U.S. Military ‘Power Grab’ Goes Into Effect

[Catfish]

Originally Posted by eddie

I have a real hard time believing the NSA can read all our emails.

You better do.

" [...] and stored in near-bottomless databases will be all forms of communication, including the complete contents of private emails, cell phone calls, and Google searches, as well as all sorts of personal data trails—parking receipts, travel itineraries, bookstore purchases, and other digital “pocket litter. [...]”

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/201...atacenter/all/

http://www.shtfplan.com/headline-new...untry_07192012

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2012...-stellar-wind/

They do not read or listen to personally, of course. The system is called scraping, and it involves anything you do with any digital device (except a Texas Instruments TI30 maybe).

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by Tchocky

GT US Civil War Prediction Count

It certainly isn't beyond the realm of possibilities. I think slowly over time things are edging to a point where something may or may not happen. Most assuredly the more nutty amongst us will lead the way.

Not quite on cnn or foxnews yet, but:

Open Carry March In Washington Seeks To Put 'Government On Notice' With Loaded Rifles

Then there's the social media on youtube:




I'll be interested to see if/what happens of this. Now, one overzealous dude with a microphone and a dumb idea does not the making of a civil war make. However, what i do wonder is if this a proverbial icerberg that may surface itself completely some years hence. That i think, will be indicated by how many people show up for this march. If this Adam Kohesh person musters up a several thousand people for this march, then it could be the tip of the icerberg- just the most extreme part showing itself first. Personally I find the idea of several thousand people showing up for this disturbing, which is why i think of it as an indicator.

I know myself, I am extremely dissatisfied. Seven months ago, i could have cared less about anything. Now I find myself questioning and scrutinizing everything that is going on. I wonder how many people across the country, are just like myself. Having gone from uncaring to overly concerned in a short period of time. I don't think it's time yet to go anywhere near a cartridge box, but I do not consider the idea so far removed as to be out of the realm of possibilities.

[Catfish]

I wonder what happens if the next election 'fails to elect' a republican.

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by Catfish

I wonder what happens if the next election 'fails to elect' a republican.

Well, if the GOP continues to offer up the type of candidates that they have recently, there will continue to be more Republicans and Independents (and perhaps even Democrats) voting against the GOP candidate.

I will be glad to consider a GOP candidate. Bu they have to offer me something better than McCain and Romney.

Sad when Romney was the best of the best of the best of the GOP.

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by Red October1984

There is something that really is strange. Have you ever wondered why it's okay for a black guy to call another one the N word but the moment a white guy says it you better call the NAACP?

Well I notice that some black people use the word "nigga" as a term of endearment and "******" as an insult.Personally I think that its stupid to use an insulting word like that the majority of black people I know/have known do not use that vernacular.

I have seen white people call each other "honky" some times and I think that is just as stupid.How you can use a term in one context and have no problem and then flip out in another context is utter stupidity.

I notice in both cases the use of such terms is more common with poorly educated people.

[Red October1984]

Originally Posted by Stealhead

Well I notice that some black people use the word "nigga" as a term of endearment and "******" as an insult.Personally I think that its stupid to use an insulting word like that the majority of black people I know/have known do not use that vernacular.

I have seen white people call each other "honky" some times and I think that is just as stupid.How you can use a term in one context and have no problem and then flip out in another context is utter stupidity.

I notice in both cases the use of such terms is more common with poorly educated people.

I think it's stupid too.

By poorly educated you mean the guy with his pants sagging halfway down and a backwards hat complete with chain and wife-beater shirt?

I know exactly who you're talking about.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Red October1984

There is something that really is strange. Have you ever wondered why it's okay for a black guy to call another one the N word but the moment a white guy says it you better call the NAACP?

...

Why is it okay to use derogatory terms for your own race but when somebody else uses it it's offensive. You see this in rap music and movies all the time.

...

Just one of the unanswered questions floating around in my head.

It's quite simple really. Have you ever called a friend a rude, insulting name? Jim and I do it on skype all the time. If a stranger, or even a casual aquaintance, used that kind of language to me there would be words if not blows exchanged.

The 'N' word is a corruption of a racial descriptive, which in itself is nothing more, but the word was used for a couple of centuries to keep black people "in their place". It was meant to be insulting and derogatory, and was never used any other way. For me to say that word to a black person is the same as using any other rude or insulting term. For a black man to use it on a friend is the same as some of the names my friends and I have called each other. Insulting in a friendly way, which is accepted among friends.

It also depends on the cultural context. Busta Rhymes or Snoop Dogg probably think it's cool when their friends use that language. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Annette Gordon-Reed probably would not.

Not really a question at all in my mind.

[Stealhead]

Originally Posted by Red October1984

I think it's stupid too.
By poorly educated you mean the guy with his pants sagging halfway down and a backwards hat complete with chain and wife-beater shirt?

Not necessarily.The style your talking about is worn by a lot of people and I do not think that each one of them is poorly educated they might have poor taste in my opinion.

I have seen people that do not dress in that style use the whole "N" thing.Maybe poorly educated was a poor choice of words.Personally I find the idea that racial slur be wrong in one case but acceptable in another pretty foolish it is too easy to card that out in my opinion.


Something that I can understand is a "right" that some black fraternities started doing back in the 70's.What they did/do is get a brand on their body the idea behind this was that they are symbolically placing ownership onto themselves.It is a throw back to the slave days where many slave owners would brand their slaves to show ownership.Their is a symbolism to getting the brand willingly.Of course most black people you can see the brand in that case they did it for some other reason.The frat version would have been hidden from plan view.

[Red October1984]

Well you guys make sense and you answer my question/thought.

I declare this thread properly derailed.

Moving on to the next big debate...