In Any War Between The Civilized Man ....

[Ben Kenobi]

Ben would support South African apartheid on the basis of the outcome of the Anglo-Zulu War.

You'd support Mugabe. I suppose Cholera epidemics are the latest trappings of civilization.

I don't support Apartheid - but the current system in South Africa and Zimbabwe is an unmitigated disaster. Putting the RSA as a full-fledged dominion again, clean out all the trash and then restore a democratic government would fix it - but why would Britain care to send in good money after bad?

They did that for South Africa - it used to be the weathiest nation in all of Africa. They chose another path and it's meant the suffering of millions of african people.

But hey - at least Mugabe has the right color of skin.

[Aeson]

Did I say it did? My loyalties lie here now, and have been here for some time. I would like my status to reflect this and that is what I am working towards. Some, like my uncle carry dual citizenship, for they plan to return back to Canada. I've thought about that and considered that, and realized that rather than carry dual citizenship - I would, once I get US citizenship - rescind my Canadian citizenship.

You said:

"I can't wait to get my citizenship - because then it will mean I never have to tell people that I once lived in the same country as you."

The only other explanation for this statement is that you think that as a Canadian citizen you cannot lie about your past (or refrain from telling the truth), while as a US citizen you are free to lie (or remain silent) about where you lived in the past. I am not aware of any such legal differences. In fact, even as a US citizen you may be required by law at times to claim your place of birth. (Such as when showing a passport.)

(Also you have already proven yourself a failure as an American. A true American would never give up their Canadian dual citizenship as it would necessarily reduce their future self-interested economic options. You hate freedom and the free market. We all know it now!)

[Aeson]

Did I say it did? My loyalties lie here now, and have been here for some time. I would like my status to reflect this and that is what I am working towards. Some, like my uncle carry dual citizenship, for they plan to return back to Canada. I've thought about that and considered that, and realized that rather than carry dual citizenship - I would, once I get US citizenship - rescind my Canadian citizenship.

You said:

"I can't wait to get my citizenship - because then it will mean I never have to tell people that I once lived in the same country as you."

The only other explanation for this statement is that you think that as a Canadian citizen you cannot lie about your past (or refrain from telling the truth), while as a US citizen you are free to lie (or remain silent) about where you lived in the past. I am not aware of any such legal differences. In fact, even as a US citizen you may be required by law at times to claim your place of birth. (Such as when showing a passport.)

(Also you have already proven yourself a failure as an American. A true American would never give up their Canadian dual citizenship as it would necessarily reduce their future self-interested economic options. You hate freedom and the free market. We all know it now!)

[Al B. Sure!]

I don't understand why the Roman conquest of Judea (and the later Arab conquest of Roman Judea) isn't met with the same 'thems the breaks' response?

[Al B. Sure!]

Aeson, Ben is saying that when people find out he's not a US citizen, he has to (not legally but out of friendly courtesy when someone, such as his friend, asks him) tell them he's Canadian. Once he's a US citizen, he'll never feel obligated to share this information since it'll never come up in conversation.

[Ben Kenobi]

Gribbler:

Answer the question please. Where did the Jewish people originate?

[Al B. Sure!]

Gribbler:

Answer the question please. Where did the Jewish people originate?

Ur of the Chaldees

[Ben Kenobi]

Ben is saying that when people find out he's not a US citizen, he has to (not legally but out of friendly courtesy when someone, such as his friend, asks him) tell them he's Canadian. Once he's a US citizen, he'll never feel obligated to share this information since it'll never come up in conversation.

Thanks, Al, that's exactly it. You've understood 100 percent.

[giblets]

Gribbler:

Answer the question please. Where did the Jewish people originate?

Mars. Jews aren't human.

By the way I reserve the right to go to northwestern Europe and steal someone's house.

[Ben Kenobi]

(A true American would never give up their Canadian dual citizenship as it would necessarily reduce their future self-interested economic options. You hate freedom and the free market. We all know it now!)

Reasonable people can disagree. As I said, my uncle whom I love dearly has chosen to keep both. But his situation is different than mine. His children are Canadian citizens - were born up there - his wife was born up there, his family is up there and her family is up there (aside from me).

Giving it up has nothing to do with wanting to hide where I am from and everything to do with where I believe my loyalties stand. I don't believe I can serve both. Maybe in days gone by you could - but I don't feel that's possible now.

[Ben Kenobi]

By the way I reserve the right to go to northwestern Europe and steal someone's house.

They originated from Israel, Israel is their ancestral home. I believe that everyone should have their ancestral home where they are free to govern themselves. That includes the Jews and the Arabs. I believe the Arab's ancestral home is in Arabia, and the Jew's ancestral home is in Israel. They can coexist peacefully, but that means smacking around the punks until they finally get it.

[Aeson]

I never made the claim that 'population is the only metric for doing better.' I'd like it if you would quote my entire statement which included, "Jews be rich yo." Clearly I believe that population isn't the only metric - economic development is important.

You clearly used population as your metric for doing better. You said the way to tell that Muslims are doing better is simply because there are more of them there now than there were then. This was the metric you chose to use. It is the only metric you suggested to be used in your post.

I'd like it if you would quote my entire statement which included, "Jews be rich yo." Clearly I believe that population isn't the only metric - economic development is important.

That is not a metric for determining if Muslims are doing better. That is a reason you offered for why the population should be used as the metric to judge by.

Please try to learn English before naturalizing yourself to our fine nation.

If you find the statement "Jews be rich, yo" as offensive to your delicate sensibilities, then don't bother quoting me.

It is quite offensive. Both to Jews and Palestinians, as well as to the land of Palestine/Israel. Jews obviously have much more to offer than just money. There are lots of religious, historical, and natural things that the area has to offer.

But most egregiously, you stereotype all Muslims that live there as only caring about getting at the Jews wealth. You ignore all the other various reasons that people choose to live there. You're a disgusting human being.

[Aeson]

I never made the claim that 'population is the only metric for doing better.' I'd like it if you would quote my entire statement which included, "Jews be rich yo." Clearly I believe that population isn't the only metric - economic development is important.

You clearly used population as your metric for doing better. You said the way to tell that Muslims are doing better is simply because there are more of them there now than there were then. This was the metric you chose to use. It is the only metric you suggested to be used in your post.

I'd like it if you would quote my entire statement which included, "Jews be rich yo." Clearly I believe that population isn't the only metric - economic development is important.

That is not a metric for determining if Muslims are doing better. That is a reason you offered for why the population should be used as the metric to judge by.

Please try to learn English before naturalizing yourself to our fine nation.

If you find the statement "Jews be rich, yo" as offensive to your delicate sensibilities, then don't bother quoting me.

It is quite offensive. Both to Jews and Palestinians, as well as to the land of Palestine/Israel. Jews obviously have much more to offer than just money. There are lots of religious, historical, and natural things that the area has to offer.

But most egregiously, you stereotype all Muslims that live there as only caring about getting at the Jews wealth. You ignore all the other various reasons that people choose to live there. You're a disgusting human being.

[Al B. Sure!]

Ben, the ancestral home of the Jews is Ur of the Chaldees. You need to brush up on your biblical history.

Also, Arabs were out of Arabia almost as long ago as the Hebrew conquest of Canaan.

In fact, the first reference to 'Arab' occurs in a 9th century BC Assyrian monolith commemorating the Battle of Qarqar in modern-day Syria. Then, the Assyrians defeated an Arab contingent led by a king named Gindibu, an ally of Hadadezer, the ruler of the area around Damascus. Ahab of Israel was also at the battle on the side of Hadadezer.

[Ben Kenobi]

Ben, the ancestral home of the Jews is Ur of the Chaldees. You need to brush up on your biblical history.

That's the home of the Chaldeans. Remember God brought up his people Israel and took them away from there?