Any sources for these claims of single identified cause? And I don't mean youtube videos of some guy saying that it has been solved. Oh, and preferably not studies funded by agribusiness with vested interest either.

I ask because over the years there have been plenty of "revelations" claiming to have solved the mystery for good that never quite panned out, so, you know, I am a little skeptical.

You know I am one who hates rubberneckers on the highway.

But for this I am just a rubbernecker I can't stop watching.

@enoch -- you know I am agreeing with aaron, right? I just take exception to his thought that he will not be meeting with "defiance." I agree with you 100% -- pushing back is to be expected, and is a healthy part of development.

Would you agree with me that an unmoving, unyielding, do-it-my-way-or-its-the-highway style of parenting is breeding ground for a defiant and angry child?

I'm NOT saying that aaron is doing that. I just found it odd that he paired consistency with a hope of avoiding "defiance" and made a comment.

I agree with both of you. Consistency is crucial. It is emotional swaddling, yes? A sense of structure, a sense of safety.

In other words, daddy shouldn't have given her that cookie. Especially after saying there were no more cookies in the house. Yikes.

It is this shit that blows my mind. So many rule makers who are like this and are just making rules for subjects they have no interest what so ever in researching and learning about. I am not surprised it is a republican but you know..I am not gonna stop the finger pointing there.

Cocaine is a hell of a drug!

>> ^bareboards2:

This is an absolute true story --
My friend was driving me back from the airport about 10 pm. Dark country road in rural Washington State. Olympic Peninsula.
And we both saw a kangaroo jump in front of the car. A kangaroo. In rural Washington State.
Blew our minds.
Granted, it turned out to be an owl who was swooping down in front of the car and changed its mind as we barreled down the road, but we both saw a kangaroo. (I was sitting in the front seat, feeling a proper idiot for thinking a KANGAROO jumped in front of the car. But it was too funny to pass on exposing my own absurdity. So I said to her -- you will NEVER BELIEVE what I thought that was at first. She didn't miss a beat, she answered matter of factly and with great assurance. "A kangaroo." Dang, the human mind.)
You know I am sharing this video with her.

This is an absolute true story --

My friend was driving me back from the airport about 10 pm. Dark country road in rural Washington State. Olympic Peninsula.

And we both saw a kangaroo jump in front of the car. A kangaroo. In rural Washington State.

Blew our minds.

Granted, it turned out to be an owl who was swooping down in front of the car and changed its mind as we barreled down the road, but we both saw a kangaroo. (I was sitting in the front seat, feeling a proper idiot for thinking a KANGAROO jumped in front of the car. But it was too funny to pass on exposing my own absurdity. So I said to her -- you will NEVER BELIEVE what I thought that was at first. She didn't miss a beat, she answered matter of factly and with great assurance. "A kangaroo." Dang, the human mind.)

You know I am sharing this video with her.

I posted this once before, so I am simply reposting this. What do you make of it? Am I a lesser person because of my views? Is the amoral world of politics shadier because it uses race everyday to achieve its agendas, both for and against minorities?

If you wish to be elected, and pander to racists, but then use your power to remain neutral or even help the cause, what then? And if you were racist 20 years ago, but never again benefited from it, does it really matter?

I am all about forgiving though--all people, even the worst of the worst (Just remember that too.)


"You know I am racist right? I don't like it--but that is how life has formed me... A group treats me with hate, I treat them back in kind motherfucker... The same reason I hate redneck country bumpkins... much like the hate spewed against Cops, Conservatives and the religious on this site, now that I think of it. (Oh, and it's also the reason I am fine with African Americans. For the most part I have had great experiences with most.)

Now, there are limits. I don't allow it to affect the way I treat people--all are equal. I don't teach it to my children. And I don't preach it.

But to blame Paul for writing (Perhaps he did or did not, I don't care) a paper years ago is utterly ridiculous. People change, who knows. You certainly don't. All I know is he hasn't wrote new hate since then, or at least it isn't widely known.

And, I might add, politicians have done far worse... Like John Edwards."

>> ^truth-is-the-nemesis:

gandalf is right! - ron burgundy Paul is a Anti-war candidate, unless of course all members of congress agree by a large percentage to invade Iran or Syria, then it's just fine & dandy. & what are the chances of THAT happening?...



Actually, he is still against war and is for dialog... I think he has stated that in EVERY speech and debate he has ever made... Face it, that argument of yours is superficial at best and beneath you Mr. Truth...

In fact, Paul goes on to include sanctions in the category of war--something "anti-war" hypocritical advocate as an alternative to war. (Like tazing someone in the head 20 times instead of shooting him...)

@marinara

I will only support DTF if he gives out free promotes to me!

@dystopianfuturetoday

You know I am racist right? I don't like it--but that is how life has formed me... A group treats me with hate, I treat them back in kind motherfucker... The same reason I hate redneck country bumpkins... much like the hate spewed against Cops, Conservatives and the religious on this site, now that I think of it. (Oh, and it's also the reason I am fine with African Americans. For the most part I have had great experiences with most.)

Now, there are limits. I don't allow it to affect the way I treat people--all are equal. I don't teach it to my children. And I don't preach it.

But to blame Paul for writing (Perhaps he did or did not, I don't care) a paper years ago is utterly ridiculous. People change, who knows. You certainly don't. All I know is he hasn't wrote new hate since then, or at least it isn't widely known.

And, I might add, politicians have done far worse to obtain office than pander to the racist elements. (I still don't condone it.)

>> ^GenjiKilpatrick:

WHINING LIKE A CHILD IS NOT HELPFUL IN AN ASSAULT.
That dumb old lady didn't do a goddamn thing but be dumb.
@petpeeved
"Thursday the argument began between employee 31-year old Rayon McIntosh and two friends" [as per Bareboards info]
If you're friends with someone, I think you would probably know if they were a felon or not. Unless they just became friends 5 minutes before the attack.
Second of all, STFU you Politically Correct Lovey Dovey overly sensitive child.
Calling some dumb bitch a dumb bitch is appropriate if he or she is a dumb bitch.
Slapping someone makes you a Bitch[or Jerk or Douche]. Starting a fight with a MURDERER makes you Dumb. Hence DUMB BITCHES.
On top of that, much worse shit happens to millions of people all over world on a daily basis.
And much braver people do much more to help in those situations than just stand and shout.
That old lady is NOT a Hero. You have to be heroic for that.
So clearly you're being just as hyperbolic to counter what you see a "people being mean".
When in reality, Me and Darkhand and Budzos are being practical.
HE KILLED A MOTHERFUCKER.
You don't fuck with a felon and if you gonna make a difference you have to ACT.
Not just use rhetoric in an attempt to persuade an ENRAGED MURDERER that his murderous intent is misguided. Again, you have to be HEROIC to be a Hero.
Stop talking like the world is made of rainbows and gumdrops dude.
This shit wasn't that bad in the scheme of things.
Plus those dumbass ladies should have known better.
End of Story.


I love these little teaching moments on the Sift. You aren't going to find this level of sharing on YouTube, my friends! So much strange lingo nowadays, it's hard to understand what the kids are conversing about sometimes! LOL! Am I right? You know I am! LOL!

Anyhoo... it makes me feel like I'm really part of a special community to see others sharing like this. So let me say thank YOU and share what I've learned.

- If you are going to assault someone, emoting in a child-like manner will not gain you any advantage. Very important! (it was CAPITALIZED)

Shoutouts to Petpeeved, yo... (Is that the correct lingo? Do I sound streety? LOL! I'm still learning!)

- If you wish to be friends with someone, remember... they could be a felon. ASK about their criminal background before it's too late. Ideally, within the first five minutes.

- If you act like a PC love-child, you may as well be trying to Save The Fucking Universe. So, so true. Word, Petpeeved.

- Dumb bitches are dumb bitches if they are indeed acting like dumb bitches. A "lightbulb" moment for me.

- Slapping someone ALSO makes you a "Bitch". I assume "Jerk" and "Douche" are synonyms (not clear though). And if you start a fight with a murderer, you are "dumb". But if start a fight with a MURDERER with a slap, you are a "dumb bitch". Golly, this is getting confusing. What if I want to start a fight, via slapping, with someone who just has a couple parking tickets?

You know what? This was already a lot to soak up and then you go and throw out "hyperbolic". Now, I'm gonna Google that later, but for now, imma jus' chil, yo, and chawn sum bogchi. Haha! Ok, bye for now! Try not to be such a dumb bitch, jerk, or douche, or you might get slapped! LOL! (Did I say that right?)

What do you know? I AM pro-lion!

You know I am the 2nd Donkey of the Apocalypse and even I think this guy is an ass. When the apocalypse leaders congregate we always try to keep it secret from this "Eagle".

thanks for the props bud.
just so you know i am vehemently anti-religious but i am not against religious people.
which was the point i was trying to make with bid.
that while the institutions dogma and doctrine can be debated and discussed and in some peoples case...reviled.
it is the people of that community that are our neighbors,friends and family and in my opinion can be such a vital component in raising well balanced children into productive adults.

fundamentalism (of any kind) is the enemy but most church goers are not fundamentalists.they are regular people.
so i found bids commentary very much on the arrogant side to so broadly group an entire population of people into his extremely narrow view.
he was presumptuous and with only a rudimentary knowledge of religious history.
i tried to point out that his premise was extremely flawed and that winston would take him to task for his hubris and thats exactly what winston did...and bid totally did not get it because i dont think bid WANTS to get it.

i teach cultural religious history and am well versed in many religions but am not a religious person myself.
my faith has no need of dogma nor doctrine...they are irrelevant.
my faith is also my own and not something i seek to perpetrate on another.
again...irrelevant to do so.
religions on the other hand HAVE to keep themselves relevant and viable in order for continued existence.
and is the main cause of my disdain for such institutions.
in order for them to remain relevant they HAVE to...by design..suppress the very people keeping that institution viable.
THIS is where..i believe..bid was trying to address and i would agree on that point but to so easily and callously dismiss the people who go to church as all being idiots is just myopic and self-defeating.
and shows a total lack of imagination.

ah well.
the thread got derailed and i fear i may have contributed to it.
and nothing got accomplished in the end.
damn internets!
again.thanks for the props bud.
until next time.
namaste.

Comment hidden because you are ignoring dag. (show it anyway)

Good reading Enoch - I may not agree with a good portion of what you are writing about- but I think I can see where you're coming from.

I do believe that all life is connected in that we share a common experience of being alive. Beyond that I'm less than certain. I have qualms about the notion of a "spirit". It's a nebulous concept that leads to terms like "energy transfer", "harmonics" and just about anything else found in a Deepak Chopra book.

Being alive is enough for me - I don't feel the need for divinity in my life- and I hope someday the rest of the human race feels the same. >> ^enoch:

ok..
i'll chime in.
this is usually a discussion i save for something more..i dont know..in the same room type of deal.
and try to avoid internet discussions (context gets lost and the discussion has..by design..a polemic frame to it).
as some of you know i am a minister yet a can assume (with mild amusement i must add) that my comments and some of my posts may have you wondering..minister of what exactly?
well..dont get yer panties in a bunch,i am not going to do any preaching here.
all i am going to do is point out something that i find most atheists struggle with.
spirit,divinity,soul,chai,doktow,connection to the godhead..
whatever you wish to use as an adjective to define your own divinity.
what has EVERY religion,all 4500 on the planet,have in common?
that we have a soul,a spirit,a direct link to the cosmic consciousness.
argue all day on doctrine and dogma,translation but that remains the constant.
atheists do not believe in the spirit.that is their choice and they may change their mind or they may never change it.
now..
if one is an atheist they rely on science and not religious doctrine to make choices,decisions and judgements.
not a bad way to be,science has given us much.
but dag pointed out the fundamental breakdown between an atheist and someone who is aware of their true self..or spirit if you like.
he does not understand how such advanced civilizations would even bother with a race so obviously low on the civilization scale.
to study us..sure..but WHY else?
and there my friends is the disconnect.
the WHY.
the atheist..by his own belief system is literally pure ego.now i do not mean that in a derogatory way,just pointing out a fact.the ego is mind..a creation of not who we actually ARE but who we THINK we are.
so you can still be a kick ass person and still be pure ego.takes discipline though and an agile mind but it has and can be done.
the person who has become aware of their true selves ignores the ego and listens to their true self.
i am not saying one is greater or better than the other just pointing out the differences and their basic mechanics.
so..establishing the inherent differences let me explain my point.
dag does not understand because to him..we would be only a mild curiosity,but to the spiritually aware person we realize that all life is connected..especially sentient life and we are sentient but not all of us are awake.
it is this connection that all life recognizes on one level or another...even atheists.
i am no greater nor more important than a blade of grass.to you this may seem silly and even dimwitted but i assure you it is not that way and it is the more freeing than you can imagine.
no fear..no hate..no shame nor guilt.
how is that possible?
because i am aware of who i truly am and who you are and i make my choices accordingly.
so if we look at these "aliens" as not simply studying as us ants but rather as seeing us as little brothers and sisters struggling to take our first steps.then maybe we can take it a step further and look into the construct of time...lay it out like a canvas and ask..why the fuck are we even here?
are we ants to be studied?a populace to be controlled so we can buy more useless crap? on a never -ending treadmill of debt,fear and uncertainty?
or maybe the universe is far more wonderous and un-imaginable than we can even attempt to comprehend today?
maybe the universe is not so big after all?we just dont know it yet...but we will.
and im betting science will tell us how it works too!
now i dont know if aliens are here to help us walk.i dont know if they have been studying us for future food harvesting.i dont even know if they exist.
but there is a lot of information...and more and more people coming forward to tell their stories.
so a sit and watch with fascination and wonder and ask..is what they are saying true?
i dont know.i have not seen an alien nor have i been abducted but i HAVE seen some of the most extrordinary events that defy all description and laws of nature.
so just because i have not seen nor touched it i cant rule out somebody elses experience and so i sit,like dag and others,skeptical.
but i also wont rule anything out because "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."WS
but if you add the spirit element and that we are all connected.
each and every lifeform in the universe is connected.
aliens coming to help us in our next stage of evolution may not make more sense but it sure does feel/seem/sound better.
reality is the illusion gentlemen.
it is thought and consciousness that is real.