GarthP2000

Vickles, Believe it or not, some guys might actually do something like unzip if you stare like that. Ie., they'll actually think that you're interested. :ph34r:

Only someone like Sushi would come up with a snappy comeback like that! Yeah, its kinda sad when you have brainless twits who apparently know no better than to act that way, ... and then think that they're really something because of it. <_< I wonder which low class trailer park he was thrown out of?

Well, as for me, I wouldn't know _what_ to do with my life if this place didn't offer their famous pot o' coffee, ... and pineapple pizzas!

Unfortunately Cool, the way computers operate/are maintained isn't exactly comparable to cars or houses. Its quite different in many respects. However, that doesn't mean that you MUST upgrade the whole system hardware/software every 2-3 years in order to basically get the work done and enjoy things. However, for the more high powered and up to date stuff (like high powered gaming or treating your 'puter like a video entertainment center), then you might want to (budget allowing of course) think about updating your system more. And maybe thats where your computer buddy can help out with that according to your needs. Hope this helps. :)

Look, its just a screensaver that just happens to star Bush that Oenophile has found. And frankly, I see no reason to make any more of it than that. OK? OK. :B)

Now now now Rhino. You gonna tell us all here that when Clinton was being slammed all over creation when he was prez, you weren't right in there with all the Monika jokes, "it all depends on what the word 'is' is", and all the other conservative slams on him? At the most, its just now Dubya--- err Bush's turn at bat, so please, spare us your 'indignation', ok? Its worn thin a LONG time ago. <_<

Hhmmm. If he says that he's 'pretty well known', then he shouldn't have any problem giving you his last name. I mean, if privacy is his concern, he doesn't have to give out his address/phone number. Did he give you his email? Caution is advised on this one, I think. <_<

But Cools, Ya gotta understand. Its a evil plot, doncha know! It's Yet Another Attack on the Foundations of the Republic via hatred for George W. Bush, ... and it would have succeeded if it weren't uncovered for what it was! ... Curses! Foiled again!! Dang! We can't have a good laugh nowadays w/o calling in the Senate Anti-American Sub-committee on subversive & treasonous behaviors?

Not as hard as it used to be, ..... ..... if yer a computer GAWD, that is. MWUHAhahahahahahaha........ But seriously, if you do want to chuck Winders (that's what we Southerners call it anyway ), then perhaps a Mac is best suited for you. Paw has a Mac, maybe he can tell you more about it.

Well, you _could_ go with a Mac. ..... Or you *REALLY* could be brave, and go for a Linux system.

Actually Wordwolf, the DVD decoder is separate and distinct from those apps you mentioned. And the don't automatically come with them either. Coolwaters, if you were able to view DVDs before you formatted your HD, then you need to get the software package that enabled you to play them before, and reinstall it. That way you have the DVD decoder so you can watch your movies again. If for some reason you don't have that, you'll need to purchase a DVD decoder package. Here is a Google link that has links that should help you find one if that's what you need to do. Hope this helps.

Jeeesh!! :blink: The Mormons can't come up with a better example than Donnie and Marie Osmond?! I take it you never had to deal with their 'Bobbsy Twins' style missionaries, ... and, as indicated elsewhere (by Oakspear, I believe), mainstream groups can have their own version of high-pressure convertors. <_<

I've noticed that the Mormons are being regarded less and less as a 'cult' nowadays. I wonder if being more 'mainstream' might have anything to do with that? <_<

... cuz they aren't exactly blue states.

... particularly during the part where she's looking after that little girl and whenever she would swear in front of the child, she would say "Ooops! Guess that's another penny I owe ya fer cursing." I figured that kid was gonna be rich before she was 10.

Same song, second verse .....

I watched the first season myself, and I agree. It sure ain't Bonanza. But it was masterfully done. Think I'll go ahead and rent seasons 2 and 3.

... and what's wrong with black tennis shoes? I think that they're cool looking. Plus they easier to hide the dirt.

... which brings up Yet Another Reason as to the Downside of the term 'Cult': social stigma. "((Gasp)) You were in a ... cult?!? uhh, ... yeah! See ya later, it's getting late!" Almost like you have something horrid, and need to redeem yourself for it. Simply because you were part of a ... 'cult'! <_<

Public school = cult! I know that Evan is gonna just _love_ that one. Anywho, I've been browsing thru the archives a few minutes ago, and came across this little jewel by Linda Z (she usually puts things a lot better than I do. :)) Just think about it for a moment. It is devoid of the high emotional hype, while still focusing on the abuses suffered. But hey! If you want to go "Cult! Cult! Cult! Cult! Cult! Cult! Cult! Cult! ... so THERE!! (((ppthttthhhtt)))" by all means, knock yourself out. Party on Wayne! Party on Garth!

So if you don't go for the 'I was part of a cult', its because of pride? :unsure: You have already admitted to being 'duped' by TWI, and have evidently learned from it. Doesn't sound like a pride problem to me.

... what Jim said.

Groucho, Bliss, and the rest, My problem isn't with the word itself perse, but with how a good number of people use it, and that a good number of times ignorantly, if not rather selectively. (How many times have I already stated this, fer crying out loud? <_< ) Ie., a fringe group (like TWI fer example) does certain behaviors (that supposedly define cult), and they are a 'cult'. A mainstream group (like Catholics fer example; no offense Mark O., as this isn't a Catholic-specific rant mind you), does those same things, or those same things happen in the group, and the 'cult' label often doesn't get applied. Or the high emotionalism (which seems suspiciously 'cult-like', hmmmm?) that anti-cult activists often exhibit whenever their preciousssss cause is questioned or challenged (like many people who show some sort of validation to what they believe to be true that they learned in TWI, rather than condemning the doctrine wholesale). Hey, I think that a lot of what TWI has taught sux too, but I'm not going to think that someone is brainwashed because they view the doctrine more favorably than I do (with the possible exception of Smikeol, who's brain is evidently fried). All that, and the questionable science (and I'm being very charitable here) re: mind control and brainwashing, ... well you know, it tends to make one (me) rather skeptical of the anti-cult field in various respects. Does that mean that I'm going on a "but I never saw it happen in TWI, therefore it didn't _really_ happen" song-and-dance, ala Oldies and others? No! I know better than that. But I also know that there are quite a number of questionable holes in the anti-cult side as well, and this is from someone who has totally given up on TWI and other fundy dogmas, so the 'Wierwille apologist' label doesn't apply. Others (like Linda Z, et al) have also expressed similar reservations about the 'cult & mind control' mindset, and I just happen to largely agree with them. With no apologies,

I love this! I really do! (You just knew I was gonna weigh in on this, didncha? :) ) Or, ... or, ... or-r-r, maybe its because the 'cult' term is so damn *loaded*, overhyped, NON-scientifically determined that a lot of people (including yours truly, with NO apologies) have a problem with the term, ... ya think?! How many people here who, after they have left the group, and after realizing that they were taken advantage of, ripped off, abused, and finally left out to dry, have jumped on the 'cult & mind control' bandwagon, either pi**ed as hell or guilt tripped beyond belief, have lapped up whatever 'cult & mind control' material with the same kind of excited determination and wish to redeem themselves to do what's right, ... and yet haven't gone thru and used as much critical thinking skills on the 'cult & mind control' material to test and see whether or not it is as sound as it claims to be, like we should have done with PFAL and TWI? (Doncha just LUV l-o-n-g compound sentences? ) Well, ya see, I've gone over a lot of the premises/theories that many anti-cult groups use, and frankly, I've found much of the sloppy work done there as I have found in Wierwille's work. (Please notice that I am NOT referring to the accuracy of the actual abuse that has occured. That has indeed happened.) For example, the term 'cult' itself is (like I said earlier) a loaded term, and isn't one of The Determining Factors of What Makes for a 'Cult' is that they load the terminology? :unsure: The term cult USED to be a neutral one, meaning 'a group of followers of a person, idea, or thing'. Notice how neutral and non-emotional that is. Yet ever since the mid 70s, the meaning and usage has mostly mushroomed into a negative, fear mongering, and manipulative term that can (and HAS) been used to invoke *FEAR* in people, and (a lot more times than not) been used to keep people in line in staying with the Orthodox line of thought. That, and the associated guilt trip that some people lay on those who were a member of said 'cult'? ..... Hhmmmmmmm, .... now aren't these Yet More Characteristics of how a cult operates? See this is but one reason why I haven't shown that much respect towards the anti-cult mindset. Ie., lack of consistancy. ... Among other reasons. So spare me the "They're just going thru denial" guilt trips please. I just ate.

... You don't howl at the moon tho', do ya?