 |
| Register | Login | |||||
 |
Main
| Memberlist
| Active users
| ACS
| Commons
| Calendar
| Online users Ranks | FAQ | Color Chart | Photo album | IRC Chat |
|
| | ||
|
| Register | Login | |||||
|
Main
| Memberlist
| Active users
| ACS
| Commons
| Calendar
| Online users Ranks | FAQ | Color Chart | Photo album | IRC Chat |
|
| | ||
| Acmlm's Board - I2 Archive - - Posts by Arwon |
| Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 |
| User | Post | ||
Arwon Zora Level: 35  Posts: 205/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| It's the status quo. It's almost the exact status quo, except maybe New Mexico and New Hampshire switching. I can't believe that, after the last 4 years, we're back to almost the exact same electoral college distribution as 2000. I guess the "OMG TERRORISTS RALLY AROUND THE PRESIDENT" upswing of vote was almost precisely balanced by "WTF ARE YOU DOING IDIOT?" rather than the latter winning out as would have been sensible. Oh well, it's not THAT bad... just the same ugly status quo as before - Bush in the white house controlling both houses. The US re-elected Nixon without destroying itself... it can survive Bush and can heal, and will be stronger for it. In 4 more years the national security bugaboo, which is how Bush won, won't still be as powerful... and 4 more years of Bush and Bush's economy and Iraq policies will alienate and jade a lot more people. The frustrated "minority" - the apathetic freaks and the liberals and the leftists and the apathetic youngins etc etc - will come out of this result more energised and determined, and will redouble their efforts as a result of this. Remember where the Democrats were two years ago - this result is probably progress. Expect the Dems to take the White House in 2008, and perhaps even sieze the Senate or HoR in 2006. 2004 is bad, but it'll get better. And the next 4 years is their fault. (edited by Arwon on 11-03-04 08:48 AM) |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 206/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
Originally posted by Tarale Well, Bush controls everything, both houses and the white house, and has since 2002 - and the supreme court looks likely to fall his way too once someone retires or dies. However, there is somewhat looser intra-party discipline than in Australia which means a slim majority is less solid and absolute than in Australia - Republican and Democrat congressmen and senators often "cross the floor". With large sections of the Republican Party (secular Republicans, so called 'Bull Moose' republicans, small-governemnt fiscal conservatives) disgruntled with the hardline christian fundamentalism and neoconservatism of Bush and his admin, one can only assume he'll continue to have to kinda act in moderation to keep the party happy and united - it seems very likely that over the next four years the Democrats are going to look more and more like the "fiscal responsibility" party of chouce and the Republicans have to be mindful of those voters and members drifting to the Democrats. The marriage between fiscal conservatives and social conservatives is a mere marriage of convenience and the Republican Party knows it. |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 207/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| Legion, this "we give lots of aid" bragging is rather ugly and in any case inaccurate. The US, like virtually all wealthy countries, only gives small amounts of aid versus its GDP and mostly targets it very poorly. The US for example gives about 0.1% of its GDP as aid, and a lot of that is military aid to places like Israel and Egypt. France mostly gives to its former colonies, Japan gives to groups that vote its way in international forums, Australia mostly gives to countries in its region - PNG and the Pacific. The US like most countries mostly gives aid bilaterally rather than multilaterally (through the World Bank) which means it isn't targeted as well as it could be if the WB recieved more directly. The internationally agreed upon UN target level for foreign aid is 0.8% of GDP and only the Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and Sweden go over that in foreign aid levels. The US does give, more or less on par with other wealthy nations, but it's not this astonishingly selfless and giving cornucopia of foriegn aid people often like to portray it as. |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 208/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| I don't like it when environmental issues are presented as a zero-sum trade-off between "jobs" and "trees" or something similar. | |||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 209/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| How Good Are Those Young-Earth Arguments? A Close Look at Dr. Hovind's List of Young-Earth Arguments and Other Claims And: An index of debunked claims Just a sample or two: CLAIM: "Niagara Falls (edited by Arwon on 11-08-04 02:40 AM) |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 210/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| I suspect that was an editorial comment? | |||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 211/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
Originally posted by Xkeeper You're using the wrong definition of "theory". The layman's term "theory" being something closer to "hypothesis". See below. And what do you mean evolution can't be observed in a lab? What the hell do you think bacteria do? What do you think all of modern biology is based on? Finally: Life can't come from non-life? You sure? There's a hell of a lot of atoms, only a finite number of types of atoms, and only so many ways in which they can arrange themselves. All you'd need at the very first step is self-repeating patterns that could arise sponteneously from randomness... we don't know precisely how it all happened but there's no reason for saying it "CAN'T" just because we don't know how yet. And "science is facts" is just wacky. Trapster: No you're not weird, you're sensible. Blackdays: That's how these nutters gain currency and credibility - there's so much room to peddle pseudo-scientific garbage because of most people's ignorance of the finer points of scientific rigour. A lot of that article kinda sorta sounds like it might be valid... but unless they have access to this sort of thing most people are never going to be able to figure out why it's all such crap. Take for example the whole "Evolution is just a theory, not fact" bollocks - this gets by people becuase they don't realise that for something to be a valid "theory" in the scientific sense it has to be supported by all available evidence and has to have never been disproven. Evolution is a theory in the same way that Atomic Theory or the Theory of Gravity are theories - ie they're supported and reinforced by every observation made since then, and quite a lot of further study and knowledge has been built off these basic ideas. Without an old universe modern geology and astronomy would collapse - that hasn't happened. Without evolution modern biology and genetics would collapse, obviously that hasn't happened either. (Well, actually to be more precise, Atomic Theory changed with the discovery of protons/neutrons/electrons, and Gravity was superceded by the more all-encompassing theory of general relativity, but in both cases these weren't theories being proved wrong... just inadequate, and needing to be expanded upon. In the same way, the initial Darwin theory of evolution has been massively supported and enhanced by the wealth of genetic knowledge gained since Darwin's time.) (edited by Arwon on 11-09-04 09:00 AM) |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 212/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| Just because the RESULT isn't in doubt doesn't mean the litany of abnormalities, irregularities and anecdotes about malfunctioning voting machines should be ignored. Firstly, this crap needs to be sorted out - it's already put the result of one election into complete uncertain limbo. The margin for error of all the abnormalities and irregularites in 2000 in Florida was greater than the final official margin. No-one will ever be able to say 100% who won. Secondly, regardless of the outcome, every vote should be counted and recorded correctly. Does a vote count less just because it doesn't change the outcome? no, every vote counts. If this stuff doesn't get fixed, American democracy borders on a sham, a farce, and certainly an insult to voting Americans. If there's even a HINT that people - ANYONE - has tried to change the count to favour a candidate... this is a CRIME against the people and must be pursued. |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 213/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
Originally posted by |+Legion+| Dude, what in God's holy hell are you talking about? There's ORDERS OF JESUS-SODDING MAGNITUDE between the entirely legitimate and realistic concerns over the irregularities of the US electoral systems and that stupid theory about the Pentagon. If you'll recall, in that thread, I was one of the people shouting down people over that idiocy. So let's not play that angle, shall we? There's been concerns over voting machines for years. There's been concerns over shifty electoral practises in different states and counties for years, counties passing laws and working the electoral rolls to help get the right outcome, people sending out mail designed to scare and confuse voters into thinking they'll get arrested if they show ID at a polling place, just to name a couple of examples off the top of my head. These are not things sore losers have made up in the last week. If this is sour grapes, you're just gloating andbeing obnoxious. And you know what, there would be talk like this if Kerry had won. On election day there were grumblings at places like Freerepublic about double registration and fake names. Republicans weren't happy about certain things either and if the result had have gone differently they would be screaming to high flurking heaven about liberal media white-washing the Democrats theft of the election. (edited by Arwon on 11-14-04 12:17 AM) (edited by Arwon on 11-14-04 12:19 AM) (edited by Arwon on 11-14-04 12:21 AM) |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 214/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| So it's... okay... that American democracy is not a democracy but actually somewhere between gangsterism and a random crap-shoot? | |||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 215/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| His death is a mixed blessing at best. Israel and the world at large loses someone to blame for the lack of progress, Palestinians lose the only old-style secular-nationalist leader with the strength and credibility to maintain a mandate to speak for all Palestinians... how can people not see that the situation is now RIPE for religious fundamentalists like Hamas to supplant the secularist, moderate* Palestinian "leadership" and make things a LOT nastier for everyone!? *(Yes, you heard me, moderate. Who do you think Israel would rather deal with; the PLO/PA which has acknowledged its right to exist and has achieved progress before... or Hamas which still wants to butcher every Jewish Zionist infidel from the Jordan River to the Mediterrenean?) I wonder if people will still be happy when they realise Arafat wasn't really the problem, just a really easy scapegoat who had nowhere near the level of control people think he did: "O SHIT THEY'RE STILL ANGRY AND CHUCKING ROCKS AND YELLING A LOT AND BOMBING US!? BUT ARAFAT'S DEAD!!!" "HOW CAN THIS BE? ARAFAT WAS PERSONALLY BEHIND EVERY BOMBING" "HE MUST BE DIRECTING THEM FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE!!!" ---dunn dunnn dunnnnnnnnn--- *Israeli Tanks roll into Ramallah* *Israel deploys its Ghostbusters to attack Arafat's grave* ---theme music plays--- Can people even differentiate between, say, Hamas, Hezbollah, the PFLP, Fatah, and the PLO? Do they seriously not see the dangers in Arafat's passing? |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 216/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| I voted AWK because I met the guy, hung out in his van, and he is a lot of fun. Also because Seph is so amusingly certain yet utterly wrong about AWK's name. It stands for "Wilkes-Krier", his last name. |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 217/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| Why couldn't you have put Talking Heads against someone like JoJ instead? Fascist. | |||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 218/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| "Closer" is a sweet love song, it's not that fucked up! It's almost touching! Someone should record a string-heavy ballady version of it or maybe an umtempo doo-wop arrangement. I'd suggest Johnny Cash take on the project but he has ceased to be. An oldish Aussie noise band called 'Thug' have a song called 'Dad'. Basically it is white noise over a simple beat with the singer rasping over and over again: "FUCK YOUR DAD. DO IT NOW. FUCK YOUR DAD. DO IT NOW. FUCK YOUR FAAA-THER. FUCK YOUR DAD. DO IT NOW." Finally and most importantly: "Hey Mickey" is about anal sex. "Mickey" is a pretty gay man and it drives Toni Basil crazy because she wants him bad. So she says she'll even "take it like a man". Every time you move I let a little more show There's something you can use, so don't say no, Mickey So come on and give it to me anyway you can Anyway you want to do it, I'll take it like a man |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 219/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| I didn't even vote on musical grounds. I know one BOC song and find it nothing brilliant but enjoyable enough. I voted purely on AWK being a big ball of dumb sincere positive energy who was fun to hang out with. | |||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 220/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| No, the Who did, but I'm bitter that my favorite band got such a rough matchup while other mediocre bands get to face off. Oh well, at least Weezer will make it through. |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 221/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| Talking Heads could easily go into either "pop" or "punk" categories... I'm not letting this go. (: |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 222/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| Given that I'm an advocate of LESS restrictive laws about drugs, further criminalisation of a minor and not too harmful drug is obviously a huge step in the wrong direction. But then, Bhutan's is a very different country, I understand it's quite a staind, conservative and religious monarchy, and also a very different culture to mine, and perhaps they're coming at this from a radically different angle to me. As for smoking bans in public, I'm undecided. As a non-smoker I am frequently irritated by cigarette smoke at pubs and such, but is it really right to legislate on that irritation and force it on others? How can I support this, and then oppose over-zealous killjoy enforcement regarding noise complaints and public disorderliness and disturbing the peace and loitering and other such anti-fun laws based on the idea of "you don't have the right to cause even minor nuisance to those around you"? So I'm undecided. Because I'm pro-fun and pro-freedom and pro-consideration for others. However, the legality of the public use of a drug (one that causes unpleasantness for those around the user and thus isn't purely a personal matter), and the criminalisation of private possession and use, are two differentissues that perhaps shouldn't be linked like this. The former is a matter of public health and civic minded comprimise - cigarette smoke is fucking obnoxious - the latter a matter of basic unobtrusive personal freedoms... what you or I do in the private sanctuary of my own home, should be my own damn business if it doesn't harm people, and that includes pursuing self-destructive but fun pursuits. Finally: you're subtly incorrect about Australia. All the states except one have introduced laws about smoking in pubs and clubs, that will come into effect between 2 and 5 years from now depending on the state. We haven't actually banned smoking in public places or even all private places yet. (edited by Arwon on 11-18-04 09:43 AM) |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 223/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
Originally posted by MathOnNapkins Um, we do that already. |
|||
|
Arwon Zora Level: 35 Posts: 224/506 EXP: 278115 For next: 1821 Since: 03-15-04 From: Terra Australis Incognita Since last post: 5 hours Last activity: 10 min. |
| ||
| Punching someone in the face is different from being raped or otherwise taken advantage of. (edited by Arwon on 11-21-04 02:10 AM) (edited by Arwon on 11-21-04 02:11 AM) |
| Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 |
| Acmlm's Board - I2 Archive - - Posts by Arwon |
One of my favorite ones is how they said that on 9/11, it wasn't a airplane that crashed into the Pentagon and that it was some sort of missile. Classic! 