Reply #171: When you trust only your eyes, you can be fooled by charlatans.

[Flatulo]

I think Gage et al may be sincere, but he's not being taken seriously by 'people like me' who are somewhat competent in the scientific arts that he is trying to appear competent in. He can fool people who are *not* skilled in the art, but he can't fool the vast, vast majority of scientists and engineers. Why doesn't his organization have 100,000 members instead of 1200, or whatever the current headcount is?

He's been taking his show on the road for what, 7 years now? He has no 'smoking gun'. You think he does, but he doesn't. Do you know why this is true? Because when something as unique as the WTC collapse happens, we don't have experience to fall back on. Our eyes aren't educated enough to tell us what is happening. The math and science which you blithely dismiss as bullshit is the only tool we have to try to model and reproduce what happened.

So like Spooked, who also has constructed an alternate reality (although to my knowledge he's always been civil and a real gentleman), you're going to be in for a long, frustrating life if you can't wrap your mind around the possiblity that Gage et al might just be wrong. If you are unable to do this, you may need professional help. I'm sincerely not taunting you here - you have to live your life, and this is the only one we get, so please try to get some peace in it.

Let me give you a final word - some members of the Truth Movement have become quite deranged; if you follow the link to the disturbing and theatening diatribe between a Truther and Dr. Jonathan Barnett, you'll see a disturbing reference to 'treason' (a word you've bandied about quite a bit today) and 'retribution' and 'trials' once the 'shit hits the fan'. But unlike the gentle, non-violent Dr. Barnett, I am extremely ungentle un-non-violent (when it comes to myself, my friends and my family) and armed to the teeth and more than able, by virtue of training and spirit, to defend myself and my family against any luntaics who may try for force others to join their cult. Because you know what? The Truth Movement really is a cult. There's no appreciable difference. Science is tossed out the window, and non-members are this unacceptable 'other' who must either get on board or 'be dealt with' firmly.

But if you're really just trying to convince people of your message, then carry on, but please be (at least superficially) respectful and non-threatening about it.

Please stop accusing others who disagree with you of treason and/or being paid shills for ... someone. It's insulting and against the DU rules, not to mention just plain stupid, and in the worst case, dangerous.

I'm going to go enjoy my cigar now. I have to go to work in a few hours, and I've had about 2 hours of rest today. I wasn't shitting you about the pain.

Peace.

:edited for about the fifth time for spelling, pain, mild intoxicastion and sleep deprivation: