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Pssst...... Tchock
Al Quaida are the bad guys. The whole (civilized) world knows. If Scots are blind to this fact, perhaps such may explain why Scotland will never be a player on the world stage???
>>By lv2read (Sunday, 19 Aug 2007 12:23)
But the whole civilised world DOESN'T agree with you. If it did then you would never have to complain about unpatriotic liberals would you? You keep insisting that everyone who matters agrees with you, and the problem is ours, but if you didn't have some sort of problem with the way things are then you wouldn't be here.
>>By Flagg (Sunday, 19 Aug 2007 15:50)
Yet again you miss the point like a fighter jet's precision missile.
No one has ever suggested that Al Queda are not "the bad guys", but merely expressed an opinion that we don't agree with how your government is dealing with the whole situation; i'e bombing the shit out of innocent people in the hope of killing your target. And do we have to use the phrase "bad guys", it reminds me so much of the film Independence Day... ? ;)
Scotland - as I am sure you are aware - is part of the UK, which in turn is indeed, as you like to call it, a "world player". But perhaps you might not be aware of how much Scotland has contributed over the years to the world - politics, economics.... You might have actually noticed Gordon Brown's accent, not that that actually matters. I am going to hazard a guess that you know even less about Scotland than you do about Liverpool.
And yes, ignore the article I posted summarising the huge decline in support for Bush in California.
>>By Tchock (Sunday, 19 Aug 2007 17:02)
California is a liberal state....there are more people of color here than there are caucasians. Ergo there are more liberals than moderates. Even though your favored Lenin would never gain a plurality here. And, Scotlans has as much influence in the crown as Mississippi does/has in the USA.....which is zip......as England goes as goes the UK.
>>By lv2read (Sunday, 19 Aug 2007 18:23)
How would you know about the amount of influence Scotland has on UK politics? Can you quote your sources please?
>>By Flagg (Sunday, 19 Aug 2007 19:56)
Would you quote your sources that says Al Quaida are the good guys? And would you defend the word 'spelt'....which doesn't exist. By the way, we aren't in Shakesperian times....middle English and old Eng;ish ain't used no more. Shouldn't be a news flash, yet it must be. The US landed a man on the moon in 1969....where is the UK in space ex[loration? Scotland?? How is your economy? Arer more people on the dole this year than last?? What about ambition? How many Honda car dealerships in London? 100, 75, or zero? How many SUVs are parked on your block? 30, 10 or zero? How many different brands of after shave lotion are on the counter at your local M&S? You've done without so long you have no idea what I'm talking about. I speak with Germans and Czecks and French on this site and they all understand consumerism, they know ofr the newest cars and desire them like everyone else. What has happened in the UK....the waris over, NOTHING is rationed, isn't everything available....let's step out of the doldrums and live. Do you have to do without forever?
>>By lv2read (Sunday, 19 Aug 2007 20:51)
I only read the first sentence. I'm not reading the rest.
>>By Flagg (Sunday, 19 Aug 2007 20:59)
Retard. Fucking idiotic retard.
No one said anyone were the 'good guys'. We might have had a problem with you reducing such a complex and important issue to good guys and bad guys in the first place.
I glanced at the rest of your post, and saw some key-words. They looked oddly familiar.
You're the one who needs to get out there and live. If you ever stepped outside your cozy suburban rabbit hole for more than a week or two at a time you would realise there's more to life than money and SUVs. But you'll never do that will you? Because you're fucking terrified of the outside world.
You know what? You're right. Britain is crap, I hate it. But I'd rather be a British citizen and hate my country than be an American and love it. Your country is the fucking ultimate of greed and gluttony and the abandonment of standards in favour of profit. You can stick your fucking SUVs and hamburgers up your arse and I'm not gonna apologise for saying that.
>>By Flagg (Sunday, 19 Aug 2007 21:08)
>And would you defend the word 'spelt'....which doesn't exist. By the way, we aren't in Shakesperian times....middle English and old Eng;ish ain't used no more.
Oooh, the English language, my expert subject!
a) Speakers of English use the word 'spelt' and 'spelled' as the past simple of spell. However, speakers of American English only use 'spelled'.
b) the Middle English equivalent was 'spellen', and the Old English 'spellian'
Please do not presume to tell English people how to speak English.
>>By Diane76 (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 00:32)
Diane
What do Engl;ish citizens call Al Quaida? They refer to them as 'the enemy.' Any way you reduce it, rationalize it,......Al Quaida are the bad guys. Not at Lenin U., but everywhere else.
Diane, spelt is archaic usage NOW. Am I correct?
>>By lv2read (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 00:57)
I'm afraid not lv2read, spelt is very much in use in both Modern British and Australian English.
Al-Qaeda are generally referred to as terrorists, you have to understand that in other countries (yes, even the 'civilised' ones) America and Britain are seen as the 'bad guys'. It's all a matter of perspective. This, i think, is why Tchock and Flagg are reacting to your phrasiology - describing America as the 'good guys' is a bit rich considering your history in dealing with other countries. Check out your foreign policies over the past, say, 50 years.
This is not me defending Al-Qaeda by any means, this is me simply saying that everything is not that clear cut. It isn't a Western where the baddie wears a black hat and the goodie wears a white hat - modern politics is not that easily defined...
>>By Diane76 (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 01:15)
NO. They refer to them 'Al Quaida'. Most people don't refer to them at all because they don't care. I don't understand why you assume the entire western world is aligned against some mysterious terrorist group. It's just you, and people like you. You give lip service to Mr. Bush's (notice the absence of the letter e?) tenuous 'war on terror' bullshit and think you're on a crusade against evil or something. It's pathetic.
No, you are not correct. 'spell, vb. (spells, spelling, spelled or spelt)'. In an Oxford dictionary from 1996. Would you like me to look up 'archaic' and see if it covers definitions from 11 years ago?
>>By Flagg (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 01:21)
Diane76
Have you heard of 9/11? The bad guys hijacked the airplanes and....... Very, very easy to understand. And your country, your people are our chief ally in the War on Terror.
I stand proudly with American foreign policy.....America the shining light on the hill.
Diane, ask Scotland Yard who the terrorists are and WHERE do they come from. Itis actually very clear Diane.
>>By lv2read (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 02:11)
Unfortunately Flagg, you'd read before all of what lv2read said back there.
Trust me, this country knows all about consumerism. Everyone's a victim to advertising - our national past-time is shopping !! But to describe this as progress - as the peak of our lives, is something very, very disturbing. We are the sheep, and the corporations are our shepherds - we will buy and buy and spend our money all the time believing that this will bring us happiness. Sure, if you are stupid enough to buy into that, it's your own downfall. I went to IKEA the other day, for the first time in my life. It was as I expected - a throng of meandering people with too much money & not enough sense. They go to IKEA to get the personalised, individual look to their house. What they don't seem to realise, is that everyone else in the feckin' country is doing exactly the same. You are either one of these blind lame sheep or you are a sad old man who just wants some attention by provocation.
Don't harp on about landing a man on the moon, because Russia won the Space Race and you would never have been able to do it if the following SCOTTISH people hadn't been born: James Clerk Maxwell, Alexander Graham Bell, John Logie Baird, Robert Watson-Watt, John Napier, William Thompson - Lord Kelvin, as well as countless others. Oh yeah, and founder of your best-friend, Capitalism & the Free Markets, Adam Smith, the pioneering political-economist.
Could you name the First Minister of Scotland? No cheating now.
Please could you not attempt to argue as to whether a word is still in use or not? Listen, England invented the bloody language - you're the ones who can't spell the word "Colour"!
In response to our economy :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi *DELETE* /business/6953649.stm
And why we're not too inclined to like your foreign policy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ DELETE American_foreign_policy# DELETE Criticism_and_responses
So overall, what I'm trying to say - in case you haven't got the message or have glanced over this entire message with a glazed look of incomprehension on your face - is that I believe you are talking shit.
But before I end this message, one more question. For ones pseudonym to be as it is, can you actually read?
>>By Tchock (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 02:22)
well, they do say ignorance is bliss... shining light on hill! LOL!
>>By Diane76 (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 02:26)
Hey Tchock,
>Please could you not attempt to argue as to whether a word is still in use or not? Listen, England invented the bloody language - you're the ones who can't spell the word "Colour"!
pmsl!!
>>By Diane76 (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 02:46)
Diane...think for yourself....you're no better than the company you keep.
Diane....no ambition in the UK....far too many on the dole....where does it all stop? Capitalism IS the future. Ikea? What are you saying? It is an extremely low end retailer. And they are in businessbecause the consumers patronize them. Not too complex Flagg. Just stop buying their products. Tchock...you don't like the idea of Ikea because socialism sees everyone through the same filter.....same health benefits...same (miserable) pay....same..same..same. It is what you need (excuse me, it is what the government says you need) not what you want. You Brits know no better.
>>By lv2read (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 02:49)
Oh now, lv2read, we've been here before remember. I DO think for myself, I'm an open minded highly intelligent woman who tires very easily of ignorant people.
>you're no better than the company you keep.
you don't know me and you don't know the company I keep, so keep your judgements to yourself.
>>By Diane76 (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 02:56)
Whereas in a capitalist society, the capitalists tell us what we should want?
We see it every day, very subtly done, but if you open your eyes even just a little you might see it. The advertising tells us that we should buy the BEST, the most LUXURIOUS, the products that are going to CHANGE OUR LIVES. They tell us that if we don't buy the latest fashions, the most hi-tech mobile phones or ipods, that we're failures. If we don't buy their product, we're missing out - and us humans, we just can't stand to miss out on something. But what are we really missing out on - a car, designer clothing, an phone that can do anything except make a call? You're deluding yourself if you think that any of that means anything. Sure it's great to have nice things - but is this the pinnacle of human existence - driving a twelve-galleon-to-the-mile SUV 4x4 on a motorway? Is this the last rung on the evolutionary ladder?
What parent would encourage their child to chase after money? If you had a daughter, would you encourage her to marry for love, or for wealth? Ambition comes from a place that's been so numbed by current culture that I think I even forgive you for thinking that ambition is a monetry goal. We're a motley-crue of lost souls here who don't really know what they want......... Flagg will know the song Fake Plastic Trees. But most know, deep down, what they want to do with their lives - what they LOVE doing. Ambition is about accomplishing your dreams.
Don't fool yourself into thinking that Capitalism defines freedom - because it merely ebbs it away in a rather different method of the likes of what we've seen of communism.
Do you actually know anything of Scotland - or are you going to sweep my question away under the carpet just like the rest of them?
Try a little reading, lv2read, it might help with the spelling.
This might be a nice easy start - mainly numbers.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/ DELETE STATBASE/ssdataset.asp?vlnk=3991
A nice statistic on how many people were on the benefits system at any one time from 1993 to 2003.
>>By Tchock (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 05:06)
We see it every day, very subtly done, but if you open your eyes even just a little you might see it. The advertising tells us that we should buy the BEST, the most LUXURIOUS, the products that are going to CHANGE OUR LIVES. They tell us that if we don't buy the latest fashions, the most hi-tech mobile phones or ipods, that we're failures>>>
Yes, but no one forces you to buy.
Sure it's great to have nice things - but is this the pinnacle of human existence - driving a twelve-galleon-to-the-mile SUV 4x4 on a motorway? Is this the last rung on the evolutionary ladder?>>>>
You've bought into the self denial culture....can't you see that?
Don't fool yourself into thinking that Capitalism defines freedom - because it merely ebbs it away in a rather different method of the likes of what we've seen of communism.>>>
The essence of capitalism is freedom and the acknowledgement of individual differences. We need all kinds...workers, leaders, followers, entrepreneurs, an so on. Diane, trust me. we don't want a government that encroaches on the initiatives (ambitions) of man (people). You think for yourself, right? How can you disagree with the above?
>>By lv2read (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 05:37)
Does anyone know how to turn water into gold?
That might be easier than discussing with L2R
L2R is discussing for the sake of discussing so it will never lead to anything. Except frustration ;-)
>>By Lynn (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 10:34)
The *essence* of capitalism might be freedom, just as the essence of communism is equality, but the essence is not the same as the way it works in practice.
And what if they *are* forcing us to buy? Advertising techniques are based on sound psychology. They make adverts knowing that they will have an effect, and they always do. McDonald's sells food that has been proven to be addictive in the same way alcohol or heroine is addictive. And even if I'm talking crap you've still got companies like Microsoft who intimidate other businesses into building software that only works in conjunction with Windows. What's so wonderful about all this?
>We need all kinds...workers, leaders, followers, entrepreneurs, an so on.
I totally agree. But an entrepreneur is not the same as a corporation big enough to be a household name (like Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Disney...) Corporations get away with an awful lot and no one seems to mind. Maybe everyone's afraid they'll be called a communist if they suggest that maybe Coca-Cola shouldn't be allowed to have health investigators assassinated...
>>By Flagg (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 11:59)
Flagg
Coca cola is good, very good. Everyone you know has used windows at one time or another. Bill Gates is worshipped as much in England as he us un Tasmania. His product is accepted the world over.....as YOU know. McDonalds is accepted the world over. The best bang for the buck. None of those enterprises would fluorish without consumer acceptance. Lenin would agree with that.
Lynn
I am still waiting for your answer to my Q of several months ago. Are we, or are we not, on the cusp of an Interstitial Ice Age? What is pure xxxxx is the assertian that our continental shelfs will be breeched within 20 years.......and you know that as well as I do. If you are truly interested in the planet, you'll address population control. We ain't giving up our houses, places of employment, cars, etc. You may choose to live an agrarian lifestyle, but not me.
>>By lv2read (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 16:53)
Everyone I know has used Windows at one time or another because there is no realistic alternative for most people.
>>By Flagg (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 18:58)
And coca-cola and McDonalds are not good, they are responsible for the fact that modern children are the first generation in centuries to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents' generation.
>>By Flagg (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 18:59)
Coca-Cola is shit, personally. But you know, poor old Coke - they get blamed for everything - when the local water supplies get poisoned by their waste; when it's found out they put a cancer-causing ingredient into their "water"; and the whole coincidence of trade unionists disappearing...
When you buy a new computer - what operating system does it come with? Windows. When you buy a new software program - windows is usually the only compatible OS. Everyone I know who has studied Informatics (computing) at university all decries Windows as shit. At my university we use Fedora, and it's far better and more efficient.
Giving up the car doesn't mean lets run to the hills & grow a farm you idiot. It means only use it when you really need to - not when it's just convenient. And Ice-Age - well, if the global warming predictions are correct, then Europe might get a little chillier too, but let's not indulge too much of "The Day After Tomorrow" - I'm quite sure that you'll have plenty of time to put on a scarf before the deathly winds & snows come to get you.
Population control proposal : we get rid of idiots like you....?? Just a suggestion....
I actually am rather interested to know why people go to McDonalds & Starbucks. Everyone I know agrees its shit - yet it's all packed. Everyone HATES it. But, the way the advertising works, they go there. There was an experiment done the other day on some children. They were given healthy food that they were told was from McDonalds - they said that they really liked it, and that the food which actually came from McDonalds, they hated.
You say you want more business opportunities, more entrepreneurialship (sp?) but explain to me exactly how you can expect individualism in business if a handful of companies take over the smaller ones or run them out of business?
Here's one from Irish comedian, Dylan Moran... "Americans are clever.... if they want to invade you they don't have to use guns.... they just carefully, steathily build Starbucks & McDonalds all around them 'til their surrounded."
>>By Tchock (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 19:59)
Some answers for you Tchock.
1. Starbucks is as appreciated in the UK as here.
2. McDonalds is the best.....maybe it is a conspiracy as Lenin would say, but its food is delicious....as you know.
3. Windows is No. 1 in Tasmania as well as the UK AND everywhere else.
To be continued.
>>By lv2read (Monday, 20 Aug 2007 21:29)
Some corrections for you, lv2read
1. Starbucks is considered an at-best mediocre coffee shop that is only used because it's convenient.
2. McDonalds makes shit unhealthy food with even worse food hygiene standards than the average student flat. I actually wouldn't know how "delicious" McDonalds is, I have only been in one for a total of ten seconds. Aside from the fact that I don't believe their "vegetarian" selections are in any way seperated from the meat, it has an awful atmosphere, breathes bacteria - I don't need to go in there to know that I would never want to eat there.
3. Tasmania is part of Australia, which last time I checked, is not the back o'beyond. Windows is number one because it is selling more than the other available systems - mainly because most people aren't given the choice. I don't suppose you would have noticed the poor reception of Windows Vista? How many people are refraining from buying new computers until Microsoft have improved it? How the fact that few programs actually are compatible with it, how few software works on it? Or is that all part of the Great Communist Conspiracy as well?
Are you trying extra hard to be the caricature of the stereotypical American just to impress us, or does this talent come naturally?
Go on, to be continued, lets see if you reply with anything groundbreakingly new. I doubt it, if we haven't heard it before from yourself, no doubt we'll have heard it from a comedian doing a parady of an American.
>>By Tchock (Tuesday, 21 Aug 2007 00:07)
Tchock
Do you enjoy hamburgers period? If you want to taste a good one, I recommend a McDonalds Big Mac.
America is the leader of the free world...and I cherish that stereotype. You know, of course, that the UK stands beside us.
What fast food outlet sells more food than McDs in England?
How many choices do you have for fast food at 2:00 am in your neighborhood? I have over 20.
You have a Honda dealership anywhere near where you live or work? I said work...I apologize.
Do you eat ANY fried foods? Sounds like you have a big problem....
McDs has over 10 choices for breakfast....isn't that enough for you.
How can you make choiceswhen you don't have them?
Give me the name of three steak houses in the city in which you live?
Tchock...it would take me 20 seconds to respond to these questions.
>>By lv2read (Tuesday, 21 Aug 2007 00:43)
Yes, but it would take you over a century to respond to our questions.
Well, being a lifelong vegetarian, I have never had the inclination to try a HAMburger - veggieburgers are more my forte.
Fast food restaurants - how sophisticated of you, but if you must. In my city - I have no idea, I don't tend to notice nor care about fast food as I don't eat it. There are a lot though - not of course that any of us should be boasting this about our cities.
Your love of Honda....... c'mon this is a Japanese car company - you really ought to be talking about a Chrysler - something more patriotic. I wouldn't personally attempt to start an argument with me over how many car dealerships of any type there are in my area or indeed the whole of Britain. As part of my *work* I have databased the details of every dealership which belongs to a Holding Company that is in the top 100 HC of automobile traders in the country. That means that I know a damn sight more than you do.
Do I eat ANY fried foods? No, but you're right....... my healthiness is a BIG problem for me - I really outta eat more American crap. I really like my veggies - such an awkward person though I am. As a friend of mine says, "USA... Lard-ass-ville."
McDs has over 10 choices of breakfast......... wow........ that .... really doesn't make me want to go there... it could have 100 & I wouldn't go...... what does it matter how many CHOICES there are - quality overrides all else surely ? You've got a hang up on choice - funny that, because all these big corporations owning most of what you buy doesn't really give you a great deal of... choice.
Three Steakhouses in the city I live? Couldn't name one because I don't look out for them. What relevence does this have on anything... ?
America... leader of the free world ... what is this "freedom" you speak of? The freedom of choice..... but what choices do you really have - which restaurant to go to, which car, which OS you get (no, sorry, you don't get a choice in that one when you buy a computer)....... if you'd ever been in a country that been deprived of REAL freedom - the one that actually is worth fighting for, then you'd be saying something completley different. You can't buy freedom from your local walmart nor eat it at your mcdonalds - even if it is freedom fries. You have no concept of the word freedom - none of us truly know what it is because we've never had it taken away from us. This of course would have shot over your head, like everything else that has ever made an intellectual point.
>>By Tchock (Tuesday, 21 Aug 2007 01:48)
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