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  1. #1
    Fencing Expert Array achilleus's Avatar
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    The Definition of Irony

    AP Article

    Snippet:

    Bush, in an Associated Press interview, said of Kerry, "He's trying to scare our seniors. It is wrong to try to scare people going into the polls."
    Does this last line seem just really ridiculous considering that Bush is running on, 'If you elect Kerry, terrorists will kill you! Vote Bush.'
    We're no threat, people, we're not dirty, we're not mean
    We love everybody but we do as we please
    When the weather's fine,
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    We're always happy
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  2. #2
    Senior Member Array Rogue's Avatar
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    Please look up definition of irony.
    Benjamin Franklin when asked by a woman, "What kind of government have you given us?" Replied, "A Republic Madam, if you can keep it!"

    "The Dude Abides"

  3. #3
    Senior Member Array jeff's Avatar
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    If it weren't so serious, it would be funny. Nice one, Achilleus (BTW: where in Greece are you? I learned some Greek words from a teammate in highschool, but unfortunately, only about 5 of them can be used in polite company)
    "In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, theory and practice are different."

  4. #4
    JEC
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    I am pretty certain that Achilleus lives in the US.
    Epee is the Sword.

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    Senior Member Array Soldier's Avatar
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    Which explains clearly why it says "greece" under location...
    There are no damn chickens in my room!
    "All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

  6. #6
    Senior Member Array jeff's Avatar
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    As Soldier says.... I'm sure the mystery will be solved in due course...
    "In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, theory and practice are different."

  7. #7
    JEC
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    Do you really think that he is the son of Peleus? He (most likely) is an experienced (and advanced) fencer who is likely a fan of the classics.
    Epee is the Sword.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Array jeff's Avatar
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    JEC - your description appears accurate to me. I was also under the impression that he lives in Greece (why? because he said so). Not relevant to anything in particular, but of interest.
    "In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, theory and practice are different."

  9. #9
    Curmudgeon Emeritus Array Inquartata's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by achilleus
    Does this last line seem just really ridiculous considering that Bush is running on, 'If you elect Kerry, terrorists will kill you! Vote Bush.'
    Though ironic, the latter does not however prove that his accusation is false, does it?

    Why is it that you are so much more prepared to excuse contemptible political tactics on the part of one candidate than on that of the other? And more prepared to condemn it in the opposite proportions?

    Clearly, the Bush tactic---your exagerrated and misattributed version of it aside---is deplorable. It is of course untrue IMO that Kerry is any less likely to defend this country to the utmost of his abilities than Bush, though it is permissible to question whether the methods he has said he would employ would be as effective. It is a fair charge that the Administration, especially Cheney, has attempted to establish the impression that Kerry would be weaker on terrorism worldwide and that this would erode safety here at home. It is a transparent attempt to instill fear in a sector of the electorate, to his own potential benefit.

    But just as clearly, Kerry's predictions of a "January surprise" do constitute a similar and just as deplorable attempt to play on the fears of a certain sector of the electorate to his own benefit by making patently unsupportable accusations. Not unlike the intimations of a draft coming right around the corner...

    Yet you seem to nod vigorously at the first and wave away the second as "ridiculous". Why is that?

  10. #10
    Senior Member Array Maeve_Mari's Avatar
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    A fine warrior indeed !

    Quote Originally Posted by JEC
    Do you really think that he is the son of Peleus? He (most likely) is an experienced (and advanced) fencer who is likely a fan of the classics.
    Nereus and Doris had fifty daughters. Thetis is one of the Daughters of Nereus. As a group, they are called the Nereids. Thetis was given to Peleus (a mortal) for his undying devotion to the gods on Olympos. Thetis and Peleus had a magnificent son, Achilleus. The fate of Achilleus was known to Thetis. Simply put, Achilleus could return to his father and die happy yet forgotten, or, he could die at Troy and be remembered forever as a hero.

    To protect her son in battle, Thetis provided Achilleus with armor made by Hephaistos, the smith of the gods. But during the war at Troy, Achilleus was angered by Agamemnon, he refused to fight. Instead, he gave his armor to his friend Patroklos. Patroklos was killed as he pressed the attack to the walls of Ilion. The most brutal fighting of the war was for the armor of Achilleus and the body of Patroklos. The disgrace to his friend’s body and the theft of his armor brought Achilleus into the battle, but not before Thetis could persuade Hephaistos to forge new armor for her, soon to be immortalized, son. When Achilleus strode into battle with his new armor, the Trojans fled in terror. His divine protection was obvious from the blaze of his armor and his divine lineage was also obvious from his beauty and his enormous strength. The Trojans who did not have the good sense or swift feet to run away, were killed. After Achilleus had had his revenge, Thetis led a procession of her sisters up from the depths to morn openly and to cast a divine mist over the body of Patroklos.

    When Hephaistos was thrown from Olympos, Thetis and Eurynome healed him and gave him love and protection. The noble smith has never forgotten their kindness.

  11. #11
    Fencing Expert Array achilleus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Inquartata
    Though ironic, the latter does not however prove that his accusation is false, does it?
    Never said it did.

    Quote Originally Posted by Inquartata
    Why is it that you are so much more prepared to excuse contemptible political tactics on the part of one candidate than on that of the other? And more prepared to condemn it in the opposite proportions?
    If you read my first post with an AP article, I condemned Kerry as well. Right after Bush made his original statement, Kerry attacked him. I thought, and still do, Kerry was wrong. Kerry then turned around and said the same thing. If you reread my original post, you'll see it doesn't favor one candidate or the other. They both said the same things, and took the chance to attack the other one, for something they said. I find it funny that they do this. I also find it funny that many people tried to take sides.

    Quote Originally Posted by Inquartata
    Clearly, the Bush tactic---your exagerrated and misattributed version of it aside---is deplorable.
    Exagerrated and misattributed? You really think so? They've attempted to make people think that if he in were in charge, the terrorists would have already killed us. Cheney even said so. He retracted a day or two later, but still, the impression was made.

    Although, I agree it is deplorable, in fact almost constitutes terrorism.

    Quote Originally Posted by Inquartata
    It is of course untrue IMO that Kerry is any less likely to defend this country to the utmost of his abilities than Bush, though it is permissible to question whether the methods he has said he would employ would be as effective. It is a fair charge that the Administration, especially Cheney, has attempted to establish the impression that Kerry would be weaker on terrorism worldwide and that this would erode safety here at home. It is a transparent attempt to instill fear in a sector of the electorate, to his own potential benefit.
    I agree to an extent. It's one thing to talk about plans for services in the future, it's another to say you someone will kill you if you don't vote for me.

    Quote Originally Posted by Inquartata
    But just as clearly, Kerry's predictions of a "January surprise" do constitute a similar and just as deplorable attempt to play on the fears of a certain sector of the electorate to his own benefit by making patently unsupportable accusations. Not unlike the intimations of a draft coming right around the corner...
    I agree to an extent again.

    Quote Originally Posted by Inquartata
    Yet you seem to nod vigorously at the first and wave away the second as "ridiculous". Why is that?
    These articles are written about Bush soundbites. Since the debates he's been everywhere denouncing Kerry trying to regain lost ground. His criticisms make the news and provide good sound bites for articles. Kerry's comments are usually so long winded and confusing that they don't translate well.

    Trust me, if they post something where I can point out the idiocy of Kerry, I will. And I have, the previous thread entitled Flip Flop for All.

    Personally I Kerry is a idiot, and Bush a moron. I'm not really thrilled with voting for Kerry, but Bush's policies across the board are so destructive. In addition, Bush's administration is so divisive to the point where in the Country it's us (conservatives) agaisnt everyone else. So, I favor Kerry. I don't however think he's above criticism, reproach, or just plain laughing at him.
    We're no threat, people, we're not dirty, we're not mean
    We love everybody but we do as we please
    When the weather's fine,
    We go fishin' or go swimmin' in the sea
    We're always happy
    Life's for livin', yeah, that's our philosophy

  12. #12
    Curmudgeon Emeritus Array Inquartata's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by achilleus
    If you read my first post with an AP article, I condemned Kerry as well.
    On this thread? Where? I see no "condemnation"...


    Exagerrated and misattributed? You really think so?
    Yes. Your version was "Bush is running on, 'If you elect Kerry, terrorists will kill you! Vote Bush.'" Which is exaggerated because no one has said that so pointedly, much less in those exact words, and misattributed, because AFAIK such statements have been limited to Cheney, and Bush himself has not said such things. ( He has said that he thinks he can keep us "safer" than Kerry, which I don't think amounts to the same thing as "'If you elect Kerry, terrorists will kill you!" )

  13. #13
    Fencing Expert Array achilleus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Inquartata
    On this thread? Where? I see no "condemnation"...
    I was referring to another thread entitled 'Flip Flop for All'.

    This article however, was particularly about Bush's statement.

    Therefore, so was my comment. When I see ridiculous comments by Kerry, trust me, I'll post 'em.

    Quote Originally Posted by Inquartata
    Yes. Your version was "Bush is running on, 'If you elect Kerry, terrorists will kill you! Vote Bush.'" Which is exaggerated because no one has said that so pointedly, much less in those exact words, and misattributed, because AFAIK such statements have been limited to Cheney, and Bush himself has not said such things. ( He has said that he thinks he can keep us "safer" than Kerry, which I don't think amounts to the same thing as "'If you elect Kerry, terrorists will kill you!" )
    I'm sorry. My bad for not saying 'Bush's campaign' is based on...

    Bush, himself, has stopped short of saying such statements, but his campaign and VP have used and defended such deplorable statements.

    Bush, himself, has said exactly what you wrote above, which is acceptable. Although I wonder if he has rebuked Cheney or his campaign managers for saying stronger statements.
    We're no threat, people, we're not dirty, we're not mean
    We love everybody but we do as we please
    When the weather's fine,
    We go fishin' or go swimmin' in the sea
    We're always happy
    Life's for livin', yeah, that's our philosophy

  14. #14
    Senior Member Array Rogue's Avatar
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    Bush scare tactic:
    Be affraid of terrorist
    Be affraid of bowing to the UN
    Be affraid of socialized medicine

    Kerry scare tactic:
    Social Security will be scraped, starving senior citizens
    The global community doesn't like us
    Enter popular environmental concern here and add Bush wants to kill you

    Some scare tactics are based more in reality than others.
    Benjamin Franklin when asked by a woman, "What kind of government have you given us?" Replied, "A Republic Madam, if you can keep it!"

    "The Dude Abides"

  15. #15
    Fencing Expert Array achilleus's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rogue
    Bush scare tactic:
    Be affraid of terrorist
    Be affraid of bowing to the UN
    Be affraid of socialized medicine

    Kerry scare tactic:
    Social Security will be scraped, starving senior citizens
    The global community doesn't like us
    Enter popular environmental concern here and add Bush wants to kill you

    Some scare tactics are based more in reality than others.

    You know it's funny. Nixon's administration way back named the environment one of the top concerns of the nation. They realized back then, that ignoring the planet would be extremely harmful. Bush hasn't realized this, why shouldn't I be scared?

    Bush has diverted funds out of Social Security with no solid plan to replace them, why shouldn't I be scared?

    And Kerry hasn't said that Bush wants to kill me. Only overtax in favor of his buddies...

    As for being scared of terrorism. I'm not. I have a greater chance of being run over by a car than I do of getting killed in terrorist attack.
    We're no threat, people, we're not dirty, we're not mean
    We love everybody but we do as we please
    When the weather's fine,
    We go fishin' or go swimmin' in the sea
    We're always happy
    Life's for livin', yeah, that's our philosophy

  16. #16
    Senior Member Array Soldier's Avatar
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    Especially once I figure out where you live...

    And get a car...

    And figure out a way to get it to Greece...

    And get over my aversion to going to jail...

    But then - you will rue the day!

    [MANIACAL LAUGHTER]
    There are no damn chickens in my room!
    "All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

  17. #17
    Senior Member Array Rogue's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by achilleus
    You know it's funny. Nixon's administration way back named the environment one of the top concerns of the nation. They realized back then, that ignoring the planet would be extremely harmful. Bush hasn't realized this, why shouldn't I be scared?
    So Nixon is good when he agrees with your point of view.
    Environmentally conscience is not the same as environmental worship. Environmental regulations should be based on hard science not flawed models that lead to flawed theory.

    Quote Originally Posted by achilleus
    Bush has diverted funds out of Social Security with no solid plan to replace them, why shouldn't I be scared?
    Sorry to inform you, but there is NO Social Security Fund. The money for SS comes from the General fund. So how could he divert funds from there?
    Quote Originally Posted by achilleus
    And Kerry hasn't said that Bush wants to kill me. Only overtax in favor of his buddies...
    The kill me was attached to the environmental point. "Bush's policies on the environment will poison the water, air, food..." or something like that. It is not a stretch to think if Bush makes things poisonous he wants to kill me.
    Quote Originally Posted by achilleus
    As for being scared of terrorism. I'm not. I have a greater chance of being run over by a car than I do of getting killed in terrorist attack.
    3,000 people in NYC, DC and Pennsylvania had those same odds.
    If we don't fight the war now those odds will just go up. If the terrorist murderers think we are weak they will double their efforts to hit us again.
    Benjamin Franklin when asked by a woman, "What kind of government have you given us?" Replied, "A Republic Madam, if you can keep it!"

    "The Dude Abides"

  18. #18
    Senior Member Array jeff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rogue
    Sorry to inform you, but there is NO Social Security Fund. The money for SS comes from the General fund. So how could he divert funds from there?
    Whoa - hold on there: that's factually incorrect. There certainly is a separate fund. In fact, unfortunately, SS money has been diverted into general funds to reduce shortfalls in revenue - supposedly a loan. A fact documented by people ranging from Pat Moynihan to Paul O'Neill. Sorry.

    Quote Originally Posted by Rogue
    3,000 people in NYC, DC and Pennsylvania had those same odds.
    If we don't fight the war now those odds will just go up. If the terrorist murderers think we are weak they will double their efforts to hit us again.
    I'm going to address this point from a personal perspective, as it's only a stroke of luck that I'm not one of those 3,000. I had an office in WTC, and was a scheduled speaker at a conference being held on the 106th floor, fortunately not scheduled early in the conference. I know people who died So, I want us to win the war on terror real bad.
    Yeah, showing weakness is a bad idea, but making a war where the terrorists didn't come from is worse.
    "In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, theory and practice are different."

  19. #19
    Senior Member Array Rogue's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jeff
    Whoa - hold on there: that's factually incorrect. There certainly is a separate fund. In fact, unfortunately, SS money has been diverted into general funds to reduce shortfalls in revenue - supposedly a loan. A fact documented by people ranging from Pat Moynihan to Paul O'Neill. Sorry.


    Please read.
    http://capmag.com/article.asp?ID=1181
    Paul O'neill says there are no assets in the fund.
    http://www.socialsecurity.org/daily/07-03-01.html
    Ok, maybe there is something called a "fund" but it is empty and has been since before Bush.
    Benjamin Franklin when asked by a woman, "What kind of government have you given us?" Replied, "A Republic Madam, if you can keep it!"

    "The Dude Abides"

  20. #20
    Senior Member Array jeff's Avatar
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    Rogue - please sit down - I'm going to say something that will shock you!

    Here it is: I agree with you. Okay, you can relax now.

    Technically, there is a fund. Hence my previous post. Problem is: it's been looted. That's why I mentioned O'Neill as you did also. And you're quite right - it's been pillaged for a long time. Bilaterally, too. I went into this in great detail in the long Economics thread.
    "In theory, theory and practice are the same, but in practice, theory and practice are different."

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