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TODAY'S DIALOGUE - November 18, 2002
This page is updated weekdays by 2 pm PT.

Cell Phone Users Need to Call Miss Manners - FOX News
It seems pretty obvious to me that all of this is just plain bad manners, behavior that is in clear violation of the basic rules of common courtesy we were all taught as children. Our parents may not have been able to specifically teach us to turn our cell phones off in a theater or church or that it's rude to dial them up when in the live company of someone else, because cell phones didn't exist back then. But shouldn't we be able to extrapolate an appropriate technology etiquette from what we already know about polite behavior?

• Who do you think has the worst manners, young people or adults? Why do you think that is? Who has less manners with regards to cell phones?
  
  
• What do you think are the top examples of bad manners amongst your peers? Make a top 10 list of examples.
  
  
• The apostle Paul said, "I am all things to all men..."(1 Corinthians 9:19-23). If the social norm in the society of youth is to be rude, then should you be rude as well (be honest)? Do you think it's OK to be ill-mannered up to a certain point? Where do you draw the line?
  
  
• Do you think Jesus and the disciples, when they were together by themselves, ever burped the Greek and Hebrew alphabet?
  
  
• What does the Bible say about Manners? 1 Peter 3:8; 2:12; Proverbs 23:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:27; Leviticus 19:32; Philippians 1:9-10; 1:27; 1 Timothy 3:2; 4:12; James 3:13
  

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SIDE ORDERS - other news from today

"Chamber of Secrets" Opening Magic - E! Online
A magical sum, indeed, but only the third best open ever. The second installment finished behind the first, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, which conjured $90.2 million last year, as well as the reigning champ, Spider-Man, which spun up $114.8 million this summer.

Bond gets girl, but no cigar - SMH
The move is irresponsible at best and a cynical and deadly ploy by the tobacco industry at worst, according to Clive Bates of ASH.

Rash of Vandalism in Richmond May Be Tied to Environment Group - New York Times
The authorities are investigating whether vandals who have swept through here in recent months, slashing tires, defacing businesses and damaging construction equipment, were members of the Earth Liberation Front, an environmental organization considered by the F.B.I. to be one of America's most prolific domestic terrorist groups.

LEFTOVERS - previous dialogues

Thursday - November 14, 2002

New Cars Include Black Boxes

Wednesday - November 13, 2002

Party planning Potter protest

Monday - October 21, 2002

Cosmetic Surgery

Tuesday - October 15, 2002

This Just In: Skunks Stink

Thursday - October 10, 2002

Apparently, money can buy happiness.

 

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