NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm a person just like you
but I got better things to do
than sit around and fuck my head,
hang out with the living dead,
snort white shit up my nose,
pass out at the shows,
I don't even think about speed
That's just something I don't need
I've got the straight edge

I"m a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and smoke dope
Cause I know that I can cope
Laugh at the thought of eating ludes
Laught at the thought of sniffing glue
Always gonna keept in touch
Never want to use a crutch
I'VE GOT THE STRAIGHT EDGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

"Straight Edge" by Minor Threat

the guy i lost my virginity to was straight edge. he had huge x's on his calf. he was so hardcore about it and it was (one of) the reason(s) we never dated officially. i couldn't stand the thought of being in a relationship with someone close-minded and self-restricting and he couldn't stand to be in a relationship with someone who drank wine with her meals.

last time i saw him, probably a year or so ago, he was smoking weed and drinking a beer. ah, i love seeing the self-righteous fall. its so glorious.

im not saying we should go out and be addicted to substance abuse--but moderate substance abuse? good times.

I have respect for straight edge beliefs.

But then when I meet straight-edgers they're dicks (generally speaking).

I used to be hard core straight edge just because I hated a lot of people, but there's no point in living if you're not going to have fun once in a while with moderation of course.

*laughing uncontrollably*

Get LIVES.

*laughing uncontrollably*

Get LIVES.

Better yet, get drunk.

I was gonna wait till later, but I have now officially started drinking for the day. And I'm gonna get piss ass drunk and write a better poem than that! Stand by. :D

I was gonna wait till later, but I have now officially started drinking for the day. And I'm gonna get piss ass drunk and write a better poem than that! Stand by. :D

oh! exciting!

I just realized...I'm a straight edge.

I just realized...I'm a straight edge.

Yeah... same here. Never had heard it referred to as such though, and had to wiki it cause Culaypene's mention of the X on the calf was weirding me out.( Straight edge... X... I start'd thinking " cutters " )

Thought I'm not abstinent..:)

Yeah... same here. Never had heard it referred to as such though, and had to wiki it cause Culaypene's mention of the X on the calf was weirding me out.( Straight edge... X... I start'd thinking " cutters " )

That's what I was thinking it was, too. An explanation in the OP might have been useful, but never mind, eh?

Just a wee bit of a rant. I'll try to make it fast, ok?

So I have been curious, how much better off physically and mentally am I then those who are my age but drink consistently, have sex, and do drugs? E.G. Some other guy is 18 and drinks, drugs, and sexes a lot but is also in fit shape. If we were to get in a fight (lets say both of us are clean for this fight [no drugs, sex, alcohol]) would he win because of the more experience in drunken brawls? Or would I win because my mind is clear, my kidneys strong, and my resolve strong? I am not very confident in myself, so I'd put my money on him, yet I still wonder...

Yeah... same here. Never had heard it referred to as such though, and had to wiki it cause Culaypene's mention of the X on the calf was weirding me out.( Straight edge... X... I start'd thinking " cutters " )

Thought I'm not abstinent..:)

ah, sorry. should have clearified. they were tattoos.

Just a wee bit of a rant. I'll try to make it fast, ok?

So I have been curious, how much better off physically and mentally am I then those who are my age but drink consistently, have sex, and do drugs? E.G. Some other guy is 18 and drinks, drugs, and sexes a lot but is also in fit shape. If we were to get in a fight (lets say both of us are clean for this fight [no drugs, sex, alcohol]) would he win because of the more experience in drunken brawls? Or would I win because my mind is clear, my kidneys strong, and my resolve strong? I am not very confident in myself, so I'd put my money on him, yet I still wonder...

if both of you are clean, then it comes down to physical strength and fighting ability. if you are a skinny kid who plays ps2 all day, and he lifts weights everyday, then he would kick your ass. unless he is heavily addicted to heroin or has drank his liver away (which he would have had to have started drinking very young to have done this by 18), then it doesnt matter. drinking at parties doesnt make you unable to function when you're not drinking.

Just a wee bit of a rant. I'll try to make it fast, ok?

So I have been curious, how much better off physically and mentally am I then those who are my age but drink consistently, have sex, and do drugs? E.G. Some other guy is 18 and drinks, drugs, and sexes a lot but is also in fit shape. If we were to get in a fight (lets say both of us are clean for this fight [no drugs, sex, alcohol]) would he win because of the more experience in drunken brawls? Or would I win because my mind is clear, my kidneys strong, and my resolve strong? I am not very confident in myself, so I'd put my money on him, yet I still wonder...

He'd win because you think too much

He'd win because you think too much

Thanks Heron :) Oh and !no! I am not a skinny kid who plays ps2. I am athletic, just never had the joy of learning to fight. THe only fight I ever really got in..I made the kid poop his pants.

Thanks Heron :) Oh and !no! I am not a skinny kid who plays ps2. I am athletic, just never had the joy of learning to fight. THe only fight I ever really got in..I made the kid poop his pants.

How did you do that in a fight..... wierdo:p

it's a personal choice. i have nothing against straight-edgers if they're not totally full of themselves.. which IS possible. ..just like you can have hardcore vegetarians who don't care if You eat meat *cough*

How did you do that in a fight..... wierdo:p

was bashing his head against bed stand while repeatedly punching him in the area of the solar plexus

I personally detest the strait edge movement

It started as something to be commended and turned into something ugly
All it is now is an excuse to create another in crowd and use peoples personal choices to malign and insult them.

Some groups have even taken it as far as to make McCarthy like listings of those that are or are suspected of not being Straight Edge.

These groups used to be the exception but lately all I have seen out of that crowd is this mean spirited attitude. Maybe it is because they were once looked down upon and now are reviling in their new found mob power but it seems to have gone to their collective heads.

I personaly detest the strait edge movement no period?

It started as something to be commended and turned into something uguly
All it is now is an excuse to create another in croud and use peoples (NO APOSTROPHE) personal choices to malign and insult them.

Some groups have even taken it as far as to make McCarthy like listings of thoes that are or are suspected of not being Straight Edge.

These groups used to be the exception but latly all I have seen out of that croud is this mean spirited atitude. Maybe it is because they were once looked down upon and now are reviling in their new found mob power but it seems to have gone to their collective heads.
Dude, when did you stop spelling well?

Dude, when did you stop spelling good?

Would it be "spelling well"? Or is that the joke?

Dude, when did you stop spelling good?
When I am posting using links in a totally text based unix environ

I got the gui started just for you so I could go back and spell check

(sorry I am a bad speller I just usually use word or open office to spell check myself)

Dude, when did you stop spelling good?
If you want be such a spelling-nazi, it's spelling well, not spelling good.:D

Would it be "spelling well"? Or is that the joke?

Actually, "spelling good" is a grammatical mistake, not a spelling mistake.

I win.

Would it be "spelling well"? Or is that the joke?
What are you talking about? Big Brother always said "spelling well". Report to Mini Tru immediately brother.

Ok sorry for judging so fast Upward, I just...uh..always had a pre-conceived notion. But it is trivial anyways.

What are you talking about? Big Brother always said "spelling well". Report to Mini Tru immediately brother.

Ok sorry for judging so fast Upward, I just...uh..always had a pre-conceived notion. But it is trivial anyways.
My focus is computers ... I normally also like making thoughtful posts ... I have never been able to spell. But I usually spend the time at least running it through a spell checker to make it less painful.

I see I will have to do that all the time now or else topics will be derailed because of it lol.

Actually, "spelling good" is a grammatical mistake, not a spelling mistake.

I win.

Okay, you win, if that's important to you. I just didn't know if it was a deliberate schtick or not.

I'm a person just like you
but I got better things to do
than sit around and fuck my head,
hang out with the living dead,
snort white shit up my nose,
pass out at the shows,
I don't even think about speed
That's just something I don't need
I've got the straight edge

I"m a person just like you
But I've got better things to do
Than sit around and smoke dope
Cause I know that I can cope
Laugh at the thought of eating ludes
Laught at the thought of sniffing glue
Always gonna keept in touch
Never want to use a crutch
I'VE GOT THE STRAIGHT EDGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

"Straight Edge" by Minor Threat

You praise yourself by far,
Shout how strong you are,
You're too good for all of "that",
You're so sharp and they're so flat,

They snort blow to numb their pain,
Yes, they're weak, but you're just vain,
Of course you can't smoke crack,
With both hands patting your own back.

You've got better things to do,
Like judging them and hyping you,
But the joke, both ways it cuts,
Your "straight edge" IS a crutch.

You praise yourself by far,
Shout how strong you are,
You're too good for all of "that",
You're so sharp and they're so flat,

They snort blow to numb their pain,
Yes, they're weak, but you're just vain,
Of course you can't smoke crack,
With both hands patting your own back.

You've got better things to do,
Like judging them and hyping you,
But the joke, both ways it cuts,
Your "straight edge" IS a crutch.
Yeah, but who gonna inherit the world? drug addicts who gonna die soon, or the straight edge? I plead the fifth

Yeah, but who gonna inherit the world? drug addicts who gonna die soon, or the straight edge?

If you think the only people in the world are drawn from those two groups, you don't have to plead the fifth, because the question is already flawed.

It is possible to avoid a behaviour without derisive dispersions on those who do it. If you need to build a little "straight edge" spiel about not doing drugs in order to not do drugs, you're as dependent as they are.

If you think the only people in the world are drawn from those two groups, you don't have to plead the fifth, because the question is already flawed.

It is possible to avoid a behaviour without derisive dispersions on those who do it. If you need to build a little "straight edge" spiel about not doing drugs in order to not do drugs, you're as dependent as they are.
ah I see what you are saying and it makes good sense.

it's not about how we die, but how we live *nods*

ah I see what you are saying and it makes good sense.

You still make a good point that "straight edge" people will probably have less needless suffering and difficulty in their lives than what will be experienced by the average drug addict.

If you need to build a little "straight edge" spiel about not doing drugs in order to not do drugs, you're as dependent as they are.

Yeah, but which would you rather you/your kids were?

Yeah, but which would you rather you/your kids were?

Well, in practical application I think its a false choice, but for the purposes of discussion, I think these "straight edge" people will probably suffer less from the need for a "straight edge" attitude than what drug addicts will suffer from the need for narcotics.

But for most people, its not either/or.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/~foo/wtf.jpg

Harlesburg...you're ugly

Well, in practical application I think its a false choice, but for the purposes of discussion, I think these "straight edge" people will probably suffer less from the need for a "straight edge" attitude than what drug addicts will suffer from the need for narcotics.

But for most people, its not either/or.

So, assuming you are neither SE nor on drugs, why are you neither of those?

So, assuming you are neither SE nor on drugs, why are you neither of those?

I like to keep my options ah-open

So, assuming you are neither SE nor on drugs, why are you neither of those?

I think the "straight edge" dictum as expressed in the originally posted lyric is pretentious and narcissistic.

I'm not on drugs because, having observed their effects in others, I believe that they will impede judgement and deliberation. I am unwilling to test this belief empirically because of the percumbent health risks.

I think the "straight edge" dictum as expressed in the originally posted lyric is pretentious and narcissistic.

I'm not on drugs because, having observed their effects in others, I believe that they will impede judgement and deliberation. I am unwilling to test this belief empirically because of the percumbent health risks.

So you have a rationale that keeps you off them? A mantra of sorts. Albeit one that isn't pretentious (I'm with you on that point)

Harlesburg...you're ugly
On the inside and outside and i am willing and prepared to rape you with a pitchfork to prove it.

So you have a rationale that keeps you off them? A mantra of sorts. Albeit one that isn't pretentious (I'm with you on that point)

I don't know that I would classify it as a "mantra". Anything that requires repetition to bolster its veracity is suspect, in my view.

It just seems this "straight edge" business requires some kind of ambient reinforcement, in the form of music, slogan, cultural expressions of other kinds, etc.

On the other hand, a sound rationale can express itself as a personal policy without all the trappings.

So, I guess I admit to the rationale, but I don't consider it a "mantra".

You praise yourself by far,
Shout how strong you are,
You're too good for all of "that",
You're so sharp and they're so flat,

They snort blow to numb their pain,
Yes, they're weak, but you're just vain,
Of course you can't smoke crack,
With both hands patting your own back.

You've got better things to do,
Like judging them and hyping you,
But the joke, both ways it cuts,
Your "straight edge" IS a crutch.
Nice I got to remember that one

If you think the only people in the world are drawn from those two groups, you don't have to plead the fifth, because the question is already flawed.

It is possible to avoid a behaviour without derisive dispersions on those who do it. If you need to build a little "straight edge" spiel about not doing drugs in order to not do drugs, you're as dependent as they are.
That is WAY better then I was going to say it :)

I don't know that I would classify it as a "mantra". Anything that requires repetition to bolster its veracity is suspect, in my view.

It just seems this "straight edge" business requires some kind of ambient reinforcement, in the form of music, slogan, cultural expressions of other kinds, etc.

On the other hand, a sound rationale can express itself as a personal policy without all the trappings.

So, I guess I admit to the rationale, but I don't consider it a "mantra".
Exactly and in the end it forms an “us against them” view.

It (for many) ends up just being another justification for grouping up, discluding some. And often bullying the outside group. Most of the time I wonder if it is even about the drugs or if it has become pure justification for this grouping effect.

I prefer Puff Daddy.

Exactly and in the end it forms an “us against them” view.

It (for many) ends up just being another justification for grouping up, discluding some. And often bullying the outside group. Most of the time I wonder if it is even about the drugs or if it has become pure justification for this grouping effect.

It seems very reasonable that, for a sizable subset of the group, the impetus is more one of social hiearchy than personal health. I can't prove that you're right, but I'd put money on it.

It seems very reasonable that, for a sizable subset of the group, the impetus is more one of social hiearchy than personal health. I can't prove that you're right, but I'd put money on it.
Same ... just personal experience with that hierarchy.

I've always found more militant straight edgers to be the height of irony. Minor Threat (they wrote the song used in the OP) never intended straight edge to be some set of rules. If you take a look at the bridge added to "Out of Step" you can see what their intentions were.

"Listen: This is no set of rules
I'm not trying to tell you what to do
All I'm saying is that I'm bringing up
There are 3 things in this world that are important to people
And because of these things
Whether they're fucking, or playing golf
I feel like:

I can't keep up"*

*(Most people seem to assume that this isn't a part of the song, as I had to spend 15 minutes hunting down this part of the song)

Minor Threat did not intend Straight Edge (the song) to be some kind of attempt to wank their personal beleifs. It was a song written in anger with the response some people had to their choices (Husker Du, in jest, lined a stage they played with Ibuprofin). Straight Edge wasn't even meant to become some sort of movement. Ian Mackaye just put the two words together to imply "Because I do not do these things, I have an advantage".

I find it highly ironic that people who claim to follow a "punk" ideology feel the need to force others to conform to it. Most of the more militant Straight Edgers are considered to be Hard-liners, rather than true straight edgers.

A youth without alcohol and drugs is a wasteland.

"straight edge" people deserve our compassion.

You praise yourself by far,
Shout how strong you are,
You're too good for all of "that",
You're so sharp and they're so flat,

They snort blow to numb their pain,
Yes, they're weak, but you're just vain,
Of course you can't smoke crack,
With both hands patting your own back.

You've got better things to do,
Like judging them and hyping you,
But the joke, both ways it cuts,
Your "straight edge" IS a crutch.

Nice poem. I don't consider myself straight edge, although I'm against drugs. It's just a personal choice, but I don't like to label myself. Also, I really like the song.