I seem to remember in high school studying a document that started out something like "We the people..." and it went on about inalienable rights -- weird stuff like "Life, Liberty, and the Persuit of Happiness." It seemed to imply something about our system of government and the American culture.

I don't know. The correlation seems weak. Maybe that language should be deleted.

is what you're looking (figuratively or literally). I think it's easier to say and (appropriately enough) softer sounding (as long as we're talking warm and fuzzy ;-).

Yes, this is the laughing-out-loudest Salon thread I've ever read too!

[looking at]

And, whilst we're on the subject, let us not forget the many affectionate terms for genetalia which can sometimes make their presence known even beneath clothing.

'Camel toes' has been a long time personal favourite of mine. ;-)

How you use your student loans is up to you. I know of students who have grabbed their cheque and turned around andinvested it - then cashed out when they graduated - turning a profit. {One of my Poli-sci profs actually advised this). In 1995 i used my loan to buy outright a Mac PowerBook which i used 'til i graduated in '98, and then i continued to use it productively after that.

{I'm a geek, so i drove it into the ground. I still have it on the charger and the batteries are still good too. I turn it on once a month, smile, and run the batteries down. Hey, i'm a geek. ;-}

If for some reason you can't get the cache money together, every computer company and their sister will extend credit on easy terms. The price tag is no obstacle. Pay attention! The resale value is important. I type this on my 2 year old Aluminium 12" PowerBook. Its street price is still a Grand! It doesn't feel like an old machine yet (i got some extras, and maintenance matters too).

Of course, i'm still going to run it into the ground. ;-)

@11:09 AM: "If they do not enforce the policy on everyone, the school gets sued, and kids lose funds for their education."

Here is another iteration of the dissolution of the American ideal of Liberty -- as it cows to conformity. I see this cropping up in Salon Lettres -- an idea that, rather than stick up for your ideals, you should conform for the sake of your own safety. A mother who is often undressed at home is advised that it is practical and realistic to fear Child Protective Services. It is suggested that school boards really should suspend students for hugging because otherwise they could get sued. This list goes on and on. It feels to me like America has lost her soul. I could suggest ripping up the constitution, but this overly dramatic visualisation is unnecessary as this death by a thousand cuts is clearly well underway.

"Any chance we can talk about John Edwards and why poverty is a women's issue? No, the headlines were already taken by some old biddy who used a naughty word. What a ridiculous country."

~melthough *

Hear, hear!

Remember the tooth-and-nail dispute over which version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act we deserved? [sigh] I'm moving to Seattle so i can live somewhere that makes sense.

See you next year! Drive safe.

By the way, what did the rabbit say to the hare?

"Hoppy Holidays!"

:) xo

No-one seems to be railing against gender segregated restrooms. Perhaps this is because they've been with us so long they seem the norm—like traffic lights. There was once a time when some motorists vehemently ignored stop-lights in protest (when they were a new idea). I'm sure most people now welcome the existence of traffic lights. There are notoriously dangerous intersections in some countries; maybe someday they'll install lights.

I think i'll just stay away from Mexico City.

And, personally, i prefer private restrooms.

Some people say that American political discourse has Never ascended above the 7th-grade mentality. I don't know, but it seems to be at an unusually low ebb lately.

I'm going to have to watch that movie again, but it's pretty scary.

This sounds like yet another good reason to protect one's privacy with encryption and proxy servers.

"But why does the commentary have to be forced down our throats..."

(sonnenberg)

Huh? I don't know about you, but i'm reading the commentary because i enjoy doing so. Is anyone forcing anything on you? I hope this isn't the case.

BTW, i took the bleeping of 'cunt' out of Rebecca's monologue to be a bit of sardonic humour on her part.

then i wasn't actually assaulted in the Army (even though i had to go to the hospital). Hmm. Hmm. I find that a very interesting concept.

Heather Mac Donald is off her rocker.

"One might say that I had been reckless, but the responsibility for a crime always lies with the person who commits it."

-- CassandraSays

This is an amazingly basic idea that seems too easily lost.

BTW, my assailant was drunk. I pressed charges, but my Colonel convinced me to drop them because it would ruin the career of my assailant. If you asked me now if i would still drop the charges i don't know what i would do. He had been drunked-up and coaxed into it by my supervisor (my Sergent) who obviously wanted to make an 'impression' on me without suffering any consequences himself. A strange, devious man. My assailant was another victim. I honestly can't say i wouldn't drop the charges again if given a chance to replay history.

It's pretty fucked up, isn't it? I do still think about it after all these years. {This happened in the late ’70s.}

Um, has it occurred to anyone else here that 'bright star' is a synonym for lucifer? A great handle for a devil's advocate if i ever heard one.

at the same time, i'm writing Star Trek fan fiction with polyamourous lesbians.

Same planet, different worlds.