Nataly

How did you know??!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Like you said, you haven't yet watched the videos I'm not being facetious here - the speakers point out a bunch of things that surprised them - I was pretty much surprised by the same things. Seriously, watch the videos, you'll see what I mean - I don't want to spoil it, or just repeat what they say... Besides, they say it much better than I could

If we viewed it as art, then enhancing/idolizing the female form is perfectly acceptable. What I think is dangerous, is that many people see these photoshopped images (which are *everywhere* around us) as something they would like to achieve. When one looks at a painting, it's clear that the subject is not "real." A picture, however, *seems* real, and many don't realise the extent to which it has been manipulated. It's one thing to muse at the beauty of a painting - it's another to feel bad about yourself because you believe there are perfect people out there that look like the pictures in the magazines... Mind you, the Kings/Princes who selected their future Queens/Princesses based on their (painted) portraits sometimes were bitterly disappointed when they met said queen/princess in the flesh... (ie: they looked NOTHING like their painting!!! Ha ha ha!!) So it's not *really* a new concept, no. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

The thing is, I like that much of the advertisement I get is relevant to me... But at what cost?? Like the speaker, I go to the internet to broaden my perspective, not confirm it Although it wasn't a shock to discover the "filtering" that goes on, I was a little bit surprised (and disappointed) by the extent of it... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

You say you don't drink *much* (not *never*) So, there has to be something floating about there? Or what about other various states of inebriation?? Nope. Did not drink at all through most of my teens and twenties. Now I occasionally enjoy the odd drink or two, but even at my size, that is not enough to cause me to do embarrassing things "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Considering how often these two books are talked about, remarkably few people have ever read either... I myself have many times meant to do so but I've never quite gotten around to it... I bet if you watch the two videos below, you will be interested *and* surprised by what can be found in each... Both are excellent speakers who bring up very good points, and they do it with a touch of humour to boot

She also said, "If I had to use deadly force, I would not be cheerful/celebrating after doing so..." So unless the DEVGRU has females, or she works in the WH.... The general application applies. You asked me if I would rejoice if someone who hurt me or people I love got killed (paraphrasing, but I believe that was the general idea). The answer is still no. Yes, I know I am not one of the people who went out and killed him, but I know myself well enough to know that killing another person would not bring me joy. I know that in the same way I know I would not like peanut-butter-and-sardine-flavoured ice-cream, even though I've never tasted it. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

If you don't have access to youtube there is also this version. It's half as long and *slightly* less funny, but still hilarious

Food for thought: beware online filter bubbles. It's about how the Internet tailors to your "interests" (or what it thinks you would be interested in). I've certainly noticed the advertising I see on various websites - including DZ.com seems based on my location/browsing activity, but didn't realise the extent of this "personalisation." Interesting and just a bit worrying... I tested this by simultaneously googling the word "Egypt" in my laptop and my iPad. I was logged in on my laptop but not the iPad - VERY different search results. I logged out from my laptop - the results were still different... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Who are you saying has 'a little part'? Have we touched on a small nerve?!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Don't drink much at all - never have. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

If I had to make a guess, I would say he did this to take some of the heat off the soldiers who went in and killed Bin Laden, thus minimising the resulting hate/violence that could have been directed at deployed soldiers. If it was, I don't care how egotistical it makes Obama seem because let's face it, soldiers in combat face great enough risks as it is. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

even in the case of the screwups, they may think they're acting for the greater good. Ego and self confidence can cloud the judgment. Yeah... Even egomaniacs can think they are acting for the "greater good" when they do everything and anything to hold onto power... 'Cause obviously having them in power is the best thing for everyone!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

I believe it was Plato who said the best government would be made up of "reluctant politicians" who were fundamentally philosophers (in his view, the ultimate critical-thinkers). Problem with this is that people who have great ideas are not always the best people to lead (IMO), because for that we need people who take decisive action. Great thinkers are often passive when it comes to getting things done. (Let's not get into exceptional cases - there are always exceptions.) In the same way, truly selfless and humble people usually shy away from the spotlight... There are lots and lots of unsung heros out there doing fantastic work for the "greater good" - these are not the type of people who would run for public office. What one hopes is that the people who *do* run the country are intelligent enough to view problems from a global perspective and choose courses of action that will benefit the greatest number of people. When faced with only bad options, one hopes they will select the least distasteful of the bad options. And when they haven't got a fucking clue, one hopes that they are sufficiently surrounded by intelligent support staff that they are getting good advice on what they should do. And if we think they're shite, well, the beauty of democracy is that anyone can run for office - people who feel they could do a better job have the opportunity to try. Fact is they have A LOT more information than we do (we hope!!), so it's pretty easy to criticise when you don't know all the facts... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

+1 +2 And for what it's worth, I'm Canadian (And British, but that's another story!) "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Yes... For some excellent examples of this irony, just read my thread "How would YOU have dealt with Osama Bin Laden"... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Ohhh... I know someone who must be upset by this one... She is convinced Harper is synonymous with Bush (in her mind = evil) and that he is out to rid the world of all francophones... Well, she doesn't think *exactly* that. But pretty much. ETA - it's not me, btw... I don't know much about Harper at all... And I don't think Bush is evil - just very stupid. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Well, if we all kept quiet for fear of being criticised by stupid people, no one would ever speak!! Idiots are just everywhere!!! Ok, ok... Kidding aside, the debate thus far has been (relatively) civil. And I appreciate all the people who did challenge/question my views and show me different perspectives (even though I don't agree with all of them). Personally, I don't care if people agree with me or not - but please, criticise the ideas, not the person. That goes for everyone. And if I should ever offend someone with a personal attack, then shame on me too. And thanks Pops

That's one thing you need to get past; there is no "perfect" relationship. And, if you presented a woman with a list, you probably came across as overbearing or controlling. Having a list like that in your head is good; just keep it there and bring up topics that are important to you during casual conversation. I think that as long as you learn from your mistakes that you, or anyone, can be good in relationships. One also has to learn to give more than he or she takes. Sometimes that's easier said than done. Meh... I can't tell you the number of times I've told someone to tone down a side of their personality, only to find some time later that they have met someone who actually *likes* this aspect about them! I would say "be yourself" is better advice. If she runs away screaming, she's not for you

If you can sleep through a group of choppers descending on your house, you are a much more sound sleeper than myself. Well, *I* could, but that has a lot to do with being a helicopter mechanic for 7 years!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

The raid was at stupid o'clock in the morning... My guess is he was sleeping... "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Ohhhhh you are SOOOOO wrong!!! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Sorry for your loss. "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Dunno... My man is black and I'm white - works pretty "easy" for us! "There is no problem so bad you can't make it worse." - Chris Hadfield « Sors le martinet et flagelle toi indigne contrôleuse de gestion. » - my boss

Refer to postings in BOOBIE thread(s). I contributed twice.