Wheetsin

There's a difference between being pro-choice and being pro-abortion. The abortion has nothing to do with it, it's about having the choice. I'm pro free speech. I don't *like* hearing people swear around young children, but I would still argue for their right to do it.

I think it happens fairly often that people believe because that's what they're trained to do. I'm not saying it's common or the norm, just that I think it happens frequently - and I know it happens in a few cases - and I don't mean people who, by some state of physical being - are unable to read or comprehend the bible. I'm talking about people for whom what they're told is "good enough". Many people are placated by their ignorance - they don't know what they don't know. Perhaps the bible is to their christianity what the book is to my movie, and they just don't want to bother reading when there's someone else around to tell them what's up. I know christians, who are very certain of their dedication, who have not read the bible. I know for people for whom the bible is important, this is probably unfathomable. But for those people, it probably makes sense. Then again, I'm in neither situation, so I really can't say for sure. This is just my best guess.

It does not have to be right and wrong, black or white, A or B. I don't believe what you do. You don't believe what I do. I am not going to judge you for your faith, therefore you are not wrong in my eyes, you just believe differently than I do. It would be very hard for anyone to be wrong about something that is unproven. I can only say that in my world, there is no soul. I cannot say that someone else is wrong because in their world, there is. It's not a matter of being PC. Keep in mind you are having this discussion with someone who doesn't believe in either free will or absolute reality. Given that, it takes a whole lot (IMO) to back up any claims of "wrongness". And this is one area where we're not likely to have evidence one way or the other.

That's odd because the band is not a malabsorptive procedure, it's a restrictive procedure. While it impacts the amount we eat, it does not impact how we absorb what we eat. It sounds like maybe your doctor doesn't understand what lap-band is (fairly common), or how it works.

I think I've read about someone in CO who does it for under 10k.

And just as you may get accused of beating a dead horse, telling people they have to believe my way or they're going to hell, and a host of other things -- I may get accused of ripping things apart, whining, being pathetic, vile, disgusting, and telling lies from the bowels of hell. Oh wait, I already have. But I do have an honest comment, which could be interpreted as a question as well. I believe people come to faith in Jesus through other people all the time. So I'm not sure if "through" means "through reading", or "through analzying", or what. Do you believe that everyone out there who would answer "Yes!" to the question, "Do you have faith in Jesus" has read the bible?

I never said that. Saying that religious terrorists kill for their cause is not mutually exclusive of any other group killing for a cause. Your post appeared to be a response to me, so I take it as such for now. I do not believe christians are WRONG (capitalized or not), I think they believe differently than I do, and that as much as religion does not make sense to me, it does to them. My parents are christians and I have never told them they are wrong. Nor have I told any of the many other christians in my life that they are wrong. At least not on the basis of their faith. Having the wrong answer on a test, things like that are a different story. I do not share my parents belief. I do not judge them for believing what they do. I accept them for who they are. I would probably take it for granted that at least most christians I know think my beliefs are wrong, and that's fine with me. I know my parents think I am wrong, and that's fine and "ok" -- very far from "not okay". *ETA: I just thought of an analogy for this. Someone can tell you something, and to you it is a lie, but you completely believe that they completely believe it. Hence, while it is wrong for you, it is not wrong for them. Religion is kind of the same way, though with obvious differences. That's quite a blanket statement. Many liberals are also christians.

Yes, but don't forget -- if it emerges from the cave and sees its shadow, we will have 6 more weeks of winter.

This thread has been about so many things it would be difficult to summarize. But the one constant is that, when you're in subjective territory, there is no right or absolute. Now since this thread is as subjective as its content, the 10 others can post their 10 summaries that do not resemble mine. Ann Coulter is the worst kind of sell out.

Laurend, you're exactly right. And they believe all of the above so vehemently that they are willing to kill for their cause, because they're that right, and that convinced that it is the right thing to do. Scary stuff.

The risks of dying under anesthesia, due to the anesthesia or sedation-related complication, are very, very small. Most surgical deaths are the result of some complication outside of the anesthesia. If it helps, there have been (last I checked) no recorded deaths because of complications related directly to the lap-band. In other words, if anyone died during placement, it was due to something other than the band. And there have been (also last I checked) no deaths due directly to the band period, during installation or otherwise. You will have testing done pre-op to identify any high risk factors, and your medical staff will threat those as proactively as possible.

I'm sure I have a gummy worm laying around here somewhere. Those are an old vice of mine. Though by now, after a year (to the date, today is my surgery anniversary!) of being holed in my drawers with pens, paper, and whatever else is in there and fuzzy, it's probably more of a gummy caterpillar.

I'm not addicted to RnR. :paranoid Very atypical for me. Generally I ignore those portions of messageboards with a very studious effort. This one is different. For the most part, everyone there is very respectful (difference #1) and educated about what they're saying (difference #2), and enjoy lively discussions with people who are different (difference #3). For us "thinkers" (aka analysts, etc.) that's very hard to walk away from.

BJean - discussions with anyone who must have the last word will never end. Sometimes it's better to ignore the worm on the hook and go hungry.

Here's my fav for tuna: Mix good quality white albacore with mayonnaise, diced red onion, vinegar, and white Beans. Season with rosemary and tarragon (in very small amounts), salt and pepper to taste. Top with some crumbled, imported Greek feta (or Bulgarian, but not French - too soft IMO). Eat as is, or on baked pita chips. Or heat in a pan as a "patty".

Yes. And having your babies run down in the middle of the road by tanks that have "Made in USA" printed on the sides is bound to engender some hostility. That's why I have said all along that while actions taken against us are not necessarily "right", nor are we "innocent".

One will use whatever means one has to receive the attention one needs. Blogs, abusive relationships, or otherwise.

I never thought of "unpatriotic" as an insult. Green, unfortunately your entire point just flew over some heads.

I work a regular job but it's completely flexible. I can work from home if needed, leave when needed, split my day up in whatever way works for me. If I had a job where I was somehow tied to the business hours, or required to be in my office during the entire time - I don't know. Maybe they have weekend hours? I know my psychologist, dietician, etc. did. Or maybe just try to line up as many appts as possible, in a row, so one day can take care of 3 or 4 of them. *shrug* Good luck! When I was a child, my parents would tell me there are never enough hours in the day, but it took a very long time before I understood what they meant.

Not really. My pants are equal opportunity employers.

Anti Semitism in my pants.

I'm tight until around 12:30 - 1. I can do liquids, but solid food is pretty much out except for tiny, tiny bits. After that time, it's like I'm not even banded.

So you agree with the position that it is perhaps not best taken literally?

John 12:24 says "except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." If that is to be taken literally, how can it bring forth much fruit if it is dead? Matthew 13:31-32 states that "The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed... is the smallest of all seeds but when it is grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree." If we take that literally, what of all the seeds that are smaller than mustard seeds? And what about the fact that mustard is an herb, not a shrub? And that mustard seeds certainly don't grow into trees? John 12:21 states that "The same came therefore to Phillip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired of him..." Bethsaida was in the province of Gaulontinis, not the province of Galilee. And to borrow again...

Didn't you just say that you believe god makes himself known? Even to those without bibles? (No, I'm not quoting or putting words in anyone's mouth, I'm asking, because I don't recall off-hand and don't want to go back and search).