Likewise, I’m sure.
What’d you expect from a bitter redneck clinging to his religion and guns?
You don’t have to cling.
Jim, your site is becoming a haven for an increasingly vociferous band of anti-science kooks. To the extent that your site is a voice of conservatism, this casts all of conservatism, and the Republican party, in an extremely bad light.
There was a time when scientists were proud to be members here. Many have been banned, and even more have left in disgust at the treatment accorded them. The moderation is extremely one-sided now; what will get a pro-science poster banned is lauded when posted by the anti-science crowd. It is common to see the anti-science crowd harass a pro-science poster until he breaks and utters an obscenity--then he is banned for life.
"Religion and guns" is not the issue, as most scientists are religious, and many are pro-gun.
The issue is a narrow fundamentalist brand of religion that is trying to become the face of the conservative movement. This site is increasingly influenced by this narrow movement such that scientists and a lot of conservatives are leaving in droves. I'm amazed that I have survived here this long--and I worked for Reagan in 1966, when most other posters here weren't even born!
Yet because I spent six years in graduate school studying evolution and related subjects, and post pro-science comments, I am labeled an "evo-cultist," and "evo-Nazi," and worse, and compared to Hitler and Stalin and communists--with the apparent approval of the moderators.
Jim, your site is headed for true kookdom, headed for the fringe. When folks like Cottshop become the face of science on your site, and folks like Radio Astronomer, a genuine conservative scientist, are banned, you have irreparably left the mainstream. I don't think that's a good way to win elections.
You too?