pi_of_9

Lighter fluid and a lit match. Heavier at first but lighter after a minute or two.

The Ansari Group could create a new X Prize for 2010. But it will take more than $10,000,000 in prize money. Then there maybe a possibility that it might happen by then, otherwise I think it'll be another 10 years or so.

Kerry is scary but Bush is not much better Nader just plain sucks

I can see this technology being used in the computer industry...clean, cool, and quiet. Overclockers would love it!

Hello all...pi_of_9 here. Obviously, I'm a Star Trek fan but have not been able to bring myself to attend a convention. I am still searching for my purpose in life...I thought saving lives as a paramedic was it, but I became apathetic. Too many idiots with self-inflicted injuries/illnesses. Quit after 14 years and now I sell books. No strange bodily fluids to clean up. I love science, love to learn. Oh, I love my husband and my pets as well. I enjoy this forum and learn a little something from it everyday.

Geode...they should have cast you for the Hoshi character on Star Trek Enterprise. Know any Zindi?

My point was that there is no requirement to show I.D. when entering the voting booth. All I have to do is walking into my precinct, tell them my name and address and walk into the booth. I could give any name and address, as long as it matches one on the list. It is a joke and a travesty. The sad part is that I don't forsee a change in the near future because there are too many "undocumented workers" in California and no politician wants to lose that constuency or the backing of latino voter. I am inclined to agree with LucidDreamer on the validity of national I.D. cards.

Not in California where no form of I.D. is required whatsoever. It is a violation of privacy. Some would say, "If you have nothing to hide, there's no need to worry". I say, that if you have not put the public in harm's way (i.e., no criminal record), the government needs to stay out of your business. I WOULD be inclined to agree that an I.D. card be issued for every person entering the country that is not a citizen. I would not be opposed to being issued a card should I visit another country. I firmly believe that every country has the right to track non-citizen that have crossed through the borders. __________________

bin Laden is a Muslem and hates the infidels (that would include the Chinese). He would not hide in a non-muslem community. My guess that he is in the Middle East, Africa, or Indonesia. Who knows, maybe he is pushing up daisies and his people are covering for him.

The U.S. forces just found another mass grave in Iraq. The Iraqi people weren't tortured? Have you read about the tortured athletes that didn't perform to expectations under Saddam's regime? The problem with Sudan is that the whole region is so unstable, if the U.S. went in, forces would be in place for decades. The U.S. does not need to be there any more than it needed to be in Iraq. Let the U.N. deal with it.

Bad for the general population, good for the incarcerated and those on probation. Actually, the criminals should have a chip surgically implanted and the government should have DNA records for every incarcerated person.

4 nuns in line at the Pearly Gates St. Peter asks the first nun: Have you ever broken your vow of chasity? The nun replies, "I saw a man's privates once and lusted". Peter saus "go to the bowl of holy water over there and wash your eyes with it. Then you may proceed to Heaven. St Peter asked the 2nd nun the same question to which she replied, "I touch a man's private parts once". St. Peter says, "Wash your hands in the Holy Water then proceed to Heaven" There's a commotion as the 4th nun runs toward the bowl of Holy Water. St Peter asks "Where are you going?" The nun replies, "I'm going to rinse my mouth before she puts her a** in it.

JaKiri has it right...He represents the States. Homosexuals account for about 5% of the population. It is a small, but vocal interest group. Atheists also make up about 5% and agnostics also make up about 5% of the population. The president (any president, not just Bush) should not to cater specifically to small segments of society. While I believe in States rights, this is one area that I believe that the all of the voters should decide. It should not be left to a President or a judge. The Methodist Church's official position on homosexuality is being challenged and may tear the church apart, as the Episcopalians...or was it the Presbyterians?

Communism provides no incentive for the individual to achieve. Why should person X work harder than person Y? Both receive the same pay and same crappy benefits. Person X will not receive a bonus or any reward for hard work or ingenuity. Most all Communist countries have very strict law enforcement to ensure conformity. People are not allowed to express their views openly (the old Communist Russia, China, Cuba, North Korea). I cherish my right to speak my part without fear of the government taking me away in the middle of the night, never to be seen again. Communism is a utopian concept and works in small communities where the individuals are of like minds with similar goals and objectives. Kibbutz and Communes are examples of communist micro-societies that function well. The people are not forced against their will to stay (although some radical religious communes have held their "followers" captive). In a large society, everyone has different desires, beliefs and levels of effort. Some people are down right lazy while others are great acheivers. I predict that in the next 50 years, Communism in China will be replaced by Socialism.

I have a question that deals with acceleration but did not want to start a new thread as the question has probably already been addressed. If there was a large hole that extended from the North Pole through the center of the Earth to the South Pole and a person fell in...would he fall all the way through or stop at the center? If he stops at the center would he move up and down like a bungie jumper until he comes to rest?