Miwagi Forum Posts (1,753)

Which strong English speaking accent is hardest for Americans to understand.

I'd have to say either the Irish or the Scottish. I can understand the Brits and Aussies most of the time. Haven't heard the Kiwis speak very often. The Canucks don't seem to have a real strong accent sans the French. Watching a BBC series with some hearing loss can be a challenge sometimes. Plus some of the words and phrases they use are not in common usage here in the US. Any particular accent you find hard to understand?

RE: Cool Porch

Here we eat first then get naked.

RE: Cool Porch

Just don't feed the baresbears.

RE: Cool Porch

Careful what you wish for.

RE: Cool Porch

I'll be rooting for ya.

RE: Cool Porch

Wow
You guys must not get National Geographic Explorer or the Nature Channel over there. It's not "my" opinion, it's the considered opinion of wildlife biologists everywhere.. You know survival of the fittest, that sort of thing.

RE: Competition

Being able to sell at the cheapest price is what's good for business.

RE: Cool Porch

I would have expected a more reasoned response from you Molly. That's Alaska for godsake. No need to feed eagles or foxes there. It's not a friggin zoo.

RE: Cool Porch

Songbirds maybe. Predators No, no,no . . Especially not bears. That woman should be arrested.

RE: Cool Porch

Me thinks someone has been feeding the wildlife.

RE: Share What You Are Listening To -- Part XX

The ultimate cheese song.

RE: Competition

It's a great motivator.

RE: could you be good looking and not know it

Blind people?

RE: What Shape Is The Earth?

The shape could only be described as bad.

What is going on in South Africa?

According to the news articles I've read I think so. Perhaps someone who lives there will comment.

What is going on in South Africa?

I think South Africa now finds itself between the proverbial rock and a hard place. They are going to change their constitution to give the appearance that taking this land without compensation is completely legal and above ground. It's a fine example of a parliamentary system of representative government run amuck.
Cyril Ramaphosa of the ANC is President, but the radical Julius Malema of EFF seems to be calling the shots. He has double the number of twitter followers than Ramaphosa and his star is rising rapidly among the young and the disenchanted. Land appropriation without compensation has been promised and has been voted on and has passed. It will be impossible to put the toothpaste back in the tube now, and there is no more patience for this to happen over time. It is going to happen sooner rather than later.
The concern is how this can be done without a loss of food production or causing serious damage to SA economy. This is going to be a high bar to clear. If the severe drought continues it will only add to the challenge.
And make no mistake the Economic Freedom Fighters aka EFF will not be satisfied with confiscation of farm land. They want at least some control of the mines and banks too. They are also promising to double the amount of welfare payments and raising the minimum wage, a tried and true method of expanding the voting rolls. They also want to bring back the death penalty. There is blood in the water. The sharks are circling. All we do is watch and wonder, and perhaps pray for a peaceful outcome.

What is going on in South Africa?

What happens to the people on the land will have consequences. Many of the farmers have taken out loans to buy their land and/or equipment. Farmers owe banks R125 billion. Large scale defaults on these loans is inevitable. And don't expect these white farmers to go peacefully into the night, especially when there is no place to go.

RE: Where Are You In The Birth Order?

I'm the middle child and the only one that wasn't spoiled. My older brother was the first born with all the birthright that bestows. My younger sister was the only girl and my father had no sisters and always wanted a girl. I had a much younger brother who was an accident, and the was true baby of the family. It's a toss up between him and my sister as to who was the most spoiled.

What is going on in South Africa?

Yes from the looks of the people in the camps they don't look like the best and brightest. Much like the homeless living on the streets of Los Angeles or Hawaii. And we have plenty of places it would be unwise for tourists to go to alone in our country. Hopefully it can all work out for the benefit of all, but there does seem to be a large amount of hate of white people by quite a few blacks there. Glad to hear it is still safe to visit there I would love to come and see Table Mountain and the big five in the wild. Stay safe.

RE: The elderly

My parents both worked and saved for their own retirement. With their savings and social security they were able to get into a good retirement home where they both passed at age 89. The retirement home did mange to get pretty much all of their money so not much left over for us kids, but they were both as happy as you can expect to be at that age. I'm very grateful to them for taking care of their own needs and becoming a burden for us kids.

RE: Invisible

Just get a government job if you want to do that.

What is going on in South Africa?

I want to thank you Platosha for adding so much good information to the discussion. I realize living conditions have been and remain horrible for many blacks. I think the communists who have power there now will only bring quality of life down for the vast majority of both black and white and other races who live there. I did find a video of a white squatter camp I would like to share with anyone who is interested.
Surely many more blacks live in these conditions or worse, but I think these type of camps will be growing in the future. So have a look if you so chose.

What is going on in South Africa?

Sorry Let. It just seemed like you questioning the accuracy of the information I provided. The government there have voted to take the farmland without compensation, no one can dispute that. In order for that to happen they have to change the constitution but they have the votes to do that. They want to take the land without destroying food production. If that can be done remains to be seen. I hope they can make it work.
Here is a short video.........just a couple minutes that you might find useful. This is new news not old news.

RE: Share What You Are Listening To -- Part XX

RE: What's the difference between the Irish and the English

World view: 6 of one........half dozen of the other.

What's your definition of tolerance?

I never turn one down.

RE: What's the difference between the Irish and the English

What is going on in South Africa?

Very well thanks. And you?

RE: What's the difference between the Irish and the English

Better ask the American ladies I only see one and have nothing to compare too.

RE: What's the difference between the Irish and the English

More Irish are named Mickey.