DAKAR cancelled !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[993twin]

Area51...I must say...as a former right wing Republican, and someone who is not only well aware of the machinations of our government, but also has traveled around quite a bit (four times to Africa - although twice to race) and had to explain such machinations to disbelieving natives, I must say....excellent post!

Bear in mind that I recall the 150,000 Iraqi dead figure is for THIS YEAR! To your detractors, I suppose if you've never been anywhere, you might not realize that most citizens of any "enemy country" don't care about the BS; they're just living their lives...or scraping by. Therefore the fact that we have killed many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and have turned Iraq into a defacto battleground for the various factions in the region, is truly blood on the hands of our nation's leaders....for largely, and most unfortunately - WE CREATED THESE ENEMIES OURSELVES! if you don't understand that, then do a bit of research into US foreign policy over the last 30+ year and find out!

[Area 51]

Originally Posted by manic

The "leftists" in this country happen to control the media, entertainment, and much of the fame in the world. We do not all think that way and many of us are now saying enough is enough.

I guess it's the "grass is always greener" syndrome, but I like MY grass.

The "leftists" don't dominate talk radio, not even close. FUX News is one of the most successful psuedo TV news shows going. Rupert Murdoch has his hands in many other media outlets too. You're correct about the entertainment industry though.

Saying enough is enough, is a good thing from time to time. But be aware that the other side will push back and in the long run may make things worse. Social advancement runs in tides - the present ebb probably precludes a flow. In the long run, issues like gun control, abortion, drug decriminilization will all fall in line with this modernizing, liberal society. The trajectory that we are on is unstoppable. So is globalisation, unfortunately.


Anyone here ever riden Paris-Dakkar?

[Area 51]

Originally Posted by 993twin

Area51...I must say...as a former right wing Republican, and someone who is not only well aware of the machinations of our government, but also has traveled around quite a bit (four times to Africa - although twice to race) and had to explain such machinations to disbelieving natives, I must say....excellent post!

Bear in mind that I recall the 150,000 Iraqi dead figure is for THIS YEAR! To your detractors, I suppose if you've never been anywhere, you might not realize that most citizens of any "enemy country" don't care about the BS; they're just living their lives...or scraping by. Therefore the fact that we have killed many hundreds of thousands of Iraqis, and have turned Iraq into a defacto battleground for the various factions in the region, is truly blood on the hands of our nation's leaders....for largely, and most unfortunately - WE CREATED THESE ENEMIES OURSELVES! if you don't understand that, then do a bit of research into US foreign policy over the last 30+ year and find out!

The 150,000 is since the invasion, I believe. There is also one estimate that is under 100,000 and the Lancet one that is way, way higher.

What a sad region when someone as wretched as Saddam represents safety and stability (if you're not on his shit list). We're lucky to live where we do.


What's to do in Dakkar at the finish? Any big parties?

[roadkill]

Originally Posted by 993twin

Bear in mind that I recall the 150,000 Iraqi dead figure is for THIS YEAR! if you don't understand that, then do a bit of research into US foreign policy over the last 30+ year and find out!

Dude, you would be well advised to follow your own advice....also don't quote stuff that you are too lazy to verify.

A new survey estimates that 151,000 Iraqis died from violence in the three years following the U.S.-led invasion of the country. Roughly 9 out of 10 of those deaths were a consequence of U.S. military operations, insurgent attacks and sectarian warfare.
The survey, conducted by the Iraqi government and the World Health Organization, also found a 60 percent increase in nonviolent deaths -- from such causes as childhood infections and kidney failure -- during the period. The results, which will be published in the New England Journal of Medicine at the end of the month, are the latest of several widely divergent and controversial estimates of mortality attributed to the Iraq war.
The three-year toll of violent deaths calculated in the survey is one-quarter the size of that found in a smaller survey by Iraqi and Johns Hopkins University researchers published in the journal Lancet in 2006.

[manic]

Area51,

Although you come from the land of "fruits and nuts" I don't disagree completely with your line of thought. That was a well written and thought out post and it is nice to see that someone can see a bit more of the big picture. That said, I must ask, what do we do? Do we sit back and let the socialists take over? The status quo is not good enough. Something needs to change.

There are many who preach "change" but no one will actually do anything.

Regarding Iraq...regardless of what anyone's views were about wanting to go in or not, it's long since time that we realize we ARE there and can't just quit.
No, I don't think we should have gone in just yet, but were there...now what?

[seespotweld]

well we do have both fruits and nuts but then that is the nature of a free society we even let them marry one another but that is off topic.
The root cause of terrorism is injustice or perceived injustice. Imagine if the English had negotiated with the colonists instead of waging war on them. The end result may have been the same but the bloodshed and recriminations and cost would have been far less.
Not to make to make light of Osama and his band but they come from a place where they have no political power and no means to attain their goals . I don't agree with their goals or agenda but I can understand how they came to be.
Pretty much the same with the Palestinians ,they have no vote ,no power ,no military and are pretty much forced to live in squaller on small tracts of land in poverty .Not to hard to see that some of them might get pissed off and turn to extreme measures .Mix in fundamentalist religion which forever has been a catalyst in human conflict . Comments such as "kill em all and let God sort it out" point to the fact that western cultures are not immune from religious insanity .
How easy it would have been for the English to accommodate the colonist's demands for representation but then as now might is right .Thinking and power do not seem be an easy mix.

[seespotweld]

regarding your last question ..what do we do now ..
The answer is probably more troops to actually police the population and offer them some form of safety. Concentrating forces on large bases ready to go fight non existing armies isn't working . What does this mean more risk ,more money and no end in sight. Will the American people go along with this...not very likely .

[lanes luck]

Hey, Have you guys heard ? The DAKAR race has been canceled. I can't believe it.

[Area 51]

Originally Posted by seespotweld

well we do have both fruits and nuts but then that is the nature of a free society we even let them marry one another but that is off topic.
The root cause of terrorism is injustice or perceived injustice. Imagine if the English had negotiated with the colonists instead of waging war on them. The end result may have been the same but the bloodshed and recriminations and cost would have been far less.
Not to make to make light of Osama and his band but they come from a place where they have no political power and no means to attain their goals . I don't agree with their goals or agenda but I can understand how they came to be.
Pretty much the same with the Palestinians ,they have no vote ,no power ,no military and are pretty much forced to live in squaller on small tracts of land in poverty .Not to hard to see that some of them might get pissed off and turn to extreme measures .Mix in fundamentalist religion which forever has been a catalyst in human conflict . Comments such as "kill em all and let God sort it out" point to the fact that western cultures are not immune from religious insanity .
How easy it would have been for the English to accommodate the colonist's demands for representation but then as now might is right .Thinking and power do not seem be an easy mix.

I'm not sure about that first line but the rest of it is wise thinking, good job.

I don't want to answer any more questions because then I'd be thread-jacking. I may already be in the Zilla doghouse because of the lounge closing fiasco.

[duckdawg]

as of this point, you are all on double secret probation...

[Gog]

You know, having the lounge taken away is just simply unbelievable. Political people of earth make breakthroughs all the time after knock down, drag em out, debate marathons. Is the lounge forced upon anyone?

My feeling is that someone complained because their views were being challenged and their wanker feelings being hurt.

There are ways to read through crap and garbage. . There is the ubiquitous "ignore button" and, there is the self restraint option and the "I aint going there" option.

Yes I have come to Zilla for many motorcycle questions, humor, entertainment and answers. What I find absolutely shocking is that people are asking Dave if it's OK to "flirt" with politics again on Zilla. This is hard to take, Dave, please unblock the lounge area for two wheeled, political animals and hacks. I am not damaged or diminished by the past's heated and unsavory exchanges with opposite ended political weirdos...

I hear the sad lament over the cancellation of the Dakar Rally... I miss the lounge more than I do the Dakar, so, the parallel is; it's amazing what a few, threatening wankers can do.

[Area 51]

I honestly don't understand why it closed. I think I remember a few swear words and some put-downs but there was never any hate or any other disgusting happenings. Besides, there are no children here, are there? Has it ever been explained?

Why did they pick Dakar? French colony? Oops, can't get political.

[nero]

[quote=Gog;I hear the sad lament over the cancellation of the Dakar Rally... I miss the lounge more than I do the Dakar, so, the parallel is; it's amazing what a few, threatening wankers can do.[/quote]

Complaining makes the world go 'round...
Keep it up and maybe the lounge'll return ???

[duckdawg]

so is Dakar cancelled, or is it just a rumor?...

[Old Fart]

Originally Posted by duckdawg

so is Dakar cancelled, or is it just a rumor?...

Oh my. Canceled? Gee, I just ordered my airfare today. You mean it's canceled like not happening? I should like stop prepping my race team of 6 bikes?

Must be the republicrat politicians that caused the cancellation huh? Or was it a watermelon.

[Area 51]

Originally Posted by Old Fart

Or was it a watermelon.

Racist!

[Latebraker]

Originally Posted by Area 51

I honestly don't understand why it closed. I think I remember a few swear words and some put-downs but there was never any hate or any other disgusting happenings. Besides, there are no children here, are there? Has it ever been explained?

Why did they pick Dakar? French colony? Oops, can't get political.

Actually, I think the lounge only consisted of children.

[Old Fart]

Originally Posted by Area 51

Racist!

Nope. I'm an equal opportunity sorta ex MS watermelon crusher.
More bikes and humor are needed and less political BS banter.