sinker

Well, I can agree w/ that, to a point... ever seen a small, weak mother protect her children? I think there is a more forgotten reason why "female" is perceived by some as more "valuable." Women can do something that men cannot... get pregnant, nurture life, give birth. There is nothing more beautiful than that. Objectively, of course, men and women have the same inherent dignity and worth as humans. Your last statement is right on... it ISN'T such a bad thing to protect "our"women, to value our women, to treat them as the crowned jewels of creation that they are.

I'm leaning more towards cultish... but it the language of Scientology is rather foriegn to most of us, so maybe it was just an attempt at gaining a comment footing on which to speak? -the artist formerly known as sinker

Michele, glad you chimed in... I'm joining the thread late and was getting well chapped about Mr. Cruise and his comments to Mr. Lauer. As someone who has a graduate education in psychology and 11 years experience in the therapy and psychopharmacology research fields, comments like Cruises only perpetuate the unfortunate dichotomy that drugs are all bad (and no one should take them) or they are all good (and everyone should take them). One of his comments on Today was that all antidepressants do is mask other problems. That is only partially correct. While SSRIs like Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, etc. are more accurately described as "mood elevators" rather than classic antidepressants (and thus, even those who are suffering from an adjustment disorder may get some benefit, although they often should just learn to adjust better), for many people whose depression is so severe that therapy cannot yet work, these drugs open a window, lift the mood, and give someone the mental wherewithall to get INTO therapy and grow. W/o the drugs, such people are difficult to reach. Furthermore, some people simply do not have the mental constitution to benefit from therapy. I've seen plenty of those here in the south, if you know what I mean. For them, such drugs are lifesavers, figuritively and literally. Cruise is right about ritalin, again to an extent... it and aderall and other drugs are over-prescribed. And they are abused. but that doesn't mean you through the baby out w/ the bathwater. Again, Cruise was irresponsible and reckless in his comments. His statements have the very real potential to cause people suffering for legitemate mental illnesses and problems serious harm. Sorry for the long, rambling sentences. It's late and I haven't had my Zoloft -the artist formerly known as sinker

that's so awesome! good on y'all for sharing w/ the kiddo's... -the artist formerly known as sinker

I don't know if it should be illegal or not, but it's a compelling issue. One of my high school friends had bad asthma, requiring continual, daily use of inhalers and other drugs. Yet, her mother, a "good church going Catholic," (sarcasm off), smoked like an eff-ing chimney! It was so bad, the friend had to move away from her mother. I understand addictions, and how difficult they can be to stop, but shit, if you CAN'T quit, at least smoke outside of the presence of your kids. And not just b/c you're subjecting them to second hand smoke (which, in this case could really have shortened the life of my friend), but b/c you're also being a bad example to your kids -- mommy or daddy is a slave to a drug at worst, or at least careless and reckless w/ their health at best. -the artist formerly known as sinker

part II of the experiment needs to be chucking the feline out the door after a couple strong tokes on some cat-nip. -the artist formerly known as sinker

I've got the fever... I'm even wearing short skin-tight shirts that expose my flabby belly... -the artist formerly known as sinker

since he's so young, he can look down w/o going head down... his center of gravity isn't lower yet... (actually, that's why the floaties are on... high drag devices keeping his head up) -the artist formerly known as sinker

just look at him focusing on the river, so far below... he's got mad skills! -the artist formerly known as sinker

Taken at the pool today... good technique I say... -the artist formerly known as sinker

learn to swim learn to swim learn to swim mom's gonna fix it all soon... mom's comin back to make it just the way it oughta be... rather apropo considering the quakes of late... -the artist formerly known as sinker

vibes and prayers to you and the girls and the co-workers. is anyone at her place of work setting up a fund or anything for the girls? if so, let us know, I'm sure more than a couple of us could pony up some coin for such a worthy cause. michael -the artist formerly known as sinker

Blues, Cliff Wisdom of Salmon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fixed it fer ya. *** -the artist formerly known as sinker

holy crap! if you guys don't stop it, I'm going to blow a gasket from hysteria. I wonder what this eagle-dude's response would be if stopped by the same officer.... "should we taze him or gas him? taze him? or gas him? how 'bout both?" -the artist formerly known as sinker

how so? he doesn't owe the society (in which he lived and preyed upon innocent kids) anything for the pain and misery he's slefishly caused? how is locking him up restorative? no it isn't. it only looks that way to you. And this is related to your point about modern technology being able to secure his life-in-prison sentence. Guilty criminals have been released prematurely. Escapes still happen inspite of today's modern technology. chemical castration, far from being punative, saves kids from being victimized, and saves HIM from his disease. And he should have to PAY for the chemical castration himself! Our tax dollars shouldn't fund it. Chemical castration is a preventive measure, a prophylactic measure, should the current criminal justice system fail him and us YET AGAIN. this is just crazy! you seem to view anything OTHER than life in prison as evil, depraved, descending to his level. well, that's just not true. he should NEVER have the chance to breath the air outside a prison again. and since the modern penitentiary (sp?) system cannot guarantee that currently, well, there aren't many other options. Killing this man would hardly be random. It would be quite purposeful. Please don't ascribe motivations to me that aren't true. They have no purpose here. -the artist formerly known as sinker

i just want you all to know how funny I've found this thread! i've spit my cookies and milk on the screen more than once, dammit! and hell yes that lady deserved what she got. too bad more folks don't get that when they resist/are beligerent/mouth off to police like that. gawd, I get so sick and tired of SOME black people pullin the race card everytime something doesn't go their way. mind you, most people of african american [what a lame term, as if blacks only came from africa?] decent don't do this, but in the city where I live, nashville, I see it all the time. In fact, a senator from another city in my state got busted by the feds for bribery, conspiracy, etc. and he had the NERVE to claim it was b/c he is black! There were half a dozen or more state politicians arrested in the same sting, both black and white. Give me a break. The funny thing is that when you look at the guy (Sen. Ford), it's actually a little hard to tell he's "a person of color." He's got the whole Michael Jackson pale complexion going on. I must confess that in watching this video, I've experienced just a wee bit of schadenfreude... -the artist formerly known as sinker

Ok, so you agree, but then disagree. Is it that you know retribution makes us worse, but you're so compelled to see him and scum like him (allegedly) suffer? Pick a side bro.....*** you're reading too much into my post. i'm not compelled to see him suffer. what I was trying (poorly I guess) to differentiate is restitution from retribution. they aren't the same thing. personally, I think chemical castration should be part of the punishment. some other countries did it before (maybe still do?), by giving the pedophile a chemical much like depo-provera. it totally kills the libido, from what I understand. And, should the pedophile show evidence of rehabilitiation (not likely), it is reversible in most cases I think. but you know, although I'm generally against the death penalty (in spite of what I've written here earlier), I think there are occasions for it, such as w/ menaces to society like this guy. The justice system failed society by letting this guy go before. He should NEVER be allowed to get out. And, since that realistically may be impossible (people escape, etc.), does the criminal justice system not have a responsibility to protect society from the likes of him? judy's suggestion certainly had merit... although I'd withold the ky perhaps... -the artist formerly known as sinker

maybe you're right, retribution isn't the answer... but it's damn tempting. but there SHOULD be some restitution along w/ punishment. And what should that be? What is the proper punishment for such a serial offender? He obviously should never see the outside of a prison again. But in my mind there should be more. As for restitution, what should THAT be? Money isn't enough, and he likely doesn't have much anyway... Sorry, locking him in a 6x9 just isn't enough. And yes, I've seen Seven. It's one of my favorite flicks. -the artist formerly known as sinker

if only each of his 36000 victims could line up and each make a slice w/ a razor... -the artist formerly known as sinker

Seen today on another board... Good for her! Thunderbirds' first female pilot announced with new 2006 pilots 06/16/2005 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (ACCNS) - The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, "Thunderbirds," have announced their new pilots for the 2006 demonstration season which includes the first female demonstration pilot in the 52 year history of the Thunderbirds. Leading the team as Thunderbird no. 1, commander/leader, will be Lt. Col. Kevin Robbins, currently assigned to Air Force Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Joining the Thunderbirds in the no. 3 right wing position will be Capt. Nicole Malachowski, currently assigned to the 494th Fighter Squadron, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom. Captain Malachowski will turn a new page in history as the first female demonstration pilot on a U.S. military high performance jet team. The 2006 no. 6 pilot, flying the opposing solo position, will be Capt. Ed Casey, currently assigned to the 56th Training Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The new advance pilot/narrator, Thunderbird no. 8, the voice of the Thunderbirds, will be Capt. Tad Clark, currently assigned to the 52nd Operations Support Squadron, Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. Returning members of the 2005 team who will round out the 2006 team include: Maj. Rusty Keen, Thunderbird No. 2, left wing; Maj. Steve Horton, Thunderbird No. 4, Slot; Maj. Brian Farrar, Thunderbird No. 5, lead solo; Maj. Jeremy Sloane, Thunderbird No. 7, Operations Officer; Capt. Todd Randolph, Thunderbird No. 10, Executive Officer; and Capt. Angela Johnson, Thunderbird No. 12, Public Affairs Officer. The team is also in the process of interviewing a new Thunderbird No. 9, the Flight Surgeon and a new Thunderbird No. 11, the Maintenance Officer. The U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is an Air Combat Command unit comprised of eight pilots (including six demonstration pilots), four support officers, four civilians and about 120 enlisted Airmen performing in more than 29 career specialties. A Thunderbirds' demonstration is a mix of six aircraft, performing formation flying and solo routines. The four-aircraft diamond formation demonstrates the training and precision of Air Force pilots, while the solos highlight the maximum capabilities of the Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon. The team's first performance was June 8, 1953 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Since then, the Thunderbirds have flown before more than 310 million people at 3,944 air demonstrations in all 50 states and more than 60 foreign countries. -the artist formerly known as sinker

oh michele, dear friend, it is so funny to hear some others try to spar w/ you... lordie sakes alive... these posts have proven to be very entertaining. love to ya from the whole famn damily in TN! -the artist formerly known as sinker

WOW!! Those colors are awesome! Very, very nice! It's one to be proud of. -the artist formerly known as sinker

OMG, this thread has been just hilarious! I think we need to do an intervention w/ Katie, you know, like what friends and fams used to do w/ alcoholics... I saw the leno episode where he talked about jumping w/ his mom during her birthday tandem and he evidentally did a kiss-pass. think he was/is good enough to pull that off? naw... didn't think so... -the artist formerly known as sinker

right you are, man. thought I was narcimund there for a sec. -the artist formerly known as sinker

Makes you feel REAL safe, doesn't it, to have the cops NOT being all that great at hitting their target? Sheesh! I've heard of other cases too where cops go shit-ass crazy shooting at a suspect, only to hit him w/ a small % of bullets. Nice avatar, by the way... speaking of targets to shoot at -the artist formerly known as sinker