As you say, euphemisms get less acceptable over time. They had a marvelous example on the TV the other day. A local teacher showed a letter she had just received from the school board advising them to not use the words "retarded" or "mentally retarded" but instead they should use "cognitive impairment". She also had an identical letter from 25 years ago saying to not use the words "simple" or feeble minded" and instead they should use "mentally retarded".
To quote the Italian lady in the old joke, yelling at the pope when he condemned birth control. "You no play da game, you no make-a da rules!". It seems very strange to me to take advice on separating procreation and pleasure in sex from a group of people who have no first hand knowledge of either. Also, it seems counterproductive at best, and possibly immoral, to condemn contraception and abortion in the same breath, when safe easy to access contraception is known to reduce abortion rates, and "Abstinence only" does the opposite. Doing "What God says is right" in no way absolves you of the responsibility for the outcomes of your actions.
I will allow that there may be valid reasons (fear of autism not being one of them) for a parent to not vaccinate their child. However, I don't want that child at my child's school, on the same sports team as my child, or anywhere else they could potentially put my child at risk.
"Seeing as how Mt. St. Helens is practically a mini model of the Grand Canyon and was formed in 3 days over the span of a year and a half certainly raises some interesting questions, questions that are fun to talk about. "
I recognize the words, and the words appear to form sentences. And yet, I can parse no meaning from them.
"A short cell phone call at a reasonable volume is not."
I agree, short cell call at reasonable volume is not a problem. What is a problem is 45 minutes of someone shouting into their phone. Which I get about twice a week on my commute.
If you take Wifi out of schools, or more likely don't install it in the first place not much will happen. If you try to ban cell phones in schools, half the kids will go catatonic on the spot and the rest will burn the place down.
If I had to choose, I think I would prefer having my CC posted on the net over being blown to bits by somebody with a vest full of semtex and wood screws mixed with rat poison.
"Most people would say they aren't especially comfortable
Oddly enough, I feel uncomfortable when I don't have a seatbelt on. It feels like nothing is keeping me in my seat. I know it's all in my head, but for me it's one more reason to wear the seatbelt.
Trying to reduce the deficit by cutting NEA and Public Radio is like trying to lose weight by shaving off your mustache. The NEA gets like maybe $150 million from the govt. The deficit is about 1.3 trillion.
"But it's expensive to tear up pavement, so it's only generally done when other road work is done." - not disagreeing with your main point, but loops are very often installed in saw cut grooves. No need to rip up the pavement.
Never mind cell phones in cop cars, what about the mobile terminals? Every cop car around here has a midsize laptop mounted on the seat next top the driver. We banned cell phones in cars last year and to this day I have not heard exactly why I can't talk without a hands free phone, but Officer Bob can drive and type on laptop at the same time.
Here we also get "penalty points" on our drivers licenses for traffic offenses. Roughly, speeding = 3 points, excessive speed (something like 25 mph over posted limit) = 6 points dangerous driving or dui = 10 points (dui also nets license suspension and big fine). You lose 3 points a year off your total. Every year when you renew your vehicle registration and insurance (insurance is govt monopoly) you pay $$$ x the square of your point total. Also, when you exceed 15 points total, your license is on 3 months probation. Any further tickets in the next 3 months and you lose your license for a 6 months. Even rich people don't risk driving with a suspended license, as it can and does result in jail time.
Slashdot Mirror
As you say, euphemisms get less acceptable over time. They had a marvelous example on the TV the other day. A local teacher showed a letter she had just received from the school board advising them to not use the words "retarded" or "mentally retarded" but instead they should use "cognitive impairment". She also had an identical letter from 25 years ago saying to not use the words "simple" or feeble minded" and instead they should use "mentally retarded".
We should call it
New
Internet
Graphics
Generator
Editor &
Retoucher
that way no one who doesn't feel a deep seated need to be offended will object
To quote the Italian lady in the old joke, yelling at the pope when he condemned birth control. "You no play da game, you no make-a da rules!". It seems very strange to me to take advice on separating procreation and pleasure in sex from a group of people who have no first hand knowledge of either. Also, it seems counterproductive at best, and possibly immoral, to condemn contraception and abortion in the same breath, when safe easy to access contraception is known to reduce abortion rates, and "Abstinence only" does the opposite. Doing "What God says is right" in no way absolves you of the responsibility for the outcomes of your actions.
I will allow that there may be valid reasons (fear of autism not being one of them) for a parent to not vaccinate their child. However, I don't want that child at my child's school, on the same sports team as my child, or anywhere else they could potentially put my child at risk.
Holy cow! I am aghast with shock and alarm! I will panic soonest!
Around here thieves will look to see if any cars are in the driveway, and then ring the doorbell to see if anybody is home.
Herp Derp. They are making appliances with timers now. I can tell my dishwasher to run in the middle of the night.
"Seeing as how Mt. St. Helens is practically a mini model of the Grand Canyon and was formed in 3 days over the span of a year and a half certainly raises some interesting questions, questions that are fun to talk about. "
I recognize the words, and the words appear to form sentences. And yet, I can parse no meaning from them.
Overheard one of my kids say this "That is dumber than a youtube comment"
Pascal's wager? The Cops should act as if God exists, even if they don't believe it?
"A short cell phone call at a reasonable volume is not."
I agree, short cell call at reasonable volume is not a problem. What is a problem is 45 minutes of someone shouting into their phone. Which I get about twice a week on my commute.
Do or Do not. There is no try. -
Vic Toews said "You either stand with us or with the child pornographers. "
If you ask me to choose between politicians or child pornographers you might not like my answer.
Actually Mr. Toews is a member of the Conservative Party
If you take Wifi out of schools, or more likely don't install it in the first place not much will happen. If you try to ban cell phones in schools, half the kids will go catatonic on the spot and the rest will burn the place down.
If I had to choose, I think I would prefer having my CC posted on the net over being blown to bits by somebody with a vest full of semtex and wood screws mixed with rat poison.
"Most people would say they aren't especially comfortable
Oddly enough, I feel uncomfortable when I don't have a seatbelt on. It feels like nothing is keeping me in my seat. I know it's all in my head, but for me it's one more reason to wear the seatbelt.
Trying to reduce the deficit by cutting NEA and Public Radio is like trying to lose weight by shaving off your mustache. The NEA gets like maybe $150 million from the govt. The deficit is about 1.3 trillion.
"But it's expensive to tear up pavement, so it's only generally done when other road work is done." - not disagreeing with your main point, but loops are very often installed in saw cut grooves. No need to rip up the pavement.
Never mind cell phones in cop cars, what about the mobile terminals? Every cop car around here has a midsize laptop mounted on the seat next top the driver. We banned cell phones in cars last year and to this day I have not heard exactly why I can't talk without a hands free phone, but Officer Bob can drive and type on laptop at the same time.
What about old Asian women on the phone?
whoosh
"Chemical Weapons...count as WMDs". I have drain cleaner and bleach in my house. That means I have WMDs. Is America going to invade me?
Here we also get "penalty points" on our drivers licenses for traffic offenses. Roughly, speeding = 3 points, excessive speed (something like 25 mph over posted limit) = 6 points dangerous driving or dui = 10 points (dui also nets license suspension and big fine). You lose 3 points a year off your total. Every year when you renew your vehicle registration and insurance (insurance is govt monopoly) you pay $$$ x the square of your point total. Also, when you exceed 15 points total, your license is on 3 months probation. Any further tickets in the next 3 months and you lose your license for a 6 months. Even rich people don't risk driving with a suspended license, as it can and does result in jail time.
"I don't think there is anything anyone can say to convince me of this theory any more."
If you are not willing to look at any new evidence, are you a skeptic or a denier?
Not bad. Relaxing indeed.