PLFXpert

Well MY generation had plastic and I was VERY into Care Bears thankquevurymuch. I vaguely remember a Star Wars one my father hoped I would use. Um, NOT! Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I am happy you clarified, as I immediately thought of the Oprah version. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Call me silly or un-American, but I think we need to get the fat fucks on board, and one is not going to do that with talk about lack of oil availability in future generations (i.e. not their own), much less CO2 emissions. I might not be as discerning toward man-made climate change as billvon and others, but I do know a bit about getting people to do what I want them to. I mean, how cute are some of the new cloth bags designers have come out with? Hello? Would a raging teen desperate to fit in be caught dead with plastic? I think not! Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Both.

OK, but... While I agree is is a "big" target, it is arguably not the biggest (and you know what I refer to as trumping it). Furthermore, does overall energy consumption not count for something or is it "You use less than most, but you drive an SUV so..." And what are the short-term/long-term benefits for the present SUV-owner for switching? For me, when Big Lola dies, I will look for another vehicle. Is it your opinion I should get rid of her now and opt for something different? If so, why? I recognize your argument is more about oil and less about CO2. It is the smart stance to take, imo. But, I would argue I use less oil than many others do. I would not argue all (or most) SUV drivers do. I simply disagree with calling one un-American or an idiot based on that fact (SUV driver) alone--for biased reasons, of course. But, if you think me un-American I guess I will just have to find another way to sleep at night. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Well, than you and I (the SUV driver) are not so different. I do not have to drive to work. When I am in my car it is usually with another person or two and my dog. I also refuse plastic bags (thanks to my new CatGenie) and I recycle, eat mostly oragnic food, and always cage-free eggs if/when I eat them. I also give a shit about our world. I also am not perfect, but I--too--give a shit. I hope if you saw my blonde, big-glasses, skinny-girl ass in my Sequoia one day you would not think we are so different simply because of my vehicle of choice (her name is Big Lola and I love her. ) Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I like you. But, "lots of guys sitting on the ground" will still be there one load later. Surely they are not going anywhere despite they might be miffed at the asshole who bought the load for his selfish self. Even if said asshole bought the load for his sellfish self the entire day. Would said guys on the ground never return? Of course they would. How many nearby dropzones are there to choose from? And what if said asshole were a big movie producer filming scenes--would said lots of guys on the ground not understand? Would they not still sit around hoping to be extras? I realize this response might piss some people off. It pisses me off. I am pissed my favorite "insiders/locals" spot to park at the beach now has "no parking" signs--despite it is a public beach, but is lined with $5M plus mansions--even though there is (limited) public beach access. Fuck them! But, if I had the money and lived there, I would probably sign my name and vote for the "no parking" signs, too. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

If you paid the DZ owner the equivalent-plus of a full load, I am quite certain he would. What makes the SUV the sole-target of this discussion w/r/t massive energy-consumption? What do you drive? Where do you live? What is the square-footage of your house and how many people live in it? What do you eat? From where does your food purchases originate? What are you hobbies? How many kids do you have? Do you own any pets? What do you use to clean yourself and your house? Do you keep any plants in or around the house? How do you keep them? It is OK with me if anyone thinks I am an idiot, un-American, insecure, silly girl simply because I drive an SUV. I wonder though. What do you think of the skydiving teen/early twenty-something driving a Geo Metro? Or the skydiving, working college-grad driving a Pontiac Sunfire? What makes that person so awfully different than the non-skydiving, professional driving a Toyota Sequoia? Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I busted a funny you did not get; You laughed anyways and used poor spelling. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Imagine how excited you would be if they did! No, but hybrids are for pessimists. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I was skimming to see if anyone mentioned his children. But, the latter of what you said made me think; I do feel relief, but not for anyone but him. It very much seems he led such a troubled life he could not properly deal with. Call me silly, but I am more concerned (and curious) as to what will become of Michael's children now and--more importantly--later in life. While his death was of little matter to me, I have found it difficult to escape with everyone talking. Thus, after skimming this thread, I found myself wanting to state and now having to stand behind billvon's responses. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I do like rehmwa, but would not be able to pull off a "rehmwa". Silly joke that bombed, apparently. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Well, yesterday we saw two manatees less than 10 feet from shore swimming by.

This sort of crass commercialistic statement is more appropriate for the Bonfire, and I'll thank you for keeping your head out of the gutter in the future, Rick. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Oops. The post was so long. I skimmed. Actually, I have not peered into the Bonfire in a while. I noticed on my profile a thread I supposedly started that I had no recollection of--still don't after reading it. When I read your title I thought this might be another. Seems like something I might have posted a while back, too.

I do not know if this counts, but we were out on our ocean kayak all morning a couple weekends ago when a small school of dolphins came by. I always bring my diving camera as the sealife is plentiful, and I have been obsessed with capturing a diving osprey. But, I digress... For the first time I have ever seen one do this in the wild, I saw two dolphins doing what I call "the Flipper" (ala the famous dolphin TV series) where the dolphin's body is vertical to the water and just the tail remains below the surface propelling it along. It lasted, maybe, 30 seconds--the first 20 of which I was mesmerized and not at all thinking of my camera. Finally, I grabbed it and the settings were all wrong so this is literally what I got. The photo represents almost exactly how far away they were. If you zoom in and look at the dolphin on the right you will see its head is out of the water. I know--shitty picture. But, it's the only one I managed to capture amidst my fumbling awe. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I agree, and I am SO excited about my Cat Genie. It uses electricity and water to flush it, and I have no idea what the ratio of that is to the plastic bag I no longer get at the grocery, but it has saved me saying "yes" to plastic (because we used to reuse the plastic grocery bags to put the cat crap in). (BTW, I like to go use my big Costco reusable bag at my grocery. It is WAY easier to bring in a load of groceries.

I like to appreciate what others do more than focus on what they do not. I agree it is important to practice what you preach. To clarify my position for you (as short as possible): I do not believe humans should not eat any animals or animal by products. I especially do not believe--as long as we do--we should not use any and all of the animal by-products possible. I do believe animals deserve our respect, care and compassion. In my opinion the average American eats and wastes far too much meat and animal products. But, I am all for freedom of choice and would be against any legislation limiting the amount one can consume (though the thought makes me smile). What I advocate--plain and simple with regard to this thread--is major reform to our standard factory-farm practices. Because I grossly disagree with how most of our farm animals are bred, raised, treated & slaughtered I avoid to the best of my ability eating any animals or animal products from these places. And because I am a creature of convenience, I find it easier (and healthier) to eat a largely vegetarian diet. It seems you are of the "all or nothing" position, whereas I am of the "every little bit counts" position. I drive an SUV with leather seats. I bought it used in mint condition and got an amazing deal from the woman who previously owned it. My license plate holder says "Save a life. Opt to adopt.". And often--just driving around the beaches at less than 35 mph--my back window is rolled down and my big hound-mutt is looking out with his nose in the air trying to smell everything and being smiled at by the car behind me. I admit I love my car and would probably have it even if I did not have a big mutt. I justify it because I reduce my carbon footprint in other ways. And I am not sold on the hybrid alternative just yet, but hope the concept stays and is improved upon and to one day own a hybrid. The only way I would be caught in a "smart car" is dead. But, I digress; my original post mentioned nothing about the environment. I am happy you brought up the environmental aspect of eating less meat, however. I find there are three main reasons for eating less animals and animal products and/or caring where those things come from: 1. Health 2. Environment 3. Animal Welfare I also find that regardless of the reason from which one begins to learn and make changes to their lifestyle they soon learn and care more about the others as well. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

I do love a portobello mushroom, but I totally see your point. I mean who am I to support the stealing of portobello spawn to produce more portobellos for my disgusting, delicious pleasure? That's like kidnapping or something. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Agree, except on the latter--for me--I have discovered I actually pay less if I let my doctor bill insurance. Not only do I hold onto my cash longer, but the doctor will typically adjust their fees lowering my bill by 40-to-80 percent. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

By that logic: If you cannot finish a race first, then why race at all? Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

So is there no reason, in your opinion, to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering? Disagree, but then I am not of the position humans should not eat any animals or animal products so... Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Care to elaborate on the ridiculously useless part? Genuinely curious. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.

Thought I would start a new thread and not hijack Krisanne's. In response to 'bella: That is actually why I am excited to read it (just ordered it Friday so have not yet started it). Many of my friends and most of my family are Christian conservatives. I consider myself a Christian indepedent. Long story short, we (my family and I) do not talk about animal welfare, especially not with regard to where our supermarket meats and dairy come from. I do not believe humans are the only beings created "in God's image", but I have always said if we are then is it not within God's image to show compassion and concern for all other beings' welfare? I came across this quote written by Scully taken from his book: "Animals are more than ever a test of our character, of mankind's capacity for empathy and for decent, honorable conduct and faithful stewardship. We are called to treat them with kindness, not because they have rights or power or some claim to equality, but because they don't." It really hit home for me. I am really hoping his book is a great read and something I can maybe share with my friends & family in an unobtrusive way, and one they might relate to. I was truly born caring a great deal about animals. I have discovered and continue discovering their welfare and human health and welfare are not only relative, but imo, directly connected to one another. Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back.