tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post113755466725521994..comments2024-03-29T00:39:31.629-07:00Comments on CONTRARY BRIN: Happy birthday, good old Ben...David Brinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14465315130418506525noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137733929726920952006-01-19T21:12:00.000-08:002006-01-19T21:12:00.000-08:00Re last born: If the mother dies in childbirth, t...Re last born: If the mother dies in childbirth, there you go. :(<BR/><BR/>These days, you can plan it.<BR/><BR/>Just be aware that antibiotics may compromise the effectiveness of birth control pills. (I know of at least 2 kids that happened that way.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137696622784067442006-01-19T10:50:00.000-08:002006-01-19T10:50:00.000-08:00This may make me sound like an incredible nerd, bu...This may make me sound like an incredible nerd, but I'm a total Ben Franklin fanboy. Long before I even lived in Pennsylvania, and went to the Franklin Institute regularly. He's like the wise buy kooky old uncle of the Founding Fathers. And a total playboy for his time in France, so there's something for everybody.<BR/><BR/>Yeah, I know, that doesn't really add anything, but hey.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137629210111225912006-01-18T16:06:00.000-08:002006-01-18T16:06:00.000-08:00Re Brin's title "Happy birthday, good old Ben...":...Re Brin's title "Happy birthday, good old Ben...": <BR/><BR/>Today I noticed in my local public library [by the way, wasn't the public library another idea of Ben's? I seem to recall hearing that somewhere along the line -- maybe it was in junior high American History class] new books section "Benjamin Franklin: in Search of a Better World", Yale University Press, 2005. Perhaps if Brin had been the book's title dictator it would have been "Benjamin Franklin: Building a Better World". <BR/><BR/>Here is the dust jacket synopsis:<BR/><BR/>-----------<BR/><BR/>"Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World" examines the many facets of America's most extraordinary founding father. Politician, diplomat, scientist, printer, and civic improver, Franklin influenced every aspect of American life, from his own time to the present. This book, designed to accompany the traveling Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary exhibition celebrating Franklin's 300th birthday, includes essays by ten prominent scholars that offer an overview of Franklin's life and cover the full range of his interests and achievements, illustrated by more than 265 color images -- portraits, manuscripts, drawings, maps, paintings, engravings, and a plethora of Franklin's possessions, from teacups to printing equipment. This comprehensive guide, combining new scholarship with unique images -- many of which have not been seen before -- will be a must-have for anyone interested in Franklin.<BR/><BR/>--------------<BR/><BR/>FYI and FWIW.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137611170721177772006-01-18T11:06:00.000-08:002006-01-18T11:06:00.000-08:00"This is a clear case where one death in childhood..."This is a clear case where one death in childhood would have profoundly altered human history. I cannot think of a single person who was more important."<BR/><BR/>Mohammad, founder of Islam, perhaps?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137609166576571242006-01-18T10:32:00.000-08:002006-01-18T10:32:00.000-08:00"Bill in Portland Maine" comes across to me as an ..."Bill in Portland Maine" comes across to me as an equivocating demagogue.Rob Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115249244056328076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137604765757835862006-01-18T09:19:00.000-08:002006-01-18T09:19:00.000-08:00Heh. My last born, according to plan, carries the ...Heh. My last born, according to plan, carries the name "Benjamin", but that's because it forms part of my name (I was first born) and not because of any cosmopolitan awareness of Jewish tradition.<BR/><BR/>It's news to me, David! :)Rob Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115249244056328076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137604633864349682006-01-18T09:17:00.000-08:002006-01-18T09:17:00.000-08:00I don't know why "missive" connotes negatively to ...I don't know why "missive" connotes negatively to me. The dictionary I have doesn't seem to support it.Rob Perkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13115249244056328076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137603337290440632006-01-18T08:55:00.000-08:002006-01-18T08:55:00.000-08:00Mr. Brin,I see your redirects from Kurzweil's site...Mr. Brin,<BR/><BR/>I see your redirects from Kurzweil's site on occasion. I just recieved and started to read Kurzweil's book Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever. Kurzweil reveals a fairly intense regimen of supplements he personally takes (in order to extend his longevity). How about you--are you doing anything like Kurzweil suggests to stretch yourself long enough to take advantage of future tech?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137598668008956612006-01-18T07:37:00.000-08:002006-01-18T07:37:00.000-08:00For what it's worth, the Bush church sign is... we...For what it's worth, the Bush church sign is... well, <A HREF="http://churchsigngenerator.com" REL="nofollow">see for yourself</A>.<BR/><BR/>Alas but that it were real...Woozlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17948248776908775080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137595292040484802006-01-18T06:41:00.000-08:002006-01-18T06:41:00.000-08:00"How do you know who the last born is?"When the mo..."How do you know who the last born is?"<BR/><BR/>When the mother dies giving birth to him.<BR/><BR/>Genesis 35:17-19 (King James Version)<BR/> <BR/>17And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. <BR/>18And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. <BR/>19And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and Ben Franklin is a favorite of mine, also. Scientists, statesman, philanderer...<BR/><BR/>HawkerHurricaneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137574562109017022006-01-18T00:56:00.000-08:002006-01-18T00:56:00.000-08:00After the debate:Bush: Why do you hate America?Fr...After the debate:<BR/><BR/>Bush: Why do you hate America?<BR/><BR/>Franklin: ??!!<BR/><BR/>--<BR/><I>How do you know who the last born is?</I><BR/><BR/>You start by finding two bricks...<BR/><BR/>=)skribehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02826058400982302630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137572489247712552006-01-18T00:21:00.000-08:002006-01-18T00:21:00.000-08:00Oops - sorry Tony Fisk I saw you already asked tha...Oops - sorry Tony Fisk I saw you already asked that.reasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06594313655855683716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137572281760565902006-01-18T00:18:00.000-08:002006-01-18T00:18:00.000-08:00How can "traditionally" a name be reserved for a l...How can "traditionally" a name be reserved for a last born? Surely until fairly recently that was normally not knowable?reasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06594313655855683716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137562995316126142006-01-17T21:43:00.000-08:002006-01-17T21:43:00.000-08:00Yes, Kira jumps through a hula hoop on command. If...Yes, Kira jumps through a hula hoop on command. If you have the DiVX video codec, you can watch her perform:<BR/><BR/>http://home.comcast.net/%7Estefan_jones/kira_jumps_hoop.avi<BR/><BR/>StefanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137561980404828052006-01-17T21:26:00.000-08:002006-01-17T21:26:00.000-08:00How do you know who the last born is? (or is this ...How do you know who the last born is? (or is this something gentiles should not ask?)<BR/><BR/>Thankyou, Stefan. I hope the dog's only sniffing around your ankles 'cos it's walkies time!' (Is it true about the hula hoop?)<BR/><BR/>----<BR/>Off topic: (reposted 'cos I think it's important to keep the pressure on)<BR/><BR/>More on the Al-Jazeera memo:<BR/><BR/>It appears that Liverpool MP Peter Kilfoyle <A HREF="http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=16570250%26method=full%26siteid=50061%26page=1%26headline=kilfoyle%2dmay%2dface%2djail%2dover%2dbush%2dbomb%2dthreat%2dleak-name_page.html" REL="nofollow">sent the memo</A> to the democrats for use in the 2004 elections. Apparently, they didn't use it for fear it would *boost* Bush's chances of victory (??? <I>if</I> that notion is true, can I register to join another species, please?)Tony Fiskhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14578160528746657971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8587336.post-1137559272969576582006-01-17T20:41:00.000-08:002006-01-17T20:41:00.000-08:00An appropriate time to post this From "Bill in Por...An appropriate time to post this From "Bill in Portland Maine":<BR/><BR/>The Great Franklin-Bush debate...in 6 rounds:<BR/><BR/><B>Bush:</B> America must not ignore the threat gathering against us. Facing clear evidence of peril, we cannot wait for the final proof, the smoking gun that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud.<BR/><BR/><B>Franklin:</B> All wars are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones. In my opinion, there never was a good war or a bad peace. When will mankind be convinced and agree to settle their difficulties by arbitration?<BR/><BR/>-<BR/><BR/><B>Bush:</B> Health care reform must begin with Medicare; Medicare is the binding commitment of a caring society. We must renew that commitment by giving seniors access to preventive medicine and new drugs that are transforming health care in America.<BR/><BR/><B>Franklin:</B> Well done is better than well said.<BR/><BR/>-<BR/><BR/><B>Bush:</B> There is no "trust fund," just IOUs that I saw firsthand, that future generations will pay---will pay for either in higher taxes, or reduced benefits, or cuts to other critical government programs. The office here in Parkersburg stores those IOUs. They're stacked in a filing cabinet. Imagine---the retirement security for future generations is sitting in a filing cabinet. It's time to strengthen and modernize Social Security for future generations with growing assets that you can control, that you call your own---assets that the government cannot take away.<BR/><BR/><B>Franklin:</B> Half a truth is often a great lie.<BR/><BR/>-<BR/><BR/><B>Bush:</B> The fact that somebody leaked this program [of illegally spying on Americans without a warrant] causes great harm to the United States. There's an enemy out there.<BR/><BR/><B>Franklin:</B> Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.<BR/><BR/>-<BR/><BR/><B>Bush:</B> I'm a uniter, not a divider. I refuse to play the politics of putting people into groups and pitting one group against another.<BR/><BR/><B>Franklin:</B> Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest.<BR/><BR/>-<BR/><BR/><B>Bush:</B>I'm not going to change my mind.<BR/><BR/><B>Franklin:</B> For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise. ... When you're finished changing, you're finished.<BR/><BR/>Final score: Bush 0 Franklin 6<BR/><BR/>Posted at:<BR/><BR/>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/17/84156/2045<BR/><BR/>StefanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com