"Natural selection is actually the opposite of random chance."
Then who or what selects?
"Well... all that means is it IS likely to happen over a long period of time, right?"
Why would this even happen at all?
The environment selects.
And why wouldn't it?
Sorry for being late... I had to eat dinner. The selection occurs based on what trait is better suited to an environment or perhaps a change in environment. I suggest you read up on it at http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/chance/chance.html. I also highly recommend Patrick Henry's lists of evolution. at http://www.freerepublic.com/~patrickhenry.
Why would this even happen at all?
Gee because if anything we know this is not a static planet. Sometimes it is colder than average... sometimes it is warmer. I used an example in one post the Nene of Hawaii. Basically it is a Canadian goose but has adapted itself to living on the island (it neither swims nor flies but its feet have adapted for climbing). That is the beauty of how evolution works... species adapt to survive. I can send you the link if you want...