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Maedhros

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Posts posted by Maedhros

  1. 13 hours ago, Hurlshot said:

    There does seem to be this strange disconnect between the world we live in today and the baby boomer generation. My mother-in-law, who we support financially and allow to live with us, has this weird pride about terribly wasteful stuff. For example, on Sundays she wants to go to church with her friends and then go out for coffee afterwards. They all drive separate cars to the church, then drive separate cars to coffee. The crazy thing is she really doesn't have a car. She lost hers due to financial mistakes years ago, and she doesn't have the money to get another. We have a family car that we let her use regularly because she helps transport the kids. But every Sunday we are like "Hey, we are using the family car to do family stuff." We also have a very old truck with 300k miles on it, so she always asks to use that, but the thing is on the last leg. Every weekend I'm like, "Can you carpool?" and she acts like it is a huge problem. I don't get it. My friends and I carpool everywhere we can if we are going to the same place. What the heck?

    To make it even more ridiculous, both the church and the coffee shop are within a mile of our house. Flat with nice sidewalks. But baby boomers are not the healthiest generation, so that's too much to expect. :blink:

    Made me think of this

     

    • Haha 3
  2. 1 hour ago, Gromnir said:

    For the first time ever, an American cheese has taken the top prize at the World Cheese Awards

    "But not everyone is celebrating America's new dairy dominance; according to Sky News, France isn't taking the results well. One widely read newspaper in the country called it "sacrilege" that only one French cheese placed in the top 16. "

    HA! Good Fun!

    " Rogue River Blue is made from organic milk, cave-aged nine to 11 months and hand-wrapped in Syrah grape leaves that have soaked in pear liqueur. It’s known to exhibit flavors of blackberry, vanilla, hazelnut and bacon – all of which would probably pair nicely. "

    That sounds amazing.

    Oregon has wonderful wines, so I'm not surprised that they also make great cheese over there. There's so much fantastic cheese being made all over the world now, the Frenchies shouldn't be surprised. Last year's winner is made in my neighbourhood, and is ridiculously tasty & expensive. I can imagine this cheese is (or will be) as well.

     

  3. 4 minutes ago, Gfted1 said:

    I never use mass transit even when it faster and more economical. Too many dirtbags to deal with.

    You should move to Norway. Mass transit here is awesome since we're all too socially awkward to talk to each other.

    • Like 1
    • Haha 1
  4. Bad air quality is another environmental issue that should get more attention. Millions of people die to it yearly, and millions more get asthma or underdeveloped lungs due to it.  I was pretty happy when my city decided to do something about it (partly by reducing the amount of cars and cruiseships near congested areas).

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/29/air-pollution-worlds-children-breathing-toxic-air-who-study-finds

    It's weird that it isn't used more as an argument in Climate Change debates. "OK so you don't believe that man can affect climate change - but you still want clean air right? The solutions are the same."

  5. Happy they discarded the "Long Night" HBO series. Seemed very uninteresting, and didn't really have much basis in anything GRRM has written.

    The new show, "House of the Dragon", apparently based on the Dance of Dragons sequence in Fire & Blood, could potentially be good. The recipe is there, they just gotta adapt it properly, and keep David & Dan far away from it.

    Edit: When I think about it, their cooking was fine when they followed the recipe.

    --

    Mandalorian also looking good. I could listen to Werner Herzog for hours.

  6. All those boring but brilliant scientists do need their champion. I think Greta is far more impressive, and reasonable than most make her out to be, and I like how she's dealt with her fame (mostly). Her overall message of "don't listen to me, listen to the scientists" is a good one.

    • Like 1
  7. There is a saying in my country, "Amerikanske tilstander" which can be loosely translated as "American conditions", which only partly captures the meaning.  It's generally used when you want to warn about traditional social democratic values being at risk.

    However in the last years "Svenske tilstander", or "Swedish conditions", has been far more referred to. It's basically the easiest go-to argument of right-wing politicians here. It's crazy that two so similar countries in many ways have become so different when it comes to crime: https://www.spectator.co.uk/2019/10/bomb-attacks-are-now-a-normal-part-of-swedish-life/?fbclid=IwAR1enB1nBfKOWOic48XkX27qAzd4jlPk1Os7lCtjFGKzcT6ThTk1g7J3MaE

     

    ps. We also have a saying which is even more popular than both of those, and used by pretty much everyone. "Texas!" or "That was completely Texas", meaning "that was wild/chaotic/crazy".

  8. Episode 8's biggest problem for me was that everything that wasn't about Luke/Rey/Kylo just felt so uninteresting in comparison.

    The pilot's "rebellion" against the pink hair lady, and the Casino planet subplot should both have been reworked a lot to make it more appealing. The lesson the pilot had to learn was...blind trust in his leaders? The Casino planet plot could've been a lot more fun if maybe a big name or two from the First Order were there, maybe even Snoke, since it was supposed to be a planet for the "ultra rich".

    I didn't mind Luke's story too much, but I was dissapointed that the writers weren't bold enough to have Rey and Kylo partner up as leaders of the First Order. It could've been easily explained by both Rey's attraction to Kylo, as well as her using the opportunity to steer him and the First Order towards good. Then of course you could have her fall to the Dark Side later if they wanted. Things always came easy for Rey, so the frustrations from not managing to bring "peace" to the galaxy could steer her towards the dark side.

     

  9. 9 hours ago, Hurlshot said:

    I have no issue requiring the police to have the same level of education as an educator. BA or BA plus a year of police academy, then a year of student teaching, err, student policing? Heh, I like it, but I don't know i it will ever 

    I think a bachelor's degree should be mandatory for one to become a policeman. I guess you have very different practises depending on which state/city we're talking about. There's probably a more pressing need for police in Baltimore than in Portland.

    Then again, you could also say there's more pressing need for educated police in Baltimore.

    • Like 1
  10. Wanted to make traditional greek Gyros, but ended up making something quite different.

    Seasoned lamb strips with pepper, salt, paprika, thyme and oregano.

    Instead of tzatziki, I used rømme ("Norwegian" sour cream), and mixed in scallion, salt, pepper, and the juice of half a lemon.

    Slices of tomato and red onion.

    All packed into brioche hot dog buns, with feta cheese on top. No space for fries sadly!

     

    Was quite good, but next time I'll add some chili pepper, and maybe have the red onions pickled as well. Or just make the traditional Gyros I wanted in the first place.

    • Like 4
    • Haha 1
  11. 9 hours ago, Guard Dog said:

    If you are interested in classics that put you IN the Great Depression look no further than John Steinbeck. Particularly The Grapes of Wrath.

    My English teacher absolutely loved Steinbeck. We spent so much time on Of Mice and Men, I feel like I still remember every page of the book.

    As far as classics go, I don't know how famous Knut Hamsun is outside of Norway anymore, but he's my "go to". Growth of the Soil, Hunger, Pan...all great. Fantastic author, terrible guy.

    https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2008/sep/10/knut.hamsun.nazi

  12. Was "headhunted" for a job, with promises of really nice pay (better than my profession usually gives). They made it really clear that I was the only candidate. After the interview, they said they didn't even want to interview anyone else.

    Then the offer came, and it was much much lower than they originally said.

    Didn't even get an apology from them when I brought it up. Thanks for wasting my time, ****.

  13. 1 hour ago, Volourn said:

    "aspire to look like the gender they identify as too "

    Which is inherently sexist and playing with stereotypes. That leads to the 'all girls must where dresses' and 'all men must have beards'. There is no 'right' way to look like as woman or man. They come in dfifferent looks. Making yourself 'look like a man or woman' doesn't make it so.

    I agree.  I could've rather said something like "aspire to look like something society think is normal for a boy or a girl." The point was just that most transpeople look "normal".

    1 hour ago, Volourn said:

    "I'll wager a lot of suicides and sad fates could've been prevented if people were more open minded on these sort of things. "

    Simplication. I'd wager most transgender suicides have little to do with bullying, Everyone is bullied. I don't believe blacks have ever had an epdimeic of suicide besides being slaves. I think feeling like you don't belong and being literally confused of your place is what leads to transgender suicides being ridiculous high - FYI, the rates don't really go down even after surgery.

    Your sentence about "feeling like you don't belong" matches what I said. Why do you think they feel they don't belong? Could it possibly be because society rejects what they are?

    But yeah, identity problems/gender dysphoria is a big part of it too. Probably more than how society percieves you. But I think it's somewhat related.

  14. I think there's a difference between how someone wants to be labeled, and objective definitions. Transpeople are usually very aware of their biological sex. It's not like they deny being born a man/woman, but they want to identify as the other gender. From what I've seen they usually aspire to look like the gender they identify as too - so you don't really get too many bearded brutes in the ladies room.

    If I met a transguy who was born as a girl - obviously the "technical truth" would be that the person is a female. The said person is very likely to be aware of that as well. Even so I think it's common courtesy to refer to the person as "male" because that's what he identifies as. Most of them just genuinly want to live as the opposite gender, and I don't really see a big problem with that.

    To me it's a "you're not wrong, you're just an a**hole" situation.

    I'll wager a lot of suicides and sad fates could've been prevented if people were more open minded on these sort of things.

    • Like 3
  15. 7 hours ago, ShadySands said:

    Everywhere I've ever been it has been served with Gruyere or occasionally a generic Swiss cheese. Of course, I've never been to France but seeing as Switzerland is next door it doesn't seem such a stretch.

     

    Just thought it was a bit weird since the French are pretty proud of their culinary traditions. Would think that they used a french cheese. But then again, Switzerland used to be a part of France (kind of) and is their neighbour as you say. And Gruyere can be so good.

    The chef show on Netflix had an episode on how to make an onion soup. The chef there said it was all about how you cooked the onions to get that perfect caramelized taste. Never made it myself, maybe I should give it a try!

     

     

  16. 36 minutes ago, Gromnir said:

    keep in mind is legal to carry and brandish a firearm in your home anywhere in the country.  Gromnir may believe such behaviour is stoopid and prohibitive likely to result in a harmful or fatal mistake, as it did in this case, but such is law. jehovah's witnesses show up to proselytize and you wanna answer your door with your ar-15. is not inherent unreasonable or reckless to do so. 

    more important, and again, we rare criminal prosecute mistake. shooting somebody who leaps outta bushes and growls is reasonable? not in our mind, but do you really wanna imprison a guy for a stoopid mistake? even if mistake is moronic and terrible we general don't criminalize. after all, negligence is ordinary a civil issue. for intent crimes we are seeking justice for folks who got genuine ill will. accidental kill the birthday surprise guy is subject matter for a far side comic as 'posed to fodder for criminal courts.

    Well, not necessarily, because this was a very absurd happening - but I don't think intent should always save you when you commit a terrible mistake. Driving while drunk for example is a very, very moronic thing to do - which becomes particularily clear every time there's an accident because of is. Should the drunk driver go free because he didn't "intend" to hit anyone with his car? Or another situation I read about recently - Some guys having fun managed to make a huge rock fall off a cliff, and could face charges because it could've led to the death of fellow hikers below. Stupid mistake, or stupid crime?

    I lean more towards "no", because of the absurdity of the situation. But I can't help but feel that the enormity of the shooter's mistake should have some consequences.

  17. 2 hours ago, Gromnir said:

     

    florida has the castle doctrine. 

    *shrug*

    by law it ain't inherent reckless to defend self and home with a deadly force.  as such, there wouldn't be much to investigate. were the homeowner under the influence o' illegal drugs?  'less there were some kinda obvious evidence that the shooter had planned this, occam's razor says mistake... accident. at best you maybe find an argument for negligent homicide.

    we mentioned earlier in the thread how regardless o' how laws is written, mistake and accident do not get prosecution unless there is some other overriding factor. yeah, we punish all kinda people for all kinda minor stuff. nevertheless, in spite o' what recent cases and tv and movies lead you to believe, if cops and da believe is mistake or accident, then any intent crime typical goes unpunished.

    however, there is a whole bunch o' crimes we punish regardless o' intent. speeding ticket? toxic waste dump? drug possession? most crimes is actual mala prohibita as 'posed to mala in se and it don't matter what the defendant's intent were. 

    confused? probable. is worth doing a quick looksee at mala prohibita v. mala in se if you are genuine curious.

    HA! Good Fun!

    ps we didn't actual watch the video, but he is wearing a cal hat, so...

     

    Thanks for elaborating.

    You're saying that Florida has unique state laws, and that by law he did nothing wrong. I guess I just expected there to be some precedence for his extreme negligence to at least be investigated?

    ----

    https://www.businessinsider.com/pro-trump-group-behind-aoc-protester-calling-to-eat-babies-2019-10?r=US&IR=T

    A crazed protester at an AOC town hall, shouting things like "we have to eat babies" and "bomb russia" to fight climate change, gave the Trump fanboys a lot of ammo the other day, with Trump calling AOC a wackjob for having such followers. "She didn't even rule out eating babies"

    Turns out the protester was a member of a cultlike anti-CO2 reduction group, trying to satirise those who...listen to scientists.

  18. 4 minutes ago, Hurlshot said:

    Seems strange to think Norway would criticize the US about not locking the guy up. Isn't the US typically criticized for the crazy amount of people we put away?

    Haha, I don't think "Norway" is critizising the US, more like some Norwegian lawyers commented on it, and found it a bit strange that they did no investigation. Killing someone (whether an accident or not) is pretty serious stuff. And since it was a Norwegian citizen that died, it gets extra attention over here

    You get criticized for locking up a crazy amount of people for minor crimes, as far as I know. If you're found guilty of manslaughter, that's hardly comparable!

    • Like 1
  19. 13 minutes ago, smjjames said:

    I'm curious as to what and who notable lawyers thought should have been charged with something. Also, you (and the notable Norwegian lawyers) may or may not realize that Florida has the 'stand your ground' law, which is likely partially why no charges were brought. Still, it sounds like a horrible accidemt that would almost deserve a Darwin award.

    edit: The guy was certainly unaware of the confrontation the father in law had with another relative earlier that night.

    Notable as in "gets a lot of attention" more than "remarkable" in this case. Anyway, to quote diractly from the Norwegian article (with terrible google translation):

    Attorney Brynjar Meling responds strongly that the case was dismissed so quickly.
    
    - This is just proof that wild west conditions still exist in the United States. In Norway and European legal tradition it is quite clear that this 
    would be investigated and not immediately concluded in the way the sheriff does. Based on the information available in the media, it took a 
    lot for this not to be considered murder, and in any case it must be clearly negligent to act like that with a weapon. The course of events 
    earlier in the day does not exactly strengthen the case of the father-in-law, he tells NRK.
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