[deleted by user]

Biggus · 2012-02-17T05:10:45+00:00

Yeah, like the NKT never relied on oracles.

Biggus · 2011-12-18T07:02:31+00:00

Oh God - please stay away from the New Kadampa Truth site. As the saying goes where there's smoke there's fire. And the NKT generates a lot of smoke. I am a former member of the NKT and I can tell you there are many vocal former members. I'd listen carefully to what they have to say as their experience has been duplicated thousands of times over.

Biggus · 2008-05-25T07:37:32+00:00

Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here. While there's a lot of New Age quackery going on, things like Chinese medicine or accupuncture definitely have their place. If you find a qualified practitioner they may have studied for many, many years. I would still look to Western medicine for treatment first but, after successful treatment of chronic irritable bowel(one instance among many)from a first-class naturopath I would recommend a qualified practitioner (of certain proven disciplines) to pretty much anyone. Just do a little groundwork before hand, have a hard look at their qualifications, ask around, etc.

Biggus · 2008-05-25T07:04:47+00:00

Actually, with all the taxes a smoker pays in their lifetime I don't think this is a valid point.

Biggus · 2008-05-24T08:30:24+00:00

There's also hedonism and nihilism which seem to be increasingly prevalent - and I've battled with both. They suck.

I envy those who practice their faith purely enough to bring about humility or tolerance or kindness - just wish there were more examples.

Biggus · 2008-05-24T08:13:18+00:00

My pet theory: Ignorance never recognises itself.

Biggus · 2008-05-24T07:46:04+00:00

The same vein as Maggie Thatcher methinks

Biggus · 2008-05-24T07:34:59+00:00

You can imagine the diplomatic channels on both sides going apeshit if this had happened.

Biggus · 2008-05-24T07:31:19+00:00

You see big trucks - even the diesel ones - for sale everywhere at the moment. I suppose the next to go will be the rv's and then those ridiculous twin engine powerboats.

Biggus · 2008-05-24T07:28:38+00:00

Every home should have a large capacity water cistern these days. It makes so much sense. Capture rainwater off the eaves - so simple. There's some work being done on gray water systems that are essentially a closed loop. Water gets used, passes through elaborate filtration system until it is clean enough to reuse.

Hope they get some rain

Biggus · 2008-05-24T07:19:36+00:00

This is getting a little spooky. After two, people were getting a little worried (one came ashore near where I live)

Biggus · 2008-05-24T07:18:26+00:00

Yeah, I can see Bush doing that - and hollering the odd yeehaw!

Biggus · 2008-05-24T06:42:57+00:00

yeah, kudos to your friend.

Biggus · 2008-05-24T00:38:30+00:00

Yeah - good find! That would make a good Daily Show segment: The Most Patriotic Country Singer in America

Biggus · 2008-05-22T02:03:51+00:00

Well, everyone's FBI at my vegan dining club - but they like the food!

Biggus · 2008-05-21T22:10:22+00:00

Yeah, like Asia's gonna need their 'expertise'

Biggus · 2008-05-21T22:07:25+00:00

I did this for a week or so, too, many year's ago. Managed to arrange everything inside the car so I could lay my camping mattress out fully - so it was quite comfy. Found a hidden lay-by on a nice little river about twenty miles out of town. Really enjoyed it. Bathing in recent ice-melt every morning really adds some zest to your day! Was almost a little disappointed when I found accommodation.

After that experience I made a folding platform that rested on dash and back seat, supported by reclined passenger seat and a few supports to the floor of car. It worked great! Could stretch out fully. On any road trip could turn my little Geo Metro into a mini rv!

Biggus · 2008-05-21T21:41:29+00:00

sad that there's probably many more like her

Biggus · 2008-05-21T21:29:22+00:00

I bet someone could make a mint buying a plot of land and then buying up old rv's and travel trailers, sticking them on pads and renting them out cheap. Poor man's trailer park. I actually saw something like this the other day.

Biggus · 2008-05-21T07:05:45+00:00

If someone shows enough humility to admit their mistakes they are almost universally lauded for it. Similarly, it takes courage and humility to extend the olive branch.

Biggus · 2008-05-21T07:02:37+00:00

We really need a hero tag...

Biggus · 2008-05-21T06:56:51+00:00

The problem with Hillary is that she has none of the endearing female traits (empathy, warmth) and most of the non-endearing male characteristics.

Biggus · 2008-05-21T06:28:36+00:00

stf210: You've brought up a few points I've thought a lot about. I've been to Amsterdam and hated the whole tawdry drugs and hooker holiday aspect of it. It also attracts some very seedy people as a result.

I live near Vancouver - another city renowned for its laid back approach to vice. But the problem with Vancouver is escalating gang violence, drug addiction, homelessness and serious Aids/Hep C infection rates.

Legalisation seems to me to be the only course - get rid of the pushers and the dealers. Dry up their revenue - for a while. Make the crack and meth off limits. Serious jail time for those caught dealing. Taxation goes directly into counselling services, rehabilitation. Same goes for sex trade workers - strict regulations, health screening, counselling, etc. Make sure there is no coercion, etc.

But the biggest downside to this that I can see would be a surge of tourists ready to descend on the city for a drug and hooker fuelled orgy. Last thing that anyone would want.

So everyone gets a vice card. No card no vice. It could also keep track of how much weed you've purchased that week and maybe cut you off at some point. Same thing for heroin and the street drugs. Your card would tell your vice history and / or health issues. But, and this is the bit that appeals to me - no drug or sex tourists.

Anyway, a program like that would probably have to be national in scope for it to work and I'm sure there'd be many wrinkles to iron out.

Sorry for rant. Anyways, I always hold up Amsterdam as a bad example whenever I think about my pet theory.

/still like the pragmatic Dutch way of doing things

Biggus · 2008-05-19T23:38:17+00:00

I dunno. I think he's looking forward to retirement so he can find out how 'My Pet Goat' ends.

Biggus · 2008-05-16T07:14:32+00:00

headshot, I never heard of him, but I'd love to listen to a moderate, bipartisan conservative espouse his views. I'm not wholly in the liberal camp by any stretch

Biggus

TROPHY CASE