Gandler/Mission Digression

I just typed a really well organized reply to this (in my mind anyway lol), but my browser decided to reset , so I apologize if some of my responses are more curt or rushed this time, it is not meant to offend, but I hate typing the same responses twice, it is not meant to intend dismissal or offense at your statements:

Quote: Mission146

Gandler did make an excellent point about having pointless pride in something. I will continue to run the WoV Picks Game, but am hereby declaring I am no longer a fan of the NFL, or any other sport, any team and will no longer watch any of it.

I am not sure if this is sarcasm. But:

Sports are fine. We all have things we like to watch. My issue with sports is when fans get tribal. Fans literally kill fans of opposing teams for no reason other than the Jersey that they wear (this is more common than you may know), this happens in America, but it is even worse with Soccer fans in the EU and Latin America. I don't like sports personally (not a spectator, I find it boring to watch people play games, same reason I am not big on watching poker, if it is a game I like I would rather be playing)…. But, its a fine hobby, even being a fan is fine, but when people become tribal, that is when it gets scary...

Quote: Mission146

If they are so important, then we should not take any military action whatsoever aside from protecting everything within our borders and owned lands.

I could not disagree more. Our military stabilizes the world.

I am a NeoCon, and I am proud of the label (despite often being used by many including the President as a slur). I am liberal, but I believe in a strong foreign policy, peace and stability through strength. Just like how a body, wellness is achieved by taking care of your physical health, the gym is important, not just for outward appearances, but for your overall wellbeing which influences everyone in your life.

Quote: Mission146

Yeah, the scenery is nice.

Quote: Mission146

I don't idolize any countries. I just consider education the most important metric; they can have great education and still not be great on the whole. If there did exist a country that I found nothing wrong with, it would be because I've never been there and did not study enough on it. They are probably all terrible.

Many of the countries with top tier education (by your metrics) also have mandatory military service..... When you want the State to push you through higher education you often have to have more nationalized service. Which is a position I am agnostic on. I can understand both sides.

Quote: Mission146

First thing is that I will never enter a church or mosque again, so I'm not talking about harassing them in their own territory. Free association, and all. I'm talking about calling people out who speak on their religion in other public venues, such as parks and shopping venues. Intellectually destroy them, and then when our numbers are great enough, literally shout them down until they go running away. Make it so they are only comfortable discussing their religion in their own homes and churches and that maybe they hide their religious proclivities otherwise. Homosexual individuals, and others, had to do the same because of them.

Payback is such a *****, isn't it? Also, if we marginalize them as much as possible, more of them will abandon religion faster. We can subtly try to determine religious affiliations, if any, and not hire them as a result of same...for one thing. Their reign at the top is over and they will be completely destroyed, but through non-violent means.

Yeah I am sorry, could not disagree more. I am about as atheistic as it gets. But, if a friend or family has a wedding or event at a Church I will go and be respectful.

You must forgo a lot of weddings if your refuse to enter churches? ….

Also, I don't want payback. There are few as pro-LGB as me. But, I believe in treating people with respect. I would never be associated with a group that chases people down in the streets and shouts down speakers.....

Quote: Mission146

It's a good enough fiction-based philosophy book. It stands up there with most others.

I agree.

Quote: Mission146

If it's a net gain, I guess it's fine.

Yes, which is actually what turned my view on it. Though not living in the U.K. I really don't care that much, if they want their figurehead that is their decision. However, the House of Lords I find far more alarming.....

Quote: Mission146

They have not evolved as quickly because they choose not to evolve and to propagate their ridiculous beliefs to their children. More indoctrinate and brainwash, but six of one, you know.



No thanks to the South or the GOP. Where are those institutions mostly located, again?

They are located in the United States.

Many are actually in Texas thanks to the Tax relief. (Same reason many studios are moving to GA)….

Quote: Mission146

I'm not going to debate WWII because we certainly had every right to be involved as defense. Stabilizing the world economy would be the first time we care about the collective.

Yes. But, your point was that it was a virtual stalemate before America entered. No so. Axis was dominating, and would have dominated (especially Japan) if not for America. America, USMC and the Navy specifically, basically took on Japan island by island singlehandly.

Quote: Mission146

Military personnel who exist for any reason other than direct defense are a complete waste of money and should be entitled to no more compensation than what they already get, which is too much, for any reason.

Could not disagree more. Well for some of it.

I am not calling for increased salaries. (Though I am calling for increased education oppurnities which I guess count as a benefit).

For example I am in the Army Reserve. I am in a Reserve Medical Unit. We do a lot of good. None of it is " direct defense" related (much of it is hardly Army related)… We set up clinics in underserved areas of the country where anyone is seen and treated no questions asked (even pets in underserved areas are seen by Army Veterinarians), we perform COVID-19 responses, we backfill understaffed hospitals, we do humatarian aid oversees. I love the Army Reserves, and I don't even do anything medical related in the real world, but its a fun experience. For a part time job, I have had so many opportunities for specialized training that many people would have to pay to do (if they could do them at all) let alone get paid to go…. For a job where normally I work 2 days a month, its about the best part time gig you can get (especially the benefits you get for working part time, better than most full time jobs on health insurance alone)…. I think the compensation is very fair.

The American Military does more good and saves more lives than you realize.

I have never been Active Duty (fulltime military) and never want to be, for me I love the Reserves, though I respect people that choose it as a profession. But, we need a strong military to keep the world stabile. I believe we have a role to play in shaping the future. And, we need to make sure that we stay cutting edge to maintain superiority or else China (who is catching up alarmingly fast) may take over much of the global influence.