Tiger

The story is just fine. I think Jan is right. The traffic on all of GA is down as of late because of college classes starting again. It does seem to balance back out by later in the year, so I'm not too worried. I'm sure people are still reading it when they have time. Unfortunately, many people will read stories and not respond in threads. It's an undeniable fact. The story itself is good. I know we all are ready for action, but we need to remember that it's still early on in the story, assuming it's going to be as long as LTMP.

Josh Groban is one of my favorite singers. Many of his songs are in French, Spanish, and Italian. One is called Solo Por Ti, and it is definitely one of my favorites. It happens to be in Latin American Spanish. Un Dia Llegara is yet another song in Spanish, and it is truly beautiful with it's imagery. Solo por ti - Only for you Dime qu

I do believe you're forgetting something. You are the reigning King of Evil Cliffhangers, and I am likely to vote for you. I'm sure many others shall join me. Those are nice pictures by the way.

I agree, Eric. I'm going to have to read the entire series again.

The current state of our political system is dire. When you look at the two parties, you see little belief in working towards the common good of this country. This is far removed from the vision of our forefathers. There is lack of pragmatism. Yes, I said the p word. When creating a bill that is for the greater good for this country, our legislators tend to nit pick. Instead of thinking about what is best for the people, they decide that it's not worth while to compromise. Take for example the recent bill to solve the economic crisis that threatens our markets today. There was a plan, but the Republicans decided to vote against it simply because of some disagreement with Nancy Pelosi. Now, I may be a Democrat, but I do not believe that she was the best choice for Speaker of the House. She is, in my estimation, too extreme for the job. I believe the Speaker of the House needs to be somewhere closer to the center. Still, the Republicans' move has seriously jeopardized this country. There was also a minority of Democrats who voted against the bill simply because of a few items they did not like. Had they voted in favor, the bill would have passed with a decent majority. Instead, they made a similar move. What good does this do for our country? The fact is that it only hurts the American people. Our elected officials are supposed to have our best interests at heart, yet they do not. Gay marriage is another important issue to me. It is foreseeable that I will someday find I man I intend to spend the rest of my life is. There was a struggle within me for years where I wanted to be able to marry a woman, but it turned out that it would only be a sham. If not for that fact, I would still be in favor, mostly because of my belief in equality. Neither party seems to be working towards this goals. Republicans tend to be of the belief that there should not be any form of legal recognition at all while the majority of Democrats seems to favor civil unions, a "separate but equal" stance. While the latter is much better than the former, it's still not what we deserve. The death penalty is one of the most controversial political issues in the world. The Democrats tend to believe that it should be abolished while Republicans most likely think it is not used enough. This is one issue where I actually tend to agree with Republicans more than Democrats. While I do not see the death penalty is a deterrent, I believe that some crimes are so heinous that the perpetrators should no longer be allowed to live. These crimes include the most gruesome of murders, ones in which the level of violence is so extreme that even the police are likely to become queezy or deeply disturbed upon viewing the bodies. Also, I believe that ritualistic cannibalism and necrophilia are grounds for capital punishment. Along with brutal murders there are rapes and instances of child molestation. These individuals are just as bad if not worse. I am of the belief that they are also deserving of capital punishment. The cases should also be slam dunk. In other words, the burden of proof must be to a point where no one else could have committed the crime. If there is any doubt whatsoever, there should be life imprisonment instead. Another problem is the number of appeals in capital cases. There should only be one appeal, and the punishment should be carried out within a month after the appeal is denied.

Welcome back, CJ! For those who are wondering, there really is a Cliff Dwellers, Arizona. Since tigers and cliffs do not mix, I am unlikely to go there.

I know about Cuba from watching the news. Believe it or not, the terrible conditions there have been recorded. As for the UK, I don't think the politicians are likely to fix the problems any time soon. I just happen to think there are better ways, and I believe Barack Obama has the right one in mind.

I love Arby's. I had no idea CJ got married there though.

One of my all-time favorite songs is called Time After Time. Originally, the song was by Cyndi Lauper, and I happen to love her version. There is a contender though. Eva Cassidy's death was such a tragedy, because he she had the voice of an angel. Her version gives me goosebumps. Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick, And think of you Caught up in circles confusion Is nothing new Flashback warm nights Almost left behind Suitcases of memories, Time after Sometimes you picture me Im walking too far ahead Youre calling to me, I cant hear What youve said Then you say go slow I fall behind The second hand unwinds If youre lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you Ill be waiting Time after time If youre lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you Ill be waiting Time after time After my picture fades and darkness has Turned to gray Watching through windows youre wondering If Im ok Secrets stolen from deep inside The drum beats out of time If youre lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you Ill be waiting Time after time You said go slow I fall behind The second hand unwinds If youre lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you Ill be waiting Time after time If youre lost you can look and you will find me Time after time If you fall I will catch you Ill be waiting Time after time Time after time Time after time Time after time

Wow Viv! You really told her. I don't believe all Christians are bad, but she certainly needs to learn a lesson or two about "God's love" if she wants to continue professing Christianity. Viv, I think you are an angel. You are one of the kindest and most beautiful women in the entire world both inside and out, and we are truly blessed to have you here.

I decided to make it official. I was already planning to register as I had not yet registered to vote in Kansas. Since Kansas is way too conservative and needs more Democrats, I registered to vote and officially joined the Democratic Party. Before, I was not affiliated with a political party at all. If someone would have told me even two years ago that I would now be a Democrat, I would have said, "No way, not ever!" However, my views have changed over time, and I am now more liberal than ever. While I'm not 100% liberal, I am definitely more liberal than conservative. However, there are elements of my party that I find downright shameful. For example, there are some who seem to shun the military. Now folks, this is not a majority view of the Democratic Party, but the element is there nonetheless. I am not what you would call a pacifist. I believe that military action is justified if diplomatic means have been exhausting and the nation in question poses a threat to the United States and its allies. While I believe that Iraq was not the right war, I believe we need to withdraw in a manner that will both protect our own interests and assure that Iraq is a peaceful nation at last. Those in my party who oppose all war need to stop burying their heads in the sand. While I do not like war, I recognize the need to combat evil in the world. It's the economy, stupid! Yes, I tend to have disagreement with both parties on this particular issue. One problem I have with my own party is the fact that so many want to raise taxes. While raising taxes is sometimes a necessity, our current economic situation calls for taxes to remain or current rates or even to be lowered. I also reject the view that corporations are evil. While many corporations have harmed the environment and have had dubious practices, I believe most obey the law and are an important part of the economy. Health care is an important issue. Barack Obama wants to make health insurance more affordable for Americans, and I believe this is the best route for the United States. While socialized medicine seems to work well in France, it is a colossal failure in nations like Canada, the United Kingdom, and especially Cuba. Speaking of which, Michael Moore should shut his f**king overstuffed mouth. He does Moore harm than Moore good for the Democratic Party. His so-called documentary about Cuba is beyond dishonest. Yes, rich people in Cuba get to go to nice hospitals, but the peasants are subject to filthy conditions and sub-standard health care. Considering the size of the United States, socialized medicine is unlikely to work well. Doctors and nurses would have to take a major pay cut, and they are unlikely to want to take that risk. Also, many hospitals would probably need to be closed, because there are too many for the US government to manage. Abortion is a hot button issue, mostly because of religious zealots like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell (may that rotten bastard burn in hell). While I personally believe that adoption is a much better choice, I believe in a woman's right to choose. One of the biggest concerns I have with anti-choice advocates is that they cannot argue in favor of their position without talking about God. In a country where people are deigned to have religious freedom, that is absolutely unacceptable. If you want to prove your own point of view, do so without invoking the name of Jesus. As for "partial-birth abortion" as they like to call it, I am actually against it. Once a fetus is viable, it should be protected by law unless the mother's life is in danger or there are specific birth defects in which it may be more humane to abort the fetus. Parental notification is not something I support. While I urge young women to tell their parents about their decisions. there are many cases in which that is not possible. Parental permission is unacceptable. Young ladies should have the right to say what shall happen to their bodies. Parents should not be allowed to force their daughters to have babies. I think that about covers it for now. There are many other topics and opinions I would love to share in the future. I love expressing my opinion and sharing my political philosophy with others. I have always been a strongly political person even before I came to the conclusion that I should join the Democratic Party. With that said, I have only one more thing to say. I am excited to be voting for the next president of the United States of America, Barack Obama! Even if you are not voting for Barack Obama, I urge you all to vote!

The last thing I ever want to do is come off as abrasive. I think most of us feel that way. I seldom tell people what really bothers me, because I don't like people to think that I'm putting them down. However, there comes the moment when I've had enough, and then I tell the person what I think. Sometimes they take it the wrong way and walk off. Alternatively, they become disheartened. How do you tell someone that you don't like what they're doing without causing such reactions? Is that always possible? My experience has been mixed though. Some people do seem to be a lot more gracious about it, while others feel like you've stolen their candy. It could be that I hold back for far too long and finally reach a point where I just let them have it. I keep a certain tone, one that is not overly aggressive, but one that tells the person what I think. Is the "laundry list" a bad approach?

Jamie, I happen to agree about guys. It seems that they are so damn fickle that it drives me crazy. As for working on your grades and exercising more, I would never tell anyone not to do that. If it makes you feel better, that is what you should do. I'm going to do the same thing myself. The stress relief alone is enough to make me want to do it.

Steve hasn't posted at all? People we need to get to posting. CJ is on his way home! We have not broke 750 yet! Help us, shadowy one!

Steve, those lyrics hit close to home for me too. <sigh> Men are so confusing.

I've never even been to Canada. I have actually always wanted to go to Toronto and Montreal. From what I've heard they're great cities to visit. I don't know why people would hate Toronto, because it sounds like the place to be. I have to wait for Montreal though, because I really don't know the language. I'll keep that in mind about Vancouver. I know what the ghettos are like, and they're certainly not fun.

Honestly, I wasn't feeling it with St. Anger. I agree with Martin about the best albums. I especially like Black Album and Master of Puppets. Ride the Lightning had some good ones too of course.

I just discovered it recently myself. I am a huge fan of Nightfall! I haven't quite finished the first yet, but I'll definitely be ready for Nightfall 2! I've also read some of the fan poetry and decided to submit one of my own. Hopefully, it will make the cut.

Train wrecks can be literal or figurative. Don't forget how much the goat loves anything that happens to be ironic. There are always clues in his chapter titles, devious ones at that. Only the goat knows.

Yesterday's blog entry was a rant about the financial problem. It's been fixed now I think.

Happy b-day, Mike! I hope you're getting your drink on like I am! Have a good one.

Here's a thought. Life is just some f**ked up scheme to screw me over. Every time I think I'm getting ahead something happens just to knock me back down. For instance, I started my classes in August, thinking that it would all be fine, but now my finances are all f**ked up. It's just coming to a point where I'm about ready to give up on ever attaining my education, because I'm obviously not meant to have one, despite my above average intelligence and my dedication to making it happen. What did I ever do to deserve all the f**king setbacks? I just want to be free to make my mark upon the world, but it's like I have done something in this life or a past one that makes me unworthy or something. Why do I even bother waking up in the morning?

Judging by the Google results, Carlshitski is original. It's definitely a good one.

Kevin, perhaps you should shift your focus to Mika (like duh) or James Blunt (don't know for sure but suspect). By the way, welcome back!

I know what I want to do. I even know the location!