nickeley102

Yes I have paid taxes, yes I live in the real world, yes altruism exists. I have faith that humanity is naturally cooperative. I'm a teacher and I would gladly do my job even if I wasn't paid, so long as I am full, healthy and sheltered. You've been in the states too long. Socialism isn't a theory with no value in the 'real world'. People like giving more than they like receiving. I hope you don't cite the US's ongoing position as the global power in support of capitalism and militarism, the world has moved on, the only major wars are in the middle east and that is because the US has been dropping bombs on mosques almost constantly for 21 years. Its realistic and true that the world would be a better place without military. The American 'Defence' force, what a joke

I thought about it and I don't mind capitalism as a foundation but I'm still center left. Ideally I would pay 70-80 percent tax knowing that if I, or someone close to me, was hungry, unemployed or sick that I could rely on the government. Definitely no money towards the military, ever. Healthcare would cover mental and physical health and food, housing and transport would all be optional public goods/services. This would all be easily affordable if no money went towards military spending. People who want private food, housing and public transport could still save and buy their own. That country would be really, really, really nice imo. That being said I'm happy enough being from NZ and not paying the man to drop bombs on people... yet

After reading the story of a nam protester and listening to the Beastie Boys I was wondering "what if individuals could control where money from their own personal tax is spent?". Obviously people would spend it on areas which they are either concerned about or which effect them personally and economically. I dont really have an established opinion but none of my money would build bombs. Here is the story of the nam protesters self immolation: fyi I am unashamedly far left and find the parallels you can draw between the current "war on terror" (dropping bombs on the middle east non-stop for 21 years ) and Vietnam

But how would you know? It isn't as if there's some sort of stock of, say, souls or something, just sitting around thinking "Yea, I'm gonna live!". It's just something that wouldn't happen, nobody (including it) would ever know that it never happened. I'm with lenin When its a zygote and barely more than a small collection of cells in a swamp like environment is it "life"? Human life is given meaning through interrelations

He's 7 months old. This NILIF thing sounds pretty good. I want to do things right for the start but its pretty hard not to just go pat him when he is barking because he wants attention. When I went to go get him from the SPCA he didn't bark once but when I got him home he was acting bizarre and barking. I want to put him outside when he barks, is this a good idea to dissuade this behaviour?

Dog stories/pictures etc??? Im getting a dog as a birthday present. He is part border collie, part lab, golden and awesome. Do you guys have any tips? I want to train him to do tricks and i want him to make toilet outside Thanks

Haha, thanks, I didnt expect much. I took some today and I went to the gym for 45minutes then took an hour long pump class and I think I felt a little better. It feels a little like I had an energy drink. We'll see how it goes (Ihope its not an overpriced energy drink).

Aus + NZ need to start watching more sports than just cricket. -.- Anyone a fan of rugby...? More of a league fan myself. But I can't think of anybody that really seems like they should be here from either... But I definately don't know my rugby history as well as I know crickets :P I much prefer rugby (and league) but I was just putting in my 2 cents on Bradman and the academic opinion. I actually find it hard to see professional cricketers as pro athletes, look at murali and warne they were/are greats but they are also overweight old men and still the best.

I took a paper 'Sports History' as an elective. There have been quite a few studies and Don Bradmans test Cricket average off 99.5 or whatever consistently ranks as the greatest sporting achievement of all time. I know its a hard thing to quantify and argue, but its also hard to argue with the experts. Its currently a golden age of sporting icons Woods, Phelps, Bolt, Federer. We're pretty lucky

I was hoping to get some info on the weightlifting supplement SUPERPUMP. I realise this is a pretty specific topic but its popular so for some reason I assumed some ex runescape players might want to talk about their experiences with it. I have been a member of a gym for the last 2 or so years, mainly doing strength training. I recently moved town and fulfilled a competition with my friend to bench 100kg (thereby joining 1/3 of the hundy club). Since then I have lost motivation to go to the gym I guess because I have no one to talk trash with and spot me. So anyway all my old gym friends swear by this product 'superpump'. Its hugely popular over here. I havent started using it yet but I'm expecting big things, especially because I havent used any protein shakes or creatine yet.

My brother is just getting married and going on a honeymoon and it made me think about what I would want to do. Looking in the paper today I saw a 27 day tour of Nepal China and somewhere else for 10000NZD pp (approx 7000USD). This seems pretty cheap to me considering airfares, food and decent accommodation was included in the price. Any other ideas or stories?

Anything positive is always a good thing

I'll bullet point my response to this 'cause I don't like getting into extended essays on this forum nowadays. 1) Yes, the American system is broken and needs fixing. No, UHC is not the right fix. 2) What country are you in? Small socialist states are a bit different than a capitalist superpower and require different ways of running. 3) Your higher quality healthcare is a result of American innovation, something that can't be found in socialist states. That is unarguable. 4) America was founded on capitalist ideals, and it has risen as a superpower because of them. Just look at Hong Kong. 5) Please don't get into military arguments. Your country doesn't pay for bombs because it doesn't have to- America does it for your nation (arguably over the top somewhat). 6) "Social justice"? Do you think capitalism is evil? Would you prefer your imaginary utopia? USA is the dominant superpower and has been since WW2, this is something to be proud of but it doesnt mean it can rest on its laurels (sp) and become resistant to change. Your capitalist ideals have served you well but it is no secret that there power has been shifting in this side of the millennium. I value my membership in the human race over nationalism or patriotism anyway. I do not think that capitalism is evil, I believe that the free market is not a reliable distributor of social justice because it does not account for cultural/social reproduction. My interpretation of social justice is akin to equity and it is the goal of any bureaucratic government. I come from New Zealand, a small British colony which owes more to Europe (as does USA) than it does to the states for its technological advancements. We are not socialist, if we were placed I assume we would be central (the third way or something?) I find it very hard to fathom a situation where dropping a bomb on some people is beneficial.

I pay less tax than you and i get free, quick and high quality healthcare and unemployment/old age welfare. As a result I appreciate the system and I would never abuse it. My income tax does not pay for bombs, unemployment is lower and crime is less than in your country. How can you argue that your countries interpretation of social justice is further developed?

i have one and its awesome.

[hide=]Connecting to server... Looking for someone you can chat with. Hang on. You're now chatting with a random stranger. Say hi! A word of advice: "asl" is boring. Please find something more interesting to talk about! You: whats asl? Stranger: oh Stranger: older than you You: where are you? You: what country? Stranger: sex....on resume Stranger: I am in Alaska You: wow You: thats cool Stranger: raining here You: im in new zealand Stranger: A KIWI!!!!!!!!!!!!! You: its sunny here You: a kiwi Stranger: sweet Stranger: u about as far from me as possible on Earth Stranger: almost springtime down under? You: pretty much winter is just finishing. you know alaska is a state, not a country aye? Stranger: Jesus Stranger: I was born up here mate You: i read call of the wild which is set in alkaska Stranger: yeah..and the Yukon Territory of Canada Stranger: Jack London was quite the bard You: he was badass Stranger: yes You: pretty much my hero Stranger: he died in a housefire? Stranger: or a whorehouse? You: I spent last summer working in new york Stranger: or something Stranger: NY NY...so nice they named it twice You: it makes a good song Stranger: Izzt a wunderfuhl toooown! You: it is a wonderful town Stranger: I was ther once for one long hot day tour Stranger: amazing You: all i know about alaska is call of the wild and sarah palin, the capitalist pig Stranger: she is a gaddamne bat[cabbage] freakazoid Stranger: My first ex-wife gave S Palin her first job as a sportswriter/journo You: wow. you do have a couple of years on me Stranger: in Wasilla newspaper The Frontiersman Stranger: I am 54 You: im 23 and having some beers Stranger: retired journalist Stranger: Allow me sir. Stranger: to herein quote Benjamin Franklin You: please do Stranger: "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy" You: pretty much Stranger: yup Stranger: I live on it Stranger: and eggs Stranger: remain upwind You: why did you retire so young? Stranger: I had to Stranger: got throat cancer...pretty much sinks a broadcast career Stranger: no more larynx You: so it was broadcast journalism Stranger: yesh Stranger: and some print Stranger: mostly radio/tv Stranger: I share the same name as a Prime Minister of Australia back when u were a pup You: who? Stranger: Robert Hawk Stranger: years ago You: I dont follow aussie politics Stranger: Good man Stranger: oh Stranger: eh You: or politics in general. Especially your funny foriegn policy Stranger: yesh Stranger: I spent 25 years muckin around reporting on that crap You: i wasnt going to bring it up Stranger: that's ok You: how did you stumble on this site? Stranger: Oh Stranger: I saw it referenced on Reddit a while ago You: do you come here often Stranger: only after about 9 or ten cold ones Stranger: and some herbs You: do you have any advice for a 23 year old training teacher? Stranger: depends Stranger: what r u training? Stranger: u running a dhojo or something? You: im at uni about to graduate Stranger: oh You: with a teaching degree Stranger: so u want to be a teacher? Stranger: ah Stranger: trust your insticts You: my insects? Stranger: maintain eye contact Stranger: instincts,silly Stranger: gut feelings You: eye contact one was good Stranger: pay extra into your retirement fund You: im in kiwisaver super ann Stranger: keep your resume current Stranger: learn two more languages You: but the lousy right wingers just got voted in and they are thinking of taking money from the fund Stranger: just for sport Stranger: the left wingers are doing the same thing to America You: lousy economic climate You: broadcasting law is very different in nz Stranger: It all goes round and round Stranger: wait Stranger: u will c Stranger: I have shoes older than u Stranger: well...necties, anyway Stranger: ties You: so did you cover any big stories You: frost/nixon like Stranger: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Stranger: Iran/Contra Nicaragua Stranger: Disolving Soviet Union You: wow those are big You: you must have done some travelling Stranger: lots You: Lazy soviet satellites Stranger: Russia 14 times You: I love russia even though i have never been Stranger: Russkis are the biggest bunch of [bleep]tards I have ever seen Stranger: but the country is great You: I like the architecture Stranger: yeah You: So you were working in 1989 Stranger: the old school You: that must have been interesting Stranger: most cities there are strewn with 4 story rectangular Stalinesque apt blocks Stranger: yes Stranger: 1989 was a weird year for news Stranger: they are all weird years You: does russia have the 7 sisters Stranger: never a dull moment Stranger: the Pliades? You: maybe Stranger: syem sistra? Stranger: the constellation? You: Which was your favourite revolution. I always liked the polish one You: less bloody Stranger: I am biased being a Yank You: trueness. You: What should the states do in the middle east? Stranger: It sucks that the Mynmar ruling junta put that woman back under house arrest You: yea. shes the man You: I was just celebrating indian independence day Stranger: we should maintain some presence in Iraq to keep an eye on the Iranis You: its barely related. but it reminded me You: pakistan is in a bad place as well Stranger: and the Russkis You: cheeky russkis Stranger: Pakistan is extremely volitile Stranger: I'm going to Cambodia this winter Stranger: for a month Stranger: Thailand/Laos You: wow. so are you still journalistic? Stranger: nah Stranger: just like SE Asia Stranger: crazy place You: its an interesting holiday choice Stranger: been to Thaland before Stranger: 5 years ago You: I do to. Im considering teaching english in japan next year Stranger: Europe sucks Stranger: Hai! Stranger: Domo arrigato You: Europe is overrated. South America interests me though Stranger: yesh You: I grew up on karate kid Stranger: Argentina Stranger is typing...[/hide] Its a big read but I enjoyed it. I might go here often

How could the best thing for the baby ever be abortion? I couldnt ever justify what we did. We made a mistake and someone else paid for it. However, arguing when life begins is a pretty complex moral issue. Going through all this made me realise the I am a social theorist. I believe that life is given meaning through your interactions with other people, that is why I am prochoice. It is easy enough to argue that all things have a similar quantum make-up. What makes human life so special (in my opinion) is inter-human relations which do not begin in the womb

During my time working in the states my girlfriend found out she was pregnant, she is a tiny girl and both of us honestly didnt notice. She was getting sick in the morning all the time and our workmates kept insisting that she was pregnant, I guess we didnt believe it because we didnt want to. We went to town and got a pregnancy test which came back positive so we went to see a doctor. We went to the doctor who said she was pregnant and did some tests to see how far along she was. We got a call the next day and found out she was 18 weeks, Of course we couldnt believe we had been so stupid for not being 100% protected and for not noticing she was 4 months pregnant. We got of work and cried for a day and decided that the best thing for us (and (we hoped) the baby) to do was to get an abortion because we were both under 20 and at university. We donated some money to local charities hoping that we could help save some children while we were feeling like [cabbage] for what we were doing. When we called the doctor and asked about an abortion she could not believe that was the option we chose because Amanda was so far along. We were working in Connecticut and the doctor also informed us that abortions were illegal when the mother was so far pregnant in that state and that if we were so determined we would have to go to New York. We decided that we would go through with it anyway and made an appointment in a NY clinic for a couple of weeks time. When we finally made it to the clinic Amanda was 21 weeks pregnant (just over 5 months) and really showing, which made us feel even worse. I had to wait in the waiting room for 2 days while the completed the procedure but apparently inside was pretty disgusting, blood and crying girls everywhere. The experience wasnt cheap and we took our Florida/San Fran holiday but couldnt afford to go to DIsneyland Thats my story and it felt pretty good writing it down, it is by far the worst thing I have ever done and I have since done everything I can to prevent it happening again. I also try my hardest to be good to babys and children, this isnt a cognitive choice, it just sort of happened. As for my stance Im pro-choice, I think we made a difficult, but correct, decision

This is a good oppurtunity to air something i have been feeling guilty about since i was 7. There was this wierd kid at my primary school called pablo, hewas socially inept (homeschool ftw). He used to love doing extra projects on dinosaurs and volcanos and stuff and used to hang out by himself in the nursery playing in a tin box which he made no secret of pretending was a time machine (imagining himself with dinosaurs and castles and some such I guess) Anyway, in a very organised manner me and my friends systematically excused ourselves from about 3 different classes and converged in the nursery and all pissed in it simultaneously. We probably left at least 10 litres and left. Although no one saw us word quickly spread and the next day Mrs Lamond (the evil wench) called us out of class and lined us up by the flagpole and really (and justifiably) let us have it. After recieving our detentions and whatnot she asked if we were all clear, me being a wagon smartass, saluted and said 'yes sir'. Moy trouble ensued

If you ever in Palmerston North (NZ), you absolutely HAVE to: Visit the revamped plaza mall complex (IMAGINE... UNDERCOVER PARKING)! Visit our historical council buildings, built in the 1970's

Its a sign of the times Music has always been a series of noises which are pleasurable to humans because we seek patterns. This combined with lyrics which we can relate to and apply to our life make a successful song. If this can be achieved electronically then it was bound to happen. You just need a different skill set to achieve in the music industry now. I feel there is no point being pessimistic about the current scenario, creative, human-engineered music will always have a following. It is important however, to remember that the 'image' of these pop stars is entirely manufactured too. people shouldnt say they like Pinks anti-bush activism because that song was written by someone else who was told by someone else that Pink needed to tap the, already huge, anti-bush portion of society. For sales, nothing else.

perfect comment edit in mariah carey

I hate emo hairdos. But if you like it, you should get it. that is a good emphasis, I get sick of seeing bad/inappropriate emphasises

I thought lions were female tigers and that fleas were baby flies. It still makes sense to me, just not to everyone else.

I really liked that series, especially Foundation and Empire. You should try reading the rest of the trilogy before the others, though. ;) The story makes more sense that way, and the books by Asimov are by far the best IMO. I read the series but i found the first three too dated and much preferred foundation and earth and the prequels. On that note i preferred xenocide (the one with the ocd planet) of all the ender and shadow saga. I still recommend wyndham over both asimov and card though