My thanks to you, Pat! Your blog is both informative and well-written. I'll continue to check it, perhaps not daily (the current mode,) but often. I'm sure Kansas will be in the political/religious spotlight increasingly as we approach the 2008 elections.
Thanks for the blogging. It's sad to hear that you won't be posting regularly, but I look forward to your periodic postings.
Red State Rabble won't be going away entirely. Over the next few months, I expect to post when prompted by larger events, and I want to do some longer analytical posts based on more extensive research than the pressure of daily blogging now allows.I particularly look forward to the latter. You're a good researcher and a good writer, so please don't go away altogether.
Luke 16
19There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:
28For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Science is one thing. Myths of origins is another. The Darwinist myth of origins has less evidence or probability than a six year old's answer to the question of where we came from, and to insist it be taught as "science" is a criminal violation of the first amendment. But that probably doesn't bother anti-theists, because one's personal wickedness (the opposite of justice)or the wickedness of one's "cause" is irrelevent when one's consciousness of a just and Holy God is dead. Our text (above) is Christ's authoritative word on your spiritual condition and the hopelessness of trying to reason with you. I long for the day when my believing brethren will cease casting their pearls before swine. They suffer from the humanist delusion that man's efforts and reason will have any meaningful effect on the outcome of anyone's individual or collective destiny.
John 6
53Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
54Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
57As the l
(continued(
57As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
58This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
59These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
61When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?
62What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?
63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
64But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
66From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
*sniff* It's kinda sweet, really. You post a (sort of) goodbye post, and it manages to bring out one of the longer and more idiotic troll postings to date!
I'll miss your daily postings, RSR, but I thank you for helping me stay aware of the important issues of Kansas politics for so long.
Thanks, Pat.
Thanks for providing information and inspiration for those of us out here in the boonies. I truly understand about having to step back for awhile . . . warm thoughts and prayers go with you.
Thanks, Pat. RSR is probably the first Blog I ever read on a regular basis. I look forward to future posts.
On another note, I find it rather sad and pathetic how most on-line Fundies respond to reason with long, apparently random, quotes from their book of fairy tales, as if suddenly reading these bits of nonsense is going to change minds or even make a point. I'd probably make as much sense if I started posting random "Lord of the Rings" quotes in response to any Fundie argument.
"thad" - An angel of The Lord appeared unto me, and verily did say that you, "thad" are doomed to eternal hellfire. Have a nice day.
Pat - Hang in there, thanks for the all the posts. BTW - Oliver Stone just called me - He wants to know how why YOUR announcement is - ON THE SAME DAY AS KARL ROVES'S! ?Coincidence? Or Significance!
ps: "thad" - This is what's caled "Real World" information. You should look into it, if you can ever get out of your mother's basement.
Thad: The Flying Spaghetti Monster will punish you in boiling lakes of marinara sauce for your blasphemy and lack of faith. You have been warned!
Hrm, Pat announces he is going into semi-retirement the same day Karl Rove does?? Coincidence?? =P
Now that I've pointed that out, I bet some trolls will take a joke completely wrong.
And since I've met Pat personally, I know he isn't Karl.
Take care pat, look forward to reading your research.
Pat: You've run a great blog here. I'll miss your regular reporting and commentary.
Good luck with your other endeavors and hope to see you writing again soon.
Pi
Thanks to RSR and adieu to all.
Pat,
Thanks for the great blog, I have enjoyed it. I look forward to your longer analytical posts, they have always been great.
Dave
Pat, I've always been amazed at how you have been able to keep this blog going on a daily basis -- and with such insightful analysis.
When you're on hiatus I'm at a loss. By next week I will be going through withdrawal.
Best wishes.
Bummer! I check your site several times a week, so I'll miss it a lot. Great job.
I like to think my relatives who live in Kansas are better off because of your efforts. Thank you, Pat.
Dang. really appreciate it Pat - like others who have commented, this has been a daily read for me, a fellow from Texas, since almost the beginning
Perhaps your readers will "do a DaveScot", twist your arm, and this blog will become "Red State Rabble and Friends" (like when WD went through a similar realization that he had to cut back a year or so ago)
Thank you.
Noooooooooooo!
Oh well, Good luck! I hope, however, that "...more periodic..." doesn't mean hardly ever.
Pat-
I'll still check you out regularly.
After the 2004 election Google News carried about 1000 creationism items. Since creationist electoral defeats in KS and Ohio and the Dover trial numbers of Google stories have slipped below 200. Other than McElroy in TX, controversial stories are hard to come by. I trust that when action heats up again that so will your blog.
you don't know how much I enjoyed your site, thank you very much, very often your posts made my day, and on occassion made me spill coffee with laughter. That is true, I just replaced my keyboard.
Thank You
Pat,
I'm a moderate Christian (neither fundie nor revisionist) and I read your blog daily. And I believe in letting scientists tell us about the natural world. It's great that you are reporting to the world on what the kooky Christians are doing-- many have no idea of what is going on.
I live in Connecticut, so we don't have anti-science fundies taking over our school boards and telling our biology teachers what they can and cannot teach. I can certainly understand your anger!
Keep up the good work (as time permits, of course).
-KAS
Pat,
I've read your blog regularly for the past several years, and always found your writing to be lucid and on point. I'll miss the daily opportunity to see what your take is on the latest fundy idiocy. You've made a difference in helping to shape the way in which the controversy is to be dealt with. I'll look forward to your next post.
I, too, have been a regular, almost daily reader, and will miss your frequent postings! If you must go...don't go too far 
Pat, I think you need to take credit for so many things. You were one of the first voices out there that I found on this subject, and one of the first blogs that I linked to. I found so many people through this site and that has been a wonderful thing.
I'm happy for your new opportunities but sad that you are in a sense leaving us, though I understand it.
This blog is one of the most valuable resources out there. Thank you so much! Take care, good luck, keep in touch with us, okay?
Pat,
I appreciate your providing the latest news on creationist and ID attempts to convince the public ... well, of ANYthing. You have saved me the trouble of reading Dembski's dreck, Casey's crap, and Behe's bushwah. You always put things in perspective and write with admirable and likable style.
Thank you for having provided a wonderful blog for so long. A bit of rest is in order. But as others have said, don't rest too much. We'll miss you.
In the words of Garrison Keillor, "Be well, do good work, and keep in touch."
Your blog was always the first one I opened. I've particularly enjoyed the humor you use in your writing (something the other side seems to lack). Looking forward to your occasional posts.
Well, first and possibly only comment from me. I have enjoyed your commentary on a regular basis. I was not even sure what a red state was when I started reading your blog, and it still means little to me, but I can assure you that your posts have often been quite relevant to this reader in New Zealand. I'll keep RSR in my bookmarks list.
I, too, came to enjoy blogging through RSR, and it (along with Pharyngula and the Bad Astronomer) was one of the first I would check in the morning to help format my brain for the day. As long as you remember to unsheath your vorpal sword from time-to-time, we will all be the better for it.
Don't stop blogging, Pat - You're on my 'must read' list.
Pat,
Thanks for great blogging - I'll have you know that readership has extended far beyond the borders of the US. With all the problems fundamentalism can lead to, your writing has inspired me to speak up whenever I hear an inkling of someone wanting to introduce theistic thinking into my country's school system. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
I'll be looking forward to your occasional posts - take care and have fun!
Thanks Pat for the many good reads and providing the forum for some heavy weight troll bashing back in the day.
I look forward to your posts in the future however far apart they may be.
Dang! I leave the country for a month and look what happens. Well, at least Pat didn't announce that Luskin was joining him as a regular contributor; I would have had to return to the airport!
Best regards,
Doc Bill
As an anthropology student at a southern university, I am amidst the nuttiness and at the same time far removed. I value so much your dispatches from the front line of cultish insanity and make a pledge to use my degree to spread truth throughout this debilitated country.
Thanks for all the information you have provided, Pat. I've shared many of your blogs through links to my readers so they too will miss your frequent reporting. Thanks for all the time and enormous effort you have put into sharing your thoughts.
How about we take up a collection and BRIBE you to post again?
I'm suffering withdrawal from intelligent posts (and, tolerance of my off-the-cuff posts because in real life I have to be an adult)...
So, can you be bought?
Buzzflash has a $14k tote board as of 8:47 pm....
I can toss $20....
Seriously,
Thanks again, Pat - you were the first thing I read in the office every morning.
GRO
You've done some great work, thanks.
Though, I would like to point out that your YouTube video of the day hasn't changed in months.
Not a big deal, just something that always strikes me when I visit here.
I, too, will miss the daily posts. I think that, when it comes to blogging, short and frequent is the way to go. A long essay every couple of weeks may be worth reading but it seems to cross the line from blog to magazine article.
In any case, the key to a successful blog is a reliable schedule. Daily posts are a huge burden but perhaps the first Monday of the month is something Pat could live with.
Nevertheless, RSR was one of my first and favorite must-read blogs.
Pat, kinda like the sleeping pills commercial, we just want ya' back.
Until then, stay on whacko-watch.
This is Kanass, I'm sure we'll see a new crop of whackos soon.
i'm bummed but still checking by.
>>After posting daily for more than two-and-a-half years, RSR will now be updated on a more periodic basis
Pat,
You really don't know how much your blog did to start my day. As a litigator I write every day. I couldn't keep up a blog like yours and do my work and I'm amazed at the amount of work that you put into this project.
Thanks again.
GRO
Well, he said RSR "won't be going away entirely," but it looks like it has. No post since Aug. 143.
Larry,
He also said it was "horrible news for trolls". Apparently he was right. Are you getting bored having no blog to whine about?
December 4, 2007
Editorial
Evolution and Texas
Is Texas about to become the next state to undermine the teaching of evolution? That is the scary implication of the abrupt ousting of Christine Comer, the state’s top expert on science education. Her transgression: forwarding an e-mail message about a talk by a distinguished professor who debunks “intelligent design” and creationism as legitimate alternatives to evolution in the science curriculum.
In most states, we hope, the state department of education would take the lead in ensuring that students receive a sound scientific education. But it was the Texas Education Agency that pushed out Ms. Comer after 27 years as a science teacher and 9 years as the agency’s director of science.
As Ralph Blumenthal reported in The Times yesterday, Ms. Comer forwarded to a local online community an e-mail message from a pro-evolution group announcing a talk by Barbara Forrest, a professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University. Professor Forrest testified as an expert witness in a 2005 Dover, Pa., case that found intelligent design supernatural and theological and definitely not part of a scientific education.
An hour later, Ms. Comer was called in by superiors, pressured to send out a retraction and ultimately forced to resign. Her departure was instigated by a new deputy commissioner who had served as an adviser to George Bush when he was governor of Texas and more recently worked in the federal Department of Education.
It was especially disturbing that the agency accused Ms. Comer — by forwarding the e-mail message — of taking a position on “a subject on which the agency must remain neutral.” Surely the agency should not remain neutral on the central struggle between science and religion in the public schools. It should take a stand in favor of evolution as a central theory in modern biology. Texas’s own education standards require the teaching of evolution.
Those standards are scheduled to be reviewed next year. Ms. Comer’s dismissal and comments in favor of intelligent design by the chairman of the state board of education do not augur well for that review. We can only hope that adherents of a sound science education can save Texas from a retreat into the darker ages.
Pat,
It's February, and I still miss you. Hope you're doing fine and will return someday.
Hey Pat: I got a better idea. Why not just let this pitiful blog die the death it so richly deserves? With the exception of Thad, the posters on this site don't have a combined IQ that would even approach room temperature in an igloo. By the way, we "fundies " are on the march again. We are taking back control of the state BOE from the darwinists and the humanists once again and i for one can't wait.
HELLO?
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