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| The Lounge | Draft: Who can and can't be drafted? and other ?'s | Sep 28 2008 19:16 (UTC) |
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| PS - To Claire on the topic of Vietnam:
It took our country years to pull out of a highly unpopular war in which, because of the draft, many families across America were personally affected. Now, imagine the draft had never been a part of the Vietnam war. Most of the soldiers dying overseas would have been poor and uneducated, from red states, with a predisposition toward "honoring" their country by serving in the military and being unquestioning patriots. Their parents and friends would be less likely to oppose the government or protest the war, and it would have taken much, much longer to end it. |
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| The Lounge | Draft: Who can and can't be drafted? and other ?'s | Sep 28 2008 19:03 (UTC) |
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| I actually think reinstating a draft would be a great idea. Here's why:
Young people who join the military (and I know this because I was in the Army from 2000 to 2006) tend to be from low socio-economic backgrounds, tend to be from "red" states, tend to be Christian, and often come from military families. This ends up dividing the country over when to use military force. Those at the very top who came from rich, well educated families and who have always been insulated from the military might be less likely to do things like mislead the country into starting a stupid war if, say, their twin daughters Jenna and Barbara had to go to Iraq for a few rotations as a result. If everyone had a family member serving in the military, people would think twice before voting into office someone who uses bellicose statements about bombing Iran and Syria or staying in Iraq indefinately. Its not like we have a purely "all volunteer" Army anyway. Most of the people I met in the Army were there because they had to be. They didnt have the money to go to college and jobs had run out in their communities. The only place in town with jobs available was the military recruiter's office. |
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| The Lounge | Palin on foreign policy. | Sep 28 2008 08:50 (UTC) |
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| All I can say is wow.
I left my computer to get a glass of water halfway throught the debate, and for a moment there in the kitchen it sounded like Katie Couric was interviewing Anna Nicole Smith. |
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| The Lounge | Here's how I decide who won the debate | Sep 28 2008 08:43 (UTC) |
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| You'd think both campaigns would have ample staff to make sure the facts/accusations are correct BEFORE the debate...so factcheck.org doesnt have to call them both out.
I was proud of McCain - he looked less robotic than usual. However, since inviting Gov. Palin to join his ticket he really doesnt have the moral highground on earmarks anymore...the more he talks about "reforming" Washington (after being a senator for over 26 years) the more of a hypocrite he is. Obama looked nervous but gave the most thoughtful answers. |
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| The Lounge | Palin/Muthee - God to take control of US govt, schools & media | Sep 26 2008 22:48 (UTC) |
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| Wait a minute. Shouldnt leaders of hate organizations like the KKK be held accountable for inciting violence when their followers form a big angry mob and go kill people? I think theres something to be said about the fact that he regularly preaches against "witchcraft" taking hold of communities in Kenya, and that violence against "witches" in Kenya has been increasing.
Since he is very anti-"witchcraft" and even prays for demons to leave Sarah Palin in one of the videos posted of him on Youtube, Im wondering if Sarah Palin agrees with him that "witchcraft" is a problem?... |
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| The Lounge | Palin/Muthee - God to take control of US govt, schools & media | Sep 26 2008 21:34 (UTC) |
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| By the way, Pastor Thomas Muthee enjoys "Hunting for witches" in his spare time. | |||
| The Lounge | how to break up a live-in bf and get out with all your stuff --- ADVICE | Sep 23 2008 01:02 (UTC) |
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| So let me clarify - its your place? As in he moved in and does not contribute to your rent? Or the other way around?
Regardless, step one would be having the "lets break up" talk... |
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| Weight Loss | HOT DOG? Help!! | Sep 19 2008 00:25 (UTC) |
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| Amethyst is right. Go ahead and eat the hot dog - depriving yourself of the things you crave will just set yourself up for a possible binge.
P.S. Add some veggies! Carrots, celery, whatever. You could use the vitamins and fiber. |
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| The Lounge | Rape victims pay for their own exams? (political) | Sep 17 2008 04:52 (UTC) |
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| Holy Misogyny, Batman! I havent heard of women being so anti women's rights since they interviewed those poor brainwashed FLDS teenage Moms a few months ago o_O | |||
| Health & Support | Sep 16 2008 02:45 (UTC) |
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| I suspect the smelly pool is not your fault.
Certain foods are linked to increased gas, such as most carbohydrates, beans, dairy, onions, broccoli, cabbage, etc. But its the yellow sulphurous yolk of the egg that creates the bad rotten egg smell. For example, its really rotten-egg smelly around volcanic areas where the rocks contain a lot of sulphur. And youre eating just egg whites. To counteract gas, try eating probiotic yogurts which contain acidophilus or bifidus...and dont feel bad about the pool :) |
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| The Lounge | Top Fund Manager: Get Ready for Worst Recession Since 1930s | Sep 16 2008 00:04 (UTC) |
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| This is clearly a mental recession! The fundamentals of the economy are still strong. What is this, a nation of whiners? :P Seriously though, not to hijack this thread, but the banking system is entirely dependent on ever increasing amounts of cheap oil, and its pretty likely that the world is approaching the peak rate of oil extraction. Oil is nonrenewable, after all. You cant have exponential usage of a nonrenewable energy source and expect that growth can last forever. Cheap oil subsidizes growth in every market...except maybe the alternative energy market. Even if all of these banks hadnt made the bad decision to make loans to people who cant pay them back, this recession would have happened anyway for several reasons. IF it is true that we have reached the peak oil extraction rate globally, we should expect to see:
Population and Energy by nuclear physicist Albert Bartlett. This is an explanation of why ALL exponential growth has limits and one of the best videos I have ever seen. *Video is one hour long but well worth it.* |
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| The Lounge | Ladies--panties question (very mildly risque) | Sep 15 2008 18:48 (UTC) |
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| I stick with cotton 90% of the time, but I have a pair of the Lycra/spandex panties to minimize pantylines on special occasions (like wearing a dress) because I am an official thong hater. Thong = uncomfortable wedgie feeling. | |||
| Weight Loss | I joined CC a year ago today... before/after | Sep 15 2008 18:37 (UTC) |
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| That is an amazing transformation, congratulations! | |||
| Weight Loss | Special K diet? | Sep 15 2008 02:53 (UTC) |
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| As long as a bowl of Special K contains less calories than whatever you used to eat for breakfast, you bet it would work. I havent tried the Special K diet, but I have switched from Hot Pockets to oatmeal for breakfast, and its slowly working :) |
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| The Lounge | Did anyone see McCain on the view today??? | Sep 15 2008 02:31 (UTC) |
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| On the subject of The View, I thought most of the questions posed to the McCains were relevant and important. I wish McCain had spent more time talking about why he endorsed the latest two anti-Obama TV ads which have been proven untrue. It was unfair of Barbara Walters to ask how many homes the McCains own, though. Everyone already knows the answer is seven. The media has spent a lot of time covering the fact that Cindy is a beer heiress and is worth about 100 million dollars. Taking the time to ask that question seemed like a cheap ploy to remind the audience how rich the McCains are. I also didnt like the playing of the POW release tape. Voters love the fact that he was a POW - gives him mad street cred - but springing that footage on him and hoping that he gets emotional (I assume thats what they wanted?) was a little unclassy. |
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| The Lounge | Did anyone see McCain on the view today??? | Sep 15 2008 02:12 (UTC) |
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| Well, Bethanyray, arent you glad that even though many people in this thread and many people in this country disagree with you about the quality of public education, the law respects your judgement and your ability to make your own CHOICE? Please take notice of the fact that opponents of homeschooling on this page have suggested reasons why it might not be as good for the child as public or private schools, but no one is suggesting taking away your right to choose. If you want to lock your kids in the basement all day with nothing but a Bible and VeggieTales, fine. By the same measure, people who oppose abortion have the right to counsel their family or friends or fellow CCers against getting one. But the notion of taking away the freedom FOR EVERYONE to choose just because SOME PEOPLE think its bad would be an insult to everyone's intelligence. Likewise, just because I dont plan on having a gay marriage myself doesnt give me license to ruin it for everyone else. We ought to legalize it and let gay couples decide on what they think is best for them and their family. Just like you get to decide whats best for your family by CHOOSING to homeschool your future kids. (See? You were pro-choice all along!) |
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| The Lounge | A question about faith... | Sep 07 2008 01:21 (UTC) |
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| Several reasons why I believe what I believe: 1. Fear of going to Hell. I mean, have you read Revelations? 2. I am proud of the great role models of Christianity. People like Jim Bakker, Ted Haggard, Jimmy Swaggart, Fred Phelps and Jerry Falwell. 3. Financial Investment. I believe people should tithe, and I have personally contributed about $40,000.00 over the course of several years to my church. Admitting that I have doubts would therefore mean admitting that I have wasted 40K, which Im so not about to do. 4. The Bible rocks. A few parts of the OT promote ritual human and animal sacrifice, slavery, rape, genocide and killing babies whose parents didnt put blood on their door, but over time you learn to ignore those parts. I believe reading Bible stories to our children helps them develop healthy morals and a sense of purpose. 5. I have no working knowledge of anthropology, organic chemistry, or evolutionary biology. The Bible tells me to avoid becoming "worldly". 6. I try to surround myself with likeminded people to reinforce my pre-existing belief system. |
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| The Lounge | What will you remember Bush for? | Aug 29 2008 08:45 (UTC) |
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| Ill remember George W. Bush as the guy who took my husband away from me and sent him to Baghdad for seven months.
Ill remember him as the guy who pulled me out of college in 2003, deployed me for a year and then placed an "involuntary extension" on my deployment for another six months. Ill remember him as one of the main opponents to extending the GI Bill so my friends and I could pay for college. Ill remember him as the guy who vetoed stem cell research, even though it would possibly help cure the disease my husband developed during his time in Iraq. Ill remember him as the guy who used and abused the United States military beyond the point of breaking, all the while using them as backdrops for photo ops. |
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| The Lounge | Being Vegan and the Military | Aug 19 2008 10:02 (UTC) |
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| I joined the army in August 2000. At the time, I was a vegetarian, and had been for about four years. Basic training was in South Carolina. Everything, and I mean everything, was cooked with meat. You couldnt have greenbeans that werent soaked in bacon grease and littered with bacon pieces. Even the salad served in the chow hall came with squares of ham mixed in. When youre out in the field it is especially hard to avoid meat. A typical non-MRE field meal is a piece of veal, some iceberg lettuce salad, and rice or bread. So expect to be hungry all the time if you dont eat meat....I honestly cant imagine anyone being able to sustain themselves on Army food while adhering to veganism and doing hours of work and excercise like we did. Sure, the Army makes vegetarian MREs so they can claim to respect everyone's beliefs. But 4 times out of 5, you line up, they throw a meal at you, and its up to you to hopefully get someone to trade with you. Woe to the person who gets stuck with "Beef & Mushrooms" or "Ham Slice," two of the most hated MREs. Most people actually prefer the vegetarian MREs, making it that much harder to trade. Good luck. | |||
| The Lounge | Does Any One Else Here Play World Of Warcraft???? =] | Aug 18 2008 06:35 (UTC) |
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| I used to. 70 Holy/Disc priest Belf on Coilfang. | |||
| The Lounge | politic-ing.. | Aug 13 2008 18:00 (UTC) |
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| Emma_Lou is glad McCain understands the importance of oil by pushing for offshore/ANWR oil, huh?
Like thats going to make even a tiny dent in our energy problem. It is utterly hilarious that offshore drilling is the new Republican crusade, because it shows a total lack of understanding the problem. Plus, how ironic that the offshore ban was enacted by George H.W. Bush in the first place. The EIA - thats the Energy Information Administration - has concluded after numerous studies that if we drilled in ANWR, the following would happen: 1. It would take years before a single drop of oil would become usable. Deepwater and polar oil tends to have a lower EROEI (Energy Return On Energy Investment) anyway because new fields require massive energy investments and time to reach their peak. 2. The oil extraction rate would peak in 2027 at 780,000 barrels/day. Keep in mind the fact that the world currently uses 87,000,000 barrels per day so even at its peak, ANWR gives less than one percent of current world consumption. The US currently uses 20,000,000 barrels per day, so ANWR would give us 3.9% of current US consumption. As stated earlier this week by Barack Obama, this is also the amount saved by proper tire inflation. 3. Drilling ANWR would reduce the price of oil by 75 cents a barrel at its peak in 2027. Now, consider that one barrel equals about 42 gallons. A whopping reduction of 1.8 cents a gallon. Mind you, thats 1.8 cents in 2008 dollars taken from the cost of a gallon of gasoline in 2027 dollars, which everyone in the industry expects to be higher. Say, around 8 - 10 dollars a gallon. Politicians ought to save our tax dollars for something worthwhile and renewable like wind, solar, or hydro. |
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| The Lounge | Edwards - Anyone have anything to say? | Aug 10 2008 03:55 (UTC) |
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| I still think people like Larry Craig, who solicited a stranger for sex in a public airport bathroom, Mark Foley, who sent sexual text messages to underage pages, and Ted Haggard, who took meth during his 20-some-odd encounters with a male prostitute while simultaneously preaching against the basic human rights of homosexuals are much worse people than John Edwards. Not only did they betray their wives, they also broke several laws in the process. And speaking of Edwards being "a perfect example of hypocrisy. This guy has an affair then thinks it's ok to run for president and campaign presenting himself as a model of perfection." Guess what? McCain has totally had an affair too! He met beer heiress Cindy Hensley while married to Carol McCain, former swimsuit model and the mother of his eldest three children. After his wife Carol was disfigured in an accident, John had an affair with Cindy, he and Carol got divorced, and he remarried Cindy a month after his divorce was finalized. |
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| The Lounge | Is Gas hit $8.00 tommorow would you be able to Function? | Jul 12 2008 05:26 (UTC) |
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| So...sorry to be the voice of doom and gloom, but because the world oil extraction rate peaked in about 2005, this is a question of WHEN, not IF. I wouldnt be surprised if gas is $15 pretty soon. If you've never heard of Peak Oil, look it up. It's whats causing the gas price increase, the recession, and the mad scramble to secure the world's remaining oil reserves...66% of which are in the Persian Gulf. Several former OPEC members have simply dropped out of OPEC and had to start becoming net oil importers because they are now almost dry. The Oil industry has known since the 1970s that this would happen. The reason you dont hear oil insiders or politicians (in many cases the same people) talking openly about it is that the stock market and economy are built on consumer confidence which would erode if people knew that our petroleum supply is about to permanently decline. P.S. Several U.S. government reports, most famously the "Hirsch report" comissioned by the US Dept of Energy admit that Peak Oil will present "an unprecedented risk management problem...the economic, social, and political costs will be unprecedented." (This is as close as youll ever get to hearing the US Dept of Energy say Holy S*%t we have a problem.) |
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| The Lounge | spirituality stuff.. ? | Jul 09 2008 08:50 (UTC) |
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| Im with Lionel Ritchie. There seem to be two separate sub-topics going on here. Sub-topic one: curing a medical condition. Sub-topic two: sleeping better and becoming calm. It sounded like the person who proposed "reading the bible and becoming closer to God" was implying that it would "cure" the OP's medical condition....in other words, "forget medical treatment, you should become a Christian and try faith healing." I know this is an informal forum, but that is some seriously dangerous advice to be giving out. |
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| The Lounge | spirituality stuff.. ? | Jul 08 2008 06:04 (UTC) |
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| "You are in a vulnerable position, having been diagnosed with a medical condition, and these quacks are latching onto that and taking advantage of you." As evidenced by: "I don't know what your religious beliefs are, but I would suggest reading the Bible and becoming closer to God." Seriously? Youre using this as an opportunity to try to convert her?? |
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| The Lounge | spirituality stuff.. ? | Jul 07 2008 06:24 (UTC) |
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| Past lives, reincarnation, fortune telling: no. My friends and I used to go to a "psychic fortune teller" in our neighborhood just to test it out. It was fun, admittedly, until she started telling us that we should start conducting "cleansing ceremonies" using "special candles that only she could sell us". Needless to say, I didnt appreciate the shameless cross-marketing and stopped visiting her. And then, about a month later, her house burned down! Great testament to her psychic abilities...
If what you're looking for is more peace and relaxation, yoga and meditation are great. No hocus-pocus magical thinking required. If what youre looking for is a cure for your condition, Id say try to find a second opinion from another specialist. |
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| Fitness | Sweating Way Too Much | May 15 2008 18:02 (UTC) |
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| Taa-Daa! I have the answer.
Its called Hyperhidrosis and its genetic. Most people who have it are affected in one main body area. It can most commonly be your face, hands, feet or armpits. Ive got it in my armpits...I get a visible circle of sweat that shows through my shirt after less than 30 minutes, even if Im totally inactive. Because its super embarassing, I tend to wear sweatshirts over my clothes everyday - no matter how hot it is - to cover the sweat circles. Id rather people think Im crazy than see all my sweat :( There are a variety of treatments out there, depending on which body area is effected- everything from special prescription strength deodorant to ETS surgery (cutting a certain sympathetic nerve stops most sweating), removal of subdermal sweat glands by liposuction or botox injections to paralyze the sweat glands. Just depends how much you want to spend. |
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| Games & Challenges | The Worst Bands/Singers Of All Time - Survivor: ROUND 10 | Dec 15 2007 11:47 (UTC) |
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| -1 Michael Jackson
+1 Vanilla Ice (his only "hit" song is a total David Bowie Under Pressure rip off) Barry Manilow - 9 Michael Jackson - 8 Celine Dion - 14 Abba - 5 Britney Spears - 11 Vanilla Ice - 10 New Kids on the Block - 11 The Backstreet Boys - 10 Milli Vanilli - 10 Yoko Ono - 12 Kenny G - 10 Michael Bolton - 11 |
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| The Lounge | Too disturbing for the public? | Dec 15 2007 11:26 (UTC) |
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| As a nurse, Ive seen some messy medical procedures, pictures of which would probably gross people out. I suppose that by abortion-protester logic anyone who has a cancer tumor ought to leave it in place because tumors look gross and bloody when you remove them? The reality is that any medical procedure or surgery you get will be messy. Including having a baby! Imagine how ridiculous and distasteful it would be if the tables were turned and pro-choice people started parading around with gross placenta pictures in front of Labor & Delivery centers. The fact that these people resort to using the "gross factor" to discourage abortion is a testament to their lack of a sound logical argument. As socially and ethically inappropriate as the graphic signs are, I am even more offended just by their outlook of women's right in general than of any signs they could possibly make. Saying that the "rights" of a 3 month old fetus trump the rights of a GROWN WOMAN is a pretty big slap in the face to any woman who has ever considered herself more than a baby-making container. The message to young women from the anti-abortion lobby that "we dont think you are capable of making decisions about your own body" is just as harmful as exposing kids to graphic images. |
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| Games & Challenges | The Worst Bands/Singers Of All Time - Survivor: ROUND 10 | Dec 12 2007 17:31 (UTC) |
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| -1 Barry Manilow.
+1 Kenny G. John Denver - 8 Barry Manilow - 7 Michael Jackson - 10 Celine Dion - 13 ABBA - 6 Britney Spears - 13 Vanilla Ice - 10 New Kids on the Block - 15 The Backstreet Boys - 11 The Bee Gees - 3 Milli Vanilli - 10 Yoko Ono - 13 Kenny G - 11 Michael Bolton - 10 |
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