The US is #1!

[Chas]

(24-01-2013 03:37 PM)frankiej Wrote:  Dno if this has been posted before... if it has, then fuck you, it is epic anyway.

Yeah, that.

Yes it's been posted - it's still epic.

[Dark Light]

That reminds me of one of my favorite songs...although the song is written by someone who has some socialist tendencies she is on the mark about our war mongering and many other issues as well. This is one of the reasons why I didn't like the highly revered Christopher Hitchens. Anyway, I'll post the cover version (A Perfect Circle), which I like better than the original (Joni Mitchell)...I cannot watch the video, but I love the song.

[Kaloste]

You have to admit, the American education system sucks. After all, the students are taught that America is "Number 1!"

[Free Thought]

There are worse educative systems though, Kaloste.

[Kaloste]

(26-01-2013 11:35 AM)Free Thought Wrote:  There are worse educative systems though, Kaloste.

Why yes, there are.

Middle eastern kids have some messed up schooling. Most African kids have zero. China may have the best schools, but who in the right mind would send their child there?

[Free Thought]

(26-01-2013 11:41 AM)Kaloste Wrote:  

(26-01-2013 11:35 AM)Free Thought Wrote:  There are worse educative systems though, Kaloste.

Why yes, there are.

Middle eastern kids have some messed up schooling. Most African kids have zero. China may have the best schools, but who in the right mind would send their child there?

Japan has excellent schooling, if strict as hell.

North Korea, if I remember correctly, has one of the highest adult literacy rates in the world, so I guess they have something to be proud of.

Down here in Aus, it aint all that bad either, if you can afford the education

[Kaloste]

(26-01-2013 11:57 AM)Free Thought Wrote:  Down here in Aus, it aint all that bad either, if you can afford the education

Is there public education in Australia?

[Free Thought]

Yes, but you do have to pay school fees. And those can get pretty steep depending on your area.

[earmuffs]

Quote:Oh bother, I've been debating with a madman.

I prefer "realist not 'clouded' by mindless patriotism and poor education."

Quote:I've never brought up economics. Whether it's the most expensive or not our military is the best in the world.

It is a drain on your economy, it's wasteful, it has horrible policies (and not just relating to gays, but things like targeting the poor and many relating to hospital care for soliders), it is a breeding ground of violence (the video of the attack helecopter piolet begging to be aloud to kill those innocent women and children anyone?) and racism and most of all it is used as a political tool to further instill the pointless but harmful thing that is patriotism.

Quote:You're happy with where you live? Good, glad to hear it. I'm sure NZ is a wonderful place with lovely weather.

It is. I can ski in the winter only an hour's drive (3hours if I want better ski fields though). And during the summer (well, and the winter for that matter but.. well.. it's winter) the beach is 45minutes or less for 98% of this countries population. (The other 2% being Taupo which is right next to a huge ass lake, Lake Taupo).

I just drove 550kms, not a cloud in the sky the whole way, it is rather pleasently warm today too.

Quote:Taxation is directly linked with freedom.

What a load of shit.

Quote:Americans were not just British
colonists who wanted their overlords to save a buck.

Sorry you're right, there was some Spanish and French colonists too.

Quote:Yes, I would, but I would not die for my government.

But you would be dying for your government.
The issue resulting in war would be a political one.

It's like the Thomas Jefferson thing. You can say that those men died for liberty and freedom from expression blah blah blah etc.. but no they didn't. They died so some rich guy with over 100 slaves wouldn't have to pay taxes.

That's how the world works.
You can have a revolution for example, but the poor will remain poor and the rich will remain rich, expect now they'll be rich AND powerful.

To die for ones country is a stupid notion in itself.
Tos imply say "yes I would" without further asking context is stupid IMO. (That being that WW2 would be perhaps worth while to die for, where as Iraq.. not so much)


If I remember correctly you mentioned before that Americans need to eat some humble pie.
I disagree. To say this implies you have something you should be humble about... which you don't, which is the point.

[Julius]

(26-01-2013 08:51 PM)earmuffs Wrote:  It is a drain on your economy, it's wasteful, it has horrible policies (and not just relating to gays, but things like targeting the poor and many relating to hospital care for soliders), it is a breeding ground of violence (the video of the attack helecopter piolet begging to be aloud to kill those innocent women and children anyone?) and racism and most of all it is used as a political tool to further instill the pointless but harmful thing that is patriotism.

I figure you are right - I figure our Military Indulgence and Spending will hasten our demise as a world cultural power. Nevertheless, all the waste and killing gives a lot of people in this country a "Hard-On" - and as long as they can indulge in that shit without serious and immediate reprecusions, then they will do it. All the while, we will continue to slowly circle the drain.

So be it. America is a "Powerholic" - we are drunk on power - and we'll keep drinking until we hit "rock bottom".