The moons tidal pull on the earth, as does other gravitational forces effect the earths iron core the same way as it effects the oceans. This friction causes heat that keeps our core molten and rotating. This dynamo effect creates a magnetic field around the earth that protects us from radiation etc. The earths gravity also plays its part. [EMAIL=“GTIMETO@HOTMAIL.COM”]GTIMETO@HOTMAIL.COM SUPPORT AND REBUTTALS APPRECIATED!!!
What column is this in reference to?
Is the OP a question, a comment or a rant?
A twist on “does the moon rotate”. The earth effects the shape and rotation of the moon. It figures the opposite is true, lets include the sun and other gravitational forces.
Try telling us which column or report you are talking about so we have a common starting point.
Are you referring to this column?
ok
If one has ideas or theories he wants to share and wants public input. Where should he post them?
Yes this column.
The ‘General Questions’ forum is the place to post if you’re looking for factual answers.
And let me be the first to say, “Welcome to the Straight Dope”! 
Reported for forum change.
I will give that a try.
Why does it say bad example under your user name?
If you knew me well, you wouldn’t have to ask. 
what does reported for forum change mean?
It just means that I pointed the thread out to the Mods so that they can move it to the appropriate forum.
I will take that for what its worth!!!
Till Later, Bad Example.:dubious:
The same to you.
Have a great day and a better tomorrow. 
gtimeto: welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards.
We have different forums for different types of questions. You had posted in a forum that is devoted to questions about Cecil’s columns, and that’s why some posters were trying to be helpful by locating the column, so we would have some common starting point. Based on your comments since, I have moved this to a forum devoted to straightforward question-and-answer.
Paying members have the ability to write their own titles under their names. Non-paying posters appear as “Guest” (lilke under your name); paying posters like JBDivmstr can select their own title, and he’s selected “Bad example.” Moderators and Administrators like myself have two lines.
That help?
I’m not convinced that the Earth’s magnetic field explains why we have an atmosphere - many planets have an atmosphere of some sort, including IIRC all of the planets in the solar system (bar Mercury, which is too small and hot and close to the Sun to retain one) and a number of the larger moons. Mostly we have an atmosphere because of the initial chemical makeup of the Earth combined with gravity keeping it “stuck” to the planet.
If you want to discuss why we have this particular atmosphere, that’s a different question.