Duff

I disagree with the bolded part, but overall I like this post. Better to just be friends! One side can "win" the argument, though neither will ever admit defeat. In this day and age, when empirical proof is everything, neither side can provide it. There's over 2000 pages of thread that shows just this. :P I don't want to get into an argument, though. I'm glad that thread is beneath 20 or so pages of Off-Topic discussion. :) EDIT: No, I didn't just want the last word in this 'almost on the verge of' debate. Let's just all be friends, hah.

You said it way better than I did. I'm not big on evangelizing. Basically the only instances when I'll actually speak up about Catholicism/theism is when some [wagon] is accusing 'us' of being, like you said, "illogical, blind-follower morons," or, when a theist/Catholic starts making claims that aren't actual Church teaching. When it comes to atheists, I usually try to avoid all talk of religion with them, mostly because neither side can win such an argument, and I'd rather just talk about other things and be friends than go off on each other about who is right or wrong. I have numerous atheist friends, and I basically can't tell the difference, because I don't walk up to my group of friends and say, "Hey, instead of talking about our upcoming summer bro-trip, let's argue about religion!" :grin: I guess I could say the same about any other sect of Christianity besides Catholicism...

I'm no lawyer or drug expert, but in a sense that does serve as a deterrent for companies not to pull out drugs that haven't been tested enough, as these compensations are likely due to the fact that the drug has some type of unexpected adverse effect. No? Mhmm. And I do feel for people who are harmed by drugs that haven't been tested. But I find it hard to believe that many of the said law firms are actually doing such research for the benefit of these people/others who might take the drug. Eh, ierno. The commercials themselves are just annoying. Actually, most local commercials are. :P

Good point. And I think the reason why many people see heroin/drugs in general as being the problem is because so few people know how to have a safe/controlled relationship with it, or like you said, exercise precautions and responsibilities. Again, I'm assuming that the majority of drug users have abusive relationships with drugs, as opposed to controlled. Don't shoot me, Venomai. D:

People who don't know Christian Catholic doctrine and as a result make those who do look stupid. I dunno how many threads I've read where some person starts laughing at/pointing out/ judging Christians based on stupid statements made by a Christian somewhere (who doesn't even know what they're talking about). Not all Christians are that dim-witted. :c

Good! :thumbup: Post them here. I don't think I'll remember to check the Pet Pictures Sticky otherwise.

I've been noticing that. :\ Annoyance: When people you are debating with dislike you because of your differing opinions (or are just rude to you). I just want to be like, "Geez, cool your jets. I'm just stimulating my intellect, not making enemies."

You're right. And I agree. I guess I just looked to much into this statement. I just think it isn't good to compare video gaming/sports with drug use. There's that sense of social acceptance that you alluded to (the stigma). Heck, driving a car is extremely dangerous. But we still do it, fully aware of how dangerous it is. Yet there's that distinct difference between driving and drug use (that I find to be common sense).

Watching a heroin user take his drug probably doesn't have the entertainment value that boxing does... Anyway, I don't think the side effects (brain damage) of boxing are as drastic and likely as those of heroin. I don't know what the likeliness of a boxer developing brain damage (of the same magnitude as brain damage resulting from heroin) is, but I don't think it'd be too high. And there's also the chance of getting addicted. The chance of getting addicted to boxing (addiction meaning unable to physically stop) is 0. Compare that to ~1/4 of heroin users being dependent on the drug, I'd say that's quite a huge difference. I'm just trying to think of reasons why people aren't making a huge issue of boxing like they do of heroin. There's gotta be more. :P @Omar: Point taken. EDIT: But common sense tells me that even saying 75% of all non-junkies are heroin users is stupid. I'd even go as low as 50%.

From "Today..." thread.

Those are so rad. Haha :thumbsup:

I think I'm new enough to change my name without much impact. Plus, I like Duff better than Feldegast. It's short n' sweet. And probably because this avatar is so stinkin awesome. :3

-sigh- I'm obviously am unaware of a microwave's average life. The fact is, she lied. If she felt that a microwave should last more than 6 years, she wouldn't have bothered lying about how old it was.

Addiction to sports and addiction to a drug isn't the same... I mean, from what I know, if one decides that they're done with getting hit in the head, no matter how enjoyable it once was, they can stop. I doubt their body would scream at them, "Nooo, I want broken limbs, I want brain damage. If you won't give me that, I'm going to quit working for you." Sorry for the childish example, but seriously, comparing 'addiction' to a sport and addiction to a drug is quite a stretch. @Venomai: I don't think anyone is saying that using heroine guarantees a [cabbage]ty life. I think what's being said is that heroin is 'almost always' unsafe. Yes, you can use it in a controlled fashion and minimize the unwanted affects. But that's an exception. I doubt there'd be much discussion along the lines we're on if everyone were talking about controlled drug and alcohol use to the point where there is no harm done to the person. And you assume that this vast number of people do the research you do and know how to use heroine in a controlled fashion? It was said eariler that many drugs are done out of curiosity. Curiosity implies not knowing much about whatever is being done. How many people do you think actually research "controlled heroine use" before they try it? Sure, they're physically and psychologically capable of doing said research and using heroine in a controlled manner. Doesn't mean they will. I hate to be pessimistic, but I doubt the larger population of drug users have health effects on their mind when doing the actual drug. Sure, I don't have evidence to support my idea that the majority of drug users don't use their drugs in a controlled fashion. But honestly, numbers like 127 non-dependent opiate/heroin users, or 126 long-term heroin users don't mean much to me in light of who is the minority and majority. The research you did concluded that controlled heroin use was possible. Not that controlled heroin users were not the minority. So yours is just as much an assumption as ours. But, personally, common sense seems to back the generalization that there are more heroin abusers that controlled heroin users. It's not like that generalization is coming out of nowhere. You can't just dismiss it. And, to be honest, controlled heroin users may be hard to find (possibly because they're rare). Doing research comparing the number of controlled use and abuse might be hard to find. As a note, while writing this, many times I was thinking of throwing this post in the trash (haven't really re-read it, either). But I'm posting it anyway... and I'll probably get torn apart by Venomai EDIT: If anything, I'll just say, I didn't know heroin could be used in a safe manner. Now that I do (thank you, Venomai), I'll make sure to note that whenever I talk about people being heroin users, I do not mean those using it in a controlled manner. I felt that those drug users in discussion (we were talking about being worried/caring for those using the drugs) were using them in a way that was harmful. I wouldn't be worried at all if someone were using drugs in a safe, controlled manner. And I think many of the people here are excluding those who use drugs in a controlled fashion because if they are, why are they of any concern?

It's around 2.4 miles via road. I guess I could, but I wouldn't have whatever I buy to myself. Any kind of fruit I'd buy I'd have to keep in the fridge, which will probably get eaten by the five other people in the house. I guess I just don't want to spend money on food when I'm home for the summer with my family. Kinda seems like a waste of money.

Hooray, I have meetings to go to! So I'll have something to do today. Consecutive meetings from 1-4. I'm happy.

Ambassador of Cinema - Maserati

Crewneck sweaters are so awesome. :shades:

I get anxiety easily, so her being embarrassed would stress me out. :\ Hey, there's a secret/regret. I have terrible anxiety. I had to look down at my hands during the Womens World Cup Shootout because of how anxious I was. I stopped watching the Super Bowl because of my anxiety. There are tons of other instances, too.

I don't think I'd have time. Already TAing and have two labs this semester. D: Plus, I don't think I'd be guaranteed to work with her all the time. Actually, I'd probably just be forced to wipe down tables all day long. My mom bought gorceries! She forgot the apples, though. And I love apples, soo... at least I have grapes and some strawberries. This morning, I wanted to save the fruit for lunch, so I just had some apple juice and some toast. Was gonna have a banana, but I'll save that for a peanut butter and banana sandwich for tomorrow's lunch. :3

Yah, I didn't want to be too bold and say like, five years, so I said three at least. I'm kinda just scared that they can look at the serial number and say, "Uhh, in the record, you bought this in 2005." I'd get so anxious/nervous about my mom being caught lying.

Found this in BlogScape. Seriously, I'd marry her. <3:

Those commercials I find so annoying (local ones funded by law firms). It truly shows how greedy people are. These law firms spend their time looking extremely hard for ways which they can get people compensation for said surgery/drug, not for the benefit of these people, but for the benefit of themselves. Yah yah, they have to make a living to, but it still shows how focused people are on money. "Have you taken [such and such drug that I've never heard of in my life] in the past 5 years? If so, you are liable for compensation for [such and such reason(s)]! Call now!"

I bet those snow storms call for cancellation, though. It's Maine for Pete's sake. :P We've got dudes with bags of ice-melt riding around in their little golf carts all night long, making sure that the ground is nice and sloshy instead of icy. I haaaate slush. It's worse the snow and ice. Ruins my shoes, tbh. -.-

I'm gonna buy a west highland white terrier when I get my own place. Those things are true companions. Plus, he'll be such a badass guard dog. :3