Recent posts

#1

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by grumbler - Today at 08:50:15 PM

Same holds for the Shi'a: Ayatollah is not an official position but a title that a cleric acquires by popular acceptance or general consensus among appears.  It's just that who can claim the honor became politicized after the Revolution.  Technically an Ayatollah is just a very well-respected interpreter of Islamic law.

An Iranian I know explained it as "An ayatollah is more like a Supreme Court Justice than an archbishop."  Even then, their pronouncements are just advisory.

#2

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Admiral Yi - Today at 06:28:55 PM

Even if we only count women killed by men they don't know, I'm pretty sure the number is greater than 40.

Though, of course, the relevant statistic for the answer to the question is probably the number of women who've felt endangered by men they don't know. And that is a pretty high number it seems.

I thought this was exactly the question that was being highlighted by the meme: the gap between perceived risk and actual risk.  For example when someone says they are terrified of jihadist terrorism many will point out that the number of attacks on American soil has been low.  Their perception is incorrect and therefore their fear is not justified.

#3

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Valmy - Today at 05:39:44 PM

Bears don't even make the list.

They are more of a threat to picnic baskets.

#4

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by Valmy - Today at 05:38:33 PM

I'm concerned about engaging further as you seem like you are getting into a place where you famously fly off the handle.

Though not so concern so as to not needle you.

What can I say? This is my safe space to vent. 

I just remembered something that pissed me off 20 years ago and YOU PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HEAR ABOUT IT

#5

Off the Record / Re: Dead Pool 2024

Last post by Barrister - Today at 03:45:38 PM

OJ Simpson sort-of reminds me of Michael Jackson.  MJ went through a big child sex abuse trial in (googles - 2005).  He was acquitted.  People seemed quite happy about that.  In the years since then the reputation of MJ has completely shifted though and people recognize he was a serial child sex abuser.

Maybe - with Jackson. I mean there's a biopic coming out next year starring his nephew but also with, say, Colman Domingo and Miles Teller in it.

I don't know what that will or won't cover.

Ive gotten the opposite impression, that Jacksons reputation has been largely rehabilitated with the general public. 

I don't think so.

I mean I think where we went through a phase where people weren't sure if it was okay to play his music, and now that's gone away, but I don't think anyone's views on MJ himself have improved.

#6

Off the Record / Re: Dead Pool 2024

Last post by Eddie Teach - Today at 03:33:23 PM

OJ Simpson sort-of reminds me of Michael Jackson.  MJ went through a big child sex abuse trial in (googles - 2005).  He was acquitted.  People seemed quite happy about that.  In the years since then the reputation of MJ has completely shifted though and people recognize he was a serial child sex abuser.

Maybe - with Jackson. I mean there's a biopic coming out next year starring his nephew but also with, say, Colman Domingo and Miles Teller in it.

I don't know what that will or won't cover.

Ive gotten the opposite impression, that Jacksons reputation has been largely rehabilitated with the general public. 

#7

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by Barrister - Today at 03:02:01 PM

I was thinking " there was a similar story like a year ago", then I saw the date lol.

D'oh!

#8

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by HVC - Today at 02:50:33 PM

I was thinking " there was a similar story like a year ago", then I saw the date lol.

Around the same time there was a trend on YouTube for "hacks" for intentional students, and chief amongst them were using food banks. Sucks they don't have food, but part and parcel of getting a student visa is being able to be self sufficient. I *think* they're allowed 20 hours a week to work. A lot of Indian student were taking high interest loans to show in their bank accounts when applying, and then paying the amount back, essentially defrauding the system.


*edit* I mention Indian because Brampton is known for a large Indian immigrant community.

#9

Off the Record / Re: [Canada] Canadian Politics...

Last post by Barrister - Today at 02:46:22 PM

So here's another social media mini-firestorm.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/no-international-students-as-need-grows-brampton-food-bank-turning-some-away-1.7024375

Food bank in Brampton, ON puts up signs saying International Students are not allowed.

Now to be fair the word "racism" is never used.  But this does seem part and parcel with the huge increase in international students coming to Canada the last few years.  The move has attracted a fair bit of negative criticism - as well as support.

The point is supposed to be that International students are supposed to show that t hey are self-reliant when they apply to come to Canada - precisely so they don't start using social services.  Now food banks aren't government-run (an international student couldn't apply for welfare) but international students using food banks does seem contrary to that basic principle.

What say you Languish?

#10

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Valmy - Today at 02:38:53 PM

For example weekly service attendance is a big indicator for Jews and Christians at how religious they are. Like 55% of Protestants in the United States attend church once a week or more. 25% of Jews do. 30% of Catholics do.

Wow, I knew American Jews were backsliding, but I didn't realize things had gotten so bad that 1/4 were attending Church.

Religious services. The Protestants are attending church.