The Current Events, News, and Politics Thread
#341
You don't understand it. Its not big changes like elephants born with wings. Its Very, Very, small changes like the ever so slightly taller giraffes can reach the food easier, multiplied over millennia. So we don't see it as "mutations" when we look back, we just see that giraffes grew very long necks over time.
here's a teaser, how did grains "evolve" into an edible source of nutrition for human consumption?
#342
lets keep the spirit of random going
"I believe banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies" -Thomas Jefferson
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." -Benjamin Franklin
"To find out a girl’s faults, praise her to her girl friends." -Benjamin Franklin
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
"The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." -Benjamin Franklin
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them." -Samuel Adams
"A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves. They include all men capable of bearing arms. To preserve liberty is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms and be taught alike how to use them." -Thomas Jefferson
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined, nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants. They serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides from an unarmed man, may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." -Thomas Paine
"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." -George Washington. notice he said to be prepared for war to prevent war. not to start war to prevent war
"Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign world." -George Washington
"Free Trade With All, Entangling Alliances With None" -Dr. Ron Paul
"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." -John Adams
"I believe banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies" -Thomas Jefferson
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." -Benjamin Franklin
"To find out a girl’s faults, praise her to her girl friends." -Benjamin Franklin
"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters." Benjamin Franklin
"The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself." -Benjamin Franklin
"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them." -Samuel Adams
"A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves. They include all men capable of bearing arms. To preserve liberty is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms and be taught alike how to use them." -Thomas Jefferson
"Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined, nor determined to commit crimes. Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants. They serve rather to encourage than prevent homicides from an unarmed man, may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man." -Thomas Paine
"To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace." -George Washington. notice he said to be prepared for war to prevent war. not to start war to prevent war
"Tis our true policy to steer clear of permanent Alliances, with any portion of the foreign world." -George Washington
"Free Trade With All, Entangling Alliances With None" -Dr. Ron Paul
"But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty, once lost, is lost forever." -John Adams
#343
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#349
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That is because greek public sector employees can't be fired - you heard that right. Unless you do something totally illegal - like steal from the organization you work for, or something along those lines - they can't fire you. You are employed and assured for life. Meanwhile, these folks receive about twice the income (on average) compared to a private sector worker. The unions are always pushing the govt for more and more pay increases, and the govt is only too happy to do it; for the unions will make sure that the happy workers will vote for the govt that increased their salaries in the next elections.
#355
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You can roughly figure % changes just from eye-balling it, though that says nothing about inflation - which you can also back in to.
For example, it looks like:
- the financials went from ~50k to 185k with fewer people (3.7x)
- Govt went from ~30k to 55k with fewer people (1.8x)
- Information went from ~45k to 105k with slightly fewer people (2.3x)
- Education and health services went from ~25k to 45k with significantly more people (1.8x)
As inflation theoretically affects all the same, the disparity between them should be about the same.
Also, interesting to compare Michael Milken to John Paulson.
#358
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I think this video qualifies for the hilarious category.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50rpJ...&feature=feedu
Best part of the entire vid is the black guy wearing the Che Guevara T-shirt L.O.L.
Are these people too good and special to read a ******* book?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50rpJ...&feature=feedu
Best part of the entire vid is the black guy wearing the Che Guevara T-shirt L.O.L.
Are these people too good and special to read a ******* book?