Cikomyr

Reply to Political posts in Politics JoeUser Forums

I think I might be one of the person aimed at that jab. At least, I try my best to gather my information on politically-neutral information services like Stratfor. But the more I read, the more I realise I don't know much. [e digicons]:'([/e] But I still like reading and commenting, and trying to form an opinion on the matter. And be open to other people's opinion, as long as they seem to be open about mine. I can remember a few occasion where Dr. Guy swayed my way of thinking

Reply to Do You Agree with Arizona’s New Immigration Law? in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Arizona is trying to solve a problem that is specific to their state. With an increase in violent and drug-related crime directly related to our lack of a secure border there, the locals are trying to help themselves. This isn't a national issue - but a large number of people that don't live in that state are all up-in-arms. Bet things would be different if you (collectively) were at-risk. I say let Arizona try to solve their problem.[/quote] But the thing is, you are 100% righ

Reply to STRATFOR: Rising violence from the Animal Liberation Front in Politics JoeUser Forums

Now, I always have despised the Animal Wrong Groups. While I am not 100% unsympathetic to their cause (because at SOME level, unnecessary cruetly from people does happen, but I have a much more lenient interpretation of what is "necessary" and what is not), I always despised and rejected the actions they take. Seriously, bombing locations. Burning buildings. Attacking cars and scientists and executives? That is just stepping over the line. Now, what do you think can be done fi

STRATFOR: Rising violence from the Animal Liberation Front in Politics JoeUser Forums

(Note: I decided to go toward a less controversial topics so we can have a nice non-antagonising discussion) Escalating Violence From the Animal Liberation Front By Scott Stewart On July 22, special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI arrested Walter Bond in Denver and charge

Reply to Elemental: Stardock’s secrets revealed in Elemental Dev Journals Elemental Forums

Stardock: Putting EA and Will Wrights to shame by achieving with minimal budget what they couldn't even touch. And doing it with style.

Reply to STRATFOR: Germany After the EU and the Russian Scenario in Politics JoeUser Forums

Friedman rarely pulls theories out of thin air. If he believes a German/Russia relationship will occurs, there are usually solid ground behind that theory.

Reply to STRATFOR: Germany After the EU and the Russian Scenario in Politics JoeUser Forums

Germany and Russia Move Closer By George Friedman German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle will brief French and Polish officials on a joint proposal for Russian-European “cooperation on security,” according to a statement from Westerwelle’s spokesman on Monday. Th

Reply to Economic cost of six month moratorium on deep water drilling in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]60 years of drilling in the gulf and one accident. Pretty damn good safety record. hardly one to penalize the other 31 platforms that have been drilling with no accidents for years.[/quote] On the other hand, one goddamned incident that will have huge repercussion, for a long time on the local ecology and all sea-fauna related industries. You only needed one of those major incident to put in check the industry and make sure such incident doesn't occur EVER again. It's n

Reply to Economic cost of six month moratorium on deep water drilling in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Arianne and Soyuz continued to fly[/quote] Right. I am sorry if you need remembering this, but the US government do not control the rest of the world. The U.S. government set a moratorium on its own Shuttle flight because of a danger of repeated incident, until they figure out a way to make sure it won't happen. European and Russian governments were welcomed to do the same, but they didn't. I hardly see how it's relevant. [quote]And the comparison is apt. A

Reply to Economic cost of six month moratorium on deep water drilling in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote] I wonder where space expiration would be today if there were a moratorium every time a rocket blew up on the launch pad?[/quote] There was, last time a shuttle exploded, you remember? And when a rocket blow up, it doesn't destroy a whole ecosystem or a fishing industry, and doesn't cost billions of dollars in fixing. Trying to pull comparison between the two is quite offensive.

Reply to Map of Elemental in Elemental Dev Journals Elemental Forums

Where are volcanoes? This map needs more love volcanoes.

Reply to Israel's Isolation, Turkey's Rise in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]No, that shows the world that we cannot be relied upon when the chips are down. [/quote] [quote]If you were counting on someone and they abandoned you in your hour of need, would you then trust them again so readily?[/quote] Your argumentation would weight a lot, if not for the fact that the chips aren't down. Israel is in no clear immediate danger for the moment. The ones that could threaten Israel are Syria, Jordan and Egypt, and they are all weaker than they

Reply to Treasure Maps in WOM Ideas Elemental Forums

Do you think this "Treasure Map" idea could also look like the "Old Map" idea I posted? I know the two are very similar, just.. maybe not the same theme.

Reply to Israel's Isolation, Turkey's Rise in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Hardly, they just took out the Syria nuclear plant about 4 years ago, in the scheme of things that is current[/quote] Then again, tell me exactly how that is more in the U.S.'s interest than Israel's? Israel was simply on the lookout to save it's own ass, as it always have. It wouldn't have risked a plane to strike a nuclear plan that would not have risked itself - and it shouldn't have to. Countries don't act out of pure generosity. They act as self-defence, or in defe

Reply to Israel's Isolation, Turkey's Rise in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Sorry, mistook your article for a serious debate. Please continue with your weekly game of geopolitical fantasy.[/quote] If you expect somebody to simply accept whatever propaganda that's been hammered into you in the past 30 years without being able to re-evaluate the situation as-is, then don't come to the threads I start. I don't have any problem arguing points, but simply coming along and giving useless elements like "these people hate us" that don't get the debate

Reply to Israel's Isolation, Turkey's Rise in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Why did 9-11 happen? Osama saw us as paper tigers[/quote] I think you are WAY oversimplifying 9-11, my friend. Ultimately, 9-11 wasn't about America. It was about the Arabs' internal struggle. You were just the patrons of many people on one side, and thu, you were the best symbolic target as a rallying point to rebel against the dictatorships you (and by extension, the rest of the West) support in the Muslim world. It wasn't a bad tactic. But they unde

Reply to Israel's Isolation, Turkey's Rise in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Why did 9-11 happen? Osama saw us as paper tigers. Assuming you are correct (and I do disagree with you on that critical point) and we drop Israel. What does that make the US? Paper tigers.[/quote] That doesn't make you "Paper Tigers". That simply shows that you pick up the best ally of the two when you had to make a choice. If there is weakness to be had, it's because of your troop exposure in Iraq and Afghanistan. regarding Iraq, Turkey is the key toward removing that

Reply to Israel's Isolation, Turkey's Rise in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote] A liability how? The euphoria that would be present in terrorists like Hamas and Hezbolla, in kicking Israel to the curb, would be short lived. They, and most Arab nations, don't like our way of life, that is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. Israel is the USC's best prospects for maintaining an eye on the middle east. Liability...hardly. Do you believe that when the Israeli's took out the nuclear facilities in Iraq and Syria, we weren't grateful? US doing the same would h

Reply to Israel's Isolation, Turkey's Rise in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote] But I think Israel will stick with the US. Obama is a temporary bump in the road of relations.[/quote] But will the U.S. stick with Israel? Regardless of what you might think of Obama, Israel might become or HAS become a liability to the U.S., which means that it is in your best interest to cut support. As for China, I doubt much they'd go support Israel. They need the oil too much from Iran and the arabic states to antagonist. And they have nothing to win by g

Reply to What About Fair Trials and Innocent Until Proven Guilty? in Politics JoeUser Forums

[quote]Conservatives were critical of Bush (as indicated here by conservatives on JU) did the liberal media take notice?[/quote] Funny. I always had the feeling that most U.S. media had an insufferable pro-U.S. and right-wing bias. Including the big television networks. They took notice, it's just more convenient to redraw the definition of "taking notice" at your leisure to proove your point. Ultimately, I asked: why do you claim the embarassing marginal liber

Reply to Israel's Isolation, Turkey's Rise in Politics JoeUser Forums

So I guess the question would be: in the case of a geopolitical shift between Turkey and Israel like the one announced here, and the U.S. has to make a stand, for which of its ally should it be? In the case Israel becomes (or HAS become) a liability to the U.S. and sees the (incredibly large) level of military, diplomatic and financial support reduced, it will have to turn toward a new patron. Who do you think could become Israel's new patron? Russia might qualify. It wou

Israel's Isolation, Turkey's Rise in Politics JoeUser Forums

U NNAMED SENIOR U.S. OFFICIALS LEAKED to The New York Times Thursday that U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration was considering a policy shift on Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The U.S. officials reportedly described the Israeli blockad

Reply to What About Fair Trials and Innocent Until Proven Guilty? in Politics JoeUser Forums

People. I don't think Jack Chick is a representative of all christians (or even fundamentalists). Nor do I think the people running Conservapedia are representative for conservatives or right-wing christians in the U.S.A.. All of these people are a marginal fringe. Now, why can't you have the same consideration for the liberals?

Reply to Young Sovereign in War of Magic Elemental Forums

You brought this upon yourself. You really want to have the opportunity to play her? Make her marry and have children?

Reply to The AI Meat Grinder in Elemental Dev Journals Elemental Forums

[quote]My main concern is making sure the AI, out of the box, is good. Everything else is looking pretty good.[/quote] Well, the AI and the core gameplay. But the alpha game took care of creating a fun gameplay, didn't it?