obfuscator

There are no such "7 things". You posted some characteristics of good relationships - any relationship can survive without one or more of those. Most of them have some factual basis but number 3 and 4 are completely untrue.

It seems you're implying that since an internet meme exists in regards to it that constitutes solid evidence that it's factually correct. I think what rocco is trying to say (correctly) is that there's a false impression that american forces are particularly lackadaisical when it comes to preventing friendly fire, when in fact it happens in all conflicts.

I wouldn't call the united states greedier then any other country. The phenomena we're observing in the states at the moment, is, I believe, a result of several different circumstances. America has traditionally been very "hands on" in terms of foreign policy - this dates back to basically the second world war, which benefited the states enormously from an economic perspective. Ever since then, as the US became a superpower, they've been more and more involved in foreign affairs to the point where it becomes (to some degree) direct, unwarranted interference. As part of being a superpower, they basically have to be this involved. However, we've seen the US slowly shift (over the past 10-15 years) away from being a superpower - the circumstances in place at the end of the second world war are no longer. I think there's a lot of fear present in many americans today - what they've known for their entire lives may be changing, quite rapidly. It is, I believe, the driving force behind organizations like the Tea Party, who advocate "going back to America's roots" - subtext for - "Things aren't going the way we want, let's try to regain things the way they were before". The problem is, it's largely impossible without a drastic population shift. America (and many other developed countries) face an aging population, and by extension, a weakening of buying power. If the states loses its economic clout due to this (which may well happen, and has begun to happen) they will no longer be able to be a superpower as it's been traditionally known. (By extent, this opinion that "China will be the next great superpower" is utter rubbish - the one child policy (although arguably necessary) killed any realistic chance of that happening. India is a much better candidate for future superpower.) It's of great importance to note this situation doesn't merely involve the states - but it will hit the states the hardest since they are the largest; in short, they have the most to lose. My apologies for going off on a bit of a tangent - but in short - america is not greedier then any other country. The shift we're seeing in society is simply hard to handle and as a result many people are not handling it well. I admit I'm less then optimistic for the future of humanity in general, but I'm terribly interested to see how it will play out (10-20 years from now, and beyond).

Niemi makes 4m a season.

Well, this situation clearly shows some of the drawbacks of so called "green" energy.

I don't share your "faith" in the Shark's goaltending ... Same. Nittymakki has never impressed me and Niemi is very streaky.

SJ did fine last year till they met Chicago.... Crosby skated again today as well.

I like the AC idea but I think it would have to be a set number of points, and not too many. How about 10 points per fighting clan leader reccomendation? For example, clan a and b war, clan c AC's. Clan A is happy with the ac, clan b is not = a(10 points) + b(0 points) = 10 points for clan C.

I saw that and thought "tim had a baby wat"...then I read the text. Congrats on uncle-ness :)

Apparently the japanese gvt is being quite vague with death tolls. We'll probably have to wait for another week to get a good idea - but it's a minimum of 10k now from what I've heard.

Yay we won :D Gotta beat Tampa on monday now...

It makes me lose my faith in humanity that some people could feel that way. I'm sure it's not just americans, but I think it's sad that anyone would say stuff like that.

This is what I'm getting at. I think it's unquestionably and ridiculously selfish to imply or directly state that it's less of a tragedy when it happens in a third world country. Quotation marks are generally used to imply pseudo, or quasi. I don't think it's fair to say what happened in Haiti was something other than a serious earthquake. Now, if that wasn't what you were implying, I apologize...but seeing as you haven't denied that I guess I'm justified in assuming that was exactly what you meant. The earthquake in Haiti caused major damage, but it was not particularly large - Haiti's lack of regulations and building codes caused the 300,000 or so deaths, not the earthquake (the northridge quake was of similar size, and even before today's very strict earthquake codes in California only 30 people died there). Further, the earthquake in Japan was some 1,000 times more powerful then the Haiti disaster. But it was still an earthquake, and a catastrophic one at that, which was my point.

Such as? It's only a good use of money if he actually needs it...

I'd recommend getting a PC just because you'll save money. Macs have their strengths but no matter how you swing it you're paying a lot more for mac hardware then you are for PC when it's exactly the same thing.

That basically just destroyed whatever little faith in humanity I had left... Apparently the explosion was real but it didn't affect the reactor in any way.

The intimidation game happens in every sport...by hockey standards, chara isn't involved in "pointless agression" at all.

This is what I'm getting at. I think it's unquestionably and ridiculously selfish to imply or directly state that it's less of a tragedy when it happens in a third world country. Quotation marks are generally used to imply pseudo, or quasi. I don't think it's fair to say what happened in Haiti was something other than a serious earthquake. Now, if that wasn't what you were implying, I apologize...but seeing as you haven't denied that I guess I'm justified in assuming that was exactly what you meant.

Ok, two things here. In my opinion, bertuzzi should have been permanently banned from playing pro. Chara was hired by boston because he's excellent at what he does: keeping the puck out of the net. "Inspiring the team with pointless agression" has nothing to do with it.

The buildings just wiggled it out....incredible. Does it suck less when it's a "less advanced" country? Admittedly it has lesser economic repercussions on other countries, but your point still stands. Thats exactly what I was thinking when I posted earlier. I know it went bad for Haiti since they suffered heavy casualties but it's not like Haiti wasn't any recognizable country to the world until the "earthquake" happened. So because they aren't a recognizable country it's somehow less of a tragedy? Also, what's with the quotes around earthquake?

You do realized that players get washed into the boards dozens of times a game? It's a standard defensive play - you finish your check to negate the threat. Paciorretty was beating him on the inside with more speed; chara did what any good D would do and rubbed him out into the boards. I've seen the video countless times already. It's a standard rub into the boards...he finished his check, like every coach tells every player to do. As I've said countless times already, any other part of the rink, it would have been a non-issue.

I've seen that picture already....because chara is as tall as he is, when he follows through with his checks his arm often ends up at head level. Should he not check because of how tall he is?

Apparently the reactor is not in any immediate danger.

Also, montreal police are opening a criminal investigation into the chara hit. Perhaps they should do the same with this one: http://video.canadiens.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hlg=20092010,2,149&event=MTL476

That sucks :( That's really bad news - hopefully they manage to shut it down properly...in a country as small as japan (land mass wise) an explosion at a power plant could be devastating.