kelpdiver 2 #51 January 23, 2007 Which Chinese? Catonese or Mandarin? The current economic center is Hong Kong, which is still decidedly leaning towards the first. But as the century goes on, Beijing will likely continue to become more relevent. Sadly, both are hard. Tonal languages don't suit me well at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frenchy68 0 #52 January 23, 2007 QuoteWhich Chinese? Catonese or Mandarin? The current economic center is Hong Kong, which is still decidedly leaning towards the first. But as the century goes on, Beijing will likely continue to become more relevent. Sadly, both are hard. Tonal languages don't suit me well at all. Actually, Shanghai is the economic center, Beijing the political one. Hong Kong is the convenient back door to many otherwise restrictive banking issues with China. "For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #53 January 23, 2007 Quote Actually, Shanghai is the economic center, Beijing the political one. Hong Kong is the convenient back door to many otherwise restrictive banking issues with China. Great - now you have 3 languages to consider, even if Shanghaese is merely a dialect. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumprunner 0 #54 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuote So the war against the commies was lost then? Suspended, think of it like a global half-time. This is going to be rough, I've had a hard enough time getting good at Spanish, now Chinese too? Strangely enough I've been talking about the Chinese and the dangers of China for atleast 8 years, others have been warning about China much longer then that. "We" opened a Wal-Mart there, so maybe Wal-Mart and Google will be able to take them over and end the threat, but then there's the Wal-oogle war that will probably go nuclear... Well, Ive been taking traditional Kung Fu so Im half way there. Already know how to count to ten in Chinese. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumprunner 0 #55 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuoteActually yes I have.. I got to visit a LOT of countires that had dictatorships or run by military junta's back in the 1970's. I have seen it up close and personal....and it looks just like the things happening here . How about you...?? Thought of looking around and seeing the parallels... like an administration that is circumventing and thumbing its nose at the constitution and just about every international accord that was made in the last 100 years Many Germans were very surprised because they did not see it coming either. Are there some parallels, yes. But how many of the major parallels exist? Economic depression (no), extreme nationalism (no), totalitarianism (partially progressing towards fully but possible to reverse by not voting for politicians, both democrat and republican, who have allowed this to progress). Economic recession: Yes, huge deficit, jobs shipped overseas to countries like India, ect. Extreme nationalism: Yes, from Bush supporters. Totalitarianism: Not yet. Adolf Hitler and Sadam Hussein had their own armed troops that were members of their political party. They were able to intimidate the parliment to give up their parlimentary powers under intimidation by party troops. That is the final step to dictatorship. Bush is still subject to law and can be forcefully removed if needed. Also, right now he is growing politically weaker and desperate, trying to futilely gain the cooperation of a Democrat controlled Congress while he doesnt even have the full cooperation of the GOP anymore. Majority opinion is clearly against him and he knows it. He is at an unrecoverable loss. It wouldnt suprise me if, under mouting pressure, we see a resignation from office take place. Things are not good for Mr Bushie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Botellines 0 #56 January 23, 2007 Quote The poor of America live better than the majority of the planet. I think you mean that the poor of america lives better than the poor of the rest of the planet. If so, i tend to agree. However to some american dude who has to work 14 hours a day and still doesn´t make enough money to provide for his family the whole month will not help much to know that some people in some country he cannot even locate in a map has to walk 30 Km to get water... Especially if across his town there is others who works 4 hours and drive Mercedes. It is a matter of relativity and perception. QuoteAnd it remains well ahead of the vast majority of the world in terms of opportunity to jump from the bottom to the top. That is what keeps many people going, that their situation may be only temporary and that if they work hard enough they will be able to work only 4 hours and drive a mercedes, but i think those "opportunities" are overstimated. It is just not that easy and rich people know it. A clever politician could spread the word that those opportunities to increase the quality of life are being hampered by (communism, facism, socialism, whatever) to further their agenda and rally everybody to support him. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #57 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuote The poor of America live better than the majority of the planet. I think you mean that the poor of america lives better than the poor of the rest of the planet. If so, i tend to agree. No, the majority of people, period. As measured in mostly material means. I shouldn't imply that they're happier, but they're eating (quite) well, have cable on a big screen TV, own a car, have a cell phone, etc. The majority of Americans own a home. Sorry - if you're claiming the middle class is disappearing, then I get to count most of them in the poor. Quote Especially if across his town there is others who works 4 hours and drive Mercedes. It is a matter of relativity and perception. Where are these people you speak of? Those who inherit worth likely don't work at all. But those who work and are wealthy tend to work pretty long hours. They're the ones putting in the 14 hours days - the business owners, the doctors, the CEOs. A lot of them work a lot harder than I'm willing to. BTW, some mercedes sell for less than the popular SUVs, so it's not really a marker of great wealth. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NCclimber 0 #58 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuote The poor of America live better than the majority of the planet. I think you mean that the poor of america lives better than the poor of the rest of the planet. If so, i tend to agree. However to some american dude who has to work 14 hours a day and still doesn´t make enough money to provide for his family the whole month will not help much to know that some people in some country he cannot even locate in a map has to walk 30 Km to get water... Especially if across his town there is others who works 4 hours and drive Mercedes. It is a matter of relativity and perception. QuoteAnd it remains well ahead of the vast majority of the world in terms of opportunity to jump from the bottom to the top. That is what keeps many people going, that their situation may be only temporary and that if they work hard enough they will be able to work only 4 hours and drive a mercedes, but i think those "opportunities" are overstimated. It is just not that easy and rich people know it. A clever politician could spread the word that those opportunities to increase the quality of life are being hampered by (communism, facism, socialism, whatever) to further their agenda and rally everybody to support him. Please tell me more about these people (and their jobs) who work four hours and drive a Mercedes. Are these entry level jobs? Or are you talking about people who have busted their asses, week in/week out, for 10, 20 or 30 years, so that they can now coast a bit? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #59 January 23, 2007 QuoteOr are you talking about people who have busted their asses, week in/week out, for 10, 20 or 30 years, so that they can now coast a bit? versus socialistic Euro workers with the short days and 3 to 4 months of vacation every year??? ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,112 #60 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuote The poor of America live better than the majority of the planet. I think you mean that the poor of america lives better than the poor of the rest of the planet. If so, i tend to agree. However to some american dude who has to work 14 hours a day and still doesn´t make enough money to provide for his family the whole month will not help much to know that some people in some country he cannot even locate in a map has to walk 30 Km to get water... Especially if across his town there is others who works 4 hours and drive Mercedes. It is a matter of relativity and perception. QuoteAnd it remains well ahead of the vast majority of the world in terms of opportunity to jump from the bottom to the top. That is what keeps many people going, that their situation may be only temporary and that if they work hard enough they will be able to work only 4 hours and drive a mercedes, but i think those "opportunities" are overstimated. It is just not that easy and rich people know it. A clever politician could spread the word that those opportunities to increase the quality of life are being hampered by (communism, facism, socialism, whatever) to further their agenda and rally everybody to support him. Please tell me more about these people (and their jobs) who work four hours and drive a Mercedes. Are these entry level jobs? Or are you talking about people who have busted their asses, week in/week out, for 10, 20 or 30 years, so that they can now coast a bit? My (medical) doctor is in her 30s, works three days a week, and drives a Mercedes. A cardiologist I went to once also worked 3 days a week, and had 4 airplanes and his own airfield.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,112 #61 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuoteOr are you talking about people who have busted their asses, week in/week out, for 10, 20 or 30 years, so that they can now coast a bit? versus socialistic Euro workers with the short days and 3 to 4 months of vacation every year??? You can, of course, provide proof of these 4 month vacations in socialist Europe.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rehmwa 2 #62 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuoteQuoteOr are you talking about people who have busted their asses, week in/week out, for 10, 20 or 30 years, so that they can now coast a bit? versus socialistic Euro workers with the short days and 3 to 4 months of vacation every year??? You can, of course, provide proof of these 4 month vacations in socialist Europe. And, I KNOW you are familiar with wallowing in the stereotypes - you are my hero in that regard. I just wanted to go along with the current trend here in the thread. ... Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
