xenexian

I suffer from Jack Benny syndrome so I'm 39 for the 8th year running.

I personally have an aversion to someone wanting to perform any type of surgery on me. The idea of a low powered laser cutting into my eyes makes me cringe. I'm perfectly willing to accept my flaws and correct them without having to undergo anything so drastic as that. I also refuse to use those tanning beds that are so popular. The idea of bathing myself in radiation to achieve a darker look for vanity's sake strikes me as one of the strangest ideas to come down the pike in some time. If you must undergo the laser surgery, check the doctors credentials, what training he or she has had to use the laser and see if there are any testimonials from former patients. If they are a legit operation, they will have no problem providing you with the information you need to make an informed choice.

That's quite interesting and I agree with some of it. In the movie business the technology has finally advanced far enough and has become cheap enough to make those comic book heroes feasible for the big screen. But I don't think they are retro. Those comics are still being read today and are hardly retro. I also have a bit of disposible income and the bars I frequent hardly remind me of childhood. I see more of a lack of originality in todays culture that perhaps you are mistaking for nostalgia. But then again, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I would actually like to see more CGI aliens.  I think it's egotistical to think that the majority of species would be humanoid.  Up to now, it's just been easier to portray them that way.

I agree, Indy. We, as a species, are very self centered and to think that 99% of alien species are humanoid is folly. We need to look no farther than our own planet to see the myriad of species that exist here that are not humanoid.

I agree that SUV are probably one of the worst ideas to come out of Detroit in this generation. The people who buy them don't need them. They are the soccer moms and other such suburban dwellers who could be just fine with a mini van. They are dangerous and they will kill you if you are on the receiving end of an accident with them. The insurance companies killed the Fiero and they could certainly do the same to SUV's if they charge the premiums accordingly for driving such a dangerous vehicle. I've even gone so far as re-naming them SAV's (Suburban Assault Vehicles), since the people I see driving them seem intent on driving as aggressively as possible.

You're also only using three ships as an example for comparison (Enterprise D & E and the Defiant), there are hundreds of ships in Star Fleet, so a bunch of them may have warp cores similar to Voyagers.

Please don't forget that the fleet is still rebuilding. How many ships were destroyed at Wolf359? You can't build a starship overnight and I doubt if they were using an assembly line.

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"It is the Soldier, not the reporter Who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet, Who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, Who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, and Whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag."

 

 

Just keep in mind, the meaning of the poem is to point out that it is the Soldiers and Vets that are and were responsible for safe guarding and dying for all of our freedoms. The way the poem was worded was (I'm sure) meant strictly to be humorous.

 

I, as a Vet took great delight in many aspects of it and I'm sure others did as well.

 

 

With all due respect in regards to the poem quoted, the soldier gave us none of those rights. The very rights we so proudly expouse were given to us by our country's founders, very few of whom were soldiers. They were written, amended and ratified by citizens who were not soldiers, but farmers, politicians, and ordinary folk. The soldier is part of our national defense and not the policy makers or enforcers. All of these rights were granted to us by ourselves. Those in power are granted the power to govern by the governed and can be taken back or readdressed as the citizens see fit and the soldier has nothing to do with it. If you were to look at the constituion and those areas that specify our rights as citizens, you will see that our forefathers has a suspicion and distrust of the military even back then. The part about not having to billet soldiers, foreign or domestic, inside our private homes was a direct assault to the military thinking of the day and stands to this day. Yes, the flag drapes the coffin of those who served in the military of this country, whether they fell in battle or not, as well it should. But it also drapes the coffins of those citizens who have served this country in ways that are not militaristic in nature and have been recognized by those who see country serving deeds as what they are. Again I state that I grew up with family members serving this country as soldiers but the soldier does not grant me through their intervention, the rights already specified to me that are written in the constitution. They are there primarily for the national defense and nothing more.

In a sense you are correct, it was the founding fathers that "gave" us freedom of speach or religion etc.

 

BUt think of it this way also, The Declaration and the Constitution were written by these men. Was it the paper alone that gave us these rights?

 

No, The Declaration of Independence was written and signed in 1776. At the moment it was written it was both meaningful and meaningless. Priceless and worthless. It was simply a parchment with words on it.

 

It didn't really mean anything and it wasn't really priceless until the Soldiers died to ensure those words would become the law of the land.

 

Go back and take all the Soldiers out of the picture and we wouldn't have these rights, founding fathers or not.

 

Again though, I think you are missing the point of what's being said. What's being said is that without these Soldiers our rights would have been dismissed long ago.

 

Read it figuratively, not litteraly.

I'm afraid that you and I will never see eye to eye on this subject so lets just agree to disagree. My view and studies of history are obvously quite different from yours. The idea of soldiers, especially professional soldiers, giving me rights is totally abhorant to my way of thinking. Perhaps it's because I grew up during the Vietnam era, but I do not trust the soldier or military to grant me anything except what they want to at gunpoint. I prefer to trust in the constitution, the law of the land, to grant me rights. Even our commander in chief is a civilian and one doesn't always have to shed blood for an ideal.

Without a doubt, George Carlin.

A hand made Excaliber. Produced in West Allis, Wis., one car at a time. At least, it used to be produced there. I'm not even sure now if the company that produces it is still in existence. If it is, that's the car I want. It looks just like a sportier and speedier version of the great Roll Royce Roadster cars of the 1930's. It exudes class from the moment you see it.

I have to vote real. I'm a first generation American decended from German Parents who came here after WWII. The dream is really just having the opportunity to make what life you can for yourself using your god given talents and abilities to the utmost with no one telling you if what you're doing is correct or not. As long as what you're doing isn't illegal you ccan go as far as your dreams can carry you. Of course, in the history of this country there have been many men who made their fortunes using somewhat shady tactics and the great failed experiment of prohibition produced a number of families that rose to power providing illegal substances, but that is one of the prices for freedom and living in a market society. It may not be perfect but taken as a whole, it sure beats what the world was like before the US came into existence.

I would have to say that I log on while at work about 90% of the time. My control room is nestled away from the rest of the studio so I have very little interuption when I'm here. It's easy for me to have multiple screens while I'm mixing and even when I'm on the phone with a client, I'm usually perusing the forums. Life is good.

I harp on reading because tv is great but books open your mind.  sorry for the advertising. :lol:

Don't apologize. I too, have said that we need more readers. Print is not dead.

In the book version of this episode...the girl ends up pregnant.... :lol:

that would have been an interesting kid!

That child, I believe, becomes Lt. McHenry in the New Frontier series, and yes he's quite some kid. acute awareness of his surroundings, location and heading in space with no navigational computer, the ability to somehow slow down time, and seems to be impervious to the manipulations of one certain Q. His fate, when the alien/gods return to take him, will be revealed in book 13 due out this November.

Absolutely love the Harry Potter books. And perhaps that your're noticing that the stories are beginning to read more adult like is perhaps the prime audience, as well as the main characters, are growing up as well. As an adult, I find the stories to be not only highly entertaining but carry very important messages to the young about choices, truth, loyalty and faith and tell them in such a way that the young reader isn't put off by feeling like they're being lectured to. What entertainment for children can make that boast and keep them interested in reading at the same time?

?

"It is the Soldier, not the reporter Who has given us the freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet, Who has given us the freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer, Who gives us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier Who salutes the flag, Who serves beneath the flag, and Whose coffin is draped by the flag, Who allows the protester to burn the flag."

 

 

Just keep in mind, the meaning of the poem is to point out that it is the Soldiers and Vets that are and were responsible for safe guarding and dying for all of our freedoms. The way the poem was worded was (I'm sure) meant strictly to be humorous.

 

I, as a Vet took great delight in many aspects of it and I'm sure others did as well.

With all due respect in regards to the poem quoted, the soldier gave us none of those rights. The very rights we so proudly expouse were given to us by our country's founders, very few of whom were soldiers. They were written, amended and ratified by citizens who were not soldiers, but farmers, politicians, and ordinary folk. The soldier is part of our national defense and not the policy makers or enforcers. All of these rights were granted to us by ourselves. Those in power are granted the power to govern by the governed and can be taken back or readdressed as the citizens see fit and the soldier has nothing to do with it. If you were to look at the constituion and those areas that specify our rights as citizens, you will see that our forefathers has a suspicion and distrust of the military even back then. The part about not having to billet soldiers, foreign or domestic, inside our private homes was a direct assault to the military thinking of the day and stands to this day. Yes, the flag drapes the coffin of those who served in the military of this country, whether they fell in battle or not, as well it should. But it also drapes the coffins of those citizens who have served this country in ways that are not militaristic in nature and have been recognized by those who see country serving deeds as what they are. Again I state that I grew up with family members serving this country as soldiers but the soldier does not grant me through their intervention, the rights already specified to me that are written in the constitution. They are there primarily for the national defense and nothing more.

I remember this book very well. When I was in high school in the early to mid 70's, it was required reading. The Vietnam war was still going on so this book, for my generation at least, was a call for peace. The author, Dalton Trumbo, I believe, did an exceptional job of portraying the horrors of war, so much so that many people older than me were turned off by it. Remember, this was during a period of time when many young people had no desire to go to war for an unjust cause while many older people called us cowards and scum because we wanted peace instead. Those who advocated war during this time didn't want to be reminded of the price some soldiers would have to pay and instead wanted to glorify battle. This book was very much a radical book even then and some parents in my school wanted it banned because it would undermine the country and turn us all into godless communists with no respect for authority or the government. (Their words not mine.) Dalton was also on the blacklist from the McCarthy era for being a subversive. No doubt he is still considered that by many in congress today. This book should be required reading for all who dare to question blind loyalty to a government no matter who or where you are today and should definetely be read by those who continue to throw our youth in harms way with no intention of ever facing it themselves.

In my opinion, the best female character was Jadzia. Here was a strong female with exceptional intelligence, she was a science officer after all . She could also not only handle her own against any male but did so with a definete female sensibility. She could disarm any antagonistic male with just a smile and wink in her eye if she had to. Plus she was so good at what she did that there were many times that her being a female didn't matter. If there was any one person to be stuck on a planet with and have the best chance of getting back to safety, she would be my overwhelming choice. She also got my vote for having the best pair of legs in Starfleet.

Well done to everyone. Lets try to convert as many as possible.

Careful, Transporter Malfunction, this sounds an awful lot like assimilation to me. Next we'll be saying "join our board, resistance is futile".

I know. I can't seem to log out. I'm trapped in a temporal loop of some kind.

The last station I worked at was WJZI, in Milwaukee, Wis.

What style of music does WJZI play? Is it AM or FM? I live in Milwaukee and have never heard of that station.

It's the smooth jazz station, what used to be the old WQFM rocker. 93 FM.

The all powerful, omnipotent, IRS! Next Halloween I'm thinking of trick or treating as a Klingon IRS representative.

I've been an audio production engineer (i.e. recording engineer) for over 25 years now.  I specialize now in broadcast production but I've done just about everything the field has to offer.  When I was 17, I started out as a radio personality as well (DJ), but I can add to that, music engineer, studio manager, foley artist, video sweetener etc.  It sure beats working in a factory but I have to say that sometimes the hours stink.  There have been times when I've started a project at 7 a.m. and then walked out at 4 a.m. the following day.  It may be cool, but is sure cuts down on social life.

Very Cool ! What station where you a Dj at?

The last station I worked at was WJZI, in Milwaukee, Wis. I did the radio thing as a hobby on weekends and held down two high profile mid-day shifts on Sat and Sun afternoons. I was free lancing as a for hire engineer during this time and just did the radio thing to have a few extra bucks in the pocket and to get into touring music acts for free.

I have had Shatner's book "Star Trek Memories" on my shelf now for close to five years, I believe, and I can't get the guts to open it up and read it. I don't think I'm quite ready to have my illusions shattered. I've heard enough about it to resist reading it. Now if you're talking about his Tek War series, I've read a little of that and have actually found it quite good but not overwhelming enough to continue the series.

Absolutely love the New Frontier series. Book 13 is scheduled for release this November. Peter David is an excellent writer and his take on the Star Trek Universe with his Captain Calhoun character should be required reading. As a series or movie, it would take it's place among all that has gone before. It's a great tie into the TNG universe. How many of the books have you now read?

I know we wouldn't have had all of those wonderful TOS movies because Jeffrey Hunter died in 1969 or 1970 (I think), the result of a freak accident.[/b][/size][/color][/ALIGN]

Did he actually die in 69 or 70? For some reason I thought that he lived through most of the 70's. If his wife at the time was actually controlling his career during this time then she sure did a piss poor job. I don't seem to recall any worthwhile movie during the late 1960's that had his name in the credits.