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[PoliticalAmazon]

I think the idea of an entire book about Bible Spice has given Brian gas.

Do they have Moosie Maalox?

[Forty Watt]

To the author of the email to AKM reprinted on the Blog, who said:

"I’ve continued to read the blog because Alaska is still near and dear to my heart, but I’ve always felt like an interloper because the people who are regular contributors seem like family, and I believed that I would be intruding into private conversations."

 

I was happy to read your email.  Although I am highly implicated in the off-topic family chit-chat, I was becoming increasingly worried it might turn off new posters in just the way you describe. Of course, the "family" are generous folk. New posters are warmly welcomed and all of them would hate to think anyone was hesitant to join in. 

But this is not about the family, but about the perceptions of potential posters. On the blog, as long as the conversation was flowing between the group as a whole, (when it was OT) there was a space to jump in.  However, increasingly what was happening was that several different conversations were unfolding simultaneously.  At certain times of day, only a few people would be involved in each conversation.  This, I think, must have heightened a perception of "exclusivity", which seemed to bar the door to "interlopers."

  Despite the upheaval, despite the fact some folks may be put off, despite the funny things happening on the way to the Forum, all in all The Big Schlep is a productive undertaking.

[Deep Blue]

Though admittedly it's been somewhat controversial, I think the move to the forums has improved things.

I just read most of the comments on AKM's Palin book deal post, and they were pretty much all on-topic. Plus, there seemed to be a bunch of new names.

And here in the forum, we can participate in multiple topics at once.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Going to toss this article in for you all to read it and then see what you have to say.  Had quite a spirited exchange on one of the blog threads about it...

http://www.newsweek.com/id/169192

If just ONCE the religious nutballs could make a sound logical argument for one of their flatulent ideas, perhaps they would be taken more seriously.

Why does a lottery number in Indiana indicate anything about Obama?  That is so far beyond the bounds of rational thought, it takes my breath away.

The main "evidence" this current asshat religious nutball theory seems to give is that Obama "claims" he's a Christian yet he is pro-choice.   AND....what is their point?  Many Christians are pro-choice.  Many Christians are (or at least were) in favor of the debacle in Iraq.

None of their supporting evidence for their thesis contributes to proving their argument ("Obama is the Antichrist").  Therefore, their argument is invalid, and it fails.

This is the case with every one of the religious nutballs' odd theories I've ever encountered.  

[Deep Blue]

And to add to my previous post, has anyone else noticed how the number of members on the forum keeps climbing? So, some may have been scared off, but it looks like plenty of people are willing to make the leap.

[Jamie]

@Newfoundland :

Yup! More sh*t to deal with every day. That sounds very off hand and cavalier, but I learned that you have to wake up every day, fix the family supper, help those who need our help, remember everybody's birthdays and doctor appointments and then get a good night's sleep in order to just start over the next day. If we can talk about it and laugh around it, then we are two steps ahead. I send out (((hugs))) to you, too, and know that you have the personality to be strong through it all (I can tell from these here blogs!). We are all glad that we can come together and unload a bit of stress or grief and then laugh about something completely different and in that way stay sane!

Well, that said....I am logging out for a bit as I have errands to run and I may just hop over to the bookstore and treat myself to a good book (preferably a murder mystery). See you all later...

[Newfoundland Dogs Rule]

Actually Deep Blue in VA (I'm so proud of VA) we're not feeling so badly about all of it.

Stuff happens.

You deal with it.

You just give as many hugs as you can and realize that a beautiful day is when you share it with people you love.

Sounds sappy, but it's so true.

[Deep Blue]

Political Amazon,

I think the folks putting forth these ideas are not concerned with silly things like "reason" and "rational ideas". Ha! What use do they have for that? It only undermines their claims. When God is speaking to you directly, you can bypass all the rules that govern the unenlightened.

[Goalie]

Good morning mudpups!  (a bit after 8:30 am in NM)

The wonderful Snoskred fixed my avatar for me (I'm too stoopid to fix myself...)  Thanks Snoskred!

It's a beautiful day in the land of enchantment...I'm going to spend my day outside in the yard working since it is so lovely!  

Yes, I second the good vibes to everyone today...everyone who is happy or going through personal trials...
I'm smiling because I get to LIVE today...something that I didn't think possible a year ago.  Everyday is a true gift to me!


Love you all!

[Irishgirl]

And to add to my previous post, has anyone else noticed how the number of members on the forum keeps climbing? So, some may have been scared off, but it looks like plenty of people are willing to make the leap.

 

Congratulations on your Mudflat Award. 

[Newfoundland Dogs Rule]

PoliticalAmazon,

I read the article.  Very weird.  My feeling has been "when are they leaving for the rapture?" for quite some time.  

Why should they help others?
Why should they help the environment?
Why should they do anything that doesn't help themselves up to the rapture?

Very Strange.

Since they don't want the rapture stopped, does this mean they will leave Obama alone?

[Cassie Jeep Pike Palin]

Just joining in. Hope I'm not too late for snacks--mid morning here on east coast!

I rather like this option!

I admit to a MAJOR lack of technical expetise, so this works well for me!

[Husky in Florida]

I'm calling it late morning here on the east coast (of Florida)...just had a peanut butter sandwich and posted my pet on the "show us your pets" thread.

Kudos for getting such a great forum up in a relatively short amount of time. I've been lurking since the start, but only now am jumping in.

[Cassie Jeep Pike Palin]

Good to see you Husky

Night Kitchen is an odd name for us on the east coast, but, I love a kitchen anytime!

[Deep Blue]

PoliticalAmazon,

I read the article.  Very weird.  My feeling has been "when are they leaving for the rapture?" for quite some time.  

Why should they help others?
Why should they help the environment?
Why should they do anything that doesn't help themselves up to the rapture?

Very Strange.

Since they don't want the rapture stopped, does this mean they will leave Obama alone?

Newfoundland - I think this is spot on, and for me it helps explain some of Palin's aggressive anti-environmental stances. Why should she care about long-term effects if she believes the population won't even be here for much longer? Drill, baby, drill - keep raking in the dough, rape the planet, and be well-dressed when rapture arrives!

[Deep Blue]

Thanks for the congrats, Irishgirl - it was a big honor!

Am I right in thinking you're from Dublin? I'm about 40% irish by descent and love it over there! My husband is half Irish and we've taken our boys there a couple of times. We're quite partial to Galway and the Connemara region, but Dublin is very cool too!

[Deb aka commando coalfire]

I think the folks putting forth these ideas are not concerned with silly things like "reason" and "rational ideas". Ha! What use do they have for that? It only undermines their claims. When God is speaking to you directly, you can bypass all the rules that govern the unenlightened.

Through out history religious zelots have caused havoc think the Salem witch trials on the small end, and the dark ages, on the large end, are well known examples but there are hundreds more, all have been incredibly destructive to cultue, and society. The world has been changing fast in the last 30 years there are some people who just can't handle it they turn to religion but not normal religion more like the cult kind. Many of them are very unraveled and bear keeping an eye on. They could easily become dangerous, they are the christian version of the taliban. I think we may see an acceleration of violence by these people, more Wacos and that sort of thing all of which will lead others like them to believe they are under attack by we the evil forces who don't believe as they do. Could be nasty.

[pvazwindy]

  This is pretty neat over here. Wife is transforming home into Christmas. Our daughter and her friend will be here from Park City, Utah for Thanksgiving.

[Deb aka commando coalfire]

PoliticalAmazon,

I read the article.  Very weird.  My feeling has been "when are they leaving for the rapture?" for quite some time. 

Why should they help others?
Why should they help the environment?
Why should they do anything that doesn't help themselves up to the rapture?

Very Strange.

Since they don't want the rapture stopped, does this mean they will leave Obama alone?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anybody remember James Watt? He set the Olyimpic national Park and forest up on a plan to clear cut it in 5 years. The state of Washington squealed loudly and filed lots of law suits to stop it. His reasoning was Jesus would be here in ten years so what did it matter. He managed to create alot of damage before he was finally stopped. There in lies the danger, we currently have a president who is not dependant on the christian cults for his job, they are freaking out because they suddenly feel they have no power. We need to make sure they have along time to adjust to this.

[Jamie]

Hey all, I am back from errands and bought myself two books whose authors were suggested by muddies - one by Stieg Larsson the other by Arnaidur Indridason (saw the movie Jar City recently originally by him)  Sorry to have to ask, Deep Blue, but what award?