Because you need to know which SE Asian Country it's legal to have sex with children in.

Ok. As I understand Intelligent Design, it's premise is that all of the natural systems that Science (oh, glorious Science!) has uncovered were the work of a Designer. Presumably, this Designer built the world we see, and set it in motion.

Now, this is nothing new. It's pretty much what Diests believed. Unspoken, but certainly implied, is that the "whatever" that designed things, left it alone once they were done.

Now, what I need help understanding then, is how this Designer would do what that fucking lunatic Pat Robertson says they will. If the disgner really designed the system so that it was self-sustaining, why would the Designer intervene? Does the watchmaker stop by your house to change the way your watch functions?

A close friend of the family (and wife of frequent BIC reader) has been diagnosed with Acoustic Neuroma. It's a benign tumor attatched to the acoustic nerve, at the base of the Brain Stem. A scary thing, to be sure. It's a bit of relief, as worse was feared. But still a huge deal.

It's not likely to be fatal. And surgery is highly succesful at removing the tumor. But not without a high risk of post-operative complications. Partial or complete loss of hearing in the affected ear, as well as the risks associated with any surgery (infection, namely). There is also, depending ont he exact surgical method they choose, a low risk of brain damage.

Brain tumors in general just worry the hell out of me. My Grandfather died from one. Nicholas, of course, whose ordeal I still cannot recall without tears filling my eyes. But those were both anything but benign.

For a not so pretty look at a removal of benign tumor (not one like my friend has), there is this awesome photo gallery on Flickr.

Note to self:

Self,

Next year, make sure to shave each morning during the first week of November. This will make blown up bubble yum bubbles easier to clean off your face.

Oh, and don't foget to vote.