Once again we can look eastward toward our most excellent friends from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to discover the true path to enlightenment. The same system of justice that brought us 200 lashes and six months in jail for a woman who was gang-raped, now releases 1,500 members of Al Qaeda from prison, requiring them only to promise to refrain from jihad within the boundaries of the Arabian Peninsula. Of course, they are free to go anywhere else in the world and continue the jihad. But, they did promise that they won't trouble the Saudis. Another 1500 or so remain in prison because they could not find it in their hearts to take the pledge. Imagine the reduction in prison population if we would adopt this type of parole system.
I think that at the very least, they could have given each one of them 100 lashes before sending them on their way as a gentle reminder of what they would be returning to if they were to go back on their word. Okay, I will admit that 100 lashes is a bit harsh for killing infidels. Maybe just a slap on the wrist would be sufficient. Fortunately, the Saudi royal family understands the importance of keeping their women in line and their jihadists free to spread the love around the world.
Saudi generosity benefits the United States in more ways than just the exportation of peace-loving reformed jihadists. We also are blessed with magnificent architectural projects funded by the Saudi royal family where people can go and be instructed in the ways of Wahhabism.
Actually, Wahhabism is really an environmental movement. In Saudi Arabia, women are not allowed to drive. Hence wherever Wahhabism catches on, the number of drivers can be reduced by about 50 percent as women are forbidden to drive cars. This in turn significantly reduces the carbon footprint which ultimately fights global warming. Jihad against global warming. It warms my heart to realize that the oil rich Saudis are actually using their wealth to save the planet. Come to think of it, Al Gore should probably share his Nobel Prize with King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.
http://www.nysun.com/article/67016?page_no=1
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
What's in a Name?
Apparently 40 lashes, 6 months in jail, or a fine.
We learned last year that cartoons portraying a certain religious figure can trigger worldwide riots that can be blamed on western imperialism and insensitivity.
It seems that naming a teddy bear can be nearly as disastrous. A teacher in the Sudan made the mistake of allowing her students to pick their favorite name for the class teddy bear. The name chosen happened to be one shared with a certain religious leader who was the very popular with the children. Now, the teacher is at risk for allowing her Islamic students choose a popular Islamic name for their class bear.
My limited understanding is that you can't have a representation of said leader, like a picture, statue, etc. But, there are countless people who share the name. I guess I am just an ignorant infidel if I ask how the choice of the Islamic children can be an insult to Islam.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7112929.stm
We learned last year that cartoons portraying a certain religious figure can trigger worldwide riots that can be blamed on western imperialism and insensitivity.
It seems that naming a teddy bear can be nearly as disastrous. A teacher in the Sudan made the mistake of allowing her students to pick their favorite name for the class teddy bear. The name chosen happened to be one shared with a certain religious leader who was the very popular with the children. Now, the teacher is at risk for allowing her Islamic students choose a popular Islamic name for their class bear.
My limited understanding is that you can't have a representation of said leader, like a picture, statue, etc. But, there are countless people who share the name. I guess I am just an ignorant infidel if I ask how the choice of the Islamic children can be an insult to Islam.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7112929.stm
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Sir Paul Certainly Has A Reason
You have to love vegans. They come up with new ways to highlight their insanity each and every day. Personally, I do enjoy a hot naked vegan exposing herself to prove that I don't need leather. fur or Fillet Mignon.
If anyone wondered why Sir Paul and Heather split up, this latest story could be enlightening. She was one of the featured vapid pie holes pleading for Mother Earth at some Save the Planet rally in England. After arriving at there in her not so green Mercedes 4x4, she bleated that carbon emissions from livestock are killing the planet and we should be drinking milk from rats and dogs instead of cows . All the while, her petrol fueled Mercedes motor was running. Just like her mouth. I can only say to her, "you first". I can only imagine her milking a dog or a rat... (insert comments in poor taste here) I think she too should be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize as her hypocrisy is certainly worthy of Al Gore!
If only she would have shown up nude...
Read the story here:
If anyone wondered why Sir Paul and Heather split up, this latest story could be enlightening. She was one of the featured vapid pie holes pleading for Mother Earth at some Save the Planet rally in England. After arriving at there in her not so green Mercedes 4x4, she bleated that carbon emissions from livestock are killing the planet and we should be drinking milk from rats and dogs instead of cows . All the while, her petrol fueled Mercedes motor was running. Just like her mouth. I can only say to her, "you first". I can only imagine her milking a dog or a rat... (insert comments in poor taste here) I think she too should be considered for the Nobel Peace Prize as her hypocrisy is certainly worthy of Al Gore!
If only she would have shown up nude...
Read the story here:
To Clone or Not to Clone
There is hope that stem cell research can move forward without the need for human cloning. Researchers have demonstrated that human skin cells can be made to behave like embryonic stem cells. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,312294,00.html .
But, even though this new technique shows significant promise, it is still very likely that a human clone will be produced in the near future even if the need for cloning to produce stem cells is eliminated. We humans have never demonstrated the ability to say no. Even if every ethical researcher decided to abandon human cloning, there will always be someone, somewhere to give it a try. Legislators can pass laws prohibiting research. But work can and will continue where our laws do not apply. Even now, work continues outside of the United States to produce human clones. It is therefore prudent to consider how to deal with the inevitable introduction of clones into our society.
But, even though this new technique shows significant promise, it is still very likely that a human clone will be produced in the near future even if the need for cloning to produce stem cells is eliminated. We humans have never demonstrated the ability to say no. Even if every ethical researcher decided to abandon human cloning, there will always be someone, somewhere to give it a try. Legislators can pass laws prohibiting research. But work can and will continue where our laws do not apply. Even now, work continues outside of the United States to produce human clones. It is therefore prudent to consider how to deal with the inevitable introduction of clones into our society.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Ethics and Technology - Part II
The future is now.
Researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Center have developed a method for cloning primate embryos. The question with regard to human cloning is not if, but when. When this becomes a reality we will not be ready for the implications and consequences. It probably will not be tomorrow. However it could certainly be within our lifetime that we are given the option to have a clone produced that could supply us with transplantable organs and tissue that are perfect matches to our own.
A UN Panel from the U.N. University's Institute of Advanced Studies has said it will only be a matter of time before scientists manage to clone a human if governments do not impose a ban. The panel has suggested that a legally binding ban be established. This will most likely fail. Legally binding and United Nations don't fit in the same sentence. We have UN bans on the development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons that have certainly been less than effective. Even if the UN were not impotent, a ban on cloning will not work for the simple reason that someone will exploit the inactivity of others to gain any advantage in this area.
The real question then becomes: what are the rights of human clones? Do they constitute a class of beings that can be exploited? In the US we supposedly place a premium on the worth of the individual and human rights. There are countries that do not see life the same way as we supposedly do here in the United States. They will certainly have few reservations when is comes to the exploitation of cloned humans.
While I think that would be great if the world could join together and define a unified response, I think that is very unlikely that any such accord will be developed and even less likely that it would or even could be enforced. Therefore, it is important that we decide how to respond when the inevitable occurs.
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3152325.ece
Researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Center have developed a method for cloning primate embryos. The question with regard to human cloning is not if, but when. When this becomes a reality we will not be ready for the implications and consequences. It probably will not be tomorrow. However it could certainly be within our lifetime that we are given the option to have a clone produced that could supply us with transplantable organs and tissue that are perfect matches to our own.
A UN Panel from the U.N. University's Institute of Advanced Studies has said it will only be a matter of time before scientists manage to clone a human if governments do not impose a ban. The panel has suggested that a legally binding ban be established. This will most likely fail. Legally binding and United Nations don't fit in the same sentence. We have UN bans on the development of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons that have certainly been less than effective. Even if the UN were not impotent, a ban on cloning will not work for the simple reason that someone will exploit the inactivity of others to gain any advantage in this area.
The real question then becomes: what are the rights of human clones? Do they constitute a class of beings that can be exploited? In the US we supposedly place a premium on the worth of the individual and human rights. There are countries that do not see life the same way as we supposedly do here in the United States. They will certainly have few reservations when is comes to the exploitation of cloned humans.
While I think that would be great if the world could join together and define a unified response, I think that is very unlikely that any such accord will be developed and even less likely that it would or even could be enforced. Therefore, it is important that we decide how to respond when the inevitable occurs.
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3152325.ece
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Truly Random Ramblings
I have been hard at work writing papers for a graduate course. Hence my lack of new material for the blog. However, I was reading the news this evening and I was going to take a shot at the shoddy business practices of an ever increasing number of Chinese companies. The latest one involves toy beads that are coated with a chemical that turns into GHB (date rape drug) if ingested. Interstingly enough, this is a toy company not a pharmaceutical company. Although, maybe they share production facilities. I for one would not wish to trust my life or that of anyone that I cared for to that type of quality. I wonder what will they think of next. By the way, I also read that they intend to have a lunar mission by 2010.
The article that made me all warm and fuzzy right before I settle in to my nice warm bed was one detailing how my tax dollars are being used for good. The USS Lake Erie fired two interceptor missiles and score two kills on two short range ballistic missiles at the same time. Now that is a return on investment!The top picture of one of the targets launching. Below is the launch of the interceptor.
Everyone laughed at Ronald Reagan when he proposed the crazy idea of a bullet hitting a bullet. Thank you Ron!
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