I've often wondered a related question: Do 10,000 minor irritations and annoyances cause a bad mood, or does a pre-existing bad mood cause us to notice and pay attention to 10,000 minor annoyances. 

For me it was junior year in high school, the first time I had to deal with a preachy pinko history teacher. What I can't quite remember is how I originally got turned onto P.J. O'Rourke, who provided most of my thought-source material at the time.

If, as some people argue, the language of the Second Amendment only guarantees us the right to become soldiers, then this nation's history of  conscription would argue that it is a right we have to force people to enjoy. 

You pick your poison when it comes to the weather where you live. Don't enjoy blizzards, go live where blizzards are called floods. 

Personally I see it as a bulwark against environmentalism. Too many people in LA start to believe that Mother Earth loves us and will take care of us. The rest of us in the Great North (or tornado-ey Midwest) understand that Nature is trying to kill us, and we like to have our climate-controlled defenses ready.

You know, ghetto hip hop music sounds much better when you don't know what they're saying. 

According to the link provided, you're supposed to pick your own point. She claims the idea is based on Movember, when men would not shave their face for a month to raise awareness of prostate cancer, et al.

Perhaps it would be a handy fundraiser? Support this cause and I'll shave this stupid thing off!

Precisely. There are "death panels" happening in every hospital every day. But they consist of the doctor, the patient (if they're able) or kin, maybe a religious advisor. It only becomes scary when you replace all of those with the guy currently behind the counter at the DMV and a big book of regulations to follow.

Rationing of medical care happens today, as well. Every time I take two aspirin instead of going to the emergency room for my headache, I've just rationed medical care. You're welcome.

 I expect to see a yarmulke-wearing shark as soon as EJ Hill sees this post.

Fair point. Perhaps that is what Kenneth meant, also. Unless anyone ever had him read Great Expectations. Talk about pure fantasy!

See, my wife drags me away for a night out with friends and I miss all the fun.

My parents didn't have a basement, but I would have totally appropriated it if they had. I didn't *mean* to insult anybody, it was just my first reaction to Kenneth saying he didn't need pre-fab fantasies. What about the great works of fiction literature? They must have made you read Lord of the Flies, at least.

Is there any credit left in saying that although the Ravenclaw Ghost was Helena Ravenclaw, most of the school simply knew her as "The Grey Lady"? How is House Ravenclaw similar the The New York Times?

You must have had a great time in high school literature classes.

92% of all free online Sorting tests call me for Ravenclaw. And whoever authored that one outlier that said I belong in house Bloodhammer was obviously confused.

1. Because of the similar surname (although Josh is more likely a half-brother than an heir.)

2. Because Crookshanks was also notable primarily for his ability to smell a rat (Love you, Pseudo!)

3. Because once a humorous typo, always a humorous typo
4. Because you just yelled at Harry for writing while you were talking not 30 seconds ago!!

Well what do you know? There's a Westboro Mosque.

It surely is off-topic, but it sounds like a lot of fun. I endorse the idea!

Tangentially Relevant: If, as some people argue, the language of the Second Amendment only guarantees us the right to become soldiers, then this country's history of conscription (Civil War, WW!, WW2, Korea, Vietnam) would argue that it's a right we have to force people to enjoy.

I was so disappointed with movies 5 and 6 I have a hard time being excited for 7a. Maybe everything will be done well. Call me cautiously curious rather than excited. I'm not convinced that they'll use the extra time to increase the film's loyalty to the book.
In tangential news, my wife showed me some red carpet pics of Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy) sporting dark hair and a tan. He's thrilled to not be Malfoy anymore.