BruceVC

Its weird Walsie because I became active on these forums one year ago and you weren't posting a lot the first few months as far as I remember? Now it would be incongruous if I didn't see your interesting perspective on a daily basis

I was in the same situation years ago, everything felt utterly unimportant and meaningless to me, I started to look for a meaning in everything and I failed of course because there is none, which made me fall into a crisis filled with lethargy and hopelessness. What really helped me was to stop looking for a meaning and instead embrace the meaninglessness, the unimportance of everything, making the insignificance of existence a friend. With the pressure of looking for a meaning and importance in life gone I was able to get back on track with my life and now I feel better than ever. Adopting this mindset really improved my life in so many ways. I can see things clearer now, I can enjoy activities regardless of their unimportance, negative things or set backs hardly move me, I feel relaxed and at peace. I don't know but your perspective on life would be depressing for me. I am the complete opposite. I see relevance and order in almost everything. I like the way societies function. And I'm obviously a " glass is half full " person

But Zora the reality is you Kiwi's do need to be monitored, I have always suspected NZ of being a hotbed of radical and fundamentalist ideas. I mean who knows when your legions of sheep will go a rampage and start killing Westerners !!!!

I don't think your issues are age related, aren't you in your mid thirties? You are too young to be having a mid-life crisis I suspects its hormonal and this is exacerbated by your concerns around your wife. Never underestimate the impact that certain personal issues can have with everything else in our lives. Its obvious you adore her and yet you also get very upset quickly when she does something out of her routine, like recently when he didn't come home at a certain time and was drinking with friends. Anyway that's the avenue I would explore

1) Wow, great allies you make. Selling RPGs to Assad and then turning around and selling them to the Rebels so they can fight Assad. Priceless. Russians even backstab their friends. Yes, and we'll now get a comment from Fox News Special Correspondent and totally not convicted criminal Ollie North on how the US would never, never in a million years do such a thing themselves. The russians are fairly honest about arming both sides because they know if they don't arm the rebels as well (albeit through intermediaries), someone else will. The USA would never arm both sides of a conflict, well at least not nowadays. There may have been conflicts in the past where they were guilty of this?

Far Cry 3 is worth 40 bucks, don't pirate it

Woldan you're a soldier and suffering is part of every soldiers life..this is what makes you strong !!!

Yes, it's a thing. And it looks like I'm going to be hosting my lesbian friend and her gf for sunday at least. Simply because they don't want to be around my friends ex I just can't help but see endless possibilities for how that situation might turn out Calax. If you could make something happen there you will have officially knocked Ros off his throne as the party king of this forum! "Most people have a full measure of life... and most people just watch it slowly drip away. But if you can summon it all up... at one time... in one place... you can accomplish something... glorious." Yes...I did just quote Highlander II: The Quickening... Well many great quotes come from movies, so nothing wrong with that

You mistake having fun with "it is very important, someone is wrong on the Internet" Colonialism is bad? Lol? Colonialism is normal and healthy. Strong eats the weak. Again, what makes you think it is best for the citizens? From videos it is definetely the opposite - police standing around groups of gays, protecting them from being lynched by the citizens. Human Rights is no different from "Kissing Hank's Ass".People live as they want in their countries. If you are Angola or iceland, then you could be pressured into anything. If you are USA, Russia or China, then you spit on all "pressure" and do as you want. I would have a good belly laugh if some country would demand USA to dismantle their mexican border fence, or Israel to open border with Palestine, "becuz freedum fur peepolz". We discussed it before and mods closed the topic. Go search it in your content. Okay we will have to agree to disagree about the importance and relevance of equality in places like Russia Also I have had many discussions around topics like gay rights, so if you could provide the links that explain your opinion that would be very helpful Finally if you feel strongly enough about topics like the USA border facing Mexico and how this could be a human rights issue then start a discussion around this? I'll support you if its a real issue around discrimination

So now we believe a newspaper article without any official comment from the person who is being accused of doing or not doing something? As of this morning the Whitehouse is saying that they were not aware of the depth the NSA bugging program and Obama didn't know about it. Yes it could be lies but lets at least wait for all the facts to come out before we pass judgement ..just a thought You haven't clued on to how everything that someone in the US administration does is directly condoned, nay, ordered by the president? Like when somebody has the idea to remove references to God in the US Air Force Academy, my FB feed get flooded by my more conservative American friends proclaiming the latest step in OBAMA'S WAR ON CHRISTIANITY... Exactly my point, I can't believe that anyone with a semblance of intelligence or insight can actually believe that every single decision made by the hundreds of government departments in the USA is ordered personally by Obama and he knows exactly what they are all doing

If you are taking something written on internet forums seriously, then you are having a mental problems. SA's post-apartheid fate is a great example of consequences of external pressure. Free shantytowns for everyone! Shaman medicine is not that free but at least it's everywhere. Maybe it's because nobody asks them if they like your "right thing"? What makes you think they are right? Great Britain waged war because they thought smoking opium is the right step for China. Monarchies waged wars to restore deposed monarchs. If you want other to change because you can force them to do so - you are welcome, might makes right. But pretty please, don't colour your intentions with "morality", "right things" and other moralistic stuff. Yes I take every discussion seriously, I wouldn't waste my time responding if I didn't believe what I posted. I'm sorry you are so bored with your life that you make comments and engage in debate that you don't take seriously ( of course this is not true because you do make some relevant but incorrect points so its obvious you do think about what you say or believe, I hope you can see the contradiction when you make a comment like " people that take discussions seriously on forums must be mental" because this applies to you ) Your view of the current state of South Africa and its problems is incorrect, but that's a discussion we can have another time. Almost every time I have this debate with people around equality throughout the world they make similar points to you. They typically Quote how the West historically use to behave. Colonialism and how belligerent Western countries use to be comes up. But we are not talking about the past. We are talking about the current state of equality in countries like Russia. Western countries believe in equality and practice it nowadays. This is not whats best for them but what is best for there citizens as they like to be inclusive of all groups of people in there respective countries that pay taxes and contribute towards the growth of the country. Western countries also take seriously the principles of Human rights which are part of most constitutionsWe need to keep what is happening in Russia simple, do you personally feel that a gay person should have less social rights than a straight person. And if you do can you explain why?

You can maybe use that money and start up something new? I'm sure your increased experience will help you do better this time.Road to success is filled with failure and all that. Never underestimate the importance of good technical skills. @ GD Even when the consulting work is done with your experience I can't see you battling to find work. You may have to work for someone else or a company but that's not always a bad thing. At least you get paid your salary irrespective of quiet months and deals that take longer than expected to close

So now we believe a newspaper article without any official comment from the person who is being accused of doing or not doing something? As of this morning the Whitehouse is saying that they were not aware of the depth the NSA bugging program and Obama didn't know about it. Yes it could be lies but lets at least wait for all the facts to come out before we pass judgement ..just a thought

Tonight I'm having Chicken Pie with oven backed Chips, not fried Chips as baking is healthier

Agreed, for example there's an influence and pressure that all women should cover their faces and Piglet is an offensive character and should be banned. Or pressure that people should believe in the right god. We have social responsibilities to teach those uneducated masses how to live! It is insulting to assume they can decide for themselves how to live in their countries. Next thing they say is that oil deposits belong to them alone. Ridiculous! And just look how happy and prosperous Africa now. It doesn't seem like you taking this topic seriously? Also I am not talking about the whole of the African continent and its current economic prosperity, I agree there is loads of work to be done. I am talking about how Apartheid ended in South Africa and the external pressure that was put on the South African government that forced them to change the political system My point is that if you want certain countries to change there social views you can't rely on them to "do the right thing" Without external influence you won't see the right steps to a society that doesn't discriminate against certain groups. This discussion is about equality and how we get countries to accept that.

That sounds fun, I'll look into it

Most of these games I've never heard of but I'll do some research on them as they look interesting

Russia is going backwards in there social responsibilities towards equality and discrimination. Whether it is blatant racism on the football field or there ridiculous new homophobic laws this is something we need to condemn. I have major concerns around the ideological route that Russia seems to be following...major concerns. Well, not everybody simply have the same definition of "forward."Their forward might be backwards to you, it's a strange place after all :D. It's also what makes the world simply not boring. Regardless, it's up to them to decide whether they want to change things. If they want the racist attitudes and homophobic laws, they will have it. If they don't, they will oppose it. The West had their chances to address homophobia and racism themselves, so let them have it too and let them choose their stances. The West values such freedom and independence, right? Although, I don't think they want equality, or believe in such things. The Communists kinda promised equality, and they have to suffer from it. So yeah. I hear you but in many cases the world can't leave countries to decide there social responsibilities. They need influence and pressure to change. In South Africa do you think Apartheid would have ended if it wasn't for sanctions and the fact that the Western world refused to accept discrimination? Russia needs pressure to change certain laws and attitudes they have towards minority groups

Too true. Corruption and violence are just part of the charm of the place. How dare we assume Russians don't actively enjoy having no free opposition! Accurate observation

Russia is going backwards in there social responsibilities towards equality and discrimination. Whether it is blatant racism on the football field or there ridiculous new homophobic laws this is something we need to condemn. I have major concerns around the ideological route that Russia seems to be following...major concerns.

Sorry Monte but you are misinformed. The Middle East is very violent at the moment not because Islam is inherently a violent religion, though some people interpret it like that, but because the region is going through the most profound political and social transformation in its history. This was started by the Arab Spring and it will take time. But its an important transition that took Western countries hundreds of years to get to before they became the stable Democracies they are today

Hurlshot its not like you to say nasty things about someone Basically you are saying that Wolden is concerned with his health and his body and works hard at gym to stay in shape...that's nasty because....because ...wait that's actually not nasty at all but a complement. And one I agree with

Actually, it is. Mozambique may still have a lot of landmines about the place. But last time I was there it was pretty nice. Yes it has been very stable politically and is one of the best destinations for diving and beach holidays in the region. Many South Africans make regular weekend trips there. The people are very friendly, the seafood amazing and it has many unspoilt areas of nature to frequent. The political issues that Renamo are raising are concerning as this type of conflict could destabilize the country and all the good work done so far.

Hate to say this but Renamo was created and initially supported by Rhodesian and South African special forces during the 1970s. Both this countries did receive surreptitious help from the CIA. But that was normal and expected as the Cold War was ongoing and the enemy was Communism

Wow he is lucky, that never happens to me when I travel