Skepticon IV in Springfield, MO

In case you are not aware of this years Skepticon, it should be bigger and better than last years which was quite large and  well attended. The Line up for speakers include PZ Myers, Rebecca Watson, Joe Nickell, Jen McCreight, Dan Barker, Greta Christina and many more great speakers and "leaders" in the skeptic and free thought community.

Skepticon IV is going to be worth attending.

This years event goes from November 19th and 20th with a special event happening November 18. That Friday a group will take a look at the "Creation Museum of the Ozarks" which is currently located in the Springfield area but is slated to be moved down to Branson when they get the funds. I believe PZ Myers is scheduled to be a part of the tour and bus transportation is trying to be arranged but as of right now it seems driving is the only option.

Beside the lecture, some of the best part of a conference like this is the chance to talk one to one with these speakers in a friendly and open area. Not to mention that the conference itself is paid for so their is no cost to you to attend.  But if you are like most attendees, you will want to buy some new books and other items to use and have the speakers sign.

While the weather in Springfield can be a bit tricky, the average is cold and rainy. Not too much snow normally. Last year is was quite pleasant so it would be reasonable to expect some rain and colder temperatures.

At the Skepticon IV website there are forums to request rides to ask for riders and to seek out places to stay. The Union Plaza Hotel, where the speakers will be staying have a special rate and if you go on line the group rate code is SKPT11. If you call them direct you just mention the conference to get the rate.

The rooms are quite large and the prices are the same for a double or a king. The give a $20 discount to the conference attendees so each room is $79 per night. You can get that rate for up to 5 nights. Not sure why you would need that but it is nice to have that option. In addition, the Plaza Hotel is about three blocks from the theater where the event is being held. It is not across the street in the convention center this year. I am not sure why that is. Maybe it had to do with them scheduling a gun show last year.

Be sure to sign up Today as the space may fill up fast. I have no idea of the configuration of the place we are going to be at this year but if it is a typical theater then it will not be so easy to move around it like it was last year.

here is the link: http://skepticon.org/

via The Friendly Atheist

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

Josh Brecheen hits the big time.

Looks like newly elected Oklahoma State Senator is getting a real education in foot in mouth disease. Since his editorial has been posted in The Durant Daily Democrat on December 22, 2010 there has been national reaction in the forums blogs and other places as well. Sadly it looks like we [none creation people] are going to be the losers in this battle. If you have been keeping up with my blogs you know that I have mentioned the idea that those that are faced with facts tend to hold tighter to their faith. SO while in the court of public opinion we may have some momentum, in the end Sen. Brecheen is going to be in the Statehouse and we will be going about our lives.

I normally do not send people to other websites. But this one is so good you just have to take a look at it. Josh Brecheen is a perfect picture of what is the radical republican right in America. I would challenge any of you all to look at this and not laugh at his honest to goodness website. p.s. be sure to read about his wife. 

But with that in mind when looking up this ignorant, about evolution, man we find that his fame is growing faster than a 40 day rain. Here are a few of the websites he is mentioned on Atheist Nexus, Friendly Atheist, Science Blogs[Greg Laden], The Sensuous Curmudgeon, Newsodrone and many more.

PZ Myers even wrote a reply, point by point, on his Pharyngula website to the crazy talk that Brecheen was spewing. Needless to say I hope this will shine the light of knowledge in that part of the country. But I have been to and lived in that part of the country and I do not hold out much hope for the triumph of logic and reason.