Dean's World

Sunlight, Sieves, and Sealed Lips

Dave Price

It's sort of telling that the government can't keep its mouth shut about secret terrorist wiretaps and secret terrorist financial tracking programs, but somehow this information manages to stay under wraps despite public pressure. Where's the NYT when we need a leak that promotes accountability rather than damaging national security?

Priorities, I guess.

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equitus (mail):

I suspect one of the big reasons why this information is still secret is that the major MSM players (NYT, WaPo, LAT) are playing along.

I wouldn't be surprised if many in the Washington press corps already know who is doing this, but don't see it in there own interest to report it. (/tinfoil)

As you said, priorities.

8.28.2006 2:54pm

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equitus (mail):

Funny, this thread lets me post as a guest but the others won't let me.

I wanted to comment on the ID thread, responding to TallDave's point:

Science is not impartial. It is not objective.

Yes, it is. That's the fundamental basis of empiricism and the scientific method.

By this logic, then M-theory (or string theory) is not science either. It cannot be tested empirically, although the math sure is impressive.

8.28.2006 3:17pm

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Bryan Costin (mail) (www):

Agreed. I can't figure out why Senators of good conscience even observe these silly secrecy rules, given the other rules that are so frequently broken without consequence. What's going to happen? Is Trent Lott going to put itching powder in your bunkbed? Just say who it is, damn it, and let anyone who gets upset stand up on CSPAN and justify to his constituents why it should've stayed secret.

8.28.2006 3:54pm

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Kristian H. (mail) (www):

Just say who it is, damn it, and let anyone who gets upset stand up on CSPAN and justify to his constituents why it should've stayed secret.

Because of the 100 senators, I figure there are about 100 senators + several thousand lobbysits that don't want to see this passed.

8.28.2006 4:19pm

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TallDave (mail) (www):

It cannot be tested empirically, although the math sure is impressive.

In fact String/M theory does make testable predictions, such as superpartners. The difference between that and ID is that in the case of string theory, we do not yet have the tools to test those predictions (but may soon with the LHC coming on in 2007), while ID rules out testability by definition.

8.28.2006 4:50pm

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equitus (mail):

ID rules out testability by definition

How so?

Apologies that the ID discussion is carried into this thread. I wish I could post in the relevant thread, but I can't.

8.28.2006 7:39pm

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Dean Esmay:

You shouldn't be able to post in this thread either. Furthermore, you're guilty of threadjacking.

It is my express wish that only people who register for an account be able to post comments. I don't know why you're able to post to this thread but you shouldn't be able to. I'll try to fix that shortly.

8.28.2006 7:59pm

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TallDave (mail) (www):

Well, at the risk of becoming an accomplice after the fact to a threadjacking (I believe that is a Class X felony in my state), you really can't test for an omnipotent God, because, being omnipotent, he could decide the result of any test. By definition the supernatural does not conform to physical laws, thus tests are meaningless. Or, as the Bible says, do not tempt Him.

Frankly, as a Christian, I find my coreligionists' irrational attatchment to ID a bit embarassing. God does not need our proof. Jesus' message was in large part an exhortation to faith, in some ways the antithesis of proof.

8.28.2006 11:58pm

Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.

Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.

Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.