pirana

Why are you so sure that there must be a God for life to have purpose? Why do you think that if there is no God there are no thoughts? Why is everything just shutting down at death depressing? Death is to Life as reboot is to a computer. It occurs to me that wanting to live forever in some form or another is quite a selfish desire. Life goes on, but the teeming and mostly insignificant hordes of individual lives expire. It's nature's way of hitting the refresh button. Gets rid of the flotsam and allows new stuff room to move in. It seems silly to me to have lived a full life on Earth and still want it to go on for all eternity. Maybe that is the answer, people that can not accept death as THE END somehow feel cheated? As Alan Watts said "This is it." Live it, love it; because we are all just worm food when it is over. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Resolutions are a statement of desire, not usually of the measure necessary to actually effect change. A smoker may state the resolution to stop, and probably truly does want to stop; but the pleasure of smoking trumps the pleasure of quitting. The belief that smoking is bad is not as strong as the belief that it is pleasureable Meaningful change only occurs following the aquisition of new information (via a new experience), which leads to a new belief; or possibly (at an even more fundamental level) a new principle. Some people make a concious effort to live according to held principles, but most just act out based on notions or feelings of what seems right or wrong based on some semblance of common sense. (Common sense is the distillation of a person's life experiences to date, sans any critical examination. It is not the same for everybody and can be misleading). So, for a behavior to change a person needs to have some experience that generates a new or changed belief. That belief may or may not result in a new or changed principle, but is required for change to occur. One of my favorite sayings: "Your life is the perfect manifestation of what you believe to be true." As an aside - Young people are much more open to change because their principles are still forming. The older people get (on average) the more they cling to their beliefs, no matter how ludicrous, and the more resistant to change. At some point in the average human's life it takes a really big WHACK to create new beliefs and generate real change. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I'm visualizing a big uniform and symetric canary yellow cloud, with big black block letters: G O D Whatever happened to generic foodstuffs anyway. Haven't seen any on the shelves in ages. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Yeah, and what really seems to piss them all off is to remind them they are all of the same Arab stock. Formerly considered to be solid based on archaeological evidence; now proven by genetic research. They are 2 groups of Semitic Arabs in the middle of a 4000 year old family squabble. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Not true at all. Go back & re-read history. There have been several times where various "single oppressive regimes" segregated & dehumanized the people living in that area. You got that right. That area has seen more slaughtering than a Chicago pork packing house. (Oh, the blasphemy). At one point in history though, the Muslim rulers were the tolerant ones; allowing Christians, Jews and others a decent amount of religious freedom. Ah, for the good old days. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I remember that when it came out. Still so true today; a timeless piece - - unforunately. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

And there were people living in that area before there were even religions whats your point? The bases for the Palestinian and Israel conflict started in 48. Try again. Depending on how a person interprets events, you are off by somewhere between a few hundred and a couple thousand years. Either way, 1948 is way way off. Must be a convenient date that fits you bias. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Give me a break. International Law? What is that? Bunch of diplomatic manuevering that no country pays any attention to if it even comes close to hindering their objectives. And of course all of Israel's neighbors are in strict compliance with "International Law" aren't they? PHHHHTTTTT! " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I could not get my Sabre 150 to open smoothly with any consistency until I got the factory recommended oversized slider put on. Didn't matter who packed it or how. I had one of my very nastiest openings on a pack job where the nose was rolled very deep and tight. The oversize slider was about 3 inches wider and a couple inches deeper. May not sound like much, but it was about a 30% increase in surface area; and made a big difference. It was highly recommended by a very experienced rigger not to do the pockets modification. When he explained the physics of where those pockets are at and what they would do, it made sense. The big slider was $100, and worth every penny. Should have done it long ago. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Or Gilbert Gottfried. Or people that eat that hard black wax that encases some cheeses. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Not to say every plane crash is a sabotage event; but messing with people's air travel is one of the favorite methods in the dirty tricks bag. Soveriegn leaders not liked by the US government tend to die at an unexpected rate in plane crashes. I'll consult my sources for more specifics, but I remember seeing a list not long ago. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I think it's just sad in a sad way. I have a pile of dirt in my yard that looks like Jabba the Hutt. I wonder if it signifies anything. I have a picture of Elvis (on a postage stamp) that looks just like a baked potato, . . . except fatter. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

That is just too precious. Can you hear it, in plain terms, how it might come off at the bonus hand-out ceremony at the annual holiday get together: "Well folks; you know all that stuff you sold to people that went to absolute shit almost overnight? Guess what's in these beautiful sealed envelopes?" "Bob, you look a little queasy. Here, have another Milwaukee's Best." " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I've never seen the stews push anything. Far more common is for them to ignore the people in steerage. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Who the hell is posting in a manner that makes the page twice as wide as my screen? I hate having to scroll sideways to read each line. Now I even have to scroll sideways just to find the Post Reply button. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Somedays you just can't get rid of a bomb; I mean chip on the shoulder. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

this thread is about it, but in a fancy new way that's NOT about it it's very deep I've lost track. What is the "it." If it's the shoe-throwing incident, that was pretty pathetic. No fucking arm on that reporter at all. Couldn't even hit an old slow-moving white guy from 20' If I were his manager I'd tell him to clear out his locker and turn in his uniform. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

This is my last and hopefully succinct summation . . . . . Your kidding, right? Succinct. Summation. I'd hate to see when you get longwinded. Don't flame me; just funning you. Have a good one. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

And a Merry Christmas to you too. Warm (much easier for some than others), safe, healthy & happy holiday wishes to everyone. everywhere. Including the far ends of all parties. Speaking of which; come on and lighten up a touch Kalland. Can't you just wish everybody happiness and health without a political jab? I probably shouldn't even have said that. p.s. - I think Lucky is a hard-core Socialist. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Chest beating patriotism that manifests itself in general and vague statements is irrelevant to the invasion of Iraq. Iraq was no threat to our freedom of speech, or any of our freedoms period. Someone show any evidence to the contrary. Hussein was a former ally who's best purpose at a moment of monumentally bad judgement was as a target of convenience. We turned Irag into just another hotbed of terrorist activity. Yes, we'll have to wait for the historical perspective and so will not see the most objective analysis in our lifetime, but in the humble and personal opinion of this student of history; his push to go to war is going to trump everything else he has done - the good and the bad. No disrespect to our soldiers. It is not their fault we no longer have the good sense as a whole population to elect a Chief Executive with the wisdom to lead them effectively. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Further evidence that organized religion is just another political party doing whatever it takes to achieve a balance between pissing off as few as possible while superficially looking good to as many as possible. Gotta dress up nice for the anniversary ya know. And the carefully crafted terminology: "tragic mutual incomprehension." How about we put that in plain English and call it The Usual Religious Dogma. Yowza. No blow job for you! " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I like the idea, but the name bugs me. Sounds like a festival to celebrate pussy running sores. BTW, there is a store brand of canned goods up here named Festal. No way do I buy any of it. Could have to do with the summer of 1971 when I had a series of a dozen humongous boils (actually carbuncles I believe). Doctors never did figure it out, I think it might have come from swimming in a really nasty mucky golf course slough. The kind with 6 inches of water and 3 feet of goose poop. Anyway, Happy Festering Sores Day to all. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Well, that video seemed a pretty exceptional situation. I can see why law enforcement would want to minimize the number of guns on the street, but also can see why citizens in the middle of temporary anarchy would want to hold onto them. I'd certainly want to hold onto mine. What I was expecting in the video was officers with a list of registered owners, going door to door and confiscating weapons from people on the list. That did not appear to be the case; so not really relevant. Agreed it's a slippery slope. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

All nuts are crazy, religion or no. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

So people adhere to a religion that sticks it's nose in their bedroom business? That dictates what acts and positions a married couple can do? Dominance from a micro-managing religion. Most bizarre. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley