Thanks, Robert. Looks great so far!

Also, as many times as many of us have attempted to explain the US legal system wrt the teaching of science, spendi has continually attempted to debate what is "Settled legal principles" His actual understanding is either ineducably lame or else he is attempting humor (either way, its as boring as can be to have a one trick pony on the line).
SO, I joined the several whove ignored spwendi and, I must say, the threads are now streamlined where his contrarian, non relevant comments and insults are not seen

Why did you choose to ignore JTT? and arent you at least thankful to Roberts Rats for providing this extra little feature that we, at our own discretion, can choose to initiate or not.

Free Speech doesn't just mean people can say what they want to. It also means they can listen to what they want to---and only what they want to. That's part of why free speech is such a blessing.


Because people farmerman doesn't ignore will quote his posts when they respond to him. If and when he has something substantial to say, it's likely to show up in those quotes. I can't speak for farmerman of course, but that's how it worked for me. Several posters got off my ignore list that way.

It's so "precious" is using Ignore. Bloody snooty boots. Little Lord Fauntelroy shite. It's pathetic. It's nothing but an excuse to avoid facing up to any arguments that undermine the case you're making.

Of course free speech means anybody can say what they want to as long as it isn't illegal. And nobody can demand that anybody has to read it but to stay in the debate when you've used Ignore is patently ridiculous.

If fm and Thomas want to proceed making a case for atheism or the demolition of religion and it is put to them that the case for religion is considerably conditioned by the need for control of sexual appetites then they should answer that case or offer another way of controlling sexual appetites or promote no controls over them. Just putting the case on Ignore is dereliction of duty to free and open debate and choosing to debate only with those who are going to present arguments which they can easily counter with their quotations from pop-science manuals. Like playing hardball with kiddies. They have tampered with the weapons of their opponents.

It then becomes obvious that they can't answer the case made on such "controversial issues" as a Texas senator called these matters. Prof. Germaine Greer called the Catholic Church a "fertility machine". Right then--there is a case. Ignoring it requires those who do so to get out of the debate or take it on.

Then they need to Ignore this post because they have no answer to it either. They are always after playing on the ground they know they can win on. That's not debate and it is the opposite of free speech and if the sods ever got to power, which they won't, they would stifle ALL contervailing opinions. And they can bluster all they want about faults in my style and make up allegations about it but if they think I don't know the real reason they have me on Ignore they are pissing up a gum tree. They're simply scared of risking losing any argument they are in bed with. They are flouncing auntie types. They want everybody to fold their hand.

Boys, it's time to stop ranting and just accept to disagree.

Still trying to figure out how you consider that I was lecturing you.

Oh, you are right. JTT stays on point as long as the point is called hypocrisy which shows up in most of his posts. Anyhow, I will continue to read Spendius. I find him every bit as coherent as you appear to be.

I wholeheartedly agree dear Caroline.

These disruptive digressions from the original intent of the thread is just out and out rude as well as against the appreciative spirit of the original poster.

By all means continue this cantankerous thread but in a volley of PM's or on an separate thread where they don't poison the genial disposition of those who aren't in the mood for argumentative douchebaggery and sucker punching.

Yeah time out.

I suppose if you care nothing for the subject and only wish to paint with words, sometimes he can be toneworthy.
I have little patience for folks who cloud their ignorance with phrases in attempts to turn the subject about.

As it turns out the Addition of the ignore feature is one that Ive used sparingly but effectively. I know it drives those ignored just nuts (mostly by the way that they claim that it doesnt bother them).

Remember whenever someone says"Its not about the money"--Its about the money.


The only real feature of this site I really dont care for is THE COLOR SCHEME. It looks like a state drivers license application

I don't know if you know, intrepid, that farmerman has a messed up hand and years ago gave up on trying to fix typos.

He is always coherent to me.
That of course may not be the best citation for him..



I looked up to see what thread this was.. a thanks to Robert.

Gee, and I thought I tend to go off topic.

Do you wish to close A2K down Caroline? Ranting is what we come here for. Do you think we come here to discuss ovaries as Bernard Shaw said would be the only subject of discussion once women were given the vote.

We are trying to prevent the XX chromosome from rendering the neatly balanced mixture of the X and Y chromosomes from becoming extinct.

It doesn't drive me nuts. I can work around it. If I put people on Ignore in a discussion I would go see a psychiatrist to straighten myself out. My status as a scientist would require that I did. I'm not having it that I'm wobbling between two opposed states of mind.

It does cause a twinge of pity I will admit.

Yes, I know bout Farmerman's hand and I never even hinted about anything to do with that. I was not referering to any typos or anything of that nature. I was talking about what he sometimes says.

I have no trouble deciphering something that is not written perfectly. Hell, I even understand what OmSig David writes in his phonetics.

I don't. however. agree with the way he treats people if there is a hint that they are a Christian. He doesn't understand that Christians can understand science too. Some of us can separate them. He cannot.

What does this have to do with the new features that have been presented thus far? Probably nothing other than it does show the reason why some people may want to have a separate area where they can discuss with those who want to discuss without bringing other stuff into it. No, I am not innocent there either.

I don't know, re his posts. I assume, maybe wrongly, that he usually posts against the wacko hordes for what I take as sane reasons.

Sometimes people who actually understand science but also believe in god/are religious are caught in all that, in posts from whomever. I knew religious scientists, not on the - excuse me - dumbo - side of things.

Back in the day, when I was a practicing catholic, there was no problem with evolution as long as it was taken that there was a first cause, or words to that effect.

Uh oh, more tangent.

Perhaps we should take this elsewhere?

Since I am, apparently, considered one of the wacko hordes, I suppose there is no reason.

I haven't followed all that.

(we're all wackily off topic)

Hear, hear, Thomas.

I would add that it feels rather like an abuse of free speech to send irrelevant & diversionary post after post (with the intention of frustrating others & provoking a response from people who don't wish to talk with you), especially when those people are actually attempting have a discussion ... then cry foul when you are "ignored".

I've reached the stage where (with most annoying posters ) I no longer need to "ignore". I note the first few lines of rubbish & immediately scroll on till something more interesting & relevant presents itself. Particularly in response to a string of those "Look at me! Look at me! Aren't I frightfully clever?" ones. (No, you're not, actually.)

This is not to say that all diversions on all threads are always unwelcome. Sometimes they are actually the high point of a thread!

I assume Olga that that is when you approve of the sentiments in the diversion.

You haven't a clue about what I "approve "of or not.
As if it matters to you anyway ...

I could get a clue by seeing which diversions you disapprove of and which you don't.