Is Ted Cruz Satan? Discuss.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by Adder

And putting boots there will meaningfully change that outcome? For how long?

I'd like to see a strategy where we sought to clear Syria of genocidal idiots for about a year under UN auspices. We don't need to clear it of all idiots, all assholes, or all clowns, that will never happen. But if we could just control the genocidal maniacs we'd all be better off. I'd like to see boots on the ground in a multi-national force with a lot of Arab and European leadership (not just support).

Right now, Petraeus is right, ISIS is a big problem but not the only problem. If we beat ISIS based on the current operations, the country gets divided between various factions, and the only one we can effectively deal with diplomatically today are the Kurds.

[Adder]

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

I'd like to see a strategy where we sought to clear Syria of genocidal idiots for about a year under UN auspices. We don't need to clear it of all idiots, all assholes, or all clowns, that will never happen. But if we could just control the genocidal maniacs we'd all be better off.

How do you get rid of some idiots and not others?

I'd like to see boots on the ground in a multi-national force with a lot of Arab and European leadership (not just support).

If there are going to be boots on the ground, and I suppose there eventually will have to be, this is the way to do it.

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by Adder

How do you get rid of some idiots and not others?

This, really, is the crux of everything, isn't it?

[ThurgreedMarshall]

This woman knows of what she speaks. Very impressive.

http://www.salon.com/2015/03/17/the_...ilege_partner/

TM

[Greedy,Greedy,Greedy]

Originally Posted by ThurgreedMarshall

This woman knows of what she speaks. Very impressive.

http://www.salon.com/2015/03/17/the_...ilege_partner/

TM

Generally, yes, excellent, but, dammit, if I want to say, "fucking white people" and shake my head at something, she's not going to stop me and I don't care if it's a "distancing move". Sometimes, one just has to marvel at white people.

[taxwonk]

Originally Posted by greedy,greedy,greedy

this, really, is the crux of everything, isn't it?

potw

[Not Bob]

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

Generally, yes, excellent, but, dammit, if I want to say, "fucking white people" and shake my head at something, she's not going to stop me and I don't care if it's a "distancing move". Sometimes, one just has to marvel at white people.

Indeed. Only we Irish are blameless in this regard.

Actual deposition answer this week: "Drugs? Me? I was a Jewish kid from [outable geographic locale]. I was in honors English. It was you fucking Irish kids -- and the Italians, of course -- smoking dope. And don't get me started on what the Mexicans and the schvartzes* were doing."

Me: So, is that a "no"?

*Yiddish word for the color "black," and a semi-slur for African Americans. I probably misspelled it.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally Posted by Not Bob

*Yiddish word for the color "black," and a semi-slur for African Americans. I probably misspelled it.

Do you really think this necessary? Everyone knows that yes?

[Not Bob]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

Do you really think this necessary? Everyone knows that yes?

Not all of us are as cosmopolitan as you and I, non ami. For example, I had to explain it to Big Ed once (we overheard the owner of the one kosher deli in Podunkville refer to a black customer as "Mr. Schwartz" when talking to the lox salesman). So better safe than sorry.

[Adder]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

Do you really think this necessary? Everyone knows that yes?

Frightening. That's what I was going to say.

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally Posted by ThurgreedMarshall

Given how small-minded and simple people in this country are, how do you lead off with Arabic? Start with French, ease into Spanish, then jump to Arabic.

TM

Start with Navajo.

[sebastian_dangerfield]

Originally Posted by Greedy,Greedy,Greedy

Generally, yes, excellent, but, dammit, if I want to say, "fucking white people" and shake my head at something, she's not going to stop me and I don't care if it's a "distancing move". Sometimes, one just has to marvel at white people.

I've never thought about the whole privilege thing. Being born white confers some advantages. This seems so obvious I don't know how anyone could suggest otherwise, or become upset when somebody notes it.

However, I also am not going to apologize or feel the need to keep in the forefront of my consciousness the fact that I've had some advantages. I didn't ask for them, and it's only rational to use them to my benefit.

I do owe an affirmative duty to:

1. Not perpetuate discrimination against those who have not enjoyed such advantages; and
2. Tell white people who deny they have advantages that they are talking out of their asses.

Meeting these two obligations is quite easy.

[Hank Chinaski]

60 Minutes is doing a story about Christians in Isis controlled areas. Apparently they threaten to kill the people who do not convert. amazing but they seem to leave people to their own choice as to automobile colors.

[Adder]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

60 Minutes is doing a story about Christians in Isis controlled areas. Apparently they threaten to kill the people who do not convert. amazing but they seem to leave people to their own choice as to automobile colors.

When will ISIS get its Torquemada?

[ThurgreedMarshall]

Originally Posted by Hank Chinaski

60 Minutes is doing a story about Christians in Isis controlled areas. Apparently they threaten to kill the people who do not convert. amazing but they seem to leave people to their own choice as to automobile colors.

I'm sick of the car color metaphor, but here's an article that is very disturbing and shows some pretty crazy behavior when it comes to what some* Muslims--at least in Afghanistan--think is okay to do in the name of their religion.

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/03/21...?_r=2&referrer

TM

*I hesitate to say, "many," but the fact that the Minister of Religion said it would have been a justified street killing had the destroyed pages been from the Koran, speaks volumes.