Michael Russell

Are you equally concerned about the government funding that the alarmists receive? Where did Al Gore get his money? And what about funding from big ethanol? RCR Yes, good question, and yes. Thanks for the links.

And why does this matter? For one thing, Dr. Ball is capable of reading the peer-reviewed literature, and making his own conclusions, AND as he explains, the peer-review process on global warming has been corrupted. There are a few examples I have heard of where skeptics presenting their work for peer-review have been treated unfairly. Even wiuth all this aside, why does someone have to have their work published in the peer-reviewed literature in order to express his opinion? Is Al Gore held to that standard? Dr. Ball is certainly entitled to his opinion and to express his views in op-eds, but if he's going to be touted as a reputable climatologist, I think that being respected in your field is a good thing. I'm also concerned about the oil industry funding he receives. To be honest I don't know enough about climate change to offer an intelligent opinion; and I do know that opponents of Dr. Ball are given to ad hominem attacks, rather than answering the questions he raises. Perhaps I know just enough to be susceptible to the scare tactics of the alarmists. Can anyone recommend a good read on climatology written for someone with no scientific background? Mick

I caught the show and listened to the segment with Ed. Good job Ed! I thought that Thom Hartmann was fair enough; I enjoyed the mix of views he had on his show today. I'll definitely be tuning in tomorrow.

Mick...you may. Hey, you already did! :turned: Yeah, that was a pretty cool movie. Kind of strange, but it offered something different. Have you seen Punch-Drunk Love? If so, you like? No, I haven't seen Punch-Drunk Love, but I loved Boogie Nights; Boogie Nights is perhaps my all-time favorite family film! You've sold me on City Lights. Is it available on Netflix? If so, I'll add it to the top of my queue.

May I add an intelligent anti-romantic, romantic movie? Lost In Translation by Sofia Coppola is a brilliant movie; although the two protagonists never consummate their relationship, Lost In Translation is both erotic and sublime. Mick

A Grief Observed was a touching book. Even I, an atheist, can recognize the romanticism in C.S. Lewis's love for Joy Davidman; Shadowlines was a moving film. C.S. Lewis inscribed this on Joy Davidman's tombstone: Here the whole world (stars, water, air, And field, and forest, as they were Reflected in a single mind) Like cast off clothes was left behind In ashes, yet with hopes that she, Re-born from holy poverty, In lenten lands, hereafter may Resume them on her Easter Day. Alas, sometimes I miss my former faith. Mick

I'd like to add three more movies to your list, Victor: Annie Hall Barefoot In The Park The Graduate

Has Dr. Ball published any peer-reviewed papers on climate change? Mick

I've posted my chili recipe.

Kat, here's my chile recipe: Mick's Beer Chile Con Carne 2 tablespoons olive oil (for frying) 1 large onion 2 cloves garlic 1 lb ground beef 1 bottle Sierra Nevada Pale Ale 2 cups tomato sauce 2 cups pinto beans 2 cloves garlic ¼ cup New Mexico chile powder 2 tablespoons ground cumin 1 tablespoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1. Fry onion, garlic and beef in a medium-sized skillet at medium heat until beef is browned. Drain. 2. Add remaining ingredients (beer first) and simmer at low heat for at least 30 minutes. For next years Super Bowl when my Chargers defeat your Bears.

Here's a link to a very talented John & Yoko prodigy; Sean Lennon on David Letterman performing Dead Meat. I know Kat will enjoy this.

Thanks for posting that, Victor. With the media obsession with the psycho astronaut and poor, pathetic Anna Nicole Smith, you would think that not much is happening in the world today. Mick

Victor, welcome to California, in advance. Although I never promised, I was one of those who considered immigrating to Canada after the idiot Bush won for the first time in 2004. Alas, Paul Martin wasn't any better. Whenever I get angry at my native country, I'm reminded of a quote from the late Eldridge Cleaver: "I'd rather be in jail in America than free anywhere else". Mick

Yeah, I'm a country music fan, too--selectivly. Love Cash and Steve Earle, for example. I'll give this dude a listen. Do give him a listen, Victor. I don't know what's more impressive about Bradley Walker, his voice, or his sense of life.

I'm a huge country music fan, but I'm not a fan of the insipid pap that passes for country music on the radio these days. So a shout out to Terry Gross of fresh air for introducing me to Bradley Walker . What a voice, and what a biography . This guy blows Keith Urban away; what more can I say. Mick

I don't think that this question has been answered for Jeff. No, you don't win the bet; you push. You don't win $10, but you don't lose $10 either. Kudos to Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith. In a league made up of 70% African-American players, but with only 5 African-American coaches out of 32 teams, hopefully Smith's and Dungy's success will open up some doors. Congrats Kat!

As a fellow San Diegan, you bet I love watching Reggie Bush run. Alas, my Chargers gave one away, so now it's GO SAINTS! Sorry Kat, Chicago already has a Super Bowl win.

I'm a very, *VERY* bitter Chargers fan. Classy (just ask him) LT rules, classless (again, ask LT) Belichick sucks. I'm rooting for the Saints, not for all those poor shiftless niggers, Chris, but for Drew Breese.

Ed's comments are sad but so true. A tyrant is dead, but a martyr lives on. Forgive my ignorance, but is there a connection between the Baath Party in Iraq and the Baath party in Syria. I believe Syria supported the coalition forces against Iraq in Bush debacle I, but not in Bush II debacle #II. Mick

Oh my God! And the world as we know it hasn't come to an end?

Michael, that porn was just plain gross; no artistry whatsoever. Oh God! Am I slower than the slowest SLOPER? The Horror! What I found significant abut that whole ridiculous thread, was that it was started by Chris Cathcart. A once sober thinker is now a laughing stock. A shame, actually. Mick

That is merry news indeed! Congrats to you both.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish Michael and Kat a very Merry Christmas! And to thank the both of them for Objectivist Living, the most honest and adult Objectivist forum on the net. Although I am not an Objectivist and have only posted sporadically, I have always felt welcomed and respected on OL. Thank You! As I mentioned before, I am not an Objectivist, and having only read Rand's fiction, I don't have a firm enough understanding of her philosophy to be a productive contributer to this forum. For that reason, I am retiring from posting on this, or any other Objecivist forum, for now. I may return someday, but for now, I intend to thoroughly reread Rand's fiction, and then move on to her non-fiction. I am currently reading The Passion Of Ayn Rand, I find it to be a fair and loving tribute to a great mind. For the life of me, I don't understand the hatred of some towards Barbara Branden. Anyway, I posted this on another thread, but I wanted to repost it as my holiday wish for all the wonderful folks on OL. Merry Christmas! From the Ayn Rand Lexicon: Objectivism from A to Z:

The last interesting awards show that I can remember was the 1998 Grammy Awards when Ol' Dirty Bastard interrupted the presentation for Song Of The Year and Soy Bomb interrupted Bob Dylan's performance. Mick

Well, count me among the non-hippy Dylan fans. I admire Dylan for his revolutionary approach to song-writing. He was a musical pioneer and helped bridge the gap between folk and rock. I'm curious Kori, what is it that you don't like about Dylan's music? :shocked: No backlash from me, Kori. Everyone is entitled to their *WRONG* opinions. Mick