I may not make it tonight, Andy, but I expect you guys to strictly adhere to these rules.

In the world of US Election what-ifs, this one is a doozy, topping even the Bush-Edwards presidency. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has cancer, and may be too ill to rule on a potential legal argument over this election. (I know, I'm getting ahead of myself, but one can always speculate...) Electoral-Vote.com reports that, if the Chief Justice cannot rule and the court is deadlocked (which would be likely), a possible outcome is that "Chief Justice Rehnquist resigns and that President Bush makes a recess appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation." So, after all is said and done, though it's unlikely, Bush could cast the deciding vote and make himself President.

Whee!

Eric and Taylor... I don't know how, but I agree with you both!

I think it is a system of racism that doesn't see us helping the Sudanese to the same extent that we did the Jews during their respective genocides. I think it is at least partly racism that has us helping out some countries more than others... but I also think that we cannot hope to ever work things out internationally if we cannot get over our own "neighbourhood" problems first (that of being able to help those closest to you before reaching further afield).

I can stir crap up anymore? From now on I will use my icon to amuse and to annoy.

Cobra Commander for President!

I notice everybody keeps using the word "tolerance". I fucking hate it when people use that word in a context such as this. Just because you tolerate someone doesn't mean you necessarily hate them any less. For such forward thinking people, shouldn't we update our vocabulary to match?

Eric, as for your micro/macro point, it seems pretty self evident (to me at least) that shit ain't gonna get done at a macro level when things still haven't been worked out at the micro level. If I can't love my neighbour, how do I love a stranger? That's a helluva jump. Realistically I think you gotta take it one step at a time. This is a psychological revolution that has to be waged, and as such it has to be accomplished on a personal level. Granted, we've still got a long way to go if my notion of taboo irrelevancy holds true. While I may feel comfortable saying what I will around my friends, never would I dare say such things outside that environment.

Besides which, I'm not entirely convinced that this macro-racism you suggest is racism at all. I would argue that your examples have much more to do with a far more general altruistic deficiency (a problem that is no less significant!) than anything that pertains to racist intention.

How do you know it isn't my brother doing it? He spends a lot of time on this computer. Or maybe I'm just bored.

You know, Al, just because IP's aren't displayed, doesn't mean they aren't being recorded. I can still check exactly who is writing what...

How the hell is he using my Ualberta account to store his picture? Have I been hacked?!

What!? who's the fuck that's been messing with my icon?!!