Monday, July 23, 2012

The 10 Commandments of Logic

I think this is worth passing on.

The 10 Commandments of Logic

1. Thou shall not attack the person's character, but the argument. (Ad hominem)
2. Thou shall not misrepresent or exaggerate a person's argument in order to make them easier to attack. (Straw man fallacy)
3. Thou shall not use small numbers to represent the whole. (Hasty generalization)
4. Thou shall not argue thy position by assuming one of its premises is true. (Begging the question)
5. Thou shall not claim that because something occurred before, it must be the cause. (Post Hoc/False cause)
6. Thou shall not reduce the argument down to two possibilities. (False dichotomy)
7. Thou shall not argue that because of our ignorance, claim must be true or false. (Ad ignorantum)
8. Thou shall not lay the burden of proof onto him that is questioning the claim. (Burden of proof reversal)
9. Thou shall not assume "this" follows "that" when it has no logical connection. (Non sequitur)
10. Thou shall not claim that because a premise is popular, therefore it must be true. (Bandwagon fallacy)

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Gun Violence

Fact: The world is full of shitty people. No matter how much one may hope and pray that they go away, they keep coming back. Too many moral idiots who have been raised with an attitude of entitlement, a kinder, gentler, spineless politically correct government, absent parental guidance, violent video games that desensitize them to murder and mayhem, and religious fanaticism. Sometimes we can predict which ones are batshit crazy and other times we get caught with our pants down as in the case of James Holmes who allegedly walked into the Century 16 movie theaters in Aurora, Colorado and opened fire killing at least a dozen people and wounding many more.

Holmes legally bought four firearms and over six thousand rounds of ammunition just prior to his spree. The gun grabbers and the liberals will be having a field day with this, completely missing the bigger picture. Just one brave theatergoer with a concealed carry weapons permit could have stopped this calamity or greatly reduced the death toll. Provided that is, that the theater didn't disarm its law abiding citizens.

Yes, Holmes was wearing a Kevlar helmet, gas mask, and Kevlar vest, but those do not make one bulletproof. They just reduce the extent of the injury or amount of the penetration of many rounds. Had someone been armed with a .45 ACP, 40 S&W, .357, or 10mm handgun and practiced enough to be proficient, firearms owners would be the hero in this drama, not the boogeyman.

I am a sheepdog. I have the heart of a warrior and a strong protective instinct. I take care of the weak and I try to help the needy. I dislike confrontation, and I detest violence. Therefore, I try to expect it and be prepared for it. As a former police office, I know firsthand how rapidly and unexpectedly violence can appear and escalate. The sad truth is that often when seconds count, the police are only minutes away. Their job is generally much more reactive than proactive and with limited funds, there is only so much they can do.

Mourn the victims of this travesty and their families. Don't blame the guns, gun manufacturers, or gun stores. Get your own firearm and learn how to use it safely and proficiently. Get a concealed carry permit, and carry ALL OF THE TIME.

Don't let the media spin this out of control. Don't let it be used as a election year campaign tool. Don't vote for any elected officials who would restrict or eliminate any of our Second Amendment Rights. Don't be a victim of tomorrow's senseless tragedies.

Its strange how the alleged shooter choose a movie about a violent vigilante to make his black mark on America's pages.

Colorado Theater Shooting


Sunday, July 15, 2012

I Hate Free Internet Dating!

So my wife decided she was unhappy and wanted to separate so she moved one place and I moved to another. I'm lonely, a bit adrift, and I really miss having companionship and single friends, so I joined a couple of free dating services, okcupid.com and datehookup.com. What nightmares! A few very interesting ladies on each, but for the most part its like the People of Walmart trying to get laid! I don't want to date women who look like they ate their last three husbands or call Methusala's mother "Dearie". I'm not looking for another child, or a sugar mama. Just someone fun to hang out and do stuff with to enjoy talks, and walks, and books. I don't want anyone to save my soul or spank my butt!

I think I'm going to need another dog!

Here is my profile from one.

ignosticrock




Location: Boiling Springs, South Carolina
Age: 48,
Taurus
Height: 5 ft. 10 in.
Hair, Bald
Eyes: Green
Body: A few extra pounds (No option for fluffy, stout, roundboy, or bigger than a bread basket!)
Ethnicity: White
Religion: Atheist
Politics: Moderate (No Libertarian option)
Education: Some College
Income: Didn't Say
Job: Artist
Smoke: Smoke Regularly
Has Kids: Yes, living with me sometimes
About Me: I have been a soldier, sailor, police officer, tattoo artist, body piercer, cab driver, steelworker, salesman, and more than a few other things. I currently do web design and graphic design.

Seeking: A woman ages 23 to 48

I am a kind, gentle, patient, strong, creative, faithful, and funny man. I am fiercely loyal to my friends and family, but also have a strong belief in personal accountability. I have the heart of a warrior and the body of an old warrior! I find some truth in Tim McGraw's song that says, "I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was!"

Creativity, intelligence, honesty, integrity, decency, dependability, loyalty, open mindedness, erudition, witty banter, independence, and a great sense of humor are what I look for most in friends. I think one's significant other should be a friend before anything else. I want friendship first. Good relationships evolve, they aren't forced.

I am an Ignostic agnostic atheist. I have no desire to attempt to deconvert anyone or be converted. I am not militant, but do not like proselytizing. I have spent many years studying various religions and philosophies, rather than just accepting the convenient ones as truth.

I am very much a Libertarian both economically and philosophically. I detest politics, but pay attention to them and watch the winds of change. If you are a diehard Liberal, you probably won't care for many of my opinions. Diehard Conservatives probably won't fare a whole lot better.

Recently separated (and okay with it), raising my sixteen year old daughter, doing graphic design and web design, reading a lot, playing volleyball two nights a week, active on several forums, missing my former dogs, practicing self reliance and preparedness, and hoping to make single friends and maybe meet an honest, intelligent, creative, open, kind, and faithful lady. Working on bettering my health while dealing with some chronic issues.

You live in or near upstate South Carolina, like going out and doing things as well as sitting at home.

I hate dating. I like having real people in my life, not endless auditions and conquests. I don't like trying to force things either. For most folks dating is a means to one end or another. Its almost a curse at times when it comes to interacting with the opposite sex.


I want to see you for who you are, not necessarily for what voids you might fill in my life. If I can do that, and make honest self assessments, then my investment is in the now and I am living fully. I'm not looking for or offering physical perfection, far from it. I want a friend to share life with. Have you ever seen the Pixar movie "Up"? If you have, you'll know what I mean (No, I'm not talking about Doug!).


A spirit of adventure is required. I haven't lived this long to wait to lay down and die. I still like trying new things and going to new places.

Creativity, intelligence, honesty, integrity, decency, dependability, loyalty, open mindedness, erudition, witty banter, independence, and a great sense of humor are what I look for most in friends. I think one's significant other should be a friend before anything else.

I like nice things, but don't consider myself materialistic. I have little use for vain, superficial, or plastic people.

I like kids, but do not want any more of my own. Having kids is not a deal breaker. Your children are their own people. If they do not like me or I don't care for them, that should be a deal breaker for you.

I strongly prefer petite, slim, athletic, or average build women. I don't really like any facial or oral piercings. Please understand, I know I am not perfect, but I also know my preferences.

Local is best for everyone whether we become friends or something different.

Ladies, if you have read this far, Thank you. Do yourselves a favor: Be honest about your weight, smoking, kids etc. Use current photos. Guys aren't blind. We can tell if you are a hundred pounds overweight and that is not "a few extra pounds". Often the dishonesty is a far greater turn off than the weight. I'm not as petite or pretty naked as I was when I was twenty. Now the hard work comes in and I have to have a decent personality! Save everyone heartbreak, expense, and frustration and be honest. It'll pay off if you are patient!

Without wanting to sound arrogant, there are some horrible profiles and pictures on here! Some look like they were ripped off of People of Walmart! Smile in your pictures. Put some clothes on. Don't stand in a bathroom or messy room for your pictures. If you're a BBW, show it with dignity, posture and attitude can help a lot. Don't post old pictures or pictures with the sides of your face or arms cropped out (It actually usually makes you look bigger than your really are!). No hair caves or hamster suits!

As sad as it is, this is basic marketing. If you don't care enough to make a good presentation, it will be on you, not all of the people who pass you by.

You deserve to be happy, get out of your own way and shine!

Twisted Faces - Caricature Art from Rock Cowles

Twisted Faces - Caricature Art from Rock Cowles
Twisted Faces Web Site

Kowulz on Facebook

Dave Cowles's Facebook profile

Caricatures by Rock Kowulz