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At Last! Unitarian Jihad!
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Subject: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 04 May 05 - 09:43 PM The following is the first communique from a group calling itself Unitarian Jihad. It was sent to me at The Chronicle via an anonymous spam remailer. I have no idea whether other news organizations have received this communique, and, if so, why they have not chosen to print it. Perhaps they fear starting a panic. I feel strongly that the truth, no matter how alarming, trivial or disgusting, must always be told. I am pleased to report that the words below are at least not disgusting: Greetings to the Imprisoned Citizens of the United States. We are Unitarian Jihad. There is only God, unless there is more than one God. The vote of our God subcommittee is 10-8 in favor of one God, with two abstentions. Brother Flaming Sword of Moderation noted the possibility of there being no God at all, and his objection was noted with love by the secretary. Greetings to the Imprisoned Citizens of the United States! Too long has your attention been waylaid by the bright baubles of extremist thought. Too long have fundamentalist yahoos of all religions (except Buddhism -- 14-5 vote, no abstentions, fundamentalism subcommittee) made your head hurt. Too long have you been buffeted by angry people who think that God talks to them. You have a right to your moderation! You have the power to be calm! We will use the IED of truth to explode the SUV of dogmatic expression! People of the United States, why is everyone yelling at you??? Whatever happened to ... you know, everything? Why is the news dominated by nutballs saying that the Ten Commandments have to be tattooed inside the eyelids of every American, or that Allah has told them to kill Americans in order to rid the world of Satan, or that Yahweh has instructed them to go live wherever they feel like, or that Shiva thinks bombing mosques is a great idea? Sister Immaculate Dagger of Peace notes for the record that we mean no disrespect to Jews, Muslims, Christians or Hindus. Referred back to the committee of the whole for further discussion. We are Unitarian Jihad. We are everywhere. We have not been born again, nor have we sworn a blood oath. We do not think that God cares what we read, what we eat or whom we sleep with. Brother Neutron Bomb of Serenity notes for the record that he does not have a moral code but is nevertheless a good person, and Unexalted Leader Garrote of Forgiveness stipulates that Brother Neutron Bomb of Serenity is a good person, and this is to be reflected in the minutes. Beware! Unless you people shut up and begin acting like grown-ups with brains enough to understand the difference between political belief and personal faith, the Unitarian Jihad will begin a series of terrorist-like actions. We will take over television studios, kidnap so-called commentators and broadcast calm, well-reasoned discussions of the issues of the day. We will not try for "balance" by hiring fruitcakes; we will try for balance by hiring non-ideologues who have carefully thought through the issues. We are Unitarian Jihad. We will appear in public places and require people to shake hands with each other. (Sister Hand Grenade of Love suggested that we institute a terror regime of mandatory hugging, but her motion was not formally introduced because of lack of a quorum.) We will require all lobbyists, spokesmen and campaign managers to dress like trout in public. Televangelists will be forced to take jobs as Xerox repair specialists. Demagogues of all stripes will be required to read Proust out loud in prisons. We are Unitarian Jihad, and our motto is: "Sincerity is not enough." We have heard from enough sincere people to last a lifetime already. Just because you believe it's true doesn't make it true. Just because your motives are pure doesn't mean you are not doing harm. Get a dog, or comfort someone in a nursing home, or just feed the birds in the park. Play basketball. Lighten up. The world is not out to get you, except in the sense that the world is out to get everyone. Brother Gatling Gun of Patience notes that he's pretty sure the world is out to get him because everyone laughs when he says he is a Unitarian. There were murmurs of assent around the room, and someone suggested that we buy some Congress members and really stick it to the Baptists. But this was deemed against Revolutionary Principles, and Brother Gatling Gun of Patience was remanded to the Sunday Flowers and Banners committee. People of the United States! We are Unitarian Jihad! We can strike without warning. Pockets of reasonableness and harmony will appear as if from nowhere! Nice people will run the government again! There will be coffee and cookies in the Gandhi Room after the revolution. Startling new underground group spreads lack of panic! Citizens declare themselves "relatively unafraid" of threats of undeclared rationality. People can still go to France, terrorist leader says. Michael row the boat ashore, and then get some of the local kids to pull the boat onto the dock, and come visit with jcarroll@sfchronicle.com |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 04 May 05 - 09:44 PM Sorry. This (for all its cultural importance) was meant to be "downstairs". Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: beardedbruce Date: 04 May 05 - 09:49 PM "Just because you believe it's true doesn't make it true. Just because your motives are pure doesn't mean you are not doing harm. " Can I put this in my "NON-Partisan political comments " thread? (this is the first I have asked permission about- but I would hate to miss the coffee and cookies in the Gandhi room...) |
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Subject: Sign me up From: OtherDave Date: 04 May 05 - 10:00 PM The most sensible thing I've read all week: Just because you believe it's true doesn't make it true. Just because your motives are pure doesn't mean you are not doing harm. Bless you, Uncle Dave. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 04 May 05 - 10:24 PM Bearded Bruce: As far as I'm concerned, you can do as you like with it. Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Bill D Date: 04 May 05 - 10:34 PM A truly Hey...didn't someone post Pope Benedict's email recently? He probably needs to read this. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 04 May 05 - 10:47 PM "What I am against is quotas. I am against hard quotas, quotas they basically delineate based upon whatever. However they delineate, quotas, I think, vulcanize society. So I don't know how that fits into what everybody else is saying, their relative positions, but that's my position." President Dubya. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Alba Date: 04 May 05 - 10:59 PM ah clarity abounds as usual from GW...lol Blessings Jude |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: wysiwyg Date: 04 May 05 - 11:05 PM Damn, Dave, that is some reasonably cool sh*t. And you can put that in the minutes! ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 04 May 05 - 11:09 PM Have to agree with Susan. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: CarolC Date: 05 May 05 - 12:33 AM Looks like Robert's Rules of Order is their bible though... ;-) |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: GUEST,Mark Cohen, away from home Date: 05 May 05 - 12:45 AM Utah Phillips predicted this, you know. Many years ago, I heard him say, "Just yesterday the Unitarians burned a question mark on my front lawn." Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: BK Lick Date: 05 May 05 - 03:35 AM In case anyone's interested in learning more about Jon Carroll's San Francisco Chronicle column (copied here without attribution) and the considerable stir it has caused, here's a good place to jump in: Unitarian Jihad —BK Lick. aka Brother Hand Grenade of Patience |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Bat Goddess Date: 05 May 05 - 07:53 AM Best piece I've read in ages. Linn (aka Sister Whip of Warm Charity -- or Sibling Spikey Mace of Enlightened Compassion) |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: A Wandering Minstrel Date: 05 May 05 - 07:59 AM How excellent The Machine Gun of Desirable Mindfulness |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: OtherDave Date: 05 May 05 - 08:37 AM I think I'll go for 'the Lochaber Axe of Congeniality.' |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Dave (the ancient mariner) Date: 05 May 05 - 08:42 AM Prepareth the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: jeffp Date: 05 May 05 - 08:58 AM Absolutely brilliant! jeffp aka Brother Dagger of Courteous Love |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Ellenpoly Date: 05 May 05 - 09:01 AM Jumping onboard the Unitarian Jihad Train...Wahooouu! "Sister Blunderbuss of Rationality" |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: GUEST,kat coming in the back door Date: 05 May 05 - 09:17 AM Thanks, Dvae! I LOVE it!!!! |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: GUEST,John O'Lennaine Date: 05 May 05 - 09:45 AM Brother Shotgun of Courteous Debate is glad to see there are still pockets of rationality about. Today has been a good day. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: GUEST Date: 05 May 05 - 11:16 AM I, Claymore of Tolerant Rationality, concur whole-heartedly!! A |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: GUEST Date: 05 May 05 - 11:25 AM Unitarian Jehovah's Witness -- goes door to door for no apparent reason. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: GUEST,My Unitarian Name Date: 05 May 05 - 11:27 AM I really think I like this better than my blues name: "Heat-Seeking Missile of Sisterly Helpfulness" If I am accurate in this naming, you will know who I am quite easily. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: GUEST,jacqui.c Date: 05 May 05 - 11:50 AM Dave - this is great. At last a voice of reason! Where do I sign up? |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 05 May 05 - 01:18 PM BK Lick mentioned that the article was "copied here without attribution". Since the very first paragraph mentioned that it had been "sent to me at the Chronicle", and the last paragraph gave the author's e-mail address at the SFChronicle, I didn't see any necessity of giving further attribution. I thought it was obvious. And incidentally, thanks for the link, BK Lick. Interesting. Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Bill D Date: 05 May 05 - 01:34 PM Let us all sing the hymn now .."We Would Rather Not be Moved", led by Brother Headthumper of Indiscriminate Pummeling |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Dani Date: 05 May 05 - 01:48 PM Amen! Too funny. Thanks for the lighthearted (?) laugh. Dani |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: heric Date: 05 May 05 - 01:59 PM (The attribution was pretty darned obvious, Unc. I went and read it there. Peace, brothers.) |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Alba Date: 05 May 05 - 02:13 PM From Sister Nail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism (do they know me well or what!!!) I extend a warm and loud Jihadaylouyah to my Brothers and Sisters At last, action, kind of...well a little..oh bu***er it...at least I have my name which is good for starters. :>) |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Bill D Date: 05 May 05 - 02:24 PM ah, I have 'received' the title of "Brother Flaming Hammer of Balance"--- Couldn't have done better if I had studied it for years! |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: wysiwyg Date: 05 May 05 - 02:29 PM Take the name given or create one's own? Kinda like having multiple Mudcat memberships. "Sister Broad Axe of Loving Forgiveness" Helpful when removing virtual artificial limbs. ~S~ |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: beardedbruce Date: 05 May 05 - 02:30 PM Brother Neutron Bomb of Forgiveness.... I may forgive, but I never forget. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: PoppaGator Date: 05 May 05 - 02:43 PM I am now officially "Brother Sword of Mild Reason," thank you very much. Those of you with even better Unitarian Jihad names than mine: Were you assigned a name by the website accessed via BK Lick's blue clicky, or did you cheat and make up your own? Oh well, it's all good, right? As long as we all carefully consider Moses' Ten Suggestions in everything we do... |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: BK Lick Date: 05 May 05 - 03:45 PM Since the very first paragraph mentioned that it had been "sent to me at the Chronicle", and the last paragraph gave the author's e-mail address at the SFChronicle, I didn't see any necessity of giving further attribution. I thought it was obvious.Well, maybe not so obvious to some, like beardedbruce, OtherDave, Bill D, WYSIWYG, brucie, or jacqui.c, for instance. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: wysiwyg Date: 05 May 05 - 04:18 PM BK, Don't lay that one on ME. I don't care WHERE he got it, I appreciated his sharing it. My whole response came from the delicious idea he'd brought us. Mudcat needs Unitarian help! And so do I, apparently. ~Sister Mushroom Cloud of Mild Moderation |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Amergin Date: 05 May 05 - 04:20 PM I be Brother Guillotine of Loving Rationality. No need to lose your head over this, brothers and sisters. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Donuel Date: 05 May 05 - 04:57 PM Wonderful example of amplified zero tolerence squared. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 05:02 PM I am Daddy Bebop of the Heavenly Toke. Yo. What it be like? |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Don(Wyziwyg)T Date: 05 May 05 - 05:24 PM Cross reference the master work by one Les Barker on The Church of the Holy (wholly) Undecided. Brother Wysi of the Wig. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 05 May 05 - 05:25 PM BK Lick, I call your attention to the fact that, in addition to the fact that the source was listed in the post (admittedly now prominently, and not in my words), I purposely did not sign the post, as I normally do on "almost" every Mudcat post I submit. I did not because I didn't want anyone misled that I was the author. Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: kendall Date: 05 May 05 - 05:37 PM At last, a voice of reason! Thanks. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: wildlone Date: 05 May 05 - 05:44 PM At last we know who bombed the British consulate in New York dave |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Burke Date: 05 May 05 - 05:52 PM Sister Garrote of Courteous Debate On appeal changed to: Sister Main Gauche of Sweet Reason |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 06:24 PM "copied here without attribution". Jaysus, it was clear from the first sentence of the first post that it wasn't UDO's. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: jacqui.c Date: 05 May 05 - 06:32 PM I got Sister Boot Knife of Moderation. They know me well! |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: GUEST Date: 05 May 05 - 06:35 PM "Heat-Seeking Missile of Sisterly Helpfulness" Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: GUEST Date: 05 May 05 - 07:08 PM My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Looking at All Sides of the Question. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: John O'L Date: 05 May 05 - 07:42 PM Brother Hand Grenade of Patience - Your objection to the manner in which the topic was posted has been noted and discussed, possibly at greater length than is warranted. Let's just move along, shall we? Brother Shotgun of Courteous Debate |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 07:45 PM I have to admit that I want to be in the radical liberal faction of the Unitarian Jihad. There IS none. YET! |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Alba Date: 05 May 05 - 08:25 PM Jumpin Jihadafrats Daddy Bebop of the Heavenly Toke, we shall endure and triumph but only by organization and solidarity.. So get yourself a handle and let's get this Jihad jumpin..radically:>) Yours in Sisterhood Jude aka Sister Nail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 08:29 PM The thing tells me I am Brother Honorable Garotte of Debate. Jude (uh, Nail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism), I'm gonna have to learn to spell my name. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Alba Date: 05 May 05 - 08:33 PM Sounds about right there Brusie..oops sorry Brother Honorable Garotte of Debate..lol I have to learn to say mine quickly 3 times in a row....and spell it..lol Yours Jihadingly Sister Nail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Alba Date: 05 May 05 - 08:34 PM Looks like I should start by spelling Brucie correctly eh?!! |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Azizi Date: 05 May 05 - 08:48 PM I'm in! I'm Sister Katana of Moderation. [Hey! My name even looks Afro-centric! Not that any of that will matter in the new order we're bringing into being, but.. umm.. you know] **** And BTW, here's how you pronounce my name: kah-TAH-nah.. Yeah, it has a nice ring to it.. I like it! Not that that matters in the new order we're bringing into being...but umm..you know... |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 08:57 PM OK. Let's get the Revolution going. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Alba Date: 05 May 05 - 09:04 PM Okay Jihadoky then..if it's ok with you Brother Honorable Garotte of Debate, and Sister Katana of Moderation. A meeting is what is needed to outline our Goals...maybe..that is if everyone would like that...I'm not saying we SHOULD have a meeting just suggesting it...a meeting would be...nice? Perhaps we can come up with a Song/Mantra/Hymm then again maybe we can't. either way it's ok.. if nobody wants one..but it too might be...nice..not everyone has to sing it of course? Jihadingly yours Sister Nail Gun of Warm Humanitarianism |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 09:06 PM Check with John and Paul. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Uncle_DaveO Date: 05 May 05 - 09:24 PM Uhhhh..... What's a katana? Dave Oesterreich |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 09:27 PM It is this. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Bill D Date: 05 May 05 - 10:57 PM I'll see your Katana, and raise you one Yatagan |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 11:02 PM See your Yatanga and raise you a claymore. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: BK Lick Date: 05 May 05 - 11:25 PM Brother Hand Grenade of Patience, you twit — I merely observed in passing that Jon Carroll's column was quoted word for word without attribution and provided a useful link which nourished this thread. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 11:32 PM Maxwell Smart and the Cone of Silence (with a twist). I'm all screwed up here. Who is Brother Hand Grenade of Patience? Signed, Brother Takatoke of the Ethereal Pipe |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: dianavan Date: 05 May 05 - 11:34 PM Let it be. Sister Crossbow of Cultural Harmony |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 11:37 PM OK, Sister Crosssbow of Cultural Harmony. PLAY BALL! Signed, Brother Ballpeen of the Hammered Mind |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 11:50 PM OK, I gotta be frank (I may as WELL be frank because I don't remember my name anyway). This revolt within the Unitarian Jihad (which itself is pretty revolting) is never gonna get off the ground if we don't know who we are. I think we should use numbers, like in that James Bond movie with SMERSH. I mean, calling out, "Hey, Brother/Sister Smiling Face with the Grinning Chestnut-Coloured Cat on the Velveteen Leash" ain't gonna help if he/she doesn't know who he/she IS. Might think you're calling for someone else whose name is close-sounding to the ear but is really "George". This could truly confuse all of us. Signed, Brother Wotthafok Izgo Ingon. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Azizi Date: 05 May 05 - 11:50 PM Ah, Has some brother been trying to use my name in vain? Brother Honorable Garotte of Debate has it right. It is Katana and not Yatanga. Yatanga is my twin. [Rhyming names for twins has long been a custom where I'm from your know, though all customs are subject to change in the new order]. And speaking of order.. Is order what the world needs now? Wisdom? Understanding? Love? What say all assembled here? What does the world need now? |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 11:52 PM I feel a song coming on. |
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Subject: ADDPOP: What the World Needs Now (Bacharach/David) From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 11:55 PM WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW< (Hal David/Burt Bacharach) What the world needs now is love, sweet love It's the only thing that there's just too little of What the world needs now is love, sweet love No not just for some but for everyone Lord we don't need another mountain There are mountains and hillsides Enough to climb There are oceans and rivers Enough to cross. enough to last 'Till the end of time What the world needs now is love, sweet love It's the only thing that there's just too little of What the world needs now is love, sweet love No not just for some but for everyone Lord we don't need another meadow There are corn fields and wheat fields Enough to grow There are sun beams and moon beams Enough to shine Oh listen Lord if you want to know What the world needs now is love, sweet love It's the only thing that there's just too little of What the world needs now is love, sweet love No not just for some but for everyone What the world needs now is love, sweet love What the world needs now is love, sweet love What the world needs now is love, sweet love What the world needs now... |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Azizi Date: 05 May 05 - 11:57 PM Brother Wotthafok Izgo Ingon aka Brother Honorable Garotte of Debate aka Brucie: I'm not sure if ANY thing we decide wouldn't confuse SOME one. What say the assembled body about that number instead of name idea? If we are moving to numbers instead of names- I'm number 008. Because I vibe that number. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 11:58 PM And this . . . . |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 05 May 05 - 11:59 PM Like, I wanna be 003.5 and have a license to chill. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 06 May 05 - 12:01 AM 003.5 (undercover) |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 06 May 05 - 12:11 AM I typed in G W Bush and this is what came out: Brother/Sister Inspired Blunderbuss of Acceptance It's a sign. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Azizi Date: 06 May 05 - 12:15 AM Can we disallow some persons membership based on past and present conduct? |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 06 May 05 - 12:16 AM There IS no WE. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Azizi Date: 06 May 05 - 12:32 AM Oh Oh!! That is truly sad news!! I thought we were forming a WE. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Peace Date: 06 May 05 - 12:32 AM I typed in 5000 Crabs and got Brother/Sister Icepick of Contemplation |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: jacqui.c Date: 06 May 05 - 06:47 AM I wanna be #69. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: OtherDave Date: 06 May 05 - 06:24 PM I'm glad UncleDave posted the manifesto (and I was clear both that he claimed no authorship and included the email for the author). I've enjoyed the playfulness of the names. But at least for myself, I'm going to think more about how to put the spirit of the Unitarian Jihad to work in the place where it'll do me the most good: in my own life. I am going to work harder at reading or listening to opinions I don't disagree with, trying to see the point the other person's making. I'm going to try and train myself to see my own rising temper as a sign I need to slow down. If Ted Kennedy and Orrin Hatch can manage to collaborate on legislation, there's some middle ground available. More difficult for me, I'll try to use genuine humor, rather than sarcasm, as a way of lowering the temperature of disagreement by a degree or two. I read a review in this morning's Washington Post about Kingdom of Heaven, the new movie about Muslims retaking Jerusalem. The reviewer made a point about the dichotomy between "zealots and cosmopolitans." At first I was sure I knew who he meant -- as in, which side was the zealots, and which the cosmopolitans. But, no -- the point was that both sides had zealots, people sure that their beliefs were true not only for them but for everyone. And each side has cosmopolitans, meaning in this case people able to tolerate differences even as important as the right way to live. One principle for me in this jihad, and one I offer in case it's helpful to you: it's not what you don't know that gets you in trouble; it's the things you know that aren't true. Speramus meliora, OtherDave Bro. Lochaber Axe of Geniality |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: jacqui.c Date: 06 May 05 - 10:35 PM I'll drink to that. If more people tried to live up to those principles it would make a difference to the whole world. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: Amos Date: 07 May 05 - 10:06 AM My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother/Sister Plasma Rifle of Desirable Rationality. What's yours? This is a hoot. I am in. A |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 07 May 05 - 01:39 PM Of course Muslims are unitarians also, doctrinally speaking. |
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Subject: RE: At Last! Unitarian Jihad! From: JennyO Date: 10 May 05 - 09:58 AM Heh heh - just call me Sister Switchblade of Forgiveness |
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