kbordson

Where do you draw the line at what is and what isn't offensive? What if my Christmas decorations are offensive to others in the office? What if someone's Menorah is offensive to me? Jim The question should be why would the menorah be offensive? It's a representation of that persons belief system. Not an attack on your belief system. Where do you draw the line? Who decides? Tough questions, but my theory is if it doesn't hurt (and I mean really hurt - not make you question and think) anyone and doesn't become a disruptive item, let it be. But with the "disruptive" statement, we're back to the tolerance thing again.... Some people just aren't tolerant of any thoughts other and the ones that they may have grown up with. There are no other options. It's because of this level of closed mindedness that the laws were made to keep the "peace." Sacrifice of freedom for society. I don't believe in that.

1- Blue Laws should be reversed. It shouldn't be the government that tells me when I can/can't buy rum, or if they feel they need to regulate it, that decision should not be based on whether I should be in church or not. 2- Christmas decorations... wavering thoughts on that one. Basic theme of Christmas, reminding people to be nice, not really a "bad" thing However, it should not be sponsored by the government. If someone wants to decorate their desk, office - as long as it's not offensive to others in the area - let them. As an American society, we have become too PC and try too hard to make everything as "standardized" as possible by restricting freedoms. More tolerance of other views is what needs to be emphasized. Which would mean that we should allow wiccan celebrations at equinox/solstice- even if that includes nude (gasp, faint) rituals (tongue in cheek). Seriously, though, there are demands for displaying of Christian belief holiday items, but that should mean that all religious beliefs deserve the same privledge. Not the same amount necessarily - cuz what if the local Buddha temple doesn't want to make large banners that say "Nirvana - it's more than just a rock band." But the freedom should be across the board...

My thoughts. 1. Home-schooling. I have friends that do it, and I respect that. However, I think that the social interaction and "assimilation" can be missed. If efforts are made to include the child in events and allow exposure to peer groups, then it wouldn't be so bad. But if that aspect is not addressed, then the child may not fit in society as well. Postives and Negatives with that... such as it might also make him/her more of a "free thinker" and less of a "sheep." Personally, however, I don't think I would home-school my children. I might be "smart enough," but teachers (especially when it gets up to HS level) have specialized training in their field and I would consider that a benefit. Christian... shouldn't predispose someone to murder, in fact, if he was a true believer, he would be less inclined to murder her parents - the whole Ten Commandments thing... remember. 2. So what he owned 54 firearms? That, in and of itself is not an indication of "crazy." As I stated before, it's not the ownership of 1 or 50 or 500. It's the fact that he used even ONE to kill that makes it illegal and wrong. There are multiple reasons for ownership of firearms besides to possibly kill future inlaws - such as hunting, collecting, competitive sport, investment, inheritance, protection. 3. "whack job" - not really DSM criteria, but it would be interesting to know more about his psyche. What personality traits did he have? Why did her parents reject him as a suitor? Were they "overly protective", or did they see some pathologic tendencies? Does he have a history of abusing pets/animals? 4. "Anti-social" - again, need more info. 5. This is the only real crime. And all the questions and comments that will arise over the next few weeks/months over who is to blame and how the system "failed him" might never get to the root. What are the "causes"? What are the "correlations"? Can this be prevented in the future by outlawing home schooling? More government restriction on firearmes ownership? Or are some people just more unstable and sometimes bad things happen? I have my theory. What's yours? Karen

Only if he's cute and likes that kind of thing Karen

I like to think that I have a rather enjoyable sense of humor. Intellectual, slapstick, crude, or innocent. But "humor" that is malicious or ignorant is not funny. Rather it reflects a callous attitude and lack of respect toward human (not just American, but human in general) life. If the majority of others find your "humor" distasteful and cruel, maybe you should examine why that might be. Laugh, if you want, at this "usual clown" but I hope that at some level, you understand how cold your comments came off. Karen

Justice: the administration of law; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity (per websters) It would have to be something decided by someone impartial. Of course, if someone intentionally hurt my sister - there might not be an acceptable punishment.... but then again, I am quite protective of her. But I would have to try to curb that desire.

Lets ease up on the taunts and discuss philosophical beliefs here for a minute. Do I believe that there is a place for the death penalty? Yes, with multiple caveats. Some people have severe mental problems that are incompatible with society. Multiple and escalating counts of abuse, murder, canabalism; especially when it pertains to children - all without remorse or acknowledgement of worng doing.... Those actions are wrong. Now, if there were a possiblity of return to society - I am all for rehabilation... but some people (Jeffery Dalmer for example) are beyond that. So the options are keep them away from society forever or kill them. Which option is most practical and most humane? That is where the decision falls. Life in prison without possiblity of parole - how kind is that? Hoping every day to escape the boredom that life has now become... or maybe not even understanding why you are caged because in your mind you didn't do anything wrong. Versus lethal injection. If I had my choice between those two options, I know what would be more merciful to me. Firing squad, hanging, knife?!?!?! No. Even the most "crazy" should have respect in death. Even if that person had done something horrid and vicious to my sister - justice and mercy are better than revenge. But, my belief in the death penalty is founded on my thoughts of life after death and on a confined inprisonment of a life. Karen

I think in this situation, more of the cause would be related to lack of discussion, and freedoms. The boy felt he had no other choice. Does that mean what he did was right? Hell NO but it was what he thought was necessary. It seems in reading the article that he tried to talk with her parents, what actually was said - who knows, but they did try to talk. The end of the discussion wasn't to his liking and so he felt he had no other recourse than to use force. I'm not saying that I approve of the actions, but the motive was there. Discussion is more than talking and although parents think that they are "protecting" their children... sometimes listening is important too. Or she might have had excellent parents and this guy had previously shown a pattern of acting as if he was certifably insane... we will probably hear A LOT more about the dynamics in the press over the next few months. and for the record.... it doesn't REALLY matter if he owned 2 guns, or 54 or 500 guns.... Its the fact that he used one to kill someone that is illegal here. Karen

Agreed.... Jose is a bad friend. Not that I won't hang with him. But I'll pay for it later. (one tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor)

I like the Bacardi O... but who doesn't like an O?

As a female... I have to say that I don't know that I agree with the "just friends" theory - I think it is possible to shift the relationship. (but I have been told tha I was a bit blind through high school.... a (cough) few (cough) years ago... cuz I might have been a touch of a geek, and thus the best that I was looking for was a friend) (but then again, I also believe that boys and girls can be "just friends", and in Santa Clause and the Great Pumpkin) edit: stoopid spelling

Nah... go for the rum. (yummm, rumm.... good sugar gone bad)

Kiddie table RULED! Keep it a little quiet, thus under the radar of the "respectable" adults. but still less boring and "proper" than those at the formal table. I perfered being at the kiddie talbe! Karen

Easily impressed. I'd be more flattered if you saw the targets and gave a nod meaning "damn... I'm NOT going to fuck with her. p.s Dave, both a Dillon 650XL and a RCBS Rock chucker... but I haven't reloaded myself in a year or two.

Versions of Rem 700 (both M24 style and M40A3 style), and AI. In a variety of caliber (Lapua and .308). Glass varies from Leupold M4A3 10x, Unertal 10x Marine, Nightforce NXS and Schmidt and Bender. Mostly custom stuffs.... it helps having a personal gunsmith.

Please don't feel guilty for this.... You know that wasn't his desire. He was just in pain. Hollow, sad and alone.... the type of pain that hurts despite what others might say or try to convince otherwise. He could have been surrounded by family and friends, told daily how important he was, but even despite that, sometimes the end just might need to come sooner. It was not your fault. You are not to blame... Just understand that this was something beyond you. I wish you strenght and comfort. Karen

Sweet thread... I'm thankful for breathing. The kind of deep and full breaths that make you feel good. I'm thankful that I've felt love, deep and real love, knowing that "this is the one." I'm thankful for friends and family that help me keep my sanity. I'm thankful for being able to help those that need it when they need it most. I'm thankful for truly understanding that I only live once, that I need to take every chance, cuz this IS the ONLY chance we get. I'm just thankful. Karen

I have to agree.... it doesn't look like a bullet. And why would they be shooting the pig in the butt at the slaughter house. I think she was just wanting to get something for nothing. Either that or she was a fool if she didn't realize that she broke her thermometer.

I think that there is definately a place for Presidential Pardons. The legal system doesn't always work. I believe that the Pardon system helps to temper the harshness of the black and white decision of the courts, and provides an extra layer of review above the judge. It also allows for recognition/acknowledgement of a crime, while having mercy in the sentance. I found these stastics interesting http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/pardonspres1.htm Woodrow Wilson, FDR, and Truman had the largest number of pardons issued. But if you consider the timeframe of each of those Presidencies - The Depression (Wilson), WWII (FDR, Truman), McCarthyism, Cold War, Korea (Truman) - it might put more perspective on why there might have been more pardons necessary... not just as political favors/get out of jail cards, but rather as the mood of the country was bitter and wanting "justice" in the form of higher penalties and the president recognized this and adjusted "fairly" for that. I do, however, find it distasteful when that power is used to clear friends/supporters names as a final act on the last day. Karen

I have the bad habit of "sampling" the food as I'm cooking (gotta make sure it's right - especially the meatloaf!!)... so by the times it's ready, not hungry anymore.

I like that rule... but can I make the rules with an AI rifle and not a pimped out 1911. (reminds me of "Snatch".... The fact that you've got "Replica" written on the side of your gun, and the fact that I've got "Desert Eagle .50" written on the side of mine) Karen

If this is for a story... which I hope it is. Please tell me this is for a creative writing adventure TIA are transient in nature, and once resolved then no permanent damage/harm, so no lawsuit. But as mentioned above, the cause should be investigated as it might progress to a stroke and cause permanent damage. Brain aneurysm, again as mentioned, is typically a sudden onset, no prior symptoms except for the severe headache, nausea/vomitting as the vessel is expanding. But again, look at the cause. Is it congenital (meaning it's been a ticking time bomb since birth), or due to hypertension/atherosclerosis that should have been treated, or due to a head injury that should have been worked up, or a cocaine habit that it's hard to sue the doctor for? Brain tumor would be the most likely to win a case, especially if there was a delay in diagnosis and progression of damage. (and a sobbing widow with 3-4 children - all crying and pitiful for the judge) There are several key components to a medical lawsuit. There has to be a breech of duty (such as negligence, or not meeting standard of care), harm and proof that the breech of duty led to the harm. The US tends to be rather sue happy and some will go to the lawyer if no harm even exists. The lawyer then has to review the files and see if it's worth the bother of proceding... but if that one says "no case" then the person can just go to another lawyer and another, until they get one that will procede. Neuro isn't typically one of the "hot" areas sued. But, for your story, the ER is. (Typically it's OB and Anesthesia that gets most of the lawsuits - not necessarily cuz anything breech of duty was done, rather, there are more emotional expectations and sometimes less of a relationship)

My husband did not marry me for my culinary skills, but I guess that I have {cough} other domestic {cough} abilities that he seems to appreciate. It's not that I cant cook.... I just find it incredibly boring and loose focus. I get distracted (ooooohhh. shiny....) and then the ramen is burned again. {sigh} When he goes on business trips.... I tend to loose weight.... Sometimes I think I need a wife and a husband. Karen

don't be sorry, doc! you just jump in w/ a virtual pap any time you darn well please! Are... ummm..... you requesting one? Cuz the speculum likely woudn't fit in the one hole at the end of the long (?) thing you have, and the other hole.... Maybe I did convert you over to the other side of the team.

Reminded me of the scene in Beauty and the Beast when the Beast is crashing on the door of her room and then states that "She is being difficult" (sorry to interupt your discussion with lisamarie)