Fringe on 9/11/2008 at 01:02

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The "look what two people from even a liberal institution say--it must be true!" trope is too old to work anymore, dude. Universities aren't some alien world where absolutely no conservative/libertarians are allowed ever.

The trope is particularly annoying when it's used to support an (http://eh.net/lists/archives/eh.res/feb-1997/0010.php) idea that's decidedly in the minority of professional opinion. So do yourself and the rest of us a favor and knock it off, okay?

Fringe on 9/11/2008 at 02:04

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That's a little misleading. Half of those answering wouldn't accept the statement as said without "provisos." What those provisos are, I'm curious to know, because the survey never says.

Even both taken together remain a minority--and much more so among historians.

Gryzemuis on 9/11/2008 at 02:46

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Yeah, let's attack someone for playing videogames. On the forums of a website dedicated to people playing old(er) videogames. That'll work.

I won't attack people quickly because of a weird hobby they have. But this guy is telling the world the most ridiculous mis-information. He invites people to mock him.



OK, it seems I made a mistake here. English is not my first language. I thought "downfall" means "going downwards". And it seems to mean "being at the bottom". Sorry. Of course the US are still there. But I do think the movement in the downward direction started with the Bush administration.



I'm doing fine for myself, thanks. But I am not living in the US. If we look at the difference in the situation for the US, between the start and the end of the Bush administration, we can see a number of changes.

- being in 2 wars, which costs your taxpayers loads of money, with little stimulating impact on your own economy.

- having a huge state debt. and spending every day more than you make.

- the day when Bush was elected, the dollar was worth 1.16 euros. when Obama won, it was worth 0.76 euros. That's a loss of 30 percent. It means all stuff in the US is judged to be worth 30% less than we used to think.

- you lost a bunch of privacy. your goverment introduced a new way of governing where they do much more things in secrecy. you re-introduced torture to the modern world. you keep people without trial for years.

- 8 more years lost, without taking any measures towards solving the unavoidable energy and environmental problems.

- high oil prices. contrary to the goal of the Iraq invasion, it seems to me the US has less control over oil (price) than they had before the invasion. although this is not a benefit for the US people, it does have a benefit for oil companies. although it does not change "peak oil", it does seem to bring the problems of peak oil closer.

- but worst of all, the Bush goverment has kept a spirit of fear in your country. It is a cliche that right-wing goverments always need an "enemy image" to be able to push the people in the direction they want. Bush has found that enemy quickly. And they milked it for 7 years. After looking at all the Al-Quaida attacks on the US *after* 9/11, I'd say that the threat of muslim attacks on the US is very minimal. Not enough to make it such a huge issue.



Just because I used the word "downfall" ? My apologies. Although I don't think the US is at the bottom, I do think they moved downward over the last 8 years. If you compare it with the 8 years of Clinton.

My point again: of course there is tension during elections. But it seems the tension is only getting worse, after the elections are over. And I can not think of another reason than that many people are misinformed. It looks pretty sad.

sergeantgiggles on 9/11/2008 at 03:19

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Okay, seems like we just had a misunderstanding. I have some disagreement with what you said afterwards, but don't consider myself on solid enough ground to argue it.



Yes, it is. Makes me more than a little afraid. I hope Obama is keeping his personal security at the top of his priorities, and doesn't do anything to jeopardize his person.



Let me spell it out, please: you attacked random right-wing nutcase for making videos about toys. which "everybody" knows are for kids. We are both people who are enthusiastic about video games, which is obvious since we are on TTLG. To make a point, I "attacked" you for playing video games, which "everybody" knows are for kids.

Gryzemuis on 9/11/2008 at 03:40

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I need to make myself more clear when I post.

I don't mind people playing with toys. I don't mind people playing games. I rather see people doing crazy, irrational or childlike things, than to see them "play grown up". Running the ratrace, being managers, trying to look important, raising families because their wives want them to, but they have little interest or time for it. Taking a job which requires them to commute 4 hours per day. Things like that. Doing stuff that doesn't make them happy. I rather see them play Quake or Fallout3, or even collect toys.

But Power Rangers ?
Come on !
:D