Artysim

Reply to Fifteen Miles in Just Hanging Out Stardock Forums

Kudos and congratulations! I don't suppose you could be convinced to try a half-marathon in a northern state/southern Canada one of these days? I'm thinking of Vancouver/Victoria sometime in the next year or so, the usual haunts are getting too familiar. You've definitely got the running bug and then some, not to mention the kind of philosophical introspection that tends to work it's way in during a loooong run in the quiet countryside!

Reply to Going West Again in Blogging Stardock Forums

Hi Mason, I've always enjoyed reading about your exploits- would you ever consider trucking a little further north? Here in Yellowknife the ice road to the diamond mines is opening up tomorrow and the folks who drive it say the pay is pretty lucrative. The mines are about two hundred miles north of town but there's no road access in, come winter time once all the lakes and rivers freeze up they build the road over it and haul all of the mines fuel, food and any heavy e

Reply to Hey, if you don’t like something, find another country in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]Canada, even taking its population into acocunt, hasn't exactly been a dynamo. No offense. What has made the United States what it is is precisely because we tend to argue and fight for what we believe in. When we disagree, we often learn from it.[/quote] Oi! them's fightin words boy! We give you William Shatner, John Candy, Shania Twain AND Alex Trebek and this is the thanks we get??? Oh, and one more thing- We've always had less than 10% of the popul

Reply to Question for Liberals about Obama's Afghanistan Policy in War on Terror Stardock Forums

Putting aside our VERY big differences of opinion on other matters, here is my answer to this- [quote]If somebody were to make up a study that says that one million people have died in the war in Afghanistan and blamed Obama's American troops for the deaths, would you, as a liberal, support a motion to try President Obama for war crimes?[/quote] On a purely technical note, most major American leaders, (and heck, most of the G8) could be tried in one capacity or another for

Reply to ZOMG!!!! in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]Did I ever tell ya you're my favorite JU egghead Arty? Well ya are[/quote] Why thanks Roy- I am genuinely honored to get that kind of praise from such a talented writer as yourself. How's the training coming along? My next half-marathon isn't going to be until august (up north here I'm running indoors on the treadmill a couple times a week) with lots of snow-shoeing outdoors. Won't start running outdoors until March or April so that's when training officially be

Reply to ZOMG!!!! in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]Sorry this is just so funny coming after 8 years of frothing at the mouth about Bush.[/quote] I didn't start "frothing at the mouth" about Bush until a couple years into his 1st presidency, when the results of his actions proved that he was a buffoon. Before that I was actually pro Bush! [quote]Artysm, good article because you explained your points well, though many don't see it that way. It's a free for all btw way, who can outwit the other with these repartees?! [/

Reply to Obama jealousy is so hot right now in US Domestic JoeUser Forums

[quote]Still have the sour grapes I see. Some people just cant accept facts, and must always rely on talking points and lies.[/quote] I apologize if that's the way it was interpreted, as the comment was not intended that way at all. I was just stating the truth that indeed, a recount was underway in Florida that was stopped by the Supreme Court with their decision that Bush won. Regardless of which side one is on, the circumstances around the 2000 election and the way it was handled a

Reply to Obama jealousy is so hot right now in US Domestic Stardock Forums

[quote]Had 4-5% of voters gone the other way, we'd very likely be talking about President McCain (gotta allow for that EC thing). That's not what I'd call a landslide, but relativism is a way of life for the left[/quote] Well, since we're all having fun being petty I want in too! This election was actually the widest margin in favor of one candidate since the 1996 election. -popular vote- 2008- Dem: 52.9% Rep: 45.7% (7.2 % margin in favor of Dem) 20

ZOMG!!!! in Politics JoeUser Forums

Run for the hills, the world is coming to an end!!!! The sky is falling and Obama's to blame for everything!!! ZOMG look at the stock markets, clearly 2 days in office and Obama's the sole reason why everything's tanking!! ahem. Let's take a moment to calm down (just a bit) and look at the "radical" leftist policies Obama has enacted in his first couple of days- 1) Treatment of prisoners- Obama has made it clear that prisoners are to be treated in accordance with the r

Reply to The End of the Republic, As We Know It in Politics Stardock Forums

OMG OMG what are we gonna do??!?!?! LOL. :)

Reply to BIAS: Time Magazine in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]No, you are wrong. It would be higher, but guess what? so would the figures from 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, etc[/quote] Umm, did you miss the part where I stated that much of this was from changes brought about in Clinton's administration? The fact is, actual unemployment (not counting retirees) is considerably higher than 7.2 % If the BLS used the exact same metrics today as were used to determine unemployment in the 30's, the figure would be at least 13-17% which is

Reply to BIAS: Time Magazine in Politics Stardock Forums

You make some interesting observations, and I once held very similar views. With that said, I'd like to go back to 2 points you brought up in your article; 1) Unemployment- the figure you quoted of 7.2 % is actually only a partial number of those unemployed. In fact, if unemployment was counted today the same way it was back during the depression, the rate today would be in and around the 15-16 % range. Lemme break it down- In and around the 1930's, measurement of un

Reply to We are learning more about Gaza from non-Hamas sources now... in War on Terror JoeUser Forums

[quote]And to those who believed the numbers and not only believed that it was obviously Israel who was to blame AND that defending Israel against such accusations constitutes calling every criticism of Israel "anti-Semitism", to those I can only say, Go To Hell! And don't come back.[/quote] Oh Leauki, At it again I see! Don't worry, one day you will see the error of your ways and when you do, I will be there to accept your apology! :)

Reply to Obama jealousy is so hot right now in US Domestic Stardock Forums

Cacto- I hear you. Obama could turn out to be great or rotten, it's simply too early to tell. As I was saying on another thread I was very pro-Bush during the 1st year and a bit he was in office, however once I saw the results of his actions and style of leadership I soured on him (and his brand of conservative politics) big time. Again, the proof will be in the pudding- let's see the results of Obama's actions and then pass judgement. Hanging on every little th

Reply to President Obama's messed up Oath - not his mistake in US Domestic JoeUser Forums

[quote]It's funny how the same people that always complained that Bush-bashing was unpatriotic or anti-American are already laying into President Obama and he hasn't even done anything.[/quote] For the record, I was very pro-Bush during the 2000 election and was elated when he got into office. I thought he was the man! (I also considered myself a conservative at the time) I kept this opinion of him until right around the time of the Iraq invasion- why? Aside from the arguments

Reply to Examples of Obama's Brilliance in Democrat Stardock Forums

hhhmm a one word article..... bravo! (being petty, the title should be "Examples of Obama's Brilliance")

2009 Thus Far.... in Current Events JoeUser Forums

Methinks '09 is going to be a terrible year for the economy. Recent items of interest in the news: Circuit City has officially gone tits up. They're closing all their stores and firing all 30,000 employees lock stock and barrel. No restructuring, or re-branding or what have you. Just going out of business, remember to get the lights and don't let the door hit your ass on the way out. On the plus side, since it's a complete liquidation I'm sure some of the newly unemployed will

Reply to Google: Your new corporate overlords in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]What is relevant is that a very large corporation is trying to sue to change a law that was expressly voted on by the people.[/quote] I'm glad you wrote this article Draginol- this touches on a key fact that is often neglected in much political dialogue- that being, corporations are a legal person in the eyes of the law and I'm sure you being a business owner are well versed in what this means. Various o

Reply to Congratulations Senator Franken! in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Minnesota deserves him - congratulations Sorry (real sorry)you can't have him up in Canada Arty, your make for each other[/quote] See Nitro, now that's the sense of humor I'm talking about! Good on ya for being able to see the lighter side of things.

Reply to Congratulations Senator Franken! in Politics Stardock Forums

[quote]BTW: did you ever read those books of his? Do you know (factual) that he states more lies in there than he actually attempts to unveil?[/quote] Well, yes I have. And, if there were lies in them, then why didn't FOX sue him for libel? If they could have, they sure would have and that's a sure thing. But why didn't they? Because he was telling the truth!

Reply to Congratulations Senator Franken! in Politics Stardock Forums

Hi El-duderino [quote]Who here is trying to make Fraken out to be a demon?[/quote] No one -here- is trying to demonize Franken. The republican campaign, and the arguments they're putting forward that clearly the election was stolen, is further evidence of their atempt to do so!

Reply to Congratulations Senator Franken! in Politics Stardock Forums

And yes of course, there you have it. Instead of admitting defeat, the cherry on the top of the cake is that now the republicans are claiming a rigged election (making a mr. grumpy pants persona look like mr sore looser pants too) Again, they are trying to paint a comedian as a demon, which in this case has backfired on them so many times and they just can't learn from it. There has been an official recount, and Franken was the winner. Next comes the rec

Congratulations Senator Franken! in Politics JoeUser Forums

I would like to take a moment to congratulate Al Franken for getting elected to the senate, and beating his republican incumbent opponent Norm Coleman. Considering that Franken started his campaign WAAAAY behind the incumbent and was pretty much written off as a goofball no-chance candidate I think he's done pretty durn' gud if ya ask me. But anywho. Let's take a step back and take a look at the fellow. Noted books he wrote: "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and othe

Reply to Activist Drives Up Prices With Bidding at Oil-Lease Auction in The Environment JoeUser Forums

I find it veeeery interesting that this article has popped up now, AFTER oil has dropped from 147.00 dollars a barrel to the 40-ish range almost overnight. Yes, the economics student in question did commit fraud, no question. But the bigger question folks should be asking is why, oh why, has oil dropped in price so precipitously recently? The answer is related to this article in that the price was artificially inflated, thanks to traders and hedge funds buying and selling oil

Reply to Israel strikes HAMAS in Current Events Stardock Forums

[quote]The protests (anti-Israeli) get louder. Is anyone else concerned by the Hamas headgear (masks) being worn here in the states at some of these rallies? It's starting to look like Gaza here.[/quote] Hhhhmmmm.... well, let me connect two dots for you. A little while ago I put forth the position that the massively disproportionate military campaign being conducted by Israel in Gaza would strengthen Hamas far more than it will hurt them. The response was "LOL!, that's ridiculous, loo