Active Users:582 Time:03/08/2025 07:04:53 PM
Quite a telling reply. Dreaded Anomaly Send a noteboard - 07/02/2012 04:38:20 AM
As it appears you are doing. :P
http://web.archive.org/web/20110722021033/http://eileen.250x.com/Main/Einstein/Brain_Waves.htm
http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/294/8/947.full

The first link debunks the myth and the bad citations which continue to be used in support of it. The second link gives an actual scientific discussion of fetal brain development.

From there we are reduced to debating whether and when that EEG measured brain function qualifies as "brainwaves." So, brain waves at 8 weeks, with considerable debate over whether they qualify as brainwaves, all of which is just a recap of what I already said. The only new wrinkle is we are now debating whether brainwaves even CAN be defined, despite their being the standard for when life ENDS (which, as the article notes, was the focus of both the first two citations of when brain activity commences.) "But a bigger problem is that" Sykes "was writing another personal essay, not reporting" her "own research," which, according to her article, means such essays should be ignored. I will stop short of making that proof of dishonesty, as she repeatedly does; it is just plain old sincere bias. ;)


The quote in the title of your post is basically entirely fabricated, the result of no actual research. Making a false statement and then listing citations which don't actually support it is not the same as directly linking to and quoting from the citations. Claiming that the former is reliable while the latter is biased is, quite frankly, bullshit.

We're not debating if brainwaves can be defined; they are very clearly defined, the "pro-lifers" just tend to ignore those definitions.

The quote in the title of my post is one the author at your link does not dispute; she simply disputes what "brain function" means. In other words, even the person who disputed the conclusion the meaning is unclear does not deny the statement; she simply claims the meaning IS clear, and NOT "brainwaves."

I put "brainwaves" in quotes because the author at your link consistently does the same, noting the term oversimplifies complex phenomena. She then has a field day using that complexity to repeatedly move the goal posts on what constitutes "brainwaves" until they reach the location she desired from the outset. That is still well before the third trimester; her article concludes, "So I have no objection to saying that 'a human life' or 'human personhood' begins when brain waves are measured on an EEG. That is well into the second half of pregnancy, however, no matter how many times the '40 days' factoid is repeated."

I wonder if she realizes her psuedoscientific political polemic finishes by saying late term abortion violates the Fourteenth Amendment. My guess is "no."


Being unable to dispute the actual science involved, you turn to unfounded and unsupported implications of bias and inconsistency. Your reading of the page is objectively incorrect, and the corresponding vagueness of your claims is not surprising.

I do not feel that your lack of reading comprehension puts the onus upon me to deconstruct a fairly short page with clear citations, written in a language in which we are both (supposedly) fluent. Unless you decide to offer substantiated criticism, there is no discussion to be had here.

As for your interpretation of her statement about personhood, her usage of the two quotes directly above those paragraphs indicates that she did realize what she was saying. I happen to agree that fetuses in the third trimester should generally be considered persons. (The second link, which you seem to have ignored entirely in your rush to misread the first, gives further insight into fetal brain development. It also notes that "only 1.4% [of abortions] are performed at or after 21 weeks’ gestational age." )
This message last edited by Dreaded Anomaly on 07/02/2012 at 04:38:33 AM
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Susan G. Komen cuts funds to Planned Parenthood. (with updated edit) - 02/02/2012 04:32:27 PM 2332 Views
The most annoying part is in the sixth paragraph- abortions are only a small part of their thing - 02/02/2012 05:08:07 PM 1226 Views
I agree. - 02/02/2012 05:20:17 PM 1120 Views
I can understand it though. - 02/02/2012 05:45:55 PM 1188 Views
I can too, it just isn't for me. - 02/02/2012 05:58:33 PM 1108 Views
Actually, there are longer-acting forms of birth control than the pill. - 03/02/2012 12:37:42 AM 1110 Views
I do think that preventing abortions is their primary goal. - 03/02/2012 01:08:05 AM 1076 Views
If they don't see that link, it's because they haven't looked. - 03/02/2012 02:42:42 AM 1160 Views
That is a little unfair. - 03/02/2012 12:48:46 PM 1380 Views
Won't someone please think of the children?! - 04/02/2012 05:03:27 AM 1148 Views
I think you're leaving out some important points. - 04/02/2012 03:40:48 PM 1092 Views
Ah, the good ol' silent majority. - 04/02/2012 07:32:29 PM 1075 Views
So which moron is feeding you this crap? - 04/02/2012 10:27:15 PM 1124 Views
A zygote isn't a person, because it doesn't have a brain. - 05/02/2012 12:33:29 AM 1091 Views
It worries me when we think alike.... - 05/02/2012 01:22:35 PM 1148 Views
Brain waves at 8 weeks are a myth. - 05/02/2012 08:46:06 PM 1232 Views
"brain function... appears to be reliably present in the fetus at about eight weeks' gestation." - 05/02/2012 10:42:35 PM 1152 Views
Oh please. - 05/02/2012 11:13:50 PM 1104 Views
Re: Oh please yourself. - 06/02/2012 09:15:26 PM 989 Views
Quite a telling reply. - 07/02/2012 04:38:20 AM 1071 Views
Re: I quite agree. - 08/02/2012 06:03:23 PM 1278 Views
You're taking an issue of objective facts and treating it like a day of playground gossip. - 09/02/2012 03:47:06 AM 1079 Views
No, your source, in which there is very little that is objective, did that for me. - 11/02/2012 02:59:45 AM 1129 Views
I see you have continued to provide no factual arguments. - 14/02/2012 04:53:28 AM 1400 Views
I presented factual rebuttals. - 19/02/2012 01:56:45 AM 1179 Views
You continue to miss the point. - 23/02/2012 10:22:24 PM 1259 Views
Well, yes. - 04/02/2012 11:14:47 PM 1158 Views
A silent majority may as well not exist, if it has no tangible effects. - 05/02/2012 12:54:34 AM 1108 Views
You ignoring it is not the same thing as it having no tangible effect. - 05/02/2012 02:11:36 AM 1196 Views
Ignoring what? You haven't shown me anything solid. - 05/02/2012 05:25:23 AM 1099 Views
It's ok, we're done. *NM* - 05/02/2012 09:29:05 AM 653 Views
Since few people oppose ADULT contraception access, that might be wise in this case. - 04/02/2012 08:25:49 PM 1243 Views
Re: Since few people oppose ADULT contraception access, that might be wise in this case. - 05/02/2012 02:11:28 AM 1083 Views
If you are arguing most sex ed opponents are naïve/ignorant, I agree. - 05/02/2012 08:42:17 AM 948 Views
Re: If you are arguing most sex ed opponents are naïve/ignorant, I agree. - 05/02/2012 10:04:59 PM 1121 Views
Re: If you are arguing most sex ed opponents are naïve/ignorant, I agree. - 06/02/2012 08:57:38 PM 1068 Views
I'm done discussing my use of the term "oppression." The Tim Ryan stuff is interesting, though. - 07/02/2012 05:37:05 AM 1191 Views
Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 08/02/2012 06:01:32 PM 1280 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 09/02/2012 05:30:58 AM 1141 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 11/02/2012 02:58:00 AM 1164 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 14/02/2012 04:29:08 AM 1263 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 19/02/2012 01:54:30 AM 1144 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 23/02/2012 10:59:32 PM 1470 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 07/03/2012 01:47:44 AM 1108 Views
Re: Yet, regrettably, not done misusing it. - 15/03/2012 10:27:23 PM 1382 Views
There are problems with the implants - 03/02/2012 01:42:55 AM 1129 Views
You have a talent for understatement. - 03/02/2012 01:08:40 PM 1112 Views
I agree that they have made Beast Cancer a cult but splitting with PP is just smart - 02/02/2012 05:39:49 PM 1267 Views
I agree. - 02/02/2012 06:00:17 PM 1044 Views
yes she is going to have to piss off one group or the other - 02/02/2012 06:12:31 PM 1104 Views
Right - 02/02/2012 06:24:14 PM 1164 Views
Do you see a way Komen could have avoided pissing off one side? - 02/02/2012 06:55:36 PM 1102 Views
No, I don't. I don't believe I said that? - 02/02/2012 07:53:50 PM 1019 Views
You didn't; I inferred it from the way you phrased that ("if she HAS to..."). Sorry. - 02/02/2012 08:06:11 PM 1093 Views
I know I'm not always clear. - 02/02/2012 08:32:47 PM 1090 Views
Just curious... - 02/02/2012 10:07:49 PM 1079 Views
Not at all. - 02/02/2012 10:24:19 PM 1145 Views
Not at all? - 02/02/2012 10:32:31 PM 1038 Views
No. - 02/02/2012 10:47:04 PM 988 Views
My argument is based on my belief that the pro-choice women are more dedicated to women's causes - 02/02/2012 11:17:24 PM 1088 Views
Re: My argument is based on my belief that the pro-choice women are more dedicated to women's causes - 03/02/2012 12:08:01 AM 1084 Views
wow that may be the worst advice I had in weeks - 03/02/2012 12:13:18 AM 1062 Views
Ooor, the best. - 03/02/2012 12:25:56 AM 1040 Views
ok now you are just being mean *NM* - 03/02/2012 12:46:12 AM 641 Views
The thread was going too well - I thought we needed the meanness. *NM* - 03/02/2012 11:30:39 AM 592 Views
rabble rouser *NM* - 04/02/2012 04:24:01 AM 655 Views
I misread this at first - 03/02/2012 12:51:44 AM 1088 Views
not to mention codeine seems to make me double post - 02/02/2012 11:17:26 PM 2135 Views
I'm not so sure I agree. Or not completely. - 02/02/2012 06:14:11 PM 1021 Views
I don't diagree with the way you see it - 02/02/2012 06:39:41 PM 1098 Views
More inevitable than anything, considering who started Komen. - 02/02/2012 10:19:34 PM 1036 Views
Never having heard of any of those except PP, my opinion may not be the most relevant... - 02/02/2012 08:32:48 PM 1149 Views
You don't know stuff. - 02/02/2012 08:43:38 PM 1115 Views
I know the stuff that matters. - 02/02/2012 09:55:08 PM 1023 Views
That's true. - 02/02/2012 10:34:32 PM 1129 Views
they may also be a afraid that PP will go the way of ACORN - 02/02/2012 11:04:16 PM 1172 Views
"Accused" of = unfounded slander. - 03/02/2012 12:13:30 AM 1225 Views
This is so foreign a debate for me - 02/02/2012 10:16:15 PM 1141 Views
Must be nice. *NM* - 03/02/2012 12:26:49 AM 696 Views
Re: stuff - 03/02/2012 09:18:53 AM 1040 Views
I'm sorry, but what're we talking about when we're talking about "cancer" - 03/02/2012 12:49:34 PM 1076 Views
Obviously not adenocarcinoma, no. - 04/02/2012 07:36:06 AM 1157 Views
I"m not that fussed. I'm just generally leary of research that has results like that - 04/02/2012 08:35:04 PM 1031 Views
Fair enough. - 04/02/2012 10:17:31 PM 1152 Views
They restored funding incidentally - 03/02/2012 05:43:47 PM 1045 Views
Unless I've missed it - 03/02/2012 05:56:15 PM 1104 Views
You must have missed it then - 03/02/2012 07:07:13 PM 1031 Views
If you're referring to Cannoli - 03/02/2012 07:19:25 PM 1192 Views
Multiple was not an accidental choice of words - 03/02/2012 11:46:30 PM 1075 Views
Then I agree that maybe this is not the thread for you. - 04/02/2012 12:41:42 AM 1091 Views
Re: Then I agree that maybe this is not the thread for you. - 04/02/2012 01:53:25 AM 1285 Views
Well, I'll try again for both of us. - 04/02/2012 02:56:42 PM 1120 Views
Re: Well, I'll try again for both of us. - 04/02/2012 07:40:25 PM 1083 Views
well at least there will not be any doubt about this being a political decision - 03/02/2012 06:24:14 PM 1214 Views
I think that ship sailed long ago. - 03/02/2012 08:45:13 PM 1032 Views
Truth - 04/02/2012 02:07:20 AM 1129 Views
I do wonder a bit which lawmakers Fox thinks "pressured" Komen. - 03/02/2012 08:29:50 PM 1028 Views
are you trying to disprove the study you posted? - 03/02/2012 09:20:12 PM 1168 Views
To me, it depends on the nature of the contact, which I have not dug enough to discover. - 03/02/2012 10:43:45 PM 1060 Views
you admit you have no incite into what happened - 04/02/2012 04:27:17 AM 1098 Views
Actually, it looks like Komens new VP (and former GOP GA gubernatorial candidate) had the incite. - 04/02/2012 04:24:14 PM 1126 Views
educated guess don't work when you are tinfoil hat wearing kool-aid drinker - 04/02/2012 09:33:49 PM 1039 Views
Dude. - 04/02/2012 11:20:49 PM 955 Views
Yo mama? - 05/02/2012 05:32:11 AM 1136 Views
whhhhhhyyyyyy - 04/02/2012 11:23:58 PM 1123 Views
Why would I not think that? - 05/02/2012 05:46:15 AM 986 Views

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