WTF Stories of the Week [Archive] - Page 6

Alex

02-24-2009, 01:44 PM

Don't you love a country where things are banned "just to be safe" without any evidence of problems? :rolleyes: There's some serious Big Brother shyte here.

I don't think that is so much the issue here. This wasn't a new law passed, knee-jerk, to ban something. It is an existing law that is specific but can't easily expand to accommodate a new development.

It has always been the law in Florida that cosmetology devices used for certain purposes must be cleaned to certain standards between customers. It isn't surprising that nobody writing the law thought to add "unless said device is a small fish." But this issue of overly specific (and therefore inelastic) statute and rulemaking is an ever running discussion. For one point of view on it I would recommend a booked called The Death of Common Sense: How Law is Suffocating America by Philip K. Howard.

And even then I'd say a strong case could be made that this is a situation where, if cosmetology is going to be a regulated industry, the burden should be on the practitioners to show safety rather than the regulators to show harm.

After all, for the same reason the nail people wear gloves and are required to change them, these fish will be potentially in contact with bodily fluids. If they were offering a treatment where mosquito bites were shown to relax wrinkles I think we'd all see why it wouldn't be good for the same mosquitos to be used on different people. A fish's mouth isn't necessarily all that different.

That said, I assume offering this as simply a "fun experience of fish eating your toes" would probably be perfectly legal so long as it wasn't under the cosmetology banner (and therefore regulated by those standards).

Moonliner

02-24-2009, 01:50 PM

That said, I assume offering this as simply a "fun experience of fish eating your toes" would probably be perfectly legal so long as it wasn't under the cosmetology banner (and therefore regulated by those standards).

Until the SPCA and/or PETA folks start getting involved...

Betty

02-24-2009, 02:07 PM

Is no one but me grossed out by fish eating the dead flesh off of you?

Strangler Lewis

02-24-2009, 02:09 PM

Is no one but me grossed out by fish eating the dead flesh off of you?

You clearly have an imbalance of humours. We'll have to bleed you.

Betty

02-24-2009, 02:10 PM

You clearly have an imbalance of humours. We'll have to bleed you.

Can you pretend to be a vampire while you do it? Perhaps let me read a vampire book or two first? Not that I'm out looking for someone to bite me and suck my blood but if I've got to do it, let me pretend.

Strangler Lewis

02-24-2009, 02:13 PM

Speak to the leeches about it.

Alex

02-24-2009, 02:22 PM

Is no one but me grossed out by fish eating the dead flesh off of you?

Doesn't bother me. But then when we were kids we went camping up in the mountains and swam in a local lake. Came out of the water just covered in leeches like in that scene from Stand by Me. After the shock the first time (I didn't even know leeches existed) I was going in on purpose because it was cool.

And then even cooler when my mom and stepdad used a cigarette to get them to detach.

Kevy Baby

02-24-2009, 02:55 PM

Is no one but me grossed out by fish eating the dead flesh off of you?My knee-jerk reaction was to be grossed out, but once I thought about, I realized that it really isn't that big of a deal to me. They are not getting inside my body or traveling up my legs. Yeah, it might be a little weird at first, but all in all probably safer and better for me than other methods.

Not Afraid

02-24-2009, 03:03 PM

I bet it tickles.

Strangler Lewis

02-24-2009, 03:10 PM

I bet it tickles.

Plus your toes are pretty tough. It's not like these salons are doing something weird, like, oh, to make something up, pouring hot wax down your ass to yank the hair out.

Kevy Baby

02-24-2009, 03:11 PM

...pouring hot wax down your ass to yank the hair out.I LOVE when they do that.

Oh wait; was that my outside voice?

Moonliner

02-25-2009, 03:00 PM

Being gay or lesbian gets you booted from X-Box Live.

Link. (http://consumerist.com/5160187/identifying-yourself-as-a-lesbian-gets-you-banned-on-xbox-live)

Teresa says that she was harassed by other players and later suspended from XBOX Live because she identified herself as a lesbian in her profile. When she appealed to Microsoft, she says they told her that other gamers found her sexual orientation "offensive."

Betty

02-25-2009, 04:38 PM

On the one hand, it's a gaming platform and one's sexual preference doesn't really come into play does it? So why is it part of their profile or name? Or is XboxLive now a pick up place for xbox sex of some kind? (with our ongoing issues with the red ring of death I don't have a lot of hope out for ever going on Live again to find out.)

On the other hand, would someone be banned for having "straight" in their profile or as part of their name? I suspect not.

Funny (not really) how they also banned the guy who's last name is actually Gaywood.

JWBear

02-25-2009, 04:58 PM

On the one hand, it's a gaming platform and one's sexual preference doesn't really come into play does it? So why is it part of their profile or name? Or is XboxLive now a pick up place for xbox sex of some kind?

Sexual orientation is always "in play". As one of the comments said, would someone with the handle "ladiesman" get banned? It's an expression of sexual orientation. I'm tired of straight people who think it's ok to project their sexual orientation any time, and in any way they feel; but tell us we can not.

Why is a straight man talking about his wife or girlfriend is considered normal, but a gay man talking about his husband or boyfriend is considered "flaunting his sexuality"? Double standards, anyone?.

Why would you assume that she was in XboxLive for sex just because she identified herself as lesbian? Personaly, I find that implication to be very insulting. Someone identifying themselves as lesbian or gay does not automaticaly mean they are there for sex; no more than if someone identifies themself as straight.

Morrigoon

02-25-2009, 11:48 PM

Betty

02-26-2009, 07:28 AM

Sexual orientation is always "in play". As one of the comments said, would someone with the handle "ladiesman" get banned? It's an expression of sexual orientation. I'm tired of straight people who think it's ok to project their sexual orientation any time, and in any way they feel; but tell us we can not.

Why is a straight man talking about his wife or girlfriend is considered normal, but a gay man talking about his husband or boyfriend is considered "flaunting his sexuality"? Double standards, anyone?.

Why would you assume that she was in XboxLive for sex just because she identified herself as lesbian? Personaly, I find that implication to be very insulting. Someone identifying themselves as lesbian or gay does not automaticaly mean they are there for sex; no more than if someone identifies themself as straight.

No offense was meant...

Perhaps it's a personal thing to me and I project that a bit? My sexual orientation isn't something I go around proclaiming... when it does come up I think "sex"? I dunno. That's how it initially struck me though. That may have to do with me being old and married? (and yeah - I see the irony of that statement when so many people aren't allowed to be married to the one they love.)

Just excuses on my part?

You're right though - and it shouldn't be an issue. If they allow womanizer or ladiesman then they should allow other references to whatever orientation. They certainly shouldn't allow the harrassment by other players because of their orientation... Their poor gaming skillz though are another matter. Would they allow womanizer for a man and not for a woman?

And again - no offense was meant. I know it's a touchy subject and I should have thought my post through more carefully before I hit submit.

JWBear

02-26-2009, 11:18 AM

My sexual orientation isn't something I go around proclaiming...

So, you never mention your husband to anyone? Your marriage is never brought up in conversation? You and your husband never hold hands, or hug, or kiss in public? Legal documents you've signed list him as a "roommate" or "friend"? You've never done or said anything that would indicate you are straight?

If you answered "no" to any of those, then you have proclaimed your sexual orientation. In fact, I'll wager that you do so many times a day.

Moonliner

02-26-2009, 11:25 AM

JWBear

02-26-2009, 11:36 AM

Semantic pedantry is what one falls back on when one has no valid argument.

Moonliner

02-26-2009, 11:43 AM

Semantic pedantry is what one falls back on when one has no valid argument.

Or abuses when trying to make a point irregardless of the facts.

Ghoulish Delight

02-26-2009, 11:45 AM

Semantic pedantry is what one falls back on when one has no valid argument.
Geez. First off, she apologized and conceded your point, not sure why you're piling on.

Secondly, it's not "semantic pedantry." There is a big difference between, "I went to dinner with my wife last night," and, "Hey everyone, I prefer f*cking pussy to sucking dick!"

The question is, where on that spectrum does "Hey, I'm a lesbian" fall? I don't think it's particularly strong of a declaration. I wouldn't expect "I'm straight" to raise anyone's eyebrows, so I do consider XBox's actions out of line.

Strangler Lewis

02-26-2009, 12:27 PM

I don't know what X-Box live is, but I get the sense that all the gays should be kicked off.

Then, when all the straights are kicked off, the world will be a better place.

JWBear

02-26-2009, 12:30 PM

Geez. First off, she apologized and conceded your point, not sure why you're piling on.

Secondly, it's not "semantic pedantry." There is a big difference between, "I went to dinner with my wife last night," and, "Hey everyone, I prefer f*cking pussy to sucking dick!"

The question is, where on that spectrum does "Hey, I'm a lesbian" fall? I don't think it's particularly strong of a declaration. I wouldn't expect "I'm straight" to raise anyone's eyebrows, so I do consider XBox's actions out of line.

My second post was in response to Moonliner, not Betty.

And while she did apologize, I think she (and others) missed the point. "Proclaiming", "flaunting", "mentioning", (whatever) your sexual orientation is not something only gays and lesbians do. Straights do it also. Just because heterosexuality is considered "normal" by society does not mean that straights do not constantly, and in thousands of little ways, display it. I get tired of the double standard that a straight person can bring up their sexuality any time they want, and no one bats an eye; but if I or my fellow homosexuals do, we are told it's "inappropriate" or that we are "flaunting" it, or "shoving it down normal peoples throats".

Ghoulish Delight

02-26-2009, 12:48 PM

I don't disagree with your view.

But to play a bit of devils advocate for a moment, because heterosexuality is the overwhelming majority, gays do end up having to be more overt about their "declarations" of their sexuality. If a straight man is hanging out in a typical bar, hoping to perhaps meet a prospective dating partner, they don't need to do anything in particular to attract the attention of said prospective partners. Whereas a homosexual man is likely to do something "out of the ordinary" to actively identify themselves as homosexual to be noticeable to their set of prospective targets.

People are assumed hetero by default, if someone wants to be quickly recognized as homosexual, it's going to take some sort of overt display.

This is just the reality of the fact that you're only about 10% of the population. It's a necessity of the circumstances.

The divergence comes with those that decide that ANY such display is de facto "wrong" and "inappropriate". I disagree with that assessment, obviously. But knowing human behavior, and the fact that we are generally hardwired to distrust things that are out of the ordinary, it's not a particularly surprising result that a large number of people have a negative reaction. The hope would be that bringing continued attention to the inequity will eventually raise the public conscience to the fact that it's not "inappropriate", even if it is conspicuous. But I do understand, when heterosexuality is the default, and part of the background noise, people have difficulty recognizing that overt "declarations" of homosexuality aren't done out of a desire to be inappropriate.

Afterall, wouldn't people look at someone who walks around saying, "Hi, I'm straight" pretty funny?

JWBear

02-26-2009, 01:29 PM

But to play a bit of devils advocate for a moment, because heterosexuality is the overwhelming majority, gays do end up having to be more overt about their "declarations" of their sexuality. If a straight man is hanging out in a typical bar, hoping to perhaps meet a prospective dating partner, they don't need to do anything in particular to attract the attention of said prospective partners. Whereas a homosexual man is likely to do something "out of the ordinary" to actively identify themselves as homosexual to be noticeable to their set of prospective targets.

People are assumed hetero by default, if someone wants to be quickly recognized as homosexual, it's going to take some sort of overt display.

This is just the reality of the fact that you're only about 10% of the population. It's a necessity of the circumstances.

That may be true, but I wasn’t talking about that kind of a situation. I was referring to everyday life. And implicit in your scenario is the same assumption that the only reason anyone would want to be open about being gay is for the purpose of eliciting sex.

Afterall, wouldn't people look at someone who walks around saying, "Hi, I'm straight" pretty funny?

Do you really think that is the only way in which you call attention to your sexuality? I don’t walk around saying, "Hi, I'm gay", but I have held Bill’s hand in public; and gotten angry and disgusted looks for it. How about you and CP? Not so much, I expect.

Betty

02-26-2009, 01:34 PM

Strangler Lewis

02-26-2009, 01:38 PM

I still think the larger point is being missed: that all online gaming is, sub silentio, gay. Or, perhaps more aptly, like many internet interactions, it is about anonymous intimacy. I suspect many of the gamers would be upset to learn that the person who blew them through the glory hole was a man, and they wouldn't want a gay guy in their wrestling club. No different here.

Kevy Baby

02-26-2009, 01:55 PM

Define: Mentioned
A speaking or notice of anything, usually in a brief or cursory manner. Used especially in the phrase to make mention of.

Define: Proclaimed
To excitedly, verbosely and candidly describe

I don't think Betty proclaims her sexuality on a regular basis. Nor do I think the X-Box gal proclaimed hers.

Semantic pedantry is what one falls back on when one has no valid argument.

Or abuses when trying to make a point irregardless of the facts.Okay, I almost didn't post this because it such a "me too" post, but I gotta chime in that I am with Moonie on this one.

And GD's follow-up as well.

JWBear

02-26-2009, 01:59 PM

JWBear - what do you want me to say?

It's not my fault I can talk about my spouse. I agreed with you that you should be able to. I voted no on 8. I got into arguments... er discussions at work over the subject with coworkers. I had heart to heart talks with my kids because her friends were saying Yes on 8 and I wanted her to understand what that really meant - and in the end - she actually agreed with me. (and for my 14 year old to agree with me on something - well - it feels like an accomplishment sometimes.)

Would you prefer I not discuss my spouse? I have never expressed that you shouldn't do the same. I think you should! And I'm sorry that people have made you feel badly about doing so.

I am not society as a whole but it sure feels like you're making this double standard all my fault.

You’re post pushed one of my buttons, and I apologize.

I would never expect to not talk about your husband. But please keep in mind that, when you do, you are bringing up your sexuality. It’s a good thing, and more power to you.

You, personally, are not to blame for the double standard. I never said that. All I ask of anyone is to keep in mind that it exists, and to not feed into it.

JWBear

02-26-2009, 02:00 PM

Okay, I almost didn't post this because it such a "me too" post, but I gotta chime in that I am with Moonie on this one.

And GD's follow-up as well.

Then you too are missing the point.

Not Afraid

02-26-2009, 02:16 PM

There is a double standard and there probably always will be. People bring their own values and "morals" along with them and make judgements accordingly. When Chris and I were living together before we were married, we had lots of people "disapprove" of us. I decided that was their problem and really had no effect on my life, so fu<k 'em. I, personally, will never understand why gay couples don't hold hands in public, kiss in public, do any of the things that straight couples do in public. Yes, some people won't approve, but so what? Fu<k 'em.

As for someone being ousted from a gaming site because they stated who they are, that's wrong. Who cares if someone playing an on-line game is a lesbian? Where is the list of what is appropriate and what is not? Maybe they should make a check list of items and then approve you based on your answers. ie:

Lesbian
Gay
Homophobe
Christian
Nudist
Athiest
Hedonist
Swinger
Wife Beater
Pederast
Copraphiliac
Flirt
Polygamist
Asexual
Virgin
etc. etc. etc.

Would ANY of those things REALLY matter in an on-line gaming community?

Kevy Baby

02-26-2009, 02:18 PM

Then you too are missing the point.No I'm not. I just disagree with some of it.

We're on the same side of the fence on the fact that there are bigots out there.

But I disagree with your "Semantic pedantry" position.

Why must people who support gay rights (which I believe almost every active poster on this board is) be subject to attack for being a breeder?

That I hold my wife's hand in public or refer to my wife in conversation, etc. does not mean I am flaunting it. I am not going to suppress who I am.

I am sorry that homosexuals are attacked (from glares to physical violence) for the simple displays of affection in public that heterosexuals can enjoy. I will be the first person to come to your defense when a bigot makes him/herself known (I've even yelled at a family member for such bigotry). But don't berate me for the fact that I can and don't expect me to stop.

You, personally, are not to blame for the double standard. I never said that. All I ask of anyone is to keep in mind that it exists, and to not feed into it.Do you really think that anyone here (on LoT) does otherwise? I've seen no evidence of it.

Disneyphile

02-26-2009, 02:27 PM

I think all public displays of affection should be stopped, except for masturbation. That way, no one knows anyone's orientation. ;)

Not Afraid

02-26-2009, 02:28 PM

I am sorry that homosexuals are attacked (from glares to physical violence) for the simple displays of affection in public that heterosexuals can enjoy. I will be the first person to come to your defense when a bigot makes him/herself known (I've even yelled at a family member for such bigotry). But don't berate me for the fact that I can and don't expect me to stop.

And, this is the same root of the issue we discussed much earlier involving recognition of marriage.

I was comparing this recently to other things that one "cannot" do and how far friends and loved ones should be expected to go to be "supportive". I'm a sober alcoholic. I don't drink alcohol at all. However, many of my friends and my husband does. Would I expect them to not drink around me because I'm sober? Heck no! I expect them to not offer me a drink, but the issue is mine and it's up to me to not drink no matter WHAT circumstances surround me.

I know many couples where one is a vegetarian and the other is a meatatarian. Is one supposed to completely change their preferred diet to match the other one? Heck no.

People are free to do what they want in life (legally) and deal with the consequences of their choices. Depending on others to "get on your bandwagon" or "approve of your choice" or "change their own lives to fit the ideals of others" are pretty fu<ked up IMHO.

JWBear

02-26-2009, 02:38 PM

No I'm not. I just disagree with some of it.

We're on the same side of the fence on the fact that there are bigots out there.

But I disagree with your "Semantic pedantry" position.

Why must people who support gay rights (which I believe almost every active poster on this board is) be subject to attack for being a breeder?

That I hold my wife's hand in public or refer to my wife in conversation, etc. does not mean I am flaunting it. I am not going to suppress who I am.

I am sorry that homosexuals are attacked (from glares to physical violence) for the simple displays of affection in public that heterosexuals can enjoy. I will be the first person to come to your defense when a bigot makes him/herself known (I've even yelled at a family member for such bigotry). But don't berate me for the fact that I can and don't expect me to stop.

Do you really think that anyone here (on LoT) does otherwise? I've seen no evidence of it.

Please re-read my posts, and then quote for me where I attacked anyone or asked them to stop displaying any references to their sexuality. Please. Anyone?

All I am trying to do is point out that straight people display their sexuality in numerous ways - day in and day out - whether they realize it or not. And that any attempt by gay people to display their sexuality in a similar manner is looked on by society as inappropriate. A double standard.

That, and only that, is my point. If you read anything else in what I said, then you are missing the point – spectacularly.

Morrigoon

02-26-2009, 02:41 PM

I got what you were doing

SzczerbiakManiac

02-26-2009, 02:43 PM

I, personally, will never understand why gay couples don't hold hands in public, kiss in public, do any of the things that straight couples do in public.(speaking only for myself)
Because I fear for my safety and/or personal property. Obviously, this varies geographically, but only in the gayest of gay neighborhoods would I feel comfortable exercising my right to a PDA with my sweetheart. Hell, even WeHo has its share of gay bashings.

Ghoulish Delight

02-26-2009, 02:43 PM

Do you really think that is the only way in which you call attention to your sexuality? I don’t walk around saying, "Hi, I'm gay", but I have held Bill’s hand in public; and gotten angry and disgusted looks for it. How about you and CP? Not so much, I expect.

Then you too are missing the point.And you've missed my point. No, I don't think there is only one way that people glean sexuality. My POINT is that, being the minority, the cues that homosexuals end up by necessity using to call attention to their sexuality are by comparison, overt, explicit, and "in your face" because, by definition, they are different than what we see 90% of the time.

Even if same sex marriage becomes legal and commonplace among same sex couples, a man saying, "This is my husband" is going to stand out as "not normal" because 90% of men don't have husbands.

That's my only point. As I said, and Moonliner said, and Betty said, we still consider XBox's reaction wrong. Considering those kinds of overt declarations "inappropriate" is wrong. But no amount of social acceptance is going to change the fact that a large majority of people are heterosexual, that assuming heterosexuality is a rational default, and that idenfying yourself as homosexual is going to remain a conspicuous departure from "normal" (and by "normal" I mean "commonplace") conversation.

ETA: Of course, that's why the media can hold such power. It's a way to artificially skew that ratio higher so that it DOES become more commonplace.

JWBear

02-26-2009, 02:43 PM

I got what you were doing

Thank you.

Strangler Lewis

02-26-2009, 02:44 PM

I don't think JW Bear suggested that any of the straights here should stop doing anything. All he said was that he doesn't get to enjoy the same easy privileges.

Now, having seen some of his Second Life creations, If I were an online gamer, I would be very concerned that he would want to f*ck my avatar.

Disneyphile

02-26-2009, 02:47 PM

And that any attempt by gay people to display their sexuality in a similar manner is looked on by society as inappropriate. A double standard.And, that's why I think gays should hold hands/kiss/etc. in public just as much as straights do, regardless of how they are looked upon, because once it happens often enough, it will blend into the mainstream.

Take a look at interracial couples for example. Appearing together in public was hard for many people to swallow, but as it became more common, society finally started to relax a bit.

Don't let the thoughts of others govern your freedoms that they CAN'T take away - the freedom to love, the freedom to be together, the freedom of affection wherever and whenever. That is what will truly help in gaining the freedoms that can be governed by society. Because, once it's no longer a "big deal", it won't be.

JWBear

02-26-2009, 02:54 PM

And you've missed my point. No, I don't think there is only one way that people glean sexuality. My POINT is that, being the minority, the cuse that homosexuals end up by necessity using to call attention to their sexuality are by comparison, overt, explicit, and "in your face" because, by definition, they are different than what we see 90% of the time.

Even if same sex marriage becomes legal and commonplace among same sex couples, a man saying, "This is my husband" is going to stand out as "not normal" because 90% of men don't have husbands.

That's my only point. As I said, and Moonliner said, and Betty said, we still consider XBox's reaction wrong. Considering those kinds of overt declarations "inappropriate" is wrong. But no amount of social acceptance is going to change the fact that a large majority of people are heterosexual, that assuming heterosexuality is a rational default, and that idenfying yourself as homosexual is going to remain a conspicuous departure from "normal" (and by "normal" I mean "commonplace") conversation.

Normal is relative. To me, a same sex couple holding hands is not, and should not be "overt, explicit, and "in your face"". To me, it is normal. No different than an opposite sex couple doing the same thing.

But again, beside the point. What I object to is that same opposite sex couple claiming that they are not displaying their sexuality when they hold hands, but then tells me I am flaunting mine when I hold hands with my boyfriend. Can you not see the double standard there?

To me, it's like telling blacks that we whites fully support their equal rights as human beings, but then insist they cover up their dark skin because it's not "normal", and is "flaunting" their race.

Ghoulish Delight

02-26-2009, 03:04 PM

But again, beside the point. What I object to is that same opposite sex couple claiming that they are not displaying their sexuality when they hold hands, but then tells me I am flaunting mine when I hold hands with my boyfriend. Can you not see the double standard there?
Yes, I can and I've said (third time) that I don't think it is flaunting or inappropriate.

But we're not talking about holding hands or kissing, or talking about your significant other. We're talking about a specific instance, saying, "I'm a lesbian," by way of describing yourself. There's no direct analog. Yes, saying, "My wife and I have been married for 3 years," on one level serves the same purpose. But to people who don't want to be tolerant, who want to find excuses to discriminate, it's easy for them to say, " You don't see me saying, "I'm straight" in my profile, do you?"

Denying the reality that there are actual, practical differences in the way things are communicated, to my eye, is counter productive. It'll just make people dig in. It gives them an easy excuse to say, "See, you're insisting on being treated differently and getting away with acting differently!"

The way I see it, it's better to confront and own those differences. "Yes, I DO occasionally have to be overt about it. You may be able to use the standard givens of society as an easy, effortless way to communicate what you want, but that doesn't work for me, so get over it. I'm not doing it to rub your face in it, I'm doing it because I have no other way to do what you do without even thinking about it."

JWBear

02-26-2009, 03:25 PM

Again... All fine and good, but still not the point. Here it is in big letters:

Straight people display, show, demonstrate, proclaim, (insert whatever word you want) their sexuality every single day that they are alive; regardless of whether or not they realize it.

Can I say it any simpler? I know it may be obvious for some, but I am speaking to those who claim they do not.

Ghoulish Delight

02-26-2009, 03:28 PM

Pirate Bill

02-26-2009, 03:32 PM

Lesbian
Gay
Homophobe
Christian
Nudist
Athiest
Hedonist
Swinger
Wife Beater
Pederast
Copraphiliac
Flirt
Polygamist
Asexual
Virgin
etc. etc. etc.

Would ANY of those things REALLY matter in an on-line gaming community?

Yes, yes they are. It's important for your fellow gamers to know the most effective hateful slurs to use against you. Knowing these things is just so much more efficient.

JWBear

02-26-2009, 04:00 PM

Sigh. You're clearly angry, and not really reading what I'm saying, so I'll drop it.

No, I am not angry... Frustrated, but not angry.

I am reading what you are saying. Are you reading what I am saying? You're posts, while well written and engaging, have very little to do with what I am talking about.

Betty stated that she did not "proclaim" her sexuality. While the word was a bit hyperbolic, it was obvious she was not using the exact, Websters approved, definition of "proclaim", but more along the lines of "demonstrate" or "exhibit". I responded to that. My main point (again, for anyone who missed it) was to show her that, yes indeed, she exhibits signs of her sexuality all the time. All straight people do - all humans do.

Then there was the post that dismissed my words, merely because of the use of the word "proclaim". I found it petty and insulting. If you want to debate me, debate the context of what I said. Dismissing the subject of a post merely because of one (debatably) misused word is lazy and irritating.

Then I was told, by someone else, that I was attacking Betty, and telling her she could not talk about her husband. WTF?

Then, despite repeating and rephrasing my point over and over, I’m bombarded with posts that are irrelevant to what I am trying to say?

No… I’ll drop it. I’ll be a good little faggot, and go crawl back into my second class hole, lined with the best of double standards and guarded by the sentinels of majority smugness and indifference.

Ghoulish Delight

02-26-2009, 04:14 PM

Then, despite repeating and rephrasing my point over and over, I’m bombarded with posts that are irrelevant to what I am trying to say?

Well, perhaps we're just talking at two different points. I just don't understand yelling your point at me when, in each one of my posts, I not only did not DENY the point you've made, I've actually pretty explicitly backed it up.

I'm responding to the original story, the specific case of someone explicitly saying, "I'm a lesbian" in a public profile. It's a case that is not analogous to the everyday types of subtle, unconscious expression of sexuality that we engage in. It's a statement that I think deserves further examination beyond the indignant, "RESPECT MY RIGHT TO BE NORMAL JUST LIKE EVERYONE!" because it does occupy a gray area that our society, even those of us who DO respect your rights, isn't equipped to handle cleanly.

And while the pedantry of "imply" vs. "declare" may not have been directly related to the side conversation between you and Betty, it DOES have important implications to the larger topic at hand.

Disneyphile

02-26-2009, 04:28 PM

I think this sums it up in one line:

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Betty

02-26-2009, 04:32 PM

I’ll be a good little faggot, and go crawl back into my second class hole, lined with the best of double standards and guarded by the sentinels of majority smugness and indifference.

Do you really mean this? That all or most of here feel that you're some sort of second class citizen deserving of poor treatment and double standards? Or are you venting your frustration at the world in a more general sense?

JWBear

02-26-2009, 05:01 PM

Do you really mean this? That all or most of here feel that you're some sort of second class citizen deserving of poor treatment and double standards? Or are you venting your frustration at the world in a more general sense?

No, dear lady. Fear not.

When one realizes that one is engaged in a pointless conversation, the best one can do is to bow out with all the wit and flare at ones disposal. To leave ones opponents confused is the best revenge.

Alex

02-26-2009, 05:11 PM

All I know is that I'm not going to recognize or participate in anybody's marriage.

SzczerbiakManiac

02-26-2009, 05:30 PM

Knowing Alex, I would assume that also includes his own.

Not Afraid

02-26-2009, 08:22 PM

(speaking only for myself)
Because I fear for my safety and/or personal property. Obviously, this varies geographically, but only in the gayest of gay neighborhoods would I feel comfortable exercising my right to a PDA with my sweetheart. Hell, even WeHo has its share of gay bashings.

Again... All fine and good, but still not the point. Here it is in big letters:

Straight people display, show, demonstrate, proclaim, (insert whatever word you want) their sexuality every single day that they are alive; regardless of whether or not they realize it.

Can I say it any simpler? I know it may be obvious for some, but I am speaking to those who claim they do not.

Heterosexuals proclaim their sexuality daily but homosexuals don't because of fear? (I'm just connecting these two thoughts from two different people but I see a correlation.)

I understand the frustration of homosexuals, however, the solution seems to be to ignore the fear and proclaim away. But, if you make the choice NOT to proclaim yourself then you've made that choice and really can't complain about it. It's not like it is illegal to hold hands or kiss in public. Really, do you REALLY think people are going to physically attack you if you do? Is the number of current gay bashings really that high in comparison to the population?

Cadaverous Pallor

02-26-2009, 09:32 PM

If two big burly bears hold hands or kiss in public, who is going to be stupid enough to mess with them?

JWBear

02-26-2009, 10:03 PM

If two big burly bears hold hands or kiss in public, who is going to be stupid enough to mess with them?

Damn straight... er... gay!

lashbear

02-27-2009, 06:50 AM

Heterosexuals proclaim their sexuality daily but homosexuals don't because of fear? (I'm just connecting these two thoughts from two different people but I see a correlation.)

I understand the frustration of homosexuals, however, the solution seems to be to ignore the fear and proclaim away. But, if you make the choice NOT to proclaim yourself then you've made that choice and really can't complain about it. It's not like it is illegal to hold hands or kiss in public. Really, do you REALLY think people are going to physically attack you if you do? Is the number of current gay bashings really that high in comparison to the population?
Unfortunately, I have seen a lot of people hospitalised due to Gay PDA's. Certain areas and suburbs are more high risk than others.

There is also the issue of perception. I know of a Melbourne teacher who won't embrace or hold hands with his partner in the street because he works in a big catholic primary school, and local people seeing that might just start the whole "Gay Guy working in a boys school" line of thinking. With some of the horrible court cases of sexual predatory behavious happening in schools over here at the moment, I don't blame him one bit.

I DO mention I have a partner in conversation and as the conversation proceeds I slip in a few "He's" and "His". People don't freak out as much at this generally.

If two big burly bears hold hands or kiss in public, who is going to be stupid enough to mess with them?
Ask me that again in Disneyland and we'll find out. :snap: (and one of them will likely be in a Kilt.... :D )

I don't proclaim my sexuality, but I give out enough information to make it known, just as 90% (or more) of the population do. It's the old party / getting to know you conversation thing. "Are you single, do you have kids, what does your partner do?" I find answering these questions honestly has never ended up in a regrettable situation as yet. Touch Wood.

lashbear

02-27-2009, 06:52 AM

and now to bed, cos it's nearly 1am. :eek:

SzczerbiakManiac

02-27-2009, 12:43 PM

Really, do you REALLY think people are going to physically attack you if you do? Is the number of current gay bashings really that high in comparison to the population?It's a numbers game. Gay bashings occur daily. Am I genuinely afraid a guy is going to look at me (specifically me) holding my sweetheart's hand and attack? Those are pretty slim odds because of my size. Am I literally afraid he would bring friends? Well now the odds are "improving". Am I concerned the perp may cause harm to my property (e.g., car)? Well, yes, actually.

If two big burly bears hold hands or kiss in public, who is going to be stupid enough to mess with them?Do we really want to find out? And what if he has a gun? Burliness wouldn't be much of a deterring factor there.

But as to your question, the answer is: a mentally unbalanced gay guy masquerading as straight so his actual friends, family, as well as his Imaginary Friend don't find out his "awful" secret. Obviously, a gay guy would never beat up one of his own, right? So the best way to divert attention away from his faggoty truth is to eliminate other queers.

I understand the frustration of homosexuals, however, the solution seems to be to ignore the fear and proclaim away.It's all about timing and location. Back in the Jurassic Era when I had a boyfriend, we would occasionally hold hands in public. WeHo on a Friday night? We felt pretty safe. In the Downey shopping mall near where he lived? Not so much.

I do "proclaim" my sexuality with my friends and co-workers in a natural, non in-your-face manner. It is my opinion that the best long-term solution to homophobia (short of a time-traveler who goes back and eliminates the founding of all religions) is to be out and honest with people you personally encounter. It's a slow process, but in the long run the more people who are shown that we are just like them, the better our chances of achieving equality become.

alphabassettgrrl

02-27-2009, 04:28 PM

Heterosexuals proclaim their sexuality daily but homosexuals don't because of fear?
...
Really, do you REALLY think people are going to physically attack you if you do? Is the number of current gay bashings really that high in comparison to the population?

I ride a line between "showing" and "being quiet", absolutely. While the sheer number of gay bashings isn't large, it's small comfort if one is targeted.

So yes, fear does keep things quiet. I'm with JWBear in that I'm tired of hearing how gay people "flaunt" their sexuality by holding hands, yet when an opposite-sex couple does it, it's not flaunting anything. BS. It's the same, just one is approved by the larger society, one is not (yet).

It is my opinion that the best long-term solution to homophobia (short of a time-traveler who goes back and eliminates the founding of all religions) is to be out and honest with people you personally encounter. It's a slow process, but in the long run the more people who are shown that we are just like them, the better our chances of achieving equality become.

Definitely. Those of us who can, will make it easier for those of us who can't yet.

bewitched

02-27-2009, 08:42 PM

As an aside, here is Microsoft's response: (http://consumerist.com/5161145/microsofts-policy-regarding-identifying-sexual-orientation-on-xbox-live)

As stated in the Xbox Live Terms of Use, a member may not create a gamertag or use text in other profile fields that include comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate content of a potentially sexual nature. Profiles that do are asked to change the language and suspended until changes are made. In regards to sexual orientation, for gamertags or profiles we do not allow expression of any type of orientation, be that hetero or other. Players can, however, self identify in voice communication where context is more easily explained to all players involved.

So presumably, if someone had a tag of "straightman" and it was brought to MS's attention (which seems to be some part of the mix), MS would suspend that person as well.

Prudence

02-27-2009, 10:19 PM

Meanwhile, in WTF land: You found a WHAT in the WHERE? (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1120ap_odd_placentas_in_sewer.html?source=mypi)

Strangler Lewis

02-28-2009, 12:27 AM

I believe contemporary green thinking says you fry some up and compost the rest.

lashbear

02-28-2009, 03:30 PM

Meanwhile, in WTF land: You found a WHAT in the WHERE? (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1120ap_odd_placentas_in_sewer.html?source=mypi)
In the meantime, I wonder what sort of Google search led to finding THAT article :eek:

alphabassettgrrl

02-28-2009, 07:55 PM

Somehow this makes me feel better.

As an aside, here is Microsoft's response: (http://consumerist.com/5161145/microsofts-policy-regarding-identifying-sexual-orientation-on-xbox-live)

So presumably, if someone had a tag of "straightman" and it was brought to MS's attention (which seems to be some part of the mix), MS would suspend that person as well.

Strangler Lewis

03-01-2009, 06:49 AM

I bet "straightman" could avoid the ban by saying he was an orthodontist or a chiropractor or Magellan, but "fagman" could not avoid it by saying he was a tobacconist.

Deebs

03-02-2009, 09:19 AM

Breast-feeding, cell-using driver charged (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29441879/)

Kevy Baby

03-02-2009, 12:16 PM

Shouldn't there be a "reasonable" clause in the Statute of Limitations?

Wanted since 1928: Cops aim to serve warrant
Document find prompts hunt for man accused of writing $30 bad check

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. - The Carter County Sheriff's Department is trying to serve an 80-year-old warrant for the arrest of a man who wrote a $30 bad check, although officers are unsure if he is alive.Whole Ridiculous Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29439919/)

Ghoulish Delight

03-02-2009, 12:40 PM

Capt Jack

03-02-2009, 01:01 PM

thats so ugly it makes me ill to see it and sad to think someone worked that hard on something so hideous...and frankly, so incredibly pointless.

Moonliner

03-02-2009, 01:06 PM

Shouldn't there be a "reasonable" clause in the Statute of Limitations?

Wanted since 1928: Cops aim to serve warrant
Document find prompts hunt for man accused of writing $30 bad check

Whole Ridiculous Story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29439919/)

1928? Are you kidding, this is wonderful! If you think of the way penalties and interest accrue on fines like this, collecting from this one guy could go a long way towards paying off the entire stimulus plan.....

Kevy Baby

03-02-2009, 01:07 PM

thats so ugly it makes me ill to see it and sad to think someone worked that hard on something so hideous...and frankly, so incredibly pointless.But it's art!

Moonliner

03-02-2009, 01:35 PM

The WTF to end all WTF's

Crying Skinned Hermaphrodie Telephone (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380107797294&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR4 0%26_trksid%3Dm38%26_nkw%3D380107797294%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1). Bidding ends Sunday, so hurry!

Hold on a second, it could be a true work of art. Did you check the number of bids? Currently there are zero bids. People never get real art, at least not until an art sonbbler puts it in a gallery and tells everyone how great it is. So the fact that no one has bid means this item has potential. Especially if the artist offs his or her self in a fit of depression over it not selling.

Strangler Lewis

03-02-2009, 01:46 PM

I know all there is to know about the cryingskinnedhermaphroditetelephone.

Capt Jack

03-02-2009, 02:45 PM

I know as much as I wanna know.

Moonliner

03-02-2009, 03:42 PM

Ghoulish Delight

03-02-2009, 03:54 PM

That's why I haven't bid on it myself. To preserve its integrity as a pure art piece, not sullied by commercial interest.

Capt Jack

03-02-2009, 03:57 PM

To preserve its integrity as a pure art piece, not sullied by commercial interest.

I think its safe in that respect

bewitched

03-02-2009, 07:25 PM

$299? I wonder how much I can get for my 70s rotary banana phone.

Betty

03-03-2009, 07:11 AM

$299? I wonder how much I can get for my 70s rotary banana phone.

Ebay says maybe $10.... or maybe not since there's not bids yet.

Morrigoon

03-03-2009, 11:29 AM

Pink dolphin (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4927224/Pink-dolphin-appears-in-US-lake.html)

bewitched

03-03-2009, 12:21 PM

Pink dolphin (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4927224/Pink-dolphin-appears-in-US-lake.html)

That is so cool!

Alex

03-03-2009, 12:24 PM

Dang, I was hoping it was a story about finding new populations of the very endangered real pink (that is, not from albinism) river dolphin species - particularly in China which I think have been tentatively labeled as extinct.

But that is a pretty cool coloring. Though these get from the Amazon get pretty close (and we got to see some in an animal show in Singapore (http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/1638334.html)):

http://www.amersol.edu.pe/ms/7th/7block/jungle_research/new_cards/14/57303.jpg

Ghoulish Delight

03-03-2009, 04:10 PM

<lobs this one over the fence and runs>

[safe for work]

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/6659/concerns.jpg

Kevy Baby

03-03-2009, 04:56 PM

Gulp! She swallowed her own engagement ring
Woman’s boyfriend hid it in milkshake to propose; happily, the crisis passed
A lot of guys try to come up with proposal scenarios that their girlfriends will remember forever. So give Reed Harris credit for accomplishing that goal — even if it turned out to be in don’t-try-this-at-home fashion.

The idea was a variation on a common theme: Put the ring in a drink and let his beloved discover it. Harris did his part, hiding the ring in a Wendy’s Frosty milkshake. But, as he and his girlfriend, Kaitlin Whipple, told TODAY’s Matt Lauer Monday in New York, she ate the entire shake and never found the ring.I like this line: "It arrived this morning and I have never been so excited about my bodily functions."The rest of the story (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29462344/).

Betty

03-03-2009, 04:56 PM

You realize of course you're about a month early for April 1st. Right?:p (referring to the beer drinking thing.)

Kevy Baby

03-03-2009, 04:58 PM

Apparently, they even appeared on the Today Show. (And she's kinda cute.)

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/090302-couple-ring-hmed-6a.standard.jpg

http://msnbcmedia4.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Video/090302/tdy_lauer_proposal_090302.300w.jpg

Ghoulish Delight

03-03-2009, 05:05 PM

You realize of course you're about a month early for April 1st. Right?:p (referring to the beer drinking thing.)
I don't do April Fools.

SzczerbiakManiac

03-03-2009, 05:18 PM

Apparently, they even appeared on the Today Show. (And she's kinda cute.)
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/_new/090302-couple-ring-hmed-6a.standard.jpgShe's all yours if I can have him! :evil:

Cadaverous Pallor

03-03-2009, 05:18 PM

Bwahaha, women suck. :D

Alex

03-03-2009, 05:29 PM

What month were you born in?

Capt Jack

03-03-2009, 05:34 PM

Bwahaha, women suck. :D

god bless em

http://www.bigblockdart.com/Smileys/classic/dancinbanana.gifhttp://www.bigblockdart.com/Smileys/classic/get-smiley.gifhttp://www.bigblockdart.com/Smileys/classic/dancinbanana.gif

Kevy Baby

03-03-2009, 06:36 PM

I don't do April Fools.VGDM :D

Bwahaha, women suck. :DAnd for that I am grateful.

Cadaverous Pallor

03-03-2009, 08:07 PM

What month were you born in?May. Wonder what that means.

god bless em

http://www.bigblockdart.com/Smileys/classic/dancinbanana.gifhttp://www.bigblockdart.com/Smileys/classic/get-smiley.gifhttp://www.bigblockdart.com/Smileys/classic/dancinbanana.gif

And for that I am grateful.Should I have said that women are lame? :p Unless you got a thing for women with canes...

JWBear

03-03-2009, 10:36 PM

Should I have said that women are lame? :p Unless you got a thing for women with canes...

You probably don't want to know. It is Kevy we're talking about here...

SzczerbiakManiac

03-04-2009, 01:36 AM

What month were you born in?May. Wonder what that means.Well since it's Alex asking, clearly he wants to plot your astrological chart. Because, as everyone knows, all of life's mysteries can be traced back to the position of celestial bodies at the moment of one's birth.

JWBear

03-04-2009, 09:59 AM

No, you need the exact time and place of birth for that. It's probably a numerology thing.

SzczerbiakManiac

03-04-2009, 02:40 PM

Yeah, we certainly wouldn't want it to be inaccurate or a gross generalization!

SzczerbiakManiac

03-04-2009, 02:43 PM

SzczerbiakManiac

03-09-2009, 11:56 PM

Warning: This link is absolutely NOT work safe!
It's from a gay porn blog, so consider yourself warned.

It's a plain white t-shirt with a photo-realistic image of a tallywacker at the bottom, apparently designed to be slightly tucked in. You'll see what I mean when you look at the picture. Gonna spoiler the link to prevent accidental clicks.http://www.nightcharm.com/2009/03/07/the-last-word-23/#jumpI think it qualifies as a WTF, but in a good way. I gotta get me one of those shirts! :evil:

Cadaverous Pallor

03-10-2009, 08:07 AM

As a tie-in to the movie, even though they're referencing TOS*, I bring you Star Trek fragrances (http://trekmovie.com/2009/03/04/trek-spring-collection-preview-first-look-at-genki-star-trek-fragrances/).

*Which I think qualifies as a double WTF.This is hilarious! Red Shirt! Pon Farr! Though I have to admit I'm more interested in Tiberius, myself. :D

bewitched

03-10-2009, 08:10 AM

As a tie-in to the movie, even though they're referencing TOS*, I bring you Star Trek fragrances (http://trekmovie.com/2009/03/04/trek-spring-collection-preview-first-look-at-genki-star-trek-fragrances/).

*Which I think qualifies as a double WTF.

Sadly you just know there are people out there that are really excited by this.

Moonliner

03-10-2009, 08:21 AM

Sadly you just know there are people out there that are really excited by this.

How much of a loser would you have to be to wear "Red Shirt". Geeze.

Capt Jack

03-10-2009, 08:58 AM

How much of a loser would you have to be to wear "Red Shirt". Geeze.

Im thinking those who do must have a death wish

Moonliner

03-12-2009, 06:04 PM

Kevy Baby

03-12-2009, 06:19 PM

Maryland. We're small but never boring, no never boring. Here is one small example.....

Saber Saw Sex Toy Incident: DIY Gone Very, Very Wrong

A 27-year old woman was rushed to the hospital after a kinky encounter with her partner resulted in injuries that I would rather not contemplate. Sufficed to say, dildos and saber saws don't mix.

Amazingly enough, these DIYers fitted the sex toy right over the blade
Full story (http://i.gizmodo.com/5168718/saber-saw-sex-toy-incident-diy-gone-very-very-wrong-nsfw) (perhaps NSFW)It was what I was afraid of (from one of the added comments - not verified). Hidden for the squeamish:
... apparently the blade cut through the dildo, then her...

ETA: Posted at NBC NY Web Site (http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/weird/Woman-Severely-Injured-in-Sex-ToyPower-Tool-Encounter.html) as well

Betty

03-13-2009, 06:38 AM

Boy - that's a WTF story if I ever heard one. WTF were they thinking? Everyone knows that saws and cooches do NOT mix well together. No good can come of that.

Cadaverous Pallor

03-13-2009, 08:13 AM

That's the ultimate Darwin award story! Aim for the baby-makin' bits!

alphabassettgrrl

03-13-2009, 10:33 AM

Ouch!

Strangler Lewis

03-13-2009, 12:24 PM

I would think the teeth of the saw would just grind against the teeth of the . . .

Scrooge McSam

03-13-2009, 12:26 PM

Camille? Is that you?

Kevy Baby

03-13-2009, 12:29 PM

I've seen a similar device on the HBO Katie Morgan Sex Toys special - though I don't think that one had the blade inside.

BTW: Katie Morgan is hilarious in her HBO specials

SzczerbiakManiac

03-13-2009, 02:22 PM

from OutSports (http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2009/03/11/video-ruggers-looks-up-their-own-butts/)Further proof that Japanese TV shows are truly bizarre. In this challenge, members of a rugby team trying to look up inside their own butt to read a sticker placed there by the host. Note: All genital shots are blotted out by the broadcaster.Like Jim Buzinski said, the genital shots are redacted, but this still may not be work safe just due to the nature of the clip.

Capt Jack

03-13-2009, 02:36 PM

I've seen a similar device on the HBO Katie Morgan Sex Toys special - though I don't think that one had the blade inside.

BTW: Katie Morgan is hilarious in her HBO specials

and a hottie (I just hit her 'official' site, as I had no idea...and still really dont. just be careful prowling around there btw. not all of it is worksafe)

lashbear

03-13-2009, 03:05 PM

Maryland. We're small but never boring, no never boring. Here is one small example.....
Saber Saw Sex Toy Incident: DIY Gone Very, Very Wrong
Full story (http://i.gizmodo.com/5168718/saber-saw-sex-toy-incident-diy-gone-very-very-wrong-nsfw) (perhaps NSFW)
The scary part is: That couples next DIY Project was (rude concept within)
Making an Artificial Vagina out of an In-sink-erator
from OutSports (http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2009/03/11/video-ruggers-looks-up-their-own-butts/)Like Jim Buzinski said, the genital shots are redacted, but this still may not be work safe just due to the nature of the clip.
This is why I love Japan. :D

Gemini Cricket

03-19-2009, 12:51 PM

Marvel Wants You to Blow Wolverine (http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid75756.asp)
You gotta click the link just for the pic. SFW
Christian conservatives are up in arms over a new inflatable toy by comic book and film giant Marvel. The inflatable Wolverine doll comes with a strategically placed inflation tube -- right on his crotch.
An article on satirical christian website ChristWire.org gets straight to the point --- "We might as well line our children up and burn them ourselves! If we make these types of devil-pleasing acts OK, they will all be burning in the fire lakes anyways... What’s next? The Wonder Woman lollipop?"
How about an inflatable Hugh Jackman?

Kevy Baby

03-19-2009, 12:56 PM

That is frickin' hilarious!

Pirate Bill

03-19-2009, 01:32 PM

A Wonder Woman lollipop? Yes please.

Kevy Baby

03-19-2009, 01:48 PM

A Wonder Woman lollipop? Yes please.What flavor should be used?

Betty

03-19-2009, 01:52 PM

Cherry.

Kevy Baby

03-19-2009, 02:44 PM

Cherry.I've seen Wonder Woman. It ain't gonna taste anything like cherry. That cherry taste is LONG gone.

Gemini Cricket

03-19-2009, 02:54 PM

Ha ha. The Wolverine story is from The Onion.
It's all a hoax.
:D
Source (http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid75756.asp)
lol!

SzczerbiakManiac

03-19-2009, 02:56 PM

What flavor should be used?iron

Gemini Cricket

03-19-2009, 02:57 PM

iron
But I'm not doing any ironing at the moment...
:D

alphabassettgrrl

03-20-2009, 10:21 PM

I think the Wonder Woman lollipop is a great idea! Yum!

Flavor? I don't know. Cherry works. Maybe strawberry.

Ghoulish Delight

03-21-2009, 06:15 PM

From the pages of Duh Magazine (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-419040/Women-talk-times-men-says-study.html)

Kevy Baby

03-24-2009, 01:42 PM

Father, Son Arrested Bailing Out Mom, Sister
A family of four spent part of Thursday night in the town lockup after a mom and 13-year-old daughter were charged with shoplifting and the father and teen son were charged with probation violation when they tried to bail out the woman and girl, police said.The Whole Story (http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-copdigbrf0228.art0feb28,0,1167134.story)

Such a worm loving family.

Capt Jack

03-24-2009, 02:05 PM

worm loving?

ew

Kevy Baby

03-24-2009, 03:28 PM

Oh that's funny - I usually catch my typos

Capt Jack

03-24-2009, 03:29 PM

hence why I jumped on it before you could correct it
cuz thats how I roll............. :p

actually checked the article twice to be sure they hadnt mentioned something about worms...which would be gross.

Stan4dSteph

03-25-2009, 12:03 PM

A Samoan woman has been charged with child abandonment after giving birth on a flight from Samoa to New Zealand and leaving the baby in an aircraft toilet.

BBC News Story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7964062.stm)

Kevy Baby

03-25-2009, 12:55 PM

I come in here looking for something amusing to make me smile and you post this painful reminder of the human condition

:p

SzczerbiakManiac

03-26-2009, 11:11 AM

I just had this call. In preparation for a computer replacement later this afternoon, this user attempted to copy the contents of her My Documents folder to a USB drive. What she actually did was make shortcuts to all of her files instead of actually copying them. Unfortunately, she didn't become aware of this until after she deleted all of her My Documents on her hard drive and emptied the Recycle Bin.

What the fück were you thinking lady? Why would you delete the source files in the first place, let alone before you verified they copied okay?!?

Moonliner

03-26-2009, 11:14 AM

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 11:21 AM

To me, the WTF part of this story (http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/World/Story/STIStory_354950.html) is probably not what was intended.

The story in a nutshell - High school girl dies suddenly of unknown causes. 2 weeks late, school's computer system spits out an automated latter warning that if the girl doesn't improve attendance, she will be ineligible to attend prom. Parents are understandably miffed.

So, then, what's the obvious reaction to being painfully reminded of your daughters tragic death? Why, contacting news outlets and having the story on the evening news and in print, of course! "I'm so offended by having to see my daughter's name brought up, that I'm going to make sure it's brought up to everybody within earshot!"

I will never understand the "call the news!!!" mentality some people have in these situations.

And wtf is with the ridiculous, "I refuse to accept the apology" attitude over a simple computer mistake? Something ain't right about these parents.

SzczerbiakManiac

03-26-2009, 11:36 AM

As a tech why would you trust a user to backup their own files?I wouldn't trust a luser to turn the damn computer on, they're all so frelling incompetent. But I suspect the policy is due to timing/budget. We just don't have the staffing to sit at the workstation while gigabytes worth of useless crap gets copied.

Alex

03-26-2009, 12:01 PM

Parents are understandably miffed.

I don't know that I even buy into "understandably miffed."

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 12:49 PM

I don't know that I even buy into "understandably miffed."
I can understand that much. I wouldn't go so far as to say "justifiably" miffed, but understandably. I certainly won't fault someone who just lost a daughter for having a knee-jerk irrational emotional reaction. It's the follow through of pointless continued public indignation that baffles me.

Snowflake

03-26-2009, 12:53 PM

Um, I think this policeman needs some therapy and to be relieved of his job. Obviously the motto there is not "To Protect and to Serve"

Officer drew gun during traffic stop of NFL player outside hospital

The Dallas Police Department confirmed Thursday that an officer drew a gun on NFL running back Ryan Moats and his wife after he stopped them to give them a ticket even as they begged to hurry to the bedside of their dying mother.

As he rushed his family to the hospital, Ryan Moats, 26, rolled through a red light. A Dallas police officer pulled their SUV over outside the emergency room at the Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano.

“He was pointing a gun at me as soon as I got out of the car,” said his wife, Tamishia Moats. “It was the weirdest feeling because I’ve never had a gun pointed at me before under those circumstances.”

Seconds later, Ryan Moats and his wife explained that her mother was dying inside the hospital.

“You really want to go through this right now?” Moats pleaded. “My mother-in-law is dying. Right now!”

A Dallas police spokesman said that Officer Robert Powell told his commanders that he drew his gun, but did not point it. Lt. Andy Harvey said it is not unusual for officers to draw a gun without pointing it. Drawing a gun is not unusual in traffic stops where officers feel threatened.

Powell, 25, spent long minutes writing Moats a ticket and threatened him with arrest during the incident.

“I can screw you over,” the officer told Moats. “I’d rather not do that.”

Another hospital staffer came out and spoke with a Plano police officer who had arrived.

“Hey, that’s the nurse,” the Plano officer told Powell. “She said that the mom’s dying right now, and she’s wanting to know if they can get him up there before she dies.”

“All right,” Powell replied. “I’m almost done.”

As Moats signed the ticket, Powell continued his lecture.

“Attitude’s everything,” he said. “All you had to do is stop, tell me what was going on. More than likely, I would have let you go.”

It had been about 13 minutes.

Moats and Collinsworth’s father went into the hospital, where they found Collinsworth had died, with her daughter at her side.

Full article here (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/032609dnmetcopstop.3e9c080.html?nTar=OPUR)

Moonliner

03-26-2009, 12:54 PM

As a tech why would you trust a user to backup their own files? I always make that my job when doing a computer replacement.

And why are users storing documents locally anyway? If these were business files they should have been stored on the servers and backed up.
What happens in the case of a drive failure, virus, deliberate deletion? It sounds like you are running quite a bit of risk.

Disneyphile

03-26-2009, 01:03 PM

Um, I think this policeman needs some therapy and to be relieved of his job. Obviously the motto there is not "To Protect and to Serve"I hope he's repaid the same courtesy when he loses a loved one. :(

Moonliner

03-26-2009, 01:07 PM

I hope he's repaid the same courtesy when he loses a loved one. :(

I'd like to see the dashboard footage of this stop and have independent verification as to the time of the stop and his mothers passing before passing judgement.

I've meet a few NFL'ers in my time.

SzczerbiakManiac

03-26-2009, 01:21 PM

And why are users storing documents locally anyway?I can answer that in two words: Politics & Budget
I won't bore you with the specifics. I agree with everything you're saying, but I'm through banging my head against a wall on it with TPTB here. :rolleyes:

Snowflake

03-26-2009, 01:26 PM

I'd like to see the dashboard footage of this stop and have independent verification as to the time of the stop and his mothers passing before passing judgement.

I've meet a few NFL'ers in my time.

I do not know if the full video is there, but he article does link to the dashboard video of the event. No, I've not watched it.

even if it was 5 minutes time, or two or three, I think the behaviour of the police officer was and is appaling.

Moonliner

03-26-2009, 01:34 PM

I do not know if the full video is there, but he article does link to the dashboard video of the event. No, I've not watched it.

even if it was 5 minutes time, or two or three, I think the behaviour of the police officer was and is appaling.

After watching the video:

Running a red light. Failure to stop. Aggressive behavior, Yelling. These things tend to upset officers. I see plenty of blame on both sides.

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 01:35 PM

I just watched the video. A) You can't see the officer for most of it, but at no point does Moats react as if he has a gun pointed at him. B) His wife (whose mother it was) went immediately inside, so if it was possible to arrive on time to see her mother pass, she made it. C) At no point did Moats even attempt to cooperate with the officer, it was instant screaming and confrontation.

From what I could tell in the video, the officer handled it like he'd handle any stop. Cooperate and it will be done quickly, argue with me from moment one and forget it.

Kevy Baby

03-26-2009, 01:37 PM

I do not know if the full video is there, but he article does link to the dashboard video of the event. No, I've not watched it.

even if it was 5 minutes time, or two or three, I think the behavior of the police officer was and is appalling.On the surface it might seem that way. Personally, I would have to see the video.

Yes, some cops do overreact. But cops also get a LOT of people claiming that they are rushing to a dieing relative, or some other "excusable" reason for running a red light, speeding, etc.

OK, I watched (without audio) the first couple of minutes of the video.

The driver continued through SEVERAL red lights and stop signs without stopping
The driver had the cop following him with lights on for at least a full minute
The driver and passenger jumped out of the car and were in a frantic modeWith the three points above, the cop was justified (in my mind) to at least pull his gun.

Moonliner

03-26-2009, 01:38 PM

After catching up with someone who refuses to stop, I expect it's fairly standard to approach with caution (ie gun drawn).

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 01:40 PM

Especially when they then jump out of the car screaming at you.

Disneyphile

03-26-2009, 02:01 PM

SzczerbiakManiac

03-26-2009, 02:06 PM

I've meet a few NFL'ers in my time.I used to work at a place frequented by NFL players. Each and every one of them was a major prick. Obviously, not every NFL player is an asshole, but I am comfortable saying most of them are.

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 02:07 PM

I think someone who is in shock over someone dying is not exactly going to be thinking calmly enough to "react appropriately" to a police officer. Shock and grief can completely override and cloud rational thought.That may be the case. But as a police office, you don't have the luxury of determining who is being irrational for the right reasons and who is being irrational for the wrong reasons. If someone is acting like that, your training is, rightly, to be cautious and take control of the situation. It's unfortunate for the family, but then maybe they should have been obeying traffic laws.

Disneyphile

03-26-2009, 02:10 PM

That may be the case. But as a police office, you don't have the luxury of determining who is being irrational for the right reasons and who is being irrational for the wrong reasons. If someone is acting like that, your training is, rightly, to be cautious and take control of the situation. It's unfortunate for the family, but then maybe they should have been obeying traffic laws.I have no problem with him pulling the gun for caution, but to waste time on a lecture, etc. after he was informed about the situation was uncalled for. If he didn't believe him, he could have followed them into the hospital and witnessed it himself.

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 02:14 PM

I have no problem with him pulling the gun for caution, but to waste time on a lecture, etc. after he was informed about the situation was uncalled for. If he didn't believe him, he could have followed them into the hospital and witnessed it himself.
Have you watched the video? The one who was wasting time was Moats, who instead of, say, handing the office ID when asked, kept arguing. If he had simply followed the officer's instructions, it would have been over in a couple minutes, and I bet if he had said, "Could you make it quick," while handing over his ID as asked the officer would have done exactly that. But if you are going to refuse to cooperate at every step, then under what obligation is the officer to cooperate with you? There is nothing in that video that gives me sympathy for Moats. He is angry, aggressive, argumentative, and rude through the entire thing, when all he needed to do was listen to what he was being told instructed to do.

Alex

03-26-2009, 02:34 PM

My understanding is that is pretty much standard procedure that no matter how nicely you do it, if when pulled over you get out of the car without being told to, you're going to get to see more of the gun.

Haven't seen the video. But if the driver was acting angry and irrational I'd say that is a very good argument for the cop to slow him down no matter what the cause. He's obviously not in an emotional place appropriate for driving.

As sucky as it is, having a dying relative in a hospital is not just reason (especially since it is probably true one time out of the 100 times a police officer hears it) for risking the deaths of other people driving erratically to get there.

I had a friend in high school who's dad was a patrolman. He once said to me that traffic stops were pretty much the scariest thing he did. Because the rest of the time when things went awry it was usually in a situation where you had some reason to expect it. Since 99.9% of traffic stops were hassle free, that 0.1% had a way of just completely sneaking up on you.

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 02:39 PM

Haven't seen the video. But if the driver was acting angry and irrational I'd say that is a very good argument for the cop to slow him down no matter what the cause. He's obviously not in an emotional place appropriate for driving.
Well, he didn't bother to stop and get out of the car until he'd reached the hospital parking lot, so it wasn't a matter of letting him get back in the car to drive more. It was just about finishing up the ticket-writing process and letting him into the building. So in that sense, once it was clear that, while he was agitated and upset but clearly not threatening, an argument COULD be made that the officer inappropriately delayed the ticket writing. However from what I see in the video, Moats did nothing to help himself by continuing to ignore instructions and argue.

Disneyphile

03-26-2009, 02:40 PM

He is angry, aggressive, argumentative, and rude through the entire thing, when all he needed to do was listen to what he was being told instructed to do.All traits of irrationality.

When faced with that kind of emergency/shock/grief, would you stay calm and do as you're told?

Have you been in that kind of situation?

I probably would have flat-out punched a cop at the time my mom was in hospice. I wouldn't have even noticed I was doing it.

And, I would have probably been condemned by people, because in our society, open grief is considered inappropriate, rather than a call for compassion, patience, and understanding.

Alex

03-26-2009, 02:46 PM

When faced with that kind of emergency/shock/grief, would you stay calm and do as you're told?

Yes, but I'm wired weirdly.

And, I would have probably been condemned by people, because in our society, open grief is considered inappropriate, rather than a call for compassion, patience, and understanding.

I don't know that I would particularly condemn you but I wouldn't condemn the police officer either for arresting you and you then being punished appropriately.

I have no problem with open grief. But just like with open anger, open love, open loathing, open macrame, the fact that you are experiencing a strong nearly uncontrollable emotion does not give you carte blanche to behave however you want without consequences.

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 02:47 PM

All traits of irrationality.

When faced with that kind of emergency/shock/grief, would you stay calm and do as you're told?

What I would do is irrelevant. IF I were to act like that in that situation, I would expect the officer to react exactly the same. An officer CANNOT take the word of someone acting irrationally at face value, that could put their life in danger. The fact that the man's decision to not cooperate stemmed from heightened emotion doesn't change the fact that an officer's correct course of action in that case is to treat someone not following his instructions as possibly dangerous. And at no time during the process did Moats give the officer any indication he was anything but still irrational.

Your "once the situation was clear, the officer should have calmed down" argument goes both ways. Once the initial moment of irrationality was over, Moats should have taken a breath and cooperated. Instead he chose to remain argumentative for 13 minutes. Plus, there is a big difference between someone who is distraught and not thinking clearly, vs. someone who is distraught and acting aggressively. An officer is going to proceed with far more caution with the latter.

Snowflake

03-26-2009, 02:51 PM

Plus, there is a big difference between someone who is distraught and not thinking clearly, vs. someone who is distraught and acting aggressively. An officer is going to proceed with far more caution with the latter.

You're completely right there and had I viewed the video, it would have been apparent. Blame on both sides. :blush:

innerSpaceman

03-26-2009, 03:02 PM

I blame the Canadians.

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 03:10 PM

Well, duh, of course it's Canada's fault. But that goes without saying.

katiesue

03-26-2009, 03:12 PM

Nothing wrong with being grief stricken. But if you're so upset you can't think rationally, then you shouldn't be driving a car. Would it be ok if he had slammed into another car while running the red light instead of just being pulled over?

Kevy Baby

03-26-2009, 04:50 PM

All traits of irrationality.Also the traits of someone strung out on any number of drugs.

I probably would have flat-out punched a cop at the time my mom was in hospice. I wouldn't have even noticed I was doing it.

And, I would have probably been condemned by people, because in our society, open grief is considered inappropriate, rather than a call for compassion, patience, and understanding.If you would have punched a cop doing his job, I wouldn't give you a lot of sympathy. Your own grief is not an excuse to break the law and assault someone; ESPECIALLY law enforcement.

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 04:53 PM

I probably would have flat-out punched a cop at the time my mom was in hospice. I wouldn't have even noticed I was doing it.And when you are subsequently arrested for assault on a police officer, would you expect to be let off?

innerSpaceman

03-26-2009, 05:12 PM

Yes, let's all take that literally, shall we?

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 05:18 PM

Yes, let's all take that literally, shall we?Who's taking it literally? She offered a hypothetical situation, and her hypothetical actions in that situation. My question is, what would she expect the hypothetical reprocussions of those actions to be?

The genesis of his behavior is irrelevant. A cop facing irrational behavior is a cop facing irrational behavior, and the course of action is the same whether the behavior is the result of a fundamentally dangerous person or of someone overcome by temporary emotion. That's precisely the POINT of their training - to have a well practiced set of actions he takes to remain in control of the situation, regardless of the unknowable mental state of the person he's dealing with. All he has to go on is the observable behavior, and everything about Moat's actions in that video screams that this is an irrational person, take your time and don't let them have control of the situation.

I'm not saying I don't understand why the driver would have been acting irrationally, I'm saying that the officer, for the most part (by the time he's yelling "Shut your damn mouth!" it's clear that he's not doing a particularly good job of controlling the situation. But it was far from entirely out of line), reacted as he should be expected to when faced with an irrational person.

Disneyphile

03-26-2009, 05:21 PM

Nothing wrong with being grief stricken. But if you're so upset you can't think rationally, then you shouldn't be driving a car. If you got a call that Madz was in taken to the hospital in critical condition, would you be calm and rational enough to call someone and ask them to drive you?

Also the traits of someone strung out on any number of drugs.I'm sorry. I missed that part of the article where they said he was under the influence. What drugs was he found with? I don't have time to read through it again.

If you would have punched a cop doing his job, I wouldn't give you a lot of sympathy. Your own grief is not an excuse to break the law and assault someone; ESPECIALLY law enforcement.Again, what would you do if it were you in this situation?

And when you are subsequently arrested for assault on a police officer, would you expect to be let off?Nope. However, I would expect an officer to actually listen to me first and assist from there, but if he stood in my way.... When someone is grief-stricken, it is pretty damned apparent that they're not making it up as an excuse just to run red lights.

Sorry that I have compassion and a tendency to lean towards the side of someone who is losing/lost someone.

Strangler Lewis

03-26-2009, 05:26 PM

When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras.

Ghoulish Delight

03-26-2009, 05:26 PM

Nope. However, I would expect an officer to actually listen to me first and assist from there. When someone is grief-stricken, it is pretty damned apparent that they're not making it up as an excuse just to run red lights.

The problem is, as Kevy pointed out, the difference between someone who is irrational because they're grief stricken, and irrational because of some other reason (e.g, on drugs, hates cops, is pissed at his wife for making him late to his appointment for a regular checkup) is not particularly apparent when someone is rushing out of a car, aggressively approaching you and yelling. A cop HAS to treat them all the same, there is no other option. And until someone calms down and is able to rationally explain what's going on, the cop treats them as an irrational person. They can't afford to differentiate between types of irrationality.

Alex

03-26-2009, 06:07 PM

Again, what would you do if it were you in this situation?

Again, it is irrelevant. Even if I did punch him, arresting me would be the correct response whether I agreed with it at the time.

Every time a red light was run this man was saying "my needs are worth risking the death of other people." Can I understand how a person could get to that state of mind? Sure. Do I have sympathy for it. Sure. There are tons of reasons someone might behave irrationally where I suspect you wouldn't view that as an excuse while understanding how they could get that way, I don't really see this as all that different.

Does that mean the correct response is "oh you poor thing, you go on your and we'll talk some other time"? No, not really.

Kevy Baby

03-26-2009, 06:24 PM

I'm sorry. I missed that part of the article where they said he was under the influence. What drugs was he found with? I don't have time to read through it again.To clarify, I wasn't saying that the individual WAS on drugs; I meant that he was acting in a behavior that was VERY SIMILAR to someone who was on drugs. Hence my support for law enforcement.

Again, what would you do if it were you in this situation?I would NOT run red lights and blown stop signs as recklessly as he did. Although I would probably speed.

When a cop car came up behind me with it's lights on, I would probably stop and explain THEN what was going on: not wait until I got to the hospital.

I have been in this type of situation, so I know what I would do. My concern for a dying loved one does not outweigh the safety of others.

Sorry that I have compassion and a tendency to lean towards the side of someone who is losing/lost someone.With whom would your compassion lie if when he was was running one of those red lights he broadsided a car and somebody in that car died?

JWBear

03-26-2009, 07:58 PM

I'm sorry. I have to side with DP on this one. The cop was a prick. If someone is speeding, runs a red light, and then pulls into a hospital; wouldn't you think the cop would realize that there was a medical emergency? What if the dying person was in the car? I would have done just what the wife did; tell the officer the situation and run inside. The driver only became upset after the cop refused to listen. There was no need for the cop to be such a bureaucratic a$$hole.

The Dallas Chief of Police apologized, as he should heve.

katiesue

03-26-2009, 08:05 PM

If you got a call that Madz was in taken to the hospital in critical condition, would you be calm and rational enough to call someone and ask them to drive you?

I would definately call someone to drive me if I was that upset and Madz was hurt, even if it ment calling and waiting for a cab. Because if I die on the way there - it's not going to be very helpful.

I have been in this situation and had to drive over 600 miles to even get to the hospital - but I didn't drive like a manaic to do so. And I was pulled over on the way home for speeding, and I took my ticket and said thank you as I was obviously speeding and the officer was just doing his job.

Last year in a smaller town near my hometown, a girl and her boyfriend were shot and killed by her ex. Her brother jumped in a car and drove to be with his mom, late at night and obvliously upset, and ended up wrapping his car around a tree and dying. So now the mother has no children.

Alex

03-26-2009, 08:20 PM

Ok, watched the video.

I suspect the police is mostly apologizing because it was an NFL player.

If the police officer drew his weapon, I have no problem with that either as he was faced with a car that had refused to stop and then when it did four people appear to have immediately existed the car.

That said, I do not really see immediate belligerence from the driver to warrant the attitude of the patrolman once it was clear he was dealing with people who really were hurrying to the hospital (though obviously he still would not know if there truly was a situation worthy of any hurry, let alone one breaking the law). And also, if it is true that the driver was stopping at red lights before going through them (I couldn't tell from the video but that did seem to be true for stop signs once at the hospital) the I think that would be an indication that you're not dealing with anybody too deranged.

So, my renewed verdict:

1. The officer, I would say initially reacted appropriately but did not handle the situation in a manner likely to defuse matters once it was clear what was being dealt with.

2. The driver also did not do anything to help matters once things got going.

3. If the driver weren't an NFL player I don't think that any apology would have been offered.

4. The driver parked in a handicapped zone and seemed clear no passengers in the car warranted such a spot. So I hope he got a ticket for that.

5. It is kind of weird that the newspaper reporter in the linked article mentioned it was a well attended press conference when the apology was offered but the only media outlet mentioned was Inside Edition. Really?

6. Everybody seemed to have worked hard to make the situation worse than it was.

7. If Disneyphile punches a cop because her mother is dying, despite whatever sympathy I have about her situation she should be punished for it.

Cadaverous Pallor

03-26-2009, 08:53 PM

If someone acts irrationally towards a policeman, I hope they treat the person the same, regardless of circumstances. Cops put their life on the line and have to be ready for anything.

Even if a chase ends at a hospital, the driver could jump out with a gun and start shooting. You never know.

Disneyphile

03-26-2009, 09:13 PM

Every time a red light was run this man was saying "my needs are worth risking the death of other people."That's exactly the way I feel about speeders who weave in and out of lanes in heavy traffic, just because they have a few personal issues with patience and want to save 10 minutes, especially with a conscious decision to do so (not under duress, etc.). Same goes for people who insist on tweeting/texting while driving. Their eyes aren't on the road while doing that. Again, that's a needless conscious decision that can end in tragedy.

Does that mean the correct response is "oh you poor thing, you go on your and we'll talk some other time"? No, not really.I just feel that the cop should have shown at least SOME compassion once he was aware of the situation, instead of consistently nagging at the guy.

Oh, and in regards to some other various comments that I read, I also want to say that just because someone is an NFL player, doesn't automatically make them a jerk, as well as someone being a cop automatically make them a saint.

innerSpaceman

03-26-2009, 09:19 PM

WHAT? Cops not automatically Saints?!?!? What planet are you from???

SzczerbiakManiac

03-27-2009, 12:49 AM

WHAT? Cops not automatically Saints?!?!?Nor are they automatically demons. Far too many people jump to that conclusion.

Kevy Baby

03-27-2009, 08:11 AM

Nor are they automatically demons. Far too many people jump to that conclusion.I would go so far as to say that far more cops are good than bad. IMO, the number of bad cops is a VERY small percentage.

JWBear

03-27-2009, 08:22 AM

And by the same token, we shouldn't judge everyone who is in some other professions - say... like... NFL players.

Kevy Baby

03-27-2009, 08:31 AM

But Mini drivers: they're all just a little weird

:D

Strangler Lewis

03-27-2009, 09:57 AM

And some would say that the driver's crime was DWB.

SzczerbiakManiac

03-27-2009, 10:23 AM

And by the same token, we shouldn't judge everyone who is in some other professions - say... like... NFL players.Your point is valid, but...Obviously, not every NFL player is an asshole, but I am comfortable saying most of them are.As I indicated previously, they're not all douchebags, but literally every single one of the dozens I have met were. I did not come to that state of mind by flipping a coin or consulting the stars--it was the result of over a year of empirical evidence.

Kevy Baby

03-27-2009, 11:55 AM

And some would say that the driver's crime was DWB.I was wondering if/when the race card would get played.

Why must seemingly EVERY situation involving a black person be a race issue?

Disneyphile

03-27-2009, 12:30 PM

I was wondering if/when the race card would get played.

Why must seemingly EVERY situation involving a black person be a race issue?I hate that. Makes me want to play the fat card.

innerSpaceman

03-27-2009, 12:38 PM

I can never decide whether to play the jew card or the gay card.

Such a quandry.

Prudence

03-27-2009, 12:48 PM

I need to know which variant of rummy we're playing before I decide what card to play.

Gemini Cricket

03-27-2009, 01:41 PM

Moats was at fault for the following reasons:

A cop is trying to pull you over, you pull over. If he had stopped right away, he could have told the cop that he had a medical emergency and (depending on the convsersation) might have been cool with the cop. But after a couple of violations, the suspicions run high and the cop is not going to listen. The cop amped up and is thinking: druggie, drunk person, gang banger fleeing from a situation...

Moats could have caused someone else to lose a loved one by driving recklessly. His family is not more important than someone else's.

Moats telling the cop to go look for his insurance and take it out of the envelope or whatever he had it in, is not cool.

-----

Powell is at fault for the following reasons:

Once the nurse from the hospital had confirmed the Moats' story, he should have allowed Moats to go inside. He had Moats waiting until he wrote the ticket out, he could have left it on the windshield.

Powell showed a lack of understanding of this special situation. Yes, he may have heard people saying stuff like this and it turned out to be complete bunk, but you can't automatically act that everyone is lying about what they are doing.

It feels like once Powell got control of the situation and had Moats by the car, he let his position as an officer go to his head. Both men were cocky, but telling someone they could make their lives more difficult just because you can, is also not cool.

Powell is still not apologizing for the incident. I think he should.

-------

No one has Powell's back on this one. The police union, fellow police officers, the police chief... I agree with them and think Powell handled this incident poorly.

(I sent the video to my lil sis and father (both cops) to see what their takes on this situation are.)

Kevy Baby

03-27-2009, 02:10 PM

I can never decide whether to play the jew card or the gay card.

Such a quandry.Can you call it the Gew card?

Ghoulish Delight

03-27-2009, 02:12 PM

(I sent the video to my lil sis and father (both cops) to see what their takes on this situation are.)
While we're on that subject, it's a good thing you never wanted to get into the family business - Cop fired for losing sense of smell (http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2009/03/26/8895701-ap.html)

Betty

03-27-2009, 03:36 PM

ShamWow Busted! (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0327092sham1.html)

katiesue

03-27-2009, 03:43 PM

ShamWow Busted! (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0327092sham1.html)

He always creeps me out.

Ghoulish Delight

03-27-2009, 03:47 PM

He always creeps me out.
He's a former wanna be movie producer (produced the Underground Comedy Movie) who joined Scientology, seemingly for the Hollywood connections. That blew up in his face when, after using those connections to get his movie made, the church objected to the movie and decided to ruin him. Shamwaw and Slap Chop are his road back to success.

As people mock him for his ridiculous salesman persona, I've seen people telling the above sob story an claiming he deserves sympathy for it. You know what? I have very little. When he joined the Scientologists, it was common knowledge what they are. He tried to work the system, he got caught. Got what he deserved. I have no problem continuing to mock his ridiculous new job that he's "forced" to do because of the situation he got himself into.

Gemini Cricket

03-27-2009, 03:47 PM

While we're on that subject, it's a good thing you never wanted to get into the family business - Cop fired for losing sense of smell (http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2009/03/26/8895701-ap.html)
That stinks. But how would I know?

:D

Betty

03-27-2009, 03:50 PM

He's a former wanna be movie producer (produced the Underground Comedy Movie) who joined Scientology, seemingly for the Hollywood connections. That blew up in his face when, after using those connections to get his movie made, the church objected to the movie and decided to ruin him. Shamwaw and Slap Chop are his road back to success.

As people mock him for his ridiculous salesman persona, I've seen people telling the above sob story an claiming he deserves sympathy for it. You know what? I have very little. When he joined the Scientologists, it was common knowledge what they are. He tried to work the system, he got caught. Got what he deserved. I have no problem continuing to mock his ridiculous new job that he's "forced" to do because of the situation he got himself into.

Billy Mayes (Hi, I'm Billy Mayes - buy some Oxy Clean. ) was on the radio the other day and when asked about the Shamwow guy, he had nothing good to say about him. Basically calling him out on many levels - professionally and personally.

Kevy Baby

03-27-2009, 03:55 PM

Billy Mayes (Hi, I'm Billy Mayes - buy some Oxy Clean. ) was on the radio the other day and when asked about the Shamwow guy, he had nothing good to say about him. Basically calling him out on many levels - professionally and personally.Wow; talk about the pot calling the kettle black...

Alex

03-27-2009, 04:04 PM

While I have never bought something from any of them (I spend most of my time preventing Lani from doing so) I do love the art of their hucksterism. Best part of the county fair is to go to the commercial barns and just watch the good ones work.

katiesue

03-27-2009, 05:41 PM

The sham wow guy just reminds of a slimey guy who would hit on you in a bar and not go away.

Ghoulish Delight

03-27-2009, 05:44 PM

...at least not until you bit his tongue.

Gemini Cricket

03-27-2009, 05:44 PM

The sham wow guy just reminds of a slimey guy who would hit on you in a bar and not go away.
Speak for yourself. Some of us thrive on that kind of attention.

:D

SzczerbiakManiac

03-27-2009, 05:48 PM

Billy Mayes (HI, I'M BILLY MAYES - BUY SOME OXY CLEAN.)I corrected it for you. ;)

Disneyphile

03-27-2009, 06:27 PM

I don't think it was assault. I think he was just trying to demo his Slap Chop and missed... several times. ;)

SzczerbiakManiac

03-30-2009, 12:03 PM

Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Has Batsh¡t CrAzY Wife (http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2009/03/30/pirates-prospect-has-a-crazy-wife/)
She faked a pregnancy and then stole a baby to conceal her deception.

Ten years ago she also stole $20,000 then burnt down the place to hide her crime.

SzczerbiakManiac

03-30-2009, 12:06 PM

This may not be a traditional WTF item, but it seems like a reasonable place to post this.

Sporno: 20 Pictures In Which Sport and Porn Collide (http://betting.betfair.com/sports/oddly-enough/sporno-20-pictures-in-which-sport-and-porn-collide-170309.html)"Sporno is that split second in time when a photographer captures two strapping athletes becoming one."
(work safe, but suggestive)

Capt Jack

03-30-2009, 12:30 PM

I don't think it was assault. I think he was just trying to demo his Slap Chop and missed... several times. ;)

lol. what a wuss. I cant see a mark on her, but she beat the livin' snot outta him.

lashbear

03-30-2009, 01:12 PM

That stinks. But how would I know?

:D
AH! So that's why you never noticed when I farted in your car. ;)

Moonliner

03-30-2009, 01:15 PM

A true WTF!

That foreign devil bear is leading our NCAA bracket pool (http://www.loungeoftomorrow.com/LoT/showthread.php?t=9292&page=3). What the hell is going on with this universe?

lashbear

03-30-2009, 04:49 PM

hehehehe... us Future folk is omnipotent. That's Potent with an Omni in front of it.

Ghoulish Delight

04-07-2009, 03:10 PM

So, have you found yourself exiting a room, having survived a particularly chilling challenge, passed some portraits in need of some restoration (or not), and wondered, "Why are there hollow molds of busts sitting in those wall displays, and why is everyone else so fascinated with them?"

Well, then, you may very well be Schizophrenic (http://digg.com/d1oA1t).

Kevy Baby

04-07-2009, 04:48 PM

Rose are Red
Violets are Blue
I'm Schizophrenic
And so am I

Ghoulish Delight

04-08-2009, 09:27 AM

What...the...FVCK?! (http://digg.com/d1oAud)

RStar

04-08-2009, 09:51 AM

What...the...FVCK?! (http://digg.com/d1oAud)

First of all, what's a "row"? A fight?

Secondly, what kind of "friend" is that?????

Was his name Hector by chance? Did he have a side of faba beans?

Ghoulish Delight

04-08-2009, 09:57 AM

Hector? Do you mean Hannibal Lecter?

And yes, "row" (pronounced like "ow") is a British term for a fight.

SacTown Chronic

04-08-2009, 10:27 AM

'He began hitting me with a chain and then pulled down my trousers and started biting.There's no such thing as dirty fighting but, man, that's dirty fighting.

RStar

04-08-2009, 11:11 AM

Hector? Do you mean Hannibal Lecter?

And yes, "row" (pronounced like "ow") is a British term for a fight.

Yes. Where the Hector did I get that?? :eek: ;)

The British have interesting terms. I wonder where "row" came from?

Ghoulish Delight

04-08-2009, 11:19 AM

Actually, "row" has been used in US English too, though it tends to mean more of a "loud disturbance" rather than a "fight" as it does in Britain. As in, "The arguing couple raised quite a row next door."

SzczerbiakManiac

04-08-2009, 11:42 AM

I guess the penis-chomping story wasn't WTFy enough, so they had to include this picture and caption:http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07/teethREX_175x125.jpg
Teeth: bitey

Alex

04-08-2009, 11:44 AM

I wonder where "row" came from?

According to the online dictionaries the etymology of this usage is unknown (and almost certainly unrelated to the nautical sense of row). Some suggest that it may be a formation based on "rouse."

Deebs

04-08-2009, 01:45 PM

There's no such thing as dirty fighting but, man, that's dirty fighting.

Well yeah. And it said his best friend? They can't even be called frenemies it is so bad. Biting it is one thing, biting it off is another, but swallowing it? How did he even accomplish that? Was it whole, did he chew it up? Now I want to know what's gonna happen to this poor guy as it clearly can't be reattached a la John Wayne Bobbitt. I demand a follow-up report! But no one listens to me. :p

Kevy Baby

04-08-2009, 02:58 PM

And here I thought the penis was bit off after they had done some farming...

SacTown Chronic

04-08-2009, 03:43 PM

Yeah, Deebs, I've been wondering the same thing. If he swallowed it whole then he should do just fine in prison.

Wait, what am I saying? Who in their right mind would let this cat anywhere near their junk?

RStar

04-08-2009, 04:31 PM

And here I thought the penis was bit off after they had done some farming...

I thought that, because it was stated that the pinis was bitten off after the two had a row, it was just another way of saying "shag". Thus the reason the penis was out (until I read down to when he pulled the guy's pants down).

And because it is pronounced "OW" it is fitting any way you slice it.

Since the guy got 10 years in prison, it could be said he bit off more than he could chew.

Frankly, I find the whole story hard to swallow.:eek:

Sorry, it's been a Looooong day, I have 30 minutes left, and I'm getting antsy.:blush:

Moonliner

04-08-2009, 04:49 PM

Frankly, I find the whole story hard to swallow.:eek:

Perhaps if you chew on it for a bit it will come to you.

Disneyphile

04-08-2009, 07:01 PM

That story is enough to make anyone gag! :eek:

Moonliner

04-08-2009, 07:08 PM

That story is enough to make anyone gag! :eek:

That would be the long and the short of it.

Alex

04-09-2009, 12:13 PM

Colorado state officials, under the greedy thumbs of the powerful beef lobby, reject a license plate advocating tofu (http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_12093995).

SzczerbiakManiac

04-09-2009, 12:22 PM

Colorado state officials, under the greedy thumbs of the powerful beef lobby, reject a license plate advocating tofu (http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_12093995).Well considering ILVTOFU could easily be interpreted to mean I Love To Fück You, I'm not especially bothered by their decision and definitely not surprised. I sure hope Kelley Coffman-Lee was not surprised by it either.

Alex

04-09-2009, 12:33 PM

(I'm not bothered either, I think it is the right decision. Posted tongue in cheek.)

SzczerbiakManiac

04-09-2009, 12:48 PM

Well if you would just use smilies....

blueerica

04-10-2009, 05:23 PM

Polish Politician Questions Zoo Over "Gay" Elephant (http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid78573.asp)

JWBear

04-12-2009, 10:08 PM

Scotland's #1 Male Barbie (http://dlisted.com/node/31525) I think my eyeballs melted a little... WTF??? :eek:

SzczerbiakManiac

04-13-2009, 11:46 AM

Scotland's #1 Male Barbie (http://dlisted.com/node/31525) I think my eyeballs melted a little... WTF??? :eek:Says the lad, "There's no such thing as too much makeup." Uh honey... yes there is!

Morrigoon

04-13-2009, 11:55 AM

Colorado state officials, under the greedy thumbs of the powerful beef lobby, reject a license plate advocating tofu (http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_12093995).

Heh....

As a vegan, she won't consume or wear anything that comes from an animal. "But it's not just about food. It is a philosophy of life. It means you have compassion for animals; it means that you don't want to see them performing or research done on them or them being eaten."

But.... she'll drive a car fueled by the decomposed bodies of dead dinosaurs :P

SacTown Chronic

04-13-2009, 11:59 AM

Polish Politician Questions Zoo Over "Gay" Elephant (http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid78573.asp)

Ninio, prefers the company of other males,

Marge: He prefers the company of men.

Homer: Who doesn't?

Alex

04-13-2009, 12:19 PM

To be fair to her (and others who run into that comment), the percentage of non-zooplankton animals contributing to oil creation is probably not that much worse than the relative amount of bugs killed in producing a head of lettuce.

The ultimate source of crude oil (and natural gas) is almost entirely from algae and zooplankton. And only the most devoted vegans make any effort to avoid consumption of currently-living-zooplankton so million years-dead zooplankton really isn't a concern.

So in that sense, using petroleum based products is probably not any more hypocritical than a standard vegan diet.

Coal is more likely to contain "dinosaurs" but it it still overwhelmingly sourced from plants.

Ghoulish Delight

04-13-2009, 04:25 PM

Wow, neat. Snopes got snoped...and came out clean.

Snopes ran this story (http://www.snopes.com/photos/politics/chicken.asp) about a State Farm insurance agent who attached an anti-Obama sign to his business sign. According to Snopes, State Farm contacted him and asked him to remove the sign as they have a no-endorsement policy.

A couple months ago an email began to circulate claiming that State Farm did NOT pressure the agent to take it down and that Snopes had not contact either the agent or anyone at State Farm to check their facts. Furthermore, they claimed that Snoes is run by a married couple of highly political Democrats that have gone out of their way to hide their identity.

Well, FactCheck.org took up the case. What did they find? A) Contacting State Farm confirmed precisely what Snopes reported, that State Farm insisted the agent remove the sign due to conflict with their non-endorsement policy. B) While Snopes admits to not having called the agent, they said they emailed him and got no response. C) Far from being a very liberal Democrats, the David Mikkelson is a registered independent, formerly registered as a Republican, and his wife Barbara is a Canadian citizen, not allowed to take part in US politics. D) They have made no attempt to hide their identity, with articles being found as far back as 1995 linking Snopes and the Mikkelsons.

The full FactCheck debunking, including the circulated email, is here (http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/is_snopescom_run_by_very_democratic_proprietors.ht ml)