Any historical study is forensic in nature. That has nothing to do with what I said to you earlier. Let's try this again:
I'm sorry... you're complaining about the "re-writing of history" while defending a belief system whose adherents claim that the earth is 6,000 years old? Are you serious???
This time, try to give a response which actually addresses the question. Thanks.
Well, yeah, clearly since god wrote the bible and he was an eyewitness to creation, we should all believe that the earth is 6,000 years old. Great argument. Take THAT, Richard Dawkins!
Since your original "question" was a false dichotomy, I saw nothing wrong with using another fallacy to address it. If you expect your argument to be answered seriously, don't base it on fallacies.
The examples of medical advances given as advantages of modern life have occurred in the last 50 years.
Nonsense. Smallpox vaccination began in 1798. The history of medicine is long and complex, but the idea that we've only made progress in the last 50 years is utterly ludicrous.
That's the best you've got? German subs sinking a couple merchant ships which were delivering military supplies to their enemy?
Please tell me you're not serious.
As for the last bit, you clearly missed the point, so I'll lay it out for you: nations where the US has propped up dictators have traditionally been ruled by dictators. Supporting one dictator over another is a "crime" whose offensiveness is rather underwhelming. Considering that the US has been directly responsible for the rise of democracy in the two most successful eastern nations, it's rather silly to get your panties in a bunch over their foreign policy. I would, of course, prefer that all civilized nations encourage the rise of democracy in all oppressive nations. However, while such an ideal is desirable, it is impractical and unrealistic. Sometimes we have to back Our asshole over Their asshole, regardless of how detestable they may both be.
Tell me, friend, would you rather enjoy 30 free years or 70 in a cage?
That fact that you're posting on Slashdot suggests that you've chosen the 70. Those who go with the 30 are usually too busy avoiding starvation and disease to worry about making silly ideological arguments on the internet.
If you believe the lies of the imperialist forces that have dominated the world we live in for the past few millenia (Earth), then perhaps I can understand your faith in government attempting a diplomatic solution.
It just amazes me that the dominant imperialist forces haven't artificially inflated the price of aluminum foil. You'd think that such a vast conspiracy would have taken measures to ensure that us Free Thinkers didn't have a way to block out their mind-control rays. It almost makes me question the base-premise of our beliefs... but then I read another David Icke book and I feel much better again.
Why? South Africa was a far better place, both for it's white and black citizens, during "colonial rule" than it is today. The American Indians enjoy longer and better lives today than they ever did while living as ignorant warring tribes. Meanwhile a country built by "imperialism" is the dominant economic and military power in the world today. I'd say that imperialism seems to have worked out rather well for everyone involved.
Yes, the re-writing of history has always demonized white Christians, for as long as white Christians have been making history and there have been people to re-write it.
I'm sorry... you're complaining about the "re-writing of history" while defending a belief system whose adherents claim that the earth is 6,000 years old? Are you serious???
What do you do for an encore? Complain that the critics of scientology all believe in evil space-aliens?
Hrm, let's see... spend $400 million to explore grand new vistas and expand the sum total of human knowledge... or spend $400 million on a website. I dunno, that's a tough one...
Winning every battle is incredibly misleading in a guerilla war. Most engagements in Vietnam weren't battles. They were single shots being fired and American soldiers dying, but no enemy soldiers in sight. They were Americans stepping on landmines and being blown up.
Yep, losing guys to mines and snipers sucks, but it means absolutely dick in the conduct of a war. Those tactics were utilized in WW2, also, and all they were good for was disrupting the logistics of an army. They can slow down your enemy, and create an opportunity for your own soldiers to exploit, but they cannot win a war. Unless, of course, one side happens to care more about public opinion back home than they do about accomplishing their original goals - which is exactly what happened in Vietnam. There's no reason why that war couldn't have been won, except for the fact that the public didn't think it was worth winning.
So you think that overthrowing democracies and installing puppet dictatorships is a good thing? You're exactly what's wrong with America.
If I were an American, that might be offensive; as it is, you're just blowing smoke.
There's a big difference there: Germany and Japan attacked the US. Latin American countries, Vietnam, etc. never attacked the USA.
Germany attacked the US? Wow. All that time studying history, and I somehow managed to miss that. I feel like such a fool.
Also, Germany and Japan have democratically-elected governments, not dictatorships. We only set up dictatorships in Latin American countries and Iran.
Last I checked, Castro, Chavez, and Ahmedinejad weren't put in power by the US. But, seeing as how I was wrong about the whole "Germany-didn't-attack-the-US" thing, I suppose I could be right out to lunch on that one too. This is why I come to slashdot - to learn new things!
Well, you did get modded "troll", so evidently I wasn't the only one who missed your "self-evident joke". I'm sure it would have been much funnier if delivered in person.
Even as a 13-year-old I was highly skeptical of those stories, not because of the technology or the distances or any of the practical difficulties, but because I knew that politics would never function to the point where a decision could have been reached, let alone acted upon.
That's not skepticism, that's cynicism. And if you thought that way when you were 13, you must have had a horrible childhood.
You do realize that the Yanks are the only ones who are actually working on the problem, don't you? I mean, I know you're intentionally trolling, but could you at least put some effort into it?
Slashdot Mirror
I'm starting to think that there's some seriously bad stuff in those communion crackers. Apparently the body of christ causes Kuru.
Any historical study is forensic in nature. That has nothing to do with what I said to you earlier. Let's try this again:
I'm sorry ... you're complaining about the "re-writing of history" while defending a belief system whose adherents claim that the earth is 6,000 years old? Are you serious???
This time, try to give a response which actually addresses the question. Thanks.
Well, yeah, clearly since god wrote the bible and he was an eyewitness to creation, we should all believe that the earth is 6,000 years old. Great argument. Take THAT, Richard Dawkins!
tu quoque fallacy.
Since your original "question" was a false dichotomy, I saw nothing wrong with using another fallacy to address it. If you expect your argument to be answered seriously, don't base it on fallacies.
The examples of medical advances given as advantages of modern life have occurred in the last 50 years.
Nonsense. Smallpox vaccination began in 1798. The history of medicine is long and complex, but the idea that we've only made progress in the last 50 years is utterly ludicrous.
I have no problem with public or private charity for the poor, but I have a big problem with my tax money going to charity for billionaires.
Look on the bright side: at least you're halfway right.
That's the best you've got? German subs sinking a couple merchant ships which were delivering military supplies to their enemy?
Please tell me you're not serious.
As for the last bit, you clearly missed the point, so I'll lay it out for you: nations where the US has propped up dictators have traditionally been ruled by dictators. Supporting one dictator over another is a "crime" whose offensiveness is rather underwhelming. Considering that the US has been directly responsible for the rise of democracy in the two most successful eastern nations, it's rather silly to get your panties in a bunch over their foreign policy. I would, of course, prefer that all civilized nations encourage the rise of democracy in all oppressive nations. However, while such an ideal is desirable, it is impractical and unrealistic. Sometimes we have to back Our asshole over Their asshole, regardless of how detestable they may both be.
Congrats, you've just proven that no matter how stupid a joke is, at least two guys will think it's funny.
Tell me, friend, would you rather enjoy 30 free years or 70 in a cage?
That fact that you're posting on Slashdot suggests that you've chosen the 70. Those who go with the 30 are usually too busy avoiding starvation and disease to worry about making silly ideological arguments on the internet.
At least we don't stone people to death, crucify them, or burn them at the stake any more.
If by "we" you mean "the human species", then you're completely wrong.
If you believe the lies of the imperialist forces that have dominated the world we live in for the past few millenia (Earth), then perhaps I can understand your faith in government attempting a diplomatic solution.
It just amazes me that the dominant imperialist forces haven't artificially inflated the price of aluminum foil. You'd think that such a vast conspiracy would have taken measures to ensure that us Free Thinkers didn't have a way to block out their mind-control rays. It almost makes me question the base-premise of our beliefs ... but then I read another David Icke book and I feel much better again.
All imperialism sucks
Why? South Africa was a far better place, both for it's white and black citizens, during "colonial rule" than it is today. The American Indians enjoy longer and better lives today than they ever did while living as ignorant warring tribes. Meanwhile a country built by "imperialism" is the dominant economic and military power in the world today. I'd say that imperialism seems to have worked out rather well for everyone involved.
Obviously the white people were sending black people to fight their war for them, because white people suck.
Operation hide-behind-the-darkies? So James Cameron just re-made the South Park movie?
Yes, the re-writing of history has always demonized white Christians, for as long as white Christians have been making history and there have been people to re-write it.
I'm sorry ... you're complaining about the "re-writing of history" while defending a belief system whose adherents claim that the earth is 6,000 years old? Are you serious???
What do you do for an encore? Complain that the critics of scientology all believe in evil space-aliens?
You're blaming them because your joke wasn't funny?
A couple things you should know before you go any further:
1. Slashdot is not a comedy club.
2. It's narcissistic in the extreme to blame others for your personal failures.
Gus's mercury sank BTW.
I'm guessing that this probe PROBABLY won't have any explosively-operated escape hatches ...
Hrm, let's see ... spend $400 million to explore grand new vistas and expand the sum total of human knowledge ... or spend $400 million on a website. I dunno, that's a tough one ...
Winning every battle is incredibly misleading in a guerilla war. Most engagements in Vietnam weren't battles. They were single shots being fired and American soldiers dying, but no enemy soldiers in sight. They were Americans stepping on landmines and being blown up.
Yep, losing guys to mines and snipers sucks, but it means absolutely dick in the conduct of a war. Those tactics were utilized in WW2, also, and all they were good for was disrupting the logistics of an army. They can slow down your enemy, and create an opportunity for your own soldiers to exploit, but they cannot win a war. Unless, of course, one side happens to care more about public opinion back home than they do about accomplishing their original goals - which is exactly what happened in Vietnam. There's no reason why that war couldn't have been won, except for the fact that the public didn't think it was worth winning.
So you think that overthrowing democracies and installing puppet dictatorships is a good thing? You're exactly what's wrong with America.
If I were an American, that might be offensive; as it is, you're just blowing smoke.
There's a big difference there: Germany and Japan attacked the US. Latin American countries, Vietnam, etc. never attacked the USA.
Germany attacked the US? Wow. All that time studying history, and I somehow managed to miss that. I feel like such a fool.
Also, Germany and Japan have democratically-elected governments, not dictatorships. We only set up dictatorships in Latin American countries and Iran.
Last I checked, Castro, Chavez, and Ahmedinejad weren't put in power by the US. But, seeing as how I was wrong about the whole "Germany-didn't-attack-the-US" thing, I suppose I could be right out to lunch on that one too. This is why I come to slashdot - to learn new things!
Well, you did get modded "troll", so evidently I wasn't the only one who missed your "self-evident joke". I'm sure it would have been much funnier if delivered in person.
Even as a 13-year-old I was highly skeptical of those stories, not because of the technology or the distances or any of the practical difficulties, but because I knew that politics would never function to the point where a decision could have been reached, let alone acted upon.
That's not skepticism, that's cynicism. And if you thought that way when you were 13, you must have had a horrible childhood.
Barack? I didn't know you had a slashdot account!
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!
Your mother wears army boots!
Yes, the country that didn't have the foresight and planning to have a new vehicle ready for the moment the space shuttle retires.
I think you misspelled "public interest and budget".
You do realize that the Yanks are the only ones who are actually working on the problem, don't you? I mean, I know you're intentionally trolling, but could you at least put some effort into it?
...
Someone cue the "whoooosh"!