Messages

It hasnt changed anything though.  There is still terrorism, the insurgency continues to rip through the Iraqi forces like it wasnt there.  Yes, it is good that they have voted.  But will the winner live long enough to compete in the next elections?

Found a battered copy of American Gods, am reading now.

Going back to the Iran situation that someone mentioned when I wasn't paying attention this is quite a good article about what might happen.

Everybody's asking me what'll happen if we attack Iran. To get a quick preview, just do what this guy in my eighth-grade class did: put a firecracker in your mouth, hold it between your front teeth, and light the fuse.

Good article.  Im glad they raised the point about "rallying to the cause of freedom" as I always suspected that would be the case.

The kids in Iran are pissed off at the way the old Mullahs won't let 'em rock and roll, but the idea that they'll support an American invasion because they're bored is totally insane. It's like imagining that the kids in Footloose would've backed a Soviet invasion of Nebraska because John Lithgow wouldn't let them hold school dances.

The argument between Mullahs and kids in Iran is a classic family fight. And you know what happens when some intruder crashes in on the middle of one of those: the whole family unites in about a millisecond and tears him apart.

The Iranians already hate us. They have since 1953, when the CIA staged a coup to get rid of a popular Lefty Prime Minister, Mossadeq. Way back in the 70s, when most of the world still kinda liked us, crowds in Tehran chanted "Marg bar Amrika," "Death to America."

Comparing Iraq to Iran is like comparing Ireland to the UK (sorry to any Irish readers, but the IRA are more active than your military).  Cultarally  and demographically they are so different to iraq, that anyone who uses the Iraq template for an invasion is going to get roughed up big style.  Espescialy if the Iranian top brass have read this, although of course they now have the land option.

Sure, I'll have a look.  Yesterday was too miserable to go out in (the book shops are too far away to go in a storm )

Bobdamnit, I said Iraq would be a prelude to Iran!  It made sense, look at the strategic placement of US forces, Afghanistan, Iraq, airbases in Georgia, looks like surrounding them to me.

Oh and anyone who uses the phrase "they also need to be whacked" in any sentence other than "the current US adminstration...with big sticks often" deserves a kicking.  Thats the sort of crap talk that loses respect and causes anger in diplomatic circles.

Sorry Roger, I have a habit of using politician speak when dealing with political matters.  I shouldnt, as its bollocks, but, oh well.  Lesson learnt.

OK, I found the figure in context, it is from Mark Zepezauer, in Take the Rich Off Welfare (pgs 124-125)

The Federal Reserve Board tries to keep the pool of unemployed workers above 5%, so as not to fuel inflation (it does that by raising or lowering interest rates to slow down or speed up the economy). Unemployment above 5% guarantees that there will be plenty of competition for jobs at below-subsistence wages. But there,Äôs a steadily growing pool of even cheaper labour ,Äî the nation,Äôs prison population.

There it is in all its glory.

I meant in politican speak.  Not in reality.  P-speak and reality dont converge too often.

The current economic system REQUIRES a certain amount of poverty and unemployment in order for it to grow

Over 5% unemployment to ensure comptetition for jobs and stave off inflation is what I hear.  I cant remember the precise source but I'll look it up.

Naw.  Unemployment is desirable in this context because then employees will work for peanuts.

Thats "competition for jobs" Rog.  

The current economic system REQUIRES a certain amount of poverty and unemployment in order for it to grow

Over 5% unemployment to ensure comptetition for jobs and stave off inflation is what I hear.  I cant remember the precise source but I'll look it up.

Well, you do fit the criminal profile of being a person.  Only people commit crimes, after all.

Cars don't counts as effects or anything else.  They can search your car if they pull you over.  If they decide they don't like the way you look(we beat this to death earlier, so I'll leave it alone here)they can search your car.  That's the way it's been for a while.  A lot of criminals get caught, not because of the crime they commited, but, because they were speeding, or have a broken tail light, or forgot to use their turn signal.  I am not sure how this would work and I don't have time to read this today.  The only probable cause they needed before was any flimsy excuse to pull you over.  And keep in mind, even if you don't do drugs, if they decide to search your car, what else are they going to find?  Are you taking leftover booze home from a party?  Open alcohol.  Under 21?  Add minor in posession.  Got a gun or kinfe in your vehicle improperly?  Concealed weapons charge.  Carry tools that could be used to break into a house?  You better have a good explanation, Burglar, I mean...Buster.  Care to add anything to the list?  Rog?  Anyone?

Dont forget you may fit a "gang related profile" also.

it musta taken some serious chutzpah to somehow make this jibe with the whole "unreasonable search and seizure" part of the constitution...

You have a constitution?  I thought they were outlawed in America by the 80s?

I always found moving meditations easier.  Perhaps that is just due to martial arts.  I find it very easy to meditate whilst performing a pattern from traditional Tae Kwon Do, or some of the one person Ju-jitsu ones.

I work the same way
I need to move to figure out things anad think
hence why i go dancing a lot

the music moves me and my brian can just set me on neutral and it can just wander


I  have done some of my best figuring and majoc work while on the dance floor

Hmm, dancing has never had that effect on me.  I think it has something t do with the patterns being a sythesis of natural and conscious effort.  I know instinctively each move, its hardwired into the nerves, yet I have to concentrate on getting it perfect (or close as I can).  Somehow that allows me to think intuitiely about things, and relax more also.  And scare the shit out of people on my floor when I kiai at the end

Cheers, will do.

Start here:  http://subgenius.com/bigfist/classic/classic.html

Funnily enough, I had just got to that page!

Cheers, will do.