crwmike

both? i envy you.... They were most exceptional, brilliant young women. One on a full vocal scholarship to University of Miami and the determined to be a doctor. I've lost touch with Tara. She finished college, finished medical school and moved on. Leigh and I have remained friends over the years and talk every few days. She's happily married and the mother of a beautiful little boy. At a time when life seemed full of death and darkness, they helped me realize there is, indeed, much beauty in the world. I doubt I would do it again. It was a lot of work, a ton of responsibility ...and a lot of fun.

Drunks die becaule people mind their own business ...but you can't make them stop drinking. You can't do anything for her. You can, perhaps, provide support, encouragement and see if she wants to be hooked up with organizations that offer a safe place to make her own decisions ...if she wants out. Michael

I was 44, they were both 18.

Quote"I don't know what currently holds the record -- help please if you do." Somebody on telly said the Chinese Grand Prix may have that, but I can't find any sort of substantiation for the statement. I'd say the soccer world cup final would be a good contender, assuming we're talking about simultaneous international live broadcasts, and not the final epsiode of Friends.reply] Well, on August 14, 1936, the last 'legal' public execution was when Rainey Bethea was hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky. It drew a crowd of 20,000 people, with families traveling for days on foot, horseback and wagon and train. It was a carnival atmosphere, with family picnics, games and sporting events. Was it bloodlust that drew thousands of men, women and children plus hundreds of reporters and photographers? They didn't know at the time it would be the last one, they hung people (especially blacks) all the time. It was the novelty of it. It was the first execution in the United States where the executioner was a woman. So, I'm thinking that if 20,000 people travel for days to watch a novelty act in 1936, worldwide TV broadcast of a this specialty act would attract a few hundred million at the least. Michael

Philosophically and emotionially, I agree with this. I reluctantly accept, (pretty much the way I accept gravity) that there are (have been?) things that promote the continuation of a culture or society and you must admit that the govt has a valid interest in that. Marriage has been (historically at least), one of those institutions. Married people are less threatening to a society. Their interests are more vested in stability. They own more property and accumulate more debt, thus are more locked into jobs, and less likely to view change as positive. Regardless of my personal feelings or choices for living my life, society really cannot withstand more than a small minority of individuals thinking for themselves, challenging the seemingly meaningless (silly, at least) folkways and mores that bind us together. Personally, I prefer Bill's values, but must accept some validity to governmental encouragement of institutions that promote our continuation as a culture. I'm not married and have no children, but I don't mind paying a little more tax for those who do. A govt's first responsibility is the welfare of it's citizens. My acceptance of that validity does not mean I feel all warm and fuzzy about govt agents spying on it's citizens, the books we read, or the conversations we have. Michael

Murfreesboro is my home town and MTSU my alma mater. Beautiful part of the country ...but in January???? Wait and see it in the Spring or Summer. Michael

Sure it was. The original 'windowpane' referred to acid on a paper carrier, 4 hits that could be slpit 4 ways. Usually had a faint line to divide the hits, looked kinda likea windowpane. Michael Tomorrows history lesson will be the Bufo Alvarus (Sonoran Desert or Colorodo River Toad) and modern social prediciment. Michael I think he meant they were around in the '70s and beyond. I seem to recall them in the '80s. I think. Oops, I read it as windowpane wasn't around in the 70's. Damn flashbacks Michael

Seems more like a real bonfire, actually.

No, and I'd rather date his boyfriend. His boyfriend packs his lunch everyday, and he packs Oreo cookies for him! Today, they were mint! Does he ever pack the fudge ones? Michael

Sure it was. The original 'windowpane' referred to acid on a paper carrier, 4 hits that could be slpit 4 ways. Usually had a faint line to divide the hits, looked kinda likea windowpane. Michael Tomorrows history lesson will be the Bufo Alvarus (Sonoran Desert or Colorodo River Toad) and modern social prediciment. Michael

Morning, Mike. I understand your point completely, but rest assured, I'm not one of those quailing females who require "erection baring alpha males" to protect me...LOL. I'm fairly capable of protecting myself. Well at a bare bones minimum he has convinced people we have to sacrafice what makes this country great in order to preserve it's existence. Maybe he's right. Blues! Michael

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Delightful! Thanks for the laughs. Michael

Never heard Bush say that, but as a Stephen King fan, am chilled by the quotes from 'The Dead Zone' -------------------------------- Greg Stillson : I have had a vision that I am going to be President of the United States someday. And nobody, and I mean *nobody* is going to stop me! Greg Stillson : Put your hand on the scanning screen, and you'll go down in history with me! Five Star General : As what? The world's greatest mass murderers? Greg Stillson : You cowardly bastard! You're not the voice of the people, I am the voice of the people! The people speak through me, not you! Greg Stillson : You put your god damn hand on that scanning screen, or I'll hack it off and put it on for you! Sonny Elliman : Complete the sequence, Mr. President. Greg Stillson : The missiles are flying. Hallelujah, Hallelujah! -------------------------------- Michael

I am voting for Bush. I am not voting for him because I "feel safer" or that I "ate the fear" (great phrase, by the way), but because I would feel "less safe" with Kerry. There are many other reasons, but that's the one you're addressing in your post. Just thought I'd point out that not all people who're voting for Bush are doing so because they "ate the fear." Ciels- Michele I know darlin. Like I said, people ]must believe. If people didnt truly believe they would be safer with Bush (or less safe with Kerry), they would have to accept they are falling back to the most primitive of solutions to ward away evil during the dark, scary night. Too much cognitive dissonance. Not to worry. He'll be re-elected and you can feel safe. Michael

Ahhhh, you're thinking I'm Mike Lewis. Lewis is an old and respected friend ...one who periodically asks me to give public notice that he is not "CRWMike" . I'll send you a PM with his email addy. CRW Skies, Michael

Well, that site was pretty much a load of crap. However ... I'm voting against Bush. I fear the erosion of freedoms that made us the greatest country in the world's history. I love my country and strongly oppose Bush and string pullers selling the daily fear that propels well intended good people to surrender the soul of this great country ...for illusion. Kerry? Just another lying, cocksucking politician ...but the more benign of two, and the only viable option to stop freedom's inexorable suffocationI could actually warm to Kerry quite a bit if he would stand at the debate and shout (to Bush), "You facist, oil pimping, fear mongering pig! You're hijacking our great nation for power, profit and ego ..and for our great nation to survice, you must be stopped!" Now, I expect Bush will be reelected. There's a shitload of power, money and dictatorial ideology on his side of the scale, but I pretty much understand that and expect that. What saddens me and what's going to re-elect him is, people ate the fear. It's now consuming them and they must believe that chest beating, war-talking, erection baring alpha males will make them safe. That's the way it's been for a few million years and when the tribe feels threatened, that's the way it still is. BSBD, Michael

Cool. Not a damn thing wrong with that. ...couse it's pretty much electoral masturbation but if it feels good, go for it. Michael

Past lives regression? Michael

Agree with the first part and include gender biases. 'Fractioning' the forums is both good and bad. More good than bad, in this case. Michael

Good for you, good for them! Michael

You think so? Tell that to Ron Passmore or Bruce. Sorry. You are quite wrong. Two graves at your dz prove that right there. It's only a matter of time before someone narcs on the dealers out there. Ahhh, a cheap, anonymous potshot. My strong belief that skydivers should be able to say and do whatever they are willing to be responsible does not include such cowardice. Michael

Well said! It's getting harder to walk through some DZ's without the expectation of tipping than running a gauntlet of the homeless. Many places are already gouging the tourist for top dollar. The USPA invents a rating primarily to get more money and now the tip thing is everywhere. Michael Never underestimate the power of greedy people in large numbers.

1991? I have trouble remembering last month.