Arden Chatfield
Posts: 6657
Joined: Jan. 2006
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In fact, it's worth quoting in full:
| Quote | Hi. This is Larry Fafarman's brother Dave. I recently took some time to review the Panda's Thumb blog and Larry's "I'm from Missouri."
I should've commented sooner; the thread has gotten a bit stale.
I was deeply saddened by the hostility and derision that were expressed toward Larry in many of the posts. And even more so that he unfortunately deserved them. So this is not a criticism of those who lost their tempers with Larry (for that matter, I have often lost my temper with him). I also think the Panda's Thumb group acted properly in expelling him.
What I would ask of those who interacted with Larry is that they try to find some understanding and charity in their hearts. And perhaps even look for ways that he can contribute (that would be hard).
He obviously is not stupid. He writes well (which is probably how he gets the amount of traction that he does). He is very knowledgeable in many areas (knows quite a bit of history and geography, for example). He has a legitimate master's degree in mechanical engineering. But there's clearly some disconnect in integrating his knowledge, and what appears to be an ulterior agenda. It does not seem to be possible to engage in normal discussion with him. I don't know why that is. Perhaps he is addicted to the adrenaline rush he gets from conflict, as the issues he gets passionate about are often those that will maximize dissension.
His health has not been good for several years (he used to be somewhat more sociable). It prevents him from doing things he used to enjoy, so he has the combination of too much free time plus feelings of frustration, and intimations of mortality that animate a "search for meaning". It is to those factors that I attribute his current argumentativeness. What he needs is neither pity nor anger, but perhaps mainly patience. It is not good to humor him.
Well, enough about Larry. I'd like to digress to other issues that readers will probably consider more on-topic anyway.
In response to Larry, several bloggers presented interesting discussion. Not being myself a lawyer, I found comments by Colin and Kevin particularly informative. I'm now much clearer on the legal role of nominal damages. So, my thanks to them and others (as well as sympathy for the irritation and time spent).
Regarding the "Intelligent Design" theory, I agree that it cannot be taught in public schools, on "establishment" grounds (as well as the deleterious effect it would have on science education). I'm also a member of NCSE.
It should be noted that the Catholic Church has reconciled itself to evolution (somewhat surprising, is it not?). Although an atheist, I'm a "Christian atheist" rather like Oriana Fallaci. I consider Ms. Fallaci to be not only a heroine of our time, but a heroine for the ages. Did you know she recently had a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI? Here's what she said:
"I feel less alone when I read the books of Ratzinger." I had asked Ms. Fallaci whether there was any contemporary leader she admired, and Pope Benedict XVI was evidently a man in whom she reposed some trust. "I am an atheist, and if an atheist and a pope think the same things, there must be something true. It's that simple! There must be some human truth here that is beyond religion."
Why Oriana Fallaci received a Papal audience: http://www.hvk.org/articles/0905/38.html
Another article about Ms. Fallaci: http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=20359
Regarding the legal strategies that were used in the Dover school case, I think they were appropriate there. But I had serious misgivings in reading them, recognizing that those same strategies have been misused. For instance, there was the ACLU suit in San Diego that resulted in the Boy Scouts being driven from their facilities in Balboa Park, with the award of attorney's fees from the San Diego city treasury. I do not approve of that.
Posted by: Dave Fafarman | May 24, 2006 04:04 PM |
Good lord, he's not much like his brother, is he?
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"Rich is just mad because he thought all titties had fur on them until last week when a shorn transvestite ruined his childhood dreams by jumping out of a spider man cake and man boobing him in the face lips." - Erasmus
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