Graeme

WOO HOO! "Houston, The Eagle has landed!" More comments later.....

This is a hot button issue on which some people are not completely rational. However, since someone has been brave enough to raise the issue, I'd like to say a few words on what I think. Abortion rates are too high. I think each abortion is a tragedy in one respect or another, but I wouldn't legislate against them. There are definitely circumstances where they can be justified, such on health grounds or in the case of rape, as Demetz has mentioned. There is another circumstance where I would look closely before making a judgement call, and that is with teenage pregnancies. This is a loophole in Dr. Mr. Snow Dog's commentary about it really being about contract law -- underage teenagers are not legally capable of entering into such a contract. What tends to be neglected in the debate is other methods of handling unwanted pregnancies. The biggest and simplest method is better sex education. Prevention is better than an abortion. If people clearly understood the options available, the number of unwanted pregnancies should reduce. If people really want to reduce abortion rates, then they should be supporting better sex education. As for the father having no say, I agree that the father should have some say. However, it can not equal to that of the mother, simply because the father does not have to bear the burden of carrying the baby for nine months. The two sides of the equation are not equal. How to balance the two is not something I believe I can solve. After all, if the father wants to keep the child and the mother doesn't, what is the compensation for the mother rearing the child for nine months before it is born? On a side note, for those who publicly state that abortion is murder because a fetus is a human being from the time of conception, then this means that miscarriages should be recorded as deaths and treated accordingly legally and morally (including the "right" to a religious funeral, if that religion believes that the fetus is a human being). This doesn't seem to be the case. My own views as to when an unborn child is a "human being" is a private matter -- partially because they are not well defined.

It didn't take long for this thread to go off topic...

It sounds that way, though he certainly achieved a level of enlightenment as part of the journey to find it.

CJ is trialing new methods of cliffhanging. Remember, cliffhangers are there to try to entice the reader to keep going, to read the next chapter. CJ is trying to do this by enticing us with news of a new chapter, but doesn't release it until the right level of expectation has been reached

Well, I think the forum is a great idea. I tend to be reluctant to post in the Teen forum because it is mainly for teenage peers to communicate with each other. I try to keep my responses there to those threads where I think I can make a decent contribution.

I voted that it wouldn't make any difference, because the question was asking about me. However, from what I know it CAN make a huge difference in a heterosexual relationship if that is also the first inclination that the other person is bi-sexual or gay. The person is hit with the double-whammy of an unfaithful partner AND learning something they hadn't expected about their partner. This is a huge shock -- much more than just learning about a "traditional" affair. If I was voting for my wife, I would have picked "much worse with the atypical gender". She had enough of a shock simply learning I'm gay. If she had found out because I'd had a gay affair... I honestly don't know what would have been the result.

Court Jester?

I couldn't help remember a line from the Disney animation "Home on the Range". A rabbit has just offered some cows some meat as part of a meal: "We don't eat meat. It's sort of a professional courtesy." Somehow, I can't see a goat having chicken soup....

I'm so sorry, Joe Trebs has given some good advice and an astute observation regarding some young gay guys. Some seem to fall in love way too fast -- I've chatted with one who seemed to be in love with a new boyfriend (or back with an old boyfriend) every couple of weeks. You've got a good head on your shoulders. From what I've been told, you're good looking. For the right guy, that's a killer combination so I'm absolutely sure that you will find someone. You just have to be patient and deal with the ones who need to grow up in the meantime. And in the interest of saving you from straighthood, I'd offer to set you up with a nice Aussie guy, but I'm the only gay Aussie guy I know personally, and I'm taken I won't comment on whether or not I'm nice Seriously -- give it time. There is someone out there who will appreciate you for who you are, and will treat you appropriately. Good luck! Graeme

While CJ's title was proclaimed by the general membership of GA through a vote that he won handsomely

Thanks for the update Now just rest and get better. The chapter can wait

The short answer is yes -- because the basics of a love story remain the same. It is only the context, the detail, that is changing. If the story concentrates on the people and not the environment, it becomes a story that will span generations. It'll still get dated -- you can't avoid the context completely -- but other generations will still understand and feel the story. Oh, and while generations are changing, the change is not universal. For example, some, but not all, of my nephews have mobile phones. Most, if not all, do NOT have MySpace or Facebook pages -- they are not computer guys. They are the outdoors "let's play" or "let's build something" guys, not the "let's play Halo" guys. Concentrate on the people, and not the setting, and the story will still resonate.

Jack, CJ is the Queen of Evilest Cliffhangers. Shadowgod is the King (though he's tried to abdicate -- CJ won't let him. Which is more proof that CJ is the Queen and the power behind the throne). I'm a bit suss about the picture, though. That looks like a pair of sheep -- are you sure it's CJ and not an impersonator?

But has he earned the title? Where are the cliffhangers that show the required potential to be a future Queen?

CJ is the :king: :king: Queen of Evilest Cliffhangers :king: :king: so that sounds perfectly natural

That's as good a reason as any -- even if I disagree. Colour is the way of the future

All I will say is that Kevin starts complaining that it's uncomfortable for him to sit down, it's all his own fault

Nope. He has to keep posting to tell us that he doesn't post.... much

Kevin's been bad... I think he meant that he's getting you Denmark for Christmas, to go with Belgium that he got for your birthday. I personally frown on those that ruin Christmas Day surprises by tell someone what they are going to get.

I didn't know it was a prime number, but I thought it was possible so I looked it up. I can't claim credit for know it off the top of my head....

Congratulations, CJ! 4871 is a prime number -- an important milestone to recognise (as good as any other milestone to celebrate...)

There, there, CJ. We know you don't feel worthy, but you've been acclaimed by so many of your fans. Indeed, a higher percentage of people think you deserve the title of Queen of the Evilest Cliffhangers than Shadowgod got when the GA members were asked to vote on whether he's the King of Eeevil Cliffhangers. So, just accept the fact that while you don't feel worthy, the vast majority have spoken and proclaimed your new royal title

I'm sure he's still in shock. It was such an unexpected honour, after all, that he's had no time to prepare himself mentally. Give him time -- I'm sure he'll be fine.

No need to apologise about not posting much. However, if you like, you can follow CJ's lead and make lots of posts saying you don't post very much.... As you can tell from this forum, almost anything goes as long as it is in the spirit of fun, frivolity and friendship. If you feel you want to sit back and read, that's fine, but don't be scared to jump into the deep end from time to time