brenthutch 444 #251 September 11, 2019 I did think I said “primarily”. It’s not just capitalism, we must not forget guns. Right about now the folks in Hong Kong are wishing they has a Second Amendment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 2,991 #252 September 12, 2019 3 hours ago, brenthutch said: I did think I said “primarily”. It’s not just capitalism, we must not forget guns. Right about now the folks in Hong Kong are wishing they has a Second Amendment. Not sure what that has to do with economic systems, but OK. Of course, I have a feeling the people of Odessa, TX are looking pretty enviously at the violent crime rate in Hong Kong, which is far lower than that of the US. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ibx 2 #253 September 12, 2019 18 hours ago, billvon said: We have been changing this system for well over 200 years. We now have a system that is a mix of capitalism, socialism and communism (think national parks - 'owned by everyone.') The most successful systems use a mix of them - and are not afraid to change them continuously. Then we are in agreement. It must have been a misunderstanding. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ibx 2 #254 September 12, 2019 (edited) double post Edited September 12, 2019 by ibx double post Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ibx 2 #255 September 12, 2019 (edited) double post Edited September 12, 2019 by ibx double post Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 220 #256 September 12, 2019 On 8/4/2019 at 8:01 PM, normiss said: I'm seriously starting to think our "mental illness" issue is actually just hatred and racism, sometimes with a dash of religiousness. I can get on board with this thinking. But you probably have to add "entitlement", lack of disciplinary methods, and unhealthy competition. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nigel99 474 #257 September 12, 2019 9 hours ago, brenthutch said: I did think I said “primarily”. It’s not just capitalism, we must not forget guns. Right about now the folks in Hong Kong are wishing they has a Second Amendment. You really think have armed civilians in Hong Kong would result in anything other than a total bloodbath? i would be willing to bet that if the civilians started fighting back the big guns would come out. I really think that is the most naive fantasy land example. How well did it go for all the good old people in Waco Texas? They had the second amendment and used it... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeWeber 2,720 #258 September 12, 2019 (edited) 16 hours ago, brenthutch said: I did think I said “primarily”. It’s not just capitalism, we must not forget guns. Right about now the folks in Hong Kong are wishing they has a Second Amendment. Come on, man, that's absurd. In your fantasy is that heroic fellow in Tiananmen Square pointing his Glock at the tank? It matters not how well armed and disciplined you are if you don't have the numbers and your foe cares not a whit about about cruelty or image. You've heard of the Spartans, right? Edited September 12, 2019 by JoeWeber Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #259 September 12, 2019 On 9/11/2019 at 6:24 AM, brenthutch said: The US is demonstrably the most successful, because it is primarily a capitalist system. Then again it depend on the metric one uses to determine "success". If you want to avoid the scourge of income inequality then the socialist Venezuelan model is clearly superior. 74 years ago the US was the only industrialized nation whose infrastructure was not in a complete shambles following WW2 - a conflict fueled by capitalism. Being protected by two oceans from blitzkreig certainly helped. And then there was the access to the mineral wealth and farmable land of an unexploited continent. Your views are, as always, simplistic. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #260 September 12, 2019 2 hours ago, kallend said: 74 years ago the US was the only industrialized nation whose infrastructure was not in a complete shambles following WW2 - a conflict fueled by capitalism. Being protected by two oceans from blitzkreig certainly helped. And then there was the access to the mineral wealth and farmable land of an unexploited continent. Your views are, as always, simplistic. Thank you for stating the obvious. Not sure any of this gets taught in US education system. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,192 #261 September 12, 2019 25 minutes ago, SkyDekker said: Thank you for stating the obvious. Not sure any of this gets taught in US education system. The other big factor in America's success in the last 75 years is the constant stream of immigrants renewing the economy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brenthutch 444 #262 September 12, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, kallend said: WW2 - a conflict fueled by capitalism. Tell that to the Soviets Stay in your lane professor you look foolish when you stray. Edited September 12, 2019 by brenthutch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,192 #263 September 12, 2019 (edited) 7 minutes ago, brenthutch said: Tell that to the Soviets Stay in your lane professor you look foolish when you stray. The Soviets were attacked by Nazis fueled by capitalists. The professor is schooling you. Again. Edited September 12, 2019 by gowlerk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #264 September 12, 2019 3 minutes ago, brenthutch said: Tell that to the Soviets Stay in your lane professor you look foolish when you stray. The Soviet Union wasn't a fully industrialized nation in the 40s and was still very much impoverished. The economic damage of Operation Barbarossa was absolutely significant Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brenthutch 444 #265 September 13, 2019 3 hours ago, gowlerk said: The Soviets were attacked by Nazis fueled by capitalists. The professor is schooling you. Again. If capitalism was to blame we should have had WW3 and WW4 by now. Both WWI and WW2 were the result of European nationalism. Both times the US had to intercede and save Europe from itself. 3x if you include the Marshal Plan and 4x if you count the Cold War. My undergrad was in international political science (it was called Foreign Service back in the day) so I do know a thing or two about it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,192 #266 September 13, 2019 5 minutes ago, brenthutch said: If capitalism was to blame we should have had WW3 and WW4 by now. Both WWI and WW2 were the result of European nationalism. Both times the US had to intercede and save Europe from itself. 3x if you include the Marshal Plan and 4x if you count the Cold War. My undergrad was in international political science (it was called Foreign Service back in the day) so I do know a thing or two about it. So, no one said capitalism was to blame. Kallend made the point that it was fueled by capitalism. The source of funding was only one of many factors. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfriverjoe 1,523 #267 September 13, 2019 1 minute ago, gowlerk said: So, no one said capitalism was to blame. Kallend made the point that it was fueled by capitalism. The source of funding was only one of many factors. Well, both the US and Germany had a pretty big industrial base (Japan & Britain too). There were industrialists on all sides who made a LOT of money building the 'war machine'. Even in Japan & Germany, most of these survived the war and prospered. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brenthutch 444 #268 September 13, 2019 18 minutes ago, wolfriverjoe said: Well, both the US and Germany had a pretty big industrial base (Japan & Britain too). There were industrialists on all sides who made a LOT of money building the 'war machine'. Even in Japan & Germany, most of these survived the war and prospered. Imperialism and nationalism caused the wars NOT capitalism. Capitalism generates the wealth that makes the modern welfare state possible. You can’t redistribute wealth if you don’t make it in the first place. Capitalism is responsible for bringing BILLIONS of people out of poverty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #269 September 13, 2019 17 hours ago, brenthutch said: Stay in your lane professor you look foolish when you stray. Irony score 100% Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brenthutch 444 #270 September 13, 2019 (edited) Lets get back to the original topic. I already have lots of garlic, but I am looking at getting some garlic specifically for three gun competition. I am looking at a Smith and Wesson M&P 15 Competition with a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6X24 optic. Thoughts? Edited September 13, 2019 by brenthutch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #271 September 13, 2019 13 hours ago, brenthutch said: If capitalism was to blame we should have had WW3 and WW4 by now. Both WWI and WW2 were the result of European nationalism. Both times the US had to intercede and save Europe from itself. As a matter of FACT, Germany declared war on the USA, December 11, 1941, forcing the USA into the European war. You should also learn something about the Zimmerman telegram. Your knowledge of history matches your knowledge of atmosperic science. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,027 #272 September 13, 2019 Just now, kallend said: As a matter of FACT, Germany declared war on the USA, December 11, 1941, forcing the USA into the European war. You should also learn something about the Zimmerman telegram. Your knowledge of history matches your knowledge of atmospheric science. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brenthutch 444 #273 September 13, 2019 (edited) 20 minutes ago, kallend said: As a matter of FACT, Germany declared war on the USA, December 11, 1941, forcing the USA into the European war. You should also learn something about the Zimmerman telegram. Your knowledge of history matches your knowledge of atmosperic science. Uh, World War Two started in 1939 NOT 1941 and the Zimmerman telegram was sent in 1917, three years AFTER the beginning of World War One. As I said "stay in your lane" BTW thank you for the complement Edited September 13, 2019 by brenthutch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,192 #274 September 13, 2019 32 minutes ago, brenthutch said: Lets get back to the original topic. I already have lots of garlic, but I am looking at getting some garlic specifically for three gun competition. I am looking at a Smith and Wesson M&P 15 Competition with a Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6X24 optic. Thoughts? Go for it. It will definitely make you a better man. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brenthutch 444 #275 September 13, 2019 He has the M&P Tactical, The M&P Competition has a better muzzle brake, two stage match trigger free float handguard and a better barrel. It also costs twice as much as the Tactical version. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites