BruceVC

I watched the whole video and it makes two valid points Rap music and hip hip does reinforce the gangster stereotype for African Americans If you only play games and do nothing else that would be unhealthy But now the bad I only liked one of those shrinks, the one who stated the obvious about how certain stereotypes look good for a reason The other shrinks seemed to making these generalized and cliched platitudes that we have been hearing for years about how " games are bad for you". I found them to be annoying and patronizing They are suppose to be qualified experts in understanding human nature yet seem to suggest that violent games might make you violent. Seriously .... Yeah this video is not high on my list of credible

Or elected to public office as a Democrat. <cue rimshot> is (not) worth noting that in a poll conducted by nobody reputable, fully 1/2 of american democrats would support a limit on hate speech. democrats. *snort* in any event, we will observe that our most frequent disappointment regarding free speech is not that bigots and lunatics get to spew hate freely but rather that most americans do not use their speech rights to respond to the villains. americans, while less passive than most, is far too willing to stand idly by while their fellow human beings is tormented by evil men. there ain't no active duty to respond to hate, but surely there is a moral obligation to do so. we all too often see americans fail to live up to such obligations. we wait for a pundits to gather in a climate-controlled tv studio, miles and days removed from any actual bigotry and hate, to calmly debate the the issues facing american society. three minutes o' quasi-scripted dialectic ensues before the inevitable commercial break. are your clothes as clean as they can be? matthew mcconaughey drives a lincoln, and so should you. sitting at home, having watched the battle o' tin knights with paper swords, we cheer democracy and free speech and america. hurrah. HA! Good Fun! You see Gromnir you are in a very fortunate position to be able to intellectualize hate speech so you defend its usage even though you don't like it I live in a country where we haven't got to that point yet and people are very much effected by words . So we ban hate speech and certain words and its makes perfect sense The truth is certain words do matter and truly hurt some people in a palpable and psychological way. So why allow them?

Ok, how do you do that in a non-draconian way ? Well yes you are correct the reality of non-draconian is subjective And when I say " my world " I mean a really popular forum that is very busy that I was in charge of So I would have the same rules as this forum, I wouldn't ban anyone because I feel even the controversial people like Oby add balance and to be honest I can't recall meeting anyone on these forums that warranted banning? I have never understood why some people really get annoyed by Oby...he is too much of a exaggeration to be taken seriously, you can't get angry with someone who you don't really know. It lacks conviction for me. Plus sometimes his theories make me really laugh as they are so bizarre. Remember that one about the lost tribe of Caucasians living in the mountains somewhere But I wouldn't allow posts of a similar nature that luzarius created about how the LGBT community destroyed Bioware because I see this as subtle hate speech I wouldn't have the "hot girls thread " but there would be a dedicated " Adult Section " that caters for all tastes But otherwise all other forum content would be acceptable

Just sounds like a really lazy way of not trying to condemn this behavior I sometimes call people out on their BS if it is warranted. Hello, Bruce.

You guys should just distance yourselves from GG....I honestly fail to understand why you feel the need to support this movement with all the outbursts of controversy. I would be too annoyed to be loyal Its called consistency i believ Sometimes you need to know when to quit, I know you Czech's can be stubborn but come on man time to jump ship

Just sounds like a really lazy way of not trying to condemn this behavior

You guys should just distance yourselves from GG....I honestly fail to understand why you feel the need to support this movement with all the outbursts of controversy. I would be too annoyed to be loyal

I'm sorry but you guys can't honestly tell me that you can objectively compare the two RPG's .....and I mean even for the RPG element You can compare Skyrim and Risen Witcher 3 and Skyrim DA:I and BG: EE Gothic 3 and Morrowind Fallout 3 and Stalker DA:I and Drakensang

Meshugger you thrive on this website, I can't think of why you would want to make yourself more depraved? You'll be happy in my world, trust me I think most of us that disagree with you on a regular basis on these forums are pretty copasetic in not drinkIng Jim Jones' magical elixir. Meshugger you thrive on this website, I can't think of why you would want to make yourself more depraved? You'll be happy in my world, trust me I think most of us that disagree with you on a regular basis on these forums are pretty copasetic in not drinkIng Jim Jones' magical elixir. Yes but I would obviously think of you guys and what entertains you, my world would be full of really annoying and pushy feminists and SJ warriors that keep making you feel guilty and then end up really embarrassing themselves and or completely contradicting themselves

Barti you seem nervous about something....do you have some sexual deviancy you feel you need to share with us ?

Meshugger you thrive on this website, I can't think of why you would want to make yourself more depraved? You'll be happy in my world, trust me

You really love your conspiracy theories, don't you... This thread is quite funny

I'm sure this graph reinforces the point being made that there are loads of creditors that the Greeks need to at least make some effort to pay back

I don't think you can really control that...what would be the definition of " lively debate " The more reasonable solution is simply to just prohibit certain topics or words but not in a draconian way. Like these forums are moderated

Got to be honest nothing in this thread I am finding interesting enough to engage in debate in ...sorry guys But I don't like starting a debate unless I feel I can commit to it

It doesn't have to be something you "actually want to do" for it to be something you want to be ABLE to do if you don't think royalty should be any more exempt from insults than the regular joe (or if you can envision a scenario...or if there's actually been one already...where it seemed appropriate for you to do so). Nah, that's just some pseudo-justification for people who don't want to be civil and maintain a level of decorum Both those things should be banned in the interest of a more peaceful environment. If people can't live without insulting policemen or the Dutch royalty than they should just immigrate You .......you....anarchist

Wait. How is my free speech not like yours? In fact i can say what the **** i want, about what the **** i want without less restritcitons than you do, without fearing a goverment agent knocking on my door. I can tell a police officer to **** off with out getting arrested. ****, you are living in a police state that can bring you into prison without much of an offense. I think you are being ironic but i can´t tell, because your link is useless and doesn´t prove anything. :> Really? Here in the Netherlands, it's a crime to insult public servants like police officers. I'm also not allowed to publish anything insulting regarding the royal monarchs. Which is a good thing considering how rude you Dutch can be And please dont say this is something you actually want to do ?

" a lot of people criticize the West (and particularly the U.S.) because they want the West to do better " That's cute, I admire that kind of naivety The people that dislike America and criticize it will vary with there feelings. Sadly many people actually really resent and or hate the USA . I don't know anyone that dislikes the USA because they want to improve it. Your next question should be " why " because I can promise you Barti 95 % of the reasons are uninformed, biased and exaggerated And you have this fairly large sector of the Muslim community outside the USA who automatically hate the USA because they are ignorant in most cases and believe the USA is on a crusade to surreptitiously destroy Islam " Yeah right you say....you exaggerating " sadly no. On these radio stations I listen to every single Muslim caller phones in and lambastes the USA ....they are completely brainwashed and intransigent and you cannot change there mind. They believe a whole host of conspiracy theories about the USA like The USA did 9/11 to itself so it can conquer the Muslim world The USA created ISIS The USA created Ebola to destroy Africa The USA illegally attacked Afghanistan I have tried to change there minds but its pointless...its really bad. But the good news is people like me support and defend the USA constantly ...in fact I get great satisfaction from proving with facts that people are wrong on the radio And why do I defend the USA...am I this sad sycophant who loves another country more than his own? No its about the strategic picture that the USA is the real foundation of Capitalism and Western ideology. We stand and fall with the USA whether we like it or not ..unless you a prefer a world dominated by Russia ? So of course I want the USA to succeed and make the right decisions

Oh so you know I'm pro-Western? I assume I don't have to ask you, I'm sure you are a patriot

How are his views mistaken? Going, "you're wrong: don't you think you should reconsider your views now (editor's note: lol) to be more like mine even though I'm not not gonna bother countering anything you just said? Also, these people that agree with my views are unbiased, and the people that agree with yours are biased, though I will fail to illustrate how...and by the way, here's some more condescension..." isn't exactly the most convincing argument for your side of the argument that I've heard. Nah that's just the SJ view we use to not hurt peoples feelings, someone always has to be right in this type of debate Barti you on my side right? I don't personally know enough about how economies work for me to feel comfortable in committing to a side. Interesting things have been said on both sides, and I'm leaning towards "austerity doesn't really seem like the correct course based on the evidence..." ...but the sample size is oh so small, and it's easy to look at the effects of certain actions in hindsight and go, "Yeah, look at what austerity/not doing austerity did!" ...if you're not considering how small that sample size is and the fact that there may be much more to do with it than just one particular factor. In my opinion, situations usually have a tendency to be much more complex than they merely appear, and if there were ever a complex situation, this would be one. Really, I just popped in to keep you on your toes. Barti trust me you don't want to be on that side, have you seen all the anti-Western people on that side Wouldn't it be better to be on the side of the countries that have managed there economies ?

Interesting so Greece spent all its money paying for protection...that makes sense. We should let the Germans know, they may be more lenient ?

How are his views mistaken? Going, "you're wrong: don't you think you should reconsider your views now (editor's note: lol) to be more like mine even though I'm not not gonna bother countering anything you just said? Also, these people that agree with my views are unbiased, and the people that agree with yours are biased, though I will fail to illustrate how...and by the way, here's some more condescension..." isn't exactly the most convincing argument for your side of the argument that I've heard. Nah that's just the SJ view we use to not hurt peoples feelings, someone always has to be right in this type of debate Barti you on my side right?

Again you are not going into the links he posted or the one i posted (with sources from the IMF itself) that show that it clearly doesn´t work. You are trying to justify your nonsense with backpedaling on your inital point and now throwing in meaningless phrases like "different kind of success". You sound like an politican. Differences are given because of country specific economies. But there is no such thing like "it half worked", because then it still failed to achive what it meant to do. Because the debt didn´t shrink, unemployment is not shrinking but rising, the living standart is sinking, austeritiy did, effectivly not work. You bring in examples like economical growth and think this is a result of austerity. Yet the IMF report i linked to shows that this only a short time effect, because the real cost of austerity measures takes some time to come into effect. You also seem to forget that a) after a complete meltdown of a state, growth in some form is natural effect. It´s easy to say Spain has some growth when they were allready laying on the floor. Every country in history had growth after a financial disaster, but in my believe, with my knowledge, and with documents by IMF and others, Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal and others would be better off with a) no austerity or very little, b) not having to conform with EU laws that may hinder them and c) their own currency with the ability to combat their problems. Even the EU is now acknowledging that the Euro might be the wrong thing for Greece. This is like Elrond saying that the EU helped Finnland. It´s easy to turn around and look at Finnland in the crisis and say "well the EU helped us" and in some aspects he is right. But you have to look at the long run. They too, are not doing well, no signigicant grow in economical terms, billions of loses due to sancations, and no way to devalue their currency (as they did many times in these cases) to make it easier. The same goes for a lot countries. A lot of people only look at the south, but Austria isn´t better. The french economy isn´t that great as reported in the news also. Stagnation is pretty evident in the Euro zone, and its the fault of the EU and a currency that should not be there in the first place. I mean seriously Spains youth unemployment rate is almost 50%. with only slight fluctuations. The youth rate is a good indicator on how well an economy is doing. It doesn´t look better in the other south countries btw. Portugal, living under austerity, has longer waiting lines infront of soup kitchens then the greece infront their banks. So, i ask you now, please with sources that are not easily debunked. How did austerity help anyone. Except the banks, and no you are wrong and right at the same time when you say a healthy bank system is needed for an economy. That is the case when you have financial control over your own currency, then it´s important. If you have a foreign currency, which the Euro effectly is, and you can´t influence it then you are a victim to that system because you can just react (bank bail-outs). THe only ones who make a profit on this system ARE the banks, not the people, not the country. Thats infact how these (illegal by EU law) loans to greece and others work. No country has billions laying around. So they take a credit getting into more debt, to loan that money to the troubled countries, yet most of it goes to that banks (who in return are mostly owned by the big banks who gave out the credit in the first place), while the people in the troubled country get austerity (often with privatization, greece shipyards, the backbone of their country, bought up by the owners of big banks say hello) so that country can pay the loans back and the big banks make the profit. How do you, who thinks he is so smart, DOESNT SEE HOW BAD THAT IS. No, i don´t expect a real answer from you, but surprise me. One more thing. Now i know you are not very well educated on this but really? "Also you seem to be looking and judging the success of austerity on USA standards....you mustn't do that as the USA standards are much higher" There are no high standars in the US. That country is trillions in debt...growing, with no chance every paying it back, and is only afloat because the dollar is still the world trading currency (a trend that is decreasing). They print that money like crazy, which also doesn´t work forever. And the backbone of their economy, the military complex, still finds countries to bomb into the ground. They have no economy to speak off, considering their size and population. Their unenployment rate is extremly high, it just looks low because the white house reports ignore a lot (easily debunked by experts all the time..look it up yourself). It´s always funny when the US lectures someone on debt. Heck, that goes for Germany too, they never paid their debt, they are in no possition to lecture anyone. Do you mind sharing with me where you were born? Are you native Austrian, the reason I ask is you and I are so far apart on most issues there has to be a valid reason like some Serbs who have a dislike of the West for Bosnia and Kosovo. There is nothing wrong with being honest, I am a white South African who was born in South Africa I am sorry to offend you now, I don't mean to but I can see no other way to make this point...you clearly don't understand what austerity means and how it is suppose to resolve the various economic issues plaguing certain EU countries Sorry but its true, I'll explain it later but not now. Two points that will confirm my suspicion is you linked the "IMF Report " as credible proof. Its a good read and paints an accurate and gloomy view of the EU and austerity ...except its over two years old, it came out in Jan 2013. It was only after that austerity started to see positive results..like Ireland leaving the bailout program end of 2013 So your " proof " is not only old but was wrong with its predictions Then your view that 24 % or 50 % unemployment is another sign that " how can you possibly say Spain is on the road to recovery " . You see you don't understand that there are various metrics the EU Troika uses to measures the success of austerity, two of them are the health of the banking system and the fact there economy is growing. You may ignore these and only focus on unemployment but that is not the accepted view of economists and EU Troika...and there opinion is what matters Native Austrian. If you think you can imply some sort of racial bias you are wrong. We Austrians are very liberal and open, naturaly if you take a close look at our history. Yet, we are not stupid when it comes to destroying our culture in favour of an overruling EU policy. You clearly have no knowledge about Serbs or their and our history, don´t mention them you will only embaress yourself. You are not offending me. That IMF report is a proof on how austerity doesn´t work, BECAUSE it showed it two years ago, NOW look at greece. Did it work? THe answer is no, they knew it didn´t work. And don´t even try to turn your words around again because the IMF is one of the creditors and thus a perfect source. Again you have nothing to show. This report is 2 years old, yes BUT THAT IS THE POINT IDIOT. Now Greece is dip**** in trouble. BUt hey. tell me..show me how in the last 2 years the austerity in these countries worked...i beg you..show me. And also how me a forcast, especially in a europe losing millions because of iditoic sancations. I would like to see that...but you can´t no matter how you bend...try it (except the EU losing alomst 100Billions because of nonsense sanctions..thanks US) 24% - 50%. Can´t you ****ing read? Your 24% unemployment rate is the general rate. Youth unemployment is alomst 50% THAT is more imporant then the general number. What the TROIKA, the DEBT firm says is of no matter, when it doesn´t make up the reality. No, you don´t get it. It doesn´t matter what the TROIKA says, if there is rising unemployment, and sinking living standarts, then it doesn´t matter what the Troika says. It´s irrelevant because it´s not the reality. Infact, it doesn´t matter **** what the Troika says because the member states don´t act nor care about it. Again..you didn´t answer the questions. How has any country benefited from austerity, (this includes the people living there in the long run, because thats the idea). How is the EU policy better than sovereign states? How is having a currency better than having your own? How is it better to not have your own border control and let anyone in? How can you, speaking out for democracy on me several times, support a non democracy (EU) organisation? Any ideas yet except "i will answer latter" like you did in my Ukraine post, but didn´t find anything against it? Try...at last..i will enjoy it Interesting, so you are Austrian. But there is something you aren't telling me. Why are you so anti-EU and anti-West? Austria has been a loyal member of the EU...what is the reason you don't like the USA. And I'm not judging you, I am just trying to understand your perspective You can ask me anything if you want ?

KP its been great to get your feedback, you have done your research and its been interesting But your views on Greece are mistaken. I don't know why you are influenced by people like Zora and 2133. They are very bright guys but it should be obvious they are biased. Even if you don't believe me..believe Monte or Elerond? And the reason I am specifically questioning your view is I really don't want you in the future to be on the wrong side of these debates....and its weird that you are American and are doing this which is why I am suspecting you have been influenced? Normally I would blame Nonek for his bad influence in you but he hasn't been around

You see Volo that's where it gets complicated. Technically you are right and many people I know would consur. Many white people feel like they are targeted for verbal abuse and blamed for the inefficiency of the ANC, so they refuse to do more But there are groups of people like me who ignore this " blaming the whites " and realize we have to help build the new South Africa. This may sound arrogant but there are many valid reasons that white people need to stay in South Africa