What a shame.

[Bonsai Nut]

My my my look at their skin color. Not a whitey criminal to be seen.

So if you saw a white guy looting a store, would that make you assume all white guys are criminals? There are plenty of bad folk of all races, creeds and colors. I prefer to focus on all the good people of all races, creeds and colors.

 

[AlainK]

If you are poor down here, it is because you played the fool in school

I suppose so.

I myself I'm the son of immigrants in a non-tropical country. I was lucky; not because my parents taught me "you mustn't steal, you mustn't lie" (I'm afraid I didn't listen to the other commandments ) but because I was raised in a secular Republic.

I understand: one of my colleagues (here, we have people from many different origins), one of my colleagues is from Indian origins, from Martinique. When black slaves were freed, "we" "imported" Indians: easier to manage, they came here on their own will, if they didn't like it, it was easy to send them back.

Not only were they much more docile, but they had roots, and a culture that could help them form a community. What about black people who were denied to speak their mother-tongue, who were from very different cultures, and couldn't send a letter home?

So the "Indians" gradually took over some of the "houses" ( the properties where sugar cane was grown) and built another in-between social (and ethnic) class. It's good to have a family abroad.

They were able to pass on their own values, and adapt to the French Republic, because we are a real secular state.

But what can become of uprooted people that have no cultural values any more because they've been deprived of them for generations?

"Kwanza"? What a joke! Why not Farakhan (or whatever this racist, fascist name is)

Trying to invent something that has never been, copying the religious norms of their former masters?

You know, the islamic terrorists, they're about the same lost people, trying to find a meaningful explanation of why they're here, and they're bitter, and some of them (us) find easy, ready-made explanations to the world (religious explanations are probably the best because you can't prove that something that doesn't exist just doesn't exist: see, that's a catch-22)

Well, since the bonsai world is mainly white (understatement), I don't think that my comment will start an inflame.

Or could it?

But stating that "If you are poor down here, it is because you played the fool in school" seems to me a very poor argument.

Where do you live, Anthony, I mean do you know your neighbours? Or rather, the people from other neighbourhoods?...

At least this time you've spared us the.............................................. punk.................tuition

that ........... you seem to affect: what does it mean?

Breathing problems?

 

[AlainK]

We ban together, and we enjoy the benefits, and we ban together, and we share the costs.

Are you French, or what? ???...

You bloody commie!

Hey, that's tongue-in-cheek, don't shoot me, don't shoot me, BANG BANG BANG!

The holy graal is in the Castle of.............. aaargh

 

[Bonsai Nut]

You bloody commie!

LOL That isn't communism. It is collaborative society. By belonging to society we each benefit in ways that would be impossible on an individual level.

For society to work, people need to be willing to share the costs as well as the benefits. When you have one individual who decides not to share in the costs, or who decides to hoard the benefits, society can cast them out, or force them to bear other consequences.

The Federal Troops, the members of the Regular Police Force and all Special Police Officers have been authorized by me to KILL any and all persons found engaged in Looting or in the Commission of Any Other Crime.
- Mayor Eugene Schmitz, San Francisco Earthquake, 1906

 

[AlainK]

LOL That isn't communism. It is collaborative society. By belonging to society we each benefit in ways that would be impossible on an individual level.

For society to work, people need to be willing to share the costs as well as the benefits. When you have one individual who decides not to share in the costs, or who decides to hoard the benefits, society can cast them out, or force them to bear other consequences.

The Federal Troops, the members of the Regular Police Force and all Special Police Officers have been authorized by me to kill any and all persons found engaged in Looting or in the Commission of Any Other Crime.
- Mayor Eugene Schmitz, San Francisco Earthquake, 1906

I think that even if I sometimes go off the tracks for the sake of provoking, I totally agree with you.

I mean, me stoopid thinks that bonsai enthusiasts are humanists.

Something like "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité", something that we Europeans and Americans share, fundamental values that bring us together.

Well, in spite of the walls that some want to build, we can walk toward the future together, and turn swords into plowshares. Somehow.

 

[ianb]

Sorce, that's not how society works. We ban together, and we enjoy the benefits, and we ban together, and we share the costs.

Band together and share the costs? Not very libertarian of you

 

[Dan92119]

I read an article a few years ago that the biggest shop lifters are middle white woman.

Not everything you may expect is actually reality.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Band together and share the costs? Not very libertarian of you

Actually it is very libertarian, if you go by the literal definition.

You and I have a country. It is called "Ianandgregland". We have an agreement. I don't break into your house when you are away and steal all your stuff. In exchange, you agree to do the same for me. Every now and then, we need to do heavy lifting - to build a bridge over a creek or raise a roof on a barn. When you need help, I come over and help lift logs that you could not lift by yourself, and vice versa. That is our government - we work together for the common good - as long as we each do our part. If you decide you don't want to work any more... that's ok... but don't expect me to come build your barn. And I'm not heartless - there is a huge difference between not WANTING to work and not being ABLE to work. If you get hurt so you can't build your barn I will be right over to help... and I would assume you would do the same for me.

However if you decide to declare war on Iraq, I don't necessarily have to go along. That is Libertarianism.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I read an article a few years ago that the biggest shop lifters are middle white woman.

I don't care if they are handsome white guys who look like Jesus... they all suck. Suckage has no race or gender. They are preying on society, and we get to pay the cost.

 

[butlern]

all (meaning 100%) of serial killers are white pieces of shit

 

[Bonsai Nut]

all (meaning 100%) of serial killers are white pieces of shit

Hmmm...

Harry Lewis Walker

Carl Eugene Watts

Chester Turner

Derrick Todd Lee

Paul Durousseau

Lorenzo Gilyard

Craig Price

Mark Goudeau

Ray Joseph Dandridge

Eugene Victor Britt

Reginald and Jonathan Carr

Ivan Hill

Harrison Graham

Anthony McKnight

Shelly Andre Brooks

Charles Lendelle Carter

Matthew Emmanuel Macon

I hope I am proving the point that evil knows no skin color. White serial killers are pieces of shit... as are serial killers of any color. I hope when people see a white serial killer they do not judge me by that other person's actions - just because I have the same skin color.

 

[ianb]

Actually it is very libertarian, if you go by the literal definition.

You and I have a country. It is called "Ianandgregland". We have an agreement. I don't break into your house when you are away and steal all your stuff. In exchange, you agree to do the same for me. Every now and then, we need to do heavy lifting - to build a bridge over a creek or raise a roof on a barn. When you need help, I come over and help lift logs that you could not lift by yourself, and vice versa. That is our government - we work together for the common good - as long as we each do our part. If you decide you don't want to work any more... that's ok... but don't expect me to come build your barn. And I'm not heartless - there is a huge difference between not WANTING to work and not being ABLE to work. If you get hurt so you can't build your barn I will be right over to help... and I would assume you would do the same for me.

However if you decide to declare war on Iraq, I don't necessarily have to go along. That is Libertarianism.

And there I was thinking it just meant they didn't want to pay taxes. To many what you describe would be decried as socialism. I guess there is a wide spectrum of what each means to any individual.

Fortunately or not (depending on your view) we don't get to opt out of where our tax money goes, especially with the current political climate (2 party system).

 

[just.wing.it]

And there I was thinking it just meant they didn't want to pay taxes. To many what you describe would be decried as socialism. I guess there is a wide spectrum of what each means to any individual.

Fortunately or not (depending on your view) we don't get to opt out of where our tax money goes, especially with the current political climate (2 party system).

Do you think that a one party, centralized world government would let you choose where your tax dollars go?

 

[Bonsai Nut]

And there I was thinking it just meant they didn't want to pay taxes. To many what you describe would be decried as socialism. I guess there is a wide spectrum of what each means to any individual.

Fortunately or not (depending on your view) we don't get to opt out of where our tax money goes, especially with the current political climate (2 party system).

Socialism is public ownership of the means of production. In the US, public schools and public utilities are examples. It is one reason why some people support a voucher system for public schooling; they support private versus public schools.

When the US Government stepped in and purchased 60.8% of General Motors back in 2009 (instead of letting the company fall into bankruptcy) that was a prime example of socialism. For several years GM employees were actually employees of the US government (indirectly). The bailout of GM cost the US taxpayer somewhere around $12 billion (about $120 per taxpayer), and is a primary example of "we don't get to opt out of where our tax money goes."

 

[just.wing.it]

Socialism is public ownership of the means of production. In the US, public schools and public utilities are examples. It is one reason why some people support a voucher system for public schooling; they support private versus public schools.

When the US Government stepped in and purchased 60.8% of General Motors back in 2009 (instead of letting the company fall into bankruptcy) that was a prime example of socialism. For several years GM employees were actually employees of the US government (indirectly). The bailout of GM cost the US taxpayer somewhere around $12 billion (about $120 per taxpayer), and is a primary example of "we don't get to opt out of where our tax money goes."

I want a mail in rebate for 60% off a C7 Stingray!

 

[Bonsai Nut]

I want a mail in rebate for 60% off a C7 Stingray!

I know, right? It is always a little incestuous anyway, when you have big companies that have both consumer/commercial and government/military lines of business. If a company sources 100% of their revenues via government contracts, does that make it socialism? Most people would argue not - because the theory is that the government doesn't "own" the company and they could cancel the contract at any point and the company would have to go elsewhere to generate business... or go bankrupt. But the line is more than a little blurry.

Consider Boeing versus Airbus. Boeing has argued for decades that it is at a competitive disadvantage because Airbus receives substantial funding and support from EU government part-owners. Airbus is currently about 26% owned by France, Germany and Spain, though at one time these governments had a greater than 50% ownership stake.

 

[just.wing.it]

I know, right? It is always a little incestuous anyway, when you have big companies that have both consumer/commercial and government/military lines of business. If a company sources 100% of their revenues via government contracts, does that make it socialism? Most people would argue not - because the theory is that the government doesn't "own" the company and they could cancel the contract at any point and the company would have to go elsewhere to generate business... or go bankrupt. But the line is more than a little blurry.

Consider Boeing versus Airbus. Boeing has argued for decades that it is at a competitive disadvantage because Airbus receives substantial funding and support from EU government part-owners. Airbus is currently about 26% owned by France, Germany and Spain, though at one time these governments had a greater than 50% ownership stake.

You're right on!
That reminds me of something....
Around here, in the land where govt is so in your face everywhere it's unavoidable, in my line of work....there are certain companies who always get all the govt work, prisons, schools, and all the rest of it....they are a so called "minority contractor"....
This means that they are racist and only hire black people....and the govt officials who sign off on their huge contracts are racist too, as they would never even consider another company....especially if they employ evil white people.
Not to mention, my ass gets dragged in to fix all the brand new stuff that the minority contractor fucked up during the installation....
It's not all bad though, because they do fuck up everything they do, which creates work for me....

But I see so much waste, fraud and abuse on a daily basis, sometimes it's best to just put the blinders on, do my job and go home....because if I pay too much attention, I'll go insane.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

You're right on!
That reminds me of something...

It isn't just minority contractor. It can be union contractor, local contractor, state contractor... etc. Politicians have an amazing ability to funnel money to their special interests. Sadly, these special interests are often not (or not fully) their constituencies.

Don't get me started about California schools, and how we have fallen from having one of the best school systems in the country to being dead last. It is because politicians play politics with public programs (alliteration of the day!) Instead of focusing on giving our kids the best possible education, they decide to use the public school system to drive social re-engineering. There is no direct accountability back to the voter - the very person they are supposed to be serving.

That's what happens with minority set-asides. On paper, the concept looks good, but in practice, it turns into a big government boondoggle. My wife is a minority and she has even looked into starting a minority-owned business for this very reason. There are certain government entities that HAVE to spend money on minority-owned businesses - whether they exist or not. So the first person to start a minority-owned business that can meet the contract requirements gets the job - regardless of experience or competency. It can get really ugly because sadly it is often driven by greed.

 

[just.wing.it]

It isn't just minority contractor. It can be union contractor, local contractor, state contractor... etc. Politicians have an amazing ability to funnel money to their special interests. Sadly, these special interests are often not (or not fully) their constituencies.

Don't get me started about California schools, and how we have fallen from having one of the best school systems in the country to being dead last. It is because politicians play politics with public programs (alliteration of the day!) Instead of focusing on giving our kids the best possible education, they decide to use the public school system to drive social re-engineering. There is no direct accountability back to the voter - the very person they are supposed to be serving.

That's what happens with minority set-asides. On paper, the concept looks good, but in practice, it turns into a big government boondoggle. My wife is a minority and she has even looked into starting a minority-owned business for this very reason. There are certain government entities that HAVE to spend money on minority-owned businesses - whether they exist or not. So the first person to start a minority-owned business that can meet the contract requirements gets the job - regardless of experience or competency. It can get really ugly because sadly it is often driven by greed.

Yes, you're right, sometimes they do HAVE to pick certain companies....racist, (soft bigotry of low expectations) policies are in place.

They give the govt contracts to the minority contractor as a matter of policy, due to the soft bigotry of low expectations....they assume that black people can't get work in such a horrible racist white supremacist country, like America.....so they give them the work....it's welfare, it's charity....
It's sick.

The fact that the NAACP exists in 2017 is all you need to know....these are the people who keep the notion alive, that there is some difference between black people and everyone else....it's racist by definition.
We are all supposed to be Americans.
The free market will weed out the losers, regardless of their skin color.

 

[LanceMac10]

wife is a minority

What? The wife that doesn't think her husband is a "tree nerd" because we may spend an inordinate amount of time staring at a tree?

Always nice to see a few bits of foliage on one of her handbags.....


CARRY ON.......