You know what I hate...?

[Honor]

You know what I hate... Bioconservatives.

It might surprise you to hear that a good many of the people I hang around with are fairly progressive on most issues... So a lot of us kind of went O.O when someone made casual mention of a recent stem cell development, and someone else said "Oh, I don't agree with that! You're fucking with science, there!!"

"...Don't you P-O-L-L-U-T-E polute the river sky or sea or else you're gonna get what you deserve!"...

Shuold be "...or your children are gonna get what you deserve."

I think one way we've got to look at recycling is as support of a technology in progress. At some point in the history of everything that works, was a time when it didn't work, or didn't work so well... And a lot of things had to be supported through those times, in order to get to the point where they worked better.

But, yeah... For now, it's not very *cough* efficient. And worse, it's become a political shell game in many areas... Where people get paid -way- too much to perform these "services" badly and inefficiently. The whole process needs to be more public and transparant.

...But to say that all straight edgers automatically associate themselves with the cultish ones because they identify themselves as straight edge sounds a lot like saying muslims associate themselves with terrorism, feminsits with man-hatred and christians with intolerance.

Well... There is a small problem there in that the majorities in those groups are not the exceptions that you're making your illustration by associating with them... While it's possible that the same is true of these sXe, it doesn't seem that way...

Which brings us to the second problem. All of these groups have to deal with the very real association with those who discolor their "group" by bad association.

Feminists do a pretty fair job of saying "these few are radical fuckheads. We don't hate men, we just want women to be equals." Muslims kind of wax and wane about saying these radical few extremeists are not indicative or representative of their religion, and Christians do an even worse job of denouncing their radicals... But I've personally never heard of any straightedge group denouncing their much higher percentage of "radicals".

In the end, I think I'll stop at the realization that stopped me cold two thirds of the way through my response of two posts ago... I realized that some of these people probably just aren't smart enough to not take drugs without the little cult to make it seem cool and edgy to avoid them. Any who -are- smart enough, like WangyJohn, should, I maintain, avoid the association all together.

And even IF Straight Edge has a wide reputation of being total dicks about their dislike for drug-use, WangyJohn seems like a decent enough guy, so we can assume that if the SE movement is that much of a notorious bunch of dicks that a comparision with the KKK is valid, he would not have learned that, and energy is better spent in informing him (and me) of how the group as a whole (because there'll ALWAYS be dicks and bitches in any group) promotes intolerance or other bad things. Getting caustic is not gonna help.

And that's exactly what I/we are doing. I haven't gotten anywhere near 'caustic' yet.

[JohnnyTwoEyes]

I think one way we've got to look at recycling is as support of a technology in progress. At some point in the history of everything that works, was a time when it didn't work, or didn't work so well... And a lot of things had to be supported through those times, in order to get to the point where they worked better.

I definitely agree with you there, I just don't think we should be forcing implementation of a program that is so incredibly flawed that it's doing more harm than good. It needs to be fixed before we all start using it. I could draw a handful of parallels but I'm sure everyone can think of one of their own. I'll even give you all a minute or two.

... ready? Good.

Getting back on the topic of group association, anybody else wish Ann Coulter would die in a fire? She makes me ashamed to share a species with her.

[Honor]

Getting back on the topic of group association, anybody else wish Ann Coulter would die in a fire? She makes me ashamed to share a species with her.

Hmm... No. Not a fire, like, with flames and stuff.

Now, coals...

If she could die in coals... That would be good. Not really hot coals. Just, like, 150 degrees or so. This sort of thing should really be made to last as long as possible.

Unfortunately, there is a long, long, long fucking list of humans that make me feel embarrassed to be the same species. Not too many as effectively and completely as she does, but still... When the aliens come, I'm standing over there and saying "I'm not really, you know, with them."

[JohnnyTwoEyes]

Unfortunately, there is a long, long, long fucking list of humans that make me feel embarrassed to be the same species. Not too many as effectively and completely as she does, but still... When the aliens come, I'm standing over there and saying "I'm not really, you know, with them."

Mind if I join you? It's gonig to be a lonely post-apocalyptic wasteland without somebody to bitch with.

[Indigo Violent]

You know what I really hate? Americans who say, "Why do you say such terrible things? Don't you love America?" when I say something to the effect of "America has a lot of problems."
Bonus points if it happens in a forum where I have been around long enough for most participants to know that I am, in fact, Canadian.

[Squidflakes]

What I hate are non-Americans who corner Americans (like me) in bars, or clubs, or lines, or whatever and demand to know why America is horrible and how I could possibly allow someone like Bush to take office.

[Awkwardschoolgirl]

What I hate are non-Americans who corner Americans (like me) in bars, or clubs, or lines, or whatever and demand to know why America is horrible and how I could possibly allow someone like Bush to take office.

Yeah, you still haven't answered me. How could you do that?!

[Mangaddict]

Or better yet. All those people who still think that the 2004 elections were actually elections. Let's just put it this way there was nothing that we can point to and say "That's cheating" but if you look at all the small "anomalies" together every single one of them favors Bush. Example: in urban areas that are predominately black (black people tend to be democrats especially urban ones) there weren't enough voting machines/booths so a good portion couldn't vote. Logic states that all of these pro-Bush anomalies happening due to chance is impossible statistically speaking. I truly believe that our country's seat of power has been stolen by this man. And elections will continue to be stolen unless there are more safeguards and people actually care enough to vote and then follow through on their votes. I mean c'mon 30% turn out rate is pathetic and then no one raising a stink about all the little anomalies?

[Aeridus]

Frankly, both Kerry and Bush were sub-par candidates, I didn't vote in the 2004 election because I didn't fully agree with either. I say, let the people who are well educated about both sides, and with firm convictions in one side, vote. No need for people to vote "just because" they always vote conservative or liberal. No need for people who vote just because they like the sound of someone's name better, either.

Yeah, I hate politics.

[Putaro]

Or better yet. All those people who still think that the 2004 elections were actually elections. Let's just put it this way there was nothing that we can point to and say "That's cheating" but if you look at all the small "anomalies" together every single one of them favors Bush. Example: in urban areas that are predominately black (black people tend to be democrats especially urban ones) there weren't enough voting machines/booths so a good portion couldn't vote. Logic states that all of these pro-Bush anomalies happening due to chance is impossible statistically speaking. I truly believe that our country's seat of power has been stolen by this man. And elections will continue to be stolen unless there are more safeguards and people actually care enough to vote and then follow through on their votes. I mean c'mon 30% turn out rate is pathetic and then no one raising a stink about all the little anomalies?

Whilst I have similar suspicions, I still don't understand how anybody could vote for that smirking chimp, especially in 2004. The election shouldn't have been even close to close.

So, things that I hate? People who voted for George Bush come pretty far up my list.

[Honor]

And it continues to amaze me, to this day, how many of those "w" stickers I see on the back of cars.

Maybe I'd feel a tiny bit better if there were only some way to know how many of those stickers have since been peeled off and thrown away.

[JohnnyTwoEyes]

Maybe I'd feel a tiny bit better if there were only some way to know how many of those stickers have since been peeled off and thrown away.

The only alien technology ever recovered and put to use by humankind is the incredible adhesive that prevents you from removing bumper stickers.

[The Oblivion Man]

I say, let the people who are well educated about both sides, and with firm convictions in one side, vote. No need for people to vote "just because" they always vote conservative or liberal. No need for people who vote just because they like the sound of someone's name better, either.

You know, if more people felt like this, democracy might just work.

[Squidflakes]

Democracy will not work if the population remains ignorant, and the tools of franchisement are controlled by those already meshed in the power politic. Whoever had the idea to let elected officals draw their own districts should be shot.

[Lowky]

And it continues to amaze me, to this day, how many of those "w" stickers I see on the back of cars.

Maybe I'd feel a tiny bit better if there were only some way to know how many of those stickers have since been peeled off and thrown away.

But when the aliens arrive, it will help to isolate those that they need to just schedule for elimination due to terminal stupidity.

[Lowky]

Democracy will not work if the population remains ignorant, and the tools of franchisement are controlled by those already meshed in the power politic. Whoever had the idea to let elected officals draw their own districts should be shot.

Or for the ability to approve pay raises for themselves. I personally think any one who votes to give themselves a pay raise while simultaneously approving Bush's military spending, should be automatic grounds for impeachment.

[Ce6]

...
I also hate the fucking ASSHOLES who for some fucking stupid reason seem to think that I want to listen to their hardcore rap at a volume almost guaranteed to blow out other people's eardrums while passing me in traffic. Or parking near me. Or staying near me in traffic for some odd reason. Or passing me on the sidewalk. NOT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD LISTENS TO YOUR RAP SHIT, OKAY? I recognize that you have a bitchin' stereo system, but save it for the fucking tailgate parties, okay?

This is why I keep an Opera CD in my car's changer. I like some opera, and have a decent stereo system as well. Should someone else insist I hear their preferred choice of "music" I am more than willing to help culture them with some of mine. I have an awesome disc of some Korean babe singing some Mozart opera pieces, and I love it. I never thought the German language could sound beautiful until i found that CD.

For me, SE is about keeping your mind clear, and being able to focus.

For me, being able to play videogames is about cardiovascular fitness.

Ah, so you play DDR as well?

GWARARARARARAA

what the hell? Jus because I, personally, just don't like the taste of alcohol or the smell of tobacco, I'm suddenly some giant nazi who wants to dictate other peoples lives?

Hell no. It's just my choise, and my way of living. I don't push it on people, i hardly even mention it. Pretty much, I only talk about it is when the topic arises of my alcohol consumtional habits.

I didn't play the stereotype game about users, you all did. Not everyone is like the ones you met. For me, SE is about keeping your mind clear, and being able to focus.

I as well follow some of the practices of StraightEdge, much as I hold to some tenets of pacifism, but I am cautious about claiming allegiance to any specific extreme group or culture, partucularly one I do not have an intimite connection to. I claim firm alliance with Atheism, but that's about it. There are too many uncertainties and inconsistencies with life to hold blindly to absolutes.
I drink, but almost never for the intent of getting drunk (and never drunk in public - I'm inherently paranoid), but nothing else. No drugs aside from necessary medication for me, and that includes caffeine, because I do not care for the affects (or after-affects). I don't care if other people (ab)use them, just don't expect me to join in.
But sometimes the people at places where these are being consumed aren't always the brightest (even without the added "influence"), and in such circumstances I can see immitating allegiance to something like StraightEdge culture being beneficial. I have had people pushing undesired substances my way heavily insisting on my participation (mostly alcohol). To be able to flash an obvious sign (big black "X") that even they can understand is often easier than trying to reason with them that "it's just not my thing." Not all of us are intimidating 6ft tall Amazons with extensive combat training.

[Ce6]

Democracy will not work if the population remains ignorant, and the tools of franchisement are controlled by those already meshed in the power politic. Whoever had the idea to let elected officals draw their own districts should be shot.

Or for the ability to approve pay raises for themselves. I personally think any one who votes to give themselves a pay raise while simultaneously approving Bush's military spending, should be automatic grounds for impeachment.

Hear! Hear!

[The Oblivion Man]

Beliefs about America and American politics I've observed to be held by many internet-active Americans:

1. The majority of the people are idiots with no hope of ever improving themselves.

2. There's nothing wrong with the system, it's just that there are too many idiots involved.

3. It is Wrong to prevent anyone from taking part in the system, no matter how much of an idiot they are.

Anyone else see something wrong with holding all three beliefs at once?

[WangyJohn]

Honor called me "smart enough"? Awsome!

Anyway, as well as sXe, I'm also a pacifist, which I believe, I have mentioned before. When I was at the festival, the few I saw doning the "gangsign" were also pacifist. I knew this as they would hang around the Anti-Milatarist tent, and wave a banner with a peace sign at the army orcehstra consert (yeah, the army orchestra players played there. Dance music, Soul, stuff like that).