31

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Franc's T-Shirt USA Challenge

« on: May 18, 2007, 11:56:58 PM »

Well, yes. That's the point of the Challenge. Many statists still hold to that belief but it falls apart easily when you probe them about it, and it seems pretty important to me for them to realize that.

32

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Your Favourite Book and Why?

« on: May 18, 2007, 11:51:33 PM »

Lysander Spooner, No Treason: The Constitution of No Authority

The greatest book ever written in the english language. I absolutely love it because there is a brillant insight about every two pages. Spooner deconstructs the "United States" and government with the rigor of a lawyer, an eloquent command of the english language, and a clear mind. It never fails to astonish me, as do all of Spooner's writings, and has opened my eyes to a lot of things about political legitimacy.


Also:

Richard Dawkins, Unweaving the Rainbow: Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder
Mary Ruwart, Healing our World in an Age of Aggression
L. Neil Smith, The Probability Broach
George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four

33

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Franc's T-Shirt USA Challenge

« on: May 18, 2007, 11:45:00 PM »

I agree with the substance of what you said, but there's one little problem. The quote you gave, and which I gave also in my Challenge, is from the Declaration of Independence, not the Constitution itself.

34

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 18, 2007, 10:59:20 PM »

No, just mentioning that if lying in court is a sin, then they are all sinners of the first order.

35

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Franc's T-Shirt USA Challenge

« on: May 18, 2007, 10:53:57 PM »

Tom Bishop, that's all true enough, but the Declaration of Independence alone does not establish the existence of the "United States of America." Indeed, it does not even declare the name "United State of America" or a specific territory. It is just... a declaration of independence. I doubt you would say it was consented upon by everyone who then lived on what we call the territory of the "United States," so I don't see how you're using this as proof of consent. It's a fine document, as far as it goes, though.

Due to these problems, I have to declare your attempt a failure.

36

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 18, 2007, 09:06:37 PM »

Oh, and I also forgot all those stupid judges, who are no doubt Christian.

37

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 18, 2007, 08:33:41 PM »

Yea, except if you're a Creationist testifying in an education court case. Then lying in court is AOK.

38

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Franc's T-Shirt USA Challenge

« on: May 18, 2007, 07:06:10 PM »

I suppose not.

I can prove that the constitution is unconstitutional.

How so?

39

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Franc's T-Shirt USA Challenge

« on: May 18, 2007, 05:56:47 PM »

Can't I just get five bucks or so for proving that it ISN'T a legitimate government entity?  I'd only need like two paragraphs...

I'll attempt to do it in 500 words or less.

*shrugs

Since anyone can do that, it's not much of a challenge now is it?

40

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 18, 2007, 12:31:55 PM »

"The empty life of this ugly little charlatan proves only one thing, that you can get away with the most extraordinary offenses to morality and to truth in this country if you will just get yourself called reverend. Who would, even at your network, have invited on such a little toad to tell us that the attacks of September the 11th were the result of our sinfulness and were God's punishment if they hadn't got some kind of clerical qualification?"
--Christopher Hitchens offers a eulogy for Jerry Falwell on CNN

41

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Franc's T-Shirt USA Challenge

« on: May 18, 2007, 12:28:09 PM »

With the addition of a signed Gorbachev picture, the pot is now 210 dollars' worth. So get to your arguments!

42

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Franc's T-Shirt USA Challenge

« on: May 18, 2007, 01:22:01 AM »

Thanks to the pledge of a valuable custom made bra by a female member, the award is now worth 180$ (50$ in cash and 130$ worth of items).

43

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: The Root of All Evil- $$$$$$$

« on: May 18, 2007, 01:20:50 AM »

just think about it

The actual quote is THE LOVE of money is the root of all evil, not just "money."

"FEers ftl" ftl.

44

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Franc's T-Shirt USA Challenge

« on: May 18, 2007, 12:19:22 AM »

After a pledge by a friend of mine, the challenge award is now 60$. (50$ plus the t-shirt)

45

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 18, 2007, 12:18:16 AM »

I dont really think your evil; i just disagree with you a lot. But taking cheap shots like that isn't something i like doing.

Then don't do it.

46

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Christianity and Evolution

« on: May 17, 2007, 08:42:08 PM »

I am a planar, not a flatter.

47

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 17, 2007, 08:40:37 PM »

You are free to say that.

48

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 17, 2007, 08:18:06 PM »

Netiquette is the equivalent of Political Correctness in the real world. Total ruling class bullshit.

If someone is an evil bastard, just say it. Don't type on tippy-fingers just because he died.

49

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Christianity and Evolution

« on: May 17, 2007, 08:16:58 PM »

At least I know what the hell Hamilton's Rule is.

50

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 17, 2007, 07:43:23 PM »

For every rude thing I have said, I have received about ten equivalent or worse.

51

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Christianity and Evolution

« on: May 17, 2007, 07:17:48 PM »

Are you cheesy or what. You answer to my two arguments with bullshit, and then tell me I'm the one who does not know what he's talking about. HR is not about cooperation being "good or bad," and IPD is neither "hypothetical" nor "philosophical." I'm sorry that you don't understand them, but don't turn around and act as if you know what they're about.

52

Flat Earth Q&A / Franc's 210$ USA Challenge

« on: May 17, 2007, 06:59:04 PM »

I will give a Market Anarchist t-shirt from my store (plus 210$ worth of pledges so far) to any statist who can prove that the United States of America exists as a legitimate entity.

PLEASE NOTE that you do not have to prove that government does not exist. That is not what the Challenge is about. For the sake of the Challenge, you may assume that the government exists (but not that it is legitimate).

I define legitimate as the following statement from the Declaration of Independence:
"Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"
A legitimate entity of governance, therefore, must derive its powers from the consent of the governed.

I will answer all contenders here, but official entries must be posted on my message board thread, given that a moderator may be appointed to judge the Challenge. Until then I will judge it.

53

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 17, 2007, 06:55:12 PM »

No.. I am not rude.

54

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Jerry Falwell is dead

« on: May 17, 2007, 04:40:43 PM »

What, does this board censor people who are rude? If so, half the RE contingent should be banned before anyone who spoke here.

55

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Flat Earthers

« on: May 17, 2007, 04:39:29 PM »

I believe the Earth is a plane.

56

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Flat Earthers

« on: May 17, 2007, 01:11:39 PM »

You did not include the Planar option. This poll is discriminatory.

57

Flat Earth Q&A / Re: Recruiting planar soldiers

« on: May 17, 2007, 01:10:01 PM »

Fine.

58

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Christianity and Evolution

« on: May 17, 2007, 01:08:41 PM »

"The selfish gene" doesn't have anything to do with how people behave.  It's about how some genes in our body help ensure that they get passed on and continue.

Ever heard of EVO PSY?

Hamilton's rule does not prove me wrong at all.

If you're just going to deny the scientific evidence, fine with me.

It shows that being too co-operative is a bad thing, but it clearly actually shows that some co-operation is a good thing.

Fine, you don't even know what Hamilton's Rule is. What a gyp.

The prisoner's game is a hypothetical philosophical question.

No. It's not hypothetical nor is it philosophical. Once again, you don't know what the fuck I'm talking about.

59

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: Ah, The Wisdom of Webcomics

« on: May 17, 2007, 12:19:17 AM »

9/11 conspiracists and 9/11 truthers are both full of shit. I am so tired of hearing both groups of retards arguing with each other.

60

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: The truth.

« on: May 16, 2007, 11:11:50 PM »

There is no such thing as "god." It is a meaningless three-letter word.

Is there a sri? A wec? A ewo?