1. I do not understand the relevance of what does or doesn't go on in the U.S. to this discussion.
2. 'Voluntarily' traveling to work and live in the Dwarf Empire is not entirely voluntary, as an above message itself: the message mentions how poorly small people are treated when applying for other jobs - i.e., the problem is one of establishing a level playing field in the society itself - dwarf kingdoms etc. are merely escapes, which increase the public attitude that these people are a globally 'special' group who can perform cuddly roles, etc., for tourist amusement, and can't do anything else.
Getting Away: Heart 2 Heart Youth Hostel
Posted bySounds like a good place, but I doubt if the rice terraces can be compared to Yuanyang.
Government undertaking aims to flush Dianchi clean
Posted byNote the yahoo news that the Chinese government has decided to crack down on all the mixed toxic s*** sent from western countries to landfills in China - about time!
419 million year-old 'missing link' discovered in Yunnan
Posted byAll questions are still open.
Snapshot: Tuborg Greenfest Music Festival
Posted byDid any of the music or the musicians have anything to SAY?
419 million year-old 'missing link' discovered in Yunnan
Posted byblobbles has more or less got it, I think - the words 'proof' and 'fact' are all too often thrown around in a manner that suggests finality - and, perhaps, the end of thought. The problem with those who want to rely on 'faith' to show them 'truth' is that, if they let it in for creationism, then where does it stop? Are NO empirical evidence and NO logical analysis ever to be given any weight for anything? Such people should look at their own daily actions and realize that, in fact, they rely on empirical evidence and reasoning every day, and their basic religious faith does not get in the way - so why the big exception for evolutionism? And why can't they look at literature from the past (e.g., the Talmud/Old Testament) in the same light? I suggest the answer may have to do with fear, and I suggest they deal with it in the native human (perhaps God-given?) manner: by continuing to think.