I’ve been in Anderson Cooper’s position a few times: having a conversation with someone defending the indefensible. I feel some sympathy for this poor woman: she’s probably of average intelligence, and has just discovered that she has to defend hatred and ignorance on television…and she discovers that falling back on the authority of her pastor isn’t enough.

(via Mano)

(Episode CCCXXIX: Centered.)

While I was in Kamloops, I got to meet The Thinking Atheist, who premiered this most excellent video at the meeting.

This guy is a talented pro — I hope more atheist organizations tap into his skills (he made one of the best videos of the Reason Rally, for instance.)

(Episode CCCXXVIII: No remorse.)

Buried in work…NPH’s fantasies of vengeance seem appropriate right now.

(Episode CCCXXVII: My current favorite poem.)

Don’t tell anyone, but I might occasionally read poetry for fun…and right now, this would be my favorite, “The Mask of Anarchy”, by Shelley.

Yeah, it’s long, but I love the ending.

And if then the tyrants dare
Let them ride among you there,
Slash, and stab, and maim, and hew, –
What they like, that let them do.

With folded arms and steady eyes,
And little fear, and less surprise,
Look upon them as they slay
Till their rage has died away.

Then they will return with shame
To the place from which they came,
And the blood thus shed will speak
In hot blushes on their cheek.

Every woman in the land
Will point at them as they stand –
They will hardly dare to greet
Their acquaintance in the street.

And the bold, true warriors
Who have hugged Danger in wars
Will turn to those who would be free,
Ashamed of such base company.

And that slaughter to the Nation
Shall steam up like inspiration,
Eloquent, oracular;
A volcano heard afar.

And these words shall then become
Like Oppression’s thundered doom
Ringing through each heart and brain,
Heard again – again – again –

Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number –
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you –
Ye are many – they are few.

If you’re wondering, it’s about the Peterloo Massacre in 1819 — with which all you fans of popular labor movements are well acquainted, I’m sure.

(Episode CCCXXVI: Singing scientists, sorta.)

I was about to complain that Symphony of Science has yet another autotuned paean to physics, but then I found that I missed this one, that’s all about dinosaurs.

All right, not bad, but it’s easy to get people enthused about great big giant things. How about something with molecular biologists or microbiologists or biochemists getting enraptured over their work?

(Episode CCCXXV: Seems apropos.)

Cuttlefish had a relevant poem and song, so I thought I’d echo it here.

(Episode CCCXXIV: I’m surrounded by morons.)

At last, a cat video I can sympathize with.

(Episode CCCXXIII: Creationist origami.)