1_man_army

If Rakim's 'The Seventh Seal' comes out this year I'll definately have to buy it. A track (Holy Are You) surfaced a few days ago which is very good - I'm not sure if it's out as a single to promote the album or if it is an unauthorised leak. Regardless, it's good. Edit - I looked it up, it is the first single and Rakim released it 2 weeks earlier than schedule which is why everyone presumed it was a leak.

An entertainment film can still have a coherent and interesting plot and still be entertaining, the two aren't mutually exclusive.

Hell no, I wasn't saying it was an excuse at all. Sorry if it came out that way. I didn't mean to suggest that you were saying that.

Exactly, many illegal firearms began as legal firearms which were either stolen from their owners or sold illegally by their owners. Criminals would also struggle to get guns across the border in Mexico as right now the Mexican drug cartels are reliant on guns they buy illegally from Americans. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01654.html

Except those Africans came from places such as Mali - one of the poorest countries in the world. America has much more career opportunities, medical care, entertainment, innovation, etc. But neither of us can speak for other people. They might prefer America over Africa, or vice versa. It just comes down to the individual. But personally, I'd much rather live in the US than Mali. I'm sure Obama feels the same way. Valid argument but people have to remember that not all of Africa is like Mali. There are some incredible success stories in Africa that aren't well covered because they aren't as newsworthy as a famine or a war - which are usually the only items that get African nations mentioned on western news programming. Of course America has greater opportunity but I don't think that can ever excuse slavery (not that America was the only nation involved I might stress).

No he doesn't. Africa isn't the horrible dying continent that it is depicted in the media - not all of Africa is ravaged by famine and poverty like Zimbabwe or Somalia. On top of that, the America that awaited the freed slaves wasn't exactly welcoming - African Americans are still disproportionately living in poverty in America - so what difference has it made? Poverty is the same the world over when you get to the root of it regardless of whether you're living in a tower block slum or a mud shack.

Using that twisted logic the Holocaust was the best thing that happened to the Jews as it gave them an impetus to form the state of Israel. Telling black people to be thankful for slavery is truly mental, I would LOVE to see you say that to a black person in real life.

You should look up a lot of DJ Premier's production (he produced a few tracks on Illmatic), especially with Gangstarr. A lot of New York hip hop around that time has similar sort of style - Mobb Deep's The Infamous might be worth a listen as well. I love the fact that a few months ago I was watching the Theif of Baghdad on tv and heard the sample for Represent, I'm turning into a sampple geek.

Exactly, taking the bible (or any religious text) literally is dangerous. My favourite passage to quote to people who take the text literally is; ...which basically declares the American Dream of working hard and getting rich to be immoral. Do I believe that being rich is wrong - no - but that quote is always a good argument ended in these discussions.

Remember to use the hide tags for spoilers guys, not all countries are at the same place with the show you know. [hide=]Your Spoiler[/hide]

I believe you mean c-rap ;) Neither funny or original - bravo =D> .

[hide=]Forum Username: 1_man_army Age: 21 State (US only, do not give a city): n/a Nation (do not give a city): Scotland Educational level: University Graduate -if secondary or below, what level? -If at a university/college, what level and what is your major/minor course of study? BA Publishing 1. Have you ever attended a worship of any religion? Yes -by choice? No -What kind of worship? Easter/Christmas Services -Did you regularly attend this worship, by choice or parental guidance? 2. Do you consider yourself religious? -Please explain in two or three sentences. I wouldn't say I was religious. I can't bring myself to believe in God but I accept that we really have no way of knowing either way. I'd more accurately be described as a skeptical agnostic. 3. Is there a god, gods, or a supreme deity? -Did said god, gods, or supreme being create the Universe, according to your belief? 4. Is there an afterlife? Again, I think we as people have no real way of knowing but I don't think so. 5. How do you believe that existence came about? (in a nutshell) I generally accept the idea of evolution and the big bang theory although I have to admit I don't have a scientific mind and couldn't make a scientific argument for the big bang personally (although I don't doubt that many people can). 6. Have you ever attended a worship of any religion that you do not consider yourself a part of?Yes -What? I've attended Easter/Christmas Services through schools that I've attended in earlier years -Your thoughts on the experience I don't mind the event or anything, I just disliked being forced to go and the slight feeling of discomfort at being at an event that I didn't believe in. 7. What are your thoughts on non Judeo-Christian Western religions? Remember that religion is a broad term so please be specific. Live and let live - I don't care what people believe in as long as it doesn't hurt others or infringe on their righs(directly or indirectly) and as long as those beliefs aren't forced on anyone else. To me, all religion (or all beliefs) are a personal choice. 8. What are your thoughts on Judeo-Christian religions? Remember that religion is a broad term and that both of these groups have many subdivisions that have radically different beliefs and practices. As above 9. What are your thoughts on Asian religions? Remember that religion is a broad term so please be specific. As above 10. What are your thoughts on African religions? Remember that religion is a broad term, so please be specific. As above 11. What are your thoughts on South American religions? Remember that religion is a broad term, so please be specific. As above 12. What are your thoughts on Aboriginal religions (any native group that was displaced, such as Native Americans, Maori, Aborigines, etc)? Remember that religion is a broad term, so please be specific. As above 13. What are your thoughts on pagan religions (Wiccan, alternative, Satanic, and other non-traditional forms of worship)? Remember that religion is a broad term, so please be specific. Also note that many alternative and pagan practices are not affiliated with Satanic worship. As above 14. What are your thoughts on atheism, the belief that there is no supreme being(s)? Please remember that there are degrees to this belief, and that not all share the same thoughts. As above 15. What are your thoughts on agnosticism, the belief that a supreme being(s) exists, but the individual chooses not to worship it/them? I feel it is the only logical position to take because we can't tell whether or not a God(s) exists since science cannot prove there is no God in some form and that faith can't conclusively prove that there is a God. However, I do acknowledge that faith is precisely that - a faith that isn't necessarily subject to logic or reason that people can't just explain or describe but instead feel emotionally and spiritually. 16. Have you ever publicly chastised someone who believes in a religion/school of thought different than yours? -elaborate -what group were they? what group were you? I've chastised people who believe differently when they've been intolerant of others or when they've tried to force their beliefs down my throat - this has happened both online and in real life and across a range of belief groups. 17. If you belong to a religion or non-religion, please identify. -Did you consciously choose to follow this belief? N/a -Did you belong to another belief, by choice or force, before following this belief? N/a -Did you personally research (as in personally in the first person) options before coming to this belief? N/a 18. Is intelligence (not IQ, but actual intelligence) correlated to one's belief in a religion or non-religion? Keep in mind that intelligence can not be measured by any science, this is simply your judgement call.There is no relation in my opinion - Einstein & Da Vinci were religious and two of the greatest minds in history, you get morons in every group and likewise you get intelligent people in every group. 19. Does religion, in your observation, do good in the world? Please cite specific groups or denominations.I think it does people good as individuals but I'm torn over whether it makes society better. Certain conflicts are exacerbated by religion (Israel/Palestine, Northern Ireland etc) but it could be argued that these conflicts would exist regardless because they stem from intolerance of people's religions rather than religion itself. 20. Does non-religion, in your observation, do good in the world? Please cite specific groups or denominations. I don't think it has a positive or negative impact really. 21. Does religion, in your observation, do bad in the world? Please cite specific groups or denominations. See #19 22. Does non-religion, in your observation, do bad in the world? Please cite specific groups or denominations. No 23. Please list your experience with sexual education, including but not limited to: lectures by parents, schools, religion, or non-education. Please do not list your sexual experiences. I was given some sex education in school from both a scientific and relationship perspective. We were taught about birth control and how to use it, about STDs, how a child is created/born but also what sex means within a relationship and why it was important to wait until when you are ready to have sex. As for at home, it wasn't a topic of conversation, if it wa brought up we'd talk about it but there was a sense of embarrassment about talking about it in our house. 24. Have you engaged in sexual intercourse of any kind? Please do not list your sexual experiences. A yes or no will suffice. Yes 25. What, in your opinion, defines "love?" It's unquantifiable 26. Have you ever been in, or are now in, a relationship? Yes -Is sex involved? Yes 27. Are you single/committed relationship/married? Single 28. What, in your opinion, is sex's place in a relationship (or lack of relationship)? A way of get closer to somebody you get along with 29. Have you ever partaken in an illicit substance (excluding alcohol or marijuana)?Yes -if so, what? N/A -Have you ever lost control of your actions while under the influence of an illicit substance? No 30. Have you ever partaken in marijuana? Yes -Do you habitually use this substance? -Have you ever been "stoned?" Yes -Have you ever lost control of your actions while under the influence of marijuana? No 31. Have you ever partaken in the consumption of alcohol? [/b]Yes[/b] -Do you drink socially or alone? Or both? Socially -Have you ever been drunk? Yes -Have you ever lost control of your actions while under the influence of alcohol? Yes 32. Have you ever regretted a sexual encounter? Yes 33. Have you ever regretted using an illicit substance? (excluding hangovers) No 34. Have you ever regretted using alcohol? (excluding hangovers) No 35. Have you ever given serious thought (longer than 30 minutes in a year) to the existence of a supreme being(s)? Yes[/hide] Done.

I hate to break it to you but some people do eat monkeys.

Women are shipped over from China and Eastern Europe and forced to work as sex workers in first world countries. These people are slaves. I presume you meant making slavery legal was impossible in first world countries though. As for the OP's question; no I wouldn't own a slave, even if it was legal to do so. The idea of owning a person and forcing them to work for you is immoral.

The mother getting high was for some comedic relief early on, I think. And it was pretty funny from where I sat. It was hidden in the pyramid as it was thought to be safe. That's all there is to that part. The Optimus speeches are typical Transformers events, and should never be left out just because a few people don't like them. As for Mudflap and Skids, they were mostly there for their comedic value. I know why those scenes were there, I just didn't find them funny personally. Those two robots reminded me of Jar Jar Binks.

[hide=] [/hide] That's a nice set, I've been waiting on the price dropping for it since it was released. Edit - £17 new now, not too bad.

Interesting list, far more eclectic than I was expecting. There are a few albums that I think I'll have a look out for on there.

Death Metal isn't really my thing (in fact I haven't even heard any of the music on that list) but I do like the different approach to the list. Nice job on keeping things fresh.

http://www.bringbackbunce.net Steve Bunce's Boxing Hour was the greatest show on Setanta Sports, it was an hour dedicated to boxing (duh) and was great Thursday night viewing. Bunce is a great presenter because he was so enthusiastic. Unfortunately Setanta has gone bust and the show is no more but there is a big group dedicated to getting the show on another channel. The groups has gotten the support of a huge number of boxers and celebrities in a short time. So join the site, sign the petition and join the facebook group and get Bunce back on tv.

Human biology also dictates that we should die much earlier than we do nowadays and from diseases that we can now treat with 'un-natural' things like medices.

I got dragged to see this by a few mates I hadn't seen for ages and I have to say the film wasn't for me. There were just bits that had me rolling my eyes (like the mother getting high and the jive-talking, gold tooth-wearing robots). Also, why did they hide the thing in the pyramid, it was kind of conspicuous no? Maybe hiding in something that wasn't such a landmark would have been smarter. All the philosiphising at then was really annoying as well (the Optimus Prime speech).There didn't seem to be much in the way of plot either but I kind of expected that. By all means if you want to see explosions and fighting robots (and I don't necessarily mean that as a dig at the film) then go and see it or if you like Michael Bay's films (I don't personally) then you'd like it too. To be honest, if it wasn't for Meagan Fox (and the oh so subtle way she was shot) I wouldn't have stayed beyond the first 20 minutes.

I had a Stones record (Exile on Main St.) but I think that has been the only one so far.

Last week I bought Fight Night Round 4. Pretty good so far.

Old people are terrible for that. They seem to think they have a god given right to jump the queue and most of the time nobody says anything as they don't want to upset the old people.

Simple rule; when cakes go off (as in out of date) they go hard, when biscuits go off they go soft. Therefore Jaffa Cakes are indeed cakes. edit - I just realised this point has already been made...oh well.