Nitro

That was really the only point I was trying to get across. Any other small details of the Illuminati is based off stories and myth. You are correct, there were Presidents that were free-masons, and there are plenty of average people who are free masons...one being my grandfather. But I think you severely over-estimate their power in regards to world control. BTW, the whole point of the Illuminati, based on the story, is to do the OPPOSITE of what you are saying. They don't want to do anything that prevent sacademic knowledge and hold down society...hence the name "Illuminati", which is latin for "enlightened one." They feel that the church is the ones holding down society, which is why they are against the church, and which confuses some people to believe they are devil-worshippers. I'm not being closed-minded...I firmly believe it is possible there is a secretive society that is, for the most part, controlling the world. I just don't believe it's called the Illuminati, I don't believe it's based off devil-worshipping, and I think people read way too much into every major social situation and relate everything back to the "secretive society." I believe if there is a secretive society, it is all based on power and finances, not anything religious or spirtiual.

My point is that you don't run a successful franchise in a system with a cap by overpaying anyone and everyone. Yeah, Dolan may have deep pockets, but that doesn't mean signing Lin to this huge contract based on one sensational month is a smart decision. And if memory serves me correctly, once you pass a certain point in the luxory tax, you lose the full MLE and only have the mini MLE left, which will basically cripple this franchise because they are still another MLE level player or two away from being a serious contender.

Yeah, I've met a few people who are into bath salts, and based on what I've seen and heard, I could see someone doing insane shit if they take too much of it. It's an extremely powerful drug that is supposed to be like a mix of ecstasy, LSD and meth. And I've heard many, many crazy stories of people who were [expletive]ed up on each of those individual drugs.

The whole Illuminati thing came out as a theory long before internet developed to what it is today. But that is all it is...a theory. If you actually believe that secretive society calls themselves the Illuminati, then I don't know what to tell you. The whole Illuminati thing is a famous story, so people ran with it...but it's fictional. A secretive society that controls the world is definitely possible, but I highly doubt it's the "Illuminati."

Neither are devil worshipping. The basis of the Illuminati is they are against the idea that religion is the only vessel of explaining how the universe came to be, and believe that religion monopolizes the truth and prevents academic progress. That is why i got the tattoo, because I believe religion is bogus and causes more harm than good (that's for another discussion). But they do NOT worship the devil, unless you believe anyone that is against religion is a devil worshipper.

You got it twisted. Based on the "story," the Illuminati infiltrared the Free Masons in secrecy. Free Masons aren't a sub-division of the Illuninati, and not all members are part of the Illuminati. But as I said before, the Illuminati is fictional. You really think if there was some secretive society controlling the world that they would let the Illuminati name leak like that, and let it become this kind of national phenomonen that it is today?

Free masonary =/= Illuminati. The free masonary is a real group. The Illuminati is fictional, with the name ripped from a group that lasted only a week or so during the American Revolution. However, any type of consperacy of a secret society that controls the world is labelled the Illuminati. BTW, I have Illuminati tattooed on my arm, so trust me here.

I'm actually against gay marriage. I believe they should be able to be legally paired and get all the legal benefits married folks do, but marriage is a relgious thing. And if the religion doesn't want gays to be married, then that is their choice.

I highly doubt anything will happen. I remember all the talk about how there would be bombings and riots during the 2010 World Cup in Africa, and everything wound up going smoothly. From my point of view, the only time terrorism is a serious threat is when no one expects it and has their guard down.

You are absolutely right, Isiah.

Houston once again offering a contract that crazy backloaded. If Lin and Asik both head to Houston, those two will be commanding nearly $30M combined for the 2014-2015 season

I just don't understand why you must constantly make topics to promote your conserative views and bash liberals. It's like a compulsion or something. When important topics come up, then that's fine, but to make pointless topics like this is ridiculous. Stop preaching.

For people who got the album the first day it leaked, ya'll probably don't have the song below, which I think is only on the international copies as a bonus. It's [expletive]ing ill, maybe my favorite song off the album... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSV8WPzWU28

Yikes. I mean, he's only 24, is a legit 7-footer and averaged 18/10 with nearly 3 blocks per 36min last season with the Nuggets, but so far he's proven to be too dumb to be trusted to play big minutes. Last season Denver played him only 20MPG, so unless they are prepared to give him legit start minutes in the next year or two, then this deal will be a big mistake.

Here's two of my favorite songs off the album. The first one he drops one of my favorite verses EVER...the 3rd verse. Listen intently, it'll blow you away. And the 2nd song has that raw, classic feel with Nas killing it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZSZZN06GbU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jup9L_IxxOA

Ding ding ding! We have a winner. Howard wants a big market. OKC is one of the smallest market teams in the NBA, despite their fantastic fanbase. I'm also not sure how he'd feel arguably playing 2nd fiddle to Durant. In Brooklyn, this wouldn't be a problem, and in LA it wouldn't be much of a problem because within a year or two he'd be the undisputed face of the franchise.

That's one advantage I found. I'm sure there are others...maybe. I don't know.

I'm sure this type of experiment will spawn a lot of good use...but it sounds plain disturbing.

The link I got it from was removed. It's supposed to come out the 17th. And personally I like Illmatic, Stillmatic and It Was Written better than God's Son. IMO this is better lyrically than God's Son (from content to flow and rhyme schemes). Knowing your taste, the production on this album may be a little too jazzy for you, so you probably will still like God's Son better.

Just finished the album. Every song besides Summer on Smash is absolutely jaw-dropping lyrically. His flow, rhyme schemes, and content is as good as it's ever been since Illmatic. Production is very good, although for some people it may be a bit too laid-back. It's just an amazing album, and once again reinforces my belief of him being the GOAT.THIS is the Nas I expect on every album. Favorite tracks: World's an Addiction A Queen's Story Loca-Motive Back When No Introduction

Album of the year...EASILY! I'm only halfway through it but the first half is a MASTERPIECE. Lyrically, this is the sharpest he's been since Stillmatic. World's an Addiction has arguably the best 2 verses he's spit since Illmatic. It's spectacular. A Queen's Story is unbelievable as well.

Yes, however if you make carrying a gun legal for them, then they ain't getting put away like they do now when they get shook down on the street. If you give people the right to carry a gun in public and shoot whenever they feel they are in danger, then you are basically allowing the steets to become the wild, wild west. Not everyone who owns a gun is Clint Eastwood, either. I can foresee so many innocent people getting hit by stray bullets if people are popping off every time they feel they are in danger. Also, you increase the likelihood of people getting shot who were believed to be a danger, but really were innocent and not a danger at all. Lastly, I can see some people killing someone, planting a gun on them, and saying they shot because they felt threatened. If the scene is believable enough, the murderer can get away without even facing conviction. The whole idea of letting people carry guns in public is so dangerous and retarded.

Won't create a new thread for it until it officially comes out next week, but two singles from Nas' Life Is Good dropped the last few days and they are FIRE! Mad '90's vibe to both of them and his flow is fast and tighter than it has been in years. I was a little down on the album after Accident Murderers and Chery Wine, but these two got me pumped as hell... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jup9L_IxxOA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VcvouTglNQ

For the vet minimum he's a solid pickup. He's been garbage the last year or two, but the talent is there, and he'll have a very easy time offensively playing on this squad. If he fails, then he can easily be cut or demoted to the Juwan Howard role. And with only the MLE and vet minimum to work with, Miami had little to no chance picking up a quality C who deserves PT over Bosh/Haslem/Anthony at the 5. With how stacked Miami is on the wings, maybe they can make a deal during the season to pickup a solid big man. Until then, it really isn't overly necessary, and it's better to make quality pickups as opposed to garbage signings based on team needs.

If we take away nukes, I'd probably say Europe. The fact of the matter is they double us in population, and without the nukes, which are the great equalizer, I'm inclined to say Europe. In all honesty it is impossible to tell as we only know a fraction of each side's military capabilities.