http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqueduct

the architecture and engineering of the ancients was very very impressive. they addressed and solved many of the same problems we do today. and they figured out how to do it without much of the technology that is available to us today. people have been very very intelligent for a long time.

one of my favorite facts is to consider the cathedrals that were built in france and germany from around 1000 to around 1350. they built spaces that had well over 400 feet high worship areas (naves). they built without the use of steel structures. it was all built by stacking very accurately cut stones one on top of the other. now just consider for a moment that they had to also build scaffolds and cranes to lift the stones into place. and realize that the scaffolding had to be built from wood (most likely). now we are talking of 400 feet in height. that is about 28 stories high. just think for a moment how you would build a wooden scaffold and crane to lift stones weighing hundreds of pounds up that high.

people have been very, very smart for a long, time.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I have (so far).

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

MedMech and Carleton- Thank you for the history lesson that was great!

...and then something terrible happened.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

As near as I can see, the rule came about from the perception that the word was being used as a way to denigrate or insult Americans, in the same fashion as a racial slur. When I read the word being used I never "heard" it that way, myself, but then again, I'm not American. I heard it in the same way that "hoser" or "canuck" is sometimes used to describe us Canadians. In a playfully derogatory way, not in a hurtful way.

The following URL may be helpful in codifying the meaning of various racial slurs.



http://www.rsdb.org/

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The word is not offensive to the majority of Americans that keep an open mind. I say majority because the reality of corporate sponsored politics has created an apathy so that many people don't vote, or spend it on a third party to make a statement. To the entire world's amazement we ran again and voted a world class dim bulb controlled by and elite group that has been trying to steal this country since the days of Richard Nixon. It reflects on us all but we need to find a way to separate the name for outsiders to understand we aren't all responsible.
It's just a way of giving a name to that insipid group of stuck on stupid Americans that blindly believe every bit of government propaganda they are fed. We're a nation divided along lines that seem obvious to each side, and ridiculous to the other.

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89 300E
79 240D
72 Westy
63 Bug sunroof
85 Jeep CJ7
86 Chevy 6.2l diesel PU

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius

Solar powered!

good one.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I HATE it when that happens.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

I can understand how people would find it rude and abrasive. OTOH, think of some of the nations in history and currently who outlaw a similar act, one that is in the news of late: flag burning. I believe China, Iran, and Cuba have laws against that at present. How do you think you would have fared had you burned a flag in WW2 Germany or Japan? Or Stalin's Russia?

I can't imagine ever burning a flag unless we actually somehow put someone in power who really is a lot like Hitler. You're not going to score too many points with that in today's America and if it's got any synthetics in it, the fumes are toxic. One reason I think this ceremonial burning for old flag disposal is whacked. Just hide it in something else and bury it.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

There's a bit of a difference here. MB Open Discussion isn't a sovereign country or nation, it's a private enterprise akin to someones house or a private club. When the person in charge of the the club or the owner of the house says that you may not do something that's the way it is. You still have the option of staying and participating or going home and not. It's similar to me not letting my kids swear in the house nor other kids they bring to our house. Evidently I'm in the minority of parents when it comes to this but them is the rules and I expect them to be obeyed - you know, it's my roof and all, I pay for it...

Evidently the term in question here was being used pejorativly and thus was offensive to many. It just so happens that the sponsor of the site and several moderators felt the word offensive and disallowed it. This isn't some giant free speech standoff.

BTW, I thought you already felt like a Hitler clone was in office now???

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-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

Well put. I like Z but I'm not sure the term was accomplishing anything here.

It is similar in spirit to the flag burning question, if only slightly.

I don't like Bush but I've said before: if everything his worst enemies say about him is true, he still only rises (sinks?) to about 10 - 20% of the debauched, loony evil that was Schicklegruber.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Use the word at your own risk. I can't catch every single use, but I will catch a few. I'm not saying someone will get banned if they use it. But make a habit of it and certain actions along those lines will be taken.

The term does nothing, if you need to use it to make a point your argument is weak.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200