Sounds like you and I have similar tastes, besides likeng the Steelers. I think R.A. Salvatore's stuff is awesome, especially the Dark Elf books. I can't remember the times I've reread his stuff. I grew up reading Piers Anthony, then kinda lost touch with his style.

Relax fucko....

The "Crime and Punishment" thing was a joke. You are too easy to wind up lately. Do I bother you that much? I figured you deviants down in Texas would be happy today after The Supreme Court ruling.

Yep. I have read and enjoyed Tom Clancy.

It was an example.

We are! I think they did a good job allowing people to do what they Constitutionally have a right to do. The Supreme Court has gone 2 for 2 in my book recently. That is a whole new topic though. You used to not bother me, but then I realized that you are just like the Michael Moore's and Sean Penn's of the world, just on the other extreme edge of the political spectrum.

Anyways, I loved Piers Anthony's Icarnations of Immortality series. I just started another series by him, it ain't as good so far.

What's the other one?

They fucked up royally on the Library Internet access ruling.

Then I did misunderstand. Thought so.

I retract my statement . . .

I just thought I would toss this in for the hell of it...
:p ordinarily I wouldn't do this, but I am deviant after all Oh, and by the way, H.P.'s little girlfriend dies in the book

Definition of Deviance
*** S320 Overhead 1 Deviance Definition ***

Five Misleading Definitions of Deviance

1. Absolutist

A God given natural fact.

Problem: different cultures have different viewpoints.

2. Statistical

Deviance is what is rare.

Problem: There are not many senators in the United States, they must be deviant.

3. Social Harm

Everything that is bad for society is deviant.

Problem: Many things that are deviant cause no harm.

4. Only criminal behavior is deviant

It is right that criminal behavior at the same time is deviant behavior, but not vice versa.

5. There is positive deviance

This is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms. Deviance is by definition a negative derivation from norm of custom.

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*** Overhead 2a S320 Definition of Deviance ****

What is deviance?

I. Normative Approach:

Deviance is a formal violation of the norms

Problem: Whose norms are that anyway?

Example: There are sub-cultures that whose norms differ form the mainstream, e.g. the drug subculture.

II. Reactive Approach

There are two necessary conditions for a behavior to classify as deviant:

1. It has to be observed by a third party

2. It has to be condemned or punished

Problem: A) secret behavior never can be deviant

B) this view doe snot allow someone to be a victim until the behavior is seen or told publicly.

Example: If the consumption of illegal drugs is not observed by outsiders, it does not classify as deviant.

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*** Overhead 2b S320 Definition of Deviance ****

III. Compromise: take both

Taking the normative approach we specify who's norms count the normative position makes sense.

Taking the reactive approach we differentiate between deviant behavior that is observable to one persons, a group of persons, or the general public.

I did not include that one. I tend to agree with it as well, but I was talking about the University of Michigan ruling. They said it was illegal to give students a 20 point advantage in the screening process just because they are minorities.

Are you talking about Hermoine?

QUOTE]Are you talking about Hermoine?[/QB][/QUOTE]

no, not her - somebody else, though...

girl? guy? - i'm not telling, not interested in spoiling the plot for any one that cares.

Damn You!!!!