lookin

My thought was more along the lines of a fifteen-minute walk every day, not that we all go get preggers and run a marathon. Although I certainly admire your enthusiasm.

"It doesn't take a lot. You don't have to be super intense, like a triathlon or an Alcatraz swim," said Dr. Moshe Lewis, a California Pacific Medical Center physician who specializes in pain management and sports medicine. "Only 15 minutes a day, that's not much. It's great for people to know that walking around, doing some stairs, that's getting a cardiac regimen going." Read the article

Having a large penis is nothing to be proud of. Of course it's nothing to be ashamed of either. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .- Old Hungarian Proverb

Has BiBottomBoy gone away? I'll bet he just met someone gay. While I'm being banal, He's out getting anal. I really have nothing to say.

They must be reading the MER Board. Netflix kills plan to split off DVD rentals

Thanks for posting this. I heard a mention on the radio yesterday, and meant to check it out. According to the article, "This is very odd and clearly outlier behavior," (Donald Kraybill, an expert on the Amish) wrote to HuffPost. "Amish-on-Amish violences is extremely rare. ... These appear to be malicious assaults on symbols of Amish identity by a wacko little group." Personally, I wouldn't cross them off the list of peaceful societies, based on these instances. I recall another story from a few years ago that made a deep impression on me. Amish families who lost children in a school shooting showed up at the shooter's funeral and forgave the shooter and consoled his family. Always worth remembering, I think, that societies are made up of individuals and not everyone's the same. Even the Tea Party has the occasional disagreement.

Better get a wiggle on. Tomorrow the feds are announcing that they sent letters to at least sixteen California medical marijuana dispensaries telling them to close up shop before Thanksgiving. If they rent the space, their landlords got a letter too demanding they kick the pot clubs out or go to jail and turn over any rent they collected along the way. San Diego was particularly hard hit, but at least one Marin club got a letter on Wednesday: Greg Anton, a lawyer who represents a Marin Alliance for Medical Marijuana, said the 14-year-old dispensary's landlord received an "extremely threatening" letter Wednesday invoking a federal law that imposes additional penalties for selling drugs within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and playgrounds. The landlord was ordered to evict the pot club or risk imprisonment, plus forfeiture of the property and all the rent he has collected while the dispensary has been in business, Anton said. The Marin Alliance's founder "has been paying state and federal taxes for 14 years, and they have cashed all the checks," he said. "All I hear from Obama is whining about his budget, but he has money to do this which will actually reduce revenues." Some say the letters are no worse than the ones the Bush administration sent out in 2006. More bark than bite, although some clubs did close. If I were the suspicious sort, I couldn't help but observe that the letter arrived on the same day than Ken Burns wrapped up his "Prohibition" series with a segment called "A Nation of Hypocrites". I watched most of the series and the thrust seemed to be how damaging the 18th Amendment was to the country. I wonder what folks who watched the series are going to think tomorrow morning when they hear that the government is back to its old ways. I'm not sure what to think, and was wondering what the views are among the Distinguished Dudes of MER. Is the government doing a bit of saber rattling to please the Far Right, or is it really getting ready to put on another Volstead Act? . .

Allegedly, there's an outfit in the Midwest that sells one in the shape of a corn dog.

You guys are incredible! Such healthy eaters. Recently, I picked out a quinoa salad at a healthy deli I enjoy, not knowing what it was. It seemed like barley to me and took on the flavor of the other ingredients in the salad. Delicious, but I had no idea it was good for me too. Many thanks for increasing awareness of this excellent ingredient, for the recipes, and for the cooking tips. Lazy as sin, I'm on my way now to a local Fresh Choice restaurant where, for $7, I'm going to let somebody else put the goodies together. Thanks again, guys. Your posts really do make a difference!

There are those who say it's plenty good. (Tim) Bajarin, the longtime Apple watcher, is confident that Apple will quickly overcome the perception problem once technology reviewers get a better handle on all the new bells and whistles. He believes that the improved camera and speech-recognition technology are compelling enough additions to make the iPhone 4S another hit for Apple. "People are going to get over their initial disappointment and want this phone," he said. Add a processor that's twice as fast and a high-definition video camera and it's pretty tempting. I had hoped to see the thinner form factor and larger screen that were predicted for the iPhone 5, but Apple may have decided to spread the goodies out over two upgrade cycles rather than one. Not sure what to do.

Seems a surefire way to get participation, as the OP asked, is to start a thread on how to get participation. It draws folks in like bears to honey. As a public service, I'm sure, MsGuy has now schooled us on how to lose participation. If anyone needs me, I'll be in my room poking my eyes out.

If I implied that, it was not intentional. I don't personally know anyone who I think 'deserves' to kill another human being. But I do know several folks who believe that they are entitled to make that decision. For me, it always comes back to a conversation that each of us has with himself. I had my first such conversation in my mid-twenties, and have updated that conversation every few years since. I don't try to intrude on anyone else's personal conversation. Each of us must decide for himself. For example, I wouldn't try to convince you that your views are right or wrong. If asked, I'll share the dialogue I've had with myself, and how I came to believe what I believe. My own personal dialogue included all the situations you have mentioned, from the abstract to the individual. Among the decisions I have made is not to go to war, and to discourage my country from going to war. I would not pull a switch on the electric chair, even if I were one of six people with 'only' a 16.7% chance of delivering the fatal shock. As far as I know, I would not take another person's life to save my own; however, I realize that an instinct for self-preservation may very well kick in. If I did end up taking another life to save my own, I expect my remaining years would be unhappy ones. The hardest conversation I've had is whether or not I'd kill another person to protect the life of another, especially someone who is very dear to me. I've concluded that I probably would although, again, I would not expect much joy in my life after I did it. I was able to 'serve' my country in a peaceful capacity, and I've been fortunate to be able to live in a fairly safe environment. In practical terms, I've been blessed to be able to keep some distance from the line of fire. Among my ethical concerns at the moment are that my country gets into wars where thousands of people are slaughtered to help support my 'lifestyle', and that many of my fellow citizens are killing many other of my fellow citizens without my voice being raised loudly enough to prevent it. I do make my views known in these areas, although I could do more. I hope this gives you some insight into my personal dialogue. Again, I am not making any comment on yours or anybody else's. For me, it's enough that you are having it.

I'll ask around.

I was going to invite you for an Irish coffee or some such, until I realized you meant Science Fiction. Still, if you're ever in the neighborhood . . .

I knew I should have left that 'qualified' phrase out and stayed with my original version of the statement: 'My viewpoint is based on who I am, not who they are. I simply don't want to put myself in the position of taking another person's life. I don't deserve to make that call.' Qualification be damned, the issue of deserving to make a life-or-death decision for another human being is the big one for me. It troubles me that some of the least evolved human beings on the planet have managed to convince themselves that they are entitled to put an end to someone else's life. I'm glad that most countries are getting out of the execution business and I'll be even gladder when ours is one of them. Legend: Abolished for all crimes Abolished for crimes not committed in exceptional circumstances (such as crimes committed in time of war) Abolished in practice Legal form of punishment According to this this article, nine countries carried out executions so far this year: Bangladesh China Iran North Korea the Palestinian Authority Saudi Arabia Somalia UAE USA

I understand what you're saying, Lucky, and agree that there are some nasty folks out there. However, my viewpoint is based on who I am, not who they are. I simply don't want to put myself in the position of taking another person's life. I don't deserve to make that call, nor am I qualified.

I could get behind that, TY. Hell, I'd even put Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann on either side of the miscreant, and pipe in medleys from the Captain & Tennille.

Personally, I decided a long time ago I don't want to kill anybody. Not John Wayne Gacy, not William Bonin, not even Ethel Rosenberg. Not anybody. Simple as that.

War stinks. . I don't have to. Devil Dog ®

Good post, Lucky, from much experience and thoughtfulness. Everything you say makes sense, though I do see things differently in a couple of areas. Maybe the differences arise because I may be more of an 'occasional' poster, rather than a 'regular' so please steer me back on course if needed. Here's where things look different to me: Perhaps not. There may be some folks who really like coming here but really don't like posting. TY and OZ can probably figure out if there are members who check in regularly and just don't post. If there are, they must care or they wouldn't keep coming back. If there are such folks, I'm glad they're here and I hope they're enjoying themselves. I wasn't here in those days, so I know your perspective is fuller than mine. From my more limited viewpoint, I don't identify with the Board as much as with the people. It's nice when people respond but, for me, it's what they say rather than how often they say it. I've tried to be better about responding to those who I know appreciate it, but I don't think I expect a lot of comments on my posts. Good thing too. OK, one more slight difference in viewpoint, and it may be because I've had to battle a thin skin all my life, but I'd like to think that this is a place where thin-skinned folks can feel welcomed. If we like our own little idiosyncracies to be indulged, why shouldn't we indulge those of others? And I also think that thin-skinned people are usually very sensitive people, and good to have around. Perhaps we can find another opening in the locker room. I think it came out very well. I really appreciate that you care about what happens here as much as you do. If not for your efforts, who knows who might be hanging around the place by now?

Yes, thank you, lurkerspeaks! Glad the 'mooch' got his and you got yours. For most 'cases', there's a minute at the end when the two parties comment on the 'trial' and/or each other. Once in a while, a story comes out that puts a very different light on the situation - a side that Judge Judy seemed to have missed altogether. I agree with RA1 that it smacks of sloppy jurisprudence, but I watch her for the entertainment and not because I'm expecting a Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As for the original "What does it take to get participation?" question, in my case it comes down to (1) time, (2) something I'd like to share with you good folks and/or (3) a subject that tickles my - er - fancy. This thread has some of each. As hitoallusa has said, some folks may come here just to browse, rather than post. They may one day decide to post. Or not. It's all good. The only thing that would bother me is that someone may feel uncomfortable about posting because of anything that I/we do that would discourage them. I don't think that this website puts out any negative vibes, unlike some others I've seen; so, until I hear otherwise, my plan is to keep on keepin' on, and hoping for the best. Who knows when the spirit will move someone to join in? PS: Just saw your post, gcursor. I guess if we want more posters, we'll just have to work a bit harder at keeping the Welcome mat out. What would it take to lure you back?

I tried watching her a few years ago and couldn't get through five minutes. She had figured out how to make money being rude, and who needed to watch that? Feh! Stumbled across her again last year while channel surfing and she was still rude as ever. Hasn't changed a bit. But I guess I have, and I now enjoy watching her every day! Can't figure out what gets so many folks to go on her show and put up with her put downs. Some money, of course, and I expect she's quite charming when the cameras are off. I imagine she tells people it's an act for ratings and they should just try to play along. I hope lurkerspeaks will shed some light on the backstage doings, and what motivated him and his erstwhile protégé to appear on the show. Was it only the money, and was it worth doing? Speaking of money, I was surprised to read somewhere that Byrd, the bailiff, makes only $100,000 a year, compared with Judge Judy's $45,000,000. I do hope he makes a lot more than that. The tsuris alone should be worth at least a quarter mil.

Starbucks introduces the Mucho Macho Macchiato! ©

I had to look up toff. Once again, I'm in your debt.

Oh, I say, dash it!