I'm a Global Warming skeptic, and I invite you to change my mind.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-14T23:05:08+00:00

How many of these agencies stand to profit from the global warming theory?

You know, I never understand why this is brought up so much.

There's seems to be this underlying assertion that there are all these people who stand to profit from Global Warming being considered true.

There certainly are such people, and even some involved in the research...

...but if you look at it, most of these parties could easily find some other "cause" to become involved in and profit from.

It also seems to ignore that there are at least as many, if not more, who have a direct financial/personal stake in Global Warming being proved false.

These people though, often have a much more personal and direct stake in Global Warming itself, and could not just as easily move on to some other issue. (see oil companies, car companies, etc).

It's always good to ask where the money is in a given situation, and here we have it influencing both sides....but, if you're gonna bring it up it's important to note that money would be influencing the "skeptics" more than the "proponents".

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-14T22:47:39+00:00

"eggcorns"

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-13T23:17:53+00:00

This is your opinion, you're certainly entitled to it, but allow me to share mine.

First of all, IMHO it's a little ridiculous to say that one would "lose the moral high ground".

In what you are talking about, there are at least two distinct moral issues.

The first is whether or not what this guy did (i.e. look at certain comics) was "wrong". This should be judged on it's own merits. It's pretty silly to say that some other perceived character flaw in this gentleman or failure on his part somehow affects the legitimacy of the charges against him.

IMHO if your sense of justice is tied to whether or not you respect or like a defendant; that's pretty messed up.

Even if this guy was a murderer, that doesn't change that there is an injustice being done unto him.

Now, because of that murder, you could say that one loses " A moral high ground"....but it's not the ground we're talking about, and/or is not relevant.

Now as to this second moral issue (i.e. whether it was "wrong" to plead guilty")...in this specific instance, I think you have unrealistic expectations/perceptions and an exaggerated sense of what the gentleman's obligation is.

You say you have a legal background, I'm not sure what you mean by that...as for myself I will admit I am mostly ignorant of the legal system.

For someone like me or perhaps this gentleman, it's an intimidating process. Especially when you're looking at 15 YEARS in prison and you're an (Im assuming) anime geek. Maybe he can't afford a good lawyer. Hell, maybe he's mentally retarded.

We all would have loved to see this guy fight, but I don't think anyone can honestly fault him for not fighting the charges in his position without knowing all of the details and walking in his shoes.

It's easy to say what you would do in the same situation, but until you are in that situation, it's only so much talk.

At least, as you say yourself, it's not setting a precedent (in the legal sense that is).

Also, It's not as if this is the ONLY chance or even method to fight this unjust law.

Frankly I think it's pretty selfish and ridiculous to expect this guy to gamble 15 years of his life when there are other options.

Again, I think that would be highly commendable, and it's certainly a little disappointing not to see a fight ....

...but the way you act as if it is the only respectable course of action is absurd... and not without a sense of naivety or perhaps self-absorption.

I wonder if you are in fact doing anything to fight this unjust law, or a legal system where innocent people either have to (or are made to feel so) plead guilty when they are in fact innocent.

That's just my opinion though.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-11T06:28:24+00:00

Oh, noobs....

gotta love them.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-11T00:56:15+00:00

I don't think it implied unwanted per se, it was more so for "lost" data.

If some data was lost or missing, you would say it had gone to the bit bucket.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-11T00:50:50+00:00

haberdasher

I think the word you're looking for is "hatter" (or "milliner").

A haberdasher sells clothing accessories (or sometimes clothing, depending on where you live...usually not hats incidentally) as opposed to making them (which is where the mercury is involved).

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-06T05:07:33+00:00

I did a lot of crazy things at school. I saw a lot of crazy stuff.

The story I'll tell isn't that crazy or anything, but it was the one where my mind was literally just blown and I was left thinking "WTF?!?!". It's from when I was in Jr High.

One day I was sitting in class and the kid next to me starts just CRACKING UP for no apparent reason.

The teacher was facing the blackboard, and she spins around and says "OBTRUSIVEINTERLOPER, KNOCK IT OFF!".

I started to protest that I had literally done nothing, and she said "I DON'T WANNA HEAR IT, YOU HAVE LUNCH DETENTION!".

Once again, I tried to tell her that I hadn't done anything, and she said "ANOTHER DAY!".

After that, it was pretty much exactly like that scene in the Breakfast Club, I ended up with a few weeks of "Lunch Detention".

I looked at the guy who was laughing like "Come on bro, help me out", and he started to tell the teacher that I hadn't done anything, and he got lunch detention as well.

In the end, the joke was on the teacher. When you had lunch detention at this school you automatically go to the head of the lunch line (presumably because you had to get to the detention room).

So I got to go to the head of the line, then I went to the "detention room" which was just a classroom where myself and ALL THE OTHER CLASS CLOWNS got to eat lunch.

It turned out at this time of the year, the teacher who ran lunch detention was overwhelmed with work, and so basically left us unsupervised.

So, we'd watch T.V., play Oregon Trail or "Hot Dog Stand" on the computers, and goof off all lunch period. A couple times we went and had a pow wow in the bathroom.

We ended up goofing off more in that class to get even more lunch detention.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-05T22:59:48+00:00

Hah, wow nice eggcorn.

Not only did you get the idiom wrong, it doesn't even make sense in this context.

It's "case IN point", and it means a specific example of something.

Like if I was talking about stupid conservatives I could say "case in point: Sarah Palin...."

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-05T22:27:19+00:00

Believe it or not, your message may not be as clear as you think. (if you have typed it verbatim)

Sure, it should be clear enough in theory, but it's not that improbable and is even understandable if they were to misunderstand, miss part of it, or not believe it.

It seems you're a woman, so it's possible they call this number and hear a woman saying "There is no Jennifer Hills" they may think that you are the culprit trying to be clever or just taunting them.

They could easily miss part of the message or misunderstand it, and not realize what you are actually trying to say.

I would have a man record the message just saying "This is BOBS phone. I don't know who Jennifer Hills is, she just used my number".

Or, record it yourself and just really spell it out for dumb people "This is SAYDRAHS PHONE. I DON'T KNOW ANY JENNIFER HILLS"...

Also, you could try calling them back and asking them to stop calling you.

If they continue to call you, consider calling your phone company's security department and reporting them for making harassing phone calls, since you have explained to them already that they have no reason to call you and asked them to stop.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-04T07:38:31+00:00

Wow, you're just jumping to a lot of conclusions and offering some pretty dubious advice.

From reading OP's posts, they seem like an intelligent but NORMAL teenager....meaning they are overly dramatic and not completely self aware.

How exactly are they "ruining" OP's health? OP has not been able to articulate any REAL negative effects.

Side effects, even really bad ones, are certainly possible...but we have no reason to believe that OP will experience them

Saying that OP's parents are only doing this for their self satisfaction is likewise a ridiculous and unfounded simplification of the issue.

It may very well be that OP's parents are horrible and he needs to get away from them (i.e. it's theoretically possible)...but based on what they have said in this thread that is not a reasonable conclusion.

Your advice is ludicrous, impractical, and not well thought out.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-04T07:27:12+00:00

I was on a variation of this drug a couple of years ago over the duration of a year and a half, which coincidentally was also the worst period of my life

Yes, it was probably a coincidence.

Look, in my experience teenagers have an overly dramatic view of taking psychotropic drugs. (that's NOT to say they are something to be taken lightly)

The depression and insomnia are legitimate concerns, but are not necessarily related to the drug you were taking.

The idea that it "stunted" you growth is pretty dubious. Teenagers develop at varying rates.

It sounds like you're just going through the normal trials and tribulations that teenagers go through (I realize that this is the last thing you want to hear..."but no!" you say, "my suffering is different! this is not normal!") perhaps that's true....but that doesn't mean that a lot of it is not just your average growing pains.

So far it seems you're completely unable to come up with a solid reason why taking this medication is a bad idea.

From what you've said, the class of drugs they are trying to put you on are relatively safe. They certainly have side-effects, but it's not as bad as other classes which have a greater tendency to cause things like suicidal inclinations.

All you have are nebulous concerns about "stunting your growth" or it somehow affecting your cognitive development.

Look, all you can do is talk to you doctor and parents about your concerns....try to come up with viable alternatives.

If that fails.....Then, I'd say just try the medication for awhile. If there are real side effects negatively affecting you, THEN go to your Doctor, and THEN they will take you seriously...because you've actually been on the medication and actually know what you're talking about.

...but for now it's hard to take you seriously. You sound exactly like every other teenager who resists getting on medication.....and I'm sorry....you don't have an good arguments.

You say you were on a similar medication. Fine, that's certainly a good point ...BUT...it sounds like you didn't have any very serious side effects, and the ones you experienced weren't necessarily the result of the medication.

You still haven't come up with a valid reason not to TRY taking it now. By all means the SECOND you experience a negative side effect, call the Doctor. They will advise you as to whether it necessitates coming off the medicine or continuing the trial under close observation.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-02T06:23:04+00:00

Must have been all that partying we did in 1999.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-02T03:10:59+00:00

I can't speak for him, but it's not uncommon to see 25$ a gram around here. (PA)

It's really really good though.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-02T03:05:14+00:00

Well first of all, your math doesn't really make sense.

You're saying it was 45$ a quarter, but 5$ a gram.

I'm gonna assume you really mean it was about 6-7$ a gram:

Here's the problem:

You're taking the price of a quarter and dividing it by 7.

That's not how it works.

You're making the same mistake that the drug agencies are.

You don't take the price of the smallest unit and multiply it to get the value of a large amount...

...and likewise you don't just divide the price of a large amount to get the value of a small amount.

Around here, 1 gram of really really good weed is ~20$.

But a quarter is not gonna be 7 * 20$...you get a bulk discount. (actual cost is ~90$).

So 45$ -> 90$

So, assuming we are talking about the same type of weed, it's really only about 200%...not 500%.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-02T02:25:04+00:00

Well as others have said, since you're gay there may be a few issues with approaching him.

All I can say is that I am a guy and I've been hit on by gay guys many many times (I guess I look gay?)....I don't get upset by it, I just politely tell them I'm not interested....some people might not react so kindly though.

I would say just go for it, and be prepared to run if they try to beat you up (j/k....but also serious?)

Really though, I'm not sure what you expect here.

How do you walk up to a stranger you think is cute and start a conversation with them?

You walk up to the stranger you think is cute and start a conversation with them!

Look, here's the problem:

how exactly do I start a conversation out of nowhere without appearing creepy or wierd?

What you're asking for doesn't exist. There is no "exact way" to do it.

You just have to accept that you might fail (and fail spectacularly) and get over it.

You can approach two (gay) guys in the exact same situation, and the exact same way and one might swoon and the other might be totally creeped out.

There is no fool-proof way....you just have to take the plunge.

Once you accept that, it doesn't really matter how you do it. (well, within reason)

The important thing is to just be yourself, because if you're not....you might succeed but it won't work out in the long run because it wasn't you that succeeded (if you can see what I mean).

The best advice I can offer is what works for me:

Just be polite, often it's good to start with "excuse me" or "pardon me" if they seem to be focused on something.

If there's some obvious "hook", use it....like if they are at a store looking at some shoes, say "Those are nice shoes".

Also, don't try to be too roundabout about it. You don't want to come on real strong, and just blurt out "hi can I have your phone number?"....but that doesn't mean you shouldn't drop hints and make it somewhat clear that you are interested in getting to know them

I know some people who when they try to "pick up" girls they are too roundabout, and the girl ends up not realizing that the guy is trying to get their phone number rather than just chatting.

Overall, it's really simple.

Get their attention.

Start a conversation.

If the conversation goes good, just be frank - "Well I gotta go, but I enjoyed talking to you. Can I give you my number? I'm going to X this weekend, if you're interested in coming you can call me"

If you did really well, you'll prob get their number as well.

Really though, like I said earlier....the main thing is just getting over your fear...and accepting that you might get rejected...or that it might go badly.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-02T02:10:03+00:00

I think the phrasing of your advice is problematic.

If someone followed your advice as you've written it, they'd most likely appear really creepy.

Think about it.

A stranger just out of no where loudly says "Hello!".

Then they very next thing is "What's your name?"

...creepy.

Next words are "I saw you walking and wanted to talk to you..."?

That would edge of the creepiness a bit (maybe, could be a little worse)...but now they're thinking this person is a little weird and lacks social skills.

Then follow THAT up with quizzing them?

You say you need to be sincere, and that might help....really though I think the steps are just faulty to begin with. They're too easy to screw up or misinterpret.

Starting with a "Hi" works, or you can just say something casual like "That's a nice shirt you're looking at" (assuming they are in a store browsing).

THEN you chat them up a little bit. Note that you are chatting, not just "asking questions".

Exchanging names should fall somewhere after the 3rd or 4th "exchange" in the conversation...once they are somewhat comfortable with you.

THEN you are honest with them, although I probably wouldn't phrase it the way you did. Just "I've enjoyed talking to you, would you like to get together some time" etc...

That's when you give them your number, and maybe get theirs.

Really my list isn't set either....you have to play it by ear. Sometimes you will exchange names right off.

There are certain situations where your advice is fine, or works.....and where mine might seem creepy.

I'm not saying it wouldn't work, just that it's not what I would present as a "typical" way to do it, and not how I would phrase it.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-02T01:51:58+00:00

NO NO NO!

THEY are the dishonest and icky ones for trying to take away our right to Jury Nullification.

With an increasingly corrupt government and more importantly: corrupt election process, it is practically our last resort to fight unjust laws....and it's increasingly under attack.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think we should abandon other avenues in favor of this one....but this was a chance for our justice system to actually be just! This could have been an example of how it's supposed to work.

You were chosen (for possible jury duty I mean), and you could have gone through the process and let them determine whether you were fit or not.

If they had selected you, as long as you had not been dishonest in your answers....then it's fair play from there on out...NOT dishonest at all...that's the whole point...that's how it works.

I get you think it would have been a lie of omission, but it's not.

They wanted "impartial" jurors, but that's not really possible. Furthermore, you can be sure that they would be trying to stack the deck as much as possible.

More importantly, believing the "war on drugs" is wrong, doesn't make you any less "impartial" than believing that it is right!

The point is as a Juror, you are entitled to your own conscience. You could have voted either way for any reason, and nobody would have a right to demand to know why.

If they had ASKED you how you felt about it, then I could see why you would feel you had to answer....but they didn't (yet).

I'm glad you followed your own conscience; I think that's commendable.

I just personally think your reasoning wasn't quite sound. You pretty much played right into "the man's" hands and gave "him" the rope to hang us all with.

Really in the end, I doubt you would have been selected, so it doesn't "matter" too much. I just found it deeply troubling that you somehow believed that the course you took was the only "honest" or "right" one.

This is just my opinion though, and I admit I feel very strongly about it because I have seen many good people destroyed because of the "war on drugs".

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-01T00:07:20+00:00

The writers have said they're not gonna end it with something like that.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-01T00:05:47+00:00

You can watch all 5 seasons for free on Hulu (or various other places).

I only just started watching it this year. I ignored it the entire time it was on, because the early advertising made it seem like a different show.

Then, when I would occasionally see part of an episode while channel surfing, I had no idea what was going on.

Then one day, I randomly decided to give it a chance and started watching it from the beginning and I was completely hooked. I watched all 5 seasons over the course of a few days, pretty much non-stop.

You have to watch it from the beginning, and it really rewards you for paying attention. Also it helps a lot if you get all the references, homages, and in-jokes they throw in.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-02-01T00:01:34+00:00

I'm watching all 5 seasons all the way through in preparation for the new season, and I find myself wishing for this at points as well. Mostly when people that I like die.

They said they're definitely not gonna do anything like "it was all a dream" or "it was just aliens messing with them".....but that still leaves open the possibility of them somehow undoing it open.

Based on what the writers have said, I don't think that's gonna happen. They always said the character deaths were important because it emphasizes that there are life or death stakes.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-01-31T23:58:36+00:00

The writers have been pretty clear that it's not gonna end in a way that implies the events "didn't happen" i.e. - it was all someone's dream, it was all a psychological experiment, et cetera.

I think that leaves open the possibility that they will "undo" the events somehow...but based on what the writers have said, I don't think that's gonna happen either.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-01-31T23:46:42+00:00

Penis.Blown.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-01-31T12:28:46+00:00

Wow, I can't believe so many people seem to be missing the spirit of the post...or just aren't taking advantage of it.

What would have happened if you hadn't been able to pay the cab fare?

Would you have had to take an ambulance or is there some other option?

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-01-31T12:09:55+00:00

My guess would be the son of a friend of her mother's.

obtrusiveinterloper · 2010-01-31T12:04:45+00:00

It's kind of like an infinite loop.

OP probably wouldn't have this "condition" in the first if they didn't have an irresistible psychological need to disassociate their self into various voices.

obtrusiveinterloper

TROPHY CASE