Monzanator

10 minutes ago, Agger said:

 

Looking at Marx's ideas, there is the interim period called the "dictatorship of the proletariat". It's really vague and could therefore easily be interpreted like Lenin, Stalin or Mao did (just to mention the most familiar). Krushchev did declare that dictatorship ended, but in reality it didn't.

The pure communist idea hasn't really been excercised and it isn't likely to be so ever (other than in very small communities).

I would in no way be defending the idea, but it's not really wrong to say that.

 

I am in no way in opposition to your thoughts on what communism has done to too many countries, I'm just looking at the actual ideology behind the idea.

Politics is no longer about ideology. Communism was the last system that tried to sell "ideology" as the driving force of the people. You can put Marx's ideas into museum, they are absolutely worthless these days when it comes to reality of the world. Even China runs a hard business line and has risen as economical power. Dare I say they are doing a lot better than during Mao's regime and the pure communist agenda. Communism succeeded when the imperial powers collapsed at the end of World War I. That was the high-water mark. Power to the people. Well, people have power these days instead of family-run monarchies so the ideals are not required anymore.

Reality always verifies the theory and communism theory has failed massively in real life

6 minutes ago, Agger said:

 

To be fair, a lot of (modern) communists would say that the actual communist state has never existed. 

Most of us would never (for good reasons) give it a try, as what was supposed to be a transition has always ended up as the actual situation. In a purely theoretical situation where it went fullblown communism at once, maybe there would be some goods in there. But once again, I doubt that would ever happen, as some strong person would see a way to take control.

Right, who is going to believe in such baloney? The communist rebranding happened because it couldn't beat capitalism so it used its methods to rise in power as clearly evident by China's economy.

Then again, we had this rebranding in the early 70s in Poland. The old communists who were even NKVD agents before WWII were finally run out of business and replaced by the new generation which called themselves "sociallists" But it was the same communist BS and come 1981 and the martial law everyone saw right through it again and the system was on it's way out which finally happened in 1989.

Luiza Zlotkowska announced her retirement at the age of 33, exactly 10 years to the day of the Vancouver OG team pursuit bronze medal (which was a major shock).

She basically didn't compete internationally after the Pyeongchang OG anymore and works as TV expert.

@Olympian1010  Well, good luck in trying to make communism work in USA   I see no point in talking about this rotten system after half of Europe got rid of it. If Bernie Sanders thinks he's reinvented the wheel that is his problem

9 minutes ago, Olympian1010 said:

Going with them Trump expletives I see 

 

I felt I was very clear that communism was bad, but what can a man do?

 

People in communist countries have healthcare, higher literacy races, and live more active lives. They also tend to have a better sense of collectivist (in the communication sense) thought (rather it’s bad or not is most certainly up for debate). They also don’t have to worry about random shooting attacks.

 

I do think communism is worse than capitalism, but for me, that’s like being asked to chose who’s better “Mussolini or Hitler” (Mussolini obviously, but’s still far from a great option)

 

I do value freedom of speech, and as a social-anarchist I believe it’s everyone’s right within fair limits (ie. no hate speech) (there’s difference between criticism and hate). I have many values as journalist, as an educated citizen, and as someone who truly cares about the wellbeing of others. I will attack places like China, North Korea, USSR, etc. all day. However, it would be unfair to not point out where political systems have been successful. 
 

I wrote under censorship for 14 years as a catholic school student. I learned from a very young age how to play the game. It’s one of the main reasons I’m so outspoken today. However, I’ll admit that any good writer can get a message across under any regime. You just have to learn to play the rules to your advantage. I saw through their lies, but I was smart enough to use them for my vision of how the world should be.

 

I really do appreciate your virtue signaling though. You complain of my personal attacks on you, but I see it’s a double standard so...

There are no double standards. Communism is downright evil. I don't know any of the Soviet satellites in Eastern Europe who want this system to make a grand return anytime soon. We might be negative towards EU sometimes but communism as the replacement? Never! You have no idea how bad this system is. You might cherish it on paper but in reality it's just horrible. Sadly, you have no idea what are you talking about. I suppose you're not gonna live in North Korea for an extended period of time anytime soon to see what the pros of communism really are? Whatever they are, the negatives outweight them by a ton and then some. It's not even the freedom of speech but food rationing or stores where you can only buy vinegar & mustard because there is nothing else there?

If you like vinegar you'd love the choice here:

2 hours ago, Olympian1010 said:

I know, I hate when leaders go abroad and learn that are xenophobic attitudes towards other countries our unfounded. Their are pros to communism. I’m not advertising it, or glorifying it, but I am admitting that their are things communist nations do well. Neither Capitalism, nor Communism are perfect, and anyone who thinks as much is quite dumb.

Holy shithole! This can only come from someone who lived in a country that was never ruled by communism.

Since you are a journalist, forget the freedom of speech. I thought the prime value for any journalist would mean something to you but guess not. Unless you'd be fine riding as the propaganda puppet Communism had a lot of propaganda involved until people just couldn't stand all the lies.

2 hours ago, Olympian1010 said:

Gotta love baseball justice.

 

I bet Astros pitchers will be head-hunting in revenge as well?

I don't follow track cycling all that much but is GB getting some new talent influx? The Kennys, Jack Carlin and Elinor Barker are the only names I know and they are seasoned campaigners? HSBC has pulled out of the sponsorship deal just three years into an 8-year deal so one has to wonder whether this team has reached its high-water mark already? When the Kennys retire it will be a stellar ash down there.

11 minutes ago, Werloc said:

 

No Zuk either, so I only caught on on Gwizdon.

Zuk is skipping super sprint, she will start her champs in Thursday's relay

women are also in strong presence, it's basically our A team minus Monika Hojnisz.

Apparently due to the last-minute venue change there was no time to prepare the 4 km loop so there will be no individual races in these champs We have the super sprints instead.

Jan Kowalczyk passed away at the age of 79 today.

Still the only Polish Olympic gold medal winner in equestrian.

2 hours ago, Olympian1010 said:

I love how scared shitless conservatives are of taxes. You should maybe also do some research on Bernie Sander’s healthcare and education plans before posting such things. Just saying.

Has anyone ever won an election on the promise of raising taxes?   George H.W. Bush got run out of town when his "read my lips" comment about taxes proved to be false.

5 minutes ago, heywoodu said:

Rule 34 disagrees  

If you need 34 rules for anything this means it's not working!

11 minutes ago, heywoodu said:

 

Oh, but there are definitely people who actually do believe it. It is hard to believe, yes, but one of the golden rules of internet: if you can imagine it, it's most likely a reality somewhere  

There's only one rule in internet: A lie repeated a thousand times becomes a truth

6 minutes ago, Olympian1010 said:

Which is a good thing. At the national level it’s fine for our state to be dominated by one party, but if the state should ever break with the US, we need a diverse political spectrum.

US Government will never allow California to break off as independent

9 minutes ago, Olympian1010 said:

California didn’t elect Trump, we voted 75% for Clinton (or maybe it was 65%?, I don’t remember, but it was a good margin)

61.7%

Even California doesn't vote 75% for Democrats

1 minute ago, heywoodu said:

Apparently Mike Hughes mostly used the 'Flat Earth' thing (without actually believing it) because it got him more attention and so more sponsorship money for his space projects.

Yeah, it's obvious nobody believes in the Flat Earth BS. People have done dumber things to milk attention and money these days

I for sure predicted Olsbu to win the mass start

Horrible result for Norway only 6 of them in Top 6!

Tactical mistake from Tarjei Boe and no medal for him.

1 minute ago, heywoodu said:

 

Not the fourth time in a row though  

That's why I wrote "season" instead of "time"

14 minutes ago, hckosice said:

Happy for Ester

 

Sad for Petra, one of her goals was the small globe in AC, now she is at 0 points after 2/3 events lol, just like in Altenmarkt when she crashed in the super-G when leading at interediate, today it was even more painful...but, well, that´s still only a sport, the most important races will just come, at the rate she is starting to improve across all disciplines the whole country is already looking forward for Beijing, some real history can be written there for our sport in some 24 months

No bitching about the slalom course from Livio Magoni today?

Brignone has won the Crans Montana AC for the fourth season in a row

I want 10 Norwegians in Top 10!!! It has to happen one day!!!