The metal scene lost another one...rest in peace.

Just read that last night.

He will always be a Rainbow in the Dark. But My word, was he the ugliest man to walk the earth!

Switch Lydia

Too many giants have fallen this year. :'(

Figuratively so. Ronnie was only about five feet four!

ja.

I just saw the news about it last night. I never realized he had stomach cancer. I always thought he would kill on Broadway because he had such a strong voice.

What he lacked in appearance, he made up for in talent. The voice on him-amazing!

Agreed, first Pete, now Ronnie. They go in threes...

Would it be safe to hope that the next one is Miley Cyrus? I know-I'm bad, bad, bad....but Have you listened to Miley Cyrus?

**shudders**

I first heard him in the mid-seventies on an AM clock radio, singing "The Man on the Silver Mountain" with Rainbow. From that moment I was captivated by his voice, which remained one of the most unique in rock and roll. Then when I saw him on the Heaven & Hell tour a couple of years ago, I was happily surprised that he hadn't lost anything. In fact, he was even better than what was recorded for the tour's live album and DVD at Radio City Music Hall.

Just an incredible, irreplaceable performer.

AS for the three....perhaps Bret Micheals?

Switch Lydia

No, no, no!! Don't you even say that. Do not jinx the Bret-ster in all of his blonde glam-rock awesomeness!

Instead, let's think about Miley Cyrus

Don't these whackjobs have anything better to do with their time?

I'm hoping for Barry Manilow.

Nope, nothing better to do except sit around and suck.

I cannot stand ignorance.

So much for that whole "jesus loves you" belief system, right?

Wrong IMHO, Judging Christians based on these wack jobs is the same as condemning Islam based on Al Qaeda.

I wasn't judging christians as a whole but you cannot deny the fact that the "jesus loves you" motto is very much thrown around in every sector of the christian faith.

But you are correct, I used the wrong phrase in this case.

Please discard the 'jesus loves you" and replace it with "you're going to hell".

Ok, that sounds more fitting for the Westboro Baptist church.

The late Michael O'Donahue, one-time editor of the National Lampoon and head writer for Saturday Night Live in the old days, once promised to write a book titled Jesus May Love You, But I Think You're Garbage Wrapped in Skin.

Umm...
No offense meant, but by your statement, I'd like to ask then are you implying:

* Judging individuals on a one by one basis on their actions is acceptable - I'll agree. It's essentially the basis of any civilized structure.
* Judging a 'fringe' group on their actions is acceptable - I'll agree there. Westboro Baptist certainly fits the bill.
* Judging a large group, based on the collective actions of fringe group that falls into the large group is not okay. - Well okay, I see that point, but fringe is nebulous. I'd argue especially when it comes to religion, imho.

Were the Crusades okay?
The slave trade from Africa to the American South and the Caribbean?
The genocide of Indian tribes in this country?
Nazi Germany?
Those were abysmal atrocities of the worst kind. And all were sanctioned in one form or another under a Christian pretense, drawing large numbers of 'Good Christian people doing God's work.'

How big does the 'fringe group' need to be before it gets judged as a part of the whole? There is a climate of a religious right forcing the belief system of their imaginary friend down the throat of this country that I find disturbing.

I realize this is going way off topic, and respect you as a moderator on this board. I would wholeheartedly support continuing a debate in another part of the forum.

Amen!