PM