PNWI Community Thread version 3.0 (KEEP REFRIGERATED AT ALL TIMES)

[Mr. Ron]

Hands down best Olympic opening evar.

[Radiobass81]

Yes!

I was pretty pissed off because they cut off the Puerto Rico opening to commercials. A LOCAL channel did that. But really, it was magnificent.

I yelled out loud "THE GUY WITH THE TORCH IS IN THE AIR", to later yell "THE GUY WITH THE TORCH IS SIDEWAYS-RUNNING IN THE ROOF" :p.

[Mr. Ron]

I thought one of the wires snapped for a second when he went sideways to start running.

[gregulus]

badminton ftw.

[siva_chair]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-3qncy5Qfk

[totah]

The fireworks were cool. I heard they had bodies of Tibetan children strapped to them for the extra oomph.

[BridgeToSolace]

That's a horrible waste of food :(

[totah]

You're so mean!

[mph4ever]

coke is dirt, just dirt

[Der Übermensch]

personal responsibility personal responsibility personal responsibility how many do i have to say personal responsibility

if you know you're prone to addictive behavior or if you realize that, "hey i'm doing this too often", then be responsible enough for your own well-being to either stop or never start in the first place

when i started my coke phase a few years ago i was getting it from a shady source and later found out it was cut with heroin

i had horrible withdrawals, i was doing it all the time, i did it to the point of feeling sick every time i snorted a line

i realized i was addicted due to the secondary substance i was putting in my body, so i locked myself in my house and didn't answer any phone calls for a couple of weeks and cleaned myself up

it was miserable too. i was vomiting, i couldn't sleep, i was shaking and sweating, i couldn't eat, and i had intense muscle pains all over my body 24/7 it felt like i was a giant muscle cramp

i took the responsibility to clean up though

the last time i did coke not too long ago i only agreed to it because it was very pure and cut with nothing but ether and guess what, no withdrawals, no cravings, no restlessness or pain, and i haven't done it since

choosing your source carefully and being personally responsible for whatever you do to yourself is more important that banning something out of fear

@ uber

ok? What does that have to do with my point? Ok, so you need personal responsibility with any drug. Did I say you didn't? Psychological addiction is still psychological addiction? (and where did you get that I wanted to " ban something out of fear?")

[totah]

You need personal responsibility with anything. Drugs are only special because people make them out to be so. There are hundreds of things we do that alter our state of mind by various different methods, drugs are only a handful of them. Some of these things we do unconsciously too. But all of them need personal responsibility.

[Dr Hooch]

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0736008820080807?rpc=60

it's unfortunate that a bunch of fundamentalist assholes can determine what does and doesn't get published in other countries because they'll threaten the author, the publisher, and protest.

itt i despise fundamentalist interpretations of religion even more.

for balance, 2 adverts made for the UK were dropped because of american pressure groups.

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8189.html

[Hababi]

The difference is that the Christians aren't going to kill anyone if they don't get their way.

[totah]

Christians aren't any better than anyone else. Every religion has committed atrocities in the name of their faith.

[Hababi]

Christians aren't any better than anyone else. Every religion has committed atrocities in the name of their faith.

Comparing Christians who complain about advertisements to Muslims who threaten violence over advertisements is ludicrous.

[Dr Hooch]

"it's unfortunate that a bunch of fundamentalist assholes can determine what does and doesn't get published in other countries because they'll threaten the author, the publisher, and protest."

That statement applies to both. But yes.

[Hababi]

But yes.

:cool: :p

[Dr Hooch]

:cool: :p
"you made a valid point and then i critisized islam; a winner is I" - zero

[Hababi]

"you made a valid point and then i critisized islam; a winner is I" - zero

no see I was correct and I figured the "but yeah" was admitting that I was correct. Don't compare peaceful protest with violent threats.

[Dr Hooch]

Don't compare peaceful protest with violent threats.

I didn't.

[Hababi]

I didn't.

good then you're agreeing with me.

[Dr Hooch]

good then you're agreeing with me.

i agree with your statement yes.

[Hababi]

i agree with your statement yes.

:thumb:

[gregulus]

fundamentalism is a bad thing regardless. it's just an unfortunate "trend," i suppose, that fundamentalist islam takes it to the extent that they do, with threats and riots over miniscule things. at the same time, fundamentalist christians giving tours at natural history museum lying to kids about exhibits there is a tragedy as well.

[McP3000]

well technically im sure some of the stuff in the museum is lying itself so lets not get pissy

plus i dont think the kids care that much as long as they see the dinosaurs

[Hababi]

plus i dont think the kids care that much as long as they see the dinosaurs

yea this.

[gregulus]

yea this.

that doesn't justify indoctrinating children with utter bullshit. telling them that the earth is only 6k years old or that dinosaurs walked around with man is utter bullshit.

[Hababi]

that doesn't justify indoctrinating children with utter bullpoop. telling them that the earth is only 6k years old or that dinosaurs walked around with man is utter bullpoop.

Are you going to tell your kids that Santa Clause is made up?

[Light Fantastic]

i wouldnt even tell them he was real in the first place

and probably would encourage them to ruin it for the other kids

also, im glad you agree santa claus and god are comparable

[Hababi]

i wouldnt even tell them he was real in the first place

and probably would encourage them to ruin it for the other kids

:lol: Well then you'd be a mean parent.

It's of absolutely no consequence. I know someone who grew up going to school and learning 6 day Earth creationism etc. and is completing her masters in geoscience.

[gregulus]

Are you going to tell your kids that Santa Clause is made up?

santa clause isn't at the root of a rampant anti-intellectual, fundamentalist movement, steve. i also have no problem with introducing the idea of god to your kid. it's telling them things that are in staunch opposition to scientific findings that i am opposed to.

what kid doesn't know that santa clause isn't real by the 3rd grade anyway?

[gregulus]

:lol: Well then you'd be a mean parent.

It's of absolutely no consequence. I know someone who grew up going to school and learning 6 day Earth creationism etc. and is completing her masters in geoscience.

i would be willing to bet that a lot of those kids are the go to church and give jazz fingers to god types in their teenage years. i don't have much hope for kids who are taught to scoff at science from an early age.

[Light Fantastic]

It's of absolutely no consequence. I know someone who grew up going to school and learning 6 day Earth creationism etc. and is completing her masters in geoscience.

well thats logically unsound

having a masters degree is no yardstick of consequence

[Hababi]

Fundamentalist Christianity is no more anti-intellectual than fundamentalist liberalism. And who cares if people believe non-scientifically correct things? It doesn't hurt you any.

[Mr. Ron]

I don't get parents that think telling their kids that santa isn't real will "ruin the magic of being young". Kids are interested in the presents.

[Hababi]

well thats logically unsound

having a masters degree is no yardstick of consequence

It demonstrates that learning creationism when young in no way prevents someone from exploring, accepting, and becoming quite proficient, in science.

[Hababi]

I don't get parents that think telling their kids that santa isn't real will "ruin the magic of being young". Kids are interested in the presents.

You clearly never saw Miracle on 34th Street.

[Mr. Ron]

It demonstrates that learning creationism when young in no way prevents someone from exploring, accepting, and becoming quite proficient, in science.

yes it does.

[Akira]

Fundamentalist Christianity is no more anti-intellectual than fundamentalist liberalism. And who cares if people believe non-scientifically correct things? It doesn't hurt you any.

Fundamentalist liberalism?

Are you so lost for real things to argue about that you've started making up stuff like that?

[Mr. Ron]

You clearly never saw Miracle on 34th Street.
Yes I did. It sucked.

Give me Ralph and his swearing dad over that crap any christmas.

[Hababi]

yes it does.

:lol: You can keep on saying that all you want, but that doesn't change anything. If it's so harmful, why didn't it stop someone I know from getting her master's in geoscience?




Are you so lost for real things to argue about that you've started making up stuff like that?


No




Give me Ralph and his swearing dad over that crap any christmas.


That movie was terrible.

[Dr Hooch]

Fundamentalist Christianity is no more anti-intellectual than fundamentalist liberalism. And who cares if people believe non-scientifically correct things? It doesn't hurt you any.

No article title matches

There is no page titled "fundamentalist liberalism".

[gregulus]

Fundamentalist Christianity is no more anti-intellectual than fundamentalist liberalism. And who cares if people believe non-scientifically correct things? It doesn't hurt you any.

it does when they vote for candidates who believe in the same crap that they do.

[Hababi]

No article title matches

There is no page titled "fundamentalist liberalism".

yeah there is

fundamentalist liberalism, fundamentalist atheism, etc. the kind that teaches that all Christians are bigots, Republicans are all evil, etc.

[Hababi]

it does when they vote for candidates who believe in the same crap that they do.

Unless those candidates are running for president of a science board, this is about as relevant as their music tastes.

[Mr. Ron]

:lol: You can keep on saying that all you want, but that doesn't change anything. If it's so harmful, why didn't it stop someone I know from getting her master's in geoscience?



No



That movie was terrible.
We're talking about fundies. Even though I think you're crazy, I don't think you're a full fledged fundie. People who think we came from two people and the Earth is only about 6,000 years old have no business with anything based in reality.



If you don't like A Christmas story then you're worse off than I expected.

[Akira]

I don't like what you call "fundamentalist atheism," Dawkins style stuff. At a point, it becomes as dogmatic as what it is railing against.

But I still don't think this "fundamentalist liberalism" you speak of is real.

[gregulus]

Unless those candidates are running for president of a science board, this is about as relevant as their music tastes.

no. it has the serious potential to affect policies regarding everything from education to health care. teaching 6-day creationism in science class at a local middle school is not a good thing, steve.

[Light Fantastic]

:lol: You can keep on saying that all you want, but that doesn't change anything. If it's so harmful, why didn't it stop someone I know from getting her master's in geoscience?


well because anyone can (and the religious do daily) ignore huge contradictions it doesnt make them not stupid just because they got a masters degree

thats, again, logically unsound

[Hababi]

well because anyone can (and the religious do daily) ignore huge contradictions it doesnt make them not stupid just because they got a masters degree


No see it's that they don't actually believe the stuff about old day earth creationism.

[Akira]

If she got a masters in geoscience, then she clearly is not a six day Creationism anymore. In which case it doesn't matter.

That doesn't prove anything though. A kid raised by racist parents could turn out to be a very accepting person, that doesn't mean that it's okay to indoctrinate your kids with racist ideas.
For the record, I'm not comparing Christianity to racism beyond the idea of indoctrination.

[Light Fantastic]

oh you mean she questioned her beliefs and that was a good idea who'd have thunk it

[Hababi]

If she got a masters in geoscience, then she clearly is not a six day Creationism anymore. In which case it doesn't matter.

Exactly.


For the record, I'm not comparing Christianity to racism beyond the idea of indoctrination.

That doesn't make sense. The two aren't comparable, as you admit.

[Light Fantastic]

well a racist could get a masters so it cant be bad

[Hababi]

well a racist could get a masters so it cant be bad

Likely not in sociology ;)

[Light Fantastic]

im sure i could find one and that would automatically prove you wrong like your sole example

[Hababi]

im sure i could find one and that would automatically prove you wrong like your sole example

not really because it's an incorrect analogy. It'd be correct if she still believed in 6 day Earth creationism. She doesn't.

[Light Fantastic]

then a former racist who masters in sociology

to prove that indoctrinating racism isnt detrimental

[Hababi]

then a former racist who masters in sociology

Specifically pertaining to race relations. Go go go.


to prove that indoctrinating racism isnt detrimental

Then you still have the :lol: quality of comparing racism to incorrect scientific doctrine.

[Dr Hooch]

yeah there is

fundamentalist liberalism, fundamentalist atheism, etc. the kind that teaches that all Christians are bigots, Republicans are all evil, etc.

A) What does fund. liberalism have to do with atheism

B) what

[Hababi]

A) What does fund. liberalism have to do with atheism


Fundamentalist liberalism and fundamentalist atheism both teach that Christians are basically evil.

[Dr Hooch]

Fundamentalist liberalism and fundamentalist atheism both teach that Christians are basically evil.

the issue i have is that only one of those two things actually exist

[totah]

Lol, do you even know what fundamentalism means?

[Hababi]

the issue i have is that only one of those two things actually exist

which would be

[Mr. Ron]

Fundamentalist liberalism and fundamentalist atheism both teach that Christians are basically evil.

lmao good one steve

[Hababi]

Lol, do you even know what fundamentalism means?

Movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles.

[totah]

Movement or attitude stressing strict and literal adherence to a set of basic principles.

Religious fundamentalism refers to a "deep and totalistic commitment" to a belief in the infallibility and inerrancy of holy scriptures, absolute religious authority, and strict adherence to a set of basic principles (fundamentals), away from doctrinal compromises with modern social and political life.[1][2][3][4]

The term fundamentalism was originally coined to describe a narrowly defined set of beliefs that developed into a movement within the Protestant community of the United States in the early part of the 20th century. Until 1950, there was no entry for fundamentalism in the Oxford English Dictionary;[5] the derivative fundamentalist was added only in its second 1989 edition.[6]

The term fundamentalist has since been generalized to mean strong adherence to any set of beliefs in the face of criticism or unpopularity, but has by and large retained religious connotations.[6] The collective use of the term fundamentalist to describe non-Christian movements has offended some Christians who desire to retain the original definition.

Fundamentalism is often used as a pejorative term, particularly when combined with other epithets (as in the phrase "Muslim fundamentalists" and "right-wing fundamentalists").[7][8] Richard Dawkins used the term to characterize religious advocates as clinging to a stubborn, entrenched position that defies reasoned argument or contradictory evidence.[9]

The bit I bolded makes you a fundamentalist.

[Iscariot]

what a stupid argument

[totah]

Your mom's a stupid argument.

Burn.

[Iscariot]

i need some ice :(

[totah]

Aloe vera lotion is good for burns. I rubbed some on your mum's back earlier; you should get softer carpets.

[Hababi]

You have lice.

[Akira]

Fundamentalist liberalism and fundamentalist atheism both teach that Christians are basically evil.

Err...

Uhh...

What...?

Where did you get the idea that liberalism is anti-religion? That's in no way a tenet of liberalism. I would argue that in America, by and large a Christian nation, most liberals are Christians.

[Bron-Yr-Aur]

i would also like to know how secularism equals religious hostility.

[totah]

I would like to know why my anus is bleeding.

[Bron-Yr-Aur]

zionism.\?

[Iscariot]

it's the jews

if you loved palestine your anus would never bleed and would in fact be blessed by god so that you may fart the scent of roses

[totah]

Shuddup, I am Chosen. I don't need to take this crap from some damn half-educated goy.

[McP3000]

goy

[Iscariot]

warning: this post has nothing to do with goy

i have to admit sometimes debates in here start to go over my head and i just stop posting because i don't have anything new to add

i usually have a basic opinion or idea and beyond that i just like to read what everyone else has to say

i think this makes me bad at pnwi

[siva_chair]

I like to pretend that everyone doesn't really mean what they say in here and that everyone is just making things up.

[Dr Hooch]

no it makes you the best at IPWN

everyone else except smokey and a few others are in the exact same boat only they don't read what anyone else has to say

[Iscariot]

well it's good to know i'm not alone =D

[siva_chair]

I had almost forgot how awesome of a movie Once Upon a Time in the West was.

[Dr Hooch]

I had almost forgot how awesome of a movie Once Upon a Time in the West was.

yes yes yes yes yes yes

A THOUSAND TIMES YES



man the climax of that film is so well put together and the acting is so good and the and the and the


(yeah i'm quite into spaghetti westerns)

[siva_chair]

yes yes yes yes yes yes

A THOUSAND TIMES YES



man the climax of that film is so well put together and the acting is so good and the and the and the


(yeah i'm quite into spaghetti westerns)

Also a passion of mine.

The Man with No Name is a great personification of the anti-hero archetype.

[Hababi]

no it makes you the best at IPWN

everyone else except smokey and a few others are in the exact same boat only they don't read what anyone else has to say

I don't discuss stuff that I don't know about. Eg science nerd threads.

[totah]

I don't discuss stuff that I don't know about. Eg science nerd threads.

Wow, could have fooled me.

[Hababi]

Wow, could have fooled me.

start a science nerd thread

[Iskandar]

Are you going to tell your kids that Santa Claus is made up?Yes, and also that it's a terrible Tim Allen movie.

[totah]

I'm gonna tell kids that aren't mine that not only is Santa Claus made up, but so is God. And that morality is by no means an absolute, but a human construct used to repress our fundamental desires to enforce a particular way of life on society at large.

Burn.

[Der Übermensch]

And that morality is by no means an absolute,
That'll come back to bite you in the ***.

[totah]

Probably, but it's still true. Just because I resort to morality in a sticky situation doesn't make it absolute.

[Hababi]

I just tried a makeshift yoga move by shifting a sitting position into a head stand...only it didn't work and for a minute I thought that I tore muscles in my arms :o

[McP3000]

yoga pisses me off

[totah]

Yoga's great if you've a bad back.

[McP3000]

or a masochist

[Iskandar]

Yoga might be cool if it were taught by Indians instead of white suburban neo-hippies.

The only thing worse than a hippie is a neo-hippie, folks.

[Akira]

Is a neo-hippie like a yuppie?

[McP3000]

worse

[Iskandar]

Precisely.

[Akira]

worse

Gross.

I bet neo-hippies are vegans and tree huggers. amirite?

[Iskandar]

Yes, as well as New Age pagan revivalists who practice Wicca.

And they don't use deodorant.

[totah]

My mum taught me three positions to fix my back. They work.

[gregulus]

neo-hippies are kids who like the fashion but don't reallystand for anything. they'll tell everyone that they're vegan and they'll have an obama '08 sticker on their car, but they don't really give a ****.

[Hababi]

And Che and 'think peace' pins :p

[gregulus]

hipsters are worse though. a bunch of assholes who took a little bit of everything from every subculture that actually meant something and have deluded it to the point of meaninglessness. they stand for even less than neo-hippies.


i mean, at least frat guys don't claim to stand for anything, i guess.

[Iskandar]

I've been accused of hipsterdom just because I have black-framed glasses.:(

[gregulus]

I've been accused of hipsterdom just because I have black-framed glasses.:(

:(:(:(

[Iskandar]

I'm also addicted to coffee. I've had over half a pot today because I'm trying to keep awake.

[Dr Hooch]

Also a passion of mine.

The Man with No Name is a great personification of the anti-hero archetype.

and Harmonica is a worthwhile second. :)

you like, say, Dirty Harry then? Those are basically westerns anyway, or at least the idea of what happens when someone who belongs in a western belongs to modern society.

[Der Übermensch]

I've been watching the Olympics online, and two conclusions. Air Rifle is the most goddamn boring sport ever to watch.
And ****ing hell I want to start Fencing again. I haven't touched a foil in months :(

[Iskandar]

I want to duel with lightsabers. Pity they don't exist ... yet.

[Dr Hooch]

if they don't get built by the generation of scientists that grew up with the films they'll never get built at all because it's a TERRIBLE idea for an offensive weapon

[Iskandar]

if they don't get built by the generation of scientists that grew up with the films they'll never get built at all because it's a TERRIBLE ideaLightsabers are a terrible idea? GET OUT.

[Dr Hooch]

Lightsabers are a terrible idea? GET OUT.

"let's try to contain a plasma and then hit people with it"

how is that a good idea

[Iskandar]

"let's try to contain a plasma and then hit people with it"

how is that a good ideaSo we can duel with them, silly.

[McP3000]

Just because something is impractical doesnt mean it doesnt kick seven shades of awesome

[Iskandar]

Moaner can have a red lightsaber because he's fallen to the dark side. I call green.

[totah]

I call pink with black strips.

[Iskandar]

I call pink with black strips.That's impossible. Haven't you ever seen Star Wars?

[McP3000]

I've always had a strange infatuation with the purple lightsabers

[Hababi]

I've always had a strange infatuation with the purple lightsabers

That's because you're gay.

[Iskandar]

I've always had a strange infatuation with the purple lightsabersOnly one man is cool enough to have one, though, and that man is Samuel L. Motha****in Jackson.

[McP3000]

That's because you're gay.
**** off. the color has little or no bearing on the sexuality nowadays.
Only one man is cool enough to have one, though, and that man is Samuel L. Motha****in Jackson.
i know im disappointed

[Dr Hooch]

I call pink with black strips.

please explain to me how your plasma is going to be black

[Iskandar]

People, they come in blue, green, and purple only if you're cool enough to be Sam L. Red if you're evil. No other colours exist.

[McP3000]

yellow exist

[Iskandar]

yellow existNot in the movies.

[totah]

please explain to me how your plasma is going to be black

Uhh, food colouring, OBVIOUSLY.

[McP3000]

Not in the movies.
gah i thought we were talking about the WHOLE universe not just the movies

i still call purple

[Iskandar]

gah i thought we were talking about the WHOLE universe not just the movies

i still call purpleI don't really care for anything outside of the movies. The novels were an interesting idea that got carried away to the point that they're now utterly ridiculous.

[McP3000]

my friend claims to have read something like 75 of them

[gregulus]

I've been watching the Olympics online, and two conclusions. Air Rifle is the most goddamn boring sport ever to watch.
And ****ing hell I want to start Fencing again. I haven't touched a foil in months :(

ever since we talked a bit about fencing the other night i've been reading a good deal about it. all 3 techniques seem rather fun. i wouldn't mind just learning how to fight with a rapier, though.

[totah]

When I was a kid we used to get broomsticks and fight with those. But when someone's arm got broken, we bought pipe insulation tubes and put the broomsticks in them, then we had LOADS of fun. We actually invented Force rules and played star wars, and had loads of hierarchy rules about padawans and masters and knights etc. Good fun.

I think we should try and have a big MX water-fight meetup. Or British bulldog. I'd love to take Steve down.

[Iskandar]

had loads of hierarchy rulesOh, the follies of one's youth!

I'm eating falafil. It's delicious and incredibly easy to make.

[totah]

So's your mom.

[Iskandar]

So you just buy falafil mix at a bulk grocery store (it's basically chickpea flour with spices) and mix it with some water. Then you shape it into little balls with your hands. You heat a little olive oil in a pan, then cook the falafil balls on low heat (this is important, because it burns easily). After a couple of minutes, turn them, then when they're done you spread some hummus on a pita, put the falafil in and roll the whole thing up. There! An excellent, quasi-healthy snack.

Like Eran's mum.

[totah]

You should deepfry them. It's nicer.

[Iskandar]

You should deepfry them. It's nicer.Nah, too greasy. If you panfry them they're lighter and healthier.

[totah]

Yes, but deepfrying is nicer.

And you also need tahini, salad (tomatoes, cucumbers and onions, chopped finely), some spicy chili paste (only a little), sauerkraut and fries, and you shove all that into the pitta. In this order: humus and spicy stuff spread out equally throughout, then two falafels, then salad, then tahini, then two more falafels, then sauerkraut and chips to top it off. Then more tahini on top of the chips.

[Iskandar]

Sauerkraut and fries??? Damned Israeli. No Arab would eat that.

All that wouldn't fit in a pita, anyway. It'd explode.

[totah]

Trust me, it fits in Israeli pittas.

And most Israelis wouldn't eat that either.

[Iskandar]

For toppings, I like tomato and red onion. No lettuce - it's basically filler.

[totah]

Yeah, no lettuce. Try purple cabbage chopped up fine.

EDIT: No mayonnaise.

[gregulus]

totah, can i come stay with you and pick up israeli chicks?

[Iskandar]

First I want to pick up a little Hebrew. It can't be that hard, it's like a grosser Arabic with a bunch of English words mixed in.

[gregulus]

First I want to pick up a little Hebrew. It can't be that hard, it's like a grosser Arabic with a bunch of English words mixed in.

be sure to tell them that. they'll fall for you in no time.

[Iskandar]

be sure to tell them that. they'll fall for you in no time.They'll probably think I'm a Muslim because I'm bearded and speak Arabic (badly).

[Hababi]

They'll probably think I'm a Muslim because I'm bearded and speak Arabic (badly).

If you get a tan I'm reporting you to homeland security.

[Iskandar]

If you get a tan I'm reporting you to homeland security.Unlikely. I hate tans.

[Hababi]

Unlikely. I hate tans.

One of the few things you're sensible about.

Also means that you might be the most pasty MXer :p

[Iskandar]

One of the few things you're sensible about.

Also means that you might be the most pasty MXer :pNo, I'm averagely pale for a white person.

I am, however, the most sensible member here.

[Hababi]

No, I'm averagely pale for a white person.

I am, however, the most sensible member here.

no because if you were then you wouldn't be interested in Arabic and the middle east

[Iskandar]

no because if you were then you wouldn't be interested in Arabic and the middle eastI'm just glad I'm not into China and Chinese.

Mastered calligraphy yet?;)

[Hababi]

I'm just glad I'm not into China and Chinese.

Mastered calligraphy yet?;)

Maybe you couldn't handle it :o

And I arranged for private lessons at a good price, so I'm pretty confident that I'll be able to read Chinese language newspapers (not in Pinyin) in two years.

[Iskandar]

Of course I couldn't handle Chinese. That's why I'm not nuts enough to learn it.

Although private lessons would be nice. Adding to what I've learned already, I could be reading Arabic fluently in less than a year. Conversing is a different matter.

[Akira]

My school is starting a Chinese program next year.

I'll stick with Arabic for now.

[Knifeboy]

And I arranged for private lessons at a good price

Is she hot? :naughty:

[Hababi]

Of course I couldn't handle Chinese. That's why I'm not nuts enough to learn it.

Although private lessons would be nice. Adding to what I've learned already, I could be reading Arabic fluently in less than a year. Conversing is a different matter.

That's another reason why private lessons, or some kind of regular interaction with a native speaker, is pretty much imperative if you really want to be competent.

[Iskandar]

I wouldn't mind Chinese lessons from Michelle Yeoh.

That is, lessons about the Chinese ... culture.

I fail.:(

[Akira]

That's another reason why private lessons, or some kind of regular interaction with a native speaker, is pretty much imperative if you really want to be competent.

This is the advantage I have in learning Arabic - my dad's a native speaker. No problem on the regular interaction part.

[Hababi]

I wouldn't mind Chinese lessons from Michelle Yeoh.

That is, lessons about the Chinese ... culture.

I fail.:(

vvm

[Hababi]

This is the advantage I have in learning Arabic - my dad's a native speaker. No problem on the regular interaction part.

Where's he from?

[Iskandar]

Huh?

[Hababi]

Huh?

I wasn't expecting you to answer where he's from.

[Iskandar]

No, I don't understand what vvm means.

[Hababi]

No, I don't understand what vvm means.

ok what do you think, in that context, vm would mean?

[Akira]

Where's he from?

Syria.

[Hababi]

So does he look like
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Syria.BasharAlAssad.jpg
?

[Iskandar]

Uh, comparing someone's father to al-Assad is kind of uncalled for.

[Hababi]

Uh, comparing someone's father to al-Assad is kind of uncalled for.

I was asking if he looked like him, not if he was a terrorist creep like Assad :p

[Mr. Ron]

Freudian slip

[Akira]

He's not Syrian, he's just from Syria.

Don't worry Iskandar (what's you name?), Steve could be comparing him to Yassir Arafat or something.

[Iskandar]

You know, Arabs all look different. They're not going to look like distinct ethnicities just because one's from Syria and another's from Kuwait.
Iskandar (what's you name?)Alex. Thus, Iskandar.

[Akira]

Freudian slip

Haha. Imaginary rep+

[Hababi]

He's not Syrian, he's just from Syria.

Of what ethnicity is he?


Don't worry Iskandar (what's you name?), Steve could be comparing him to Yassir Arafat or something.

See now that would be an insult.

[Akira]

He's Palestinian, born to refugee parents. That's why I brought up Arafat. I'd probably get Smokey to ban you if you made that comparison, tbqh. :p

[Hababi]

You know, Arabs all look different. They're not going to look like distinct ethnicities just because one's from Syria and another's from Kuwait.
Alex. Thus, Iskandar.

Nonsense. They all look like this:
http://www.danzfamily.com/pictures/pictures02/hijackers.jpg

Note for any uptight member: yes, that is a joke.

[Hababi]

He's Palestinian, born to refugee parents. That's why I brought up Arafat. I'd probably get Smokey to ban you if you made that comparison, tbqh. :p

:lol: Would you also do that if I compared him to a member of Hamas? ;)

[Iskandar]

I lol when Asians claim Koreans and Chinese look totally different.

[spitfirejunky]

Nonsense. They all look like this:
http://www.danzfamily.com/pictures/pictures02/hijackers.jpg

Note for any uptight member: yes, that is a joke.

I look roughly like Hani Hanjour.

[Akira]

:lol: Would you also do that if I compared him to a member of Hamas? ;)

Probably. :p

[Iskandar]

Ahmad al-Nami looks like an Egyptian movie star.:lol:

[Der Übermensch]

ever since we talked a bit about fencing the other night i've been reading a good deal about it. all 3 techniques seem rather fun. i wouldn't mind just learning how to fight with a rapier, though.

I don't think foil/epée are too different from foil. They are lighter I imagine, so it means faster action, but they are all thrusting swords as opposed to slashing.

[RNR]

Syria.

Syriasly?

[Akira]

What a witty play on words.

And yes.

[RNR]

Ah, well then. I'm sure you would get good arabic practice with him. :)

[siva_chair]

and Harmonica is a worthwhile second. :)

you like, say, Dirty Harry then? Those are basically westerns anyway, or at least the idea of what happens when someone who belongs in a western belongs to modern society.

Yup big fan of Dirty Harry.

Also a big fan of the Kurosawa movies that the 'Dollars' trilogy (and many other great films) were kind of spawned from.

Have you ever seen the movie 'The Way of the Gun'? It has Benicio Del Toro, Ryan Phillippe, Juliette Lewis, James Caan, ect. in it and reminds me of a modern day kind of speghetti western/crime movie in both themes and music. Not only does it take place in the Southwest/Mexico, but also the 'good guys' are criminals and morally, everyone is kind of a neutral shade of grey.

[gregulus]

I don't think foil/epée are too different from foil. They are lighter I imagine, so it means faster action, but they are all thrusting swords as opposed to slashing.

In sabre, I believe you can score a point by striking anywhere with the blade on the upper-torso. I think epée is the stiffest, or so I've read. There are also no priority rules in epée.

[Smokey D]

Sabre is the heaviest.

I never really got why they call it a sabre. If you look at the militaries which used sabres, they are like 2 inches wide designed for slashing as well as thrusting not thin pointy swords.

[siva_chair]

I'll take a Japanese Katana any day.

I always wished there was a Kendo/Kenjutsu school worth a crap around where I live.

[Smokey D]

I read an interesting (if you're a nerd) comparison once between Japanese swordsmanship and Western swordsmanship. The conclusion that there was no overt superiority in either, but that western swordsmanship may have been more versatile due to the number of cuts available compared to the single edged Japanese swords. I think they did a comparison to fencing, specifically, but fencing is clearly not meant to accurately represent warfare so it wasn't too extensive.

Although Japanese swords were very well made, their quality is often overstated. Even the best katana wouldn't really stand up to being beaten with a 8 kilo European broadsword. The quality of their engineering reflects the poverty of the iron ore available to the Japanese. They had to be well made or they'd break too quickly. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to high quality iron swords from continental Eurasia.

[siva_chair]

I read an interesting (if you're a nerd) comparison once between Japanese swordsmanship and Western swordsmanship. The conclusion that there was no overt superiority in either, but that western swordsmanship may have been more versatile due to the number of cuts available compared to the single edged Japanese swords. I think they did a comparison to fencing, specifically, but fencing is clearly not meant to accurately represent warfare.

In some situations I am sure it is.

It is hard to beat the craftsmanship and superiority of the Japanese Katana, though.

As for the sword style, it is hard to say, as even within the realm of Japanese Kenjutsu/Kendo there are many many variations and styles, philosophies and practices, ect. Obviously, the Japanese's were originally developed for war, as their culture of the timeperiod was pretty much constant clan war.

And yes, I guess this makes me a nerd. :D

Although Japanese swords were very well made, their quality is often overstated. Even the best katana wouldn't really stand up to being beaten with a 8 kilo European broadsword. The quality of their engineering reflects the poverty of the iron ore available to the Japanese. They had to be well made or they'd break too quickly. This puts them at a disadvantage compared to high quality iron swords from continental Eurasia.

I've seen demonstrations where a high quality Japanese Katana (some have over a million folds in the steel and took a very long time to make) could destroy an average European broadsword.

Although it must be said that they were used in completely different ways. The broadsword relied much more on weight and the strength of the user to deliver almost crushing blows, where the Katana was a 4 foot razorblade that was much more flexible and relied on it's relative lightweight to deliver quick and deadly blows.

[Futue te Ipsum]

hard to beat the price tag either.

or meet it.

[Smokey D]

As for the sword style, it is hard to say, as even within the realm of Japanese Kenjutsu/Kendo there are many many variations and styles, philosophies and practices, ect. Obviously, the Japanese's were originally developed for war, as their culture of the timeperiod was pretty much constant clan war.


Much of hte complexities in European warfare kinda disappeared once they figured out it was easier a) to give people pikes and set them up in large formations and b) to give them guns.

As for the quality point, check out the edit.

[Futue te Ipsum]

Or, if you're British, force the common folk to use bows and then fire at people from a distance? : /

[siva_chair]

Much of hte complexities in European warfare kinda disappeared once they figured out it was easier a) to give people pikes and set them up in large formations and b) to give them guns.

The Japanese eventually moved more towards that way of fighting as well.

I think that a lot of Kenjutsu schools still have that practice of war because it is ingrained in many of the philosophical aspects of the school more than out of actual neccessity. European fencing just evolved almost totally into a sport and less importance was put into the philosophical and spiritual aspects of the art.

[siva_chair]

Or, if you're British, force the common folk to use bows and then fire at people from a distance? : /

That isn't even a British phenomenon. It was common in lots of feudal warfare.

[Smokey D]

I've seen demonstrations where a high quality Japanese Katana (some have over a million folds in the steel and took a very long time to make) could destroy an average European broadsword.

The likelihood of this is overstated. A katana is designed to slash. It was meant to cut leather, lacquer and flesh. It wasn't meant to pierce metal. I can't see it 'destroying' a broadsword. As you say, broadsword's were use
d almost to crush opponents. That included knocking lightweight swords either out of their hands or breaking them.

Although it must be said that they were used in completely different ways. The broadsword relied much more on weight and the strength of the user to deliver almost crushing blows, where the Katana was a 4 foot razorblade that was much more flexible and relied on it's relative lightweight to deliver quick and deadly blows.

Again, a katana has far fewer cuts available (being designed primarily for slashing across one edge). A broadsword (and other European swords) were multiedged, and had points. I don't think it's clear a katana would be faster than a broadsword.


The Japanese eventually moved more towards that way of fighting as well.


But the social importance of personal combat remained much more important.



I think that a lot of Kenjutsu schools still have that practice of war because it is ingrained in many of the philosophical aspects of the school more than out of actual neccessity. European fencing just evolved almost totally into a sport and less importance was put into the philosophical and spiritual aspects of the art.

Probably. It probably also reflects that the influence of the samurai as a sword wielding aristocracy continued in Japan for far longer than it did in Europe, even after guns were introduced (the Japanese were world leaders in firearms manufacture and design during the 17th century, but an imperial decree obtained by the samurai/daimyo lobby ordered all the gun factories be shut down).


That isn't even a British phenomenon. It was common in lots of feudal warfare.

The Welsh and by extension the English were the most successful users of bow warfare in Western Europe at the time we're talking about.

[gregulus]

Sabre is the heaviest.

I never really got why they call it a sabre. If you look at the militaries which used sabres, they are like 2 inches wide designed for slashing as well as thrusting not thin pointy swords.

The target area and the methods of scoring are derived from how a sabre was used. You can either stab or slash anywhere in the upper-torso. Sabre is much faster paced than the other two disciplines.

I think a more interesting match than katana v. broadsword is katana v. rapier. You have a slashing weapon designed to deliver crushingly heavy blows and an extremely fast thrusting weapon.

[Smokey D]

I'm pretty sure they did that comparison as well, but I can't remember how it was decided.

http://www.thearma.org/essays/katanavs.htm

[Futue te Ipsum]

That isn't even a British phenomenon. It was common in lots of feudal warfare.I'm aware of archers being used by basically everybody, but I don't think any other country made it law that people would have to own a bow and practice archery.

[Dr Hooch]

Or, if you're British, force the common folk to use bows and then fire at people from a distance? : /

Archer was a proffession, not a job for peasants, if I recall.

Yup big fan of Dirty Harry.

Also a big fan of the Kurosawa movies that the 'Dollars' trilogy (and many other great films) were kind of spawned from.

I ought to give them a chance, but since i'm this big sack of predjudice who has never given japanese films a real chance i have it in my head that i wouldn't like them, and i have such a big 'to watch' pile that means i just never have.

Have you ever seen the movie 'The Way of the Gun'? It has Benicio Del Toro, Ryan Phillippe, Juliette Lewis, James Caan, ect. in it and reminds me of a modern day kind of speghetti western/crime movie in both themes and music. Not only does it take place in the Southwest/Mexico, but also the 'good guys' are criminals and morally, everyone is kind of a neutral shade of grey.

No, but it sounds really interesting. I'll see if i can't torrent it once i'm back at uni.

[gregulus]

Or, if you're British, force the common folk to use bows and then fire at people from a distance? : /

The British longbows did their fair share of damage.

That would suck. Ancient warfare is cool as hell to learn about, but it would be the most terrifying thing to actually participate in.

[Futue te Ipsum]

Archer was a proffession, not a job for peasants, if I recall.It was a proffession insofar as being a soldier was. I know England had proffessional armies for most of the age, but that didn't stop many archers from being common folk. They weren't peasants when they were in the army, obviously, as it's hard to be a farmer in such circumstances, but I don't see where this becomes a point worth making : /

[siva_chair]

The likelihood of this is overstated. A katana is designed to slash. It was meant to cut leather, lacquer and flesh. It wasn't meant to pierce metal. I can't see it 'destroying' a broadsword. As you say, broadsword's were used almost to crush opponents. That included knocking lightweight swords either out of their hands or breaking them.

I am not arguing that. What I am saying is I have seen with my own eyes a Katana fasioned in the traditional Japanese way actually cut through a European broadsword. I am not saying that all of them could do it or that this was even the norm, but I have seen it done.

Again, a katana has far fewer cuts available (being designed primarily for slashing across one edge). A broadsword (and other European swords) were multiedged, and had points. I don't think it's clear a katana would be faster than a broadsword.

Ahh but many Japanese sword schools taught extensively thrusting techniques as well. Plus, parrying was generally taught by using the dull edge of the blade/side of the blade as not to dull the edge.

And if you have handled both an average broadsword and an average Katana I think it is pretty clear that the Katana tends to be a faster weapon, as it is usually much lighter in weight.


But the social importance of personal combat remained much more important.

Well sure.

Probably. It probably also reflects that the influence of the samurai as a sword wielding aristocracy continued in Japan for far longer than it did in Europe, even after guns were introduced (the Japanese were world leaders in firearms manufacture and design during the 17th century, but an imperial decree obtained by the samurai/daimyo lobby ordered all the gun factories be shut down).

Oh absolutely. The fact that many Japanese officers still wore ancestral swords during WWII shows how ingrained into that culture the sword was for the warrior class.

I actually have a Katana made around 1830 that was taken off of a Japanese officer during WWII in the Pacific....

The Welsh and by extension the English were the most successful users of bow warfare in Western Europe at the time we're talking about.

Yes I know that but I was saying the phenomenon of giving peasants bows and having them fire large volleys of arrows wasn't only an English phenomenon. Even the Samurai did that to a degree.

The English (Welsh) longbowmen were just the best at it.

[Smokey D]

No medieval European country had professional armies in the sense that we think of. People couldn't afford to be away from their farms for long enough to become professionals. There were mercenary armies but they weren't bound by national allegiances.

Peasants were more frequently bowmen rather than men-at-arms, although being capable of using a longbow effectively required far more than mere casual practice every so often.

[Smokey D]

I am not arguing that. What I am saying is I have seen with my own eyes a Katana fasioned in the traditional Japanese way actually cut through a European broadsword. I am not saying that all of them could do it or that this was even the norm, but I have seen it done.

Yeah. But I'm pretty sure an exceptional European sword could do the same.

Ahh but many Japanese sword schools taught extensively thrusting techniques as well. Plus, parrying was generally taught by using the dull edge of the blade/side of the blade as not to dull the edge.

Thrusting is much more important in western fighting than in Japanese.


And if you have handled both an average broadsword and an average Katana I think it is pretty clear that the Katana tends to be a faster weapon, as it is usually much lighter in weight.

Faster, but not necessarily able to parry quicker.

Yes I know that but I was saying the phenomenon of giving peasants bows and having them fire large volleys of arrows wasn't only an English phenomenon. Even the Samurai did that to a degree.

The English (Welsh) longbowmen were just the best at it.

I think the English applied the technology they had with superior tactics. Long bows are only effective at distance if you mass force. I don't think there were many European armies, aside from the English, who were composed so predominately of bowmen. At Agincourt, something like 5/6 of the English army were archers (amounting to about 5000 archers). This is compared to maybe only 1/6 of the French army.

[siva_chair]

I ought to give them a chance, but since i'm this big sack of predjudice who has never given japanese films a real chance i have it in my head that i wouldn't like them, and i have such a big 'to watch' pile that means i just never have.

Understand.

But if you like the 'Dollars' trilogy, you would definitely like a few of Kurosawa's movies.

Fistfull of Dollars is pretty much an exact remake of Yojimbo set in the American Southwest. And The Magnificent Seven is just a western remake of The Seven Samurai.

The original "Man With No Name" was Toshiro Mifune's character in Yojimbo and Sanjuro. :p


No, but it sounds really interesting. I'll see if i can't torrent it once i'm back at uni.

I liked it a lot.

Peasants were more frequently bowmen rather than men-at-arms, although being capable of using a longbow effectively required far more than mere casual practice every so often.

Indeed. I took out one of my longbows the other day I hadn't shot in quite some time and couldn't hit ****, and I used to be quite good.

Hopefully this winter I can get back into making a few self bows and get back into practicing like I used to.

[Smokey D]

To be really good, you needed to deform your skeleton.

[Iscariot]

what a nerdy discussion

"dude a katana totally rules over a european sword i mean if i were to have a way epic sword fight which of course has as much chance of happening in modern society as a dinosaur has of walking down the street, i would totally use a japanese katana. this one time... i watched anime"

edit: late

[siva_chair]

Yeah. But I'm pretty sure an exceptional European sword could do the same.

Never doubted that. I was just demonstrating how it isn't completely impossible because I've seen it for myself.

Thrusting is much more important in western fighting than in Japanese.

Yes but the point was that it wasn't completely absent from Japanese sword fighting. There were several schools that placed a large emphasis on thrusting techniques, actually.

Faster, but not necessarily able to parry quicker.

I said faster in general though. It is a much faster attacking weapon than your average broadsword.

I think the English applied the technology they had with superior tactics. Long bows are only effective at distance if you mass force. I don't think there were many European armies, aside from the English, who were composed so predominately of bowmen. At Agincourt, something like 5/6 of the English army were archers (amounting to about 5000 archers). This is compared to maybe only 1/6 of the French army.

Of course they were superior at it. No denying that.

But you can see that tactic of mass vollies of arrows around the world in many instances.

Even the Japanese utilized the technique, although for those specifically of the warrior class, horseback archery was utilized much more commonly. In fact the bow was a prominent symbol of the warrior class before the Katana became one.

[siva_chair]

To be really good, you needed to deform your skeleton.

I was pretty damn good without deforming myself.

I don't know what deformation I need to do.

[Futue te Ipsum]

No medieval European country had professional armies in the sense that we think of. People couldn't afford to be away from their farms for long enough to become professionals. There were mercenary armies but they weren't bound by national allegiances.iirc, England made a habit of funding soldiers on the back of the fines they made the people who didn't do their 40 days service pay. That's not to say every soldier in every English army was a proffessional, but it was far more common here than most other nations.

Saxon history is so much more interesting. Annoying, as history at my school started with the plague and went onto early-mid 20th century (and stayed there).

[Dave de Sylvia]

iirc, England made a habit of funding soldiers on the back of the fines they made the people who didn't do their 40 days service pay.
I don't think fines were that prevalent. Usually a lord would pay the king a certain amount towards funding a standing army as a voluntary alternative to rounding up civilians for service.

[siva_chair]

If I am feeling ambitiously frisky and can get ahold of some good rattlesnake skin and Osage staves, I may try to build a bow similar to this:

http://leatherwall.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small40255725.JPG

I'll probably try to make one backed by horn or bamboo as well.

[Iscariot]

lol

[siva_chair]

wut

[Iscariot]

you guys don't go outside much i think

[siva_chair]

you guys don't go outside much i think

Shooting archery usually requires you to go outside, tbh.

[Iscariot]

not really since they have indoor archery ranges and you can set up a course in your basement

[siva_chair]

not really since they have indoor archery ranges and you can set up a course in your basement

1) Indoor ranges suck and are usually for cheaters with compound bows. :p

2) I don't have a large enough basement for that.

3) I don't even have a basement.

4) It is much more fun and realistic (wind, weather, ect) to be outside when doing it anyway.

5) I can't shoot at annoying neighbor children inside.

[Dave de Sylvia]

you guys don't go outside much i think
at least i went outside to go see the dark knight =o

[Iscariot]

1) Indoor ranges suck and are usually for cheaters with compound bows. :p

2) I don't have a large enough basement for that.

3) I don't even have a basement.

4) It is much more fun and realistic (wind, weather, ect) to be outside when doing it anyway.

5) I can't shoot at annoying neighbor children inside.

i was just teasing anyway i actually really enjoy archery personally

i was more poking fun at the whole "broad sword v. katana" discussion

at least i went outside to go see the dark knight =o

lol shhh i didn't want to pay $5 to see it

[siva_chair]

i was just teasing anyway i actually really enjoy archery personally

Everyone should it is a badass thing to do.

i was more poking fun at the whole "broad sword v. katana" discussion

I have a Katana (two actually) because they are fukkin sweet and one is from WWII that my great uncle got off of a Tojo in the Pacific.

The only time I'd actually use it as a weapon is if it just happened to be more readily available than one of my many firearms. :p

[totah]

Archery is well fun. I would be so happy if some global incident caused all gunpowder-based weapons to become obsolete and we had to go back to medieval weaponry. That would rule.

[siva_chair]

Archery is well fun. I would be so happy if some global incident caused all gunpowder-based weapons to become obsolete and we had to go back to medieval weaponry. That would rule.

Except getting gutted by a large blade doesn't sound fun at all.

Medieval warfare was far more brutal and nasty.

[totah]

But so much more humane. It separates the "men" from the "boys" when you have to look your opponent in the face as you kill him.

Except archers and catapulters, but they're kickarse anyway.

[Dr Hooch]

We could at least go back to the days when it was considered poor form to aim at any specific soldier

the guns were so inaccurate there was no point

[totah]

Lol, damn Victorians with their silly decorum ethics.

Can't we all just get a-thong?

[Dr Hooch]

HIDE THAT PIANO'S LEGS, HEATHEN!

thongs are not sexy.

[totah]

They are on me.

[siva_chair]

But so much more humane. It separates the "men" from the "boys" when you have to look your opponent in the face as you kill him.

Except archers and catapulters, but they're kickarse anyway.

I agree it is much more "manly," but it was certainly not more humane by any means...

[siva_chair]

Am I the only one that finds Christopher Reeves' book Still Me one of the most hilariously ironic book titles of modern times?

[Der Übermensch]

Much of hte complexities in European warfare kinda disappeared once they figured out it was easier a) to give people pikes and set them up in large formations and b) to give them guns.

As for the quality point, check out the edit.

I would hardly say that. I'm reading a very good book right now (Carnage and Culture) that looks into the Western Military technique as used against non-western armies over time (Salamis through Tet). There certainly was a dip in quality during that era, but Western Warfare on the whole changed very little in principal, or complexity, during that time, and the middle ages were very much dominated by a Roman influenced technique (Pikes were more a throw back to the Greek phalanx).


O, and I can get an Italian Style practice foil (I prefer Italian to a pistol grip) for like 15 bucks on eBay... Shipping costs more :( The only problem is I will also need to get the helmet (I can improvise body protection), plus a second pair of gear if I am gonna fence anyone.... This was so much easier fencing at school, they just have the **** there for me :(

[siva_chair]

I wish I went to a rich school that had fencing....:p

[Dr Hooch]

why?

all about balance, man

[siva_chair]

Who me?

[Der Übermensch]

Heh, the equipment is old and pretty beat up. I had this one foil that was the only Italian not bent up, so I'd always hide it so no one else would find it.

[siva_chair]

We had Basketball, Football, Track and Field.....that's it.

Used to have wrestling, but nobody really went out for that after a while.

Then they finally got a baseball team the year after I graduated.....

[Smokey D]

I would hardly say that. I'm reading a very good book right now (Carnage and Culture) that looks into the Western Military technique as used against non-western armies over time (Salamis through Tet). There certainly was a dip in quality during that era, but Western Warfare on the whole changed very little in principal, or complexity, during that time, and the middle ages were very much dominated by a Roman influenced technique (Pikes were more a throw back to the Greek phalanx).


O, and I can get an Italian Style practice foil (I prefer Italian to a pistol grip) for like 15 bucks on eBay... Shipping costs more :( The only problem is I will also need to get the helmet (I can improvise body protection), plus a second pair of gear if I am gonna fence anyone.... This was so much easier fencing at school, they just have the **** there for me :(


I meant swordsmanship, not warfare.

[gregulus]

Except getting gutted by a large blade doesn't sound fun at all.

Medieval warfare was far more brutal and nasty.

Truth. It's awesome to talk about, but I wouldn't want to do it.

[PerpetualBurn]

Looks like conversation without me turned out to be monstrously dull.

[Mr. Ron]

I'd take a longsword over a Katana any day. People get too hung up over "zomg they're folded like, 8,000,000 times!1!!".

[Iskandar]

No love for scimitars?

[gregulus]

No love for scimitars?

No one likes your terrorist weapons, terrorist.

[Dr Hooch]

No love for scimitars?

aren't those like only for killing babies or something?

[Iskandar]

You mean abortions?

[Iscariot]

But so much more humane.

i'm not sure you understand the meaning of the word humane

eviscerating someone with a blade and allowing them to bleed to death while staring at their own guts isn't humane

most kills associated with a gunshot are fast and far less painful than an injury you would incur from a bladed weapon