...and I am as surprised as you, but I am almost completely serious now. We need NRA for gamers. We need:

No. Because. Fuck You. Association.

Only then we can have some peace. For the record, as a kid, I played most of the violent games of the day. I am hardly a violent person; in fact, I am mildly derided for not being aggressive. Maybe I had a proper outlet..

But what do I know. I am just a mass of inluences in the culture that propagates violence at every turn.

I know. Maybe we could ban wars. Wait, I know. People cause wars. Maybe we could ban people. That would prevent wars and violence. No people. No violence. No problem...

.. but it is a little scary. My first thought was that he was essentially to carry out a simple mission. Few people would go out of their way to be on a jury. I don't know if he was paid off ( if so, good job ), had an axe gring ( if so, great job) or simply wanted some fame (mostly meh then ) from being a part of the jury on one of the relatively big cases.

  Unfortunately, we won't know any time soon and anything else, at this point, is nothing but speculation. It is a shame, because I am starting the enjoy the ride. Pass the popcorn plz

I am always amused when I discuss freedom of speech in America. People have this beaten into their heads that they are free. When you tell them all the ways they are not they look like a kicked puppy.

On a not entirely unrelated note, my GF once told me that she does not want to read Mein Kampf because she is afraid she is going to be flagged... and she was a history major strongly interested in WW2. How can you possibly claim any expertise on the subject if you do not read sources? Even if they are forbidden knowledge:P

The anecdote with GF is to show that I think most people know something is wrong on a deep, unconscious level; they just do not want to rock the boat.

"For one thing, how exactly is it stealing when many nations worth of companies invested in their oil extraction infrastructure but some how not worth mentioning when the Iranians Nationalized assets that belonged to foreign corporations?"

I am not putting anything in your mouth^^; Merely extrapolated dear Watson.

Hmm, how distant is distant? In our current culture... it seems distant after about a week, if not weekend. What do you propose as a line for 'let bygones be bygones?

  I also like the sweeping generalization of 'no one is innocent'. At least it better describes the human condition. The thing about truism is that you can't argue with them:P

I just want to give you some perspective. The people in the south are still remembering the civil war and not an insignificant number harbors ill feelings towards the north.

If we talk about the past, it is to explain the present. Ignoring it is.. well, stupid.

Your argument is: everyone is doing it, so it is ok for us to do it too.

What about all those ideals we are all supposed to live up to... you know, democracy, liberty, rights and stuff? Or is that just part of the ignorance I am supposed take in stride, because everyone knows those just codewords?

My point is, this is now, and trying to trying to behave like we are the innocent ones in all this is just sad. And so is ignoring the past.

That was about the smartest comment I read today.

Bring up the Holy Cyber Grenade of Antioch!

Uhh... you truly do believe that whatever happened previously does not influence the present? Most people are simply amused when they see/hear people wringing their hands crying: why do they hate us*sob*? .... and continue doing so after you give a list of reasons.

No one is saying the West the is source of all evil. I just want someone to say the truth or at least live up to some of the ideals we are supposedly supposed to embody as a nation.

It is hilarious/depressing (depending on your philosophical bent) otherwise.

Yes, and being surprised at people being mildly annoyed when a foreign nation basically destroys their government structure is not one sided. I just want to make sure I understand your argument: it is ok to subvert democratically chosen government to uphold the profits of a corporation?

lol:> Everything is history, eventually.

My irony radar is a little off today:P

I am just curious. Does it mean it is a-OK to essentially dethrone a government legally chosen by its constituency?