Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jun 19, 2011 8:49:17 GMT -5
Like beautiful flowing poetry. What cryptic meaning could these words hold? Perhaps they're a missive about the tastiness of clam chowder. Perhaps a terse encoding of Maxwell's laws. Perhaps the shortest treatise ever written on the mating habits of the noble hippopotamus. Or could they be all three--shifting between them like a leaf tumbling through the hurricane of our perceptions? Some things mankind is simply not meant to know. P.S. The other day I heard SBS say that Pres. Obama was an "embarrassment to American democracy" and that Pres. Reagan was a "dimwitted supply-side pseudo-economist who ruined America". I think P&M regulars should tell her what they think via PMs. Lots and lots of PMs.
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on Jun 19, 2011 9:13:10 GMT -5
How about I do it here.
I think that the slate of candidates that we had to select from, Republican and Democrat, in 2008 was thin. That more qualified individuals will not run is the "embarrassment to American Democracy". She is spot on when it comes to Reagan. 1980 was the point in time that we needed to make fundamental changes in our national economic existence. Reagan's "credit card economy" was not what we needed and lead us to exactly where we are today.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jun 19, 2011 9:16:33 GMT -5
Perhaps you're right, Ms. times. We shall agree to disagree. ETA: Bill, I should disclaim that in SBS' case, the remarks are fabricated. (That much isn't obvious to a non-EEer.) Like most EEers, I suspect SBS would rather be shot in the kneecap than have to discuss American politics via private correspondence.
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deziloooooo
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Post by deziloooooo on Jun 19, 2011 10:08:59 GMT -5
How about I do it here. I think that the slate of candidates that we had to select from, Republican and Democrat, in 2008 was thin. That more qualified individuals will not run is the "embarrassment to American Democracy". She is spot on when it comes to Reagan. 1980 was the point in time that we needed to make fundamental changes in our national economic existence. Reagan's "credit card economy" was not what we needed and lead us to exactly where we are today. REAGON !it was Reagon who did it NOT Obama..?? Obama Doesn't suck? Heavens to Betsy. -------------------------------------- A note not to mean anything.. Just finished listening to Zakaria's show today..he always asks a question at the end iof the show..goes to a commercial , then answers it. Todays question..who did the US fight as the enemy during the Korean War besides the North Korean's...and then gives four possibilities as Virgil does. Naturally correct answer was China..and if you got it right , he congrats you and then he said..your better then US graduating seniors in High School this year..only 25% of them have gotten that correct. Unbeleivable to me..I guess it is beyond my time..wonder if the results would be the same about WW2, who were the enemy? Hell , I wonder if asked about our current engagements how they would do.
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NoMoreLunacy
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Post by NoMoreLunacy on Jun 19, 2011 10:14:36 GMT -5
Hey Virgil, you are not American? Then why am I discussing American politics with you? What a waste of time ...
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 19, 2011 10:18:42 GMT -5
Hey Virgil, you are not American? Then why am I discussing American politics with you? What a waste of time ... ...for crying out loud... he's North American, which means he's american... and it's a global world... so of course we gossip about everybody...
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 19, 2011 10:20:43 GMT -5
<<< My only grievance is that it's incredibly awkward referring to someone in the third person if you don't know his/her gender. >>> ...fair enough... still, the "royal we" works...
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jun 19, 2011 10:22:02 GMT -5
Good morning to you too, Lunacy. I know!! A non-American with an interest in American politics!? The thought of such a thing!
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 19, 2011 10:27:29 GMT -5
Good morning to you too, Lunacy. I know!! A non-American with an interest in American politics!? The thought of such a thing! ...interesting factoid about this, imo... when traveling throughout the Americas, I've found that the South and Central Americans are much more territorial about the "american" adjective... Canadians, not so much... imo...
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Post by mtntigger on Jun 19, 2011 10:29:51 GMT -5
Good morning to you too, Lunacy. I know!! A non-American with an interest in American politics!? The thought of such a thing! That's because the U.S. controls the world! Buwahahahaha.
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deziloooooo
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Post by deziloooooo on Jun 19, 2011 10:32:27 GMT -5
Good morning to you too, Lunacy. I know!! A non-American with an interest in American politics!? The thought of such a thing! Your correct..who would have ever imagined..Heavens to Betsy!
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 19, 2011 10:34:22 GMT -5
<<< That's because the U.S. controls cajoles the world! Buwahahahaha. >>>
...fixed... ;D
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NoMoreLunacy
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Post by NoMoreLunacy on Jun 19, 2011 10:34:25 GMT -5
Good morning to you too, Lunacy. I know!! A non-American with an interest in American politics!? The thought of such a thing! Have an interest all you want. But American politics is none of your business.
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Post by mtntigger on Jun 19, 2011 10:39:37 GMT -5
<<< That's because the U.S. controls cajoles the world! Buwahahahaha. >>> ...fixed... ;D True that! Darn it, I miss the good ol' days when we could just bomb whatever we wanted to whenever we wanted to. <<sigh>>
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jun 19, 2011 10:59:05 GMT -5
"Have an interest all you want. But American politics is none of your business." - Lunacy, 06/19/2011 That'll make it into the first print of "Yes, They Actually Said It: P&M Edition". I'm off to Market Talk. Got to inform everyone that European, Chinese, and middle-eastern politics are "none of their business".
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2011 11:32:22 GMT -5
As I said, I voted A.
Statement A: Teachers, lawyers (all courts, both prosecutors and client attorneys), scientists, engineers, and citizens who would be considered "intellectual" professionals are inherently untrustowrthy. Intellectuals in general frequently lie and fabricate facts/conclusions that conform to specific agendas (lawyers exempted for this one). Their work is not sufficiently scrutinized, making them a potential liability to society.
POTENTIAL is a key word for me here. As I also said, I am not in agreement with this.. that is because of the blanket statement of "inherently untrustworthy." While I do not agree with that, I have seen and experienced first hand in my life enough intellectual dishonesty to make me vote A rather than none of the above. Some of ALL of the above will lie, cheat, etc, to get what they want, and to cover their own butts. While I do think it is not a majority it is out there. I personally know of a cancer researcher that fudged his data to get a huge grant.... and a school district that protected a teacher that had several years of reports of sexual abuse of middle school girls.... and have had a few experiences with lawyers, courts, cops--- that lied out right about powerless defendants to get what they wanted. "Intellectually" inclined politicians lie all the time.. Yep, A for me, revised to fit reality.. can't honestly say none of the above.
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NoMoreLunacy
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Post by NoMoreLunacy on Jun 19, 2011 13:14:07 GMT -5
"Have an interest all you want. But American politics is none of your business." - Lunacy, 06/19/2011 That'll make it into the first print of "Yes, They Actually Said It: P&M Edition". I'm off to Market Talk. Got to inform everyone that European, Chinese, and middle-eastern politics are "none of their business". Please do.
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Mad Dawg Wiccan
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Post by Mad Dawg Wiccan on Jun 19, 2011 14:35:26 GMT -5
I voted None, I don't think there is a strong anti-intellectual bias in the US.
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NoMoreLunacy
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Post by NoMoreLunacy on Jun 19, 2011 14:36:40 GMT -5
I voted None, I don't think there is a strong anti-intellectual bias in the US.
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hello fromWarsaw
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Post by hello fromWarsaw on Jun 19, 2011 15:52:01 GMT -5
Americans need more than anything to discuss their politics with "furriners"... Our politics are truly anti-intellectual more than any other, based on gossip, fear mongering, and myth, not real policy.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jun 19, 2011 16:19:43 GMT -5
Perhaps you and Lunacy can come to an agreement, Warsaw. He's indicated that foreigners should not comment on American politics (which is "none of [their] business") [#137, #145] and that Americans should likewise never discuss the politics of foreign nations [#149].
He has also characterized discussing American politics with a non-American as being "a waste of time" [#137].
It would be interesting to see you gentlemen reconcile your views.
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NoMoreLunacy
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Post by NoMoreLunacy on Jun 19, 2011 16:23:58 GMT -5
I am totally in agreement with Warsaw. Americans have a lot to learn from other countries. For starters, I would take the British Parliamentary system and replace the nonsensical American system with that. Assuming you are from Canada, Virgil, let me tell you, I love the Canadian Social Safety net system. America has a lot to learn from it.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jun 19, 2011 17:29:41 GMT -5
That was... unexpected. But... OK. I prefer Canada's social security too--but I'm biased on the issue. I support public healthcare because it's more efficient. Doctors don't have to fight with insurance companies to get paid. Employers don't have to waste time and resources on insurance plans. Citizens don't have to pick jobs based on benefits, or pay hefty risk premiums. The administration costs amount to between 1-2% of the total cost of care, which is chicken feed compared to the profit margin for US insurance companies. All these factors combine into a system that, although expensive, still yields good value for the dollar. That said, a lot of the SS programs that work extremely well in Canada have proven to work extremely poorly in the US because of the sheer difference in size. Canada's programs can become a bureaucratic nightmare at times. Multiply that times ten to deal with the disparity in size between our nations, and the US could end up with an unholy mess. Republicans aren't wrong to point at the USPS, Amtrak, Fannie/Freddie, and any number of other plodding, hopelessly bankrupt federal institutions that have failed because they're too freakin' big. Hence, it doesn't automatically follow that because public healthcare works well in Canada it will also work well in the US. And did I mention that it's bloody expensive? As for systems of government, there are advantages to both. The British system is definitely simpler. You also have to consider that Canadians are much more "represented" than our US counterparts. Here we have one representative per 100,000 people or thereabouts. In the US, it's closer to one per 700,000.
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NoMoreLunacy
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Post by NoMoreLunacy on Jun 19, 2011 17:34:33 GMT -5
Don't worry about the USA Virgil. The Canadian system is great and Americans like me will decide whether ton follow it and how to pay for it. Just stick to endorsing it and we can be the best of friends. Deal?
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cme1201
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Post by cme1201 on Jun 19, 2011 17:35:57 GMT -5
Don't worry about the USA Virgil. The Canadian system is great and Americans like me will decide whether ton follow it and how to pay for it. Just stick to endorsing it and we can be the best of friends. Deal? Well your vote for would be cancelled by my vote against, and I am pretty sure more would back my vote than yours.
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NoMoreLunacy
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Post by NoMoreLunacy on Jun 19, 2011 17:36:57 GMT -5
Don't worry about the USA Virgil. The Canadian system is great and Americans like me will decide whether ton follow it and how to pay for it. Just stick to endorsing it and we can be the best of friends. Deal? Well your vote for would be cancelled by my vote against, and I am pretty sure more would back my vote than yours. Are we going to compare penis sizes next?
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cme1201
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Post by cme1201 on Jun 19, 2011 17:38:20 GMT -5
You have been warned about keeping it pg-13.
No, your declaration the Americans like you will decide what system to follow discounting the votes of those who do not follow your line of thinking.
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NoMoreLunacy
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Post by NoMoreLunacy on Jun 19, 2011 17:43:02 GMT -5
You have been warned about keeping it pg-13. No, your declaration the Americans like you will decide what system to follow discounting the votes of those who do not follow your line of thinking. At what age does sex Ed begin in the USA? It has already started in my son's school and he is 11. Would you have preferred if I just laughed at your assertion that you know for a fact that more people agree with you than with me? Even after health care reform passed? I expect such random statements from cab drivers, may be.
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cme1201
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Post by cme1201 on Jun 19, 2011 17:45:47 GMT -5
You have been warned about keeping it pg-13. No, your declaration the Americans like you will decide what system to follow discounting the votes of those who do not follow your line of thinking. At what age does sex Ed begin in the USA? It has already started in my son's school and he is 11. Would you have preferred if I just laughed at your assertion that you know for a fact that more people agree with you than with me? Even after health care reform passed? I expect such random statements from cab drivers, may be. And exactlt how many Americans voted for Healthcare? Yeah 535 member of congress, not an American like you, unless you are a politician, which I wouldn't doubt with all the great jobs you have done, mysteries you have solved and all of your other boasts that I believe about as much as I believe in the tooth fairy.
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NoMoreLunacy
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Post by NoMoreLunacy on Jun 19, 2011 17:49:35 GMT -5
My friend, you have to deal with the fact that USA doesn't have direct democracy, and the will of the elected representatives IS the will of the people.
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