NeuroTypical

I participate in a tiny depression support group on facebook full of random people. Just about everyone in there identifies themselves in terms other than male or female, other than straight or gay. You can't swing a dead cat in there without hitting someone suicidal or harming themselves. The statistician in me realizes that a self-selecting group of anecdotes doesn't prove squat. The human in me wonders if there is such a thing as a healthy, stable, and happy person who says their gender is androgynous, bi-gendered, pansexual, demisexual, or asexual. I've also heard "fluid", and one lady who claimed to be "gender-queer, biologically female, leaning towards male-identifying individuals".

I would think the high school course would be much better if cops were actually there to give some of the presentation themselves. The second link is oustanding. I've noticed cops putting on "citizen police academy" training for interested citizens. I attended my local small-town cop's academy. 3 hours every Tuesday for 6 weeks. Fascinating stuff. I became a firm supporter of tasers after volunteering for a demonstration and taking a 4 second hit. (Hint - when they ask you how much of a hit you want, DON'T say 4 seconds. Go with 2 :)).

Agreed totally, btw. I've developed quite a taste for epic rap battles (have to search for clean ones, but you can find them). Rhett and Link are some of my favorites.

In all truthfulness, I don't have the faintest clue what makes poetry poetry. * The closest I can come to defining it for myself, is a. It sounds like someone is talking different, b. I detect emotion that takes a moment to figure out where it's coming from, and c. people have different opinions about it. Hardly an authoritative definition, I know, but the only one I have to offer. I first began to think of rants like these in a poetic light, after I tried to write a long rant about something and failed utterly. One final item on messed-up chick: I was moved by this part, where she describes a physiological reaction she notices when trying to follow her mom's advice and try to be sociable with friends: my stuttering kneecaps clank like silver spoons held in strong arms with loose wrists. they ring in my ears like clumsy church bells, reminding me I am sleepwalking on an ocean of happiness I cannot baptize myself in Well, whatever. Eye of the beholder and all that stuff. In the spirit of seriousness, it's perfectly fine with me if folks don't consider this poetry. If the lack of punctuation or good grammar or easily-detectable rhythm or words that rhyme ruin it for you, that's ok. But in the spirit of good-natured light-hearted ribbing, y'all are a bunch of Squidwards. * And I don't know the difference between poetry and prose either.

Challenging Vort: Well, your reaction is yours. But I'm looking through your opening post, and opening thesis: People don't read or write much poetry today because today's poetry sucks. As I look through your post, you complain here: - The so-called "poets" are generally writing to each other, trying to impress each other with their increasingly abstruse constructions, and in many cases consciously avoiding any popular appeal." - not the academic fluff and nonsense you get at English departments and "poetry slams". Neither seems to apply to the messed up chick (although she is reading at a poetry slam). You explain a bit about what you would like to see: - much creativity is sparked when having to work within constraints, or in creatively and thoughtfully violating those constraints. -it seeks to say something meaningful, and in a way not quite as self-focused as [brief example of self-referential words] I'd sure love to see a renaissance of poetry -- real, meaningful poetry, Is the messed up chick not creative? Does she fail to convey meaning?

Vort (and everyone else), If a major purpose of poetry is to convey (or evoke) emotion and stimulate thought, then I submit this for your consideration:

I enjoyed ruffling feathers by drawing analogies between the Harry Potter universe, and the Golden Compass universe. Made people uncomfortable, what with HP being so cool and wonderful, and TGC being so written by an atheist and all.

My bishop just called me to be the social media director. Nobody can tell me what that means, but everyone agrees "you'll be great at it!". I can't find anything about it in handbook 2. As I look around me, mormons are all over the map on this. Our church leaders are urging us to do 2 things: - Go out into social media and spread the gospel and let people know mormons - Protect ourselves from the evils that are only a click away on the internet How we go about doing that seems to be up to us. Yesterday I heard the word "facebook" used in 2 testimonies, and "twitter" once. People are coming up to me asking to come teach a lesson in Relief Society about privacy settings. This is like pioneer times, except with a keyboard. The rule book hasn't been written yet.

Ok folks, I'll admit it. I'm Chuck Norris. (I'm also Santa Claus and a ninja.)

Ordinarily, I'm a big fan of being incredibly skeptical about anything the govt says. But I can't really rise to Traveler's level here, for a number of reasons. First, even backward societies can have their elites, who live lives of abundance. In fact, one could argue, the more backwards or oppressed the society, the more likely to find elites living such lives. From Somali warlords to Soviet Nomenklatura. The story that Great Leader poured resources into sending the top 500 sons of his top buddies to China to be trained in cyberwarfare, isn't at all offensive to reason here. Second, assuming the govt is lying about who did it, why target NK? Such lies are intended to mold public opinion, so quite frankly, what does the Obama administration gain by having a bunch of Americans more ticked-off at NK than usual? Why not blame anonymous or some other hacker group, as a way of greasing favorable net legislation? Why not blame some ultra-right group as a way of shaping the 2016 elections? Don't believe it was NK? Ok, then, so who was it? Third, we see eye to eye on distrust of media, especially American media. That's why I was glad to find my WSJ link (posted on page 1, unfortunately now behind a pay window). It linked to several offshore news articles.

We actually have a pretty clearcut example out of the Book of Mormon, in Alma 24. ...they took their swords, and all the weapons which were used for the shedding of man’s blood, and they did bury them up deep in the earth. ...rather than shed the blood of their brethren they would give up their own lives; And we also find out how that worked out for them. Three short verses later. ...the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword. And thus without meeting any resistance, they did slay a thousand and five of them. Overlooked thing #1: These folks used to be the bad guys. They had turned from a life of killing and bloodshed. They were murderers, and in this way they repented. Anyway, we're told everything worked out for the best (except for the thousand and five killed, and their friends and families). Because: "And it came to pass that the people of God were joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have no reason to doubt but what they were saved." Sounds a lot like "Oh, I'll just give up my means of self-defense, and if I die it'll be ok because I'll be in heaven". I have kids and a wife. I gotta say I don't see the appeal, although I understand why it appeals to others. Anyway we fast forward to chapter 53, and these folks have become a burden on the other, non-oath-of-peace-taking Nephites: "And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning the people of Ammon, who, in the beginning, were Lamanites; but by Ammon and his brethren, or rather by the power and word of God, they had been converted unto the Lord; and they had been brought down into the land of Zarahemla, and had ever since been protected by the Nephites." Overlooked thing #2: The pacifists still needed protection from the armed Nephites, against enemies who were willing to kill. Peace didn't break out, 2ndratemind's utopia was never realized. The people of Ammon saw what was happening: "But it came to pass that when they saw the danger, and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take up arms in the defence of their country." Overlooked thing #3: They were on the verge of giving up their pacifism, renouncing their oath, and getting ready to fight and kill again. It was offensive to them that their lives of peace were bought with the sacrifice and blood of other folks. Overlooked thing #4: Not only did the Nephites fight, kill, and die to protect them, but their own children ended up becoming warriors to fight and kill in order to protect them. "... they had many sons, who had not entered into [the oath of peace]; therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves Nephites. And they entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage." In 2ndratemind's mind, all we need to make America a better place, is for someone to start a wave of social change by taking a stand. Then peace breaks out and nobody needs guns any more, and hooray everyone. In reality, that's possible, as long as there are still plenty of good guys out there with guns to protect them in their safe little pacifist bubble. ... And they aren't targeted by Islamic extremists and beheaded, like we saw in Oklahoma. ... And they aren't caught in the crossfire of a gang war, or they don't become a random targeted killing by someone trying to gain respect in their gang. ... And they don't become a home invasion victim, or surprise a burglar who decides they'd rather kill than go back to prison. ... And they don't have a violent ex- who isn't impressed by a restraining order. ... And they don't have their kids in a school where someone decides to go out with a bang and take as many innocents as they can.

Yep - and how else is the church going to keep you from teaching primary if you've been convicted of sexual abuse of a minor, and then moved to a new ward. Both are important.

What LP said. Bishops and branch presidents have a 1-800 number to call for legal and spiritual advice when they hear such things. If she chooses to go to hers, he'll do the appropriate thing. Stay her friend. And read this a lot. https://www.lds.org/ensign/1999/08/judge-not-and-judging?lang=eng&query=

The reasons for excommunication are threefold: - Protect the flock - Help the member repent and come unto Christ - Protect the integrity of the church The third one is often misunderstood, but basically, consider what kind of church would let an unrepentant child molester remain a member in good standing. Or a person who embezzled funds from widows. Or someone out trying to win the award for most women bedded. Excommunication doesn't have to be permanent. In fact, we'd all rather it be temporary.

I've focused on one gun, one holster, one right way to do things. My duty - gun only exists in three places: My person, locked in my car, or in the gun safe. If it's anywhere else, I'm failing in my duty and being an irresponsible gun owner. I focus on mindset. I think about all the times I'd much rather risk injury than use my firearm. Me and my family go with this: 80 ways to not be there in the first place, 10 ways to run the other way, 6 ways to hide, 4 ways to take action to stop the threat. Wife and I went with matching Glock 26's. After gathering eight bajillion opinions from countless people, I found more value in 9mm low cost, lower kick, specialty ammo's effectiveness, and Glock's quality, smaller frame, and easy maintenance than I did in the valid selling points of other setups. I find myself unable to enjoy shooting and carrying like other folks. The weighty matters are just too sobering for me. But while there may not be a lot of fun involved, there is plenty of resolve and confidence.

Excellent rant, slamjet! I give it a 8.5 for sincerity, a full 10 for passion, but only a 7 for relevance. Overall, I'm a fan. Relevance scored low because there's a bit you're missing about needy folks. Something to understand - is this time of year is harder on these folks than the rest of the year. There is actually more need for charity and compassion around the holidays than at other times of the year. Wounds, baggage, mental illnesses, issues of abuse, lonliness, employment needs - all are magnified in weight when the rest of the world walks around singing merry tunes. Consider: * I usually read suicidal facebook drama about once every couple of months. In this last week, I've read 3 or 4. If it's a normal year, I anticipate another half-dozen before January hits. * Something we don't think about with the homeless and hungry, but winter is more expensive. We don't think about things like frostbite or exposure, but they are killers. The need for good clothing is higher at this time of year. It costs money to heat places. * Every soup kitchen or goodwill or similar goods-related charity I've ever been involved with, have some sort of warehouse space devoted to holding all the stuff they get during the season. It's not uncommon for these places to meet community needs for 3-6 months with the donations they get in December. Gathering stuff 1 month of the year is efficient and keeps labor costs low. * Go ask any cop what's different about Christmas. I'm betting they'll say something like "Oh, it's the same stuff, just a lot more of it." * The holidays are a break from routine, and many times a break in routine gets the addicts and mentally ill the kick in the pants they need to go seek help. Anecdotal evidence only here, but out of the dozen or so "I'm checking myself into rehab" stories I've heard over the years, anniversaries and Christmas/New Year see more stories than the rest of the year. Anyway, I really do think your rant was excellent. But like so many rants, it loses relevance because it's basically saying "If people were different, then things would be better." People won't be different, slamjet. It's a truth guaranteed by the author of the universe. And in this case, it's actually not that bad that humanity seems geared towards greater acts of charity in December. Let's compare notes if we meet up at a soup kitchen in June.

Found my own darn link. http://www.wsj.com/articles/sony-hack-shines-light-on-north-koreas-cyber-attackers-1418877740 Well, ok then.

NK hacked Sony? Need source. Got link?

Hi Jimmi, My daughter had a fear of water. So we started around age 5 - we joined the community swimming pool and went 3 days a week. Over the years, we'd try one new thing every week. First, shallow end - splashing and rolling around. Second, deep end - slow and safe, only what she was comfortable with. Third, seeing how much face you could put in water before feeling uncomfortable or panicky. Nothing helps irrational fear like repetitive boredom. Sure, you're anxious and symptomatic now, but spend 3 months in a shallow pool trying to put your face one extra millimeter more under the water than last time, and your brain might decide the whole thing isn't worth it and give up on all the anxious. Forth, jumping. Into shallow water at first. Then deeper water. Fifth, immersing. Shallow end first, practicing holding nose and closing eyes. Anyway, she's 13 now and has been swimming like a fish since before age 8. I am not minimizing your fear of water or suggesting you ignore it or try to force your way through it. I'm suggesting you try to bore it to death.

As an aside, if you want a fun exercise, have your Google news browser deliver results for the phrase "sovereign citizen". It's always an entertaining and enlightening read. (Until you've read about a dozen of them, then it becomes boring and repetitive.)

And this is why Robert Lund rocks.

The following is a partial list of the many privileges I enjoy: - Tall guy privilege - 1st world country privilege - Live in the world's only superpower privilege - College educated privilege - Born to two married parents who loved and raised me privilege - White privilege - Male privilege - Live in a stable democracy that values personal liberty privilege - etc. The following is a partial list of disadvantages/handicaps/misfortunes/whatever the opposite of privilege: - Overweight - Introverted to the extent that it affects my body language - Tragic background that it occasionally hampers my happiness - Mormon, in an area that doesn't much value religion - Lack of coordination - Poor, deteriorating eyesight - Prone to certain medical conditions - etc You'll notice that both lists contain both 'blessings of birth' over which I have no control, and things that are indeed in my control. Everyone has a similar list. Ya single one out, ya limit your destiny, or your options, or what you can accomplish in life, or however you want to think about it. And that's just goofy.

My past has some similarities here. I left the church at age 19 (basically, as soon as my mom couldn't make me go any more). I didn't believe. I had never believed. I had rarely tried to believe. By age 26, I was a few credit hours away from a minor in philosophy (but hadn't found any answers there). I wanted what my LDS friends had, but wasn't willing to lie and pretend and attend a church or worship a God I didn't even know existed. So I started reading the BoM and praying to know. Before I would budge in genuine church activity, I needed to believe. And before I would believe, I needed to know. Anyway, here I am as a moderator of lds.net, so you can guess how it turned out. From my perspective, when I got my genuine testimony I would need to be rebaptized. They told me "nope - just pick up the covenants you already made and start keeping them". That made sense. God bless you Bini. Stay true to your sense of right and wrong. I came through my experiences with the notion that the only truly valid reason to be a Mormon, was you believe God wants you to be one. The book promises that sure foundation if you jump through the hoops in the right way. I did, and it was worth it. Oh - did you ever kiss the guy from Walking Dead?

I and my family are about as white as they come. Yet for some reason: - My wife and I have been pulled over for "fitting the description". - We've had more than one talk with our kids about how to respond to police officers. - I am the descendant of slaves. (I don't think they used the word, but basically, my ancestors hit the US shores after escaping Scotland because they were fed up with being pressed into wars to serve the British King. Back in those days, you had two options - either go to war as asked, or be killed and have your family raped and sold or killed along side you.) I have a very black Facebook buddy. Here's what he had to say about it recently [brackets mine]: