livendive

I guess I'll be trying my hand at magic after all. I just spent $35 on a device that purports to do just that (and works in both Apple and Google devices).

Are you placing me in this (massive generalization of a) group? The thought didn't even cross my mind. I have no idea whether you promote fossil fuel use and discourage development of alternate technologies. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I like how the same group of people who promote the exclusive use of carbon-based fuels also scoff at suggestions for conservation and oppose the development of alternative energy technologies, yet claim some sort of moral superiority. If we're burning through a finite resource at a rate dozens of orders of magnitude higher than we can replenish it and we're opposing the development of replacement technology, how exactly do we suggest that our great grandkids get along? Intentionally acting in a manner that prioritizes our convenience over the basic needs of future generations is an option available to all of us, but I certainly wouldn't consider it the moral or ethical choice. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

He said he shot the video. He never said he didn't shoot the video. Why do you find this confusing? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

That's news to me. I remember Espen from recdot and I understand he is on here but I don't know his username. Doh! Clearly I misunderstood this. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Job swap her for a few cycles such that someone else produces the reports and she uses them. Then have her teach someone else how to produce them. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

His username here is David3. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Bread & boulders. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Did you even notice the "not true" and "not legal" explanations as you zoomed right past them to the tin-foil hat option? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

After considering this for a day, I've decided I think its a good thing. All too often, we dehumanize others in order to feel more comfortable with our emotions and actions. Whether it's muslims, or nazis, or terrorists, or illegals, or murderers...the list is almost endless, but the basic concept is to somehow differentiate ourselves in such a way that we are a) not them and b) better than them. Personally, I believe our actions will be much more rational and defensible if we avoid this step and realize the guy next door you just barbequed with MIGHT be hiding three women in his basement, the Army guy who's lunch you just bought anonymously MIGHT be planning the next OKC bombing, and the kid who delivers your pizza MIGHT be planning the next Boston Marathon bombing. This will make us more vigilant. By the same token, those who commit such crimes will remain someone's son, husband, neighbor, or father, which might compel us to be a bit more pragmatic in our delivery of justice instead of simply screaming for blood before the trial even starts. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Well, the actions that Zimmerman claimed he took. We still don't know how the fight started, and we probably never will. The fact that Martin was winning when Zimmerman fired his fatal shot seems pretty clear, but the only evidence that Martin started the fight are Zimmerman's statements. For the record, I think Zimmerman should have been tried, and I think he should have been acquitted. Which is exactly what happened. This. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I've had a donation to Planned Parenthood withdrawn from every paycheck I've earned in the last 7 years. I think it's safe to say that I'm fine with supporting women's right to make their own medical decisions. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Simple stuff here. Restricting women's rights and limiting assistance to the poor both have one shared outcome...a larger pool from which to extract cheap labor. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Politicians Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Maybe I am just a cynic but, I have to wonder if something is about to come out? Something she could not stop? Not saying anything, just wondering I don't have any statistics to support this, but my perception is that cabinet level people serving a full stint under a two-term President are the exception rather than the rule. It seems to me that resignations and lateral transfers are pretty commonplace in the early part of a second term. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

I'm unaware of any physiological or pyschological factors that would make men better at math than women. As far as I know, the differences are entirely social and educational...women are taught that they're not as capable at math, and that math is "men's work", and many of them accept it either consciously or sub-consciously, thus rendering it a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Pretty close. My understanding is 3rd degree murder is when someone (of any age) dies during the commission of some other felony. In this case, the prosecutors were trying to claim that the other felony was child abuse, i.e. Zimmerman was abusing Martin at the time of the shooting. Pretty long stretch imo. I think they'd have had a better shot at some sort of stalking/intimidation sort of thing if there's such a felony in Florida. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Nice. I guess I'll move Chicago from the "no" list to the "maybe" list in my job search. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Wanna come to a club where people wee on each other? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Your 11-12 week note implies something other than the truth, which is that lungs are not capable of gas exchange till somewhere in the 27-30 week range and rhythmic breathing motions don't begin till a couple weeks after that. The rare survival of a premature baby born prior to viable gas exchange through the lungs depends on life-supportive oxygen given through the umbilical cord. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

An amusing video that just happens to seem pretty accurate as well. America's Not a Christian Nation but Jesus Would Be an Awesome President. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

Most atheists feel no need to organize into a group. I have a co-worker who is really big into organized stuff. He goes to church and religous events more often than most Christians I know, specifically to, umm, reverse-evangalize or something (I don't remember what he calls it) and frequently attends speeches by renowned atheists and meetings of local atheists. He's the exception, not the rule, and I don't condone his proselytizing at religous events. As for me, my wife, my previous partners, and my atheist friends, we just don't care what gets you folks through the night. We prefer you don't try to force it on others and usually stop listening to you when you bring it up to us. I've considered for several years starting a charity dedicated to secular assistance with minimal overhead (the details of which would be published for easy access). I have a name in mind and general ideas for the articles of incorporation and the bylaws, but for the last 12 years I've always had either two jobs or one job + school, which doesn't leave enough free time to do it properly. So instead, I donate money and time to other charities that demonstrate the same values. I evaluate them on the basis of financial performance (what percent of proceeds is spent on organizational expenses) and what fraction of energy is expended promoting a religion. My cutoffs are 10% for overhead (5% preferred) and 1% for proselytizing (0% preferred). Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

An overwhelming majority of the Senate, the President, and a likely majority of the House approve of this legislation formed by a distinctly bipartisan group, and Boehner has the gall to say he's going to block it because we have to quit kicking this political football down the field and do something. How about letting the House view on it? Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

That statement makes absolutely no sense... ESPECIALLY if you read the Federalist Papers. You said The implication is that degradation of the Founding Principles resulted in redefining a word that predates them. Direct democracy in Athens notwithstanding, Iceland embraced representative democracy in the 10th century. While it is true that our system of governance is a republic, as opposed to a constitutional monarchy, both are sub-types of democracy by virtue of the leadership being elected to their positions rather than gaining them through birth or coup. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)

No. Which is why it upsets me that they redefined it. They didn't, they merely deferred to the states. The definition you're referring to just became law in 1996. Yesterday's ruling determined that it was unconstitutional because it discriminated against a subset of couples lawfully married by their respective states by depriving some couples federal benefits that are afforded to others. As far as I know, Texas does not recognize same-sex marriages, thus the definition of marriage in Texas remains unchanged. Similarly, yesterdays ruling did not change the definition of marriage in Washington. It just meant that all married couples in my state now have access to the same federal rights and responsibilities. Blues, Dave "I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew)