There was a young lady called Diane Who the Yourdon posters wanted to ban She was always optimistic But sometimes too mystic For the average American hunting man

There was a young lady called Diane Who never thought we'd all go down the pan "2000 is an opportunity For having a great spree" Her favourite saying was "yes we can"

There was a young lady called Diane Who attained in philosophy the seventh highest Dan In archery she even used Zen She was really beyond our ken She lived in dreamland with a native Australian

There was a young lady called Diane Who thought she was part of the great plan Of the universe immortal She found the main portal And poked her head in for a quick scan

There was a young lady called Diane Who could shoot further than any living man The arrow sped straight and true Right into the blue And landed in the middle of Pakistan

There was a young lady called Diane Who was Robin Hood's very greatest living fan The adventurers of old Had on her some kind of hold Until she even believed in legends Arthurian

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), October 28, 1998

Answers

Richard, what do you mean "wanted to ban"??? This forum has been more fun this past week than it ever has been. Guns, guns, guns and more guns! Raging debates on how many angels can stand on the head of a Y2K compliant moccasin! Stay Diane, we need you!!!

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), October 28, 1998.

Ban rhymes with Diane. How can I get the verses to come out formatted correctly. All the limericks are to be taken with a pinch of sodium chloride (no deedah that is not an hallucinogenic.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), October 28, 1998.

Amen and AMEN! Diane's last posts prove without a doubt she's a certified imbecilic moron. Perhaps if all of us on the planet meditated together in synchronistic harmony - then Y2K will NEVER HAPPEN! Isn't that wonderful? But if you won't contribute to this meditation then you will doom us all to Y2K! We need everyone! Yes! The power of positive karma can turn back firestorms and hurricanes! We can reform the most violent criminal minds with herb teas and chants! Don't believe me? That's because you've never tried!

Sorry Diane is looney tunes, she is quite full of her own importance isn't she? I say we put our trust in God to do what is needed to prepare ourselves. Not some individual mysticicism.

By the by, the limericks aren't bad for a start. Anyone of Irish heritage or spirit out there that could add to these? I could use some humor.

-- Mike Deering (mdeering@wk.net), October 28, 1998.

"imbecilic moron" ???

Mike, your posts indicate that you are religious. Do you pray? There is not much difference between praying and meditation.

I prefer Diane's positive karma to your negativity.

-- Buddy Y. (DC) (buddy@bellatlantic.net), October 28, 1998.

So there was a lot of new age stuff about meditating and so on. What I got out of Diane's post was the bit about nobody forced her out (which has been an ongoing concern for some folks), even under the dire circumstances, and that we're all in this together.

Deliberate divisiveness in the form of flaming somebody because of their personal belief system (flame me if you want; I consider myself a Presbyterian) doesn't empower people who are still finding out about Y2K and preparedness.

-- Karen Cook (browsercat@hotmail.com), October 28, 1998.

Mike Deering, your post is fairly telling in it's own way. In essence, it shows the exact type of intollerant thought that is to be our downfall as a nation. Thanks for an update from the horses mouth. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), October 28, 1998.

Buddy,

There is a HUGE difference between meditation and prayer! As I told Diane, I studied martial arts for many years and meditation was a large part of it. Meditation clears the mind, calms the body and focuses attention, it however has no power outside of the individual. It cannot affect outside situations. Prayer to the Almighty is heartfelt and personal, and DOES affect outside situations if your faith is true. Prayer is not an excercise to feel-good.

I'm not intending to flame anyone because of their beliefs. That's not my intent. I basically responded to Diane's chastisement of my preparations in one of my threads. I simply am passionate about practical preparations, the big picture and what is looming on the horizon, not "wishful thinking". Sorry about the negativity, but just turn on the news. Thinking positively doesn't take the fact away that we live in an increasingly violent and selfish society. No amount of preaching or hoping is going to change that fact.

You're right Karen about empowering people to get motivated by Y2K. I have a problem with the notion that storing supplies and weapons for survival is somehow selfish and non-constructive to facing and fixing the problem. That was Diane's take on my post. That's why I take her to task on her views, which to me are just as useless as her opinion of mine. My preps and views may be perceived as selfish. For the long-term that may be so, but not the short-term chaos that I believe is going to erupt when folks wake up to the fact our easy way of life is about to hit a major snag.

No offense at anyone's beliefs are intended, however I will not shrink from explaining mine. That means that while we may all share our views (And Diane is most welcome to share hers, as I think we have no right to "throw" her off the forum as I read someone suggested), I may not agree with yours, and even argue a point or two or three...

I think a combination of all our views to wake people up to ready for what is coming may hopefully lessen a worse-case-scenario. That does not negate the fact that violence will most likely be a result of Y2K. I'm suggesting we prepare for that inevitability. The rule of law is what makes our country work. Anarchy and lawlessness will need to be met with resitance and arms. The possibility of armed communities and persons may go a long way to preventing total evil being visited upon us all.

-- Mike Deering (mdeering@wk.net), October 28, 1998.

Mike,

And if a starving family try to take a loaf of bread from your stash to feed themselves, you'll prevent this lawlessness by sticking the barrell of a gun in their faces? Or not?

Jesus taught that the real definition of love was to lay down ones life for his brother. Don't ramble on with your self righteous assertions that your prayer is better than someone elses idea of prayer unless you first decide to follow the example of the one you claim to follow. That example is simple. If there are two people, and only enough food for one, you give your food to the other person. If this does not describe you, post Y2K, then you are in no position to preach about "prayer methods" to anyone, let alone one who promotes the true meaning of love.

-- Craig (craig@ccinet.ab.ca), October 28, 1998.

Craig, If a starving person came and ASKED for help, and it wasn't an ambush, of course I would assist. I would have to weigh questions as to whether he would alert others to the fact we had food, and jeapadize my family in the future. If it was my last slice however, and my 3 kids needed to eat it, I'm sorry...my family comes first. "He that provides not for his own household is worse than a non-believer". If someone breaks into our home to steal what will sustain our lives, perhaps thru violence....you can bet I will defend myself and family thru any and all means. And please don't throw the "not kill" commandment in my face. The Hebrew translation is "murder" not kill.

As far as Jesus' definition of supreme love being "No greater love hath one than he lay his life down for his friends", does not mean sacrificing myself or family to satisfy others who have not prepared. Angry mobs busting into my home to strip me and my family of all I have for themselves, are not my friends. If I offer all I have to sustain myself and die, what good am I to my wife and children?

Also, nowhere in my post did I imply that "my prayer" was better than anyone elses. I REJECT YOUR STATEMENT. I never wrote anything even remotely like that. Only God can judge heartfelt prayer. He also gives the definition of a heartfelt prayer in Psalms. I was deliniating the difference between "meditation" and "prayer". The two are not alike. Meditation looks inward, prayer looks beyond.

As far as your claim that I'm self-righteous for stating my beliefs without compromise, oh well. I can care less about public opinion or perceptions of myself among others. I'm in no contest to appear "tolerant" or "religious" because I am "open-minded". If you believe that I would somehow be more "righteous" by expressing support for ideas that run contrary to the Word of God, you are mistaken. I don't play word-games with scripture, and I don't redefine God into modern society's definition. God does not change. He said that Himself in both Old and New Testaments. We change however, and as our fruits show...it 'aint good neither. But spare me the "I'm not a Christian because I'm not tolerant of all viewpoints" crap, or that "I'm an infidel for even contemplating using force to defend what I prepare for". God is a practical God, and He expects the same of us.

-- Mike Deering (mdeering@wk.net), October 28, 1998.

Gosh, Craig, there were a lot of things that Jesus did that were not considered "loving" behavior.

And as to the kill/murder definition, King David killed many, but only "murdered" one- the husband of the woman he wanted. And amazingly the Bible describes him (King David) as a man after God's own heart. Go figure!

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 28, 1998.

THANK YOU GAYLA! Finally, someone who knows the bible! Peace to you and yours!

-- Mike Deering (mdeering@wk.net), October 28, 1998.

Mike,

I still think you missed my central point. The whole tone of new testament Christianity is one of putting others first, when someone asks for your coat give him your shirt also.............

There is no new testament urging to defend your belongings at the point of a gun, rather the opposite.

Do not worry about tomorrow........etc.

It is just my opinion that when I see such a frantic "I'm looking after me and mine and screw the rest" attitude that seems to have infiltrated modern Christianity, it troubles me. Don't fret about someone elses "prayer methods" and criticize them for not being as frantic as you are. Perhaps they truly do have more peace with God that enables them to relax in the midst of the storm.

-- Craig (craig@ccinet.ab.ca), October 28, 1998.

I agree with you Craig, it doesn't sound to me that he has found too much peace from his religion. He sounds rather angry, actually.

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 28, 1998.

I'm an atheist, so I guess that makes me a neutral observer here. From my point of view, Mike (and those like-minded) is a dangerous man to the survival of human race. Graig's Christian views are much more in line with survival and continuation and prosperity of us humans as a whole. Each man is NOT an island. We all need each other to subsist. That is why moral and civil laws exist, so we all live by some standards that promote success of our race; religious laws being the moral and ethic laws, government laws being civil laws. I'm an atheist, but I'm glad there are religions. I'd hate to think how life would be without them (and how Mike would behave without the guilt his religion imbued in him.)

-- Lurker (Lurker@somewhere.net), October 28, 1998.

Mike,

There is no god. "Bible" is from the greek for "book." That's all it is. A book. Written by people. It contains stories. That's all. Some of those stories make sense. Some don't. There are many major and minor world religions. There is something of value in all of them. There is usually something goofy in all of them too. Christianity is riddled with contradictions. It's one of the goofier religions. Meditation is a good thing. Negativity is a bad thing. Many of the most vocal "christians" are hardly christian. Check out the "Nag Hammadi".(would you believe there's a gospel according to mary magdelene? I didn't think you would.) Y2K and its effects will probably hurt people. That's not good. Some people will choose to help others. That is good. Things are not always what they seem. Please, be nice...

-- I Choose to Remain (anonymous@thistime.com), October 28, 1998.

Darn this started out so great with the super limerick for Diane...and then dissolved into the very annoying human habit of drawing lines in the sand, name-calling, and the my god or lack of god is bigger than your god (which by the way is dog spelled backward). Harumph! More Limericks I say. Suffer not fools, or "phooles". Obviously Mike likes spending his life in contentiousness,..Ignore him...he'll hate it.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), October 28, 1998.

But Donna, he is such a juicy target. Must I really refrain?

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 28, 1998.

Uncle, dear Uncle of mine....do what you will...only a suggestion. But you know the old saying, don't you?

"Never try to teach a pig to sing.

It wastes your time, and annoys the pig!"

Unless of course the pig is Babe...cute and friendly little being!

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), October 28, 1998.

Or, you could judge your pig's success by US Govt standards. Hee Hee

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 28, 1998.

I LOVE Babe. I hate arguing. I wish this forum was more fact and less opinion. Hey, who was it that said, "No brag, just fact?"

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 28, 1998.

Uncle Friday

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 28, 1998.

I thought Friday said, "Just the facts." Wasn't it Walter Brennan on "The Guns of Will Sonnet?" Maybe I'm getting old and forgetful.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 28, 1998.

I'm just being goofy, I really have no idea.

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 28, 1998.

And now for the return to limerick mode:

There once was a fellow from Leeds Who swallowed a packet of seeds. It soon came to pass, he was covered with grass, and couldn't sit down for the weeds.

Richard,...I love your limericks, but you must strive to find rhyming words that fit the context. (most affectionately teasing from the "hey ban rhymes with Diane protest).

Note in the above limerick the sotto voce comment on the non-hybrid seeds in the packet swallowed by said fellow. And low and behold, he did discovereth that his weeds were edible, and his joy overfloweth.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), October 28, 1998.

Donna

Please forgive me my theft of prose.

There once was a fellow from Leeds... Who swallowed a packet of seeds... It soon came to pass, pot grew out of his ass...And he supplied all the hippies their needs.

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 28, 1998.

Pearls before swine I guess. Oh well. As for "dangerous to the human race", only to those that portend harm to myself or family, but I get what you mean. If I don't agree with your "definition" of Christianity or Y2K survival then I and likeminded folks like me need to be "silenced" because there's too much "anger" or "negativity" in our responses. How tyrranical of you. Hitler would appreciate your classification of "dangerous to the survival of the human race" as it applies to my beliefs.

However any of you define Christianity or your morals, follow your own beliefs where they lead you - and not be telling the rest of us how we should be preparing ourselves. One way is not more "righteous" than another.

Those of you that are so passionate about "helping others" go and do it. Have you shelled-out bucks to provide food for your neighbors for the Winter of 2000? Have you contributed time to your town to make them aware of Y2K implications and contingency plans? My guess is that not one of you whom blasted me for my posts here have done a darned thing to prepare others for Y2K, except perhaps blow steam on these forums. Big deal. You're preaching to the choir. Go and convince city hall that this thing is real. Start a food pantry for Y2K. Nothing is stopping you all from being a committee of one to make a difference NOW in your town or city. Instead you are filling yourselves up with feel-good notions of "community" and what our "attitudes" should be. Actions speak louder than words. What have any of you DONE? We would all be helping each other out by helping ourselves FIRST! We're of no use to anyone if we haven't prepared ourselves. But if you are going to wait or plan for some community or government preparations to sustain everyone, you are kidding yourselves. The route to try and make a Y2K difference in my community fell on deaf ears -- so preparing myself and family is the best thing I can be doing now. Criticizing me for the WAY in which I choose to prepare myself and family is pretty useless. Go and pull the planks out of your own eyes before pointing out the splinter in mine.

And Craig...New Testament Christianity does not mean to throw the Old one out. God was quite clear as to providing for one's family. As for defending myself at the point of a gun, that's my choice. If you interpret the New Testament to mean roll over and sacrifice yourself, then DO IT, just don't expect others to. In my study God is repleat in both Old and New Testaments to be physically and spiritually prepared. If we're not to "worry about tomorrow" then why prepare for anything at all? Use logic people! Not blind faith! Logic and faith go together for crying out loud.

One more thing, if EVERYONE were armed, I doubt there would be as much crime as there is today. FEAR of punishment for evil deeds is a great motivator to refrain from evil. I suspect the FEAR of strong defenses might keep some bent on post Y2K pillaging at bay. Everyone's argument with me is that I'm armed, and that's what started this whole thing in the first place. If you don't like it , too bad. Do something for yourself and families, stop griping at me. Good Luck.

-- Mike Deering (mdeering@wk.net), October 28, 1998.

Mike

Perhaps not what you say but how you say it?

I do agree with you, "An armed society is a polite society"

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 28, 1998.

Mike, Unk....

Respectfully disagree....

Only if everyone were moral and law-abiding (or at least law-fearing), there would be no need for guns.

But the criminals are present (in my opinion, aided and encouraged to abandon what little restraint civilization has been able to enforce over the past 4000 years by the present liberal agenda). They have no morals, they seek and demand (as their right) instant gratification, and have been taught by the present ruling "class" in LA-DC-NY that anything goes.

Goes right to hell, maybe; but that is later, if they so choose. I do not choose to go there, not now (at their hands), nor later (by my actions/choices).

So, to the Diane of flaming arrow fame, I would not worry about dodging mythical silver bullets aimed at Y2K programs ('cuase we all know programmers couldn't hit any target even if they tried: they need a do, measure, correct, redo loop.....and nobody could afford that many bullets.)

Instead I would accept the slings and arcs of hyperbola's aimed your way in the graceful arcs of mathematical purity of the idea(l)s they represent. And if buy chance you can purchase a English limerick as it goes past, accept it a token of admiration.

Unless you'd rather buy an orange or a tangerine.....but nothing rythmns with orange, except another orange, so I'd stick with rick's limes.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 28, 1998.

Yo, Mike. I am going back on my resolve not to engage you furter...I am not going to name-call...for as far as I am concerned you can believe what you will..."it don't hurt none of me", as Brother Dave Gardiner used to say. I will take exception however to your assumption that most of us are not doing what we can in our communities...Please read more threads here at Yourdon's about what individual people are doing to make a difference and educate people about Y2K. I am currently embroiled with my city council, who are trying their best to ignore me, because I do not bring them good news.

If you are going to make a cogent argument, don't do this:

Mike's words: "Those of you that are so passionate about "helping others" go and do it. Have you shelled-out bucks to provide food for your neighbors for the Winter of 2000? Have you contributed time to your town to make them aware of Y2K implications and contingency plans? My guess is that not one of you whom blasted me for my posts here have done a darned thing to prepare others for Y2K, except perhaps blow steam on these forums."

You're guess is inaccurate, Mike. Relax a bit and move away from that place you have made for yourself in the corner...If you come out with theological guns a-blazin' you're gonna get called on it.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), October 28, 1998.

Donna, is that guy from Leeds sort of a human chia-pet? :-)

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 28, 1998.

Gayla...LOL...love it! You know what I just figured out...if you plant the Chia things with catnip seeds (lemon grass BTW) you can drive your cats nuts!...I gotta go get one! I think the one that is a guy's head...with catnip growing out of it...my cats will go wild.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), October 28, 1998.

Uh, Mike.

I both pray AND meditate. You assumed I didnt pray. You know what thay say about that.

I pray that you get it. And I mediate after reading your posts.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), October 28, 1998.

Now now now, says earth mother Donna...there was no name calling there, but it was still like standing across the room and going "neener neener neeeeeeener!"....

Be nice kids...get along. So I said to mine...and then let them work it out.... I will now take my own advice and butt out.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), October 28, 1998.

Youre right Donna. Notice I kept the response short. Hard to not say anything with all those inbound rocks.

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), October 28, 1998.

Silver Arrows, Diane, silver arrows ...... rocks are too crude and of coarse, but if you collect enough of them, each when glued down firmly can make better sandpaper....which polishes things much better.

See Donna...you can turn anything into a compliant compliment by formerly complaintent complainers.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 28, 1998.

Unk...

Wasn't a grassy Chia karmen one of those little bumpy VW cars driven by hippies many moons ago?

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 28, 1998.

This sort of thing is uncomfortable, but it airs views that are representative as well as personal, which is valuable. It's like a little slice of Americana in here...

E.

-- E. Coli (nunayo@beeswax.com), October 28, 1998.

Little Willie, in the best of sashes, Fell in the fire and was burned to ashes. Presently the room got chilly... But nobody wanted to poke poor Willie.

-- Liddy Brite (two-em.dash@usa.net), October 28, 1998.

Hey Richard, maybe the problem here is that everybody need's a warning before you roast somebody with your wonderful limericks!!!

-- Buddy Y. (DC) (buddy@bellatlantic.net), October 28, 1998.

Buddy, you don't roast somebody with a limey from rick, you make limeraid and put ice cubes in it.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 28, 1998.

Bill Clinton died and went to heaven -- or to be more accurate -- approached the Pearly Gates. After knocking at the gates, St. Peter appeared.

"Who goes there?" inquired St. Peter. "'Tis I, your lordship - President Bill Clinton". "And what do you want?" asked St. Peter.

"Lemme in!" replied Clinton.

"Soooooo," pondered St. Peter. "What bad things did you do on earth?" Clinton thought a bit and answered, "Well, I smoked marijuana -- but you shouldn't hold that against me because I didn't inhale. I guess I had extra-marital sex -- but you shouldn't hold that against me because I didn't really have 'sexual relations'. And I lied, but I didn't commit perjury."

After several moments of deliberation, St. Peter replied "OK, here's the deal. We'll send you someplace where it is very hot, but we won't call it 'Hell'. You'll be there for an indefinite period of time, but we won't call it 'eternity'. And, don't 'abandon all hope' upon entering. Just don't hold your breath waiting for it to freeze over."

-- just me (noone@home.com), October 28, 1998.

Donna, thanks for the lesson in limerick writing, point well made I needed that (this is not meant to be patronising) . Was that Leeds thing one of yours very good. Have just looked up 69 words to rhyme with Diane. I hereby I issue a challenge to everyone (except Deedah) to write some better ones. I haven't decided who the next target is yet... I wonder what rhymes with Donna.....

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), October 29, 1998.

There are too many "I"s in the last posting (must be indicative of character).

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), October 29, 1998.

OK, Richard, I'll try one:

There once was a Yourdon poster named Diane,

Who jumped from the fire into the frying pan,

Her opinions were strong,

Is this where she belongs?

Why not? We would never impose a ban.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 29, 1998.

Gayla: Close, but let us attempt to improve the rythmn, rhyme, and resonance while maintaining the intent.

There once was a poster named Diane

Who lept from the fire to the pan

Her opinions were songs

In here she belongs

Strength, knowledge, and courage we will never ban.

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 29, 1998.

Awww, c'mon guys, now you got me all teary eyed

-- Buddy Y. (DC) (buddy@bellatlantic.net), October 29, 1998.

Robert Cook, -25 points for copying off of your neighbor's paper. All children must submit their OWN work!

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 29, 1998.

I have been reading all of this...thinking over each post as I read them. On here we can agree to disagree. I think the one post that really blew me away was the one that said "there is no god (God)" and "the Bible is just a book". I am so glad that deep in my heart I can disagree with that! For me that statement is equal to saying Y2k will not be a problem, just a tiny inconvenience. I would love to see that poster stand before God and tell Him that He didn't exist and that His Bible was just a book. Wonder what He would say to that? Some things you read can just be ignored...and then somethings can never be ignored! Blondie

-- Blondie Marie (Blondie@future.net), October 30, 1998.

Hmmm Gayla, Rob not bad (from me thats a compliment!).

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), October 30, 1998.

Uh guys,

Each to his own gun and God, Let's focus without passing the rod, What is important about Y2K prep? Maybe people & country together...Yep, yep.

Hummm.

-- (gunshy@giveitarest.com), October 30, 1998.

Blondie Marie, I think that you are the only one left on this forum with any sanity. (I know that this week has blown mine away.)

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), October 30, 1998.

Blondie,

I am the one who said that there is no god. And I truly believe that. I don't believe that I will ever have to stand up in front of whatever to explain anything. I just don't think it works that way. And I can't be convinced otherwise. I also don't think that it has anything to do with this particular Y2K mess that we are discussing. Your god does not care what happens on this planet. Your god does not care what happens to this species. Your god is a set of mythologies. We are dust. We are conscious energy in a vast sea of energy. When your body dies that energy is absorbed into the larger sea. It gets reconfigured. Blondie, you have stated agreement with me on other things. Please, I do not mean to offend you, and I do not wish to cause you to change your views. But, I do not believe that your bible is anything more than a highly edited collective work of a few rag tag desert peoples. There are more relevant things to think about.

-- I Still Choose to Remain (anonymous@thistime.com), October 30, 1998.

Anonymous, if Blondie Marie is wrong, in my opinion, she hasn't lost much. On the other hand, if you are wrong.......thought provoking possibilities. I sure am glad we live in a country where we are free to worship (or not) as we choose.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 30, 1998.

READ the bible. Read the Koran. Read the Nag Hammadi. Read the Book of the Dead (Egyptian and Tibetan) Read Carlos Casteneda. Read anything Hindu. Read anything about Buddhism. Study Zen. Study American Indian legend. Read the Gnostic Gospels. Read the Essene Gospels. Study Communism. Study the Kabbalah. Study witchcraft. Study Economics (the new religion) Hey, what the heck, study Druidism. Christians are just about the most arrogant people ever (the american version especially) when it comes to their insistence that their cosmic view of things is the only correct view. And it's so silly! Big Daddy in the sky gonna punish me! Sorry, nice people, that ain't gonna happen. To you or to me. When I die, I'm gonna rot. Worms are going to eat my flesh. I will go back into the lower levels of the food chain. Bingo!

-- still (anonymous@thistime.com), October 30, 1998.

So go the eternal debates.

One belief's good, another frustrates.

Sit back. Watch the show

Of folks in the know

Who bicker each time to stalemate. Have limerick, Will bother. :)

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), October 30, 1998.

hey you all,

I wonder if Jesus debated about who got the last loaf of bread/fish when he had the deciples hand out the food??? Oh ye of little faith....Who's to say the basket won't stay full when you feed someone who needs it????? God expects you to do only what you are capable of ...and then he does the rest for you!! DAC

-- deborah cunningham (dac@ccrtc.com), October 30, 1998.

Bravo Donna! Excellent! Take a bow- just watch that sheet. :-)

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 30, 1998.

Anonymous...I can't say that I remember ever agreeing with you on anything in the past. Perhaps you used a different name. I would probably use "anonymous" if I wrote some of the things that you do. I have often tried to be an encourager here to others. Sometimes I share how my faith helps me through y2k and the preparations. I do sometimes disagree with others, however I do not name call or have a rude attitude towards anyone. Many of us do come here for moral support and encouragement. I don't think telling others how the worms ae going to eat your flesh does anybody any good. Like Gayla said, we live in a country where we can feel free to or not to worship. You wrote "there are more relevant things to think about". For whom? You. My relevant things to think about ARE my faith and preparations for y2k and how together that will see me through whatever is to come. I do not mean or want to argue religion here...I am sure the others on here are sick of hearing religious debates. I often come here to be "with" the others and read their posts. One of your last ones was so down right depressing, that I will skip over yours for a time. Don't worry about trying to sway my beliefs...do you really think that I would be drawn to yours??? Not a chance!!! Still trusting in my faith in the Lord to see me through y2k. Blondie

-- Blondie Marie (Blondie@future.net), October 31, 1998.

No, we'll watch Donna take the bow, you can watch the sheet....8<)

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (Kennesaw, GA) (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 31, 1998.

You are a beautiful person, Blondie Marie. I love you very much...

-- Anonymous (.@..com), October 31, 1998.

Debate! Information! Comradere! Speculation! Humor!

ROMANCE!!!!!!

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 31, 1998.

POOR SPELLING! :-)

OK, I promise to quit (right after I tell Deedah that it's comradery, or camaraderie.)

I am getting a reputation as a "scary, old" school teacher, so I will henceforth and forever (or until Y2K, whichever comes first) stop correcting your spelling. (Cheers heard all over the world......)

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), November 01, 1998.

GAYLA,

NO, NO, NO, DON'T STOP!!!!YES YES YES!!!

I like to learn, I cannot learn unless someone who knows more than I do COREKTS me. Hee Hee. Really, I ain't shy, ooops I mean I amen't shy, about being taught something. It keeps me growing and expanding, I thank you. (Just don't try that 100 times on the blackboard sh*t, thats what kept me out of school in the first place)

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), November 01, 1998.

Wow. I guess I'm just a very simple individual. (I'm opening the door on that one) Somehow I got the idea that preparing intelligently for y2k involved stocking up with what we felt would become unobtainable, trying to put our families and friends, if possible, and ourselves in a position to safely survive what may charitibly called a real problem. Mike Deering takes a knocking because he figgers to defend his family with whatever means he has at hand. Wouldn't it seem that handing out food to folks coming by, who probably had the same warnings as everyone else, is a rather stupid thing to do? First, his supplies aren't limitless. Secondly, these folks he fed will pass the word and suddenly he would be in a state of seige. Sure, I would like to extend a helping hand and will do so , But ONLY if I think I can do so without risking my family well-being. How are violent verbal religious discussions pertinant to surviving y2k? All of us will have to act as our conscience and beliefs tell us. Personally, I think Mr. Deering has his priorities on straight. Best O'luck to you. Bill

-- George W (Bill) Berge Jr (gberge@kih.net), November 03, 1998.

Nothing to say relly, just like seeing Diane's threads at the top of the list. Apologies to PNG!

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), November 04, 1998.