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ricarleite

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9-Apr-2004
Last activity
21-Aug-2020
Posts
6,592

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Post
#208172
Topic
A Series of Questions for Socialism's Proponents
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/208172/action/topic#208172
Time
Originally posted by: skyjedi2005
"I would love if we had a single tyrant that ruled the world, but did good things."

It scare me that you think this is a good idea, did you ever see revenge of the sith?


LOL I hardly think that would be a good example, but still... And Palpatine did good things? Remember what Obi-Wan said: "Anakin, Palpatine is Evil!"
Post
#208163
Topic
Pizza Stone v.2
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/208163/action/topic#208163
Time
Here's a curious discussion I'd like to propose. Pizzas ALWAYS have tomatoe sauce, right? Well, here in Brazil, only the state I live in - in which a massive ammount of italian immigrants and further generations live - pizza is done the traditional italian way. With tomatoe sauce, on a proper log oven (not propane or electric), with the proper dough...

Now, if you eat a pizza OUTSIDE this state (São Paulo), you'll get a thin, crappy pizza with NO sauce on it, cheese directly into the dough, on electric ovens, and get this... people smear ketchup, mustard and even mayonase on it. If you do that here, where I live, people will think you are some sort of lunatic (or an outsider). It is even considered bad etiquette on some pizza places around here, to ask for ketchup.

So, my question is, HOW are pizzas prepared where you live, and do you commit the CRIME of putting ketchup, or... God forbid, mayonase on it??
Post
#208003
Topic
Nintendo Wii
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/208003/action/topic#208003
Time
Originally posted by: Bossk
I get the feeling speech therapists will soon be making money hand over foot as parents, not realizing that their kids are calling this thing a Wiimote because that's the actual name, start signing their kids up for therapy like there's no tomorrow.


Those of you who have children of their own... After this E3... Fear X-Mas...
Post
#207829
Topic
the SONY press conference.
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207829/action/topic#207829
Time
I was talking to some people in forums, and even with Chaltab here yesterday about this crappy move by Sony. So what we have now is a console as expensive as the 3DO, with hardware no better than the Xbox360, copying their xbox live functionalities, and what is worse, doing a crappy copy of the Wiimote. Let me tell you a little bit about that:

Sony had this boolmerange controller, that was the official controller for the PS3. Very cute. Then, Nintendo shows the revolutionary Wiimote. Sony suddenly STOPS showing the controller. The boolmerange disapears. No information. And now, they show up this dual shock, with NO rumble, with a gyroscope inside. That's right. It's not like Nintendo's controller, that captures it's positioning anywhere, this PS3 crap only has a Wario Twisted inside, a freaking gyroscope. And the best part is: Sony gave the Warhawk group only 2 weeks to implement motion sensoring into their game. So they came up with that crappy imitation just now!

Sorry, but Sony has lost.
Post
#207723
Topic
Brilliant Article about 'white guilt'
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207723/action/topic#207723
Time
Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab
Originally posted by: ricarleite
Originally posted by: Darth Chaltab

Equitable distrubution of wealth. Right. How exactly is that good or healthy for anyone?


Ask poor people out there. Yes, that 80% of the world.


Ric, if you were poor would you really want the government handing you a paycheck of money someone else earned and payed in taxes? I seriously doubt it.

The problem of poverty WILL NOT be solved by taxing the rich for the benefit of the poor. To help the poor, the only ethical way is to help them GAIN THE MEANS to overcome their poverty: education*, job creation, economic independence.

You know the analogy, cliche as it is, that you can catch a man a fish and feed him for a day, but teach a man to fish and you feed him for life. It's the same principle that the socialist agenda crowd completely ignores.


I love that fishing men analogy too. But you would be surprised on how many people in the world don't even have access to a fishing pole.
Post
#207722
Topic
A Series of Questions for Socialism's Proponents
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207722/action/topic#207722
Time
* sigh * I hate editing quotes...

Originally posted by: JediSage

It dosen't work because there IS capitalism around
So it doesn't work because of a competing system?

Hmn, well, in a way, yes, but not exactly as to competition. It's kinda like, you have a black and white 14 inches TV set, and right next to you, ready to be plugged, a nice 50 inches widescreen plasma 1080p HDTV. Not sure the analogy was 100% effective but still...

Originally posted by: JediSage

1. Since socialst nations have existed in the past and failed, what do you attribute their failure to? Is it reasonable to believe that these "obstacles" can be overcome in the short term?

Failed due to economical imbalance, improper investments in a war machine, personal greed, tyrany, inability to cope with today's globalized market.

Does the system's obvious weaknesses (failure to meet changing market forces, inability to cope with human nature(greed, laziness, etc)) not mean that it's NOT the best system? Or are we talking "theory" or "on paper" socialism?


I agree. Maybe the system takes some stuff for granted.

Originally posted by: JediSage

2. Were any of these nations imperialistic in nature, meaning did they expand beyond their national borders and conquer territory not in their possession prior to the Bolshevic revolution of the early part of the 20th century?

USSR did but not after the period you have mentioned

What about the BLOC states it obsorbed during and after WWII (Hungary, Romania, East Germany, Ukraine, etc)?


I was sort of considering them to be part of the iron curtain, therefore USSR, but yes.

Originally posted by: JediSage

China did

North Korea and Vietnam as well.


Vietnan merely took the whole country as a whole. And what did North Korea conquer?

Originally posted by: JediSage

4. If inequitable distribution of wealth is the cause of crime and social injustice, how do you explain people who are wealthy that committ crimes?

Drugs, greed, passion crimes, and insanity. Pretty much it.

Is there a moral component in society that gives people a sense of right and wrong or is that a state issue?


Basically, moral, based on ethics, education, good social conditions, and stuff like that.

Originally posted by: JediSage

5. Is brute labor the only force that is essential to the prosperity and equality of a society?

Uh... no. Point is?

See point below re: incentive to strive.


OK...

Originally posted by: JediSage

8. What incentive does a person who has guaranteed health care, housing, food, water, and clothing have to strive for a better life?

If they have that, not only as a guarantee on a paper, why would they need it?

Because in a system in which everyone gets "...according to his needs", why would anyone need.....the new Power MAC or Nintendo Revolution (I refuse to call it Wii) when the Commodore 64 will do the job? According to his needs puts a glass ceiling on innovation. The progress the soviets made in the space race was due to the needs of the state, not the needs of any individual.


Totally agree. Thing is, what do you prefer, to play with the Wii while children are starving next door, or to play with the Commodore knowing everyone has one? Should we sacrifice "progress" for the well-being of the rest of the world? Also, is it really necessary to? What exactly would be sacrificed? Electronic goods?

Originally posted by: JediSage

9. For socialism to be truly implemented, the government must assume vast powers. Once assumed, what guarantee is there that the government will not abuse these powers?

None. Ethics. That's why it dosen't work.


Should it continue to be persued given it's shortcomings?


If at first you don't succeed... than dust yourself and try again! You can dust it off and try again, try again...

Seriously now, should we continue to persue wars given it's shortcomings? And please don't answer that only at the point of view of the war winners...

But, on the other hand, I agree that a socialist society, let alone a communist one, is sort of uthopic, not due to flaws on how it is done, but on the behaviour of men. It asumes we'll all behave. Maybe some years in the future we will, if we don't nuke ourselves before that.

Originally posted by: JediSage

10. Do people try to accumulate more or less power?

More power, less responsability. Power is not the problem. I would love if we had a single tyrant that ruled the world, but did good things.


I've had that discussion as well. A benevolent dictator....sadly not to happen (in our lifetime, at least).


The dictator from Qatar is quite a nice fellow. Again, seriously speaking, it is possible. Isn't the Queen of England a nice person? Oh, uh... bad example. The British Royal Family, when they had political power, did some nasty things. Not to its own people, but still...

Originally posted by: JediSage

11. What if 1 or 2 people in said country decided they didn't feel socialism was right for them. Would the government be justified in using any and all means to implement the system for the greater good?

No. But they could say "If you are not happy, get out of here and go live in France!", sounds familiar anyway.


Is coersion via "Go live in France" an acceptable substitute for violence?


Works in the US of A.

Originally posted by: JediSage

13. In a socialist system, who's interests should/will take precedence in case of child rearing? Parents, or the State?

At school, state. Outside school, parents.


Does the state's interests lie in perpetuation of the system in spite of it's shortcomings? Should the state provide moral or ethical teachings that contradict those of a parent?


That's like when religious parents dosen't want their child to study Darwin at school. Home school then, if you want to.

Originally posted by: JediSage

14. Should religious institutions be permitted in socialist societies?

Why not?


Because they teach that there's a higher power than the state, and typically socialist countries are unwelcoming to religious insitutions.


Brazil was under a bloody, brutal dictatorship from 1964 to 1985 and supported the Church 100%. Also, a democratic socialist regime would have NO need to ban religion. Don't mix up the SYSTEM with FASCISM, there are facist regimes with no socialism envolvement at all.

Originally posted by: JediSage

16. Given that the socialist death toll is at 100 million and counting, vastly outpacing "facist" numbers, does socialism get a free pass because it's more "altruistic"...at least on the surface? Can any ideology that results in the death of even one life be considered to be altruisitic?

I don't remember reading on Karl Marx works that genocide was necessary. Don't mix up the system, to whom has tried to apply it.


No, but Marx's disciples have been implementing murder on a massive scale since the October Revolution.


Idi Amin Dada was also a mass murderer and not a socialist. Don't mix up the system with the crimes.

Originally posted by: JediSage

17. What is the difference between Facism and Communism? Do they not both lead to state control of the economy, thus making ideologies irrelevant?

Who do you think controls the economy in the US? Or UK? Or Australia? Facism is a ruling policy, comunism is an economical and social system.


Right, but they both result in totalitarian control OF the economy.


But in different ways.

Originally posted by: JediSage

"Supporting socialism for fear of facism is suicide for fear of death" - Not sure who said it but I LOVE it.


If socialism has resulted into people getting killed, and we should ban it from the world, why not ban cars or guns?

BY THE WAY, I support a free market capitalist society. I focus on PEACE and on making sure resources get everywhere. So before anyone calls me a communist bastard, there ya go.

Originally posted by: oojason
Besides, in a capitalist world it seems as long as people have a nice house, car, holidays, a big tv and are subjected to the mindnumbing blandness that appears on the majority of it, nearly everyone under capitialism are content - many of which have a 'so what' attitiude to the preventable and addressable horrific events that take place around the world.


Quite right. Consumism blinds everyone from seeing the problems with capitalism. Just because you are free and having good stuff, that dosen't mean everyone is. If you are too lazy to get a job or do anything, then you should starve, but it's not always fair.
Post
#207605
Topic
A Series of Questions for Socialism's Proponents
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207605/action/topic#207605
Time
That was quite one-sided, but it's ok. By the way, let me have this clear: socialism IS the best system, if it worked. It dosen't work due to greed. It dosen't work because there IS capitalism around, and people are seduced by the greed of having more. So let me try answering those the best way I can (and as fast as I can, dont wanna take too long):

1. Since socialst nations have existed in the past and failed, what do you attribute their failure to? Is it reasonable to believe that these "obstacles" can be overcome in the short term?

Failed due to economical imbalance, improper investments in a war machine, personal greed, tyrany, inability to cope with today's globalized market.

2. Were any of these nations imperialistic in nature, meaning did they expand beyond their national borders and conquer territory not in their possession prior to the Bolshevic revolution of the early part of the 20th century?

USSR did but not after the period you have mentioned... China did... That's pretty much it.

3. Were there "exceptions" to the socialist philosophies of these countries, meaning did any of the ruling class own nice automobiles or houses that were well beyond "....his needs"?

Not so present in China. A bit in Russia, yes... But most present in Cuba.

4. If inequitable distribution of wealth is the cause of crime and social injustice, how do you explain people who are wealthy that committ crimes?

Drugs, greed, passion crimes, and insanity. Pretty much it.

5. Is brute labor the only force that is essential to the prosperity and equality of a society?

Uh... no. Point is?

6. If wealth were to be "redistributed" from the "20%" of the world's population that control it, and then given to the other 80%, will despotic rulers and tyrants be disposed to give this wealth to their people, or keep it for themselves?

If they are nice enough... Theorically yes, logically no.

7. If they did give the money to their citizens, would the social and physical infrastructure of these other nations immediately improve? If so, how?

Asuming we keep a trade market, leveling up the poor would boost what is consumed and therefore generate income for the government to improve infrastructure. Not to say that some people would finally have a dignant life. So yes, it would.

8. What incentive does a person who has guaranteed health care, housing, food, water, and clothing have to strive for a better life?

If they have that, not only as a guarantee on a paper, why would they need it?

9. For socialism to be truly implemented, the government must assume vast powers. Once assumed, what guarantee is there that the government will not abuse these powers?

None. Ethics. That's why it dosen't work.

10. Do people try to accumulate more or less power?

More power, less responsability. Power is not the problem. I would love if we had a single tyrant that ruled the world, but did good things.

11. What if 1 or 2 people in said country decided they didn't feel socialism was right for them. Would the government be justified in using any and all means to implement the system for the greater good?

No. But they could say "If you are not happy, get out of here and go live in France!", sounds familiar anyway.

12. Is force justifiable in the redistribution of wealth?

If you mean violence then no.

13. In a socialist system, who's interests should/will take precedence in case of child rearing? Parents, or the State?

At school, state. Outside school, parents.

14. Should religious institutions be permitted in socialist societies?

Why not?

15. Of the examples the world has known so far, socialism as implemented in Cuba, China, North Korea, Soviet Union, etc; and capitalism as seen in the US, UK, Australia, etc: Which has offered the greater personal liberties to it's citizens?

US, UK, Australia. See above why.

16. Given that the socialist death toll is at 100 million and counting, vastly outpacing "facist" numbers, does socialism get a free pass because it's more "altruistic"...at least on the surface? Can any ideology that results in the death of even one life be considered to be altruisitic?

I don't remember reading on Karl Marx works that genocide was necessary. Don't mix up the system, to whom has tried to apply it.

17. What is the difference between Facism and Communism? Do they not both lead to state control of the economy, thus making ideologies irrelevant?

Who do you think controls the economy in the US? Or UK? Or Australia? Facism is a ruling policy, comunism is an economical and social system.

18. What is the difference between Marxist-Leninism vs Communism and can the more "pure" forms be implemented without innevitably deteriorating to totalitarianism?

Wow. School's final test deja vu. I feel I am not entitled to answer that correctly, so I won't. I am not sure how can it be implemented with deteriorating it to a facist regime.
Post
#207593
Topic
Flight 93
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207593/action/topic#207593
Time
Originally posted by: JarHead413
The amout of movies that would never have been made if everyone thought as you did, is astounding. This is not a hit against you....just an observation.


Mostly all biopics in which the portraited did not authorize and the filmmakers had a lot of creative freedom writing it.
Post
#207534
Topic
Flight 93
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207534/action/topic#207534
Time
Originally posted by: Warbler

Originally posted by: ricarleite

If the movie keeps a serious tone, like a... dramatized documentary, it dosen't sound as creepy and disrespectful as it did when I first saw the teaser trailer at... Memoirs of a Geisha if I'm not mistaken. I am comparing both this way because both envolved loss of innocent lifes.


IMHO, the tone of the movie very serious and not disrespectful. I have not seen Memoirs Of A Geisha so I can not compare the two.


No, I wasn't comparing Memoirs of a Geisha with it, I was just saying I first saw the teaser trailer when I saw that particular film.

Originally posted by: Warbler

Originally posted by: ricarleite

Both films used fictional characters. I found the movie "Alive" to be VERY disrespectful as well, even though most of them survived.


I have not seen Alive so again I can't compare the two. What was Alive about?


About the plane filled with Uruguayan rugby players that crashed in the Andes in the early 70s. They intercut scenes featuring people dying at the wrecks and eating out the flesh of the dead with comic releaf, so...


Originally posted by: Warbler

Originally posted by: ricarleite


And ok, maybe it's because it happened recently. If someone asked me to allow for a relative to be a character on such a movie, I would not allow. If this happened to me, I would be one pissed off angry ghost if they did a character out of me. I might be overreacting and twisting thing a little bit here, I agree, but why am I the only one shocked by the porpouse of this film?


I am not sure what I would have done if I were in position of the family member. One thing I am certain of : bribery would not work on me. I would not comprise my loved ones final moments for money. Ric you are not the only one upset by this movie, many in my country think it was too soon for a movie of this nature.


I wasn't saying they were bribed. It was a wrong statement by me, I apologise, I meant they were paid, in a legitimate way. Me, I wouldn't allow it AT ALL, no matter how much they paid me. A loved one dies and they wanna make a movie out of it? I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing that, let's say, people are watching my wife die while eating popcorn at the movies...
Post
#207318
Topic
Announcing: OT.Com Online Chess Tournament
Link
https://originaltrilogy.com/post/id/207318/action/topic#207318
Time
Originally posted by: Shimraa
ouch ric did you fall for the fools mate.


A variation, but yes. Not been paying attention... I hate when that happens. I'm to absent-minded to play chess.

One tricky thing about playing this way is that I come up with a strategy in my mind, and when I get to play again, a day later, I've forgotten what I was planning... "What? Why the hell did I move this pawn here? What was I thinking back then?"