Europe more dangerouse than USA? (gunshots vs terror threat)

Mark spends too little time offering any 'valid differing viewpoints,' and entirely too much time simply insulting other members. Maybe that's why it's starting to sound like a referendum on Mark.... because he's belligerently dumping on people left and right, instead of simply disagreeing with them, and they're getting tired of hearing it.

"you're an effing idiot" is not the same thing as, "I believe you're wrong, and this is why...." You think, Mark?

 

Go away. Do I have to get a restraining order on you? I don't sugarcoat nor kiss up to the Europeans, as they are not "up" but "over".

 

Remaining courteous during a conversation or debate is hardly 'kissing up.' It simply shows good manners -- which used to be considered important in this country, although apparently you weren't raised with any.

Oh, while I'm at it: I was in this thread first, and actually started the other one. You 'go away,' if you don't like my company.

 

Having a hard discussion somewhere?

 

No, Just everywhere I go on this forum, I seem to have a Nylex, Quark, Troy or Masrapido follow. Lately, a Troy, more than anything. It is actually quite draining to be a conservative (A conservative that refuses to be bulldozed) on a blog full of vocal progressives - let alone when one persues you.

To lighten it up a bit, though some here won't find the humor, political calls have become the new litter of the countryside near electiontime. The following is attributed to Iowahawk, a genius blogger that makes my day every time he does a new piece. It is germane to this discussion because of the stalking but could also fit well on the political thread, also started to stir excrement.
Again, Iowahawk...

You Have 24 Unanswered Messages
*BEEP*

Hello, this is Congressman Chuck Harbinson calling to remind you to vote tomorrow, Tuesday November 2nd. As your representative from the 3rd District, I have worked hard to bring positive change through my support for the Health Care Reform Act, as well as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which created the new Turnip ethanol plant and nearly a dozen new high-paying jobs right here in the Quint Cities. I am proud to have earned the endorsement of the Claxon-Ledger, the United Turnip Workers Union, and President Obama. So when you cast that vote tomorrow, Tuesday November 2nd, won't you please pull the lever for me, Congressmen Chuck Harbinson? Thanks, and have a great evening.

*BEEP*

Hello, this is Congressman Chuck Harbinson again. Look, I just wanted to make sure you didn't get the wrong impression from that last robocall. I think I mentioned something about an endorsement from President Obama. Okay, yeah, he endorsed me, technically, but really, don't read too much into that. It's really more of a formality kinda thing. Candidly, I'm considered a pretty big independent here in DC, reaching across the aisle and all that. So pull that lever tomorrow for me, Congressman Chuck "The Maverick" Harbinson.

*BEEP*

What exactly do we know about Mike Pflugenboom? Sure, Mike Pflugenboom says he is a small businessman. But who is pulling Mike Pflugenboom's strings? The Claxon-Ledger reports that Mike Pflugenboom has taken nearly $5000 in secret donations from Big Turnip and their foreign friends. Mike Pflugenboom -- too extreme for the 3rd District, too extreme for America. I'm Chuck Harbinson and I approve this message.

*BEEP*

Hello, this is President Barack Obama. For the last two years Congressman Chuck Harbinson has been my most reliable friend and ally in Washington, helping me create the policies that have brought the 3rd District back on the road to near-recovery. I am proud to give him my endorsement and support. Please join me in supporting him tomorrow at the ballot box so he can help again move America, and the 3rd District, forward to a brighter future. This message brought to you by the Democratic National Congressional Committee.

*BEEP*

Hey, it's Chuck again. I heard that you might have gotten a call from President Obama. Look, um, I don't know what he said, but if he's saying we're friends, that's pretty much B.S. I mean, like, I hardly know the guy. I might have run into him at that rally here last month, but come on, what exactly was I suppose to do? Reject his endorsement? If you ask me, I don't even think that was Barack Obama at all. I bet it was Mike Pflugenboom doing his Obama impression, trying to make me look bad.

*BEEP*

Sorry, I forgot. Vote for me, Chuck Harbinson.

*BEEP*

Back alley abortions. Slavery. Molestation. Our turnip crops ravaged by global climate disruption. And that's only the start of what the 3rd District faces if dangerous Republican extremist Mike Pflugenboom is elected. Say no to the politics of fear - say no to Pflugenboom on Tuesday. This message brought to you by The United Turnip Workers PAC and MoveOn.org.

*BEEP*

Hey, it's Chuck. Look, could we, uh, meet somewhere for a cup of coffee? I know you don't approve of some of my friends, but I thought if we had a chance to sit down and

*BEEP*

Hey, it's me again. Just seeing if your machine was working. You haven't returned my calls so I was a little worried that

*BEEP*

zzzzwwwuzzzuzzzuwwuzzz *click*

*BEEP*

Come on. Pick up. I know you're there.

*BEEP*

You're at that ******* Teabagger party with Pflugenboom, aren't you? After I told you what happens at those things. You better answer me, *****.

*BEEP*

Yeah, whatever. I don't need some crazy racist ***** telling me what to

*BEEP*

Mike Pflugenboom? Seriously? You have got to be joking me. Is he in the room with you? Hey Mike, nice friggin' pickup truck in those ads, buddy. You know what I drive? I drive an '08 Beemer. Fuckin' loser.

*BEEP*

That's right, *****. A Beemer M5.

*BEEP*

You know what? I can go to parties too. I'm at one right now. Hey! Heyyyy! Hey. Hear that DJ? I'm at the best ******* top club in Washington. With my best ******* friends. Hey everybody, say hi to my stupid ungrateful ***** constituents. Ha ha! Yooouuu know what? This place is crawling with constituents, and you know what elslele? They're totally hot. They're totally so much ******* hotter than you. And I

*BEEP*

**** yeah I forgot vote froh me, Chuck Charbinsomson.

*BEEP*

Oh sorry, thought I was calling my pollster.

*BEEP*

I'm so sorry baby. God I'm so sorry. You know how I get after a frundraimser. Can we talk?

*BEEP*

Okay okay okay I'm crying. Is that what you want? Is that

*BEEP*

That Pflgrembloon ****** doesn't deserve you baby. He's is no good for you. He can't give you the **** I can. He's gonna break your heart, and then you'll know what it feel like

*BEEP*

Lemme come over. Please. I promise I won't ask you to do that

*BEEP*

You were right. My friend are no good. I'll get rid of them, you'll see. I'll change. No no no no no no not like Obama change, I mean really really change. Just give me another chance. I'll show you I can be

*BEEP*

Hello, this is Mike Pflugenboom. I'm not Chuck Harbinson.

END OF MESSAGES

 

What made my day: On post three in this thread:

 

You guys are awfully difficult on Harlem. I was there a few years ago visiting a family of a friend. I felt much better there than South Chicago, DC or Pheonix. Maybe because I had purpose and was not unconfident or demeaning in my posture. I have been in places in Asia where I felt that there was a real possibility that I could end up on a menu. There are other places (and times) in the world where one is absolutely hated because of the color of one's skin. I know it exists but I don't remember where I've seen it in the US (Bear in mind that I am a WestCoaster - racism was mostly something in history books for me) In fact, I feel that race was pretty much a non-issue until Barack came and re-introduced it as a divider.

 

Yes, Daiquiri is wise to just talk about boats on a forum called "boatdesign". I appreciate his fortitude and wit. I do not, at this time posess that capability.

 

They were talking about old Harlem. In 1968, Harlem was a different place than in 2010.

Harlem is not nearly as dangerous anymore. It's not too bad. You can walk around 125th street without fear. You can visit the Apollo Theater.

However, if you keep on riding that 6 train up into the Bronx, that's where it's bad now. Alternatively, ride the F train out to deep Brooklyn. These are where the scariest places in NYC are.

The trend is called "gentrification." It pushes the roughest people outward at all times from the city center. Rich people move in, make coffee shops and boutiques. They force the rents up and the rougher people move farther out.

I had one of the last remaining non-gentrified lofts in Manhattan. It was an incredible loft I finished myself in the Garment District. We had a freight elevator and everything and this was in the 2000's. I was blocks from Times Square. The last remaining non-gentrified part of Manhattan was known as Hell's Kitchen that's where my loft was. It's all gentrified now.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/19/nyregion/19hell.html


I could never afford the 2000sqft loft I had back then now that it's gentrified. Some sample real estate costs:

http://www.nybits.com/manhattan/hells_kitchen/

I think I paid $1200/mo for it. Incredible for Manhattan. I could see Asian workers on sewing machines in the next building over before all the work was outsource to China and those jobs all dried up in the USA.

Good memories... but I enjoyed my "deluxe apartment in the sky" up in the Upper East Side more. Felt fancier.

 

Remember also that when we type we can't flag humor as easily as when we talk face to face typing all those emoticons all the time is too time consuming. A "bad language filter" from "Washington housewifes" was supposed to be a joke.:!:

 

This thread has outlived its usefulness until people quit fleeing Europe for the relative safety of the U.S. Bye bye.

 

hoy has outlived his usefulness and will appear before an obama death board

 

I shot my coffee all over my table, and couldn't clean it up until several minutes later!

 

I already did the interpretive line dance. Didn't anyone see me jumping up and down, waving my arms in frustration, and kicking things?

 

Don't do that to your laptop, or you'll be ordering and installing another keyboard in it. Never mind how I know....except it was beer.

I mean, I think beer would do it too.....