tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post3991008619196629678..comments2024-03-28T06:32:24.557-04:00Comments on The Elephant Bar: Black and Arab Thugs Injure 77 French CopsDeuce ☂http://www.blogger.com/profile/13472858446242700869noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-47816757132885090712007-11-29T07:27:00.000-05:002007-11-29T07:27:00.000-05:00Try reading it in original chinese. Some of nuance...Try reading it in original chinese. Some of nuances are lost in translation.<BR/><BR/>Still, Lao Zi is much admired. If only more chinese emperors followed his teachings instead of listening to Kong Zi or the Legalists... Might have less executions and revolts every decade.<BR/><BR/>Like the Bible, it offers plenty of good advice, but is not the definitive textbook(nothing is, really) on how to solve problems of state and morality. It does offer some good thinking points, and draws up some nice boundaries and limits on actions. I'd always remember the teachings on flexibility when necessary.<BR/><BR/>In retrospect, I think our current situation had never been foreseen by any of these books/scholars. It'll be silly to depend on them for specific advice. Rather, better to take some general principles and write our own solutions to the (novel) problems of our times.The Wobbly Guyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09301556031735052090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-48606772583013219482007-11-28T04:33:00.000-05:002007-11-28T04:33:00.000-05:00Who said prostitution is illegal? Ash, you ain't b...Who said prostitution is illegal? Ash, you ain't bin to Nevada. Try it, you might like it. Visiting Nevada I mean, not being a prostitute. :)Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-90998635316975079592007-11-28T03:40:00.000-05:002007-11-28T03:40:00.000-05:00Verse 101, Tao Tze Cha Ching:A cat that allows a r...Verse 101, Tao Tze Cha Ching:<BR/><BR/>A cat that allows a rat to Mickey Mouse it around is no cat.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11132252460964519368noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-46437230595569323922007-11-28T01:55:00.000-05:002007-11-28T01:55:00.000-05:00Imagine a small country with few people.They have ...Imagine a small country with few people.<BR/>They have weapons and do not deploy them;<BR/> they enjoy the labor of their hands<BR/> and do not waste time inventing laborsaving machines.<BR/><BR/>They take death seriously and do not travel far.<BR/>Since they dearly love their homes,<BR/> they are not interested in travel.<BR/>Although they have boats and carriages,<BR/> no one uses them.<BR/><BR/>They are content with healthy food,<BR/> pleased with useful clothing,<BR/> satisfied in snug homes,<BR/> and protective of their way of life.<BR/><BR/>Although they live within sight of their neighbors, <BR/> and crowing cocks and barking dogs can be<BR/> heard across the way,<BR/>they leave each other in peace<BR/> while they grow old and die.<BR/><BR/>80th Verse Tao Te Ching<BR/><BR/>An Amish Libertarian, seems to me.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-82250967612803654922007-11-28T01:42:00.000-05:002007-11-28T01:42:00.000-05:00When taxes are too high, people go hungry.When t...When taxes are too high,<BR/> people go hungry.<BR/>When the government is too intrusive<BR/> people lose their spirit.<BR/><BR/>Act for the people's benefit;<BR/> trust them, leave them alone.<BR/><BR/>75th Verse Tao Te ChingBobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-14694466216351289092007-11-28T00:43:00.000-05:002007-11-28T00:43:00.000-05:00I'm very old now.It is cold and wet here In the ba...I'm very old now.<BR/>It is cold and wet here <BR/>In the bamboo grove.<BR/>Monkey droppings splat on my head.<BR/>There is nothing to eat.<BR/>Take me to the Lutheran run Good Samaritan Village.<BR/>They have sheets there.<BR/>And pillows. <BR/>And warm food.<BR/>Or enroll me in Tere-Care.<BR/><BR/>unpublished and newly discovered last verse of the Tao Te ChingBobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-85341165038152513622007-11-28T00:34:00.000-05:002007-11-28T00:34:00.000-05:00If you want to be a great leader,you must learn to...If you want to be a great leader,<BR/>you must learn to follow the Tao.<BR/>Stop trying to control.<BR/>Let go of fixed plans and concepts,<BR/>and the world will govern itself.<BR/><BR/>How do I know this is so?<BR/>Because in this world, the greater the restrictions and prohibitions, the more the people are impoverished;<BR/>the more advanced the weapons of state,<BR/>the darker the nation;<BR/>the more artful and crafty the plan,<BR/>the stranger the outcome;<BR/>the more laws are posted,<BR/>the more thieves appear.<BR/><BR/>Therefore the Sage says;<BR/>I take no action and the people are reformed.<BR/>I enjoy peace and people become honest.<BR/>I do nothing and people become rich.<BR/>If I keep from imposing on people,<BR/>they become themselves.<BR/><BR/>57th Verse Tao Te Ching<BR/><BR/>Well! The old boy is obviously a Libertarian. But I'm uncertain what he would think of Tere-Care. He might give a litte, in his really old age, who knows? And he definitely has a lot of faith in the people.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-90572679117200963942007-11-27T23:58:00.000-05:002007-11-27T23:58:00.000-05:00T. 9:01With the greatest leader above them,people...T. 9:01<BR/><BR/>With the greatest leader above them,<BR/>people barely know one exists.<BR/><BR/>Next comes one whom they love and praise.<BR/><BR/>Next comes one whom they fear.<BR/><BR/>Next comes one whom they despise and defy.<BR/><BR/><BR/>When a leader trusts no one,<BR/>no one trusts him.<BR/><BR/><BR/>The great leader speaks little.<BR/>He never speaks carelessly.<BR/>He works without self-interest<BR/>and leaves no trace.<BR/>When all is finished, the people say,<BR/>"We did it ourselves." <BR/><BR/>17th Verse, Tao Te ChingBobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-61453878057515055962007-11-27T22:43:00.000-05:002007-11-27T22:43:00.000-05:00"So are guns really the issue? Or is it will? Or l...<I>"So are guns really the issue? Or is it will? Or lack thereof?"</I><BR/><BR/>The answer is yes. It is entirely will. They get away with it because the French government lets them...which encourages more nonsense.Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089498195545182330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-15268048445137385242007-11-27T22:40:00.000-05:002007-11-27T22:40:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089498195545182330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-9513260133616711402007-11-27T22:38:00.000-05:002007-11-27T22:38:00.000-05:00A bunch of hooligans out to cause mischief do not ...A bunch of hooligans out to cause mischief do not make a determined army.Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089498195545182330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-77004284822648658682007-11-27T22:35:00.000-05:002007-11-27T22:35:00.000-05:00I'm guessing it would just effect a name change, a...I'm guessing it would just effect a name change, all those guns thrown into the mix...civil war?Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232405130481114127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-76195330119319432752007-11-27T22:29:00.000-05:002007-11-27T22:29:00.000-05:00"Can you imagine the riots with easy and free acce...<I>"Can you imagine the riots with easy and free access to guns for all?"</I><BR/><BR/>Setting aside other things, I imagine the riots would be less likely to take place in a place known to be heavily armed, with people perfectly willing to defend their private property.Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089498195545182330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-52814500988352699862007-11-27T21:49:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:49:00.000-05:00hey, I've always been puzzled by how prostitution ...<I>hey, I've always been puzzled by how prostitution is illegal but if you film the paid act - no problem.</I><BR/><BR/>But if you find out later the lens cap was on the whole time, you're back to having a problem!Teresitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05528002521904908827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-45367862455692010972007-11-27T21:48:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:48:00.000-05:00lugh,I have no knowledge of gun control laws in Fr...lugh,<BR/><BR/>I have no knowledge of gun control laws in France but I would imagine they have more restrictions then the US. Can you imagine the riots with easy and free access to guns for all? I envision you sitting in your rocking chair on your porch in Savannah trading good natured shots with the armed rioting folk. Alls fine at the OK corral!Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232405130481114127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-63387239406995463522007-11-27T21:33:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:33:00.000-05:00The French police have guns...but no will to use t...The French police have guns...but no will to use them. So are guns really the issue? Or is it will? Or lack thereof?<BR/><BR/>Business interests don't care if a few "citizens" are inconvenienced by riots. After all, there are no riots within the gated communities protected by men who are authorized and willing to use deadly force. <BR/><BR/>So Ash. You just go with gun control and count on the RCMP to come to your rescue. I'm sure that they'll make a lovely report on your cause and time of death.<BR/><BR/>I'll take care of my security.lugh lampfhotahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12663408598796532482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-57552431347161205522007-11-27T21:31:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:31:00.000-05:00and our butts and our...hey, I've always been puzz...and our butts and our...<BR/><BR/>hey, I've always been puzzled by how prostitution is illegal but if you film the paid act - no problem.Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232405130481114127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-2013170986234378582007-11-27T21:24:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:24:00.000-05:00with the right to bare our arms!with the right to bare our arms!Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232405130481114127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-5290367009773111452007-11-27T21:20:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:20:00.000-05:00Yes, God bless it.Yes, God bless it.Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10089498195545182330noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-14085707709510476282007-11-27T21:06:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:06:00.000-05:00lugh lampfhota said... The lawlessness seen in Fra...lugh lampfhota said... <BR/>The lawlessness seen in France is a glimpse of our future. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Interesting...<BR/><BR/>So, if we accept this as a glimpse of our future how should we approach gun control? More guns made easily available for more potent rioting! God Bless America!Ashhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06232405130481114127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-86712404990747527542007-11-27T21:01:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:01:00.000-05:00Lugh: Riots, looting and social programs for the b...Lugh: <I>Riots, looting and social programs for the banileus are the modern equivalent of tribute to keep barbarian hordes at bay. It didn't work for Rome two millennia ago and it won't work for the West today.</I><BR/><BR/>There's no such thing as leadership anymore. As soon as a politician gets into office, he starts raising money to get into office next time. And the money comes from corporations who want cheap labor.Teresitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05528002521904908827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-58948598988164849512007-11-27T21:00:00.000-05:002007-11-27T21:00:00.000-05:00Bobal: I think it's a good thing they riot. Pisses...Bobal: <I>I think it's a good thing they riot. Pisses people off, they are more likely to take some meaningful measures, stop immigration, send home those they can, etc.</I><BR/><BR/>And the whole reason we don't want immigration is because...they tend to riot! Lather, rinse, repeat.Teresitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05528002521904908827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-27673136553853870622007-11-27T19:56:00.000-05:002007-11-27T19:56:00.000-05:00The lawlessness seen in France is a glimpse of our...The lawlessness seen in France is a glimpse of our future. It will spread as other "youths" observe the weak response of Western governments.<BR/><BR/>There will be no deportations or limits on immigration because business interests need third world labor. They are willing to accept the barbarian culture that comes with immigration as a cost of business.<BR/><BR/>Riots, looting and social programs for the banileus are the modern equivalent of tribute to keep barbarian hordes at bay. It didn't work for Rome two millennia ago and it won't work for the West today.lugh lampfhotahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12663408598796532482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-9615976989857305562007-11-27T19:44:00.000-05:002007-11-27T19:44:00.000-05:00Abu Dhabi breaks from its past with Citigroup inve...<I><B>Abu Dhabi breaks from its past with Citigroup investment</B><BR/><BR/>By agreeing to purchasing a $7.5 billion stake in the faltering banking giant Citigroup, the secretive, government-controlled Abu Dhabi Investment Authority is breaking with tradition.<BR/><BR/>As the largest sovereign wealth fund in the world, with assets estimated at $650 billion, it poured money in the past into low-return, low-profile investments or small emerging market deals, unlike its flashy emirate neighbor, Dubai.<BR/><BR/>But a falling dollar and a growing cash pile are spurring Abu Dhabi to change strategy, according to analysts, economists and deal makers, who said that more big-ticket deals might be ahead.<BR/><BR/>Flush with cash from its oil exports, Abu Dhabi turned to Wall Street, using a complicated transaction late Monday to buy 4.9 percent of Citigroup, acquiring high-yield, convertible stock that must be exchanged for common stock between March 2010 and September 2011.<BR/></I>desert rathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02369546288659566961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21297199.post-56686776828728864122007-11-27T19:29:00.000-05:002007-11-27T19:29:00.000-05:00International Herald Tribune on the riots.<A HREF="http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/11/27/europe/riots.php?page=1" REL="nofollow">International Herald Tribune</A> on the riots.Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04145155737835511824noreply@blogger.com