i suppose so, i never thought of that as a choice though, i thought to say thanks was unbidden instinct

Quote from: Nero on July 24, 2008, 03:33:08 PM

Quote from: Pica Pica on July 24, 2008, 03:20:40 PM
well there we agree...

a gift is only a gift if nothing is expected in return.

wrong.

Think of it this way.........A gift should be treated the same way as paying your taxes.    When you pay tax, best forget it and let the Government spend it as it deems fit, it is now their money.  When you offer a gift, best forget it because you no longer own it because you offered it freely.  Expect someting in return? Dont give in the first place unless the law says you must 

nice way of putting it...even if you do compare the recipient to the tax man.

To me, it means to follow your free will in a way which does not entangle you or chain you, but enables you to use your wings to fly high and spread your joy and do just good.  To do this from the morning to the night and the night to the morning and at the same time you are protected from all darkness, danger, evil, intolerance, prejudice, "BS" attitude, etc.

tink  

Quote from: Cindi Jones on July 23, 2008, 01:28:13 AM
Give me my space, respect my opinion if you will, leave me alone if you don't.

I have privacy. It is mine. Leave me to it when ever I want it.

Don't tap my phone.
Don't read my email. 
Don't keep my name on your lists. 
Don't send me email or snail mail unless I know you.

Don't call me if you don't know me. 
If I ask you to leave me alone, do it.
Give me the reports you compile on me... or better yet, don't even make those reports.

Don't give my phone number or email address to anyone else.
Don't peep in my windows and I won't peep in yours.
Step one foot on my property and my dogs will get you.

I will speak my mind and allow you to speak yours.
I will not allow you to demean me or ANYONE else.

Cindi

With great freedom comes great responsibility - something that too many people have forgotten.

Freedom means that we are responsible for our actions.  We are free to build a house in a dry river bed, but we are responsible when a flash flood washes our home away.

Freedom means that we have to accept a level of risk.  We can never be perfectly safe unless we are willing to give others the power to monitor and control our lives.  And freedoms once lost are never regained.

To live in a society, we agree to surrender a portion of our freedoms for the welfare of all. 

As personal reaponsibility increases, the greater the freedoms we have.

As personal responsibility decreases, the more society demands that we surrender more freedoms for the welfare of all.

As fear increases, the more willing we are to surrender freedoms in the name of defense.

To control a people, prey upon its fears.  People will eagerly stand in line to surrender their freedoms.

Chaunte

None of the above.

Quote from: JENNIFER on July 25, 2008, 03:32:23 PM

Quote from: Nero on July 24, 2008, 03:33:08 PM

Quote from: Pica Pica on July 24, 2008, 03:20:40 PM
well there we agree...

a gift is only a gift if nothing is expected in return.

wrong.

Think of it this way.........A gift should be treated the same way as paying your taxes.    When you pay tax, best forget it and let the Government spend it as it deems fit, it is now their money.  When you offer a gift, best forget it because you no longer own it because you offered it freely.  Expect someting in return? Dont give in the first place unless the law says you must 

Quote from: Nero on July 24, 2008, 03:33:08 PM

Quote from: Pica Pica on July 24, 2008, 03:20:40 PM
well there we agree...

a gift is only a gift if nothing is expected in return.

well most gift givers do expect that normal etiquette rules will be observed. such as the gift being accepted and not mocked because they got the size wrong.

If you're going to quote me, I'd appreciate it if you didn't take my words out of context like that. You quoted one word of my post and changed the whole meaning of what I said.

Nero, if I have quoted out of context, I apologise for my ignorance and for not knowing my error.

It seems I have much to learn from you all. 

Okay. Thanks. I didn't know if it was on purpose or what. 

for me, it means to be able to do what i want, and people don't hold me back.

Freedom to me means being able to make my own decisions, being able to move around in a society where no one has any preconceived notions of who I am.

I think good 'ole Herbie Spencer said it best: "Each has freedom to do all that he wills provided that he infringes not the equal freedom of any other."

Yeah, the old Law of Equal Liberty... it's appealing to a hyper-radical libertarian like myself.