Random Thought of the Day

April 9th, 2015 at 6:36:35 AM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
I have to post this over at WoV later today.

We got a mention on LVA (Las Vegas Advisor), in the Question of the Day section about gambling in Mexico. I'm referred to as a "correspondent" sent by WoV to check out the casino situation in Mexico. And there's a brief excerpt from my article :)
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
April 9th, 2015 at 7:50:06 AM permalink
Fleastiff
Member since: Oct 27, 2012
Threads: 62
Posts: 7831
Any publicity is good, Foreign Correspondent.
April 13th, 2015 at 7:07:30 PM permalink
rxwine
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 188
Posts: 18633
I don't believe I have ever in my entire time on the Internet bought anything from a site that bombards you with ads. Some places are just ridiculous.

I wonder if they really make money at those kind of sites?

Yes, I do sometimes go to one, because of an article link or something, but not about buy a thing from such a site.
You believe in an invisible god, and dismiss people who say they are trans? Really?
April 15th, 2015 at 6:50:23 AM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
I've inadvertently cut it too close.

Between work, electrolysis and finding time to work out, I neglected to get my passport renewed earlier in the year (it expired in February). Then due to a misunderstanding with the web-based appointment system, I nearly made myself drive a long way to get it. Finally I got an appointment nearby, but until April 27th. My flight leaves on may 3rd.

But. The office I picked hands out the passports the same day. I've never had any trouble getting it renewed, not even the time I let three years go by without renewal.

But. I hope there won't be something work-related which makes me miss the appointment. The system only allows one appointment per person. To get a new one you either let the date pass without showing up, or call to have it cancelled. If I can't make it on the 27th, I very likely won't be able to get one before May 4th....

Stay tuned to this bureaucratic cliff-hanger! ;)
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
April 15th, 2015 at 6:52:22 AM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
Quote: rxwine
I don't believe I have ever in my entire time on the Internet bought anything from a site that bombards you with ads.


I'm not sure what you mean.

When I buy something from a web site, I tend to see lots ads for them all over when I browse the web, especially in FB. Not for every website. I got no ads from Truekare when I bought something last month. But I do get lots of ads from Daily Look, Chic Wish and Romewe.
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
April 15th, 2015 at 8:02:30 AM permalink
rxwine
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 188
Posts: 18633
Quote: Nareed
I'm not sure what you mean.


I mean like pages that run ads on side, bottom, and top, pop up ads, and pop out ads, video ads, sometimes all running one after the other. Even my pop up blocker fails. And if you go to the next page, it starts again. Not to mention, moving ads -- not really video, just something happening trying to catch your attention.
You believe in an invisible god, and dismiss people who say they are trans? Really?
April 15th, 2015 at 12:45:54 PM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
Quote: rxwine
I mean like pages that run ads on side, bottom, and top, pop up ads, and pop out ads, video ads, sometimes all running one after the other. Even my pop up blocker fails.


I've a fairly high tolerance for ads, because I ignore most of them. I would have noticed something like that, I expect. In which site do you get this type of ads?
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
April 20th, 2015 at 7:10:51 AM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy."

This can be very clearly illustrated by the massively stupid blunder we now call World War I.

The Germans had it all figured out. They'd mobilize quickly in the event of a crisis. Then they'd take France out of the war, in order to move troops east to meet the Russian threat. They'd do all this before the Russians could mobilize, of course, and the war would be over in weeks.

The Russians began to mobilize first.

Germany mobilized and attempted a modified Schlieffen Plan (leaving the Netherlands in peace) to tackle France, but the offensive stalled a distance from Paris.

While driving towards Paris, the Russians invaded East Prussia. Divisions had to be moved from France to the east.

There followed 4 years of a brutal, bloody conflict. Plus the miseries in Central Europe in the inter-war period. plus six years of an even more brutal, far bloodier conflict in WWII.

I honestly hope we will not make such incredible mistakes again. But think about this when someone proposes military action to remove a threat or a problem.
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
April 20th, 2015 at 4:20:05 PM permalink
Nareed
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 346
Posts: 12545
The other big blunder concerning WWI was the Versailles Treaty. Not the terms per se, but the fact the Allies excluded the defeated nations from the negotiating table. This is something the US also did after defeating the rebel southern states in the Civil War, and which also had negative long term consequences (like resentful southern states stripping away all gains made by African Americans in their territory in the immediate aftermath of the war).

This mistake, at least, was not repeated after WWII. While unconditional surrender was demanded, and obtained, from the Axis powers, they were allowed into negotiations after the war. The peace that followed was, for one thing, a peace.
Donald Trump is a one-term LOSER
April 20th, 2015 at 10:56:51 PM permalink
Fleastiff
Member since: Oct 27, 2012
Threads: 62
Posts: 7831
Quote: Nareed
This mistake, at least, was not repeated after WWII. While unconditional surrender was demanded, and obtained, from the Axis powers, they were allowed into negotiations after the war. The peace that followed was, for one thing, a peace.


Oh, my leaky brain! I can't recall the name of the Philosopher who was a Long Shore Man. During early WWtwo two of his workmates who were functional illiterates predicted that after the war was over we would probably have to face the Russians. When he asked them for what reason would the USA and Russia ever be enemies, they replied: You ever see small boys play King of the Hill?