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Ntfs_encryption "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 3511 Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 01:18 am: |
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Atheist Group Files Lawsuit Against Prayer at Presidential Inauguration The head of an atheist group said on Tuesday that by allowing a prayer at President-elect Obama's inauguration, the government is subjecting atheists and agonostics to someone else's religious beliefs. By Mike Majchrowitz-14 Jan 2009 The head of an atheist group that has filed a lawsuit against prayer at Barack Obama's presidential inauguration says the government is picking a winner between "believers" and "those who don't believe" and subjecting atheists and agnostics to someone else's religious beliefs. Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, has joined with Michael Newdow, who fought to have the words "under God" removed from the Pledge of Allegiance, in a federal lawsuit seeking to enjoin the Presidential Inaugural Committee from sponsoring prayers at the official inauguration. The 34-page legal complaint similarly seeks to enjoin Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Jr., from adding the phrase "So help me God" to the presidential oath of office. "We're hoping to stop prayer and religious rituals at governmental functions, especially at the inauguration," Barker told FOX News Radio. "The inauguration is not a religious event. It is a secular event of a secular country that includes all Americans, including those of us who are not Christians, including those of us who are not believers," he continued. Barker, who said government's not picking sides on the issue of religion is "hard wired into our Constitution," called the 29 members of the suit all atheists and agnostics who love their country and participating in the inauguration. "Yet we are subjected to someone else's religious views with the endorsement of the government, which makes us feel like second class outsiders," he said. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is the same group that fought to have atheist displays next to holiday displays, most notably in Washington state this year. He said if Obama wants to hold a private religious ceremony, that would be more appropriate than having religious figures up on stage at his swearing in ceremony. Peter Sprigg, vice president for policy at the Family Research Council, said it's Obama's decision whether to include a prayer, not the government's. "The atheists, while they have every right to practice their atheism, they do not have an absolute right not to be exposed to viewpoints they don't agree with. So I think this lawsuit has no merit whatsoever," Sprigg said. Barker argued that by allowing religious phrases to be used in the ceremony as well as inviting Revs. Rick Warren and Joe Lowery, who are named as defendants in the suit, to participate in the inaugural festivities, the government is picking a winner in the dispute over religion and atheism. "Those people who do pray do believe in God and they are in fact trying to use the government to pick sides. In America we are free to disagree. We can disagree with Rev. Rick Warren but we're not free to ask our government to settle the argument," Barker said, adding that government causes harm when it takes on "the mantel of religion and expresses religion as an official governmental function." Sprigg said he thinks the case has no merit and, like previous attempts to block inaugural prayer, this too will fail. "These atheists who are suing to prevent prayer at the inauguration are showing a fundamental misunderstanding of what the First Amendment is all about. The establishment of religion that is forbidden by the First Amendment means the official declaration of an official national church. It doesn't mean that public ceremonies can not include prayers or acknowledgement of the existence of God," he told FOX News Radio. Asked if prayer is excluded, wouldn't that mean government is choosing atheists as the winner, Barker replied, "There is a difference between neutrality and hostility. "If the government were to invite me as a national atheist leader to get up and give an invocation that curses the name of God and that encourages people to stop believing and stop being so childish and divisive then that would be wrong because the government would be taking a pro-atheist position," he said. Sprigg said he doubts that Roberts being named in the suit will affect the outcome or that Roberts would have to recuse himself if the case came before the high court . "That's intriguing but I don't think even the liberals on the court would go so far as to prevent prayer at the inauguration," he said. |
Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13308 Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 11:56 am: |
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Well, it's not surprising that Atheists would jump on the band wagon and, along with all of the other "slighted" special interest groups, launch a protest that will make a statement. And considering the Constitution's emphasis on the separation of church and state and how this nation incorporates God into so many of its official governmental procedures, there is a legitmate reason to charge that praying at the inauguration is a violation of the law of the land. Wouldn't it be ironic if NRA members exercised their constitutional rights by taking aim and gunning down a few pesky Atheists? Maybe Obama should create a new cabinet position and appoint a layman to be secretary in charge of praying for God to help a brotha out. I'm sure this "Christian" nation would approve of that. |
A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2498 Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 02:02 pm: |
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Hi NT! Missed ya! |
Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13314 Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 02:21 pm: |
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ditto. |
Ntfs_encryption "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 3512 Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 09:30 pm: |
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"Hi NT! Missed ya! ditto." Thank you! I've been around. Gonna start posting again. Hope all is well with everyone. |
A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2502 Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 09:44 pm: |
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Glad to hear that NT. Welcome back!!! |
A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2503 Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 10:42 pm: |
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By the way NT, I hope you're in Cali and not Ohio right now. Cuz brother let me tell you, it is BEYOND ALASKA COLD here, right now! |
Jackie Veteran Poster Username: Jackie
Post Number: 649 Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 01:50 am: |
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NT is in Southern Cali like myself ! Ha! It's been in the 80's here all week ! Oh and Brown Robyn too ! |
Robynmarie Veteran Poster Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 872 Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 04:04 am: |
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holla!!!! |
A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2504 Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 05:51 am: |
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80 degrees...*sigh*. Must be nice. Sounds like paradise! But I'd settle for 30 degrees right about now. Believe me, it would feel like a heatwave! |
Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 3339 Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 11:05 am: |
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A_woman, zero degrees would feel like a heat wave about now!!! |
Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13321 Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 11:29 am: |
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Taking into consideration the wind chill factor, the temperature here in Chicagoland set an all time record at 25 degrees below zero! It's unbelievable! Everybody is being advised to not expose themselves to this weather any longer than necessary, and to just stay inside if at all possible. brrrrrrrrrr Warmer temps are expected on the week-end, with a high of 20 degrees being the forecast. |
Jackie Veteran Poster Username: Jackie
Post Number: 651 Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 12:17 pm: |
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Lol. A high of 20 degrees ? Warmer ?? |
A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2506 Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 12:36 pm: |
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Yvettep: YEP! and you know it! LOL!!! Jackie: If you would like to experience the exciting human popsicle experience that causes us to long for these "high" temps. I'd be willing to swap houses with you for the rest of the winter. Just think... You just might enjoy trading paradise for 12 degrees below Alaskan on the thermometer. You might find the the wonderfully refreshing freezing winds, an inviting relief from the lemonade sipping brutally delightful, eighty degree heat that you must lounge through each day. Don't you think? HAHHAHAHAHHAAHA! Let me know and I'll catch the next flight and help you prepare for the delightfully refreshing, change! LOL! |
Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7666 Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 12:37 pm: |
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They been doing this for years. Nobody pays them any mind. They aren't willing to die for their beliefs--odd, since, being Atheists, they should willingly give up meaningless lives of nihilistic existence. They shouldn't worry. God will not be present. |
Jackie Veteran Poster Username: Jackie
Post Number: 652 Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 12:39 pm: |
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A_womon, thanks but no thanks ! I wouldn't survive..lol ! |
Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 525 Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 12:40 pm: |
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It seems the true test of theses inaugural traditions will be the election of an atheist president. Until such time... |
Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7668 Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 01:00 pm: |
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It seems the true test of theses inaugural traditions will be the election of an atheist president. Until such time... (We've had a number of them. They all lie about it to get elected) |
Chrishayden "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7669 Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 01:06 pm: |
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Several in fact http://www.wonderfulatheistsofcfl.org/Quotes.htm |
Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 526 Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 01:22 pm: |
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Wow, thanks for the link, Chris. I wonder when we started the tradition of having inaugural invocations and "so help me God" and such... So far I've only found this: "Historians are divided as to whether earlier US presidents, including George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, used the phrase." http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/8279 |
Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 4837 Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 01:36 pm: |
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Deesha Thomas, I have never been anything but friendly, generous and respectful towards you. I have never done anything against you, ever. So how dare you try to step over me without acknowledging me. I am a human being, Deesha, and I have been a sister to you. Your mother didn't raise you to be so petty and "clannish". Some of the women on this board don't like me and you'd rather be "in" with them--so you have the gall to act like I've ever done something against you. It makes you look weak and simple. Your behavior is straight up WRONG. The next time I get your attention--whenever it is--it will be in person. . |
Ferociouskitty Veteran Poster Username: Ferociouskitty
Post Number: 527 Registered: 02-2008
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 02:15 pm: |
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Interesting article from Michael Medved: http://townhall.com/columnists/MichaelMedved/2008/04/09/americans_are_right_to_r esist_an_atheist_as_president?page=1 |
Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 4842 Registered: 02-2005
Rating: Votes: 3 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 02:45 pm: |
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And what a completely DISHONEST response. |
Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 3343 Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 03:44 pm: |
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Whoa--what'd I miss? |
Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 3344 Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 03:46 pm: |
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A_woman: don't board any planes any time soon if you can help it--not even for the promise of warmer temps. Apparently the birds have it in for us humans and are striking back. I knew I should have put out a bird feeder this winter when my kids were begging me to. LOL |
Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 4845 Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 04:27 pm: |
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An African woman pissing in the crab barrel. I've never done anything to or against these women, Yvette. In fact...I granted Deesha Thomas an interview, used MY TELEPHONE to call HER long distance on more than one occasion and was an all-round friendly and welcoming sister towards her. I showed her nothing but love. But out of nowhere--(after she had lunch with Cynique and a few others), she acts as though I threw mud on her baby or something. No explanation. I never did anything to her and since I don't try to hurt people's feelings---I don't like people hurting mines. Ditto Diane Dorce (Sisgal). I got her a book deal---because I called myself helping my sister. I befriended her and was genuine and led to believe we were pals for MONTHS. THEN...for no reason or explanation absolutely whatever...she puts her nose in the air, flagrantly ignoring me while being complementary to people who were attacking me---in other words, taking a side through SILENCE. I never did a damned thing against her. EVER. I guess she's pissed at me because the Typesetter had Errors in her book---something I have no control over since my books had the equal amount of typos. Ditto ZANE, who came on this board attacking me (over something Nafisa said about Simon & Schuster) and LYING on me about my event at the Schomburg Center---and then having the gall (this is the woman who said in an interview that she cherishes her privacy)---had the gall to say that she was checking with Paramount Pictures to see if I was writing a script for them (which I most definitely did). I have since learned that I supposedly slept with Zane's ex-husband....ROLLING MY FUCKING EYES ....though I sure as hell didn't know it was her husband... ...and in fact, I don't even believe that I was in the United States when said event took place. (Zane and I are both raised in the D.C. area ---where it's important for her to be "QUEEN") If she's a "QUEEN"---why doesn't she cast a few BLACK WOMEN on that t.v. series of hers? And while she's at it...include at least ONE beautiful Plus-Sized sister. But no...it's all about training our sons that the prettiest most desirable thing on earth are a bunch of chicks who look nothing like the majority of us. [For uttering that truth in public---they'll wish cancer on me.] SORRY GIRLS...I already licked that, too! YVETTE---I was the biggest ZANE FAN in the world. When her books came out, I used to email over 10,000 people on my list to support Zane's new book. There are BOOK REVIEWS on this site written by Kola Boof---Big-upping Zane. You remember my Documentary don't you? Don't you remember how I praised ZANE and mentioned her as a daring sister that I admired? But out of the blue....she starts attacking me and telling people vicious lies about me. WHY IS IT that I get along with almost ALL of the Black American MEN on here? They email me; we laugh and joke; trade stories. But almost none of the sisters. I'm tired of them and their "BLACK AMERICAN DIVA " snobby-gossip & lie "She's not one of us" bullshit. I'M THE FUCKING MOTHER of you Self-hating WH-Y_NCHES! You came out of MY Black ass, I didn't come out of yours! You don't like ME...you don't like your DAMNED SELVES! I have never done anything but tried to embrace, engage and explain my views to them AS SISTERS. But I see that the only people "certain" "usually over-educated" Black American women can be vicious towards and get away with it is EACH OTHER...so they have this trait where they eat on other black women like crabs. I'm from Africa and put REAL black women in my books, so I'm automically the enemy. They try to act like I'm "crazy"--- "I'm Crazy" for being OPEN and up front? But notice they're the DISHONEST CRAZY ones. I have nothing but love and respect for them and every book I've written shows that LOUDLY ---but somehow, I'm their "enemy." No, no, Yvette....Miss Deesha Thomas will not play Cafe Manhattan with me. I wrote the fucking book before that Snow Flake that YOU WISH was your mother was ever born. I'm here to remind you of who you REALLY ARE and I'm not going anywhwere!!!! They have this notion that they can stop me from getting what's mines...but Nobody's going to stop me from doing shit. God loves me, my life story bears that out, and I have powers, too. ___________ I do, however, thank Sister Souljah, Terry McMillan, Toni Morrison, Marita Golden and Tracy Price Thompson for showing so much love and affirmation. _____________ And that's the TRUTH Yvette. I'm sure they'll spin their lies to one another (but behind my back, of course). . |
Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 4846 Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 04:48 pm: |
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P.S. Equally perplexing, Yvette--- The Black women in the "streets", the ones in the bookstores and the 150 who came to see me at Schomburg Center were overwhelming "Black American"....and absolutely loved and adored me. So I don't understand what I've done to these ladies here. You remember LAMBD? He wrote me an email a fews ago, Yvette, stating that he LOVES ME no matter what anyone says about me and that I'm his favorite female author bar none. He told me that "Flesh and the Devil" is on his coffee table for visitors to see. Now why would he do that out of the blue, Yvette? It's just such a waste of our lives to be against each other over bullshit! I can certainly understand why White people or the White media would fear my image and my message---they misconstrue it because they don't actually listen. But sisters on here? WHY? . |
A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2507 Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 06:21 pm: |
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HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!! Yvette,You know you are right! I saw THE BIRDS the other day, one of my all time favorite Alfred Hitchcock movies the other day and don't you know a this gigantic flock of birds flew over top of the street I was driving down, making formations and landing on the electrical wires and poles. I'm talking about just a huuuge flock of them. My friend and I stared at each other and I said "They about to try to peck the sh*t outta somebody!" What ever happened to birds flying South for the winter??? HAHAHAHAHA! |
Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13330 Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 08:34 pm: |
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Oh give it a rest, Kola! You already cried this river during your last swan song when you made one of your many grand exits from the board. We've heard it all before - except for the part about me having lunch with Deesha Thomas. Where did that come from? The only person from this board whom I have ever had lunch with was my girl Yvette when she came to Chicago for a seminar. Now you're back. OK. So spare us this tedious exercise in grudge holding, - this foray into the territory of self-pity. Sheeze. |
Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 4847 Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 08:46 pm: |
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Well, OK, Cynique. For you, I will be nice. |
Robynmarie Veteran Poster Username: Robynmarie
Post Number: 873 Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 10:43 pm: |
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A_womon I am finally up and running on FB. I had lots of friends to approve since I had not been on it in a while. Give me a shout! |
A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2508 Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 05:40 am: |
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Hi Robynmarie, Couldn't find you on FB. Let me know the next time you're on Yahoo and we'll exchange information. |
Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 3346 Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 11:57 am: |
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The only person from this board whom I have ever had lunch with was my girl Yvette when she came to Chicago for a seminar. That was a blast, Cynique--continues to be the highlight of that trip BTW, Kola, I also had the pleasure of meeting F'kitty. She, also, is really good peoples. So--I usually try to stay out of these beefs. (There was a reason I did not pledge a sorority in college--I figured, why can't I just be friends and "sisters" with everybody? LOL) But I'll say this one piece, especially since you addressed a couple of your explanatory posts above to me: Kola, you do not have to convince anyone here that you have loads of admirers. Actually, it does not even matter whether or not they are "famous" or not. You are an engaging, larger-than-life personality with obvious talent. You seem to be at your most creative when you feel yourself to be in a "me against the world" situation--kinda like superheroes who need a nemesis to define themselves. () So, if that's the case, then fine--You be you, girl! I won't "defend" anyone: not you, not FK, not Cynique, not anybody else. Everybody here is grown--and especially the three of y'all are masterful when it comes to using words as tools (and weapons!) OK, I'm out on that topic! How far we've come from atheists against inaugural prayers! LOLOL |
Yvettep AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 3347 Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 12:00 pm: |
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A_woman: for real!!! I have noticed similar things around here with birds, as well as huge flocks of geese. I just know those things are planning some ish! Plus, when you think about how scientists now say birds are the closest living relatives to the dinosaurs-- Yes, they are definitely about to put into action some plan to take back the earth. Wouldn't be surprised if they were behind global warming and 9-11...
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Kola_boof AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: Kola_boof
Post Number: 4848 Registered: 02-2005
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 01:11 pm: |
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Yvette, you are so kind. Thank you for including me at last. |
Cynique "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13336 Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 02:26 pm: |
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Well, we do know for sure that these feathery latter-day terradactyles are ready at a moment's notice to drop crap on our car windshields while flying by.They're multi-taskers so that makes them particularly threatening. |
Ntfs_encryption "Cyniquian" Level Poster Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 3519 Registered: 10-2005
Rating: Votes: 1 (Vote!) | Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 04:44 pm: |
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"HAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!! Yvette,You know you are right! I saw THE BIRDS the other day, one of my all time favorite Alfred Hitchcock movies the other day and don't you know a this gigantic flock of birds flew over top of the street I was driving down, making formations and landing on the electrical wires and poles. I'm talking about just a huuuge flock of them." A_womon, were you sacred? Be honest! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Good thing you weren’t in a plane, you see how they took down that airliner, forcing it to crash into the river. Could it be that time? Have they finally said enough is enough? God! I love that movie! One of my all time Hitchcock favorites.
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A_womon AALBC .com Platinum Poster Username: A_womon
Post Number: 2509 Registered: 05-2004
Rating: N/A Votes: 0 (Vote!) | Posted on Sunday, January 18, 2009 - 01:57 am: |
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Well, NT. I must admit, I did drive away from all those birds a lot faster than the law would allow! HAHAHAHAHA! Thanks for the picture! Tippi Hedren sure looks just like her daughter Melanie Griffith right here, doesn't she? Yvette: I wouldn't put it past those little, flying, scheming little pigeons. They're probably covertly plotting to have their little bird Armageddon as we sleep! LOL! |