If this isn't junk science, then nothing meets the requirement to be called such! A new, money wasting university "study" was written about by New Scientist Magazine (on their website newscientist.com) this month that was presented as a "surprising discovery" somehow "proving" that people secretly love to pay taxes. And people wonder why "science" can be so easily scoffed at these days... or why it's so hard to believe what you read.
On top of the bad reporting, this story is more proof of the constant waste of money that is perpetrated by our National Universities. Instead of teaching useful information and conducting meaningful studies, this University is trying to "prove" that people really secretly LOVE paying taxes.
Gee, why do they want that little absurd concept floating out there, do you think? And why is this news outlet propagating this foolishness?
New Scientist begins their tale in wide-eyed amazement:
Paying taxes feels good, say researchers.
The surprising discovery, based on brain scans, can also predict which people are most likely to donate cash to charity.
"Surprising discovery", indeed. So, what was the method?
Bill Harbaugh at the University of Oregon in Eugene, US, and colleagues gave 19 female university students $100, and told them some of this money would have to go towards taxes.
Each volunteer then read a series of 60 separate taxation scenarios involving $0 to $45 in taxes, knowing that one of the scenarios would be selected at random and the related amount be subtracted from their $100.
And the finding?
As the participants viewed the tax scenarios, their brains were scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Surprisingly, whenever the students read the taxation scenarios, scientists saw a spike in activity within two of the brain's reward centres – the nucleus accumbens and caudate nucleus.
And the wild leaps in logic that are extrapolated from this so-called discovery?
Harbaugh says that people probably like paying taxes more than they admit. He believes the results of his new study help explain the widespread compliance with tax laws. "We like to complain about it, but based on what we do, we are not as opposed to it as we like to say," Harbaugh says.
Economist Robert Frank of Cornell University comments that tax-paying might stimulate positive feelings in the brain because the process helps equalise the burden of helping others.
What unbelievable balderdash! This "study" is so obviously flawed and absurd that it boggles the mind.
The truth is this flawed study treated taxes and charitable giving as one and the same function, a fatal flaw at the heart of their attempts to "prove" anything.
The study goes on to compare the brain scans of people giving charitable donations to those who are "paying taxes" (not that their study actually has anyone really paying taxes in it). The entire concept, however, makes a fundamental mistake in definition. Taxes are NOT charity. They are forcible redistribution of income -- even if for legitimate reason in some cases. Charity and taxes are in no way comparable. Further, it shows that these concepts have not been taught to these students before this idiotic study was conducted and no control group of people chosen for their proper understanding of the definitions of taxes and charity was assembled for this program.
Let's review the method to see further mistakes in logic. They GAVE $100 to 19 female STUDENTS. Those two words in caps further disqualifies the study as presenting any legitimate finding.
Problem #1- GAVE
These girls were not spending their own hard earned money. It was money that was simply handed to them with no efforts on their part past signing up for the study. These girls had no emotional attachment to the money, no sense of having earned it, no real assumptions that it was "theirs" at all. It was merely Monopoly money used for this study in their minds. It should be no surprise, then, that these subjects had no adverse reaction to the "spending" of their $100 on taxes.
Problem #2 STUDENTS
Chances are, the bulk of these same girls don't work for a living, either. So, their experience with earning money that they are utterly dependent upon for themselves and their family is also an emotional concern they are not accustomed to. They are probably taken care of by grants, loans and parents' funds, so they have little understanding of the "worth" of the $100 they were handed.
Another thing that makes this study completely meaningless is the lack of context. Few sensible people are against taxes just on principle. Even die hard tax protesters understand that taxes are a necessary evil at some level. But, context is important to the question of taxes. How is it being spent? Is the government program effective? Is it free of graft? These questions change the desire of people to pay taxes and must be answered to fully study people's true reactions to taxes.
Further, there is a difference between the personal satisfaction of giving to a charity and feeling of "pleasure" from having helped someone else and the different emotional "pleasure" of having done your duty as a citizen when paying taxes. Duty is a personal satisfaction based on a sense of accomplishment for yourself first. Charitable giving is a "pleasure" of having helped someone else. Yet, both feelings can be erased or materially harmed when the money thus given is misused. This study neither takes any time to quantify the two feelings of "pleasure" nor factors in the ultimate use of that money.
All these deficits of logic and method makes this study a farce.
But, here we are being told of the "surprising discovery" of this study which is presented as if it is all ascertained fact. This "secret pleasure" is presented as some amazing, unexpected human reaction to taxation.
And, again, why would such a study be made? Is this another effort to soften the blow of taxation? If so, this is quite against the grain of the American experience which has been built on decades of a dislike of taxation and a mistrust of government.
In the end, all we have here is propaganda for the left from New Scientist and the University of Oregon.















Comments Policy
"We like to complain
June 15, 2007 - 06:48 ET by motherbelt"We like to complain about it, but based on what we do, we are not as opposed to it as we like to say," Harbaugh says.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I wonder what the results would have been if they told the 19 girls to come to the room with $100 of their own money and then pulled the same scenario. Or if they did that and made a distinction between money that "had to" go to taxes, and money that "could" go to charity.
That study is worse than meaningless.
19 Girls at $100 each
June 15, 2007 - 06:52 ET by Cool ArrowI'll bet Heidi Fleiss got her cut.
Or a truer scenario would hav
June 15, 2007 - 07:11 ET by JerryOr a truer scenario would have been... the 19 girls show up and are told that 40% of their net worth is going to be confiscated and given to students that aren't as fortunate as they are, and if they refuse to comply, they will be thrown in jail.
Ohhhh the joy. Please sir, may I pay some more?
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment
vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any
President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
19 Girls redux
June 15, 2007 - 07:18 ET by Cool ArrowImagine their glee the in finding that 40% is going to Illegal alien students who pay less in tuition than they do.
Instead of scanning the parti
June 15, 2007 - 09:17 ET by Seabeach4348Instead of scanning the participants' brains they should have scanned the researchers' brains to determine how many neurons were still alive (if any)
They're not researchers, th
June 15, 2007 - 09:19 ET by Sergeant ROCKThey're not researchers, they're propagandists.
Junk science, Junk taxes
June 15, 2007 - 06:49 ET by Cool ArrowDoubtless funded by a government grant.
And now I suppose there is a 'consensus' that Americans enjoy being robbed. I'm sure I could resurrect a supporting quote from the late Texas gubernatorial candidate, Clayton Williams.
It's sort of like rape, huh, Mr Scientist?
That's exactly what crossed m
June 15, 2007 - 08:58 ET by GalvanicThat's exactly what crossed my mind, R-O. And I wouldn't be surprised at all if the grant money came from the IRS.
Valid points were made about the subjects of the study being students. Students tend to have little or no income and are more positive about nanny-state programs that provide services they don't think they'll be able to afford.
Also valid is the improper corollation of taxes with charity. The Left uses an additional ploy: describing taxes as investments. Both methods deliberately blur the stark differences in order to make taxes more palatable.
So basically when a woman s
June 15, 2007 - 06:59 ET by Jack BauerSo basically when a woman says NO, she's actually saying YES...
To higher taxes, that is.
Scientific proof, no less
June 15, 2007 - 07:04 ET by Cool ArrowObviously the 'scientific consensus' is that women really mean 'yes' to taxes when they say 'no'.
But they still maintain a woman's right to shoes. With what's left over.
"Harbaugh says that pe
June 15, 2007 - 07:24 ET by sarcasmo"Harbaugh says that people probably like paying taxes more than they admit. He believes the results of his new study help explain the widespread compliance with tax laws."
Continuing for him: "Because after all, the existence of PRISONS could not possibly have anything to do with 'voluntary' tax law compliance, so it must be my wonderful new study proving a hidden love for taxes!"
JMR
Sarc, we all know that, secre
June 15, 2007 - 08:03 ET by Roger the ShrubberSarc, we all know that, secretly, deep down inside, you wish you paid MORE taxes. Come on, fess up!
When I saw this topic, I thought of you Sarc, and how much you would agree with the author of the piece! haha!
I'm actually busy writing t
June 15, 2007 - 08:14 ET by sarcasmoI'm actually busy writing to the magazine right now, to inform them of NB's own "scientific" findings...(Link included so y'all can help, too!) I wonder if this is one of those blue-moon events where we can actually get a rise out of a biased author?? I won't hold my breath, but this is such a screamer that there's definitely hope...
JMR
Be sure to let us know what a
June 15, 2007 - 08:18 ET by Warner Todd HustonBe sure to let us know what and/or IF they respond. It's always fun to watch a tap dancer! So entertaining.
Will do, but the entire tex
June 15, 2007 - 08:21 ET by sarcasmoWill do, but the entire text of my LTE was just a link to my comment on this site, so I'm trying desperately to get 'em to appear in-person -- unintentional humor is always best first-hand. But any response is likely to be amusing, so if they email me, I'll post what they say about my comment.
JMR
I'm with you completely on th
June 15, 2007 - 10:51 ET by Challenger GrimI'm with you completely on this Sarc. These "scientists" ought to be shamed or banished out of the scientific community for this travesty. I mean forgot the findings for a moment, the ENTIRE procedure viloated everything I learned about the Scientific Process in 5th grade.
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
Thanks, but banishing would
June 15, 2007 - 11:15 ET by sarcasmoThanks, but banishing would not be any fun! I want someone to come here and try to explain the conclusions to us, because THAT'S my idea of fun. Of course, it might end up as a bit of a fight, but I like watching good fights, and occasionally the underdog survives despite the odds...
JMR
Now, THAT's the Sarc we all k
June 15, 2007 - 08:45 ET by Roger the ShrubberNow, THAT's the Sarc we all know and love!
put it to the test
June 15, 2007 - 07:55 ET by bulbasaurNow this is research we can use. I have an idea.
Trot these scientists over to congress and let's get some momentum behind a plan to stop federal & state payroll withholding .
We want people to write those checks directly to the government. We want them to see the dollar amount, in their own handwriting, payable to the IRS. And let them experience the joy of penalties for under-payment and late payment.
If the scientists are right, they have nothing to worry about; people will get the added pleasure paying taxes directly, which should heighten the sensation. If the scientists are wrong, there will be a tax revolt.
bulbasaur
June 15, 2007 - 07:59 ET by Cool ArrowThere's no need for further testing. There is a consensus in the scientific community.
Correct, Riled one. There is
June 15, 2007 - 08:02 ET by Mica the MagnificentCorrect, Riled one. There is no need for debate.
Please, sir, may we pay more?
There may be other scientis
June 15, 2007 - 08:50 ET by steviep831There may be other scientists that tell you that you don't like to pay taxes, but they are liars and have been paid off by big business! Bush lied, people tithed!
"Bush lied, people tithed!"
June 15, 2007 - 10:53 ET by Challenger Grim"Bush lied, people tithed!"
My laugh of the day. You sir, I salute you!
Be sure to get your daily Fred Thompson Fact!
If only my taxes were that
June 15, 2007 - 10:59 ET by sarcasmoIf only my taxes were that low. This is why I talk about "worship of big government" all the time, though, and slowly some people are getting it, even if they have to get it from -- in my case -- a not-particularly-religious Deist instead of a bible-thumper.
JMR
Yes, that would indeed be a
June 15, 2007 - 08:09 ET by motherbeltYes, that would indeed be a good idea. People don't "mind" paying taxes because they never see the cut. They don't even think about "gross pay" anymore...it's all "net" or "take-home." If they actually had to write a check every month, or every quarter, like some businesses do, and put the money aside on their own, it would be a whole 'nother ball game.
As as aside: how many people do you hear say in April..."I didn't pay any taxes...I got money back!" The ignorance of some Americans on taxes is just jaw-dropping.
Remember what happened when
June 15, 2007 - 08:18 ET by sarcasmoRemember what happened when gas station owners tried to inform drivers about the various taxes they paid on gasoline? I think these ideas about honest disclosure are great, of course, so don't get me wrong, but they have about as much chance of being implemented as my idea for moving tax day closer to election day. 0 under the current crop of politicians. Proposing this idea can be done by some politicians, but implementing it will require patriotic statesmen, and as we all know, those are few & far-between.
JMR
What a LOAD! I've NEVER fel
June 15, 2007 - 08:50 ET by rimskyWhat a LOAD! I've NEVER felt good about paying taxes because in my lifetime a big chunk of the dollars that I've been forced to pay to the government has been squandered. The only positive feeling that could come from this is in knowing that you've somehow made it through another tax season, you've filed your forms, you've met your obligation (not all people can) and you have another 9 months or so before you have to start worrying about it again.
Well actually, I worry about
June 15, 2007 - 09:06 ET by CapitalismRulesWell actually, I worry about my taxes all 12 months. Why? Because they keep taking money from me all year!!! And no, I have never been happy about this. Maybe my brain scan would come up a bit "happier" if they let me decide where to put the money they steal.
What's funny is that Americ
June 15, 2007 - 09:15 ET by Sergeant ROCKWhat's funny is that Americans always fall for new taxes to replace the revenue squandered on things that it was not intended for in the first place! This seems to be the lead indicator that the dumbing-down process is working.
We are commanded to pay our g
June 15, 2007 - 09:25 ET by vrwc13We are commanded to pay our governments taxes, doesn't mean we have to like it, yet alone love it. Where do they get this stuff. You can hardly make up stuff this absurd.
Stay in (government) school,
June 15, 2007 - 09:46 ET by Dave RStay in (government) school, work hard and do as many mind-altering drugs as you can possibly get your hands on, then someday, just maybe, if you are really, really lucky, you can land yourself a job at NewScientist. :-)
The fact that close to half of the money I earn is taken away from me and given to someone else just gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, alright. I just love the fact that my very own government takes said money at the point of a gun. If, for some reason, I fail to cough up this money, the government will send people with guns to my house. If those people decide that I am resisting unduly, they will pull those guns and shoot me, right there on my front porch.
I guess, to the diseased, tortured and twisted "logic" of the liberal mind, this hideous situation represents their idea of freedom.
To me, it is nothing less than tyranny. :-O
At some point, people like
June 15, 2007 - 09:50 ET by Sergeant ROCKAt some point, people like you and me we will just say the hell with it and join the have-nots. Then we'll see how successful their grand scheme is.
The have-nots
June 15, 2007 - 10:02 ET by Cool ArrowLet's just continue to be the "have-nuts"
Sarge,If some of the more h
June 15, 2007 - 10:31 ET by Dave RSarge,
If some of the more hideous tax proposals the democrats are currently kicking around are ever enacted, our joining the ranks of the have-nots may be a foregone conclusion.
The high acheivers among us, who just happen to own and operate the businesses that keep most of us employed, may very well say to hell with it and either quit, or pack up the family and head for the Cayman's.
Of course, the "rocket scientists" at NewScientist and their democrat masters probably have no problem with this, as their only goal is to make as many people dependent on government as they possibly can.
After all, it's that socialist utopia thing that really matters, doncha know. I mean, we all have to be the same because, well, it really wouldn't be fair if some have more money than others.
Socialist Utopia
June 15, 2007 - 10:34 ET by Cool ArrowWho has the right to say the man who unclogs my toilet shouldn't make as much as the guy who unclogs my arteries?
Oh, yeah, that would be me.
There could only ever be a
June 15, 2007 - 11:01 ET by Jack BauerThere could only ever be a socialist dystopia...
The idea of a socialist utopia is the perfect oxymoron.
Well, yeah that is their view
June 15, 2007 - 09:57 ET by CapitalismRulesWell, yeah that is their view of freedom- a veritable utopia where wealth is given to everyone, we all have granola clothes and hemp sandals and those pesky guns and government will all go away if everyone just has a piece of the pie. Problem is they've tried this in some very advanced countries- it's called communism and it DOES NOT WORK, why for the love of God, do people still think that this system has any merit? How many times does it have to fail before we call it a failure?????
Granola?
June 15, 2007 - 10:00 ET by Sergeant ROCKGranola clothes? Chaffing might be a problem.
When you do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result, it's called insanity.
CapitalismRules: Maybe when i
June 15, 2007 - 10:03 ET by Mica the MagnificentCapitalismRules: Maybe when it fails under President Hillary we'll be able to call it quits.
It's o-k to do, because its for the public good. - - - The latest mantra when libs talk about taking your money for one 'program' or another
The Union of Soviet States of
June 15, 2007 - 10:10 ET by CapitalismRulesThe Union of Soviet States of America under Secretary General Hillary Clinton, has a nice ring doesn't it. Yes, we all love paying our taxes for the common good, and those that claim they do not will all have a labotomy and sent to retreats where they will be re-educated, after all this is science that says we love to do this, and any sane person can't argue with science. I swear, this is just frightening.
Um, like it or not, and cle
June 15, 2007 - 10:28 ET by sarcasmoUm, like it or not, and clearly lots of folks don't, hippies selling hemp ANYTHING (despite the efforts of big government wasting my tax dollars against them selling such politically-incorrect items) is what's commonly called capitalism, not socialism. Socialists prohibit businesses, and (real) capitalists leave businessmen the hell alone. Think about it. And socialism may be failing, but despite the socialistic efforts of big government prohibitionists like those represented here, hemp selling capitalists are flourishing in the marketplace, like it or not. (And I'll be honest, I sometimes prefer it when people DON'T!) Calling something socialist does not make it socialist, especially when it's as capitalistic as the hemp-sellers we've all seen flourishing over the past decade despite big government.
JMR
Do you actually think the soc
June 15, 2007 - 11:09 ET by CapitalismRulesDo you actually think the socialist hippies I refer to would actually sell hemp sandals? That would be way too business-like. Hey, wear smoke or snort whatever you want, that's all cool. I'm not knocking hemp or selling hemp material for that matter, I'm knocking the people who actually are trying to make it seem like wearing the stuff is somehow better for the earth and humanity in some way and hey, if they make money on it, great for them. Let's just call it what it is- a business and not a political statement.
See the Reason articles lin
June 15, 2007 - 11:25 ET by sarcasmoSee the Reason articles linked, I've seen lefty-if-not-socialist hippies selling various hemp products, not just sandals. If big government would LET IT be just "a business," it wouldn't have to be a political statement which tends to make some folks look foolish/hypocritical. As it is, it's a political statement that says to me, "drug warriors are socialists, not capitalists." When their items sell, the capitalist hippies are making profits just like any other less-government-oppressed business does. Does wearing hemp "save the environment"? I don't think so, but I do think it's less chemical intensive to grow than cotton, and I further think cotton farmers (like oilmen in the case of biodiesel from the seed-oil) are scared to compete in a free fiber market with stronger/softer/more-absorbent hemp items, or they would have by now.
JMR
Yeah, I understand. The ste
June 15, 2007 - 12:30 ET by CapitalismRulesYeah, I understand. The stereotypical view of hemp-whatever selling folk is somewhat bias, if not upside down. And yes I would agree that just about anything is a political statement in some way. Just returning to the my first comment, whether you wear hemp, nylon, cotton, rayon or a blend, there will never be a situation where people love to give away their hard-earned money for causes and situations that they have no say over.
How about a 'scientific study
June 15, 2007 - 10:09 ET by Mica the MagnificentHow about a 'scientific study' on the results of all the liberal, bedwetting programs that were suppose to help the poor? You can start with the 'Great Society.'
Just as a side note, I'd like to see the condition of those Habitat for Humanity homes 5 years after they give it to the 'homeowners.'
Please, President Hillary, may we have more gruel please? - - State of the union by 2010.
I pass through a neighborhood
June 15, 2007 - 12:05 ET by sunandsteelI pass through a neighborhood of Habitat for Humanity homes and have done so for about 4 years. Its always nice to see people building these poor underpriveleded souls a nice home to live in. Its also very uplifting to see said souls tear up these free houses and expect more in return. Kinda brings a tear to your eye.
Texas has a population of nearly 21 million people, all of whom are ashamed to be from the same state as the Dixie Chicks. (IMAO.com)
Some other things we like, we just don't know it yet
June 15, 2007 - 10:16 ET by mikejWow! I didn't realize how much I love paying taxes! Here's some other things the article says that Americans love as well, we just don't know it yet:
Any music by Ashley Simpson
"The View" should really have been Rosie, Joy, Michael Moore and Cindy Sheehan for an honest and fair look at the United States.
Having protest signs of Al Gore ripped to shreds
Hillary
Illegal Immigrants
Al Gore
and
listening to Keith Olbermann!
Feel free to add your own.
Paris *#&$*# Hilton.Texas
June 15, 2007 - 12:06 ET by sunandsteelParis *#&$*# Hilton.
Texas has a population of nearly 21 million people, all of whom are ashamed to be from the same state as the Dixie Chicks. (IMAO.com)
Hilton Texas
June 15, 2007 - 12:09 ET by Cool ArrowOne of Conrad Hilton's earliest erections (Cactus Hotel) stands here in San Angelo. I con't hold him accountable.
Hezekkiah was a great king, but his son Manasseh was the worst of them all.
Resisting... S&M joke..
June 15, 2007 - 10:17 ET by AtheistRepublicanResisting... S&M joke...
Bwauk Bwauk
June 15, 2007 - 10:27 ET by Cool ArrowChicken!
There is a fine threshold bet
June 15, 2007 - 19:53 ET by danboThere is a fine threshold between pain and pleasure.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
<satire>Did this study
June 15, 2007 - 12:31 ET by Khyris<satire>Did this study take into consideration that women are repressed by the glass ceiling? If these are all females in the study, then it makes sense they enjoy paying taxes, because it's like a novel "treat" that they never get to do. They have to EARN money before they can owe taxes, and the men will never let them do that. Heck, my taxes last year were more than my girlfriend's gross income, and I don't even make 6 figures.</satire>
In all seriousness, people who say the rich don't pay their "fair share" of taxes are full of crap. I'm not rich, but I'd be upset paying twice as much tax as I do now, given the return on "investment" I receive in services from our fabulous congress. The amount I pay yearly in sales taxes (8.25% in lovely Los Angeles) is obscene. Its people who buy consumer goods that stimulate the economy, yet we penalize them for doing so? People who say the rich don't pay their "fair share" really mean the rich don't over-pay enough to leave them with a net income identical to everyone else.
It's funny that the people wh
June 15, 2007 - 16:04 ET by RESTLESS 1It's funny that the people who pay the most to government get the least from it. Yet the people who get the most, despise the people who are providing the funding for their "entitlements". You have to admit, the left are master manipulators. I think some people are just predisposed to have class envy, but the democrats use this to their advantage, and in many ways are slaves to it themselves. After all, their political lives are inexorably tied to it.
What kind of scientists perfo
June 15, 2007 - 14:29 ET by SmartypantsWhat kind of scientists perform a study using only female students, and then extrapolate those results to the entire population in general? This is a violation of basic principles of any scientific study; of course, anything which fits a predisposed agenda goes.
Again a flawed research desig
June 15, 2007 - 19:43 ET by danboAgain a flawed research desigh. These students were being given money. The tax thingy only was a qualifier as to how much extra cash they would be getting for free.
If you give me 100 bucks but deduct 45 bucks because you want to. You're still giving me an extra 55 bucks.
Can you differentiate the giving me 55 bucks free from the taking of 45 bucks I didn't have to begin with.
Where did this idiot learn research design? He must have studied under Al Gore.
If Bill Harabaugh finds so much pleasure in paying taxes. I'll give him the pleasure of paying mine. He can have all those exrtra endorphins for measely money. Cheap for feeling good.
Of course a good glass of scotch will increase the pleasure points for a lot less.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
BTW I had to mail off the qua
June 15, 2007 - 19:51 ET by danboBTW I had to mail off the quarterly portion of my taxes today. Somehow, I missed that stimulation of the pleasure portion of my brain. Now it may be better in a few days. Because I got though that. Not because I liked doing it.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
Danbo, It's a girl thing
June 15, 2007 - 19:55 ET by Cool ArrowApparently Liberal girls receive some orgasmic pleasure from paying taxes.
Then again, maybe they're just faking.
Gotta disagree riled one. the
June 15, 2007 - 20:00 ET by danboGotta disagree riled one. they were being given something for nothing.
Would you be happy or upset if you were given $100, provided you gave $45 of it to someone else?
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
You got me Danbo
June 15, 2007 - 20:05 ET by Cool ArrowI was trying to be facetious and missed out on $55.
I know. As I said. It's quart
June 15, 2007 - 20:38 ET by danboI know. As I said. It's quarterly time.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
Bad, Riled!I mean, come on...
June 15, 2007 - 20:04 ET by BlondeBad, Riled!
I mean, come on...your post was kinda (kinda!) funny...but seriously.
Danbo's nailed it...it was ersatz "science"....total junk.
Make the little bimbo's work for their hundred bucks....and the brainwaves or whatnot would be entirely different.
But this is what passes in the media these days for "fact".
Too bad most people are too short sighted to even discern this kind of garbage from real reporting....alas....that's why we're here at NB.
Slapped again
June 15, 2007 - 20:10 ET by Cool ArrowThis thread has been a source of fun all day. I see the point. I agree with the point.
The story was just so outlandish I couldn't take it seriously.
Blonde
June 15, 2007 - 20:13 ET by Cool ArrowHere's what I posted at 0649 this morning in this thread:
Doubtless funded by a government grant.
And now I suppose there is a 'consensus' that Americans enjoy being robbed. I'm sure I could resurrect a supporting quote from the late Texas gubernatorial candidate, Clayton Williams.
It's sort of like rape, huh, Mr Scientist?
I know.... :DUsually, I say
June 15, 2007 - 20:14 ET by BlondeI know.... :D
Usually, I say something like...."Bad, Riled, .... Bad, Bad, Riled....Go to your room!"
I guess I need to work on my <sarc> button, it's been broken for a while.
Danbo, I'm with you on this s
June 15, 2007 - 20:15 ET by JABDanbo, I'm with you on this subject. Excuse me for not reaching a climatic high point when I have to cut a quartly check that feels like I am single handly attempting to balance the federal budget.
These dumba*s's have not a clue, all of their holdings are in communist China.
"Too bad Ignorance isn't painful..."
If you checked the pleasure p
June 15, 2007 - 20:36 ET by danboIf you checked the pleasure portions of my brain yesterday when I wrote the check. And today when I mailed it and balanced my checkbook. I suspect that there has been a drop in pleasure activity.
Now in a few days as my system returns to normal. There will be an increase over today. Proof that we love paying taxes.
Yea. Right.
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule.” H.L. Mencken
What total BS this "repo
June 15, 2007 - 20:54 ET by JABWhat total BS this "report" is. What they really mean to say is; "if I can convince the ignorant masses of this BS, I've got it made", don't believe me, just watch my banking account!
This crap reminds me of the fake religion's that so many have absorbed and continue to espouse on a regular basis.
"Too bad Ignorance isn't painful..."
JAB, you don't mean
June 15, 2007 - 21:02 ET by Cool ArrowYou aren't referring to our worship of Mother Gaia. Or her prophet Al Galore.
W.G. & R.O., BINGO, you t
June 15, 2007 - 21:21 ET by JABW.G. & R.O., BINGO, you two are quite astute! I am working on my own scheme that the government approves of and backs so I can get rich (i.e. insurance, tobacco, oil, etc.) care to invest in my new found business?
"Too bad Ignorance isn't painful..."
Oxymoron
June 15, 2007 - 21:04 ET by WesternGuyI assume the magazines name is an oxymoron.