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themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 5 (view)

don't call on purpose? Posted: 1/13/2008 8:32:34 PM
Yes, I usually try to wait three days. I wouldn't take it personally, like others said, that is just a technique to make them seem more "in demand". Sometimes it also might be helpful for the guy to help calm out of control lust for the girl in question...

themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 3 (view)

internet dating not for me Posted: 12/4/2007 6:50:47 PM
LOL Nautycal, I couldn't have put it better myself.

themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 5 (view)

Maybe I need someone to state the obvious... Posted: 11/23/2007 10:15:25 PM
I sorely wish that when I ask why it didn't work out for the other person they would explain it to me.. I can take the criticism.. Even if the reason is because I smell bad, I want to know so I can do better in the future... I hear that! But it's never gonna happen. Nobody likes to face an awkward uncomfortable situation like that, explaining calmly and collected a listing of reasons they don't see you in a romantic light (anymore). Maybe try to put yourself in her place and ask yourself how eager you would be to explain something like that, or even to answer calls with someone you know it won't work out with. I think the "Ask Men" website has some good advice for men in dealing with dating. The key is to be a challenge to that other person from the moment they meet you. When the other person knows they have the other tied around their little finger, it's hard to keep that interest alive (not to say it can't happen).

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 150 (view)

Helping himself to my computer............... Posted: 8/30/2007 8:08:25 PM
I think the message to be taken from all this is that everyone thinks differently. Don't expect people to think the same way you do about something like accessing the computer. There clearly is a difference of opinion on the issue, like so many others. If you have any doubts, why not eliminate them by telling the person how you feel? On that note, I had a roommate who I let use my computer. He had his own account and mine was password protected. However one day I came home and found a wad of Kleenexes laying on the computer desk. I threw them away without a second thought and started surfing the Internet like usual. However a couple hours later I intermittently smelled something...peculiar. I let it go a couple times but eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I started smelling around. I came to the trash can and found that was where it was coming from. Then I pinpointed it to the Kleenexes. Then reality hit me!!! It was "boy juice"!! He did that on MY computer! Needless to say, his account was prompty removed. I am still incredulous that he couldn't even have taken the time to dispose of his waste. My keyboard and desk got a good cleaning with rubbing alcohol shortly thereafter!! Oh and it wasn't long after that that he had to find other accommodations as well...

themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 25 (view)

What went wrong? Maybe a guy can answer... Posted: 8/26/2007 1:33:59 PM
Re: post 22, yes I totally agree. Why even bother trying to start a relationship with someone so far away?? There may be a miniscule chance that something would come of it, but it is so much more trouble and work trying to bridge that vast difference. The closer they are you to, the better. There's the old responses to that such as "love conquers all distances" and "I only have one soulmate in the world and s/he lives halfway across the country". Get real - there is more than one person everyone is compatible with, and it is a distinct possibility you can find such a person within a reasonable distance. Don't forget the opportunity cost also - by wasting your time talking to people 2000 miles away, you are making less time to talk to people that might message you from closer. I swear half the time I message someone that lives close and don't get a response, I have a sinking feeling they are talking to people hundreds of miles away. A friend of mine routinely got into intimate conversations with girls living hundreds or thousands of miles away and it never led to anything lasting. The moral of this story - give people living closer to you the greater consideration they deserve! It's better for both of you!!

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 9 (view)

Can your desk at work reveal if you are single? Posted: 8/20/2007 6:10:44 PM
Re: Post 7. Whoa, I'd be careful there. Somebody might decide to interpret that sign itself as sexual harassment. Having been spuriously accused of it myself and aware of another person that was as well, I know you really have to walk on eggshells with sexual harassment sometimes. Remember, you're guilty until proven innocent. And even if you are proven innocent, you may lose your job anyway. PC is disgusting.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 40 (view)

how should i ask someone to marry me? Posted: 8/12/2007 8:18:11 AM
Omega, you sound as if you you're speaking from personal experience on that one?? I've heard of guys being rejected in such cases...wow that would HURT. Being rejected by someone is one thing, but being rejected in front of 20,000 people...whew. Best to keep it between the two people...after all what business is it of anyone else's anyway?

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 323 (view)

Michel Moore's New Film Sicko Posted: 8/12/2007 7:54:44 AM
I saw a posting earlier about the high cost of prescription drugs in America and I wanted to address that. It is true that Americans are often forced to pay outrageously high prices for new or novel drugs (or especially, drugs for uncommon diseases). But the drug companies have little choice in the matter of pricing because of the huge costs THEY have to pay to develop the drugs in the first place! The real travesty of the matter is that Canada and pretty much every other country in the world force the drug companies to sell them the drugs at sharply discounted prices. The ever present alternative for the drug companies is that the countries will simply violate their intellectual property and produce the drugs themselves if they don't comply (and this would probably mean a pretty significant amount of black market exports back to America, causing the destruction of their reclamation of costs for developing the drug). The philosophical underpinning of violating the drug companies' IP is always "life is more precious than money". There is some truth to that of course. But the irony is that if it is applied without limit it would mean the drugs never could have been developed in the first place, since it takes a large amount of money to do so. What this boils down to is that the rest of the world is getting a free ride to the miraculous wonder drugs produced by American drug companies, while Americans alone are forced to foot the bill. Presciption drug prices could come down significantly for Americans if other countries that purported to care about intellectual property actually followed through with that illusion. Of course every country has varying degrees of GDP per capita, and individual ability to pay for the drugs. But you can bet that if drug companies were given freedom to charge what they want, they wouldn't charge as much as in countries with more money. Canada and much of Europe and Japan are hardly unable to pay more the nominal rate they pay now though. So the next time you (an American) pop a $50 pill and curse the drug companies, just think of the 10 people in other countries you essentially paid to get the same privilege.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 73 (view)

Well i've been put in hospital through a person off here! Posted: 5/9/2007 6:22:19 PM
The idea of this thread is disturbing. However I tend to agree that something isn't right or it was made up. How would he know what she was saying to her "boyfriend" afterward?? And why hasn't he posted anything else since the OP?

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 25 (view)

why do men ask u out just 2 stand u up Posted: 5/9/2007 6:08:42 PM
Re: Post 21, that happened to me once too, although for me it was a 5 hour drive EACH way... She gave me a false address (instead of just saying she wasn't interested?!?!?) which it took a couple hours to deduce as I was driving around aimlessly trying to find the place. Funny because suddenly she picked up the phone when I asked some locals to call to see if she was really alive. Oh and a friend of mine drove cross country (probably about 2000 miles) to see a girl, and she met him at her door and talked for 5 minutes before asking him to leave. The moral of the stories: keep it local.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 28 (view)

Fractured foreign policy,gateway to the White House? Posted: 4/6/2007 7:03:10 PM
I think what some people are missing is that no matter what anyone thinks of Bush's foreign policy, if we have a law in place forbidding people not in the executive branch from conducting diplomacy with other nations that the executive branch opposes, doing precisely that is against the law, period. If we as a country decide we want to change that law, that's fine, but until that due process is done, if such a law is in our legal code and Constitution and has good reasoning behind it, shouldn't it be supported? Or can any private citizen or lawmaker, if they and some others disagree with a law, unilaterally decide they will no longer abide by it and not face any repercussions? Or is there an additional clause to this law I'm not seeing that gives you an exemption if you disagree with the nation's foreign policy?? I think that letting the Speaker's act go unnoticed, at a bare minimum, could have serious consequences down the road. An incredible amount of time and money goes into setting and conducting any modern nation's very complex foreign policy. Being the most powerful country in the world, our foreign policy carries some weight, no matter how much of a lame duck our president is perceived to be. To not have clear guidelines on which branch of government is responsible for conducting foreign policy will not help our country down the road. If the Republican senators who visited Syria a week before were strictly told not to by the Bush administration, they are every bit as much to blame. But Speaker Pelosi, as the top Democratic leader in the country, is in a different class anyway.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 82 (view)

Is it the end of the dating world if you are not good looking? Posted: 12/30/2006 12:02:45 PM
Being in a certain tax bracket isn't really enough. I've got a good income and a lot stashed away, but I generally don't try to show it, so it doesn't seem to do me much good. As desirable as it would be to woo a female, I just can't push myself to waste copious amounts of money in ostentatious displays of wealth. Like one thing even my GRANDMA told me to do was to buy a shiny new car. In my mind that's essentially throwing money away. She even lived during the Depression so shouldn't she know better?? Half the value depreciates in the first few years you have it, you have to worry more about it being stolen or scratched, you can't be as rough on it. Give me a reliable used car anyday. Much of the same applies to brand-name clothes, housing, interior decoration, dates, and gifts. Whatever happened to modesty? For marriage (the goal of dating), isn't it more desirable anyway to be on a sound financial footing right off the bat rather than wasting it all away on material possessions that inevitably rust and decay (and depreciate) anyway?

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 28 (view)

Desire Be Gone. Posted: 12/23/2006 3:28:13 PM
I just wanted to say that I totally relate to what you're going through Dark. There are many other men out there that feel the same way. If you don't have your act together with dating and interacting with women, you can go years without dating a single girl. It does really amaze me sometimes how much almost all women stick to the tradition of not initiating contact or hitting on men, but expect them to do so. I guess that something we have to deal with though.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 41 (view)

Is it the end of the dating world if you are not good looking? Posted: 12/16/2006 11:18:12 PM
Oh and I was going to ask BigID, is that a Picasso painting? It looks a lot like the "wilted clocks" painting which I'm pretty sure he did too. He definitely has a different style to his works but it comes together well. That was not the best of times to have lived in Spain. I was just reading an article that many of their civil war animosities have not died away even today. They have been putting obituaries in the newspapers badmouthing the other side for having killed long-dead relatives. Crazy how long it takes for people to forget the past..

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 40 (view)

Is it the end of the dating world if you are not good looking? Posted: 12/16/2006 11:11:16 PM
I tend to think of looks like a threshhold; if you meet the threshhold, then you pass and other things pertaining to courtship can commence. Something I struggle with is putting forth the effort to actually make myself "look good" in public. I always feel that I'm somehow degrading myself by dressing up and putting on cologne and the like. It makes me feel like I'm pretending to be someone I'm not. Shouldn't the "natural man" be the ideal? When all is said and done, that's really the person you're getting (including the brain), not the clothes, aftershave, money, etc, which is all temporary anyway. I guess a certain measure of pomp and circumstance is expected in dating though. I'm sure I've lost some women by not doing more, but c'est la vie. Like someone said, confidence counts for a lot. It's ironic that many of the people who are confident have no reason to be so, and many of the people who are not confident have everything going for them. It's all about perception. It's easier to roll a 50 ton rock uphill than it is to change that in either direction though. By the way, I like your profile BigID, very creative and funny and it made me laugh.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 8 (view)

He wrote to me, I responded.......now nothing? Posted: 11/29/2005 7:31:53 PM
Brownsugar is right - it happens to me quite a bit as well, and I've been guilty of doing it (a few times) to others as well. Usually on my end it starts out with a weariness to play "the game" (you know where you have to wait approximately the same amount of time before e-mailing them back, and must try to send a letter of lesser or equal length, or you'll appear desperate). I would be far less likely to cease communication if the girl would simply show more interest instead of playing eternal hard-to-get. Perhaps that is something that would help you out more in circumstances like this? Unless you are really not what he is into, a little interest and appreciation can go a long way in dating.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 20 (view)

what do you make of someone who blocks you for asking a question? Posted: 11/29/2005 7:22:01 PM
Well height and weight is of course vital information for people you're interested in, but asking it directly like that shows a lack of tact. Most people don't appreciate someone who is overly straightforward. And like someone said, he is probably sensistive about his weight since he is "a few extra pounds". Basically you were asking him "so tell me how fat you really are". It would be hard not to get offended by that.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 17 (view)

why are so many guys so psycho? Posted: 11/14/2005 7:14:50 PM
I have no problem with psycho guys. Just please don't hurt me.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 14 (view)

2005 Election Results Posted: 11/14/2005 7:10:43 PM
Well I voted, but I do certainly see Count's point. The probability that your one vote will be the deciding vote in the national election is miniscule. And come on, that truly is the reason why many people want to vote for president isn't it? And the probability is even far more miniscule in states like Massachusetts that are heavily leaning towards one candidate already. After the fiasco of the 2000 Elections, Congress was considering eliminating the Electoral College in favor of just having a raw vote majority nationwide determine the winner, but that initiative was subsumed by the 9/11 attacks. If we were to have a system like that though, your vote would count considerably more (in terms of likelihood to determine the national outcome) because then you wouldn't be held hostage by the tendency of other voters in your state to go for a certain ticket. It is ridiculous that the only states that really mattered, and the states that were visited over and over again by the candidates, were the swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida. I live in Idaho which is staunchy Republican, and I am Republican, but my vote still really counted for nothing because I knew Bush would easily carry the state (and both candidates knew it too because I'm sure they never even considered making a visit here). Like I think someone said, you have FAR more influence in local elections, and the outcome of them will affect your life as well, so if nothing else, perhaps that is the incentive for voting.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 36 (view)

Cant Americans speak gooder English on this sight? Posted: 11/14/2005 6:57:47 PM
dbndon - did you write for a newspaper? That's quite an accomplishment, writing op-eds that get read by a government. Being a member of the press must be a great way to make your opinions carry weight without having to wade into the cesspool of politics personally by becoming a politician. I hope that our government reads op-eds in the Wall Street Journal! So so so many good pieces of advice that our nation would do well to follow.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 35 (view)

Cant Americans speak gooder English on this sight? Posted: 11/14/2005 6:54:21 PM
OMG people, isn't it obvious that the OP purposely butchered the posting subject to make a point?? It's called sarcasm... I totally agree with annikav - mention the subject of proper English and grammar in person or on the web or anywhere, and you are instantly the target of a thousand barbs. Bad spelling, grammar, and the like is something I always notice, and used to comment on, but I've learned that it leads you nowhere. People that don't care will only get irritated by your comment, feeling that you think you're better than they are, and people that do care are likely to know better and to have made the mistake inadvertently. In my opinion bad English does matter, because like dbndon alluded to, when English gets bad enough, eventually understanding of it will cease to be universal, or what you are saying will simply be more difficult and time-consuming to understand. So while we all make mistakes from time to time, some of us just have a penchant for more proper English, which doesn't mean we can't accept those who don't feel putting the extra time is not worth it. Perhaps the person feels like you aren't aware of your error and cares for you so that they want to help you realize it and thinks it will make you communicate better? Of course motives will always differ though, and many people out there will probably have some difficulty understanding you if you only talk proper textbook English to them.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 13 (view)

why are so many guys so psycho? Posted: 11/14/2005 6:27:19 PM
Persistence pays off big time for men in the dating world. Because the "play hard to get" game seems so ingrained into the female psyche and dating, guys that don't care to expend copious amounts of energy trying to make contact and setting up dates (as well as the stomach to take some serious initial dissing) generally aren't successful in dating (unless the girl is totally hot for the guy and shows affection easier in return). Unfortunately in those cases where the girl doesn't share that male's enthusiasm, it can easily turn into stalking. MissJenna, I guess the only thing I can say about this for you and other girls, is to try to notice those other guys out there that aren't so upfront and perhaps a little more shy and maybe they'll give you better experiences. I have met a lot of guys lately, I met this guy last weekend, and I thought that he was nice, he turns out to be a psycho stalker(following me and inviting himself to my apartment when I say no) and calls me 13 times - why do so many guys act like this?? LOL I've met more psycho guys than normal guys..

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 4 (view)

2005 Election Results Posted: 11/8/2005 9:03:56 PM
Actually as far as the 2004 Presidential Election went, it was close to 60% that voted, the highest in recent history. An encouraging bit of news for American democracy! http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10492-2005Jan14.html

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 33 (view)

~ What Men Truly Want ~ Posted: 7/22/2005 7:40:42 AM
It is not true that every man is looking for sex. Me and almost every one of my single guy friends would never have premarital sex due to religious beliefs (LDS). Perhaps if the ladies here are having trouble with men in the sex department they might want to try more religiously-minded males?

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 8 (view)

Introduce Yourself Here. Posted: 7/3/2005 1:53:34 PM
I'm Mike, age 25, and live in Boise, and always looking for people to talk to. I like doing things outdoors, and there seems to be no shortage of opportunities for that around Boise. I'm originally from Illinois (pronounced WITHOUT an "S" sound! Don't let anyone get away with saying it that way!)

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 22 (view)

Why do guys act like they like you one minute..then the next they don't Posted: 6/27/2005 8:59:20 PM
Women can do exactly the same thing you all describe. In fact that is the way pretty much every one of my relationships seems to turn out. We go out on a few dates, it's going great and we're getting along and have a lot in common. But then they don't return my calls, they don't show interest, and leave me wondering what happened. I'm not totally sure, but I get the feeling is that I get committed too easily, and that is unattractive in an early relationship (as well as later on and right up until marriage). That is why the men that can commit, aren't given the opportunity, and the ones that can't, always have girls at their beck and call. As much as I hate it, you really have to play "the game" to some degree to have success, as otherwise you invariably appear desperate and needy.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 112 (view)

Why do men run a mile from a girl with a brain and a yen for using it? Posted: 6/25/2005 10:53:16 PM
Well I really wanted to post something for writingstar after reading all the posts in this, but now it looks like she has departed. Oh well I'll try it anyway. I am an INTJ as well and many of those traits you and others describe most definitely apply to me as well. I think I understand a lot of the issues facing you. I used to focus on my intelligence (I was Valedictorian of my high school, won hordes of awards, did very well in college). But I found out I just wasn't happy in doing so. The reason is explained by a lot of people here. By concentrating only on yourself all the time you denigrate the experiences and knowledge of others. Anybody, a lawyer or a garbage man (actually quite similar professions aren't they?) can contribute very very valuable information to your personal progression. I used to think I knew it all and that other people were always wrong and I had all the answers to everything. But like someone else said, it is that precise conception is what gets you into trouble, because then you stop learning. When comparing my intellectual abilities to my peers, I know they had gone downhill during the years I held those beliefs - my peers were gaining intelligence while I was losing it, thinking I had nothing further to learn. But I'm beginning to shed them to the best of my ability and I feel that I am beginning to grow once again. I've learned some new skills I never even considered I could attain, such as singing and playing piano, adding a spiritual component to my life, and approaching men and women with greater social graces. I should stress that this has helped me socialize with others. Every time I start getting into my head that I am better and more knowledgable than everyone else, I squelch those thoughts posthaste because they will only be to my detriment. WritingStar, I hope you're not truly leaving as I think you could learn a lot by continuing to read and post here and elsewhere on POF. Don't fool yourself into thinking you're going to solve all the problems that drove you to start posting on this and other singles websites in a single day. I know you're smarter than that - perhaps a little naive.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 18 (view)

Go away.... Posted: 6/22/2005 8:54:26 PM
The best way to combat a person like cadbury is to make a point not to read anything he posts (flag your mental read vs will not read on the name before allowing yourself to read anything). Then it won't bother you and eventually he'll go away if he doesn't get the attention he craves. [Yes, do not respond, it will just get deleted along with the garbage that they post. Alert a moderator, the fastest way is by contacting us through POF mail. If you add mods to your "favorites" you can view who is been on POF most recently, and send your report/complaint/request to the mod closest to the top of your favorites list (as they will be the the ones that most recently logged in) - late™] Excalibur Ticketoride mikelgreco late

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 31 (view)

You are going to get SLAMMED in this forum... Posted: 6/21/2005 10:01:02 PM
Spreerider - I sympathize with you in your situation. She does have a responsibility as (essentially) a common-law wife to try to stay attractive for you. I have heard of more than one situation where the roles were reversed and the guys let down their appearance only to have the women lose interest. The necessity of the spark of attraction that binds you during dating doesn't altogether disappear after commitment (preferably marriage). Each party has a responsibility to keep up their appearances and be attractive to the other. However I think you should try working with your wife more on this one. Broken families cause so much unhappiness and problems with the children later in life. Maybe you already have, but I would tell your wife your feelings in the kindest way you can. If money is not a problem perhaps you could help her lighten her workload a bit? Or could you motivate her to get exercise by getting her to go with some regular exercise activity of yours? Or let her know that her depression is causing you some sorrow as well and see if you can get her to take medication for the sake of your relationship? If you are religious you could ask your clergy for advice on the situation. Just make absolutely sure of your feelings before you leave her because it will cause a lot of bad consequences.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 32 (view)

No message hierarchy -> confusion Posted: 6/5/2005 2:57:11 PM
Erik, also you should check out the website I posted on the previous page, it contains the White House's official figures on the budget and you might be surprised just how much goes to social programs.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 31 (view)

No message hierarchy -> confusion Posted: 6/5/2005 2:54:49 PM
Don't forget that our country subsidizes business with tax dollars (Corporate Welfare) up to hundreds of billions of dollars. (i.e., $1 billion/yr for American computer chip makers Wow, I work for a computer chip company and the government gives us nothing. In fact we are losing market share to a South Korean company that regularly receives massive subsidies from their government, but the US government still will not help us (and in fact has chosen to launch a massive investigation into past price-fixing in our industry which has cost several companies millions of dollars to settle). But I agree that the ideal way is for the government to not subsidize any industry and let the market decide the victors. It's good that you would give the needy money for the various programs you described even if you didn't have to. I probably would as well. The key is that it shouldn't be mandatory because without the power to decide to give the money, it becomes theft.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 29 (view)

No message hierarchy -> confusion Posted: 6/5/2005 2:41:13 PM
I do understand that people come from different circumstances and this of course dramatically affects how they will turn out. And there are many people out there that genuinely want to improve and are stopped by such concerns as money and family problems. The problem is that so many people in our country will just use this as a perpetual excuse and constantly expect special favors (such as welfare, handouts, tax incentives) and never really intend to improve themselves. In this capitalistic utopia there will be ample opportunity for even the disadvantaged to rise above their circumstances and make something more of themselves, but I'm not saying it will be easy because it won't. Oh and my parents have probably never read Ayn Rand and many of my political views they would probably not agree with. Also FYI, I voted for Gore in 2000 because of his campaign pledge to reduce the deficit, so I think my political views are more than the sum of my parents'. Many young adults that do go against the politics of their family (usually in the context of Republican families and Democratic rebellious youngsters) I would guess is done for under the pretense of rebellion than any actual conviction for liberal ideals.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 26 (view)

No message hierarchy -> confusion Posted: 6/5/2005 1:41:01 PM
Oh and Chryso, I didn't take offense at your post per se (changing the title perhaps a little though), I was just curious as to who you were referring moved to Iran? Is it some celebrity whose name is escaping me at the moment?

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 25 (view)

No message hierarchy -> confusion Posted: 6/5/2005 1:38:42 PM
Yes of course. That's the thing - perfect equality on earth is an unattainable myth, because there will always be laziness in the world, and freeloaders just sitting by and waiting to take advantage of other people's work. So we as a society might as well quit pretending this isn't the case and face reality. The most startling thing about this is that you seem reasonably intelligent and, even worse, you seem to take this position even AFTER having thought about it for more than a fleeting moment. Nittany, you never actually provide a reason for why this is a bad idea. Fact of the matter is that there are thousands of toll roads in America today. I used to live in Illinois where I think there's a higher concentration of them because I drove down quite a few of them (and they seemed to generally be in better repair and more modern-looking than public roads). And before the era of FDR and big government, toll roads were the norm for automobile transportation. I'm not sure why you want to deny the existence and viability of toll roads in the face of fact. Oh and thanks for yours (and others') great faith in that I am "reasonably intelligent" as that seems to be a common theme in this thread!

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 18 (view)

I see, so BS is defined as anything that you don't agree with Posted: 6/5/2005 9:07:58 AM
I believe its rediculous that you accept the numbers posted on that website as the unmitigated truth, especially defense spending in 2004. If you have a more reliable source for budget figures than the White House itself, I would be surprised. Perhaps supplemental Iraq requests were not included but I think these figures make it clear that entitlement/welfare funding far exceeds defense spending. What I can't see is someone paying to maintain say the Palm Springs, CA to Phoenix, AZ stretch of interstate freeway. If nobody needs the road then, why build it? On the other hand, if people really do need it (as I suspect is the case) they will be willing to pay to drive on it. Having corporations analyze to know whether or not the road would be profitable before building it ensures the money will go to good use. Hey, Them. If the American taxation becomes too oppressive, are you going hightail it over to Iran and stay there like the last one did? Huh? Who are you referring to? I'm not likely to leave the country anytime soon (my pal Bush was elected so I'm in heaven here now with some policies that actually make sense being promoted for a change). Also, I have Ayn Rand books, read many of them. 'Selfishness IMHO is NOT a virtue' and I keep the book as a reminder. You are corrrect, it is not a virtue and in itself not a highly desirable human trait. But the fact is that it helps to create the only economic model that really makes sense, and is perfectly fair and equitable for all (like I said this doesn't mean we all get equal dibs on what society produces but rather we get what we WORK for). I noticed he didn't even bother to try and post a reply to anything I said I was extremely busy yesterday so I apologize for not devoting all my time to answering POF forums. Besides I think we've both stated our opinions pretty clearly and it's not likely we're going to change each other's minds. Oh, and as far as playing laser tag with cars goes, how much money are we going to spend to set this up so the people of America can spend even more money maintaining this? I believe an RFID system would work fine with this, and these systems are quite cheap. We use them extensively at the place where I work and I've heard them used in many other places. Sorry I don't have any figures and unless you do, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this point.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 10 (view)

Progressive taxation Posted: 6/4/2005 8:35:40 AM
I was so floored by the "build your own roads" suggestion that I almost reacted and wasted a whole lot of time repeating what you said. I know it may seem a little exotic, but in fact this is exactly what Brazil has been doing to lower its public expenditures. That country is doing awesome in terms of fiscal restraint! They have a budge surplus (not counting national debt interest) of about 5% of GDP and this is really impressing international investors. Anyway, nobody says you have to slow down traffic and have formal toll stations in a system like this. Just have some laser scanning device to identify your car and automatically charge you money when you drive down the road. I was in Europe a few years ago and this is exactly what they do on many of their roads. I'm not sure why you would be so floored by this idea. Do you think it would be right for me to demand money from you to fix up my neighborhood roads? Oh but you live in a different state so you wouldn't have to. But I can't say many of the rest of the ~1.5 million people living in Idaho would be likely to drive down my neighborhood road either so is it right for them to pay for them?

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 5 (view)

Progressive taxation Posted: 6/3/2005 11:09:03 PM
Where should the money for highways, education, defense, on-and-on, etc. come from? Highways - toll roads built by private corporations. Why should I pay for a road I will never drive on? (like I am now for a big road being built in northern Idaho) I say if you want a nice new road to drive on, you should have to pay for it yourself. What right do you have to demand money from me for something like this I may never have any use for?? It's robbery, plain and simple. Maybe with a little private incentivization highway projects wouldn't take so horribly long to complete as well (I don't know what it's like where you come from but I see road construction machinery sitting idle FAR more often than I see it in use on the side of the highways). Education - private schools. Everyone knows that they are far superior to public schools. If there was greater demand for them and the government didn't have the right to pickpocket people like me who have to pay for public schools when I don't even have kids in them, people would consequently have more money available to spend for private schooling. As for your schooling experience, there is little incentive for public teachers to be intelligent because the system pays so poorly now because of inefficient government handling. Defense - I agree that that is something that can't be provided effectively in the private marketplace, so it is one of the FEW things that should be funded publicly. Montrealguy - who says there have to be any loopholes in a perfect world? I say go for a flat tax. That's the direction many other countries are headed. Russia just instituted a flat tax of 12% and it's been very popular. Also I'm not saying there would be perfect equality by any stretch of the imagination in my perfect world. Rather, you earn what you work for. If you contribute more to society than a McDonald's worker, of course you should be more entitled to amenities such as a nice expensive TV. If you're too lazy to work hard or get a decent education, you should have to live with all of the consequences.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 4 (view)

Progressive taxation Posted: 6/3/2005 10:57:31 PM
Igotooso - I'm not claiming all of that came from fact but this is rather a picture of how I (and probably many conservatives) tend to view taxation and all. Actually though, there's a lot more that goes into social programs and welfare than you might think. I just looked this up and in fact for FY2004 the amount spent on social programs was more than double that for defense, and that doesn't even include state funding of social programs, which is at least as gigantic as federal funding of them (and of course states don't spend money for defense)! Check out this link from the White House if you don't believe me: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2004/budget.html (click on Summary Tables) In my mind that kind of spending for entitlement (read: this means a PRIVILEGE not a right) is just ridiculous. I just read in the WSJ today that if spending for welfare and entitlement continues at its current growth rate, the federal government will account for 50% of GDP by 2040. Even by 2008 the White House projects defense spending will be approaching 1/3 that for social programs. In 1933 (right before socialist FDR) the government was about 3% of GDP, today it is about 17%. Government is known to be less efficient than individuals so why should we add to this burden through continued patronization of these draining and expensive social programs?

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 1 (view)

Progressive taxation Posted: 6/2/2005 10:00:30 PM
Basically what I am wondering is, why does so much of the world think that "progressive taxation" is a good thing? Just FYI to some people, this means lower income people are taxed at a lower percentage than richer people. Remember where tax money comes from. It doesn't grow on trees but comes from living breathing human beings. Absence of taxation is not a bad thing, in fact that is the ideal situation (but in theory we all "agree" to taxes through the "social contract" demonstrated by Hobbes I believe it was, in an effort to get greater gain than we would otherwise be able to attain by ourselves). Here are some examples of how modern-day taxation works. Mr. John Q Public works his rear off to provide for his family through a modest $50,000 a year he makes. Unfortunately Democrats are in power though so they decide to fleece him good and tax him 40%, or $20,000. So basically Mr. John Q Public is a slave to the government for the first 40% of each year because he never sees that money that is taxed from him. Most of it goes to welfare and entitlement programs. But near the end of May (the 146th day of the year, 40% of it) he finally becomes free of his indentured servitude and can actually keep the money he makes! The Civil War only freed some of us from slavery for about 60% of the time, but this percentage decreases as you make less money because of the delightsome progressive taxation system. Then you have Mr. John R Public who didn't really try much in high school (his teachers all hated him and gave him low grades out of spite). He also had a tough childhood and so thinks the world owes him something. He makes $15,000 a year at McDonalds because only rich snobs can find the money to go to college. But he is in a band that he plans to make millions with someday and spends all his free time and money on that. He is very bad with money and frequents payday loan establishments which charge gigantic amounts of interest. So he is lucky to keep up with just the interest payments on his $20,000 of outstanding loans, some of which he took to get a nice shiny new car to impress the ladies. He only pays about 10% or $1500 in taxes each year because he's in a low tax bracket, and lucky for that because there's no way he could afford more! So anyway Saritomi I think you get my point and maybe that helps you to understand the conservative point of view a little better. I'm all for personal responsibility and it is sad that so many people never seem to be able (or want to) achieve this.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 264 (view)

Sterilization (Perm./Temp) of Welfare Moms Posted: 6/2/2005 9:10:18 PM
Hmm.. not in U.S. society. I don't know about Canada. I already showed you the U.S. Census shows we make 50 - 75% less than males. Well not in my major (chemical engineering). When I graduated, the statistics actually showed that women made marginally more than men for starting salaries ($1000-$2000 more). We're pretty much equal coming out of school, so if women are truly being discriminated based on their sex, shouldn't it be reflected here? Or perhaps it is because some women quit their jobs for a couple years to raise a family, and then come back to the workforce, but with fewer years of experience than their male colleagues, and hence don't earn quite as much and bring the statistics down? Oh and that should read "25-50% less than males", not 50-75% (please don't tell me you think that!).

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 12 (view)

Truly, Madly Deeply.......... Posted: 5/30/2005 3:31:50 PM
Beka - careful there, that's a little worrisome that you have such strong feelings for someone you've never even met in person. I've had a couple online relationships not quite as time-consuming as yours, but nonetheless they have this disturbing tendency of ending abruptly upon meeting. And my roommate has relationships like yours on almost a monthly basis, where he talks to a girl for hours on end, practically every night, that almost always turn out horrible upon meeting. I'm not saying yours will necessarily be bad, just remember that nothing can substitute for actually meeting someone in the flesh, and leave your options open.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 56 (view)

the next big threat Posted: 5/28/2005 4:02:00 PM
3. MacArthur also repeatedly stated that he believed that dropping the bomb was completly unnecessary. The dropping of the bomb was not a decision made by the military, it was a decision made by congress. I recall hearing something about MacArthur being opposed to the A-bomb dropping as well. However I doubt that MacArthur's reasons for opposing it were entirely patriotic. The invasion of southern Kyushu was slated to be massive, even bigger than D-Day in Normandy. MacArthur would have gone down in the history books as the head of the biggest amphibious landing ever (because as coincidence would have it, he was going to be the commander of the operation!). I think we both realize MacArthur was a good general but certainly quite vain, and he hungered for glory just like some of his contemporaries (such as Montgomery and Patton). Perhaps this blinded him to military prudence in the situation. The decision to drop the bomb was never made by Congress; I'm not sure where you got that fact. Truman was the one that gave the order. And contrary to Bulldogmedic, it was actually a very easy and relatively inconsequential decision for him, as he saw it as an quick means of ending the war and saving American lives (he didn't really care so much about the Japanese lives that were saved). He never hesitated to use the bomb (I saw a show on PBS on the last days of WWII Pacific a couple months back that said this).

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 15 (view)

Sterilization (Perm./Temp) of Welfare Moms Posted: 5/28/2005 3:41:19 PM
A better solution to this dilemma is just cut off welfare. Why should I be forced (through taxes) to pay for welfare moms to mass produce babies? You shouldn't have children if you can't afford to support them. The root cause of the problem is that many people don't want to take responsibility for themselves and instead depend on the government for their existence, which is a sad state of affairs. In such a case you never really "grow" beyond childhood and discover what it truly means to be a man or woman. If I wasn't forced to help fund welfare, I might be persuaded to contribute out of sympathy, but since the system is picking my pocket right now, I have very little inclination to do so.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 13 (view)

Aside from catching up on sleep, what is the reason you go to church? Posted: 5/28/2005 3:14:00 PM
I used to be Catholic and just like many of you said, it was a struggle to stay awake. The problem with Catholicism is that it's just so old and stale and has accumulated thousands of years of pointless rituals into each and every mass. Did you know that they used to be performed in Latin before the Vatican FINALLY gave in (I think in the 1960's) and permitted them to be spoken in local languages?? That is just crazy. I think many Catholics are too afraid of ending the family tradition of Catholicism and so instead of looking for other more fulfilling faiths just stop going to church and stop being spiritual (while still terming themselves Catholic). For about a decade I did exactly this and was nonreligious (agnostic) but now I have found a religion that makes much more sense and I feel energized and endowed with a more positive attitude and strength to get through the week in going to church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). It is more personal, the people take it more seriously, the things it asks of us make total sense (don't smoke, don't drink alcohol), and it just makes you feel so great sometimes (of course everyone has their down times though). I'm sure there are many other religions out there that have the potential to be more fulfilling than regularly falling asleep in the services though. The reason many people go to church (sometimes in spite of boredom) is to feel there is a greater purpose in life than hedonism and accumulating the most toys before you die.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 20 (view)

Who would win the Canadian Federal Election if it's called this spring. Posted: 4/30/2005 12:49:21 AM
I care who Canadians elect. The leaning of their government does influence us as Americans. Just look at the Missile Shield, or as the liberal Canadian government calls it, their Free Ride to Missile Defense (FRMD). Just a few months ago Bush asked the Canadian government for a contribution to this program that naturally protects Canada as well, and they refused to help at all. And although Canada gets most of its culture from America, some Canadian culture surely sifts down from the north, such as hefty state taxation (I can't believe some Canadian governments tax so extortionately - upwards of 20% for the upper income bracket in some provinces!!) or homosexual marriage. Just look at Venezuela with our good friend Hugo Chavez, whose goal is to stymie the US at any chance he gets, and to build up an antagonistic nationalistic pan-South American dictatorship. Although the world is getting smaller through efficient transportation, geographic proximity is still something that needs to be taken into account.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 53 (view)

Turds or Tootsie Rolls? Posted: 4/21/2005 7:34:53 PM
Oh, and I like politics but wouldn't want to be one...I would have no interest in representing my constituency but would prefer to stick by my own beliefs and thus would be bad at compromising, that fundamental trait of politicians. And honesty is certainly not a virtue for them either. I would start off my term by saying "Social Security is the most screwed up concoction ever invented and I want to eliminate it immediately". Then all the seniors would hate me with a passion and they, being the largest voting bloc, would get rid of me quick. It's unfortunate that people demand unethical leaders like this.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 51 (view)

Turds or Tootsie Rolls? Posted: 4/21/2005 7:31:41 PM
Salamander - what needs clarification? Basically I was saying that player men can take the abuse that women tend to dish out in courtship, such as lack of commitment, not following up, openly showing interest in other suitors. "Nice guys" often don't have the stomach for these things. When encountered by this behavior they will just assume "she's not interested" or otherwise think she's unkind and cease pursuing her. So if you see a guy you think is a nice guy, you risk losing him if you treat him like all other suitors (player and non-player). Take me for instance. I have pursued some girls in the metropolitan area I live in and they always respond like this (noncommital, show no interest, don't return calls) because it's something of a girl-standard. Sometimes they will realize I've lost interest though and start being kind again (I do have SO many of the things girls SAY they are looking for in a spouse and am tall), but by that time I have no interest in talking further to them. Kindness is a virtue and something I absolutely demand from a significant other. I think "the game" is stupid and unworthy of a decent human being. Sorry for the confusion, I guess I like using long words a little too much. BTW pneumoniaultramicroscopicsylvolcanoconis is the longest word in the English language...I'm sure you all were dying to know that.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 41 (view)

Everyone has one, what's yours? Posted: 4/21/2005 6:51:22 PM
I agree redneck, the quicker the better. Why waste time talking to someone you may not be compatible with, or who doesn't have the willpower to decide to meet you in the first place?

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 47 (view)

Online dating is like cleaning a cat's litter box Posted: 4/21/2005 6:46:50 PM
As far as the men out there who are gunning for nothing but sex - Kristine many men are like that but not all. I and most friends of mine (believe it or not) are strict believers that you should not have sex before marriage. I have always believed that, even before joining a church that promotes it major league. Like I just said in another post though, men that are wanting sex or otherwise quick-gratification relationships though will let you hook up with them easily because they have no problem with the abuse many women dish out to potential suitors as a matter of course, due largely because of the supply-demand fashion in which dating is handled. The more valuable, so called "nice guys" you have to put forth more effort with. Namely call them when you say you will, don't insult their intelligence with lame excuses on why you can't go out, and generally treat them like you would like to be treated. Maybe you aren't this way but certainly many women are.

Themistocles

Joined: 3/1/2005

Msg: 24 (view)

Not Sure What To Think! Posted: 4/21/2005 6:32:16 PM
I stopped by a friend's place for a few minutes, and couldn' stay. While I was there she complained to me that her husband didn't focus enough time on her and the children, and he doesn't help out enough around the house! Ha, that's nothing. I know a couple where the guy doesn't help out around the house or with children, and also is unemployed and makes no effort to get a job, AND he abuses her.

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