Politics

[RLD]

I didn’t see an assertion. I saw a question

But you already knew that

Clearly an open hearted genuine question seeking an answer, not a rhetorical insult right?

I have a bridge for you at a very reasonable price in Brooklin if you are interested.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Oh, it was definitely a zinger.

Not that there’s anything wrong with it, though

Sure, what ya got? Always looking for cheap real estate

 

[rookhawk]

Quite a war has broken out in the precious medals this morning. Gold was at $4060 an ounce at the opening bell. Some big wig shorted the hell out of it and pushed it under $4000 for a nano-second. It rallied back to $4020 an ounce within seconds to minutes.

The same thing happened in the silver market but its still up 2.7% even after the onslaught.

Years ago when people couldn't figure out why metals weren't going up, it was eventually discovered that JP Morgan was being "told" to short the hell out of it and suppress value. That info came out in litigation against them about a decade later. (15 year old story)

The point is that a breakout in metals is very dangerous to world governments. It heightens consumer interest, moving money into Gold which reduces liquidity in the stock markets. It also points to the laughable nature of all our fiat currencies at the same time.

The difference this time is that metals are looking a lot more like gamestop, a loyal fan base is able to push it up even as world governments and institutions keep trying to short it.

My prediction is gold hits $5000 an ounce by Q2/26. It seems like on the average its going up half a percent a day or more, coupled with a few breakout days where it goes up 2%.

 

[Tanks]

Why are y'all obsessed with sexual mores of people socially stuck in 15th century? Not to mention man/boy stuff goes on in the Western world as well, as evidenced by stuff found out about Catholic priests all over the World.

 

[skydiver386]

Why are y'all obsessed with sexual mores of people socially stuck in 15th century? Not to mention man/boy stuff goes on in the Western world as well, as evidenced by stuff found out about Catholic priests all over the World.

Very clearly asked because so many Muslims come to the west specifically to change the social and religious norms of Christian countries.

 

[LivingTheDream]

His assertion that I may have had sex with either men children is not true.

But you already knew that.

For what it is worth, I said having sex with Children is wrong, which you agreed with.

But then said this, "Now who is a "child" varies in place and time, and we in the west are in no position to throw stones when it comes to child sex abuse"

Which is an odd statement to make.

Also, in the west, we can throw stones because, as you know, as a lawyer who ligates these crimes, we don't encourage it, we make it illegal, and we try to protect children.

 

[LivingTheDream]

Even on a billionaires island?

It is wrong. Or are you asking for your own moral clarification?

 

[mdwest]

Why are y'all obsessed with sexual mores of people socially stuck in 15th century? Not to mention man/boy stuff goes on in the Western world as well, as evidenced by stuff found out about Catholic priests all over the World.

15th century might be a little bit generous for some of the tribes being talked about..

Im not convinced some of them have advanced much since Alexander marched through the region on his way to conquer the Indian subcontinent.. thats the early 4th century..

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

Neither are Jews, but the term racism is used more widely these days. In the modern parlance it covers "ethnic groups" which muslims are.

But you do help make my point that not all muslims are the same, and attributing certain sexual deviances to all of islam is false.

Jews are far closer to a race or ethnic group than Muslims. A core tenant of Judaism (and one backed up by genographic analysis) is that they are not simply a religion but a people unified by a common ancestry. They do not actively convert outsiders. Some sects may not even allow converts (I would have to read up on how Orthodox Jews view converts) They are not just a people but The people. If this was not the case then people who identify as secular Jews couldn’t exist.

Islam is not a race. Indonesian Muslims are of a different race than Pakistani Muslims and Arab Muslims. Islam has expansion and conversion as a major part of the religion. While there are Muslims who do not fully practice their religion, there are no secular Muslims. Islam is heavily influenced by its Arab origin but the majority of Muslims in the world are not Arabs and couldn’t speak Arabic outside of a ceremonial religious context.

I’m make no statements about the deviancy discussion but I didn’t want the casual accusation of “race hate” to slide. The terms race, ethnicity, and religion are mixed up in “common parlance” out of ignorance or intentional dishonesty. Words have meaning and if you want o have a meaningful discussion about any subject you should attempt to be precise in your language.

 

[Newboomer]

I regret to say a number of us old retired guys were heartedly lamenting the appearance of our troops during the US Army birthday parade. Many were clearly unable to meet the then current height weight standard, and numerous units were having difficulty simply marching in step. That sort of discipline can be destroyed across the force fairly quickly, and is a bear to reinstate as we discovered in the early eighties.

I can relate to that. As a senior instructor in an NCO academy I saw all types, mostly reserves. A good number were so out of shape they could hardly do a half hour of close order drill. It was like training raw recruits. This was in the 80s and 90s, the days when some of them would come to drill wearing wigs over long hair and hiding goatees under bandages. As disgusting as it was there was nothing we could about it.

 

[RLD]

Jews are far closer to a race or ethnic group than Muslims. A core tenant of Judaism (and one backed up by genographic analysis) is that they are not simply a religion but a people unified by a common ancestry. They do not actively convert outsiders. Some sects may not even allow converts (I would have to read up on how Orthodox Jews view converts) They are not just a people but The people. If this was not the case then people who identify as secular Jews couldn’t exist.

Islam is not a race. Indonesian Muslims are of a different race than Pakistani Muslims and Arab Muslims. Islam has expansion and conversion as a major part of the religion. While there are Muslims who do not fully practice their religion, there are no secular Muslims. Islam is heavily influenced by its Arab origin but the majority of Muslims in the world are not Arabs and couldn’t speak Arabic outside of a ceremonial religious context.

I’m make no statements about the deviancy discussion but I didn’t want the casual accusation of “race hate” to slide. The terms race, ethnicity, and religion are mixed up in “common parlance” out of ignorance or intentional dishonesty. Words have meaning and if you want o have a meaningful discussion about any subject you should attempt to be precise in your language.

If you really want to use precise language, scientifically speaking, there are no races. Race is a social-political construct, it has no valid biological basis.

In precise scientific language there are species, subspecies and populations. No races.

But we all must concede that language evolves and I would suggest your narrow definition of racism is pretty archaic.

I also think your definition of Jews is pretty narrow. Sammy Davis Jr. was a Jew, but certainly not genetically or geographically related to traditional Israelites. And yes there are Orthodox conversions as well. So if one can convert to the religion from outside, it is surely not a closed category or community.

Secular jews can certainly exist in either context in that they are culturally jewish but are not believers in the faith aspect of their culture.

 

[RLD]

For what it is worth, I said having sex with Children is wrong, which you agreed with.

But then said this, "Now who is a "child" varies in place and time, and we in the west are in no position to throw stones when it comes to child sex abuse"

Which is an odd statement to make.

Also, in the west, we can throw stones because, as you know, as a lawyer who ligates these crimes, we don't encourage it, we make it illegal, and we try to protect children.

The vast majority of the muslim world also makes sex or marriage with children illegal. For instance here is chart with some of the legal marriage minimum ages in various muslim countries:

Minimum Legal Age for Marriage in the Middle East and North Africa​

[th]
Country

[/th][th]
Female

[/th][th]
Male

[/th]​

[td]
Algeria

[/td][td]
18

[/td][td]
21

[/td]
[td]
Egypt

[/td][td]
16

[/td][td]
18

[/td]
[td]
Iran

[/td][td]
13

[/td][td]
15

[/td]
[td]
Iraq

[/td][td]
18

[/td][td]
18

[/td]
[td]
Jordan

[/td][td]
18

[/td][td]
18

[/td]
[td]
Morocco

[/td][td]
18

[/td][td]
18

[/td]
[td]
Tunisia

[/td][td]
20

[/td][td]
20

[/td]
[td]
Yemen

[/td][td]
15

[/td][td]
15

[/td]

​

I think in Saudi it is 16/18 now.

How effective we/they are at preventing childhood sexual abuse is a whole different question. I was in a seminar with Dr. Jeglic (a top expert on grooming) this week and the number of children sexually abused in North America is huge. 1 in 4 girls will suffer sexual abuse by age 18, and in public schools alone almost 12% of students will experience inappropriate sexual conduct from a teacher by the time they graduate highschool. We are don't so well with this problem.
But at the end of the day, I don't see what is to be gained by politicians or the media spouting off about homosexuality or child abuse in other countries, any more than I think there is value in radical mullahs spouting off about decadent western society. It simply creates conflict between countries/cultures to no good end. Sure it may make a few angry folks feel better but that isn't really the purpose of the media or international diplomacy is it? The purpose of those kind of comments is to create hostility between cultures that already have enough problems co-existing.

 

[Newboomer]

Serious question in response to what I know was a tongue in cheek response...

If they cant do a push up... why would anyone think they can shoot? or that their weapons are maintained and capable of cycling?

A lack of discipline, whether personally applied, or force applied by others tends not to be singular in focus.. it tends to be universal..

Thats really the core of my prior posts on this... clearly these guys arent being held to very basic military standards.. if none of their leadership cares whether or not they meet the fitness standards, its a pretty safe bet that none of their leadership cares whether or not they meet ANY standards (a fitness standard is far and away among the easiest, cheapest, and least time consuming to maintain)..

Looking at fat enlisted guys doesnt piss me off at the enlisted guys.. they are products of their environment..

It pisses me off at leadership.. who clearly have refused to lead..

Right on. I've seen it in some of my NCO classes. Nothing about some of those troops was up to standards. It amazed me that they had been promoted to the rank they held (E-4s to E-6s).

 

[Rocked and Loaded]

If you really want to use precise language, scientifically speaking, there are no races. Race is a social-political construct, it has no valid biological basis.

In precise scientific language there are species, subspecies and populations. No races.

But we all must concede that language evolves and I would suggest your narrow definition of racism is pretty archaic.

I also think your definition of Jews is pretty narrow. Sammy Davis Jr. was a Jew, but certainly not genetically or geographically related to traditional Israelites. And yes there are Orthodox conversions as well. So if one can convert to the religion from outside, it is surely not a closed category or community.

Secular jews can certainly exist in either context in that they are culturally jewish but are not believers in the faith aspect of their culture.

Is this a discussion of biology or anthropology?

I’ll remind you that you were the one who brought up race hate. If you want to discuss biology, I am more than happy to as that is directly related to my educational and professional background. I could teach your grandmother to suck eggs.

Perhaps we can just agree that since there is no race, there can be no racism. Then you won’t feel quite so much of a need to defend pederasts.

As for my “narrow view of Judaism” I don’t know if you are being intentionally obtuse as I never claimed that there is no conversion to Judaism, only that it is relatively uncommon. Sammy Davis Jr. is the exception that proves the rule. Jews do not have “go out and make disciples of all nations” in their central creed. They are the nation. There’s a reason that there are only 15 million Jews compared to 2 billion Muslims on this planet.

And yes, I imagine that it is quite astonishing to you that I would consider race to be an important part of defining racism. At this point it’s clear to me are more concerned with intentional double-speak than the evolution of language.

 

[VertigoBE]

Quite a war has broken out in the precious medals this morning. Gold was at $4060 an ounce at the opening bell. Some big wig shorted the hell out of it and pushed it under $4000 for a nano-second. It rallied back to $4020 an ounce within seconds to minutes.

The same thing happened in the silver market but its still up 2.7% even after the onslaught.

Years ago when people couldn't figure out why metals weren't going up, it was eventually discovered that JP Morgan was being "told" to short the hell out of it and suppress value. That info came out in litigation against them about a decade later. (15 year old story)

The point is that a breakout in metals is very dangerous to world governments. It heightens consumer interest, moving money into Gold which reduces liquidity in the stock markets. It also points to the laughable nature of all our fiat currencies at the same time.

The difference this time is that metals are looking a lot more like gamestop, a loyal fan base is able to push it up even as world governments and institutions keep trying to short it.

My prediction is gold hits $5000 an ounce by Q2/26. It seems like on the average its going up half a percent a day or more, coupled with a few breakout days where it goes up 2%.

I don’t think it is a fanbase of amateurs driving the price up, the market is too large for it. In my opinion, this is governments, or large institutions starting to position themselves.

 

[rookhawk]

If you really want to use precise language, scientifically speaking, there are no races. Race is a social-political construct, it has no valid biological basis.

In precise scientific language there are species, subspecies and populations. No races.

That sounds like politics, not science, or at least a statement made by politically oriented scientists to ascribe everything to culture. The genetic deviations between Caucasians and Asians is much closer than the genetic distance between those two races and sub-saharan Africans. There are integrades of course, such as the people's of the horn of Africa that are about half-semetic and half sub-saharan in their genetics, sharing two races. Laplanders are an intergrade with Asian racial benefits and Caucasian racial benefits. (e.g blue eyes are advantageous for night vision, epicanthic folds are superior for surviving in a sleet storm)

Then of course, there is no pure-blood homo sapien either. Africans have an unknown ancestor in the homo genus in their DNA. Caucasians have crowmagnun and neanderthal DNA comprising 2-4%. Asians have Denosovan DNA. Our pure blood homo sapien ancestors slept around a lot with other archaic cousins, we're all mutts from those outbreedings of the races.

To argue that the DNA doesn't conclude this is to leave one's mind at the door.

 

[steve white]

It is wrong. Or are you asking for your own moral clarification?

No, he is asking to get an anti-Trump zinger in, all the while revealing his own compromises morally. Typical liberal secular, anti-Christian clap-trap. It's also what the "ignore" button is for...don't need my blood pressure up even more.

 

[mdwest]

Right on. I've seen it in some of my NCO classes. Nothing about some of those troops was up to standards. It amazed me that they had been promoted to the rank they held (E-4s to E-6s).

The army continues to evolve and change.. I was amazed at how different things were the last time I was at Ft. Leonard Wood in the early 2000's... I had gotten out in the late 90's.. I figured things would largely be the same as they were when I was in... I was blown away how wrong I was.. I was there on a JTF-6 training exchange program where MPs and CID agents were allowed to attend major metro area law enforcement advanced training courses, and major metro area cops were being given opportunities to attend advanced MP and CID training programs like SRT/SWAT, SRT Sniper, CID Dignitary Protection, etc..

The cops stayed in VOQ for housing, and ate at the same chow hall that the cadre for the various AIT school houses ate at (Chem Corps, Engineers, and MPs were all run through Leonard Wood at that time)...

The behavior of some of the E5 - E8's I saw running around honestly was beyond the pale.. granted it wasnt all of them.. but I was blown away that ANY of them were acting the way they were.. especially on post in a facility full of civilian cops..

I admit that I spent most of my mil time in very specialized units where perhaps grooming standards and uniform standards were more relaxed than others, but where professionalism wasnt just a requirement, it was demanded.. so maybe I was a bit biased and expected more than I should have.. but.. I still had a hard time believing it..

I can only imagine what its like today, after 4 years of the crazy crap that went on during the last administration, and how difficult it must be for NCO's and O's to actually have control of their troops.. I certainly dont envy them.. especially on the conventional forces side of the house..

 

[Aaron N]

It is wrong. Or are you asking for your own moral clarification?

I am 100% clear on where I stand on the issue.

 

[Aaron N]

Im not convinced some of them have advanced much since Alexander marched through the region on his way to conquer the Indian subcontinent.. thats the early 4th century..

Speaking of man love…..