ILIKEALLCAPS

Love Shack.....by the B-52's.

ETA: ZZ Top, Aerosmith, AC/DC also have some good driving music!

OMG.....AC/DC have been responsible for many an instance in which I severely exceeded the speed limit.

And based on the ethnic breakdown of the school.....isn't it the majority picking on the minority to not let the whities print their opinion?

Why do you assume the author was white? Referring to raucous behavior on the part of African-Americans as 'monkey-like' is certainly not something only white people do. I've heard it from Latinos, East Asians and South Asians as well. Heck, given the racial makeup of that school, the author is more likely to be Latino or East Asian than white.

I agree....the author is most likely Mexican ("Latino" is considered offensive around here by the Mexicans. LOL) or possibly Filipino.

*sighs*

So what do we refer to people of different ethnicities as? We are ALL human beings, to be sure. When I refer to someone as Mexican, Black, Native American, Asian, etc. it's not to refer to them that way in a racist way. Why DO they have to be so darned sensitive? I know society has caused a lot of this, but you'd think that a person's intelligence would step in and say "I know that wasn't meant to be a racist remark".

It seems that a lot of people in this world go looking for racism. How sad. Of course, this is just MHO.

Thank you Karen, for pointing out that the "news" of the ethnic breakdown of the school was a wild herring. Why did I assume the author was white? Why didn't you? More importantly, why didn't everyone NOT assume that a teenager describing a sample of their peers, who are regularly behaving like undisciplined louts, as "monkeys" at a "zoo" is automatically being racist. Perhaps the author was describing their behavior as something similar to, oh I don't know, what you'd see a monkey behave like....and pointing out that human beings are supposed to be able to rise above that? That's the issue. Should high school students be allowed to write metaphorically?

(and don't think I haven't noticed y'all still using vowels.....is this becoming a board full of hate-crime perpetuators? Or is it possible that we could recognize that any event could be twisted to be culturally/ethnically/gender/whatever bias, and we need to deal with that before we have a race riot over rude teenage behavior? Jump to your conclusions from here.)

I've been called a monkey before.

I was even born in the year of the monkey.

Am I to be offended because of that? If so, then I'm offended at all the references to the word "monkey" in this thread.

I also claim all vowels as being part of my culture and feel that you're being incredibly insensitive if you continue to use them, here or offline. (I mean, if the word "monkey" cannot be used due to racial issues.....then you all must stop your hateful use of vowels)

And based on the ethnic breakdown of the school.....isn't it the majority picking on the minority to not let the whities print their opinion? Why shouldn't everyone else be expelled for such oppressive actions?

discuss please

Black Sunshine - White Zombie

502 - Megadeth

or....alternatively

the entire album "pet sounds" by the Beach Boys

I got a few hours in last night.

I made:

- hot spinach and artichoke dip

- oyster crackers mix

- banana cream pie (I'm not sure how that turned out though, it seems a bit too gooey?)

- spiderweb pumpkin cheesecake

- fumi fumi salad

- broccoli casserole

- scalopped corn

And that's it.

I'm ready to go over to my in-laws now. I think we're going to have around 30 people there.

Question: the broccoli stuff has crushed crackers up top, should I heat it up in the microwave or is that a big no-no?

heated in a microwave the steam would make the crakers mushy.....best find some oven time for it.

Enjoy....and happy Thanksgiving! May your spork be ever-full!

um....dood

Methinks you're sleeping a wee bit too long with your face in the pillow....or maybe just not long enough.

so the threads where moved because

1. Christmas doesn't happen in the ME/NA therefore was moved to off topic

2. There are no christians of middle eastern descent or north african descent in ME/NA forum or any christians for that matter.

3. People in off topic needed to know more about where christmas originated.

4. It's rude to ask why topics are moved

When I made the thread someone could have just said that instead of saying we bicker too much in there.

Merry Christmas!

btw JP has a made a nice thread in the ME/NA forum on how people in the Middle East celebrate christmas.

Not entirely sure if #4 is a dig at my trying to answer peezey as to why they had been rude, but I'll choose to address it as if it were.

Funny, I was addressing rude behavior by an individual. Yes, in my second post I did ask why there was such a furor over them being moved, but I never linked the two. I honestly don't give a rat's azz where the threads started, where they are now, or where they'll be tomorrow. If you want my suggestion as to where they should be, I'd be happy to tell you where to put them, but until then perhaps you should limit your leaps of logic to within the boundaries of reality.

Now, I can appreciate your sarcasm. It's a powerful tool. But are you really honestly telling us that Christmas should only apply to ME/NA? Last I checked it was pretty near worldwide. (Sorry if I'm breaching ME/NA protocol....should that have been worded: "Any adult knows that Christmas is celebrated worldwide."?)

Whoops, there I go being rude again. My apologies.

Where were we? Oh right. I think all threads should be moved to the ME/NA forum from this point forward, as it's obvious the center of the universe is there and that all information is only relevant if filtered through ME/NA. It's the obvious solution.

Ok there. I bolded some things that may help you to find clairty. As any adult with an IQ over 50 can see, you're implying that those who differ from you aren't adults, just as I have just implied that you are both a) not an adult, and B) don't have an IQ over 50. See how that works?

Now, you can either acknowledge that such implications are rude, and take offense at mine (at which point I will have successfully made my point)......or continue to be blissfully unaware.

hmmm, these are my only two choices? How about this, and I realize I'm not following your pre-defined rules by sticking to the choices, so apologies for not playing along: I don't care what your opinion is either way, regarding my tone or my assertion that adults should know there are non-arab Christians and seculars who celebrate xmas. I don't find it outrageous in the least to expect some level of knowledge, especially considering the topics that flood our news media the last several years. Not to mention significant numbers of discussions in OT re: the MENA world (and those some find in the MENA forum itself).

It is common knowledge people celebrate xmas secularly, all over the world. Really, if people don't know this, then I'm seriously shocked the level of ignorance is that low.

And, finally, I if i read your assumption re: 50 IQ are those who do not understand or wouldn't know simple facts as these, then I guess you're right. Those on VJ and elsewhere who can't even google simple stuff, yet can make ridiculously stereotypical statements, fall in the mentally retarded range of intelligence.

Learning there is so much racism and ignorance is not bliss for me, it's heart wrenching, as a matter of fact.

Actually, you had the choice to say "Hmmm, yeah that might have been rude and I apologize for the implication." as well. Strange you didn't take it, or even see it like the non-terrorists did. (See, that was me being rude. I apologize.)

You're absolutely 100% correct, adults should know that there are a mix of religions in various regions, that people can celebrate some holidays secularly, or that making insulting implications is rude. Now, I'm not sure if you're Christian, Muslim, Hebrew, Secular, or whatever, but you are pretty inexcusably rude. I know you don't care. Why should you? I'm just one of the faceless other people on this board that you're preaching to but not listenting to. Yep, just here, secularly enjoying the OT forum, wondering how the hell anyone could be so seriously pissed off that threads that are off the topic of their particular forum got moved to the off topic forum. I mean, imagine that, moving off topic things to off topic. What's next? Expecting people to behave civilly? Trying to stay ON topic? Getting your own fcuking board if you want to have your private posting club, or dealing with the public part of a public board?

Ok, go ahead and flame me for my heretical ideas. Or for responding. Or whatever it is that motivates you.

Because the majority of members in the MENA forum here (or so it seems...maybe it's just the more vocal ones) are Muslim.

So when I said there are more Christians and secular xmas celebrators in MENA than any other religion, you don't believe me? This is the case. Just because there are some vocal muslims and because most women have married muslims doesn't mean the MENA forum is majority muslim. The opposite is true, in fact.

Then don't you think it would stand to reason that if more was known about this and other things related to ME/NA, by these threads being in OT, that it would assist in a better understanding and knowledge for others.

I remember WOM posting quite a lot a while back in OT which for one, gave me a better understanding of Muslim and related areas.

uh, no. I think any adult knows there are a) Christian Arabs, b ) there are people of mixed backgrounds marrying each other (hence the immigration site), and c) there are people who secularly celebrate xmas. This is not something that is a MENA secret we're keeping from people so ignorance can perpetuate. Give me a break.

Really no need to be rude.......is there Obviously there is a misconception on VJ going by the previous poster you responded to.

I am explaining the reasons why the poster is innacurate and I'm answering your question. I'm not sure how that is rude.

Ok there. I bolded some things that may help you to find clairty. As any adult with an IQ over 50 can see, you're implying that those who differ from you aren't adults, just as I have just implied that you are both a) not an adult, and B) don't have an IQ over 50. See how that works?

Now, you can either acknowledge that such implications are rude, and take offense at mine (at which point I will have successfully made my point)......or continue to be blissfully unaware.

Hi Michelle

If you use the proportions in the recipe your brine will be enough to prevent bacterial growth if you place your bucket in a cool area. Extremely important to make sure brine covers all turkey flesh. We leave ours in the garage overnight and it's great. (of course, we live in a cooler climate and generally only brine in autumn/winter).

My dad would insist that the brining has to be done in a ceramic container, but we can't all have the luxury of having one large enough. A clean cheap bucket from Home Depot is what we use.

Good luck!

I actually saw the first "free hugs" video recently. No accosting....just standing there with a sign, and if you wanted one, you came up and got one.

A pretty nice concept, I thought.

Though I'd probably still check my wallet after.

Daniel,

On the church being force to perform ceremonies issue, here's an analogy that I thought of.

I have a license to drive a car. According to the state I'm legally allowed to drive. However, if I wanted to drive through a church, I'd need their permission to do so. Just because I have the license, doesn't mean the oganization/structure has to permit me to exercise said license in their domain.

A group might get a license/permit to have a parade down my street, but if they decided instead to cut across my yard, they'd be illegally trespassing and I'd have them all arrested. It's still up to the individual church, the overall church organization, and the like, to determine if they will conduct the ceremony.

"we have the right to refuse service to anybody"

(geez....that rambled.....I think I need a bit more caffeine)

hello their mr caps!

you analogy made sense. my concern lies in trying to get a law on the books. and this will not happen unless you convince the voting public that this law will not infringe on the seperation of church and state.

i feel it would feasible only if any such law provide an ironclad clause protecting the church(es). or ithis too much to ask? or do you not think this will help? just brainstorming here.

Daniel

:energetic:

ps total aside, you guys do ok up ther? heard something about some rain. oh! and 5k mags of p0rn! wow man, quite a collection there!

Daniel,

On the church being force to perform ceremonies issue, here's an analogy that I thought of.

I have a license to drive a car. According to the state I'm legally allowed to drive. However, if I wanted to drive through a church, I'd need their permission to do so. Just because I have the license, doesn't mean the organization/structure has to permit me to exercise said license in their domain.

A group might get a license/permit to have a parade down my street, but if they decided instead to cut across my yard, they'd be illegally trespassing and I'd have them all arrested. It's still up to the individual church, the overall church organization, and the like, to determine if they will conduct the ceremony.

"we have the right to refuse service to anybody"

(geez....that rambled.....I think I need a bit more caffeine)

And this is why I always need to be on my toes...this is not the first time this statement has been made...

hahaha my first thought was man, what you need is a bulldozer not a license!

Daniel

:energetic:

I think the only problem with anything ironclad is that it provides too many loopholes. Honestly I think an overall blanket regulation that states that marriages shall be permitted to any (2) consenting adults, regardless of gender, as regulated by other statutes regarding marriage would be much more sensible, as it would continue the discretion of the officiant. Right now your priest doesn't have to marry anyone he doesn't want to, who doesn't fulfill the requirements of your church, or who is for whatever other reasons ineligible. That wouldn't (and shouldn't) be touched. But as soon as you try to regulate that you'll run into the "separation of church and state" issues, and people will do their best to circumvent it just because it exists. It's not a situation of a pharmacist refusing to dispense medications that treat conditions they disapprove of, it's still a very discretionary issue.

(response to the aside: We're pretty dang soggy, and the municipal sewer system is having issues, but we're fine. And I'm a member of the digital age....that'd be 5k dvds under the bed....fits much better!)

Daniel,

On the church being force to perform ceremonies issue, here's an analogy that I thought of.

I have a license to drive a car. According to the state I'm legally allowed to drive. However, if I wanted to drive through a church, I'd need their permission to do so. Just because I have the license, doesn't mean the oganization/structure has to permit me to exercise said license in their domain.

A group might get a license/permit to have a parade down my street, but if they decided instead to cut across my yard, they'd be illegally trespassing and I'd have them all arrested. It's still up to the individual church, the overall church organization, and the like, to determine if they will conduct the ceremony.

"we have the right to refuse service to anybody"

(geez....that rambled.....I think I need a bit more caffeine)

In nature, are their any other animals besides humans that are gay?

Actually there are. For example Swans are known to mate for life. There same sex swan couples who stay together for life.

Since animals do not have the ability to "choose: I would think this suggest sexual orientation is physiological/biological. For other those who believe homosexuality is a choice, I'm just curious when did you "choose" to be heterosexual?

I agree-they are not effected by morality, sooo,

Scientifically, if you are born gay, is it some sort of mutation of a cell? because scientifically, for the species to continue, this would be bad and cause this mutation to naturally select itself out of the species leading to the extinction of the gay mutation.

We are talking science here--take all the feelings, morality and religion out of it.

And if you were a mother and knew it was a mutation or genetic error, is that something you would decide is like any other genetic disease and choose to terminate the preganacy?

Scientifically.....they were designed that way. Obviously.

Ok, here's another try.

The homosexual lifestyle has no appeal for me. I have no interest in engaging in it. That doesn't mean that the human beings who are homosexual should not have the same rights and privledges that I have.

If I were to restrict behavior only to that which I condoned, there'd be a lot of people who are upset. I don't enjoy NASCAR. I honestly don't see the thrill. That doesn't mean I think the people who do shouldn't be allowed to drive, just as an example.

I don't golf. I don't want to golf. I am against restricting the rights of golfers, however. They're people, just like you and me. I don't read romance novels, don't generally listen to rap or country, and I'm not fond of parsnips or avocados. I think people who like all those things should have every right and privledge I do. There's something in this world that turns my stomach, and I won't engage in voluntarily at all......but I still think people should be allowed to drink coffee, and I think coffee drinkers should be allowed their civil rights. I will quite literally be physically ill if I drink coffee, and yet I went so far as to marry a coffee drinker.

If we're all quibbling over semantics....over the word "marriage," then let's just agree to end it. The sanctity of marriage could be reserved for religious ceremonies only. And anyone "married" that way wouldn't get any tax breaks or have any legal standing in society. Retroactively. To the beginning of civilization. You bastards. (since pretty much all of us would be born to "non-legally-bonded" people, we'd all be legally bastards, but spiritually clean). Yep, that means all those deductions wouldn't be legal.....here comes the IRS. Married by the pope himself? Great! Now get your illegal butts out of here. Go see a judge.

Is that what you're against? Giving our fellow human beings the right to have some minor tax breaks and be able to make legal decisions about the care of one another? That'll break up your families? That'll ruin civilization? I'd say it's already ruined then. When we decide to be un-civil to our brothers and sisters, over something that has absolutely no direct impact on your lives, I don't think we can be called civilized.

Ok, flame away. Blast me and tell me how bloody intolerant I am, how I miss the point and this will directly cost each decent married couple thousands of dollars a year in extra "gay marriage" taxes, or whatever you may need to do to make you feel right in your discrimination. I've got thick skin and a clear conscience.

I totally agree with a marriage ban.

I think marriage should be defined as 1 man and 1 woman. 1 white man and 1 white woman. Any of y'all who are in love with the coloreds can call your union whatever you want, as long as it isn't "marriage." I mean really, your "spouses" could have tried harder to be decent white folk, it's just a matter of willpower. It worked for Michael Jackson. If they're not willing to make that change for you, then you're just not moral enough to be in a marriage anyway. Practice your perversions out of my sight, and don't expect me to have to condone it, or support it by using my tax dollars to pay for your justice of the peace, or whatever you freaks do.

(For the definition of satire....click here)

We clear on that?

Ok then, I want to address something else I read. Murder, bestiality, pedophilia......aren't something one can consent to. It's a ridiculous comparison. Nobody is in any danger of a homosexual walking down the street, seeing them and whisking them off to be married. You have to consent. If gays are allowed to marry.....guess what!! They'll probably marry gays. So unless you're miffed about potentially not getting asked...I don't see why it gets your knickers in a twist.

(Complete and utter side note....nice to see you VipulandJamie.....hope all is as blissful as you'd hoped)

Only part of that is the actual commentary.....the rest is a conglomeration of bits other people put in to make their point (whatever it was at the moment) just that little bit clearer for all of the heathen scum who don't get it, to put them in their place using the assumed authority of Ben Stein.

Read the whole transcript here....gotta love snopes

very nice! Everyone looks so happy! Congratulations!

thank you for sharing.

It's like a train wreck.......can't avert my eyes.....have to watch it all.

Ladies and Gentlemen.....I present......

The Hoff

Cerise and I are truly sorry, my friend

but events have led us to this terrible circumstance.

We must root for our beloved Seahawks over your Rams. Please understand this is nothing personal, and I'll still reserve a seat at the bar in hell for you

Yep, you're absolutely right. The nerve of the man. Serving in the Army, following orders making propaganda films. Jeepers! And to think he took such depravity and put it to use writing children's books that have underlying themes about tolerance and protecting the environment.

If'n he were alive I'd say we should burn him alive on a pile of his books.

Beware, anyone who has a loved one in the service! They'll come home after honorably discharging their duties and possibly entertain and/or educate! We should put them all down like the rabid dogs they are! Context be damned!

Oh honey!

*hugs*

(and all this goes double as it comes from Cerise AND me)

*hugs again, for good measure*

The very best of luck to the both of you. Health and happiness to you and your family, for all your days. I know this wasn't an easy decision for you, and I know you'll make the best of any situation handed to you.

Please do check in when you can. I know you'll be missed by many here. I respect your opinions and know I'll miss your viewpoint in the heated debates that are to come.

Woot! Nice house! I had just been thinking about where you disappeared to and hoping all was well. Very good to hear from you.

I think your friend and his fiancee need to have a talk. Explain your his feelings to her, and find out what the major draw is for her. Is she faced with an upcoming immigration and looking at the prospect of not getting to go to these shindigs for a while, maybe wanting to have one last great night with the friends? Is it something else? An honest dialogue will do you them a lot of good. Just remember that she loves you him, speak from love and not fear and you'll he'll be just fine.