There is a subtle difference between expressing ones views and defending them
I'd argue, that the difference is merely quantitative — as in, how much you are willing to say (or do) in support of your opinion before shrugging and walking away. As opposite to qualitative — as in whether you are willing to say (or do) anything at all.
Defending one's view presupposes that the view has come under attack. Expressing one's view does not.
The only views worth having are those that need no defense. They are well-supported by established evidence.
Would care to defend this view? How about a Periklynian dialog?
Nope. I have no need to. And certainly not in public, on the internet, with a stranger. That sort of activity is, like sex, best done in private and with people I know and trust.
There is a subtle difference between expressing ones views and defending them that you (and others) may have missed.
Views that are worth having are worth defending against opposing ones.
Why exactly? They are your views. Why do you need to defend them? Either they hold up on their own, or they don't.
In fact, I would argue that the exact opposite is true. The only views worth having are those that need no defense. They are well-supported by established evidence. All views should be treated with a commensurate level of skepticism based on the evidence available to support them.
Given the neighborhood and Iran's intent to make their own nukes, can you blame them?
Uh... you know *why* Iran wants nukes, right? It is precisely because a nearby military rival has them. Israel is right to be scared by that prospect, but they will only have themselves to blame in the end. I don't see things working out well for that area of the world long term.
Add my cynical prediction to the list:
The real news is, someone is still using Google Plus.
Why? What do you use? The facebook? (snicker)
Cost of living (COL) is one thing... quality of life (QOL) is another. I moved from Colorado to Chicago. I did that because the pay was better and it seemed that the COL was about equivalent based on a number of online COL calculators. What one realizes when one gets here is that the COL for the same QOL is actually quite a bit higher. Now, I feel like I came out ahead, but not as far ahead as I had imagined.
Here's the deal: the COL is based on the average cost of housing, food, energy, transportation, taxes, etc; the stuff that makes up the average household budget. Housing and taxes typically account for the largest factors in COL differences. For Chicago, housing prices includes some real hell-holes, where the likelihood of getting shot is higher than some places in the world we consider war zones. This accounts for a surprisingly large part of the city's south and west sides. Buying a home in a "safe" part of the city is rather expensive, or one lives way out in the suburbs and spends hours and $$$ commuting each day. Overall, the average quality of life for the same income in Chicago is much lower.
So, if you consider moving for money, take into account not just COL but also QOL.
I have yet to see an online COL calculator take both into account. If you know of one, post a link.
Happiness is twin floppies.