I find a lot of Arabic (and surrounding) culture to be a bit hard to take. I imagine I would have felt much the same way about my ancestors culture 1,000 years ago.

On the subjugation thing, a lot of folks in the less developed and/or third world, consider that we are subjugating them with banking trickery. "We" being the first world -- the US, Europe. We loan them some funds, large portions of which go into the pockets of western companies providing this or that service or equipment, the loan often turns out to be mostly unproductive or benefits mainly the corrupt leader class of the country, then the country ends up devoting a large share of its natural wealth to sevice the loan for years. The corrupt leaders don't want to default cause that'll cut them out of the gravy train and shiny new Mercedeses.

Oh well, you've heard about this before no doubt.

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

You may. I can imagine you'd like to change the subject.

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

One never knows.

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

Actually, it's running fine.........has some body issues. PM me if you're interested. But, personally, I wouldn't risk a 603.970 engine.

i never said no one has a clue. i said the average american has no clue. you said i said no one.

i stand on my thoughts. because two or three folks have posted here with personal experience does not change the fact that the average american has no clue.

imho

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'm sensing a common thread here.

The average american isn't smart enough to know what's best for him/her or anyone else.

True/False

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-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

The average american can't find the state of Missouri on a map if the name wasn't on the map.

Iraq........what are you nuts?

Did you ever see Jay Leno interviewing the "average American" in clips on the show? Funny as hell. It tells you everything you need to know. But, even more telling is the fact that he's able and willing to have such clips. Clearly, he agrees with the statement........The average person is a moron.

I'll take that as a "true" vote.

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-livin' in the terminally flippant zone

Amazing and true, yet they seem to think they're smart enough to wax poetic when it comes to politics.

Amazing.

You asked a different question than the topic of the discussion.

What's best for an individual is a lengthy discussion. Many times people make the wrong choices in life. You could make the case that they are not aware of what's best for them.

We had a recent discussion of the option ARM's. Would most people who purchased said mortgages have done so because it was best for them?

I take that as a no.

Speaking of never going to get it...

You said on a post a while back that if anyone were to invade this country, you'd put the Geneva convention standards on a shelf and cause the invaders grief on your own dime. Sounds a lot like what the insurgents are doing. Suppose they were to pass out some clothes and meals? It'd be OK then? Maybe they gave candy to your kids? I guess you'd invite them into your home and let them use you hot tub in that case.

This self serving, impossibly heroic view of our troops that you and many other Americans have is just not accurate. Many of them mean well, of course, and are just as appalled at the Abu Gharib night shift and inbred, hillbilly boy Green (gonna get some, hyuck-hyuck) as I am, but they are up against an impossible situation: we bombed hell out of the place and slaughtered many of the naiton's youth on our way in. Laying waste to Fallujah sealed the deal.

We will not be welcomed as dispensers of food and clothing in Iraq in our lifetime.

Earth to MedMech: come back to us.

(editorial note: MM is unlikely to read this. He's above criticism, just like our military)

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

CMAC, would you consider this typical of your style?

B

I dunno, would you? Did you read MM's post? Saying TW's never going to get it? Watch out, that kind of stuff is ofterner truer of the issuer than the issuee. I listen to my critics.

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

.........don't you know.........MM's got a free pass around here.........you don't

That's because I am not average like you guys.