Retribution

[quote name='Sara][color=#b0000b][size=1]No, and I'm more than a little disgusted that you suggest that I do.[/size'][/color][/quote] [size=1]Way to take a joke. [QUOTE][color=#b0000b][size=1]As open questions to thread participants: I realise that this came up in the last thread about the death penalty, but where is the line drawn between justice and revenge? In cases where "an eye for an eye" isn't possible (because of the nature or sheer numbers of the crime), do you feel that punishment should be meted out in the best, fastest way possible, or do you favor elaborately extended punishment/torment/humiliation?[/size][/color][/QUOTE] In all honesty, I'm assuming a lot of people want revenge. If you don't want revenge, I'm assuming you're alright with life in jail? The line between justice and revenge is a perceived one, not one written in the ground. [QUOTE][color=#b0000b][size=1]The fact is, no matter what [i]does[/i] happen with Saddam Hussein, his punishment will never ([i]can[/i] never) be equal to the magnitude of his actions. So what is the goal at this point in time? Are we trying to exact revenge on him, or are we trying to finally put an end to a long, painful story?[/size][/color][/QUOTE] Perhaps exacting revenge is a way of putting an end to the long, painful story.[/size]

[quote name='Gavin][SIZE=1']My bad, I never actually meant to imply that he was, simply that there are people out there more evil than Saddam who should have been removed from power instead of him.[/SIZE][/quote] [size=1]Oh, right on. I definitely agree with you here. Invading Iraq was a grand f**k-up on our part, and it's something we'll have to live with for quite a while.[/size]

[quote name='shadowmovement']Does anyone have a good Urahara wallpaper? I have been trying to find one for a friend and I can't find one that he likes. So if anyone knows of one I would appreciate it.[/quote] [size=1]This forum is for requesting OB artists to make you one, not to request a Google Image search. If you'd like someone here to try to make you one, kindly give some specifics as to what you'd like, and perhaps an image you want on the wallpaper. Thanks![/size]

[quote name='Gavin][SIZE=1']If we're to call it as it is, President Bush has caused the deaths of over 150,000 people in order to remove a relatively-moderate Muslim leader in a country which did not harbour or tolerate militant extremists. Compare that with Iran or Syria and I think that simply labelling Saddam as an "evil man" is inaccurate, or at least saying it's tough to compare "Duyba" to Saddam, Dubya just has U.N. permission to go tear-assing around where he pleases.[/SIZE][/quote] [size=1]I'm going to argue that a genocide of the Kurds by mustard and nerve gas is evil. Look up the figures yourself -- I'm glad to say that Bush hasn't gassed anyone like that. Now, Iran or Syria might be evil as well, but Saddam has committed disgusting acts as well. I agree with you for the most part, just not the fact that Bush is as bad as Saddam.[/size]

[quote name='Delta][COLOR=#656446']Sorry to hear that, chief. Just to level the playing field for Saddam, kindly Google the Panama invasion of the early 90's or, if you prefer to read about something more recent, what happened to Haditha about a year ago.[/COLOR][/quote] [size=1]Dubya wasn't involved with the Panama invasion, so I'm not sure how bringing that up helps your argument. Haditha is more beneficial to your argument, but by numbers alone, I'm going to say that the 25 or so murdered does not equal the genocide of Saddam. It's tough to compare Dubya, foolish though he may be, to such an evil man.[/size]

[QUOTE=HedonismBot][COLOR=Sienna]Why do people assume that, if there [i]is[/i] a God/gods, that it's a benevolent, watchful creature? I think the Pagan/Norse/etc religions had a more realistic view of religion; the gods (under the assumption that they exist) have their own damn problems and don't give a rats *** about you, they're not going to hold your hand through life and make all your problems go away the way a lot of religions claim. I mean, why would an omnipotent, infallable diety of unfathomable power give a crap about Joe Blow and his problems? That is, to me, the proof that most of the mainstream religions were created by people with people's ideals in mind, not influenced by some god.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [size=1]There is no "more realistic view" of religion/god. Considering it's all taken on faith, there's no way you can say one version of god is more or less valid than another. The omnipotent, infallible deity that supposedly created us would care about us because they're compassionate as well. I'd say that's possible for a perfect deity, wouldn't you? Isn't it entirely possible that a higher power [i]actually does care[/i]? Sorry, the argument's more obnoxious than anything else.[/size]

[size=1]As discouraging as it sounds, I'd recommend you read up on tutorials first. Learn what you can from them, try to experiment, then come back with questions. [url=http://www.pixel2life.com][b]Pixel2Life[/b][/url] is great, and I'd recommend you start there. To be honest, I be that's how the guy you linked to learned. Trial and error is the most underrated weapon of graphic designers. Not only do you learn how to do the effect you desired, but you learn all sorts of interesting tricks along the way, and end up with an increased knowledge of the program you're using. So good luck to you. I know how annoying and disheartening everything I just said was, but I have confidence you'll pull through if you want to bad enough. Feel free to come back with questions [preferably when you have some stuff for us to sample].[/size]

[quote name='Raiyuu][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Okay, so the definition of agnostic is: "One who believes that it is impossible to [i]prove[/i] whether there is a God." So, when people say to me "I'm agnostic," the urge is to reply "okay, but do you [i]believe[/i] in a higher power or not?" Because you can believe that the existence of God can't be proved or disproved, but you [i]must[/i'] have a personal opinion on it one way or another.[/FONT][/quote] [size=1]Agnosticism is for those not quite ready to take the Atheistic plunge, in my experience anyway. To answer your question, I honestly have no idea whether or not a higher power exists. Would I like one to exist? Certainly -- what's not to love about a big guy in the sky looking out for you when life gets rough? But just because the notion is attractive and comforting doesn't mean it's true, so I'm on the fence. [QUOTE][FONT=Trebuchet MS]Discussion point: do you think it's possible to be (for example) Christian, and [i]also[/i] agnostic? Because I don't see any contradiction between believing God exists and believing that fact can't be proven. Faith doesn't require proof.[/FONT][/QUOTE] Agnosticism means you don't know if God exists or not and there's no way to prove one way or another. So technically you could be a Christian, you just wouldn't be a very devout one. "Praise be to God... if he's actually there..." as opposed to putting your life in His hands with the confidence He will take care of you.[/size]

[QUOTE=Delta][COLOR=#656446]Took this long 'cause US Elections' just around the corner and Bush need to put some closure (or at the very least a sense of) on issues concerning the invasion of Iraq to keep his guys in office and his plans from falling apart. [indent]"Hey guys, y'all hate Saddam right? Well we've got him lined up for the gallows. No more criticizing okay? [SIZE=1](And while you're at it, forget the fact that this whole shebang started as an offensive against Osama bin-Laden and al-Qaeda and since we can't gas him out, we got you Saddam and mowed down Iraq instead. lol)[/size]"[/indent] Saddam ain't as irresponsible or sinister as pop info would like you to believe. Even history books printed [i]outside[/i] Iraq will tell you that. It's kinda like the unification of China under the Qin dynasty: political regions came together under Saddam's administration and, since the mid-70's, moved towards progress as one nation. Bush's administration, on the other hand, got US neck-deep into shite that'll take billions of dollars, plus a number of fall guys and rehabilitation of at least 2 Middle-East nations to get out off. Saddam >> Bush, goddamit. For once let the great guys win.[/COLOR][/QUOTE] [size=1]Are you forgetting the whole, you know, mass-murder part about Saddam? I mean, I don't like Bush, but I have a problem with people saying Saddam is better than Bush.[/size]

[quote name='Esther][SIZE=1']Honey, we want the best for our youth. We want to guide them into a better LDS member lifestyle, but today's generation seems to goof around way too much. Perhaps that's why you're overseer's didn't take your questions as serious as they should have? And if you don't mind me asking, which questions were these exactly?[/SIZE][/quote] [size=1]My friend's (an atheist) parents brushed aside his non-belief as a teenage phase. I guess I can see where the adult would see non-belief as teenage rebellion/angst, but on some level, you've got to take the kid seriously. [QUOTE][SIZE=1]Wow, I've come across an athiest whose goal isn't to prove me wrong.. hmm.[/SIZE][/QUOTE] My experience with them is that they generally scoff at religion. Rarely do they dive into the long and tedious battle of disproving a religion. [QUOTE][SIZE=1]I'm sort of confused, if you don't believe there is a one true religion then do you not believe in a Heaven or Hell? Or any sort of life beyond death? If you believe that God has many faces, then are we all going to the same place when we die?[/SIZE][/QUOTE] It's simple, really. Whatever deity you believe in will [in theory] let you go to the generic happy good fun place after death if you've been good in respect to your religion, and to a pain dark bad place after death if you've been bad in respect to your religion. Wait... that leaves my argument full of holes. Meh. But yes, I think Veritas is saying we're all going to one place or another when we die -- be it heaven and hell, we don't know.[/size]

[QUOTE=millionsknives8][URL=http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42337597/]http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/42337597/[/URL] here's my millions knives fanart i drew.^^ no crits![/QUOTE] [size=1]I'm confused as to what exactly you want. If you're just advertising your dA, that's not allowed. If you want to do that, put a link in your signature, but trying to get hits on your own page isn't going to fly. If you're looking for people to post their critique here, that's fine, but please specify that in the future. But I'm a little confused about the "no crits!" in your post -- here on OB, the entire point of posting in the Art Studio isn't to get compliments (although they are nice), it's to improve. And the only way to do that is if people tell you how you could improve. So please tell me what you intended this thread to be. In the mean time, please read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Official OtakuBoards Rules[/b][/url], as well as the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=52171][b]Art Studio Rules[/b][/url]. Thanks.[/size]

[size=1][b]1. What religion are you CURRENTLY following? If you don't have one, then why?[/b] I'm agnostic right now. Recently converted from Protestant Christianity. [b]2. Why do you follow that religion? Parents, personal reasons, etc?[/b] Mostly because I disagree with huge pillars of Christianity... and I have trouble placing faith in things I can't see. Call me doubting Thomas, I know, I know. [b]3. Do you ever feel that people often criticize you because of these beliefs?[/b] Not really. My mom maintains that non-religious people go to hell, so she's sort of tough to deal with, but my dad's been pretty tolerant. [b]4. This one may spark a little bit of arguing: Do you believe that your religion is the one true religion? If so provide evidence.[/b] I think that all religions are pretty much equal. They all have truths, and they all have flaws. And why would God create people who He knew would never have contact with Christianity (or whatever), and then condemn them to Hell? Just doesn't sound like a just and righteous God... I have more faith in the big guy.[/size]

[QUOTE=DeadSeraphim][size=1][color=indigo][font=arial]It's a cultural thing. If they admitted the kid had a problem and brought in a psychiatrist or something, it'd bring shame upon their family, and dishonour, and that's not a good thing in Japanese society. It may be the wrong approach to take from a Western perspective, but this isn't a Western country or a Western problem, and they deal with it the only way they can to save face. And really, with the lower class kids, is that really helping them? Forcing them to leave just to survive wouldn't help [i]any[/i] of their psychiatric problems, and instead would just suppress them, which in the grand scheme is about as bad as pampering the issue, as it's not given the time to run its course. Basically, I don't think you should be blaming the parents in a society you're not familiar with about an issue Western countries have never faced. Honestly, the extant of your knowledge about the issue is Wikipedia - does that really give you the credentials to lay blame?[/font][/color][/size][/QUOTE] [size=1]Hm... I'm definitely a week late. Anyway, "western doctors," the article cites them as, recommend that you just drag the kid outside their room, while the Japanese approach is to wait until they come out. But the article also says that "Due to this stigma and the resultant shame, many families strive to keep their child's hikikomori condition a secret from those in the community, thus further delaying parents from seeking outside intervention for their child." As you said, my only resource is this article, but it sounds like leaving them in their room would be a pretty bad idea as well. They apparently lose a 'real' social frame of reference, and in reality's place comes TV and movies. Therefore, they eventually respond to life as characters in movies/TV do. Again, that sounds like a problem. Not to say I'm qualified to say with absolute certainty that its a problem that the parents let the kid stay in the room, but the general tone of the article leads me to believe that is in fact the case.[/size]

[quote name='Sara][color=#b0000b][size=1]That's awful.[/size'][/color][/quote] [size=1]Oh c'mon. You know you secretly love it. There's something about seeing a mass-murderer reap what he sows that gives me satisfaction.[/size]

[quote name='HedonismBot][COLOR=Sienna']Saddam may have been a despotic mad-man dictator, but at least he could keep his country from decending into madness...[/COLOR][/quote] [size=1]Very true, but at what expense? Anyway, I'm glad the man's being sentenced to death, and that's coming from an anti-dp man. I'd like to see a picture of him right before he's hanged, with the noose around his neck and his bewildered face. Of course, his execution brings the specter of increased insurgent violence.[/size]

[quote name='millionsknives8']nice job!^^ i think it looks cool! =)[/quote] [size=1]Welcome to OtakuBoards, millionknives8. If you could elaborate why you think it looks cool, that'd help the artist out alot more. Without saying what you like about it, the artist doesn't really know what they did well or what could be improved. So, try something like: "I really like the colors and the pose, but you could work on the proportions." That helps the artist out by naming what you liked and what could be improved. In addition, please read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/showthread.php?t=52171][b]Art Studio Rules[/b][/url] for more information on how the forum works. Thanks for your cooperation and patience.[/size]

[size=1]Welcome to OtakuBoards, krobo. Unfortunately, OB isn't a search engine. If you'd like to find good wallpapers, Google might be a good place to start ;). A quick search yielded [url=http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=G+Gundam+Wallpapers&btnG=Google+Search][b]this[/b][/url], so check it out and see what sites work for you. Please read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Rules[/b][/url] so that you know what's allowed and what's not allowed. If you've got any questions, feel free to PM me. Thread closed.[/size]

[quote name='AzureWolf][COLOR=maroon']And I think what it boils down to: do you think it's worth trying to see if it's better or worse? I realize you don't favor it all that much for the reasons you've stated before, but do you feel it's an avenue worth exploring for the sake of better education, or the wrong direction altogether?[/COLOR][/quote] [size=1]Well, there are schools that are gender-specific already. You could see if it's yielding results by checking out their standardized test scores and comparing them to co-ed schools. I realize that there's more data for co-ed schools, but it'd probably give you a vague idea.[/size]

[quote name='2006DigitalBoy][COLOR=DarkOrange']I don't blame the kids... I also don't blame the parents for being at least mildly strict... take a look at America's schoo system - we don't put much pressure on our children at all, and we have TONS of dropouts. In Japan, dropping out is a big deal, while here it's commonplace.[/COLOR][/quote] [size=1]You don't blame the parents? They're the ones paying for their child, and often they feed and house their child well into young-adulthood. I read the wiki entry on it, and it said that lower class children with this disorder eventually leave their room because [i]they have to work to feed themselves![/i] What I'm trying to say is that they're funding their child's problem, which is the wrong approach to take.[/size]

[size=1]I've said it once, I'll say it again. Please no double posting. If you'd like to add stuff to your thread but no one's posted yet, copy your original post, delete it, then paste it into a new post along with the new art. That way, the thread isn't cluttered up with double posts and such. Thanks![/size]

[quote name='Blair_vampire']very awesome work!!![/quote] [size=1]Blair_vampire, please read my post right above this one. I don't really feel retyping it all, but be sure you read the [url=http://www.otakuboards.com/rules.php][b]Official OtakuBoards Rules[/b][/url] so that you understand what is expected of you. Thanks.[/size]

[size=1][B]First base:[/B] The first step in a sexual relationship involving making out or French kissing. [B]Second base:[/B] One step up of First Base, heavy petting and feeling up while making out, up the shirt or shirtless for both partners. [b]Third base:[/b] The third degree of the everlasting sexual bases metaphor. The best way to remember them is of course, the four "F"s. French, Feel, Finger, ****. That's directly from urbandictionary.com, and I'd recommend checking it out anytime you want to know the definition of a slang word. It saves you a great deal of embarrassment.[/size]

[quote name='jigglyness']sorry but I didn't save a copy as a .psd file. ^^'[/quote] [size=1]Ooh... big fail. It's the First Commandment of Graphic Design: Thou shalt keep all .psd files. You live and learn, though. ;)[/size]

[size=1]I moved your thread to the Art by Request, because you were [quite obviously, heh] requesting something. However, please provide some of the details of the request in this thread. People are more inclined to help when they know what is expected of them upfront. It's more a suggestion than anything else, but I'm almost 100% certain it'll get you more responses than if you leave your request this vague.[/size]

[size=1]I think guys and gals need to suck it up in the classroom. They have different learning styles, sure, but a substantial number of both boys and girls are doing just fine in school. It seems like whenever someone's doing poorly in school they have something to blame it on -- be it ADD or gender-preferential teaching methods. Stop crying, study, and you'll be fine.[/size]