James

[color=#808080]Yes, this is indeed an advertisement, which is against our rules. The fact that it's your first post also adds suspicion to the idea that you might simply be trying to advertise "under our radar". Of course, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt due to the fact that this isn't a cut and dry case of an advertisement. So, I'll simply remove the link to the site in your first post. [/color]

[color=#808080]Man, some of you guys don't watch [i]any[/i] news, do you? o_O;; The entire reason that NK is taking this action now is because of the fact that the world's attention is diverted (Iraq). Thus, NK thinks it's time to start pushing the envelope and forcing the International community into a position where it starts to give more concessions (fuel, cash, food). It's [i]highly[/i] unlikely that North Korea would [i]ever[/i] attack the United States. Attacking and conquering is not the goal of North Korea. The goal of North Korea is for the regime to survive. What does survival mean? It means having food for your army and population, it means having fuel to keep your military and commercial sectors going and it means having the cash to build your own infrastructure and become more self-sufficient. North Korea wants the USA to sign a Non-Aggression Pact, which essentially is like a promise that the USA will never attack North Korea preemptively. This agreement is also unlikely to come about. The United States keeps the threat of force on the table in order to ensure that North Korea (and others, like Iraq) take the International community seriously. North Korea [i]knows[/i] that it could never hope to win in a battle against the United States. And it knows that if it ever attacks South Korea, the price the regime pays will be the ultimate price; loss of power over the country. Let's not be too alarmist. 99.9% of what North Korea says is rubbish. They make grand statements in order to force diplomacy in their favor. They are not serious about attacking anyone and their intentions are very different from Iraq (where Iraq's intention is to be a conquering state, whilst North Korea's intention is simply to survive).[/color]

[color=#808080]Harry, watch your mouth. I don't expect that kind of disrespect for Moderators. Elite's concerns are 100% valid; keep to the topic at hand. I believe that most people are doing so, but I encourage those who are getting into personal attacks to be wary of our rules and to respect other members. Focus on the debate at hand, rather than members themselves.[/color]

[color=#808080]I believe that Square Enix has already confirmed the existence of [i]Chrono Break[/i] quite a while ago. I believe that it is indeed in development for the PS2. We might see something on it at E3 this year.[/color]

[color=#808080]If you knew exactly what route your life were going to take on its present course, then you could change it. The very fact that you know your "destiny" is what gives you the power to make that destiny your own. [/color]

[color=#808080]Proteus had been sitting on the edge of the rooftop for nearly half an hour, when he received a garbled transmission from what appeared to be one of the sub-levels of Hunter HQ. It bore a familiar signature; Iota. Proteus sighed and stood up slowly. His legs and arms felt unusually heavy. The air still carried the scent of charred plastic and ash. And the sky over Hunter HQ was scarred by a deep gash of vivid crimson. Proteus leapt from the rooftop and landed softly on the cool street below. Now, the streets in this sector were deserted. All of Hunter HQ's Emergency Services units were centered around Sector 2 and 3 (Sector 1 being the area directly surrounding the Capital Building). Proteus could not even bear to glance down the road. He could almost [i]feel[/i] the continual heat eminating from various buildings, despite the fact that even the closest damaged buildings were around three kilometers away. A heavy thudding sound echoed throughout the nearby streets, breaking Proteus' thought. It was Echo. Even though he was a machine, he looked exhausted. His eyes seemed different to Proteus; they were still the same color and shape, but now they seemed to have years of experience and wisdom behind them. "Proteus sir, we did our best...," breathed Echo, as he awkardly struggled with what could only have been his emotions. Even a Maverick could understand and comprehend the seriousness and tragic nature of this situation. "Yeah, we did," replied Proteus softly. He smiled at Echo. "We've done everything that we can here. Had we not acted, many more may have suffered today." Echo nodded slowly. "What now?" he asked. Proteus paused for a moment and opened his mouth. He began speaking in a female voice, laced with static interference. After a moment, he stopped. "I just replayed a message that I received moments ago," he said. "Who was that?" asked Echo. "It was Iota. I think they're on Sub-Level 3. I need to get there, Echo." Echo nodded and patted Proteus on the shoulder. "Yes, you should go to your friends." Proteus smiled. "What are you going to do now?" Echo sighed and drew a long breath. "I'm going to help the Emergency Services. I might as well make use of myself while I'm here," he said. The pair nodded and bid each other goodbye. Echo trundled south down the deserted street, whilst Proteus headed north. Getting to Sub-Level 3 was significantly easier when one was already inside Hunter HQ. In fact, most of the employee apartments had some sort of access to the Sub-Levels. However, Sub-Level 3 contained some very sensitive areas -- in particular, it contained expansive weapons storage depots. Thus, only Elite Hunters and equivalent human personnel were allowed to enter the expansive Sub-Level 3 without a senior escort. Proteus engaged his internal Hunter HQ map and plotted a course for the general area where Iota's transmission had originated. And with that, Proteus ran along the footpath as fast as his legs could carry him, toward the nearest security checkpoint. From there, he'd be able to use a security car to reach the inner depths of Sub-Level 3.[/color]

[color=#808080]Sara; I spent about an hour on that design. Although, what I've shown here is just the upper part. During that hour I also drew the legs/arms and the rest. The hardest part is by far the actual shading...I already have a couple of finished characters that need shading. :worried: [/color]

[color=#808080]I like it. It's very nice; the second version is better. I personally prefer PSP to Photoshop (even though I own both). I never use Photoshop, personally. Good on you for not downloading it, too.[/color]

[color=#808080]Kylie in my avatar? o_O;; I'm going to make a .hack styled costume for this character, though it will probably be more understated than most of the characters in the series.[/color]

[color=#808080]Well, here I am again...with another original character. This time, I'm going to show you the very early black and white linework, to get people's opinions on things like proportion/hair/etc. When I finish the character, it'll be in full colour...with full shading and you'll see the entire body and weaponry. I guess I just want to know what people think so far. Oh and...bear in mind; things such as the nose won't look right yet, because the actual shading is needed to create form. So in an absence of shading, all you're seeing is the raw early linework. ^_^; EDIT: Ah beh...I just realized that the right side of his hair doesn't look right. Oh well...I'll fix that for the final image. ^_^;;;;[/color] [img]http://www.otakuboards.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=355014[/img]

[color=#808080]It's so horrible and tragic when someone so young dies; especially when they die in this way. I don't know what else I can say, except that I hope you can find the support and comfort you need from your friends and family.[/color]

[color=#808080]I just thank my lucky stars that I don't see any advertisements for guns on TV here.[/color]

[color=#808080]Well, now we're talking about descrimination in general (though mostly related to homosexuality). I don't consider that to be off topic, in the sense that the thread is moving in a natural course of discussion. But if it becomes a running commentary on Cloricus' life, then it is most certainly moving in the wrong direction.[/color]

[color=#808080]Harlequin is absolutely right. There is a massive difference between your average insult and discrimination based on your very humanity. If someone calls you an idiot constantly, that's different from being told that you're not natural and that you don't deserve to be equal to everyone else.[/color]

[color=#808080]I don't think anyone has judged you, Cloricus. Rather, people have judged your actions. You're the one who is telling us that gays shouldn't fight for their rights and basic human dignity. I don't know how you can defend that.[/color]

[color=#808080]I am saying that for those who [i]are[/i] in a minority, the situation is different. It affects their daily lives. A straight white person can never understand that type of descrimination. And that is why, for someone who is in a situation less fortunate than our own, the idea of simply giving up is not an option. If you give up, you have absolutely no chance of your civil rights being granted or society improving.[/color]

[color=#808080]Cloricus, really, how inane do the posts have to get? Nobody is saying that gay people are special. It surprises me that [i]you[/i] of all people are quite happy to lay back and let discrimination happen because you're too lazy to do anything about it. That's fine for you; you're not being discriminated against based on who you are. But for those who [i]are[/i] discriminated against, the reality of the situation is far different. It's not acceptable to be treated as something less than human. By your standards, black people in the 60's should never have fought for equal rights. And by your standards, aboriginals should never have fought for the right to vote. [i]Someone[/i] has to stand up for themselves at some point in time. It surprises me that you would simply allow people to insult your basic humanity; that fact alone indicates that you have no idea how it feels.[/color]

[color=#808080]Charles is right on both points. Nobody decides to be gay -- they just decide whether or not they want to have a relationship and/or make their feelings public. And yes, of course, Transtic and others should not just accept discrimination or hatred. No human being on Earth should. It's all very well to say "it's going to happen so just accept it", but that's really incredibly easy to say if you are not suffering from discrimination. Ignorance and prejudice should always be fought, if society is every to advance beyond these issues.[/color]

[color=#808080]Thank you for posting that, Deus. Your example is a very clear way of pointing out the key flaw in Vegitto4's ranting. My respect for you has increased a lot, just like it did after the PM you sent me regarding science and religion. I just wish more of the world could be as clear thinking.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Vegitto4 [/i] [B][i]There is no scientific data that substantiates a genetic or biologic basis for same-sex attraction. Anybody can change." Richard Cohen, at the year 2000 PFOX convention. [/i] Thats just to prove my point that james seems to hate. Anyways. Time to continue on with the research, so as to not continue to show my obvious utter ignorance to anything that has to do with genitics or biology.[/quote][/b] [color=#808080]How does that prove your point? First and foremost, it's important to understand that Mr. Cohen belongs to a particular school of thought. That school of thought has whined over and over again that homosexuality is unnatural, but have provided [i]no evidence[/i] that this is the case. These people also belong to the group that says sexuality can be changed through therapy. This is patently false. Sexuality [i]cannot[/i] be changed through therapy. It is not a disease. Only [i]behavior[/i] can change -- not sexuality. It's important to understand that core difference.[/color][quote] Now shall i quote her entire post, or not. because as I read over it again and again, I still see nothing about emotions. If I am wrong, please correct me. Thus, we are not talking about emotions at all. if the subject of emotions are mentioned in a later post by her, please do quote it so I may see, and be found in ignorance. [size=1][i]More to come if I am not to ignorant. [/i] [/size] EDIT: [i]Young boys sometimes encounter homosexual feelings because their fathers ignored them, thus driving them to side with their mothers and eventually emulate their mothers' sexual desires. [/i] ~Glenn Dunehew [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#808080]First point; we are talking about homosexuality is perceived by the public. In this case, Lady M. is pointing out that female same-sex relationships are more tolerated by society than male same-sex relationships, due to the fact that straight men often find the idea of two women together stimulating. This isn't about sex or specific sexual acts. This is about how same-sex relationships are perceived and that there is a difference between the way lesbian and gay relationships are viewed by society at large. Unfortunately, your absolutely distasteful and vulgar post earlier on was the catalyst for moving the discussion in a totally unrelated direction. Second point; this sounds like the same school of thought that suggests that young boys are inherently attracted to their mothers and that they engage in power struggles with fathers because they want to have sex with their mother. It's ridiculous. You can't simply [i]emulate[/i] a sexual desire. We're not talking about something like paedophilia -- we're not talking about physical sex. We are talking about love, emotions and relationships. Sex is a part of relationships of course, but this isn't the specific subject. The more you post and provide such quotes, the more you demonstrate that your "facts" are in fact thinly veiled attempts to hide prejudice and hatred. If you visit the Ku Klux Klan's website, you will find similar attempts to sound "scientific". We hear what sound like authoritative reports that suggest that black people have a smaller brain size than white people -- but what is the point of such "scientific" research? The point is not to provide anyone with enlightenment or true factual information. The point is to justify hatred and misunderstanding by perpetuating distortions of science. Your quotes are no different. People will either use religion or junk science to justify hate; the KKK have done it as have countless other groups. You are no different from members of these groups. The bottom line, whatever personal hatreds you hold, is that [i]nobody[/i] should be discriminated against based upon their own internal emotions, race, country of origin, sex, etc... If you want to grandstand and lecture people on how the very core of their humanity is [i]unnatural[/i], then feel free. Feel free to belittle people as you see fit. I personally couldn't care less whether or not you continue to isolate yourself with ignorance. If you want to spout garbage, that's your business. But make no mistake that future generations will look back on comments like yours and equate them to the comments of KKK leaders during the 1960's. Be sure that in the future, you yourself may feel horrible for making such belittling comments. You yourself won't understand how it feels to have your basic humanity attacked. You probably never will. But hopefully one day you'll have a concept of how utterly wrong you are and how your brand of junk science only serves to divide people and cause further hatred and unnecessary arguments. I just wish that humanity would rise above such levels. We're [i]all[/i] human beings with great value -- and we're [i]all[/i] equal. Unfortunately, as long as people like you spout their misinformed garbage, mankind will [i]never[/i] be able to stop attacking itself.[/color] [quote][i]Originally posted by S@bretooth:[/i][b] It hurts people, and yes, some are killed, so patheticly, because they choose to be gay. It is wrong. [/b][/quote] [color=#808080]For the last damn time, people do [i]not[/i] choose to be gay! [i]Nobody chooses to be gay![/i] I'd like you to tell me when you [b]chose[/b] to be attracted to the opposite sex. Think about it. Did you ever consciously choose? When you were at school and you got a crush on a girl, did you sit there and [i]choose[/i] who to have a crush on? Of course not! You had that crush because of your biology. You didn't choose to have a crush or fall in love. It just happened. You didn't sit there and think "Gee, I think I'd better choose to be heterosexual". You [i]never[/i] chose that. Nobody ever chooses that. Sexuality is all the same. Nobody makes a conscious choice to have a particular sexuality; it's part of who they are. And [i]that[/i] is why homosexuals and others continue to argue for [b]what's right[/b]. That is why Martin Luther King argued for civil rights for blacks. And that is why I'm here now telling Vegitto4 why he is wrong. People cannot help and should not be discriminated against for [b]who/what they are[/b]. When ignorant, prejudiced people learn this fundamental concept, the world will definitely be a better place.[/color]

[color=#808080]North Korea will be pulled into line one way or the other. I doubt it'll start anything, but if sanctions are imposed, who knows. Anyway, I hope this thread remains on topic. We've had countless Iraq threads in the past and I think we've pretty much exhausted that subject (if we hadn't, it'd still be active now).[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Vegitto4 [/i] [B] However, the two sects of sexuality have not been around for the same amount of time. Not totally. Very close, probably a couple hundred years or less. it is not, however much James pulls out his genome project card, in our genes. It was not grafted into our brains. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#808080]Once again, another ignorant comment. "Not totally. Very close. Probably a couple of hundred years or less." Do you even realize how ridiculous you sound? And even if that were the case, how would it prove that homosexuality isn't a phenomenon of nature? Even if all of that were totally true, it wouldn't prove anything. I also notice that you made [i]no[/i] attempt to even refute my argument. You simply pull a few laughably stupid "facts" out from nowhere and try to sound authoritative. Sorry, but this latest post only continues to define your utter ignorance on [i]anything[/i] relating to genetics or biology. I can't believe you have the gall to post something like that after your horribly misinformed rubbish from earlier. If you're going to post something in this thread, try to [i]at least[/i] put some research behind it. Don't start pulling inane, childish facts out of your butt. Oh, and I want to remind you of something in case you didn't notice earlier. You're talking about the [i]emotions[/i] being natural, but not the physical acts of sex. Since when was Lady Macaiodh talking about physical sex? She was talking about the very question of relationships and emotions. You were the one who came in and started talking about what goes where and how wrong it is. Also, how on Earth can anyone know when a certain "sexuality" arose? It's impossible to know how people's emotions were over thousands or hundreds of thousands of years. That's just childish. Also, you're trying to somehow cast doubt over homosexuality being natural [i]based[/i] on acts of sex between two people. Not only does this ignore the fact that the core emotions of love and attraction [i]are[/i] a natural part of the human mind (whether you're heterosexual or otherwise), but you're also forgetting that most heterosexual couples have some form of "unnatural" sex. Are you now going to tell me that heterosexuality isn't natural if the sex is anything but intercourse? (ie: oral sex). If you tried to make [i]that[/i] argument, then there isn't a person here who wouldn't think that you're crazy. So you see, you're pulling out a double standard. I hope you actually read this post and understand my point -- I think most people will.[/color]

[color=#808080]It's not about assimilation, gokents. It's about civil rights. As a white straight male, you don't have that problem. However, I do agree with your point -- all the leather/fleshy parades are just stupid in my opinion. They don't further anyone's cause -- they only set it back. It'd be nice to see some more legitimate forms of protest, I think.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Vegitto4 [/i] [B]AHHHHH NO!!!!!!! It's not natural. Sorry if I start contridicting myself, but i'm hyper so i am slightly flipping out over small things. Simple, yet slightly vulgar if you want to take it that way explanation. Your *** is an exit only hole. Plain and simple. Also, the girls parts, which i dont feel like typing for i fear abuse from mods**dodges mod rod** is supposed to have a biological part inserted only and certain times, not one made from plastic!!!!! So it's not natural. if it was natural, all guys would be gay all girls would be gay. We aren't, therefore, it's not. We were not made for that. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#808080]That is the most ill-informed, ridiculous, offensive tripe that I've ever read in my life. How dare you say that it's not natural because your *** is an "exit only" hole. I could sit here and tell you about all the [i]straight[/i] couples that do that, but I won't. Get your damn brain out of the gutter for a second. Why does this discussion always have to degenerate into a physical description of sexual acts? That's got nothing to do with it! Your concept that all guys would be gay and all girls would be gay if it were natural is, put frankly, ridiculous. That's like saying that we'd all have black skin if it were natural. Do you see how utterly [i]stupid[/i] and inflammatory that kind of comment is? Your entire argument here is based on prejudice and absolute rudeness. You've not even attempted to provide any facts whatsoever; your insane tyrade about genitalia and pointless logic only [i]proves[/i] that you have no interest in the biology or the emotion involved -- you're simply thinking of it in terms of intercourse and such. This thread is not even about intercourse or sex. It's about the way homosexuals are viewed. I recommend that you read the initial post before you spout off like that again. Furthermore, I'd like to remind you that NOBODY began talking about specific sexual practices until you started spilling rubbish in your post. Isn't it funny that ignorant people who are hateful use specific sexual references to advance their cause? That's like casting doubt on a particular race because a certain number of them drive a car -- driving a car isn't natural, it's synthetic. Is driving a car horrible, too? You have no right to judge what people do in their bedroom. And you have [i]absolutely[/i] no right to suggest that just because someone does something that you dislike, that they themselves (and their very emotions) are unnatural. I can't believe that you have the nerve to actually try and tell people that their feelings of compassion and love are unnatural -- if you and your wife had oral sex, how would you view me if I told you "that's not natural, you can't make babies that way"? Man...just get your mind [i]away[/i] from your crotch and use whatever brain power exists to make some logical judgements here. How can anyone make comments like that and expect to retain even a shred of dignity? I think people can just your post for themselves...but I recommend that you don't post anything that offensive [i]again[/i]. I can tell you that at the very least, that single post has utterly killed any respect I have ever had for you as a person. And I've never said that to anyone before.[/color]

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Vegitto4 [/i] [B]It's true, there have been studies done on the brain waves and patterns of gay people. There is an "abnormal" function going on up there, so says science, however, it doesn't start from birth. your not born gay, it's a decision you make. However early you make it, it doesn't matter. [/B][/QUOTE] [color=#808080]Actually, there are no studies that conclude sexuality as being something you choose in life. In fact, all evidence points to the contrary. The human genome study has been one of the most important scientific projects in this area. As with heterosexuality, nobody knows "when" the body activates human sexuality as such. Presumably when you're born, you have no sexuality at all. But like your blonde hair or your blue eyes, your sexuality is embedded in your genetic code. Do you, as a heterosexual, sit up one morning and decide to be that way? No. The same concept cannot be applied to homosexuality either. There is also nothing abnormal about homosexuality. That's a total myth. Homosexuality also does not occur exclusively in human beings; it is present in many other species on the planet. This is one example that indicates that sexuality isn't a human-specific mental issue.[/color]