Arizona

Blair Gadsby, a 45-year-old adjunct religious studies professor at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, has gone on hunger strike until John McCain agrees to meet with him about 9/11 conspiracy theories. Gadsby thinks that the U.S. government destroyed the World Trade Center towers and Building 7 with explosives, even though he’s apparently read the Popular Mechanics book on Debunking 9/11 Myths, for which McCain wrote the foreword. In how many different ways is this guy an idiot? 1. He’s bought into nonsensical conspiracy theories–his version has both Islamic terrorists flying planes into the WTC and explosives put there earlier, so he must believe something like this. 2. He apparently can’t understand the refutations of them. 3. He thinks a hunger strike is a good way to meet John McCain. 4. He’s an adjunct professor of religious studies. Feel free to add to the list. ...

On yesterday’s “Daily Show,” Jon Stewart pointed out a quote from Cliff Schechter’s new book, The Real McCain, where McCain used the word “cunt.” I didn’t think he made it clear who McCain was referring to when he said it, however. The Raw Story has the quote from Schechter’s book: Three reporters from Arizona, on the condition of anonymity, also let me in on another incident involving McCain’s intemperateness. In his 1992 Senate bid, McCain was joined on the campaign trail by his wife, Cindy, as well as campaign aide Doug Cole and consultant Wes Gullett. At one point, Cindy playfully twirled McCain’s hair and said, “You’re getting a little thin up there.” McCain’s face reddened, and he responded, “At least I don’t plaster on the makeup like a trollop, you cunt.” McCain’s excuse was that it had been a long day. If elected president of the United States, McCain would have many long days.Nice. Apparently McCain was known as “McNasty” in high school for his foul-mouthed tirades. Sounds like another LBJ, in that regard. (Previously, regarding McCain’s f-bomb habit.)

Fox 10 News in Phoenix did a story last night on how the mortgage crisis is resulting in more animals being turned in to the pound, and more animals being euthanized. The story featured Lisa Thomas from RESCUE, the organization we volunteer with, as well as the Corgi mix named Rascal (pictured) who we’ve taken out on weekends a few times. Check it out, and please consider donating to RESCUE’s Bowl-a-Rama event. (Put Kat’s or my name in for the bowler to encourage, and The Lippard Blog as the referrer.)

Just like quack magnetic therapy for improving human health, Alan Archer’s product claims to improve fuel efficiency for your car. According to a ridiculously skepticism-free article on ABC15’s website: The gas blaster clamps to your car’s fuel line. Two powerful magnets change the molecular structure of gasoline causing it to burn cleaner and more efficient.Archer, whose company’s name isn’t mentioned in the article (but it’s Adaptive Energy Solutions, LLC according to their website, a company incorporated in September 2003), guarantees that the product will improve gas mileage by at least 10% or your money will be returned. He’s probably banking on the fact that most people won’t have carefully measured their gas mileage before using it, and the fact that a 10% gain for a car that gets 25 mpg is only 2.5 mpg, well within the range of normal mileage variability given normal variations in driving conditions. There’s a quote in the news article from an individual who says “(Ten percent) is a lot when I only get ten miles to the gallon.” No, it’s only 1 mpg difference, and I bet his 10 mpg is already variable by more than 1 mpg. Archer’s claims for this product, an “adaptive gas blaster,” are identical to claims that have been made for similar fuel line magnet products for decades. All of them that have actually been tested have been found to have no measurable effect on gas mileage, and no doubt the same is true of Archer’s hokum. What I find remarkable is that the media continue to uncritically give a forum to hucksters to promote their nonsense. In this case, ABC15 even helpfully provides a link at the bottom of the page where you can click to order a $48 (plus shipping and handling) “adaptive gas blaster." The money-back guarantee lasts for 60 days, doesn’t include the shipping and handling fee, is available for only a limited time, and requires that you have the device installed by an “ASE” (I think they mean AES) mechanic or the guarantee is only for 30 days–I suspect there’s a nonrefundable installation fee if they do it for you. Save your money–you can save gas more easily without buying a bogus product by driving less often and more efficiently. (Hat tip to Gridman for bringing this to my attention.) ...

ApostAZ podcast #3 is now online: “Jesus Loves the Little Zygotes” written by Frank Zindler, performed by Brad. Rev Wright is All Wrong for Obama. Catholic Anti-Feminism. Nóel’s story. For Love or Faith? Deity Nihilo: Proof #3 (2/50 from http://godisimaginary… ). Absurd Dunkin’ Terror. God’s Own Dealership. Group Events. Outro from ‘Dream’ Greydon Square’s Album ‘The Compton Effect’ Anders Branderud (2008-06-15): Hello! I found your website. My name is Anders Branderud and I am from Sweden.Who then was the historical “Jesus”?Did you know that the original “Matthew” was written in Hebrew and it’s called Hebrew Matityahu. It speaks about an Orthodox Jewish leader..I am a follower of Ribi Yehoshua – Mashiakh – who practiced Torah including Halakhah with all his heart.He was born in Betlehem 7 B.C.E . His faher name was Yoseiph and mother’s name was Mir′ yâm. He had twelve followers. He tought in the Jewish batei-haknesset (synagogues). Thousands of Jews were interested in His Torah-teachings. The “Temple” Sadducees (non-priests who bought their priest-ship in the “Temple” from the Romans, because they were assimilated Hellenist and genealogically non-priests acting as priests in the “Temple”; they were known by most 1st-century Jews as “Wicked Priests.” decided to crucify him. So they did - together with the Romans. His followers were called Netzarim (meaning offshoots [of a olive tree]) and they continued to pray with the other Jews in the synagogues.Christianity does not teach the teachings of Ribi Yehoshua. Ribi Yehoshuas teachings were pro-Torah.If you want to learn more click at our website www.netzarim.co.il -- than click at the lick "Christians"; click at my photo to read about what made my switch religion from Christianity to Orthodox Judaism.Anders BranderudFollower of Ribi Yehoshua in Orthodox Judaism ...

McCain continues to demonstrate mind-boggling ignorance of the U.S. Constitution, for someone who has already sworn numerous times to uphold it. He’s clearly unfit to be president–he’s either ignorant of U.S. history or being dishonest in order to pander to the religious right. (I previously reported similar remarks by McCain last October.) The Bible and the Christian tradition do not support a limited constitutional republic–if you got your politics from the Bible or Christian tradition, you’d argue for a monarchy with virtually limitless power. That’s probably part of the reason that the Bush administration has argued against any limits on executive power. (From Atheist Media Blog by way of Pharyngula.) ...

Einzige, Kat, and I attended the Richard Cheese show tonight, and he put on a great crowd-pleasing performance. The recorded versions of his songs don’t give a complete picture–his performance is filled with a lot of audience interaction and humor, and he had quite a few special bits tailored to his hometown audience, such as the theme from “Alice” dedicated to the folks at Mel’s Diner (the fictional restaurant that the TV series put in Phoenix, rather than Tucson as in the Scorsese film “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”). After the show, Richard Cheese and the band spent about an hour signing autographs and having pictures taken with people in the first seven rows, and then there was a short period of time for him to talk to friends from grade school (me) and some friends from high school who came to his show and managed to stay up late. He’ll be performing at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas on August 29 and 31, and I recommend seeing his show if you get the chance.

Richard Cheese will be performing live on the radio this afternoon on Phoenix’s KEDJ, 103.9 FM, at around 4:45 p.m. Arizona time, during Tim Virgin’s show. You can also listen via the Internet via a link at the radio station’s website.

The second ApostAZ podcast is now available for listening at ApostAZ.org. Topics include the Virgin Mary visible on a biker’s leg wound, Phoenix atheists meetup group organizer Shannon’s deconversion story, an “Arizona Atheist Action” segment on the current proposal to create another anti-same-sex marriage amendment to the state constitution, and more. Correction, guys–our sun is a Class G star, not a Class B star. (It doesn’t negate your point–Class G stars are more common than Class B stars.)

Today’s Arizona Republic has an article about Richard Cheese, who will be appearing at the Celebrity Theater on June 7 with his Lounge Against the Machine band. The article describes his roots in Arizona and the man behind the leopard-print tuxedo–who shared a table with me (we didn’t have desks) in sixth grade. (Mark and I attended the same schools and were friends from third through eighth grade, then went different ways, though we have crossed paths from time to time since then, including when he got me a DJ job for ASU’s campus radio station, KASR-AM, when we were both undergrads there. Sadly, KASR’s call letters now belong to a sports radio station in Arkansas.) Einzige, Kat, and I will be at the show. Phoenix New Times had a similar, more detailed story about Richard Cheese the week of May 19, 2005, “Big Cheese” by Jimmy Magahern. Also watch for Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine on TV3’s “Good Morning Arizona” program on Thursday, June 5, at around 8:30 a.m. ...