Really? To save a life I would do nearly anything but take a life and that was excluded by the questioner.

Is your pride worth more than another life?

Do you mean here or just in general?

Either way haven't really had that experience... usually plenty of options/opportunities.

Maybe you just want what you can't have? (common problem!).

It all depends on timing and circumstance doesn't it?

If I have a child that needs expensive experimental medical treatments to try to prolong or vastly improve their life then I am going to be willing to do quite a bit more than I am if I just want a new car...

You can talk all you want but you'll never know unless you are truly desperate.

May you never find out just how far you'd go...

How horrible for everyone.

It's hard to see a good side. I hope the family is able to pull together for their own sake and the good of the remaining children.

Strength and hope to all.

I couldn't agree more... I was thinking earlier, "why don't we have fun anymore?" Everything has gotten a bit too serious. Yes our beliefs are important but so is giving respect to others... and so is letting go and being silly. And shouldn't our beliefs bring us joy? The world is full of beauty and amazing, amusing creatures... And I have but to look at penguins or giraffes to be certain that the creator has a wonderful sense of humor.

I have to say I haven't really seen this side of you before Miles...

but I like it, I like it!!!

And blessings to you.

Yes it was Hitler- oops I probably should have read ahead to see if someone else already confirmed it for you...

I think we should all be concerned about children whether we have our own or not.

A society is only as good as the care and education it gives it's children. Children that are not educated or cared for become burdens on our social systems and then we will all care about them as they clog our hospitals, steal from our homes and overwhelm our prisons...

But I don't agree that there is any need to relinquish freedoms- how could that ever be advantageous for our children I don't understand. And I don't see widespread deprivations as necessary to the sustenance of children...

Parents may *choose* to voluntarily give up some things for their childrens futures- that is their right or privilege but such deprivations should not be forced on others. I'm not even sure that tax deductions for those with children are a good idea. And I definitely think that the social/work traditions that favor those with children- e.g. giving first preference for leave at holidays to those with children are unfair to those without children.

My first thought was Stalin but of course you know it was not and you know who said it. I haven't read ahead to see if others knew or looked it up but:

I do believe it is happening in a way. Of course children are our treasures. However, giving up their freedoms for some perception of increased "safety" makes no sense to me. Would we want our children to be safe slaves? Most slaves have historically happily faced death and danger for freedom.

I think it was a conscious strategy for this administration from the beginning to make the people of this nation as fearful as possible. Once the people are frightened enough, insecure enough Mazlows hierarchy takes over and they can think of nothing but how/ who will make them safe. Who do they think will make them safe? The stern father figure. They are then willing to give their "father" more and more authority over their lives.

After 9/11 I remember hearing people on the radio saying things like "I don't mind giving up my civil liberties to ensure my family's safety". I found it incredibly distressing. What ever happened to "give me liberty or give me death"? And if we give up our freedoms to keep America "safe" how is it America anymore?

Home of the brave and land of the free or prison of the safe and timid?

I wish you all peace, joy, and the freedom to enjoy them.

Even though I would love for my vote to be counted I think it is too late to change now.

And even though my vote did not "count" I feel that the primary results always influence who will be nominated.

My grandfather attended the same methodist church for over 50 years. He tithed that whole time. He was a deacon and part of the men's group and helped everyone he could over the years.

When he died the church offered to have a lunch for the family at the church to honor him. We all thought that was really nice. Not to sound ungrateful but they served baloney sandwichs and kool aid.

It was January in Michigan so at least some soup or hot chocolate might have been nice... and they rushed everyone out the door after less than an hour.

It just seemed disrespectful and cold (like the lunch...).



Good luck to you though, I'm sure churches are just like any other group of people- a mix of good and bad- hopefully you can find a nicer group.

oh I forgot to say what hell is...

I don't believe in it as a place but I think hell is when you can't protect or care for your loved ones and bad things happen to them...

But then again I do remember reading what a child said once when asked what heaven was like he said something like:

"Well in heaven they got a lot of puppies there and all day long you just play with the puppies and run with them and love then and they love you... but there's no poop."

That does sound pretty good I have to admit- lots of puppies but no poop.

I could use some of that action right now...

I don't understand the concept of Heaven. If there's just no pain and it's a fun place then that sounds good. But many people talk about "heaven" as if there is everything you would ever want there...

so I wonder, if you actually have everything you want what is there to look forward to?

Wow I thought only boys could do that....

I guess feminism has advanced more than I thought...

And now we have free willys too?

Oh wait we always had those didn't we... I mean they are "free" in so far as the predetermined constraints of the course of the timeless all now, all god, universe will allow (there is some flexibility I believe) and in as much as modern society and our individual physical and mental strengths and talents will allow us to take advantage of then our will is free...

Peace and joy to all.

((((Abra)))). And Willy too???

Same as nature vs. nurture-

A little bit of both...

Oh don't worry... we don't have to be too organized!!

Abra I think you may have to go with the old saying- "if you want something done right do it yourself".

Start your own religion. I'm willing to be the incredibly charismatic high priestess... and I would also be happy to design the costumes- um vestments...

and I know you won't have any trouble whipping up some inspiring verses. Let's not make it too complicated though. Maybe just the golden rule for "rules" and then some fun group projects- e.g. ending world hunger, prejudice, jealousy and injustice, creating peace in the the middle east, engendering goodwill among mankind, saving the rain forests, increasing the use of solar power... you know the sort of thing I mean. Oh and maybe we could go to Hawaii. That sounds like a good pilgrimage don't you think?

No worries. You just set yourself up as a tax deductible NPO and watch the money roll in...



Wine is good... in vino veritas etc. etc. But ice cream is good too... why be exclusionary? But they don't go well together imho.

God don't you have that? I hardly ever lose my keys but when I do it's always when I was in a hurry....

I was kind of in a hurry to find out the secrets of the universe...

(sigh) maybe tomorrow.