ToadMan

trading doesn't forgo the consumist attitude, it still places a value on items... it also requires that you have something to trade, but that's not strictly true for everybody. Monetary systems provide a mechanism for people to trade services (or skills). Peace

I have to add: The is a moderate amount of offensive language, and mature themes ;) who would be more offended by you comment? (Katrina or Kestrel?) Peace

So a buddy of me sent the bellow image to be, so I though of checking out the comic. After reading all of the comics in the archive, I have to say that's it not all bad... some moments of hilarity. check it out at http://www.queenofwands.net/ http://www.queenofwands.net/d/20031208.html

Socialism... In communism, the state owns everything, in socialism nobody owns anything (or everybody owns everything if you will). You can't remove money... which is why these systems fail. Things must have value. It is harder for the car dealer to share his wares, then it is for the grocer. Peace

hmm... how rich are these people that are only interested in money and power? I think you may be misjudging all rich people. Peace

Anything can be interpreted as sex... In contexts: " ... we'll see if I'm leaking, push and push till it hurts ... picking up chick when they, push and push till it hurts ... we'll see if I'm leaking push and push till it hurts ... now I work me the night shift, well I, push and push till it hurts, pull and pull till it hurts ... " Only the second one is possibly sex. Get your minds out of the gutter!! Peace

Have you considered that it is probably easier for him to get bookings in bars? Peace

Is there actually a passage in the bible that directly refers to homosexuality? I am familiar with the story of Sodom and Gomorra (please forgive spelling), which refers to God destroying to twin cities for their many and repeated sins (which does actually make reference to homosexuality... or more accurately that men wish to 'know' other men) Peace

Unfortunately Big Oil will be the cause of our demise. The technology and ideas have been around for the past 20 years of developing clean alternatives. Big Oil has stopped all the research at every turn. When there is no more oil, even though we have the technology, and concepts, the lack of electricity will hinder research and manufacture. It's not as bad as it seems though: Electric vehicles do exist, and have been proven very effective (the entire british rail system is electric, not to mention french bullet trains). Once the world stigma about nuclear power disappears (which would happen rapidly in a post oil world), then power generation becomes a none issue. All in all, the decline of oil will result is a cleaner environment. As a side note, the loss of oil will only effect us in our vehicles (Canada has a lot of green power). You do have to consider though: even though we see this problem, we are still wasteful of oil. Think how many kilometers you drive a month. Peace

weird Al did UHF... I dunno about others... he had a TV show for a while. Peace

minors suck! ;) j/k I was one once too. Thank you Dan for pointing out that not everybody who drinks is an idiot. Peace mmm, beer....

If I was Matt, I would feel dirty.

Weird Al rocks!! I own a number of his albums... I was going to buy the new one, but I hate paying $26 for a CD. Peace

Animal Farm isn't about communism (contrary to popular belief) Orwell actually said it is about the Boslshivics (don't trust my spelling)

Being the only person to post who is not bound by religion (I consider myself agnostic, meaning that I feel I lack the information to make an informed decision. Yes I do realize that it is ironic that I would say I do not have faith because I require proof, when in fact the definition of faith is to believe with out proof. But I leave religion as another thread altogether) I have got in many debates about this next point, but here goes: I think that homosexuality is a natural mutation of stand gender (I use mutation in a biological sense to mean non-standard change). It is entirely possible that all creatures have homosexuals at some point in there evolution (or all points). Now I realize that one could argue that mutation alone does not explain the number of persons that are homosexual... but to imply that homosexuality is not a property of genetics, implies that it is a psychological problem (I do not believe that to be true). On a side note regarding religion and homosexuality, didn't the Catholic church have huge problems with there celibate priests molesting young boys, though out the middle ages, and even in modern times? Just a thought. Peace

Not that a few of the communist concepts of equality, and sharing of wealth wouldn't be a heathy change to our social structure. In there purest form, these concepts are above reproach. (not that I'm against the rich) In practice true communism would fail, but a hybrid of communism with capitalism would produce a social structure where: Everybody has equality under the law (this is becoming more of a reality here at home... not completely though... the details of this would have to be another thread, since I cannot completely explain an example enough to not have the appearance of being racist, which I am not); the government actively helps the underprivileged thus allowing all people to maintain a standard of living above the poverty line; there is a competitive market, thus driving the economy forward; contrary to Marc's socialism, rather than a few owning everything, everybody would own a piece of something. Ironically the two political views at opposite ends of the spectrum, have elements that would be present in a utopian society. Peace

go arch duke Ferdinand.

Technically, Communism is a bad idea. Communism is an evolution of socialism. Socialism is a good idea except that Marcs had no concept of the limited liability corporation. Therefor socialism is based on preventing a few very rich people from owning everything by preventing anybody from owning anything. Communism gives the state ownership of everything (this leads to poverty and corruption) Peace

Of the three MG concerts I have been to: Two where all ages, there where alcoholic beverages served, but is a sectioned off area. The other was at a bar in Llyodminster. The show is Llyodminster was certainly more rowdy. The problem is, that the bar make money from selling beer (and such), so they try to sell as much as possible. But sometimes the amount of alcohol they sell is excessive. The problem is not beer, the problem is people. You don't have to drink to get drunk. That is an overwhelmingly popular north american past time. I have been know to drink, but I have never been drunk, and never plan to be. Enough said.

;), if your cell phone isn't in the same area code as the number, and the number isn't a special cell service (like #1221 or something). or you don't have some kind of crazy cell plan where you don't pay long distance fees during certain times: You are still going to get long distance charges. Cell phones still have to route through long distance trunks (or did you think the systems where separate?). If it goes through a trunk, then you pay for the trunk time... or someone does. Your plan might cover it, but I know mine doesn't. If I call a number that requires an area code, then I pay long distance. Peace

Buy a mac, use garage band. Good microphones are overrated (when talking about making demos). But if you want killer sound quality see if you can get access to an anechoic chamber ;)... they are like sound booths... just better (the one at my campus has an 80 db reduction in standard audible frequencies. Peace

I would say that back in the day, when democracy was a new and scary thing, it was a good idea. The Electoral College provides a method of fake democracy. i.e. the electors have the power to decide the election. This would mean that if they where noble (or at least higher in stature, which they most likely where) they could prevent the masses from making poor choices. With the modern technology, it makes more sense to move to a more pure representative democracy. BTW, we aren't truly democratic, we empower people to make decisions on our behalf (otherwise we would spend all our time voting, and counting votes). Peace

That is from http://people.howstuffworks.com/question472.htm where you can read all about the US Electoral College system... Turns out that here in Canada we also have a more democratic system, since we elect a parliament (and the leader party possessing the most seats becomes the prime minister), however, our parliament is weighted based on province size. The US system weights the votes such that larger states get more votes. The problem is, that even if you vote for the elector for the democrats, they can change their mind (that is legal). Peace

mehh....

The US isn't democratic... they are a republic. There is actually a difference. It all boils down to how the votes are considered... but I don't remember quite how... and google isn't showing me the answer in the first 5 results... It has to do with electoral collages Peace