Coreece

Now this is a ban that I cannot support in good conscience. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090115/SCHOOLS/901150395/1026/LOCAL Kevin Harris, president of the Dearborn Federation of Teachers: Sounds more like a personal problem. Perhaps this guy should be more concerned with how THEY feel! Perhaps their distance is due to American ignorance fear, and bigotry. Perhaps people like this need to broaden THEIR horizons! I cannot believe this has even been suggested considering the history of the significant Arabic population in this part of the Country...not to mention the obvious assault on free speech. Shouldn't we be outraged even at the hint of this or am I missing something yet again? I suspect this will just get rightfully dismissed just like the call to ban the Muslim "Call to Prayer" in Hamtramck, MI because some considered it noise pollution even though it had been going on for decades prior to the war. Nobody ever complained about the loud ringing of the bells comming from the 200ft Catholic Cathedral that could be heard for miles. This is the same Catholic Church adjacent to the Catholic school I attended from k-12. It has now ironically been "converted" to an academy for Arabic children. The Catholic Church is still in business however...it has not been converted to a mosque as of yet. Much of the controversy started around the same time the Arabic community started to become more visible after the war and these academies were started. To be honest, the arabic community has added value to this city and has helped to re-vitalize it to a certain extent, but unfortunately some people fail to recognize this. Hamtramck, MI is a small 2.2 square mile city within the Detroit city limits just east of Dearborn (home to the significantly larger Arabic population of which the article above was written.) Historically, Hamtramck was home primarily to Polish immigrants and adopted the slogan "A touch of Europe in America" It now has a very diverse population and changed the slogan to "A touch of the World in America." Its like Noah's Arc over here...there are atleast two of everything. I understand that many people here in this city may be uncomfortable with the rather sudden change/visibility of the arabic community. When I returned here a little over a year ago after spending just 3 years in Florida and California, I was stunned as I walked down the heart of town hearing that distinctive sound of the "Call to Prayer" comming from several new mosques, all the Arabic Sinage, and the numerous women walking around in black burkas. It was almost in a way like culture shock from the the very town in which I grew up. It barely could be recognized as an American City, but for me it didn't take long to get acquainted. Some people here have suggested that we should fear some sort of uprising/hostile takeover. I suspect that perhaps maybe this is in part why some are calling for a ban to the Arabic language. Am I so naive? Is this uprising something we should be concerned with....I forget the term for it. I think I even heard it again recently in the movie "body of lies" Personally, I feel there is nothing to fear. I have befriended those that I can and have learned that it is not proper to approach women in black burkas, but is ok to approach the Indian women usually signified by colorful burkas. I have a bosnian-muslim imigrant family living next door to me and you wouldn't even be able to tell them apart from a European Catholic family. My other nextdoor neighbors are from Kenya and there was recently a muslim family who had a mosque in their garage across the street from me...we seem to get along just fine, but I have to admit...it was up to me to initiate the relationship, which to me makes sense. If I was in a new land, I would also probably be more inclined to be reserved and keep to myself. I like the cultural diversity and especially the Indian smoke and donut shops. I've found Indians to be some of the most remarkable people...very friendly, polite, respectful and full of character. Many of the muslims are also equally friendly, but I see many, typically the youth that are no different than the cocky suburban teens, but the muslim teen's cockyness/rebellion seems to be considered "signs of a future terrorist" by some of my own...including family and some fellow Christians...and it seems to irritate me more and more as my tolerance evolves. I've been wanting to bring this up for awhile and this proposed ban on the Arabic language has seemed to slightly push me over the edge. I should add that these people are very approachably if not in black burkas and religion has never seemed to have been a barrier for me in developing these relationships...in fact it barely comes up unless there is pork in the bosnian Chevapi. I have found most muslims I've met to not be these intolerant religious nuts. Just modest people working to get a thin slice of the American Pie just like the rest of us, especially like my polish Great-Grandparents and fellow polocks that also got their start here in this amazing country. So what do you think? Am I naive? Should we welcome these people, initiate the relationship and broaden our horizons....or should we just alienate them, ban Arabic and prepare for the Jihad? Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

ok Bill, I'm just trying to add some color to the argument. I responded to this in my reply to you. I just wanted to give him an example of a meaningless conversation that he might view as such. sorry...that mentality can be rather unattractive at times...but some people on here can turn it into an art... Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

Well, here are some links from a quick search that may support it...not sure if they're going to survive the scrutiny of SC though...but its a start. AAA Foundation Report ...cell phones are a leading cause of car crashes. Lawyer Advertisment - Common causes of car accidents While the increase in cell phone use is believed to be a significant contributor to higher car accident statistics, in reality the influence appears just minor. As cell phones become even more widely used the effect may become more of an influence and it might take time for the actual impact to appear in studies. Another "Alarming" Lawyer site! IIHS Q&A - includes some international info. Phase 1 Havard Report - doesn't necessarily support my claim, but its from 2000 - useful however. I obviously would have to agree with this. Is it really that meaningless? I don't want to be labor this any more than we have to, but if its true that there are more cell phone accidents than alcohol related accidents, and cell phone use really does impair driving...whats wrong with using this statistic to draw attention to the risk, as long as it isn't a lie, or used to say that cells are more fatal than drunk driving? I will admit however that perhaps it's not really that necessary after all to use this cell phone/drunk driving comparison anymore since the evidence supporting the notion that cell phones impair the ablity to drive safetly is rather sufficient. I'd have to agree that just because something pisses you off, you can't go around banning everything....and though this is not necessarily the base of my argument, I'd have to admit that perhaps this popular consensus has influenced me to deal with this somewhat more haphazardly than I should have. I agree and cannot really argue with this other than to say that the IIHS report listed above gave reference to international statistics that stated cellphone use while driving increased the risk by 4x whether it was handheld use or hands free use... It seems somewhat difficult to discern some of this information. Overall, I would just like to point out that if we are all just a little more responsible with our priveleges it is less likely that we will lose them. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

I think you may underestimate the risk of this thingy....but ultimately I'm bitching about it because we are in a thread entitled "Total ban on cellphone use while driving." please feel free and try to Hijack it if you so desire. Well as cliche as that sounds...it is true, but I'm also in support of limiting the pain in the ass fenderbenders and boo boo's because some fucknuts was yaking on about how cell phone use is our most formidable nemesis; hardly an instictive defense mechanism to defend a colony of humans....but what can I say...I guess I'm just a "Fan O' Man!" Well its cool you were ok... I'm sorry you didn't learn anything from it. I can relate, like my statistical probability class junior year in college. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

Perhaps I should rephrase my propaganda. *sarcasm* There are arguably more cell phone related car accidents than drunk driving accidents. This risk should be limited since sober drivers should have more sense than to drive while on the cell phone considering the overwhelming evidence that it impairs ones ability to drive safetly. You may find this ironic, but with all due respect, why are you being so obtuse about this. Surely you can read in-between the lines or at least the context of my position...Is this some sort of test? I feel like I'm trapped in the Twilight Zone engaged in some sort of Mr. Miyagi wax-on, wax-off excercise. btw, I still have yet to hear you state your postion in regard to the cell phone ban...are you waiting to see who wins? Actually, I was considering donating it back to GMAC! But I think I'll just do my part by reconsidering to design that Duckmobile Extreme XLT we've discussed in light of new questions about your discernment. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

fine....you win. will you just click the red button already. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

how cute. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

priceless.....that gave me an idea for a reply to a recent Bonfire reply, thanks Now, I'm just curious...did you see the end of the video I posted? It's the best part. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

No, I just wanted to make that point. How bout this.... The risk of being killed because of an unecessary conversation, should not be accepted. Perhaps people should start thinking about it then and stop talking on tha damn phone. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

intelligence has nothing to do with it.... One of the smartest men I knew was also the best basketball coach I've ever met...He couldn't even dribble. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

yes Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

No...Cell phone driving is a serious problem that involves completly innocent people. Driving is also more necessary than skydiving. Even if you're killed by someone else's carelessness in skydiving, it is a risk you are willing to accept to a certain degree. I'm not willing to accept 1 more person dying because of some conversation that can wait a few minutes....even if it is the conversationalist. from what I can gather it looks like there are more cell phone accidents than drunk driving accidents. I understand that drunk driving is more fatal, but Whose to say that next year, the people in those cell accidents will be just as lucky to escape with their lives as they did the previous year. Why should they even have deal with just being injured, or totaling their car because of some fucktard on a phone. I understand that my emotion to this subject can cause me to be a bit careless...but seriously, the phone calls can wait. In regards to my "appeals to emotion," I think the first one is fair. The second is a bit extreme and though it wasn't necessarily directed toward you, it was derived from your "its hard to understand" comment, and was meant to get people to remember that life is more important than your conversation...so, pretty please, with sugar on top....hang up the fucking phone. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

Well, what are the odds of being in a drunk driving accident vs a cell driving accident? Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

Agreed! Whats your point. Explain it to me like i'm a fucking idiot. I'll try to put more effort into this...there is still hope for me...its not unusual for me to overlook the obvious...especially in regards to issues that I find somewhat emotional.....and SENSELESS! Driving is a privelege...if it causes less deaths/injuries/accidents, hang up the fucking phone! EDIT Please! It is hard to respect life when you care for nobody other than yourself! Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

My assumption is that it is more of a risk because there are more cell phone users on the road at any given time, not because cell phone use is more reckless. Because of this, it seems like if I'm in an accident, it is more likely to have been caused by a cell phone user opposed to a drunk driver. If there were the same amount of drunks on the raod at any given time as there were cell phone users, I would be more willing to concede to the absurdity of cell phone use being more risky. If I was on the freeway and was surrounded by 5 cell phone users and 5 drunks, I would say that it is far more likely to be in an accident with one of the drunks, but I'm confident that it is more likely in reality that I'm surrounded by more cell phone users at any given time and far less drunk drivers if any at any given time. I will try to find some reliable and accurate numbers to organize and support my claim. So far, the numbers seem to be all over the place. The follwing are the rough statistics I've seen so far. Drunk Driving - 14,000 deaths - 250,000 injuries Cell Driving -200/2000 deaths - 500,000 injuries From these numbers one could assume that it is more likely to be involved in cell phone accident than a drunk driving accident. There is no garantee that you will surive any accident. I'm in support of limiting the number of all needless accidents. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

So then you would support a ban if cell phone use impaired the ability of a driver? fine, but its not that absurd...I'd suspect that there are far more cell phone users on the road than drunks. Couldn't this be interpreted to say that you're more likely to be in the presence of a cell phone user on the road, thus increasing the possibility of you personally being involved in accident with that driver. I would understand your eagerness to dismiss that statement if the number of cell phone users vs drunks were the same. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

fine... just don't ask to come fly with me when I finally roll up to Z-Hizzie with my own private plane that this little gem helped make a reality. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

I would tend to agree with this, but surely there are those that would not act unjustly...what makes them so different? I'd suspect the answer lies within the varying levels of pride in each and every individual. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

The animations would indeed give it more substance, but she would be much more effective in retaining an audience if she had a writer...It would also help the cause if she is just acting and not actually this dizzy in real life....its hard to tell these days. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yavx9yxTrsw >If I slept with her, I'd cry or hang myself. >>A gag would definately be required... >>>Yeah, she's fucking annoying but I'd hit it. Shes actually kinda cute even as annoying as she is.Quote I think she has potential...all it takes is some humorous animations and a little fuzzy bunny named Boxxy actually saying some funny clever sht (like animaniacs/southpark) but using this girlz style of inflection, and it could easily be a hit...at least in Japan anyhow. There is a market for everything nowadays... Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

I didn't give proof. The bullshit is that people need to talk on the phone while driving. I'd much rather be driving in front of a drunk than a person texting while driving eventhough there are more alcohol related deaths than cell phone related. In addition, I'm pretty confident that there is a better chance of texter behind be than their is a drunk. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

I think belief in most gods and spirits can produce many benefits in the lives of believers, especially the Earth Mother....I'd go as far as saying that she is even more generous than God in terms of getting what you want....but as we know, getting what you want and getting what you need are far from synonymous to eachother. My experience with Catholocism, Buddhism, the Earth Mother, and just plain old yoga have been extremely pleasant, (well, maybe not Catholocism) but there was still something missing. They didn't give me understanding of God's character, the world, human depravity or why the hell I had a desire to stand on my head in a twisted pretzel pose in the first place. They never explained where the desire for all this came from. Ultimately, it all just seemed like self centered vain expressions of pride eventhough it did not appear to be so, and allowed me to live a relatively peaceful, optimistic and joyful life. Overall, I generally like to use the analogy, God is to gods as Seritonin is to Psilocin to describe the difference/similarities. I choose the Creator God, the genius behind the riddles of Science and the Bible. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

Fine, but it doesn't change the fact. The principle is that people are needlessly dying....it is obviously a problem. Do you think drunk driving should be legal? many people violate that one. Using a cell phone is even more risky.... Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

ahhh, that was good....thank you. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQVD_npOc8M&feature=related Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are...