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pvtmorriscsa

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Everything posted by pvtmorriscsa

  1. Ok, As a bit of a firearm enthusiast, I felt I had to chime in on this. I am one of those weird people that enjoy disassembling, cleaning and assembling weapons to see exactly how they work almost as much as I do shooting them. The M-16/AK argument is a very long and very old one. If one takes the time to study the creation, design, and sadly eventual standardization of the M16 in the US military it becomes blindingly obvious that it is nothing more than typical mid to late 20th century corporate welfare. While the rest of NATO switched over to the Fn-FAL, so they may have a standardized rifle and ammo in case the Warsaw Pact decided to get froggy in Europe, we in the states changed over to the M16, a weapon that shoots a completely different and arguably inferior cartridge. Think about that for a minute. Does that even make the least bit of sense? This story is a few months old, and I thought then about it what I think now, it is yet more corporate welfare. I think it is a sop to Colt because of the Pentagon’s purchase of the HK416 upper receivers to be issued to the fellas at the pointy end of the spear. The HK416 is an upper receiver replacement for the M-4, the M16’s newest incarnation. It changes fundamentally how the bolt on the rifle cycles. In fact it makes it operate in a way similar to the AK, thereby making it much more reliable in a “holy shit” situation. The only good thing I have heard was from a fella on another site that claimed to be a two-tour veteran. His take was if everyone on “our” side is shooting the same type of rifle it might ameliorate friendly fire casualties. All I can say is not matter how many times you repaint, or rearrange a pile of shit; it is still going to be a pile of shit. This goes for the supposedly vaunted M16 as well. It was a turkey when it was a designed, and it will be a turkey no matter how much we spruce it up. I could argue, throw facts, and cite sources ad infinitum on this subject. When the engine of the world stops, and the lights go out; if I am not in the Gulch, I am going to rely on my 1911A1, my AK-47, and my High-Standard 12 Ga., to get me through. Rob
  2. Howdy All, How about an image of Ms. Rand, similar to this one of Ronald Reagan: http://www.thoseshirts.com/reagan.html Then change the caption so it says something like; “Still Shrugging”, “Join the Strike”, or “Don’t be a scab”. On a similar note I stumbled across this site several months ago: http://www.jordan-river.com/?doc=151313 I realize there would be copyright issues, but how cool would it be to have a similar pendant, perhaps with a dollar sign motif, and Galt’s speech instead of mystical drivel? Rob
  3. Howdy All, Saw the trailer for this movie back before it had a name. I have not yet seen the movie. However my first impression of the original trailer was that it was a Godzilla movie. I may be completely wrong. Most likely I am. If it turns out that it is indeed a Godzilla movie I will attempt to catch it at the theatre. Of course if it is true that there is a teaser for Star Trek XI as part of the previews for Cloverfield I will make point of going.
  4. Howdy All, Personally I think that we ought to complete the sculpture as the artist originally intended before we even consider adding another face on such a powerful symbol of America. As for Reagan being added to the monument; I am not so sure. Certainly he was the greatest president of my life time, but sadly that is not really saying a lot. Politics and policies aside one thing that I can say about Ronald Reagan is that he made one proud to be an American. That pride in America has been sadly lacking in modern times. Rob
  5. Howdy All, Moose; I must confess today is the first time I ran across this thread, but thank you for starting it. I have been chuckling over the year plus worth of posting on the topic. The reason I laugh is that it brings too light one of my favorite recreational activities, the fine art of Xian Baiting. Being an “Ex-Fundie”, myself; there is nothing more pleasurable than a faith emboldened Xian when I am in the need for rhetorical sparing. Not rhetorical combat mind you, but sparing only. With the average Xian, it makes good practice for arguing with tough foes like collectivists, and their ilk, especially if you are prone to extemporize as I am. Of course their discourse is all too easily shut down. It is especially easy if you can quote scripture at them as I can thanks to my indoctrination, and if they foolishly leave you the open of, “Prove there is no God”, the contest is all but over. Of course the easy answer to a statement along those lines is, “I am an unbeliever, prove to me God exists.” After all the proof is always on the believer in supposed truth, is it not? Of course this leads back to the circular argument of faith, and if your knowledge of Xian theology is tapped now is the time to just walk away. As I said Xian Baiting is good practice for a real intellectual battle and one of my favorite sports, but too much is like hitting your head into a wall; after a while you get bored, and your head starts to hurt. Personally I take it in small doses. Rob
  6. Howdy All, If the translation holds true to the books overall ideas and themes; then the commies really better watch out. However since I cannot read Mandarin; I can only hope that the meanings and concepts that Rand was trying to get across do not get lost in translation. Though I do not speak as an expert, I will speak as one who pays a fair amount of attention to what is going on in China, just as I did during the Cold War with Russia. China right now is a land that is striving to be free, and there is a burgeoning middle class. If Ayn Rand’s ideas take hold over there, it could really mean problems for the Chinese Government.
  7. As much as I would like to attend; traveling to “That place up north” during “Game” week is tantamount to blasphemy. Michigan Sucks! Go Bucks! Rob
  8. Howdy All, I know this is a really old thread, but whilst perusing the webpage of my favorite local talk radio station I stumbled upon this PowerPoint presentation about the Viaduc de Millau. Personally I find it to be aesthetically very pleasing. In fact my first thought upon viewing the pictures was a desire to drive upon it. Furthermore the sheer engineering of it is amazing, at least to me the non-engineer. Here I think is the link, http://www.610wtvn.com/cc-common/mlib/1279..._1188929589.pps Ok so I am not allowed to attach the file, but if you cut and paste the link it seems to work. Rob
  9. Howdy All, Professor Odden thanks for the heads up on the god is an alien thing, oh and the Battlestar Cracklaktica tie in. I just could not figure out for the life of me the where they got the whole “Lords of Kobol” thing. The majority of the mythology and religion of BSG is shown in more of a pagan way, with a huge flavoring of the Hellenes I never would have even come close to guessing the mormon connection. The more I think about it though, in comparison with my very dim memories of reading the book of mormon the more I can see the parallels. I didn’t know about the mormon/extraterrestrial teachings, I must have missed that part when I read it, that or I have used the memory space for something more useful. Thanks for the heads up I am going to research that. It sure trumps what I had when the missionaries show up at my front door. Usually when the lds show up at my door; I start with something like, “Wasn’t Joseph Smith, something of a con man? Didn’t he use “magic” stones rolling around in his hat to “divine” the location of treasure?” The normal counter to that is something to the affect that there has been a gross mischaracterization on the part of historians. Next I would counter with, “Did the angel Moroni, lead Joseph Smith to the location of ancient buried gold plates written in a foreign language, that he could only read with ruby lensed glasses also provided by said angel?” As you might have guessed by this point I am often snickering, because the usual response to this is a somewhat guffawed affirmative. Now normally I would inflict the coup de grace; something along the lines of “You are serious? Magic glasses you have to be kidding?” That is usually enough to get them to leave. However once I assimilate the new information in regards to the whole god is from another planet concept, I am sure I will be able to get even the most recalcitrant missionary to scurry and mark me off the list with the alien/god questions. Oh and for further reference jehovah’s witnesses are much easier to scare off. One of their fundamental beliefs is that only 144,000 people will get to heaven. If one asks, “How many people have been in your church?”, and follows it with “How do I guarantee that I get into heaven?” the rest is easy. Their arguments fall apart from pure mathematics. Oh and to answer the questions in the original post. 1. Yes, mormons think of themselves as christians. If you ask any mormon they will confirm this. 2. It depends; some of the more “liberal” denominations don’t agree with the mormons, but think of the as christians, whereas the more “conservative” types see them as a cult. I predict this will cause Romney problems with the GOP base. 3. I would posit that mormonism is best described as an off shoot cult of christianity. Rob
  10. Howdy All, I do not care what you have to do; beg, borrow or steal, watch Flash Gordon on the Sci Fi Channel. New episodes are generally on Friday nights. If you do not I tell you, that you are missing out on a show as cool as the first broadcast of a new Star Trek series. How best to describe the show? It is a little like Stargate, with a touch of Star Wars, and a good bit of soap opera. Ok, let me explain. I say it is a little like Stargate. Unlike previous incarnations of the Flash Gordon story, there are as yet no spaceships. Instead travel between Earth and Mongo is done through rifts in the space-time continuum, the effects of which could destroy the universe. As yet the only way to travel to Mongo is to re-open a rift that was originally created by technology there. Then only rift to Mongo that was created on Earth was the one created by Flash’s Father which led his “death”. Another Stargate similarity is the random interjection of people from “modern day” Earth into a world that they have no comprehension of. This leads me to a slight difference. Unlike Stargate, or any other Sci Fi show I can think of the characters live fairly ordinary lives. They are not military like SG1. They have no support from the government. In fact the only people that really know what is going on are the characters that are directly involved. Actually the heroes do their best to keep their fellow humans ignorant of the truth. As you or I might do if suddenly privy to irrefutable proof of an alien invasion. Honestly do you really think you could tell anyone, without ending up heavily medicated? I mention a touch of Star Wars in the show. I say this because Flash is reminiscent of a combination of Luke and Han. A pure youthful, optimistic heart, combined with the mind and wit of a rogue. That and Flash like Han and Luke always gets away with the most outrageous acts. In fact if soldiers under my command got bested as often as Ming’s troops do I would be firing some officers, and increasing the training budget. I must be honest though and admit I have thought that Emperor Palpatine needed to do just that many times. As to it being a soap opera. I mention this for two reasons. First of all the interpersonal relationships between the characters are very dramatically charged. Second the episodes follow one on another in a very quick, no more than a couple of days, fashion. It is the relationships amongst the characters though that really makes me think soap opera. In some ways the show reminds me of Battlestar Cracklatica in that regard, but don’t let that put you off, I only mention it out of honesty. Here follows a character list, which may explain much of what I have said. Flash Gordon: Marathon runner, single, ex-boyfriend of Dale Arden. Flash is a mechanic, who lives with cancer-fighting mother. (She has been conveniently out of town for the past two episodes.) Honest, loyal and courageous, a hard charger defender of those he considers “family”. Flash is determined to find out what really happened to his father, and he has an eye for the ladies. Dale Arden: TV Reporter engaged to a Police Detective, (whose name I forget). She is career driven, Flash’s High School sweetheart, recently returned to town. She knows of the existence of Mongo for the same reason as Flash; having accidentally been transported there. Professor Zharkov: Covert Super-Scientist, single, worked with Flash’s dad, and was present when Flash’s father “died”. Intensely paranoid of the “man” and now even more paranoid because of the sudden large number of rifts appearing on Earth. He is the one person on Earth that understands the danger of the rifts, and the only person with the intellect to understand alien technology. Ming the Merciless: The “Benevolent Father” of Mongo, single?, Cold, calculating, if you try to guess what he is going to do in a situation, the best guess is the worst possible thing you would imagine. Ming is a pure 100% a**hole. In fact his truly evil nature is better expressed in this show that it ever was in any other presentation of the Flash Gordon Story. Ok, so in order not to spoil it too much for you I have had to make this list very short. In fact I have only mentioned the four most major characters that appear in all the incarnations of the Flash Gordon Story. Honestly though if I give away too much detail it will be a spoiler and I do not wish to do that. If I have done so inadvertently I apologize. Now my general impression of the series so far is a very favorable one. The characters are very real, although not in a realist way, because their actions and reactions are very real yet very heroic. Furthermore the show exalts loyalty, honesty, the rational use of force, a defense through example of western values, the value of friendship, and a healthy appreciation of science, and the scientific method. The first episode made me sniff at the bait. The second episode made me nibble the bait. The third, (most recent) episode got me eating the bait. If the fourth episode is even close to as good as the first three I will have swallowed the hook. If the fifth episode is like the fourth, than I am as good as skinned, gutted, and thrown on the skillet with a little butter. I freely admit that my opinions are a bit skewed. I have been a fan of the Flash Gordon story, ever since watching the Saturday morning cartoon. My father enthusiastically taking me to see the movie back in 1980 didn’t hurt I am sure. Don’t wait for the cheese and camp of the movie by the way. Don’t wait for the Flash Gordon “theme” song in the show. They use it to pimp the show in commercials, but it has not yet ever been part of the soundtrack during the show, and so far as camp is concerned it is of the heroic variety. Personally I will take heroic cheese in science fiction any day. Then again as I mentioned above I am being very subjective in my opinion. I guess all I can say, and it is not objective at all; is check out the show. I think you will not be disappointed. It is a pretty good modern take on a classic sci-fi story, and I like it. Now if only someone will produce a faithful or even a modern adaptation of E.E.”Doc” Smith’s Lensman stories for television. Rob
  11. Howdy All, Whilst perusing the stacks in the rather extravagant collection of DVD’s at my local library today, I stumbled upon a DVD copy of the 1948 “The Fountainhead”, staring Gary Cooper as Howard Roark. I only mention this because I scour the DVD stacks; as I scour the rest of the library, two or three times a week, and though I have many times stumbled across the five copies of “The Passion of Ayn Rand”, I have never stumbled across “The Fountainhead”, not even once. Now I have never seen this movie, although I have read the book, and just recently finished the unabridged audio book. So I have the story reasonably fresh in my mind. First off let me express my jealousy of Ayn Rand. As one that is making the journey to forty, I am jealous of her for not only publishing a novel before 40, but also writing the screenplay and having it made into a movie well before 50. Like Gaius Julius and the statue of Alexander; many times I think of Ayn Rand, shake my head and vow to do something great. As for the movie, I think it was pretty damn good. It is by no stretch the book. However since the screenplay is written by Rand, the message was brought across if in a somewhat Hollywood way. In fact the one thing that really came across to me in the writing is that there is a tacit assumption that the viewer knows a least something about the story, or has in read the novel. At the same time there is no apology made for the movie not being the book. I think perhaps for it’s time this is the best translation of a novel into a book that I have seen. Although I by no means claim to be an expert in historic cinema, so watch the movie for yourself, and decide on your own. SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! Now I do have a few gripes with the movie. Most are just my own picky expectations. One though that stands out is the final scene with Gail Wynand. I know it is the movie and not the book, but did I miss something? I know Wynand is first introduced in the book as thinking of suicide, but unless I missed something he chooses to live at the end. I could be wrong, I may be mistaken, but the final scene with Wynand in the movie really threw me for a loop. Gripes and nit picking aside, I would recommend this movie to any that claim to be fans of Ayn Rand. I consider it as time well spent, and that is a recommendation that I do not give lightly.Rob [repetition whacked: d.o.]
  12. Howdy All, In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, or as I like to think of it, Irish History Day, I thought I would post something I found while blasting my ears with renditions of Irish folk music, and surfing the web. It is pretty interesting. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jh...3/17/dl1703.xml Perhaps the economic success of the Republic of Ireland if it continues will one day inspire the people of the occupied counties to throw off the English yoke. Then maybe we might once more see a United Ireland. Rob
  13. Howdy All, Damn, I was hoping to be the first to post. Anyway here is what I thought of the film. 0054hrs EST 03/10/07 So I went to see “300” opening night, and let me tell you that the reports of sold out showings and large crowds for this movie are not exaggerated. Since it had been several years since I had been to a theatre for a movie I decided to splurge a bit. So my initial plan was to venture into what I like to think of as the belly of the beast, otherwise known as Easton Town Center, I think anyone that has been there will understand what I mean, so I could watch the film in IMAX. I arrived at the ticket booth around 1840hrs, only to discover it was sold out until the midnight showing. Not only that; but the three theatres that were showing it in the normal format were sold out until 2000hrs. So I jumped into the car and made my way back to a non-IMAX place much closer to my house and managed to buy one of the three remaining tickets to the 1945hrs showing. I am very glad I did. If you go into this movie looking for a fairly accurate though dramatic retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae such as was presented in the book “Gates of Fire”, by Steven Pressfield, you will be disappointed. If instead you go to the movie with the understanding that this is a movie based on a comic book, by Frank Miller, which in turn was inspired by an early sixties movie called the “The 300 Spartans” than you will enjoy yourself. The movie is not historical fiction, but instead is historical fantasy. If you take it as such you will enjoy yourself. Some of the articles and reviews I have read have suggested that there is some sort of political allegory in the film. There is politics in the film, and yes gods forbid a struggle between good and evil. There is some emphasis on what I consider to be core western values, but those same western values would be presented in any unbiased account of the actual battle. I think there really is no way one can recount this battle with any shred of honesty no matter how much you Hollywood it that can take out the fundamental kernel of the battle. To sum it up the battle was fought between men who thought that the state is to be controlled by the law and the people, and men who thought that the people and the law were owned by the state. For simplicities sake I will not go into the fact that Spartan society was based on a slave economy. The world has moved on since than. I predict that there will be a lot of discussion of this movie in the national media, and I think of this board as well. I think that the national media will glom on to this movie and try to spin it to fit one or another of the political denominations if not both. As to this board, I can already imagine what some people will say of this movie, and I sure it will be a lively discussion. Oh! Before I forget, the creators did a hell of a job with the CGI. In fact I was so lost in the story that I failed to really notice the CGI, and normal I am a special effects hawk. To me that is one of the signs of a well made film. I guess the best way to describe this movie, is this, “Gladiator” is too “HBO: Rome”, as “300” is too “HBO: Gates of Fire”. Sadly, “HBO: Gates of Fire” is purely a fantasy of mine. Hopefully “300” will generate enough interest and more importantly revenue so that something like that might be produced in the future. Definitely worth seeing, check it out. I am going to see it at the IMAX on my next day off. Rob
  14. I agree completely. Personally I like to think of it is a form of natural selection in action.
  15. Howdy All, The recent discovery on my part of Firefly being broadcast in HD 5.1 by my local cable provider has inspired me to save money to buy an HD compliant TV. That is how much I love the show. Rob
  16. Howdy All, I can't help but wonder if your angst is rekindled due to the lastest rounds of minimum raise hikes. In my mind the redistribution of extra credit currency is something akin to it. Than again I am tired and heading for the rack, so my reasoning mind may be askew. Rob
  17. 12/19/06 1837hrs EST Howdy all, I have not posted in a while. Between school, work, and life there is time to do little else. However the heading communist jokes piqued my interest. Lo and behold I have one that is not on the list. I may have posted it in another thread at some point, but I cannot remember. If this is a repost, I apologize. Anyway here is the joke. How many running dog lackeys of the bourgeoisie does it take to change a light bulb? Two. One to exploit the proletariat, and one to control means of production. I hope you all like that one. Merry X-Mas, and hopefully ’07 will not be nearly as weird as ’06. Rob
  18. Howdy All, The only thing remotely resembling Objectivist flair, which I possess is hanging on the wall where I have to see it every day when I leave my bedroom. It’s creation comes from a feeble attempt at making bumper stickers on my own. I guess one could think of it as a sort of prototype. I did it using MS-Paint, and didn’t have any sticker paper for my printer at the time, so I used paper. Originally it was black with gold lettering, as homage to the Army Rangers. That was a few years ago. It is more like black/purple, with yellow/grey lettering today. However the quote though too verbose for a bumper sticker, will always inspire me. It reads: My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute. As far as my daily life goes, I like to think of myself as the street preacher for Objectivist ideas, and no matter how many times I recommend Rand’s work, I will never claim to be an Objectivist. When ever I find someone that I think might actually benefit from, and understand “Atlas Shrugged.”, I will recommend it too them and, depending on the person I will allow them too borrow my copy. Furthermore, despite the company, republichristian, or dipshitocrat; I will try to be polite when I point out the irrationality of someone’s views. In fact I use the same argument to the fascists, as I do to commies. “Yeah, Yeah, America is f**ked up. The reason is one of fundamental philosophy.” Then if anyone asks me to explain I do.
  19. Howdy All, I am in complete agreement with you on this one. If anyone wants proof, simply google your username for this forum. If you have posted, it will most likely pop up. Mine did at any rate, and I am far from a frequent poster. I am lazy, so I use the same username damn near everywhere on the net. What can I say? It is easily remembered and never taken as a nick. When I googled my username I was surpised, at what I found. I think people are sort of lulled into believing that the net is private, in some ways so was I. I mean really most people are using the net from the comfort of their homes and unless instant messaging, communicating into the "ether". What one does in ones home is private right, even by the most wacked out view of the 4th amendment? However many people forget that, at the moment essentially the internet is a big assed bulletin board, open to any who are willing to read it. As for "Your failure to password-protect the data", which I read as "Your failure to encrypt the data". There are two problems with encryption. One; Is it really feasible to obtain encryption software that the NSA, can't crack? Two; Having obtained that software, won't that just pique their curiosity? Really, what with it being the 21st century, and not the 18th, we need a serious re-write of the 1st and 4th amendment. Honestly we are able to share information more freely than the Founders were. I hope this does not happen in the current political climate, because the republixians, and the dipshitocrats will completely f*ck it up, but I futher hope that at some point the privacy of internet, will become a recognized right. Rob
  20. Howdy all, I know this may be a little off topic, but I was reading this thread and this quote made me chuckle. Actually, I have a sort of an odd tradition. On Halloween, or "Beggar's Night" if it doesn't fall on the 31st of October, I will go to the store, buy a bag of apples, a caramel apple kit, and a box of safety razors. Most years no one notices, but on the odd year, I get some seriously odd looks. What can I say I like long term comedy? Rob
  21. Howdy Ravane, Rand said, “My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as an heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason his only absolute.” In my life I have found it is better to be like a duck, and to let the bullsh*t of the world just roll off my back. If as you allude in your earlier comments that you have plans, and goal, (unlike the folks around you), focus on them. Your own happiness should be your highest purpose, and to hell with everyone else. I understand however the desire to be a social animal, at least from an intellectual standpoint. I myself am a proverbial lone wolf, and no I don’t rate “Catcher in the Rye” as my favorite novel actually I have never read it, but being a lone wolf can be lonely. As for your disdain for your fellow inhabitants of the globe, I understand that as well. So many people are wrapped up in the consumerist/infotainment maelstrom that surrounds us on a daily basis that it sickens me. So what if some people think you are a bitch? Most of the people I work with think I am a cruel heartless asshole, but I still get along with them to get the job done, and I am counted as an extremely valuable employee. One thing I have noticed in my life is that if one continues to espouse rational, logical views, many people may think poorly of you, but are those the sorts of unreasoning, irrational people you want to associate with in the first place? Furthermore in the long run, by expressing your views in a rational way will attract those like yourself who are searching for reason and truth, in this unreasoning lie filled world. As a non-Objectivist friend of mine once said, “If you like me it is not my fault.” Despite his Agnostic/Conservative views I have seen the wisdom of his statement. On the “taxes and other similar restrictions” issue, we live in a world run by irrational collectivists. I have chosen to follow the Galt model. I say this in fear of bringing the Speicher’s ire but, I have gone on strike. I try to operate below the revenuer’s radar, paying as little in taxes as I can get away with, I will not waste my votes on Republichristians, or Dipshitocrats, and my one legitimate source of income is one in which the incompetence of my fellows is not rewarded. Rob
  22. Hell Dan, You should move to the States, most people I have know don't think they are funny either. LOL. Different strokes for different folks I suppose. Rob Howdy Dan, Well according to what I have read, Henry VIII was directly involved in the creation of the Church of England. http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/history/ This in turn led to another conquest of Ireland. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Rebellion_of_1641 Scotland was never conquered? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland#History Perhaps it may have been a long time ago, but one should not forget ones history, lest he shall be doomed to repeat it. So there is movement to reform the House of Lords. Perhaps someday you will finally have a truly democratic government. As for my IRA comments, I challenge you to find an instance of them attacking someone other then their occupiers, unlike the muslim whacko who strike out against all of Western Civilization. Not that I condone any of their actions mind you. I just understand their angst. I could see how if I had been raised in Ireland, that I might have been drawn into their ranks. Rob P.S. Actually I did help to raise money to support the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan when they were fighting the Russians. R.
  23. Howdy All, Maybe I speak complete rubbish, as you say, but all the research that I have done, seems to indicate that I am correct, and that indeed the “Crown”, if not the Queen herself has a great deal of power in the ruling of the England. http://www.answerbag.com/a_view.php/2726 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_monarch#Political_role http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page77.asp If there is information that I am missing please feel free to point it out to me, by indicating sites I should read, instead of just insisting I believe you. Sure perhaps we don’t have royals to liven things up for tourists; we just have actors, and athletes. Neither of which are paid from the “Civil List” instead they are paid through capitalism. Perhaps you take my disdain for monarchy in all its forms as a disdain for England. If you do you would be wrong. I have a healthy regard for England, its place in history and its place in western civilization. I just have an extreme dislike for unelected officials that have power over government. To quote from my favorite comedians, Monty Python: ARTHUR: Be quiet! I order you to be quiet! WOMAN: Order, eh -- who does he think he is? ARTHUR: I am your king! WOMAN: Well, I didn't vote for you. ARTHUR: You don't vote for kings. WOMAN: Well, 'ow did you become king then? ARTHUR: The Lady of the Lake, [angels sing] her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. [singing stops] That is why I am your king! DENNIS: Listen -- strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony. ARTHUR: Be quiet! DENNIS: Well you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you! ARTHUR: Shut up! DENNIS: I mean, if I went around sayin' I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me they'd put me away! ARTHUR: Shut up! Will you shut up! DENNIS: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system. ARTHUR: Shut up! DENNIS: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! HELP! HELP! I'm being repressed! ARTHUR: Bloody peasant! DENNIS: Oh, what a give away. Did you hear that, did you hear that, eh? That's what I'm on about -- did you see him repressing me, you saw it didn't you? Not that I agree with all the political sentiments in the scene but it still cracks me up. Further instead of just insisting I am retarded or spouting rubbish, educate me. Show me the links. Rob
  24. Howdy All, I will in a few years be approaching that age where colonoscopies will be part of the routine physical. My mother is a nurse that has assisited in that procedure on many occassions. I have been privy to the gorey details of it, and let me extend a huge Cringe out to you. I am glad there is nothing wrong with you, and hope that a great deal of time passes before you have to go through that again. Rob
  25. Howdy All, I put the united, in “United” Kingdom in quotes for a very specific reason. Unlike the United States, which was composed of 13 colonies that originally volunteered to work together, the “United” Kingdoms, were formed from conquest. Wales was an independent kingdom, and was conquered, as was Scotland, and Ireland. Hell wasn’t Ireland conquered twice. Once to reform them from their evil pagan ways, then again when Henry VIII decided that he wanted a divorce, and the Pope said no? Furthermore, I don’t think that the people of the UK, are actually ruled, by the Queen, but she is still an unelected person, who simply because of her bloodline has a great deal to do with how your country is run. However is she, again an unelected official, the only one that can choose a PM? Also there is the House of Lords. Am I wrong, (and I may be), but do you not have to be from some sort of “royal” lineage, or have been granted that rank to be “elected” a member? I mean sure a lot of our Senators are rich, and from prominent families, but being poor, and from obscurity does not prohibit one from joining the Senate, only the votes of the constituency does. Admittedly it is rare, but, we even had a chief of state that was uneducated, and from a family of no account. He even managed to re-unify us during a time of great upheaval in America. As for English history being the old testament of American history. All I meant was that our Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by the history of England, however when given the chance to reinstall a monarchy here they did not. Hell if I am not mistaken the whole basis for our legal system is based on British Common law. Also the Founders made a point of enumerating the rights of the individual, and specifically delineating, and limiting the powers of the various branches of government. Sh*t if things had been that way under the crown of England, we still might be part of that “United” Kingdom, instead of being independent. I will readily admit that things today are not as they would have been under men like Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Henry, and the like. I would rather be a “retard” in the Colonies, than a “genius” in the Kingdom. As for an early comment as to whether I was kidding about being in the IRA, had I been raised in Ireland. I was not kidding; I can see how easily I could have been drawn in their ranks, especially if my country was occupied by a foreign power. Still glad my people were indentured servants. Rob
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