Guard Dog

When I was in the military I went through the eight week NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) Warfare School. Nukes are lousy tactical weapons and the whole concept of artillery borne tactical nuclear weapons was abandoned by the Soviets and the US during the 80's. The idea of tactical weapons is to clear obstacles for infantry/armor movement. Nuclear weapons do a poor job of that because of a) Fallout obviously renders the point of attack uninhabitable b) low yield weapons are nearly impossible to accurately model, it may do what you need, it may not. The only real value to them as weapons is strategic. Would Iran attack Israel? I don't know. No one does but it is unwise to assume the leadership of Iran will act in a way we would consider logical or rational. They do have an apocolyptic bent with their 13th Imam prophecies and all. If Iran were a military dictatorship I think we would all sleep easier because dictators tend to act in their own self interest. If Iran were to use a nuke, or give one to Al Qeada (that is their delivery system if the target is in Europe or the US) then they would be eradicated but it would be after they had done an inestimatable amount of damage. A proactive strike might make sense if it could be assured you would get 100% of their nuclear facilities (you can't), but you cannot, must not, will not, use nukes agains them. You cannot be sure you will achive your goal (halting their nuclear program) plus you have now justified whatever they do with a bomb once they have one. There are three ways solve the Iran problem: 1) Containment and isolation which is probably the wisest way to go but least effective since Russia and China will not play ball. 2) Encourage and enable the pro-democracy crowd to take over. This is unlikely because they are disorganized, unarmed and are not soldiers at any rate. 3) The most certain way is to find one of their generals who commands a large percentage of their military and "encourage" him to take over by funneling him the money and arms he needs. This is probsbly the most effective way to go because military dictatorships are easy to create and behave in a predictable way but it is a god awful thing to do. There is the three choices, they all stink. Glad you're not the Presidient?

Sounds like Sand in his medicinal bucket. I'm not sure which to choose. Neither sounds like it would suit me. On the one hand I rely on others a lot to fulfil key requirements like giving me medicines for all my failing body parts, and in turn work quite hard to help others. On the other hand I hate taking orders from anyone I don't both know and respect. On the other hand I ... Look do I have to really choose between anarchy and maternal despotism? For the purposes of this discussion, yes. We are not planning a government here, just having a philisophical discussion. Isn't the question of degree of government control at the heart of all political questions? In the US it is. Which is better, a regimented society where everyone is equal, all needs are met, but at the expense of liberty, happiness, self awarement and enrichment, or a society where the government provides the barest minimum of service (border security and foreign relations only) and free market economics and personal responsibility are paramount?

I'd prefer a maximum amount of freedom. It's my responsibility to take care of myself.

Sand that was not an option. Assume the two are mutually exclusive (as in you cannot have a balance, you can have one or the other).

Which is more desireable to you guys, a society where citizens are afforded the maximum amout of freedom or the maximum amount of care if the two are mutually exclusive? I know in the real world it is much more complex than that but for discussions sake least accept the premise. Which do you prefer?

Just curious (and to make this thread more intersting) where are you guys investing these days? Those who do, what are you buying and why? For me about 40% of my portfolio is tied up in gold and silver. 20% is in a few carefully chosen small cap stocks (sort of like gambling money), about 30% is split up over a few mutuals and 10% is in CDs. I got out of the NYSE all together so far as as owning individual securities. Ditto for buying currencies, too doggone unstable right now. I think I'm pretty well positioned/diversified. My 401k is mainly large cap stocks and it has just been devastated over the past two years. This year I think I'm getting rid of all the mutuals and CDs and start buying real estate. I think it's finally found the bottom. Believe it of not my best single stock is a hamburger chain.

Hence the reason why I said earlier I would not by US bonds right now is they took dried dog poop as payment. I have a feeling Obama plan to get out of debt is to cause the currency to crash. Unfortnuately he is not a student of history. That plan did not work out real well for the Weimar Republic.

Krookie, if you are considering Electronics Engineering you might want to reconsider. The money really isn't all that great and opportunities seem to be fewer than just ten years ago. Odd isn't it? You'd think it would be the other way around.

Once again, I have no desire to get drawn into this discussion, but I do want to throw this article out there for you guys too look over. It came out this morning and is dead on topic for this thread: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/...ter_104685.html

Now reading Autobiography of Red Cloud: War Leader of the Oglalas . It's not actually an autobiography since it was told third hand but at least the author did know Red Cloud. Out of all the indian tribes I find the Lakota Sioux and Seminoles to be by far the most fascinating.

I think that will work out for you, chicks dig guitar players. Did you have any shot of a hockey scholarship? That might have changed your mind.

Now what would be the point of that? It's taken some time but I've finally realized how utterly futile discussing politics is in the forum. We all know where everyone stands and it never changes. I'd rather talk about baseball anyway.

I'd bet there is a ton of it right in your back yard!

Oh really? When have I appealed to the history of India under Nehru? Oh yes, that'd be never. Therefore, either you're a blatant liar, have serious hallucinations, or didn't even read the thread title. Which one is it? I'm a blatant liar who hallucinates and I haven't spent much time reading anything you've written lately since it all kinda sounds the same. In fact it all is the same. I don't think you have ever had an original thought.

Another intersting thread full of new and innovative ideas from LoF. Hasn't rehashing the same ole arguments gotten a little stale yet?

Man, it must be tough having these problems. If you ever wrote a book I'd buy it.

There is no one political issue that can break up the USA. Ever, no way no how. There is however, a gargantuan philisophical issue at the heart of most of our political issues that can and ulitmately will. One school of thought wants a small federal government that does little with the majority of the political power decentralized to the State capitals. Such a society would be diverse and the individual citizen would be afforded the maximum amount of liberty and control over their own lives. The other favors a strong central government with weak or non existant state governments. In this society the federal government would control every aspect of the lives of it's citizens and individual rights would be subordinated to "collective rights". These two visions are mutually exclusive and the proponents of each are natural enemies to each other. That is the root cause of whatever upheaval, political or actual is coming in our future. Edit: I realize most people fall somewhere between these two ideas but we have reached a point in our history where every vote cast serves to empower one of these ideals or the other. The individual candidate does not matter near so much as what political ideology he caucasuses with. The sooner everyone realizes that the better.

I spent the day trying to look busy at work. I set my cell phone alarm to use my ring tone and I had it going off all day today. When I got home I worked on the Camaro for a bit.

Well, its not impossible that we may be shooting at each other again at some point but I'd say it is very very very very very very unlikely. It is, however, very much within the realm of possibility that the US might break into two or three pieces in the next 50-100 years. It is already being discussed in Texas and Oklahoma, and many people there and elsewhere are VERY alarmed at the way the federal goverment is seizing more and more power and usurping powers Contitutionally delegated to the States with no consequence. I really doubt it will happen but it is a distinct possibility.

Here is the cast w/photos: http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/10/game-of-thr...th-photos-.html I do like the choice of Sean Bean for Eddard Stark.

If the above statement is true what you should do is as easy as can be... stop caring whether the relationship takes off or not. That is not to say treat her badly, and if the oppotunity for a roll in the hay arises, take it. But in your own mind just let it go. Sluggo, if you never listen to another word I write listen to this: Those are two very different things that should not be confused with each other. If all you really want is to get laid, this whole situation is going to be a hell of a lot more trouble than it's worth. Just go to a college bar, find a nice looking but plain wallflower type girl, talk to her, pay attention to her, dance with her, buy her drinks and I can just about guanteee a positive outcome. If you want the real relationship then stop caring about it and let the chips fall where they msy. You'd be surprised how well it works. But beware what you wish for.

Kor I know this won't make you feel any better, but it was better to have a break up now than after you got married. Divorce just plain sucks.

HBO has given the greenlight to making an adaption of George RR Martins A Song of Ice & Fire. The pilot is already in the can and episode production begins this summer. No word on premier date but smart money says August-September time frame. If they di this as well as they did Rome I think we are in for a treat. http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/...ame-of-thrones/ GRRM just posted it on his site http://grrm.livejournal.com/

Parted ways with my girl friend. It was friendly and amicable. The truth is I just have no desire to get married again and she has never been and I know thats what she is looking for. New rule, from now on I'm dating divorced women only. My midlife crisis toy is coming along nicely. I got the engine mounted and drive train fully connected. I still have to put the carburator, radiator and water pump on, then reattach the front end. Lotsa work still to go.

Today I drank a lot of cheap beer and watched the Olympics. All day. I even watched Curling. With enough beer even that game becomes interesting. I also watched two of the Rugby matches from the Sevens tournament that I DVR'ed yesterday. What a great sport. Too bad it gets so little exposure in the US.