2012-09-28, 06:34 | Link #821 | |
Knight Errant
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Age: 35
|
Quote:
We shouldn't look down on the less fortunate, because we don't know how they came to be there. Also, some of us are jus less lucky, those of us who are born with a natural skill for art, or athleticism are never going to be as fortunate as those with a natural skill for picking stocks... @Monarchy: The idea that an office should be passed down from father to son is inherently backwards. A political office should never be limitted to a particular family, even if it's largely ceremonial. Let's not forget that that "ceremonial" office comes with it tremendous wealth... What I will say is that when we're talking about the transition from monarchy to democracy, the constitutional monarchy route probably is a better route then the "revolution" one, a much moe stable functional state results. That's one reason why the Middle Eastern monachies are largely better managed then the republics. The excesses of revolution always sets things back. Last edited by DonQuigleone; 2012-09-28 at 06:47. |
|
2012-09-28, 07:23 | Link #822 | |
books-eater youkai
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Betweem wisdom and insanity
|
Election to Decide Future Interrogation Methods in Terrorism Cases
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/us...-suspects.html Quote:
__________________
|
|
2012-09-28, 11:31 | Link #823 | |
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 66
|
Quote:
Meanwhile, back in Science World, people know that those techniques are not only worthless but provide corrupted data that actually damages the quality of the overall information field. It opens up legal challenges and it puts our own personnel at higher risk in a "race to the bottom". The larger portion of Romney advisors are nasty little trolls from the Bush, Jr. administration. You know.... the people who made the mess from 2000-2008.
__________________
|
|
2012-09-28, 11:48 | Link #824 |
Schwing!
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Central Texas
Age: 39
|
lulz, Fox and Friends talk about the "Liberal Media" polls being skewed in favor of Obama, but ignore that FOX's own polls show Obama is ahead by 5 points
http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/20...conspiracy.php |
2012-09-28, 13:01 | Link #825 | |
Nyaaan~~
Join Date: Feb 2006
Age: 40
|
Quote:
One issue regarding studies of the effectiveness of torture is that the available research data-sets are skewed due to self-disclosure issues. I believe one particular issue that has been raised by researchers themselves is that the topic by nature tends to be secretive and since proper research studies need the consent of those involved, there is a natural skew and bias towards one result. Setting aside torture as a means of retrieving information .. it has been established that torture/blackmail/etc is an excellent method with which to induce "behaviour" if not "information" that the coercer is seeking. So what about if it's use to create desired results vs. just retrieving information? I'm also not sure how as a population condemning torture but turning a blind eye and condoning supporting tyrants and despots to suppress enemy nations or terrorist organizations works.. Personally, I think the "race to the bottom" is a myth, we all already have plenty of blood on our hands whether we admit it or not. Would you pay a heinous warlord to suppress a population/mob that is frothing at the mouth to burn and pillage your city? See this: http://forums.animesuki.com/showthre...37#post4351837 |
|
2012-09-28, 13:40 | Link #826 | |
Logician and Romantic
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Within my mind
Age: 43
|
Quote:
__________________
|
|
2012-09-28, 19:03 | Link #828 | |
books-eater youkai
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Betweem wisdom and insanity
|
Obama blocks Chinese wind farms in Oregon over national security
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...88R19220120928 I wonder if the GOP might find a way to spin this... Republicans dump voter registration firm after fraud reports http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...88R1GL20120928 Quote:
__________________
|
|
2012-09-28, 19:16 | Link #829 |
Obey the Darkly Cute ...
Author
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: On the whole, I'd rather be in Kyoto ...
Age: 66
|
Basically, the wind farms are on hold until all Chinese ownership/investment/etc is removed. They're too close to a military installation of interest.
__________________
|
2012-09-28, 19:48 | Link #830 | |
books-eater youkai
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Betweem wisdom and insanity
|
Quote:
Edit: Benghazi-Gate: New Evidence White House Lied About Libya Terror Attack http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2...ed-About-Libya New edit: In the end, it’s Mitt http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81772.html
__________________
Last edited by ganbaru; 2012-09-29 at 09:35. |
|
2012-09-29, 14:34 | Link #831 |
books-eater youkai
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Betweem wisdom and insanity
|
Before Debate, Tough Crowds at the Practice
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/29/us...al-debate.html Could it be than the debates might be the last chance for Romney ?
__________________
|
2012-09-29, 14:55 | Link #832 |
Shadow of Effilisi
Join Date: Oct 2011
|
Most people predict Obama to perform better than Romney in debates because the president is a renowned speaker, but this expectation probably helps Romney in the end. As long as he can hold his ground, avoid major mistakes, and make himself a better known person, Romney can consider the debate a success and probably make gains in polls. On the other hand, even if Obama "wins" the debate, that is merely what people expect to happen.
|
2012-09-29, 15:54 | Link #834 | |
Logician and Romantic
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Within my mind
Age: 43
|
Quote:
__________________
|
|
2012-09-29, 17:44 | Link #835 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: East Cupcake
|
Quote:
Mitt Romney's greatest challenge isn't giving good substantive answers (he has come close to doing so in the Republican debates), rather it is his complete inability to actually connect with anyone (one of ganbaru's articles linked above discusses this issue). (John McCain faced a similar problem in 2008...which led to him choosing Sarah Palin as a running mate (which I am thankful for, since it ruined her political career before it even started).) |
|
2012-09-29, 17:53 | Link #836 | |
Logician and Romantic
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Within my mind
Age: 43
|
Quote:
Until recently, I thought that's his default state. But then the leaked recording at the fundraiser dinner appeared. Romney was shown to be articulate, confident, and believed every word he was saying. What he SAID at the dinner was borderline evil. But HOW he said it, was presidential. So I now think Romney can be presidential, but only if he was free to say what he truly believed. What's the chance of Romney being frank in the debates?
__________________
|
|
2012-09-29, 18:11 | Link #837 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: London, England
Age: 37
|
Would really depend on what his frank opinions are but if his opinions are borderline evil as you suggest, then it is likely if Romney were perfectly frank he would alienate a large chunk of his voting base and thus jeopardise his chances of winning. Romney is an intelligent man and if he knew his true believes would win votes he would voice them. The fact he is not suggests he is aware that speaking the truth is political suicide. This concious decision to not be frank about his true thoughts would explain why Romney seemingly acts timid, wooden and unpresidential as he is acting out a persona that does not reflect his true character. It is a dilemma and one that puts him at a disadvantage to Obama.
|
2012-09-29, 19:10 | Link #838 | |
Logician and Romantic
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Within my mind
Age: 43
|
Quote:
I have no doubt that there are plenty of bad men and women in both political parties. They are just good at hiding it. Romney seriously need to attend acting classes. He need to tell lies convincingly, or there is just no point.
__________________
|
|
|
|