> Abortion

Tricky. I can't honestly say that I'd want the mother of an unborn child of mine to have an abortion, but at the same time I don't think that the moral issue is so clear-cut that it warrants sweeping legislation. Thus, pro-choice- leave the choice of whether or not to have an abortion up to the mother. Pro-choice doesn't necessarily mean pro-abortion.

> Assisted Suicide

For those with terminal, painful, incurable diseases; yes. I don't think that the danger of encouraging old people to off themselves is too real- if such a thing ever happened, the public outcry would be incredible. Besides, the elderly have an awful lot of power.

> Death Penalty

Is taking the easy way out. No.

> Gun Control

Yes. Guns seem to rarely be used positively as an actual weapon- more often, they are used mainly as a deterrent. The point of having a handgun is so that you will never have to actually fire it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't- most of the time something goes wrong and people end up dead. You aren't going to be able to control it (much) for criminals, short of a worldwide prohibition on manufacture of firearms. That would not happen.

> God

In "The Moon By Night," (i think), by Madeleine L'Engle, one of Vicky Austin's uncles relates how he never really believed in God, but acted as if he did, because it seemed like the right thing to do. I go to church, and I'm lucky enough to have a pretty good preacher for a minister. He says a lot of good stuff about stuff.. (real specific there, I know.) People need some kind of moral guide in life; it doesn't have to be externally enforced by a religion, but often times, religions end up with pretty good systems of morals and ethics. In the long run, I think people are happier if they've arrived at their moral system and worldview through reflection, meditation, and/or prayer, rather than simply blindly accepting it. People who simply Believe, like Monica, mother of St. Augustine, might function perfectly well- but it's the Augustines who have arrived at something they feel is the Truth due to countless hours of reflection, who really have something to be proud of.

> School Uniforms

Unnecessary. However, short skirts and halter tops are inappropriate and distracting..

> School Security

If it's too visible, students end up getting intimidated by the security measures, and they're likely to be circumvented anyway. Fast, decisive response to people who cause trouble is much better. As with all things, you've got to have common sense. You don't lock a student up for poking another student or using a pocketknife to open a box, but if a kid tries to stab another one with their pocketknife, then you take action. People who are going to cause trouble are going to cause it regardless of whether they bring guns or knives to school. Removing the troublemakers and making sure they don't come back is the correct response, not witch-hunts for implements which look like the ones the troublemaker used to cause trouble.

> Human Genome Project

Good. However, insurance companies using this info to deny you medical coverage because of increased likelihood for expensive-to-treat diseases scares me. I can't really blame them, because it's a business with a bottom line to take care of, after all, but it scares me anyway. (of course, universal health care would solve this problem, but it'll never happen in the U.S.)

> Extra Terrestrial Life

Likely inevitable and common, in the case of unicellular organisms. I would not, however, be surprised if humanity never finds another concious life form. If we do, it's likely we wouldn't recognize it as such and accidentally kill it, anyway. (cynicism much?)

> Plastic Surgery

exists.

> Creation vs Evolution

not mutually incompatible. after all, the big bang had to come from somewhere.

> TV

american TV is awful, but I confess my fondness for Willow, the redheaded Wiccan and computer hacker on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Babylon 5 isn't bad either, and I'm looking forward to having cable in the fall so I can see the reruns (even if Comcast is a pack of thieves). British comedy is mostly great, and Red Green isn't half bad either.

> The Internet

rocks my world. if it wasn't for the internet i don't know what i'd do. as it is, i probably ought to join Internet Addicts Anonymous (but then i would have to give up time talking to my wonderful yummy friends on the Internet, which would make me go insane. and i don't want to do -that-..)

lo"ads of time pointlessly wasted by lo"ckeai