ILUVAdrianaLima

^

Countries usually go to war due to the greed and the ambitions of the elite and whatever 'zeitgeist' they can get the people into through the mass media, culture, social organization, and rhetoric. Or it's reflexivity, and the warlike people love war, want war, want war's spoils, and support leaders who give it to them. The core of war is either ambition for something greater or even (usually partially) revenge.

von Clautzwitz's famous theme in 'On War' (that war is a 'form of commerce') holds true in most instances.

I am a believer in the view that economic globalization, trade agreements, and modern capital formation has pretty much eliminated the desirability of war between leading trading nations in this century. It's purely a luxury of the 21st century and the end of communism & rabid nationalism (isolationism). There's enormous cost and little gain. This luxury is unique in world history, and imho people don't really understand that it is and take it for granted. People in trading economies are no longer war-like and have become, for the most part, pacifists and absorbed into their own lives.

This is why seriously insufficient political will was garnered for every American small war after WW2. At the height of the Korean war, it was 15% of GDP, then a maximum 10% of GDP during Johnson's Vietnam surge. It was drawn down to a low of 3% during the post cold war Clinton years. Iraq/Afghanistan combined gathered 6% GDP at its peak. Now the US is drawing down to 3% once again over the next ten years.

However, 3rd world or developing nations are still vulnerable from wars between each other, civil wars, or a unilateral/multilateral attack from a world power that sees something to gain.

:morning:

^

Also just gonna leave this right here..........

^ More please!

And to Limer...I'll take the lasagna too

^

Countries usually go to war due to the greed and the ambitions of the elite and whatever 'zeitgeist' they can get the people into through the mass media, culture, social organization, and rhetoric. Or it's reflexivity, and the warlike people love war, want war, want war's spoils, and support leaders who give it to them. The core of war is either ambition for something greater or even (usually partially) revenge.

von Clautzwitz's famous theme in 'On War' (that war is a 'form of commerce') holds true in most instances.

I am a believer in the view that economic globalization, trade agreements, and modern capital formation has pretty much eliminated the desirability of war between leading trading nations in this century. It's purely a luxury of the 21st century and the end of communism & rabid nationalism (isolationism). There's enormous cost and little gain. This luxury is unique in world history, and imho people don't really understand that it is and take it for granted. People in trading economies are no longer war-like and have become, for the most part, pacifists and absorbed into their own lives.

This is why seriously insufficient political will was garnered for every American small war after WW2. At the height of the Korean war, it was 15% of GDP, then a maximum 10% of GDP during Johnson's Vietnam surge. It was drawn down to a low of 3% during the post cold war Clinton years. Iraq/Afghanistan combined gathered 6% GDP at its peak. Now the US is drawing down to 3% once again over the next ten years.

However, 3rd world or developing nations are still vulnerable from wars between each other, civil wars, or a unilateral/multilateral attack from a world power that sees something to gain.

Make love food not war?

I always keep telling myself that you're the only one I talk to alot on BZ and I don't visit your thread,but I don't visit others too ,well,I don't have friends of them except sometimes Jennka ,Katchi and PC,I love Kiki alot,I apppreciate Michael and Baron and I love Joe's constant lists ,but also they're all not friends of mine.

You know that Personal threads are probably the only comfortable places where we can talk freely and say whatever we want when we're tired of posting pictures,also they're so friendly but who can we talk to ,I consider myself to not be real friends of anyone here execpt you ,most people on BZ are close to who they know,and I'm not of kind to befriend people closely,I talk to anyone and seem friendly with most here,but just that's it,no further talks as I don't also believe in online friendship alot.

I don't think my words make sense,but just dropping to say I miss you and miss talking to you,and also don't expect me here again alot,you're so funny and full of life and I'm afraid that my serious talk don't get along this palyful place of yours.

^ Heck, that's all that counts right? You have him by your side at the moment and it be best just to enjoy those times while they are possible

Hard to say what the ACTUALLY size is for the average American women but I hear anything from size 12 all the way to 18 (US). All I know is that there is a huge obesity epidemic here in the States so waistlines are expanding for a majority no doubt. And as far as your size goes, depending on your height, a 0-2 is quite possible using US measurements. How tall are you?

More on Yahoo! Shine: Are These Plus-Size Mannequins Progressive or Just Weird?

Plus sized? PLUS SIZED? Those mannequins look NOTHING like plus sized! Or do my eyes deceive me? I need your help.

^

Countries usually go to war due to the greed and the ambitions of the elite and whatever 'zeitgeist' they can get the people into through the mass media, culture, social organization, and rhetoric. Or it's reflexivity, and the warlike people love war, want war, want war's spoils, and support leaders who give it to them. The core of war is either ambition for something greater or even (usually partially) revenge.

von Clautzwitz's famous theme in 'On War' (that war is a 'form of commerce') holds true in most instances.

I am a believer in the view that economic globalization, trade agreements, and modern capital formation has pretty much eliminated the desirability of war between leading trading nations in this century. It's purely a luxury of the 21st century and the end of communism & rabid nationalism (isolationism). There's enormous cost and little gain. This luxury is unique in world history, and imho people don't really understand that it is and take it for granted. People in trading economies are no longer war-like and have become, for the most part, pacifists and absorbed into their own lives.

This is why seriously insufficient political will was garnered for every American small war after WW2. At the height of the Korean war, it was 15% of GDP, then a maximum 10% of GDP during Johnson's Vietnam surge. It was drawn down to a low of 3% during the post cold war Clinton years. Iraq/Afghanistan combined gathered 6% GDP at its peak. Now the US is drawing down to 3% once again over the next ten years.

However, 3rd world or developing nations are still vulnerable from wars between each other, civil wars, or a unilateral/multilateral attack from a world power that sees something to gain.

Once I'm filthy rich I will drive by :neo2:

^ You're not helping the cause below! I would eat till my stomach breached thru me epidermis Epic grill set-up though

Sorry for responding so late

I´m 1,68m tall. Not much, but still enough

So is the obesity epidemic really that serious in US? I´d love to hear more Dave, when you have some time, be sure to inform me.

Oh its quite alright Jennka, as long as your doing well and kicking along keep safe and enjoy the times

And as far as the obesity epidemic here in the USA goes, I would consider it a national emergency although no such labeling is of course giving to this current issue. As a matter of fact, more than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are considered medically obese (that doesn't equate those labeled overweight), now if those numbers don't wake up the social conscious of the country in regards to better eating habits and exercise then people will start being kicked off health insurance plans as covering those with obvious weight related health issues will keep costs rising at a staggering pace that far exceeds normal inflation. And heck, that's just insurance costs, what about worker productivity, life expectancy, this problem has such far reaching consequences that doing nothing is just not an option. Although certain changes have been enacted over the years we have barley scratched the surface on wider social changes. And I laugh how people are quick to put the blame on one variable to the next but the fact of the matter is there are a myriad of problems that have contributed to where we are at. Everything from the ever growing industrial food complex (F*@K Monsanto among others), technology - which has enabled millions upon million sitting behind a desk vs the manufacturing base we once had (lets not forget video games too!), marketing and advertising which is brilliantly fine tuned to wire kids heads into WANTING junk-food from the start - go ahead, just count how many food advertisements you are bombarded with on the internet, TV, radio...it's borderline brain washing, and of course the proliferation of fast-food locations. As you can see, the average person has a fair amount to push thru to just eat right. That's why we need to teach our kids how to eat right and cook at an early age. I remember when I attended school - before high school - I had a class which had modules and one of those was a cooking station to teach basic knife skills, preparation of food for safe eating, it was a brilliant set-up to prepare kids for the REAL world and give them the independent attitude one needs. Sadly those classes were cut from many schools which just keeps me wondering how the hell are we to teach kids proper healthy eating habits when many households have both parents working and usually a quick trip to a fast-food joint or something from the freezer, box or can becomes breakfast, lunch and dinner far too often.

So as you can see Jennka, it's an up hill battle to get things turning around for the better but luckily people are realizing the staggering costs of our actions towards food and exercising and within time I do see hope, but as of now, it doesn't look god at all. Let's just say that junk-food will become the new tabacco of our country in just a few years time...count on it! (if not already the case).

I did not know the problem is so serious over there. There are similar trends in my country, though not so alarmic, the number of over-weighted people is rising.

Cooking is not very common in US?

:D

Want some pizza?

^ YES!

Is it sad that I would rather have the pizza then Karlie?

I did not know the problem is so serious over there. There are similar trends in my country, though not so alarmic, the number of over-weighted people is rising.

Cooking is not very common in US?

As far as cooking goes, it's very difficult to grasp any REAL numbers as there are so many variables that come into play here that might not give a proper representation of a group, area, people. All I know is that people are consuming more calories then ever before due to the double digit increases in portion sizes over the last 20 years. Seems as if it would be a easy YES with cooking being a sport here with all the expanding waistlines around here

:D

Proud to be an American!

Hello young sir.

Glad to see you're still kicking around. How are things? (What can I say I missed this place )

I don't know, actually. I'm lactose intolerant so I don't drink milk-shakes (I love milk shakes, milk, and ice cream though.......................)

Hello young sir.

Glad to see you're still kicking around. How are things? (What can I say I missed this place )

Ha! You saw right through me However no doubt I did want to catch up with you guys and have some superficial fun.

Ive been absolutely flat out at work. Its been non stop...but lots of fun. The other day our boss cooked us a huge shoulder of pork and we had a BBQ for lunch....was utterly amazing! It was just his way of keeping the troops happy and saying thanks for working so hard.

I have also been working on furnishing and painting my flat. Can show you a picture of the living room at least.