id
int64 5.11k
4.34M
| gender
stringclasses 2
values | age
int64 13
48
| topic
stringclasses 40
values | sign
stringclasses 12
values | date
stringlengths 2
18
| text
stringlengths 4
790k
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Note that in the monitors, the previous Neos all look the same. Three possibilities: (1) this is an illustrative image by the filmmakers, to show that the previous anomalies were variations of a single effect, though of course they could not be the same physical body -- which means the monitors are there for either the audience's benefit or Neo's: ours, in that we need to have this concept presented graphically, or Neo's, in that the Architect is artificially recreating Neo's face to show what the previous anomalies have done, though they would have to have been historically different, unique physical individuals; (2) all anomalies, for some reason, assume within the matrix the physical appearance of what would be the 6th anomaly, i.e., simplisticly, the appearance of Keanu Reeves; or (3) the body of the single individual who represents the anomaly -- to simplify again, Keanu Reeves -- continues to be liberated from and reinserted into the matrix; thus, what we witness at the end could be what has happened five times before: the physical body returns to the Source, possibly to be placed once again into a stasis pod. Which means that Neo -- again, the physical body of Keanu Reeves -- has now experienced *six* violent liberations from his physical stasis pod. In this way, the cycle repeats not only within the Matrix, but in the physical world, as well. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | The Architect - Hello, Neo. Neo - Who are you? The Architect - I am the Architect. I created the matrix. I've been waiting for you. You have many questions, and although the process has altered your consciousness, you remain irrevocably human. Ergo, some of my answers you will understand, and some of them you will not. Concordantly, while your first question may be the most pertinent, you may or may not realize it is also irrelevant. Neo - Why am I here? The Architect - Your life is the sum of a remainder of an unbalanced equation inherent to the programming of the matrix. You are the eventuality of an anomaly, which despite my sincerest efforts I have been unable to eliminate from what is otherwise a harmony of mathematical precision. While it remains a burden to sedulously avoid it, it is not unexpected, and thus not beyond a measure of control. Which has led you, inexorably, here. Neo - You haven't answered my question. The Architect - Quite right. Interesting. That was quicker than the others. *The responses of the other Ones appear on the monitors* Others? What others? How many? Answer me!' The Architect - The matrix is older than you know. I prefer counting from the emergence of one integral anomaly to the emergence of the next, in which case this is the sixth version. *Again, the responses of the other Ones appear on the monitors* Five versions? Three? I've been lied too. This is bullshit! Neo : There are only two possible explanations: either no one told me, or no one knows. The Architect - Precisely. As you are undoubtedly gathering, the anomaly is systemic, creating fluctuations in even the most simplistic equations. *Once again, the responses of the other Ones appear on the monitors* You can't control me! Fuck you! I'm going to kill you! You can't make me do anything! Neo - Choice. The problem is choice. * The scene cuts to Trinity fighting an agent, and then back to the Architect's room * The Architect - The first matrix I designed was quite naturally perfect. It was a work of art, flawless, sublime. A triumph equaled only by its monumental failure. The inevitability of its doom is as apparent to me now as a consequence of the imperfection inherent in every human being. Thus, I redesigned it based on your history to more accurately reflect the varying grotesqueries of your nature. However, I was again frustrated by failure. I have since come to understand that the answer eluded me because it required a lesser mind, or perhaps a mind less bound by the parameters of perfection. Thus, the answer was stumbled upon by another, an intuitive program, initially created to investigate certain aspects of the human psyche. If I am the father of the matrix, she would undoubtedly be its mother. Neo - The Oracle. The Architect - Please. As I was saying, she stumbled upon a solution whereby nearly 99.9% of all test subjects accepted the program, as long as they were given a choice, even if they were only aware of the choice at a near unconscious level. While this answer functioned, it was obviously fundamentally flawed, thus creating the otherwise contradictory systemic anomaly, that if left unchecked might threaten the system itself. Ergo, those that refused the program, while a minority, if unchecked would constitute an escalating probability of disaster. Neo - This is about Zion. The Architect - You are here because Zion is about to be destroyed. Its every living inhabitant terminated, its entire existence eradicated. Neo - Bullshit. *The responses of the other Ones appear on the monitors* Bullshit! The Architect - Denial is the most predictable of all human responses. But, rest assured, this will be the sixth time we have destroyed it, and we have become exceedingly efficient at it. * Scene cuts to Trinity fighting an agent, and then back to the Architect's room. * The Architect - The function of the One is now to return to the source, allowing a temporary dissemination of the code you carry, reinserting the prime program. After which you will be required to select from the matrix 23 individuals: 16 female, 7 male, to rebuild Zion. Failure to comply with this process will result in a cataclysmic system crash killing everyone connected to the matrix, which coupled with the extermination of Zion will ultimately result in the extinction of the entire human race. Neo - You won't let it happen, you can't. You need human beings to survive. The Architect - There are levels of survival we are prepared to accept. However, the relevant issue is whether or not you are ready to accept the responsibility for the death of every human being in this world. *The Architect presses a button on a pen that he is holding, and images of people from all over the matrix appear on the monitors* The Architect - It is interesting reading your reactions. Your five predecessors were by design based on a similar predication, a contingent affirmation that was meant to create a profound attachment to the rest of your species, facilitating the function of the one. While the others experienced this in a very general way, your experience is far more specific. Vis-a-vis, love. *Images of Trinity fighting the agent from Neo's dream appear on the monitors* Neo - Trinity. The Architect - Apropos, she entered the matrix to save your life at the cost of her own. Neo - No! The Architect - Which brings us at last to the moment of truth, wherein the fundamental flaw is ultimately expressed, and the anomaly revealed as both beginning, and end. There are two doors. The door to your right leads to the source, and the salvation of Zion. The door to the left leads back to the matrix, to her, and to the end of your species. As you adequately put, the problem is choice. But we already know what you're going to do, don't we? Already I can see the chain reaction, the chemical precursors that signal the onset of emotion, designed specifically to overwhelm logic, and reason. An emotion that is already blinding you from the simple, and obvious truth: she is going to die, and there is nothing that you can do to stop it. *Neo walks to the door on his left* The Architect - Hmph. Hope. It is the quintessential human delusion, simultaneously the source of your greatest strength, and your greatest weakness. Neo - If I were you, I would hope that we don't meet again. The Architect - We won't. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Two cents: I think the machines kept Neo alive for fear that if he died, another One would appear and the cycle would repeat. Same with why they chose not to destroy Zion -- because inevitably the cycle would repeat, and they'd have to do it again. The Oracle allowed Smith to absorb her so that she could help Neo when he confronted Smith in the final battle; she was left behind when Smith was destroyed. Speaking for yelahneb: Ben's theory is that Neo has been altered with cyborg-like implants that allow him to connect with the machines. I'm not satisfied with this interpretation, but I haven't come up with anything more satisfying myself. In general, it seemed to me that the goal was not victory/defeat (1 or 0), but the breaking of a cycle: something that was neither 1 nor 0. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | I watched for twenty minutes, was wildly unentertained and turned it off. Seemed like change for the sake of change. I mentioned to Angie, I've always felt that if we don't like someone because they're unlikeable, the script is good; if we don't like someone because we're supposed to not like them, the script is bad. A lot of 'this one's supposed to be evil;' 'this one's supposed to be good;' 'oh, now, this one's supposed to be a rascal, look out.' I might try again some random day when it reruns. Lower expectations might help on a second attempt. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Did anyone else watch the first part of the Battlestar Galactica mini-series last night? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | ...until then, gaze upon these urlLink curious lucre , brought to you by the fine persons at urlLink lileks.com . |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | hey, my contract runs out at the end of this month! whee! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Never fun. My own contract ends January 6. I hope a door opens for you before this one closes. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | My show is closing. urlLink http://www.playbill.com/news/article/83082.html urlLink http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=32666&CT=38 |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | so that's why you can't fight city hall. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | seems i wasn't the only one serving urlLink fake turkey this year... |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | And bureaucracy hates you. Oh yes. It hates you with a blinding, seething, murderous rage. Its fingers itch with longing to wrap around your soft, fragile neck and twist it with such violence that your tongue hangs loose and your eyes roll back and all goes white and pale and you slide once and for all into total oblivion. Bureaucracy hates you, Miss Contentment. It wishes nothing more than your desperate, fruitless clawing at empty air as you come face to face with your sad, painful, pathetic destiny. Bureaucracy hates you. And it will find you. And you will know despair. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | gah! i hate bureaucracy |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | urlLink someone to dine for |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | At last, good news: 'Howard Dean wins the 'Drunk and Happy' award' |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Alarming: 'Al Sharpton wins the 'Beautiful Corpse' award' |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | And, who knew? 'George Bush wins the Pussy Hound award' |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | However... 'George Bush wins the Motherfucker award' |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Equally ineffective: 'No One wins the Sugarcock award' |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | My Google Race query result: 'No One wins the 'Fucking Whore Ass' award' |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | urlLink Google Race 2004! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Aparently the recently rumored new B5 based series is one step closer to reality. JMS said he was working on a script to be ready in the next few weeks. It has a working name of B5:TMoS. One person guessed (tic) that it was B5: The Making of Spoo. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | If you move past the debate of whether or not the project is needed or if the benefits out weigh the costs/impacts, then we design the projects with human safety as the number one criteria. The FAA has specific requirements for the grades (steepness) of runways, taxiways and the areas surrounding them to provide a safe operational environment. Local, state, and Federal requirements then dictate that the designs be accomplished with the smallest amount of impcat to waters of the US, wetlands, and forests (especially in Maryland - the tree is as holy as cows are in India). It all ends up being a balancing act of safe environment, limited environmental impacts, and minimizing costs (which are 95% funded by the FAA). In the end, the owner usually does not have too much input on the specifics of how something is done, after all that is what they are paying me for. They just want their new runway (in this case) and leave the details to us. To answewr your question, we go to the middle ground as much as possible, if for no other reason than it is legally required. If I did not have these restrictions, my job would be much easier, but also way more boring. It is kind of funny because in WWII there were alot of airfield constructed. In Virginia alone Norfolk, Richmond, Newport News, Roanoke, Suffolk, Franklin, West Point, Emporia, Petersburg, Accomack, and Danville were all constructed in the early 1940's. For the most part these were built by the Army on swamp land. Today, they would never be built, because of all the wetland (swamp) impacts. The group that oversees wetlands? The US Army Corps of Engineers. How's that for irony? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | What is your take on environmental issues vs. airports? When engineering, do you design entirely in favor of the client (the owners, I assume), or do you recommend middle ground? My dad was an engineer who sold the chemicals used to make circuit boards, but was always aware of their environmental impact, even though he had little control over the product (beyond understanding and explaining the ways how his product would be more safe than a competitor's in this instance or that, if the customer asked). |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Thanks. I got a call from the reporter on Tuesday to confirm some things. I hate talking to them because of the fear of being misquoted on a sensitive subject. It is really bad when something the consultant says to the press raises a firestorm of local reaction. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Also -- Congratulations on making the Washington Post! It must be very rewarding to be recognized out of town, even in one paragraph. Always cool to know an expert in a field, regardless of the field. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | If the [government] can misrepresent something relatively simple, [like Iraq's WMDs or its links to 9-11], how much [does it] get wrong on issues where people don't know the details? Not presenting the truth, in my opinion, is the same as [lying in running a government]. It's unlikely that anyone who has entered the public forum can be taken wholly at face value. Thanks for the words! ;-) |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | This is why I don't trust the press to be fair in their reporting. At least sites/organizations like Salon and Rush Limbaugh are honest about their view of things. urlLink The press' representation of the public hearing I presented at on Monday Now, there is nothing untrue in the article. But, it leaves the impression that there was only dissent. There were 5 speakers - 1 (Mr. Wilmont) expressed environmental concerns, 1 (Mr. McHaffey) expressed concerns about property value and noise, the other 3 were speaking in favor of the project. Mr. Wilmont's comments were well expressed and received (unlike some public hearings I have attended where people were ranting and raving), and his comments are acurately and fully presented in the article. Mr. McHaffey was more concerned with the rezoning of his property from residential to industrial in the past couple of years. He has consistently (for the last 6 years anyway) complained about helicopter noise. The proposed development will neither add to nor subtract from the helipcopter operations. Again, while nothing printed is untrue of what he said, the emphasis of his comments is misrepresented. Given the title of the article, you would think that nothing positive was said on the hearing. There were 3 people speaking in favor of the project, and 4 of the 5 Commissioner's (same as Supervisors in Virginia) had positive comments and expectations resulting from the proposed expansion. The last Commissioner did not comment. My point is this. If the press can misrepresent something relatively simple with a negative tilt, how much do they get wrong on issues where people don't know the details? Reporters are supposed to report the facts and leave the opinions for the editorial page. Not presenting the whole truth, in my opinion, is the same as stating your own opinions in a news story. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | urlLink Bush - Cheney 2004! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | the ad you won't see during the superbowl - urlLink http://www.moveon.org/cbs/ad/ |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | i'll probably be moving to canada in december : ``We genuinely don't think the questions of rights should be decided by popularity contests or general elections or even the majority. When you are a minority, you want the Constitution to decide these issues and that's what courts are for.'' - a quote from a canadian regarding legally-recognizing homosexual marriages. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | oh, and let me give credit to angie for that quiz |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | You are Galadriel's Mirrorball. A gift to her from Sauron in the days when he masked his evil, you wreak havoc among the weak-minded. The elven queen herself has been seen sneaking away to her secret glade to dance the night away to wicked music. You may be the downfall of Middle-Earth. urlLink Which completely non-existant Lord of the Rings object are you? brought to you by urlLink Quizilla |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | By car and camel |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | how did everyone get home on sunday? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Uh...no. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | oh my god! you've had all those guys at your house for 2 days! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Just overheard on MSNBC that the current administration is officially stating that no WMDs will be found in Iraq. I was in the other room, though, so I may have heard wrong... |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Just dug out three cars, cleared two spaces, and pushed out a fourth car. Unemployment isn't what it used to be! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | are you guys stuckoverat johnathan's house? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | you are super cool, nick- i don't care what jason says about you. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | What was the point of the ribs thing and why would the White House post it on their website? Talk about bizarre. Note that the question is not aimed at Ben. If the President really was concerned about the woman's business, he would not have gone there are all since the Secret Service probably shut down her restaurant for a couple of hours and scared away all her normal business. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Greetings from Zagreb! Thought it would be fun to post from a little further away than usual. I'm in Zagreb, Croatia, where I did a gig last night (this is a pretty jet-setting time for me - I'm in Berlin in a few days). It was my first time doing a gig to an audience who predominantly spoke English only as a second or third language. Very interesting. They were fine with most of the references (Bush, Iraq, Tony Blair, Harry Potter) and highly amused that my surname means 'poo' in the country of my betrothed. The Bosnia/Croatia war was a no-go area, since Britain and France opposed Croatia's independence (I knew John Major would one day try to ruin a gig for me) and I think they were a little taken aback by my take on Catholicism, but it was a great night and felt really historic. This is Croatia's first attempt at starting stand-up comedy and it was only their second show. It's weird - I've never been shown actually doing my act on TV in Britain but in Croatia it took exactly one night. Today I walked around Zagreb for about 3 hours. It's a really beautiful city and has pretty much recovered from the war, cosmetically at least (socially, they have that World Bank/IMF thing going on: 5 per cent of the population is filthy rich and 40 per cent are below the poverty line). Anyway, I've enjoyed being here immensely and thought I'd share. The home page of the PC in my hotel is a hardcore porn site, which maybe isn't surprising for a Catholic country still in the throes of post-Communist freedom. Nick |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | be at game from 12:30 until 3:30 - luc must go for awhile - she told me so. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | meanwhile, in Roswell, NM: urlLink ribs. ribs, damn you! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | gaming stuff - guys, i will not be able to be there this sunday. i just got a new job and i need to brush up some of my skills before monday - so i'm going to be spending my weekend studying. joy! hopefully, mr. ben will agree to play the part of luc - and perhaps even miriam. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | i got fitted for my bridesmaid's dress last night and despite what johnathan may think, i think i've got some junk going on in this trunk. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | the democrats want to beat bush and they will accept no weakness from their top contenders - either win or be torn apart. it's a pretty rough primary this time around. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Somebody explain something to me. I'm sure it will come as no surprise that I don't care too much for Dean. That being said, why is he being crucified for his animated speech after the Iowa Caucuses? Was it over the top? Sure. Was he out of control? I don't think so, he was caught up in the excitement of the crowd. Give the guy a break. He just saw his big lead disappear in a very short period of time and was pretty disappointed. If you (pundits) want to pick him apart, at least do it based on the issues. Although, I did see a couple of funny clips about it from Jay Leno and John Stewart. But they will pick at any public figure. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | somebody best give me a job soon or i'm going to eat some pudding pie! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | For a moment I was trying to figure out Rush's political leanings, or if Peart, Lee, or Lifeson had recently been addicted to painkillers...kind of amusing, once I recognized the actual reference... |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Fair warning to all - Since the station I used to listen to (Star 107 - mostly 80's) just changed formats to all Elvis all the time, and football season is over (meaning I have no interest in listening to any of the sports stations) and that this is an election year, I have decided to start listening to Rush again. It has been over a year and it may not last long, but my posts may be more rabid then normal as I get exposed to more of the events (filtered through a majorly tilted view). I'll let you know if the pain killers altered his mind. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | I was equal parts annoyed and amused until... a) He started talking about healthcare, which made me want to throw all my medical and prescription bills in his face right after I kicked his ass b) He flat-out dissed gay marriages Beyond that, it was all just kind of in one ear and out the other... Oh, but there is one thing. Mr. President, the word is NU-KLEE-ER, not NU-CUE-LER. Thank you. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Gusev Crater, Tarus 23, XXVI (MPI) -- A spokesthing for Mars Air Force denounced as false rumors that an alien space craft crashed in the desert, outside of Ares Vallis on Saturday. Appearing at a press conference today, General Rgrmrmy The Lesser stated that 'the object was, in fact, a harmless high-altitude weather balloon, not an alien spacecraft'. The story broke late Saturday night when a major stationed at nearby Ares Vallis Air Force Base contacted the Gusev Crater Daily Record with a story about a strange, balloon-shaped object which allegedly came down in the nearby desert, 'bouncing' several times before coming to a stop, and 'deflating in a sudden explosion of alien gases.' Minutes later, General Rgrmrmy contacted the Daily Record telepathically to contradict the earlier report. General Rgrmrmy stated that hysterical stories of a detachable vehicle roaming across the Martian desert were blatant fiction, provoked by incidences involving swamp gas. But the general public has been slow to accept the Air Force's explanation of recent events, preferring to speculate on the 'other-worldly' nature of the crash debris. Conspiracy theorists have condemned Rgrmrmy's statements as evidence of 'an obvious government cover-up,' pointing out that Mars no longer has any swamps. They point to the release of secret government memos detailing attempts to discredit reports of the landings by alien space craft. Local residents, like Driv Rhodo, who lives in the area of the alleged landings, are even more skeptical. 'I seen it with my own 5 eyes' claimed Rhodo last week. 'I've lived here over 300 years, most of my adult life-form. Them things used to be few and far between but lately they come in every few years or so. The government wants to bury the truth but I can tell you what's real. The Earthlings are going to invade and the government is spending our hard earned tax dollars on press releases and denials instead of preparing for the battle to come.' A spokesthing denied any government involvement in the disappearance of Rhodo, who has not been seen since shortly after the interview, claiming 'Any sentient being knows that a planet with the concentrations of water and oxygen found on Earth is a deadly and inhospitable environment for the formation of life, much less intelligent life. The fear and consternation caused by the unfounded and wild speculations of citizens like Rhodo are a traitorous disservice to the citizens of Mars.' |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | I listened to about 15 minutes of the State of the Union last night while driving home (which means I heard about 1 minute of speaking and 14 minutes of Republicans standing and clapping). Forgetting the topic of the exchange for a minute, I did hear a funny thing. Bush was talking about the expiration of the 'let's get all the dirt we can on everyone and imprison people without due process' act. He paused for some reason, probably dramatic effect. At which point there was a smattering of applause from who I assume were Democrats. Then he continued and said that the terrorist threat would not expire on the same deadline, which of course got a tremendous round of applause. I saw a replay of that portion of the tape this morning. He definitely enjoyed that little 'gotcha' moment. And, like I said, ignoring the topic it surrounded for a moment, it was kind of funny. Other than that, as much as I like politics, I can't stand the State of Union address. It never really amounts to more than a chance for politicians to put on a public show of what they are for and against. The party in power will say that it was a great speech. The party out of power will say it failed to discuss the really important issues. Instead, we watched a rerun of Early Edition on PAX. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Oh, and one more thing...I don't know about emotionally traumatic experiences, but I know from experience that physically traumatic experiences can alter your chemistry. Since the breast reduction, I put weight on different areas of my body than I did before. Also, doctors have attributed the triggering of fibro to severe physical trauma. With me, it was most likely the breaking of bones and the whiplash-inducing car accidents I had near the onset of puberty. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | God, I don't read the blog for a couple of days, and suddenly you guys are all prolific on my ass... 1) I'm for Dean, because as a disabled person, his views on healthcare reform are compelling to me. 2) I adored 'Lost in Translation' for the same reasons Johnathan did, and a few others. One, it was very reminiscent of a relationship that I was once in. Two, as an actor currently studying acting, I was fascinated by the performances and their varying techniques/approaches to their characters/styles, etc. Their work was all so intimate that I almost felt voyueristic watching it at times, especially Bill Murray. And I thought it was a beautiful story about a remarkable connection between two people. That human quality is something I enjoy in movies... 3) I thank God that taste changes over time, or I'd still be listening to my 'Rainbow Brite' LP about 50 times a day. I agree with Johnathan that the tastes in almost anything (food, music, activities, films, etc.) that I've 'outgrown,' so to speak, will always hold a nostalgic value for me, even if I don't engage in them with any frequency anymore. 4) Comfort is my new favorite restaurant...FRIED OKRA!!! 5) Today was my first day of classes, and while I'm excited about the resurgence of productivity in my daily schedule, it absolute whooped my fibro-ridden ass. Much pain now. Me go bed. 6) Oh, and I love Johnathan! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | i think it would also be interesting to find out if traumatic experiences can actually effect our brain chemistry, long term. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | That's interesting Johnathan. In regards to music I have an eclectic taste. I like the rock music of the 70's and 80's since they represent a much simpler and generally more enjoyable time of my life (nostalgia). I can't stand most of today's music, partly based on lyrics/topics and partly based on the music itself. I love big band music (Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, et. al) probably because I played alot of that in the jazz bands I was in in high school and college. But for straight artistry, I love classical music (in the general definition of orchestral music). Bach, Beethoven Tchaichovsky, Mussorgsky, Rossini, Copland, Wagner, Gershwin, even some Bernstein, and on and on. When I get a chance and have had a stressful day or week, I lay flat on my back in front of the speakers and listen to some of this music, lose myself in the intricacies of the music and end up feeling much more relaxed and focused. Sorry for drifting off topic there, but my point was that I had never thought about the fact that my taste in music has not changed much over the years and how that relates to heart and mind. That would be an interesting study (what do changes in taste of art reflect on the growth of person?) I bet some doctoral candidate has studied that at some point. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | I did not come up with this. I've seen it before with different people as the subject, but here goes. With all your honor and dignity what would you do? This test only has one question, but it's a very important one. Please don't answer it without giving it some serious thought. By giving an honest answer you will be able to test where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely, completely fictional situation, where you will have to make a decision one way or the other. Remember that your answer needs to be honest, yet spontaneous. Please scroll down slowly and consider each line - this is important for the test to work accurately. You're in Florida...In Miami, to be exact... There is great chaos going on around you, caused by a hurricane and severe floods ....... There are huge masses of water everywhere.... You are a CNN photographer and you are in the middle of this great disaster. The situation is nearly hopeless. You're trying to shoot very impressive photos. There are houses and people floating around you, disappearing into the water. Nature is showing all its destructive power and is ripping everything away with it. Suddenly you see a man in the water, he is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken away by the masses of water and mud. You move closer. Somehow the man looks familiar. Suddenly you know who it is - it's George W. Bush! At the same time you notice that the raging waters are about to take him away...forever. You have two options. You can save him or you can take the best photo of your life. So you can save the life of George W. Bush, or you can shoot a Pulitzer prize winning photo. A unique photo displaying the death of one of the world's most powerful men. And here's the question: (Please give an honest answer) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Would you select colour film, or go with the simplicity of classic black and white? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | My taste changes over time as well, though the recognition of objective quality (as I define it) remains constant. It's probably more accurate to say what I 'like' changes over time, while what I admire or value remains the same. I will always admire and value the craft and artistry of Pink Floyd. But I rarely listen to them anymore. When I do, I find I'm only visiting old stomping grounds. The appeal is only in appreciation of craft and nostalgia for a time or place. I am grateful for what they gave me at that time, but I now go to other sources for meaning or sustenance. That said, I experience my changes in preference as a slow continuum. If they happen rapidly for you, perhaps it is as I initially proposed -- that your relationship with art is largely, if not exclusively, personal and emotional. In the context of this post, the heart changes more frequently than the mind. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | johnathan - that's an interesting thought. i had a weird thing happen to me this year, in terms of movies i like: i used to love the purple rose of cairo. i watched it about 4 months ago and i thought it was one of the most contrived pieces of crap that i'd ever seen - what happened? can a person's taste change that much over the course of a few years? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | although this means he will immediately change it, this so far has been a reliable way of distinguishing my posts from johnathan's - he always has the word 'harmony' as part of his user id. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Movies? What are these movies you speak of? Are they a type of class? Seriously though, I have only seen Terminator 3. I have not even heard of 'American Splendor.' There is nothing wrong with mass market films (baaa). I want to go see RotK, but Julie has no desire to, and has not even seen TT yet, so she would be lost anyway (baaa). Sorry, all this political discussion has me responding loke a politician and not answering your question (baaa). BTW, who is this? Johnathan or Mir? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Miriam -- From my observation of your reactions to movies and music over the years, I think it's safe to say that content is the key for you. If the content doesn't connect, you won't like the film. In that sense, it seems likely that you prefer either filmed essays or escapist tales. There's nothing wrong with this; it's just seems to be how you relate to the arts. That said, I suspect that Lost in Translation did not get you because the content wasn't engaging. Because without the content, I feel there is plenty of evidence throughout that it is still a strong example of storytelling, character exploration, and filmcraft. It seems to me that you approach the arts as a seeker -- a seeker of either ideas or entertainment -- rather than as an aesthete. There is nothing invalid about approaching a work solely as a seeker; but the more personal the quest, the more limited the experience. As for myself, the film connected profoundly with me, both personally and aesthetically. I suspect that the film's content did not resonate with any aspect of your own personal search, and was promptly (and validly, for you) dismissed in all remaining categories. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | i have a question about movies. i didn't really like 'lost in translation' or 'american splendor' i've heard really good reviews but they didn't move me or change me or even really entertain me that much. i have to say my favorite films of last year were in order: 1. return of the king 2. pirates of the carribean 3. terminator 3 and yes, that is kinda embarrassing to admit. while i enjoy action/adventure films, and i realize that return of the king is more than that, it isn't normally my entire list. i don't usually even enjoy mass-market films - so my question to anyone with an opinion about this is: why did you like lost in translation? what was good about bill murray's performance? - why did you like american splendor? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Nick - According to the book, what was the most scandalous thing going on? I don't have time to read much anymore, and have never really read any non-fiction political books. I only point to the vote counting since that is what the two rulings from the Supreme Court were about and the origin of the 'Selected, not Elected' mantra that Jesse Jackson and others continue to throw out. I read part of the Greg Palast link. If that is part of what you are referring to, then I would have to ask about the military absentee ballots that were discarded because they did not have post marks? While certainly not a monolithic block ,the majority of military votes got to the Republicans. These soldiers were serving in Bosnia and Saudi Arabia and Korea, but their votes were discarded because of a technicality of the military postal system. There is no fool proof system. To assert that the incompetence / laziness of the company (IBT?) was deliberate a full 7 months in advance of the election assigns them the power of clairvoiance to know that the election was going to be decided by the extremely close margin it was. There is also the assumption that all of the people that were scrubbed (terrible word IMO) would have a) voted and b) voted for Gore (and not Bush or any of the other 5 or 6 candidates). I don't think you will find many people who live in the real world that think that the 2000 election nationwide, not just in Florida, was unflawed. There was the judge in St. Louis who ordered the polls to remain open 3 or 4 hours longer in one area for a reason that I can't recall. That area just happened to be a largely black area and one where the Democrats were going door to door to get people to go vote. There was also the 'math error' that led the networks to call Florida before the polls has closed. It is impossible to know how many, if any, people in the panhandle, a largely Republican area, did not bother to vote because of this announcement. Then there was the voter incompetence in Palm Beach(?) where the people did not know how to read the ballot. The ballot they used there was the same type used in Chesterfield, and it was 100% clear to me. It was a mess. Back to a conversation from many months ago, I think many of the problems (election wise) would be solved if our participation in the process was increased. 50% for the presidential election is downright pathetic. The reason I think it would be solved is that I think the Democrats would win handily as they have done a better job of selling class warfare (rich vs. poor) and convincing the 'working class' that the government is the answer to everything when compared to the Republican belief that less governemnt is better. The Democrats message sells better if you don't dig into it, so it would win. Count me as one of the yays on the legitimacy of the election. I have no idea on the commission. Who was supposed to running it? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | i'm willing to say i'm sorta for clark. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | i just went to comfort last night! were you there too? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | JFK and Clinton both had much more political experience than Edwards. If Edwards was on his second term in the senate instead of his first, then maybe we would be talking presidential hopes here. he's too inexperienced. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | I just found a strange contraption called Beagle II on my roof. Should I tell someone? About the militarisation of space, I agree with John that it looks like being inevitable at this point - not that I think we should be happy with that. That NASA is the mechanism via which the public can be made to fund military research is nothing new, either. Most high technology, from telecoms to nuclear weapons, is a result of public subsidies. The main raison d'etre of the Pentagon system was to set up this system. Once the public has paid the cost, the technology gets turned over to private enterprise to collect the profits (I believe the term for this is 'free enterprise'). And if the private enterprise gets in trouble, the public bails them out. Yay! Risk-free capitalism! We have satellites and computers because the Pentagon and NASA covered for it (in the US - we have our own versions too, of course. I think Alan Turing got military funding, for instance, although don't quote me.). These things are now profitable, so they get handed over to big private corporations. This is an open secret - it's not talked about much in public, since most people don't like it when they realise they're paying to make rich people even richer, and effectively underwriting any risk, but on the other hand it needs to be known in the right sectors because, well, companies have to know where their free money's coming from. urlLink 'This transfer between public and private industry is called Spinoff at NASA.' The Bush stealing the election thing... It's funny how every pro-Bush comment I ever read focuses on ballot-counting and chads, as though those were the most scandalous things going on. The best book I've read on the Florida debacle is The Best Democracy Money Can Buy . Honestly, I didn't even think it was controversial to say he stole it, but the front page of today's Independent says that 54 per cent of Americans believe he was legitimately elected. What's your impression in the belly of the beast? Also, can anyone point me to the investigative commission that concluded it was stolen? urlLink Greg Palast told me about it, but we were interrupted as he was telling me where to find it and I haven't had much luck searching online. Hope you're all well. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Julie was watching 'I Want to Marry Ryan Banks' on ABC Family last night. I walked by at one point and saw the female star and it took me a second to realize that it was Emma Caufield (Anya). She was definitely not the dumb naive character she was in Buffy. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | I've been for Kerry from the beginning. I think my current state of unemployment is (for now) my own strategic choice. I think venturing from this planet is the only thing of value that our species can do. I remain conflicted about the invasion and occupation of Iraq. I miss Buffy, though I realize the show had nowhere else to go. 'Lost in Translation' remains my favorite film of last year. I am excited about the semester beginning today, though I wish I had more time for gaming. 'Comfort' on the 200(?) block of Broad is a fantastic restaurant. And I love Angie! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Wow. What happened to Dean? I guess his angry-all-the-time approach did not resonate well with Iowans. I'm actually most scared of Edwards at this point. He is young, energetic, and charismatic - traits similar to JFK and Clinton(shudder). It is too early for me to get into analyzing their politics since they will change 100 times between now and the convention. Who is the favorite amongst my Bush hating friends? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | it's okay john - you're still my #1 paladin. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Sorry Mir, the attack the the post thing was me thinking out loud to myself, not aimed at you or anybody else. Just another example of how this medium fails to convey meanings at time. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | john, i'm not trying to attack the poster,i'm merely stating a point. i used people from the blogger as examples because we are familiar with them and encourages more participation from others on the blog. so i just like to talk politics - i'm really not trying to offend anyone. but beyond that - 29,000 is rich - if you are single with no dependents, and if you keep in mind the current poverty level for one person caps out at 9,000. yes, that's right, fellow bloggers - if you make 9,001 dollars - no matter where you live - you are not considered poor by the federal government. and yes, you are right, a good deal of economics, as well as most things, are cyclical - however, the acts of the president and congress can determine how long those cycles last. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Ben - I wasn't referring to her physical whereabouts. I knew that she had been at FSU at some point recently. I was merely referring to her presence on the blog (and in the e-mail ring prior to that) and therefore seeing my previous comments on the 2000 election. As for the political differences, I guess I have never really felt that I have seen your opinions. I have seen the links you post on the political issues, but I don't take that as necessarily that you agree 100% with them. Much like if I was to post a link to the Weekly Standard or New Republic or whatever one of the conservative rags are, I doubt you would find that I agree with it 100%. It also sounds like you feel like I did from the moment Clinton took office and declared me, a fresh college graduate making $29,000 a year to be rich. From that moment on, I wanted that man out of office and would strongly argue against anything he said. Miriam - I can't respond to most of your post without seriously offending some people personally, and I do not want to that. Argue and attack the points, not the poster, so I won't. The economy is a cyclical thing. We had about 10 years of positive growth from the early 80's to early 90's, then a recession, then about 6-7 years of positive growth from 93-94 to early 2000. It will happen again. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | john: there's so much i could say in response to your post, but i can only explain my outrage at the current state of affairs so many times; maybe nick will jump in with some thoughts. you don't see things the way i do in regards to politics, and you probably never will. but i have to wonder if to some degree we're just talking about how we feel about the facts, rather than the facts themselves. regardless, i will say this: you are wrong about my sister's whereabouts in november of 2000. she was at ground zero, my friend - living in florida, witnessing firsthand much of the foolishness that went on there. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | john - just on this point, i think we are no where near having a fully recovered economy, which of course, does not mean 0% unemployment, but it does mean that well-paying professional jobs are available for those who have the skills and education to acquire them. eva - undergrad biology - unemployed. ben - underemployed. me - ba - contract work. etc. etc. etc. - yes, we could all go out today and get a minumum wage job and barely scrape by and pay most of our bills. but is that the american dream now? get your education, work hard, and then stay around the poverty line due to a stalled economy? what happened to all of the perks of full time employment? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | yes, i lifted this quote from dear abby, but what the hey: In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., whose birthday we remember today: 'To retaliate in kind would do nothing but intensify the existence of hate in the universe. Along the way of life, someone must have sense enough, and morality enough, to cut off the chain of hate.' |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | 'The space program is bullshit.' - Don't hold back, tell us how you really feel! ;) Seriously though, is it the whole space program or just this latest decision/pronouncement you don't like? We have and continue to enjoy the after effects of the initial Apollo missions with the spin off technologies. I don't see that we will have the same boost as we got in the 60's from this, but that is the great thing about technology - you don't know about something useful until someone invents it. '...the fact that over 9 million Americans (including myself) are unemployed...' - What exactly makes someone unemployed? Is my wife unemployed? She has no paying job but also does not want one right now. Is she included in those statistics? What about the artist/actor who does not have a job because they are busy trying to get a part or find a patron? They could at least respond to any of the fast food restaurants that always have 'Now Hiring' signs out front. Are they included? 9 out of roughly 250 is 4%, which I think is lower than the rates I had heard (~6%), so it makes my wonder even more as to exactly how they come up with the numbers. It just proves the saying that there are three types of information - lies, damn lies, and statistics. Note that I am not saying that we don't have too much unemployment. I would love for there to be 0%, but short of the government hiring anyone without a job to do something, I don't think the government has the responsibility or even power to do anything about it. '...our economy has continuously gone downhill ...' - The economic downturn/recession/depression/dip/or whatever the hell you want to call it began noticeably in March of 2000 when the stock market went through its 'correction' (I hate that term, but that's what they call it). The NASDAQ went from 5000 to 2000 in something like 6 weeks and the NYSE had a similar drop, taking down many peoples retirement and college education savings with it. A friend of mine stupidly was holding the money he had made from the sale of his house in NASDAQ and watched it get reduced to about 1/4 of the original amount. Let's see, I believe that in March of 2000, Governor Bush was trying to secure the Republican nomination for the White House. And let's see, yeah I can see where President Bush was directly responsible for allowing the terrorist attacks that lead to the deaths of ~3,300 people, shaking our country to it's core, and causing an already weak economy to weaken further. But the really bad news for the argument is that the economy has grown for the last two quarters and the highest rates in 20 years. '...Bush stole the presidency...' - Sigh. Miriam, help me out here. How many times have I addressed this one in the last 3 years? 20? I know that Eva was not here for them, so I will state my response again. There are laws in place in every state that govern the way public elections are to be held. They were followed in Florida, but Al Gore wanted to change them so that the ballots would be counted again (making three times if I remember correctly). Bush appealed to the State Supreme Court, which upheld the decision to go ahead and recount. Bush then appealed to the US Supreme Court, who finally voted 5-4 to stop the recounts and declare a winner based on the votes counted. The Democrats cried foul and this was partisan politics. If it had truly been partisan, the vote would have been 7-2, as that is the breakdown of R vs. D appointees. What that showed to me was that the court was deeply divided, but made a ruling and it was carried out without the violence that probably would have occurred in other countries. The Democrats keep bringing up the 500,000 more votes that Gore received. If our system of elections was based on straight count, then that would be a valid point. But, since the US Constitution clearly spells out the Electoral College process, it does not matter. What the Democrats should be doing is trying to shore up support in the states where they were close, transferring the popular vote to electoral votes and possibly a White House win (shudder). As a side note, one or two of the Florida newspapers went back after the fact and counted the ballots. There was a slight change in the numbers, but Bush still won the state by some ridiculously close margin (around 200 votes). '...(1)poorly thought out, and (2)expensive, (3)publicity stunt.' - (1) I don't think it is poorly thought out. All that he has done is to set a target. Was Kennedy's proclamation poorly thought out in 1961? (2) Yes it will be (3) Probably so. But then again, anytime a President announces something, it can probably be considered a publicity stunt or at the very least politically motivated (see the recent immigration announcement) 'He's just cutting funding and jobs from other NASA programs. ' - Would you rather he keep funding them and come up with the money from, say, Medicare? Will any of those people, say working on the Space Shuttle, be able to transfer to the new programs? I would hope so. I found out with some dismay this weekend that Sean O'Keefe (NASA administrator) announced that the next HST maintenance mission has been scrubbed. The current gyros have a 50% chance of failing in the next year and 75% within the next two years. Once they go, Hubble will not be usable. Additionally, the mission was going to boost it into a higher orbit. Without this, it sounds like Hubble will reenter the atmosphere sometime in the next 2-4 years. The replacement telescope is not scheduled to be launched until 2008-2011. Congratulations on the upcoming wedding. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | oh andyeah, email - [email protected] |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | eva - email me and i'll send you my address. - august 14th! two weddings in one year! whee! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | The space program is bullshit. It might be a fun and cool distraction from the fact that over 9 million Americans (including myself) are unemployed, our economy has continuously gone downhill since Bush stole the presidency, and that we are in the middle of a big screw up in Iraq, but it is a poorly thought out, and expesive, publicity stunt. Go USA! Since we have so few problems, let's spend time and money on messing up another planet. The thing that I find the funniest is the way Bush plans to fund it. He's just cutting funding and jobs from other NASA programs. In other news, I need everyone's address so I can eventually send out wedding invitations. It's going to be on August 14th. The ceremony will be at Maymont and the reception will be at my parents' house. You should all come. We're going to have lots and lots of booze. Oh...and if anyone likes doing hard physical labour and has free time, I've got plenty for you! Just call me and let me know! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Ben - If that was intended as a response to my question, it failed. I'm not asking what an anti-Bush website thinks about it, I'm asking what my fellow bloggers think about it. In response to the website, for us, the USA, to think that space will remain unmilitarized forever is naive. Especially since out good buddies in the Peoples Republic of China are rapidly developing their own space program, and I believe have announced plans for a moon mission (though my memory is vague on that). They see us as a threat, rightly or wrongly, and we must be prepared. Someone told me that space exploration is alot like having kids; if you wait until you are ready, it will never happen. I can see his point. We, the human species, have been trying to solve some of these pressing social problems (poverty, injustice) for about 3000 years now. Sometimes with good effects (Roman and Greek rule was pretty good) and sometimes with bad (medieval Europe). If we wait until the social problems are solved, then I don't think we will ever do it. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | MISSION TO MARS FOR MILITARY BENEFIT, NOT JUST 'SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY' President Bush unveiled his proposal for a new space program Wednesday by invoking the spirit of explorers Lewis and Clark, saying, 'They made that journey in the spirit of discovery... America has ventured forth into space for the same reasons.' But the president didn't mention that members of his administration view space as the next frontier for military buildup and conquest. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld chaired the Commission to Assess United States National Security Space Management and Organization four years ago, releasing its findings in January 2001. Rumsfeld's report found that 'we know from history that every medium -- air, land and sea -- has seen conflict. Reality indicates that space will be no different.' The panel also concluded that 'given this virtual certainty, the [United States] must develop the means both to deter and to defend against hostile acts in and from space.' The president's focus on space exploration because it 'improves our lives, and lifts our national spirit.' However, behind the scenes, USA Today reported that Bush was persuaded to move forward in part due to the military benefits, as promoted to him by Vice President Cheney. The Center for American Progress' Progress Report yesterday noted an appearance by Republican Congressman Tom Feeney on Scarborough Country where he stated, 'Somebody is going to dominate space. When they do, just like when the British dominated the naval part of our globe, established their empire, just like the United States has dominated the air superiority, ultimately, whoever is able to dominate space will be able to control the destiny of the entire Earth.' Feeney's comments echo PNAC's September 2000 report Rebuilding America's Defenses, which said, 'Much as control of the high seas - and the protection of international commerce defined global power in the past, so will control of the new 'international commons' be a key to world power in the future.' urlLink -Bush Aims for Mars to Dominate Space Militarily |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Thanks Mir, I was starting to wonder if I had fallen into an alternate reality where we agreed on things! I am having fun watch the Democrats tear at each other in Iowa. Now that Dean has abandoned his no attacking policy, I wonder how long it will be before Edwards does as well. I am also curious as to why Wes Clark is spending so much money on TV ads in Virginia at this early juncture. While it is a very good introctory ad, I have seen it enough times now to have a couple of questions about its veracity. I am not saying that he has lied or even stretched the truth, but I don't think he has put forth the whole truth. I really doubt that he had much to do with the actually negotiating the peace in Serbia. He probably had a roll, but we have diplomats to handle these things and soldiers to enforce them. Also, he comments that this was done without the loss of American lives. The biggest difference is that we went in to an area where they hate each other (Serbs/Croats) more than they hate us. In Iraq, the insurgents hate us, not the Shiites/Sunnis. Yet again, I still have not heard a proposed answer to the situation (other than Dean's saying we need to pull out totally, now). If you want to lead, you need to have answers, not just point out the obvious problems. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | now so john doesn't pass out - a very well thought out ad regarding the presidency of george w urlLink http://www.liberaloasis.com/bushin41point2.htm |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | john, i agree with both of your arguments. i think raising the cigarette tax is ridiculous - it's exploiting citizens who are addicted to a legal product. they are simply hoping they can keep raising the price but people will keep coming back for more. i believe drug dealers use the same tactics. and i don't think we should be going to the moon or mars. we have a huge deficit - we're in the middle of a very expensive war - and we have alot of domestic programs which need funding - so go john! |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | When I first heard that President Bush was going to propose going back to the Moon, I will admit that I was extremely skeptical on the reasoning. We've been to the moon, kicked around the dust, and gotten the t-shirt. What's the point? I wanted there to be a larger goal - Mars. So, I was initially happy about the recent announcement. But, the more I think about, the more I question it. Don't get me wrong, I still am in favor of it, but I'm not sure that we will see the benefits of the initial establishment of the NASA with all the new technology, which is what everyone in NASA seems to be touting as a reason to do this. Computers are already improving at a rate that puts them ahead of the software designed to tax them. We are constantly developing new and better materials (plastics, polymers, ceramics) and other electronics. I don't see where the demands of this new mission are going to have much trickle down into daily society. Sure, there will be localized job benefits to the areas that get work on certain aspects of the project, but unless we get our kids back where they should be in math and science, those jobs will go non-Americans. So, I am in support of the mission, with some reservations. How about the rest of the blog? |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Warning - The following post is given a grade of F for political correctness because it is anti-tax, and somewhat pro-smoker. I have been listening to the governor talk about the need to overhaul our state tax system. The one that troubles me most is the increase to the cigarette tax. I have heard that Virginia has one of the lowest, if not the lowest, tax per pack. That seems to be the overwhelming reason given to raise it. If the revenue generated from this increase was to go directly to treating the illnesses of smokers with no reduction in the current amounts going there (i.e. an increase in actual spending), I would not have a problem with it. But, I have observed politicians long enough to know that this will not be the case. I point to the Virginia Lottery as my case in point. When we (the voters) were sold on the concept of a lottery, we were told that all the profits would go to education. The good news is that the politicians held true to their word for once. The bad news is that the amount of money that had been coming from the general fund has dropped dramatically. Basically, they used the lottery to fund something that everyone agrees needs it, in order to be able to increase some other programs. I do not doubt that our current politicians would do the same thing with a cigarette tax. Now, if they are just trying to raise more general revenue, this is also not a good idea. I point to New York City as an example for this one. They recently, within the last 2 years, raised the per pack tax to some astronomical level, like $5 a pack. This was intended to help ease their budget problems. Instead, they ended up with a larger deficit than before because all this revenue failed to appear. The reason? Smokers, despite there lack of heeding the warnings of the danger, aren't stupid. They know that they can go someplace else to get their cigarettes and have done so. Heck, I'm sure that some entrepreneurs did the math and realized that they could make several trips to Virginia, load up on lots of cartons, and took them back to New York where they sold them for a hefty markup but still less than the 'legal' packs. The bottom line, to me anyway, is that getting whatever amount we get now is better than gambling that we won't lose more by raising the rates. I know that Julie's parents get many cartons to take back to Florida whenever they pass through because of the price difference. They aren't the only ones. If you raise the rate, much of this business will dry up. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | Congratulations Miriam. I was a little shocked to see that guy in what appears to be a serious movie. I guess he is trying to expand beyond 'That 70s Show' and 'Dude, Where's My Car?' Ben - Good article. I did notread 100% of it (got a Cliff Notes version?) , but it reinforced my apprehension about Wal-Mart. What I did not see it mention was what Wal-Mart has done to the smaller niche businesses. You know, the ones like a bike shop or small fabric store or even an independent drug store (as versus CVS or Wal-Greens). Do you recall the huge fight that Ashland put up against the Wal-Mart opening there? It was very big news when they one, but the victory was only temporary. The Wal-Mart is now open. I have not heard how it has affected the small businesses in Ashland. On the flip side, I am hypocritical for criticizing them. With one salary and 5 mouths to feed, Julie does 80+% of our shopping at Wal-Mart, in part because of price and because of the convenence of going to one store and getting everything we need. A recent trip included soap, diapers, an oil filter, and a gallon of milk. There's not too many stores that have all four of those items |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | congrats, mir! now to the rant: urlLink walmart uber alles |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | just got paid for writing - the first time in 5 years! it's a movie review in richmond.com - it won't be out until january 23rd. it's for the butterfly effect. btw: veredict - not so great. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | a quote that john might appreciate: from the village voice: Just before I go to sleep I ask myself, Why not love your fellow man, why not peace on earth? In the morning the sun has risen over the enormous Coral Ridge shopping mall, the biggest in Iowa. And the shoppers from Iowa City and Cedar Rapids are pulling in like ants returning to a hill. I ask myself the same question, Why not peace on earth? And the answer occurs to me immediatelybecause the other guy wants to rape your women and kill your children. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | the reason i didn't go off about mad cow is because everyone here already knows the risks of eating meat, the opinions that the vegans/vegetarians have, and have already made up their mind. would i love it if everyone on this blogger became a vegetarian? sure, i would. i would love it if people would just eat meat every 3 days instead of every day. but all i can really do is choose my own actions and hope those actions can help change the minds and hearts of others. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | umm, yel, that's me mir not jls. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | I am impressed. It took about a month for one of our vegetarians/vegans to post about Mad Cow. I would have been spouting off about it the next day. Then again, I do tend be more rabid then Ben and sometimes Miriam. As for O'Neill, I am not saying he is lying, or making anything up. It could all be true. But, do you really expect him to say nice things about the President who fired him? I can barely say nice things about the bosses of places where I quit. Back to my earlier comment about Bush being similar to Reagan (Teflon President), it seems this controversy is already dieing. Monday and Tuesday it was covered in the first half hour of the Today show (my only brush with network news anymore). This morning it was not even mentioned. Another similarity is in one of O'Neill's claims of the President being disengaged during Cabinet meetings. I seem to recall people saying Reagan was a doddering old fool in his Cabinet meetings. |
589,736 | male | 35 | Technology | Aries | 05,August,2004 | JLS: i'll bite - who does the quote make you think of? also -> urlLink veganism, anyone? |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.