my two cats have taken to curling up at the end of our very large bed and sleeping there the entire night, every night. i think this is probably one of my favorite things about buffalo...they did not do this before...they slept elsewhere throughout our house. now, they sleep with us.
Lauren's Journal
My Podcast Link
09/20/2007 19:32 #41220
randomCategory: randomo
09/18/2007 20:06 #41183
Pro Lifers...I get emails everyday or so from Planned Parenthood letting me know whats been going on the Pro Choice arena. And today I got one about "the largest anti-choice" march that happened...today, yesterday maybe. Anyways...I googled it, like I like to do, and found this fabulous website called ProLifeBlogs.com. 
Gross. The rhetoric they use...baby killlers, pro-abortion, talking about ripping apart fetuses and what not. I just find it hard to stomach...that they can't step back from their own moral bullshit for one second and see the truth of it all.
My mother...yes, the christian...was/is pro-life. However, I felt the need to discuss with her why we need to have safe, afordable abortions available for those who want/need it. She understands. The world is not perfect. Yes, in a perfect world, women would not have to get abortions, but we all know too effin well that this world is not perfect and it is ridiculous to go about pretending like it is. I guess my issue here is similair to that of the crazy funadamentalist sign carrying christians who shove their morals down other peoples throats. Go home. Be with your kids. Get a hobby that doesn't involove making other people feel like shit so you can make yourself feel better.
Gross. The rhetoric they use...baby killlers, pro-abortion, talking about ripping apart fetuses and what not. I just find it hard to stomach...that they can't step back from their own moral bullshit for one second and see the truth of it all. My mother...yes, the christian...was/is pro-life. However, I felt the need to discuss with her why we need to have safe, afordable abortions available for those who want/need it. She understands. The world is not perfect. Yes, in a perfect world, women would not have to get abortions, but we all know too effin well that this world is not perfect and it is ridiculous to go about pretending like it is. I guess my issue here is similair to that of the crazy funadamentalist sign carrying christians who shove their morals down other peoples throats. Go home. Be with your kids. Get a hobby that doesn't involove making other people feel like shit so you can make yourself feel better.
fellyconnelly - 09/20/07 21:43
wow lauren, way to bring up the ol abortion issue..
i like safe/legal/rare, and though I understand what you are saying, lauren, about making those rare cases be a result of people looking down on them, i don't think it would have to be if the 'rare' part was because the NEED for abortion wasn't there. As in our society progressed to the point where sexual education was taught properly in all schools, research into and the availability of birth control and contraceptives were widespread and not considered a sign of a degenerative society. And sex crimes were eliminated.
Then rare wouldn't be as much of an issue.
but wouldn't that be a perfect world?
wow lauren, way to bring up the ol abortion issue..
i like safe/legal/rare, and though I understand what you are saying, lauren, about making those rare cases be a result of people looking down on them, i don't think it would have to be if the 'rare' part was because the NEED for abortion wasn't there. As in our society progressed to the point where sexual education was taught properly in all schools, research into and the availability of birth control and contraceptives were widespread and not considered a sign of a degenerative society. And sex crimes were eliminated.
Then rare wouldn't be as much of an issue.
but wouldn't that be a perfect world?
lauren - 09/20/07 19:16
My point was not that the safe/legal/rare idea would make woman feel guilty, but rather that it would make others look down on and stigmatize women who had or needed to get abortions. Although I would argue that the internalization of such values certainly does affect the women themselves.
Also Drew, while I appreciate your point about not toning down rhetoric for the feelings of others, I would disagree with your choice of comparison. This is a woman's body we are talking about, not the car she drives. This is fundamental to who she is, how she sees herself, creates her identity, and how others do the same about her.
Finally, I do agree with the problems associated with the words pro-choice/life. They imply a dichotomous view of two "opposites" which are therefore portryed as fundamentally different. It does not take into account the complexities of both the politics and the individual/cultural beliefs that are deeply involved when one chooses to side with one or the other, if they do indeed choose a side at all.
My point was not that the safe/legal/rare idea would make woman feel guilty, but rather that it would make others look down on and stigmatize women who had or needed to get abortions. Although I would argue that the internalization of such values certainly does affect the women themselves.
Also Drew, while I appreciate your point about not toning down rhetoric for the feelings of others, I would disagree with your choice of comparison. This is a woman's body we are talking about, not the car she drives. This is fundamental to who she is, how she sees herself, creates her identity, and how others do the same about her.
Finally, I do agree with the problems associated with the words pro-choice/life. They imply a dichotomous view of two "opposites" which are therefore portryed as fundamentally different. It does not take into account the complexities of both the politics and the individual/cultural beliefs that are deeply involved when one chooses to side with one or the other, if they do indeed choose a side at all.
drew - 09/20/07 11:36
Wow. Janelle was totally pro-choice when I met her. (and I was mostly pro-life). I never would have imagined her writing that comment three years ago.
Wow. Janelle was totally pro-choice when I met her. (and I was mostly pro-life). I never would have imagined her writing that comment three years ago.
drew - 09/20/07 11:30
that would be funny, if you came to church with a giant poster of you and felly having sex. While the people in my church would be embarrassed, some of the men (and maybe women?) would make sure they got a good look at the poster before they acted in outrage.
And as for the whole safe, legal, and rare thing making women feel guilty, well, I guess that if and when people feel shame, than it is up to them if they feel shame. I certainly would not go out of my way to shame a person for anything, but I am not going to go away from what I believe is a very reasonable policy (safe/legal/rare), to save somebody from feelings of shame.
I mean, people don't tone down rhetoric about global warming because somebody who drives an SUV might feel bad, right? Shame is a part of society.
That being said, grace is more important. While I think it is wrong to drive an SUV, have an abortion, or vote to authorize a war, I also believe that it is important to love and welcome and forgive all of those people, not because of what they did or did not do, but because they are people. I would rather remove guilt/shame through forgiveness than pretend that it isn't there, because ultimately, we all have things that we are ashamed of and/or guilty of.
And jenks, I am with you that the terms are bad. It's just that it takes so long to say ,"pro-abortion being legal," or "anti-abortion being legal." It gets especially tricky when people that describe themselves as "pro-life" are pro-death penalty, anti-health care, pro-war, anti-environmental care or anti-poor people. It seems as if some are "pro-unborn life only." GWB has been satirized quite a few times for saving stem cells and disregarding the lives of soldiers and citizens in Iraq.
that would be funny, if you came to church with a giant poster of you and felly having sex. While the people in my church would be embarrassed, some of the men (and maybe women?) would make sure they got a good look at the poster before they acted in outrage.
And as for the whole safe, legal, and rare thing making women feel guilty, well, I guess that if and when people feel shame, than it is up to them if they feel shame. I certainly would not go out of my way to shame a person for anything, but I am not going to go away from what I believe is a very reasonable policy (safe/legal/rare), to save somebody from feelings of shame.
I mean, people don't tone down rhetoric about global warming because somebody who drives an SUV might feel bad, right? Shame is a part of society.
That being said, grace is more important. While I think it is wrong to drive an SUV, have an abortion, or vote to authorize a war, I also believe that it is important to love and welcome and forgive all of those people, not because of what they did or did not do, but because they are people. I would rather remove guilt/shame through forgiveness than pretend that it isn't there, because ultimately, we all have things that we are ashamed of and/or guilty of.
And jenks, I am with you that the terms are bad. It's just that it takes so long to say ,"pro-abortion being legal," or "anti-abortion being legal." It gets especially tricky when people that describe themselves as "pro-life" are pro-death penalty, anti-health care, pro-war, anti-environmental care or anti-poor people. It seems as if some are "pro-unborn life only." GWB has been satirized quite a few times for saving stem cells and disregarding the lives of soldiers and citizens in Iraq.
janelle - 09/20/07 11:23
If I can't stand on safe, legal, rare then I'll end up on the anti-choice side.
For me; safe, legal and rare is acknowledging a legal right to the act, but it doesn't mean I morally aprove of the act in all circumstances and situations. Same for other acts that are legal but that I find questionable from a moral stance. Why? Because I'm not looking to live in a biblical theocracy. Not morally approving of the act also doesn't mean that I get up in people's face about it. As for being careful about judgements, we all make judgements consciously or unconsciousy of people given the information available to us based on our morals, values, etc... I think the most important thing is how we allow our judgements to affect our behavior and whether we allow our judgements to be flexible enough to reconsider them when presented with new information.
If I can't stand on safe, legal, rare then I'll end up on the anti-choice side.
For me; safe, legal and rare is acknowledging a legal right to the act, but it doesn't mean I morally aprove of the act in all circumstances and situations. Same for other acts that are legal but that I find questionable from a moral stance. Why? Because I'm not looking to live in a biblical theocracy. Not morally approving of the act also doesn't mean that I get up in people's face about it. As for being careful about judgements, we all make judgements consciously or unconsciousy of people given the information available to us based on our morals, values, etc... I think the most important thing is how we allow our judgements to affect our behavior and whether we allow our judgements to be flexible enough to reconsider them when presented with new information.
lauren - 09/20/07 11:04
(e:janelle) thank you for pointing this not so little part out...some women are still in poistions of submission and I agree that it is very possible that some are forced or coerced into abortions. This to me...is well...if any of us think having an abortion is bad when we choose it, let us consider what it would feel like if ultimatly, we did not. And again, when I speak of things in a generalized manor, I am of course not speaking of ALL pro-lifers or ALL women. I do recongnize that some Christian por-life people are less in your face, more caring and understanding than those with giant posters of dead fetuses.
Yes, you are correct in stating that I am passing a moral judgement call when it comes to these protestors. I am not saying that I think it should be illegal for them to do so. I understand the ramifications of such implecations. They have thier morals, and I have mine. But keep in mind, I don't go to thier churches with giant posters of my girlfriend and I having sex. Is this the same? I don't know.
Ok. last thing...I suggest being careful when it comes to this "safe legal rare" business. I think that supporting choice while being against abortion is shaky ground...be thoughtful of what you think about women who have gotten/are getting an abortion. Be careful those little judgements don't creep up into your thoughts and put shame on her without you even knowing.
(e:janelle) thank you for pointing this not so little part out...some women are still in poistions of submission and I agree that it is very possible that some are forced or coerced into abortions. This to me...is well...if any of us think having an abortion is bad when we choose it, let us consider what it would feel like if ultimatly, we did not. And again, when I speak of things in a generalized manor, I am of course not speaking of ALL pro-lifers or ALL women. I do recongnize that some Christian por-life people are less in your face, more caring and understanding than those with giant posters of dead fetuses.
Yes, you are correct in stating that I am passing a moral judgement call when it comes to these protestors. I am not saying that I think it should be illegal for them to do so. I understand the ramifications of such implecations. They have thier morals, and I have mine. But keep in mind, I don't go to thier churches with giant posters of my girlfriend and I having sex. Is this the same? I don't know.
Ok. last thing...I suggest being careful when it comes to this "safe legal rare" business. I think that supporting choice while being against abortion is shaky ground...be thoughtful of what you think about women who have gotten/are getting an abortion. Be careful those little judgements don't creep up into your thoughts and put shame on her without you even knowing.
jenks - 09/19/07 18:26
I just think the terms "pro-life" and "pro-choice" are kind of dumb- It's not like "pro-choice" means "anti-life" or "pro-death" or something...
I really don't know what I would do if I found myself in the situation of needing an abortion... It's certainly not an easy decision.
But I absolutely believe that it needs to be MY decision. And that I have no right to judge/criticize people who do/don't have abortions.
Like everyone else said- safe. legal. rare.
I just think the terms "pro-life" and "pro-choice" are kind of dumb- It's not like "pro-choice" means "anti-life" or "pro-death" or something...
I really don't know what I would do if I found myself in the situation of needing an abortion... It's certainly not an easy decision.
But I absolutely believe that it needs to be MY decision. And that I have no right to judge/criticize people who do/don't have abortions.
Like everyone else said- safe. legal. rare.
joshua - 09/19/07 15:52
Screw that James - slack like the rest of us!
Screw that James - slack like the rest of us!
jason - 09/19/07 13:59
Oh man, about the thought of a woman "wishing" she could get an abortion -
It reminds me of the South Park episode where the guy gets his sex change operation, and the doctor goes through how "natural" it is, with all the blood and guts gory surgery photos. The first thing the guy wants to do, almost obsessively, is to start rattling off abortions. That was the funniest episode ever, outside of the PETA episode.
Oh man, about the thought of a woman "wishing" she could get an abortion -
It reminds me of the South Park episode where the guy gets his sex change operation, and the doctor goes through how "natural" it is, with all the blood and guts gory surgery photos. The first thing the guy wants to do, almost obsessively, is to start rattling off abortions. That was the funniest episode ever, outside of the PETA episode.
james - 09/19/07 13:48
I have a somewhat amusing/fairly offensive story about a pro-life protest I will talk about in a post when I get home.
I have a somewhat amusing/fairly offensive story about a pro-life protest I will talk about in a post when I get home.
carolinian - 09/19/07 13:16
Maybe things are different up here in New York State, but back home (where (e:jason) and (e:joshua) would be classified as liberals) the people who protest against abortion are the same ones who protest against (and successfully derail) birth control education in schools and are also the same ones screaming about having to support young, unwed welfare mothers having lots of kids. How messed up is that?
If they could only teach how to use a condom with the same zeal as they picket the clinics, maybe there'd be less abortions.
Maybe things are different up here in New York State, but back home (where (e:jason) and (e:joshua) would be classified as liberals) the people who protest against abortion are the same ones who protest against (and successfully derail) birth control education in schools and are also the same ones screaming about having to support young, unwed welfare mothers having lots of kids. How messed up is that?
If they could only teach how to use a condom with the same zeal as they picket the clinics, maybe there'd be less abortions.
joshua - 09/19/07 12:48
Couldn't agree more with your response (e:lauren)!
Since you touched on it - I think one of the motivating factors the crazies make light of, perhaps unintentionally because they simply didn't consider it, is that the decision of having an abortion is not a light one! Supporting abortion, or going through with it, isn't tantamount to being heartless. The emotional ramifications are deep and long lasting, but this is a secondary concern to many people. This is why I think call centers, programs for women who have had abortions, etc. are so incredibly vital. Women that go through this need support, not a moral examination from someone who doesn't understand what they are going through.
Couldn't agree more with your response (e:lauren)!
Since you touched on it - I think one of the motivating factors the crazies make light of, perhaps unintentionally because they simply didn't consider it, is that the decision of having an abortion is not a light one! Supporting abortion, or going through with it, isn't tantamount to being heartless. The emotional ramifications are deep and long lasting, but this is a secondary concern to many people. This is why I think call centers, programs for women who have had abortions, etc. are so incredibly vital. Women that go through this need support, not a moral examination from someone who doesn't understand what they are going through.
janelle - 09/19/07 12:24
(e:Jason) you beat me to the 1/2 half of the post I was going to write. I think (e:Lauren) was making a moral argument for why people should choose not to protest outside of clinics in a way that could be additionally harmfu to a person who already is feeling pretty bad.
Then there's the legal argument which is we have to within reason allow them to protest. No matter how much we dislike the ugly pictures. Part of America is that people do get to try to "shove their morals down others throats" with in established limits.
You may already know this Lauren, but there are Christian ministries outside of abortion centers that use more gentle approaches to ask people to reconsider abortion. They tend to target the women who appear to be under the undue influence of parents or boyfriends. If they see someone who looks distressed, they try to offer options and provide real assistance and support if they choose not to have an abortion. There are also some great (and some not so great) Christian ministries to help women who have had abortions to find healing from a faith perspective.
Ditto on the safe, legal and rare, (e:Jason).
(e:Jason) you beat me to the 1/2 half of the post I was going to write. I think (e:Lauren) was making a moral argument for why people should choose not to protest outside of clinics in a way that could be additionally harmfu to a person who already is feeling pretty bad.
Then there's the legal argument which is we have to within reason allow them to protest. No matter how much we dislike the ugly pictures. Part of America is that people do get to try to "shove their morals down others throats" with in established limits.
You may already know this Lauren, but there are Christian ministries outside of abortion centers that use more gentle approaches to ask people to reconsider abortion. They tend to target the women who appear to be under the undue influence of parents or boyfriends. If they see someone who looks distressed, they try to offer options and provide real assistance and support if they choose not to have an abortion. There are also some great (and some not so great) Christian ministries to help women who have had abortions to find healing from a faith perspective.
Ditto on the safe, legal and rare, (e:Jason).
jason - 09/19/07 11:57
Lauren, I think that's just the ugly side of the First Amendment that we all just have to deal with. For example, for me, I think some of the rhetoric Code Pink has employed at Walter Reed Hospital is 150% disgusting and beyond reproach - pretty much identical to how I feel about some of the rhetoric used at abortion clinics.
So what do you do? Telling them, or forcing them, to "shut up" is probably the most un-American idea possible, and should immediately be rejected. No, the right idea in my mind is to give them enough rope to hang themselves, and to allow them the opportunity to make themselves irrelevant. No, it doesn't make protestors go away, but then again, the second we start picking and choosing who can protest and who cannot, we are going to slip further into the abyss of employing fascist tendencies.
A quick word on Abort - I don't like it, especially the Dilation and Extraction, which is just shocking. However, I'm pro-choice because of exactly what you said, Lauren. We do not live in a perfect world, nor a uniform one, so staying ideologically rigid is inevitably going to fail, no matter where we sit. People who cannot, to some extent, be flexible are going to soon become obsolete.
Safe, legal, and rare. All three, not two, not one, all three. The trinity. That should be the goal I think.
Lauren, I think that's just the ugly side of the First Amendment that we all just have to deal with. For example, for me, I think some of the rhetoric Code Pink has employed at Walter Reed Hospital is 150% disgusting and beyond reproach - pretty much identical to how I feel about some of the rhetoric used at abortion clinics.
So what do you do? Telling them, or forcing them, to "shut up" is probably the most un-American idea possible, and should immediately be rejected. No, the right idea in my mind is to give them enough rope to hang themselves, and to allow them the opportunity to make themselves irrelevant. No, it doesn't make protestors go away, but then again, the second we start picking and choosing who can protest and who cannot, we are going to slip further into the abyss of employing fascist tendencies.
A quick word on Abort - I don't like it, especially the Dilation and Extraction, which is just shocking. However, I'm pro-choice because of exactly what you said, Lauren. We do not live in a perfect world, nor a uniform one, so staying ideologically rigid is inevitably going to fail, no matter where we sit. People who cannot, to some extent, be flexible are going to soon become obsolete.
Safe, legal, and rare. All three, not two, not one, all three. The trinity. That should be the goal I think.
lauren - 09/19/07 11:30
When you say "we" do you mean protestors... Don't get me wrong, I myself have protested certain things...my issue here is that getting an abortion is not easy. It can be emotionally as well as physically draining. I have had a few friends who have had to go through with it and the last thing they need is someone out there making it even harder on them. I feel like they are being taken advantage of and it that is disgusting. These people go right to the often young girls who are about to go inside a clinic and go through with probably one of the hardest decisions of their lives. I don't think one woman ever wishes she had a chance to get an abortion, and I am sure the guilt and shame is is heavy on thier shoulders...they don't need people yelling at them calling them baby killers on top of all that.
When you say "we" do you mean protestors... Don't get me wrong, I myself have protested certain things...my issue here is that getting an abortion is not easy. It can be emotionally as well as physically draining. I have had a few friends who have had to go through with it and the last thing they need is someone out there making it even harder on them. I feel like they are being taken advantage of and it that is disgusting. These people go right to the often young girls who are about to go inside a clinic and go through with probably one of the hardest decisions of their lives. I don't think one woman ever wishes she had a chance to get an abortion, and I am sure the guilt and shame is is heavy on thier shoulders...they don't need people yelling at them calling them baby killers on top of all that.
joshua - 09/19/07 09:04
Abortion is a touchy issue. I'm not exactly a "fan," you might say. Still though, I'm not entirely sure that trying to take the choice away from women is the right thing to do... and I don't think that broad moral objections to such a thing should trump the necessity for a choice. On occasions its true that women are at a health risk by giving birth to the baby (I'm not talking about depression being a health risk worthy of abortion, by the way).
BTW - and this is not a criticism - should all protesters "go home" if we find what they have to say disgusting?
Abortion is a touchy issue. I'm not exactly a "fan," you might say. Still though, I'm not entirely sure that trying to take the choice away from women is the right thing to do... and I don't think that broad moral objections to such a thing should trump the necessity for a choice. On occasions its true that women are at a health risk by giving birth to the baby (I'm not talking about depression being a health risk worthy of abortion, by the way).
BTW - and this is not a criticism - should all protesters "go home" if we find what they have to say disgusting?
09/18/2007 11:59 #41174
FireCategory: elmwood
So apparently there was a fire on Elmwood, one door south from the Rite Aid Pharmacy and Bryant. this is not very far from my own apt. and felly and I just kept on sleeping, oblivious. According to the story it was a historic house built in the 1890's and the materials that were used in building it can not be found today. the link is here if anyone is interested:
In the article you can really feel the pain of the guy who owned the house and puts lots of money and work into it. He loved that house and compared losing it to the death of his parents. Very sad. I am not sure where I am going with this, but I guess it is making me think about loving inanamate things, objects really, and the human ability to bring them to life in all but the true sense of the word.
Moving on to more mundane things like the weather. Tomorrow it is supposed to be beautiful and felly and I both kinda have the day off (although I feel like I can never have a day off because the reading just keeps on coming). Either way, I know that beautiful days like today and tomorrow will not be around for much longer, so I plan on enjoying them as much as I can.
In other news. I have come to discover that driving west on 33 at 7:00pm is the worst idea ever. The sun is soooo blinding that I can't see the road, the car in front of me, the signs, nothing. For this reason, and this reason only, I am looking forward to the sun setting a little earlier each day. and if you happen to be driving on that road at the time, I am the douche bag driving 50 mph in the middle while people pass me on both sides because I can't see a godam thing!
In the article you can really feel the pain of the guy who owned the house and puts lots of money and work into it. He loved that house and compared losing it to the death of his parents. Very sad. I am not sure where I am going with this, but I guess it is making me think about loving inanamate things, objects really, and the human ability to bring them to life in all but the true sense of the word.
Moving on to more mundane things like the weather. Tomorrow it is supposed to be beautiful and felly and I both kinda have the day off (although I feel like I can never have a day off because the reading just keeps on coming). Either way, I know that beautiful days like today and tomorrow will not be around for much longer, so I plan on enjoying them as much as I can.
In other news. I have come to discover that driving west on 33 at 7:00pm is the worst idea ever. The sun is soooo blinding that I can't see the road, the car in front of me, the signs, nothing. For this reason, and this reason only, I am looking forward to the sun setting a little earlier each day. and if you happen to be driving on that road at the time, I am the douche bag driving 50 mph in the middle while people pass me on both sides because I can't see a godam thing!
fellyconnelly - 09/18/07 23:07
with how loud these firetrucks are here, you would think that we would notice.. nope. it really was sad.
with how loud these firetrucks are here, you would think that we would notice.. nope. it really was sad.
09/17/2007 12:48 #41153
Re: Is religion harmful?Category: religion
Note: this was initially a comment, but I kinda went off and decided to make a post out of it.
Way to go Drew. It is sad but true that crazies like Fred Phelps and others wave the banner of religion and christian beliefs using the name only to spout hatefull slurs that encourage violence. This only leads to more hatred of these so called christians. I refuse to believe that all christians are like this, because, for example, my parents are quite religous, every sunday church goers if you will, yet openly accept me and my partner with loving arms. granted they were not always so accepting, but sometimes all it takes is a little love, patience, and guidance and cure those nasty habits. fundamentalists, extremists, people that teach hate...they should not and do not exemplify christianity. they are confused, scared, and ignorant to what the bible really teaches...love, respect, honesty. not that i am saying that christianity works for me, because after 18 years of (presbyterian)religious knowledge, i know that, right now, it doesn't. that however does not mean that I go around disrespecting those who find meaning within that community. whatever floats your boat, thats why I say. i think throughout history, as Drew said, people have shown themselves to need religion, spirituality of some sort or another. why? to find meaning, understanding, peace of mind, security. many reasons I am sure. the problem comes only when one group refuses to acknowledge that other options exist. I have my beliefs, you have yours...can't we all just get along?
Way to go Drew. It is sad but true that crazies like Fred Phelps and others wave the banner of religion and christian beliefs using the name only to spout hatefull slurs that encourage violence. This only leads to more hatred of these so called christians. I refuse to believe that all christians are like this, because, for example, my parents are quite religous, every sunday church goers if you will, yet openly accept me and my partner with loving arms. granted they were not always so accepting, but sometimes all it takes is a little love, patience, and guidance and cure those nasty habits. fundamentalists, extremists, people that teach hate...they should not and do not exemplify christianity. they are confused, scared, and ignorant to what the bible really teaches...love, respect, honesty. not that i am saying that christianity works for me, because after 18 years of (presbyterian)religious knowledge, i know that, right now, it doesn't. that however does not mean that I go around disrespecting those who find meaning within that community. whatever floats your boat, thats why I say. i think throughout history, as Drew said, people have shown themselves to need religion, spirituality of some sort or another. why? to find meaning, understanding, peace of mind, security. many reasons I am sure. the problem comes only when one group refuses to acknowledge that other options exist. I have my beliefs, you have yours...can't we all just get along?
paul - 09/18/07 15:30
I am fine with religion all around me, just not directed at me and especially not in my cubicle, lol. It is now declared a relgion free zone, with a paper sign on the cubicle wall. I hung it up with an american flag magnet.
I am fine with religion all around me, just not directed at me and especially not in my cubicle, lol. It is now declared a relgion free zone, with a paper sign on the cubicle wall. I hung it up with an american flag magnet.
09/17/2007 11:14 #41151
Sally FieldsHere is the proof of what happened last night at the Emmy's. As soon as I saw it I knew that something was fishy. Yes, she swore in the part that was cut out, but there was no bleep, just a loooong awkward cut away shot that could possibly be mistaken for a technical error, but you watch, decide for youself.
leetee - 09/17/07 14:24
ha ha ha... that is a really bad edit. of course, blame it on the dumb techie peeps, they must have done something wrong, not being used to live tv and all that.
go canada for having the full thing... i don't think "god-damn" is swearing in canada.
speaking of swearing, (e:Uncutsaniflush) pointed something out when we were visiting my parents a long time ago. While watching a movie on CityTV (damn, do i miss *that* channel!), there was a bleep. They bleeped out "mother" but not "fucker". Ha ha ha... you go Canada and your feminist ways!
ha ha ha... that is a really bad edit. of course, blame it on the dumb techie peeps, they must have done something wrong, not being used to live tv and all that.
go canada for having the full thing... i don't think "god-damn" is swearing in canada.
speaking of swearing, (e:Uncutsaniflush) pointed something out when we were visiting my parents a long time ago. While watching a movie on CityTV (damn, do i miss *that* channel!), there was a bleep. They bleeped out "mother" but not "fucker". Ha ha ha... you go Canada and your feminist ways!
joshua - 09/17/07 13:14
Yeah, she got censored... which to be honest didn't surprise me. As soon as she said the word "war" I knew that they would be putting their finger on the button that cuts the mic and switches the camera to the high angle that obscures the stage.
Hollywood types are idiots with no sense of reality. It didn't surprise me that she got the treatment that she did because it was predictable - the networks have to protect themselves from criticism and that is pretty much the end of it. After the stunt Michael Moore pulled a few years back during the Oscars, this is pretty much the new norm for these ceremonies.
Yeah, she got censored... which to be honest didn't surprise me. As soon as she said the word "war" I knew that they would be putting their finger on the button that cuts the mic and switches the camera to the high angle that obscures the stage.
Hollywood types are idiots with no sense of reality. It didn't surprise me that she got the treatment that she did because it was predictable - the networks have to protect themselves from criticism and that is pretty much the end of it. After the stunt Michael Moore pulled a few years back during the Oscars, this is pretty much the new norm for these ceremonies.
lauren - 09/17/07 12:34
This (if I did it right) is her speech UNcensored.
I have been doing a littl reading on this... there are some calling her a "left feminist" who discounts the mothers who are actually serving in Iraq. True statement. However, it shouldn't matter WHAT she said, rather that she was censored period. Thank god she isn't from Texas, they might lynch her.
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This (if I did it right) is her speech UNcensored.
I have been doing a littl reading on this... there are some calling her a "left feminist" who discounts the mothers who are actually serving in Iraq. True statement. However, it shouldn't matter WHAT she said, rather that she was censored period. Thank god she isn't from Texas, they might lynch her.
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and drink.
Buffalo does inspire a visceral fear that compels one to sleep in packs.