Interesting Posts and Articles, #9

1. OnTheMainLine has a Samaritan parallel to a saying in Pirkei Avot, that of lefum tzara agra. He suggests, based on evidence, that this was a common, popular saying, that was attributed to different Rabbis and authorities.
   This makes sense, and strikes me as similar to the golden rule being attributed to Yushke, Hillel, and in the book of Tobit.
2. TheYeshivaWorld has an interesting letter about rabbinic names being wrongly associated with the rental vaad, which tries to keep rental prices low. Also a bunch of images to letters signed by various Rabbonim. Fascinating.
3. A commenter on one of my old posts, about Whether a Potential Bride Must Mention She Has Not Yet Experienced Menarch, suggests that Dorkatei is Androgen Insensitivy Syndrome. It certainly makes sense.
   
4. "A convicted criminal has moved in with a married couple against their wishes after giving their address in court as his home."
   Choice quote:
   "How can he get away with giving false details? Can crooks pick anywhere they like and just move in? Who needs to break into a house when the courts will do it all for you?"
   His claim is that the daughter said he could move in.
   
5. E-Lamdan On Whether Lomdus is ahistorical.
6. The "Consensus" on Global Warming:
   "Over 400 prominent scientists from more than two dozen countries recently voiced significant objections to major aspects of the so-called "consensus" on man-made global warming. These scientists, many of whom are current and former participants in the UN IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), criticized the climate claims made by the UN IPCC and former Vice President Al Gore. "
   ...
   "Many of the scientists featured in this report consistently stated that numerous colleagues shared their views, but they will not speak out publicly for fear of retribution. Atmospheric scientist Dr. Nathan Paldor, Professor of Dynamical Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, author of almost 70 peer-reviewed studies, explains how many of his fellow scientists have been intimidated."