It does seem like a rather bigoted study right on the face of it. That is, attempting to prove members who strongly believe in one religion or another are in fact in some way inferior.

I am an atheist myself but know to many smart religious folks to buy the argument that they are inferior because of their silly religious beliefs.

Were these studies done by Nazi scientist studying fundamentalist Jews?

The study itself had nothing to do with religion and intelligence. But the study had collected IQ data and religion/religiosity data, and some researchers with access to the data were studying something altogether different, but in looking at what variables they should control for they turned up the relationship between religion and intelligence. They were not trying to "prove" anything, and were a bit surprised by the findings themselves. One of the authors of the paper is an evangelical Christian, so you can imagine she felt a bit conflicted with the findings. She tried every which way to see if the relationship was an artifact, but it stood up.

You know some smart religious folks. So do I. But these findings don't suggest that ALL conservative religious people are dumber than ALL people holding other views. They do suggest that if you take a random sample of 1000 fundamentalists and compare them with a random sample of 1000 atheists, the atheists will on average have higher IQ scores. The gap is not all that great, but it's there.

Did they also query the data against race, sexual preference, eye color, political affiliation. Undertaking such a study at all just seems a little bigoted to me and therefore the conclusions seem suspect. I could think of a million explanations for such a variance.

But since the study conclusively proves atheists are superior, then I can only conclude that I am superior to ordinary beings. I shall act accordingly.

Nope, it only shows that, on average, atheists are more intelligent. The distributions overlap, though, and you may be on the wrong side of the distribution.

A number of studies have looked at intelligence and political affiliation. You don't want to know the results.

Usually any folks who are saying they are smarter than everyone else........ aren't. Anyone who would feel the need to do a study, to prove they were smarter than other people......... definitely isn't. Those who are smarter than everyone else. Don't need to say it and don't need a study to prove it.

Sancho, please, I know you like to post stupid shit in the political threads just to get your jollies pissing people off, but how is showing a correlation between strains of religion and IQs in any way bigoted? Is saying that black kids have lower tests scores than white kids or Asian kids bigoted? No, it isn't, and neither is the study that Bwana cites.

If I were liberal, I would say the test was obviously culturally biased against religious folks.

But you're not. Also, most liberals are comfortable with science, so you're wrong. And you're quickly adding evidence to support the point that "you may be on the wrong side of the distribution."

Now we are seeing Obama's ratings decline steadily and for good reason; Once he got into office he realized he just could not keep the promises he said he could. This health care fiasco will bust him out of office and probably cause him the election in 2012.

Liam Nillsen's wife (sp? you know who I'm talking about) may have survived if she had just been picked up by the ambulance on time, but from what I understand it took a few hours just to get it to the lodge and by then it was too late. If anyone thinks government can give us a better health care system than present day insurance companies, they're fucked in the head. You will be treated by Dr. Jamal from India and Dr. Bowata from the Sudan, and wait 3 months for an appointment.

The health care system in America seriously needs some changes that benefits the patients, costs etc., but Obama's methods just ain't the way to go.

I like Obama, but I think his days are numbered.

Elim

Elim, Natasha Richardson's initial refusal of treatment had nothing to do with it? I love the urban legends over "people dying in Canadian/European hospitals because socialized medicine blah blah blah".

Here's the deal. If you fall in Chicago or New York or Washington or any major US city and go to a hospital, you're going to wait hours for a doc unless you are having a heart attack, blood is gushing or you're otherwise crashing. Simple as that. You don't have 3-month waits for ER care in any 1st-world hospital that I'm aware of. So don't confuse the fucking issue of emergency care and elective surgery where, in some foreign systems, you have to wait for space for elective surgery. Of course, in the US system, you don't have to wait, since if you don't have health insurance you're not getting the surgery at all.

As far as the health care debate goes, here's the scoop: there will be a law. The Senate will pass a plan, heavy on insurance pooling and higher exemptions for small businesses. The House will pass a plan, probably this week. It will be different than the Senate plan. There will be a compromise between the two, and there will be a law - a first step to be sure, and far from perfect, but a law - on the books sooner than later.

Oh, here's a quick peak at one thing that will be in that I find very interesting. If you sign up for a public option, which also means Medicare/Medicaid, you'll also be signing up for a DNR, which will save billions of dollars per year in futile, hopeless end-stage patients kept vaguely alive by family members who can't pull the plug.

"Usually any folks who are saying they are smarter than everyone else........ aren't. Anyone who would feel the need to do a study, to prove they were smarter than other people......... definitely isn't. Those who are smarter than everyone else. Don't need to say it and don't need a study to prove it."

"If I were liberal, I would say the test was obviously culturally biased against religious folks."

It looks like IAS has recently gotten himself a B.S. in Psychology, as in he sure is spewing a lot of pseudo-psychological B.S.

You guys always get really touchy whenever your guy is down in the polls a bit. I'll be nice for a while. ;)

I said I like Obama........I really do. He's an idealist, a humanitarian, a good father, an intelligent decent human being.

But lets face it guys; we live in Gotham City, and he ain't Batman. The world is a corrupt fucking mess run by criminals, especially in the banking and health care/pharmaceutical industries. If you think for a minute that Obama is going to make anything more then a dent on history, think again. He's accomplished so much just by getting elected, granted.......but it ends there guys; everyone knows it, even Obama. He's trying his best but deep down he knows nothing is really going to significantly change; not now anyway, not in our lifetime.

The AMA and Pharmaceutical companies control the LARGEST political lobby in Washington through many different avenues. Many Senators and congressmen profit from the Health Care system just the way it is. Cat, you speak of these new laws....................hahahahahahahahahaha good laugh !!!!!!

Meet me back here in 6 months when all is said and done, and still nothing has significantly changed, and I am happy about that.

My wife is from England. Everyone there talks about how the socialized health care sucks.

My brother lives in Alberta Canada...........he says the health care sucks so bad he comes back here to California to see his doctors.

If you think government will be more efficient at managing health care, just remember how efficient all the other gov't conglomerates operate. If health care goes the way of socialization in the USA we will be greeted by Dr. Zimbabway, Dr. Boogastan, Dr. Jamal, and Dr. Vinny BoomBots with all the illustrious enthusiasm of a postal worker counter clerk.

I know these things first hand because I work in the Pharma industry for the past 27 years. USA doctors make money, and they are the envy of doctors all over the world who have to work in Socialized bull shit low pay situations. We have enthusiastic, brilliant doctors in this country because they are paid well and live good.

There is simply no argument here. It is moronic to believe that gov't health care will be better than what we now have.

Most states already have in position medicaid to help people get care when they have no money. Granted you need to be practically starving to get this, but that has changed. United Health Care and Oxford now offer plans sponsored by State gov'ts like NY, CT, Mass, VT and here in CA, that for low fees offer families with children and low income good insurance that most doctors find acceptable pay, reducing their fees only around 35%. Medicaid and medicare require doctors to reduce their fees by over 70% in most cases; this is utterly ridiculous.

This problem runs so much deeper than you really understand.

EIther way, we'll see what happens. Lets bet $10 Cat that nothing significantly changes in Health Care in the next 6 months. Then I'll double or nothing you on the following 6.

Elim

The real Obama is starting to show.....without the script and teleprompter.......

http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/07/an_unraveling_presidency.html

"Obesity is the single biggest reason for the increase in health care costs," says Eric Finkelstein, a health economist with RTI and lead researcher on the new study. "If you really want to rein in health care dollars, you have to get people dieting, exercising and living a healthier lifestyle. Otherwise somebody is going to be paying for treating these weight-related illnesses."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2009-07-27-costofobesity_N.htm

Here's some hard breaking news. Obama is a racist with a deep seated hatred for white people.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32197648/ns/politics-more_politics/

This is not change we can believe in.

We can get him out quickly because there is no credible proof that he is even an American citizen.

If Glenn Beck says it, it must be true!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/20/whoopi-goldberg-calls-gle_n_205845.html

Very funny. He really is a lying sack of dog shit.

Oh, BTW, Beachman?

There were two things Beck "apparently lied" about:

1) Amtrak reserved seats for Whoopie and Babs
2) Ms. Walters approached Beck on the train

Breitbart has now uncovered proof that ABC requested Amtrak provide "special treatment" including police escort for the View stars (Lie #1 debunked--Beck did not lie). Lie #2 was based on something that Beck didn't even say (but apologized for anyway--on the View). http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=352443

Assuming Ms. Walters & Goldberg did not know about the ABC request, I guess they will now issue an apology now that the facts have all been checked--I'm not holding my breath.



http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=352443

I don't think Obama is a racist, please........... lets not go off the deep end like Glenn Beck; Being an idealist he has great ideas but having lack of experience he has no clue that things just don't change that quickly with corruption and extended bureaucracy. Thinking you can change the multi-billion dollar health care industry in a few months time is just a bit naive. No one wants his idea of health care change, and that becomes exceedingly evident with each passing week.

The mid term elections will bring, no doubt, more balance back to congress as more young republicans move in.

Before then however, you can bet that the economy will crash further come late September-mid October, much worse than what we have seen. This bail-out band-aid robbery that has gone on will soon be exposed as a total failure as the dollar totally sinks into the toilet come December.

Its best to prepare yourselves for the worst. Save your cash and other hard assets at least until we see what happens into 2010. Many financial experts agree that we are presently in the EYE of the storm, and this economic crash is far from over.

Elim

More amazing analysis from the guy who can't figure out how to post pics on this website. Are you claiming to know all when it comes to political, economic and apparently medical areas but you somehow can't hit the "blue image going on page" button next to the yellow smiley face button under "Add a Message"?

Who cares about Barbara Walters and Whoopie? The point is that Obama is a racist with an deep hatred toward white people. You guys are shooting the messenger for uncovering the story.

Then on top of that, Obama isn't even an American! Let's not forget that he is also a terrorist as well.

How much more can we stand?

And you, Bluestraveller, accuse me of secretly being Beachman?

We are onto you now. But you seem to have gone a bit insane forgetting on your most recent posts to use your alter-ego handle and all.

Just remember, to restore your sanity you need to watch the DVD Jorge Benjor, MTV Acustica. If you do so, you'll feel much better, and perhaps the Beachman in you will be purged forever.

Given that Obama is probably the thinnest President in history, I take it Beachman's rants against obesity are secret endorsements of Obama's presidency. He just can't admit it publicly because he will lose his cred with the lunatic right.

Am I correct Bluestraveller, ahem, I mean Beachman?

(Violently shakes up a peach soda, pops the cap with a gold plated church key and sprays the entire thread with peach foam. Clears throat...)

"I am the Walrus, I am the Peachman, kuukuu ca chuu..."

but I am not the beachman, Ferlin Husky Jr, nor am I the guy who passes out paper towels in the toilet at Tequia Rock. It is unclear whether I am the ghost of Eudora Weldy, Ernest Borgnine or the guy that mows Grinder's yard. I might be Jim Morrison enjoying the great outDoors, the chronically late James Dean, or the larger-than-life-sized roommate of a Terma superstar.

I am definitely a guy who has been drinking beer and needs to go drain his lizard.

I am also the guy who did not want to be completely left out of the liveliest thread in this forum in months...or at least the last 3.5 days.

Googling for answers without researching the questions...

I would be pretty damn thrilled if one day I logged on and this entire thread had been accidentally deleted...

Jonsie-

Here here!!!!! IS that a motion? If so, I second it.

This Toad Hall has been over-run by weasels!

But then we would have to refund Beachman his annual dues.....ok, I'll chip in five bucks.

Another Obama lie exposed....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090731/ap_on_re_us/us_stimulus_bridges

Good try, Jonesie. Someone--I'm not naming names--is far too dense to take the hint.

You know, that unnamed person has had zero (as in 0, nil, zip, nada) posts in the past 12 months in an area of Discus other than "Off Topic." That should be his new handle--Off Topic.

Actually, I'm off by one. Out of 504 Discus posts, 503 were in "Off Topic" areas. The one exception was about 10 days ago when he dissed Masterbates about his AC trip. Get that! Our man, in over 8 years as a "Guest" on this site, has filed 0 trip reports, 0 photos, and 0 calendar entries. In fact, he's only made one reference to having made a trip, and that was in 2005. His comments about a 5 day trip to Bangkok could not have been more vague. Did he really go? And he gives Masterbates shit, when we know for a fact that MB was indeed in AC.

Quite a record of significant contributions to the main topic of this board, no? Off Topic, indeed!

Beachman, did you read the article where the states are spending the money as they see fit after receiving it? Isn't that a bedrock principle of Republican dogma, states-rights?

Here is a comparatively small example of how Government Health Care will bankrupt us and how unorganized it will be! Give people free money,tax money (for clunkers) or health care (for fat, obese and other people who have no regard for their health) and they will overload the system.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090801/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_cash_for_clunkers_what_happened

The really sad thing is that the tax money is not even real....it is imaginary money that the crooked elected officials keep telling us is there for us in the future!

(Message edited by beachman on August 01, 2009)

Cat: Is that all you got??? Hahahahahaha

Its not that I can't figure it out my friend; its simply that I have better things to do and don't feel like putting in the little time it takes to read. You should get out more.........it'll do you some good!

Elim

The magic is wearing off; reality once again sinks in as people begin to wake up.............

http://scaredmonkeys.com/2009/07/20/down-down-down-more-polls-show-obamas-numbers-are-on-the-decline-washington-post-abc-poll/



Elim

Laguy-
Looks like Elim needs his own thread as well.

Heard a story on FOX News that Beachman is a 330 pound tub of lard. Must be true!



Picture of Beachman at a political rally

Elim tells us that he has better things to do than learn how to post photos. Well....thanks a lot Elim. Many people do take the time to learn so that they can share information with other users.

I found a photo of Beachman at the beach:



Looking good!

Typical Liberal responses name calling and juvenile nonsense.

Meanwhile you Liberal God is now getting ready to break one of his biggest campaign promises (LIES)........


Associated Press Writer Philip Elliot

WASHINGTON – Two of President Barack Obama's economic heavyweights said middle-class taxes might have to go up to pare budget deficits or to pay for the proposed overhaul of the nation's health care system.

The tough talk from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers on Sunday capped a week that brought rare good news for the economy: The worst recession in the United States since World War II could be on the verge of ending. Even so, officials appeared willing to extend unemployment benefits.

Geithner and Summers both sidestepped questions on Obama's intentions about taxes. Geithner said the White House was not ready to rule out a tax hike to reduce the federal deficit; Summers said Obama's proposed health care overhaul needs funding from somewhere.

"There is a lot that can happen over time," Summers said, adding that the administration believes "it is never a good idea to absolutely rule things out, no matter what."

During his presidential campaign, Obama repeatedly pledged "you will not see any of your taxes increase one single dime." But the simple reality remains that his ambitious overhaul of how Americans receive health care — promised without increasing the federal deficit — must be paid for.

Mr. Off Topic. This guy is like a bad case of herpes--just when you think it's gone, it comes back to spoil your day.

Can you read, moron? Right now the only proposal the administration has shown any interest in with respect to paying for HC reform would tax benefits for those with Mercedes benefit plans, and those are folks like CEOs of big corporations and such. They may end up taxing other high-benefit plans as well, but those are hardly the plans held by middle-class Americans.

When someone says no options are off the table, that does not mean they are pursuing all those options. It means what it says.

I'm anxiously awaiting Beachman's vision for health care reform. Probably some brilliant strategy like "give bigger tax breaks to employers so they will offer benefits to more workers" or something equally lame. Notice that this putz has never laid out a single idea that he's FOR. He seems incapable of doing anything other than whining about what he's AGAINST.

Had any good sex lately, Beachman? Traveled to any exotic locales? Let's hear about that instead.

When I think about whether I'd rather have this thread, or genital herpes, it takes a minute to decide...

Jonesie.......
"I would be pretty damn thrilled if one day I logged on and this entire thread had been accidentally deleted..."

hahahahahahhahahahahahaha -
perfect!

How about deleted on purpose!

Elim

Let's just give all the participants here a click-top pen [black government type] and everyone will be happy.

(Message edited by copperfieldkid on August 03, 2009)

Gentleman, and I use that term loosely, I have uncovered a conspiracy. I have discovered the true origins of Beachman, and I know you'll be as disgusted as I am to learn that he is not even an American. My proof you ask?



(Message edited by catocony on August 05, 2009)

Cat,

Are you saying that BeachMan was part of the 9/11 bombings?

I can't rule it out, he's clearly psychotic and a foreigner, and some of the terrorists did train in Florida. Beachman is a real estate agent, they probably lived in one of his properties.

Obama...asking for snitches.....


http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/13391


Kuhn Mor ..what do you think of Obama care or have you had an "obmatomy" performed on you brain like the rest of the liberals here?

(Message edited by BRanquinho on August 07, 2009)