OOPS! Sorry I didn't think there was another thread. But isn't it nice that so many ppl are free to say Happy Birthday to the old Apostate?
Posts by Panda
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245
Are most people just plain stupid?
by logansrun inwhat an audacious question!
" wow, bradley -- how could you stoop to such levels?
do you consider most people as simple sleepwalkers through life not paying much attention to reason, logic, science, history and a desire to understand?
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Panda
As an answer to the original post, I think many ppl become satisfied with what they learn in the first 12 years of their lives. I'm not saying that's bad, but it leaves a lifetime of experiences off the books. Someone mentioned that TV plays to the 8th grade level of vocabulary in the US. That's certainly true. TV has also contributed to the short attention span of US viewers, is this because no one likes to read anymore. For me I am astounded at how many ppl I meet tell me they HATE reading... not dislike or lack the time for it but HATE reading. I'm thinking how is this possible? But we should face that our society has let the ball drop on this issue. I often wonder how a college student can say to me "I hate reading" what the heck do they think they'll be doing for the next 4 to 8 years?
PPL take offense at being called stupid, do you blame them? Now if you asked "do most people just plain lack common sense?" Well , Of course that's the strawman in the polk, but many young people lack experience which leads them to make uninformed decisions. Lack of experience is not stupidity. Lack of experience may simply be caused by a lack of knowledge, and as the philosopher said "Knowledge is power." I was thinking that knowledge empowers us to want to know more. More about ourselves, our universe, or our micro brothers.
Why don't ppl have a curiosity about themselves or the world around them? I think it's something we see in the reading of daily horoscopes, they appear to be a read on our future which shouldn't be taken seriously, but they are short, quick and require no input of much energy from the reader. But if you are truly curious and willing to search for answers then gaining knowledge isn't hateful, I'd think you would never be able to get enough.
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How do you feel about Christmas?
by AJN indo you enjoy it after so many years of not celebrating?
does it have any relevance to you now?.
i live in nz and it doesn't feel like xmas to me cause it's the middle of summer - it just doesn't compute so that helps really all in all.
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Panda
LUV CHRISTMAS!!!!
And yes it is commercial, but what isn't? This year we've got less to spend but I still look forward to parties and lights and Merry Christmas, man I love saying that "Merry Christmas"
The joy of a mid winter festival like Christmas is in remembering that we need one another ... like no man is an island ... This is my 5th Christmas since de-borging. However, I did celebrate for many years (22) before I was baptised.
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Thinking back......What could have been! (LONG)
by Turnpike Mike ini am not trying to brag or make myself sound really good.
maybe i just think i am good because i am playing against brothers from the hall and they suck.
i tell the qb "look for me again, i will be open deep.
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Panda
Turnpike Mike, This thread has got me thinking too. You know you are quite an introspective person, I'm not sure football would've been your calling however it sure would've paid for a college education. Maybe by writing your thoughts here you will take another look at the might've beens of your life.
This forum has many many talented people close to your age. Young men and women who have taken the steps to *own themselves*, and create the kind of life that JWs only imagine. I'm so glad you're here because your post had so much in it that gives optimism and hope to me for those raised as JWs. I think the turmoil of leaving the "group think" of a cult you'd been in since birth has got to be nearly life threatening. And as we've seen in Oregon and Northern California this may lead to violent ends. But as I read your posts I thought I saw a real thinking human being with brass to find out whats around him.
A quote I like from the brother of author Henry James says ," I will act as if what I do makes a difference."
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cosmetic surgery!!!
by Debz inall these shows lately on telly - like nip/tuck etc.
highlighting cosmetic surgery got me to thinking of about 20 odd years ago as a dub..how prevalent cs was.
i knew two young women (aged about 17 / 18) who had breast reduction operations in the same cong, of course it was very `hush, hush` at the time but considering it was a small country cong - that seems like a rather high ratio of non-necessary surgery to me........any other experiences of this?
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Panda
Debz, You're right about the dubs getting plastic surgery. I know many many sisters in th SanAntonio area who have had several procedures: eye lifts, tummy tucks (ouch***), face lifts, rhinoplasty, chin implants (to balance the nose jobs), liposuction everywhere neck, arms, thighs, butt --- , also breast enhancement. I knew one sister who saved for years for breasts.
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Panda
Happy Birthday Abbaddon !
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26
Justice American style
by Zep inwe australians have just found out that one of two australians detained at guantanamo are finallygoing to get a trial.
america repatriates its own citizens and they get a nice civil trial on home soil.
our citizens on the other hand get a military trial.
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Panda
If you all would read up on terrorism, especially from middle-eastern professors, you will find that not showing strength militarily will allow the terrorist organisations to gain many new recruits. Heck, look at the Syrians. All of a sudden ,"Oh, America look we decided to turn over some Iraqi's to you." Why do you suppose this happened, diplomacy? I doubt it. Nope the Syrians saw that the US was in the middle east for the long haul and they don't want a taste of what Iraqi despots have had and will continue to experience until this war is over.
Oh and let's not forget the public trials in Somalia which allowed the despots to go free. And then regain power (I can't remember that guys name???) Free to steal food aid meant for the poor, so that it could be sold to those who had cash and/or given to militias. The poor continued to starve... nice "fair" trial to give the terrorist power over a desparate people. No, if that had been a military trial, if that had been a circumstance where terrorists were detained then, maybe the entire disaster of 1993 would have been avoided... so you see if the terrorists are detained then they won't commit crimes against humanity. Is that a difficult concept? Oh I recall now that was the UN and Pres.Clinton who didn't want military action BUT they sure did put soldiers in harms way with their one arm tied behind their back ie., they were told NOT to fire on the thieves stealing the food and were not provided with armored vehicles (Pres.Clinton was all but disbanding the military while he engaged our soldiers in more countries than any President ever.) The richest country in the world and our soldiers were left defenselesss.
BTW Amnesty International has for years accused Hussein of crimes against humanity. And while so many foreigners are ready to ney-say President Bush, if they were being tortured in prison would they say "oh no I don't want you to rescue me because your country is too wealthy and nice." Come on. You know you admire the strength of America. Go ahead and admit your awe. And it's ok because we won't take advantage of you for it, nope we'll just save your ass when the time comes ... oh yeah we've already done that , well, allow me to repeat that "you are welcome."
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Should "Merry Christmas" Be Replaced With "Happy Holidays"?
by Kenneson init seems that some think that "happy holidays" is more politically correct than "merry christmas.
" they take offense to the word christ in christmas and want to replace it.
personally, i think we should keep the words.
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Panda
We say "Merry Christmas" because the holiday is called "Christmas." The days surrounding the holiday are called "Christmastime." Get it?
If we lived 2000 yrs ago we'd give one another a Saturnalia greeting (actually a kiss on the face.) Every culture had mid-winter celebrations before the NewYear (except those in the southern hemisphere so who knows what the Aussies were up to?) And the mistletoe or golden bough figured in most. So I believe that Christmas as a celebration is just fine. It's traditional, and quite a composite when you think about it's history.
For me changing the names of holidays or words of the pledge allegiance are NOT important. The ugliness of racism, accepted misogyny, and poverty are the true evils.
Battling over words on advertisments or money only detour our actions to basically worthless causes. This is exactly the sort of nonsense that the Christian Right loves to hear from secularists. This proves that we want to take god away from them, so it's feed for their hate mongering campaign.
Do you imagine that by changing the greeting "Merry Christmas" to some PC-neutral blurb will change anyones religion or the knowledge of the origins of said HOLY DAYS? Merry Christmas has not made me a christian, but I sure do love the whole celebration!
I know How about only people who want to celebrate Christmas get to say Merry Christmas. All others will respond with the applicable "bah humbug"
That's what I'm talkin about.
Yeru: Brights don't have Satanic roasts. They won't roast what doesn't exist. You know I love you sweetie!
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Battlestar Galactica
by Heatmiser ini just got done watching the first 2 hours.
so far the storyline has been good.
i think that if your a scifi fan you will love this show.
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Panda
I never liked the original. Maybe I just didn't really follow it every week. However this new Battlestar more than makes up for the originals slugishness. The characters are well represented. James Olmos stands out as a leader, very good choice. The hot hot hotty cylon in red is gorgeous. I was even thinking "Hey a guy with her *on* his mind would definitely have a tough time thinking straight." I also applaud the characterization of the lower ranked military personel. So terrific, especially Starbuck (that's the piolot who saved Olmos son Apollo right?) Oh and the President has breast cancer so we know she's going to die.
SciFi channel rules... Jan.9th a new Stargate season begins ... is that commercial kiss between the Major's just a dream sequence?
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Justice American style
by Zep inwe australians have just found out that one of two australians detained at guantanamo are finallygoing to get a trial.
america repatriates its own citizens and they get a nice civil trial on home soil.
our citizens on the other hand get a military trial.
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Panda
The war in Afganistan is not over. Military tribunals have been used for more than a century to bring war criminals (in this case terrorist supporters) to trial. It's war, the military criminals should be detained until the war is over. Or maybe just let 'em go? That way they would fight and kill more coalition soldiers. (notice I didn't say Americans)
Someone mentioned "it's not fair" oh boo hoo. No one should expect life to be fair. If you really want to know how the war is going why don't you just go sign up for the marines. That way you'll find out the "Truth."