As an atheist I can tell you that most atheists practice humanism to one degree or another, mostly based on the golden rule. By the way, the golden rule predates Christianity by thousands of years, having been practiced by most of the ancient societies. Anthropologically speaking, this "morality" probably grew out of our need to form societies or groups in order to survive.

Along these lines, I've also heard people say that our legal system is based on the ten commandments. This assertion is completely false. There are only three commandments that have any basis in law and those three (don't murder, steal or commit perjury) are prominent in all legal systems I'm aware of regardless of religious affiliation.

Moral character is quite independent of religious beliefs.

I'm specifically interested in the Canon Eg-S for manual focusing through the lens.

Does anyone out there have experience with focus screens? How well do they work? Do they affect Auto Focus?

You've got to love Elizabeth Warren.

Most of the major carriers govern they're trucks at 65 (give or take a few mph) all of our trucks are governed at 68. I don't see any need to exceed 70 mph. I could live with 75 out west.

That hill east of Breezewood is a long one for the grade. Pennsylvania has quite a few big hills on the various interstates.

I tell all of my four wheel buddy's "Don't be a satellite." Go past or fall back but don't orbit.

I'm not certain but I can't think of any states east of the Mississippi with a speed limit over 70.

Jeez... I leave for a day and the place goes to hell.

To respond to your post:

No one is going to go to jail for breaking an international agreement but there are significant negative ramifications in doing so.

I'm not sure what agreement you are saying that Obama broke.

Do you really believe this wasn't done to undermine the president?

There are two problems with the letter. The first is that it is a thinly veiled attempt to undermine the president, who is fulfilling one of the roles assigned to a president, and two, the points made in the letter have no basis in international law. A fact that the Iranian Ambassador made in a response to the letter. If you want to see 47 senators being taken to the wood shed read the Iranian response.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/iran-gop-letter-on-nuclear-negotiations-a-propaganda-ploy/

Nobody seems to want to address the issue. I'm going to stop short of saying "the letter" was treasonous but it certainly shows poor judgement. I'm glad my senators took a pass on it. Should McCain apologize? only if he's sorry.

Good one Bunko. I especially liked the one about being "OVERLY CAUCASIAN."

I apologize if someone has already pointed this out but doctors leaving their practices has been a well known phenomenon for quite some time. Long before the Affordable Care Act. The high cost of running a practice is the main reason. Paying for staff, rent on an office, expensive supply's, regulatory standards, and most of all the huge malpractice premiums all make it less attractive to run a practice.

I just don't see how would the ACA send doctors running?

Yeah I've got to say I like westerns too. My favorites are "The Shootist" with John Wayne (His best movie in my opinion) and "Unforgiven" with Clint Eastwood.

My first response was "Who is Phil Robertson?" Then I got a look at his picture. Oh yeah, he's the actor on that reality television show. He's entitled to his opinion just like everyone else but if the republicans are smart they'll distance themselves from him.

I agree with the above statement completely. As to your PM being in hot water over a wink, I thought that kind of puritanical nonsense only happened in America.

I don't get this post. I would be in direct opposition with fox news as I want to reduce our carbon footprint. If you saw any of my previous posts you would also see that I do bring facts to a discussion. I don't think there is anything worse than a baseless opinion.

I get that, nobody likes listening to Chicken Little, but there is some alarming data. The problem with waiting is that we can't just turn off the carbon spigot and expect the world to recover. It took time to get to where we are and will take time to recover but we haven't even addressed the problem in any significant way. And that's just the US. What about India and China. I think this is an area where we can be leaders in the world. I'd sure hate to miss that opportunity.