As we do every year on this occasion, we have duly decorated the Palace’s hallowed shrine to PZ Myers, Patron Saint of Perry Street Palace, to celebrate his successful completion of yet another complete orbit around our sun. This year saw the release of The Great Tentacled One’s first book, The Happy Atheist (which we reviewed for The Feminist Hivemind), as well as gems like this scat-themed reworking of his classic post, The Courtier’s Reply. As usual, there were also some quotable nuggets we shamelessly stole for our quote collection:
There’s no such thing as political neutrality. Silence is an argument in favor of the status quo. –PZ Myers
I’ve got to tell you — church services are goddamned boring. I think that’s how the tediously dull game of football got to be such a big sport in this country — they only had to be less boring than church. –PZ Myers
First they came for the Mormons…And then, we hope, they go after the rest. –PZ Myers
Keep opening your mouths, you privileged coddled rich fuckwads. Marie Antoinette had nothing on the American upper class. If there is a revolution, what’s going to drive it is the arrogance of these parasites. –PZ Myers
Any set of values that limits the potential of half the population, that reduces the health and happiness of one gender, or race, or class, is empirically detrimental to the long-term viability of the whole. –PZ Myers
I could just go read the Wall Street Journal, I suppose, but guzzling a potent emetic would have the same effect, and be less painful to my brain. –PZ Myers
So Australia is pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into propping up creationism? I’m not buying beer for any Australians ever again, until you stop. –PZ Myers
Children brought up in a dark box learn to live in a dark box. Children brought up in the light learn to illuminate the world. –PZ Myers
The beer’s on us today. Even if you’re Australian.
Happy birthday, PZ. Long may you mock.
Reblogged this on The Road.
Hi Iris
As an Australian who loves the odd beer, I was a little taken aback in relation to the PZ Myers quote about Australia spending millions propping up creationism. Could you send me the background articles associated with this?
Regards
Rod Lees
Hi Rod! Here is the piece from PZ (sorry I borked the link). The source material for PZ’s post is here.
Hi Iris
Thanks for the link. I intend to investigate and will get back to you.
Rod
Hi Iris
I just wrote to my friend, who is head of curriculum for one of our States Independent Schools Associations. She stated the following:
“Our schools are required to teach the theory of evolution but they are also at liberty to teach their own faith / values based theories as well….. i.e. creationism….
As a scientist, she is outraged, but can’t do anything about it. Like, the US, we have a strong conservative group of politicians and don’t even have the protection of the separation of church/State in the constitution.
All sad, but true. I guess I will just have to keep buying my own beers.
Maybe I will start a revolution?
Doooooo Eeeeeeeeeeet.