dmiller

My departure was about as significant as a drop of water evaporating from the Dead Sea. The drop of water departed, but the sea did not realize it, since it was dead.

And this is better than "empire building"? -->

--> looks like there are a couple missing! According to the forum title page, this is post number 5 on this thread.

Who are "they", and is there a site I can look at that enumerates even some of these "holes"? -->

If gun manufacturers can be held liable for any and all instances that their product was used wrongfully, then it follows in my hypothetical situation that : Ford is guilty of making a truck that operates correctly, with a drunk behind the wheel; Budweiser is equally guilty of making a product that impairs a person; And certainly the liquor store is guilty for ringing up the sale, that caused the man to get into this situation in the first place. --> Where is the accountability????? It surely shouldn't be dumped into the laps of those who made the products -- regardless of what they were -- it should rightfully be thrown in the face of the person who used those products. Not the folks who made them. Mr P-Mosh --- Thank you for that, and as per your "drive-though sales" -- I would say that (if it is legal in your area for that to happen) the blame (if something detrimental happens), should still be addressed to the miscreant, and not the vendor. If the vendor is following the law, well --------------. Hmmmm.

Oenophile -- great post. You're giving me some stuff to think about, and I will. One thing you said, immediately caught my eye, and that was: Postulation for you here --- who is guilty? --> Man goes into a liquor store, buys a case of Budweiser beer, has a few in the parking lot, and drives off in his F-150 Ford pick-up, consuming beer as he goes. He has to travel a ways to get to his house, so he is pretty well "lubricated" by the time he is half way there. Because of his condition (drunk), he doesn't see a stop sign at an intersection, runs it, and strikes an innocent person trying to cross the street. Who is guilty?????? Budweiser -- for brewing the beer? The liquor store -- for selling it? Ford -- for making the vehicle? The guilty party is the one who chose to use products in an unlawful manner --- NOT the folks who produced, or sold those products. Accountability is something that all companies should strive for, yet once their "product" (whatever it may be), leaves their factory -- they are blameless for how it is used.

Splittail Flycatcher??? :D--> :D--> :D--> :D--> Too many connections to not be "admissable as evidence". :P--> :P-->

:D--> :D--> Who's got some drambui? --> Let's drink a toast! Oh -- wait a minute -- they are toast.

2life -- yes it is. I especially like what they have to say about their outfit, at the bottom of the page. No "hot heads" there! Just honest reporting. ;)-->

I took a look at it. Interesting. The VOTING RECORD, from Kerry's years is also long, but worth perusal -- for all the same reasons. :)-->

Yep, I hear that. :(--> Have heard it said (and believe it), that the Democrats are taking us to a one world government at 120 mph, while the Republicans are doing the same, at 80 mph. -->

Right on Radar!!! :D--> :D--> :D--> (do ya think they could take notes with crayons?) ;)-->

Fair enough. :)--> When I said that, I was referring to his record as a Senator, and NOT as a serviceman overseas. He no doubt faced daily threats to his life in the war. He saved some lives, he ended other lives, he was wounded, he helped the wounded, and perhaps had to help identify the remains of a comrade as well. The reason I said "hero -- (tongue in cheek)" is simply because there are those who were there, who now cast doubt on his record of service, since he is making it such a big deal. While I can not endorse their statements as 100% accurate either, it boils down to what one person, versus another person says. What I was asking, on this thread is simply, why aren't his current activities as a Senator being brought up (in this campaign), instead of what he did back in Viet-Nam? His accomplishments 30 plus years ago, have less relevance to what is going on now, than to what he has done while in the Senate. Senator Kerry has recently missed many votes, on key issues, yet takes the time to come back to Washington to vote for abortion and against gun rights. If I am wrong about this, I stand corrected, yet I have heard that this is so. His voting record (for some strange reason) is not being brought up as "proof positive" that he is a fit candidate for President. With 20 years of senatorial experience, why would he not capitalize on at least one of his accomplishments to show the folks in the greater US how he can work for them properly, and productively? My guess is -- he has nothing to show for all those years he warmed that chair. That is what I was questioning, not his patriotism.

Linda Z --- you said: "Kerry risked his life in the Viet-Nam war". Perhaps he did. Perhaps anyone who succumbed to the draft back then (I did not, and was a vociferous "peace-nik" in those days), put their life on the line. I won't quibble with you on that one, and actually tend to agree. However -- the fact that he (Kerry) was there, doesn't mean that it is a "blanket statement" for what is going on today. The man is running for the office of the President of the United States. Every candidate has a past, and every past, of every candidate, should be open to scrutiny. Now -- that being said --- Why hasn't Kerry's many years in the Senate been touted, as much as his Viet-nam service? Why is the focus on something he did over 3 decades ago, and not what he is doing today? He has demonstrated a huge willingness to allocate all judicial matters to the "international community", effectively leaving us (U.S.) out of the picture, and thus allowing other countries to decide our "fate". He may have been a hero (I say that tongue in cheek), but to do all he has done in the following years, has effectively done an excellent job of robbing the US of everything we stand for. The fact that he was in Viet-Nam is a given. The fact that he (as a United States Senator), has voted so consistantly against all that we hold to be "our rights", has me wondering how he lasted for so long. Regardless of what he did 3 1/2 decades ago, it does not reflect what he has done since. And that it what counts. :(-->

I tend to agree with some of that, however (now that I know the questions were not scripted), I can even more forcibly say that "quick answers" are not the solution -- such as Senator Kerry offered. He may have acted more "presidential" behind the podium, answering one question at a time from one moderator -- but I shudder to think of him in the oval office, should another 9/11 happen, and try to deal with something globally. He wouldn't be able to handle it. He would make a decision, then when questioned about it later, would make every excuse known to man, to make himself look good to the accusatory crowd. The zebra can't change it's spots. and the leapord can't change it's stripes. woops!! I think I just flip-flopped. :D--> :D-->

WhiteDove -- I had heard that both had copies of the questions, and had a few days to prepare answers. Is this something I should look into at Snopes?? Why else would they have each had a chance to "retire for a few days" off of the campaign trail to formulate answers? I don't want to call Jim Lehrer a liar, but were all the reports of them preparing in advance to specific questions erroneous?? --> --> --> And then again -- many answers tonight came back too quickly (imo) to be "spontaneous". (I've been wrong before.)

It was better than I thought it would be. Since they both had copies of the questions, days in advance, I expected a dry "question and answer" session, but was pleased to see some actual emotion, and (what seemed to be) unscripted responses to allegations, that came up during the 1 1/2 hour debate. herbiejuan -- I'm praying too.

Oh --- and to answer the original question --- I sat through the class about 10 times (plus or minus a few). I figured that the class was a jumping off point to other seminars offered by twi, so I did not concentrate so much on the class, as I did on the other outreach courses which followed. I was just "following orders" --- -->

George -- the only "ethnic" lady I can think of is Elsa, and if there was an "Irene", I got out before she was here. But -- when you were here, there was no Irene (that I know of), and if I recollect correct, Elsa Ericks*n is the only person I can think of who was here (good gawd -- she still may be -- I don't know!!), but I don't think she ever taught the class. At least not here. Nothing "live" ever has happened here that I am aware of, and I have been in this town for nigh on 25 years now. All "live events "that were ever offered (in them there days), happened in the twin cities. You got me thinking now. I just spoke with Mary, the other day, about some other stuff, (yea -- we are still on speaking terms with each other, even after 20 years of divorce). And also, I thanked her for her decision for you to take out part of the roof, and put in that skylight :D-->) Now -- we'll see if she remembers who you are talking about. She is just coming up to speed about things that happened back in the 90's about twi, but has a better memory than I about what happened in the '80s!! So if she comes up with something, I will surely let you know. :)-->

Did I score some points?? --> I always was scraffled, by babble. :D-->

Some of us that work at the group home I am at, have "better work ethics" than others. Unfortunately, it is up to those of us who are in our "50's", who have to set the example for those of the younger staff, who seemingly have no concept of what "responsibility" means. I have no kids either, but having worked with a lot of younger folk, I see exactly what you mean, and wonder about it myself from time to time. :(--> Not sure if I can offer a plausible explanation, but I certainly do agree to your observation.

My pair beats your "Fore"! ;)-->

Shaz --Ps -- thanks for the Mr. MX posting. Couldn't remember which comic he was in. :)-->

Then I can play my qunaril off of your T. :)-->

socks -- it has been years since I heard of Mr. Mxyzptlk!! What comic strip is it that he is in?? Isn't he the guy with the perpetual "cloud of doom" following him? -->