Mighty AC

Like you suggested Maester Aemon may know and possibly Ser Barristan Selmy?? He was part of that story line... Robert Baratheon always believed that Lyanna was kidnapped and raped, but I think it was Barristan that said he believed she loved Rhaegar. From what I understand Daenerys can't have anymore children, so her possible, eventual time at the top will be temporary. That's partly why I think it will turn out that Jon has some Targaryen blood in him.

Peeves, let me get this straight. When Muslims kill or endorse violence it's the fault of their religion, whereas when Christians do the same it's the fault of the individual? It seems to me that in either case people are killing for brainwashed beliefs forced upon them by the accidental location of their birth. In my opinion, the solution is the dilution of the power of religion through increased skepticism and critical thinking. We're moving in the right direction, but just not as fast as I'd like. That tends to be the nature of cultural change and progress though.

By picking favourites in the procurement process for political gain?

Even if we ignore climate issues, I think we can all agree that fossil energy has to go simply due to economic, health and environmental reasons. The change need not be gradual though. The world is currently subsidizing fossil energy to the tune of Two Trillion Dollars annually. Shifting that same funding to renewable sources will very quickly put us well on the way to solving our energy and pollution problems. Despite the money and connections of the fossil energy industries, common sense is starting to prevail anyway. This story made me smile: World’s Biggest Coal Company Turns to Solar Energy to Lower Utility Bill

I apologize if this has already been discussed. There is a theory that Jon Snow's actual parents are Ned Stark's sister Lyanna and Rhaegar Targaryen; hence the series title 'A Song Of Ice and Fire' actually refers to Jon as the product of Targaryens and Starks. Some suggest that Ned's promise to Lyanna was actually to protect and raise her son as his own. I'm only through the first book but this idea makes sense to me. Thoughts?

Yet those same fundamentalists always feel justified in doing their god's work. Sad that these evil, vengeful gods are so pitiful and weak that they require humans to do their bidding. Christianity certainly leads the league in historical religious violence but Islam is currently a larger problem. However, Christian terrorists aren't done yet; they are still killing, and advocating violence, in the name of their all loving, peaceful god. Until fairly recently targets of violence where often other sects of Christianity, but now they tend to target gays, abortion doctors and Muslims. Homosexuals Anti-homosexuality Bill - Uganda Openly Gay Mississippi Mayoral Candidate Set On Fire and Dumped in River 70 year old gay man stoned to death Christian kills his 5 year old for being gay Other Religions Fundamentalist Kills 77 In Norway to "Preserve a Christian Europe" Christians burn 100's of Muslims alive in Nigeria Doctors Born Again Christian Kills Abortion Doctor South Dakota Moves To Legalize Killing Abortion Providers Man wielding axe attacks Planned Parenthood clinic, cites religious beliefs Sniper Attacks on Doctors Create Climate of Fear in Canada In my opinion, religious belief in general requires the suspension of rational thought. Some very rational and reasonable people purposefully refuse to apply the same sound, skepticism to religion that they apply to every other area of their lives. How is this achieved? A culture of brainwashing. Teach anyone from birth that this life matters little and the god is always right and you get a compliant puppet. Now throw strife, poverty, anger, promises of rewards for positive action and you have a compliant soldier.

In short, the Minister of Transport, Denis Lebel, granted a Quebec helicopter manufacturer (Bell Helicopter) an aviation regulations exemption that provide an unfair advantage. As it turns out Lebel is also the Economic Development Minister for Quebec, and now the advantage has left Bell as the only company in the running for a $200M contract, that will total near $1B after maintenance is included. Eurocopter, which produces helicopters in Fort Erie, Ontario has filed a lawsuit. "The controversial weight exemption was granted in the face of pleas from Tory MP Rick Dykstra, who urged the Minister to abandon the plan for fear it would “undermine our commitment to a fair procurement environment … [and] risk damaging the integrity of Transport Canada, due to the perception of collusion with a Canadian company in the absence of any clear public interest,” according to a letter obtained by the National Post." The snowballing list of scandals and controversies associated with this government seem to suggest that they've reached the inevitable, arrogant, end phase of rule. The "power corrupts" law always seems to hold true, doesn't it? ‘It’s the F-35s all over again’: MPs question Ottawa’s $200M helicopter contract as competitor files suit

I wasn't aware of that series, though it looks like something I would have liked.

At present, Islam is certainly more of a problem than Christianity, as the latter has been forced to temper its views to a greater degree over time. However, Christians are still killing for their religious beliefs. Do you feel it is worse to aspire to die while killing for religion than to simply kill for religion?

Ah...you missed an opportunity. If you're going to make such an off topic post you really should have spelled 'bad' like a sheep would say it. ba-ah-ah-ah-ad.

'Beware of cookies bearing fortune' I'm about to start book 2. I really hope that by the time I've finished the series I get to read about Tyrion, gutting Tywin and then saying "A Lannister ALWAYS pays his debts!"

Is telling unions what they want to hear any different than telling religious groups what they want to hear? Politicians love sheeple wherever they can get them.

Well said! Sheeple are an extremely valuable resource. You have many individuals easily lead or controlled by a few. To sweeten the pot, these are people who have willingly suspended their reason to varying degrees. The leaders of sheeple desire to increase their flock and influence and political leaders desire support for their agenda. Co-opting sheeple into one's political ideology via control of a few religious leaders is a time tested, effective way to grab power and get ish done.

It's also in their handbook. Thanks to this story I was also alerted to the fact that the SA has been lobbying against equal rights for years. With so many charitable organizations to choose from, I think it's just right to find a more moral option. If down the road I find out that other charities I support engage in hateful practices I will drop them as well.

I'm not sure how this could be viewed as a win by the unions. The end of banked sick days and slightly fewer total sick days was a big, important and necessary concession. I was annoyed by the ETFO antics during the negotiation process, but government did what was right (IMO), stuck to their guns and trimmed costs. Now they have to mend working relationships. To be punitive would be irresponsible and hurt education. Time to build bridges as more cost cutting will be necessary 4 years from now. Every year the ratio of the working to retired gets smaller and smaller.

AW, Christians kill doctors, attack homosexuals, protest military funerals, etc. Are all Christians reprehensible? No. However, those that knowingly belong to groups and congregations that preach or engage in violence, hate or discrimination are. Works the same for Muslims as well. I was a supporter of the SA. This story caused me to read about their long and ongoing fight against equal rights. I don't feel bad for supporting them in the past, but I should be considered part of the problem if I continued to support them.

So the police knew of an ongoing relationship between Ford and the 3 men in the infamous photo. Two of which have been arrested and the third is now dead. This is not simply a case of the 'maggot' press having it in for the mayor. My guess is that the 'Dixon Bloods' simply sold drugs to Ford on an ongoing basis and his involvement goes no deeper. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2013/06/13/toronto-police-raids.html

The police knew about the existence of the Ford crack video weeks before it was reported by the Star. I wonder if they actually recorded Rob on their phone taps. http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/exclusive-toronto-police-probing-alleged-crack-video-linked-to-ford-weeks-before-story-broke-1.1323657

A misinterpretation? I may have bought that line if the Salvation didn't actively lobby against equal rights for homosexuals, and their spokesperson hadn't done the interview listed in the OP. I hope they just update their handbook.

I agree completely, but I expect that they will just stick with the 'you're interpreting it wrong' bit and leave the handbook as is.

The problem is those beliefs aren't just Craibe's personal views; they are spelled out in the 'Salvationist Handbook of Doctrine'. Mr. Craibe is really just being honest about SA beliefs. Showing him the door just sweeps the hate under the rug.

Wow! This really negates the good charity work they do. The man being interviewed is the media relations director, not just a crackpot volunteer 'soldier'. As Hitchens once said "religion poisons everything." http://tgvnews.com/2013/06/salvation-army-says-gays-need-to-be-put-to-death/

Here is a link to Trent's new single: http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/hear-new-nine-inch-nails-song-came-back-haunted/ Any other NIN fans out there? What do you think of the single? Personally, I don't really like it.

Great song, great album. His new single should be out now too. Going to look for it now.

I'm reading the books, but I'm behind the TV series. Usually, I prefer to read books before movies/shows but I am glad that I was surprised by the 'red wedding' scene. Wow..that was a shock. Joke: "Why doesn't George R.R. Martin use Twitter? He already killed off all 140 characters."