Retribution

[size=1]I'm going to say that life begins when the fetus has brainwaves. I think that before this point, one cannot be considered human, as all that exists is a collection of cells. Like Baron (again), I think that this is a key part in being human, being aware and all, so considering a fertiziled egg human seems wrong to me. I'm assuming that this topic isn't about abortion, and that's why it hasn't blown up.[/size]

[size=1]I don't really understand all this talk about how the world "love" doesn't mean anything anymore, and it's all thanks to big, bad society. If the word doesn't mean anything to you anymore, it's because of you and your views on love. I don't really think society plays much of a role in taking away the meaning of words (well, maybe 1984). Many people say "I love you" when they don't really love the person, but is there anything wrong with that? I don't really think so. It's something nice to say to someone else, and now everyone's complaining about it. It's much better than hearing "I hate you" all the time.[/size]

[quote name='DeadSeraphim][color=indigo][size=1][font=arial]This is Americans we're talking about Baron, they don't know how to write proper English.[/font][/size'][/color][/quote] [size=1]Would it not be "[B]These are[/B] Americans we're talking about"? I think things are just fine as they are, really. I could care less if I could swear or not -- I find those words don't really help to do anything, the exception being to occasionally stress a point. Then again, good writing doesn?t really need profanities.[/size]

[size=1]To be honest, I don't see what the fuss is. These women are chosing to do what they do, and people choose to watch. If you don't like displaying your body as sex symbol, then don't. If you don't approve of pornography, then don't look at it. It's not going anywhere -- prostitution and pornography have been and always will be a part of society. It's human nature. Yeah, thought I'd chime in with DeadSeraphim...[/size]

[size=1]Me, I was a fan of this movie up until [spoiler]the jungle scenes.[/spoiler] The director should've and could've cut out a great deal from that time slot. I think the NYC beginning was absolutely genius - I loved it. I didn't really have any sympathy for Kong. In fact, thoughout the entire movie, I just wish he would die. I also didn't like it when [spoiler]the author guy ran back after the girl, even when everyone else wanted to leave her for dead, and when he got to her, she wanted to stay with Kong. I would've pimp-smacked that girl and knocked some sense into her.[/spoiler] Once they were all back in NYC, [spoiler]I wanted Kong to be gunned down off that skyscraper. I'm sorry, but I didn't really feel the whole empathy thing. He was an annoying, rampaging ape. And why was he in one piece after falling off the Empire State's building? There wasn't even any blood![/spoiler] That's just the brutal side of me talking, I suppose.[/size]

[size=1]Thanks, chaps. Try and be harsher with me on the feedback... so far, the only improvements (if any) I've made have been from trying to mimic styles I like. And that's a road I don't want to take. [IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/retri_trib/set.jpg[/IMG] It's what I made my current avatar and banner set out of. I made the large image, and tried to find something interesting to crop out of them.[/size]

[size=1]I really enjoyed 2005 in retrospect. This past year was a time of serious bonding between me and my buddies. It's a year that I'm going to look back on in twenty years and say "those were the days, man..." Sure, the work made me want to jump off the nearest cliff, and the stress really got to my head back in the spring, but overall, I'd say I have very few regrets, which is the way to live life.[/size]

[size=1][B]Name:[/B] Alexander "Xander" Riley [B]Age:[/B] 33 [B]Gender:[/B] Male [B]Group:[/B] Numbers [B]Appearance:[/B] [url=http://hyung-taekim.org/displayimage.php?album=9&pos=3][link][/url] [will edit] [B]Weapon(s):[/B] 1x Silenced Sniper Rifle (range 1000 yards) 1x Collapsable Assault Rifle (supercompact) 1x Cougar Magnum (emergency arm) [B]Bio:[/B] [will edit][/size]

[size=1]Whoa, Goddess, nice banner and avatar. I'm going to give you an [B]8.5/10[/B]. The avatar is perfect in every way - cropping, color, as well as a very attractive woman. The banner, however, isn't quite as perfect -- the crop is well done (haha), but the color of her lips makes things feel unbalanced to me. And can you give me a name and number? :3[/size]

[size=1]Assuming you're a good student, boredom means you have nothing to do. Enjoy that. Cherish it. Revel in the fact that there is nothing that the world is asking of you, for soon that will change.[/size]

[QUOTE=vicky][SIZE=1]Uh, well if you ask me there isn't much meaning. The meaning of life is to die. That's nice, isn't it? Seriously, think about it. You live, you die. Having goals and whatnot is a way of making things seem better than it is, because really you're going to die no matter what you do. That's fate, you die. At the end of everything you do, you die. So I reckon that's the meaning of life, to die. Becoming famous and having a family is just something to fill in the gap before death, life'd be pretty boring if we just accepted our fate from the moment we realised it. [...] I'm actually not all "doom and gloom" when it comes to life. Sometimes I think the meaning of life is to make your own meaning and dreams, then follow them. No one make's decision for me, no one should make decisions for you, it's your life, your fate, your meaning. Make something of it.[/SIZE][/QUOTE] [size=1]I don't understand. According to your first paragraph about life, why not just commit suicide and get all of the suffering over with? If we're destined to die, then what's the point? Your view seems very empty and hopeless to me. I'd like to think that my efforts will have some sort of fruit, and not just to waste away in the sands of time. And then your third paragraph, you tell us that you think we should do something with life. But why, may I ask, if there's a dead end at the end of it all? I think the purpose of life is to push the wheels of humanity forward, to make progress, and to make life for our children and our children's children easier than before. Oh. And all that "love thy neighbor" stuff too.[/size]

[size=1]I'm pretty much ready for the Second Amendment to be nullified. Let's look at the context during which it was passed. - The Colonies had just won freedom from Britain because of the militias. - The Colonies had the ability to revolt against Britain because they had the arms to do so with. Had they not owned the arms, the American Revolution would've never taken place. Considering these two points were fresh in the Founder Father's minds, I'm making an educated guess that the following quote: "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed," means pretty clearly that the right to bear arms exists to keep maintain the security of a free state. I believe this to mean that when the government becomes tyrannical, the "well regulated militia" should take up their arms and fight the best military in the world. In short, the "well regulated militia" would get destroyed without a real fight -- and therefore, the entire point of the Second is null.[/size]

[size=1]Hey there, gundampali23. If you're looking for interesting music (for your aforementioned blog, I presume) you might want to try out the OtakuBoards Jukebox (the gray bar at the top of the navigation bar) to sample some interesting Anime MIDIs. I've never really listened to many of them myself, but I'm guessing that'd give you a good starting point as to figuring out which Gundam SEED or Destiny songs you want to find. Hope that was of help.[/size]

[QUOTE=Grace][FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]Mhm. "Act you age!" is a way of telling someone that they are acting either clumsy or childish when those traits are not usually found in their nature. Usually the person who uses the phrase is trying to make you stop doing whatever your doing. I don't think that having a certain interest, such as Pokemon, is not something you have to grow out of. It's simply something that you enjoy very much, whether its playing the cards or watching the anime, or even playing the game. You don't have to stop doing a hobby just because someone tells you to act your age and stop. That is just not right.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][/QUOTE] [size=1]The reason why interests such as Pokemon are considered to be "immature" once you get to be a certain age is because the majority of your peers have already moved onto different things that are characteristic of their age group, such as girl/guy chasing and driving. When someone remains in a past 'stage,' if you will, peers look upon the person who has not moved to their interests as "immature." That's how the world works... and for the most part, it's somewhat true. I mean, I would look at a thirty-year-old like they were crazy if they enjoyed watching Pokemon and battling with the cards, solely because it's something society has thought to be "childish." I'm sure many others would have my same reaction to such an encounter.[/size]

[size=1]Hey, there ain't nothing wrong with hardcore Christians. There's nothing wrong with someone who really loves God -- there's something wrong with it when you become a Pharisee. Sodom and Gomorrah was Old Testament, and I really don't feel like reiterating what that means to a Christian... and I'm sure you know that while OT is important, the NT is what you should be paying a bit more attention to. As for whether people are born gay or become gay - who cares? Why does it matter? They're people. If that's the way they swing, then fine with me. Sure, I feel a bit uncomfortable when I see two gay guys kissing, but I'm not going to call them sinners. I'm also completely for same-sex marriage. Love is love. orbindo, you should understand that the United States of America has no national religion, therefore it is not right to push Christian teachings and beliefs upon those who may or may not share those values. They aren?t Christian, so why should they follow your Christian belief that it should not be allowed solely because it is ?sinful.? Jesus never crammed His teachings down his disciples? throats ? he taught them, encouraged them, and helped them. Never did he force them to ?pick up their cross? and follow Him. Their actions were entirely voluntary. What you?re doing is being a Pharisee ? you follow rules to the letter, overlooking the simple fact that they?re human, they love one another as a straight couple, and statistically stick together more than straight couples). You?re living in the past. Gay marriage is inevitable in the future ? the same was thought about segregation and religious freedom in America. One day, our children won?t be able to fathom times when gays were unable to marry freely.[/size]

[size=1]Who cares if one of the characters is gay? They're aliens for goodness sake. [b][i]Aliens.[/i][/b] As for the drug and sexual references, I think that's coming from people who are conspiracy theorists and love to come up with reasons why things are indecent, such as Barney. Who cares if the aliens are saying "Faster, faster" in Cantonese if they're more mumbling than anything else, and the target audience is not those who speak Cantonese, but rather, English speakers.[/size]

[size=1]It's also the WTO and IMF's jobs to loan money to countries to help them get back on their feet, but quite obviously it's not enough. I'm going to assume that you're nearly entirely ignorant to the rest of the world's suffering, that you have no idea the magnitude or scale of the injustice. First of all, we can help the homeless once Bush gets his mind together. Cutting food stamps and welfare certainly aren't helping the situation, and yes, our debt is collosal. We can get the homeless taken care of in America, we just aren't doing it. With all this national security talk, that's where all our money is going. The multi-million dollar fighter jets. The million dollar bombs. On top of this, the tax cuts aren't helping the economy out much. Trickle-down economics haven't worked for a long, long time. And despite the adversity, I still believe we are called to aid others. Currently, we give one tenth of one percent of our annual budget to foreign aid. I am entirely certain we can give others a larger slice of what we have than that. Also, other developed nations should help the USA. The US currently gives the most money to developing nations -- and other nations should increase their donations. This has to be a united effort.[/size]

[quote name='Grace][FONT=Comic Sans MS][COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1]My answer is yes, you are a bad guy. Well, if you had ADD that could be a whole different story. But I doubt you have ADD, so I am going to stick with my answer.[/SIZE][/COLOR'][/FONT][/quote] [size=1]I flatly refuse this as an excuse and justification for bullying. The whole ADD phenomenon is being mass-marketed by society, and is what weak parents resort to when they realize they?ve failed. ?Yes, my child has ADD. That?s why he punches children.? Sickening. I don?t care. You shouldn?t be bullying, regardless of your disorders. It?s no excuse.[/size]

[size=1][quote name='Starwind']I'm not saying we need to be isolationist, I'm saying if we want security start at home, number one. Number two, since when is it the job of this nation alone to look after the rest of the world. Mind you, the people there didn't want us there and ahve made no short point of letting us know. It's not like WWI or WWII where we werer practically begged to step in. The rest of the world pleaded with us to stay out of Iraq, and we went anyway. We went to a nation, sure in turmoil, but none the less, that didn't want us there and made no small point to let us know they wanted us the hell out.[/quote] No, it?s not the job of this nation [I]alone[/I] to ?look after the world,? but I could certainly argue that America has the obligation to help countries that are less fortunate than we. That doesn?t mean militarily ? I was mostly talking about economically ruined places, like most of Africa, and much of South America. Places where people are forced into conditions akin to slavery, where a poor mother has no choice but to work for Nike and feed her children with the one dollar she?d earn that day. Or the cocoa bean-pickers that get ripped off due to the Free Trade market, and let us drink our coffee in Starbucks, completely unaware of the human suffering that went into that cup of coffee. I?m not talking about military action, here. I?m talking about justice. [quote]We may be the strongest super power out there, but were not the only one. There were other nations there that could have dealt with it if they really felt like it was something that required attention. Or could have asked for our help, but none of this was the case. We stepped in agains the wills of many of our allies and with almost no support to a nation that didn't want us there, even in the face of the turmoil and torture they faced, they didn't want us there.[/quote] Again, the war in Iraq was a brief example that I employed. I really don?t support the war, but I think we should finish what we started, rather than run like cowards once we see the long road ahead. [quote]I You see, as we are the geatest super power, we have another responsiblity that is not policing the world. We have the responsiblity to not just throw our weight around because we can. We shouldn't step into a situation that has yet to threaten us directly, unless we are called upon by a nation that lacks the ablity to protect itself. I these people had been rebeling or trying to over throw him, again different story. But that's not the case in this story.[/quote] We do have the responsibility to step into a situation that has yet to affect us directly. What if this situation was greater than self-interest, but rather, helping out the poor, the needy, those less fortunate, the exploited? For example, in San Salvador back in the late 70s, the 2% of the people owned 95% of the country?s wealth, and the other 98% of people had 5% of the country?s wealth scattered amongst them. The government was oppressive and killed those who rose up against the aristocracy in a plea for equality. The American government funded the Salvadoran government, thinking that the country would remain democratic if the aristocrats controlled it, rather than let it turn communist (due to the Cold War). While this situation had yet to actually impact America, the government did and should have intervened ? but the government sided with the oppressors. Letting this struggle slide under the carpet would be entirely unacceptable ? and it?s happening every day. Poorer nations are being kicked to the curb and out of the world?s sight solely because we don?t actually want to help them. [quote]Bush's favorite line "FIghting them there so we don't have to fight them here" is a load of crap to and I'll tell you why. Do you know how long those terrorists from the 9/11 tragedy had been in this country before hand? A little over a decade. If they're going to attack us, then they're already here. We need to step it up here. Since your obviously not aware of this, our security levels at our most vunerable terrorist locations (i.e. Chemical plants, Nuclear power plants and airports) are at record lows. How are doing this to ourselves again? It's not our job, or even our responsiblity to over there.[/quote] I get the funny feeling you think I?m a pro-Bush guy. Hehe. Don?t worry ? I?m onboard with you on this one, for the most part. However, I do think that we need to install a stable government and police force before we can get on our merry way. We came in without their consent, destroyed their government, took civilian casualities, and as a result, the country is extremely unstable. It'd be completely unfair to say they're on their own now, at this stage of the game. [quote=]I guess what I'm trying to tell you is, if you don't live here, don't tell us what our responsiblity is. I'm in the army and I have friends who had to go there and deal with the idea of having to shoot four year olds if they come over to you. Do you know why? Because these sick bastards strap bombs to the little kids and send them to soilders and have them give them a hug, then BOOM. You don't have to deal with that so don't say anything about it.[/quote] For the record, I live in Washington, D.C. I also find it intriguing you?re so anti-war (it?s not a bad thing, though! ^_^) but in the military. My uncle is the military ? he recently returned to Iraq. My grandfather served for 20 years in the military. But even if I didn?t live in America, I would have the right to tell you what her responsibilities are. Take this hypothetical example: You?re on a basketball team, and I?m your coach. I tell you that you?re not doing so well on free-throws, and that you must improve. You tell me that since I don?t play, I have no room to talk. Granted, this example wasn?t even close to perfect, but you get my point, right? I don?t need to ?play in the game with you? to tell you what you should be doing. [quote]Secondly, this has nothing to do with my question, I just want people to better themselves, because a better society is the starting point for a positive changes, but I am sick and damn tired of people who live in this country of ours telling us what we have to do. When you move here and join our armed forces and serve your term in Iraq just like the rest of us, then you can tell me what you think of being there. Til then, keep it to yourself.[/quote] See above. Once again, I?d like to reiterate that I?m not talking about military action necessarily. I?m talking about justice in the world, and that certainly can be done without arms.[/size]

[size=1]Is anyone else going to post? I happen to really enjoy the premise of the RPG, and I hope you three don't go lame on me and end up not posting. Give the thing a chance before abandoning ship... I can understand a busy schedule, but make sure it gets done.[/size]

[size=1]It makes you a bully. I speak from experience when I say that people like you are jerks. I hated people like you, and I still do -- it's immature and foolish for you to instigate fights for fun. Grow up.[/size]

[size=1]I love the quiet, modest, humble types. Not because I want control over them, but because I really appreciate them not being full of themselves. And yeah... someone who looks good also turns me on. I can't really lie about that.[/size]

[size=1]Well, I'm a bit confused as to what Steampunk encompasses, but would something like Brave New World be considered Steampunk? They have helicopters and jets, yet it's all gear-operated. All controls are analog ones, so far as I can tell. But the reason why I'm unsure is because they have electronic things, such as robots and intercoms. I suppose I'm a Steampunk fan as well -- exploring an alternate reality that takes places in the past sounds extremely intriguing. As for things set in the Victorian Age, I can't really say I enjoy such works. I'm more of a science-fiction guy myself, so Steampunk sounds more up my alley than something with comparatively primitive technology.[/size]

[size=1]I came here when I was about fourteen, but I've sucked it up and fought through all the horrible experiences and lame people that are here, and now I'm sixteen. Hooray! But really, I've stuck around for so long just because I enjoy it so much. There's [usually] so many interesting discussions popping up all over the place, not to mention the involving RPGs that grace the Arena every so often.[/size]

[size=1][b]I:[/b] Incubus - A Crow Left Of The Murder [b]II:[/b] Incubus - Pistola [b]III:[/b] U2 - Sweetest Thing [b]IV:[/b] Cowboy Bebop OST - Cosmos [b]V:[/b] Macross Plus OST - Wanna Be Angel [b]VI:[/b] Janet Jackson - Control [b]VII:[/b] Jimmy Eat World - 23 [b]VIII:[/b] Green Day - Sassafras Roots [b]IX:[/b] A Perfect Circle - Crimes [b]X:[/b] Hoobastank - To Be With You That was actually much more fun than I anticipated.[/size]