Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Rictor on December 10, 2006, 12:56:25 pm
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I know this news will probably make Sandwich do this (http://"http://static.flickr.com/6/5582521_58f0ab1b4e_m.jpg"), so my apologies in advance.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6167041.stm
Six oil-rich Gulf nations have said they are considering seeking nuclear technology for peaceful purposesOfficials from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE also urged a peaceful settlement to the crisis over Iran's nuclear programme.
The six Arab states said they were exploring the possibility of creating a shared nuclear programme.
They stressed their right to nuclear energy and emphasised that any programme would be peaceful.
This also pretty much destroys the US's case against Iran. Because the Gulf states, all US allies mind you, are now demanding the exact same thing as Iran. So either the US turns against the only Arab allies it has, or else it pursues a course even more blatantly hypocritical than it is now. If it gives a country such as Saudi Arabia, a charming bastion of democracy and human rights, the go-ahead while still attempting to stop the Iranian nuclear program, it will be blindingly obvious that the US is interested in nothing more than beating on Iran.
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This also pretty much destroys the US's case against Iran. Because the Gulf states, all US allies mind you, are now demanding the exact same thing as Iran. So either the US turns against the only Arab allies it has, or else it pursues a course even more blatantly hypocritical than it is now. If it gives a country such as Saudi Arabia, a charming bastion of democracy and human rights, the go-ahead while still attempting to stop the Iranian nuclear program, it will be blindingly obvious that the US is interested in nothing more than beating on Iran.
Yes, because Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, et al. have threatened to wipe Israel off the map recently. Agreed, Saudi Arabia isn't exactly a shining beacon of justice, but I think the US (and maybe the world) would trust them a little more with nuclear technology than a theocracy under the supervision of an ultra right-wing nutjob like Iran?
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I think we should give them all our nukes....
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Indeed.
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come on npt sucks
no
wait
oh ****s
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for once i agree with an0n
if anything it'd be fun to watch.
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nuke the world!
burn them all!
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but I think the US (and maybe the world) would trust them a little more with nuclear technology than a theocracy under the supervision of an ultra right-wing nutjob like Iran?
Shows how little you know, Saudi is more ultra right-wing than Iran, bit rich to hear an american complaining about right-wing governments though, kinda pot and kettle.
Anyone else find it interesting the worlds greatest oil-producers are getting interested in nuclear power?
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Anyone else find it interesting the worlds greatest oil-producers are getting interested in nuclear power?
You took the words right out of my mouth. What do they, of all nations on God's green Earth, need nuclear power for?
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Number of reasons, strategic balance being one of them, they may be worried about having a nuclear Iran on one side and a nuclear Israel on the other. Could just be they want the playing field leveled.
The other reason is energy. Essentially, oils a finite resource, at some stage its going to run out. Thats not in dispute, the estimates of when it will happen are. The Saudis and co may be thinking this is going to happen sooner than we think, in most of the countries mentioned oil reserves are a state secret and not open to outside scrutiny. They could also be thinking the less they have to use, the more money they gain from selling and increasing prices as supply diminishes could offset the price of nuclear power.
http://www.peakoil.net/ for more info
I wouldnt worry about them trying to wipe you off the map, you're far to near for that to be a viable tactic, and the Saudis have always really seen you as a minor nuisance, countering persian influence being much higher on their agenda. Lebanon for example, where they are effectively taking the US-Israeli side against Shia influence.
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Yes, because Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, et al. have threatened to wipe Israel off the map recently. Agreed, Saudi Arabia isn't exactly a shining beacon of justice, but I think the US (and maybe the world) would trust them a little more with nuclear technology than a theocracy under the supervision of an ultra right-wing nutjob like Iran?
Dude, at least you could have said the UAE or something. Saudi Arabia is quite a bit worse than Iran, and they also do not recognize Israel as a nation. In fact, you can't get in to the country is you have an Israeli stamp on your passport. Remeber where the majority of the 9/11 hijakcers came from? Where Osama is from?
Also consider that the Saudi government is a lot less stable than Iran's. While the US may talk about the people rising up against the evil, fascist mullahs, it's a fantasy. The Saudi government (aka the extended royal family) is under threat from Islamic militants, and if the House of Saud falls it will be bin Laden wannabes who take power.
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true, but the bin Laden wannabes are the ones who have power right now in Iran, at least the Saudis try a little bit to at least superficaly no seem quite as insaine as they are. if I had to chose between Saudi Arabia haveing nukes and Iran haveing them, or just Saudi Arabia haveing them, you can probly bet wich of the two I'd prefer.
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Uh-huh, and when some saudi radicals set one off in new york, you'll invade syria in retaliation.
One of the ways House of Saud combats extremism at home is by encouraging it abroad. Bin Ladin and the Taliban wouldnt have got anywhere without Saudi funding, while the Iranians actively worked against them. Salafist extremism is potentially much more dangerous to the west the Khomenitism. Best if you didnt let anyone have them, because you've got no real friends in that region.
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The Saudis are rather schizoid on the subject. On the one hand they don't like us as a country, on the other they rely on us to ensure their safety. A good deal of the problem is related to the division of power in the Saudi monarchy. The Saudis aren't so mad as to directly fund any terroristic organization. That's what Iran does. Their method of dealing with extremism which you describe Gank has in large measure failed them. When the next generation of Saudi royalty comes to power they are likely to assume the Egyptian ultra-hardline stance against Islamic extremism.
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Its times like these that I wish I lived... umm... Well, It seems as though there is no where in the world that hasn't been screwed up in the past few years somehow.
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but I think the US (and maybe the world) would trust them a little more with nuclear technology than a theocracy under the supervision of an ultra right-wing nutjob like Iran?
Shows how little you know, Saudi is more ultra right-wing than Iran, bit rich to hear an american complaining about right-wing governments though, kinda pot and kettle.
Rich, because that's possibly one of the worst cheap shots I've ever heard. Did I ever lead you to believe that I support the neoconservatives in the US? I detest extreme right-wing governments, be it Bush or Iran. Get off your highhorse.
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But you're American! That must mean you're the epitome of right-wing ultra conservative Christian fundamentalism! I mean, he's such a learned and obviously well informed non-American, his completely non-biased and totally informed opinion must be true, because he's so different from all us poor degenerate Americans!
[sarcasm dripping off post]
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Sarcasm would be dripping off the post if you hadn't included "[sarcasm dripping off post]".
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Rich, because that's possibly one of the worst cheap shots I've ever heard. Did I ever lead you to believe that I support the neoconservatives in the US? I detest extreme right-wing governments, be it Bush or Iran. Get off your highhorse.
Ya well you should expect these kind of things by now. You're going to use the same language expect to get tarred with the same brush.
But you're American! That must mean you're the epitome of right-wing ultra conservative Christian fundamentalism! I mean, he's such a learned and obviously well informed non-American, his completely non-biased and totally informed opinion must be true, because he's so different from all us poor degenerate Americans!
Thank you. Dont get upset about it though, its not yer fault you're ignorant, blame your society as a whole.
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But you're American! That must mean you're the epitome of right-wing ultra conservative Christian fundamentalism! I mean, he's such a learned and obviously well informed non-American, his completely non-biased and totally informed opinion must be true, because he's so different from all us poor degenerate Americans!
Thank you. Dont get upset about it though, its not yer fault I'm ignorant, blame my shortsightedness, and stereotypical nature.
Fixed.
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Anyone else find it interesting the worlds greatest oil-producers are getting interested in nuclear power?
You took the words right out of my mouth. What do they, of all nations on God's green Earth, need nuclear power for?
to power their solid gold atomic powered time-travelling delorians?
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Its times like these that I wish I lived... umm... Well, It seems as though there is no where in the world that hasn't been screwed up in the past few years somehow.
Tuvalu
Oh wait, that's flooding thanks to global warming and will probably be underwater in the coming century.
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you could always move to Antarctica, nothing bad going on there now, and as Aldo said, it's going to be getting to be quite pleasant in the coming years.
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Rich, because that's possibly one of the worst cheap shots I've ever heard. Did I ever lead you to believe that I support the neoconservatives in the US? I detest extreme right-wing governments, be it Bush or Iran. Get off your highhorse.
Ya well you should expect these kind of things by now. You're going to use the same language expect to get tarred with the same brush.
Where are you going with this? All you're proving with this is, as Swantz pointed out, that you look no further than stereotypes (particularly about all Americans being stupid theofascists), when actually Americans aren't like this at all (there's a reason Bush's ratings are as low as they are).
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Ford: I put the [sarcasm] there, just to make sure eeryone got it :p
Rich, because that's possibly one of the worst cheap shots I've ever heard. Did I ever lead you to believe that I support the neoconservatives in the US? I detest extreme right-wing governments, be it Bush or Iran. Get off your highhorse.
Ya well you should expect these kind of things by now. You're going to use the same language expect to get tarred with the same brush.
But you're American! That must mean you're the epitome of right-wing ultra conservative Christian fundamentalism! I mean, he's such a learned and obviously well informed non-American, his completely non-biased and totally informed opinion must be true, because he's so different from all us poor degenerate Americans!
Thank you. Dont get upset about it though, its not yer fault you're ignorant, blame your society as a whole.
Yea, and you're definitely showing your higher education by following blatant stereotypes that are quite obviously not true. As nuclear1 said; there's a reason Bush's approval ratings are so low. It's because Americans don't like what he's doing and don't agree with his policies. Oh wait - were you too busy having your head in the sand to notice that Americans voted the control of both the Senate and the House away from the GOP and gave it to the Democrats, as punishment for the GOP's policies? Maybe that's a sign that Americans as a whole don't agree with the way things are being run? Maybe you,*gasp*, might even have the same views as some Americans?
Why don't you stop following the crowd and bashing Americans, and maybe take the time to learn what you're talking about? That way, maybe you won't seem so narrow-minded in the next argument you enter.
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Calm down guys :)
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What so ye both agree that bush is a nutjob, but I'm anti-american for pointing it out? Riiight. Seriously, you're going to jump down peoples throats for pointing out stuff like this, it ****s on your whole "we're reasonable americans" speil. Get of your own high horses, if you dont agree with bush just say that, no needed to launch personal attacks because someone pointed out your nation is led by a wanker.
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To be honest, the comment they were taking offence at was...
Thank you. Dont get upset about it though, its not yer fault you're ignorant, blame your society as a whole.
Bush wasn't mentioned in that comment. So everyone can climb down off their soap box.
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*Takes community soap box and goes home*
If I can't have a soap box, no one can :p
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:lol: Please feel free to burn it ;)
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To be honest, the comment they were taking offence at was...
snip
Bush wasn't mentioned in that comment. So everyone can climb down off their soap box.
Hmm, that was sarcasm, I presumed people were intelligent enough to realise that.
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Intelligent, yes, Clairvoyant, no.
A suggestion, if you are being sarcastic, use the :p smiley, text can't convey tone of voice, and people take things in here way too seriously.
Basically, my job is to avoid this (http://www.aqsx85.dsl.pipex.com/Drama.wmv) happening, and if a bit of silly ascii-art can do that, then all the better :)
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Smilies completely undermine the art of sarcasm. Imagine trying to read Chaucer with stupid little faces in it.
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Chaucer didn't post here. And he recieved his own fair share of criticism from people who took him seriously.
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(Which reflects poorly on them), but anyway, fine-- I post here and I don't use them.
Wait, I should totally give a seminar. And charge for it.
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Yes, but more or less everything you say is sarcastic, so no-one takes you seriously anyway :p
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What? People pay attention to Ford?
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I thought it was fairly obvious, why would anyone think americans are generally ignorant?
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{stirs pot} Wait, are you being serious?
:p
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Do you see any smileys? :P
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What? People pay attention to Ford?
If they did, the world would be at peace, since I would obviously be made the Philosopher King. However, it's quite obvious they don't for the reason that whenever I become seriously engaged in a debate, the thread dies.
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What? People pay attention to Ford?
If they did, the world would be at peace, since I would obviously be made the Philosopher King. However, it's quite obvious they don't for the reason that whenever I become seriously engaged in a debate, the thread dies.
I thought you were a car.
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Ahh wow....So much I want to say and yet I have so much time...wait....crap I think I found my new favorite forum :D
Now I forgot everything I was going to say...stupid memory...
Oh wait, first time posting and all that blah blah crap, but is this real? Because if they're all pursuing a nuclear program then it should support us wanting to stop Iran's. Damned Iran giving other nations more courage >_< But any more countries in the middle east getting nuclear capabilities(except maybe the UAE) does not bode well for us at all. And it's the international community that doesn't want Iran to have nuclear capability, not just the U.S.A.
You all give me the impression you think that America decides who gets nukes and who doesn't :P but it's the International Atomic Energy....Association? Idk I forgot the last part but yeah. And they won't allow the other countries to pursue the nuclear program, and I'm sure America will just look at them and half heartedly say "sorry guys I wish I could help ya".
And I often times don't get sarcasm, but that's 'cause I'm dense :D Yay! Like a bloody rock I tell you!
Oh and...Who was it that believed in Philosopher Kings? Because I read that in a freaking history book somewhere and have been wanting to know the name(since I've forgotten it) ever since...Plato or someone from back then >_<
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@Crymson:
(http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3232/welcome2hlpbbny2.gif) (http://imageshack.us)
Welcome to the HLP Station. Exits are located to the right, left, up, down, and 4th-dimensionally. However all of them are blocked, except the 4-d one, and no one's yet figured how to reach it. Somebody says there is anoter one in the 5th dimension: if you find it, let us know! In the event of a landing of any kind, you can and will be used as a flotation device. We are currently suffering from technical disruptions from time to time, which may cause the lights go out at any instance, and sometimes even the basic life support fails for some time. At these times, stay calm and composed; for these cases the station system automatically drops a computer from the roof above you with FSO installed and ready. They have independent power sources. Please keep all appendages within the installation at all times. Do not feed the resident Shivan Carl as he will become voracious and chew your leg off. You can find him in the ventilation duct. Throw him your lunch and hope he is not hungry and leaves you alone. Flamethrowers can be found under your seat but due to financial constraints have been re-filled with holy water. Phased Plasma rifles (40 watt range of course) can be found in storage lockers. To prevent act of n00b, however, these can only be opened by Moderators, Volition or a hyperintelligent shade of BluE. Please remember that any attempt to use the ASCII characters 0046h, 0053h, and 0033h in sequential order will result in you being trampled by FreeSpace fan boys. Your trampled remains will be fed to Carl so that the rest of us don't have to carry around so much food for lunch. If you shall go in the Vasudan section of the station and find a boxes labelled “Headz”, please don’t open them, unless you are a Vasudan. Trust me on this one.... In the event of catastrophic hull failure please board the nearest lifeboat which is pre-programmed for autonomous flight to our sister station the Game-Warden outpost. Thank you and enjoy your stay at Hard Light station as long as you will!
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Ahh thank you, I wanna figure out how to make some sort of instant teleporation device(Beam me up scotty?) so I'll let you know of my findings on the 4th, 5th, or 31st dimensions(The 31st dimension is really colorful methinks :nod: ).
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Rule #1 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #2 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #3 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
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Oh and...Who was it that believed in Philosopher Kings? Because I read that in a freaking history book somewhere and have been wanting to know the name(since I've forgotten it) ever since...Plato or someone from back then >_<
Yes, it was Plato. The idea is something of a philosophical punchline today-- like the categorical imperative-- but only amongst those who have not met me, and thus realized that there is one who can lead an ideal republic. Well, okay, I've made some minor semantic modifications to Plato's idea, but most of it is in my redefinition of "lead an ideal republic" as "frequently use the government's money to get drunk on very expensive wines".
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Rule #1 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #2 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #3 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Why doth thou set rules without the backing of thine admins? Forsooth! I do lovest the Speech of Welcoming in all it's varied forms and functions! Discourage not, I say, for of such things is the HLP community composed! :)
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Rule #1 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #2 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #3 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Why doth thou set rules without the backing of thine admins? Forsooth! I do lovest the Speech of Welcoming in all it's varied forms and functions! Discourage not, I say, for of such things is the HLP community composed! :)
You better stop talking like that or else i'm gonna start hocking rocks at you.
Indeed, threats of bodily harm are what compose the HLP community.
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Rule #1 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #2 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #3 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Why doth thou set rules without the backing of thine admins? Forsooth! I do lovest the Speech of Welcoming in all it's varied forms and functions! Discourage not, I say, for of such things is the HLP community composed! :)
You better stop talking like that or else i'm gonna start hocking rocks at you.
Indeed, threats of bodily harm are what compose the HLP community.
What's this? bodily harm? Oooooo lovely :D
And I had no idea the Philosopher Kings even needed a Republic, I thought it was just one King who has absolute power, and since he was a philosopher he could advance the civilization in the right direction....Bleh, I guess thats what happens when you know only one paragraph of information of a subject that should take many pages, if not it's own book :P
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Rule #1 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #2 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #3 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Why doth thou set rules without the backing of thine admins? Forsooth! I do lovest the Speech of Welcoming in all it's varied forms and functions! Discourage not, I say, for of such things is the HLP community composed! :)
Because this isn't an official administration rule - it's the kind of rule enforced by mob justice and violence. Using pitchforks...
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Rule #1 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #2 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Rule #3 of HLP, you will not encourage the welcome speech.
Why doth thou set rules without the backing of thine admins? Forsooth! I do lovest the Speech of Welcoming in all it's varied forms and functions! Discourage not, I say, for of such things is the HLP community composed! :)
Because this isn't an official administration rule - it's the kind of rule enforced by mob justice and violence. Using pitchforks...
Wait............pitchforks?
****, I knew this was taking more time than it should.
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You better stop talking like that or else i'm gonna start hocking rocks at you.
Indeed, threats of bodily harm are what compose the HLP community.
Surely thou jest! Ta-ha!