fodeja

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Posts by fodeja

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  16

  No Speaka Da English? No Live In England!

  by Englishman in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  should the uk toughen up on it's immigration policies?

  should immigrants be able to speak english?

  this is clipped from today's guardian:.

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  fodeja

  I agree, I think a person coming into a new country should learn the native language.

  So far, I agree. That's a fair requirement for citizenship: you should be able to make yourself understood. No need for perfection at this stage, but basic communication should be possible.

  "Culture" tests are simply idiotic, though, as most of the native citizens probably wouldn't pass them either! And what exactly is British (or German, or French, or Spanish, or Swedish, or whatever) culture anyway? In the case of US culture which is inherently multiethnic, it would be even harder. Those tests are forcing a certain, narrow and of course highly subjective view of "acceptable culture" on people. This bizarre idea is coming up all over Europe these days, unfortunately.

  It's getting harder to find work here in the US if you can't speak spanish. They are taking over the US. Two of my neighboors are spanish, with about three or four families in each house. In a decade or two there will be more spanish speaking people here than english.

  And what's the problem with that?

  Are you saying that they cannot speak English at all, or do you feel threatened by the fact that they speak Spanish among each other and you don't hear any English around?

  In the first case, I'd agree with your concerns. Integration (which is not the same thing as assimilation!) is something both sides must work on, and learning your host country's language is not only a practical benefit, but also a signal that you really want to be part of a community (again, it doesn't mean you have to give up your own culture!).

  In the latter case, well -- to be honest, I don't feel the slightest little bit sorry for Americans (or actually, citizens of any country) who feel uncomfortable when they're surrounded by people speaking another language. If you're too lazy or simply unwilling to learn a foreign language, it's your own damn problem, and you've deliberately chosen to remain ignorant. Move into a WASP-only gated community and stop whining. Most people in non-English speaking countries are completely used to learning at least(!) one foreign language. Multilingual countries exist and work well. Ever heard of Switzerland?

  This globalization of the economy I think will bring the standard of living down for the advanced countries and not do much for the third world countries.

  Said "globalisation" has been the norm, not the exception, throughout history. You might as well try to stop a river flowing.

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  14

  Genetic evidence for "macroevolution"?

  by fodeja in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  first genetic evidence uncovered of how major changes.

  in body shapes occurred during early animal evolution.

  biologists at the university of california, san diego have uncovered the first genetic evidence that explains how large-scale alterations to body plans were accomplished during the early evolution of animals.. in an advance online publication february 6 by nature of a paper scheduled to appear in nature, the scientists show how mutations in regulatory genes that guide the embryonic development of crustaceans and fruit flies allowed aquatic crustacean-like arthropods, with limbs on every segment of their bodies, to evolve 400 million years ago into a radically different body plan: the terrestrial six-legged insects.. the achievement is a landmark in evolutionary biology, not only because it shows how new animal body plans could arise from a simple genetic mutation, but because it effectively answers a major criticism creationists had long leveled against evolutionthe absence of a genetic mechanism that could permit animals to introduce radical new body designs.

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  fodeja

  FIRST GENETIC EVIDENCE UNCOVERED OF HOW MAJOR CHANGES
  IN BODY SHAPES OCCURRED DURING EARLY ANIMAL EVOLUTION

  Biologists at the University of California, San Diego have uncovered the first genetic evidence that explains how large-scale alterations to body plans were accomplished during the early evolution of animals.

  In an advance online publication February 6 by Nature of a paper scheduled to appear in Nature, the scientists show how mutations in regulatory genes that guide the embryonic development of crustaceans and fruit flies allowed aquatic crustacean-like arthropods, with limbs on every segment of their bodies, to evolve 400 million years ago into a radically different body plan: the terrestrial six-legged insects.

  The achievement is a landmark in evolutionary biology, not only because it shows how new animal body plans could arise from a simple genetic mutation, but because it effectively answers a major criticism creationists had long leveled against evolution—the absence of a genetic mechanism that could permit animals to introduce radical new body designs.

  ...

  The UCSD team’s demonstration of how a mutation in the Ubx gene and changes in the corresponding Ubx protein can lead to such a major change in body design undercuts a primary argument creationists have used against the theory of evolution in debates and biology textbooks

  Full text: http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/science/mchox.htm

  I'm not a biologist, so it's not clear to me whether the press release hype is warranted. Still sounds interesting though.

  Fundy disclaimer: Of course, we all know that God's Word tells us it's all wrong and everyone knows this silly idea violates the Second Commandment, err, Law of Thermidonam...Thordimno....Thermiodynamicsism! And those fools STILL can't prove God doesn't exist!

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  12

  Salman Rushdie on Anti-Americanism

  by JanH in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  anti-americanism has taken the world by storm .

  the us has an ideological enemy harder to defeat than militant islam .

  salman rushdie.

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  fodeja

  While we're far and away better than all countries, we're not better than every country combined

  Better in what respect, except military power? Income distribution? Personal freedoms? Environmental protection? Violent crime rates?

  Have you actually _been_ to all countries, or at least more than two or three of them, and for more than just a brief visit?

  With statements like the above (which I usually don't take as a sign of arrogance, but of simple ignorance), it's no wonder many people don't exactly have the best opinion of the USA. It's that belittling, "here's a dollar kid, buy yourself some ice cream" attitude that triggers a range of emotions from amused eyebrow-raising to vitriolic hate all over the world.

  I expect better of Europeans.

  The thing I'd expect is that people stop thinking in terms of nations and their respective penis lengths. Generally, I think a huge step would be getting genuinely interested in what's happening outside of their little "best places in the world". As regards self-chosen ignorance of the outside world, I'm afraid that the USA are pretty much #1 at this time. The competition is fierce, though.

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  49

  BEARDS letter from GB

  by Shane in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  watchtower.

  bible and tract society of new york, inc.. writing department phone (718) 625-3600.

  25 columbia heights, brooklyn, new york 11201-2483, u.sa.

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  fodeja

  In time, a person's preferences may even change somewhat when considering all of the factors involved.

  That's a stunning example of cult thinking: "We're not telling you to do it. You will want to do it".

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  9

  The Internet Archive

  by Kristen in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  here's a handy tool to use when people suddenly remove web sites, or if you want to view the archives of certain sites on the web.... http://www.archive.org/.

  just type in the complete url and you'll get a list of links for each year if copies have been archived in the library.

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  fodeja

  Funny - I just mentioned that site on the other thread minutes ago!

  Those who missed the fun can actually browse the good old witnesses.net there! It's a bit slow, though (actually, I would have expected it to be MUCH slower, considering the tons of data this archive holds).

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  6

  NYPost Article - In the Name of Religion

  by Reborn2002 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  this article taken from the ny post should suffice to make you sick to your stomach.. .

  why the west is better .

  by mark goldblatt .

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  fodeja

  Agreed, Gweedo.

  The West isn't "better" because of Christianity, but in spite of Christianity. We owe our relative freedom to those who overcame the judeo-christian heritage. (And anyone who thinks we owe that to figures like Martin Luther should definitely read their history books, instead of tabloid rags like the New York Post.)

  But what such apologists are unwilling to confront is that no one in the Judeo-Christian West takes such exhortations literally.

  Today. And I'd like to see one of those "apologists" please, if they aren't strawmen.

  f.

  "Man sollte ihre Synagoga oder Schulen mit Feuer anstecken, ... unserem Herrn und der Christenheit zu Ehren, damit Gott sehe, dass wir Christen seien ..." (Martin Luther, Von den Juden und ihren Lügen, Tom. 8)
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  32

  My Committment to JWD

  by Amazing in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i debated the wisdom of making this post.

  i have made every effort to make it as neutral as possible to avoid personally offending anyone.

  i may be losing my marbles here, but i feel that this needs to be said.

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  fodeja

  Note to self: don't ever read topics created by Amazing again, even if they have such catchy titles as "Part MMLCXXI: A Small Wart on My Left Foot - History, Medical Implications, Future Development. A Comprehensive Manif^H^H^H^H^HEssay sprinkled with Lots of Bold-Printed Section Headings, Suggestive Questions, and Metaphor".

  Note to Simon: how about an "ego issues" forum?

  Note to Amazing: have you ever considered that the more you try to defend yourself, the more you prolong the debate you want(?) to end? I haven't followed this too closely, granted. I'm just observing people busy making asses of themselves. I gotta know, I'm pretty good at that. Don't have as much stamina, though.

  Furrf. Here's hoping I'll have better things to do at the age of fifty.

  f.

  Amendment to Note to Self: you'll be sorry for posting this.
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  19

  What I am Reading, What I am Listening To

  by mikepence in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  in the interest of getting an idea of what interests people here, use this thread to post what you are into right now.. i am reading.... susan sontag's "in america" ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0374175403/mikepence-20) what an incredible author.

  this book won the national book award.

  see the reviews on amazon.

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  fodeja

  I guess I'll have to restrict myself to English language and leave out the stuff I read for work...anyway, I've started with

  E. S. Herman and N. Chomsky. Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media.

  just a couple of days ago. I've always been fascinated by the role of mass media in today's society, so it's about time that I'll read what some experts have to say. So far, it looks like a very comprehensive, thorough, and well-defended analysis (which is probably why Chomsky is so hated by some conservative types - he's not your average hemp-shirt wearing hippie, but an intellectual in the good sense of the word).

  Also, I'm leafing through

  Paul Watzlawick. How Real is Real? Confusion, Disinformation, Communication

  again, as so often before. I've always enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it to anyone who's interested in the role of communication (or lack thereof) in our lives. Watzlawick's writing style is absolutely refreshing.

  Music: Neil Young, Weld. Loud. What a shame the guy hasn't brought out anything remarkable in the past couple of years ("Silver and Gold"? Yawn! "Let's Roll"? Urgh!). Apparently it's better to fade away after all...

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  25

  Weight

  by gilwarrior in

  1. watchtower
  2. medical

  well today i went to my trainer and i weighed myself.

  i weigh a disgusting 258 pounds!

  i new record for me.

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  fodeja

  stop eating all simple carbs

  Go easy on the fruit!!

  eat some barley

  high glycemic carbs are the problem

  take a multivitamin tablet and a calcium every day

  chromium

  the only thing that's missing is the complex carbohydrates

  Wow! But, just a question: if there really are such simple, definite, proven theories on overweight and such simple, definite, proven ways to get rid of excessive fat, why do people still have overweight problems?

  I guess the best advice is to really see a doctor, and maintain a healthy distrust of pop-science "nutrition research".

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  95

  Please form a judicial committee...

  by SexyTeen in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  seeing that most of those on this forum love to judge others (although the complaint is that jws do the same thing), i am willing to go through a judicial committee.. if you see fit not to forgive, please disfellowship me and shun me.

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  fodeja

  If you see fit not to forgive, please disfellowship me and shun me.

  Bah, disfellowshipping, shunning, we're above that.

  I say we dunk you in milk chocolate, roll you in cornflakes and then toss your sorry butt into a cage full of WOL/GreatCrowd moderators who've been fed only zero-fat yoghurt and diet Pepsi for two weeks.

  f.