Yes, you're right, in that respect the earlier Churches did practice socialism and the Biblical examples you cite are right on track. My only point is, that these actions were basically voluntary, not mandated through law (legal/state). Therein lies the point I was trying to make about free will. Of course there are religious consequences for not doing as the Bible says depending upon your belief system. But the choice is always there. I don't see voluntary socialism as practiced in the Churches, quite the same as socialism mandated by government rule. The first comes from a place of good concience, the second, from a place of envy and greed......

I'm not even going to read this article; this is more Salon fear mongering. I assume from the headline that, girls contract this disease more than men. How many people are actually afflicted with this condition? I can't imagine the pain, embarrassment and discomfort semicolons cause. Hopefully, we can all come together as a nation and raise the publics awareness by wearing brown wristbands. ............Everyone is entitled to a complete colon.

Yeah, that's because she's NOT grown up! A 12 year old shouldn't be encouraged to take a stand against anything until she understands exactly what it is she's taking a stand against. That's why we have these so called 'authoritarian figures' teaching these prepubescent blank slates to begin with. Do your homework first Amelia; then pick your battles.

OK, so now that I've read the article and understand some of the history, can I go back to making fun now? Because if I'm nice enough to take the time to learn how to spell and pronounce these grammatical tongue twisters; a little injected humor, on occasion, is not going to bring the world to an end. Oh, and I hate to burst the PC bubble, but African Americans really haven't cornered the market on 'distinctive' names. Plenty of phonetically challenged white folks apparently have decided to saddle their kids with these 'designer' names also. So the racist argument is a little specious..................Is Moon Unit Zappa still around?

The fact that you even think there's a "distinct racial overtone to the ad" says more about your views on race than the ad ever could. Simply state whatever you find to be inacuracies and distortions in the ad and move on.

It's heartwarming to know that delegate votes are going to be used for 'deal making', in the good ol' traditional American way. But at least it's not going to the Supreme court for a vote, that would be so........Republican.

This is a little like hoping the roof of your house blows off, just so you can convince your wife you need new shingles. One would think we'd all 'pray' the oil platforms aren't damaged. But I guess there are those that really don't give a damn about the country, just as long as pathetic political points can be made. Congratulations Leonard, the Saudis and Russians must love you!

The points you make are certainly valid, and in the light you present them, make sense. I just got the impression from the article, Mr Leonard had gone all glassy eyed with the hope of some kind of hurricane/oil apocalypse. Kinda like those folks that can't wait for the 'end times' to happen, so they can say "See, I told you so".......

So, GM is going to put the internet into cars? That's great, no really, it is. Stick it in there with the cell phones, DVD players, Navigation Systems, Satellite Radio, Onstar, Airbags, Antilock brakes, Vehicle Stabilization Technology, Crush Zones, Radar based Cruise Control, Backup Cameras, Self Parking Vehicles, and endless cup holders and heated seats.........All these advancements in safety and comfort made to the vehicle, but not one single effort made to educate and improve that loose nut behind the wheel..........The driver..

.............that gets people into trouble all the time. Taking on the responsibilty for someone elses actions or lot in life. There's only one person Michael Dukakis is responsible for....himself.

This is the very reason Monsanto was tossed out of India years ago; GM crops mutating and becoming resistant to herbicides. Genetically modified crops all sound good on paper, but out in the real world, nature takes a dim view when man tries to screw with perfection. I find it amusing, in light of stories like this, that we've now convinced ourselves, that we can also control global warming, and readjust the climate to some vague, undefined benchmark, of what WE think it should be. We can't even grow a freakin' field of cotton without creating problems! Well, that last statement isn't 100% accurate. Cotton has been successfully grown for millennia, we've done it quite well. But now, thanks to Monsanto's Laurel and Hardy genetics, the future looks grim.

"I'm guessing; "if"; "presuming"........Did you ever think of becoming a meteorologist, or are you just going to stick to horoscopes?

....You know, something that's the slightest bit relevent to the upcoming election and the future of the country? Or is a teenager getting knocked up, the best ya got?..... Hey, it's Labor day, stagger back to the BBQ and finish that sixpack. No sense in phoning it in.

More than likely an expose covering the Democratic convention, would have uncovered about the same amount of idealism. But the drinking and smoking would have been a little more concealed. After all, it's tough to tell everyone else to stop doing something, when you're dying for a cigarette and a scotch........Who the hell are these people that attend these conventions anyway? They must be bused in from some indoctrination camp in the mountains every four years, because they sure don't represent me. I have to get up and go to work everyday. I don't have time work myself up into a glassy eyed euphoria over a presidential candidate.