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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:25:29 PM

Hippiekinkster

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quote:

ORIGINAL: philosophy

quote:

ORIGINAL: domahpet

no, the majority definetly rules.
foolish or not, its true.

........for a given value of true, certainly. i would suggest though that there are many laws in the US and other countries that protect the rights of minorities. If we accept the principle that 51% of a population can control all aspects of the lives of 49% then we are not living in a democracy, it is an electoral tyranny, and if we do have the misfortune to live in such a place then our duty to future generations becomes clear. Revolution.

Hell, I'm for revolution just on general principles.

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:28:42 PM

thompsonx

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there are hundreds if not thousands of countries from which people illegally immigrate to the U.S. Which one am I bigoted toward?
Thousands of countries?????common' now yer funnin' me...I'll bet you can't come up with any where near that number.
thompson

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:32:39 PM

Smith117

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quote:

obstinate

quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

Actually, I recall a thread on tampons, on international women's day, on the Harvard gym mini-scandal and a plethora of other threads, where you came across as rather bigotted - perhaps you don't mean to be quite so obstinate, but you really do seem to argue for nothing else than for the sake of it.

As for arrogance, you once erroneously attempted to correct my French - when there had been no mistake made. Me, a native Frog!

Don't get me wrong, I mean very much to come off as an asshole. I should, I've worked hard to become so. Hell, I'll even accept obstinate. I rather the like the ring of it, personally. The term bigot doesn't apply though. By its very definition, it can't apply, for it means "One who is strongly partial to one's own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ."

I'm not intolerant of those different from me. A quick look at my circle of friends can show that. I find it tough to be partial to my own group as well, since my group is vast. I'm a mutt, I have no susbscribed religion and I walk neither side of the road in politics, instead choosing to support the candidate I feel is best for the job.

That doesn't mean, though that I will not voice my own opinion on things or, in a discussion, attempt to convince other's of my views. However, to imply that I am intolerant of those who don't accept my way of thinking is just silly. I have many friends. Some agree with everything I believe in and discussing such things is like "preaching to the choir." Others differ with me greatly and we have lots of spirited debates. They're still my friends though.

I do however want people who come here to do so legally. I have said time and again I support immigration. I support LEGAL immigration. I don't care what country a person's from. If they're here legally, that's that. If they're not, they are smacking every legal immigrant in the face by side-stepping the very hurdles the truly honest, and hard-working LAW-ABIDING immigrants had to go through.

As far as correcting your french, I corrected the book-french. I wasn't fundamentally wrong. Though as a non-french speaker, I couldn't have known the nuances. It's the same as you correcting an American on his english. What he says may be grammatically incorrect and fraught with slang, but it's a dialect thing, not a book thing. Very different. (Besides, I used a translator to correct your french, so it wasn't really my error anyway)

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:37:16 PM

thompsonx

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Actually you fail here too. I never "labelled" myself as prejudiced, nor did I say I was proud of it. I said everyone has their own, and I am honest about mine.

You seriously do not see the dichotomy in this statement? In English when one says "I am honest about mine (prejudice) that means that one is labeling themselves as being prejudice.
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Post #: 324

RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:41:10 PM

kittinSol

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You corrected something that was actually correct in the first place - there was no correction to be made at all. "Joli travail" isn't only a colloquial expression, it's also perfectly acceptable in written French.

Sometimes, it's much more simple to admit one is wrong in order to move on.

If you want French lessons, I can arrange that for you

.

PS: as I am also British, I am frequently tempted to correct the language I hear around me. When will you all learn how to use adverbs properly ;-p ?

< Message edited by kittinSol -- 3/31/2008 7:45:04 PM >

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:42:51 PM

cjan

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Arrogant may refer to having excessive pride in oneself. A person who is arrogant often exaggerate one's own worth or importance by an overbearing manner.

Synonyms
*Narcissistic
*Egotism
*Conceited
*Vanity
*Vain
*Selfish
*Ignorant
* Cocky - Being overly and aggresively self-confident or self-assertive.

Another example might be when someone repeatedly tries to tell another person they have mental issues when in fact, they themselves do.

IGNORANCE:
When cultures meet, ignorance can become particularly dangerous, as one's inability to comprehend the customs of others can lead to offense and thus harm. When Europeans began colonization of North America, there were many incidents in which conflict arose from unintended misunderstandings. There were of course also many bona fide clashes of values and bigotry - a byproduct of ignorance being racism and intolerance.

In humans, ignorance of another's lifeways or circumstances, failure to empathize with his or her experience, is cited in political science as one of the most common causes of conflict. Thus to build common experiences, e.g. to plant olive trees in regions where they have been torn up due to conflict, and learn at the same time, is thought to be one of the most effective forms of education and also of peacemaking.

Bigot :
*A bigot (in modern usage) is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from their own

Bigot :
A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own. The origin of the word in English dates back to at least 1598, via Middle French, and started with the sense of religious hypocrite, especially a woman.

Bigot is often used as a pejorative term against a person who is obstinately devoted to their prejudices even when these views are challenged or proven to be false. Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology or world views

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Post #: 326

RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:47:55 PM

thompsonx

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Below is the complete text from your statement about the "unofficial,official language". No were in this statement do you explain just what you mean by an "unofficial,official language".

quote:

Because, while you think there is no official language, there is an unofficial, official language. That is evident from the repeated bills put for a vote to make english the national language. The only reason they fail is because the racist card comes out everytime they are put forth and no policital figure, save those who wish no longer to be in office, will let themselves be saddled with the racist label.

Here is your response to my question "What is an unofficial,official language" Perhaps you could help me decipher from the above post the answer to the below post.

quote:

I believe I covered this in my post. Feel free to re-read it at your leisure.

quote:

That is evident from the repeated bills put for a vote to make english the national language.

Would you be so kind as to inform us just who are these people who repeatedly put forth these bills?

< Message edited by thompsonx -- 3/31/2008 7:58:31 PM >

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Post #: 327

RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:50:55 PM

Smith117

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

You corrected something that was actually correct in the first place - there was no correction to be made at all. "Joli travail" isn't only a colloquial expression, it's also perfectly acceptable in written French.

Sometimes, it's much more simple to admit one is wrong in order to move on.

If you want French lessons, I can arrange that for you .

PS: as I am also British, I am frequently tempted to correct the language I hear around me. When will you all learn how to use adverbs properly ;-p ?

Sweetie, having seen your pics, the only french lesson I'd want from you is perhaps.....well nevermind.

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Post #: 328

RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:52:42 PM

Smith117

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cjan

Arrogant may refer to having excessive pride in oneself. A person who is arrogant often exaggerate one's own worth or importance by an overbearing manner.

Synonyms
*Narcissistic
*Egotism
*Conceited
*Vanity
*Vain
*Selfish
*Ignorant
* Cocky - Being overly and aggresively self-confident or self-assertive.

Another example might be when someone repeatedly tries to tell another person they have mental issues when in fact, they themselves do.

IGNORANCE:
When cultures meet, ignorance can become particularly dangerous, as one's inability to comprehend the customs of others can lead to offense and thus harm. When Europeans began colonization of North America, there were many incidents in which conflict arose from unintended misunderstandings. There were of course also many bona fide clashes of values and bigotry - a byproduct of ignorance being racism and intolerance.

In humans, ignorance of another's lifeways or circumstances, failure to empathize with his or her experience, is cited in political science as one of the most common causes of conflict. Thus to build common experiences, e.g. to plant olive trees in regions where they have been torn up due to conflict, and learn at the same time, is thought to be one of the most effective forms of education and also of peacemaking.

Bigot :
*A bigot (in modern usage) is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from their own

Bigot :
A bigot is a prejudiced person who is intolerant of opinions, lifestyles, or identities differing from his or her own. The origin of the word in English dates back to at least 1598, via Middle French, and started with the sense of religious hypocrite, especially a woman.

Bigot is often used as a pejorative term against a person who is obstinately devoted to their prejudices even when these views are challenged or proven to be false. Forms of bigotry may have a related ideology or world views

Ummmm, thanks for the english lesson. However, by those definitions, I'd say 90% of the people here are bigoted. I assume you've seen the flame wars many posts turn into when the subject is a 'hot button' topic? Lots of intolerance going on in there.

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Post #: 329

RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:52:42 PM

cjan

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quote:

Smith quote:

Don't get me wrong, I mean very much to come off as an asshole. I should, I've worked hard to become so.

I'm wondering how a self proclaimed asshole, and someone who says he works so hard at being one, can have friends. Except other asshole friends, of course.

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Post #: 330

RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 7:59:19 PM

Smith117

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quote:

ORIGINAL: cjan

quote:

Smith quote:

Don't get me wrong, I mean very much to come off as an asshole. I should, I've worked hard to become so.

I'm wondering how a self proclaimed asshole, and someone who says he works so hard at being one, can have friends. Except other asshole friends, of course.

Dude, I wondered that myself. I still do, daily in fact. Seems people are drawn to those they know will give them their honest opinion. They're also, apparently, drawn to those who don't really care if they're drawn to them or not. I guess that's the secret.

In reference to the woman-threads kitten mentioned.....would you believe I got e-mails of 'interest' after posting my asshole-ish/borderline misogynistic rants? My female friends (ironically I have quite a few) always appreciated the fact that if they asked me "does this make me look fat" and the item in question actually did, I would tell them. I had one girl totally ditch this guy who kissed the ground she walked on in order to hang out with me because his way of fawning over her annoyed her and she liked that I didn't seem to care.

I may never understand how it works myself. But there you have it. I have many friends of both genders. Trust me, I'm as shocked as you are.

Come to think of it, the joking "nickname" my female friends have given me is "ass." Usually uttered when I answer in a way they weren't expecting that was sarcastically or jokingly 'harsh.'

Edited to add:
Come to think of it, most times when I tell people I am an asshole (girls in particular), they grin and bat their eyelashes and say "oh I wouldn't say you're an asshole, you're just really secure and self-confident and you don't let others dictate who you are." When I hear that I always think "damn...I have GOT to try harder!"

Though as an interesting caveat to that, I had an ex who gave me that line too. Then, as we were breaking up she was like "I can't believe you can be such an asshole about this." And I was like "You can't? Have you MET me? Hell I warned you about this in the beginning.....finally you believe me. Sheeesh"

< Message edited by Smith117 -- 3/31/2008 8:01:56 PM >

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 8:06:48 PM

kittinSol

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Smith117

In reference to the woman-threads kitten mentioned.....would you believe I got e-mails of 'interest' after posting my asshole-ish/borderline misogynistic rants?

I believe it: this place is crawling with females with masochistic tendencies

.

How many did not write to you, by the way

?

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 8:09:26 PM

Smith117

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

quote:

ORIGINAL: Smith117

In reference to the woman-threads kitten mentioned.....would you believe I got e-mails of 'interest' after posting my asshole-ish/borderline misogynistic rants?

I believe it: this place is crawling with females with masochistic tendencies .

How many did not write to you, by the way ?

I don't have those figures in front of me, senator.

Besides, I'm not surprised by the ones who don't. I'm just utterly astounded by the ones who do.

Here's something you'll find funny and humbling: I got more 'interest,' I think from my rantings here than I did when I had a photo up.

As for those french lessons.....

I'm sorry, the only phrase I know is ummmm.

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?

I'm sure with some time and.....practice, you can teach me what "oh yes, give it to me hard!" sounds like in french, from a raspy, breathless voice.

< Message edited by Smith117 -- 3/31/2008 8:12:23 PM >

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 8:12:58 PM

lronitulstahp

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quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

quote:

ORIGINAL: Smith117

In reference to the woman-threads kitten mentioned.....would you believe I got e-mails of 'interest' after posting my asshole-ish/borderline misogynistic rants?

I believe it: this place is crawling with females with masochistic tendencies .

How many did not write to you, by the way ?

kitten...maintenant... je t'aime

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 8:21:39 PM

kittinSol

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C'est beau, l'amour

.

I think French should be the first official language in the United States

.

C'est mieux, pour faire l'amour

.

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 3/31/2008 10:47:19 PM

calamitysandra

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Smith117
...
, but when you see speeches on CNN, when you see them at the UN....they....speak.....ENGLISH. Why should mexicans who intend to be in this country be any different?

You do realize that the headphones you see the politicians wearing in the plenum are not because they listen to their playlist, right? They get translation. Into their native tongue. So do the English speaking ones if somebody has the gall to say something in an other language.

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 4/1/2008 8:07:42 AM

cjan

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Smith, I want to apologize to you for a post I made earlier in this thread regarding you. It was a flame and in violation of TOS and Mod11 rightly removed it. No matter how heated an exange becomes, there is no excuse for personal attacks. Please accept my apology, sir.

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 4/1/2008 8:22:20 AM

philosophy

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Smith117

Because, while you think there is no official language, there is an unofficial, official language.

...you're kidding right? i mean, what sane individual tries to assert that there is a such a thing as an 'unofficial official' anything? Law is law, what is not law is not law. There are no grey areas here.
You appear to be trying to suggest that just because a thing is done one way by a lot of people who have political power then we all ought to treat it as if it had the force of law. Such a slavish attitude seems to me incompatible with a nation that prides itself on its celebration of the individuals right to live as they choose.

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 4/1/2008 9:35:59 AM

Lucylastic

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ok, I came across this and it just struck me as funny, ironic, stoopid, I dunno, but thought I would throw it up, if just to lighten the mood
http://www.lucylasticslair.com/fun/engrishonly.jpg
Lucy

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RE: Learn english or go to jail - 4/1/2008 9:48:44 AM

boytoy4female

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I can think of many more reasons that learning English in the US should be a requirement, than I can think of against it.

America is a melting pot. What makes us great is our ability to share thoughts, ideas, experiences and our culture. Without a common language, this can not be done.

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