NationStates Jolt Archive

The Mega Millions lottery drawing for 370 million is on tonight. It is I believe the largest lottery to date in the US. It is available in only 12 states for purchase. I got my 1 token ticket. However I know I won't win. It is nice to dream a bit. What would you do if you were the one winner of 370 million. Of course the tax man will take his share. That would leave you with plenty left over. How would you deal with winning the lottery?

I would actually pay for my college education.

I'd buy a really expensive camera.

Then get drunk. Maybe build a house. Depends on if I have enough money to build a house after I buy the alcohol..

My own vinyard would be nice.

Let's see... the feds and state take away like 40%, right? That'd leave me with about 225 mil... 15% would go to assorted charities, $3mil roughly would go into my dream house, and at least $20mil would go into my collection of vintage sports cars and musclecars. The rest... it'd find a place.

I'd invest some for sure.

I would get it as a lump sum (you can make more by investing it well than the interest they give you by paying it back in installments). After taxes, I'd give a big chunk to charity, pay for college, get a decent apartment and furniture, and invest most of the rest. Oh, and buy a 68 red mustang convertable

I would get it as a lump sum (you can make more by investing it well than the interest they give you by paying it back in installments). After taxes, I'd give a big chunk to charity, pay for college, get a decent apartment and furniture, and invest most of the rest. Oh, and buy a 68 red mustang convertable
I'd build one for you.

Meh. Why does everyone want to donate to charity?

Sure, I'd give some to breast cancer charities and maybe set up a scolarship at my highschool, but why do you feel the need to just give money to charities? Do you really need all of those free address labels?

Why be generous when you could be a greedy bastard like me?

Meh. Why does everyone want to donate to charity?

Sure, I'd give some to breast cancer charities and maybe set up a scolarship at my highschool, but why do you feel the need to just give money to charities? Do you really need all of those free address labels?

Why be generous when you could be a greedy bastard like me?

You can be greedy AND give to charity by clicking one of those linkies in my sig! :)

My parents bought a ticket. If we won, I would try to travel as much as possible, and eventually buy myself into a nice college, maybe. Or not.

My mom would want to start her own charity, and my dad would probably quit his job and paint full time.

There's a small mountain in Quebec I'd try to purchase. And then I'd have a gorgeously bright blue traditional windmill built atop it. A bright blue traditional windmill with a jacuzzi on the patio facing out over the sheer rockface. And I'd buy out the operators of the area ATV trail, invest in a stable, and have the nearby trails re-purposed for horse-riding. I'll never understand why people choose to "enjoy nature" by driving vehicles all over it in a half-drunken stupor.

Oh, and I'd call it "Le Moulin Bleu".

There's a small mountain in Quebec I'd try to purchase. And then I'd have a gorgeously bright blue traditional windmill built atop it. A bright blue traditional windmill with a jacuzzi on the patio facing out over the sheer rockface. And I'd buy out the operators of the area ATV trail, invest in a stable, and have the nearby trails re-purposed for horse-riding. I'll never understand why people choose to "enjoy nature" by driving vehicles all over it in a half-drunken stupor.

Oh, and I'd call it "Le Moulin Bleu".

:D

Well.. In a lump sum, I'd get 225 mil, according to an earlier poster... So...

100 Million in the bank right away (more to follow, once I've spent). 50 million goes to charity, right off the bat too (similarly, more to follow when I'm done spending my first batch). Next, I'd buy a number of stellar guitars and bases. I'd also buy an absurdly good viola. I'd probably sink some money into setting up a professional quality recording studio. I'd donate to the Barack Obama campaign fund (4200 dollars being the max I could give). After that... Hmm... I'd like a Prius, rather than my shitty SL1. I'd like a better computer and some nice games. I'd go out and buy a few new pairs of jeans, maybe some shirts, since I'm running low.

After that, I can't think of anything. That would probably only total one or two million max. The rest of the remaining money would be evenly split between my bank account and charity.

Edit: Well... There are a couple friends who I would buy some stuff for, since I know they want it, but can't afford it.

I'd buy Iraq.... Oh imagine the things I could do with a war torn country :D

Buy an acre of land away from the people who keep building suburbs and fence them out, and taunt them, get some people to help me design a house, then build it. The end.

I wish the had an e-lotto. I don't know how to play the real lotto, and I am too embarrassed to go in to a gas station and ask how to play. :(

Well.. In a lump sum, I'd get 225 mil, according to an earlier poster... So...

100 Million in the bank right away (more to follow, once I've spent). 50 million goes to charity, right off the bat too (similarly, more to follow when I'm done spending my first batch). Next, I'd buy a number of stellar guitars and bases. I'd also buy an absurdly good viola. I'd probably sink some money into setting up a professional quality recording studio. I'd donate to the Barack Obama campaign fund (4200 dollars being the max I could give). After that... Hmm... I'd like a Prius, rather than my shitty SL1. I'd like a better computer and some nice games. I'd go out and buy a few new pairs of jeans, maybe some shirts, since I'm running low.
That earlier poster would me ME.

Anyway, I'd also buy at least 200 assorted vintage (and modern) guitars and basses (think '58 LP, '61 SG Custom, '68 Strat, and '52 Tele)... a nice 8-piece Premier drum kit and a good Hammond organ.

I wish the had an e-lotto. I don't know how to play the real lotto, and I am too embarrassed to go in to a gas station and ask how to play. :(
1) Ask to buy ticket of your choice.
2) Wait until they announce winner.
3) Call them to confirm if you have the winning ticket.

Buy an acre of land away from the people who keep building suburbs and fence them out, and taunt them, get some people to help me design a house, then build it. The end.

One acre? Only one acre? I'd buy as many acres as possible! If you buy one acre, I bet you'll be surrounded by prefab housing in a few years. One acre.. think bigger than one acre..




EDIT: I think I'd buy one million scratch off tickets just for the hell of it. And that money is helping the elderly..

1) Ask to buy ticket of your choice.
2) Wait until they announce winner.
3) Call them to confirm if you have the winning ticket.

Wait, thats it? DO i mark the numbers my self, or tell the clerk, and they do it?

Oh yeah, I find some nice land and buy... oh, 150 acres even sounds good. Which would be seriously fortified and be kept as neat and clean and natural as possible, with a respectably-sized 2-story house (+ attic, bomb shelter, & 6 car garage) and pool.

Wait, thats it? DO i mark the numbers my self, or tell the clerk, and they do it?
Um... I'm not sure what you mean. You get a set of numbers, they announce them on TV and radio (prolly internet too), if you have the winning numbers printed on your ticket, you can call them, they can and (assuming you won) will confirm it, check you out prolly, then you get the prize. Not that hard.

Oh, you don't have to get all numbers matching. If you get 3/5 plus the bonus or something along the lines of that, you will still get some money. About 12-13 years back my grandpa bought a ticket for $1, got 3 normal numbers plus the bonus number, and netted a $150 prize. Adjust that for inflation, if you want.

Um... I'm not sure what you mean. You get a set of numbers, they announce them on TV and radio (prolly internet too), if you have the winning numbers printed on your ticket, you can call them, they can and (assuming you won) will confirm it, check you out prolly, then you get the prize. Not that hard.

Oh, you don't have to get all numbers matching. If you get 3/5 plus the bonus or something along the lines of that, you will still get some money. About 12-13 years back my grandpa bought a ticket for $1, got 3 normal numbers plus the bonus number, and netted a $150 prize. Adjust that for inflation, if you want.

Oh, i was under the impression that I picked my own numbers, but the computer generates them?

i'd leave uni, cuz if i had 370 million it wouldn't bother me that i would be wasting in excess of £30,000 of my parents money in doing so. i could pay them back easily.

i've also promised various things to friends if i win a jackpot, cars, laptops, business grants, holidays etc. haven't promised my sister anything but i reckon i'd buy her a flat or a car or whatever, if i won it tomorrow i'd wire her a few thousand so she doesn't need to worry while she's travelling at the moment, she's on a very tight budget cuz she got ill and couln't work for half the time she was supposed to be saving up.

for myself i'd buy a large plot of land, probably in new zealand, and i'd build a huge round-house made from all natural stuff (just been studying iron age domestic architecture in western europe so this is in my head at the mo) and it'd have several sections. i'd plant some woodland on half the rest of the land and get a couple of dogs to run around on it. and a cat or two (a black one and a white one). on the side of a hill i would plant a field of weed camouflaged by scrub and such (or maybe i'd just buy a couple of politicians to make weed legal). i'd buy a toyota hilux with big tires and a few quad bikes and a lancia HF integrale and a peugeot 205 GTi and some motor bikes. i'd buy a brewery and a distillery, or maybe set up a new one of each. and i'd open a pub/music venue. oh and i'd probably buy some equipment and supplies for a few charities i support. the rest of the money i'd put in a high interest account and live off the interest. i'd probably have to employ an estate manager too actually, maybe i'd just get my partner to do that (if i had one, probably would if i had that kind of money). then i'd spend the rest of my life travelling and paying for my friends to come on holiday to my place whenever they wanted.

Appropriate a nuclear weapon and declare myself a superpower.

There's a small mountain in Quebec I'd try to purchase. And then I'd have a gorgeously bright blue traditional windmill built atop it. A bright blue traditional windmill with a jacuzzi on the patio facing out over the sheer rockface. And I'd buy out the operators of the area ATV trail, invest in a stable, and have the nearby trails re-purposed for horse-riding. I'll never understand why people choose to "enjoy nature" by driving vehicles all over it in a half-drunken stupor.

Oh, and I'd call it "Le Moulin Bleu".
You sober bastard!:eek:

I'd by a kick ass computer. To kick ass to be fully utilized before I garbage it. Then I'd donate shitloads to various OSS projects.

I'd get a car from Tesla Motors.

Then I'd put out allot of money towards scientific research. Then I'd try to buy out most of the smaller computer stores in the area. Then I'd buy happiness.

There's a small mountain in Quebec I'd try to purchase. And then I'd have a gorgeously bright blue traditional windmill built atop it. A bright blue traditional windmill with a jacuzzi on the patio facing out over the sheer rockface. And I'd buy out the operators of the area ATV trail, invest in a stable, and have the nearby trails re-purposed for horse-riding. I'll never understand why people choose to "enjoy nature" by driving vehicles all over it in a half-drunken stupor.

Oh, and I'd call it "Le Moulin Bleu".

it's not about "enjoying nature" when your on an atv, it's about tearing shit up and going really fast over bumpy ground, it's about thrills. anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you (and probably to themselves). as far as i'm concerned enjoying nature is done on foot or in a kayak. (horses are evil :P)

Suprised no one has said they would buy Jolt out so they could control NS forums.

it's not about "enjoying nature" when your on an atv, it's about tearing shit up and going really fast over bumpy ground, it's about thrills. anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you (and probably to themselves). as far as i'm concerned enjoying nature is done on foot or in a kayak. (horses are evil :P)

agreed. especially about everything.

Alright, let's say I end up with $200 million lump sum due to taxes and things like that:

$100 million would be invested in money market and mutual funds (a steady, safe and reliable 5-10% return per year would more than outpace inflation as well as provide additional $5-10 million pre-tax per year) in order to generate constant income. Another $50 million would be put in to high-risk investments like stocks and commodities, and 90-95% of after-tax, after-fee profits would be donated to charities each year.

The remaining $50 million would be spend on a modest, maybe 5,000 or 6,000 square foot zero-energy mansion somewhere out West, some beautiful art and furniture, a high-tech kitchen stocked with fine wines and foods, one of those Tesla Motors cars, a month's worth of premium tailored suits, ties, and shirts, a media center with a massive HDTV, three gaming consoles and a well-stocked library for each, 100 Gigabit ethernet, a few good gaming PCs and a work laptop, and possibly a few servers and data storage devices for all the crap I'll be running.

And anything left would be put in to the bank and intended for a combination of miscellaneous expenses, medical/bioenhancement, and (if necessary) cryonics fund.

Suprised no one has said they would buy Jolt out so they could control NS forums.

I said I'd buy a few good servers so I'm close. Maybe I'll rent them out to Jolt for next to nothing.

I might also want to buy a few supercomputers so I could donate their time to the winning research project in a competition or something like that. That would be a great use of my extra computing power.

I'll call it a flat $200 million after taxes...makes things easier.

$100 million goes straight into Swiss bank accounts. Even at a measly 5% I'm making $5 million a year. I can live on that, so work and school are now options, not necessities.

$10 million to my parents

$5 million to the Peace Corps
$20 million to various charities

$20 million to various friends and relatives

$10 million on housing (Four apartments - Amsterdam, Tokyo, Sydney, San Fransisco, and one house - British Columbia)

$10 million on general shopping craziness...might take me a while to spend it all.

$10 million into a trust fund for future dependents

$10 million into a seperate savings account to fund travel expenses, as I will be going everywhere.

...and lastly.

A $5 million dollar bounty to whoever burns down Fred Phelps' church. :D

Kayaking is fun... and yeah, horses are evil. One nearly killed me 10 years ago, w/o provocation. Muthaf*cka.

i got kicked in the crotch my a horse right after my godmother had pronounced it the most docile horse she'd ever known. luckily i had my hands in my pockets or it might have been messy.

it's not about "enjoying nature" when your on an atv, it's about tearing shit up and going really fast over bumpy ground, it's about thrills. anyone who tells you otherwise is lying to you (and probably to themselves). as far as i'm concerned enjoying nature is done on foot or in a kayak. (horses are evil :P)
Kayaking is fun... and yeah, horses are evil. One nearly killed me 10 years ago, w/o provocation. Muthaf*cka.

I wish the had an e-lotto. I don't know how to play the real lotto, and I am too embarrassed to go in to a gas station and ask how to play. :(

It's simple really. All you need to do is just ask for a Mega Millions if you have it in your state or whatever lotto game your state runs. The computer will generate your numbers. If you want to get adventurous you can fill out a card and the cashier will put it into the machine. Simple as that!

How would you deal with winning the lottery?

First I have to find a naturalized citizen to claim the money.

shit, i almost forgot... id also buy a pirate ship and a skull island and go swashbuckling for a while. maybe i'd employ some ninjas as crew for uber pwnage, punk ninjas in fact. yes. i mean.. Arrrhh!! Oi!! Kiyah!!

First I have to find a naturalized citizen to claim the money.

Do you have to be a citizen to play? That seems a little odd.

Do you have to be a citizen to play? That seems a little odd.

Not to buy. When I was an immigrant student, I saw many buying. But it says in the fine print that you have to be a citizen to claim the money if you win. But that did not stop my friends from buying. :p

Do you have to be a citizen to play? That seems a little odd.
Not really. If you dont' have a valid ID and SSN, how are they going to know who you are? Passport?

I'd probably chuck about half in an uber-safe swiss bank account (to live off the interest, leaving the capital to either my family or for emergency crap), then half the rest could go straight to higher risk-higher return thing which would be managed by some guy in a middle of the road suit who can give all the interest to charity.

The rest would go into an ordinary bank account and would get me a big house on a hill with a pond out the back, gardeners and cleaners etc. a luxury sedan (with chauffer) and a 67 Shelby Mustang GT500, silver, and the awesome-est computer and gaming system hook up available.

Would be kick ass.


CURSE MY LACK OF MONEY!

Okay, take the Shelby, but if it doesn't have a stick there will be hell to pay.

Use it to finance a new series of Arrested Development and, if it doesn't make it to a fourth season, Veronica Mars.

Not sure if it's been said before but...
I'd buy a ps3, any change I got I'd spend on a few kilo's of candy.

I'd take the lump sum which would leave me with $222 million. I'd buy the absolute best penthouse money could buy in NYC ($55 million), my dream car, the Bentley Continental GT ($164,990) and then invest the rest.

I'm not sure what I'd do with that much money. Maybe buy a small country, or an island.
In the short term, I might like to start my own internet company; buy a server and devellop those games I've always wanted to but didn't have time for. And get a house.
In the long term, I'd set out to ensure I can life comfortably regardless what might happen short of an asteroid hitting the earth and wiping out all life (allthough frankly, if I could also ensure I have a an off-planet accomodation, I'd probably do so).

I'd take the lump sum which would leave me with $222 million. I'd buy the absolute best penthouse money could buy in NYC ($55 million), my dream car, the Bentley Continental GT ($164,990) and then invest the rest.

Personally, I always wanted their Arnage. Either way, it would be damn nice to have although I'd also want one of those prototype electric cars from Tesla Motors.

Personally, I always wanted their Arnage. Either way, it would be damn nice to have although I'd also want one of those prototype electric cars from Tesla Motors.Honestly, I'd buy their entire model range (Arnage, Azure, Brooklands Coupe, Continental GT, Continental Flying Spur and Continental GTC), just because I could. I love Bentley.

I'd love to just wheel into my local Bentley dealership and order all six models.

Honestly, I'd buy their entire model range (Arnage, Azure, Brooklands Coupe, Continental GT, Continental Flying Spur and Continental GTC), just because I could. I love Bentley.

It's my favorite of the luxury automobile marques...their products are simply incredible.

I'd love to just wheel into my local Bentley dealership and order all six models.

You'd be a very popular customer, that's for sure. God, I hope I can own even one of those some day, let alone all six.

I'm still pissed at my dad for not going through with the purchase. He was so close... then my mom chimes in and slams him down. :(

Sitting in the Arnage R and Continental GT was fabulous.

Uh... 370 mill... I can't even begin to imagine just how much cash that is. The calculator on my mobile wont let me convert it to krone, because the value is too high...

I fear I would go isane if that much cash dropped in my lap (actually, the sheer weight would probably crush me). First thing, though, I'd buy myself a sweetass huse, then I'd most likely buy something shiny. Like a robot or something.

I'd donate 30 mil to the 4400 series, so they can speed up the next damn season! I want to see it now! Then I would bet Jeremy Irons the rest over who has the biggest wang :P

buy/build a few houses in different parts of the world. then spend my time travelling, studying and partying.

Buy an Island, secede from Australia and live as the tyrannical king of the natives.

Two words: Private island.

I fear I would go isane if that much cash dropped in my lap (actually, the sheer weight would probably crush me). First thing, though, I'd buy myself a sweetass huse, then I'd most likely buy something shiny. Like a robot or something.

With that kind of money, you could become a robot.

Wait a minute, that's a really good idea.

laugh then deposit it in the bank and live the rest of my life as a rich fat fuck.

With that kind of money, you could become a robot.

Wait a minute, that's a really good idea.

o dear. this could be interesting..

o dear. this could be interesting..

Well, for one you could have a built-in jetpack, shiny or flesh-like body, full spectrum vision up to a few miles, internal all-weather climate control, the most amazing hands ever, a fully customizable penis...

Plus, you could use your excess processing power to play games. Instead of just dreaming at night when you're sleep-charging, why not dream up a massive online 8-player free for all on Starcraft or Age of Empires?

Don't ask where you put the CD, though.

Firstly, becoming a robot would be stupid. You could crash or something i.e die, or get reformated or reprogrammed or whatever. Anyway.

I'd buy myself a private army consisting of Ex-Soviet soldiers, aircraft and tanks. There's plenty of them lying around Russia in warehouses and barracks! Then I'd pay someone to design myself a military uniform fit for a Third-World Despot and declare myself a Grand Marshal!

Then I'd take my Neo Soviet Army and invade Hans Island, declaring it as the Island Socialist Republic of Hans, defying both Canada and Denmarks claim to ownership by ripping out both of their flags from the ground. Using my massive wealth to jump start my new nation, I'd create a new socialist state with an economy to rival China! After inevitable economic success I would then of course finance parallel government initiatives in every other nationstate! Eventually, after the parallel governments finally subvert the powers of their legitimate counterparts, I'd also create a parallel UN!

What would I do with 370 million!? Conquer the world of course!

I'd buy a really expensive camera.

Then get drunk. Maybe build a house. Depends on if I have enough money to build a house after I buy the alcohol..

My own vinyard would be nice.

Odd. I was thinking the same thing.

Firstly, becoming a robot would be stupid. You could crash or something i.e die, or get reformated or reprogrammed or whatever. Anyway.

I'd buy myself a private army consisting of Ex-Soviet soldiers, aircraft and tanks. There's plenty of them lying around Russia in warehouses and barracks! Then I'd pay someone to design myself a military uniform fit for a Third-World Despot and declare myself a Grand Marshal!

Then I'd take my Neo Soviet Army and invade Hans Island, declaring it as the Island Socialist Republic of Hans, defying both Canada and Denmarks claim to ownership by ripping out both of their flags from the ground. Using my massive wealth to jump start my new nation, I'd create a new socialist state with an economy to rival China! After inevitable economic success I would then of course finance parallel government initiatives in every other nationstate! Eventually, after the parallel governments finally subvert the powers of their legitimate counterparts, I'd also create a parallel UN!

What would I do with 370 million!? Conquer the world of course!

370 million after taxes isn't enough for that.

You could hire a private army to claim a patch of territory in Africa, and use your initial success to recruit new forces to serve as enlisted men (much cheaper) and then use the resources of your conquered territory to fund your military. If you were lucky and charming you might not bring the western worlds militaries down on you. You'd have to sell to American and European countries at a good discount. But then they'd probably look the other way as your territory expanded. If you give them good deals on tanzanite and diamonds, then they'll be inclined to believe that it would be good for them if you controlled Africa's oil. Forget about the Uranium. Europe's already got it locked down tight.

What would I do with 370 million!? Conquer the world of course!

That would be a hell of a lot easier if you were a robot, you know.

*Sigh*
Im not sure that would pay off my student loan even. Damn top up fees and a 5 year course.

I'm thinking I'd start up my own anarcho-capitalist enclave (can't be an anarcho-capitalist commune, after all), and set it up in some corrupt little country where I'd just have to pay off some people to keep them from bothering me.

File my accounts in a tax haven, invest $300 million in a high interest savings account, invest $50 million in property for myself and my family, invest $20 million in property to rent out to students.

I'm thinking I'd start up my own anarcho-capitalist enclave (can't be an anarcho-capitalist commune, after all), and set it up in some corrupt little country where I'd just have to pay off some people to keep them from bothering me.

Like Jonestown?

Like Jonestown?

Jonestown was communal/collectivist. Much harder to get a bunch of individualists to drink the Kool-Aid.

After taxes you will be lucky to have half of that $370 million. Still, I'd either donate it all to the DNC or buy myself a tropical island. Depending on my mood.

370 million after taxes isn't enough for that.

You could hire a private army to claim a patch of territory in Africa, and use your initial success to recruit new forces to serve as enlisted men (much cheaper) and then use the resources of your conquered territory to fund your military. If you were lucky and charming you might not bring the western worlds militaries down on you. You'd have to sell to American and European countries at a good discount. But then they'd probably look the other way as your territory expanded. If you give them good deals on tanzanite and diamonds, then they'll be inclined to believe that it would be good for them if you controlled Africa's oil. Forget about the Uranium. Europe's already got it locked down tight.

Intrigueing. I shall take your sound advice to heart good fellow. Would you like to be my Evil Trusted Lieutenant? Or perhaps a seat on the soon to be created Parallel UN Security Council?

Now where to start...?

Eritrea? Somalia? Tunisia? Hmmm...

Buy an Island, secede from Australia and live as the tyrannical king of the natives.

Living on an island and tyranically ruling the natives - why would you have to leave Australia to do this?

The Mega Millions lottery drawing for 370 million is on tonight. It is I believe the largest lottery to date in the US. It is available in only 12 states for purchase. I got my 1 token ticket. However I know I won't win. It is nice to dream a bit. What would you do if you were the one winner of 370 million. Of course the tax man will take his share. That would leave you with plenty left over. How would you deal with winning the lottery?

isn't the lottery considered gambling?

This has actually been in my head since this morning, and I've spent most of it by now:rolleyes: If I wasn't dead tired and on my way to bed, I'd post my budget. Suffice to say that the world would be a much better place if I could get my paws on that cash.

isn't the lottery considered gambling?

Of course it is. However if you look at most things in life you gamble on the outcome of many things. By the way the ticket I did buy was the very first lottery ticket. - No joke.

retire at the age of 17

I would start an a charity for poor white Southern persons as unlike other minority groups the rapibdly dying out old people of the south do not have one.:(

isn't the lottery considered gambling?

depends how long you consider it. if you don't consider it long enough to come to a conclusion you can't consider it gambling, therefore it's okay....

well, it works for me and i don't like gambling.

Of course it is. However if you look at most things in life you gamble on the outcome of many things. By the way the ticket I did buy was the very first lottery ticket. - No joke.

games of chance are haraam, which is different than taking certain gambles in life. I thought you were Muslim? I say this not to attack you, I'm just a little confused.

games of chance are haraam, which is different than taking certain gambles in life. I thought you were Muslim? I say this not to attack you, I'm just a little confused.

I am guessing you practice what you preach and you have not gotten insurance, don't invest in stocks etc.

games of chance are haraam, which is different than taking certain gambles in life. I thought you were Muslim? I say this not to attack you, I'm just a little confused.

I have been a Muslim for a long time. If you spend anytime at all in Muslim nations like I have you realize that the hardcore following is not there in 98% of the population. The vast majority do not follow by the letter of the law. I would say from what I have seen near the same as traditional Christians as far as following the faith all the time.

I am guessing you practice what you preach and you have not gotten insurance, don't invest in stocks etc.

Health insurance would be included if you really broke it down. I personally believe that a lot of things are outdated as far as traditions go. Christians and Jews have adapted for the times. I consider myself progressive. If you want to know I also own half of an insurance brokerage(health ins) and am a full owner of a restaurant/pub that serves alcohol. I also believe gays should be treated like the rest of the population. Add to that I have taken up arms in the Gulf War against Iraq against fellow Muslims. Some would say that I do not follow the faith. However I do practice and thats what matters to me.

I have been a Muslim for a long time. If you spend anytime at all in Muslim nations like I have you realize that the hardcore following is not there in 98% of the population. The vast majority do not follow by the letter of the law. I would say from what I have seen near the same as traditional Christians as far as following the faith all the time.The only sad parts about be a Moslem, from what I have heard, is that there is no beer and no bacon in the morning.:(

Aside from that is cool.:p

The only sad parts about be a Moslem, from what I have heard, is that there is no beer and no bacon in the morning.:(

Aside from that is cool.:p

I don't eat pork for various reasons. However contrary to what most people think a lot of Muslims do drink. I rarely have a drink not only due to religion but had a parent that was an alcoholic. Not all Muslims drink by any means but a lot do and have seen it myself. I dated a young Turkish women for a couple years and she did eat pork and drank like a champion. However she was still a Muslim and she did pray and practiced during Ramadan. Also a side note about her was that she had no problem with sex out of wedlock. That is probably the single biggest indiscretion that most Muslims do.

I don't eat pork for various reasons. However contrary to what most people think a lot of Muslims do drink. I rarely have a drink not only due to religion but had a parent that was an alcoholic. Not all Muslims drink by any means but a lot do and have seen it myself. I dated a young Turkish women for a couple years and she did eat pork and drank like a champion. However she was still a Muslim and she did pray and practiced during Ramadan. Also a side note about her was that she had no problem with sex out of wedlock. That is probably the single biggest indiscretion that most Muslims do.And I am Catholic and do not give a tithe to my Chuch, same basic principle as Moselms not drinking I guess.;)

Health insurance would be included if you really broke it down.

I know. As a matter of fact, anything can be declared halal or haraam, if you stretch it enough. :p

That is the point I always stress. Giving this power to the mullahs is a danger. People should be educated to get that judgment from their own brains.

Some would say that I do not follow the faith. However I do practice and thats what matters to me.

I hear ya buddy. Far be it from me, a non-muslim, to judge who is a real muslim or not. But I will support you in your thought that it is between you and Allah. :)

And I am Catholic and do not give a tithe to my Chuch, same basic principle as Moselms not drinking I guess.;)

Some wouldn't think those are equal comparisons but not giving tithe does not take away from you being Catholic. I would find it hard to imagine that god would not allow you in heaven due to you not giving tithe. Maybe I'm wrong... But I don't believe so.

I have been a Muslim for a long time. If you spend anytime at all in Muslim nations like I have you realize that the hardcore following is not there in 98% of the population. The vast majority do not follow by the letter of the law. I would say from what I have seen near the same as traditional Christians as far as following the faith all the time.

Oh ok, I just wanted it clarified. I'm not going to judge you, what you do is between you and Allah swt. No Muslim is perfect, I for instance do use interest(though it is basically I must). I still consider you a brother even if you are more progressive or what have you.

Oh ok, I just wanted it clarified. I'm not going to judge you, what you do is between you and Allah swt. I still consider you a brother even if you are more progressive or what have you.

Likewise.....

Some wouldn't think those are equal comparisons but not giving tithe does not take away from you being Catholic. I would find it hard to imagine that god would not allow you in heaven due to you not giving tithe. Maybe I'm wrong... But I don't believe so.You are right, but what I was saying is that a tithe is a general rule of that the Church enocurages, and in some aspects related to religious text, yet from what you said it seemed that drinking beer was not a total rule for everyone so I was just using a random comparision which I usally do.

Health insurance would be included if you really broke it down. I personally believe that a lot of things are outdated as far as traditions go. Christians and Jews have adapted for the times. I consider myself progressive. If you want to know I also own half of an insurance brokerage(health ins) and am a full owner of a restaurant/pub that serves alcohol. I also believe gays should be treated like the rest of the population. Add to that I have taken up arms in the Gulf War against Iraq against fellow Muslims. Some would say that I do not follow the faith. However I do practice and thats what matters to me.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you reconcile your place within the Ummah with serving in a non-Muslim military. If you want you can TG me. I'm just interested because as a Muslim living in the US it can be hard to have support for both and to try to live in the west while trying to follow the deen.

Well, for one you could have a built-in jetpack, shiny or flesh-like body, full spectrum vision up to a few miles, internal all-weather climate control, the most amazing hands ever, a fully customizable penis...

Plus, you could use your excess processing power to play games. Instead of just dreaming at night when you're sleep-charging, why not dream up a massive online 8-player free for all on Starcraft or Age of Empires?

Don't ask where you put the CD, though.
The only problem is it would all have to be one-off custom designs and would end up costing more that the $220 million you'd be left with. Then there all sorts of little glitches you'd have to think about. ie. What about metal detectors at airports?