h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Della,

I had thought to put this on your personal space, and then thought better of it as I think that many of the collective *you* h2g2 community might benefit a little from it.

I'm something of a paradox. Double bladed sword, but still a sword. (maybe you can appreciate that joke, maybe not)

You had put in the militaristic camp....LOL. Truly that is funny because I probably belong there. I am, and have been a Hawk in politics, particularly whenever it involves the military. Yoda said it the best,"do or do not, there is not try." All to often I see my governmental foriegn policy as a half a$$ half-wit action, rather than full committment. This has changed a little with the recent events as I see the people of America are by and large behind the government in our retaliation (revenge, whatever, pick your favorite)

But, (and this is probably a big butt) when it comes to religion, I'm a little different than most. If I had to I would say that I am a Truth seeker. I haven't really thrown my lot in with any one particular religion. I'm in a search mode, and perhaps it will take a lifetime, (more maybe) to find the answer to religion. Please don't confuse truth with Truth. I don't think that anyone really has it all figured out, else, they wouldn't be here. They'd be enlightened and would no longer need to exist on this plane of existence.

I do have my own values and morals. Many of which could be considered Christian, but I tend to look at the world like a Taoist, strive to have the inner peace of the Dalai Lhama, and still remain myself, and not a copy of a religion.

So, am I a dove at heart, probably.

And yet, a man should be just as ready to reach for the olive branch as he should for the sword. Each unto its own season.

So, as I said a paradox. But I wanted you and everyone else who has it in their mind that I'm a war lover, that that isn't necessarily correct. Perhaps I've put some of my comments in better perspective. Perhaps I've made things even more gray. I'll wait to here from you here or on the good ole homepage.

In any case one last comment here before I move on......

Pacifist. I've always kind of resented the term. Pacifist implies weakness, and there is nothing weak about taking a stand to not stand for violence. Again, think of the Dalai Lhama, for lack of better example at the moment, his country is overrun, and what does he do, he goes into exhile forever preaching peace.

I cannot agree with his foreign policy I would have fought for my home till the death, but I cannot deny his strength, for his struggle is just as hard as mine to the death would have been.

As I see it, there is honor in both courses.

I don't know that it life is truly about right or wrong.

Beachball (can I call you that?), would you like some ?

I do apologise if I did seem a bit pushy, I haven't had any sleep for the past 2 weeks... insomniac that I am

We're an alright bunch really, we don't bite... well not all the time

I could swear that the issue of movies and music exported to other countries had been talked about somewhere else.

And I think I said that if you judge our country on Hollywood, than you have an incredibly incorrect view of our country. Even Americans don't think that Hollywood defines our culture.

But we like to watch it precisely for the reasons that seem to be the objections. It's fictional and that's why we love it.

As far as the moderation going on, I've been moderated before, I'm sure a lot of you have, BFD. So they want to limit this to a reasonable conversation style debate. Let 'em do that. I guess if it really bothers us that much that they are moderating our words we could make a new website.

But then it wouldn't be H2G2 would it?

So anyway, now that all of the excitement is over with, let's have some conversation! Somebody made a point I'd like to bring up. Some people have said that they "despise" American government or foreign policy, and that they don't hate Americans...just the government. Then I made a point about how Americans are the government...

The thing I liked was when somebody said (I'll have to start writing names down) that Americans take it personally because we support what our government is doing. I think that about sums it up. I know I fully support what our government is doing in Afghanistan, and I support the UK government for helping us. perhaps this is actually the reason people hate americans? Maybe we're a bit too belligerent.

BTW...welcome back beachballs

Have I mentioned how much I love you, Perium? You always come at the right moment! I tried to post about the movies, but no one listened to me...and did you read the attack on McDonald's???

Please you're gonna make me blush,


I read the thing about McDonalds, and try as I might, I just can't see McDonalds as the epitomy of evil. Convient as hell, tasteless sometimes, even crappy service, but hey, again convient.

The part I thought was funny about all that was when an obvious lawyer said that the idea of supply demand doesn't hold up in a court of law. Like that matters. Just because it hasn't been proven in a court of law (and I'm really going out on a limb there as I don't know that it hasn't) doensn't mean it isn't a true observation of human nature. If there wasn't any demand, how could you sell? I defy you to explain that to me.

Even still, no one is holding a gun to your head and saying that you have to eat McDonalds. LOL.

Good, because that's what it would take.

OBL's post:

That post from OBL isn't original; it's an e-mail that's been forwarded around the web. My mother sent it to me. She sort of got flamed for it to. I've thought about posting it here or in my space, but it gets pretty ugly.

English or German:

>The US only just speaks English anyway, when the official language was voted for German lost by a couple of votes. (I'm sure Two Bit can give us the details - a quick round of applause for this man, his knowledge and his library).<

What? Speaking German in America? Actually, I wouldn't mind it so much. At least the grammar and spelling would be easier.

I thought Russian was harder. Or is it just harder for English speakers to lear? [http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/guide/A622513]

That comes from when I was looking into the Balanced Budget Amendment, which I still support. I'm very much concerned about our debt, and the fact that in spite of surpluses, it continues to climb.

Hating America v. Hating the American Government

I think we may have an issue of "I can talk about my family but you can't." None of us have much cared for our big brother Sam, but we'll stick together and defend Sam when it comes down to it.

>OBL's post:

That post from OBL isn't original; it's an e-mail that's been forwarded around the web. My mother sent it to me. She sort of got flamed for it to. I've thought about posting it here or in my space, but it gets pretty ugly.<

What I meant to say is that I thought about posting my reply to it, but my reply was kind of ugly.

Yeah,

I prefer Sonic anyway......lol

Hedgehogs

you should have 2bit, would have been interesting.

Oh, forgot about that.


Sonic in premise, is a 50's type fast food place where you drive up to a menu, order, and someone on rollerskates comes out with your food.

They have this drink called the Ocean Water that I will pull over for whenever I get a chance. Like carbonated kool-aide with a hint of coconut.

They also have cherry limeaides, limeaides, floats, and blah blah blah.

The food is half decent too. Better then McDonalds.

It was a tad rash. I don't care to leave thigns around that insult major world religions, which is what I did. I think it was fair in context, but I wouldn't like to leave it laying around h2g2.

Ahhh! It all becomes much clearer now

Sounds like a decent enough place to eat Actually, you've just reminded me, I have to make something to eat

Hey if you guys want some great fast food, visit Tuscaloosa, where I live...There are a bunch of cool Egyptian guys who have two resturaunts: Tut's and Hooligan's. Tut's has the best roast beef and turkey sandwhiches on the planet and Hooligan's has the most delish shrimp kabobs ever.

Question: do they have Taco Bell in England?

Don't they have a hooligan's up north, in Huntsville? Coulda sworn I've been to one.

Hey, I forgot to mention IN and Out. Now that is good eating. You can actually see them making the burgers in the back. And they cut their own fries. They don't own microwaves or freezers.

Love that place more than sonic even. And they have car shows there every once and awhile.

Another 50's type place. hmmmmmmm.......


It must be the cars.

I've never seen a Taco Bell here, are they good? Re McDonalds, I always said I hated the place, but my 2 year old won't hardly eat anything else!!

(btw glad things have calmed down a bit here.)

Jude

Ooooh, I've been to a 50s style diner in London called Ed's Diner... truly yummy.

Their malts and shakes are just too nice

There is this great Persian cuisine place in Earl's Court, Olympia; the chicken is great, truly melt in the mouth stuff

And they have a giant tank too

Might I suggest to anyone passing through the Birmingham, AL area a stop by Hamburger Heaven in Irondale, but be VERY hungry!!!!

.....and if northbound from here on I-65 I highly recommend a hearty helping of onion rings from Jacks Truck Stop in Good Hope. Just avoid the coffee....its' a real eye-opener!

NM