DeathKnight

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy][COLOR=DarkOrange']But... if the site admin came here and even posted, but didn't close it, does that mean it's safe to post here?[/COLOR][/quote] [color=crimson]It's a trap!! 1. Right now I don't really think there is a current fad. Usually the biggest thing around here is arguing until someone gets too huffy and needs a time out. An entire heirarchy has evolved just around arguing. Top tier- The intellectual arguers: James, Rach, Drix, SunFallE, indifference, Allamorph and a few others. Intellectual arguers sound smart and, sometimes, they actually are. Their arguements are usually long and extensive with too much sense for most people to handle. Middle tier-The okay arguers: Lunox, BKStyles, Nerdsy, Sandy and many others. These guys are okay. Not fantastic, not horrible. They're okay. Nothing wrong with being okay. It's just.. okay. Most of OB are okay arguers. They walk into a thread and are like "here's my okay opinion presented in an okay manner." Lower tier- The 2007DigitalBoy arguers: 2007DigitalBoy. Residing in the basement level of arguing is 2007DigitalBoy. His main duty is to keep the basement free of rodents. Not really in a tier- Sarcastic arguers: Dead and not too many others. Sometimes they have a point to make, most of time they just have something sarcastic or witty to say. 2. There are several popular members and it changes over time. The name "Juuthena" probably doesn't ring too many bells amongst newer members which should be a good indicator of how trends change over time here given how much of a cult she had. 3. Gonna be six years this October.[/color]

[color=crimson]My name is Kenneth and that is very rarely screwed up. Sometimes someone will miss an 'n' or something but nothing major. Nicknames of Ken and Kenny are alright, the latter I'm not too fond of since I've been called that since I was a kid and I feel like I've grown out of it. Common annoyances with my name.. well, there was always "Ken and Barbie!" followed by giggles. Then when South Park got really popular, snap, life sucked for a couple of years. I use Ken online so most people around here call me that.[/color]

[color=crimson]Dr. Xing slid on his lab coat and buttoned it up the front. He looked at his monitor through the thick, smokey haze. The lights were off and only the soft, blue glow of the desktop attempted to pierce the darkness. There was a call coming in from the nurses station. He tapped the enter key and the face of a nurse popped on screen. "Doctor, the transfer has arrived." The nurse said. "What is her status?" He asked and took a deep breath. The incense swirled down into his lungs and left him feeling very calm. "The neurotoxins in her system have been slowed but paralysis will begin to affect her within an hour according to the computers." She said. The computer systems at Sun Heights had been given a weak, pseudo A.I. as a thank you from a Yakuza boss. His daughter had a nasty STD that flared up while she was vacationing in San Francisco. The treatment and discretion that followed were worthy of a reward according to the Yakuza boss. It was too bad Dr. Xing thought the A.I was unnecessary and never used it. "We need to prepare her and administer the drug cocktail hastily to avoid any complications. The drugs for inducing the coma are on hand and the cocktail will be made with your go ahead." She said. "Indeed." He said and pushed his rose tinted glasses up. "Prepare to induce a coma. Use our highest quality drugs in the cocktail." The nurse's brow furrowed. "The highest quality, doctor?" "Yes. No exceptions. This case will be treated with the upmost of care by all staff. Make sure everyone underneath you has an understanding of that." Through the smokey haze Dr. Xing appeared almost demonic with his tall, leaning stance and pale, gaunt face. "No mistakes." "Yes sir, doctor." The nurse said. "Put her within one of the king suites when she stabilizes." The three king suites were large, private rooms. Patients in those rooms were either very rich or brothers within Repose. "No corners cut. This is a special circumstance far removed from worries about income." The nurse nodded. "Is that all, doctor?" "No. There is one more thing." He eyed the nurse. "This matter is to be kept internal within the clinic for now. No tolerance will be had for any leaks." "Understand. I'll keep things in line." She nodded to the doctor. "Quality and discretion is our speciality." "Very good. You're well on your way to a fine bonus, aren't you?" He flipped the lights on and smiled warmly. "That will be all. I will be down in a moment. I expect her to be nearly out of it when I get there." "No need to worry." The nurse responded and the vidlink closed. Dr. Xing left his office and descended down in the elevator. The soft, melodic classical music that played added on to his tranquility. By the time he exited the elevator he had a most serene look on his face. He walked in to the ICU and to the side of Ghost Fox. A male nurse bowed to him and gestured to the I.V. drip next to her bed. "I see." Dr. Xing said and looked down to Ghost Fox. She was barely conscious. The serenity left his face. He gave a glance to the male nurse and he nodded and left. Dr. Xing turned back, took in a deep breath and frowned. Her eyes flicked up to him and he gave a weak smile. "It's alright. You're back in good hands." Her eyes flickered shut and Dr. Xing reached over to the second bag full of the cocktail. He twisted the valve and the medication began to drip as well. He glanced up at the vital life signs monitor and stood there for a few seconds. "I'm confident," he said and looked at her body, "that you will make it. You don't give up." He patted her on the head. "Now is not the time to start." Two nurses returned to the bedside, one with a mocom. Dr. Xing muttered something in a foreign language and walked away. The nurse with the mocom turned to the other, "Hey do you know what he said? You're Chinese, right?" The Chinese nurse rolled his eyes. "That was Cantonese, not Chinese. I don't speak any form of Cantonese." "How different can it be? Man, you must have understood part of it." "Not really. Only thing I picked up was him saying her name." The Chinese nurse gestured to Ghost Fox, "Come on we need to get back to work. She's become a priority patient. No slacking." "Yeah, alright." The mocom-nurse said and started to work. "Shit." He shook his head. "I'm really curious." The Chinese nurse sighed.[/color]

[quote name='indifference][COLOR=DarkRed']It doesn't make them any less true, even if there are key differences. :p And the reality of horrible people lurking just around the corner isn't desperate but true. Just ask the victims of domestic violence that started with a simple date. People tend to look at the Internet as if it's so horrible and there are so many dishonest people when real life is equally as dangerous if not more so due to the layer of obscurity involved in the Internet side that shields them on some level.[/quote][/color] [color=crimson]I disagree with the implied scope of these dangers. It seems quite sad that "horrible people lurking around the corner" isn't taken as sarcasm but as a legitimate perception of reality. The Internet isn't horrible. It isn't fantastic either. It just is prepackaged with positives and negatives as a method of communication as are real life communications.[/color] [quote name='indifference][color=DarkRed']But even more importantly, or rather what I wonder about, is why others dating online just to have a boyfriend or girlfriend would bother one person so much. In the end it just makes no sense that they feel so strongly that it's pathetic. After all it doesn't really affect them in the long run. lol[/COLOR][/quote] [color=crimson]I dunno. I think the fool is stupid. SunFallE, yourself and others in this thread aren't and are worth replying to.. at times. [/color] :D

[color=crimson]The Internet allows a level of anonymity that is difficult to attain IRL simply from how communication over distances works. The statement "X can happen IRL too" is not very insightful. If it is meant to be insightful it is, unfortunately, falling far short as comparisons to how IRL relationships work is difficult at best from the nature of continual long-distance communications. If you don't know me, online now you could discern from his post I might be a bit confrontational or you might disagree or agree with me. You might make judgments on my screen name or how my prose sounds in your head as you read it. These are just a trickle of things you might do as a first impression online. Comparing this to a first meeting IRL, you walk up to me in the middle of a conversation with another person and I'm saying this. How I'm dressed, my body movements, the tone of my voice, how attractive or ugly I am and dozens of other presumptions that cannot be made over the Internet without the aid of pictures or direct questioning. By default long distance communications are much more anonymous. IRL I would have to put much effort into appearing as something I am not- a woman, a smarter person, a dumber person, whatever guise is applicable to this scenario. It is true there are liars no matter how you communicate with people but long-distance communication is innately helpful to lies when compared to being in person. So yes, being sibling forms of communication makes comparisons between long distance and IRL numerous but there are still key differences. "X can happen IRL" is not a very good argument to make even if the person you are arguing against is, admittedly, not very good at it. Though talking about plastic surgery and talking about the horrible people lurking just around the corner seems rather desperate and silly considering how poor oscar is "debating". Funnily enough maybe a few of you need to get laid. ;)[/color]

[quote name='RiflesAtRecess][font=arial][size=1']Heh, I don't know. What is the best, definitive Mastodon song?[/quote][/font][/size] [color=crimson][url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uShqlufsq5w]March Of the Fire Ants[/url] from Remission. This Will Destroy You is a great live band. I saw them open for Fall of Troy and Portugal The Man a couple of months back and thought they were the best band there. FoT was awesome enough but This Will Destroy You took the cake. And yeah you NEED to listen to Agalloch. You NEED to. You absolutely, totally need to even if advertising the band has nothing whatsoever to do with this post. I just know you need to. If you don't your balls will fall off. *whispers* You need to.[/color]

[quote name='SunfallE][COLOR=RoyalBlue']I want to know, what's with people dating at all? [/COLOR][/quote] [color=crimson]It has something to do with hormones or something. I saw a show about this "Dating" phenomenon on the Discovery Channel one time.[/color]

[quote name='2007DigitalBoy][COLOR=DarkOrange']Anywho, I didn't think R2vq's captions were funny at all >_

[color=crimson]Next I'd actually like to run into a PC character. If no one wants to volunteer I will simply have Dr. Xing stop by the fighting ring in person to discuss the protocol for suspected DT cases with Sai- that Fai wants every single one sent through Sun Heights for information purposes. Any other characters there [Sandy seems to be there and I suppose Sai's girl Luyii might show up] would be fun to interact with too.[/color]

"[color=crimson]'Vietnamese Ship Explodes Off Shore'." Dr. Xing read the headline out loud. "What a shame." He said and shook his head. "The crew lost, their cargo lost. A tragedy." "It's fortunate it didn't explode while you were visiting it, doctor." The presiding nurse from the prior night said. He was unsure if there was sarcastic intent behind the statement or not. "You should be more careful." "Oh, very fortunate indeed." He smiled and slid his mobile computer into his pocket. "Life can be starkly destructive at times." "Starkly so, yes." Another nurse walked up to him and bowed politely. "The information you've requested over the past four days has been compiled as you wanted." The nurse handed him a memory chip. He glanced down at the label and the smile faded. "I see. Thank you." He turned to the other nurse. "Your relief should arrive soon. Hold my calls." He slid the memory chip into his coat pocket and walked down the hallway into his office. He sat down behind his desk and keyed in Fai's number. The screen flickered and turned into a mixture of gibberish letters. The decryption A.I. went to work and unscrambled the connection. The Tiger General's face appeared on-screen. "Dr. Xing." Fai said and nodded. "Mr. Chou, sir, I have the details regarding the symptoms, survival rate, prognosis for survivors and chemical make up of DT as requested by yourself. It has been drawn from two sources. The first source were the six cases that have occurred so far within the fighting ring during the last week." Fai's eyes narrowed at the mention of them. "The second source came from thirteen cases brought in by members of our organization from the street for research purposes. This is an adequate foundation of cases for our purposes." "I will go over the details of your reports later. Send the contents of the files over." "Yes sir, Mr. Chou." Dr. Xing said and plugged the memory chip into his computer. He encrypted the contents of the file and transferred it to the private database used by Fai. "All of the files are yours." "Good." Dr. Xing expected the exchange to end there. Fai was not fond of video calls and was more terse in them than in person. However, Fai thought for a moment and looked at Dr. Xing. "Dr. Xing, the properties of this drug and it's spread has the potential to affect our Organization's situation, standing and business. I would like to be informed of every case that passes through your clinic and the circumstances involved." "I understand, Mr. Chou." Fai nodded. "Stay vigilant." The link shut down. Dr. Xing folded his hands and leaned back in his chair. "Starkly destructive indeed."[/color]

[quote name='Shy][size=1']However, I would like her to cross paths with Dr. Xing eventually. It appears that Ghost Fox is going to be poisoned very soon. He seems the most appropriate man to heal her wounds... for a price, of course.[/size][/quote] [color=crimson]Sounds good to me.[/color]

[quote name='Vicky][SIZE=1']Don't like pumpkins anyway. Not really a fan of apple pie either since I don't like apples (I only eat apple crumble, don't normally eat ordinary apples either).[/SIZE][/quote] [color=crimson]:( As for cake I have a great homemade cheesecake recipe I've made on several occasions that is the best cheesecake I've ever tasted. Better than any good restaurant really. The secret ingredient for it is Mexican vanilla which I purchased in Nuevo Laredo a couple of years back.[/color]

[color=crimson]I've graduated, was home schooled, but my girlfriend is a Senior and I'm her date for this year. It's being held at a ritzy hotel downtown. The theme is the Roaring 20s but she and I are ignoring that because we think it's, uh, lame. I've selected a nice navy blue suit, khaki shirt and sleek looking tie. All I know is that her dress is navy blue and having seen it out of the corner of my eye [before she hurriedly slammed her closet door shut and repeated at 150 wpm 'did you see it?!?!' in an anxious voice] it's [i]dress shaped[/i]. Beyond that I have no clue. I know she'll look nice though. =) She's getting her nails/makeup/hair done. I feel kind of bad since in comparison I'm just going to shave and comb my hair, lol. Should be fun.[/color]

[quote name='Vicky][size=1']Yet I haven't actually eaten pie in my life. I don't think.[/SIZE][/quote] [color=crimson]Then you aren't really living, obviously. Do yourself a favor and get some pumpkin pie next time it's in season. It will be a very enlightening expierence.[/color]

[color=crimson]"Dr. Xing." The man spoke in Vietnamese. "Good evening." Dr. Xing towered over him and a wry smile came over his face. "You are taller than they say." He said and looked up to Dr. Xing with his eyebrow arched. "Have you ever played basketball?" "I have." Dr. Xing responded and took off his rose tinted glasses, sliding them into the dress shirt underneath his lab coat. "I was never very good." "Ah, you speak Vietnamese well. It's pleasant to hear someone with such a mastery over it in this country." He gestured to a wide plank leading up onto the ship. "Would you like to begin, doctor?" "Yes. Thank you." The man turned and walked up the plank. Dr. Xing's eyes narrowed at the man's back and he ground his cigar with his foot- what a loathsome little rat. He picked up his suitcase and followed the rat on board. Once on deck the man gestured to the bridge. A series of fluorescent lights flickered on and revealed six large containers. He approached one and placed his hand on a reader. A neon green light slid over his hand. He removed it and his handprint remained behind on the screen. An affirmative 'ding' came out from the computer and the container unlocked itself. He gripped a handle and turned it clockwise. The container did the work from there and slid open with a groan. Dr. Xing motioned for his bodyguards to wait outside the container. The lead guard nodded an affirmative. The man bowed his head to Dr. Xing and extended his arm towards the container, "Take your time, sir." Dr. Xing nodded and stepped into the container. Automatically a series of white LED lights along the ceiling flicked on. Metal boxes were stacked to the ceiling. He set his briefcase down and knelt beside it. He opened and removed a small mobile computer and a small glass vial next to it. He pushed a dark brown button on the box nearest him. The side slowly flipped downward. Inside, upon smaller plastic shelves, were neatly packed bags of white, powdered heroin. He reached into his pocket and took out a utility knife. With the knife he cut a small slit into the side of the bag and took a small amount of the powder upon the edge of the knife. He tapped the powder down into the vial. Another click of the button on the casing and a small arm flipped out. He pressed the arm against the slit and a dull blue glow came from it's end. He sealed the slit closed and retracted the arm, placing the knife back into his pocket. The computer came to life as the vial slid into place. A progress bar crawled towards 100 percent on it's screen. The chemical composition of the heroin appeared. Dr. Xing frowned and placed his tools back into his briefcase, shut it and walked out of the container. The man smiled his little rat smile. "I trust everything is in order? When will-" "Unfortunately." Dr. Xing paused and glanced to his bodyguards before continuing. "Unfortunately someone has seen fit to dilute this heroin to an unacceptable level. We can still purchase it but as it is a lower grade I am afraid the price will scale down appropriately." The rat smile faded from the man's face and he cocked his head to the side. "Diluted? I sincerely doubt that anyone would think to dilute drugs for the Brotherhood of Eternal Repose." Dr. Xing withdrew and placed his rose-tinted glasses back onto his face. "A 30 percent reduction in price seems appropriate given the state of the heroin." The man gave a forced smile, "As I said.." "If this is adequate the full price can be calculated for you and we can go through with the payment here." "To claim that my employers in Ho Chi Minh City would do such a thing.. a strong accusation, doctor. Faulty equipment does not condone your slander." One of Xing's bodyguards shifted uneasily as the tension between the two men mounted. Dr. Xing glanced at him and gave a warm smile before turning back to the man. "The Brotherhood of Eternal Repose does not mean to insult your employers but this shipment is poor in comparison to our prior arrangements. The amount I have mentioned is quite generous." Dr. Xing tilted his head to the side looking down upon the man. "It would do you well to accept it." The man turned to the bridge. Five men poured out and down onto the deck. "Dr. Xing, I am sorry we have to part on such unfavorable terms. My bosses will hear of this and I hope it does not compromise our organizations' relationship.." He looked from side to side to his men. "These men will escort your entourage back to your car. " Dr. Xing's right eye twitched. "That is unnecessary." His grimace broke into a smile. "I hope you sleep well tonight, sir. Good night." Dr. Xing motioned to his bodyguards and they disembarked from the vessel. "Little Vietnamese rat.." he muttered under his breath.[/color]

[color=crimson]Miss Rai has decided upon Dragon's Tongue as the street name of the drug. I've given in my post that after the initial period of rage, toxic leukoencephalopathy sets in. As it progresses it becomes increasingly debilitating and eventually will end in death. In the lucky ones it subsides and leaves them disabled to some degree. Comatose, blind, delusional or otherwise.[/color]

[color=crimson]The black spectre moved through the streets smoothly. The sight of the sedan sent the meeker people of the city scurrying into the darkness of the night. As the sun set the nocturnal activities of the gangs seeped out across the street. Those not among them did well to stay as far away as possible. This particular spectre was occupied by Dr. Xing. His mobile phone raised to his ear, he spoke into it calmly with his gravely voice to the nurse presiding over Sun Heights. "The patient is comatose." He said and rubbed his chin as he thought. "The toxic leukoencephalopathy is going to kill him. Was it determined that he was not a member of the Brotherhood?" "I see. Have some guttersnipe in the lower ranks dump him. Send a vidmail to Mr. Chou with the details of the fatality and answer any questions he may have. That's all." He slid his mobile phone shut and slid it into his pocket. "Everything alright?" One of the bodyguards asked. "Yes." Dr. Xing said and cut the tip off of a cigar. "Another anomalous death in the ring. I'm not sure if the drug involved.. well." He stopped and shook his head, declining the temptation to speak about it in length. He lit the tip with his lighter and puffed on it. The tip of the cigar soon glowed orange. "Simply it fills your brain with pot holes." Dr. Xing continued to smoke his cigar with furrowed brows and a frown. The car slowed to a stop at the entrance to the Brotherhood's privately owned area of the docks. Two dark gentlemen peered at the car. One nodded to the other and he keyed in an entrance code into the keypad next to the large chain-link gate. The car moved slowly past shadowy warehouses and garages. Once beyond then, rows of piers spread out along the ocean. Dr. Xing looked upon the only occupied pier. A freighter adorned with the flag of Vietnam floated idly. Dr. Xing's car pulled to a stop and he collected his briefcase before stepping out. His bodyguards filed out behind him quietly. A lone gentlemen stood in front of the ship. Dr. Xing approached him and set down his briefcase. "Good evening." He said and puffed on his cigar. "I am Dr. Xing."[/color]

[color=crimson]If Dead does not suffice I can offer my services as a target in your schemes as well. Dr. Xing will deal with a pre-pickup inspection of Laotian heroin from the port of San Francisco. Unfortunately the shipment is not of the quality expected and negotiations between Dr. Xing and the Laotian in control of the delivery for a lower price are not fruitful. Dr. Xing and his retinue will leave the port. Insulted, Dr. Xing will contact Fai Chou asking permission to coordinate a punishment. Following the events of this evening Dr. Xing will return to the port in the closing moments of the hit and watch in satisfaction as the container ship in question explodes with significant force.[/color]

[color=crimson][b]Name[/b]: Doctor Yi Xing, MD. [b]Gender[/b]: Male. [b]Organization nickname[/b]: Smiling Buddha. [b]Age[/b]: 67. [b]Chinese Zodiac Sign[/b]: Rat. [b]Organization of Choice[/b]: The Brotherhood of Eternal Repose [b]Function[/b]: Dr. Xing considers you for a moment and adjusts his glasses downward before answering. "I do what needs to be done with the skills I have." His charcoal black eyes rest on you and he seems uneasy at saying more. He raises his glass of wine and reaches into the front of his white lab coat, taking out a business card. He flips it around to the front and raises it in front of your eyes. "My clinic." He says, takes your hand and places the card within it. "If you ever find yourself involved in any unfortunate accidents I am sure we can accommodate you." He finishes off his glass of wine, pushes his glasses up and flashes you a smile. "I'm sure you'll find my fees reasonable." [b]Appearance[/b]: Dr. Xing is a tall, thin tree of a man. Upon looking at him you wonder if he is about to tip over as he slouches forward an amazing degree. His glasses are slightly rose tinted and add a colorful tint to an otherwise ghostly, wrinkled face. His ponytail is lengthy and well into graying having lost most of it's black color long ago. A thin mustache graces his upper lips although he has a near perpetual five o'clock shadow. His long limbs and body are hidden under his white lab coat. He wears a dress shirt, slacks and fashionable shoes underneath his coat wherever he goes. A bulky briefcase is always carried in his left hand. [b]Weapon of Choice[/b]: Dr. Xing has little skill in martial arts and is mediocre with a firearm. He relies on a small team of bodyguards for his personal defense who are much more proficient than himself in these areas. When the need arises within a mission or fight he uses chemical agents he acquires illegally. Poisons, acids, nerve agents. Dr. Xing in a gas mask is usually a bad sign. [b]Biography[/b]: The murder of the President of Taiwan by the radical, left-wing New Chinese Collective movement has been mostly forgotten since the spectacle of the Third World War. Within history books this is a minor note in comparison to the bombastic storm that came within a few weeks. The late President was found dead and confirmed later on of being poisoned. The investigation that followed was massive and the trail eventually lead to the NCC. The crackdown that followed led to the arrest or death of most members of the movement. Dr. Xing was the only NCC member with the training and access to the materials used. He was charged with the murder and sentenced to execution within a week. That week coincided with the beginning of the War. Lost in the information haze that lingers from the War years is the young Doctor's fate. His death was presumed and is deemed relatively unimportant in comparison to the reconstruction effort. The Sun Heights private clinic is a glaring oasis within a section of San Fran's urban decay. The Brotherhood of Eternal Repose gets treatment for 'free' although kickbacks from the higher ups within the organization happen at a regular clip. For all others if you can afford treatment, you receive treatment. The upper floors of the clinic are used as a depot for narcotics and chemical agents for the Brotherhood of Eternal Repose. Dr. Xing, the general practitioner of the clinic, is an influential member of the Brotherhood of Eternal Repose. Many of his nurses serve as cleaners for the Brotherhood for the crimes that need to have been perpetrated by ghosts. Their skill at wiping evidence from crime scenes is almost magical. [b]Personality[/b]: Purposefully private, he has a loose hold on moral guidelines regarding his profession. The lure of money outweighs his patients needs nine times out of ten. He is fond of small talk but never seems to reveal much of himself as he talks, instead slowly unraveling the mysteries of whomever or whatever he is interested in at the moment. He is fond of a joke and the only thing he ever seems to genuinely reveal is his smile.[/color]

[quote name='Sandy']I already admitted my mistake, there's no need for you to come and rub it in.[/quote] [color=crimson]I'm content with my words. You may consider it want over need.[/color] [quote name='Sandy']The truth remains, as Crystia said, that shootings are many times more common on "that side of the Atlantic", and many people there aren't willing to do anything about it. The solution that "everybody would carry a gun" is ramblings of a madman, and would only lead to more fear, vigilantism and paranoia - not to mention the chaos that ensues when someone starts shooting and everybody shoots back "for their defense".[/quote] [color=crimson]"The truth remains" [b]to you[/b] "that..." is a more appropriate wording within the context of Democratic action. This is especially true in countries with a population fifty seven times greater than Finland and with an incalculably higher level of diversity both of race and political standings. To really spur on a movement there, generally, needs to be a face for the issue(s) involved. An example of this is generally a person, an event or a series of events. Martin Luther King Jr. Pearl Harbor. Susan B. Anthony. Matthew Shepard. 9/11. Katrina. The Second War in Iraq. You can add VT behind Columbine and other acts of extreme gun violence for gun control advocates. Hopefully we can say that, with time and, unfortunately, more bloodshed, legislation will be passed favorable to gun control. Until then the system of traumatic event>reaction>traumatic event>reaction will carry on.[/color]

[quote name='Sandy']There sure as hell aren't any school shootings on this side of the Atlantic, why do you think that is...?[/quote] [color=crimson]A shot in the dark here but maybe it's because you don't do research before making pro-'that side of the Atlantic' statements? You must be quite blissful. Fifty states with individual gun laws and a partisan, infighting system of passing legislation in each state and on a national level does not embrace progress. A magical wand cannot be waved as this issue on gun ownership within the United States has literally been discussed since the founding of the nation. It will not be solved anytime soon.[/color]

[color=crimson]Just trying to search for a reason when there probably isn't one beyond severe mental illness. Apparently people can't have severe problems just on their own anymore lol.[/color]

[color=crimson]The "importance" of suffering does not change the effect suffering has on victims. It is a 'national tragedy' to the nation it occurs in. Darfur and Iraq, prominent examples of worldwide tragedies, should be given attention but the scale of suffering, even if minimal in comparison to genocide and regional warfare, does little to ease the pain. This has reawakened the gun debate and I don't find that totally unnecessary. I do not have a position for or against gun ownership. It is a terse issue for some in the United States however. In regards to this issue though one ridiculous statement I read online was some yarn about how if all the other students had owned guns then, well, they could have kicked his *** first I guess lol. I sincerely hope that was a witty statement and not an actual point of view the person had. As for violent media I would agree with the idea that people who are violent already often immerse themselves in violent media. It might desensitize you to violence but I do not believe it flips on a violent switch in your head that causes you to be more harmful. It's a very poor situation and I hope the pain people are feeling is mended with time.[/color]

[color=crimson]#1: [SIZE=4][b]"PULL... MY... FINGER!"[/b][/size] #2 [Truly Pokemon Martial Arts got it's start with Pikachu, the drunken master. The game has never been the same.][/color]

[quote name='Sephiroth][COLOR=DarkRed']Before I forget, shoutouts to any old OB member's who still remember me :sweat:[/COLOR][/quote] [color=crimson]Who can forget. I like white socks. Warm white socks. Until the Texas summer hits and I convert to sock-free sandal mode. Nothing flashy or colorful. Just white. My socks don't really need to say much about me more than "hey, this guy wears socks. neat. I wear socks too!"[/color]