furnishesq, this one's for you.

[BoBettie]

If you are so handicapped that you need a special parking space because the extra walking would be a tremendous burden -- why are you driving in the first place?

From the unspeakable truths thread.

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...0&pagenumber=2

You know, that statement is so rude and ignorant, I'm not going to even bother refuting it. I just was not going to let it pass by without comment. I'm sickened by your attitude and stupidity. That is all.

[Regina]

I guess s/he's never heard of wheelchairs . . .

[Giraffe]

While I think furnishesq was just trying to be clever and may not necessarily think handicapped spaces are just a big scam, I've heard this sentiment before. It amazes me that anyone could possibly begrudge handicapped parking spaces. To state the obvious:

1. Yes, you can be disabled to the point that walking across a large parking lot is a major burden but still drive. Driving doesn't require a great deal of leg strength or endurance.

2. If one member of a married couple is in a wheelchair, both the proximity to the ramp and the extra room most spaces have (for loading and unloading of wheelchair and person) make an enormous difference. Parking in the main lot would, in many cases, be a significant burden.

[iampunha]

This person seems to be operating under the assumption that handicapped plates and such are given only to those who actually drive, as opposed to a woman married to, say, a paraplegic, who drives her husband around and needs to park in a handicapped space so as to ... well, duh

[elf6c]

I saw that too-- I thought the doofus was trying (poorly) to be a mini-Seinfield. More like Banya really.

[Seinfield] What's next- airline food jokes? He's a hack! [Seinfeld].

Of course, there is a chance that he/she really is that stupid.

[Geobabe]

quote:
-------------------------------------------------------------
If you are so handicapped that you need a special parking space because the extra walking would be a tremendous burden -- why are you driving in the first place?
-------------------------------------------------------------

That just doesn't even make any sense. How on earth does not being able to walk long distances equal not being able to drive? The physical requirements of driving are much different from those of walking. What a twit.

[Diane]

Of course, there is a chance that he/she really is that stupid.

I'm putting my money on that.

What a fuck knob.

[Diane]

I just read that thread. There are some really good, truthful, and humorous posts, but HOLY SHIT! there are a couple of jackass idiots! I don't even know where to start. So many stupid statements, so little time.

Just a few -

furnishesq

"While I pray that I never become disabled, or want any of my loved ones to become disabled -- there are just some disabled persons who should not be working in the consumer industry because they are too disabled"

If you are so handicapped that you need a special parking space because the extra walking would be a tremendous burden -- why are you driving in the first place?

ladyfoxfyre

The idea that our country is still a democracy is a sham. Our opinions haven't made a difference in the past 15 years, nor will they make a difference in the future 15 years.

The reason we were attacked is not because they are jealous, it is because we are snide assholes who deserved it.

Convenient patriotism is illogical. If you weren't proud enough of your country to plaster flags on every untained surface in sight before somebody flew a plane into a building, you have no reason to now.

90% of the people you encounter on a daily basis deserve to be euthanized for their absolute stupidity

I would like to ask for cites of the following:

jk1245

Gambling addiction is more destructive and costs the US more money than any illegal drug addiction

The war on drugs has done more harm than good.

And a big :eyeroll: to

puddleglum

Women are more likely to be attracted to jerks than nice guys

[Ferrous]

Diane,
I don't feel like hunting up cites right now, but regarding those jk1245 quotes, the second is definitely true. The war on drugs is an abomination. It's been argued quite a bit before, and I don't really want to get into it again just now. Do a search on "legalization" in GD.

As to the first, well...gambling addiction is certainly a huge problem for a lot of people. Although I'm skeptical of the claim that it has cost the government money. Legalized gambling and lotteries are actually a huge source of revenues for various state governments. Which is rather shameful, in my opinion. But that's also another thread...

As for those ladyfoxfyre quotes, yeah, I thought those were particularly assholish as well.

Um, sorry, we're supposed to be bashing furnishesq in this thread. So er, yeah, you suck, buddy! *rude gesture*

[wring]

and Diane, having 'met'(through threads here) puddleglum, I can well imagine that for him, he must believe that women are more attracted to jerks than to nice guys.

from the quotes here, I'm glad I haven't waded through that one.

[SPOOFE]

Driving doesn't require a great deal of leg strength or endurance.

Driving doesn't require ANY leg strength or endurance. I knew one girl who had no use of her legs at all... and she was driving all over the place. All she needed was a hand-operated brake and gas mechanism affixed to her steering wheel.

[Jack Batty]

My daughter has spina bifida. She can walk with crutches and braces. She did however just have an operation on one of her feet, which pretty much has prevented her from walking at all the last few months.

Regardless, a 50 yard walk for her is torturous. I don't have handicap plates for my car as I'm not her custodial guardian, although I can use the little hangy sign thingie (not like I ever remember it). I always end up carrying her through the parking lot when we go to the movies or whatever.

She's 10 years old. She ain't that light.

However, for now, I'll cut furnitureesqe (whatever) some slack. If he/she never had to deal with it, his opinion isn't totally off the wall for the knee jerk that it was.

On the other hand, if he happens to read this thread and sticks to his guns, then I'll decree him a human rectum.

[Cervaise]

Originally posted by SPOOFE
I knew one girl who had no use of her legs at all...

And her name was Bob! No, wait, Phil! Hang on a second, I know this one. Damn. Could I get a hint?

[Giraffe]

Originally posted by SPOOFE

Driving doesn't require ANY leg strength or endurance. I knew one girl who had no use of her legs at all... and she was driving all over the place. All she needed was a hand-operated brake and gas mechanism affixed to her steering wheel.

True enough. That should have said "driving a standard car". My dad, who has MS, could drive even when a 100 yard walk was a major burden. The handicapped parking allowed him to run errands he otherwise could not have run.

[Jack Batty]

Originally posted by Cervaise
And her name was Bob! No, wait, Phil! Hang on a second, I know this one. Damn. Could I get a hint?

Eileen?

[Klaatu]

Well, as someone who has had an artificial leg (above knee) for 16 years, and who drives, I would have no problem taking off my leg and smacking the shit out of furnishesq with it.

Notwithstanding the obvious wheelchair users, for others of us, sometimes the extra walking IS a burden, you fucking moron.

[Diane]

No, no, no, Eileen had one leg.

Ferrous, I'll grant you the quotes on the war on drugs, I honestly haven't given it much thought one way or another to have an opinion. But gambling being more harmful than drug addiction AND costing the government more money?!?!?! I'll need to see some proof from jk1245.

wring - Be glad you didn't wade through that thread. There was a lot of shit spread out among the daisies. You would be wandering along enjoying the flowers when out of the blue, :::sppplat::: another pile of the brown goo.

[Scotticher]

Dedicated handicap parking spots are also legally required to make it possible for people (or their caregivers) to get their wheelchairs out of their car or van......extra space along the side, you know? So along with making it possible for people who can't walk far to use the facility, it allows people to bring their loved ones who CAN'T drive to enjoy the place. It also makes it easier for those of us who wish to help the people we care about to live a full and happy life, to give them the freedom to participate in our lives without undue difficulty.

I am not going to pile on this person, because I think it is entirely possible that he/she hasn't really thought this through. The ADA legislation isn't perfect, but it was necessary...due to the fact that LOTS of people "haven't thought all this through."

Let's all try to put ourselves in someone elses shoes for a minute before we start spouting off opinions about what the other person should and shouldn't do, okay? After all, there was a time even in THIS country when certain groups were denied access to lots of places just because of their gender or race. We have hopefully moved beyond this nonsense, so why isn't it the same sort of thing to make it possible for persons with disabilities to go where they will.....instead of making it so difficult for them that they just stay home and dwell on what they CAN'T do instead of allowing them to be who they are?

furnishesq, I don't think you really wish to limit anyone from enjoying whatever interests them. I hope that you will think on this and realize that you spoke in too quickly and without thinking things through adequately.

[Forbin]

She was mexican.
Her name was Comeswaylow.

[jk1245]

Originally posted by Diane
....I'll need to see some proof from jk1245.

Diane, please note that the thread is in MPSIMS, not in GQ or GD.
Also please note that the OP states "What do you thinkare the "unspeakable truths"... (bolding mine).
Secondly, when I said "costs the US more..." I didn't mean the US gov't per se, but rather the US economy as a whole, public and private.


That said, here is a link where a U of Illinois professor makes the claim that

"In 1997 U.S. Gambling Abuse Costs ($80 Billion/Yr.) Exceeded Drug Abuse Costs ($70 Billion/Yr.) Because of Gambling Addictions Bankruptcies Crime and Corruption"


He then goes on (in exruciating detail) about how he arrived at this number. He gives the possible range of societal costs as ranging from $30 billion to $160 billion depending on how much an average pathological gambler costs, with $80 billion being the most likely figure based on US per capita income. This study is of course disputed, primarily by the US gaming industry (who put the cost of gambling at $5-6 billion here (pdf).

Anyway, maybe my "thought" is wrong, maybe it's not. In any event the costs of gambling to society as a whole are at least similar in magnitude to illegal drug use.

[eunoia]

Originally posted by Diane
No, no, no, Eileen had one leg.

Eileen had one leg shorter than the other.

The woman with one leg was Peg.

(I'm so ashamed right now.)

[Meatros]

Anecdotal, but what the hell. My grandfather could walk short distances. He got a handicapped sticker so that he could actually walk into the place he was going (which usually had a seat so he could catch his breath). If he had to walk more than a few yards, he would collapse.

I had to drop what I was doing and go pick him up several times.

So in essences, yes there are some people out there who genuinely need the sticker.

[Ferrous]

Interesting numbers, jk1245. I'm not really surprised, actually. But I feel compelled to point out that when you make a statement like "gambling addiction has cost the US more...", you need to take net cost into consideration. In other words, yes, gambling addiction* costs money, but it legalized gambling makes money for the gov't. Which is why it's legal. The question is, do the gains outweigh the losses?

Personally, I think the whole institution of state-run gambling is on very shaky moral ground. But it's not likely to go away, simply because it makes so much money.


*I'm also a little uncomfortable with the term "gambling addiction", since it's not really an addiction as such. Perhaps "compulsive gambling" would be better?

Boy, this thread is really all over the place, isn't it?

[neutron star]

Gambling is too an addiction. Otherwise, I doubt there would be a Gambler's Anonymous.

Hard drug addicts have been known to quit using only to take up gambling and get hooked on that.

Gambling is, of course, a psychological addiction, not a physical one. In other words, you're not going to get headaches, tremors, or kick the air violently for no reason (a symptom of heroin withdrawl, and possibly the origin of the term "kicking the habit") upon cessation of your gaming activities.

You may find yourself wishing you were dead because you're not gambling, but it's all in your head. Any significantly pleasurable activity can be addictive in this way.

[White Lightning]

I don't know why any of you are surprised. This thread was like an engraved invitation for everyone with an axe to grind or an agenda to push to come and make baseless and controversial assertions and not get called to account for them, and it was like that from the very OP. If you're going to go through it and pick out all the BS that was spewed in there, you're in for a grueling task.

[furnishesq]

Sigh. . . .

You know what? I hate when people don;t take the time to think things through. . . I APOLOGIZE if I didn;t state my position clearly enough , but really people. . . .

Of course, there are many, many, many cases of those who are diabled and deserve to drive. But there are LOTS of others who abuse it.

In my City the police "crack down" every month of handicapp parking fraud. The most common ? People using grampa or grandpa's handicapp tag to get a good parking space at the mall.

Last month 150+ people got snagged at the local mall for this.

Others use expired tags use spaces which block spaces for the truly handicapped.

I played rugby with a guy, rugby mind you, who got a legtimate handicapp tag. He can't walk the few extra spaces, to get to the mall but can play rugby?

And in the case of the wife who drives a wheelchair bound husband to the store -- by all means use the tag -- but it should not be used when the husband is not with her. It only blocks those who truly deserve it -- how many pregnant women have to walk further because someone was too lazy to park in a regular space?

Next time you are at the mall, take a look at those who park in those spaces. I would say that very few deserve it -- and then look at how a good many will walk, unassisted all day at the mall.

I really believe each locality should have a volunteer board, with comprising of the disabled, to review the handicapped parking applications to see if they truly deserve it.

I don;t agree with the racist crap on my thread. . . nor did I write any of it.

But I won;t apologize for the viewing and airing of controversial ideas. You all had the power to type your ideas and counterpoints in as many threads as you want. You can dismantle me here. And, I can reply to your counterpoints, which I did here.

But if you are mad at ideas, well, that is a good thing. When we get angry and arew forced to defend, we come to a greater truth.

So while I am a little surpirsed at all this fuss, I really am glad that my thread generated discussion and thought. . .

With that. . .

FLAME AWAY!!!

[BoBettie]

furnisheq,
I agree with most of your points especially regarding people using their disabled relatives tags, people who use expired tags, etc. I took exception to this statement in particular in the OTHER thread:

If you are so handicapped that you need a special parking space because the extra walking would be a tremendous burden -- why are you driving in the first place?

My friend Connie is a great example. She had polio as a child and has LITTLE use of her legs- she uses either a wheelchair or hand crutches to get around. She drives with a modified truck. She uses the handicapped spot NOT because she can't walk/wheel around for long, but because in a REGULAR spot there is no room to manuver around, get her wheelchair out and unfolded and situate herself in it. She needs those extra feet of space provided by the handicapped space. There simply isn't room otherwise.

YOUR statement above was not seemingly about people who abuse handicapped spaces, it appeared to be a question about why someone who is disabled enough to need a handicapped tag bothers to go out to begin with since it's a hardship to walk around anyway. That's just ridiculous and wrong.

For what it's worth, there are MANY people who have a handicapped tag that do not appear handicapped. You don't know the problem and it's not up to you to speculate, frankly. Many shopping centers and event venues offer wheelchairs inside or scooters for folks who have mobility problems (or breathing trouble), so even though they look fine walking in, you don't know that they didn't go get a wheelchair or scooter upon their arrival.

I have nothing more to say about this, but think about what I've said. I don't argue with the points in the second post, but the statement I quoted sounds ignorant and silly.

[furnishesq]

I think you make excellent points. And I do apologize for my unclear orginal posting.

However, I take exception to say I have no right to "speculate"

On the contrary, I believe everyone has a right to "speculate" about anything and everything. The danger is when some people try to take their "speculation" and put it into "action". (Hitler is a prime example of a horrible speculation (jews are inferior) put into horrfic action (the holocost)

In my case, I would have no right to force people into not parking in handicapp spaces.

Ideas, in and of themselves, are never, dangerous. But put the
wrong ideas into action, and, we are all in trouble.

That said, you make excellent points. Why aren't those fortunate enough not to be disabled being educated about the need for handicapped spaces?

By the way, I always park in the farthest spots -- it takes just as much time to walk from your car to the store than it does to spend your time driving around looking for a closer spot.

[Diane]

You are either back peddling your way out of your original assholish comment, lack communication skills, are just flat out stupid. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to see the difference between this -

Others use expired tags use spaces which block spaces for the truly handicapped.

and -

I played rugby with a guy, rugby mind you, who got a legtimate handicapp tag. He can't walk the few extra spaces, to get to the mall but can play rugby?

In comparison to your original post -

If you are so handicapped that you need a special parking space because the extra walking would be a tremendous burden -- why are you driving in the first place?

Not that your new explanation isn’t much better.

Here’s your Turtle Wax and a year supply of ramen. Thanks for playing, bu-bye now.

[BoBettie]

I think my main issue is using the term "deserve" in your writings.

Of course, there are many, many, many cases of those who are diabled and deserve to drive. But there are LOTS of others who abuse it.

I still don't understand the original statement at all. I'm dropping the subject, but I think you should re-read it and think about it some more. The clarification you gave had NOTHING to do with your original statement, and I'm at a loss as to how I could have interpreted it that it would not be offensive.

[jackelope]

Indeed. You originally said:

"If you are so handicapped that you need a special parking space because the extra walking would be a tremendous burden -- why are you driving in the first place?"

This is clearly a stupid statement. Now you're backpedalling to say you meant people who use grandpa's handicapped parking sticker at the mall? No. You didn't mean that.

Actually, I think you meant to make a pithy, un-PC observation (elf6c mentioned Seinfeld), but didn't quite realize that those only work when there's a grain of truth to them.

The thing to do now is be a man about it, apologize and shut the fuck up.

[Eva Luna]

More anecdotal evidence: I had temporary handicapped tags for a while, post-several rounds of leg surgery. The surgery was on the left leg; I could drive an automatic just fine with the right leg only, but walking more than a few yards on crutches was exhausting.

There is, however, I'm sure, much abuse of handicapped tags. I used to fume upon seeing people park in the last handicapped spot, and then run off to work on their spike-heeled pumps. I wish here in Chicago they'd do more spot-checking enforcement.

[ladyfoxfyre]

Well holy fucking shit, I didn't even realize until just now that Diane had opened a whole new can of worms about me. Did not a single fucking one of you realize the purpose of that thread at all? The idea was to say the things that you would normally be ostracized for, any long withheld opinions that you wouldn't normally just go around shouting at people. If you didn't like what I said, I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for you. I was offended by some things in that thread too, but I understood that those people had a different opinion than mine so I didn't take it really personally. That was the point of the thread, and when it got out of hand it was closed. Enough, that's all there is to say. Just let it fucking die, jesus. You get so flabbergasted when someone with a non-politically correct opinion states them. I'm not going to take any of them back just to make Diane or Ferrous happy, or anyone else for that matter. Jesus.

[monica]

Zette said, "You know, that statement is so rude and ignorant, I'm not going to even bother refuting it. I just was not going to let it pass by without comment. I'm sickened by your attitude and stupidity. That is all."

Look, I understand that you feel that this is an inappropriate statement. However, it is just plain chilish to refuse to refute it because you think it is a stupid point. You had better never ever go into teaching or have children.

[Guinastasia]

Perhaps you're one of those stupid people who should be "sterilized?"

[Ferrous]

Originally posted by ladyfoxfyre
I'm not going to take any of them back just to make Diane or Ferrous happy, or anyone else for that matter.

Don't worry about me, lady. It wouldn't make me happy if you took them back (I'm happy anyway), just as it didn't make me unhappy when you said it in the first place.

All I said was, it makes you sound like an asshole. But it's no skin off my nose either way. You want to be an asshole, I couldn't care less.

[BoBettie]

Originally posted by monica

Look, I understand that you feel that this is an inappropriate statement. However, it is just plain chilish to refuse to refute it because you think it is a stupid point. You had better never ever go into teaching or have children.

Hey, thanks for the tip- Thank God you're here to help me with these things.

Wow, is it me or are the assholes just CRAWLING out of the woodwork lately? Who moved the rock??

[Jack Batty]

Okay, I'll be moderate.

I included a post about having to carry my daughter when I forget the handicap tag at the movies and stuff, so you know which side of this I'm on. I said I'd see what furnishesq had to say about this.

Ok -- my opinion -- I think he said quite plainly that he didn't state his position clearly. And he did say some ignorant sounding things, but he went on to say ... "here's what it is that gets me ..." and I agree with his position on the rugby-playing guy and people who take advantage of their spouses handicap to use these spots when their spouse isn't there and shit like that.

So ... congratulations, you are not a human rectum in my book. Still you could be a little more empathetic and little less knee jerk. Just me talking -- what do I know. I'm just saying.

On the other hand ...

Originally posted by monica
You had better never ever go into teaching or have children.

I found this to be a pretty fucking rude thing to say to anyone, under any circumstances. So congratulations monica, you get to by my human rectum of the month.

[ladyfoxfyre]

Originally posted by Ferrous
All I said was, it makes you sound like an asshole. But it's no skin off my nose either way. You want to be an asshole, I couldn't care less.

I'm not trying to be an asshole. I honestly don't think I am being one. They were my opinions at the time, that's all. Like I said, many controversial opinions were given in that thread and it seemed like the place to give them. Just because you don't agree with me doesn't make me the asshole.

[CanadianSue]

First off, Monica, you are an idiot. To make a statement like you did, not knowing Zette from your asshole, is just plain ignorant. I think it's mighty brave of Jack to invite you into his orifice.

On to parking and the stupidity at hand.

If you are so handicapped that you need a special parking space because the extra walking would be a tremendous burden -- why are you driving in the first place?

My 11 year old son is disabled. This in itself qualifies me for handicapped parking, but I have never in 11 years held one. I can walk a distance and drive, because I'm very talented that way. My son however, cannot walk a distance and legally also cannot drive. Pretty simple stuff.

Generally, like Jack, I carry my son, or I walk with him, holding him, helping him walk. This summer he was very ill and dropped 15 lbs., resulting in him being weak and my back crashing on me from having to carry/support him even more. I'm 5'2" and my son is about 4'9". Basically he was dead weight, but, life goes on and he's entitled to have some enjoyment, not be locked up because his mother can't hold his weight to walk a distance.

I went to our pediatrician and requested a parking pass. I asked him for a couple of months which would help give my back a break and my son a chance to gain his strength back. The doctor offered me a permanent pass and I declined because I know in a couple of months things will be better.

Second day out, we stop at the grocery store. I pull into a disabled parking spot, one of many that were vacant at that time, get out of my car and head around to get my son out. This is when I encountered my first fucknut. A middle aged couple walking by and Mr. Fucknut says to Mrs. Fucknut, "another abuser" to which Mrs. Fucknut replies "badly crippled I see" and glares at me.

While I am very aware that people abuse all kinds of things in life, including parking, these jack asses assumed because I could walk that there wasn't a problem and of course I was abusing the system. It must be a joyful life for one who is a puritan.

Things aren't always as they seem kids. Maybe some of you need to think with your brain and have a thought before you immediately assume.

[Eva Luna]

CanadianSue, how did you resist the temptation to embarrass the crap out of the schmucks who made the stupid assumption that because you could walk from one side of the car to the other, you had no right to a handicapped decal?

[CanadianSue]

The one thing I would never do is humiliate my son. He may have disabilities, but he does understand whats happening. If anything, I have tried to teach him to hold his head up high and ignore dumb fucks who are ignorant to the world around them.

I rarely will be rude to anyone in front of my son. I will admit tho, on occasion, I've lost my cool and ripped someone a new one, but not often.

[Eva Luna]

Somehow I figured that was the case.

Anyone know a classy, yet humiliating and educational comeback for schmucks like the ones who snubbed CanadianSue? One never knows when this info might come in handy, like, say, the next time I leave my grandparents off at the curb when all the handicapped spots are taken and need to park far away and walk.

[BoBettie]

Eva,
I usually flip 'em the bird, but I wouldn't call that classy. The only classy thing to do is walk away. There is no reasoning with these people (see other Pit thread on this issue). They are right, they have the right to think it, and they will think what they want regardless of your situation. If you aren't missing a leg, you have NO right to park in a handicapped spot, use a scooter at the store, or otherwise get assistance.

When I had my spinal surgery, I used a cane for 6 months to get around. I had older people at the mall COME UP TO ME and accuse me of faking an injury for sympathy, saying there was nothing wrong "with your foot". There is no stopping the rightous- they know all.

I honestly hope that karma doesn't teach them the lesson they so desparately need to learn. It's a real motherfucker of a class.

[Diane]

The reason we were attacked is not because they are jealous, it is because we are snide assholes who deserved it.

Tell us again why thousands of people deserved to died because we are snide assholes.

Convenient patriotism is illogical. If you weren't proud enough of your country to plaster flags on every untained surface in sight before somebody flew a plane into a building, you have no reason to now.

Explain why those people whose patriotism was awoken by the events of September 11 should not be allowed to express it? It may have taken a tragedy of this scale to open our eyes, but they are open now. How is this a bad thing?

90% of the people you encounter on a daily basis deserve to be euthanized for their absolute stupidity

That’s just fucking lovely and deserves no comment.

You had better never ever go into teaching or have children.

Monica - You’re a fuckwit who should consider stuffing your hole until you know what you are talking about. You don’t know Zette nor do you know her childbearing situation. You owe her an apology, although I doubt we will see it.

Bitch.

[Diane]

Did not a single fucking one of you realize the purpose of that thread at all?

Uh, yeah, I did. It was an open invitation for dickheads to show their ass. You showed the world yours.

The idea that our country is still a democracy is a sham. Our opinions haven't made a difference in the past 15 years, nor will they make a difference in the future 15 years.

You betcha. We have no ability to vote. We are not able to make changes in the law by lobbying Congress. We are powerless little ants living in a Communist colony and you Ladyfoxfyre are an idiot.

The reason we were attacked is not because they are jealous, it is because we are snide assholes who deserved it.

Tell us again why thousands of people deserved to died because we are snide assholes.

Convenient patriotism is illogical. If you weren't proud enough of your country to plaster flags on every untained surface in sight before somebody flew a plane into a building, you have no reason to now.

Explain why those people whose patriotism was awoken by the events of September 11 should not be allowed to express it? It may have taken a tragedy of this scale to open our eyes, but they are open now. How is this a bad thing?

90% of the people you encounter on a daily basis deserve to be euthanized for their absolute stupidity

That’s just fucking lovely and deserves no comment.

You had better never ever go into teaching or have children.

Monica - You’re a fuckwit who should consider stuffing your hole until you know what you are talking about. You don’t know Zette nor do you know her childbearing situation. You owe her an apology, although I doubt we will see it.

Bitch.

[PotLuck]

Originally posted by Eva Luna
There is, however, I'm sure, much abuse of handicapped tags. I used to fume upon seeing people park in the last handicapped spot, and then run off to work on their spike-heeled pumps. I wish here in Chicago they'd do more spot-checking enforcement.

I'm surprised someone hasn't taken you to task for not presuming that Healthy-Looking Running-In-Stilettos Chick isn't riddled with debilitating diseases that validate her need for handicapped parking.

[ladyfoxfyre]

Originally posted by Diane
Uh, yeah, I did. It was an open invitation for dickheads to show their ass. You showed the world yours.

Right. You're completely correct. It's so convenient of you to illustrate your arguing tactics so well, "I don't like what you said, so you are a dickhead."
:sigh:

You betcha. We have no ability to vote. We are not able to make changes in the law by lobbying Congress. We are powerless little ants living in a Communist colony and you Ladyfoxfyre are an idiot.

You seem to be extrapolating quite a bit from one little sentance. I never said we had no ability to vote, or make changes in the law. Nor did I say we were living in a communist colony (?) so where the fuck to you get off saying that? You must not posess an ability to identify a hyperbole. The funny thing is that another poster said something very similar to what I did, but no need to attack it right? No, of course not.

Tell us again why thousands of people deserved to died because we are snide assholes.

Did I say that anybody deserved to die? I'm sorry if I didn't explain for the more sensitive crowd, didn't feel I really needed to considering nobody else was. But once again I am surprised. My point was that Americans are so arrogant as to believe that we are untouchable, and that this certainly demonstrated that we are not.

Explain why those people whose patriotism was awoken by the events of September 11 should not be allowed to express it? It may have taken a tragedy of this scale to open our eyes, but they are open now. How is this a bad thing?

There have been countless threads about this, I don't understand why you feel the need to attack this statement as well. Once again, I never said that they shouldn't be allowed to express it. I said it was illogical, and convenient. I don't like it. Obviously you do, and I'm not going to personally attack you for it, but some people aren't below it I suppose.

That’s just fucking lovely and deserves no comment.

That's just fucking lovely as well, so it deserves no response.

[Diane]

If you didn't like what I said, I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for you. I was offended by some things in that thread too, but I understood that those people had a different opinion than mine so I didn't take it really personally. That was the point of the thread, and when it got out of hand it was closed.

Yeah, you’re right, that was the point of the thread, however I think you have missed one small detail. Anything you write on a public message board is open for criticism. There is no immunity for assholish comments if you post them in a thread created for that purpose. I suggest you choose your words more carefully if you don’t want the heat they may bring.

Right. You're completely correct. It's so convenient of you to illustrate your arguing tactics so well, "I don't like what you said, so you are a dickhead."
:sigh:

Almost, sorta, mostly. I think you’re a dickhead because of the things you said. I don’t know you IRL, so your words are all I have to go by.

You seem to be extrapolating quite a bit from one little sentance. I never said we had no ability to vote, or make changes in the law. Nor did I say we were living in a communist colony (?) so where the fuck to you get off saying that? You must not posess an ability to identify a hyperbole. The funny thing is that another poster said something very similar to what I did, but no need to attack it right? No, of course not.

Oh do tell, if you weren’t implying that voting or lobbying doesn’t make a difference, what did you mean by your comment: "The idea that our country is still a democracy is a sham. Our opinions haven't made a difference in the past 15 years, nor will they make a difference in the future 15 years."

Did I say that anybody deserved to die? I'm sorry if I didn't explain for the more sensitive crowd, didn't feel I really needed to considering nobody else was. But once again I am surprised. My point was that Americans are so arrogant as to believe that we are untouchable, and that this certainly demonstrated that we are not.

AGAIN, let me quote your words back to you. You said "The reason we were attacked is not because they are jealous, it is because we are snide assholes who deserved it."

Who deserved it? The innocent people who died? Their families? Those who still have nightmares of that day? Who?

There is a vast difference between saying "that Americans are so arrogant as to believe that we are untouchable" and saying "The reason we were attacked is not because they are jealous, it is because we are snide assholes who deserved it."

Saying the later makes you the asshole.

There have been countless threads about this, I don't understand why you feel the need to attack this statement as well. Once again, I never said that they shouldn't be allowed to express it. I said it was illogical, and convenient. I don't like it. Obviously you do, and I'm not going to personally attack you for it, but some people aren't below it I suppose.

Personally attacked? Holy cow, if you think my post aimed at you was a personal attch you need to grow a thicker skin, Toots.

So, do you think that those people whose patriotism was awakened by September 11 should not be allowed to fly a flag? It’s too bad that it took a tragedy of this caliber to open our eyes, but tell me again, this is a bad thing, why?

That's just fucking lovely as well, so it deserves no response.

Your comment stating that "90% of the people you encounter on a daily basis deserve to be euthanized for their absolute stupidity" was fucking choice.

Yeah, yeah, hyperbole. I’m still curious as to who should die.

Who should we start with first? The mentally retarded? God knows they aren’t the sharpest crayons in the box. How about we lead them into gas chambers. What about the idiot bag boys and girls at the grocery store who always smash our bread? We could line them up at the top of a ditch and pick them off one by one with a shotgun. Maybe we could hand out IQ tests on a yearly bases to determine who lives or dies.

How about we judge on common sense instead of IQ? No one should be spared! Not the clerk who messed up your order because her mind was on her sick child at home. Not the driver who pulled in front of you because he just didn’t see you. Not the customer service rep who had a bad day and didn’t understand your question the first time. People who post idiocies in a message board? Hell no! Die fuckers, die!