Silver_and_Jade_Tears

Reply to NY Democrats Refused to Stand for Pledge in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Something else I think should be kept in mind because it might help you understand is that for as long as I can remember I have always, always considered myself a citizen of the world (i.e. Global citizen) first[/quote] You might like Michael Moore's updated version of the pledge then... "I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, part of one world, indivisable, for justice, and liberty for all.

Reply to NY Democrats Refused to Stand for Pledge in Politics JoeUser Forums

Talk may at times be cheap, but if followed by actions, it is extremely powerful. 1- The pledge can be the inspiration and backing to those actions. Is it always that? No. But does the fact that it isn't always that justify it's extinction? No. 2- It varies by state, but in many states, you cannot force children in school to state the pledge, though they have to stand. That has been ruled on, re-ruled on, over-ruled, and ruled again.

Reply to NY Democrats Refused to Stand for Pledge in Politics JoeUser Forums

1- How is it "assinine?" It's a traditional part of our American culture. (Though only dating back just over 100 years.) 2- While the necessity of "under God" is debatable, that doesn't make the entire pledge to be "assinine." 3- Since 1943, no US citizen can be forced to say the pledge. (It might be required for those becoming US citizens though, not sure.) It's a sign of respect, however, and if you don't, you may be viewed in a neg

Reply to IQ in Just Hanging Out JoeUser Forums

[quote]Perhaps, but there's a precedent. In California, at least, you can offer a million dollars for a house, but if it doesn't appraise for that, no one can write the loan. By LAW. I see a similarity in this. The value of the house is an objective value based on all the things appraisers have to take into consideration. Asking price > than appraised value? No sale.[/quote] Perhaps it is lack of sleep, but I am missing the connection here... Speak slowly, and in dumb

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]I googled Ken Wilbur, but there were a bunch of words on the Wiki about him. So many words. I probably could have read them if I had that kind of attention span. [/quote] Hahaha In one of his books, he talks about three areas that can be considered objective: the "Good," the "True" and the "Beautiful." I don't think beauty is objective... look at various things that are considered beautiful throughout the world in a physical sense: the Meso-Americans and their l

Reply to Hoaxes in Current Events JoeUser Forums

[quote]Good people and even evil people can help others on occasion[/quote] Wow... black and white much? There is no such thing as a "good" or "evil" person. There are people have many good tendancies, and beliefs, and people with many bad tendencies and beliefs, however no one person can be only good or only evil through and through.

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote] It's an objective and quantifiable attribute. [/quote] Someone is too familiar with Ken Wilbur. I still call bullshit on that.

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

Wow Rez, you should be the one to write that policy. You have the verbage down pat for it. :D You have covered all bases, (at least as far as I can imagine), and I think that it might be managable. Airlines would suffer for it to some degree, though, at least in the short term, which might cause them to refuse such a policy. I think you are on the right track though.

Reply to Sotomayor's nomination takes a hit from White firefighters in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]I feel not the slightest bit of guilt. I'm white, most of my family immigrated to the US long after slavery ended. [/quote] My family immigrated here in the mid 1880's from Ireland. No one talks about how the Irish were treated when they arrived ("No Irish Need Apply"), should I expect reparations for how my great-grandparents were treated? By the way the blacks (and those from Mexico that chant "you stole Mexico from us") act, I should get special treatment

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]Rent, utility bills, child support, etc are a good indicator of how well you pay your bills.[/quote] Which I understand. And this is how it should be. However, for our country to be so dependent on credit, (faith of payment with a legally binding contract), is ridiculous. That is exactly why we are in the situation that we are in. The common belief now is that you need to get credit to have credit (not just pay your non-credit bills on time). A

Reply to IQ in Just Hanging Out JoeUser Forums

[quote]http://www.americanidol.com/[/quote] Haha, point taken. Reality TV (not so real) aside, however, yes it does tend to be what we do. (Though only on a personal level, not a societal one.) If you think your doctor has less abilities than another one, you will ditch said doctor (assuming insurance isn't an issue), and go with the better one. If you believe that one artist is better than another, you will go support him. If you believe one

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]Absolutely not true. I've never had a credit card in my life, and I have an excellent rating.[/quote] This is possible, to a degree, for example, if you have a cell phone, or rent, and pay on time, that will be listed with no problems to your credit (building your score). But that will only help to a degree. So yes, to build the best kind of score, you typically need some form of credit (whether through a mortgage, or car payment, etc.). That

Reply to Sotomayor's nomination takes a hit from White firefighters in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]You know, i can't deny I am happy to be Hispanic, I would hate to be a White person a few years from now. Never thought our society would learn towards vengance, eye for an eye and payback as oppose to growing up and learning from past mistakes. One could say our country resembles the story of The Curious case of Benjamin Buttons. except it would be The Curious Case of The United States.[/quote] Though the whole "must get revenge" attitude sickens and annoys me, I believe that

Reply to IQ in Just Hanging Out JoeUser Forums

[quote] Oh well, they might be a creative genius, not a writing genius, so we shouldn't judge them [/quote] Tsk, that isn't what I said. You had my point in your first paragraph. Compare the creative's to the creative's, the writers to the writers, etc. That is basically what we do to a degree now anyway. Would just be more "scientific". It could lead to better doctors, teachers, etc. Or it could lead to a community similar to the

Reply to IQ in Just Hanging Out JoeUser Forums

[quote]You can test this for yourself - tell a friend they suck at throwing a ball, then tell them they aren't that bright and see which of the two elicits the most outraged response. 9 of 10 it's the "bright" statement (unless they're REAL good at throwing a ball, but even then, they'll just think you a fool and blow it off.)[/quote] That reaction might also be reminscent of our eugenic practices, or some subconcious fear that varying levels of intelligence will lead to som

Reply to Vacation Woes in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

All I can say? Wow... I am one of the fortunate ones that has only had a slightly delayed flight or two, nothing any worse than that. But with some of these horror stories... I am bound to have issues sooner or later.

Reply to IQ in Just Hanging Out JoeUser Forums

Perhaps you have heard of the theory of multiple intelligences? It is a theory based on the idea that there are more types of intelligence than just cognitive abilites in regards to academics, or comprehension and application of facts. Based on that theory, an IQ tests scientific value is very questionable. That theory is from what I draw my point. Intelligence covers many areas, and so referring to it by just an IQ number does insinua

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]I currently choose not to pay for this on the principle that the default leg room is usually insufficient and I don't see why I should pay more (individually) to get it up to a decent level. [/quote] But wouldn't that be what happens? More leg room, wider seats = more expensive tickets and/or fees. "Individually" So as long as it isn't just you paying (for your own comfort), then you are okay with paying more, correct? I agree whole-heartedly wit

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]Provided that there was a minimumlegal requirement for seat size to fit the "decent percentile of the human population" then yes - if you additional comfort (over and above a decent limit) then you pay for it.[/quote] Again, there is no "one size fits all." What would that minimum be? And what would the limit on the comfort be?

Reply to Pick a Side: The Forum Game in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

Sorry Veers, didn't see your last post. No idea on a topic though.

Reply to Pick a Side: The Forum Game in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]See, w/ fiction it's nothing but lies. quote] Ah, reminds me of a quote from V for Vendetta : Artists use lies to tell the truth, while politicians use them to cover the truth up. That being said, I like fiction better, because it can be used to enhance (and mock) human tendancies, of which there are both good and bad.

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]When I grew up I was taught that if you can't afford something then you didn't get it. It didn't mean you were any less of a person, it was just out of your reach. If you wanted it badly enough you saved up until you could afford it. I still live by that principle.[/quote] Sadly, I seem to be one of the few in my generation that follows this. I refuse to buy on credit, and I think it's ridiculous that I need to have at least a small form of credit (line of

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]And people might cry discrimination all they like, but the fact is that if you use more of a limited resource (be it food, fuel or airliner space)[/quote] Yes, that is a fact, however it would take a lot of convincing to make people accept that. As usual, immediate implementation will have everyone in an uproar. If you can find a way to slowly implement a policy of the overly-large paying extra it will be much more accepted. [quote]I just had this im

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]Maybe they shouldn't measure weight, but just diameter?[/quote] Which is more logical, but would be viewed as discrimination. And which part would be measured? Waist? Hips? Shoulders? A non-obese person can still have really wide body (shoulders, hips). Bodies are different, period. How will you find a "fits all" solution? And not so much "huge bulging muscles," (LoL), as just tall and toned muscles. (Muscle weighs more than fat.)</

Reply to Overweight? Then airlines should charge you more... in Everything Else JoeUser Forums

[quote]Here's a thought. How about they put larger seats on planes? Damn things are too narrow and uncomfortable.[/quote] That would mean less seating (less tickets to generate revenue), resulting in the airlines a) adding more fees, or b) raising the cost per ticket. They could have a "non-fat" and "fat" section... but that brings us back to: by what do we determine "fat."