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Messages - Oddball

Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 129
1
General Discussion / Re: FH2 Pacific?
« on: 12-12-2013, 07:12:20 »
He's not dead yet? :o Wow... I'm surprised, you guys are slacking...

2
Off-Topic / Re: The Official Babe Thread
« on: 01-11-2013, 19:11:36 »
It's Friday!



I Love Fridays! :)

3
Off-Topic / Re: Revolting Uniting
« on: 28-10-2013, 00:10:46 »
...
He seems like a logical choice, and seems like a man with a brain.

That's why. This is the United States, unfortunately it is a changing face.

4
Then got my license the "next day" after passing the actual driving test.
Wow, what´s the practical driving test in America about? Accelerate with the right pedal, brake with the left pedal. :o

The general specifications to it are: Make sure you are checking your mirrors, observe the road at least 5 seconds ahead of you. When changing lanes, flip your blinker on and then look around via mirrors and then physically look behind you, then proceed to get over if possible/safe.

Obey all traffic laws, etc. Before you get onto open road they check to make sure you know the hand signals for turning in case your blinker is out  ::) Ask you how far away from the curb you can park (18 inches), have you back up 100 feet while staying in that limitation. Park safely and leave room for other people etc. Be able to use the emergency parking brake, point out gas pedal, brake pedal, how to turn lights on, where the emergency hazard lights button is, how to turn on the lights for night driving etc.




Basically just makes sure you don't drive like a grade A++ fucktard. This is the California driving test though


Yeah, pretty sure that got lost in translation for the MA and CT drivers, mostly MA....

5
I feel like this video is something you need to see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWVElQ6NfcE

6
Relax, you're blowing everything out of proportion. Even some of the most brilliant minds here (me  ;D) had to retake the written driving exam... it may be a little demoralizing but nobody really cares. It doesn't go on your record and you'll get it eventually. Pretty soon it'll all be old history... there are more important things in the world to worry about...

7
Off-Topic / Re: The FH Photography Thread
« on: 16-10-2013, 01:10:24 »
It was collecting dust in the basement at the place you work or ... ?

WOAH! When did this guy get back? ^

8
Off-Topic / Re: Picture of the Day (Other eras)
« on: 06-10-2013, 20:10:23 »
I guess. And real combat tends to have a bit more explosives than police work and you don't want to be near (or on top actually) with a helmet like that.

Echo chamber!

9
Off-Topic / Re: Need Cartoons that Show Cultural Barriers
« on: 06-10-2013, 20:10:36 »
@Butcher, I think I might remember something about that a little while back- or similar at least... this is for a school assignment therefore, not sure if I want to use something that "graphic."

@Nighthawk, old conflicts will work, too, I suppose. I think more recent 'conflicts' or even just wrong cultural interpretations would be more relevant. However, if you have them handy, by all means, please post 'em.

10
Off-Topic / Need Cartoons that Show Cultural Barriers
« on: 05-10-2013, 22:10:02 »
As title says, I'm in need of 'diversified' cartoons which demonstrate or poke fun at cultural barriers between countries. Thus, I figured what better place to turn to than the FH community, considering how diversified we are... I could get tons of cartoons from the US perspective, but what fun would that be?  :D Post 'em up ladies...  :-*

11
Off-Topic / Re: Revolting Uniting
« on: 03-10-2013, 01:10:19 »
Now of course there could be nutjobs trying to instate Sharia law or what have you, but unless they are able to amass enough political influence to actually do that in a democratic system, there is no reason to do anything but laugh at them and make sure they dont blow up anything important. And if there is indeed a majority who supports such views, democracy is doomed anyway, because it cannot function if a majority of people don't support it, as seen in the Weimar Republic.

How can you sit back and laugh at a women who was stoned to death because her "choice of attire provoked some pervert to rape her." How can you sit back and laugh at someone who lost their hand over accused robbery. How can you sit back and laugh at a girl, who had acid thrown in her face, legally pardon the aggressor because she fears for her family's safety. Now, I don't condone vigilante justice, but just hearing about some of these cases makes me want to seek vigilante justice for those at the mercy, or lack-therefore-of, of Sharia Law.

Therefore, are you saying it's okay if only a few people engage in this conduct, as long as it doesn't become wide-spread. I know ethics and morals vary around the globe, but isn't there something inherently wrong with the mistreatment and unfair treatment of select races/genders, etc (another founding principle of the US)?


Quote
On some aspects, it's important for a culture to "progress" and "adapt", but how far? How far until that country is only the same country by name? It retains none of its founding principles or beliefs, to the point where it changed entirely... it is no longer the same country. It has been effectively dissolved, despite potentially having the same name.

I guess. So what? Who gives a damn? So far no country has survived forever in the same state. Now I realize that many Americans see some kind of mystical specialness in their nation, but to me that is sheer idiocy. One might as well believe in god or santa clause, it is not real.

I think the "American Mystical Specialness" you're referring to is the common idea that America is the last best hope for freedom and Democracy. A rather noble idea. There is nothing "idiotic" about believing in the basic morals and principles included in the foundation of the United States, such as "innocent until proven guilty" or "all men are created equal" for example.

@ Zoologic, no... I'm not necessarily saying that all changes which occur in the United States should evolve around White Anglo-Saxon Protestant beliefs, but rather the beliefs found within the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, ect. A lot of the changes you mention (in fashion and hygiene in particular) change do to advances in technology and practicality... they have minimal to no effect of the actions or beliefs of the American people. 

12
Off-Topic / Re: Revolting Uniting
« on: 02-10-2013, 17:10:32 »
...And again, you use these words like norms and values as if you assume that there is some objective "American" way of life, set in stone for all ages and situations, to be never changed or questioned. And that is just a fantasy, that is not how cultures work. Civilisations and societies are in a constant state of flux, they don't exist in a vacuum, they influence each other and some elements are discarded if they outlive their usefulness.
To be honest, it's rather hard to define the cultural values and norms of the country in which you reside as it just seems like common and everyday practice. I guess, you could begin by basing it upon the fact that the U.S. started with a basis in the Judo-Christian faith and with several core principles such as "efficiency and dispatch require that the government operate according to the will of the majority, but constitutional provisions must be made to protect the rights of the minority," just for a small example. If I spent more time, I could probably elaborate more on this, which I might later.


Some posters earlier cited the Austro-Hungarian Empire as an example of failed multi-culturalism. In my view that is complete bollocks. That empire didn't fail because of its many cultures (at least not primarily), but because of a lack of change and adaptation. The Austrian ruling classes had one vision of their Austria, that of a monarchy dominated by German-Austrians, ruling over a multitude of people. When nationalism developed, that vision was no longer viable and so it was replaced by a different Austria. Of course it took two World Wars and some rolling heads to get there, which leaves you wondering if the same could not have been achieved with a bit more self awareness.
On some aspects, it's important for a culture to "progress" and "adapt", but how far? How far until that country is only the same country by name? It retains none of its founding principles or beliefs, to the point where it changed entirely... it is no longer the same country. It has been effectively dissolved, despite potentially having the same name.

@ CPS, those articles, as interpreted by me at least, address mainly the fact that English was not the sole language amongst a good portion of the US population. I have no problem with this. If you want to embrace your heritage and native tongue in your home or amongst friends of the same culture - by all means go for it . This is assuming you're not breaking any laws or infringing anyone else's rights; Including their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. However, we should not have to accommodate for them in order for them to be "comfortable" living their daily lives/routines. This includes making almost every label or pamphlet in English and Spanish. Although ~12% is a high number, I suspect it's actually higher if businesses feel the need to include bilingual labels in order to sell product.

If someone were to bring Sharia Law to the States, and demand the right to practice their culture under the First Amendment, that's where we would have a problem. That's clear mutation and perversion of US culture and the legal system. Don't get me wrong, it's not Islam alone which I have a problem with.

P.S. Also, as Ts4EVER mentioned previously about education... public education is free in the United States and can't be denied to anyone, including illegal immigrants. There are even school, which teach all their classes in Spanish... too far? Not to mention, Affirmative Action is also the reason a lot of those low-wage jobs are filled by illegal immigrants, instead of school-aged kids or struggling college students who will take anything to get themselves on their feet.

13
Off-Topic / Re: Revolting Uniting
« on: 02-10-2013, 17:10:39 »
What is it with you people and assimilating? Assimilating into what? American culture I guess, but what culture would that be? White Middle Class Culture? Urbane intellectual culture? My guess is most Mexican immigrants lack the money and education for that. Maybe black inner city culture. Or they become Mormons.
Culture is not some unchangeable, monolithic entity with clearly defined borders. You'd think especially Americans would have noticed this by now. You're clinging to some simplistic world view that in the end can only define community by exclusion.

American culture, yes, but it's more than that. It's more of "having the same common goals" which I guess one could say would be the best interest of the State. To respect our laws and principles chiefly but not solely defined via the Constitution and other vital documents associated with US history. It is their responsibility to be more accommodating to the language and societal norms. It's the same type of stuff that annoys you when American tourists visit your country... except they don't plan to stay there - fortunately for everyone.

14
Off-Topic / Re: Revolting Uniting
« on: 02-10-2013, 16:10:34 »
Funnily enough, the illegal immigrants are what saves US economy right now. You'd be better off if some of the legal ones became illegal - depending on some circumstances of course.

I'm curious... Please elaborate? Yeah - I'm never going to get any sleep tonight.
The Economist argues that one of the reasons for the US economic crash and the very slow recovery is that America's population has simply reached its economic peak - what is needed is a new influx of labour to revitalize the economy.  US immigration policy is terrible economics.

Reached its peak for sales in the U.S. market, perhaps. One of the main problem with the US is that it is in a trade deficit. The United States is a consumer market. We either need to expand our global market or open new markets within the US, which would require more manufacturing and producing being done in the United States.

It is a misconception that illegal immigrants do not receive any government aid, http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/09/16/undocumented-la-county-parents-projected-to-receive-650m-in-welfare-benefits/, for example. Even if, hypothetically, they did not receive medicare outright, if they were to go to a hospital, they could not be refused medical services. Guess who is paying for that. Not to mention, the jobs which many of these illegal immigrants fill are not going to make or break the economy or the business. They are a slight booster for the sake of saying, "oh look, unemployment is down for this quarter." While these immigrants may pay sales tax, they do not pay income tax, and it is common for good portions of their earnings to be sent back to their native country to support their struggling family, outside the US economy.

Census Bureau data reveals that most U.S. families headed by illegal immigrants use taxpayer-funded welfare programs on behalf of their American-born anchor babies.Even before the recession, immigrant households with children used welfare programs at consistently higher rates than natives, according to the extensive census data collected and analyzed by a nonpartisan Washington D.C. group dedicated to researching legal and illegal immigration in the U.S. (http://cis.org/immigrant-welfare-use-2011)

This does not take into account the number of illegal immigrants which are granted amnesty as a political stunt. Not only does this hurt the economy, it hurts society a whole, now that these people have to make no effort or attempt to assimilate what-so-ever.

15
Off-Topic / Re: Revolting Uniting
« on: 02-10-2013, 09:10:22 »
Funnily enough, the illegal immigrants are what saves US economy right now. You'd be better off if some of the legal ones became illegal - depending on some circumstances of course.

I'm curious... Please elaborate? Yeah - I'm never going to get any sleep tonight.

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