How can I get people to read my blog?

[KrazyHorse]

The last sentence is silly enough that it's worthwhile to finish it...

[Solomwi]

So you're saying that during a time of war, like the one we're in now, you would refuse to take a tax hike if it meant better equipment for our soldiers?

Tell you what, sweetheart. You build your economy around austerity and sacrificing for the good of the nation (or whatever you want to call what you're describing). I'll build mine around maximizing economic growth and technological progress. Then let's see which one can better equip its troops with the latest night-vision goggles. Here's a hint: it's going to be the one able to produce more and better non-military goods, as well.

[Al B. Sure!]

curtis says he's 22 or something... curtis, any thoughts on putting your money where your mouth is and donate?

http://www.ourmilitary.mil/help.shtml

or why don't you give to this nation by serving yourself? Have you graduated from college? I can provide you with resources to enable you to go into an officer program if you qualify.

[curtis290]

It was just generic right wing crap, on topics which the mouth breathers constantly whine about, it had the authority worship and desires for a strong man to come and save you just like most right wing idiots have, and it just didn't have anything new or interesting or even worth reading. If you want to do the same thing as all the other nuts great but you'd better do it better then the professional nuts because they already have that sad little niche filled so I'd suggest coming up with an actual original idea instead of parroting someone else's dog and pony show.

If you think it's 'generic' than you didn't read it. Obviously it's not, which is why I get chased out of any right-wing forum.

Check out the last few pages of the thread that curtis linked to:

http://www.conservativecave.com/index.php/topic,49273.0.html

Finally! Whether conservativecave.com or Apolyton, something we can all agree on!


Curtis, out of curiosity, are you from Detroit?

So, ABS, you agree with those idiots? You think Scandinavians still practice Norse religions? Or that capitalism only works in Christian societies? That's pretty much what most of the debate was about. We couldn't get to real issues because they were too stupid and close-minded to actually think about abstract ideas. I'm not from Detroit but I do have relatives that live there and in surrounding areas.

I know. This kid is too ****ing much.

You're one to talk. You're the biggest joke of the forum.

If you're as mind-numbingly boring in your blog posts as you are here, I'm afraid no one can help you.

I'm sorry for using Apolyton for intellectual endeavors as opposed to social ones. Now where exactly is all the excitement here that I can't compete with?

I managed to get through about half of the paragraph Solomwi was responding to before my eyes glazed over.

I'm sorry you don't have the attention span to read paragraphs. It's not your fault though, it's just that you've been so immersed in the interent and the information age that you're used to two sentence forum posts.

The last sentence is silly enough that it's worthwhile to finish it...

Which one?

Tell you what, sweetheart. You build your economy around austerity and sacrificing for the good of the nation (or whatever you want to call what you're describing). I'll build mine around maximizing economic growth and technological progress. Then let's see which one can better equip its troops with the latest night-vision goggles. Here's a hint: it's going to be the one able to produce more and better non-military goods, as well.

Building your economy around maximizing short term profit does NOT ensure military technological superiority. Heck, even building your economy around maximizing growth does not ensure military technological superiority. There's a reason that during times of war the state takes a much more active role in the economy. And the last time we did that (World War II) we did pretty darn well as far as military technology goes. If you want to seriously pursue military technology, you're going to have to devote many more resources towards that end than is profitable, than what would be the norm in the private sector.

Second, you're placing a lot of credence on military technology. I think the military in some ways has become too technologically oriented. Being a soldier isn't what it used to be. They're taught too much to rely on technology in the battlefield, and combat is becoming more and more like a videogame.

But most importantly, we are much weaker than the previous generations, and that's because we live in a consumeristic, profit-driven economy that weakens us and erodes our values. There is no room for sacrifice in a liberal, highly-financialized capitalist society.

curtis says he's 22 or something... curtis, any thoughts on putting your money where your mouth is and donate?

http://www.ourmilitary.mil/help.shtml

or why don't you give to this nation by serving yourself? Have you graduated from college? I can provide you with resources to enable you to go into an officer program if you qualify.

I already have and continue to do so every paycheck. Second, I just graduated from college and am unsure about how to best serve my country. Ever since I tore my ACL in high school my athleticism has been seriously lacking. So I'm not sure if the best way for me to serve our society is by teaching, being a soldier, or something else. I want to try out teaching for a bit and see how good I am at it. If I'm a great teacher, than it'd make more sense for me to do that and to let the better men be soldiers. If not, than my next destination is probably an officer program.

[DaShi]

Ooh! Do me! Do me!

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Second, I just graduated from college and am unsure about how to best serve my country.

Have you considered giving up writing?

[Solomwi]

Building your economy around maximizing short term profit does NOT ensure military technological superiority. Heck, even building your economy around maximizing growth does not ensure military technological superiority. There's a reason that during times of war the state takes a much more active role in the economy. And the last time we did that (World War II) we did pretty darn well as far as military technology goes. If you want to seriously pursue military technology, you're going to have to devote many more resources towards that end than is profitable, than what would be the norm in the private sector.

Guess what's even worse for developing military technology? Being poor. It's only the wealth created in the economy that allows for the diversion of resources to economically unprofitable ends. Of course, given that most technology that has military application also has civilian application, much of it profitable, your last sentence is questionable, at best.

Second, you're placing a lot of credence on military technology. I think the military in some ways has become too technologically oriented. Being a soldier isn't what it used to be. They're taught too much to rely on technology in the battlefield, and combat is becoming more and more like a videogame.

You're the one talking about night vision goggles, sweetheart.

But most importantly, we are much weaker than the previous generations, and that's because we live in a consumeristic, profit-driven economy that weakens us and erodes our values. There is no room for sacrifice in a liberal, highly-financialized capitalist society.

Really? My co-workers and I routinely make sacrifices. Just today, I sacrificed being at my son's first band concert (sixth grade) to make a 200-mile round trip to depose a doctor who refused to say what I needed him to say. I think you mean there's less room for sacrifice to the government, or to curtis290's preferred target for altruism. I don't see a problem with that.

By what measure, and based on what evidence, are we weaker than previous generations? Or is that just pseudonostalgic whinging pablum on your part? Are we still weaker if we isolate the Baby Boomers from younger generations? And what's your causation evidence? Maybe we're weaker because in this day and age, even the feeble-minded can easily and cheaply broadcast their delusions to hundreds of complete strangers.

[KrazyHorse]

You're one to talk. You're the biggest joke of the forum.

[KrazyHorse]

I, for one, think that curtis is right about the military becoming too dependent on technology. I volunteer him to patrol Kandahar province on foot with a crossbow.

I already have and continue to [donate] every paycheck.

So do I, and far more than you ever will

https://www.irs.gov

[Kuciwalker]

Do you pay any Canadian income taxes?

[KrazyHorse]

No. The US is basically the only developed country that attempts to collect worldwide taxes on its expatriates.

I don't even have to file a return because I have no Canadian sources of income.

I think my wife might have a hundred dollars a year in investment income from one account, but we don't file just for that.

EDIT: apparently she liquidated that too, so we're golden.

[curtis290]

Guess what's even worse for developing military technology? Being poor. It's only the wealth created in the economy that allows for the diversion of resources to economically unprofitable ends. Of course, given that most technology that has military application also has civilian application, much of it profitable, your last sentence is questionable, at best.

Not true. First, sacrificing short-term gain does not mean the country is 'poor.' Second, even if a country is poor, it can still have a very well-funded, advanced military. Why do you think the Soviet Union did so well from 1945-1960s? Why were they beating us in the space race? It's because they had a command economy that enabled them to expend a tremendous amount of resources on the defense budget. Now I'm not saying we should adopt a command economy, but you're going to need a big state and government intervention/regulation if you want to seriously pursue having an incredibly powerful military. And if you're serious about fighting a war, there will be a lot of state intervention in the economy. Why do you think we had rationing and price controls during World War II? As for civilian versus military technology, again, through government subsidies you can channel many more resources into this sector than you would in a completely laissez-faire system. If it means taxing a few bankers to do so, I'm all for it.

You're the one talking about night vision goggles, sweetheart.

It was just an example. But I think night-vision goggles are useful. They don't inherently change the way we fight, they just enable us to do what we do during the day at nighttime.

Really? My co-workers and I routinely make sacrifices. Just today, I sacrificed being at my son's first band concert (sixth grade) to make a 200-mile round trip to depose a doctor who refused to say what I needed him to say. I think you mean there's less room for sacrifice to the government, or to curtis290's preferred target for altruism. I don't see a problem with that.

Liberal society encourages us to sacrifice our family and society for the market and profits. I'm not sure exactly about your example (or what you do for a living), but from what it sounds like, you sacrificed time with your family because of your professional duties. That's not the sacrifice I'm talking about. I'm talking about giving your life for your country. How many wealthy kids from the professional classes join the military? I went to an elite liberal arts college. During previous wars, hundreds volunteered and joined the services to fight for their country, even though the rate of attrition was much higher.

Nowadays that is completely unheard of. No one from my school joined the military. That's because in a liberal society where the goal in life is to maximize profit until you die, it makes no sense to sacrifice your life for a greater cause. That would be a bad career choice. You said that this is fine, that it's OK that there is less room for values and sacrifice in this society. I disagree with that. I think our culture has gone to hell, and the rates of depression and suicide are rising because there is no meaning in such a lifestyle.

By what measure, and based on what evidence, are we weaker than previous generations? Or is that just pseudonostalgic whinging pablum on your part? Are we still weaker if we isolate the Baby Boomers from younger generations? And what's your causation evidence? Maybe we're weaker because in this day and age, even the feeble-minded can easily and cheaply broadcast their delusions to hundreds of complete strangers.

Are you seriously making that argument? Do you think kids today are tougher than the generations that came before it? Do you think 18 year olds could get in a wagon and go across the country the way the pioneers did? There are a whole lot of reasons behind this, but mostly it's material comforts. The generations before us (I'm mostly talking about the Golden Generation and the ones before that) were brought up under much harsher circumstances. They didn't have TV's and fancy leather couches and multiple pairs of shoes and lots of fancy clothes. They had to build their own houses, walk miles to get somewhere, and if something broke, they fixed it themselves. They lived on farms and grew crops. Until recently they didn't have plumbing and electricity. During the Great Depression they had to live on a few pennies a day. Before that they had to fight Indians for survival. They built everything with their own hands. Most kids today couldn't nail a hammer to a board. And yes, they were much tougher. Ask any old person. My great-grandfather (this was in the 50's) had a heart attack and walked about 40 yards to the house for help. As for the last sentence of the paragraph, yeah, that's part of it. Kids spend so much time today on the internet and with video games that they couldn't handle serious physical hardship. Why do you think the obesity rate is out of control?

I, for one, think that curtis is right about the military becoming too dependent on technology. I volunteer him to patrol Kandahar province on foot with a crossbow.

I already have and continue to [donate] every paycheck.

So do I, and far more than you ever will

www.irs.gov

I'm referring more to computers than to guns.

And can you go into one thread without bragging about your paycheck? I went to a much better school than you did, one that churns out Wall Street stiffs. Had it been my goal, I'd be rolling in money right now, and within a couple of years I'd be on my way to seven figures. You'd be under my paygrade pretty damn soon. But, since I have self-dignity, I don't want to whore myself out to some investment bank and spend my time working with people like you. Money really doesn't appeal to me, not enough to convince me into leading a pointless, miserable existence.

[Solomwi]

My god, man. There is some true gold in there, though, like the real thing, it takes digging through a lot of refuse to get to it.

Pedotard, Jr.

EDIT: I meant comedy gold. Sorry if I encouraged anybody to sift through that wall for nuggets of wisdom.

[curtis290]

My god, man. There is some true gold in there, though, like the real thing, it takes digging through a lot of refuse to get to it.

Pedotard, Jr.

What do you think about the US' economy during World War II? I take it you think we were a bunch of communists?

[Kuciwalker]

And can you go into one thread without bragging about your paycheck? I went to a much better school than you did, one that churns out Wall Street stiffs. Had it been my goal, I'd be rolling in money right now, and within a couple of years I'd be on my way to seven figures. You'd be under my paygrade pretty damn soon.

Erm, you know he has a Ph.D., right? In physics, not some douchy subject like filosofy or whatever you studied.