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Post by grailwolf on Oct 13, 2004 17:42:26 GMT -5
So I guess that the on-topic question would be: Is there a God, and if so is He a Packers fan?
Discuss in 5... 4... 3... 2...
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Post by Aunt Arlene on Oct 13, 2004 18:17:07 GMT -5
Or we could discuss the Packers and how they fit into Joss' fascination with cheese.
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Post by AlyWay on Oct 14, 2004 9:04:09 GMT -5
God is a Packers fan, Reggie White said so
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Post by Aunt Arlene on Oct 14, 2004 10:38:28 GMT -5
I don't remember the name of the comedian, but he does a routine about football players thanking God for helping them win the game. He mentions how you never hear the reverse. "We were doing fine, until Jesus made me fumble." I also have a favorite cartoon that I saved. God is watching TV with some angels and says, "I don't know why they do that. I hate football."
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Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on Oct 15, 2004 9:29:54 GMT -5
I love the routine.
Of course, I also can't remember the name of the standup that does it.
'We would've won. If it hadn't been for JESUS!'
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Post by grailwolf on Oct 16, 2004 1:39:16 GMT -5
I understand what you're saying, but I disagree with a couple of things. In principle, sure, it works, but there is some logic (as insane and troll-like as you may call it).
Prostitution- I believe that'd be to try to prevent young people from being manipulated, ultimately leading them into the drug trade and selling their bodies. It's actually quite a vicious cycle- and one that few young people manage to escape from. Although it certainly hasn't prevented unsavory people from running such heinous operations, it does...discourage it? Boy, that sounded more powerful in my head. Anyway, I think any measures taken to keep girls from such horrible fates is a good thing. And it's not like you can't find services... I understand this as a good argument against prostitution as it exists in our country today. However, the real reason for all this is the fact that the activity is criminal. The (usually) men who wind up controling them are criminals and are often in the drug trade as well. They use drugs to increase their control over their girls. An intentional vicious cycle. If the practice were legal (and there are some places that demonstrate this) it would be regulated. Thus, no more contact with drugs than you would have at any other job, no more coersion than by any other boss, much more safety for the girls, and better health standards (insurance and legal requirements for safe sex). Not saying that I endorse the vocation, just that the fact that it's not a good lifestyle isn't really a reason to make it illegal. Especially since places that have legalized it (Nevada, for example) don't have those problems. True. However, it is impossible to control. I can bet anyone based on anything at any time for any amount. Saying, "I bet $5 I can hit that can with this rock" is technically illegal. This is silly. Yes, some people become addicted. However, some people become addicted to sex too. Not in and of itself a good argument against, as you cannot make every possible addiction illegal. Also, it doesn't help the victim of an addiction if you make them become both an addict and a criminal. Better to take the money from the gambling proceeds and use it to fund treatment for those who want it. I agree that I would hate to see anyone using, but again I don't see why you have to make an addict into a criminal. The real fact is that if a user wants a drug they'll get it. Hell, it's easier to get drugs than it is to get cigarettes or alcohol when you're underage. What does this tell us? That it's easier to keep things out of the hands of kids when we can keep it above the table and regulate it. More important, the sale of drugs now funds vast sections of the criminal community across the globe. Why give them that source of income? I say make it all legal and let those who want the stuff use it. Those who don't use now do not refrain because of the law. They refrain because they're not idiots. If all drugs were legal, very few who don't use now would start. The only major difference would be that they would be much less likely to shoot one another over it. It was all entirely relevant. That, after all, is the purpose of this thread. Getting the debate going. I only test these theories by sharing them and then letting people take reasoned positions in opposition to them. Defending them lets me see how strong/weak my position is. I take offense to attacks, but never to reasoned debate. I'll never tell you to believe what I do, but I'll ask you to respect it, and I'll do my best to offer the same courtesy. Your points are all well taken and intelligent. I've just provided some counterpoints for you to consider. Personally, I do not believe it at all. My religion does not have a devil or a hell. I do believe that one's soul can get stuck for a time if one dies violently or dies believing strongly that they deserve hell. For my part, however, I cannot believe in a loving god who would allow such a thing as eternal torment. Thanks for the post, DG, and the question. Sorry it took me so long to reply.
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Post by Disgruntled Gremlin on Oct 16, 2004 20:14:10 GMT -5
Sure. Nice perspective from ya- it's good to see an even, bloodless debate from both sides in here. For the record, I could say the same thing about your post- you've thought out your ideas very carefully and made very insightful comments (not that this is any change, of course). Props!
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Post by Dr. Purple Goddess on Oct 16, 2004 20:29:22 GMT -5
Sure. Nice perspective from ya- it's good to see an even, bloodless debate from both sides in here yes, bloodless...of course.... ;D
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Post by Mr Nasty on Oct 17, 2004 4:40:56 GMT -5
I agree almost entirely with grailwolf's perspective. Except the part at the end about hell.
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Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on Oct 19, 2004 10:30:30 GMT -5
I'd like to mention that the main reason that weed is illegal (see how I avoided pointing out that I can't spell Marij..Marihu...crap)
anyway, the main reason it was made illegal was because it was discovered that hemp could be made into paper at a fraction of the cost of wood pulp and with no environmental side effects.
WIlliam Randolf Hearst had enough money and influence (and coincidentally owned most of the US wood pulp paper factories) to successfully lobby to have hemp and all associated to be made illegal to prevent it infringing on his paper business.
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Post by Dr. Purple Goddess on Aug 5, 2005 11:06:36 GMT -5
I'd like to mention that the main reason that weed is illegal (see how I avoided pointing out that I can't spell Marij..Marihu...crap) anyway, the main reason it was made illegal was because it was discovered that hemp could be made into paper at a fraction of the cost of wood pulp and with no environmental side effects. WIlliam Randolf Hearst had enough money and influence (and coincidentally owned most of the US wood pulp paper factories) to successfully lobby to have hemp and all associated to be made illegal to prevent it infringing on his paper business. I know, this thread has been asleep for a while....but I actually have something relevant to this post.
Hearst was indeed the reason Marijuanna was made illegal and for purely financial reasons. Of course he did what a lot of people do and wrongly use morals and religion to promote the idea that pot was from the devil and would turn your kids into heathons.
I would suggest watching the musical "Reafer Maddness" as it shows exactly how Hearst was able to do this. I haven't seen the actual public service film that was made during that time, but the spoof of "Reafer Maddness" I hear, is frighteningly accurate.
They've made the musical into a movie if anyone cares to watch it.
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Post by Insane Troll Logic on Aug 5, 2005 11:17:17 GMT -5
There was also a cool spoof of it in the 3rd season of That 70's Show. ;D
I have seen the original, and it is hi-larious and scary at the same time. Scary, 'cos of what it got so very, very wrong.
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Post by PyleansDontLeaveMe on Aug 5, 2005 11:17:29 GMT -5
I actually own a DVD copy of RM. It's utterly Hysterical. These good clean cut kids take one puff of Marj...Marih... Weed, and suddenly go into a WILD KILLING FRENZY! jumping around, dancing frantically, beating up one another, the occasional axe murder, etc. Now... I don't know if YOU all have ever... um.. seen someone you know smoke pot.... yes. Someone you know. Anyway, All I can say is... uh... well, the effort of even PICKING UP and axe, let alone swinging it at somebody... .not so much gonna happen.
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Post by Dr. Purple Goddess on Aug 5, 2005 11:23:17 GMT -5
EXACTLY! Violence and pot are practically unheard of. Which is what I mean by hearst using such scare tactics and lies so he can make money not using hemp.
I don't have the DVD but I have watched it several times and it's quite a bit like those "Fair Enough" commercials against smoking. It would be funnier if it weren't true....And no, I'm not talking about the truth of the depiction of people on pot either. But rather the truth that someone could single handedly villianize something by telling such blatant lies....and get away with it
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