Mrebo

thejediknighthusezni said:

TV's Frink said:

What stuff would it justify?  Treating homosexuals like equals? OH NO LIFE IS RUINED!!!

    I'll give the researcher the benefit of the doubt, but the characters who militantly push this kind of thing have much more on their agenda than "equality" for their private practices.

    There are dudes out there who are careful to conduct their cross-dressing in private with the drapes drawn. This shows the most MINIMAL respect and consideration for the rest of society. In the abstract, I wish they wouldn't behave that way at all, but I would be opposed to hounding them to the point of raiding their private domiciles and upending their lives.

   I say just don't ram that sort of unfortunate proclivity into the faces of others, their children or their regressed children(13-21).

   So, obviously, I'M the evil monster.

I find the use of the term "drapes" interesting. I never use that word and much prefer "curtains." It was a fussy sentence. And what are "regressed children"? There are many out there who would apply a similar rant against religion. In this forum we've seen some comments against religion in this vein - as in the way religion gets rammed into the faces of children (and seriously, terrible metaphorical language,  tjkh).

TheBoost said:

Mrebo said:

K

TheBoost said:

Mrebo said:

TheBoost said:

Mrebo said:

Tyrphanax said:

As for the minority/women thing. Who cares who or what they are. If they can act the part then they're fine by me.

 Exactly right.

Trying to imagine how many people would say this if the cast was three Asian women and one Inuit male. 

In a place where most people are asian, it wouldn't be remarkable. I don't believe for a second that JJ & co went out of their way to not cast minorities or women. There is also the fact that several of these characters are presumably progeny of the white heroes. It is on that background that this discussion occurs.

 Perhaps not, but they did intentionally craft a story with a cast of two females to 10 males.

I disagree that it can't be a good story without additional females or that contemporary notions of social justice require art fulfill certain quotas.

 Who are you disagreeing with? Defensive much? Is your Privledge Sense tingling??

Now you're just trolling. Nothing defensive about not seeing a problem with the casting and thinking the story is more important than how many females/minorities there are.

TheBoost said:

Mrebo said:

TheBoost said:

Mrebo said:

Tyrphanax said:

As for the minority/women thing. Who cares who or what they are. If they can act the part then they're fine by me.

 Exactly right.

Trying to imagine how many people would say this if the cast was three Asian women and one Inuit male. 

In a place where most people are asian, it wouldn't be remarkable. I don't believe for a second that JJ & co went out of their way to not cast minorities or women. There is also the fact that several of these characters are presumably progeny of the white heroes. It is on that background that this discussion occurs.

 Perhaps not, but they did intentionally craft a story with a cast of two females to 10 males.

I disagree that it can't be a good story without additional females or that contemporary notions of social justice require art fulfill certain quotas.

TheBoost said:

Mrebo said:

Tyrphanax said:

As for the minority/women thing. Who cares who or what they are. If they can act the part then they're fine by me.

 Exactly right.

Trying to imagine how many people would say this if the cast was three Asian women and one Inuit male. 

In a place where most people are asian, it wouldn't be remarkable. I don't believe for a second that JJ & co went out of their way to not cast minorities or women. There is also the fact that several of these characters are presumably progeny of the white heroes. It is on that background that this discussion occurs.

Tyrphanax said:

For those of you who cannot see the Colbert Report clip, I suggest the Hola browser extension. Best thing ever.

As for the minority/women thing. Who cares who or what they are. If they can act the part then they're fine by me.

 Exactly right.

luckydube56 said:

I'm guessing its pretty obvious Daisy Ridley is the daughter of Han and Luke based on the fact she sits right between the two actors.

Not obvious to me...

What about the three actors at the top of the photo?  Boyega, Oscar Isaac and the weird looking guy Driver.  They could be friends.  They seem more like friends and allies than enemies for some reason.  

Claim has been that Driver is the villain.

Well done. Get an avi, take your shoes off, stay awhile.

SilverWook said:

I've never seen a generic name on a chair on a movie set. It's often been a point of contention in Hollywood as to who merits getting a chair with their name on it. It's one of little perks of being a star that isn't accorded to just anybody.

Perhaps it's not a real chair at all and they had to cut the frame there to preserve the 4th wall.

4-year-old Jack Robinson of Hampshire, England.

LOL

Great job, Bingo.

I'm less concerned about the socialism of it than the tradeoffs required. Logically, it makes a whole lot more sense than what happened in America if the goal is to make sure everyone can get basic care without worrying about their personal finances.

TV's Frink said:

What the fuck shit?

;-)

Seriously though, was that a joke?

YES!

Bingowings said:

bkev said:

As someone who's closest friends identify as on the spectrum, and having a debatable place myself,  I do take some offense to Ender's self-righteous claim that Warb belongs there.  Or, rather, the way he presented it with no tact whatsoever.  Web diagnoses on these sorts of things are pathetic at best - as I would think a nurse would know.  Ender, you're using it as a way to discredit him in argumentative situations on the forum.  Seriously, listing the signs here?  As if to remind everyone else he's below you?

That's the sort of thing that, if you were genuinely curious, should have been addressed in private via PM or something.  

I understand you were trying to be polite, but all you've managed to do is cherry coat a condescending appraisal of Warbler.  I've a right to point out that this comes off as rude.

I was on the ZX Spectrum as a child...In all fairness to Ender this was in response to me calling Warb a passive aggressive paranoiac, that wasn't meant to be a medical diagnosis, it was just a general observation along the same lines as my general observation that Mrebo is doodoo-poopyface.

However if Warb genuinely has concerns about he mental fitness and a few quid from me can help relieve any anxieties he has along those lines I'd donate some cash towards that.

I donate cash to relieve Adywan's anxiety about not having enough Timotei and Hobnobs from time to time.

If someone thought there was something wrong with their knee they would go straight to their GP. I'd imagine a trip to the Doctors would be a step in the right direction if anyone here as any reason to believe their mind a few problems with itself.

How much is a check up from the GP in the States anyway?

I went to a clinic at the drugstore for an ear ache. I don't have a regular doctor and didn't want to deal with finding one. The visit was about $160, plus $40 for prescriptions (they wanted to see me more expensive drugs for $100). Due to my deductibles on my insurance plan, it was all out of pocket. Total rip-off.

Also, as a member of the doodoo-poopyface community, I can take no offense to that label.

To Warbler's credit, he stands out among our cast of characters.

Ender is often eager to moderate and to make peace. Also, shouldn't we be talking about Russia? Perhaps ender has in mind some of Bingo's exchanges with Warbler? Bingo can be insensitive to others' receptiveness, and comprehending Bingo often requires more abstract thought. Much harder to diagnose Bingo...

Chewbacca: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrgh!

C-3PO: He made a fair move. Screaming about it can't help you.

Han Solo: Let him have it. It's not wise to upset a Wookiee.

C-3PO: But sir, nobody worries about upsetting a droid.

Han Solo: That's 'cause droids don't pull people's arms out of their sockets when they lose. Wookiees are known to do that.

Chewbacca: Grrf.

C-3PO: I see your point, sir. I suggest a new strategy, R2: let the Wookiee win.

I think the implication of ender's post is that others can more easily change how they communicate than Warbler can change how he understands them. Warbler does process comments differently than most. And he does not get jokes. I am so proud of my jokes.

*sigh*

I also suspect that Frink may have Tourette's.
I'm lousy at building friendships. I know it's partly to avoid disappointment in myself. The human mind is a strange thing. I still feel the key take away is that another person might be operating on different frequency and understanding that can help you find a greater appreciation or relationship with that person.

Warbler said:

You think I may have autism-spectrum disorder?  hmmm.  I don't know.   I can't say I am interested in all the things you listed someone with that disorder might be interested in.  I suppose some of listed symptoms describe some of my problems.  I admit I probably have some sort of mental issue(s).   When growing up I was described as a slow learner and for a couple of years was in a special education class.   As I have said before I know and admt I have temper issues.  When I could afford it, I was in therapy for my temper.   When I can afford to do so again, I will go back.  The therapist seemed to think that I had I been going to school today, I would have diagnosed with some sort of learning disorder(perhaps ADD).  Of course he was not qualifed to make such a diagnoses himself, and of course neither can I or you, Darth Ender.   So until and unless I go to the people qualified to make such a diagnoses, there is no way to know what mental issues I truly have. 

Mental health care is costly. Ender should open a free online clinic ;) Although, I'm sure there are all kinds of ethical concerns with that.

I consult Dr. Google for most medical issues. Even having "good" health insurance doesn't mean free care (which is a reason Obamacare is such a sham). I think most people have something off in their brain. Anxiety is a big problem for me and I experience a fair amount of emotional detachment to avoid situations. I made a friend of sorts recently who has all signs of narcissistic personality disorder. Ironic, given my statement not long ago about finding those who lack empathy disturbing.

Back to ender's point about judging others: recognizing that others operate in radically different ways should make us more generous in considering why others do or say something we don't like or understand.

Avoid Jedis as super-powerful space-monks who obsess over rules and midichlorian measurements. It's easy even for older fans to forget that the Force in the OT was much less physically powerful and prevalent. When Luke was facing down the Rancor, he - George - didn't think to hit the button with his Force power. Moving small rocks was kind of a big deal. Yoda slowly lifting a ship with much concentration was also supposed to be amazing. Luke had to use great concentration to lift C-3PO. Otherwise the Force was used for slight distractions, fooling a weak-minded person on occasion, or finding calm and focus. No Jedi mindtrick was used in the Cantina, which goes to show the Force wasn't seen as a go-to for all conflicts. When Luke wanted to convince Jabba that he was a great Jedi Knight, he also didn't dress in the supposed traditional robes. Jedis were more interesting and the Force more mysterious.

Is it too late to go back?

I don't think I've seen that film, Bingo.

I was hoping the Muppets might really make a come back. And no unintentional current event jokes, they seemed to steer clear of anything that might pick on, let alone identify, various international locations (aside from bad accents and location names). I was anticipating a borscht joke, which never came. The Russian prison guards showed up out of the blue in other foreign countries to make arrests on two occasions (not often or funny enough to make it some kind of running joke). The single Muppety moment for me - which was a very small thing - was when Animal clamped his jaws on Constantine and declared, "Bad Frog! Bad Frog!" and later affectionately declared Kermit "Good Frog." Other parts felt cheap and patronizing, like hearing Rainbow Connection for a few seconds coming through a TV. The gulag scenes were visually dreary with insufficient wit or jokes to make it worthwhile.

Muppets Most Wanted

*sigh*

Kermit spends most of his time in a Siberian gulag.

The songs mostly feel pro forma, as does the long parade of guest stars.

There isn't much charm.

I am looking forward to The Boxtrolls.

doubleofive said:

My wife and I watched the clip of Billy Dee on Dancing with the Stars. I'd never been more embarrassed, but then it cut to Ewoks in the audience cheering him on and I thought I'd die of shame.

I'm not sure this is the first ABC/Disney/Star Wars crossover, but it's not a good start.

 Oh...no...that was bad. Should not have done a Star Wars-themed dance.

Good work. Looking forward to more.

Count me in.

SilverWook said:

That wasn't some keen insight on Mitt's part. Keeping the Cold War on life support helped justify spending huge amounts of money on stuff we didn't need anymore. I saw a story recently on how the Army has more tanks than it needs, and more are being cranked out to keep a factory open. (That way the politicians can crow they saved jobs.) Not to mention surplus aircraft that go from the factory straight to the boneyard.

Deep down, some politicians are grinning like a cheshire cat at all of this. Nobody will question defense budgets, or talk cutbacks for a long time. Because, the Russkies are back! ;)

I completely agree it wasn't a terribly keen insight. It really should not have been a controversial statement at all...

Yet as you say about the legacy of military spending, it's about maintaining the jobs and political clout - not so much the Cold War!

Republicans historically have been reliably pro-military spending but were overtaken by crazy budget-cutting Tea Partiers who cheered sequestration (which Republicans were supposed to oppose because it cuts military spending). And the Defense Secretary is all in favor of cutting military spending too.

There are the politicians and defense contractors who will use any threat to push for additional military spending but there is no need for an arms race since Russia doesn't have the ability to engage in one.

I can't help thinking back to this moment of the debate between Romney and Obama.

Especially when I read something like this. I do think it silly that threaten consequences since we will end up doing little to nothing. But maybe that is why we're talking so big, since that's all we will be able to do. There won't be any war with Russia. If Russia asserts itself in Ukraine, the West will let it.

darth_ender said:

If you have something you're just excited to share, share it here!

My wife and I are expecting!  We're nine weeks in.  Only two days of puking and very bad nausea, and we're wondering if it's just a stomach bug that has been going around.  If that was it, then so far this is the mildest pregnancy thus far.  Way to go, honey!

 Good job! Very exciting.

Chewie lives.