Well, let me explain some of the benefits of the Space Program to show you that it is not just a frivolous waste of money, PAW, because seriously, there are many things we've gained from it. - Programs are available around the world such as the Olympics can be viewed anywhere in the world via satellite because of the space program. This means that even very poor nations can get people to a TV set and watch the Olympics and their people. Some other events such as this are world televised and this is due to the space program effort. - Cordless tools were developed for space and to make things easier on astronauts but we also have been able to use them for civilian life. Drills and such are quite common now. Also battery chargers for the devices were created. We even power our cell phones etc with battery chargers and a lot of other hand held devices commonly used. These batteries also have a longer life than typical batteries so it's better for the environment. - Smoke detectors were created by NASA to help keep things safe in space and get people to know if there was a problem. Now nearly every European and American house owns one and several other places also have the luxury of it. A simple device that has saved countless lives. - Water filters to purify water, attached to sinks and such were developed using NASA technology. This has cleaned up a lot of water that otherwise no one would want to drink and filters out lead, chlorine and nasty smells etc. It also means people don't have to go afford bottled water. These purifiers have also been used by countries that have contaminated water and the military has installed them in places for people such as in Rwanda when dead bodies were floating in their rivers. - Improved insulation for homes was also taken from NASA technology that was used to make space craft insulated. Houses now are often sprayed with foam insulation that works quite well. - Laser surgery such as laser heart surgery, lasik surgery etc are all related to NASA technology that was given to benefit people. Laser surgery is far less invasive and more precise, giving better chances to people to live and with less scarring. Also surgery so precise that was used to detect Ozone layer stuff is now used to be able to break up artery clogging. - Biopsies for testing cancer are much more precise using telescope technology such as that found in the Hubble telescope. A needle can be used for it instead of a scalpal and now scarring is reduced dramatically. The sample is also less and causes far less discomfort. - CAT scans and MRIs are both from NASA technology incorporated into medicine. Prosthetics (fake limbs) were improved dramatically with the help of NASA technology as well, which using the special foam and construction worked much better for maneuverability and such than the former prosthetics. Also they are far more functional and let a person feel much more free and they are much more durable, lasting years with more rigorous activity. - Those thermometers for ears and mouths that do it in mere seconds are developed from NASA technology that is used to tell temperatures on worlds etc. LED technology is also inspired by NASA technology. A lot of digital technology is inspired from NASA technology. - Virtual reality is from NASA configurations and technology which has helped with games we play and also with scientific programs for archeology, rebuilding lost civilizations etc and also is used in criminal science to build facial images etc. - Special packagings of food to keep them more fresh, refrigeration improved methods, more 'green' methods for heating and ice have been developed through NASA technology. Also, weather programs, monitoring hurricane patterns, etc have been done through NASA tech. We also have to watch some asteroids that do come close to our world and well figure out if there is a natural disaster that could transpire from the courses of some that come by. There are more as well but these are some of the major contributions from NASA technology and what they develop they do share with science quite often. We get countless benefits from it to aid us in our homes, hospitals, and the world at large. I hope this shows more why I am all for keeping the space program because really we do not put much money into it and I cannot find so many benefits to be frivolous.
Actually, I think it was because Zexion was doubting in Axel and could possibly say that he was a traitor along the same levels as Marluxia and Larxene. Though Axel was still loyal to the Organization at the time, it was apparent that the methods he incorporated doing his 'job' as an assassin was obviously going to be scrutinized. In order to sell his story enough to Xemnas, Zexion was a loose piece in the puzzle and so killing him off would ensure that only Axel would survive to relay his side of events. Also, Axel did release Namine and do some deeds that he could be accountable for so getting rid of Zexion in the end made it so no one could counter his word really. It was also apparent that both Vexen and Marluxia knew things and were scheming so it would be hard to determine if Zexion also was though in the scene in KH2:FM it becomes apparent he actually told Vexen he did not want to do anything as far as investigating the Superior. Axel would not know that. However, Vexen telling things about Roxas too was not too smart and Zexion was with that group so the trust factor again, because he's a 'schemer' would not be too high. It was a safety precaution in the end. Just as sending Repliku to face Riku was too. He knew Riku would defeat the Replica.
PAW, why is it pointless? I don't think you really see all the advances we have gained through space examination and the space program. It's not just about sending people up in rockets. We have countless other uses the program is used for that directly affect how we view our world.
Actually, sadly I've caught myself saying 'lol' in real life...how embarrassing. :) And I do speak out when asked things. I tend to for some reason draw people to be their non-charging counselor for some reason but yeah, it is a lot easier to voice things online than it is in real life and threats here or harassment is certainly much easier to just laugh off than in life outside of the internet. You can really just say 'screw this place' online, as you said and go elsewhere where you might find more like people if you want. You can get feelings hurt online too because some people are more 'real' at expressing themselves and others can be relatively cold or sarcastic at times and typing is harder to catch sarcasm so it can work at times against people but for the most part it is far easier to be 'real' online if people want to. Well said. Yes, you are right here too and I did mention that as well in my edit that people can feel with disorders and things that hold them back from talking in real life that they can do it more freely online. Also, people will often take less offense and accept a person who is 'rude' by having verbal communication issues and if people get 'fed up' with the person, they can ban them out easier. I know quite a few people with bipolar, depression, asperger's syndrome, etc that have problems talking in real life to people but get a lot more tolerance online in chats I go to and it has really helped me to better understand. One person with bipolar will sometimes lash out at people in her lows and I just private message her and get kind of harsh with her until she sees what she's doing and then she calms down and is back to normal realizing she offended and upset people. The people then move on and forgive and just go on as if it never happened. A couple people with asperger's sometimes say some rotten things about others or just come out with some doozies that make people really angry but when we tell them and they get explained why it's so offensive they draw back and think on it and get the point and really they don't tend to make the same mistake again for some time because they really want to try. People can get accepted more unless they are script kiddies or annoying people that are really just out for that. Even they though at times can find a community and realize that it can be cool to them.
That is well said. And you caught me quoting me as I was editing lol. Ah well. I do like the way you put that because I do feel we get more of people often online. The internet will let people reveal more of their minds and well, even if someone is being rotten, it's a way to know that side too which may actually be hidden more in real life.
I do love to go out in nature and walk around, listening to the sounds of the animals and breeze etc. Also, walking late at night on the streets where I live can be enjoyable too. It's so quiet compared to the day with all the cars being missing and all. I would say though that seldom do I just 'listen' and instead kind of use all my senses to pick out as much as I can from any scene I have the time to focus on. I do love music an awful lot though so that would be my other thing I love to hear and just let it take me away.
Actually, you should not ask someone's 'address' on here or anywhere on the internet. Of course, I'd hope anyone filling it in would just put their state or region, province etc and not go farther to street addys. I'd actually have no problem filling that out online or in real life though but I didn't want to take up space and wasn't sure well...that it was what you were seeking any way. I don't really have any 'shame' or embarrassment or a will to lie often so everything on there I'd say with no problem. The only things I might curb would only be based possibly by my audience I have to respond to...such as a bunch of fanatical religious sorts might hang me if I say I'm Atheist, but trust me, more than likely I'd probably just say so because mostly I don't mind what people think of me if they are going to judge me off 'what I am' instead of 'Who I am'. As for your question though, I think some people are a LOT more honest online than they are in real life. Also, being online helps a lot of people who have trouble talking to others and are tremendously shy. Online they don't have to be so they can express themselves better. There are people who lie about their age, sex, etc online but still tell a lot of other things about themselves. Perhaps sometimes they lie but feel they are more that age or gender. Otherwise they may tell the truth and be rather open. I know quite a few people with disorders and aspberger's syndrome etc that communicate much better online and when they say something rude, you can correct them and they are fine with it because they want to be understood and some make remarkable accomplishments online that wouldn't happen irl. Also, I think you can pick out liars easily enough. I often figure out people are lying. I've met several guys that used female nicks and a few vice versa or lied of their age but they were mostly sincere people that just felt more comfortable that way because unfortunately society often deems what is 'male' and 'female' in likes and well...they want to be more honest but don't feel comfy doing so as the gender they are or people might make fun of them. The places I hang out, we just tell the person to not worry about it once they come clean because we are an open group with straights, bi, gays, whatever and no one cares. But I can definitely see why people sometimes deceive or try to be different now and then. We have a lot of aspects to ourselves that in some ways, even if they lie about small stuff, the way they express themselves can be very true. There are of course those who are out with a plan to harm others. They play games to be pranksters or well, worse. We all know of the occasional tricked person who goes and meets up with a guy that kidnaps them or heads to someone's house and the person is raped etc. Or we hear about the online sexual predators. Most people however, even if they tell some lies here or there and exaggerate, I've heard plenty of people in life tell lies and exaggerate things. I don't really see much of a difference except that people can well also toss in a description of their appearance that cannot be done in real life. To me, that's about all that changes. There are rotten pranksters and sexual predators but those exist in real life too and hide behind facades as well that though they may not be computer screens, they are usually relatives of the people they hurt.
There are many Christian groups in America and well, some are extremely fanatical about following the Bible word for word. Others aren't. Many Christians in Europe and America are moderate Christians and do believe that they can lead their lives and so long as they believe in God and Jesus and try to do the right thing they will get to Heaven. If they screw up, they still can. That is seen in Catholics as well as Protestant groups. Really, religion is religion and it depends on the person. America certainly isn't corrupting Christianity. It's been corrupted for several years which is why there are now so many factions of it. Also, people have a skewed view of what the U.S. is like and think we just do whatever. 'Some' people do but so do some people in other countries. We aren't all George Bush born again Christians.
People do this all the time though with death. It isn't even just people who are murdered. Ever gone to funerals and heard people talk about how -great- a person was and they totally leave off all the rotten stuff they might have done? It's just the way people handle death in general in the end. We try to let our biases and judgments of a person go when he/she passes on and are raised to let bygones be bygones; remembering the person's good accomplishments. I do agree that certainly not all murders are done to someone who is entirely innocent of the scenario. A majority of murders do happen because something had to be instigated, whether founded or not. Of course, murder is not the answer even with instigation being a factor, unless self-defense was necessary. But death all around is just handled this way because people are so sensitive about it.
It may be possible to be his friend if you still want to, but you do need to have the time to express how you feel and vent, get it out of the system. What he did took you off guard and well, break ups suck for anyone. I do hope you feel better and if you need us, we're here. *hug*
I'm very curious.
Hmm...you can turn off being a Premium?...so it is possible... *now goes to check*
I want a shirt!
I suppose that's better than where the news reported a murder that was only a couple blocks from where my friend worked with this guy that killed his parents recently. For some reason CNN later said it was in Rhode Island but I know right where the murder took place and the guy turned himself in. She was afraid to go to work after seeing the cops and news there and hearing about what happened.
Ranch is delicious to dip pizza in. It's also great with BBQ chicken wings.
Well, you have a ways to go before you'd hit premie any way but I'm sure an Admin could assist you on it when you do get the number of posts required.
Actually you can blame religions of being manipulative. Most, including the Judeo/Christian/Islam religions were founded to control society. That is how each book is written up. It is a guide on what to eat, wear, what is acceptable between couples, what you cannot do and what is called a sin, which would also be against what the societies want. Bad people of course use it as more of a controlling tool than even that to make people do things that would be considered 'sins' if done to 'believers'. However, the religions themselves often are designed as ways to structure societies and that really cannot be denied.
The space program isn't -that- big of a hog on costs. Really if you wanted more money for poor people of our own, let alone other people, we'd quit the war on drugs and apply manpower to better procedures, medicines and doing more work to help others. The space program has nothing to do with our state in not being able to help the poor out. We -need- scientific research and we would have nothing without it. The space program helps us do so many tasks even on our world and receives not that much as other things do. Also, it's fine to feel sorry for people etc but we cannot help everyone out. Even if we had the money there is no way to help everyone; especially to learn to help -themselves-. There are people who take money from the mouths of others all the time. There is a corruption with people who apply for welfare, food stamps, illnesses and injury support SSI etc. We can't help our own people because of idiots who have messed things up and lied and get free money for no reason other than they are lazy. Our disabled and mentally disabled people suffer and don't get what they should now that all this bureaucracy is in the way that only corrupted jerks know how to get through. Overseas, money sent to people does not always get where it should whether through 'reputable' donation services or not. Also, some governments take the money and pocket it. People overseas also work out scams with people in Europe and America to do credit card scams and all sorts of things with our donated money to help the poor. Medicine doesn't always get where it should and is ceased. Really, I think this is a lame thing to say the space program being reduced would help in any way at all and we -need- the space program as it assists us also with weather monitoring and also watching for asteroids etc, monitoring our communications networks and satellites etc. I'm sorry you find it so needless, PAW but I just do not feel it is a fair substitute in the end. People will starve no matter what. If people want to do something about it, they can donate some time and volunteer like I do. Education and knowledge are part of how we progress in life and I don't think knowledge should be sacrificed. There are far many other things that if a bunch of conservative people would stop being so **** over, could be changed and we'd have money to help the poor and also others in our society more efficiently and have more money to donate around the world. You do however miss the point that we donate TONS of money every year. Maybe Europe doesn't but I sincerely doubt that's true. In America we donate stuff ALL the time whether by our own deeds of buying things etc or by corporate programs or by sending money where it needs to go or doing volunteer work etc. There is more donated to help the poor than the space program costs, definitely. Cutting the space program is about as efficient as making people stop playing video games because that money could be spent on poor people who are starving. Joy kills really take the joy out of helping other people and letting people find easier ways of doing so. That's all this is to me.
A Giant Space Squid!!!! Note how everyone in this comic can survive in space without any kind of gear. The good ol days of cartoons. Squid Skid could be a new skate boarding trick name.
Kitty has a point though. >.> I hope you feel better, Madi. Not of course sure of all that happened but as others said, if you need us, we're here for ya. *hug*
