The Skeptic's Guide to The Universe

Monday, March 21, 2011

Another Secular Student Alliance event: This one at Wichita State University

I just learned, via facebook, that the SkeptICTs of Wichita State University are going to have a free event this May 21, 2011. It is being put on by the Air Capital Skeptics. I guess this is the day for "Rapture" as it is being held as a "Rapture Day" event. Apparently another religious adherent has taken it upon himself to figure out the day that Jesus is going to return to Earth. Or at least begin the Rapture.I think it should be May 22, so we wo0uldn't have to deal with their crap anymore.

There is going to be a great line up for this event. If you can make it it would be greatly worth your time. I am not sure if I can yet. But if I can I sure will.

Here are some of the speakers, remember have your questions ready after they talk, you don't get to ask question in church,
Blair Scott, he is a really nice guy with American Atheists;
Darell Ray, author of The God Virus,
Richard Carrier, historian, I got to talk with him after his lecture in Springfield, really nice guy;
David Fitzgerald, He is with San Fransisco Atheist and the Center for Inquiry
JT Eberhard, I actally stayed at his apartment during Skepticon. He had a nice hotel room. Anyway he is bercoming a very prominate member of the atheist movement.
Sam Singleton, Atheist Evangelist,  We had a nice conversation but sadly more desire to talk than time to do it in.

Plus you will have a change to meet all kinds of cool people from around the country. Who know by the time some more people may be there to speak. Be sure that there will be some people there to protest and bitch and moan about how horrible using your mind is and not walking by faith.

Which brings me to my final comment. There was a video of a blind woman walking into a subway station and then falling onto the tracks. Several people helped her and signaled the train to stop.

When asked how she felt about the help she received she said that GOD used the people to rescue her. I think God would have been much more compassionate if he would have stopped her from falling onto the tracks. Or even better had her not be blind to begin with.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Some notable People I have met face to face.

Some notable people that I have seen or have interacted with over my life. [in no particular order] This doesn't include any concerts of personal speaking engagements to a group unless I had some direct contact with the person. The list is not exhaustive.The last part refers to how I interacted with them.

James Randi – author, Flim Flam, Leading skeptic and magician, originator of $1,000,000 challenge, meal in Springfield, MO

Kathleen Sebelius – former Kansas Insurance Commissioner and Governor, Secretary of Health and Human Services - KSNT-TV

D. J. Grothe – head of JREF and well known skeptical podcaster for “Point of Inquiry” and now “ For Good Reason” Same place, St. Louis Skeptical meetup, Michael Dowd event

Micheal Dowd – author, Thank God For Evolution - Lecture at Unitarian Church, St. Louis
Rebecca Watson – internationally known skeptical podcaster and speaker - Springfield, MO

Sam Singleton – The Atheist Evangelist, Springfield, MO, e-mail Facebook

Victor Stenger – Professor, University of Colorado, Center for Inquiry, author, God The Failed Hypothesis - meal, Springfield, MO

J.T Eberhart – Flying Spaghetti Monster, Missouri State University, Co-organizer of Skepticon - Stayed at his apartment

P.Z. Myers in Springfield, MO
P.Z. Myers – Associate Professor University of Minnesota-Morris, writer - w/ protesters at Skepticon, Special event in the pub.

John Schlitt – singer, Head East, Petra, musician, Christian Speaker - Concert [twice], Life Christian Center, St. Louis, MO

Geoff Moore – Contemporary Christian Musician - after concert, Norman, OK

Ron Dryden – Senior pastor, Cathedral of Praise World Outreach Center, Oklahoma City, OK, new members class, worked at KOKF owned by Dryden

Best selling book by Richard Dawkins.
Richard Dawkins – author, The God Delusion, Climbing Mount Improbable, evolutionary biologist, professor, public speaker - Norman, OK [question] Charlette, NC [question]

Abigal Smith - graduate student in Oklahoma studying the evolution of viruses, especially retroviruses, and how that evolution impacts our health - Evolution debate, Yukon, OK

Jen Peeples - aerospace engineer, former military test pilot, and foxhole atheist - Pridefest, Austin, TX

Don Baker – computer scientist with an interest in evolutionary biology and the nascent science of memetics - Pridefest, Austin, TX

Bob Saget – American stand-up comedian, actor, and television host - KDNL-TV

Jerome Bettis – retired American football halfback who played for the NFL's Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers – KDNL-TV

Bill Clinton – Former President of The United States of America - [twice] Topeka, KS, Oklahoma City, OK

Barack Obama – President of The United States of America - Several times, St. Louis, MO

Claire McCaskill – U.S. Senator, Missouri - Speaking, Victory Party

Russ Carnahan – U.S. Congressman , Missouri – Interview, speech

Fred Phelps – ex-lawyer, Reverend, founder of Westboro Baptist Church - Shawnee County Jail

Nate Phelps – estranged son of Fred Phelps - Clayton High School

Former father-in-law, Steve Abrams
Steve Abrams – former head of Kansas State Board of Education, Kansas Senator, ex son-in-law

Sam Brownback – former U.S Congressman and U.S. Senator; current Kansas Governor interview KSNT-TV, KWCH-TV

Todd Tiahrt – former U.S. Congressman from Kansas - KWCH-TV interview

Henry Hyde – U.S. Congressman-Illinois, interview, KWCH-TV

Joan Finney – First female governor of Kansas - WIBW-TV

Ray Preston – reporter, KMOV-TV - Worked with

Andy Banker – reporter, KTVI-TV - Worked with

Mary Fallin – former Lt. Governor and current Oklahoma Governor - interview, pictures

Joel Olsten – famous pastor from Texas - photos, events

Bob Dole – Former U.S. Senator-Kansas, Former Republican Presidential Canidate - picture with

Dan Baker – Former pastor, musician, president of FFRF - Springfield, MO

Richard Carrier – Historian, author, philosopher - Springfield, MO

Joe Nickell – paranormal investigator - Springfield, MO

Debbie Goddard – Center for Inquiry - Springfield, MO

John Corvino – writer, Moral activist with LGBT, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan - Springfield, MO

Steve "Jake" Jacobs and I; Mr. Wizard?
Steve “Jake” Jacobs – Mr. Wizard IV, Discovery Channel Contributor for “Mythbusters” Director of Informal Science Education - former teacher

Todd Barber – JPL, NASA, California Institute of Technology, Saturn's Cassini mission, Mar's Rovers - mutual friend of my best friend


Stephen Curtis Chapman – Contemporary Christian Singer, Springfield, MO, St. Louis, MO