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

[StreetlightRock]

I'll master your dark dungeon baby

[Iskandar]

what does that even meanIt's the term for a word that appears only once in a given text and not elsewhere. Shakespeare has a lot of them, and the Bible does too.

Kind of an obscure joke to make I know.
Are you calling for role playing? I think you are.I'd prefer we had more actual women but I'm not opposed to role-playing in general.

[Smokey D]

There were two posts with "homoerotic" material in them.

They have cropped out with increasing frequency in the past few weeks.

[Pop music sucks]

I had once got so fed up with rampant meta-gaming that I had made an elf that pandered to the meta-gaming. Not the plot-necessary sort of meta-gaming, but more of the comments given from the other players to mine and actually meta-gaming from that.

For instance: The second session everyone had made will saves and I had decided to willfully fail it. I subsequently got called by a nymph's singing, and the jokes ensued about how this elf was gonna get some nymph action. Then someone had said, "Oh **** dude what if it's a succubus?!". Like a succubus would have any need for a level 5 character at all. So I did my thing with the nymph nightly and the party members never knew. I'd always slink away at night on my watch when everyone's asleep. They meta-gamed it anyways and always did things that would appear they're not meta-gaming, even though they are. Anyways, same thing happens, but with a dryad. Then the comments never stopped.

Towards the end of the game, the elf became the truest sense of androgyne. It had no gender, but would dress up for others. In essence, a transexual elf in the eyes of a gendered society, but to an elven society, an androgyne.

[Iskandar]

Man, you really are the nerd overlord of this forum. And that's saying a lot.

I'm glad we have you around. It adds colour.

[Pop music sucks]

I wouldn't say overlord, more of dukedom. I'm sure there's someone a little more nerdy than I.

There's always this sort of problem with a D&D group. There's one person that plays just for the combat and getting off on the 'hero' archetype and one that only plays a wizard or cleric and want **** for themselves, eventually their wizard or cleric completely tries to bend the will of the cosmos for themselves and get into such a deep pit that the other players are subseqeuntly dragged into their selfish wiles.

When I play a character, it's viewed as "How exactly would this person react to things within this world, the group's ability to change it, and possible repercussions?". Like the grayguard that I had played. I loved playing that because I was walking a fine line between staying as a paladin, or succumbing into blackguard. A grayguard is a fine class to play, both combat and role-playing. They're the sort of judge, jury, executioner rolled into one. They're given more flexibility to act upon the situation themselves because of the pact they taken with their deity.

[Iskandar]

I thought I was nerdy but damned if I play D&D.

[Mr. Ron]

Alex, you study languages for fun. Come on.

[Iskandar]

Alex, you study languages for fun. Come on.No because they're useful mainly. Enjoyment is secondary.

I would say being really into math or engineering or something is nerdier.

[Mr. Ron]

Well, there is a difference between being a functional nerd and a geek.

i think we all qualify for being called at least a little nerdy.

[Iskandar]

Well, there is a difference between being a functional nerd and a geek.

i think we all qualify for being called at least a little nerdy.Yeah that's me.

[Pop music sucks]

Honestly, D&D is a fun game to play. It really depends on the dynamics between the players themselves and the DM. If those two are enjoyable, there can be many memorable moments.

If the DM is a very good scribe, the immersive atmosphere can be akin to an entertaining fantasy book, replete with intricate plot works, believable non-playable characters, and the hurdles faced by the 'group'.

[Mr. Ron]

Honestly, D&D is a fun game to play. It really depends on the dynamics between the players themselves and the DM. If those two are enjoyable, there can be many memorable moments.

If the DM is a very good scribe, the immersive atmosphere can be akin to an entertaining fantasy book, replete with intricate plot works, believable non-playable characters, and the hurdles faced by the 'group'.
Been a long time since I played. Its pretty fun.

[Iskandar]

It probably would be fun in a shamelessly dorky sort of way but I still wouldn't dare play it for fear of never experiencing naked females again.

[Smokey D]

People sometimes congregate in my student commons to play DnD or something. They have a distinctive smell.

[Iskandar]

Like unwashed bodies or beef jerky or both.

[Mr. Ron]

It probably would be fun in a shamelessly dorky sort of way but I still wouldn't dare play it for fear of never experiencing naked females again.
Funny, actually. years back when I played it was with 2 females.

[Pop music sucks]

Hey, there's some hot nerdchicks out there. Half are a sort of ambivalence perpetua. Their self-concious, slinky nature is both extermely alluring and highly annoying. Annoying in the sense that they think they're not cute enough to be relationship material because of that self-concious nature.

And I am of the not-smelly nerd.

[Mr. Ron]

we post on an internet forum

we are all nerds

[Pop music sucks]

At least I acknowledge my nerdom. I will not larp or hit up a premier of some geekery dressed in full-costume, that's just a little too nerd for me.

[Mr. Ron]

I've read lord of the rings 12 times. :(

[Pop music sucks]

I read it 4 times. Once a year, every year until I stopped re-reading them in the 8th grade.

I tried reading it again, but the first half of Fellowship is like waiting in the DMV for something to happen. Anything.

[Iskandar]

At least I acknowledge my nerdom. I will not larp or hit up a premier of some geekery dressed in full-costume, that's just a little too nerd for me.Isn't cosplaying the most obvious public acknowledgement of one's nerddom.
I tried reading it again, but the first half of Fellowship is like waiting in the DMV for something to happen. Anything.Well you skip the bad parts.

Or just watch the movie.

[Mr. Ron]

Honestly, I do not think there are any boring parts in LOTR.

[1338 h4x0r]

It probably would be fun in a shamelessly dorky sort of way but I still wouldn't dare play it for fear of never experiencing naked females again.

The egghead interests that women actually like are useful

I tell women that I like linguistics, literature, math, history and so on and they're like "hawt" (although that depends on the women I guess)

Nothing lost in not playing D&D

[Iskandar]

Honestly, I do not think there are any boring parts in LOTR.You must be crazy then because they were generally the parts that were rightfully left out of the movie.

Basically the story takes way too long to get going and to wind down again.

[Pop music sucks]

Yeah, but cosplayers are the sort of obsessive nerd. They will cite many instances of how "that cannot happen at all because it conflicts with canon and blahblahblahwhinemoan"

I'm a completionist when it comes to literature. I need to read in its entirety, even if it's bad. Like the Dante Valentine series. Books 1 and 2 were freakin' awesome. Books 3, 4, and half of 5 suuuuuuuuuck bad.

[Mr. Ron]

You must be crazy then because they were generally the parts that were rightfully left out of the movie.

Basically the story takes way too long to get going and to wind down again.

Idk just my opinion.

[1338 h4x0r]

Hey read 西游记, mention it to some women

[Smokey D]

I told you to quit that.

[Mr. Ron]

lol

[Iskandar]

Idk just my opinion.The first few chapters of Fellowship (when they're travelling but haven't left the Shire yet) and the parts after the Ring is destroyed are pretty boring and should have been drastically condensed.

Which is basically what the movie did.
Yeah, but cosplayers are the sort of obsessive nerd. They will cite many instances of how "that cannot happen at all because it conflicts with canon and blahblahblahwhinemoan"Many undoubtedly are but people just like to act in the role of their favourite characters methinks.

I would kill to be a Jedi for a day, at least when I was 12 or something.

[Mr. Ron]

The first few chapters of Fellowship (when they're travelling but haven't left the Shire yet) and the parts after the Ring is destroyed are pretty boring and should have been drastically condensed.

Which is basically what the movie did.

They honestly did not bore me. I have a giant attention span though.

[Iskandar]

So do I.

[Pop music sucks]

Have you been around any hardcorenerds? They will not only berate the thing that they object, but think lesser of you than the thing that they're berating for bringing it up and having 'bad taste' and thrust upon you many suggestions of 'better material' in an undiplomatic way.

The highest geekery I had delved into was translating and utilizing the Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet used in Lord of the Rings when I was in the 7th grade.

[Iskandar]

Have you been around any hardcorenerds? They will not only berate the thing that they object, but think lesser of you than the thing that they're berating for bringing it up and having 'bad taste' and thrust upon you many suggestions of 'better material' in an undiplomatic way.Thankfully not except on the Internet.
The highest geekery I had delved into was translating and utilizing the Anglo-Saxon runic alphabet used in Lord of the Rings when I was in the 7th grade.I thought he invented his own runes or something.
I'm a completionist when it comes to literature. I need to read in its entirety, even if it's bad.
If it's bad, why bother.

[Pop music sucks]

Thankfully not except on the Internet.Oh no, these things happens in person.
I thought he invented his own runes or something.He was an Oxford Professor of Anglo-Saxon and had a penchant for those said runes.
If it's bad, why bother.Exactly, that's why I had given up on re-reading Fellowship and haven't bothered re-reading the Dante Valentine series:p

[Iskandar]

He was an Oxford english professor and had a penchant for those said runes.I know but he invented languages and writing systems too. He's probably one of the few people who are actually famous for this.
Exactly, that's why I had given up on re-reading Fellowship I tell you, skip the most boring parts and it works fine.

[Pop music sucks]

I know he had invented the languages used in his books.

I would feel as if I were cheating if I had skipped the most boring parts though:(

[Smokey D]

I would just avoid the travesty that is LotR altogether.

[1338 h4x0r]

I told you to quit that.

Quit what, I never mentioned Hello Kitty underwear before

As for writing 西游记 (Journey to the West), that's just conventional among every Sinophone: it's like finding an excerpt of original Greek or Latin in the middle of a book. Typing xiyouji takes less effort too.

I thought he invented his own runes or something.

Cirth Angerthas

[Iskandar]

I would just avoid the travesty that is LotR altogether.It has literary merit although his style is annoying.

I'd rather watch the movie though.
s for writing 西游记 (Journey to the West), that's just conventional: it's like finding an excerpt of Greek or Latin in the middle of a book.
I don't really care for either but at least I might be familiar with a Latin phrase whereas I don't even know how Chinese characters work.

[Smokey D]

Quit what, I never mentioned Hello Kitty underwear before

Sexually explicit posts not welcome.

[1338 h4x0r]

Can you read Greek though?

http://dict.cn

bookmark this

@ Alex

I was being really subtle, you didn't censor my post of that picture of Priapus, which is a Roman god with a huge penis after whom a persistent erection disorder is named

@ Smokey D

[Smokey D]

Also, there is nothing more annoying then finding an uncommon foreign language phrase in a book. Finding an excerpt of Greek or Latin is occasionally alright because most phrases used are so commonly used that you will know what they mean.

[Iskandar]

Can you read Greek though?

http://dict.cn

bookmark thisUm I can read the alphabet but I wouldn't know more than a few root words so that won't help me.

[1338 h4x0r]

Also, there is nothing more annoying then finding an uncommon foreign language phrase in a book. Finding an excerpt of Greek or Latin is occasionally alright because most phrases used are so commonly used that you will know what they mean.

Usually when I hit on Greek it's a quotation not a set phrase, and I can't read it

In any case I don't throw the book against the wall and ban the author

This is the comm thread regardless

Um I can read the alphabet but I wouldn't know more than a few root words so that won't help me.

I know like half the Greek alphabet

[Iskandar]

Usually when I hit on Greek it's a quotation not a set phrase, and I can't read it

In any case I don't throw the book against the wall and ban the authorYou go out of your way to include random Chinese which you know very well that nobody else can read.

I could throw it lots of random Arabic words but why the hell would I do that.
I know like half the Greek alphabetIt's pretty easy.

[Smokey D]

Usually when I hit on Greek it's a quotation not a set phrase, and I can't read it

That's pretty much the most annoying thing ever, if they don't provide a translation.

In any case I don't throw the book against the wall and ban the author

Depends how good the book is.

This is the comm thread regardless


Which was why my post was directed against your sexual explictness.


I was being really subtle, you didn't censor my post of that picture of Priapus, which is a Roman god with a huge penis after whom a persistent erection disorder is named

Putting my foot down.

PS, that's why I've given a warning.

[Iskandar]

Priapus is depicted in artwork though just posting it out of context is stupid.

[1338 h4x0r]

That's pretty much the most annoying thing ever, if they don't provide a translation.

I see it pretty regularly tbh


Depends how good the book is.


I can't throw books they belong to the library nigg


Which was why my post was directed against your sexual explictness.


k

Regardless

You have to admit the comment was funny. (And true, especially of little Shanghainese slatterns)



Putting my foot down.


:mad:

Priapus is depicted in artwork though just posting it out of context is stupid.

In that context, I was comparing Smokey D's endowment to Priapus'

[1338 h4x0r]

Hay Smokey D, what does "Kimi ni munekyun! (Kyun!)" mean?

You go out of your way to include random Chinese which you know very well that nobody else can read.

It's actually kind of instinctual to write a number of Sinosphere-specific phrases in Chinese because I use them regularly and it's a simple effort of hitting Ctrl-Space and typing something really short

[guitarded_chuck]

I love Iskandar!

[Iskandar]

Appears to mean "I've got a crush on you".

[guitarded_chuck]

ezzzz cannnn der

[1338 h4x0r]

Iskander

[pedro durruti]

have any of you babboons read the anatomy of melancholy

[Iskandar]

It's baboon.

[guitarded_chuck]

its izacanader

[Iskandar]

Iscotianer.

[pedro durruti]

It's baboon.
i know you are but what am i

[Iskandar]

A primate.

[Pop music sucks]

Homo sapiens sapiens

[pedro durruti]

A primate.

moo

[1338 h4x0r]

Linnaeus was a Swede

Maybe he was projecting when he called the human race "homo"

[BridgeToSolace]

The heavy coverage of Pelosi in the news finally proves the ridiculous bias that the media has towards the left.

[Mr. Ron]

Pelosi is a moron

[BridgeToSolace]

I agree, but still.

It's a bit silly to make the accusation of bias after this.

[Mr. Ron]

Yeah. Whats even more ridiculous is the fact that the major news station are covering that incident with the phone 24/7

[1338 h4x0r]

The heavy coverage of Pelosi in the news finally proves the ridiculous bias that the media has towards the left.

lol

no

if anything, the media have a bias towards a kind of "faux left" ...... US Democrats are not real leftists

[1338 h4x0r]

They're not even center-leftists

[BridgeToSolace]

Yeah, that's important to the point I was making.

Pedassole.

(pedantic asshole or pedophile asshole. You chose, friend.)

[Mr. Ron]

Its hilarious when Sean Hannity or O'reilly go on an on about the "far left" in America. There is no damned "far left" in America.

[Angmar]

Yeah that's pretty true hah.

[Smokey D]

What's Pelosi done?

[Aaron]

Its hilarious when Sean Hannity or O'reilly go on an on about the "far left" in America. There is no damned "far left" in America.
There is, but they've been jailed under the Patriot Act.

[1338 h4x0r]

Yeah, that's important to the point I was making.

Pedassole.

(pedantic asshole or pedophile asshole. You chose, friend.)

Oh so you're saying the media have a bias against our (faux) left wing?

Also I choose pedophile asshole because that kind of thing gets me hot

[BridgeToSolace]

Also I choose pedophile asshole because that kind of thing gets me hot

Get there before the hair, friend.

[1338 h4x0r]

....................../´¯/)
....................,/¯../
.................../..../
............./´¯/'...'/´¯¯`·¸
........../'/.../..../......./¨¯\
........('(...´...´.... ¯~/'...')
.........\.................'...../
..........''...\.......... _.·´
............\..............(
..............\.............\...

[Aaron]

purdue instant southwestern chicken + Nissin Beef Teriyaki Chow mein = greatest thing ever made in a microwave

use this thread to disscuss things I've eaten
Green-tea and pistachio gelato.

[Iskandar]

They're not even center-leftistsSome are but lots aren't.
Its hilarious when Sean Hannity or O'reilly go on an on about the "far left" in America. There is no damned "far left" in America.Yeah maybe the 300 people who vote Communist or whatever.

There is a pretty substantial far right in America, though.

[Mr. Ron]

So, um, is it a bad sign that my short story professor didn't know who H.P. Lovecraft was? At all?

[Iskandar]

Yep.

[Mr. Ron]

She's a fan of Poe, too. How you can be a fan of Poe and NEVER hear of Lovecraft is beyond me. He's basically Poe Jr.

[Iskandar]

Clearly she's never found the Necronomicon.

[Mr. Ron]

Clearly.

[Iskandar]

I did. It was bequeathed unto me by its author, the Mad Arab, Abdul Alhazred.

[Mr. Ron]

C'thulhu fhtagn!

[Iskandar]

Iä! Shub-Niggurath! The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young!

[1338 h4x0r]

I did. It was bequeathed unto me by its author, the Mad Arab, Abdul Alhazred.

Abdul Alqadib

*Abdul Aliskander

[Aaron]

lol

[1338 h4x0r]

"al qadib" means "the penis" or, literally, "the rod"

"al Iskander" means "lol it's funny to misspell Iskandar"

thus

dipset

[Aaron]

Clearly she's never found the Necronomicon.
Necronomnomnom.

[StreetlightRock]

yeesss

I think im slightly delirious, I've had two hours of sleep and I feel like i want to throw up but not really. **** uni

[Apocalyptic Raids]

I think im slightly delirious, I've had two hours of sleep and I feel like i want to throw up but not really. **** uni
dude... me too.

except i haven't had any sleep

:-(

[Aaron]

Word to that. I had 3, but am at work for 8 hours before doing an allnighter again, then coming back to work, then going to uni, then going home and passing out.

[guitarded_chuck]

oh really i'm on summer vacation :cool:

I know the feeling though

[StreetlightRock]

mMm passing out....

[Aaron]

mmmmm

[Apocalyptic Raids]

only a couple of weeks of lectures left for me. a couple of exams afterwards but i'm not expecting them to be too difficult.

[StreetlightRock]

Yea about the same except Im caught up in this cascade of death where i've had 3 seperate 2000 words assignments due in the space of a week and omgimgoingtodie

[McP3000]

ive never had a word assignment. I've only had pages.

[Aaron]

I've got one 12-page essay, and an 8-page spreadsheet.

[1338 h4x0r]

I had to do an essay that was over 9000 pages long

[Mr. Ron]

I did two 30 page essays last semester. One I actually enjoyed doing.

[Aaron]

I've done longer ones, this one is hard as its EXACTLY 8-pages. 10% deduction for every page over or under.

[Apocalyptic Raids]

Yea about the same except Im caught up in this cascade of death where i've had 3 seperate 2000 words assignments due in the space of a week and omgimgoingtodie
again... same. worst thing was that they gave everyone a week extension on one of them and I'm like "yay" until I realised it put it right in the middle of two others. add to this my general lack of preparation and motivation and yeah. fml.

[Mr. Ron]

lol thats ridiculous. Page requirements, I find, are usually arbitrary and unneeded.

[StreetlightRock]

bro love man, bro love

Actually now i feel better im wearing my favorite t-shirt with my favorite jeans and my favorite hoodie/cardigan thing and now its ok because i look damn fine i love materialism off to uni i go

[Aaron]

I love clothes, **** being a hippie.

[Iskandar]

Abdul Alqadib

*Abdul AliskanderNeither of those is grammatically correct.

Try 'Abd al-Qadib or if you prefer عبد القضيب, that is "servant of the penis".

[Mr. Ron]

عبد القضيب

[McP3000]

I did two 30 page essays last semester. One I actually enjoyed doing.
holy ****

ive done a 17 pager, but thats it

[Iskandar]

عبد القضيبHaha the letters aren't even joined. Good job Ron. Way to not be a Warab.

[McP3000]

wait, is Warab a legitimate term to some people?

[Iskandar]

I believe it is of my own coinage.

[McP3000]

okay good

because i was about to condemn any person that attempted to be a Warab

[Iskandar]

I am a Warab pretty much.

Considering the vast numbers of anime otaku who think they're Wapanese by collecting swords and reading manga, I thought it would be appropriate to stand out a bit and embrace a widely hated culture.

[Aaron]

How does one be a Warab?

[Iskandar]

Learn Arabic and follow news stories about the Middle East obsessively. Develop a taste for falafel. Read lots of books about the Palestinian conflict.

[Iskandar]

Also try changing your username to Harun.

[1338 h4x0r]

I am a Warab pretty much.

Considering the vast numbers of anime otaku who think they're Wapanese by collecting swords and reading manga, I thought it would be appropriate to stand out a bit and embrace a widely hated culture.

I thought it would be appropriate to stand out a bit by heiling Scandinavia, the Greco-Roman world, Assyria, ancient China, Enlightenment-era Netherlands, Welsh rappers and ****ing slightly cross-eyed Korean chicks

No one is more unique than me

*I'm a Wosmipolitan

[Aaron]

Also try changing your username to Harun.
...and treat women as property? :eek:

[1338 h4x0r]

Having four bitches is a plus

[McP3000]

not if you want them to like you

[1338 h4x0r]

They don't have to like you

They just have to respect the pimp hand

[Iskandar]

...and treat women as property? :eek:Nah.

But you might want to get her to cover her hair.

So anyway:

DJ Karl Marx 173.50.136.161 [Find Posts by User] [View Other IP Addresses for this User]
pedro durruti 173.50.136.161 [Find Posts by User] [View Other IP Addresses for this User]
PoisonParadox 173.50.136.161 [Find Posts by User] [View Other IP Addresses for this User]

I am not impressed.

[Pop music sucks]

I am not impressed.Are you...most displeased?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7ehztRDhZc

[StreetlightRock]

AHahahaha, thats awesome

[Aaron]

I am not impressed.
If you IP search me you'll see epic lols.

[Iskandar]

Meh.

[Aaron]

lol.

[Iskandar]

We are legion, and we are many.

[Pop music sucks]

That sounds like the 501st.

You're not in Imp, are you?

[Iskandar]

That sounds like the 501st.

You're not in Imp, are you?I think you overestimate the power of my nerdiness.

I don't like stormtroopers at all because they're just stupid cannon fodder and people who want to cosplay as them are probably deluded and friendless.

They could at least pick something cool like a Jedi.

[Aaron]

You guys confuse me sometimes.

[Iskandar]

He's talking about Star Wars again.

[Pop music sucks]

That "in" was supposed to be "an".

The main problem with cosplaying as a Jedi would be their prop. A plastic lightsaber that extends and retracts with increasingly smaller sections of the plastic, in itself isn't as cool as a mock-up of the standard Stormtrooper rifle.

Anyways I am very bored out of my mind. I'm about halfway through with getting my pilot's license.

[Iskandar]

Haven't you been doing that for like five years.

[Pop music sucks]

Oh no, those five years were spent funding this venture, a vehicle loan, and some bufferzone once I go to UAF next year. I changed that drive from becoming a bush pilot and to becoming a clinical psychologist or psychiatrist. Next year I'll start the first year in getting a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. After that, I'll either work towards clinical psychology or go into med school for psychiatry.

[Iskandar]

Why are you getting your pilot's license if you want to be a psychologist or whatever.

Also I feel sorry for you because you live in Alaska and you are probably bored out of your skull so you seek refuge in nerdy pursuits.

[Pop music sucks]

Partially a sense of trying to vindicate myself that those five years weren't wasted by wishful conjecture and partially the enjoyment of rising above the ground. Alaska's scenery is beautiful to behold from the heights of bird in flight.

I seek refuge because there's a dichotomous groupage here. You are either put into the party group or the nerdy group. There are varying levels of either, but I do not, and will not drink. My nerdy pursuits are more for the experience of a group setting in something that's more comfortable. I prefer settings of a small, tigher group than a big, loud, gaping, loose hole.

[Iskandar]

I prefer settings of a small, tigher group than a big, loud, gaping, loose hole.Too much information.

[Pop music sucks]

Tight fits right but wide open means it's broken

[Iskandar]

By the way, talking like this:
I seek refuge because there's a dichotomous groupage here.
must get you a lot of chicks.

[Aaron]

I'm sure that when he said that, it was drafted on parchment with a quill.

[guitarded_chuck]

**** essays. Take science.

[beso negro]

I had to do an essay that was over 9000 pages long

i would die if i had to write more than 100 pages

[StreetlightRock]

Thesis next year woohoo.... =/

[beso negro]

**** essays. Take science.

not entirely true. I wrote a 5 pages paper on variance reduction techniques earlier this semester and I just finished a 10 page report for my undergraduate research

[Mr. Ron]

gahhhh got a bad chest cough. :[

you think tea would help?

[1338 h4x0r]

I think the ZOG is responsible, you'd better hire the nearest ZOG exterminator for an inspection of your house

[Mr. Ron]

I knew I shouldn't have dated that half Jewish girl. I've been afflicted with a gypsy curse!

[guitarded_chuck]

not entirely true. I wrote a 5 pages paper on variance reduction techniques earlier this semester and I just finished a 10 page report for my undergraduate research

I still have to write the odd paper, but generally don't have to write nearly as much as my friends in liberal arts. I did a 12 page one last semester but that was the longest paper by far of the year for me.

[Mr. Ron]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_OnP4JKi08

[guitarded_chuck]

"ayem confoosed :("

[Iskandar]

gahhhh got a bad chest cough. :[

you think tea would help?Yes, herbal tea with lemon and honey.

I'm serious.

[Mr. Ron]

Are you serious?

[Iskandar]

Yes!

[Mr. Ron]

On a scale of super rad to outrageously rad, how seriously rad are you?

[ridethelib]

Mr. Ron is congested in the lungotorium.

[Iskandar]

On a scale of super rad to outrageously rad, how seriously rad are you?All of the above.

[Mr. Ron]

I see. Well, this is a great day for the radness scale.

[YDtoad]

Yes, herbal tea with lemon and honey.

I'm serious.

ooo, I just had red tea with honey and cinnamon today, good stuff.

[StreetlightRock]

lemon and honey tea ****ing rules

[Iskandar]

ooo, I just had red tea with honey and cinnamon today, good stuff.Thought you didn't like tea.

[YDtoad]

Thought you didn't like tea.

No I drink a lot of tea.

[Iskandar]

I remember when you didn't. How times change.

I like tea a lot and I was just drinking some green tea.

[ridethelib]

I'm hankering for a cup of my chai rooibos.

[Iskandar]

chai rooibosDoes not compute.

[ridethelib]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518M-B1CHsL._SL500_AA280_PIbundle-6,TopRight,0,0_AA280_SH20_.jpg

Pretty sure it's just spiced rooibos.

[Iskandar]

Okay but rooibos and chai are two completely different drinks.

[ridethelib]

I know this I'm just regurgitating what I was told by the box I don't need you getting all tea-snob on me now

[Iskandar]

I know this I'm just regurgitating what I was told by the box I don't need you getting all tea-snob on me nowToo late.

[Aaron]

I'm currently drinking a turkish apple tisane.

[Mr. Ron]

I'm drinking arizona iced tea


thats right, ****ing deal with it

[Aaron]

I know this I'm just regurgitating what I was told by the box I don't need you getting all tea-snob on me now
Rooibos isn't a tea.

[ridethelib]

ewww arizona


same goes to you Aaron I'm not tryin' to have y'all get all steeped-beverage elitist on me here

[Mr. Ron]

Arizona lemon tea is delicious

[Mr. Ron]

oh and happy birthday Chris

[Aaron]

ewww arizona


same goes to you Aaron I'm not tryin' to have y'all get all steeped-beverage elitist on me here
Tea is made from tea leaves. If it ain't got tea leaves in it, it ain't tea.
Fair enough. Enjoy your liquid refreshment.

[ridethelib]

I think to be fair though tea is kind of a misnomer for anything involving herbs/leaves a steeping bag and hot water

[Iskandar]

I think to be fair though tea is kind of a misnomer for anything involving herbs/leaves a steeping bag and hot waterIt's a misnomer to call anything tea that isn't.

[Aaron]

Word.

[Ando!]

****ing ****s deleting my ****ing posts

[Iskandar]

Stop making crappy posts and I won't.

[Ando!]

empirical data for my crappy posting plz

[Aaron]

I've got anecdotal evidence. Doing population-based statistics is hard, but more accurate than sample-based, so be patient.

[Ando!]

ok i will be awaiting your peer-reviewed articles on the matter

[Aaron]

I'll make sure references are set out in the Harvard style [Author, Date].

[Light Flantastic]

an example of someone who needs banned a lot more

[McP3000]

dont talk about yourself like that, its not good for your self esteem

[Pop music sucks]

By the way, talking like this:

must get you a lot of chicks.I don't use an extreme amount of polysyllabic words when I am in the real life. Neither do I continuously speak of nerd-related things. I tend to reciprocate discussions. If there is a subject that is getting discussed and I have something to add, I will add. If the then-discussionary topic is "Dungeons/Dragons" I'll add something if I could. If it's about "the economy" I will add my thoughts to it.

As for getting chicks, I would rather have a longer-term relationship than a one-nighter, or physical relationship.

So I've been given the pre-solo and pre-cross country tests. Once I pass those I can now venture into Solo Flights and Cross-Country flights. It is the halfway point of getting my pilot's license:)

[guitarded_chuck]

So I'm pretty stoked. My province (Nova Scotia) had has the Conservatives in power at least 80% of time since the 1950's, with the Liberal party in power the rest of the time. There is an election going on scheduled to take place early June, and the polls are showing an NDP majority. (NDP is a moderate social democratic party). This is a huge and historic change for the province and I'm super stoked at the direction the province's politics is going.

Just ranting a bit, won't really make much sense to anyone who isn't Canadian anyway. Moving on

[Light Flantastic]

so you're going to get a party with a different name but basically the same stances

cool

[guitarded_chuck]

so you're going to get a party with a different name but basically the same stances

cool

The Conservatives and the NDP have the same stances? lol

[Iskandar]

Lol yeah they really don't.

And that's good news. I'm an NDP supporter myself.

[Light Flantastic]

they pretty much do conform to the same political notions, just because they have select issues that they choose to promote that are different doesnt mean that there would be a huge difference between the two in reality

i mean both want to steal your money in order to fund their goals omg tax argument go

[Iskandar]

If that's the only argument you have.

Since it's what every government does.

But conflating their goals because they're both funded by taxes is pretty damned stupid when their goals are completely different.

[Light Flantastic]

thats like saying two muggers are different because they have contrasting (but, equally selfish) motives

they're both still criminals that adhere to the same principles thats the defining part of them

[guitarded_chuck]

The 3 main Canadian parties are pretty moderate, but still have some major differences. And the NDP and Conservatives definitely differ the most.

Are you American? If so (and if not rly) would you say the Republicans and Democrats have essentially the same policies and ideologies and just have different names?

[Iskandar]

Really transparent way to suggest political parties are criminals.
Are you American? If so (and if not rly) would you say the Republicans and Democrats have essentially the same policies and ideologies and just have different names?No he's from the UK where New Labour and the Conservatives do.

[gregulus]

Now he's controlling fleet average gallons per mile...Get out of our buisiness. I've gotten an education so YOU can stop micromanaging our lives...FASCISM HERE WE COME!!
That was one of my facebook friend's latest status update.

I don't understand.

[Mr. Ron]

I'm all for small government, however comparing what Obama is doing to other Fascist dictators or their policies shows a gross misunderstanding of history.

[JohnXDoe3]

arrggh!

california voters piss me off!

its funny as most don't want to cut spending to the poor, disabled, mentally ill, public schools, etc...and then they shoot down ballot measures yesterday which would fund those things to a certain degree

i understand voters want the state to "work the budget out." trouble is the way they will choose to work it out. and of course conservatives are using this as a political football for their "small government" BS that only benefits the wealthy for the most part. people are stupid

i do pretty well for myself. i have no gripes. if they want to cut certain medical benefits in my state...ok. including making cuts in benefits to immigrants / illegal immigrants. but cutting OUT dental benefits, audiology, optometry, psych benefits, benefits for the developmental disabled, in home care for the old, and public education and associated programs for CITIZENS is not where most want it done. its funny...polls say most people want these things funded....and then voters go and tell the state to make cuts to these things

lots of exit polls seem to indicate they want the state to cut elsewhere....but you can bet thats where the cuts are going. and to law enforcement, too

Cali sucks atm

[VTK]

I'm all for small government, however comparing what Obama is doing to other Fascist dictators or their policies shows a gross misunderstanding of history.

This.

"omg obama's intervening on the economy just liek stalin did ffffff" is just common Republican rhetoric, they can't seem to find a lot of better ways to vent their frustration...

...You know what? Any opposition nowadays like to compare the ruling government to either Fascists or pseudo-Communists. It's just what partisans do when their party isn't in power.

[YDtoad]

I'm all for small government, however comparing what Obama is doing to other Fascist dictators or their policies shows a gross misunderstanding of history.

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree. Most people who compare Obama to Hitler just don't know history well enough to think of a foreign dictator besides Hitler or Stalin. FWIW I'd say that the dictator whose policies and personality Obama's most resemble is Juan Peron. Big government spending, not extreme foreign policy, big on infrastructure spending as a way to stimulate the economy, hostile to trade (Obama's toned this down some), pro-labor, wife, etc.

[1338 h4x0r]

sup YDchode

[Ando!]

arrggh!

california voters piss me off!

its funny as most don't want to cut spending to the poor, disabled, mentally ill, public schools, etc...and then they shoot down ballot measures yesterday which would fund those things to a certain degree

i understand voters want the state to "work the budget out." trouble is the way they will choose to work it out. and of course conservatives are using this as a political football for their "small government" BS that only benefits the wealthy for the most part. people are stupid

i do pretty well for myself. i have no gripes. if they want to cut certain medical benefits in my state...ok. including making cuts in benefits to immigrants / illegal immigrants. but cutting OUT dental benefits, audiology, optometry, psych benefits, benefits for the developmental disabled, in home care for the old, and public education and associated programs for CITIZENS is not where most want it done. its funny...polls say most people want these things funded....and then voters go and tell the state to make cuts to these things

lots of exit polls seem to indicate they want the state to cut elsewhere....but you can bet thats where the cuts are going. and to law enforcement, too

Cali sucks atm

i actually worked on my ward's election board this year, PA didn't have any referendum issues to vote on though (it rarely does). Instead we just voted for a bunch of unqualified local politicians and randomly picked judges, kind of a mess all the way around

[Iskandar]

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree. Most people who compare Obama to Hitler just don't know history well enough to think of a foreign dictator besides Hitler or Stalin. FWIW I'd say that the dictator whose policies and personality Obama's most resemble is Juan Peron. Big government spending, not extreme foreign policy, big on infrastructure spending as a way to stimulate the economy, hostile to trade (Obama's toned this down some), pro-labor, wife, etc.Probably closer than most, but comparing him to a dictator is still inane.

[YDtoad]

Probably closer than most, but comparing him to a dictator is still inane.

I don't think it's inherently absurd to compare a democratically elected candidate to a non-democratically elected candidate (ignoring the murkiness of some nations' elections), on the level of policy. The biggest reason that comparing Obama to Hitler or Stalin is absurd, beyond the fact that the latter two are most well known for the fact that they had millions of people murdered, is that comparing policies is ridiculous--Hitler tried to rebuild the German economy through massive military spending.

So, if someone says, "Obama is as undemocratic as Peron", that strains credibility. But if someone merely says, "Obama reminds me a lot of Peron", I think it's an allegation worth exploring.

[Iskandar]

Knowing you, you're at least partially motivated by the desire to smear him by associating him with a dictator.

[1338 h4x0r]

Reagan tried to build the economy in part through massive military spending

Therefore, Reagan is Hitler

(Clearly)

[YDtoad]

Knowing you, you're at least partially motivated by the desire to smear him by associating him with a dictator.

There are aspects of his election and rule which I feel compromise democracy, but not in the sense of him actually being a dictator. It's no smear though--democratic legitimacy is just one aspect of governance. Would it be a smear to compare him to James Buchanan? I don't see much of a comparison but Buchanan was the most inept president in history; surely it's just as bad to be compared to him as Peron. It's only a smear to compare him to a non-democratically elected leader if the person hearing the comparison rushes to assume that the comparison is on the level of democratic legitimacy (or, in many dictators' cases, respect for human rights).

[YDtoad]

Reagan tried to build the economy in part through massive military spending

Therefore, Reagan is Hitler

(Clearly)

Many other leaders rebuilt the economy through military spending, including FDR. Thus your comparison is ill-conceived.

[Iskandar]

There are aspects of his election and rule which I feel compromise democracy, but not in the sense of him actually being a dictatorYou're talking about Peron and not Obama right?

[1338 h4x0r]

Many other leaders rebuilt the economy through military spending, including FDR. Thus your comparison is ill-conceived.

Of course it's ill-conceived

(So is yours)

[YDtoad]

You're talking about Peron and not Obama right?

No I think that Peron pretty clearly crossed the line into being a dictator. Obama's obviously not. But a leader can lead as a democrat while in some ways imperiling democracy. See: Wilson jailing political opponents. Yes, Obama has not done something comparable. But that doesn't mean that there aren't aspects that compromise democracy.

[1338 h4x0r]

What has Obama done that compromises democracy

[Iskandar]

Obama's election was perfectly fair. What on earth are you talking about.

You're still desperate to hate the guy eh.

[YDtoad]

Of course it's ill-conceived

(So is yours)

Your comparison was limited to:

Hitler rebuilt the German economy through aggressive military spending
Reagan increased military spending
Ergo these are fit for comparison

This fails on a number of levels. First of all, you offered nothing beyond the fact that both leaders increased military spending. This doesn't note the dramatic difference between the two--Hitler dramatically increased military spending as the preeminent way to resurrect a dead economy. Reagan increased military spending in an arms race with a non-democratic adversary. Hitler's military budget led to the conquest of neighboring countries, Reagan had no such ambition.
And then there is the fact that Hitler is remembered not for his military spending but for his mass murder. Peron was not a mass murderer and thus the comparison has no intrinsic "ugh" factor.


The comparison between Obama and Peron is far more valid.
Both leaders promoted pro-labor and anti-trade policies
Both leaders had charismatic wives
Both leads promoted large infrastructure projects as a way to revitalize the economy
Both leaders made the most out of large crowds and charismatic speeches

etc.

[Iskandar]

Both leaders promoted pro-labor and anti-trade policiesIn rhetoric not practice.
Both leaders had charismatic wivesHaha, Michelle Obama is Evita because she's popular?
Both leads promoted large infrastructure projects as a way to revitalize the economy
Both leaders made the most out of large crowds and charismatic speechesThese are both fair enough, but then lots and lots of leaders fit these criteria.

I just don't think your comparison is a useful one.

[YDtoad]

Obama's election was perfectly fair. What on earth are you talking about.

You're still desperate to hate the guy eh.

A fair election can still be one that compromises democracy.

For instance:

Candidate A spends $1,000,000,000 and receives adulatory praise from major media sources.
Candidate B spends $1,000,000 and receives largely negative press.

The election, in terms of the actual voting, is perfectly free and fair.

But is this the sign of a truly healthy democracy? Obviously not.

[Iskandar]

Oh so this is about campaign financing again.

[YDtoad]

In rhetoric not practice.

Obama's just getting started. He's backed off some of his harder-line rhetoric, to his credit, but he can go back on that at any time. We'll see if he actually passes the Colombian free trade agreement.

But you would agree then that rhetorically there is room for comparison between the two?


Haha, Michelle Obama is Evita because she's popular?

Popular and charismatic, and a vital part of the presidential presentation, yes.


These are both fair enough, but then lots and lots of leaders fit these criteria.

I just don't think your comparison is a useful one.

Well, comparing him to one leaders doesn't preclude comparing him to others. Who would you have in mind?

I think that the biggest benefit of comparisons is evaluating outcomes. Peron bankrupted Argentina.

[YDtoad]

Oh so this is about campaign financing again.

This does go back to my position that a dramatic disparity in campaign resources between candidates in a two-party system compromises democracy. As does a gross disparity in media coverage. As, for that matter, does the extremely shady practices of organizations such as ACORN.

[Iskandar]

Not this ACORN crap again.

You haven't changed your angle one bit have you.

[YDtoad]

Not this ACORN crap again.


Systematic voter registration fraud is nothing to scoff at.

[1338 h4x0r]

The comparison between Obama and Peron is far more valid.
Both leaders promoted pro-labor and anti-trade policies
Both leaders had charismatic wives
Both leads promoted large infrastructure projects as a way to revitalize the economy
Both leaders made the most out of large crowds and charismatic speeches


THEY BOTH HAD BLACK HAIR TOO. COINCIDENCE?!?! YOU DECIDE

Raygun made plenty out of "large crowds" and "charismatic speeches" too, and, guess what, neither Raygun nor Obama have really undermined democracy in the scheme of things

I like what Edsger W. Dijkstra had to say:

......It is probably more illuminating to go a little bit further back, to the Middle Ages. One of its characteristics was that "reasoning by analogy" was rampant; another characteristic was almost total intellectual stagnation, and we now see why the two go together. A reason for mentioning this is to point out that, by developing a keen ear for unwarranted analogies, one can detect a lot of medieval thinking today

......with Steve being one of the most prejudicial medieval thinkers I have ever seen

[Iskandar]

Obama's just getting started. He's backed off some of his harder-line rhetoric, to his credit, but he can go back on that at any time. We'll see if he actually passes the Colombian free trade agreement.

But you would agree then that rhetorically there is room for comparison between the two?Yes but not enough to say anything useful. There is room for comparison between George Bush and Saddam Hussein, but that wouldn't be particularly enlightening.
Popular and charismatic, and a vital part of the presidential presentation, yes.Lol not really. The First Lady is pretty inconsequential.
I think that the biggest benefit of comparisons is evaluating outcomes. Peron bankrupted Argentina.Let me know when Obama bankrupts America then.

[YDtoad]

Yes but not enough to say anything useful. There is room for comparison between George Bush and Saddam Hussein, but that wouldn't be particularly enlightening.

There's virtually no comparisons to be made between Bush and Saddam.


Lol not really. The First Lady is pretty inconsequential.

Some first ladies are. Michelle Obama is not.


Let me know when Obama bankrupts America then.

Well that's what he's in the midst of doing ;)

[Dave de Sylvia]

In rhetoric not practice.
Well in practice too, if his latest corporate tax policy is anything to go by:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/obama-taxes-evasion-business-washington-fraud.html

Ignore the partisanship of the article- it's the only one I could drag up from my history. The cold facts of the plan are all there.

[Iskandar]

There's virtually no comparisons to be made between Bush and Saddam.Appealed to the religious segments of the population, began wars of aggression. See? This is a fun game.
Some first ladies are. Michelle Obama is not.How is she not. She has no influence on his policies.
Well that's what he's in the midst of doing ;)Says the conservative who's hated him since day one.

[1338 h4x0r]

Why doesn't YDchode just admit that argument by analogy is very rarely a useful means of inductive reasoning

[YDtoad]

Well in practice too, if his latest corporate tax policy is anything to go by:

http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/obama-taxes-evasion-business-washington-fraud.html

Ignore the partisanship of the article- it's the only one I could drag up from my history. The cold facts of the plan are all there.

Yes, that and card check. And handing over Chrysler to the effective control by the UAW, and the likelihood of GM heading to the same outcome. And Obama controlling Chrysler's corporate structure, marketing, etc.


How is she not. She has no influence on his policies.

You honestly believe this? I'd wager that she's the reason that Obama spent so long around Jeremiah "govt spread the AIDS" Wright.


Appealed to the religious segments of the population, began wars of aggression. See? This is a fun game.

I'm not real familiar with Saddam but from what I remember he was pretty secular for a middle eastern dictator and was much more of a tribal dictator than a Muslim fanatic. Saddam's wars were naked power grabs, Bush's were to spread democracy. Fundamental differences that invalidate the comparisons.

[1338 h4x0r]

Why doesn't YDchode just admit that argument by analogy is very rarely a useful means of inductive reasoning

Quoted

[YDtoad]

1338, I'm ignoring you :)

[1338 h4x0r]

You're ignoring me because I seriously challenged your backwards medieval worldview and you don't like it

Why doesn't YDchode ("Steve ) just admit that argument by analogy is very rarely a useful means of inductive reasoning

[Iskandar]

You honestly believe this? I'd wager that she's the reason that Obama spent so long around Jeremiah "govt spread the AIDS" Wright.You honestly believe anybody still cares about Wright.
I'm not real familiar with Saddam but from what I remember he was pretty secular for a middle eastern dictator and was much more of a tribal dictator than a Muslim fanatic. Saddam's wars were naked power grabs, Bush's were to spread democracy. Fundamental differences that invalidate the comparisons.Initially but he made efforts to reach out to Muslim hardliners.

Besides, Bush's attempts to spread democracy are about as welcome to many Arabs as Saddam's annexation of Kuwait. Results matter, not motives.

[Iskandar]

Stop using his full name.

[YDtoad]

You honestly believe anybody still cares about Wright.

You're ignoring my point here.


Initially but he made efforts to reach out to Muslim hardliners.

Besides, Bush's attempts to spread democracy are about as welcome to many Arabs as Saddam's annexation of Kuwait. Results matter, not motives.

That's a whole different comparison. That's saying "Bush was about as effective as Saddam." Which is different than saying "Bush's policies were like Saddam's." Which again is different than saying "Bush is a dictator like Saddam", which would be absurd as calling Obama a dictator is absurd.

[Iskandar]

You're ignoring my point here.You're bringing up a non-issue. Wright is irrelevant to Obama's current policies.
That's a whole different comparison. That's saying "Bush was about as effective as Saddam." Which is different than saying "Bush's policies were like Saddam's." Which again is different than saying "Bush is a dictator like Saddam", which would be absurd as calling Obama a dictator is absurd.Starting unpopular wars that lead to foreign condemnation is a similiarity and I think not an unjustified one.

[die of starvation]

peron became vp after a military coup, obama's speech at the 2004 dnc was a major coup for him
peron was a catholic, obama is secretly muslim
peron admired mussolini, obama admired his grandmother who was alive at the same time as mussolini
peron had opposition on the right and the left, obama's opposition doesn't know the difference between their right and left

they really are the same guy

[Mr. Ron]

Os(b)ama

[YDtoad]

You're bringing up a non-issue. Wright is irrelevant to Obama's current policies.

My argument wasn't that Wright influenced Obama's current policies, but rather that Obama maintained his close ties to Wright for 20 years in part because of his wife's influence, which demonstrates the influence she has on him.

I don't know why you're so opposed to the idea that she has influence. It's not as if Betty Ford, Ladybird Johnson, and Eleanor Roosevelt didn't have influence. And of course Hillary had lots of influence. I'm not stating that this is unique to Obama in terms of US presidents, but that Michelle Obama, in having both the political influence of Hillary and the cultural influence of Jacqueline Kennedy, more closely resembles Evita Peron than any other first lady.


Starting unpopular wars that lead to foreign condemnation is a similiarity and I think not an unjustified one.

Ah so now you're legitimizing comparisons ;)

[1338 h4x0r]

peron became vp after a military coup, obama's speech at the 2004 dnc was a major coup for him
peron was a catholic, obama is secretly muslim
peron admired mussolini, obama admired his grandmother who was alive at the same time as mussolini
peron had opposition on the right and the left, obama's opposition doesn't know the difference between their right and left

they really are the same guy

Quoted

[YDtoad]

peron became vp after a military coup, obama's speech at the 2004 dnc was a major coup for him
peron was a catholic, obama is secretly muslim
peron admired mussolini, obama admired his grandmother who was alive at the same time as mussolini
peron had opposition on the right and the left, obama's opposition doesn't know the difference between their right and left

they really are the same guy

One and two are valid differentiations. On the third point, Obama admired his father, who was a hard-line Marxist and preacher of Nkrumah style tyranny. And Obama admires a variety of other leftists who can hardly be said to be democratic.

My argument isn't that they're identical, but rather that there are conspicuous comparisons to be made and that they legitimize comparing the two leaders.

[Iskandar]

My argument wasn't that Wright influenced Obama's current policies, but rather that Obama maintained his close ties to Wright for 20 years in part because of his wife's influence, which demonstrates the influence she has on him.That may be, but it's totally irrelevant if it doesn't impact his current policies.
Ah so now you're legitimizing comparisons ;)Arguing that particular comparison is legitimate, yes. Obviously lots of them aren't. Bush never gassed villages of Kurds (that I know of).

[Iskandar]

One and two are valid differentiations.Obama is a secret Muslim?
On the third point, Obama admired his father, who was a hard-line Marxist and preacher of Nkrumah style tyranny.Guilt by association.
And Obama admires a variety of other leftists who can hardly be said to be democratic.Like who.

[YDtoad]

That may be, but it's totally irrelevant if it doesn't impact his current policies.

What's totally irrelevant? His history with Wright or Michelle Obama? Because I'm not arguing the former, I'm arguing the latter.