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Messages - Gorjo MacGrymm

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121
Life Advice / Re: Pro-Choice Abortion Info needed for debate
« on: April 15, 2011, 10:47:40 am »
Hmm... vasectomies also extinguish potential lives (perhaps many of them).  Do some doctors refuse to perform those on moral grounds too?
Thats a silly analogy.  If a guy burns a box of nails, did he kill a house?  If a guy spills some gas on the ground at the station, did he kill a car?  Seperate distinct parts of a whole that rae not currently being asembled into are not part of the equation.  The potential life statement is poorly chosen.  Once the egg is fetilized, it begins to grow and multiply on its own, life has started on a micro-level.  Life that otherwise would not exist without fertilization.  The potential is that it may become a human being.  It may be auto-aborted/mis-carried by the mother due to injury, disease, or a multitude of other factors.  But nontheless, a new living entity is growing independently within a mother, with its own DNA and needs.  The new life symbiotically uses the mother for sustenance and other needs.

If you want a moral argument for vasectomy, read Genesis.  Specifically, "Be fruitful and multiply." 

My take on it.

122
General Discussion / Re: Pakistan to CIA: Hit the road, Jack
« on: April 15, 2011, 10:34:41 am »
I just wanted to pop in to remind the dear americans that you can't compare USA and Europa like you keep doing. First of all, Europa is no where near united and talking about Europa as a single entity is completely idiotic, even in modern times, since there are still European nations who do not seek membership with EU.

Strife said "Would you like to know the benefits of America taking her place as a global superpower? Spending a metric crapton on directly rebuilding Europe? Like not "we'll loan you money" or "we'll have American business build shit" but "take our fucking money and unfuck yourselves, please.""

And I say, holy crap. Unfuck ourselves? You're just blaming a whole fucking continent for a few nations war lust. Care to tell me how places like Scandinavia and the Netherlands "Fucked themselves"?

By not spending half their income on military? By not being safe across the atlantic? Would America have punched Germany like Superman punches a bankrobber had it been America sharing borders with Germany?

I am not anti-american, but I am damn fucking sick about nationalist americans and their fucking cavalry attitude. Europa is happy for your support, but it's not like we've not been through worse.

Hitler would've lost sooner or later, with or without America and while you helped speed it up, thank you, you did not save the day with your magical superstate powers. Americas ascending to a superpower happened through the destruction that waged across Europe due to various complicated shit. Coming in last minute does not varrant a heroes welcome, it varrants a thank you.

And from there on, it only got worse. I'll admit I'm ashamed that a dane helped you create that fucking horrible bomb that every state big state is humping or trying to get a hold of to hump today.

Edit: Holy shit it felt good to get that out.

Thats nice Nine.  Glad you go that out. 

*rest of post erased.  Not rising to the bait.

123
Life Advice / Re: Random question
« on: April 14, 2011, 11:17:35 pm »
Go see hanna.  Its awesome.  Modern retelling of Grim farie tales.   really neat movie, stylish with lots of symbolism and forshadowing.  and for action guys, a cute teenage girl killing machine.  trust me, its not an action movie per se.

124
General Discussion / Re: Pakistan to CIA: Hit the road, Jack
« on: April 14, 2011, 07:31:56 pm »
Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I have read that right now, the Pakistani goverment is torn between wanting (and needing) US help and intervention and between the need to pacify a large segment of their population who currently hates the US.  I do not mean this to imply that this segment of the population is all terrorists or al queada or taliban or anything like that.  Just people with opinions and a strong sense of national pride.  I am of the opinion its a case of public face vs. private face on this issue.  And like I said earlier, I was wondering when it was going to blow up.

125
No, he is right.  In the IRS launches an audit against you, the burden of proof is on you to provide documentation that they're wrong.  If you can't provide such documentation, you pay up.  Sure, you can probably try going to court, but without having millionaire-class legal representation, you're going to lose.  Which should tell you something about who's doing to the tax cheating.  Quite true.

Thanks for the info, I honestly never have heard that ratio.  Also, about the law in the link, go for sources other then from political spin shops:  http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h112-3

I'm not sure it counts as a spin shop when the site provides a direct link to the bill themselves.  Besides, who here can actually read that stuff, considering most of the bill is just striking and word-by-word amending lines in a multitude of other bills.
My own cynicism says, plenty of political rags on both sides would link the law, granting themselves legitamacy at the same time counting on their readers to think "...who (sic) can actually read that stuff, considering most of the bill is just striking and word-by-word amending lines in a multitude of other bills."

But your point is valid, IMO most bills are basicly illegible to citizen joe/jane bloe (and myself), but thats another subject.  This bill seemed rather straight forward, to me at least.

126
General Discussion / Re: Pakistan to CIA: Hit the road, Jack
« on: April 14, 2011, 05:22:14 pm »
---Nothing to see here folks, move along with your discussion   8)  *policeman waving you past traffic scene

@Aqizzar
I am trying to puzzle out what your intent there was Aqizzar.  I dont SEE my hypocrisy, but then again, objective self-investigation isnt something that I (and IMO most everyone) am very good at.  Perhaps there is an unforseen argument to my old posts I missed, or maybe I implied some nuance without realizing or intending it, or maybe I just cant/wont see it, cuz, well, being called out when your wrong sucks!  :P

But I cannot really place your quotes together with my previous post, but that doesnt mean its not valid.  I had tried to make a point to say that yes, I can be hypocritical in my own view of diplomacy also.  But not sure how my old posts show that.  I was just trying to state that saying "red whitehouse bad/no diplomacy - blue whitehouse good/diplomacy" wasnt fair and give a reason.

maybe I am missing the response you are targeting in this forum, maybe its this one:
I see a lot of disinformation here from some people who only skimmed over some wikipedia documents, failed to read that the subjects were "opinions" and then finalized their bias by not reasearching any further and then claiming their point of view to be fact and inarguable.  Well done.  Your right, arguing with said people about their beliefs IS a waste of time.

Back on topic, 2 more missiles strikes yesterday and now the pakistan's are really pissed.  Pakistan is caught between its need for US aid and funding, its divided loyalties between the east and the west half of its own country, and its bitter rival India who is just growing more powerful by the day.  The situation is as screwed up as any. (taking bets on how long till the usual suspects level blame on their favorite target.....)

Is there a solution out of this mess that doesnt involve even more bloodshed, conflict and acts of extreme selfish national interest (yours, ours, theirs, everyones, etc)?  Somehow I doubt it.
  But after reading that twice, I still dont see it.  But, since I know your an intelligent man, I am sure I probably said something foolish to earn:   Funny how two years of a Democratic president managed to engender such a love of diplomacy, nuanced understanding of populations, and accountability with foreign governments.

I am not looking for a big take-down of myself here, but maybe just highlight some sentences or something to let me see your point.  Sometimes I really think that yourself and I missread each others statements constantly, or simply fail to say what we mean cleary enough.  'Course, maybe its just me.


127
The IRS, the only place in America where your guilty until proven innocent.  Of course, revenue enforcement inst an easy task.  Needs must when the devil drives and all that, ya'know?

Of course, Nadaka, what happened to your mother is atrocious.  You have my prayers and sympathies.

Yeah. They need to learn how to take on someone their own size.

They can start with every large corporation ever, some of which pay less taxes than I do, and I make less than 10k/yr.
Ummm, that would be extremely difficult, unless its GE!   :P

I would like to see where it has been shown.  If nothing else, it would be interesting reading.  Also, I retract my last post until further sources can be gathered or dismissed.

Most news stories about the IRS cuts will quote that "every dollar spent on the IRS brings in about ten dollars of government revenue".  They're quoting Ezra Klein and the Associated Press - you can haw it off as "liberal media" if you want, but there's no small amount of research data available about the federal department outside of the military.  And going back into past years has shown that every time the IRS's budget is cut or grown, government revenue drops or grows by about 1:10, relative to the economic conditions.

Not that the Republican congress really gives a damn about what the IRS is actually for.
Thanks for the info, I honestly never have heard that ratio.  Also, about the law in the link, go for sources other then from political spin shops:  http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h112-3.  Also, check out the Hyde amendment, since the new bill basicly adds to it.


edit:  can anyone find a link to what the current Hyde Ammendent states, since it tends to vary from year to year (its not a law, but a rider usually attached to the annual budget)?  Also, if no budget was passed last year, is the Hyde ammendment still in force?  i cant find any quick answers to this, help pls.

edit2:  here is some good info:  http://www.nchla.org/datasource/ifactsheets/4FSHydeAm22a.08.pdf

128
General Discussion / Re: Pakistan to CIA: Hit the road, Jack
« on: April 14, 2011, 04:33:25 pm »
Ah. So when the White House is red, diplomacy be damned. When the White House is blue, now the WoT is totally negotiable and diplomacy comes first, because it's the opposition's responsibility. Gotcha. I believe you guys call that flip flopping.
This isnt a fair statement.  When the White House was "red", the US was heavily involved in diplomacy.  Condoleeza Rice was an amazing secretary of state and the work she did was both humbling and awe-inspiring.  Disagreeing with diplomatic direction doesnt equate to no diplomacy.  I would make the bet that in Pakistan, the Bush admin worked much harder on diplomacy than the current admin, considering the protests of the pakistani goverment atm.  This goes both ways, just because I may disgree with Obama's diplomacy, doesnt mean he isnt trying.


129
Hasn't it been shown that every dollar spent on the IRS results in more than a dollar return to the government? Maybe it wouldn't hold for 8billion in increases, but I'd be willing to bet you'd get a damned site more than 6million out of it, and it would be worth it just to cut down on the criminals and freeloaders abusing the system.
It has. I am sure it would hold for 8 billion dollars as well. Cutting the IRS budget is simple stupidity.
I would like to see where it has been shown.  If nothing else, it would be interesting reading.  Also, I retract my last post until further sources can be gathered or dismissed.

130
However, cutting the IRS's budget by $600million, guaranteeing more taxes going unenforced and therefore increasing the deficit, was entirely a Republican amendment.
Of course, a president who proposes over 8 Billion in new IRS hires and enforcement strategies to collect that extra 600 million is freaking brilliant.

edit:  ignore this, looking for better sources.  the 8 billion claim looks like more of a budget shuffle within the IRA than new spending.  more to follow.

131
<snip>
That was both ludicrous, and very very funny.

edit(times3): for spelling, formatting, and generally idiocy in finding ways to screw up suck a simple reply.......sheesh

I lol'd
edit(times3): for spelling, formatting, and generally idiocy in finding ways to screw up suck a simple reply.......sheesh

:D

lol captian screw up to the rescue...................dammit.   I adamantly refuse to edit that post again!

132
Life Advice / Re: Don't you love min-maxing dice rolls?
« on: April 14, 2011, 03:24:53 pm »
...How it works, is that you shot, and you get a chance of a skill, such as cripple firing up.
But if you aim 3 turns(in essence pass the turns doing nothing) the chance triples...
I see.  Basicly, if your three attacks normally are more effective then the "cripple firing up", then, no, its not worth it.  If your single attack and one "cripple firing up" does more damage then three normal attacks, then go for it.  Does it apply to any attack (i am envisioning ranged attacks since your aiming)?  Maybe is you had like 1 "+5 super destructo arrow" and a whole bunch of reagular ones, then i can see going for the big upgrade on the chance for "cripple firing up" would be worth it with the big arrow.

Quote
Because a slightly higher chance to inflict cripple wasn't worth the extra damage I can make
  yeah, thats what had me wondering.  It might change at differenct levels as mob HP and weapon damage changes, or against specific mobs.

133
DF General Discussion / Re: Dwarf Fortress Commercials
« on: April 14, 2011, 03:14:39 pm »
Let me tell you a story of a ragtag band of wanderers who find a new home to settle far from their old masters.  A story of life, love and family, of a community working together to strike the earth and create a future for themselves.
-cut to scene of a female dwarf holding her baby while she picks ripe pickle berries from a farm plot. 

A place of where danger lurks around every corner seeking to tear down this peaceful life.
-cut to scene of evil ugly goblin watching from the shadows as the mother puts her baby down while she returns to work in the fields.
-cut to scene of distraught mother crying and screaming reaching out into the darkness from her doorway, "Noooo, bring back my baby!"

A place where the machines of war are fueled by the burning rage and grudges against those who would upset this new land.
-cut to scene of many dwarven weapon and armor smiths working forges scattered around a pool of magma, the red/orange backglow painting the shining steel of new weapons and armor a dull blood red.

A place where ingenuity, invention and cunning are as deadly as any army.
-cut to scene of sweaty dwarf working with hand tools on some mechanical device.  camera pans back to show a control box with a lever sticking out of it.  he tightens the last screw and then pulls the lever.  Hundreds of giant steel serrated disks erupt from the hallway behind him in a dazzling display of deadly intent and engineering brilliance.  "Groovy", he says.

A place where the pain and terror of war are far too familair companions.
-cut to scene in hospital, beds and traction tables full of brave, wounded dwarven soldiers, beards matted with red blood.  A much over worked doctor storms into the shot, "More soap dammit, We need more Soap!" he bellows out in frustration.

A place where loss and suffering are felt deeper then the cut of any knife.
-cut to scene of drunken dwarf in mess hall yelling in hysterical frustration, "Dammit, there all dead. All of them.  Do you hear me, all of them!  My friends, my famliy!  All lost!"  he smashes his table in a sudden rage, grabbing his chair and throwing it across the room, hitting another dwarf.  Turning, he grabs the dwarf drinking behind him and begins to beat him mercilessly while in the background shouts can be heard from city guardsman.

A place where the past seems to always find you.
-cut scene to a noble arriving at the new town, sneering at the old expedition leader.

A place where the cruelty of government can be felt like a yoke about the neck of freedom.
-cut to a scene of same noble giving a speech, "I hearby declare that No silver blocks shall hencforth be sold until time as I see fit.  Also, I demand that my bedroom be furninshed in platinum only. bedecked with many gems!"  behind her can be scene dwarves carrying large hammers, an ugly, gleeful look in there eyes.

A place where justice can be as unforgiving as the foulest of demon gods.
-cut to scene of dwarven commoner lying on the ground amongst dark shadows, one hand raised over him in defense.  Scattered about him are silver blocks glinting from distant torchlight. "Look, you just dont understand, I have to sell them to feed my family.  Dont you get it?!  The economy is broken!"  The camera pans to show a wickedly armored dwarf lifting a giant hammer over his head with a snarl, before bringing it down with brutal efficiency, his eyes and smiling teeth gleaming in the dancing light.



----------thats all i got now.  this is a great thread.  Also,........sigg'd
"Oh my god guys, wood, is like, totally murder."

134
Would it really be a bad thing if the government stopped nearly all forms of regulation? I mean, the government has proved they can do pretty much nothing right.

Yeah, I found this:
Quote
This morning, I was awoken by my alarm clock powered by electricity generated by my local public power monopoly regulated by the US Department of Energy. I then took a shower in the clean water provided by my Municipal water utility. After that, I turned on the TV to one of the FCC regulated channels to see what the National Weather Service of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration determined the weather was going to be like, using satellites designed, built and launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. I watched this while eating my breakfast of US Department of Agriculture inspected food and taking drugs which have been determined as safe by the Food and Drug Administration.

At the appropriate time, as regulated by Congress and kept accurate by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the US Naval Observatory, I get into my National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved automobile and set out to work on the roads built and maintained by the local, state, and Federal Departments of Transportation. On the way, I stop to purchase additional fuel of a quality level determined by the Environmental Protection Agency, using legal tender issued by the Federal Reserve Bank. On the way out the door, I deposit any mail I have to be sent out via the Congressionally-regulated US Postal Service and drop my kids off at our local government-owned and Department of Education mandated public school.

After work, I drive my NHTSA-approved car back home on the DOT maintained roads, to the house which has not burned down in my absence because of state and local building codes and Fire Marshall's inspection, and which has not been plundered of all its valuables thanks to the local police department.

I then log on to the Internet, which was developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Administration, and post on FreeRepublic and Fox News Forums about how our GOVERNMENT is a horrible SOCIALIST TYRANT who can't do anything right and needs to stay out of my life.
That was both ludicrous, and very very funny.

edit(times3): for spelling, formatting, and generally idiocy in finding ways to screw up suck a simple reply.......sheesh

135
Life Advice / Re: Pro-Choice Abortion Info needed for debate
« on: April 14, 2011, 02:26:20 pm »
     Interstesting dilemna your discussing here.  If there is not threat to the womans (or fetus' for that matter) health, is a doctor obligated to give an abortion under his hippocratic oath?  Does the possiblity that the women may go seek it elsewhere under possibly more dangerous conditions force his hand?  Or is that just trying to blame the doctor for personal choices of another?  No one can know who will and wont go get an abortion elsewhere, if they choose another reputable doctor or a "back-alley".  IFAIK, it is legal inthe US to refuse to do abortions on a healthy women carrying a healthy fetus.  This is a really interesting side of the debate I have never thought about before.
     Because I naturally gravitate towards the pro-life side for various reasons, my knee-kerk reaction is obvious.  But, I also beleive that if someone needs a Doctor for health issues they believe need to be addressed, the Doctor has no business denying service unless the patient is suffereing from some psychological illness (ie, need for repeated face lifts, body sculpting, etc).  Also, I am aware of how fine a line I may be drawing with that.  Hence, the intersting dilemna.   I am sure that if i was a pregnant woman or doctor with a moral abhorrence to abortion, i would find it less "interesting" and far more frightening.

EDIT:  In another thread, funding the IRS came up in discussion, which led to concerns about a law requiring the IRS to audit abortions.  That lead me to this document which is very informative about abortion reduction, goverment funding, and a lack of evidence of "back alley abortions" in lieu of germent funded abortions from the CDC.  its quite interesting, even if its from a prolife site.  Worth reading.  http://www.nchla.org/datasource/ifactsheets/4FSHydeAm22a.08.pdf

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