Roundup on Paul Mirecki
by KrauzeThe blogosphere is buzzing over the reported assault on Kansas University's Paul Mirecki, who caught headlines for his e-mail about slapping fundamentalists in their fat faces. Mike has already mentioned that the biggies are weighing in, but many other bloggers are also commenting on this.
Foyle from Verum Serum has been covering this from the beginning, and has a couple of posts about it.
Considering the potential PR value, the intelligent design critics at The Panda's Thumb have been remarkably silent on the issue.
David Heddle quotes some "R-rated" comments from Pharyngula, who's crediting the assault to "ignorant thugs with a bible".
In Thoughts from Kansas, Josh Rosenau quotes one of his commenters, a semi-professional boxer, who believes that Mirecki's injuries "are consistent with a serious assault, not simply asking a friend to punch you a few times."
Steve Jones does what he's best at: Finding lots of news articles, and commenting on each one.
John Wilkins writes, on Evolving Thoughts: "Mirecki's email was obnoxious, but in no way unjustified or immoral or contrary to decent ethical standards. Religious people make much worse comments about "godless atheists" every day, and in America, they (and he) have that right constitutionally."
And of course, there are many other blogs simply linking to the story together with a brief comment.
December 8th, 2005 at 11:58 am
[...] 8217;s story isn't holding water. In fact it is getting more and more suspicious and people aren't buying it. I suppose one might be tempted to call Mirecki's story a "myth?̶ [...]
Pingback by Ochuk’s blog » Blog Archive » KU Prof on Myth — December 8, 2005 @ 11:58 am
December 8th, 2005 at 5:44 pm
"Josh Rosenau quotes one of his commenters, a semi-professional boxer, who believes that Mirecki's injuries "are consistent with a serious assault, not simply asking a friend to punch you a few times.""
Huh?
A semi-professional boxer (as well as the amateur rank) wears gloves that range from 8oz to 12oz. The bruises one would get from being punched by a gloved fist would be much different than those that would be administered in a "jumping". The 'dings' one gets from boxing would more closely resemble "simply asking a friend to punch you a few times" as opposed to a "serious assault".
The way one would carry himself/herself while they were being seriously assaulted would be much different from that of a person in a boxing match.
In boxing punches are not allowed to the back of the head, the back, the kidneys, 'below the belt', and no punching while your opponent has taken a knee. But in a 'serious assault' there is no formal regulation that states where one can be hit (and with what. Considering that you are only allowed to use your fists. No elbows, knees, metal objects).
This commenter's comments would be irrelevant. What he/she would be familiar with seeing in the ring would have little semblance to what happens in a 'serious assault'.
Gloves leave very different marks than a fist (even a fist coated in a winter mitten).
Comment by Doug — December 8, 2005 @ 5:44 pm
December 8th, 2005 at 5:47 pm
Who is this "John Heddle" guy, and why is he raining on my parade?
Comment by heddle — December 8, 2005 @ 5:47 pm
December 8th, 2005 at 5:48 pm
Also,
How did they get to see the bruises? Have full body pictures been released, showing an unshirted torso? Everything I've read has been so vague to the point that I have a hard time discerning where he was exactly hit, let alone what the bruises look like.
Comment by Doug — December 8, 2005 @ 5:48 pm
December 8th, 2005 at 7:46 pm
Perhaps someone in the class which he took that same day could let us know how he looked (at least from the shoulders up, also was he limping and grimacing e.t.c). Anyone in his class that day listening on?
Comment by willo — December 8, 2005 @ 7:46 pm
December 8th, 2005 at 8:54 pm
Hi David,
Sorry for mix-up. If it's any consolation, I've already had to fix it when Foyle informed me that his name wasn't spelled "Floy".
Comment by Krauze — December 8, 2005 @ 8:54 pm
December 8th, 2005 at 9:28 pm
Hi Willo,
"Perhaps someone in the class which he took that same day could let us know how he looked (at least from the shoulders up, also was he limping and grimacing e.t.c)."
From The University Daily Kansan:
Comment by Krauze — December 8, 2005 @ 9:28 pm
December 8th, 2005 at 9:56 pm
Cheers Krauze, can hardly believe the disparity in the accounts, does Mirecki have a twin?
Comment by willo — December 8, 2005 @ 9:56 pm