Dervish said
I still don't know why they host G20 summits, because I seriously wonder what they accomplish other than the host city getting trashed, dozens if not hundreds of people arrested and detained (often illegitimately), and sometimes people get killed. Couldn't they all, I don't know, have a Skype call and save the tax payers a boatload of money, and if they did have to meet up, not spend millions on making things like fake lakes and other giant money sinks? The G8 summit in Huntsville had barely any protestors because nobody wants to drive that far up North, and the police can block off the highways leading it it. Why not hold the G20 there, or at one of the several military bases where you can easily prevent civilian access?

I'm gonna take a devil's advocate type switch here and say because that would get tons of public backlash. Also I'm betting it's just not as comfortable for the delegates, and probably provides a little bit of a boost to the host city (not counting all the damage). It would look really bad to have it on a military base when people are already unhappy with the parties involved.

Doivid said
I'm gonna take a devil's advocate type switch here and say because that would get tons of public backlash. Also I'm betting it's just not as comfortable for the delegates, and probably provides a little bit of a boost to the host city (not counting all the damage). It would look really bad to have it on a military base when people are already unhappy with the parties involved.

People have notoriously short memories. The minute the news gives them something else to rage over, they've already fundamentally forgotten or stopped caring about their source of outrage.

But really, what's worse? Murmurs of people wondering why they're doing business on a military base and coming up with some stupid theories? Can't be worse than people claiming shit like 9/11 was an inside job, at least nobody dies if they do it in a secure location that people will, once again, have largely stopped caring about in six months.

And like Nex said, there's protestors who show up to those things for the sole reason of causing shit and to paint a bad portrait of the police. Remember that "Pepper Spray" cop that everyone was losing their shit over? If people bothered to look up the whole video, they'd have known that the police gave the protestors who were surrounding and blocking off the police from leaving several warnings to let them out or they'd have to use it. The cop in question even knelt down in front of the protestors who were sitting there to explain to them that if they refused to move, he'd be forced to use pepper spray and what have you. It's hard to claim to be the victim when you are more or less trying to detain the police for arresting protestors and saying shit like "If you let them go, we'll let you leave."

As well, during each of these G20 summits, the cities are trashed and hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage happen, stores are broken into, looters run rampant, and a lot of people get hurt. How is it in any way worth having those stupid summits? Do the leaders actually follow through on commitments, or are they just making appearances? What exactly is accomplished that is worth people losing their lives and getting badly injured, businesses shutting down, and entire sections of the city locked down?

If not military bases, then fine. Pick a more remote town that isn't going to be a hotbed that's easy to secure. Huntsville was a perfect location, since you could only reach it by high way and very few people are going to drive several hours to a small tourist town and risk getting stopped and turned away from a police barricade.

As for the delegates being comfortable, who gives a shit? Throw them in a Super 8 or Holiday Inn. They don't need big fancy accommodations that cost hundreds, if not thousands, a night, on a tax payer's dime. If what they're doing is so important to helping the global economy and stability, then they should suck it up and do their part, too. You can't justify almost the entire thing. It isn't worth it.

Doivid said
One of the people who go on and on about 'Kalifornia' (no idea what the K is supposed to imply) and New York as like communist death camp states, as if you know what they're actually about other than yahoo news articles meant to rile people up. And I have no idea why you're injecting sexuality into this, because it had nothing at all to do with my post. Little bit tacky there.

....No I don't? I do know however they they are two of the states with some of the most heavily restricted freedoms in America.

California has it's ridiculous "assault weapon ban" that prohibits lawful citizens from owning rifles with easily changed magazines, and any of the following:
A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon
A Thumbhole Stock
A folding or Telescoping Stock
A Grenade Launcher or Flare Launcher
A Flash Suppressor
Or a Forward Pistol Grip...

A semiautomatic Pistol is prohibited if it has a removable magazine with a capacity of greater than 10 rounds, and any one of;
A Threaded Barrel
A Second Handgrip
A Barrel Shroud
The ability to accept a detachable magazine outside of the pistol grip.

What is this actually about? It sure as hell isn't about preventing gun violence, because the gangs still have their guns. They are still bringing in illegal firearms over the border with the millions of tons of prohibited drugs. None of these features makes the firearm more powerful or deadly...They are aesthetic features, or features that help to ensure the safety of the person operating the firearm.

New york has implemented similar laws as well. Plus the asinine "Large Soda Cup Ban"...Tell me what that is about, if it is not a gross abuse of power to even try to implement such a ridiculous law? Tell me what Bloomberg was about when he was threatening to shut down humanitarian relief sites in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy?

And my apologies on the sexuality bit, given the context of the recent discourse in this thread, may you forgive me for assuming that you thought I was either Liberal or Conservative, Tea party or....Occupy or whatever it is?

Doivid said
One of the people who go on and on about 'Kalifornia' (no idea what the K is supposed to imply) and New York as like communist death camp states, as if you know what they're actually about other than yahoo news articles meant to rile people up. And I have no idea why you're injecting sexuality into this, because it had nothing at all to do with my post. Little bit tacky there.

...If anyone wants the two cents of an actual New Yorker in all this, I happen to be one.

I mean, I was just ranting about yogurt debates. Despite that, NY is not a hellhole, if you ask me. :I

Goldmarble said
....No I don't? I do know however they they are two of the states with some of the most heavily restricted freedoms in America.California has it's ridiculous "assault weapon ban" that prohibits lawful citizens from owning rifles with easily changed magazines, and any of the following:A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weaponA Thumbhole StockA folding or Telescoping StockA Grenade Launcher or Flare LauncherA Flash SuppressorOr a Forward Pistol Grip...A semiautomatic Pistol is prohibited if it has a removable magazine with a capacity of greater than 10 rounds, and any one of;A Threaded BarrelA Second HandgripA Barrel ShroudThe ability to accept a detachable magazine outside of the pistol grip.What is this actually about? It sure as hell isn't about preventing gun violence, because the gangs still have their guns. They are still bringing in illegal firearms over the border with the millions of tons of prohibited drugs. None of these features makes the firearm more powerful or deadly...They are aesthetic features, or features that help to ensure the safety of the person operating the firearm.New york has implemented similar laws as well. Plus the asinine "Large Soda Cup Ban"...Tell me what that is about, if it is not a gross abuse of power to even try to implement such a ridiculous law? Tell me what Bloomberg was about when he was threatening to shut down humanitarian relief sites in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy?And my apologies on the sexuality bit, given the context of the recent discourse in this thread, may you forgive me for assuming that you thought I was either Liberal or Conservative, Tea party or....Occupy or whatever it is?

Admittedly I don't know what the deal is with those laws. I don't really follow gun control issues except peripherally. I do know quite a few gun owners out here and overall it doesn't seem to be as high on their list of complaints as other things (like the fight between gov't and farmers over dwindling water supplies)What I do know is that Feinstein and Boxer have had a fair bit to do with them and are corrupt as fuck. Politicians in general, here, are as corrupt in other states. But not moreso.

Bloomberg is a billionaire who is absolutely out of touch with any real concerns, and that goes way beyond politics. His tenure had all kinds of unreasonable, callous decisions for the people in NYC.

I try not to assume of people what I wouldn't want them to assume of me, but I won't deny reading into it when I see the usual criticism of my state. I get a little defensive, even.

Kaga said
Despite that, NY is not a hellhole, if you ask me. :I

I feel you on that. I have a whole host of issues with what my state is doing, especially Brown opening us up to private prisons.

I still love my state though.

Goldmarble said
Large Soda Cup Ban

People buy smaller sodas now. *shrugs*

Doivid said
I feel you on that. I have a whole host of issues with what my state is doing, especially Brown opening us up to private prisons. I still love my state though.

I don't even follow politics that well. The yogurt thing just caught my eye on the front page of the newspaper a couple mornings ago.

I've just never heard people bashing on New York so much before now. I mean, what I said in the OP was sort of directed at politicians in general. But regarding the debate that has broken out in this very thread... The issues don't seem to be nearly as bad as people are making them out to be. I live here, and I never particularly hated the things going on here.

Kaga said
I don't even follow politics that well. The yogurt thing just caught my eye on the front page of the newspaper a couple mornings ago.I've just never heard people bashing on New York so much before now. I mean, what I said in the OP was sort of directed at politicians in general. But regarding the debate that has broken out in this very thread... The issues don't seem to be nearly as bad as people are making them out to be. I live here, and I never particularly hated the things going on here.

New York and California are somewhat reviled in general conversation. Same way people stigmatize the south, which is probably worse in a lot of ways. I would probably do the same thing if I didn't have family from the south and realize what kind of prejudice they face in other parts of the country.

Doivid said
New York and California are somewhat reviled in general conversation. Same way people stigmatize the south, which is probably worse in a lot of ways. I would probably do the same thing if I didn't have family from the south and realize what kind of prejudice they face in other parts of the country.

News to me. I mean I've seen people bash on California and the South and such, but not really NY before. *shrugs*

Kaga said
News to me. I mean I've seen people bash on California and the South and such, but not really NY before. *shrugs*

idk, whenever someone says new york the word pompous comes to mind

California, Texas and New York are the three states that get made fun of the most.

Coincidentally, also the three biggest by both GDP and population.

Well, shit. Looks like Spam turned into Off Topic

Vortex said
Well, shit. Looks like Spam turned into Off Topic

I was a little worried that would happen when I decided to make a thread about politics.

I hoped the ridiculousness of the content would offset things, but no... :/

Kaga said
I was a little worried that would happen when I decided to make a thread about politics.I hoped the ridiculousness of the content would offset things, but no... :/

Something, something trap card.

Wow. This is almost what I'd expect to find in Off-Topic but with more really old memes being flung about instead of overly long winded Jorick-length responses.

Most politicians suck. I swear it's their job to suck. Really it probably is. Left wing, right wing--if 90% of everything is shit, then 90% of politicians are shit, regardless of their political affiliations.

Especially in the States. Fuck. The Democrats are centre-right compared to the rest of the world and the Republicans are slightly-more-than-centre-right. The differences between the two from an outsider view are mainly social issues, if that. Elect Democrat or Republican and I guarantee the president breaks most of his promises, doesn't commit to significant changes, doesn't actually fix any significant problems, and will play chicken with your economy and civil rights until the last possible moment... And then some.

"What about Obamacare?"

You mean that thing Mitt Romney already did a version of, and which most of the world is already doing, but not in some pathetic, half-assed manner? Pshh.

Politicians were once men who were qualified for their job or inspired to do their job. And their job? Run the damn country.

Politicians nowadays are charismatic puppets running for a platform, a party, not an idea. They're conformists, not prone to change, not prone to thinking and acting because acting outside of the defined sandbox zone is a threat to their job... It's pathetic, and sad, but that's politicians for you.

So politicians fighting over fucking Yoghurt? A symptom of a much bigger and more prolific problem of a decrepit system that is slowly rotting itself inside out like the Roman Empire of old.

Kaga said
News to me. I mean I've seen people bash on California and the South and such, but not really NY before. *shrugs*

I grew up in upstate New York, then joined the military and moved all over (but mostly in what we'd call the southwest, a little bit of midwest). 'Yankees' are a national whipping-boy, and most of it is deserved ('LOL Y U WARE COWBOI HAT? LOLNOOB' 'Well.... I'm a cattle rancher..........' 'UR STUPID!').

Lots of east-coast people in general, but especially northeast, have a certain opinion of farm folk. We don't keep it a secret, and they know what we think about them, and they rightly resent it.

mdk said
I grew up in upstate New York, then joined the military and moved all over (but mostly in what we'd call the southwest, a little bit of midwest). 'Yankees' are a national whipping-boy, and most of it is deserved ( ).Lots of east-coast people in general, but especially northeast, have a certain opinion of farm folk. We don't keep it a secret, and they know what we think about them, and they rightly resent it.

To be honest your country's inner differences simultaneously confuse and interest me for this reason. Here in Canada, while there are some differences here and there, the majority of us are pretty similar in what we are--Canadians. (Except Québec and arguable the Newfies, everyone identifies themselves as Canadian, and what rivalries there are here are very timid and calm. The only time I can think of an exception is over hockey.)

Versus the States, where each geographic area has its own distinctive traditions and accent, and that's just the surface of it. It's almost colourful in some obscenely chaotic way that makes it just... Interesting.

Brovo said
To be honest your country's inner differences simultaneously confuse and interest me for this reason. Here in Canada, while there are some differences here and there, the majority of us are pretty similar in what we are--Canadians. (Except Québec and arguable the Newfies, everyone identifies themselves as Canadian, and what rivalries there are here are very timid and calm. The only time I can think of an exception is over hockey.)Versus the States, where each geographic area has its own distinctive traditions and accent, and that's just the surface of it. It's almost colourful in some obscenely chaotic way that makes it just... Interesting.

There are a ton of regional differences in Canada. BC, the Territories, the Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba), Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes and Newfoundland all have individual characteristics that separate them from each other. Then there are all of the variances inside of those regions, such as between Northern and Southern Ontario.

The Nexerus said
There are a ton of regional differences in Canada. BC, the Territories, the Prairies (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba), Ontario, Quebec, the Maritimes and Newfoundland all have individual characteristics that separate them from each other. Then there are all of the variances inside of those regions, such as between Northern and Southern Ontario.

Yes, but it's not quite the same. I lived in BC when I was knee high to a gopher. I've been back there multiple times in my life to visit family, and the differences were just... Not very pronounced. The accents were virtually on par, the overall cultural feelings were the same. The differences were there, they were just subtle enough that they didn't interfere at all in how I interacted with the people around me. (Save some of the immigrants from the orient and their neighbourhoods--I stayed away for certain lovely reasons.)

The States' it's like... I've heard all sorts of different accents from there, seen all kinds of cuisine, and... It's not quite the same as it is here. It's more pronounced there, the differences I mean.

EDIT

In all honesty though, could be my rose tinted sunglasses not letting me see what is right in front of me. Oh well.