07-31-2007, 02:07 AM | #61 |
of the House of Fëanor
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Gwai's country sounds sort of cool, but I don't know how I'd feel about being a citizen of Damned If I Know. And the religion thing, eh.. But I absolutely love the sound of Isla Rana. Now, that would be a country I could so dig on living in, most definitely. I need to go back & read up on everyone else's countries, just responding on this page's entries. Of course, I did read up on Lief's terrifying country, and holy mother of scary ideas! will most definitely be avoiding going anywhere near that border... One of these days, when I've got the time, I'd love to fill this one out & describe what my country would be like. I so rarely go online any more, haven't had the time...
But, yeah, Isla Rana... I want to visit that one, at the very least. So awesome...
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07-31-2007, 12:20 PM | #62 |
The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator
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I'm sure I can get you a tourist visum.
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07-31-2007, 02:17 PM | #63 |
Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster
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Isla Rana sounds good, but I really don't think the drinking age and driving age being the same is a good idea at all...
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Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle |
07-31-2007, 04:30 PM | #64 |
The Chocoholic Sea Elf Administrator
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It works over here. Well, 'works' is perhaps too big a word...
Besides, I'm pretty sure that the minimum age for alcohol is sadly enough an empty formality for the majority of today's teenagers, regardless of whether it's higher or lower than the driving age.
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08-01-2007, 12:15 AM | #65 | |
Magnificent Master of Buckland
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Quote:
The University of Michigan is installing foot-washing stations for Muslims that will be payed for by the people of Michigan, i.e., taxes. And I think there's another school that lets Muslim student take time out of school so they can pray.
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But it is the way of my people to use light words at such times and say less than they mean. We fear to say to much. It robs us of the right words when a jest is out of place. -Meriadoc Brandybuck Is there anything I can do that wouldn't inconvenience me?.-Adrian Monk Hogan: What's a definate factor that we can count on? Newkirk: We don't know what we're doing. Do you wanna split a pineapple? -Shawn Spencer |
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08-01-2007, 12:18 AM | #66 |
of the House of Fëanor
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And? So? How many activities and preferences belonging to the religions of Christianity and Judaism have been sanctioned, supported and paid for by tax-paying citizens of the United States, over the history of our country? A hell of a lot, that's how many. Why should Muslims have to be excluded?
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08-01-2007, 12:32 AM | #67 | |
Magnificent Master of Buckland
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Anyway, as far as public schools go in my un-named country, you pray, like, in the morning before class starts, if you want to, whatever type of prayer you want.
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But it is the way of my people to use light words at such times and say less than they mean. We fear to say to much. It robs us of the right words when a jest is out of place. -Meriadoc Brandybuck Is there anything I can do that wouldn't inconvenience me?.-Adrian Monk Hogan: What's a definate factor that we can count on? Newkirk: We don't know what we're doing. Do you wanna split a pineapple? -Shawn Spencer |
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08-01-2007, 01:40 AM | #68 |
Saviour of Entmoot Admiral
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In the Muslim religion they have to pray 5 times a day - that is part of their religion. It makes sense that some schools would let them get of class to go pray. They have to do it during certain times of the day too, I'm pretty sure. Christians don't have to pray a set number of times a day or during certain times.
Christians can pray all they want in public schools. That isn't illegal at all. Perfectly legal and I'm sure that many do. What is illegal is public school sanctioned prayer - ie prayer led by or endorsed by teachers. You can't lead a class in prayer or have the whole class pray. It makes sense that that is in Michigan, that state has the most Muslims I think. Most densely populated with them. Christians and Jews have always been accomodated. I don't see the difference. --- In your country what if you don't want to pray?
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08-01-2007, 01:57 AM | #69 | ||
of the House of Fëanor
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Quote:
Quote:
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08-01-2007, 10:59 PM | #70 | |
Magnificent Master of Buckland
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But it is the way of my people to use light words at such times and say less than they mean. We fear to say to much. It robs us of the right words when a jest is out of place. -Meriadoc Brandybuck Is there anything I can do that wouldn't inconvenience me?.-Adrian Monk Hogan: What's a definate factor that we can count on? Newkirk: We don't know what we're doing. Do you wanna split a pineapple? -Shawn Spencer |
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08-01-2007, 11:43 PM | #71 | |
Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster
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Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle |
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08-01-2007, 11:49 PM | #72 | |
Cardboard Harp of Gondor Join Date: Sep 2001
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As it's not a requirement for Catholics to go to daily mass, I would see no reason for them to move the schedule unless it were a specifically Catholic college. I believe that reflects the current policies, although I admit I don't know the specific policy for my own school |
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08-04-2007, 04:58 PM | #73 |
The Intermittent One
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in england a lot of schools even those that are VC still have all kids, regardless of religion, 'pray' in assemblies, although it is losing ground so far as i know
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08-04-2007, 10:17 PM | #74 |
Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster
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The requirement for prayer at specific times is not stringently observed; as I understand it, it is permissible to make up missed prayers at night, so that a Muslim does not HAVE to be out of class at that time in order to practice his religion. Nevertheless, I think it is right that he should be so, and similarly for the Catholic going to daily Mass, or other religious observances at set times (I can't really think of any others that one is liable to come across often; few Protestants and Orthodox have the Eucharist on a daily basis, etc.)
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Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle |
08-04-2007, 11:14 PM | #75 | |
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I assure you, it's essential.
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08-05-2007, 12:52 AM | #76 | |
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08-18-2007, 07:21 AM | #77 |
Elf Lord
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Okay, I was going to do the liberal/libertarian thing, but what the heck, let's go for a Republic of Virtue.
1 - What would you make the legal drinking age? 17 2 - Driving age? 17 with restrictions- daylight, adult supervision etc (more lenient for rural areas) . Motorcycle restriction 250cc till 19. Less of a problem because 17 and 18 year olds are doing mandatory national service (see below) 3 - Age of sexual consent? 16, with Romeo/Juliet provisions 4 - Voting age? 19, after completion of national service 5 - At what age would someone become an adult (free from parental control)? 17, but Mom and Dad could rat on them if they misbehaved while on leave. 6 - What types of recreational drugs (if any) would be legal? - Pot yes, but potency restricted - Tobacco yes, subject to bans in non-open public places and business - - Alcohol yes - LSD, mescaline, mushroomsyes, but subject to psychiatric testing and controlled situations (taking the fun out) - Caffeine Gawd, yes! - Heroin, Cocaine, meth etc Banned, but if someone gets hooked, controlled access under supervision - 7 - Can people have guns? (if so - who and what kind?) Swiss-type militia with AK-47s under every bed. Long guns yes, handguns no 8 - What would be the name of your country? Utopia, of course 9 - Would you have the death penalty? no 10 - What would be the speed limit? Dunno. Cars would be heavily regulated, with fuel-efficiency foremost and lots of public transport. Sorry, no Maseratis 11 - What types of religions would be permitted or restricted? All religions permitted, but since equality of the sexes is one of our founding tenets, partriarchal (or matriarchal, should they arise) religions will have to conform to the Constitution in their actions- they can believe whatever they want. Which of the following would be legal: 12 - Porn? yes 13 - Prostitution? yes, but regulated- no streetwalkers or pimps 14 - Polygamy? yes 15 - Homosexuality? yes 16 - Stem cell research? yes 17 - Human Cloning? tissues and organs, not people 18 - Cock Fighting? no- all cruel to animal sports will be banned, as will fur 19 - Slavery? no 20 - Hunting? meat or pest control, no trophies 21 - Fishing? yes 22 - Eating meat? yes, but no factory farming, or hormones(including imports). Meat will be more expensive and less a part of the diet 23 - Littering? strict environmental laws 24 - Unisex bathrooms? 25 - Suicide? your body, your life 26 - Gay marriage? marriage will be a civil ceremony involving two or more consenting adults 27 - Abortion? yes 28 - What types of sexual activity (if any) would be illegal? nothing involving one or more consenting adults. So no pedophilia, necrophilia, or bestiality 29 - Would your county be clothing optional or clothing mandatory? mandatory in public-same laws for men and women (the female breast is not obscene), but nude beaches and parks 30 - Would you have obscenity laws? If so - how would you define "obscene".no 31 - What system would you set up for collecting taxes? - Income tax? (how much?) strongly progressive with minimum income guarantee to everyone, though you'd have to do public work or have good reason why not. Heavy estate tax- No Paris Hiltons - Sales tax? (how much?) 15 percent with food and clothing exception - Import/Export tax? (how much?) no 32 - What criteria would someone need to pass to become a citizen? citizenship test, five years residence, no serious criminal record 33 - What types of people would you allow (or not allow) into your country? 34 - What type of government would you establish? parliamentary democracy with a written constitution with very strong guarantees on civil rights 35 - To what degree would your government be allowed to censor or restrict the media? not at all 36 - Aside from laws - what sort of unofficial (and unenforced) cultural rules and traditions would you like to establish? For example - taking shoes off before entering someone's home. Or not eating with the left hand. Strong bias toward sexual equality. Men expected to do their share of housework; lots of part-time jobs for women with children, as well as government day-care. De-emphasize material wealth. Ostentatious displays of luxury- cars, houses, yachts- generally looked down upon (and heavily-taxed ). More emphasis on leisure- mandatory 5-6 week vacations; people who devote themselves to their jobs (for money, rather than interest) are pitied. Social status for community service- including politics and defense- and personal talents. Ideal citizen is someone who does an honest job, takes active part in society and develops diverse interests. Public education is compulsory until 17, and private schools are banned, though of course you can send your kid to whatever class you want after school or weekends. After graduation all 17-year-olds must do two years of national service, split between military training and community activity. The first year involves public construction and environmental work; the second involves service to others- the elderly, shut-ins, handicapped, and children. As well, training in life-skills are given. Driving, first-aid, cooking and domestic chores, child-care, mechanical, technical and construction skills are taught, equally for boys and girls of course. The idea is to produce self-reliant well-rounded citizens. Civics courses are also included, in which the future citizens are encouraged in critical thinking. (One of the problems in this society is a tendency toward conformity and complacency enforced by social norms.) After this the newly-enfranchised citizens receive a 'social credit' for their service- they can either enroll in higher education, do a technical/vocational program oriented towards trades such as plumbing, electronics, medicine, or law, start a business, or put a payment on a house.
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Glendower: I can call spirits from the vasty deep. Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you do call for them? "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us, cats look down on us, but pigs treat us as equals."- Winston Churchill Last edited by GrayMouser : 08-18-2007 at 07:52 AM. |
08-18-2007, 07:32 AM | #78 |
Elf Lord
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double post
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Glendower: I can call spirits from the vasty deep. Hotspur: Why, so can I, or so can any man; But will they come when you do call for them? "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us, cats look down on us, but pigs treat us as equals."- Winston Churchill Last edited by GrayMouser : 08-18-2007 at 07:39 AM. |
08-18-2007, 11:46 AM | #79 | |
Elf Lord
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If the world has indeed, as I have said, been built of sorrow, it has been built by the hands of love, because in no other way could the soul of man, for whom the world was made, reach the full stature of its perfection. ~Oscar Wilde, written from prison Oscar Wilde's last words: "Either the wallpaper goes, or I do." |
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08-18-2007, 03:22 PM | #80 |
Advocatus Diaboli
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Location: Reality
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I disagree. People will always seek positions where they can make more money. It doesn't matter how much more, just that it is more.
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