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Magpie
Immortal
Apr 18 2007, 12:47pm
Views: 455
Shortcut
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It's a subject of which I know
[In reply to]
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Can't Post
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I debated telling this story yesterday. When I was a kid (early 60's), my dad had a pump pellet gun. Pellet guns are like BB guns. It looked like a rifle and the pellets were propelled by air compressed by pumping. He kept it handy (front porch) to shot at varmints getting at the vegetable garden. It couldn't do much more than give a good smart to the skin - unless of course you shot someone in the eye. I was a good girl. A good student. A first child who never broke rules. And I had a kitten. My neighbor, perhaps a few years younger than me was a sullen, bully. He wasn't ever physical in his bully tendencies... just unpleasant and argumentative and socially inappropriate. No one liked him and I think he was even banned from our yard at some point. One day, I heard his German Shepard barking and went out to find he was siccing his dog on my kitten. The cat had climbed up the side of the house and the dog was lunging at it and the kid was laughing and egging the dog on. My parents were gone and I didn't know what to do. And there was the gun. I picked it up, I went outside and I pointed it at him and I said, "Get your dog away from my cat." I remember looking past him at his parents who were just standing there watching us. He reined in his dog and went home, I put the gun away and got a ladder and retrieved the cat and waited for my parents to come home. When they did I told my dad and he just said, "Never do that again." It's a testament to the time and the place that I was never reported to the police. I don't know if the kid's parents knew it was a pellet gun or just hoped that, if it were a real rifle that it wasn't loaded. Perhaps they even thought the kid deserved it. I lived in a kind of rough neighborhood and kids weren't coddled. But I have pondered, and I hope you all ponder, how this might have played out differently if that had been a real, loaded gun, not meant for shooting squirrels but meant to protect the family from who knows what perceived, speculative dangers. I said, "There are too many stressed out idiots walking this earth. I don't trust them to understand how most problems are inappropriate to solve with guns." and wanted to say I wasn't a stressed out idiot. But I was. I had a problem and I looked around for a solution and the gun was there... so I used it. That has stayed with me for 40 years.
A Magpie's Nest Soundtrack Site has been updated with new lyric information for TTT.
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User
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Prayers and heart-felt sympathy to Virginia Tech Students, Families, and Staff.
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grammaboodawg
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Apr 17 2007, 9:21am
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What leads a person to commit such an act?
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Noneoftheabove
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Apr 17 2007, 10:25am
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Humanity's still OK; just a few individuals are depraved.
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L. Ron Halfelven
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Apr 17 2007, 11:46am
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Thanks for that insight.
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Aunt Dora Baggins
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Apr 17 2007, 2:26pm
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And you're absolutely right, it is easy to focus on the horrible.
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Noneoftheabove
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Apr 17 2007, 2:47pm
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The tragedy isn't that one individual was depraved
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FarFromHome
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Apr 17 2007, 4:11pm
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The root of the problem is simple...
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Aragorn'sSexyScar
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Apr 17 2007, 4:45pm
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Coincidentally, I'm 42.
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GaladrielTX
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Apr 17 2007, 6:19pm
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I'm not so sure it's that simple.
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Tintallė
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Apr 17 2007, 6:26pm
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and that....
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Magpie
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Apr 17 2007, 6:35pm
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This is the first time
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Ataahua
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Apr 17 2007, 7:39pm
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Very well said, Tintalle
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Aunt Dora Baggins
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Apr 18 2007, 12:52pm
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Well..
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 6:33pm
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Yet, you wouldn't use a semi-automatic weapon
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Rivendweller
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Apr 17 2007, 8:01pm
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Nope
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 8:06pm
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Plus...
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 8:18pm
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I understand
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Rivendweller
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Apr 17 2007, 8:29pm
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Well....
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 8:54pm
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Agree about the mental health system
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Morwen
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Apr 17 2007, 9:06pm
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sorry... just can't buy this:
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Magpie
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Apr 17 2007, 9:15pm
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Like I said...
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 9:27pm
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okay... suffiently calmed
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Magpie
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Apr 17 2007, 10:21pm
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Well
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 11:08pm
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I worked with K-2
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Magpie
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Apr 18 2007, 1:02am
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One of the unwritten laws of American politics . . .
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Pukel-man
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Apr 17 2007, 9:38pm
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That's
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Aerlinn
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Apr 18 2007, 3:00pm
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Yes, but the threat is there!
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Aragorn'sSexyScar
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Apr 18 2007, 3:31pm
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I'm staying resolutely away from the public-policy debate...
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L. Ron Halfelven
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Apr 17 2007, 6:21pm
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Thanks for putting this in perspective, L. Ron,
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Patty
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Apr 17 2007, 4:38pm
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There is some good in this world... and it's worth fighting for
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grammaboodawg
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Apr 17 2007, 2:38pm
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Horrible news
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Owlyross
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Apr 17 2007, 10:34am
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Actually, tighter controls are part of the reason this tragedy is so bad.
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 1:31pm
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It's a complex problem, for sure
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FarFromHome
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Apr 17 2007, 2:42pm
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I don't see it as so complex at all
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 17 2007, 3:07pm
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The media and gun control advocates got the jump "pushing their agenda" first.
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 4:40pm
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Well, I certainly hope for America's sake
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FarFromHome
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Apr 17 2007, 5:01pm
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I appreciate your understanding.
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:07pm
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Not really.
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Aerin
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Apr 17 2007, 11:28pm
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Well...
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 5:43pm
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I sometimes forget
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FarFromHome
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Apr 17 2007, 6:08pm
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That's funny.
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 6:20pm
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Good point!
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FarFromHome
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Apr 17 2007, 9:07pm
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Sometimes I watch those movies about the wild west...
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Magpie
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Apr 17 2007, 6:26pm
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Wow!
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Owlyross
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Apr 18 2007, 7:47am
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It's a subject of which I know
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Magpie
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Apr 18 2007, 12:47pm
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Thanks for the story
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Owlyross
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Apr 18 2007, 1:01pm
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You have only to look at Washington, D.C.,
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GaladrielTX
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Apr 17 2007, 6:14pm
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I must say
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Donry
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Apr 17 2007, 3:33pm
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Well...
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 3:55pm
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Wholeheartedly agree with that. //
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:08pm
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And that demonstrates two things
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:18pm
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It was the police that didn't stop the killing...
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:31pm
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Right
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:44pm
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In response to your comment about the killer rampaging without a gun
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'esquey
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Apr 17 2007, 10:21pm
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Guns make it easier to kill people.
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N.E. Brigand
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Apr 17 2007, 11:20pm
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Depends
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 11:51pm
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Link inside.
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 4:27pm
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That wording in article is so biased
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:09pm
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The Fraser Institute
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FarFromHome
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Apr 17 2007, 5:21pm
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Not to drag this off on a tangent
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RosieLass
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Apr 17 2007, 5:25pm
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Well, alcohol and cars are banned
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FarFromHome
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Apr 17 2007, 5:32pm
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In fact
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RosieLass
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Apr 17 2007, 5:36pm
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Why don't we ban crime instead of guns? //
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:39pm
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I don't know if you're joking, AE...
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RosieLass
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Apr 17 2007, 5:44pm
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It's a joke that isn't a joke.
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 6:16pm
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That's no tangent. MADD reports
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:34pm
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The difference lies in the intended use
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:37pm
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Maybe the U.N. should start a donkey safety course. //
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:41pm
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Just for general edification,
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Ataahua
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Apr 17 2007, 7:37pm
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Agreed.
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 7:16pm
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But alcohol has been a staple of human existence
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FarFromHome
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Apr 17 2007, 9:17pm
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Well...
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 9:32pm
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I did rush in my choice of references.
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 5:38pm
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I don't want to start a gun control debate
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Owlyross
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Apr 17 2007, 5:11pm
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That's a decidedly peculiar way of not starting a debate./
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L. Ron Halfelven
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Apr 17 2007, 5:58pm
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You're right
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Owlyross
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Apr 18 2007, 8:32am
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As I stand with one foot firmly planted on each side of the debate,
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Aunt Dora Baggins
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Apr 17 2007, 7:06pm
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Well said, Aunt Dora
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Morwen
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Apr 17 2007, 7:53pm
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Hear, hear!
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 3:34pm
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The sad thing about this situation
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 18 2007, 6:49pm
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In response...
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 7:53pm
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Applause!
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Aunt Dora Baggins
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Apr 18 2007, 8:07pm
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That's where I'm coming from.
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 8:32pm
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The Prince of Pompadoodle
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Aunt Dora Baggins
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Apr 18 2007, 8:52pm
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Perfect!
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 9:18pm
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I like that expression - roots and wings
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 18 2007, 8:59pm
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Totally OT,
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 9:20pm
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No, can't claim it as mine
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 18 2007, 9:57pm
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I am like you, on the outside looking in
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 18 2007, 8:32pm
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That's part of the reason I qualified my response.
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 8:47pm
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Wow. So arming the public with even more guns will prevent gun deaths?
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'esquey
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Apr 17 2007, 8:43pm
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No one is suggesting that everyone should run out a buy a gun.
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RosieLass
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Apr 17 2007, 8:48pm
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It may not make the world safer
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'esquey
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Apr 17 2007, 8:50pm
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The number of deaths is irrelevant.
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RosieLass
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Apr 17 2007, 9:07pm
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I do hope
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FarFromHome
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Apr 17 2007, 9:43pm
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Well..
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 10:01pm
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Well, well. . .
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Advising Elf
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Apr 18 2007, 1:38pm
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Orr..
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'esquey
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Apr 18 2007, 2:05pm
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Well
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Darkstone
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Apr 18 2007, 3:45pm
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It is a moral issue in the sense that...
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RosieLass
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Apr 17 2007, 10:05pm
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Weapons of mass destruction?
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N.E. Brigand
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Apr 17 2007, 9:59pm
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Of course.
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RosieLass
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Apr 17 2007, 10:08pm
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The number of deaths is irrelevant?!?!
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'esquey
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Apr 17 2007, 10:10pm
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For one thing
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houndrock
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Apr 17 2007, 10:12pm
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I apologize to 'esquey.
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RosieLass
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Apr 17 2007, 10:29pm
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And regarding my country...
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'esquey
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Apr 17 2007, 10:30pm
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psst, 'esquey
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 18 2007, 6:24am
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Thanks so much!
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'esquey
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Apr 18 2007, 2:06pm
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I don't understand
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Owlyross
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Apr 18 2007, 7:56am
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A comment about rights in general. . .
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Advising Elf
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Apr 18 2007, 2:56pm
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I totally agree with you /nt
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Owlyross
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Apr 18 2007, 3:24pm
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Not so sure.
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DownfallenWest
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Apr 19 2007, 3:44pm
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sad day for VA (and the world)
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a.s.
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Apr 17 2007, 10:51am
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Very sad
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KmK
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Apr 17 2007, 12:01pm
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It is so hard to understand
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Rivendweller
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Apr 17 2007, 12:01pm
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So very sad.
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White Gull
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Apr 17 2007, 2:59pm
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oh.... lovely
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grammaboodawg
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Apr 19 2007, 4:16pm
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Shocking and horrifying
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Ciars
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Apr 17 2007, 4:17pm
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A native Montrealer is among the dead...
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diedye
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Apr 17 2007, 4:47pm
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A horrible situation.
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RosieLass
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Apr 17 2007, 5:23pm
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BTW, in this thread,
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GaladrielTX
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Apr 17 2007, 6:15pm
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Out of ignorance.
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Advising Elf
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Apr 17 2007, 6:23pm
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Nope
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 6:27pm
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but...
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Magpie
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Apr 17 2007, 6:30pm
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*cough*nitpick*cough*...
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diedye
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Apr 17 2007, 6:37pm
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"VT" is correct.
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Aerin
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Apr 17 2007, 11:06pm
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I had a friend who attended years ago
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 3:39pm
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A friendly reminder
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Altaira
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Apr 17 2007, 6:54pm
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Blanket comment: editing of comments about the value of others' comments is imminent {nt}
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Altaira
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Apr 17 2007, 9:26pm
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Such as, perhaps
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Aerlinn
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Apr 18 2007, 3:12pm
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It missed you even if you didn't miss it!
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L. Ron Halfelven
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Apr 18 2007, 3:18pm
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I agree with you on both points, L. Ron. //
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 3:41pm
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I'm still waiting to hear
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Aerin
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Apr 17 2007, 11:37pm
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Well
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Darkstone
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Apr 17 2007, 11:57pm
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Whew!
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Aerin
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Apr 18 2007, 4:36am
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Thanks for the update.
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N.E. Brigand
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Apr 18 2007, 6:24am
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It's nice to hear some good news.
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 3:43pm
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I am glad the people you
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Shadowfaxfan
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Apr 19 2007, 5:15am
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157 people died in bomb blasts in Iraq today
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Owlyross
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Apr 18 2007, 3:45pm
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I was thinking about that as I watched the news today and
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Lossefalme
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Apr 18 2007, 8:23pm
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Yes and no
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 18 2007, 8:54pm
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One way to get guns out of the hands of teenagers....
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Darkstone
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Apr 18 2007, 9:05pm
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I've seen the news and...
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elvenhobbit
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Apr 19 2007, 8:09pm
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My only response: Prayers and heart-felt sympathy to Virginia Tech Students, Families, and Staff and
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grammaboodawg
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Apr 20 2007, 10:52am
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Hear, hear, gramma
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Altaira
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Apr 20 2007, 3:23pm
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The film " Bobby" captures so much of todays grief, then and now...
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Rivendweller
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Apr 20 2007, 3:51pm
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Mods way up.
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linkin-artelf
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Apr 20 2007, 9:47pm
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This, this is what is needed
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mae govannen
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Apr 21 2007, 11:34am
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*tearing* This is wonderful... thank you //
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grammaboodawg
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Apr 21 2007, 11:45am
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Wow. Thank you so much. His words are as true today as they were then. //
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Lossefalme
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Apr 21 2007, 1:25pm
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Thank you, Rivendweller.
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Aunt Dora Baggins
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Apr 21 2007, 6:35pm
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Thanks, Gramma.
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Aunt Dora Baggins
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Apr 21 2007, 6:31pm
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