Cikomyr

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]In which of the many non-united European states?[/quote] Any, to be honest. Any city that has more than 1000 year of history [quote]So please, prove to us how being in a European city (I am in Dublin right now) [/quote] Lucky you! Ireland! The homeland of my fore-fore-father! Anyway. You probably noticed a major difference between Dublin and, let's say, Los Angeles. Or New York. Or Houston. Or pretty much any city of the United States (save the very orig

Reply to You're gonna have to prove you're American to be my President in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]But if people are still questioning then why is the President who claimed his Administration would be transparent doing everything he can to keep his original birth certificate hidden from the public?[/quote] I think the question should rather be, if the proof has been provided, and certified by third-parties, as stated here http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/art

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]The people of the USA were able to accomplish in less than 200 years what Europe has not been able to in, what. 1000 years?[/quote] When is the last time you went to any european city? Seriously, answer that question. I am going to prove how ignorant your arguments are.

Reply to You're gonna have to prove you're American to be my President in Politics JoeUser Forums

You really *are* crazy. Tell me, what considers an acceptable proof of birth? What can the state accept or refuse? There has been a certificate of live birth provided by him for a long time. Those who have examined it first-hand all have approved of its authenticity. Newspaper records shows that Mr. and Mrs. Barack H. Obama gave birth at that exact same time. Hawaiian officials have found in their record evidence concording with the provided certificate of Live b

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]America is unique in the fact that they have eliminated discrimination almost from the start of the nation. Yes, there were a few bumps in the road but in less than 100 years they fixed most of the problems brought over from Europe.[/quote] Really? Last time I checked, a black people still got a shitload of trouble 50 years ago Chinese citizen got their citizenship refused to them. Japanese citizen got locked up internment camps. Right now, Arizona just created

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]All very true. But those are just factors that will play into the "how", not stop it from happening. It can be done. America showed the world that it is possible. Will it? That is for them to decide.[/quote] Not. Those are factors that play into the "why would it happen" rather than the "how". There are just too many cultural difference between the various countries of Europe to ever allow a single supranational entity that will rule. The best they will come up with is a loose

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]I know of it Doc, but never have played (that was Henry Kissinger's favorite game if I recall correctly). I have a 3' x 3' x 3' box in my attic filled with Avalon Hill and other, mostly war games (Squad Leader, etc.), all acquired from the early 70's to mid 80's. It was always too hard to find interested opponents, as well as time constraints.[/quote] Speaking of war game, I remember reading something extremely interesting about a naval wargame simulation that was in operation

Reply to STRATFOR: Baghdad Politics and the U.S.-Iranian Balance in Politics JoeUser Forums

This pretty much keeps going from the other articles I presented to this board. [quote]Iranian rhetoric may be extreme, but the Iranians are risk-averse in their actions. If Iraq could do the latter, then they eliminate Iran’s preferred mode of operations, which is covert subversion through proxies.[/quote] This is in line with my personnal belief. Iran's leadership might bark a lot, but they are very rational and careful in their action. It makes them susceptible to acc

STRATFOR: Baghdad Politics and the U.S.-Iranian Balance in Politics JoeUser Forums

By George Friedman The status of Iraq has always framed the strategic challenge of Iran. Until 2003, regional stability — such as it was — was based on the Iran-Iraq balance of power. The United States invaded Iraq on the assumption that it could quickly defeat and dismantle the Iraqi government and armed forces and replace them with a cohesive and effective pro-American government and armed forces, thereby restoring the balance of power. When that expecta

Reply to What if you didn't have to pay taxes ever again? in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]She did not exactly look smart enough to find her way to NASA.[/quote] http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ObfuscatingStupidity Obfuscating Stupidity. Many strippers are a lot smarter than they act, 'cause it's easier to manipulate your customer when they underestimate you. However, I haven't really seen anything of the stripper in the movie outside of the pure visual, so how co

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]As long as you can leave your feelings on the board, it is fun![/quote] Yhea. But still. This game really reveals how much your friends can be lying manipulator and backstabbers, and skilled a it too. But you are right, it's a great game, as the outcome is determined in the mind of the players, rather than the dice.

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]So yes, in that respect, America is better, and Europe knows it.[/quote] I take issue to that. American isn't "better", it's "different". Europe will never be unified. It tries to, when it happens to fit the interest of its most powerful members (France & Germany). But it might very well fracture in the future. America is a single nation. Europe is a multitude of nations, each of them composed of their own sub-cultures (France has more than 40, I won't even

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]There is a game probably more to your liking (but it does require at least 3, and best more, players). it is called Diplomacy. It is set up initially like Risk, but you get to create alliances (and break them), plus your armies/navies are directly related to the supply points you hold (unlike risk where you can have unlimited armies/navies). A good game can go for weeks![/quote] It's a very nice game, if you don't mind losing your friends... [e digicons]:ninja:[/e]

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Europe is a nation when Europeans want to brag about some supposed advantage (like economics or something) and it's not a nation when Europeans don't like the implications (no European-wide welfare, healthcare, internal wars, etc.).[/quote] "European" is a civilisation, with a common history and base culture that'd encompass also Canada, USA and Australia. Pretty much like the Arab civilisation, the Persian civilisation, the Indian civilisation, etc... The only thi

Reply to What if you didn't have to pay taxes ever again? in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Hah, so it's not about doing the right thing huh? Would you refuse to save the world and instead die if you don't get these privileges?[/quote] Nah, I'd save the world anyway. I just love it too much not to. But I have the right to ask, right? Ultimately, it'd be all about how much people are gracious about it. After-fact, they can do whatever they want, after all. "Yhea, you saved the world, but we didn't sign the fine lines" Which is why it's not

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]The American nation is made up of individuals from every European nation plus non-European nations plus local Indians (those that joined the settlers). Americans are a nation because they want to be. That state of affairs was not forced on them, they made it happen. Somehow the Americans managed to do, apparently without you noticing, what in Europe we consider the most difficult task of all: they united, despite national differences. Americans formed a

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Apart from the odd Mongolian invasion all of Europe's wars were also internal.[/quote] Yhea.. But, I don't know if you know, but Europe isn't 1 nation. While the USA are. No points

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]I think the Civil War was quite a threat...[/quote] Amen to that. But then again, it was internal. No foreign. hum.. isn't that poetic? The Americans' greatest ennemies were themselves.

Reply to What if you didn't have to pay taxes ever again? in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]But hell, I would pay THEM to be able to go into outer space!!!!![/quote] If I was to save the world, I think I would be entitled to some privilege. Not jerk-ass privilege like "never face criminal charges", but, you know, some privilege. Maybe a permanent passport? No waiting line EVER ? Not at the government, not at the bank, not at the restaurant? You know, make the law: "Remi Maloney should nev

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]I think his point is that in the board game Risk you can only move into North-America from Mexico (if we rule out the northern connection) whereas in the real world a fleet coming over the Atlantic works just as well, especially when it is the British fleet attacking a (then) weak USA. It always astounds me when someone outright dismisses the power of the British fleet especially at that time in history. Even today very few countries can afford to dismiss a British naval att

Reply to Iran Lays Out Its Terms in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]No, they are not that stupid. They know the US is not going to bomb them , but the Muslims just did. I admire the russians.[/quote] [quote] America has never attacked a strong country unless attacked first .[/quote] I think you are putting too much faith in Russia's faith into you. America was economically strangling Japan before WW2. You don't need to openly attack to be a menace to another country. Russia is currently afr

Reply to Iran Lays Out Its Terms in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]I do not think Obama will[/quote] I we can read such intelligence report, I think Obama can too ;-) [quote]Strangely, I find that a reaffirmation of my line about Obama. Whether the US is weaker today than it was 2 years ago may be open for debate. But it seems that not only I think so, but our enemies (and think tanks) do as well.[/quote] Well, it depends on what you mean by "weaker". But regarding the region around Iran, yes they are weaker. You have t

Reply to Did You Hear About This on the News? in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Track record is pretty clear in that regard.[/quote] Agreed. I just found the irony delicious, that the very group that decries such behavior the most didn't acted any different when the opportunity presented itself.

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Sorry I'll step out of your fantasy land, game of "Risk" environment you seem to be talking about. Please continue, as I didn't realize I was on the board game forum. My bad.[/quote] ??????????????????????? What the hell are you talking about?

Reply to 47% of Americans pay no federal income tax in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Hum, I seem to recall a little piece of history, where the British torched Washington DC. I believe that was called the War of 1812. Sounds threatening enough to me.[/quote] Again, you are not even reading the freaking posts we were talking about. I adressed the fact that these kinds of menace had to be dealt by your navy anyway, it wasn't a direct land-conquered. The only treaths by lands were Mexico and the indians, and they never really got dangerous for your land.</