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Gogirlgo
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Location: No deal, stalker.
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 Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:36 Post subject: Does the raw materialism of
Christmas shopping bother you? I watched people (me included) spend spend spend yesterday. I thought that if people in this country determined that something else was that important, we could really make a dent. With what I saw, I'm sure a third-world country could be lifted right out of poverty or some disease could be researched to the point of eradication. But we don't. We'd rather buy another whatever for someone who doesn't need it. What does this say about us? What do you think?
Gogirl=buzzkill, but thought-provoking buzzkill
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elkid
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Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:38 Post subject:
WHAT'D I GET? WHAT'D I GET?
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HighHeat
Big Daddy
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Location: Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:40 Post subject:
Until you can see the effect of your donations to Third World countries up-close, and see the joyous expression on a child's face, you'll never get the same response.
Let's be honest, we give so that WE feel good. Whether it's Christmas or donations to poor countries. With Christmas, you feel better because you see the reaction to your gift.
at least that's what the thoughts off the top of my head say...
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cherylpf
crazy cat lady
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:40 Post subject:
Yes it bothers me.
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elkid
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:42 Post subject:
| cherylpf wrote: | | Yes it bothers me. |
So you'll refuse all your gifts, no?
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genie
Master of Prissface
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Joined: 14 May 2002
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Location: Finding serenity one day at a time
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:43 Post subject:
I'd much prefer the money stayed here in this country, thankyouverymuch.....but you do have a very valid point. My family cut way back this year, and the main reason is because, let's face it....at our age, we can buy what we really want, and none of us is one to ask for something ridiculously expensive from someone else. Next year I think I'm going to suggest we pool our funds and do an adopt a family thing that my old school does instead. I know it's all part of supporting capitalism and all, but it does speak to some of Hyper's commentary in the decadence thread. I've never been overly materialistic, so while I'd spend a lot on others, I was always hard to buy for because I wasn't greedy enough to ask for a lot of stuff. 
Besides, buzzes are overrated anyway 
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HighHeat
Big Daddy
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Location: Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:45 Post subject:
| genie wrote: |
Besides, buzzes are overrated anyway |
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Pug
The Movie Geek
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:46 Post subject:
I like to buy presents for people when I have the money.
That said, HighHeat is right. We see the benefit of our purchases here when we give our kids (well, your kids) presents or give the gifts to our loved ones. We see the joy and enjoyment and pleasure when we give and they recieve (the getting is nice, too). We don't see or know how our money is going to go and truly affect someone somewhere else. It's just gone (sort of like my taxes).
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Laurie Ellen
Queenie
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Location: The Dark Side of the Moon
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:47 Post subject:
I don't let it bother me. There will never come a time when we drop Christmas and try to save the world. We're all out for one thing: ourselves. That's what it's all about, no? No great plan, no need to worry about others or about peace, no matter what we tell others. Deep down it's about our little piece of the world, our doings, our living until we're dead.
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Laurie Ellen
Queenie
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:48 Post subject:
Oh. Will that post get me lots of lumps of coal? 
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HighHeat
Big Daddy
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:49 Post subject:
| Laurie Ellen wrote: | | Oh. Will that post get me lots of lumps of coal? |
It would if PH allowed Santa to be here.
 <--for PH
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Laurie Ellen
Queenie
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:50 Post subject:
| HighHeat wrote: |
It would if PH allowed Santa to be here.
<--for PH |
PH has Santa tied up in the supply closet next to the old server? 
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HighHeat
Big Daddy
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Joined: 30 May 2004
Posts: 6682
Location: Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 17:50 Post subject:
| Laurie Ellen wrote: |
PH has Santa tied up in the supply closet next to the old server? |
Yeah, that's one way of saying it.
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copteacher
Adjunct
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Joined: 08 Jun 2002
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Location: Teaching in the Halls of Justice
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 18:01 Post subject:
excessive, yes.
I also know and have seen a lot of very generous people who give a lot to those who have less.
Moderation people.
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HYPERASHEL
Member
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Joined: 18 Nov 2003
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Location: The South's Sauna, Atlanta
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Posted: 12/20/04 - 18:03 Post subject:
Back to the point. yes it does bother me. I don't ask for much at all. what i do ask for is small stuff and that is really for the person to feel good. I don't spend alot either, but then again, not like i have a lot to spend.
I do donate to the local food bank though to help out. i feel good about that. even if i never see who it might be helping.
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