pirana

When you have the current global situaton, as it is, and soldiers and civilians dying on a daily basis, you have the military that is supposeed to protect the world, attacking it. You have all this blamed on a single event that has yet to be thouroughly investigated and you have the nerve to say I am making things up. Deniers are reluctant to admit that they are wrong, even when they are quite certain they are, admitting fault is not an easy task and especially when you have invested your integrety and intellegence on it. The way 911 is treated is a joke, it is blamed on the worlds biggest problems but if you want to talk about it and discuss anything other than the very unlikely official scenario, then you are a fool? You are a fool not to. Questioning is how we advance. Depends on the questions. Like opinions, ideas, and "theories" some questions are just plain stupid. Or, as they say at Demotivators, there are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Yowza! Could it be that there is a reasonable explanation? Should the leftists and rightists actually stop beating each other up with lies, outrageously bad logic, and oh so predictable taunts? Nah. And I think there is a link between this ongoing diatribe and the living-vicariously-thru-others thread. Anybody who is a big fan of the current or last few presidents has got a fucking screw or three loose. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I agree. I can't understand the interest in people who are famous for being famous when there are so many remarkable people out there. It boggles my pea-sized brain, the way the American public gets so wrapped-up in admiring gangsters, trailer trash, dope-heads and degenerates in general. What's with Joe Schmo flashing gang signs? Then too, is it the 'person' or their money that people get so absorbed? Chuck Americans are #1 on the planet when it comes to living vicariously through others; except maybe Brits and their soccer fanaticism. It explains the ridiculous near-religious nature of pro sports, the unGodly amount we pay actors and other entertainers, the success of the E! channel, why nobody truly qualified for national level leadership wants the job, etc, etc. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/29/florida.burn.quran.day/index.html Seriously? What the fuck is wrong with some people? Such a fucking joke for anyone of the Abrahamic faiths to criticize each other. Which one of them, with all their oogie-boogie bullshit, is not "of the devil." " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Intelligent answer, and short, is . . . Don't do it! Sure, a few people added more to it; but the gist is clear; the answer is no. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

There are large warehouses that have been bought by investors just in case the bill passes. Some of these areas are the size of two football fields. Most of the small growers will disappear overnight. The pot counter-culture will change as business suits take control of the pot economy. I think we'll have everything from bottom of the barrel Wal-Pot to quality hand-crafted stuff. And just like everything else, you will pretty much get what you pay for. I'm thinking that Wally-Weed will be the quality stuff as compared to home-grown stuff for the same reason Napa valley vinifera produces the best cabernet vs. the best home-grown hybrids in Cali. Lots of money to throw into horticulture technology. It's a lot cheaper to buy a good BV wine for $60 a bottle than spending thousands of dollars and seven years minimum to get at best, too young vines that only produce a few gallons. A bit severe in the difference between the two plants, but. . . Why would WalMart go ito the high end, or high quality, or artisan market on pot; when they have not done that with a single other item they sell? Their approach, which they openly admit to, is to bring the cheapest possible products to market as possible. Even when they get involved with a reputable brand, they require the manufacturer to create special edition cheap knock-offs for them to sell. Little known secret - Best Buy does the same thing for many of the products they sell. Check the model and version numbers very carefully. Often the 32" TV BB sells dirt cheap that appears to be the same as the one sold elsewhere is not quite the same. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Did he properly earn that moniker? He was giving me the business a few weeks back for my occasional 2K throw-out. Gonna have to follow up on this. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

idocy is letting yourself believe the the impication from this are anything to ignore, forget, or sweep under the carpet. Do you not think the Iraq, and afghanistan scenario is not a problem? Why is there no emphasis in the trial for the supposed pepertrator? 10 years later, you have a guy (KSM)you say is responasable, in custody, all this bullshit being said about another guy (OBL) that has been blamed, the whole time but nothing ever eventuates about it even though the mans family is close friends of Americas elite and trillions of dollars being fed into the monster. You pretend that that issue is worth forgetting about because you invested you reputation on it 5 years ago, when you seriously anybody that believed anything other thena the official story was a fool... ...because you so desparately do not want to believe it, not only do you have to admit fault, but it becomes the point in time where a person realises that our society is rotten to the bone! Nobody wants to know this uncomfortble truth, and what impact we have on the very life that sustains us. Our frivilous and unsustainable lifestyles are too easy for us now and changing is apparently... too hard! but the truth is the truth and there is no ecaping it. I've finally figured out what the Truthers (and other woo-woo proponents of stuff like fake Moon landings, Planet X, religion, flying reindeer, etc) remind me of the most - GREETING CARDS! Bunch of fluff, catchy phrasework, and an occasional bit of humor. The woo-woos all work for Hallmark. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

There are large warehouses that have been bought by investors just in case the bill passes. Some of these areas are the size of two football fields. Most of the small growers will disappear overnight. The pot counter-culture will change as business suits take control of the pot economy. I think we'll have everything from bottom of the barrel Wal-Pot to quality hand-crafted stuff. And just like everything else, you will pretty much get what you pay for. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

The government handles money the way I handle a rental car. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Addiction is the delusion that some short term pleasure or reward or desire is worth the long term effects. Thinking recovery is the result of some higher power when it is the addict that takes the action is a delusion. The addict makes the choice, not the higher power. They have no confidence in their own ability (often no confidence in themselves at all) but readily accept that someone or something else can make it better for them - despite the fact that they make the actual choice. Getting healthy as a result of a higher power is palatable to them; getting healthy on their own goes against their mindset. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

What state-sponsored terrorism did they [IraQ]have that impacted us? In the first place: none. THus, I second your calling Bullshit. In the second place, by Bolas's rationale we should have attacked IraN looong ago, and hard, because state-sponsored terrorism, traceable ultimately to IraN, has resulted in the kidnappings, murders and assaults of MANY American citizens over the past 30 years. Iraq was a convenient target, the setup was perfect with the already ongoing WMD issues and their previous invasions. Throw in some unscrupulous leaders on our side, the sting of 911, and it was easy to whip up public frenzy for an attack. (Under the guise of saving the populace, or the world, or some BS like that). I remember being totally amazed at how the sheeple bought into it at the time; and how those of us that questioned it got labeled as unpatriotic. Our leaders played public emotion like a fiddle. Truly pathetic that the best that gets offerred up at election time are a small cadre of greedy manipulative lying bastards from the GOBC. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

They are or were considered lost causes because the benefit was not seen as worth the cost. If Rwanda or Sudan had significant oil reserves they would have been handled very differently. Take away the oil and we would have handled it like we handle most other local despots and skirmishes - which is to say it would be largely ignored. Our interest in the ME is driven by oil for the most part, and that thorny Israeli/Palestinian situation as a distant second concern. To think we intervened because a leader was mistreating the citizenry and violating our sensibilities about human rights is extremely naive. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Ahhh, never mind. Oh, come on, give it to us. Did it involve Beagle? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I suppose you are right, that if it works, it's better than nothing - but 12-step programs are just covering one delusion with another. And a world view that all on Earth is actually controlled by some higher power holding everybody's strings is a very serious delusion. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Good Gravy! Can you answer the question straight up - without preaching or quotes from millenia ago? How does good logic equal or contribute to a person's downfall? If that really is your answer; you do realize you've basically woven a watertight tautology. (Something akin to a kid who answers "Cuz" to every question). I seek knowledge. I seek happiness. Religion (at least all of the organized and politicized ones), provide neither for me; and have at their best been an impediment to aquiring knowledge for anybody for at least the last 500 years. (Ever since their belief systems were called into question by that pesky system of thinking based on logic and reason - which I understand you feel will be my downfall). " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I am at a loss for what constitutes spiritual illness, but stick to my approach to mental illness; which I understand quite well - no reason why I shouldn't. Encouragement is good to offer. Encouragement to seek modern treatment would be the best encouragement; which by the way you came close to hitting on the head with the statement about exposing things. But I suppose if imaginary friends and the like were the only treatments (as they once were), that would be acceptable; but modern practical application of therapy & medicine seems the more likely path to good mental health. Why bury delusions with more delusions? So because I think your version of help (find God) is a bunch of bunk, you label me as cold-hearted, not giving a flip, and insinuate lack of compassion? You got one thing right, I insist they deal with it; because masking it over with BS is as likely to create a ticking bomb as a cured illness. But apparently, insisting they deal with it and encouraging them to seek real cures makes me a cold-hearted discompassionate person. What a dilemma. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I don't think the native Americans made a choice they didn't have one. Its usally the bully (the person with the power and lack of morals) who wins. Of course they made choices. There is a difference between making a choice and having the ability to execute the intended action. At times they chose to resist, at times they chose not to. When they resisted, that choice was met with bullyish violence. Cultures treat each other violently. Always have, and seems there is no slowing it down in the foreseeable future. Long term view, you'd think warfare would be slowing down and as a species we'd figure out how to live with our differences - but it is just the opposite. People on the other hand generally appear to treat each other decently. Too bad everybody in the world can't live next door to everybody else. In the mean time, it's defend your culture, die trying, or get overrun. It is a choice. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

I agree that in the battle of cultures, the western world has been throwing stones continuously for about 500 years and is now pissed off that someone else has assaulted their glass house. On the other hand, it may be good that Islam does not embrace forgiveness as a character quality. It'll add to the understanding of their cohorts when the terrorists push the envelope too far and some fed up party simply decides to grinds their asses into oblivion. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

And much, if not most of that migration and "influence" was accomplished by violently conquering the indigenous population. Indigenous populations get to choose whether or not to propogate and protect their culture; rejecting invasive influences they do not wish to embrace. Some things never change, heh? " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Exactly how could good logic ever be a downfall for anybody? Your statement is one of those Cumbaya type things that sounds warm and fuzzy on first look, but really makes no sense once it is given some thought. So how could logic be harmful, or someone's downfall. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

It occurs to me that if someone has a need it would be best to assist them in identifying the need and the practical steps to address it. Relying on gushy pablum about an imaginary friend who is all-powerful, all-knowing, kind and benevolent is moving towards an unhealthy fantasy-in-your-head cure that justs masks over the unmet fundamental need. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

There is one reality. People may have different perceptions of it - those are called beliefs. Beliefs have very little bearing on reality - other than they really are each person's beliefs. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

Not all people take these stories to be literal. I know that; and usually make it quite clear that my disgust is aimed at those that do - not because I care if they want to be ignorant dark-age morons on their own time - but because of their stickers-in-textbooks approach to working so hard to increase rather than decrease the number of ignorant humans. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley

why, if one applied this to all aspects of governance, we'd have simple laws, we'd treat individuals based on their accomplishments and personalities and character, there would be little reason to for people to create pissy little divisive groups how horrible for politicians I've often thought it the ultimate hypocrisy that people demanding equal treatment are almost always asking for special treatment. I like the opening for the new acronym - PLDG's. " . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley