Maybe spending stupid amounts of money on power cords isn't entirely harmless

[wgscott]

The issue is it that it is an absurd comparison to compare America to Nordic countries

 

whereas, it is completely reasonable to compare [the United States of] America to Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, etc. In short, only ideologically serviceable opinions count.

[tne]

I have been to Denmark several times.

 

The issue is not "whether I have been there or not".

 

The issue is it that it is an absurd comparison to compare America to Nordic countries which so many in this country love to do in order to make a point that has no legitimacy. If America were to elect a Gov't that supported the policies of Denmark, the same people would be accusing the government of being xenophobic and racist.

 

Just an anecdote. My wife's cousin from Israel moved to Denmark 40 years ago married and has two great kids. Back in 2003 she was bragging about how great their health care system was compared to ours. Fast forward 5 years, when she was diagnosed with "malignant ovarian tumor", had it removed. 6 month followup which is how long she had to wait for a PET/CT scan showed "recurrence". She was told to go home and make arrangements for end of life. Well that tumor turned out to be an aggressive benign tumor. I made arrangements for her to come to Sloan Kettering where I used to work, she was treated and cured. Her perspective of the Danish health care system has obviously changed.

 

 

My best wishes to her and I applaud your positive intervention.

 

However, I try not to draw many broad conclusions based on anecdotal evidence alone.

[Priaptor]

whereas, it is completely reasonable to compare [the United States of] America to Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, etc. In short, only ideologically serviceable opinions count.

 

The point is Socialism doesn't work. I made the point that Venezuela was another example of failed socialism which is what Sanders supporters seem to think is the answer to America's ills AND JUST LAST YEAR he and his campaign managers were using as an example of success. I brought up Venezuela to parrot Sanders; it was to show the inane Sanders (and his proxies) perspective that were made not too long ago. You then made the comparison to Sweden and I pointed out how Sweden, now with their open border policies, is #1 seeing the stresses on the socialist system as a result of their changing demographics which other Nordic countries have not yet been exposed to and #2 the absurd comparison to these tiny homogenous countries.

 

Compare it to any country you want. Socialism and the welfare state leads to huge deficits, economic despair and the inability to meets the promises made to citizens too stupid to understand. While there are those like yourself that would love to lay blame to all of our problems on evil capitalism (some of which is clearly valid) there are those like myself that can lay more blame on socialist engineering by the Government. You claim you are not a socialist but sure go out of you way to defend it.

[wgscott]

The point is Socialism doesn't work. ... You claim you are not a socialist but sure go out of you way to defend it.

 

Another logic fail. Just because I point out the fatal flaws in your armature-hour argument doesn't even mean I disagree with your conclusions. (However, in this case I do, in the sense that Capitalism doesn't work, either.)

[Priaptor]

My best wishes to her and I applaud your positive intervention.

 

However, I try not to draw many broad conclusions based on anecdotal evidence alone.

 

I am not trust me.

 

I am not blind to the ills of America, it's health care system, income inequality, crime rates, educational system, etc.

 

In that anecdote I used, she loved the "system" because she had great access for things that effects the majority of a population, such as colds, flu, etc and why she loved it, BUT for those things that effect the minority of the population she had suboptimal access and care. It was used as an example to illustrate a point that is lost to most.

[The Computer Audiophile]

After 1200 posts, it's time to put a fork in this thread. I hope everyone vented and got all their non-audio opinions out :~)

[junker]

On 5/15/2016 at 7:16 PM, wgscott said:

 

I tried a new bicycle saddle today, which really made me appreciate Brooks even more. That got me thinking: Do you have a favorite?

 

Speaking of Brooks saddle... The B-17 seems like the classic and cut a little wider which seems especially for maybe touring and trekking, and maybe just about anything not riding in an aggressive tuck.

 

But they make four of their saddles in Ti:

 

B15 Swallow

Swift Titanium

B17 Special

Team Pro

 

Bill do you use the B17 for the couple mile climb up to campus? Is it okay for that position daily, or do you possibly have a preference for one of the others?

 

I'd like to order something stat for an XC set-up hardtail Santa Cruz Chameleon and maybe a Santa Cruz Stigmata CC at bonus time. Thank you!

 

[wgscott]

Well, I live at 1700 ft, and have to climb to 2000 ft to get home, so I do use it for that (as well as going downhill).  My bars are about level with the saddle, and I ride much more upright than I ever thought I would at age 25, so there is that.

 

I tried it on a mountain bike and hated it.

 

Looks like the locked thread came unlocked...

[The Computer Audiophile]

Wow, you are right. This thread was locked and the lock has been removed by the conversion. Time to lock it back up.