Shulamite

Reply to Father of Capitalism Said 'Burden' Rich to 'Relieve' Poor in Politics JoeUser Forums

Blogic, just so you know, you've totally misquoted Smith in your title. I think there's something wrong with your math here, man. You say we should tax the heck outta some rich folk (I know this can't be bitterness talking and I'm sure you're expereinced in small business entrepreneurship yourself). You then call the conservatives "indifferent" to the poor -- a charge for which I can find no basis. You say conservatives have benefited most fr

Reply to Ethnicity: A Definition in Current Events JoeUser Forums

You're absolutly right. PERCEPTION. So if a person is absorbed into a culture -- say as a missionary or a migrant worker -- do they not then become a part of that culture if they embrace it? If they perceive themselves as "of" the culture? If other's recognize characteristics of the culture in their lives? Therefore, is it not valid to say that there is an "American ethnicity?" With our ethnicity, we're conquering the world; through culture, doing wha

Reply to Kerry's Lesbian comment is stirring up a stink storm in Politics JoeUser Forums

Um, I think it wasn't at all like that. Sounded like Cheny did the normal political attacks that one makes in a debate leaving family and private life out of the debate. Sounded like Kerry AND Edwards both made allusions to the lifestyle choices of person NOT running for office in an attempt to rile conservative/Christian voters to their side. It may have sounded on the surface like what you typed, but passive aggressive attacks are

Ethnicity: A Definition in Current Events JoeUser Forums

This article and few others on the topic have been in my head for weeks; I just haven't put them down yet. But Tas T's article made me write it. (By the way, Kudos. Great delineation there.) As a collegiate debater, we competed using the definition for ethnicity as "the culture with which one identifies." If one simply scans this, the response is something l

Reply to Presidential Debate #3 in Politics JoeUser Forums

But Kerry keeps saying the same unsubstantial stuff and Bush is ON tonight.

In Loving Memory Of in Misc JoeUser Forums

I understand the need to express individuality. I understand the urge to put decals on cars expressing opinions, accomplishments, our children's accomplishments, and God knows what all else. I have a rather nice one on my car that does none of the above, but it is nice. There is one exeption. "In Loving Memory of ______." Those are the absolute

Reply to Is George W. a stong leader? in Politics JoeUser Forums

I agree with you drmiller, and while the comparison is not apropo, I see that the point he's trying to make is that a strong leader isn't always a good thing. However, let me counter with this: nothing in and of itself is good or bad. Only how it is used may be judged. We cannot question whether GW is a strong leader because he is (according to the post in question) but we should question whether he uses his power, his characteristics, for evil or for

Reply to Is George W. a stong leader? in Politics JoeUser Forums

You know, when we have a leader of any group, that leader has to stand up for what is right and be the voice of certainty and passion and drive. If he is not, who will follow? No one will because no one will respect him. The same is true for the leader of a Super Power. He cannot be too lax, without principles, without judgment, opinions, or firm beliefs. And when members of the group are out of line, the leader has to step in without fear. These are n

Reply to Snuggly Little Guy in Home & Family JoeUser Forums

Oh... Mine is five and still has those moments. We read in bed every night. Those are the best. I love my snuggle-bunny. I'm so glad you 've got him. What a gift. Nice article! And thanks for the serenipitous moment of reflection on the truly good stuff.

Reply to If this goes down in Politics JoeUser Forums

Oi Vei. This is pretty serious, eh? I hope this goes through in a couple weeks time... oh wait, logic has nothing to do with political agenda making... Well, then I hope it gets a lot of press before election date .. oh wait. Again, no place for logic in the press.

14 Year-Old Boys: Move Over Mizrahi in Misc JoeUser Forums

"Miss, Why'd you wear that?" "That outfit's clean Miss!" "Did you put that outfit together Miss?" The above statements are all statements taken from my students over the past three years. I've got myriad more. They all have one very peculiar thing in common: they're all statements made by 14 year-old boys. Granted, some may be 15 (And let's be hones

Reply to Murder is Morally Justifiable? in Religion JoeUser Forums

way to go Gid. Murder is wrong. It is always morally wrong to harm another person. Always. Funny how what one finds antagonizing, another finds thought-provoking, enlightening, or even worthwhile for strengthening his/her own opinion. The emotional reaction is never predictable therefore the only thing we can judge is the action taken in response to emotional reaction. In countries where the populace is allowed to execute the fruits of its initial rage

Reply to The privacy of blogging in Blogging JoeUser Forums

Sally! I get your point and I can kinda see it. but I can see a little break down in the logic. It's like publishing a book and then telling people they can't read it. Internet is publishing. You're putting it out there. What else is there to do with it? And there is the button that allows you to keep stuff private and not "put it out there" in a sense. No one has access to that sort of thing. Obviously, we're not making money off our publishing like a

Busy busy busy! in Home & Family JoeUser Forums

Wow! Everything's been crazy lately! I'm loving my new job. My daughter is loving kindergarten. She's so amazing and precious. I'm teaching on regular 50-minute periods now instead of the 90-minute blocks I did last year. Wow has that screwed up my time-frame within my mind. It's a lot like jet lag. I know my kids think I'm hyper. I think we're never getting

Reply to God is Not My Co-Pilot! in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Pearl -- I think your second to the last paragraph is the only one I can agree with and in that, I say kudos. And I do limit scripture to the Biblical canon because of the credibility the canon has. (It's canon for reasons...) I noticed you say "a door was opened to me." And I noticed you don't really consider yourself a Christian, at least in the orthodox sense. My sense is that very often we may face the choice of giving ear to voices that

Reply to God is Not My Co-Pilot! in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Sir Peter : We're all princesses and princes when our Father is the King... Little Whip -- I'm gonna think that's not directed at me. Gideon -- this is such a great post. I liked the part about creating God in our own image. I think that' s what we do when we try to make him our "partner" rather than our King. He reveals himself to us in a loving relationship but he has to be in charge -- religion doesn't substitue for that. Your posts a

Reply to God is Not My Co-Pilot! in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

Shitzu -- I'm glad you read the article and trust me, I'm not offended at all by your opinion. You stated your disagreement well and cordially I think. I don't think Christians demand you bow before our God as much as we believe you will have to one day. God is Love (1 John 4:8) but because He is love, He cannot tolerate injustice infinitely. Otherwise, he'd be unjust, right? And you say "respect your parents" but then say "obey" later. I don't think t

Reply to Terrible, horribly bad sermons in Religion JoeUser Forums

I know Dharma knows not all pastors and religious leaders are like the ones she mentions in the article. Heck, I find the stories funny, but at the same time sad because they can be true. We all have to watch who we listen to. I've been talking on my blog about the American political scene and how ignorance and apathy being our main problem in politics. Same thing with religion. Few know what they believe and why or really care too. I'm spend

Legalism within the Church in Religion JoeUser Forums

Bloggers have written articles bemoaning legalism within the church. I have to say I agree. Despite the fact I belong to a very conservative denomination, I less represent my denomination than I do my Jesus when discussing faith, religion, and the like. My brother and I have separately come to the same conclusion though both raised in the same denomination.

Reply to Get back in that closet! in Politics JoeUser Forums

I think it was Patrick Henry ... and I KNOW someone will correct me because I feel wrong ... that said something to the effect of the government now belongs to the people -- if they can keep it. This article has indeed become tangential, but it does still hold with the original idea of propaganda. A person or entitiy uses issues to gather votes while putting other issues in the proverbial closet. The closeted issues are top-secret, hush-hush. Those ar

Reply to Religion vs. Faith in Religion JoeUser Forums

Why Abe, what an excellent revelation! I adore quotes! I get A Word A Day (Anu Garg sends it out) and every week day I get a new word AND a quote. I collect all the quotes! I put a new quote up every day for my students to write about! How wonderful! I'm glad to find you agree with my article then ... even from childhood...

Reply to God is Not My Co-Pilot! in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

You're right Marcie! In fact, I think you're so right, I even included it my article! Take another gander: You ask, "Do I have to love Him then?" A swift look at the ten commandments says you do! It's in Deuteronomy, too. "What more have I required of you?" asks God. Jesus says the law can be boiled down to loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. Seems pretty darn important to God to put it first. I know, it's easy to miss

Reply to On gratitude and rudeness in Community JoeUser Forums

Hi! I really enjoyed your article. I really identified with you because I was a payphone operator once. I placed collect, thirdparty, and credit card calls. for some reason, people think they can be mean to someone if they're not face to face with them or if they're ensconced in their automobile (road rage). The phone operator or the techie is not a real person. They're automatons, present to provide the customer with flawless service and if they do no

Reply to God is Not My Co-Pilot! in Philosophy JoeUser Forums

I think perhaps we miscommunicated, your poetship. I'm talking about partnership vs. Lordship.

Reply to My rearview mirror fell off. in Misc JoeUser Forums

Dharma! I have been having the worst week this week. I'm not a heavy drinker, but I could sure use a couple rounds right about now! Have one with me, eh? I resolved a long time ago to never ever buy a car that has the rearview mirror stuck to the glass. That's the deal breaker for me. Last year I bought a civic and the rear view mirror is attached to the ceiling. My previous car, a corolla, was too. Never a problem. (The new corollas d