Carnivalia, and an open thread

Would you consider this kind of stuff appeaser tactics?

Because as much as I stand against religion, when I'm in a political science class debating evolution/creationism and there are 40 very religious students all against me, I find people like Ken Miller mighty useful.

Hey, PZ - thanks for mentioning the Humanist Symposium! We've only just gotten it off the ground, but I think it's going to go places. :)

I'm not sure if P-Zed has linked to this video of gorgeous cepahlopods and other deep see creatures. I understand he's been all over the place lately, but this one is not to be missed. Or seen only once.

Need something to do on National Day of Reason?

A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology

Steven Weinberg
Cornell class of 1954
Nobel laureate in physics
admitted atheist

May 3, 2007 - 7:30PM
LOCATION: Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; Rockefeller Hall, Schwartz Auditorium
ADMISSION: Open to Public, Alumni, Students, Faculty, and Staff.
ADMISSION INFO: FREE!

On J-Walk:
Defend Dr. Dobson

(Excerpt from Doonesbury cartoon of April 15)
The guy on the other end of the phone is James Dobson, founder of Focus on The Family.
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You can help Defend Dr. Dobson Against Doonesbury Lies.
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The allegation that Dr. Dobson would choose a political party over his principles is ludicrous. Dr. Dobson has been quite vocal about his disappointment over the moral failings of GOP candidates. If your paper runs Doonesbury, help us set the record straight by sending a letter to the editor.
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Better yet, you don't even have to think or be able to compose a sentence. To express your outrage and disgust, just pick some boilerplate paragraphs from a drop-down list.