Four for Friday

(Link in blogroll)

Q1 - Wearing Your Emotions on Your Bumper: It's been a little over a year since Colorado State University scientists published the results of a study showing a correlation between the number of bumper stickers a driver chooses to display and the likelihood of that driver experiencing road rage. How many bumper stickers do you have on your vehicle(s), and which one is your favorite? If you're not a bumper sticker type of person, which is your favorite of those that you've seen?

I have never had a bumper sticker of any kind on any of my cars, unless you count the AAA or parking permit tags we used to have.

My favorite bumper sticker EVER is one I saw a few months ago:
Pontius Pilate was a governor.
Jesus was a community organizer.

Q2 - Secrets: I've long been interested in secret societies. A friend of mine is a Free Mason and a Shriner and has recently been hinting to me that he would like me to join the local lodge (unlike many secret societies, potential members are never invited -- to become a Mason, one must ask to join). Since many of Masonry's secrets aren't so secret anymore, I admit to losing some interest in it, but am still considering joining. Have you ever been "tapped in" or otherwise joined a secret society? If not, would you ever consider it? Why or why not?

Nope. I'm with Groucho on the whole joining a club thing. I have so little interest, it's actually negative interest: I'd be tempted to pay anyone who asked me to leave me alone!
[My understanding is that my mother's family had several Masons in it....]

Q3 - I Want to Believe: Like the poster hanging in Fox Mulder's office says, I want to believe. I believe there are intelligent beings, much like ourselves, living on other planets. However, as much as I want to believe that one of those alien races has visited and is currently visiting Earth, I don't believe that is the case. Do you believe in space aliens, and if so, do you believe they have ever visited Earth?

I believe in the possibility, but I have no proof. Show me proof either way, and I'll think about believing.

Q4 - Politics and Interpretive Dance: My favorite book is "Starship Troopers" by Robert Heinlein, which I first read as a teen back in the late 80's. But it wasn't until recently that I realized there was so much controversy over Heinlein's statements on war, American culture, politics, the military, etc. To me, it was just an enjoyable story. When you read a fictional story or watch a movie, do you simply try and enjoy it, or do you seek some deeper meaning or life's lesson from the author's/director's intended message?

The first time through, I read/watch it purely for plot. If the plot is completely overshadowed by the preaching, I'm extremely unlikely to finish it. If it's good enough to read/watch over, then I'll delve into the subtext.