Is this what the NY Times considers an intelligent discussion? Or are they simply showing how retarded religious republicans can be?
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/06/26/opinion/1194841209358/bloggingheads-cash-for-babies.html (http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/06/26/opinion/1194841209358/bloggingheads-cash-for-babies.html)
Belongs in Apple Talk, I'm sure.
Quote from: rubickspoop on June 27, 2009, 01:40:57 PM
Is this what the NY Times considers an intelligent discussion? Or are they simply showing how retarded religious republicans can be?
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/06/26/opinion/1194841209358/bloggingheads-cash-for-babies.html (http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/06/26/opinion/1194841209358/bloggingheads-cash-for-babies.html)
This section is more for rants, Rube. You can blow this up into a screeching tirade, or we can move it.
I am considering a political section, though.
Political section would be awesome.
OK, I guess I'll rant about it, then. The guy on the left is a fucking moron or a huge ass hole. Why the hell would you pay people to have babies?! We already have to many of them! Does he want a world full of incompetent half-tards who can't even read? Oh, yeah, he does! Cheap labor incapable of revolt! Perfect for the machine! Ooooh, surrogate mothers, too! Now rich white women won't even have to endure the pains of childbirth! Poor people can do it for you! What a fucking prick.
that's the spirit!!
I think that it would be cheaper to outsource our baby producing to countries that already have high birthrates. Okay, the babies might be a little brown or something but I'm sure that in the interest of cash we can look past that.
Although, that begs the question: why do we want more babies in the first place? Warfare is less and less reliant on numbers of soldiers, and there's already more than enough cheap labor out there.
Quote from: GA on June 28, 2009, 05:33:53 AM
I think that it would be cheaper to outsource our baby producing to countries that already have high birthrates. Okay, the babies might be a little brown or something but I'm sure that in the interest of cash we can look past that.
We can just bleach 'em. Hey, it works for flour, right?
Quote from: GA on June 28, 2009, 05:33:53 AM
Although, that begs the question: why do we want more babies in the first place? Warfare is less and less reliant on numbers of soldiers, and there's already more than enough cheap labor out there.
WRONG. As Cain will tell you, the days of the techno-soldier are over. It's back to dumb grunts and the cheapest possible weapons (the RPG may very well be the best weapons system ever, in terms of sheer effectiveness).
Although, of course, we kind of frown on that sort of fighting because its more useful for defending than invading (personally, I lurve teh guerrilla warfare, but that's because you have to be sneaky and smart to be good at it, values I approve of).
Also, lots of babies = lots of little workers which = an ever decreasing cost for production, since everyone is fighting for the same limited jobs. In fact, as mechanization and robotization of the workplace continues, there will be even less jobs, and making sure you have 20 people fighting for every one position really pushes the wages down.
Of course, the downside is then the other 19 team up with all the other unlucky 19's over the country, start asking uncomfortable questions like "what's a Jacobin" and "how to I operate a guillotine" and overthrow your ass, but that's why we're encouraging religious people to do this, since the sort of religion we mean when we say religion actually means authoritarianism that is grounded towards preservation of the status quo through unthinking acceptance of certain key cultural values like "this is freedom" and "we live in the best country in the world" and "positive thinking and prayer can get me what I want, I'm just not trying hard enough."
And we have wars and TV and debtors jails for those who fail to fall into line.
Quote from: Cain on June 28, 2009, 06:40:32 PM
Of course, the downside is then the other 19 team up with all the other unlucky 19's over the country, start asking uncomfortable questions like "what's a Jacobin" and "how to I operate a guillotine" and overthrow your ass,
I just horked up coffee through my nose, which is now bleeding. You bastard.
TGRR,
Has teh Cain Stigmata.
Quote from: Cain on June 28, 2009, 06:40:32 PM
Of course, the downside is then the other 19 team up with all the other unlucky 19's over the country, start asking uncomfortable questions like "what's a Jacobin" and "how to I operate a guillotine" and overthrow your ass, but that's why we're encouraging religious people to do this, since the sort of religion we mean when we say religion actually means authoritarianism that is grounded towards preservation of the status quo through unthinking acceptance of certain key cultural values like "this is freedom" and "we live in the best country in the world" and "positive thinking and prayer can get me what I want, I'm just not trying hard enough."
And we have wars and TV and debtors jails for those who fail to fall into line.
The power of religion in western civ. has been waning since the protestant revolution. If marijuana is ever legalized in the US, the gov't won't be able to lock up social deviants as easily. And if rich white people start buying kids, I think it will help prove how out of touch the ruling class is with the nature of reality for us schmucks. I think our future may just have another revolution in the short term. I'm sure the feds will come up with new ways to keep us in line, but we can always hope.
Quote from: The Good Reverend Roger on June 28, 2009, 06:46:59 PM
Quote from: Cain on June 28, 2009, 06:40:32 PM
Of course, the downside is then the other 19 team up with all the other unlucky 19's over the country, start asking uncomfortable questions like "what's a Jacobin" and "how to I operate a guillotine" and overthrow your ass,
I just horked up coffee through my nose, which is now bleeding. You bastard.
TGRR,
Has teh Cain Stigmata.
:thanks:
Quote from: rubickspoop on June 29, 2009, 07:39:11 AMThe power of religion in western civ. has been waning since the protestant revolution.
:cn:
QuoteIf marijuana is ever legalized in the US, the gov't won't be able to lock up social deviants as easily.
:cn:
QuoteAnd if rich white people start buying kids, I think it will help prove how out of touch the ruling class is with the nature of reality for us schmucks.
:cn:
Quote from: rubickspoop on June 29, 2009, 07:39:11 AM
Quote from: Cain on June 28, 2009, 06:40:32 PM
Of course, the downside is then the other 19 team up with all the other unlucky 19's over the country, start asking uncomfortable questions like "what's a Jacobin" and "how to I operate a guillotine" and overthrow your ass, but that's why we're encouraging religious people to do this, since the sort of religion we mean when we say religion actually means authoritarianism that is grounded towards preservation of the status quo through unthinking acceptance of certain key cultural values like "this is freedom" and "we live in the best country in the world" and "positive thinking and prayer can get me what I want, I'm just not trying hard enough."
And we have wars and TV and debtors jails for those who fail to fall into line.
The power of religion in western civ. has been waning since the protestant revolution. If marijuana is ever legalized in the US, the gov't won't be able to lock up social deviants as easily. And if rich white people start buying kids, I think it will help prove how out of touch the ruling class is with the nature of reality for us schmucks. I think our future may just have another revolution in the short term. I'm sure the feds will come up with new ways to keep us in line, but we can always hope.
Where are you located in the US, again? You sound like you don't know the Midwest and the South and those who dwell there very well...
Given the biggest piece of corporate looting in history happened just last year, and the best that could be done was people putting on protests where they dunked teabags into hot water (by people who think that those at the top should be richer and have even less restraints), I believe that Jack Welch could eat a live baby on air and go "yummy", and still be feted by the media, and society at large, as a visionary genius.
Hell, Madonna and Angelina Jolie et al go off baby shopping and are applauded for it already.
(http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2009/2/6/633695056748708960-angelinajoliegoesonshoppingspree.jpg)
Quote from: Jenne on June 29, 2009, 03:02:08 PM
Where are you located in the US, again? You sound like you don't know the Midwest and the South and those who dwell there very well...
I live in Fort Wayne, IN (Northwest IN, second largest city in the state!) In fact, I attended Depauw University in Greencastle, IN, for a semester and a half. This beautiful university is a training ground for neo-colonialist ass holes, where lesson #1 is how to "network." Doctors, lawyers, and small and mid-sized business owners from the rich white suburbs of Indy and Chicago send their children there. About 80% of the student body is in either a fraternity or sorority. Getting to know the future ruling class of the midwest, I have all the evidence before me that the future of America will be shitty. I choose to be blissfully and unreasonably optimistic about the future.
Quote from: rubickspoop on June 29, 2009, 07:39:11 AMThe power of religion in western civ. has been waning since the protestant revolution.
I can't back this one up with factual information. You called my bullshit, as logical as it seems to me.
QuoteIf marijuana is ever legalized in the US, the gov't won't be able to lock up social deviants as easily.
Drug prosecutions have comprised an increasing proportion of the federal criminal caseload -- from 21% of defendants during 1982 to 35% during 2004.
For drug offenses, prison sentences increased from an average of 71.3 months to 83.6 months [from 1988 to 2004]
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/dcf/ptrpa.htm (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/dcf/ptrpa.htm)
QuoteAnd if rich white people start buying kids, I think it will help prove how out of touch the ruling class is with the nature of reality for us schmucks.
I can't back this one up, either.
1/3. Sort of. And I could explain to you my thought process to come up with all three of these strongly stated opinions if you want to kick my ass in an arguement. But like a good game of dejarik, I think I'll let the wookie win this one.
Most political repression in the UK has been done with the use of anti-terrorism legislation. Taking photos of cops, wearing t-shirts insulting the Prime Minster, protesting outside of Parliament (now repealed) and even being in certain designated zones when you shouldn't be have all been brought in as anti-terrorist measures, and have all been used to bring down truncheons on the heads of people whose major crime was to disagree vocally.
If they want to get you, they'll find a way. Drug laws aren't even about controlling social deviants anymore, its about controlling access to the market and distribution. Iran-Contra, remember? Oh, and Vietnam. Almost certainly Aghanistan and Kurdistan, as well. If you make drugs illegal, you can bust competitors whose long term well being is not in the state's interest and let the CIA, DEA, DOJ or State Department give immunity to the guys you want to split the profits with. Not so much marijuana, but cocaine, and heroin, for sure.
With marijuana, it still seems to me that its mostly about locking up rebellious types. But yeah, coke and heroin are all about distribution rights.
Do you live in the U.K. Cain? If so, I'm sorry for your losses. I've heard from European college buddies about how authoritarian its gotten there, but I didn't know it stemmed from anti-terrorism legislation. The threat of terrorism has been way overblown to allow for taking away civil rights in America (Patriot Act), but not nearly as awful as it is in the UK. We also use terrorism to lend support to our colonization escapades in Iraq (they are now "loaning" their oil fields to American companies to pay for the infrastructure we bombed to hell).
Quote from: rubickspoop on June 30, 2009, 07:45:52 AM
Quote from: Jenne on June 29, 2009, 03:02:08 PM
Where are you located in the US, again? You sound like you don't know the Midwest and the South and those who dwell there very well...
I live in Fort Wayne, IN (Northwest IN, second largest city in the state!) In fact, I attended Depauw University in Greencastle, IN, for a semester and a half. This beautiful university is a training ground for neo-colonialist ass holes, where lesson #1 is how to "network." Doctors, lawyers, and small and mid-sized business owners from the rich white suburbs of Indy and Chicago send their children there. About 80% of the student body is in either a fraternity or sorority. Getting to know the future ruling class of the midwest, I have all the evidence before me that the future of America will be shitty. I choose to be blissfully and unreasonably optimistic about the future.
Ah. PollyAnnic, then. Well, I suppose that some of us have to go through that in order to get to the Horrible Tr00f(tm). I hung out with the Greek set back in the day--they just reaffirmed my suspicions I was never destined for "greatness," and I've since had the pleasure of being RIGHT and GRATEFUL for that.
Quote from: rubickspoop on July 01, 2009, 12:12:16 AM
With marijuana, it still seems to me that its mostly about locking up rebellious types. But yeah, coke and heroin are all about distribution rights.
Do you live in the U.K. Cain? If so, I'm sorry for your losses. I've heard from European college buddies about how authoritarian its gotten there, but I didn't know it stemmed from anti-terrorism legislation. The threat of terrorism has been way overblown to allow for taking away civil rights in America (Patriot Act), but not nearly as awful as it is in the UK. We also use terrorism to lend support to our colonization escapades in Iraq (they are now "loaning" their oil fields to American companies to pay for the infrastructure we bombed to hell).
Yeah, the War for Oil was forseeable...the shitty part of it is how weak the economy has been and will be fore decades, and how the SCOTUS here will do naught to change the tide of overweening powergrabbing by the Federal Government for decades, either.
Quote from: rubickspoop on June 29, 2009, 07:39:11 AM
The power of religion in western civ. has been waning since the protestant revolution. If marijuana is ever legalized in the US, the gov't won't be able to lock up social deviants as easily. And if rich white people start buying kids, I think it will help prove how out of touch the ruling class is with the nature of reality for us schmucks.
They're so CUTE right before they see the Hideous Truth™.
There is still people that believe they are witches
Im pretty sure even the most evangelical religion is quite safe
Quote from: Thurnez Isa on July 02, 2009, 05:41:03 AM
There is still people that believe they are witches
Im pretty sure even the most evangelical religion is quite safe
besides the nutbars are the only ones that fucking care anymore
the rest of the public doesn't give two shits
except in small doses.
as soon as they're enthusiasm wanes take one wild guess who will be the largest motivated political group again
the rest will go back to eating Cheetos
Well, that's the way it goes, and has always gone, isn't it?
I still retain the hopeless hope that MY generation is "better" ( :D) and I/we can change things.
I deliberately choose to have faith in something I believe to be false.
It makes me feel good. And it provides motivation to mindfuck people (motivation #1 of course is because its fun).
Quote from: rubickspoop on July 02, 2009, 06:19:27 AM
Well, that's the way it goes, and has always gone, isn't it?
I still retain the hopeless hope that MY generation is "better" ( :D) and I/we can change things.
I deliberately choose to have faith in something I believe to be false.
It makes me feel good. And it provides motivation to mindfuck people (motivation #1 of course is because its fun).
This is my problem too.
Deep down, I'm starting to realize we're all fucked though.
Quote from: Cain on June 29, 2009, 03:44:13 PM
Hell, Madonna and Angelina Jolie et al go off baby shopping and are applauded for it already.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6NPU-wWfe4
Quote from: navkat on July 06, 2009, 03:57:52 AM
Deep down, I'm starting to realize we're all fucked though.
Read
Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins and you'll KNOW it. There's some controversy surrounding the book, but if even half the shit is true, it's horrifying.
Quote from: Laughtrack on July 06, 2009, 04:44:08 AM
Quote from: Cain on June 29, 2009, 03:44:13 PM
Hell, Madonna and Angelina Jolie et al go off baby shopping and are applauded for it already.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6NPU-wWfe4
Quote from: navkat on July 06, 2009, 03:57:52 AM
Deep down, I'm starting to realize we're all fucked though.
Read Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins and you'll KNOW it. There's some controversy surrounding the book, but if even half the shit is true, it's horrifying.
Oh god...I think I've heard about that book. I'm buying that tomorrow, I think.
Yeah, its been recommended to me IRL.
I already "know" we're all fucked.
But I can't motivate myself to do anything but sit on my ass and eat cheetos unless I have hope.
My faith in the godess keeps me from being gray in the face.
Quote from: rubickspoop on July 06, 2009, 07:28:19 AM
Yeah, its been recommended to me IRL.
I already "know" we're all fucked.
But I can't motivate myself to do anything but sit on my ass and eat cheetos unless I have hope.
My faith in the godess keeps me from being gray in the face.
I don't put faith in gods. If by "faith in the goddess" you mean figuratively as in "faith in the laws of chaos" and "Faith in humankind to be chaotic," then yeah.
Call me naive but I
still love people. I still trust them to only stand so much bullshit before they throw off the chains like one brushes cracker-crumbs off a shirt.
Quote from: navkat on July 06, 2009, 08:22:12 AM
Quote from: rubickspoop on July 06, 2009, 07:28:19 AM
Yeah, its been recommended to me IRL.
I already "know" we're all fucked.
But I can't motivate myself to do anything but sit on my ass and eat cheetos unless I have hope.
My faith in the godess keeps me from being gray in the face.
I don't put faith in gods. If by "faith in the goddess" you mean figuratively as in "faith in the laws of chaos" and "Faith in humankind to be chaotic," then yeah.
Call me naive but I still love people. I still trust them to only stand so much bullshit before they throw off the chains like one brushes cracker-crumbs off a shirt.
To me, God IS Eris, the laws of chaos, utter randomness of the universe, entropic creation, tao, whatever you choose to call it.
I love people, too. But not because I trust them to revolt against bullshit. Because in my experience and from how I've interpreted the experiences of others, people don't generally do that. But some people do.
I love people because every single one of them is different, as much as they can be bundled together, as much as they like to bundle themselves together. I love people because I'm a person, a life form, and I viscerally need my species to survive in some form or another. Preferably in the form that I, with my limited knowledge and experience, think is the best.
But I also hate people. I hate people because they create bullshit and call it good shit. Because they think they're individually special and more important than other people. Because they are afraid. Because they contradict themselves.
I see these traits in everybody (including myself, of course). This is why I feel a mixture of love and hate towards everyone I see. Including myself.
Probably more of an explanation than anyone wanted, and probably off-topic. But its my thread, so fuck you. :wink:
Quote from: rubickspoop on July 06, 2009, 09:03:58 AM
Quote from: navkat on July 06, 2009, 08:22:12 AM
Quote from: rubickspoop on July 06, 2009, 07:28:19 AM
Yeah, its been recommended to me IRL.
I already "know" we're all fucked.
But I can't motivate myself to do anything but sit on my ass and eat cheetos unless I have hope.
My faith in the godess keeps me from being gray in the face.
I don't put faith in gods. If by "faith in the goddess" you mean figuratively as in "faith in the laws of chaos" and "Faith in humankind to be chaotic," then yeah.
Call me naive but I still love people. I still trust them to only stand so much bullshit before they throw off the chains like one brushes cracker-crumbs off a shirt.
To me, God IS Eris, the laws of chaos, utter randomness of the universe, entropic creation, tao, whatever you choose to call it.
I love people, too. But not because I trust them to revolt against bullshit. Because in my experience and from how I've interpreted the experiences of others, people don't generally do that. But some people do.
I love people because every single one of them is different, as much as they can be bundled together, as much as they like to bundle themselves together. I love people because I'm a person, a life form, and I viscerally need my species to survive in some form or another. Preferably in the form that I, with my limited knowledge and experience, think is the best.
But I also hate people. I hate people because they create bullshit and call it good shit. Because they think they're individually special and more important than other people. Because they are afraid. Because they contradict themselves.
I see these traits in everybody (including myself, of course). This is why I feel a mixture of love and hate towards everyone I see. Including myself.
Probably more of an explanation than anyone wanted, and probably off-topic. But its my thread, so fuck you. :wink:
I loved it. I feel the same way, you summed up my feelings better than I ever could.