^ There's something to be said for that. The politics section is definitely more civilized nowadays. I remember when I first joined SOL and one had to wear a full metal jacket to even walk around in it. Now it's safe enough even for families to take a stroll. Well done indeed.

Edited. Happy new year everybody. May all your wishes come true. Amiin.

Xiinow, don't let things get to you so easily. For someone who dishes out labels so easily and effortlessly, you show very thin skin to acts in kind. Kabood. I was trying to prove a point and I think, with your help, I succeeded.

^ Not to hijack the topic but think along the lines of stones and glass houses, atheer.

^ I'm not surprised you take me for a simpleton atheer. May be because I descend to your level occasionally, you thought I resided there, atheer.

^ Only a fool would stick to his guns when shown clear evidence, saaxib. Or have you not read Mutakalim's signature?

^ If the number of nuggets of wisdom per number of posts is any indication, then SB is very high on that scale. As the number of my posts tends to infinity, the number of nuggets of wisdom in those posts tends to zero. Elementary Calculus, really.

Originally posted by WaTerLily: It doesn't mean you are ungrateful, you can be depressed and have everything. That's where the shame comes in, why should you be depressed when there is no 'reason' for you to be. You hit the nail on the head. Besides the cultural taboo, it is difficult for anyone to understand that having "everything" in life is no deterrent to depression. Financial hardship, school difficulty or family problems do trigger depression. But in certain cases, depression is present without any trigger at all. Those are the difficult cases. As long as people are aware though, they're closer to seeking help than those who aren't.

Originally posted by xiinfaniin: Castro , Do you realize how over-enthusiastic about this you are? Oh what an irony! Who is furnishing us with a ‘demented though’ now? Those are my opinions saaxib. Where they need adjustment from the Quran and the Hadeeth, they will be adjusted. So far, I've deliberately said nothing to go against the teachings and, therefore, your accusations are unfounded.

^ Saaxib anyone who keeps all these rowdy nomads in one place deserves our vote, don't you think? McPharax: saaxib think of me as the candidate with the most billboards on the freeway. No one knows what his policies are but everyone remembers his name. So when you're in the voting booth trying to pick among the candidates, my name jumps right at you for you remember it from that dreaded commute home everyday.

Originally posted by ThePoint: Mostly true that - but I wouldn't equate Islamic celebrations with non-Islamic celebrations. One is truth and the others not. Hanuakah has nothing to do with diefication etc. so yeah that can be said with no probs. "Truth" is in the eye of the beholder, saaxib. Some one spoke of the Xaqq and the Baatil somewhere and I think that's taking it too far. It is taking too far because if that same person took everything as literally as they do in this case, that person should find it exceedingly difficult to live in a non-muslim country.

^ You're an engineer? Wow. Finding suitable employment is a function of many things, not the least of which is good fortune (luck). Having met the standard criteria of education and training, one needs a positive attitude, a good network and luck. Being at the right place or knowing the right people makes all the difference. To reduce the effect of chance, it's a good idea to do internships while still in school. If that's not feasible now, it's important to realize two things: first, one is never too old to go back to school and learn a new "trade". Second, accepting a lower-than-anticipated position will get your foot in the door. With hard work and perseverence, one should get what they deserve.

Second to Mutakalim, I nominate LSK. From a dark basement room in Gotham, he keeps this site going year after year. He managed to rule over nomads (a tough bunch to preside over) with minimal loss of life or limb and without firing a single shot. He's, in my opinion, a first class warlord. One whose behind-the-scenes contributions are here, there and everywhere. Just look at the 24 hours the site was down this past weekend. I could just imagine the withdrawal symptoms nomads around the globe were going through. Thanks atheer for keeping this alive. You should take up a collection right about now. Ngonge is my favorite writer. He's one of a kind. I believe the queen of SOL remains Ahura/Aeronwen/Zephrine/Xirsiyo Zahro. As for my 1500+ post count in 7 months, don't think it's a mistake. This is was a calculated plot to flood the forum with liberal rubbish. Alle-ubaahne?

Originally posted by xiinfaniin: If we celebrate and endorse other religious holidays for gaining acceptance for our own holidays and winning mutual respect in kind, as your rational of singing Merry Christmas seems to be, it would be hypocritical and phony stance to take. I reject that argument saaxib. Quid pro quo is the name of the game here. No one is going to switch faiths because they say merry christmas or happy Hanuka. When I am celebrating Eid and my boss sends me an email wishing me a happy Eid, it's a nice gesture of good will. It's not an embrace of Islam. It's an embrace of a muslim who is a co-worker. It's incumbent upon heterogenous societies to be aware of its members celebrations'. Otherwise, we risk isolation and intolerance. As for Jingle Bell Rock, it's a nice song that happens to be a christmas song whose lyrics are benign and tune is melodic.

^ Danyeerow, waad mahad santahay atheer. In my earlier days on SOL, I was a rebel without any cause and that past will come back to haunt me. I'll run for this position next year IA. I vote for Mutakalim. With a clarity of vision and a great understanding of many an issue, he has shown us (me) what it means to positively contribute to a forum.

^ How so, atheer?

Originally posted by Daanyeer: But why are degrees in Science and Engineering preferable? More preferable than say a degree in Business Administration? They aren't. It all boils down to which industry is facing labor shortages due to retirement or difficulty in finding suitably skilled workers. Any degree (other than strictly Arts programs) could fit that criteria. If you look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, it gives you an idea where an industry is headed. This should only be used as a guide, however. Obviously, if one excels in and has great aptitude in writing, the dramatic shortage of nurses in the next decade is of no use to them. But if one is already leaning towards the medical health industry, it could guide them into finding the right specialty to be assured of gainful employment upon graduation. It's a matter of planning for the future, really.

I don't believe in the divinity of Jesus. Saying merry christmas does not amount to believing that. Saying merry christmas is like saying "Hi", only it happens in December a lot. Here's my favorite christmas song. See if this song advocates and endorses the divinity of Jesus. Enjoy: Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun Now the jingle hop has begun Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square In the frosty air. What a bright time, it's the right time To rock the night away Jingle bell time is a swell time To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet Jingle around the clock Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet That's the jingle bell, That's the jingle bell, That's the jingle bell rock

^ It's a simple formula but one that is difficult to implement in our culture atheer. The Asians have perfected it. It's as if they all know it and work in sync to achieve it. For us, there are family obligations, monetary obstacles and lack of role models to contend with. Going forward, however, Jamilah and her graduating class should find it easier to learn from, and avoid, the mistakes done by our generation. One can only hope, really.

Congratulations Jamilah on achieving this critical milestone. Those who embrace and use change are those who are most successful. Go to university, if you haven't decided to go yet. A 4 year university degree is a must nowadays. Get a degree (preferably one in Science or Engineering). Maintain good grades. Get into the co-op or internship program. Use the salary you get from this program to pay for school. Avoid getting much debt to pay for university. Also, delay marriage at least 4 years (while in college). Take that degree and get a good job. Spend a few years saving up for a house. This is ideally done while still living at home. Knowing and planning for the above can reduce the anxiety of the coming changes. The formula above is what I have in mind for my own kids. It's a pretty good formula too. Don't worry about what to study in college. Just look up any job trends survey online and see which occupations will be in highest demand 5-10 years from now. Remember, the easier the program you study, the less demand there will be for those graduates. Everyone wants an easy ride in university. My philosophy is you could breeze through 4 years and stumble through life or you could suffer through 4 years and breeze through life. Your choice. Delay gratification as much as you can. It'll be tough but the rewards are great. Remember at all times God's goodness and all that he's blessed you with. Good luck.

^ Atheer, you don't seem like someone who has trouble with English that much. You still don't see the error of your ways, do you? MMA's smoke screen won't get you off the hook, so hushing up is your best course of action. Next to repenting of course.

^ And, as if by magic, it just came to my attention our very own SOL has one heck of a Depression Resource Center. Got knowledge?

^ Atheer back up these allegations you're making. Haniif has cyber-blood on his hands. Defending him, in this thread, amounts to thwarting flooding using New Orleans' levies during Katrina.

^ Thanks atheer. I strongly believe awareness is the best weapon. Once awareness exists, people can help themselves and those around them.

^ Kashanre, I know you didn't mean to but you managed to drag Haniif out of the 4th century A.D. Hopefully he has returned home now. For someone who's been a member of this site for 4 years, it's amazing Haniif still thinks the way he does. It's not like topics such as this don't come up every other month. So what have "jareer" done to you atheer to hold such hatered for them? Are they the only ones who have a special place in your heart or are there others like them?