bloodyhatchetbear

Please enlighten me on Massachusetts stereotypes. I second this. I would like to know what these supposed "stereotypes" are.

Therefore, all my arguments mean nothing. Nice open inviation there for people to hop on the negativity=disproof bandwagon. Actually, Goddess is right, it is really not necessary. I'm on the side of legalization, but how many of my posts are completely angry and negative? I, at least, was trying to show the responsible side of marijuana users.

I do have to say, I know quite a few people who live in the Bible belt who are non-Christian and hate living there because of some of the people who live there. It's mainly the handful of fundies that give them a hard time that annoys the {cabbage} out of them. Also, on another note, I live in Massachusetts. When it comes to the religious numbers, it depends on which town/city you live in. My home town had at least 10 Catholic churches. And that's not including other sects of Christianity. Then again, most of the population was Portuguese/Roman Catholic. But that's for another debate.

Well.. hrm.. talents... Art. I've been expoosed to it all my life. I can even draw some decent anime stuffs ^_^ Digital art. -points at sig/avvie- Yeah, those are mine. Different crafts. Crotcheting, knitting, sewing, jewelrymaking, polymer clay. I think you get the idea. Cooking. Throw stuff in a pan and have fun. Fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants meals ftw. Baking. I can make a mean chocolate cake, and my brownies are nummy ^_^ And.. Unlike alot of my family, I can actually carry a tune in a bucket.

Except that the fact that creationism is impossible by scientific standards therefor you must believe in one or the other. -sigh- Metaphor? HELLO! The Bible is not literal, as was said. You don't have to believe in one or the other, if you broaden your scope and look at it from that kind of angle.

I would want wings, but I'm probably gonna go off of the whole "angel" wing track and go with iridescent black fairy wings. I think those look really cool. About the hiding of wings: Ever seen the movie Michael? Or better still, Dogma? Trenchcoats ftw ^_^ Also, another thing is the removable wings. I've seen a video game that's used something similar to that called a winglet. It was in the GCN game Baten Kaitos.

Just because he's an astronomer doesn't mean he's intelligent. What did he say about evolution or the age of the Earth, your labeling him as intelligent just because he's an astronomer when science clearly contradicts the bible. You obviously did not read any of the articles I linked to, did you? You also seemed to have clearly misread what was said. A) A man of the cloth says that taking the Bible literally is stupid. It's called metaphor, and should be taken as such. B) Considering statement A, science cannot contradict the Bible if it is taken the way it was meant to be taken, as a metaphor. Please, read the articles before you come to such a conclusion. Also, you missed the second point I made in that post. People lump everyone into one category because of a small percenage of people. Most of the time, that small percentage gets seen as a representative of the whole because they are too loud and beligerent. All christians are not Fundamentalists. That is my major point.

I'm going to ignore most of the posts between my last post and this one, because it looks like a bit of a flame war. I have a few links that actually have to do with one extremely intelligent astronomer who works in the Vatican Observatory. He's a Jesuit Brother by the name of Guy Consolmagno, whom I discovered on a late-night talk radio show, Coast to Coast AM. Yes I know, it's a bit odd but meh. Anyways, this show tends to have guests from many different areas of study, whether it be Ufology, Wicca, or Astrobiology. I listened to this particular show, and it just struck me as funny. This is a man who works for the Church, yet doesn't take the Bible the way people think it should be taken. And -gasps- it's a man of science and of the cloth. Here's as much of the show that they have in text. It was interesting to listen to him. Just proves that this theory is wrong. Belief in God or any higher power =/= lack of intelligence. Also I found another interview that was done for Astrobiology Magazine. It's an interesting read. Note: All links are safe, mostly Wiki links or straight to articles on very safe websites. Also, as another note, I am not a Christian of any sort. I just don't think it's fair to lump all Christians with Fundamentalists.

This is why I'm gonna wait until me and my fiance get our own place again, and the two of us will (hopefully) attempt quitting again together. It's mainly because I know for a fact that me and my mother trying to quit at the same time will end up starting WW3.

I'm gonna be honest, this thread is kinda funny. I was reading the post with all the fundie jokes, and I realize, those would be examples of the small fundamentalist Christian community, not the entire Christian community. (I am by no means a Christian, just letting you know this is examples of something a fundie would say, I've dealt with a fair few in my lifetime... crunchy and taste good with ketchup ;) )

Actually, a good majority of college students binge drink. It's not just a minority, it is a major issue. That's why there are a lot of colleges that don't allow alcohol in dorms and some fraternities/sororities don't allow it either. They know it's an issue. People still find a way to do it though. And ever been to a major bar area in a city right after closing time? Alot of belligerence going on there, because people just drink too damn much.

I think Texas is one of the very few states that allows that. I know here in Mass, and when I was living in Maine, if you provided for a minor, not only does the minor go to jail, the adult does as well.

I kind of hafta agree with laura on this one. 21 is the MINIMUM age, but think some people should stay away from alcohol for a couple years after because some kids can't handle the responsibility, and they tend to overdo it. Yes I am of age, but I've watch friends of mine get wasted and do some stupid {cabbage}, get beligerent, and sometimes just mean, because they weren't responsible about it. That's the point I'm making. The age limit should be a minimum of 21, no matter what countries have laws that state otherwise. In fact, the legal age for alcohol was raised before. At some point it was 18, I guess the government was tired of people being immature about it.

Not true in the least. I am just one example of someone not brought up with an actual belief system. At 9 years old, I was told that I can find my own path, rather than be forced into a path set by either parent. I found my own path, through trial and error. I studied, tried different things, and realized that I didn't need a preset path. I guess the point I'm making is don't make assumptions. I've known a good number of people who were raised to find their own way, so don't generalize and say all kids are forced into a religion.

They already have tried cars that take breath analyzer tests, some even used fingerprints on the steering wheel to detect if a persons alcohol level was above 0.02%. I could probably find the link if you'd like. I'm pretty sure if the technology isn't overly expensive, most people wouldn't take it, because they would consider it invasive. Plus, it wouldn't be able to include marijuana into it, because of the testing method.

Thank you Goddess for the compliment ^_^ I'm happy to be taken seriously. And 21+ would be the legal age for marijuana, at least here in the US, because it does affect ones judgement and motor skills, much like alcohol does. That's why the age limits for alcohol and ciggarettes are so different. Ciggarettes may be addictive, but they don't affect ones motor skills the way alcohol does. They screw up ones lungs and make you spend too much money. (man do I need to quit...) Also, at least in the US, the DUI laws vary from state to state. Most states are very strict though. First offense = 90-day suspension + fine, and it goes from there, to a three strike limit. Third offense = no liscense ever + jail time.

Harm reduction - "...A social policy which prioritizes the aim of decreasing the negative effects of drug use..." (Newcombe 1992, p. 1) So basically it refers to strategies, interventions, or policies by which the principles of harm minimization are implemented. An example... When you said the age should be 21+. I should get more up to date books :( Have cars that automatically test for drug use, and won't allow you to drive if under the influence? A. Cars won't be able to have that type of technology. It would have to rely on human responsibility. B. The whole thing about the legalization of marijuana would be to adopt the laws already in place for alcohol and use them for weed. The laws include: No driving under the influence (the penalty mostly varies state-to-state, but it's pretty strict) No public intoxication (basically meaning don't go out into the streets and start havoc) Age limits (I think 21+ is a good age limit, mainly because that's usually the minimum age of true adult responsibility, at least in this country.) Certain Taxes Regulations on how it is made Regulations on what types are available Regulations on what forms it can be in (loose, cigarette-like, pill etc) Also a good idea would be education on how it can effect people, without as much propaganda they have now, mainly because it's illegal. More straight facts rather than just saying "No". Leave it up to the people to make the choice whether they smoke weed or not. However, if they do something stupid with it, they get punished as an individual, instead of making it completely illegal.

I'm not quite sure what you mean by "harm reduction methods", could you clarify that a bit for me?

If it were myself, I would treat it the way I would alcohol: Moderation and responsibility. If it's at a party, either get a designated driver or make sure you can crash there until you are completely sober. Also, if it were my house, it would not be all the time. But, as I said, it would be my house. I'm not sure how others would raise their kids. I was raised like this. Learn to use it responsibly. My mother, when I was younger, didn't care if I did use it, as long as a) it didn't go into her house and B) I was responsible with it (i.e. no driving or getting into a car with someone that used it). I really didn't use it as often as alot of other people my age did, maybe I did it every couple of months? I treat alcohol the same way, because I know it can affect my judgement. Now, with that being said, my mother never smoked marijuana when I was growing up, she got the use of that out of her system before me and my older brother were born. She also did harder drugs at that age, but I learned from her mistakes not to do them. If more parents shared what they went through as kids, they may learn to be more responsible from said mistakes.

As I said, it was meant for both sides, not just one.

Ok, so here's the issue. People are basically trying to convert people onto their side of the fence on this issue. It's not gonna happen. One side has their opinions, the other side has the same. You aren't going to make your point known to the other side pretty much by yelling at them in text. We all know that one side says "marijuana is bad" and the other is like "no way man, there's not that much wrong with it". Neither side is going to wn the arguement, so I say we all agree to disagree and move on. I do have one note to put up though: If it were to be legalized, whether medicinally or not, it would be a 21+ thing. They wouldn't allow someone underage to have it. Which is why that whole "Pot-head teenager" thing doesn't fly. If they were to get caught, they would be thrown in jail for underage use, the same way alcohol and tobacco is regulated. Now, this is not arguing one side or the other, this is just a little tid-bit of fact for all sides, including the people for it, considering I know a fair few teenagers who think they'd get access to it if it were legalized. Sorry, kids, not gonna happen.

I will be honest, I have a nicotine addiction. I've tried quitting, but it does no good. I think I've tried 3 times in all. I should try again though, but not until I'm out of this house... there's 3 smokers total, and if I try to quit I will probably attempt to kill someone. It would not be pretty. I can also honestly say I am addicted to video games/internet. I don't mean just RS, I mean all kinds of games. It's really not a good thing. But gaming is so fun. I don't do it 24/7 mind you, just most of my time in my house, with the exception of the time I'm sleeping, I'm playing some kind of game.

The original people just drew the outlines and people started to fill it in. It was actually really small. Started off with just one filled circle at the closest zoom, then gradually worked outwords. Not as hard to start a new one as everyone thinks, but we'd run into the same exact problem no matter where we moved it. Actually, unless a peice of art on the ball is protected, it will get ransacked by internet idiots. It happens to everything, it's not just us.

I'm going to guess that my post was misread a bit. I'm for the legalization of marijuana, medicinal or fully legalized. I just don't think it will happen debating it here.

Technically, junk food can cause flawed vision. Ever heard of diabetic retinopathy? While diabetes is a hereditary condition in some cases, you can get it from not eating properly (i.e. too much sugar, causing the pancreas to overload and stop creating insulin). And since diabetic retinopathy can cause issues with the eyes and vision, your statement is, in all technicality, false. As for the whole debate, it would be nice if this country would legalize it in some way, but it really won't happen, mainly because alot of people have been fed a bunch of anti-marijuana propaganda by the government. Although there are some tobacco companies that are pretty much ready to grow marijuana if it does get legalized. Also, that whole thing about being stoned and driving is completely stupid. Anyone that irresponsible to go get high and drive are already drinking and driving. It's the same stupid mindset "I drive better in that condition". No you don't, you just have illusions of superiority. They also have extremelystrict laws against drinking and driving. They would probably extend those same laws to include weed if it were legalized. So yeah... it's no use beating a dead horse. This debate has been going on for a few decades, and unless this debate is brought into the public, rather than just a handful of online places, it won't get done. I know I'm going around in circles, it's mainly because that's the way my brain goes. It has nothing to do with anything I may or may not have done in the past, it's the fact that my mind naturally moves around in circles really really fast. In cases like this, I just type out whatever it is I'm thinking in the most acceptable way possible.