Frangible Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Just to add to Desolation MKII's stirling efforts: "I realize this may come as something of a shock to you but many people have opinions. Opinions can be based on fact. America producing 25% of global pollution is only an opinion. Of virtually every credible scientist who isn't in the pay of Bush and his cronies! Regardless of what Big Pat's political leanings may be he's drawing on History and showing that what happened with the British Empire is beginning to happen with America now. It's not just him, there are other people saying similar things. They're probably all liberal hippies, possibly with drink problems who didn't go to Vietnam but at least they're not running the country. Imagine if someone like that got into power." a) Kerry would've been just that. it's still the opinions of a campaigning party who will even create anything to ensure their own wins the next election. List the facts that back up said opinions. Ah, so all politicians are scum? In that case, we actually agree on something! It's always been my view political office should be like jury service, mandatory, unattractive and paying just enough to cover living/expenses for a brief term. Anyone wanting to be in politics should be automatically excluded from the process. But I digress. "What did we do with our Empire? Well, some would say we left it in a much better state than we found it. We still have a Commonwealth and former countries are not screaming to get out of it unlike many of the former USSR countries... It could be argued we're all doing too little, too late but that's really comparing two neighbours, one of whom smokes cigars and the other who has a 50,000 strong perpetual tyre-fire in his garden! ." Hong Kong anyone? In some places it's nice but a quick turn down any of the alleyways can spell disaster. What about India? Yeah, they're left a hell of a lot better right? RANKED #1 on the Most polluted list! BTW, how much did you guys fork over in aid after Sri Lanka?! Again you're confusing a localised view instead of the global view (how unusual for an American, might I add.) Hong Kong may well be a horribly polluted place but the point is, American industry is belching cack into the atmosphere at a much higher rate than anyone else. 25% of the world's pollution in fact (You remember the world? It's the funny place outside of the US where you can't get decent food but thankfully they've got McDonald's now)<-- Oh and I don't mean Canada, btw As you can see above we gave shedloads of aid (and continue to give a lot of aid - technical, food and shelter and manpower as well as just cash - both on a governmental level and personal level to both the Tsunami victims and other causes) "Definitely it's a two-way street... however, it's a dog-eat-dog market out there. Let's see what happens in say 25 years when China really gets its teeth into world trade. It's already stirring now. Absolutely we all need trade to survive but your economy (what was that vodoo term?) is artificial. You say you're self-sustaining. I wonder - I wonder if you could actually afford to pay for it all if you tried? I think we'd all be royally screwed to be honest.." It'll never happen. China simply has too many people for their own resources. Ever been? The poverty there is astonishing. Not to mention with the politique the way it is there, you'll never rule the world paying your employees less than $0.10 a day for their hard work. Take away the many niceties afforded us by our status in the economical world and you forget, America, although modernized, still has some of the most fertile soil in the world and with our climates being what they are, we can easily grow and produce enough crops and domesticated animals to feed ourselves. You simply don't know whether it'll happen or not. It's completely unpredictable what will happen. I haven't been to mainland China, no, but I've seen enough of the world to know that abject poverty is not unique to that part of the world (where the b*st*rds are starving baby girls to death) as I'm sure Nike and all the other American sweatshops will be able to testify. So, domestic American workers would make trainers for 2 cents a day and endure the kind of working environments which the corporations exploit? I very much think not. I imagine the health insurance of about 2 Americans per year would cover the wages of an average Nike sweatshop for the same amount of time. That poverty is helping drive the economies of the West (and even the poor sods who work in those shocking conditions) which pushes us back to the global agenda again (remember, the places outside the US where people talk funny and have history and stuff?) "We're increasingly seeing trends for technically-advanced warfare and some of the technology is indeed, highly impressive. However, what wins wars and is vital to waging war is boots on the ground. We may have enhanced troops in the future as well as remote bots and waldo suits and atvs bristling with .50 cals etc but we'll always need guys on the ground. I can't see that changing. There'll be fewer of them, they'll be more highly trained and specialised but they'll still be there.be honest.." Wrong. Most of the combat deaths occur with bombings, missile attacks etc. We only dropped 2 bombs to get Japan to surrender. As wrong as that is, it's the truth. And how good were their foot soldiers continuing the war after that? Well, they were so good, they speeded the signed terms of surrender to the allies! No, it's not wrong. You're talking about casualties above. Where did that come from? You were claiming that the future of war would mean that there would be no human beings involved in waging that war. My point was that although the technology will ensure there will be far more remote options you will still need men on the ground. Soldiers will still be on the battlefield in the future. As I said before, they will probably be fewer in number and more specialised but they'll still be there. Technicians will also be needed in the field to service all the Robbie the Robots which will be fighting in the future too.. "Danger! Danger! Willl Robinson! American aircraft flying overhead, all allied vehicles, machinery and personnel take cover for imminent Blue-on-Blue." I see your biscuit, Whoops! I much cross my legs then! and raise you a snossage! My snossage has not been raised in a long time so any assistance is gratefully received! "Every time I turn on the news. So why does the Rottweiler take the shivering Chihuaha with it on every trip? I didn't see a reply to that particular question....? Who's leading the pack? It's obvious we're the Alpha Male of the back but are we taking you with us or are you following out of loyalty? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ah I think you may've hit on the nub of it with the Freudian Slip of "Alpha Male of the back." So, for example, when the Chihuahas had a certain nasty dog-beater called Osama Bin Liner (or something like that) cornered in Tora Bora and then had to sit back and wait 2 hours for the big old flatulent Rottweiler to come along, puffing and panting up those steep old slopes to get the glory of his capture only to find he'd escaped the Alpha Male must've been at the back... just for a change... And yes, to answer exoframe2's comment about 1776 and add to Desolation MKII's it is definitely disingenuous to claim the US has been a superpower since that time. A small matter of a Civil War (which being more advanced we did in the seventeenth century whereas you guys had to leave it til the latter part of the nineteenth century) would also suggest your states were hardly united before the late nineteenth/early twentieth century so that's the earliest you can even think about claiming the US was a cohesive/decisive force capable of building an "American Empire" (which I'm still having trouble finding on the map!) PS Welcome back Link to post Share on other sites
DarkLite Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Hong Kong anyone? In some places it's nice but a quick turn down any of the alleyways can spell disaster. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Right, You. Shut. The. F**K. Up. HAve you been here? Have you lived here for the last SEVENTEEN F**KING YEARS? I doubt it. Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world. When was the last shooting in NYC? In Hong Kong, it was at least 2 years ago. So please, take your American, "We-are-the-best-biggest-and-baddest-at-everything-*fruitcage*-you-world-give-us-your-money-and-oil" attitude and stick it where the sun don't shine. Link to post Share on other sites
theNAMmagazine Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Right, You. Shut. The. F**K. Up. HAve you been here? Have you lived here for the last SEVENTEEN F**KING YEARS? I doubt it. Hong Kong is one of the safest cities in the world. When was the last shooting in NYC? In Hong Kong, it was at least 2 years ago. So please, take your American, "We-are-the-best-biggest-and-baddest-at-everything-*fruitcage*-you-world-give-us-your-money-and-oil" attitude and stick it where the sun don't shine. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> HA! Hey chihuahua pecker...make up your friggin' mind. Are you from HK or UK? Seems you're a fair weather fence jumper. First off, "money and oil," you're an idiot. I think we've more than proven that this isn't the case. Hong Kong, per capita is one of the most dangerous places in the world. When was the last time someone was beat to death, strangled, stabbed, hung, suffocated, etc. Just because guns aren't readily available doesn't mean it's "murder free" as you're insinuating. As for the shootings, well the police do a good job of covering it up. How do I know? Guess what numbnuts, yes, I have been there. I've actually pulled people out of HK (to avoid death threats) from Chinese gangs and local politiques. Truth be told, the Triads just sat like vultures waiting for the UK to pull out so that they could finally, once and for all, take over the international business in Hong Kong. And when comparing it to NYC, that's a joke. We may have crooked cops in NY (individual), whereas HK has a crooked police force. THIS I have also seen first hand. It's almost as crooked as Mexico's. Now, as for Tora Bora, FYI people, Osama Bin Laden and most of Al Qaeda were out the back door thanks to a crooked tribal leader before any of us even got near there. Pollution: CO2 only accounts for a minute amount of the pollution all over the world. The way you Brits talk, you'd think it was the only means. Foreign Aid: Let's compare amounts...who's given more? The US or UK? Hell, compare anybody to the US? Does anybody hold a candle?! In regards to the "American Empire" and us not being a superpower until the late 1990's. Dude, go back in the pub...you're pi$$ed. The US has at least been THE major super power in the world since the early 1900s. We still stood fast after a major stock market crash in WWII. But hey, let's stop for a second. When was the "British Empire" established? They go way back to the beginning to determine how long, don't they? Not when they took the majority. So time to take off the hypocrite hats and actually look at this objectively. P.S. Don't tell me the UK doesn't have sweatshops... The difference between us is that we stopped importing them. Link to post Share on other sites
Desolation mkII Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 In regards to the "American Empire" and us not being a superpower until the late 1990's. Dude, go back in the pub...you're pi$$ed. The US has at least been THE major super power in the world since the early 1900s. We still stood fast after a major stock market crash in WWII. But hey, let's stop for a second. When was the "British Empire" established? They go way back to the beginning to determine how long, don't they? Not when they took the majority. So time to take off the hypocrite hats and actually look at this objectively. P.S. Don't tell me the UK doesn't have sweatshops... The difference between us is that we stopped importing them. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ah no you have mis-read what I typed. I said only superpower. I would say that the USSR were a superpower up untill the mid/late 80s. I am not saying that America wasn't a super power untill 1991. And no, we don't determine it from when the british Empire was established. If we did we would determine it from when we took Ireland in the 12th centuary(ish ). Then you would have to beat 800 odd years. No generaly it is measured by the points when we held vast swathes of territory. 1700s should about do it Cemented when we finished taking India. P.S. Don't tell me the UK doesn't have sweatshops... The difference between us is that we stopped importing them. WTF is that supposed to mean. What did you stop importing? We have a minimum wage and a damn better welfare state than you. The chances of us having sweatshops is minimal. Occasionaly we get criminal ones popping up using illegal imigrants but these are shut down by the police. Link to post Share on other sites
Spedz Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Pollution: CO2 only accounts for a minute amount of the pollution all over the world. The way you Brits talk, you'd think it was the only means. Say that once the ice caps have melted bud. Foreign Aid: Let's compare amounts...who's given more? The US or UK? Hell, compare anybody to the US? Does anybody hold a candle?! Foreign Aid: Let's compare amounts...who's given more? The US or UK? Hell, compare anybody to the US? Does anybody hold a candle?! Foreign Aid: Let's compare amounts...who's given more? The US or UK? Hell, compare anybody to the US? Does anybody hold a candle?! You wouldn't be singing that tune if you had a National health service and family tax credit to ensure that your country had to ensure everyone had a decent standard of living. In regards to the "American Empire" and us not being a superpower until the late 1990's. Dude, go back in the pub...you're pi$$ed. The US has at least been THE major super power in the world since the early 1900s. .... ..... So time to take off the hypocrite hats and actually look at this objectively. Like all empires they need to expand. When an empire stops expanding it will evantually impload, and your empire is starting to contract. The UK only lost it's empire from the world wars if it wasn't for the world two wars who knows America's competitor could of been merry ol' England P.S. Don't tell me the UK doesn't have sweatshops... The difference between us is that we stopped importing them. Yet the usa's and possibly the worlds larges clothing manufactor still use's sweatshops. The irony is delectable. Link to post Share on other sites
theNAMmagazine Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Hey, since this is loosing the lightheartedness it initially had as SOME people around here obviously can't appreciate a good old fashioned debate and we can all clearly see where this is headed, allow me to suggest a topic change. What do you think? Separated at birth? You be the judge! Link to post Share on other sites
Spedz Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 What the hell?? what or what are that things?? I must admit thought it did seems to loose it's somewhat lightharted touch it had earlier on. Link to post Share on other sites
Desolation mkII Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 It seemed to loose it about 3 pages back. Link to post Share on other sites
evilhippy Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Thats the guy (on the left) from House of 1000 corpses (freakin' love that film) but I forget his character's name, and the other dude - looks a bit like Boy George actually :S I was gonna say the tone has lowered somewhat since its kinda been turned into a `who am bestest nationality` b*tchfight. Lets just not accuse or insult, but debate. Debate means no p*ss-taking of course which just ain't gonna happen Link to post Share on other sites
Frangible Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 The one on the right looks like Boy George to me too! Anyway, I was always vaguely lighthearted in intention and my posts were only intended to be a patronising pat on the head to our over eager American friends... Keeping me lighthearted was the knowledge than theNAMmagazine secretly looks like Liberace and has a diamond-encrusted, gold body on his M4 as well as a rail-mounted candelabra.... Edit: PS, I even gave him (NAM, not Liberace.. well, I think it was NAM anyway) a rep point so I can't have been taking it that seriously... Link to post Share on other sites
Desolation mkII Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 I wasn't even in the Who am best nation part I just came in and saw that some of the fact NAM had stated were wrong so I stated such. Link to post Share on other sites
theNAMmagazine Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 The one on the right looks like Boy George to me too! Anyway, I was always vaguely lighthearted in intention and my posts were only intended to be a patronising pat on the head to our over eager American friends... Keeping me lighthearted was the knowledge than theNAMmagazine secretly looks like Liberace and has a diamond-encrusted, gold body on his M4 as well as a rail-mounted candelabra.... Edit: PS, I even gave him (NAM, not Liberace.. well, I think it was NAM anyway) a rep point so I can't have been taking it that seriously... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The one on the left is, in fact, Captain Spaulding from House of 1000 Corpses, and the one on the right is the ever British George of Boys! Where's Gilbert Godfrey when you need a literal WTF? Although, I don't think Boy George, at least this rendition can quite be considered a Drag Queen. Drag Jester perhaps? P.S. Dearest Frange...If I'm Liberace, that makes you my Jim Neighbors! So get to grabbin' ankles lovie! (let us forget the very fact that you had that image readily available... ) Link to post Share on other sites
Frangible Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 I wasn't even in the Who am best nation part I just came in and saw that some of the fact NAM had stated were wrong so I stated such. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> There's no point anyway because we all know it's BRITAIN! Link to post Share on other sites
doc_newstead Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 Doc laughs at this foolishness. Link to post Share on other sites
TMC Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 And this thread is locked. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.