Michele

I'm sure it would, should it be proved that my government was "bullshitting" us. However, imho, that hasn't happened, so I am not going to count that particular chicken. To the issue at hand. There has been no doubt that recent administrations have viewed Iraq as a rogue governement that could potentially be very, very dangerous - not simply to the US, but to the entire region. Because of that, I see no issue in shoring up potential allies, as recent history has shown that we must have allies in the region to be able to help pressure - or indeed allow bases, should the need arise - the state which poses a significant danger. It's part of the political process, and part of the landscape of backscratching, that has gone on since time immemorial. Thusly I understand the decision to "look the other way," again not agreeing with it. If I found that Bush took bribes, as indeed has been shown in the UN, or that high level, decision makers/policy designers were lining their personal pockets with bribes from SH/Iraq, then indeed I'd be beyond furious. However, that is not what the article alleges, nor have the allegations contained in the article been backed by additional sources. What differentiates the UN actions and the US's potential blind-eye-ing is that votes regarding sactions/actions were seemingly bought directly from Iraq, with OFF money, whereas the US looked the other way to allow those who we would need in case of problematic action in the region continuing on their economic path. To me, this constitutes a huge difference, although I will allow that others will not see it the same way, nor even similarly. That is, at least as it stands now, my understanding of the situation, and the reasoning behind it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ah. All right, then. I was just trying to stay on topic. I just find it fascinating that people lay this on Bush's doorstep, when it (should it prove true) be something that started well before his election. Calling someone two-faced (not that you did) because of something someone else did is simply ridiculous, and tends to point out the poster's views more than discuss the issue at hand. I can, despite it being during Clinton's admin, understand why it might have been done. Do I agree with it? No, but I can understand the thinking/reasoning behind it. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Likewise...please refresh my memory as to how Bush created this issue? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

That was my thought when I read the article yesterday. LOL, I was wondering when that would be brought up here...and who would bring it up. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Actually, spelling and grammar are not classified that way. However, the deliberate usage of "i" as opposed to "I" where appropriate is, in fact, something which is described in the DSM V. If the shoe fits, wear it with class. If it doesn't, worry not. As is my wont, I don't do others' homework. Google is a wonderful tool.... I suspect you haven't...rather, you've read a lot of tabloidistic media which makes you believe you have. And perhaps you're just stirring shit to stir shit... I don't know what? What is "it"? The suicidal mind? Or your reading material? Or perhaps something far less clear? Not trying to discredit you - you're doing a fine job of that all by yourself. I was simply pointing out something you didn't seem to realize...as for sophistication, that's all in the eye of the beholder. Frankly, I tend to work at the level of the person I'm exchanging views with. Why would you offer to send someone explicit instructions on how to effectively slit their wrists? ROFL. I make no assumptions other than from what you've stated here. ROFL...be careful with your posting and attitude...that is far more telling than anything I or anyone else says. Speaking of baseless conclusions.....

I was just looking at that... In the 2nd to the last picture, there seems to be a letter/bill/invoice of some type. Maybe some of you computer guys/gals can capture that picture, enlarge the part where it shows the letter, and get an address/name from it? That way, we can at least pinpoint a location, and see if there's any all-black gear with "oh shit" on the cutaway that has gone missing. I'd do it, but I'm a complete idiot when it comes to computer stuff like that. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Actually, deliberate or not, according to the DSM V, it's an indication of a psychiatric problem. I read all about serial killers, but that doesn't mean I am one nor do I understand what goes on in their head. I'd redirect your reading information from the banal and mundane or exploitative "thrill" genre to the clinical discussions on suicidal ideations if you really want to know about suicide. Examine your reading program, and you will see the huge gap between reality and the disinformation you're spewing. {quote]If you don't believe me i can send you a privete message containing an instruction how for instance cut your veins in a most effective way. Are you interested? :) Not in the least. And frankly, I find such an offer disgusting and beyond the pale. One could read it that you're suggesting that I kill myself. And that I find horrific and simply a comment designed to stir the pot. A troll-like comment, and nothing else. Yes. I am far more familiar with clinical depression than you seem to be. I am far more well versed and educated about what suicide is and isn't then anything I can imagine you to be. And I care far more for those in need that you seem to, especially based on this post. I wonder: does anything come to your mind? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Um....farts? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

ying, I again assert that you have no idea what suicide is and is not. I'd suggest you start learning a bit more about that, and then rethink your positions posted here. Like was said, if you don't want to skydive, don't....just don't cloak it in the delusion that skydiving is suicidal. At least be honest with yourself, if you can't be honest with us. Intellectual honesty is the only way to live your life, and to learn about yourself. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

How did the Iraqis elect a puppet government? Do you know (without googling, if you can) what the newly elected government has been elected to do? When the next elections are? What the purpose of this election was? Do you know how the ballots were written? Presented? What about the balloting places? How many people/parties were on the ballot? Jihad has been declared via fatwahs for a long, long time. Which perception of the Iraqi people has been affected by the elections in a negative way? Frankly, one could see this as a significant battle in Jihad, which the terrorists lost hands down. Iraq is moving towards autonomy, self rule, and democracy...and the terrorists were handily defeated by the Iraqis with the simple, vital action of casting a ballot and voting for their choice of candidates. I never claimed to be there. GQJumper is there. So are several other people who post here. I fail to see how they, being there in the middle of things, do not know far more about some aspects of the conflict than you or I, sitting in our living rooms, typing away at the computer. Their insight is invaluable, and should be seen as such, rather than denigrating their position, and challenging their integrity (as you have repeatedly). You do not know everything about the subject...learning from all angles is a pretty useful habit to acquire. Do you really? Then why challenge if they're there or not? By challenging them the way you have, it seems to me that you are casting doubt on their integrity and their honesty...and that's not something I do with people I consider heros. I'm still not seeing why this election was bad. And I suppose it's what was said already; there's no real way to spin this negatively to bash Bush and the US. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I was just sitting here thinking how amazing today was. There was no "blood running in the streets" as Al Zarqari promised/threatened...there was 60% voter turn out, and Iraqi just took the first step towards autonomy, self determination, and democracy. Someone, please, explain to be how this can be bad? Often I can see both sides of a topic, but I'm lost here. I can't see this as bad in the least...not in the least. So someone please educate me on how it was bad, thus earning the negative commentary and perspective voiced here. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I read as much as I could stomach of his essay... I am left with one question: I thought 9/11 had nothing to do with Iraq. What does this "professor" know that I don't? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Wholeheartedly agreed. And even when not comparing it to the (incalculable) cost in lives, it's not expensive nor time consumptive. And it's been known for a long time that push mode is far more dangerous than pull mode. Horrible all the way around. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Speaking as someone who has 5 adopted cats (all rescue...) currently living with me, and as someone who has had the wonderful and difficult opportunity to rescue and place 18 cats last year alone, please spay and neuter your pets. Please don't place them between the door and the jamb and repeatedly slam the door onto your pet. Please don't cut off their tail. Do not abuse them and then turn them loose to fend for themselves. Please. I know Fido the Dog is gorgeous, and her offspring will be too. I know Princess the Cat is brilliant and that her offspring will be, too. I also know that if you spay and neuter your pets, they will have longer, healthier lives, and if you really want a second (3rd, 4th...) pet, you can get one from the shelter. And if you're hurting for money, there are low cost spay/neuter clinics in almost every large city, and most middle sized cities. Ask your vet. Ask the cat lady. Ask at the dog park. Just ask around. But please, speuter your animals. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

From the latest reports, it's up to 200 people to hospitals. From what I understand, Metro Train A (push mode) hit the Jeep Cherokee. The first car full of passengers, derailed, and sideswiped Metro Train B (I don't know if it was in push or pull mode). Train B derailed at least one car (the report wasn't clear), and hit a parked Freight train. 10 people dead, several listed critical. This is the 4th derailment involving push mode Metros in the last 4ish years. Glendale (this one), Burbank, San Fernando, and one other (again, I didn't catch the location). All have hit street vehicles. Not all of the vehicles were deliberately placed on the tracks. The man in the Jeep Cherokee had tried to kill himself twice in the last 24 hours before parking his SUV on the tracks. Once by stabbing himself in the abdomen and once by slitting his wrists. Apparently, he was attempting a third time, when he changed his mind and left the vehicle apparently moments before impact. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, JG, and thanks for the response (and the pm). I didn't take it at all personally. What I am interested in is hearing your perspective - not that I'd agree with it, necessarily, but I am indeed interested in hearing it. I can't learn more than I know now without hearing things I don't already know...you know? But it's hard to hear if all I get is anger at me because I'm white, or because I may not believe what you believe. That's really all I was trying to get at. While I realize that you weren't directing your post at me, I asked then, and am asking again (despite it being a complicated conversation), what gives you your position about AIDs? And what other conspiracy thoughts have you about the white race? I really am curious, and I'm not asking this to tweak you. (I should hope you know me better than that by now, JG.) Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Ying, you have no idea what suicide is and isn't. I think that believing that suicides should be buried off hallowed ground is the most ridiculous concept (and yes, I know it's done) and the most amazingly horrific tradition which should be stopped. Skydiving is not suicidal. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I really am not sure. JDhill put some parameters on it that I think are interesting, but I'll have to think about this a bit more. Hey, I'm just being honest here. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Snowflake, my friend - I do want to understand your thoughts and positions, but it's really hard to listen when someone is so angry. Frankly, I suspect you have some good points, but if you hand them out with a good helping of rage, then the information is lost. The syphilis example...I know whereof you speak, but do you not think that it would be educational for others who don't know? To state that you do have information, but you won't take the time to give the perspective you have because you believe that someone can't learn from it is really denigrating; you're not just speaking to the one making the comments, but to all "whi-err, right" folks. I'm willing to read/listen...are you willing to educate without the anger? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Grant, I look forward to it. Send me a pm w/ details, and let's get together! I know Jan is savvy enough, but I was trying to help. LOL, I didn't do so good at that, did I? Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled programming.... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I read it, but I misunderstood it, and answered incorrectly. I suspect that's likely in several people's cases. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Keith, are you serious? I haven't seen you in ages! Absolutely!!! I'll even buy you your first virgin margarita. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hi, Grant. The first webbie, learnskydiving.com is registered to: registrant-firstname: Joseph registrant-lastname: Davison registrant-organization: Zen Marketing LLC registrant-street1: 14781 Memorial Drive registrant-street2: Suite 685 registrant-pcode: 77079 registrant-state: TX registrant-city: Houston registrant-ccode: US registrant-phone: +1.2707471907 registrant-email: learnskydiving@profitserver.net and Skydive-e.com belongs to: Registrant Contact: None Darrell Price (darrelldprice@earthlink.net) +1.9182527881 Fax: +1.5555555555 7336 S. Garnett Rd. Apt 1227 Broken Arrow, OK 74012 US I don't have a clue who these guys are, though. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Irrespective of the black issue, it's always easier to blame someone else for things which happen than to take responsibility and stand up and fight circumstances. If someone else is to blame, then there is no responsibility which needs to be accepted, no circumstance which needs to be changed. Therefore, it's always someone else's fault. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Abu Nidal was found dead in Bahgdad in '02, IIRC. He had been living there - openly - for many years. He was a serious bad guy - his organization was involved in many, many terrorist attacks over the years. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~