April 24, 2009
Four For Friday
Q1 - Democracy: According to a friend of mine, the Pope is on record as saying democracy cannot survive without religion "A democracy without values can easily turn into an open or hidden totalitarianism as history teaches us." My friend read between the lines, replacing "values" with "religion." Do you agree with the PopeDo you think democracy can survive without organized religion?
Q2 - Replay: Sixteen years ago on Thanksgiving Day, Phillipsburg High School and Easton Area High School left the football field without a clear winner: a 7-7 tie. That is about to change. The participants, now grown men in their early 30s, will head back onto the field this weekend to settle the score. Are there moments from high school you would like to replay?
Q3 - Lawsuits: Three-quarters of all small business owners in the U.S. say they are concerned they might be the targets of a frivolous or unfair lawsuit. Of those who are most concerned, six in ten say the fear of lawsuits makes them feel more constrained in making business decisions, and 54 percent say lawsuits or the threat of lawsuits forced them to make decisions they otherwise would not have made. If you could have sued any one person from your past, who would you sue, and for what?
Q4 - Licensing: On this day in 1901, the State of New York became the first U.S. state to require automobile license plates. If you could require a person to obtain a license before doing something that currently does not require licensure, what would it be?
Posted by Mikal at April 24, 2009 10:34 PM
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Q1: Okay, okay, so I misquoted the Pope. Here's what he actually said: "A democracy without values can easily turn into an open or hidden totalitarianism as history teaches us." I read between the lines, replacing "values" with "religion." The Pope probably meant "Catholicism," but I hesitate to place even more wrong words in his mouth. At any rate, I agree with what the Pope said.
Q2: I try not to think about it too much. I swore off regrets a long time ago, but if I had it to do all over again, I think I would have had more exciting dates... of course, I would have had a lot more kids right now, too.
Q3: I'm not big on lawsuits, but I would have had my day in court over a car accident I had that I was found as being "at fault" in. The sheriff who wrote up the accident report was an obstinate idiot.
Q4: I would require that anyone who wanted to complain about something in a particular volunteer organization first volunteer for something. The harshest critics are often the least involved.
On my phone and in a rush, so I'll for short and sweet this time.
1. Absolutely democracy can survive without organized religion, but not without values. So I, too agree with the Pope.
2. Heh... I like Joe's answer and will therefore take the lazy way out and steal his answer.
3. My brother's ex girlfriend, because I hate her guts.
4. Might sound weird considering I'm starting a concealed carry class in a few minutes, but I'd say guns. You really ought to show profiency and safety knowledge before owning one.
Q1 - I would have to agree, because without values it's true that democracy could become very dangerous, very fast.
Q2 - Probably not. Or at least not anything I can think of off the top of my head.
Q3 - I don't believe in frivolous lawsuits, so no.
Q4 - I'll have to keep thinking about this one. I'd say having kids, but I don't think that's feasible.
1. Disagree. Religion is just as capable as inspiring totalitarianism as the theocratic regimes in Iran and the Taliban in Afghanistan have amply proved in recent times.
2. Redo? no. Block entirely from my memory? Yes.
3. Nothing's ever happened to me that's sue-able, thank goodness
4. People should have to get a license to breed. Any idiot couple can wake up pregnant and keep their kid(s) until they've more than amply demonstrated their unsuitability as parents.
1. Pure democracy is a very very scary thing with or without values/religion.
1- I think religion is not what is required, but that the quote as given by the Pope is accurate; values are necessary. Religion is just one set of values, but I have known many people I would consider to be very moral people who choose no religion.
2- I'm pretty satisfied with my high school years and while I have many fond memories, I don't have any desire to relive them.
3- I think this kind of suing is one of the biggest things that wrong with our society today, so I would choose not to sue anyone.
4- Reproduction should require some sore of license, or maybe we could just introduce "Toasty-Pants, the uranium lined underwear. They'll keep you warm all winter long!"
1.I think you need religion.
2.Can't hink of anything I would change, maybe not go out with the same guy for 4 years.
3.It doesn't affect my small business, but it has meant that I will not let my daughter drive my car until she has her permit.
4. There should be a license to have children.
Great Questions! You can read my answers here.
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