Re: [asa] Flood of emails

Janice said: *~ Janice .... noting that PBS's Bill Moyers knows where a
"safe space" is: **http://tinyurl.com/72xr4
* <http://tinyurl.com/72xr4>
Folks, if you bother to follow the link Janice gave, you'll see it refers to
something involving Hillary Clinton, Bill Moyers, and a "testicle lockbox."
I'm so glad part of my ASA dues go towards server space and bandwidth so
that this kind of sparkling wit can be archived in cyberspace for future
generations.
On Dec 11, 2007 1:15 PM, Janice Matchett <janmatch@earthlink.net> wrote:

> At 10:34 AM 12/11/2007, David Opderbeck wrote:
>
> The big downside to the email list is that the email list exchanges are
> publicly archived and that the list is unrestricted.
>
>
> *@ *As I have already shown from the ASA archives, that problem has
> historically been "solved" by the success certain prolific restrictionists
> have had using ridicule and intimidation tactics.
>
> Everything you say here becomes a matter of public record, ...
>
>
> *@ *Yeah. That "can" get to be embarrassing. :) For instance:
>
> "The most dishonest thing about ID is they really mean God (the
> intelligent designer), *but they will never say it (publicly or in court)*.
> *I HATE it when people aren't clear and blunt with their true stands. *That
> said, I do have some sympathies with ID arguments.* *~ Bernie Dehler Thu,
> 6 Dec 2007 16:10:35 RE: [asa] Secret Emails Reveal How ISU Faculty Plotted
> to Deny Distinguished Astronomer Tenure
>
> "..*there are "scientists" in abundance who ...are not shy about arguing
> "junkscience," citing only favorable evidence while ignoring the contrary,
> thereby risking not only their own reputations, but also that of the
> profession we all love.* The authors cite an abundance of instances, *some
> involving scientists of nationwide stature.* Frankly, I felt sick as I
> read this book. .. *The authors show how easy it is to buffalo the media,
> and by extension, the public, by pseudoscientific claims made by "real"
> scientists whose intellectual heritage is that of nineteenth- century snake
> oil salesmen.* To conclude this review, I will illustrate its disturbing
> message by telling an old, stale joke. Why do they bury scientists twelve
> feet down? Because, deep down, they are really good people. Oops! Not funny!
> That should be some other profession, not "scientists!" .... *Other
> professions have their share of shysters. So does the scientific profession.
> The public just has not picked up on us yet. *It is clear that far too
> many in our profession have lost their way. Are they a small minority? I
> would like to think so. Do they have a bad influence in our society? Yes. Is
> this a good thing? Clearly, no. .." *~ J. Burgeson *reviewing TRUST US,
> WE'RE EXPERTS... http://www.calvin.edu/archive/asa/200709/0311.html
>
>
> things can get attributed to ASA that shouldn't be, ...
>
>
> *@ *Like this?:
>
> "I don't know how wise it is for him *[Ken Miller]* to be *sewing* this
> *rift and division *in the church among those who are looking for
> justification to discredit and marginalize the Christian faith." "His talk
> was punctuated with a lot of gratuitous political references that were
> wildly popular with the audience like a picture from a magazine that had a
> picture of B ush imposed over the cover of his textbook *~ John Walley *[asa]
> Ken Miller: Evolangelist - Thu, 29 Nov 2007 05:39:31 -0500
>
> and lots of ASA members with* varying perspectives* don't participate as a
> result. ..
>
>
> *@ *I have always found that most people who don't participate in
> discussions (if certain other people are also involved) don't have a thick
> skin and want to be able to continue to hold their pet theories / opinions
> without challenge (they know they can't legitimately defend them), and be
> provided with the cover (a "safe space") to diss those they personally
> despise behind their back. It would blow their "Christian" facade to do it
> in public.
>
> For these reasons, it would be great to have a well-promoted, diverse,
> private ASA board, along with a more diverse, substantive, moderated public
> ASA blog. ..
>
>
> *@ *Who would this completely objective "restrictionist" (or
> restrictionists) be who gets to define the term "substantive"?
>
>
> A private board would also allow for "spiritual" things like mentoring,
> prayer requests, and genuinely tolerant and loving communication among
> people who disagree.
>
>
> *@ *You mean like an on-line "church"?
>
> Unfortunately, one needs to come to the email list with a bit of
> thick-skinned defensiveness, and I'm afraid that many newbies who are just
> beginning to seriously explore the intersection of Christian faith and
> science can get pummeled in a way that isn't faith-enhancing.
>
>
> *@ * The real world *is* a tough place, isn't it.
>
> We've been through this a few times before. ...*My effort to establish a
> private board on my own has floundered..* The boardmaster has to be active
> in letting the community know what's new -- *although bulletin board
> systems allow people to receive emails of recently updated posts if they so
> elect.* ...It would be great to have a genuinely "safe space" for
> exploration.
>
>
> *@ *If they truly "need a safe place" your "private" board should succeed
> as an on-line church.
>
> *~ Janice .... *noting that PBS's Bill Moyers knows where a "safe space"
> is: http://tinyurl.com/72xr4
>
>
>

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Received on Tue Dec 11 13:28:38 2007