Baron Samedi

[size=1]This is happening in America, isn't it. [i]America[/i]. Why is it that these kind of outrageous acts of stupidty always seem to occur there? Oh, we have some people who think that Harry Potter is bad for kids, or that other books are evil. But really, they're lone voices. The thing is, most people [even in America, I'd imagine] would know that this is crap. There are two skills being used here. One: caution. Two: stupidity. Obviously there are some books that are unsuitable for schools. I have read a few in my library that are rather risquè and maybe a tad innappropriate...at least for Yr 8's. Monitoring distribution of books like that is exercising Skill number One: Caution. Now, banning Harry Potter, LOTR etc. brings us to a whole other issue. Perhaps the idea of magic is somewhat a religious taboo, oh my god. Don't expect everyone to feel the same way. If it is an issue, then Catholic schools should probably not have those books. It is senseless and silly, but hey what should you expect? On the other hand, wanting a nationwide banning of those books is the epitome of Skill number Two: Stupidity. I think people should have a closer look at Skill number One, and do their utmost to avoid Skill number Two. [/size]

[size=1]If one person is repeatedly [note: repeatedly] causing another person to feel bad about themselves, or upset, then that is bullying. Someone calling you a loser, and you knocking them on their arse, is [i]not[/i] bullying. If he always calls you a loser though, and you continue to knock him down, obviously somehting needs to be done. It is when one person continually 'picks on' another that a bullying situation is formed. Until then, it's nothing. Everyone gets the occasional ribbing over something, and it is probably healthy. It is when it is continual that the bullying starts.[/size]

[quote][B]AP[/B] - John Lennon's killer appeared before a parole board in a third attempt to be released from prison, but was turned down once again. Mark David Chapman, 49, was also denied parole in 2000 and again in 2002, on what would have been Lennon's 62nd birthday. He has been in prison 24 years for shooting the former Beatle outside Lennon's Manhattan apartment in 1980 as the musician returned from a recording session. He became eligible for parole after serving 20 years of a maximum life sentence. In advance of the latest hearing, a letter was sent to the parole board on behalf of Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, requesting that Chapman remain imprisoned, according to a source close to Ono. In 2000, Ono said she opposed Chapman's release out of concern for the safety of herself and her children. Governor George Pataki, who asked earlier about Chapman's impending parole board decision, said he would not discuss individual cases but that he opposed parole for anyone involved in a violent crime. "If I had my way, we would abolish parole," Pataki said. For his own safety, Chapman lives in a housing unit separate from the general population at the Attica Correctional Facility, about 48 kilometres east of Buffalo, and works as a clerk, according to corrections officials. [/quote] [SIZE=1]I saw this article on nine-msn and it got me thinking. Do you believe that violent criminals should be released on parole? When you incur a maximum life penalty, doesn't that remove you from the privileges of liberty accorded to a human being? Obviously, someone who has done something like this is not somebody you want free in public. I think that parole for people who have murdered [or other violent criminals] should be out of the question. In regard to law, I take a hard-stance. But what do you think about parole?[/SIZE]

[size=1]Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't being strapped for cash and working 5 different fast-food jobs all part of the magnificent world of college? You're missing half the fun by staying at home.[/size]

[size=1]Schools are not democracies. They could make you wear fluro orange shirts, if they wanted. As long as you are attending that school, you'd have to. As it is, I don't know the Corona beer shirts, but at this stage beer and women are sounding pretty suggestive. It's fair enough. At my school, a uniform is available, but you don't have to wear it. We have the same rules as Sciros [and we're two oceans away!] in regard to midsections and spaghetti straps. But all this stuff is reasonable. Be glad you're not in a posh private school that'd make you wear clothing that was in fashion 70 years previously.[/size]

[size=1]There is nothing stopping you doing this. It is an interesting [albeit time-consuming] idea. If you found enough people who wanted to do it, then nothing is stopping you. Or, alternatively, you could do your own, and post it in the Art Forum.[/size]

[size=1]Jako opened his eyes after wiping the slimy remnants of gel off his eyelids. He saw the partially frosted covering retract into the side of the pod, and felt the heat returning to his muscles as warm air was blown over him. Struggling to sit up from his prone position in the pod, Jako looked around the room. A SEAL was leaving for the showers, and there was only 4 pods left to open, but nobody else was around. Easing himself out of the pod, Jako collected his shirt, jacket and pants from where he had stowed them in a compartment. Once he was in the showers, he luxuriated in the warmth of the steadily hissing water. Already the butterflies were rising in his belly. Deimos. Pitiful, terrible, wonderous, magical, shithole rock in the middle ofspace. Hellhole rock too, maybe. Just maybe. Towelling himself dry, Jako fingered a clump of goo out ofhis hair, and flung it onto the drain. Gross. Checking the pagers, which every crew member had, Jako thought it about time to head off for the meeting and further debriefing. Maybe something had transpired during their...little nap.[/size]

[size=1]What, have OB host a [i]free[/i] online roleplaying game? It is a nice idea, but if you want that go to Runescape. theOtaku [franchise] is primarily about anime, and discussion. There are other, more appropriate places to have such a game. It'd detract from the principle focus ofOB / theOtaku.[/size]

[size=1]The gymnastics was... a bit of a shambles, I'd agree. I was frankly a bit disgusted, both with crowd behaviour and with the result. Taekwondo. All I know is that I think an Australian got into the later rounds, but I never saw a British team. And, what frankly delights me is that the Dream Team [spoiler]lost to Argentina. And Lithuania. And Puerto Rico. But the Argentina match is what matters. Now they're only running for bronze, haha. Apparently these gum-chewing millionaires refused to stay at the Athletes Village. Bloody arrogant pricks. Sorry, but thats what everyone thinks.[/spoiler] And, who owns you in the Cycling? Why, Australia of course :p[/size]

[size=1]It is nice, I'd agree with you on that. Generally though, I think that degrees of normalcy will return. It won't be fully normal for a while though yet, I think.[/size]

[size=1]In addition to James' comments on the Bush administration's reasoning, let's not forget the Iraq War. Even though it has virtually disappeared from news bulletins, people expect to hear about it, and people also...expect retaliation? To a degree, people will think that they're slacking off if 'nothing happens'. Or that's my take on it. I don't know any facts about what you're saying Godel, but I'll take your word for it. However, I'd say that our society has gotten more violent, and I do find those facts hard to believe. I'd believe more that they had stayed reasonably the same, or take CHW's view that it is due to percentage population increase and the rates are proportional ~_^[/size]

[size=1][quote name='ChibiHorseWoman']...Italy's Senate library...[/quote] Would this perhaps mean that the library is there [i]for senators[/i]? Do you really think that a library would fail to follow up a book that was a week late, yet alone 25 years? Fat bloody chance. This is probably an exclusive library that holds books only that may affect law/history. Important stuff.[/size]

[size=1]There is a middle road folks. Rei-man: Things aren't all that bad. The ozone layer isn't irreparable. In fact, research has shown that it has decreased in size. Which would mean it's repairing, right? ~_^ No need to be a Doomsayer. Deathknight: You're making me blush, lol. Humanity isn't some kind of benelovent species which is out there to improve and aid everyone/everything else. Some people are trying to help, but the majority cruise along not caring, whilst select others blatantly ignore the signs. The facts are not in the extremes. They lie somewhere in the middle. The main point comes down to the majority of people not caring, or being too apathetic to act. We're not all out there to plunder and rape the environment, but we're not all out there hugging the trees and cuddling animals either.[/size]

[size=1]After almost being bowled over by Allen, Jako had abandoned any desire for exploration and returned to his room. Taking out a small capsule, Jako wrapped a headband around his head, and plugged himself in. He rapidly 'typed' up everything that had occured so far. He was finishing just as the call for the stasis pods came over the system. Depressing the transmit button on the top of the Micro-computer, Jako slid the capsule into a small pocket in his jacket, and headed for the Stasis-Room. This'd be his first time in suspended animation...and it was a rather worrying concept. ___ OOC: Busy me. I have been reading, but not posting. Will do more later.[/size]

[size=1]I saw Paul Hamm. But something else that really struck me was the...Romanian team. One of their guys did absolutely shocking on the parallel bars, but then this other guy on his team came up, and did a bloody excellent job of it. It was really inspiring.[/size]

[size=1]Jako sat there in his chair, his mind a blank canvas. In the background he was processing all of the information, but it just sounded so...unreal. Remote. As the others stood up to leave, Jako rose too, and was one of the last into the hallways. Walking around, he wandered aimlessly for some time before coming to his quarters. Opening the door with the gel-pad, he felt a sense of security as the door swished shut behind him, and the lights came on. It was a fairly decent room. Spartan, minimalistic but nice. He had a main room with a vidscreen and seating, and a 'bedroom' with an 'ensuite'. If you could call it that. There was a vid-phone in every room. This would be his home for the next few weeks. Or months. Jako took out his clothes and hung them in the wardrobe that was recessed into the bedroom's wall. After washing his face in the bathroom, he ventured out of his quarters, and headed for the mess hall. Maybe there'd be someone there to talk things over with.[/size]

[size=1]Rather amazingly, today I was typing a post, and when I went to click [Post Quick Reply] it took ages...and then led me to a page which amounted to saying "The database is screwing up." After a lot of mucking around [Back, forward, off site etc.] I came back to the thread. And my text was still in there, but it was greyed out and when I clicked on quick-reply it disappeared on me. Fortunately, I had the text saved by Ctrl+C, but that was odd. Considering the subject at hand, heh.[/size]

[size=1]In regard to gymnastics [spoiler]the Russians haven't done anything at all that is worth knowing about, and China has done exceedingly well. From what I remember, anyway. Forgive me if what I say is arse-about.[/spoiler] And you're quite right Chibi. You beat us...finally.Took you long enough :p If only Sprenger had more strength, and Klim had been fitter. +0.13!!![/size]

[size=1]As has been mentioned, the chances of Earth being destroyed by anything less than a supernova are, shall we say... limited? If we say that 'The End of the Earth' refers exclusively to the utter annihilation of the actual planet, than what kind of discussion is this? We'll be fried by the sun, and thats that. I know humans aren't the be all and end all. I never claimed they were. But ending the Earth's lifespan is a ridiculous subject, if taken without saying that the end of life on Earth is probably the main subject at hand here. The end of human, sentient life anyway.[/size]

[size=1]Just like children's TV, the Olympics are evil. You sit down for 2 minutes, you sit down for two hours. Mind-warping, soul-sucking TV coverage. Damn good though. I've enjoyed the swimming so far [spoiler]but it sucks that we lost the relay last night. First time in years! +0.13 seconds! Then again, Ian Thorpe apparently came back really well. So damn close![/spoiler] The gymnastics were good too, and so was the diving. I also saw some of the Equestrian Cross-Country. That was pretty good, but I can't believe that [spoiler]one of our riders came off ;_;[/spoiler]. Oh well. So far the Olympics have been really good, and better yet, Jana Pittman is almost a certain to compete ^_^ [b]Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi![/size][/b]

[size=1]By my incredibly precise calculations, I have determined that all life on Earth will cease to exist in: 3 2 1 ... You still there? Guess they weren't that precise then, were they? And thats the point. You can't give any kind of reliable calculation as to how or when the Earth will 'end'. And by Earth ending, it is obviously not referring to the disintegration of the entire planet into smithereens, but the time where we cause so much damage to it and to ourselves that most of the population dies. Duh.[/size]

[size=1]I rarely have problems with that, but it is annoying. Mostly the text that you wrote isn't there when you go back. Say, I accidentally pressed a button that took me back. Or accidentally clicked a link. When I press back to come back to this page...it isn't there anymore. That cache control hev'n mentioned sounds like the right thing. Mostly I don't have any problems with it though. Just be careful when you're typing that you don't press anything you shouldn't. I don't see that clicking anything is a problem though. I mean the hand-eye co-ordination for a mouse isn't exactly difficult, is it? Oh, and James? I think Azure was referring to Dagger's idea to type it up in Notepad. But anyway, once you've copied it into the WYSIWYG editor, you highlight and change stuff. Very easy, still.[/size]

[SIZE=1]Jako was rather shocked and worried about the reactions of crewmates so far. Such tension, and the ship hadn't yet left the ground! Feeling the customary butterflies that always signify nervousness, Jako stood up, and looked around at the other people seated around the rom. "I'm Jako van der Westheisen. And yes, I was involved in the Stanford Prison Experiment. Just to settle any rumours that may have sprung up. I will be the Liaison Officer with Control here on Earth. Any issues you have, come and see me. Depending on what they are, I can refer you to the Captain, or I may be able to work through them with you. Any misconduct, and you will be reported back to Base, and when we return, as we plan to do, appropriate action will take place. I will also be working in conjunction with Ms Littleton to address any issues you may be having." A male voice, indistinguishable however, called out "Hope you made sure he didn't bring any chemicals on board...I like my face how it is." Jako's lip curled as he sat back down. Some people weren't going to make this easy.[/SIZE]

[size=1]I love the Olympics, but missed the opening ceremony. Too late, and my own sport interfered with the delayed telecast. Sounds like it was great though. My favourite events are the swimming [Australia kills you all :p], velodrome, gymnastics and hockey. [spoiler]Sadly the women's hockey lost 2:1 to Germany last night ;_;[/spoiler][/size]

[SIZE=1][OOC: Once again, I feel glazed over...I have already arrived at Hangar 13, Corey :( ] ________________ Jako's thoughts were demolished, as a private hurried up and took Jako's luggage from him. Jako was so startled that it took him a moment to call the man back. "Hey, wait a minute. I've left something important in here..." After a minute of frenzied searching, Jako pulled out both a portable record/play-back device [Vox-cord] and a small clipboard file. Thanking the private with a small smile, Jako hurried over to the small group of people standing some 20m to his right. By the way the people huddled, it was obvious who the immediate authority figure was. Walking briskly up to the man, Jako shoved his clipboard and Vox-cord under his arm, and extended his hand. "Hi, I'm Jako van der Wetsheisen. Uum, I've got my pass here somewhere..." Leafing through his clipboard, he extracted a small plastic pass. "Here you are." The man gave it a cursory glance, and flicked it back to Jako. "Good, good. I am Captain Allen Chubbs, and I'll be the one running this little shindig. I have...heard about you. I don't expect any trouble from you, and nor do I want any. And don't you forget, that this is my ship, and is my domain. As such, I am the ultimate figure. We're going to need you, but don't think that you're not expendable. Any tricks, any mindgames...and you'll find yourself in Deep Black, [i]without a suit[/i]. You hear?" Jako nodded bruskly. "Yes, sir." "Good. Oh, and just for future reference, we salute in the army." Allen concluded, with just the faintest flicker of a grin. "Yes sir" Jako said, feeling slightly better.[/SIZE]