Neoliberal as opposed to a neoconservative? What makes the conservative philosophy superior? Nothing. One of the dons of neoconservativism is GWB. And what was it he accomplished? A twelve year, $2 trillion waste of lives and resources that was and continues to demonstrate a utter failure of foreign policy. During his tenure he created the financial atmosphere of rhinos running loose in a china store. He refused to install import levies even when he knew foreign countries were running slave labor camps and some of those same nations did have import levies on American made products. He knew nothing about diplomacy by essentially telling European countries to go screw themselves with his "with us or again us" mindset. In fact, he should be sitting in federal prison for his incompetent and reckless administration. The ONLY thing he did to benefit anyone but himself was to get Medicare D signed into law.
You're obviously insane. There have been countless "scientific" studies that contradict your assertions. It's only been since the use of DDT was largely outlawed or banned that the American and Bald Eagles have recovered from near extinction. An article as part of a Duke University course provides a brief summary of the adverse effects of DDT. http://people.chem.duke.edu/~j...
There is such a thing as extreme skepticism of which you are a good example. Reminds me of the flat earth philosophy.
THAT depends on your perception of "fails". The communist political system caught the West with their pants off when they developed the ability to put people into LEO. Up till then, democracy (closely tied to capitalism) saw no value whatsoever with developing such technology. After all, the business world perceived space as being "empty". So what's the point of risking capital and resources on going nowhere and getting nothing. Democrats (meaning western democracies) had (and still have) such little appreciation of the strategic advantages that space was completely ignored up until Sputnik. You can thank the communists for waking the lethargic west up to the reality of long-term investments. But ever since the West "won" the moon race, they immediately abandoned space development. But the communists never have. If it weren't for the Russians today, the U.S. would have no manned launch capabilities. And we pay them millions foe each launch we participate in.
You can claim that Russia is no longer communist. But that's not even the point. The point being the west has a tendency to show everyone how and smart innovative they are and once that's achieved they start spending their money on the usual short-term endeavors.
Both Russia and China have long-term manned spaceflight goals. Even building a base on the Moon and Mars. But you can't get western companies to invest and plan such long-term projects. Too many resources needed, too short a time for return on investment and the tyranny of quarterly earnings on the part of the investing public. So, western democracy/capitalism isn't such a grand scheme either. And now that communist China operates a limited capitalist economy I wouldn't be surprised that it demonstrates that communism and capitalism are not mutually exclusive and ultimately over powers the world's democratic countries with their hybrid.
I'm not convinced more lanes are any long-term solution to traffic problems. My experience with paving more and widening highways is that creates an incentive for more business development along said roads. Which in turn generates more traffic in a given period of time. Which in turn results in more traffic congestion. My philosophy would be to promote development in areas away from high traffic areas rather than concentrations of businesses. Spread the traffic out more evenly between business areas and even limit the use of certain areas for development to be designated "natural reserves" even if that meant spreading businesses out over a larger area. Then concentrated on the development of fast, comfortable and reliable public transportation,
Not only that, he's riding the capitalistic wave of the "tyranny of ideas". Fifty years ago a different guy would've told all his friends and family. They in turn would tell their friends and family. Maybe someone would go on radio or TV news and show everyone this very basic idea of helping themselves. No profit motive. Just showing other people how simple it could be (and perhaps how stupid they are). Take a farmer for example. He shows a neighboring farmer a cheaper method of feeding his cows. The first farmer doesn't expect to get rich on the idea. They help each other out just for the sake of helping a neighbor out. The cheaper method isn't something earth shattering and especially innovative. In fact other people have done it in different states or regions for years. They just passed the idea on from one farmer to another when they saw a need.
But now... everyone wants to be a millionaire even if it means capitalizing on something as unchallenging as putting a filter on a fan. It also demonstrates (to some extent) just how limited the Chinese mind can be and perhaps that is a result of living under communist conformity. Either way, this guy should call on his local clergy to seek forgiveness from the Christ for his self centeredness.
That's one of the big benefits of being at the top of the dung pile, shit rolls downhill. And they all know it. Why do they take such jobs? To be exempt from accountability. Worst case scenario is getting fired. Big effing deal. They all still have money and connections. Whoop-di-duo. Its kind of like taking a vacation from responsibility. Ultimately though it IS the American people who are at fault. The baby boomers are now too old to any longer hold street protests and sit-ins, post office bombings, or breaking into government offices like the radicals of the 60's. And the generations since then have been so pacified (and pussyfied) that rioting in the streets is more unimaginable than holding beer parties, or being a leader on WOW, ungluing their Eyephones from their hands or spending 4 hours a day on social media in the confines of their living rooms. Even in the 60's when everyone was smoking weed, at least that generation took to the streets and college campuses to demonstrate against bullshit. What protests do you see now? MAYBE... unions trying to organize or supporters of illegal immigrants out demonstrating. But nothing against government abuses.
"Who's watching the watchers?" - Watchmen
That's one result of smaller government. No oversight. This agencies like the CIA, NSA, FBI, Military Intel, can operate in such a way as to exceed the bounds legally intended for them.
Whole-heartedly agree. But here's part of the problem, plausible deniability which has become safe haven for administrators all over the country including in those who run corporations. When you're at the top of the dung pile it's just too easy to claim ignorance of what's been done by your subordinates or the whole system got out of control. One might claim that's no excuse and I agree, the buck has to stop somewhere. But those at the top have the authority to abuse and to ensure someone below them takes the hit. We live in an era of dishonor. It is even worshipped as the ultimate escape valve for those in positions of power. And because dishonor is so lucrative as far as saving the asses at the top, honor will never hold the persuasive attraction it used to. One can't expect any better in a dog eat dog world.
So long as you're not evangelizing in the process. If becoming "born again", or being required to listen to sectarian preaching, praying, pledging their to allegiance to some deity, then there is nothing wrong with helping the less fortunate. But IF... aid is dependent upon listening to a bunch of religious crap or performing religious rituals, then that's no different than abusing the less fortunate in drug trials seducing or conscripting them with financial inducements. It a freedom of conscience issue.
That's sarcasm right? You can't get enough Americans together on a large enough scale to do anything that isn't preferenced upon individual self-interest.
That's a joke right? Contacting elected officials about concerns just gets you generic form letters thanking you for your comments. But every letter reads nearly identical no matter what you contacted them about. In other words, their responses usually read like horoscopes. Could apply to anyone or anything. You can tell that your comments never even got to the representative but was screened by some kissass wannabe politician (aide) because none of the specific concerns in the letter were even addressed. Now, you might say that elected official should not be reelected. Problem is convincing a majority of your constituents of that but their too busy screwing their friend's girlfriend, dreaming about being "fast and furious", where and when they're going to get their next bag of weed, watching American ninja, checking how fast they can drive from one side of town to the other, holding drinking and hotdog eating contests for a moment of glory, playing WOW, or being an asswipe in the favorite bar, etc.
Americans don't care about politics anymore. They're more interested in scheming how their going to survive by getting over on the next guy. The government is too dysfunctional and no one cares anymore. It's a sinking ship and everyone knows it. So America is now the land of the hyenas. They make a lot of noise but can't see themselves engaged enough to really do anything about change.
Besides a vast majority of music sucks big Dick these says. Hell, anyone can recite lines that rhyme to a base drum thumping as back up, cursing your ass off, to instrumentals I wouldn't hit a dog in the ass with. Most of it is shit anyway. And they want paid for that crap???!!!! FORGEDABOUTIT!!!!
I can't accept all this digital audio recording copyright infringement. It's a bunch of crap. 50 years ago people used to swap, trade or just give away vinyl records an no one in the industry made a stink about it. Music artists made a living on new releases and concerts. And when tape became popular consumers did the same thing they did with vinyl. People copied music for decades and you never heard a peep out of the industry. Even though I'm not into music or even movies that much so I don't copy anything but my opinion is once you buy something you should be able to do what you want with it. Share it with friends, give it away if you don't want it any longer... whatever. If the artists think they're that great let them work their asses off making new releases and performing live in order to make a living. Life's tuff all over.
One of the advantages of being atheist is that you no longer have to believe in the concept of perfection. And since perfection no longer exists you also don't have to require perfection from imperfect beings. Everyone makes mistakes, some worse than others.
That's only (perhaps) partially correct. First of all, the military enlistment standards are considerable higher than they were 40 years ago. So there's an equally vibrant alternative to military service; higher education. And if you're from a low income family you get preference for student loans. Second, I know a lot of guys that joined the Reserves or Guard just for the extra money. Not really planning to have to actually fight in combat zones anywhere. 9/11 was a big wake up call to many of them weekend warriors. Third, recruiters had tremendous pressure to get enlistments. In high school students have to take military recruitment exams (since Congress tied education dollars to recruiters having access to every public school). For three years after my DAUGHTERS graduated from high school we had recruiters calling our house and sending mail solicitations trying to get them to enlist. I also know individuals the military wouldn't take because they dropped out of school or had some minor physical impairment that in no way should've prevented them from enlisting. Those individuals would've made good recruits had they been given a chance to enlist. So military service isn't the opportunity it may have been. By the way, I served during the Vietnam Era and was one of those service persons "spit on" when I came home. I didn't help me one effin bit.
Not exactly. You seem to have ignored the fact that society often gives mixed signals and messages. Politics might assert some action is illegal or undesirable while the culture provided limitless examples of people doing something the law says they shouldn't. Our music, entertainment, work demands and milieu, etc. Almost all our culture promotes the use of illicit drugs including the widespread abuse of alcohol (even though it is "legal). Every drama on TV shows routine (and unnecessary?) reliance upon alcohol, weed, stimulants, etc. Making their use appear culturally acceptable. Even desirable. If success in the tech industry is closely related to "productivity" even at the expense of healthy family and personal relationships and if one's job is dependent upon being "top dog", well those kind of workplace cultures has the effect of dehumanizing everything. So it's no wonder people become detached, disoriented, and lost even to themselves. But I blame that on culture regardless what the law says. People do what they feel they have to do to "survive" even if in the long run it destroys them.
Most unfortunate. My experience with addicts (of which I have over 20 years) is that some are salvageable, some are not. The biggest difference is a commitment to change. Seeing a way to a more stable life. Often a complete abandonment of friends and acquaintances connected with the drug(s) of choice. Having a supportive family and good friends helps but ultimately it has to come from within. May the force be with you.
You obviously don't have any experience with farming either. Farming entails use of large and dangerous machinery and it's not your stereotypical leisure boring job. Just a couple weeks ago some guy in my area lost an arm due to a machinery mishap. Farmers farm because it's "honest" and hard work. Any you have to know a lot about working with your hands, solving all kinds of problems, planning, budgeting, etc. To most of those who farm they don't see farming as boring.
Addiction is more than a strict matter of choice. Some people by virtue of their genetic inheritance and the social milieu they grew up in have a predisposition to addition. And the problem with that is that no one knows in advance just how susceptible they are. Statistically winners and losers are equally susceptible. So it's not just a matter of "I'm a winner so I can't become an addict".
How about reputation as a "business model"? If a business has a good and unique product or service then reputation should be it's marketing strategy as opposed to deceptive and intrusive ads. Sure it might take longer to build a customer base but all that means it may take a few more years of quality product or service to make it into the 1%. But you're going to spend fewer resources on meaningless advertising. But it also means you are committed to the satisfied customer and that you see your "job" as a career as opposed to a get rich quick scheme. Everyone wants immediate wealth because of their "brilliant" ideas. Instead of taking years, even generations, to build up a reputable company. Good products and services sell themselves.
Not so. Just a year or two ago Musk's company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Had it not been for the competition he won from NASA and the subsequent launch contract he said publicly that his company would've gone under. In other words, he was dependent upon government funding to keep his business going. Because of the costs involved I doubt there is ANY private company in the business that is not dependent upon government from one extent to another.
Not exactly. Even in America you don't really own anything. If I say I "own" my home I could mean that I hold a mortgage on it but am basically free to modify the property or I could be saying the property is paid for. But let's say the property is paid for but the owner fails to or refuses to pay their property taxes (if you live in a state that taxes the value of real estate). Ultimately the government authorities can cease your (say $150,000) property and sheriff sale it for the (say $10,000) you owe in taxes. You don't own anything in the sense it can be taken from you if you don't meet some minimum requirement. Government can even take your life if it decides to.
Slashdot Mirror
Neoliberal as opposed to a neoconservative? What makes the conservative philosophy superior? Nothing. One of the dons of neoconservativism is GWB. And what was it he accomplished? A twelve year, $2 trillion waste of lives and resources that was and continues to demonstrate a utter failure of foreign policy. During his tenure he created the financial atmosphere of rhinos running loose in a china store. He refused to install import levies even when he knew foreign countries were running slave labor camps and some of those same nations did have import levies on American made products. He knew nothing about diplomacy by essentially telling European countries to go screw themselves with his "with us or again us" mindset. In fact, he should be sitting in federal prison for his incompetent and reckless administration. The ONLY thing he did to benefit anyone but himself was to get Medicare D signed into law.
You're obviously insane. There have been countless "scientific" studies that contradict your assertions. It's only been since the use of DDT was largely outlawed or banned that the American and Bald Eagles have recovered from near extinction. An article as part of a Duke University course provides a brief summary of the adverse effects of DDT. http://people.chem.duke.edu/~j... There is such a thing as extreme skepticism of which you are a good example. Reminds me of the flat earth philosophy.
THAT depends on your perception of "fails". The communist political system caught the West with their pants off when they developed the ability to put people into LEO. Up till then, democracy (closely tied to capitalism) saw no value whatsoever with developing such technology. After all, the business world perceived space as being "empty". So what's the point of risking capital and resources on going nowhere and getting nothing. Democrats (meaning western democracies) had (and still have) such little appreciation of the strategic advantages that space was completely ignored up until Sputnik. You can thank the communists for waking the lethargic west up to the reality of long-term investments. But ever since the West "won" the moon race, they immediately abandoned space development. But the communists never have. If it weren't for the Russians today, the U.S. would have no manned launch capabilities. And we pay them millions foe each launch we participate in. You can claim that Russia is no longer communist. But that's not even the point. The point being the west has a tendency to show everyone how and smart innovative they are and once that's achieved they start spending their money on the usual short-term endeavors. Both Russia and China have long-term manned spaceflight goals. Even building a base on the Moon and Mars. But you can't get western companies to invest and plan such long-term projects. Too many resources needed, too short a time for return on investment and the tyranny of quarterly earnings on the part of the investing public. So, western democracy/capitalism isn't such a grand scheme either. And now that communist China operates a limited capitalist economy I wouldn't be surprised that it demonstrates that communism and capitalism are not mutually exclusive and ultimately over powers the world's democratic countries with their hybrid.
I'm not convinced more lanes are any long-term solution to traffic problems. My experience with paving more and widening highways is that creates an incentive for more business development along said roads. Which in turn generates more traffic in a given period of time. Which in turn results in more traffic congestion. My philosophy would be to promote development in areas away from high traffic areas rather than concentrations of businesses. Spread the traffic out more evenly between business areas and even limit the use of certain areas for development to be designated "natural reserves" even if that meant spreading businesses out over a larger area. Then concentrated on the development of fast, comfortable and reliable public transportation,
Not only that, he's riding the capitalistic wave of the "tyranny of ideas". Fifty years ago a different guy would've told all his friends and family. They in turn would tell their friends and family. Maybe someone would go on radio or TV news and show everyone this very basic idea of helping themselves. No profit motive. Just showing other people how simple it could be (and perhaps how stupid they are). Take a farmer for example. He shows a neighboring farmer a cheaper method of feeding his cows. The first farmer doesn't expect to get rich on the idea. They help each other out just for the sake of helping a neighbor out. The cheaper method isn't something earth shattering and especially innovative. In fact other people have done it in different states or regions for years. They just passed the idea on from one farmer to another when they saw a need. But now... everyone wants to be a millionaire even if it means capitalizing on something as unchallenging as putting a filter on a fan. It also demonstrates (to some extent) just how limited the Chinese mind can be and perhaps that is a result of living under communist conformity. Either way, this guy should call on his local clergy to seek forgiveness from the Christ for his self centeredness.
That's one of the big benefits of being at the top of the dung pile, shit rolls downhill. And they all know it. Why do they take such jobs? To be exempt from accountability. Worst case scenario is getting fired. Big effing deal. They all still have money and connections. Whoop-di-duo. Its kind of like taking a vacation from responsibility. Ultimately though it IS the American people who are at fault. The baby boomers are now too old to any longer hold street protests and sit-ins, post office bombings, or breaking into government offices like the radicals of the 60's. And the generations since then have been so pacified (and pussyfied) that rioting in the streets is more unimaginable than holding beer parties, or being a leader on WOW, ungluing their Eyephones from their hands or spending 4 hours a day on social media in the confines of their living rooms. Even in the 60's when everyone was smoking weed, at least that generation took to the streets and college campuses to demonstrate against bullshit. What protests do you see now? MAYBE ... unions trying to organize or supporters of illegal immigrants out demonstrating. But nothing against government abuses.
"Who's watching the watchers?" - Watchmen That's one result of smaller government. No oversight. This agencies like the CIA, NSA, FBI, Military Intel, can operate in such a way as to exceed the bounds legally intended for them.
AC + 2 (no mod points left)
Whole-heartedly agree. But here's part of the problem, plausible deniability which has become safe haven for administrators all over the country including in those who run corporations. When you're at the top of the dung pile it's just too easy to claim ignorance of what's been done by your subordinates or the whole system got out of control. One might claim that's no excuse and I agree, the buck has to stop somewhere. But those at the top have the authority to abuse and to ensure someone below them takes the hit. We live in an era of dishonor. It is even worshipped as the ultimate escape valve for those in positions of power. And because dishonor is so lucrative as far as saving the asses at the top, honor will never hold the persuasive attraction it used to. One can't expect any better in a dog eat dog world.
So long as you're not evangelizing in the process. If becoming "born again", or being required to listen to sectarian preaching, praying, pledging their to allegiance to some deity, then there is nothing wrong with helping the less fortunate. But IF... aid is dependent upon listening to a bunch of religious crap or performing religious rituals, then that's no different than abusing the less fortunate in drug trials seducing or conscripting them with financial inducements. It a freedom of conscience issue.
That's sarcasm right? You can't get enough Americans together on a large enough scale to do anything that isn't preferenced upon individual self-interest.
That's a joke right? Contacting elected officials about concerns just gets you generic form letters thanking you for your comments. But every letter reads nearly identical no matter what you contacted them about. In other words, their responses usually read like horoscopes. Could apply to anyone or anything. You can tell that your comments never even got to the representative but was screened by some kissass wannabe politician (aide) because none of the specific concerns in the letter were even addressed. Now, you might say that elected official should not be reelected. Problem is convincing a majority of your constituents of that but their too busy screwing their friend's girlfriend, dreaming about being "fast and furious", where and when they're going to get their next bag of weed, watching American ninja, checking how fast they can drive from one side of town to the other, holding drinking and hotdog eating contests for a moment of glory, playing WOW, or being an asswipe in the favorite bar, etc. Americans don't care about politics anymore. They're more interested in scheming how their going to survive by getting over on the next guy. The government is too dysfunctional and no one cares anymore. It's a sinking ship and everyone knows it. So America is now the land of the hyenas. They make a lot of noise but can't see themselves engaged enough to really do anything about change.
Besides a vast majority of music sucks big Dick these says. Hell, anyone can recite lines that rhyme to a base drum thumping as back up, cursing your ass off, to instrumentals I wouldn't hit a dog in the ass with. Most of it is shit anyway. And they want paid for that crap???!!!! FORGEDABOUTIT!!!!
I can't accept all this digital audio recording copyright infringement. It's a bunch of crap. 50 years ago people used to swap, trade or just give away vinyl records an no one in the industry made a stink about it. Music artists made a living on new releases and concerts. And when tape became popular consumers did the same thing they did with vinyl. People copied music for decades and you never heard a peep out of the industry. Even though I'm not into music or even movies that much so I don't copy anything but my opinion is once you buy something you should be able to do what you want with it. Share it with friends, give it away if you don't want it any longer... whatever. If the artists think they're that great let them work their asses off making new releases and performing live in order to make a living. Life's tuff all over.
One of the advantages of being atheist is that you no longer have to believe in the concept of perfection. And since perfection no longer exists you also don't have to require perfection from imperfect beings. Everyone makes mistakes, some worse than others.
You're not an evil atheist... you're more like a Christian.
That's only (perhaps) partially correct. First of all, the military enlistment standards are considerable higher than they were 40 years ago. So there's an equally vibrant alternative to military service; higher education. And if you're from a low income family you get preference for student loans. Second, I know a lot of guys that joined the Reserves or Guard just for the extra money. Not really planning to have to actually fight in combat zones anywhere. 9/11 was a big wake up call to many of them weekend warriors. Third, recruiters had tremendous pressure to get enlistments. In high school students have to take military recruitment exams (since Congress tied education dollars to recruiters having access to every public school). For three years after my DAUGHTERS graduated from high school we had recruiters calling our house and sending mail solicitations trying to get them to enlist. I also know individuals the military wouldn't take because they dropped out of school or had some minor physical impairment that in no way should've prevented them from enlisting. Those individuals would've made good recruits had they been given a chance to enlist. So military service isn't the opportunity it may have been. By the way, I served during the Vietnam Era and was one of those service persons "spit on" when I came home. I didn't help me one effin bit.
Not exactly. You seem to have ignored the fact that society often gives mixed signals and messages. Politics might assert some action is illegal or undesirable while the culture provided limitless examples of people doing something the law says they shouldn't. Our music, entertainment, work demands and milieu, etc. Almost all our culture promotes the use of illicit drugs including the widespread abuse of alcohol (even though it is "legal). Every drama on TV shows routine (and unnecessary?) reliance upon alcohol, weed, stimulants, etc. Making their use appear culturally acceptable. Even desirable. If success in the tech industry is closely related to "productivity" even at the expense of healthy family and personal relationships and if one's job is dependent upon being "top dog", well those kind of workplace cultures has the effect of dehumanizing everything. So it's no wonder people become detached, disoriented, and lost even to themselves. But I blame that on culture regardless what the law says. People do what they feel they have to do to "survive" even if in the long run it destroys them.
Most unfortunate. My experience with addicts (of which I have over 20 years) is that some are salvageable, some are not. The biggest difference is a commitment to change. Seeing a way to a more stable life. Often a complete abandonment of friends and acquaintances connected with the drug(s) of choice. Having a supportive family and good friends helps but ultimately it has to come from within. May the force be with you.
You obviously don't have any experience with farming either. Farming entails use of large and dangerous machinery and it's not your stereotypical leisure boring job. Just a couple weeks ago some guy in my area lost an arm due to a machinery mishap. Farmers farm because it's "honest" and hard work. Any you have to know a lot about working with your hands, solving all kinds of problems, planning, budgeting, etc. To most of those who farm they don't see farming as boring.
Addiction is more than a strict matter of choice. Some people by virtue of their genetic inheritance and the social milieu they grew up in have a predisposition to addition. And the problem with that is that no one knows in advance just how susceptible they are. Statistically winners and losers are equally susceptible. So it's not just a matter of "I'm a winner so I can't become an addict".
How about reputation as a "business model"? If a business has a good and unique product or service then reputation should be it's marketing strategy as opposed to deceptive and intrusive ads. Sure it might take longer to build a customer base but all that means it may take a few more years of quality product or service to make it into the 1%. But you're going to spend fewer resources on meaningless advertising. But it also means you are committed to the satisfied customer and that you see your "job" as a career as opposed to a get rich quick scheme. Everyone wants immediate wealth because of their "brilliant" ideas. Instead of taking years, even generations, to build up a reputable company. Good products and services sell themselves.
Not so. Just a year or two ago Musk's company was on the verge of bankruptcy. Had it not been for the competition he won from NASA and the subsequent launch contract he said publicly that his company would've gone under. In other words, he was dependent upon government funding to keep his business going. Because of the costs involved I doubt there is ANY private company in the business that is not dependent upon government from one extent to another.
Not exactly. Even in America you don't really own anything. If I say I "own" my home I could mean that I hold a mortgage on it but am basically free to modify the property or I could be saying the property is paid for. But let's say the property is paid for but the owner fails to or refuses to pay their property taxes (if you live in a state that taxes the value of real estate). Ultimately the government authorities can cease your (say $150,000) property and sheriff sale it for the (say $10,000) you owe in taxes. You don't own anything in the sense it can be taken from you if you don't meet some minimum requirement. Government can even take your life if it decides to.
Well... it certainly would lend some legitimacy to the idea that "capitalism is more efficient and more creative" than socialist government.