Open Forum Discussions and Debate

So I will hatch and fly over.

I like that much better than the usual wheeeeeeee. Wheeeeeee has a moony, indifferent sort of laissez-faire if we make it over fine if we don't who cares sort of feeling.

Not quite sure Jeb. Sounds like you flew the coop eaa!

Earlier this week, I heard on the news that the head of the UN's Human Rights Committee told President Calderone of Mexico, that he could no longer use the Mexican Military to fight the Drug Cartels in Mexico. That it should be the local police, not military involved with bringing the Drug Cartels to trial. That using the Military was a violation of the Drug Cartels' Civil Rights. She would not back down from her statement. The problem lies in the fact that the police have been compromised - "death or take the payoffs", that Calderone brought in the Military.

A couple of weeks ago, a "Mexican Sheriff" came accross the border and asked for political assylum, because of the Cartel's price on his head.

The drug wars have spilled over into the US and even our elected officials who fight the drug dealers (and those who are kidnapping peope) are being murdered.

My question - what about the human rights of those targeted by the cartels, drug lords, terrorist organizations ["non-governments" groups that brutalize & murder depriving their fellow man of their civil rights (basic rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of hapiness)].

Does the head of the Human Rights Committee have the authority to actually stop him using the military, or can she only complain?

Okay the percentage of people now posting on this site is leaning heavily on the female side, where have all the men disappeared to? What used to be an even mix is now becoming a rare delight. What has brought this about? Don't get me wrong I'm all for 'whatever floats your boat' but it would be nice to have an injection of fresh air from both quarters. And I have to say some (well quite a few actually) of the regulars from yesteryear seem to have vanished into the vapours of a high tide. Is this 'global warming'?

Where in the world has everyone gone to? I don’t want to fabramblicate but where are all those people who had amazing fantanations? We don’t need finklers but lets try and get some peanut butturbulance going and bring the site into a sacrelicious, neogenic, radish, ramblehouse… tentaculate and get back some elevertigo here…

She packed away the soapbox and headed over to the coffee house... only a double expresso and a large slice of Max's best chocolate, double duo layer cake would do... She was thinking about the film 'I am legend'...

Or was it 'The Day After Tomorrow'...

Andre, I'm not sure if I quite caught all those large words, but I, too, have noticed the disappearance you spoke of. Wondering where they have gone... I personally do not believe in global warming. Has that issue been talked about on this page?

André, your surmisability is veraciously verified with perspicacious profundity. The table was cleard, a map to success unravled and the navigator wanted to know what to do with the pretty bow that bound it. Amazing!

André
Why don't you try answering your own question? The truth will set you free!

The new Sudoku word for the day is "Sarchasm":

The gap between the author of sarcastic wit and those who don't get it.

but does not wit preclude sarcasm?

Wasn't sarchasm a word by, 'The Wag' from 'Over The Hill' earlier in the year?

Therein lies the rub as displayed by the seemingly impossible task of dislodging the most recalcitrant participation into a sagacious interchange of ideas.

That, it is necessary to point out, is both witty and sarcastic. Pointing out the obvious, however, precludes the joy of discovering either.

assuming, of course, that there IS joy in discovering sarcasm?

When, in the course of attempting to generate critical thought in the exchange of ideas, one encounters nothing but total silence, the resulting frustration may take many forms. In the case of 'the author', sarc(h)asm is only a passing stage in the evolutionary process. Satire in its myriad forms, i.e. irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in which human behavior is held up to scorn, derision, or ridicule is only a beginning. The terminus of the process is cynicism. When things become that bad, the only recourse is total withdrawal from the arena. I certainly hope it never comes to that, but the current environment is not at all promising.

ohhhh!..some ripples...eager to see how it develops, some response that might resonate to peak it, or just outa phase totally killing it..
patience..patience..(lest I become a patient!)

...its like picking meat from your teeth you can never reach that last piece that aggravates you so much... where are the toothpicks when you need them?...

so what is it they say about sarcasm?
Lowest form of wit, but highest form of intelligence?

And who is this they? A group of people in an office two doors down from the Argument Clinic with THEY in gold lettering on a frosted glass window on the 34th floor of an 87 story office building in down town East Phanastan sitting around on the edges of their and other people's desks saying things? And maybe even getting paid for it? It is always easiest to put the onus on THEY. THEY can't defend themselves from the slings, arrows and flying kumquats of popular opinion and/or lively discussion.

The line between sarcasm and offending people is......
same!!!! And I get offended when somebody gets offended by my sarcasm....:(
If one get easily offended, the best way to tackle is, either get over it or develop a thick skin...Jeb's discription of "They" tempts me to join them..What a job!!!!

There it is ap! I effects me the same way. It is difficult to respect someone who is so thin skinned that the slightest tongue in cheek broadside sends them scurrying under the bed with the cat. It is even worse with those who can dish it out but can't take it.

Speaking entirely in metaphor with out any intention of offending ancient traditions: I have always believed that those who proudly but unwisely display their 'holy cows' are just asking for some wag to come along and gore them.

Wow...Just got back here and all I can say Jeb...aint it da troof.....good golly mis molly....

I got a chuckle out of your response, untill I went back and re-read it. Your use of specific vernacular, especially coming from you has me doubled over near off of my chair. I would join in but see that as inapropriate and assuming, so I shall remain with my own idiom.

It just seems to me that wit is clever, educated, civilised; sarcasm is mean-spirited and nasty...

Nothing is more discouraging than unappreciated sarcasm.

By the time you read this you’ve already read it.

as for your "where are they now?"

I must be out of my mind. Back in five minutes

Mean spirited? It can be. Funny as all hemlock? That too. It is one of those 'depends' topics. What is the intent behind the jab? I see it in the same light as any useful tool. A small hand axe was handy last week after a heavy wind storm and Lizzie Borden found one useful as well. It is all a matter of degree, Mary.

In the instance extant, it seems to be working quite well for the purpose intended.

"Yes, yes," said Gollum.
"All dead, all rotten. Elves and Men and Orcs. The Dead Marshes.
There was a great battle long ago, yes, so they told him
when Sméagol was young,
when I was young before the Precious came. It was a great battle.
Tall men with long swords, and terrible Elves, and Orcses shrieking.
They fought on the plain for days and months at the Black Gates.
But the Marshes have grown since then, swallowed up the graves,
always creeping, creeping.

Therefore, is Gollum not only a singer of the heroic sagas but also a sayer of sooths?

Jeb...I knew I could count on you to get it! ......AND.... to react in the correct manner...although I did expect a private message...and it would have been appropriate! LOL

In my own vernacular, my dear, you uncorked this jug, I just 'hepped m'seff' to a swig. This little exchange might just be grounds for another discussion topic not to be lost to private messaging. Somebody else might want to wade in the water.

Do you really think some would really venture forth besides us???? I'd be delighted to see it happen! The gauntlet has been thrown...Open discussion invited.....Let's get it on....Especially those in the USA faced with the possibility of a Black President, and those in other countries affected by the election of an American President...I guess that sorta includes all of us.......DO Not be politically correct...this is a chance to put all of the cards on the table....feelings should be second...If we are to be one people, one world...we MUST get beyond certain beliefs..myths and stereotypes have a way of becoming the truth for those who don't know others who are different from them , I invite all of us to really get to know one another...Those who have been fed from the spoon of prejudice, please tell us your stories...only one rule, remain civil, state real feelings experienced and how we view those who differ from us without ranker . State why or why not it should matter to the world....Any takers????

I am delighted with the prospect of a black man becoming President....The nominee is a bright, talented, man who possesses many abilities...yet I fear his accendancy...Will he be killed because he is viewed as unfit..wrong... too black????
I am proud because he represents that blacks are equal and able to do any thing that they concieve...just as those whose skin tone is different!
I wonder why many question him on matters that have nothing to do with his ability to lead? Why is he not deemed fit, yet George W Bush, who didn't possess his educational qualifications, or EARNED experience, was acceptable?
Why are the life experiences that populate their speeches and result in different statements make them seem scary to others?
Why are they viewed from the color of their skin rather then the sum total of their abilities?
I have my own answers of course...but would love to learn that I am wrong to think as I do....I know that Obama would not be where he is without the backing and support of many who differ from his racial declaration....yet we all know that race cast a divisive thorn into our society...its greatly improved...and continues to change, yet the ugly side of race still rears its head far too often! I offer the above simply as jumping off points for discussion from a person of color to the world as it is....Talk to Me......

Just in case some may wonder how this dovetails into the prior topic of sarcasm and mean spiritness, I don't know what to say other than there is a very definite correlation that I hope is obvious...if it isn't...Maybe some one else can help you understand.

I would very much like to join in a discussion along these lines but all the nonsense that has gone on in the past two or three administrations and all the smoke and mirrors of the campaign battles have left me cold. I have turned my back on contemporary politics out of frustration caused by the devisiveness of partisan politics. How can you get behind anyone who will say whatever they think people want to hear regardless of how they part their hair? I just wish they would all remember to serve the public instead of the interests of their party and their sponsors.

Where do the disenchanted go to join up with the disenfranchised? Maybe we could form a coalition and get something done. Now, doesn't that sound progressivly liberal as all hell? I'm not so sure, sometimes, that Woody and Pete didn't have it all figured out.

And furthermore: Where was there anything mean spirited posted?