This is an example of one of the worst conditions ever. Parts of the brain that allow a person to move are damaged, but parts responsible for sensation and cognition still function to a degree. It can be hard to diagnose, but this fMRI stuff will probably make the diagnosis a lot easier. As far as the ethical stuff is concerned…we’re standing on the doorstep of a catastrophe in the healthcare system, directly related to rising costs. This condition is rare compared to the number of people who truly become vegetables because of less selective brain damage. I cared for armloads of them at St. Joe’s. It costs ungodly amounts of money to keep someone with either condition “alive.” Costs have to be cut somewhere. Metaphorically speaking, we either cut mammography for 40 year old mothers with early breast cancer, or we stop keeping vegetables “alive,” even if there is the off chance they have a spark of consciousness somewhere. Read more...(307 words, 4 images, estimated 1:14 mins reading time)
I still don’t have much love for the Creationist movement, but this Ben Stein movie is hilarious. It, among other things, follows scientists who were blacklisted for being associated with “intelligent design.” It’s pretty well done. Made me laugh.
There are plenty of words to describe an idiot who is in complete support of a regime, and usually names specific to regime. What would we call the soldiers right now deploying to Afghanistan who voted for McCain? They’re not patriots? Hell, most the soldiers I’ve had conversation with have a list of problems with the Administration (Clinton, Bush, or Obama) – or just don’t give a shit – but either way do their damn job. Read more...(415 words, estimated 1:40 mins reading time)
Interesting. We each seem to nurse a different though similar definition of patriotism. Dr. Dove, I don’t think you strayed at all. Do I understand correctly that patriot for you equals someone in total agreement with the current powers that be? Read more...(276 words, 2 images, estimated 1:06 mins reading time)
I did hear of Pat Robertson’s comments. I know next to nothing about the supposed pact though. It apparently comes from a single book. Some say it is true, others say it is not. Either way, Robertson certainly wasn’t being intentionally hateful. The program he said the comment on was dedicated to raising relief money for the Haitian victims. Immediately after the comment he added something like, “so let’s reach out and help these people….” The comment was meant to move his viewers to compassion for a lost and struggling people. Read more...(271 words, 1 image, estimated 1:05 mins reading time)
OK, so I’ve finally gotten a free minute to think about something other than cancer. I’m back in the conversation. Read more...(527 words, 5 images, estimated 2:06 mins reading time)
Something is to be labeled evil when it is in opposition to God’s desires.
Evil is a label, not a unit of measurement. There is no degree or scale to the label. Something is in conflict with God’s desires, or it is not. Read more...(291 words, 3 images, estimated 1:10 mins reading time)
Listen atheists, I appreciate and understand your position. When your lawsuits successfully remove religious symbols – mainly Jesus and the 10 Commandments – you count a victory. Indeed, allowing the state to endorse, or even seem to endorse, a specific religion can be dangerous – so much so that followers of religion should argue to prevent their own religion from being endorsed. It’s so important because if the state is willing to promote your religion, that means one day it may switch to another, or highjack the authority your religion might give over its followers. Read more...(449 words, 2 images, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)
This is an example of one of the worst conditions ever. Parts of the brain that allow a person to move
are damaged, but parts responsible for sensation and cognition still function to a degree. It can be hard to diagnose, but this fMRI stuff will probably make the diagnosis a lot easier. As far as the ethical stuff is concerned…we’re standing on the doorstep of a catastrophe in the healthcare system, directly related to rising costs. This condition is rare compared to the number of people who truly become vegetables because of less selective brain damage. I cared for armloads of them at St. Joe’s. It costs ungodly amounts of money to keep someone with either condition “alive.” Costs have to be cut somewhere. Metaphorically speaking, we either cut mammography for 40 year old mothers with early breast cancer, or we stop keeping vegetables “alive,” even if there is the off chance they have a spark of consciousness somewhere.
Interesting. We each seem to nurse a different though similar definition of patriotism. Dr. Dove, I don’t think you strayed at all. Do I understand correctly that patriot for you equals someone in total agreement with the current powers that be? 
Ha ha, look at the title of the video on the left. It says “Secret Jesus Bible Codes”. LOL!! Secret Jesus Bible codes….lol.
OK, so I’ve finally gotten a free minute to think about something other than cancer. I’m back in the conversation. 
Activity and Ontology.
Listen atheists, I appreciate and understand your position. When your lawsuits successfully remove religious symbols – mainly Jesus and the 10 Commandments – you count a victory. Indeed, allowing the state to endorse, or even seem to endorse, a specific religion can be dangerous – so much so that followers of religion should argue to prevent their own religion from being endorsed. It’s so important because if the state is willing to promote your religion, that means one day it may switch to another, or highjack the authority your religion might give over its followers. 
Raging Kitty Design