TheBaronOfFratton

LOVE that song O

There is some bias against minority groups in the Red states among the common people but not in the North East. All the real racism and classism I've experienced is from Europeans. The way for instance the way you, Baron, and Layla were talking about Gypsies would be considered socially unacceptable here and against the moral code (and when I say here, I mean in the US North East) but I know that, for instance, in Germany talking racist crappola about Muslims or having delusional beliefs about American sociology is fairly commonplace.

^I never said anything derogatory about gypsies, I merely spoke of my own experience of how others react when you mention them in Europe and posited why that might be... Unless debate in itself is 'socially unacceptable'? A problem with taboos is that they remain that way if nobody discusses them honestly.

Exactly And the States are considered to be the land of freedom, yet it looks like freedom of speech there is not as 'free' as one may think also, it's somehow 'interesting' to see that racism can be as strong in monocultural countries as in multicultural, though the basis is different.

this.

Calling things their real name is socially unacceptable? because that´s the only thing I was doing. I wasn´t bashing anyone. Just stating facts, as they are. I didn´t bash USA (actually I only wrote one sentence I´ve heard from american ). Didn´t bash gypsies. So everyone calm down, please. I´m already regreting saying anything... and especially sorry for Baron because it´s his thread.

So, my last words for this issue - I´m sorry if I offended anyone, but clearly my posts have been misunderstood by some members the only thing I wanted to say, that there is racism everywhere, that it has many faces and different reasons, and I was explaining the reasons why gypsies are viewed in Slovakia the way they are (generally, as I said I know many normal living gypsies and have friends among them). I also have experienced racism or ignorrance in many forms (even from gypsies, as I was a "white chick" for them ) and guess it goes the same in the whole world.

Am I wrong? I guess not, people are the same everywhere. So it feels ingorant if someone goes around saying "WE are not this way, YOU are the only racist around here". Doesn´t it?

I think Sweet Lu said it nicely - Is the racism in America? Hell yeah. Is it worse than any plae else in the world? Hell no.

Think that´s everything from me. Sorry Baron, again

for everyone!

red_ed nah, you're just misguided. You do underrate united because you make the mistake of thinking that fergie is not tactically capable of outsmarting guardiola. Ferguson tactically has evolved over the years and become one of the best in Europe. I can sense the scouse bitterness filtering in your posts, but you gotta admit it, hes not the same naive guy that was 10 years ago.

My post was in jest, but if you want a serious answer then I admit I'm as prone to bias against Manyoo as you are against Liverpool (or anti-Manyoo sentiments). However, I don't remember ever underrating United at all in my previous statements. I didn't agree that they were a better team than Madrid or Arsenal, instead I said they were of the same tier (which is the more conservative conclusion I find). As for your claims about about Manyoo's unparalleled work rate and team cohesion, I didn't address them and I won't because I don't watch Manyoo games much. All I know is those traits will stand your team in good stead against a physically worn-out Barca side, especially given the performances of Arsenal and Madrid before you. If your definition of underrating is an opinion which doesn't match your own valuation of the team, then I guess I'm guilty.

Second, I never suggested that Fergie is not capable of outsmarting Guardiola. It's a 90-minute final and we all know Barca hardly ever make wholesale tactical changes so Fergie already has a solid base to work from. All I suggested is that (according to some news sources), Mourinho and Fergie are chatting. I'm not sure how you made that out to mean that I thought Fergie was any less than Guardiola. Also, I won't deny Fergie has evolved over the past 10 years tactically and the 3 finals in 4 years suggests as much.

But your senses are probably right, I'm just a misguided, bitter Liverpool fan.

Hey B. Happy day to you mi amigo

First on the Moon, as a non US resident you should entertain (further more) the possibility that I have always been of the view that you know very little about American political strategy- with all its various tricks and world view shaping propaganda from multiple sides, political economy, and US demographics. Intelligent individuals get misled all the time. I know however, that you are not likely to admit to any of this. My bias towards your knowledge base has motivated my consistent deflection routine with you here and there. What's that? Deflection routine in that I ignore and move all your comments about the subject into the drawer as soon as you post them and move the conversation elsewhere. I realize now that this behavior has been very insulting to you.

And I know, based on your comments, that you are utterly confused and find me to be completely impenetrable. In retrospect, I think my deflection method has probably made the whole situation a lot worse and I should have been more clear to you from the beginning about the fact that this conversation did not really interest me.

However, talking about beautiful women is interesting...I'm sure that's a subject in agreement

WOW - a bona fide 'heated debate' right here on my little thread... As with all things, there are some pertinent points mixed in with some crass - I'm far too polite to single either of these out - but as Mr. Icon rightly alludes to in his sign-off there: this isn't the reason I come to Bellazon!

What I will say, in a slightly wooly liberal way, is that we are the sum total of our experiences and can be unintentional victims of prejudice just as easily as learning through such things. Or we could be blinkered arseholes - it can simply be a choice. At least we have access to the internet and therefore (presumably) media that is not necessarily parochial in it's scope.

Honestly, you people - it could just as easily be Barcelona OR Manchester United that win the Champions League final...

^Besides, we have BIGGER fish to fry...

NOT SO FAST! The rapture has 5 months to fully kick in... and look what just happened. It's a sign of things to come.

Icelandic Volcano Erupts, Ash Plume Forces International Flights to Divert

A volcanic eruption under Europe’s largest glacier, Vatnajokull, forced the closure of the main international airport in Iceland, the second disruption in 13 months to the island nation’s air traffic.

The eruption sent an ash plume more than 17 kilometers (10.5 miles) into the air, causing delays today of some Scandinavian trans-Atlantic flights. “We expect the ash cloud to enter Norwegian airspace over the course of the night,” said Jens Petter Duestad, chief of control centers for Norwegian airport operator Avinor.

Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport was shut down this morning amid fears that the ash plume might damage jet engines. The halt grounded 11 airplanes in Iceland, affecting about 2,000 passengers. Another 13 airplanes will be unable to land in the country.

An eruption began at about 6 p.m. yesterday in a Grimsvotn Lake crater underneath Vatnajokull, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southeast of Reykjavik. The volcano is the most active in Iceland and its last eruption ended in 2004.

Y2K - Check

Anthrax Attack - Check

Mad Cow - Check

Bird/Swine Flu - Check

Justin Bieber/Lady Gaga - Check

2011 Rapture - Check

2012 - Bring it on suckah Zombies!

And because it's Bob Dylan's 70th birthday, and I like him even if nobody else does:

However, talking about beautiful women is interesting...I'm sure that's a subject in agreement

Well, it depends how you define 'beautiful'....

EDIT: at first I wanted to add Proust's quote to this post and ask what you think about it, but then I wasn't sure if I hadn't posted it before. I searched and it looks like I indeed did, back in October 2009 :| why do I remember such things?!?

sad but true. Sorry guys.

And because it's Bob Dylan's 70th birthday, and I like him even if nobody else does:

Bob

I saw him just last month at a blues n roots festival. Music was good, but he was a little disappointing. He doesn't sing anymore, so much as growl, plus he didn't drop too many classics into the set.

But still, it was Bob. Still rocking it at 70! :Dinah:

However, talking about beautiful women is interesting...I'm sure that's a subject in agreement

Well, it depends how you define 'beautiful'....

But actually, yes, I remember your quoting too... Though I maintain I possess imagination!

sad but true. Sorry guys.

Bob

I saw him just last month at a blues n roots festival. Music was good, but he was a little disappointing. He doesn't sing anymore, so much as growl, plus he didn't drop too many classics into the set.

But still, it was Bob. Still rocking it at 70! :Dinah:

Actually, I don't recall him ever singing that much to begin with ( ) - but he can be a, uh, temperamental live performer, can't he?!!

However, Dylan's probably the only guy from that era who's still making music I can buy into. He's morphed into a troubadour (though, in truth, he was likely one all along) and I've thoroughly enjoyed all his recent albums. I mean I adore the Stones - but they've not made a decent album since 1981's Tattoo You and, like most of their contemporaries, only exist as a 'greatest hits' package (albeit the best) nowadays...

to be honest it wasnt any of this, I just took exception to what I considered an incredibly biased views of your country, and then because is something you dont agree with, you tried to accuse me of not knowing your country or not being sophisticated enough, which you did again in your post above. All pretty infantile and insecure, but no biggy, lets move on.... pretty obvious we are not going to see eye to eye on this issue. Ive also noticed over the years that there are certain people who I know from the get go if Im going to enjoy debating with them, and if they're going to enjoy themselves talking to me in return. Pretty sure we're not going to be debate pals any time soon If we were countries we'd be palestine and Israel Im afraid

Your posts about this particular topic (outside of that, you're a completely alright guy and I would gladly talk to you about other stuff) have been that of a crazy person, First on the Moon.

However, talking about beautiful women is interesting...I'm sure that's a subject in agreement

Well, it depends how you define 'beautiful'....

EDIT: at first I wanted to add Proust's quote to this post and ask what you think about it, but then I wasn't sure if I hadn't posted it before. I searched and it looks like I indeed did, back in October 2009 :| why do I remember such things?!?

Defining beautiful? complicated!

Layla, you must have photographic memory. (Y) You have a great recall of fashion history- it's quite evident.

You've written some really irrational stuff on a consistent basis- including crazy insults in those other pages- your fuze was blown long ago. It's not just I that recognizes this. I'm telling you that you got to fix your thinking eventually, First on the Moon or you would have gained nothing from this conversation.

I don't want to talk about it anymore either but I felt necessary to make it totally clear.

Spamming Barons thread with beautiful women!