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Joel Halfwassen

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Posts posted by Joel Halfwassen

    Opinions on the "quality" of journalistic reporting

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    A couple of questions I thought I'd pose to a wider audience resulting from something that surfaced in another thread.

    Can a person claim an authoritative opinion on say, a movie or a piece of journalistic reporting without actually having watched the material that they are commenting on?

    This bothered me to no end in college. I had several professors who would lecture on some historical figure and some paper that they wrote and then produce some claim on it. I would ask if the professor actually read it..."Well, no. But it is thought to be a general fact." If you are going to teach on something READ IT FIRST.

    Joel

    Worth it for USC to attend interview in Rio?

    in Mexico, Latin & South America

    Posted

    I was just reading the Rio "Embassy Info" page and the guy who wrote it said he was allowed in the interview with his fiancée, but that other USCs had not been allowed in and had been told to wait outside. Apparently there had also been some denials?? (I wonder if they hadn't been genuine relationships and the conof had realized that before the interview?)

    I will have to kind of rearrange my life to attend Rey's interview, and I'm willing to do it if you guys think it would cinch the deal, but if it's not going to help or they're just going to keep me out of the interview, then at best I could only offer him moral support, and he is a big boy. :)

    Sooooo what were your experiences? What do you think?

    Thanks!

    I know nothing about Rio. But I om of the opinion that it is better to go as a couple. In my mind it just plain looks better. Never mind the help your SO (USC or not) will get from just being there supporting you. I would imagine that is SUCKS to go in there alone without your SO. What does everyone else think?

    Joel

    Senior Democrat to reintroduce legislaion to reinstate the military draft

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    The fact is- YOU do have a duty to your country. The reinstatement of the draft I believe would be a very positive thing since most young men in this country (U.S.A., ekrose you have no say here!) are very much detached from the reality that their very existence, or way of life, is a result of those that serve this country.

    I don't want to discount the fact that most U.S. "kids" growing up these days are completely inept and unable to function in the "real world"......A stint in the U.S. Army is a real "eye opener" and a vehicle to cut the proverbial "apron strings" and learn to sustain oneself; or spend time peeling potatoes or perhaps in the brig........It's life's "college".

    Those that have served and are reading this post can relate to what I just said...... :lol:

    In my opinion your only duty is to vote...or to get to the point where you CAN vote in you are a LPR. And I don't agree with a draft. However, I DO agree with what you said in your second paragraph. Although I didn't serve (not allowed due to medical) I would have out of university. I dreamed of working as an Air Force Officer in Aerospace Communications for a long time (I know...not what you had in mind). The most grounded people I know now are people who went into the service in one form or another.

    Joel

    Which race is the most faithful

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    First I think arabs and all others who allow men to marry up to 4 times are top on the list of unfaithfuls.

    Do you happen to know that many arab men no longer practice this?

    Your assumptions suck :yes:

    besides the point that if an arab DID have more than one wife and was sleeping with them all - its NOT cheating :lol: , i would go so far as to say they would be running far far from any other woman after having 4!

    This is a tradition I could never really understand. Even more so now that I am married. It is tough to live with ONE woman nevermind four! :lol:

    Christmas

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted

    Mark and I was talkin about that yesteday ...Both of us are Muslims I love christmas time here in USA it's very beautiful and I love decorations and the houses decorated with houses ..I am thinking to get a tree and decorate it I really wanna celebrate it as a holiday not a religious way ..In fact I don't know why poeple put chrismas tree from the point of chrisitanity so I will do it ..i don't care what it refers to christianity I believe in God and iam muslim so I really wouldn't mind do that But this year thedecoration in my house will depend on our budjet because iam thinking to go away with my husband rather than spening hundreds of dollars on a tree or lights..:)

    um i recommend an artificial provided you have the room to store it throughout the year. when i was a kid, i remember us having the same tree for over a decade and it fits into my "green"side (yeah many didn't know i had one i bet :lol: ). i refrain from having a real tree as i feel it is a waste to cut down a perfectly good tree just for the benefit of one month. some countries do sell trees that are dug up (roots packed in a big bag) so the tree can be replanted after christmas is over :thumbs:

    i think that's a great idea so we are not filling up our landfills with trees.

    We used to have a fake white tree with gawd awful blue lights and I think by year 17 the thing was so dirty you couldn't tell that it used to be white. :lol:

    I started using a fake tree once I got divorced because I couldn't deal with hauling it in and out myself never mind the mess of vacuuming up the fallen needles. I bought a nice fiber optic tree about three years ago and I love it 'cause I don't have to deal with stringing the lights. (i love that song with the guy bitchin' about the lights lol) I used to miss the smell of a fresh tree but now I just get a yankee candle like the Christmas Eve one and it has a whole bunch of nostalgic scents rolled up in to one. :luv:

    Great! Fake tree, fake smell...you get fake gifts too?!? :lol:

    Tattoos and piercings

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted · Edited by Joel Halfwassen

    Seeing as the vast majority of these discussions go SO badly here, I am curious why someone would start a thread essentially knowing where it will go.

    Is that the case here? Surely there are other fora more appropriate for learning about your faith?

    The regional forums here are intended to be a place to trade 'local' notes about Embassies etc. Seems to me that these types of topics stretch the intended use of VJ. Beyond what a polite guest would do.

    I started this thread in this forum because it is for regional discussion and I believe that questions about Islam fit in here as this forum is the Middle East and North Africa forum which are generally Muslim countries. :star:

    Which does not answer the questions I asked.

    This is an immigration related site. The admin offered a regional area to contain travel, moving, local getting-around info that is related to the immigration process.

    Add a cup of:

    These conversations have consistantly turned into flame wars, hurt feelings and outright cruelty with a sprinkle of ignorance and intolerance.

    Starting to look like a recipe for disaster?

    MENA is a very active group here in VJ (as you know better then anyone :P ) The threads are pointed towards topics that affect this region or that have a distict cultural characteristic FROM the region. I find their postings very appropriate for this forum. Part of the immigration process is the cultural aspect of the American citizen blending with the culture of the spouse. This includes history, poilitics, family, local tradition/lore, etc. This forum provides a good home for that transition.

    Joel

    Senior Democrat to reintroduce legislaion to reinstate the military draft

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    We can't do all the stuff they want us to do without forcing us all to go kill ourselves. I hear this draft will include women.

    It is about time! I don't believe there should be a draft, but I am glad to see women finally included. That is something that has bothered me since I first learned about the selective service process years ago. Women sould have to register as well as men.

    Joel

    It always amazes me though that one can be fully expected to fight and die for a country, yet not allowed to vote until one is Naturalised. Something is terribly wrong there IMO

    It always amazes me though that one can be fully expected to fight and die for a country, yet not allowed to drink until one is 21. Something is terribly wrong there IMO :whistle:

    I agree!

    Christmas

    in Middle East and North Africa

    Posted · Edited by Joel Halfwassen

    I long ago introduced my husband to the Jewish Christmas tradition--Chinese food and a movie :D

    That is SO funny! My neighbours who were Jewish did that too! They were doctors and so offered to work on Christmas to allow the Christians time off (or at least less of a chance of being FORCED to work). They would come home for the evening with a VHS and Chinese take-out!

    Joel

    my husband does not permit me to visit family for christmas. he told me it is haraam. hamdullah

    I am TOTALLY butting in and being insensitive, but...I REALLY hope that "my husband does not permit me..." "he told me..." was said in jest.

    Joel

    FaCeS oF mEtH

    in Off Topic

    Posted

    BaitCar

    Check this out

    This is the most chilling bait car video that seasoned auto theft investigators from around the world have ever seen. It demonstrates unpredictable and volatile behaviour exhibited by a young man high on crystal meth, or methamphetamine, a highly addictive and destructive drug that is widely available and cheap to buy. This video also shows just how dangerous auto theft is.

    I can't believe that the guy only got 4 years for that.

    Joel

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