Interestingly, both me and my partner like flashing coloured lights on the tree - but according to a survey I heard on the radio this morning, white lights are a girly thing, while blokes like coloured lights.

Let's explode the myth - I'm interested in what both you and your partner like!

(but let's keep the subject on Christmas tree lights, eh? )

I fit right in with the survey. My wife likes all white. I like colored. I do not like flashing lights on a tree.

How can I resist a poll on Christmas tree lights for my first post?  Hey, as long as there is good music under the tree, the lights can be any thing - but I like the white ones (I'm girly, so it fits the theory)

Happy Holidays!

I like those flashy lights. Also I want them as blinding as the lighting effect Dream Theater used when I went to the Yes 35th Anniversery concert w/ Dream Theater. If my lights burn the eyes out of your head, then my lights are working the way I want them. (Cue evil music) Mwahahahah!!! (<Evil Laughter)

Elegant static white lights anything else is just tacky

I have no need for a Christmas tree, I just leave my curtains open.

gdub411 wrote: I have never had a Christmas Tree.....too lazy.

But the fairy gets to go on top!

I like the neo-static white lights on the tree indoors but the 1970s classic twinkly flashing colours on trees outside.

I like the way the Greeks use fairy lights outside at Christmas: palm trees with strands of white lights around the trunk and along the fronds, and *loads* of twinkly lights in the streets and on houses.

I was visiting someone last weekend and he showed me a street near his house where all the residents of the street compete to outdo each other with OTT external Christmas lights and decorations. It was fantastic! I think the street must have been using the entire output of a 600 megaWatt power station. Great fun.

I like the big bright different colored lights.. I need to have blue lights... just loved them as kid... I use the big ones that are static and the miniature ones that blink... Its a very colorful tree...

And Reed.... the angel goes on top  ( I have this great picture of Greg that fits nicely there)

He was no angel!

Fitzcarraldo wrote: He was no angel!

Maybe not to you... but he sure was to me!!  Fallen angel... but angel just the same.  Most angelic voice I ever heard....

Epilepsy should always be a goal when you're putting up lights

Dead Jester wrote: Somebody punched out my lights !!!!!!!!!!

Thats what happens when your lights are static....

tuxon wrote: I have no need for a Christmas tree, I just leave my curtains open.

Cool. This is what I see with my curtains open..

I'm an idiot and don't I know it

http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/fr/ludique/postale/message.html?carte=2">

In the night it sparkles every hour for 5 minutes unfortunately with a boring pattern!

Alucard wrote: http://www.tour-eiffel.fr/teiffel/fr/ludique/postale/message.html?carte=2"> In the night it sparkles every hour for 5 minutes unfortunately with a boring pattern!

I have family in Paris and I've seen the tower at night. It's quite pretty the first few times you see it glitter at the top of each hour.

Dead Jester wrote: I give up  I will never see the light.

Yes we know, isn't it terrific.

I go with the white lights. It kinda makes up for Central California's lack of snow.

sigod wrote: tuxon wrote: I have no need for a Christmas tree, I just leave my curtains open.   Cool. This is what I see with my curtains open...   Property prices are sh*t in this part of London.

Now this picture is pornographic, yet it is still here!

I dont see the fascists queuing up to complain!

Plus ca change...plus c'est la meme chose!

Reed Lover wrote:

I thought it was an amusing story by danbo, what was wrong with it.

tuxon wrote: Reed Lover wrote: I thought it was an amusing story by danbo, what was wrong with it.

Look at the whole page Tux. Looks great to any noobs. Hope they are all white!

Reed Lover wrote: Cool. This is what I see with my curtains open... (Picture Deleted - Just for you R-boy) Property prices are sh*t in this part of London.     Now this picture is pornographic, yet it is still here! I dont see the fascists queuing up to complain! Plus ca change...plus c'est la meme chose!

Its not in Main Discussions... nor is it put in context... supposedly its in London...

I understand what you mean. I thought danbo's story added well to it. setting us in our place at using that picture.

I quoted the photoghraph, with a little remark. I thought the pic. to be little over the edge myself. I shouldn't have quoted it..

I will delete it. with my apologies to all who took offence.

Its not in Main Discussions... nor is it put in context... supposedly its in London...

]

Oh I see so I have carte-blanche to post anything here ?

Oh goody!

Working at UPS allows me the good fortune to have met quite a few african americans. I am proud to say I have quite a few friends who are black because of the experience. Let me just say if they saw this thread it would be an enormous understatement when I say they wouldn't be amused!!

I have alot of gay friends  who would also find this thread despicable.

Outside it is blue and green
And everything once blurred is clear
I am part of the peripheral scene
That shines like cathedral glass

The sun breathes against the window
But its warmth just fades away
The humming road whispers low

(Kull/Weston)

I am sorry Danbo...you know I like ya, but I find nothing amusing about racism.

Maybe I should start an Amos and Andy thread for kicks.

If there were any black proggers , they're running for the door about now!!

My love is pale
A perfect shade of fear
Balled up on the floor
In need
We turned away the sun
Cold, empty, alone
Embrace the violence
The saints are silent
God won't perform here anymore

(Kull/Weston)

Where's the morality gone. Where are the knights to uphold the high ethical standart. Where is the spanish inquisition when you need them most.

Any discrimination based simply on race or color is barbarous, we care not how hallowed it be by custom, expedience, or prejudice.

I'm really not such an idiot that I don't realize that if a man calls me a nigger, it's his fault the first time, but mine if he has the opportunity to do it again.
Nella Larsen (1891 - 1964)
US novelist, nurse, and librarian.

It must be realized that racism is more serious than sexism. Black people are often killed for no reason other than they are Black. Racism is to sexism what cancer is to a toothache.

Racism is an ism to which everyone in the world today is exposed; for or against, we must take sides. And the history of the future will differ accordingly to the decision which we make.

Spain fined for racist chanting

Ashley Cole was subjected to abuse from the Spanish crowd Fifa has fined the Spanish Football Federation £44,750 after several England players were racially abused during last month's friendly in Madrid. England duo Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were the prime victims during the game on 17 November. Fifa's disciplinary panel also took into account the racist abuse which surfaced the previous night at the Under-21 game between the two nations. Spain were also warned that any repeat would result in heavier punishment. In a statement, Fifa stated that Spain could face the prospect of playing behind closed doors or possible expulsion from one or several of their competitions. We would have expected for the Spanish to be forced to play behind closed doors and warned about any incidents of racism at future games Kick It Out's Piara Powar But anti-racism campaign group Kick It Out feels the punishment does not go far enough. "Our immediate reaction is this judgment doesn't go far enough," said Piara Powar, the group's director and spokesman. "We would have expected for the Spanish to be forced to play behind closed doors and warned about any incidents of racism at future games." Fifa had vowed in their statement that "the Spanish football association or their relevant representative team may be forced to play behind closed doors or face exclusion from Fifa competitions if these offences are repeated". But Powar insisted: "That cuts little ice. This is no worse than a slap on the wrist. "We are talking about one of the major European football nations here. This is not an impoverished football association. The Spanish FA have been given a yellow card, not the red that many would have expected PFA chief Gordon Taylor They could afford a heavier fine, they should have been made to play behind closed doors, which as a footballing nation is the worst that can happen. It kills the atmosphere and revenue is lost. "The chanting that night was deeply offensive and demeans human beings. "This is simply not good enough by Fifa. It shows some governing bodies do not have a concerted approach to dealing with racism." Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, admitted he was surprised at how lenient the punishment was. "I think the general feeling in England will be one that the sanction is far too lenient, and I would be one of those who thinks that way," he said. "The Spanish FA have been given a yellow card, not the red that many would have expected. "But a point has been made by Fifa. The Spanish FA may consider themselves to have been lightly treated and they have an opportunity to get their house in order." Call me a cynic, but this hardly sends a message about Fifa's determination to stamp out racism From bvlc Have your say on 606 The English FA were not as critical as either Powar or Taylor but hinted they were disappointed with the punishment. "The FA stated very clearly that it was ultimately Fifa's responsibility to determine what disciplinary action should be taken," said a statement. "The FA must accept Fifa's decision to fine the Spanish FA £44,750. "The FA is firmly committed to fighting racism in football at all levels of the game. "We will continue to adopt a zero tolerance approach to any racist behaviour in English football and whenever any of our teams play abroad. "Racism is the scourge of the game and it is the responsibility of all who care about football to do everything within their power to eradicate it."

I once made a joke about a black person. Everybody explained that it was racism. My reply: are black lesser than us, that we can't make jokes about them for that's what I call racism.

Of course when you are deliberatly offending people that's a different story.

I'm very much against anything that has the purpose of putting other people down. And editing your posts so it does not offence someone, is putting them down, for you make the assumption they will not recognise the intend you have in mind. That's called thinking for someone else.

Reed Lover wrote: [QUOTE=threefates Its not in Main Discussions... nor is it put in context... supposedly its in London... ] Oh I see so I have carte-blanche to post anything here ? Oh goody!

What??  Are you trying to tell me that you've been controlling yourself so far ???

tuxon wrote: Where's the morality gone. Where are the knights to uphold the high ethical standart. Where is the spanish inquisition when you need them most.

No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!!!

Thanks to everyone. Sometimes we can raise the standards as well as lower them !

We should always be able to laugh at each other and never be frightened of making fools of ourselves.I know I do constantly.

You can go back to hating me now! Lets leave the civilians alone.

Merry Xmas and a progtastic New Year.

All:

Well...where to begin? 

Interesting thread; even more interesting tangent.  Two comments.

First, "racism" is, of course, wrong (and would not be tolerated here).  And had the post-er posted the photo with a personal statement that "This is how I feel about black people," that would have been racist.  However, the posting of a photograph depicting a racist action is not, in and of itself, "racist," and is thus not "actionable."  This is the difference between "protected free speech" and "hate speech," which is illegal and actionable.  (Don't get any ideas: the same does not hold true for pornography...)

Second, and as a corollary (no, not a coronary, despite Reed Lover's graphic...) to that, there will be no editing of this thread (any photo editing that has occurred was not done by me, anyway) - nor even any warnings - because, despite what some people may think, we really do value and cherish "free speech."

Keep up the good work...especially you, DJ; you're practically on my good side now (oops, shouldn't have said anything...).

Peace.

"When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide
Where I stop and I turn and I go for a ride
Till I get to the bottom and I see you again.

Do you, don't you want me to love you
I'm coming down fast but I'm miles above you
Tell me tell me tell me come on tell me the answer
You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer.

Helter skelter helter skelter
Helter skelter.

Will you, won't you want me to make you
I'm coming down fast but don't let me break you
Tell me tell me tell me the answer
You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer.

Look out helter skelter helter skelter
Helter skelter

Look out, cause here she comes.

When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide
And I stop and I turn and I go for a ride
And I get to the bottom and I see you again

Well do you, don't you want me to make you
I'm coming down fast but don't let me break you
Tell me tell me tell me the answer
You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer.

Look out helter skelter helter skelter
Helter skelter
Look out helter skelter
She's coming down fast
Yes she is
Yes she is."

Is this song about Christmas lights? Impending race wars? Forum decorum?

Charlie has had his say. Now it's your turn.

 None of the above.

Ice candles.

The sheer fragile, transient, doomed beauty. Sob.

Maani: we both like XTC, that´s as close as we´ll ever get and I try to behave like a good sheep. I just find these restrictions suffocating for my creativity It´s no fun when you have to think twice, everytime you want to post something.

Me & Maani

Perhaps this one will stay here

Rudolph The Rednosed Wino

Re: 'That' Picture.

Sorry about that everybody. I should have engaged brain first. I was merely trying to be silly in a Monty Python vein but I should have realised that my choice was not appropriate. I apologise unreservedly and I promise I'll wear the stupid idiot hat for the whole of the Xmas period.

I obviously offended people but that was never my intention. Sorry, sorry sorry...

Please forgive as it was never posted with malicious intent. 

This thread has come a long way from Christmas Lights to Racism. Anyway I don't think this is the right place for a "serious" discussion about Racism! Let's have the fun out here... and yes IMHO you can make fun of anything  and anyone in a given context.Remember all those jerks yelling on Zappa when he released Sheik yerbouti with Bobby Brown and the jewish princess in it.So as the good old man would have said. just put some Eyebrows on it.

Master inner voices, making choices 

sigod wrote: Re: 'That' Picture. Sorry about that everybody. I should have engaged brain first. I was merely trying to be silly in a Monty Python vein but I should have realised that my choice was not appropriate. I apologise unreservedly and I promise I'll wear the stupid idiot hat for the whole of the Xmas period. I obviously offended people but that was never my intention. Sorry, sorry sorry... Please forgive as it was never posted with malicious intent.

I forgive you, Honeybunch!!

Dead Jester wrote: Honeybunch!! ??   Sounds sticky

I hope so... 

sigod wrote: Re: 'That' Picture. Sorry about that everybody. I should have engaged brain first. I was merely trying to be silly in a Monty Python vein but I should have realised that my choice was not appropriate. I apologise unreservedly and I promise I'll wear the stupid idiot hat for the whole of the Xmas period. I obviously offended people but that was never my intention. Sorry, sorry sorry... Please forgive as it was never posted with malicious intent.

Sigod...I think you're perhaps the nicest guyz on this forum. I know you meant no ill when you placed that picture. I just thought it was a tad tasteless.

Not to say I haven't placed tasteless posts before...I was just a little shocked that you did. You're still tops to me though.

Is anyone actually offended by the picture?

Don't think I'm downplaying the apology and explanation, Reed. I understand we want to steer away from controversy on the forum whenever possible...but did anyone raise an objection based on personal offense rather than a general understanding of what might be construed as offensive to others (you know, personal feelings rather than abstract 'stance')?

It's not a rhetorical question...I just wanted to get an idea of the feelings of fellow members.

Didn't find it to be really offencive.

I understand that people might seek more behind the pic than intended.

The disclaimer written by Danbo was just fun. a good joke (though I initialy thought he was refering to the pic and tried to set us straigth in a witty manner). It's a shame he deleted it.

I think the removal of the picture wasn't really necesary, but in the light of the following discussion it was appropriate to remove it, for it could provoke more hardship than the picture was worth. and it is supposed to be a happy occasion, a friendly gathering of kindred spirits talking about lights and Christmastrees.

tuxon wrote: The disclaimer written by Danbo was just fun. a good joke (though I initialy thought he was refering to the pic and tried to set us straigth in a witty manner). It's a shame he deleted it.

I didn't really look at the picture. I read through the posts because I had an idea to make a play on the threads title, a bit of satire on the white/colored equality theme but with lights instead of people. Coupled with the photo it WAS in bad taste. I think it would not have been offensive on it's own, however, when I told my wife about it, she got her panties all bunched up and said it was, without a doubt, racist.  I'm sorry!

danbo wrote: tuxon wrote: The disclaimer written by Danbo was just fun. a good joke (though I initialy thought he was refering to the pic and tried to set us straigth in a witty manner). It's a shame he deleted it. I didn't really look at the picture. I read through the posts because I had an idea to make a play on the threads title, a bit of satire on the white/colored equality theme but with lights instead of people. Coupled with the photo it WAS in bad taste. I think it would not have been offensive on it's own, however, when I told my wife about it, she got her panties all bunched up and said it was, without a doubt, racist.  I'm sorry!

It was only problematic when coupled with the picture. I wasnt offended,I dont offend easily (ie at all) I just thought it was unfortunate.

Jester:

You, a sheep?  I think not.  More like a wolf in sheep's clothing...  And that's okay - as long as you "keep the sheep suit on" (as Sam the Sham says in "Little Red Riding Hood").  Still, I wouldn't want your creativity to "suffocate."  Feel free to let it out once in a while: "thinking twice" does not have to mean "playing possum"...(as Dylan says, "Don't think twice, it's alright...)

Having said that, I must say that I'm mightily impressed with the "new" Jester; not that you need to impress me (or anyone else).  Just that you seem so much more...approachable.  (Ooooooh...how you must hate that!   )

Ah...XTC.  If Styx and Supertramp belong here, so do they.  It's all so unfair.  I'm gonna have to talk to someone about it...

Peace.

maani wrote: Jester: You, a sheep?  I think not.  More like a wolf in sheep's clothing...  And that's okay - as long as you "keep the sheep suit on" (as Sam the Sham says in "Little Red Riding Hood").  Still, I wouldn't want your creativity to "suffocate."  Feel free to let it out once in a while: "thinking twice" does not have to mean "playing possum"...(as Dylan says, "Don't think twice, it's alright...) Having said that, I must say that I'm mightily impressed with the "new" Jester; not that you need to impress me (or anyone else).  Just that you seem so much more...approachable.  Ah...XTC.  If Styx and Supertramp belong here, so do they.  It's all so unfair.  I'm gonna have to talk to someone about it... Peace.

Maani, Cert has a really nice pair of wellies he'd like to share with you!

Jester:

Don't tell me you actally own that, do you?

Peace.

gdub411 wrote: sigod wrote: Re: 'That' Picture. Sorry about that everybody. I should have engaged brain first. I was merely trying to be silly in a Monty Python vein but I should have realised that my choice was not appropriate. I apologise unreservedly and I promise I'll wear the stupid idiot hat for the whole of the Xmas period. I obviously offended people but that was never my intention. Sorry, sorry sorry... Please forgive as it was never posted with malicious intent.  Sigod...I think you're perhaps the nicest guyz on this forum. I know you meant no ill when you placed that picture. I just thought it was a tad tasteless. Not to say I haven't placed tasteless posts before...I was just a little shocked that you did. You're still tops to me though.

You see, now I've got to come over and cook you dinner.   

sigod wrote: You see, now I've got to come over and cook you dinner.

An unfortunately ambiguous sentence, Sigod.

Maybe better to say "You see,now I've got to come round and cook you dinner."

Your sentence suggests something akin to "stuffing the turkey", before cooking it. Although I doubt if Greg would mind!

Reed Lover wrote: sigod wrote: You see, now I've got to come over and cook you dinner.     An unfortunately ambiguous sentence, Sigod. Maybe better to say "You see,now I've got to come round and cook you dinner." Your sentence suggests something akin to "stuffing the turkey", before cooking it. Although I doubt if Greg would mind!

I truly have arrived in the land of smut!

It's like being on the set of a Carry On... film here

Anyway, I was fround my friend's house yesterday and he asked me to inspect his back passage...

threefates wrote: There's obviously a lot of children in the house these days....

That's part of the family experience around the holidays!

sigod wrote: Reed Lover wrote: sigod wrote: You see, now I've got to come over and cook you dinner.     An unfortunately ambiguous sentence, Sigod. Maybe better to say "You see,now I've got to come round and cook you dinner." Your sentence suggests something akin to "stuffing the turkey", before cooking it. Although I doubt if Greg would mind! I truly have arrived in the land of smut! It's like being on the set of a Carry On... film here Anyway, I was fround my friend's house yesterday and he asked me to inspect his back passage...

Who lives there?                Emma ?

Emma Roids?

James Lee wrote: threefates wrote: There's obviously a lot of children in the house these days.... That's part of the family experience around the holidays!

Yeah...just like the american way....one big dysfunctional family!

threefates wrote: You guys should be ashamed of yourselves... There's obviously a lot of children in the house these days....

Which house are you at Michael Jacksons?

Garion81 wrote: threefates wrote: You guys should be ashamed of yourselves... There's obviously a lot of children in the house these days.... Which house are you at Michael Jacksons?

No, the Progarchives house... if you haven't notice, we seemed to have gained an entire high school class in here lately...