The Bill to re-instate the draft now in Congress

rgelite · Apr 21, 2004

Quote from Rearden Metal:

This is the exact message Ayn Rand tried to convey all her life.

Her book "The virtue of selfishness" has truly changed my life.

Gordon Gekko · Apr 21, 2004

Quote from Rearden Metal:

Incredible post! This is the exact message Ayn Rand tried to convey all her life.

Her book "The virtue of selfishness" has truly changed my life. Most notably the chapter on 'compromise' which transformed me into a full blown atheist. It just clicked in my head that mysticism had absolutely nothing to offer me, so why even make gestures like fasting on Yom Kippur? Incredible book.

fasting is one of the dumbest things i can think of

waggie945 · Apr 21, 2004

Trader Vic is a huge admirer of Ayn Rand.

rgelite · Apr 21, 2004

Quote from waggie945:

Trader Vic is a huge admirer of Ayn Rand.

Indeed he is.

BTW, I reconsidered my ignoring your posts and took you off my list. The issue with Maverick seems to have lessons learned by everyone, posters and readers alike. It seems best left behind.

And I do enjoy reading the essentials in your posts, usually just once

but nonetheless it's a refreshing pov at times. Good to see you back, too.

K.C. · Apr 21, 2004

Quote from jasper6:

It'll be a cold day in hell before I let this fascist regime turn my kids into cannon fodder.

Wake up people! Do you really want your American children dying in the sand for the sake of Israel, Oil and Empire?

Testing of New York guardsmen: first confirmed cases of Iraq war depleted uranium exposure

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/apr2004/dura-a21.shtml

Error 404 · Apr 21, 2004

Quote from Gordon Gekko:

fasting is one of the dumbest things i can think of

GG, the purpose of fasting in the context that RM referred to it is about discipline.

I happen to agree with RM. I too don't do it (even though there is pressure on me to).

I also agree with you that fasting may be "dumb". But so are a lot of things that are done in the name of "discipline".

I know you have not served in the military. But trust me...all the marching (for example) is just "dumb". It has no practical use (how many parades are soldiers really in?).

The fact that marching serves no purpose would seem to make it "dumb". But it is part of learning discipline. Same with shining your shoes/boots. Shiny boots don't make for a better soldier. Having the discipline to keep them shiny DOES make for a better soldier.

So just because something is "dumb" does not mean it has no value. It's all about context.

Peace,

RS

dgabriel · Apr 21, 2004

Quote from I Missed Boat:

The top quote was well said, except that I hope you are not claiming to know at all times what the truth is. It certainly is not always what your buddy Chomsky claims it is!

As far as your bottom quote, I think it demonstrates that you certainly take leaps in assuming the truth. As far as this war, claiming it is for empire is pretty ridiculous (we were never going to stay and it is costing us a fortune). Arguing that it is for oil is a stretch since we are (and knew we would be) spending far more on Iraq (and servicing its oil fields, which are in sad shape and are constantly attacked) than we ever might've saved (lot of good its done for the cost of oil), not to mention that oil profits are being used to rebuild their country (and will be in their hands shortly). And lastly, with regard to Israel, Iraq was not much of a threat to Israel. What's more, even many of the countries/intelligence services that opposed the war, like the corrupt French government, believed that Iraq had, at a minimum, chemical and bio weapons. Also, Rumsfeld and Cheney were the most responsible for advocating the war. Was this war a mistake? Perhaps. But was it launched for the reasons you claim as truth? There are plenty of reasons to think not!

The movement to blame Israel for America's Middle East woes is pretty untenable. The Untied States has excellent relations with Jordan and Egypt, two Middle east states that have had a rapprochement with Israel. The problems stem from radicalism which that would not go away if Israel were suddenly not a friend to the US.

How many Libertarians are such because of principle and how many proclaim to be Libertarian because they are simply selfish and don't wish to undertake civic and patriotic obligations, yet would like the benefits thereto from the sacrifices of others?

rgelite · Apr 21, 2004

Quote from dgabriel:

How many Libertarians are such because of principle and how many proclaim to be Libertarian because they are simply selfish and don't wish to undertake civic and patriotic obligations, yet would like the benefits thereto from the sacrifices of others?

Good point and why, because Libertarianism admits pretty much anyone into its party who is just "for freedom, man" (without understanding its underlying principles and responsibilities) I don't consider myself one. These are not selfish people by its classical definition; rather, they are self-indulgent. There's a world of difference.

http://www.aynrand.org/objectivism/sanctions.html scroll about half-way down

ARogueTrader · Apr 21, 2004

The move to introduce the legislation by a democrat may be a strategic move by the democrats.

I believe Bush will bring back the draft after the election, and is intentionally keeping his plans quiet for now.

Bringing the issue to the forefront may in fact favor Kerry, as Kerry would be less likely to favor the draft, as he wants to bring in UN troops to Iraq, in addition to his policy being not in favor of starting wars the way Bush's has.

The democrats need an issue to wake up the youth of today, and get the voting age young men and women to vote out Bush.

Quote from Magna:

It doesn't matter who it was introduced by, as both houses of Congress are thoroughly controlled by the Republicans. If it passes, and is signed into law by a Republican President, then even tho some will blame it on Clinton (why not...) it's a Republican shame.

I Missed Boat · Apr 21, 2004

Quote from Error 404:

GG, the purpose of fasting in the context that RM referred to it is about discipline.

I happen to agree with RM. I too don't do it (even though there is pressure on me to).

I also agree with you that fasting may be "dumb". But so are a lot of things that are done in the name of "discipline".

I know you have not served in the military. But trust me...all the marching (for example) is just "dumb". It has no practical use (how many parades are soldiers really in?).

The fact that marching serves no purpose would seem to make it "dumb". But it is part of learning discipline. Same with shining your shoes/boots. Shiny boots don't make for a better soldier. Having the discipline to keep them shiny DOES make for a better soldier.

So just because something is "dumb" does not mean it has no value. It's all about context.

Peace,
RS

Marching and boots are also about uniformity and fostering a communal bond. This become extremely important things when preparing for, let alone in actually facing, combat!