aloha_joe

see, here's where the sociologist in me has to come out: not everybody has the same opportunities as everyone else. Yes, being white, lower-middle class (where the "middle class" actually is is higher than most people realize) and living in Canada made it easy for me to not break the law. I had easy opportunities to go to college (which I did) or work minimum-wage jobs as a teenager that would [A] give me a decent amount of spending money and something to do to keep me out of trouble (because most things cost money to do - even sports require equipment and league fees, etc.). Being born into a lower socio-economic status makes it harder to stay out of trouble - trouble is all around. Alcoholism and drugs are more common and more availible. You're less likely to get hired and less likely to see upward mobility. I'm not saying this is always the case, but to avoid the troubles and gain the rewards takes a lot more hard work and dedication. The temptation of earning hundreds or thousands a day selling drugs could seem like a good option in comparison to struggling for a pittance at a legitimate job. Especially in the midst of a culture that rewards, praises, and fetishizes success, money, and power. So the "easy solution" of not breaking the law may not be as easy as it was for you or I.

is George's last name really that hard? Strom-Bo-Lop-O-Lous. Strombolopolous. Do I get a gold star?

I actually just saw this movie -damn, it was pretty good. OK, so Mr. Fantastic is kind of lame, but thats his job as leader of the group. The Human Torch was awesome, and had hilarious one liners; only about 2/3rds of them were in the commercials, so there is more to see there... Dr. Doom was awesome though - I love that he came from Latveria! Latveria! Haha. And The Thing was pretty funny too... well worth my money anyways - and thats without considering seeing Jessica Alba in a scientifically engineered skin-tight suit.

yes, THEM! is the correct response (sorry for the delayed response...) got a question for us?

the reason America has both A) such a large prison population (i believe between 2 and 3 million now...) and B) such a predominantly black prison population is not violent crime, and not in particular murders and shootings. The vast majority of convicted criminals in the US are for drugs charges, particularly given some states' use of a "3 Strikes" policy, in which three criminal charges of any type can amount to severe (up to 'life') penalties. Also, drugs used more by blacks, such as crack and heroin, are punished more severely than cocaine, a drug more used by whites. There are structural ineqwuities behind the prison demographics; that being said, Columbine is a trajedy - what i find remarkable about this sort of discussion is that it's ok if over 50,000 people die every year in car accidents. That makes it pretty dangerous, yet it's sold as if it were our right and duty to have so much fun driving fast in fancy cars on the road. Oh well. That's just me.

really? where!? I'll buy you all a cooler or a crantinis

Genn is marrying Tamara Taggert? GOddamnit. Well....hmmm...lemme rethink that....she IS very pretty, BUT she's kind of vaccuous......hey, almost a perfect match for Genn. OK, they may proceed ;)

JPE has been highly recommended to me before...but the people doing the recommending were wanks...so what does that say?

see, I would dispute that Rachel is (was) a bad VJ - now, *I* haven't seen her on VH1, but when she was on Much, she did some good, intelligent interviews...as did George Strombo, Rick-the-Temp, Amanda Walsh (you have to look for her wink to the audience to see it though...) and of course Ed-The-Sock! We've been forgetting about Ed....oh, is he still around though? I haven't seen him on air in a while, and i think that was for Fromage 2004...

They've had some pretty horrible VJs lately. That Leia girl, who's always on with Matt, is more vaccuous than a vegetable. And, y'know, i was never a big fan of Rick-the-Temp, but I miss him in comparison to that skinny-armed, blonde pretty boy they have now. I also miss Rachel Perry. MMM, Rachel - how can Canada win you back? We'll go to war over you! ;)

I've got "Uncle Fucker" if you need it, and all of the early demos if you still need them - PM me for details

I think the best endorsement for this book is that the Pope said it was an evil influence on children - of COURSE they're going to read it more now! It's better if they have to read it by flashlight under their sheets!

As for Chomsky, he usually just teaches people to think HIS way, not to think for themselves. He's not the end-all of academia.

I'd like to say that Letterman has some good set-piece bits, such as the Top 10 List and "Will it float?" (ahh, Grinder-Girl rulez!) Leno, not so much. Conan is good, but I have started preferring Craig Fergusen over him - he's just so unprofessional that its hilarious! He accidently makes fun of his guests! It's great

Entourage...ah, yes. I got caught up in that for a few episodes...then I realised it was among the most vacuous experiences of my life, including my experiences in junior high ;) I realize it's supposed to be about the mindlessness of much of Hollywood, but it more seems like an apology or a glorification of that than anything else. On reflection, it's like watching Access Hollywood, or something of that nature. Though, I will applaud their ability in getting A-list cameos for their show - way to use your star-power for good instead of evil Mr. Wahlburg :angry: hehe

sorry, no...

tell me the aftermath of this canoe accident echoes what happens in "Deliverance" ;)

OK, I have to side with the backers of stargate AND the skeptics of Young MacGyver Stargate is a brilliant show, and it has plenty of character development (as if Dr. Who had character development - they Changed doctors every 1 to 3 seasons!); just watch seasons 5 through 8 for huge developments in Carter and Teal'c (the guy goes from being an outcast alien to one who buys himself a condo and an Escalade with "spinners"! Ha!). On top of that, it has incredibly realistic military re-enactments, some of the most complex ever done in television; from a technical perspective, as good as the average Hollywood movie (maybe not quite Blockbuster level, but the equal of any mid- to low-budget production. Now, as for Young MacGyver....yeah, it's almost certainly an idea that should stay dead, as it will save everyone a lot of pain. Exhibit A) The New Degrassi High - something we did NOT need. Exhibit B) MacGyver had MORE than run it's course, and probably should have ended one to three seasons earlier. As for RDA himself; OK. He's not a great actor, on the grand scale. He's a good TV actor. He actually seems better at comedy (within both of his big shows) than the drama. Don't believe me? Try and score a look at his acceptance speeches for the Spacey awards for the past years; last year he accepted while puppetting one of Stargates aliens and giving it a dirty french canadian accent - bloody brilliant. OK, my rant is done now. Feel free to return fire.

I gotta say, post-break up, the rock is important. Ya can't wallow in slow, sappy songs. It's just counter-productive. Here's my picks: -Up in this town (Boy) -Elegantly Wasted (INXS) -Birthday (The [frickin]' Beatles) And I'd have to second the Whitesnake and the Dido recommendations as well.

I remember seeing Serial Joe's first video on MuchMusic and thinking "god, they're such posers". It was for some skate/quasi-rock-rap song, and it was the 14-year olds of Serial Joe, a bunch of their 12 year old friends, and someone's older sister thrown in for sexual suggestion. Fuckin' weak, dude.

So who do I talk to if I happen to have a sound file not already in the NF store? Do I get NF$ for contributing it?

mmm, ass vomit...who feels like having pudding? ;)

Sure, the guys got a gun to his head, but look at how shiny it is - thats gotta take some patience, not depression.

Who's for a '50-sci-fi trivia challenge? I'll start; first correct answer thinks of the next question: Name the movie in which radioactive-mutated ants ran amok in the LA-drainage system...