BruceVC

You left out restaurants and cooking food ....you like those

You probably right...you make me laugh with your accurate insight

Ok assume then you referendum does not go the way you hope. After all there have been a number of mass shooting in the US and we (the majority of voters at least) are more against gun control than ever before. If the vote goes against you would you, who is in power with unlimited money and resources and a grand vision for a "just" society just say "oh well the people have spoken" and let it go? Or would you use that power to make that which you know to be right happen? I would absolutely respect it, in my ideal world something like gun control for citizens of a country like the USA has to ultimately decided by a referendum...this type of issue is not something I would be prepared to kill citizens for in a case of Feds coming to your farm to take your guns and you refusing to hand them over Remember my ideal world is not a dictatorship you guys think it is

That would be the same private sector you are taxing out of existence to pay for all your social programs? Sure, can't see any problems there! To paraphrase Margaret Thatcher all that will work great until you run out of everyone else's money. Yes you right, I have a fairly good knowledge of economics so I can go into more detail about this in my ideal world I can't have both....wealthy corporate like American companies and yet high taxed Scandinavian countries I have to chose the American corporations as I don't think we should inhibit the pursuit of excellence or how people can grow companies but things like a national health care would be mandatory in every state. But then lets take the whole gun debate, I wouldn't force the NRA to close down. I would simply have government funded factual programs on every channel for a period of time explaining the facts about why more control is a good thing, I'm sure most people would realize its benefits when faced by the facts. I would then have a referendum...simple as that. That would decide the outcome....its Democracy in its finest moment Yes you have asked a good question but I have considered most aspects of my ideal world and China is one of them There are certain countries that despite there questionable human rights records or systems of governments would be left alone Russia is one of them because of Putins popularity at home and China is another because I don't want to deal with a culture so foreign as the Chinese....I'm not so arrogant to think I know best for all countries

Well that is, of course, predicated on the idea that you know better than anyone what good governance is, which is where things start to get iffy. Of course, with unlimited time on your hand, there's nothing stopping you from figuring it out better than anyone ever did. LOL you beat me to it. Bruce would either be hung in the streets by his own people because you can't have freedom while repressing freedom or he'll be lining them up in prison camps to avoid being hung once he found out the only way to MAKE people behave the way you think they should is with brute force. No I doubt that would be the outcome, the reality is my ideal world is much more complex than what I explained in a few lines, I just highlighted the premise Remember there would be strong SJ elements so no bigotry and more equitable delivery of strong social services like the Scandinavian countries but of course you can't legislate economic development so I would rely on the private sector to do that No I wouldn't control what people think, you can think what you want and say in private what you want . You just can't go onto a news network and say things like " I hate gay people and they should all die " and I wouldn't allow certain hate speech against the government like what we saw in the UK with those Muslim anti-Western clerics who stirred up anti-Western sentiment In my world I would welcome refugees but they would have to abide by certain rules ....not at all unreasonable but logical And as for replacing dictators why do you think they have a right to govern if they are destroying there countries? Why do you think they are destroying? History is full of monarchs and emperors who advanced their societies and countries. And those monarchs would be permitted to rule...as long as they don't go through years of abuse of power of there citizens There is nothing positive the leaders of any of those 4 countries have done that benefits the majority of there citizens I tell you what, you tell me some positive things any of them have done and we can discuss how legitimate they are? And to say " well they are the presidents of sovereign countries is not enough "

Well that is, of course, predicated on the idea that you know better than anyone what good governance is, which is where things start to get iffy. Of course, with unlimited time on your hand, there's nothing stopping you from figuring it out better than anyone ever did. LOL you beat me to it. Bruce would either be hung in the streets by his own people because you can't have freedom while repressing freedom or he'll be lining them up in prison camps to avoid being hung once he found out the only way to MAKE people behave the way you think they should is with brute force. No I doubt that would be the outcome, the reality is my ideal world is much more complex than what I explained in a few lines, I just highlighted the premise Remember there would be strong SJ elements so no bigotry and more equitable delivery of strong social services like the Scandinavian countries but of course you can't legislate economic development so I would rely on the private sector to do that No I wouldn't control what people think, you can think what you want and say in private what you want . You just can't go onto a news network and say things like " I hate gay people and they should all die " and I wouldn't allow certain hate speech against the government like what we saw in the UK with those Muslim anti-Western clerics who stirred up anti-Western sentiment In my world I would welcome refugees but they would have to abide by certain rules ....not at all unreasonable but logical And as for replacing dictators why do you think they have a right to govern if they are destroying there countries?

Well that is, of course, predicated on the idea that you know better than anyone what good governance is, which is where things start to get iffy. Of course, with unlimited time on your hand, there's nothing stopping you from figuring it out better than anyone ever did. I knew my comment would be seen in a negative light but I'm glad its someone like you who raised this type of criticism as I know you always look at things from a logical and intellectual perspective ...and I prefer those types of debates where we leave out the emotion We should debate many things like " are the millions of Muslim refugees coming to Europe going to negatively impact European culture " or " is Capitalism good or bad " or " when is government surveillance of its citizens suddenly a bad and intrusive action" These types of questions are subjective and can really be seen in different ways But the question of good governance and do governments practice it is very well understood, its like an audit of a corporation. It isn't subjective, in all those countries I mentioned the governments of those countries have either committed horrendous human rights abuses like genocide or just are brutal dictatorships that are only concerned with staying in power at the expense of large groups of there citizens Why should I accept this or not criticize it? So yes in many cases I do know what good governance is but so do you and many others No My world won't be a dictatorship ....what gave you that idea?

I would finally be able to implement my Utopian version of SJ, Capitalist governments that would make the world a much better place overall Yes there would be increased moderation and censorship but it wouldn't be inordinate. I would have a global system where if a certain government is irredeemably corrupt or abuses its people then yes they get removed and replaced by someone who actually understands good governance. This new person should ideally come from within the country So yes in my world I would have removed the governments of places like Syria, Sudan, North Korea and Zimbabwe ages ago. But of course this is not done without consideration around improvements they need to make

For the most part I like it. It made Dragon age Inquisition run faster. It is much less stable than 7 was though. And one of the mandatory updates made my pc unbootable and I had to roll it backCome on, Oerwinde! You've only listed the bad bits, but you say you like it! Its slick and fast. Everything is easy to get to with the integrated search and such. It boots much quicker than 7 did. The mandatory updates and stability issues are really the only down side, but I think many of the stability issues are due to outdated drivers, a lot of companies seem to be behind in releasing drivers for win10. Oerwinde I meant to say I'm sorry about the horrific Xmas you seemed to have and I sincerely mean that but I thought you said you weren't getting your son any presents because he broke some appliance? It sounded like he did indeed get presents but I may have misunderstood that part? Wife ruled against it. He's spoiled. I imagine you felt a lesson needed to be learnt and I get that as thats how you were probably raised and that does makes sense...its about children understanding and appreciating consequences. But I can also see your wifes point, I would think not giving a child a present on Xmas can be really cruel and have a possible negative impact on overall progressive mental well being?

For the most part I like it. It made Dragon age Inquisition run faster. It is much less stable than 7 was though. And one of the mandatory updates made my pc unbootable and I had to roll it backCome on, Oerwinde! You've only listed the bad bits, but you say you like it! Its slick and fast. Everything is easy to get to with the integrated search and such. It boots much quicker than 7 did. The mandatory updates and stability issues are really the only down side, but I think many of the stability issues are due to outdated drivers, a lot of companies seem to be behind in releasing drivers for win10. Oerwinde I meant to say I'm sorry about the horrific Xmas you seemed to have and I sincerely mean that but I thought you said you weren't getting your son any presents because he broke some appliance? It sounded like he did indeed get presents but I may have misunderstood that part?

Nice, I'll be watching Star Wars at IMAX next week when I'm back in JHB

This made me laugh as I've been in similar situations I also can't handle the smell of vomit and its really bad when you end up having to clean something up that nauseates you and you end up unintentionally making the situation worse by getting sick yourself

If you think that's the goal of Obama's policies you've been gravely misinformed. The middle class has done nothing but shrink for a good number of years. If you'd listen to the people who live here instead of the talking heads on TV, you'd realize that it's not the common people that are doing well, it's the elite. Many people are underemployed, the minimum wage isn't enough for families to live on, and for the first time in generations people don't expect to be better off than their parents. I'm not saying any of the candidates will solve these problems, but sticking with the status quo certainly won't. Fair enough, yes I don't see it like that and of course its possible that I am missing something But I do travel to the USA once a year for work more or less and more importantly I work for an American software company which is profitable and makes software that we sell in the financial sector and this software really works and has benefits...its based on eDiscovery ( electronic discovery ) I'm just mentioning this because I don't want you to think I have no experience with the American business culture. But I do realize I probably deal with Americans who are doing really well so my view is not necessarily representative of what all Americans think... but I just want you to understand the Americans I know don't all think the American economy is bad but they do work in the financial sector so they may be biased ?

Sounds fun, for me Xmas is not necessarily about a big celebration because sometimes circumstances prevent this As long as you have a good time that is memorable for you on a personal level it can never be lame

Yeah Merry Xmas everyone

Guys I feel I need to add something. Some people feel I am obsessed with Clinton and I'm trying to get everyone to agree she is the best candidate. That has never been my intention and if I seem to have been coming across as pushy then I apologize. I also don't like Clinton just because she is a women, that is not enough just to classify as the best candidate. For me there have been several important changes that have occurred in the USA under Obama...the main ones being the fact the Federal government has the right to intervene in the states in certain political and social events like the Gay Marriage Bill. Clinton is going to continue implementing Obama's policies and she does have experience in American politics as she was a NY senator and Secretary of State. I see her continuing Obama's policies as a good thing, the general objective being focusing on the middle class and ensuring a more equatable society for all of the USA Its hard for me to look at the USA and think how terrible things are....you guys have a very low unemployment rate and the strongest economy in the world so for me the USA under Obama is doing very well and I would naturally expect most people to want this to continue. But I also understand many of you have valid concerns with Clinton and the Democrats and even if I may not agree or understand this criticism I respect your views and I am genuinely interested in your issues with the Democrats which many people have explained Anyway my objective was not to annoy people about this topic so once again I apologize if I did create that impression

So GD realistically there is one question ....the next president of the USA....Trump or Clinton if you could chose ? I know you said Trump in the past but after all his antics lately do you feel the same way?

I am thoroughly enjoying my Xmas break, I spent the weekend partying with friends and the last few days I have been chilling at our beach cottage. The weather has been temperamental, its been raining on and off but today is perfect. Sunny with a cool breeze so its perfect to spend the time in the sea engaging in any water related activity Yesterday we went for a 10 km walk on the beach, at the end of the walk we came across an unusual site. There was this insane man completely naked who was on the beach who was performing some strange ritual, he may have been communicating with his ancestors which in African culture ancestors is like a religious belief ...he was talking to himself, waving his arms and basically walking over the same spot again and again. It was quite surreal and he completely ignored us. Also this part of the beach is isolated, there was no one around for maybe 4 km in either way...made me wonder what life he has had to lead to this moment

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/23/sports/soccer/fifa-conmebol-corruption-argentina-federation-vote.html?_r=0 I was watching the Blatter interview and he uses the words" there is stink" around FIFA But in his mind he is still the victim of a political conspiracy ...and he thinks its unfair he has been banned for 8 years from attending any game So he doesn't seem to have any compunction around his role in the rampant corruption at FIFA

Volo it is considered presumptuous to make assumptions about what other people know...how do you know NOBODY does...maybe, just maybe I do

I still haven't seen it yet so I plan to see in the theater

I dont ever put one up in my place and there are no decorations but I'm leaving for the coast tomorrow morning at 4 am and at the family beach cottage there will be a Xmas tree

Meshugger you dont care what people think of you ...be honest. Part of the reason you wouldn't vote for Clinton is that she is a women?

Hi Fighter Where have you been?

No my friend Germany has become the vogue immigration for people fleeing the USA..try something different Come to South Africa, you can stay with me for free...then you can experience life as one of the privildge white minority