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Author Topic:   Is The World Getting Better Or Worse?
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 16 of 762 (838416)
08-21-2018 11:55 AM
Reply to: Message 13 by Phat
08-21-2018 9:46 AM


Re: What the world is really is irrelevant.
Phat writes:
...if a global or domestic crisis ensued....
"Crisis" is a vastly over-used word. We have two crises before lunch every day now. It's a function of faster news access, not "better" or "worse".
A dictator can always use a crisis - like the Reichstag fire - as an excuse but that has nothing to do with whether the world is "better" or "worse" either.

And our geese will blot out the sun.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 13 by Phat, posted 08-21-2018 9:46 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 17 by Phat, posted 08-21-2018 3:33 PM ringo has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(2)
Message 20 of 762 (838452)
08-21-2018 10:00 PM
Reply to: Message 17 by Phat
08-21-2018 3:33 PM


Re: What the world is really is irrelevant.
Phat writes:
If a rogue warhead or two decimated a prime financial or military center in the world (picture 9-11 with 5 nukes instead of 5 planes) it would definitely become a crisis...one which would allow Trump unprecedented power.
Sure, there could be a real crisis. But the point is that a wanabe dictator doesn't need a real crisis. He can tell the gullible that the sun rising tomorrow morning is a crisis and they'll believe him. You don't need a crisis to make a dictator. All you need is people who are willing to accept one.

And our geese will blot out the sun.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 17 by Phat, posted 08-21-2018 3:33 PM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 21 by Phat, posted 08-22-2018 2:42 AM ringo has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(2)
Message 22 of 762 (838467)
08-22-2018 12:21 PM
Reply to: Message 21 by Phat
08-22-2018 2:42 AM


Re: The Popular Vote
Phat writes:
...but I believe that in the event of a crisis he would simply use what executive powers he has now to seize control.
I can keep repeating it as long as you keep ignoring it: He doesn't need a real crisis.
He doesn't need a real crisis.
He doesn't need a real crisis.
He's never shown any interest in truth or reality before. He could get up tomorrow morning and shout, "There's a crisis!" and the Republicans would throw dictatorial powers at him with the biggest shovel they could find. A few months later they might pause their building of concentration camps long enough to ask what the crisis was.

And our geese will blot out the sun.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 21 by Phat, posted 08-22-2018 2:42 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 23 by Faith, posted 08-22-2018 1:14 PM ringo has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(2)
Message 25 of 762 (838485)
08-22-2018 2:04 PM
Reply to: Message 23 by Faith
08-22-2018 1:14 PM


Re: The Popular Vote
Faith writes:
Trump isn't a dictator type.
He's an incompetent moron who has demonstrated repeatedly that he would like to rule by decree without the encumbrance of legal niceties. He's more dangerous than a competent dictator.
Faith writes:
And WHAT Republicans support him enough to give him such powers?
The ones who put him in office in the first place and the ones who haven't booted him out yet.

And our geese will blot out the sun.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 23 by Faith, posted 08-22-2018 1:14 PM Faith has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(6)
Message 71 of 762 (863020)
09-18-2019 3:20 PM
Reply to: Message 70 by Hyroglyphx
09-18-2019 12:22 PM


Re: A Couple Clarifications
Hyroglyphx writes:
But we rarely think of the people who wants a free handout at the expense of the farmer as greedy...
Because we rarely define greed as having enough to eat.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 70 by Hyroglyphx, posted 09-18-2019 12:22 PM Hyroglyphx has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 72 by Hyroglyphx, posted 09-18-2019 6:20 PM ringo has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(2)
Message 79 of 762 (863050)
09-19-2019 11:48 AM
Reply to: Message 72 by Hyroglyphx
09-18-2019 6:20 PM


Re: A Couple Clarifications
Hyroglyphx writes:
Expect in an age of WIC, TANF, Section 8, Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare, EBT food stamps, etc, etc, starvation is about as rare as Polio.
I spoke of "having enough to eat" and you go straight to starvation? Surely you aren't so blind that you don't know there are people who don't have enough to eat.
Hyroglyphx writes:
So if somebody wants free food then they just want free food.
Everybody needs food. Some people need to use social programs and charities to feed their children and themselves.
Hyrogluphx writes:
Its not a matter of life or death.
It doesn't have to be. A healthy, well-fed workforce is essential to any society.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 72 by Hyroglyphx, posted 09-18-2019 6:20 PM Hyroglyphx has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 80 by Phat, posted 09-21-2019 8:55 AM ringo has seen this message but not replied
 Message 199 by Hyroglyphx, posted 09-25-2019 2:04 AM ringo has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(4)
Message 84 of 762 (863153)
09-21-2019 12:29 PM
Reply to: Message 83 by Phat
09-21-2019 11:31 AM


Re: A Couple Clarifications
Phat writes:
As a great power, it has historically been a given that our military be "second to none" as my WWII Dad used to be fond of saying.
I wouldn't downplay what the American military did in WWII but it was not G.I. Joe who won the war - it was Rosie the Riveter. A strong nation needs a strong workforce; a strong military is secondary.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 83 by Phat, posted 09-21-2019 11:31 AM Phat has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 85 by jar, posted 09-21-2019 1:54 PM ringo has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 86 of 762 (863156)
09-21-2019 2:01 PM
Reply to: Message 85 by jar
09-21-2019 1:54 PM


Re: A Couple Clarifications
jar writes:
Eventually though he ran out of ammunition before the US ran out of tanks and so abandoned his position.
I was actually thinking of tanks.
The same would apply to trucks, aircraft, ships, etc.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 85 by jar, posted 09-21-2019 1:54 PM jar has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(1)
Message 147 of 762 (863242)
09-23-2019 11:39 AM
Reply to: Message 130 by Faith
09-22-2019 10:10 PM


Re: Book about Leftist Destruction of America through open borders
Faith writes:
... the destruction of America....
Sometimes renovation looks like destruction.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 130 by Faith, posted 09-22-2019 10:10 PM Faith has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(2)
Message 148 of 762 (863243)
09-23-2019 11:42 AM
Reply to: Message 131 by Phat
09-23-2019 8:31 AM


Re: Book about Leftist Destruction of America through open borders
Phat writes:
... we still have the right to our sovereignty.
How is that "right" established? Did the previous inhabitants not have a right to their sovereignty? What makes you so special that you get to preserve your "right" at the expense of the next wave of "invaders"?

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 131 by Phat, posted 09-23-2019 8:31 AM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 149 of 762 (863244)
09-23-2019 11:46 AM
Reply to: Message 136 by Faith
09-23-2019 9:09 AM


Re: Book about Leftist Destruction of America through open borders
Faith writes:
I mean the evil ideology that wants to destroy the most generous giving nation that ever existed....
Canada?
I don't like the Conservative Party either and I would never vote for them but only parts of their ideology are actually evil.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 136 by Faith, posted 09-23-2019 9:09 AM Faith has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(1)
Message 192 of 762 (863317)
09-24-2019 11:45 AM
Reply to: Message 176 by Phat
09-24-2019 9:12 AM


Re: Why is it always the Environment versus the Economy?
Phat writes:
One side wants private enterprise involved and government to butt out.
But it was too much free enterprise that caused the problem.
Phat writes:
The other side sees it as a human issue (and therefore a leftist one) Its just that simple.
Yes, you right-wingers always think it's simple.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 176 by Phat, posted 09-24-2019 9:12 AM Phat has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(5)
Message 193 of 762 (863319)
09-24-2019 11:53 AM
Reply to: Message 182 by Phat
09-24-2019 10:12 AM


Re: Why is it always the Environment versus the Economy?
Phat writes:
... feel--as ringo does, that we are charged to carry out the message whether the messenger ever existed or not.
For the hundredth time, we are not "charged" to do anything. We have to do it because nobody else is doing it. You are charged to do it but you idolize the messenger and scoff at His message.
Phat writes:
... they seek to replace God....
For the hundred-plus time, we don't seek to replace anything. If He was doing anything, that would be great. Since He isn't, we have to do it ourselves.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 182 by Phat, posted 09-24-2019 10:12 AM Phat has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(3)
Message 216 of 762 (863395)
09-25-2019 3:20 PM
Reply to: Message 199 by Hyroglyphx
09-25-2019 2:04 AM


Re: A Couple Clarifications
Hyroglyphx writes:
Then maybe you find it ironic how the poorest people also happen to be the fattest people.
It isn't ironic at all. The unhealthy foods are cheapest because the manufacturers don't have to put as much effort into them. Just plowing them full of preservatives so they'll last forever on the shelf is more profitable.
Hyroglyphx writes:
What its really called is "bad life choices."
Bad life choices are not restricted to the poor. We don't have to let people go hungry because they made bad choices in the past.
Hyroglyphx writes:
... the lion doesn't ask permission to feed its young. It sees its need and it goes out and gets it.
Yes, that's the conservative way - grab what you can. The poor are just a resource for the rich to use as they see fit, without asking anybody's permission.
Hyroglyphx writes:
And, yes, some people do need social programs and charities. I'm distinguishing from the ones that don't and who selfishly and needlessly pilfer from those who do.
You're jumping to conclusions about which ones have a genuine need and which ones do not.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 199 by Hyroglyphx, posted 09-25-2019 2:04 AM Hyroglyphx has not replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


(2)
Message 222 of 762 (863406)
09-25-2019 4:42 PM
Reply to: Message 221 by Faith
09-25-2019 4:37 PM


Re: We don't need to get hysterical about climate change, it only makes things worse
Faith writes:
Oh of course it's all Trump's fault. So let's all lie down and die.
A more constructive approach would be to help get rid of Trump.

Maturity, one discovers, has everything to do with the acceptance of ‘not knowing.
-- Mark Z. Danielewski, House of Leaves

This message is a reply to:
 Message 221 by Faith, posted 09-25-2019 4:37 PM Faith has not replied

  
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