Just to reiterate James I don't agree with much of any of the reasons for war with Iran that I listed. So I generally agree with you here.
That said their political figures have said some really crazy unfortunate things about Israel specifically and governing in general. I agree they probably not crazy but they're not exactly the somber staid Russian politbuero either.
True dat Blaise, I will agree with the lot of it. But by conventional measurements they don't have the surface fleet necessary to dominate their territorial waters. That said as you aptly point out between land based aircraft, subs and missiles they'd bopping around on the surface of the Sea of China a hairy proposition for anyone else for certain.
To the Israeli left and center (judging by how poor an Israeli strike polls in Israel) they're not, but to the Israeli right and (especially) to the Israeli Xionist Greater Israel Right they're utterly intolerable.
I'm of the opinion that we did not talk Cheney out of anything but rather Cheney and his flock of hawks failed to talk their compatriots into an invasion before they got booted out of office.
The counter arguements the Israeli's have come in an assortment of flavors:
-The Iranians leaders are crazy as catfish. Destruction of Iranian cities would be an acceptable price to pay for the destruction of the "zionist entity" also bringing about the end times plays into their religious beliefs.
-On a similar note, Iran wouldn't hesitate to kill Palestinians and Arabs in droves if it whiped out Israel.
-A nuclear Iran would provide an unacceptable umbrella to Syria and also Iranian proxies like Hezbollah. (Or they could have their proxies deliver the bomb to Israel)
-A nuclear Iran would cause Arab states to seek nuclear arms of their own.
-The threat of a nuclear Iran would reverse Israeli immigration (their citizens are quite mobile) leaving a weakened and impoverished Jewish state.
I don't necessarily agree with these reasons but the Israeli righties peddle in them.
Well it's very dicey at the moment of course because our own administration is facing election. A great deal of the fooferaw boils down to Netanyahu essentially rolling up to the Whitehouse and saying to Obama "nice little recovery and tailwind for re-election you've got here, shame if anything'd happen to it." If Obama and his people can thread this needle and get reelected things will be pretty decent. But if Bibi somehow strongarms him into a strike or (heavens forfend) launches a strike himself. Still, my own feel is that both sides are bluffing.
The only thing that I despair over more than Netanyahu is the state of the Israeli polity which currently has no inclination to replace him. Ugh, how I worry and fret over it. The frustration of speaking with Israeli friends and hearing about how that fine little state's settler movement is lashing it ever more firmly to the settlements that may well ultimately destroy leaves me nigh on livid. Then there's the irony; the comparative reasonableness of the current Palestinian administrators (in a relative sense, mind, not an absolute one) and the madness of Netenyahu and his entire cabinet of right wing clowns.
For goodness sake, if we could do a little time twisting... if these Palestinians could be made available to negotiate with Sharon or Olmert or even Barack's old aministrations we'd have seperation and be within sight of long term resolution. Instead those previous admins got that canny crook Arafat and now the current Palestinian technocrats get Bibi. It is to laugh (or else I'd cry).
An additional question E.D. Has this pattern been replicated on other public sites that solicit user feedback? It's possible that Metacritic is being intentionally spammed with negative responses to produce an artificially low score.
I'm puzzled, surely a gay romance option in the game couldn't spoil the entire experience of gameplay for everyone? There must be something gameplay related that's misfiring surely??
Tim could you expand on this preventing free trade being in China's interest thing? From my own (admissably unexpert) view China is specifically and especially dependant on free trade to continue to fuel it's consumer goods manufacturing economy. Only stable transportation routes and tarrif free trade associations allow it to continue to industrialize as it does. Additionally it imports a massive amount of the raw materials it needs (again dependant on free trade). I don't see where or how China would ever be interested in having less free trade; they have a massive population and a comparatively tiny amount of land and resources. Whether they become a autocratic military state or a pluralistic state with an increasing standard of living they'll urgently need imports.
I also am mightily bemused at the alarmist tone regarding China's military development. As I recall their latest naval surge consists of a retrofitted second hand Soviet aircraft carrier yes?
James, my own pet theory, Ayn Rand's writings take aim directly at what current conservatives imagine liberals to currently be; anti-capitalist, communist, collectivist, hyper-politically correct, success hating etc. So they find her very appealing. Of course Liberals in general have moved so far to the right in the past thirty-fourty years that most of Rand's criticisms bounce off like nerf darts but in the conservative mind they're devastating indictments.
It's important to keep in mind that during her lifetime Rand's objectivism was read out of the conservative movement for pretty much the reasons you mentioned; her materialism, iron laced small governmentism etc didn't work with their beliefs. But now again there's a certain imagination at work. Rand defenestrates the Liberals conservatives imagine exist (but generally don't) and Rand lauds the small government principles that conservatives imagine themselves to adhere to (but generally don't). She's the opiate of the conservative masses.
Well I'm from Eastern Canada and so our version of "bluegrass" is distinctly leftist I'd say. Generally anti-corporate, pro-labor and environmentalist. But it's a muddle of course, probably depends on what themes one labels as conservative.
To your #4 Mark I'd submit that Bluegrass is very distinctly art that happens to contain conservative themes. It is not conservative art. Conservative art would be more like Christian Rock or to a much much lesser degree Country (arguably). That's one of the things that always strikes me about the concept of conservative art; by fencing off this little corner of all art and declaring it conservative Conservatives are essentially ceding the rest of the field of art to liberals. I mean I can't recall the last time liberals talked very seriously about Liberal art. They occasionally foray into it, I brought up the Hollywood movies about Iraq, but when they set out to make art that's Liberal first and art second it usually sucks.
I think the difference is that conservatives more often set out to make art that's Conservative and then art. Liberals more often don't. Perhaps it's an anxiety thing; Liberals are convinced that art and beauty are naturally on their side so they don't feel a need to press art into a Liberal mold? I'm just conjecturing out loud here. There's such a prevalent strain in conservatives, this underlying dread that if they present what they believe baldly and on its merits it'll be rejected so it needs to be packaged and branded and sort of hidden under something else and smuggled in like a midget under a party guests petticoats? I don't think Liberals come off that great by comparison, most of their radical ideas and ideals are so defunct they don't even believe in it very strongly themselves; post-capitalism? post-nationalism? mass-solidarity? Global Socialism?
Thanks Mark, that's a perfect summary. We knew him, he was a character and sometimes behaved inexcusably but we did know him.
Also personally he was an amazing foil. I think the first time I got mentioned on the front page was when he made one of his Bobisms and I got in some kind of perfect one sentence zing reposte. Scott was so tickled he put it up on the wall and Bob was mightily bemused by it.
Seriously, and better humored too. Plus he'd interject his goading posts with some interesting philisophical and religious stuff. I think when the population grew he went stirr crazy from the target rich environment (this is not an excuse for his behavior).
Sonmi, if anyone was condescended to it was Bob, all the old regulars would snort, roll their eyes and say "Oh Bob the things you say" and then chuck his goading into the trash. He was treated very unseriously.
Rest assured there's no moaning or moping on my part about the good old days, heck compared to many of the regs I'm just a wet eared newcomer myself.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.
On “Iran, Israel, And Wannabe Masters Of War”
Just to reiterate James I don't agree with much of any of the reasons for war with Iran that I listed. So I generally agree with you here.
That said their political figures have said some really crazy unfortunate things about Israel specifically and governing in general. I agree they probably not crazy but they're not exactly the somber staid Russian politbuero either.
On “The World American Dysfunction Made”
True dat Blaise, I will agree with the lot of it. But by conventional measurements they don't have the surface fleet necessary to dominate their territorial waters. That said as you aptly point out between land based aircraft, subs and missiles they'd bopping around on the surface of the Sea of China a hairy proposition for anyone else for certain.
"
Heck, they don't even have enough navy right now to control their own adjacent water bodies.
On “Iran, Israel, And Wannabe Masters Of War”
To the Israeli left and center (judging by how poor an Israeli strike polls in Israel) they're not, but to the Israeli right and (especially) to the Israeli Xionist Greater Israel Right they're utterly intolerable.
"
Don't even joke about that. My heart isn't as strong as it used to be.
"
I'm of the opinion that we did not talk Cheney out of anything but rather Cheney and his flock of hawks failed to talk their compatriots into an invasion before they got booted out of office.
"
The counter arguements the Israeli's have come in an assortment of flavors:
-The Iranians leaders are crazy as catfish. Destruction of Iranian cities would be an acceptable price to pay for the destruction of the "zionist entity" also bringing about the end times plays into their religious beliefs.
-On a similar note, Iran wouldn't hesitate to kill Palestinians and Arabs in droves if it whiped out Israel.
-A nuclear Iran would provide an unacceptable umbrella to Syria and also Iranian proxies like Hezbollah. (Or they could have their proxies deliver the bomb to Israel)
-A nuclear Iran would cause Arab states to seek nuclear arms of their own.
-The threat of a nuclear Iran would reverse Israeli immigration (their citizens are quite mobile) leaving a weakened and impoverished Jewish state.
I don't necessarily agree with these reasons but the Israeli righties peddle in them.
On “A vendetta against BioWare?”
Seriously +1. We need someone to handcuff Maxwell to a keyboard.
On “Iran, Israel, And Wannabe Masters Of War”
Well it's very dicey at the moment of course because our own administration is facing election. A great deal of the fooferaw boils down to Netanyahu essentially rolling up to the Whitehouse and saying to Obama "nice little recovery and tailwind for re-election you've got here, shame if anything'd happen to it." If Obama and his people can thread this needle and get reelected things will be pretty decent. But if Bibi somehow strongarms him into a strike or (heavens forfend) launches a strike himself. Still, my own feel is that both sides are bluffing.
"
The only thing that I despair over more than Netanyahu is the state of the Israeli polity which currently has no inclination to replace him. Ugh, how I worry and fret over it. The frustration of speaking with Israeli friends and hearing about how that fine little state's settler movement is lashing it ever more firmly to the settlements that may well ultimately destroy leaves me nigh on livid. Then there's the irony; the comparative reasonableness of the current Palestinian administrators (in a relative sense, mind, not an absolute one) and the madness of Netenyahu and his entire cabinet of right wing clowns.
For goodness sake, if we could do a little time twisting... if these Palestinians could be made available to negotiate with Sharon or Olmert or even Barack's old aministrations we'd have seperation and be within sight of long term resolution. Instead those previous admins got that canny crook Arafat and now the current Palestinian technocrats get Bibi. It is to laugh (or else I'd cry).
On “A vendetta against BioWare?”
An additional question E.D. Has this pattern been replicated on other public sites that solicit user feedback? It's possible that Metacritic is being intentionally spammed with negative responses to produce an artificially low score.
"
I'm puzzled, surely a gay romance option in the game couldn't spoil the entire experience of gameplay for everyone? There must be something gameplay related that's misfiring surely??
On “The World American Dysfunction Made”
Tim could you expand on this preventing free trade being in China's interest thing? From my own (admissably unexpert) view China is specifically and especially dependant on free trade to continue to fuel it's consumer goods manufacturing economy. Only stable transportation routes and tarrif free trade associations allow it to continue to industrialize as it does. Additionally it imports a massive amount of the raw materials it needs (again dependant on free trade). I don't see where or how China would ever be interested in having less free trade; they have a massive population and a comparatively tiny amount of land and resources. Whether they become a autocratic military state or a pluralistic state with an increasing standard of living they'll urgently need imports.
I also am mightily bemused at the alarmist tone regarding China's military development. As I recall their latest naval surge consists of a retrofitted second hand Soviet aircraft carrier yes?
On “Country Music and the Culture War”
Thanks for that man, sorry things are so stressful.
The Bob thing was a no win situation.
"
It went down in the Trust, Standing, and Communication comment thread.
"
James, my own pet theory, Ayn Rand's writings take aim directly at what current conservatives imagine liberals to currently be; anti-capitalist, communist, collectivist, hyper-politically correct, success hating etc. So they find her very appealing. Of course Liberals in general have moved so far to the right in the past thirty-fourty years that most of Rand's criticisms bounce off like nerf darts but in the conservative mind they're devastating indictments.
It's important to keep in mind that during her lifetime Rand's objectivism was read out of the conservative movement for pretty much the reasons you mentioned; her materialism, iron laced small governmentism etc didn't work with their beliefs. But now again there's a certain imagination at work. Rand defenestrates the Liberals conservatives imagine exist (but generally don't) and Rand lauds the small government principles that conservatives imagine themselves to adhere to (but generally don't). She's the opiate of the conservative masses.
On “Random Musings: Songs About Texas Edition”
Well I'm from Eastern Canada and so our version of "bluegrass" is distinctly leftist I'd say. Generally anti-corporate, pro-labor and environmentalist. But it's a muddle of course, probably depends on what themes one labels as conservative.
"
To your #4 Mark I'd submit that Bluegrass is very distinctly art that happens to contain conservative themes. It is not conservative art. Conservative art would be more like Christian Rock or to a much much lesser degree Country (arguably). That's one of the things that always strikes me about the concept of conservative art; by fencing off this little corner of all art and declaring it conservative Conservatives are essentially ceding the rest of the field of art to liberals. I mean I can't recall the last time liberals talked very seriously about Liberal art. They occasionally foray into it, I brought up the Hollywood movies about Iraq, but when they set out to make art that's Liberal first and art second it usually sucks.
I think the difference is that conservatives more often set out to make art that's Conservative and then art. Liberals more often don't. Perhaps it's an anxiety thing; Liberals are convinced that art and beauty are naturally on their side so they don't feel a need to press art into a Liberal mold? I'm just conjecturing out loud here. There's such a prevalent strain in conservatives, this underlying dread that if they present what they believe baldly and on its merits it'll be rejected so it needs to be packaged and branded and sort of hidden under something else and smuggled in like a midget under a party guests petticoats? I don't think Liberals come off that great by comparison, most of their radical ideas and ideals are so defunct they don't even believe in it very strongly themselves; post-capitalism? post-nationalism? mass-solidarity? Global Socialism?
On “Trust, Standing, and Communication”
Ah yes, true dat.
"
Thanks Mark, that's a perfect summary. We knew him, he was a character and sometimes behaved inexcusably but we did know him.
Also personally he was an amazing foil. I think the first time I got mentioned on the front page was when he made one of his Bobisms and I got in some kind of perfect one sentence zing reposte. Scott was so tickled he put it up on the wall and Bob was mightily bemused by it.
"
+1 to that Greg.
"
Heck, Bob didn't even get banned, he departed after being slapped with a censure.
"
Seriously, and better humored too. Plus he'd interject his goading posts with some interesting philisophical and religious stuff. I think when the population grew he went stirr crazy from the target rich environment (this is not an excuse for his behavior).
"
Ditto. I tried to advise people not to take him seriously but the site got busy and I got occupied at my work.
"
Sonmi, if anyone was condescended to it was Bob, all the old regulars would snort, roll their eyes and say "Oh Bob the things you say" and then chuck his goading into the trash. He was treated very unseriously.
Rest assured there's no moaning or moping on my part about the good old days, heck compared to many of the regs I'm just a wet eared newcomer myself.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.