A little bit off topic of the geoscience-field… but I feel it necessary for people to know. It sounds almost like a nightmarish bad dream… but according the a online paper the UNs counsil of human rights have BANNED criticism of islam. Yes you read it right. Banned critique. That means that topics on human rights vs sharia laws and those nasty fatwa-curses are off limits. The theocratic despots are safe to act as they see fit in countries like Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Afganistan, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Sudan - the countries that most often of all muslim countries ignores human rights. No one can any longer complain about such small things as beheadings of gay people and such "trivial stuff"… Political correctness towards muslims one might think was the reason - the real reason probably has more to do with the fact that the UN counsil on human rights have been controlled by undemocratic nations for a long while…

Far less serious, but still bad this of course means that the islamic version of creationism and intelligent design now can feel safe from ungodly western ideas like the theory of evolution and such. Not know to many westerners but universities all around the islamic world tend to teach so called non-offensive science only. Theres a reason theres not that many prominent muslim scholars on evolution. 

In the past there have been some discussions in the UN on the scientific quality in islamic universities and the UNs organisations on education have brought up several issues. But now the religious delegates of course can relax since they with ease can claim that any such critique is critique of islam - and therefor not allowed.

Theocracy vs human rights/freedom of speech = 1-0

Speaking to you Americans who probably (still) have more respect for titles than we in Sweden do.

How can a creationist and young earth-believer like Dr John Baumgardner become a Ph.D. in geophysics? (He is known for searching for evidence of the biblical flood). He obviously dont understand basic science even per definition - since he believes in the ridiculous notion of a biblical young earth he cant understand anything about geology for real. Its just not possible.

One hell of a liar all through his career? He must be - how else could he have made it through his studies/exam/scientific career? This guy must have written litteraly thousands of stuff where he as the author didnt believe in the facts he wrote about. Not only that, he has several fancy positions within the geological community and several papers published. God forbid… Does he teach others?

I have no doubt of him being smart - he must be at least extremly manipulative, since he operates succesfully in a field in which he denies all basics in.

Its no wonder that titles like Phd and Professor has very little status these days when anyone can get them despite what they truly stand for or understand - in this case simply just pseudoscience. A Ph.D. doesnt stand for any academical guarantees anymore.

Im looking for the best (pocket) field guide to minerals and rock money can buy. I have two demands: Lots of minerals and rocks and lots of color photos. I dont need a lot of scientific information on each mineral. I want it for in-the-field identication purpose only.

Please help me.

A little bit of topic - but at least it "almost" sounds the same as geology - a question on genealogy - 

Can anyone recommend any good American webpages with open records of immigrants to the USA. Im doing a litte bit of genealogy and every tip would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!