We should not attack Iraq

[Yanny]

I am convinced that terrorism (as we know it) is a caused mainly by our support for two countries. Most of it comes from our support for Saudi Arabia. That regime is oppresive and rich. The ruling families are billionares, but the rest of their country are in extreme poverty. They only stay in power because of American weapons used to stifle rebellions.

The second country is Israel. No need to elaborate there.

[DeviantScripter]

I am convinced that terrorism (as we know it) is a caused mainly by our support for two countries. Most of it comes from our support for Saudi Arabia. That regime is oppresive and rich. The ruling families are billionares, but the rest of their country are in extreme poverty. They only stay in power because of American weapons used to stifle rebellions.

The second country is Israel. No need to elaborate there.

Yea, I’ll probably agree with you about Saudi Arabia. Although the only concern that I would have in disbanding from their alliance is that not supporting that regime could lead to radical groups running the country, similar to Afganhistan. Just a thought… :-?

[Guest]

@dIfrenT:

@F_alk:

Is “equal opportunity” to give the dwarf a ladder so he can reach the apples in the tree???

Your point exactly, F_alk?
I guess that pretty much is equal opportunity, but i’m not sure if i’m reading sarcasm into that that isn’t there. Equal opportunity gives everyone a chance to better him/herself. If people are too lazy to do it for themselves, why should the government make us support the bums?
I can understand helping out those who really can’t fend for themselves, but it’s not the government’s job to do things that the people can do for themselves.

how can you reach equal opportunity, when money buys amon other things education, better lawyers, less taxes to pay …and did i mention education?..
If you are filthy rich, there is no way not to stay filthy rich or become even richer… if you are poor, ther is no way to get out of there, except you are extremely talented in some sports or go criminal.
(which many of the rich are effectively, by avoiding their responsibilities, taxes, buying politicians, and bending the laws)

… Equality is what the Democrats typically tout as one of their main goals. But they mean that everyone should share everything else, so no one is better off than anyone else. A basically socialistic policy.

Not really. What you describe is what most people have been told to believe about socialism.

…In short, equal opportunity and equality are not the same. The former takes initiative and responsibility while all the latter requires is laziness and the ability to sponge off other people.

Well, to get back to the dwarf and the apple tree:
equal opportunity is not saying the dwarf and the giant have equal opportunity in reaching the apples: they just have not. It would be, if oyu gave the dwarf a ladder. If there is no ladder around, then the giant should give half his apples to the dwarf, who should give half of whatever he can pick that the giant can’t reach in exchange….

[DeviantScripter]

Well, to get back to the dwarf and the apple tree:
equal opportunity is not saying the dwarf and the giant have equal opportunity in reaching the apples: they just have not. It would be, if oyu gave the dwarf a ladder. If there is no ladder around, then the giant should give half his apples to the dwarf, who should give half of whatever he can pick that the giant can’t reach in exchange….

Or the dwarf can kiss the giant’s butt and go find another frickin’ tree to pick. :wink:

Obviously, if the dwarf is a smaller person, then he’s not going to need as many apple’s to survive, correct? So grabbing the apple’s that he can reach probably would be sufficient in reality.

[Guest]

@Deviant:Scripter:

Or the dwarf can kiss the giant’s butt and go find another frickin’ tree to pick. :wink:

Obviously, if the dwarf is a smaller person, then he’s not going to need as many apple’s to survive, correct? So grabbing the apple’s that he can reach probably would be sufficient in reality.

Your answer is meant as a joke, isn’t it?

[cystic crypt]

I think it would be inappropriate to expect the giant to give the dwarf half of his apples. Certainly the dwarf might pick something that the giant can’t and barter with it, but i’m guessing that the giant has a greater need for more than half the apples (due to calories consumed/unit weight) than the dwarf who would need fewer apples.
The wealthy need more lawyers - they are more likely to get sued because that’s where the money is. In terms of education, at least in Canada there are all sorts of ways to make it without having wealthy parents - it just requires working harder. My parents didn’t help me very much financially with my education (i.e. i worked my ass off in a factory for 5 summers and christmas holidays), but i’m doing ok anyway, and i have the ability to do what ever i want if i wish to (i believe). Meanwhile the wealthy have more of an impetus to get a higher education and to perform better. Maybe they have “better genes”, they’ve grown up in an environment where they learn how to push, how to succeed, how to work. I grew up in an atmostphere where you didn’t become afraid of hard work but you “get angry with it”.
Is it fair that the wealthy tend to stay wealthy? I don’t think that fairness has anything to do with it. They might stay that way, unless they’re stupid, then evolution will relegate them to the bottom of the heap. Meanwhile i’ve heard to many “rags-to-riches” stories from friends and acquaintances to feel very sorry for that dwarf.

[Guest]

@cystic:

I think it would be inappropriate to expect the giant to give the dwarf half of his apples. Certainly the dwarf might pick something that the giant can’t and barter with it, but i’m guessing that the giant has a greater need for more than half the apples (due to calories consumed/unit weight) than the dwarf who would need fewer apples.

sigh … this was thought as an hand-waving example, more a saying… a metaphor! … SIGH

In terms of education, at least in Canada there are all sorts of ways to make it without having wealthy parents - it just requires working harder. … Maybe they have “better genes”, they’ve grown up in an environment where they learn how to push, how to succeed, how to work. I grew up in an atmostphere where you didn’t become afraid of hard work but you “get angry with it”.

I just read about a survey in germany about the chances to get a higher degree when your parents have one or none… and the selection starts early in germany (opposed to say Finland, which was used to compare, where the selection takes place about 5 years later)…
frightening results: it seems that over here we have to change that our schools try to select (esp. that early, when a lot can happen)…
So, i guess it is both, parents (and the climate they create, do they encourage you to ask questions, do they argue/discuss in a proper way, so you can learn that, do they promote curiousity …etc…) and schools (giving you the same chance regardless of the money you can spend, trying to promote whatever talents you have, as everyone has a talent)…

Is it fair that the wealthy tend to stay wealthy? I don’t think that fairness has anything to do with it. They might stay that way, unless they’re stupid, then evolution will relegate them to the bottom of the heap. Meanwhile i’ve heard to many “rags-to-riches” stories from friends and acquaintances to feel very sorry for that dwarf.

There is a difference: If someone is “mediocre”, then his status won’t change much. So, to get up, you have to be “better than the rest”, to go down, you have to be “extremely stupid”…
This is unfair: You might be better than many many rich-born, but still they will stay “atop” of you, because of their advantage by birth. You have to work unproportionaly (that is the key word) harder to get “up there”

[cystic crypt]

@F_alk:

@cystic:

I think it would be inappropriate to expect the giant to give the dwarf half of his apples. Certainly the dwarf might pick something that the giant can’t and barter with it, but i’m guessing that the giant has a greater need for more than half the apples (due to calories consumed/unit weight) than the dwarf who would need fewer apples.

sigh … this was thought as an hand-waving example, more a saying… a metaphor! … SIGH

oh don’t be such a big baby.

Is it fair that the wealthy tend to stay wealthy? I don’t think that fairness has anything to do with it. They might stay that way, unless they’re stupid, then evolution will relegate them to the bottom of the heap. Meanwhile i’ve heard to many “rags-to-riches” stories from friends and acquaintances to feel very sorry for that dwarf.

There is a difference: If someone is “mediocre”, then his status won’t change much. So, to get up, you have to be “better than the rest”, to go down, you have to be “extremely stupid”…
This is unfair: You might be better than many many rich-born, but still they will stay “atop” of you, because of their advantage by birth. You have to work unproportionaly (that is the key word) harder to get “up there”
so what? That’s life. Some animals work hard for their food, some end up food very easily. The difference between my dog and one that’s about to get shot up north somewhere for being a dog - little to do with talent, lots to do with luck - my dog happened to be a cute, selected for Bijon where the breeding rights are held by only a few, the dead dog is some dog that runs around attacking people and getting into things it shouldn’t. C’est la vie. For me, the moronic wealthy are very useful. They tell me that if i wish, i can be wealthy as i’m “better than they”. (Although fat people encourage me to keep my weight down so that i don’t “end up like that”). Why, because some were accidently born into privilege, should they be forced to give that up? Why, because some were born to lazy slackers should they not have to work hard? Why do we need to design lives?
Don’t get me wrong - i’m all for equal opportunities - keeping the cost of education at a level that’s reasonable for everyone to get a fulltime job during the summer and save to go to school during the winter, incurring whatever loans they may have to. (Again - my family is wealthy and i have a mountain of debt . . . my problem).

[Mr Ghoul]

I agree with CC on the above.
There are far to many people in society who just want things handed to them. They figure that the world owes them a living!
Roadapples!

[dIfrenT]

how can you reach equal opportunity, when money buys amon other things education, better lawyers, less taxes to pay …and did i mention education?

if money buys it, go earn it. over here we have plenty of opportunities to get money. and most, if not all, of our colleges give applicants a chance to get money toward their education by way of work-study, scholarships/grants, and loans. and there are plenty of places to find work…if you’re not too lazy to go find it.

Not really. What you describe is what most people have been told to believe about socialism.

oh really? then please tell me what it actually is.

Well, to get back to the dwarf and the apple tree:
equal opportunity is not saying the dwarf and the giant have equal opportunity in reaching the apples: they just have not. It would be, if oyu gave the dwarf a ladder. If there is no ladder around, then the giant should give half his apples to the dwarf, who should give half of whatever he can pick that the giant can’t reach in exchange….

let the dwarf get is own ladder. if he doesn’t have money for one he can either make one, or go earn some money to buy one. maybe he could ask to borrow one. he has too many opportunities to get one for me (or anyone else) to be mandated to give him one. if the giant wants to give half or however much of the apples to the dwarf, fine. that’s good, and that’s the way i think it should be. let him want to give it, not be forced to give it. and if they want to trade, very good. but don’t make them trade. that’s taking away their ability to choose it. and frankly, when someone takes my choice in the matter away (especially for something i would do anyway, without the command) i get pretty upset. needless to say, my parents taught me independence, initiative, and the ability to think for myself.

as for “fairness,” that’s an argument that never ends. it just goes on in endless circles. first man A without some object say it’s not fair that man B has X amount of this object. man B should have to give man A some of the object. man B says it’s not fair that he should give some to man A when man A can find a way to get his own.
obviously, IMO, if man A is too lazy to get off his butt to earn his own stuff, he’s out of luck.

[DeviantScripter]

First, the majority of wealthy people in this country have EARNED their wealth. Very few have INHERITED it. In my opinion, the biggest reason for people not passing on their wealth is becuase of the crap-heap of counter-productive social programs out there.

For example, people living off of social security cannot pass that accumulated wealth onto their sons, daughters, etc. Whereas wealthy people actually OWN their money, therefore there are able to bequeth it to their future generations.

SIDENOTE: Did you know that you are not legally entitled to any social security money, even after you’ve paid into it your entire life? Amazing.

[Guest]

@Deviant:Scripter:

First, the majority of wealthy people in this country have EARNED their wealth. Very few have INHERITED it.

Different here, or better: changing. My generation already is called the “heritage generation”, because that’s where we will get a lot from.
If you have a look at the development of income over here, keyed after the age of the people…. then you would be surprised. The older ones may say “look what we have built for you”, but i have to answer “yes, but it was on credit, of my money, and i have to pay interest for you”
And of course, the income of the retired (say age 65-69) increased about 90% in the last 30 years, the income of the 25-34 year old increased by 21% in the same time…
So, over here, it’s not that much earning for yourself, but hoping your parents have earned.

SIDENOTE: Did you know that you are not legally entitled to any social security money, even after you’ve paid into it your entire life? Amazing.

Well, i am. It’s not enough to live and too much to die, but i am entitled to some money. (and i will pay about 100 grand more into the governments age-security/insurance for retirement than i will get back)

[Guest]

@cystic:

Don’t get me wrong - i’m all for equal opportunities - keeping the cost of education at a level that’s reasonable for everyone to get a fulltime job during the summer and save to go to school during the winter, incurring whatever loans they may have to. (Again - my family is wealthy and i have a mountain of debt . . . my problem).

That is about what i wanted to say. Assuming the same amount of work: Still, the “rich kid” will not need to work during summer, graduate faster, probably with a better degree as it can spend more time studying, probably will add a semester overseas to its CV……
And the companies look for young with good grades and that were abroad.

It is a problem to create equal opportunities without disallowing parents to support their kids.

[Guest]

@dIfrenT:

if money buys it, go earn it. over here we have plenty of opportunities to get money. and most, if not all, of our colleges give applicants a chance to get money toward their education by way of work-study, scholarships/grants, and loans. and there are plenty of places to find work…if you’re not too lazy to go find it.

That’s different here, and read what i wrote above,answering CC.

Not really. What you describe is what most people have been told to believe about socialism.

oh really? then please tell me what it actually is.

I can tell you where to find it. I don’t promote lazyness, and i don’t want to bias you.

let the dwarf get is own ladder. …he has too many opportunities to get one for me (or anyone else) to be mandated to give him one.

Do you all try to misinterprete me?
THis was an example about “not equal opportunities”, how can you come up with “too many opportunities”?

as for “fairness,” that’s an argument that never ends.

Too true.

[cystic crypt]

i think you had about 5-6 points i was going to try to misinterpret you on, but my heart was filling with kindness . . . .
stupid dwarf. Why doesn’t he just learn to eat blueberries . . . .

[DeviantScripter]

Do you all try to misinterprete me?
THis was an example about “not equal opportunities”, how can you come up with “too many opportunities”?

…because that’s what your solution to the problem was providing the dwarf.

[TG Moses VI]

and most, if not all, of our colleges give applicants a chance to get money toward their education by way of work-study, scholarships/grants, and loans. and there are plenty of places to find work…if you’re not too lazy to go find it.

Funny. Even then I am too cheap to afford any of the private colleges in Southern California :) Now that Gray Davis has looted California expect major increases in tuition fees next year.

let the dwarf get is own ladder. if he doesn’t have money for one he can either make one, or go earn some money to buy one. maybe he could ask to borrow one. he has too many opportunities to get one for me (or anyone else) to be mandated to give him one. if the giant wants to give half or however much of the apples to the dwarf, fine. that’s good, and that’s the way i think it should be. let him want to give it, not be forced to give it. and if they want to trade, very good. but don’t make them trade. that’s taking away their ability to choose it. and frankly, when someone takes my choice in the matter away (especially for something i would do anyway, without the command) i get pretty upset. needless to say, my parents taught me independence, initiative, and the ability to think for myself.

Can not the giant give the dwarf a lift on his/her shoulders? Or perhaps that is too communistic. :) It is funny that capitalism functions best in a perfect competitive market structure, but even here you are not allowing it.

That’s different here, and read what i wrote above,answering CC.

Thank god I left Europe as fast as I could. I was never a big fan of the early selection process. :)

[Guest]

@Deviant:Scripter:

Do you all try to misinterprete me?
THis was an example about “not equal opportunities”, how can you come up with “too many opportunities”?

…because that’s what your solution to the problem was providing the dwarf.

The solution was too many opportunities ?
Maybe i should have added: there is nothing else to eat but apples…. or something like that.

[Guest]

@F_alk:

@Deviant:Scripter:

Do you all try to misinterprete me?
THis was an example about “not equal opportunities”, how can you come up with “too many opportunities”?

…because that’s what your solution to the problem was providing the dwarf.

The solution was too many opportunities ?
Maybe i should have added: there is nothing else to eat but apples…. or something like that.

No, your solution was giving him too many opportunities. Thus making it unfair for the tall person.

[TG Moses VI]

Longest topic ever. :)