Introductions (23 posts)

10. Introduction
Fri, Jan 8, 1999 - 12:56 PM/EST
worker ant

Howdy. I'm Worker Ant, the contract programmer in Atlanta. I was raised by a wonderful, progressive mother (instead of Monopoly, we had a trust-busting boardgame called Anti-Monopoly) in a snobby suburban New Jersey town. Consequently, I loathe suburbs, now living and working in downtown Atlanta.

My stepfather is a dyed-in-the-wool Communist (one of perhaps two left in the wild). My natural father is conservative, money-driven, and bigoted. I like to think that I missed all those genes.

A few years ago I was more progressive than I am now. I find that as I grow older I'm becoming more conservative, a trend that alarms me. (Reading _Atlas Shrugged_ last year didn't help.)

Religion-wise, I was raised Unitarian, a lifelong atheist. I have deep misgivings about organized religion in general, though I find that most of my really close friends are religious. (Haven't figured that one out yet.)

I live with my boyfriend and two cats. I read almost obsessively, mostly nonfiction stuff.

That's the 5-minute me.

Worker Ant

11. Defining me
Fri, Jan 8, 1999 - 1:12 PM/EST
Aaron

Hrmmm, what to say ?? I guess I'll get some of the stats out of the way. I am employed and live in a tiny little town way up in northern Canada, currently just trying to survive the winter. I work for an architecture and engineering firm doing odds and ends, and hoping to break into a more computer oriented field. I'm 18 years old and have goine through a year of university (computer science) and plan to go back this fall ( although the destination still remains to be determined hehe). I thought that the premise of this forum was very interesting enough and that I should throw my hat in. Religously I would define myself as and agnostic/athiest, never having found kind of consitency I would like in any of the major religions (though there was a brief taoist stint a couple years back heh), but am quite happy for anyone who who finds a little bit of peace through religion regardless of the title. I've found myself becoming less and less defined politically, and find it very hard to accept any of the titles to which I have been exposed (which, admittedly is very few). I suppose that the best way for me to explain it would be to say that I am really right wing, but think that we should have something worthwhile to hold onto before we start protecting it, and if radical means are what it takes to change, then those means are neccisary. I guess that about covers it (for now).

Oh, Aaron is my real name ... i wasn't feeling very inventive when I signed up hehe

Best of luck and life
-aaron

12. Introduction
Fri, Jan 8, 1999 - 7:33 PM/EST
Hernick

I'm a young canadian, whose views unfortunately often conflict with those generally accepted by society.

I've been told I'm too eager to reject widely accepted ideas and that I should give them more consideration before adopting a rebellious position. I'd like to think I've done an educated choice and that I'm ready to defend my ideas to others and to myself with convincing arguments.

Read my bio. Perhaps you won't think as I do, perhaps you think I'm mistaken. I'm willing to discuss about any of my beliefs in a civilised way, I'll keep an open mind and perhaps even change my view. But I'll defend my ideas as well as I can.

My english isn't perfect. I've been raised in the place in North America where people speak french: Quebec. I haven't started to learn english until a few years ago. My syntax and vocabulary might not be perfect.

While the topic is impeachement, I think we should not limit ourselves to that. I've seen what the other groups did, and some of the best threads never even mention impeachement.

I read a few novels every month, almost all are fiction. I don't watch TV very much. Probably something like 12 hours in a month. I watch almost exclusively new episodes of both Star Treks, Babylon 5 and the X-Files...

I was an atheist for as long as I can remember. However, only recently did I carefully examine my religious beliefs. I was previously an atheist based on common sense. Now I understand *why* I don't believe. I respect people with other beliefs, though, and enjoy debating with them.

I've been part of real-life discussion groups before, but never of any online groups. I think this will prove to be interesting..

13. Just a hello...
Fri, Jan 8, 1999 - 8:16 PM/EST
Joseph

Posting this to say hello to all the people that are here. It is amazing that such a wide array of souls can communicate in such a manner. Their is really not much I can say about myself that you will find nesscary to know in order to interact. Therefore let us leave some things left to be discoverd through time spent sharing thoughts and ideas. I look forward to the time spent sharing the things that make us act like we do, our beleifs. Once again hello to all. Joseph Michael

14. Introduction
Fri, Jan 8, 1999 - 11:45 PM/EST
Graham

I am glad that there are some discussion concerning other topics. I do not question the importance of the topic nor peoples right to be interested in discussing. But at this point I am full. No more please.

To introduce myself. I consider myself liberal social and fiscally conservative. Actually, I think not that uncommon. I believe many of us have troubles with those labels since the major parties define conservative and liberal beyond so many people.

I live in a traditional suburban environment -- basically a Republican area. However, my neighbors are quiet diverse and things are not all that they seem. Although the area is considered uppercase those of us that live here realize the area is very ethically diverse and much different than the image.

My lifestyle is one that is becoming more common. I work at home, generally by myself. Although I end up with a lot of interactions with others. It is not a lonely existence, I am actually more connected to the community I live in.

15. my cryptic introduction
Sat, Jan 9, 1999 - 3:04 PM/EST
Atropos

on accident i posted my introduction under the "Subject Choice" thread. it is called " My mental file folder (here's me)."

16. Intro from Bobby D
Sat, Jan 9, 1999 - 9:57 PM/EST
Bobby D

Howdy folks! Like Mela, I am from the frozen Minnesota tundra -- go VIKINGS!!!!!!!!! I'm 41, originally from RI, but have lived all over the country, including CA and AZ before settling in MN 13 years ago.
Interesting mix of religious viewpoints we have here. I've gone from being a very devout Catholic in my earlier life to an athiest today. I've found the internet a great place to discuss religion (politely, of course!) and I'm sure our group will have some lively discussions.
Politically, I'm an uncommited moderate, although I vote democrat most of the time. I am most passionate about defending the wall of separation between church and state. I'think it has taken quite a bruising from the RR lately, but thank Bubba it is still standing.

BD

17. Introduction
Sun, Jan 10, 1999 - 1:47 AM/EST
bobfoote

Hi - My name is Bob, I'm 71, married, retired, and we live in Florida a bit over six months and in New Hampshire the rest of the time. We raised two sons, and the older lives in New York, married with three daughters, and we all keep in touch by e-mail, fax and phone. Our younger son was killed in an auto accident at 22 in 1981, and we miss him keenly still.

It has been especially interesting to see how many in our group are atheists. Though I was raised catholic, in my high school years I rebelled at dogma. I believe our ability to reason things out for ourselves is the highest faculty we have, and that faith is fundamentally antithetical to inquiry. It is sometimes hard to cut loose from having answers at the ready, but accepting that challenge exercises our humanity at its highest level I feel. I don't believe in an anthropomorphic god, and consider the edifice of organized religion based on rewards in a hereafter for the faithful followers wrong and sometimes damaging. At the same time there is mystery in what lies beyond the universe, and what lies within us physically, in our conscious and in our sub-conscious. So I'm not an atheist: I can't rule out the concept of some guiding pattern -- rather I'm agnostic.

Well, I'm also retired, basically an engineer who had a wonderful liberal education too. My work was research and development in the transportation field. I've travelled widely but not much recently. Politically I'm independent and try to be moderate. Generally I vote for the candidates I feel are best qualified regardless of party, but I'm influenced also by the desire to curb the ascendant extreme. That today is the Republican extreme, in spades. I sure look forward to discussing all this with you.

18. introduction
Mon, Jan 11, 1999 - 11:29 AM/EST
eireann

good morning-
sorry i'm late getting to this. i live in the icy, frozen tundra of what used to be the midwest, and my office has been closed due to the storms (or is that just one continuous storm?). we're finally getting back in today.

anyway, about me- i'm not religious in any way, shape, or form, the result of a mother that was raised much too catholic and vowed not to do the same to her only child and a father who was diligent about not espousing any of his beliefs, religious or otherwise, on me. i grew up in an extremely conservative detroit suburb but managed to turn out liberal nonetheless, particularly on social issues. i graduated from college (indiana university) last year. right now i'm working, taking some extra classes, and am in the middle of the graduate school application process.

the impeachment process makes me queasy. as much as i want to turn off all my tvs and radios, though, i understand its importance and i'm looking forward to being able to get away from the lurid details discuss it in a more intellectual manner. and please, no one get me started about ken starr.

guess that's about it.

19. Introductions
Mon, Jan 11, 1999 - 12:00 PM/EST
Cat

Hello everyone. You all have a head start on me. I went away for the weekend and didn't know I'd been assigned to a group.

Let's see ... where to begin. I am a 33 year old female. I live with my significant other, two Golden Retrievers and two cats. As you can probably surmise, I am quite an animal lover.

I have a law degree and worked as a lawyer for four years, including a stint as a clerk for a federal judge. I also have a B.S. in computer science and am somewhat of a computer addict. Thus, my recent acceptance of a position as a LAN administrator doesn't come as too much of a shock to people who know me.

Bob noted in the previous post that many in our group are atheists. You can count me among their ranks. I, too, was raised Catholic, even attending parochial school through eighth grade.

I'm sure you will all learn more about me as we go along. On to other posts.

20. just to let you know...
Wed, Jan 13, 1999 - 12:16 PM/EST
eireann

just to let you know, i have to go out of town for the next week or so. i won't be able to post again until the 25th. so i'm not ignoring everyone - i'll just have a lot to read once i get back!

-eireann

21. just to let you know
Wed, Jan 13, 1999 - 12:17 PM/EST
eireann

i have to go out of town for the next week or so. i won't be able to post until the 25th. so i'm not ignoring everybody. i'll just have a lot to read once i get back!

-eireann

21. sorry!
Wed, Jan 13, 1999 - 12:18 PM/EST
eireann

sorry for the double post - my computer gave me some screwy messages...

22. Introductions
Sun, Jan 24, 1999 - 7:05 PM/EST
FelixG

First of all, I apologise for joining the discussion so late, when you have already done all the heavy initial work.

I have read all your introductions, with admiration - particularly for JimP who took the first plunge so eloquently. At this late stage, perhaps it would be redundant to try matching them; I’ll restrict myself to detail which might seem relevant to assessment of a newcomer. Feel free to ask for more, if you feel it is needed, however.

Identifier: Like JimP, my identifier comprises my first name and my last (family name) initial.

Cultural perspective: I am not a North American; I am (at least technically) British. I have most of my life outside the UK but my home base has been in Weston-super-Mare, a town in the south-west of England, for the last decade. Few here would be happy to have me seen as representative, but I probably seem archetypically British from 6000km away! An outsider in this discussion, then, but any mistakes I make are my own, I can’t blame them on Britain as a whole.

Perhaps it is presumptuous of me to say anything at all about the US presidential impeachment? And yet - the reality of the world is that when an economic power as large as North America sneezes, the rest of us must take notice. If I seem to be out of line, please let me know - it won’t be deliberate, and I’ll try to be a fast learner.

Personal: I am 46 years old, once (amicably) divorced and now living with J, the reason for my current UK domicile. Two step children, no longer children but flown the nest and in new(ish) marriages of their own.

Political orientation: Like some of you, I freely admit my politics to be mixed, provisional and often self-contradictory. Probably closest to Gayle and eirann, most opposite to mmac - but that could change with the wind . Much of me was shaped by experience of the famines in Saharan Africa, and before that by conflicts around me in the middle East.

Hope that’s enough but not too much … I’ll off to the conversation thread, now!