Comments by MistyBlue

Written on Pope says he won't judge gay priests:

in response to golfdad:

It's much easier to believe God created the universe and everything in it then to believe in a series of unbelievable circumstances bringing order from chaos (which goes against science) and evolution with no transitional fossils.

Agreed. Actually, application of Occam's razor to the origin of the Earth and human kind favors God instead of an incredibly unlikely chain of accidents born out of chaos. Creation is simple, chain of elegant unlikely accidents synthesizing life from chaos is complex. God wins via Occam's razor.

Written on Pope says he won't judge gay priests:

in response to darkstar:

Dr. Alexander's book is evidence of nothing more than a delusional account of his oxygen-deprived, fantasy-prone, hallucinating brain, that wasn't even considered clinically dead in the first place. I have a degree in cognitive neuroscience and any first year student would recognize the difference between fact and fantasy. Grow up.

Why don't you try reading an authentic science book for a change:

LOL, and I have a degree in nuclear physics. Anyone can claim anything here on the good ole anono-net so I call BS on your BS as well as any fictitious MS or ppppbtttthD.

Once again, read the book. Dr Alexander is being trotted out for a public ridiculing by his peers because he broke the standard issue code of scientific denial of anything form of existence beyond the physical world. He knew this before publishing his story and in fact mentions it gave him pause at first. The neuro science community is steadfast in their oxygen deprived dying brain theory for all NDE's, and certainly that condition may account for many reported NDE's, but not this one. He was on a ventilator for breathing, they were going to pull the plug. That is close enough to clinically dead. His "esteemed colleagues" are likely chastising him for stepping out of line and straying from the company slogan, so to speak. Those who's only religion is science often seem to have the narrowist of minds...

Written on Pope says he won't judge gay priests:

in response to Apple_Pie:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

You call that debunked? Hardly. The fact remains the neural cortex was flat lined, throughout. An emergency room physician with limited experience, going up against a professor from Harvard Medical school in the area of neuro science, when neuro science is the professor's area of expertise, a professor who has numerous peer reviewed works published on neuro surgery?

I'm going to take a wild guess and say you're an unbeliever with a mind closed to anything that might suggest your unbelief is errant, thus you cling to any attempt to debunk NDE's. Dr. Alexander himself was an unbeliever, one who held fast to the same theory most other neuro surgeons say about NDE's-- that they are hallucinations of a dying or short circuiting neural cortex. He had patients during the course of his career who he had operated on who's NDE's he patently dismissed as the hallucination phenomena. He absolutely did not believe. Until it happened to him. He met a dead relative during the NDE whom he never knew, met, nor ever laid eyes upon even a photo of her during life because he was adopted as an infant and it was his biological sister whom he only discovered well after NDE. if you read his book (which you won't because it might rock your secular liberal beliefs) you would see that the one thing he realized was missing from his NDE vs. others he had listened to during the course of his unbelieving pre-coma years, was he never met a dead relative during the NDE. Then years afterwards, he discovers his biological sister who died before his NDE, see's her photo and its the woman he met during the NDE. Of course, one can always fall back on "I don't believe him, he's making it up."

Also, Dr Alexander was not "weaned" out of the coma and revived back to consciousness as that "debunk" article seems to suggest. They were actually in the process of deciding whether or not to disconnect the ventilator and let his body die but he spontaneously awoke before they unplugged him. Further, his complete physical and mental recovery from that degree and time length of E.Coli brain infection alone is a medical miracle, and that cannot be debunked.

The appendix of the book consists of Dr Alexander himself listing numerous nuero-scientific theories that could be used to explain what he experienced and he debunks them himself. Dr Alexander's credentials are far and above any of those mentioned in the esquire article that are attacking his credibility, to the point it is obvious professional jealousy on the part of the others. Dr Alexander practiced neuro surgery also at the same Boston hospital where they took most of the Boston Marathon survivors, the prestigious Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard's 2nd largest teaching affiliate. Dr Alexander's credentials smoke those of his "debunkers."

Written on Pope says he won't judge gay priests:

in response to Captain_Hindsight:

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Pope Francis I has stated that marriage for priests could possibily be on the table at some point:

Written on Pope says he won't judge gay priests:

in response to Smith-821:

You've got to be kidding! The Catholic Church has paid out hundreds of millions of dollars to victims (young boys) abused by priests and bishops....and now the Church wants to roll out the welcome mat for gay men? What about doing something to promote family values? Like allowing priests to marry???

You are equating pedophilia to homosexuality. That is not a valid comparison, as any sex crimes investigator could tell you.

Written on Pope says he won't judge gay priests:

in response to JohnT:

It's only a sin to people who can't tell the difference between a primitive superstition and common sense.

Once you grow up and quit having imaginary friends, it's pretty obvious that it is none of your business what other people do in their bedrooms.

With regard to your comment about imaginary friends, apparently you are an aethiest. That's fine and your choice, but if you like to read I would encourage you to read the following New Yoork Times #1 Best Seller:

Proof of Heaven
Eben Alexander, MD

Dr Alexander's medical credentials in the area of nuerology are impeccable: He was a professor at Harvard Medical School for 15 years teaching brain surgery. Yes, he was a bonafide brain surgeon you could say, a neuro scientist well versed in the physiological workings of the human brain. He completed fellowships at prestigious teaching hospitals both in Britain and the US. Then he had a NDE (Near Death Experience) which changed his life. His Neuro-Cortex was flat lined for a week. Brain dead, comatose. No possibility whatsoever of any biological ability of the brain to form thoughts or memories during the coma. Yet he came back with a story to tell. You owe it to yourself to read the book if you truly are the objective thinker you claim to be.


in response to Hickeyboys_Daddy:

BS. They could take those same personal policies and use them to fire anyone they wish. The problem is that this office evidently works at the "Pleasure" of the Mayor.

It's a done deal now so why is the Mayor putting on the dog and pony show?

I'm sure that Cliff Weaver is qualified on paper but I question his abilty to work with everyone as well as Sherman did. The one thing that Sherman did well was to get along with everyone. That's what needed to bring the different personalities together in the Fire, Police and other safety orientated agencies.

Sherman has been forming these good relationships over the past 23 years. Cliff is much more reserved that Sherman. I knows them both and have worked with them both at times. Both are good men but they have very different demeanor's.

Sherman is much more friendly and outgoing that Cliff. But Cliff has been in the GOP politics ever since he was in High School at Central under the tutelage of former city councilman and central teacher David Kohler. So Cliff will fit right into this new city administration. I just wonder how he will get paid for both being a District Chief or whatever he is now with the EFD and the extra 50K that the EMA pays their director? What a huge chunk of change.

Perhaps we should get the state to change the laws so that they can just make the fire chief the EMA director and be done with the EMA. Just move that money over to the EFD and or EPD as they are the ones that do all the real work when we have a disaster. Do we really need an EMA office that can't even afford to drive a car with a working transmission?

When the EPD officers are driving brand new Hemi Chargers? I saw three of them at a traffic stop on the Lloyd just the other day. They sure look PURTY! And don't get me started on those new Police Jeeps that are diving by guys that live in Warrick County. Wondering what kind of gas mileage a Jeep gets? It's certainly not a Toyota Prius. It's a long way from downtown Evansville or the City High Schools to Zoar Church Road. I think that red Police Jeep is the one for Harrison HS.

Oh, and yes the Mayor was putting on the DOG and PONY show for the media on this issue.

The police cars have the base V6 engine not the Hemi V8. They are the most fuel efficient patrol cars the dept has ever fielded. The Jeeps were free, donated by a local dealership. It would have been fool hardy not to accept the dealerships's offer of the custom decaled Jeeps. What's your point?... not that you routinely have one.

Written on 2012 a violent year for Evansville :

in response to lipservice:

Translation: someone's uptick got stuck in their Thesaurus.

No translation necessary if one is capable of reading at or above the 12th grade level.

Written on 2012 a violent year for Evansville :

Chief Bolin seems to be doing all sorts of innovative things with both equipment acquisition as well as strategy and tactics. This is not a law enforcement deficit that begets these increases in the referenced UCR crime categories, it is a societal deficit. More people are becoming criminally inclined due to a myriad of reasons which are best left to folks like Professor Melinda Roberts @ USI to explain. Crime, sociology, and economics are thoroughly intertwined and the "blame" for increases in crime usually cannot be laid at the feet of any single government entity. People desire a simple answer but the issue is far too complex for that. Law enforcement can and should be proactive but proactivity can only influence crime rates to a point. There has to be some positive social influences brought into play to go to work on the root causes of the social problems and also the human behavior that is creating the uptick in reported crime rates.

Written on Warrick schools, EVSC serve 'great need' with summer meals:

in response to CletusSpuckler:

Where is Rick Santorum? Where is Pence?

I am sure that all of the pro life folks are chipping in to help these already here children eat.

Carrying a child to term is very difficult.

Any person can carry a sign on the sidewalk.

What a crock. The single largest pro-life advocation organization in the United States is the Catholic Church, and guess who is the next largest provider of social services in the United States second only to the federal government? The Catholic Church through their outreach program known as Catholic Charities.

So yes, Einstein, plenty of pro-life folks are doing plenty to aid the poor.

And Protestant Denominations are right there hand-in-hand with Catholics doing all manner of charity work to help the poor, all in compliance with God's Word, which by the way is Pro Life. Learn it. Live it. Love it.

Written on U.S. Attorney Joe Hogsett has big plans in 2013:

"...and creation of an interagency group to find and prosecute corruption and white-collar crimes."

EPD and VCSO might benefit from a task force concept with federal agent(s) in that category of criminal activity, given that it would be adequately funded with federal dollars.

Probably one specific area that needs some task force attention is the crime of producing and distributing counterfeit money. I think many local retail merchants would agree. But again, local agencies' budgets are very tight and from what I know their case loads are high, so an influx of federal money to these local agencies to aid enforcement in these categories may help bring about exactly the sort of result Mr. Hogsett is seeking.

Written on Hermann, Levco open fire in race for Vanderburgh County prosecutor:

Hey, my password still works!

Written on Advice for safe online shopping:

Microsoft's anti-spyware is titled "Windows Defender" and is a free download from Micrsoft's site.

Written on Check theft warning:

Well EVVVoter, that may be true of the merchant agreement, but what Sgt Gulledge said still makes practical sense. The unit he commands sees a high volume of crime reports where a debit or credit card is used by a thief, and in the vast majority of cases if the point-of-sale cashier or associate had simply requested or checked ID the fraud would have been prevented.

So I ask you, considering the absolutely mind boggling dollar amount of credit/debit card fraud losses absorbed by the banking system in this country annually, just how much practical sense does the quoted subsection of that purported merchant policy/agreement make? What it DOES is it affords THIEVES a measure of protection at the point of sale, because it sure does the card holder, the bank, and law enforcement no favors.

Written on USI students cold to idea of a draft:

Rangel's draft proposal was nothing but shockmanship politics, and I'm surprised, well not really, that the C&P would "take it to the streets" for comment. Rangel is just trying to garner attention. His proposal was for everyone up to age 42 to be draft eligible, no or very limited exceptions.

America is clearly best served by the volunteer system we have in place that produces the most professional and highly skilled soldiers we have ever fielded... regardless of what guys like Rangel and Kerry might have us believe.

There is a time for military draft, but now is not it.

Written on Shopping madness strikes:

WWJD, since this "holiday" season is much about Him? Maybe He would remind us to tone down the Retail Frenzy and offer our hand to one another (instead of biting it like the incident 2ufrmme described).

Written on Lights right on schedule:

Outstanding to see it running on schedule, given the obstacles encountered. Big thumbs up!

Written on Lawmaker to miss days as lawman :

Katy, no need to paraphrase the word representative. It can be argued that regardless of party affiliation, the world of Washington politics no longer "represents" most voters anyhow. Republican or Democrat it doesn't seem to matter, the Washington political machine can have a devouring effect on any elected representative if they're not on guard for it.

Written on 'I've been lied to ... down the line':

"Schiro admits he raped and murdered Luebbehusen, but he feels he's paid his price."

Speaks volumes about his twisted outlook. This man does not need to be walking among the rest of us...

Written on Motorists, beware of deer in headlights:

Nothing wrong with a regulated hunt-harvest of deer. Necessary to control over population. It actually benefits the deer population to cull it in this way. Deer harvest is a win-win.

Written on Insight enhances service:

Sigecom: Here's your chance to step up to the plate and increment your customers' bandwidth free of charge, in a move to match your competitor.

Written on He saw the flag rise at Iwo Jima:

Heroes, every one of them.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

Reaper, the topics of politics and religion do more to divide people than unite them, would you agree with this statement? Seems to create a lot of strife among people who normally get along quite well otherwise.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

No Reaper, no lunch deals. I have to work for Johnnyringo, so I'd rather just leave this alone. Its gotten way out of hand, my fault.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

Sorry to disappoint or not to entertain with constant and timely replies, but I have other demands on my time higher on the list than sitting pinned to a pc all day keeping this train wreck going.

Now, having said the above I'll go ahead and admit that my comments are obviously the reason the train left the tracks. One thing always I do, is admit when I'm wrong, so I'll eat crow and say it here: I was wrong. I stirred the pot too much. I polluted an important and intelligent debate. I was wrong to come off like I did and talk in a condescending manner. I used the term elitist in a previous post. Looks like that pretty much describes my demeanor throughout this debate. I'm sorry. If my apology is not accepted, or if it draws more disparaging remarks about me, then I understand. Let me have it. I deserve it.

P.S. Johnnyringo, ironic you would choose the name of an outlaw for your handle given that this debate was about law and order. Do I really come off as a loner? Perhaps I am. Never thought of it that way, though. Maybe its because I can tend to be an arrogant ass, or maybe its because I'm also happy doing my own thing and don't really seek out group socialization. Just the way I was born.

P.S #2: 'Misty Blue' was a song first by Ella Fitzgerald, then later by a 70's artist, but interpret it as you wish.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

Gosh Jerry, after your 11:03pm post, I'm ready to vote for you in the Mayoral race in a couple years. I almost started hearing the theme from the movie Patton start fading up in the background as I was reading that...

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

You keep referring to facts but you have yet to provide proof of more than 23 officers supporting Nick Hermann's campaign. 95% of 285 is 270 officers. That would include a number of supervisory officers who's rank would (to the public) carry extra weight, so I would think if they were as passionate about the campaign as you are they would be more than willing to sign on. I don't dispute that officers support Hermann, but the percentages are not as skewed as you are spinning. Closer to 50/50 I'd say.

P.S. I've seen Rainey eat, no way am I committing to buying his lunch... ;~)

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:


End of disclaimer.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

My, I've really worked you officers into a lather, haven't I? Well, I guess I'm stuck with everyone labeling me as being a lawyer in the prosecutor's office no matter what I say, whether its true or not. Billy, say hi to Bryan for me when he gets back from Florida. Jerry, did Tracy get the basketball coaching spot or not (?), I never heard different.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

The only one of you so far that has shown any modicum of prudence regarding the making of assumptions is reaper, and I say this because he (or she) qualified his/her stmt about my purported employment as a conditional guess. The rest of you are just assuming I work within the prosecutor's office. In absolutely no post ever have I stated that i work in the prosecutor's office. Not in this article or any others I have ever psoted comments within. Honestly, officer Bolin, it disturbs me that a police officer such as yourself is so quick to draw conclusions with no facts upon which to anchor said conclusions. You just assumed several articles ago, that I work for Stan Levco. I found your reckless assumption so entertaining that I set the hook and gave you some line. Its been fun reeling you in these past weeks, but I think you and everyone else need to step back and realize that you don't know where I work. I hope you don't assume so recklessly at work. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and make an assumption of my own, to wit: that you do not engage in such reckless conjecture on the job. I base that upon my knowledge of the level of training most local officers possess, which is usually high.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

All I have to say, is I'll see you all on here Wednesday after work while you're all washing down your bites of Humble Pie with swigs of humility.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

rooster73, once again you take an overly simplistic view of the circumstances. It is an easy cop-out to play the blame game and attach fault to the prosecutor's office for an aquittal. There are many factors. If you interacted with police officers daily as I do, you would hear their frustration with what has become known as the "CSI effect." This relates to juries. I know that the LEO's on this forum know to what I refer. More and more often juries seem to be holding law enforcement, and this includes the police as well as the prosecutor, to a standard of "beyond ALL doubt", instead of reasonable doubt. They are expecting a level of forensic detail to be achieved that they see in fictional television programs. The police and prosecution put up an excellent case recently in a rape trial that resulted in split verdict (aquittal on rape, guilty on lesser included D felony). I can assure that the police crime scene techs and the detectives did an excellent job on that case and the deputy prosecuting attorney presented it eloquently and aggressively.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

"suck up to law enforcement?" Your demeanor is beginning to erode into what seems to be becoming the standard for Herman supporters on this forum, that is, arrogance and elitism. Please try to keep it polite, as the caliber and the attitude of supporters often reflects upon the candidate they support. I spun nothing. I simply submitted observations. Your tactics appear to mimmick tactics of those with no substance behind their argument, i.e., stay on the offense, keep your opponent off balance and tied up playing defense. Classic political strategy, yet I thought I read above where this was not supposed to be about politics e.g. donkey vs. elephant?

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

But reaper, have you ever thought it possible that the reason so many cases are pled is because of the strong cases built by the officers and detectives of the EPD, VCSD, ISP? Perhaps it could be that the defense side of our adversarial system of justice sees this and does not desire to go to trial? I'm just saying that the answer is not always so simple-- in this case that it is all Stan Levco when it comes to the decision to plea. There are many factors involved and one we cannot dismiss is the solid cases presented to Mr. Levco by our highly trained and professional local law enforcement officers.

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

oops. 23 officers, not 29. My bad. (reaches for morning coffee...)

Written on Hermann, backers air Levco gripes:

I can't wait until Tuesday night! The Levco Landslide is going to be truly historic. I find it ironic that there are 285 sworn officers on EPD, around 100 on VCSD, yet Officer Bolin can only muster 29 officers and deputies willing to support Mr. Hermann? That's less than 10%. I'm not so sure that is a feather in their hat.

I personally do not have a problem with Nick Hermann. His ambition and legal knowledge are commendable, but he simply does not have enough experience yet to take on the job. I simply believe based on my experience "in the business", that Stanley Levco is the better qualified candidate. Are there other equally qualified candidates? Very likely yes. But I do not believe Mr. Hermann to be equally or better qualified-- not yet anyhow. Its actually hard not to like Mr. Hermann once you met him, he is a nice young man and he sets his sights high, but in this race experience does count.

Stan Levco for Vanderburgh County Prosecutor!

Written on Assessor issues assessed:

The township assessor system we have state-wide is a throw-back to the pioneer days. Its antiquated, inefficient, and a nearly chaotic mess. But don't take my word for it, ask the Indiana Fiscal Policy Institute. They pretty much sum things up in their Property Tax Equalization Study Report dated October 2005:

Whichever candidate wins the election as county assessor, will have a job on his or her hands in the coming years if compliance to the IFPI's recommendations is mandated.

Written on Ellsworth: Iraq war resolution was tough call:

All we're doing in Iraq, regardless of our original intentions is putting our enemy on the throne with our blood and money. The Shiite regime we are propping up will align with Iran adn solidify an alliance as soon as the last U.S. combat unit departs. Iraq is already overflowing with Iranian influence. And once the Shiite regime we put on the throne wages all out civil war (whether they want to or not, the Sunnis will force it on them upon our departure) their Iranian backing will emerge them victorious. They will then erode into a theocracy similar to Iran. And the threat to the U.S. that Iran currently is will have doubled in force.

There are no easy answers in the morass that is post-Hussein Iraq. It is true Sadddam Hussein was a brutal dictator, but it is beginning to look like that is what it takes to maintain order in that region.

Written on Update: Southwest Indiana aims to be home to large natural gas plant :

This is good news. The CO2 sequestration sounds interesting, as long as Indiana Geo Survey is in on it hopefully the science will be worked out.

It is great to see Indiana setting up to become a leader in alternative fuels production.

With Wyoming being the new Saudi Arabia of natural gas, however, one has to ponder if it would also be a good idea to start on a west-midwest pipeline so midwestern and great lakes region states can buy Wyoming gas.

Written on None:

and the Last Word Award goes to... The_Reaper.


Written on None:

...and I'm off to bed. I think I'll count votes for Stanley Levco dropping into the ballot box instead of the traditional sheep jumping over a fence...


Written on None:

stuffedpuppylover, if I were a wagering man, I'd bet you might be Mr. Hermann himself commenting here. That was a very well reasoned and thought out response, unlike some recent others.

Written on None:

The_Reaper, "law dictionary"? I craft my responses from practical experience interpretting the law on a dialy basis, sir. No "law dictionary" needed here. But if it makes you feel better that you have classified me a book worm of sorts, then so be it. My education has proven a valuable investment-- provocative remarks and keyboard flexes from provocateurs in cyber anon-land notwithstanding, I will continue to value it and reap the associated benefits.

Written on None:

Bolinfamily, your previous comment smacked of being anything but "good-hearted." Provocation will not work on me, sir. As far as forecasting election results goes, anything is possible. The voters of Vanderburgh county are a fine lot, and in their judgement I trust Stanley Levco will see another term as prosecutor of Vanderburgh county. Experience counts and the voters know this.

Written on None:

bolinfamily, given your apparent short fuse, I will not address your comments further, as it would only invite further provocation from you

Written on None:

stuffedpuppylover, you seem to believe that the prosecution is soley responsible for sentencing. This is not the case. The judiciary's responsibiity for sentencing is both direct and weighty. While it is true that the prosecution can make recommendations as to what the state would like to see regarding executed prison time, etc., the final and binding decision rests with the presiding magistrate.

As I'm sure you are aware (or not...), the judiciary must take into account the current population density within IDOC. To expect our judges and magistrates to recklessly neglect to craft an equitable sentence is not only short sighted but bordering on being accusatory of them as well, regarding these allegations of brevity in reference to sentencing. The sentences handed down by our local judiciary are anything but slipshod, sir, of that I can assure you. There are many factors taken into account; it is a process bound by tempered jurisprudence. I hope you can appreciate this.

Written on None:

Stuffedpuppylover, I can assure you that the basic concept I cited regarding our criminal justice system also anchors theories put forth in university level textbooks as well as law school publications. I know, I've studied them, and have the degree to prove it. No need to attempt to be dirisive of my level of education with references to "elentary school civics" (BTW, its elementary, not elentary, but I'll concede that your desire to belittle me perhaps got the best of you whilst attempting to type, and I'll not attack you personally or be derisive because you disagree with my viewpoint.)

Written on None:

"The point of a prosecutor is to change people's behavior"

Incorrect. It is the role of the correctional system, not the prosecution, to rehabilitate. In the criminal justice system there are three components: Law enforcement, Judiciary, and Corrections. Prosecution falls under law enforcement. Law enforcement's role is not behavior modification! It is enforcement of the law. The police actually have an expanded role when community policing is factored in, but the prosecution is purely enforcement. That Mr. Hermann would misinterpret this basic concept of our criminal justice system does not reflect well on him as a candidate for the office which he seeks. To make such a blatantly incorrect statement about the role of the office sought reflects poorly on qualifications, if you ask me.

Written on None:

bolinfamily, do you perhaps have signatures of these officers, or perhaps did most of them refrain from signing on?

Vanderburgh county is not a valid comparison to Warrick or Gibson in the realm of criminal prosecutions. The case load that passes through the offices of Gibson and Warrick combined is not even close to that handled by Mr. Levco's office. A young and relatively inexperienced lawyer might be fine for these low volume counties (in comparison to Vanderburgh), but here we need a seasoned attorney heading up our prosecutor's office.