Publishing in 12 installments was a great idea.  That way you get/have to digest a chapter at a time.  It´s been years since I read that book.  Do you have a reading strategy?....the book is divided into 6 parts, would you read a part a month?

 Of course it is possible.  The issue is, when one comments directly to the column, the comments stay with the column instead of scrolling into oblivion.  IOW if someone wants to comment directly to a column, it stays with the relevant column,  where comments are connected to the column.  As you, no doubt, most have noticed, subjects in the forum scoll away from sight.

 Actually, any of the columnists, at their discretion,  can disable comments for their column, it appears this is the only one who has taken advantage of that option.....and only for this particular column.

This obsession with the very private lives of artists is truly vile.  Whose business is it anyway?  Artists have given of themselves to enrich the lives of others. Why can´t people just accept the gifts they are given and leave the artists alone?

Maybe if they were left to concentrate on their art, we would get more spectacular art?

No offence to you Roswitha, I realize you are just quoting an article. 

Michael Jackson was  a rare gifted artist who shared his gift with all of us. 

We Are the World

There comes a time
When we head a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it´s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can´t go on
Pretneding day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We are all a part of
God´s great big family
And the truth, you know love is all we need

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let´s start giving
There´s a choice we´re making
We´re saving our own lives
It´s true we´ll make a better day
Just you and me

Send them your heart
So they´ll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread
So we all must lend a helping hand

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let´s start giving
There´s a choice we´re making
We´re saving our own lives
It´s true we´ll make a better day
Just you and me

When you´re down and out
There seems no hope at all
But if you just believe
There´s no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well, let us realize
That a change will only come
When we stand together as one

[Chorus]
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let´s start giving
There´s a choice we´re making
We´re saving our own lives
It´s true we´ll make a better day
Just you and me

Rest in Peace Michael

Thankyou for your gifts

Michael Jackson

I have heard there has been an increase in the wild boars  population of Turkey, and they are getting to be problematic.  Maybe that has something to do with what is going on. 

They are problematic here in CA now. Wild boars cause a lot of problems.  It is thought some of the recent agricultural contamination is due to crop contamination from their feces. 

Invasive Species - Wild Boar

They can be very dangerous if they attack.

Did you look at the link? It really was amazing. Although I have read some on Bonobos, I didn´t realize they were that advanced.  Most articles only seem to focus on their sexual behaviour. In this one they were shown to write and do much other more complicated tasks.

It is interesting nobody has commented on the link.

Manning, This is the off topic section.  This thread began with a discussion on early marriage, and in typical TC form, digressed.

I do not believe anyone here has demanded of you anything other than what the forum rules require.  Your beliefe status is your business, and the same goes for others.  As I have said numerous times.  I am more interested in promoting tolerance between groups. 

As members of Space Ship Earth,  where we arrive may not be at all pleasant (given all the bloodshed spent in disagreement),  unless we learn to work with some type of harmony.  Orchestra have many instruments, such as violines and  flutes, but they make beautiful music together.  Nature shows us how important diversity is.  Could you live on a diet of only one thing? As the world gets smaller and smaller we are elbow to elbow with many diverse groups, who may or may not agree with us.  One thing that I see as of prime importance is that we learn to live and let live.   Insulting, belittling, or dehumanizing other groups does not promote that goal.  What that does is set up defensive reaction, but little contemplation or introspection.

Religous Tolerance

I found this group that is interesting and respectful discourse on various belief systems....even athiests...

perhaps you would find it interesting and informative.

If I have offended you, please accept my apology.

Wow...that was amazing!  I´ve read about Bonobos, but didn´t know they were that advanced.  I think we overestimate ourselves as humans.  Thank you for this link.

Biased.....you have to be kidding!  That is one of the most hateful  Islamaphobic sites I´ve seen.  It sure looks like a  propaganda site with an agenda.  On the list of recommended books is one by neocon 

Robert Spencer, who is a fan of Gert Wilders....Spencer is also is the director of  jihadwatch....the word biased hardly expresses an accurate discription of the  site.  Other authors are Walid Phares, a former commander of the Lebanese Forces Militia, which was allied with the IDF......now would you think it is possible these people might have an agenda....?

We could go on and on and on.....as we are not supposed to get into religious arguments here, but seeing as you seem to be interested, I suggest you read something by, or you can listen and watch,  Karen Armstrong.  She is a true scholar of comparative religions, and an ex nun who does not have a political agenda....she is a true seeker........or you could read something by a noted Muslim femminist and Muslim scholar,  Riffat Hassan.