Topics

76

Completely Off-Topic / White-Only Scholarship

« on: March 20, 2004, 03:35:02 pm »

BRISTOL, R.I. (March 20) - On the sleepy coastal campus of Roger Williams University, a small liberal arts school unaccustomed to student activism, the College Republicans are reveling in the debate they've kicked up by offering a scholarship for whites only.

The $250 award - which required an essay on "why you are proud of your white heritage" and a recent picture to "confirm whiteness" - has invited the wrath of everyone from minority groups and school officials to the chairman of the Republican National Committee himself.

Jason Mattera, a junior who started the conservative campus group in his freshman year, said kindling debate over free speech and affirmative action was just what he wanted - and he promises more.

"We did our job," said Mattera, 20, of Brooklyn, N.Y. "This is what college is all about, challenging the status quo."

They did such a good job that school President Roy Nirschel, who has clashed with the group before, cut short a trip to Vietnam last month to begin what he called "a healing process" - including forming a commission on civil discourse.
   
The 35-member group first went toe-to-toe with university administration last year over a series of monthly newsletter articles accusing homosexuals of squelching free speech by pushing for hate-crimes legislation. The articles alleged that a well-known gay-rights group indoctrinates students into homosexual sex.

The administration froze the College Republicans' money for two days. Nirschel said in turn, he received threatening letters claiming he was suppressing the group.

Then another article critical of Kwanzaa, which celebrates the history and heritage of Africa, sparked a complaint by a multicultural student group.

Before the Student Senate had a chance to deal with that issue, the College Republicans came up with the whites-only scholarship.

The application for the $250 award required an essay on "why you are proud of your white heritage" and a recent picture to "confirm whiteness."

"Evidence of bleaching will disqualify applicants," read the application.

Mattera, who is of Puerto Rican descent, said the scholarship was a parody of minority scholarships. Mattera himself was awarded a $5,000 scholarship from the Hispanic College Fund, he said.

"Those who come from white (descent) are left to find scholarships on their own," Mattera said.

The whites-only scholarship generated national publicity, which angered university officials and many students who worried their school was being labeled as racist. Minorities make up less than 10 percent of the 3,400 full-time undergraduates.

Some minorities on campus, like Maria Ahmed, a 20-year-old junior from Providence, felt targeted.

For this, we've been waiting.

77

Creative Endeavors / Green Like July

« on: March 18, 2004, 09:32:02 pm »

No! The title was NOT stolen from a Bright Eyes' song.

It's time for me to go back East and I'm trying hard not to let go of you, but I waited much too long.
And now my bitter anthem, solemnly sung, by all who can relate,
Sounds so out of tune, I guess they can't compare.
It's too much of a burden to be sociable, to be charming, or personable,
When the only one I cared to impress isn't here.
I'm going back East and heading farther North,
Where Spring's not always with me.
And in New England, I can hide myself in my pocket, and who would care?
Please, stop patronizing and over-rewinding,
But it's such a sweetness we can't let go of and forget.
Where are you? And I've lost you.
I'm so tired of being lonely and overwhelmed,
I'd rather cry myself to sleep, like before.
I'm thirsty, but you were all out of me.
So I'm resting here, thinking I'm not lonely.
I won't be, forgive me one more time, because I'm going back East,
Where memories will haunt me, like a ghost that crawls behind me,
Or scenes that still remind me of us hidden behind a narrow limb,
South of Highlands' Creek.
Remember there? We swore it never got cold,
And we would never worry, like our fathers,
And like our fathers' fathers' fathers.
But all of this had happened where I am,
I'm trying to escape to a foreign land.
And I'll retrieve my faith when I step again,
Back into the East.

78

Completely Off-Topic / Dancing in the Street, Down in New York City

« on: March 14, 2004, 12:38:48 am »

http://www.boomspeed.com/vfemmes/rachaelkazoo2.wav

So what's your favorite no-talent-necessary instrument?

JUST JOKING!

Here it is.

79

Polls / How long does it take for you to get ready . . .

« on: March 11, 2004, 12:52:53 pm »

To go to work, school, etc. ON AVERAGE, in the morning?

80

Creative Endeavors / Something of You

« on: March 08, 2004, 01:00:12 pm »

So, maybe now I'll take you to that little place inside my head,
Where silent voices repeat every single word you said.
On that same day, where in th morning, I told you what I'd do,
There was a loud crash that bore its blood-red afternoon.
But I swear, I checked the clock and it was only 7 after.
When I arrived, 13 years late, there was a girl who told me that her,
Only son of 4 years was losing all his breath.
And I tried my best to help 'til there was no life in that boy left.
That's when you appeared, so blithely, hanged across the room,
Your eyes as wide as my heart had opened up to you.
Then I remembered that boy, and sang to him, to his lifeless, little corpse.
His last words, to me, sounded something of yours:
"No, I'm really fine," but that's not always the case.
Still your eyes appear as blue as that boy's face.
I lit a candle for the both of you, but the flame was soon blown out.
Then a bottle rolled across th rom, and that's when I kneeled down,
To pick it up and read the message that had been tucked inside.
Something about saving someone, or telling them good-bye.
Now down the hall and across the ocean, there's a fresh noose to be used.
Something of death but integrity, something of you.
And reflecting back to me, from a bathroom mirror,
There's an impression of a face.
It seems so blurry, itself,
Hanging there with scars I just can't erase.
Each purple bruise reminds me of each hit that I endured.
And I'd tell you what I mean, but right now, I can't be sure.
I washed my hands of every pain I've cause,
And every death that I've endowed.
I'm too much aware of what I've done, but Pilate would be proud.
My lack of concern may disappoint a few, but it was fine for you,
And to whom it may concern: This wasn't intended for you.
So, now I have to take you to that little place inside my head,
Where silent voices repeat every single word you said.

81

Creative Endeavors / Eastern Shoreline

« on: February 25, 2004, 03:35:24 pm »

The sun goes down,
And in the background of the portrait I painted of you,
The lights come on as buldings cut through the dotted skyline.
I remember you telling me something I always forget.
But then something goes wrong,
And the thousand lights, they all flash out and out,
Like memories of you I've planted in front of all of my dreams.
And I find myself drowning off the coast of and eastern shoreline,
Without you here to save me.
Sinking deeper in my love for you every fucking second I'm alone.
Then I suffocate.
Am I through with you?
I can't make myself believe I am.
And after all these words I've sung to you,
You'd think maybe once you'd listen.
But Spring's got me again and I want you.
I keep telling myself, it's 6 o'clock and not dark out,
That must mean that April's on its way.
But as soon as I believe that I can take care of myself,
And I don't need only you to satisfy and hold me,
I won't be alone.
And maybe when the time comes,
I won't find myself drowning off the coast of an eastern shoreline,
Because you'll be there to save me.
But only then, will I believe I am whole.

82

Other Musicians / Barry Black

« on: February 16, 2004, 06:56:27 pm »

This is the current band I'm in. We've heard rumors about another Barry Black, but aren't sure (and f you know anything about them, shut up or you'll ruin my day). Here's our, ahem, "web-site" - YOU MUST GO HERE; Sign the guestbook.

By now, judging by my talent in writing "Alexxx is a Poopface," or being in The Polly Crackers, you're thinking I'm on crack, which I am. But that's beside the point. We kick-ass, and you will learn to love us.

PS Don't make fun of the site, it's evidently not finished.
PPS For those who were wondering (very few of you, I know) I'm the drummer.
PPPS It's fun to say "OOS"
PPPPS On the homepage, 'tis I with the camera.

83

Creative Endeavors / Untitled

« on: February 12, 2004, 04:55:12 pm »

You opened a window,
To let air into your breathless lungs.
And I saw you staring through the broken glass,
Hopeless, and unknowingly wasting second by second.
You let me in and we started talking,
When you caught me by surprise.
And you look at me like . . .
No, no - You looked at me,
And that's when I saw it in your eyes.
I knew how desperately, I'd talk to you.
And without concern, deserted you.
But I swear, I wouldn't have, if I knew.

As I wish for Spring to race to me,
A wind cuts my face, and the world turns while I'm still.
And once again, I'm without you.
It's only been a year.
I thought it would have lasted longer.
And I'm hoping for Spring,
You both couldn't come sooner.

In my mind, your face is tattooed in black,
Along with how I treated you,
Like a mirage in a lonely void.
I'm again, alone.

We started talking,
When you caught me by surprise.
And you look at me like . . .
No, not again.
No, I can't be without you again.
I still remember your eyes staring back at me,
And the brilliance of your smile and face,
That told me everything would be okay.
But nothing is okay now,
And it's only been a year.
I thought it would have lasted longer,
And I'm still hoping for Spring -
You both couldn't come any sooner.

(A lot of words :\)

84

Completely Off-Topic / Happy Birthday, Trev - Errr

« on: February 09, 2004, 12:46:31 pm »

Yep, that Morbid Gir . . . Ger? Gir . . . Child is Trevor. I actually don't think he's posted on here a'all, but it's all good . . . We'll get him on here at some point.

85

Polls / Straight Teeth . . . O_o

« on: February 07, 2004, 09:39:58 am »

How many people here have had braces? Or HAVE braces at the moment?

86

Creative Endeavors / Through the Eyes of a Catholic

« on: January 31, 2004, 08:18:49 pm »

"There's nothing we can do."
I can't make anyone believe,
And even if I could, my faith in my beliefs,
Has the best of me.
Through the eyes of a Catholic,
We were standing there waiting.
Hoping for something, that may never come.
This God has got us each by the throat,
Clinching it tighter, and directing us where to go.
And all our hope will never see through,
The darkness that suffocates and drowns,
Every one of our points of view.
Through the eyes of a Catholic,
I've seen the blades of car wheels,
Cut through the life of my life.
I've seen a powerless girl,
Become even more helpless.
I've seen lungs collapse,
And breath completely give in.
But through the eyes of a Catholic,
None of these pains were His.

87

Completely Off-Topic / Please Pray for my Cousin and my Family

« on: January 31, 2004, 07:11:38 pm »

Most of you probably don't know, but late 2002, one of my cousins (on my Mom's side), Mitchell, who was 13 at the time, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Throughout 2003, he struggled with it, and this morning, Mitchell, 14, passed away. My Aunt Patsy and Uncle Jack, Mitchell's parents as well as my Godparents, are having a presumably hard time at the moment, as well as the rest of us are. We're all practicing Catholics, and Mitchell's family had faith in him and God, and this morning, to hear my Aunt claim she's mad at God, is heartbreaking. I even remember hearing her say, "I don't know why God is doing this," which, we've all wondered that. I've been at my Aunt Patsy's and then Grandmother's today, and both places are unbelievably emotionally draining. So, I'm just asking you to keep Mitchell and our family in your prayers.

Thank you.

88

Entertainment - Movies / TV / Books / Pontius Pilate

« on: January 17, 2004, 04:50:33 am »

Ann Wroe

I just finished this book yesterday - It's really good, better than I thought it'd be. It's pretty much a biography sort of thing of . . . Pontius. The beginning is odd.  8O

Read it!

89

Completely Off-Topic / Whoooooo Hates the Astros?! :)

« on: January 13, 2004, 12:38:12 pm »

I hate people. You know it! Urgh, when you retire - You retire. Shitheads thinking I'M going to let them sign with Houston. God damn it. It's from the Courier Journal (My paper).

Clemens listens to his mom, will pitch for Astros

Right-hander, Houston inka $5 million deal

 HOUSTON - Roger Clemens throws quite a curveball, too.
 Clemens changed course yesterday, ending his much-ballyhooed retirement after only 78 days and agreeing to pitch with close friend (Cece - URGH!) Andy Pettitte on their hometown Houston Astros.
 At 41, the six-time Cy Young winner got a one-year deal for $5 million. Instead of finishing in Yankee pinstripes, the Rocket splashed down in Spacetown.
 "I took to heart what Wayne Gretzky told me and Michael [Jordan] and Emmit Smith and even Johnny Bench," Clemens said. "It's great to come home."
 Once his wife and four boys approved, Clemens got the one final OK he needed to hear.
 "My mother gave it her blessing," he said.
 For more than a year, Clemens insisted that 2003 would be his final season. But that changed after the Yankees lost the World Series and Pettitte left New York.
 "It's a great thing for Houston and, frankly, Roger has the right to do whatever he wants," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said.
 Clemens is coming off a season in which he went 17-9 with a 3.91 ERA. He reached career milestones of 300 wins and 4,000 strikeouts in the same game in June.
 After the season Clemens filed for free agency as a formality. A month later the United States was eliminated from Olympics qualifying - he had shown interest in pitching at Athens - and it seemed he was ready to settle down and spend time with his family.
 "Roger Clemens was a great warrior for the Yankees - a teacher and a leader," Yankees owner George Steinbrenner said in a news release. "He told the world he was retiring, and we had no choice but to believe him."
 Clemens hopes to help the Astros reach the World Series for the first time.

In other Yankees news . . .

 Tony Clark agreed to a $750,000 one-year contract with the Yankees and will be backup to first baseman Jason Giambi, who had left knee surgery following last season.
 Clark had 254 at-bats with the New York Mets last season, batting .232 with 16 home runs and 43 RBIs.
 Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Giambi is 100 percent following his operation. New York needed a new backup after trading Nick Johnson to Montreal for Javier Valquez.

90

Completely Off-Topic / Blondes "to die out" in 200 years :X

« on: January 10, 2004, 06:40:29 pm »

Sadie told me about this, but I called her stupid and wouldn't believe it. I think it's a bunch of bullshit, like the flu. People in Schandinavia can't live there and be happy and blonde forEVER (nd ever and ever, etc.) and then suddenly die out. Anyway . . .

"The last natural blondes will die out within 200 years, scientists believe.
A study by experts in Germany suggests people with blonde hair are an endangered species and will become extinct by 2202.

Researchers predict the last truly natural blonde will be born in Finland - the country with the highest proportion of blondes.


The frequency of blondes may drop but they won't disappear
 
But they say too few people now carry the gene for blondes to last beyond the next two centuries.

The problem is that blonde hair is caused by a recessive gene.

In order for a child to have blonde hair, it must have the gene on both sides of the family in the grandparents' generation.

Dyed rivals

The researchers also believe that so-called bottle blondes may be to blame for the demise of their natural rivals.

They suggest that dyed-blondes are more attractive to men who choose them as partners over true blondes.

 
Bottle-blondes like Ann Widdecombe may be to blame
 
But Jonathan Rees, professor of dermatology at the University of Edinburgh said it was unlikely blondes would die out completely.

"Genes don't die out unless there is a disadvantage of having that gene or by chance. They don't disappear," he told BBC News Online.

"The only reason blondes would disappear is if having the gene was a disadvantage and I do not think that is the case.

"The frequency of blondes may drop but they won't disappear."  "

BBC News Health and Broadcast (I think)