Herve's Bar & Grill

[nkuvu]

I have a case of merry out back. I'll bring it in.

No shrimp for me, thanks, I'm herbivorous.

And BTW, I'm actually in agreement with vic as far as the whole fighting thing goes. IMO, if someone attacks you, then you attack back, you're just beginning the whole violence cycle all over again. Saying things like "But they started it!" sound petty and childish to me. A true demonstration of strength is to be able to resist the temptation to counter attack, without losing one's own integrity. Ever hear of Aikido?

[edX]

Jeff, i guess we just experience it different. I normally come out of these discussions feeling like i know a lot more about the other person and having a closer relationship with them. In fact, take our relationship for example. We argued for weeks about mozilla and it got pretty hairy for me at times with everybody ganging up on me. But almost everyone that participated in that discussion are people i feel closer to and better about now. I would condier you and kilowatt and vanguard online buddies now. I certainly like you more than when we started that. same with MDLarson and Bernie and plenty of others who have had disagreements with myself and others. the ones that back off and don't let us learn anything about them are the ones who quickly fade into the past and seem not to be a part of the site anymore. I think Vic has shown he is here to stay. and frankly, i really have been excited to see him type these long posts and open up. I didn't know his dad was from Romania, did you?

[edX]

nkuvu - i agree with you on a personal level - up to a point. But when somebody shoots the guy next to me and then turns it on me, i don't think i want to just stand there and watch the bullet be delivered to its target. It's not the same as a schoolyard fight.

so we'll throw some shrimp on the barbie, put some out cold with cocktail sauce and if anybody is good with tempura, get in the kitchen now and sart preparing them. Bring in that case of merry and lets get Tolya's party rocking!!

[nkuvu]

Originally posted by Ed Spruiell
nkuvu - i agree with you on a personal level - up to a point. But when somebody shoots the guy next to me and then turns it on me, i don't think i want to just stand there and watch the bullet be delivered to its target. It's not the same as a schoolyard fight.

Exactly. That's the part of "not compromising your integrity". Aikido is a martial art in which the attacker's energy is used to disarm and/or disable him. Not disable like breaking any bones, but disable like pinning him to the ground. It's better explained at this website, which is a frame off of Aikido Online's home page. Aikido is a lot more than just person to person combat, its principles can easily be extended to your whole life. The whole gun pointing at you scenario is definitely hairy, but that doesn't mean that I'd just be idly standing by waiting to be shot. I may not be able to do anything, but I would try.

Anyway, I could go on and on about Aikido for hours. Don't let me hold up the party. I'll go see what's taking the monkey so long (I sent him to get the merry while I continue the conversation).

[googolplex]

Ed,
It might just be that I've had two really long days in a row and before that I had more long days, and I can't get into the argueing mood now even though under normal circumstances I would hold a very strom opinion on this issue. Anyways. Also the "American Sports Fans" thread I started before may have turned me off argueing on here a bit more since that really did turn nasty. Anyways debate away!

P.S. Mozilla is still better!!! (kidding) .

P.P.S. I actually did know he was from Romainia... I think he told me on IRC, while disscussing being a Canadian or something. I really forget .

[JohnnyV]

Ever hear of Aikido?

Yes, I have, one of my best friends is actively studying aikido. If I am not mistaken with aikido is designed to send your attacker to the ground, or disable him/her. This gives you time to get away. The way I see it, this is exactly what we are trying to do in Afganistan, disable our attacker.



BTW, I don't like shrimp


EDIT: Your last message wasn't up when I hit post reply nkuvu

[nkuvu]

My sensei described it this way (paraphrased since I didn't write it down): "If you are really angry at a piece of cork floating in water, you might try to hit it. But the cork just moves with your attack and takes no damage. So you try harder. The cork moves more, defeating your purpose. How long will you continue to attack the cork? Either you will exhaust yourself, and be unable to attack the cork more, or just get the idea that you're not getting anywhere. Either way, the cork will still be unharmed." The act of defending yourself in Aikido takes very little energy on the defender's part, so you can keep it going for a long time.

Oh, yeah, I said I was gonna shut up about this...

[nkuvu]

vic I have a question for you. (Bold so you see it )

You said that you disagree with Ed's statement that we have to be able to celebrate our diversity in order to attain peace. Then you mentioned the concept of biblical paradise.

How do you envision humanity getting there?

I'm not trying to attack you, or get you upset in any way. I'm truly curious as to your beliefs. Take your time answering, we're not going anywhere.