Wesley J. Smith

Secondhand Smokette and I—with middle nephew in tow—soaked and relaxed in the Blue Lagoon today.  It is a volcanic phenomenon that warms sea water to a very comfortable 100 degrees with delightful “hot spots” to take away the rough edges. Nearby is a thermal generating . . . . Continue Reading »

Again, we see the importance of animal research, with the potential that the organ shortage could be largely solved by growing patient DNA-identical human organs in pigs for transplant.  From the Telegraph story:Scientists have found they can create chimeric animals that have organs belonging . . . . Continue Reading »

People who really really worry that we are in the midst of a climate crisis can’t understand why a growing number of people are rolling their eyes.  I have tried to explain it to them, for example in this post in which I list 11 reasons the general public does not generally share GWH. . . . . Continue Reading »

I am beginning to think this is the gang that couldn’t shoot straight.  First, they give waiver after waiver after waiver to prevent the impact of Obamacare from hitting home, often among politically favored unions.  Now, because they were called on it, they ban waivers . . . . Continue Reading »

As I have written here previously, the arrogantly managed and wildly expensive California Institute For Regenerative Medicine will be up for renewal in 2014.  Its leaders want the suckers voters in California—already hopelessly behind the deficit 8-ball and drowning in bond debt—to . . . . Continue Reading »

Secondhand Smokette and I are heading to our youngest nephew’s high school graduation, and then taking another nephew on a quick trip to Europe. However, while SHS posting will slow, don’t wander away. I’m taking my laptop and will try to check in from time to time.  I might . . . . Continue Reading »

I believe that an animal welfare analysis of chimp research would preclude all but the most serious experiments.  But limited experimentation should be permitted to continue in the cause of preventing and alleviating serious human suffering.Nature has a piece out describing the stakes in the . . . . Continue Reading »

Peter Singer reviews a new book called On What Matters in his syndicated column.  Philosopher Derek Parfit apparently argues that there is such a thing as objective truth, and indeed, that we need to find “what really matters” if life is to have any ultimate meaning.  Singer . . . . Continue Reading »

I have been noticing that the so-called right to family life has become the justification for a multitudes of problems in Europe—such as not jailing felons as a human right matter due to impact on family and not deporting foreign terrorists living in the UK—issues that are beyond our . . . . Continue Reading »

Oh dear, oh dear:  What’s a radical environmentalist to do? On one hand, the earth is supposedly melting and we need to deploy wind turbines and other green technologies to “save the planet.”  Adding to our felonious existence, we awful humans are killing endangered . . . . Continue Reading »