You're kidding... You have never seen Team America: World Police? Rent or stream immediately.Originally Posted by princeofcats67
Awesome vid, Copper. I'd never seen it before. Thanks.
Prince
PS: "Slavery! Fuck Yeah!"Too funny!
I don't necessarily agree with Odin's take on the party structure itself (which is actually a bunch of rag-tag idealists from what I've seen), or all the people who support it (who include myself from time to time).
But I do think the group he's talking about exists, and I think it is very influential on the media side of the libertarian news cycle.
Last edited by JohnMc82; 10-20-2012 at 11:11 AM.
Those words, "temperate and moderate", are words either of political cowardice, or of cunning, or seduction. A thing, moderately good, is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper, is always a virtue; but moderation in principle, is a species of vice.
'82 - Once & always independent
Can't believe I have to explain this to an Xer, but...
"It doesn't matter, we could kick their ass." All they really stood for was being the best on the battlefield, and we're so much better than they could ever be.
In the meantime, we might not have much we agree on as a country. The shared part of our culture might be shallow and materialistic. We are definitely united in a pursuit of the good life, and all those secular pleasures that money can buy.
Buy beyond that, there is a lot of depth. Our beliefs and philosophies and inspirations might not be united, but we should trust that we all (or most) have them in one form or another. That is the true strength and identity of America: it is a lot more dynamic and has the potential to be more powerful than any one-dimensional cause or purpose can ever be.
Those words, "temperate and moderate", are words either of political cowardice, or of cunning, or seduction. A thing, moderately good, is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper, is always a virtue; but moderation in principle, is a species of vice.
'82 - Once & always independent
And yet those Spartans would still stand there on the opposite side of the battlefield. They didn't care if they were going to get their ass kicked or not. Their culture and values were to fight the good fight no matter what. This is not exactly a value that America shares today. America as a culture today, values picking on the weak. To be fair, this sort of culture has defined the final days of every empire throughout history. So again, what do we stand for? Do you really believe America is better just cause we say so? Better in what? Start to define "better" by what it really is instead of what we are told it is. I think once you do, you will find more questions than answers. Real patriotism doesn't require flags, slogans, bullet points and pom-poms.
Fight the good fight? Out of some sense of idealism? Or because their entire society was organized around winning at all costs?
Relative to Sparta, we're better off materially and militaristically. We're probably also a lot less indoctrinated and blindly patriotic, so let's be careful of romanticizing failed civilizations. I never said America is the best at anything (and I probably wouldn't, except maybe for picking on weaker states). I also don't think we're headed in the right direction, and our choice might ultimately be limited to speeding up or delaying the decline.This is not exactly a value that America shares today. America as a culture today, values picking on the weak. To be fair, this sort of culture has defined the final days of every empire throughout history. So again, what do we stand for? Do you really believe America is better just cause we say so? Better in what? Start to define "better" by what it really is instead of what we are told it is. I think once you do, you will find more questions than answers. Real patriotism doesn't require flags, slogans, bullet points and pom-poms.
I definitely don't think we're going to fix the fundamental issues by saving a few percents from the little bit of social safety net and human capital investment we have left.
Those words, "temperate and moderate", are words either of political cowardice, or of cunning, or seduction. A thing, moderately good, is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper, is always a virtue; but moderation in principle, is a species of vice.
'82 - Once & always independent
That was their culture, yes. While we may not hold the same values, they sure did. Having different values and morals then them does not make us better though. You still haven't really defined what better means yet. The broad statements of "patriotism" and nationalism like "America is the best country in the world" or "America is number 1" or "God favors America" are almost always left intentionally vague. This is because these statements are mostly based on delusional, poorly-reasoned thought and yes, even indoctrination and blind patriotism. Believing America is "the best country in the world" is fine for those with minds that respond well to bumper stickers, but for me (I have a terrible disability called thinking) I need to hear a little more substance in the argument. Best? Better? Why? Is it even that important to you to be better?
And these things make us better how? Because we have more stuff? Because we use these things to enslave? Because we use them to push around the weak?
I don't know. Which is worse? Romanticizing failed civilizations or romanticizing a failing civilization?
No but you did claim we were better (again without really defining) which requires many of the same assumptions and vague logic. At most we have your contention that having more stuff and having a higher level of military technology (not necessarily fighting-skill) makes us better than a civilization that existed 2500 years ago. You will need to forgive me, but these things don't strike me as better in the cultural or values sense (or even as a great mark of our civilization). In 2500 years what do you think people will be saying about our long-dead state?
I don't really disagree with you but I also wouldn't agree if you were arguing the reverse. We also won't fix the fundamental issues by spending a few more percent. That's because the fundamental issues have little to do with a few silly pennies in either direction.
What slaves?
Minority voters like double voters, non-citizens, convicts and the dead. Prime party constituencies.
Social Security is something you pay into, but the payback is fuzzy. I would not call it welfare, but it's a little hinky.
Disability recipients have increased a lot under Obama. has he really diavbled that many people?
America did not throw its most vulnerable to the wolves before the New Deal, so that is a strawman.
It is relevant to whose is footing the bill for the gravy train.
Go back to the number of people suddenly on disability. You think getting something for nothing is not attractive? Then stop the SSI right now. Prove it.I get only a small bit of SSI now and will be off of it shortly because I'll be working more hours starting in November, supervising the afternoon shift. You make it sound like getting government money is so awesome and everybody wants to do it, which says more about you than anything else.
No it's not. It's insurance. If you don't understand insurance, then you should go bare on your house and car. Don't have a fire or hit a tree though.
Marx: Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.
Lennon: You either get tired fighting for peace, or you die.
Actaully, i think the real Spartans took care of each other.
No, mostly they didin't survive or simply died young. What a wonderful model of modernity.Disability recipients have increased a lot under Obama. has he really diavbled that many people?
America did not throw its most vulnerable to the wolves before the New Deal, so that is a strawman.
Marx: Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.
Lennon: You either get tired fighting for peace, or you die.
But he gets soemthing like one hundred dollars a month whether he has a job or not for his problem.
Still trying to figure out what slaves. He'll probably come up with some marxist crap about wage slaves. Iow, having to support yourself is slavery.
When are you going to give back all that disability money?
How does America value picking on the weak?
It is mostly insurance against old age, which is sort of a given.
The disability part is the part that givews out first.
Most people over insure their house for fire. Is the fire really going to burn the ground?
You are giving the welfare state credit for developements that had nothing to do with the welfare, like penicillin blood transfusions and cancer treatments. Maybe lower smoking?
Watch TV lately?How does America value picking on the weak?
or read the news?
or watch youtube?
Want some more?
Of course it's hard to see how people would ever learn to value picking on the weak in this country.
Probably several times over the next forty years... depending on how much the Republicans manage to stifle wages moving forward.When are you going to give back all that disability money?
Did you mark a celebration day for when you pay us back for all the investment we put in your schooling? Send us some cigars!
Those words, "temperate and moderate", are words either of political cowardice, or of cunning, or seduction. A thing, moderately good, is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper, is always a virtue; but moderation in principle, is a species of vice.
'82 - Once & always independent
Most people insure their houses as required by the mortgage holder get some coverage for contents. They don't have a choice; the insurance exists to protect the lender.It is mostly insurance against old age, which is sort of a given.
The disability part is the part that gives out first.
Most people over insure their house for fire. Is the fire really going to burn the ground?
Once a frame house catches on fire, it usually burns completely enough that it is totaled. The dirty little secret is that the fire brigade almost always gets to the fire too late to save the building. The fire department is there to rescue people in the building... and protect neighboring buildings from the fire. The fire department is there to prevent the fire from spreading, and will most likely be back to investigate the cause in the event that someone makes a fraudulent claim or someone dies or is severely injured in the fire.
The greatest evil is not now done in those sordid "dens of crime" (or) even in concentration camps and labour camps. In those we see its final result. But it is conceived and ordered... in clean, carpeted, warmed and well-lighted offices, by (those) who do not need to raise their voices. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the office of a thoroughly nasty business concern."
― C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
This is a prime example of a central left wing, statistic-based article of faith that is completely false. They pound it over and over again: wages are stagnant. They don't tell you that total compensation has risen steadily, and the reason take-home pay has not risen comes down to one overriding factor: health care costs. Specifically, the cost of health insurance. So they fixed that when they launched a massive health care takeover in the middle of a depression, right? Wrong. They ignored costs. All they cared about was making sure everyone had insurance, whether they wanted it or not.
They didn't just not fix it, they made it worse. Once Obamacare goes into effect, it will be even more expensive for employers to pay for health insurance than it was before.
They're smarter than everybody else, and morally superior. But somehow they're stupid enough not to know the truth about it. They actually blame all of it on Scrooge McDuck (R) trying to "stifle wages", while rubbing his hands together and cackling with glee. It's delusional.
Last edited by JustPassingThrough; 10-20-2012 at 07:52 PM.
"I see you got your fist out, say your peace and get out. Yeah I get the gist of it, but it's alright." - Jerry Garcia, 1987
