If people wanted kids with different ethnic traits, they would have been attracted to mates with different ethnic traits. I'm about as white as it gets i'm only rarely attracted to blonde girls. Why would I want blonde babies?
On the other hand, if I could make sure I didn't have a kid with down syndrom or gayness, I might would do that. Of course, I've never believed in abortion or anything like that so... as I haven't got the option, nor the need, it doesn't really matter right now.
As for not all of one race... pretty much the only countries that can afford this shit are predominatly white -- US, UK, Germany, et cetera. maybe Japan. The Japanese would be all about it. But then even if those predominatly white countries, it's going to be pretty much only the white people who can afford it. So yes, it'll be a Germano-Celtic thing, probably. That's just economics. And the Japanese. Of course, the Japanese were doing experiments that even made Mengala look tame durring WWII. So it'll put us right back where we were in 1938.
We can test for undesireable "useless feeder" traits now, and we can abort them. If we could engineer out gayness, weakness, and phenotypical variations that are deemed socially undesireable, then who really won World War II?
There are several areas of Ireland (particularly on the west coast) and Scotland where Gaelic is the native language of the majority of the people. Of course, Irish and Scots are different although mostly the same. Scots came from Ireland (the Picts were there before them). Gaelic is a fun language.
My mother is fluent in Italian, French, Spanish, Latin, a good bit of German and Japanese and some Greek and Arabic. I have 3 years of high school spanish 1 semester of Japanese and 1.5 semester of Latin.
Her french saved our asses in Canada, but got me into even more trouble with French cops in Paris at Jim Morrison's grave when I was 17 (about to turn 21 now). Her Spanish (she teaches it, working on her masters in Santiago de Compostella) got us well enough around Spain. We did fine in Germany.
The only places I've been without her have been Ireland, England, and Italy. Being of irish blood, looking and sounding like them, I did fine there. England, too. I managed in Italy with my Spanish and Latin, but asking in Classical latin where the bathroom is does tend to get looks.
I don't shout. I keep my mouth shut and try and blend in as well as I can. I don't like to appear to be a tourist (I hardly ever go to the tourist things). However, I did have bad communication problems in Rome near St John Lattern (the Cathedral in Rome (not St Peter's)) in a resteraunt there. A phrase book would have helped here.
I think a war for a tangible object is the only legitmate goal to initiate war. They have something we need, and if they can't defend it, then tough nuggets.
Also, while I am Southern, I am not redneck. They don't let Irish-Catholics into that club. I'm decended from land owners and army officers. I too will be an Army officer. I feel it appropriate to participate in war for Glory and Honour. Politicians say "why" we go to war. I'll just do what I have to do, and I will do anything I must to win.
I have morals, but they are superceeded by what I view to be virtues: Duty, Honour, Loyalty, Service, and Strength. The Romans had a saying, Gloriam via virtus (I think that's right -- only 2nd semester Latin student) -- Glory by way of Virtue. My morals only really function appropriately in a society where everyone shares them. However, when we have an enemy which is opposed to several of the core tennents (although, admittedly, I probably share more moral beliefes with people in Iran than I do in California).
Anyway, if we nationalized the oil companies and didn't keep the Iraqis around as a "soverign state," but instead directly imposed rule the $100 per barrel would go away. Most of the price at the pump is tax anyway. I don't care the war is for oil. I'd rather it be about oil than some false pretence of liberating people who can't handle "freedom," which in my estimation is just about everybody. No body is willing to take responsiblity for themselves or the well being of their community anymore. It's always someone else's fault. It's all a lot of bullshit and I don't respect people anymore that don't do military service.
Saddam, bona fide, had ties to terrorists. He gave money to encourage and fun suicide bombings in Israel by groups like Hammas and Islamic Jihad. Al Qaeda is not the only terrorist group. Furthermore, Israel is a US ally. As far back as Rome, "an attack on my ally is an attack on me." It's the logic behind NATO and Warsaw Pact.
Secondly, the first Gulf war never ended. We signed a contingent cease-fire agreement, not a peace. Iraq shot at US and British aircraft enforcing the no-fly zones almost every day. We bombed them almsot every day under Clinton and the early days of Bush before the all-out war. Violtating a cease-fire constantly is grounds for resumption of hostilities. This is the same war, different battle.
Fuck this shit about "WMDs" and "Terrorists" though. Fuck it to hell. Saddam was a bad guy and was our enemy. There is no logical reason to allow ones enemies to persist. 3 wars between Rome and Carthage before Rome just said "enough"and totally obliterated them ought to tell us something. Two world wars against Germany, also. He was our enemy and no he's gone. His country is being turned into a US client State and part of the Imperium. Iraq is now our Bitch, and the rest of them are not far behind. We just need to take the golves off and kick the shit out of these "insurgents" instead of tip-toeing through the tulips so as not to offend them.
Rome never managed to get past Palestine and stay. Rome lacked the logistical support for a multi-front war. We do not. I have no dilusions that we are doing this to spread "freedom" and "democracy," but we can spread our own peace -- where the others are pacified and we can then go about living our lives, and to hell with their freedom. I suspect we both belive that is what is happening. Only for some reason you seem to think its a bad thing. Well guess what, bub, you're going to benefit too, and one must break some eggs to make an omlet.
We also must both know that the majority of people (and not just americans, mind you), are easily duped. As my American Romanticism professor says, "The mob demands idols." and that is true. But as much as they want something above them to worship, they want something to fear. Fear breeds strength, it also breeds control. Yes, give the mob spectacle and they will love you. Inform them of danger and they will need you. they will also be willing to do what they must.
That is where this "terrorism" shit comes in. I don't believe in terrorism because I am not affraid, therefor by definition, there are no terrorists in my world view. No, I am not afraid. I just don't like them. They have demonstrated they are against "us", and "i" am part of "we," and so they are against me. I'll do my part to crush our enemies. But those who are week and fear, well, i don't really find them useful. But they are controllable, and perhaps that is enough.
Besides, it's not just republicans. It's all politicians. they all play the fear game against atheists, communists, big bad perscription drug stealers, whatever. Don't trust any of them because they'll all stab you in the back just as soon as they can. There is no honour or loyalty in their world. They are weak people who do not deserve to govern. Weak leaders voted for by a weak populous who does not deserve to vote.
got me engaged... then she left me about the time i started my comp sci degree...:-( Now I am an English major, but Guinness and potatoes put me out of league for a while. Working on that now.
In high school I kept trying to get my mother to buy me an official RedHat fedora. She said it was a pimp hat and I couldn't have one.
If linux were really for pimps, I'd have gotten laid BEFORE I quit programming to learn how to play electric guitar. However, the guitar is totally a way to get chicks.
I can see from another perspective. But I do not like hypotheticals, really. It's an extremely unlikely hypothetical. One that I am sure is actually impossible, not only for the fact that its 80 years hence, but that racially/religiously would never have happend.
Yes, if I were a Jew then things in Germany would have seemed different. In fact, probably 100% different. As that is "not bloody likely," then chances are I wouldn't have given anything a 2nd thought. Duty to fatherland and fuhur -- race and religion. One does as one must.
Yes, if I were a Jew i'd have been against the Nazis. Or a Jahovah's witnes. Or a Communist. Or a Gypsie. If I were a fag i'd probably just quit fagizing and join in like the head of the SA because busting a nut is not worth dying for. As some German farmboy or working/middle class city-dweller, well, Hitler promised jobs, bread, and good order. He deliverd. He saved the country from the Communists (until after the war). He provided the Autobaun which people do so love. He is in fact the creator of the VM Beetle (stylistically, and then had his engineeers make it work). Sounds good to me! But then he killed a lot of Jews and "undesireables." This is more or less universally declared as "evil." Was it? Yes. Would I have cared then? Probably not.
I'm just saying, like in my Holocaust Literature class freshman year -- people often say "if i'd been there, i'd have helped them escape!" Well, frankly sir, I am none so nieve. Had I been there, at that time, no, I would have done what was required of me without question because I would have been brought up to. However, it is easy to sit 6,000 miles and 60 years away from the issue at hand and say "I would have done X differently."
Yes, I feel for the plight of the Jews. The holocaust was terrible and wicked. Yes, if I were a Jew i'd have been against the Nazis. But that I would have been Jewish is damned near impossible. So I would have done what was expect of ME. Probably in the regular Army having nothing to do with the SS or death camps.
For some reason, every time I make an attempt at moral relativism, it back fires. But you know what? It's all hypothetical, isn't it? And what I think is absolute moral now would have not been then. Of course, I think service to one's country is an absolute moral. It just becomes relative in the context of what the country did.
If I were a Jew today, I'd probably like Israel. If I were Muslim, I'd probably like the Palestinians. However, there are enough issues with Northern Ireland to keep me busy taht I don't give a shit about the middle east. Hypotheticals are totally gay.
These people respond to nothing but force. They will give force out themselves. They fear not death. They do fear humiliation. If it'll break them, then so be it. But they aren't going to be rehabilitated ever. We can't free them. And soldiering isn't a crime, per se. We can't lock them in prison and charge them with shit. That's stupid.
Perhaps that example was extreme. But quite frankly, I really don't give a shit what the rest of the world thinks of the US. I don't like, trust, or respect most of them. The only country I like to go to anymore is Ireland. Hell, the officer in charge when Saddam was captured, his parents were Irish, from CO Kerry.
If we are to be scolded now, remember where we got it all from. Europe used to be hard-core. Now they are a bunch of drug hippies who have sex loveins all the time and are going to get AIDS and die and immigrants are going to take over and turn it into a shit hole. I think Europe is weak, and I'd rather be called cold-hearted or immoral than be called weak and ineffective.
I'm Catholic. No one in my family has ever been Jewish. I am Irish and German. I assure you had I been born in Germany in the 1920s, I'd be cleared for SS service. I'd likely have thought it was a good idea, too. Kind of like being a Praetorian for Comodus (who was not like the Russel Crowe movie shows, but he was bad none the less. Rather big persecutor, thus labled "bad emperor")
I will fight and die for them out of loyalty. Not even just to keep them safe. Any time it's needed, I am there. Semper fidelis.
Ther is a difference between liberty and freedom, I guess. In a jail cell one has no freedom. They are not unfettered. I have liberty in my mind. I am unfettered in my movements. I am not "free," as I need others for everything. Outside of them, I need God. Therefor, I am but a servent of the divine will anyhow. I am not free.
As for why fight, well... I grew up around Yorktown, Virginia. You may have heard of it. 'Tis where we won the revolution. Anyhow, I was tought to love liberty and cheris tradition. I've always been an anti-federalist. I've always been anti-democratic, however. I'm decended from landownership. My great grandfather was born in 1859, and they owned slaves then. Frankly, "common man" democracy was a detriment to part of my family, while I suppose a boon to the more recent fammine-irish (the Freemans having been shiped from Co Cork by Cromwell in the 1650s). Mixed blessing, I guess. However, I never really believed in the sort of lowest-common-denominator democracy. I think the Roman Republic was perfect government.
However, I always learned America is the greatest country ever. I still believe it. I'll fight just to punish other countries. I do not agree with what our government has become. I won't fight for that. I'll fight for the soil under my feet. It's better than theirs.
I am not attached to democracy. Had I been born in 1920s Germany, I would have fought for Germany. Same for Italy. Same for Japan. Same for USA or Britian. What I am attached to is the land, my family and friends. I will kill anyone who tries to take that from me. As Hitler said in Mein Kampf (I swear this is not a Godwin's Law thing), there is a difference between "folkish nationalism" and "dynastic patriotism." It is of little consiquence to me what the government is or does, so long as they do not try to take from me my home, friends or family. If they did, they would find me their enemy.
Until then, it is these barbarians from beyond the borders. They are the enemy. I will fight to defeat them. I do not care WHY we are at war with them. I didn't really want anything to do with them before, but now we are at war and I will do my part. This will secure my home, friends and family. I am willing to give my life for that. I dout that there are many people on slashdot that are willing to give their lives for anything.
I am signing up for the army next year. In this economy I don't think there is anything better for a new grad, particularly with an English BA, history minor. Of course, I know war is no longer that business of conquest and honour and glory which it was in the day of Caesar. That if i gave half the orders which in any "real" war without a government run by pussy bitches, I would without hezitation that I would be courtmashalled. So of course, I will not do those things. I will take my orders, pass on orders to my men, kill when I have to and try to keep my men from being killed.
There are more important things than Liberty or Safety. I endanger myself for the purpose of victory, wether it is achieved or not all the time on sports fields. Clearly I do not care about safety. And I am unfettered. And I am willing to give up "liberty" and join the army and go to war to protect YOURS whether I like the idea or not. I love this country. I love my home. I love my friends, and I want to make a good life for my family. I don't care about voting or elections. I'd be just as happy under a King with "divine authority" from some speaking rock on a hill (Lia Fail).
I really believe democracy is stupid. It suffers under weak society. Right now we would be better off with out it. Maybe in a perfect world where ROTC or military service was required and people took pride in the glory of their home and honour in the courge it takes to defend it, then they might be qualified to run it. Until then, no. They are weak and unfit to have a say in government.
I don't believe the IRA are terrorists. No one called the Viet Cong terrorists. I don't like the term "terrorist" -- mostly, because I'm not afraid. They are little pussy bitchs who wouldn't get in a dueling field or a battle field.
Besides, the Taliban were supporters of this "terrorism" thing, thus support of the Taliban is support of "terrorism." Whatever "terrorism" is.
I'm not saying I wouldn't do the same thing as this farmer guy you postilate. I'm just saying it is none of my concern.
As for McVeigh, or fertilizer, I believe the People must reserve the right to violent revolution, if and when it becomes needed. The Declaration of Independence provides the Moral and Legal authority for this. However, I'd rather support an oppressive, tyranical government against the foreign scourge than fight my government and leave the country week to the outside.
I don't think that non-citizens should have any constitutional rights within the United States. For all we know they are all soviet spies or al qaeda sucide bombers. However, citizens should be given the benefit of the doubt. The PATRIOT act, which I have no read and really don't intend to, if applied to citizens is bad. I don't care what they do to non-citizens. Hell, I'm sure I have an MI5 or Special Branch file for my friends in Ireland and stupid shit i've done/said. I don't have any expectation of privacy when in Britain (even if I "legally" might -- realistically, I just assume it isnt there). I don't except the British to have it in the United States.
For some reason this is very hard for people on Slashdot to get. I REALLY HONESTLY DO NOT CARE WHAT HAPPENS IN GITMO. I take no interest in it. if I did, I'd probably find the treatment too lax. Hell, if it were up to me I'd make them watch my soldiers rape their sisters just to make them talk and then shoot the whole lot of them afterwards. Victory at ANY COST -- ANY. Failure is not an option. Having wahabi Muslims take over Europe and North America is NOT AN OPTION. Anything for the preservation of US. Our "way of life" is secondary. Semper in victum -- always in victory. I do not care what "they" want or what "they" think is right. I'm willing to call them soldiers and believe they believe their cause is right. But I will NOT not fight just because of that. All the more reason to fight.
Then again, this is the sort of place were people believe in abortion (killing babies who have had no chance at life) but not in capital punishment (killing convicted criminals who have proven that they have wasted their lives). Go figure.
I don't care. I really do not. Locking up foreigners is no threat to MY liberty. I don't expect anything approaching "proper" treatment from foreign governments. when they start sending Michael and Mary from Boston or Chicago not not Achmed from Krapistanabad then i'll worry.
when you snag someone off the field in Afganistan, and they are carrying an AK-47, and are not in the Northern Alliance or a US Special Forces soldier using native weapons for practical reasons, then it is safe to assume they are a terrorist or terrorist sympathizer.
Frankly, I find it that people want to "charge" these people with "crimes" when they've been snagged off a battlefield by the ARMY and not arrested by the police, "fucking pathetic." What right to a trial to does a soldier have? There is no crime in being a soldier. Al Qaeda claims to have declared war on us. We are fighting a war, declared or not by Congress. We are killing/capturing soldiers. We are not arresting kids dealing pot. These people are dangerous and they believe in their cause. They believe themselves to be soldiers fighting a just war, every bit as members of the IRA or a State army. However, they fall out of the definitions of any such by their lack of uniforms, coherant command structure, and other things, from being classified as "soldiers" or "militia" that would make them come under the Geneva Convention.
Face it, they are not "criminals," but as far as soldiers go, they aren't really that either. They ought not be charged with crimes. They ought not get lawyers. They ought to be milked for whatever intelligence they can provide and then discarded. We can't really let them go, because they'll go right back to fighting. We are never going to sign a peace accord with Bin Laden. Frankly, I think we should just exicute them. Realistically, there is nothing else that can be done.
Also, the 'enemy combatant' thing was made up by FDR to cover German sabotuers durring WWII and was upheld by the Supreme Court then. They executed everyone of them after finding them "guilty" in a military court. Frankly, I wouldn't have shed a tear then and I sure has hell wont for these people either.
This enemy only understands the application of strength. Your quiant ideas of "justice" just look like weekness to them, and they will use that to their own advantage. We must be hard-hearted and heavy-handed if we are to win. Sad but true.
Unless, of course, you want THEM to win. In which case, just admit it. Lucius Brutus killed both his own sons because he suspected them of betraying the Republic in the early days in 508 b.c. I'd have done the very same.
if they are fighting in a terrorist army, they have committed treason. not only that, but have forfeited their citizenship by joining a foreign military force. It even says so in your passport -- they revoke your citizenship for that shit. So they arent citizens and have no rights.
if by "looks like" you mean "cheap ripoff" and by linux you mean "Windows," then yes... it "looks like" "linux."
Seriously, I really believe the whole windows and "desktop" model has lost its usefulness and any room for innovation. Maybe its time to move on now, guys?
Uhm, yeah. Had I been Bush, I'd have nuked Mecca on 12 September and cut straight to the end. I dislike Islam and want to destroy it. Terrorism is a good excuse.
Life, Liberty, and Property my friend, in no uncertain order. If they take our lives, liberty is worth nothing. Death is the only true freedom anyway. Frankly, we are only going to beat the terrorists when we stop worrying about "rights" and legality. I doubt any German or Japanese soldier captured in World War II was given a lawyer in the camps! And these people aren't even covered by the Geneva Convention. If they capture an American, they will cut his head off. Personally, I don't think anything is too servere in the dealing with the enemy. I do not pitty them. I do not pitty their families. Survival is worth ANYTHING.
Saying that the terrorists hate our "freedom" is bullshit. They hate that we are different. And they want to kill us or convert us. Our form of government has nothing to do with it. First and formost we must protect our lives. Fuck them. Kill 'em all. I don't care. We can't NOT eliminate the enemy. Germany was left to fester after World War I. Carthage came after Rome 3 times before they had enough, leveled the place, salted the earth, killed all the men, raped the women, and sold them and their children into slavery. THAT, my friends, is war. Not trying to take out a government and then turn the people into a consumer base. It just pisses the people off. Wounded animials are DANGEROUS.
Of course, this is not a popular position. But it is true. The enemy must always be destroyed completely, lest he come back at you. Germany and Japan were so utterly defeated after World War II that they could never have come back again like they did. We still occupy Germany and Japan 60 years later, despite having turned things over to their own governments.
Of course, you are right. What they are doing is unconstitutional. It ought to be treason. But we won't have a country if we are all dead. And we will all be dead if you worry about treating the enemy "fairly," when they sure has hell have no hesitation. As Gene Hackman said in "Mississippi Burning," "These people crawled out of the sewer, so maybe the gutter is where we ought to be!"
Rome cared not, and Rome was glorious. Rome ruled the world for 500 years, where over 240 days of a 365 day year were public holidays. No on worked and the food and games were free. Then they got too much Greek influence and became gay. Then they became Christians and quit killing babies. This is why the fell. So long as we stay un-Greek and pagan, we can once and for all destroy the Persians and see Corinthian columns line the portacos of imperial administration buildings throughout the world. Wars of conquest would also solve population problems and end global warming.
but they get their porn from the Internet. So, it's 100% internet addicts, 15% afraid of sex, 85% holding on to hope that they may someday need to know how to lick cooter. But taht'll never happen for them.
Had I been Viet Namese, I'd have joined the Viet Cong, probably, not cause I'm a commie but to get others out. Hell, i'd have probably have wanted to join the SS had I been German just to prove to others I was "the best" and do my part for my country. Of course, the brainwashing... as himler said, the party is the the state. the fhur is the party. the fhur is the state.
See, I believe war for conquest is justifiable. In fact, I think its really the only pure motive. Everyone thinks Caesar was great, or Alexander. They sure as hell weren't "liberating" anything. People are all greedy savages and it's in our nature to do such things.
I am not a mindless drone. I know "right from wrong" and all that shit. I just said I'd do it anyway, because my personal values favour things which mean I must. The only virtue is service. Glory is had through virtue. Crassus was the richest man in Rome and everyone hated him. Caesar was poor but beloved. He exemplified Roman virtue. I value the same things they did, and have the same motives.
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If people wanted kids with different ethnic traits, they would have been attracted to mates with different ethnic traits. I'm about as white as it gets i'm only rarely attracted to blonde girls. Why would I want blonde babies? On the other hand, if I could make sure I didn't have a kid with down syndrom or gayness, I might would do that. Of course, I've never believed in abortion or anything like that so... as I haven't got the option, nor the need, it doesn't really matter right now. As for not all of one race... pretty much the only countries that can afford this shit are predominatly white -- US, UK, Germany, et cetera. maybe Japan. The Japanese would be all about it. But then even if those predominatly white countries, it's going to be pretty much only the white people who can afford it. So yes, it'll be a Germano-Celtic thing, probably. That's just economics. And the Japanese. Of course, the Japanese were doing experiments that even made Mengala look tame durring WWII. So it'll put us right back where we were in 1938. We can test for undesireable "useless feeder" traits now, and we can abort them. If we could engineer out gayness, weakness, and phenotypical variations that are deemed socially undesireable, then who really won World War II?
There are several areas of Ireland (particularly on the west coast) and Scotland where Gaelic is the native language of the majority of the people. Of course, Irish and Scots are different although mostly the same. Scots came from Ireland (the Picts were there before them). Gaelic is a fun language.
My mother is fluent in Italian, French, Spanish, Latin, a good bit of German and Japanese and some Greek and Arabic. I have 3 years of high school spanish 1 semester of Japanese and 1.5 semester of Latin.
Her french saved our asses in Canada, but got me into even more trouble with French cops in Paris at Jim Morrison's grave when I was 17 (about to turn 21 now). Her Spanish (she teaches it, working on her masters in Santiago de Compostella) got us well enough around Spain. We did fine in Germany.
The only places I've been without her have been Ireland, England, and Italy. Being of irish blood, looking and sounding like them, I did fine there. England, too. I managed in Italy with my Spanish and Latin, but asking in Classical latin where the bathroom is does tend to get looks.
I don't shout. I keep my mouth shut and try and blend in as well as I can. I don't like to appear to be a tourist (I hardly ever go to the tourist things). However, I did have bad communication problems in Rome near St John Lattern (the Cathedral in Rome (not St Peter's)) in a resteraunt there. A phrase book would have helped here.
SHOUT A WHOLE LOT. It makes you easier to understand.
first post.
Europe kicked the Puritans out to America because they knew they sucked. All that did is turn this country into one big Belfast.
I think a war for a tangible object is the only legitmate goal to initiate war. They have something we need, and if they can't defend it, then tough nuggets.
Also, while I am Southern, I am not redneck. They don't let Irish-Catholics into that club. I'm decended from land owners and army officers. I too will be an Army officer. I feel it appropriate to participate in war for Glory and Honour. Politicians say "why" we go to war. I'll just do what I have to do, and I will do anything I must to win.
I have morals, but they are superceeded by what I view to be virtues: Duty, Honour, Loyalty, Service, and Strength. The Romans had a saying, Gloriam via virtus (I think that's right -- only 2nd semester Latin student) -- Glory by way of Virtue. My morals only really function appropriately in a society where everyone shares them. However, when we have an enemy which is opposed to several of the core tennents (although, admittedly, I probably share more moral beliefes with people in Iran than I do in California).
Anyway, if we nationalized the oil companies and didn't keep the Iraqis around as a "soverign state," but instead directly imposed rule the $100 per barrel would go away. Most of the price at the pump is tax anyway. I don't care the war is for oil. I'd rather it be about oil than some false pretence of liberating people who can't handle "freedom," which in my estimation is just about everybody. No body is willing to take responsiblity for themselves or the well being of their community anymore. It's always someone else's fault. It's all a lot of bullshit and I don't respect people anymore that don't do military service.
Saddam, bona fide, had ties to terrorists. He gave money to encourage and fun suicide bombings in Israel by groups like Hammas and Islamic Jihad. Al Qaeda is not the only terrorist group. Furthermore, Israel is a US ally. As far back as Rome, "an attack on my ally is an attack on me." It's the logic behind NATO and Warsaw Pact.
Secondly, the first Gulf war never ended. We signed a contingent cease-fire agreement, not a peace. Iraq shot at US and British aircraft enforcing the no-fly zones almost every day. We bombed them almsot every day under Clinton and the early days of Bush before the all-out war. Violtating a cease-fire constantly is grounds for resumption of hostilities. This is the same war, different battle.
Fuck this shit about "WMDs" and "Terrorists" though. Fuck it to hell. Saddam was a bad guy and was our enemy. There is no logical reason to allow ones enemies to persist. 3 wars between Rome and Carthage before Rome just said "enough"and totally obliterated them ought to tell us something. Two world wars against Germany, also. He was our enemy and no he's gone. His country is being turned into a US client State and part of the Imperium. Iraq is now our Bitch, and the rest of them are not far behind. We just need to take the golves off and kick the shit out of these "insurgents" instead of tip-toeing through the tulips so as not to offend them.
Rome never managed to get past Palestine and stay. Rome lacked the logistical support for a multi-front war. We do not. I have no dilusions that we are doing this to spread "freedom" and "democracy," but we can spread our own peace -- where the others are pacified and we can then go about living our lives, and to hell with their freedom. I suspect we both belive that is what is happening. Only for some reason you seem to think its a bad thing. Well guess what, bub, you're going to benefit too, and one must break some eggs to make an omlet.
We also must both know that the majority of people (and not just americans, mind you), are easily duped. As my American Romanticism professor says, "The mob demands idols." and that is true. But as much as they want something above them to worship, they want something to fear. Fear breeds strength, it also breeds control. Yes, give the mob spectacle and they will love you. Inform them of danger and they will need you. they will also be willing to do what they must.
That is where this "terrorism" shit comes in. I don't believe in terrorism because I am not affraid, therefor by definition, there are no terrorists in my world view. No, I am not afraid. I just don't like them. They have demonstrated they are against "us", and "i" am part of "we," and so they are against me. I'll do my part to crush our enemies. But those who are week and fear, well, i don't really find them useful. But they are controllable, and perhaps that is enough.
Besides, it's not just republicans. It's all politicians. they all play the fear game against atheists, communists, big bad perscription drug stealers, whatever. Don't trust any of them because they'll all stab you in the back just as soon as they can. There is no honour or loyalty in their world. They are weak people who do not deserve to govern. Weak leaders voted for by a weak populous who does not deserve to vote.
I think he meant it as sarcasm and that sort of got lost somewhere.
got me engaged... then she left me about the time i started my comp sci degree... :-( Now I am an English major, but Guinness and potatoes put me out of league for a while. Working on that now.
Guitar totally gets chicks.
In high school I kept trying to get my mother to buy me an official RedHat fedora. She said it was a pimp hat and I couldn't have one.
If linux were really for pimps, I'd have gotten laid BEFORE I quit programming to learn how to play electric guitar. However, the guitar is totally a way to get chicks.
I can see from another perspective. But I do not like hypotheticals, really. It's an extremely unlikely hypothetical. One that I am sure is actually impossible, not only for the fact that its 80 years hence, but that racially/religiously would never have happend.
Yes, if I were a Jew then things in Germany would have seemed different. In fact, probably 100% different. As that is "not bloody likely," then chances are I wouldn't have given anything a 2nd thought. Duty to fatherland and fuhur -- race and religion. One does as one must.
Yes, if I were a Jew i'd have been against the Nazis. Or a Jahovah's witnes. Or a Communist. Or a Gypsie. If I were a fag i'd probably just quit fagizing and join in like the head of the SA because busting a nut is not worth dying for. As some German farmboy or working/middle class city-dweller, well, Hitler promised jobs, bread, and good order. He deliverd. He saved the country from the Communists (until after the war). He provided the Autobaun which people do so love. He is in fact the creator of the VM Beetle (stylistically, and then had his engineeers make it work). Sounds good to me! But then he killed a lot of Jews and "undesireables." This is more or less universally declared as "evil." Was it? Yes. Would I have cared then? Probably not.
I'm just saying, like in my Holocaust Literature class freshman year -- people often say "if i'd been there, i'd have helped them escape!" Well, frankly sir, I am none so nieve. Had I been there, at that time, no, I would have done what was required of me without question because I would have been brought up to. However, it is easy to sit 6,000 miles and 60 years away from the issue at hand and say "I would have done X differently."
Yes, I feel for the plight of the Jews. The holocaust was terrible and wicked. Yes, if I were a Jew i'd have been against the Nazis. But that I would have been Jewish is damned near impossible. So I would have done what was expect of ME. Probably in the regular Army having nothing to do with the SS or death camps.
For some reason, every time I make an attempt at moral relativism, it back fires. But you know what? It's all hypothetical, isn't it? And what I think is absolute moral now would have not been then. Of course, I think service to one's country is an absolute moral. It just becomes relative in the context of what the country did.
If I were a Jew today, I'd probably like Israel. If I were Muslim, I'd probably like the Palestinians. However, there are enough issues with Northern Ireland to keep me busy taht I don't give a shit about the middle east. Hypotheticals are totally gay.
These people respond to nothing but force. They will give force out themselves. They fear not death. They do fear humiliation. If it'll break them, then so be it. But they aren't going to be rehabilitated ever. We can't free them. And soldiering isn't a crime, per se. We can't lock them in prison and charge them with shit. That's stupid.
Perhaps that example was extreme. But quite frankly, I really don't give a shit what the rest of the world thinks of the US. I don't like, trust, or respect most of them. The only country I like to go to anymore is Ireland. Hell, the officer in charge when Saddam was captured, his parents were Irish, from CO Kerry.
If we are to be scolded now, remember where we got it all from. Europe used to be hard-core. Now they are a bunch of drug hippies who have sex loveins all the time and are going to get AIDS and die and immigrants are going to take over and turn it into a shit hole. I think Europe is weak, and I'd rather be called cold-hearted or immoral than be called weak and ineffective.
I'm Catholic. No one in my family has ever been Jewish. I am Irish and German. I assure you had I been born in Germany in the 1920s, I'd be cleared for SS service. I'd likely have thought it was a good idea, too. Kind of like being a Praetorian for Comodus (who was not like the Russel Crowe movie shows, but he was bad none the less. Rather big persecutor, thus labled "bad emperor")
I will fight and die for them out of loyalty. Not even just to keep them safe. Any time it's needed, I am there. Semper fidelis.
Ther is a difference between liberty and freedom, I guess. In a jail cell one has no freedom. They are not unfettered. I have liberty in my mind. I am unfettered in my movements. I am not "free," as I need others for everything. Outside of them, I need God. Therefor, I am but a servent of the divine will anyhow. I am not free.
As for why fight, well... I grew up around Yorktown, Virginia. You may have heard of it. 'Tis where we won the revolution. Anyhow, I was tought to love liberty and cheris tradition. I've always been an anti-federalist. I've always been anti-democratic, however. I'm decended from landownership. My great grandfather was born in 1859, and they owned slaves then. Frankly, "common man" democracy was a detriment to part of my family, while I suppose a boon to the more recent fammine-irish (the Freemans having been shiped from Co Cork by Cromwell in the 1650s). Mixed blessing, I guess. However, I never really believed in the sort of lowest-common-denominator democracy. I think the Roman Republic was perfect government.
However, I always learned America is the greatest country ever. I still believe it. I'll fight just to punish other countries. I do not agree with what our government has become. I won't fight for that. I'll fight for the soil under my feet. It's better than theirs.
I am not attached to democracy. Had I been born in 1920s Germany, I would have fought for Germany. Same for Italy. Same for Japan. Same for USA or Britian. What I am attached to is the land, my family and friends. I will kill anyone who tries to take that from me. As Hitler said in Mein Kampf (I swear this is not a Godwin's Law thing), there is a difference between "folkish nationalism" and "dynastic patriotism." It is of little consiquence to me what the government is or does, so long as they do not try to take from me my home, friends or family. If they did, they would find me their enemy.
Until then, it is these barbarians from beyond the borders. They are the enemy. I will fight to defeat them. I do not care WHY we are at war with them. I didn't really want anything to do with them before, but now we are at war and I will do my part. This will secure my home, friends and family. I am willing to give my life for that. I dout that there are many people on slashdot that are willing to give their lives for anything.
I am signing up for the army next year. In this economy I don't think there is anything better for a new grad, particularly with an English BA, history minor. Of course, I know war is no longer that business of conquest and honour and glory which it was in the day of Caesar. That if i gave half the orders which in any "real" war without a government run by pussy bitches, I would without hezitation that I would be courtmashalled. So of course, I will not do those things. I will take my orders, pass on orders to my men, kill when I have to and try to keep my men from being killed.
There are more important things than Liberty or Safety. I endanger myself for the purpose of victory, wether it is achieved or not all the time on sports fields. Clearly I do not care about safety. And I am unfettered. And I am willing to give up "liberty" and join the army and go to war to protect YOURS whether I like the idea or not. I love this country. I love my home. I love my friends, and I want to make a good life for my family. I don't care about voting or elections. I'd be just as happy under a King with "divine authority" from some speaking rock on a hill (Lia Fail).
I really believe democracy is stupid. It suffers under weak society. Right now we would be better off with out it. Maybe in a perfect world where ROTC or military service was required and people took pride in the glory of their home and honour in the courge it takes to defend it, then they might be qualified to run it. Until then, no. They are weak and unfit to have a say in government.
I don't believe the IRA are terrorists. No one called the Viet Cong terrorists. I don't like the term "terrorist" -- mostly, because I'm not afraid. They are little pussy bitchs who wouldn't get in a dueling field or a battle field.
Besides, the Taliban were supporters of this "terrorism" thing, thus support of the Taliban is support of "terrorism." Whatever "terrorism" is.
I'm not saying I wouldn't do the same thing as this farmer guy you postilate. I'm just saying it is none of my concern.
As for McVeigh, or fertilizer, I believe the People must reserve the right to violent revolution, if and when it becomes needed. The Declaration of Independence provides the Moral and Legal authority for this. However, I'd rather support an oppressive, tyranical government against the foreign scourge than fight my government and leave the country week to the outside.
I don't think that non-citizens should have any constitutional rights within the United States. For all we know they are all soviet spies or al qaeda sucide bombers. However, citizens should be given the benefit of the doubt. The PATRIOT act, which I have no read and really don't intend to, if applied to citizens is bad. I don't care what they do to non-citizens. Hell, I'm sure I have an MI5 or Special Branch file for my friends in Ireland and stupid shit i've done/said. I don't have any expectation of privacy when in Britain (even if I "legally" might -- realistically, I just assume it isnt there). I don't except the British to have it in the United States.
For some reason this is very hard for people on Slashdot to get. I REALLY HONESTLY DO NOT CARE WHAT HAPPENS IN GITMO. I take no interest in it. if I did, I'd probably find the treatment too lax. Hell, if it were up to me I'd make them watch my soldiers rape their sisters just to make them talk and then shoot the whole lot of them afterwards. Victory at ANY COST -- ANY. Failure is not an option. Having wahabi Muslims take over Europe and North America is NOT AN OPTION. Anything for the preservation of US. Our "way of life" is secondary. Semper in victum -- always in victory. I do not care what "they" want or what "they" think is right. I'm willing to call them soldiers and believe they believe their cause is right. But I will NOT not fight just because of that. All the more reason to fight.
Then again, this is the sort of place were people believe in abortion (killing babies who have had no chance at life) but not in capital punishment (killing convicted criminals who have proven that they have wasted their lives). Go figure.
I don't care. I really do not. Locking up foreigners is no threat to MY liberty. I don't expect anything approaching "proper" treatment from foreign governments. when they start sending Michael and Mary from Boston or Chicago not not Achmed from Krapistanabad then i'll worry.
when you snag someone off the field in Afganistan, and they are carrying an AK-47, and are not in the Northern Alliance or a US Special Forces soldier using native weapons for practical reasons, then it is safe to assume they are a terrorist or terrorist sympathizer.
Frankly, I find it that people want to "charge" these people with "crimes" when they've been snagged off a battlefield by the ARMY and not arrested by the police, "fucking pathetic." What right to a trial to does a soldier have? There is no crime in being a soldier. Al Qaeda claims to have declared war on us. We are fighting a war, declared or not by Congress. We are killing/capturing soldiers. We are not arresting kids dealing pot. These people are dangerous and they believe in their cause. They believe themselves to be soldiers fighting a just war, every bit as members of the IRA or a State army. However, they fall out of the definitions of any such by their lack of uniforms, coherant command structure, and other things, from being classified as "soldiers" or "militia" that would make them come under the Geneva Convention.
Face it, they are not "criminals," but as far as soldiers go, they aren't really that either. They ought not be charged with crimes. They ought not get lawyers. They ought to be milked for whatever intelligence they can provide and then discarded. We can't really let them go, because they'll go right back to fighting. We are never going to sign a peace accord with Bin Laden. Frankly, I think we should just exicute them. Realistically, there is nothing else that can be done.
Also, the 'enemy combatant' thing was made up by FDR to cover German sabotuers durring WWII and was upheld by the Supreme Court then. They executed everyone of them after finding them "guilty" in a military court. Frankly, I wouldn't have shed a tear then and I sure has hell wont for these people either.
This enemy only understands the application of strength. Your quiant ideas of "justice" just look like weekness to them, and they will use that to their own advantage. We must be hard-hearted and heavy-handed if we are to win. Sad but true.
Unless, of course, you want THEM to win. In which case, just admit it. Lucius Brutus killed both his own sons because he suspected them of betraying the Republic in the early days in 508 b.c. I'd have done the very same.
if they are fighting in a terrorist army, they have committed treason. not only that, but have forfeited their citizenship by joining a foreign military force. It even says so in your passport -- they revoke your citizenship for that shit. So they arent citizens and have no rights.
if by "looks like" you mean "cheap ripoff" and by linux you mean "Windows," then yes... it "looks like" "linux."
Seriously, I really believe the whole windows and "desktop" model has lost its usefulness and any room for innovation. Maybe its time to move on now, guys?
Uhm, yeah. Had I been Bush, I'd have nuked Mecca on 12 September and cut straight to the end. I dislike Islam and want to destroy it. Terrorism is a good excuse.
Life, Liberty, and Property my friend, in no uncertain order. If they take our lives, liberty is worth nothing. Death is the only true freedom anyway. Frankly, we are only going to beat the terrorists when we stop worrying about "rights" and legality. I doubt any German or Japanese soldier captured in World War II was given a lawyer in the camps! And these people aren't even covered by the Geneva Convention. If they capture an American, they will cut his head off. Personally, I don't think anything is too servere in the dealing with the enemy. I do not pitty them. I do not pitty their families. Survival is worth ANYTHING.
Saying that the terrorists hate our "freedom" is bullshit. They hate that we are different. And they want to kill us or convert us. Our form of government has nothing to do with it. First and formost we must protect our lives. Fuck them. Kill 'em all. I don't care. We can't NOT eliminate the enemy. Germany was left to fester after World War I. Carthage came after Rome 3 times before they had enough, leveled the place, salted the earth, killed all the men, raped the women, and sold them and their children into slavery. THAT, my friends, is war. Not trying to take out a government and then turn the people into a consumer base. It just pisses the people off. Wounded animials are DANGEROUS.
Of course, this is not a popular position. But it is true. The enemy must always be destroyed completely, lest he come back at you. Germany and Japan were so utterly defeated after World War II that they could never have come back again like they did. We still occupy Germany and Japan 60 years later, despite having turned things over to their own governments.
Of course, you are right. What they are doing is unconstitutional. It ought to be treason. But we won't have a country if we are all dead. And we will all be dead if you worry about treating the enemy "fairly," when they sure has hell have no hesitation. As Gene Hackman said in "Mississippi Burning," "These people crawled out of the sewer, so maybe the gutter is where we ought to be!"
Rome cared not, and Rome was glorious. Rome ruled the world for 500 years, where over 240 days of a 365 day year were public holidays. No on worked and the food and games were free. Then they got too much Greek influence and became gay. Then they became Christians and quit killing babies. This is why the fell. So long as we stay un-Greek and pagan, we can once and for all destroy the Persians and see Corinthian columns line the portacos of imperial administration buildings throughout the world. Wars of conquest would also solve population problems and end global warming.
but they get their porn from the Internet. So, it's 100% internet addicts, 15% afraid of sex, 85% holding on to hope that they may someday need to know how to lick cooter. But taht'll never happen for them.
"The marine corps doesn't want mindless drones who cant think for themselves. the marine corps wants killers." -- Full Metal Jacket.
except they said that they are less trustworthy with secrets.
Had I been Viet Namese, I'd have joined the Viet Cong, probably, not cause I'm a commie but to get others out. Hell, i'd have probably have wanted to join the SS had I been German just to prove to others I was "the best" and do my part for my country. Of course, the brainwashing... as himler said, the party is the the state. the fhur is the party. the fhur is the state.
See, I believe war for conquest is justifiable. In fact, I think its really the only pure motive. Everyone thinks Caesar was great, or Alexander. They sure as hell weren't "liberating" anything. People are all greedy savages and it's in our nature to do such things.
I am not a mindless drone. I know "right from wrong" and all that shit. I just said I'd do it anyway, because my personal values favour things which mean I must. The only virtue is service. Glory is had through virtue. Crassus was the richest man in Rome and everyone hated him. Caesar was poor but beloved. He exemplified Roman virtue. I value the same things they did, and have the same motives.