The Good Post Gallery

[Torie]

I think the "best of" thread is a splendid idea. Really. I suspect a majority of the Atlasian clan never run across the gems. This thread is needed. Sure, what is a "gem" is in the eye of the beholder, but hey, if someone thinks something is a diamond, which is really silicon/sircon zircomian/something involving a "z"  (what is that word for the ersatz diamond material - yes I know I have it wrong in a senior moment?), that is just some more good grist for the Atlasian mill, without much potential for collateral damage. And whomever started/came up with this idea (oh it is the guy whose screen name is that short little strutting pugalistic general who crowned himself emperor and gave the world a taste of what a nasty world war was really like until he finally had to be put down with poison), should get 10 negative death points, so that they have a free pass to be "bad" for 10 points, and yet still be thereafter  as much of an infraction virgin as I. 

Yes!

[Torie]

This site is not pedophile-friendly.

Well, that's not what the post in question was about at all, Mikado.

But it is an interesting question - what opinions are allowed?  If, in that particular thread, someone proposed a country where 'there was no law against murder', for example, would you allow that?  (I ask because in theory this is a tenet of the more anarchist of the libertarians, and you do provide an avatar for that set of opinions). 

One would think you get enough excitement living on the edge in Thailand opebo, to have any need to do it here.  Or has your life become more pedestrian over there now that you have joined the labor force, and have a more regular partner?

[Torie]

I think the line to be drawn is with respect something involving both 1) a felony if committed, and 2) a felony that most folks would also consider malum in se, rather than merely malum prohibitum (e.g., felonious possession/consumption of pot).  I am all for screwing anything that moves, but the screwee needs to be 18 - going lower is malum in se. So there is the lawyer's answer for you opebo, to stereo out the opera fan's chords on this.

[Torie]

My impression is social conservatives are generally more traditionalist and authoritarian than most people, and those who are left-of-centre on economic issues are especially more willing compared to other groups when it comes to codifying their stringent interpretations of morality. However, the normatively conformist folks in an economically centrist or right-of-centre society are not going to vocally advocate for left-wing goals unless they become convinced such an agenda is legitimized by an urgent higher calling or a serious religious mandate (e.g., liberation theology in Latin America).

That is to say, in a place like the States a lot of social and classical liberalists, social democrats, and democratic socialists seem to be relatively non-conforming - not caring enough about traditions and social norms to enforce them all using state coercion, whereas the socons and some of them pseudo-libertarian types really do care enough to make many tenets of their respective cultures into law. The ones with leftist sympathies on economic matters are conservative on most issues - not just "social" ones - hence they go along with a mixed economic agenda and perhaps utilize community service and charitable donations (which are culturally approved of) rather than politics (which would be a deviant break from old, tried-and-true methods) as their outlet for compassion?

It would be the socons with right-of-centre views who would usually not have their own parties in a world where socialist policies are the well-established norm. The capitalists amongst socons, in their conservative political mindset, would ally with mainstream factions rather than break off on their own to form some kind of radical alternative. The changes to society they want have to stay within the bounds of traditional norms and policy goals. Likewise, in a sufficiently secular society, socons would be anti-religious even as they treat their views with reverence and tend to think of folks as fitting into hierarchies of superior and inferior positions. Or is there a better explanation?

Edit: This would also account for Pingvin's observation. In Russia some conservatives and many reactionaries adhere to Marxist-Leninish or Stalinish views on the economy - their yearning for tradition and restoration of the good 'ole days involves a throwback to aspects of Soviet rule as opposed to what the paleoconservatives here conjure up in their minds about the States' past.

Indeed a fine and thought provoking post. I read it twice, word for word.  I would only add, that as a practical matter, something that breaks the norm and upsets traditionalists, which then for whatever reason works reasonably well, even from a traditionalists perspective, than of course it becomes more of a consensus that even hard right but pragmatist traditionalists, dare not cross swords with. That is my attempt at an explanation of the apparent irony embedded in the post. In fact, it is not ironical at all.

[Torie]

I do not need to do this. I am voting for one of His followers and chosen representatives on Earth over the follower of a false prophet and false church and his atheist-worshipping running mate.

Hmm.  Are you becoming to BRTD what BRTD once was to opebo?

[Torie]

...what BRTD once was to opebo?

Now you are making me feel bad. I did not mean to hurt you that way kind sir. Sorry! We all need as much love as we can get.

[Torie]

Unions in competitive non-ologopolistic industries have next to no impact on wages. The market is a harsh mistress. But the government is a monopoly, so that constraint does not hold for public employees. You need to compare their wages to similar jobs in private industry.

[Torie]

Any plans to take that sig image down soon 20RP12? Less is sometimes more.

[Torie]

Thank you 20RP12. I appreciate your accommodating me on this very much. 

[Torie]

Hey, I think I was first in launching a Jihad against ideology around here. How come I don't get any credit for that? 

[Torie]

Good point about the senile thing. I mean, I can't even manage to hand out death points much. I am just that far gone.

[Torie]

Let me be clear.  I am not a sociopath.  I am not a horrible person.  I am not mentally handicapped or mentally challenged in any way.  I am not a thief.  I am not an idiot.

That comment is of the same genre as the one below, and just about as accurate and insightful:



Indeed, fully outfitting the "let me be clear" verbal accessory with the insertion of the word "perfectly" before "clear" would  make the analogy just about perfect - almost to the point of plagiarism.

[Torie]

The people who think the House can't flip have their heads in the sand over demographics changes. An awful lot of elderly Republicans are going to die this decade, and the voters replacing them in the 18-28 age bracket are incredibly liberal -- and far less white.

You simply cannot be as unpopular as the GOP is, for the length of time the GOP has been, without serious and ugly long-term consequences.

That certainly is the conventional wisdom, but is it accurate?

[Torie]

Judging by the internet, Pornography. Lots and Lots of Pornography. Why do you ask?

In fact they want sex with attractive well shaped healthy young women of late teens to very early twenties in age.  But, alas, the society is a sick and malformed one so this is unavailable to most.  Thus, they want the only substitute: pornography.

Well, not true.  I have no attraction to well shaped healthy young women of late teens to very early twenties.  There are, however, plenty of well shaped healthy young men of late teens to very early twenties (and beyond).

But I think i get opebo's point.

Gay dudes definitely watch porn as much as straight dudes do despite having a much easier time getting laid in general. I think that's a big hole (lol) in this theory.

Gay dudes have it easier getting laid?  Check your priv, kitty kat

Just because they don't up there in the frozen tundra, doesn't mean that it is useful spot from which to extrapolate.  Sorry pal.  I feel for ya. Anyway, about that dance party last night ...