Page 115 of 206 FirstFirst ... 1565105113114115116117125165 ... LastLast
Results 3,421 to 3,450 of 6159

Thread: Brexit Begins

  1. #3421
    Let sleeping tigers lie Khendraja'aro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the forests of the night
    Posts
    6,238
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    Please explain.
    I didn't think I'd have to spell it out for a native speaker. Then again, it's you I'm talking to.

    Let me give you two hints:
    a) When Nietzsche said that upon staring into the abyss the abyss would also stare back into you, he did not mean that in a positive way.
    b) Jumping into an abyss is usually an act one does not recover from. At all.
    When the stars threw down their spears
    And watered heaven with their tears:
    Did he smile his work to see?
    Did he who made the lamb make thee?

  2. #3422
    I don't consider Brexit to be an abyss though. Hazir does and it was his turn of phrase that I was repudiating.

    As for Tusk's 'place in hell' comments today, I think Milton summed it up best hundreds of years ago.
    Is this the Region, this the Soil, the Clime,
    Said then the lost Arch-Angel, this the seat
    That we must change for Heav’n, this mournful gloom
    For that celestial light? Be it so, since he
    Who now is Sovran can dispose and bid
    What shall be right: fardest from him is best
    Whom reason hath equald, force hath made supream
    Above his equals. Farewel happy Fields
    Where Joy for ever dwells: Hail horrours, hail
    Infernal world, and thou profoundest Hell
    Receive thy new Possessor: One who brings
    A mind not to be chang’d by Place or Time.
    The mind is its own place, and in it self
    Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.
    What matter where, if I be still the same,
    And what I should be, all but less then he
    Whom Thunder hath made greater? Here at least
    We shall be free; th’ Almighty hath not built
    Here for his envy, will not drive us hence:
    Here we may reign secure, and in my choyce
    To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
    Better to reign in Hell, then serve in Heav’n.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  3. #3423
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Amsterdam/Istanbul
    Posts
    12,312
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    I don't consider Brexit to be an abyss though. Hazir does and it was his turn of phrase that I was repudiating.

    As for Tusk's 'place in hell' comments today, I think Milton summed it up best hundreds of years ago.
    Actually, I don’t consider Brexit that. What I do consider jumping into the abyss is the clusterfuck your political class is setting you up for.

    And the funny thing is Randy, that you aren’t rich enough by a large margin to benefit from it. The pied pipers you so eagerly follow are. And what’s more; they are getting their money into safer havens than the UK.
    Congratulations America

  4. #3424
    Let sleeping tigers lie Khendraja'aro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the forests of the night
    Posts
    6,238
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    Hazir does and it was his turn of phrase that I was repudiating.
    You did an abysmal job of it, however.
    When the stars threw down their spears
    And watered heaven with their tears:
    Did he smile his work to see?
    Did he who made the lamb make thee?

  5. #3425
    There's a man goin' 'round, takin' names
    And he decides who to free and who to blame

  6. #3426
    Let sleeping tigers lie Khendraja'aro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the forests of the night
    Posts
    6,238
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    As for Tusk's 'place in hell' comments today, I think Milton summed it up best hundreds of years ago.
    Erm, that poem is not quite saying what you think it says. Basically, it's propaganda by Lucifer to make things look better than they are, so that his fellow fallen angels don't pillory him on the spot.

    Also, it's kind of funny how you're equating your position here with the king of hell. You do realize that Milton painted Satan as anything but a hero, right? Once again you show an aptitude for using the absolute worst of analogies...

    You would be wise to read the rest of the poem:

    “To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern repli’d.
    Apostat, still thou errst, nor end wilt find
    Of erring, from the path of truth remote:
    Unjustly thou deprav’st it with the name
    Of Servitude to serve whom God ordains,
    Or Nature; God and Nature bid the same,
    When he who rules is worthiest, and excells
    Them whom he governs. This is servitude,
    To serve th’ unwise, or him who hath rebelld
    Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee,
    Thy self not free, but to thy self enthrall’d;
    Yet leudly dar’st our ministring upbraid.
    Reign thou in Hell thy Kingdom, let mee serve
    In Heav’n God ever blessed, and his Divine
    Behests obey, worthiest to be obey’d,
    Yet Chains in Hell, not Realms expect: mean while
    From mee returnd, as erst thou saidst, from flight,
    This greeting on thy impious Crest receive.”
    When the stars threw down their spears
    And watered heaven with their tears:
    Did he smile his work to see?
    Did he who made the lamb make thee?

  7. #3427
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Amsterdam/Istanbul
    Posts
    12,312
    Quote Originally Posted by Khendraja'aro View Post
    Erm, that poem is not quite saying what you think it says. Basically, it's propaganda by Lucifer to make things look better than they are, so that his fellow fallen angels don't pillory him on the spot.

    Also, it's kind of funny how you're equating your position here with the king of hell. You do realize that Milton painted Satan as anything but a hero, right? Once again you show an aptitude for using the absolute worst of analogies...

    You would be wise to read the rest of the poem:
    Oh I missed that he started comparing Brexit to going to hell. Now I understand his odd misunderstanding of me a bit better.
    Congratulations America

  8. #3428
    Let sleeping tigers lie Khendraja'aro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the forests of the night
    Posts
    6,238
    I'm also not sure how this is so much better. Yes, they'd be reigning over hell. But it would still be hell.
    When the stars threw down their spears
    And watered heaven with their tears:
    Did he smile his work to see?
    Did he who made the lamb make thee?

  9. #3429
    Pertinent points from beeb article today:

    Quote Originally Posted by =BBC
    Bank forecasts worst year for UK since 2009

    The Bank of England expects growth this year to be the slowest since 2009 when the economy was in recession.

    It is forecasting growth of 1.2% this year, down from its previous forecast of 1.7% made in November.

    The Bank said it had seen further evidence that businesses were being cautious in the run-up to Brexit, including evidence from its own survey of firms.
    ...
    The Bank put the fall in growth down to a decline in business investment and housebuilding, as well as a halving of the growth rate in exports.

    The UK was also being hit by slower-than-expected growth in the eurozone and China, the Bank said in its Quarterly Inflation Report.
    ...
    There has been an "intensification" of Brexit uncertainties, the Bank said.

    Its survey of 208 firms showed that half had started putting plans in place for a no-deal Brexit.

    It also noted a sharp fall in business investment at the end of last year.

    "Uncertainty appears to have risen recently, and may have weighed on investment by more than had been expected in August," the Bank said.
    ...
    Many economists think that once the uncertainty over Brexit is lifted then the economy will accelerate and the Bank will have to raise interest rates to stop it overheating.

    However, recent economic data has indicated weakness in the UK economy. Growth in the service sector, the biggest part of the economy, appeared to have stalled in January, according to closely-watched survey of purchasing managers.
    ...
    While the Bank cut its growth forecast it also noted the strength of the labour market, where the unemployment rate is currently 4%.
    ...
    Britain's unemployment rate has hit its lowest level in more than 40 years.

    The Bank predicts that earnings will rise by more than 3% a year over the next three years.
    Brexit uncertainty drives down investment and stalls growth. Mitigated to some degree by strength in the labour market.

    Uncertainty uncertainty uncertainty. Not good for anyone. If only the full extent of Brexit had been fully analysed, all repercussions known, and all amendments to policy/trade/borders/diplomacy etc ready to switch, before the referendum was held. Here's looking at you Cameron, you short-sighted nitwit. Not to mention given that knowledge the referendum result would be very different anyway.
    Quote Originally Posted by Steely Glint View Post
    It's actually the original French billion, which is bi-million, which is a million to the power of 2. We adopted the word, and then they changed it, presumably as revenge for Crecy and Agincourt, and then the treasonous Americans adopted the new French usage and spread it all over the world. And now we have to use it.

    And that's Why I'm Voting Leave.

  10. #3430
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Amsterdam/Istanbul
    Posts
    12,312
    Quote Originally Posted by Timbuk2 View Post
    Pertinent points from beeb article today:



    Brexit uncertainty drives down investment and stalls growth. Mitigated to some degree by strength in the labour market.

    Uncertainty uncertainty uncertainty. Not good for anyone. If only the full extent of Brexit had been fully analysed, all repercussions known, and all amendments to policy/trade/borders/diplomacy etc ready to switch, before the referendum was held. Here's looking at you Cameron, you short-sighted nitwit. Not to mention given that knowledge the referendum result would be very different anyway.
    I think you can blame Cameron of a lot, but not of having no plan for Brexit; he never wanted it in the first place.
    Congratulations America

  11. #3431
    It doesn't matter if he wanted Brexit or not. Calling a referendum without a plan for each outcome is grossly irresponsible.
    There's a man goin' 'round, takin' names
    And he decides who to free and who to blame

  12. #3432
    It was a dumb move, but it was the natural culmination of several years of toxic, short-sighted Tory politics. The greatest fault lies with those politicians, pundits & media asshats who suckered voters into choosing the option they obviously had no idea how they'd deliver... and, of course, with the voters that let themselves be suckered, for whatever reason. The responsibility for delivering a palatable, workable Brexit lies with those who successfully pushed for Brexit and were tasked with sorting it out.
    "One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."

  13. #3433
    Quote Originally Posted by Aimless View Post
    It was a dumb move, but it was the natural culmination of several years of toxic, short-sighted Tory politics. The greatest fault lies with those politicians, pundits & media asshats who suckered voters into choosing the option they obviously had no idea how they'd deliver... and, of course, with the voters that let themselves be suckered, for whatever reason. The responsibility for delivering a palatable, workable Brexit lies with those who successfully pushed for Brexit and were tasked with sorting it out.
    People pushing for what they believe in isn't wrong. Incidentally given the EU's refusal to negotiate until after A50 how could anyone know what a "workable" Brexit is, if you define workable as being something we could reach a deal with the EU over?

    Actually Vote Leave put down a fairly comprehensive set of entirely compatible guidelines as to what they were proposing, including where trade-offs were required. They didn't claim what was known to be impossible like suggesting we would remain in the Single Market and end Freedom of Movement. Or negotiate our own trade deals while remaining in the Customs Union. Some Leave supporters (like Dan Hannan) do back an EEA style solution and remaining in the Single Market (and thus not ending freedom of movement) but the worked out compromise was that we would leave the SM and end FoM.

    What more could Leave campaigners have realistically done without either access to the Civil Service (Cameron had that) or to negotiate with the EU (who wouldn't negotiate prematurely)?
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  14. #3434
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    People pushing for what they believe in isn't wrong.
    I'm sure that if you try really hard you can think of some strong counter examples to this bollocks.
    There's a man goin' 'round, takin' names
    And he decides who to free and who to blame

  15. #3435
    No I can't. I have always opposed no platforming even for those I vehemently and bitterly oppose.

    Arguing for what you believe in isn't wrong. Though what you believe in certainly could be wrong.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  16. #3436
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Amsterdam/Istanbul
    Posts
    12,312
    To argue for something you believe in you need to be informed. I don't believe you have argued anything.
    Congratulations America

  17. #3437
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    What more could Leave campaigners have realistically done without either access to the Civil Service (Cameron had that) or to negotiate with the EU (who wouldn't negotiate prematurely)?
    Telling the truth would have been a good start. Running a legal and ethical campaign would have been another.

  18. #3438
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Amsterdam/Istanbul
    Posts
    12,312
    Honesty would have meant; we do not like the idea we have to pool our sovereign powers with people who are not like us and who we often do not trust. For this we are going to uproot our economy and risk disturbing our relationship with our closest neighbors for a long time. But it is worth it because we rather be poor and free than rich and tied down.
    Congratulations America

  19. #3439
    Let sleeping tigers lie Khendraja'aro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the forests of the night
    Posts
    6,238
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    No I can't. I have always opposed no platforming even for those I vehemently and bitterly oppose.
    I guess you're okay with letting the KKK and actual Nazis run through your streets then?

    You should read Popper on that point.

    “The so-called paradox of freedom is the argument that freedom in the sense of absence of any constraining control must lead to very great restraint, since it makes the bully free to enslave the meek. The idea is, in a slightly different form, and with very different tendency, clearly expressed in Plato.

    Less well known is the paradox of tolerance: Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them. — In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion, suppression would certainly be unwise. But we should claim the right to suppress them if necessary even by force; for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. We should claim that any movement preaching intolerance places itself outside the law, and we should consider incitement to intolerance and persecution as criminal, in the same way as we should consider incitement to murder, or to kidnapping, or to the revival of the slave trade, as criminal.”
    When the stars threw down their spears
    And watered heaven with their tears:
    Did he smile his work to see?
    Did he who made the lamb make thee?

  20. #3440
    Yes I am and I am ok with their opponents doing so too.

    I agree with Popper here. "In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion, suppression would certainly be unwise."

    Rational arguments trump no platforming.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  21. #3441
    Let sleeping tigers lie Khendraja'aro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the forests of the night
    Posts
    6,238
    Quote Originally Posted by RandBlade View Post
    Yes I am and I am ok with their opponents doing so too.

    I agree with Popper here. "In this formulation, I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies; as long as we can counter them by rational argument and keep them in check by public opinion, suppression would certainly be unwise."

    Rational arguments trump no platforming.
    You conspiciously missed the following sentence. One sign for a deceitful mind: Cherry-picking quotes to make them say the complete opposite of what the larger context stands for.

    Because Popper would most empathically rip you a new one for this idiocy.

    What he's arguing for is better summarized as: "No tolerance for intolerance."

    And not your false-equivalency idiocy which landed you in this mess in the first place. You'd probably cheerfully place a anti-vaxxer next to an actual scientist and then argue that both positions are of equal value.

    Again: When you try to use someone's arguments, read the whole of their arguments and not just the part you like. Your pathetic attempt to channel Milton shows how big a failure that can be, and you just showed it again with Popper.
    When the stars threw down their spears
    And watered heaven with their tears:
    Did he smile his work to see?
    Did he who made the lamb make thee?

  22. #3442
    I never said anything about value. I think anti-vaxxers are f***ing idiots who have a right to free speech and anyone with two brain cells to rub together have a right to criticise them. As for the rest of Popper's quote, there is a very important segment to it that you can't overlook, besides the bit I already quoted. "But we should claim the right to suppress them if necessary even by force; for it may easily turn out that they are not prepared to meet us on the level of rational argument, but begin by denouncing all argument; they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols."

    If anyone is using "fists or pistols" then absolutely we need to use force if necessary. If someone is using words then it isn't necessary yet. Your claim he is arguing for "no tolerance for intolerance" is utter bullshit, he explicitly says he is not saying that. Again "I do not imply, for instance, that we should always suppress the utterance of intolerant philosophies" - suppression should only be used if necessary.

    Your idea of universal suppression of intolerance is what Popper literally called "unwise". Moron.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  23. #3443
    Let sleeping tigers lie Khendraja'aro's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    In the forests of the night
    Posts
    6,238
    May I point you towards a very important word you seem to have overlooked in your analysis of his word?

    they may forbid their followers to listen to rational argument, because it is deceptive, and teach them to answer arguments by the use of their fists or pistols.
    "May". Not "will". This means, my dear Brexshiteer, this is merely a list of how you recognize the intolerant. But I fully expect that to fly over your head once again.

    Oh, and by the way: The Nazis and the KKK which you were oh-so-fond-of to provide a platform for - they're not exactly known for their non-violent nature. But, hey, feel free to provide the scum of the earth a platform to spew forth their drivel from. You're absolutely deluded if you think that "free speech" is an absolute.

    Why on Earth is that particular freedom to be put on a pedestal above everything else?

    Because it's convenient. That way you yourself don't have to move your fat ass and do something. No, you can wallow in your smug self-satisfaction that you have done everything you can by not doing anything at all. And because you probably like it, deep inside yourself. As of yet, pretty much everyone who defends Nazis pretty much is a closet one himself.
    When the stars threw down their spears
    And watered heaven with their tears:
    Did he smile his work to see?
    Did he who made the lamb make thee?

  24. #3444
    Yes they may, and if they do then we can react accordingly. If anyone is violent then we need to stop that violence. I don't defend Nazi's I defend the right to everyone to non-violent free speech. To quote someone else I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it ~ Evelyn Beatrice Hall

    This replies to your misunderstand of Popper better than I can.
    https://www.libertarianism.org/colum...adox-tolerance
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  25. #3445
    A confession:

    "One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."

  26. #3446
    "One day, we shall die. All the other days, we shall live."

  27. #3447
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Amsterdam/Istanbul
    Posts
    12,312
    Amsterdam municipality has calculated that so far 1937 new jobs were created in the Amsterdam area as the result of Brexit. This number is expected to rise well over 4000. FYI, Amsterdam has a population of about 800k. So if the number of 4000 is actually realized Brexit will have a significant effect on the local economy.
    Congratulations America

  28. #3448
    @RB: I'm curious to understand whether you want the EU to fail and whether you think Europe would be a better place without it.

  29. #3449
    No and not certain.

    I'm happy for the EU to succeed I just don't think its right for the UK. I draw the analogy between Canada and the USA, Canadians don't want America to fail, nor would most say the world would be a better place without America, but nor do Canadians want to be Americans.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ominous Gamer View Post
    ℬeing upset is understandable, but be upset at yourself for poor planning, not at the world by acting like a spoiled bitch during an interview.

  30. #3450
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    Amsterdam/Istanbul
    Posts
    12,312
    The analogy is wrong; Canada never was a part of the USA.
    Canada not being part of the USA doesn't hurt the USA. The UK leaving the EU will cause all sorts of damage and suffering.
    Congratulations America

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •