Wesley: All right. I'm going to let you all in on something you may have trouble comprehending. I assure you however-- Gunn: Vampires are real. Wesley: I was telling!

'The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco'


Natter 36: But We Digress...  

Off-topic discussion. Wanna talk about corsets, duct tape, or physics? This is the place. Detailed discussion of any current-season TV must be whitefonted.


§ ita § - Jun 15, 2005 12:08:51 pm PDT #2238 of 10001
Well not canonically, no, but this is transformative fiction.

It would get a tricky once you get past five kids.

So does keeping them clothed or sending them to school or getting them medical attention. More kids requires more money.


sarameg - Jun 15, 2005 12:10:46 pm PDT #2239 of 10001

FUCK.

No car until tomorrow.

The shipment came in late.


Connie Neil - Jun 15, 2005 12:12:24 pm PDT #2240 of 10001
brillig

Mandatory seat belts also runs into "How dare you infringe on my freedom to die messily!" thing around here. I'm thinking somebody intelligent pointed out that five-year-olds aren't old enough to decide they want to die messily in car wrecks.


Nutty - Jun 15, 2005 12:14:11 pm PDT #2241 of 10001
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."

Note to upwardly-mobile cults (i.e., aspiring to religion-hood): long-term plans are your best friends. I don't care how imminent a rapture may be; if the ATF, FBI, DEA, or Social Services shows up first, you are still screwed. That goes double if they bring national news reporters with them.

I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion. Even the doctrine doesn't have to have a long-term plan, but the leaders sure better have one. Basic advice, about the level of:

Hey, Giant Accounting Firms: Don't let evil corporations cook your books in wildly obvious ways! Even if the Supreme Court doesn't hold you responsible in the end, you will still be squashed like a fraudulent bug.

And:

Hey, Evil Corporation: if you're gonna snooker the state of California, for CRYING OUT LOUD don't do it on tape! That is what meetings in underground parking structures are FOR!! Prove to me you're at least as smart as Hal Holbrook, you seething, rapacious pile of shmuckery!!!

Actually, this is kind of therapeutic.


kat perez - Jun 15, 2005 12:16:23 pm PDT #2242 of 10001
"We have trust issues." Mylar

I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion.

This, I love. A lot.


Atropa - Jun 15, 2005 12:19:22 pm PDT #2243 of 10001
The artist formerly associated with cupcakes.

I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion.

So I don't have to have long-term planning skills to start a cult? Y'know, that option is looking better and better ...


tommyrot - Jun 15, 2005 12:19:28 pm PDT #2244 of 10001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion.

Although I was taught that when Jesus told His disciples that He'd return some day, they thought He meant in their lifetime.


Vortex - Jun 15, 2005 12:20:40 pm PDT #2245 of 10001
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman

Although I was taught that when Jesus told His disciples that He'd return some day, they thought He meant in their lifetime.

that's what I call long term planning.


tommyrot - Jun 15, 2005 12:20:57 pm PDT #2246 of 10001
Sir, it's not an offence to let your cat eat your bacon. Okay? And we don't arrest cats, I'm very sorry.

So I don't have to have long-term planning skills to start a cult? Y'know, that option is looking better and better ...

Oh, and I learned in high school that all religions start out as cults; it's the cults that survive the death of their cult leader that turn into religions.


Nutty - Jun 15, 2005 12:22:33 pm PDT #2247 of 10001
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."

Although I was taught that when Jesus told His disciples that He'd return some day, they thought He meant in their lifetime.

I think the point is, they wised up. Anyway, you can say "any day now!" in public all you want, as long as you're quietly keeping the priests from diddling children and embezzling the tithes for illicit bingo.