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Former Member

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    Dignity - a novel by AC Benus

    in Promoted Author Discussion Forum

    Posted · Edited by AC Benus

    Wow, your reaction, and then re-reaction is very informative to me as the author. Cordell seems to be a lightning rod of differing thoughts and feelings. Lisa and knotme offered somewhat polar readings on her after they first read chapter 9 too. You could call those opinions their 'reactions,' and I would like them to speak for themselves, rather than me paraphrase for them. 

     

    But your re-reaction is moving, and touches me on an emotional level. Yes. There is continual pressure to be like the rest, and many Gay kids can't really process it because the era of showing positive images of LGBT youth in the popular media is still nascent. But, fortunately it is growing.   

     

    If I can also be selfish for a moment, and say the term 'heteronormative' is a bit of a cruel one, although I know you used it with the opposite of malice. It's just the implication of 'normal' in there that is biting to kids who long to be accepted as they are. Maybe hetero-centric or hetero-dominant is more apt. I would not bring up such a fine point if I did not know you, Irratible1, well enough to believe you will understand and hopefully embrace my meaning.         

    • Like 2

    Chewing gum

    in The Lounge

    Posted

    When playing the clarinet, the trumpet... so many instruments. I still remember the kid in third trumpet section who was caught, and forced to wear his wad on top of his nose for the remainder of Band. :music:

    Here comes the Jupiter 2

    in The Lounge

    Posted · Edited by Ryan Jacobs

    The thing is, NASA already possesses the necessary technology to land humans onto the surface of Mars and to return them safely back to Earth. What NASA lacks is any meaningful support in Congress, the White House or the American people. The technology has existed since the 1970's but the American space program has lacked the courage, guts or visionary leadership to go beyond low Earth orbit.

     

    Anyone with basic high school physics can place a craft into low Earth orbit. Simply achieve the velocity and correct trajectory to maintain a stable orbit - roughly 17,500 MPH so as to counter the effects of Earth's gravitational pull.

     

    It is considerably more difficult to land on Mars due mainly to the distance from the Earth and solar radiation. Communication between the Astronauts and Mission Controllers being a major problem. It takes roughly 16 minutes (depending on Mars' location in space, for a radio signal to reach Mars from Earth and another 16 minutes for a reply. So mission planning and training is critical because those who are lucky enough to be chosen to make the journey will pretty much be on their own. If an Apollo-13 like situation arises 3 million miles from Earth, there is no way they will survive and NASA can't stomach those odds. Oh, and the radiation exposure would most likely kill any human after a few weeks. We must never forget that the sun is an uncontained nuclear chain reaction that would bombard any craft that exits Earth's magnetosphere with highly charged particles.

     

    That said, I would go in a heart beat, no matter the odds of survival.

    ISO Editor for a short story

    in Editors

    Posted · Edited by Ryan Jacobs

    This is a short story told from the perspective of a teen suicide victim.

     

    I will be greatfull to anyone who will be willing to help me. The following is a couple of paragraphs that I roughly typed...

     

    “We are gathered here today in the presence of God and of these witnesses to celebrate the life of Hunter Thomas Bowman” the Preacher said. A man whom I’ve never met was talking about celebrating my life. ‘My life?’ I thought to myself.

     

    “A beloved son, brother, and friend who was taken from us far too soon and far too suddenly, as God has called on him for a greater good” he continued. “Hunter leaves behind a world of strife and conflict for one of peace.  I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry...“Pslam 40:1-2” he said.

     

    I looked to my left to see my Mother and Father embracing each other. My older brother sitting stoically with tears streaking from his swollen eyes. I turned my attention to Gavin, my best friend, sitting in the row behind my family. He too was weeping and looked like he hadn’t slept days.

    My heart ached for them. I wanted to simply reach out and hold them but every time I tried it seemed like they were outside of my reach.

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