BeanCounterGrad'03

I stream it at work quite often here in Colorado.

I heard and saw the heartbeat of my first child a couple months ago at about 8 weeks. While it was a beautiful, wonderful experience (I was on the verge of crying ), it hasn't changed my POV on abortion. Oh, and to answer you question, I personally believe that abortion should only be allowed during the first trimester or maybe just the first 10 weeks. That should allow plenty of time for the woman to know she is pregnant and have a couple/few weeks to mull the choices over. After that time, keeping the child or adopting out should be the only choices.

Would that be a violation of NCAA rules?

Ouch...very ouch!

Force the prisoners to listen to repeated BeeGees songs 24/7.

It has a grape taste. How does the conservative Kool-Aid taste? Looks like its been served up in mass quantities lately. Tough talk is great when used sparingly and at the proper moments (Reagan's "tear down this wall" speech and Bush Jr.'s address to the nation right after 9/11 are great examples). But I would think you would catch more flies/international cooperation using honey/reconciliatory talk.

I believe you were the first one to state that "Obama will have us apologizing for all of the worlds problems". That opened up the discussion to topics other than the drug war. I'm well aware that Germany and Russia were developing them too (thank you History Channel ). I agree that it was good that we were the first to use them. I'm wondering why we first used them on civilian targets instead of military.

100% agree

I forgot about St. Arnolds

What are some other Texas breweries...never paid much attention, but the Shiner brewery is the only one I can think of.

Can't think of any of America's wrongs against the US (couldn't let that typo slide ) Just off the top of my head: in the 200+ years of U.S. history, here are a few things that I'm not particularly proud of: Slavery (and the civil rights struggle afterwards) The round up of Native Americans onto reservations Japanese internment camps The dropping of atomic bombs on hundreds of thousands of Japanese civilians (I know this is controversial, but could we not have used them on military targets first?) Providing weapons to the Taliban in order for them to fight the Soviets. Disco music...thank God that fad died a quick death When I get home after work, I'll think of a few more and post again.

Hooray beer!!! Shiner's been my favorite since I could legally drink it. Glad that they've expanded distribution so that I can get it in CO (my understanding is that it was mostly a regional (i.e. Texas) beer until the 90's). New Belgium (#3) is great too.

Gosh...yall are so right. The U.S. has never been wrong about anything.

Good point. It also designates that all compulsory federal legislation that requires states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties, or that requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding, be prohibited or repealed. I found this to still be too vague. Would the Bill of Rights, Constitution, and all related amendments be considered federal legislation (I'm not a polisci major, so I definitely would not know). If this statement were enacted as written, states could choose to abolish equal rights amendments and the legislation that goes with them, for example. Also, if a state chooses not to follow a federal initiative, how can they expect to still receive all federal funding related to that initiative. Wouldn't it be the federal government's right to withhold funds if they choose (I guess on the other hand if states aren't receiving federal funding for something, state residents' federal income taxes should, in theory, decrease a little). Apologies for the mind ramble.

I think the issue, then, is not that military vets were brought up as potentially being more dangerous "extremists", but the definition of extremist itself. I agree with you that the term extremist should be more defined. Here's my definition of "extremist": Anyone willing to commit physical harm to persons or property to make their beliefs known or to attempt to force their beliefs on others. Just my rough attempt at it...feel free to challenge it.

I don't see anything wrong with what was quoted in the DHS report. Seems like common sense that "right-wing extremists" with military training would be a greater threat than those with no military training. I agree that the Missouri report should never have been issued...as the officer stated in the article. Definitely should have been reviewed and discarded before ever being released.

There are plenty in both places.

Agree 100% with this...hell, if the Libertarians became a political force and offered this, I would give serious thought about breaking from the Democratic party in that election to vote for them (despite the the differences I have with them on several other issues).

Was that a Free Quoner/Tasty/Green P1 protest a last weekend?

Nice pick-up...does this mean its going to go through no matter what...the only variable is 4-5 months of time?

Well, when I went, it was at the biggest Mosque in Denver and it was part of a world religions class at my church, so I can't answer all of the above questions (it wasn't an interegation-type of visit). It was over a year ago, but I'll try to remember as best I can. Women and men could move about freely anywhere in the Mosque. When it came time for the prayer, men prayed on the main floor and women and small children prayed up in the balcony. Myself and the three women I was with were allowed to sit in chair in the corner of the main floor to watch the prayer. Most men and women were dressed in casual western-world attire. All women were wearing head scarfs and they asked the women that were with us to bring and wear head scarfs while in the Mosque. Also, everyone takes their shoes off in the entry way before entering the Mosque. The other followers we conversed with wandered into the Imam's office, relaxed on his couch and joined in our conversation with the Imam. It was two or three men. Don't know about homosexuals...didn't discuss it. None of us directly asked him any of the remaining questions you posted, but I can tell you that one of the first topics he brought up was how hard it has been on his congregation since the terrorist attacks (I believe he said they had to set up a perimeter fence with a locking gate soon after 9/11 because of a few vandalism incidents). He strongly disagreed with what they did and said that they were (in his opinion) misinterpreting the Qur'an. He said what they did goes against many Islamic teachings and said that Islam is a religion of love and respect (for God/Allah and other humans) and peace. The rest of the conversation with him was finding out about their lifestyle (i.e. family views, how they raise their children, jobs), major holidays, and some of his personal background. We also discussed at length the pilgrimage to Mecca and he showed us some pictures from his journey. Overall, very interesting and educational. I highly recommend it if you ever get the opportunity (it wasn't hard at all to set up the visit...just called up the Mosque and said we were a small Christian church group doing a world religions study...the Imam was very pleasant and accomodating). Hope that answered some of your questions.

What is this?...a football stadium for ants!?! How can we expect the kids to play football when they can't even fit in the stadium?

No problem...when that day comes, I'll take my share of the lumps. FWIW, I've been worried about the national debt since Clinton was prez. Guess I became numb to the worry cause no one else has seemed to care the last 10 years.

In 2009, I'll be paying the lowest amount of taxes since I joined the adult work force in 2004 (thanks to a little one on the way ).

Bingo... A few facts about myself: I have an English interpretation of the Qur'an that I read from time to time I had an Islamic calendar hanging on my wall during 2008 (1429 for all you Muslims out there) I spent two hours in a Mosque last year observing an afternoon prayer and having good conversation with the Imam and a few other followers. My favorite basketball player of all time is Hakeem Olajuwon. Now I'm sure the Jerry Falwell's of the world would think I've got a one-way ticket to hell because they think I'm a closet Muslim. Doesn't make them right. Oh, and I'm pretty certain that there is nothing in the Qur'an or mainstream Islamic sects about bowing down (submitting) to earthly kings. Islamic scholars feel free to correct me on this if wrong.