The Vatican takes on Creationism...

Finally a victory for science is won by the Vatican...

LiveScience.com...

The Vatican's chief astronomer said Friday that "intelligent design'' isn't science and doesn't belong in science classrooms, the latest high-ranking Roman Catholic official to enter the evolution debate raging in the United States.

The Rev. George Coyne, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, said placing intelligent design ideas alongside the theory of evolution in school programs was "wrong'' and was akin to mixing apples with oranges.

"Intelligent design isn't science even though it pretends to be,'' the ANSA news agency quoted Coyne as saying on the sidelines of a conference in Florence. "If you want to teach it in schools, intelligent design should be taught when religion or cultural history is taught, not science.''

His comments were in line with his previous statements on "intelligent design'' -- whose supporters hold that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by a higher power.

Critics say intelligent design is merely creationism -- a literal reading of the Bible's story of creation -- camouflaged in scientific language and say it does not belong in science curriculum.

In a June article in the British Catholic magazine The Tablet, Coyne reaffirmed God's role in creation, but said science explains the history of the universe.

"If they respect the results of modern science, and indeed the best of modern biblical research, religious believers must move away from the notion of a dictator God or a designer God, a Newtonian God who made the universe as a watch that ticks along regularly,'' he wrote.

Rather, he argued, God should be seen more as an encouraging parent.

"God in his infinite freedom continuously creates a world that reflects that freedom at all levels of the evolutionary process to greater and greater complexity,'' he wrote. "He is not continually intervening, but rather allows, participates, loves.''

The Vatican Observatory, which Coyne heads, is one of the oldest astronomical research institutions in the world. It is based in the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo south of Rome.

Last week, Pope Benedict XVI waded indirectly into the evolution debate by saying the universe was made by an "intelligent project'' and criticizing those who in the name of science say its creation was without direction or order.

Questions about the Vatican's position on evolution were raised in July by Austrian Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn.

In a New York Times op-ed piece, Schoenborn seemed to back intelligent design and dismissed a 1996 statement by Pope John Paul II that evolution was "more than just a hypothesis.'' Schoenborn said the late pope's statement was "rather vague and unimportant.''

LINK: Vatican Astronomer: Intelligent Design is Not Science

And let us not forget the teachings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.

-Mr. Joseph

UPDATE (11/26/07):
Of course, Pope Benedict had to spoil the party...

This is just too funny...

CNN reports...

Angus Young, lead singer-guitarist of AC/DC, tops Maxim's list of the "25 greatest short dudes of all time," standing tall at 5 feet 2 inches. NBA guard Spud Webb, at 5 feet 7 inches, is No. 2, followed by Napoleon Bonaparte (5 feet 4 inches), Naim Suleymangolu (4 feet 11 inches) and Yuri Gagarin (5 feet 2 inches).

The magazine, in its December issue, claims to be helping women "begin a long overdue fight against their genetically determined shallowness when choosing a partner." Yoda, at No. 6, is the shortest on the list. His height is calculated at 2 feet 2 inches. Other great short dudes: Martin Scorsese, Jon Stewart, Prince, Kurt Cobain and two of the Hobbits from "The Lord of the Rings" films — Elijah Wood and Sean Astin. The tallest "short dude"? Pro football player Doug Flutie, at 5 feet 10 inches, who is ranked at No. 24.

LINK: Angus Young: No. 1 'short dude'

-Mr. Joseph

UPDATE (11/26/07):
My all-time favorite song, "Thunderstruck"...

LINK: acdc thunder struck

What has America come to?!

So, in recent news...

Eddie Guerro, a professional wrestler is found dead in his hotel room. Why? Drugs, most likely. This really isn't important. It's just sad. It's like the girl in Aruba -- not really newsworthy, but the networks won't shut up about it because they are desperate for a story that doesn't expose the Bush Administration!!!

In real news, Tom DeLay is still under investiagation -- good.

Libby is going through the court system -- if he is convicted, I will have hope again for the American legal system.

Rev. Pat Robertson said that the people of Pennsylvania should not ask God for help in the event of a disaster. Why? Because they are pro-science. They booted out every board member that was pro-creationsim (or another wonderful oxymoron -- "Intelligent Design"). They said that evolution should be taught unopposed by this insult to science. Anyway -- this just shows that Pat Robertson is either really senile or really obnoxious. (A little of both maybe?)

Kansas, on the other hand, has embarrassed society by ALLOWING "Intelligent Design" in the classrooms. WHAT!? I hate to pick on a state -- but come on -- why did this happen? Because a bunch of "God-fearing" rednecks want religion pushed down every kid's throat so that they feel they are doing the right thing.

Miers has withdrawn her own nomination for the Supreme Court -- good, she was unqualified for the job. Judge Samuel Alito has replaced her in the nomination. He's definitely "qualified", but he is a hard right-winger and he should not be voted in. In these times, we NEED unbiased, fair, moderate justices on the court. Too many Thomas's and Scalia's.

Also, Hugo Chavez called President Bush "Mr. Danger" and the U.S. an "evil empire". Thanks, Hugo -- we appreciate that.

Look, as an American, I say this. WE are not proud of our "leader". He stole at least one election and has turned our nation into an embarrassment. I want him out, the majority of the U.S. wants him out, but we have little alternatives. The Democratic Leadership is weak! No one is stepping up and putting together a full argument for impeachment for Bush and NONE of the leading Dems are putting together some plans for the nation!

Why are we not taking charge?! This is Bush's hour of weakness! His approval ratings are at 35% (according to FOX!), 58% dissapprove! We can get it him! Damn!

I can only hope Democrats sweep the midterm elections. If they get some real power -- then we can challenge Bush. That's the main problem. The Dems are still the minority.

Also -- I love the ACLU, don't get me wrong -- but it is really starting to piss me off that they are still going after Christmas. They need to understand that Christmas is almost no longer about Christ. Corporations have turned it into a buying season and basically, nothing more. So, I think the ACLU should just shut up about it.

Moving on to entertainment...

Stallone has signed on to do both Rocky VI and Rambo IV. They are both official now. They are both set to come out in 2006/2008.

King Kong is coming out this December.

There are still no plans for Evil Dead IV.

Sky High sucked.

Chuck Norris made a "Walker, Texas Ranger" made for TV movie. It was incredibly lame.

The new James Bond has been announced! He's blonde! That's all I know, except the next 007 movie will be Casino Royale.

Signing out,
Mr. Joseph