I asked my priest why the abortion litmus? He told me this - Imagine we were allowed to terminate a child up to a year of age. Nearly all people would be firmly against this inhumane practice. There comes a smart candidate running for office that is probably best for most needs of the country. But, he is for allowing the termination of one year olds. In this case, this candidate would not be elected, as the majority see the horror of this practice. We Catholics feel the same way about the unborn.

I see his point. I can also see many other points too and so I do as the Pope suggests and work passionately for the common good.

We set all the tables together so there's no groups. We have the whole weekend so there is plenty of time. No name tags at first. Sounds great...

Hey we all get to go home, without each other. What does not kill us makes us stronger.

Metal detectors a must.

I just want more Dunder Mifflin.

No offense. Just worried about you silly guys! But if it's not permanent, no worries.

:))))))))

Yes that happened in the pregnant Sims debate. Is it permanent?

I think that we have lost touch of human design in this modern society. Fevers are designed to burn out pathogens. When teeth come in, it's time to start eating solids. Sex is the means of reproducing.

I think that a lot of things go awry the further away from natural they get - sex is no exception.

When sex is viewed as recreation rather than what it intended for, than we as a society end up with problems. Unwanted pregnancies and a need for abortion, only one of many of those problems.

Sex is fun & natural. I personally do not use sex to simply reproduce. I am however aware of it's design and realize that when it is treated as a toy, immoral results are more likely to occur. But changing that, is changing the view of a society.

But this hairless looks like my pooch - without all the little white eyelash hairs on my couch or black sweater.

Really to me it doesn't matter what it looks like - a dog with a nice personality is the thing.

I know if I looked like that, I'd really try and highlight my personality!!!

One of the most appealing things about Obama was the positive nature of his campaign. Hillary was a negative presence from the beginning. She was almost as bad as the McCain campaign.

I know it's politics and we're used to and expect dirt, but we collectively just said we prefer campaigns run on principles. Hillary and her kitchen sink had to turn around and eat every word she said in supporting Obama. I'm sorry, she under-minded herself and I can't see her as a woman really. I see her as hardened in her efforts to fit into a man's world.

As Secretary of State, I'm quite sure she's capable, but only Obama would be enlightened enough to invite that woman to join his team.

Merry Christmas!

Just remember that you can learn a lot if you are open to it. If you think you already know it all, your sponge starts dripping, and you can't suck up any more information.

If you are well thought and sincere, then it doesn't really matter if you get credit or not - if you can really be proud of what you do. In fact, when you stop worrying about the credit and focus on what you're saying, then you start being credible.

Also thinking there needs to be some-kind of networking resource for voluntarism. I myself would love to do more volunteer work, but I don't where I am needed other than the obvious - soup kitchens, animal shelters,nursing homes. There needs to be a resource that covers all depths. Lets say I am a vocational school student interested in auto body. I go to this resource and find a listing for a body shop that needs freshly painted cars washed, in trade for following the process from prep to paint. The possibilities are endless there just needs to be a source that links people.

As for you, I am just glad Gargamel didn't eat you, or turn you into gold. I mean 8 years is a long time! Thank goodness Gargamel is a blundering idiot! Thank goodness for the sun!

Religion is between the person and their God. That person is not accountable to any other person for their beliefs. The right of the government can only influence actions, not beliefs.

Religion is interpreted differently by everyone, scholars and everyday practitioners alike. For any one person - yourself, or government to claim to know God's will is completely arrogant. I mean whose moral and religious principals shall we use to govern this nation? Shall we use that of a Catholic, or a Baptist? Maybe a Mormon or a Lutheran? How about Pentecostal or Wesleyan? We could really go out on a limb and use the moral and religious principals of Islam or Buddhism. And each of these will also be subject to interpretation of those moral and religious principals which might be a completely different interpretation than mine or his.

Of course the government is influenced by the religious beliefs of those we elect. It becomes a problem when those beliefs step on the beliefs of others. That is another purpose of the doctrine - to provide an absolute - that we are one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for ALL.

-History I believe furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose. -(Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to Baron von Humboldt, 1813; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983)

Now imagine if that same power, under a service movement. You know, ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country kinda thing. Now that could really get things done.

So this debate is a way to toss around some ideas, & plant some seeds maybe.

Maybe it is beyond the reach of government. Maybe it should be left to individual churches to handle the ceremony part.

This video is a great perspective tool. Click on view trailer.

The troubling part of my stance is that in today's society many a marriage is not treated as a sacred union. Adultery & other violations of that union are a reality inside the Christian faith as well as outside of it.

I believe that a special place should be carved out for same-sex unions or civil marriages. I do not believe that anyone should be denied basic rights like hospital visitation or health care insurance, simply because the person they love is of the same sex.

The Christian Right claim to hate the sin but love the sinner, such judgment is hurtful to good people. Many of whom are truer to God's message that those who do the condemning.

I know that my whole argument is what Prop 8 is all about. I know that it was passed. I do believe that there is a suitable solution within the confines of it's wording. It's just finding it.

I have made a full recovery though & repainted the walls.

Life is good!

If you are in a warm climate, I'd say take them down after the holidays settle down and you have a nice day with not much to do.

What have you done in the past without our help?