mstar1

Why not? it is part of the definition of the word...That being said, I usually only hear it in certain circles as too many people are overly sensitive about way too much these days---I dont ever hear and would certainly never say it to someone with a condition but I did hear it a few times just yesterday when I was having my truck--in frindly banter between the two mechanics, and while looking at this incredibly stupidly designed ball joint they pulled out of my front end....the first reaction was .."WTF is that retarded thing?" It accurately described as the incredibly stupid thing that it was.... I suppose alot of it may depend on the intent. I rarely if ever hear it used as a malicious putdown but can accurately describe a thing or moment when someone is acting stupid .......... I vehemently disagree with that You're generally pretty open minded P-Mosh, and I like you but that really ticks me off.... If it isnt comprehensiblethen just who has the real mental deficiency? I know a lot of people with various conditions, and although they may not be able to do some of the things that I can do they almost always have abilities to do some other things that far exceed me once i get to know them. I know that none of them are in anyway inferior to me...of course maybe you are much better than all of us or at least like to carry that illusion around for one reason or another

I think that is the question on everyones mind. I think that its pretty safe to say that the investment banking industry is divorced from the reality of 99.9% of Americans, to the point that they have their very own definitions of words that the rest of us know, understand and take for granted. Im not alone when I say I'd run that company for a tenth (hell a hundredth) of what those guys make--granted I dont know much about derivatives markets, credit default swaps, mortgage insurance etal--but its obvious they certainly dont either.. ...and...I wont even ask for any bonuses

and Pedroia Ive turned the whole thing off --Its too distracting to me.. I did catch this Manny being Manny moment the other day He couldnt play for the Dodgers the other day but has plenty of time for a game of cricket---Its gonna be a fun year in LA--God I miss that guy......... after signing for 45mil, i wonder if they know that he takes September off

You have the bills mixed up. The recovery bill did not create the right for AIG -- or any company -- to pay bonuses. . AIG disclosed that it had contractual agreements to pay these bonuses more than a year ago. The Bush Treasury department approved of the AIG bailout with this agreement in place in September of last year. The relevant provision in the recovery act, which was based on an amendment by Sen. Dodd actually restricts the ability of companies receiving money from TARP to award bonuses in the future. If the recovery bill of this administration hadnt passed, AIG's ability to pay the bonuses still would NOT have been limited.

Thats quite a calling for these "select individuals" Are these people really adults? its more pathetic there than I thought...

Hope everyone had a good St. Patty's Day If I Should Fall From Grace With God - The Pogues

It looks pretty much the same to me, they cross a few t's and dot a few i's differently ---but it looks like Classes, advances, fellowships, --tape subscriptions, book store, 'special' get togethers--a magazine--they even have "international' in their name, do they have phone hookups? Yes they may read a few things slightly differently, but its pretty much the same thing, its not like they are deciding to start an orphanage, or fight world hunger or any of the umpteen million other things that various christian groups do to make the world a more just and livable place Its still looks like 'research',( <_< ) teaching and fellowship and the same amenities as before..

Ive been hearing it and I live in Massachusetts, about as far away from Mexico as you can get and still be in the US. Ive heard three or four times in the last month and a half or so that Mexico is on the verge of complete collapse....blah blah blah...drug cartels....danger...violence....chaos...people getting killed The vacation money may be part of it but I think the immigration issue may be another. The media has seemed pretty bent for awhile on planting the seed that just about every Mexican is a criminal, dangerous, and not to be trusted.... I honestly havent been paying that close of attention to the stories, I just heard them in passing. It may be worth noting where they are coming from to see if there is a political agenda pushing the stories. I was just talking to a friend who got back from Mexico last week and he had a great time.....given the opportunity I'd move to Mexico in a minute, I have never had any problems there...

<_< I dont understand your reasoning. No one could survive without him, yet there is no emphasis on him at all? That doesnt sound congruous to me. Where is this God that he preaches if they would suddenly be on their own? are they really that dependant on HIM? Pastors move on from churches and different groups to continue their education all the time without devastating effects ( apparently God still cares for those people apart from the resident pastor). Is he somehow still 'replacing the absent christ" as Wierwille did? or are people really that dependant on him that they cannot function without him to lead them? (or he cant function without them to listen to him perhaps?) I really dont care all that much, but it doesnt sound healthy to me

Its not every day I hear Mississippi bluesman play with a Tuvan throat singer--I like it though-it gets infectious... Paul Pena and Kongar-ol Ondar from the movie "Genghis Blues"

No, not really--They exchanged emails for awhile, then talked on the phone for a month or so, then he took about three weeks off and went to visit her....they hit it off well, and he made arrangements for her to move to this country and then they got married. It was similar to regular internet dating but instead of being two towns over she was half way around the world. It probably should count that he is really good at spotting the difference between BS and a real connection...

Ive never used any of those sites--right now Im single and content. So I cant speak for myself. Ive only really known one person who was serious about attracting someone through a dating site.He was divorced and sort of deperate to get remarried.. He was originally from Switzerland and after a few false starts that fell apart decided that he didnt want to marry another American. He went to foreign sites and met a woman from Mongolia, went to meet her, helped to move her to NYC and theyve been married for about 7 or 8 years now....as far as I know they seem happy......

Me too---I feel like the days of Hobo's will be coming back soon---I just may have to get out my harmonica and play some Woody Guthrie Train songs. That would be an interesting way to watch Pedro go out--with Manny and Joe---, There has also been some talk around here about Pedro. As a fanboy I have mixed emotions, it would be good to see him back but its good having the memories of him when he was a God on the mound. It may sort of sour it just a bit if he showed up and was the shell of his former self---but---He is Pedro--- I think he still has a few great games in him before he exits...when Pedro is ON there was nothing as dominating on the mound that I have ever seen. ever. In his prime he toyed with teams--hopefully if he lands in LA, you'll get to see a few of those....

I have never heard that. If thats true it fills in a lot of holes in the backstory, and makes a little more sense of the incomplete piece of VP history that we already know. It does NOT excuse him, but it would explain a lot

Thanks Rumrunner-that was a great story--next time you see her give her a kiss for me

Yea, he mentions it but its a little overblown. 6 out of 8 paragraphs mention TWI. What has he been doing in the 20 years since? I didnt see where he went to any schools, colleges or seminaries or had other points of professional development. He spends a heckuva lot of time talking about an organization that he is 'light years different from" I spose it beats those offshoots where people claim they went into "a seminary" and wont own up to that they went into The Way Corps

it goes back to cults of personality, gangs, and who holds the power nice segue

I know Im gettin way off topic but if Made In America couldn't pass the sexual connotation test How did Pressed down, shaken together, rollin over (or whatever it was) get through? ..that could be a blues lyric --right next to 'jellyroll"

I'd lean to a being alittle more lenient on divorced pastors BUT I wouldnt want them necessarily pastoring while they are going through their divorce or in the aftermath either. I am divorced and for me it was a very difficult time, not only during that period but for about 3 to 5 years afterward. I'd opt to give 'em about a 5 year timeout to reevalute and redirect their lives before they were considered for active ministry. I am sure that various denominations have guidelines that they follow for that as well. .... While we are on sex and clergy, I'd bring up the situation that is fracturing the Episcopal Church and threatens the entire Anglican communion worldwide. 100's of millions of people are dividing out over one guy. Its questionable if the denomination will even survive. It would take this thread in a whole different direction and get too complex (the episcoplaians have been wrestling with it for 6 years and have no clear cut answers)so wont derail it. Sex and clergy is an interesting and volatile subject. They are people like everyone else but they sure can open up a can of worms hurry. Maybe thats why the catholics dont let their clergy touch anyone--but even that view backfired

So whats goin on out there? Im not watching much of this WBC thing--I just cant get enthused about it at all.... Red Sox just signed Jon Lester to an extension yesterday which I think is a great signing. As much as I was rambling on about wanting Texeira in the early winter, The RS signed the homegrowns instead...the MVP and Gold Glover (Pedroia), Gold Glover and 3rd place MVP (Youkilis) and one of the best young pitchers in the game (Lester) for way less money than Tex. I have to think we got the best deal there Pedroia 6 years 40M + Youkilis 4 years 41M + Lester 5 years 30M = 111M Teixeira 180M for 8 years. Looking at it that way shows how inefficient the free agent market is.... It feels good to have great core of young players locked in

I dont chime in very often down here in the doctrinal section but I would think that is up to the governing board of the Pentecostals. Im not a church goer but I was invited today to a meeting of a denomination to hear a "candidate" for ordination. Coming from a Way background it was enlightening to see the diligence and detailed care that went into the decision making process-just to see if someone was even eligible... So far its been a three year process, which involved all sorts of things I wont go into and Today was a 90 minute presentation by the candidate and a question and answer period with leaders and clergy from the entire region of churches....In other words its not something that is taken or given lightly. I know from minister friends in this particular denomination that when ministers are hired they have a detailed contractual agreement with the church that hires them. They are the face of the church to the community and part of their job requirements is to 'avoid all appearances of evil". It gets very detailed about what they cant do as part of their employment agreement. They cant even buy a lottery ticket in the town in which they serve. If they break the contract their employment as a minister can be severed. I know of one minister in my area who was under peer review and examination for six months because he told someone in his church to go f- themselves. I am not a member of the denomination but it seemed a little stringent to me. (I'd get fired in my first three minutes...) That was just for swearing. People make mistakes, but if a sexual breach is made in a church setting there are bigger issues that need to be dealt with than just the sex itself. If a minister would cross a line that jeopardizes not only his career, maybe his family, and in many instances his entire church he has faulty judgment and a host of other issues that really need to be looked at and dont need to be in the forefront of any church. If professionals in other fields make heinous mistakes in their fields they are fired. Churches are in the business of spirituality and the benefits of a morally upright and virtuous life. If the minister cant lead in that way by example he is not qualified and could destroy the whole church. Sure let him back and forgive him, help him work through his problem. I dont know whats biblically right or accurate but from a practical standpoint I'd never put him in any position that represented the church again--He already broke his "holy vows' once--If he is so 'gifted' Im sure he can find secular job somewhere..but to me it would be much too dangerous a position to put a church in if you wanted it to survive longterm.... ..unless of course your in TWI--then make him a region coordinator or put him in the presidents cabinet---but you know what happened to that outfit---right down the shooter it went.... just my two cents carry on

mornin waysider Im getting used to reading your tasty sunday morning breakfasts, Im gonna have to make a trip out there one of these days--they all sound too good to pass up.. Ive been listening to some fingerpicked autoharp this morning...something I dont hear very often at all, but a sound I am very fond of ...good for a sunday mornin.

This is one of those balloon punching bags, like the ones that you may have had as a kid that needs to be blown up some toy designer somewhere has a strange sense of humor