skysquiffy

Hear, hear. I hope they leave him alone in prison. Pay him no mind whatsoever. He's a little, little, man and experiencing that will be the worst punishment for him.

I'm pretty sure that the signs are teasers for a remake of the movie "The Omen". It's being released that day. Nice way to see the serious side of eveything though

Well, you picture a little much. But yeah, when I observe such wrong-headed policy forced onto the lives of civilians and then I observe how it doesn't do any good for that society, I enjoy pointing it out, in the hopes of winning converts to the better way of thinking. That's wrong? Doesn't everyone do that? The more that goes wrong in a society or a locality where guns are banned and the gun ban does not accomplish any positive benefits, the more "ammunition" there is for pro-gun people to use to show how bad gun bans are. - If your true intent is to persuade people to your way of thinking, your approach is less than effective. Sarcasm, aggressiveness and condescension rarely opens minds. Your more likely to be met with defensiveness and resentment, which I think you should realize by most of the reactions to your posts. Very few people will respond favorably to heavy-handed tactics and a mocking attitude.

I find it incredibly disturbing that you seem to find so much pleasure in reporting bad news. I understand that this item fits your agenda, but a little more decorum and little less enthusiam would be far more palatable. I picture you rubbing your hands and running to your pc, barely being able to contain yourself when you got wind of this.

You know, I haven't jumped in about a year, for reasons that are irrelevant to this thread. I still go to the DZ every weekend. I guess I shouldn't be there 'cause skydiving isn't my current priority. Silly me, I'll sell my trailer, and leave with my head bowed in shame. Oh, and I don't go there to "find my next screw". If that was my intent, there are a hell of a lot easier ways than driving 180 miles round trip. You've asked "why?" and people have responded. Now you have a multitude of answers, phrased in a variety of ways, why do you keep asking and poking? Oh, and the slavery aanalogy was totally misguided. Why not bring up the holocaust and other atrocities, then accuse people of missing the point when they question that judgment. No one missed the point, they just found it distasteful. Far more so than a gay boogie is.

I think it may have an unintended positive effect. Unfortunately, the anti-choice crowd are extremely vocal, to say the least. Woman currently have the law on their side, so we don't have to fight for something that already exists. Maybe state bills like this will motivate an equally aggressive campaign to speak up and fight for personal choice.

I, for one, really appreciate your perspective, one that I could never have as a mostly straight, white female (all women have tendencies, don't ya know). I did move to another country as a teenager, and still, to this day, identify deeply with anyone British, regardless of the environment. The slang, culture, accents, etc, are all things that bring me joy and a feeling of belonging. I even like talking to Prof Kallend. Is it divisive if I gravitate toward someone at the DZ if I know they are English (not Welsh, Scottish or Irish, they're all heathens)? If I know someone emmigrated, then that's another check on the list of commonality, and one that I don't find in most people. They're going to "get" me more and the issues that I've experienced. It doesn't mean I don't like American-born people, and it's far from being divisive. I don't turn a shoulder if an American wants to join in the fun. PJ is maybe an island unto himself, but most folks enjoy and feel comforted when they are in the company of people with similar backgrounds and experiences. Some people can even relish different people BECAUSE of their differences and seek out different sub-cultures to gain some insight. I don't see this boogie as divisive, I see it as inclusive.

It's unfortunate that as you mak a personal attack on my "brightness" you can't even spell "unfortunate" right. - You guys are funny. I think it's funnier the amount PJ cries "personal attack! Personal attack!"....uh oh, is that a PA too?

How about a tax incentive that discourages out-sourcing too?

Open a no-kill animal shelter in Mexico.

I'm not sure if you've ever owned/raised a working breed dog. They are NOT for inexperienced dog owners. They require extremely firm and consistent discipline and need to always understand their place in the "pack" (i.e. human family). All these dogs are highly intelligent, energetic and quite territorial. We got a doberman when I was 11. My dad was very experienced with dogs. I remember when he was a young puppy and he'd jump up to put his paws on my knees. I thought it was adorable, but my dad told me I was NEVER to allow him to do that. As he explained, it's cute now, but when he's 80 pounds of solid muscle, those paws are gonna reach my chest, or anyone else he wants to greet. The same theories applied to walking on a leash (never allowed to pull), feeding (only approached the bowl when told), etc. Training and habits must be formed during puppyhood, not at 6 months to a year old when they're big. Too many ignorant owners let puppies do anything they want, then try to set rules when they're a year old and out of control. It's not going to work. A lot of these breeds, during their first couple of years will attempt to move up in the "pack". They'll test the waters to see if a growl will get someone to back down. An owner who steps back or becomes timid will have a problem. Any show of dominance from these breeds must be dealt with firmly and immediately. They can't be allowed to think there is any room for negotiation. Unfortunately, many people that buy these dogs don't have any clue about training, raising them and correct/fair discipline. As someone else posted, it's a status symbol for many. My doberman lived to be 13.5 years old. He was well trained, affection to a fault and never showed any unwarranted aggression. He was truly one of the most loving and affection animals I've ever known. Yes, it's the owners fault when their dogs are barely controlled, and the breeders that churn out puppy after puppy.

I have a ticket for David Gray tonight that I can't use 'cause I'm sick. I'd love to cover my cost of the ticket ($48). It's at the Vic (Sheffield/Belmont) and the show starts at 7:30pm. If anyone's interested, e-mail me at [email protected] Thanks, Emma.

Is there any possibility the death reference was referring to the war and not the cigarettes? The soon-to-be executed having a last smoke?

If you can handle the tarantula, then I'd say you've got a good chance of overcoming it. Of course, you really have to want it. Good luck, and I'm glad that you seem to know where your thoughts are coming from And to the original poster, get it looked at. As a former EMT and spider bite recipient that put me in an ER, get it checked out. I waited too long, trying to self-treat myself. It was not a good idea. You don't need to have immediate or debilitating symptoms, the goal is to avoid them.

Yes i knew that. Thats why we have bats. Bats can do the same job spiders can and they're alot nicer. I've been bitten by a spider before and I have really bad arachnaphobia, so yes, i know they help out with the bug population and I figured when I posted that, that someone would object and say something to the effect of what you just said. But i can still feel the way I do about it. I don't like them and yes, i do feel they are worthless. Except tarantulas, for some reason, i dont have a problem with those.... I'm sorry you wont try to change your feelings. I had a severe phobia of water. So much so that I could only shower, a bath was out of the question. I couldn't look at ocean scenes on television. Sometimes just looking at a puddle would make me want to run away. I overcame it to learn to scuba, something that I never would have thought possible. You wont change if you feel you can't. And that's not "why we have" anything. Spiders control insect populations in addition to bats. Every species on earth has a has it's own intrinsic value. One species of animal cannot take the place of another. Do you want the many types of hummingbirds, lizards, small mammals that "use" spiders gone too?

Excellent idea Spiders are critical in almost every ecosystem on earth. They stabilize and control insect populations. Care to think about the staggering numbers that the other bugs would reach, and the damage they would cause? We'd be overun with insects, spreading infectious diseases, destroying crops. Spiders also serve as an important source of food for many other animals. Hummingbirds use spider silk to build their nests. Yeah, hate them, they're worthless.

Well sure, there's the positive side of having a guy, but don't forget all the downsides. Enjoy your freedom while you have it! Emma.

Yeah, the Black Adders were hilarious. I wish they'd show them more over here. I might just have to look for them on DVD. I never did like Benny hill, and it seems that 90% of the people that say "oh, you're English", immediately follow it up with "Benny Hill, hahaha". There were SOOO many better programs. Emma.

Care to explain what's funny?

Why do you hate it? Tell you what, I know a lot of people in so-so relationships or worse right now. I love being single...there's NOTHING worse than a relationship gone to shit.

Ummm: "flobalobb" was Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men www.nostalgiacentral.com/tv/kids/billandben.htm I was just about to bring up Bill and Ben. Now I've got to thinking about some of the "older" shows....Porridge, all the Black Adders, Morecambe and Wise. http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/classic/testcards/gallery/testcardf.shtml I seem to remember seeing that as much as anything. Jeez, I'm feeling terribly nostalgic now.

Ah, the good childrens shows. Thanks for bringing that up. I've got the theme in my head now, which should make for some interesting dreams. My favorites... The Wombles The Clangers Mr. Benn Noah and Nelly Roobarb Wacky Races Bagpuss Oh, any idea what zebedee actually was?

You certainly stated the first part - we can't win (OVER AND OVER), and I think it implies the second. Why does it imply that? Haven't you ever heard of a stalemate? Do you believe that there is victory over terrorism in the long term?

I have not said, or implied, that we simply throw up our hands and say "well, we can't win, so we shouldn't bother doing anything". I'm saying that having a Pollyanna attitude about the current strength of terrorist organizations could be devastating.

Which of course you are entitled to do, but you really are being naive if you believe there is any victory or thwarting of ANY terrorist organization. The IRA are by no means gone. They withdrew from the Ulster peace process at the beginning of this year. There were a few years at the end of the 90's where London did not suffer any terrorist attacks, but when you look at decades instead of a few years, terrorism has not subsided. I'll make the point again, at any one time, there are countless groups that are plotting there own private little revolution. They won't all go away, ever. When one fades, another one will be there. How are they placated? By some agreement being made. The problem is, there is always a part of the group that isn't happy with the agreement, and then, another extremist fanatical group is born. You insist on talking about the western world. The U.S. was galvanized after 9/11, the U.S. are now aware and awake. You seem to be saying essentially the same thing that I am. I'm talking about public, not governmental concern. 9/11 caused the U.S. public to sit up and take personal notice. Shit, maybe the rest of the world should be pissed off that it took 9/11 for the U.S. public to really care about what was going on outside their country. Because the U.S. is a superpower, and their governmental allies will stand next to the big dog. I would disagree that the PUBLIC of any other nation cared MORE after 9/11. Maybe it was smallish compared to what's BEING planned, right now while we sit here. I'm English. I currently live in the U.S. and have since 1984. I was in Knightsbridge, London during Christmas of 1983. My Mum and Dad and I were there to see a play. Personally, I find your "9/11 woke up the world" offensive and a typically isolationist American view. You're in the club now, but you're new inductees. The world didn't start caring simply because America walked through the door. I didn't say the world doesn't care. I said they didn't START caring BECAUSE of 9/11. Well, part of that is probably a substantial cultural difference between Americans and Britons. I'm guessing that you're using number of dead as your "one of the largest", but as far as number of incidents, this is one in a long line. I'm really not sure what is leading you to make that statment. Christmas 1983? I recall an IRA bombing at Harrods around that time, is that what you're talking about? Regardless 9/11 - USA, did wake up the world. Not Munich, not Lebanon, not Tehran, not Kuwait, not PanAm 103, , and I submit you need to remind yourself, acutely of that day. People from 60 countries died that day, including over 100 from the UK. *** Yep, the Harrods bomb. Luckily, my parents and I had moved away from the spot where we'd been looking at all the pretty Christmas decorations. That was the closest I personally came to terrorism, but not the first or last experience I had with it. I grew up being evacuated from school onto our tennis courts because of bomb scares. Granted, all false alarms or pranks, but the idea of that happening was not at all foreign and was taken in stride each time. Again, the world was not asleep prior to 9/11. Why do I need to remind myself of those events? You seem to be implying that I'm not adequately disturbed by it. I resent that, and I would say that you have misread my statements if you are inferring that I thought it was anything less thant a massive and atrocious event.