WRITING: Random Questions Forum

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Okay, I know we had one in ye old days, but I'm too lazy to go digging for it.

Now, as writers we always hit that one point of the story where we want to be true to life, but we don't know the proper technique of horse jumps or what gun is most commonly found among low-level Mafia or Yakuza. So, this will be the thread for such random questions.

First Question: If there is a long multi-week low-visibility mission for a police officer, what is the proper method by which the current alert officer usually contacts his partner to arrive at his position when they are separated by a distance. Do they still use walkie-talkies or would they resort to business cell phones?

And yes this is Big City, think Narc.

 

[impressive]

QUESTION: What does a Catholic priest say to "launch" a confession? From my childhood, I just remember:

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen. -- You may begin.

I stopped going to confession LONG before I became an adult. Is it different for gr'ups?

Thanks!

 

[Lisa Denton]

Okay, I know we had one in ye old days, but I'm too lazy to go digging for it.

Now, as writers we always hit that one point of the story where we want to be true to life, but we don't know the proper technique of horse jumps or what gun is most commonly found among low-level Mafia or Yakuza. So, this will be the thread for such random questions.

First Question: If there is a long multi-week low-visibility mission for a police officer, what is the proper method by which the current alert officer usually contacts his partner to arrive at his position when they are separated by a distance. Do they still use walkie-talkies or would they resort to business cell phones?

And yes this is Big City, think Narc.

He could just arrest LC and use LC's cell phone (think outside the box)

 

[BlackShanglan]

QUESTION: What does a Catholic priest say to "launch" a confession? From my childhood, I just remember:



I stopped going to confession LONG before I became an adult. Is it different for gr'ups?

Thanks!

If memory serves, it's the supplicant who begins. "Bless me, father, for I have sinned. It has been <3 weeks, whatever> since I last went to confession."

Shanglan

 

[Guest]

How big are horse penises?

Not a writing questions, just curious.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Erect? I've seen them long enough to reach better than halfway to the forelegs. The length of your lower arm would be a modest estimate.

Or was that a more personal question?

Shanglan

 

[Guest]

QUESTION: What does a Catholic priest say to "launch" a confession?

I think they used to open the screen and say, "Yes, my child." Ick.

But since Vatican II (late sixties) "confession" is no longer used, it's called the sacrament of reconcialation. Few Catholics use the confessional booths (they're remnants of the old church). One speaks directly with a priest, in his office or a rectory visitor's room, wherever. Depending on the parish there are also several days a year (around Easter for sure) for communal reconciliation. Everyone silently "confesses" and the whole crowd is "absolved" as one.

The idea is to get away from the old negative notion of sin and to do penance and 'wipe the slate clean'. Now it has to do with reconsiling oneself to one's self and others, and to God.

Perdita

 

[Colleen Thomas]

Okay, I know we had one in ye old days, but I'm too lazy to go digging for it.

Now, as writers we always hit that one point of the story where we want to be true to life, but we don't know the proper technique of horse jumps or what gun is most commonly found among low-level Mafia or Yakuza. So, this will be the thread for such random questions.

First Question: If there is a long multi-week low-visibility mission for a police officer, what is the proper method by which the current alert officer usually contacts his partner to arrive at his position when they are separated by a distance. Do they still use walkie-talkies or would they resort to business cell phones?

And yes this is Big City, think Narc.

Most police forces now have modern throat mikes and radios with a single earphone. Think secret service gear. That would be the standard for officers on stakeout. If your officers are acting undercover, i.e. the plan is infiltration and not survelience/arrest, then I would expect direct link cell's would be the best option, since they are ubiquitous now and wouldn't arouse undo suspicion.

 

[impressive]

But since Vatican II (late sixties) "confession" is no longer used, it's called the sacrament of reconcialation. Few Catholics use the confessional booths (they're remnants of the old church).

Guess that tells you about when I stopped going to "confession," eh?

Thanks, P.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

Re: Re: WRITING: Random Questions Forum

Most police forces now have modern throat mikes and radios with a single earphone. Think secret service gear. That would be the standard for officers on stakeout. If your officers are acting undercover, i.e. the plan is infiltration and not survelience/arrest, then I would expect direct link cell's would be the best option, since they are ubiquitous now and wouldn't arouse undo suspicion.

Thank you very much.

But one more question, how's the range on those things?

 

[dr_mabeuse]

What's the opposite of "empower"?

Unpower?


---dr.M.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

What's the opposite of "empower"?

Unpower?


---dr.M.

Belittle, disparage, discredit, depose?

Depends on how you're using it.

 

[carsonshepherd]

What's the opposite of "empower"?

Unpower?


---dr.M.

Disempower.

Edit - or what he said.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Disempower.

Edit - or what he said.

Yeah. Or disenfranchise, or devoice, or simply crush I suppose.

 

[shereads]

Yeah. Or disenfranchise, or devoice, or simply crush I suppose.

Between "what's the size of a horse penis" and "simply crush I suppose" I've gathered more than enough material for a substantially bad dream. If it's formatted properly, I'll submit it as a story.

 

[cantdog]

Deny or thwart, I would say, Zoot.