Raiha

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Well living where I do in California, most people wouldn't know a recession if it danced naked in front of them looped in strands of holly and mistletoe. There's been no perceptible decline in sales from what I've read recently, and the holiday business is booming right along. That isn't to say that some people are exercising fiscal responsibility in their family's finances. My family's taken the money we were going to spend on gifts to put towards helping another family adopt a child from the Phillipines. My sister and I pooled our money to sponsor a four year old girl from Cebu for the duration of her elementary education. And I only asked for books and a new battery for my watch. My brother asked [predictably] for a Wii, and my sister asked for a baby sister. I personally have no "recession" to bug me with, since I pay minimal taxes regardless, get paid in cash anyway, and live beneath my means purposely so I don't care if I have to live hand to mouth or not. This year I made many of you OBites bookmarks [cheap, green], easy to mail out. And I spent a fixed sum on other friends to their benefit, but not the detriment of my wallet. To me it's a matter of being satisfied with less regardless. I think the word is self denial.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Currently I find myself on a MGMT bender. The song specifically is "Electric Feel." I won't pretend there's any actual real meaning behind the song, except for a perverse desire to be badly electrocuted by a woman without clothing on. I also won't pretend that the music video readly available on Youtube makes any sense either... But the beauty of it all is that while MGMT looks and sounds exactly like an 80's band, they're very current. Like 2008 current. That's how strange it is. At least they're fun to listen to. Album: Oracular Spectacular. Note the very lovely curly hair.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I like reptiles, snakes, uromastyx, lizards, and the like. I even like tarantulas, most spiders, and some beetles. This bravery however abandons when I am confronted with any cockroach larger than my thumb. If I am not wearing appropriate footwear for smashing said insect, I will not exactly...scream...so much as I'll walk away very quickly. If I am wearing my boots or other large footwear, I will make it flatter than a piece of paper and howl in rage while I do it. There. I said it.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Life and death happen to people every day, but that's no reason to let it get you down. When people die, mourning is all well and good, but sometimes sympathy from others can become the only sustaining force in your life instead of relying on inner strength to overcome hardships, difficulties, and other bull that life likes to hurl in your face. I've been having some good weeks with minor disappointments, but there's nothing like hard work to distract yourself from disappointment and trouble. In fact, if I hadn't been keeping myself purposely busy, I'd probably be less happy.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Rachmaninoff']Since it's that time of year again... I've whipped out the Christmas stuff by [B]Mannheim Steamroller[/B]. Right now it's playing [URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0pTBNkt9g4"][U][B]Hallelujah[/B][/U][/URL] I'm just sorry that their tour doesn't include SLC this year. Going to their concert last year was just amazing.[/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]GAH! NO! You lucky little b- Anyway I love me some Mannheim too. Mom's currently got Interior Castle playing though. Eventually I'll get through to her though. But in the meantime I'm listening to Daft Punk's extremely sad yet lovely "Something About Us" also findable on youtube. It's just a matter of if you want the Interestella 5555 version or the badly done AMV version. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]So I have nothing to do until December 1st and I have the house to myself until this Friday afternoon. Thus, I'm extending an open invitation to my friends who read this and happen to be in the area. If people want to drop by any time this week I'll be home with tea, mulled apple cider, and food. Lots of food. When the weather gets cold I cook. Thanksgiving I'll be cooking and eating around 4 or 5, so if anyone wants to come by, they're totally welcome. Come earlier and help me cook and you'll get freebies. Come later and eat and you'll get to do the dishes. You decide. The menu for Thanksgiving day is as follows; Lemon salt Turkey Biscuits Steamed broccoli with cheddar cheese Garlic cheese potatoes Apple cider with cinnamon sticks Pumpkin pie Creme Bruleé First come first served. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]1) What are some scents that you love? Rain on pavement, plumeria blossoms strung around the neck, and fresh lavender bouquets strung up around the kitchen. 2) What do those scents represent to you? (besides the obvious physical object that emits that scent) It means that the cold season has come, and it's time to snuggle in bed with your nearest and dearest or get out sewing projects and start making quilts. Plumeria means that I'm in Hawaii again, or another tropical place, which means I have the free money to enjoy myself again without stressing about funds. Lavender means that it's summertime or early fall and we can begin to make sachets by weaving the blossoms with pink and purple ribbons. 3) What do you think that says about you as a person? I think I like flowers. Maybe it's a sign... It was the Half Blood Prince. Or as I know it, Green book.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Actually according to the files, all of the enterprises were built on Utopia Planetia. Am I the only one who knows this? Yes. Also, after taking a few science courses, we discovered that it's best to just NOT QUESTION the whole transporter part. Since you'd have to make a perfect copy of the original or some nonsense like that. Either way I'm not wildly thrilled, but I look forward to Spock stealing the show. Which will be a very nice change. Also, I'm a pretty serious Trekkie. Hold onto your phasers.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Whoa, Mann'][SIZE="1"][COLOR="HotPink"]So with that statement, I have to ask you guys... I'm always seeing the usual "I need help with this relationship" threads, but I don't see many like this. Have you ever been in love? Are you in love? And you know. Tell me of this love. [/COLOR][/SIZE][/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I've been in love. I've been out of love. I've been in lust [which I can probably say is what you're in] and I've been out of lust. She's something new. Something new is a nice fuzzy feeling that only lasts for up to three years. Which to you may feel like an eternity, but heck. It's hard to know if you love someone right away. When that feeling stretches on and into the longer and longer periods of time, then you'll know. And even then, we had a thread about this recently. So pretty much review C.S. Lewis's views on love and you'll be in. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='TimeChaser']Well, due to health issues in the past year, I haven't had much in the way of exercise, and I'm terribly out of shape, so I need to work on that. I started yesterday by going on a bike ride. It was pretty short - my legs started to hurt before I even got off my street - but it was still the most sustained activity I've had in a long time. I plan to do more in the way of walking and bike riding.[/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]If you can, you should swim. It'll be easier on your knees and ankles. I swim regularly, or did before I got my tattoo. Fortunately by next week I'll be allowed to swim again by my tattooist. I swim, I walk long distances over campus by going roundabout to my classes with a 20 pound backpack. And people think my laptop is big just because I want a screen I can see everything on. What else... hmm? I do wrestling for fun and I'm also starting tai chi in early January. Lucky me.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[CENTER][IMG]http://www.collider.com/uploads/imageGallery/Watchmen/jackie_earle_haley_as_rorschach_watchmen_movie_image.jpg[/IMG][/CENTER] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]I'm surprised there's no thread for this yet. But what the heck. Leave it to the only non hardcore DC fan around to make the thread for it. I'm not sure what to think about this movie though. I mean I like the Watchmen, really. Even if it's a very complex comic book that strains most people's standards of what typically belongs in comics. Most of the superheroes are only super because they work out obscenely long hours and are really good at hand to hand combat. And in the trailer the Silk Spectre is wearing so much leather - or is it vinyl- she looks like an escaped traffic sign. "Look out people! It's the Leather Spectre!" That's just lacking in both alliteration and ferocity. Not that leather doesn't hurt more than silk when smacked with it. But seriously folks. Not sure how to feel about the movie yet short of one serious foreboding. Most people who see this movie will never ever read the comic book. Most people also are blithering idiots on whom the complex plot of absolute justice over absolute mercy would be lost entirely. AND when it was first shown during the Dark Knight premier, as soon as Dr. Manhattan took the stage, I heard someone say: "Oh look dude it's the Silver Surfer!" Yes, if [b]that[/b] doesn't fill you with fear I don't know what will.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Drizzt Do'urden']The only qualm I have with mixing Vodka with anything is that "normally" (based on the people I've drank with) people that mix enough other stuff in to completly take the alcohol taste away, usually are the people that get full before they get buzzed. I don't know about the sugar, might have to try it. Would you recommend cherry or Grape?[/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]There IS Grape flavored vodka, but the side effect is that you eventually feel like you're drinking Dimeatap. And not the good kind. I'm talking the kind they modified for allergies as well as colds and headaches. Steer clear. And Cherry is okay when it's Maraschino cherries, but as far as grape flavors in mixed drinks? Don't do it. Citrus is a better bet. Please keep in mind however that the more colorful the drink, the less manly you are.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Congratulations are in order I suppose. But don't count your eggs before they're fertilized and whatnot. Most pregnancies end in spontaneous abortions anyway but woah. You don't need to hear that from me. Just so long as there's plenty of love and support and good parenting I can't object.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"][i]The first shuttle from Tatooine landed without any untoward happenings, and the spare, slight form of the female Jedi went virtually unnoticed. Making her way through the streets to the stronghold she knew she'd been summoned to was a simple affair. And they'd asked very politely. Then again, how could she refuse so polite a request? She'd been too long out of the world anyway. Her apprentices could manage the temple without her. The younglings were very polite to her, pointing across the halls to the chamber where the council was waiting. She drew her hood up deep across her face and padded silently across the stone floors, barefoot, enjoying the feeling of the cold against her toes. Such a simple luxury, and worth savoring beyond all others while she was here. Quickly enough, her feet brought her to the chamber, and she knelt quietly within the circle, feeling six pairs of eyes rest upon her.[/i] "Shahrizai of Tatooine. We thank you for traveling so far at Yoda's behest." "To herd a wayward Jedi? I would travel as far as you asked." [i]Yoda leaned forward slightly, his hands curled across his staff.[/i] "Sense him here did you?" "I haven't forgotten him. And I dreamed of him as I did of Jenna and the others while meditating these past several years." "If you could shadow him, speak to him, merely observe him, it would be a great help." "I can do all of those things. I'll report back if anything untoward happens." [i]Everyone present besides Shahrizai nodded gravely. She slowly rose to her feet and inclined her head to everyone present. Then she turned and left without another word. Securing her chambers in a nearby hostel was simple enough, as was ordering the clothing she knew she'd need. Most Jedi never shed the robes of the order, but then again, most Jedi didn't typically tie themselves to one temple their entire life. Shahrizai had done so willingly, if only for the sake of her gifts. On Coruscant she was obliged to close off some of her ability to sense through both the Force and her own abilities. The noises and smells were almost overwhelming at times. Even so there were compensations. Enlightenment through simple service to her friends was one of those compensations. She smiled wryly to herself while pulling on thigh high boots, a black leather skirt, and a form fitting top that left her back wide open, revealing long lines of tattoos. With a brush, she began to braid her hair into a variety of strands, securing each with near invisible threads. Setting down her light saber, she turned and left the building, keeping only her knives and cards with her, tucked into a fold in one of her several belts.[/i] "You will probably find him in a bar, eying up the girls." [i]Thracia had passed Shahrizai on her way out and given her the same sort of sage advice she'd come to expect from that rakish lady. Then again, both weren't precisely typical female Jedi. Thracia had chosen the way of the mother and wife as well as the healer. Shahrizai had chosen the way of the Visionary in the Desert. Setting those thoughts aside, Shahrizai turned her obsidian colored eyes to the city at large, and she narrowed them slightly, then opened them again, letting the sensations of Justin flood her mind. Drawing a bead on his location, she let herself move slowly towards him, taking her time, not in any particular rush, drawing stares as she went. Near human with tightly furled ears, black eyes, almost white blonde hair, and dark skin. She could see why they didn't understand her. Catching a speeder headed for his direction, she dropped down on the roof leading into the bar and slid through the door. Not too many people noticed her right away, not until she sat down on a barstool, asking for a glass of water as she did.[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="times new roman"][i]The dream stretched and grew thin, then shattered completely. Just as the sun was beginning to sink, Linnett's ears perked and twitched, and she hurtled herself up from her place between Einge and Dahler. Stretching out the nails in her fingers and toes, she leapt from place to place, sinking her digits into the ceiling, the walls, the ground below. Eventually she peeked out of the cave and saw the frozen ocean. She blinked her eyes once, twice, and then her Sight activated. Immediately things far away pressed closer into her vision, opening up for her, revealing their destination at last. On either side of her, Dahler and Einge appeared, quietly and calmly, observing their feral kin as she used the Sight as easily as the best trained among them. Then she shook her head, and smiled up at the pair of them as brightly as any happy child.[/i] "Not far now, not far at all. The fires are out for the night." "See? I told you she was perfect." [i]Einge smirked at Dahler's bemused expression, then he took Linnett's small hand and curled it up into his, pulling her across his shoulders to let her lock her legs around his hips. Then he broke into an easy run, Dahler loping next to him, both looking straight ahead, headed for the city Linnett had seen. Two hours at the same pace brought the three into the capital of Tierra Del Fuego, the city of Ushuaia, where there were both people and supplies. Breaking into a store was the first order of business, with Dahler bypassing the security systems and guards both. Once there, Linnett waited for the men to finish. Vanity was an unknown quantity to her, and she didn't object with Einge gently wrapped her in a long sleeved dress of dark red and slipped a pair of sturdy boots onto her feet. She combed her hair with her fingers while Dahler and Einge pulled on form fitting pants and shirts, boots and overcoats. Taking her hand, Einge led her back out into the nearby alley and waited for Dahler to shut the door and join them. Once there, Einge waited patiently for a pair of humans to pass them by, perhaps more, enough to stun quietly and then bring back for a brief snack. Dahler's eyes widened as a group of late night carousers drifted towards their waiting place.[/i] "Fatal feeding or stun and abandon?" "Should probably make it fatal. Linnett is really quite hungry." [i]Both turned to see that Linnett had already left them both without their noticing, and was gesturing at the five young males who were on their way over. They came with some laughter, nudges and winks, seeing only a pretty girl with oddly colored eyes and hair, no danger. None of them even noticed when she had led them well past six feet into the alley, when Einge and Dahler dropped down from the walls. One gently pushed Linnett against a wall, taking a kiss from her, which became longer and more drawn out while the rest of the group erupted into cat calls and hoots. Einge waited patiently for the others to notice that Dahler had already picked out his prey and sunk his teeth directly into the jugular. Nobody seemed capable of taking their eyes off of Linnett, who was still running the tip of her tongue across the young male's lips. He felt an abrupt tugging sensation, and realized that she'd begun to use whatever blood gift she'd been born with on everyone present. Indiscriminately ensorcelling and smiling all the while, Linnett was eating not only their free will but their desire as well. Drinking it like the blood she was now gently pulling from a simple wound in her first prey's wrist. Just as the male began to go under, Linnett tugged her lips free from his skin and let it ice over. She let him sink to his knees, shivering in the snow, while the next male walked jerkily toward her like a badly controlled puppet.[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='TimeChaser']The socialist charge against Obama was totally unfounded, just more crass political mudslinging. It doesn't take a genius to realize the Reagan ideal of trickle-down economics does not work. The rich are not investing that money in ways that benefit the rest of us. It's one of those ideas that works better in theory than practice because of the inherent foibles and selfishness of people. [/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Totally unfounded would imply that there was nothing even remotely akin to socialism anywhere in Obama's plans for the economy and society. However it is possible to say that Obama has some plans that lean more towards socialism than capitalism. Such a statement can be made without falling into crass political mudslinging. You say that the rich don't invest money in ways that benefit the rest of us, but that's their prerogative. The government can not compel the rich to invest their money in a way that would benefit all. That isn't to say that it can't try, but that generally doesn't work out so well. In spite of the fact that rich people can run businesses to benefit themselves, occasionally their quest to make money benefits others. And labeling every person in a certain income bracket as a bad person or a selfish ******* is generally an assumption made by the bitter, jealous, or near sighted. If you could explain your view a little further, I'd be interested. And I mean that nicely. I'm not sure if you're implying that the government can fix selfishness in businesses or not. [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Revelations 12:11. Now with 25% more pain![/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]For my first magic trick... [URL="http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/11/news/economy/candidates_taxproposals_tpc/index.htm"]A citation of a not FOX news source from an admitted conservative.[/URL] In short, the two were not very dissimilar. I don't think Obama planned on implementing socialism via tax policy, or at least that's not what he said. What he's going to do however is entirely up to him and his evil overlord mas- I'm kidding. Actually right now it's hard to formulate an opinion on him because he doesn't make a habit of speaking very plainly about his stances on everything. Now that he's been elected however, we'll find out what he's really going to do to back up his stump speeches. If these tax plans are to be believed, then me in my nice boring, under 20k a year bracket wouldn't be affected anyway. I'd get my theoretical tax cuts if I actually paid taxes. But my philosophy on taxes is grounded in common sense economics, which is pretty much like saying 'I don't care about poor people' when it's explained fully. I believe in a non progressive tax. In a phrase? The Fair Tax. A tax that doesn't come from paychecks, which means no FICA, no Medicare, no Medicaid, no government programs taxing you based on your income. It, as in It the Non partisan bill can be found[URL="http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_main"]here.[/URL] My considered opinion, after taking high school economics, and upper division socio-political psychobabble classes in college is that income based taxes are ponderous, unwieldy, and an affront to personal freedom. Statistically the higher the nation's taxes, the more unhappy their market is. Take Sweden. 60%+ income tax. Great public schools. Not so great GDP. I also believe that the current tax system in place in the U.S. punishes those who are considered by the less wealthy [and thus easily manipulated] to be "stinking filthy rich." When my fiction class was having a post election talk someone said: "I'm glad Obama was elected because now he'll tax the f--- out of those damn rich people." Even though I come from a poor/lower middle class family, I'm not sure I understand the logic behind taxing the people who write your paychecks. My boss makes at least 200k a year, and he pays at least 50% in taxes right now under the current policies. I'm not sure why the government feels the need to tax the living daylights out of him, because it's always seemed to me like a punishment for being successful. Now some people might view it as merely making things 'equal' by unequally taxing the rich because they can 'afford' it. But overtaxing the rich generally makes the rich flee the country. Punishing capital makes capital leave the places it could do good things in. When companies are taxed and regulated into the ground, they go overseas and then get blasted for not staying in the U.S. to be brutalized further. Rich people can afford offshore accounts, houses that aren't in the US. But then again, all of my philosophies on economics stem from the belief that money isn't a zero sum game, and that money isn't an evil that needs to be excised from people's wallets.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Vicky'][size=1]Can we have OB celebrities? I vote Boo =p *imagines the size of his ego after that*.[/size][/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Now imagine it after I'm done trampling all over it with stilettos on. Let's see. I'm surprised nobody has gone for my picks yet. [b]She was hot as a hooker, and hot as a professional nude model. Ladies and Gentlemen it's Monica Bellucci![/b] [IMG]http://media.santabanta.com/gallery/global%20celebrities(f)/monica%20bellucci/monica%20bellucci5s.jpg[/IMG] [b]Remember Kids, Johnny Depp has been more than just predictable old Jack Sparrow.[/b] [IMG]http://www.netinfo.bg/this_galls/this_galls/johnny_depp/johnny_depp01.jpg[/IMG] [b]Good as a crazy killer, good as a King, good as a bank robber. Clive Owen![/b] [IMG]http://chartroose.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/clive-owen.jpeg[/IMG] [/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]My parents are taking the brood to southern California to be with my mentally fading grandmother. I sadly have midterms and papers due all throughout the week of Thanksgiving which is just more proof that the school I attend is run by maniacs. So I'll be working and studying, although I've been invited to friend's places in the area, so I suppose I'll see. I do know that my grandmother has invited me and a male [cough] friend to her place to learn how to play traditional mah jhongg and bluff and lie and eat until we waddle away eventually. Lucky us.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Right now it's waffling between two of the sexiest coolest ladies making music out there. Sarah Fimm's ethereal and transcendent "Mercury" and then on a totally and completely different note the riot grrl music by Angelspit. Destroyx is a fun creature, and her songs promote the bucking of typical female stereotypes such as what I call Doormatism, Anorexica, etc. Plus she scathingly savages over consumerism, conservativism, survivalism, etc. I recommend the following songs: "Wolf" "Kill Kitty" and "Skinny Little *****" [IMG]http://www.popdeurope.de/images/2007/dj_destroyx_300px.jpg[/IMG][/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"][i]Kataka didn't really see Crim coming, but when he finally felt the first fist shatter into his left ear, it became very apparent that it was time to fight or die. The alley was narrow, fenced off across the back, ruining his escape. But Crim kept on coming, forcing him to retreat against the plastic and chainlink fence. He yelped in pain as a second blow smashed into his right shoulder, still frantically groping in his pants pocket for the brass knuckles he had bought the other week at a flea market.[/i] "Okay you fucker. Let's see how you like this." [i]Slipping them through his left fingers, he felt a sudden burst of energy and finally swung back, for the first time since the assault began, defending himself. He curled his fingers into the palm of his hand and connected with Crim's cheek, hearing crunch as the maxillary shattered. Crim fell back, his nose pouring blood much like Kataka's ear was. He moaned aloud, surprised that his mouth was still working. The red surprised both of them, glistening almost too brightly in the halogen streetlight overhead. Kataka didn't hesitate much longer, but swung again, crushing Crim's mandible, his frontal, his parietal, fueled by survivalism and rage mingling together. In that final moment, when Crim's death rattle was gurgling through a crushed hyoid bone, Kataka paused, kneeling over Crim's chest. He looked down at the blood covering his white dress shirt, his left fist, and his right hand where he'd gripped Crim's lapel. Straddling him like he was about to deliver a tracheotomy, or forced fellatio, Kataka listened until Crim stopped breathing. Then he slowly stood up, the brass knuckles slipping from his fingers. They hit the concrete with a light ringing sound, bounced up, then clattered back down. He regarded the weapon he'd used to extinguish the life of his enemy, then he heard another sound above him. Kataka looked up. Then he immediately looked away and tried to run for the sidewalk. Too late. The first stone had been thrown. It slammed down so hard into the pavement just in front of him that the rubble it knocked upwards cut into his cheek. He turned back, about to leap the fence, and another slammed down not two inches from his right foot. Looking back up he saw them. They had lined themselves up on the rooftops. Two lines of parallel enemies staring down at him. Some were smiling in smug triumph. Others had faces twisted in rage. One turned their head to one side and looked at him in curiosity. A soft female voice caressed his ears.[/i] "Do you think he'll like this?" [i]Both the fury and the pride somehow took away the anger that had been sustaining him. Both filled him with a sudden clenching sensation in his stomach. He dropped to his knees and covered his head with his hands. They began to fall, hurled down with both force and gravity on their side. One struck his right hand, breaking the knuckles, snapping the slender bones of his fingers. Another took out his ulna as he twitched and jerked, the blows pouring down over him. Concrete, brick, bottle, rock, thrown long after the fatal blow kept coming. And they only stopped when no trace of Kataka remained, no visible reminder of the one who had murdered another. And the name of Kataka ceased to be spoken from the lips of those who had taken life from him just as he had taken life from Crim.[/i][/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Nerdsy'][color=deeppink] Push brooms work damn hard for their money, and they deserve to keep it![/color][/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Psh, I pay for its room and board and I take it to get pruned every few months. I deserve to enact my own payment for services rendered whenever I damn well please.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]This may come as a terrible shock to you, but I'm not here to make anyone BELIEVE anything I say. I'm stating my personal opinions. And if some of my opinions aren't quite in line with yours, well then clearly I must belong to the vast right wing conspiracy. I'll go get a tinfoil hat.[/FONT][/COLOR]

[quote name='Katakidoushi']Wow. So do you only read the conservative propaganda? I think Raiha's past few posts have just proven what I can not prove in one hundred posts. The conservative mind set would have us believe that Barack Obama can not be trusted because of the color of his skin and his father's religion. Is this really where we are in this country? Do we really want to be the people that add to the hysteria of religious persecution? Does someone's father's religion make them untrustworthy? [/QUOTE] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"][FONT="Times New Roman"]Okay buddy, since you apparently forgot it's rude to talk about someone in the third person when they're right here in the room I'll just keep it simple. I do not CARE if Barack was once a Muslim. But if he was and he isn't telling the truth about it then I do care. That's merely a case of honesty, nothing else. And yes. I don't believe in hope. I don't believe in the government "helping" anyone. I don't believe that the government can really "help" anyone either. "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you" is a phrase I really do not like hearing, regardless of who is in office. I am not white. The color of his skin does not matter to me. I do care if he is going to take more of the money that I've worked hard for and spend it on people who neither worked as hard as me or know what to do with it. Excuse me while I go fine a push broom to sweep up the detritus of your massive and sweeping generalizations. The pot calling the kettle black is always an amusing situation. Here's some Ajax. Supply your own elbow grease.[/FONT][/COLOR]