BruceVC

You know we have a problem when the US president starts looking into " if he can pardon himself " http://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-defends-pardoning-everyone-did-nothing-wrong-640678

volo dont be afraid of the truth, Russia did interfere in the US election with an intention to undermine Clinton and assure that Trump won I can explain anything about this you may not be clear on?

Im glad Spicer is gone but he had an almost insurmountable task trying to decipher and ameliorate the mercurial and confusing tweets and comments of Trump...no one would get that one right as White House Press Secretary for Trump, especially in the beginning of his presidency I like Anthony Scaramucci, he seems to understand and respect normal engagement and interaction with institutions like the Media, it will be great to start to move away from the world of " alternative facts "

Im sure you remember my personal experience with my niece and drug addiction, I have learnt and believe the best way to help people who are addicts is to follow a strict and uncompromising approach You dont cut them off like her family did but rather keep an open door but only if they are prepared to go to rehab. So you absolutely support them around getting to rehab and helping them on that initiative only The addict must want to take that first step to getting clean, if they aren't prepared to do that you have to keep your distance Under no circumstances must you support them if they aren't in rehab or prepared to go. So if they chose to live on the street and do drugs that has to be there reality Yes this is also a good overall point, this is very common is SA There are real examples of homeless people who need to beg to survive. Poverty is there only outcome and its about survival For other people being homeless is something they could change through concerted effort

I didnt play BG1 but BG2 was the best RPG I have ever played, I did play IWD1 and it was great....not excellent but great It seems strange to have not played POE yet, I agree...better late than never I suppose I normally wait till the first or second patch to be released than I play, in this case it appears I fell victim to an artful Time Elemental and after he manipulated the time stream it appears I am still waiting for those patches...what year is it ? Thanks for the helpful tips

I know for a fact that there are people in South Africa who chose to live on the street as it gets them a decent income from begging 2133 is making the classic " SJ assumption 101 " , he means well but he lives in a first world country and thinks there is no such thing as beggars who want to live on the street and staying poor

Trump is much more of an embarrassment and has created real consternation and discord in the USA He is not a dictator and has done several positive things in the USA but we still have to wait for his 4 years to end I doubt Hilary would have created such a dysfunctional, dichotomy in the USA around left and right wing? U would also agree our media's unhealthy obsession with him has also lended to our embarrassment and discord as well? I strongly dislike the man and even moreso as our president, BUT would we really be embarrassed/outraged/etc AS MUCH if our media didn't latch onto every action/speech/etc and twist it even further? Would we have all the street parades we've had without the media poking even further and beyond? The scienctists so far seem to be the only ones who "justly" from his actions in office to protest. You do make some valid points. But to put things in context, I watch loads of news channels and on channels like CNN it would appear that they are always talking about Trump and criticizing him or analyzing his comments Yes its constant but its because he seems to always make controversial comments yet I have to say I only watch selectively times so I dont get bored So if I have to screen a channel like CNN then you must find it exaperastating

Trump is much more of an embarrassment and has created real consternation and discord in the USA He is not a dictator and has done several positive things in the USA but we still have to wait for his 4 years to end I doubt Hilary would have created such a dysfunctional, dichotomy in the USA around left and right wing? There would be plenty of dysfunction to go around. Just a different sort. But at least we are spared the shrieking chorus of "misogyny, misogyny!" very time the congress controlled by one party opposed something a President of the other party wanted to do. Like how they cried "Racism, racism!" the last 8 years? Its strange but there was a time before the election where I would disagreed with some of this post but now I basically agree, I cant handle another SJ crusade like we saw in the election where it missed certain developments and alliances. The outcome was 9 months where I was glued to many news networks watching in " horror and contempt " as Trump insulted every minority I knew....yet he didnt really and I felt I had been hoodwinked and Trump won https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2017/04/28/trumps-first-100-days-what-has-president-trump-done-so-far/?utm_term=.6a9c1ddc6e33 I wont lie I just searched for this as I needed to find a few examples and I was battling

Not every day... but often. I'm not just posting to read my own words though. I am trying to convince the half dozen or more posters here that are receptive to it to think about the country outside the Republican/Democrat binary death trap. In the last 25 years we've had two Republican Presidents and two Democrat Presidents and Congresses controlled by either and both parties along the way. The tax rates are relatively stable and social change with a few notable exceptions has been pretty predictable. The economy goes up, the economy goes down because it is largely beyond the control of those whose hands are on the levers of power. Did Obamacare bring healthcare to all Americans? No, all it did was FORCE everyone to BUY insurance and tax half the people to subsidize the cost for the other half. And the price only goes up. The Republican version does the same thing essentially with the added benefit of raising the cost further because of high risk pools. So Republicans, Democrats, round and round it goes but not much changes right? No, the number of incarcerated Americans per 100k has risen from 800 to over 1450 in the last 20 years. Shootings by police have spiked in the last 20 years. The number of property seizures due to imminent domain and civil asset forfeiture has increased four hundred times since 2005. Not to mention the domestic spying, warrantless wiretaps, data seizures, hell they even want to know what library books we're reading. And overseas on non stop parade of interventions, air strikes, bombings, invasions, and drone strikes. That is not to say all of them are unnecessary, just that it never ends. The last US President to not order US forces into combat (not counting declared wars or UN actions) was Herbert Hoover. So the big things the Dems & Repubs have in common are no matter who wins Americans gradually become less free and we become more entangled in overseas conflicts that cost money and lives and pays us back... nothing really. A wise man once said if you find yourself in a hole the first step to get out is to stop digging. If any country ever needed a fresh perspective, this one does. That's why I keep reminding everyone. I can understand you repeating the general point, it is one of those posts you can easily repost and its always interesting to read

Trump is much more of an embarrassment and has created real consternation and discord in the USA He is not a dictator and has done several positive things in the USA but we still have to wait for his 4 years to end I doubt Hilary would have created such a dysfunctional, dichotomy in the USA around left and right wing?

Sup All I haven't played this game yet but I have had the boxset for ages, is it worth it and what is the overall view? Is there a gaming manual or datasheet around rules ?

My primary boss is the managing executive of the entire division and he is one of the nicest and sincere people I have ever met He was also one of best salesmen 2 years ago, he had a $200 million dollar target and use to make it every year. He is going to tutor me on sales principles for 1 hour a week, it should be very pertinent sessions in my new role

Guys come one This thread is full of hyperbole and unfair criticism of standard corporate culture ....Bennie what do you mean by comparing a business to the Soviets ? I cannot see the common link? The Soviet Union had a centralised planned economy, so, put simply, a clique of bureaucrats decided what job everyone should do, which tasks had to be fulfilled, how much had to be produced and so on. A modern business is run much the same way, with a clique of bureaucrats deciding the exact same things, only on a smaller scale. If we can all agree that the Soviet planned economy both interfered with our economic freedoms as well as created great inefficiency, why is it so hard for us to say the same thing about firms?This is false on multiple levels. But since you are young we can forgive your lack of knowledge.In centrally planed economy the government decided what is produced and how much was produced on the whim of decident and not on the needs of the consumers. Not only that but they also decided what and how much the consumer can buy. Modern business operates on exact opposite. Goods are produced on the basis of what and how much the consumers need. For example in Poland during communistic regime my parents had to get a special "card" that allowed them to buy a washing mashine. Then they had to sign up in the shop and wait in line for the time the government decided that x amount of washing mashines will be delivered to that shop. Even in my company I don't decide what is produced. The clients decides what they needs in what speciffication, and so on. There is engineers that makes designs, supply that decide what materials are used, production that decides who and how will execute and accounting that keeps everyone to stay within the budget. If I would need to decide all those things by myself I wouldn’t have anytime for anything else. So your claim is exact opposite of right. Thanks for demonstrating such empathy and forgiving me There were different interpretations of USSR Communism that was implemented in different countries Red China Communism was ideologically different on some levels to the USSR, I have never bothered to research the different countries individual types of Communism but I appreciate you sharing your definition I will need another forum member who lives in Poland to corroborate your definition so we debating historical precedent I understand your work environment is a factory production type model, I work primarily in the financial sector and my job and responsibility is very different to yours. For example I have a monthly target and sales pipeline to be concerned about, everyday I have certain measurable developments I need to follow I don't care... I was answering Ben. Why would you respond to my post but your intention was to answer Bens post ? Yeah I know I dont always understand Internet forum protocol but I always assumed if someone responds to your post that means they talking to you....again I learn something new about the nuances of Internet communication

Guys come one This thread is full of hyperbole and unfair criticism of standard corporate culture ....Bennie what do you mean by comparing a business to the Soviets ? I cannot see the common link? The Soviet Union had a centralised planned economy, so, put simply, a clique of bureaucrats decided what job everyone should do, which tasks had to be fulfilled, how much had to be produced and so on. A modern business is run much the same way, with a clique of bureaucrats deciding the exact same things, only on a smaller scale. If we can all agree that the Soviet planned economy both interfered with our economic freedoms as well as created great inefficiency, why is it so hard for us to say the same thing about firms? This is false on multiple levels. But since you are young we can forgive your lack of knowledge. In centrally planed economy the government decided what is produced and how much was produced on the whim of decident and not on the needs of the consumers. Not only that but they also decided what and how much the consumer can buy. Modern business operates on exact opposite. Goods are produced on the basis of what and how much the consumers need. For example in Poland during communistic regime my parents had to get a special "card" that allowed them to buy a washing mashine. Then they had to sign up in the shop and wait in line for the time the government decided that x amount of washing mashines will be delivered to that shop. Even in my company I don't decide what is produced. The clients decides what they needs in what speciffication, and so on. There is engineers that makes designs, supply that decide what materials are used, production that decides who and how will execute and accounting that keeps everyone to stay within the budget. If I would need to decide all those things by myself I wouldn’t have anytime for anything else. So your claim is exact opposite of right. Thanks for demonstrating such empathy and forgiving me There were different interpretations of USSR Communism that was implemented in different countries Red China Communism was ideologically different on some levels to the USSR, I have never bothered to research the different countries individual types of Communism but I appreciate you sharing your definition I will need another forum member who lives in Poland to corroborate your definition so we debating historical precedent I understand your work environment is a factory production type model, I work primarily in the financial sector and my job and responsibility is very different to yours. For example I have a monthly target and sales pipeline to be concerned about, everyday I have certain measurable developments I need to follow

Guys come one This thread is full of hyperbole and unfair criticism of standard corporate culture ....Bennie what do you mean by comparing a business to the Soviets ? I cannot see the common link? The Soviet Union had a centralised planned economy, so, put simply, a clique of bureaucrats decided what job everyone should do, which tasks had to be fulfilled, how much had to be produced and so on. A modern business is run much the same way, with a clique of bureaucrats deciding the exact same things, only on a smaller scale. If we can all agree that the Soviet planned economy both interfered with our economic freedoms as well as created great inefficiency, why is it so hard for us to say the same thing about firms? Okay I can see the misunderstanding Typically most corporates have a very important objective, they have to be profitable and this objective ensures in most cases the corporate entity has to follow good governance and have rules and procedures around how staff conduct themselves especially if you have a target. By a target I mean revenue number Communism was the opposite of this approach, it took away any incentive and tried to make everyone work for the common good of the state .....this is not how human beings function. The best way to motivate people is to reward those that work harder and set reasonable goals and outcomes

Guys come one This thread is full of hyperbole and unfair criticism of standard corporate culture ....Bennie what do you mean by comparing a business to the Soviets ? I cannot see the common link?

I'm leaving shortly for Durban for a business trip in my new position. Its going really well and Im learning new things, creating strategies and building pipeline opportunities every day Im in Durban till Thursday and Im staying here.,check the room http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/durur-protea-hotel-durban-umhlanga-ridge/

No I can produce a link anytime if required and applicable. Why do you think I am always correct in our debates and why do I always come across as convincing You need to start learning to create your views based on links....this way you will be comfortable having a debate

Most of Aleppo's (city) citizens were and are government supporters. The rebels were quite open about 'invading' Aleppo from outside, they were successful initially precisely because there were few troops there as there was little unrest, and much of the city's population fled from rebel areas to government areas during their initial attack (indeed, while there are a lot of refugees from Syria there are far more IDPs and they are almost all in government areas). Most of the urban centres were strongly to moderately pro government, most of the anti areas were rural. The most anti government city (Hama) actually had very little violence because there were most troops there. It's not primarily the US in Syria for sure, Obama was consistently fighting the loony warhawk fringe (Hillary, Power; McCain, Graham), if the US really wanted something to happen it would have irrespective of the UN or the legality of it. They have indirectly armed Al Qaeda and ISIS though (when Al Nusra/ ISIS were the same organisation as they were initially), via the CIA (but not the Pentagon) because they control most of the routes in to rebel territories- and everyone knows they take a share of supplies to other groups that travel their routes. It's no accident that they are the best armed rebel group despite being 'embargoed'. The video is pretty loaded and is itself propaganda, but a lot of it is true. Things like the Al Kindi Hospital being used as an example of a hospital destroyed by the gov happened, when it was blown up by suicide bombers from Al Qaeda/ ISIS, and how the white helmets work and were formed, and the multiple 'last hospital/ doctor bombed' claims are accurate. The MSM is usually completely useless on Syria especially US outlets but that video alternative is most of the way to being biased in an exactly reverse way. Nah I dont believe much of this post, its your normal " lets blame the USA for the violence in the ME " For example Obama did not intervene specifically because of the UNSC veto, I don't blame them because of how people in the ME always blame the USA for something. Its a specious point to say " if the USA wanted something to happen "....that's the point, they had no inclination in intervention And I want to see credible links around the CIA funding, why would the CIA need to fund a group that came from Iraq that had access to stolen weaponry through the tribal Sunni connection? So the CIA connection is a false theory people use to blame the USA for starting the Syrian civil war and again this is just an excuse for the turmoil and instability we are seeing in the ME So unless you can produce links we will just ignore your comment

No He is Canadian but he thinks the EU is a failure and a Nazi organisation Wrong Bruce, Volo is Kanadian, get your facts straight. Also, the UK is a Nazi nation too, following a Nazi queen.

No He is Canadian but he thinks the EU is a failure and a Nazi organisation

Look at what I have to deal with in South Africa ...this is what some white people say about other white people Its the most irritating thing you can imagine...I commented at the end, I am BruceVC https://www.thedailyvox.co.za/need-act-white-privilege-systems-keep-white-people-racist-dean-hutton/

So you're saying the Left going on a rant is the problem? The left attacking itself is the problem? Hillary Clinton is the problem? It's a lot easier to just say what the left is doing wrong rather than just point to a british guy ranting off. volo intentionally creates confused posts at times,....that guys is a UK citizen, the UK left is not like the USA left and BREXIT is not the same as the Trump victory And I have strong ties to the UK as most of my indirect family live there so Im not being nasty or being unsupportive of the UK

Which actor/comedian is that? I think I recognize the person but can't place the name. Is that suppose to be a real venting session, I hope not because that entire speech was just subjective diatribe ..... volo please tell me you don't think what he said was valid because he is making the same assumptions he claims the " left " was making. Again speaking on behalf of other people in another country Yes people like me thought Hilary was going to win, everyone assumed that. For him to think anyone would think he knew Hilary was going to lose is just a mendacious and convenient example of social media grandstanding Its okay to admit you were wrong but to learn from it Bruce, didn't even you tell people they were sexist for not voting for her? I'm not sure, not accusing but I even remember alot of "racist, sexist, islamicphobe" being said of people who were against Hillary and for brexit on these very forums during the presidential election and such. That dude was spot on in as far as the atmosphere in the news and on social media around here. Outside of the country always gets a different view. You cheeky I asked an innocuous question that I assumed would have no impact to anyone because its not like people take my advice or follow what I say...I'm not even American so who cares what I say? But I did say " maybe its unintentional but is this anti-Hilary rhetoric fueled by the fact she is a women " This clearly upset people and I had to apologize to the Mods....I am obviously much more relevant than what I assumed But going forward I only criticised Trump supporters like Kellyanne Conway for her blatant attempts to create a false dichotomy. I don't think I said anything about any US members. I was contemptuous of people I saw on TV repeating idiotic Trump statements but that wasn't on this forum ?

Which actor/comedian is that? I think I recognize the person but can't place the name. Is that suppose to be a real venting session, I hope not because that entire speech was just subjective diatribe ..... volo please tell me you don't think what he said was valid because he is making the same assumptions he claims the " left " was making. Again speaking on behalf of other people in another country Yes people like me thought Hilary was going to win, everyone assumed that. For him to think anyone would think he knew Hilary was going to lose is just a mendacious and convenient example of social media grandstanding Its okay to admit you were wrong but to learn from it