Omar

Because you can't pinpoint the statistic, the number is irrelevant because we can't base a reasoning on it. All we know, for now, is that there are fully-functioning heroin users out there. The only argument I can really come up with for our proposition is that the risk is far too high compared to the reward (a feeling of happiness), which can be attained through other things. In short, I don't believe in letting someone give up on the pursuit of happiness. You are, however, right in that addiction to sports is psychological, whereas heroin causes physiological withdrawal symptoms.

I missed your post, venomai. You're right, this statistic on heroin dependance did surprise me: http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/heroin.html That's a lot less than I thought, but it's still one in four. The problem just doesn't really lie in that percentage, in my opinion. Is a one in four chance of developing dependance really worth the high? @Duff: Your common sense comment means little here. For all you know all non-junkies out there are heroin users, you just don't know it.

I don't know. I thought I wrote "afaik" in my post, but yeah, that's my uneducated and temporary guess.

Good question, but let's not omit the fact that drugs with comparable negative effects are in general far more addictive, and therefore harder to quit.

Free shipping + 40% off items already marked down at J.Crew with code LOVEIT I'm pissed off I slept on the brown linen-cotten v-neck. I really wanted a sweater like that and now they don't have it in my size. Got it in navy as well as a green BD collar madras shirt. I "ordered" Cottonwork's free starter kit, I'm hoping their fabrics are good enough. Going to check for info and feedback on them and then order this once I have the kit: -White oxford cloth -Button-down roll collar -Single-button straight cuffs -With placket -Normal collar height -Center box in the back -Straight bottom cut -Normal sleeve width -Non-split yoke -No collar stays since it's a button-down collar. I guess this is a pretty good way to get acquainted with all the different details you can have on a shirt. Apparently the fabric is near-bulletproof.

They would be aware of the dangers, but underestimating them. That's why only you see the steel beam in the analogy, because while your friend is aware he's on a construction site without any protective gear on, he's not aware or thinking of the accidents that could happen. [Edit] I'm not calling you a hypocrite, by the way, just saying your logic is wobbly.

If you want to look at it that way, neither is anything. And that includes steel beams, as they could fall just short, for your eyes may be playing tricks on you. There is, however, such a thing as probabilities. You still haven't answered the question, Nom.

Furah, I can agree with you on that for other issues. Here, the stakes are far too high (pun unintended) to be so indifferent. Picture this: you're going by a construction site with your friend. Suddenly, your friend locates a wad of money and a bunch of coins next to it, close the the workers. You two dash for it, and as he's picking it up, you notice there's a steel beam falling down on you! You warn your friend, but he thinks you're trying to take the money away from him. Do you let him be killed or seriously injured by the steel beam, or do you push him of the way?

You were just talking about stigmas...

I can't believe you guys. No one in their right mind starts doing heroin; unless it's at a party, they're probably at a low point and not thinking straight. When you have the chance to help someone who's about to make a big mistake that's probably going to cost them a lot more than they think, you take it. And most of all, you don't disassociate yourself from them because it's going to taint your image. That's just making the problem worse.

What if your brother/sister if you have one, or your mother, or your dad, took up smack?

Yeah, you don't need anyone at all. What about a family member?

Is the only logical explanation that you don't care about your friendships then?

In my opinion, if you can afford cable tv, you should not be considered "poor". But you know, maybe I'm just out of touch with the rest of the world. Yes, yes you are. Although you're more than out of touch, you are extremely privileged and refuse to acknowledge it. I lived in a shelter for a while and then relied on a food bank for food. That doesn't mean we didn't deserve any help; we ran away from home because of my abusive father. But we needed more help when we didn't have a home or income than when we had a home and a weak income. It's just a matter of calling a spade a spade, and acting accordingly. If you're not homeless or hungry, you're not entitled to anything targeting the homeless and the hungry, or at least they are more entitled than you. Also, you two need to stop bickering like children. There are other people on this forum and you guys are [cabbage]ting it up.

You really think if a friend took up heroin it wouldn't affect your friendship?

It takes a certain special type of [wagon] to politicize a tragedy like this. That's not an argument, it's an insult. There really is no justice in this world. It's very unfortunate to think there are people who are so sure of themselves they will kill people. My condolences to the Norwegian people.

I assume when people read it for the first they see it as a novelty, and it's an easy way to add a bit of humor to your post, provided the reader hasn't seen the same thing dozens of time before. http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071201231727AAuchoE

No, all tans on most people. If you're really white a little doesn't hurt. I get frustrated every time I hear or read someone say "You, sir, X" or "You are a gentleman and a scholar", or any similar phrase. It really, deeply annoys me, unless you have some type of gimmick going where you use that type of language constantly.

I actually think tanned skin doesn't look good.

Because they would like to stop.

You might enjoy We Lost the Sea. Eerie post-rock juxtaposed with sludge metal. You can listen to Hail! Star of the Sea on their myspace. Toe as well, thought they're more post-rock and math rock. Álfheimr makes ambient/post-rock/dream pop in the vein of Sigur Ros and his music is free. [Edit] [cabbage], I just scrolled up all the way (even though there's a "back to top" link on every post) and saw a U Totem video and got all excited. #-o

Everyone does.

I've got two cans of Coke on my table and I don't know which is the empty one. #firstworldproblems

Hold your high horses, there is such a thing as joking around.

You should get Project64, Standard. You'll feel like the child you've never been.