American Independence Day - July 4th - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 02:43:12 am
content: As you might or might not know, tomorrow (in America, I think it's already the 4th in Australia) is our Independence Day. It celebrates our independence from British rule, and marks the time we set out on our own as a nation.I'm not going to try to defend many of the things the US is doing right now, because they're not defensible. Nor am I going to go all "rah rah USA USA" because frankly that's not what it means to me. I think that, when you strip it down, the general principles the country was founded on - for *all* its faults - are pretty laudable and really helped to make the country the powerhouse it has been for the past couple of hundred years. Self determination. The notion that no one can tell you what is best for you except for you. The idea of electing - and getting rid of - your own leaders. The idea of a nonviolent coup every four years. I think that, again, for all of our faults, I've been pretty damn lucky to live in the US.Most Americans will spend tomorrow watching fireworks or blowing shit up (in hopefully a safe and controlled manner, but look up "sparkler bomb" on youtube and cringe), eating hot dogs and hamburgers on the barbecue, maybe seeing friends or taking a trip. Probably mostly blowing things up. So, to my American friends here, happy Independence day, and to my non-American friends here, happy 4th anyway, and to my British friends here, neener neener!

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 02:52:24 am
content: Happy Independence Day to all fellow Americans !Quote from: duskglow on July 04, 2013, 02:43:12 am

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 02:53:56 am
content: I'll quote a former co-worker, a Yorkshireman who fell in love with one of his American business contacts, got married, had a daughter, and became a US Citizen. I met him Sept 11, 2002 when I started a new job and I think he was wearing a shirt with a US Flag on it that day.He wrote a poem for the 4th and posted it today, I thought it was nice.Quote from: Unhiddenlight

author: ampdoctor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 03:23:07 am
content: This is what tomorrow is about...not fireworks and bbq's. Please read it below. I don't mean read over it, because most of us have heard the words, I mean take the time to slowly and deliberately read and ingest what's being said. This is arguably the greatest document ever penned in the course of western civilization, and possibly the history of all humanity.While we seem to have gotten a bit off the track in the past few years, this is really the foundation of what it means to be an American. We are not black, nor white, nor Asian, nor European, nor Hispanic. We are a nation of people banded together under the idea that our birthright as human beings is that we are the possessor of our own lives and we can do with it as we will to our betterment as we see fit, and that the citizens have authority over the government and that they are ultimately answerable to us!Preamble to the Declaration of Independence:We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

author: BravoV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 03:31:02 am
content: Had a goose bumps while reading that throughly, thank you.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 03:43:48 am
content: Quote from: BravoV on July 04, 2013, 03:31:02 amThe man that wrote that would make a good President... Oh wait...Quote

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 09:16:10 am
content: Quote

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 10:44:21 am
content: In 1778, General Whipple led another New Hampshire militia brigade (4th, 5th, 15th, Peabody's and Langdon's) at the Battle of Rhode Island. His slave, Prince Whipple, followed the General to war and served with him throughout. William Whipple freed his slave Prince, having believed he could not fight for liberty and own a slave.

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 11:04:46 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 04, 2013, 10:44:21 amIt's just a shame that it took almost another hundred years before slavery was abolished.It's also a shame that the author of the poster can't spell independence.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 03:38:27 pm
content: Doh. Well at least it wasn't me but I did go back and fix it.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 04:08:15 pm
content: I saw this today"We dumped their tea into our harbor, so they dumped their oil into our gulf. Touche."

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 04:42:52 pm
content: Quote from: rolycat on July 04, 2013, 11:04:46 amThis was one of the charges against George III that was in the original draft but was not in the final version.Quote from: Thomas Jefferson

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 05:37:51 pm
content: It was worth fighting for then, and it's worth fighting for now.Even though most people feel entitled to freedom some of us still work hard to keep it, and the nonsense the rest of the world sees in the mainstream media is not typical of 90% of Americans.There's never been a better time to be alive, we've never eaten better, had access to information, or had more freedom.Unfortunately there are still people in the world that would force their religion, false morals, and Ideals on us.....and they still kill and enslave everyday.I look forward to a day when every single person in the world can celebrate the day they declared their independence.Our job is not done.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 05:42:20 pm
content: Quote from: 4to20Milliamps on July 04, 2013, 05:37:51 pmThe problem is, we would do the same.

author: 4to20Milliamps
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 06:18:35 pm
content: Not "we", I don't remember giving them permission to do most of the crap they do, but they sure use my tax money to do it with.

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 07:19:06 pm
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 04, 2013, 02:43:12 amAs I Brit, allow me to say we celebrate the 4th as the day we got rid of an uncivilised colony.Not only do they use sea water to make tea - they don't play cricketNeil

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 07:21:48 pm
content: So what would you make tea with if not water?

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 07:27:36 pm
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 04, 2013, 07:21:48 pmI wouldn't useseawaterNeil

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 07:31:39 pm
content: Quote from: Neilm on July 04, 2013, 07:19:06 pmSo what you're saying is...Also we Americans celebrate it as the day we got rid of a lot of superfluous letter "U"s (I say this while using a word with 3 "U"s in it!)

author: Neilm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 07:33:41 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 04, 2013, 07:31:39 pm

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 07:38:09 pm
content: I laughed out loud AND posted it to G+.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2013, 09:48:15 pm
content: If we fly our drones high enough we can even see what's going on in Toronto.

author: ignator
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 12:04:04 am
content: Nice artwork.And I think this "States" interrupt, was not needed on an Australian citizen blog site. Dave, thank you for sharing this with the world.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 12:06:34 am
content: It's an international site that happens to be run by an Australian citizen. It'll happen.I like our Aussie friends. Where else would we get kangaroo jokes?

author: MacAttak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 12:55:43 am
content: Wait, you mean it isn't about beer and blowing things up while eating unhealthy amounts of processed pork/beef/horse products?

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 12:58:41 am
content: It's the American way!

author: ignator
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 01:05:21 am
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 05, 2013, 12:06:34 amduskglow: I liked what you wrote, but this morphed into a mud slinging food fight.The declaration text that was posted; well it was a document valid for 1776, caused by the political issue of the day, exacerbated by an incompetent monarchy. It was a capitalism free for all. But taxes even then was a WTF for (there were lot's of issues, but this is the one taught in our primary school system). As well it (the declaration, and constitution, as power flowed down from their god) put frickin religion into what should have been a country free from religion.In another thread here about privacy, and the spying on allies, duskglow, indicated how the midwest was bible belt conservative, you are spot on, and I wish I was not surrounded by these idiots. These folks are NUTS. They want a theocracy. The bible is the word of god, the earth is less then 10000 years old, Darwin was an idiot, as it's intelligent design. And they want to edict human reproductive health, hate anyone that does not go to their church. Want to dictate sexual orientation. It is not even conservative anymore. But that's what they call them selves.Seems even Egypt is fighting fundamental religion. But they want freedom, freedom from religion, freedom from dictators.In the end, none of us are free from our governments, and their control of power, in what we think about, relative to this being the natural way to live.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 01:10:53 am
content: Quote from: ignator on July 05, 2013, 01:05:21 amNo need to be so bitter and angry.Religion is dying on it's own, and the country is moving more socially liberal - which is a good thing.The problem is to ensure we don't also move financially liberal, or we'll lose the essence of what has made America great all these years.We need a third (and fourth) relevant political party. But for now, it's Happy Birthday America.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 01:11:34 am
content: I know exactly how they are, and I wish we didn't have to fight them, even in the arena of ideas, but there it is. You can't fix stupid, you can only contain it.However, I apologize for any role I had in continuing the mud slinging food fight. That really wasn't my intention, but I'm human, and I don't promise it won't happen again.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 01:13:36 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on July 05, 2013, 01:10:53 amAnd when you look at it this way, all of the stuff the conservatives are trying to shove down our throat can be seen as a good thing. They're getting while the getting's good, because they realize that in a couple of years, the free ride's going to be over. They can read the writing on the wall too. The old guard is dying off and is being replaced by immigrants, and immigrants will not vote for people who hate them. It's just a matter of time now.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 01:18:55 am
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 05, 2013, 01:13:36 amWhat are "conservatives getting"? I don't see it at all.Only a fool hates everything one party stands for - whether it's the conservatives or the liberals. There are good and bad ideas from both parties, and neither has a lock on stupidity, corruption, scandal or self-service.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 01:20:14 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on July 05, 2013, 01:18:55 amI'm thinking specifically of the "women's rights" (taking them away, that is) laws being pushed through in Texas, NC, Ohio, etc.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 02:22:54 am
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 05, 2013, 01:20:14 amGot it. Yes, those are the absolute height of idiocy. I always point out that people can just go to another state or country to get things like abortions.... always falls on deaf ears.Too bad there isn't an IQ test needed to be a politician!

author: ecat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 02:23:42 am
content: Ah Independence Day.Liberation from forced religion and unjust financial practices, unless you base your history on that documentary featuring Will Smith which got a few of the details confused imhoI'm late to the party as usual but hope you all had a good oneQuote from: Corporate666 on July 05, 2013, 01:18:55 amBloody hell! What country are you from?As an independent observer I was under the impression the entire American political system was propped up by the principle of divide and conquer

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 02:25:43 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on July 05, 2013, 01:10:53 amIt's not dying nearly fast enough, especially in America.Consider:One woman had her newborn baby taken away from her because she ate a bagel the day before (!):http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-23153685While at the same time many people are protected from sanctions for actual willful child neglect and even death because they were "religious" and "praying for healing":http://jonathanturley.org/2009/10/11/the-good-faith-defense-parents-given-more-lenient-treatment-when-children-die-in-faith-based-neglect/http://lizheywoodwriter.blogspot.com/2012/05/religion-based-child-neglect-overdose.htmlWe have a society that enshrines medieval beliefs and witch hunts in law as if they were normal, yet somehow pretends to call itself civilized. I don't think so. America is ruled by a Taliban under a different name...

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 02:27:25 am
content: Quote from: IanB on July 05, 2013, 02:25:43 amNot in Oregon. A couple just got convicted for that.Sadly, it had to happen twice.

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 02:58:55 am
content: Quote from: IanB on July 05, 2013, 02:25:43 amIt's too bad there wasn't a party that rejected the social/religious insanity of the right while also rejecting the financial/social insanity of the left....if only I were emperorOne day... after my mega quantum particle space based cannon is complete...

author: ignator
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 04:44:28 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on July 05, 2013, 01:10:53 amNot really bitter, but it just slows down the evolution of civilization. Archimedes had calculus figured out, then the Romans morphed christianity into a money pump, where the taxes were collected as a religious tithing. And the world was in the dark ages for 1600 years.I agree about fiscally conservative, and that many more parties are needed.I don't label conservative bad, but that it was highjacked by religious fundamentals, that have a theocracy agenda (same concept at the ayatollah and pope). Ya it will die, but it just slows progress down. I don't know what to call it, it's not the GOP/conservative, but it uses this name.The US want's to believe it created the freedom idea, we are brainwashed by our school system. The "founding fathers" were British, and it was their experiences from their family cultures that sparked this idea. And these British subjects had the concept of property ownership, without having to be part of the royal power system. Look at the land for the taking. This "virus" is what traveled back to Europe.So thank you Great Britain, for giving the world freedom. And the Magna Carta, which served as the copy-cat model for our representative system. Yes there were many other cultural influences, scattered though out the world, that were assimilated.Life is good, we are not standing in line for want of anything.We need true freedom for everyone in the world, good luck to Egypt.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 04:46:29 am
content: Interestingly, our freedom is the native Americans' near extinction.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 04:59:27 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on July 05, 2013, 02:22:54 amYes.And I hate it when politicans are protected for having patently stupid beliefs, because they are just that, their religious beliefs, and that is somehow sacred. No, sorry, it's not. If you hold stupid beliefs based on faith then that can ultimately impact your opinion and reasoning when it comes to important community issues, like stem cell research for example.Behold an example from Oz:Steve Fielding (was, thankfully) a senator here in Oz. essentially admitting he is a young earth creationist. He also rejects the theory of evolution. There should be a mechanism to immediately re-cast a vote somehow to boot out idiots like this when they bring such idiotic beliefs into the public domain. IMO people holding such beliefs that are clearly and emphatically dismissed by scientific evidence are not fit to hold public office.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 05:17:10 am
content: Quote from: ignator on July 05, 2013, 01:05:21 amIf you are concerned about lung health, you probably should not smoke.If you are concerned about reproductive health, maybe you should be avoiding reproduction?

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 05:22:11 am
content: Quote from: ignator on July 05, 2013, 04:44:28 amLook on the bright side - with as many dummies as there are in this country, it's easier to excelGo forth and prosper young man - free these zealots from their hard earned cash and live the good life

author: ddavidebor
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 05:26:35 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 05, 2013, 04:59:27 amThe ignorance and misinformation made by politicians for politicians has become so big in the last year that had destroyed biological research here in italy.Italian hate GMO, love organic food. Hate research and science and prefer stupid tv program.Oooh, do you know a good idea?In every tv program regarding science or politic, there should be an expert (a real one) that had two button and push the red one when someone in the program is bullshitting and the good one when someone is right, and you will hear a big "smeee"

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 05:26:54 am
content: Quote from: Stonent on July 05, 2013, 05:17:10 amWherever one falls on the abortion debate, there is a practical matter at hand... which is that abortions are legal in most parts of the world, so even if there was a federal ban in the USA, it doesn't stop people getting one, it just makes it harder. Not to mention it generally affects the lower classes (who maybe can't afford to do that) than anyone else.As with most other issues that shouldn't really become political, it has... I think most would agree that an abortion a day or two before birth is not right. Most would agree that an abortion 1 second after conception is fine. But then you have the hard liners on both sides that hijack the debate and want the "day after pill" banned, and want to ban abortion even in the even of rape or health of the mother being at stake. It causes both sides to dig in and become virulent in their opposition of the other side.Look at how polarized politics is today... many (most?) people toe the party line on each issue. I tend to think they check what the party thinks before they formulate their own viewpoints. Anytime someone is in lockstep (or largely in lockstep) with any one party, that's someone who has decided not to think about things for themselves.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 05:50:35 am
content: I am personally pro-life, but politically pro-choice. It's for purely pragmatic purposes - I don't know when a baby should be considered viable, so I'll leave it up to the mother to decide. I most definitely do think that at some point during the gestation period, it turns into a baby. I just don't know when and am not going to let my spiritual beliefs color that opinion, at least when it comes to someone else.I know some pro-choice people who consider the baby a freeloader, and a parasite. I know some pro-life people who consider the just-fertilized egg a child. I think both of them really need to cool their jets, they're really not helping. I respect their right to believe that, but they're not really adding anything to the political debate.In the US, there are many different opinions on many different topics, no matter what each side would have you believe.And with this, I'm pretty sure we've gone WAY off the rails.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 06:00:15 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 05, 2013, 04:59:27 amI just want to make something clear... as the topics here tend to go all over the place and I'm sure that I'll look at someone wrong and they'll see fit to attack me... I am a progressive Christian. I believe in evolution, I agree with everything you just said, I like science, I think if religion contradicts something science discovers (a legitimate discovery, not some quack scientist trying do to free energy or whatever) then religion has to adapt, I try hard to respect people no matter what - though obviously sometimes I fail. If you bash a conservative Christian I'm more likely to agree with you than not. So if this ever comes up, don't lump me in - my beliefs are my own and only have a superficial resemblance to people from the "bible belt", etc.This isn't an invitation to conversion either to conservative Christianity or atheism - I tried both. I just think that's going to come up at some point so I'm going to head it off at the pass.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 06:01:17 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on July 05, 2013, 05:26:54 amI would never deny a woman who was raped the ability to take care of it immediately and I googled the phrase "abortions related to rape" and the first 3 or so sites agreed that was about 1%.If that number is too low, I certainly hope that it wasn't related to it being unreported. Regardless such crimes should be immediately reported so the person that caused it can be captured.Now if it isn't reported then technically the victim themself is committing a crime by failing to report a crime they witnessed. Now I doubt anyone would dare try to file those charges, but still, it is an unreported crime.For those situations, I know if I ever have a daughter I will make sure she knows in the event that should ever happen to her, that it is of extreme importance that she immediately report it. Also I would encourage to not only say "no" but specifically say "No, I do not consent" if someone is putting her in an uncomfortable situation. From a legal standpoint No does mean No, but when the person is there in the act someone who would do such a thing will use anything they can think of to rationalize it. Such as convincing themselves that the "No" was some other single syllable sound. That's why I think that we should teach young women that adding the line "I do not consent" may increase their chances a bit, and also tells the attacker that you are looking at this from the standpoint of testifying to that fact.How did we get from independence day to this?

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 06:03:08 am
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 05, 2013, 05:50:35 amYeah I think I can get onboard with that.

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 06:08:20 am
content: Ok back to the topic... Did anyone see any good fireworks displays today?I saw the one at the University of North Texas and it was pretty good. It is "free" but it is put on by a local charity who raises money for various childrens' services. So I can understand them trying to run it in a frugal matter...However one thing that concerned me was the show appeared to be not electrically or computer controlled. I saw the 4 or 5 people in the background running around with road flares sending the charges up manually! I've never seen that before, I just thought they were all electrically controlled because some of those commercial fireworks are pretty darn close to a small stick of dynamite on the end of a rocket and could potentially get stuck in the tube and blow up right there.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 06:10:36 am
content: I didn't, but I heard one. I could see just some of the fireworks from my home office window... but I didn't bother to go out and look further. I was busy stripping a board of chips.Loud buggers, though.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 06:22:51 am
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 05, 2013, 05:50:35 amHere is where the reason of science comes in.Science can tell you at what point a developing fetus has various states of being. And if you like you can even compare those to a fly or some other insect we crust with impunity.For example, a stem cell has as few as a lousy 50 cells, yet uninformed idiots like to go around thinking it's akin to killing babies. They are completely and demonstrably wrong.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 06:24:46 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on July 05, 2013, 06:22:51 amScience provides a good starting point for discussion, but it's completely silent on the moral questions. Which is as it should be, IMO.

author: perfect_disturbance
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 06:36:39 am
content: Happy Independence day fellow Americans!!Now stop setting off fireworks outside my house it's after midnight an I'm tired.

author: PeteInTexas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 06:54:18 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on July 05, 2013, 02:22:54 amAre you sure its not voters that need IQ test because they're the ones consistently fooled?

author: Corporate666
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 07:29:28 am
content: Quote from: PeteInTexas on July 05, 2013, 06:54:18 amI've often been in favor of a sort of Indian-woman-like tattoo that goes on the forehead with your IQ written on there. That way you know who your betters are and who you can ignore with impunity.But I've often been accused of being an opinionated egotistical stubborn overly-proud jerk....by people with low IQ's

author: rolycat
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 09:13:10 am
content: Quote from: Corporate666 on July 05, 2013, 07:29:28 amWho our betters are?If intelligence and wisdom were more than remotely related - or even if IQ measurements were a reliable indicator of any form of intelligence other than that required to perform well in IQ tests - that might be a slightly less horrible idea.

author: KJDS
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 10:05:53 am
content: Quote from: rolycat on July 05, 2013, 09:13:10 amThere's an almost inverse correlation between intelligence and common sense. I've known some research scientists who were assigned housekeepers to make sure they remembered to eat, and to provide them with nutrition and clean clothes as well as an apprentice to take them too and from work at the appropriate times.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 10:51:08 am
content: Quote from: duskglow on July 04, 2013, 02:43:12 amThink yourself you got away from us, we got so many immigrants living on our state benefits, the country is screwed up completely, and if your natural born English like me you have no chance, when will Europeans realise we are a small island, haven't got any room for life's spongers & scroungers. Rant over

author: MacAttak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 02:56:28 pm
content: I think this is somewhat appropriate given the mood this thread has shifted to:Quote

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 05, 2013, 03:03:11 pm
content: Quote from: MacAttak on July 05, 2013, 02:56:28 pmNow this is actually true, I see all foreigners as a unwanted threat, yes both my daughters that are growing up with don't see that at all ,which is fair enough new generation.

author: MacAttak
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 06, 2013, 05:34:39 am
content: There is a depressing corollary to that wisdom though -We too will not get to witness the day when those new truths are accepted because we are part of the very generation that must die out for it to be accepted - even if we (individually) are able to see the truth for what it is.... unless we can get the bioengineers moving more quickly and solve that whole aging and dying annoyance...

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 06, 2013, 05:42:46 am
content: Yes, but we get to see what happens when the preceding two generations die out. There's a reason why gay marriage is suddenly taking root and, erm, blossoming. It only has somewhat to do with changing attitudes, and a lot more to do with the fact that the bigots are dying out and being replaced by people who are not so bigoted. Fear not, there are enough interesting times to go around.A few months ago I actually got to perform one of the first gay marriages in the state of Washington. I was all over the news and everything. I got no flack for it. Zero, zilch, nada. Everyone I talked to was either supportive or quiet. That could not have happened 20 years ago.I'm not gay myself, but what the hell, free cake.