Cate, you know full well that " failing to understand" is really a polite euphemism for the stand you have taken on the Avaaaz petition.
One day you might need HRT, so don’t put down people who do.
You may not realise it, but your comments come across as uncaring.
Cate, I fail to see how you cannot recognise that over a million people from all over the world coming together to do good is not constructive.
I would also like to meet you when you are perhaps in need of HRT( which by the way is something I have never taken).
And Putin said…
Personally speaking, I am more in favour of a demonstration of boobie bouncing :-)
Spot on Cate. There are a few things missing, not from you, but from the respective governments. The UK government owes Miliband a serious apology for the "f**king c**t and copper-bottomed s**t" remarks - even if they are entirely right, I can't stand the bloke but that language warrants apology. Since it is linked to the vote, it adds to the shame where there is any. In the mind of the 'beholder' thing there.
As regards Moscow. Putin is all of that and more. However there is clearly more than just saying/doing the opposite to the USA in there and the world deserves to know it. Assad, it appears according to one political analyst, would have stuck to being an ophthalmologist (I don't know why but that made me laugh, I think he looks more like a dentist than a ruthless dictator or an ophthalmologist - his old man did the dictator bit pretty convincingly) if it had not been for the family's links with Russia. So, Putin just give us a hint what the dirt is, please!
"vic - you are right but maybe that should be' booby bouncer'? you can fight martin for your share of the 100 euros:-)"
Nah! it would take more than that to make me fight somebody in fancy dress. Only joking Martin, don't start on me. I've seen what a tongue lashing you Jack Tars can give :-)
How does one wave a willy while hugging a tree? or, for that matter, bounce boobies?
Hallelujah! Trouble is that between John Kerry and Sergey Lavrov I trust the latter most, which is not saying much considering I don't actually trust him!
it looks like there is going to be an agreement
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/world/middleeast/syria-talks.html?emc=edit_na_20130914&_r=0
At the monthly board meeting I was once called to order for referring to someone who was blowing there own trumpet as “A self licking lollipop”. Regrettably the person concerned was the the HR Director who took offence!
Service language and civilian language are so unconnected! Before anyone says it I deplore bullying in any guise.
"martin - thank you so much for the 'willy waver' comment - I have added this expression to my vocab - totally awesome:-)"
Cate, In order to avoid being called a feminist or whatever perhaps you should also consider "titty twirler"
Bit of a drop in but here goes.
Social anthropology looks at culture and its continuity (it includes rituals and symbolic behaviour associated with them) and is said to be embedded in its historical and social context, including its diversity of positions and perspectives, the ambiguities, conflicts and contradictions of social life, rather than independent (explanatory) ones. Topics that interests social anthropologists include economic and political organisation, laws, conflict resolution, patterns of exchange and consumption, kinship, gender relations, childbearing, socialisation, customs and religion. Present day social anthropologists are also engaged in research in the fields of gender studies,globalism, ethnic violence,trans-nationalism and and emerging cultures. Much of it is fieldwork based, thus people often specialise. I, for instance, was originally studying internal migration in Peru, which brought me by chance rather than intent to street children which in turn developed into topics such as child labour, children in war, trafficking and other issues that took me deeply into children's rights. Very few anthros actually remain generalists.
Sociology is the scientific study of human social behaviour, its origins, development, organisations and institutions.It uses various methods of empirical investigation which is collection of data on which to base a theory or draw a conclusion scientifically and critical analysis in order to develop a body of knowledge about human social actions, social structure and its functions. An aim of many sociologists is to conduct research that can be applied directly to social policy and welfare. Others focus primarily on refining theoretical understanding of social processes.
Anthros need to learn a certain amount of sociology because it is far more comprehensively theoretical whereas the anthropology is more practical. It is used to 'explain' social stratification, class, culture, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, social mobility, religion, legal systems and deviance. Oof, I think that's about it. I was taught and surrounded by some of the world's leading sociologists in their time and learned bog all because I am not at all good at theory and anyway I quickly found that there are too many different schools of thought and the amount of time and thought required to look at enough of them to choose is far above my intellectual skills or, as I have often heard (perhaps) a waste of time.
Well put Graham. You said everything I wanted to. This has been such a fascinating thread please don't let it degenerate into personal insults.
I love to read differing opinions whether they agree with me or not and many people have different life experiences that we can all learn from.
I personally always enjoy Brian's contributions whether I agree with them or not.
I am not a sociologist, in fact I am a terrible one in as far as I am obliged to be. I am a social anthropologist. I am far better at philosophy beside my own discipline and that is a debating discipline. You'll actually find me listed as an author under Springer philosophy most recently, if you have roughly €100 going spare I am most certain I offer plenty for you to disagree with. I do not browbeat, I argue hard, I also have and show anger which is a normal human emotion but I do not rely on sarcasm.
Nobody says a petition will resolve anything, however it shows opinions. As I strongly disagreed with the need for a strike and naturally the loss of innocent lives. Too many have already been lost and will be every day to wish more destruction on them. When I saw the destruction in the Lebanon a couple of decades back I thanked my lucky stars for what I had, war is more than scary, it breaks people like little bits of scrap paper. No Cate, I was angry because I remember. Memory is more than any petition. However that petition serves a purpose. Those who choose not to participate are making a choice but using words to imply that those of us who have joined in the petitions of the last few years are wasting our time or questioning the point can be as dismissive as they like but they are not going to stop the 25 million plus supporters growing.
Just like Tony Blair, who had all the information!!!
There is a reason that there is an opposition in Parliament and a free press and, fortunately, people who care about our world and wish the best for it and its inhabitants.
Very nicely put Graham by a true gentleman!
Nicely said sir!
I can't speak for SFN, but I personally welcome - and find fascinating - the level of discussion on here. Many of us have deeply opposing views and it would be sad if those views were not expressed - vigorously sometimes. It is only when it the arguments get "personal" that it goes awry - and it is time for the "combattants" to retire to the kitchen, have a coffee (or something stronger) and take a deep breath.
I am sorry if it seems like this thread was taken over by comment on the Avaaz petition - mea culpa!! I can only say that it was the first on-line petition of this sort in which I have ever been involved - and I found it fascinating - quite apart from whether it was "right" or "wrong".
As an 11+ failure I have a great respect for Brian's "education" - I usually find his responses enlightening.
Best wishes to all....
Well said Graham.
Brian I do appologise if my views offended you. I will keep them to myself in future.
Perhaps one day I will get the opportunity to appologise in person.
Precisely! I am finished Graham, but those of us who work in what is basically human rights but with direct hands on with human beings tend to bear affinity with fellow beings rather than wish more violence. Now I am out of this anyway.
S T O P !! !!
This is descending into something other than the level of debate normally found on SFN. Strongly held view are great - but rudeness and abuse are NOT!!