There needs to be changes not only here in America, but worldwide. Once we come to the conclusion that we are all of the same race, the human race, we can all learn to get along. I agree that the US is broadly vast in race and culture, but shouldn't that make us more understanding of different cultures? I had not thought about people living around similar people, but yeah I can see that even in my little corner of the world. Something to think about anyway.
this is so brilliant I coudn't help re-quoting it here (from Who's Getting Your Vote thread):
You understand, of course, that I would feel all dirty were I to reply to that - but the number of logical mistakes, the depth of historic ignorance, and the degree to which that person allows himself to be manipulated upon is so spectacular that it should really adorn the present thread.well jean... i assume that you are from russia, since that is the flag you are flying?
if that is the case... considering the communistic and socialistic political history of your country, it pleases me greatly that you disagree with my political views and agree with the democrats here.
if you agreed with me, i would have to do some deep soul searching... which is very difficult for us athiests... and question my political thought process for sure.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jean,
On behalf of atheists everywhere, allow me to apologize! Sheesh, what a maroon!
Donna
"What can I tell you, baby? I've always been bad."--Spike
no, love, why would you apologize*? you didn't say that, right? let alone that there's nothing to apologise for... I should be grateful, it's such a gem one doesn't often find!
*though you might scratch the bear's ears... bears love...
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Always happy to scratch the bear!::scritch, scritch, scritch!::
Does petting bears lower your blood pressure like petting cats/dogs? After spending a few minutes in that political thread I think my head is about to explode!
Donna
"What can I tell you, baby? I've always been bad."--Spike
petting bears is beneficial for everyone's (including bears' own) health, morale, sex life, state of mind, psychological climate inside family, metabolism, and general disposition! all necessary proofs thereof are in our BearrrRRRrrrs thread!
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jean, I doubt you will be surprised, but I did respond to that post in the other thread. We all know that I can't help myself but speak when presented with such. I do agree with you that thinking like that typifies the cultural isolation and ignorance being discussed in this thread.
In that case, ::scratch, scratch, scratchity scratch::Originally Posted by Jean
Donna
"What can I tell you, baby? I've always been bad."--Spike
this is signature worthy
Buddy, you think you look strong? You’re wearing a cape.
Jean! I can't believe you brought that in here!
*eyes the quote in the same way a cat owner might eye the dead bird that Felix just brought home*
On the topic of the history of Russia...
Jean, how do you feel about your history being exported to the United States and sold, in the way of firearms?
I'm in possession of a Mosin Nagant model 1891 rifle dated 1915, still bearing an Imperial crest, unusual because the Bolsheviks scrubbed the crests when they gained power. I think the Finns saved this one by capturing it.
But, my point is, an interesting piece of history for me is a completely different relic to you, and it's bought and sold over here for very little money. I'm sure the Russian government appreciates the income that the arms importers supply, but how do Russian citizens feel about the practice of exporting what I consider military history to be abused at the hands of Americans, many of whom don't appreciate them for what they truly are?
Don't you get it?! We are the walking dead! We are the walking dead...
Thats kinda cool. Nifty find. A friend of mine has an old Russian pistol...I have no idea what kind though. I do recall that I didn't much like firing it...very rough. Have you ever fired that rifle?
I have a question for you though. As someone that majored in history I'm curious how Americans abuse military history? Mind you, I'm not challenging your perception (and in all honesty I'm not really equipped to do that as I took not much more than the bare mininum of American history) I just want to know if the abuse that you see is the same abuse that I see.
Being an Army brat I've been in school in both the North and South. I wouldn't say that the South is really taught anything different. It is taught that the South had slaves and lost and what have you, but something that always bothered me was that the section on the actual slavery part was only about a paragraph... It's mentioned, but the details aren't given on how the slaves were treated and the lynchings and all that. And that's true for both sides. I think the North doesn't want to admit they ignored it and the South doesn't want to acknowledge that they did it. It's a terrible insult to the memory of the people who endured it and those who fought to get rid of it.This makes me think about the American South, and how history is taught there, especially as regards the Civil War and immediately before and after.
I'm not from there myself, but I wonder if anyone who is from that region might enlighten me. After all, since the victors write the history books, doesn't that mean that Southerners would be taught that they practiced slavery and rebelled against the U. S. government and therefore deserved (perhaps needed) what they got? Having learned a little of U. S. history from that time period, I don't believe it was a simple good vs. evil idea. Should they fear being taught a neutral (not to say pro-South) take on that period in American history because it's "wrong"?
And ::puke:: at that post from the Voting thread... i saw it when i was posting and it sickened me there... that guy... ugh!
Human kind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one and only truth.
::does the Cat (from Shrek), - hat in paws, ears down- as well as a bear can::
I am sorry... you know how bears are... they sometimes drag something in...
I actually thought it was funny... but you're right, it stinks!
I think the answer is contained in the question, isn't it? How do you think I must feel?
It brings about some interesting matters, though... I don't think I can explain within one post what happened in our country after the Communism crashed - but very roughly, the problem of our post-Communist development was that people who came to power (politically, econimically, financially and ideologically) were those who believed that the only policy is to sell everything out and run away. Everything, including strategic ressources, was subject to selling abroad while the population was lied to, or explained that it's what the real democracy is about; this policy was, understandably, supported by all Western countries who gained full, almost unrestricted access to our oil, gas, nickel, aluminium etc.; finally it lead to a few people growing unbelievably rich and the rest being like me or worse (my friends here are aware of my financial situation, so I won't go into those sad details), the economy in ruins, the politics in constant crisis, and all social institutions in complete deterioration. Now the things are changing for the better - the changes began when Putin came to power, and the current president, thank God, follows the same policy of rebuilding our economy, limiting the monopolists - well, without too many details, of making things sane and minding our national interests.
What is interesting for us in this thread with regard to the above is that, naturally, the whole world immediately started interpreting those steps as the death of democracy in Russia, restauration of dictatorship and other similar crap. Just keep it in mind that whenever you hear something like that, it's inspired by another oil-gas-nickel-aluminium-etc circle worried that they are being weaned from the Russian pie that used to be given away for free.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By "abusing" military history, I mean that the majority of rifles like this are used as "junker" guns, guns you'll take out instead of your nice rifle, guns you'll not take care of, guns you'll let rust because, hey, you only paid $60 for it. They're treated as disposable, and even though they made millions of them, they're still an interesting piece of history.Thats kinda cool. Nifty find. A friend of mine has an old Russian pistol...I have no idea what kind though. I do recall that I didn't much like firing it...very rough. Have you ever fired that rifle?
I have a question for you though. As someone that majored in history I'm curious how Americans abuse military history? Mind you, I'm not challenging your perception (and in all honesty I'm not really equipped to do that as I took not much more than the bare mininum of American history) I just want to know if the abuse that you see is the same abuse that I see.
Don't you get it?! We are the walking dead! We are the walking dead...
Ah ok, I was thinking something completely different...like how the Revolutionary War is presented in public schools for instance.
But have you used that rifle?
It wasn't just a question of the North tolerating it. In the beginning the North had slaves as well. But the North had an easier time of doing away with slavery because its economy wasn't driven by it. And there was plenty of racism to go around no matter what part of the country you were in. In fact, I daresay that there are at least a few places up North that are every bit as racist as any place below the Mason Dixon line you'd care to name.
I was born in South Carolina and lived there up until I was 12. Before we understood what the war was even about my friends and I were firmly under the impression that the Confederacy were the good guys. The Union wasn't demonized necessarily but they certainly were not protrayed as protagonists in any media I was exposed to unless it was discussing the "fighting" of Native Americans. At worst, Confederate soldiers were misguided but never villainous. I was always proud of the fact that my great-great grandfather was in the Confederate cavalry. But I suppose little Hans living over in Bremen is as proud of his grandfather flying a Messerschmitt for the Luftwaffe as I am of my ancestor riding a horse for the Stars & Bars.
I know this to be a fact. apparently the headquarters to the KKK was somewhere near where i lived in NJ... or a headquarters... maybe just a surburban legend, but my high school had race wars... it was awful... one year this guy came dressed in "black face" with a neon orange prison jumpsuit on for halloween... caused a bit of a stir. but then again i got racially slurred when i was in second grade in virginia too
Human kind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one and only truth.
ok this could go in the everyday quotes thread too, but it has a little relevance here too i think to how cultures within america can be really isolated from each other... and it's just hilarious and sad.
ok so the set up: Nigel had to go with a sexual assault assembly.. so they're watching all these scenarios and stuff. and then the presenters ask the audience what would be some characteristics of a stranger raper (because 80% of rapes happen with someone you know).. so everyone starts shouting out things like "fat", "low self esteem", "ugly" (which was bad enough of course)... then some girl yells out "dark"... and the room sort of went silent... Nigel said the presenters tried to cover it up saying how people believe some stereotypes.
Human kind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one and only truth.
The answer is within
all matter is energy, all energy is GOD
+1 on the Chief Seattle quote Linda!
Nice graphic too!
*bows*
The answer is within
Love this, will keep a copy of it on my desktop. Wish everyone felt this way.
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