New Ledgie saying hi to all! - Page 6

strandinthewind · #76 05-26-2005, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushesandbriars

Maybe, but you have to understand that this is where it all starts: One group of people of people does not like having to help another group of people, and the people who have the wherewithal can then turn around and pay politicians to endorse their opinions, while the little squirt gets hosed; that's what I hate. Money's not everything, and the richest one percent of this country should have to help everyone; they're the ones with the means to do it. So when you start getting into, but this and but that, then you're right back to square one: The people in the middle getting stuck, because they have no way to buy people to make policy for them. The rich people buy their way out of it and into more money, and the poor people simply cannot pay--the government can try, but these people do not have it to give, and they need the help. And I'm all for help being given where it's needed, not paid for

I totally agree. That is why I am all for getting rid of deductions and exemptions - it would rid us of a bunch of the special interest groups and their swagger. I also totally agree with you that anyone who can demonstrate poverty should not pay one dime in tax - period. The problem will of course come with the def. of poverty - again lead by the special interest groups

J

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushesandbriars

ust my opinion--we're going to start fighting, are we? 'Cuz that was a short damn honeymoon, if we are!

I see your point, I'm just not sure I agree.

No, no fighting yet. But, no handholding either because I kind of miss Diss.

amber · #77 05-26-2005, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I totally agree. That is why I am all for getting rid of deductions and exemptions - it would rid us of a bunch of the special interest groups and their swagger. I also totally agree with you that anyone who can demonstrate poverty should not pay one dime in tax - period. The problem will of course come with the def. of poverty - again lead by the special interest groups

I am almost considering the merits of what you said. Almost.

strandinthewind · #78 05-26-2005, 02:42 PM

Another thing about special interest groups, the far right religious zealots are the worst IMO. They have been calculating for a theocracy since the end of WWII. They used Goddless Communism to insert religion here and there a la the Pledge of Allegiance and now that 50 or so years has gone by, they can rest easy knowing most asssume it was always there. They will bring this country to civil war IMO if they are not stopped.

dissention · #79 05-26-2005, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushesandbriars

Oh, and Dissention? I don't think you're scary at all.

(I assume you're being kind since it's my first time and all.

)

I am.

But just wait until you wade into the threads on the Chit Chat board, all bets are off.

strandinthewind · #80 05-26-2005, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amber

I am almost considering the merits of what you said. Almost.

just turn the corner and come in out of the darkness

Seriously, I totally get that no one poor should pay tax. I would set that bar at taxation starts at $30,000 or more a year and it is a flat tax of at most 20%. I think that would force the porcine govt. into a leaner state even if it produced some politicians sudoriferous over the demise of the special interest groups and their millions a year in perks to those slimeballs.

bushesandbriars · #81 05-26-2005, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

Hmm... my high school teacher told me to rewrite the ending because he "didn't get it." I smiled, told him "I'll think about it," and then did nothing of the sort.

That's one of those things where you have to make your own mind up and consider the source. James Joyce's brother, Stanislaus, told him that Ulysses was obviously the product of an infantile mind, and that he was ruining literature. And now that novel makes every "best of" list from here to Kingdom Come. You know when criticism is valuable and when it isn't.

My novel... started out as a challenge to write a simple love story with a happy ending (something I NEVER do). I couldn't get started so I changed the idea to a simple gay love story with a happy ending... the premise now bears absolutely no resemblance to the original idea and was never intended to be a novel but it kind of ended up that way. Now it's about an 18 year old boy who find himself homeless and out of desperation becomes a male escort. But don't get the wrong impression, it is not erotica. I've tried to keep the sexual aspect to minimum and only include erotic scenes that are pertinent to the plot or to character building. The protagonist, Jordan, is an extremely insecure young man who finds himself involved with four love interests. One is a wealthy and kind hearted middle-aged man who has an almost paternal relationship with Jordan. Another is a young man - in his twenties - who is extremely possesive and ultimately abusive. Third is a woman in her late twenties who offers a relationship based on equality. The fourth is an insecure virginal girl about the same age as Jordan who looks to him for support. Initially, only the middle-aged man knows that Jordan is a prostitute. I have decided how the story will end, but I won't reveal that right now. [/QUOTE]

That sounds really intriguing, and I think one of the things I love best about writing is the way an idea will morph and shift, and something you didn't get one day suddenly becomes clear, like a firecracker goes of in your brain. It sounds complex and like you have some rich opportunities to play around with character development and dialogue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

You'd make a killing selling that.

Tell me about it. If only.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Vicky

As for Anne Lamott, I am one of those really bad writers who almost NEVER reads anything - though really cheesy period romance novels are a guilty pleasure. I write because I hate reading; I only rarely ever find anything that can get and keep my interest so I usually don't even bother to look.

Out of curiosity, who have you tried and disliked? I know how hard it can be to find people you really like to read. I don't want to sound bossy; just curious. I usually read a lot of older novelists, because I don't tend to be too into a lot of scene today--Tom Clancy, John Grisham, et. all--I find them a bit dry, though I am not trying to insult people who enjoy them. To each her own.

Though I will say that the more you read, the stronger your own craft gets, in my opinion, but again I don't want to sound all bossy and holier-than-thou, because everyone has a different technique, and I can't speak from anything other than my own. 'nuf said.

bushesandbriars · #82 05-26-2005, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

I am.

And they say chivalry is dead, the bastards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissesntion

But just wait until you wade into the threads on the Chit Chat board, all bets are off.

Bring it on.

Oh, and everyone keeps saying, "wade" in relation to chit-chat--as in, "through the river Styx," or more like, "through s**t"?

dissention · #83 05-26-2005, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushesandbriars

That's one of those things where you have to make your own mind up and consider the source. James Joyce's brother, Stanislaus, told him that Ulysses was obviously the product of an infantile mind, and that he was ruining literature. And now that novel makes every "best of" list from here to Kingdom Come. You know when criticism is valuable and when it isn't.

I usually read a lot of older novelists, because I don't tend to be too into a lot of scene today--Tom Clancy, John Grisham, et. all--I find them a bit dry, though I am not trying to insult people who enjoy them.

I think I like you already.

amber · #84 05-26-2005, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushesandbriars

And they say chivalry is dead, the bastards.

Bring it on.

Oh, and everyone keeps saying, "wade" in relation to chit-chat--as in, "through the river Styx," or more like, "through s**t"?

More like through the most convoluted and meaningless (yet fun) arguments you've ever seen in your life. Which go on forever. So, with the meaninglessness, and the going on foreverness, it's a bit like both sh** and the river styx.

Miss Vicky · #85 05-26-2005, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushesandbriars

Out of curiosity, who have you tried and disliked? I know how hard it can be to find people you really like to read. I don't want to sound bossy; just curious. I usually read a lot of older novelists, because I don't tend to be too into a lot of scene today--Tom Clancy, John Grisham, et. all--I find them a bit dry, though I am not trying to insult people who enjoy them. To each her own.

Though I will say that the more you read, the stronger your own craft gets, in my opinion, but again I don't want to sound all bossy and holier-than-thou, because everyone has a different technique, and I can't speak from anything other than my own. 'nuf said.

I don't really stick to particular authors as none of them seem to be consistent in their quality. I go more by themes and premises. On the rare occasion that I am in a bookstore or library, I pick up books with interesting titles, read the back cover and then decide from there if I want to read it.
Another reason why I don't do much reading is the issue of time. Between work, school, and an attempt at a social life, I don't have much time for reading. What little free time I do have I try to dedicate to writing. I make an effort to work on my novel at least once a day and do much of my writing during my lunch breaks.
BTW - don't worry, I don't get offended very easily and you didn't come off as being preachy or anything.

bushesandbriars · #86 05-26-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Another thing about special interest groups, the far right religious zealots are the worst IMO. They have been calculating for a theocracy since the end of WWII. They used Goddless Communism to insert religion here and there a la the Pledge of Allegiance and now that 50 or so years has gone by, they can rest easy knowing most asssume it was always there. They will bring this country to civil war IMO if they are not stopped.

Whew, we still love each other.

And again, I agree--have you ever, out of curiosity, read The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood? It is one of the most frightening and brilliant political novels I know, and about that very thing. I don't know if you'd have war out in the streets, but I certainly think the bad feeling and tension that is going is just incredibly unsettling and scary, so who knows?

dissention · #87 05-26-2005, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushesandbriars

Bring it on.

Oh, and everyone keeps saying, "wade" in relation to chit-chat--as in, "through the river Styx," or more like, "through s**t"?

Both, dear.

There's a lot of bull****, but it's fun bull****.

bushesandbriars · #88 05-26-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissention

There's a lot of bull****, but it's fun bull****.

I love fun bull****. It's all the other kind I hate. Which is pretty much most bull****, now that I think of it.

strandinthewind · #89 05-26-2005, 03:01 PM

I must say I am thrououghly enjoying you all's literary discussion. I am not a big fan of Joyce, but clearly recognize he was a HUGE talent

I would like one day to write a book. It would be about my life as I have mother very much like Auntie Mame and trust me when I say I LIVED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dissention · #90 05-26-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bushesandbriars

Whew, we still love each other.

And again, I agree--have you ever, out of curiosity, read The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood? It is one of the most frightening and brilliant political novels I know, and about that very thing. I don't know if you'd have war out in the streets, but I certainly think the bad feeling and tension that is going is just incredibly unsettling and scary, so who knows?

I just read that back-to-back with Orwell's 1984 a couple of months ago; it's positively chilling. Our country has been bordering on a theocracy for years now, it's all been gaining momentum since Reagan was elected. It'll get much, much worse before it gets better.