Plus, I suspect there's the whole issue of your cat lets you give him shots!?

There is that! I don't think any of mine would've objected very seriously, but then I've always had animals who've known from babyhood that they had to accept being handled in unpleasant ways -- I've known plenty of people who have never once cut their pets' nails because they just assume they'd never allow it -- and so they don't. (I just can't imagine paying a groomer or vet every time they start making clicky noises on the hardwoods...)

amy, it didn't feel like a pile on at all. Please go on, if you have more to say. My questions were earnest questions, not argument set-ups. For every article out there (on either side) there is a rebuttal, and that's where they all lose me. Here's what I know (not necessarily in this order):

1) I have no reason not to accept sound scientific findings.

2) To date, nothing science has found has talked me out of theism, but I don't think it's meant to, in the first place (personal opinion of some scientists, aside).

I'd never want to talk you out of theism, Cindy -- it's such a huge part of you! For my own part, I'm pretty thoroughly agnostic on the G-d question*, but also a total evolution fangirl; I don't think atheism is required by my position, although literalism is clearly Right Out. Still, I wanted to say something upfront rather than worry that you felt like you were getting jumped. (Anyway, my major hate-on is for shitty, shitty arguments and the way they're used to manipulate people.)

* and yet? Still weird on writing it. Behold my contradictions!

Oh, I didn't think you would try to talk me out of it. I mentioned that, because I think it plays into where all the writers lose me. I lack a tizzy for science v. religion and vice versa.

Anyway, my major hate-on is for shitty, shitty arguments and the way they're used to manipulate people.

Yes. And that's part of why I didn't feel piled on, either. I was truly asking, because at some point, when you're reading point-counterpoint articles, at least one of the writers is mistaken, misleading, or flat out lying (often both are, from what little I understand of the subject, at least somewhat mistaken/misleading).

My goodness, I'm watching GG and I'd forgotten how nutty April's mom is.

Oh God, the church scene in Friday Night Lights is killing me.

I'm such a fucking ass: I was sitting here thinking about how there wasn't really anything I wanted to watch on TV, and did I do anything useful? No I did not. I watched this morning's Ellen. And now, am I going to go to bed early? No I am not. I am going to watch House. Like a fucking sucker.

My cats are actually touching each other! In a friendly manner! OK, so they are both passed out and it is more a matter of stretching limbs winding together, but...that particular arrangement has never happened before.

People know that if you wake up with a bat in your room you should get treated for rabies immediately, right? Just FYI.

I did not know that. Glad I do now.

"That's the most frightening sex toy I've ever seen."

I had a very similar reaction.

Speaking of science: Our future is in his hands...

Price. Less.

That's really all I've got. No original content today, but I was paying attention, see.

Oh, speaking of paying attention, I did read the link from earlier about the Christian Coalition, and it seems to me like they're permanently marginalized now, which pleases me no end.