Free Fire Zone Dedicated to Uranus

What do we do when the creationists are utterly boring? We declare another Intellectual Free-Fire Zone. For no particular reason (except perhaps that we’re thinking of creationism) we dedicate this post to the Seventh Planet — the one that dare not speak its name. And to satisfy your desire for information, here’s NASA’s powerful information page on Uranus.

You know the rules. Feel free to use the comments for the discussion of pretty much anything — science, politics, economics, whatever — as long as it’s tasteful and interesting. Banter, babble, bicker, bluster, blubber, blather, blab, blurt, burble, boast — say what you will. But avoid flame-wars and beware of the profanity filters.

We now throw open the comments to you, dear reader. Have at it!

Copyright © 2022. The Sensuous Curmudgeon. All rights reserved.

Another Flat Earth Free Free Zone

The creationists aren’t very amusing today, so we’ll entertain ourselves with some Flat Earth news. But first — to bring you up to date, here’s our foundational post on the topic: The Earth Is Flat!

And now for the news. It begins with this thrilling headline: Man handcuffed, dragged away by police after yelling ‘Earth is flat’ during Governor-General’s Anzac speech. Here are some excerpts, with bold font added by us for emphasis, and occasional Curmudgeonly interjections that look [like this]:

Dame Cindy Kiro [Governor-General of New Zealand] took to the podium at the Pukeahu War Memorial during the capital’s Anzac ceromony, but before Dame Kiro could get in front of the microphones the man saw his opportunity. “The earth is flat!” he was heard yelling.

Not your typical political outcry, but it’s certainly not the worst we’ve heard. You’re probably wondering what happened next. The newspaper says:

The heckling didn’t stop Dame Cindy from speaking, but as she addressed Wellingtonians, footage captured by a Newshub camera operator shows the man surrounded by three police officers in the middle of the crowd.

Being a flat-earther is illegal in New Zealand? Apparently so. The newspaper then tells us:

Attendees can be seen watching on as police put the man’s hands behind his back and handcuff them. [Gasp!] Footage shows two police officers on either side of the man escorting him out of the crowd.

How cruel! Here’s the rest of the story:

A police spokesperson said in a statement that the man was taken into custody earlier today for a breach of peace. The man has since been released.

That’s all we can find, so we’re declaring another Intellectual Free Fire Zone. We’re open for the discussion of pretty much anything — science, politics, economics, or even astrology, theology, mythology, and sociology — as long as it’s tasteful and interesting. Banter, babble, bicker, bluster, blubber, blather, blab, blurt, burble, boast — say what you will. But avoid flame-wars and beware of the profanity filters.

We now throw open the comments to you, dear reader. Have at it!

Copyright © 2022. The Sensuous Curmudgeon. All rights reserved.

Incredible, Magnificent April First Free Fire Zone

Yes, dear reader, the most glorious day of the year will soon be upon us once again. Last year, we made a startling announcement — surely you remember Unnaturally Early April Fool’s Day.

In case you don’t remember, we’ll remind you — we changed the name of the Seventh Planet, the one that dare not speak its name. And now you’re all wondering: What will he do this year?

We haven’t figured it out yet. In fact, we’re looking for suggestions. Therefore …

We’re declaring another Intellectual Free Fire Zone. Please use the comments for the discussion of pretty much anything — science, politics, economics, whatever — as long as it’s tasteful and interesting. Banter, babble, bicker, bluster, blubber, blather, blab, blurt, burble, boast — say what you will. But avoid flame-wars and beware of the profanity filters.

We now throw open the comments to you, dear reader. Have at it!

Copyright © 2022. The Sensuous Curmudgeon. All rights reserved.

Oook, Oook: Why Are There Still Apes?

This amazing news story has already been mentioned by a few of our readers, and we also received a tip about it from our highly-placed, super-secret clandestine operative who doesn’t even have a code name. The tale appears in at least fifty news sources so far, but we will refer to an article in the Huffington Post titled Herschel Walker Skeptical Of Evolution: ‘Why Are There Still Apes? Think About It’. Here are some excerpts, with bold font added by us for emphasis, and occasional Curmudgeonly interjections that look [like this]:

Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker cast doubt on the theory of evolution in recent remarks, saying the fact that apes and humans coexist disproves accepted science. [Gasp!] “At one time, science said man came from apes, did it not? … If that is true, why are there still apes? Think about it,” Herschel said in an appearance at Sugar Hill Church in Georgia on Sunday.

Wowie — a powerful question! HuffPost says:

Walker is currently the front-runner in the GOP contest to challenge Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) in November. He’s a former NFL star who has the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, and he’s outspoken about his Christian faith.

Stuff like this is difficult for your Curmudgeon, who is also a Republican — but things have changed since the Ronald Reagan days, so whatcha gonna do? Anyway, the HuffPost explains:

Humans did not evolve from the apes that you see at the zoo. [Not even creationists?] Rather, humans and apes have a common (and now extinct) ancestor that lived roughly 10 million years ago. Technically, all humans are apes, but that doesn’t mean that chimpanzees are one step away from becoming people. Walker’s summary of evolution is incorrect, and there’s nothing incompatible about humans coexisting with other apes.

Then they add:

Evolution and Christianity also aren’t necessarily at odds, and a number of prominent Christians [link omitted] have said it is possible to believe in both God and the science of evolution.

Let’s read on:

The Walker campaign didn’t respond to a request for additional comment. [Why?] Walker further dismissed scientific progress, saying science “can’t do” the “conception of a baby.” [BWAHAHAHAHAHA!] “They’re still trying to do that, but they can’t, because there has to be a God,” he said.

Wowie — that means atheism is a great method of birth control. Oh wait — HuffPost steps in with an editorial comment:

Science has, of course, made remarkable progress over the years in assisting people trying to have children, with methods like in vitro fertilization.

This is so confusing. Walker says one thing, and then HiffPost says the opposite. Who ya gonna believe? Ah well, here’s another excerpt:

Walker remains the front-runner in the race despite facing domestic violence allegations. [Huh?] In their divorce proceedings, his ex-wife alleged that he displayed “physically abusive and threatening behavior” during their marriage. In one instance, she said, he pointed a gun at her head and said, “I’m going to blow your … brains out.” Two other women have also claimed that Walker threatened them.

That’s not good, but at least he isn’t a hell-bound Darwinist! And now we come to the end:

In a December interview with Axios, Walker said he has struggled with mental health issues [Hee hee!] and is “accountable” for his past actions, without going into specifics about his behavior toward his ex-wife.

You’re all wondering if the Curmudgeon supports Walker because he’s a fellow Republican. Well, we haven’t decided yet. Stay tuned to this blog!

Copyright © 2022. The Sensuous Curmudgeon. All rights reserved.