* Highest proportion of prisoners behind China.
* Shittier healthcare than most of Europe.
* Education system more interested in takin… moreg students money than developing their talents.
* Police state
* Eroding civil rights.
* Workers rights long gone.
* Dysfunctional government and bureaucracy, backed up by crumbling infrastructure
* Shrinking middle class and struggling entrepreneurs, while the plutocrats get even more obscenely rich, mostly through rent-seeking and shifting money around in the markets.
I'm with @EpicMustacheGuy on this one. America is well off compared to many countries, but it's not the shining beacon of prosperity and liberty that a lot of foreigners think it is. Don't believe the hype.
It might not be seen popular, yet this system looks attractive.
Concerning the jews that's sad; if I remember at this period antisemitism was really strong. It doesn't change the fact his other ideas seem legit though.
For such thing as France as one of the last bastion of workers' rights: I think it's still one of them. Our "Code du travail" (labor code?) protects greatly workers. Yet the government in place, a "social democracy" as they call themselves -but without the "social" part in the facts- tries to change it. Strikes followed against it, and we don't know where it will lead. So basically our government consider rights protecting the workers as obsolete yet, it's something from the past for them but the population is still in favor of protecting his right...
Yeah, I already saw on tv some of these morons. But honestly, sometimes it's hard to believe it's true seeing how far it can go.
You compared a history book to the bible in that they recount information from the past (which is faulty in its own right, try to cross reference the bible), which doesn't make sense if the bible is the intent of the all-powerful sky daddy. If the god of the bible doesn't directly condone the actions of the bible then he indirectly does (because it's his book, and him being all-powerful it would say what he wanted it to say), or at least passively does. He doesn't tell them not to go rape the female virgins, right? Imagine that, he let's them know working on the sabbath is a big no no, but rape? Neither here nor there.
When people in my community get locked up for a decade due to minor crimes, go bankrupt due to medical bills, or have to choose between feeding their families and paying their rent, I'm going to give a shit about it and make my anger known. That's not entitlement, it's basic empathy and human decency. That sentiment is not invalidated by the fact that someone in Africa has it worse.
Poverty, indignity and corruption should be crushed everywhere it rears its ugly head, not just in the cherry-picked Nigerian slum that you cynically used to make a point.
I'm pretty sure that the people of Kiber would be really happy to be as poor as we are and could afford internet and a computer to play games and talk on forums. US has no poverty unless you actually chose to be a bum/drug addict. The 10USD/h salary people get in US at MacDonalds is the salary of doctors and scientists where I live. Be greatful you live in the states, it really can't go much better.
Would you mind not being a pompous jerk?
When people in my community get locked up for a decade due to minor crimes, go bankrupt due to m… moreedical bills, or have to choose between feeding their families and paying their rent, I'm going to give a shit about it and make my anger known. That's not entitlement, it's basic empathy and human decency. That sentiment is not invalidated by the fact that someone in Africa has it worse.
Poverty, indignity and corruption should be crushed everywhere it rears its ugly head, not just in the cherry-picked Nigerian slum that you cynically used to make a point.
I hate people who tries to make a scale of pain, of who should have the right to complain or to denounce abuse.
It's our ancestors who gave us these rights, sometimes with blood, negociation, etc.. I'm not gonna abandon them because it's worst somewhere. You're just taking the problem in reverse: instead of wanting to put us to their level, you should want to put them as "high" as us, the "entitled brats".
By the way it's the same as saying you shouldn't mourn the death of your mother because there are people with no family at all in the world.
I'm pretty sure that the people of Kiber would be really happy to be as poor as we are and could afford internet and a computer to play games and talk on forums.
I'm sure the people of Kiber would be happy to know that you're using their miserable living conditions as a cudgel to attack people you disagree with.
Also, so what? Is there some kind of "poorer than thou" contest going on that I don't know about? I'm sorry those people live in a corrupt shithole that was sacked by oligarchs and foreign companies, but it's not something I can help change right now. I can help and advocate for people struggling in my own community instead of viewing them with contempt as you obviously do.
US has no poverty unless you actually chose to be a bum/drug addict.
Come off it, pal. A large amount of poverty in America is intergenerational. There are plenty of Americans were born poor and whose parents were born poor. Many of the homeless in our streets are mentally ill/handicapped or in the throes of addiction and were dumped there when Reagan gutted the mental health system. That hardly constitutes a choice.
The 10USD/h salary people get in US at MacDonalds is the salary of doctors and scientists where I live.
10 dollars is significantly higher than most minimum wage workers earn in the US. I personally make about 6.50 after taxes. More importantly, I ask again: is this a contest? I wish your country the best, but I've seen enough decay, desperation and violence in American cities to know that something is broken right here. Your country's situation has no bearing on that.
Be greatful you live in the states, it really can't go much better.
So, Western Europe, Canada and Australia don't exist. Gotcha.
I'm pretty sure that the people of Kiber would be really happy to be as poor as we are and could afford internet and a computer to play game… mores and talk on forums. US has no poverty unless you actually chose to be a bum/drug addict. The 10USD/h salary people get in US at MacDonalds is the salary of doctors and scientists where I live. Be greatful you live in the states, it really can't go much better.
You're just taking the problem in reverse: instead of wanting to put us to their level, you should want to put them as "high" as us, the "entitled brats".
Exactly. This is just like shaming someone for "white male privilege" instead of saying "hey, these are rights that everyone should have".
Nothing constructive about this, it's an edgy put-down plain and simple.
I hate people who tries to make a scale of pain, of who should have the right to complain or to denounce abuse.
It's our ancestors who ga… moreve us these rights, sometimes with blood, negociation, etc.. I'm not gonna abandon them because it's worst somewhere. You're just taking the problem in reverse: instead of wanting to put us to their level, you should want to put them as "high" as us, the "entitled brats".
By the way it's the same as saying you shouldn't mourn the death of your mother because there are people with no family at all in the world.
Completely dumb.
This is what you western communist wannabies get wrong. People of Kibera are not exploited by oligarchs or foreign companies. They are result of overpopulation and life in isolation from any business or work opportunities. Intergenerational poverty is nothing new so it can't be a sign of America turning into a shithole or whatever point you are trying to make. 6.50 dollas/h is big money, you want more? Work for it!
Western Europe has long turned to shit unlike US, its economy hasn't seen any growth for a decade now and it will continue to go like that due to austerity policies of Germany, its also filled with migrants and terrorists if you havent noticed. The GDP per capita is just 2/3 of what USA has. Canada will soon fallow with loosers like Trudeau in power. Australia is actually pretty decent place to live, I give you that.
I'm pretty sure that the people of Kiber would be really happy to be as poor as we are and could afford internet and a computer to play game… mores and talk on forums.
I'm sure the people of Kiber would be happy to know that you're using their miserable living conditions as a cudgel to attack people you disagree with.
Also, so what? Is there some kind of "poorer than thou" contest going on that I don't know about? I'm sorry those people live in a corrupt shithole that was sacked by oligarchs and foreign companies, but it's not something I can help change right now. I can help and advocate for people struggling in my own community instead of viewing them with contempt as you obviously do.
US has no poverty unless you actually chose to be a bum/drug addict.
Come off it, pal. A large amount of poverty in America is intergenerational. There are plenty of Americans were born poor and whose parents were born poor. Many of t… [view original content]
God didn't write the Bible...it's a bunch of stories written by various authors, not once does God say rape is okay.
Not much point discussing this until you read it and get a proper understanding from it, because you clearly haven't.
It's just like me pulling a few quotes from the Quran and thinking I know all about Allah's intent in their religion. Doesn't work.
You compared a history book to the bible in that they recount information from the past (which is faulty in its own right, try to cross refe… morerence the bible), which doesn't make sense if the bible is the intent of the all-powerful sky daddy. If the god of the bible doesn't directly condone the actions of the bible then he indirectly does (because it's his book, and him being all-powerful it would say what he wanted it to say), or at least passively does. He doesn't tell them not to go rape the female virgins, right? Imagine that, he let's them know working on the sabbath is a big no no, but rape? Neither here nor there.
But is it not God's word? If it is, then what I've said holds true. If not, then why does it matter?
I've read a good deal of it and understand a good deal more.
I don't see why using the Quran's events to judge Allah is unreasonable. Allah is supposed to be an all-powerful god, so what is in the Quran would, by Allah's attributes, be what Allah wishes it to be.
God didn't write the Bible...it's a bunch of stories written by various authors, not once does God say rape is okay.
Not much point discuss… moreing this until you read it and get a proper understanding from it, because you clearly haven't.
It's just like me pulling a few quotes from the Quran and thinking I know all about Allah's intent in their religion. Doesn't work.
This is what you western communist wannabies get wrong
You have a serious attitude problem. Take some of your skill in put-downs and invest it in being a more pleasant person. You'll live longer. As a card-carrying Wobbly, I also take umbrage at your claims that I'm a wannabe.
People of Kibera are not exploited by oligarchs or foreign companies. They are result of overpopulation and life in isolation from any business or work opportunities.
Nice talking point, but a very superficial analysis of the situation. The seeds of the slum were already sown by corruption and neoliberal capitalism. Overpopulation is only one factor and in the slums, it is directly correlation with the rise of globalized markets. The population of Nigeria used to be more widely dispersed, but the """opportunities""" offered by multinationals drove an unprecedented number of landless peasants to the cities in search of a Nigerian dream that didn't exist. Nigeria underwent rapid urbanization that greatly outpaced its economic development and ability to sustain that number of people. Employment scarcity became a problem, as did access to basic services. Rather than address these problems, the government whored out most of its control over economic planning to foreign interests, who did little to mitigate it the crisis. Meanwhile, plutocrats and officials lined their own pockets with oil money (destroying much of the Delta environment in the process) and continued to ignore its near-nonexist infrastructure and social policies, further worsening the problem. Stop regurgitating neoliberal dogma.
Intergenerational poverty is nothing new so it can't be a sign of America turning into a shithole or whatever point your trying to make
I don't recall saying that. I said that the U.S. has some serious problems and is running on a system that's far from ideal. I'm under no illusion that the U.S. is a third world country.
6.50 dollas/h is big money
it doesn't cover the fare to and from work. Our cost of living is pretty high, even here. I really love how you seem to think you know more about the situation for working-class Americans than I, as a working-class America, do.
you want more? Work for it
Ah, the venerable "bootstraps" delusion. I'm also a full-time student, paying my way through college semester by semester. Not sure what else you want from me. Economic mobility isn't the norm anymore, but I consider myself lucky in that I'll probably get out of college without much debt.
Western Europe has long turned to shit unlike US, its economy hasn't seen any growth for a decade now and it will continue to go like that due to austerity policies of Germany,
in in case you didn't notice, most of the world was ravaged by a recession (thank neoliberalism). This isn't surprising. However, Europe regularly surpasses America in measures of quality of life.
its also filled with migrants and terrorists if you havent noticed.
Oh gawd, Muslim cooties!!! Bro, seriously. I have a much better chance of being violently attacked here than in Europe and I don't even live in the hood. Places like Chicago, Camden and St. Louis make Paris and Brussels look like the land of peace and rainbows. Shit doesn't bother me.
The GDP per capita is just 2/3 of what USA has
The difference is the working class get a piece of that GDP. In the US, wealth is centralized at the top (so much for trickling down).
This is what you western communist wannabies get wrong. People of Kibera are not exploited by oligarchs or foreign companies. They are resul… moret of overpopulation and life in isolation from any business or work opportunities. Intergenerational poverty is nothing new so it can't be a sign of America turning into a shithole or whatever point you are trying to make. 6.50 dollas/h is big money, you want more? Work for it!
Western Europe has long turned to shit unlike US, its economy hasn't seen any growth for a decade now and it will continue to go like that due to austerity policies of Germany, its also filled with migrants and terrorists if you havent noticed. The GDP per capita is just 2/3 of what USA has. Canada will soon fallow with loosers like Trudeau in power. Australia is actually pretty decent place to live, I give you that.
No we have a higher number of prisoners than China. We have politicians who when they want to screw us, do so by naming horrible things behind benevolent sounding legislation like Citizens United...Patriot Act...Right to Work. It is all about packaging these horrible things sweet words. And stupid people clap for it.
* Highest proportion of prisoners behind China.
* Shittier healthcare than most of Europe.
* Education system more interested in takin… moreg students money than developing their talents.
* Police state
* Eroding civil rights.
* Workers rights long gone.
* Dysfunctional government and bureaucracy, backed up by crumbling infrastructure
* Shrinking middle class and struggling entrepreneurs, while the plutocrats get even more obscenely rich, mostly through rent-seeking and shifting money around in the markets.
I'm with @EpicMustacheGuy on this one. America is well off compared to many countries, but it's not the shining beacon of prosperity and liberty that a lot of foreigners think it is. Don't believe the hype.
No we have a higher number of prisoners than China. We have politicians who when they want to screw us, do so by naming horrible things beh… moreind benevolent sounding legislation like Citizens United...Patriot Act...Right to Work. It is all about packaging these horrible things sweet words. And stupid people clap for it.
I'm pretty sure that the people of Kiber would be really happy to be as poor as we are and could afford internet and a computer to play game… mores and talk on forums. US has no poverty unless you actually chose to be a bum/drug addict. The 10USD/h salary people get in US at MacDonalds is the salary of doctors and scientists where I live. Be greatful you live in the states, it really can't go much better.
You know how a traditional African village looks, heres a look. They made a choice to move to cities and overpopulate, no corporation can force you to do that. If they wanted they would still live in their desert and forset tribes. But the lure of capitalism is too big because those who make it actually live well but you have to work for that.
You can't get to work for 6,50USD/h are you serious, because of prices in US? Do you even know how much a liter of gasoline costs in most European countries. Heres some information for you to process.
If you would get attacked in Germany or Sweden we would not know about it because the media would stay silent about it to not be "racist". Like they did in Cologne. You probably haven't been to EU with your 6.50 salary so don't talk about it. I was in Brussels a few years ago, in that metro it looks like a third world country. EU is complet disaster, you should be happy you don't live here.
This is what you western communist wannabies get wrong
You have a serious attitude problem. Take some of your skill in put-downs an… mored invest it in being a more pleasant person. You'll live longer. As a card-carrying Wobbly, I also take umbrage at your claims that I'm a wannabe.
People of Kibera are not exploited by oligarchs or foreign companies. They are result of overpopulation and life in isolation from any business or work opportunities.
Nice talking point, but a very superficial analysis of the situation. The seeds of the slum were already sown by corruption and neoliberal capitalism. Overpopulation is only one factor and in the slums, it is directly correlation with the rise of globalized markets. The population of Nigeria used to be more widely dispersed, but the """opportunities""" offered by multinationals drove an unprecedented number of landless peasants to the cities in search of a Nigerian dream that di… [view original content]
You know how a traditional African village looks, heres a look. They made a choice to move to cities and overpopulate, no corporation can force you to do that. If they wanted they would still live in their desert and forset tribes.
i never said said they were forced at gunpoint. They were compelling by opportunity that mostly didn't exist. Life in a village isn't easy, but there's at least norms, traditions and a sense of community. Also the people aren't swimming in garbage.
But the lure of capitalism is too big because those who make it actually live well but you have to work for that.
Yeah, and it worked great for like the 8 people who bootstrapped out of that hellhole. Stop speaking in liberal platitudes and accept that capitalism failed these people.
A fair point. I wouldn't know as I'm too blind to drive and bus fare probably costs more than gas here.
If you would get attacked in Germany or Sweden we would not know about it because the media would stay silent about it to not be "racist".
Remove Kebab! Once again, I'm not terrified of brown people, soooooo.
You probably haven't been to EU with your 6.50 salary so don't talk about it. I was in Brussels a few years ago, in that metro it looks like a third world country. EU is complet disaster, you should be happy you don't live here.
So let me get this straight. You've been whining about the poverty in your country, yet you have steady access to the Internet, see fit to mock me for my low pay and brag about traveling to one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Something smells bourgie. At least that explains why you're so enamored with pomposity, bootstraps and neoliberalism.
Honestly it's kind of sad that your only knowledge of my country seems to come from propaganda and exported American pop culture.
You know how a traditional African village looks, heres a look. They made a choice to move to cities and overpopulate, no corporation can fo… morerce you to do that. If they wanted they would still live in their desert and forset tribes. But the lure of capitalism is too big because those who make it actually live well but you have to work for that.
You can't get to work for 6,50USD/h are you serious, because of prices in US? Do you even know how much a liter of gasoline costs in most European countries. Heres some information for you to process.
http://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/
http://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/Europe/
0.61 USD per liter in US of A, you know how much that costs in Moldova with average salary of just 200 USD a month? 0.81 USD per month.In France it is 1.81 USD/per liter.
If you would get attacked in Germany or Sweden we would not know about it because the media would stay silent abou… [view original content]
Yes, that's because it's a 2000 year old book. Not sure what your point is.
My point is that people still follow the bible despite it being old, so pointing out that it's 'of a different' time is irrelevant - this much is obvious and applies to both islam and christianity.
I personally don't believe they have a right to be called Christian, because raping, ISN'T Christian.
Sure, as much as many people don't think rapists should be called Muslim because raping isnt Muslim.
The Bibles kind of a history book, but Jesus' teachings are layered through it. It was never meant to be taken word for word. It's written by numerous people in numerous places in numerous points of time, a recount of events.
All of this applies to the Qur'an.
and yet their is nothing in the Bible's teachings about rape.
Actually, that's not true.
"They attacked Midian just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed all the men. All five of the Midianite kings – Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba – died in the battle. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. Then the Israelite army captured the Midianite women and children and seized their cattle and flocks and all their wealth as plunder. They burned all the towns and villages where the Midianites had lived. After they had gathered the plunder and captives, both people and animals, they brought them all to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to the whole community of Israel, which was camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the people went to meet them outside the camp. But Moses was furious with all the military commanders who had returned from the battle. “Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded. “These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORD’s people. Now kill all the boys and all the women who have slept with a man. Only the young girls who are virgins may live; you may keep them for yourselves." - moses supporting rape.
"If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her." - hardly a big condemnation of rape - god thinks that rapists should marry their victims.
"If within the city a man comes upon a maiden who is betrothed, and has relations with her, you shall bring them both out of the gate of the city and there stone them to death: the girl because she did not cry out for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbors wife." - This teaches that we should kill rape victims.
"“When you go out to war against your enemies and the LORD, your God, delivers them into your hand, so that you take captives, if you see a comely woman among the captives and become so enamored of her that you wish to have her as wife, you may take her home to your house. But before she may live there, she must shave her head and pare her nails and lay aside her captive’s garb. After she has mourned her father and mother for a full month, you may have relations with her, and you shall be her husband and she shall be your wife. However, if later on you lose your liking for her, you shall give her her freedom, if she wishes it; but you shall not sell her or enslave her, since she was married to you under compulsion.” - god approves of rape again. Nothing put on the right of women - it's all about what the man decides to do with her.
And yes you may say that 'that's because of the time' - but this is in the bible, and thus counts as one of the 'bible's teachings'.
Plenty of Christians take the bible's teachings literally though, just as plenty of Muslims take the Qur'an's teachings literally.
M… moreaybe, but these people are known as nutcases, and I personally don't believe they have a right to be called Christian, because raping, ISN'T Christian. You say the Bible's teachings, and yet their is nothing in the Bible's teachings about rape. We aren't told to rape. The Bibles kind of a history book, but Jesus' teachings are layered through it. It was never meant to be taken word for word. It's written by numerous people in numerous places in numerous points of time, a recount of events.
And 'it's in the context of its time' applies to literally anything in the bible.
Yes, that's because it's a 2000 year old book. Not sure what your point is.
You know how a traditional African village looks, heres a look. They made a choice to move to cities and overpopulate, no corporation can fo… morerce you to do that. If they wanted they would still live in their desert and forset tribes. But the lure of capitalism is too big because those who make it actually live well but you have to work for that.
You can't get to work for 6,50USD/h are you serious, because of prices in US? Do you even know how much a liter of gasoline costs in most European countries. Heres some information for you to process.
http://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/
http://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/Europe/
0.61 USD per liter in US of A, you know how much that costs in Moldova with average salary of just 200 USD a month? 0.81 USD per month.In France it is 1.81 USD/per liter.
If you would get attacked in Germany or Sweden we would not know about it because the media would stay silent abou… [view original content]
I'm glad you found it interesting! I'm a Syndicalist, which incorporates a bunch of P. J.'s ideas.
For such thing as France as one of the last bastion of workers' rights: I think it's still one of them. Our "Code du travail" (labor code?) protects greatly workers. Yet the government in place, a "social democracy" as they call themselves -but without the "social" part in the facts- tries to change it. Strikes followed against it, and we don't know where it will lead. So basically our government consider rights protecting the workers as obsolete yet, it's something from the past for them but the population is still in favor of protecting his right...
It's messed up that the "Socialist" Party is pushing that liberal crap, but the Loi Travail protests give me hope. I've always really admired the French for their commitment to strike action and their refusal to take the government's shit. In America, everyone is mostly apathetic. The workers are so numb to being exploited that it just seems normal to us. It's gotten so bad in my state that we aren't even legally entitled to breaks or paid sick days anymore, we're completely at the mercy of the employer.
There are so many people here who hate the capitalist system, but they're simply can't imagine anything else.
It might not be seen popular, yet this system looks attractive.
Concerning the jews that's sad; if I remember at this period antisemitis… morem was really strong. It doesn't change the fact his other ideas seem legit though.
For such thing as France as one of the last bastion of workers' rights: I think it's still one of them. Our "Code du travail" (labor code?) protects greatly workers. Yet the government in place, a "social democracy" as they call themselves -but without the "social" part in the facts- tries to change it. Strikes followed against it, and we don't know where it will lead. So basically our government consider rights protecting the workers as obsolete yet, it's something from the past for them but the population is still in favor of protecting his right...
Yeah, I already saw on tv some of these morons. But honestly, sometimes it's hard to believe it's true seeing how far it can go.
Thank you for having sum up his story by the way!
US has no poverty unless you actually chose to be a bum/drug addict.
We've been through this discussion before. There are a lot of homeless people in certain parts of America (sometimes even entire families), and people don't choose to be homeless. As I stated before when you brought this up, Detroit is a good example of people being homeless without having a choice. The automotive industry crashed there, and there are a lot of homeless people there now. Because the industry crashed, there are no jobs for the homeless to get. There are no minimum wage jobs for them to get either, because they are all taken because the job market is all dried up. And because they have no money, there is no hope for them to move to a better place in Michigan because they have no means to do so.
Plus, since I last talked about this here when I stated that just because it's a first world country doesn't mean that there aren't second world conditions in that country, I found out that there actually are even third world conditions in some part of America, where people don't even have electricity and running water, and the politicians in these areas don't care enough about the people to spend the money for the architecture to hook them up since they are outside of their jurisdictions because they are the Navajo, a Native American tribe.
I'm pretty sure that the people of Kiber would be really happy to be as poor as we are and could afford internet and a computer to play game… mores and talk on forums. US has no poverty unless you actually chose to be a bum/drug addict. The 10USD/h salary people get in US at MacDonalds is the salary of doctors and scientists where I live. Be greatful you live in the states, it really can't go much better.
Well obviously it takes different forms, I never disputed that, just that it's a human trait that everyone experiences in some way or another and one that, annoyingly, we'll likely never overcome :P
Misquote misquote misquote misquote misquote. I give up.
God doesn't 'approve' of anything you wrote there. Please find me where it says "I am God and I approve of this". Anywhere, somewhere. These are people who wrote the Bible like you and me, not God, and yet these people lived 2000 years ago in a time and place where women had nearly no power. Context is EVERYTHING. This is a normality in ancient societies, form what I know, what you quote doesn't even have anything to do with religion.You don't understand, clearly, and I honestly cannot be bothered to explain this to someone just searching this stuff up on the internet. I think studying and growing up a Catholic for years kind of puts my point above yours on this, because what you are writing...doesn't even make sense. If you really want to discuss these things, I suggest educating yourself on it a little instead of just quoting.
I'm not going to deny the Bible can be a violent and horrible book, but when you view it in proper context, it's all about living the 'Word of God' and generally just being a good person. I'll say it again, it's 2000 years old, and no, people don't follow the Bible word for word and start raping people left right and centre, because, yet again, God never once says that it's okay to do so. The few that do, are mentally unstable, and in 99% of all Christians eyes, not Christians themselves.
"Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it," (real quote)
DOES THIS MEAN THAT ALL CHRISTIANS RIDE DONKEYS AND GOD SUPPORTS DONKEY RIDING????!!!!
^^ EXACTLY, what you sound like to me right now.
But...believe what you want. I obviously can't get you to understand...and I won't.
Yes, that's because it's a 2000 year old book. Not sure what your point is.
My point is that people still follow the bible despite i… moret being old, so pointing out that it's 'of a different' time is irrelevant - this much is obvious and applies to both islam and christianity.
I personally don't believe they have a right to be called Christian, because raping, ISN'T Christian.
Sure, as much as many people don't think rapists should be called Muslim because raping isnt Muslim.
The Bibles kind of a history book, but Jesus' teachings are layered through it. It was never meant to be taken word for word. It's written by numerous people in numerous places in numerous points of time, a recount of events.
All of this applies to the Qur'an.
and yet their is nothing in the Bible's teachings about rape.
Actually, that's not true.
"They attacked Midian just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed… [view original content]
Please stop with the fighting, and Bitten you don't even live in america, so stop acting as if you know what you are talking about if you don't even live here.
Comments
Good and positive news are still a thing but you don't usually see that side of the world get coverage that much.
Corruption has even existed in the ancient Egypt. Societies have worked despite thousands years of corruption.
You can try to bribe the police who gives you parking ticket or something but I doubt it will work in your favor.
As long as the SURPREME LEADER KIM JONG UN is with then there is hope for this world just look at the prosperity of the DPRK...
JK were are completely fucked in a thousand different directions no matter where we look at it.
ok thx
OP seems to like their hyperboles. Corruption will always exist yes, doesn't mean the end of America, much less the world I'm afraid.
I apologize for my stupid comment since I barely know about in what state is America right now. Thanks for explanation.
"I THOUGHT THIS WAS 'MERICA!" lol america
ur welcum
All you entitled brats, heres sone Kibera slums in Nigeria for you, if you feel that you have a bad life and stuff.
It might not be seen popular, yet this system looks attractive.
Concerning the jews that's sad; if I remember at this period antisemitism was really strong. It doesn't change the fact his other ideas seem legit though.
For such thing as France as one of the last bastion of workers' rights: I think it's still one of them. Our "Code du travail" (labor code?) protects greatly workers. Yet the government in place, a "social democracy" as they call themselves -but without the "social" part in the facts- tries to change it. Strikes followed against it, and we don't know where it will lead. So basically our government consider rights protecting the workers as obsolete yet, it's something from the past for them but the population is still in favor of protecting his right...
Yeah, I already saw on tv some of these morons. But honestly, sometimes it's hard to believe it's true seeing how far it can go.
Thank you for having sum up his story by the way!
You compared a history book to the bible in that they recount information from the past (which is faulty in its own right, try to cross reference the bible), which doesn't make sense if the bible is the intent of the all-powerful sky daddy. If the god of the bible doesn't directly condone the actions of the bible then he indirectly does (because it's his book, and him being all-powerful it would say what he wanted it to say), or at least passively does. He doesn't tell them not to go rape the female virgins, right? Imagine that, he let's them know working on the sabbath is a big no no, but rape? Neither here nor there.
Would you mind not being a pompous jerk?
When people in my community get locked up for a decade due to minor crimes, go bankrupt due to medical bills, or have to choose between feeding their families and paying their rent, I'm going to give a shit about it and make my anger known. That's not entitlement, it's basic empathy and human decency. That sentiment is not invalidated by the fact that someone in Africa has it worse.
Poverty, indignity and corruption should be crushed everywhere it rears its ugly head, not just in the cherry-picked Nigerian slum that you cynically used to make a point.
I'm pretty sure that the people of Kiber would be really happy to be as poor as we are and could afford internet and a computer to play games and talk on forums. US has no poverty unless you actually chose to be a bum/drug addict. The 10USD/h salary people get in US at MacDonalds is the salary of doctors and scientists where I live. Be greatful you live in the states, it really can't go much better.
I hate people who tries to make a scale of pain, of who should have the right to complain or to denounce abuse.
It's our ancestors who gave us these rights, sometimes with blood, negociation, etc.. I'm not gonna abandon them because it's worst somewhere. You're just taking the problem in reverse: instead of wanting to put us to their level, you should want to put them as "high" as us, the "entitled brats".
By the way it's the same as saying you shouldn't mourn the death of your mother because there are people with no family at all in the world.
Completely dumb.
I'm sure the people of Kiber would be happy to know that you're using their miserable living conditions as a cudgel to attack people you disagree with.
Also, so what? Is there some kind of "poorer than thou" contest going on that I don't know about? I'm sorry those people live in a corrupt shithole that was sacked by oligarchs and foreign companies, but it's not something I can help change right now. I can help and advocate for people struggling in my own community instead of viewing them with contempt as you obviously do.
Come off it, pal. A large amount of poverty in America is intergenerational. There are plenty of Americans were born poor and whose parents were born poor. Many of the homeless in our streets are mentally ill/handicapped or in the throes of addiction and were dumped there when Reagan gutted the mental health system. That hardly constitutes a choice.
10 dollars is significantly higher than most minimum wage workers earn in the US. I personally make about 6.50 after taxes. More importantly, I ask again: is this a contest? I wish your country the best, but I've seen enough decay, desperation and violence in American cities to know that something is broken right here. Your country's situation has no bearing on that.
So, Western Europe, Canada and Australia don't exist. Gotcha.
Exactly. This is just like shaming someone for "white male privilege" instead of saying "hey, these are rights that everyone should have".
Nothing constructive about this, it's an edgy put-down plain and simple.
Clinton is less potentially dangerous for america, it'd just be more of the same with her.
This is what you western communist wannabies get wrong. People of Kibera are not exploited by oligarchs or foreign companies. They are result of overpopulation and life in isolation from any business or work opportunities. Intergenerational poverty is nothing new so it can't be a sign of America turning into a shithole or whatever point you are trying to make. 6.50 dollas/h is big money, you want more? Work for it!
Western Europe has long turned to shit unlike US, its economy hasn't seen any growth for a decade now and it will continue to go like that due to austerity policies of Germany, its also filled with migrants and terrorists if you havent noticed. The GDP per capita is just 2/3 of what USA has. Canada will soon fallow with loosers like Trudeau in power. Australia is actually pretty decent place to live, I give you that.
God didn't write the Bible...it's a bunch of stories written by various authors, not once does God say rape is okay.
Not much point discussing this until you read it and get a proper understanding from it, because you clearly haven't.
It's just like me pulling a few quotes from the Quran and thinking I know all about Allah's intent in their religion. Doesn't work.
I'm scared ;_;
The world is pretty bad, but not as worse probably 100 - 300+ years ago.
But is it not God's word? If it is, then what I've said holds true. If not, then why does it matter?
I've read a good deal of it and understand a good deal more.
I don't see why using the Quran's events to judge Allah is unreasonable. Allah is supposed to be an all-powerful god, so what is in the Quran would, by Allah's attributes, be what Allah wishes it to be.
You have a serious attitude problem. Take some of your skill in put-downs and invest it in being a more pleasant person. You'll live longer. As a card-carrying Wobbly, I also take umbrage at your claims that I'm a wannabe.
Nice talking point, but a very superficial analysis of the situation. The seeds of the slum were already sown by corruption and neoliberal capitalism. Overpopulation is only one factor and in the slums, it is directly correlation with the rise of globalized markets. The population of Nigeria used to be more widely dispersed, but the """opportunities""" offered by multinationals drove an unprecedented number of landless peasants to the cities in search of a Nigerian dream that didn't exist. Nigeria underwent rapid urbanization that greatly outpaced its economic development and ability to sustain that number of people. Employment scarcity became a problem, as did access to basic services. Rather than address these problems, the government whored out most of its control over economic planning to foreign interests, who did little to mitigate it the crisis. Meanwhile, plutocrats and officials lined their own pockets with oil money (destroying much of the Delta environment in the process) and continued to ignore its near-nonexist infrastructure and social policies, further worsening the problem. Stop regurgitating neoliberal dogma.
I don't recall saying that. I said that the U.S. has some serious problems and is running on a system that's far from ideal. I'm under no illusion that the U.S. is a third world country.
it doesn't cover the fare to and from work. Our cost of living is pretty high, even here. I really love how you seem to think you know more about the situation for working-class Americans than I, as a working-class America, do.
Ah, the venerable "bootstraps" delusion. I'm also a full-time student, paying my way through college semester by semester. Not sure what else you want from me. Economic mobility isn't the norm anymore, but I consider myself lucky in that I'll probably get out of college without much debt.
in in case you didn't notice, most of the world was ravaged by a recession (thank neoliberalism). This isn't surprising. However, Europe regularly surpasses America in measures of quality of life.
Oh gawd, Muslim cooties!!! Bro, seriously. I have a much better chance of being violently attacked here than in Europe and I don't even live in the hood. Places like Chicago, Camden and St. Louis make Paris and Brussels look like the land of peace and rainbows. Shit doesn't bother me.
The difference is the working class get a piece of that GDP. In the US, wealth is centralized at the top (so much for trickling down).
No we have a higher number of prisoners than China. We have politicians who when they want to screw us, do so by naming horrible things behind benevolent sounding legislation like Citizens United...Patriot Act...Right to Work. It is all about packaging these horrible things sweet words. And stupid people clap for it.
Really, a higher proportion than China? That's pretty pathetic.
Totally in agreement though. Our leaders cynically exploit our political illiteracy.
NEWFLASH: Poverty is still actually a thing in first world countries too.
You know how a traditional African village looks, heres a look. They made a choice to move to cities and overpopulate, no corporation can force you to do that. If they wanted they would still live in their desert and forset tribes. But the lure of capitalism is too big because those who make it actually live well but you have to work for that.
You can't get to work for 6,50USD/h are you serious, because of prices in US? Do you even know how much a liter of gasoline costs in most European countries. Heres some information for you to process.
http://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/
http://www.globalpetrolprices.com/gasoline_prices/Europe/
0.61 USD per liter in US of A, you know how much that costs in Moldova with average salary of just 200 USD a month? 0.81 USD per month.In France it is 1.81 USD/per liter.
If you would get attacked in Germany or Sweden we would not know about it because the media would stay silent about it to not be "racist". Like they did in Cologne. You probably haven't been to EU with your 6.50 salary so don't talk about it. I was in Brussels a few years ago, in that metro it looks like a third world country. EU is complet disaster, you should be happy you don't live here.
i never said said they were forced at gunpoint. They were compelling by opportunity that mostly didn't exist. Life in a village isn't easy, but there's at least norms, traditions and a sense of community. Also the people aren't swimming in garbage.
Yeah, and it worked great for like the 8 people who bootstrapped out of that hellhole. Stop speaking in liberal platitudes and accept that capitalism failed these people.
A fair point. I wouldn't know as I'm too blind to drive and bus fare probably costs more than gas here.
Remove Kebab! Once again, I'm not terrified of brown people, soooooo.
So let me get this straight. You've been whining about the poverty in your country, yet you have steady access to the Internet, see fit to mock me for my low pay and brag about traveling to one of the most expensive cities in Europe. Something smells bourgie. At least that explains why you're so enamored with pomposity, bootstraps and neoliberalism.
Honestly it's kind of sad that your only knowledge of my country seems to come from propaganda and exported American pop culture.
And yet selfishness is prevalent in one form or another in basically every society discovered on earth?
My point is that people still follow the bible despite it being old, so pointing out that it's 'of a different' time is irrelevant - this much is obvious and applies to both islam and christianity.
Sure, as much as many people don't think rapists should be called Muslim because raping isnt Muslim.
All of this applies to the Qur'an.
Actually, that's not true.
"They attacked Midian just as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed all the men. All five of the Midianite kings – Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba – died in the battle. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword. Then the Israelite army captured the Midianite women and children and seized their cattle and flocks and all their wealth as plunder. They burned all the towns and villages where the Midianites had lived. After they had gathered the plunder and captives, both people and animals, they brought them all to Moses and Eleazar the priest, and to the whole community of Israel, which was camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the people went to meet them outside the camp. But Moses was furious with all the military commanders who had returned from the battle. “Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded. “These are the very ones who followed Balaam’s advice and caused the people of Israel to rebel against the LORD at Mount Peor. They are the ones who caused the plague to strike the LORD’s people. Now kill all the boys and all the women who have slept with a man. Only the young girls who are virgins may live; you may keep them for yourselves." - moses supporting rape.
"If a man is caught in the act of raping a young woman who is not engaged, he must pay fifty pieces of silver to her father. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he will never be allowed to divorce her." - hardly a big condemnation of rape - god thinks that rapists should marry their victims.
"If within the city a man comes upon a maiden who is betrothed, and has relations with her, you shall bring them both out of the gate of the city and there stone them to death: the girl because she did not cry out for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbors wife." - This teaches that we should kill rape victims.
"“When you go out to war against your enemies and the LORD, your God, delivers them into your hand, so that you take captives, if you see a comely woman among the captives and become so enamored of her that you wish to have her as wife, you may take her home to your house. But before she may live there, she must shave her head and pare her nails and lay aside her captive’s garb. After she has mourned her father and mother for a full month, you may have relations with her, and you shall be her husband and she shall be your wife. However, if later on you lose your liking for her, you shall give her her freedom, if she wishes it; but you shall not sell her or enslave her, since she was married to you under compulsion.” - god approves of rape again. Nothing put on the right of women - it's all about what the man decides to do with her.
And yes you may say that 'that's because of the time' - but this is in the bible, and thus counts as one of the 'bible's teachings'.
[removed]
Oh really? Every single one?
Self-interest is a pretty universal human trait, but that can take different forms based on what I mentioned above.
"I went in a metro in Brusell once, so I basically can state that Europe is fucked up."
Duh.
Anecdotal evidence is the best evidence.
I'm glad you found it interesting! I'm a Syndicalist, which incorporates a bunch of P. J.'s ideas.
It's messed up that the "Socialist" Party is pushing that liberal crap, but the Loi Travail protests give me hope. I've always really admired the French for their commitment to strike action and their refusal to take the government's shit. In America, everyone is mostly apathetic. The workers are so numb to being exploited that it just seems normal to us. It's gotten so bad in my state that we aren't even legally entitled to breaks or paid sick days anymore, we're completely at the mercy of the employer.
There are so many people here who hate the capitalist system, but they're simply can't imagine anything else.
We've been through this discussion before. There are a lot of homeless people in certain parts of America (sometimes even entire families), and people don't choose to be homeless. As I stated before when you brought this up, Detroit is a good example of people being homeless without having a choice. The automotive industry crashed there, and there are a lot of homeless people there now. Because the industry crashed, there are no jobs for the homeless to get. There are no minimum wage jobs for them to get either, because they are all taken because the job market is all dried up. And because they have no money, there is no hope for them to move to a better place in Michigan because they have no means to do so.
Plus, since I last talked about this here when I stated that just because it's a first world country doesn't mean that there aren't second world conditions in that country, I found out that there actually are even third world conditions in some part of America, where people don't even have electricity and running water, and the politicians in these areas don't care enough about the people to spend the money for the architecture to hook them up since they are outside of their jurisdictions because they are the Navajo, a Native American tribe.
http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2015/02/11/not-alone-dark-navajo-nations-lack-electricity-problem-159135
Well obviously it takes different forms, I never disputed that, just that it's a human trait that everyone experiences in some way or another and one that, annoyingly, we'll likely never overcome :P
Misquote misquote misquote misquote misquote. I give up.
God doesn't 'approve' of anything you wrote there. Please find me where it says "I am God and I approve of this". Anywhere, somewhere. These are people who wrote the Bible like you and me, not God, and yet these people lived 2000 years ago in a time and place where women had nearly no power. Context is EVERYTHING. This is a normality in ancient societies, form what I know, what you quote doesn't even have anything to do with religion.You don't understand, clearly, and I honestly cannot be bothered to explain this to someone just searching this stuff up on the internet. I think studying and growing up a Catholic for years kind of puts my point above yours on this, because what you are writing...doesn't even make sense. If you really want to discuss these things, I suggest educating yourself on it a little instead of just quoting.
I'm not going to deny the Bible can be a violent and horrible book, but when you view it in proper context, it's all about living the 'Word of God' and generally just being a good person. I'll say it again, it's 2000 years old, and no, people don't follow the Bible word for word and start raping people left right and centre, because, yet again, God never once says that it's okay to do so. The few that do, are mentally unstable, and in 99% of all Christians eyes, not Christians themselves.
"Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it," (real quote)
DOES THIS MEAN THAT ALL CHRISTIANS RIDE DONKEYS AND GOD SUPPORTS DONKEY RIDING????!!!!
^^ EXACTLY, what you sound like to me right now.
But...believe what you want. I obviously can't get you to understand...and I won't.
Well played
Please stop with the fighting, and Bitten you don't even live in america, so stop acting as if you know what you are talking about if you don't even live here.
No kidding