Monday 30 April 2012

The Non-Random Selection Of Ideational Variation

At the heart of science is an essential balance between two seemingly contradictory attitudes — an openness to new ideas, no matter how bizarre or counterintuitive they may be, and the most ruthless sceptical scrutiny of all ideas, old and new. This is how deep truths are winnowed from deep nonsense.
 — Carl Sagan

Saturday 21 April 2012

Things To Do In Council Bluffs, Iowa

The historic Council Bluffs' Red-light district was formed during the late 19th century, when at least 10 separate brothels were located on Pierce Street east of Park Avenue with another three brothels down the block on the south side of West Broadway east of Park. One 1890 newspaper article referenced in Lt. RL Miller's "Selected History of the Council Bluffs Police" noted the "places of vice and corruption on Pierce" and Stella Long's above the Ogden House along with the "terrible den at the corner of Market and Vine" and Belle Clover's bagnio at 8th St. and West Broadway.

The liberalisation of Iowa gambling laws was followed by the opening of The Bluffs Run Greyhound Park in 1986. By 2005 Council Bluffs was the 19th largest casino market in the United States, with revenue equalling nearly $434 million. Casinos include Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, Harrah's Council Bluffs, and the Horseshoe Council Bluffs.

Tuesday 17 April 2012

Political Systems

Oligarchy: rule by the few; eg rule by political parties in a democracy.
Plutocracy: rule by the rich; eg rule by corporations in a democracy.

Friday 6 April 2012

Machiavellian

[Machiavelli] holds that religion should have a prominent place in the State, not on the ground of its truth, but as a social cement.
 — Bertrand Russell 'The History Of Western Philosophy' (p493)

Mal Volio

Some people are born-again Christians …
some people have born-again Christians thrust upon them.