solitare Forum Posts (4,041)

RE: USA,-Where Liberalism Failed....

Dear Conrad, who sidesteps or obfuscates?? Dear fellow it is ALWAYS you; you either attack the posters on a very personal level but never the content of a post or you really expect that any and every poster owes you, personally an accounting or explanation of the why's and wherefore's of their post. Who in the hell do you think you are??? To me, you're nothing but a miserable old man that claims to be a red, white and blue American that doesn't want to live in their good ol' USA...or can't. The there is the side of you that is a raving Zionist at best or a wanna-be Israeli agent-provocateur. It is rare indeed that you ever make a posting of more than five words...all you really do is post links to all sorts of absolute rubbish. You do not come across as someone who can actually articulate a coherent sentence. You are no one that anyone on any thread owes you any explanation or answer to anything they post. That deflects and obfuscated the content and message, if there is one. Your questioning others does not by any means implies that you and you alone have all, any or even the remotest idea of answers to anything. Don't bother to obfuscate the content of what I post by your inane supercilious questions that are on a grade school level. Grow up and deal with the content; tell me where I may be wrong or may have misquoted someone. That is what mature adults do. Obviously you've never experienced being on any type of academic debating teams...unless they kicked you off for constantly going off topic and resorting to personal attacks and name calling, of which I seem to recall that you were always the first to resort to that level also. Why you were allowed back on CS is beyond me as you actually contribute nothing but unending negativity toward anyone or anything you may disagree with, but never constructively offer anything, not one in all the years you've been here. Perhaps you really should go home to your so called country and start helping build a better one.

RE: USA,-Where Liberalism Failed....

It was inevitable. In assesing the character of American government (which is reflective of the people), one recalls, the astute observation by the historian Nenry Adams that politics is "the systematic organization of hatreds". The "Founding Fathers", it is most often forgotten, designed the US Constitution in a pre-democratic age before the emergence of a party system, which they feared could lead, in George Washington's words, to the "unjust dominion" of "unprincipled men". If they were alive today, and as wise as assumed, they should have amended or wish to amend the aging text that has failed to stem the tide of faction and has become an obstacle to good governance.
American politics is combative. Belligerence is its essence. Many famous Victorian jurists have questioned the entire Partysystem, including John Stuart Mill, for whom it raised universal questions about political behavior. Begining with the electorial provisions they created in Philadelphia in 1787, it immediatly created and encouraged partystrife and political corruption. John Stuart Mill noted in "Considerations in Representative Government"(1861), all selfish ambition gravitated towards the demos. Like most sensible commentators, he lamented the corruption and conformity in American democracy, which the electoral process promoted. As he saw it back then as now, a total lack of critical, independent thought led to a passive citizenry that followed the received wisdom " with the most servile adulation and sycophancy".
Alexis de Toqueville noted that America was already then a materialistic society that had many ambitious people but very few lofty ambitions and that political power had become concentrated in their hands. Arguably his "tyranny of the majority" has proved far less dangerous than what was seen by James Bryce as the incapacity of useless politicians elected by a citizenry with low expectations of government.
All of Jefferson's anxieties as written in The Federalist Essays (1788) about the inherent dangers of organized parties have become only too clear. The Victorians observed that uncritical veneration of the Constitution left the US politically immobilized at critical moments, unable to remedy the faults in its electoral structure. Checks and balances in a system of multiple sovereignties induced a constipated politics of entrenched, combative partisanship. Consequently, Americans have evaded all constraints on governance less by amendment than through the courts and by stealth. It is worth recalling that when it has suited them, most of the more memorable Presidents, including Jackson, Lincoln, and even Roosevelt, discarded the Constitution that they so professed to to revere. For no politician as yet, in America has the courage to say of the 'holy' Constitution, as it is said of kings: "The King is dead. Long Live the King!" Let it die along with all those old dead Greeks that Jefferson so revered. Back then, they were 'out of date'; today, they and their old ideas are even more out of date. RIP. Finally.

RE: Vatican State

Yes, and according to various treaties, citizens of most countries are 'allowed' to join the Foreign Legion or the Spanish Foreign Legion, but they do. Of course many keep their service time there quiet when they do return to their respective home countries, as I have known a few who were arrested for having joined...including one Swiss ...poor guy...

RE: Vatican State

Not ALL of the rotating Swiss Guard units at the Vatican are Catholic, either...don't forget they are a 'mercenary force' by both tradition and by contract...

RE: Which Type Of Person Gets On Your Nerve The Most

The ones that scare me are the ones in Washington D.C


and pass gas all the time...

RE: War related music & music videos.

The ten volume set of The World At War comes to mind, as the music composed for this original TV show is simply superb.
Another war series much touted for its musical score was Richard Rodger's Victory At Sea series made back in the early 60's, if I remember correctly.

RE: NRA suggests armed guards in every USofA school

Well, so much for the much vaunted "We is all equal!" decree of the "civil rights" legislation; special status means special treatment...ain't dat un-american.....ummmmmm

RE: Who Can Give This Scholar A Good Answer ?

Technically the Muslim speaker is and was correct regarding the teaching of a wrong faith/ religion. We Europeans gave up a similar right with both the Protestant Revolution and the dissolution of our "Holy Roman Empire" We were no longer One People, One Church and one Empire. The 'nation' of Islam has started down the same road quite some time ago as different countries, still nominally calling themselves a Muslim country, started interpreting the Koran differently and began making both social and religious changes to their societies/ countries. This began in / with the North African countries like Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria and then started to spread into parts of Egypt. Those differences are the crux of why those countries reject the Taliban version/ interpretation of the Koran and will not accept any of the 'radical' propaganda. Also, there exists no Caliphate and certainly no Grand Mufti Of Jerusalem that once had the powers needed to keep all Muslim lands united in the same understandings and teachings of the Koran. 2+2 no longer equal 4 anywhere in a figurative way. We are the degenerate remains, if you will of 2 once mighty Empires and peoples firm in their belief systems and the rightgiousness of our respective causes. We once stood equal to each other; now we do not. Europe and our Race is busy fighting its way to the bottom as a whole. Islam is doing the same but only in those countries that are close to Europe and have been more than less integrated with Europe when only colonies of Europe. Former Muslim Spain, however is a whole different story. It was once the key to a mutually beneficial Peace and prosperity between our worlds. Who knows, it may again.
Personally, I believe in fighting extremism with even more extremism, ratcheted up ten times more extreme, but not to the point of total annihilation...unless it does become absolutely imperitive to our survival upon this planet. 2+2 would have become a distraction by then and anyone trying to play games, would be put up against the proverbial wall and shot to pieces. I would hope.

RE: We are Preparing for Massive Civil War, Says DHS Informant

The first time that I remember hearing about that was back in the early 60's...I would imagine those cars are still secretly going along all the abandoned rail lines in Georgia or the Carolinas somewhere...same with the garbage about "concentration camps"...Some of these people went on to start the "Liberty Lobby" some years later...They all should have been in for emergency psychiatric care...

RE: NRA suggests armed guards in every USofA school

Years ago, there was a bank that gave new customers shotguns when they opened up a new account... I liked that
Some should try that again!(including free tickets to the Full Auto Competition held each year outside of Las Vegas

RE: Should Putin be....

I hope it is as good as when Jack Palance played Genghis Khan AND his entire horde! Putin may have it called Attila The Honey... He does have charisma.

RE: Is there a man who doesn't argue and complain.LOL!!!

With all the whining spoiled brat crie-babies out in the world, this isn't a laughing matter for the Jokes section; shame it isn't a joke...

RE: If you were visiting a new city, where would you be most excited to go?

Poll: If you were visiting a new city, where would you be most excited to go?

Tourist attractions or entertainment venues.
Historically or culturally important places.
Places popular with the locals.
Home.
Other.



Their "red Light District"! It is usually old, therefore historical as well as hysterical; has lots of 'entertainment' venues; "Red Light" areas are also usually culturally important places and very popular with the locals, both male and female. Bars/ cantinas galore so you'll never need go thirsty and always lots of shows to watch, be it girls on stage or drunks fighting or shooting each other in the street...Life in all its wonderful and bizarre forms...

RE: NRA suggests armed guards in every USofA school

The worst sub-machinegun I experienced was the Uzi; I hated that thing and soon got rid of it. In Rhodesia we were given Uzis to use; it had an almost uncontrollable pressure when on full auto. I also found it too heavy for our type of operations and asked for a replacement. Out regular weapons depot quartermaster sent to see the weapons master over at the Selous Scouts when I had asked for an Mat49 or an MP40. Their weapons officer turned out to be an ex Spanish Foreign Legion officer and ex French Legionnaire who just laughed when I asked for a replacement. Told me he also hated the Uzis. Half an hour later he asks me did I want the old French Legion MAT49 or the converted Russian 7.62 Tokarev version...that one ,I hadn't heard of, so I asked to try it. He finally came back with all 3; the MP40(he had 9) were taken from mercs that came in from the Congo wars back in the 60's, They were in immaculate condition as were the MAT49's.
After trying them I finally settled on the Tokarev version of the French MAT49 because of the 7.62 conversion which could tear uo any mud brick or cinder block huts etc. on full auto and no upswings at all compared to the UZi's and only half the weight! I was one happy soldier with a new toy to play with! It easily out performed the Israeli Uzi.

RE: which of these famous women celebrities past or present the most beautiful ?

You forgot Brigitte Bardot!?

RE: what are you listening to now?

The Scream by Edvard Munch...

RE: Should Putin be....

Well, if a Superhero like Shamou of the North can be made, why not put Putin in super-duper hero costume also and we can watch him fly around Russia dealing out Truth, Justice and the Russian way to bad Ruskies!

RE: Is there a woman that doesn't argue and complain?

Like in the old Jerry Reed song, he gets the shaft and she gets the mine when she files for divorce...

RE: NRA suggests armed guards in every USofA school

That had been an idea for years when I was a kid. The logistics and expenses in building ranges, either indoor or outdoor for most schools was impossible to overcome. Perhaps, that idea should be re-visited. The NRA had nation-wide drives for memberships and they had indoor ranges at most of their locations. I learned at the one in Wash. DC when I joined the Cub Scouts and continued with it through the Explorer Scouts as well. It was great, but then so were the outdoor ranges that the Scouts had and during all our camping out trips around the country.
An ex Marine taught me the fundamentals of being a sniper at the NRA range in DC when I was around 14 or so...fantastic! It all came
in very handy when I joined my first military during the Biafran War and later in others. The NRA back then had really good teachers and earning your certificates in competitions was hard, but worth it especially with all the different weapons you learned to use.
As far as I'm concerned, the NRA became like/ part of "Big Business" Corporate America in the 70's and lost all credibility; they became all politics and that soured many members and many of their lobbyists. They lost track of their ideals which being on Capital Hill everyday is easy.

RE: mental hospital

Oh????

RE: NRA suggests armed guards in every USofA school

My answer would be ,Yes, as I view every type of assault against anyone as an 'invasion' of some type.
Every store, or private home, or public building that others forcibly enter, break into, invade with the purpose to robbing, stealing, assaulting, raping or and killing in an invasion and should be repelled and resisted by whatever means possible.
There is only one thing with the NRA that I fully agree with and that is stated at the front of the American Rifleman Magazine (on hunting), called "The Armed Citizen". "The mere presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, prevents crime in many instances, as shown by news reports sent to the Armed Citizen. Shooting usually can be justified only where crime constitutes an immediate, imminent threat to life or limb or, in some circumstances, property. The accounts below are from clippings sent in by NRA Members; not by soldiers of fortune Magazine subscribers.
What then follows are many cases all answered by police that took place around the nation. The mind set in Ireland is not the mind set in the US. Neither is the population nor the levels of violenve; premeditated or random. The populations are not homogenius in the US as for the most part in Ireland. It is nice and cozy to be all cozy in a pub in downtown, Dublin or Galway, (unlike Belfast, just several years ago, with the Provos and IRA gunmen running about,tossing firebombs and shooting people, right)
It is also nice and cozy to be several thousand miles away from what I have experienced as a 'low-level urban warfare free-for-all' that exists in most US cities rapidly spreading into all communities, not by the number of weapons, but by the type of mentality that only understands violence and spreads it using weapons of all sorts. The weapons; the guns come afterward as the surest and fastest way to respond to an assault of usually deadly force Their entire mentality , attitude is still, basically alien to all Europeans, and understanding that they perceive themselves to be "under siege" may help in keeping that out of our lives, though I seriously doubt it. Germany and France is awash in violence of all sorts and gang warfare. Weapons spread and more people begin to reach for them. Guns are no longer exclusive to urban guerrillas such as The Red Brigades or the Red Army factions. Now that Ireland is part of the EU, Ireland will get to share in all that garbage imported from Africa and the Middle East, not to mention US movies on your Tele...

RE: Who Are The Intolerable Religious People On This Earth ?

Perfect; all have that possibility and some have, like the Protestant sects that make up what are euphemistically referred to as the "Bible Belt" evangelicals; a whole slew of semi educated, half demented religious bigots and zealots that epitomize the crazed characters of the Westboro Baptist "Church". They are the American versions of the religious fanatics and extremists of the Taliban and such sects of the Muslims. Muslims in most Arabic countries reject the extremists and Americans are slowly waking up to reject their extremist factions/ cults of their Protestant followings as being a non representative of all the American Christians, Protestant or Catholic.

RE: NRA suggests armed guards in every USofA school

Teachers in Harrold, Texas were allowed to be in schools and armed 2 years ago; so far, no problems. Otherwise, go straight to the ultimate scenario as the final solution and arm the students. Historically, children are the ultimate last resort to be used to defend a country, so just go straight to it and be done with it. People seem to be fond of the saying, "Kids Rule". Here's the perfect solution to a truly American dilemma...

RE: School Shooting in Connecticut '27 killed'

Collectively, they have all been basically 'brainwashed' into believing that everyone is out to get them; they cure would be to 're-program' them into not believing that 'red-scare/ Hollywood hysteria', possibly leaving them with a sense of ease and a better attitude towards each other and the rest of the world. Their peculiar psychosis is like a deadly contagion.

RE: NRA suggests armed guards in every USofA school

But who would be holding the gun; one of them or an exasperated mediator??
(and what of sons and their 'dear ol' dads',( the usual long absent drunken abuser)...

RE: NRA suggests armed guards in every USofA school

"Ok so we ban ALL guns from everyone which would of course includ the totally deranged people too."


Headline from The Victoria Daily News, page 6, Dec. 4, 2012:

"US SENATE DODGES ISSUE OF GUN RIGHTS FOR MENTALLY ILL VETS"
AP "A U>S> Senator's push to allow mentally ill war veterans to own guns had briefly threatened to derail a $631 billion US defence bill for reshaping a military that is disengaging from a decade of warfare,
Sen. Tom Coburn, a Republican, sought to amend the bill to stop the Veterans Affair's Department from putting the names of veterans deemed too mentally incompetent to handle their finances into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which prohibits them from buying or owning firearms.
Democratic Se. Charles Schumer objected, saying the measure would make it easier for veterans with mental illness to own a gun, endangering themselves and others."
"If you are a veteran or not and you have been judged to be mentally infirm, you should not have a gun."
Currently, the VA appoints fiduciaries to manage the pensions and disability benefits of veterans who are declared incompetent. When that happens, the department automatically enters the veteran's name in the Criminal Background Check System.
A core group of lawmakers led by Sen. Richard Burr has for several years wanted to prohibit the VA from submitting those names to the gun-check registry unless a judge deems the veteran to be a danger. This year's version of the bill has 21 co sponsors. It passed the Senate Veteran's Affairs Committee by voice vote, a tactic used generally reserved for noncontroversial legislation. Coburn's amendment to the Defence bill contained comparable language.
"All I'm saying is, let them at least have their day in court if you are going to take away a fundamental right given under the Constitution," Coburn said.
Buuly for the Republicans that they want mentally deranged combat vets to have access to all sorts of weapons! Ya can't git more Amurikan dan dat!

RE: Is this the end????

Both a very timely,(and opportunistic coincidental) "fist strike' 'legal' excuse for the US to rid themselves of a nagging pest; but if they did hit and 'take out' North Korea,(with their usual impunity), what will the rest of the world have for comic relief...

RE: Ideas on how to make our schools and other public places safer.

Look at the case of teachers with guns in Harold, Texas...

RE: Dating a geek

for really smart answers, try brainiacs. com...

RE: Is there a woman that doesn't argue and complain?

he could always try dating a mime...
ahhh, but then she'd probably resort to giving him the finger...