There is one argument regarding free will which seems to come up time and time again, and it deserves a response. There was the week before last Sunday School linked blog making it, and the blog in the title. The basic argument is that since our brains are made of physical…

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First of all, one has to realize that international politics are purely Machiavellian - might does make right. Since the only enforcer of international law is the chronically fragmented UN there is precious little recourse if it is violated.

I sincerely doubt Iran has any plans to slow down their nuclear weapons capabilities program. There is no upside for the leadership of Iran in doing this - Gadhafi gave his up and was killed, Jong-Il didn't and could extort whatever he wished.…

First of all, no, it's not a 'Parting Shot', it is a Parthian Shot. And here is its story:

It all starts with the Romans, which in 55 bce was run by Pompay, Crassus, and Ceasar. The first and latter were heroes of the Republic after their their conquests of Syria and Gaul, respectively, while Crassus is best know for putting down the Spartacus revolt and buying up burning buildings at, well, fire sales, but otherwise had not achieved any significant Triumph (Triumphs were taken very…