1. Muslims outraged at police advert featuring cute puppy sitting in policeman's hat

Comment #203352 by brue68 on July 2, 2008 at 5:08 pm

'They (the police) should have understood. Since then, the police have explained that it was an oversight on their part, and that if they'd seen it was going to cause upset they wouldn't have done it.'

2. Blogger spreads the gospel of science

Comment #189518 by brue68 on June 6, 2008 at 12:01 pm

well, I'm from Virginia.

We've got:

New Kent County
Hanover County
Sussex County
Essex County
York County
Yorktown
Suffolk
Hampton Roads
Hampton
Norfolk
Halifax
Bath County
Gloucester County
Northumberland County
Isle of Wight County and town


and while I'm not from Kent, I am descended from Pocahontas who's buried there

There's also Bristol, VA which is used for *smirk* NASCAR races (I'm sorry to anyone from the original Bristol)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_county_seats_in_Virginia

3. Storm erupts over 'virginity' divorce

Comment #186503 by brue68 on May 30, 2008 at 11:53 am

I dunno, it seems stupid, but assuming that this was not an arranged marriage, I'd be pretty upset if my (hypothetical) wife had hidden something like that from me. I don't care if she's a virgin or not, but I don't like secrets. It sets a bad precedent. Or am I being overly emotional? Of course in all honesty, I don't think I'd divorce over it, just mope for a while and get out of doing dishes.

4. Crossing the Divide

Comment #141591 by brue68 on March 10, 2008 at 7:18 pm

Teratornis:

I did not choose to live where I do, I live with my parents. I'm still a dependent, and I get my gasoline from my mom's work (she works for a local Chevron distributor). I'm in my last semester at Longwood, so I will have to choose very soon. I imagine I'll probably wind up somewhere in Northern Virginia (Computer Science major), and at that point my situation will be different and I will be able to analyze these things. I'll have to find out my income before I can figure out my acceptable expenditure.

And I live just off of U.S. Rt. 460 east of the I85 merge. 4-lane highway, no median, lots and lots of tractor-trailers, especially with a Food Lion distribution center and Perdue packing facility nearby.

Once I graduate and get a job and move, I'll probably figure something out. My cholesterol ratios are really bad at the moment, so it'd be good for me. Especially since I'm currently just walking in circles for exercise.

btw, I hate SUVs. Not for environmental reasons, I just feel like I'm taking up too much road and it makes me nervous around other vehicles, especially since I drive on a lot of narrow unmarked roads. Also the thing bounces like crazy on every bump in the road. I prefer small cars, like the Civic I used to drive before we sold it because it was costing too much to repair. the thing was 13 years old. things break down.

5. Crossing the Divide

Comment #140483 by brue68 on March 7, 2008 at 2:11 pm

regarding the car thing, I live about 20 minutes from the nearest grocery store, and most of that is highway (55 MPH speed limit). way out in the woods, in the edges of the county. I don't know how that would work without a car, as there are no shoulders on the road. I drive 45 minutes to my girlfriend's house, almost daily when I'm home from school. If I want to buy something from a place other than wal-mart, the time is similar to my gf's. And some of that is on an Interstate, which doesn't allow bikes, pedestrians, etc. Going without a car may work in the cities and towns, but is it really viable out in the county? There are some serious distances involved. The closest gas station would be a 2 hour walk one way. I'm biased, I like having a car and never want to be without one, but I am curious about how it would work if I didn't have access to one.

6. A natural phenomenon

Comment #137471 by brue68 on March 3, 2008 at 12:45 am

Unfortunately, I don't think I've seen any of his stuff. I'm only 22, and I think with so many channels available, I may have missed out. Though I will certainly try to find them all now. I've got to see these scenes.

Also, maybe his stuff being brought to the US is part of the reason why Americans consider those with English accents to be authorities? We seem to have a tendency to think of English accents as sounding more intelligent than American ones. (maybe it's because we're so used to hearing really stupid things from the locals?) Someone should look into that. I think it would be fascinating. (I might be wrong, but I know I always felt that way, and so do some other people I know.)

7. US Treaty with Tripoli

Comment #137214 by brue68 on March 2, 2008 at 2:17 pm

Thanks, sven. I feel a lot better about the seatbelt laws now (though in VA, as long as you are over 15, you do not need a seatbelt in the back seat). And just for clarification, I never let anyone ride with me without a seatbelt. Because if you are in my car, then presumably you're someone I'd rather not have die. Been too much of that this semester.

8. US Treaty with Tripoli

Comment #136856 by brue68 on March 1, 2008 at 9:43 pm

I'd just like to say that I don't like having seat belt and helmet laws. I use a seat belt, because otherwise I feel like I'm falling out of the seat, but if someone feels like risking their life for perceived comfort or personal preference, I don't see why we should apply a penalty. The same applies for motorcycle helmets. I love the feeling of wind in my hair (though I've never ridden a motorcycle without a helmet, VA is a state with strict helmet laws), and if someone feels that the sensation is worth the risk, I say let them. I chafes me that I do not have the choice, despite the fact that I would choose to wear a helmet anyway.

(I know, it's not about guns, but someone did mention seat belts)

9. US Treaty with Tripoli

Comment #135635 by brue68 on February 29, 2008 at 6:58 am

Thank you, bamafreethinker. That is precisely how I feel.

10. Are they running for President or Pastor-in-Chief?

Comment #134546 by brue68 on February 28, 2008 at 1:15 am

Europe, you say? Anyone looking for an almost-graduated computer science major?

11. Map reveals extent of human damage to oceans

Comment #127905 by brue68 on February 15, 2008 at 5:29 pm

about the oxygen-free areas, I just heard something on the radio today about an area that has started appearing off the coast of Oregon. Comes every summer for the past several years. It had never been seen before, but now it's a regular occurrence (just in the past decade) I forgot who was talking, it was on NPR. I'm sorry =/

12. We're All Going to Hell (Music Video)

Comment #124253 by brue68 on February 8, 2008 at 11:26 pm

flobear: Yuengling is very common in my part of VA, too. maybe not on tap, but bottles are everywhere. I don't know about the rest of the state, though. (this is the Petersburg/Richmond area)

13. Stop revisionist Christian nation House Resolution 888

Comment #121857 by brue68 on February 4, 2008 at 9:04 am

I got an email back from Forbes (my representative). It's not very encouraging.

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition to H.Res. 888, the
Religious History Resolution. I appreciate you taking the time to share
your thoughts on this matter with me.

Throughout America's founding period and subsequent history, there have
been numerous examples of the important role that religious faith played
in American society and institutions. You may be interested to know that
I introduced H.Res. 888 in December 2007, together with Rep. Mike McIntyre
(D-NC), in order to highlight this aspect of our history as a nation.
This non-binding resolution would affirm the rich spiritual history of our
Nation's founding and subsequent history and express support for the
designation of the first week in May as "American Religious History Week"
for the appreciation of and education about America's history of religious
faith. H.Res. 888 has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight
and Government Reform where it is currently under review. If you are
interested in learning more about the sources of specific historical facts
and events mentioned in the resolution, I would invite you to view the
footnoted version on my website at
http://randyforbes.house.gov/uploadedfiles/HRES888_Final Footnoted Version.pdf.

Our Nation was founded on religious freedom, and it has been an integral
part of our history and heritage as a nation since this great land was
first settled. As you may know, the First Amendment to the Constitution of
the United States of America states, "Congress shall make no law
respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right
of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a
redress of grievances."

I understand your concerns regarding the separation of church and state.
However, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that religious affirmations of
our legal history and moral tradition do not encourage the establishment
of a religion in this country, nor do they have the tendency to suppress
an individual's exercise or non-exercise of religion. The Constitution
protects the free exercise of religion for every American.

While we may disagree on this issue, I appreciate your input. As always,
if I may be of assistance to you on this, or any other issue, please feel
free to contact me in my Washington DC office at (202) 225-6365 or online
at http://randyforbes.house.gov. With kind personal regards, I am

Yours truly,


J. RANDY FORBES
Member of Congress
JRF:CMW

14. Stop revisionist Christian nation House Resolution 888

Comment #113890 by brue68 on January 20, 2008 at 11:42 pm

I already sent an email to my representative (Randy Forbes, the main sponsor) and got nothing but a form letter in response. I doubt anyone's read it. ;_;

15. Stop House Resolution 888

Comment #108399 by brue68 on January 6, 2008 at 6:22 pm

Randy Forbes is my local representative. I'm preparing to send an email to him now. I am going to link him to this book, as well. http://www.amazon.com/Faiths-Founding-Fathers-David-Holmes/dp/0195300920/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199672533&sr=1-1

16. Submission, 'Part 1'

Comment #105144 by brue68 on December 30, 2007 at 5:52 pm

thanks for posting, I hadn't gotten around to seeing it yet. it's a very depressing film, and as mdowe said, it is amazing that people still live this way.

17. Jumbo shrimp, creationist astronomy

Comment #98554 by brue68 on December 13, 2007 at 9:18 pm

I'd like to throw in my $.02 US in favour of open standards as well.

18. U.S. Congress Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith

Comment #97972 by brue68 on December 12, 2007 at 11:08 pm

Well, I'm happy to see one of the nay votes was from Virginia! Sad that it's not my district.

Like last time, I'll be voting against Forbes. Like last time, it probably won't matter, too many rural social conservatives.

19. U.S. Congress Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith

Comment #97946 by brue68 on December 12, 2007 at 9:38 pm

. . .

*cries*

20. Richard Dawkins - Science and the New Atheism

Comment #96909 by brue68 on December 11, 2007 at 4:50 am

all this talk of meat and veg, and animals and vats of meat, but not once did I see the reply I often give when I'm not in the mood to argue. . . "It's the suffering that makes it tasty!"

I love meat, I intend to eat it for the rest of my life. No one will ever get me to abandon bacon and beef, not even my doctor complaining of my cholesterol. Call it unethical if you wish, I don't care. This is one subject on which I have no desire to be rational.

It feels good, it tastes good, and it's not illegal. Which is unusual, cause most things that feel good are illegal in this part of the US. Now I'm hungry >_<

edit** (in all seriousness, I really don't want undue suffering in my food. but I'm also not going to go out of my way to try to find something labeled as especially humane)

21. Germany imposes ban on Tom Cruise

Comment #52917 by brue68 on June 28, 2007 at 1:50 pm

Shuggy:

Feuerbach:

Don't you people know that Tom Cruise has studied everything there is to know about psychology?

Flag as: [troll] [spam] [offensive]


I can't make up my mind which to flag it as.

22. Television evangelist Falwell dies at 73

Comment #41337 by brue68 on May 16, 2007 at 12:20 am

I don't mind being immature, and I will say this without remorse, when he was sick in 2005, it was right before my birthday (born April 1, lol). The one thing I wanted was for Falwell to die on my birthday. It didn't happen, and I was mildly disappointed. I am also not ashamed to say that I could not keep the smile off my face when I found out he was finally dead. Good riddance. The man made me sick to my stomach.

23. Statement of Concern about Impact of AIG's Creation 'Museum'

Comment #41320 by brue68 on May 15, 2007 at 10:28 pm

Comment #40945 by Rtambree:

I give it another 250 years



That long? Pity I won't live to witness it. Let's all move to Scandinavia.

24. Two idiots get a forum

Comment #35705 by brue68 on April 28, 2007 at 12:27 pm

I'm with you all, this is some of the most rediculous crap I've ever seen. It was depressingly sad and stupid the first time, and it is so again. The idiocy of the creationist movement never ceases to amaze.

25. Gay hate church to picket VT gun rampage funerals

Comment #33873 by brue68 on April 22, 2007 at 11:09 am

well, shit, I'd better go ahead and get my conceal carry permit and start saving for a gun before these cries for bans are carried out.

26. Space tourist makes safe return

Comment #33869 by brue68 on April 22, 2007 at 10:35 am

yes, rodviking, I think so, too. (do you know if it's worth it to switch from Edgy Eft to Fiesty Fawn, yet?)

27. Doctors Opposing Circumcision: An Appeal for Misha

Comment #32624 by brue68 on April 17, 2007 at 3:53 pm

"She is simply a victim of misinformed culture. I once explained the virtues of non-circumcision to an American lady friend, eventually, she grew to like it and "it grew" to like her! :)"

well, it's a bit too late for me, but I've discussed the issue with her previously and, should we have a son, she is perfectly comfortable with leaving him intact. Also, while I don't know for sure, I believe I heard somewhere that there is a growing trend in the US to leave boys intact, if so, I welcome it.

28. Doctors Opposing Circumcision: An Appeal for Misha

Comment #32573 by brue68 on April 17, 2007 at 12:26 pm

Now, on to a personal matter. I am circumcised, and I never much thought about it until I started finding bits of information on the subject here and there. When I discovered just how many nerve endings were lost with the procedure (I forget, but it is a lot), I began to mourn my loss. I will not be circumcising my sons, should I have any.

On a side note, my girlfriend really dislikes the look of an uncircumcised penis (I live in Virginia, US), so while I may be sad at losing my foreskin without consent, it is, in my mind, mitigated by my partner's pleasure at the aesthetics of my member.

29. Doctors Opposing Circumcision: An Appeal for Misha

Comment #32570 by brue68 on April 17, 2007 at 12:21 pm

I find the issue of the 12 year old boy to be absolutely abhorrent. It really should not be allowed, and the precident set would be a wonderful step forward.

30. Atheism isn't the final word

Comment #32313 by brue68 on April 16, 2007 at 8:55 pm

*sigh* as usual, it's the same tired old arguments. "atheists have no morality, good things are done through religion" and so on

*edit* I really wish that just once they would come up with something original, it would make things interesting

31. The Case for Teaching The Bible

Comment #27803 by brue68 on March 26, 2007 at 7:15 pm

21. Comment #27800 by MelM on March 26, 2007 at 6:52 pm

I found a link: "The Theocratic Agenda Is Heading for a Statehouse Near You"
http://www.alternet.org/rights/48977/

32. Are You Right Eyed Or Left Eyed?

Comment #27798 by brue68 on March 26, 2007 at 6:40 pm

I'm not sure Martins method works too well for me. The text seems to move for me no matter which eye I close (but I'm proper screwed up ambidextrous

33. Atheist banned from committee on religious education

Comment #27421 by brue68 on March 24, 2007 at 1:42 pm

In my experience, my high school did not have any religious courses (or at least, none mandatory, I have forgotten the course list) and I graduated in 2003. some was covered in world history, but it was extremely limited, almost non-existent, that was saved for college