nuuf_chat : Messages : 7554-7583 of 7583

Hello friends of the Naturalism Group,

Our friends in the Oklahoma Atheists are having their annual holiday shindig this Saturday. You can find details at the link below.

Cheers,

David

----- Original Message -----

To: David Wheelock

Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 6:42 PM

Subject: Fwd: AOK's 9th Annual Winter Soltice Gathering Approacheth

Reasons Greetings to all freethinkers and assorted unbelievers of sundry kinds! Our big annual winter party is this weekend...

Details here: http://www.OklahomaAtheists.com/calendar/11790605/

You can bring a gift if you want to do the dirty santa gift exchange, and you can bring a dish if you like to share food. Such matters aside, bring your freedom of thought and gladness of heart. Hope to see all you heathens there!

#7582

From: "David Wheelock" <dwheelock@...>
Date: Thu Dec 17, 2009 4:51 am
Subject: Naturalism Group January Pot-luck Dinner Saturday 1/16 6:00

davidwwheelock

Offline

http://naturalism.meetup.com/6/calendar/12077332

Hello friends of the Naturalism Group,

Save the date.

We're looking forward to our March pot-luck dinner meet-up of our Naturalism Group on Saturday 1/16. Here are the details. We'll be gathering from 6:00 pm till whenever, at Brett and Trudy's house. It's in SE OKC not too far from Norman. The address is 5205 Keith Drive. It's mid-way between I-35 and Sooner Rd. so you might want to take either one depending on which side of town you live on.

Please bring a potluck dinner item, finger foods, drinks, etc, but hey, please come without if you don't have time. We probably won't eat till 7:00, or so, so don't worry about being exactly on time. After dinner, those that wish can settle down and have some discussion.

Discussion topics:

To be announced.

Click here for interactive map:

Directions from Norman West Side:

http://tinyurl.com/62gz9j

Directions from Norman East Side:

http://tinyurl.com/dy8jlu

Here's are the announcement on Meetup.com:

Please feel free to forward this e-mail and invite those you know that may be interested. We want this to be a friendly, social affair. The more the merrier.

Please try to reply to this e-mail to let me know if you're coming. However, don't let that stop you from coming if you don't get a chance to reply.

For those that would like more explanation, the Naturalism Group serves as a source of community and support for those content with or interested in a Naturalistic worldview. It may also serve as a springboard or seedbed for other activities or projects.

You can find more information on Naturalism here:

http://www.centerfornaturalism.org/presentations.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism_%28philosophy%29

http://www.naturalisms.org/

Cheers,

David Wheelock

360-0280

PS: If you know of others that would like to be added to the list please have them e-mail or call me.

PPS: If you would like to be removed from this list, please reply to dwheelock@...

#7581

From: "Ed Kessler" <kess3@...>
Date: Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:06 pm
Subject: FYI - New Letter to John G. Johnson, Exec. Dir. of ACOG

kess3@...

FYI, the following letter was faxed to John Johnson today and will be sent by ordinary post to him and to Division Director Doug Rex tomorrow.

Ed Kessler

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Edwin Kessler, Vice Chair

Common Cause Oklahoma

1510 Rosemont Drive

Norman, Oklahoma 73072

Voice phone � 405-360-2194; Fax phone � 405-360-3246

E-mail � kess3@...

December 15, 2009

John G. Johnson, Executive Director

Association of Central Oklahoma Governments

21East Main Street, Suite 100

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104-2405

Dear Mr. Johnson,

This is further to my letter of November 19^th with an enclosed report. We have not received an answer and understand that the problem as you see it may be that, since ACOG has no enforcement authority, there is no purpose in calling for the requested moratorium. Further, I understand from our conversation on November 18^th, that you believe that a statement from ACOG would have little practical effect.

In this connection, I would note that while it is true, of course, that ACOG has no enforcement authority, it does have a power of persuasion, and it may have a problem of general credibility that could be alleviated by an appropriate statement. During fifteen years, many citizens, probably several hundred and all without enforcement authority, have written to our Governor�s office and elsewhere, or phoned with requests that some action be taken to save the Union Terminal rail yard or explain why it is beneficial to destroy it by means of passing a major highway through it when alternate routes are available. There has been no action in the requested direction or rational explanation during all these years. Many such requests are met with effective silence.

In this circumstance, the request of last September by the OKC Council to ACOG for a study of the proper location of a future transportation hub represents an important opportunity for concerned citizens and for ACOG.

At this writing, the grade-separated crossings and tunnels that provide out-of-weather access to tracks have not yet been destroyed. Their destruction would be a final end to this march, which we at Common Cause Oklahoma and many others view as a major tragedy for Oklahoma City, and indeed, our Nation, to be played out in the future. Further destruction would be an end, because of the great cost of replacing these facilities, which in the case of the grade-separated crossings, are magnificently constructed and have been practically maintenance-free for about 80 years, and could almost certainly serve the future for at least as long.

Will ACOG become a part of the parade toward destruction, or will it at least try to strike a blow for accountability, rational process, and doing what is right? The process has been marked by several significant failures by units of government, as described in my editorial of June 20-21 in The Norman Transcript.

Finally, let me concede that you may properly disagree with us. If so, please help Common Cause Oklahoma understand your arguments.

Thank you for consideration.

Sincerely,

cc: Douglas W. Rex

#7580

From: "David Wheelock" <dwheelock@...>
Date: Sat Dec 12, 2009 11:40 pm
Subject: Reminder: Game Night: Naturalism Group December Pot-luck Dinner Sunday 12/13 5:00

davidwwheelock

Offline

http://tinyurl.com/27a54h

Hello friends of the Naturalism Group,

Comin' up this Sunday, our third anniversary!

Aaahh...the holidays. Friendly folk, cold weather, hot chocolate. This time let's just make it a holiday game night. I'll provide chess and backgammon. And of course we have a whole cabinet FULL of kids games, if you're feeling silly. (Not sure if all the pieces are there. ;) Please bring one of your favorites, or some playing cards if you wish.

We're looking forward to our December pot-luck dinner meet-up of our Naturalism Group on Sunday 12/13. Here are the details. We'll be gathering from 5:00 pm till whenever, at my home here in Norman, 2501 Butler Drive in Norman. It's very easy to access, just southeast of I-35 and Main Street, so it's easy to get to from OKC and beyond.

Please bring a potluck dinner item, finger foods, drinks, etc, but hey, please come without if you don't have time. We probably won't eat till 6:00, or so, so don't worry about being exactly on time. We'll just play games and talk about the year.

Click here for interactive map:

Here's the announcement on Meetup.com:

http://naturalism.meetup.com/6/calendar/11838930

Please feel free to forward this e-mail and invite those you know that may be interested. We want this to be a friendly, social affair. The more the merrier.

Please try to reply to this e-mail to let me know if you're coming. However, don't let that stop you from coming if you don't get a chance to reply.

You can find more information on Naturalism here:

http://www.centerfornaturalism.org/presentations.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism_%28philosophy%29

http://www.naturalisms.org

Cheers,

David Wheelock

360-0280

PS: If you know of others that would like to be added to the list please have them e-mail or call me.

PPS: If you would like to be removed from this list, please reply to dwheelock@...

#7579

From: nuuf_chat@yahoogroups.com
Date: Fri Dec 11, 2009 5:56 pm
Subject: POTLUCK!!, 12/13/2009, 12:00 pm

nuuf_chat@yahoogroups.com

Reminder from:		nuuf_chat Yahoo! Group

Title:		POTLUCK!!

Date:		Sunday December 13, 2009
Time:		12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Repeats:		This event repeats every month on the second Sunday.
Notes:		Bring a dish to share to the Fellowship potluck after the service!

Get reminders on your mobile, Yahoo! Messenger, and email. Edit reminder options

#7578

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Thu Dec 10, 2009 5:39 pm
Subject: rREMINDER: Dec.11 WinterFest Art Walk

lughsraven

Offline

UU”s & Winterfest Art Walk
Fri. Dec. 11 Downtown Norman

Norman’s downtown art galleries and restaurants will have all varieties of art work on display and many will offer live entertainment, food, and even some wine.

Leah & John’s CD Release Party will be at Sandlewood & Sage.

Plus, free horse drawn carriage rides

We’ll meet at the Pink Elephant between 6:45 – 7pm. It’s on the NE corner of Main & Crawford. You can park in the free City lot on the south side of Gray between Crawford & Peters, just across the street from the Pink Elephant.

Bundle up, but don’t worry too much. You’ll never be more than a few seconds from a warm inviting place.
For questions, call Ed at 360-3279 or 443-9627

Don’t Forget: 7pm Sat. Dec. 12 at NUUF
A Very Belly Christmas featuring holiday theme belly dance

Refreshments & Free Child Care ~ Salient Auction
Admission: $10
Proceeds will help equip Play Therapy Rooms at the Center For Children & Families which are used to bring healing and hope to abuse and traumatized children.

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

#7577

From: "David Wheelock" <dwheelock@...>
Date: Thu Dec 10, 2009 4:39 am
Subject: Game Night: Naturalism Group December Pot-luck Dinner Sunday 12/13 5:00

davidwwheelock

Offline

http://tinyurl.com/27a54h

Hello friends of the Naturalism Group,

Comin' up this Sunday, our third anniversary!

Click here for interactive map:

Here's the announcement on Meetup.com:

http://naturalism.meetup.com/6/calendar/11838930

Please feel free to forward this e-mail and invite those you know that may be interested. We want this to be a friendly, social affair. The more the merrier.

Please try to reply to this e-mail to let me know if you're coming. However, don't let that stop you from coming if you don't get a chance to reply.

You can find more information on Naturalism here:

http://www.centerfornaturalism.org/presentations.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism_%28philosophy%29

http://www.naturalisms.org

Cheers,

David Wheelock

360-0280

PS: If you know of others that would like to be added to the list please have them e-mail or call me.

PPS: If you would like to be removed from this list, please reply to dwheelock@...

#7576

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Fri Dec 4, 2009 9:38 pm
Subject: Re: Dec. 11 UU"s & Winter Art Walk

lughsraven

Offline

I'm used to a much older version of AP

--- On Fri, 12/4/09, Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...> wrote:

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Subject: [nuuf_chat] Dec. 11 UU"s & Winter Art Walk
To: nuuf_chat@yahoogroups.com, "Susan Cogan" <sbcogan@...>, "Steve Shore" <sshore@...>, "Elena Lyons" <elena.lyons@...>, "Emilie Steele" <emiliesteele@...>, "Kent Myers" <kent@...>, "JayEdwards" <jae@...>, lg.paralegal@..., Mary.Francis111@..., "David Wheelock" <dwheelock@...>, joclaire632@...
Received: Friday, December 4, 2009, 3:36 PM

UU”s & Winterfest Art Walk
Fri. Dec. 11 Downtown Norman

Norman’s downtown art galleries and restaurants will have all varieties of art work on display and many will offer live entertainment, food, and even some wine.

Leah & John’s CD Release Party will be at Sandlewood & Sage.

Plus, free horse drawn carriage rides

We’ll meet at the Pink Elephant between 6:45 – 7pm. It’s on the NE corner of Main & Crawford. You can park in the free City lot on the south side of Gray between Crawford & Peters, just across the street from the Pink Elephant.

Bundle up, but don’t worry too much. You’ll never be more than a few seconds from a warm inviting place.
For questions, call Ed at 360-3279 or 443-9627

Don’t Forget: 7pm Sat. Dec. 12 at NUUF
A Very Belly Christmas featuring holiday theme belly dance

Refreshments & Free Child Care ~ Salient Auction
Admission: $10
Proceeds will help equip Play Therapy Rooms at the Center For Children & Families which are used to bring healing and hope to abuse and traumatized children.

Craft Sunday – Dec. 6 at 10 at NUUF
Holiday drafts for kids and kids at heart

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

Ask a question on any topic and get answers from real people. Go to Yahoo! Answers.

#7575

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Fri Dec 4, 2009 9:36 pm
Subject: Dec. 11 UU"s & Winter Art Walk

lughsraven

Offline

Craft Sunday – Dec. 6 at 10 at NUUF
Holiday drafts for kids and kids at heart

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

#7574

From: "Ed Kessler" <kess3@...>
Date: Fri Dec 4, 2009 6:46 am
Subject: More information

kess3@...

Dear All,

Here is the editorial in the Journal Record, to which a previous message refers. The previous message and somewhat more follow the editorial. I have also sent the editorial to Porter Davis.

Ted Streuli is Managing Editor of The Journal Record.

Ed Kessler

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Opinion

Editorial: Despite flawed packaging, MAPS 3 must pass

December 2, 2009

The sales tax proposal on which Oklahoma City residents will vote Dec. 8 is like the one package that always appears under the tree Christmas morning, the one that�s a great present wrapped in ugly paper with a poorly tied bow.

It will be the city�s fourth sales tax proposal. The first MAPS, passed in 1993, raised $363 million for capital improvements and took Oklahoma City from bombed-out, gritty cow town to Tier II destination. For that five-year, 1-cent sales tax, the city got the Bricktown canal, the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, the Ford Center, the new downtown library, and renovations to the Civic Center Music Hall, the Cox Business Services Convention Center and State Fair Park. The city also got the trolleys for the transit system, the one component of the original MAPS package that didn�t turn out to be a significant boost.

MAPS for Kids, the second Metropolitan Area Projects measure, was to raise $470 million over seven years when it passed in 2001. That tax expired last year and was replaced by a short-term 1-cent sales tax to pay for Ford Center renovations that ultimately helped attract an NBA team.

In our book, that makes the city 3-0.

This time, the city and the chamber of commerce want $777 million to come from a 1-cent sales tax that will last seven years, nine months. The money will pay for a 70-acre downtown park, health centers for seniors, hiking and bicycling trails, a new convention center, upgrades to the Oklahoma River rowing and kayaking site, sidewalks, improvements to State Fair Park, and a downtown area streetcar system.

Even after adjusting for inflation, the measure is by far the largest, most expensive MAPS proposal to date by about one-third.

Firefighter and police union members, most of whom do not live in Oklahoma City, mounted their opposition campaign merely as leverage for self-serving interests. It�s not that they think the proposal is bad, they just want more political clout and more money, and they think that opposing a popular measure will provide leverage. That amounts to nothing more than schoolyard bullying.

The other opponents are self-proclaimed tea partyers who oppose new taxes no matter the purpose. All elections uncover the fringe; this one is no different, and the group�s all-encompassing obstructionism has little credibility.

The only flaw in the MAPS 3 proposal is the packaging. The drafters of the ballot question intend to skirt a state law that forbids grouping projects into a single ballot measure. The law is meant to give voters a choice, a chance to say yes to streetcars but no to a convention center, for example. Rather than eight ballot questions, the sole choice will be yes or no on $777 million for unspecified capital improvements. The lone place those improvements are enumerated is in a resolution passed by the City Council in September. Only the thought of being drummed out of office by an angry mob would prevent current or future councilors from changing the projects set forth in the resolution, and in the event of a catastrophe that same mob will clamor to abandon the MAPS projects in favor of something more urgent.

Proponents see the packaging as a triviality and argue that the end justifies the means. Passage of MAPS 3 will continue the momentum launched 15 years ago, bring substantial private investment and improve the quality of life for Oklahoma City residents. It will accomplish all that with nary a nip in the pocketbook because the new tax merely replaces, without an increase, one that is set to expire.

We wish the present were wrapped a little neater and the bow tied a little tighter, but city leaders have demonstrated trustworthiness with previous MAPS initiatives, and citizen oversight, including a formal committee, will prevent any shenanigans.

Despite the untidiness, completion of the proposed projects will be like Dec. 26: The ribbons and bows will be forgotten, but the stuff inside the box will be beneficial for a long, long time.

Vote yes on Dec. 8.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

----- Original Message -----

From: Ed Kessler

To: Ted Streuli

Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 1:58 PM

Subject: Re: Opposing views ono MAPS3

Ted,

Thanks for reply, but if that editorial represents the position of the newspaper, then the newspaper is not what I thought it is. Specifically, the demeaning of motive among the opposition seems inappropriate to me. And not only demeaning of motive, but demeaning of character. Does Wanda Jo Stapleton, Barbara Geary, Darla Reynolds Sparks, Tom Elmore, Robert Waldrop, and I fit the description? Enormous continuing effort, never any rational response from authorities or government agencies, considerable money spent by private parties who have little or nothing to gain personally, struggling to have a little more democracy in OKC. And our Chamber of Commerce representative told me on the phone that it is the CofC policy "not to discuss it".

I doubt that the editorial will gain votes on TJR's side. It is typical of the Daily Oklahoman.

Ed Kessler

----- Original Message -----

From: Ted Streuli

To: 'Ed Kessler'

Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 11:42 AM

Subject: RE: Opposing views ono MAPS3

Ed,

Editorials are always unsigned as they represent the position of the newspaper, not an individual writer.

Ted

Ted Streuli
Managing Editor
The Journal Record
(405) 235-3100

From: Ed Kessler [mailto:ekessler@...]
Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 11:14 AM
To: Ted Streuli
Subject: Fw: Opposing views ono MAPS3

Ted,

I do not question TJR's position on MAPS3, but surely you did not write the editorial printed in TJR's Dec 2nd edition!

Ed Kessler

----- Original Message -----
From: Ed Kessler

To: membership@... ; ontrac-members@... ; nuuf_chat@yahoogroups.com ; nsnsteering@yahoogroups.com ; Robert Waldrop

Cc: Wanda Jo Stapleton ; Tom Elmore ; Darin Savage ; BG ; Darla Sparks ; Tim Mauldin, Ph.D. ; Ted Metscher

Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 10:29 AM

Subject: Opposing views ono MAPS3

Dear All,

Marion Hutchison's message is mistaken in my opinion. A statement that I prepared follows this message.

The ballot to be voted on contains no mention whatsoever of any specific project, but only dedicates the money to capitol improvements whose cost is unknown. The various talk about specific improvements may be taken seriously, but, pending completion of the ACOG study, the location of the future hub remains unknown, the cost of replacing the existing hub remains unknown, and even the desirability of a street car system rather than some other transportation system remains unknown.

ONTRAC has joined the previous opposition. One doesn't defeat dark forces by joining them. If MAPS3 is defeated, it can rise again in better form.

Edwin Kessler

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before supporting, opposing, or voting for or against MAPS 3, citizens of OKC may seek address to the following questions regarding MAPS 3 and public transit:

What justification is provided by the people or organizations that support MAPS 3 for having the public pay twice for a hub?

Why is the existing potential hub at Union Terminal being destroyed in the absence of a justifying professional study?

There is apparently no professionally-based justification for destruction of the existing rail yard, and there have been numerous pleas from professionals and citizens for saving the Union Terminal rail yard. Why, then, have many opportunities for a moratorium on its destruction been avoided by the OKC Council, by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), and by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), and still avoided today?

What are the comparative costs of restoring the damage done at Union

-truncated-

#7573

From: "Ed Kessler" <kess3@...>
Date: Thu Dec 3, 2009 4:29 pm
Subject: Opposing views ono MAPS3

kess3@...

Dear All,

Marion Hutchison's message is mistaken in my opinion. A statement that I prepared follows this message.

The ballot to be voted on contains no mention whatsoever of any specific project, but only dedicates the money to capitol improvements whose cost is unknown. The various talk about specific improvements may be taken seriously, but, pending completion of the ACOG study, the location of the future hub remains unknown, the cost of replacing the existing hub remains unknown, and even the desirability of a street car system rather than some other transportation system remains unknown.

ONTRAC has joined the previous opposition. One doesn't defeat dark forces by joining them. If MAPS3 is defeated, it can rise again in better form.

Edwin Kessler

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before supporting, opposing, or voting for or against MAPS 3, citizens of OKC may seek address to the following questions regarding MAPS 3 and public transit:

What justification is provided by the people or organizations that support MAPS 3 for having the public pay twice for a hub?

Why is the existing potential hub at Union Terminal being destroyed in the absence of a justifying professional study?

There is apparently no professionally-based justification for destruction of the existing rail yard, and there have been numerous pleas from professionals and citizens for saving the Union Terminal rail yard. Why, then, have many opportunities for a moratorium on its destruction been avoided by the OKC Council, by the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), and by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), and still avoided today?

What are the comparative costs of restoring the damage done at Union Terminal and developing another hub? What are comparable benefits?

Completion of a new highway through the Union Terminal rail yard is sometimes justified in terms of need to replace a deteriorating existing elevated Crosstown. But why has an engineering study of the existing Crosstown not ever been presented? ODOT Director Ridley uses it to commute to work and has said that if a serious identified structural problem were identified, the road would be closed immediately. Couldn�t deteriorated pavement be permanently repaired?

Why should MAPS 3 be passed now when the ACOG transportation study won't be available until well into next year? (ACOG has not yet taken action on the September request of the OKC Council, according to an ACOG spokesperson.)

Why have rail tracks that would provide a direct route from Will Rogers Airport to the Union Terminal in downtown OKC been removed when they weren't interfering with anything and might have served a future good purpose?

Are MAPS3 promoters committed to a downtown trolley system in advance of professional study? Should it first be determined whether less costly buses would serve well, as in Paris, France, for example?

What is the power of the OKC Chamber of Commerce (C of C) and why does it support destruction of the Union Terminal rail yard? How does the C of C�s policy of non-discussion serve the public interest?

Why has rail transport capability at such as the Boardman company in southwest Oklahoma City been eliminated? Have C of C policies contributed to reduced availability of rail transport to businesses?

How can any of the several components of MAPS 3 be properly designed and located when the location, attributes, and functions of the transportation hub have not been well identified?

What accomplishment in public transit can be shown by the Alliance for Public Transportation? The current APT CEO said to the OKC Council that APT is "grassroots". What was APT's grassroots start?

Why did the APT Board of Directors vote to support MAPS 3 before this was discussed with its membership (October 15th meeting)?

Will the new hub serve bus transportation, and how should the new hub relate to the existing hub for buses? Why do we now hear of a tight relationship between a new hub and Bricktown although the existing bus hub was purposefully located away from Bricktown?

Why has our local government facilitated relocation of rail transport of freight, including hazardous materials, from the Union Terminal to the Packing Town lead bypass line south of the N. Canadian River, through and adjacent to a low-income area? Why has substitution of at-grade crossings for much safer grade-separated crossings been permitted in violation of federal policy?

Why did government in Oklahoma facilitate relocation of rail traffic that increases rail congestion, causes rail delays, decreases public safety, and diminishes national security, all associated with use of the Packing Town Lead and new need to use the BNSF Red Rock line to cross the North Canadian River?

Why is the lower-income public being asked to pay proportionally more than others for MAPS 3?

Is MAPS 3 seriously premature? Shall we trust our leadership? Past "open" meetings for citizens' input have been held about these issues, but public input at some meetings has been restricted and even cut off!

Prepared, printed and distributed by Edwin Kessler, November 2009.

Q Why does a citizen of Norman, Oklahoma, who is not registered to vote in Oklahoma City, become involved in these Oklahoma City issues?

A. Because Oklahoma City is at the center of Oklahoma, and policy and actions in Oklahoma City affect all of Oklahoma and even our Nation.

----- Original Message -----

From: Marion Hutchison

To: ontrac-members@...

Sent: Thursday, December 03, 2009 9:01 AM

Subject: OKC MAPS 3 - "YES" for Rail Transit

Ensuring Oklahoma�s Rail Transit Future

www.ontracok.org

Greetings:

Next Tuesday, December 8^th, Oklahoma City voters will go to the polls to cast their votes for MAPS 3. The important initiative includes a funding commitment of $120 million for a 6-mile light rail (modern streetcar) circulator system and $10 million for intermodal rail transit hub and other commuter rail infrastructure.

The circulator system would connect to the hub and provide critical linking service for commuter and other rail passengers to the Central Business District, Capitol Complex, Health Sciences Center, Bricktown, and other locations within the downtown area. Oklahoma City has made an official request to the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments to conduct a technical intermodal rail transit hub study to determine the best location and design for an effective hub. That study will begin after the first of the year and will be conducted by a professional outside engineering firm specializing in rail transit. The light rail circulator system would be designed by a professional engineering firm specializing in those systems.

The Board of Directors of OnTrac believes the rail transit components of MAPS 3 are the critical first pieces of a future rail transit system for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area and represent an important first step in making that system a reality. As such, the Board has overwhelmingly voted to endorse the MAPS 3 initiative and encourages our members who are Oklahoma City residents to vote �YES� on the measure next Tuesday.

For more information on the issue, please visit the following websites:

www.ontracok.org

www.mtpokc.com

www.yesformaps.com

In addition, the following are comments on MAPS 3 provided by OnTrac and MTP:

A CRITICAL FIRST STEP FOR RAIL TRANSIT

The Union Station debate brought rail transit to the forefront of public and political awareness. While the matter involved saving a rail yard, of greater importance was changing our mindset and joining peer cities in the 21^st century of public transportation. More importantly, it was about ensuring our economic future.

The rail yard issue is now behind us. But the enthusiasm for rail transit that came from the discussion continues to grow. Now is not the time to standstill. We need to take advantage of the momentum and wisely move forward together to develop a rail transit system for the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area.

The light rail streetcar system proposed in MAPS 3 is an important first step toward that system. In addition to providing valuable transit service for those living and working in the Core, it will connect to a future intermodal hub and provide an important means of transit between the hub and locations throughout the Core, including the CBD, Bricktown, Health Sciences Center, Capitol Complex and the new Convention Center and Central Park.

MAPS 3 also includes funding for the hub, the location of which will be determined prior to construction of the streetcar system. At Oklahoma City�s request, ACOG is initiating an intermodal hub study to determine the most effective design and location for the hub.

MAPS 3 and its $130 million commitment for a streetcar system and hub and commuter rail infrastructure is not premature. On the contrary, the time is now. If we wish to improve our quality of life and secure our economic and transportation future, we must boldly move forward and develop a rail transit system.

MAPS 3 is a critical first step toward our rail transit future.



Marion Hutchison

President � Oklahomans for New Transportation Alternatives Coalition (OnTrac)

AN EXCITING FUTURE FOR RAIL TRANSIT

The MAPS 3 proposal provides a substantive, responsible first step towards a comprehensive regional transit system. If there is any one element in MAPS that is truly and defiantly �citizen initiated�, it is the MAPS transit proposal.

Undoubtedly, for many years, grassroots activism has surrounded the desire for a workable local and commuter transit system. These volunteer community leaders should be commended for their dedication to many lost opportunities in the past. More engagement and bigger vision may have given birth to a reasonable system earlier.

But today, we know more. Oklahoma City has evolved. Our needs have changed and become more defined. The hurdles in attracting federal funding are more identifiable. The needed transit education of suburban leaders and collaboration with our sister cities in Edmond, Norman, Moore, Del City, and Midwest City is rapidly expanding the possibilities of moving dreams forward.

However, transit investment needs an extreme �kick start�. In 2005, authorities commissioned a regional study. Out of that study emerged one of the most beautiful, engaging, and community spirited concepts that perfectly meshes with the �forward thinking� progress we expect out of MAPS.

If voters approve the December 8^th initiative, Oklahoma City will be fourth in the United States to experience the extreme positive energy derived from installing a Modern Electric Streetcar System and transit center. Quiet, elegant, and undeniably �world class�, our system may end up being the largest in America.

The funds allocated to the streetcar and transit hub promise improved opportunities for federal funding and an exciting re-introduction of �real transit� to car bound Oklahoman�s. Expensive to install, but cheap to operate, this opportunity provides a touchable and appreciable first start to creating a world-class regional system.

Anyone who feels the effect of ever rising gasoline prices, experiences the difficulties of conveniently and cheaply parking downtown, or is challenged by the loss of independence, will be able to take solace that an approved MAPS ensures a down payment on a brighter transportation future.

Our visitors arriving on Amtrak or future high-speed rail will find an attractive, efficient, and welcoming technological marvel awaiting them at the transit center to take them to their final destination.

The political and infrastructure losses from past decisions are painful. However, they are remarkable learning experiences that have shaped the current proposal into a well-designed masterpiece. Every citizen should feel confident in embracing the MAPS proposal and vote Yes December 8^th.

Jeff Bezdek

Director- Modern Transit Project

#7572

From: "David Wheelock" <dwheelock@...>
Date: Thu Dec 3, 2009 5:04 am
Subject: Science Cafe on Thursday! Naturalism Group: Local events of interest plus video.

davidwwheelock

Offline

Hello friends of the Norman Naturalism Group,

Sorry for the late notice about the Science Cafe at the library. See below...

Here's a calendar of upcoming events so you can plan ahead. Send me an e-mail if you'd like to carpool to any of the events, or if you'd like to drive the carpool.

SUN 12/13 5:00-???

Event: Norman Naturalism Group Pot-luck

Discussion topic: To be announced.

Details: http://naturalism.meetup.com/6/calendar/11838930

Host: David Wheelock, 620-6874

Where: David Wheelock's house. 2501 Butler Drive, Norman, OK

Map: http://tinyurl.com/27a54h

Cost: FREE

OTHER EVENTS:

THU  12/3 7:00

Event: Science Cafe Norman

Speaker: Dr. Gerilyn Soreghan

Topic: The Ancient Ice Age

Dr. Soreghan will talk about her work investigating the extent of the ice age that dominated the earth 300 million years ago. She will discuss her field-based work in the western Rocky Mountain region of Colorado that reveals massive glaciers may have reached as far south as western equatorial Pangaea.   Studies of past climate events help scientists develop and refine models that may predict future climate change.

Details:

   http://www.pioneer.lib.ok.us/nortop/99-check/1501-science-cafe-norman
   http://groups.google.com/group/science-cafe-norman

Where: Norman Public Library, 225 N Webster, Norman

   Map: http://tinyurl.com/cj8s6x

Cost: FREE

TUE  12/8 7:00 (Pre-Registration Required)

Event: SNOMNH Public seminar Series: "In Discussion with Darwin"

Subject: Dr. Ingo Schlupp (OU Department of Zoology)

Speaker: The Origin of Sexual Selection
Why do males often have elaborate traits that make them attractive for females, but are detrimental to survival? Why are females typically coy and males compete for females? Charles Darwin proposed the theory of Sexual Selection as an answer to these questions. In our meeting we shall discuss this idea, its history and some aspects of modern research on this topic

Where: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

   2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK

   Map:

      http://tinyurl.com/79bnoe

      http://www.omnh.ou.edu/maps.htm
Details: http://www.snomnh.ou.edu/publicprograms/index.htm#Darwin

Contact: Deborah Kay: dkay@..., (405) 325-4712

Cost: Pre-Registration Required SNOMNH Members: $10 per seminar; non-members: $15 per seminar

Various Times

Event: OKC Atheists Meetups

Our friends in the OKC Atheists have got more events going than you can shake a stick at, including a monthly community volunteering meetup. See below for a more information.

Details: http://www.oklahomaatheists.com/calendar

Cost: FREE

Here are some videos that you may find interesting:

There was an incredible science event called the Origins Symposium last April. It has many of the world's scientific leaders, including Richard Dawkins, discussing the origins or the cosmos, our solar system, life and humanity. It's really breathtaking and often quite challenging. I watch them a little at a time and stop regularly to Google a term or concept that's new to me. Here ya go:

http://thesciencenetwork.org/programs/origins-symposium

Videos of OU's Darwin Year events are becoming available at the link below, in case you missed them.

http://www.snomnh.ou.edu/rss/index.htm

You will need iTunes to view this.

President Obama addressed the National Academy of Sciences on Monday 4/27 and announced his vision of and support for science in America's future and entertains and enthralls the 146th annual meeting of the US National Academy of Sciences. Obama is only the third sitting president to address the NAS in modern times, preceded by Kennedy and Bush senior.

http://tinyurl.com/dbdqcw

So much fun, so little time. See you there.

David

PS: If you know of others that would like to be added to the list please have them e-mail or call me.

PPS: If you would like to be removed from this list, please reply to dwheelock@...

#7571

From: "David Wheelock" <dwheelock@...>
Date: Thu Dec 3, 2009 4:22 am
Subject: OMG! Campers in front of Hastings.

davidwwheelock

Offline

OMG!!! The parking lot of the shopping center where Sarah Palin will be speaking tomorrow at 7PM is already 1/3 full of cars of the campers who are waiting to see/protest. Don't know who's pro or con. There's a news crew, too!

#7570

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Wed Dec 2, 2009 10:05 pm
Subject: Dec.12 A Very Belly Chirstmas To BLeneifit CCFI

lughsraven

Offline

Dec. 12 CCFI Benefit - A Very Belly Chirstmas Flier.pdf

A Very Belly Christmas

Holiday Theme Belly Dance

Proceeds benefit Play Therapy Rooms for the treatment and healing of traumatized little ones at the Center For Children & Families

7 p.m., Saturday, December 12

Belly Dance & Modern Contemporary

Featuring

Banmala
Bella Fire, Natanasuta,

Norman Belly Dance Club,

Alison See & Sarah Shore

Admission: $10.00

Silent Auction
Refreshments & Free Child Care Offered
Please share with friends & family. Flier attached.

An ancient art form the whole family can enjoy.

The term Belly Dance is a mispronunciation of a Berber term meaning
“Country Dance”, a medium with origins go back thousands of years

Healing and hope are the greatest gifts for a wounded child

Norman Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

1309 W. Boyd

For Info, call Susan at 226-9712 or nuuf@...

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

1 of 1 File(s)

#7569

From: "Ed Kessler" <kess3@...>
Date: Tue Dec 1, 2009 4:39 pm
Subject: Fw: A question in the medical-technology area

kess3@...

This forwarded for information. I am actually a little hesitant to raise the issue as presented with implications, because I have never had to confront the issue personally. Neither I nor any member of my family, including extended family, has ever seemed to need an organ transplant.

Incidentally, I'm not certain that the insert was in The Norman Transcript. I have a copy - it is not dated. One friend was not able to find the insert in her paper.

The insert relates the story of a young boy who was born with a heart defect. This was treated successfully for a while, but he eventually needed and received a heart transplant . The article says that he is doing well now.

Ed Kessler

----- Original Message -----

From: Boyd, Tom W.

To: Ed Kessler

Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 5:33 PM

Subject: RE: A question in the medical-technology area

Dear Ed--Thanks for your note. You raise two related questions but they are sufficiently distinct that I will separate them.

First, you are concerned over the rapidly expanding technological capabilities in relation to our capacity to respond to them in an adequately ethical way. Of course, you are quite right on this matter. Sociologist Tom Burns and I have given this issue close attention. We both have come to believe that the serious "cultural lag" that has resulted from the rapidity of technological change is highly problematic. To address it is profoundly difficult, if for no other reason, the fact that technology is virtually out of control with little means to actually bring it under disciplined care. Tom and I are calling for a serious revisiting to scientific/technological methodology itself in and effort at self-examination regarding the responsibilities of these vast dimensions of our socio-cultural life. This is a large order, but I can see nothing less as likely to be effective.

Second, the ethics of transplants has been addressed but mostly in the context of medical ethics. A wide range of issues are involved. The most graphic is the illegal harvesting of organs in some countries, including killing the "donor" for the value of the organs. This is the most repulsive case, but a series of issues must be addressed. One example is worthy of illustrating the complications: how are decisions for recipients determined? These and a host of other related questions deserve constant attention. Most of it is left to the medical context. I hear few discussions, except by way of case studies, in the general population. You asked about churches or religious institutions. I have not heard of one seeking seriously to deal with the problem.

Of course, there is such a plethora of problems to be addressed that the task of doing so is potentially overwhelming. When a people are able to do many things, the morality of what to do becomes correspondingly complex. It may well be that we must focus on underlying character and quality issues rather than specifics, taking on the idea that people must become broadly sensitized to the moral implications of their actions and the society's priorities. This itself is a massive order indeed, but I do spend considerable energy thinking and working on the possibilities.

Hope this helps. Good to hear from you.

Cordially,

Tom

From: Ed Kessler [ekessler@...]
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 12:14 PM
To: Boyd, Tom W.
Subject: A question in the medical-technology area

Dear Tom Boyd,

Thanks very much for your contributions to discussion last week at the United Ministry Center.

There is a section on organ donations in today's Norman Transcript. The lead story is certainly touching, but some moral and ethical issues are not raised, nor are they ever raised "in the public square" as far as I can tell. Are they discussed in any church? Is there ever a sermon on this subject?

I do not elaborate or go into detail concerning these issues, because I'm sure that you already know about them. One involves cost and another involves genetics.

I am an organ donor (shown on my driver's license) and some years ago I donated in three figures to a fund for an adult female who needed and received a liver transplant. She was and is a non-smoker, non-drinker, etc., so the reason for deterioration of her liver is unknown (to me, at least). She is active today and seems healthy, and unless one knew her history, an acquaintance would never think that she had any significant organ transplant. I am grateful for that, but remain considerably perplexed.

This matter seems to me to be of great importance, though some may see differences between toddlers and new-borns, and adults. I think that many of society's woes today, and much more to come, are/will be consequences of failures to deal effectively with burgeoning technology. Our society seems to be in denial concerning some extremely important issues - denials that can take us down and are taking us down.

I will be grateful to receive your opinions!

Ed Kessler

#7568

From: nuuf_chat@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:28 pm
Subject: UU DINNER PARTY, 11/25/2009, 6:30 pm

nuuf_chat@yahoogroups.com

Reminder from:		nuuf_chat Yahoo! Group

Title:		UU DINNER PARTY

Date:		Wednesday November 25, 2009
Time:		6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Repeats:		This event repeats every month on the last Wednesday.
Location:		Souper Salad on Ed Noble Parkway--Call 226-9712 or email: nuuf@...

Get reminders on your mobile, Yahoo! Messenger, and email. Edit reminder options

#7567

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Tue Nov 24, 2009 7:01 pm
Subject: What Are Dreams? 7pm OETA

lughsraven

Offline

Nova

What Are Dreams?

Tuesday November 24, 2009 @ 7:00pm on OETA

What are dreams and why do we have them? Are they a window into a hidden realm within us? Science is only just beginning to understand. NOVA joins the leading dream researchers and witnesses the extraordinary experiments they use to investigate the world of sleep. From human narcoleptics to sleepwalking cats, from recurrent nightmares to those who can't dream, each sequence contains a vital clue to the question these scientists are pursuing: why do we dream?

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

#7566

From: nuuf_chat@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:26 am
Subject: UU DINNER PARTY, 11/25/2009, 6:30 pm

nuuf_chat@yahoogroups.com

Reminder from:		nuuf_chat Yahoo! Group

Title:		UU DINNER PARTY

Date:		Wednesday November 25, 2009
Time:		6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Repeats:		This event repeats every month on the last Wednesday.
Next reminder:		The next reminder for this event will be sent in 3 days, 12 hours, 3 minutes.
Location:		Souper Salad on Ed Noble Parkway--Call 226-9712 or email: nuuf@...

Get reminders on your mobile, Yahoo! Messenger, and email. Edit reminder options

#7565

From: "David Wheelock" <dwheelock@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:46 pm
Subject: Dan Barker Lecture tonight at 6:30. Naturalism Group: Local events of interest plus video.

davidwwheelock

Offline

Hello friends of the Norman Naturalism Group,

Here's a calendar of upcoming events so you can plan ahead. Send me an e-mail if you'd like to carpool to any of the events, or if you'd like to drive the carpool.

FRI  11/20 6:30

Event: Lecture and Discussion

Speaker: Dan Barker, Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation

Dan Barker is a former evangelical preacher turned atheist activist.

Subject: How to be Good Without God

Details: http://www.ffrf.org/events

Contact: Trey Shelton, trey.shelton@... or Aseem Nevrekar, aseem@...

Host: Center for Inquiry on Campus

Where: OU Campus, Dale Hall, Rm 200

    Map: http://www.ou.edu/discover/discover_home/visit/map.html (#50)

    http://tinyurl.com/ycd3tzx
Cost: FREE

SAT  11/21 9:00 AM

Event: OKC Atheists Volunteer Meetup

Details: http://atheists.meetup.com/144/calendar/11762826

Where: Regional Food Bank, 3355 S Purdue Street, OKC

Map: http://tinyurl.com/ylzzqm2

Cost: FREE

SUN  12/13 5:00-???

Event: Norman Naturalism Group Pot-luck

Discussion topic: To be announced.

Details: http://naturalism.meetup.com/6/calendar/11838930

Host: David Wheelock, 620-6874

Where: David Wheelock's house. 2501 Butler Drive, Norman, OK
Map: http://tinyurl.com/27a54h

Cost: FREE

Here are some videos that you may find interesting.

There was an incredible science event called the Origins Symposium last April. It has many of the world's scientific leaders, including Richard Dawkins, discussing the origins or the cosmos, our solar system, life and humanity. It's really breathtaking and often quite challenging. I watch them a little at a time and stop regularly to Google a term or concept that's new to me. Here ya go:

http://thesciencenetwork.org/programs/origins-symposium

Videos of OU's Darwin Year events are becoming available at the link below, in case you missed them.

http://www.snomnh.ou.edu/rss/index.htm

You will need iTunes to view this.

President Obama addressed the National Academy of Sciences on Monday 4/27 and announced his vision of and support for science in America's future and entertains and enthralls the 146th annual meeting of the US National Academy of Sciences. Obama is only the third sitting president to address the NAS in modern times, preceded by Kennedy and Bush senior.

http://tinyurl.com/dbdqcw

So much fun, so little time. See you there.

David

PS: If you know of others that would like to be added to the list please have them e-mail or call me.

PPS: If you would like to be removed from this list, please reply to dwheelock@...

#7564

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Fri Nov 20, 2009 8:01 pm
Subject: Final Week: NUUF Winter Clothing Drive

lughsraven

Offline

FINAL WEEK

Share The Warmth Of Your Heart

NUUF Winter Clothing Drive

Please bring lovingly used adult and kid’s coats and

winter ware to services through Nov. 15^th.
Items will be donated to Food & Shelter For Friends.

With the current economy; more and more families must seek assistance.

The new Internet Explorer® 8 - Faster, safer, easier. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free!

#7563

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 9:42 pm
Subject: NUUF Winter Clothing Dirve

lughsraven

Offline

FINAL WEEK

Share The Warmth Of Your Heart

NUUF Winter Clothing Drive

Please bring lovingly used adult and kid’s coats and

winter ware to services through Nov. 15^th.
Items will be donated to Food & Shelter For Friends.

With the current economy; more and more families must seek assistance.

All new Yahoo! Mail - Get a sneak peak at messages with a handy reading pane.

#7562

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:38 pm
Subject: Secrets of Tibet-Tonight OETA

lughsraven

Offline

Yahoo! Canada Toolbar : Search from anywhere on the web and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now!

Secrets of Shangri-La

Wednesday November 18, 2009 @ 7:00pm on OETA

This special tracks remarkable new archaeological discoveries in the world's highest kingdom.

Lost Cave Temples

Wednesday November 18, 2009 @ 8:00pm on OETA

In a remote corner of the Himalayas, in the forbidden kingdom of Mustang, a team of climbers scale cliffs to climb into mysterious caves for the first time and discover ancient cave temples lost to the modern world.

Mustang - Journey of Transformation

Wednesday November 18, 2009 @ 9:00pm on OETA

Lost in time, the Himalayan kingdom of Mustang is one of the last sanctuaries of authentic Tibetan Buddhist culture. Long isolated by geography and politics, the people struggle to survive; the center of their culture, the 15th-century monasteries and the art within, are dangerously close to collapse. Featuring His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the Raja of Mustang and chief art conservator Luigi Fieni, this program tells the compelling story of efforts to rescue this ancient place from the brink of extinction and help spark a cultural renaissance. Richard

In Search of Myths and Heroes

Shangri-La

Wednesday November 18, 2009 @ 9:30pm on OETA

The third of Michael Wood's historical journeys takes viewers on a thrilling trek through India, Nepal and Tibet in search of Shangri-La. The tale of the magical valley hidden behind the Himalayas was popularized in the 1930s movie Lost Horizon, but the myth of a secret earthly paradise is much older. To find the truth behind the legend, Wood travels on foot through some of the world's most sacred mountains before finally reaching the fantastic ruins of a lost city, which he believes is the real inspiration behind the myth.

#7561

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Tue Nov 17, 2009 5:36 pm
Subject: Pallin Protest at Hastings

lughsraven

Offline

Yahoo! Canada Toolbar : Search from anywhere on the web and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now!

Pallin Protest at Hastings

What does it say about you that you are protesting a moron?????

#7560

From: "David Wheelock" <dwheelock@...>
Date: Tue Nov 17, 2009 4:10 am
Subject: Naturalism Group: Local events of interest plus video.

davidwwheelock

Offline

Hello friends of the Norman Naturalism Group,

Here's a calendar of upcoming events so you can plan ahead. Send me an e-mail if you'd like to carpool to any of the events, or if you'd like to drive the carpool.

TUE  11/17 7:00 (Pre-Registration Required)

Event: SNOMNH Public seminar Series: "In Discussion with Darwin"

Subject: Beyond Darwin: How Evo-Devo Research Offers Stunning Confirmation of Darwin's View of Complexity

Darwin postulated that complexity evolved via Natural Selection from less complex parts. Armed with a battery of new genetic tools, researchers are in the process of confirming that Darwin's view was of complexity was basically correct. In this session we will discuss the radical and surprising insights that Evo-Devo research offers for macroevolution.

Speaker: Dr. Ola Fincke (Department of Zoology)

Where: Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History

   2401 Chautauqua Avenue, Norman, OK

   Map:

      http://tinyurl.com/79bnoe

      http://www.omnh.ou.edu/maps.htm
Details: http://www.snomnh.ou.edu/publicprograms/index.htm#Darwin

Contact: Deborah Kay: dkay@..., (405) 325-4712

Cost: Pre-Registration Required SNOMNH Members: $10 per seminar; non-members: $15 per seminar

TUE  11/17 7:00-???

Event: OKC Atheists Monthly Meetup

Details: http://atheists.meetup.com/144/calendar/11674398

Where: Hideaway Pizza, 6616 N Western Ave, OKC

Map: http://tinyurl.com/558f5c

Cost: FREE

FRI  11/20 6:30

Event: Lecture and Discussion

Speaker: Dan Barker, Co-President of the Freedom From Religion Foundation

Dan Barker is a former evangelical preacher turned atheist activist.

Subject: How to be Good Without God

Details: http://www.ffrf.org/events

Contact: Trey Shelton, trey.shelton@... or Aseem Nevrekar, aseem@...

Host: Center for Inquiry on Campus

Where: OU Campus, Dale Hall, Rm 200

    Map: http://www.ou.edu/discover/discover_home/visit/map.html (#50)

Cost: FREE

SAT  11/21 9:00 AM

Event: OKC Atheists Volunteer Meetup

Details: http://atheists.meetup.com/144/calendar/11762826

Where: Regional Food Bank, 3355 S Purdue Street, OKC

Map: http://tinyurl.com/ylzzqm2

Cost: FREE

SUN  12/13 5:00-???

Event: Norman Naturalism Group Pot-luck

Discussion topic: To be announced.

Details: http://naturalism.meetup.com/6/calendar/11838930

Host: David Wheelock, 620-6874

Where: David Wheelock's house. 2501 Butler Drive, Norman, OK
Map: http://tinyurl.com/27a54h

Cost: FREE

Here are some videos that you may find interesting.

There was an incredible science event called the Origins Symposium last April. It has many of the world's scientific leaders, including Richard Dawkins, discussing the origins or the cosmos, our solar system, life and humanity. It's really breathtaking and often quite challenging. I watch them a little at a time and stop regularly to Google a term or concept that's new to me. Here ya go:

http://thesciencenetwork.org/programs/origins-symposium

Videos of OU's Darwin Year events are becoming available at the link below, in case you missed them.

http://www.snomnh.ou.edu/rss/index.htm

You will need iTunes to view this.

President Obama addressed the National Academy of Sciences on Monday 4/27 and announced his vision of and support for science in America's future and entertains and enthralls the 146th annual meeting of the US National Academy of Sciences. Obama is only the third sitting president to address the NAS in modern times, preceded by Kennedy and Bush senior.

http://tinyurl.com/dbdqcw

So much fun, so little time. See you there.

David

PS: If you know of others that would like to be added to the list please have them e-mail or call me.

PPS: If you would like to be removed from this list, please reply to dwheelock@...

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (9)

#7559

From: Susan Brassfield Cogan <sbcogan@...>
Date: Sun Nov 15, 2009 2:38 pm
Subject: NUUF Wichita Wildlife Pics

susanb55

Offline

facebook
Susan Brassfield Cogan 6:37am Nov 15th	NUUF Wichita Wildlife Pics To nuuf_chat@yahoogroups.com Photos from yesterday's outing. Susan has shared a link to an album with you. To view the album or to reply to the message, follow this link: http://www.new.facebook.com/p.php?i=851630450&k=SZDZZ5S5UT6D3FL1XD342USV2WJFWUV&oid=1200030635142
	If you do not wish to receive this type of email from Facebook in the future, please click here to unsubscribe. Facebook's offices are located at 1601 S. California Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304.

#7558

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Fri Nov 13, 2009 10:02 pm
Subject: Remember: Winter Clothing Drive

lughsraven

Offline

Yahoo! Canada Toolbar : Search from anywhere on the web and bookmark your favourite sites. Download it now!

Share The Warmth Of Your Heart

NUUF Winter Clothing Drive

Please bring lovingly used adult and kid’s coats and

winter ware to services through Nov. 15^th.
Items will be donated to Food & Shelter For Friends.

With the current economy; more and more families must seek assistance.

#7557

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:42 pm
Subject: Board Meeting the 15th

lughsraven

Offline

Hello All,
Larry asked me to send out a reminder that we're havign a Board Meeting on Sunday the 15th at 5

The new Internet Explorer� 8 - Faster, safer, easier. Optimized for Yahoo! Get it Now for Free!

#7556

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:39 pm
Subject: NUUF Winter Clothing Drive

lughsraven

Offline

Share The Warmth Of Your Heart

NUUF Winter Clothing Drive

Please bring lovingly used adult and kid’s coats and

winter ware to services through Nov. 15^th.
Items will be donated to Food & Shelter For Friends.

With the current economy; more and more families must seek assistance.

Looking for the perfect gift? Give the gift of Flickr!

Reply | Forward | Messages in this Topic (3)

#7555

From: "David Wheelock" <dwheelock@...>
Date: Thu Nov 12, 2009 4:11 am
Subject: Naturalism Group December Pot-luck Dinner Sunday 12/13 5:00

davidwwheelock

Offline

http://tinyurl.com/27a54h

Hello friends of the Naturalism Group,

Save the date.

Discussion topics:

To be announced

Click here for interactive map:

Here's the announcement on Meetup.com:

http://naturalism.meetup.com/6/calendar/11838930

Please feel free to forward this e-mail and invite those you know that may be interested. We want this to be a friendly, social affair. The more the merrier.

Please try to reply to this e-mail to let me know if you're coming. However, don't let that stop you from coming if you don't get a chance to reply.

You can find more information on Naturalism here:

http://www.centerfornaturalism.org/presentations.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism_%28philosophy%29

http://www.naturalisms.org

Cheers,

David Wheelock

360-0280

PS: If you know of others that would like to be added to the list please have them e-mail or call me.

PPS: If you would like to be removed from this list, please reply to dwheelock@...

#7554

From: Edward Kearns <lughsraven@...>
Date: Mon Nov 9, 2009 9:29 pm
Subject: 11-12 Why Have We Become So Mean???

lughsraven

Offline

Why Have We Become So Mean? – Public Forum on Ethics

Conscious Living Institute of Central Oklahoma

Present:

Why Have We Become So Mean?

An Open Public Forum on Ethics

7pm to 9m
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The United Ministry Center
1017 Elm Avenue, Norman, OK

Admission is Free of Charge.

This event is co-sponsored by
The University of Oklahoma Religious Studies Department.

You are invited to participate in an open-panel public forum discussion designed to explore the causes and some solutions to the erosion of public civility.

Our esteemed panel will be comprised of ethicists, philosophers, former politicians, ministers, including:

· Dr. Tom Boyd, Ph.D., is the David Ross Boyd Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma. After teaching philosophy of religion and ethics there for 28 years, he retired from fulltime teaching in 1997. While at OU he taught courses in Judeo-Christian ethics, advanced courses in the Philosophy of Religion, Religious philosophy prior to 400 AD and after 400 AD, the history of ethics, the Philosophy of Social and Religious morality, Modern Philosophy of Religion, and Rhetoric and Religion. Tom served as Kingfisher Chair of the Philosophy of Religion & Ethics before retiring. Tom was talked out of retirement and enlisted for service in the new Religious Studies Program in 2002 by OU President David Boren (reports say he can be very persuasive!) . Tom teaches at the University of Oklahoma as part of the Retired Professor program and serves as a consultant to the Program. He teaches every semester. Tom holds four earned degrees, including a Ph.D. in Religion from Vanderbilt University in 1973. His academic specialization is in philosophy of religion, and ethics. His current concentration is on the relation among world religions and the relation between religion and culture. He seeks through his studies and teaching to understand and appreciate religion in its contemporary setting and in light of an emerging planetary culture. Tom is actively involved in a current discussion of a Global Ethic.Dr. Boyd also continues to conduct seminars, workshops, and retreats. He is in demand on campus and off as speakers to students, faculty and staff, and the region at large.

· Dr. Darian DeBolt, Ph.D., Former Norman City Police Captain; Former Norman City Councilman; Philosophy Program Coordinator and Faculty, University of Central Oklahoma

· Reverend T. Thomas, Coordinator, Cooperating Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma www.cbfok.org.
Rev. Charles Frank “T” Thomas is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and received his B.A. from Furman University and M. Div. at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is married to Kathie and they have five daughters. T and his wife worked overseas for 26 years living in France, Burkina Faso (West Africa,) Romania and Cyprus. T has been a seminary professor, pastor and church planter. Since January 2004, he has been serving as the Coordinator for the Cooperating Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma. In 2004 he also founded His Nets, an organization that fights malaria through the free distribution on insecticide treated mosquito nets.

· Dr. Dara Fogel, Ph.D., Co-Founder, Conscious Living Institute of Central Oklahoma; Liberal Studies Adjunct, University of Oklahoma; Adjunct, University of Central Oklahoma

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