Mrebo

I don't really agree with all the descriptions, but it's interesting.

I have to say, I appreciate Warbler's receptiveness in this thread.

I have no problem with threads exploring possible personal foibles.

Stop being a disrespectful brat, bkev ;)

There are some times I start furiously typing a response (to Warbler in the midst of a political debate) but it's weighed down in frustration and venting. I find it helpful to stop myself, realize it's not going to express what I want and only inspire more frustrated venting. So I delete it. The next attempt is better, but still a bit too personally-oriented. I usually get on track with a third attempt. I think it's helpful to stop oneself when one wants to lash out. Anyways, to what Bingo is saying I think it best to say nothing if it's not in some way productive.

For Bingo.

Luke Skywalker:

Ask me again sometime.

;)

Some of what Bingo said.

I don't know whether you do or not, but it is good to not confuse respect, agreement, and fondness. I accept that I don't know the real Warbler. The hope is that anyone would honestly consider what another person is saying, even if that person is not deemed respected.

(subtext: Mrebo is jealous of Leonardo ;D)

I'm responding to the political post...soon, btw.

Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina? Delightful little vignettes done by different directors a la "Paris je t'aime" and "New York, I love you"

georgec said:

AntcuFaalb said:

LOL, georgec!

I'd totally watch that; no kidding!

I might be the only ROTJ-is-my-favorite guy here, however... -_-

You're not the only one. ;)

*high-fives AntcuFaalb*

It was always my favorite, and not just for nostalgia. Luke's story in ROTJ is wonderful. The scenes on the Death Star with the Emperor are top notch. There are flaws, but the emotional pull of the film is the best of the series for me. And the climax is my favorite in all of film. So epic.

Most definitely not alone. I always felt bad for Malikili.

And bkev, lol@ "STAHP" I recently learned this word. Crazy kids today

The internet here (around DC) is so bad. 0.5M download speed, streaming video too often struggles. bkev makes a good point. With a system of internet as far-reaching as ours (including many who still don't have cable availability) it's no surprise the average speed isn't pretty low. Though I'd expect our capitol to do much better. I'm curious about the google, but wonder how much of our privacy we must sell to partake.

The best thing ever: involving a homeless hitchhiker with a hatchet....

I need mormon!

It's a Star Wars site, how could I not?

Today I learned that "blackout" is not a football term.

That is cheerful news, Bingo. Now I feel less inclined to send in an elite archaeological-military team to kill the ignoramuses.

I continue to not understand the Japanese. Though good relations with the Asians I have.

As for entropy, it is not here nor there as far as discussions of what is important to us as humans is concerned. Reference to physical laws makes every human concern small - from the holocaust to destroyed artifacts.

Bingowings said:

The Jewish temple should only be allowed to operate if...

One of your curious statements.

Though inevitable, entropy is neither here nor there.

Here is an interesting story for those who look beyond entropy.

I wonder if we need separate threads for terrible current events and good ones, to which Tyr sort of alluded.

The boy being held by the sicko (fully appropriate in this case) in the bunker is most disturbing. Something worth praying about.

We can talk about the puppy bowl in another thread.

It's lovely the Taliban revealed historic caves for us, but I wish they had gone about it more like this.

Badger hockey sounds spectacular!

More callous pro-abortion propaganda.

Destruction of ancient history makes me so mad.

Bingowings said:

Warb, as someone who constantly reminds us of his Christianity you really should be careful about calling people with beliefs different than you own nuts.

Yes, the evidence available points in the opposite direction but if that makes lunar landing conspiracy ladies and gentlemen nuts it makes most people on the planet nuts to some degree, including the atheists.

Now, I agree Warbler gets over-eager in his descriptors. He also sometimes shuts down the possibility of debate by insisting something is obvious, thus making those who disagree nuts or blind or what-have-you....but I think it unfair to make any connection to his religious belief in this case.

1) In a colloquial sense "nuts" isn't that bad a descriptor. For instance, a jurisdiction in Ireland is now seeking to permit people to drink and drive. I wouldn't blame a person for calling those pushing for the law "nuts." As an emotional reaction it's not that bad.

2) Seriously, any time Warbler doesn't give due deference to an opposing viewpoint, it is fair game to invoke his religion?

3) Comparing religious belief to conspiracy theories is nuts :P Conspiracy theories are based on physical phenomena - usually involving making things up and assuming things that are demonstrably wrong. Religion is based on faith and on operations outside of the physical world. We can debate the real-world effects: evidence for a worldwide flood, why Kangaroos are only in Australia, etc but all of that is of a different quality.

Recently, in discussing the topic of abortion with a person, it was asserted that it is a really difficult choice for women to make. I expressed skepticism, saying I don't think it's a very difficult consideration for many women.

My conversational partner expressed (expected) shock, insisting that it is. I base my view on what I see in popular culture, the media, and politics.

For instance.

And Governor Cuomo of NY is apparently proposing doing away with common-sense abortion restrictions. All the extensive articles on the topic are from conservative and religious sources so I won't bother linking since it is best to have a source without an agenda. But it is stated that Cuomo would permit non-doctors to perform abortions (I'm guessing they would have some sort of medical training), do away with restrictions on late-term abortions, and do away without parental notification for minors.

I do imagine abortion is scary for many or most women, but if there is much of a moral concern, it is not well-represented in society.

I am in agreement with georgec and company.

No matter what I'd be nervous...that it feel Star Wars-like and that it also feel original.

Maybe fearing it will now be middling in both respects is unfair to Mr. Abrams. But the guessed reasons for his choosing is suggestive...

Yet as y'all point out, much depends on the script.

What does Mr. Abrams bring to the table as an auteur?

What Kubrik didn't want us to know :P

You have no users on your friend list.

While that brings a warm feeling to my curmudgeonly side (though much less so if nobody had friended me... :'[) I've now added some of you fine people. And if I were more motivated, I'd wander to the suggestion forum to suggest private message alerts everytime someone adds you as a friend. Just to add to that feeling of Christmas.

Quinoa is unethical!

Government report says Head Start doesn't work.

Annual checkups are actually a big waste of money.

And converting to Christianity in Egypt now gets you, your children, and anyone who approved of the conversion imprisoned.